Tuesday, November 16, 2010

it's bridal show time...

This Sunday marks the 5th year for the Western New England Fall Bridal Show at the MassMutual Center, Springfield, MA, from 11-4pm.

The area's finest wedding professionals will be on hand as well as an amazing New York style runway fashion show with the latest styles in bridal gowns, bridesmaids, special occasion and even fashions for the little ones in your wedding! Taste cake and food samples, sign up for giveaways including a honeymoon from Magical Escapes.

Come early for the $199 bridal gown sample sale. Yes, you heard it...just $199 for a bridal gowns...these gowns were originally priced $800-2000...talk about a savings! Plus if you arrive early you'll also be awarded free wedding bands! Value of $600. Bridal shows are a wonderful way to see everything and find exactly what you want for your wedding...talk about even more savings with free wedding bands!!!

So bring your groom, your attendants, your mom...wear comfy shoes, and just make a day of it! Check the website at www.cjcevents.com.

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

the really BIG sale






Bridal Heirlooms does it again! Not only do they have an amazing sample bridal gown sale, they give back to the community...with your help! This Saturday, October 23rd, Bridal Heirlooms offers up their annual Sample Sale! A terrific deal for any bride searching for their dream gown...bring in 5 non-perishable food items and receive 50% your sample sale gown! That's HUGE SAVINGS on 100’s of Beautiful Gowns. Great designers such as Maggie Sottero, Pronovias, Casablanca, Watters and many more!
Also...Special Occasion dresses, Mothers dresses and FlowerGirl styles and Accessories
$39 - $79** with your donation. You can't go wrong!!

Plan to be at Bridal Heirlooms, Saturday, October 23rd, 9am-4pm, located at 17 College Street, South Hadley, MA in the Village Commons Shop. 413-532-4848 www.bridalheirlooms.net

Thursday, July 29, 2010

don't you just love...cupcakes...?

There are few things in life that are so perfect...a cupcake is one. Just a few bites, this moist tasty mini cake is usually decorated with a complimenting frosting and can fit right in as a delicate dessert, party treat, or even a midnight snack. They are still very popular for weddings, used instead of a wedding cake or to anchor a sweets table. Available in so many flavors, it's simple, portable and can hit the spot when you're looking for a quick personal treat.

I recently read an article about the downfall of the cupcake, the pending end of the cupcake trend. How could that be? With the popularity of new television programs like DC Cupcakes and Cupcake Wars, how could it be coming to an end so soon? I've always loved a good cupcake and when I was a small child, my Mom use to take me over to Liberty Bakery and we always bought cupcakes. The white box so neatly tied with white string and packed with our special treats, sometimes that box never made it home unopened. At the time it was just the two of us and picking up a half dozen cupcakes with my Mom was special.



Now I'm planning adventures with my own daughter. We're having fun with the cupcake craze, reading a cupcake cookbook and trying out a few from scratch recipes. We also enjoy stopping at some of our favorite bakeries when we can, to pick up a few cupcakes to top off our day. We've even gone out of our way to make sure we stopped at Cupcake Charlies in Mashpee when we were at the Cape. Businesses like Cupcake Charlies are booming, so I'm not sure where the writer for that article ever got their information. Obviously, they are not hanging out in the right bakeries!

Sunday, June 13, 2010

it's all in the look

Recently I had the opportunity to attend an interesting appointment with bride-to-be, Stephanie Smith, winner of the Western New England Great Wedding Giveaway. If you're not familiar with the Wedding Giveaway, it's a wonderful group of talented wedding professionals joining forces to give away a complete wedding package to one lucky area couple. You can catch up on the activities and all the participating services by visiting the web site at www.westernnewenglandgreatweddinggiveaway.com.

This appointment was for Stephanie's hair. Salon Karma, of East Longmeadow, will be making Stephanie's hair look beautiful on her wedding day! They are experts and really listen to their clients, especially the brides, as it's such a apecial day and so important to have the best look. In these photos you'll see Claire and Jessica, both extremely talented and passionate stylists, working with Stephanie to give her three options for her wedding. All were beautiful and each complimented Stephanie and the hair piece she has from Roxy's Jewelry Boutique.

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

it's nice to be missed...

Well, this post is more about having support, love and inspiration with the things I do, the people I love and the events of my life. I recently had the opportunity to attend the Bridal Show Producers International conference, held this year in Las Vegas. First, to get there, my husband took care of everything that would allow me to attend and be gone for a few days out of home and office, which included setting up my little netbook for Skype and email to keep in touch. I never said I was technical, so this is greatly appreciated! Next...my kids, whom I've heard, worked hard to get moving in the morning, get homework done in the afternoon, and worked hard to be more helpful while I was gone, I thank them. My dog, who never leaves my side, was well taken care of by the family and especially my in-laws. Although he was confused about my departure and whereabouts, he was spoiled rotten while I was gone.

