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Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-24T08:00:00.000-07:00

May you have a beautiful and blessed day!

Happy Anniversary: Meta & Edmund

2011-08-28T08:00:00.002-07:00

Meta & Edmund were married one year ago today at PebbleCreek Golf Club in Goodyear.

Looking back on their wedding day, my favorite memory was the way in which they celebrated. Meta & Edmund's rich African culture was evident among all the guests. They rejoiced over every single move this couple made like I have never seen before! As they left the ceremony, there was dancing and shouting. As they entered the reception, their was more dancing, shouting and a paparazzi-esque barrage of photos. The joy was contagious! I wish I could have bottled the love shared by all.

Here's wishing them many more years of happiness and all that their hearts desire!

Happy Anniversary: Stephanie & Dustin

2011-05-29T08:00:00.001-07:00

Stephanie & Dustin were married one year ago today at JW Marriott Desert Ridge in Phoenix.

Looking back on their wedding day, my favorite thing was the draping combined with the lighting. We had floor-to-ceiling white draping with soft blue uplights. It felt like walking on a cloud in a fairytale! Which was exactly the look that the couple wanted since they are big Disney fans. This was also evident in their Mickey & Minnie cake topper and a last dance song set to 'When You Wish Upon a Star'. It was definitely the perfect start to their happily ever after!

Here's wishing them many more years of happiness and all that their hearts desire!

Happy Anniversary: Amber & Steven

2011-05-14T08:00:00.003-07:00

Amber & Steven were married one year ago today at The Mormon Temple and their reception was held at a private residence in Glendale.

Looking back on their wedding day, my favorite thing was the canopy of twinkle lights we hung to cover their backyard reception. It created such a romantic ambiance for the entire evening, especially during the first dance. Amber & Steven and their families were an absolute joy in every way!

Here's wishing them many more years of happiness and all that their hearts desire!

Happy Anniversary: Ashley & Rodney

2011-04-18T08:00:00.001-07:00

Ashley & Rodney were married one year ago today at the Phoenician Resort in Phoenix.

Looking back on their wedding day, my favorite thing was the long feasting table we created for all 30 of their guests. Ashley & Rodney wanted to create an intimate feeling by including all their guests at one table. We had an array of centerpieces ranging from soft pink to bright raspberry that filled the center of the entire 40-foot length of the table. It was cool and modern, but still very warm and intimate: Which is Ashley & Rodney to a tee!

Here's wishing them many more years of happiness and all that their hearts desire!

Happy Anniversary: Amanda & Dan

2011-04-10T08:00:00.002-07:00

Amanda & Dan were married one year ago today at their private residence in Scottsdale.

Looking back on their wedding day, my favorite memory was the amazing 6-course gourmet meal we served to their 12 closest family and friends. I had the best seat in the house: The Kitchen. I watched as the 2010 James Beard Award Nominee, Chef Kevin Binkley prepared dish after delectable dish. It was one of the most incredible experiences to watch him and his team in action right up close. Amanda and Dan have impeccable taste and it was a pleasure working alongside them on all the details!

Here's wishing them many more years of happiness and all that their hearts desire!

Happy Anniversary: Arathi & Madhu

2011-04-03T08:00:00.001-07:00

Arathi & Madhu were married one year ago today at the Hyatt Regency at Gainey Ranch in Scottsdale.

Looking back on their wedding day, my favorite memory was the ceremony. It was a traditional Hindu ceremony, rich in culture. Many of the guests wore traditional Indian attire, including beautiful, brightly-colored saris and the floral and decor were over the top! Everywhere you looked, it was feast for your eyes!

Here's wishing them many more years of happiness and all that their hearts desire!

Happy Anniversary: Greta & Eric

2011-03-27T08:00:00.009-07:00

Greta & Eric were married one year ago today at the Mountain Preserve Reception Center in Phoenix.

Looking back on their wedding day, my favorite memory was at the end of the night when Eric escorted Greta to a chair in the middle of the dance floor and then he and his groomsmen proceeded to serenade her with "You've Lost that Lovin' Feeling" as seen in the movie "Top Gun"! It was hilarious and the whole crowd couldn't help but join in singing along.

Here's wishing them many more years of happiness and all that their hearts desire!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

2011-03-17T08:00:00.012-07:00

I hope your day is filled with lots of luck and love!

Happy Anniversary: Ashley & Zach

2011-03-06T08:00:00.001-07:00

Ashley & Zach were married one year ago today at the Wrigley Mansion Club in Phoenix.

Looking back on their wedding day, my favorite thing was the custom designed logo. It was carried through on the inviations, the menus and we even made a GOBO which projected it onto the center of the dance floor to be enjoyed all evening.

Here's wishing them many more years of happiness and all that their hearts desire!

Wedding Flashback: Vanessa & Scott Miller

2011-02-22T08:00:00.000-07:00

For my first Wedding Flashback, I would like to introduce Vanessa and Scott Miller. They were married on March 22, 2008 at Villa Siena.

Vanessa is my kind of girl - she likes to plan ahead! She hired me almost 15 months before her wedding. My other favorite thing about her is that she knows what she wants! That is always fantastic and so much fun! She told me in our initial meeting that she wanted the color theme to be hot pink and brown with accents of green... and we started with that concept and this is what we created:

The day started out with the girls getting ready in the comfortable bridal suite at Villa Siena.

It was a beautiful March day so the weather was perfect! I was totally blown away by the amazing work of Leslie Lejcar and Shawna Yarbrough of Lasting Images. This was the first time I had the privilege of working with them and they were such a pleasure. They were on time all day long and as you can see, they got some really amazing shots! Here are some of my favorites of Vanessa. She was such a beautiful bride!

Here is a shot of the ceremony site. The flowers were provided by Tyler's Custom Design. She dressed up the fireplace with lots of hanging amaranthus... my favorite!

Here are some more detail shots of the ceremony.

This shot is of the Best Man. He was so funny... He told me he was a "professional groomsman" so he could be trusted to walk more than one bridesmaid down the aisle at once. He had been in something like 7 weddings... He was cracking me up all night long!

And this shot is so adorable... I think this might be the cutest flower girl of all time. I mean, is it just me or is this a bridal magazine cover waiting to happen?:

Here are a handful of detail shots from the reception. The cake was provided by Bamboo Bakery and the linens were provided by Elegant Presentations.

All of the guests enjoyed the create-your-own pasta station. It was such a treat and the aroma in the room was amazing! The occasional flames from the saute pan created a really fun buzz in the room as well.

Vanessa was so excited about her pink and brown candy buffet table! The containers were purchased at TJ Maxx and the galvanized scoops were from CostPlus World Market. We had personalized pink paper bags for the guests to fill up and take home... and at the end of the night there was hardly a piece of candy in sight!

Vanessa & Scott - It was such a pleasure working with you and your family! I hope that you are enjoying life as newlyweds! I wish you all the best for your future!

Etiquette

2011-02-18T08:00:00.000-07:00

I was raised with a heavy emphasis on Etiquette and Manners: Don't chew with your mouth open; Send thank you notes when you receive a gift; Wait until everyone at the table has gotten their food before you begin eating; etc. etc.

Well, as a kid this translated into rules, rules, rules... and I was not exactly a rule-oriented little girl. In fact, I liked to break the rules any chance I got, just for the sake of going against the grain. In fact, my favorite phrase was, "You're not the boss of me!"

But one of my moms taught me that Etiquette was not just in place to "tell us what to do." Rather, it was just an agreed upon way of doing things so that everyone (i.e. society) knows what to expect and there is not chaos and confusion.

A good example of this is traffic laws. Could you imagine if everyone was just doing their own thing on the roads and not following the agreed upon driving etiquette? I know some of you are saying, "As a matter of fact, yes I can! There are a ton of rude drivers out there." And that is exactly the point.

If people are going through an intersection on a red light, changing lanes without signaling, or double parking... what does that cause? Chaos. Confusion. And sometimes disaster.

Well, the same is true with Etiquette. I know that Etiquette has been shifting and changing to accommodate our modern world and times, but the problem is that with everyone putting their own modern twist on Etiquette, it is losing the consistency of knowing what to expect... the very essence of why we need Etiquette in the first place.

For example, many people have started treating the acronym, R.S.V.P. as what you do if you are coming to an event. Some even make the mistake that it means, "Regrets Only." They have forgotten or disregarded that R.S.V.P. is French for "Repondez, S'il Vous Plait" which means, "Respond, Please." Respond if you are attending. Respond if you are NOT attending. RESPOND. This can have a huge impact on the host/hostess when planning an event. Especially one as large and typically formal as a wedding.

Since, as a Wedding Consultant, not following Etiquette has become one of my biggest pet peeves, I will spare you of me getting on my soapbox about the topic. But let me just say this: Following Etiquette is important. It may not be as dire as a traffic accident, I know. But please, Brides, Grooms and Guests alike, take the time to do your research and make sure you are following the proper Etiquette. It does not exist to boss you around, it is just common courtesy.

X's & O's

2011-02-14T08:00:00.006-07:00

Happy Anniversary: Joanna & Dan

2011-02-06T08:00:00.008-07:00

Joanna & Dan were married one year ago today at Villa Siena in Gilbert.

Looking back on their wedding day, my favorite thing were the favors/escort cards. Joanna and Dan spent weeks creating custom CDs for all their guests and we put them in custom-designed pockets and lined them up on a table. During cocktail hour, guests came by and took their favor which also led them to where they would be seated for the evening. I absolutely love things that are both pretty AND functional!

Here's wishing them many more years of happiness and all that their hearts desire!

Happy Anniversary: Jessica & Spencer

2011-01-31T08:00:00.003-07:00

Jessica & Spencer were married one year ago today at the Boojum Tree Hidden Gardens in Phoenix.

In looking back on their wedding day, my favorite memory was the dancing! At the time, Jessica was a Cardinal's Cheerleader and many of her teammates were there. It was fun to watch the whole crowd show off their moves on the dance floor and it made for a really fun party!

Here's wishing them many more years of happiness and all that their hearts desire!

Honoring Lost Loved Ones

2011-01-17T08:00:00.000-07:00

When you think about it, one of the most important parts of your wedding is sharing it with the people that mean the most to you. For many couples, some of the most important people in their lives are no longer with us, and not having them present, leaves an inevitable void.

Although we can not change the fact that they cannot be there with us in body, we can certainly honor that they are there with us in spirit.

Here are a few of my favorite ways of recognizing lost loved ones on your wedding day:

~ Reserve an empty chair in the front row of the ceremony, by placing a single white rose on it. You can even tie a little tag to it that says, "In memory of (your loved one's name). He/She is with us today in spirit."

~ Have your officiant take a moment of silence after reading the name of your loved one(s). It is amazing the impact that silence can have.

~ As a part of the ceremony, have your officiant read some words about the departed, and then release a single white dove. I recently did this for a bride who had just lost her father and the sound of the dove's wings in the silence of the crowd was incredibly moving.

