Holiday Cocktail Party

I would like to say a personal thank you to everyone who made it out to the Holiday Open House the Tuesday. We had a fabulous time, mingling with all of our “Past, Present, and Future Brides.”

East Beach Catering provided delicious cocktail foods while Sir Chocolates had a scrumptious chocolate fountain flowing all night! Models dressed in the hottest fashion trends for 2010 strutted their stuff to holiday tunes provided by Buck’s DJ service. The setting would not have not been complete without the breathtaking floral arrangements from Char’s Floral designs and rentals from Atlantic Event Rental, in addition to all the uplighting that truly transformed the entire building, thanks to Moonlight and Sound. The ginger bread bride and groom cookies from Tina and Lucy’s Custom Cakes were a special treat that many guests enjoyed while taking a private horse & carriage ride from Smith Field Horse & Carriage.

Thanks again to everyone who made the event possible. It was a great preview of what’s to come in January at Wedding Week Virginia!!

Thank you to Toys for Tots for coming out and all of those who brought in toys to help fill the box!

Thank you to Matt for the fabulous photos - job well done.

Jean and Lee Bachas November 7, 2009

Jean came to me just a few months before her wedding, she knew exactly what she wanted and needed. She hired me to assure that all of her finishing touches were in place for the reception and to make sure the evening was perfect just the same. She had a wonderful church coordinator who helped her during the ceremony. I was excited to meet everyone so I also attended the rehearsal on Friday night; this was good because we all knew each other before the reception.

Jean and Lee’s evening was perfect, after arriving at the Lesner Inn by boat they went straight into dancing. When Lee would look at Jean and you could see all the love he has for her. I heard him talking to his family during the reception about how beautiful Jean looked. He stopped them all and said, “Yay, you know I really love her.”

Always keep that love going and know there will be years to come with more love even deeper then what you have now!

Bea and Ryan Steeves October 17, 2009

Click on image to see more photos.
Bea and Ryan got married at the Founders Inn and Spa – the couple was lucky enough for the rain to stay away but the cold still brought them inside for the ceremony. Bea had a hard time deciding if the ceremony should be moved inside but after she stood outside for less than two minutes she was fast to say, “inside!”

The ceremony was beautiful and with Keith Cephus Photography well prepared with lighting the late night outdoor family pictures still happened.

The reception was a little different at the Founders, it was not in the traditional ballroom but in the Swan Terris Restaurant. The couple had beautiful uplights around the dance floor and in the bar “lounge area.” Between the rain drops the couple enjoyed cigars by the fire pit with their family and friends.

You always know your guests are having a great time when no one leaves or wants to leave. Bea and Ryan enjoyed having their guests light sparklers on the way out!

Thank you to: Buck’s DJ Service, Moonlight and Sound, Keith Cephus Photography, Founders Inn, Char’s Floral Designs and Lucy Sweet Treats.

Bea October 17, 2009 Wedding

What to say to the person whom I owe the most thanks? You are perfection. Coming into the wedding process, I knew little to nothing about planning this special day. From your help with the invitations “honor” or “honour”, your detailed budget, the minute-to-minute timeline, it all made a world of difference.

I know I must have worn you thin with my countless emails, but your never swaying professional advice always seemed to solve the problem, regardless of how big or small. You have a true talent and made me feel at ease as I walked through the biggest day of my life. I honestly could not have done this without you. Thank you Thank you Thank you.

Angela and Jon October 10, 2009

Angela and Jon first met with me about a year ago, Jon had asked if I could be a “fun and cool” wedding planner like his best friend had at his wedding 4 ½ years ago. After I reassured him that I always try my best, we were talking and looking at pictures; then we soon found out I was that coordinator 4 ½ years ago. By the way that couple is now expecting their first child. Congrats Jackie and Brian!

Soon after that meeting we began planning their wedding together, and I quickly learned that Angela is an on top of things kind of bride. I would give her a list and she would have it complete weeks prior to our meeting. She would always tell me at our meetings and over emails that because of me she was so calm. I don’t think she realized it was because she was never behind on anything.

