Summery Wedding

I mentioned before  that I was assisting Blair Britt with a wedding with 2 months notice! It happened to be the night after my graduation so the week before the wedding I wasn’t much help!

 Planning a wedding in two months was a first for both of us, and I must say Blair pulled it off with flying colors! And I am not kidding when I say colors because this was a bright, fun, colorful wedding. We themed it “Playful Summer.” The bride and groom had very fun personalities, and Blair used this to create a vibe for the whole wedding. It took place at the beautiful Virginia Country Club in Long Beach, and the setting for the ceremony could not have been more beautiful. The trees there are huge and framed everything perfectly. Blair and our favorite florist Jayne of Bits of Whimsy (seriously, there isn't anything this woman can't do) created some fun décor, which included bright orange and pink flowers and Chinese lanterns. We covered some of the lanterns  with petals to dress them up a bit, and used them throughout the wedding. Blair’s signature piece, ribbon, was also used to adorn the tables and dress up the white linens.

To Whomever I Marry: I am sorry for taking over our future house with wedding projects

Love the Pops of Color! 

These Pomander Balls Are Surprisingly Heavy! It took everything I had to not start a softball game during clean up :) 

The lanterns look much better here than hanging on my pull-up bar!

Table Ribbons: Simple and Fun! 

I love the escort cards in the wheat grass. All the paper goods were created by Blair

Blair Also Comes With An Assortment of Rentals to Use  for Your Events 

Such a Fun Way to Display Anything From Menus to Instructions for Guests

The desserts created by the amazing Sweet and Saucy were to die for as usual. You can always count on those girls to create a fabulous spread. It included mini pies, which is the groom’s favorite dessert, cake pops, desserts in cups, and some other fun goodies. They also had a gorgeous cake. My favorite were the carrot cake pops! 

The country club has a no cell phone policy, which is a staple for us to communicate. We turned to radios and had an interesting experience. We kept intercepting conversations on our channel which included kids that were playing with walkie talkies. Besides the fact that we couldn’t keep the earpiece in our ears, I like using them as opposed to cell phones because it is a little more professional, but I think we still need practice to learn the proper radio etiquette! All in all, it was a very successful wedding!!

Thank you Jeremiah Bonjean for capturing some fabulous images and helping everything go so smoothly! A cohesive vendor team is the key to success! 

Little Girl in a Big CIty

One of my many life plans (I take after my dad)  was to attend UNLV’s graduate, hotel administration program after I had graduated from Chapman. I decided that my parents already sent me to a good undergrad school and didn’t need to be spending that much more money. As I spent time in Vegas this past week, I was biting at the bit to apply. What a cool opportunity it would be to experience that side of events. I have been doing weddings, but I have always wanted to learn event production from every angle to make me more valuable. This fall, as I’ve said before, I will hopefully be learning all about nonprofit and fundraising events.

Anyway, a friend of the family, Steve, is the general manager of the equestrian arena at the South Point in Vegas. He was very excited about my career goals and offered to let me shadow him at a concert this past weekend. It was a big event called Junefest that hosted the bands War, Three Dog Night, and The Fixx. He also said that I could shadow his staff anytime I wanted! I am highly considering taking him up on that! He took me on a tour of the arena as well as the stables. Since it is an equestrian arena, they have 1200 very high-class stables to house the horses that come through for rodeos and other similar shows. Next week they will have a jousting competition…pretty intense! I think I'd fit in quite nicely in the equestrian center being the farm girl I am and having grown up raising pigs..wait, what?? Yep, I am a true blood former 4-H member. 

I got to hang out with him as well as the general manager of the hotel (No big deal, right??)  and watch how things were run during the event. He took me back stage and showed me where they put the artists and how they take care of them. He was very relaxed and laid back through the whole thing, which kind of surprised me. He told me that if he did his job ahead of time, that he could just hang out and enjoy the event. As a very successful event planner, all he had to do was press “go” and everything he put together in advance went to work. Any problem that could arise, would quickly be mitigated by his staff whom he has already prepared. For example, the fire alarm went off during the concert and as soon as he got on the radio, he was alerted by an employee that it had already been taken care of and within minutes the alarm was off. I asked my family about it, and they never even noticed it.

Whether it be weddings or other type of events, I aspire for mine to run this smoothly. I want to be able to push “go” and have everything run just as planned without any stress the day-of. 

Arena 

Horse Stalls 

A-List Horse Stalls 

Watchin' the Concert

Walking around Vegas, I felt very small and intimidated, which is why I would love to intern with Steve. I feel like I would learn so much and realize that I am capable of more than I think. I may just have to take him up on his offer to come anytime! :) 

Goals

It’s only fitting that at the end of my college career I make some goals. Blair Britt, a very inspirational person in my life did this, and I am following suit.

The Mission: Complete 101 preset tasks in a period of 1001 days.

The Criteria: Tasks must be specific with a result that is either measurable, or clearly defined. Tasks must also be realistic and stretching (ie. represent some amount of stretching on your part.)

