New Year's Resolutions

Well, it's that time of year again. Or, more accurately, five days ago was "that time of year again." The time when we look back on 2008, assess what we did right and not so right, and resolve to make changes in 2009.

For many of you, 2008 brought new changes - perhaps an engagement! 2009 will be a year of planning and celebrating that decision. I hope your new year's resolution is to remember that a wedding is a happy occasion, a time for your family and friends to come together and share in your joy and happiness. Try to remember the reason for all the planning that is to come, and not get bogged down in all the details!

For me, one of my new year's resolutions is a bit more mundane: to get and KEEP my office organized. For those of you who have been to my office, you probably didn't notice the huge pile of papers hidden in the back closet - only to return to my desk as soon as you left! I want to figure out a way to organize my office so it is a more stress-free place to create wonderful weddings!

How about you? What is your new year's resolution? I'd love to know!

Until next time, happy planning...

Attitude of Gratitude

I've been hearing that phrase a lot lately - "attitude of gratitude." At first, I have to admit that I just scoffed at it, thinking it was a hollow string of rhyming words. However, I have come to embrace the meaning of the phrase, and wanted to share with you some of the things I'm grateful for over the past year:

I'm grateful for my clients who trusted in my guidance for decor and vendors, and had absolutely beautiful celebrations.

I'm grateful for my clients who challenged me to become a much better communicator.

I'm grateful for the Association of Bridal Consultants, which provides me with education and networking opportunities.

I'm grateful for the wedding professionals with whom I've worked, who enhanced my clients weddings by going above and beyond.

I'm grateful for all the new vendors that I've met but not yet had a chance to work with, because they show me alternative ways of reaching a client's dreams.

I'm grateful for all the emails and cards from my clients, sharing their growing families.

I'm grateful for everyone who reaches out to me for my professional guidance, as it truly is my honor to be asked to share in your most important day.

Personally, I'm grateful for my loving husband, playful cats, supportive family and understanding friends, who constantly remind me that my most valuable possession is them!

Until next time, happy planning...

Finally, I'm on Facebook!

Well, I took some time out this week to check out Facebook. What an amazing site!! I signed up and created a page for Bride Ideas. Check it out by going to www.facebook.com and searching for Bride Ideas. I'm sure there's a more direct route, but that should work!

Feel free to check out the Bride Ideas page - become a fan and/or start a discussion. This is just another way to reach out to you and assist you in your wedding preparations!

At this time of year, we are reminded of all our friends and family who have influenced us along the way. Facebook is a great way to reconnect with those who may have relocated or with whom you simply lost touch.

This week, have a Happy Hanukkah or Merry Christmas! Enjoy your time with your loved ones!

Until next time, happy planning...

Some fun pix from recent conferences

Hi all!! Just wanted to share some photos from the recent conferences I attended. Pictured above is Colin Cowie and myself at the ABC Conference in November in Newport Beach, CA. Colin was the featured speaker at the conference, and shared photos and stories of his simply amazing celebrations all over the world. You will never find a more generous and gentlemanly man!

This photo is (from l-r) of me, Lovelynn Jensen (ABC member and speaker at the Wedding MBA conference), Dena Davey (ABC's Director of Marketing), Joyce Smith (OH state coordinator for the ABC) and Kim Horn (AZ state coordinator for the ABC). The Wedding MBA was a great 2-day seminar that focused on web 2.0 and all things new so that I can better keep in touch with all of you!

To the right is a photo of Mary Dann and myself at the ABC conference just last month in Newport Beach, CA. Mary and I had a wonderful conversation about the wedding industry and she gave me lots of new ideas to bring back to you! She was a featured speaker at the conference, during which she shared some of her insights about the wedding consulting profession.

Hope you enjoyed these photos! Until next time, happy planning...

The Holidays are UPON us!

I just got finished going through my calendar and adding in all the holiday parties we've been invited to. Whew! Seems like there won't be any time to decorate, bake, shop for gifts - let alone actually get work done! And I have a sneaking suspicion that you have the same problem.

