Wedding & event inspiration, ideas and all things creative!
Oh, wait! Come back here!
In honor of the all the snowstorms we’ve had here in Chicago recently, I figured it’s time to post a winter wonderland post. Planning a winter wedding? You’re in luck, Snow White…because I just found this fabulous inspiration board from Lucky Me!
To read more about it, go HERE, and don’t forget to check out the rest of that blog…great inspiration!
I love these fabulously unique ideas I recently found at The Nest!
Serving mojitos as your signature cocktail at your wedding? Why not let your guests take a little bit of mojito love home with them, with these cool favors?
Their signature drink being the mojito, Christie and Owen from Toronto gave their guests “Mojito Kits“, including their favorite mojito recipe and a muddler!
What a perfect favor. To see more of their pictures, go HERE!
Shayna and Chris from Denver got creative and asked two friends to snap photos of guests with a polaroid.
The guests then received their placecards in exchange of having their photos placed on a clothesline!
To see more of their pictures, go HERE!
Don’t you just love it when you run across an idea you’ve never seen before? It just makes my day! Looking for more inspiration? Check out www.theknot.com, and www.thenest.com - jam packed, darlings!
…With Jaw-Dropping Dresses!
Gone are the days where bridesmaids get stuck wearing ugly dresses.
Now are the days where brides are allowing their girls to get sexy, flirty, frilly, or funky! And black is back.
Designers are going with the flow…making dresses a little more appealing, and a lot more fun.
I’m loving this black satin and lace halter trumpet gown (above) from Jim Hjelm Occasions…very sexy and elegant - you can’t go wrong with lace. My favorite part is the open back…truly stunning!
Or how about this little black number?
Tea-length dresses are becoming more and more popular.
With the v-neck and wrap around empire bodice, it’s super sweet!
No matter what your style, Jim Hjelm has got your girls covered and ready to make everyone happy.
Both of these dresses are available in different colors. To see these and more, go to www.jimhjelmoccasions.com!
Get Your Cupcake On.
What’s wrong? You don’t have time to decorate all those cupcakes? Fear not, just order some Cupcake Caps!
Made from sugar (yes, they’re edible), these cupcake caps are perfect for decorating cupcakes for all your special occasions, whether it’s for a wedding, shower, holiday or birthday! And they’re easy to bite into…simply lovely!
Coming in all different colors with different designs to choose from, they’re the perfect answer if you’re not exactly, uh, ”Martha”. You can even have them monogrammed! How sweet is that?
Order yours online at Cupcake Caps for only $12/dozen!
To see more pictures of fabulously decorated cupcakes from Cupcake Caps, go HERE.
You know this girl has her days where the inspiration just isn’t flowing (I think that means I need to step back and take a little break, and let life inspire me). So what’s a girl to do? LAUGH! Come on…you know you need a good laugh. Or at least a smile…so let’s smile and laugh together…
First, I bring you one of my favorite bands…”Last Fast Action“, from Chicago. Here, they teach you how to have pearly whites for your wedding day. But that’s not why I love them. I love them because they’re a great band. Wanna hear their music? Go HERE!
But first, watch this video they created…I wonder how long it took them to get it right?! lol It’s hilarious. Enjoy!
Next I provide you with these saucy little lizards from the SoBe “Life Water” commercial. Apparently I missed this during the Super Bowl this year. Oops. Learn more about this yummy thirstification (yes, that’s a word from the Jaime Dictionary) HERE.
Clink - Clink!
If there’s one thing I registered for when we got married, it was stemware! I couldn’t put the registry gun down - I just adore stemware…and it adores my kitchen cabinets.
I’d be in a store, as if stemware could talk, it would start yelling out to me, “Oh, yeh, baby…you know you want me“, and I’d have to get it. The hilarious thing is that I really don’t even drink that often!
But fear not my fine-feathered friends, if I ever need to throw a big cocktail party, I’ll surely have the stemware covered. You can just bring the champagne, ok? That’s right. Cocktail party. Not dinner party…because this girl does not cook…but that’s another story.
There’s something about stemware I love…which is why I ended up apparently collecting it. One of the things I love most about it is that it allows you to toast to good things.
When I stumbled upon this stemware from Bloomingdales, discovered at Inside Weddings, I knew I had to share it with you!
