Savvy Events

Trend Alert!

2011-06-01T15:46:00.000-07:00

Oh boy! I thought I was ahead of the game when I'd recommend "photo-booths" to people for their events. Technology and times change fast don't they?

There's a new "booth" out there that blows photo booths out of the water. I saw it in "the knot" this afternoon while having lunch with a friend :)

They are Video Booths! It's the same concept as a photo booth, but your guests get to leave a personalized live video and message! There are funny interview questions, backgrounds, props, and so much more included with most booths.

This is a great idea if you aren't hiring a videographer, but would like live video of your guests.

Check out this example from Gazebo.com and all of the booths capabilities!

xoxo,

Ione

Farewell, Ms. Winfrey

2011-05-27T07:24:00.000-07:00

I was 3 years old when the Oprah Winfrey show first aired. Although I can't attest to watching Oprah at the tender age of 3, I do, however remember my mother coming home from work and pressing play on the VCR to watch the show. I remember rushing home from middle school to sit on the couch, eat a peanut butter & jelly sandwich and listen to stories of hope, laughter, pain, and everything in between. As a little black girl growing up in SoCal Oprah represented all that was possible for a black woman. Educated, compassionate, strong, and beautiful. . .this woman, that I have never met has been such an integral part of my life.

I watched Oprah's farewell show this morning, and as I sat there watching this amazing woman who has taught me so much over the years I couldn't help but cry. And yes, I did the ugly cry, lol. I wanted to share with you some of my favorite quotes from the farewell show.

"There's a difference between thinking you deserve to be happy and knowing that you are worthy of being happy. Your being alive makes worthiness your birthright. You alone are enough."

"Everyone has a platform, mine is a stage in a studio. Yours is wherever you are, with your own reach."

"I've talked to nearly 30,000 people on this show, and all 30,000 had one thing in common -- they all wanted validation. ... They want to know, do you hear me? Do you see me? Does what I say mean anything to you?"

"This is what I was called to do...Everybody has a calling, and your real job in life is to find it."

"I'm talking about the same one you're talking about. The Alpha and Omega. The Omniscience, the Omnipresent, the Ultimate Consciousness, the Source, the Force, the All of Everything There Is, the one and only G-O-D."

"You also have to know what sparks the light in you so that you in your own way can illuminate the world. You have the power to change somebody's life."

Thank you, Oprah for teaching me that anything is possible. Absolutely anything.

Xoxo

Flower and Ice

2011-05-16T12:07:00.000-07:00

Happy Monday Everyone!

I just had another busy weekend! This time studying for my final exams this week. No fun! However, I am stoked for school to come to a close this year because that means its Summer Time! Speaking of the summer, I was reminded of a little party I threw for a friend of mine last year during the summer time. It was a beautiful day! We had a little picnic in the garden. The sky was as blue as can be and the garden was just breathtaking. The only downside was it was almost 100 degrees outside: but, the heat gave me a brilliant idea.

Since we were having the picnic in a garden, I picked a few little cute flowers and decided to freeze them into ice cubes. Next, I put the floral designed ice cubes into an ice bucket along with some Sparkling Cider. Needless to say, it was quite a hit with all the girls.

So, this morning I did some research online and found that there are a ton of other people out there that have had this surge of brilliance too!

I'm a HUGE fan of floral design. I truly believe that a brilliant floral design can turn any venue into a vision. Why not add flowers everywhere you can? Some creative brides have done the wine bucket with flowers in the ice cubes. Others have made centerpieces out of them! Check out GlacialArt.com. They have some really cool ideas for centerpieces, ideas that we'd never even dream of. I just spent a good chunk of time perusing their website. They are awesome!

Check it out when you get the chance. You'll definitely be amazed.

Back to studying I go! This was a cool distraction though :)

Until next time,

Ione

Don't Want To Miss A Thing

2011-05-11T15:42:00.000-07:00

If there's any downfall to your "Big Day", well that's just it- it's only one day.

The only way to really relive it is through photography. As you probably know, it is crucial to choose a photographer for your wedding. Not just for your wedding, but your engagement and pre-wedding as well!

Haven't got a clue as to where to find your perfect photographer? Ask your coordinator. Chances are she will have a great selection for you to choose from, and she can recommend which best suits your style. Best of all, your coordinator will have worked with them before so she already loves

what they do.

For starters, there are four main styles of wedding photography that couples seek in a photographers portfolio:

Portraiture
Soft Focus
Natural Light
Photojournalism

Portraiture

These are for your formal photos where there are posing and precision. When choosing a photographer, check out how they position the subjects and if you like how they are posing. Maybe you like dynamic and creative poses, or maybe you go for the more formal and traditional poses. Chose a photographer who best suits your style as a couple.

Soft Focus

These are photos normally have a dreamlike feel to them. This style is widely used when taking photos of the details of the wedding (i.e. centerpieces and other decor). It is

also used when taking photos of the bride right before she is about to walk down the aisle. Soft focus photos have such a romantic tone to them. When checking out soft focus photos, take into consideration that they are edited with this effect, and see if you like the way that the photographer edits the photos.

Natural Light

"Natural Light" photos are typically pictures of the landscape of the venue. It utilizes all natural light such as sun light, moon light, and candle light. This style is typically used for still images, not for capturing moving moments in your wedding. If your reception area is outdoors in

the evening, you'll want to make sure that your photographer is skilled in taking natural light photos. These can be tricky!

Photojournalism

This photo style was adapted from the media. This is "real life" photography. Photojournalism photos consist of candid shots. As opposed to "Portraiture" style, you do not pose for photojournalism shots. The photographer will follow you around and snap those precious moments throughout the day. Note how the photographer frames his or her photojournalism shots. Keep an eye out for artistically framed shots: those are the best :)

Note that you don't have to have only one style. Your photographer will likely utilize all of the above and maybe even more. The key is to see how creative they are within those styles.

So take all of these photography styles into consideration when choosing your wedding photographer, because you won't want to miss a thing on your big day.

xoxo,

Ione

We Fit Together Like "Puzzle Pieces"

2011-05-04T08:57:00.000-07:00

When it comes to a couple's big day, after choosing the date, the venue, etc., comes my all time favorite part- planning the details. As I have mentioned before, it's the details that make your wedding truly unique and special, both for the couple and the guests.

I always get excited when I see a new and unique idea! I came across this with my cousin while we were flipping through wedding magazines. We fell in love with it, and I know you will too!

It's a different type of Guestbook. Instead of the traditional books or picture frames for your guests to sign, how about a puzzle piece? Yup! One puzzle piece.

The concept is simple and it can work with any motif! Bella Puzzles will custom create a jigsaw puzzle featuring a photo of the guests of honor and/or the names of the couple.

After all of the festivities of the big day are over, you and your spouse would sit down and read all the nice messages from your guests as you work to piece the puzzle back together. What a perfect way to end the night realizing that you, your spouse, and all your guests all fit together perfectly- like pieces of a puzzle!

Xoxo,

Ione

It's all about the dress

2011-04-29T22:16:00.001-07:00

Hey Loves,

Did you get enough of the Royal Wedding? The pure elegance of the Duchess of Cambridge was almost too much to handle. It was totally worth staying up all night and watching.

Tonight I was browsing the Nordstroms website looking for fun and flirty spring dresses. Guess what I ran across during my search? We all know brides-to-be are going to want to look as regal and elegant as Kate did walking down the aisle, and Nordstroms has made it possible with this beauty of a gown.

Take a peek at this Duchess of Cambridge inspired look.

JS Collection "Duchess" Wedding Gown
$698.00

Xoxo

The Wedding of the Century

2011-04-27T11:10:00.000-07:00

Grab your tiaras and slip into your finest PJs for the Royal Wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton airing at 3 am PDT on Friday April 29th!

With the Wedding of the Century just a couple days away, it's time to start planning for a long night! Drink up your coffee (pinkies out) as coverage starts at 1:40 AM on ABS-CBN. We'll get all kinds of royal treats like Kate Middleton's procession along the Royal Wedding Route, close-ups on guests arriving at Westminster Abbey, and talks of Kate's Wedding Dress and much more.

After the Ceremony, the newlywed couple will travel back to Buckingham Palace for a Grand Reception held by the Queen at approximately 6AM.

Even though this is all going on in the middle of the night for us United States West Coasters, don't worry if you miss anything. Highlight specials with video will be repeatedly shown throughout the weekend around the dial.

If you're truly intent on pulling an all-nighter for their big day try these tips! (yahoo.com)

Stock Up On Sleep

Tonight (Wednesday night) aim for 7 to 8 hours so you can stay awake for tomorrow night. That's not too much to ask. Its actually just right. Oversleeping will make you even more groggy. Then take a short 1 hour nap when you get home from work or school on Thursday.

Lighten Up

A dark room stimulates the production of melatonin in your body, which tells you its time to sleep. Watch the wedding in a very well lit room on your largest TV.

Yawn

This may sound ironic, but yawning actually wakes you up. It gives you a quick surge of oxygen and helps you stay focused.

Sniff some Mint

Studies show that after inhaling the smell of peppermint, you are about 30% more alert. It stimulates a system in the brain that is responsible for waking us up. Keep a mint scented candle around or sip some peppermint tea (again, pinkies out:)

Make a Move

We all know exercise give you endorphins. If you feel a little groggy, get up and do some jumping jacks and move around. The endorphins will stimulate your cardio vascular system and you'll feel more energized.

Love,

Ione

Your Special Wedding Guests

2011-04-20T11:07:00.001-07:00

Whenever I'm a guest at a wedding, I really appreciate the little details of the table. In my opinion, it's important to design a great table for your guests (after all, that is where they will be spending a majority of the time). Create a space that is personalized for them, and truly make them feel like guests!

Here's a little DIY idea that I found to be super cute: Hanging Place Cards!

Instead of the traditional tiny place cards (placed on the table in the midst of plate-ware/silverware/glassware...ahh!), try creating these Hanging Place Cards on the back of the guests chairs.

First off, they are bold and different. Plus, they are a great space saver and they reduce the amount of clutter on your table set up!

This way you can really personalize their chairs. You can put a funny little quote or inside joke that you share with your special wedding guest on the Hanging Place Card.

Creating a personalized spot for your wedding guests will really take your celebration to another level. By personalizing their tables for them, they won't just feel like guests at your wedding, but they will feel like they are part of the celebration too :)

Hanging Place Cards-DIY

(instruction via stlyemepretty.com)

Materials

8 1/2″ x 11″ cardstock (1 sheet per 3 placecards, or 1 sheet for each sign)
12″x12″ brocade-design paper (1 sheet)
standard white bond paper
gluestick
white gel pen
ribbon

Equipment

computer with Word or Excel software
printer
copier
paper-cutter
holepunch

Directions:

1. Print the guests’ names on the cardstock, three placecards to each 8 1/2″ x 11″ sheet of cardstock (I used Excel, a font I got for free from www.dafont.com, and a standard laser printer).

2. Using the gluestick, glue one 3″ strip of the black-and-white brocade-design paper onto each sheet of cardstock. (I had bought one 12″x12″ sheet of the brocade paper from Papersource, and then Xeroxed it as I needed it, which is a fabulous thing about using a black and white pattern. I reduced it slightly so that the pattern would be centered on the center of each placecard.)

3. Print the small text for the band (I also did this using Excel, another font I got for free fromwww.dafont.com, and a standard laser printer).

4. Xerox the band using the “negative image” function on the copier so that the text becomes white and the background becomes black. (I had formatted it so that I could cut it in strips – three bands to a strip – and glue one strip on each sheet of card-stock.)

5. Using the gluestick, glue one band onto each sheet of cardstock so that it covers the edge of the black-and-white brocade-design paper.

6. Using the gel pen, highlight the black text of the names.

7. Using the papercutter, cut each sheet of cardstock into three place-cards.

8. Using the holepunch, punch holes in each of the two upper corners of each card and thread in the ribbon.

Best,

Ione

The Best Places to Register

2011-04-18T10:38:00.000-07:00

Here's a few tips for Brides-to-Be! A grand list of the best places to register for gifts. We've also included the perks of registering with each store too! Enjoy!

(via Brides.com)

The Basics- It is suggested to stick with 3 to 5 registries tops. Good luck choosing which ones make your list :)

BED BATH & BEYOND

Register here if... you value one-stop-shopping convenience above all else and are on the hunt for basic housewares, linens, and appliances at a range of price points.

Perks: 10 percent completion discount on items you registered for but didn't receive. You're also eligible for free gifts (e.g., a cheese-serving set from Delonghi) when guests purchase qualifying items.

BLOOMINGDALE'S

Register here if... the goods that catch your eye tend to involve the names Vera, Ralph, Kate, and Calvin. Cool feature: Our own popular Set the Table tool lets you mix and match china patterns on a virtual table with products from Bloomie's, so if you see something you love, voilà!—you know where to find it.

Perks: 10 percent completion discount for up to six months after your wedding. Plus: free monogramming, invites to exclusive events, and honeymoon discounts from Leading Hotels of the World.

CRATE & BARREL

Register here if... you're drawn to modern housewares and furniture, and enjoy entertaining. This is also where you can register for glasses that cost $2 a pop (an option young relatives and poor friends will appreciate).

Cool feature: Get started by attending one of the store's Wedding Party Events, during which you can start scoping out merchandise with the help of a registry expert and watch product demos.

Perks: 10 percent completion discount and bonus gifts (e.g., All-Clad measuring cups) when you register for select products

JCPENNEY

Register here if... you've just moved in together and need to feather your nest with more "grown-up" furniture and cookware items.

Cool feature: Once you've registered online, you can participate in live chats during online registry parties and enter to win prizes like $25 gift cards and jewelry (10 prizes are awarded every 10 minutes).

Perks: 10 percent completion discount, a free 8" x 10" engagement-portrait print from JCPenney Portraits, and, when the total value of gifts purchased from your registry reaches $2,500, a free companion airfare good for travel within the 48 states. Plus: free shipping on purchases of $69 or more, and $10 off in-store registry purchases of $50 or more.

KOHL'S

Register here if... you're already a fan of the store's shtick—quality and style at a great value—and your shopping experiences have been positive. If you love the Simply Vera Vera Wang clothing line (as many of our staffers do), you'll love the Simply Vera bath items, too.

Perks: 15 percent completion discount for up to three months after your wedding. Guests who present a Kohl's "registry announcement" card get a 15 percent discount when they make an in-store registry purchase of $50 or more.

MACY'S

Register here if... Macy's is already your go-to department store, so you can rack up those rewards dollars! Locations on both coasts make in-store shopping easy for guests.

