Thursday, October 8, 2009

DIVAStyle: Real Weddings












Bridgette & Joe
September 18, 2009

Yes - wedding planners (and their teams) get married too.

When my assistant Bridgette asked me if I would do the honors of coordinating all of the festivities on the day of her wedding - I was tickled pink. And I said "yes"!! Along with TeamDIVA members Stephanie, Maia, Denise and Lisa, we set out to make sure Bridgette and her new husband had the best night ever.

I think the smiles on their faces tell the entire story.....................

Photography by Herb Garrett

Coming To The Big Apple!!


For all of my New Yorkers, Jersey peeps and Connecticut colleagues - I'm coming your way on October 19-20th! I am so honored to be asked to deliver one of the keynote presentations at the Maximize Your Brand Wedding Symposium hosted by Dawn Easter Events and Something Blue NY.

Dawn & Karina have really pulled together a fab event - bringing industry powerhouses to New York for 2 days of intense education, information and networking. If you are in the area - and really want to delve into this business we call weddings...you need to be in the house! Details and registration are at the Maximize Your Brand website.

Looking forward to meeting all of you in NYC!!!

Saturday, October 3, 2009

DIVAStyle: Real Weddings











I have the best clients. Truly. And I'd like you to meet them to see how their special day unfolds. DIVAStyle: Real Weddings is a new feature on Confessions - through my eyes and the lenses of some of the most talented photographers in the area, you'll get an opportunity to catch a glimpse of the brides and grooms TeamDIVA is honored to serve.


Angela & Tavon
September 12, 2009
This wonderful couple from Atlanta came to me over a year ago to help them plan a great wedding - long distance. Through the magic of technology (can you say lots of emails?) and some in-person "face" time, we were able to craft a simply loving day. Mother Nature was playing "chicken" with us with her on again/off again rain dance, but that didn't kill the joy one single bit! With a wedding party of 32 close friends and a host of relatives & loved ones, Angie and Tavon jumped the broom surrounded by those who cared about them and their happiness the most....

Photography: Michael Clark of Michael Clark Photographers

Sunday, September 27, 2009

My Next Workshop For Wedding Planners


If you are passionate about this field we call wedding planning, if you want to learn more about how to craft and manage a successful business, if you want to "up your ante" and really bring the game home - join me and a bunch of other like minded folks on November 14-15th here in Baltimore!!


The Power Course


10 W. Burke Avenue

Towson, Maryland


Registration Includes:

2 days of relevant topics

All materials

Continental breakfast, buffet lunch and breaks each day

Pre-Class assignments

Hands on decor experience

Certificate of Participation


Day 1: Focuses on the "business" intracacies of the wedding planning industry

Day 2: Focuses on basic wedding design & decor techniques


Fees:

September 1 - October 23rd: $525.00*

After October 24th (and based on availability) $595.00**


*Payment plans are available

**Payment in full only


Registration forms and other details can be found at The Business Of Matrimony's website.


Hotel Accommodations:

$129 per night (one bedroom suite)

The Burkshire Marriott is an all-suite hotel, combining luxurious rooms with the convenience and functionality of a personal living space. Each suite contains a spacious living room/dining area, full kitchen, washer & dryer and separate bedroom.


Room reservations can be made by calling the hotel at (410) 324-8100 and asking for the Power Course (DIVA Enterprises, LLC.) special rate.


Please note - this is the last Power Course for 2009. If you missed out earlier this year - get it into gear and make sure you're registered for this one!!!!

Guess Who's Back????

Just me :) I've been "away" since May and with the falling of the leaves and the change in season, I've returned to my beloved "Confessions".

I've gotten so many inquiries and emails from my readers asking "where are you" and "when are you going to start blogging again?". I thank all of you for keeping in touch with me and I'm going to answer your questions quite simply...

I needed to take a break from blogging in order to truly discover my "voice". During my 4 month absence, I had a chance to watch everyone else and to listen to what my intuition was telling me. This is what I realized:

1) I am such an anomaly when it comes to this blogging thing. For me - this blog is a way for me to talk to you and to receive feedback. To be honest, I really don't want to chat about every new color shade, every new fabric, every new wedding gown, every new favor. It may work for and be good for other folks, but that's not who I am on a regular basis, so you're not going to find it here on "Confessions".

2) I love weddings, planning parties, making things beautiful and the art of a fine meal. That is who I REALLY am, so that's the "voice" you'll be hearing from now on. I'm also blatantly honest, so if you're looking for the "sugar coated" version of how weddings and special events are done....wrong blog. I'm going to tell you the truth, so that you'll be informed and aware. That makes for a better client, a better event - and a better consumer.

3) I want you to know a smidge more about me....beyond the persona you see on television. While I truly am one of those people that fit the "what you see is what you get" mold...I'm actually quite multi-faceted. Those "prisms" make me the unique indiviudal that you see now, but it also holds the key as to how I think..and how I produce all of those marvelously personal events....

4) I want to show you things that are unusual, cool, funky, hip - as well as elegant, traditional and classic. Weddings and events need to look like the people and demographic they are created for...I'm hoping to give you some additional insight on items, places and providers who can truly make your special occasion sing.

5) I'm not just a wedding planner. Over the past few months, myself and my "team" have really been involved in so many different things that we are excited about - and I plan on sharing some of those juicy "tidbits" with all of you. I am fortunately blessed to be able to spread my wings and truly branch out into more lifestyle and entertaining aspects of my career - the energy and excitement that I get from that is unreal and surreal. There are some very, very exciting opportunities that have been placed in my path that will take me WAY beyond the wedding planner personality many of you are used to. Trust me - it's a very, very good thing!

Many of you have commented to me that when you read my blog - it's as if you can "hear" me speaking to you. If that's the case - then I'm succeeding in my mission. "Confessions" is my online voice to the world....if you'll keep reading, I'm going to keep writing so that we can share and lift our collective voices - together.