It’s a collection of glassware from Orrefors…and each glass comes with a silver ring around the stem that says “Amor Vincit Omnia” - Love Conquers All. Can it get any more romantic than that?!
To read more about it, click HERE. To purchase or register for these, go HERE.
Now here’s a toast from me to all of you…I wish you all the blessings for a long, happy, healthy life together. Amor Vincit Omnia! Cheers! -Jaime
Let your inner artist shine on your wedding day, by creating artwork for your guests to sign.
The couple created this lovely piece so they could treasure it & display forever. I LOVE the creativity! To read more about this, how they made it, and how else they used it (it’s way cool), check out THIS post by Love and Splendor!
I SO love this. So much. Did I mention I love this? Yeh, well, I do.
This week I noticed several blogs with great inspiration for letting nature help you mold your event. I’m not calling it green, instead I’m calling it what it is…beautiful, fresh and calming nature.
Like a kid imagining different shapes in the clouds, I stared at these pictures imagining the events that could be created around these images. Take a look!
2. Yum Sugar
4. BBJ Linen (The Shedd Aquarium in Chicago)
5. Jessamyn Harris Photography
Introducing Our New Guest Blogger & Letterpress Expert Denise at Bellis Studios!
I’m happy to welcome my favorite letterpress designer, Denise, owner and operator of Bellis Studios! With her amazing talent and incredible eye for design and color, she creates exquisitely unique letterpress stationery and invitations. Recently featured in the Spring 2008 issue of Bride & Bloom Magazine, along with other press, she’s on her way to letterpress stardom!
I am so excited to not only introduce Denise as a fabulous designer you should know, but also as our new guest blogger!
Denise will be stopping by to share with us her creations, inspirations, thoughts and ideas.
She’ll be giving us her expert advice and tips on letterpress, color, and design.
Getting married? If you have any questions about how to choose your wedding stationery, just contact us! We may just feature your question and the answer on this blog!
In love with letterpress? Let us know your thoughts and ideas, and we’ll be happy to share them!
Learn more about Denise and Bellis Studios HERE and at HERE! Want to read more about letterpress? See what Denise has to say about it HERE!
Don’t forget to check out her site, shop and her blog:
www.bellisstudios.com & www.bellisblog.com
Hi all! My name is Denise and I’m really excited that Jaime asked me to be a guest blogger here. I am a designer and letterpress printer. From time to time, I’ll be bringing you design tips…mainly to help you with your wedding stationery selection. But I’ll also throw in some color and design theory to help you pull your whole day together. When I stumble across a great indie find, I’ll bring that your way too!
…With Karen Smallbone!
“Everything you need to create beautiful and unique favors.” - I have to agree.
Lollipops, boxes, containers, tins, cases, accents, candles and ribbon. Custom labels, custom designs and custom notebooks. So fresh, so clean, so perfectly sweet & simple! Karen Smallbone really knows how to make things look pretty!
Check out her ideas, inspiration, shop, blog & more at www.karensmallbone.com!
If you loved the whirly hanging candleholders that Jo Gartin used in the picture from my last post, you’re in luck!
Just head on over to CB2! If you take a little looksie, you’ll find they sell these lovely hanging candleholders in both clear and silver, starting at only $3.95/pc.!
The possibilities are limitless, hang them from trees, centerpieces, doorways, or ceilings! Or, make little chandeliers by using several of them together.
The best thing about these? You could so easily use them even after the wedding, by hanging them in the corners of your bedroom or anywhere else in your home.
These little lighting loves are sure to make any event or home feel comfy, cozy and chill. They would also make a great gift! Who doesn’t love different ways to display candlelight?
LOVE them!
Read more about them and get yours at: www.cb2.com!
…With Inspiration From Jo Gartin, Celebrity Planner!
There are so many amazing event planners out there, who can whip up some fabulous ideas just by paying attention to detail. Ones who can really help make an event “eventful“.
One event planner who truly inspires me is Jo Gartin.
I discovered her after reading about her at In Style Weddings. They featured her as their celebrity planner pick recently, and here’s what they had to say:
‘Jo Gartin and her L.A. firm, Love, Luck and Angels, have orchestrated weddings for such stars as Tori Spelling, Molly Shannon and Elizabeth Banks. “I take a less traditional approach,” says Gartin, “and offer my brides unexpected ideas. I also look for ways to achieve maximum results while working within their budget.’
