In This Economy...part III

In the previous two segments "In This Economy" I covered how Bed and Breakfasts can be an affordable and completely unique experience for out-of-town wedding guests rather than the traditional hotel. They can also be the perfect setting for an intimate wedding ceremony and reception.

Here are my favorite Bed and Breakfasts:

• The Peacock Inn - located in Chaska, MN is owned and lovingly run by Joyce and Jens Bohn has 5 very beautiful bedrooms all with private baths and some with two person jacuzzi tubs, fireplaces and antique furniture. They have hosted many private functions including rehearsal dinner, wedding ceremonies and receptions and family reunions. I have hosted events at The Peacock and look forward to doing so again.
• Matthew S Burrows 1890 Inn in Duluth is conveniently located across the street from St. Paul's Episcopal Church and has stunning views of Lake Superior. It too has five comfortable bedrooms all with private baths but the highlight has to be the breakfast. You will receive a meal fit for a king all by candlelight.
• Ivy Creek Farm in Lynchburg, VA is a personal favorite. I met innkeepers Marilyn and Lynn Brooks in Puerto Vallarta at one of the weddings I coordinated. I enjoyed every moment spent discussing the trials and tribulations of innkeeping but also the joy and satisfaction they receive making new friends practically every week. Theirs is a much larger inn and capable of handling weddings up to 100 guests. Ivy Creek Farm is situated on 8 acres at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and they have something practically unheard of, an indoor swimming pool.

For more information about each of these properties check out their websites and tell them Amy from Fete Perfection recommended you. I know you will be well taken care of.

In This Economy...part II

Last week I posted about the benefits of out-of-town wedding guests staying in a Bed & Breakfast over a hotel. With the right size wedding, this would be a great option for a ceremony and reception as well. There are many B & B's who offer these services, however do not advertise them.

Owners are wary to advertise wedding services, typically because they are a lot of work and not a lot of profit for the owner. However, many owners I have met enjoy the opportunity to be a part of such a special time in couples lives and feel they can offer very personalized services a typical venue cannot. Since most B&B's started out as private homes, the quaintness and charm of the surroundings cannot be replicated in say for example, a hotel ballroom.

Most couples I work with say they are looking for ambiance and unique surroundings with a historical perspective and I say, what about a B & B? If the guest list is under 75, many properties will hold ceremonies in the garden with a cocktail party on the wrap around porch and dinner inside.

B&B's are easy on the budget. Most properties do not charge room rental or even a set-up fee. A special catering license is needed to provide food beyond breakfast but the owners I have worked with seem content to include this fee with their food and beverage charge.

Another reason to consider a B&B is very little extra expense is needed for florals and decor. So many have beautiful lush gardens can serve as ceremony backdrops. Guests are wowed by the simple fact that your wedding is in a gorgeous setting and little else is needed to enhance it.

I'll provide a list of my most favorite B&B's in Minnesota in part III.

In This Economy...

who doesn't want or need to save money on hotel accommodations and yes even wedding venues?

While I was in Duluth this week I stayed at a charming Bed & Breakfast called Matthew S Burrows 1890 Inn. My room had all the creature comforts a hotel offers but there was a certain personalized element that is rarely found even in five-star luxury hotels. The room had high ceilings, an antique bed {with comfortable mattress} beautiful quilts and coordinating bedding, ceiling fan, wing back chairs and the most luxurious free-standing claw footed soaking tub, to name a few.

The next morning I enjoyed a delectable breakfast of fresh fruit, homemade blueberry muffin and an upside down apple puff pancake with caramel sauce, orange juice and fresh brewed coffee. This certainly beats the continental breakfasts offered at many chains.

As I was driving home the thought occurred to me that when a newly engaged couple is looking for hotel accommodations for their out-of-town guests, they usually contact hotels for room blocks. That's the first thought I have as well, however couples should consider local Inn's and B&B's like Matthew S Burrows 1890 Inn. Duluth is a great example of the hotel market being just mediocre, however throw in the Bed & Breakfasts and places like Fitger's Inn and guests have many more appealing and affordable options.

In part II I'll explain why a B&B fits into the I Do Vow To business model and discuss why they make sense for wedding venues. Check out the Minnesota Bed and Breakfast Association for locations near you.

Minnesota Wedding Blog by Rev Tomkin Coleman

I would be a very bad wedding planner if I failed to mention how much I love working with Reverend Tomkin Coleman. Not only does he take a personalized interest in each and every couple he works with, but he is one of the most informed wedding professionals I have had the pleasure of working with.

He writes a blog "Minnesota Wedding Blog" which is a combination of Dear Abby, Jeopardy and Miss Manners on steroids. He definitely knows his stuff and I have to admit I too have looked to his blog for resources or the occasional etiquette question I couldn't answer.

So if you are looking for a truly one-of-a-kind minister to perform a personalized heartfelt ceremony, Reverend Tompkin Coleman should be your first choice. Check him out at Minnesota Wedding Minister and tell him Fete Perfection sent you. By the way, I took his photo from his blog so you can see how warm and charming he is.

Perfect Wedding Show Photos

The Perfect Wedding Show was held on Sunday at International Market Square and was very well attended. Over 670 brides enjoyed the opportunity to meet wedding professionals all in one location kind of like speed dating squared.

I had the opportunity to show off our design techniques by creating four themed tablescapes - Fall - Winter - Spring & Summer. I started with fabulous new linens from La Tavola in Napa Valley and accessorized with Base Plates, China, Silver, Crystal, Votives and numerous other accessories.

Dozens of brides loved our ideas and took photos for future reference. In fact someone loved my ideas so much, they literally stole some of my accessories. Sorry people, I wasn't giving out samples...I guess I should be flattered that they truly loved my ideas, however taking them without asking is just plain wrong. Oh well, I can have replacements made.

