Welcome to Miami (Bienvenido a Miami) by Will Smith

So I must admit, Will Smith might be one of my favorite artists of all time...okay, now that I have confessed to that I have a few other things to confess to:

As an event planner/event designer/event consultant/Type A/overly organized person, I love to hear ideas from friends, family, clients, or just from eavesdropping about parties, weddings, themes, decor, anything and everything planning related.  The upside is that I always hear new things, the downside is that when I hear things I really like my mind starts racing a million miles an hour.  Maybe I should rename myself "Planning Obsessed" (right Jaime?) ;)

For example, a friend of mind was telling me about this amazing party that finds its inspiration in the clubs/lounges of Miami.  Admittingly, I have watched "My Super Sweet Sixteen" on MTV ever since it first began and I still DVR episodes to this day!  Sorry for the tangent...so anyways, as soon as I heard this my mind was spinning and the best way for me to get the ideas out of my head is to make story boards...may I present you with two:

This story board is inspired by the "art deco" feel of South Beach/Miami.  It has a very simple, contemporary feel with very neutral colors and one color that pops.  I envision this to have a very sleek, high class vibe that screams sexiness.  Picture a formal dinner area with rectangle tables decorated very simply with white linens, a plethora of illuminated candles, square dinner plates, and separated from a lounge area and a dance area by a curtain made of silver beads.  On one side of the dinner area is a lounge with white leather ottomans and chaises with white and silver pillows and staff are walking around serving the lounge guests drinks and appetizers.  On the other side of the dining and lounge area is a dance floor where the DJ is set up and the music is pumping! Ha!

This story board is inspired by the club/lounge feel of New York, Chicago, Miami and includes a hint of girliness decorated with chandeliors and sparkly beads in the entryway.  This story board is full of color and sassiness, from the sliders and coconut shrimp being served by the wait staff to the "mocktini" made and named specifically for the guest of honor.  What is a "mocktini" you might ask?  A "mocktini" is a drink, made without alcohol, that possesses the same ingredients as those made with alcohol.  For example, you could have a pina colada sans alcohol and that would be a "mocktini." 

The cool thing about either of these story boards is that I envision them in a penthouse suite overlooking a cool downtown, or in a warehouse that has a contemporary, open feel to it.

Which story board do you like best?  What other ideas do you have to add to mine?  I would love to hear any comments/suggestions/opinions!!!

"Fashionista Style on a Recessionista Budget"

You can rent linens, flatware, chairs, tents, glasses, tables, etc. for your wedding - and now, you can rent JEWELRY!!!!

At http://www.adorn.com/ you can rent beautiful, expensive, gorgeous, diamond jewelry for a fraction of what it would cost you to buy it!  Adorn makes it easy for a stressed and busy bride by offering the following steps:

1. Go shopping and pick out the pieces you love and add them to your “shopping bag”. Check their availability by entering your event date.

2. Check out using a credit card to order the jewelry for your event date.

3. Look amazing wearing the jewelry on your special occasion
•We will call you a few days before your event to confirm shipping information and review the details.
•Your jewelry will arrive 2 business days prior to your event.
•Best of all, the jewelry is insured while in your possession and the insurance is included in the rental price! (If the jewelry is not returned, we will charge a 33% deductible.)
•Please note that an amount equal to approximately 5% of the retail value of the jewelry will be reserved on your credit card while you have the jewelry as a temporary security deposit.

4. Send it back on the first business day after your event using packaging and pre-paid label Adorn provides for you.
•Simply drop it off at the closest UPS store.
•Once we receive the jewelry we will remove the security deposit.

Our Guarantee

We guarantee the stones and metals of all our jewelry are genuine and of the finest quality. Prior to shipment, each piece is professionally inspected and cleaned, so you can feel confident it will shine and sparkle with brilliance.

Here are some FAQ's on the Adorn website:

Q: Are all of your jewelry pieces real?