Starting Date: June 6, 2010

Completion Date: Umm when someone figures out that math, be a pal and let me know ;)

This was surprisingly hard, and I still have some completing to do, but I wanted to get it posted. There is also no specific order. I wrote as they came to mind. Some are goals and some are simply wishes because I would be incredibly blessed if some of these things actually happened. I know that most of these don’t fit the criteria of being measurable, but they are necessary. I also know that some of them are lifelong, but as I said, they are necessary.

1.     Get through all of the event planning books I bought

2.     Reorganize all the files on my computer

3.     Plan my first successful wedding and then some

4.     Start my own business

5.     Get more experience from other places before I start my own business

6.     Learn to sew

7.     Learn to build things

8.     Become a Crossfit trainer

9.     Go to San Francisco

10.Take culinary arts courses and try a new recipe once a week

11. Learn to be more “crafty”

12. Learn to always have a positive attitude

13. Learn to be more compassionate and understanding

14. Be healthy, but don’t obsess…live a little

15. Learn how to play tennis

16. Save up a lot of money by day 1001 and keep saving

17. Learn how to graphically design things

18. Get a vizsla

19. Get a concealed weapons license

20. Give something back to my high school

21. Play in a softball game

22. Visit my friend Janelle in Texas

23. Learn to wakeboard

24. Go visit my family in Missouri

25. Drive a Bentley

26. Go hunting with my dad

27. Convince Dad it’s not unethical to let their kids get cosmetic surgery if it’s something that has bothered them since they were 9 years old thanks to more than enough teasing

28.  Convince AC/DC or Van Halen to start touring again so I can watch their concert

29. Learn to let go and boldly step into the unknown

30. Join a Bible study group

31. Learn to be content with the fact I can’t make everyone happy

32. Go back to Europe

33. Hike the Grand Canyon

34. Play with exotic animals…chimpanzees, baby bears, baby tigers, etc.

35.  Watch a number of old movies

36. Go to Venice Beach

37. Go to the Santa Monica Pier

38. Go see the heart of Nashville and my family there

39. Go to a Cubs vs. Cardinals game at Busch  Stadium

40. Give my parents site seeing tips on a trip they will take to Europe…then hop in their suitcase

41. Learn how to throw a punch

42. Learn how to hook up, pull, and back up a trailer

43. Reconnect with old friends and keep in better touch with people

44. Learn how to draw

45. Fulfill one of my best friends metaphors of taking my old shoes out of storage and letting them go, try on new ones, and trust that God will know when the time is to start shopping.

46. Run a half marathon with Elizabeth preferably one that ends with a Nike/Tiffany’s necklace and firemen

47. Get my own website

48. Become a more efficient blogger and inspire and teach people through them

49. Thank people more often and let them know how much they mean to me

50. Go visit my sorority sisters 

51. Watch as many of my little brother's football games as possible

52. Send my big brother off to dental school

53. Be a more valuable friend, daughter, sister, granddaugher, niece, godmother, etc. 

54. Be a role model for my little cousins

55. Spend more time with my extended family in Yuma

56. Find enough goals to fit the 101 criteria.

Open to suggestions especially from those who know me well and know things I should be working on! 

Barefoot

Have you ever known something would eventually happen or a day would actually arrive, but completely surprised yourself by your reaction when it actually happened? You thought you had complete control over your emotions and thought that you would accept it as part of life, but you lost complete control? I’ve had that happen to me a lot recently since going through so many life changes over the past six or so months. I knew I was going to graduate from college, and I was ready for it. I was sick of all the studying and ready for the next phase in my life, but as the day drew nearer I began to feel uneasy. What’s next? Then before I knew it, my best friend had her whole room in boxes, and my roommate was knocking on my bedroom door to say goodbye. No, not just for the summer as we had done for the past 3 summers, but for a while.  It was extremely hard to swallow. Then when I realized I was leaving my brothers for who knows how long, I completely lost it. As I packed my car, I had to forget the few errands I had on my list on my way out of town because I was an emotional wreck.

Moving back home included a flood of emotions. Yes, I’m home with my family where my heart is and loving it, but it just feels different this time. Things won’t be as they always have, and cruising around town just has a different feeling. Maybe it’s because I’ve adopted my dad’s big bad Sequoia and have been driving in style. J I almost feel like an outsider because I don’t know how long I will be here and what life will present to me here. I feel like all my friends have got their lives in order with big kid jobs, and know exactly what is next. I think until I am settled into a career and way of life, I will feel unsettled and uncertain, but I also think this is completely natural. I’m pretty sure I feel this type of vulnerability every time I enter the unknown be it traveling somewhere or even going to a small function where I know no one. I think this is God’s way of telling me that I am not  in control. He is, and I just need to trust that he is leading me exactly where I need to be. He’s telling me to slow down and not be so impatient with life to get here. I need not worry about what others are doing and to stop searching for a comfort zone. Sometimes we have to be out there completely uncomfortable and naked in order to find that perfect fit.