Enjoy these photos which pretty much speak for themselves.

Perfect Wedding Show Sunday

I spent the better part of today setting up my booth at the Perfect Wedding Show. Although I'm not finished, I have to say it looks better than I imagined. I can't give away all my secrets but I designed four very different tablescapes, all with seasonal themes.

I tried to go over-the-top on a couple of the tables while creating a toned down eclectic design on the others. I also incorporated antique refurbished chairs thanks to Melissa Stratton who rescues chairs doomed to the junk pile and breathes new life into them by refinishing, repairing and recovering these beauties.

Sadie's Fine Florals and The Late Bloomer each provided gorgeous floral designs and MBellish provided a non-floral albeit stunning eco-chic centerpiece for one of the tablescapes. I can't wait to publish the photos.

If you live in the area and can stop by, say hello to me at booth 122 at International Market Square at 275 Market Street in Minneapolis. The Perfect Wedding Show opens at 11AM and goes until 5PM. After which you will find me tearing everything down, packing it up and returning to my studio long into the night.

Local Resource = Big Savings...

...and it's eco-chic. What could be better than this?




Gosh, I'm getting ahead of myself I better explain - I'm so excited to be working with Mari Bern of MBellish a wonderful company she founded over four years ago {and ahead of the eco-friendly curve I might add} which rents unique, stylish and reusable wedding decor.

She is located in Newport {a St. Paul suburb} however will come to you with her beautiful samples which is an added bonus when you and your wedding planner are selecting linens on the other end of town and having a hard time imagining how everything will coordinate. Mari has a great sense of style and creativity which is why many of her weddings have been featured in Minnesota Bride and The Knot.

Many of these pieces can be stand-alone or MBellish-ed with flowers... they're lovely either way. Two GREEN thumbs up to Mari Bern of MBellish for her contribution to the eco-chic world of weddings and providing less wedding waste.

Trend-setting Save-the-Dates and No Paper Waste

My studio mate Andrew sent me his Save-the-Date for his upcoming wedding in May, 2009. I love this idea for two major reasons...Number One: it's something completely new and as far as I know hasn't been done. If it has I don't think anything else has been as elaborate as this.

Secondly and more importantly no tree was harmed in the development and sending of these Save-the-Dates and an added bonus, no mail carrier was injured making these deliveries. Everything was prepared and sent electronically. I feel that this format has much more impact than just a postcard or magnet. Thanks to Merina Burda and Matt Brue who collaborated together on this exciting innovative project.

Check-out this link for the complete picture: Andrew & Janelle's Wedding. Feel free to contact me at Fete Perfection for more information or to reach Merina or Matt for your own customized save-the-date.

Simple Ideas to Reduce Waste

Since I Do Vow To is generating interest and gathering speed to become the newest hottest resource for trendy wedding ideas, I've decided to get back to my roots, if you will and start posting weekly tips for reducing wedding waste. Technically we are still in the engagement season, however wedding season is fast approaching so I'd love to have dozens of new ideas posted for all to adopt as their own.

The trend I'd love to forever eliminate from the whole wedding scene is to forgo the favor. Admit it...is there a single favor you've ever brought home that really touched your heart or that every time you look at it recall fondly "Liz & Tom's" wedding? I can't - and I've been to hundreds of weddings, professionally and socially.

Honestly, who needs another ornament, bar of soap, golf ball or wine charm? And as much as I love Godiva truffles in beautifully packaged boxes, I don't need 420 additional calories from the two-piece favor pack which by the way, costs $4.75 each. With 200 guests that's a savings of over $950 but money isn't the only reason to do this, although it's a secondary benefit. I hate to think of our lives as depicted in the movie Wall-E, but I also don't think that future is so far-fetched.

Wedding planners of the world, unite and fight against the favor! Brides and grooms, if the idea of a favor is a priority, why not take what would be spent and donate it to a charitable organization near and dear to your heart. I believe your guests will be touched by your generosity and grateful to not bring home another favor that ends up in the trash.

Wedding Waste

I'm going to go out on a limb here and make some unpopular declarations about weddings. I recognize that I am part of an industry that thinks little about all the waste associated with modern day weddings and I want to change that. Now more than ever we need to completely revamp our old ways and embrace the challenge of making those changes.

Last year I had the opportunity to meet Colin Cowie, author of many fabulous wedding and lifestyle books, celebrity planner and designer to the stars, dignitaries and crowned heads around the world. He is a truly gifted designer with a vision most of us can never dream of. He's also a very benevolent contributor and educator to the wedding industry, however I was shocked at his response to my simple question. After viewing a slideshow of one of his recent 2.5 million dollar weddings which really was extraordinary, I asked him what he does with all the stuff.

His response...apologetic as it was..."we throw it all away". He acknowledged his carbon footprint is grossly huge and added that this is the one depressing aspect of his business. I began thinking this is "the" depressing aspect of the wedding industry.

The wedding industry as a whole thrives on trends, change and challenges, therefore I am challenging everyone in this industry to change the way they do business and to make it trendy to reduce wedding waste by 25% starting now.

The newest division of my wedding planning business Fete Perfection, is I Do Vow To. My hope is to create awareness to all the waste and to educate couples as well as the professionals they hire to make a significant impact on the waste problem. Secondly, I would love to see couples passionate about contracting with only wedding professionals who are committed to giving of their time, rather than just money to worthy causes.

I have been meeting with many local wedding professionals to discuss the concept of I Do Vow To and to learn more about their personal missions. I am so pleased to learn how many have been quietly making a difference. My mission is to work with couples with the same sense of responsibility and commitment to making a difference, one wedding at a time.

For now, I Do Vow To is a concept and a blog, but look for details and other ideas in our new website which will be named I Do Vow To coming soon.