vendors we love

In our industry, it’s impossible to execute an incredible event without the help of other dynamic vendors. In our Vendor Features, we learn more about the people who we love to work with event after event, and year after year. Next up is Mark McCool, Event Specialist at Talamore Country Club.

Mark McCool has been in the events and entertainment industry for 32 years, and has spent those years as an Event Specialist at Talamore Country Club. Talamore is located in Ambler, PA, and has always looked to be on the cutting edge. For larger functions, they offer the Conservatory Ballroom, which features a two-story Mezzanine Ballroom with a Grand Staircase, 30-foot waterfall, and a 1500 square foot marble dance floor with seating for up to 350 guests!

For smaller events, Talamore’s Magnolia Room features vaulted and cathedral ceilings, and accommodates up to 150 guests. They also offer the Monet Garden Room, which opens out onto their lush tropical gardens and flagstone patios with breathtaking views of the golf course and swan-appointed lakes. This climate-controlled space is perfect for your ceremony or cocktail hour.

I was able to sit down with Mark to ask him a few questions… check it out!

What makes Talamore Country Club stand out next to companies like it?

We’re ALWAYS striving to be better.

Favorite Wedding Month?

May

Favorite Spot in Philadelphia?

Constitution Center

Favorite thing to do in Philadelphia?

Base Jumping

What is your Best Advice for Potential Clients?

Ask what will make your partner really really happy

Do you play any instruments?

Guitar!

What wedding trends are you loving?

Food Trucks

What wedding trends are you ready to see go away?

Karaoke with bad singers

What motivates you to work hard?

Achievement

What is your zodiac sign?

Taurus

Do you have any skills or talents that most people don’t know about?

I am ambidextrous

What is your go-to at karaoke?

Don’t Stop Me Now

If you could join any past or present music group, which would you want to join?

The Who

What is your favorite thing in your career?

Watching the bride walk down the aisle

Let’s see some of your work!

Want to stay up-to-date on Event and Bridal Trends? Learn about Vendors We Love? New EBE Products?

In our industry, it’s impossible to execute an incredible event without the help of other dynamic vendors. In our Vendor Features, we learn more about the people who we love to work with event after event, and year after year. Next up is Stephanie Carr, Catering Director at the Fitler Club.

 Stephanie Carr has been in the events industry for 14+ years, and joined the Fitler Club pre-opening team in the Summer of 2018. The Fitler Club itself opened in January of this year, and has been thriving since!

The Fitler Club is one of Philadelphia’s up-and-coming private clubs. The membership offers some pretty incredible benefits such as hotel suites, an incredible restaurant, and an outstanding game room. One pretty cool feature of the Fitler Club is that you don’t have to be a member to host your wedding event here. Everything within the Fitler Club is brand new, modern, and provides the perfect environment to celebrate love.

To learn more about the club itself, head to April 2019’s EBE Venue Spotlight!

I was able to sit down with Stephanie to ask her a few questions… check it out!

What makes the Fitler Club stand out next to companies like it?

An incredible attention to detail and guest experience. Exceptional homemade food by Marc Vetri.

Favorite Wedding Month?

December. I love a great winter wedding. Especially with light snow on the ground that doesn’t impact travel!

Favorite Spot in Philadelphia?

Vedge Restaurant

Favorite thing to do in Philadelphia?

Dining al fresco

What is your Best Advice for Potential Clients?

Trust the event professionals you’ve hired. We do this Every.Single.Weekend. Weddings and planning doesn’t have to be stressful – that’s what we’re here for.

Do you play any instruments?

No! I am nowhere near musically inclined.

What wedding trends are you loving?

Dark, moody colors and tones — and hanging/suspended decor

What wedding trends are you ready to see go away?

Mason jars and burlap

What motivates you to work hard?

My profession is very rewarding – I often get to see my client’s dreams come true on one of the most memorable days of their lives. I strive to make every single client feel special and attended to.

What is your zodiac sign?

