Non-Floral Rental Centerpieces

We are so excited to add more centerpieces to our rental collection. Our centerpieces are non-floral rental centerpieces. They are designed to stand on their own without floral, but of course a few flowers could be added. Our centerpieces consists of objects such as marbles, rocks, feathers, moss or steel balls, sand, shells, etc. Who wants to have to buy 20 lbs. of marble and try to resell them? Our prices range from $25-$45 per table which includes delivery (in the metro), set up and tear down. Could it get any better? Yes! We can even help you pair up linens, chair covers, etc. to make the designs coordinate, which is why we call them "design emsembles". If there is not anything you see below that you like, let us know and we can help you create something. We have ten more designs in the works with include coffee beans, eiffel tower vases, calla lillies (they are faux and look totally real), votive trees, etc. Contact us for more information and forgive our terrible pictures. Professional pictures of the designs coming soon. http://www.atyourserviceweddings.com/, 612-208-1051, info@atyourserviceweddings.com
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Shop favors on sale from 99 cents at The Knot Wedding Shop! Save on bubbles, coaster favors, personalized chocolates and much more.

Yesterday, I heard an interesting comment. As I was setting up for an event at the Blaisdell Manor in Minneapolis, I began speaking with a woman who works there. She said that she does not allow her clients to see what goes into the preparation for their events because it "takes away the magic!" We were talking about all the work that goes into events. It is truly amazing what goes on behind the scenes during the creation of beautiful events. It is like day and night, literally! If people wonder whether or not the price of their caterer, DJ, and wedding coordinator is actually worth it, it usually is!

Every Saturday we go to a "bare venue" (great venues, I should add), and I always think, "Oh my gosh, how are we EVER going to get this done?!" But we jump right in! Tables go up, linens go on, someone starts setting tables, another is organizing the escort cards, cake table (or cupcakes), flowers, chairs and sashes. But shoot, we still need napkins folded, and it looks like it's starting to rain! We go to the company van and grab all ten umbrellas and cardboard boxes. The cardboard boxes act as sponges to soak up some of the rain and the umbrellas are for the guests to use while walking into the building (not knowing that the sun was actually going to come out in the nick-of-time). We run back and finish placing candles, table numbers, and everything else that needs completion. We put our finishing touches and...Voila! Magnificent! We have just enough time to run to the church and light candles before the wedding party needs boutonnieres and bouquets.

Now, from a bride's perspective, she wakes up in the morning running a little late, but has just enough time to get to the spa with her mom, sister, and closets girlfriends. They all get mani's and pedi's, get their hot stone massages and facials, have their hair and make-up done and put on their dresses. Everyone is looking and feeling their very best! They get the call that the limo is there to pick them up, so they head outside. In the limo they get their first glass of champagne and ride to the site for photography. When the photo shoot is over, it's time to get to the church for the ceremony. The violinist begins playing Pachelbel's Canon in D and the bridesmaids and groomsmen walk down the aisle. The bride walks to the entry of the church with her dad, and their guests stand. Among all the people, the towering flowers lining the aisle, flickering candles and the violin filling the church with breath-taking music, she sees her groom. This is where the "magic" is!

I think it is obvious which experience a bride would like to have on her wedding day. We exist for a reason! We thrive under stressful, crunch-like circumstances and we enjoy creating the magic for the bride and groom to experience with their families and friends!

In the months I have been working in this industry, my understanding of wedding planning has drastically changed! I realize now how much work it takes to plan a wedding and execute the plans in reality, so that it is smooth, romantic and flawless for everyone else present. I admit that I watched J-Lo's "The Wedding Planner" and David Tutera's "My Fair Wedding" and I have read all the bridal magazines and researched certification. I had the romantic dream of becoming a wedding planner! Now I have realized the Earth-shattering reality! The "magic" of wedding planning is not being the coordinator, it's being the bride with a wedding coordinator! That being said, I love it! It is fantastic to see the bride and groom glow in their magical day. And that day could not be as magical unless I had sweat all over it!

