Ron Ben-Israel is one of the most well known wedding cake designers in the world.  I had the chance to interview Ron in his bakery in SOHO New York.  Ron talks about his phiosophy on wedding cakes.  We discuss color, shape and flavor.  Ron takes us thr...

Meet the Masters with Wedding cake designer Ron Ben-Israel

Top wedding professionals share their best wedding planning advice.

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Mindy Weiss, celebrity wedding planner, is LIVE at David's Bridal in  NYC.  Based in Beverly Hills, Mindy is the owner & principle  planner/designer of Mindy Weiss Party Consultants.  She is the author of  the bestselling book The Wedding Book: The Big Book for Your Big Day and just released a new book The Wedding Planner & Organizer.



In this episode of Meet the Masters Holli Ehrlich interviews Mindy  on how to have a successful event.  How can a wedding reflect your  personal style?  Where should you save?  splurge?  How can you stay sane  through the planning process?  Mindy shares creative ideas and tips  plus hear some details about her son's wedding too!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZLtvlC0Qhs

David's Bridal
Mindy Weiss

Meet the Masters with Mindy Weiss Live From David’s Bridal

Susan Schneider has over ten years experience as executive editor of Bridal Guide, Modern Bride and Elegant Bride magazines. She decided to leave magazines to pursue writing and cover everything wedding, from fashion to flowers to food to stationery.  She especially enjoys writing true-life wedding stories.

In today's episode Holli Ehrlich interviews Susan about her first novel, The Wedding Writer. The book draws on Susan's expertise as a wedding writer and her day-to-day contribution to the business of bridal.  They discuss the wonderful characters and their dreams and dilemmas.  Susan pulls aside the gossamer veil and shows real women - married, single, divorced - and their real lives behind it all.  The novel puts a genuine and humorous spin on the crazy business of wedding magazine publishing.  Susan also talks about the high expectations everyone has of weddings and gives her best advice on what to focus on when planning your life celebration.

Susan's website

Susan's blog The Wedding Writer Speaks

Get Susan's book here The Wedding Writer

Meet the Masters with Susan Schneider

Diane Wagner is a successful NYC floral and event designer specializing in weddings.  Her work has been showcased throughout the country and featured in national publications and on network television.  She has authored two books:  Victoria Flower Style and Beautiful Wedding Flowers.  In today’s episode Holli Ehrlich interviews Diane about the versatility of flowers for any celebration.

Diane discusses choosing flowers by color and matching to your mood and venue.  You will learn how to start your search for a florist and what questions you need to ask.  Hear unique ways to personalize your wedding and how to carry a floral theme from boutonnieres to centerpieces.  Where should a bride splurge? save?  What if you have allergies?  What should you do with the flowers after the big day is over?  Plus learn the significance and symbolism of botanical elements such as the avenue of maple trees and sprig of myrtle in Kate’s bouquet at the Royal Wedding.  Diane feels every woman should be a princess on her wedding day!

Diane’s website

Diane’s Blog Floral Whisperer

American "Will & Kate" Married on "The View" 

Ron Ben-Israel 

Total Table

The Original Runner Company

The Horticultural Society of New York Annual Floral Design Showcase

Diane’s Books
Victoria Flower Style: Arrangements for Every Occasion

Beautiful Wedding Flowers: More than 300 Corsages, Bouquets, and Centerpieces

Meet the Masters with Diane Wagner, author Beautiful Wedding Flowers

Robert Allen's guest on this Meet the Masters is Patti Stracher, Show Manager of the National Stationery Show (NSS).  Patti acts as the event planner of the largest annual trade show where stationers and gift retailers from  across the country and around the world come to see the latest trends  in specialty paper to purchase for their stores.

The NSS is  a key resource for the weddings industry, particularly in  the custom  social stationery, invitations and lifestyle gift categories.  Nine hundred companies will exhibit their glorious  products in all  price points, techniques,  materials, and packaging.  This event is NOT open to brides, but professional event planners are welcome and can check out the program and registration information below.

No two  couples are alike; therefore, no two invitation ensembles will ever be either.  The wedding invitation is your first opportunity to express joy, inject personality  and a sense of the  event into your wedding correspondence.  Patti discusses paper as the ultimate medium for personal expression versus email invitations & online purchases which are often transactional and  one dimensional.

Today’s bride often begins her  search digitally to get a feel for the variety of invitation design  options available, the companies that specialize in wedding invitations,  the various printing techniques and price points.  Absent  from this is the most important part of the decision, which is the  experience of seeing the samples in person - touching and feeling them.

Brides need to understand that developing  a relationship with a local wedding stationer for their event is very important.  The retailer becomes a consultant, a partner –  and often a friend.  The discussion often begins with getting to know  you and your vision for the wedding.   Understanding ways to add flair and other unique elements  takes knowledge and experience. The retailer can offer ideas and guidance on design types of printing, paper stock, timing for mailing, issues of etiquette and wording for the invites.

The 65th annual National  Stationery Show® (NSS) is on May 15-18, 2011 at New York City’s Jacob K.  Javits Convention Center. The NSS attracts a diverse global attendance of 11,000 buyers from  stationery, card and gift shops; bookstores; bridal shops; party stores;  department, chain and specialty stores; large chains and "big box" mass  retailers; online retailers and mail order catalogs; as well as  importers and distributors.

National Stationery Show

NSS 2011 Buyer Education Program

NSS Registration Information (note: not for brides, wedding professionals and trade only)

Patti's blog post on The 21st Century Bride website

GLM dmg events

Companies mentioned in today's episode:

Crane & Co.

William Arthur

Meet the Masters with Patti Stracher, Show Manager of the National Stationery Show

The New Jersey branch of the Association of Bridal Consultants (NJ-ABC) is comprised of members who are wedding consultants and vendors.  Members from all aspects of the wedding industry have come together to create a beautiful and memorable wedding for a bride who is fighting breast cancer.  Many wedding professionals graciously donated their time and services to make Tina and Paul’s wedding unforgettable.  This is the first of what is expected to be an annual NJ-ABC “give back” event for deserving couples.

Robert Allen is joined by Rhonda Bassat-Rivera, media chair of the NJ-ABC, Candice Benson, State Coordinator NJ-ABC, celebrant Julie Laudicina and photographers Tim Camuso and Glenn Maida to discuss the reasons they participated, their vision,  approach, and how it made them feel to make a couple’s wedding dream come true.  Candice said, “The NJ wedding community is excited to give back and help create wonderful memories for Tim and Paul and their families to cherish forever.”  More than $30,000 worth of goods, services and talent were contributed to make this wedding a reality.

The ABC has been the professional organization for the wedding industry since 1955, and has over 4,000 members in 26 countries on six continents.  The ABC is a membership service organization, designed to increase awareness of the wedding business and improve the professionalism of members.

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New Jersey Association of Bridal Consultants

Association of Bridal Consultants

Websites of Guests on today’s episode:


Bride Ideas
The Finishing Touch Wedding and Event Planning 
Officiant Julie Laudicina
Timothy Glenn Photographers


Participating Vendors (in alphabetical order):
All the Best Weddings and Celebrations,
Christine Hyder Events
Confectionary Designs of Bogota, 
Craig Scott Entertainment of Rochelle Park
Dynamite FX
Elegant Ensembles of Closter,
Magda's Designs
Mariya Molduvanova of Lakewood
Multi-Vision
Ocean Tents & Party Rentals of Manahawkin, 
Paper Works & Events of Engelwood,
Rohsler's Allendale Nursery & Florist

Select Event Rentals

Taylor Nicole Events

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Meet the Masters with Wedding cake designer Ron Ben-Israel

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