WHY ARE CUSTOM & WEDDING CAKES SO EXPENSIVE?



Elion Wedding March 2011

 The other day I received a call from a potential client for a cake order. After talking in detail with her about what she wanted, I told her I would get back to her within two days with a quote. I emailed her quote along with a description of her cake and her response was “What?!?!? Why is it so expensive??”

My response was “Expensive compared to what?”

I came to the realization that people really do not know or understand all that goes into creating a custom or wedding cake. So, I decided to take a few minutes to explain to the best of my ability.

You can’t get custom / wedding cakes for grocery store prices – Many people are accustomed to “picking” up their cake order from Safeway, Walmart or Costco. These chains can afford to charge lower prices for their products because they are mass produced! And, when you look at their available designs, these same designs are available to EVERY customer! You definitely will not get a one of a kind piece created just for you. Their employees are trained to create the same designs over & over & over again….no creativity is ever required. It’s sort of like colors by numbers…..same ol’ same ol’.

It’s JUST flour & butter – Actually…..it isn’t. In a standard 3-tier cake which serves 120-150 people, there can be as many as a dozen eggs, 5 pounds of pastry flour, half a cup of real vanilla, several pounds of unsalted butter, several bars of premium chocolate, large quantities of fresh fruit or nuts and more! The filling and buttercream may contain 3 or 4 more pounds of unsalted butter, another dozen or more egg whites, and several pounds of sugar plus the chocolate or fruit to flavor it. If you have a fondant covering, add about 5-8 more pounds of sugar and butter. Do you see how this can add up?

And then there is equipment…pans, mixers, basic cutters and quite possibly molds might be required to create your masterpiece. Then, how will your cake be presented? Well, it definitely will need to be placed on a board, sometimes even a custom made board to carry the weight. Now, if structural elements are required, there’s a trip to the hardware store. Do you see how these numbers add up?

In addition to the basic elements needed for your design, there is the cake artist’s time to bake and create your masterpiece, her/his experience, and potentially thousands of dollars and countless hours in workshops, training courses, and conferences spent improving upon her/his craft. You are paying for her/his baking experience in using recipes that are tasty but can stand up under the weight of being stacked and shaped, artistry in decorating, and sculpting skills in creating a topper or flowers (some flowers can take up to 4 hours each to create).

Know this – some designs can take eight to ten hours to complete! While other, more elaborate designs can take up to forty hours to complete! Yes…. forty hours!

The best plan for ordering your cake – The first question I ask all potential clients is “What is your budget?” The best thing you can do is be honest with yourself, while being completely realistic! If you know for a fact that your wedding cake budget is $300.00 to feed 125 guests, then you might have to consider purchasing a mock cake and serving sheet cakes to your guests, or you might need to revisit your over-all budget and make some adjustments. You definitely will not get all the bells and whistles you desire at that price. Your two most expensive ticket items for a wedding will be….your dress and your cake. Do you research….check out the bakeries in your area to see how they price out their cakes and make sure you don’t sacrifice quality for price. If you don’t believe me, then take a few moments to check out the disaster stories posted on Cake Wrecks! Also, understand that you can’t expect to get a custom cake for the same price as a retail cake. It’s just not going to happen.

Article by Mimi Hood, Owner of Mimi's Mocha Treats

http://www.mimismochatreats.com/

Help us celebrate!

Baltimore NACE UNCORKED

 On Monday, March 21st Baltimore NACE held the seventh annual Uncorked! event. This year’s theme was “A Night of Mystery” and the local designers definitely displayed their talents! Some of the table designs included Phantom of the Opera, Clue, The Scooby Doo Mystery Machine, Ameila Earhart, and the oh so common mystery of the missing sock….I mean really where did it go? LOL!! Overall, it was a great night of food, wine, dancing and a little friendly competition.



We want to say congratulations to the following winners:
Best Interpretation: "Amelia Earhart," by Boutique Events
Most Creative: "Bigfoot," by Crimson & Clover and Artful Weddings by Sachs Photography
Best Overall: "Voodoo," by Table Toppers
People's Choice: "Into the Night," by Perkins Productions

And we can’t forget our honorable mention “The Mystery Machine” by Wessel’s Florists.

This year’s event supported the NACE National, the Baltimore chapter of NACE, as well as, Meals on Wheels of Central Maryland. For further information on either organization please check out their websites: http://www.baltimorenace.net/  and http://www.mealsonwheelsmd.org/

I want to thank everyone who helped make this event a huge success; we could not have done it without you! Looking forward to next year already!

