Entertainment Spotlight: Abigail Cantor

It's been my pleasure to work with the talented and versatile Abigail Cantor on a number of occasions.  She's the leader of two ensembles, The Cantor Set and Shira. (Geeky math types will enjoy this play on words)


The Cantor Set plays jazz standards, blues, and their own musical concoctions.  They understand that rhythm and tempo are critical for dancing, so they keep melody and rhythm at the forefront through their improvisations.  She works with top jazz musicians to create a very danceable and musically interesting performance. The Cantor Set is available for receptions and parties.

Shira offers eastern European, jazz/klezmer fusion and liturgical melodies for services. Shira was formed in 1988 and at that time was the only Jewish music band in the Madison area.  They're available for both ceremonies and wedding receptions.


Both of these ensembles put on a great show with fun, danceable music. Ms. Cantor plays Clarinet, Sax and recorder. Depending on the needs of the gathering she draws on a talented pool of the top local musicians to fill out a three to five person ensemble with keyboard, bass, drums, saxophone or trumpet. 


Specs:
Contact Person: Abigail Cantor
e-mail: shiramusic@sbcglobal.net, or info@thecantorset.com
phone: 608.238.2452
website (for the Cantor Set): http://www.thecantorset.com

Chocolate Spotlight: TerraSource Chocolates

One of the coolest businesses I know of is TerraSource Chocolates, owned by Josie Pradella.  Terrasouce offers organic, vegan, fair trade chocolates using locally produced fruits and spirits. Terrasource is one of those businesses that's founded on the principle of doing well by doing good.  

Two-piece favor boxes are perfect for weddings.  They are made from specialty paper containing native prairie seeds grown and harvested in the midwest. Your wedding guests get to enjoy handcrafted vegan dark chocolates sourced with local, organic and fair trade ingredients, then plant the box paper to plant a native prairie garden appropriate to the midwest bioregion.

Another fabulous product Terrasouce offers is "Share Squares" which are used to raise funds for Solar Cookers International. Through the Share Squares program, Terrasource Chocolates was able to send 60 solar ovens to Haiti in 2010.  These solar cookers are not only used to prepare food, but also to purify water. The Share squares are packaged in compostable cellophane and the tags are produced from high recycled-content paper.  Share Squares are dairy-free, gluten-free, soy-free and delicious. 

Finally, Josie  is a co-founder of Dane Buy Local which is a network of locally owned businesses, who support one another and our community. She works to engage other businesses to find common areas that they can work together. 

Here are a few testimonials.

"These are bold, new chocolates with great "local" flavors. I love them!"
- Rick Richards

"Dark chocolate is good for your health - these chocolates are good for your soul."
- Sara Richards

Here are some specs:

Phone: 608-221-0588 or toll-free (877) 808-9217
Email: josie@terrasourcechocolates.com 

Website: TerraSourcechocolates.com

Business Associations Green America Greener Business certified member, co-founder of Dane Buy Local,

Good Works: Share Squares Solar Cookers for Haiti, TerraSource is also uses organic ingredients, eco-friendly packaging and uses fair-trade practices

Address: TerraSource Chocolates LLC, P.O. Box 14114, Madison, WI 53708-0114
Pricing: Check out the online catalog for pricing on the various products.

Photographer Spotlight: Anda Marie

Working with Anda Marie Photography is a true joy!  She did a brilliant job capturing beautiful images of Claire and John's Wedding, and I look forward to working with her again! Her excitement about being a wedding photographer is effusive.  "I can't imagine anything better!" When I asked her what she loves the most, it's the people.  She loves her clients, she loves the other professionals she's met and the photographers she's become friends with.

  She's always been an an artist, and has always taken pictures.  Her business started organically... she photographed a friend's wedding and put the pictures on Facebook. The pictures went viral and she was almost immediately booked through the following year and quickly became a full time wedding photographer.  She's been featured in Style me Pretty and has traveled throughout the U.S. photographing gorgeous weddings!