I know that we are all busy. Believe me, as a wedding consultant, I totally understand about crazy schedules! All of my clients have so many demands on their time and I am continually working around their requirements and coordinating with vendors' appointments. No easy task! Add in holiday merriment, and getting anything done can be quite an achievement!

So, during this time of year, whether you've been engaged for months or just received the ring, take time away from planning and enjoy being with your family. Create cherished moments! Get inspired! Try not to make wedding planning just another thing you have on your "to do" list.

Until next time, happy planning...

Following a theme - Celebration Studios

Hi all,

I got an amazing response after my last blog post about Calvary Bridal House. I do want to let you know that tomorrow - December 2nd - is the "bar date," or the deadline to submit your proof of claim forms to the court. If you are owed money from Calvary Bridal House, please get your claim form in!! Also, according to court documents, the bankruptcy case for Calvary Bridal House recently was converted from a chapter 11 to a chapter 7, which means the shop is being liquidated and will no longer be operating.

A similar case in the NJ area that affected nearly 4000 couples was that of Celebration Studios. Photographers and videographers subcontracted by Celebration Studios had taken photos/video of all these weddings and then the company went out of business overnight. Here is the good news: you can now pick up your pictures and video!! I don't know the status of them, though - my guess is they are unedited - but, as long as you get the raw data, you'll be able to put them into your preferred format! Here's a link to the story on WCBS NewRadio 880 about Celebration Studios: http://www.wcbs880.com/pages/3365236.php. (special thanks to Roxanne Geyer at WCBS NewsRadio 880 for this link!) I hope I've helped you get your special memories back!

Until next time, happy planning...

Calvary Bridal House in Millburn

Sorry I've been MIA for a bit... From November 7-12, I was in Newport Beach, CA, attending the Association of Bridal Consultants' annual conference. This was my 7th straight year attending conference, and once again, it did not disappoint! I was able to reconnect with old friends from across the globe, meet new and exciting people working in the wedding industry, and learn a great deal from the educational seminars! Colin Cowie was this year's featured speaker, and he brought amazing photos of weddings he's done and graciously posed for many photos! In my next post, I'll publish some of the photos that I took in CA!

However, I wanted to point out an issue that's been going on in NJ - the bankruptcy filing of Calvary Bridal House in Millburn. According to reports, the bridal salon took bride's deposits and orders and simply pocketed the money without submitting the orders to the designers! There's a pretty good article about this in the NJ Star Ledger: http://www.nj.com/independentpress/index.ssf/2008/11/calvary_bridal_leaves_town.html. Apparently, the shop has now relocated to Livingston.

Now, in a former life, I was a bankruptcy attorney. Essentially what will happen is all the brides who purchased gowns - or put money down for dresses but never received them - will be deemed "unsecured creditors." They will be required to file a Claim and will be processed amongst all the other creditors to Calvary Bridal House. The Bankruptcy Court essentially will look at all the money available to pay Calvary's bills, and divide that money up among the creditors. In cases I worked on, unsecured creditors received anywhere from 2 cents on the dollar all the way up to over 90 cents, all depending on a multitude of factors. I can't help but feel really badly for anyone who bought their dress from Calvary, as you will more than likely have to go to another shop for your dress and wait until the bankruptcy is finished before receiving a portion of your deposit back.

Calvary Bridal House isn't the only wedding business to file for bankruptcy and/or disappear lately. Celebration Studios comes to mind, and just a night or two ago I heard of another photography studio in Staten Island closing up without warning. The lesson for you is to check out - as much as you can - how well established the company is, check with the Better Business Bureau, etc. One thing you can do for yourself, though, is to hire a professional wedding consultant who knows the local industry and reliable companies. Sometimes we hear rumblings about companies before they become known to the public; other times, we can steer you to professional vendors who more than likely will provide you with service that exceeds your expectations.

Until next time, happy planning...