COCKTAIL SAX JAZZ BAND - Paul Thomas

The e-vents team & the Sheraton are thrilled to have COCKTAIL SAX JAZZ BAND as one of our featured vendors at THE Indy Area Vendor Showcase - Bridal Event 2009.
The owner, Paul Thomas, has kindly dropped by for a chat and to let you know a little bit more about his band. Here is a bit about the band from their website -"Cocktail Sax is an elegant jazz band playing in the Indianapolis area creating special memorable events. We play a variety of Corporate Events and Receptions, Wedding Receptions, Private Parties, Jazz and Music Festivals, and local jazz restaurants/clubs. As an Indianapolis Jazz Band, our great musicians consist of a sax player, keyboards, drums and jazz bass enhance your event to add a sophisticated and stylish atmosphere. We provide the music to make your event high energy or mellow smooth jazz whichever you desire to facilitate the ideal special event.
We specialize in jazz and play popular variety songs with musical styles from big band, love songs, and smooth jazz sounds. The band is composed of saxophones, keyboard, bass and drums with optional male or female vocals as the need demands."

e-vents: Thanks for dropping by! How long have you been in the business?
Paul Thomas: We started in 2007, went full time in Jan 2008

e-vents:What was the inspiration for the name of your company?

Paul Thomas:We wanted to create a band focused on Cocktail Receptions, to be the best Cocktail Reception band in the market. We wanted to highlight that we are more than a jazz trio by adding in the sultry saxophone sound. So, Cocktail Sax became the name.

e-vents:What services/products do you provide?

Paul Thomas: We focus on providing elegant classic live music for Cocktail Receptions and parties. We also DJ. So, we bring a new option to the market if needed… Live Band plus DJ. Elegant live band for 2 hours then DJ time for the wild party.We also have an extensive Event Lighting business. We provide Dance lighting or Event Lighting for small and medium sized events. We work to bring unique lighting to help make an event sparkle.

e-vents: What has been your greatest accomplishment thus far?

Paul Thomas: 100% happy clients. I expected a few unhappy, but that hasn’t happened. We have been received incredibly well in the market. People of all ages really enjoy the music.

e-vents: What is the current trend in your industry?

Paul Thomas: Downsizing. People are having budget issues with having live entertainment at their events.This actually is working in our favor.We are much less expensive than larger Party bands, so as people look for an alternative to an expensive Party band, they find us.. our music… and our price very attractive.

e-vents:Describe your musical style……

Paul Thomas:We are known as Michael Buble, Nora Jones, Frank Sinatra, Rat Pack style music. We play elegant classic jazz music with sultry saxophone, keyboards, bass and drum… optional vocals if needed.

e-vents: Favorite song?

Paul Thomas: Fly me to the Moon – everyone loves this song

e-vents: Most requested song?

Paul Thomas: Fly me to the Moon – everyone asks for this song

e-vents: Suggestions for clients when preparing for an event?

Paul Thomas: Have a theme… if there is a theme, we will try to work the music around the theme.. or have special music for a special moment at the event. If the client has a special song they want, we do it…

e-vents: Final words?

Paul Thomas: Our rates typically range from $300 - $1,500 for an event.. depending on number of musicians and length of the event…

Paul - Thanks again for stopping by and giving us a little insight into your band.
Readers, be sure to check out samples of music from COCKTAIL SAX JAZZ BAND here. You can also find COCKTAIL SAX JAZZ BAND at THE Indy Area Vendor Showcase- Bridal Event on March 29th. The'll be located in the faboulous "LOUNGE". Come hear their music as well as experience their event lighting!

Photo credits: Cocktail Sax Jazz Band website and on3 Photography

BLOG DISCOUNT ON TIX

Planning on attending THE Indy Area Vendor Showcase - BRIDE SHOW 2009? We are offering a special BLOG reader only discount until 2/14/2009. Pre-register at the link to the right and enter the code "BLOG" to receive your $1 OFF discount.
What a great deal - $4 for an afternoon of pure bridal delight.
Be sure to let your friends know!
Remember discount code ends 2/14/2009!

lemongrass photography - OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHER

I absolutely love great photography. I could and have sat for hours looking on line at photographers websites. Imagine my thrill when I was introduced to Jessica Milano - Limeberry of lemongrass photography. Lindsey Scrivner of Bustle Event Design introduced us and I fell in love with her photographs. Her work is fresh and captures the true essence of every person she photographs. She loves her work and it is quite evident. That is one of the many reasons lemongrass photography was chosen as THE OFFICIAL photographer for THE Indy Area Vendor Showcase - Bridal Event. You all may remember the feature we did on Molly Milano, e-vents assistant. Well, Jessica and Molly are sisters! I am so happy to know each of you.

Jessica was kind enough to answer a few questions about her company. I've sprinkled in few of her shots, but take a look at the site for much more!

e-vents: How long have you been in the business?

Jessica Milano- Limeberry: Lemongrass started in 2006, after I graduated from DePauw University. I began doing mostly portraits, but have since moved into weddings, which I love!

e-vents: What was the inspiration for the name of your company?

Jessica Milano - Limeberry: Lemongrass was actually the color of my wedding! My favorite color is green, and when we picked a color, it was named lemongrass green, and it stuck! Our last name is Limeberry, so it seemed only fitting!

e-vents: What services/products do you provide?

