Cassandra Stevning of  The Wedding Studio, helped bring several exclusive lines of gorgeous gowns to Indianapolis.   The Wedding Studio is a couture bridal boutique in Broadripple, featuring wedding gowns exclusively from the “Birnbaum & Bullock Bridal Collections”, as well as offering unique headpieces and jewelry from local designers. We have enjoyed collaborating with Cassandra in the wedding planning capacity on several beautiful weddings.  She has also outfitted several of our brides.

We asked Cassandra the following questions…

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What are some of the biggest misconceptions a bride has when starting to look for their wedding gown?
The biggest misconception that brides usually have when they are first starting out is that they are going to buy the wedding dress that they have always dreamed of or visioned themselves in on their wedding day. Most of the time, once they start to try on gowns in the particular the style they have always dreamed of, they find themselves not really liking it. They are usually surprised to find themselves falling in love with a dress that they never thought they would like or that they would wear for their wedding. We always try to cater to the bride’s needs, but typically tell them to keep an open mind when they are trying on gowns because they just might be pleasantly surprised.

What are some of the hottest trends you think are here to stay?
For sure the strapless gown is NOT going anywhere, it is very flattering on most body types and girls always gravitate to that style. I also think that the traditional ball gown or “princess” gown is also here to stay. It also looks great on most body types and that is a style that girls have always dreamed about for their wedding day.

Are there designs that you think may make a comeback?
Lace and surprisingly ruffles are definitely making a comeback and girls are LOVING it, especially the lace!! Also, a designer that we carry at The Wedding Studio, Steven Birnbaum, gains a lot of inspiration from the French designer Yves Saint Laurent, most famous for creating the classic tuxedo suite for women in the 1960′s. This season, Steven’s collection has been designed around the woman’s tuxedo. He does an excellent job taking elements of past traditions and bringing them into today’s bridal fashion. His designs definitely have a little bit of a classic retro look adding many things like skinny belts around the waist line and pockets in the gowns which might have been things you would have seen 50-60 years ago in bridal fashion.

How does a bride interweave something special or significant into their look, such as an heirloom?
Many brides will add an antique hair comb from their grandmother or great grandmother to be worn in conjunction with their veil. It is a beautiful and very sentimental piece to insert to their look and you can never go wrong mixing antique with modern. Bride’s could also add a broach to their gown (if it is a simple gown) or to their bouquet if they have the florist ribbon wrap the bottom. I have also seen brides carry their grandmother’s handkerchief or wear a family member’s veil. Any pieces such as those can easily be interweave into their look and if it is special to the bride, they will make it work.

What are some common mistakes a bride can make relative to her gown?
I would say the biggest mistake for brides and their gowns would be having a gown that is not fit properly. When a bride orders a dress at The Wedding Studio, we always take their measuments to get them to the closest size that the designer offers. However, between the time the bride orders the dress and when the dress comes in, the bride’s body could have possibly changed a bit (fluctuating in weight, etc). It is really important to see a seamstress after your gown is in to make sure the gown is truly fit to your body. Even if you don’t think you need many alterations, the seamstress still may be able to re-work some areas that you didn’t think of or give some helpful tips as to how to keep you comfortable. It is always a shame to see a bride on her wedding day who is pulling and tugging on her dress or who is so uncomfortable that they are miserable the whole day.

Is there a ‘right’ dress for each body type?
I am not so sure if there is a “right” dress for each body type, but I think it is important for a bride to try on all different types of styles to see what fits her body type and personality best. That is why we encourage brides to try on a lot at first because what may look good on one girl, may not look good on another.

Isn’t it best to try to match your gown to the venue?
Yes, but more importantly the gown needs to match the affair. If you are having a black tie wedding, then you would definitely need a formal gown to match same as if you were having a very casual outdoor wedding. However, you could be having a less than formal cocktail wedding reception at a very formal hotel or venue. In that case, you wouldn’t necessarily need to match the venue, you would want to match the “theme” of your wedding.

What are the best ways to preserve and clean a gown?
Take your gown to a dry cleaner that is certified in “wedding dress cleaning and preservation” or is a member of “the association of wedding gown specialists”. These cleaners will give your gown the best care you can find, offering MusuemCare preservation.