- In Style Weddings
Jo Gartin also has a wonderful book you can buy, called “Jo Gartin’s Weddings“, filled with loads of inspiration, tips, and advice. Interested? Get your copy at: Amazon!
Here are a few of my favorite details and styles by Jo Gartin:
For more inspiration from this talented planner, check out her site at: Love, Luck and Angels!
I’m tagging: Chitown Bride, A Windy City Wedding, Mel Barlow, In This Instance, and The Bride’s Cafe!
This Girl Can Make Your Centerpieces Look Fabulous…
…For Next To Nothing!
Stressing out about how you’re going to afford centerpieces for each table at your wedding or event? Stress your sweet little heads no more, because Rachael Ray is here to help you save your day, and your money!
Check out some of these very crafty and affordable ideas…they’re super easy and super duper lovely! Did I just say, “super duper”? Wow. Here are a few of my favorite ideas and how-to’s from this domestic goddess. Be sure to check her site for even more inspiration for not only decor, but themes, food and drinks too!
Bargain Blooms!
“Daring designer Genevieve Gorder works decorating miracles on The Learning Channel’s Trading Spaces , and she did the same with this month’s centerpiece: Her arrangement comes together for about $6!
The ingredients: a cheap bunch of supermarket flowers, a bag of colorful dried beans and some tall glasses from your cabinet. Fill each glass with a 2- to 3-inch layer of beans and add a few tablespoons of water. Trim one flower stem to fit inside each glass, then arrange the “vases” down the center of the table.”
Revealing Glance!
”Designer Lulu Guinness, famous for her whimsical accessories, put her usual flair on the table when she came up with this month’s centerpiece—votive candles and a vintage mirror with lavender roses.
To re-create the look, use your favorite flowers and any candles and mirrors. If you’re worried about having food stuck in your teeth, a glance at the table will reveal all.”
Bean There!
“As long as you’re stocking up on staples for cold-weather soups, pick up an extra bag of lentils for this easy centerpiece.
Designer Mark Brunetz—who helps bring order to homes on The Style Network show Clean House—grabs some juice glasses and orange votive candles and ties it all together with raffia from the craft store.”
A Touch Of Glass!
“No need to buy votive candleholders: Just grab juice glasses instead. Arrange the tealights in a line along a mantel or down your table for instant mood lighting. Avoid scented candles — they’ll compete with the delicious smell of your meal.” - Rachael Ray
All images and quotes thanks to: Every Day With Rachael Ray!
I’m always trying to find creative inspiration for events. When I came across this lovely idea, I couldn’t help but share it!
How simple would it be to hang these in an entryway for when guests arrive? All you’d need is a little paper, ribbon, fishing wire and some flowers (which you could easily find at your local craft store).
Simple, maybe…but definitely time consuming. However, seeing the end result, well worth the time and love put into it.
This idea I originally found on one of my favorite blogs, “In This Instance“, who actually came up with the idea from another great blog, “Enjoy Celebrations and Occasions“.
I love how the blogging community shares such wonderful ideas with eachother. It makes the world a bit more creative, a little more special, and a lot more enjoyable!
The designer of this creative project used the words “Love“, “Joy” and “Welcome” in different languages. I imagine you could get creative with the words you use, maybe words to even describe what love is. Hmm…something to ponder!
Thank you “In This Instance” and “Enjoy Celebrations and Occasions” for your wonderful inspiration!
Or shall I say “thank you” in languages from my family?
Dziekuje! (Polish)
Dêkuji! (Czech) & Tack så mycket! (Swedish)
Update: Ms. Polka from www.polkadotbride.com just came up with a fabulous idea for these cards! She mentioned how you might also be able to use them as cards for wishes to be written on. How sweet is that? Thanks, Ms. Polka!
Today I was lucky to stumble on this lovely wedding inspiration blog, Huckleberry Karen Designs.
You know how excited you get when you find a blog that totally fits everything you’ve been looking for? Well, this blog does just that.
It’s filled with tons of pictures, inspiration, and themes! She dedicates the blog to all of those who love flowers and invitations.
