The Backup Plan January 2013

A special FACEBOOK promotion! 

10% OFF

and complimentary travel services for after your reception or a one-way airport transportation for your honeymoon!*

 When You ... 

Book ANY Wedding Limo Package 

Monday, January 28th, 2013 

through

Friday, February 1^st, 2013

ONLY! 

Offer is only VALID through Facebook. 

All you have to do is:

1) Visit our Facebook page "Like Us" too!

2) Send us a message 

and

3) We'll connect you with our fabulous      Wedding Coordinator!

*BOOK this week to receive All Star's complimentary travel services for either 1) after your reception services or 2) a one-way airport transportation for your honeymoon! Limited to just one service, gratuity for Chauffeur is not included. 

SAVE NOW !

All Star Limousine is a Long Island, New York based company with an extensive global reach; we provide expert Wedding, Special Event and Executive Travel services throughout the Tri-State area and the world. We have over 30 years of experience in the travel industry; our attention to detail, 2013 top-of-the-line vehicles and professional trained Chauffeurs set us apart from the rest!

Last week we introduced you to an amazing wedding and event planner who gave us great tips on how to plan an unforgettable event. Today, as Part Two of our New York Wedding Planner blog series we introduce you to another fabulous planner: Jennifer from Jennifer Evans Events one of New York’s up-and-coming Wedding and Event planners!

Today, Jennifer is sharing with us her thoughts on the 2013 wedding trends, her thoughts on favors and so much more: 

What was the most outrageous or fun request you received from a client? The "budget brides" are always the most fun challenge because they allow me to think outside the box and get really creative. Twice, I've had requests to produce events on a "99 cents store" budget. I once did a wedding and a baby shower with ALL the products from the Dollar Tree, various 99 cents stores and garage sales. I become obsessed with scouring clearance racks to find diamonds in the rough. One person’s trash may be another person’s treasure, I have an “eye” wherein I know what items to choose (even the least expensive) and make it totally chic!

What are the TOP THREE wedding-centric vendors a couple should splurge on?

The Venue:  It is a HUGE part of the wedding and accounts for the majority of your budget. Location is everything! And it sets the tone for both the Bride/Groom and their guests experience.

The Entertainment: Entertainment is an important element, as it will set the mood of the reception. If the music is a disappointment, the guests will leave early (and probably disappointed). Make sure you book an amazing live band or DJ, test the waters and see them live before a contract is signed. A band/DJ should keep the guests entertained and dancing. I highly recommend a "DO NOT PLAY LIST"! Always provide your entertainment with one - heaven forbid the chicken dance is played at a classy affair! Oh My!

Wedding Planner/Coordinator/Designer: I hate to sound bias, but a Wedding Planner/Coordinator/Designer can be a catalyst to your wedding. He/She/They will account for your entire wedding experience, your wedding day and well beyond.  They will deter numerous stress factors, save you precious pennies, and eliminate a lot of the guesswork. A wedding planners goal for the couple is have their client ENJOY the experience and their wedding. The right planner will not only ensure that their client is enjoying the planning experience, but can also fulfill the couples vision and achieve their dreams. It is imperative to hire a planner that you organically bond with because they will become your best friends (at least that is what happens with my clients)! I've been that restless bride wishing I had someone to turn to, hence the decision to create Jennifer Evans Events. We are not only your wedding planner, but your therapist, BFF, honorary spouse and everything in between! 

If you had to give only ONE tip to Brides and Grooms when planning their weddings, what would it be? Get your guests involved with your love story; a tiny element of surprise and allowing yours guests to know more about you through personal details can speak volumes. A truly memorable wedding is one that captures the unique personalities of the Bride and Groom. You want to get your guests EXCITED to attend your wedding; that starts with the save-the-dates/invitations all the way through the ceremony and reception. Enticing your guests about your wedding is intriguing, and when the wedding is as spectacular as the build-up, they will be talking about it forever!