Perks: Macy's credit card holders can enroll in the Registry Star Rewards program to earn 10 percent on Macy's purchases made through your wedding day, and receive 5 percent rewards dollars on purchases made from your registry. After your wedding, enjoy a 10 percent completion discount on most items.

POTTERY BARN

Register here if... the store's catalogs depict exactly the kind of "relaxed summer home" vibe you aspire to create in your everyday digs.

Cool feature: On Tuesday evenings stores host registry workshops, which are good to attend because some of the home collection is available only in-store, not online.

Perks: 10 percent completion discount for up to six months after your wedding. If you register for Pottery Barn gift cards, you can redeem them not only at Pottery Barn but also at sister stores Williams-Sonoma and West Elm.

TARGET

Register here if... you already make regular trips to this hip retail giant, are a huge fan of its big-name "designer goods for less" credo, and/or want to round out your registry with some household and electronic staples.

Cool feature: If you register in-store, you receive a welcome kit that includes a Target Club Wedd catalog, a coupon book, and various offers from different brands.

Perks: 10 percent completion discount

WILLIAMS-SONOMA

Register here if... you're passionate about cooking and entertaining.

Cool feature: You can attend Store Is Yours events, during which select stores open their doors exclusively to registering couples.

Perks: 10 percent completion discount for up to six months after your wedding, during which time you'll also receive 10 percent off non-registry items. You can also qualify for bonus gifts (e.g., a Le Creuset heart-shaped casserole) when you add certain brands to your registry.

Here are a few unconventional sites that you could register with as well!

HATCHMYHOUSE.COM

This online gift registry collects guests' contributions for a down payment on a house, home improvements, or furniture; one of the first steps is to design your virtual dream house on the site. Sign-up is free, but there's a 5.9 percent transaction fee on each gift (your guests can opt to pay this themselves). Funds are collected via PayPal.

JUSTGIVE.ORG AND IDOFOUNDATION.ORG

These charity-tie-in shopping meccas help make donating to your favorite cause an integral part of your wedding day. Register with a partner retailer like Target or Macy's, and up to 10 percent of the proceeds from guests' gift purchases will be donated to your chosen charity. Or ask for tax-deductible donations in lieu of material gifts.

TRAVELERSJOY.COM

If having a blast on your honeymoon (or having the funds to splurge on some indulgences during your stay) is more important to you than china and flatware, this registry is for you: It's set up so that friends and family members can make monetary gifts to cover your travel expenses, meals, and activities (e.g., snorkeling lessons or scenic side trips).

Happy Shopping!

Love,

Ione

Carpe Diem

2011-04-13T09:19:00.000-07:00

I'm a pretty busy gal, but who isn't these days! I know we've all got families, friends, husbands/wives, boyfriends/girlfriends, school, work- the list goes on. But how many of us take time for ourselves? This is a serious question! How many hours (even minutes) a day do you give yourself? Not that many, or worse-none at all! Sometimes we forget to take a step back in between everything that is going on, but we should always remember to take time for ourselves.

Take time in the morning to prep yourself for the day. Listen to your favorite song, put on a cute outfit, and spend a little more time doing your make up to enhance those lovely features. I promise, when you look good, you feel good too! That in it of itself boosts confidence and brings out the best "you". Just getting yourself ready in the morning is one of the best things you can do for yourself. When you're alone in the car, think about all the great things you do for your family, friends, and co-workers. Just know that what you do does not go unnoticed. Small things like that can really make a difference in your day :)

Remember that you have to take care of you first to take care of those around you. I'm not saying throw a party for yourself (although if you wanted to, that would be hilarious and awesome), but maybe do a little shopping for yourself once in a while, get a manicure and pedicure, kick your feet up after a long day and sip some champagne, or maybe you like working out. Whatever it is that makes you feel good, DO IT!

Embrace who you are and what you do.

You only live once, so celebrate every part of it!

Love,

Ione

Made with Love

2011-04-11T10:13:00.000-07:00

Happy Monday everyone!

What a fabulous weekend here in Southern Cali. I had spent some time home with my family, got to visit some relatives, and on top of that the weather was absolutely perfect :)

I saw one of my cousins this weekend, and I am so happy to announce that she is newly engaged! Congratulations Belle and Andre. You two are such a cute couple. Let the wedding planning begin!!!

Belle is my oldest cousin, and I've got 32 of them. We both share something in common and that is our love for event planning. Actually, I've got a couple other family members that are in the Event Planning industry- I guess it runs in the blood.

Any who, Belle (being the crazy event planner/organized woman that she is) has already got everything planned out literally from top to bottom, and she's only been engaged for two weeks. I don't blame her, I'm not even engaged and I've basically got my wedding planned out. I'm certain that all girls think about their big day, it's just amplified if that's what you do for a living.

We talked for hours and hours about all kinds of details of the wedding taking place a little over a year from now. From the save-the-dates to the name card holders to the dresses, everything's going to be hand made by the bride and the family.

I thought, "Dang thats cool! She's going to save tons of money". But then I came to realize that she's not doing it to save money. Knowing Belle, it's much more than that. What a beautiful thing, each individual detail of the wedding is hand crafted for all of the friends and family. Each piece is made with love.

This doesn't just apply to planning a wedding, it applies to life and relationships and careers. Pay attention to the details and the basics, but more importantly put love into everything you do.

If each piece is made with love, it doesn't get much better than that!

Love,

Ione

Kind Words

2011-04-07T09:05:00.000-07:00

I started to feel a bit sentimental last night. I opened a box of old cards and letters from friends, some as far back as 15 years ago. There's something about taking a walk down memory lane. I laughed, smiled, shook my head at some of the utterly ridiculous things me and my girlfriends talked about (no really at 14 the conversation went . . . "I don't understand why he doesn't love me back" - yes, my friends and I needed serious help, haha). Memories are the absolute greatest. I'm amazed by how quickly moments in time become memories so far removed.

Tonight I find myself cherishing old memories and looking forward to the many I will create in the future. Planning weddings and events has been such an amazing journey. When a couple books with Savvy they're choosing to share some of the most important memories they will ever create with me and my team, and that's such a humbling position to be in.

So, in honor of the amazing clients that I've had I wanted to share some of their kind words. It truly means the world to me and reminds me why I love what I do. It's so much more than just planning a party or creating a tablescape, it's about becoming a part of the box of memories someone else will open one day.

"Dear DeNeitra and Ione - We just wanted to thank you again for making our wedding day perfect and especially stress-free for us! We loved how smoothly everything went and we can't even begin to tell you how much we liked the set-up of the room! You rock!"

Sandra & Patrick Kerzic

“Savvy Events is a must for any event. I used them for a stress free and beautiful wedding day. I highly recommend Savvy Events! Everything you touch turns out absolutely amazing. Love your work always.”

Melissa Shokgrozar

“DeNeitra was an answer to our prayers. Without her, we don’t think our wdding day would have been possible. She heard our vision and gave it life. She worked diligently and made sure our wedding went smoothly. She was always there for us and made sure all of our requests were met. She took a lot of weight off our shoulders, and we’ll always appreciate her for that.”

Damore & Rhondra Davis

"It was such a pleasure to have the lovely ladies of Savvy Events a part of our wedding. It was the perfect combination of fun and professional. We didn't have to worry about something running late or not getting done. They were very reassuring and let me (the nervous bride!) relax and just think about the wonderful event taking place and the wonderful man I was marrying. Working with them felt like working with friends and I am so thankful to have had them help us with our big day! They were genuinely interested in the well being of us and the wedding and their hearts are invested in the work they do. Through the several months before the wedding, DeNeitra kept in touch and shared some tips for finding the right vendors and to guide me through the wedding planning process. They shared the excitement with us! Thank you so much DeNeitra and the rest of the Savvy gang!"

Carissa & Marius

“DeNeitra and her team did an amazing job at coordinating my Mardi Gras themed 40^th Birthday! Everything was immaculate when I walked through the room. She found all of my vendors and did an excellent job. Thanks so much!

Lisa Anderson

“I am a wedding photographer who has worked with DeNeitra several times over the past few years. She and her team definitely provide superior service compared to what I usually encounter at weddings. She anticipates what her brides need, and always stays a step ahead. The best part about DeNeitra is that she does all this with a smile and terrific attitude. Hire her!”

Carly Street

Carly Daniel Photography

Xoxo

Hello Bloggers! Nice to meet you!

2011-04-06T09:27:00.001-07:00

Hello world!

Let me start by introducing myself. My name is Ione Martinez and I am the newest member of the Savvy Events team.

I have been so fortunate to have interned for DeNeitra and Savvy for several months now, and in return I've gained so much knowledge and insight. We have done a few weddings and even some volunteer work together :) It's been such a blessing working with such a great lady, and I'm super excited to see what's in store for the future.

Savvy Events is doing some fantastic things- it's continuing to grow and expand. We are going to be bringing you updates in Savvy news- the latest in engagements, weddings, and events, and even little tips on how to create the perfect event that speaks to you.

It's my joy to say that I will be a regular Savvy Events blogger starting today! Catch my posts on Mondays and Wednesdays :)

So until next time... Stay Savvy everyone!

Love,

Ione

Well, Hello There

2011-01-11T08:44:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!

I know, I know I've been MIA for months, but I thought that today, 1-11-11 would be the perfect day to reacquaint myself with my blog. 2010 was such an amazing year for me. . .I had the opportunity to grow and develop as a planner, finish my MBA, fall head over heels for my guy, and I really started to live my life on purpose . . .much more focused, much more committed.

So, with all of that said, I wanted to start my 2011 by sharing an engagement session that is OH-SO near and dear to my heart, my brother, Marquis and his fiance' Eboni. Marquis is my big brother, has been for the past 28 years of my life, and I love him immensely. I'm incredibly happy that he has found someone that he wants to share his forever with.

Marquis and Eboni got engaged the weekend following Thanksgiving. As soon as she mentioned to me that they wanted to take engagement photos one particular photographer came to mind, but to be fair, I sent her a list of three of my faves. I wasn't surprised at all when she called to tell me that she wanted to have Carly, of Carly Daniel Photography shoot their engagement session.
I really can't say enough about Carly. . .she's amazing, talented, brilliant and so much fun to work with. I've been working with Carly since 2008 and the girl has serious skills.

So, allow me to share with you Marquis and Eboni's Huntington Beach Engagement session, captured by the incredibly Carly Daniel Photography.

Xoxo

Taking The High Road

2010-10-01T10:43:00.000-07:00

After a challenging week, I rest on the fact in knowing that I am not perfect, but I am good person, I operate a successful and honest business, and I am surrounded by people who love me.

So when people challenge me, or my intent for doing things the way that I do them I will rest on this scripture, because it reminds me of how amazing God's love is, and how He never gives us more than we can bear.

"Finally, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. And the God of peace will be with you." Philippians 4:8-9

Xoxo

The Business of Wedding Planning

2010-09-29T06:48:00.000-07:00

Happy Wednesday Lovelies!

I can't even begin to explain how ridiculously hot it has been in SoCal. It's like someone turned the oven to 475 and decided to leave it open all week. You know there's a problem when downtown Los Angeles reaches an all time high of 113 degrees, or when Malibu and Santa Monica are at 103. Talk about crazy weather.

Well, the weather this week has in many ways been reminiscent of my life, a little out of wack, a little all over the place. I wanted to write a blog today geared toward wedding industry professionals. As some of my loyal readers know, I finished my MBA this year, and understanding business and business dealings is what I have been formally trained to do. I've operated Savvy Events, LLC since 2008 and have done so without having any issues with the Client's or vendors that I work with, in part that is due to having a contract.

My contract is a vital aspect of how I run my business. Of course I love pretty things, the flowers, the dress, the ring, the venue, the food, the decor' - all of that is great, but at the end of the day I am running a business. Oftentimes I think that people who are not in the industry don't realize that wedding professionals don't just do this because of the pretty things, but that this is our job, our career. . .our livelihood. I don't think I can stress the importance of having a solid contract enough. Just as you get insurance on your car or on your life, for that matter, you are protecting yourself and your family should something unforeseen occur, I truly advise that you treat your business contracts in the same manner. I like to look at my contract as the seat belt that protects my business from any road block, speed bump or, worse case scenario head on collision. My contract is equally as important for my Client's because it states the terms and conditions of the agreement that we are entering into, it protects them from unforeseen issues as well. I can't just "call in sick" on my Client's wedding day and not show up - I would be in breach of my contract. Brides - be sure to thoroughly read the contracts that your vendors provide you with, because at the end of the day you are signing a legally binding document and you want to make sure there isn't some clause hidden away in there that you only skimmed over, or honestly, that you didn't even read.

Pros - consult with an attorney, pronto if you are using a contract that you don't feel totally, 100% protects you and your business. There would be nothing worse than having to go through a costly litigation process or even the small claims or arbitration process. With that said, sometimes it is impossible to avoid having to pursue litigation - and should that happen. . .you'll be so happy that you have your contract to back you up. :)

I hope this has helped!

Xoxo

Behind the scenes

2010-09-16T06:05:00.000-07:00

Hey y'all,

I wanted to share a little behind the scenes action from Biola and Kunle's Labor Day weekend wedding. My team, yet again was all types of incredible. Not sure if there are enough words in the English language to thank them for their commitment to helping me make the event a major success, and to make sure that our bride and groom, and their families were fully taken care of that day. Take a peek at some behind the scenes fab. The only two gals not pictured are myself and the fabulous Mandi.

So, in no particular order, thank you to Ione, Eboni, Mandi, Penny, and L. Y'all were amazing and great and exceptional and. . .yeah, you get the point. :)

Enjoy!

LOVE

2010-09-15T13:02:00.000-07:00

Happy Hump Day!

I'm kind of obsessed with blogs. Like, I'm the girl who has my favorite blogs in my google reader and every morning I wake up, open my laptop, and read for at least an hour. It's so encouraging to see the success of other professionals, find out the latest trends, and honestly, just stay up-to-date with what's going on in this amazing industry. There's always a new photographer that I come across or a fab social networking article that really sparks my attention. I'm a consumate student and learner, and blogs serve as a way for me to really stay in the know. I'm totally immersed in my industry and I really recommend that all aspiring event professionals take note and do the same. Read blogs, attend conferences, go to networking events, and just really get to know this industry. There are some pretty stellar people out there who are more than willing to share information with you.

I am a huge admirer of Lara Casey. I think that her content is solid, her experience is noteworthy, and her authenticity is humbling. I think that it's rare to find such a well rounded professional with her track-record, accomplishments, and industry experience who is so willing to share her personal and professional life with so many.

