A Day to Cherish

Nicole and Dan's Wedding

2009-05-18T18:26:00.002-06:00

I have been wanting to catch up on posting some of my spring weddings, and I'll start by taking you all the way back to December for Nicole and Dan's wedding.

The stunning photos are by Stuart Thurlkill of Eyes 2 See Photography.

This wedding was the result of the wedding giveaway that I headed up for North Valley Magazine. There were so many details I loved about this event, but my favorite was the "gifts" that were the centerpieces. They were a wonderful incorporation of the Christmas theme and also symbolized the biblical fruits of the spirit we hope their marriage will be blessed with. An extra special thanks to The Invitation Lady who designed the custom wrapping paper!

The other details and story of this wedding are featured in this month's issue of the magazine.

To see the current issue of the magazine, click here (the wedding is featured on page 66).

Thank you again to all my friends who assisted with this beautiful day:

Firesky Resort
Eyes 2 See Photography
The Invitation Lady
Bing's Floral
Brides by Demetrios
Tri Rentals
Creative Touch Entertainment

Persian New Year

2009-05-15T10:23:00.006-06:00

One of the best parties we have done lately was a Persian New Year party at a private residence in Scottsdale.

If you've never been to a Persian New Year, you are missing out. If you have never been to a Persian New Year at Lawdan and Hamid's house, than you just have not fully experienced life!

The incredible photos below are from the indisputably amazing Stuart Thurlkill of Eyes 2 See.

Persian New Year, also called Nowruz, is the most important holiday in the Persian New Year. It is a celebration of the spring, and it is critical to incorporate the significant elements of certain flowers, fire, various foods, and a symbolic Sofreh table.

We diligently created a design for this event that would both embody the feeling of spring and be fitting for a formal nighttime affair. One of my favorite elements were the light-poles that we custom-created for the occasion. The poles gave a frame to the dining space while the twinkle lights, candles, and florals adorning them made for a beautiful visual.

It was a fun challenge to work with Lawdan and her mother to set the Sofreh. This traditional table had to beautifully displayed over a dozen symbolic items while complementing the theme of the evening.

For food and drink, there were both gourmet and Persian options abound. From dry ice as a beverage garnish to the Persian pastries and delectable hors d'oeuvres, no one could resist the yummy-ness!

The theme of the evening was "New Year Luck" which was most obvious in the casino tables guests enjoyed into the wee hours of night. My favorite detail was the favors which were lottery scratcher cards custom packaged and hung from a tree. I guess money does grow on trees after all!

The celebration concluded with lots of dancing (these beautiful Persian ladies know how to work it!), and a surprise performance by a fire eater/juggler.

This party had "WOW" written all over it! Thank you to my team of vendors from this event:

Eyes 2 See Photography

I Won a Zonie!

2009-05-14T12:26:00.006-06:00

I won a Zonie award!

Now, you might ask, "What's a Zonie?" Last night, ISES (International Special Events Society) hosted an the Arizona Event Industry Awards ceremony at the Hotel Valley Ho.

I was honored to be awarded "Best Social Event under $25,000".

The event this award was for was a really fun Persian New Years' party from last March. I'll dig up some photos and put up a post about that soon.

Wedding Planner: Missing in Action

2009-03-26T09:46:00.003-06:00

I had 4 different people all point out to me yesterday that I haven't blogged since November, yikes! A Day to Cherish has been busy with a lot of fun and exciting things, but I have neglected to share them with you all lately. So it's time to catch up, stay tuned for some great new posts!

Ashley and David's Wedding

2008-11-12T21:35:00.007-07:00

Well, I have a lot of friends who blog-stalk the ever-so-punctual photographer Melissa Jill. She just posted their album design on her blog ELEVEN DAYS after the wedding. For anyone out there who has waited six months, a year, or maybe even two years to get their album, you know this photographer is the modern-day superwoman with how fast she can process her work. So, by popular demand from those who have already had a sneak peek at these photos from her website, here are the details!

I already miss this couple and I'm totally going through wedding planner withdrawal! Ashley and David are some of the sweetest and most genuine people I have ever worked with.

Their wedding was filled with loads of romantic details. The wedding date was set on their 5 year dating anniversary. While the girls were primping in hair and makeup, I shuttled wedding-day (aka anniversary) gifts to the bride and groom. David had found diamond earrings that perfectly matched the design of the engagement ring. And if you thought that was sweet, get this: Ashley had a new watch engraved with the wedding date and set with small diamonds from an heirloom watch left to David by his grandfather!

The location was set at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge. I think I've mentioned a couple of times on this blog how much I love this property, but I'll gladly say it again. I LOVE THE JW MARRIOTT! The service, quality of food, and impeccably well-kept details make such a difference in everything from valet service, to the food, the staff is amazing, and especially the luxurious guest rooms. One might argue that the JW Desert Ridge is too large and overwhelming of an atmosphere, but we found Ashley and David the perfect intimate spot in the Tuscany Restaurant. This very romantic and private candlelit bistro is located deep in the heart of the property. It's amazing!