~ Have a special memorial table. Place a framed picture of your loved one with a single candle burning in their honor. You may even choose to add a note on the table recognizing the person and how much they meant to you.

~ Make a donation in honor of the deceased in lieu of a favor. At a wedding a couple years ago, my clients had little scrolls made up to put at each place setting that told the guests that they made a donation to the American Cancer Society, in honor of the bride's mother who lost her battle with cancer.

A wedding is such a joyous occasion, and it is unfortunate that sometimes there is an underlying sadness. But the common thread between your wedding and your loss, is love. And love never fails.

Michelle's 90 Seconds of Fame

2011-01-12T08:00:00.004-07:00

Hello blog readers!

I thought I might share a little something personal with you on the blog today. I have many passions, interests and hobbies. One of which is event planning, but you already know that. But what you may not know is that my entire life I have LOVED horses.

Walking into a barn and hearing the sounds of their hooves, the snorts and whinnies and yes, even the smell of a barn is appealing to me. I love everything about these magnificent creatures, especially my girl Sydney. Spending time at the barn with her is my escape and I make a point to go there as often as I can. The barn is truly my sanctuary and where I go to relax and unwind.

Loving horses as much as I do, I decided about 5 years ago to go to Roundhill, Virginia to become an ESMT (equines sports massage therapist). It was a 5-day certification course that changed my view of our beloved equine friends. They give us 100% effort unconditionally, performing sometimes outrageous stunts on our behalf all while carrying us on their back. They are athletes and amazing athletes to say the least. They get sore, tired and overworked. How nice to reward them with a massage!

Me giving my girl Sydney a massage

I share this with you because I was recently asked by Channel 12's multi-media journalist Cassie Rathbun to participate in a segment about Equine Sports Massage therapy. I was honored, of course, and amazed they would consider me (as there are many qualified and more prominent ESMT's out there). I graciously accepted and had such a wonderful time with the filming process! Cassie was amazing and made me feel so comfortable. Our first segment consisted of me talking about Equine Massage Therapy and the second portion was the actual massage of one of my equine clients, Sacred Advisor, also known as "Rocky" around the barn.

A bit of history on Rocky: He is an 11-year-old Tobiano Paint that has suffered from lameness caused mostly by Navicular Disease. He is one of the sweetest natured horses I have ever come across and he definitely LOVES getting massages! I have been working on him for the past several years through good and bad times. I truly love this horse... he was the perfect choice for my demo.

Sacred Advisor aka "Rocky"

[A special Thank You to Joanne Cox of Two Bit Horse Company for allowing me to use your facility and of course, Rocky.]

When thinking of this entire process, I laugh to myself realizing that even though the end result of my filming debut only consists of 1 minute and 30 seconds of airtime, the fact that I was even considered and that I will actually be on TV is such a kick! I will keep you posted on when it actually airs so you can check it out. Then you can all say you know someone FAMOUS! :)

Happy Trails!

~Michelle

Happy Anniversary: Megan & Chris

2011-01-10T08:00:00.001-07:00

Megan & Chris were married one year ago today at SunRidge Canyon in Fountain Hills.

Looking back on their wedding day, my favorite memory was actually a bittersweet one. The bride's mother (of whom I met and adored after doing her other daughter's wedding in April 2008) had passed away about 2-weeks before the wedding, so all the guests were still feeling very tender. It was the first thing on everyones mind (including mine) but in order to hold our composure, no one said anything about it. Until the father of the bride gave his toast.

He made light-hearted jokes at first and everyone laughed. Then in a choked up voice he said, "I believe that there is one person in this world that you are meant to be with..." There was a long silent pause as he gathered his emotions, and he continued. "And I know that Megan and Chris have found that in each other."

There was not a dry eye in the house and as it turns out, it was just the release that we all needed. It was by far one of the most emotional wedding days I have been to, to date. I absolutely love this family with all my heart!

Here's wishing them many more years of happiness and all that their hearts desire!

Happy New Year!

2011-01-01T08:00:00.003-07:00

I hope you all had a safe and happy New Year celebration! I am really excited about what 2011 holds for my family and my business!

I hope that you are feeling excited and encouraged today too!

Wedding Flashback: Austin & Charlie Fairbourn

2010-12-14T08:00:00.000-07:00

Austin and Charlie Fairbourn were married on March 14, 2009 in a beautiful and intimate ceremony at Brophy Chapel and their reception was held at the very hip, very urban Bentley Projects downtown.

This was one of those occasions where in the first phone call with Austin, we just clicked. Austin's best friend and Maid of Honor, Bailey and I met at the January Bridal Fashion Debut. Bailey was doing some reconnaissance on Austin's behalf since Austin currently lives in Denver. Bailey told me she would pass my information onto Austin and sure enough I received a call from Austin the following week.

As I mentioned, Austin and I had an immediate connection and within days she made her decision to hire me as her day-of coordinator. At that point we began working very closely together for the next few months, pulling together the final details of her wedding day.

Austin has impeccable taste and the vendors she had selected were all top-notch! It was a pleasure to meet some new vendors, and a delight to work with the ones I already know.

Below are a handful of my favorite pictures taken by one my new favorite photographers, Kirsty Edwards of Kirsty Edwards Photography in San Francisco. We found that we not only share the same last name, but also the same exact birthday! We dubbed ourselves "Team Edwards" and I cannot wait for another opportunity to work with my new found friend!

Below are some of the details of the day. The flowers were designed by Tamara at Petal Pushers and I could not have been more impressed. She is not only a talented designer, but one of the hardest working people I have ever met. It is obvious that her heart and soul goes into everything that she does. Just take a look at her handiwork:

I love this shot of Austin. So elegant, so chic, so glamorous:

Here are a few shots from the ceremony. I just love Brophy Chapel!

Isn't this a cute shot of the girls?:

And I love this shot of the guys:

The reception details came together beautifully. Austin and Charlie had a theme that was centered around bridges and the symbolism of what they stand for. I loved the way that the natural elements in the centerpieces and the earthy colors of brown and green were a really warm balance for the modern, urban art gallery.

The amazing menu provided by Santa Barbara Catering (led by the invaluable Melissan Falcone) was made up of down-home comfort food including Pulled Pork, Whipped Sweet Potatoes, Fried Green Tomatoes and Cornbread. And to top it off: Pie ala mode. Mmmmm!

The guests enjoyed a fun evening filled with music provided by Nick Kraintz of NDK and an Old Fashioned Photobooth provided by A2Z Photobooth. It was truly a magical evening!

Congratulations Austin & Charlie! You were a delight to work for and it was a pleasure to get to know you. I wish you all the best that life has to offer - you deserve it!

For more photos from this wedding, please visit Shoot Retouch Design's Photography Blog!

Featured Couple: Engagement Session

2010-12-10T08:00:00.000-07:00

Hello again! Just wanted to share another update on our Featured Couple: Madeline & Christian.

They found an amazing photographer in Christian's hometown in Minnesota by the name of Laura Clawson. So they decided to do their engagement session with her at the Munsinger Flower Gardens in St. Cloud.

Here are a few of my favorites from the shoot:

I will be in touch with more news on this sweet couple...

~Emily

Marriage License

2010-12-07T08:00:00.000-07:00

Beautiful flowers, great food, upbeat music and your closest family and friends are critical for a meaningful wedding day. But none of them compare in importance to a perforated sheet of parchment paper: Your Marriage License.

You would be surprised to know how many couples put this task off. After all, it is no where near as fun as a cake tasting or picking the perfect linen. But I recommend to all my clients that they go ahead and get this taken care of right away. The license is good for one year from the date it is issued, so if you are less than a year away, go get that bad boy!

It is surprisingly easy to get a Marriage License here in the state of Arizona... not that I'm complaining.

Basically, you each have to have a picture I.D., a total of $72, and raise your hands and swear you're not cousins. Done. No waiting period. No blood tests. You're outta there!

The only thing that can make it logistically difficult is that you and your fiancee both have to be present, and you have to go during standard business hours (8:00 - 5:00, M-F). Since the majority of people are working during this time, it can sometimes be a challenge, hence why so many couples put it off.

But the last thing you need is the stress of waiting to the last minute to go get this significant little document. So, click here for more information and the various locations in Maricopa County that you can go to get one.

~Emily

Happy Anniversary: Jamie & Matthew

2010-12-05T08:00:00.005-07:00

Jamie & Matthew were married one year ago today at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess in Scottsdale.

Looking back on their wedding day, my favorite part was the dramatic floor to ceiling red velvet draping. It created a warm and romantic feel and completely transformed the ballroom. The bride wanted the space to feel like she was having dinner in a castle, and I think we definitely achieved that look. All the guests were blown away!

Here's wishing them many more years of happiness and all that their hearts desire!

A Venues Perspective: Wedding Planners

2010-12-01T08:00:00.002-07:00

The first thing I want to address in this new series, A Venue's Perspective, is one of the most common questions we get asked and also one of the industry's most common misperceptions:

What is the difference between the Wedding Coordinator at my venue and an independent Wedding Planner (such as Your Heart's Desire)?

Most venues have an on-site representative that will assist you with your wedding plans, however there are many contrasts in what an independent Wedding Planner will do for you. Please know that I mean no disrespect toward Venue Coordinators, because I myself was one for years and loved it! But the fact is, there are quite a few differences. Here are just a few of the more prominent ones:

1. Bottom-line Loyalty:

An independent Wedding Planner works for YOU, the client, and their loyalty is to you and you alone. They are committed to working with you until the wedding day. All those emails and phone calls you share with your Wedding Planner ensuring that they know exactly how you want your day to be, will not be in vain.

A Venue Coordinator's ultimate loyalty is to the venue, and rightfully so, because that is their employer. Although, many quality Venue Coordinators are absolutely committed to serving you and meeting your needs, when it is all said and done, they still work for the venue. If your Venue Coordinator gets an offer for another position at another venue, they can and will take it, even if that means they won't be there for your wedding. I have seen this happen time and time again. You may be really happy for him/her and their opportunity, but all those detailed conversations you had are now in the hands of their replacement. It is likely that they kept great notes, but sometimes things can just get lost in translation.

2. Vendor Selection & Tracking:

Many venues have a preferred vendor list which they provide for you to contact on your own. It is a good resource because it does help narrow down your choices. In most cases, their list is compiled of reputable vendors who have worked at their venue and have done a fantastic job! However, some venues preferred vendor lists are compiled of vendors who have paid to be on there, which is not necessarily a reflection of the quality of their work. Also, the list is created by the Venue Coordinator and is typically made up of vendors that he/she prefers working with. Which means that these vendors are not necessarily a good match for each and every client, but more of an overall suggestion/starting point for your vendor research.