I responded to a blog post that Lara posted earlier today. She asked for her readers to share "what (a favorite phrase or thing) or who (that one person who encourages you the most) inspires you most to get out of your comfort zone."

I wanted to share my response with you all.

"Love inspires me. It’s by far the most miraculous thing any of us will ever experience. And when you really think about it, we’re all surrounded by love on any day, at any time, even in our darkest hours, it’s the one thing that we can never get away from. I fell in love with an amazing man this year, my parents love me in a way that I can’t even fully comprehend, my friends, extended family. The love that surpasses all understanding though, the love that encourages me to get out of bed on days like today when I just want to pull the covers over my head and sulk. . .Gods love, it’s the most amazing kind of love any of us will ever experience. So, here’s the scripture that motivates me, encourages me to move, or, perhaps to just wait on the Lord. “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight” Proverbs 3:5-6. I know that with God, trials and obstacles are limitless. So, what I choose to do is stand in the center of love. I allow love to encompass every aspect of my day – even showing love to random strangers. . .it’s a beautiful thing."

Have a terrific Wednesday!

Xoxo

Life, Clients, and Photobooth Fab

2010-09-13T19:28:00.000-07:00

Hey Lovelies!

I had the urge to blog. Like, I was sitting here watching Oprah from today (farewell season, I'm so sad, what will I do without Oprah's guidance and advice? No sarcasm, I love that woman). But yeah, I was watching Oprah and suddenly I had so much to talk to y'all about, so much to share. I struggle with blogging more consistently, but I'm trying. I've put myself on a schedule so you'll be hearing a lot more from me.

So. . . . . . . Hi!
Here I am, alive and well and happy. I've been in such a good mood lately. The whole smiling for no reason kinda good mood. Wishing on stars. Thanking God so many times a day for blessing me when I know how unworthy I am of His favor. It's so surreal thinking about my life, my business, my happiness. . .this year has been filled with ups and downs, but way more ups than anything else. It's crazy because, even though certain things in my world could improve, for the most part I truly feel like I'm in this exact spot in my life, personally and professionally for a very distinct reason. I'm not exactly sure what the reason is, but something tells me that God is working on some things that are so far out of my realm of understanding. I've decided to sit back and enjoy the ride. . .the bumps and twists and turns. . .just the entire ride.

One of my former brides commented on a blog post that I did on her post-wedding brunch last year and I thought that it was so sweet and kind of her to stop by the blog and revisit her special day. I wanted to share the note with y'all.

"Just wanted to thank you again for making even our after wedding day brunch fabulous. Everything you touch turns out absolutely amazing. Love your work always."

Melissa & Hamid

Needless to say that made my day the other day. It's always nice to know that I have not only met my client's expectations, but exceeded them. One of the many reasons that I love what I do.

I wanted to share some absolutely fun and fab photos from Biola (aka Abby) and Kunle's Labor Day wedding that took place at a private estate in San Juan Capistrano. These fun-filled photos were captured during the fabness that was cocktail hour. I can't wait to share the actual wedding photos with you all as soon as their amazing photographer, Taek Photography sends them my way. For now, enjoy these photobooth images compliments of Mebo Photo.

A little background on Biola and Kunle's wedding. The couple, both Nigerian had a wedding that was out of this world. The colors, the attire, the Louboutin's. . . .when you see the wedding photos you are going to fall in LOVE. Like seriously, everything about this wedding was epic. Enjoy these photobooth images. :)

One of the gorgeous flower girls
Guests dressed in traditional Nigerian attire - absolutely stunning!

Xoxo

Love and Timelines

2010-08-23T10:06:00.000-07:00

Hi Lovelies!

Happy Monday. I hope y'all had as incredible of a weekend as I did. Life is treating me really great right now, and I'm smiling and laughing and doing little dances all around my house. Something incredible happens when you're surrounded by love, something that makes me put old Beyonce' cd's on and dance around to crazy in love in high heels on my hardwood floors. .. yeah, something that makes me a little loopy.

Anyhow, I'm really excited about this week. I finally get to meet my Labor Day weekend bride, Abby who is flying in from Philly in preparation for her Sept. 5 wedding. After months and months of exchanging emails and phone calls we'll finally be able to do a walk through of the venue together and talk about all of the fabulousness that is about to take place in just 13 days.

In preparation for Abby and Kunle's wedding, I'm preparing their wedding day timeline. I wanted to highlight the importance of creating and FOLLOWING your wedding day timeline. If you weren't able to hire a planner to coordinate your wedding, the fab blog, wedding chicks has a great template that you can download. The wedding day timeline serves as a roadmap for your bridal party, vendors, and wedding planner to follow in order to handle the myriad of details that have to be taken care of on your wedding day. From coordinating deliveries and arrivals of vendors (photographer, dj, lighting, linens, florals, etc.) to informing the DJ of what time the first dance is scheduled, a wedding day timeline is vitally essential to your wedding day.

Savvy tip:
When creating your timeline always keep in mind that things can possibly go off schedule, but don't panic, this doesn't have to throw your entire wedding day timeline off. You want to maximize your time on the most important day of your life, so, even if you aren't able to hire a planner to design and coordinate your entire wedding, at least consider hiring a day of planner who can help you stay on track, create a detailed timeline for you and your vendors, and one who can put your mind at ease.

Happy Planning!

Xoxo

2010-08-03T06:00:00.000-07:00

Hi Lovelies!

So yeah, I've been MIA for the longest now. Please forgive me. Life is a beautiful thing, but from time to time it can become a bit hectic and I'm forced to prioritize things, and unfortunately the blog got the short end of the stick.

I'm back now, and I've got a jam packed blog for ya'll today, filled with all types of fabulousness from Carissa and Marius' wedding, which took place at the Claremont Doubletree in Claremont, Ca. The wedding was shot by two of my favorite photogs - Nicole and Take of Tsubaki Photography. This chic, glamours wedding has old Hollywood written all over it. A huge, mega big thank you to Nicole and Taka for sending me these amazing images so quickly.

Take a peek, and be sure to visit Nicole and Taka's website.

Enjoy!

Xoxo

Mardi Gras Fab

2010-07-20T15:05:00.000-07:00

Hi Lovelies!

I wanted to stop by and share some fun pictures from my Client's Mardi Gras themed surprise birthday celebration this weekend. The event took place at the Castaway Restaurant in San Bernardino, CA. The Castaway, with its picturesque scenery is ideal for any type of event - whether you're a bride to be getting ready to walk down the aisle in their courtyard, or a wife planning a surprise soiree for her husband.

My Client wanted to go all out on this event and we had a great time creating a look and feel reminiscent of New Orleans. From the vibrant colors, to the elaborate masks - this party definitely made guests feel as if they were taking a stroll down Bourbon Street. The cake was all types of gorgeous, and although we didn't get a ton of great shots of it, a huge thank you to Diane at Cucamonga Cakery for coming up with the gorgeous design.

Take a peek at some fun images we snapped after set-up was complete. We're no professionals with the camera, but I think these turned out great.

Enjoy!

Xoxo

Grad Party Fab

2010-07-15T09:04:00.000-07:00

Hi Lovelies!

I hope that you've been doing great! I'm just trying to survive this heatwave we're experiencing in SoCal. The heat is ungodly and just wrong. I have an event coming up this weekend and I'm so happy that's it's not outdoors.

I wanted to share some pics from my graduation soiree. As most of you know I finished my Master of Business Administration degree, and it wouldn't be right if I didn't celebrate such a huge accomplishment. So, the highlight of the party was my utterly fabulous cake designed by Cucamonga Cakery in Rancho Cucamonga, CA. This place makes some of the best cakes in SoCal and they taste equally as good as they look. I selected the red velvet cake with a cream cheese filling for the bottom layer of the cake and the pink champagne with a strawberry mouse filling for the top. One of the other highlights was the "taco man" who came and cooked up carne asada, pollo asada, and carnitas tacos, beans, rice, and every type of salsa you can imagine. They also surprised us with charizo, which was seriously good. Thanks to Inga of Baja Style Tacos and her team for doing such a fab job.

The party was a "book themed" event and the cake represents two books stacked on top of each other. The bottom book represents my BA in Communications from Howard University and the top book represents my MBA from California State University, San Bernardino. I also whipped up some simple centerpieces for under $20!

Here are some pics.

Enjoy!

Xoxo

Sneak Peek

2010-07-02T00:42:00.000-07:00

It's Friday! This week seriously zoomed by.

I was pleasantly surprised this evening (technically early this morning) when I received an email from Nicole and Taka of Tsubaki Photography. They were kind enough to send over some teaser images from Carissa and Marius' beautiful wedding that took place on Saturday, June 26, 2010. I love when photographers send me goodies so quickly.

Thanks Taka and Nicole!

Enjoy your holiday weekend.

Xoxo

Invitation Fab

2010-07-01T10:13:00.000-07:00

I love working with amazing invitation designers, and Lori over at Paper and Thread Studio tops the list of phenomenal people to work with.

I wanted to share the stunning mardi gras themed invitations that Lori created for my client's upcoming mardi gras 50th birthday celebration. Visit the Paper and Thread Studio blog to see her latest projects.

Xoxo

Gratitude and Maids

2010-07-01T06:30:00.000-07:00

TGIT - yes, thank goodness it's Thursday! Or how about, thank God you're awake and able to read this, you're of able body, mind, and spirit. How is it July already?!? Before you know it we'll be talking about Turkeys and Christmas decor. I'm so excited about today, but I'm trying to make it a practice to be excited about every day. So often we focus on the negative aspects of our lives, when in reality so many people around the world are enduring so much more than we are. . .now, this is not to downplay whatever issues you're having in your life right now I'm just reminding you that it could always be worse. The key word for today should be gratitude.

It's almost the weekend and I don't know about you, but I'm ready for the beach and some sunshine. . .and of course some fireworks. I love the 4th of July and one of the perks of living in SoCal is that I can immediately escape to the beach and pretend that I'm on a for real vacation. Thinking back to my college years living in D.C., the things that I missed most about Cali, besides my family and friends were palm trees, sunshine and the beach. Living in SoCal has spoiled me rotten, but you won't hear any complaints from me.

I've been wanting to blog some really cute bridesmaid dresses that I ran across. The amazing thing about these dresses is that they're seriously for bridesmaids on a budget. Brides, this tip is for you - when selecting your girl's dresses, be sure to keep their budgets in mind. Although you may totally adore the Vera Wang gown you ran across, can your bridesmaids really afford to spend $295 on their dress? Not to mention all of the other financial obligations associated with being a maid - shoes, hair, make-up, etc.

I adore Forever 21 for their quirky, cute and stylish take on special occasion dresses. I'll be totally honest with you, if your girls are over a size 10 it's doubtful that these dresses are going to fit them properly - Forever 21, although fabulous is notorious for sizing too small.

Here are some fab finds that I came across, both courtesy of Forever 21.

Glamorous Rosette Dress - $34.80

Strapless Trophy Dress - $34.80
Xoxo

Savvy Eye Candy

2010-06-30T07:59:00.001-07:00

Hi Lovelies,

I've got some serious eye candy for you. Every bride wants something unique that will set her a part from every other bride who has walked down the aisle. Take a peek at what one incredibly savvy bride over at weddingbee and her mother in law put together.

What we have here is a broach bouquet that is completely DIY. I absolutely love it.

Xoxo

Weddings and MBA's

2010-06-28T12:14:00.000-07:00

Good Morning Loves!

I had such an incredibly fulfilling weekend. On Saturday I sent two of the most caring and gracious people down the aisle, Carissa and Marius. To top things off I got to work with two insanely amazing and kind photographers, Taka and Nicole of Tsubaki Photography. The wedding took place at the Claremont Doubletree and I'm really looking forward to sharing the images with you all as soon as I get them.

On another note - last Sunday I graduated with my Master of Business Administration degree and I cannot tell you how ridciulously accomplished I feel. Take a peek inside of my personal photo album from that day.

Enjoy!

Xoxo

E-Session Fab

2010-06-16T07:06:00.000-07:00

Is it Wednesday already? These weeks keep flying by. The year is half way over and I still haven't accomplished world domination. . .haha, I need to step it up. I've got a ways to go, but I'm thankful for where I'm at both personally and with the business. Being an entrepreneur is a daily grind, but the benefits far outweigh the challenges. Not sure if I've ever mentioned this but, I LOVE weddings and parties and all things fabulous. I really do. Some people desire to be a physician or a lawyer. . .nope, not me. . .just let me plan amazing events and I'm happy. There's a certain connection and bond that I'm able to build with my clients and I wouldn't trade that for the world.

I love all of the summer fab we have coming up and I wanted to share this fun Santa Monica E-session by Tiffany Photography.

I love Marius and Carissa's story. Take a peek inside how they met and how he popped the big question.

How they met:
We actually met online, through ChristianMingle.com. Neither of us were really looking for someone to be with. We had just thought "why not" and given it a shot. I had just gotten through a relatively rough divorce from an unsafe marriage and was busy as a single mom and full time student. I was thinking about deleting my profile when Marius sent me a quick hello through the site's instant messaging. I had not paid for the account so I could not reply back. So I sent him an email after looking at his profile telling him to give me a few minutes to I can purchase the shortest account and IM him. He seemed genuine; a strong Christian man. I know how small the chances are of finding someone you could actually trust on these sites, but I had an unexplainable good feeling about him. We chatted online for about 2 weeks and then started talking on the phone. WOW. He was awesome. We had such complimentary personalities and senses of humor. And his heart was kind and sought after God. He asked me on our first date a couple weeks later and I was so excited. He took me to a nice dinner and our conversation was non stop! We had so much to share and had so much in common. I had to ask myself if I was dreaming.

How he popped the question:
He took me up to San Francisco the weekend he proposed. He wanted it to be the perfect weekend. My first plane ride and first real vacation. When he proposed I felt my heart explode with so much joy! He is my prayer come true! I can't wait to come home with him as his wife! I just can't say enough how much I love and admire this man and how much I am looking forward to our future together. It has been the most blessed year of my life and it's only going to get better!

Xoxo

Chic & Sassy

2010-06-15T07:06:00.000-07:00

Hi Loves,

Happy Tuesday! This amazing California sunshine is making me extremely happy. The flowers are in full bloom, birds are chirping, the sun is shining. . .I'm kinda in heaven right now.

I absolutely love stylish, chic, and sophisticated engagement attire. I wanted to share an amazing look that I put together . .something tells me that you might just fall in love with it This design is for the fashionista on a budget, so I hope you like it. Why not practice sitting pretty in all white the night before your big day? Trust me. . .I know I'm going to need the practice, as clumsy as I am. ;)

Dress: $ 89.00 Arden B
Earrings: $ 7.80 Forever 21
Clutch: $78.00 Nordstrom
Shoes: $80.00 Aldo

Xoxo

A little inspiration

2010-06-11T10:32:00.000-07:00

TGIF!

