Almost Done!!

So...One week of school left before finals. Thought it is sad to see less of everyone for the summer, I am definately ready for a break. This summer is different because it will be my first school-free summer since high school; I've taken summer school every summer since 2004. Oh what shall I do with my free time? Sleep...Sleep...I thought I might sleep in later...work...and lay around by the pool? Oh what a stressful summer to look forward too! In all seriousness, I have about 20 weddings coming up, so I actually won't get as much free time as I'd like, but that's the exchange for winters off. I'm ready!

Glad This Isn't My Landlord!

This isn't really related to wedding planning, but it is a nice break from reality. My lovely fiance is a HUGE Will Ferrel fan and after a stressful work day, this video was exactly what I needed. Please be warned, there is some graphic language (but not TOO bad). :D

Side note...

I get to pick up my dress


and veil (similar, but monogrammed on the bottom)



on Friday! :D YAY!

How Fun!

So looking for some inspiration for weddings and I found these creative dance videos on YouTube about various things people have done for their first dances and group dances...I hope you enjoy these just as much as I did - and I hope I have brides fun enough to try these! (I can never get tired of watching these, haha)

The Future!

Instead of normal focus on work, we'll shift our attention to school & the things I've learned thus far...

Looking back through the Electronic Resources course, I think I have found the overall HTML skills to be msot valuable. From being able to help my company design a new webpage to updating my myspace page, the HTML code is pretty beneficial to know.

As for Lindenwood in general, I have found that most of my writing/communciations classes have been most helpful in my career. Written communication is essential in Promotions and Event Management, so these courses have sharpened my skils and allowed me to be able to clearly communication the desired message to my clients.

And when talking about electronic resources in general, I think that our futures are probably going to depend on it. We've seen stars rise from Myspace, media hype about poltical YouTube videos, and Congress create more laws to shape the use of the internet. With a new format for the internet coming soon, communication will be quicker, easier to use, and provide much more space for the exchange of information.

Ah, Memories!

Here is one of my sample weddings from last year. This was such a fun couple to work with - and I think we could all use a couple shots of some Tropical Weather (St. Louis Style!) This wedding was at the World's Fair Pavilion, with a reception at the Sheraton City Center. The bride and groom wanted a tropical feel, but I don't think they meant the tropical storms that were present that day! The picture of the altar arrangement you see last, was held together with straws, scotch tape, floral tape, and toothpicks since it had blown over at least two times before the ceremony started!









All photos courtesy of L'Photographie.

They liked me! They really liked me!

After gaining my certification from NECI, I had not heard much from them other than the satisfaction survey I received. Yesterday, however, I got an e-mail from one of the intrustors telling me that they were impressed with my work and wanted to use me as a "featured memeber" on their website. I thought it was pretty cool, and I'm *finally* able to use the headshots I got for something other than our company website (See picture to the left - which, by the way, was not my favorite :oD).

So What Did You Do On Spring Break?

I had a nice, action-packed Spring Break working! Though it's not to say that I didn't get any time off (I spent a day running errands and another day gardening - wow I am really old, huh?), I am still wishing I had been able to follow my yearly tradition of heading to Corpus Christi/Padre Island to relax and visit my sister.

I did get a LOT accomplished...I printed menus, baptism invitations, and programs. I attended several meetings and even got some things accomplished for my own wedding! I printed the save the dates..made some floral decisions.... I hope the rest of you had a good break!

Reading....Rainbow?

If you aren't familiar with the controversy surrounding the book "The Secret", you might find the critics quite amusing. Comedians, including Saturday Night Live, had made fun of "The Secret" and Oprah's strong support of the novel, have mocked the premise of this book, but I think it could be something different:

I have yet to read the book (my spring break to-do), but I think people are taking it too much on its face. Yes, it basically says that if you wish (/think/dream) of an end goal, you WILL achieve it. From obtaining expensive handbags, to a new home, to winning a lottery, the author says it is all possible if you believe in it hard enough.

Now, that may be a BIT over the top, but beneath it all I think it portrays a good message: If you have a positive attitude about life, if you keep telling yourself that you can do anything or achieve anything, the benefits in your life will be much stronger compared to a "debbie downer". We'll see if my opinion changes AFTER I read the book, but hopefully I find it inspiring enough to influence my work career (for the better!)

I'm Just Like Martha!

...Stewart that is. Well, maybe with the exception of the age, criminal record, and the millions of dollars - but otherwise we are very alike.

The favorite part of this job is being able to utilize the creative qualties I have. I've done things such as:

-Design, Print, and Make quality wedding invitations
-Design, Print, and Assemble quality programs, table cards, menus, etc.
-Make storyboards for our clients representing their dream wedding within their budget (which is a HUGE hit with clients)
-Create Newsletters
-Design a promotion movie/slideshow
-Write/Help Design articles in St. Louis Bride Magazine
-Assist with designing tabletops for shows/contests
-Consult for wedding design (florals, linens, lighting, etc. all tied together)
-Consult for corporate events (linens, themes, stationary, etc. all tied together)

It really is a rewarding job, especially when you get to see your work in print!

