1. How long has Blossom Basket been serving the Champaign-Urbana area?
Blossom Basket Florist has been serving the floral needs of the Champaign-Urbana since 1956. We have several full-time and part-time floral designers that comprise our wedding design team. I (Brittany) currently meet and consult with each bride (and her fiancé or mother or sister or who ever she brings to the consultation) and then work along side the rest of the team conveying the vision developed with the bride and working hands-on in the design process.

2. How many couples did you work with in 2011? How about 2012?
In 2011, we designed custom wedding flowers for 136 central Illinois weddings. In 2012, we have already designed 18 weddings and have 66 already booked for the remainder of the year. We still have many weekends with availability and anticipate serving over 150 weddings in 2012.

3. What is your favorite type of flower or plant to work with?
Oh, don’t make me pick a favorite – that’s like choosing a favorite child or pet. I just love them all! But my personal favorite flower is an orange spray rose called Mambo. In general I really enjoy using spray roses.They have the same shape and beauty of a rose but are smaller in size and come in a cluster and really enhance the texture of a bouquet. Orchids are another flower that can bring additional interest to a bouquet. Orchids are very versatile, fitting in with many different styles.

4. Do you have a favorite color combination or scheme?
Holly, you’re killing me. ; ) …It really doesn’t matter what my favorite is, it is my job to help each bride choose a beautiful combination in her favorite color palate. When brides ask me this question I tell them, “I already got to choose my favorite for my wedding, now it’s your turn.” I am generally a fan of a analogous color palates (shades of the same color or colors near it on the color wheel) and I chose shades of hot pink and orange with touches of burgundy, peach, and medium pink for my own wedding. I’m definitely a color lover, but have recently felt my heart pitter-patter over white and shades of white bouquets.

5. Why should couples choose Blossom Basket as their wedding florist?
Our entire Blossom Basket team is dedicate to customer service. My goal is to understand and then create a bouquet that matches the style and vision of each bride. “From Simple to Simply Magnificent” has been a tag line we use and we truly mean it! Any budget, any style, and colors our team will work with each couple to figure out their preferences and priorities.

6. What current wedding trend do you enjoy the most?
Vintage-inspired details are fun! They can add style or sentiment or sometimes both. From a simple token like Grandma’s broach on the handle of a bride’s bouquet to a collection of antique teapots and cups as containers for centerpieces reminders of the past can bring a hint of emotion or carry the whole theme for the wedding.

7. What is one fun fact about you (or Blossom Basket) that brides might like to know?
The Blossom Basket Florist is a Christian-based business. Our core value and chief aim is to spread the love of Jesus through our service to our customers and the community. We feel blessed to be chosen to serve the floral needs of each couple that selects Blossom Basket to be their wedding florist.

Below are a few of my favorite bouquets from Blossom Basket that I’ve photographed.

1. How long has Illini Photo Booth been in business?
We have been in business a little over 3 years. We started in February of 2009 and have been successful way beyond our expectations.

2. How did your business come about, and what got you started?
We attended a friend’s wedding in the St. Louis area, and they had a photo booth at their reception. We had so much fun taking pictures throughout the night and thought that Central Illinois needed a local photo booth business. A lot of people were hiring photo booth companies out of Chicago. We wanted to provide Central Illinois with an affordable and high-quality product! We built the booth ourselves, and every detail took a lot of work and research. We hope guests notice that when they step in the booth and view their pictures afterward.

3. Why should couples hire Illini Photo Booth for their wedding?
We are a small business and we care about our clients. We don’t have franchise fees or a high overhead costs, so we won’t talk you into something you don’t want. We are low pressure and want your wedding to be amazing. I personally spend a great deal of time working on each wedding to make sure the graphics on the pictures are exactly how the bride and groom want them. I’ve spent a good 5-6 hours on one layout before. So whether your wedding is simple & elegant, or over the top, we make sure you’re happy with what we provide.