Why did you get into the wedding gown business?
I have been in the wedding/event business for the past 15 years doing both event and wedding planning, however in the past two years, I have just been focusing on brides which I have found to be my passion!! I love fashion, working with brides and catering to their needs, so going into the bridal boutique business was just a natural progression. The Wedding Studio has given me that platform to see so many beautiful brides, but more importantly, help them find the most important outfit they will ever wear; I LOVE THAT!!

Kathy Keeling, owner of K2 Yoga, has quite a niche for wedding parties that we learned about recently. We asked Kathy the following questions…

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What are the benefits of starting out your wedding day with yoga?
Yoga is an amazing way to begin your wedding day and create an unforgettable memory. I have experienced brides and bridesmaids really come together and have fun and start the day energized and refreshed with a yoga session. The benefits of yoga, including improved posture and flexibility, toned muscles, and of course, relaxation, make it a perfect pre-wedding workout. It is a great way to quiet your mind, gently move your body, and set your intention to have a beautiful day.

Do you have to be experienced in yoga to have a bridal yoga session?
No yoga experience is necessary. It is my hope to inspire those who have never done yoga before to give it a try, and really have a great time. It’s all about what feels best for you in that moment. I offer gentle poses that flow the body and breath together. I also play a great mix of music to relax and energize the session and read something inspirational to begin the session. By joining the mind, body, and breath with gentle stretching, yoga can be very powerful in realizing the importance of living in the moment, feeling gratitude, awakening the senses, and experiencing joy.

How much space is needed for the session?
Small and intimate spaces with dim lighting work well for bridal sessions. It can be a simple room in your home or hotel, a studio, or an outdoor garden. The possibilities are endless!

How did you start leading bridal yoga sessions?
One of my yoga students was planning her wedding and asked me to lead a class for her and her bridesmaids the morning before her wedding. It was so much fun and gave them a time to come together to release any tension, and bring forth good energy, enthusiasm and love. That’s what the day is all about. Love.

What is included in your bridal sessions?
I specifically designed a Bridal Bliss Yoga Session that includes:

- 1 Hour Yoga Session for Bride and guests with special readings, inspiration, and music
- Mood enhancing candles (if desired)
- Each guest gets delicious gourmet chocolates to end the session

Depending on the number of guests, the price ranges from $150-300.

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Kathy Keeling has been a student of yoga for 18 years and is trained in Hatha Yoga and the Yogafit Method. She leads private and group yoga sessions in the Indianapolis area.  To find out more about her Bridal Bliss Yoga Sessions, please contact her at kathykeeling1@aim.com or 317-374-6116 or visit her yoga blog.

Bob Ridge, owner of IndyVisual, has been well-known in our industry for years. We have collaborated with Bob on several events over the past few years.  In fact, we most recently shared a National Espirit Award for Best Team Effort. We are honored to work alongside Bob and call him our friend and colleague. His creativity is amazing.

We asked Bob the following questions…

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How has videography changed over the years?
The technology has clearly evolved since I started, from tape-based acquisition and machine-to-machine editing to more advanced digital tools used to acquire and edit footage today.  The cost of this technology has dropped as well, allowing more creative (and not so creative) entrepreneurs to enter the videography market.  As this has happened, more creative techniques are being used to produce videos that have a more authentically cinematic feel than what was possible only 5-10 years ago.

Why do you think videography is critical to a wedding?
Video is actually barely critical to the wedding at all…until the day after the wedding and beyond.  The day itself is such a blur of excitement that by the time a couple returns from their honeymoon, they will have already forgotten about 90% of their wedding day.  Video can preserve the sights, sounds, emotions and personalities of a wedding day for the couple to relive over and over as if they are transported right back into the big day.

How often do you think brides and grooms watch their video?
I’ve heard a few people say they never watch their video, but those generally haven’t been our clients.  Among our couples, some will watch their video several times in a row when they receive it, then often thereafter.  Many clients make a point of watching it on every anniversary.  Then there are others who may shelve it for awhile, but then get it out again to share with their children, who often want to watch it repeatedly.

What are some new trends that you are witnessing relative to videography?
The use of DSLR cameras (primarily used for photography), which are now increasingly capable of capturing full-HD video, has allowed for more creativity and versatility in the process of filming a wedding.  The quality of these images combined with the depth of field captured by DSLR lenses and advanced software has allowed videographers to finally achieve that elusive “film look” that we have long sought after.  This has in turn led to the creation of a greater variety of cinematic-style wedding videos and shorter form highlight clips to suit all needs and tastes, giving brides more choices on how their wedding day is captured.

