by Diana Warner | Apr 6, 2018 | Vendor Love
What is it that you do?
Ben Ricci DJs is Cleveland’s Elite Entertainment Company with focus on classy wedding ceremonies and receptions. Our number one goal is to ensure a fun filled celebration with emphasis on professionalism and class. Our team of DJ/Emcee’s have been in the business for many years. Each of our DJ/Emcee’s and team members have been hand picked among the best in Cleveland. Experience is one of the most important ingredients in making the event successful. Music plays an important role as well. All DJ companies have equipment and music. Remember, what you are paying for is the ability of the DJ/Emcee to know what to play and when to play it. Without this knowledge, an event can become disastrous quickly.
Tell my readers a little about yourself and your history with music.
Ben’s love for music started at the age of seven when he received a drum set as a gift. In the 5th grade, he started playing the trumpet. Over the next few years, he realized that the trumpet was not for him. The piano grabbed his attention and he became a jazz pianist, which he continues to enjoy today. At the age of 16, Ben and his high school friend started a mobile DJ company in Cleveland, Ohio called “The Muzic & Company”. They started out performing at school dances and private parties. During this same time, Ben played keyboards and was a singer in two pop bands, Arson and The M.O.B.B. Performing in a band was short lived as his heart was in the DJ business. Several years later, Ben and his partner merged with Cleveland’s largest DJ company. This partnership lasted 6 years. Later that year, he split awayand formed Ben Ricci Ultimate Entertainment DJs. The name has changed a few times but the philosophy has stayed the same. When you have passion for something, it really shows. Nothing gives Ben more enjoyment than seeing guests at an event having a great time dancing, laughing and smiling. The key to success in this business is experience. This is not something you learn overnight. It takes years of practice and he has perfected it!
What is your favorite thing about your job?
I love music and I certainly love when people are dancing and having a great time.
What would be the most common mistake couples make when it comes to your business?
(i.e. booking late,etc.)
Not talking to me to explain the difference in what things cost. You get what you pay for.
What is your ideal day at work?
My emails are blowing up.
What is your ideal day off?
My emails are blowing up. LOL never have a day off. Always working.
Describe yourself in 3 words.
Fun, Classy and Professional
What are three things you cannot live without? (Not including humans and pets)
I feel we need food, shelter and water. Everything else is wants. We all can live a simple life if wanted.
What are you reading, listening to or binge watching right now?
YouTube videos. How to sell to millennials.
What is your favorite thing to do, or place to go, in the Northeast Ohio area?
Walking along the beach and looking for sea glass, well its called lake glass. LOL
What would you tell your 16 year old self if you could?
I started at 16. Be nice and be honest to everyone.
What is your favorite dessert?
German Chocolate Cake
What is your favorite drink (alcoholic or non)?
A good bottle of French Bordeaux
Thank you so much to Ben for taking the time to answer some questions. If you would like to reach out about his awesome entertaining skills for your next event, please do so at:
www.benriccidjs.com
Phone: 440-357-7468
Email: ben@benriccidjs.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/benriccidjs
by Diana Warner | Mar 23, 2018 | Vendor Love
Donna & Steve Katko are an amazing couple. Not only are they both hard-workers, but they both have such caring hearts. Plus they’re pretty darn creative to boot. Donna is the lovely woman who created my ring for me that I wear every day, and I love it! The do handcrafted items that is perfect for wedding party and family gifts, and also just for yourself.
What is it that you do?
We hand make custom gifts using a variety of mediums including woodworking, metalworking, silversmithing, painting, and more. Our creations come in many forms, including, pens, bottle stops, serving ware, jewelry, decor, and more.
Tell my readers a little about yourselves.
We are a husband and wife team. Both of us graduated from the art institute of Pittsburgh. Steve has grown up around woodworking, and has integrated metal working and the repurposing of different industrial and mechanical pieces to create unique gifts Donna is well versed in mixed media, different painting styles, and sculpting. Her passion lies in jewelry design including stone setting, cutting stones, silversmithing, and advanced wire wrapping.
