As the show season wraps up...

As the winter Bridal Show season comes to end we were at Windows off Washington yesterday for the St Louis Bride Magazine show. Frigid tempatures, and snow didn't seem to deter the Brides from coming out. This show was a little unique, I teamed up with another planner and fellow ABC member, Lisa Zweifel. We worked as a team, and I think it turned out great. I chose royal purples, and hot fuschias as my main color. In true Lacy Branch form it was larger then life!


I am so lucky that I have such great vendors to work with that allow me to bring my designs to life!

Sisters Flowers did an amazing job on the tables centerpiece, as they humored yet another "big idea" of mine. I could not be more happy with results, it was stunning! Those indeed are real rose petals on the vase, that we ( I mean Lisa) glued one by one onsite!!



Two Blue Doors provided the striking menus, table number, and place cards.


I wanted to do something different than my last show, so I envisioned adding a lounge area for weary brides to sit and rest their feet. Our friends at Exclusive Events, Inc. came through as always with fantastic lounge furniture, a light up table (which seemed to be a hit), pink uplighting, and stunning silver fabric for the backdrop.



When I was out in California in November I fell in love with these adorable chair covers, so I had to feature them in the show. They are so whimsical and fun!


My goal when doing a display like this is to tell Brides that it is ok, to think outside the box. You do not have to have cookie cutter décor. If you want bold colors, use bold colors. If you want a lounge do a lounge. This is YOUR day and it should reflect whatever you want it to reflect.

Wedding Planner vs Catering Manager/Coordinator..What's the difference?

At our lunch this week Sabrina, Alison, and I discussed a question that seems to be arising more and more lately. The question is.. What is the difference between what we provide as Wedding Planners/Coordinators and what is provided by the Catering Manager/Coordinator? I thought back to a wonderful article I have read that was written by someone I admire, Mary Dann-McNamee.

I hope this information will help clarify the differences between the two roles.
Just because you have a beautiful hotel, country club or home chosen for your wedding doesn’t mean that the venue catering manager or the caterer’s event coordinator will be a professional wedding planner. A catering manager is employed by the venue and primarily specializes in food and beverage sales for the venue. They are usually there on your wedding day, but often depart after the first course is served. A wedding planner is your personal consultant that interfaces with ALL aspects of the planning process and, without hesitations, will mediate, negotiate and co-create with you and for you. Bottom line: you employ the wedding planner and you do not employ the catering manager. Knowing who will provide you with each of these services throughout the planning process will ensure no last minute surprises, and keep you “duty free.”

Typical Catering Manager/ Coordinator Duties*
• Provide a personalized tour of the venue
• Act as a menu consultant for all food and beverage selections
• Detail your banquet event order or catering contract, outlining all of your event specifics, and ensure that it is communicated flawlessly to the operational team of the venue
• Create a floor plan of your function space in order for you to provide seating arrangements
• Arrange and attend your menu tasting
• Oversee the ceremony and reception room(s) set up, food preparation and other venue operations
• Act as the on-site liaison between your wedding planner and venue operations staff
• Ensure a seamless transition to the venue’s banquet captain once the grand entrance has occurred (typically this is when the catering manager leaves the reception)
• Review your banquet checks for accuracy, prior to the completion of the final bill


Typical Wedding Planner/Coordinator Duties
• Recommend event professionals to provide wedding music, flowers, photography, invitations and more
• Assist with etiquette and protocol for invitations, family matters, ceremony and toasts
• Create a comprehensive timeline
• Organize and coordinate your ceremony rehearsal
• Remind the bridal party of all pertinent “call times” and “don’t forgets” on the wedding day
• Confirm “call times” and details with all vendors
• Be available to have conversations in the evenings and weekends, long after your catering manager has gone home
• Act as the liaison between your family, bridal party and other vendors to create a seamless operation
• Deliver and arrange ceremony programs, escort cards, place cards, favors and any other personal items
• Coordinate your actual ceremony (line up the bridal party, assist you with your gown)
• Coordinate your actual reception (grand entrance, first dance, toasts and cake cutting, etc)
• Collect any personal items you may have brought at the conclusion of the reception
• Review your banquet check for accuracy
• Establish room blocks at various hotels for guests
• Create a vendor payment schedule
• Review your catering contracts to ensure all of your requests are communicated to the catering manager
• Give a wide variety of professional referrals that fit with every kind of budget and taste

*Please note this is simply a guide for the “typical” roles and responsibilities for Catering managers and does not imply this is an all inclusive list.