Guests were guided to the resort's own private island for a Christian ceremony overlooking the water serenaded by a string quartet. After the ceremony, the bridal party and immediate family enjoyed hugs and kisses with the bride and groom complete with a champagne toast while guests made their way over the bridge to the open air patio adjacent to the restaurant for cocktails and appetizers. As the sun narrowed on the horizon, Ashley and David took their first dance to a really sweet love song, 'Lucky'. Everyone was invited inside for the most decedent four course dinner (mmm, can you taste the lobster ravioli?). When bellies were filled with food and wine, the staff folded back the wall of windows to entirely open the dining room to the patio where a slideshow of childhood photos began to play on a large screen that had been set up during dinner on the water's edge.

As the dancing and festivities continued, I could see the kindness and joy of genuine relationships between family and friends. As a wedding planner, I can orchestrate every detail but this, and I loved seeing the scene we had set fill up with laughter, dancing, and hugs.

Congratulations and best wishes to Ashley and David!

Soon To Wed: Ashley and David

2008-10-31T12:51:00.006-06:00

Ashley and David are getting married this November at one of my favorite properties, the J.W. Marriott Desert Ridge. This couple is truly the client that every wedding planner dreams of. They are easy-going, fun, laugh a lot, and are just so much in love with each other. Keep reading below for more of their wedding details. I hope you enjoy these AMAZING engagement photos by Melissa Jill:

1. ) What do you love most about your soon-to-be spouse?

Ashley: I love his sense of humor. He always keeps me laughing no matter what the situation. He is incredibly intelligent, funny, and charismatic. Anyone who meets him always walks away with a new friend in David!
David: Ashley is the most kind, caring, and genuine person i have ever known. That's what I love the most about her.

2.) How has your wedding planning experience been?

Given the amount of time we've allowed for our engagement, it's been pretty stress-free. Really the whole process has been so much fun, but if I had to pick my favorite part, it would definitely be the food tasting!

3.) What will make your wedding uniquely yours?

Although the J.W. Marriott is well-known fro being one of the most upscale places around, we wanted to have a more intimate feeling to our wedding. That's why our wedding is going to be in the Tuscany Restaurant of the resort. It's romantic, candle-lit, and the perfect space for us.

4.) What moment of the wedding day are you most looking forward to?

Ashley: Since our wedding is on out 5-year dating anniversary, I have a really special gift that I can't wait to give to him. (Psst, Aleasha interjecting here. I'll let you in on the details later!)
David: I am just looking forward to that moment when I put the ring on her finger.

5.) Any advice for other brides and grooms?

Don't sweat the small stuff. There are too many details to a wedding already without stressing about the little things. You have to remember to enjoy the process because before you know it, the wedding is here!

Soon To Wed: Erica and Jason

2008-10-11T23:25:00.006-06:00

This post debuts a new segment you'll see more of on this blog. We'll be introducing you to a few of the couples we work with who have a weddings in the near future.

We got started with Erica and Jason only 11 days ago and their wedding is tomorrow! It's stories like theirs that is the reason we do "day-of" planning (most of you know that our Simplicity package also usually covers the last 6-8 weeks of final details). Erica and Jason have hit every bump in the road along the planning process. Tying up their loose ends and scrambling to finish off the details isn't the easiest work I do, but watching their stress melt away is well worth it!

This is a couple with character and attitude! It's been great getting to know them and I am really looking forward to their wedding. Here are some of their pictures from their engagement session with Rachel Priddy. Keep reading below for more details on the wedding!

1. ) What do you love most about your soon-to-be spouse?

Jason is the only guy who could ever convince me to keep him around! I've dated a lot of guys, and in my experience, they all needed so much "training" to be a functional partner. Jason was different. He and I fit from the day we met, he's the one for me!

2.) How has your wedding planning experience been?

Chaotic! There has been more than once instance where we almost ran away to elope. The dress I ordered was not delivered and I had to go out last minute to find another one. I was originally booked at the Montelucia, but the opening got delayed so we had to reschedule for the Royal Palms. Since the date of the wedding had to be changed, we had to reprint our invitations too. The silver lining is that both resorts have taken such good care of us to make the transition as easy as possible, and now we hired a planner for the last couple of weeks and it's made a big difference!

3.) What will make your wedding uniquely yours?

We have a hybrid style of elegance and our personality for our wedding. The decor will be rich and elegant in reds, golds, and lots of candlelight. The details are fun with a flare of vintage pin-up sass. We'll be hosting both a tequila and a cigar bars, there is flamenco dancing, and the best detail is the shoes. Both Jason and I have leopard-print shoes to offset our formal attire!

4.) What moment of the wedding day are you most looking forward to?

