This is the Transcript of the #WeddingMarket #Chat on October 3rd, 2012.

New York City Weddings With Shawn Rabideau, Ceci Johnson, Anja Winikka and Alexis Fine DeAngelis
The answers were made on Twitter so responses will appear different.

This Transcript was sponsored by Bridgewaters , PSAV Presentation Services , Casey Fatchett Photography, Films By Francesco , NJ Wedding , Red Roof Inn  and Wedding Marketing Online .

Join Our Wedding Market Chats For Wedding Professionals Every Wednesday at 10:00PST, 1:00EST, and 6:00GMT (UK time) with the #WeddingMarket Hashmark On Twitter. Learn something new to help your business grow every week. The chats are hosted by Wedding Market editor Julie Albaugh (@juliealbaugh).

How did you become involved with the Wedding Industry?

A:  Shawn: I started 13 years ago working for another planner. Then opened my own biz 7 years ago. I do planning and design in NYC through country and internationally.

Ceci: I’m an invitation and branding designer and visual stylist. Founder of Ceci New York design house. Started Ceci over 8yrs ago.

Alexis: I am a #NY native and product of the industry, director of catering for the Glazier Group.

Q1: What makes weddings or destination weddings in New York City unique?  

A: Shawn: The city itself has variety & character. There’s something for everyone! There’s warehouses, hotels, rooftops. No other city touches what NYC has!  #NYC has the most variety of venues for #weddings in the country.

Anja:  No matter what your style – it’s hipster, it’s classic, it’s opulent – nothing else like it!

Ceci: There’s so much inspiration in #NYC from the great spaces to the creative talent to help you make a truly unique wedding.

Q2: What makes NYC the ideal location for wedding guests?

A: Ceci: #NYC is exciting and energetic. Great activities to do here for the weekend as well. Your guests get to experience the best of the best! Not just at the wedding but the whole time they are here.

Q3:What does @BridgewatersNY offer for a Wedding?

A: Alexis: Bridgewaters is a full service catering facility offering everything from tables, chairs, food and beverage. #Desert Bar #Yummm ! pic.twitter.com/gwCwLdWb .

#Grilling at your #Wedding #Trendy for the Summer pic.twitter.com/trYUhm11.

Q4: How many different wedding locations does @BridgewatersNY  offer?

A: Alexis:  #BridgewatersNY, #Twentyfourfifth, #westminsterhotel are our NY properties.

A #Bridgewaters #Wedding with a view pic.twitter.com/EuDUselA .

Q5: What are some other unique wedding venues in #NYC ?

A: Shawn: There’s so many – I love Glass Houses, #TwentyFourFifth, W Union Square, Mandarin Oriental, Classic Pierre, NoMad are other fabulous wedding venues. I also love @BridgewatersNY because of views, space and fabulous style!

Ceci:  Current fav NYC spots 620 Loft & Garden http://bit.ly/Ik3ba  632 on Hudson http://bit.ly/QEBGgi . I love the Glass Houses too! http://bit.ly/bd06Kq  Stunning space.

Anja: A few of my favorite NYC spots? #weddingmarket @glasshouses @bridgewaters – so many to name!

Q6: How far in advance should a bride plan a wedding in #NYC ? What is the smallest amount of time? 

A: Shawn: The planning process varies for each and every bride & groom 8 to 9months is average, but I’ve planned in 4 to 6 weeks.

Ceci: Timing – book your invitation designer as soon as you book your wedding date and venue.  I recommend 1yr. Once your date/venue is booked, it’s important to book your invite designer + order save the dates. Remember to account for long lead times for custom design. Invitations can take up to 3-4 months to produce for you

Anja: According to @theknot, the average NYC couple takes about 10 months to plan and is engaged for 16 months!

Alexis: Timing can be anything from 3 months to 2 years.

Q7: What is the price range a couple will pay for a wedding in #NYC ? 

A: Shawn: For ea couple that varies. Depends on # of guests, venue, style, etc. Could be anywhere from $75K to $300K++. This is what makes #NYC so unique is that you can do what you want in any budget you want!

Anja: Average spend is $66K

Alexis: Planning budgets range from $50,000 on upward.

Q8: What are some wedding trends with flowers and event design? 

A: Shawn: For my brides I see they want color blocked, less over the top, and even the classic garden style. Nothing that looks forced. But these are my clients doesn’t necessarily reflect all brides out there. 

Anja: Dinner plate dahlias, cabbage roses – “secret garden-like” tablescapes. Keeping up with the trends – from food to fashion – is always motivating! 

Ceci: Ombre effect. Mixing different types of flowers but all in the same cascading color palette. Rich lush romantic florals.  #Floraltrends Rich lush romantic – monochromatic and gorgeous.

Q9: What are some of the latest wedding invitation trends?

A: Ceci: Invitation trends are laser cut, water color, metallic color – I use a lot of foil stamping which is beautiful.  Invite trends – and die cut unique shapes. The more unique the better!  I’m designing a lot of After Party invitations now.
Shawn: It drives me crazy when brides want to cut back on invites, menus, escort cards. Invites are first thing people see and thank you notes are the last thing they see. Your wedding stationery sets the tone.

Q10: What are some #NYC wedding trends that you don’t see on a national
level ?

A: Shawn: The #NYC wedding is cocktail style, lounge style, food trucks are the latest trends.

