Punch Recipe from The Seattle Wedding Show

This punch was a huge hit - and super simple!

2 Two Liters of Gingerale

1 frozen White Grape fruit juice tube (mixed with water per the instructions

1 frozen Dole Pineapple/Mango/Banana fruit juice tube (mixed with water per the instructions)

Serve!

Graphic Design Internships at TIH

We're looking for two Graphic Design Interns to assist a Lead Designer with the creation and production of wedding and social event related collateral as well as assist in researching and crafting for our Trophy Cupcake Design Studio.

Office hours are uncompensated, but there are income opportunities via deliveries (required) on the weekends $50-$180 a weekend.

To view the post, click here.

Job Posting for The Invisible Hostess HQ

We're looking for a college student who is qualified for the WA State Work Study Program for this Office & Event Assistant position. Effective immediately.

View the Job Description Here.

Please send resumes and cover letters to resumes@theinvisiblehostess.com and cc sheena@theinvisiblehostess.com

Deciphering Online Reviews

{People don't hate us on yelp. I just want to clarify!}

Looking to third party sites for reviews about vendors is smart. You can see the unfiltered true feedback from past clients. But, what if you see a bunch of positive remarks and there are a few irritated clients in the mix? Who do you believe?

Keep in mind that businesses, especially service related businesses, are run by humans. Imperfect humans. We've even had the few and far between unhappy client. Sometimes it's an off day, sometimes factors out of a company's control effect its performance, and sometimes you just can't please a person.

So, how do you use these reviews to your benefit?

My recommendation is, when calling up your chosen company or venue, refer to the positive reviews, but also some of the negative comments you saw and ask what the company learned from that situation and how they've improved since then.

Pay attention to how a company responds.

Endless excuses are a red flag.

If it was only the client's fault and never the company's, this is not a good sign. A good service based company should always recognize where it could improve. In one of our "negative review" scenarios, the client's friend was Day of Coordinating. Her inexperience was a large source of the conflict, but we performed the job to the best of our ability. How we could have improved the situation was by setting better expectations with the "coordinator" as well as communicated our staying-late policy in advance. Since this experience, we try to lay out exactly what we're expecting our job to be on site as well as explaining our operational policies to not only the client, but the acting coordinator. No surprises = happy client!

Can they guarantee this won't happen to you?

If something goes wrong, what will they do for you? A company that believes in its service should be able to guarantee its quality. Ask what would happen if your expectations aren't met.


The moral of this story is to pay attention to reviews, but don't let a few negative comments deter you without asking the company about it first. You might find what went wrong with that particular client wouldn't even apply to your event. Call with questions and you should get a good feeling either way after speaking with the company in question.

Reasons to Not Be Cheap!

Top 6 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Be Cheap with Your Event Staffing

Pretty blunt, right? Well, this has been weighing on my mind these past few months and I felt I had to address it. I’m seeing too many brides and grooms cut corners in their staffing because it’s not the “fun pretty stuff.” A pretty wedding is nothing if the event falls apart! I realize this list has a tinge of skepticism and negativity, but it’s time to stop sugarcoating and get to the source of many wedding issues. You don’t have to have a stressful wedding day. You’ve spent too much time and money to worry. If you’re not already convinced, read on…

A professional has a profile, a track record, past clients. You can research his or her work and be certain he or she will deliver to your standards. If they’re sloppy, late, rude, or just lazy – you can learn from other’s misfortunes and not repeat the mistake at your own event.

A professional follows the law. Sure your brother’s buddy will bartend, but does he have a license? Is he insured if an accident happens? Does he know he’s required by law to cut off over intoxicated guests? Is he prepared if the Liquor Board shows up to the party? If you’re not having a house party, you can’t drink like it’s a house party. End of story. Do you not care? You should. The consequences of irresponsible bartending are too great to gamble on.

A professional knows his or her craft. Flowers, photography, bartending, staffing, coordination, catering…these are all professions that get better over time. The longer a person has worked in his or her industry, the fewer mishaps or drama. You might find a coordinator for $600, but how many weddings has she done? Does she know she should track down the photographer because the bride and groom are having a special moment? Has she thought ahead about how you’re going to get your leftover cake and food home? Do you have a plan? A seasoned professional always has a plan for everything.

A professional doesn’t stop working when the bar opens. Your friends and family, however, will. This sounds a bit harsh towards the people who are graciously offering help, but we see it at every single event we’ve worked. Remember, your friends and family are guests first, volunteers last. Let them enjoy this day too!

Quality professional staff is your event foundation. Just like a house needs a solid foundation, events need a solid staff. Staff are behind the scenes and are the catch-all of anything that goes awry. If you don’t have a team that can anticipate problems or troubleshoot quickly, then your event will fall apart.

And finally…

You get what you pay for. Bumbling and rude bartenders, slow and careless staff, a caterer who bails the month of the wedding, a coordinator who missed important moments in the wedding day… These are Craigslist “professionals” our past clients have regretfully gone with because the service was cheap. If someone is cheap, there’s a reason. Pay the extra money for the peace of mind.

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