The Finishing Touch

Featured Vendor Spotlight: Verola Studio

Today, we'd like to introduce you to one of the featured vendors of our planning studio---Verola Studio~Photography & Video.  Please enjoy this beautiful video of one of the many weddings they've captured.  They are also our guest bloggers today with an informative article about choosing your videographer.  Enjoy!

Hemita and Kenneth's Wedding from Verola Photography & Video on Vimeo.

 WEDDING VIDEOGRAPHY    By: Victor Verola

Every year a greater percentage of weddings are being remembered with video.  Be careful who you choose. The temptation is to get a wholesale price from a “professional” or  a “gift” from a friend or relative, with a sophisticated consumer camera who has  “mastered the switches on his camera”, but does not having adequate  lighting or sound equipment to capture your Wedding Day.

 Choose and trust:

a)   A company in the business full time –doing weddings, commercials,  special events, etc….

b)   Uses only commercial broadcast quality or HD cameras, lighting, and sound systems.

c)   Have their own commercial editing equipment, software, and expertise

d)   The Videographer is a full time certified filmmaker

e)   A company that carries liability insurance

f)    Has all backup equipment should anything fail

Equally important is the talent of the cameraman and the quality of  the editing.  There are two types of editing: camera editing done on location as the event progresses, and our recommended method-  post production in an editing studio by a professional editor.

REMEMBER: A wedding has no retakes. The videographer has enough to contend with in capturing the affair as it happens, besides having to edit down the contents simultaneously.  The investment of time in post production is well worth it for in the ultimate quality of this lifetime product. It is worth finding a company who wouldn’t do it any other way. This is a long and very involved process – usually requiring 15 or more  hours of the editors’ time working on state of the art software. A good editor also adds great add-ons and special effects.

A recent poll of brides in Bride Magazine showed that 93% of the brides that chose not to do video, regretted it later….With today’s economic climate in mind, we recommend saving elsewhere. Photography and Video are the two important items you will  remember your wedding by. While photographs are stills, a video will show you the entire event with animation, vows, music, and is a cherished lifetime memory. 

Our packages are very reasonably priced from the Simple to the Ultimate – there is one to fit your needs.

Verola Photography and Video    772. 231. 6777

WWW.BOOKTHEDAY.COM

Dreamday Celebrations Event Planning Hosts Bridal Seminar and Highlights Treasure Coast Wedding Vendors

The Savvy Bride and Groom Recession Wedding Workshop was a special evening for brides and grooms planning their weddings on Florida's Treasure Coast.  In an intimate setting, bridal couples had the opportunity to learn cost-cutting wedding planning tips, meet a sampling of Treasure Coast wedding vendors, taste wedding cakes, get the how-to's on wedding decor, and go home with special gifts and exclusive offers generously donated by the event vendors.  The event was hosted by Dreamday Celebrations, a Palm City based event planning and design company specializing in weddings and social events.  The workshop was presented by event planner Christine Terezakis who credits the success of the event to the participation of the wedding vendors who came together, gave their time, and shared their talents at this first time ever event.

"A very BIG and heartfelt THANK YOU goes out to all of the fabulous wedding vendors who participated in so many ways in helping me pull together the details and presentation of the event. I'm so proud and honored to have had you all be a part of it." ~ Christine Terezakis, event planner

  
  
 
 

 

Here's a glimpse of the wonderful people who helped make it all happpen:

(Photos courtesy of Verola Photography & Video)

 

 All in Fun, Inc. provided the specialty linens, place settings, and round tables for the design and decor segment of the workshop (and made a couple of much-appreciated extra trips for things we needed last minute)!

Based in Port St. Lucie, All in Fun specializes in event rentals such as tents, tables, chairs, linens, chair covers, arches, decor items, and more.  You'll find very friendly and attentive service and lots of cool stuff on display at their showroom location!

Contact Holly at 772-337-1500.

 

  

 

 

A Piece of Cake- by Elena provided wedding cake samples and gorgeous mini cakes for the guests to take home (perfectly packaged with Elena's special touch).

With several locations in south Florida, including their newest shop in St. Lucie West, they specialize in all-occasion cakes and cupcakes.  Elena's creations are beautiful and scrumptious!