An independent Wedding Planner also has an extensive list of quality vendors to suggest to you, however the difference is that they are highly skilled in matching your style, personality and budget to specific vendors. They also set and attend the appointments with you in order to help guide you through the process of choosing the best fit for you and your wedding. They then review and negotiate all your contracts and keep track of when your payments are due to each vendor and act as your point of contact so that you have less to manage during the planning process.

3. Upcharges & Discounts:

I may get some backlash on this one, so please forgive me! This is a sensitive topic and something that clients are truly unaware of, however it's part of the industry. Working for a venue, I was a part of doing this for years, it's called upcharging. It is standard operating procedure at most venues. When a venue arranges for outside services (rentals, linens, lighting, etc.) on the clients behalf, there is typically an additional charge added. This charge can be as little as 5% or as much as 20%, and it goes directly to the venue's bottom line/profit margin. I always looked at this upcharge as a fee for the client's convenience. By having the venue handle these services for them, that is one less thing they have to take care of, so this additional fee does come with a value. Sometimes venues are transparent about these charges, and other times they are not. Regardless, they are typically non-negotiable as the venue has the right to decide whether you have to contract certain services through them and it is completely at their business discretion to decide whether there is a fee associated with that. (It should also be noted that even working with a Wedding Planner, these charges with your venue may or may not apply.)

On the flip side, (in the cases where a venue does not require to contract certain services through them) a Wedding Planner typically passes along various discounts that vendors offer them. These discounts can be anywhere from 5%-20% off of the retail price and you will see that on your invoice. Also, many vendors will offer free products or services to you because you book through a Wedding Planner. They do this because they know that working with a Wedding Planner not only makes their job so much easier, but because they know that Wedding Planners will bring them repeat business and they want to encourage that relationship.

So, although there are many more differences, you can see just from these three comparisons listed above, that the services provided by an independent Wedding Planner and a Venue Coordinator do vary. Hiring a Wedding Planner is not for everyone, and we completely understand and respect that. But we just want brides and grooms to know the differences in case what you are expecting from your Venue Coordinator doesn't actually fall into their job description and you may actually need a Wedding Planner after all.

~ Michelle

Napkin Folds

2010-11-29T08:00:00.000-07:00

I was on BBJ Linen's website the other day looking at various linens and came across a resource they have that shows various napkin folds.

I always like to use different variations of the standard napkin fold and thought you might be interested too:

Featured Couple: Being Truly Thankful

2010-11-25T08:00:00.009-07:00

Madeline & her dad enjoying some family time at the beach

Just recently I shared an update on selecting a venue with our featured couple Madeline & Christian. It was a fun and productive day and we all enjoyed ourselves. But there was an underlying concern that was with us the entire day, and with the family's permission, they wanted me to share that with you.

Our sweet Bride, Mattie, was having some symptoms earlier this year and the doctors told her that she should have a colonoscopy. Now, I know whenever I hear that term, I cringe. And Mattie did the same. She was nervous and scared and so Wayne did what any father would do, he stepped up to comfort his baby girl.

Wayne, as Father of the Bride at the wedding of his older daughter, Carley

He decided he would electively have a colonoscopy so he could share his experience with Mattie and provide her some reassurance about the procedure. After all, he was at an age where it is recommended for him to have one anyway.

After doing so, the unexpected happened. He received news that shocked their family to the core: Wayne was diagnosed with Stage 3 colon cancer.

But this is not a family that hides their heads in the sand or sits around sulking and feeling sorry for themselves. They decided that they would continue to do the things they always do and welcomed the joy of wedding planning to help divert their attentions.

Not long after that, Mattie also had a colonoscopy and at the young age of 19, she too had cancerous polyps. So, both she and her dad had surgeries to remove the cancer and Wayne is currently undergoing chemotherapy.

You just never know what curve balls life is going to throw your way. And because of this, the mother of the bride, Cindy, really wanted to share her heart with you:

"I am finally sitting down in peace and quiet to share my thoughts on the day we went looking at venues for Madeline's wedding.

I considered leaving these events out of the blog but as I gave it further thought, I realized that so many others face challenges during wedding planning and might be encouraged by this part of our story.

Wayne and Cindy: Parents of the Bride

I am the Mother of the Bride and my memory of spring is divided into 2 parts. In early March we had our second precious grand baby as well as the engagement of Madeline and Christian. We absolutely adore Christian and are thrilled that he wants to become part of the family.

Just a short time later our world went in a totally unexpected direction. Madeline's dad was diagnosed with colon cancer and would need surgery and then more treatment. We weren't sure what the future would hold for us. We talked about postponing the wedding plans, but realized that hope is what keeps us going and we needed to take action to dispel the dark clouds hanging over the family.

Our wedding planners, Emily and Michelle, arranged for us to go out looking at wedding venues just before his surgery. I think they now realize they met a totally different guy that day, but it was the best thing we did! A wedding is all about the future. It's about sharing joy with loved ones and we wanted to make every moment memorable even though things seemed dark and bleak.

The storm continued as we found out a few weeks later that the bride also had colon cancer even though she was only almost 20. They are both doing fine now and honestly we are holding each day as precious and every step of making Madeline's wedding beautiful is part of our healing from this challenge."

Madeline and Cindy

On many occasions, Cindy, Wayne, Mattie & Christian have expressed to us that having hired a wedding planner has been a blessing to their family. It is a comfort to know that the plans are still progressing and they can tend to the more urgent family matters that have arisen.

The Anderson family is a blessing to Michelle and I and an inspiration for us all. They truly understand what it is to be thankful for what they have and to remain positive in the face of life's greatest challenges.

Here's wishing you health and happiness this Thanksgiving!

~ Emily

For more information about Colon Cancer Awareness
Click Here.

Happy Anniversary: Janet & Jon

2010-11-21T08:00:00.004-07:00

Janet & Jon were married one year ago today at a Bella Palazzo Estate in Phoenix.

Looking back on this wedding, my favorite part was the amazing location and view. It was held at a rental property in the neck of Camelback Mountain overlooking the entire city. During dinner, guests enjoyed the beautiful sunset and then later the sprawling city lights. It was breathtaking!

Here's wishing them many more years of happiness and all that their hearts desire!

New Series: A Venue's Perspective

2010-11-17T08:00:00.001-07:00

For over 15 years I have been in the Food and Beverage industry. My career began as a server in restaurants, shifting to banquets in hotels and resorts, and eventually moving to private country clubs as a fine dining room manager and eventually the Director of Catering.

So, I wanted to use my first-hand knowledge to your benefit and give you the "inside scoop" of how things come together and the dynamics of different venues so that your event can be the "Best of the Best"!

Since the venue along with food and beverage in most cases is the most expensive portion of your event budget, feeling confident in choosing your venue and understanding how to get the best value for your money, is critical.

In this new blog series, A Venue's Perspective, I will touch on different topics such as service industry strategies, days of preparation, how it all comes together and much more. If there are topics of interest that you want to hear about, let me know, I will do my best to answer.

~ Michelle

Featured Couple: Venue Selection

2010-11-15T08:00:00.004-07:00

I know it has been a while since my initial teaser of inviting you to join us for the planning process of Madeline and Christian (our Featured Couple), but the month of October was quite literally a blur. None the less, I owe you an update!

When a couple hires us, the first thing we do is help them to select their venue (if they don't already have one). We take many factors into consideration, such as style, budget, location, etc. and narrow down a list of about 7-10 venues that we ask the couple to look at online. After that, they send us their feedback of their top 5-6. In Mattie & Christian's case, they narrowed their choices down to 6 venues.

After that, we went to work creating an itinerary to go and look at their top choices. We really enjoy these days with our clients. It gives us a chance to get to know them better, particularly since it is at the beginning of the planning process and we are all still getting acquainted.

Unfortunately the day we decided to go looking at the venues, Christian was not here in the state, so our entourage consisted of: Mattie, her parents, Michelle and I. We started out at 9:30am and wrapped up around 4:00pm. With lunch at Paradise Bakery in between. Yum!

Each venue that we looked at had its pros and cons: This one was a little too casual, this one was a little too small, this one had an awkward location or this one just "didn't feel right." All things that we really couldn't get a sense for until we were actually standing there at each site.

But after much deliberation and consideration, the final decision was made. It met all the criteria the couple was looking for and was the perfect fit. Drumroll please....

SanTan Elegante Reception Center at the Legado Hotel in Gilbert

This is a brand new venue and it is absolutely beautiful. Here is a little blurb from their website:

The Ballroom boasts over 10,000 square feet of dedicated meeting space, divisible into 7, column-free meeting rooms, accommodating as little as 10 to as many as 950 people. The center of the Ballroom opens up to a grand barrel arch 30 feet high. We provide a superior level of attention and assistance in planning the perfect wedding. Not only do we provide a variety of packages, we also specialize in customizing weddings to accommodate the endless dreamer. Let your forever begin with all the romance, beauty, and elegance that you’ve ever imagined for your special day at the Elegante Conference Center. We are here to fulfill your every wish and whim to make your dreams spring to life!

We are all really excited about the wedding day and having the venue selected makes things all that much more "real" for the bride and groom! March can't get here soon enough!

I will be in touch with updates soon...

~ Emily

Wedding Flashback: Stephanie & William Hodder

2010-11-13T08:00:00.001-07:00

This Wedding Flashback is definitely a blast from my past. Stephanie and William Hodder were married on FIVE years ago today on November 13, 2005 at Sassi Ristorante in Scottsdale. I really enjoyed working with this couple and we were all very happy with how the details came together.

Stephanie was a beautiful bride:

And the bouquets were actually white calla lilies that we tinted a soft peach:
The ceremony was on Sassi's beautiful lawn. The live harp music created a romantic ambiance and the desert view made for a gorgeous backdrop:
The bridesmaids bouquets were also lovely and a nice compliment to Stephanie's:
The reception details were warm and intimate, just like Will & Stephanie:
Thanks for walking down memory lane with me. Even after all the weddings that Your Heart's Desire has produced, each wedding still remains clear in my mind. They are each unique and special to me and I feel blessed to be in this business.

Best wishes Will & Stephanie... May you be blessed with many more years of love and happiness!

Photos Provided by Nelsons Weddings

We're Growing: Welcome Michelle!

2010-11-08T12:43:00.004-07:00

It's official! Michelle Scarzone has joined the Your Heart's Desire team!

We have actually been working together for the last 6 months. We both knew that we shared a common integrity and love for planning events, but we wanted to be sure that our styles and personalities would be a good fit working together long term. And as we both expected, they most certainly did!

So, we did what all girls do to celebrate: We pampered ourselves! We went to one of our favorite stylists, Helen Williams of Salon Tru who most graciously did our hair and makeup. Then we met up with the uber-talented Kim Jarman for a fun photoshoot. Here is a handful of our favorite images from the shoot:

Michelle

Emily

Striking a pose...

We had a blast and we are so excited about our bright future as we continue to grow Your Heart's Desire! To read more About Us you can visit our website: http://www.yhdweddings.com/

~Emily

Happy Anniversary: Barbara & Ryan

2010-11-06T08:00:00.004-07:00

Barbara & Ryan were married one year ago today at Villa Siena in Gilbert.

