Wacky Wedding Planner

Twitter & Fete Perfection

At least a dozen times a day I log into my Twitter accounts to catch up with everyone I follow or to update my followers - the thought occurred to me that Twitter is a little voyeuristic and secretive, at least from my perspective.  So to bring this aspect of my social media into the open, I thought I'd share my twitter names - check me out on IDoVowTo and FetePerfection. A word of warning, if you are a scammer, a spammer or porn star you'll be reported and blocked.  Don't even go there -

Hopefully you will find out some interesting or helpful information about me and want to follow my antics as I globe trot into 2010.

Signing a Wedding Card Landed Me in Court...

...is the headline of an article found in a London publication called Metro.  An office worker was arrested for burglary when her fingerprint was found on a wedding card she signed for a co-worker.  When the co-workers home was broken into, police investigating the break-in wrongly concluded the co-worker was responsible and arrested her at work.

Read here for the rest of the story. 

Thankfully, everyone in my office is married, but I wonder what I'll do when they start having babies?

Weddings and Clowns?

This article appeared in the Los Angeles Times today "Her Wedding Plans Include a Clown, His Don't" even though they're both 30, I'm thinking they're not ready for marriage.  What do you think?

Not Wedding Related

Download Rollercoaster 1Well maybe this could be...my brother in Ohio sent me photos of the newest and probably most frightening roller coaster making it's debut there this summer.  Initially I thought this isn't wedding related, however knowing people as I do, I expect some thrill-seekers will want to tie the knot on board.  I can only imagine what kind of fees a planner would have to charge to accommodate this request.  Can you imagine a million dollars?  I don't think I could at any price...Download Rollercoaster 2 Download Rollercoaster 3

Download Rollercoaster 4 Download Rollercoaster 5 Download Rollercoaster 6

Eventology 2009

Education and networking are very high on my priority list for things to do this year.  I just tackled both with one quick trip to Indianapolis to attend Eventology 2009 an intimate, collaborative and intensive business conference designed especially for wedding planners.  This conference was organized by K Sherrie + Company and was a perfect balance of education and networking as I had hoped.

Three exceptional speakers shared their knowledge and expertise, quips and tips to the audience of 80 plus planners from around the country.  Liene Stevens, founder and owner of Blue Orchid Designs and The Smart Planner spoke about Marketing Your Wedding Business in Today's Market and as usual Liene didn't disappoint. I'm a huge fan of Liene's and thought my diligent devotion to reading her blogs has kept me sharp and informed, but I learned I have a lot more to learn and learning from Liene is just the way to do it.

Saundra Hadley of planning...forever events offered an amusing and animated session on How to Close the Deal; Sales Methods for the Wedding Industry.  Saundra is one of those people you like the first time you meet.  Her presentation was clear and concise yet had everyone roaring or as my friend, Kelly McWilliams of Weddings by Socialites says, ROFLMAO.

Our last speaker of the day Terrica Skaggs of Fabuluxe discussed How to Turn Brides into Fans: Nurturing Your Relationships with Clients. Terrica provided invaluable perspective on what brides want in this very competitive market without losing yourself, your family and keeping boundries between them.  More importantly she offered suggestions on exceeding brides expectations without working 24/7.

Since this was the first ever Eventology, Katasha and her team at K Sherrie + Company have a huge problem on their hands...how to raise the bar next time.  Congratulations Katasha and everyone involved in making Eventology a "must attend event" for planners who are serious about taking their business to the next level.

Botched Wedding Proposal

Hot off the press or actually NBC news service, a New York man meticulously planned his proposal to his long time girlfriend but what makes this story interesting is his proposal took place on the pedestrian walkway of the Brooklyn Bridge. What happened next is quite unbelievable and fortunately has a happy ending...spoiler alert!

It's Official...

I just registered for Engage!09::Something Blue - the high-impact luxury summit held this year on Grand Cayman and I'm beyond excited.  I would have signed up two nanoseconds after registration opened February 1, however I have a complicated travel schedule just before Engage.  Since I'll be in Puerto Rico the day before Engage begins I thought I'd just hop on over but nooooo....that's too easy.  Instead I'll fly back to Minneapolis arriving at midnight and five hours later head to Grand Cayman.  Wonder if I have time for laundry?

I'm particularly excited about this year's event for 24 reasons:  the speakers they've engaged are phenomenal.  Darcy Miller of Martha Stewart Weddings, Preston Bailey of Preston Bailey Designs, Lara Casey of Southern Weddings, Sylvia Weinstock of Sylvia Weinstock Cakes and Randy Fenoli of Kleinfeld Bridal to name a few.  The speakers, agenda and details are outlined on the Engage!09 website so check it out.  Registration remains open so there is still time to register for the most important business decision you will make this year.

If you are a professional in the wedding industry and want to take your business into the luxury market, this is the opportunity to do it.  The networking alone is a who's who of high-profile industry leaders and I wouldn't miss it.  I learned so much from Engage!08::The Encore, last fall I knew there had to be a sequel.  

I hope to see others from Minnesota join me - it's well worth the investment.

 

It was Only a Matter of Time

I knew  that one day I'd see something like this.  A funeral home in Colorado has opened their doors to weddings. Here's the article in the Denver Post - Funeral home ties knot with weddings

Enough said.

