Desserts By Lori

While looking for different cake/dessert vendors, I came across Dessert by Lori. Lori has had her own business for a couple of years now and does everything! Wedding cakes, dessert buffets, candy bars, cupcake towers, cheesecake (which she has 28 flavors) basically she will make anything with sugar. She also will do party favors.

You will be able to taste at your consultation you set with Lori.

Lori offers services from high end, where she has servers take care of your serving needs, to where she just drops off the desserts and you set up and serve everything yourself.

She will set up a consultation with everyone to determine the needs and how she can best help.

Check out Lori's web site at www.dessertsbylori.com

Party Down Music

I was privileged to be able to sit down with a long time DJ here in Grand Rapids; DJ Michael with Party Down Music. He has been a DJ for over 30 years and he considers this his profession.

DJ Michael uses the best equipment and pays great attention to detail. He considers himself 1st class. Not only does he DJ but he also has a sound system you can use for events.

DJ Michael says he knows how to present a good, fun, elegant event and feels he provides outstanding service.

His selection of music is wide. He has music grandparents will like all the way to current selections. He has over 20,000 song titles and uses cd's instead of MP3 files as he feels the sound quality is much better.

Contact DJ Michael through his website www.partydownmusic.com

Grand Carriages

I was fortunate enough to visit with Linda from Grand Carriages. I got to see the carriages 1st hand and meet the horses. She has 2 white and 2 black horses.

Grand Carriages has been around for about 7 years doing weddings and tours. They do weekend tours downtown Grand Rapids on Friday/Saturday nights. To do downtown or other tours on different dates and or times there are different prices than the regular weekend rates.

Doing a carriage ride downtown for your wedding the rates start at $300 for a regular carriage and a cinderella carriage starts at $350. However, the price with vary depending on time and location. Distance plays a roll due to the fact that it takes a semi and truck/trailer to get the equipment they need where they need it.

Take a look at their website there are pictures and lots of good information on it. www.grandcarriages.com

MiraBella Confections

I had the chance to sit down with Ken with MiraBella Confections and was able to hear about his cakes. I will be tasting his cakes soon and I will share with you my thoughts about that too.

MiraBella's has been open for 2 years and is growing in leaps and bounds.

Ken's favorite cakes to make are elaborate elogant cakes. However he also does a lot of Different/non tranditional cakes. Typlcally each tire of a cake he makes is a different flavor so you don't have to choose just one. Every portion of the cakes he makes is edible and handmade which I think is awesome!

His base price per slice is $3.00-$4.50 and the price goes up from there depending on design.

Check out his web site and go meet with him I promise you will not be dissapointed.

www.mirabellaconfections.com

Forrester Farms

I recently sat down with Ann Forrester of Forrester Farms in Rockford. One thing that sets Ann apart from other florists is that she grows a lot of her own flowers as well as using wholesalers. Ann has been doing this for about 9 years.

When meeting with Ann I also noticed that her prices are very reasonable. Her most expensive bridal bouqet runs about $125 which is very reasonable! I've seen other prices where it is close to $400. When booking your event with Ann she requires a $200 deposit to hold your date and then 2 weeks prior to the event the balance will be due.

Ann is always taking classes to grow in her knowledge. You can meet with Ann at her house, a coffee shop or where ever is most convenient for you.

I encourage you to take a look at her web site www.forresterfarm.com

Tiberius Images

I had the pleasure of sitting down with Russell and Rebecca Climie who own Tiberius Images. Russ started this business about 5 years ago when they were studying abroad in Spain. It was there that Russ found his passion to take pictures. This past January Rebecca quit her job to stay home with him full time to help with the business.

A few things that sets Tiberius Images apart from other photographers is that there is no time limit to any of his packages. The goal is to tell a story of the day and if you have a time limit it is hard to tell a great story and capture all of the moments that are so special that day.

His wedding albums are 100% customizable. Not one album that he has done is the same. He wants it to fit the couple and the pictures.

Every couple Tiberius Images meets with, even if they end up not choosing them as their photographers, receives a free wedding schedule for their day to make things flow easier.

Tiberius Images also does location shoots for your wedding; you can have unlimited locations within 40 miles of Grand Rapids with no added charges. They don't want to nickle and dime the happy couple!

