Gainesville Wedding Expo!

It's that time of year, when all the brides who are planning their weddings come to The Performing Arts Center to find the most incredible wedding vendors! I know you are dying to know when, and how you can win door prizes from over 40 vendors... plus... win a $2500 planning package from MasterPiece Weddings!



So here are the deets:

Sunday, January 9, 2011 12:00 – 5:00 PM



Curtis M. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts



Tickets are: $10.00 Advance; $12.00 At Door



You have a Once in a Lifetime Chance to Plan Your Dream Wedding in One Day, under one roof, at the beautiful Curtis M. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. Experience a Gainesville Tradition at an Extraordinary Venue!



Consult with Over Forty of Our Area’s Finest Wedding Professionals, Enjoy Delicious Samples, Register for Prizes and experience a fun-filled Runway Fashion Show presented exclusively by Jay’s Bridal. Relax and Be Entertained in the comfort of an 1,800 seat Theater.



This is The Bridal Event that’s as Exciting as the Venue.



Save $2.00. Pre-Register And Purchase Tickets and for more information, please visit Gainesville Wedding Expo.

You're Engaged! Now What?

Congratulations on your engagement! You're in love, and you're embarking on a life as soul mate. Right now you're on cloud nine. On your finger rests the promise of the future. I bet you've never felt so alive. What should you do next? Here is my best advice:

• LIVE IN THE MOMENT: Enjoy the feeling. Revel in the joy that you and your fiance are feeling AT THIS MOMENT. For now, simply enjoy the outpouring of LOVE from all of your family and friends. Show off the beautiful engagement ring on your finger. You're still staring at it....aren't you? Good, that's what you should be doing.
• DREAM: Once the dust has settled and you've shared the big news with everyone, start dreaming. Buy magazines, surf the web, imagine yourself as a bride. Two of my favorite websites for inspiration are http://www.projectwedding.com/ and http://www.weddingwire.com/. They both have great ideas and photo galleries to get you started. Another great resource for inspiration are wedding blogs. My favorite is http://www.styleunveiled.com/ 
• ORGANIZE YOUR IDEAS: Make an inspiration binder. Use the tabs for categories such as gown, venue, decor, music, food and beverage. Pull pages from the magazines, and print photos from websites. Now start filling your binder. Having your ideas organized and in one place will save your sanity. There is no reason to keep stacks of magazines filled with inspiration you don't need. Only keep what you do need and discard the rest. When you get rid of the clutter, you avoid confusion. With so many decisions to be made, confusion is your enemy.
• BUDGETING: Next step is setting a budget. Not fun and pretty, I know, but it's necessary. Get the money issues out of the way and let the fun begin. Before you can start planning your dream day, you must know what you can and can't afford. The budget will be the roadmap for every single decision you make. Whether you're paying for your wedding yourself, or getting support from your family members, you must decide what the overall budget is. Only then, can you begin choosing venues, vendors, and even your wedding gown. Don't blindly think you can begin spending, without knowing if you can afford it. Once contracts are signed, there is no turning back. Especially where venues are concerned...they often require food and beverage minimums. You don't want to figure out later that you can't afford your dream gown because you've gone over budget at the start.
• HIRE A WEDDING PLANNER: The earlier the better. By getting a jump on the planner's experience, you'll avoid costly mistakes. Her fee will pay for itself when she helps you to make every penny of your budget work for you. As a planner I know how to take your budget, your priorities, your individual style and theme, and break down your budget. This means you get the absolute BEST for your hard earned dollars. Allocating your dollars to the proper categories, shows me which vendors are "right for you". A planner's years of experience and respect in the industry will also garner YOU preferred pricing and extras, you could never negotiate on your own.
  
  Don't trust a budget tool on a planning website to know what YOU want. Thousands of other brides, using that tool are NOT YOU. You're an individual. While your priority may be food and beverage, another bride may be more focused on floral decor.  Planning websites use a standard formula based on the national average to break down your budget. Are you average? I doubt it. I haven't met one couple yet, who's budget is the same as another.
  
