A Closer Look at Online Honeymoon Registries March 31, 2013

If you’re getting married soon and are wondering where to register, you may want to consider a honeymoon website. These are a great option if you are looking to do something different or perhaps you think your guests would like to contribute to your honeymoon. In addition to sharing where you’re going and what you want to do on your honeymoon, it is a great option for guests that are coming from out of town.

 

Honeymoon registries give your guests the convenience of purchasing something online that doesn’t have to be shipped or carried to the wedding, and it also allows them to give the gift of an experience – sometimes an experience of a lifetime!

 

You can dictate how you want your honeymoon registry to be set up – whether you want to ask guests to contribute to the overall cost of the honeymoon, or have guests give individual activities, money towards flights, nights at the hotel, etc. While most honeymoon websites include a service and transaction fee, your guests won’t have to pay any sales tax or shipping fees.

 

There are many honeymoon websites available so we decided to review the most popular ones. And no matter which one you pick, don’t forget to customize your honeymoon registry with pictures and a description of what you’re planning for your honeymoon – it will make your honeymoon registry more personal!

 

Travelers Joy

www.travelersjoy.com

 

Cost – Free setup. Free for guests. For the couple, there is a 7.5% service fee that is deducted from the total cost of the gift given.

 

Time – Funds are transferred to you within 1-3 business days.

 

What We Love – The provided “Thank You List” that you can print to make writing thank you notes a breeze!

 
 
 

Honeyfund

www.honeyfund.com

 

Cost – Free setup. Free for guests who send money directly to the couple. For the couple, there is a 2.9% + $.30/transaction fee for any online payments sent by guests to your PayPal account through Honeyfund.

 

Time – Because Honeyfund doesn’t handle the money, you will receive the checks, cash and PayPal transactions as they happen.

 

What We Love – There is an ad-free Honeyfund Premium Option that allows you to choose from a variety of design templates, add a photo slideshow and upload photos beside each registry item for a one-time fee of $39.

 
 
 

Honeymoon Wishes

www.honeymoonwishes.com

 

Cost – Free setup. Two options for guests: guests pay 9.65% service fee at check-out or guests pay 2.65% fee and a 7% fee is deducted from the total amount of the gift sent to the couple.

 

Time – You can have gifts sent directly to you (at any time) or sent directly to your hotel.

 

What We Love – If you have guests who want to contribute but may not be computer savvy, they can contact Honeymoon Wishes by phone (877-699-5884) for help buying a gift.

 

Did you know Hello Productions has a Wedding Website Package? We can help you set up a wedding website and/or honeymoon registry. Visit www.helloproductions.com today for more information and to contact us!

Wedding Spotlight: Colleen & Rob’s Pittsburgh Wedding With a View March 24, 2013

We are so excited that this week’s wedding spotlight is one of Hello Productions’s own! Colleen, our Director of Marketing & Events, and her new husband, Rob, share their wedding photos, details and wedding video so we can experience her special day! In addition to spectacular venues and gorgeous flowers, we love how Colleen and Rob added personal touches to each and every aspect of their wedding.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ceremony: West End Overlook Park
Reception: Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum
Photographer: Josh Mariana
Cake: Kribel’s Bakery of Brookline
DJ & Lighting: DJ Bill Bara of Modern Era Weddings
Flowers: Dee’s Florals
Day-Of Coordinator: Ashley Moss of Hello Productions
Makeup – Hope Whittier
Hair – Capristo Salon
Limo – Elite Limousine
Rentals – All Occasions

 

Thinking about whether or not to have a videographer at your wedding? Check out Colleen & Rob’s Video: http://vimeo.com/57646068.

 

Contact Hello Productions at (412) 298-7333 or info@helloproductions.com to have us help plan YOUR special day!

Sure to Please “Party Bar” Ideas March 12, 2013

With graduation parties, baby and bridal showers, and even weddings, all wanting to have something unique, we pulled together our favorite “party bar” ideas. Most of these are easy to assemble and certain to please!

 

Popcorn Bar – We love this idea for all kinds of events! Pop different kinds of popcorn (butter lover’s, plain, kettle corn, etc.) and set them out with individual bags, scoops, and toppings. You can get as creative (and gourmet) as you want with the toppings – from Parmesan cheese to caramel and sea salt, and from buffalo-style hot sauce to curry powder and shredded coconut.

 

Here are just a few gourmet popcorn topping combinations to get you started: Parmesan and Black Pepper; Mini M&M’s and Chocolate Chips; Curry Powder and Shredded Coconut; Caramel Drizzle and Sea Salt; Buffalo Style Hot Sauce and Blue Cheese Crumbles; Ranch Seasoning and Dill; Peanuts and Wasabi; Honey; Bacon Bits, Cheddar and Chives; and Mini Marshmallows and Crushed Graham Crackers.