Customer service is a top priority for Tiberius Images they offer competative prices; work out side of Grand Rapids etc.

Russ and Rebecca both said they love weddings and said; " We get to get paid to hang out with happy people on the best day of their life".

Check out some awesome pictures and view this Grand Rapids Photographer - Tiberius Images

Website

Good Morning All! :) I wanted to share with you my exciting news that my website is now up and running. So besides the blog where I'm writing about all of the vendors I've met with you can see my website. Check it out www.weddingsfromatozgr.com I am very excited about it!

Also for future brides the 1st 5 that contact me through my website will get a FREE consultation with vendor recommendations which is a $100 value!

Holli Ann Studios

I had the opportunity to sit down with Holli Ann of Holli Ann Studios (www.holliannstudios.com). I also got the chance to see her at work this summer at a friend's wedding. Holli brings an assistant with her to every wedding as she feels this is important to get the angels she can't see while she is shooting straight forward.

Holli has been in the business for 8 years and averages 45 weddings a summer. Her Saturday dates typically book 1 to 1 1/2 years in advance during peak wedding times (May through Oct/Nov). However on Friday's she does not book as far out.

She has packages to choose from but will customize if needed. Also in the winter she offers discounted packages due to the slower wedding times.

Holli has two studios one in downtown Comstock Park and one in Downtown Grand Rapids. She also has a blog, website and viewing gallery.

Holli is very professional and personable and does great work. Check out some of her recent wedding pictures on her website they are AMAZING!

Renee Austin and Renee Austin Wedding!

I recently sat down with Angie, a good friend of mine and owner of Renee Austin and Renee Austin Wedding (www.reneeaustins.com) Angie and Maggie (co-owner) know their dresses, designers, etc. They are, as I write this, in Vegas buying Spring 2010 styles! I am very excited to see what they come back with.

They are located on Bridge in downtown GR between O'Tooles and Monte's. One portion of the store is Renee Austin and this is special occasion dresses. They have everything from Cocktail dresses to Prom dresses and everything in between.

On the other side of the store is Renee Austin Wedding. This is still under construction and should be up and running soon but, for now, it is all on the finished side of her amazing store! This side will have bridesmaids dresses, Mother of the Bride/Groom dresses, Tux's, and of course wedding gowns. She also carries shoes and accessories.

She carries many designers.

For wedding dresses she carries Mori Lee, Jasmine Collection, Couture, Sttero and Midgley, and Almanovia. I have see some of these dresses myself and they are AMAZING!!!

Bridesmaids dress designers she carries; B2, Belsoie, Mori Lee, Dessy, and Alyce.

For Mother of the Bride/Groom she has Jade Collection and Couture.

Shoe designers she carries are, Benjamin Walk and J. Loren.

Angie and Maggie can order many sizes and colors. They strive to have outstanding customer service and give one on one attention. They do everything they can to work one on one to make finding that perfect dress fun and stress free.

Check them out you won't be disappointed I promise.

Celebration Banquet's

I recently had the pleasure of meeting with April Butler at Celebration Banquets located above Celebration Cinema on the East Beltline. This is a fun location which will soon be under going renovations for an even more updated look. Celebration was awarded Business of the Year 2008 by West Michigan Wedding Association. You can hold your event there any day of the week. They will start booking 2011 dates Jan 4, 2010.

Celebration does the food, you can bring in your DJ and they also have a bar. Their prices are reasonable and you can fit about 250 people in the room.

Check them out at www.celebrationbanquets.com

Encore Music

Rich, of Encore Music has been in the DJ business since 1991. It is actually his side job but he takes it very seriously. Rich is professional in what he does and strives to be the best.

Because it takes so long to train to be a GOOD DJ, Rich decided that if he ever needs help he will hire his competition rather than train someone new. He typically books 6 to 9 months out but if you have an event sooner give him a call or sent him a note through his website and he will let you know if he is available.

Rich not only does weddings but anniversary parties, birthday parties, homecoming, prom you name it he probably will DJ it for you.

Encore Music is very reasonably priced ranging from $600 to $800 this price can go higher depending on if you use accent lighting or not. This rate is for 4 to 6 hours.

Check out Encore Music at www.encoredj.org Tell him Hannah from Weddings from A to Z sent you!