  Rely on a planner's hard earned resources. Sure planning websites have vendor directories. The best of those even have real reviews. But, have you looked at any yet? In just the category of photography, one site listed over 75, in Los Angeles alone. Orange County has 60! Do you have time to visit countless websites, make dozens of phone calls and attend meetings to figure out which photographer is right for you? Of course you don't. Now imagine doing that with venues, gown salons, florists, bakers, DJ's, caterers...and on and on.You shouldn't have to waste time and be frustrated. After all, time is money. Planners work hard to know "who's who" in the industry. She'll save you time and money by streamlining the process for you. She'll only send you to vendors who are reputable and capable, which prevents stress for you. Half of a planner's VALUE to you is her database and resource list. The other half is the ability to execute those resources into a magnificent, and stress free day.

These are just a few tips to get you started. I offer you a FREE CONSULTATION to determine your needs and explain how my expertise can be of VALUE TO YOU. My heartfelt congratulations to you and your fiance.

Now....go stare at that shiny ring some more, and shower your fiance with love and kisses. Then call me to set up your consultation. It would be my honor to become your partner in planning.

Merry Christmas Eve!!!

I hope you have something spectacular planned for Christmas! I think Christmas Eve has become by favorite holiday. I know it sounds silly, because really it should be Christmas, and it used to be. I mean the hub-bub, and waking up early cuz Santa came!Santa came! And the jumping on the bed to wake everyone in the house up at 6AM and my parent stumbling to make coffee just to stick toothpicks in their eyes while my sister and I hustle and bustled to tear everything open faster than my parents could stir cream into their coffee.... that part will always hold a special place in my heart.

Me and my sister dancing circa 1983ish

BUT....

Christmas Eve.

Now that is holiday that I am loving.

And here is why.

Bad Picture we took while everyone was eating and mid conversation

Friends and family gather at our house for the Feast of the Seven Fishes. This is my 17th year enjoying this tradition. We've added some new recipes and made it our own, but the Itailian Feast of the Seven Fishes is so much fun to prepare. We always set the menu earlier in the month, and John and I prep and cook and plan this amazing meal to share with our friends and family.

There's no stress, no hustle and bustle. Just a meal, some prayer, some wine (there's always wine), fun conversations over new recipes and old.

And then at midnight we go to church, sing, and then at the end, wish each other a Merry Christmas. And go to bed remembering what The Holidays are all about.



I think it's the tradition of it all, something I can pass down to Gabriel, and something he can carry on to his family.



And I love it!

If you are curious as to what the Seven Fishes is all about here goes:

The long tradition of eating seafood on Christmas Eve dates from the medieval Roman Catholic tradition of abstinence—in this case, refraining from the consumption of meat or milk products—on Fridays and specific holy days. As no meat or butter could be used, observant Catholics would instead eat fish, typically fried in oil.





There are many hypotheses for what the number "7" relates to, one being the number of Sacraments in the Roman Catholic Church. Another theory is that seven is a number representing perfection: the traditional Biblical number for divinity is three, and for Earth is four, and the combination of these numbers, seven, represents God on Earth, or Jesus Christ.



Or the Seven Deadly Sins, the seven days of the week... or just cuz someone long ago thought 7 was a good round number.



Either way-



Merry Christmas!

 We had such a great time planning and working with Joanne on her beautfully romantical and personal wedding!!



Her and her hubby are both doctors and are so busy, so in-between patients and taking care of them, we planned this perfectly personal story on the beach with her family flown in from The Phillipines and Jay's super Southern buy yet New York Style, was a perfect blend to bring everyone to Florida, and hang out on the beach for the weekend.

Thank you to:



Venue and Catering - Ponte Vedra Inn and Club

Photography - Jimmy Ho

Officiant: Chad Reed

Florals Decor and Rentals: The Unforgettable Event

Band: Last to Leave

Wedding Planner: MasterPiece Weddings

Borrow Some Bling

Baubles that sparkle and shine make me happy. How about you? Like the saying goes "Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend".