The Thin Bride Syndrome

To help our brides that are interesting in getting fit prior to the wedding we have asked our resident personal trainer to provide some guidance.

So it’s your big day. You have the right venue and you are marrying your best friend but you are worrying about one thing -your body. The fear of looking perfect has plagued many brides causing crazy crash diets that leave may brides feeling faint, irritable, and more stressed.

A panic-induced diet and exercise program is the most commonly seen side effect of Thin Bride Syndrome. Depending on the timeline, it can often be too little too late. Now, I want everyone to understand, I get it. Brides, bridal parties, and moms all want to look good for the wedding day. And I am all for using this day as an inspiration to start living a healthy lifestyle. But dieting and exercising to look better, only to gain the weight back plus a few bonus pounds is a facade.

Why not start “till death do us part” with a lifelong healthy notion? A notion that allows you to be healthier for all occasions because the unfortunate news is weight gain is inevitable.

For my soon to be brides here are a few of my tips to get you started.

Access Yourself

The average weight loss is about 1-2lbs per week. So be realistic with yourself and your goals. Start by evaluating what a healthy weight for you will be and for what goal.

The Time Line

So when is the big day? Are you planning a month, weeks, or a year in advance? Asking yourself this question is important to understand how much time you need. So if you need to lose 50lbs you will probably need about 6 months. So time is important for bridal dinners, food tasting, and an occasional slip up. Set a deadline to reach your goal and stick with it!

Weight Loss = Work

So some gym time is in order. This means devoting a minimum of 30 minutes of cardio three times per week and one hour of strength training for a total of 4.5 hrs a week of physical fitness. The more weight to loss the more time you want to spend on cardio – the more to toning and sculpting for those great arms and back, more time is needed for strength training. Remember when reaching your goal all activities are good. Those occasional walks, random push-ups, and sit-up won’t hurt your goal but a plan will give your real results you can track. Just try to stay active, and cut down on at least the worst of your high-calorie eating habits. Remember old habits breathe old results. Want to make more progress? Then you'll need to push yourself a little harder.

Pump a Little Harder

To stick with the program, increase the intensity of your cardio and strength-training programs every week. Brides should not be afraid of increasing the weight load. This is required to challenge your body and take it past a plateau. DO NOT BELIEVE THE MYTH - strength training does not equal a masculine physique. Rather it equals a higher metabolism – letting you eat a little more :)!

Track Your Progress

Keep track by recording your goals in a journal -- having them in writing is a fantastic motivator.

For example:
Week One: Work out at least twice and be sure to strength train; then also do cardio two times during the week for at least 20 minutes.

Week Two: Repeat your fitness regimen from week one, but add 10 minutes to your two cardio workouts. Also, cut out all soft drinks for the entire week.

As you reach each goal, record it -- you'll find it's not so tough to build on your successes.

Eat Smart

Instead of looking at food choices as another chore, think of smart eating as cheating to good health. Try eating often, from rise till about 2hrs before bed time. Food choices should be full of fruits and veggies. If your diet plan is far from a plan here are some quick and basic suggestions:

• Eat Breakfast, everyday – Breakfast should be balanced and light

• Have health snacks between your 3 major meals. Fruit, nuts, dairy, and veggies are nice snack options

• Lunch think of this meal and your energizer. Push through the day with filling meals, mixing veggies, lean protein, and carbs that fuel you not drag you.

• Dinner. Remember for most dinner ends the day right before primetime television. So if the evening ends on the coach pick meals that are light and full of veggies and protein

• Portions on your plate are for you! Not everyone so remember it’s okay to share, leave things behind, or come back to your favorite foods. This is better than overeating at any meal.

• Water heaps so drink it! Add lemon o try flavored waters to boast your intake.

Stay Positive and Well Rounded

Let’s be real! Putting it all together is hard but doing getting fit last minute, too fast, is harder. So get help! Personal Trainers and fitness experts are the “no it all’s” but there here to make this job easier, safer, and maybe even faster. Putting all the keys in your pocket will make opening the doors very easy on your big day. A complete well rounded approach to your training and diet plan will make the dress sizes come down. Remember ladies, the dress eventually comes off!"

Wauseca Briscoe, MBA, NASM, ACE, AAAI

Health Care Adviser/Wellness Coordinator

www.foranewyou.net

Resources: Lori Fisccone, Creator for Bally Bridal Bootcamp, NASM, Fitness Guides

Guest Etiquette

R.S.V.P


Please RSVP in a timely fashion, whether through mail or via email. Remember the invitation has an rsvp deadline for a reason, plus you wouldn’t want to miss out a great party would you?

