Adrienne Rind tells St Louis Wedding News about the Holiday Inn at 6 Flags.

How many guest can your facility accomodate?

We can accommodate up to 260 guest without putting tables on the dance floor, if we put tables on the dance floor and remove them after dinner we can accommodate 300 guest.
 

Are there any decorating restrictions?

We really do not have any decorating restrictions, besides the bride nor her family do the decorating we take care of that for you, you bring in what you want and we take care of setting it up or you can have a florist come in. It is your day and your families day to enjoy and it is up to me to take the stress off of you.
 
What is included with the room rental?

We do not charge a room rental, our package includes everything from the open bar, cake, cake knife, fresh cut floral arrangements for centerpieces, dinner, DJ., bridal suite, champagne toast served to everyone, and a one year anniversary stay. You can visit our website at www. stlouissixflags.holiday-inn.com to view some of our packages.

 
 
Do you have an approved list of caterers?

We do all of the catering in house from our kitchen. We have to provide all food and beverages in our banquet rooms.
 
What do you enjoy most about working with brides?

I absolutely love working with brides on their special day, I take great pride in ensuring that their day is as stress free as possible, it is one of the most exciting days in their life and I want to ensure that everything is perfect for them.
 
How is your hotel unique?

Our hotel was built in and around an over 200 year old barn our banquet room was the barn and has all the original stonewall structure in the room and our lobby is absolutely gorgeous.  We are not your typically banquet room facility.

Contact Information:

http://www.stlouissixflags.holiday-inn.com/index.html

Kelly Park tells us how photography has always been an interest of hers. 

How did you get into the photography business?

I started out by taking pictures of my children.  Friends would come over and see pictures at my home and ask if I could take pictures of their children and family.  Then one day someone asked me to take their wedding pictures and I thought…hmmm, maybe I can do this as a business.  I started my business in San Diego, California in 2004.

What type of photography do you specialize in?

 I specialize in candid, fun, photojournalistic style photography.  I love, love, love capturing emotion!  

 What makes you stand out from the other wedding photographers?

My approach to clients is being honest and real.  I enjoy talking with couples and hearing their stories.  Knowing how they met and how they became engaged helps me get to know them better.  Many of my clients keep in touch, especially my portrait clients!  I love watching my clients grow together, it’s a blessing for me to be able to continue being a part of their lives.

What special services do you offer?

My wedding package is simple and straightforward.  Packages can be customized to whatever the Bride and Groom’s photography needs are. 

What is the funniest moment you have seen while taking pictures at a wedding?

One of the funniest moments for me was when a bride threw her bouquet with so much force, it actually flew over the entire group of women waiting to catch it.  

What other hobbies do you enjoy?

I would consider myself to be very crafty.  I always look at things and think, I can make that.  My current favorite craft is decorating my flip-flops with swarovski crystals:)  I love to wear flip flops!  I also enjoy beading and cooking.   

 What is your contact information?
 
- Name:    Kelly Park Photography
- Email    kelly@kellyparkphotography.com
- Telephone    314-570-7413
- Address    Creve Coeur Area ~ Saint Louis, MO
- Website    www.kellyparkphotography.com

Read about how Jamie Holt went from being a stay at home mom to a chocolate fountain business owner.

How did you get into the chocolate fountain business?

After becoming a stay at home mom I realized that I needed something to occupy my time. A friend of mine owned Au Chocolat & was having a hard time finding the time for the chocolate fountains since she has become a very successful real estate agent. After talking to her I thought, “What a great idea! This will be soooo much fun!” And with my husband owning a catering company this would be a perfect thing for me to do.  On top of all that I love chocolate!

What is your favorite thing about being in the chocolate industry?

Besides the chocolate???  It’s such a great feeling knowing that I am adding a touch of uniqueness to a couples’ special day.

What makes Au Chocolate stand out from the other chocolate places?

We service all of Springfield, Jacksonville, Decatur, Bloomington, Champaign, Litchfield, all of central Illinois & the St. Louis metro area. We have more package options to choose from. We’ll even custom design a package to fit your needs. We are told over and over that we have the best tasting chocolate because we use the best! We use only Ghirardelli chocolate. We are dedicated to customer service.

How far in advance should brides book with you?

Booking at least a month in advance would be great!

What types of food can brides choose from to dip in the chocolate fountain?

We offer a variety of food items to choose from. Here are just a few items:

Strawberries, Bananas, Pineapple, Vanilla Wafers, Snickers, Pretzels, Cheese Cake Bites, Chocolate Chip Cookies, Rice Crispy Treats. The possibilities are endless. Whatever you can think of to dip we can provide.

What is your contact information if brides have more questions?

- Name Jamie Holt

- Email Au-Chocolat@hotmail.com

-Telephone (217) 787-0965

-Website: www.Au-chocolat.net.