What is your favorite thing about your job?
Being able to design a truly unique creation for each one of our clients to make their wedding day memorable.
What would be the most common mistake couples make when it comes to your business?
(i.e. booking late,etc.)
Not asking enough questions about our products and services.
What is your favorite thing to do, or place to go, in the Northeast Ohio area?
Going to local parks, museums,and local amusement centers: swings-n-things, Dave and Busters, etc…
Thank you so much to Donna & Steve for taking the time to answer a few questions.
If you would like to reach out to them to see what custom items they could create for you, please do so at:
www.katkoscreations.com
Phone: (440) 379-0728
Email: katkoscreations@yahoo.com
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by Diana Warner | Mar 9, 2018 | Vendor Love
As a lot of local wedding professionals, I am a member of a very large wedding resale group on Facebook. It’s a great resource for couples looking for advice and items for their wedding. A lot of the conversation is asking for referrals for quality vendors, and every time invitations come up, Diane Kostal of It’s All Personal is ALWAYS recommended by someone. She does beautiful work for any budget and does it with kindness. She is professional and will help guide you as you design your wedding stationary with her. I myself recommended her too.
What is it that you do?
At It’s All Personal we design custom wedding and event stationery that is Uniquely Yours. We want to set the tone of your event through our design. We strive for perfection and quality at a reasonable cost. We want to wow your guests with our designs and bring your ideas to fruition.
Tell my readers a little about yourself.
I am the mom of four amazing children, they are my world. I have a wonderfully supportive husband and an amazing extended family. I grew up Salem, Ohio a small town in Columbiana County and had a very large family. I am the youngest of seven children, and since there was a large age difference between myself and my siblings, I was pretty spoiled as a child. I have a love for family and a very large heart. In every job I have ever had, I achieved a managerial position, I take pride in all that I do, and I jump into a leadership/problem solver mode when necessary.
Why did you choose to do what you do within the wedding industry?
Wedding Stationery found me. I loved to scrapbook, and when the scrapbooking industry introduced digital scrapbooking I fell in love with it. I started out doing invitations for family and friends and as time went on my love for the art of design grew. I never dreamed of having my own invitation company, it just happened and I could not be happier. When a local design company reached out to me on Facebook and wanted to network, my business flourished and I left my full time job to make this new dream a reality and have never looked back!
What trends in the wedding industry are you loving right now?
Laser wrap invitations are so beautiful and add so much elegance to an event. I love metallic invitations, glitter and foil!
What is your favorite thing about your job?
Meeting couples in love, that are just beginning their journey and making their ideas come to life in my designs.
What would be the most common mistake couples make when it comes to your business? (i.e. booking late,etc.)
Often couples order extra Wedding Stationery because they do not have a clear guest list and are basing their order on the number of people they are expecting, rather than the number of couples/households. They order in bulk to save money, but then quickly realize how many invitations they are wasting and throwing away because they did not have an adequate handle on their guest list.
What is your ideal day at work?
My ideal day at work is designing an invitation that is Unique and wowing my clients with the finished product that exceeds their expectations.
What is your ideal day off?
My ideal day off is spent with my family. I am blessed to have four healthy children that hold my heart in their hands. A simple day, watching TV, cuddling with my children, walking in the park and holding my husband’s hand is all I really need to refresh my mind and get back to the daily routine the next day.
Describe yourself in 3 words.
Hard-working, Caring, Honest
Who inspires you and why?
I am inspired by other Stationery Specialists that have out of the box ideas. I love the work of The Pink Tomato. I love when vendors that offer the same services can brainstorm and work together to achieve greatness. I am inspired by people that are welcoming and open.
What are three things you cannot live without? (Not including humans and pets)
My computer, my paper/laser cutter, and my glue/tape guns
What are you reading, listening to or binge watching right now?
I am watching Four Weddings as I type this, I love the different ideas that the brides have and watching their ideas come to life. I also love Say Yes to the Dress, and Orange is the New Black. I will always change the channel if Friends is on, it is my go-to show!
