January, 2010
This is the first edition, volume one if you will, of our new Vendor In-Focus showcase. Throughout the year we will be highlighting some of Connecticut’s up and coming vendors in the wedding industry. I see this as a way to give back to all of the amazing people who invested their time in me when I first got going in the business. I have always said I wouldn’t be where I am today without them. I’ve made a habit of surrounding myself with positive people and with that in mind, I want to be the same to those getting started. The vendors who will be In-Focus will be within the first 5 years of business. We will ask a few questions about their business and who they are so you get to know them a little better. By all means, please check out their websites and show some love!
If your interested in having your business featured on our blog, please use the contact page and shoot me an email.
Meet Christine Ringuette, owner of Down The Aisle, LLC. Christine has been a friend of mine since the eighth grade. I am so proud of her that she has turned her love and passion for weddings into a business that will prosper and be a force to reckon with in the industry.
Business: Down The Aisle, LLC
Owner: Christine Ringuette
Services: Wedding consulting, Floral and Stationery
Website: http://www.downtheaislect.com/
Contact: downtheaislect@gmail.com
Q: How did you get started in the wedding planning industry?
A: My love for weddings began over a decade ago, when I worked part-time in the jewelry retail business during graduate school. Working in any commission-based industry can be pretty cut-throat, and while others may have found working with indecisive brides to be time-consuming and wearisome, I found myself not only wanting to help them with the engagement ring and wedding band, but all their other wedding details as well! In the late 90’s—way before The Knot and Facebook—couples would often return to the store to ask me questions about etiquette, where to get the best deals, how they could save, etc. After I left the jewelry business, my passion for helping wedding couples continued casually as a hobby with friends, family and colleagues. Last spring, I decided to make the commitment of turning this passion into a formal business, and enrolled in the Association of Bridal Consultant’s training program, where I earned the professional designation of “Professional Bridal Consultant”, and also incorporated my business, Down the Aisle, LLC.
Q: Why is Hiring a wedding planner a necessity?
A: One of the biggest misconceptions I hear in this industry is that wedding planners are only needed for very large guest lists, or for those with a six-figure wedding budget, when in fact, a recent poll done by TheKnot.com showed that 41% of couples have hired planners. Obviously people get married all the time without using a wedding coordinator. However, the choice to hire a wedding coordinator is actually a cost savings in the end, because I can help couples stay within budget. A wedding is the most expensive social event a couple will ever host, and they can’t afford to invest their time and money unwisely. Lastly, I can also save time, and alleviate the arduous legwork involved in researching vendors by recommending a reputable vendor best suited for your style and budget.
Q: All brides envision a perfect wedding day, but at times, their vision may surpass their budget. How can you help brides fit within their budget without cutting quality?
A: There is still a way to cut costs while sustaining style and the couple’s vision. Some brides are nixing menu and seating cards, or scaling back on the wedding cake or the wedding gown. I would say the number one way to save on the wedding as a whole (I’m not saying it’s the easiest!) is to trim the guest list. As an unbiased third-party, I am able to work with the couple and/or their parents in helping to decide on the guest list.
Q: Where do you draw your inspiration?
A: Inspiration starts from the moment I meet with the couple. Because I have an insatiable appetite for everything and anything wedding related, it makes it that much easier to make a connection. My goal is to learn anything that I can about them that would help me make their day more personal. I want to know details of their courtship, what their personality says about them as a couple (modern, edgy, romantic, classic), their preferences, what they enjoy to do together, what they admire in architecture…My inspiration is their inspiration.
Q: Some say that wedding coordinators will just “take over”. How do you ensure that the bride and groom will still feel involved?
A: This is another misconception out there. Coordinators can really do as much or as little as the couple requests—sometimes I’m needed to help with every aspect of their day, and sometimes only when the details become too time-consuming or overwhelming. I can supply educated and experienced recommendations and make suggestions, but ultimately, I respect that it is the couple’s decision to make.
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Okay, so I have been drooling over this post because I just couldn’t wait to share it with you. Meet Liz & Jim, two very cool people from Brooklyn, NY. Brooklyn is definitely my new favorite place to shoot, there is just so much going on and so much to photograph. I just can’t explain how much fun we had on this shoot. There was Starbucks, Martinis and a hole in the wall Italian restaurant called Noodle Pudding (I think?) that had the most amazing food! It seems to have become a theme for my getting to know you sessions, dinner, wine, an awesome couple and a great time. I can’t wait for Liz and Jim’s wedding at The Boat House in central park, NY. It’s going to be a blast.
A special thanks to my little bro Michael for baring the 7 degree weather and helping out.
Normally I pick a few faves but in this case, they are all my favorites!
Enjoy!
This is for sure my favorite of Jim. I love this new grunge film texture I have.