Cancer

Tell us about your favorite event!

I have so many! One that stands out was a gala for the opening of a children’s hospital, where cocktails took place in the lobby, followed by dinner in a tent on top of the parking garage. It was one of the most logistically-challenging events I have ever worked in my career, but incredibly rewarding when all went as planned. What I remember most is celebrating with our entire team and client afterward. There is no better feeling!

Do you have any skills or talents that most people don’t know about?

I’m seriously good at pinball and a fairly good bowler. I’m getting to hone in on those talents here at Fitler Club’s Trophy Room!

What is your go-to at karaoke?

SPICE GIRLS!!

If you could join any past or present music group, which would you want to join?

Though I wouldn’t be able to contribute anything musically, I would love to go on tour with DMB!

What is your favorite thing about your career?

Being challenged to create fun ways to tell stories through food & beverage. And… tastings. All the tastings.

Let’s see some of your work!

Want to stay up-to-date on Event and Bridal Trends? Learn about Vendors We Love? New EBE Products?

In our industry, it’s impossible to execute an incredible event without the help of other dynamic vendors. In our Vendor Features, we learn more about the people who we love to work with event after event, and year after year. Next up is Kelsey Bartle, Senior Event Sales Manager at the Bellevue Hotel.

Kelsey Bartle has been the Senior Event Sales Manager at The Bellevue Hotel for 1 year, and has been professionally involved in events for six years. The Bellevue Hotel is a piece of Hyatt’s Unbound Collection, and is easily one of the most beautiful buildings in Phladelphia.

Located in the heart of the city’s Theater District, The Bellevue is lovingly known as The Grande Dame of Broad Street and appears on the U.S. List of Registered Historical Places. The building’s French Renaissance architecture and stately sophistication provides visitors with a one-of-a-kind experience reminiscent of the early twentieth century.

In her position, Kelsey is able to bring her clients’ dreams to life. She’ll be there for your initial tour and booking of the space, as well as on the day of your event to make sure everything runs perfectly!

I was able to sit down with Kelsey to ask her a few questions… check it out!

What makes The Bellevue Hotel stand out next to companies like it?

The history of The Bellevue Hotel is incomparable. Built in 1904 by the “Father of the Modern American Hotel,” George C. Boldt, the Grand Dame of Broad Street was created solely for guests to experience unparalleled service and elegance; a reputation we’re proud to maintain today. If you’d like your guests to feel as if they’re attending a sophisticated, refined affair, host them at The Bellevue Hotel and let us do what we do best, with ease.

Favorite Wedding Month?

December. Nothing beats a NYE wedding!

Favorite Spot in Philadelphia?

Race Street Pier

Favorite thing to do in Philadelphia?

Continue my quest to find the best French Toast in America.

What is your Best Advice for Potential Clients?

Your wedding day is about YOU. Don’t feel pressured to make a decision based on someone else’s vision; yours is the only vision that matters!

Do you play any instruments?

Piano!

What wedding trends are you loving?

I can’t get enough of the greenery, I hope it never goes away!

What wedding trends are you ready to see go away?

If we all band together, we can prevent “cake-in-the-face” from ever happening again. (The makeup, guys, am I right?)

What motivates you to work hard?

Hearing a couple say “It was the best day of our lives” is the best feeling in the world.

What is your zodiac sign?

Capricorn

Tell us about your favorite events to work on!

Since moving to Philly, I’ve had the opportunity to take part in planning some of the nation’s longest running, and most prestigious events. Any gala that is 100+ years old will forever be at the top of my list!

Do you have any skills or talents that most people don’t know about?

I’m a champion hula-hooper

What is your go-to at karaoke?

Love Shack…but the man’s side of the duet

If you could join any past or present music group, which would you want to join?

Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers for sure

Is there anything else you want to tell us about The Bellevue Hotel?