How do you collaborate with other vendors throughout the event?
In addition to doing my own job to the best of my ability, I also like to collaborate and communicate closely with other vendors to ensure that the wedding day as a whole is executed to perfection with as little worry as possible on the client’s part.  This can range from simply staying out of a photographer’s way to helping a planner carry decor or walking the bride and groom through their formalities if needed.  Over 600 weddings’ worth of experience has allowed the filming process to become second nature to me, so I can step back and keep an eye on the big picture and help the entire vendor team pull off a successful event.

What are your opinions on photographers shooting video and visa-versa?
The explosion of DSLR equipment has allowed more overlap in the capabilities of photographers and videographers. I don’t know of too many photographers who are attempting to shoot video yet, but I cannot imagine how those who do can also do their primary job to the best of their ability.  I do know that some videographers are also offering photography services.  I think we have yet to see the true long-term impact of this overlap, but I do believe that as long as I continue my personal philosophy of doing one thing and doing it well, clients will appreciate what we do and our studio will continue to thrive.

What have been some of your fondest and most unexpected moments that you have captured?
There have been far too many great moments over the course of 17 years for me to recall or single out any specific examples.  I guess I’ve just about seen it all.  But what I love is that every event is filled with so many “little” moments that capture the emotion and personality of the day as vividly any TV-worthy highlight.  Truthfully, my favorite moments may be the ones that I don’t even notice or give much thought to until the couple later tells me how much it meant to them to relive it.  It’s really cool to see my own work through someone else’s eyes.

If someone cannot afford a videographer, what would be the one piece of advice you would give them?
It’s a common stat that not hiring a videographer is the biggest regret of most couples after the wedding, so don’t give up easily on video.  Ask your future in-laws, parents (if you’re paying yourself), grandparents, etc. if they would be willing to contribute to the hiring of a professional videographer.  In many cases, they are looking for an opportunity to chip in for the wedding, and this is a perfect way for them to do so for vivid keepsake of the day that will be cherished by the entire family for generations to come.

Here is the most recent wedding where we collaborated with Bob.

Welcome to our second guest blogger, Lisa Sauce of Blonde Entertainment. Lisa represents some of the most talented and collaborative bands in the Midwest, including:  Flying Toasters, Living Proof, Zanna-Doo, and Toy Factory.  We always know an event is going to rock when one of her bands is booked.

Typically, when we meet with our clients, we inquire about their vision for their wedding reception.  Most are very clear…they want a band or they want a DJ.  But there are others that are still debating which is right for them.  We asked Lisa the following questions in order to help those that are still wavering.

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How has live music at weddings changed over the years?
It seems as if more and more brides are choosing DJs presently. This is possibly due to the economy. However, one trend we are seeing is that couples are adding DJs at the end of the night after the band finishes their final set. Other than that, it seems that live bands at weddings are still going strong.

Why do you think live music is critical to a wedding?
Live music can make or break a wedding. It gives the guests a chance to get involved with the night. It personalizes your wedding. It gets the crowd to call and answer back on songs. Live bands can be spontaneous which makes for an eventful and memorable night.

Do you think the vibe of an event is different if there is live music vs a DJ?
Yes because musicians playing instruments live brings you in. There is a sense of being in the moment with a band.

How do you handle playlists with clients that are particular about the songs played?
My bands don’t follow set lists. They are not considered “canned”, “sequenced” or corporate bands. They follow the crowd, not a list. However, they do take requests and favorites.

How do you collaborate with other vendors throughout the event?
Usually we talk a week or two prior to the wedding just to get on the same page.

What have been some of your fondest and most unexpected moments that you have witnessed?
Watching those tearful parent bride/ groom moments during a speech, dance, or toast….always priceless.

If someone thinks th ey cannot afford a live band, what options do they have?
My bands range from $500 to $5000..there is always an option!

How do you meet both the needs of the parents and the couple when selecting music?
Both generations will pick favorite songs and most of my bands cross the generations. Starting off with older, slower muusic usually works and then add in livlier, newer stuff as the night goes on.

