Fashionable Tales of a CIncinnati Wedding Planner

Running of the Brides!!! Filene's famous basement sale

 I so enjoyed watching this event live on the news this morning.  The racks were completely empty within a minute.  What a hoot!  Check out filenesbasement.com

"Filene’s Basement is known for its bargains on everything from fashions to luggage, but perhaps the store is most famous for its annual Bridal Gown Events when brides-to-be can save hundreds, even thousands of dollars on designer wedding gowns."

 ^{"The sale is held in selected Filene’s Basement stores once a year (twice a year in Boston). News reports so often compare it to the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona, Spain that the event is now officially called the “Running of the Brides®.”The day of the sale, brides-to-be and their helpers line up early. When the doors open, they run full speed towards the racks. In less than 60 seconds, the racks are stripped bare (store employees have to hold on to the fixtures so they don’t topple). The women grab whatever gowns they can, haul them off to a corner, strip down to their underwear and start trying on dresses. Minutes later the trading begins. Every dress, no matter what size, style or color, gets bartered for another, as each bride tries to find the gown of her dreams at a cut-rate price."}

Briar Rose Estate- Elegant Events wants to plan a wedding there

 

Wow!  Briar Rose Estate in Shelbyville Ky is so worth the drive!!!  It is less that 2 hours from Cincinnati and an easy ride down.  It's only a few minutes off the expressway and intoa world of true southern charm.  It more that exceeded my expectations.  "Thank you Marcie for allowing the ABC to have our meeting there.  I now have dreams of having my own daughters wedding there...she'sj ust 13 but I can't imagine a more lovely place."   Each room has been restored so wonderfully.  The detail is amazing.  I just wanted to sit in each room and just soak it up.  The lake, the gazebo, the carriage house, and the tent pad make this the perfect location for a outdoor wedding.  Guests have access to both the main house and the carriage house.  Guys can dress at the carriage (large flat screen tv) and girls in the main house.

I also wanted to mention and thank the Sisters Tea Parlor that provided the most lovely tea for us at the meeting at Briar Rose.  They were gracious enough to come out and treat us with this time honored tradition.  I loved every minute of it. I  think when I have my daughters wedding at Briar Rose that the bridesmaid luncheon will be a lovey tea.

Briar Rose Estate- great getaway weekend destination

Doesn't this place look wonderful.  I am soooo looking forward to spending part of this coming weekend there.  We have a Kentucky ABC (assoc. of bridal consultants) meeting scheduled there for Friday night.  After the regular meeting (topic on how to use facebook- can't wait) we are having sort of a retreat with some of the planners/vendors in the state that have been been involved in supporting the ABC Kentucky branch.  What a great way to catch up and share experiences with some amazing wedding professionals.  Can't wait!  I am lucky to be apart of this amazing group of people, many who I call my friends.   Check out Briar Rose's web site for more information.  What a great little getaway and only a couple of hours from Cincinnati.  www.briarroseestate.com

Wildflower Linens

How cute is this valentine from Wildflowerlinens.com

Association of Bridal Consultants to benefit Dresses that Heal Inc.

I don't think I will be able to attend this event due to a conflict but I do want to support it.  I am a huge supported of the Association of Bridal Consultants (currently holding the position of Kentucky state coordinator)so I wanted to blog about the Cincinnati local networking group  who have put together this event.  Here is a bit of info...

The Cincinnati Affiliate of the Association of Bridal
Consultants is producing A Dress to Remember to
benefit the Breast Cancer Recovery Foundation.

Dresses That Heal, Inc. will be conducting a silent
auction of donated designer gowns, along with
other wedding related items, to help send a local
breast cancer survivor to a four day retreat to help
with the healing process.

Enjoy an afternoon of Hors D'oeuvres and Wine,
highlighted with a silent auction of designer bridal gowns and design tabletop competition.

Cost: $30 donation
You may register online at http://www.yourdreamday.com/ABC/dresshome.html
or pay at the door.