Being a wedding planner I get to see things that most guests, couples and families don’t see, but this weekend I really stopped and took it all in. During cocktail hour Jon came up to me and asked if he and Angela could have a few moments alone somewhere to practice their first dance. At first I thought he was joking because we have been talking about the first dance for the past few months. But once I saw his face and he said “Can that happen?” I looked at him and said “Of course I can make that happen.”

Angela and Jon had walked into the ballroom at the Westin, all the candles had been lit, the lights where dim and the room was truly breathtaking. Angela got to see the room she had been visualizing for over a year. Then with only a few people in the room Jon and Angela practiced their first dance. It was so romantic to sit back and watch this loving couple do there first dance together while no one was in the room.

Later on his brother mentioned to me that Jon was more nervous about his first dance then getting married. I told his brother well at least, he already knows he has the right woman!

Thank you to OnOn Digitography for the photo.

Myriam and Angel October 3, 2009

Myriam and Angel got married at the Shifting Sands with the reception immediately following. The ceremony was decorated with white columns, carpet runner and candles. The reception was a warm feeling with burgundy colors and tons of candles.

Myriam and Angel are just wonderful together; I watched them all night together, and Angel always made sure Myriam was taken care of and had what she needed. Sometimes with family, friends and all the excitement the couple gets pulled here and there. But all night they seemed always to find their way back to each other.

Even though Myriam called herself “the phantom bride” (which at times she was) she always made sure things got done. They had a beautiful evening and I am looking forward to talking with them.

Chrissy and Andrew September 26, 2009

Chrissy and Andrew were very lucky the rain stayed away all evening up until the DJ announced last dance and sparklers! The wind was strong on the beach so the couple decided to get married under the tent which was still beautiful and romantic! After the ceremony the trolley took the wedding party and now happily married couple to the beach for pictures. Once they returned the fun began!

Weddings are a great time for everyone: brides, grooms, parents, family and friends. But Chrissy and Andrew’s wedding was truly a blast! There was something for every guest to do and enjoy; they could dance if they wanted to, catch up with family and friends they had not seen, sit at the tiki bar and enjoy a signature margarita, or walk by the water. All night as I looked around every guest had a smile on their face and when last dance was called the guests wanted to keep on going!

I started helping Chrissy and Andrew plan their wedding earlier this year and with less then nine months to plan I think the couple was happy with everything. As a coordinator you build a close relationship with each couple, but sometimes you don’t realize how much you may mean to them. Before the rehearsal could even start family members, wedding party and friends were all coming up to me asking if I was the “wedding planner.” They were already thanking me and tell me how many wonderful things they heard about me. I was lucky enough that Chrissy and Andrew picked me to help them plan their day. Chrissy, I hope you get to read this and enjoy my website (she had hired me without even looking at my site or blog – even at her wedding she mentioned she still needed to take a visit!)

My Day Magazine

I am very excited to have been published in a nationwide magazine, My Day Magazine. Laura and Chris where truly wonderful to work with and I will miss them while they are in Japan.

Laura and Chris had gotten married on April 4, 2009 at the Half Moone in Norfolk. Laura had decided to let me help her plan her wedding about a year before the big day. From the beginning it was like we had always been friends.

Laura—thank you so very much for what you said about me, it was a pleasure to have helped you plan such a wonderful wedding. Congratulations on having your wedding published in the magazine, it was a great day! As Keith Cephus says, “we killed that wedding, we killed it!”

Jamie and Ricky Alls August 1, 2009

What a journey Jamie and Ricky have gone on! It all started when their dream location double booked them for their wedding day. It took over a month to find a new perfect location; they had found it but were still not convinced it would be the same. But after Saturday I know now they were convinced! It was so great to see Jamie smile again once she saw all her visions turn into reality.