Are Wedding favors so … 2000? Wedding favors are a personal decision and up to the Bride and Groom. Times and traditions have changed a lot throughout the years; personally, I have been to many weddings where there were no favors and everyone left just as pleased and frankly didn’t notice. They need to remember that their invite to their special day is a big favor enough. If the couple would like to have favors, they can never go wrong with something edible (like a candy/dessert buffet) or a charitable donation. Especially during these dire times and global tragedies; giving back goes a long way! Long gone are the days of tchotchke!

Any thoughts on Wedding Trends for 2013? The most interesting and elaborate trends today for weddings are that THERE ARE NO LIMITS. "Traditional" weddings are out the door. Clients today have an unlimited imagination: from colors of bride's dresses, to shoes, to unique bridal party attire, to themes … everything is bigger and bolder!  Even if its in a more laid back affair, wedding today have been more unique and creative then ever. However, the current hottest trends:

Jewel Tones: The richness of emerald green paired with gold, black and white, yet a modern yet elegant twist to your reception; between the geometry and the emerald gem, I am lusting to take this palette to the next level. Any 2013 Brides on board?

Earthy and Organic: I find that more Brides and Grooms are conscience about their carbon footprint, even if they have to spend a tiny bit more to do it. But in many cases, smart eco-friendly wedding decisions also work double-duty as the top budget wedding decisions. For example, choosing locally grown flowers reduces carbon footprint and costs much less than having exotic flowers imported. Going green (in some cases) turns into a double-win! 

Thank you Jennifer!

Jennifer Evans Events is a New York based Wedding and Event Planning company that is dedicated to defining some of life's most cherished moments and taking them to the next level! Jennifer's attention to detail, unwavering client support and creative vision make her client's weddings, events, and affairs real and exquisite memories that will last a lifetime! Visit Jennifer Evans Events website and find them on Facebook. 

All Star Limousine is a Long Island, New York based company with an extensive global reach; we provide expert Wedding, Special Event and Executive Travel services throughout the Tri-State area and the world. We have over 30 years of experience in the travel industry; our attention to detail, 2013 top-of-the-line vehicles and professional trained Chauffeurs set us apart from the rest!

With so many wedding websites, blogs, Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter, and let’s not forgot the abundance of magazines it’s clear that planning a wedding is A LOT of work!

It’s likely that the thought of hiring a wedding planner crossed your mind even if for a brief moment. To delegate the responsibility of planning your wedding to someone that can help you plan what can notably be the most amazing day of your life, that can bring YOUR vision to life with a fraction of the stress sounds well…divine!

This week we bring to you a three-part Wedding Planning blog series; we reached out to three up-and-coming New York Wedding and Event Planners that answered some questions that will shed some light on today’s wedding trends, help any newly engaged couple get started, and share some fun ideas!

Today, we spoke with Jeanenne founder of La Bella Planners:

If you had to give only ONE tip to Brides and Grooms when planning their weddings, what would it be? Discuss your budget, and if you need to be strict about it, stick to it!  If not, have some fun.  Let's be honest, everything you see that is bridal-related is beautiful so you are going to want everything.  Remember to make sound-decisions and think purchases through. If you let your budget get out of control it could be harmful to your relationship and cause unwanted stress.

What was the most outrageous or fun request you received from a client? One client wanted to have their wedding ceremony in a castle and the reception in a barn.  As you know, finding this in the New York City area could be tricky.  We had to go to Pennsylvania to find the perfect spot.

What do you feel are the most interesting or elaborate wedding day trends? We have seen cookie-cutter weddings on the way out (and thank goodness) - the trends now are to focus the wedding day more on the bride and grooms vision and add fun accessories.  Some of these accessories include fun chalk-boards with seating assignments, different chef-stations instead of a white-glove sit down dinner and individual desserts.

What was the motivating factor that drove you to launching a wedding and event planning company? Since graduating college, I have dabbled in a few different career choices all of which had the same common theme of event planning.  I found that I was on my A-game every time I planned an event for hotel properties, journalists or co-workers. I decided to launch my own business so that I could plan all types of events every day!

Thank you Jeanenne!

Stay tuned!

Our next blog in our Wedding Planning series will be coming soon! 