On your wedding day, you're going to be the star of the show. It's your very own RED CARPET moment. All eyes will be on you as you come down the aisle. So much thought has gone into your wedding gown....which is probably AMAZING! You've hired a hair and make-up artist to complete your look. Don't forget your jewels. Most brides forget about jewelry, until the last minute. By the time you think about it....you may have already gone over budget. So what's a bride to?


Wedding Jeannie has the answer for you. BORROW YOUR JEWELRY from Adorn Brides. They are the premier jewelry rental company for weddings. Adorn has something for every bride. Need the perfect pair of EARINGS? A stunning BRACELET? How about a sparkly NECKLACE? Adorn has it all. They make it easy to rent one piece, or an entire ensemble.

The process is simple. 1) Shop online and choose your favorite items. 2) Wait for your jewels to arrive. 3) Wear them on your wedding day and feel like a STAR. 4) Return in the packaging provided. It doesn't get any easier than that.

You may wonder if borrowing from Adorn is SAFE. I can attest to the fact that it is. Two of my brides have worn Adorn Brides jewelry. Both of my brides had satisfying experiences with them.


Above, our beautiful bride Jayanne wore Adorn Brides jewels as a compliment to her Ines Di Santo Gown. She said when the jewels arrived in their beautiful box, she felt like Pretty Woman! What a great feeling. She also fullfilled the tradition of 'SOMETHING BORROWED".

Adorn is a darling of the press. Their service has been applauded by In Style Weddings, Glamour Magazine, Grace Ormande and many more. Oprah Winfrey even included Adorn Brides in her "Favorite Things".  In fact Adorn is not only for weddings. Countless celebrities borrow their jewelry for red carpet events and special occassions.

Wedding Jeannie is keeping a secret. In 2011 we will partner with Adorn for an exciting contest. Can't divulge the detail yet. We're pretty excited and can't wait to share this. Watch our BLOG and  Facebook and Twitter pages for the announcement and find out how you can particpate.

On your wedding day, you're a celebrity. You should adorn yourself with beautiful jewelry. As the bride, YOU DESERVE IT.

Top 50!!!

I was so thrilled to recieve an email from Andrea Contreras at Project Management Training letting me know that our blog, our super fun, widdle blog was named one of the Top 50 Wedding Planning Blogs! Of all of the blogs in all of the world, we were named #2!!! How cool beans is that!



Here is what PMT had to say:



2. Masterpiece Weddings This ace wedding blog is the cream of the crop and the perfect starting place for those who aren’t sure what their wedding style should be.





What makes it the coolest of the cool beans is that we were named with some fab company, the likes of the Awesomely Awesome Susan of The Premier Wedding Guide and Lisa of E-Events and In My Shoes!



Thank you so much to PMT for recongizing us, and listing us amongst such incredible company!

Perfect Gift

Are you looking for the perfect gift? The gift for the person that has everything?

Well, have I got the perfect idea for you! What about the gift of the yummiest kind?

The gift of Kake Truffles is not only delicious, but now you can buy a gift certificate and your gift can be picked up or shipped at anytime!

Your gift receiver can not only choose the flavors but when they want or need them! It's perfect!

Perfectly Delicious!

Perfectly Timed!

Perfectly Perfect!

To order your Truffles or Gift Certificate, email Erika at erika@kbkakes.com, or check them out at http://www.kbkakes.com/

Gift Certificates can be emailed, so for you last minute shoppers (you know who you are) can still order them, you still have time! Go... email Erika now!

(MasterPiece Weddings was not compensated in anyway for this post - however would like to add that compensation by Truffles would be greatly appreciated)

You never know....

You'll never know who you'll meet. Or when.



You see, I was invited to a birthday party for a dear friend, and I sat down next to a guy that I thought looked as if I could make good conversation with.



Super nice guy, he and his family and friends immediately had me laughing, and the conversation was easy.