Looking back on their wedding day, my favorite memory was the Garter Removal. Ryan is a bit of a jokester and he had filled his coat pockets will all kinds of silly props so that when he went to removal the garter he began tossing out things like a toy snake, a spatula, sunglasses, and more. It was so funny and Barbara, being such a sweetheart, was a great sport about it! Such a super fun couple!

Here's wishing them many more years of happiness and all that their hearts desire!

Happy Anniversary: Jessica & David

2010-10-24T08:00:00.002-07:00

Jessica & David were married one year ago today at Blackstone Country Club in Peoria.

Looking back on their wedding day, my favorite memory was the Grand Entrance which was set to the Theme Song from the movie "Rocky." It was such a blast and such a fun way to start the evening!

Here's wishing them many more years of happiness and all that their hearts desire!

Happy Anniversary: Tracy & Lee

2010-10-18T08:00:00.003-07:00

Tracy & Lee were married one year ago today at a Private Residence in Scottsdale.

Looking back on their wedding day, my favorite thing was how the bride framed photos of all of her guests' wedding days and put them on each of the tables. As guests mingled around, they were able to reflect back on their own weddings and reminisce. Such a fun way to honor all your guests for being a part of your special day!

Here's wishing them many more years of happiness and all that their hearts desire!

Happy Anniversary: Meghan & Riley

2010-10-16T08:00:00.004-07:00

Meghan & Riley were married one year ago today at Scottsdale Cottonwoods Resort in Scottsdale.

Looking back on their wedding day, my favorite memory (maybe even of all my weddings) was the Father/Daughter dance. During their dance, we projected a vintage video of Meghan and her dad dancing together when she was just a little girl, standing on his feet. It was the most precious thing you have ever seen. It was even more touching that Meghan chose to wear her mother's wedding dress. Such a beautiful bride and a beautiful family.

Here's wishing them many more years of happiness and all that their hearts desire!

Wedding Flashback: Shannon & Ryan Dodge

2010-10-13T08:00:00.002-07:00

For my next Wedding Flashback, I would like to introduce you to Shannon and Ryan Dodge. They were married on October 22, 2006 at The Farm at South Mountain.

I know I say this every time (and each time I mean it genuinely): I absolutely love this couple. Shannon was one of the most methodical and efficient clients I have ever worked with. She knew what she wanted, shared that vision with me, and then trusted me to run with it and make it happen for her. It was such a pleasure!

Shannon and Ryan opted to have their ceremony in the morning and then share brunch with their closest family and friends. They really wanted a simple laid-back event where their guests felt free to mingle and enjoy the merriment at their own leisure.

So, although we did have formal toasts and a ceremonial cake cutting, the rest of the morning was just spent casually enjoying the delectable menu provided by Santa Barbara Catering, some lovely background music, and the serene setting of The Farm.

Below are some of my favorite pictures provided by Nelsons Weddings:

Shannon's all red rose bouquet was beautiful and classic - just like her. And I just LOVE this shot of her getting her hair done. She has the most amazing eyes!

At The Farm, there is a very long gravel path to walk from the room where the bride gets ready, to the canopy in the grove where the ceremony is held. So, since that idea did not appeal to Shannon, we decided to get creative.

Shannon and her entourage decided to get ready at Arizona Grand Resort (at the time it was the Pointe South Mountain). From there they rode in style to the wedding in a black SUV limo and came directly down the aisle from there. This way, they were able to relax in the comfortable air conditioning while watching the guests take their seat and allowing time for the parents and groomsmen to get into position.

Then one by one, the bridesmaids came down the aisle. Once the girls were in place and the pianist began playing "As Time Goes By" from Casablanca, Shannon made her very classy entrance.

It was a beautiful morning and we couldn't have asked for more perfect weather:

Below is a picture of Shannon's daughter, Meegan. She is quite the doll and she has such a sweet spirit.

Many couples getting married are not only promising their lives to one another, but are also blending their families and pledging to love and care for all of the new members of that family. This was the case for Shannon, Ryan and Meegan.

So, they chose to incorporate a family pledge into their vows where Ryan also promised to love and care for Meegan just as he was vowing the same for her mother. He gave her a necklace with 3 conjoined circles symbolizing the unity of the three of them. It was a really touching moment and seeing how emotional Meegan was made it all that more precious (click the image below to enlarge).

As I mentioned before, Shannon had very classic taste and I loved how all of the details came together. The velvety red roses and crisp black accents were so elegant:

I love these shots of the bridal party. They were having such a blast!

Although it was almost FOUR years ago, I still remember this wedding like it was yesterday. I really miss working with Shannon and am so glad that we still keep in touch. Best wishes Ryan, Shannon, Meegan and new addition Parker Dodge! You are such a lovely family.

Happy Anniversary: Heather & Nicholas

2010-10-11T08:00:00.001-07:00

Heather & Nicholas were married one year ago today at the Desert Botanical Gardens in Phoenix.

Looking back on their wedding day, my favorite memory was the Best Man's toast. I have heard many speeches in my day, but this was by far one of the most well-thought out and poignant toasts I have heard to date. Such a warm and friendly group all around!

Here's wishing them many more years of happiness and all that their hearts desire!

Happy Anniversary: Anjali & Brent

2010-10-10T08:00:00.001-07:00

Anjali & Brent were married one year ago today at Desert Mountain Properties in Scottsdale.

Looking back on their wedding day, my favorite memory was the surprise choreographed dance they did for their family and friends at the reception! It started out as a lovely slow dance to Michael Buble's "Everything" and then with a fake CD skip, it jolted into "Jai Ho" and all the Wedding Party joined in for a fast-paced dance that 'WOW'ed all the guests! It was so much fun to see all the reactions!

Here's wishing them many more years of happiness and all that their hearts desire!

Happy Anniversary: Tara & Tom

2010-10-08T08:00:00.003-07:00

Tara & Tom were married one year ago today at The Castle at Ashley Manor in Chandler.

Looking back on the day, my favorite memory was when Tara saw the ballroom for the first time. The floor-to-ceiling Ivory Chiffon draping and all of the other special touches from her octagon cake, to her vintage inspired florals, to the colored glassware was more than she imagined it would be!

Here's wishing them many more years of happiness and all that their hearts desire!

Soapbox Moment: Vendor Selection

2010-10-05T08:00:00.000-07:00

I was talking with a client the other day and we were discussing the vendor selection process and the factors that go into making that decision.

Of course you want to select vendors that are amazing at what they do and are within the budget you want to spend. But more than that, you should be looking at their level of service and commitment to you and your wedding day.

When you select a vendor to provide you with flowers, photography, music, food or any other product/service for your wedding day, it is important that you keep in mind that you are offering them an opportunity! An opportunity to be a part of your one and only wedding day, and they should consider it an honor to be the one selected. And I can assure you that if they are a quality vendor, that is exactly how they will feel.

Now, before you go gettin' all narcissistic on me... let me just clarify, that you too should treat the vendor with respect and courtesy, letting them share with you how best to accomplish your goals... after all they are the experts!

But, I feel really strongly that you should be selecting vendors that have a true passion for what they do; vendors that understand your vision and are genuinely excited about executing it.

Soapbox moment over. Thanks for letting me share...

Wedding Flashback: Donna & Al Morrison

2010-10-01T08:00:00.000-07:00

Donna and Al Morrison were married on September 27, 2008 at their private residence in Fountain Hills. This beautiful home overlooking Firerock Canyon Golf Course is actually their new winter getaway from Calgary, Alberta.

They hired me in May of 2008 and we got to work right away creating a warm and unique event. They really did not want a lot of formality and structure -- They wanted a fun cocktail party atmosphere for their 70 guests, mostly from out of town. So, our overall theme was to bring in the elements of the desert and southwest.

For the food, we decided to serve a Mexican inspired cuisine provided by Seasons Gourmet Catering, including Mini Tostadas, Quesedillas and a Salsa Bar, among many other tasty items. The staff was phenomenal and owner, Stuart Kramer went well above and beyond as usual!

For the flowers, we went with an array of proteas. They are huge exotic flowers and Tyler's Custom Design used at least 5 different varieties to create some truly breathtaking arrangements. They were not only a gorgeous addition to Donna's existing decor in the house, but they were a perfect compliment to the desert landscape in the back yard as well.

To create the perfect ambiance and add an additional southwest flair during the cocktail hour, we surprised the guests with a captivating performance by Flamenco Dancer, Linda Machado accompanied by her husband, Ricardo de Cristobal, playing acoustical Spanish guitar.

And of course, without the incredibly talented work of MelissaJill Photography, we would not have been able to capture the essence of this event in the way only she can. For some additional photos and her take on the event, I recommend visiting her very popular and addicting blog.

After dinner and mingling, the party began! Michael Broening, our Master of Ceremonies, had the difficult task of trying to make a very diversified group of dancers happy... and from what I saw it was a success! In fact, come to find out, the bride was one of the teachers in Van Halen's video "Hot for Teacher." So of course we had quite the cheers when Michael played that one!

Last but not least, I must share a YHD first!!! Half-way through the evening, about 30 guests, including the bride and groom, decided to jump in the pool, evening-wear and all! Their little dip only lasted about 15 minutes, but during that time I raided the house for every dry towel I could find. One guest asked me as I handed out towels whether this was part of my job description. I just laughed and replied, "It is now!" It was just good, clean, spontaneous fun and a wedding I will be talking about for many years to come!

Thanks Donna & Al for hiring me to be a part of such a spectacular event! My best wishes for you and a blessed future together!

#35 - Done!

2010-09-29T08:00:00.004-07:00

I am excited to say that I just checked #35 off of my 101 in 1001 list: Donate Blood.

My church was doing a blood drive and so I thought this was a perfect and convenient opportunity to accomplish one of my goals. I have to admit, I was really nervous. Like many people, I am not a fan of needles. But I was determined to face my fear.

When I arrived they ask you a whole list of qualifying questions, take your blood pressure & temperature, and prick your finger to test your blood for iron levels. I passed all these tests with flying colors!

Next they have you take a seat and prep your arm for the needle. [Cue the anxiety] I just squeezed my eyes closed and held my breath. It was over before I knew it and I barely felt a thing! I sat there for about 10-15 minutes as I filled the blood bag with a pint of my blood.

Once I was done, they wrapped up my arm and and asked me to sit for about 15 minutes drinking water and eating snacks (which was my favorite part!).

I am embarrassed to say that this is first time I have ever donated blood in my life, which was why it was one of my goals. But after doing some research on blood donation, it was clear to me that this is something I should make a habit of doing on a regular basis. The statistics gave me a real sense of responsibility. Check out these interesting facts:

Only 38% of the nation’s population is eligible to give blood,

and only 5 percent of those eligible donors across the nation donate blood.