Absolutely! We guarantee the stones and metals of all our jewelry are genuine and of the finest quality. Prior to shipment, each piece is professionally inspected and cleaned, so you can feel confident it will shine and sparkle with brilliance.

Q: Is the jewelry insured?

Yes, the jewelry is insured throughout the entire process. Shipping insurance covers the rental jewelry while it is in transit with no deductible to you. While the jewelry is in your possession, the jewelry continues to be insured however it is subject to a deductible of 33% of the full retail value of the jewelry. As you might expect, while the jewelry is in your possession, we trust that you will handle it with the utmost of care, just as you would if it were your own.

Q: What if the style I want is not currently available on my occasion date?

Contact us us and let us know which piece you want and you’re the date of your occasion. We continually review and add additional jewelry rental pieces to our inventory in popular styles based on current trends. We might be able to secure the piece you want or help you find a suitable alternative.

Q: How will my jewelry arrive?

Your jewelry rental pieces will be delivered directly to you. Adorn will notify you via e-mail when your order is shipped and confirm the date of its arrival. Also, because we require a signature for delivery, select a shipping address where someone will be available to receive and sign for the shipment during the daytime.

Q: Do I need to pay for shipping or insurance when I return the jewelry?

No. Adorn will include a pre-paid and pre-addressed return package in your shipment. All you will need to do is repackage the jewelry and take it to a UPS Office or Store for shipment.

Q: What is a Security Deposit and why do you do it?

Adorn places a reserve on your credit card equal to approximately 5% of the retail value of the jewelry the week of your shipment. This serves as a deposit while you have the jewelry rentals in your possession.

Q: What happens if I don’t return the jewelry by the designated time?

Due to the nature of our business, it’s very important that you return your jewelry rentals on time. Late fees are outlined in our Terms and Conditions, but our clients have established a track record of returning the pieces they borrow in a timely manner. We expect that you’ll do the same out of consideration for other clients.

Q: Is the jewelry cleaned?

After every rental, each piece is hand inspected and cleaned.


Future Brides  - what is the one essential piece of jewelry you are looking for and where did you find it?  Did you buy it or rent it?

Former Brides - what was the one piece of jewelry that you couldn't imagine your wedding without...was there more than one?  any special gifts from your fiance or bridesmaids?

http://www.petalsplanningco.com/
courtney@petalsplanningco.com
@petalsplanning
Petals Planning Co (Facebook)

Inspiration Board

I just finished putting together this inspiration board for a bride of ours getting married this summer. The dress is her actual dress, the one she bought, and is having altered. The rest of the pics are ideas she has thrown out or ideas we've come up with after discussions and emails.


While the writer and girl in me wants to write out all the details thus far, I think I will let the pictures talk for themself.

I'd love feedback and ideas. What is your inspiration today? this month? this year?

courtney@petalsplanningco.com
http://www.petalsplanningco.com/
@petalsplanning
Petals Planning Co (Facebook)

The Wedding of the (new) Decade

You are witnessing history (and the greatest love of all) - click on the wording below:

Joel & Maria = LOVE

April Showers bring May FLOWERS :)

Today was a great, great day!  I met with Laura from Enchanted Florist in Depot Town Ypsilanti, and she was AMAZING!  It makes all the difference to work with vendors who are knowledgeable, friendly, and who do great work :)

I went to Laura to discuss a wedding we have July 31st, which I would describe as vintage.  However, Laura  really opened my eyes to help me realize that more than vintage this wedding was "rustic," and yes, that is the PERFECT word to describe it!!! 

As I relayed to Laura the dress, favors, centerpiece ideas, theme, budget, and venue she immediately had ideas and so our conversation began...

