Do you have Spirits?
Spirits Lounge at the Temple and Temple Banquet Center located in the hub of downtown Alton could be the unique spot you have been searching for.
Located at 300 State Street, in the former Masonic Temple, this facility offers great service, old world charm, and even fun ghost stories (if that interests you or even more so the perfect conversation piece for your guests!!)
The lounge is located on the second floor, which you have the option of using the stairs or taking the elevator. You arrive in an area with leather chairs and sofas, which immediately creates the feeling of warmth and being welcomed! The beautiful, well-stocked bar is staffed by talented bartenders - Todd loves to entertain his guests and the marble top bar just adds even more to the charm.
The third floor is home to the Temple Banquet Center. High ceilings, dark wood trim, and fantabulous (yes, I did say this!!) crystal chandeliers is what makes this room very desirable. When couples have their wedding and reception at the Temple, it is customary after the ceremony for the guests to relocate to the second floor. In the lounge, the guests enjoy cocktails and return to the third floor - which has been transformed into a reception - for dinner and dancing.
We coordinated/decorated a wedding and reception this past October. It was wonderful! Check out the photos....Photos at the Temple Banquet Center
Just recently, Spirits Lounge, added a food menu. Last night, I stopped in following an appointment, and ordered dinner. The menu is diverse...I finally decided on pulled pork, as I have had a crazy hunger for BBQ. The salad wasn't just an ordinary iceberg lettuce run of the mill kind. WOW! it was filled with darks greens, a sweet surprise. The chef came out to speak with me and asked about the dressing......I ordered poppy seed and it was delicious, so I told him. He makes is own dressings - love it! Did I mention the "sweet potato fries"....oh my! hmm, hmm.
The lounge is open Wednesday - Sunday, but you will need to call about the hours of operation: 618-463-5555
Their website is: www.templeentertainmentinc.com
Items For Sale
***ITEMS FOR SALE!!!!!***
We have been busy cleaning, doing inventory and getting ready for a great year! To make room for new items, we have some items in our inventory, slightly used, but at great bargain for any bride! Contact us at 618-566-8840 or 314-504-0644. All items are available for pick up only.
Check out our website in the boutique section at:
http://weckevents.com/wst_page11.html
Check back often as more items will become available......
HOW TO STICK THE BUDGET WITH 5 STEPS
Unfortunately, setting a budget is one thing – sticking to it is another. Most couples spend more on the wedding than originally planned. It is so easy to start with the best of intentions—it is even easier to get carried away by all glam whether it be the "perfect" dress, centerpieces or the must have invitations.
Here are FIVE steps to help along the journey:
Step 1: Create a System
Set up a wedding fund separate from your personal accounts, so you can easily determine what’s being spent on the wedding. Also look into the possibility of opening a simple,free checking account. Keep an up to date spreadsheet of your expenses.
Step 2: Prepare to Go Over
Set aside at least five percent of your budget for a just-in-case fund. If you absolutely cannot exceed $25,000, aim to spend $23,000. Inevitably there will be last minute costs, by budgeting less your reserve funds will save you from debt. Some common overlooked costs you may not have considered when setting your initial budget:
· Postage for invitations and stamps for RSVPs; the cost depends not only on the weight of the invitation, but also the odd shape or “oversize” adds addtional surcharges to the cost and once again, the quantity being sent
· Trial runs - make-up and hairstyling – about $50-$100 each
· Accessories/gifts –whether it is personal jewelry for the ladies or other gifts to the wedding party
· Tips for your vendors – 15-25% is customary for certain services
Step 3: Cut Back
The biggest way to reduce expenses in every category is invite 150 guests vs. 200;serve three courses instead of five (save on catering); serve beer, wine, soft drinks or specific signature drink instead of an open bar with liquor; and think about drawing the line with four bridesmaids and groomsmen instead of 10 on each side - which amounts to big savings on on bouquets and gifts.
Step 4: The Best is Going to Cost
If the gorgeous designer dress, premium liquor, surf and turf sounds like a good thing at the time, all these “best of the best” is going to cost. Prioritize categories based on your vison before making any selections and realize that to have the best in one category you may need to sacrifice in another category.