Feldmann Nissan Dream Wedding Giveaway

I am excited to be part of an unusual wedding giveaway.  Feldmann Nissan of Bloomington is sponsoring a wedding giveaway in which one lucky couple will receive a dream wedding package of over $60,000 in goods and services but the most exciting part of this wedding is the opportunity to marry inside the Feldmann Nissan Dealership in Bloomington.

Fete Perfection has been chosen to design and coordinate this unique wedding in an unusual location.  I love challenges and I love having the opportunity to work with a newly engaged couple who sees the potential and excitement surrounding this opportunity.

For a complete list of sponsors, rules and details as well as a chance to be chosen the lucky winner of a Feldmann Nissan Dream Wedding check out this link.  Oh and did I mention the lucky couple also wins a 2009 Nissan Rouge valued at over $25,000.  How sweet is that?  Register now for your opportunity to win.  Voting officially begins March 4, 2009.  The winner will be announced April 8, 2009.  Thanks also goes to the Perfect Wedding Guide for orchestrating this giveaway.

Best of 2009

I keep receiving emails pushes from wedding professionals asking me to vote for them in Minnesota Brides Best of 2009.  I'm even receiving requests from those whose services I've never used. 

If this distinction is to really mean something, I feel votes should be submitted by those with personal experience and not just end up being a campaign for votes.  Last year Fete Perfection coordinated and planned 26 weddings which means we worked with a minimum of 6 vendors for each event.  So for all you couples whose weddings we planned and coordinated, all the parents, family members and friends who feel we did an outstanding job, I ask you to kindly consider voting for Fete Perfection in one or two categories...Best Overall Vendor and Best Wedding Planner.  In order for the votes to count, a minimum of 6 other categories should receive a vote.

For all you amazing vendors who helped our 26 couples realize their dream wedding and who made our job easier, please consider a vote for Fete Perfection.  We have done our best to vote for our favorites as well.

Hurry - all votes must be received before March 1, 2009.  Thank you for your continued support and good luck for 2009.

Love is a Cure

As a member of Twin City Bridal Association I am happy to give a shout out for the Love is a Cure Breast Cancer Benefit giving women living with breast cancer hope.  Partnering with Open Arms of Minnesota, 100% of the proceeds goes towards providing home meal deliveries to those living with breast cancer.

Last year Love is a Cure Cancer Benefit raised over $30,000 which provided meals to thousands of women and their families.

This will be my first year offering a silent auction donation - Day of Wedding Coordination by Fete Perfection, services valued at $2,000. 

This event is Sunday, February 22, 2009 at the Minneapolis Convention Center in the Grand Ballroom.  The event starts at Noon and tickets are $25 - you will have a chance to bid on vacations by NWA World Vacations valued at over $4,000 - a chance to stay in the WOW suite at the W Minneapolis valued at over $4,500 - great photography packages by several wedding photographers - Photo Booth offerings - Hotel Packages and numerous other wedding discounts and offerings.

Please stop by to enjoy a Champagne Brunch, Fashion Show and of course the Silent Auction.  This is one of the largest collaborations of Twin City Wedding Professionals giving thanks and giving back to community.

Spotlight on The Smart Planner

Announcing: engage!09 :: something blue

Engaging Concepts is thrilled to announce the incredible details for engage!09::something blue!! This three day luxury wedding business summit will be held June 21-24, 2009 at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman so save the dates!!!! 

Tonight is the fundraiser for Ashley, the young woman who lost her eye in a fluke accident.  Please stop by for cocktails and comradiere, fabulous food and most of all to support an optimistic young lady whose spirit and heart continue to shine.

For those who do not know, I am one of the partners of a  way cool design studio called Living Room Studios shared by Andrew Vick of Vick Photography, John Hoel of JHP International and Rick Gmitro of DJ Flow.  We share this fun and funky studio space in St. Louis Park where we meet new clients and vendors, work on our day to day schedules and occasionally P-artay!

While we share studio space we are separate businesses under one roof.

I like to explain we are a collaborative cooperative group of expert wedding professionals who will refer client's to each other but only if it's in the best interest of our clients.  We are not obligated nor would we feel it's good business to use each other exclusively. I'm posting some of the photos from our opening night last April.

Announcing...drum roll please...

Announcing: engage!09 :: something blue

Engaging Concepts is thrilled to announce the incredible details for engage!09::something blue!! This three day luxury wedding business summit will be held June 21-24, 2009 at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman so save the dates!!!! 

Tonight's the Night - Ashley's Vision

Tonight is the fundraiser for Ashley, the young woman who lost her eye in a fluke accident.  Please stop by for cocktails and comradiere, fabulous food and most of all to support an optimistic young lady whose spirit and heart continue to shine.

Living Room Studios

For those who do not know, I am one of the partners of a  way cool design studio called Living Room Studios shared by Andrew Vick of Vick Photography, John Hoel of JHP International and Rick Gmitro of DJ Flow.  We share this fun and funky studio space in St. Louis Park where we meet new clients and vendors, work on our day to day schedules and occasionally P-artay!

While we share studio space we are separate businesses under one roof.

I like to explain we are a collaborative cooperative group of expert wedding professionals who will refer client's to each other but only if it's in the best interest of our clients.  We are not obligated nor would we feel it's good business to use each other exclusively. I'm posting some of the photos from our opening night last April.