Hi Loves,

This has been such a great week. Actually, it was full of ups and downs, but it is definitely ending on a high note. I purchased my cap, gown and hood yesterday and picked up my tickets for commencement. It's still kind of surreal to think that I can put three little letters after my name now. . MBA. :)

On another note I wanted to share an inspiration board that I created for my client's Mardi Gras themed 50th birthday party next month. This party is going to be full of beads, masks, rich colors, gorgeous linens, and out of control centerpieces. I met with one of my favorite bakeries yesterday, Cucamonga Cakery, in Rancho Cucamonga, CA. Diane sketched a breathtaking two-tier mardi gras themed cake that will definitely be a highlight of the night. The design aspect of this event is so much fun - my team and I are really looking forward to it.

Take a peek at my inspiration.

Xoxo

Biola + Kunle - Engagement Part 2

2010-06-10T09:00:00.000-07:00

Hi. . .again. ;)

I wanted to share Part 2 of Biola and Kunle's amazing engagement session. Part 2 was shot by the amazing Taek Photography who will also be shooting the couples September 5, 2010 nuptials. The engagement shoot was shot at various locations in Downtown Los Angeles, CA.

Take a peek.

Xoxo

Biola + Kunle - Engagement Part 1

2010-06-10T08:00:00.000-07:00

Hi Loves,

I'm so happy to actually have time in my schedule to blog again. You have no idea how much I've missed sharing all types of fabulousness with you all. I wanted to take a second to blog about one of my summer couples, Biola and Kunle. This fab couple is getting married in a destination celebration in San Juan Capistrano on Labor Day weekend. The couple, who currently reside in Philadelphia are getting married in a vibrant (their colors are lemon, lime, and gray - all types of amazing) Nigerian wedding celebration with their closest family and friends.

Biola sent over some of their gorgeous engagement photos. They did two engagement shoots - one in Philadelphia and the other in SoCal. Part 1 of this post will showcase the amazing photos shot by Onada Photography in Philadelphia. The photoshoot was in Philadelphia at a place called "Boat House Row" - a scenic spot along the Schyukill River.

Take a peek at some of these stunning images.

Xoxo

We're back!

2010-06-09T13:58:00.000-07:00

Hi Loves!

I've been gone from the blog world for what seems like an eternity. For those of you who didn't know I have been working towards my Master of Business Administration degree for the past two years. I have finally reached the finish line and will be graduating next week. Hence the reason that I have been totally out of the loop. Between client appointments, walk-throughs, Cinderella for a Day, and classes I have literally been trying to keep a hold on the last bit of sanity I have left. But you want to know something. . . .the sleepless nights and craziness have been worth it.

So, I have some fabulousness to share with you all. When I finally checked my mail yesterday (I say finally because it had literally been two weeks since I'd even gone to my mailbox) I had a little package waiting for me from Kyle and Allison of Studio 28 Photo. Kyle and Allison graciously donated their time to take tons of amazing pictures of my girls for Cinderella for a Day.

For those of you who are totally clueless as to what Cinderella for a Day is I'll give you the details. I started Cinderella for a Day last year as a way to give back to girls from my old high school. The program is catered to young women from low-income families who cannot afford to attend their senior prom. What my team and I do is partner with local businesses, friends, and the fab vendors that we work with to help give these young women the prom of their dreams.

This year was nothing short of amazing. The two girls that we selected this year, Ciera and Destiny were such a joy to work with and they both were so deserving of this opportunity.

Take a peek at some of the amazing images Kyle and Allison sent. A huge, monumental thank you to all of our sponsors and friends for your support!

Xoxo

Fun Centerpieces

2010-04-06T08:43:00.000-07:00

Hi Loves!

Happy Tuesday! I hope you all had a fabulous time celebrating Easter with your loved ones. I had an amazing Easter this year - we decided to do things a bit differently this year and I hosted brunch at my home. I wanted to share some fun centerpieces I created. Mind you, I am no florist, but I quite enjoy playing around with flowers and have started to get pretty good at doing it. . .Hmmm, perhaps something to add to the resume in the future.

Here's the deal on the centerpieces - I went to a local thrift store and purchased some fun vases and large candy dishes to use for my flowers. Total cost at the thrift store was $12.37 and I got three amazing pieces. Your local thrift stores can be an amazing asset if you're looking for different and creative items at a low cost. You'd be amazed at some of the cool stuff you'll find in them.

Flowers - I purchased my flowers from Target and bought 3 bunches of uber inexpensive (4.99 a bunch) flowers. I also purchased 2 bags of jelly beans to use at the bottom of my candy dishes/vases.

Take a peek at the final product.

Xoxo

DIY Inspiration

2010-03-31T09:22:00.000-07:00

Good Morning Lovelies!

Easter is right around the corner and I couldn't be more excited. Spring is by far one of my favorite seasons, and Easter kind of epitomizes all that is Spring - the flowers are blooming, the sun is shining and tons of brides and grooms-to-be are getting ready for their Summer 2010 weddings. We wanted to provide you with some fab DIY projects to add a special touch to your wedding or special event. Take a peek and let us know what you think.

Do you want to thank your guests for coming to your celebration, but don't have a lot of money to spend? In this economy, the answer to that question is probably a resounding yes. Here are two DIY favor projects that are sure to wow your guests.

Thanks to Project Weddings for this idea of Sweet Gumball Packets. These bright and colorful favors are easy and cost effective and will bring your own touch of personalization to any event.

Here's the skinny on what you'll need to create these favors:
Parchment Paper
Gumballs (or any candy of your choice)
A sewing machine, with thread of choice
A Thank You tag

To create the favors take squares of parchment paper and fill them with the gumballs, or the candy of your choice. You will then sew along the edges with the sewing machine. While you are sewing be sure to sew on the thank you tag, to hold the tag in place. These favors are cute and creative, and your guests will surely love them. The packets can be placed in a bowl at each table, on every guest’s place setting, or they can be placed at the escort card table.
Photos credit: Mary Swenson

For a more personal favor, a cd composed of songs that will play at the wedding or the couple’s favorite songs is a great idea. You can create a playlist and burn store bought cds or you can go to Jewelboxing.com to create a cd package kit (the kit will run you about $220 for a set of 150). The kit includes inserts that can be easily designed and printed from your home computer that look professionally designed. You can also create a booklet that explains the story behind the gift and the meaning for each song. I absolutely love this idea because it's cost efficient and it truly has the ability to tell YOUR story. The first song you ever danced to, the song that you listened to on your first date. . .music, often times is the soundtrack of our lives, so why not tell the story of your romance through music and share that with your guests?
Photo credit: Ms. Pomegranate from DIY.WeddingBee

Xoxo

Plus Size Bridal Couture

2010-03-30T06:00:00.000-07:00

Hi Lovelies!

It's such a challenge for the plus sized brides of the world to find a fabulous, chic, and breathtaking gown without having to go through pure and utter insanity. It's important for the bridal industry to realize that beauty comes in all sizes, and not every bride-to-be is the sample size 6 that hangs on the rack in many upscale bridal boutiques. Cc. elaine developed a signature line, Femme Luxe, that is designed specifically for brides sizes 12 - 32. Each gown is made from the finest silks and lace and features figure flattering silhouettes. Cc. elaine took special care to include a unique corset style body shaper, in each dress, to help accentuate the positive and thus creating a smooth, comfortable & fashionable look.

Take a look at some of their fabulous gowns and if you're interested in a piece from their Femme Luxe collection or a custom piece be sure to visit their website.

Xoxo

The Truth About Wedding Budgets

2010-03-29T11:00:00.000-07:00

Hi Lovelies!

I hope that you all had an amazing weekend. Mine was filled with sun, beaches and an amazing brunch with my guy. Before I head to the gym I had to post this blog I've been working on. I want to start your week off with some useful information that will help brides-to-be as you begin to prepare your wedding budgets. This is going to be a straight-forward, no-nonsense informational piece that I really hope helps you.

I can't begin to tell you how many emails and phone calls I get from brides-to-be who really don't understand all of the components of figuring out their wedding budgets - we're here to help dispel the myths and provide you with solutions opposed to promising you a dream wedding for 200 guests, with filet mignon and lobster, and centerpieces adorned with swarovski crystals for the low low price of $8,500 - NOPE. Not going to happen. It's my duty, responsibility AND obligation as a professional event planner to be completely, and at times, painfully honest with my clients and prospective clients. This is not to crush your hopes of having a platinum wedding at an affordable rate, but it's about being authentic and realistic with clients.

There are event planners who will promise a couple with a low budget an elaborate and over the top wedding, fully knowing that it is impossible to achieve the clients goals at the budget they have provided you with. I'm going to show you a rough estimate I provided to a prospective client who told me her budget was $10,000, she and her fiancé were expecting 175 guests and they already had a venue (private residence) that they would be utilizing for the ceremony and reception. They needed rental items (tables, chairs, etc.), a photographer, florals, and they wanted a live jazz band. Immediately upon hearing her stats I told her that being able to achieve her goals at her projected budget wasn't possible, especially in the LA area. I didn't want to completely disqualify the client without getting her to understand how much a typical wedding with her guest count in the LA area would cost. Here's a peek inside of the "rough estimate" I provided her with:

Food/Beverage/Cake/Rentals/Servers @69.50pp – $16,018 (including tax and service fee)
Invitation/Stationary - $800
Décor/Floral Design - $2,000
Photographer - $1,770 (based on a 6 hr package)
Entertainment/Band for 4 hours - $1,300
Total: 21,888

Mind you, this prospective client was set on having her wedding at her family residence, but it's important to note that rentals have to be brought in. More often than not brides-to-be think that having their wedding at a private residence will cut down on costs, this is not true. When having your event at a hotel, you're tables, chairs, linens, etc. are included in the rate you are quoted, you are only assessed additional fees for upgrades (say you want the a special damask linen opposed to the standard linen they offer you). With private residences you have to bring in tables, chairs, linens, servers, and any other rental items you need. I also must point out that this estimate did not take into account a host of other budgetary items that she would need to take into consideration, including the fee for our services as her prospective wedding planner. I wanted to provide her with the basic items that she told me were of importance to her and her fiancé - and after showing her the "rough estimate" she realized that she hadn't budgeted properly.

I show you the "rough estimate" of the budget because I want to be completely honest, weddings are not cheap, but there are ways to cut back on your expenses. Here are some useful tips:

*Have your wedding during off-season: You'd be completely amazed by how much money you can save by having your wedding during the off-peak months of October - March. Most brides want to get married during the summer months and ceremony sites and reception venues are well aware of this. Skilled service providers are also able to charge a premium rate for their services during peak months
*Hire a Planner: Many brides-to-be do not realize the advantages and cost savings of hiring a skilled wedding planner to guide them through the planning process. By partnering up with a wedding planner they can use their industry connections to negotiate rates with service providers, thereby getting you a much more attractive rate than you can secure on your own.
*DIY: The Do-it-yourself revolution is HUGE, search blogs and do your homework. You can create some amazing decorations for your ceremony and reception on your own without having to use an outside vendor.
*Trim your guest list: Do you really need to invite your third cousin on your father's side to your wedding, even though you only met her once when you were 10? NOPE. I'm a big fan of keeping weddings intimate and personal, invite the people in your life who you are closest with, and leave the others off. Remember, you are paying per person at your wedding, these fees can add up.
*Don't be stuck on Saturday: This is a huge savings area - consider having your wedding on a Friday evening or Sunday afternoon. You could even consider having your wedding during the week (my client saved over $20,000 by changing her wedding date to a Thursday opposed to having it on a Saturday).

I hope this has helped! I want, so badly for every couple to have the wedding of their dreams, but I also don't want to sale you a fairytale, full knowing that I cannot accomplish your objectives. What I can do, as your wedding planner is provide you with the necessary tools to have your platinum wedding at a budget that is do-able for you and your fiancé , and one that is realistic.

Xoxo

Jen O'Sullivan's annual Engagement Shootout!

2010-03-25T12:05:00.000-07:00

I'm so happy to pass this information on to you wonderful brides-to-be. Check out this amazing Charity Event hosted by Jen O'Sullivan.

It is finally here! Jen O'Sullivan's annual Engagement Shootout!

Here’s the skinny:
Get in on this once in a lifetime chance to get some great photography of you and your fiance from multiple wedding photographers! Absolutely Free!

When: Thursday, April 22nd from 2:30-7:30pm
Where: The Sunset Restaurant in Malibu
What: Get photographed at no cost with some extraordinary photographers (up to 6 shooters will work with you for 15 minutes each.)
You Get: All your files from each photographer at no cost! A donation of any size to LETMESAIL will be encouraged. http://www.letmesail.org
The Catch: There is none! You get to test drive some really great shooters BEFORE you hire one with no strings attached.

Rules:
Please RSVP to me no later than April 14th via email.
You must be engaged to be married with an actual date set
You cannot have a photographer already booked for your wedding.
There is limited space so please get your RSVP in soon to jen@jenosullivan.com

For more information visit Jen's website.

Uncensored Re-cap

2010-03-25T09:10:00.000-07:00

Hi Lovelies,

I've had the most eventful two weeks so my apologies for not checking in with you all! It's officially Spring, and I have officially reignited my love affair with this amazing Southern California weather (I hope my boyfriend doesn't get jealous). There is something so amazing about waking up to the birds chirping outside of my bedroom window.

I'm so excited to blog about my experience at the The Party Goddess Uncensored Conference last week.

All I can say about this conference, which was hosted by the phenomenal event planner to the stars, Marley Majcher is WOW. I cannot even begin to tell you how many phenomenal event planners I had the opportunity to meet - and most importantly, how much knowledge Marley and her crew of speakers provided us with. I felt overwhelmed, excited, scared, and a myriad of other emotions over the 2 1/2 days that I was at the conference. I purchased coaching sessions, started a networking group for SoCal event planners, and did some much needed self reflection on the current state of my business and where I see it going. I feel so blessed to have been able to meet the amazing women (and 2 men) that I met.

Take a peek at some fun images of me with some of my new found event planner pals (forgive the quality, they're photobooth pictures that I scanned).

On to the professional photos. Jen O'Sullivan shot some AMAZING images of days 2 and 3 of the conference. If you're in the SoCal area and need a fabulous photographer, I would definitely visit Jen's website!