By Chelsea

What a Wedding!

Congratulations to Meredith and Tom on their June 18th wedding! I had worked with Meredith and Tom for almost a year. It was a year of anticipation to see this wedding finally arrive. I knew that it was going to be fabulous...and it was. Rain and all.

First off, this couple had the unfortunate experience of booking a "venue". Now, the reason for the rabbit ears around the "venue" is that this place wasn't really a venue even though they sold themselves as a venue. Tom and Meredith booked the venue first then found me. I hadn't worked there before, but had heard about it and was excited to work there. I would say that 90% of the places we work on weekends are new places that we work. There are hundreds of venues in the cities let alone weddings at private residences. We can't possibly have worked everywhere. We have a process that we go through to familiarize ourselves with each venue after we sign a contract with a new client. So, I went to the venue to do a walk through. From the outside, this place was fabulous and I could see the appeal. From an experience stand point, I had a bad feeling about the place. I KNEW how much work it was going to be to pull this wedding off. And, I had a feeling that this place wasn't zoned to be a venue. That is not something that brides and grooms know to ask venues. But, venues should not be selling themselves as venues if they are not venues. Did that part make sense?

To make a long short short (to read the rest of the story, see a previous blog that I wrote), the wedding was moved to Gibbs Family Farm in Roseville. What a great location! I had worked there many, many years ago in my old life as an event planner for a not-for-profit. So, I knew the potential. This couple has an adorable dog that they wanted to attend the reception. They were told they could bring Scout as long as he didn't chase the chickens.

Meredith and Tom have very good taste and I knew that it would come out with their decisions. As they signed contracts and would forward them to me to have, I could envision what the day was going to look like months in advance. They went with Apres Party and Tent Rental for the tent, white padded chairs, granite bar, and floor length white linens. Yes, we were in dirt. But, the floor length linens really classed up the red barn. Their classic touches they brought in, like the granite bar, were just what was needed to make the event feel elegant and not like a hoe down.

Jennifer with Luna Vinca is one of my favorite florists to work with. She always does a fantastic job working with the couples and really cares about their vision. You can see from the pictures the beautiful centerpieces she helped Meredith and Tom design. Meredith is a thrift store addict. She scoured the stores looking for white milk glass and antique champagne glasses that Jennifer could use for centerpiece containers. You can see how it all turned out.

Two weeks before the wedding I was sitting with Tom and Meredith in our final meeting and Meredith made a comment about how disappointed she was to not have antique china for the plates. We had talked early on about her collecting dinner plates from the thrift stores but how much work it would be. Ironically, I had just been to a wedding professionals meeting and one of the presenters was a lady that started a vintage china rental company! What are the odds? So, I found Vicki's information and passed it to Meredith. One week before the wedding she had switched the plates out from Apres to use Vicki's. Her company is called Revived Tableware. The dishes were perfect for this wedding.

Meredith did collect vintage tea cup saucers from the thrift stores and they were used for the cake buffet. They had a cupcake buffet from Sweets Bakeshop. As a vendor, I don't typically eat the food. I am working, I am not a guest. But, my rule is that when I am putting out the cupcakes for the cupcake buffet and one "accidentally" gets smushed, I can eat it. Salted Caramel is my new favorite. I wished I hadn't been working because beer would have been FABULOUS with that cupcake.

The music was fantastic also. They hired an accordian player, Dan, from Daddy Squeeze Music and also Adagio Djay for their DJ service. Dan and Ryan worked really well together. When Dan needed a break, Ryan would fill in with music during the breaks. Then, when dinner started, Ryan took over for the night. Both gentlemen were great to work with. I can always count on Jay from Adagio Djay to send out the very best DJ's to work with.