Don’t ask to bring other people

If you receive an invitation for one, chances are it wasn’t a mistake. With the economy the way it is a lot of people are cutting back and unfortunately they cannot invite everyone they would like to. Don’t take it personal, be thankful and prepare to have a great time!

Dress Accordingly

If you are unsure of the attire it doesn’t hurt to ask the host or hostess to get clarification and FYI you can never go wrong with a little black dress ;)

Be on time

With an event like a wedding or corporate party the rule of being fashionably late goes out the window. Keep in mind that there is a schedule that needs to be kept, and having guest arrive late is a huge interruption. Plus let’s be honest, do you really want to be the person on the receiving end of a nasty stare because you came in late?…I didn’t think so LOL.

Thank the host

After all the food and drinks have been served, and you danced your heart out and took tons of pictures to download on Facebook, you realized you had an amazing time. Now is the time to let your host know how much fun you had. You can send a handwritten note through the mail, give them a call or send them a quick email just to say “thanks for a great time, can’t wait till the next event!”

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Hidden Treasure ...The Kirkland Conference Center

Are you looking for a great venue for a corporate retreat? Have a lot of out of town guests and want to have everyone on site for your wedding celebration? Look no further than The Kirkland Conference Center. Right off New Hampshire Avenue, this hidden treasure boasts 33,000+ square feet of meeting and event space, has onsite catering, hotel accommodations, a chapel, and so much more. There is something for everybody.


The Kirkland Conference Center is located on the campus of the National Labor College in Silver Spring, Maryland. There meetings spaces all host built in projectors and screens. They have smart classrooms that are ideal for distance learning. With a chapel on site you can get married, host your reception, and have all your guests stay right on site. The hotel accommodations are spacious, clean, and most have terrific views of the 45 acres of land surrounding the Kirkland Conference Center. There are game rooms, basketball courts, a baseball diamond, and more…

Whether you need event space for 5, 750, or anywhere in between, the Kirkland Conference Center has it all.

Contact Sherry Joseph at (301) 628 – 5606 or sjoseph@nlc.edu . She would love to assist you in hosting your conference, retreat, or wedding at The Kirkland Conference Center.

The Kirkland Conference Center at the National Labor College
10000 New Hampshire Avenue
Silver Spring, Maryland 20903
http://www.acc-kirklandconferencecenter.com/




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Berry Wedding Photo Shoot

Participants:


*Photography: LaKaye Mbah

*Make-Up & Barbering: MnE Creative Productions

*Styling: Distinctively Yours Event Management

*Hair: Chiffonia

*Female Model: Carla Turner

*Male Model: Anthony Jenkins

Vendors:

*Select Event Rental (all the linen, base plates, flatware, stemware, china, napkins, napkin rings, chairs)

*After Seven Apparel (dress)

*Radebaugh Florist (centerpieces, brides bouquet, flower in brides hair)

*Preston Stationery (stationery)

We're Engaged!

Finally the big question has been asked, now how should you announce your engagement to your family and friends. Lately the trend has been to announce engagements through Facebook and/or Twitter; its quick, it’s easy, and straight to the point. We’ve all seen the relationship status changes and the congratulatory comments by others in our news feed, but if you’re anything like me you’re probably wondering, why am I finding out this way? Have we gotten so impersonal that we now use technology to share one of the best moments in our lives? Yes, this is a simple way to make your announcement, but it tends to dull down this exciting moment. Listed below is a list of creative ways to share your wonderful news with a more personal touch!

• Place an ad in the local newspaper
• Host a party or dinner to make your big announcement
• Create a video announcement
• Create a postcard with a photo of the two of you and simply say….We’re Engaged!
• Announce it at the next holiday or family gathering with a personalized bottle of wine announcing your engagement

  

Whichever way you decide to announce your special day, have fun with it, and make sure the announcements reflects the two of you!

 

 

Baltimore UNCORKED - March 21, 2011

Only TWO WEEKS until the @NACE Baltimore Chapter UNCORKED! 2011 event. Do you have your tickets?


Check out our @Baltimore NACE Uncorked page on Facebook and "LIKE" us today!

http://www.baltimorenace.net/

Distinctively Yours Event Management will be showcasing several table designs for the event. We hope to see you there!

Congratulations to Abigail and Darrell!!

Abigail and Darrell are the winners of our FREE Day of Wedding Coordination contest!  They will be getting married on June 4th in Marietta, PA and Distinctively Yours Event Management is happy to be able to assist them their special day.  Can't wait to meet you guys!