4. What do you enjoy most about working at wedding receptions?
When the reception first starts, everyone is on their best behavior. I like it when people start to get comfortable and do silly pictures in the photo booth and really get out on the dance floor. I love seeing guests have fun–which is probably why I love our business so much!

5. What sets you apart from other local photo booth companies?
I think we’re all trying to do the same thing; however, I think our physical booth really sets us apart. It is a sturdy structure and is not made out of curtains. This is especially good if there is an open bar at the reception and people have been partaking heavily! Our photo quality is amazing, too. We use a professional printer, so the prints you receive (in only 16 seconds) look like prints you would get from the store. As I mentioned before, I also spend a lot of time perfecting the design on each picture. I do some graphic design in my spare time, so I love that part of my job!

6. What current wedding trend do you enjoy the most?
Besides having a photo booth? Hmm. It seems like there are a lot of themed weddings lately. When I got married, which wasn’t incredibly long ago, we picked colors and everything revolved around those colors. Now, it seems like a lot of people are choosing a theme first and the colors sort of follow. I love walking into a wedding reception and knowing exactly what the bride and groom were going for. Sometimes it even feels like you’ve been whisked away out of Central Illinois. Since I have a one-year old, I don’t mind feeling like I’m getting a vacation every once in a while!

7. What is one fun fact about you that brides might like to know?
I spent more time planning my daughter’s first birthday than I did our wedding. We planned our wedding in only 6 months. At the time, it didn’t seem that strange, but after being in the wedding business a few years, I realize that was a very short amount of time. I planned my daughter’s wedding for about 8 months, which I realize is a bit ridiculous. It turned out perfectly, though. My husband is surprised I haven’t started planning her wedding already–how does he know I haven’t?!

Thanks, Lauren, for answering my questions!
And here’s a photo from a wedding that Holly Birch Photography & Illini Photo Booth did together.

And here’s a sample of what you’ll get from Illini Photo Booth at your wedding.

What got you interested in being a wedding videographer?
One of my biggest passions and hobbies is design and video editing. Being newly married, my wife was always very interested in weddings and really loved the process of planning ours. A friend of ours said that we should go into wedding videography, and we thought it was a fantastic idea. It allowed both of us work together in a business that incorporated interests from both of us. It didn’t take long for me to catch the wedding bug, and fall in love with the wedding industry. So far, Kortny hasn’t tried her hand at editing, but I’m holding onto hope!

When did you start Park Life Videography?
We were married in July 2004, and we filmed our first wedding on New Years Eve, 2005.

What is one reason you would give couples to hire a videographer over having a friend video their wedding day?
We have no doubt that someone’s Uncle Rick would have all the good intentions of filming a quality wedding video, but when you hire someone, it’s that person’s sole job to film your wedding and nothing else. Even if a couple has a friend who works with video and film, that person will most likely want to hang out with everyone at some point and may otherwise miss out on some of the action. When you hire us to film, we’re there to serve the clients and nothing else. Okay – maybe have a slice of cake, but that’s about it. (Holly note: YES! Cake! You all know how I love cake too!)

What makes you different from other videographers in the Champaign area?
We take great pride in the fact that we love to help tell the couple’s story. Yes, we feel like our style in which we shoot and edit is very modern and relevant. However, you can take all the cool shots you want, and do some really great editing, but if the couple’s story isn’t the first and foremost thing in the film, it’s not going to matter. We really care about our clients, and a huge part of what we do is find out their story, what makes them tick, why they love each other, and let that be the driving force behind everything we do when we serve them.

What is your favorite thing about filming weddings?
No wedding is the same. We’re obsessed with telling each couple’s unique story through our highlight films, engagement trailers, and same-day edits. We also love serving people, and we’re honored we get to serve people on one of the most important days of their lives.

Did you have a videographer at your own wedding? Would you make the same choice now?
My wife wanted a videographer, but I didn’t see the point! It’s safe to say that my view has changed since then. Luckily, I yielded to her wishes and we had one. I’m thankful that in 50 years, we’ll have our video to show our kids. And our out of date hair.