Photo Credit: Jen O'Sullivan

Xoxo

Chic Bridesmaid Attire

2010-03-14T17:19:00.000-07:00

How gorgeous is this weather?!?! If you're not in Southern California - you should really consider making a trip out here pronto. I absolutely adore the spring and summer months and cannot wait to get full speed ahead with our summer weddings!

I love bridesmaid attire, and as a former bridesmaid myself I always like to find cute, chic, and affordable bridesmaid attire for your girls to wear. And trust me ladies, these are dresses that wont sit aimlessly in your closets collecting dust after wedding day. Check out some of my favorite picks from none other than Nordstroms.

Enjoy and let me know your thoughts on these fab finds!

Donna Morgan Strapless Silk Chiffon Dress
$138.00

JS Collections Cutaway Shoulder Chiffon Dress
$168.00

JS Boutique Beaded Chiffon Keyhole Dress
$178.00

Donna Morgan Twist Detail Chiffon Dress
$138.00

Donna Rico Shirred Bodice Dress
$148.00

Xoxo

And the winner is. . .

2010-03-08T08:11:00.000-08:00

I'm so excited to announce the winner of our FAB giveaway. It was extremely difficult to select just one couple, but we had to. After reading through over 15 amazing contest entries we selected a couple whose story touched our hearts.

A huge congratulations to Carissa and Marius of Covina, CA. I'm so excited to work with you both on your wedding day!

Xoxo

Etsy Love

2010-03-03T08:12:00.000-08:00

Hey Lovelies!

Can you believe it's already March?!?! Where in the world is this year trying to go? So much fun stuff going on at Savvy and a lot of WORK. Sorry for not blogging as much as I should - we're in the process of bringing on an intern so hopefully that'll free up some of my time, doubtful, but maybe I'll be able to blog a bit more.

I'm a huge fan of Etsy and I love the entrepreneurial spirit that it promotes. I also love being connected with amazing vendors from all over the globe that I would never have the opportunity to meet without the fab site. I wanted to show you some of my favorite Etsy finds and also encourage you to visit these shops and make some purchases!

TZtudio

Weddings and Such Boutique

Powder Blue Bijoux

Xoxo

Savvy Ladies

2010-02-26T07:00:00.000-08:00

Hi Lovelies!

Whew, this has been such a busy and hectic week. You have no idea how happy I am that it's finally winding down! I hope that you all had a great week. I wanted to share some FABULOUS photos that my dear friend and amazing photographer, Carly of Carly Daniel Photography shot for Savvy. Nicole and I went down to the Balboa Fun Zone and let Carly do what she does best. . .take gorgeous images. I want to send a huge thank you to Carly. She is by far one of my favorite photographers to work with.

Enjoy the images!

Xoxo

Super Bowl/40th Bday Fun

2010-02-24T13:33:00.000-08:00

I was so excited when I went to my mailbox today and had a package from Carlos of Carlo Salas Photography. I had the privilege of working with Carlos at my clients' Super Bowl/40th Birthday Party on Super Bowl Sunday. The Party took place at my clients' home in San Clemente - the views were impeccable, the catering was amazing AND best of all, the Saints won! haha

The event was initially scheduled to take place at a venue in Huntington Beach, but at the last minute my client decided she wanted to move the party to their home. Their hilltop home served as an amazing location for the event and guests were able to sit back, relax and celebrate with the birthday man, Riju. Riju's favorite team is the Chargers so his wife, Rani and I had a customized jersey created for him with his last name at the number 40 to signify his age.

A huge thanks to It's All About The Cake for creating the amazing football jersey inspired cake. It tasted just as good as it looked.

Take a look at some of the fun pics! Thanks so much Carlos!

Vote | The Wedding Chicks

2010-02-16T08:01:00.000-08:00

Photo Credit: Carly Daniel Photography

Please vote for Savvy!

Vote | The Wedding Chicks

Xoxo

It's a giveaway!

2010-02-16T06:00:00.000-08:00

Photo Credit: Tiffany Photography

Update: Contest deadline extended to Friday, March 5, 2010 - winner announced Monday, March 8, 2010.

I hope that you all had an ultra fab Valentines Day! Valentines Day happens to be one of my absolute favorite holidays. I love the nostalgia of it all, the symbolism of love and romance that it represents. My guy reminds me on a daily basis that Valentines Day should really be celebrated everyday - why only utilize that one day of the year to let the person that you care so deeply about know it? You've gotta do everything in your power to show it every single day.

We really and truly adore our readers, clients and the vendors that we have the opportunity to work with. In honor of Valentines Day and all of the engagements that took place on the holiday Savvy Events along with Tiffany Photography and Victoria's Garden Florist have partnered to offer an amazing giveaway to one lucky SoCal couple.

By simply entering the giveaway you will have the chance to win an amazing package, including:

-Free Day of Coordination from Savvy Events
-Free engagement session from Tiffany Photography
-Free floral design for your bridal party from Victoria's Garden Florist

Here are the details:

Floral Design package includes:
* Bride: 24 rose bouquet hand tied wrapped in a satin ribbon
* Groom: Single rose boutonniere
* Bride's maids (up to 5 brides maids):12 rose bouquet hand tied in a satin ribbon
* Groom's men (up to 5 groom's men): single rose boutonniere
* Toss away: mini version of bride's bouquet
(couple may choose the color of the roses)

Engagement session includes:
* 1 hour of shooting time at any location within 40 miles of 90049
* Retouched images on CD
* 3 - 8 x 12 prints

Day of Coordination package includes:
* The Marquise Package
*Complete wedding day coverage

How to Enter
Send an email to deneitra@savvy-events.com and include:

1. Your names and contact info.
2. Your wedding date and location
3. Your story! How you met, how you got engaged, all that good stuff. We want to get to know you!
4. Send a picture of yourselves, or send us to your wedding website!
5. Tell us what’s unique about you, why you should win, and why your wedding is going to be the best ever!

This is an AWESOME giveaway and I truly cannot wait to read your entries. To check out some of the amazing floral designs by Victoria's Garden check out this entry. If you would like to see more engagement sessions by Tiffany Photography click here.

Xoxo

Shoe Love - Flats

2010-02-10T08:02:00.001-08:00

Hi Lovelies,

Happy Wednesday! How's your week going so far? I was on Project Wedding yesterday looking at this post. It sparked my interest because I LOVE a good pair of flat shoes. Absolutely adore them. So, what happens when your wedding day roles around and your taller than your guy? Do you want to look like you're totally towering over him? Or do you want to wear a nice flat that doesn't attract too much attention to what is already obvious? Some of you might not even care about the subtle height difference but for those of you who would prefer to wear a flat shoe OR a shoe with a kitten heel, I've got some great eye candy for you.

Enjoy and let me know your thoughts.

Kate Spade Evie
$295

Steve Madden Florale
$69.95

Jeffrey Campbell 'Pearl' Flat
$109.95

Lela Rose for Payless Neilson Bow Flat
$29.99

Xoxo

Things I Love - Spa Edition

2010-02-05T06:00:00.000-08:00

Hey Lovelies - Happy Friday!

These weeks are just zooming by. How is it February 5 already? Where is this year going - sloooow down. At any rate, I'm starting something new because there are tons of things that I love and I want to share them with you. They make great gifts for your bridal party, but more importantly great gifts to pamper yourself with.

This week I'm doing the Things I Love - Spa Edition. I absolutely adore going to the spa, but I don't get to go nearly as often as I would like to. I'm a busy woman - planning weddings and fabulous soiree's on top of finishing my last two quarters of graduate school. So, what I like to do is bring the spa to my home. Take a look at some of my favorite's and let me know if you decide to try them out.

Coconut Body Butter
Spa Wisdom™ Plunge & Purify Bath Soak
Deep Sleep Comforting Milk Bath Float

Unusually Rich-But Not Greasy At All-Hand Cream with SPF 10
Limited Edition Superbly Restorative Body Lotion
Aromatherapy Sugar Scrub Sensual - Sandalwood Fig

Xoxo

Giving Back

2010-02-04T08:00:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite scriptures reads "From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked." Luke 12:48

I am a huge believer that giving back is of monumental importance. Every individual or business has various causes that they stand for. I love giving back to young women - empowering them and letting them know that they are beautiful and capable individuals. Last year, Savvy Events launched the Cinderella for a Day Prom Sponsorship where we sponsored 3 young women from economically disadvantaged backgrounds to attend their senior prom. We went ALL out for these young women - prom tickets, dress, hair, make-up, accessories, pampering, transportation and dinner. We were able to partner with some amazing vendors and the event was a true success. The young women expressed to me how much the kindness of everyone involved changed their lives.

To some, prom may not seem like a big deal, but for the three young women that we sponsored, they got to feel special, loved and appreciated. A feeling that they did not always experience due to their situations at home.

This years prom is quickly approaching and I'm looking to make Cinderella for a Day bigger and better than it was last year. I'm looking to form strategic partnerships so that I can reach out to more young women who want to experience their senior prom but do not have the financial means to.

For more information on how you can help contact me at deneitra@savvy-events.com. We're in need of dresses, shoes, hair & make-up, transportation, photography, etc.

Thanks for your support!

{Our Cinderella's and their prom dates}

Xoxo

Shoe Love

2010-02-03T10:09:00.000-08:00

Hey Lovelies,

I'm a girlie girl who absolutely adores a fab wedding shoe. Badgley Mischka has some of the most amazing wedding shoes and the prices wont break your wallet. Take a look at some that made me smile. :)

Enjoy!

Badgley Mischka Hyde white
$150

Badgley Mischka Carlo white
$215

Badgley Mischka Randee pink

$215

Badgley Mischka Randall
$215

Xoxo

Our New Look!

2010-02-03T09:22:00.001-08:00

Hi Lovelies!

Where have you been all of my life? Haha.

I couldn't wait to sit in front of my computer and share my new blog with you all! I'm so ridiculously excited about the new look and I hope that you love it as much as I do. The new website will be up shortly and I'll be sure to blog about that once it happens.

For any business, creating a brand that truly speaks to what the business represents is crucial. The old look for Savvy didn't reflect where the business is going and for that reason change was very necessary. I have to give a huge thank you to Lauren at Restored316 Designs for creating this amazing blog and helping me out with the website! Lauren, you are absolutely amazing and I look forward to continuing our relationship! For any of you in need of a blog design on blogger or wordpress, Lauren is definitely your gal.

I would also like to thank Kristin at I Do Originals for creating my new logo. I really appreciate the work that you put in to creating a logo that really reflects who Savvy is.

There have been so many changes over the past month and I'm excited to share them all with you. I'm excited about our new clients and future clients! I'm also extremely excited to introduce a new member of the Savvy team to you all later this week.

Hold on tight, because this is going to be a crazy ride!

Xoxo

MLK Jr. - The Power of Dreams

2010-01-18T08:18:00.001-08:00

Good Morning Lovelies,

I hope that you all had a great weekend. I woke up this morning so ridiculously inspired, motivated and encouraged. The significance of this day cannot go unmentioned. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. would have been 81 years old today. The impact that he had on the Civil Rights movement is unparalleled and will never be forgotten. What he was able to accomplish with a strong desire, vision and faith should remind every person, regardless of what their particular dream is, that all things are possible. Attainable. Achievable.

I think, more often than not people want things to happen over night, and that’s just not the way that success happens. I’m a firm believer that we continue to see Dr. King’s dream unfold, nearly 42 years after his untimely death. I’m not sure if you all realize the significance of this, but, in short, our dreams never die. If Dr. King had given up every time he faced opposition or experienced criticism (and mind you I’m talking opposition like none of us have had to experience) our world would not be the same place it is today. What Dr. King did, and what many of you need to do is remain faithful to your dreams, respect the process and understand that you can and will achieve great things if you continue to press on and continue to endure

Today’s blog is dedicated to Dr. King and to you. Why you? Because you have a dream that you are trying to realize, and you may feel like it’s impossible, like the odds are stacked so high against you that you’ll never be able to accomplish it. Regardless of what your dream is, despite how small in comparison it is to the dream that Dr. King had for our country, your dream is important, it’s purpose-driven and most importantly, it’s all yours.

Maybe this blog was written for myself as well. To remind me that anything worth having takes great sacrifice, tenacity and a strong will to make things happen.

With that being said I want to tell you all about a fabulous book that my boyfriend told me to get a few months ago - The Dream Giver. It's a really great book for all of us striving to pursue our dreams. The book is biblically based and it has opened my mind and my heart to accepting all that comes with being blessed with a big dream.

Be encouraged today, to move full speed ahead with your dreams, as Dr. King did - you owe it to yourself.

Xoxo

Weighing in the new year

2010-01-07T09:42:00.001-08:00

Good Morning Lovelies!

I hope you all are having a fab week. There's something so inspiring about a new year - something that makes people want to make big changes, life long changes that impact not only the short term, but the long term goals that we each have for our lives.

I reached out to my dear friend, and Savvy girl, Nicole to share some tips on reaching our fitness goals. Nicole is a true inspiration and motivation because she was able to start a weight loss plan (not a diet), but what she did was improve her overall health and wellness and in the process got super fit and sexy!

Thanks for sharing this with us, Nicole.

It's 2010 yet again, and it's a chance to set new goals to better our lives and state of mind and all around wellness. From a new car, to a big promotion, nothing can trump a new years resolution than that of the good ol' inevitable "lose weight". It's always number one! It's nearly everyone's mission. Year after year, decade after decade, even and we're still on this roller coaster. You may find yourself asking "what went wrong this time"? Well, if you're like me and countless others, the answer to that question is You. Yes, you went wrong. You see, all diets work. Even the bad ones, but eventually it's up to you to keep that weight off once you've lost it. Through my personal struggles, I have learned so much about dieting I could write a book! And the one thing that stood out the most in all my diets, wasn't the diet at all, it was me. Through dieting failures, I learned more about myself than ever before. You are the only one that can change your life around, not some pill, not a book, not even this blog.

Like all new years, new beginnings come with it. Alas, the time has come and you're getting married. The last thing you want to do is worry about anything else! So there you are, in the fitting room of a bridal boutique struggling to fit in a size 8 gown and the poor lady helping you is ever-so-delicately trying to bring you a size 10 but you just can't bear the thought! Finally, you give in, and you're now walking out of the shop a size 10. On top of all the "to do's" of a wedding, you have yet another chore on the list. Back to the drawing board, but where do you begin? How do you start? Where? Well, you're not alone. Just getting the ball rolling is work in itself. Here are some safe guidelines I used to help shed my own weight of nearly 70 pounds.

