MODERN DAY FLORAL » TAKING CENTER STAGE

Taking Center Stage – A Grand Rapids Bridal Gown Boutique: Renee Austin Wedding

jenn — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 17:19:19 +0000

Maggie with Renee Austin Wedding is one sassy entrepreneur! With a super chic bridal salon in downtown Grand Rapids, she is doing everything right when it comes to preparing an excited bride for her big day. A few weeks ago, we had Maggie answer some questions about how she does it… Her answers are real and we know you’ll fall in love with her and her boutique just like we did!

What first sparked your interest in the wedding gowns?

To be honest, wedding gowns weren’t necessarily what I thought I would do. I always wanted to own and run my own boutique… When I was younger, I used to love watching Platinum Weddings and A Wedding Story on TLC so when a friend of mine started a prom store, wedding gowns just seemed like a great compliment. Now I can’t imagine doing any else!

If you could work with any one, who would it be?

Donald Trump. Even though it’s a completely different business, I would like to spend a day with him and listen to his day-to-day.

Any great business advice you swear by?

If you’re not learning with every step, then what are you doing?

What is your must-have item on the job?

Chapstick and an open mind!

What is the most important personal satisfaction you get with your career?

It’s always a happy moment when a bride finds her dress, but it’s very rewarding when they thank me and let me know that I have been the most helpful. My emotions are always running high right there with my brides!

Maggie Sottero’s Fantasia

What does your “normal day” consist of?

When I wake up, I spend 30-45 minutes on my phone – checking email, checking the calendar, checking Facebook and I play this game, Words, with friends on my iPhone. After getting to the store, I check in new inventory from UPS and get ready for any appointments coming in that day. Everyday, I work with brides, MOB’s and bridesmaids deciding colors, sizes, ect. After the store is closed, I usually spend 30 minutes making a list for the next day. When I arrive home, I eat dinner, hang out with my lovely roommates and read a book before falling asleep as soon as my head hits the pillow.

Days off and down time are cherished in this industry. How do you spend yours?

On most days off, I still find myself working for an hour or two. But I love sleeping in and I LOVE running errands! When I can do some shopping and just have an entire day to myself to do what I want, I’m usually busy running around Grand Rapids and having lunch with a friend.

What do you want brides to now specifically about you and Renee Austin Wedding?

Know that without you, I wouldn’t be here. Every day I do my best to branch out of the norm and make sure that your experience is untouchable to an other place you go.

The Grand Affair: Amway Grand Plaza’s 2011 Bridal Event

jenn — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 17:16:51 +0000

In a few weeks, the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel is hosting an incredible bridal event. We can hardly wait to get our design on!

So all you soon-to-be-brides, get excited!!!! There will definitely be LOTS of information to soak up throughout the day from various vendors, not to mention the informative break-out sessions! If you haven’t signed up already, be sure to!

Taking Center Stage: Captured Productions

jenn — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 17:20:57 +0000

This past summer, we had the pleasure of working with Aaron of Captured Productions on an amazing wedding in St. Joe, MI. We are honored to introduce Aaron and his incredible business to our readers!!!

Location: Midland, MI

Number of Years in the Business: 10 years

Website: http://www.capturedproductions.com

1. What first sparked your interest in the videography?

“I love the additional dimension and feel that video offers in bringing you back. Once I realized that wedding films could be more like movies rather than cheesy home videos, I was sold… There is no better way to relive your wedding day.”

2. What is your must-have item of the job?

“Besides my camera, I always carry my fisheye lens on hand. I love the creative shots and unique angles I can capture with it… a must have.”

Video Recap of Pam and Steve’s wedding in St. Joe, MI

3. Any great business advice that you swear by?

“Always plan for the unexpected… no matter if it is your computer, your equipment or just having shout wipes on hand, filming weddings is about capturing the moment no matter what comes your way.”

4. What is the most important personal satisfaction you get with your job?

“We’ve got the best job in the world. Each weekend we get to go to a party and capture one of the most important and significant days of a couples life. We have the opportunity to work with great people and preserve their wedding day for generations to come. It doesn’t get much better than that. Surrounded by beauty, we are constantly challenged to outdo our previous wedding films. I love to think we are creating the couples future daughter’s favorite movie.”

5. If you could work with any one, who would it be?

“I am pretty biased… my wife of 15 years, Renee’. There is something about filming a couples wedding day with the one that you are married to. It also doesn’t hurt working with someone who can read your mind.”

image courtesy of SMA Photography

6. If you could have anyone as your client, who would it be?

“I love to film weddings for couples that are truly into each other and their day. They don’t think about stress and the details, but are there to have fun and make memories. Fun clients are the best ”

7. What has been your all time favorite wedding/event at this point in time?

“I am pretty partial to our recent destination wedding that Renee’ and I shot in Puta Cana. You couldn’t help but get great shots and the days leading up to the wedding were pretty great as well.”