For wedding cakes with a designer touch, call Elena at 772-220-0113.

 

  

 

Cardita Formal Wear, Inc. showcased an assortment of elegant men's formal attire.

Located in Saint Lucie West, Cardita specializes in tuxedo rentals and sales, also offering valet service as needed.  Their warehouse location and large selection is very impressive. You'll find extremely personalized service and the perfect fit.  Guys, if you want to look great for your next special occasion, this is THE place to go!

 Call Victoria and Cliff at 877-468-0799.

 

   

 

Country Club Florist  provided the beautiful centerpieces on our table-scape displays and assisted with the design presentation during the workshop (and gave out lovely single stem roses to all the brides).

With a retail flower shop and design location in Stuart, Country Club Florist specializes in floral design and works closely with brides and event planners throughout the Treasure Coast area.  They also offer a selection of beautiful silk arrangements for your home decor! 

Call Barbara at 772-283-1110.

 

   

 

 Silver Platter Entrees provided fun splits of champagne for the guests to take home.

Located in Port St. Lucie, Silver Platter is a catering company and cooking academy specializing in catering, bar service, and party staffing.  They're great at customizing menu options for your special event.  A culinary delight! 

Contact Folker and Jayne at 772-335-1699.

 

 

 

  

 

 Traxx Entertainment provided the music, event sound system and microphones, colorful up-lighting, and a customized gobo for the event.

Located in Port St. Lucie, Traxx specializes in mobile disc jockey entertainment.  They also provide extras to enhance your event such as decor lighting, custom gobos, wedding sparklers, and more.  They'll get your party started, and keep it going all night long!

Contact Lynette and Vince at 772-873-3001.

 

  

 

Verola Photography and Video recorded the event with photo and audio coverage and created a mini gallery of wedding photo inspiration.

Located in Vero Beach, Verola  is a talented husband and wife team that specializes in photography and video for weddings and special events.  You'll love the way they capture your memories!

Call Marina and Victor at 772-231-6777.

 

 

Extra thank you's go out to The Knot magazine, Get Married magazine, and Sandals resorts for their support and donations of gifts for our attendees.

Happy planning everyone!

Christine Terezakis

Wedding planner based in south Florida's Treasure Coast and serving brides in all of Florida and destinations beyond.  Certified Sandals  Resorts Specialist.  Member of the Association of Bridal Consultants.

Dreamday Celebrations Event Planning & Design  772-220-0373

 

Featured Wedding Professionals ~ Photography

Featured Wedding Professional: Ryan Zapatka

Company Name: Focused on Forever Studio

Web site: www.focusedonforever.com

 
 

What is your specialty or style?  Portrait Journalistic Imagery & Cinematic Style Wedding Films        

What makes your company unique?  Among many things, superior service and attention to detail, amazing quality in our award winning imagery and films.  

   

What do you see as the hot trend in your industry right now?   The hottest trend in our industry right now is our canvas gallery wraps along with our amazing range of choices in our wedding albums. These wedding albums are now available in some amazing options which have never been an option in the album industry.

Do you have an industry idol or favorite celebrity?  There’s too many to list just one! There are some fantastic photographers and videographers in the world…we keep up on the industry’s most elite shooters and there are many where we gain much inspiration from!   

 

How would your friends describe you?  Too busy J Owning your own business requires endless hours and huge commitments.     

Favorite Blog, Web site, or magazine?  I have to say I love our blog because I spend so much time updating it!!  I don’t per se have a favorite blog that I read religiously, but I do know most of my brides love theknot.com because it’s full of great ideas, wedding stories, and planning tips that keep them going throughout the planning process. There magazine and website is ranked #1 in the wedding industry.

      
What is the best advice you could give today's brides, relative to your industry?  Today’s brides are shopping around more than ever. While this is usually a good thing when shopping for say a TV, where you are comparing the same model and looking for the best price, this isn’t the best way to choose your wedding vendors. The best way to choose your wedding vendors is by word of mouth and referral. Other vendors work with wedding vendors every week, so take their consideration and other past brides recommendations when choosing your vendors. Although it seems like this is the best time to “haggle” your prices, most of the time it is the inferior quality of the less experienced vendors that will lower their prices much lower---and though you may feel accomplished that you “haggled” such a low price---it may just mean you are still just getting an inferior product or service at a less price. Instead of finding the cheapest vendor, look for the best quality and find a vendor you absolutely love.  

