Meet the Team: Ashley Carpenter - Event Architect

 

 About you:

·        Any Nicknames:

o   Ash, Carp, ACarps (My Friends are Very Creative) J

·        Favorite color:

o   Purple

·        Favorite Television Show:

o   The Real Housewives (Any City) & Vanderpump Rules (Reality Television is a guilty pleasure of mine)

o   Parks & Recreation

o   Nashville

o   All of my favorite shows sadly do not air anymore: One Tree Hill, The Office, & Friday Night Lights

·        What you like to do in your spare time:

o   Spend time with my family, boyfriend, friends & my puppy!

o   I belong to the UFC Gym where I box & kickbox (overall love to be active)

o   Snowboard

o   Concerts & sporting events

o   I am constantly dancing (Have been since I was 3)

Why did you become a Wedding Planner?

·        When I first attended Illinois State University, I went in as a Nursing Major… which I figured out very quickly that it was not for me.  Looking for advice from my friends & family on what to do next, 100% of them said that I should be an Event Planner of some sort.  From a very early age, I have constantly planned everything from Family Vacations, to Birthday Parties, to even hanging out with my friends.  So I switched majors, and actually did an Internship with Oliveaire, an internship at The Sea Pines Resort on Hilton Head Island, SC, & one with Paulette Wolf Events in Chicago, & fell in love with this industry!  Everything from utilizing my skills and working with people, to creating a dream day for my clients & the rush I get on the day-of the event, is something that has totally captured me and assures me that I am in the right line of work!  I absolutely love what I do, and it comes across in my work & my events! 

What is your favorite part of planning a wedding?

·        There are so many reasons why I love planning Weddings!  First off, I love getting to know the couple’s story, getting to know them personally, & creating a bond with them that grows throughout our Planning process.  I believe it is so important to really get to know your clients & to form a trusting relationship!  I am planning the biggest day of their lives, and I want them to trust me 110% and to know that I am there for them no matter what!

·        I also love the feeling that I get on-site & when I get into “Planner mode”.  Making sure everything is absolutely perfect & seeing all of my hard work come together to create the couple’s Dream Wedding, is such a great feeling! 

·        But I have to say the best feeling is seeing how grateful & happy the client is, & knowing that they will remember this day for the rest of their lives, and that I was such a big part of that!  I love making people happy, and there truly is no better feeling!

How would you describe your style as a planner?

·        As I have mentioned many times, organization is one of my greatest skills, and is something I use on a day-to-day basis as a planner.  As organized & serious as I can be about my job, I am a very kind & emotionally invested planner, especially when meeting/chatting with my clients! On-site I am very serious, constantly running around and checking to make sure that everything is perfect!  It is my goal to stay on-time, and that all the details are exactly how the client wanted it!  Once everything falls into place, I start to relax & really enjoy being there & directing/assisting where needed.  I make sure the client is constantly happy, fed & enjoying their day. 

What one piece of advice would you give to a newly engaged couple?

·        Advice that I would give a newly engaged couple is do your research, start planning right away, give yourself enough time to plan all of your details, and most importantly, enjoy the planning process & especially enjoy your wedding day!  This only happens once, and you do not want to look back on these months, years, and on your special day as a negative & stressful time!  This is exactly why we recommend hiring a planner, it is the Wedding Gift to yourself that keeps on giving.  Allow an expert to guide & assist you with details that you may not have thought of before, or do not want to stress about!  On the day-of your event, be the Bride & Groom, and allow your family & friends to be the family & friends, and allow your planner to be the one setting up inventory, checking in vendors & confirming their and the venue’s set-up, and making sure everything is going according to plan.  Like I said before, it’s your Wedding Day, enjoy it to the fullest & focus on the perfect moments & the ones you love the most!  

Do you have a favorite wedding moment or event?

·        My favorite event was a beautiful wedding this past December, & the Bride, the Groom & their families could not have been more kind & loving!  The whole planning process was an amazing experience & the client was constantly available, always so generous & appreciative, and I not only got to know the Bride as a client, but as a friend as well!  The event went perfectly, and they deserved every perfect moment of it!  Not only was I thanked many times on-site, I received a letter from the Bride, telling me how appreciative she was and how happy she was about the entire planning process & especially how her event went!  When I still read her letter, it gives me so much happiness & gives me the confidence that this is what I am supposed to do!