La Bella Planners is Manhattan and Long Island based agency comprised of result-driven creative visionaries that are dedicated to their clients, exceptional service and a passion for turning any event their client’s dream of into an unforgettable reality. Visit the La Bella Planners website, and find them on FaceBook and Twitter @LaBellaPlanners

All Star Limousine is a Long Island, New York based company with an extensive global reach; we provide expert Wedding, Special Event and Executive Travel services throughout the Tri-State area and the world. We have over 30 years of experience in the travel industry; our attention to detail, 2013 top-of-the-line vehicles and professional trained Chauffeurs set us apart from the rest.

Planning a wedding can be a very daunting task – there are so many things for a newly engaged couple to do: between researching the vendors, scheduling appointments, and navigating through the many contracts it can be literally exhausting, stressful and can make anyone want to take a time out! To help ease the stress of planning a wedding for over 100+ guests, getting married and starting this new journey we have provided the answers to the

TOP 6 Wedding Limousine Questions that EVERY client asks

because well, we do have the inside scoop!

Besides being New York’s Limousine experts we also have a full-time Wedding Coordinator that manages every detail for our clients: from wedding day transportation to bachelor/bachelorette parties, traveling to the salon on the wedding day, and any honeymoon transportation that is needed (to/from the airport) that is necessary.

TOP 6 Wedding Limousine Questions:

1. Does a Bride and Groom need two vehicles to travel to the ceremony? No! Most limousine companies want to tack on this “extra vehicle” to pad the bridal contract; unless you want the extra ride or there is a major geographical issue there is no need to book two separate vehicles for the Bride and Groom, we can safely transport the Bride and Groom to the wedding ceremony with one vehicle and on time!

2. Who travels to the ceremony with the Bride? These days as our Wedding Coordinator Debbie states: “Anything Goes! Traditionally, it's the Father of the Bride, however, I have arranged for the Bride to travel with both her parents, just her mom, just her dad, her siblings, and even the entire bridal party! My advice for any couple is to do what makes you happy!”

3. Do we have to book a traditional white limousine? Not at all ! It might be the most traditional vehicle color however there are several beautiful Vintage limousines that look just as fabulous on a wedding day. Some clients even book the traditional white limousine for the brides ceremony arrival, a black sprinter van for the bridal party, and a vintage limousine for the couple for the after ceremony send off - its your choice! Here's a look at some of our luxury line of wedding vehicles:

Presidential Packard

The 1933 Packard Presidential is our premier vintage car. The epitome of Art Deco styling, it is exceptionally rare with only 21 known to exist worldwide.

Rolls Royce Phantom V – James Young Edition

1962 James Young Edition Rolls-Royce Phantom V, originally built by Rolls-Royce for the Prince of Qatar. The automobile was subsequently purchased by King Farouk of Egypt. This EXACT vehicle won the Geneva International Car Show, in 1962, Best in Class.

Rolls-Royce Phantom V Limousine

Prestige. Elegance. Class. Style. And of course, luxury. These are just some of the words which describe our newest addition -- the Rolls-Royce Phantom V Limousine. Designed with passenger comfort in mind, this exquisite Rolls-Royce will leave you breathless.

The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter

Featuring room for up to 11 adult passengers, Best-In-Class roof and side step-in heights and a wide entry, it has the most inviting interior ever. With a long list of standard safety features, the innovative Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Passenger Van has passenger’s safety as a high priority.

Party Bus

Combines the mobility of a limousine with all the comfort of your own living room, so when you arrive you will arrive in comfort and turn heads. This unique vehicle is ultimate club on wheels for any event!  

Find more of our luxury line of wedding vehicles here 

4. Chauffeurs ummm ... what do they do? The responsibility of an All Star Limousine Chauffeur exceeds our clients expectations and surely surpasses our competition! Our Chauffeurs don't just transport the Bride and Groom to the ceremony, photography location, and reception our Chauffeurs are responsible for ensuring that the:

• • Bride / Groom have the wedding certificate
  • Grooms / Groomsman have their boutonnieres
  • Groom has the rings
  • Bride / Bridesmaids have their flowers
  • Parents have their flowers
  • Runner is laid down
  • Pacing the bridal party as they proceed down the aisle

                    ...and so much more!