I asked him what he did. He said that he was an Event Planner.



I thought, pstcha... whatever. Sure you are. Everyone is an event planner. Whatever.



So then I asked him what type of events he planned, he mentioned some large corporate events, for fashion clients, and large marketing firms.



Okay, sure you do... maybe... maybe you plan something sort of cool like that.



Then he sees me tweeting... he asks me about Twitter... and my blog. And I ask him more about what he does.



Then he casually, and I mean oh so casually, mentioned he'll be on Martha Stewart Radio on Wednesday.



Casually.



No Biggie.



So, I introduce him to my friend Jen, and now Mark Addison and I are BFF's. And I think he's super cool, and I'll cling glasses with him anytime of day.



Have you met, my friend, the Event Planner in New York, Mark Addison? Mark, meet my blog friends, friends, meet Mark.

Cookie Time! Raspberry Ribbons

Ingredients





1 cup butter (no substitutes), softened

1/2 cup sugar

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup raspberry jam



Glaze:

1 cup confectioners' sugar

2 tablespoons evaporated milk

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract



Directions



1.In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Beat in egg and vanilla. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well.



2.Divide dough into four portions; shape each into a 10-in. x 2-1/2-in. log. Place 4 in. apart on greased or foil-lined baking sheets. Make a 1/2-in. depression down the center of each log. Bake at 350 degrees F for 10 minutes.



3.Fill depressions with jam. Bake 10-15 minutes longer or until lightly browned. Cool for 2 minutes. Remove to a cutting board; cut into 3/4-in. slices. Place on wire racks.



4.In a small bowl, combine glaze ingredients until smooth. Drizzle over warm cookies. cool completely.

Kisses from The Wedding Jeannie Team

The Wedding Jeannie Team took some time out for photo booth fun. We wish you Happy Holidays and send kisses your way. Much love from Shanelle Doughlin (left), Jeannie Ward (center), and Veronica Medrano (right).

Green Wedding? Got Wine?

It's a known fact...I LOVE WINE. Wine snob? Absolutely not. I'm open to trying all types of wine, regardless of region, brand, or price. Wine should be appealing to your pallete..plain and simple. Wine plays a starring role at most weddings. When you sit down with your catering manager to develop your menu, wine pairing must be considered. Your catering manager will have many choices available to you.

What if your planning a GREEN WEDDING?  You may be able to purchase a gently worn gown, find eco-friendly stationery, give re-usable favors, and work with vendors who follow GREEN practices. All elements you can feel good about on your wedding day.

Wine should also play a part in your GREEN WEDDING plans. I decided to experiment...just for you! I was on a mission to find a great tasting and ECO FRIENDLY WINE. Oh the hard work. The things I do for the sake of research! But seriously I found THE ONE.

Introducing Flourish Vineyards. Flourish wines are all made from organically grown grapes, inspired by the desire to provide environmentally sustainable alternatives. Flourish offers choices in white and red to compliment any menu. Butterflies grace their labels. Another nod to their desire to honor the eco-system.

Take it from me, the wine is excellent. I enjoyed a wonderful Pinot Grigio with Penne and cream sauce, and a rich Cabernet Savignon with a warm beef stew. Flourish wines are consistenly rated 88 points and higher. Rest assured, I've done the research for you, and can confidently say that Florish wines are the perfect eco-friendly option for your wedding.

I raise a glass to you, your marriage and your GREEN WEDDING. Cheers!

Grooms - Suit or Tuxedo? Or BOTH?



  



Planning Weddings for over ten years, has required me to stay on top of changing trends. Currently, I've found that grooms are becoming more involved in planning their weddings. The biggest shift is that grooms are highly aware of how they wish to look when they stand at the altar, awaiting the arrival of their bride.



Men are influenced by celebrity fashion, just like women. In 2010, we have seen fashion icons like David Beckman, Ryan Seacrest, and Justin Timberlake, sporting "Slim Fit" suits. They are elegant and sophisticated. No need for a bow tie. Let's face it...today's modern groom is not excited about the idea of wearing a bow tie.