How would you describe what you do every day?

·        Another reason why I love my job, is that my days are NEVER the same! From meetings with clients, venues & vendors, to completing necessary paperwork, and constantly on my email & phone calls answering questions that my clients or vendors may have.  I also assisted in creating our Global Event Resource Certification Conferences, and have our first ever conference in April, so I have been very busy with this as well!

What advice would you give someone who wants to start working in the event industry?

·        Make sure that you are EXTREMELY organized, are able to multi-task, and love working with people.  If you can’t say that you are able to do all of these three things, than this business may not be for you. 

·        Also, be prepared to work weekends & nights!  99.9% of weddings happen during the weekend, and most clients cannot meet or take a call until after they are done with work, so make sure you are 100% okay with this before joining this industry.

·        You are about to go into a career that may be very overwhelming at times, but I promise, if you really have a passion for planning & providing the services capable of producing a couple’s dream day, than it will also bring you so much happiness!  Passion is the most important thing to have for this business, and if you have that, it will shine through your work & your events!

 

Oliveaire Design Studio Showcase: Chandrasekaran & Lamoreaux Wedding: Intercontinental O'Hare

BBFN (Bridal Bliss For Now), 
Olivia

The Reality to Planning Your Wedding

I love watching “Say Yes to the Dress” as much as the next girl. WE tv can distract me for a few hours at a time as I watch couples navigate all of the decisions that go into wedding planning. However, as someone who works in the wedding industry I am watching from a different point of view than a bride-to-be or single girl daydreaming about her big day.

Reality TV does a great job of inspiring brides. The best, brightest and most cutting edge trends are highlighted for all to enjoy. Wedding related television shows have guided brides in their gown style, inspired décor and bridal party attire color selections and no doubt helped to create some fantastic celebrations.

 

However, I fear that reality TV has also given brides some unrealistic expectations when it comes to their big day. Many of these shows do not disclose costs, or at least the full cost of their wedding. For example, it is common to see a bride with a $3,000 budget for a wedding gown on television. Given that the gown is often budgeted at 5% of the total wedding cost, we can guess that this gown is part of a $60,000 wedding. The average wedding cost in the United States is $24,000, which creates an average gown budget of $1,200, quite a difference.

There are also costs that are unseen to the untrained eye. In addition to the base cost of any wedding related item you need to leave room in your budget to account for tax (often close to 10%), labor, shipping and/or delivery and service charges (most commonly found with your caterer or venue).  These fees can range anywhere from 18% to 24% of your total bill. This will grow proportionally with your overall wedding budget.

Finally, for better or worse, there needs to be accommodation for the cost of living in different locations. The price of labor will likely be higher in a large metropolitan city (i.e. Chicago, New York) than it is in a smaller city. If you have your heart set on a product only available in a larger city you may end up paying more in shipping fees to get it to you. This information is not meant to scare you, rather provide you information to set realistic expectations.

Floral designers, bridal gown consultants, and wedding planners truly do love when an inspired bride comes in. It is lovely to work with a couple who know what they are looking for on their wedding day. So, watch all the reality tv you would like to, and keep notes on your favorite ideas. When it comes time to start your planning, be up front and realistic with your budget. Hire professionals you trust, and work with them to create the day that you have been dreaming of.

BBFN (Bridal Bliss For Now),

Olivia

Blending Cultures

So what is this fixation upon Bollywood-style and other exotic weddings?  First and foremost it is the opportunity to do something different and daring.  The rituals, Indian music, vibrant shades of orange and red, beautiful saris and the tradition of henna-painted hands, etc. add an element of spice to a well-worn formula, a bit like ethnic food and music would to our daily lives.  Chicago has always been ahead of the times when it comes to a cultural twist on events.  Take a stroll down Devon St. and see all the beautiful
Indian & Pakistani Influences.

Here are some style tips if you would like to add a cultural Indian influence to your wedding event:

Style Tip 1       
Using Metallics in your invitation adds unexpected sparkle, and sets the tone for your magical day.