Jason is a chef, and we both love food, so we are definitely excited to sit back and enjoy the delectible 5 course dinner.

5.) Any advice for other brides and grooms?

Gosh, I'll have to get back to you on that one. At this point, everything has been so crazy for so long, we're just hoping that everything goes as smoothly as the last week has gone!

Mother-Son & Duet Dance Favorites: Summer Song Series 3 of 3

2008-08-31T16:31:00.003-06:00

For the mother-son wedding dance, there are only a few song choices that I am fond of:

Simple Man, by Lynard Skynard
Beautiful Boy, by Ben Harper

But don't worry, I wouldn't leave you disappointed with that slim selection. There are a bunch of great songs that have multiple uses. Allow me to explain. The following songs would be wonderful for either a mother-son dance or a father-daughter dance. With the versatility, many people are choosing to combine the two parent dances into one song and have a "duet dance". This works particularly well for the bride or groom with step-parents that would have more than one person deserving of this honor dance. Have your emcee announce all the parents' names as the song begins. Then start the dance with your biological parent and have your wedding planner cue the step-parent to cut in at an appropriate time.

Find Your Wings, by Mark Harris
Do I Make You Proud by Taylor Hicks
You Belong to Me” by Jason Wade
Somewhere Over The Rainbow, by Katherine McFee
Somewhere Over The Rainbow, by Israel Kamakawiwo’ole
There You’ll Be, by Faith Hill
Just the Way You Are, by Billy Joel
Never Alone, by Jim Brickman and Sara Evans
My Wish, by Rascal Flatts
The Prayer, by Celine Dion
You Raise Me Up, by Josh Groban
You are the Sunshine of My Life, by Stevie Wonder
How You Live, by Point of Grace
You’ll Be in My Heart, by Phil Collins
I Turn to You, by Christina Aguilera
Have I Told You Lately, by Van Morrison
All You Need is Love, by Beatles
You are My Sunshine, by Elizabeth Mitchell

Featured on TV: Emergency Kit Secrets

2008-08-25T18:02:00.007-06:00

In case you missed my television debut, you can still catch my segment on my emergency kit secrets from A Wedding to Remember TV online.

Click here to watch the segment and leave a comment to let me know what you think!

Father-Daughter Dance Favorites: Summer Song Series 2 of 3

2008-08-25T10:33:00.004-06:00

Part 2 of our featured "Summer Song Series" is all about helping you choose a perfect song for your father-daughter dance.

Those of you who know me are well aware of how easily any of the daddy-and-daughter wedding moments make me teary and weak in the knees. Perhaps it is because I have a very special relationship with my amazing, super-supportive dad. Whatever it is, there is nothing quite like the way a dad looks at his little girl on her wedding day, and that is what makes this dance so precious! Here are a few of my personal picks that get me reaching for a tissue every time:

Father and Daughter, by Paul Simon
Lullabye, by Billy Joel
Daughter, by Loudon Wainright
In My Daughter’s Eyes, by Martina McBride
Always Be My Baby, by David Cook (American Idol)
The Way You Look Tonight, by Steve Tyrell
Daughters, by John Mayer
House at Pooh Corner, by Kenny Loggins
Take Good Care of My Baby, by Dion
I Loved Her First, by Heartland
You Are So Beautiful, by Joe Cocker
Wildflowers, by Tom Petty
Cinderella, by Steven Curtis Chapman
Isn’t She Lovely, by Stevie Wonder
I Can’t Help Myself, Four Tops
Brown Eyed Girl, by Van Morrison
Stealing Cinderella, by Chuck Wicks
My Little Girl, by Tim McGraw
He Didn’t Have to Be, by Brad Paisley

Featured on A Wedding to Remember TV

2008-08-22T18:39:00.002-06:00

Tune into Channel 3 KTVK this Sunday at 1:00pm for the debut of A Wedding to Remember TV.

A Day to Cherish is honored to have been invited to be one of the consulting experts on this new show that will focus on all the local secrets for getting married in the Phoenix area. You'll see me featured on the weekly show often during this first season talking about my favorite emergency kit items, how to get your groom involved in the planning, and my favorite subject, staying organized!

It was so much fun filming with Vielka Atherton, the show's host. We had a blast and laughed so much. Let's just hope she never leaks the "out-takes" of our taping session or the whole world might find out what a dork I can be in front of a camera!

First Dance Favorites: Summer Song Series 1 of 3

2008-08-13T18:00:00.008-06:00

As the hot summer days trudge on, I got to thinking of how to keep you entertained as we're stuck indoors where the wonder of air-conditioning keeps us cool. This will be the first of 3 posts on some of my personal favorites in wedding songs.

