Is probably the best way to describe the past couple of days. My son graduated from high school on Saturday, I did some design work for a very large charity gala that same night and to cap it off, we had a graduation party for my son on yesterday afternoon. I think that maybe I had a total of 8 hours of sleep over a period of 2 days. And I'm exhausted right about now :)
I made it my business to take today (Monday) off....I've got 2 weddings coming up on Saturday and I'm going to need that energy!
Sidebar - the graduation was one of the most memorable moments in my life. I was so proud of him and I cried. Not a whole bunch, not uncontrollable sobs - but tears that just flowed down my face. It started on Thursday afternoon when he brought his cap and gown home - I hung it up on the door in my office for some reason, and looking at it made me realize that his time was finally here. I was good on Friday - but when I woke up on Saturday, that was it! As he walked down the stairs in our home, dressed so neatly and handsome - my mind flew back 18 years as I brought him home from the hospital, with so many wishes and dreams for his young life.
I was sitting on the aisle at the commencement and I got to see him as he processed down to his seat. He saw me with the camera and stopped for a moment so I could take his picture - and he had the BIGGEST grin on his face! When he came off the stage from getting his diploma, he came back to his seat and turned around looking for me - luckily, I was sitting 4 rows behind him. When his eyes met mine, he held up the diploma and smiled again - and I took another picture. I watched with pride when the principal asked the class to stand and switch their tassels to the opposite side - and when she made the statement, "Ladies & gentlemen, may I present to you the graduated class of 2007", I lost it - for a minute and sobbed big, heaving tears. What a day that was for me - and for him.
I'll post pictures as they become available.....
Monday, June 4, 2007
Another "Whose Wedding Is It Anyway?" Update
So.................looks like my latest installment will be airing on June 12th at 10 p.m. Check it out if you can!!!!!!
When People Don't RSVP....
As a wedding planner - one of my pet PEEVES is when folks don't bother to respond to the invitation a couple has sent for their event. I mean - let's be for real, shall we??
If someone takes the time and effort to think about YOU and put YOU on their guest list, and pay good money for YOU to attend their wedding so YOU can eat, drink and be merry - don't YOU think that YOU can take a minute out of your busy schedule to simply check off "yes" or "no" on the pretty card, place it back in the envelope (that does have a stamp on it) and drop it in the mail, by the deadline specified? Is it that hard? Is it really rocket science to complete this small, but highly important task?
Okay - I know we are all busy, but weddings are not cheap. The bride and groom are exerting much effort into carefully crafting a group of guests that they wish to share this day with. Along with that "crafting", comes the financial portion - which generally revolves around the reception. Speaking as the planner - I NEED to know who's coming, and who's not. Because in order for me to make it pretty - there are certain factors where numbers come into play. And since the per-person cost is averaging around $70 minimum (in the Baltimore area), the bride and groom need to know so they can govern themselves and their checkbooks accordingly.
To all of you who do the right thing and send back your responses in the allotted time period - let me say "Thank You!!".
But, for those of you who think that the couple will somehow "magically" know that you plan on attending, just because they "know" you...think again -they are not psychic mind readers who can conjure up your thought processes. And - there are some folks out there who think that a phone call to the bride or groom's (or parent's) voice mail on the morning of the wedding is a sufficient response. Newsflash - it ain't!!!!!!
So when you show up at the reception and your name is not on the "list", don't get upset. And please, don't beat up (or try to) myself or my staff because you are not listed. See - that's why you send back that little card which comes in the invitation...so you can be accounted for! Being rude or impolite to me will get you absolutely nowhere..actually, no - that's wrong. For 99% of my clients, they have given me authority to only seat and accomodate those persons whose names reside on the guest list...the rest of you, well - that's a "no can do". So...being rude to me will, indeed, actually get you "somewhere"..outside of the door looking in.
And please understand this - I'm really a nice person. I just don't like seeing my couples being slammed and sideswiped by inconsiderate people. I'm protective of my brides and grooms - and they know that. This is their special day - which they've carefully crafted to be memorable. Folks who just decide to "show up"...are not a part of the vision.
Okay....I'm off my soapbox - for now.
If someone takes the time and effort to think about YOU and put YOU on their guest list, and pay good money for YOU to attend their wedding so YOU can eat, drink and be merry - don't YOU think that YOU can take a minute out of your busy schedule to simply check off "yes" or "no" on the pretty card, place it back in the envelope (that does have a stamp on it) and drop it in the mail, by the deadline specified? Is it that hard? Is it really rocket science to complete this small, but highly important task?