What is your favorite thing to do, or place to go, in the Northeast Ohio area?
We love to go to Edgewater Park and take walks, we love the West Side Market, and driving through Downtown Cleveland. We love Wahlburger’s!
What would you tell your 16-year-old self if you could?
Follow your dreams, listen to your heart, and live life everyday.
What is your favorite dessert?
Cherry Cheesecake
What is your favorite drink (alcoholic or non)?
Iced Tea, Coffee, and Kaluha
Thank you so much to Diane for taking the time to answer some questions. Also for all of her hard work that she does for her clients.
If you would like to reach out to Diane to talk about what she could create for you, please do so at:
Phone: 440.532.0514
Email: itsallpersonal2014@yahoo.com
Facebook: @itsallpersonalkostalkreations
Flowers, Decor and Linens by: Amour Floral and Decor
by Diana Warner | Mar 2, 2018 | Etiquette, Vendor Love, Wedding Planning Tips
So as a wedding planner, I get asked a lot of questions and this is one that I have seen asked again and again on local wedding boards. I’m very honest with my couples, so let me be honest with you. This should be a no-brainer. Your vendors are working hard for you all day. Would you want to go without a meal while working?
My boss doesn’t pay for my meals, why should I pay for theirs?
You are correct! Your boss doesn’t pay for your meals, instead you get 30-60 minutes to go and get your own meal to eat. So when would you like me to dismiss the DJ and photographer? I’m sure you won’t miss the music or holding up your dances till they get back.
Seriously, vendors are human too and they want to eat. It’s often time even written in their contracts that you must provide a warm meal and a place for them to sit. So that’s my first piece of advice, check your contracts and see what it says.
My second piece of advice is to talk to your caterer and see if they offer “vendor meals”. Sometimes they can give nice pasta instead of the filets you are serving, and this is acceptable! Some give a discount on vendor meals to be nice to you for serving your vendors. If anything, giving them the cheapest option of the meals you are serving your guests is completely acceptable!
My caterer doesn’t give a discount but said they can make boxed lunches for the vendors.
OK, while yes this is food, and yes it is at least something, it is not a nice thing to do to your vendors. Boxed lunches are generally made well before other things have been made. Now you are serving stale bread with turkey, cheese and potato salad. Maybe a bag of chips. If your caterer only offers this or your full priced meal, then pay full price. All this will do is aggravate your vendors and they will not work as hard for you as the night wears on.
Your wedding photographer is probably working 10-12 hours to capture your day. Your DJ shows up well in advance of your cocktail hour for setup and doesn’t leave until about an hour after the shindig is over.
As a wedding planner, I can tell you that I am the first in and last out. I work on average of 12 hours on the day, sometimes more. I usually have a great breakfast because I know I am not going to eat until dinner. When I remember I get to shove a granola bar down my throat with a bottle of water sometime between 12-4pm. It is exhausting to work weddings and it takes a lot out of you. Being given a nice warm meal with a table to sit at makes you feel appreciated and will help keep you going for the last 5 hours or more.
Wait, should I put them at a table with my guest? How does that work?
This can vary per wedding. The best thing you can do is to have a table at the back of the room specifically for your vendors. No decor needed, so don’t worry about the extra money on that. If you can’t put them in the room, then they need somewhere close enough to know what’s going on.
I always recommend sitting the photographer at a guest table if this is the situation because then at least they are still in the room to capture anything that may happen. Some DJs like to eat at their booth, some like to step away. I personally don’t care where I sit as long as I have a seat. I tend to take a few bites and then go back into the main room to make sure things are going well. When I am in wedding planner mode, I tend to not stay away for long, it’s just not in my nature. Again, check your contracts, it’s probably written in there. It’s not? Then ask your vendors!!
So who all do I need to feed then?
In short, anyone that is working your wedding through dinner.
