No ID Required: I Scream, You Scream...

Now those who know me know...I DON'T have a sweet tooth, but I LOVE the childhood memories that come up with this idea!

We've seen the candy bar...but what about a SUNDAE BAR! With your favorite flavors in mind and some creative glassware you too can have a really fantastic ice cream dream!

You will need a few different flavors of icecream, and the old favs work great for this. Decorative bowls for the toppings and sundae glasses for each creation.

I found this picture from Brides.com, however I think they were going with an rootbeer float (note the coca-cola and not rootbeer...)

Colorful napkins and linens will help bring in all the whimsy of this great concept! And don't forget the cherry on top!

Ranting & Raving

So I am now late at night after a very wedding day re-evaluating venue relationships. And I know I am probably just tired and a sore ( I broke my toe during cocktail hour setup and have been throbbing ever since)...but alas the show must go on!



But, I had one of the BEST VENUE experiences at a that I have had for a long time!

There has been a general consensus amongst vendors, that some venues due to short staff and long hours in a difficult economy, have become...well...." a case of the cranky pants". All of a sudden, if you ask for a little team effort, or even "hey, do your job??" it's either more money or no way "we don't do that"....
For example, I had a beautiful wedding at a beautiful property. AMAZING DETAILS! And on a scale of budget, this was a $$$$$. Do you think I could get anyone to fold a napkin? With all the thousands of dollars you are profiting you could find it in your heart to do your job? Hmm, or because instead of your yucky polly wasn't used and I have thousands of dollars in custom and couture linens coming in you all of a sudden won't give me the cumberbun I asked for? I mean, really!

Now, I have a wedding that would be like a $$. And its a moderate property, with a catering mgr who has changed 3 times..and was given a super quick turn. Because the ceremony was at a church, I was at the property for prep in a seperate room, then left. I arrived 5 minutes into the cocktail hour and about 25 minutes after the room opened at all for set.

Can I tell you I was RELIEVED!! I had left the napkins, seating chart, signing platters, cocktail arrangments, candles, favors, table stationary, card box and candy for each table in boxes. I came in and the WHOLE THING WAS DONE! What an amazing thing to walk into! I had to direct on where certain items went, but because of this I was able to set my uplights and attend to my brides eyelash glue drama. And that , quite franky, is what I get paid for. It's not to fold napkins. Or to supervise the OBVIOUS.

Now in defense of the guilty, I have to say that there are many vendors who are afraid to do the OBVIOUS because other planners have been known to act like "ballroom natzis" (not my term, but I find it high descriptive of exactly what I am not, and why so many vendors comment- "oh you actually have fun at your job- thats refreshing!?") So rather than to jump in and make it work better wait to hear what the general says.

Well here's my overhelming order to the troops: Take intiative. I will adjust what is necessary for the happiness of the client I have just spent 9+ months with creating a vision. But when I walk into a ballroom with more than 30+ candles on each table, we are 10 mintues before doors open and you are sitting at a table, rather than picking up a lighter...are you were waiting for direction? It makes me very sad for the brides who trust their most important day to a venue that won't allow me to take care of the personal details like eyelash drama, or family drama, or any drama that may occur for that matter. Instead, my clients have paid me to do the OBVIOUS, and to tell others to do the same.
Why when a planner is involved to be the voice of our client is everyone "on vacation"?

So what is a bride to do?
Talk to a pro first. We know who, what, when, where, and why. That is our job. Let someone know what is important to you - who can do something about it. No matter your budget, hire a planner. It will be the best money you spend on your wedding. ( and then you'll actually know the other pennies were well spent too!)

Major props to Eileen and the entire staff at the Hilton East Mesa for honoring your commitment to service and hospitality! You exceeded my expectations and I will make sure EVERYONE knows about it.

For everyone else ( you know who you are) here is a lesson from my good friend WIKI:

Hospitality refers to the relationship process between a guest and a host, and it also refers to the act or practice of being hospitable, that is, the reception and entertainment of guests, visitors, or strangers, with liberality and goodwill. Hospitality frequently refers to the hospitality industry jobs for hotels, restaurants, casinos, catering, resorts, clubs and any other service position that deals with tourists.
Hospitality is also known as the act of generously providing care and kindness to whoever is in need.