So check it out! Take some time to sit down, get comfy, and browse this blog.
You might just get inspired and find exactly what you were looking for! Happy planning!
I absolutely love a good love story!
After watching this preview of “Becoming Jane“ on Strapless Living, I wonder, how have I not seen this movie yet?! Well, good news, it’s finally out on DVD in the U.S.
“I’m yours, Jane, heart and soul!”
~ Tom Lefroy to Jane Austen, “Becoming Jane” - AWWWW!
Interested? Learn more about the movie at:
The band,”Vertical Horizon” once sang, “You’re a god, and I am not…”.
Well, if there were a “color god”, it would probably be Hue Consulting!
Trying to come up with a color scheme for your special event, or just trying to paint a few walls? Visit the Hue Consulting blog, a great reference for all your colorful inspiration needs!
Now for some vertical and colorful inspiration…
I love the idea of hanging streamers or ribbon from tree branches for an event.
Can you believe those are actually hanging paint samples!? It’s true! Time consuming, I’m sure, to put together nicely, but obviously it can be done…what a creative idea!
Today I stumbled upon this awesome shop called:
This oh-so-fabulous shop sells stylish, chic, cool & quirky cocktail napkins, guest towels, coasters, placemats, napkin holders, wine tags, & more!
With a variety of different colors, patterns & options to personalize, you’re sure to find something you love.
Perfect for any special occasion, ”To Bee Named” has products to dress up the bar at your wedding reception or the tables at a shower! Your guests will surely be impressed by your sense of style & attention to details! These would also make great gifts.
Want to see more patterns, colors & products by “To Bee Named“?
Go HERE now!
“Turkish (female) designer Meric Kara has just figured out how to tell all those ex-boyfriends that they’re not invited.” - Pink Cloud Events
Oh. My. Goodness. Can you IMAGINE???
Have you ever watched the new hit show on ABC, “Cashmere Mafia“? I could SO picture one of those lovely ladies giving this to someone….couldn’t you?
To see more ways to let your ex down easily, go HERE, and scroll all the way to the right!
Whaaaaaat….the?
Dinner in the sky? Yep, you heard me right! I don’t think it gets any stranger than this. I have to wonder…if you were to have your wedding reception in the sky, would anybody even be brave enough to attend?
All I gotta say is, if I’m walking around town and all of a sudden a big ol’ piece of wedding cake falls on my head, it better be chocolate! lol
Intrigued? Find out more at: www.dinnerinthesky.com!
Have you checked out some of the new items at Z Gallerie lately?
They’ve got you covered for your next wedding, party or other event! Take a look!
Anne Tantor Flasks -
$21.95 each, with fabulous retro-women sayings:
“I’m so happy it’s happy hour”, “Ta-da! Now let’s have a cocktail!”, “Surely it must be 5 o’clock somewhere” and “medicated and motivated”.
These would make adorable bridesmaid gifts!
Marquis Salt & Pepper Shakers - $19.95
Sparkling with two sides of jewels.
These would be too sweet on your head table, or if you can spare the change, would dress up any table nicely!
Lite Cube Fruit Slices - $15.95/Set of four
These would make great garnishes for cocktails at your reception.
These LED lighted fruit slices come in four different colors, with three different blinking options. Way cool.
Walk This Way!
The 4th Annual Hinsdale Wedding Walk Is Coming Soon…
Hey Chicago brides! It’s time to have some wedding fun! On March 2nd, the shops of Hinsdale are opening their doors for 3 hours of bridal bliss!
Invitation designers, florists, bakers, wedding planners, registry experts, beauty specialists, fashionista’s and more will share the latest wedding trends with you & friends. So grab a latte and walk along with other brides as your engagement is celebrated. Receive fabulous and creative inspirations for your perfect wedding!
Were you that girl from ”27 Dresses“? Why not create some extra space in your closet by doing a good deed?! Bring your bridesmaids dress (in good shape), donate it to Cinderella’s Closet, and be entered into a raffle for a Spa & Makeover valued at $430 courtesy of Zazú Salon & Day Spa.
Find out more at: Hinsdale Wedding Resource!
This is a touching story…and I hope it helps all of you put things into perspective when planning your wedding. This is a true story, about unconditional love.
