Spring and St. Patrick's Day

Wedding season is in full swing here in Arizona! The flowers are blooming, the trees are green and wedding inspiration has been flowing freely. Spring is a time for all things fresh and new!

Next Tuesday is St. Patricks Day! And to celebrate, I thought I would share some jewels of inspiration from one of my favorite blogs for all you Arizona readers and beyond!

Snippet and Ink posted this St. Patty's Day Board last year and I thought I'd share it with you again. They always post the most sensational inspiration boards! I visit them quite often and I recommend that you do the same! You never know what may tickle that fancy of yours!

Visit their site for all the details on this "Erin Go Bragh" board!!



Happy Planning!

Wedding Planning Advice from Sacred Moment Weddings

Wedding planning season is in high gear. The holidays are over...he's asked you to marry him and you've said yes...we've got a new President in charge of the nation (Woot!) and hopefully the planning "drama" hasn't started yet.

But just in case it has started...

We've shared some great advice and ideas in the last year and we wanted to dig through our archives and pull some of our more popular posts to help you out. We've got lots more in store for you in the coming weeks so be sure to come back and see us each week for more.

"Define and Design Your Wedding Style" Series
These posts are designed to take you through the wedding planning process, element by element. We've given you advice on the five things to do first, creating your budget, picking your wedding date and venue and this week we talked to you about your personal "wedding style". Not every bride is the same and this post will help you find a style that fits your personality and taste.

Be sure to read our blog every Monday for the next step in the planning process. Up next? Bridal Fashions!

"Inspired to Love" Quotes
"Inspired to Love" was originally posted every Monday. We changed it so that they post every Friday morning. Why? Well, we thought about it and decided to hit you with an inspiring love quote to motivate you for the weekend, which is when most of you tend to spend lots of quality time with your fiance. :)

Etiquette and Advice
This is some of the most important information you'll need while planning your wedding. What to do if you've hired the wrong wedding planner, preparing for the things that may go wrong on your wedding day and how to deal with those frantic moments throughout the wedding planning process. (Yes, stress free is a myth!) All these topics and more can be found here. In the coming weeks we'll also talk about invitation wording, seating arrangements and how to pick your wedding party.

Inspiration
Not sure which direction to go with your colors or wedding theme? These posts will definitely help to "inspire" you to create a wedding all your own.

"Savvy Tip of the Week" Series
Each week we share a tip or fab find we've come across while surfing the net or reading our favorite magazines. Wedding toasts, saving on flower and bar costs and being the perfect wedding guest are some of the areas we've shared about. Be sure to come back for more savvy tips and tricks!

Happy Planning!

Color Collage: Pink

{Photos courtesty of Martha Stewart Weddings, InStyle Weddings and The Knot}

My Personal Theme for 2009

My personal and professional theme for 2009 is "Discover Your Brilliance". It's on my wall in my office, on my desktop...everywhere I roam. I am reading a wonderful book by Simon T. Bailey called "Release Your Brilliance" and one of the first steps in doing so is Self Evaluation.

I've done this before...when I divorced from my first husband. I went through a transformation that I will never forget. It was a physically and emotionally wrenching period in my life...in Phoenix...alone, no family, and no friends. I worked constantly and cried daily. After I reconnected with my source, I was renewed, felt confident and was at my best.

Today, although I know where my source is, I've lost that wonderful feeling despite the fact that I am in a VERY happy marriage, very successful in my career and feeling at peace with God. My story is not new but it is one that is a re-source for me!

In 2009 I will draw on that story and use it as a roadmap for this new journey.

I'm taking stock, throwing out the old...dusting off the not so old and making improvements. And finally, I am finding some new and exciting things to enhance my life and my business.

I can't WAIT!

Love,
Wendy

Fall Wedding Palettes

I found these great inspiration boards while doing some research for my fall brides. Aren't they gorgeous? Fall is one of my favorite times of year...memories of homecoming at UConn; long drives up the parkway to see the lovely trees turning colors and bundling up at the Friday night high school football games! So fun!