8. What does your normal day consist of?

“Normal… hmmmm… I’ve heard of it, not sure I know what it means though. With wedding cinematography, there is a ton of editing that goes with every hour of footage captured, so I spend of a lot of time staring at a computer screen. I have learned from our business coach and the book, E-Myth Mastery, the importance of blocking our schedule and spending time on our business and not just in our businesses.”

9. Day off and down time are cherished in this industry. How do you spend yours?

“I love to spend any time off with my best friend and wife, Renee’, dreaming of the future and enjoying our 4 amazing kids. I am still not sure if they make us older or keep us young, either way, they sure make life fun.”

image courtesy of Captured Photography

10. Anything interesting about your venue/business you want brides to know?

“Renee’ and I have been married for 15 years and are passionate about marriage. It is one of the most important days in your life. We like to think we are in the business of preserving marriages. Not only do we preserve your vows, but we provide you the ability to go back in time and relive your love for each other, when it was the freshest.”

Taking Center Stage: Le Jardin

jenn — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 19:14:00 +0000

Earlier this month, I had the pleasure of meeting with Le Jardin! This mother-daughter team from Northern Michigan creates incredible fruit art… now tell me that doesn’t make you hungry!!

Pam Vuke and Courtney Kunst of Le Jardin

Location: North West Michigan

Number of Years in the Business: Less than One

What first sparked your interest in creating fruit displays?

“We have always had an interest in food, style and fun… our passion for taking food, making it unique and the fun that we have while doing it was the perfect synergy of the things we enjoy… which sparked our interest in this line of work!”

What is your must-have item on the job?

“Besides the necessary items we need to create our arrangements, we need each other! The balance between our personalities and the creativity that is generated from bouncing ideas back and forth makes it a must-have for us to work together while creating these unique arrangements.”

Any great business advice you swear by?

“Always listen to the clients wants… always work hard and honestly.. always be open to criticisms and ideas… but at the end of the day, be true to yourself and love what you do!”

What is the most important personal satisfaction you get with your job?

“Please our clients and seeing the reactions of people as they see our work for the first time and knowing that we got to be a part of making someone’s special day even more memorable… that is the most rewarding part of doing what we do!”

If you could work with anyone, who would it be?

“As a mother-daughter team… we are each other’s first choice! We have worked together from the very beginning doing family dinners, cooking contests and parties of all sorts! Our work ethics are the same and what one of us doesn’t think of, the other one does!”

If you could have anyone as your client, who would it be?

“Since we couldn’t come up with any one person we would like to work with, we’ll say this: our ideal client would be someone who gave us a vision… something unique… where the sky was the limit… and then gave us full creative interpretation to design it!”

What does your normal day consist of?

“Our normal days consists of caring for our families, chores, chatting with each other and brainstorming new ideas for making our business as unique and creative as possible.”

Days off and down time are cherished in this industry. How do you spend yours?

“Doing the things we love! We both love spending time with our families, entertaining with our friends, being outside, movie, the Food Network, scrapbooking, knitting, being involved in church activities… basically anything we can do together!”

Guest Blogger Sara Valor: Creating the Perfect Wedding

jenn — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 14:05:00 +0000

I would like to introduce all of you to the wonderfully talented Sara Valor! She so kindly accepted my offer to be featured as a guest blogger for your reading pleasure! Follow her on twitter! She is a great resource for brides-to-be!

Make a Beautiful and Lasting Impression with Your Wedding Flowers

Nearly every little girl dreams about her wedding day. Some begin planning their perfect wedding while still very young girls, while
others may begin planning their perfect wedding while in their teenage years. Of course, she will include the man of her dreams standing beside her while she is all dressed up in her magnificent wedding gown and him in his tuxedo while all their family and friends stand by wishing them well and offering them wedding gifts that can enhance their lives and household as a newly wed couple.

