Wedding Planning 101 - Father / Daughter Dance

If you need help finding the right Father/Daughter dance... here is a suggestion. Steven Curtis Chapman has a sweet song about the relationship with his daughter.

LYRICS:

She spins and she sways to whatever song plays,

Without a care in the world.

And I'm sittin' here wearin' the weight of the world on my shoulders.

It's been a long day and there's still work to do,

She's pulling at me saying "Dad I need you!

There's a ball at the castle and I've been invited and I need to practice my dancin'"

"Oh please, daddy, please!"

So I will dance with CinderellaWhile she is here in my arms

'Cause I know something the prince never knew

Oh I will dance with CinderellaI don't wanna miss even one song,

Cuz all too soon the clock will strike midnight And she'll be gone

She says he's a nice guy and I'd be impressed

She wants to know if I approve of the dress

She says "Dad, the prom is just one week away,

And I need to practice my dancin'"

"Oh please, daddy, please!"

So I will dance with Cinderella

While she is here in my arms'

Cause I know something the prince never knew,

I will dance with Cinderella

I don't wanna miss even one song,

Cuz all too soon the clock will strike midnight

And she'll be gone

Well, she came home today

With a ring on her hand

Just glowin' and tellin' us all they had planned

She says "Dad, the wedding's still six months awaybut I need to practice my dancin'"

"Oh please, daddy please!"

So I will dance with Cinderella

While she is here in my arms'

Cause I know something the prince never knew

I will dance with CinderellaI don't wanna miss even one song,

Cuz all too soon the clock will strike midnight

And she'll be gone

Wedding Planning 101 - Scottsdale Venue Search

I met with the Metro Phoenix Event Planners group today and we had the luxury of touring my new favorite 'GEM' in the heart of Scottsdale. Nestled in beside the Borgata off of Scottsdale Road is a facility called SCOTTSDALE COTTONWOODS. Stacey Turner is the Wedding Specialist who goes above and beyond with every bride and family. She offers a customized 'WOW' tour to each client… what is a 'WOW' tour? Below are some of the highlights…

1. Stacey will greet you and begin the tour of the Scottsdale Cottonwoods that resides on 25 acres! There are several unique venues within this one site including a private house to rent, a traditional cowboy cookout area, a desert landscaped ceremony site (Camelback Garden) with breathtaking views of camelback mountain, a customizable pool area, numerous photo outlets and an elegant ballroom.
   
2. During the tour, you will be greeted by several of the key staff members, who will be taking care of your special day, including the: Room Manager, Food & Beverage Director, General Manager and Sales Team. They all create a team approach at making sure your special day is seamless.
   
3. After seeing the site and getting numerous ideas of how you and your guests could stay the entire weekend and never have to leave, you get to taste the food! This is truly unheard of for a facility to allow you to sample their food before you have paid the deposit! The food is incredible and the chef is willing to customize menus for you!
   
4. They provide all the tables and linens (their basic linen is a beautiful upgraded damask).
   
5. Their service is impeccable and the facility is unique in its style, options and desert beauty.
   

I was very impressed with Stacey's willingness to get creative with her clients. One bride wanted to walk through the desert landscape for her ceremony, but unfortunately, there was no path to the garden. As a surprise for the bride, Stacey and her staff cleared a path and outlined it with landscaped stones… so when the bride arrived, her wish was answered and a new path is available to all future brides. Now that is setting a higher standard for customer service! I am so weary of corporate facilities that have ONE way of doing things and typically your creativity requests are answered with a 'no' or, 'the way we do it is…' If you want a facility to dream with you, create with you and customize the day for you… this is your site!

There will be no surprises at this resort and I can say with confidence, you will be well taken care of!

For more information visit their website at: www.scottsdalecottonwoods.com or call Stacey at: 480.991.1414

DAVIS WEDDING

NOVEMBER 28, 2008

SEVILLE GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

PHOTOGRAPHY BY: CG PHOTO & DESIGN

480.603.7865

The boys having fun

Erin & Kaydee making sure they had smooth transitions and enjoyed every moment!

What a beautiful couple, celebrating God's unfailing love!

Congratulations Tom & Darby!

You were such a blessing to work with!

EVENT PLANNING 101 - VENUE SEARCH CRITERIA

For those of you looking to find a venue that allows off- site catering ... here's a tip that will cut your research in half!

LOOK ON CATERING WEBSITES FOR 'VENUES'

AUTOMATICALLY ANSWER YOUR QUESTION,

"CAN I BRING AN OUTSIDE CATERER?"

Here are a few Phoenix catering websites with venue information:

http://www.santabarbaracatering.com/

http://www.heidisevents.com/

http://www.arizonataste.com/

NEW YEARS COMMITMENT TO BLOGGING

I am committing my new year to on-line relational blogging! I am a Wedding & Event Director, so my blog will be focused mainly on wedding etiquette and answering popular questions. After planning weddings & events for so many years, it's easy and fun to answer questions... Please let me know if you have any - I'd be happy to give you my professional opinion!