Step 5: Tighten Your Personal Budget
In the event you and your groom are responsible for paying a portion of the overall expenses with your parents, here’s a simple way to tighten you personal budget to be able to afford some “extravagance” into your wedding budget. The goal is try to save 20% of your income for your wedding expenses. All you need to do is make some simple lifestyle changes like brewing your own coffee, eat out less by cooking meals at home – even have an all day cooking affair, then label and freeze the food for quick meals after work, renting a DVD instead of expensive trips to the theatre, plus on “movie nights” invite your friends over instead of going “clubbing” which adds up to enormous savings. The best part of this new discipline is after you get married it makes it easier to save for other big ticket items like a new home, furniture, or vacations.
Seeking Service with Invitations?
Not only are weddings a joyous and special event for the bride and groom, it truly is an event that brings family and friends together to celebrate this momentous occasion. The invitation you send to your guests will set the tone for the entire celebration and is a true reflection of your style and personality.
Which route should I go? Do I order via mail order, online or in-person?
There are numerous catalog request post card forms available in virtually every wedding magazine publication. You fill it out and check the desired invitation catalogs and within days you will receive a lot of catalogs to view. The same holds true with an online search and viewing the invitations online. You browse the catalogs…and browse….and then…. you ask yourself, will it be the right color? Is the paper good quality? Most often, couples are disappointed with the outcome. Meeting with an experienced and qualified wedding consultant is always the best and practical choice.
Things to Consider when Ordering Invitations
- It is customary to send invitations six to eight weeks prior to the wedding. Even some credible sources are recommending mailing them eight to ten weeks prior to the wedding. Consider ordering your invitation ensemble four to six months prior to the date so you have adequate time to assemble, address and affix postage.
- Unless you have done a lot of research including selection, have all the necessary wording and information typed (including the name and addresses of the ceremony, reception site, and hotels, map directions, etc.), it is not something that can be completed in 15 minutes while on your lunch break. Plan at least 2 hours. (Of course, if you have all the necessary info for ordering, it will take less time, but definitely more than 15 minutes).
- Your invitations will generally include: The outer invitation envelope, an invitation, a reception card, a response card, an envelope for the response card, hotel information for guests, detailed directions and addresses for the church and reception. It is also a good time to order additional items such as personalized napkins, thank you cards, etc.
- How many wedding invitations you order has nothing to do with how many guests you intend on inviting. Many guests are couples or families and receive only one invitation. It is acceptable to offer an invitation to a single friend addressed as “Miss Jennifer Lewis and Guest”. However, if no children are invited, do not include the general “and family” or issue the name of the children on the invitation. Always order extra invitation envelopes and response card envelopes. There will inevitably be a few mistakes when addressing these and you'll want to have a few extras on hand. Reordering can be very expensive after the initial order has been placed.
- Helpful hint!! On the respond cards: number the back of each card to correspond to your list to make it easier to check off. This also helps determine the “owner” of response in the event they accidently omit their name, add more people than invited or believe it or not, jokingly put a fake name – because “you will know it is me” (forgetting you have three other friends who love to prank you, too).
- With technology, it is acceptable to utilize a computer to generate a calligraphy style addressed envelope. Be sure to order extra envelopes and run a few through to ensure they do not crinkle. An alternative is to hire a professional calligrapher. The rates vary but can run approximately $2.50-$4.00 per set (outside and inner envelope). While some resources recommended your bridal party addressing the envelopes, unless they have extraordinary handwriting, why waste money on such beautiful invitations to convey “cheap” with the look of a sloppy envelope?
- Postage. It is what it is. Be prepared to pay extra – quality paper is just that – quality. Quality weighs more. Plus, most invitations do not meet the postal service rate sheet on dimensions, so you will pay a surcharge for a square or oversized invitation.
Weck Events & Weddings offers several different styles of wedding invitations (as well as other party invites) from traditional, contemporary, pocket folds, including Save-the-Dates. Discounts range from 15% to 25% of the listed price depending on the line - a savings which truly can add up quickly! Plus, you get personalized service-something a catalog doesn’t offer.