Noto's

I had the privledge of meeting with Tony Noto of Noto's Old World Italian Restaurant (www.notosoldworld.com). This is an amazing facility, with many different rooms that you can rent out and many different size options as well. If you are looking for an elegant location this is where you should go. They have breakfast, lunch and dinner menus; some that are plated meals and some that are buffet type. They also offer the option of food stations.

Noto's also has their own cake person on staff who does a fantastic job. They also have a chocolate fountain and or a cappuccino cart available to you for additional fees.

If you are looking to have a bar at your reception they have different bar service packages as well.

There are a couple of outdoor garden's at Noto's where you could hold your ceremony if you would like, or you can do them inside if you wanted every thing in one location.

Feel free to give Noto's a call and take a tour you will not be disappointed.

1100rooms.com

Ryan Slusarzyk is the Marketing Programs Coordinator with the Amway Grand Plaza downtown Grand Rapids.

There are 3 major hotel's in downtown under one umbrella which you can find information on www.1100rooms.com. These hotels are Amway Grand Plaza, JW Marriott and Downtown Courtyard. Within these three major hotels there are many meeting rooms and balls rooms to accommodate large or small events and weddings.

They have currently two wedding planners, one at the Amway who is the point person for all hotels. Her name is Grace Hill, and then at the Marriott you have Lauren Matthews.

The Amway's Chef does most of the wedding cakes for brides who choose the Amway but they are willing to work with you. They also have a preferred Vendors List that brides can see.

Everyone I've come into contact with at Amway and such are very sweet professional and easy to work with.

Shelly's Designs

I had the pleasure of meeting with Shelly of "Shelly's Design". Shelly worked in a floral shop for 10 years and then went out on her own. She has her own place in the basement of her home and has coolers on site making it possible to offer fresh or silk flowers. Shelly is continually going to continuing education classes. She says that with doing flowers in her home she dosen't have any overhead so she can do outstanding work for less. She is willing to work with any brides budget she wants them to get the most for their money.

Shelly also does invitations, if you order your invitation's through Shelly she will give you 30% off thank you's and etc.

Shelly's web site is www.shellysdesginsflorist.com

Shelly does outstanding work I've included some of my favorite pictures.

Invitation update

I recently had the pleasure of meeting with Julie Armstrong, the owner of "The invitation Place". She has recently revamped her website and you can check it out at www.weddinginvitationplace.com

I was able to sit and talk with Julie about her different invitations and options. She has invitations ranging from very simple to being able to customize almost anything. She carries 3 lines; Carlson craft, Birch craft, and McPhersons. Julie has been in the wedding invataion business for over 20 years and now own's this business.

I was able to look at the variety of invitations Julie offers. The possibilities are endless; pocket invitations, simple cards, invitations with ribbons tied on. The list goes on.

Julie also sells the accessories such as bridal party gifts, favors, wedding necessities and decorations.

She is able to get invitations pretty quickly but neither of us recommend waiting until the last minute to order them.

Julie works out of her home and has lots of space for you to go through all of her books and options. Julie's main goal is to provide outstanding customer service. She will do whatever she can to make what you want happen.

Photography

Mandy, owner of Memories by Mandy, is a local photographer who has been in the business for a while. She not only does Photography but also sells invitations and wedding accessories! Anything you can think of from favors and cutomizable gifts to glassware and ring bearer pillows.

Mandy also rent's centerpieces. She has tall ones and short
ones. She also has rocks and sand you can put in them and a variety of flower petals. Ask her about them. They are awesome.

For her invitations, she can do a lot of customization which is important to many brides. She can do everything! Invitations, save the date cards, thank you's menus's, place cards and napkins...the list goes on! You can set up a meeting with Mandy and with in about 3 hours have everything picked out and done, which is a huge plus and a time saver!

Also, if you use Mandy as your photographer, you get 15% off anything else you order. What an awesome deal. She has many different photography packages to choose from that are reasonably priced. Some of her packages even come with engagement sessions.

With the photography side of the business, you not only get Mandy there shooting the wedding but, she also brings an assistant so her packages include 2 photographers. She is able to retouch pictures within reason. I have worked with Mandy at wedding's in the past and she is great. She also does fantastic work. Its fun and modern!

Check out her website at www.memoriesbymandy.com

All of these photo's on this post are pictures provided by Memories by Mandy.