Jessica Milano - Limeberry: I specialize in both portraits and weddings, and offer a wide variety of guest books, albums, canvases, and prints.

e-vents: What has been your greatest accomplishment thus far?

Jessica Milano - Limeberry: When I started Lemongrass, I thought it would be a great side business, but it has grown so fast, and I am so grateful! I think my greatest accomplishment is seeing the faces and reading the emails from brides who love their pictures. Knowing that they will be able to look through their album for the rest of their life, and still feel the love and excitement they felt on their wedding day, is so rewarding!

e-vents: What is the current trend in your industry?

Jessica Milano - Limeberry: I actually thing the big “trend” is to be trend-less! To me, and to the industry, it is important to make the images personal. I do all of my work on location and I work really hard to find a location that fits with that specific person or couple, and a place that will help them feel comfortable. It is my top priority that everyone’s photographs are personal and when they look at them they say, “that is so us!” This makes everyone’s images different, and keeps me on my toes, always striving to come up with new things.

e-vents: Describe your photography style……

Jessica Milano - Limeberry: My style is fresh, light, and a little classic. I want to produce images that will be beautiful forever. I love to mix a little photojournalism in with a more contemporary style. I like the focus to be simple, and don’t crowd the image with tons of extras. I like a modern, crisp, clean look.

e-vents: Suggestions for clients when preparing for a session ?

Jessica Milano - Limeberry: The most important thing is to feel yourself! Wear clothes make you comfortable and confident, and try to forget about me or the camera. Make the day special, eat your favorite foods, pamper yourself, get a manicure, get your makeup done, even if it isn’t your wedding day! Enjoy your self! Don’t worry about looking at the camera and smiling or saying “cheese”, just do what is natural, laugh, hug, kiss… the smiles will come naturally, and they will be beautiful!

e-vents: Suggestions for couples- to- be?

Jessica Milano - Limeberry: Love every second you are together! Weddings are so magical. I have been to the most amazing weddings and the best advice I can give, is to make it about you! Don’t worry about pleasing 300 people, just make it special to you. Weather you have a huge budget, or a tiny one. There are so many small personal touches, that can really make a wedding over the top. Even if that is just having your favorite food at the wedding, or having a non-traditional first dance, or going to a special spot for your pictures, little things can make a big difference!

e-vents: Final words?

Jessica Milano - Limeberry: I am so honored to be a part of peoples lives, whether it is their wedding day, their baby’s first pictures, high school graduation, or getting together with their entire family for that always overdue family photo. I couldn't have a better job, or have the opportunity to work with more beautiful, wonderful people.

Jessica, thanks again for stopping by and sharing.
Readers, please be sure to check out more on the lemongrass photography website. Stop by and visit her at her booth at the showcase as well.

A little background.......

I have always love planning a party. The best part is when everyone gets to know each other ... people they may not have normally met under different circumstances. I also LOVE wedding vendors and ALL things weddings. I have met some amazing people in the wedding industry here in Indy. I thought it would be amazing to have some of my favorite vendors in one place - where brides and others could get to meet them as well. Just so happens that one of my favorite people, Gina Beasley from the Sheraton City Centre Indianapolis and my new friends, Pam and Chassity from the Sheraton City Centre had the same idea.

Seems they used to do a BRIDAL SHOW years ago and wanted to do it again. I am honored that they wanted e-vents: a wedding and event planning boutique plan this with them.

The Sheraton is completing renovations on the 21st floor - home to the beautiful Panorama Room. This venue is a favorite among Indy area brides. The veiws from the floor to ceiling windows is SPECTACULAR!!!

This blog will serve as an area where we will keep you informed on the vendors involved. Who knows , we may even have a few contests as well......... Stay tuned.

THE INDY AREA VENDOR SHOWCASE - BRIDAL SHOW 2009

THE Indy Area Vendor Showcase – BRIDAL SHOW 2009


When: Sunday, March 29th, 2009
Time: 12pm – 5pm
Where: The Sheraton City Center
31 West Ohio Street
21st Floor
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204
Cost: $5/attendee a portion of the proceeds to benefit THE PINK ENVELOPE PROJECT


Come and tour the newly renovated 21st Floor of The Sheraton Hotel City Centre. The Panorama Room is a favorite among area brides with it’s spectacular views of Indianapolis. You’ll meet some of Indys best wedding and event vendors from photographers and videographers to invitation, cake and floral designers and get wonderful ideas from e-vents: a wedding and event planning boutique for beautiful table scapes and decor. Enjoy over the top extras such as free champagne and food samples, photo booths, entertainment and spa services. We’ll even have a mini chapel set up. It is a great way to meet area vendors. You may find the vendor you are looking for! Better yet, youll be helping a GREAT cause The Pink Envelope Project - a division of Making Memories Breast Cancer Foundation. You’ll also have a chance to win some fantastic prizes including free hotel stays, event planning, free engagement or photo sessions,makeup makeovers, spa products and services, i-tunes gift cards and MUCH, MUCH more.Early bird registration entitles you to even more prize entries.
The first 100 brides to register will receive THE Bridal Swag Bag full of great items!


Register online at http://indyareavendorshowcase.eventbrite.com/