Be prepared:
No matter what you do, always prepare your meals ahead of time. This will keep you from making bad last minute choices. Keep healthy snacks on you at all times. So when hunger strikes you, you can strike it back. It will keep you away from that vending machine at work. When you know what you're going to eat, you won't get sidetracked. No meal should be created equally. You can't eat as much for dinner as you did for breakfast. As the saying goes, "Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like pauper". You don't want to go to bed with a gut full of food. Always eat 3 hours before bedtime. These are simple, yet golden rules. Breakfast should be your heaviest meal as you're the most famished in the morning and it gives your body all day to burn it off.

Stay away:
Start being more aware of your surroundings like places and things that cause you to eat more. Such as watching tv, staying up late, parties, restaurants, etc. Even friends! We all have that one friend that loves a late night drive through for a quickie bite. But you can't do those things anymore. Losing weight is kind of like being a recovering alcoholic. You can't afford to put yourself in a situation for possible failure. If you know you're going to be somewhere where there will be lots of fried foods and sweets, either don't go or eat before you go so you're not hungry and never tempted. When dinning out, start ordering lunch size portions at dinner and you don't always have to take leftover's home with you, that's a total myth. Ask your server to split your plate. Little changes like these will help cut back on extra calories and over eating.

Tell the world:
It's okay to tell people about your goals. I encourage it. You will find that most people will look up to you and are likely to be in the same boat. Your friends and co-workers will better understand the recent changes you've made and I bet they will even try and help you out. You shouldn't keep your goals a secret. This way, you will be more motivated not to fail and you won't want to look like a failure to all your friends and family. Somehow it's easier for us to let ourselves down rather than other people.

Hit the road:
Get active. I'm sorry but moving is crucial here. No matter what people say, you need to work out. It stimulates the mind and creates energy and, duh, burns calories! You need to focus on burning more calories than you take in. Even opting for the stairs rather than the elevator helps, even if it means parking a little further away from the mall entrance. Start light. Do a 15 minute walk around the block for a few days. Then up it to 20 minutes, and then 30. Take music with you. Make it a pleasant experience. Sunlight is good for you and is proven to increase your mood. Working out means putting yourself first.

Drink up:
Next to exercise, water is a key ingredient to weight loss. We all know this. It flushes toxins and waste from the body and replenishes new cells at the same time. Water also helps curb your appetite. When you feel a little hungry, try drinking a tall glass of water and wait ten minutes. Sip a large cup of tea. If you just want a little taste of something with flavor, try sipping a cup of warm chicken broth. You will find that many cravings come and go quickly and are usually false alarms. Water is cheap and readily available and it does wonders for skin and hair, think of your wedding day!

Cheat:
Yes, you read right. Reward yourself. You've put in a good 4-6 days of a healthy, physical regimen. I see no harm in a cup of ice cream or a piece of cake. Whatever your indulgence may be, modest, I hope. When you cut out certain behaviors and cravings cold turkey, you're more likely to have a really bad relapse. Allow yourself a small treat. Just enough to wet your whistle and keep you from going crazy, of course!

Journal:
It is so important to write down as best and as often as you can what you eat throughout the week. Day by day. You will be amazed at how much you really eat when you see it on paper. Once you know what you're eating, you'll know exactly what to cut out.

Get creative:
Don't bore yourself with bland, tasteless meals. Eating right is more fun than you think and doesn't have to be a chore. Take an old favorite recipe and change it up a bit. Use lower fat ingredients and use extra virgin olive oil when you want to fry something. Vegetables are a must on any diet and I don't mean carrot cake, zucchini bread and pumpkin pie. I'm talking real roughage, dark, leafy greens and crunchy veggies. These are easy to digest and fill you up quickly, not to mention they are guilt free!

Maintain:
Don't quit. Keep your head down and don't look up until the race is over. Keep those good habits going and remember how good they made you feel. This is the most important step. It makes no sense to lose weight if you're going to just turn around and put it back on. Find what works best for you and stick to it. It may take a while to figure out what the best combination of diet and exercise is for you to maintain your weight so take your time and be patient. Listen to your body, when you're full, stop eating. Sit down at every meal and savor each bite. Food was meant for fuel, not for recreation. Keep your mind entertained and your body moving and you will be in good hands-your hands.

Happy New You!

Love, Savvy

Happy New Year!

2010-01-04T09:57:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year Lovelies!!

Okay – we’re back in full effect and couldn’t be happier that 2010 is upon us. I have missed you all terribly and couldn’t be happier to be back! Can you believe how fast 2009 flew by? Like where did it go? I don’t know about you, but I’m incredibly excited about the possibilities that 2010 has to offer.

Newly engaged couples – CONGRATULATIONS! How ridiculously excited are you that he popped the question? I want the details of your engagement. There’s nothing better than hearing about how the love of your life surprised you and asked you to make him the happiest man alive by being his wife!

So, because we want the details we decided to sweeten the pot. We want to know YOUR story – tell us how your fiancé popped the question. Simply respond to this blog post with the details of your proposal and we’ll pick our favorite. The lucky winner of our favorite engagement will receive a set of 3 personalized monograms from I Do Originals to use for their wedding AND a $75.00 gift certificate to Nordstroms! The contest ends on January 31, 2010 and the winner will be announced on February 3, 2010!

There have been so many plans in the works at Savvy and I really can’t wait to unveil some things in the coming weeks. I need you all to check back this Wednesday, January 6, 2010 for a phenomenally amazing contest we’re going to launch. I’m so excited and I wish I could tell you now . . .like right now, but I can’t. I’m still putting the finishing touches on the package – but trust me you’ll be happy with the final product.

Anyhow, I'm working on some more blog posts so you'll be hearing more from me by days end. Have a fabulous first Monday of 2010!

Xoxo

2009-11-12T13:44:00.000-08:00

This is a public service announcement reminding all of you wonderful people to follow Savvy on twitter and facebook. We're always offering special promotions and just great wedding/event tidbits that we would LOVE for you to stay abreast of.

:)

Xoxo

Rent the Runway.

2009-11-12T12:09:00.000-08:00

Hi Lovelies,

I hope you all have been doing great! I wanted to blog about a fab little website I ran across and thought you all might just love.

It's called Rent the Runway. Now, imagine you have a fab event, be it wedding reception, cocktail party, or you're going out on the town with you beau - you saw Rihanna wearing a fab dress in the Vogue magazine - lets say it's Christian Lacroix - and you just HAVE to have that particular dress. BUT, the price tag at Neiman's is some crazy amount, lets say $5.600 (as much as your wedding photographer charges) and you're so sad. Imagine there was a website you could go to, rent the dress at 10% of its retail value and have the dress shipped to you. Not only do they ship you the dress in the size you specified, for good measure they ship you a dress in two different sizes, just to be on the safe side. You return the dress in the postage ready envelope they send you and ship it back. It's THAT simple.

I adore the idea. I think it's genius. How many times do we (ladies) go out and buy an expensive dress only to have it sit in our closet for months and months, never to wear it again? Lets break the cycle, lol - to get added to their waiting list. :)

Xoxo

Hair Love

2009-11-06T01:31:00.000-08:00

Lovelies,

I've missed you. I promise that the neglect will stop very soon. For those of you who don't know, I'm a full-time MBA student AND fabulous wedding planner/business woman all wrapped in one. This week I had presentation after presentation, paper after paper, and not to mention 3 client consuls. I have to stay up until the wee hours of the the night to talk to you guys, but sleepless nights are all part of the job. I'm truly in need of a good intern right now.

I wanted to give you some wedding juice. Ya'll need some wedding love. I was on Etsy earlier looking at hair accessories, and I absolutely LOVE classic, timeless hair accessories. I always look at the hair piece a bride wears as the finishing touch to her hair style of the day. Some brides opt to not wear anything, but then, there are the brides who come out in daring, gorgeous and dare I say FIERCE hair accessories.

On a side note, Savvy is going through a huge re-branding process and we'll be relaunching a NEW website, NEW blog and whole new attitude in 2010. I'm so excited to share so much with ya'll in the coming weeks.

One of my absolute favorite Etsy shops is Twigs & Honey by Myra Callan has some of the most amazing hair accessories. Her veils are something like amazing. Take a peek at some of my favorites.

The Marilyn Veil

Xoxo

Jam Packed Recipe Tuesday

2009-10-27T08:48:00.000-07:00

Good Morning!

It's not as sunshiney today - the view from my office is a little blah, but that's okay because something tells me that today is going to be a ridiculously fabulous day! Halloween is quickly approaching! I absolutely adore this holiday and cannot wait to get dressed up this weekend for one of the many Halloween parties I've been invited to.

I haven't posted a Recipe Tuesday in the past 2 weeks so today's will be jam packed with Halloween yumminess.

I adore Paula Dean so the first Recipe is compliments of The Food Network and Paula Dean. The super cool thing about this recipe is that it also offers you a healthier version by substituting certain ingredients with others or using less of a particular ingredient.

Pumpkin Baked Ziti

Ingredients

Butter, for greasing
1 pound sweet Italian sausage (1 pound turkey sausage, for Richard Simons' version)
3/4 cup chopped onion
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
2 tablespoons oil
1 (15-ounces) can pumpkin puree
1 cup chicken stock
2 teaspoons chopped fresh sage leaves
2 teaspoons salt
1/3 cup heavy cream (omit ingredient for Richard Simons' version)
1 pound ziti pasta, cooked (1 pound whole wheat ziti, for Richard Simmons' version)
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan (1/4 cup Parmesan, for Richard Simmons' version)

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Butter (8) 8-ounce ramekins.

Cook sausage in a large, deep skillet over medium heat until fat is rendered about 8 minutes. Remove from skillet with a slotted spoon, drain on paper towels and set aside. Discard any fat from the skillet in excess of 2 tablespoons.

Add onion, garlic, crushed red pepper flakes and oil to the skillet and cook, stirring occasionally until soft; about 3 minutes. Stir in pumpkin puree, chicken stock and sage. Mix together and add salt. Bring to a boil then lower the heat and simmer 5 minutes. Stir in cream and sausage. Simmer until the sauce comes together and is thickened slightly.

Add cooked pasta and parsley to the skillet and gently toss all the ingredients together to coat. Divide the rigatoni mixture between the 8 prepared ramekins. Sprinkle the tops of each ramekin with Parmesan cheese and bake for 35 minutes until the topping is golden brown.

On to the next recipe - I love love love a good martini so what better way to mix Halloween than with candy corn martinis? OMG, I'm sooo ready to make these, but seeing that it's not even close to noon in Cali, I think I better hold off.

Candy Corn Cordials

Ingredients

For the infused vodka:

1/2 cup candy corn
1 1/2 cups vodka

For the cordials:

2 ounces orange liqueur
Juice of 1/2 lemon
1 large egg white
Candy corn, for garnish

Directions

Infuse the vodka: Combine the candy corn and vodka in an airtight container; set aside for at least 3 hours, then strain.

Make the cordials: Add 4 ounces of the candy corn vodka, the orange liqueur, lemon juice and egg white to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously for at least 30 seconds. Strain into 2 chilled martini glasses and garnish with candy corn.

Doesn't that look AMAZING. Try them! I'm going to and I'll update you all with the outcome. The recipe is super simple so it doesn't take much brain power to whip these up after you put the Ziti in the oven to bake. :)

Lastly, on to the desserts! I looooove cupcakes and these are pretty simple to whip up.

Creepy Cupcakes

Ingredients

GHOST CUPCAKES
24 baked cupcakes
24 Nutter-Butter cookies
Chocolate frosting
Vanilla frosting
Tube of chocolate decorator's icing

SPIDER CUPCAKES
2 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
1/4 cup milk
1/2 cup chopped peanuts or crispy rice cereal
3/4 cup dry chow mein noodles
24 baked cupcakes
White frosting

Directions
1. Coat each baked cupcake with chocolate frosting and partially insert a Nutter-Butter cookie into the top. Frost the remaining cookie with vanilla frosting. Draw a spooky expression on each ghost with the decorator's icing. Makes 24.
2. Make spiders by combining the chocolate chips and milk in a glass bowl. Microwave on high for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring frequently, until smooth. Stir in the peanuts or cereal and chow mein noodles.
3. Drop by teaspoons onto waxed paper. Stick on extra noodles for spider legs and chill. Frost the cupcakes white. Then top each cupcake with a spider. Makes 24.

I hope you enjoy these recipes! I am so excited about celebrating Halloween this weekend and I hope that you all throw a fab soiree and tell me all about it.

I'll be back tomorrow! I've missed you all so!

Xoxo

I'm back :)

2009-10-26T11:16:00.001-07:00

Hi Lovelies!

I've been gone for the longest, I know. I'm so sorry, but life dealt my family and I a curve ball and I've been out of the loop for a while. We recently had a death in the family and I've been helping my family with making arrangements for my aunt's funeral. I'm going to try to blog more often and update you on wedding fab and party planning fun!

I wanted to write a quick blog to say Happy Belated Wedding Anniversary to one of my favorite couples, Damore and Rhondra. They were married on October 18, 2008 in a gorgeous, budget friendly garden wedding.

I'll be back with a jam packed Recipe Tuesday tomorrow.

Xoxo

Lake Arrowhead FAM Trip Re-cap

2009-10-07T19:41:00.001-07:00

*Waving*

Helloooooo Lovelies! How was your Wednesday? I hope that it was as fab as mine. I had the pleasure of taking my mommy dearest, aka the very first "assistant" Savvy has ever had along with me to the FAM Trip, a wedding planner retreat hosted by The Lake Arrowhead Resort & Spa in Lake Arrowhead, CA. A quick word to my brides and prospective brides. . .if you're a SoCal or NoCal gal and you want a destination location that doesn't require you breaking out your passport or paying to fly out of state. . .I urge you, really urge you to check out the Lake Arrowhead Resort & Spa. This place is breathtaking and the staff, OMG, the staff is insanely, ridiculously incredible!

The FAM Trip was a way to introduce the best of the best in the event planning arena to the amazing amenities that the resort has to offer. I'm totally sold on telling all of my brides about the location, and hope that you take some time out of your schedule to visit as well. While you're there, be sure to book a spa appointment, I thought I had died and gone to heaven after my massage! I won't lie to you, the drive up the mountain is completely scary (especially if you're like me and HATE heights!), but once you get to the top of the mountain and you valet your car you can BREATHE. Step through the doors every care that you had before will seriously melt away. The ambiance is amazing, the lake is calming, and the amenities of the hotel are so much more luxurious than most big name, big city hotels.

