Flash to Play on Smartphones

At Adobe's developer conference earlier this week it was announced that Flash will become a reality on Smartphones - the Palm, Blackberry, Android but still no iPhone love. What this means is that websites built in Flash will be able to be viewed on these phones but with the iPhone becoming such a mainstay the industry hasn't thrown a party about it yet. In the meantime still best to use Flash in combination with XHTML & CSS, languages which are supported by a wider range of browsers and are more accessible on mobile devices.

2010 Ad Buying Trend: Email and Social Networks Top List

As businesses start to ramp up for 2010 and get marketing plans it place its helpful to know where your competition will be spending their ad dollars. In a survey by the Center for Media Research 56.3% are now planning on including social media in their marketing plan with email still the top choice at 56.8% and magazines at 42%. Notice only 1/2% difference there between social media and ads; a huge change in the marketplace from even 6 months ago. Main reason social media is topping the charts is that ads can be very targeted and ROI is much better than in other areas of advertising. So start to think about out how those Facebook ads on the right side of the page can help you continue to grow a solid customer base.

How to hand out your Wedding Programs

You've put all that time, love and energy into collaborating on a great wedding program for your guests. The paper is perfect, the colors just right, every word has been reviewed 3 times by 5 sets of eyes and ta-da! they look as beautiful as you thought they would. The final step - which seems so obvious but is overlooked *all the time* - how will they get into your guests' hands? You really need to think this one through in advance because I'm telling you, you won't be come your wedding day. {And if you are, my condolences.}

Seems simple enough. "They'll just get handed out to guests." Ok, well who is handing them out? Are they being handed out to every guest or just to couples/families? {We recommend just to couples/families as 9 out of 10 times the guy will read it and give it to his wife to stash in her purse. Read: "I'm done with this now. It's yours to manage."} Will guests receive them as they are walking into the ceremony or will they be on their chairs?

So now let's say you decide you don't want to "staff" that position and you like the idea of having them on a table nearby in some kind of sweet container. Great. Do people know they should take them? How many can they take? Do they take them now or later? "Hmmm, these look nice but maybe I should ask somebody before I just take one. Who looks like they know the answer??" Is the table close by to where the flow of guests will be? Is there signage on the table instructing the guests what to do?

I attend about 30ish weddings a year and at one wedding I attended this summer the programs were on a table in a beautiful wicker basket that the bride had embellished in all kinds of beautiful ways that looked very elegant and classic. So it was a compelling container with beautiful programs inside it. Can I tell you that only about 20% of these were actually in the hands of the guests after the ceremony? My heart sunk when I noticed this so I lept into action during the cocktail hour, grabbed the basket and started asking *everyone* if they had received a program. Those who had not were thrilled to receive one as it had all kinds of interesting, sweet and useful information in there about the important people in the couples' life as well as information about the unique aspects of their wedding.

These are the details that really can make a difference in how your wedding day is experienced by your guests. It's critical to think of how and what you're intending to communicate to your guests. Keep putting yourself in your guest's shoes at all the various steps throughout your planning process. Ask your vendors: "Am I missing something in all of this that you think I should be considering?" You can't possibly anticipate all of the situations that may occur and hiring a solid, professional team of wedding vendors that have experience as well as creative talent can prove to be invaluable.

Don't assume that a wedding planner or your venue contact will do it all - be clear and define what exactly is being done and by whom. {The wedding mentioned above had a wedding planner plus an assistant and perhaps they didn't understand their role in this?? Who's to say but I know the bride had thought it was covered.}

Instead of getting all fearful about what can go astray take a proactive, optimistic approach to your wedding details. We all learn from each other and are continual students of the world. Be thoughtful and smart about this stuff and follow your intuition when you're making wedding planning decisions. Communication is not just key but critical - be sure you're communicating the details of your wedding to the responsible parties involved.

What do you think?
What ways of handing out programs have you seen that are clever, unique and get them into guests' hands?

Muse Weddings - A New Website

Just got turned on to a new wedding website. Yes, there's a ton of them out there but this one seems different. Muse bills itself as "the first website of its kind to combine online planning with sharing and connectivity, creating a cool alternative for the online wedding world."

Check it out and drop a comment with any feedback you have on it.

Indian Wedding Planning Tips & Event Programs

In July we were part of one of the best wedding mixers I've had the pleasure to yet be involved. Each month, NACE {National Association of Catering Executives} San Francisco Chapter gathers somewhere in the city or nearabouts and it's a chance for wedding and special event industry vendors to get together, share ideas and check out venues. July's event was held at New Delhi Restaurant, where owner Ranjan Dey graciously hosted a spectacular evening of the most delectable Indian food as well as educating the 90 or so attendees about Indian wedding planning tips.


We designed the invitations for the mixer as well as the programs for each guest. Check out this video we just received to see Ranjan give us some great ideas, listen to some super hip Indian music and take a peek at our programs, which make a star appearance at the beginning. Email us for a complimentary program that shares the tips Ranjan speaks of in the video.


Thanks Team!
Special thanks to David Ethridge at A Video Reflection for a fantastic video. Kudos also go to Basilio at Exquisite Events & Entertainment for the gorgeous uplighting, beautifully patterned gobos projected on the ceiling, Indian music and MC'ing. Orna of Ornamento provided us with eye catching floral centerpieces and Iffat of Palms Party Planner added her unique decor and touches to the event. Lily of Wildflower Linen did her magic with some of the best table linens around and Henna Garden created beautiful designs on our hands.

If you're in search of a venue to host an Indian-inspired wedding or event you must, must, must check out New Delhi Restaurant first. They serve, by far, the best Indian food I've ever had - and this is coming from someone who lived in Fremont for a number of years, where I was surrounded by great Indian restaurants all over the city.

Even if your event has a different theme next time you're in the city you must visit Ranjan and experience his warmth and hospitality - it's truly unbeatable. And if you've already eaten they have a super friendly bar to grab one of his signature Lychee Martinis and shoot the breeze.