There are many things a young woman may think to consider while she is wedding planning, no matter how long she may wait until she gets married. However, one of the most significant means of making a beautiful and lasting impression on her wedding day is while considering the type of wedding flowers she will use for her wedding bouquet, reception centerpieces, boutonnieres for the groom and other male members of the wedding party and the wedding flowers that are on display for the wedding ceremony.

image courtesy of Jen Kroll Photography

How to Choose the Perfect Wedding Flowers

- Determining the Atmosphere, you wish to Create with Your Wedding Flowers

Determining the atmosphere you wish to create with your wedding flowers is another personal choice. For instance, some brides may wish to create a simplistic and traditional atmosphere, by using roses or carnations. On the other hand, some brides may wish to create a more sophisticated atmosphere with more modern choice of flowers by using and displaying orchids or even tulips in their wedding floral arrangements. Of course, there are other types of flowers you can choose from to make a beautiful and lasting impression with your wedding flowers; you may want to consult with your florist before making your choice to see what types of innovative ideas they may have to offer you. Therefore, it is a good idea to stay open minded about the types of flowers you wish to use for your wedding.

image courtesy of Lizzie Photo

- Considering Your Wedding Theme Colors

One essential aspect of determining the right type of wedding flowers for your wedding will depend upon the wedding theme colors you choose to use. One great thing about flowers is that you have a rainbow assortment of colors from which you can choose. Keep in mind however, while choosing your wedding flowers, you will want them to compliment and harmonize well with your wedding theme and wedding colors. While working with your florist, you need to let them know about all these choices in order to allow them to create for you the most perfect floral arrangements for your wedding day.

- Floral Arrangement Placement

Before you order your wedding flowers, you will need to know where you plan to place your floral arrangements. For instance, for a church wedding you may wish to have floral arrangements placed in such areas as the front door to the chapel, along the ends of the pews and the alter, you may also wish to consider having flower petals arranged in a specific pattern or strewn along the isle. For the reception area, you may wish to place floral arrangements as centerpieces in such areas as the bride and grooms table, each guest table, wedding flowers on the wedding cake table or you may even choose to include wedding flowers on the wedding cake itself as cake toppers, which is quite charming and very popular today.

- Considering Who in Your Wedding Party will have Wedding Flowers

When it comes to making a beautiful and lasting impression on your wedding day, you will seriously want to consider the various issues surrounding the choices of flowers and floral arrangement you will use. However, one thing you can count on is that you can never go wrong while choosing to use a modern day floral!

While considering your wedding flowers, you will need to take an account of how many individuals in your wedding party need flowers. This is essential, since many brides choose to have flowers for the others in the wedding party. These may include, you the bride and your wedding bouquet, you may also wish to have another wedding bouquet set apart especially for the bouquet toss. You will need to consider whether your maid-of-honor, bridesmaids and flower girl will carry their own bouquets. You will also need to consider the boutonnieres for the groom and his groomsmen as well as flowers for the mother of the bride.

image courtesy of JK Photography

Choosing the perfect wedding flowers takes a bit of time for some brides, while others instinctively know what flowers they will include in their wedding. Choosing your wedding flowers is just as much a personal decision as picking out your wedding gown. You want them to be beautiful while showing off your own special sense of what beautiful impressions and fashionable tastes as well as your sense of style.

- Consider Your Wedding Budget

One of the biggest factors for choosing the type of wedding flowers you will have on display will depend upon your wedding budget. It is essential that you know your wedding budget before you ever decide to counsel with a professional florist. Depending upon your budget, you may choose to use fresh flowers, which can include just about any seasonal flower and if you are lucky you may even find a florist who can provide you with flowers out of season, although you should expect to pay a bit more for that convenience. Alternately, according to your budget you may also choose to use and display silk flowers, which are becoming quite popular today, considering their ability to hold up under all sort of weather conditions and are easily kept as cherished tokens of your special day, long after that day has past. Whether you choose to use fresh flowers or silk flower arrangements, when you choose a professional florist you can rest assured that they would work with you to create the type of atmosphere that you wish to create for your special day.

Taking Center Stage: Cascade Hills Country Club

jenn — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 13:00:00 +0000

Erin Ward with Cascade Hills Country Club

Location: Grand Rapids, MI

Number of Years in the Business: 4 years in Event Planning; 10 years in Hospitality and Management

What first sparked your interest in event planning?

“Having the ability to work with all types of people, to fully serve them and to exceed their expectations are all things that entice me to the Hospitality field.”

What is your must-have item on the job?

“I guess I would have to say I must have a pencil/pen and paper – there are so many ideas and thoughts that flow so fast from myself, vendors and the client… I want to make sure and catch everything.”

Any great business advice that you swear by?

“I take a professional yet personal approach to business and this tends to work very well for me in this field. My “meetings” are more like conversations with a friend with a little business mixed in. Taking things as they come and full communication is imperative in this industry.”

Are there any wedding styles or traditions that make you cringe?

“I can’t stand the plain banquet tables that are skirted and left alone. Also the fan napkin fold seriously has to go.”

What is the most important personal satisfaction you get with your job?

“I love to service people and take great pride in my work. Seeing something start from notes on paper and turn into something simply beautiful and seamless is worth every moment of effort.”

If you could work with any one, who would it be?

“I would like to do one event with Rachel Ray as the chef… I think that would be such a blast!”