Each time I sit with a groom to discuss their wedding day attire, I see their eyes gloss over. The mention of bow ties make them sweat. Takes them back to the prom! I'm finding my grooms are asking for suits and tuxedos in the "Slim Fit" style. Luckily for modern grooms, Friar Tux has  answered the call.

Recently, I spoke to Lauren Meskell, Friar Tux's Marketing and PR Manager. She explained how they are keeping up with this modern trend for 2011. Lauren tells me they are offering "Slim Fit" suits for rent in tan, beige linen, medium grey, black, and black with pin stripe. Having a formal wedding? Perhaps a formal tuxedo is required. Friar Tux has the answer for you too. The 2011 collection includes a charcoal grey tuxedo-suit crossover, it only has a tiny piece of satin so it looks like a suit (it is beautiful!). They also offer two new tuxedo styles with a slim fit. To complete this modern ensemble, slim fit shirts and skinny tie rentals are available.

In order to ensure the best customer service experience, all Friar Tux staff have been trained in "slim fittings". Friar Tux is really staying one step ahead of their competition. With locations throughout Southern California, it's easy to find a store near you. Do yourself a favor and stop in for a fitting. I'm sure you're going to be excited about the new offerings.

Cookie Time! Chocolate Espresso Snowcap

Ingredients



Makes 18



1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

4 teaspoons instant espresso

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/8 teaspoon salt

4 tablespoons unsalted butter

2/3 cup packed light-brown sugar

1 large egg

4 ounces bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, melted and cooled

1 tablespoon milk

Confectioners' sugar, for coating



Directions



1.In a medium bowl, sift together flour, cocoa, espresso, baking powder, and salt. With an electric mixer, cream butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg until well combined; mix in cooled chocolate. With mixer on low, gradually add flour mixture; beat in milk until just combined. Flatten dough into a disk; wrap in plastic. Freeze until firm, about 45 minutes.



2.Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line two baking sheets with parchment. Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Pour confectioners' sugar (about 1/2 cup) into a medium bowl; working in batches, roll balls in sugar two times, letting them sit in sugar between coatings.



3.Place on prepared baking sheets, 2 inches apart. Bake until cookies have spread and coating is cracked, 12 to 14 minutes; cookies will still be soft to the touch. Cool cookies on a wire rack.



(We can thank Martha Stewart for adding to this to our annual Christmas Cookie baking)



.







Read more at Marthastewart.com: Chocolate-Espresso Snowcaps - Martha Stewart Recipes

Venue Spotlight - Serra Plaza

In  the business of weddings, you make amazing connections. True for me. I've been fortunate to become more than just colleagues with some of those people. Some have become my friends. They are people you love to work with again and again, cheer for, and admire, and who INSPIRE you. Mary Lallande, Venue Concierge of Jay's Catering, is one of those special people. She writes the Jay's Catering Blog, titled "Food For Thought".

Jay's and Mary have unveiled a new venue in San Juan Capistrano's historice district. Recently they hosted a brunch for wedding professionals to witness the beauty of this amazing place. It's called SERRA PLAZA. I'm quoting Mary's words in describing this South Orange County jewel.

"Stone pavers, loggias, arches, covered breezeways, bubbling fountains, old world doors, and large clay pots with an abundance of flowers welcome you to Serra Plaza. Located adjacent to the Historic Los Rios District and within walking distance of The Mission San Juan Capistrano, Serra Plaza truly has that old world charm with a pristine new feel. The amenities include; a plaza that can accommodate 450 guests, a gorgeous bridal suite, a private patio with an outdoor stone fireplace for cocktails or an intimate ceremony, and ample parking. You could even travel by train, as the station is within walking distance."

My VENUE SPOTLIGHT is a way to share with you the best venues Southern California has to offer. So it was obvious that I had to choose SERRA PLAZA, as the latest spotlight. So without further delay....here is my interview with Mary.