Her style is editorial/artistic.  She stages the details (Shoes, dress, etc) like a magazine fashion layout, and she'll take some time with the bride and groom to stage some gorgeous shots to help them look their very best.     During the rest of the day she doesn't stage shots, so much as keep in touch with where the best artistic view of a given moment will be.

She prefers to take a minimal number of posed family portraits (10 minutes with immediate family). If you're concerned  you won't get pictures of your favorite aunt, though, not to worry- she focuses a lot of her candid shots on your close friends and family.


Here's what she says about herself...

I love to capture what's honest... I love to make images that are authentic and full of life, movement and style.  I enjoy giving you something you can hang on your walls as art... and therefore I look for what's interesting and not what's perfect.

Here are some specs.

Website: http://www.andamarie.com

Blog: http://www.andamarie.net

E-mail: andamarie@andamarie.com

Style: High Fashion Editorial blended with artistic photojournalism

Green Practices: All her ordering is on line.  She uses eco-friendly albums made from recycled products and uses a local printer for her photographs

Price: Wedding packages range from $3000 to $9000

Professional associations: PPA and WPPI

Location: Based in Madison, but happy to travel world wide! (Italy, Morocco, Brazil?)

Entertainment Spotlight: Playlist Event Music

When Beth Tucker and Chris Long were married in 2004, they wanted someone who would simply play music they chose on professional equipment, but that service didn’t exist! Like many people, they chose to create a playlist and do their own music.  Of course, they didn't simply run their MP3 player through a boom box.  They're both tech savvy and used good MP3 managing software and professional sound equipment. Soon, friends who had enjoyed Chris and Beth’s reception were asking them to provide music for their own receptions, and Playlist Event Music was born.

Their goal is to make sure you’re happy and comfortable with your wedding music. Their style is to keep it simple, high quality and dependable.  This way, they’re able to provide an excellent musical experience while keeping costs down.  This also helps them stay small and flexible.  They typically don’t need as much space as a more main-stream DJ. When I asked Chris what he liked best about being in this business, he lit up and grinned, “We’ve had some really cool clients.”

What they do:
• Play the music you and your guests request on a professional high quality sound system. (This isn't simply running your iPod through a boom box!  They have high quality redundant computers and a professional sound system.  

• Their website includes private pages for clients and guests to make requests before the event. 

• You can request anything from main-stream wedding reception music to that funky local band your best friend is in to all twelve and a half minutes of Grateful Dead’s “Fire on the Mountain”.  They trust that you know your crowd and will take direction from you.

• They’re happy to make announcements and keep things running smoothly, and they’ll do it exactly the way you request.

• They'll run the garter/bouquet toss and other games as you request them- no surprises.

What they don't do:

• They do not offer lights or smoke machine.

• They will not take over your reception

• They will not "ambush" you with wedding reception games like a bouquet or garter toss.

Their take on “Dance Party” music is very flexible: "Some crowds love the chicken dance, some hate it! The key is to know your crowd."  Chris does acknowledge that in the beginning of the evening, they can be good ice-breakers.

Advice for couples regarding reception entertainment: "Check in with your band or DJ before the event. It’s all about communication!  Never work with a DJ who doesn’t seek out your input in advance."

Specs:

Style: Low-key personality playing your favorite music.
Experience: In business since 2004
Location: Based in the Madison area, but happy to travel
Price: $200 for setup/takedown plus $100 per hour of music

Website: PlaylistEventMusic.com Check out their Reviews page!
E-Mail:  info@PlaylistEventMusic.com
Phone: 608-770-7977

Green Spotlight: Paolo Verde Consulting Services

I recently had the pleasure of meeting Paul Abramson "Green Paul" of Paolo Verde Consulting Services at a Dane Buy Local event.  Paul has a passion for working with event planners to reduce the waste footprint of their event!  He offers solutions for people who care enough to "walk the sustainability talk" every day.  He's written this article on "Green event plans" I'd like to share with you.  