No ID Required: Salad Martini Bar

Couldn't have a blog series created by a vegetartian without suggesting my favorite foods ever! SALAD! Iam a rabbit and my day is not complete without a fabulously created salad with all the great veggies and fruits that spice up even the most freshest beds of lettuce!

The newest trick of the trade is the presentation of the these items at a martini bar. Guests are able to hand select there most favorite salad toppings and place them into the martini shaker- then add the dressing and SHAKE BABY SHAKE!!

Voila! Evenly coated morsels of veggie goodness! Enjoy!

Candice & Kevin's aTuscan Dream Wedding

On May 23rd, I had the pleasure to be apart of Candice & Kevin's wedding at Villa Siena~It was absolutely stunning...

From the dripping orchids that hung from the every chandelier to the most sweetest guest baskets every detail was meticulously chosen for the most descriminating tastes...

Candice had a very good friend come in to do a piano accompianment to the DJ- to songs from Akon and Usher! It was a blast!

Their first dance was a perfect C&K version of the evolution of dance started with streamer canons and ending with an energetic version of Jai Ho!!

It was an amazing night! For more pictures check out the website!

Many thanks to the cast:
One Fine Day Photography

Peice of Cake
Event Essentials
Bon Cuisine

Executive Limo
Dolce Salon

BBJ Linen
Safen'Sound Pianos

SKM Entertainement
Elegant Creations Backdrop
Bloom
Daniel Wagner Video

and of course M2B!

M2B Events featured by Fabulous Events

I was notified by my bride Trista, that her wedding was featured by her linen company for it;s top notch fabulous-ness! Whoppee - cheers Trista & Jason!!

Here is a snip-it from the Newsletter from Fabulous Events!

Event Showcase

Trista Dunagan and Jason Schlosberg get married!
May 2, 2009Hotel Valley Ho - Scottsdale, AZ

After more than a year of planning, Jason and Trista were finally married on May 2, 2009 at the Hotel Valley Ho in Scottsdale, AZ. From the start we had a clear vision of where our wedding should be located and what we wanted the ceremony and reception to look like. We booked the Hotel Valley Ho quickly - it exudes that retro "Rat Pack" vibe, but is modern and chic at the same time. Finding the right team to bring everything else together took a little longer. Regina Osgood from Meant2Be Events was a godsend. She got our vision and ran with it! The team from Table Tops, Etc. and SKM Entertainment brought the drama together with the lighting and florals. Tri Rentals provided the perfect chairs. F. Ferguson Photography was all set to capture the event on film. With all of that in place, we still hadn't found a vendor for our linens. I will admit that I had something very specific in mind, zebra print linens to the floor! After four months of searching and coming up with a dead end we finally found Fabulous Events. Lyle and the team were lifesavers! Our linens were beautiful - they were the perfect finishing touch to my Dream Wedding.

The moment we walked into the ballroom it was MAGIC! A big heartfelt "THANK YOU" to the Fabulous Events team! We couldn't have had our dream wedding without you!

Trista + Jason Schlosberg

Scottsdale, AZ
Photography Courtesy of Fred Ferguson - Scottsdale, AZ

No need to go too far......

So there is a popular concept here in AZ that many of us local "phoenicians" too brain fried from the sun to think logically enough to get the heck out of dodge at the first signs of triple digits. It's just too hot to have our neurons firing the right way to somehow get the message "oh since I could fry an egg on the sidewalk, might be a good idea to find cooler sidewalk". Hmm...

Since I am one of the sad sunburned people who stick around for the summer, its a great time to take advantage of the amazing deals that my fabulous partners in the industry offer the suffering hope that you can actually "beat the heat".

And since so many of the locals are not really locals (all transplants from Chicago & Ohio- what's up with that? Is 150 degree heat better then these regions? Two less places I need to travel to appearently!) The term for this band-aid on our weather is called "Stay-cation".

Let's visit the all important pop culture phenomenom , Wikipedia, for help.

