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I rarely post when it's not wedding related but this is one worth posted. "Everyone can support the fight against heart disease in women by wearing red on National Wear Red Day, next Friday, Feb. 6, 2009. It's a simple, powerful way to raise awareness of heart disease and stroke.
Go to: goredforwomen.org for more information on how you can protect & empower yourself & the women you love."
Just got back from TSE (The Special Event) and I will be blogging about some great classes I took and vendors I found there. By the way...love San Diego.
Here is a new ABC ( Assoc. of Bridal Consultants ) member with a different twist of planning honeymoons or destination weddings....sounds pretty good. "At
MoonRings, our concierge-level approach to honeymoon
and anniversary travel planning is centered
on you. We help you dream about what's possible
- which destinations match your interests? We then create
a customized trip according to your desires and budget.
Whether you are interested in luxury and pampering,
exotic scenery, cultural sights or pure relaxation,
we can help make it happen. Our structured planning
process ensures that it's done easily, and with attention
to detail, so that you can feel confident your honeymoon
or anniversary trip will be extraordinary.
Our approach to destination weddings is similarly specialized, although there are additional layers of complexity - legal regulations, ceremony and reception design, and potentially more people! Because of this, MoonRings uses a well-defined planning process to provide step-by-step guidance. The goal, of course, is to create a wonderful wedding experience, while minimizing your uncertainty and stress!
Our aim is to design an incredible honeymoon, anniversary trip or destination wedding you will remember forever. To learn more about becoming a client, please see Working with MoonRing"
Check out: Looks good to me... http://hotels.travelzoo.com utm_medium=email_top20
$109 -- Riviera Maya: Jr. Suite at New All-Inclusive Resort*
Riviera Maya, Mexico
Top 20 deal - sells out quickly!
Travel dates: Through January; + $10 February - April 2
By Kristin Whitton
Travelzoo Staff
BookIt.com just released this Half-OFF special at one of Riviera Maya's newest and most upscale resorts for peak season. Stay in an upgraded Superior Junior Suite at the all-inclusive NH Riviera Cancun Luxury Resort for just $109 per person, per night any day of the week through January. Plus, kids 6 and under stay free.
Or, stay February through April 2 for just $10 more per person.
This all-suite resort provides all meals, drinks and 24-hour room service, and it includes all taxes and gratuities. Each room offers a balcony or terrace, a Jacuzzi, a flat-screen TV and a free fully stocked mini-bar.
If you book 3 nights or more, you'll also get a total of $150 in credits including:
To Book: Call 888-782-9722 or click here to book directly with BookIt.com. Book by Jan. 21.
Note: Complimentary upgrade to Superior Junior Suite is only valid for stays in January.
Resort Highlights: A full-service spa, 6 restaurants, 6 bars, 3 pools and a supervised kids' club. Located on a large beach in front of the world's second largest reef, the resort is only 12 miles from Cancun International Airport.
I just love seeing "coopetition" within my industry. Makes me proud to be part of it. Today in Cincinnati a group of local wedding planners did a seminar together on tips and tricks of the trade....how cool is that? It was sponcered by Cincinnati Wedding Magazine. Planners that would otherwise be in strick competition with one another actually do get along, do support one another and are committed to building this industry.
So it doesn't matter so much who gets the job but that a planner is considered for each job. We can make such a difference to an wedding. I know for me the day after a wedding I can barely get out of bed. I am emotionally and physically exhausted. What is wonderful about that is that it's me that is completely shot and NOT my bride or my mrother of the bride. That is what we offer best to our clients!!!
James contacted Elegant Events reparding a uniquevice he is offering to weddings. I thougth I would share...
"First is i write a song specifically for the couple or person or event that then becomes their song for life. It is for them only and only they and i have a copy. It could be given as a gift by the groom to the bride, or by friend of the couple etc etc, or as a present to the special event. I ask them a little bit of information about how they met, any special moments etc and then craft the song around that. They will receive the song as a recording with the lyrics written out in calligraphy and framed. I can also appear and perform at the wedding, event, special occasion etc.
here is a little info on me...
As a singer/songwriter my songs have been featured on 4 major US TV shows - ER, Smallville, Side Order of Life and The Evidence. I had a song on the soundtrack to the Werner Herzog movie Rescue Dawn starring Christian Bale and BT Openworld commissioned my song for their campaign. As a result my MySpace page is now heavily subscribed to. Please visit www.myspace.com/jamescarrington
I am currently finishing my album with Klaus Badelt who wrote the music for Pirates of the Carribean, Poseidon, Ned Kelly, Rescue Dawn, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and was involved in the writing of the soundtracks to Gladiator and The Thin Red Line and many other Hollywood motion pictures.
My album is being mixed by James Guthrie who received a Grammy for his work with Pink Floyd."
I had to share this blog with you. I had the priveledge to work with Steve and /or his crew quite a few times last year. The post he has on his new blg for 11-19 was our last wedding together for 08. Here is one of the pics from his blog. Be sure to check out the rest of his work. Congrats to Courtney and Matt. ( Courtney, you, Sarah and I need to go for drinks soon, lemonade of courselll) What a great pic. the room is amazing anyway, but not everyone can take a good room shot. Well done, Steve!