The long list:
- Wedding Planner & Assistants
- DJ
- Photographer
- Videographer
- Any other vendors that will be there through dinner, that are not attached to your caterer. The caterer generally feeds its own staff if they need to be fed.
When in doubt, ask your vendor. It’s just the nice thing to do.
And speaking of food, let’s talk about lunch. You’re going to a salon and will be eating lunch afterwards, great. You’re having someone come to you for wedding day hair and makeup, and will be eating lunch where you are at? Offer them food. Keep your vendors happy and they will go above and beyond for you.
I don’t want my vendors to miss anything, when should they eat?
When you do. If the food being served is in a buffet line, as the wedding planner, I will make sure you and your party are taken care of and then I will send the vendors right behind. Depending on the time, I may send VIP family first. If your dinner is being plated, your caterer should know where the vendors will be eating and have the food to them right after you get yours. Seeing a pattern here?
This is really important because your vendors need to be ready to move as soon as you are. And shoveling food into their face just to get something down because they were only given 10 minutes to eat, is not an ideal thing. As the wedding planner, I know that I need to be available at all times, hence why I have an assistant. This is for many reasons, but one of those reasons is so that my assistant can eat while I watch the floor. Then when she is done I go eat. Sometimes I don’t eat until after all the events have happened and the dance floor is open. Everything gets planned and scheduled and worked out before the wedding day so that everyone is fed a proper meal that night.
You want to add a cherry on top of the awesome meal you just served? Make sure to offer your vendors cake during the night or have some boxed for them to take home. It takes a bit to unwind after a wedding, so a late night snack is always something that is appreciated!
by Diana Warner | Feb 17, 2018 | Vendor Love
Jessica and I have been brought together to work on a couple’s wedding this coming fall. We met for the first time as we did a walkthrough of the venue together. Now I have seen some of her work and follow her on Instagram, but it’s even better to see her work in person. I cannot wait to see everything she pulls together.
Photo by: Frank Graziano Photography
What is it that you do?
Blush is a wedding and event only floral studio. We design flowers for the ceremony such as Bridal bouquet, Bridesmaids, Groom, Groomsmen, Family, Hair pieces, Altar decor, Aisle decor and have rentals including an arch, urns and pillars. For Reception we design centerpieces, head table, bar, cake and all accent tables. We offer rentals for centerpieces to keep costs down for our couples along with votives, assorted pillar candles, lanterns, vases and so much more! We also deliver and set up at both locations and come back that night to clean up our rentals! So no need to worry about returning items to us.
Tell my readers a little about yourself and your history as a florist.
I was graduating high school and had no idea what I wanted to do. My mother asked me if I would be interested in going to floral school with her. She wanted to buy a flower shop. We have been designing ever since!! She closed her shop 5 years later and I went to a shop owned by a funeral home. We focused on funeral work and everyday work and I was just not happy. I started Blush in 2009 to focus on what I loved to do, WEDDINGS!! Mom now works with me as my second designer. It is so nice to work together and be creative together!
Why did you choose to do what you do within the wedding industry?
Weddings just make me smile, plain and simple! I get goosebumps when my couples tell me how they met and their stories. I just love love. It is so rewarding to bring someone flowers, especially on the biggest day of their lives.
What trends in the wedding industry are you loving right now?
LOVING the natural garden look. Lots of mixed greenery, love the different textures. Soft, romantic blush and golds, mixed metals.
What is your favorite thing about your job?
When the bride sees her bouquet! All the stress of ordering, making sure it is perfect when I get the product in, design time and everything else melts away when you see how happy you just made someone!
What would be the most common mistake couples make when it comes to your business? (i.e. booking late,etc.)
Booking late. In the past it was common to book your florist last, 3-6 months was typical. Now we are booking 2 years out! Nothing is worse then telling a couple we are already booked for their date.
What is your ideal day at work?
All of my flowers come in fresh and beautiful! Exactly what my couple wanted!!
What is your ideal day off?
Walking on the beach!
Describe yourself in 3 words.
Fun, Creative, Driven
Who inspires you and why?