My goal is one posting a week... on Wednesdays... I'm putting this in writing - now I can be held accountable! (Except for that ever tempting 'edit' key!)

What you can expect from my blog:

• Simplicity of design ( I hate clutter)
• Professional advise (7+ years of experience)
• Updates of wedding interests in the Valley
• Planning ideas
• Answers to BRIDES questions!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Fun Reception Song

Photo: Inspired Events March 2008 Wedding at Phoenix Art Museum

I am loving Beyonce's new song, 'Single Ladies' http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mVEGfH4s5g song for the bouquet toss! How great are the words and it just makes you want to get up and shake it! There are so many ways to personalize your reception and music is one of them.

Select songs that reflect you and your fiancé, this will make more of an impression on your guests than whatever is the DJ's favorite song.

Reception Songs to Personalize:

Grand Entrance

First Dance

Father / Daughter

Mother / Son

Bridal Party – getting guests up & dancing

Cake Cutting

Bouquet Toss

Garter Throw

Honeymoon Dance

Anniversary Dance

Think about the theme for cocktail and dinner time… again, this is a great opportunity to set the mood of your reception that best reflects you as a couple!

WEDDING PLANNING 101 - TOP 10 PLANNING PITFALLS

How To Make Your Wedding

The Day of Your Dreams

What To Avoid When Planning Your Wedding...

1. Resource Denial: Do you have a friend who is musically talented, someone who is good at designing or scrapping? Allow these people to help on items that will NOT make or break your day. Example, favors, invites, guest books, flower baskets, ring pillow, programs, seating cards, etc.
2. Unclear Expectations: It's time to be honest and learn how to communicate the aspects that are most important to you. Take time to talk with your fiance and find out what is most important to each other. Then, communicate what is non-negotiable to family, vendors and friends and allow their input in other areas. Also, make sure to have clear expectations with finances and stick to your budget!
3. Scrimping: There are several areas you can save money when planning your wedding by using your resources, but there are a few key areas where NOT TO SCRIMP. There are a few key vendors that will make or break your day: Photographer, DJ and Wedding Coordinator. These vendors have an integral part in making your day exceptional and taking away your stress. You can never recapture the photos on your day (I also strongly suggest having a videographer to capture the live moments), your DJ is the personality of your reception and without a professional it can be a disaster. Finally, a Wedding Coordinator will take all of your details, all of the days stress, orchestrate all of your vendors and family, fix anything that goes array and allows you the blessing of enjoying your once in a lifetime wedding day!
4. Inflexibility: After you have figured out what's most important to you, be open to others ideas and allow your loved ones the option to assist you in planning. You cannot please everyone, but being willing to listen can often save the peace.
5. But They Said...: Vendors are human and can make promises they forget about after a year of planning. Brides have been left negotiating days before their wedding to receive the services they anticipated but never confirmed. Rule of thumb - get everything in writing, email is a great way to accomplish this. After every meeting create a re-cap email and have them confirm what you heard them promise.
6. WEDDING PARTY UNMET EXPECTATIONS: Every Bride has an expectation of what her best friends will plan for her special celebrations. Be clear on your expectations so there are no hurt feelings. (See Bridal Party Duties - coming soon).
7. LAST MINUTE PLANNING: Don't be the bride who is so stressed the week before her wedding she has not time for herself or family and friends who have arrived for the wedding celebration. Think of items you can do ahead of time. Example: As guests respond start the seating list so you can print the cards or sign a couple weeks prior to the wedding, have an assembly party for favors and other decorating extras. Stay on schedule! Make to do lists. Ask for help!
8. FAMILY & FRIENDS BECOME VENDORS: “It’s better to make a friend out of a vendor, than to make a wedding vendor out of a friend.” If expectations are unmet it can put a severe strain on any relationship. Your family (especially mom) deserves to enjoy your wedding too! There are thousands of stories of relationships being stretched to their limit due to well intentioned friends and relatives causing wedding catastrophes.
9. FIANCE WHO?: Don’t let the stress of planning a wedding start arguments with your fiance. Take time for each other, focus on what the wedding is really about, starting your lives together. Have date nights where you don’t mention the wedding and just focus on each other! Taking dance lessons together before your wedding is a great date night idea.
10. ULTIMATE CONTROL: Once all the vendors and details are in place, you have to trust your wedding team to pull off the wedding of your dreams. You know what’s suppose to happen every minute, but need to let go, or else you will become slave to your timeline and will not enjoy the moments your dreams are made of with your husband, family & friends.
    

Imagine your wedding day as a Broadway production, everything has to come together perfectly in order to produce a show the audience will never forget. Take your day from ordinary to extraordinary and allow Inspired Events lead the production team in creating the wedding of your dreams!