Be sure to visit the contributing blogs for more inspiration and great ideas...I do!


{Inspiration Board from Style Me Pretty}


{Inspiration Board from Style Me Pretty}


{Inspiration Board from snippet & ink}


{Inspiration Board from snippet & ink}

Yummmmmyy!! I can taste the candied apples now!

Happy Planning!

Amazing Color Palette

I've had this inspiration board tagged for a few weeks now and I can't stop going back to it. It was created by the fabulous Sasha Souza and posted at Sparkliatti. (WE LOVE YOU, SASHA!!)

We think these colors would be fun for spring and summer. They are daring, splashy and have that wonderful jewel tone look throughout. Simply sensational, as always!!

If you haven't discovered the poster child for couture wedding design, then you've been deprived. Get on over there and be ready for some unmatched talent and serious bling!

Happy Planning!

Happy Mother's Day!

I found this picture on Michelle Rago's blog awhile ago, and it reminds me of all the flowers my mom used to get on Mother's Day from my dad. Always pink and always fluffy looking.

I've been thinking about my Mother lately (she went to live with Jesus in 1989), and how she taught us to honor the "mother's" in our lives. She taught us that we should honor her, but to also honor all mother's that touch our lives every day. Grandmothers, aunts, sisters, Mrs. Henderson down the block...especially since Mrs. Henderson would treat us just like her own children and tell us when we were good AND when we were doing wrong!

Whenever a mother sees a child, it's impossible not to lock in on the needs of that child. It's such a strong feeling!! Maternal instinct is part of our natural makeup and God has bless us with a wonderful gift. Mother's are natural multi-taskers!!! :)

So honor all the mother's in your life this weekend...because what they do for you comes easy to them...

It's natural!

Thanks Mommy!! I Love You!

Feast For Your Eyes

Congratulations to all the brides and grooms getting married this weekend!

Enjoy this wonderful collection of images I found at the Style Me Pretty blog a few weeks ago. I kept going back to it again and again and wanted to share it with you.

The majestic floral work is from a designer in San Francisco by the name of Karen Axel. Her company is called Tapestry Flowers. Chic, unique and OH so SUMMERY!!

Enjoy!



{Image courtesty of Tapestry Flowers via Style Me Pretty}

Let Them Eat Cake!

Here's my weekly post to please your eyes and tickle your inspiration fancy for the weekend.

The current Martha Stewart Weddings magazine is what's on my nightstand right now.
I just had to share these gorgeous cakes with you.

Enjoy!













Which one is your favorite? Leave me a comment to let me know and have a wonderful weekend!

{Images from Martha Stewart Weddings website}

Nicole and Chris' Inspiration Board #2

Here is my second attempt at finding the right inspiration for Nicole and Chris' Oct 2008 wedding. This one is for the bridesmaids and maid of honor.

What accent color would you use to change the tone of this palette?

Nicole and Chris' Inspiration Board #1

I met with an awesome bride and her mom a few weeks ago. The wedding will take place in October in an enclosed garden type setting. The colors are burgundy and silver.

I'm super excited about working with this bride! Nicole is super sweet and so laid back. I'm preparing several inspiration boards for her and want some feedback from all of you on which one you like.

Here's the first one. I did it over at Polyvore.com, a new online tool that lets you pick and choose from thousands of pictures to create your own inspiration board. Check back later for more boards for Nicole and Chris!




What do you think of the colors? Would you add any other accent colors to it? Please leave me some comments and tell me what you think!

Thanks!

P.S. - Here's another one I found on Polyvore.com that piqued my interest too. It was published by a user named "Muhsine".

Preston Bailey

I love this man's work. He is such a creative genius! But he is also a very down to earth kind of person who will share his experiences of failure and triumph with you...to encourage you and propel you forward. I've had the honor of meeting him twice in the last year and a half.

Just look at what he's been up to lately...

Photos from {Prestonbailey.blogspot.com}

Just Plain Ole Eye Candy...