Hardest part of your job?  The long hours. We have to put in so many hours just to keep on track and not fall behind with our workload, marketing, and more. That’s certainly the most challenging part of our everyday job. Some people “see” us as 1 day wedding shooters……but we run a full portrait studio, work on production all week, and then have to shoot on the weekend.       

Best part of your job?  The shooting and fulfillment of delivering the final product to the bride. Endless hours, creativity and thought go into finishing a wedding album or a cinematic film feature. Finishing one, being happy with it, and delivering it to the bride is the best part of our job. 

 

  Comments from Christine: I've had the pleasure of working with Ryan on many occasions.  He's extremely professional, with a very friendly personality which allows you to feel comfortable with having your picture taken. Very talented and reputable photographer and videographer.

Happy planning!

  Christine

 Christine Terezakis-- Wedding planner serving southeast Florida, the Treasure Coast, and Palm Beaches

 Dreamday Celebrations Event Planning & Design

Featured Wedding Professionals ~ Wedding Cakes

Featured Wedding Professional:  Betty Baird

Company Name:  Sweet Tiers™

Web Site:  www.SweetTiers.com

What is your specialty or style?  I specialize in custom wedding cakes, grooms cakes, and all occasion cakes.  

What makes your company unique?  I started my business in 1984 when no one was doing custom wedding cakes and because of my extraordinary brides, with mile-long imaginations, I've been able to create edible art.

What do you see as the hot trend in your industry right now?  The hottest trend in wedding cakes is the unusual, crooked cakes, architectural feats and brash colors.  The trend in Florida is to be beachy, but elegant and more subdued in color, and more tailored.

Do you have an industry idol or favorite celebrity?  I admire the work of Ron Ben Israel and Collette Peters as being the most innovative and beautiful designs.

How would your friends describe you?  Very loyal, hopefully funny, and a great
eating pal!

Favorite blog, web site, or magazine?  My favorite Magazines are National Geographic and the Smithsonian.

What is the best advice you could give today’s brides, relative to your industry?  Keep your focus.  The main focus is to be a married lady.  The rest is fluff.

Hardest part of your job?  The clean up!  Lots of big pans!

Best part of your job?  I can eat my mistakes!  How many jobs offer that?!  

Comments from Christine:

Betty's cakes are as delicious as they are beautiful! And, she's a super nice lady to work with.  I hope you're enjoying the photos of her work.  (When I look at these cake pictures, I can almost smell the incredible icing!) 

 

            Happy planning!

                       Christine

  Christine Terezakis --Wedding Planner serving southeast Florida, the Treasure Coast, and Palm Beaches   

  Dreamday Celebrations Event Planning & Design

Featured Wedding Professional: Traxx Entertainment

I've had the pleasure of working with Lynette and Vince at a variety of events throughout the Treasure Coast and I'm happy to be featuring them on our blog today.  This duo and their team are very personable and easy to work with and they give their audience a great variety of music and lots of fun entertainment! 

Professionals:  Vincent & Lynette Marraffa

Company Name:  Traxx Entertainment LLC

Web site:  www.traxxentertainment.com

What is your specialty?  Weddings, corporate events, and parties

What makes your company unique?  We provide interactive-style disc jockey entertainment.  With affiliate companies in Las Vegas and Chicago, we're able to keep current with entertainment trends nationwide. 

What do you see as the hot trend in you industry right now?  Today's economy has evoked an enormous wave of budget concious brides.  Brides are looking to keep the formalities and elegance while also having a "party groove."

How would your friends describe you?  Honest, caring, generous, professional partiers...we live for entertainment.

Hardest part of your job?  Trying not to spend a bazillion bucks on every new piece of electronic equipment that hits the market.  We love new tricks and trends...keeping equipment and music selections on par and current is VERY important so that we can offer our clients top notch professional entertainment.  

Best part of your job?  Bringing the party...every weekend...year after year!

Happy planning!

Christine Terezakis

South Florida Treasure Coast Wedding Planner

Dreamday Celebrations Event Planning & Design