OK, what a way to spend a Sunday “day off” - get up early, drive to an 8 hour meeting, and “work” all day on a “day off”!

Well, let me tell you, it was SO worth it!

At the ABC AZ State Meeting, one of my many responsibilities  was to plan education and networking for the  8/2/09  at Millennium Resort Scottsdale McCormick Ranch.  Can’t thank Krista Bossie, Jennifer and Raul from the Millennium enough!  www.MillenniumHotels.com/MillenniumScottsdale/

We were lakeside, and the food and networking was fabulous!

The mother duck and ducklings that walked by the windows on their way to “cool off” in the lake were adorable!  Did not have to “cue” them, they made a guest appearance right on time!

One of the meetings (out of the 11 I plan annually for the AZ wedding planners and AZ Wedding Professionals) where as the ABC AZ State Coordinator I MAKE people network.  Did assigned seating at the table (yes, had people e-mailing me asking if they could sit next to “X” at “Y” table)!  Did this by splitting up beginning wedding planners (novices) with advanced wedding planners and wedding vendors - so they HAVE to network.  Separate the BFF, and here we go for an action packed day!

Started out the morning at 8:30 am with vendor tables, and had individual  sign in sheets where each attendees had to “engage” with the vendor at the respective table, they did not get “credit” for being there, or just “grabbing a card”!

Had a “Best Vendor Table”, and CONGRATS to Leanna McDonald from www.PhotosByLeanna.com - she had a “something old, something new” look with comments from some of the voting wedding planners as:

1).  Leanna had a variety of things to look at - spotlights, different levels of photos, she talked to me for a while, and had great packages!

2).  Leanna was fun, lots of albums, textures, 3 dimensional!

3).  Leanna had great props and colored feathers (OK boas)!

4).  Leanna had “unique and out-of-the-box” photography!

5).  Leanna had fun display vs. just framed photos or a slideshow!

6).  Leanna’s table stood out - loved the colors & favors - and she was very personable!

7).  Leanna had boudoir - done in a classy way, and had new packages which were “simple” to understand!

8).  Leanna’s booth drew your attention to it!

9).  Loved Leanna’s setup!

10).  Leanna’s table was eye catching, a lot to look at, and she had fun props!

11).  Leanna artistically demonstrated her work!

Yes, and we had incredible speakers too, check back…that is the next blog!

Happy New Year!!!

Have you made your New Year’s resolution yet? 

 Maybe you “don’t do resolutions”…

Whatever your choice, have an incredible 2010!!!

  * Reduce stress - too much can take its toll both mentally and physically - do something for you!

* Golden rule - treat others the way that you would like to be treated - karma, my friend!

* Exercise/lose weight/eat healthier - over 66% of Americans are considered overweight or obese.  Regular exercise is associated with more health benefits than anything else!  Change your diet since you are what you eat

* Get organized - clean off your desk, recycle, purge, and declutter your life!

* Enjoy life more - (you fill in your own blanks - what is it that will make YOU happier?)

* Help others - volunteer to help at your church/temple, local schools, and/or a charity, shelter, or an organization you believe in - it is in giving that we truly receive!

* Simplify - simple living is a lifestyle characterized by minimizing - recycle, ask “do you really need that”…

* Learn something new or make a commitment to do that “one thing” you always wanted to - have you vowed to learn a new language or expand your education to take it “up a level or two”?

* Get out of debt - join the millions of Americans who have resolved to spend this (more…)

With toasts and speeches, the more you have,  the more time you and your guests are “waiting” for something to happen.

Traditionally 3 minutes maximum is great for toasts and speeches, otherwise things may be “too wordy”, and get boring fast.

Will never forget one wedding in April, which was the 3rd wedding I had planned for the three siblings within 5.5 years.  The bride had been in the wedding parties at the previous weddings, but had not been involved in the “wedding day scheduling”.  Never wanting a bride to “settle” on her wedding day, with the bride saying it was a “MUST” for an open microphone.  We had the VIPs go first (five of them), then opened up the microphone with a “sign” between us (knowing she would realize “enough was enough”).  35 minutes later, the bride gave me the “sign” to signal the last toast, and let’s get on to the dinner!  (For safety, had already talked to the head captain at the BEO meeting to make sure the chef was informed to hold the meal - no cold food)!