Each whole blood donation can help as many as three people.

One unit is divided into three parts: red blood cells, platelets, and plasma.

In the US and Canada, around 43,000 pints of blood is used everyday.

About 25% of all people worldwide require blood at least once in their lifetime.

Blood cannot be manufactured. It can only come as a gift from people.

Isn't that amazing? With all of the world's incredible technology, giving blood comes down to the simplest of human gestures: Giving of Yourself for Another.

So, if you haven't already, I encourage you to give blood too. I know I am so glad that I did.

~ Emily

Happy Anniversary: Amanda & Seth

2010-09-26T08:00:00.003-07:00

Amanda & Seth were married one year ago today at The Wright House in Mesa.

In looking back on their wedding day my favorite memory was when Amanda's brothers saw her for the first time and the typically unemotional family got all choked up! It was very sweet.

Here's wishing them many more years of happiness and all their hearts desire!

Bedside Notepad

2010-09-24T08:00:00.001-07:00

A piece of advice I give my clients on the night before their wedding is to keep a little notepad and pen next to their bed that night. Here are some cute ones I found at http://www.expressionery.com/:

Even though we have thought through every last detail and the day is sure to be a success because of it, it is inevitable that your mind is still going to be swimming with things you don't want to forget to do the next day.

So rather than tossing and turning with those thoughts in your head, pull out the little notepad by your bed, jot down some reminders, and release them from your mind.

After all, when have you ever wanted your beauty rest more than the day before your wedding?

Sweet dreams!

~ Emily

Next Top Model: Sweet 16 Bash

2010-09-22T08:00:00.000-07:00

Here is a flashback post from the Sweet 16 Party I put together for my sister last year. It was such a fun idea I thought I would share it again!

This is my beautiful baby sister, Sara. I know, I know... she's not a baby anymore. In fact, she just turned 16!

She is such a wonderful young lady. I cannot begin to tell you how much I love this little girl and how proud I am of her. She is friendly, well-mannered and has a really great sense of humor. On top of that she has a 4.3 grade point average! That's right: Beauty and Brains... Look out!

She loves everything fashion and everything photography, so it is no surprise that one of her favorite shows is America's Next Top Model. So, we thought it would be fun to throw her a Sweet 16 Bash centered around that theme!

Check out these adorable invitations designed by Kimberly McDowell of The Event Essentials:

There were a total of 8 girls who were able to attend (including Sara). When they all arrived, we asked them to have a seat around the dining room table at my parents house. They each received their very own personalized champagne flute to drink our homemade sparkling punch.

Check out this snazzy cake my step-mom made. She also filled a silver platter with sugared berries, cheese, crackers and other yummy treats. Then she walked around the house serving the girls from the platter... it was so fun!

Next, we had them all draw numbers to determine which order they would go in. First, they were each to have their makeup professionally done. Here is a shot of some of the girls primping and waiting for their turn in the makeup chair:

Rebecca Bond-Turner. We were so excited she was willing to do this for us! She did such a fantastic job with all the girls, taking special care to spend the same amount of time with each girl.

And here we have our very talented makeup artist:

Once they were finished having their makeup done, each girl got to spend about 10 minutes with the AMAZING professional photographer: Shawna Yarbrough and her assistant of Studio 7 Photography. I love this shot from Sara's shoot with both photographers doing their thing:

Meanwhile, about halfway through the morning, we stopped to sing Happy Birthday to Sara and cut the cake.

Here are another couple of cute shots of the girls taking photos with each other as they waited their turns:

And NOW... Here are the before and after shots of all the girls:
First up, Danielle:

Next was Kaitlin:

Then Chelsey:
and the lady of the day, Sara:

Followed by Missy:

And Danika:

Then Shelby:

And last but not least, Alyssa:

Then, in true Next Top Model fashion, they all donned various colored tank tops to give some consistency to the shot and took some group photos together. Here are a few of my favorites:

While Alyssa was finishing up her shoot, all of the other girls decided to pose with Rebecca... she was such a blast!

Then we arranged for a limo to come to escort the girls to a surprise lunch in Scottsdale. Here is a shot of a few of the girls posing in front of the limo. They were SO excited!

And finally, here is a shot of the girls at their final destination: Benihana. Sara has always wanted to go there and we thought it would be a fun interactive lunch for the girls to enjoy. (Plus it was SUPER yummy too!)

So there you have it: A 16-year-old's dream of a birthday party! They all had so much fun!

Way to go girls! Hope to see you on America's Next Top Model some day!

Featured Couple: Madeline & Christian

2010-09-20T08:00:00.031-07:00

I would like you to meet Madeline and Christian. If you are not already in sugar-shock from how adorable they are, just wait! You will be...

Madeline and Christian have so graciously agreed to invite you along with us as we plan their wedding, which is scheduled for March 2011. I love how so many blogs show you the wedding day and the end results of the planning, but we thought it might be fun for you to get to see the process all the way through and get to know Madeline and Christian along the way.

Mattie and Christian have a really amazing story. They have actually known each other since they were babies! We asked them if they would mind sharing their story in their own words... So read on:

"Christian and I have known each other our entire lives, we played together when we were babies. He was born here in Arizona and even after he and his parents moved back to Minnesota, our families stayed close through lots of Christian's family visits to the valley.

Christian (in the high chair) and Madeline (going in for a kiss!)

Even though we have known each other our whole lives, our love story really began when Christian's family came to Arizona on vacation in 2004. I saw some things in Christian that I really admired. There wasn't much contact between our two families after that trip, but Christian was often on my mind. I did however write letters back and forth with Christian's sister occasionally, and after secretly reading many of those letters Christian realized in the summer of 2007 that he was absolutely head-over-heels for me!!!

We connected through Facebook in early 2008, started dating the next year, and on March 12, 2010, after asking for my Father's permission, he proposed by candlelight at my home, which he knew was my favorite place in the world!

We are so madly in love and cannot wait to be married this coming March, so we can share our first kiss and spend the rest of our lives together!!"

So, there you have it. Are they cute or what? Please keep checking back as we update you on the planning progress.

First on the agenda: VENUE SELECTION! Stay tuned...

~ Emily

#95 - Done!

2010-09-17T08:00:00.003-07:00

We took our final family vacation of the summer at the end of August. We stayed at my aunt and uncle's place in San Diego. And since my uncle had his Navy retirement ceremony that weekend, there was quite a bit of family in town for that, including my cousin who made a surprise trip from Germany! So it was such a treat to spend time with all of them. I am from an Italian family, so for us its all about the food, the wine and good conversation! Check, Check and Check!

While we were there, my husband and I wanted to take Ella to Seaworld and to the beach - which helped me to check #95 off of my 101 in 1001. We had such a great time doing both. Here are a few quick snapshots:

Ella petting the Bat Ray

The Elmo Ride at SeaWorld

Ella's first look at the Ocean

We had a great time and it was the perfect trip to finish off the summer and get ready for the fall wedding season!

~ Emily

Friday Weddings are Better!

2010-09-14T09:10:00.002-07:00

The majority of couples I meet with have their heart set on a Saturday wedding and I totally understand this and am in full support of whatever they want.

However, I thought I would share my take on why Friday weddings are better than Saturdays. That's right. I said it. Fridays are better. I just took a major stand there and went against the grain. But I think I have some pretty good reasons to back it up:

Reason #1: Your closest family and friends, the most important people in your life, will be at your wedding no matter what time of day it is and no matter what day of the week.

The best way to think about this is to put yourself in their shoes. For example: If your sister or best friend said she was getting married on a Tuesday at 3:00pm, would you or would you not make that happen? You may wonder what in the world she is thinking, but you would be there, right?

Of course, Friday is not as obscure as a Tuesday. But when considering a Friday, I most often get the argument that couples are worried about their guests having to take an extra day off work. Yes, maybe so.

Although if they are in town and if the wedding is in the evening. Maybe not. Maybe they will only need to take a half day off. In fact, even if they are out of town, they may likely want to take the day off on Friday anyway for traveling.

And for my final point on Reason #1: Some people work on weekends. So, they have to take a day off regardless to be at your wedding.

Reason #2: Fridays are almost always less expensive with wedding venues and vendors.

You are not alone in wanting a Saturday wedding. They are definitely the most popular day and thus in higher demand. But all the much more reason to consider a Friday so that you can save some money. Let's face it. Weddings are expensive and any area that you can cut some corners, why not run with it?

Don't get me wrong: I am not asking you to settle! Fridays are not settling! They are actually a better option for you and your guests, which leads me to...

Reason #3: Friday weddings allow your guests to have a more relaxed vacation on your wedding weekend and spend more quality time with each other.

All of my cousins live out of town. And I went to every single one of their weddings. All of their weddings were on Saturdays. Each weekend felt like a whirlwind because I got in on Friday night, went to the wedding on Saturday, and quickly turned around and left on Sunday afternoon. We didn't really get an opportunity to spend quality time with the family because there was simply no time to.

However, with a Friday wedding, your guests come in on Friday afternoon and attend the wedding. Then you can host a brunch or open house on Saturday to spend some extra time with everyone.

Quite often the guests who are at your wedding are friends and family from all over the country and it is not often you get to see them. Wouldn't it be nice to spend some time really catching up and enjoying their company rather than just saying that quick hello as you bounce from table to table at the reception?

After all, you spend all this time planning for that one single day that goes by ever so quickly. Don't you think it would be fun to have the merriment spill over into the next day and/or evening?

As I said from the beginning, I am always in complete support of whatever my clients choose. Sometimes the reasoning above just doesn't apply and if that is the case, then Saturday it is!

But the most important factor that should go into your final decision about anything regarding your wedding is: What is best for you and your fiancee? You cannot make everyone happy and you have to consider what is the best fit for you.

Sooo... did I convince ya??

~ Emily

Ella Kathryn - My Little Apprentice

2010-09-10T08:00:00.024-07:00

Over time, I am planning to share updates on my 101 in 1001 and other personal updates. So, in order to get you up to speed, I should probably formally introduce you to Miss Ella Kathryn. She is my beautiful 3-1/2-year-old daughter and CEO in training:

She is such a blessing and so much fun! My husband and I used to joke long before we even thought about starting a family, that our children might just be the most strong-willed creatures on the planet once you combined both of our DNA together... well that was a fun little anecdote to share until it became a reality: Enter Ella! And I do mean that she commands quite an entrance!

Long before she took her first breath of air in this world, she and I were having disagreements. She found it quite necessary to shove her pointy little heel in the most awkward and uncomfortable place in my ribcage. As I tried to persuade her little foot out of that spot, I could swear that she was pushing back even harder... then I came to my senses and realized that it is not possible for an unborn infant to have such a strong personality. It was merely in my head... Ah, but was it?

Since before she was born, this little girl had a mind of her own which she proved even at delivery. The nurse assured us that we had at least 3 more hours before we would even consider pushing. Well, Ella must have heard that and decided to prove her wrong because not 30 minutes later I was holding her in my arms!