Style Tip 2
Get creative with your centerpieces.  Cultural weddings are amazingly colorful events.  A floral elephant is a work of art that people will be talking about for months.

Style Tip 3
Use crystal and jeweled accents in your décor to instantly add glam to any room and transport your guests to a faraway place.

Style Tip 4
Pick a colorful sari if you are comfortable wearing one, the colors are limitless.  If not embellishments such as a colored sash, or ruffles and flowers on your traditional wedding dress count can really add an exciting element to your event.

Style Tip 5
Snake jewelry is not only a must-have fashion trend, but also worn for good luck and good health. 
Perhaps, there is an underlying myth that these culturally rich marriages are more stable because non-western cultures have superior family values.  In any case Bollywood inspired weddings have enormous crossover appeal into our western society, and it is easy to add an element of rich culture to your wedding if you desire.  

The most important element to remember; a Bollywood theme has one aim and objective, and that is fun! Find some great entertainment and go out there and have fun with your culturally infused ideas.  

Bridal Bliss For Now (BBFN),
Olivia

Guide to Tipping

When it comes to your big day tipping your vendors and reception attendants is probably the last thing on your mind.  It is, however, a service industry standard practice.  Luckily there is a simple way to know how much to tip each person.  Before we get to the nitty-gritty of dollar and cents for tipping those who have helped in your special day, there are a few details to take care of.

First, please understand that a tip is never an obligation, unless it clearly states in your contract that a service charge is necessary.  Even though not all contracts will say that a service charge is expected, most vendors will expect a gratuity from you.  It is up to you as to whether or not you would like to tip them.  Remember that you are not tipping the owners of these businesses, just their employees who are actually doing the service such as delivering décor or a cake.  You can, however, tip the business owner if their service goes above and beyond your expectations.  If you do not want to offer a monetary thank you, simple thank you notes go a very long way as well.

Secondly, make sure that you have assigned someone to take care of handing out all of the tips for you.  This can be a maid of honor, best man, a close family member or friend who is not in the wedding party, or your wedding planner if you have one.  Although it may seem impossible to think of relinquishing control over such amounts of money and entrusting them to someone else, it is not a detail a bride or groom should be worrying about on their big day.  The wedding day should be as stress free as possible and you should be doing no running around to find the appropriate people you need to tip. 

Below you can find a brief breakdown of specific people to tip, how much to tip them, and when the person in charge should hand out the tips.

Wedding Planner

This is one of those case-by-case scenarios.  If your wedding planner was exceptional, then you will likely want to tip them.  Be aware that they do not expect anything from you in the form of a gratuity, but even a simple thank you note with professional pictures are always appreciated  If you do want to provide some form of gratuity, then it can be a nice gift or 15% of the fee they charged.  This tip can be done at the end of the reception by the bride and groom themselves or can be mailed after the honeymoon.

The Beauty Team (Hair and Make-up Artist)

When you are getting your hair and make-up done for any event or even just on a day-to-day basis, a tip is always expected.  Your wedding is no different.  In fact, giving a tip to them on your wedding day is even more important than any other time.  You should be tipping them 15-20% and if they have to take care of extras such a fixing someone’s hair or touching up the make-up, then be sure to throw in a little extra.  These tips should be taken care of at the end of your services. 

Delivery and Set-Up Staff

These tips go to anyone who is delivering anything for your wedding or to your suite for the big day.  They should only be about $5-$10 per person depending on how much they are delivering and how far they have to go to deliver.  You can give these tips to the catering manager or to your wedding planner before the event, so they can hand them out as the deliveries are made.

Those who pronounce you man and wife (The Wedding Officiant)

The wedding officiant is never expected to be tipped.  If he or she belongs to a church, synagogue, or temple, then it is customary to make a donation to that place of worship.  If you are a member, this may impact the amount you decide to donate.  If you are also paying to use their venue for the reception, feel free to tip a smaller amount since they are charging you to rent out the space.  If you are having a nondenominational officiant at a non-religious venue, then they will charge you for their services, so no tip is expected. As a general guideline, expect to make a donation of approximately $500 to the temple, church, or synagogue and you can give an optional tip of $50-$100 to a nondenominational officiant if you are exceptionally pleased with their services.  These tips and donations can be done before the wedding, or if the officiant is at your rehearsal dinner, then the person in charge of tips can pass it to them.