”Katie Kirkpatrick, 21, held off cancer to celebrate the happiest day of her life. Katie had chased cancer, once only to have it return-to clog her lungs and grab hold of her heart. Breathing was difficult now, she had to use oxygen. The pain in her back was so intense it broke through the morphine that was supposed to act as a shield. Her organs were shutting down but it would not stop her from marrying Nick Godwin, 23, who was in love with Katie since 11th grade. Five days after the wedding, Kate died.” - Bride Diva.
Read the entire story HERE.
God Bless Katie, Nick, and their families.
No matter the flowers, the venue, the food, the dress…what really matters is your love. As long as you have love at your wedding, it will be a very special, beautiful and wonderful day. Want to see more pictures? Go HERE now.
This Valentine’s Day I decided to get out the construction paper, cut out a bunch of pink and red hearts, and decorate as if I were five years old again. It was so much fun!
The hubby surprised me with a wonderful dinner at one of our favorite restaurants, then we came home, watched a romantic movie and just chilled over some wine. I love being in love!
Valentine’s Day is also special to us, because it’s the day my husband proposed to me, while in Disney World!
We’ve been married 5 years now, together for 10. I’m indeed blessed!
These are some pictures of my morning-of last-minute decorating…lol. Do you still decorate for Valentine’s Day?
“Grow Old With Me, The Best Is Yet To Be…”
Happy Valentine’s Day Everyone!
Whether you’re in a relationship with someone you love, or celebrating today with friends or family and lots of people who love you, I hope you have a wonderful day filled with lots of love.
Yay for mushy holidays! Off to cuddle!
Ok, I get it. I started to understand that no matter how happy you are about your wedding day, fiance, or marriage, there will always be people who look at you like you’re nuts for even thinking about getting married.
Yes, I’m sure you’ve witnessed it too…people you run into at the gas station ask you, “Why on earth would you want to get married?!”, when you tell them you’re engaged. Fine…ha ha, funny funny…but after hearing so many bitter jokes, it starts to get old.
Sure, maybe their marriage didn’t work out. Guess what? That doesn’t mean yours won’t. I used to get upset when random people would joke about it…after hearing it so often. It was no longer a joke to me. So one time I finally said, “Ok, well fine, then. If you think having a wedding and getting married is such a horrible idea, then you don’t have to come to the wedding, ok?”. That shut them up real quickly. Although now I realize I might have just been a little emotional that day…ha ha. Whoopsie daisies! Hey, I’m only human!
I don’t know about you, but I only wanted people at our wedding who were supportive of our love. Don’t let anyone bring you down…but try to know the difference between wedding bashing and wedding jokes…it’s hard. Most people don’t mean any harm by their words…they just think they’re funny. But if they continue to knock your decision to marry, then feel free to throw something at them. HA!
(Planning can, at times, get stressful. Stress can sometimes make you become a tad emotional…so go home, relax, and take a bubble bath. Say it with me, “Calgon, take me away!”.)
Photoshopped magazine cover found at: www.ihateweddings.com.
Part Four
Now that the tables are covered (no pun intended..ha ha), now it’s time for some fun, unique decor and ideas! Enjoy!
1. Pure elegance.
2. It’s time for the perculator…(am I the only one that remembers that song?) ha ha. How cool would it be to have one of these at your wedding? Surely the party would go on all night long with the help from this lovely piece!
3. Different chair covers…
That’s all, folks! Hope you enjoyed…while everyone has different tastes, I did truly love some of the decor/centerpieces. What were your favorites out of the four parts? I’d love to hear!
Happy planning!
Part Three
1. Again, adding glamour by adding pieces…
2. For the martini lover…
3. Rustic Love…
Part Two
1. This was one of my favorite table designs. It’s so fresh looking, and I love how they used several pieces to complete the look!
2. Colored with love…
3. So very “zen“.
4. Turn It On.
Part One
Each table was designed by different florists and event planners. Simply beautiful!
1. The Sweetheart Table…very romantic!
2. I love how vibrant this centerpiece looks against the darker table cover. So beautiful!
3. Lovely hues of pinks, oranges and greens…
4. Simplicity at it’s best. Yes, sometimes less is more!
This past weekend I enjoyed a bridal show and tasting at The Hyatt Lodge at McDonald’s Campus (see previous post).
