Happy New Year From Lisa Michelle Event Planner

Can you believe it? Already? 2009 has come and now it's gone. It has been a wonderful year full of blessings and opportunities. So much so we're looking forward to all of the blessings and opportunities 2010 will bring.

From our hearts to yours, we wish you a Safe, Healthy, Prosperous, and Happy New Year!

Setting Goals For Your Wedding Day

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Did you know that the average wedding requires over than 250 hours of planning? Honestly.

Every bride, groom, mother-of-the-bride, as well as anyone involved in the planning should know that it can turn into a full job all in itself. With so many of the details to plan out, and then provide follow up on, it can in fact become overwhelming, thus ultimately stressful. What’s key is to find your balance…..even at the beginning.

For instance, there are some things that require your immediate attention such as selecting a date, setting a budget, finding your ceremony and reception venues, and choosing your bridal party. These are essential to having your plans move forward and in the right direction. Then there are details that are just as important but not necessarily required in the initial stages. Such as invitation planning, food and music selection, and/or honeymoon arrangements. You may find it hard to believe but even choosing your color palette may not be a pressing as you think.

In planning for your ceremony and reception you should set 3 goal tracks which should span over a period of:

Short term: 3 months
Intermediate: 3-6 months
Long term: 6-12 months

Short term goals are realistic and should have achievable target dates of 3 months or less. These goals are the basics and are what set your foundation. For example, deciding on your budget, when and where to get married. These goals lead into your intermediate goal planning.

Intermediate goals are measurable by what you have achieved in the initial stages of planning and in meeting your short term goals. These goals demand attention and have target date anywhere from the 3 to 6 months. For instance: Who will marry you should you decide to get married outside of a church? Moreover, what about the colors of your wedding palette? The color you have chosen may not be flattering for everyone within your bridal party. This is the time to reevaluate your choice and come up with a solution that everyone can be happy with. You won’t necessarily have to give up your colors; you’ll just have to make some minor modifications.

Long term goals are determined and achievable based on the prerequisite that your short term and intermediate goals have been met. These goals are what bind all of your plans together in the final stages. Their target date is anywhere between 6 to 12 months. Long term goals could be anything from choosing your wedding invitations, favors, hairstyle and makeup, and settling balances with your wedding vendors.

It’s imperative that before you dive head first into planning, that you take a moment and think about exactly what it is that you desire for your wedding day. Don’t take on too much too soon, or bite off more than you can chew, and can’t swallow. The next step will be to develop goals that will assist you in getting what you want for your big day, keep you on track, and ultimately alleviate any additional stress that may come your way. However this comes with the territory of planning a wedding. Thus, if you require the assistance of a professional planner, seek it. Don’t be afraid to ask for help when and where you need it. Trust yourself and know your limitations. It’s an incredible feeling to have peace of mind and knowing that you are headed in the right direction with your plans and goals for your dream wedding.

Best wishes to you for this holiday season.

Happy Planning!

Marquila's Invitation Suite

In October of 2009, I blogged about my February 2010 bride Marquila's Save the Dates. Here is the second installment of her Invitation Suite. For her wedding invitations, Marquila choose a design from our Couture Dreams Collection. An Ivory tri-told with a hint of metallic, and a truffle ribbon at midriff.

For the inside the invitation our aim was to create a soft yet lush appeal. This consisted of layered ivory stock with a translucent overlay of an Ankh, adorned with a pink crystal (for the WOW factor). Additions included: RSVP, and reception cards, both with the ankh symbols, as well as a directional card. Marquila's envelopes were lined with satin paper in truffle to coordinate with her ribbon.

When Marquila was presented with the box that held her invites, she did not want to open them, but did so with great hesitation. Marquila was more than happy with her invitations so much that she hugged me more than twice. I just love when that happens. She was beyond elated that I took her vision and brought it to life. Moreover, superseding her expectations.

With the wedding only a couple of months away, we are done with most of the planning, but with a couple more details to work on for her and Darren's big day. Stay tuned as more of their details come to life.

Congratulations Marquila and Darren. I'm so looking forward to your special day!

Happy Planning!

Tis' The Season To Be.....Engaged

Photo: Nick Carter Weddings

Congratulations on your Engagement! I am so ecstatic for you.....

The holidays are an AMAZING time for love, family gatherings, and engagements. What's key is to take this moment and enjoy it. Focus on the excitement and share in the joy of it with your family and friends. Don't PLUNGE head first into the planning process until you've had time to settle down and figure out what this means for you and your betrothed. Especially as you move forward towards your destiny together.

When the dusk has settle, and you've come down off this blissful high...begin your plans realistically and wisely.

Happy Holidays & Soon Come Planning!

Bridesmaids Jewelry Gifts – A Personal Touch that will Last

in our wedding because we need friends and family that love us and support our life decisions. Because we take the time to select our closest friends and family members to stand with us, we need to show our thanks for their time, love and support. The most obvious choice as a thank you gift that is part of a brides wedding budget to begin with is their bridesmaids jewelry.

Giving the gift of bridesmaids jewelry is an excellent way to add to their accessory collection with a personal piece of jewelry that you design just for them. There are multiple ways of personalizing their jewelry, while still matching your wedding colors and style. Whether you get your bridesmaids a complete jewelry set or just a few pieces, there are many combinations that you can mix together to find a great fit for your wedding and the different styles of jewelry.

Earrings are a great place to start when beginning the jewelry selection process. Finding a bridesmaids jewelry company that offers custom color selections is key, but a company that also offers clip on earrings is a good idea because not all bridesmaids will have pierced ears. There are so many different styles of earrings from chandelier to drop, cascade, cluster, linear and chain. Match your bridesmaids earrings selections with their personalities. Not every female wants huge dangly earrings, it just doesn’t suite everyone’s style. Some of your bridesmaids may have an over the top personality and love big bold earrings, that’s where you match up the earring style with their personality.

Because you may not be selecting the same pair of earrings for every bridesmaid, keeping the same color scheme is a fantastic way of coordinating everyone’s look with their gowns, their style and your wedding colors. This hint is well suited for bracelets, necklaces and hair accessories as well. If you keep your color scheme consistent, the looks will be great together.

Depending upon your bridesmaids gown choice, you may or may not be able to wear a necklace. This is where selecting between, or both, a bridesmaid necklace and bracelet comes into play. There are many styles of necklaces from y drop, pendant, single strand, multi strand, chunky and illusion necklaces. Finding a style that suits your gown style and your bridesmaids style is yet another factor here. You will want to match your necklaces and bracelet selections to the bridesmaid’s style as well, while keeping your color scheme in coordination.


Bridesmaid jewelry can be a really great way to thank your bridesmaids for the time they have invested in you and your wedding. It is a gift that is both thoughtful and can be worn again after the wedding. If you select bridesmaid jewelry that fits each bridesmaid’s personality and tastes, you’ll find you’re going to see them wearing their bridesmaids jewelry to other events and occasions.
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