Here's Paul:

Kermit The Frog put it best - “It’s not easy being green.”  As you plan your celebration, you are empowered to make choices that you believe in, and in the end, one of the joys of your wedding will be the memory and the impression you make on your guests and family

Marilee Karamanski, of Planned Spontaneity Event Planning and Consultation, told this story:  A wedding couple intended to keep their reception’s waste footprint small by using washable serving ware.  Using a rental service they priced rental of reusable plates and cutlery. 

Guess what? The cost was so high throwaways were the only affordable choice even though reusables truly fit their desire for a greener event!  What a disappointment. 

Solving this challenge is where Paolo Verde Event Waste Reduction Planning comes in.  When considering Green Options keep these 3 things in mind (2 out of 3 begin with “THINK” :

1)      THINK: A “green reality” requires thinking outside-the-box in addition to your clever event ideas.  To reduce waste, consider one area of your event you would consider doing differently from a glammed up, story-book wedding party.  Decline to use throw away trimmings.

2)     THINK of Budget Trades:  This is where you decrease the amount you spend in one area, so you can spend more in another area. If your love of outdoors and wildlife tops your priority list, and you want to work for a pollution-free world, you can trade the money you'd spend on on such things as rental china.  Borrow service ware from a church, and use the money you would have spent on rentals or nice disposables to hire a well-dressed person to wash borrowed dishes. 

3)     GREEN EVENTS are a new way of throwing parties.  If you seek the alternative to a wasteful gathering get specialized help.

Breaking it Down:
• Consumer society programs us to expect immediate, low-cost solutions to every need.

• Reducing waste generated at a party is a goal.  

• Getting there takes learning of what we truly can do to achieve it. 

• On average the cost of doing the “green thing” is 15-percent higher than going with more convenient, non-renewable solutions.

Info:

Company: Paolo Verde is Madison, Wisconsin’s Zero-Waste Event / Event Waste Reduction Specialist. 

Phone: 608.279.8339  

E-mail: phabramson@gmail.com

Photographer Spotlight: Illuminata Photo

Flexible, Fun & Guaranteed!  
That's Tim Mulholland's tag line for his business, Illuminata Photo. He's one of the only people I know who state outright- If you're not happy with his services, you're under no obligation to pay.  Fortunately, he hasn't had to make good on this promise yet!  I guess folks have been pretty happy with his services, and no wonder...


Tim's laid back personality and gentle photojournalistic style is refreshing and produces beautiful timeless images.  One of his favorite parts of being a wedding photographer is developing a rapport with his subjects and clients. 
His goal is to capture the wedding day in a way that supports the couple's relationship and their marriage. By this, he means that he wants his clients to be able to look through the album and remember the love and support of their families regardless of what comes their way in the future. His photographs reinforce the memories of the special, meaningful, and funny moments in the day.

Here’s a sample testimonial from Google Places

Amazing and helpful Every time that we look at our wedding album, we laugh, cry and smile. Yes, it was our wedding and we'll always have those memories, but it was Tim's beautiful, caring photographs of our day that help to keep it vivid in our minds (and hearts!). My mother can be a very difficult person (and she fancies herself a good photographer), but he got along so well with her (and gave her some great pointers) and everyone else. Tim's in a class by himself in the Madison area - beautiful, respectful, thinking about us, always a step ahead, ready. And, his work is just stunning!

Here are some specs:

Style: Tim is primarily a photojournalist, but also does the traditional formal poses that almost every bride wants!  He sets up a smattering fun editorial style shots to help people relax and have fun.  His main interest is catching everything everything in the moment, and capturing authentic emotions as things are happening.

Website:http://timmulholland.com/

Phone: 608/628-2925

E-mail: Tim@timmulholland.com

Price: Wedding packages generally range from $1000 to $3000

Professional Associations: PPA (Professional Photographers of America)

Photographer/Videographer Spotlight: Kevin & Kelsey Visel of Primavera Studios

One of the joys of my work is that I get to meet people like Kevin and Kelsey Visel.  Their warm personalities and gracious manner would put anyone at ease. Kevin and Kelsey are the lead photographers and owners of Primavera Studios.  Kevin also offers videography. 