I was definitely my “cup of tea”, as I got to meet many new vendors, experience amazing food, enjoy delicious wedding cake and complimentary champagne. Did I mention the goody bag? I could get used to this!
Of course I took pictures to share with you, which I’ll include over several posts. Hope you enjoy!
Thank you for the goody bag, Jane’s Blue Iris Ltd.!
“I’m lovin’ it!”
The other day I had the pleasure of going to a bridal show and tasting for a couple at the The Hyatt Lodge at McDonald’s Campus.
When the bride told me they were getting married at McDonald’s, I had no idea that it was actually a beautiful hotel!
I had images in my head of the couple giving Happy Meal Toys as favors for their guests! If you knew this bride, you’d know she’s a very classy lady, but is also adorably funny…so I wouldn’t put it past her.
This place was definitely not a fast-food joint, but a rather lovely joint! The food at the tasting was SO very yummy. Everything was delicious and the service was outstanding.
So if you’re planning a wedding near Chicago and still need to find a wedding location, check out The Hyatt Lodge website, or stop by for a visit. You’ll absolutely love it, and so will your guests!
My friend is just about to have her baby, and when I got the phone call, I was in the middle of dreaming that she had a girl!
In honor of her new baby possibly being a girl…I thought I’d post a lovely pink bouquet.
But who knows…it could be a boy, so if that’s the case, you might be seeing a blue bouquet later!
Say prayers for a safe delivery & a healthy baby!
Photos from: www.theknot.com!
UPDATE:
Nope, I was dreaming wrong!
She delivered a baby BOY today!
In honor of her new son, here is a delightful blue bouquet. Welcome to the world, little dude!
You’ve got to check out the lovely letterpress tags inside the latest Spring 2008 issue of “Bride & Bloom” magazine!
Tag #1 shown (pg.19) was created by my favorite letterpress designer from Bellis Studios.
I simply adore her work. These tags would add the perfect little touch of sunshine to any gift bag!
Getting married? Why not use these pretty little tags to add to your bridal party gifts? Bellis has also created cards and coasters that coordinate with these tags, which would be a nice little way to thank them for standing up.
“Trying to come up with an interesting way to package your wedding favors? How about thinking outside the box (pun intended). Get creative with unique gift tags! Gigantic in size, unexpected in texture, or just plain pretty - any way you go, your guests will love stylishly fun tags.”
- Bride & Bloom Magazine
Bellis Studios also creates other beautiful stationery designs, check out her new shop to see! Want to learn more about Bellis Studios and even get a discount to her shop? Read her blog HERE, and don’t forget to have a sunshiney day!
Is This Reality?
So you think you want to be a weddings and events planner? I know. I get it, because I too want to be a professional event planner someday. I truly do, with all my heart! However, before jumping into it blinded, I’m learning more about it. I want to make sure this is the right career decision I’m making (I mean, am I really ready to take the punches some brides are sure to throw?).
Maybe planning events and weddings is my passion now, but am I ready to roll with the big dogs? Ask me that in a few years, and I’ll say yes. For now, I have so much more to learn. It’s not as easy as it looks. It takes a lot of hard work and I understand that. I’m currently researching the industry every day and trying to get as much experience as I can through events for friends and family. But that’s the easy stuff (Uh, yeh…totally not able to compare that to working with strangers).
I hope the opportunity comes along where I can intern with several differnet vendors to learn each aspect of the business hands-on. I’m slowly but truly starting to put together a portfolio of weddings and events I’ve planned so far. I’m looking into programs to refine my organizational skills, as those skills are key. I’m also looking into taking different courses to learn more. The goal is to start small, and grow big. I’ll make it happen. But it takes time. Ha ha…funny how I’m planning how I’m going to plan.
How did I get inspired? Well, I fell in love with planning the first day I started to plan our wedding. When our amazing wedding day was over, I didn’t want to stop planning. So I didn’t. I went on to plan parties, showers and weddings for friends and family. Then I started to blog about it. Through blogging, I’ve been introduced to several very talented event planning professionals, who have inspired me even more. It’s become an obsession…I LOVE weddings. I LOVE parties. Sign me up, I’m in!