We want our Chauffeurs to spoil our clients, make them comfortable and make sure everyone has fun! We take our Chauffeurs very seriously, all are dressed impeccably in new tuxedos, we conduct extensive back-ground checks and all have completed a lengthy training program.

5./5.5. What happens after the ceremony, does the Bride / Groom travel separate from the Bridal Party? How do the parents of the Bride/Groom travel to the reception? There is no “right way” to travel from the ceremony to the location for photos or the reception. If you want your private time with your new wife / husband before hosting 150+ guests we would recommend traveling alone, however if being with all your family and cherished friends is more your style – go with them, a fun party bus or the beautiful luxury Mercedes sprinters will be the right choice!

As for the parents of the Bride / Groom typically there is some time between the ceremony and reception as the newly married couple is off taking photos; arrangements can be made for the parents for whatever their needs are (to a location before the reception then to the reception); our Coordinator would suggest a beautiful town car or traditional stretch limousine, and of course can provide many additional options for our clients so they can make an informed decision.

6. What happens after the reception? After the reception any arrangement can be made to take you and your guests home. If you decide to travel alone a sleek MKT Town Car would be a great option; if you are hosting an after party a shuttle bus would be perfect, arrangements can be made for the clients parents as well any other guests.

To find out more about our All Star Limousines Wedding Services

contact Debbie, our Wedding Coordinator at 631.753.1234. 

All Star Limousine is a Long Island, New York based company with an extensive global reach; we provide expert Wedding, Special Event and Executive Travel services throughout the Tri-State area and the world. We have over 30 years in the travel industry; our attention to detail, 2013 top-of-the-line vehicles and professional trained Chauffeurs set us apart from the rest.

 Meet Michael 

A Veteran, Purple Heart recipient, Outstanding Employee, Solider and American. 

All Star Limousine Chauffeur Michael is not only an amazing employee but a veteran of the United States Navy and Purple Heart recipient. Michael began his career with the United States Navy in 1993 after he completed a rigorous boot camp to become trained as a battlefield corpsman* for the Marine Corps. Michael first call of duty was serving on several peace keeping missions under Operation Desert Shield, he helped the natives of Bosnia, Haiti, Kuwait, Okinawa and Thailand implement health care initiatives: promoting clean water, hygiene, employing medical treatment when necessary and ensuring the safety of all. Specifically in Thailand, Michael had the privilege to examine and make thousands of eyeglasses for children in need, a mission that he still holds dear to his heart. After completing a full tour of duty Michael was honorably discharged and began a career as a civilian medic until shortly after 9/11 when the United States Navy called Michael to re-enlist.

Michael's second deployment was serving in Afghanistan wherein he worked along aside an elite platoon of highly decorated Marines, attending to injuries, illnesses or health care related issues while in combat. Michael's third tour was in Iraq; He served for a little over seven months until the tanker that carried Michael and 20 of his fellow Marines was destroyed as they traveled down a road that was not clear of mines. Michael woke-up in Germany seven days later to find that he miraculously survived unlike some of his servicemen/women.

After being honorably discharged, Michael returned to New York, he is currently acting as an All Star Limousine Chauffeur while he studies and completes the necessary requirements to become an Emergency Medic with the Fire Department of New York (FDNY).  Michael also holds a Bachelor degree in Biology and is a nationally certified Paramedic.

Interesting facts:

After being honorably discharged in 1997 after his deployment from Operation Desert Shield, Michael served as civilian medic in Maryland, and once worked an IV on Al Gore after Gore suffered from a blood clot.

To honor his service to the United States, the New York Mets gave Michael the honor of throwing out the first pitch at Johan Santana's no hitter in June 2012 that made New York Mets franchise history.

Thank you Michael for you dutiful service to our Country!

[*A Battlefield corpsman is distinguished unit of medics that are responsible for the health and welfare of a platoon of Marines that have isolated duty stations while in combat, stations where no medical officers are available.]