I Do Monday Morning

The Special Event 2010

The first early registration has already passed, but the deadline has been extended until January 7 before the show hits it's full price.

What: The Special Event

Where: New Orleans

When: January 12 - 15, 2010

San Diego Pros scheduled to speak are:

Mike Hogan, Entertainment at Large - "Making the A List"

Anseth Richards, Bridal Bar San Diego, Catherine Bachelier Smith, CBS Weddings, Susanne Duffy, Crown Weddings and also from LA, Harmony Walton, Bridal Bar Founder - "Planners Present. . . Solving the Puzzle of the Perfect Wedding"

  
San Diegans were lucky as this show was held in America's Finest City earlier this year, but will be moving on for 2010.   If you haven't already check out one of those fab speakers for your special event.

Bloomingdale's Pre-Wedding Wedding Party

Recently, Bloomingdale's at Fashion Valley held another one of their fabulous wedding events! Headlining this particular event was Isabelle von Boch of the famed Villeroy & Boch tabletop company.  This company is French-German and has been in business for an amazing 260 years.  

Isabelle spoke about bone and porcelain chinas and some misconceptions that they are very fragile. Once, she recollected how she was reaching for something in her cabinet and a bowl fell out, hit her tiled kitchen counter (and chipped it), fell to the floor, bounced and was still in tact!

This eighth-generation family member also spoke about differences in Europe where they will have different dish sets for breakfast, lunch, dinner, tea and dessert.  Can you even imagine the storage?  She offered some great tips for making the most of your set such as buying accent plates in smaller numbers and to change placemats to give your table a different look.

Starting at the top, Wayne Foster Entertainment provided the music for the evening.  There's Max, from Wayne Foster Entertainment. Whether you have a solo musician or a 10-piece band, Wayne Foster is sure to deliver some great talent!  

Sweets were by Dazzle M Desserts and savory hors d'oeuvres (Wild Mushroom Risotto with Seared Filet pictured above) were by Dining Details.  I learned their food is presented so that everything on the plates are edible, including the flowers.

Models glided around the floor in gowns provided by M Bride. The florals were by Kathy Wright & Co. 

Dramatic back-clasp necklace shown here was by Pamela Pogue of Juelerie. Pamela is pictured above wearing one of her own creations.

If you are engaged and have not registered yet, check out Bloomingdale's and see what they have to offer.  Not only do they have fantastic products, but offer great service along with events such as this and twice-yearly brunches with helpful tips and prizes for the couples!

20-20 Lifestyle Event

Last week I was excited to attend the 20-20 Lifestyle Event celebrating Waters Catering turning 20, at The Ultimate Skybox at Diamond View Tower.  This venue is just so spectacular with so much potential.

Gowns worn beautifully by live models were provided by M Bride, Florals were by The Floral Department, Invitation, Menus, Favors, etc. were by Gina Falletta Designs, Rentals by Classic Party Rentals and Linens by A Perfect Table.  

I was so bummed to have missed Irene from A Perfect Table.  She set up everything so beautifully as she does and then was so sick had to go home.  

Waters Catering naturally catered the event with delicious tray passed hors d'oeuvres and club plates.

Cute flash drives with "green" entertaining practices replaced gift bags as favors for the night. There were three luxurious prizes given away by Se San Diego and announced through their lucky flash drive. From what I understand, two prizes are still unclaimed, so check plug yours in if you haven't yet!

It was great to catch up with old friends like Keri Quinn of San Diego Style Weddings over some of the cool drinks offered that evening.  I tried the mix of Hendrick's Gin, Berry Reduction, Elderflower Liqueur, Meyer Lemon Juice and Rose Champagne.  Doesn't that sound so yummy?  It was also very fun to hear camera talk with event photographer Boyd Harris and Cary Pennington (pictured above with Amanda McPhail of Creative Affairs by Amanda) and take funny Flip videos.

Additional 20-20 Lifestyle Vendors:

Plush Lounge - I love these guys - so professional

Dallmann Confections - I am very disappointed that I left before these were presented

Viridian Spirits mmm. . . absinthe - tried for the first time just a month ago

My only regret was that I couldn't stay longer, but I was off to another event that you will read about here soon.  

Trunk Shows this week in LA

Call for an appointment and grab your maid of honor, mom or friend and make the drive to LA.  There are not one, but two trunk shows in LA this week.

Carolina Herrera

Thursday, Friday and Saturday, April 16 - 18.

8441 Melrose Place

Los Angeles, CA  90069

323.782.9090

Head to The Bridal Bar Los Angeles  to complete your look with some fab jewelry!

Tejani.

Friday, Saturday and Sunday, April 17 - 19

10AM - 6PM Friday and Saturday

10AM - 4PM Sunday

The Bridal Bar

624 N. Doheny Drive

Los Angeles, CA  90069

*Note the two overlapping days are Friday and Saturday.

