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Nov 12th, 2008 by admin
Wondering how to get more business? Finding out where your current business comes from can help you focus your marketing campaign. Check out this tip from Ladies Who Launch for a reminder about scrutinizing your sales leads.
Nov 7th, 2008 by admin
Transforming any room into a spectacular event space takes a lot of vision, design, and work. While florals, linens, and other décor make an impact, our experts agree that lighting is the key. “Lighting is the single best way to transform any venue from ordinary to extraordinary!” says Robert Arthur of Invisible Touch. Michelle Tortuya of Charming Events agrees “Lighting can transform a space so dramatically and for a fraction of the cost of other alternatives.” Lighting is an essential element of event design. Kevin Covey of Kevin Covey Weddings & Events suggests professional lighting to all of his clients, saying, “I always love intense vibrant colors throughout the room. It makes such an impact in the space.”
While centerpiece pinspotting, highlighting the cake, and uplighting architectural features in a room are all great ways to use event lighting, the hottest trend is battery-powered LED lighting. According to Arthur, battery-powered LED (light emitting diode) lights have low power consumption, require no cords because they are controlled remotely, and last up to 10 hours at an event. “Vendors that use this technology do not require any power whatsoever and the run off of a remote control so there are no wires or taping necessary. This is great because a lot of venues do not want any type of tape seen by guests. Additionally, the battery-operated LED lights are small and unobtrusive to guests and can also be used to light under tables or to highlight ice sculptures, etc.”
Mike Ivey of Pro Audio & Lighting says LED lighting is “being used to color change throughout the event. The room can become a total different color and environment as the reception segues from event to event or song to song during dancing.” Tortuya’s clients choose to use multiple colors in their celebrations. “The color combinations are endless and using two to three different shades seems to work out best.”
In addition to LED lighting, Covey sees using lighting as a part of the wedding theme as another current trend. “I coordinated an art deco style wedding and for the border of the ceremony aisle we had gobos of art deco patterns. It was a lovely border and it fit the style of the wedding.”
Focusing on lighting to make an impact in an event can be a great use of resources. Whether using lighting in traditional ways on centerpieces and highlighting important elements, or venturing into new LED color-changing lights, the transformation can be huge. Covey speaks of the importance of lighting an event. “You spend so much money on your wedding it’s a shame if you can’t see it the way it should be seen.”
Nov 5th, 2008 by admin
From Wendy Dahl of Dahl Wedding Company
One of the best things that has helped me keep my contacts organized is my One of the best things that has helped me keep my contacts organized is my CardScan. I scan all of the business cards I receive making it possible to categorize each contact. I can also add notes of where and when we met along with pricing or other vital information for each business. The information can be exported into a personalized printed phone book or spreadsheet that I can create mailing labels from. Eliminate your rolodex and paper mess and let technology simplify your life.
Nov 5th, 2008 by admin
Check out Sweet Gem’s Grace Chuyn on the Food Network’s “Cake Challenge.” Grace competed in the Dr. Seuss Extraordinaire Challenge. It airs this week on November 5th at 7pm & November 7th at 2pm. Congratulations Grace!
Nov 4th, 2008 by admin
Here are some pics from our members on the road. Many of our members participate in weddings all over the globe. Here are a few images from their travels around the world.
From Joel Austell: Barcelona, Spain
From Victor Sizemore: Dublin, Ireland
From Joel Maus at Studio EMP: Boston, Massachusetts
You can check out more of Joel’s travel photography at “A Night in Fullerton” on Saturday, November 8th from 5-9 pm.
Nov 3rd, 2008 by admin
$10,000+ Prize Package Will Take Care of a Breast Cancer Survivor from Head to Toe on Her Wedding Day
Brides who have lost their hair to breast cancer treatment have the opportunity to win a wedding day prize package worth over $10,000. The grand prize includes human hair extensions and a customized lingerie set so she can walk down the aisle with hair under her veil and cleavage in her gown. Brides can enter the contest from November 1, 2008 to January 2, 2009 by visiting the Say I Do Contest. As a bonus, the first ten qualified entrants will automatically win a Foot Petals Runaway Bride Gift Set.
The Say ‘I Do’ With a Big ‘Do Contest was born at the launch of The Spiraled Stem Floral Design on January 31, 2008 in Anaheim, CA. At a gathering of Southern California’s premiere wedding, event, and floral industry professionals, a silent auction raised proceeds for the purchase of human hair extensions for Celebrity Hairstylist Abby Aguilera to apply to a bride who has lost her hair to breast cancer treatment. Abby Aguilera will also provide the hairstyling on the bride’s wedding day, a service valued at $5,000.
The grand prize winner will also receive: florals for the wedding from the e collection - featuring VeriFlora Certified Sustainably Grown Flowers - by The Spiraled Stem Floral Design, valued at $2,000; a day-of wedding coordination package from Simply Mumtaz Events, valued at $3,500; a personalized bra fitting and wedding day lingerie set by The Sculpted Silhouette, including the Bra Pocket, valued at $100; Foot Petals Runaway Bride Gift Set, valued at $44.95.
To be eligible to enter, entrants must be engaged prior to the application closing date on January 2, 2009, plan to marry in Southern California by December 31, 2010, have lost their hair due to breast cancer treatment, and anticipate at least 2 ½ inches of post-treatment hair regrowth by the wedding. See the Official Rules for complete eligibility criteria.
Five finalists will be selected by a panel of wedding, beauty, and breast cancer communities and announced on or about January 23, 2009. Profiles of the top five finalists will be posted on the contest website for online voting for the following seven days. The finalist receiving the most votes during the voting period will be declared the winner. The winner will be announced at a Southern California Brides Against Breast Cancer Gown Sale on or about March 1, 2009.
Visit the Contest website for complete Contest Rules, Eligibility, profiles on Sponsors, and to apply.
Christine Saunders is the President/CEO of The Spiraled Stem Floral Design, which specializes in environmentally sustainable floral design and offers Green Flowers. Available in Every Color™. Christine is presenting the Say ‘I Do’ With a Big ‘Do Contest in honor of her aunt Anne, whom she lost to breast cancer in 1998. Learn more about The Spiraled Stem Floral Design at www.thespiraledstem.com.