So,I have talked about the flowers and talked about the linens. What is left? Food! I can never forget about my good friend Nate Lane from Thyme to Entertain. I love that guy! Did I mention this entire meal was vegan? Yes, it was! And, it was fabulous (yes, I did eat late into the night). So, Nate's staff arrives and they always hit the ground running unloading the trucks. Nate is the owner and always works the events. He is just not some guy sitting in an office collecting the checks. Nate carries, runs, and lifts just as much as his staff. And, he was also the last to go home that night too. So, Nate is this crazy chef that I love to work with that has this 1970ish fire engine. The back end of it has been fabricated into a wood-fire pizza oven. Meredith and Tom didn't have his pizzas that night. I have had his pizzas before and they are pretty frickin' good. The fire truck that night did act as his "hot source" and kept the grains and vegetables hot. I was setting up the tent but I knew that he had put wood in the oven because the smell was incredible. I love working with Thyme to entertain because they have "table centerpieces" which are a small marble slab with a starter on them like olives, hummus, handmade crackers, homemade pickles, etc. Then, they served the tables family style. Remember when you were a kid and used to eat as a family? It is kind of like that. The platters are passed around the table and everyone puts on their plate what they want. Nate has large, white, oval platters that look great on the table. It is fun to watch people pass them around.

You can see from the pictures how beautiful this wedding was. Lace/Hanky was the photographer that night and I can't wait to see her pictures when they are done! They only bad part.....it rained....a lot. But, the music went on and everyone had a good time. Then I ate another salted caramel cupcake...

What Suite Number is Yours?

That night, the bride and groom had me take their gifts to their apartment, when we got there, we couldn't get the key to work in the door. Then we realized the door was unlocked! So we went in a little creeped out, but thankful that we could get in. We unloaded some gifts and then noticed some college diplomas on the wall. We found it odd that the diplomas weren't the bride's or the groom's. Then we noticed pictures of a man and woman that weren't the bride or groom either!! That's when we realized it wasn't the right apartment!! So we packed up as quickly as possible!! When we found the right apartment (in a different building) we were SOOOOO relieved! Besides being extremely nervous, we thought it was hilarious!!! What are the chances that we would go to the wrong apartment, same loft number, and it would be UNLOCKED?! Ironic!

...And this is a funny sign in the elevator!

You know what they say...

Rain is good luck on a wedding day! Last Saturday, At Your Service Weddings had an outside reception at Gibbs Museum in St. Paul, MN. Thanks goodness the bride and groom chose a huge tent from Aprés Party and Tent Rental because it rained all day! The ground was covered with mud puddles so we had to get creative!

After we we got the rain/puddle situation settled with cardboard boxes and umbrellas guests of the wedding were able to enjoy a fantastic vegan/vegetarian meal made by Nate owner of Thyme to Entertain Catering. Nate even brought his fire truck-oven!

We were so excited that the table settings were from Revived Tableware. They were so cool, so beautiful!

The DJ was great! And they even hired an accordion player.
The reception was great and the bride and groom were very happy with everything despite the rain!
So it must be true... rain is good luck on a wedding day!!

The Knot

So far, my internship has been above and beyond my expectations! I have experienced SO much in such little time. I am 21 years old and going to great cocktail parties! This past Tuesday was The Knot's annual cocktail party that had an Arabian theme and everything was FANTASTIC! The hors d'oeuvres were better than I have ever tasted. They served salmon, tuna, lamb, beef, mushroom soup, steak, mashed potatoes, and so many more that all lined the perimeter of the room. I was so disappointed that I didn't make it to the dessert table, but they too looked great! They had belly dancers, ice sculptures, and the flowers were amazing! The colors were vibrant reds, purples, oranges and gold and the draping gave the room a fun, Arabian feel. There were even ladies giving guests henna and bindis. It was a great opportunity to get to know other local wedding vendors and get new creative ideas for events! Oh, and it was really fun going into the photobooth and getting some super-silly snap-shots!