Traditional. Modern. Progressive.
He asked, “Will you marry me?” and she said, “Yes!”
You have shown all your family and friends the gorgeous ring either the both of you or he alone picked for this special moment. You are about to embark on setting the dreams, themes and color schemes in motion. Let me make a suggestion: Set a budget for the wedding! The average cost for a wedding is $28,800. Yes, it can be done for much less and unrestricted, it can cost considerably more.
Discuss and even research with your fiancé the options on how to split the wedding expenses. Is your situation Traditional? the parents of bride pay the majority of expenses as outlined by traditional rules. Are you Modern? you and the groom pay for the wedding as a couple. Or perhaps, Progressive? all the expenses are shared equally (or there abouts) with your parents, the groom’s parents and you, the couple.
Before making any decisions and booking any vendors–shop around. Research the vendors and get estimates before setting the budget. This is absolutely necessary. You (really, I am talking about your parents) may think flowers cost $600, but it can quickly reach $2,000.
Create a detailed list based on category, projected cost and calculate. A simple spreadsheet can be easily updated and make cost comparisons between different vendors for the same service (like bakeries, florists, DJ’s, etc.).
Schedule a meeting and discuss your findings about the proposed budget early with both families. This meeting will save you from senseless disagreements and disappointment if discussed early, openly and honestly. Once you have come to a decision on how to pay for the wedding, put the budget in writing with every category listed. Establish a special wedding account, such as a simple checking account, where all the contributions are deposited. From this account, all expenses are paid from this sole resource in order to be able to accurately track expenses.
Coming soon…..HOW TO STICK TO THE BUDGET
Something Old, Something New
When the client arrived with her cute little 6 year old girl, I told her my snafu and suggested we go to the park to review the final details of the decor for her wedding reception. It was great idea! We watched her little girl play and have so much fun jumping, swinging, sliding in the jungle gym while we finalized the details.
One of the last comments the bride made was about this neat idea given to her for the toss bouquet. It was going to be a candy sucker bouquet for the children. I have seen this type of bouquet and it was "Something Old" to me, but it was a joy to see her eyes light up, the smile on her face and to hear the excitement in her voice describing it to me. It didn't matter how many times I have seen it done, this was "Something New" to her. There are many ways and ideas to celebrate traditions associated with a wedding, don't be afraid to do something you like!
Men in Love
I was in charge of the retail shop: greeting clients, taking floral orders, cashier, wrapping gifts, restocking inventory, etc. This enabled Dawn, the designer, to create her magic with the flowers. I know I asked Dawn the same question a couple of times throughout the 3 days, but she was the greatest to work with! By the third day - officially Valentine's Day - I even felt comfortable enough to answer the telephone and take orders!
The majority of clients were gentlemen. Some were very prepared and knew exactly what they wanted! Other gentlemen knew WHAT they wanted to send WHEN they saw it! and the remaining had no idea and were very open to suggestions. It was fun to learn a little about their spouse/significant other and help them put together something very special. To see their smile when they made their final decision was so rewarding for me.
The point is: they made the effort and came in because they loved their special someone and wanted to remind them of their love. One ordered all yellow roses, one who just recently started dating gave his new girlfriend tulips, another gentlemen gave a single red rose being held by a white bear, nestled in a red trimmed feather hand bag; one gave red and white flowers and another gave his sweetie a hyacinth bulb planter to watch and continue to grow next year. My favorite: was the gentlemen walking out the store with a big white box with a huge red bow - very old fashioned and very classy!
Due to the cold, we had to wrap everything to protect the blooms from the frigid temps. This extra love and attention to the flowers took a little extra time, but the gentlemen were very patient.
It was a new prospective for me to see all the behind the scenes work involved on a major holiday for a florist. The organization, preparation, delivery coordination and to see what the men do when they order flowers. Can't wait till next year!
Updated website
The recent bridal shows we participated in were so much fun and a learning experience. It's great to get feedback from potential clients, and learn about things they are interested in incorporating in their wedding. As a professional, it keeps me on my toes! Be sure to check out the photos from the recent shows. Here's the link: www.weckevents.phanfare.com