Okay - I know we are all busy, but weddings are not cheap. The bride and groom are exerting much effort into carefully crafting a group of guests that they wish to share this day with. Along with that "crafting", comes the financial portion - which generally revolves around the reception. Speaking as the planner - I NEED to know who's coming, and who's not. Because in order for me to make it pretty - there are certain factors where numbers come into play. And since the per-person cost is averaging around $70 minimum (in the Baltimore area), the bride and groom need to know so they can govern themselves and their checkbooks accordingly.
To all of you who do the right thing and send back your responses in the allotted time period - let me say "Thank You!!".
But, for those of you who think that the couple will somehow "magically" know that you plan on attending, just because they "know" you...think again -they are not psychic mind readers who can conjure up your thought processes. And - there are some folks out there who think that a phone call to the bride or groom's (or parent's) voice mail on the morning of the wedding is a sufficient response. Newsflash - it ain't!!!!!!
So when you show up at the reception and your name is not on the "list", don't get upset. And please, don't beat up (or try to) myself or my staff because you are not listed. See - that's why you send back that little card which comes in the invitation...so you can be accounted for! Being rude or impolite to me will get you absolutely nowhere..actually, no - that's wrong. For 99% of my clients, they have given me authority to only seat and accomodate those persons whose names reside on the guest list...the rest of you, well - that's a "no can do". So...being rude to me will, indeed, actually get you "somewhere"..outside of the door looking in.
And please understand this - I'm really a nice person. I just don't like seeing my couples being slammed and sideswiped by inconsiderate people. I'm protective of my brides and grooms - and they know that. This is their special day - which they've carefully crafted to be memorable. Folks who just decide to "show up"...are not a part of the vision.
Okay....I'm off my soapbox - for now.
Wedding Season
is truly upon us!! One of the main reasons I haven't been able to blog as much as I wanted to is because I'm literally inudated with weddings. Back to back, front to front, my existence right now is truly centered upon making sure that my brides and grooms get down the aisle in style and celebrate like nobody's business!!!
I want to extend my congratulations and heartfelt "thank you's " to the following couples who most graciously allowed myself and my fabulous team to be a small part of their wedding events:
Mr. & Mrs. Bernard and Doreen Hogans
April 7, 2007
Mr. & Mrs. Marc and Tia Diggs
May 5, 2007
Mr. & Mrs. Shannon and Takeitha Lawson
May 12, 2007
AND congrats go out to these couples whose special day is right on the horizon!!!
Sarah Rosensteen & Rob McCracken
June 9, 2007
Mobola Kadiri & Joe Kingston
June 9, 2007
Neshelle Nelson & Charles Cortez
June 23, 2007
Candice Smith & Mark Wilkerson
June 30, 2007
Tameka Murdock & Kevin Chatmon
July 7, 2007
Kay Patterson & Tom Shaw
July 7, 2007
Truly - it has been a pleasure working with all of these wonderful couples in helping to bring their wedding to life!!!
I want to extend my congratulations and heartfelt "thank you's " to the following couples who most graciously allowed myself and my fabulous team to be a small part of their wedding events:
Mr. & Mrs. Bernard and Doreen Hogans
April 7, 2007
Mr. & Mrs. Marc and Tia Diggs
May 5, 2007
Mr. & Mrs. Shannon and Takeitha Lawson
May 12, 2007
AND congrats go out to these couples whose special day is right on the horizon!!!
Sarah Rosensteen & Rob McCracken
June 9, 2007
Mobola Kadiri & Joe Kingston
June 9, 2007
Neshelle Nelson & Charles Cortez
June 23, 2007
Candice Smith & Mark Wilkerson
June 30, 2007
Tameka Murdock & Kevin Chatmon
July 7, 2007
Kay Patterson & Tom Shaw
July 7, 2007
Truly - it has been a pleasure working with all of these wonderful couples in helping to bring their wedding to life!!!
The DIVA Returneth...
back to blogging - that is! Ah....things have been soooooo busy as of late and I've been remiss in my blogging responsibilities! I sincerely apologize - trust me, I've got plenty of stories, pictures, observations to share with all of you..give me a minute and I'll be writing at warp speed!!!!!
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