First, let me share with you a new “reality” tv show which I find very entertaining! “Top This Party” on Lifetime. “Top This Party” follows event planners Brian Dobbin in Orange County, CA. and Brian “Breakfast” Rice in Las Vegas, NV. as they produce these spectacular parties for their very elite clientele.
While I find this show amusing, I have to wonder - is this reality? I mean how many of these clients, who are willing to spend millions of dollars on a single event, are really out there? Obviously this represents the elite, but where does that distinction begin? I think one of the most important things is understanding how to manage people, and knowing how to meet a clients’ needs without allowing them to walk all over you.
In this show, the clients expect miracles to happen. They often expect the impossible. My question is what happens if you cannot make these miracles happen? I mean, where do you draw the line? Is there a line to be drawn? Obviously clients deserve the majority of their expectations to be met based on their budget, but what happens when it’s unrealistic? While this question might seem daunting, for me the challenge is the excitement.
As I watch the show, I see where the planners may have gone wrong in dealing with their clients. I think the first priority in any meeting should be defining what the client is looking for, what the budget is, and how they see the outcome of the event. If you ask these simple questions, I feel that a lot of problems could be avoided. While I am no expert on the subject, I think a little common sense would go a long way. What do you guys think?
Watch this video interview with Brian Dobbin, as he explains what he does, and how he does it. Then watch what you’ve missed either On-line or On Demand. Stay tuned and watch it every Friday at 10 & 10:30 pm et/pt.
Happy planning!
Come On Out, Stubborn Little One!
No, darlings, I’m not having a baby…but my best friend is!!!
I just got the call - she thinks her water just broke. She’s past her due date, so she might very well have her baby tonight!
Say some prayers with me for a safe delivery and healthy baby!
Adorable baby pictures soon to come…
UPDATE: Nope. Still no baby!!! False alarm, which I guess is common. Hey, better to be safe than sorry, right? She still thinks it might happen this weekend, though! We shall see…
LATEST UPDATE: YAY! She had her baby today, 2/11/08! 6lbs, 15oz, 21″ long. Little Zachary. He’s just sooo adorable! Mother and baby are doing well. He’s a sweetie…here’s a picture of him just a few hours old!
Welcome to the world, little one!
I personally never used to be a big fan of the color purple. It’s pretty, but I never thought about decorating with it.
Then I came across these glorious pictures from David Tutera’s Purple Party. Simply showstopping!
I especially love the use of purple and red together…it gives this event such a deep, rich feel. And the candlelight just tops it off!
It appears they used flowers, but I bet you could get the same great look for less at your event by creating a runner out of purple and red tissue paper, maybe even throw in some purple feathers!
Of course, don’t forget to practice candle safety!
To see more of this Flickr Set, go HERE!
It’s winter. If you’re from Chicago, like me, you’re probably getting to enjoy the lovely white (almost 2 feet of) snow we’ve gotten in the past week! And if you’re like me, you’re hopefully trying to see the beauty of this snow, instead of getting upset over how much money you’ve spent on salt already!
The houses are covered with what looks like fondant icing on a cake, while the evergreen trees look almost mystical as they carry the weight from the crystaling snow. It truly is a breathtaking site to see!
However, if you’re like me, you’re probably wishing the smell of Spring would be hear sooner. While we’ve got a few more months left to go before that happens, there’s still hope!
While shopping at Carson’s the other day, this wonderful aroma took over as I rode down the escalator. It smelled like Spring! I couldn’t pin-point where it was coming from, as the perfume department was right below me.
It wasn’t a perfume. And it surely wasn’t the weather! No, it wasn’t Superman either. I had finally found it, a beautiful stand with an array of candles and potpourri. Aaaaahhhh….Heavenly!
Let me introduce you to my new favorite scented candle. The “Smell Of Spring” candle by Aromatique!
This scent-sational collection offers several different sized jar candles and potpourri to bring home and relax those winter blues. The votive jar candles I bought smell of spring flowers and hyacinth…and they burn for up to 18 hours!
Go now. Smell. Buy. And enjoy the “Smell Of Spring”!
Not only is this collection perfect for Valentine’s Day, it would also make the perfect bridesmaid gift!