What is the history of your venue?  The plaza itself is new construction. However we are surrounded by the Historic downtown community of San Juan Capistrano and one of our anchor buildings is on the Historic registry.

How many guests can you accommodate?             Ceremony? 450               Reception? 375

Do you provide In-House Catering? We have a list of four preferred caterers to choose from.

Is parking provided on-site? 269 parking spaces included.

Do you book more than one event per day? Only one. How will that affect my event? You are not rushed because of another event and have complete privacy.

What is your favorite feature of your venue? I have two, the large angel fountain in the plaza and the French inspired bridal suite. Wait make that three. The old church pews we own.

Give us the top three reasons why couples should book your venue for their wedding/reception.

1.       Serra Plaza is a gorgeous Spanish styled plaza with a grand water fountain feature.

2.       Serra Plaza has a prime Orange County location with ample parking

3.       Serra Plaza is designed for grand entertaining with old world California style.

If you're recently engaged, and you can see yourself being married in this romantic place, call me. It would be my pleasure to introduce you to it.

2011 Trends Workshop

There is a great workshop coming up for brides at Love Wedd, it's totally free and will feature some up and coming trends in floral designs, linens, food, photography, stationary and much more!



So if you are a bride in Gainesville, and crave more and more wedding, go, have fun, learn,and sample some great food while your at it!



So RSVP by calling Love Wedd!

Style Unveiled - Local Love Awards

Wedding Jeannie loves our clients. It's our goal to make sure that each one gets the wedding of their dreams. We stand beside them as a partner to ensure their day is flawless, meaningful and fun. Such was the case with the wedding of Sonia and Danny. Since their big day at The St. Regis Monarch Beach, in March, we have remained friends. In fact, together with their photographer Jen Bierman of Photojenic, we'll all get together next week to see their wedding album.

As if all of this isn't enough, their wedding was nominated by Style Unveiled. Not only once....BUT TWICE. I'm over the moon for them. Congratulations Sonia and Danny. We love you!

Thank you to our friends at Style Unveiled. This is truly an honor.

Wish Upon A Wedding Gala - Ebell Club of LA

WUW Gala from Shade Tree Films on Vimeo.

What if you only had 3, 6 or 9 months to live? What if during that time, your wish was to be married to the person you love? What if I told you there is an organization that can grant that wish? Wish Upon A Wedding is a non-profit organization that does just that. They grant wedding wishes to couples facing terminal and life threatening illness, regardless of race, religion or sexual orientation.

Event Planning Committee: Gianna San Filippo, Christina Wright, Candace Bradley, Gloria McCune and Me! We had a blast planning this event together. Proud to call these ladies my friends.

I'm a member of the "Wish Upon A Wedding Event Planning Committe". Together with four other wedding coordinators (my friendly competition), we design, plan and coordinate events for the Southern California Chapter. In November, we hosted the first Southern California Wish Upon A Wedding Gala. The Gala was a fundraiser, and was a huge success. I was delighted to be selected to create the theme, design and decor. As a trained floral desingner, this is MY WORLD. The fact that we raised money for the organization makes me very proud. But, knowing that I played such an important role in the beauty of the event, was the cherry on top.

Every vendor that made the Gala so amazing, donated their time, talents and services. As you plan your wedding, take the time to consider their services. Here's the list:

Venue & Catering: The Ebell Club of Los Angeles 
Floral Decor: Tic Tock Couture Florals
Specialty Linens: Wildflower Linens
Specialty Chairs: Chameleon Chair and Classic Party Rentals
Rentals: Choura Events And Lounge Appeal
Lighting: Aspect Lighting
Champagne & Wine: Barefoot Winery
Ice Luges: Ice Bulb
Entertainment: Hey Mister DJ, Del Lago Trio, The Fabulous Esquires, The Hollywood Hotshots
Photography: Trista Lerit Photography and Tracy Kumono Photography
AV & Audio: John Goolsby of Godfather Films
Photo Booth: Shutter Booth
Cigar Roller: Cuban Rollers
Tuxedos: Friar Tux
Dessert Station: Vanilla Bake Shop
Emcee: Rev. Clint Hufft
Chocolate Fountain: Orange County Chocolate Fountains
Stationery: The Card Lady
Parking Attendants: Jeffrey Valet

What an Intern learned

Every semester MasterPiece Weddings accepts two interns from The University of Florida to work with our company.