The bride has mentioned calla lillies quite a few times, so we started there.  Given the earthy, rustic feel to the wedding Laura recommended her bouquet be stacked calla lillies (like yellow ones in the picture above).  The dress is champagne colored, and the natural outdoor setting adds green and brown to the mix.  We have gold chiavari chairs and white tent for the reception.  The little pop of color in the bouquet would be PERFECT!  To save money, Laura suggested we use the bouquet as the centerpiece on the bride and grooms sweetheart table at the reception - that is one less centerpiece to pay for :)

The centerpieces for the guest tables will be big mason jars full of pine cones and/or twine, and Laura suggested ivory hydrangeas with mini green hydrangea around it.  Spectacular!  As she was talking I was visualizing the entire wedding in my head and it was AWESOME.  I gladly accepted everything Laura had to say and passed the info along to the bride - I am sure she will all for it.

One very cool thing about Enchanted Florist in Ypsilanti is that in the spring and summer she grows her own flowers!!!!!  One caveat to this is that you cannot predict the exact color or size of these flowers, so it does take a special person to be willing to commit to not knowing EXACTLY what the final product will look like.  The upside is that through using Enchanted Florist you are not only supporting a local business, but you are also supporting locally grown, organic flowers - it just makes you feel GOOD!

One very cool thing about Laura is that she's five months pregnant :)  CONGRATULATIONS LAURA!

courtney@petalsplanningco.com

http://www.petalsplanningco.com/

@petalsplanning

Petals Planning Co (Facebook)

AMAZING Love - Part II

If you've read Joel's story as highlighted in Part I of this blog, then you know the amazing journey he has been on.  Above are a few pics of Joel & Maria's wedding.  It was not the most extravagant wedding, with the most expensive flowers, photographer, reception, etc.  However, it was one of the best weddings because of the meaning that was put into the ceremony and the love that abounded between family and friends.  Maria is from Columbia and unfortunately her mother was unable to make it over for the wedding.  It was amazing that the wedding was able to be broadcast, LIVE, so that friends and family in the United States, Columbia, and all over the world could view it.  SO COOL!

The wedding had a beach theme with the girls wearing navy blue dresses and holding turquoise flowers.  The reception was filled with seashells including those decorating the cake, and on the tables.  The guest cards doubled as favors.  They contained a starfish shaped seed that when planted grows a combination of annual and perennial wildflowers.  How cool is that ?!  They are not only eco-friendly, but they are unique and beautiful as well!!  You can find similar products on http://www.factorydirectpromos.com/seed_paper and http://www.botanicalpaperworks.com/.

The AMAZING place cards that doubled as favors:

The wedding was at 10 a.m. on a Saturday morning with a brunch reception immediately following.  Brunch consisted of fruit, eggs, potatos, chicken, pasta, french toast sticks, pancakes and assorted pastries.  The wedding cake was amazing, and fit right into the beach/tropical theme - it was coconut flavored!!!  The DJ was amazing, and all the guests danced the afternoon away to hit songs like "YMCA," "Single ladies," "I've Got a Feeling," and what wedding would be complete without the electric slide??? 

The newlyweds are now on their honeymoon in Arizona visitng the Grand Canyon :)

Congratulations Joel & Maria!!!!

AMAZING Love - Part I

This weekend I had the pleasure of attending the wedding of Joel Sonnenberg and Maria Constanze Solarte.  Joel Sonnenberg has an amazing story, as does his wife Maria.  They are both such an inspiration!!!

I just flew in this afternoon and had to post right away to share with you all how touched and in awe I was of this couple.  One of the songs at the beginning of the ceremony was "Amazing Love."  This has always been one of my favorite songs growing up, however, it now has new meaning.  As I listened to the lyrics:

I'm forgiven, because you were forsaken
I'm accepted, you were condemned
I'm alive and well, your spirit is within me
Because you died and rose again


Amazing love, how can it be?
That you my King would die for me
Amazing love, I know it's true
And it's my joy to honor you
In all I do
I honor you

The song this weekend was a reminder to me that God is faithful.  No matter what our life situation, He is in control and watching out for each of us.  I must admit, I was really teary eyed watching the ceremony.  I was holding my seven month old daughter in my arms and just thanking God for the blessing of being married to the most amazing man who truly was meant for me, and for allowing us to have the most precious baby girl on the planet (okay, so I might be a little biased). 