Wedding Shutterbugs and Movie Makers (Photographer/Videographer)

You are never expected to tip the photographer or videographer if they are the owner of the studio, but if they are not, then consider giving each person a tip of $50-$200 per vendor at the end of the reception. 

Wedding Reception Staff

The wedding reception staff will include your on-site coordinator, banquet manager, and head waiter.  These people usually have an approximate 2% service fee built in to the contract, but if they do not, then a tip is necessary.  The tip for each should be 15-20 % of the cost of labor for the food and beverage.  These tips are taken care of before the wedding if they are included in the contract; otherwise you need to wait until the end of the reception, so you have the final bill to figure out percentages.

Wedding Reception Attendants

This includes your bartenders, waiters, parking, bathroom, and coat-room attendants if you have them.  Deciding how much to tip them can usually be found in your contract.  You can always tip extra if you feel as though the service was exceptional.  If these costs are not included in your contract, be sure to call ahead and ask how many of each will be at the wedding, so you can figure out the tips beforehand.  Each bartender and waiter should get $20-$25.  Each bathroom, coatroom, and parking attendant should get between $1-$2 per guest or per car.  It is a good idea to pass out these tips before the actual wedding, so it will hopefully encourage them to provide you with outstanding service.

Reception Band or DJ

This is another situation where it is a case-by-case basis.  It all depends on the quality of the service they do and how closely they followed your suggested playlist.  It should be about $20-$25 per musician or $50-$150 for the DJ.  These tips should be given out by the person in charge or your tips at the end of the reception.

Transportation

This is another situation where gratuity is often stipulated in the contract.  If it is not, then a tip is expected assuming they show up on time and do not get lost on their way.  The tip should be 15-20% percent of the total bill.  These tips can be given at the end of the night or after your last ride in them.  If you provided guest busses using a different company, make sure to put someone in charge of providing them with a tip or have the best man do it.

Never feel obligated to give a tip if the service was not what you expected.  The most important thing to remember about some of these optional tips is that sometimes a thank-you note or a personal gift mean a lot more than cash.  

BBFN (Bridal Bliss for Now),

Olivia

Fusion Weddings

This blog is for you ladies who have fallen in love with someone that isn’t of your culture or religion. It’s to the women who have fought for the loves of their lives, and are ready to celebrate finding something that will last forever. Love is undefined, and it is hard to find, so when you find a man that can’t seem to take that smile off your face, it’s someone you deserve to be with forever. 

And after getting that ring on your finger, you must wonder – how will this blending of two cultures all come together?

Well, I’m here to tell you that it can and it will. With a little help and advice you can make your dream wedding come true even as complicated as it might become!

Source: MaharaniWeddings.com

First thing is first, don’t stress out! Putting together details for your wedding day will come together. But first it’s a priority to discuss with both of your parents what is to come. Have a plan ready for them. Let them know of how you saw it all come together. Either you have two separate weddings on two separate days, or have it all happen on one single day (trust me it’s possible)!

As wedding planners, we see and experience it all. A way to save some money is to have both ceremonies on the same day. If it is a South Asian Event, usually the South Asian Ceremony will take place in the morning. With the time crunch, and getting all of your guests to enjoy the day of the Wedding, try having the Second Ceremony right before cocktail hour.  This way it can flow right into the Reception, you’ll have changed you attire. Keep the second ceremony short and sweet!

There are a bunch of options that you can play around with. You can have the first Non-Denominational Ceremony in the morning, with the second ceremony to follow at the next venue that would again flow right back into the Even to having two separate weddings entirely – whether it is in the same state, or two entirely different states.

Source: MaharaniWeddings.com

From one of our own very experienced Planners, Zeena Roy, who has planned so many Fusion Weddings in her 16 year career,  her advice to brides who are planning such a wedding is this: “I would say find a way to incorporate the non-Indian aspect of the ceremony.  For e.g. maybe have a non-denominational officiant come and incorporate ring exchange or announcing you as husband and wife.  It doesn't have to be long.  For sure have a wedding program that translates and describes the ceremony so that guests can follow during the ceremony.  Non-Indian wedding guests are thrilled to be part of your special day,  They  will want to understand the culture and cuisine.  Introduce couple of non-Indian dishes such as bruschetta or stuffed mushroom and maybe a pasta for dinner.”