Jamie and Ricky had a romantic ceremony at the Hilton Oceanfront over looking the ocean. While guests enjoyed the cocktail hour, the room was transformed into a 1940’s Audrey Hepburn theme reception. The couple wanted the guests to have fun and get into the theme; they had blackjack tables, the cake had handmade brooches, there was lounge furniture to relax, and a lot of fun dancing.

Thank you to the Hilton Oceanfront, Sam Hughes Photography, Char’s Floral Design, Something New Invitations, Astro Casino’s, Buck’s DJ Service and to everyone else who helped me to make this day possible for Jamie and Ricky. Enjoy Jamaica! I am looking forward to hearing all about it when you return.

Thank you to my brides, grooms and families

While I have been updating my blog and website, I have looked at some of my past spring couples and families in 2009. I have to say I met some wonderful women this year, I know I have made some true friends! Each year I am very lucky to have great couples and families, but it seems to be different this spring. It is like I have not worked for my couples but rather with my couples.

I had a bride a few weeks ago tell me half way through her night she wishes she could do it all over again and she would not change a thing. Then she stopped and said “No, I would change one thing, I would have you as my guest, not working”. I replied, “I have never danced with a bride during her good luck dance”, but for her I did, “so I am a guest right now”. I found out later that was one of her most favorite parts of the night. I think we still talk just about everyday through email—please keep them coming.

As spring wedding season is slowing down and I am now getting ready for fall wedding season, I find myself looking for those daily emails from my spring brides. I am very lucky to have made such good friendships that most do email me. My favorite is how we can now get together and talk about how the wedding was and what great times we all had. I love telling them all the stuff they “didn’t see”!

Thank you to all my couples and families. I am looking forward to many other gatherings together!

Faby and Jason June 27, 2009

Faby and Jason—where should I start? What a cute couple. I know I say that about a lot of my brides and grooms, and it is true, but there is something about this couple. They got married at St. Gregory Catholic Church and the reception was at the Barclay Towers.

The reception room was filled throughout with specialty lighting from Moonlight and Sound. There was a chocolate fountain from Sir Chocolates, a cake you would truly think was not real, and family from all over that you would want to take home.

Faby got her dress at Maya Couture after deciding to let me help with her planning and wedding day. She even invited Diane, her dress consultant, to the wedding; which she and her family did attend. We will all be long life friends even after the wedding.

Faby and Jason—I have had so much fun throughout the past year with you. I hope I truly made your weekend, “Fabulous Faby’s Weekend and Jason too!”

Thank you from Allison Wedding May 30, 2009

Hey Malissa!

I hope that you are doing really well! I wanted to thank you again for doing such a wonderful job the day of the wedding. Everyone had a blast and I wish I could relive that day again. All of our family members and friends were impressed by your work. The day went so smoothly and I know I never had anything to worry or stress about leading up to the wedding.

Thank you again for everything! You will always be highly recommended by me and my family!

Sincerely,
Allison Pisel

Jeannette and David June 20, 2009

I just don’t know where to begin with Jeannette and David, I had helped plan her sister’s wedding last year. Which also was on the hottest day of the year! This family has always been wonderful to work with. I was always lucky to have everyone, including dad, at every meeting. In my blog about Carrie’s wedding, I had mentioned I was becoming a part of their family but I now know I am defiantly family.

Jeannette and Dave got married at a cute little church in Norfolk then had their reception at Norfolk Little Creek Base. The reception was a blast everyone danced and had a great time. At the end of the night most guests didn’t want to go home.

I will miss them, but I know I will always see the Teague, West and Saich family. Jeannette and Dave: have a wonderful honeymoon in the Bahamas’. I am looking forward to dinner when you return. Thanks for still emailing me everyday - keep them coming I love it!

Shannon and Jim July 20, 2009

Shannon and Jim first met with me when I helped them place their invitation order. They then decided to hire me to help plan their wedding. Even though they had gotten married on the hottest day of the year, they had a beautiful ceremony at the Norfolk Botanical Gardens then they had a romantic reception at the Lake Wright.