It is so funny to think back on those moments now, because each day she is doing or saying something that assures us of her strong personality and sharp wit. Here are just a few of her recent antics:

While shopping, I glance down and this is what I saw!

Lining up her dollies to watch TV

I was so proud of her for being so quiet for me while I took a call until I turned around to see this: Permanent Marker!

Her first sip of a Root Beer Float!

This little girl is smart, silly and super determined. Some of the conversations I have with her just blow my mind that she is only 3! If you want to stay up to date with the misadventures of Miss Ella, you are welcome to come by my personal facebook page.

So there you have it - My little apprentice. Although she is still in training to be the CEO, she already has the "Chief" part down!!!

~ Emily

Wedding Flashback: Natalie & Felix Carroll

2010-09-06T08:00:00.003-07:00

Let me introduce to you, Natalie and Felix. They were married on December 1, 2007 at the beautiful Villa Siena in Gilbert.

Natalie will be the first to tell you that she didn't think she needed a wedding planner, but decided just to check it out anyway. I was surprised when they shared those feeling with me later, since they hired me on the spot at our initial consultation!

I guess love at first sight doesn't just apply to romantic love... because the feelings I had for both Natalie and her mom at that initial meeting, were completely mutual. It wasn't long before I met Felix as well, and we also hit it off.

Planning their wedding was such a treat! Natalie knew both what she DID and did NOT want, which was a dream. They were very laid back and had impeccable taste. I looked forward to every meeting we had together because they always made great decisions and were so much fun to be around.

I have selected a handful of my favorite images of the day, shot by the super-talented MelissaJill. I could not possibly fit all of my favorite images in this post, so be sure to check out the entire album design when you get a chance.

Here is a shot of Natalie having her makeup done at the salon:

Natalie and Felix chose to see each other before the ceremony for pictures, and they shared a very emotional first meeting:

Natalie was such a beautiful bride:

I love the variety of dresses on the girls. Each one suited their individual styles and personalities:

Here is one of my favorite bouquet shots of all time (...I guess that is obvious when you look at my website, huh?):

So as it turns out, December 1, 2007 was one of those rare Arizona days where the rain would not let up. I kept crossing my fingers, saying little prayers and practically willing it to stop with every fiber of my being, but no such luck.

But if you absolutely have to use the inclement weather option at a venue, Villa Siena is the place you want to be! Below is a shot of what we had to do instead of the original plan to have it outside in the courtyard:

It was absolutely breathtaking. When Natalie's mom arrived at Villa Siena, she came to me with a pleading look in her eyes and asked me if there was ANY chance we could still have it outside. With limited time before the ceremony was ready to begin, I told her that we had to move it inside, but that I had an amazing alternative. Then I walked her down to the room shown above, she looked at me with tears in her eyes and gave me a huge hug. She was speechless.

Here are some additional detail shots from the ceremony:

I loved the romantic glow of the fireplace behind them as they exchanged their vows:

The dining room was warm and inviting. Here is a shot of one of the tables and the cake:

Thanks again Natalie and Felix! You are such a charming couple and I wish you a long and beautiful marriage together!

Let's try this again...

2010-09-01T08:00:00.002-07:00

So, here we go again with the blog! I have to say it is something I really enjoyed doing last year, but when my business almost tripled last fall and into spring, something on my task list had to go. Unfortunately, it was my blog and newsletter.

I got really amazing feedback from everyone on both the newsletter and the blog, but my clients had to come first. Since I had not put a system in place to maintain taking care of both my clients AND the blog, that was just the way it went. Lesson learned.

However, this time I have a plan. After all, I am a planner! :)

I am going to share some of my current and past events, some industry secrets and advice, some of my favorite ideas and products, behind the scenes of Your Heart's Desire, updates on my 101 in 1001 list and much more!

But.... I did want to ask you a couple questions first (partly just to see how many people are actually reading this and willing to respond):

1. What kinds of stories/features do you enjoy most on other blogs you have seen?

2. What are some things you haven't seen on other blogs and would like to?

Any feedback you want to share would be great. I am just excited to get started again!

~ Emily

P.S. My quarterly newsletter will be starting up again on October 1, 2010 so if you want to get added to the list, please fill out the form in the right-hand column of the blog.

We're Baaaaaack!

2010-08-15T15:53:00.002-07:00

Do you see that seemingly unobtrusive dotted line below?? Well it is serving a great purpose.

It is dividing what was my inactive and neglected blog from my shiny new upcoming blog which will be starting up on September 1st!

If you followed in the past, you may notice I have removed some of my older posts because I want to share them again with a fresh perspective. (I did leave the more personal-slanted posts documenting progess on my 101 in 1001 since they are just fun for me to look back on...)

But I will also be debuting some new features, a new addition to the YHD team and a renewed commitment to keeping this blog a fun place to visit!

So why don't you add us to your reader and stay tuned!!

---------------------------------------------------------------

Nearly-Weds: Sara & David

2009-03-16T08:00:00.001-07:00

Meet Sara and David. They are getting married in May, 2009 at a church in Phoenix and then having their reception at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge.

This last weekend they had their engagement session with the wonderfully talented MelissaJill. They went up to Cave Creek and had what appears to be a really fun time.

Here are a few of my favorite shots:

To see even more from this shoot, please visit MelissaJill's blog and stay tuned for their wedding day photos which are sure to be just as awesome!

Awesome Husband Award

2009-03-09T08:00:00.001-07:00

My husband Brian and I have the kind of relationship where we bicker all the time... we have the "little old couple" thing down and we are in our 30's. Imagine when we actually get to the "little old couple" ages! Look out!

But I just have to publicly say it. My husband is awesome. He deserves some kind of award or something. I seriously don't know what I would do without him and I really, honestly, don't know how he can deal with me some days.

I am not overly high-maintenance and not overly emotional. I am, however, really annoyingly obsessive-compulsive and anal retentive, which has its pros and cons.

When it comes to my career, being anal-retentive is a GREAT thing. My clients can sleep well at night knowing that I am the one obsessing over the details... that is why they are paying me!

On the other hand, when it comes to putting away the dishes... SERIOUSLY.

It really doesn't matter what position the bowls are in or whether the cups are lined up straight and evenly. But I just can't help myself. I have even tried to do it differently just to show myself "it will all be ok" and yet, my mind will not let it go until I go back and "fix" it.

I know! Can you imagine living with me??? I will be the first to say that it is not easy and yet Brian not only puts up with it, he goes along with it, positioning the bowls and cups just so.

But I digress. These feelings of overwhelming appreciation are not because of an empty dishwasher.

I just wanted to take a moment to give a little credit to the man behind the scenes, indirectly making each wedding I do successful just by being my steady rock.

In a demanding and service oriented career like mine, I feel so blessed to have a husband who is all about taking care of me and providing the love and support that I need, so that I can be the support that my clients need.

Thanks Sparky... I love you!

#39 - Done!

2009-03-04T08:00:00.005-07:00

Starting at the beginning of February, I invoked a new personal and business related rule: I am taking Sundays off. No checking email, no going on appointments, no answering the phone. Sure, there will be an exception from time to time, but as a rule, Sundays are my day off. And man have I been enjoying them.

In fact, just a couple Sundays ago, I decided to use my whole day off to check another item off of my 101 in 1001 list: Plant flowers in the front yard.

As they say, the first step to solving a problem is admitting you have one, so bear that in mind as I share the next couple of photos with you.

Here is a shot of the little patch of gardening area by my front door:

Ah, but look closer and you will see why this made the list in the first place.

You can see the attempt for beauty was there in the past, what with the small trellis and brick border, but that was from days gone by when I had MORE than one day off a week... and one less child for that matter. (Ok, brace yourself...)

Eeek. Not pretty. But I knew just the place to go to rectify this situation. My friendly neighborhood Home Depot. Look at this marketing quality photo below, complete with employee hard at work.

I am such a flower person, so I just love the garden center. Just look at what my eyes beheld:

But I was a woman on a mission. So, I carefully made my selections, packed up my car and headed home.

To begin, I dug out all of those ugly weeds and added some fresh soil.

Next, I dug a couple of holes for my climbing roses and added a much more substantial trellis.

Meanwhile, while I was working on the roses, my husband Brian was digging up the main drip line for me. You see, the reason that my little patch of garden has never quite been successful, is because it doesn't have a drip line running to it.

For the 9 years we have been in our house, I never realized that the little plastic channel in the crack of the sidewalk, was in fact there for that purpose. Der! And what a simple solution.

I purchased a little kit with all kinds of little connector do-dads and Brian ran a line from the main drip system, through the plastic channel and into my garden bed. Voila!

Once we laid the drip line throughout the patch, I began to add my flowers. I selected a variety of Marigolds, Snapdragons and Alyssum. Here is how it turned out:

So, what do you think? I am so happy with it. Not to mention I got one more thing checked off the list... What a beautiful Sunday that was!

Emily Edwards featured on The Smart Planner

2009-03-02T08:00:00.007-07:00

For the very few of you out there who have not heard of Liene Stevens and her two very popular blogs, you absolutely MUST check her out!

Liene (pronounced Lynn and pictured above) is also a wedding planner. Her company is called Blue Orchid Designs and she has not only been busy growing her company, but has also found great success in writing both the Blue Orchid Blog (geared towards brides and grooms) and The Smart Planner Blog (geared towards wedding professionals).

I am a fan of both. They are chocked full of relevant and straight-to-the-point advice, which is not only helpful, but also extremely refreshing.

Every Friday on The Smart Planner Blog, Liene features a different wedding planner from across the country. And last Friday, it was my turn in the spotlight. You can check out the post by clicking here.

Thanks Liene for putting yourself out there and sharing your voice. I wish you all the success your heart desires! ;)

Welcome Lauren Elizabeth!

2009-02-24T20:00:00.009-07:00

Hello everyone! I just wanted to share some exciting news in the life of my family.

My sister and brother-in-law just welcomed their second child: Lauren Elizabeth into our family on Friday, February 20th! She was born 8 pounds exactly and that was at 3 weeks early!

Please don't be confused... this is not my 16-year old sister Sara who I have spoken about often, but rather my other sister Jenny who is 1 year and 9 months younger than me.

Here are some sweet photos of my daughter meeting Lauren for the first time (that is my mom in the picture with them):

And since we are talking about my sister and babies, this might be a fun time to share another cool story with you:

I am a born planner and this is true in my personal life as well as business. So, when I decided I wanted to start a family, I got out my calendar and started marking down dates. I did my research and figured out the best times to... well, you know. I all but kept an Excel spreadsheet to plot it all out.

So the waiting game began. I was so anxious to see if my body cooperated with all that planning and research. So, when I counted the days and was sure that I was 'late' I took a test: Negative.

The next day, I was over at Jenny's house and I told her that I was late, but that the test came up negative. She was intrigued and said that she happen to have a test in the house and said I should give it another try.