Colleen owner of Colleen’s Cookies told St Louis Wedding News about her cinderella story.

How did you get started in the cookie business?

My cinderella story started in 2000 when a friend asked me to make 250 cookies for a charity function.  Everyone liked the cookies, people started calling to order cookies for their functions and a company was born.  It’s the best job!  I love what I do…
 

Tell us about some of the most unique cookies you have designed?

We have done several unique wedding cookie designs but the most recent that comes to mind was for a couple that are die hard Cardinal fans.  We made Cardinal baseball jerseys with their last name on top, the number 2, and their first names at the bottom of the cookie - they loved them!
 

What is your favorite part of being in the wedding industry?

We are honored to be a part of someone’s wedding.  This is the biggest day in the life of a bride to be and having been chosen to create cookies, well, makes us feel special too.

How soon should brides book you?

Weddings usually require larger quantities of cookies and the sooner our customers book, the better.  We require a two week lead time on larger orders but once our production is full we have to turn guests away.
 

How can you be contacted for more information?

Colleen’s Cookies is a Special Order Cookie Company.  Most clients check us out on the web at www.colleenscookies.com or by phone at 636-532-7279.

We interviewed Cravings about their business and how they stand out from other wedding cake vendors.

How did you start your wedding cake career?

I began my business as a hobby while homesick at graduate school in Ireland.
I have no formal training, but a continued passion for good food and great desserts.
After searching for a career I came back to baking over and over again
 

What are your most popular flavors?

Our most popular flavors are seasonal:
    Summer– Citrus Cake with Lemon Cream and Fresh Raspberries frosted in our
                      Classic French Vanilla  Buttercream
    Fall—      Carrot Cake with Butter Pecan and Cream Cheese Frosting
    Winter—  Chocolate Cranberry Cake with Raspberry Cream and Dark Chocolate Mousse
    Spring  –  White Cake with Strawberry Cream and Classic Vanilla Buttercream
 
Because we customize flavors to suit the taste of the bride and groom ,there are many other options
 

What makes your cakes unique?
We’d like to think each of our cakes are unique because it reflects the tastes and style of the couple getting married.  We have not followed all of the trends because many styles compromise the taste and quality of ingredients being used. We prefer to refer some customers to other bakeries rather than fall short of the standards that we set for ourselves. Cakes that are sculpted and shaped are often overbaked to hold a specific shape. The frostings are often inedible; we prefer not to use any dyes at all.
 

What is your favorite part of being in the wedding industry?

Favorite thing:  Meeting a couple who really are excited about the cake and then not only meeting their expectations, but exceeding their expectations.
 

How does Cravings stand out from the rest of the wedding cake vendors?

Cravings stands apart because of the quality of the ingredients, the quality of the recipes we use and the care with which we produce our cakes. We remember the people for whom we are making the cake.
 

How many different types of desserts do you offer?

Our dessert list is extensive and approached 200 varieties.  Some are strictly seasonal and only available when the ingredients meet our impeccable standards.
 
Contact information:
Website: www.cravingsonline.com
name: Cravings Restaurant and Bakery
Address: 8149 Big Bend Blvd St. Louis, MO 63119
phone: 314-961-3534/  961-8262
email:  cravings@birch.net

St Louis Wedding News interviewed Cristina Quiroz about the Michigan Banquet Hall.
How many guests can your facility accommodate?
 
up to 300 people

Are there any decorating restrictions?
 
The only restriction we have is no nailing on the walls. Other than that brides and grooms can decorate how they want. As elegant or as simple. 
 
What is included with the room rental?
   
Rental of our Hall for 5 hours.
Includes: Set up & Mop and Sweep of the facility
6 Chafers (warmers) for your food (you may bring your own food if you would like)
1 Keg of Beer (Budlight or Budweiser) complimentary for 2008 ONLY
Also includes a cash bar and bartender(s) for the evening. 
 

 Is there an exclusive caterer?  
 
 Guest may choose to bring their own food or have an outside caterer to work with. We do provide  options for our clients. 
  
What do you like best about working with brides?
   
This is the brides “special” day, so they are so happy and excited to have everything come together. So they are in great moods when I work with them. I love suggesting different options to help them make their day an enjoyable one. Every wedding I have hosted, each bride has given me a big hug and thanked me for the service that we provided for them.  That makes it worth the stress getting ready for their big day.    
 
What makes your venue stand out from the other reception facilities?
 
Most receptions halls have so many rules and regulations. Our hall is open to many different suggestions  because we want our bride and groom to have the best experience possible.    
The number one reason we stand out from the rest is we allow our brides to either have the option to  bring in their own food or go with a caterer of their choice. We do not make them go with a specific  caterer, people really like the option.
 
What is your contact information if brides have any questions.
 
