Preston Bailey, and Sylvia Weinstock, and ME!!

Hi all,

Sorry I've been MIA for a bit. My computer decided not to let me onto google.com or cnn.com, so I couldn't get onto my blog! But, thankfully, got that fixed.

Let me fill you in on just ONE exciting thing that happened recently. Well, pictures speak louder than words, so here goes:

On the top, there's a shot of Preston Bailey and me at Sandals Whitehouse in Jamaica, taken during a break for filming a commercial for Preston's weddings at Sandals. Preston is an amazing floral designer and celebrity wedding planner, who has done events for Joan Rivers, Oprah Winfrey, Donald Trump, just to name a few. For more information on Preston, go to his website at http://www.prestonbailey.com/.

The second photo is of Sylvia Weinstock and me during lunch at Sandals Whitehouse. Sylvia is a cake designer extraordinaire - her cakes are legendary! Her creations are so fabulous that she has been dubbed the Leonardo da Vinci of Cakes! Her gorgeous cakes have been show-stoppers at events for Liam Neesom, Mariah Carey, Eddie Murphy, among many others. For more information on Sylvia, go to her website at http://www.sylviaweinstock.com/.

So, while I have been quiet on the blogging front, I've been keeping busy!!

Until next time, happy planning...

"I Just Can't Wait For This To Be OVER!!"

I have to tell you, every time I hear this phrase, I cringe. I feel so sorry for the couple getting married because they are saying that they are just so sick and tired of planning that they seem not to even want the wedding they've been planning. How sad!

The truth is, planning a wedding is nerve-wracking, stressful, worrisome, annoying, frustrating, expensive... Yes, all of these words can be applied to the planning process IF YOU LET THEM. Sometimes it's a well-meaning relative's unsolicited advice that gets under your skin. Other times, your vendor is impossible to reach. Maybe you're not sure of what you want for the bridesmaids' dresses and everyone of them is offering a differing opinion. When you feel like your head is going to spin around like Linda Blair in the Exorcist - STOP. Try to remind yourself that everyone truly has your best interests at heart, and are good intentioned. Everyone just has their own idea of how a wedding "should be" but, truly, only you and your fiance have to be happy with your decisions.

Here's a tip: When you are about 1 month or less away from your wedding, try to get all of your details down on paper (if you're not working with a wedding consultant who is doing this thinking for you). Set a goal to have everything that can be done ahead of time completed no later than one week before your wedding. That way, the week of your wedding, you'll be in "execution mode" - getting your mani/pedi/massage, going to your rehearsal and rehearsal dinner, etc., and won't be still trying to "get things done."

Even if you've been engaged for 2 years, you should be excited to be sharing all of your hard work and planning with your friends and family. The dread and exhaustion I hear on TV or from some couples could be turned around. How about trying "I'm so happy the planning phase is over, and now I get to celebrate with my closest family and friends!" Just change the words and you'll be amazed at all of the positive feelings they evoke!

Until next time, happy planning...

Bride Ideas turns 6!!

Today is a big day here at Bride Ideas -- we're 6! That's right, on July 7, 2002, I formed Bride Ideas, LLC, never dreaming I'd be where I am today. I've worked with so many wonderful couples over the past 6 years -- seen so many tears of joy and expressions of love. Thank you for all of your support, and I look forward to what this new year has in store. Lots of exciting changes going on, which I'll fill you in on soon.

Until next time, happy planning...

Honaty & Gaddy celebrate in style

I met Honaty and Gaddy about 6 months ago, when they came to me with little more than a church, reception venue, photographer and videographer. They had some ideas of how they wanted their wedding to be, but not a concrete vision. But, they were open to my suggestions, and we spent the first half of the year creating and defining exactly how they wanted their wedding to be remembered.

Because most of the guests spoke Spanish, the wedding ceremony was conducted in Spanish, and the DJ spoke both Spanish and English throughout the reception. They chose the Richfield Regency, a lovely venue in Verona, to celebrate with their family and friends - and what a celebration it was!

Honaty (and Gaddy too!) chose a purply-pink color as a dominant theme, and the rented linens and all of the paper reflected that choice. The invitations, escort cards, menus and table numbers were all created by Allison of the Satin Bow, and featured a rhinestone buckle. Their attention to detail really made the reception look beautiful!! Don't take my word for it, though, check out this photo of the table setting. I have to admit, though, the linen color did not come out in the photo true to life (sorry, my camera skills don't compare to a professional!).

Honaty & Gaddy really are a wonderful couple. It was my pleasure and honor to have been a part of their fabulous celebration!

Until next time, happy planning...

Lindsey & Jonathan celebrate at the Valley Regency

On May 10th, Lindsey & Jonathan were married at the Valley Regency in Clifton. It was a lovely ceremony and a GREAT party. I swear, the newlyweds were on the dance floor all night!!

Here is one of the first photos of the newly married couple. Lindsey was wearing a designer dress, and the designer was actually in attendance! She was in tears seeing how beautiful Lindsey looked in the gorgeous dress!! This moment is the reason I do what I do...




Their wedding had a gold theme, which was carried out spectacularly in the ballroom, with rented linens and these amazing centerpieces! As you can see, votives hung from the centerpieces with gold ribbon, and the vases were filled with banana leaves. When the lights were dimmed, the room had a glow that was breathtaking.


As the evening came to a close, Lindsey & Jonathan had a kiss bar -- all different candy containers filled with hugs and kisses. They even had framed photos of themselves, hugging and kissing! Each guest was given a bag to fill up, with the sign "Hugs & Kisses from the new Mr. & Mrs." You'd be amazed at how full the bags are when the guests leave (especially the older ones!)!


I hope these photos and brief details of a lovely wedding inspire you!


Until next time, happy planning...

Wedding Ceremony in the garden

On May 2nd, I had the pleasure of attending the wedding ceremony for one of my clients. It's a very long story, but they chose to get married now, and then have a formal church wedding and reception at a later date. So, I actually was able to be present at their ceremony instead of my normal mode of worrying about the next several steps ahead and making sure everything was on track!

Being there, in their moment, reminded me of exactly why I became a wedding planner. I simply adore weddings! The love shared between the couple is so tangible - it spreads to all the guests and fills everyone with hope. Sure, there will be bumps in the road, but remembering all of the love shared on your wedding day will help you weather whatever lays ahead.

Vivian & Luis looked so beautiful on their wedding day, and the gazebo and gardens were just so lovely! For my very first picture on my blog, I wanted to share with you the first few moments after they were married:

Congratulations!!!

Until next time, happy planning...

Take time

This week, I want to write about something that is totally essential to planning your wedding. In fact, it may be one of the most important things that you do during your engagement! Take a break!

That's right, I mean STOP planning every last detail of your wedding for at least a weekend! Go away somewhere with your fiance, or with your girlfriends. Cease obsessing over which way the pocketfold in your invitation should face, and step away from the wedding planning bubble!

I think I just coined a new phrase -- "wedding planning bubble." I now claim the copyright to that term! How apt?! Perhaps more so for some couples than others, but everyone gets caught up in the bubble. Which is totally fine! But, sometimes you need to get out of the bubble and experience things that don't directly relate to your color scheme or favor choices. Re-enter the world outside of your wedding plans, and re-connect with your friends on a totally different plane.

When you return from your weekend "outside the bubble" guess what? All of your choices still will be waiting for you - and you'll be better able to make the right decision for you, simply because you are refreshed. So, take some time and get away!!

Until next time, happy planning...