After taking the test we both stood over it eagerly as the two little lines became very clear: PREGNANT! Hooray! We were both so excited, but Jenny insisted that she go out and buy another test just to be sure.

So, she came back from the drug store with a 2-pack, just in case. Second try - Same results: PREGNANT!

We spent the next hour daydreaming about whether it would be a boy or a girl and what names we liked. Then I decided I should probably go home and let my husband in on the big news.

As I was driving home, I received a call from Jenny who was frantically asking me to come back! Why? What happened?! She told me that she decided to take the other pregnancy test just to "get it out of the house" and sure enough, her results were identical to mine: PREGNANT!

No way. That can't be.

So, she ran to the same drug store to buy another 2-pack. (I would love to know what was going through the mind of THAT clerk! Can you imagine?) Sure enough, she took the second test and the answer came back the same.

We were both pregnant for the first time and found out on the same day. Isn't that crazy cool? And to top it all off, we were due within days of each other.

As it turns out, Jenny was not really trying to have a baby, but she wasn't really trying to prevent it. So, this was not intentional. It was pure exciting coincidence.

Here is a shot of us on Christmas 2006 (that's me on the left in green):

We were so excited to have MelissaJill Photography do our maternity photos. There were a TON of really amazing shot and I will share more of those with you in another post, but here is my favorite one:

My daughter Ella Kathryn was born March 9, 2007 and Jenny's son Daniel Jacob was born 3 days later. Delivered by the same doctor in the same delivery room no less.

Here are a few photos of our little munchkins together:

They are already the best of friends and we are so excited about incorporating our new precious addition of Lauren to our clan. What a blessing!

Brides Give Back

2009-02-11T13:00:00.004-07:00

February 19, 2009

Grab your heels and your hubby-to-be and head to Villa Siena's Post Valentine's Day Wedding Soiree.

Enjoy tasty treats, refreshing facials, mini makeovers, and the opportunity to set the price on Arizona's top wedding vendors in our silent and live auctions.

All proceeds benefit the local domestic violence shelter, Faith House. Find out more and get tickets at http://www.bridesgiveback.com/.

(Wording taken directly from the event's save-the-date)

Photoshoot with David de Dios

2009-02-09T08:00:00.002-07:00

I am sure by now (if you have been following my blog) you have both seen and read about my little sister Sara, who helps me out at my booth at bridal shows. She absolutely loves modeling and has a true talent for it too. (You can read more about her in the post I just recently did about her Next Top Model Sweet Sixteen Party.)

Well, at the last couple of shows, my buddy David of De Dios Photography has stopped by my booth to say hello and when he saw Sara, he told us that he loved her look and wanted to do a photoshoot with her to market another avenue of photography: Senior portraits. He wants to offer seniors something a little more fun and hip in place of that standard studio portrait session.

David is an amazing photographer and specializes in weddings. I love the way he captures an essence of drama and romance in his shots. This photoshoot may have been a departure from weddings, but I am sure his photos of Sara will be incredible and I can't wait to see how they turned out.

In the meantime, I thought I would share some of the shots I got from my little Point-and-Shoot Canon PowerShot...

I will keep you posted when the final photos are done. I am sure they will be nothing short of amazing. In the meantime, please check out David's website at http://www.daviddedios.com/.

Winner of 2009 Bride's Choice Award

2009-02-03T08:00:00.003-07:00

WeddingWire, the nation’s leading wedding technology company, just announced that Your Heart's Desire has won the 2009 Bride’s Choice Awards™!

In its inaugural year, the Bride’s Choice Awards recognizes and honors vendors from the WeddingWire Network that demonstrate excellent quality of service, responsiveness, professionalism, value of cost and flexibility. This year’s recipients represent the top three percent of WeddingWire’s vendor community, which includes over 100,000 wedding vendors from across the US. That means Your Heart's Desire is one of the very best Wedding Planners!

Unlike other awards in which winners are selected by the company, the Bride’s Choice Awards are determined exclusively by recent newlyweds through surveys and reviews.

“We are excited to launch this annual award program to honor high-performing vendors based solely on the experiences of our WeddingWire community,” according to Timothy Chi, WeddingWire’s Chief Executive Officer. “This year’s recipients have set the bar high, exhibiting excellent service and expertise in the wedding industry.”

Your Heart's Desire would like to thank our past clients for speaking on our behalf and helping us win the 2009 Bride’s Choice Award!

Blogging Bootcamp - Completed!

2009-01-24T20:00:00.006-07:00

I really enjoyed the Blogging Bootcamp workshop on Wednesday (that's me, front & center). I gathered a lot of great information and tangible resources from the very knowledgeable Liene Stevens to help develop my blog.

So stay tuned as I start trying to implement some new ideas... This should be fun!

Photo Credit goes to MelissaJill Photography ...Thanks friend!

Blogging Bootcamp

2009-01-21T08:00:00.002-07:00

I thought it was blog-worthy to mention that today I am attending a workshop called: Blogging Bootcamp.

It is being given by Liene Stevens of The Smart Planner and Blue Orchid Designs.

Since the launch of the Blue Orchid Blog in 2006, it has grown to include over 3000 unique daily visitors! At this Blogging Bootcamp (which is designed for wedding professionals), Liene will be sharing specific strategies and techniques she has personally used to grow the Blue Orchid Blog to where it is today.

I am really looking forward to hearing what she has to say. Hopefully you will see the effects of what I learn here on my little 'ole blog!

Stay tuned!

OneWed.com: Best of 2008!

2009-01-18T08:00:00.001-07:00

I just received an email informing me that I made the Best of 2008 list with OneWed.com. Yay! Just thought I would share...

Color Trends for Spring 2009

2009-01-16T08:00:00.002-07:00

I was doing some research with Pantone to find out what color trends are coming up for Spring of 2009 and I thought I would share what I found.

Pantone is a "world-renowned authority on color" and they put out a bi-annual report that projects color trends that are going to be popular in the upcoming season. Of course, this is geared more towards fashion than weddings, but fashion trends do inspire wedding trends as well.

So, on the left are the colors they are projecting and you can also click this link to read the entire Pantone Spring 2009 report.

Which colors do you like the best? Are you planning to use any of these colors for your spring wedding?

#36 - Done!

2009-01-14T08:00:00.002-07:00

So, I am almost embarrassed to say that the first thing I have checked off of my 101 in 1001 list is to complete a Medium Level song on Guitar Hero.

Out of all my ambitious and productive goals I set, this is the one that gets done first?? Hmmmm... Let's not even try to analyze this one, k?

But anyway, I did it! And as ridiculous as it sounds, I was really excited about it.

I don't own the Wii, so I don't get to play it often. But my sister Sara has it and when I dropped her off at home after the Bridal Show on Sunday, I thought I would give Guitar Hero another try.

I have only played it once before and I only attempted the Easy level and sure enough I was booed off the stage every time. I know. I was really awful. Hence why this goal even made my list.

So, on Sunday, I worked up my confidence by playing a few songs on the Easy level and after getting through 4 songs in a row without being booed... I thought - Ok. Let's give Medium a try and see if I can do. And to my delight, I did it on the first try.

Here is my proof:

So, there you have it. My first goal has been achieved. Hopefully the next ones checked off the list are a little more productive, but this one sure was fun!

Bridal Fashion Debut

2009-01-13T11:53:00.007-07:00

To kickstart to 2009, I decided to participate in the Bridal Fashion Debut which was held on January 10th & 11th at the Phoenix Convention Center.

It turned out to be a really amazing show and I am really glad I was there!

One of the florists that I work with is always so generous to provide me with decorations for my booth and because she does this for me as a favor, I typically just work around whatever she has available at the time and it always comes together really nicely.

But this time I got a bee in my bonnet (who says that anymore?) and decided to go to Fabric Depot to select some fabric and make my own booth decorations. So, I picked out a really pretty floral fabric and some bead trim (see a close-up picture below) and made a valance and table runner out of it. Then I selected some Mossy green satin fabric and made some panels out it. And Voila! It made for a really pretty little display.

Of course, I still borrowed an arrangement and table drape from the florist (Thanks Karen!) and rented some fruitwood Chivari chairs from Tri-Rentals (Thanks Shelly!) to finish it off. I think it looked really pretty and it was very affordable!

Once again, my sister Sara (that's her in the picture) helped me in my booth and here is a picture of how it turned out:

I met some fantastic new vendors and enjoyed getting to see the vendors I already know. I also met some really amazing couples and I am really excited about seeing them again in the initial consultations we scheduled.

So, overall it was a great success!

New Year's Resolution: 101 in 1001

2009-01-06T21:00:00.042-07:00

Ok. Fine.

I have finally given in and decided to make a "101 goals in 1001 days" list. I have been resisting for a long time because I didn't want to be a follower and do it because "everyone else is doing it."

But I totally see the value in writing down goals and tangibly checking them off of a list. When you write things down they become a more intentional part of your subconscious and you are more likely to actually reach them. So, I thought, what the heck! Copycat or not, I am going to make my list. And it seems quite perfect to begin at the beginning of a new year.

So, there you have it: My 101 in 1001 list. I will keep you posted on my progress as it is made.

Ready, Set, GO!