Today the price of roses went up

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I ran into a floral shop today because I needed one single red rose.  But I walked out with a substitute.  Today was the day that the price of roses skyrocked just in time for Valentine's Day.  The florist quoted $16.99 for ONE rose.  This explains the $75-$100/dozen that roses cost at Valentine's Day.

There are other ways to express love for that special someone.  Think outside the chocolates, roses, and the card.  Is there a restaurant that has a special meaning?  What about a  movie that you know that special someone would appreciate?  Think about your loves desires and plan accordingly.  Yes, plan! Get a sitter for the kids, make reservations, order your gifts as soon as possible, and remember why you love them.

You have one more week to make Valentine's Day special!

Kleinfeld Bridal Blow Out Sale - Bridal Gowns up to 70% off

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You have seen them on TLC's Say Yes to the Dress, now you get a chance to say YES.  On Tuesday, February 1 from 3 pm - 7 pm Kleinfeld Bridal will be having a bridal blow out sale.  No appointments are necessary and it is first come first serve.

Finding just the right wedding dress



“This is the dress!” These four words are voiced by every bride once she finds the wedding dress of her dreams. Before dragging your best gal pals to help you find the “dress” there are some things to consider before making this very important purchase.

Gown budget – There is nothing more frustrating than finding the perfect dress and it cost more than the budgeted amount. Be up front with the bridal boutique consultant about the price range you need to stay within. This can help them better service you.

Check the sample color – Make sure that the sample color is the color that you want for your dress. There are many shades of white, off white, and ivory. Ask for a swatch of the dress to add to your wedding planning book.

Can you sit in it? – Between the ride to the ceremony and reception and your first meal together as a married couple, you will be sitting. Make sure that you can sit comfortably in your dress.

Can you dance? – Having a great DJ means lots of dancing. Can you get your groove on in your “dress”? Try a couple of your favorite moves prior to paying for the dress.

Discuss alterations – Every bridal boutique has different rules and time restrictions on alterations. Be sure to know what the alteration schedule is at your location.

Get veil ideas – Check out the various veils available at the bridal boutique and try on your favorites with your dress. The veil should complement the dress and if it doesn’t that might not be the right veil for your special day.

Verify the date of arrival – Knowing the date which your dream dress will arrive is important, especially when scheduling alterations. Make sure there is enough time in case there is a problem with getting the dress in.

Know the cancellation / refund policy – In the event that the dress must be returned, it is important to know the cancellation / refund policy at the boutique where you brought your dress.

This special moment can be loads of fun and excitement, but being armed with the right tools will make it the very best.

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Check us out on Wedding411 on Demand



Wedding411 on Demand.com 

Distinctively Yours Event Management is proud to be one of the vendors on Wedding411 on Demand via Comcast.  As a vendor and a bridal expert, it gives us the oppportunity to share our experience and skills with new brides and potential clients.

We would love for you to check out our commerical.  We look forward to helping you plan your dream wedding.

Commitment Ceremonies - Celebrations of Love

Are you planning a commitment ceremony and have no idea where to begin?

Distinctively Yours Event Management can take away all your worries and make your celebration a wonderful expression of love. Although a lot of the same elements that are in traditional wedding ceremonies are present in commitment ceremonies – Greetings, vows, reading/musical selections, exchange of rings, pronouncement of marriage, and the reception – commitment ceremonies in most states are not legally binding but are rather public affirmation of the couples love and respect for one another.


The couple should include key elements that represent their love and style to make the ceremony uniquely theirs. We would love to help you customize for celebration.


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Free Day of Coordination Contest Entry - Abigail and Darrell

Darrell and I met in High School when we ran on the same Cross Country team.  I had a crush on him, but if you ask him how he remembers me he would say "all knees and elbows." 

About 13 years passed and the end of a bad marriage brought me back to the area while he came home to help his mother who had been diagnosed with breast cancer.  One night I recognized his profile on MySpace and sent him a message.  We were soon our first date.  I waited five months and when I knew I wanted to be with him forever I introduced him to the most important people in my life, my son and daughter. 

 For the last four years he has been by my side.  It hasn't been easy.  We were separated for months when I helped my grandmother who broke her hip.  I've also underwent four surgeries to deal with chronic pain.  Then in 2010 my car was struck on two separate occasions by another car through no fault of my own.  I can't tell you how frustrating it has been dealing with even more pain while trying to plan a wedding.  Physical Therapy has greatly helped, but going three times a week is a huge time commitment. 

Our budget is less than $5,000.00 so almost all the details are DIY and I would be sad if any were forgotten on our wedding day and that is why I desperately need a day of coordinator.  We have a few friends who have offered to help and it would be great to have a professional to pull it all together on June 4, 2011 in Marietta, PA.  Thanks so much for the opportunity!  Winning this would make me feel less stressed and incredibly blessed!!!