Primavera Studios offer a consistent “Vintage-European” style with a classic Italian art sensibility. Their goal is to capture the details of each wedding as if it were to be published in a magazine, and make their subjects look better than they have ever looked.

I think they're really cool because not only are they artists, but they're eco-friendly and conscientious too!  They donate 10% of their print proceeds to Thirst Relief International- an organization working to provide safe drinking water to those in need around the world. See the eco-details under "green practices" below.

When asked what they liked best about their work, here’s how they answered.

Kelsey- “I love being able to exceed clients’ expectations, and hearing ‘That’s exactly what I hoped for!’ or ‘That’s even better than we expected!’ “ 

Kevin- “My favorite part is the relationships we form with our clients. Obviously, I love photography, but the relationships are what drive me.” 
Kevin also gets really fired up about coming home with ‘The Shot’ at each wedding. “Every client needs at least one incredible image to hang on their wall,” he says. “When I get it, it’s really exciting!” 

For Videography, Kevin films with top quality HD cameras to produce videos on DVD or Blu-Ray. Their videography includes both a full-length documentary, and a high-light video. The high-light video is almost like a music video with either a “traditional” or a “Rock-Star” feel!

Here’s a sample testimonial from their website

“ …we absolutely love the highlight video - thank you for making it so special by capturing the essence of our love and the beauty of the day in a short video our friends and family can share with us!  It's amazing how much you really personalized the videos … - you put clips of the right people and the perfect moments that we will never forget now!  Thank you so much!”

- Meghan & Bobby

Here are some specs.

Style: Fashion-Inspired Editorial

Good Works: 10% of their proceeds are donated to Thirst Relief International
Green Practices: Their packaging and framing is made from recycled paper or other renewable resources.  Their forms are all on line, and they recycle the paper they do use.

Awards: Wedding Wire – Bride’s Choice Award 2010, The Knot Best of Weddings 2010

Website: http://primaverastudios.com
Blog: http://primaverastudios.com/blog

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/primaverastudios

Phone: (608) 229-1321

E-mail: kevin@primaverastudios.com

Address: 6524 Seybold Road, Madison, WI 53719
 

Price: Wedding packages start at $2500

Professional Associations: WPPI (Wedding and Portrait Photographers International) & PPA (Professional Photographers of America)

Photographer Spotlight: Mandie Haberman of Red Gecko Studio

I’ve you’ve been following the buzz about Kelly and Mike’s Green Wedding, then you’re already familiar with Mandie and Red Gecko Studio!  If not, you should definitely check it out. Mandie’s photographs are beautiful and capture the beautiful real moments during the wedding day. Not only that, she writes one of the better blogs I've seen. She showcases each beautiful wedding she does with each couple's story. Reading it, you get a real sense of her affection for each couple she works with.

This is what she says about being a wedding photographer, “It is an amazing honor to be a part of some of the most beautiful weddings in Wisconsin. I love the details, the dresses, the shoes, the flowers, the smiles, the hugs, the tears, the dances, and especially the unexpected surprises that make each wedding day unique.” 

Her style is a blend of photojournalism and Artistic.  She specializes in relaxed portraiture and artistic, unique documentation of the wedding day. She loves capturing the little moments and large and small details that bring life to the memories after the day!

As far as her eco-friendly practices go, she works from her home office which saves a lot of resources in transportation and maintaining an office. She also does all her proofing and ordering online which saves a lot of paper and a lot of trees. Finally, for the eco-beautiful bride, she has access to eco-friendly albums, prints, canvasses, and more!

 

Here are some specs.

Website: http://www.redgeckostudio.com

Phone: 608-669-1268

E-mail: mandie@redgeckostudio.com

Address 5507 Quarry Hill Dr, Fitchburg, WI, 53711

Style: Relaxed Portraiture: Artistic blended with Photojournalism

Green Practices: She utilizes technology for on-line marketing, and photo editing- less printing and paper waste,  eco-friendly album options & home based business.

Price: Wedding packages start at $2800

Professional associations: Professional Photographers of America

Education: BS in Art from University of Wisconsin-Madison