 

Coffee Bar – Brew regular and decaf coffee and have cups set out (use paper or plastic to-go cups to make things easy). Include the usual mix-ins, such as cream and sugar, and include fun mix-ins, such as different flavorings (vanilla, hazelnut, etc.), chocolate dipped spoons or rock candy on a stick, spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, flavored sugar cubes and whipped cream. Whether you’re doing a coffee bar for a morning or evening event, surprise your guests with a snack to go with their coffee, such as biscotti or donut holes.

 

Waffle Bar – Make waffles ahead of time and arrange on platter in quarters. Reheat in the oven right before serving. Make sure your waffle bar includes toppings such as fruit, various syrups and some surprise toppings like whipped cream and sprinkles. In addition to plain butter, impress your guests with homemade cinnamon butter (Recipe: Mix and beat 1 cup butter, 2 oz. sugar, 2 oz. brown sugar and 4 tsp ground cinnamon together until smooth. Cover and refrigerate overnight.).

 

Flatbread Bar – Using a basic dough recipe, roll out and flatten the appropriate number of flatbreads. Pre-bake them in the oven for 10-12 minutes. After guests have loaded them up with toppings, put them back in the oven until the cheese is melted and the crust starts to brown. Set your spread with all types of pizza toppings, but don’t be afraid to have unusual toppings (think: pulled pork, fennel slices, feta cheese, sweet potatoes, etc.). Need some inspiration? Check out 15 Flatbreads & Pizzas to Start the Party.

 

Trail Mix Bar – This idea is one of our favorites, great for kids and adults alike at your next event. Put out containers of different types of nuts, oats, dried fruits and pretzels, and don’t forget something sweet, like chocolate chips or M&Ms. Give each guest an individual bag and let them have fun. To really impress your guests, include mix-ins such as coconut, butterscotch chips, mini marshmallows, candied ginger pieces and sunflower and pumpkin seeds.

 

Be sure to check out our Pinterest page for many more party bar ideas!

 

Plan a Rehearsal Dinner or Private Party at One of These Pittsburgh Favorites March 2, 2013

Looking for a rehearsal dinner restaurant in Pittsburgh or place to hold your next special event? Here are a few of our favorite restaurants for private parties in Pittsburgh. While most of these restaurants have private rooms you can reserve, all are happy to accommodate private parties.

 

Downtown

 

Six Penn Kitchen

Website: www.sixpennkitchen.com

What we like: Their chic private room upstairs and rooftop bar.

 

Sonoma Grill

Website: thesonomagrille.com

What we like: They have offer a several different dining options, from sit-down dinners to food stations.

 

Common Plea Restaurant & Catering

Website: Commonplea-catering.com

What we like: Their catering team will work with a variety of venues in Pittsburgh or come to your home.

 

Olive or Twist

Website: www.olive-twist.com

What we like: Depending on the day of the week, you can rent a variety of spaces, from their VIP Room to their entire second floor.

 

Lidia’s Pittsburgh

Lidia’s Pittsburgh

Website: www.lidias-pittsburgh.com

What we like: They have several options for private parties, including a private space upstairs, a semi-private dining option downstairs or patio dining. And we love Lidia’s brunch!

 

Sharp Edge (The Loft)

Website: site.sharpedgebeer.com/loft

What we like: The Loft was designed for all types of groups, including meetings and presentations. It is outfitted with Wi-Fi and a 54” flat screen TV.

 

Station Square

 

Buca di Beppo

Website: www.bucadibeppo.com

What we like: Unique, themed dining rooms at no extra charge with one of their group dinner packages.

 

Grand Concourse

Website: www.muer.com

What we like: This classic Pittsburgh location has three private rooms that can accommodate any number of guests.

 

The Melting Pot

Website: www.meltingpot.com

What we like: Their large party room can hold up to 42 guests and has A/V capabilities.

 

South Side

 

Ibiza

Website: www.ibizatapasrestaurant.com

What we like: Their menu features over 45 tapas from around the world and they have a private upstairs room.

 

Nakama

Website: www.eatatnakama.com/

What we like: This 1893 historical landmark building has been totally renovated and their semi-private party room is available for private functions.

 

McCormick’s & Schmicks

Website: www.mccormickandschmicks.com

What we like: Their River Room can hold up to 100 and their location in the heart of the South Side Works.

 

Cheesecake Factory

Website: www.thecheesecakefactory.com

What we like: They offer large party seating throughout the restaurant and of course, 50 legendary cheesecakes and specialty desserts.

 

There are so many other great venues in Pittsburgh – our list can’t possibly include them all! Have another suggestion? Leave it in the comments below!

 

Do you need help pulling together your next Pittsburgh rehearsal dinner or private party? Hello Productions’ event planners are here to help! Call us at 412-298-7333 or email us at info@helloproductions.com.