Anyhow, I wanted to share some of my very amateur photography with you all. I was able to snap a handful of pictures throughout the festivities and wanted to share them with you. Before the pictures, however, here is a rundown of the itinerary:

Tuesday
- Check in
- Tour of the facilities
- Cocktail hour
- Dinner (kudos to the chef, dinner was amazing!)
- Fireside chat

Wednesday
- Morning Breakfast Cruise
- Massage
- Bye bye

P.S. Hi to all of the fab wedding planners I met! You all were such great professionals and I look forward to keeping in touch!

Enjoy!

Our first stop after checking in - the bar!
If Savvy had a fan club, she'd be the President! My mommy!

The view - Lake Arrowhead

The centerpieces

Centerpiece

Table setting

My gorgeous mother dearest!

Back in the hotel after dinner - gotta change for the fire side chat!

Chocolate covered wine bottle, compliments of the hotel

Before we had to head out!

Again, a huge THANK YOU to the staff at the Lake Arrowhead Resort & Spa - I can't wait to do business with you!

Xoxo

Recipe Tuesday - Halloween Inpired

2009-10-06T09:55:00.000-07:00

Hi Lovelies!

How are you all? I hope that everyone had a terrific weekend. I'm happy to report that it is FINALLY starting to feel like fall, and oh my goodness, I LOVE fall! The boots, sweaters, coats. . .the crisp air. I went to college in D.C. and I totally miss truly experiencing the seasons. In Cali, we walk around in coats, gloves and boots when it's 75 degrees outside. I miss the true coolness of the fall.

I digress. One of my all time favorite times of year is quickly approaching. . .Halloween! I love it! I actually get to dress up and feel like a kid all over again, and God knows I'm still trying to relive my youth even though year by year I'm getting closer to 30. That's a good thing though, getting older. Anyhow, one of my dear girlfriends, Jennifer and her husband Rob have an annual halloween party at their home and I am so excited about this years. For the next few weeks my Recipe Tuesday is going to be dedicated to Halloween recipes. I can't wait to take pictures of the decor this year, this girl truly goes ALL out. I love friends who know how to throw a fabulous and classy themed party full of blood, gore and guts! Oh, bring it on Jennifer and Rob! :)

I have to be honest, this Recipe Tuesday, courtesy of The Food Network seems a bit challenging, but I'm going to try it and I urge you to also. Sometimes the things that seem the most challenging end up being relatively easy and most importantly FUN. So, don't get yourselves too worked up if the recipe gets a little challenging, have fun with it. :)

Enjoy!

Pecan Carmel Spiders

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups toasted pecans
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, in pieces
1/4 teaspoon salt
5 ounces thin black licorice strands, cut into 2-inch pieces
6 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
4 ounces milk chocolate, chopped
Chocolate curls or jimmies, optional

Directions

Line 2 baking sheets with waxed paper and lightly spray with nonstick spray. Mound 30 small clusters of pecans, about 3 or 4 pecans each, spaced a couple inches apart on the pan.

Make caramel: Warm the cream over low heat and keep warm while you cook the sugar.

Put the sugar and corn syrup and in a deep, heavy-bottomed large saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the sugar dissolves. Stop stirring, raise heat to medium-high, and simmer until the sugar reaches the hard crack stage, or 305 degrees F on a candy thermometer, about 7 minutes.

Whisk the butter and salt into the sugar mixture. Gradually pour in the cream and vanilla taking care since the mixture will bubble up. Reduce the heat to medium and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until the sugar reaches soft ball stage, 240 degrees F on the thermometer, about 5 minutes more. Immediately remove from the heat and cool for a minute.

Ladle a couple tablespoons of warm caramel over some of the nut clusters, to make the spider bodies. Then press 6 pieces of licorice into the warm caramel to make the legs. Repeat with the remaining caramel and licorice. (It's helpful to have an extra hand here, since the caramel can set quickly. If caramel hardens, warm over very low heat. ) Let spiders cool 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, put the chocolates in a medium heatproof bowl. Bring a saucepan filled with 1-inch or so of water to a very slow simmer; set the bowl over, but not touching, the water. Stir the chocolate occasionally until melted and smooth. (Alternatively, put the chocolate in a medium microwave-safe bowl. Melt at 50 percent power in the microwave until soft, about 1 minute. Stir, and continue heat until completely melted, 2 to 3 minutes more.)

Spoon about 1 tablespoon of melted chocolate on top of each spider. Sprinkle with jimmies or chocolate curls, if desired. Let cool until firm.

xoxo

We're Featured!

2009-10-01T08:12:00.000-07:00

Good Morning!

Sleep and I did NOT get along last night. I'm dragging this morning! I'm happy to say that I had a huge pick me up when I visited the I Do Originals blog and saw my fab couple as the October Featured Couple!

I'm so happy that Melissa & Hamid allowed us to design and coordinate their special day. Take a peek at the I Do Originals blog and order one of their amazing monograms, aisle runners, parasols or other great products! A huge thank you to Kristin, the owner of I Do Originals, the woman is AMAZING at her job.

xoxo

The Most Ridiculous Wedding Event Ever!

2009-09-30T23:53:00.000-07:00

Hi Lovelies!

I missed Recipe Tuesday and I'm soooo sorry. The Savvy girls are busy busy and quite honestly, there was just so much going on yesterday I failed to blog. I know, I'm horrible but I promise next weeks Recipe Tuesday will be worth the wait!

I wanted to blog about a fab event my cousin Deonne sent to my inbox today. On Sunday, October 11, 2009 Mindy Weiss of Mindy Weiss Events is hosting The Most Ridiculous Wedding Event Ever! At the Mark for Events in LA. I'm excited to attend the event and meet amazing brides and wedding professionals all while gaining more knowledge in my field! I love all things wedding and I'm so excited about this event. :)

Hope to see you there!

xoxo

The Knot Industry Event

2009-09-28T15:30:00.000-07:00

I mentioned in the last post that Nicole and I had the opportunity to attend The Knot industry event at The Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach last week. I was pleased as pie today when I checked my email and had tons of amazing pictures courtesy of Lloyd over at Fotorealism. The images are amazing and The Knot and their fabulous partners did a fabulous job!

Enjoy!

xoxo

Event fun

2009-09-28T08:37:00.000-07:00

Happy Monday! I had such an eventful week last week and an amazing weekend. :)

I want to share some images with you from a couple of events I attended last week. Last Tuesday I attended an event hosted by ANSA (Artists for a New South Africa) at the Wiltern Theater in Los Angeles, CA. Please check out and support all that ANSA is doing. ANSA was founded in 1989 by American artists and activists to support South Africa's quest to end apartheid and build a new democracy and to further social justice in the U.S. It was an exceptionally executed event, produced by Michael Teta Associates. The event, coined Jabulani brought out A-list celebrities and honored Ahmed Kathrada, Barbara Hogan and Alfre Woodard .

Moi and the amazing La Tanya Richardson-Jackson

Me, Samuel L. Jackson and James Pickens Jr.

Me & Neal McDonough

On to the next event. On Wednesday Nicole and I had he pleasure of attending The Knot industry event at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach. The event was all types of wonderful and boasted an amazzzzing roster of some of the most amazing wedding professionals in SoCal. At the end of the evening we had some fun with the ladies at Shutterbooth.
xoxo

Vendor Spotlight

2009-09-22T08:56:00.000-07:00

I think it's super important to aim the spotlight on some of the fabulous vendors Savvy has had the opportunity and pleasure to work with. This week we're featuring none other than the fabulous Tiffany Photography. Tiffany's style is chic and gorgeous. It's easy to see why her business is booming by looking at her photography.

I had the opportunity to interview Tiffany. So without further ado. . .

What sparked your love for photography? I fell in love with photography after taking a photojournalism class at the University of Miami. My photography professor was amazingly inspiring. After enrolling in that class I knew I was destined to become a professional photographer.

How would you say your photography has evolved over the years? I have always loved to photograph people. At first, my focus was on portraiture and I used extensive lighting set ups. It would take 4 to 5 hours to make a portrait. Over the years I realized that I prefer working with natural light and candid lifestyle photography became my focus.

What do you like about shooting engagement sessions and weddings? There is something so special and lovely about working on weddings. I love the challenge of knowing I only have one chance to catch the first kiss. It is extremely rewarding to know that the images I create will be handed down for generations.

What’s the best advice you can give a bride when it comes to selecting the right photographer? Pick a photographer who has a versatile vision that includes a mix of styles including photojournalism, traditional and artistic. While you might think you only want photojournalistic shots, you or someone in your family might be sorry if there are no traditional or artistic shots to look back on.

I always tell brides that Photography is one of the most important aspects of their wedding, would you agree or disagree and why? I agree, photography is extremely important. The flowers will last for days, the food will be gone in hours, the dress with be tucked away in the closet, while the wedding images will be proudly displayed for years to come. A good photographer will capture things about your wedding day that you might miss and will document every moment you won’t want to forget.

How can Savvy readers learn more about your photography? For more information about Tiffany Photography please visit www.tiffanyphotography.com . Mention Savvy Events when you call and receive a free 16 x 20 fine art print with any wedding photography package. 310.877.7054

Recipe Tuesday

2009-09-22T08:46:00.000-07:00

Good Morning Lovelies!

I hope that everyone has had a fab weekend and that your week is starting off well. This recipe Tuesday features my all time favorite, sexy and girl cocktail. . .the Cosmo. It's a classic cocktail that will never fail you. If you want to keep it simple when entertaining your closest girlfriends, this is the ideal cocktail to whip up.

Savvy suggestion: Invite your best girlfriends over, pop in season one of Sex and the City and sip cosmos all evening while laughing with Carrie, Charlotte, Miranda and Samantha! This is truly the recessionistas low-key, inexpensive and easy entertaining tip. :)

Enjoy!

The Ultimate Cosmopolitan

3 parts Citron Vodka
1 part Cointreau
1-2 parts cranberry juice
splash of fresh lime juice

Party Planning 101

2009-09-16T07:54:00.001-07:00

Good Morning!

I haven't had my coffee yet, so bare with me. :) It's sunny and beautiful outside of my office window today - just one of the perks of SoCal living.

A big fight (boxing match) is coming on this weekend (I'm not a sports aficionado so I can't even tell you who is fighting). I do, however know that people near and far will be hosting fight parties. I've had a couple of my own in the past and they're super fun. A good way to get the gang together for food and fun. I wanted to share with you some really essential and no-brainer party planning tips that Amy Wisniewski from Chow.com shared.

1. Stick to What You Know. Parties are not the time to experiment, because who needs the added stress of unpredictability? The best recipe is one you can make with your eyes closed. If the urge strikes you to branch out, give it a trial run beforehand.

2. Buy in Bulk. If you entertain often, choose a few go-to recipes (vary them slightly if you’re entertaining the same people). You can stock up on the basic ingredients at the beginning of the holiday season.

3. Prep Your Fridge. Before you come home with 80 bags of groceries, clean out your refrigerator and freezer. Toss old condiments and anything you can no longer identify. Fill your fridge safely as well as smartly: Place raw meats away from fruits and vegetables. And keep an eye on the temperature inside with a refrigerator thermometer—the more stuffed your fridge gets, the more difficult it is for the cold air to thoroughly circulate.

4. Prepare Serving Dishes. Don’t waste valuable time on the day of the event trying to remember where you’ve stashed the holiday platters, plates, stemware, serving spoons, and linens. Plan out what dishes you’ll use, and clean and polish them a few days in advance. For sit-down dinners, you can set the table ahead of time. For cocktails parties, lay serving dishes and napkins out for snacks the day before.

5. Plan on a Realistic Amount of Food and Drink. Don’t make enough food to feed the NFL (unless you’re feeding the NFL) or buy enough alcohol for a frat party (unless you’re throwing a frat party). A good guideline for a three-hour cocktail party is about three drinks per person, or about one bottle of wine for every two to three guests and one quart of liquor for every 10 to 12 guests. For pre-dinner hors d’oeuvres plan on three to five pieces per person, and for a three-hour cocktail party, about four to six pieces per person per hour.

6. Stock the Bar Essentials. Alcohol is expensive, and your guests won’t storm out the door if you haven’t picked up a 14-year Oban. The basics—wine, sparkling wine, distinctive beers, or a couple of types of spirits and a few mixers—are fine. Premix a house cocktail. Remember to always have water and nonalcoholic choices available, and don’t forget the ice.

7. Show a Little Flair. Whether your thing is cooking, origami, or playing a little jazz flute, show your style through personal details. Don’t go all Martha Stewart on your guests, but a few unique touches make your party memorable.

8. Vibe Out. No one wants to linger very long in a room that’s lit like an airport lounge. Choose lighting, music, seating, and a temperature that are conducive to eating, drinking, and socializing.

9. Put Your Guests to Work. But only if they ask, and just enough to make them feel useful. Keep the tasks simple: opening wine bottles, putting coats in the bedroom, or bringing out some hors d’oeuvres. You shouldn’t ask guests to take out garbage or put away dishes.

10. Clean as You Go. Don’t make guests feel like you’re tidying up because the party’s over. Instead, try to grab crumpled napkins, toothpicks, unaccounted-for glasses, and plates on your way to the kitchen. A little cleaning here and there will ease post-party cleanup, but don’t obsess over every dish in the sink.

xoxo

Give a little to Get a little

2009-09-15T20:57:00.000-07:00

Philanthropy has always been at the core of what Savvy Events, LLC stands for and believes in. A quote that I live by is "to whom much is given, much is required." I've been extremely fortunate to have an amazing family and a support system that are always a phone call or a plane ride away. Unfortunately, many people, children in particular do not have this support system. Often times children go to sleep hungry at night and wake in the morning with no loving parent to help them get ready for school. Many children, don't even have the opportunity to go to school.

I'm so happy that there are organizations like Trinity Children's Foundation of America, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides support services to abused, abandoned and neglected children in the foster care system.

Savvy Events, LLC is SO happy to be partnering with such an AMAZING organization. We are offering our prospective clients' - both wedding and corporate a discount on our services for making a small donation to Trinity Children's Foundation of America that works effortlessly towards ending the cycle of abuse, abandonment and neglect for the children of our community in California, Nevada, Arizona and Texas.

Take a look at the flyer (click on it to enlarge) and open your hearts and your wallets and donate to the children of Trinity, the innocent children who need your love and support.
The deadline to make donations is December 15, 2009.

xoxo

We're back + Recipe Tuesday

2009-09-15T10:50:00.000-07:00

Hi Lovebugs!!!