The fact that somebody gave their life so that me, my husband, my daughter, mom, dad, sister, etc. may have eternal life is AWESOME!  I am truly blessed to be surrounded by such awesome people in my life - most of whom are part of my family.  I watch my cousins and second cousins grow and mature each time I see them, and watch as people move, get married and have children.  None of us are good at staying in touch, but when we see each other we just pick up where we left off. 

Joel and Maria's wedding was a true testimony to God's faithfulness and made me reflect upon the blessings in my own life, especially the people and their love that surround me.

Part II coming SOON!

http://www.petalsplanningco.com/
courtney@petalsplanningco.com

Travelhost Wedding Guide

One of my faves has been published!!!! Congrats to Julie Hill of Imagine Three for her amazing artistic ability and inspiring hair art.

Copyright Travelhost permission of use Jill von Herrmann Baksi.

Customer Service 101

Click on the title of this post for an awesome link for more funny customer service cartoons :)

This blog post applies not only to wedding planning, but also to life in general.  Listen up:

My daughter was born in June 2009.  Ever since then I have been not good about consistently exercising.  Not for weight loss purposes, but mainly to stay healthy and energetic.  I have decided that I want to diversify my work out routine to include yoga, spinning, running, walking, elliptical machine, stretching, weights...you get the picture.  So I called a local gym that offers spinning classes and asked about packages.  They are currently offering a 6 class pass for $49.  What if I want to purchase more than 6 classes?  Would they offer me a 20 class package for $150 or less?  Other gyms around the area offer packages along the lines of 20 spins for $130 - would they match the price or be willing to work with me?  The teenage girl at the desk had no clue.  She took down my name and number and told me a manager would call me back.  GOOD CUSTOMER SERVICE:  he called me later that day and left a message.  BAD CUSTOMER SERVICE:  when I called him back at the number he called me from he said "uh, this is my cell phone and I'm not at work.  I'll call you when I'm back there later today."  That was December 30th around 4pm and I still haven't heard back from him.

I know, I know, it's the New Year (Happy 2010 everybody!!!!!) and I should be patient.  However, I am a firm believer in not just good, but AWESOME customer service.  If he didn't want me to call him back on his cell he shouldn't have called me from that number and left it as the call back number on my voice mail.  He also should have called me back by now.  Some lessons in customer service:

I KNOW PEOPLE
It is one of my biggest pet peeves when customers who are upset say that you not only lost their business, but also the business of everyone they know (this has not happened in the event planning, just at a salon I used to manage years ago).  In a time of disappointment it is easy to get carried away and make yourself seem more important than you really are.  Reality check:  you and your friends are probably not solely going to put anyone out of business.  However, as a customer I can certainly help a business by bringing friends and relatives to enjoy it with me.  For example, maybe I would bring Kate to spin with me or any one of my friends.  That may not result in long term profit boosts, but any little bit and exposure helps - especially in this day and age.

PAY YOUR STAFF ACCORDINGLY
"You get what you pay for" is so cliche, but so true.  When your business resides on customer interaction it is essential that your staff knows how to treat a customer, and how to think on their feet if a problem arises.  Clearly the guy at the gym is not paid in a manner that makes my phone call or business worth it for him to pursue.  You cannot pay someone $8/hour and expect them to understand how to maximize the profit within your business or to work with that in the forefront of their mind. 

I have thought about becoming a customer service consultant, specifically in the salon and spa business.  There are so many lost profits in not maximizing staff time and in-store referrals. Anyone want to hire me? ;) Again, it's all about having a staff that has a passion for what they do, is willing and able to learn new tools, and view their customers as more than dollar signs.