Shannon decided to plant her own flowers and make her own centerpieces that she would give to her guests. They had turned out beautiful, she should be proud of herself for a job wonderfully done.

I am sure Shannon and Jim had a great time after the reception many of their family and friends joined them for a pool party at their house.

Happy Birthday June 14, 2009

Another Wonderful Sisino Party!! I just love doing the events for the Sisino Family, this one was really special. I had gotten a call from Barbara and she wanted to have a surprise birthday party for her husband Marc. I already knew this was going to be difficult because they work, live and do everything together. Even on my way to her house to start the planning I had to turn away till Marc had left. But three days later I had received a call from Marc who also wanted to have a surprise birthday party for Barbara. (Their birthdays are one day apart from each other). Well I figured we would throw one party on one day and the true surprise would be they both had the same idea for each other. But not one week later a friend and spilled the beans.

So we had a Fabulous 30th and Over the Hill 40th Birthday Party together for both of them. What fun everyone had playing ping pong, cornhole, badminton, riding the surfing machine, jet ski’s, swimming plus more. It is always great to see a large group of guests truly enjoy themselves.

Barbara did have one nice surprise for Marc, we had made a photo montage for him of them and their kids. I do think the kids had gotten more embarrassed than Marc because of baby pictures.

Marc and Barbara, Happy Birthday – I am looking forward to the next great event!

Thank you from May 30th Wedding

Malissa,

So, I want to give you a big thank you for all your work this past year and a half. But especially this past weekend. I could not have done this without you. The wedding day was perfect!! Everything went so well!! I was really able to enjoy the whole day. Allison I know was so happy. It was just as she had dreamed it would be. You are such a wonderful person to work with and an expert at everything concerning weddings. Thank you for making my daughters wedding day something I will never forget.

With warmest regards,

Andrea Pisel

May 30, 2009 Allison and George

Here is another great mother, daughter team they did each appointment and decision together. I started working with Allison and Andrea a year and a half ago. At this point we are almost family. Allison is such a laid back type of bride, as she would say, “cool as a cucumber.” It was great for me at the end to know I had made sure each detail Andrea wanted was completed.

Allison and George were married in the Renaissance Court in The Botanical Gardens. Then, the guests joined them in celebrating at the Town Point Club over looking the newly modeled Town Point Park and Elizabeth River. I had so much fun watching the guests and wedding party dance and have fun together.

Allison had a special surprise for George after they had cut the cake – she had his “cool car” made into a cake. Right after, George had his own surprise and did a special solo-dance to Allison.

Thank you to Town Point Club, Veronica Dana Photography, Buck’s DJ Service, LeTempt Video and all the other vendors who helped make this day so special.

May 23, 2009 Elizabeth and Ulises

Elizabeth and her mother started working with me over a year ago. While Ulises’s lived in Chicago, Elizabeth traveled back and forth for visits. But now they are finally living together after a romantic ceremony at St. Gregory and a fun reception at the Marriott Waterside.

Elizabeth and Eleanor (mom) had fun planning every detail of the special day; they did each appointment and thought together. I know Eleanor is going to miss Elizabeth in Chicago.

At the end of the night Elizabeth walked up to me with a big hug and said, “I am so glad I picked you to help my dreams come true and be with me on my wedding day.” I thought it was so kind because I always thank the family for letting “me” be a part of their special day.

Please visit the slide show of just some of the images by Del Haven Studio.

Wedding Slide Show

An Extra Thanks

Malissa!

I just wanted to email you to tell you how much I LOVE the programs. They are amazing! They might even be my favorite accent to the whole wedding! Thank you so much for your help.

Best, Amy Woods

It is always nice to get an extra thank you when you are not expecting it.

Thank you Amy - have a wonderful wedding day!!

Lori and Kyle May 16, 2009

Lori and Kyle are such a sweet couple, a true good fit together. I started helping Lori towards the end of her planning process, just helping finish up those last details and making sure everything was complete.