I've missed you, terribly. Really, I have. My life has been SO ridiculously busy this past week. We're working on the particulars of what could potentially be a very very exciting step for Savvy! As soon as things unfold I'll share the greatness with you all. :)

How are my brides doing? The craziness of wedding season has come to an end, but there are still weddings to be planned and vendors to be booked. I'm really amped about a couple of great vendor spotlights we are working on. There are so many amazing vendors that I want to make you all aware of. I can't keep all of the vendor goodness to myself.

If you want to stay updated on what's going on with Savvy and would like to be added to our e-newsletter list shoot an email to info@savvy-events.com and we'll add you to the list. You don't want to miss out on special promotions.

I missed recipe Tuesday last week and I'm so sorry. Despite being on a killer diet and fitness regimen I just have to share a recipe that I know you'll LOVE. Although this recipe is NOT conducive to my diet I want you to try it and revel it is absolute yumminess. The recipe is compliments of my dear friend Johnna over at Johnna Knows Good Food.

Blackberry Cobbler

1 3/4 cup flour
2 tbsp. sugar
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 cup shortening
1/2 cup cold milk
2 tbsp. butter
1 1/2 cup sugar
1/3 cup cornstarch
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
Dash of salt
4 cup blackberries

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Combine the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt; cut in shortening until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Gradually add in the milk, mixing with fork. Shape into an 8 inch square baking dish. Line baking dish with pastry. Add combined dry ingredients to berries; mix lightly. Spoon into shell; dot with butter. Roll out remaining dough to cover 8-inch baking dish. Place over filling. Seal and flute edges. Prick with fork. Bake for 45-50 minutes or until the crust is brown. Serve.

xoxo!

Recipe Tuesday and more!

2009-09-01T09:35:00.000-07:00

Good Morning lovelies!

I had the most amazing dinner last night at Cannery Newport Beach. I totally recommend this restaurant for birthday celebrations, cozy couple dinners or, my favorite rehearsal dinners in the private Prager Room. The staff was amazing, the view was breathtaking and the food. . .DELICIOUS! I had the Enchiladas De Mariscos and they were absolutely to die for. They have an impeccable wine list and if you venture to their upstairs bar and dining area during happy hour you can enjoy half price sushi and free clam chowder (which is also soo good). I definitely recommend taking a trip to Cannery, and tell them Savvy sent you. :)

Happy Birthday to Savvy's very own - Nicole!!

In honor of Nicole's birthday this recipe Tuesday is all types of yummy, simple and fun! I'll be sharing with you an ultra fabulous recipe for a chocolate cake shot. The first time I had this drink I was in total and complete amazement - it really does taste JUST like you're eating a scrumptious slice of chocolate heaven.

Invite your girlfriends over and host a ladies night, order a pizza and make these shots - trust me, your girlfriends will be very happy!

Ingredients:
1/2 shot Absolut® Citron vodka
1/2 shot Frangelico® hazelnut liqueur
1 lemon wedge

Directions:
Frost the rim of an old-fashioned glass with sugar and lemon. Add the citron vodka and Frangelico hazelnut liqueur; stir together. Lick the sugar rim, shoot the mixture, and bite a piece of lemon.

Enjoy!

xoxo

Let the planning begin!

2009-08-31T07:21:00.000-07:00

Every year around this time I start to contemplate what I'm going to do for my birthday. As a Christmas baby (my birthday is December 22) it can be difficult to coordinate with everyone's schedules. This year, however, I've realized that in years past I wanted to invite any and everyone to celebrate my birthday with me, but with age has come a new found realization that the true friends that I have are a lot less than I once thought. So, this year I decided I want to keep it quaint and celebrate with the people who are most important in my life. So, what does that mean. . .well, it means an escape to Palm Springs with the few friends I love most (minus my dear friends back east who find it difficult to travel around the holidays due to inclement whether - darn Detroit and DC for their bad winter weather).

At any rate, the planning has begun. The location - The Riviera Resort & Spa. I absolutely adore this resort. It's perfect for weddings and private events alike, and it's the ideal location for me and my favorites to relax, lounge, eat good food, enjoy the spa and most importantly, celebrate another year of life.

I've started to work out the details of a preliminary itinerary which includes:

Dinner in the private dining room of Circa 59 Restaurant (and yes, the decor will be fabulous - I'm still working on a color scheme, but I'll most likely do something that compliments the color palette of the dining area). Circa 59, like the Riviera as a whole is very grown and sexy, so I thought it was very fitting for the occasion.

After dinner we'll mosey on over to the Starlite Lounge for cocktails and girl talk.

We'll end the night in one of the fabulous suites at the hotel and wake up to (hopefully) gorgeous weather, as the winter months are the most beautiful and most comfortable in Palm Springs. Day two will be full of massages, yummy breakfast, and if the weather agrees, a martini next to this fabulous pool.

Take a peek at some of the fabulous images of the Resort. :)

Wedding Fun

2009-08-30T16:51:00.000-07:00

I just got home from a fabulous weekend in Laguna Beach! I had the pleasure of attending a very good family friend's wedding at the Aliso Creek Inn in Laguna Beach. David and his bride, Angelise were wed in a beautiful outdoor ceremony followed by a ridiculously fun reception. I'm pretty sure that I had one too many glasses of Cabernet, but hanging out with friends and family to celebrate David and Angelise made the headache this morning totally worth it.

A little background info on the couple - they met while studying abroad in Italy 6 years ago and have been together ever since. They are both currently in their last year of Law School at U Penn and travel extensively. The couple is currently on their way to Rome and Croatia for their honeymoon.

Congrats guys!

David's aunt, Angel created the simple, yet elegant 4 tier cake for the couple. It tasted as good as it looked. :)

The table names were based on places that David and Angelise have traveled - at 25 you'd be amazed at the places these two of been!

How fabulous are these bridesmaids dresses?? They flattered ALL of the girls, from the tiniest to the most voluptuous! Fabulous choice in dresses, Angelise! The girls got these gems at Nordstroms.
xoxo

Joy of Soy

2009-08-26T12:32:00.000-07:00

Contributed by Nicole. :)

Now, I don't know about you, but Soy products have been a life saver in many ways for me. When I'm craving something that's normally full of fat, grease, sugar and dairy products, there is always a Soy option for me to choose in place of those evil factors. Creativity is very important to me when it comes to eating healthy. So naturally I lose interest fast if I can't make it fun. But Soy is so versatile, you can work in to anything! Stir-fries, Soy burgers, smoothies, creamers, yogurt, taco fillers, Soy flour, Soy milk... you name it. We can bake with it, cook with it, and even use it cosmetically. It holds up well and can withstand all types of recipes. It's even being used all over the nation in Spa treatment's, therapies, candles and more. Even Eco-friendly Soy crayons! Try serving Soy nog at your next holiday party!

If you haven't figured it out by now, Soy is the ultimate transformer. Even more cool is that Soy beans also contain high amounts of protein, including all those essential amino acids unlike any other veggie. All you mommies out there, don't forget Soy beans are also rich in calcium, iron, zinc, phosphorus, magnesium, B-vitamins, omega 3 fatty acids and fiber! All the things your kidlets need to grow healthy and strong. It's a lot easier feeding your kids a Soy smoothie rather than a plate of carrots and broccoli. So switch it up every now and then. Adults like to make food fun just like kids do, so show them how it's done! Eating healthy is a very rewarding experience, and it doesn't have to be such a chore.

Try this party friendly soy recipe. It's sure to have your guests talking. . .and in a very good way. :)

Soy Flour Battered Shrimp With Soy Pasta And Lobster-ginger Sauce

Ingredients:
Three-quarters cup soy flour
One and one-half teaspoons salt
One-quarter teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 pounds fresh shrimp, peeled and de-veined
6 tablespoons olive oil, divided

Lobster-ginger sauce
Ingredients:
2 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped
1 clove shallot, peeled and chopped
1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme leaves
One-half cup white wine
2-teaspoons chopped fresh ginger
1-tablespoon soy sauce
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons heavy cream, divided
1-teaspoon cornstarch
2-teaspoons seafood base
One-quarter teaspoon ground white pepper
1-pound Soy 7 penne rigate
One and one half- pounds broccoli florets, blanched

Directions:
To prepare shrimp:
In a glass pie plate, combine soy flour, salt and pepper. Coat shrimp in soy flour-mixture and set aside under refrigeration.
Place a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 3 tablespoons oil in skillet. Place half of the shrimp in the skillet and sear for 2 minutes. Turn shrimp and sear other side for an additional 2 minutes. Remove to a paper towel lined baking sheet. Repeat with remaining oil and shrimp.

To prepare lobster-ginger sauce:
Place garlic, shallot, thyme, white wine and ginger in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook until all of the liquid has evaporated, about 4 minutes, take care not to burn the ingredients.
Add soy sauce and three-quarters cup cream to the skillet, stir to combine and continue cooking until mixture has reduced by one half.

In a small bowl, combine cornstarch, seafood base and white pepper. Add cornstarch mixture to skillet. Cook, stirring until thickened, about 1 minute. Stir in remaining cream and season with additional white pepper if desired. Set aside.

Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and return hot pasta to pot. Add reserved lobster sauce and broccoli florets and stir until coated and heated through. Serve immediately.

xoxo

Recipe Tuesday - Not your momma's meatloaf

2009-08-24T21:12:00.000-07:00

Hey Lovelies! I won't have access to the internet tomorrow - I have meetings all day and I'll be on the road so, you're getting Recipe Tuesday on Monday evening, more than likely, however, by the time you read this it'll be Tuesday. :)

One of my dear friends and fellow event coordinators, Brandi is coming over for girl talk and dinner at my place tomorrow (Tuesday) night. While trying to think of a tasty, healthy and fab meal to make for us the light bulb went off in my head - meatloaf! Okay, I know meatloaf may not seem like the healthiest of meals (especially if you make it as amazing as my mother does), but I've found the meatloaf saving grace. . .Meatloaf muffins. Yes! They're fabulous, yummy and SO simple to make.

Take a peek at this super easy recipe that I use to make mine.

Enjoy!

6 servings (serving size: 2 "muffins")

Ingredients

1 teaspoon olive oil
1 cup finely chopped onion
1/2 cup finely chopped carrot
1 teaspoon dried oregano
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup ketchup, divided
1 1/2 pounds ground turkey
1 cup finely crushed fat-free saltine crackers (about 20)
2 tablespoons prepared mustard
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 large eggs
Cooking spray

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350°.

Heat the olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add chopped onion, chopped carrot, dried oregano, and minced garlic; sauté 2 minutes. Cool.

Combine onion mixture, 1/2 cup ketchup, and the remaining ingredients except cooking spray in a large bowl.

Spoon the meat mixture into 12 muffin cups coated with cooking spray. Top each with 2 teaspoons ketchup. Bake at 350° for 25 minutes or until a thermometer registers 160°. Let stand for 5 minutes.

Savvy tip* Presentation is everything - serve your meatloaf muffins and sides to your guests on cutesy serving platters. I've found that serving platters make all the difference when showcasing a great meal. :)

xoxo

American Girl

2009-08-20T12:28:00.000-07:00

Oh how I adore fun parties for adorable little diva's in the making. Back in April I helped my dear friend and Savvy team member, Tari with her daughter, Trinity's 4th Birthday Soiree'. The event took place at The American Girl Cafe at The Grove Mall in Los Angeles. Kari of Kari Kochar Photography shot the event, with a full on photo shoot of the birthday girl in her gorgeous tutu, designed by the incredibly talented Linda Stokes of Tu Tu Cute.

Enjoy the pics!

xoxo

Engaging with Studio 28 :)

2009-08-20T08:21:00.000-07:00

Good Morning!

This week is speeding by, and I'm sad to say that we don't have enough contest entrants to officially launch Get Fit, Be Savvy. *sad face* Come on people, you know you want to look better in your wedding dress AND have the opportunity to win a free engagement session with Studio 28 Photography! Email me at info@savvy-events.com to enter the contest.

Allison over at Studio 28 Photography sent me some really cute and fun images from some of their engagement photo shoots. Take a looksy and I'm sure you'll love them as much as I do. :)

Enjoy!

xoxo

Bridesmaids dresses she will actually want to wear again??

2009-08-19T09:26:00.000-07:00

You hear it all the time from brides, "You will wear this again. . .Right?" And your gals undoubtedly smile and give you the reassuring head nod, of "Yessss!" Yet how many times are your closest friends really looking at their dress in sheer bridal horror?! - More often than they let on. Do trust me on this one, ladies. Having been a bridesmaid more times than I care to count, I am here to let you in on what your gals are actually thinking.

Every week I will take you through a different scenario, taken from one of my many experiences, think of the weekly scenarios as what “not to do!” Trust me, I’ve been there!

Next, I will help you find what you want to know regarding the current bridesmaid trends and styles, to different savvy and “in” ideas for your groomsmen and his entourage. I am here to help! Not only will I let you in on where to find these hip ideas, and since your best pals probably don’t all reside within a 50 mile radius from one another, I will make the information easily accessible to you and your crew. So, keep tuning in each week and let me do the leg work and digging for you. Just sit back, and get ready to have new and exciting ideas available to you at your fingertips!

Okay, here we go! Scenario of the Week, (taken from one of my numerous experiences): One of your lovely bridesmaids is expecting! This can be a tricky one. We understand that you are trying to make her feel as beautiful as possible, and we totally respect and get that. We understand that this is your day, but the rest of us want to look and feel great too. So, please, please don’t choose a dress that makes your entire crew look like we are expecting!

Instead, let me offer a solution:

Solution 1: You can choose a color of dress you would like your bridesmaids to wear, and let your gals pick the style that best flatters their figure? Everyone doesn’t have to wear the same dress, have some fun with it!

Solution 2: Another option is to pick a color, and have each of your bridesmaids pick a shade of that color.

Solution 3: If that is way too different for you or your fiancé, you could always go to the ever classy and timeless choice of black bridesmaid dresses. Nothing looks more sophisticated and timeless than black and white.

Julia (In Satin) - $240.00

Still unsure of what you to do regarding your gals’ dresses? I have found the perfect site for you… Vera Wang Weddings. Available online since April, the ever- so- classy and elegant designer has added bridal couture to her resume. She also has a collection of bridal accessories on her website. For the same price as a generic bridesmaid ensemble, your ladies can be walking your wedding aisle in style. A dress they will undoubtedly want to wear long after you and your honey say, “I do!”

Ashley (In Satin) - $230.00

Next week: Hot new looks and options for Groomsmen! Your fiancé’s only option is no longer just renting a tux. There are many men’s clothing stores offering great sales on suits for around the same cost as renting these days! I will tell you where to go, and what the hottest new trends are for your groom and his closest pals!

Contributed by the FAB Christina Hill of Savvy Events, LLC. :)

xoxo

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