Ceci: New York Trends: The After Party! #NYC is the city that never sleeps Venues are allowing you to party all night! #NYC brides are also very proud to get married in NY. Will opt for invites with the NYC skyline printed on it. Why do I love NYC weddings – couples aren’t afraid to be different and stand out – be unique!

Anja: NYC brides are more than willing to let go of the typical sit-down dinner for more creative formats.

Alexis: Cocktail trends, not sitdown, roaming food stations “non” traditional.

Q11: What are some of the latest trends in catering? 

Alexis: Food trends can be seasonal- grilling stations in summer, soup for the falls, old fashion foods resurfacing.  Food Trends: ethnics/cultures, old fashioned food and fun food, burgers fries, mini pancakes, catering to the needs of bride.

Q12: What is your favorite #NYC Wedding & Why?

A: Shawn: NYC weddings are great b/c you can blend the two cultures. It’s great because it’s different and challenging at the same time.

Ceci:  A fav was a glam Waldorf-Astoria affair that all started with intricate hand made lace+velvet wrapped invitations.

Q13: What do you want wedding pros & brides to take away from the #WeddingMarket #Chat ?

A: Ceci: It’s a truly collaborative effort of all wedding professionals coming together to create one cohesive wedding look. All begins w the guests receiving invite+if the event décor +experience is in synch with that, makes an unforgettable time.

Shawn: Wedding community we should all work together to create events for brides. A fabulous wedding by many creates a happy bride!

Anja: Wedding pros: send @theknot your thoughts and ideas – let’s collaborate!

Alexis: Work together to set the stage for the bride and groom to start their lives together.

#WeddingMarket Question:  How have same sex marriages changed your industry?

Answer: Shawn: Gay weddings are no different than others. They all want romantic and a party.

#WeddingMarket Question: Can we ask the panelists what they are seeing as trends in #groom wear?

Answer: Shawn: I see men / grooms / groomsmen wearing dark suits pocket squares matching ties that’s trending.

Anja:  I’m loving slimmer suits – especially the navy and brown combo!

Alexis: Trend for menswear is less formal, suiting not tuxedos.

WeddingMarket Question: What keeps you motivated to continue in the wedding industry?

Answer: Shawn: I stay motivated by setting three year goals.

Ceci:  I’m always pushing myself to try new things +share my visions with my clients so I can make reality. Set goals for yourself and dont give up until you meet them! Be forward thinking.

#WeddingMarket Question: Where do you get your inspiration for weddings?

Answer: Shawn: I get my inspiration from travel, store fronts and fashion. @BridgewatersNY says food can be a trend and inspiration.

Ceci: Travel, get out – see something new and different.  Walk the streets +look up from your phone. check the windows, the architecture, the fashion so much is there!

#WeddingMarket Question: On Average How Many Guests Attend A NYC wedding?

Answer:  Anja: Average guest list size nationally is 141 guests – but it’s more like 80-100 in NYC. 

Shawn: Wedding size at least in NYC is 100 to 125 guests. Even 80 people seems to be average these days. 

Alexis: Guest size trending in 80-125 guests. 

Ceci: Average number of wedding guests is decreasing from the big parties. I’m seeing smaller intimate parties+numbers of invites.

#WeddingMarket Question: How is everyone using new technology to make planning easier?

Answer:  Shawn: Pintrest is the best tool so that we as planners / designers can better understand our clients. pintrest is the best tool so that we as planners / designers can better understand our clients

Ceci: Tech trends: cool new photo sharing ap to try for weddings called capsule http://www.trycapsule.com .

Alexis: Pinterest is where the bride brings us new food ideas, cake ideas, trends, designs and “looks” for #weddings.

#WeddingMarket Question: How has Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest changed the way couples plan weddings in NY?

Answer: Anja: Don’t post a photo of the bride on her FB page before she does!

Ceci: Be careful not to share too much online of your wedding details before the event because you ruin the surprise for your guests.

Shawn: Keep some wedding items secret – dont share it all on social media – leave a surprise for your guests.

#WeddingMarket Question: What are some of the entertainment trends are you seeing?

Answer: Shawn: Music trends in NYC is DJ…Couples want to dance – have a good time.

Alexis: DJ and a few live pieces to get people up and moving.

#WeddingMarket Question: Is there any alternative to letterpress?

Answer: Ceci: Yes! They’re so many more printing options other than letterpress: Flat printing, foil stamp, laser, engraving.

#WeddingMarket Question:  What are the trends in wedding photography & videography ? 

Answer: Shawn: Stylized engagement shoot is a huge photography trend.

Anja: Cinematic videos are huge – videography should not be overlooked. it’s the #1 regret – don’t make it yours!

#WeddingMarket Question: What are the wedding trends in cakes and desserts?

Answer: Anja: It’s back to basics – beautiful flower cascades and buttercream – also dessert bars reign!

Shawn: Fun desserts mixed with candy are popular. As are mini cocktails such as spiked cider with a doughnut brides love.

Alexis: Monochro colors on a dessert table, passed mini desserts, candy apples, chocolate cookies and milk shots, monogrammed sweets. #Deserts here @BridgewatersNY #weddingmarket pic.twitter.com/E4rkv3lm

#WeddingMarket Question: Can you ask the panel if they’re seeing more or less veils these days?

Answer: Anja: Traditional veils are back! blushers, lace, and headpieces too (think Anne Hathaway and Natalie Portman).