Happy Engagement Patrycja and John

While I've had the opportunity to attend many engagement parties in the past, this one was especially exceptional as Patrycja and John are dear friends.

We had a lovely evening and were welcomed with open arms by the groom's parents Jack and Donna Harms. The Hors D'oeuvres were delicious the wine divine. We mingled with old friends and embraced the new. The hospitality was outstanding and warm.

We met Taylor, aka the flower girl; she was every bit as precious as a flower girl should be. Taylor was truly delightful in her pretty blue dress and green bow. She will make the perfect flower girl...

John and Patyrcja will be married next fall at the Boca Bay Pass Club. While my husband and I are charmed and grateful to have such great friends, I personally am most honored to be a bridesmaid at their wedding. I feel extremely flattered and priviliged not only to be participating in the wedding but also to be helping Patrycja make her wedding plans and dreams come to life next October.

She and I will be working diligently over the next several months to make the wedding a special, extraordinary and memorable event.

I am really looking forward to planning the wedding, being a bridesmaid and primarily a friend.

Cheers to both of you...

XOXOXO

Exceptional and truly out of the ordinary Photo Books and wedding albums…

While I was in Las Vegas for the Engage! 09 events, I had the opportunity to meet and chat with Christine Perry-Burke of finao. I have seen my share of photo books and wedding albums, but none quite like these. “ALBUMS WITH ATTITUDE” does not even begin to cover it. These albums are a genuine reflection of each individual couple. They echo the duo in character and lifestyle. Every album can be customized to meet your theme and or color palette.

If you are looking to make a statement on your wedding day I would suggest creating an album as a way to tell your story. The albums can be displayed around a lounge area during your reception, alongside your guest sign in table or even as an added special detail to your gift table. It is the perfect occasion to capture and astound your guests. They will be talking about this unique detail for years to come. As most couples today, are very savvy and budget friendly the company will work within your budget.
These albums make stunning gifts for new parents, birthdays or whatever your special celebration may be. Be sure and check out their website at the following link.
http://www.finao.com

A Sterling Passion - Inspiration Board

Please follow the link below:


http://www.dessy.com/embedboard.aspx?id=999&width=720

Coral Crush - Inspiration Board

Follow the link below to for inspiration:


http://www.dessy.com/embedboard.aspx?id=902&width=720

Quinceanera "A Celebration of Latin Family Values and Traditions"

As a Cuban-American I found this article exquistely interesting and a true reflection of latin family traditions and customs. Quinceanera celebrations are just as vast and celebrated as weddings are in latin families. Please be sure and check out the video feed as well!



http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/10/19/lia.quinceaneras/index.html

Saveur the Niceties...

This post is for all the future brides/grooms or any person planning a social event. At times in this lovely yet demanding industry, I get so focused, I forget to take time to breathe and take pleasure in the small and intricate details that go into planning such wonderful festivities.

Details have the ability to tell a personal story and truly individualize your special celebration. They come in many shapes and forms and cater to all facets of an event. From the initial save the date to the place cards, gift boxes, menu cards, favors and decor, they reflect who you are or would like to be for that special celebration. It does not stop there they cross over to the after parties and the final thank you.

When planning your special event, remember to dedicate additional time to the details. They will make your celebration unique, distinct, personal and fun! Happy planning…

Sensational!

Sensational is the first word that comes to mind when I think about Engage! 09 the encore. From the swag bags to the closing event, no detail was overlooked. Being in the same room with so many extraordinary wedding professionals was truly a delight.
I feel immensely blessed to be given such a wonderful opportunity not once but twice. Last year I attended Engage! 08 the encore and thought it could not possibly be enhanced; but much to my surprise, the lovely and talented team at engaging concepts pulled it off yet again.

I can’t say enough about all the guest presenters, they were exceptional! After the initial welcome, we had the pleasure of listening to Cathy Smith, VP of Sales & Marketing for The Knot. Cathy spoke of the continued growing trend in luxury destination weddings. Her insight was unique and luminous. She really knows and understands the wedding industry as a whole.

There were many exciting moments throughout Engage! 09 the encore, but one of my favorites and recurring moment is always when Simon T. Bailey presents. In one word, BRILLIANT! That pretty much sums up his being, he was put on this earth to motivate, inspire and enhance our lives. I hope he is attending Engage! 2010.

Lunch was presented by the Las Vegas convention and visitors authority and was as select and thought out as the entire event. No element ignored.

The plating of each individual course was gorgeous and equally delicious.

The afternoon continued with “musings from marcy” Marcy Blum and me in the same room? ASTONISHING!!! I never imagined this was possible. She is so talented. You would think that someone in the likes of Marcy would be incredibly arrogant; I mean with all the celebrity clients and event planning that she does. Much to my amazement she is unbelievably funny and down to earth. She shared her insight with all the participants and really gave us her genuine opinion and outlook about designing and planning in our industry today. “PR is BS” this is a direct quote, probably not what some of us wanted to hear, but certainly something to think about. After all she has been in this industry a long time and is doing very well. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE HER!!!!

Soon after Marcy was finished presenting, Sean Low came on the scene, “the business of being creative” things got a bit intense after he, Marcy and Sylvia disagreed about one particular topic. The topic? Design fees, to charge or not to charge? What a loaded question however it inspired many different opinions among the attendees which included Michelle Rago another spectacular being in the event industry. It goes without saying that everyone chimed in. What a great debate!

We paused for a quick break of Wine & Cheese, bathroom and cell phones. The wonderful surprises continue as I come back to the room for what is yet another grand presentation. Jennifer Schreiber, VP of Sales & Marketing and Jon Webb, Co-Founder/President of jt wines present an innovative idea in the wine industry. Jt wines offers highly customized blends and creative brand positioning to enhance your wedding and or social celebration.
What could be better? What a fun idea with a creative edge. Express who you are as a couple with your own label and customized blend. ENTERTAINING AND ENJOYABLE!

As I gather my thoughts for the last presentation of the day, I am astounded as each attendee is given their own private label, meritage blend, especially produced for Engage! 09 the encore. The branding continues with a special label made to match the colors and theme of the entire event. Pay close attention to the back of the bottle as it has a special significance as well. A unique way to tell your story.





The closer, Todd-Avery Lenahan, definitely last but not least. This gentleman has an amazing eye for detail and is quite the visionary. He truly designs from the heart. Appropriately he spoke regarding “the art & business of design”

Engage! 09 the encore was a true celebration of the best and most adored wedding professionals in the industry today. It was all about the details…

I have much more to tell about my evening at BLUSH nightclub, but will save those delights for next week’s post. As well as posting many more pictures of the details that did not go unnoticed. Stay tuned for more charming and amusing details as Randy and Sylvia dance the night away.

Engage 09 the encore... Wynn Las Vegas

This is my first official blog post and I can't tell you how excited I am about all the happenings taking place at YRP Events. While I am extremely busy planning, designing and organizing our weddings for 2010, I am also very excited to be working with Keith Jennings of m5studio in the redesign of my current website. Keith is amazing and wonderful to work with. Please be sure and check out his portfolio at www.m5studio.com I will be certain to let everyone know when we launch the redesigned YRP Events website.

I am headed to Vegas tomorrow to attend Engage! 09 the encore "a luxury wedding business intensive" at the Wynn Las Vegas. I attended last years event at the Ritz Carlton, Orlando, and truly enjoyed meeting new colleagues and networking with a phenomenal group of professionals to the wedding industry. I can't wait to see what the talented Rebecca Grinnals of engaging concepts, will bring to the table this year.

I will be sure and take lots of pictures and blog about the event upon my return to the office. Stay tuned for all the gloriuos details and insight...