The first and most importance dance is your first bout on the dance floor as husband and wife. There is the increasingly popular option to do a creative and surprising first dance (as featured in television's "Rock the Reception" and "Dancing With the Stars"), but that is another topic entirely. If a traditional romantic route is more your style, than this list is for you, the links will take you to samples of each tune:

“True Companion” Marc Cohn
“To Know Love” Little Big Town
“When You Look Me In the Eyes” Jonas Brothers
"Beautiful" Daniel Park
“You and Me” Lifehouse
“Lost in This Moment” Big and Rich
“This Is Our Life” Mary Beth Maziarz
“The Only Promise That Remains” Reba McEntire and Justin Timberlake
“We Are Man and Wife” Michelle Featherstone
“Keep Holding On” Avril Lavigne
“Baby Now That I’ve Found You” Alison Krauss
“Amazed” Lonestar
“These Are the Days” Van Morrison
"I Could Not Ask For More" Edwin McCain
“When You Say Nothing At All” Ronan Keating

Tammy and Patrick's Wedding

2008-07-27T23:54:00.005-06:00

It is every wedding planner's dream to work with a bride like Tammy. I knew from the start, she REALLY loved organization, lots of candles, and her fiance Patrick. That's a treasured trinity in the world of weddings! My favorite part of their wedding were all the meaningful moments that happened throughout the day. A well-planned event always makes consideration for those special interactions with family and friends. Tammy and Patrick's wedding was a perfect example of a timeline that was sculpted around those moments, and I loved how the day unfolded around the laughter, hugs, and tears of joy.

Here is the storyboard with images by Darby Elizabeth Photography:

Most of my brides do have a moment of shock on or before the wedding day. I think it's a universal experience of being a bride and how surreal it is to finally have that dream day arrive. Tammy was no exception, and I knew that she had felt a bit jittery the day before the wedding at the rehearsal. So I arrived a little earlier than I had planned the next morning just to make sure she was settling in okay, and I discovered one of the most radiant women I have ever seen. She was calm, relaxed, and just so in a state of peaceful happiness. The bridal dressing room was filled with bridesmaids, curling irons, and champagne for all, and that morning of primping was just filled with smiling faces and lots of love. One of my favorite moments was the bride sitting on the bed with her sister and mom. The three of them were eating cookies, sipping champagne, and chatting away. Precious!

Tammy and Patrick wisely choose to have a "Grand Reveal" and see each other before the ceremony. It was very sweet and sentimental. Guests soon began arriving at the Copperwynd Resort for the sunset ceremony on grassy bluff overlooking the picturesque desert. The bride was escorted down the aisle by her beloved dad, and the ceremony continued with a beautiful song performed by the groom's uncle and cousin. After the ceremony concluded, guests were directed to a cocktail hour on the panoramic patio as the newlyweds finished up family pictures. They then hid away on a park bench taking in the day as we scurried about to transform the ceremony site into an open air dinner reception. We lit hundreds of candles hand-picked by the bride and put the finishing touches on the all-pink candy buffet just before the guests meandered into the enchanted space.

Dinner and sentimental speeches were followed by dancing under the stars. As the evening came to a close, the bride and groom retreated to their wedding night through a tunnel of sparklers waved by their guests with enthusiasm.

In closing, I'll attempt to reiterate a few lines from one of the best speeches I have ever heard by Tammy's dad: "We couldn't be happier that Tammy and Patrick have found each other and the love they share. It is with bitter-sweet feelings that we watch this next chapter begin as our little girl gets married. As the bible commands us to leave mother and father and cleave to your spouse, we dutifully accept our responsibility to give her away. We are filled with gratitude and thankfulness for the short time that God has trusted her in our care. It has been our life's greatest blessing."

(Sniff!) What a wonderful wedding filled with wonderful people! Thank you Tammy and Patrick for allowing me to be a part of your wedding. Blessings for you both!

My Crazy-Creative "McModern" Table

2008-07-14T11:11:00.004-06:00

I had so much fun at the 2008 Event Elements Competition! I know you have all been anxiously awaiting the results and pictures and I am so excited to share them with you!

Every year there is a theme chosen with 4 categories, and the 2008 "elements" were the design concepts of traditional, vintage, retro, and contemporary. Contemporary was a perfect assignment for me because I always feel that the word contemporary means anything that is an accurate description of the "now" (whether that means a bride and groom's love story, a snapshot in time of a client's social relationships, or a corporate philosophy).

Without a bride or client to inspire me, I thought long and hard about the utterly ENDLESS possibilities for this table design. Eventually, a challenging question came to mind: "What would be the most difficult and challenging idea to present as contemporary, elegant, and modern?" So that's when I took the basic fast-food staple of McDonald's and reconstructed it into a fresh, contemporary version.