Yummy...Have a GREAT weekend!

Reminder: Don't forget about our April Giveaway, which ends on Sunday, April 13th at midnight!

Inspiration Comes From Anywhere and Everywhere!

I've been working on a few inspiration boards for a few of my clients and wanted to share in the creation of one of them with you.

Jessica is getting married in October of 2009. She is originally from the east coast and her fiance is from California. They've asked me to infuse the flavor of both coasts into their wedding along with their love of the outdoors. Jessica has given me the following photograph as my starting point for their wedding:



I see pink, gold, yellow and touches of light brown...

What do you see?

Spring Weddings: Part I

I've been a bit busy lately...it's wedding season here in Arizona! Spring has been here for a few weeks now and wedding inspiration has been flowing freely. Spring is a time for all things fresh and new!

Tomorrow is St. Patricks Day! And to celebrate, I thought I would share some jewels of inspiration from one of my favorite blogs for all you Arizona readers and beyond!

Snippet and Ink posted this St. Patty's Day Board recently. They always post the most sensational inspiration boards! I visit them quite often and I recommend that you do the same! You never know what may tickle that fancy of yours!

Visit their site for all the details on this "Erin Go Bragh" board!!

Introducing Michelle Rago

As a planner, I'm am always looking for new ways to give my clients the best I have to offer. I learn who they are and what is important to them, and then I tailor my coordinating, consulting and planning around them. This way, they can exercise whatever creative cravings they have for their wedding without me getting in the way! Let's face it...some couples really want to "get their hands dirty" when it comes to their wedding. Others? They just want me to show them 2-3 ideas and then pick one.

With that said, I MUST introduce to some and present to others...an awesome lady by the name of Michelle Rago.



Michelle is an exceptionally talented event designer who has just launched her own blog. Michelle has been an inspiration to many for some time now and in 2004 she was "crowned as the "Wedding Design Dynamo" in 2004. A member of the 25 most important trendsetters in the nation.

I purchased her book, Signature Weddings - Creating A Day Uniquely Your Own - and I can't put it down. It has inspired me to approach my wedding planning and design in a whole new way.



In the book, she describes her process and how she creates the wonderful weddings she is so famous for. She starts with simple things...that seem to have no apparent relationship...and ends up with wedding experiences that please the eye as well as the soul!

If you're looking for inspiration from an expert, you must visit her site and her blog...you will NOT want to miss the magic!

More Wedding Trends for 2008

I just read an article over at the Bridal Guide. It lists many of the best wedding trends for 2008. Some of the top wedding professionals in the industry contributed, including many of my favorites...Jung Lee from Fete, Floral Designer Ariella Chezar and Tara Guérard, of Soiree in Charlston, South Carolina.

Take notes! This one is a must read!

Sonja and Ely - March 14, 2008

I have been working with this couple for more than a year now and we are in the home stretch. We're finalizing details and are very excited about the BIG DAY!

I shared their inspiration board with you awhile back and I'm happy to say we are EXCITED about how all the details will come together. I'll be sure to post pics from the wedding later in the year.



These shots were taken by their photographer, Justine from Justine Miller Photography. Justine has a wonderful eye and I look forward to working more with her in the future.

Check back soon for more shots from this shoot!

Mint Green and Coral

Our first wedding of 2008 is one we've been working on for almost a year! We're helping Sonja and Ely wrap things up in the next few weeks and I wanted to share with you the inspiration board we created for them.



Her flowergirl dress just came in...isn't it cute? Just like the big girls!

Picking Your Color Palette

I found the NEATEST website today! Ever see a picture that has the perfect combination of colors for an art or decorating project you are working on? Well, if you have a digital copy of that picture stored on your computer or if you know the URL, visit this website...

Big Huge Labs

You upload or point to the URL of the picture...click the "CREATE" button and VOILA! You'll have an almost perfectly matched color palette to use while out shopping!

Here's a photo that has inspired me for a wedding I'm designing:



And Here is the palette it created:



Neat!