Begin Date: January 1, 2009
End Date: September 28, 2011

1. Visit Grammer in Winslow
2. Take my Gramma to lunch at least once every 3 months
3. Fly a kite [April 5, 2010]
4. Make a snowman
5. Get my teeth whitened
6. Have one of my clients' weddings featured in a local wedding magazine [Completed May 1, 2009]
7. Sponsor a child in a foreign country [March 12, 2010]
8. Go on a cruise
9. Develop a training workshop for aspiring wedding planners
10. Finish the Needlepoint project I started back in 1998
11. Have my personal wedding photos put into a professionally designed album
12. Have my website rank in the top 5 on Google under 3 popular wedding related search terms
13. Write down my thoughts from Ella's birth and her first year in a journal
14. Attend a wedding related conference [Completed 1.9.11]
15. Finish reading the Left Behind series including the Prequels
16. Exercise at least once a week for 6 months
17. Have another baby
18. Purchase better photo editing software
19. Learn to use a video/movie editing software
20. Visit Stacy in Colorado [Completed 8.5.09]
21. Compensate Carol and pick up the painting she did for me [Completed 12.2.09 and 8.31.10, respectively]
22. Fix the foot on our living room couch [Completed 3.15.09]
23. Display the preserved flowers from my wedding
24. Complete the New Testament Bible Study with Brian
25. Do Beth Moore's Esther Bible Study [Completed 6.30.09]
26. Convince Brian to take dance lessons with me (yes, this is a goal all by itself)
27. Take dance lessons with Brian
28. Go wine tasting
29. Make a quilt
30. Volunteer at a homeless shelter
31. Apply for Survivor
32. Take Ella for swim lessons [Completed 7.15.10]
33. Go camping (cabin or tent) [Completed 8.20.09]
34. Roast marshmallows on an open fire and make S'mores [Completed 8.17.09]
35. Donate blood [Completed 9.19.10]
36. Get through a Medium level song on Guitar Hero [Completed 1.11.09]
37. Go on Grand Canyon Railway trip [Completed 6.30.09]
38. Make 20 dishes from new recipes
39. Plant flowers in the front yard [Completed 2.22.09]
40. Clean out the garage [Completed 12.4.09]
41. Have a garage sale [Completed 11.14.09]
42. Organize the garage [Completed 1.3.10]
43. Have the garage floor “finished”
44. Read a book off of Oprah’s Book Club list
45. Have a picnic: Under a tree with a picnic basket
46. Don’t eat any fast food for 1 month
47. Go to a driving range and hit a bucket of balls
48. Spend an entire day watching movies
49. Join a networking group
50. Decorate sugar cookies [Completed 12.20.09]
51. Make curtains for my living room
52. Commit 15 Bible Scriptures to memory
53. Improve the layout and hosting of my blog [Completed 8.15.10]
54. Clean out my junk cabinet [Completed 7.6.09]
55. Make a cake using my Pampered Chef checkerboard insert [Completed 3.7.09]
56. Spend a day by the pool drinking cocktails with a friend [Completed 8.9.10]
57. Have dinner* in a wine cellar [Completed 3.2.10] *had lunch instead
58. Clean out my spare bedroom closet
59. Organize my photos into books
60. Finger paint with Ella
61. Teach Ella how to play 'Hide & Go Seek' [Completed 4.28.09]
62. Watch my wedding video
63. Leave surprise love notes for Brian every day for a week
64. Read 3 books to benefit my business
65. Get new light fixtures for both bathrooms [Completed 6.14.09]
66. Prepare a prime rib for Family Dinner [Completed 1.22.09]
67. Pay for whatever the car behind me ordered in a drivethrough
68. Make a purse with Sara [Completed 6.24.09]
69. Have the grout on my kitchen floor and countertops professionally cleaned
70. Try a "Sprinkles" cupcake (I know... this goal is a stretch!) [Completed 10.28.09]
71. Make homemade ice cream (using the machine of course) [Completed 7.2.10]
72. Complete 20 weddings in a single year (or consecutive 12-months) [Completed 1.31.10]
73. Develop an internship program
74. Add a video element to my marketing
75. Develop a YHD Welcome packet
76. Have a new logo professionally designed [Completed 2.26.10]
77. Visit family in Tucson
78. Go through boxes in the attic
79. Have Jimmy, Cathy & Brooke over for a BBQ and card games
80. Participate in planning a charity event [Completed 2.23.11]
81. Take Ella to the Zoo [Completed 10.12.09]
82. Have a Sister Sleepover with Jenny & Sara
83. Have family dinner and play Shanghi Rummy at Dad's house
84. Spend an evening with Georgie & Amanda to pour over the infamous "ontebook"
85. Volunteer at a food bank
86. Implement a wedding specific software to track my weddings
87. Implement a web-based email archive system
88. Select and implement a new accounting software [Completed 1.1.11]
89. Go on an overnight retreat with a group of wedding planner girlfriends
90. Spend the day at a spa [Completed 7.7.09]
91. Take Ella to Disneyland
92. Add a window treatment to the master bathroom [Completed 7.12.09]
93. Purchase a curio cabinet to display Gramma's china
94. Have my wedding video converted to DVD [Completed 4.3.10]
95. Take Ella to the beach [Completed 8.31.10]
96. Expand my filing system for completed wedding files [Completed 7.9.10]
97. Plant an herb garden [Completed 4.3.11]
98. Lay stepping stones in the backyard from the shed to the back gate [Completed 4.3.11]
99. Install a floodlight in the backyard
100. Finish this list [Completed 7.6.09]
101. Add a handful of wedding related rental items to my website
Taking Kurt's advice below:
102. Donate $1 for every item I don’t complete to the American Cancer Society

P.S. If you are interested in jumping on the bandwagon with me, I would love to have you along for the ride. Be sure to let me know so we can encourage each other!

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-25T09:13:00.004-07:00

Looks like Santa made it to our house!!

I hope you have a very Merry Christmas!

Candy Canes

2008-12-18T10:25:00.006-07:00

Late last night I was flipping through TV channels in bed and I stumbled across a show called "How It's Made." I don't veer too far away from my regular primetime shows, so I have never heard of this show before, but it was really interesting.

They were doing a segment on candy canes and I was so blown away by what goes into making these little holiday treats that I thought I would share it with you too.

How It's Made - Candy Canes -

I don't know about you, but I personally will look at a box of candy canes with a whole new appreciation!

Family Christmas Photo

2008-12-14T08:00:00.003-07:00

I know that I plan events for a living, but the task of getting me, my husband and my daughter to the mall for a Christmas Photo felt like orchestrating a trip to the moon.

But I am really happy with how the photos turned out and I thought I would share my favorite one with you:

Merry Christmas and Happy Planning!

Autumn Inspiration

2008-11-30T09:00:00.004-07:00

Doesn't it seem like here in Arizona, we skip right over Autumn? I know that our weather doesn't compare to the Autumn scenery across the country, but the only retail glimpse we get of this beautiful season occurs before the end of October and from there on it is all about Reindeer, Christmas Trees and Snowmen!

Don't get me wrong, I love the winter holidays just as much as the next person, but can we just pause a moment to appreciate and enjoy the beautiful warm colors and decorations that come with the fall? So, let's stop on this last day of November and reflect on the beauty that these color schemes can bring to your wedding.

Here are some inspiration boards I found on The Pink Book Blog and Style Me Pretty (Click on the image to take you to the photo credits):

Peanut Butter Turkey?

2008-11-26T09:00:00.004-07:00

I saw this online and couldn't resist sharing it with you. Isn't this cute? Maybe I will try and make these today and bring them with me to Thanksgiving dinner... Oh boy. Me and my projects! :)

Phoenix Bridal Show

2008-10-20T16:30:00.004-07:00

On Sunday I participated in the Phoenix Bridal Show at the Cardinals Stadium in Glendale. It had good attendance and as always, it was nice to see some of my fellow wedding vendor buddies!

I had my beautiful sister Sara help me to greet brides (and grooms!) and pass out postcards. She was such an incredible help, as always! (Thanks baby girl! I love you!)

I scheduled a handful of initial consultations while I was there and I am looking forward to meeting with them in the coming week.

Normally, Tyler's Custom Design is able to bring me a beautiful arch for my booth, which makes setup very easy and quick, but this weekend they were not available because of two very large weddings they were setting up.

So, I did something a little different this time. I wanted my booth to have a feeling of fall, but I didn't want to use the standard reds and oranges. So, I incorporated this really fun blue & gold shimmery fabric and accented with a copper-brown crushed fabric. I also borrowed a mini curly willow tree that Tyler's created and hung little amber votive cups from it with battery operated flickering candles. It think it came together really nicely.

Here are a few photos:

So, overall it was a really fun day and a big Thank You to those of you who stopped by my booth!

Wedding Planners Unite!

2008-10-14T08:00:00.003-07:00

Yesterday I had lunch with two of my favorite fellow wedding planners: Jenn Thye of Imoni Events and Aleasha Shelton of A Day to Cherish.

Here is a picture of us, thanks to our waiter at the oh-so-yummy Taylor's Cafe:

Since Aleasha and I live in the same area, we decided to carpool, which was not only responsible, but so much fun! We stopped off at Starbucks on the way there and then chatted about everything under the sun!

Aleasha had a wedding yesterday, so she was exhausted, but she was in good company with Jen and I, as we know the day-after-wedding-ball-of-mush that you become.

We had so much fun laughing and exchanging stories... it is such a blessing to have other people in this industry to be able to compare notes with and be encouraged by.

So, thanks again for a fun lunch Jenn & Aleasha... we SO need to do that more often!

Style Me Pretty

2008-10-10T10:00:00.002-07:00

Ever since the Wedding MBA when I heard about it, I have been spending a healthy amount of time browsing a site called Style Me Pretty. This may or may not be a site you have seen before, but if it isn't you should check it out!

A long time ago I created a binder of various collages that I thought would be helpful for my clients to be inspired by. I thought I was so unique and creative, but as it turns out, not so much! :) Looks like I was not the only one with that idea...

In my browsing on Style Me Pretty I see these "collages" are very popular and they call them inspiration boards. I must say, they are truly beautiful and instead of recreating them, I thought I would just share some of my personal favorites with you from time to time.

P.S. Click on the picture and that will link you to the creator of each board...

Award Winner!

2008-09-25T15:00:00.009-07:00

So, as you know I have been at the Wedding MBA the last few days. It had a much bigger turnout this year than last year and I personally liked the format and content better this year as well.

The schedule consisted of a seminar every hour on the hour with a 2-hour break for lunch, networking and browsing the trade show booths. Last year they did "break-out sessions" which always left me feeling like I might be missing something.

The speakers were all wonderful. The topics were fresh and relevant. It reinforced my confidence in the things I am currently doing, as well as brought up some new ideas of things that I can/should be doing.

I also received the honor of the being the winner of the 2008 "Best of the Best" Award!

So, like any good conference, it left me with a mile-long list of things I want to do with my new found knowledge and the motivation to go out and make it happen!

So keep checking back in with us and see what's new!

Wedding MBA

2008-09-23T20:02:00.002-07:00

Today was the first day of a 3-day conference I am attending with the Wedding MBA (Wedding Merchants Business Academy). So far it has been really informative, and I anticipate it will continue to be.

Some of today's speakers included: Alan Berg, Vice President of TheKnot.com, Tammy Elliot, President of Perfect Wedding Guide, and Christine & Gary Thomas, co-founders of AboutWeddings.com, among others.

But my absolute favorite speakers today were the CEO, Tim Chi & the CMO, Sonny Ganguly of WeddingWire.com. I personally love WeddingWire and was looking forward to what they had to say.

They started out with a huge laugh as they introduced themselves as Harold and Kumar, and had a huge picture of Harold and Kumar on the presentation screen!

Their presentation was about todays "Wired" Bride... no, not the one who drinks a ton of Starbucks (that would be a whole other seminar!), but the Bride that is completely wired into technology.

One of the things that stood out to me most was about understanding the trends. Sonny told us that he enjoyed surfing... leading us to believe he was talking about the water sport, and proceeded to tell us about his Top 10 favorite places to Surf:

1. MySpace
2. facebook
3. Ning
4. WordPress
5. twitter
6. YouTube
7. digg
8. flickr
9. upcoming
10. Yahoo Answers

All of these sites have millions of viewers every year and are the newest way to reach todays brides & grooms. The best thing that he pointed out about each of these avenues to promote yourself, is that they are completely FREE!

Since I was not familiar with almost half of them, I was excited to get home and start doing some surfing of my own!

So without further ado...