TURN THAT FROWN UPSIDE DOWN
A smile can go a long way.  No one wants to do business with somebody who is constantly complaining and negative.  Be energetic, make sure your staff is enthusiastic too.  Sure, we all have bad days, and it's okay to talk about it, however every time you meet with a client it shouldn't be "woe to me this, woe to me that."  In fact, it should hardly be about you at all!  Ask about your client, what do they do, what are their favorite colors, have they seen any good movies lately, been on any vacations recently? 

Maybe it's the perfectionist in me, but I just love when I can put a smile on someone's face and when they know I am looking out for their best interest.

What can you do to improve your customer service TODAY?

Jaime & Steve

Jaime & Steve on the night of their engagement

Jaime is a friend that I have met through Twitter and is such an inspiration to me in many ways.  She is a sweetheart and true woman of God and I am blessed that she was willing to share her story with me and with you:

I am that girl. I have fantasized about being engaged, planning a wedding and being married my whole life. I love being out in public and seeing that adorable elderly couple who can't stop staring in each others eyes, who hold hands and take a walk down the street. I love catching my parents laughing together and talking on the front porch.




Since the beginning of this past September, I had been nagging my then boyfriend, now fiancé Steve about what we were going to do for my 26th birthday. And he kept saying that we would probably go out to breakfast at a local diner dive, and then hang out and watch movies. Saturday morning finally came. Steve and I were both getting over this awful cold! I really thought we were just going to hang out and be sick together. Around 8:30 I woke up to the sounds of pots and pans banging in my kitchen. I thought maybe my room mate was up and doing dishes, so I got out of bed and saw an envelope under my door. I opened it and there was a message from Steve! It said that I was being treated to a spa day, to be ready to go at 11:30 and that we had dinner reservations! SCORE!! I totally thought this was my whole birthday present! I went to the kitchen where Steve was making a gourmet breakfast!



After breakfast, Steve dropped me off at the spa where I had a massage, facial, manicure and pedicure. It was so wonderful! The whole time I was thinking, what a wonderful amazing boyfriend I had. After I was done, I came home and got ready for dinner. As we were walking down the stairs, Steve turned to me and said "I don't really feel like driving." So I offered to drive, but when I opened the door there was a limo waiting for us on the curb! I was shocked! But still clueless! The limo dropped us off at the incline in Pittsburgh. We went in and paid our fair to go to Mt. Washington--there was no one on the incline except for us, but then another lady came to the window to pay. Steve got up and mumbled something about asking the operator when we would be going up. He walked away, said something to the operator and came back. The door shut and we started going up the incline, without the lady who paid!



Steve came back and said to me "Jaime, you know how last year on your birthday I gave you a promise ring and said that one day we would get engaged?"

I said: Yes???

Then he got down on one knee, pulled out the most PERFECT ring I have ever seen and said: "Jaime Lyn Carter, will you marry me?"It was the best moment of my life!! I obviously said yes, lunged into his arms for a hug and started shaking! It was so funny because I really didn't get a good look at the ring, so he had to say: "Jaim, look!" And open the box again. Steve had made reservations where I started crying the moment we walked in the door because what just happened felt like a dream! I am in AWE of how God has answered my prayers for a future husband. Steve could not be better suited for me. I used to spend countless nights wondering who God made for me, who would be my life long companion and now I know! Steve is amazing and I'm so excited to start my life with him!
 
I hope everyone is as lucky as Brian & I, Jaime & Steve, Julie & Steve, and Erin & Tyler are to find their perfect match that God has placed on this earth for them.  Let these stories be inspirations to you that the right thing will come to when it's meant to - not a minute before and not a minute after.
 
Jaime & Steve are set to tie the knot on April 30th, 2010 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
 
To keep updated on the progress of their wedding planning please visit http://juniorweddingplanner.blogspot.com/

http://www.petalsplanningco.com/
courtney@petalsplanningco.com