The rehearsal dinner is a perfect place for an “open microphone”.  Most of your closest family and friends will be there, and it is a fun and loving atmosphere.  Don’t forget to have your wedding photographer and wedding videographer capture your wedding rehearsal dinner toasts and festivities!

“Open microphones” for your wedding day are NOT recommended.  Speeches and toasts  in sequential order, with time limits, work well to keep the flow of your day moving forward (and your food warm too)!

Cutting everyone to 3 minutes maximum will make it easy to have 5 people (taking 15 minutes).  If you allowed those 5 people to have 5 minutes each, you just took 25 minutes away from your evening.  Your choice, but spend and allocate your time wisely.

FOB (also known as the Father of the Bride)

Good idea to have the FOB welcome guests first (after the first dance).  The FOB may go behind where the bride and groom are seated (a great photo opportunity), and may want to take the MOB (Mother of the Bride) with him.  The FOB does not need a glass with champagne, since he will only be welcoming, (not toasting - since this is traditionally the best man’s job).

1).  Thanks the guests for coming from near and far.  May want to mention various states, or countries of key interests to both sides of the family.

2).  Thanks the MOB (mother of the bride) for everything she did for making their family be as incredible as it is.

3).  Reflects on positive aspects of  his relationship with his daughter, watching her grow up, and how incredibly proud he was to walk her down the aisle, or of  when she did “x”, or when he knew the groom was “the one”, etc.

4).  Welcomes the groom into their family, and looking forward to them having many happy years together, excited to see grandchildren, family excursions, etc.

5).  Proposes a welcome to the bride and groom wishing them a future of happiness.

Marriage by Kahlil Gibran

Love one another, but make not a bond of love:  Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls.  Fill each other’s cup but drink not from one cup.  Give one another of your bread but eat not from the same loaf.  Sing and dance together and be joyous, but let each one of you be alone.  Even as the strings of a lute are alone though they quiver with the same music.  Give your hearts, but not into each other’s keeping.  For only the hand of life can contain your hearts.   And stand together yet not too near togther:  For the pillars of the temple stand apart, and the Oak tree and the Cypress grow not in each other’s shadow.

This is one of my favorite readings, which every couple should read and try their best to respect each other, and follow the “golden rule”…treating other people the way they would like to be treated!

Read this with compassion, and make a difference in the life of someone you love today!  Life is too short!

Apache Marriage Blessing - anon

Now you will feel no rain, for each of you will be the shelter for each other.  Now you will feel no cold, for each of you will be the warmth for the other.  Now you are two persons, but there is only one life before.  Go now to your dwelling place to enter into the days of your life together.  And may your days be good and long upon the earth.

(the wording above is normally the “shortened” version, the full verse is continued below)

Treat yourselves and each other with respect, and remind yourselves often of what brought you together.  Give the highest priority to the tenderness, gentleness, and kindness that your connection deserves.  When frustration, difficulty, and fear assail your relationship - as they threaten all relationships at one time or another - remember to focus on what is right between you, not only the part which seems wrong.  In this way, you will ride out the storms when clouds hide the face of the sun in your lives - remembering that even if you lose sight of it for a moment, the sun is still there.  And if each of you takes responsibility for the quality of your life together, it will be marked by abundance and delight.

Saddened today, as the entire world witnesses flags at half mast, and we say goodbye to Senator Edward Kennedy, and a family who has been through so many tragedies, and has profoundly shaped what we know as American politics over the past half-century.

The first memory I have of my mom crying (1 of 2 times in my life) was when she was watching a documentary about President John Kennedy’s death.  I wasn’t alive when he was shot.  It has always been amazing to me how anyone would want to kill a President, and especially President Kennedy.

Everything replayed in my mind this morning when I read the front page of the newspaper, as if I were a little girl watching my mom cry watching the documentary… the motorcade, the gun shot, President Kennedy leaning over, Jackie by his side, the hospital, the death, the funeral, the reports, potential coverup, etc…to this day it is one of the most traumatic parts of history I remember effecting me, next to 9/11/01.

I remember watching Camelot with awe and trying to figure out how the Kennedy’s and Camelot were linked.  Being older and wiser, I now understand.  I always wanted to be “rescued” by a Sir Lancelot…and feel like I have that and more with my husband Steve of 19+ years of marriage.