 

Masters of Disasters- Wedding Planners speak at The Special Event

One of my favorite seminars I attended at Special Event was called Masters of Disasters.  It was lead by 3 master bridal consultants in the business speaking on just that, disaster that they have encountered and how that worked through them.  I love hearing these storys.  You never know when this knowledge may be needed.  It's this type of knowledge and the ability to recall and uilize it that separates " the men from the boys" when it comes to competent wedding planners.  Thats when we really earn our keep and you never know at a wedding when that moment will be...but it's almost always there. (Thanks again, Jane, Teddy and Frank.  You guys rocked!)

David DeLoach- President of Entertainment for Walt Disney

I just love David DeLoach!  He is just too cute and a all great guy.  I met him years ago at a conference in Indy  (When he was just a board member and manager of Magic Kingdowm) and have had the opportunity to hear him speak many times.  He loves this industry.  It has been quite a few years since he's been here in Cincinnati and this time he comes as the International President of ISES and the President of Entertainment for Walt Disney World.  Can you imagine!  What a job that must be.  What an honor to have him.  I can't wait.  Visit ISEScincinnati.com for more information.

Wedding gift idea- DigitalFrame.com

This company contacted me suggesting I might want to blog about this new gift idea and right they were.  This is pretty cool.

DigitalFrame.com

Finding the perfect wedding gift can be a challenge. Why not give something the new couple will be sure to love and use for many years to come?

A Wedding Digital Frame Gift Pack is unique, personalized, and sets your gift apart from all the other gifts. Simply upload your digital photos of the special times the couple has spent together and know that your gift will become a treasured part of their life together.

Your gift will come ready to give, packaged in a high quality gift box wrapped in a white grosgrain ribbon. Your personalized gift message will be printed on a matte gift card and placed inside the gift box along with a memory card with your uploaded photos.

Novice Wedding Planner at The Special Event

I received this e-mail on Friday.  I asked Jazmyn if I could share....

    "I attended your "Difference Between Planner & Good Planner" session at The Special Event. I'm a new wedding consultant in my area and it's been so difficult to find help in getting started. I learned so much from your session and I'm compelled to send a sincere "thank you". Initially my family was excited for me that I was able to absorb so much, now they really just want me to stop talking. lol. I've definitely been putting all your pearls of wisdom to use. (After the session was over, I'm the one that came up to ask a question hoping not to be "one of the new wedding planners you hate", just a little reminder as to our introduction.)"
--Jazmyn Chandler

    What she said to me was actually new wedding planners you dispise!  She broke my heart.  She was so sweet and a bit afraid maybe but she came forward anyway.  I had given a pretty tough speech, challenging wedding planners to take a hard look at how they conduct business, encouraging them to be better, to elevate the industry,etc.  But, let me say here, I don't hate newby planners.  I love this business and am happy to see new people come in to this business, eager, full of passion and soaking up all they can.  This girl, Jazmyn, made the committment of time and money to attend The Special Even (quite an investment in both) to learn, to grow, to be the best she can be.  She is exactly what we want to see in this industry.  It's the planner who doesn't grow, doesn't learn, thinks they already know it all, that I have issues with.  Anyway, I wanted to share this point...I hope no other novices felt the same way.  "Go get em Jazmyn! Keep me posted."

Weddings- when you should not hyphenate your name

A friend of mine sent me these and I had to share.  Happy weekend to everyone!
When You Shouldn't Hyphenate Your Name

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Wedding Parties at Crate & Barrel

I have blogged before how much I love Crate and barrel.  I want to share a cool thing they got going on here at our Cincy store.  Date and times for the Wedding Parties are below. 
Sunday, February 8th 2009,   9:00 am - 11:00 am

Sunday, February 15th 2009,   9:00 am - 11:00 am

Sunday, February 22nd 2009,   9:00 am - 11:00 am

Sunday, March 1st 2009,   9:00 am - 11:00 am

This is a cool site.  I love the wedding notes A-Z section.  It give tons of expamples of wording for thankyou's on specific wedding gifts.  What a great resource.  Maybe you're just out of words after writing many notes and you just need a little inspiration.  Well this site has it.  Set a goal to become a good thank you note writer.  Such a gracious habit to start!!! http://www.my-thank-you-site.com/wedding-thank-you-a-to-z.html