As Philadelphia’s only hotel on the National Register of Historic Places, The Bellevue Hotel has been at the forefront of shaping the city’s cultural, culinary and cocktail scene since becoming its first luxury hotel. The deep-rooted history paired with unmatched service and contemporary cuisine connects every Bellevue Couple with the modern and distinctive occasion they deserve.

Let’s see some of your work!

Want to stay up-to-date on Event and Bridal Trends? Learn about Vendors We Love? New EBE Products?

In our industry, it’s impossible to execute an incredible event without the help of other dynamic vendors. In our Vendor Features, we learn more about the people who we love to work with event after event, and year after year. Next up is Justin Chan, Owner of Valley Creek Productions.

Justin Chan started Valley Creek Productions in 2005 after finishing his degree in Broadcast Communications from Temple University. At that time, he began working on his Master’s Degree in business at Penn State. Valley Creek Productions was one of the side jobs that Justin had while in school, and production work continued to grow as a passion. It grew from there, and he took it full-time in 2011… they’ve been growing ever since!

The company is named after Valley Creek, that flows through Chester County and Valley Forge National Historic Park. Their dynamic team crafts video for any projects, including weddings, corporate events, and promotional films.

Voted Best Video Production Company by Main Line Today Magazine, ‘The Knot Best of Weddings” in Videography for 2018 and 2019, one of the Top Three Videographers in Philadelphia by Philly Hot List the past five years, and winner of WeddingWire’s Couples Choice Award the past nine years. Client satisfaction is their top priority, and they pride themselves on creating captivating videos of the highest quality.

I was able to sit down with Justin to ask him a few questions… check it out!

What makes Valley Creek Productions stand out next to companies like it?

Our team prides itself in being very unobtrusive throughout our event coverage. We coordinate with all the other professionals and are quick to adapt to changing conditions and timelines.

Favorite Wedding Month?

October

Favorite Spot in Philadelphia?

Chinatown, best food in the city. Its been tradition to go down with family several times a year since I was a kid. Good way to connect with the Chinese side of my heritage.

Favorite thing about your career?

Capturing content of important events is always fun for us – knowing we preserved those moments to re-live later. We also love being a part of the event community in Philadelphia. Making friends through various event associations and chambers of commerce is fun for us and helps us do our job better.

What is your Best Advice for Potential Clients?

Everyone thinks video is a “would be nice” add on for a wedding or event. There is so many things that happen on a wedding day that only video can capture, and if you don’t have a professional with you to capture them you won’t have any way to re-live them in the future.

What is your favorite movie?

Star Trek (generally any of the original features, not the new ones)

What wedding trends are you loving?

Drones are a big trend with video in the past few years. Our team are all FAA licensed and insured for commercial drone flight. We love flying and capturing cool shots of wedding venues, churches, and couples’ homes.

Where can we see your work?

We have various portfolios on our website for all different types of events! You can see them here.

Want to stay up-to-date on Event and Bridal Trends? Learn about Vendors We Love? New EBE Products?

In our industry, it’s impossible to execute an incredible event without the help of other dynamic vendors. In our Vendor Features, we learn more about the people who we love to work with event after event, and year after year. Next up is Dan Caplan, Event Designer and Planner at Arrangements Unlimited.

Dan Caplan has been in the events industry for most of his life, and joined Arrangements Unlimited 15 years ago. We most often cross paths with Dan at numerous elaborate Bar/Bat Mitzvahs throughout each year. His excellence in logo creation, custom design, and overall creative thinking is evident in every event that he works on.

Arrangements Unlimited, co-owned by Lois Caplan and Lynne Brownstein, has been styling custom events for 44 years. Whether it’s a small gathering, corporate event, wedding, Mitzvah, or birthday, the Arrangements Unlimited team brings years of passion and experience to making each celebration one of a kind.

Arrangements Unlimited is a recognized by the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council as a certified WBENC women’s owned organization.

I was able to sit down with Dan to ask him a few questions… check it out!

What makes Arrangements Unlimited stand out next to companies like it?

We have been in business for 44 years, always reinventing ourselves and always providing top notch service with a smile.