This was my table description: Today’s interpretation of contemporary means sustainability, environmental responsibility, and the art of living life well. As progressive changes are made to society, we will see these contemporary trends spread though all aspects of day-to-day life, including a staple as common as fast-food. The contemporary luxuries of fine dining and organic produce can even relate to a setting as far fetched as America’s love for greasy burger joints. Linens and tableware emphasize the current simplicity of clean, crisp lines as well as the nostalgia of a classic diner’s bold red and yellow colors. Modern lounge seating reminds us of old cozy booth tables as we dine on gourmet burgers, fresh-fruit fizzy drinks, soy-chocolate shakes, and fare that is organic, flavorful, and wholesome. Guests sit among bright, organic blooms and will leave this with the souvenir giftcard to come back soon … after all, the contemporary “McModern” is our new favorite fast-food!

I took 2nd place this year, and was secretly thrilled to learn that our celebrity judge Scott Corridan enthusiastically defended my table during the judging, but had to succumb to the other judges' opinion that my table was more modern than contemporary in stylistics. I am just honored that Scott thought so highly of my design!

This was such an amazing event and I loved seeing all the incredible ideas and talents that we have in our local industry. Thanks to all my brides, clients, and friends that came by to see me, it was great to see you smiling faces! Congratulations and job well done to all the competitors. I can't wait until next year ... it definitely time to do a true "wedding" table next!

Thanks always to my wonderful contributors:
Pinkerton Photography
The Invitation Lady
TriRentals

Event Elements Competition and Scott Corridan

2008-06-24T22:23:00.006-06:00

There are some exciting things happening in the Phoenix area this week in the wedding and event world!

You may remember that I was awarded Arizona's Best Designer at the Event Elements Competition last summer. Well, the temperatures are reaching above 110-degrees, so that means it's time again for me to showcase a table at this great event!

I'd love for you to come to this fun event, see all the creative ideas, and of course, taste all the cakes! Stop on by the "Contemporary Element" section and I'll personally explain all the details of this year's surprise design! Here's the 411:

What: 2008 Event Element's Competition
When: Monday, June 30th
Time: open to the public from 3:00 - 6:00 pm
Where: J.W. Marriott Desert Ridge (map)
Admission: $10 per person

This year's celebrity judge is Scott Corridan, a nationally-acclaimed event producer. But Scott will not only be in Phoenix for the competition, he will also be personally unveiling a new couture bridal line at a trunk show! Here is a sneek peek at the White Chocolate Label:

Call Mariee today for your appointment to see and try on these exclusive gowns:

What: Trunk Show of the White Chocolate Label
Where: Mariee Gallery (map)
When: Tuesday, July 1st
Time: 11am - 9pm
How: call for your appointment (480.946.4343)

Before I close this post, here is one last peek at my winning table from 2007. I can't wait to see if I can do it again this year!

Marnee and Rick's Wedding

2008-06-11T09:48:00.015-06:00

If you know me at all, you know I love a challenge. So when Marnee and Rick first called me to tell me about their dream to have a wedding at a family home, transform it into an Italian villa, and transport all the guests in from Scottsdale to COOLIDGE ... well, let's just say that I have never been so excited to see how everything would come together after juggling so many moving parts. I am so proud to say that the event was a fabulous success. We worked day and night to make sure this was everything they dreamed of, meticulously managing every detail.

On to the delicious pictures taken by Claire Harrison:

Guests arrived by chartered coach to our "Italian version" of Coolidge, Arizona. Everyone was greeted with refreshing cocktails and iced Pellegrino for a short pre-ceremony cocktail hour.

As the sun began to drop in the late afternoon sky, friends and family were seated before the grand porte cochère of Marnee's family home. The bride walked down the aisle to "Have You Ever Loved a Woman" smitten with her eyes locked on the groom who was dressed stylishly in a seer-sucker suit and bold red tie. The aisle was adorned with floral decor designed to look like wildflowers popping right through the ground.

After the very personal and romantic non-denominational ceremony, rather than retreating back down the aisle, Marnee and Rick took their first steps as husband and wife leading their guests through the front door of the home and on to the celebration!

As everyone entered the "villa" they were amazed by the meticulous details before them. In the marble-adorned foyer, a four tiered cake was displayed on an antique table. The cake floated atop a custom-designed red floral cake stand that was our special surprise for the bride! As guests moved through the open home and into the back, they also discovered place cards displayed in wine corks and printed to look like a menu form a mom-and-pop Italian restaurant.

The glow of dusk remained as guests were seated for an al fresco Italian feast complete with the bride and groom's favorite dishes. Keeping with the contemporary twist of the color scheme in bold red and light ocean blue, the tables were dressed in luminescent bengaline and a single flower bloom was placed in the center of each napkin. Each table was completed with a bottle of Chianti that conveniently hosted table cards named after romantic Italian phrases like "Ti amo" and "Amore mio".

As the stars appeared in the night sky, the dancing and celebration began. Guests enjoyed the candlelit music, libations, and the pool-side lounge all night. As the evening came to a close, everyone made their way to the coaches, but not before getting a farewell gift of a custom-printed t-shirt designed just to commemorate the occasion that was rolled and tied with a medallion of the bride and groom's photo.