For my 6 year old daughter, Alexa, I wish her everything in the world that I had, yet a million times better.  It is that unconditional love you “inherit” when you become a mother, just talked to my BFF, Mirinda about that this past Monday!

My mom died 16 years ago, and am so sad since Alexa never got to meet my mom, since she is 6 years old.  One month before my mom died, my mom asked me “where is that baby girl, where is that grandbaby”.  I acknowledged her comment, but dismissed the thought, since  the doctors said I would never be able to have children because of a medical condition.

Imagine how I felt when the doctors confirmed my pregnancy 9 years later, confirmed it was a girl, and  told me my daughter would “not be healthy”… then to have a healthy baby girl…with God’s grace, we have beat the odds again!

I am sharing this with you today to empower you to live each day like it were your last, and treat people the way you would like to be treated.  The golden rule is what I try to live by.  Alexa (my daughter), mommy wishes you love, laughter, and happiness, and want for you a world which is so much better than where it is right now…love you to the moon and back a million plus times!  There isn’t a day that doesn’t go by where I know you have graced my life by making me a better person, and wanting to make a difference, all because of you!  So glad the Tooth Fairy came twice this month, and can’t wait for many more adventures with you and daddy!

1st Quarter 2009  FAVORITE WEDDING -  3/14/09

Bride -Tamsyn, Groom - Paul, and  MOB - Ralie!!

WEDDING CAKE by Let Them Eat Cake in Phoenix, AZ.   Tamsyn chose a black motif and ivory base as their color palette.  Personalization of their wedding cake with their first names and last initial were used classically and elegantly!  The hexagon shape is one of the  hottest trends for cakes this year!  They chose chocolate with raspberry filling and lemon with lemon curd as their flavors.  We made sure both flavors/fillings of cake were offered to each guest.  After the wedding cake the guests were served chocolate covered strawberries and treated to a gourmet coffee station.

WEDDING COLORS - black accents add color to cakes this year, and black is NOT just for funerals!  Black-and-white (or ivory in this case) is  one of the biggest colors for weddings in 2009, along with hues of  purple, fuschia, lime green, tangerine orange, lemon yellow, and platinum.

FLORALS & CENTERPIECES by Designs By Design in Phoenix, AZ.  Tamsyn split her room with high and low centerpieces, giving her an elegant look.  This is a way to save money on your wedding rather than having all elevated centerpieces.  The photo does not show the detail on this exquisite arrangement.  A cylinder glass vase was designed using tall willow, hot pink roses, Rosita-Vendella roses, bear grass, green coffee berries, and hydrangea.  Sparkling crystals were hung from the branches, and crystals were sprinkled on the table.

Have you met Colin Cowie? It was so great to work with him again!

The ABC (Association of Bridal Consultants) Annual Conference in Newport Beach, CA was FABULOUS this year, and he was one of the many reasons!!  We had over 350 wedding planners from all over the world!

Colin is one of my FAVORITE designers! Not only is Colin refined, classy, elegant, savvy, motivating, (OK, I could go ON and ON), but this year he revealed a “top secret” wedding which was SO over the top!   Sorry, I can’t share with you any specifics about this “top secret” wedding, since I was SWORN not to, but it was the BEST!  As I always say, “Knowledge IS Power”!

One of the many things I love doing is working with brides on a one-to-one basis to REVEAL their ”hidden treasure”. By the way, if you are a bride, or a mother of the bride (MOB), or a maid of honor (MOH), you may or may not even know what this is!  Most brides are amazed at how I can take something they feel is “not special”, or is “not important”, but is the KEY INGREDIENT in making their wedding be FABULOUS!  After 21 years experience planning weddings, this is one of the most basic things, but one of the most powerful ways to create OVER THE TOP weddings to WOW your family and friends!  By doing this, you pull out the passion for your day!

As one of the Master Bridal Consultants (1 of 39 in the World), this is something I have always done.  To others this is “shocking” how I can take a “simple” element like this and with my knowledge and ideas transform this into an over the top wedding with unforgettable moments for all!

Kim Horn on Channel 3 set with Kirsten Joyce featuring Custom Jewelry by Lani and Lotus Beauty Spa featuring hair jewelry and wedding hairstyle trends! Watch the video on our video section!

Kim Horn on Channel 3 set with Olivia Fierro featuring Destiny’s Bride and Zappos.com - short wedding gowns and shoes with bling! Watch the video on our video section!