Cosmo Online with Celebrity Wedding Planner Samantha Goldberg

You may know this FAB lady as one of the popular wedding planners on the famous show "Whose Wedding Is It Anyway?", on the Style Network. Lately, I've gotten to know her as a down to earth, savvy planner who also shoots straight from the hip and pulls no punches when she speaks. I like that about her because its one of the qualities I value in myself and in the people I call friend.

Samantha Goldberg has just been published online for the first time! She is BEYOND excited and I wanted to pass her excitement on to you! The article is well written and is full of wise advice about how to ROCK your small wedding.

This article is "on time" advice...from a celebrity wedding planner...in a magazine that has always been on the cutting edge of savvy trends and stylish advice for today's woman. You can read the article here!

Be sure to check out Samantha's blog too!

Happy Planning!

While Visiting Style Me Pretty...

...I fell in love with Saja!

Her wedding gowns and bridesmaid dresses are perfect for the hot climate here in Arizona. The wedding gowns are simple yet elegant and the bridesmaid dresses are light and airy; simple yet sexy...perfect for any festive occasion



The store is in New York, but they ship nationwide!

Saja Store NY
250 Elizabeth Street North
New York, New York 10012
212-226-7570

Abby shared this amazing designers' talent and her wonderful creations with her readers and I just had to pass them on to you.

If you didn't know, Style Me Pretty is one of the most popular, most inspiring wedding blogs I have ever "blog-stalked". Romantic, classic and enchanting are some of the words that come to mind when I think about SMP.

If you haven't already visited, please take a moment to stop by. Be prepared to spend hours on this site...You won't be able to stop clicking once you're there!

Enjoy and...

Happy Planning!

Katie and Torsten's Wedding Featured on SWS!

Photo by Kate Benson Photography

Last May I posted about my assistant Katie and her handsome hubby Torsten tying the knot in Salt Lake City. Her wedding was FABULOUS!

They were married at the Grand America Hotel in the beautiful courtyard; escorted across the street by a bagpiper to the Little America Hotel for a 7 course meal and then ended the evening with a wonderful video that captured images from their engagement shoot taken months earlier to the first dance! Take a peek here.

Well...the ladies over at Southern Wedding Style think that their wedding was fabulous too. They posted about Katie and Torsten as one of their real wedding features recently and I was able to relive the wedding all over again!

This wedding was truly an eye opener!!

Enjoy and...

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!

He Did It Again!

Preston Bailey is an amazing floral designer. He creates the most awe inspiring floral sculptures I have ever seen...EVER! And he isn't afraid to think outside of the box...in fact, he thrives on it!

Well...he's done it again!



Visit his blog for more! Amazing...simply amazing!

{Reminder: What's Your Wedding Style contest ends at midnight on May 16th. Pass the word and don't forget to vote for your favorite wedding style!}

I Met Mindy Last Night!

Ok...after three posts in as many days about this, some of you would say that I am star struck. I'm not usually a "star-struck" type of person. I see famous folk as "normal" folk...and that is usually what they prefer...SOME of them! :) But last night...





Mindy Weiss is one of those famous "normal" people that makes you feel as those you've known her forever. She's warm, funny, very knowledgeable about planning parties and well...just an all around awesome lady! I drove to Tempe last night to meet Mindy and it was if I was visiting my BFF! Before the presentation started she sat down among a few of us and said, "so how's it going? Do you have any questions before we get started?" Of course, I jumped right in!

I asked Mindy what was her favorite type of event to plan. She LOVES kids parties! I kind of figured that...the pictures on her website of the Bar and Bat Mitzvah's she's planned are fabulous! But of course she's really famous for her FABULOUS weddings. She's been featured in all the well known bridal magazines and has worked with tons of celebrities as they celebrate those sacred milestones of life.

I picked up a few copies of Mindy's new book, The Wedding Book. I couldn't help but stay up a little later than normal last night to start reading it. It has so many helpful hints that it truly is a guidebook on how to plan your wedding from A to Z. There are tips on what questions to ask all your vendors (including ones on how to pick the right wedding planner!), information on destination weddings, and there's even a section on how to determine what kind of bride you are! There's a test and everything!!

Mindy mentioned some of the up and coming trends for weddings:

1. Black and White is Back - Mindy says that she is seeing more brides choose these neutral tones and then bring in a color to make it POP!

2. The Bling is Gone! - Bridal gown styles are changing back to the simple, classic and sleek styles of years ago. Gone are the heavily beaded and embellished gowns we've seen lately.

3. Centerpieces Go Low - More brides are opting to go with low centerpieces on their guest tables now so that folks can see each other.

4. Personalization - Couples are really concentrating more on personalizing their wedding celebrations. Find something near and dear to you and your fiance and then incorporate it into your wedding. Mindy shared a story about a couple who met while riding bikes on Venice beach. Their motif or "dingbat", as she calls it, is used throughout their papery and other wedding details. Subtle or sensational, your guests will appreciate your attention to detail AND they'll leave your wedding with that "warm and fuzzy" feeling! For LOTS more information pick up a copy of Mindy's book.