Congratulations Marnee and Rick! Never loose the beautiful romance you have together!

Love Letter Inspiration for Your Ceremony

2008-06-09T09:13:00.008-06:00

One of my best friends took me out this weekend to see the Sex and the City : The Movie. I knew it would be a great chic-flick, but my heart is still fluttering from the romance, irony, and oh-so-perfect interpretation of each character. I think the reason for the success of the series and the movie is because every woman can relate to the ups and downs of relationships as well as the constant search for our own love story.

Image by Craig Blankenhorn/New Line Cinema and from www.nytimes.com.

In one of the movie's themes, Carrie illustrates this chord of romance in reading a book of historic love letters. The letter she focuses on is "Immortal Beloved" by Beethoven:

Though still in bed, my thoughts go out to you, my Immortal Beloved, now and then joyfully, then sadly, waiting to learn whether or not fate will hear us. I can live only wholly with you or not at all. Yes, I am resolved to wander so long away from you until I can fly to your arms and say that I am really at home with you, and can send my soul enwrapped in you into the land of spirits. Yes, unhappily it must be so, you will be the more contained since you know my fidelity to you. No one else can ever possess my heart, never, never. Oh God, why must one be parted from one whom one so loves. And yet my life in Vienna is now a wretched life. Your love makes me at once the happiest and the unhappiest of men. At my age I need a steady, quiet life - can that be so in our connection? My angel, I have just been told that the mailcoach goes every day, therefore I must close at once so that you may receive the letter at once. Be calm, only by a clam consideration of our existence can we achieve our purpose to live together. Be calm, love me, today, yesterday. What tearful longings for you, you. You, my life, my all, farewell. Oh continue to love me, never misjudge the most faithful heart of your beloved.
ever thine
ever mine
ever ours

(Sigh!) I love romance! Wouldn't a love letter like this make a perfect reading at a wedding ceremony? Think of using a famous love letter or an excerpt of one in your wedding. Even a few words like "ever thine, ever mine, ever ours" could be printed on your programs, favors, invitations, displayed on a hanging garden sign as your guests arrive, or even emblazoned on your aisle runner.

For more love letter inspirations, try these books:
The 50 Greatest Love Letters of All Time by David Lowenherz
Love Letters Of Great Men And Women by C. H. Charles
Love Letters: An Anthology of Passion by Michelle Lovric
Love Letters: An Anthology by Antonia Fraser

Be Unstoppable

2008-05-28T11:37:00.003-06:00

Ever since I can remember, I have looked for inspiration everywhere. Moments of epiphany find me in the most random of situations. I'll grab a pen and scrap of paper or a camera to latch onto something that inspires wisdom or motivation, design or beauty.

One of my most recent inspirations came from a television show that I admit that I am addicted to. It's an embarrassing confession, but I love Grey's Anatomy. I know I could find much more simulating use of my time than staring at this trashy-romance-novel of a syndicated show. It's not a complete waste because I have had a scribbled sticky note on my coffee table for a few weeks now that makes me smile every time I see it. I jotted down this quote from a Grey's Anatomy episode (I think it was the second to last one of the season):

"Have some fire. Be unstoppable. Be a force of nature. Be better than anyone here, and don't give a damn what anyone thinks. There are no teams here, no buddies. You're on your own. Be on your own."

I hope you find inspiration in it too!

1 Year Update to 101 in 1001

2008-05-20T05:00:00.000-06:00

Today is one year since I began my "101 Goals for 1001 Days". I haven't blogged for a long time about my progress, so here is a long-overdue update.

I have not made as much progress as I hoped. 365 of the 1001 days have passed and I have accomplished 14 of my 101 goals. I could be a coward and and just forget that I ever started this, but that's just not my style! I will finish this list, whether it takes 1001 days or more is yet to be seen ...

I have added 10 goals to the list (58-67) so there are still 33 goals left to add to the list. What goals do you think I should add? Which goal are you most excited to see me finish?

Here is my 101 in 1001:

1. Get an SLR camera
2. learn Photoshop
3. learn how to take really good pictures
4. learn how to speak Spanish (again)
5. be able to play 3 Christmas carols on the piano
6. go to New York
7. go on a Christmas tour of Europe with my husband
8. get involved with a micro-finance organization
9. lower my cholesterol
10. visit Soirée in Charleston
11. loose 7lbs. and maintain my weight at 135 lbs – sometime in the month of June 2008?
12. go on a trip to the Palm Springs outlets with my mother-in-law
13. have a drink with Sasha Souza
14. take a couple of design classes
15. read the Bible
16. keep up our family traditions of Christmas dinner, renewing our vows at each anniversary, and having dream dinners
17. move out of the ex-burbs
18. go on a trip with my best friend
19. set up a family budget
20. get a great shoulder-bag for work
21. drink more water
22. get Lasik eye surgery
23. have professional portraits taken
24. take my husband on a surprise vacation
25. update my wardrobe
26. build a really great website – completed 5.20.07
27. learn how to accessorize my outfits
28. blog twice a week for 6 months
29. donate blood
30. register as a bone marrow donor
31. go to a pumpkin patch
32. speak at a national industry conference
33. learn how to cook the goat cheese frittata we had on our honeymoon
34. scrapbook more often
35. get caught up on scrapbooking
36. compile 15 great, easy, healthy dinner recipes
37. fly in a glider plane
38. hike Camelback mountain without stopping to rest
39. finish the ABC accreditation course – completed 6.01.07
40. become educated or certified for etiquette consulting
41. get a “grown-up” dining room table
42. plan a celebrity wedding
43. start dry-cleaning my nice clothes
44. have 5 weddings published in local publications
45. be featured in a national magazine publication
46. do a “reality” video to have in my portfolio
47. Write down the systems of my business – create a manual of what I do
48. get a blackberry or something that can deliver my email anywhere
49. Visit Chicago both as a tourist and to see my distant family – completed 7.5.07
50. become a mentor
51. go sailing (on a real sailboat)
52. be featured on a local television show
53. win a design competition – completed 6.26.07
54. expand staff of consultants
55. expand scope of services (this one is under wraps!)
56. throw a GREAT party for my husband
57. commit this list to my blog – competed 7.30.07
58. Run a 5k in under 40 min
59. learn how to eat healthy
60. Find a great way to store and transport my emergency kit
61. see an opera
62. write my grandma’s life story
63. paint my house (the inside)
64. get my passport updated
65. learn to play chess
66. make a list of 5 people other then my family who have influenced my life for the better and write them a letter
67. create and implement a system to remember birthdays and anniversaries

Newlyweds No Longer

2008-04-23T11:21:00.005-06:00

I know, I know ... it's been forever since I've posted. It's been a super-busy spring over here at A Day to Cherish, and I can't wait to share all of the exciting things we've been up to!

In the meanwhile, I just wanted to give a quick shout out to my incredible husband, Blaine. It was our second anniversary yesterday so I think we are officially no longer newlyweds, but as my husband says, "It just keeps getting better."

Now, you might ask, "Aleasha, what on earth are you doing mentioning your husband on your blog for?" Well, let me tell you, that answer could make for a very LONG post here because unbeknown to many of our brides, this man deserves a ton of credit for what he does for A Day to Cherish. He is my accounting and IT expert, marketing consultant, wedding teardown laborer, and he always makes sure the store-room gets back in order (after I dump everything in there after a tiring wedding weekend). He builds things, fixes things, and helps with just about any thing I need. The incredible weddings around here would not be possible without him.

So happy anniversary, honey. Thank you for being my husband, my best friend, and the best business partner I could ever ask for!

I set the camera on timer for this quick photo before we ran out to dinner. Sure enough, this man just smiled and drove as I made another half-dozen phone calls from the car with a pile of files in my lap. But I was able to put the phone down to enjoy a quiet evening over dinner at the Elements restaurant at Sanctuary Resort. Good choice Blaine!

P.S. Rudy wanted me to say "hi" to you all since he jumped in on the picture too!

Scott Corridan Inspires Phoenix

2008-03-20T23:14:00.013-06:00

The Phoenix wedding industry welcomed Scott Corridan earlier this year by the gracious hosting of Phoenix Bride and Groom magazine. I am always super excited to see just about any seminar especially if it relates so closely to my specific business, but I must say, Scott far surpassed my expectations.

Now, I have seen other "celebrity-wedding planners" speak, and I have learned some valuable tidbits from them about design, color, high-end clientele, business management. So naturally, I expected to gain a few magic bits of knowledge that would help me grow. Scott did talk about some very pertinent knowledge, specifically there was some great content on body language and communication. However, what really made an impression on me was the very emotional and passionate perspective that embodied everything he talked about.

This was so very refreshing because it is easy for any business owner to get caught up in business plans, marketing strategies, accounting records, and the other necessary hubbub that comes with the territory. Thank you Scott for talking to us about how you add meaning, emotion, peace, and a sense of personality to each wedding and event. That's why I became a wedding planner in the first place, and you have inspired me and all of Phoenix to cling to that purpose.

Scott and I are both looking a bit unphotogenic here. He is such a laid-back guy, we sat right there and chatted for nearly a half hour huddled up near the heaters!

A big thanks to Phoenix Bride and Groom magazine for hosting this event. We were lucky to spend the day at the gorgeous Los Cedros, an equestrian venue that is just stunning. Check out this stunning sunset.

Los Cedros even treated us to a very cool equestrian demonstration. Next to Scott of course, this was the big highlight of the evening.

No posting of an event would be complete without a nod to the decor. The magazine enlisted the help of myself along with some of my favorite wedding planning superheros Heather Crabtree and Jen Thye. Heather headed up the endeavor, and we had a blast being her staff for the day! Check out these snapshots of the Moroccan-themed mood.