Steve Lyons Wedding Photography » Blog
I ran across this interesting tid bit on washingtonpost.com
"
Thanks to a class-action suit accusing top beauty brands and department stores of price fixing, customers who bought a cosmetic from one of 10 popular labels, including Chanel, Lancome, Clinique and Christian Dior, from 1994-2003, will be allowed one free product -- makeup, lotions, perfume -- at Macy's, Bloomie's, Saks, Neiman's and Nordstrom. No proof of purchase is required, but it's first-come, first-served, and it's one product per customer. The offer lasts until Jan. 26." (call first to see if they have any left...i think they got hid hard and fast. they started this Tues.)
It always amazes me how many diffferent wedding glows there are and how every bride looks so beautiful. Over and over, I will say to my staff, "this is got to be one of my favorites". They another wedding and another bride and I say the same thing again. I know it is because each gown is as unique as the bride herself. I am ofte pulled in the direction of a few designers. I think this past year one of my favorties may have been Judd Waddell. I love the true classic gown. I envision my own daughter one day (years from now) wearing a dress like this. I found the pic of Brides.com
Elegant Events had a great weekend this past weekend. We booked another wedding (Yipee!) and from a great referal (past client) which always warms our hearts. We got a few inquirys too. Our year is really filling up nicely. We don't do too many events. We keep EEE small on purpose so that we can provide the best personal service to our clients (I want to enjoy every client and each event!) and I personally like to oversee every wedding, even though I have such amazing staff I don't know that I'd be missed.
EEE also met with on of our newer brides that brought along her mother and lo and behold...I knew her mom! Actually it's her dad that I knew well and his family very well years ago. I almost cried when remembering the fond memories I have of this family. What a small world!!!
I found this on washingtonpost.com. Looks good. Alot of my clients use this product. Might be worth picking up a copy...
"The makeup guru's latest book, "Bobbi Brown Makeup Manual" ($32, Springboard), is the ultimate texbook, filled with detailed instructions on how to make your concealer look more natural, your eyes stand out and turn your everyday makeup into a special evening look. So, tonight, for example, Brown might try a gray, smoky look and add a pop of flush to the cheeks with a little bit of shine. Using a shimmer brick highlighter or even a drop of oil on top of powder blush can get you the kind of glow you see on the red carpet, says Brown. Noted!"
Aren't these cute! Found them in my Bride and Bloom too. "Illuminate your cocktail hour with these tea lights shades. You can find them on polli.com. Got to say, loved looking around on their site too. Great jewery and home furnishing...
I found this cool website in the new issue of Bride and Bloom (one of my very favorite wedding magazines). It's just in the making but I think it will be a great resouce of inspiration and knowledge. They have a eco- friendly section that is now featuring 101 ways to add something green to your wedding. I have included their first 10 just to tempt you. Check out StyleUnveiled.
1. Have your ceremony and reception at the same location.
2. Keep the wedding cake simple.
3. Use the linens that your reception site provides.
4. Wear a dress made of raw silk.
5. Use a reply postcard, rather than a note card that needs an envelope.
6. Purchase a simple wedding gown that you would wear again.
7. Create a wedding website, rather than using mailer inserts with your invitation.
8. Use the beautiful Northwest moss as a centerpiece in a lovely, shallow bowl.
9. Donate your wedding dress to a charity when the wedding is over.
10. Choose bridesmaids dresses that your friends will wear again
This company, My Wedding Labels was featured in the Association of Bridal Consultants latest newsletter, Dialogue. Looks like a good deal, up to 48 custom labels for $7.00. I picked the "E" sample to post of course (Elegant Events by Elisa...we kind of have a thing for E's). I am always looking for ways to help my clients personalize their weddings.
I thought this pic was fun and wanted to share. I love nice linens and floor lenght linens are a must! Check out clothconnection.com
First, I am so exicted to have my laptop back. I have been with out for 2 weeks and using an old one until this one was repaired. I have not blogged during this entire time. So...I am excited to be up and running again!
Next, I wanted to mention that an amazing wedding planner and special friend with be featured on Lifetime's "Get Married". The first segment will be airing on January 8th and then re-airing on January 22nd in episode 4 and the second segment will be airing on January 15th and re-airing on January 29th in episode 8. Get Married airs at 7:30 AM ET/PT on Lifetime Television. The show began this morning with Colin Cowie hosting. I did blog about that awhile back. Anyone catch i? I did not. Can't wait to see my friend, Frank Andonoplas on the 8th. He is from Chicago and he does the most amazing events there. Check out his web site at frankeventdesign.com. Here is a bit from his bio. (He too is a master bridal consultant. He was the 19th. I now join him as one of only 37 total. Pretty cool!)
Frank
J. Andonoplas has designed social and corporate events all over the country
since 1992. Frank is an active member of the Association of Bridal Consultants,
and in 1995 was appointed State Coordinator. He has also earned the designation
of Professional Bridal Consultant in 1993. In 1996, the designation of Accredited
Bridal Consultant, and Master Bridal Consultant in 1999 then making Frank the
19th in the world to earn that distinction. He is also a member of the International
Special Events Society.