Couples? Mindy's most important tip of the night was to remember that transforming two lives into one is not going to be easy. Remember that when things go wrong, you have each other and that's what is most important before, during and after the wedding is over. It's a magical time in your life and you should enjoy it.

Thanks for stopping by Phoenix, Mindy. It was such a treat to meet with you and we hope to see you again soon!

And thanks to The Changing Hands Book Store for hosting us for the evening. You guys throw a great party!

UPDATE: Mindy Weiss in Phoenix! Well...Tempe!

I just found out that celebrity wedding planner Mindy Weiss will be here tomorrow night to sign her new book! I posted earlier today about her new tome entitled, "The Wedding Book". Its a great resource for all things wedding.



Mindy will be signing her book tomorrow, Wednesday, April 23, 7:00 - 8:15 pm at:

Changing Hands Bookstore
6428 S. McClintock Drive
Tempe, AZ

Hope to see you there!

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}

Paperie: Soto Designs

Today I would like to introduce you to Aurora Soto-Wong of Soto Design Studios. Soto Design is a graphic design, web site design, and creative solutions studio. Their strengths are in creative graphic design, web site design, branding, and custom invitations.

Aurora contacted me shortly after I launched SMW in 2005 to introduce me to her exceptional design style. She sent me a sample of her work and I instantly fell in love with her attention to detail!

She's very creative, professional and looks everywhere for her inspiration, however her client's input is always a top priority.

I recently chatted with Aurora and she agreed to answer a few questions for us.

Here she is...Aurora Soto-Wong of Soto Design Studios!

~What makes your business unique when compared to others in this category?

Each artistic design incorporates hours of energy and thought. In addition, Soto Design wedding invitation designs are copyrighted, so you are guaranteed an authentic and exclusive creation. We are now offering a BEAUTIFUL new line called Simple Unique Invitations. Voted BEST of Greeting Cards, Invitations, and Postcards by Piaz 2006 and 2007 Print Excellence Award!

~Where do you draw inspiration for your creations, products, or services?

Everywhere.

~What has been your proudest moment as a business owner?

I am always proud when a bride is so happy that she comes back for another creation or recommends a friend to us.

~What product or service has been your best selling item? Why do you think that is?

I would say the most popular product these days is the pocketfold invitation. The reason: Brides today are very organized and have many inserts to make things easier on their guests, the pocketfold includes a pocket inside the actual invitation for the inserts, they are organized, can be seen easily and can not get lost. This option come in many colors and sizes too.



~How do you set yourself apart with regard to your customer service?

Customer Service is our number one priority -no project is finished until our client is thrilled! Our objective is to approach each project with a new perspective and to separate our clients from their competition. We offer a FREE, no obligation initial consultation to view samples & discuss design ideas.

~If you could offer one piece of advice to brides, what would that be?

Have fun, be creative and enjoy the process!

Thanks for stopping by today, Aurora!

For more "eye candy", visit the Soto Design Studios website.

Google Does All THAT?

Terrica blogged recently, about all the GREAT benefits and tools of Google. I was aware that there were great tools over there...Blogger and Analytics...but I didn't know there was ALL THAT!!

She did it so well that I'm just going to send you on over to her spot so she can tell you how to use the goodies over at Google, to help you with your wedding planning.

Go on! Go Google! :)

People I Admire: Liene at Blue Orchid Designs

{Photo of Liene taken by Karey Michelle Photography}

Liene (pronounced Lynn), is SUCH a smart girl! She is leaps and bounds above many of us wedding planners in the "business savvy" department...and she doesn't mind sharing the wealth!

Today she posted a very informative article on her VERY popular Blue Orchid Designs Blog about Kickbacks, Commissions and Dirty Wedding Secrets.

For the record? Sacred Moment Weddings does NOT accept kickbacks, commissions or any other payments from vendors that we recommend to our clients. We don't ask for them nor do we accept them when offered. We would much rather that our clients benefit from the best those vendors have to offer at the BEST price.

Please take a moment and educate yourself about this subject. I couldn't have said it any better!

Thanks Liene!!

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!

Terrica The Great!

I'm feeling better, children, but this bug isn't letting me off the hook easily! Thank you to everyone who has sent well wishes and chicken soup my way...it's really helped!

Since I've been sidelined, I've had a chance to get caught up on my internet surfing. Lookee what I found today:



One of my sheros, Terrica of Fabu-luxe Events has published a e-zine called {Fete} ish...an online magazine that will tickle your wedding and "all things pretty" fancy! Terrica is such a super savvy and smart girl! Check it out and let her know how much you "heart" her just like I do!

DIY Project - From Preston Bailey!

I was visiting Preston Bailey's blog today and discovered a neat DIY project for those of you who like the look of beeswax. I was pleasantly surprised since most of the creations from Preston are "over the top" and very expensive.






His design team came up with a very clever alternative to beeswax candles for a client getting married in March. In this industry, being clever and crafty is a MUST, no matter what the budget is. I love this look, don't you?

Thanks for sharing, Preston!!

{Photos courtesy of Preston Bailey}

Ok...now you need a laugh...

Go over and visit Saundra at planning forever...events. She will have you in stitches with her Top Ten Signs You Are a Wedding Addict.

I'm still laughing...