Relaxing Chamber Music

Last night I attended the Mercer County Regional Chamber of Commerce's wedding industry networking event in Trenton. Although a little further afield than what would be typically considered my base of operations, it was an excellent opportunity to meet a number of vendors in the field, including NJWedding.com, New Jersey Bride magazine, and Brides.com.

Perhaps one of the most interesting people I met was Frank Margasak, of The Wedding Artist. You'll find out more about Frank when he's added to The Social Register later this week, but suffice to say he brings a very unique service to the industry.

Frank is a portraitist and illustrator that transferred his skills from the fashion industry -- where he worked for the likes of Polo, Armani, and Prada -- and brought them to the wedding industry. He creates beautiful, haute couture bridal portraits in charcoal. He is quite possibly the only high fashion bridal portraitist in the country.

To the right is just one sample of Frank's amazing work, but he has many more samples on his site where he goes from original to first draft to final design. Keep an eye out for more about Frank later this week on The Social Register.

Brides have a lot of choices these days in picking photographers, musicians and DJs, even places where to look for the services (as well as where to find wedding planners too -- but you already know you don't need to go any further than here!). While Coming Together Events currently utilizes The Knot and WeddingChannel.com, primarily because they're seen as the go-to sites for the industry, you shouldn't neglect alternative venues either.

Last night we met the folks from WedAlert and WeddingZone, both of whom offered intriguing opportunities for showcasing my services, but also bringing a wealth of information to the bride-to-be. You'll likely be well-served by checking out either (or both!) sites.

A Sterling Reputation

Continuing in our effort to compile a listing of the best of the best in the industry, our Social Register site has published the latest spotlight feature: caterer extraordinaire, Sterling Affair. 

From impeccable fundraisers and corporate events, to receptions, weddings, and intimate gatherings, Sterling Affair can bring your event to new level of distinction with exquisite food.

Check out the Social Register and let us know what you think about this fine dining experience.

Shake It Like a Polaroid

Photo booths continue to be a hot trend at weddings. Have friends and family pose for traditional table pics and it can look like Murderer's Row. Put them in a wedding photo booth, though, and things get a little off kilter!

A booth offers guests an opportunity to act a little goofy, just like people do when they go into a booth at a fair or the mall. Provide a prop for them to use -- maybe a few costume items or a chalkboard to write out some well-wishes -- and you've got a fun, creative addition to your event.

If you can't afford to rent one (and wedding photo booths can be pricey, they can run upwards of $1000 a day or more), you can use your own creativity and have a "booth" for just a few dollars. String a sheet with a bold print (or solids in your wedding colors!) and hang it up in a corner of your venue. If you're having an outdoor wedding, tie it up between two trees. Your guests can have a grand time going in and getting photos taken.

If you don't want to pay for a photographer to specifically man your photo booth, ask a (reliable) friend or family member -- preferably one who's good at taking pictures -- to do this task. They'll probably have just as much fun as your guests being photographed.

The great thing about these photo booths is that they're not exclusive for weddings. Any event you're having -- birthday parties, quinceaneras, holiday parties, family celebrations --- can be instantly improved by the addition of a photo booth. And with a little imagination it can be taken to the next level.

The New Social Register

According to Wikipedia, the New York Social Register was the original who's who of "old money," prominent individuals who were to be seen and be seen with. Published in 1886, it has actually survived till modern times and is now published by Forbes magazine. To get listed, though, you've got to be sponsored by five people already on the list, but it touts itself as "the only reliable, and the most trusted, arbiter of Society in America."

At Coming Together Events, we don't pretend to be so exclusive, but we do believe there are a number of individuals and companies whose work and services are so good that they should be taken note of. So we've started Coming Together Events Social Register, a listing of venues and vendors that we have personally worked with, or who have been recommended to us by people whose opinion we value and respect, who we believe are top quality, talented professionals.

Each week we'll highlight one of these companies or people and give you the goods on their services. As we note at Social Register, we offer "our readers a handpicked community of talented, professional experts. Some sites associate a high price tag with quality. We don't. Affordability is also a quality we admire."

As the resource builds, you'll have a handy, thoughtfully edited reference tool you can turn to whatever the occasion is you're planning.

Our first featured venue is The Hermitage in Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ, a site I'm intimately familiar with as my own wedding was held there. Check out our Social Register and let us know in the comments section below what you think!

We're On Facebook!

Coming Together Events is up and running on Facebook!

From our page you can access our website; keep up-to-date on trends and ideas for weddings, parties, and celebrations; and even follow this blog!

Our Facebook page allows us to stay more current so you can get updates on the latest events and happenings as they become available. Becoming a fan of Coming Together Events shows your friends that you're ready to celebrate! Let's connect -- stop by and friend us today!

File This Idea Away for Later

We've all seen personalized matchbooks offered weddings. Well here's a cute, convenient gift-with-a-twist to toss in with favors at an engagement party, reception, or even bachelorette get together: matchbook nail files!

Perfect for on-the-go gals, a book of these stylish, pocket-sized nail files will come in handy for life's little beauty emergencies. They come in chic, matchbook-sized cases that slip into your purse for salon quality, no-fuss fixes. Shape and smooth your nails no matter where you are!

And they're inexpensive, too. Ordered in quantity, you can get them for just pennies a book. They come in a variety of colors an can even be ordered with custom engraving on the cover! How cute is that?!

A Hair-Raising Experience

Yesterday La Neve's Restaurant in Haledon was the site of a salon color and style show featuring Italian hair product company Genus. Hosted by designer Nurys Antigua, about 100 people -- including stylists, models, and salon owners from the tri-state area -- attended this terrific show-and-tell event. The product knowledge segment was particularly informative discussing colorants, shampoos and conditioners, and treatments. 


One of the notables at the show was Univision TV personality Luis Velasco, who served as the show's master of ceremonies. 

It was an enjoyable time, and although the show was not my particular field, I was able to connect with salon owners and industry professionals.