Jewelry for the wedding and beyond

I think it is safe to say that most women LOVE jewelry.  Although taste vary regarding style, jewelry can be a perfect gift for you or for your friends, mothers, sisters, etc. To help keep you and your friends looking good whether going out for a night on the town or for a day at the office, Distinctively Yours Event Management is showcasing Stella and Dot jewelry.  Stella and Dot is making a splash in the fashion world and has been featured in numerous magazines, on talk shows, and have been photographed on celebrities. 

If you are interested in owning any of this great jewelry or hosting a Stella and Dot party, please contact us.

Ask the Expert - Wedding 411 on Demand



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Are you recently engaged and have questions regarding your upcoming wedding?  Well look no further than Wedding 411 On Demand.

There are a variety of wedding professionals that can help you with your wedding planning needs and they are just a click away.  These wedding professionals can answer questions about wedding planning, florals, stationery, entertainment, and so much more.

For questions on wedding planning, please check out Distinctively Yours Event Management on Wedding 411 on Demand.

Distinctively Yours Event Management is Named to the 2011 Wedding Professional Hot List

MomentVille.com, one of the worlds leading wedding websites, has just announced that Distinctively Yours Event Management has been selected for the 2011 Wedding Professional Hot List.

The annual Wedding Professional Hot List recognizes excellence within the wedding industry, as determined by reviews from tens of thousands of brides and grooms. Distinctively Yours Event Management was among the best reviewed vendors in their area in the past year.

"The Wedding Professional Hot List recognizes best of class wedding professionals." said Geoff Evason, MomentVille's CEO. "Highlighting the success of the top wedding professionals is an exciting way to spread the word and help newly engaged couples find the right professionals for their own weddings."

About Distinctively Yours Event Management

Distinctively Yours Event Management is a full-service event management company that specializes in personalized event planning and coordination for individuals and organizations. It is our goal to exhibit a high degree of professionalism, integrity, and exceptional service with every event. We assist individuals and organizations in creating unique and memorable experiences.

About MomentVille

MomentVille.com offers engaged couples and wedding enthusiasts a one stop place for planning and sharing a wedding. Offering personal wedding websites, wedding planning tools, a gorgeous gallery of wedding pictures, a searchable list of reviewed wedding vendors, and lots of helpful and inspiring wedding content, MomentVille helps newlyweds with all aspects of their wedding. For more information contact media@momentville.com

Come check out Distinctively Yours Event Management

Distinctively Yours Event Management will be at the following bridal shows to speak to you about your wedding planning needs. 

January 6, 2011 at 5:30 pm Crown Plaza Timonium
January 8, 2011 at 11:00 am Timonium Fairgrounds
January 9, 2011 at 12:00 pm Timonium Fairgrounds
January 11, 2011 at 5:30 pm Baltimore Museum of Industry

Please stop by and say hello!

Win a FREE Day of Wedding Coordination package

 In honor of your special day, we are sponsoring a contest! We will award one couple a FREE package of services:

This is your Day… Day of Wedding Coordination and Reception
This package is for the couple that has contracted all the required vendors and would like assistance in making your wedding day run smoothly.

Contest Rules

1. Must be 18 years or older to enter.

2. Contest will run from January 1 – February 13, 2011 with the winner being notified on February 14, 2011.

3. Only one entry is allowed.

4. Must not be under contract with any other wedding planner.

5. Must be getting married within 100 miles of Baltimore City.

6. Must follow You’re Invited, the blog for Distinctively Yours Event Management, LLC http://distinctivelyyoursevents.blogspot.com/  during the duration of the contest.

7. Must submit a photo of you and your fiancé(e) and a short essay (maximum of 300 words) indicating why you deserve to win. Feel free to write about your romantic proposal, the story of your courtship, or even some hardship that the two of you have overcome that has made your relationship stronger. Please submit your entry to info@distinctivelyyoursevents.com with the subject line “Free Day of Wedding Coordination contest.”The photo and essay will be posted to the Distinctively Yours Event Management blog. Encourage friends and family to vote and comment on your entry.

8. Wedding must be scheduled between March 1, 2011 – December 27, 2011 (no holidays) and is subject to availability.

9. This is not a planning service - it is coordination only.

If you would like more information, please feel free to contact us.

http://www.distinctivelyyoursevents.com/
info@DistinctivelyYoursEvents.com
(410) 905-6178

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Happy New Year!

Wishing you all the best in 2011!!