What are your favorite types of events?

I love transforming a space so much that no one knows where they are. We did this at the Westin last year with green carpet and lush draping. The tables all had beautiful full tree-like floral. I felt like I was in Central Park.

Do you play any instruments?

I play a couple of instruments: guitar, bass, drums, and keys. I actually released an album of original music for children in 2012 called “Dinosaur Wings and Other Things”

Favorite Wedding Month?

September

Favorite thing to do in Philadelphia?

So many to choose! Right now is the Please Touch Museum with my kids.

Favorite Spot in Philadelphia?

The Ritz Movie Theater

Favorite thing about your career?

I love the production aspect of the Bar and Bat Mitzvahs. Props, lights, and stage sets. So much creativity and energy!

What is your Best Advice for Potential Clients?

Sleep and Breathe, it will all be fabulous!

What is your Zodiac Sign?

Capricorn

What is your favorite movie?

Bob Roberts

Do you have any skills or talents that most people don’t know about?

I’ve been known to cut a rug or two.

What is your go-to at karaoke?

I’m Yours – Jason Mraz or Hit Me Baby One More Time – Britney

If you could join any past or present music group, which would you want to join?

Pearl Jam

What wedding trends are you loving?

Suspended flowers!!!

What wedding trends are you ready to see go away?

Ceremonies in a field with no tent!

What motivates you to work hard?

The people. It is always someone’s most important day. I don’t want to let them down.

Show us some photos of your work!

Want to stay up-to-date on Event and Bridal Trends? Learn about Vendors We Love? New EBE Products?

In our industry, it’s impossible to execute an incredible event without the help of other dynamic vendors. In our Vendor Features, we learn more about the people who we love to work with event after event, and year after year. Next up is Jen Lawn, Partner and Director of Design at JL Original Designs.

Jen Lawn has been in the event industry for over 20 years, and founded JL Original Designs in 2012. She had a previous design company that she shut down after having children, and formed JL Original Designs once they were old enough.

JL Original Designs is an event design and planning company. They offer event, floral, and graphic designs along with full planning and day of coordination packages. They have an amazing hardworking crew that make these weddings FUN and FABULOUS!

When speaking with Jen, it is so clear that this is the career for her. Her attentiveness to detail, interpersonal connections, and love of design is exactly why JL Original Designs is successful and highly regarded.

I was able to sit down with Jen to ask her a few questions… check it out!

What makes JL Original Designs stand out next to companies like it?

Our creativeness, customer services, attention to detail, and we are FUN!

What are your favorite types of events?

I love when we get an amazing theme that we can create the entire atmosphere for the wedding or reception space. I love overhauling the venue space so that as soon you walk through the doors, it takes your breathe away and all you want to do it dance and party the night away… and maybe never leave!

Do you play any instruments?

No, but would love to learn the guitar with my daughter

Favorite Wedding Month?

Tie between April and October

Favorite thing to do in Philadelphia?

EAT of course, but now I get to show my teenagers around town!

Favorite thing about your career?

What is your Best Advice for Potential Clients?

What is your Zodiac Sign?

Pisces

What wedding trends are you loving?

We are loving that many couples are skipping traditions and create THEIR version of a perfect wedding day. They are adding more of their personality instead of doing what everyone else is or did. For example – no bouquet toss, private cake cutting or no cake at all, more friends being ordained, small ceremonies with big receptions… this list goes on but they seem to be having more fun with their guests.

What wedding trends are you ready to see go away?

Rustic, Rustic chic, burlap, mason jars….. I love rustic weddings but I think that this look needs to be in a rustic venue for it to be amazing. Wedding can be rustic without the use of burlap and mason jars!

What motivates you to work hard?

I am naturally a hard worker, and I am pretty tough when it comes to doing it right. But, I would say that my current motive is my awesome clients!!

Show us some photos of your work!

Want to stay up-to-date on Event and Bridal Trends? Learn about Vendors We Love? New EBE Products?