They had a beautifully decorated ceremony in Windsor, VA and a reception at the Nansemond River Club in Suffolk. Guests enjoyed the warm evening on the patio and dancing the night away. For a couple that wanted to leave their reception early, it was hard to get them to say goodbye.

Lori and Kyle are blessed to have a wonderful, loving family and it is always nice to feel like you belong to the family by the end.

May 9, 2009 Marylou and Clint

Marylou and Clint first came to me from a referral from a wonderful past bride. With a not so traditional style reception in mind, they had chosen the Granby Theater in Norfolk. They had a beautiful ceremony on the stage of the theater with a fun and relaxing reception to follow. The guests enjoyed the comfortable lodge areas while watching family and friends dance below.

Marylou and Clint always had details complete and ready to go on time. They made my job pretty easy. I will miss working with them – have a wonderful time in Hawaii! I will look forward to dinner when you return.

Thank you to Jaclyn Robinson Photography and LeTempt Video!

CMT Event Planning is now on Twitter.

I love it – you can follow us under cmtevents.

We will look forward to it!

Thank You From a Past Bride

Malissa,

As we approach wedding season I find myself comparing your work, ideas, and my wedding with every other wedding I see or hear about. And honestly, I haven't seen a thing that I wish I would have had or experienced anything I wish we would've done. Thank you so much for all your hard work and making our day so wonderful.

Chris's sister is getting married in June and we just received her invitation. As I pulled it out of the mailbox I couldn't help but think how tacky it looked to have our address merely printed on it. I am so glad you had me address all of mine personally, although I can't say I enjoyed it! Handwriting them really did give it a little something more and I feel as though it was a bit classier that way too.

When we look back on October 11, 2008 Chris and I agree that it really was a Perfect Day!

Thanks again for all your wonderful work!

Michelle Adams

New Arrival

Congratulations to Kim and Mark! Kim and Mark welcomed a new member to their family April 15, 2009. Jack Joseph Herbert was to excited and just couldn't stay in any longer and surprised the family 8 weeks early. He is doing great and growing bigger everyday.

Kim and Mark let me help plan their wedding on October 27, 2007, I am very lucky to still have this wonderful family in my life.

Thank you Herbert and Wood family!

Laura and Chris April 4, 2009

I just had a knock at my door and someone had sent me a beautiful arrangement of tulips. It is not my birthday or anniversary. When I opened the card it read:

“Thank you! Malissa, Thank you so much for making our day so special. It would not have been possible without you! Chris and Laura”

I have been thinking all weekend about what I was going to write about this wonderful couple and how much I truly enjoyed working with them. Sending me flowers should explain to all how wonderful they are.

Thank you Laura and Chris!

I remember when Laura’s mom Diane called to interview me on the phone. She said Laura was never the type of girl who dreamed of her wedding day – well I do believe she had something in mind. Her ceremony at First United Methodist Church in Norfolk was simple but romantic. The reception followed at the Half Moone with stunning details all around. Watching the guest’s reactions as they walked into the reception was amazing all in itself.

Laura, Diane and Chris thank you so very much for letting me be apart of your planning process and this wonderful day. I will miss our nightly emails to each other. Have fun in Bora Bora and Japan!

As always it was a blast working with Keith Cephus Photography and Digital Dreammakers. A special thank you to all the vendors who helped make this day possible: Omar’s Carriage House Catering and staff, Lucy’s Sweet Treats, Distinctive Floral Design, Half Moone, Rob Dalby (DJ), Venture Tours and Tona Brown (Violinist). Thank you Atlantic Event Rentals for all the wonderful rentals and taking time out to assure every detail.

We are very excited to announce that Laura and Chris’s wedding will be featured in My Day Magazine. This is a magazine located in Washington, DC but is nationwide in all Barnes and Nobles. Make sure you pickup My Day Magazine’s next issue.