Name one fun fact about you and your family that would help couples to understand you a bit more.
One fun fact. Hmmm. Kortny loves shows like The Bachelor and sappy love movies (you can tell who’s writing this), and Jeremiah loves film and editing. That’s why ParkLife is such a perfect fit for us. We get to take part in the most important day of people’s lives, and we get to be creative and capture it on film.

Are you completely booked for 2012 yet? How about 2013?
We’re not completely booked for 2012 yet, but we are filling up at a faster pace than any other year. So if someone’s interested in booking us for this year, contact us quick! We’ve booked more weddings for next year than we’ve ever had at this point before, but we have plenty of dates open for ’13.

Here’s one of my favorite videos from ParkLife to date:

Chad + Brynn [highlight film] from ParkLife Wedding Films on Vimeo.

And here’s another favorite, and actually from a wedding that we worked on together. It’s so neat being a part of something, and then seeing Jeremiah & Kortny’s take on it a few weeks later. Great job guys!

Joe + Jeanice [highlight film] from ParkLife Wedding Films on Vimeo.

1. How long has Elite Entertainment been in business?
Ryan Mennenga “officially” formed Elite Entertainment in 2006 after DJing on the weekends part-time for 5 years. In 2007, Ryan & Kaitlin formed Elite Chair Covers/Elite Lighting, so that they could offer more services to their brides and grooms.

2. What got you interested in starting a DJ, lighting & linen business?
We have always enjoyed the entertainment aspect of weddings and Ryan has always had a passion for DJing. Once TV shows featuring platinum weddings became popular, we saw a need to offer uplighting and linens in the area.

3. What do you feel sets you apart from other DJs in the wedding industry?
We offer the most customized services for our brides and grooms. We also offer services that no one else does in the area, such a chiavari chairs, custom linens, and elegant lighting.

4. What do you enjoy most about working at wedding receptions?
Introducing the bride and groom as a married couple and seeing their expressions when they walk into their reception and see the work we have done for them.

5. What is the best tip you can give to brides who are planning the music and design of their reception?
Be open to a wide range of music and trust that your DJ will make the best selections and keep the party going.

6. What current wedding trend do you enjoy the most?
Chiavari Chairs is currently our favorite wedding trend! They can completely change the look of any reception room with their sleek, upscale design. We have several colors to choose from, so that they can coordinate with any bride’s color scheme.

7. What is one fun fact about you that brides might like to know?
My wife and I enjoy watching the Bachelor every Monday night. Every year we have friends over for the first episode, and we all get to choose 3 girls to root for to hopefully win!

So fun! Below I’ve included a few photos from the HBP files of Elite Entertainment’s work. Be sure to head over to their website if you haven’t already to take a look at many more photos and get more information. And definitely stop by their office in west Champaign to see their reception room setup!

I used uplighting from Elite for my own booth space at the Elegant Bridal Expo:

Are you a vendor who has previously worked with Holly Birch Photography? You may submit a request to be featured in a future Vendor Spotlight by emailing Holly – holly [at] hollybirchphotography [dot] com, or by filling out the form on the contact page above. Thanks!!

Don’t miss this great event TOMORROW EVENING, Wednesday, November 4 from 4:30-7:30 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Champaign. Your Perfect Wedding Showcase will feature tons of local vendors, including Holly Birch Photography, and a fashion show. Parking is free in downtown Champaign with a free shuttle service to and from the Hilton. The fashion show will follow the expo at the Virginia Theater in downtown Champaign. The event is sponsored by the Illini Radio Group (Mix 94.5, WIXY, etc) and Star Talent Events.

Current & future brides, please be sure to stop by and say hi to Holly Birch Photography! We’ll be located in the lower level of the expo.

You can see the details on www.c-uwed.com. There’s no entry fee for brides, grooms and their guests, so I hope to see a bunch of my future couples there!

I will be booking unsigned wedding dates that day, so anything not officially booked (with contract and deposit) will be up for grabs. So anyone thinking about signing with me, please send me your contract ASAP or come to the wedding expo!