A staycation (or stay-cation, or stacation) is a neologism for a period of time in which an individual or family stays at home and relaxes at home or takes day trips from their home to area attractions. Staycations have achieved high popularity in current hard economic times in which unemployment levels and gas prices are high.[1][2]
Common activities of a staycation include use of the backyard pool, visits to local parks and museums, and attendance at local festivals. Some staycationers also like to follow a set of rules, such as setting a start and end date, planning ahead, and avoiding routine, with the goal of creating the feel of a traditional vacation.[3]

So while I don't really know what a "neologism" is, I'm pretty sure it means "go to a resort and have sangria by the pool".

Stay-cations have been a regular part of my routine growing up and now that I am an event professional (extrodinaire), I try to part take in this most fabulous of concepts a few times a year regardless of what the thermosat says.

SO, for all my wonderful "soon to bes" and my colleauges...pack some sunscreen and a great pair of flip flops and take the weekend off! You deserve it! Cheers see you at the pool!

The Sweetest Thing....

This is for those of you with a sweet tooth! This has been a treat we have seen for a while in the wedding industry- the candy bar! Jars line up filled with delicious treats all color coordinated to the big day offer temptations to your guests that willl delight those of any age!

I wanted to hightlight this bar this week because I want to make sure that those brides interested in this candy creation that there are professionals who provide this bar that I would consider FIRST before attempting on your own! When I provide a candy bar to my brides or anyone else- I bring custom linens to match the decor, candles, scoops, candy and beautiful glass apothecary jars, and coordinating bags for the guests to bring their goodies home! Becuase I rent this out, I am able to get better quality goodies, high end jars, and gorgeous textiles that would cost anyone else more than just a few chocolate coins! My cost is $4 a guest....and for that you will get a priceless memory of your sweetest thing at your big day! And maybe a cavity too, it's a risk you'll have to take.

Let me know if you need some sugary goodness....

Preview on Kelly & Panos

I had the pleasure of doing a wedding at Gainey Ranch Golf Club a few weeks ago and it was an absolute JOY! GRCG goes completely out of the way to take care of its clients and a WP really apprectiates the attention given to their clients!

I met a new photographer that day and she already has some pics available for us to enjoy! So here's a hint of what is to come....

Cristi Owen Photography

Trista & Jason- on the wild side!

Thanks "T+J" it was absolute joy to be a part of your big day! What a beautiful room, hot pink uplights, ice chivaris, Zebra linens, and pinspotted fabulous centerpeices! Wow!

Can't wait to see the video!

We have to do a doggie play date soon! Congrats!

The Cast:
Hotel Valley HO
Fred Ferguson Photography
Daniel Wagner Video
Table Tops Etc
Fabulous Events Linen
SKM Entertainment
Tri Rentals and of course M2B!

No ID Required: 3: Ok so you do need an ID! Bubbly from your bubbly planner!

So those of us in the industry who were at some of the summer parties that have already happened this season may have seen this new and "cool" way to present your guests with a eye catching way to toast to your fabulous-ness! Try sipping custom bubbly from your very own Champagne Bar! Arizona Weddings Magazine was gracious enough to supply one this year for us vendors, but why not bring it to your special occasion!

By choosing the right ice vendor you can create a stunning display of glistening glassware, juicy fruit garnishes and a wide variety of sparkling options that will not only tickle your nose but delight the senses!

This photo was not of the AZ Weddings Magazine Party it is straight from the creative minds at Martha Stewart!

Speaking of AZ Weddings Magazine Party ...wait until next week to see the M2B contribution at next weeks installment!

No ID Required: 2: Not your mom's lumpy potatoes!

We all worship the fabulous spread of comfort food that we have come to love around the holidays and a personal favorite of mine is the mashed potatoes and gravy, that usually came out of a box in my household, but was a favorite nonetheless!

Now in the advent of more creative food presentation, our fabulous caterers and chefs have found a way to glamourize the savory servings of starchy flakes so perfectly drowned in toppings....with a MASHED POTATO BAR! Begin with your best varieties of the startchy ridden goodness...garlic, red potato, whipped, whatever you like!

Add your favorite toppings as options for your guests like bacon, chives, cheeses, chili, salsa, kethups, sour creams, and lots of varieties of gravies. Allow your guests to help themselves to your fabulous bar by serving your potatoes in martini glasses! Chic and Carb-licious!