For a much more artistic representation of the day, please see this slideshow from Stuart of Eyes 2 See.

One Day Left!

2008-03-10T12:28:00.002-06:00

Just a reminder to all of you that today is the last day to apply for the free wedding package giveaway by North Valley Magazine. Click here to apply!

Wedding Giveaway!!!

2008-03-03T11:28:00.007-07:00

I was so excited when North Valley Magazine asked me to help them with their annual wedding issue this year. One of the first things I told them was that if they wanted to turn heads, we had to give away some incredible wedding prizes. A few phone calls later, and we have a high-end wedding package to give away to one lucky couple!

If you are getting married this year, you can win a designer dress, the perfect ceremony site, a complete artistic photography package, custom invitations, beautiful floral designs, specialty linens, a wedding night suite, and last but not least, a really nice girl to be your wedding planner that cares about making your dream wedding even better than you are dreaming!

And the countdown begins ... you have 7 days to log onto NorthValleyMagazine.com and apply by March 10 to win!

What Makes Me Really Angry

2008-01-28T14:24:00.000-07:00

By nature, I am a very easy-going person. Being a wedding planner requires me to roll with the punches and be prepared to bounce back from anything. No one is perfect though, and I confess, there is one thing that can really make me angry: email wedding scams.

Email scamming was not a new concept to me when I began my business. I was fairly accustomed to receiving intermittent correspondence from the random duke of some-obscure-African-village asking to give me an inheritance of millions of dollars. I did not expect as a business owner to be put in much more dangerous situations than these.

About once or twice a week, I receive an email from a supposed bride or groom wanting help with a wedding. These emails ALWAYS come from a yahoo email address, and they are ALWAYS from out of the country, primarily from the United Kingdom. They ALWAYS have a strange writing style with funny grammar and spelling mistakes. The wedding date is ALWAYS within a few months of time. Lastly, they ALWAYS profusely wish me God's blessings.

Here is their trick: they want me to plan their wedding in its entirety EXCEPT for one or two vendors of their choice. They ask me to pay for their vendors, including the ones they choose. They send me a large check to cover all the expenses, and as soon as my payments clear to their very expensive band, florist, and more cleverly, their PASTOR or PRIEST, my bank will be calling to say that the $25,000, $50,000, or $100,000 payment is no longer good.

This story would end with the bankruptcy of my business and the disruption of any other professionals that I called on to participate in this event.

Fortunately, I have never been a victim of this scam, but I know 1 colleague in the Phoenix area and 2 outside of Arizona that were taken advantage of this way. This makes me very, very angry. It is hard enough to own your own business and work so hard at it without being victimized by thieves.

Scammers beware, you will not take advantage of me. Shame on you for stealing so ruthlessly and using God's blessings and fake pastors to disguise yourselves.

I really love destination and culturally-inspired weddings, and I'd love to be a part of the celebration that some of these emails describe. Due to the tremendous risk though, I can not work for out-of-country clients unless they agree to adhere to a stringent code of procedure I have. It saddens me to inconvenience the few wonderful brides, grooms, and their families that happen to have bank accounts that originate elsewhere, but this is what the world is today.

Does this make you as angry as it does me?

Aleasha's Famous Cookie Recipe

2008-01-22T15:00:00.000-07:00

My bathroom scale doesn't like me these days. And I know just what's to blame: my cookies. I baked my "famous" cookies this Christmas, but instead of my usual double batch for my family on Christmas day, I baked for a whole week and gave them as gifts to all my friends. These cookies are incredible, I ate one or two out of every batch (just to make sure they came out right). It's definitely not health food, but everyone just loves them. Enjoy!

Peanut Kisses Cookies

1 bag of milk chocolate Hershey's Kisses unwrapped

1/2 cup unsalted butter at room temperature

3/4 cup crunchy peanut butter

1/3 cup sugar

1/3 cup light brown sugar

1 egg

3 tablespoons milk

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

extra sugar

Heat oven to 375 degrees. In an electric mixer, beat butter and peanut butter. When well combined, add sugar and brown sugar. Add egg, milk, and vanilla. While that mixes well, use a separate bowl to sift together flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add dry mixture into mixer. Mix well, making sure to scrape down sides of mixer bowl.

Place some extra sugar in a dish. Use your hands to roll dough into small 1 inch balls then roll in sugar to coat before placing them on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 7-9 minutes. In my oven 6 minutes 45 seconds is PERFECT.

Remove from oven and immediately press a chocolate kiss into the center of each cookie until the edges crack slightly. Use a spatula to transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.

Special instructions for brides, grooms, and lovebirds alike: While still warm, bring a plate of cookies with a cold glass of milk and two straws. Tell your sweetie that you made some special "kisses" to trade for a real kiss! Pucker up, and enjoy!