On to business...the BSPI conference was inspiring and informative. I feel extremely lucky to be able to rub elbows with the best bridal show producers in the country...and even the world, as we've grown this year with a few new international members. The speakers were inspiring and the topics very informative...all things I plan on sharing with others and working into my business plan and day. I must say thank you to this group...their unselfish gift of support and giving means so much! These moments I will never forget and I know they have certainly helped me.

So...what's next? On to work...on to life; to make change and assist brides and grooms looking for information and wedding professionals for their wedding; to assist our wedding professionals to do better, to be at their best and to find the clients they seek...and to generally be better, raising the bar and expectations...to make change for everyone and everything I touch every day. A challenge...but all good!

Saturday, April 10, 2010

talent, patience, style...planning a wedding...

I have welcomed the talent of a wedding planner. Many area brides feel they don't need one; they don't see how having one could save them any money...or time...or anything. Many brides feel they just can't hand over the reins of planning their wedding to someone else. I've seen first hand what a great value having a wedding planning can do for a couple planning the most important day of their lives. Believe me...it is worth it!

I've had the privilege of working with Lynn Brunelle Kennedy of LB Events and Marketing who is working side by side with the Great Wedding Giveaway winning couple, Stephanie and Brian. She's kept them on schedule, on target and has balanced appointments, questions, and uncertain situations. She's worked tirelessly assuring Stephanie and Brian get the most amazing experience of the lives during the planning of this wedding. I thank her for handling all these things with grace and style. Her social event-planning experience has focused on taking a client’s vision and making it a reality. She's managed to take my vision of giving away a complete wedding package to one couple through a voting process, stir in the twenty or so wedding professionals involved and keep it all balanced and positive. For this I thank her.

Planning a wedding...look her up! You won't be disappointed!

Saturday, April 3, 2010

and the dress is....

Imagine winning an entire wedding...yes, full wedding...meaning bridal gown, tuxedo, music, ceremony, food, flowers...everything any bride and groom needs, but with a twist. You don't have any control over many of the elements of this wedding, including what bridal gown you'll wear on your wedding day. It's all left up to the general public to vote on. You've got the Western New England Great Wedding Giveaway!





Bancroft Bridals picked three unique choices for Stephanie and the winning dress was revealed! Photos by Seth Kaye Photography.

Visit the website to read about Stephanie and Brian's winning story, information about the "Team" putting this giveaway together and your chance to win!! www.westernnewenglandgreatweddinggiveaway.com

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

an expression...talent

I feel lucky...lucky that I get to rub elbows with some of the most amazingly talented photographers in western New England. These photographers can shoot a wedding like no other. They capture the smile, a glance, and the very emotions that flow on wedding day. It's an art to snap these moments without fanfare or notice. I would like to thank a special photographer that I'm presently working with on a project called The Western New England Great Wedding Giveaway. Seth Kaye Photography is the official photographer for this giveaway, working closely with the winning couple, Stephanie and Brian to capture their wedding. He recently put together a quick engagement session of Stephanie and Brian that I would like to share with you. http://sethkayeblog.com/stephanie-brians-engagement-session Browse his site and blog...I'm sure you'll be impressed!
Follow the fun! www.westernnewenglandgreatweddinggiveaway.com

Thursday, March 25, 2010

A dream wedding...


Six weeks and 68 applications later, Stephanie and Brian were chosen as the winning couple of The Western New England Great Wedding Giveaway! And what a giveaway it is...the first of its kind in western New England, over 20 of the area's finest wedding professionals teaming up to giveaway an actual wedding valued over $35,000 and growing! Now the fun has begun as anyone and everyone can chime in with their opinions by voting on the very elements that make up Stephanie and Brian's wedding. Presently on deck for voting is Stephanie's wedding gown. She's very brave and she'll have to go with the voters, but she can't go wrong with the choices. Bancroft Bridals will be dressing Stephanie and has offered beautiful 2010 styles that are absolutely stunning! Make sure you visit the website and vote for your favorite wedding gown, read Stephanie and Brian's winning story, and find out about all the professionals involved. Check back often, as you could be a winner too!
www.westernnewenglandgreatweddinggiveaway.com

Monday, March 22, 2010

it's been a while...sorry

Hello everyone!

Yes, this blog has been missing for a while, but it's time to revise, revitialize and renew and do what we do best...share information about weddings! So much happening and we'll do our best to keep updated with the latest information, events,and trends in the area. We hope you stop back on a regular basis and make I Do and Beyond a part of your wedding planning!