Vendors Unveiled: Mike Connolly

This week would like to introduce you to one of Connecticut's premier disc jockeys. Even Jessica used Mike Connolly's company for her own wedding in 2005. I was a guest at that party... and I can tell you that they do an incredible job!

Name: Mike Connolly

Website: www.mikeconnolly.com

Blog: http://mikeconnolly.wordpress.com/

Where are you located, and what geographical area(s) do you service?
We are in Southington and service all of Connecticut, Central Mass. and RI.

How long have you been in business?
Next year will be my 20th year in business.

What drew you to DJing as a profession?
The love of music and the inability to play it myself. When I first saw how much music can influence the mood of a wedding, I was hooked.

What do you feel sets you apart as a DJ?
I’ve been known for my non-cheesey yet very personal approach to weddings. While there is a market for the interactive style, Most brides appreciate a great, well organized party without all the cheese.

What do you love most about your job?
I get to see the best of people on one of their most important days. If you think about it, My job is party!

If you had to describe yourself in one word, what would it be?
Loyal

Vendors Unveiled: Dirt

I know that it has been awhile since we posted an edition of Vendors Unveiled, but ... we're back! And we would love to use this time to introduce you to Ann of Dirt. We have had the pleasure of working with Ann in the past and are truly mesmerized by her stunning floral creations. Enjoy getting to know this incredibly talented woman!

Name: Ann Robertson of Dirt

Website: http://www.dirtfloral.com/

Where are you located, and what geographical area(s) do you service?
We have a studio in Greenwich, CT but have done events up and down the East Coast from North Carolina to Cape Cod, so far. . .

How long have you been in business?
My love of flowers started when everyone's did, handing dandelion bouquets to my Mom. Only she must've appreciated them more than most, because I wanted to keep doing that everyday. After studying floral design at Parsons School of Design in NYC, I opened a creative floral studio called Dirt in October of 2003. Now we make bouquets with just about anything except dandelions.

What drew you to floral design as a profession?
Color, texture and the ability to work everyday with such a beautiful part of this earth.

What do you feel sets you apart as a floral designer?
Creativity. It comes from not being lazy and falling back on tired old rules of floral design. From thinking differently about each event and how to make it special.

What do you love most about your job?
Hearing the Ooohs and Aaahs as guests enter a room you've designed.

If you had to describe yourself in one word, what would it be?
Free-thinking

Boudoir, anyone?

Our friends over at Raw Photo Design are hosting a boudoir marathon in September. This is a fun opportunity to get dressed up, let your hair down, and get some tasteful, intimate images of yourself. Boudoir photos are becoming a popular wedding gift for grooms, but they also make a great anniversary gift for husbands, no matter how long you’ve been married.

If you’re not feeling 100% confident about your body, no worries. Eric and Amber know how to pose you in only the most flattering of ways and can do some amazing things with Photoshop. You’ll look like you walked straight out of the pages of a Victoria’s Secret catalog. Head on over to their blog to check out their boudoir portfolio. Contact information is below.

How to Negotiate with a Wedding Vendor

As a general rule of thumb, we don’t negotiate with wedding vendors on behalf of our clients. Actually, let me rephrase that: we don’t ask vendors to lower their prices simply because their existing pricing structure does not fit within a client’s budget. In the current economic climate, wedding budgets are being tightened like never before and as a result, some couples seem to think that vendors should reduce their prices accordingly. After all, money is money, right? Booking the client at a lower rate is better than losing the business altogether. Not quite. Think of how you would feel if your boss came up to you and said, “Look, funds are a little tight right now, so I’m going to cut your pay by 25% for the next two weeks, but you’ll still have to come in and do the same amount of work.”

You see, wedding professionals are in a service industry. Negotiating the price on a new car, for example, is an entirely different ballgame. In this case, you are simply asking the car dealer to lower their profit margin. They pay a certain amount for the vehicle and sell it for a higher price. The higher the price, the more money they make, and so list prices are typically inflated to leave room for negotiation. A wedding vendor, however, is essentially selling themselves. They provide a service and base their pricing on the time, effort, and resources involved in executing that service. By asking them to lower their price just because you can't afford it, you are devaluing them. Most vendors don’t appreciate this.

Think of negotiation as a compromise: both parties agree to give something up in order to get something in return. If a certain photographer is out of your budget, for instance, you can ask for a lower price in exchange for less hours of coverage at the wedding, fewer photographic prints, or a smaller album. That way, you pay less and the photographer spends less time and/or resources on your event. Everybody wins. Keep this in mind the next time you are negotiating with a wedding professional.

Do you have any negotiating tips to share?

[Image credit: Brides.com]

Happy Anniversary Kelly & Giancarlo!

Kelly and Giancarlo are celebrating their first anniversary today. They were married in the picturesque gardens of Caramoor. Happy anniversary to you both!

[Image credit: Ken Lax]

Bad Bloggers

Okay, we admit it. We’ve been slacking off on the blogging lately. But it’s only because we’ve been busy coordinating weddings and enjoying summer vacations with our families. We’re going to get back on track soon (we promise!) so be sure to keep us on your RSS feed!

Vendors Unveiled: Pavilion Catering

One of my favorite reception venues in Connecticut is The Barns at Wesleyan. It is a gorgeous, rustic environment that is the perfect canvas for an amazing event. This week, Bliss Weddings would like you to introduce you to the genius behind events held at this particular location. Please take a moment to read our interview with Jonathan Jennings as he speaks about his work with Pavilion Catering.

Name: Jonathan Jennings of Pavilion Catering

Website: http://www.pavilioncatering.com/

Blog: http://crystallakeweddings.blogspot.com/
http://wesleyanbarnweddings.blogspot.com/
http://lymanorchardsgolfclubweddings.blogspot.com/
http://wadsworthmansionweddings.blogspot.com/

Where are you located, and what geographical area(s) do you service?

We have 4 beautiful facilities in central Connecticut. We really do have something for every bride. Waterfront, authentic historical, country club, mansion … we have it all. We are the perfect choice for local brides and those planning destination weddings.

How long have you been in business?

Pavilion Catering is celebrating 25 years in business in 2009 … and we are very proud!

What drew you to catering as a profession?

Catering is the one profession in which you get to be a little bit of everything … chef, event planner, social worker, electrician, tent repairman, plumber, gardener, bridal gown bustle“er” … everything. Brides even think I control the weather! Unlike other types of food service, each day in catering is uniquely different from every other day. I love it … it is easy to keep fresh and inspired.

What do you feel sets you apart as a caterer?

There are many really good caterers in Connecticut. I think we are different because of the level of energy we put into every event. We have assembled a terrific team and when all of their passion and energy comes together catering a wedding, the results are really special.

What do you love most about your job?

I love going to work each day knowing that I have to ability to make people happy.

If you had to describe yourself in one word, what would it be?

Lucky. I have a beautiful wife, children I adore and a career that is challenging and rewarding.