My mother. She is the most supportive and creative person I know. She has gone through her own battles and came through with flying colors. She is the reason I am a floral designer and has supported me in my career every step of the way. She is an incredible artist, painting, drawing, floral!, upholstery, clothing design…she does it all!!!
What are three things you cannot live without? (Not including humans and pets)
The beach!!!! Fast cars and Pepsi. Ha Ha.
What are you reading, listening to or binge watching right now?
Flash back to the 80s! I’m on an 80s music kick lately.
What is your favorite thing to do, or place to go, in the Northeast Ohio area?
I love the outdoors. Finding new trails to walk, new beaches and beach glass and fishing
What would you tell your 16 year old self if you could?
Stay a kid as long as possible. Heck, I still watch cartoons though haha
What is your favorite dessert?
Spanish Flan
What is your favorite drink (alcoholic or non)?
Pepsi!
Thank you so much to Jessica for taking the time to answer some questions. I look forward to being able to work hand in hand with her in the future, and hopefully you are able to use her services for your wedding day. She really does beautiful work!
If you would like to reach out to Jessica to talk about her floral services, please do so at:
www.blushcustomweddings.com
Phone: 440-319-9002
Email: blushweddings@hotmail.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/blushcustomweddings
Facebook: www.facebook.com/blushcustomweddings
by Diana Warner | Feb 2, 2018 | Vendor Love
The first time I talked to Jessica was through a local Facebook wedding resale group. She had commented on someones post about cutting boards that she created for a client. I reached out to get more information and to see some examples and I was floored at the beauty of the wood creations that is created through Wood Thingamajigs.
What is it that you do?
We are a local woodworking company. We specialize in custom work. We make everything from wedding signs, cake stands, bride/groom/wedding party gifts and so much more.
Tell my readers a little about yourself.
I was born and raised in Norwood, Massachusetts. In 7th grade, I took wood shop and found a love for woodworking! After high school I went to and graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point. After finishing active duty I moved to Northeast Ohio and started this company.
Why did you choose to do what you do within the wedding industry?
I have long had a passion for weddings. It’s a true pleasure to use my passion for woodworking to make a mark in the wedding industry.
What trends in the wedding industry are you loving right now?
We love that we are seeing more modern trends. From clean lines to bold colors.
What is your favorite thing about your job?
The fact that I love what I do and love going to work every day!
What would be the most common mistake couples make when it comes to your business? (i.e. booking late,etc.)
The more information the better for us. Most customers come to us with a vision in their minds. They support that with pictures. If you can show us pictures and say I like this but not that we can definitely recreate what’s in your minds eye.
What is your ideal day at work?
A busy one with a full order list. 🙂
What is your ideal day off?
Time relaxing at the beach. But I haven’t had a day off since I started the company. And I couldn’t be happier about that fact!
Describe yourself in 3 words.
Creative. Organized. Goal-oriented.
Who inspires you and why?
I’m inspired by the idea of setting a good example for my children. I want them to go on in life and see how hard mom and dad worked and see what we got out of life because of our efforts.
What are three things you cannot live without? (Not including humans and pets)
Tough question! Considering all of my business is run with my phone, that is one of them. Next would be great tools to work with. Finally, our loyal customers that come back again and again.
What are you reading, listening to or binge watching right now?
I am reading a book called “Purple Cow”.
What is your favorite thing to do, or place to go, in the Northeast Ohio area?
The beach!!!
What would you tell your 16-year-old self if you could?
Don’t give up on your dreams! Work hard and they will come true.
What is your favorite dessert?
Strawberry Shortcake
What is your favorite drink (alcoholic or non)?
Jack Daniels with Diet Coke and a lemon.
Thank you so much to Jessica for taking the time to answer some questions.
If you would like to reach out to Jessica to talk about what she could create for you, please do so at:
www.woodthingamajigs.com
Phone: 440-525-0848
Email: Jessica@woodthingamajigs.com
Instagram: @woodthingamajigs
Facebook: @woodthingamajigs
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