If you could have anyone as your client, who would it be?

“I would like to plan my own wedding someday so I’d have to say myself !!”

What does your normal day consist of?

“My normal day consists of working out, getting to work and returning the many emails and voicemails in my inboxes, attending the many meetings of the day, making sure the rooms are set up for morning and evening events, overseeing those events and planning future events in-between.”

Days off and down time are cherished in this industry. How do you spend yours?

“I usually do the mundane things of cleaning the house, washing cars and dogs along with working out. If I get a couple of days off in a row, I will definitely spend an evening with family and friends (movie, dinner, shopping, ect).

Taking Center Stage: Bella Signature Design

jenn — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 18:15:00 +0000

I have made some fabulous twitter friends from all over the country. It’s amazing how the internet has made the world such a small place! Just a few months ago I started tweeting with an amazing floral designer out of Seattle and although this may sound funny I knew just after a few “tweets” and reading her blog, this girl was my kindred spirit. Daniela has honestly and openly offered her expertise and for that I’m so grateful. She is an industry leader, has been featured in Bride and Bloom, Seattle Bride, Seattle Metropolitan Bride and Groom, Elegant Bride and Grace Ormonde and has one of the most fascinating stories I have ever heard… without further ado, I introduce….

Daniela Isabella Ferdico Faget of Bella Signature Design , Inc

location: Seattle, WA

years in business: 10

photography by Jane Lee Photography

What first sparked your interest in Floral Design?

“My obsession with color and flowers.”

What is your must-have item on the job?

“Floral tape and wire – I can do anything with a bit of stem tape and wire!”

Any great business advice that you swear by?

“Only design what makes you happy. If you agree to do someone’s event and the style clashes with your own, it will show in your work. I’m not saying that everything has to look the same, or that you should not create what the client desires and is inspiring to you create – that is what it is all about; but if something is making you cringe, it’s not for you, and you should pass it on to someone else. If you get excited about the project while talking to your client, then it’s a good fit.”

Any current blog obsessions you want to share?

“Besides Modern Day Floral? The smart planner, Sean Low’s great blog, as well as Seth Godin.”

Are there any weddings or traditions that make you cringe?

“I think every bride should follow her heart and create what she wants, but I tend to only accept weddings that fit well with my style, as that way, I can really get into it and be passionate about what I am creating for them. Anything too “wedding-y” is not very me – I’m definitely not traditional when it comes to design, much more of a lover of “modern lush.” You won’t find me creating centerpieces with greens and filler flowers. EVER.”

photography by Azzura Photography

What is the most important personal satisfaction you get with your job?

“I LOVE what I do. I enjoy the fact that I am now at the point where I can pick and choose which events I take on, and that those events inspire, as do the brides themselves. I am surrounded by beautiful things and put them together to create a beautiful day for someone else on one of the most important days of their life. How cool is that?! AND I get to be home when my kids get home from school every day. Perfect!”

If you could work with anyone, who would it be?

“Preston Bailey – it would be fabulous to watch his creative process!”

If you could have anyone as your client, who would it be?

“As cool as it would be to do a big celebrity name wedding, I really just love it when I have a great synergy with a bride and I get to be creative. Some of my most amazing weddings have been for clients who “let me do my thing” after we have collaborated on color and basic design ideas. I love exceeding people’s expectations.”

What does your normal day consist of?

“Catching up on email/blogs/twitter, checking out what’s new at the wholesale flower markets, processing flowers, designing, finding inspiration from a variety of places.”

Days off and down time are cherished in the industry. How do you spend yours?

“With my fabulous husband and two amazing kids, who always manage to put me in my place!”

photography by Kurt Smith Photography

A special thanks to all this Seattle photographers for allowing us to use their images and for Daniela for sharing her talent! It is always refreshing to see what is going on outside our region!!! I hope to meet her in person someday…I’m sure she would feel like a childhood friend.

Taking Center Stage: Vita Dolce

jenn — Thu, 21 May 2009 14:26:00 +0000

A delicious new addition has made its way onto the shelves at Modern Day Floral! All you chocolate lovers better great ready!

The girls of Vita Dolce are ready to introduce your taste buds to some chocolate heaven!

Knowing a phenomenon when I taste one, I knew we NEEDED Vita Dolce chocolates available in our store. Where there are beautiful flowers, there must be scrumptious chocolate. I’m proud to introduce all you readers to this incredible duo, Jessie and Dana, the proud owners of

VITA DOLCE

Is your mouth watering yet?!?!

This tasty little guys are my absolute favorite… you’ll have to taste and see why!!

Here are the adorable and delicious favors for weddings and events… scrumptiously beautiful!

(all images courtesy of Daniel Pesta)