It's fun for us to see the excitment and enthusiasm that each intern has when they come into our office and see all of the wedding wonderment. And then at the end of the day to see the exhaustion in their faces. But the energy and excitment to come back tomorrow to do it all over again.



This semester I asked our interns Lizzie and Heather to write about their experiences at MasterPiece Weddings.



Lizzie is up first! Here is her summary of her time with us.



My wedding day with Melissa happened to fall on 10.10.10. We had two weddings in one day! It was a busy first wedding day for me, but I worked hard and learned a lot. I felt that these first weddings gave me a solid foundation for the beginning of my 100 hours with Melissa. Through the next couple weddings, I grew more confident in my abilities to handle certain situations. In addition, the certification class gave me extra knowledge which I used in my hours with Melissa.







The first lesson I took away from my experience is a wedding planner’s relationships with vendors is key. Melissa showed me ways to develop friendly relationships with vendors while still remaining professional. I learned how to deal with vendors on the phone and in person as well as the knowledge of how to keep vendor information organized.





The second lesson I learned is to always stay calm no matter what the situation is. If a planner is wigging out, the bride will start to panic, and the last thing a planner wants is for a bride to be unhappy on the best day of her life! Melissa deals with issues that arise swiftly, discretely, and gracefully. I only hope to keep as calm as she does. Many people think that a Wedding Coordinator is unnecessary; however, I saw firsthand that a planner can save the day and just make the life of the couple so much easier.





Through this experience, I discovered that Wedding Planning is my passion. To me, it is not a job. I love just being in the moment helping two people celebrate their love. I want to thank Melissa so much for mentoring me and giving me invaluable experience. There is no way that I would be starting out my career so confidently if it was not for her.



If you are interested in applying for the Intern Program at MasterPiece Weddings, please email us at interns {at} masterpieceweddings {dot} net

Tramon + Cigar = COOL

What does this picture say to you? To me it looks like a magazine ad for cigars and cool. It oozes of cool. These very stylish gentlemen are enjoying friendship and the taste of a fine stogie. The main subject is in the center. See how he looks at the camera? He appears to be saying "I'm confident, content.....satisfied". Is it possible that a cigar made him feel this way?

I happen to know the answer to this question. He is content because he is a groom who just married his dream woman. Tramon and Mayra married last month at The Museum of Latin American Art, in Long Beach. He was a groom that was involved in every aspect of his wedding. I was honored to be their wedding planner, and I enjoyed every minute of it. He wanted Mayra to have the wedding of her dreams, and he went out of his way to give it to her.

He also took care of his boys and guests by providing them a Cigar Bar and lounge. It's was Ultra Cool, like him. The couple's love of cigars even played a role in their floral decor. But you'll have to wait for those photos.

Natalie Moser Photography provided this sneek peek photo. She is brilliant with a camera. She captured Tramon perfectly. We're drooling to see the rest. Wait till you see the photos of the LA Street Dogs. This Latin Inspired wedding was stylish, hip and unique. Check back soon for more.

Cookie Time! Pumpkin Cookie/Scone

We are bringing back Cookie TimeFriday for the month of December, every Friday during this month, I'll share with you some of my favorite recipes and favorite cookies!



First up, Pumpkin Cookies (these are seriously just like the Pumpkin Scones from a popular coffee shop)

Ingredients





2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup butter, softened

1 1/2 cups white sugar

1 cup canned pumpkin puree or 1 3/4 cup of fresh pumpkin puree

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract



Glaze:

2 cups confectioners' sugar

3 tablespoons milk

1 tablespoon melted butter

1 teaspoon vanilla extract



Directions



1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ground cloves, and salt; set aside.



