Kat and Dan April 24, 2010

Kat and Dan, my loving Chicago couple…

This was a couple that, from day one, on a conference call, knew what they wanted. The weekend started with a fun pig pickin’ at the Fred Huette Center in Norfolk. There were cute red and white checkered linens, a white tent, a full bar, and great family and friends.

The rain clouds held off the next day so they could get married in the beautiful gardens of the Hermitage Museum in Norfolk. The reception followed under a tent at the Hermitage as well. With lanterns hanging in the trees, food stations all around, specialty lighting that lit the historic home, and guests who loved to dance the evening was a romantic one for the couple.

The evening ended with family and friends signing songs to the couple as they entered the trolley for their honeymoon, which I am look forward to hearing about!

Thank you to Justin Hankins Photography, Distinctive Floral Designs, Catering Concepts, Roger Cruz – DJ, and to all the other great vendors who helped make this event possible.

Lynsie and Greg March 20, 2010

Lynsie and Greg have been so wonderful to work with! From the very beginning they both had a vision that was amazing! Lynsie added some personal touches by hand making a few centerpieces. They had a beautiful ceremony and reception at the Virginia Beach Convention Center.

They got married under a lighted arch by Distinctive Floral Designs. What was so wonderful was that her father was one of the ministers at the ceremony; it was another nice personal touch.

Shortly after the ceremony, the couple joined their so-much-fun wedding party in the VIP room to enjoy drinks and hors d’oeuvres.

Soon it was time to start the Reception, and the wedding party and couple danced their way into the room. Soon after, family and friends could not get off the dance floor. Not only was the couple amazing but so was their family and friends. Everyone was so grateful and friendly. I will miss Lynsie and Greg but I know we will stay in touch throughout the years.

Thank you:
Sam Hughes Photography
Char's Floral Designs

Pictures will follow soon.

Thank you to all the couples

Thank you to all the wonderful couples who came out last night to be apart of the First Ever…Wedding Week Virginia. Without all of you Wedding Week would have not been such a success! It was great to see returning couples from each night and all the new faces as well.

Congratulations to our Blizzard Bride Heather Looney who won the grand prize drawing valued at $10,000.00.

Also thank you to Hampton Roads Top Wedding Professionals for all your understand with moving locations, canceling and then the reschedule. You are all great at what you do, keep making couples special days remarkable. Thank you again!

Wedding Week Virginia Rescheduled

RESCHEDULE...

We are so excited to announce the reschedule date for Wedding Week Virginia. The Grand Finale Cocktail Party will be...

Tuesday, February 9, 2010
6:00-9:00 pm
Maya Couture
12 Best Square
Norfolk, VA 23502
757-340-6319

Join us on Tuesday, February 9th from 6:00-9:00 pm for our Grand Finale Cocktail Party. This will be a fun night with light refreshments and hors d'oeuvres while mingling with some of the Top Wedding Professionals and watching live demo’s of how wedding professionals can help you in your planning process.

Maya is excited to present the Couture Show featuring the hottest new designer gowns for 2010.

Wondering about those Grand Prizes still awaiting a lucky winner – Yes they will be announced at the Grand Finale Cocktail Party, including the Blizzard Bridal Giveaway with a value of $10,000.00. Doors will be open to everyone at no charge but…if you want to be entered into the Grand Prize drawing tickets are $5.00 at the door if you have not already purchased a ticket to the Sunday Couture Show. YOU MUST BE PRESENT TO WIN! Proceeds will go to Go Red for Women the American Heart Association.

Blizzard Bridal Giveaway...

One lucky couple is going to want to win, this package
valued at $10,000.00*...

Keith Cephus Photography - Wedding Package*
Char's Floral Design - $1000.00 Package*
CMT Event Planning - Day of Coordinating*
Maya Couture - Kitty Chen Gown*
Something New - Bridal Necklace and Earring*
Maya Couture - Men's Formal Wear for a Party of Five*
Studio Rio - Beginning Series Package*

Visit our website for more details and additional giveaways...

Jela and Allen December 2009

Jela had gotten married at St. Luke’s Catholic Church and a large reception following at Sheraton Oceanfront. Guests where in ahh as they walked into the beautifully decorated reception. As I was setting up members of the Sheraton would stop in just to take a look at how beautiful everything was.

Jela came to me not to long ago needing a little help with her wedding, I think what was the most challenging thing was the final decision. But when the night was over I asked Jela if it was all worth it and she said, “Yes Malissa if it wasn’t for you I don’t think I would have made it through the planning process, and my sister.” Jela’s sister was a huge help to her along the way!

Jela and Allen along with their family and friends are one of the most open hearted people I know. Everyone all night thanked us for helping and made us feel like we belonged to their family.

The First Ever...Wedding Week Virginia

CMT Event Planning and Maya Couture are excited to be planning the bridal event of the year featuring first class vendors, daily fashion shows, endless giveaways, and inspiration to help make your wedding day and the months before perfect in every way.

Each night will focus on a different aspect of your wedding from venues, catering, and a planner to flowers, invitations, and cakes.

Men we didn’t want to leave you out so don’t miss Men’s Night including cigars, casino tables, and a fashion show of the latest in menswear and much more.

Come by the store to register and pre-purchase tickets or visit www.weddingweekvirginia.com for more information about what each day will hold!

Receive Sunday FREE when you purchase a week long ticket. Seats are limited for Sunday’s Couture Show so purchase your ticket today!

Maya Couture will keep the doors open after the Couture Show on Sunday to all those brides who cannot wait to try on the gowns from the Show. Call today to make your personal appointment at Maya Couture or with Kitty Chen, Hampton Roads new hottest designer exclusively to Maya Couture.

We are looking forward to having you and help to make your wedding planning process that much easier.

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!