Cristina Quiroz
Michigan Banquet Hall
6409 Michigan Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63111
314-707-1868
www.michiganbanquethall.com

Will Jackson tells St Louis Wedding news about his photography business.
How did you get into the photography business?

I took an assessment test in the early 90’s, and that led me to try photography.

What type of photography do you specialize in?

Wedding day photography.

What makes you stand out from the other wedding photographers?

I think it’s the quality of my images.

What special services do you offer?

I keep my website, www.willjackson.com, updated with a few pictures from the last 5 weddings.  And after each wedding I ask the bride if she would like to be listed on my references page at www.willjackson.com/references.html.  If she does, I list her wedding date, first name, and whatever contact information she would like for me to use.  I leave it there until her first year anniversary.  I think this is a special service that’s helpful for prospective brides.

What is the funniest moment you have seen while taking pictures at a wedding?

Kids
What other hobbies do you enjoy?

Reading
How can brides contact you if they have more questions?

will@willjackson.com
www.willjackson.com

Fountains and Fun talked with St Louis Wedding News about their chocolate fountain business.

How did you get into the chocolate fountain business?
It started with a bride who wanted a chocolate fountain at her wedding reception. We had the equipment available for rental and quickly learned that there is a market big enough to support a business.

 
What is your favorite thing about being in the chocolate industry?
It’s not so much about being in the chocolate industry…it’s more about being in an industry that allows us to share such special occasions with our customers.  In addition to weddings, we’ve done bar/bat mitzvahs, anniversary parties, graduation parties and proms. 
 
What makes your business stand out from the other chocolate places?
Fountains & Fun, LLC has the tallest 5-tiered fountains in St. Louis standing an impressive 44″ tall.

How far in advance should brides book with you?
There’s really no set time frame.  It depends more on our availability.  We’ve had customers call us two years in advance of their event and others that have called the week before and asked if we could be there.  If we have a fountain available and attendants to work the event, we’re more than happy to take those last minute bookings.

What types of food can brides choose from to dip in the chocolate fountain?

From fruits and marshmallows to cheesecakes and cream puffs, it’s quite a long list of items.  We are also open to our customers suggesting items that are not on our list.  Depending on the size of the event, we will bring 8 to 12 different items for dipping. 

 
 What is your contact information if brides have more questions?
 - Name  Fountains & Fun, LLC
- Email  info@fountainsandfunonline.com
-Telephone  314.479.3352
-Address  Arnold, MO
-Website  www.fountainsandfunonline.com
 

 
How many guests can your facility accommodate?          

Up to 100. We do weddings for 2 to 100 and receptions for 16 to 100.
 
Are there any decorating restrictions?   

No sticking tapes, tacks or nails may be used. Guest decorating must be done within two hours of the start of the Event and removed by the Guest within one hour of the conclusion of the Event.
What is included with the room rental?    

Couples may choose from three different wedding plans and three different reception plans as follows:
 
Intimate Wedding Plan
Small Wedding Plan
Deluxe Wedding Plan
 
Cake & Punch Reception
Hors d’oeuvre Reception
Banquet Style Reception

Is there an exclusive caterer?  If so who is it?

Cake is generally baked, decorated, delivered, and set up by Donna’s Cakery Bakery in Alton. Hors’ d’oeuvre Reception is done in house. Banquet Style is generally catered by one of our local fine dining restaurants. Outside caterers are permitted providing they are (a) licensed and insured and they provide us with a certificate of insurance, (b) actual cooking is done off site, (c) a BEALL MANSION kitchen overseer is required to act as a liason between the caterer and the property.
What do you like best about working with brides? 

Their joy and happiness is contagious. Keeps us young and happy.
What makes your venue stand out from the other reception facilities?

Voted “Best of Illinois –Illinois Magazine Readers Poll - The BEALL MANSION is not your typical wedding or reception venue. Built in 1902 and 1903 as a wedding gift, The BEALL MANSION is a place for people who enjoy and appreciate things of beauty. Crystal chandeliers and leaded art glass windows. Hand carved fireplaces and mill work. Priceless antiques. Marble and bronze statuary. Fine artwork. Hardwood floors and Oriental rugs. It is a place of romance. It is a place where you will go back in time and experience a taste of the opulent lifestyle of the rich and famous of a bygone era.  It is a place to WOW your guests in turn of the century elegance. 

Is the Beall Mansion in any danger of flooding?

The Beall Mansion is too high up from the river to ever flood.

 What is your contact information if brides have any questions.
 
-Name Jim and Sandy Belote
-Email bepampered@beallmansion.com
-Telephone 618-474-9100 or Toll Free 1-866-The-BEALL (1-866-843-2325)
-Address 407 East 12th Street, Alton, Illinois 62002-7230
-Website: General: http://www.beallmansion.com  

                Weddings: Wedding Facility
                Receptions:  Beall Mansion Reception 

                Honeymoon: Honeymoon Beall Mansion