2.In a medium bowl, cream together the 1/2 cup of butter and white sugar. Add pumpkin, egg, and 1 teaspoon vanilla to butter mixture, and beat until creamy. Mix in dry ingredients. Drop on cookie sheet by tablespoonfuls; flatten slightly.



3.Bake for 15 to 20 minutes in the preheated oven. Cool cookies, then drizzle glaze with fork.



4.To Make Glaze: Combine confectioners' sugar, milk, 1 tablespoon melted butter, and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Add milk as needed, to achieve a thick dipping or drizzling consistency.

 

{Photo: Allrecipes.com)

Summer and Scott 10/10/10

Summer and Scott chose 10/10/10 for their wedding day because they are nerds (self professed) and their images are dorky and sweet and absolutely romantically spectacular!!!



Thank you Lindsey from Pure by Lindsey for really capturing these moments so spectacularly!!!

Oh and PS - I had the honor of marrying Summer and Scott! It was so much fun!

BridalPlasty....REALLY!

On Sunday E! premiered their newest bridal reality show. It's called Bridalplasty. As a bride, I'm sure you've heard about it. When I first heard the name, it offended me INSTANTLY, and I let my opinion be known on my Facebook page. One of the comments I received came from a respected and talented colleague, who is working on the show. So, I gave it a chance.

Five minutes into it, I had to turn it off. As a wedding planner, I believe in LOVE. Cliche? Maybe..but I've seen LOVE in all of it's glory. Along the way, I've met the most amazing couples who have fallen in love with each other's hearts and souls. Real love means complete acceptance of who the other person is. Warts and all. Of course looks are important. Each woman should do her best to play up her best assets. And we can. Just visit any department store. There is clothing, make-up, and a slew of hair care products to help us do just that. Not happy with a specific aspect of your body? Join the gym, walk around your neighborhood. It just takes discipline. A virtue that will impress your mate even more.

Why am I so opposed to this show? Because I see the beauty in everyone I meet. All women are beautiful, even if they don't look like a supermodel. Your fiance loves you for who you are. When he proposed, he was bursting with love for you. That day, he saw you as the most beautiful woman in the world. He wants to marry YOU. Not another version of you. You don't need to alter your looks to make him, or yourself happy. YOU HAVE IT ALL....LOVE!

I'm not the only one who disagrees with the message this show sends. Psychologists and plastic surgeons are up in arms about Bridalplasty. "It's a horrible idea. It absolutely plays into this notion that if you achieve the 'perfect' appearance, everything will be better. The message it sends to girls and women, as if you're not beautiful enough on your wedding day you have to receive plastic surgery from head to toe," says Roberto Olivardia, clinical instructor in the department of psychology at Harvard Medical School.

As you plan for your big day, remember how beautiful and worthy you are of becoming a wife and a soul mate. Focus on a marriage...not just a day. I wish you a day filled with beauty and love.

Love Wedd

Have you been to the funnest Bridal Boutique in Gainesville? If not, you must make a trip to Love Wedd!

If you aren't in Gainesville, head over to the Love Wedd Blog for fun giveaways, and FREE workshops that we'll be hosting there!

Be True

The best advice I can give you....

Country Rustic Romance

Placecards, : Boutineer, Just Married Sign, Watering Can, Bridesmaids, Invitations, tables, directional sign, Bride and Groom, Cake

Left Overs

We are taking time to enjoy our Turkey Hangover, and I hope you are doing the same!



Have a great Gobble, Gobbley-rific Weekend!

{Martha Stewart}

Happy Thanksgiving!

From all of us at MasterPiece Weddings, we wish you and your family the best of Thanksgivings!!!



Please take a moment for everything you have to be grateful for!



I feel so grateful for my family and friends and all of the amazing things that are to come.



God Bless you and your family