Great things in 2009..

So far this year 2009 has started off in an amazing way! I am so excited about all of the fabulous couples that have chosen Lacy Branch Events (LBE) to be part of their big day.

However, my amazing couples are not the only thing I am pumped about. Some of you may know that I am actively involved in two great organizations ABC (Association of Bridal Consultants) and ISES (International Special Events Socienty). I have met some super talented people in the industry both nationwide and here in St Louis. It has really allowed me to provide an even more opportunities for servcies to my clients. Along those same lines I was just recently introduced to Sabrina Torti and Alison White two very talented Wedding Coordinators here in St Louis! It was so great to hear about all of their experiences, challenges, and successes. I know that this kind of networking is key to making 2009 even better.

Stay tuned for some topics that we hope will help dispell planning myths.....

'Tis the Season for Bridal Fashion Shows

Anyone involved in weddings knows that the time is upon us for fashion shows featuring wedding gowns. I personally adore that part of any bridal show. There is nothing better then looking up at the catwalk and seeing all the beautiful gowns. Sure gowns are beautiful in general but on a hanger it is hard to tell how they will sparkle and shine. When it is being modeled up and down the runway in all their glory, it makes me ooohhh and ahhhhh!

Last week I was at the Perfect Wedding Guide show and instead of the "traditional" model they used actual brides with all body types. These brides looked like you and me. These ladies in my opinion made the gowns so much more fabulous. I looked at them and said wow!

I found this piece in the New York Times and found it quite interesting.

So what are we going to see in 2009? Well one of my absolute favorite things is going to be big and I am very very thrilled! COLOR and lots of it!! We are no longer just seeing color in bridesmaid dresses it is now everywhere from the engagement ring to the bridal gown itself! This is so fabulous. Of course we will continue to have the traditional white gown. However, if you ever wanted a colored gown, now is the perfect year for you to embrace it!

Another popular trend that has carried over to 2009 is the one shouldered gown. This is another favorite of mine. It just makes a statement for those brides who want something just a little more modern and unique.

I am so excited about this coming year to see what all of our brides have chosen. This truly is a wonderful time to express your style on your big day. Enjoy making your gown selection, have fun, and don't rush it!

Amazing way to spend a Sunday

Happy New Year! Today was great and reminds me why I wanted to become a Wedding Planner in the first place. The Perfect Wedding Guide hosted today's Bridal Event at Orlando Gardens. I cannot tell you how many elated newly engaged women I met today. That happiness and the excitement they feel about planning their day never seems to get old to me.

When I was thinking about creating the decor for my booth I wanted it to really reflect my personality. Heck, I had to take my own advice right? I mean almost daily I am telling Brides To Be that they absolutely must make their Wedding reflect their own style!! So I wanted my booth to be over the top fabulous!


So my first stop was to meet with Emily and Shelly at Sister Flowers. When I met with them I told them of my idea for creating an over the top huge centerpiece. This centerpiece had to have it all. It had to be shiny, with crystals, and feathers, etc etc. Although Shelly was skeptical at first of the stability of the block vases, they agreed to help me. I could not have been more PLEASED!!! On Saturday when I went to pick up the floral, Shelly told me the vases were surprisingly stable. What true artists they are. Even though I wanted something so over the top, they were able to create it and then some.





I then thought well now we have the flowers, I have to create the elegance with some glam. So I used a ton of crystals, a lot of elbow grease, and vision. I can honestly say I was so happy with the results.



Of course no room (or booth for this purpose) is complete without lighting. Erin Schulte from Exclusive Events, Inc never ceases to amaze me. She used this crystal type backdrop and used pink lights to emphasis. It was stunning, and really helped tie my entire design together!




I hope that all of the Brides to Be I met today enjoyed the show as much as I did.