Wedding Showcase at The US Grant

  

 

Book your Wedding Date at The US Grant by July 1, 2009 

and we are pleased to confirm: 

10% off all of your Food & Beverage Planning

      

Complimentary Bridal Ready Room & Refreshments on your Wedding Day

   

Celebrate your Wedding Night in Style in our Bi-Level Presidential Suite featured on Bravo’s Hit TV Show 
“The Real Housewives of Orange County ”

 

Breakfast for Two on the Bi-Level Presidential Balcony

 

GREEN IS THE NEW WHITE

 Book our Ultimate Green Package and we will contribute 5% of your

Food & Beverage Billing to www.CarbonFund.org  in your name.

 

Please RSVP by April 12 at usgrantweddingshow@luxurycollection.com to be eligible for wedding showcase gifts

Green Bridal Show this Sunday

 

This Sunday, March 8 from 12:00PM - 5:00PM, there will be a green wedding expo at the new Hilton San Diego Bayfront Hotel. 

Great deal - if you register on-line and bring in your own bag, the $20 admission fee is waived.  There are also $10 off discount coupons on the site. 

Preston Bailey's Coming to San Diego!

Preston Bailey, designer extraordinaire is coming to San Diego!  The Village Garden Club of La Jolla is holding an event as part of "Meet the Masters 2009" Thursday, March 5, 1:30PM at the Sherwood Auditorium, Museum of Contemporary Art, San Diego.  A reception, catered by fabulous Guiseppe Catering is immediately following at Wisteria Cottage.  Cost is $55 for members, $65 for non-members.

Photo courtesy of brides.com

For $250, you get all of the above plus an invitation to a private cocktail reception in a La Jolla home with Preston Bailey on Wednesday, March 4.  The tax deductible portion will go to the VGCLJ Schoolyard Gardening Project.

For more information on Preston Bailey's premiere West Coast appearance, please click here.  

Inspirations & Transformations blog by Preston Bailey - check out the latest post on DIY "wedding bells."

If you'd like some insight on how mixing tremendous talent with amazing business smarts equals huge success, be sure not to miss The Business of Being Creative blog by Sean Low, President of Preston Bailey Design, Inc.

The Wedding Luncheon at TSE 2009 Part 2

There was so much going on at last week's The Wedding Luncheon at The Special Event 2009 that I needed multiple posts for it.  Here are the featured cakes that were displayed at the event and was coordinated by Cynthia Zatkin Blase of CZ Events.  

Cynthia described the event: "The Millennial Bride has come of age in an era of designer labels and style.  She knows her Citizens from her Sevens and her Fendi from her Gucci. With this bride in mind, we present cakes inspired by fashion."

Top Left: San Diego Desserts, Top Right: Cupcakes Squared, Bottom Left: Sweet Cheeks Baking Company, Bottom Right: Bon Bon

Top Left: Babycakes, Top Right: Dazzle M Desserts, Bottom Left: Cake, Bottom Right: Michele Coulon Dessertier

How has fashion inspired your wedding?

Engage! 09: Something Blue Registration Starts Monday!

If you are a wedding professional who caters to the luxury market and are looking to grow your business up, out & all-around, plan on attending Engage!09: Something Blue.  Registration begins Monday, February 2 at 9AM, EST and with all the buzz, I have a feeling that the 125 limited spots won't be around for much of the day.

In addition to their all-star line-up of speakers, just yesterday on Twitter, Rebecca Grinnals announced Carley Roney of The Knot as the "final, final" speaker! 

This is an investment in your business that you do not want to miss. Get your passports ready and be sure to check out the Engage!09 blog for more details.

The Wedding Luncheon at TSE 2009 Part 1

On Wednesday, I happily attended the Wedding Luncheon at the Hard Rock Hotel San Diego during The Special Event 2009.   When I registered at the exhibition hall, the man said "I hear these are hot tickets, you better hold on to yours and get over there quickly."  Man, did I realize what he was talking about!  The line to get in was around the corner!  Luckily I had a great seat at one of the WIPA* tables.

The keynote speaker was Carley Roney, co-founder and Editor-in-Chief of The Knot who spoke on the Millennium bride.  She spoke on how brides now are very tech savvy, like to share all details of their wedding in advance, in the moments the decisions they are made.  Some of them like to poll their friends for their opinions through Facebook or Twitter.  Also, for vendors, be prepared to have all details of the way you conduct business, good or bad up on message boards or their own personal blogs for everyone to read.

The delicious lunch was prepared by the Hard Rock San Diego and there were different desserts served, depending on where you were sitting, prepared by six local cake experts. Kudos to the staff for the great job they did maneuvering well in a packed room! 

The concept was listed in the program as: Synchronicity - There is nothing "black and white" about weddings, now is there?  So many grey areas to conquer before getting to that white wedding day! Welcome to our "black and white" world of wedding design! . . . Rachel Peniche of Plan It San Diego and Kathy Wright of Kathy Wright and Co.

Hats off to co-chairs Peggy Jewell of Jewell Entertainment and Rachel Peniche of Plan It San Diego for this hugely successful event!

Coming up on a future post, the cake and design galleries!

*Join WIPA (Wedding Industry Professionals Association) by the end of the month and join as a founding member and WIPA will waive the $50 application fee!