We are very excited about the opportunity to share industry tips and trends with our clients.  Over the next few weeks, we will be introducing several topics of interest with key leaders and trend setters in the event and wedding industry.  We have invited wedding planners, videographers, live bands, and DJs to answer some hard questions about their business, ultimately providing you with excellent advice with those that we trust the most.

Welcome to our first guest blogger, Kate Berglund of KB Design, LLC, known nationally for her creative vision.  We have collaborated with Kate on several events over the past few years.  Her creativity and ingenuity is limitless.  We love photographing events that she has worked on because we know there is going to be something very special and personal that she has weaved in to the branding.

We asked Kate the following questions…

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For those that are new to the concept branding, what is it?
The term “brand” is used to describe the emotional and psychological relationship your company or event has with your customers/consumers. Strong brands elicit thoughts, emotions, and sometimes physiological responses from customers. Consider the following companies- Apple, Bentley, Martha Stewart. Just hearing the name or seeing the logo, you have a specific emotional response.

These same principles apply to event branding. Just like corporate branding, event branding creates an emotional or psychological response with your guests, ultimately making your wedding day an experience versus an event.

Why is branding critical to wedding, And how can it cohesively bind a wedding?
For many, the wedding day is one of the most important days of their life. When most brides plan their wedding they understandably focus on the individual components – save the dates, invitations, flowers, music, and of course, the dresses. They need to determine where, when, how many in the wedding party, and what about the music. My advice- Think of this great day as an experience for your guests that starts when they receive their first save the date and ends when they say good-bye.

Creating a wedding brand allows you to combine your personal brand (ex, your friend knows you love the beach or the color purple.) with the wedding experience you strive to achieve with your guests. Imagine your guests receive their invitations weeks before the event and arrive to see the same the colors, floral, linens, and the day of collateral (menu, programs, place cards, signage, table numbers, napkins, coasters, etc.) all have the same sense of style, look, feel – it all creates that experience!

What are some new trends that you are witnessing relative to branding?
When considering trends in the wedding industry, you will find that I have to consider the same ones that most vendors do for weddings (i.e. colors). We work hard to be trendsetters in our industry. Event branding is relatively a new concept, so you’ll find a lot of the new trends that affect us come from the graphic design and art world. For example; new paper selections, printing techniques, ‘green’ products, etc.

How do you design a concept for a bride and groom that defines them?
In order to do this successfully, I have to get to know them really well. I ask a ton of questions about their hobbies, how they met, what they love to do together, etc. I love to know about the details of the day and/or how they envision their day. Sometimes it can be the details on a bridesmaid dress that inspires me or their favorite thing to do when their together. You never know what is going to give you inspiration, so the more information you have the better. This guarantees the design will be reflective of their personal brand.

How do you collaborate with other vendors to insure the branding is a thread throughout the event?
First, great weddings happen because a great TEAM of people are on the job. It is important that you select a team of vendors that are either familiar with working together or have no trouble being part of team. As much as you as a client will go over things with them, the vendors themselves will need to talk.

For me, it’s critical to understand how their wedding day will go. For instance, if I have to do menus and table numbers, I need to have an idea of set-up for the tables. Are the napkins being set on the plate? What does the centerpiece look like? Height? Etc…I don’t want to design something that ultimately doesn’t work for the final day set-up. So, it is such an important part of my job to talk with those vendors that can affect my design. Some of the fun things that come out of it is that we all end up working as a team, taking inspiration from each other and a lot of times making sure all the loose ends are tied up and things run smoothly for the special day!

Does branding have to be an expensive concept? What are some cost savings techniques as it relates to branding?
Of course branding doesn’t have to be expensive. In this day and age of weddings the DIY side of things is so big. Majority of brides these days are computer savvy and between that and your local Michael’s store you can make anything happen! I think the best thing to keep in mind is you don’t have to do a ton of pieces to get your personal brand across. Keep your design consistent from beginning to end and you can achieve this concept easily.

If someone cannot afford a branding designer, what would be the one piece of advice you would give them?
Be true to yourself. Think of a time you walked through an event and said WOW! Think of how you felt then consider what you want your guests to experience on your special day. Once you determine this, strive to bring this experience to your guests each time you touch them. Starting with the save the date, if you chose to do one, and ending with your thank-you’s.