Work on the Brain

I'll start off my saying I am a HUGE fan of Smallville (and a big Lex+Lana supporter), and I find it hilarious that I watch my favorite tv and STILL think about work! Lex and Lana finally got married and the whole time during the wedding, I'm saying things like "Nice idea on the aisle runner", "Cute altar arrangements!" and "I know that dress designer!" instead of focusing on the overall plot of the story. In fact, I was more dissappointed that they didn't include the reception in the show plot than I was at the fact that Clark didn't say "I object" during the ceremony.

So, just in case you didn't get to see the *tearjerker*, Here it is while it's still on YouTube:

Puttin on the Ritz!

I learned yesterday that the Ritz Carlton of St. Louis has asked the company I work for to be a part of the Exclusive Preferred Vendors club. This is a huge honor and I am so excited to be a part of this prestigious group of professionals. There is a luncheon being hosted next week where we will get to showcase our work and meet other vendors from this group. I look forward to attending!

For your enjoyment:

And the award goes to...

Us! It was announced Friday evening at the Louie Award Dinner (which I, sadly, missed due to my weeklong absence in Vail, CO) that we won the award for the Best Wedding Under $200 Per Person - second consecutive year! I am VERY excited about this award, since I personally made all of the details used for this reception. You can see some of the wedding in this Video Clip .

Uuhhh Oohhhh

I thought that going out of town for a week would be somewhat relaxing, but I find myself worring about the little things going on while I'm away...

-I have an out-of-town bride coming in for one of only two trips before her wedding, and I'm missing all of her appointments. There is relief, though, as my boss will be attending, and she is familiar with the client's wedding.
-I'm missing the Louie Awards! I can't believe I'm going to miss being there when they announce if we won "Best Wedding Under $200 Per Person" for the second consecutive year!! Again, a sigh of relief, as my boss said she'd call me IMMEDIATELY after the announcement since I'll be on the road home.

No suprise - I'm definately one of those people who calls into work from vacation to see how things are going; I guess with some jobs your clients really do come first!

It's Starting!

I can tell that wedding season is closely approaching, as our number of calls from frantic brides needing assistance has just about tripled in the last week. It's usually at this point (1-3 months away from the wedding) that brides become overwhelmed at all of the last minute details to be completed: the rehearsal, the reheasal dinner, dress fittings, final consultations with all of the vendors, payments due...and the list goes on! I guess I sympathise with all of these brides, because usually the first words out of my mouth are "It's going to be okay!", though I have a feeling that most of them are thinking that I'm full of it. This is usually when we sign our most "Day of" clients, so it looks like business is doing well!

Yes, I CAN have my cake and eat it, too!

So this past Thursday we went to a bakery and selected our cake. This is the most fun part of wedding planning as a bride, the most boring as a planner. I love seeing all of the creative things that bakers can do, besides just the normal buttercream swirls and monograms. On top of being absolutely *delish* (we chose the half of the cake to be a dark chocolate cake with vanilla buttercream icing and strawberry filling, the other half to be a rich spice cake with vanilla buttercream icing), it is going to be breathtaking. Here is the design we've chosen:

Keeping Sane

So it's almost officially the start of WEDDING SEASON! For some, mostly those "Wedding Crashers" fan, this means open bar and single women, but for the working wedding professional, wedding season means something completely different. A typical wedding weekend usually begins on Friday around 4:00 pm for a rehearsal. We coordinate the rehearsal and sometimes the rehearsal dinner as well. After getting "home", I usually work to pack the car, restock the emergency kit, gather all of the details for the next day. I usually get to sleep around 11:00, and wake up the next morning around 6:00. Off to the reception site around 10:00 to make sure everything is set up appropriately, then on the church around 12:00 to being set-up. What follows is an organized chaos until around 8:00 pm when dinner is served. The reception most likely will end around midnight, and I will finally get home around 1:00 am. So much for a 9-5 job, but it is the best job out there!

2006 Nomination Received!

I have been notified that my company has been nominated for the 2007 Internation Special Events Society (ISES) Saint Louis Chapter LOUIE Award for "Best Wedding Under $200 Per Person". Please visit the ISES Webpage to learn more!

Past Client

A past client is now on a sample video for a local videographer. To view a clip of her video, visit: Archway Media

Hoax, But Not So Unrealistic

We've all seen or heard "Bridezilla" when referring to overly particular brides. But this bride takes the cake! If you will notice, however, she did her hair on her own (or with the assistance of friends). Lesson learned: Hire a hairstylist! For your enjoyement:

Oh I Wish I Had...

Working as a wedding planner has been an amazing experience, one that has rewarded me with becoming pubished in a high-end magazine at 20, creating an award winning "Best Wedding Under $200 per Person" entry for the Internation Special Event Society's (ISES) Louie awards, the front page photo in the St. Louis Post Disptach Business Section (properly titled "Dancing in the Aisles - Busy Professionals Hire Wedding Planners), and so many lifelong friends. It has also provided me with many 6 day work weeks, 14+ hour work days, lost hair, sprained ankles, and sugar shakes that have made me appreciate just how hard physical laborers work. I hope that, through this blog, you are able to understand what a rewarding, yet tough, job wedding consulting can be.