Source: MaharaniWeddings.com

“After all it is about two cultures, traditions and cuisine coming together. “ Zeena Roy

BBFN (Bridal Bliss for Now),

Olivia

A Blend Of Your Personal Tastes and Personalities: Creating a Signature Cocktail

          Weddings are full of many details that are all chosen from your personal tastes and preferences.  From the dress and the flowers to the food and the venue space, you are in charge of making your dream wedding reflect just who you and your fiancé are.  Well this is just the same when it comes to a trending detail: The Signature Cocktail.  The signature cocktail has been trending for many years, but is becoming even more popular in 2012.  We have a couple tips for you to consider when it comes to choosing your very own signature cocktail.

Appearance

Appearance is everything.  First of all, make sure your very own signature drink matches your wedding color scheme.  You do not want a red cocktail in a venue that is decorated in green fabrics.  You want your cocktail to look fabulous and delicious so everyone will want to try the drink that shows off your personal tastes and personality.  Also, you could add a personal touch such as your favorite flower on top or a small umbrella that could possibly have a logo with your names and wedding date on it.  The skies the limit with personal touches, make it your very own.

Follow Your Theme

Follow, follow, follow your theme of your wedding when choosing your signature cocktail.  For example, if you are having a country wedding, you might want to go with a Long Island, a Twisted Lemonade or a Harvester cocktail.  Making sure all of your details directly link together will really help pull your wedding together in an amazing and beautiful way. 

Consider The Season

During the winter months, do you see yourself or experience yourself drinking a Margarita or a Pina Colada?  Or during the summer months, do you crave to drink a warm Baileys cocktail?  We would like to think your answers would be no.  Making sure your cocktail associates with the season your wedding date is set in is very important.  We have researched and found a great cocktail to consider for your wedding no matter what season it is in.

Spring: Cherry Blossom Tini

Summer: Twisted Lemonade or a Lemon Drop Martini

Autumn: Harvester or a Manhattan

Winter: Pomegranate Champaign Cocktail

Adding a personal signature cocktail to your menu is fun and unique.  It shows your and your fiancés personalities and your taste in a creative way.  Create something delicious that you and your guests can enjoy together, and if it is an exact blend of the two of you, you can go no wrong. 

BBFN (Bridal Bliss For Now),

Olivia

The Color to Inspire All Our 2013 Brides

To All the Newly Engaged Couples!

Congratulations! Now it is time to stop looking at your beautiful ring on your finger, and start planning! The wedding planning literally process starts at yes…

Now I know that as a young girl, or from attending the vast amount of friends and family weddings you've given yourself a foundation of how you might want your wedding to be - but we all know that as we grow older that image we all have been so focused on changes as style, colors, and fashion continue to be recycled and influence our daily life. That being said, as we wind up the summer weddings, we begin to look at whats to come next year. 

I am pleased to announce that next years color is….MINT! And it is as cool as a scoop of gelato and can be mixed with brighter or softer colors to make a wedding event truly memorable. According to the Head of our Design Studio here at Oliveaire - softer palettes from bridesmaid dresses to wedding decor is what all brides are asking for. Matching it with a beautiful bright orange can brighten the palette with jewelry, lip stick or even floral decor and wedding invitations. Soften the palette with a deeper purple or rose gold and a soft beautiful pink can make and enhance the night away in the same way. 

Source: Greenweddingshoes.com

Source: Bowtieandbliss.com

Source: Thebridesguide.com

There is so much you can do with your focus on this color to make it a fresh hint of just everything to tie your wedding together - even by making a signature drink out of it. As the fashion industry recycles, you’ll find the vintage trend become the trend to keep your eye out for. Color can truly define the atmosphere of your wedding, but choose a color that is you and one that is versatile...maybe that color will be mint. Anything you choose will be beautiful, because that day is all about you, my brides. 

BBFN,
Olivia

Bollywood Weddings

Come visit us over at Top Wedding Sites and check out our blog on Bollywood Weddings