That reminds me of some of the best advice I ever got:  old shoes are great, but new ones are even better and sometimes it’s even better to just be barefoot for a while and feel the sand between our toes. We can’t be complacent about life and stuck in our comfort zones! We have to try new things and welcome the unknown with an open heart. 

Caught Up!

I have failed as a blogger! I forced myself to refrain from blogging until I had written all my thank you notes from graduation. I feel so incredibly blessed! I really received some great letters from people wishing me well and congratulating me, and it has made me determined to approach the next step in my journey with vigor! 

The graduation party was an absolute success despite the 35 mph winds! I actually am secretly glad it was windy because it kept everyone inside and closer together, it kept 23 tables empty, and we got to return the tablecloths and get some money back! It’s a good thing I had decided not to do any center pieces! I was so excited to see everyone that came out…all 150 of them! It was so overwhelming, and I wish I had more time to chat with and catch up with everyone.

The food was fabulous. We served pollo asada (I’m the chicken queen), carne asada, salad, beans, corn, melon, and other goodies! And even though my dad said people wouldn’t drink my favorite cocktail, everyone raved about it! I also snuck in a batch of my favorite dip! I did a little bit of decorating, but as I had said, it was getting to be the size of a wedding without the budget of one! 

The best part of the party is that my family and a few other families stayed and danced until 2am! I couldn’t believe it, and since I was up at 5am that morning setting up, I could not move all day Sunday. It was so much fun and everyone keeps saying it was the best party we’ve ever thrown. That says a lot since we tend to throw them on a regular basis. I am one lucky girl and the last few weeks have been very nostalgic and jus… reminiscent. (That is not correct grammar but you get my drift!)

On another note, I have some really exciting news! My dad and I flew to Tgen today to check out an internship opportunity and a cool one at that! It is an innovative, nonprofit medical research facility and they invited me to work with their events team and learn the dynamics of throwing large-scale fundraising events. It is something I am really intrigued by because I want to learn more than just weddings so that I can be more valuable and have the skills to do anything. Their team is unbelievable and I know I can learn so much from them. I just have to figure out a way to live in Phoenix for a few months!  

Thanks for stopping by! 

Let's Get Physical

Planning events can be a physically grueling process especially when you do a lot of it yourself and aren't hiring outside people. I've done events where we had multiple carloads and even truckloads of supplies. For any event, the teardown is usually the most physical part of the process, but it is oddly one of my favorite parts. Many times I would make multiple trips up and down several flights of stairs to put decorations and other items in the bride and groom's suite. I've finished tearing down weddings at 3am! You are on your feet for about 12+ hours straight, and it is just exhausting. But I would not trade it for sitting at a desk permanently any day!

No one does events like my dad. Here is a guy that should be pursuing an event planning career. He looks for any excuse to throw a party, and he has taken my graduation party and run with it! He and his crew set up a stage and dance floor today, and we filled two flat carts and two normal carts of food and
alcohol at Sam's today.

I looked like this all day at Sam's as I tried pushing those heavy carts around:

The physical part of the planning starts in all the preliminaries of an event

The cashier was as the Dixie Chicks put it...Ready to run! Okay, not really. 

We had people in the parking lot stop and ask if we needed help loading, and everyone kept telling us they wanted to come to our party! 

I am so thankful, but my stress levels were slightly high because I never expected this party to grow this large! I am so excited to have so many people come together and just have a good time.

I could not be more thankful for my parents! My dad has taken car of ordering everything and will be cooking all day tomorrow and just doing all the production of this thing from A to Z. As the official planner in the family, I feel slightly incompetent. He has thrown parties like these so many times that he just gets into a zone and goes! He is the Energizer Bunny. My mom is such a trooper for keeping up with him, and has been so helpful from all the shopping with me, to being in charge of all the mailing, and encouraging me in all my decorating. She's been so great and practically bed-ridden due to a back injury!  Speaking of, she is one of the shyest people you will ever meet, and my dad threw a surprise party for her 40th birthday. No, it was not a quaint intimate affair. He put carpet down in my high school gym and a dance floor, and we filled it with 300 people who came to celebrate this phenomenal woman. She totally deserved every bit of it, but the poor thing ran out the door as soon as she walked in!!

My dad just does not do anything small! One day I will be able to keep up with his pace.

Tomorrow, will consist of setting up tables, filling ice chests, cooking, some decorating, cleaning, and just the all around process that goes into a party in which everyone we know is invited.

Since I am a party planner and hate being the center of attention, I am going to have a hard time accepting the fact that people are coming to celebrate a milestone in my life. I am so thankful for all the love and support, and I know I am going to be completely overwhelmed!

Dad, I hope I can one day produce as effectively and efficiently as you! And Mom, I'm sorry you have to put up with our crazy selves! You've been nothing but supportive and so much more!

Stay tuned for a re-cap!!

Doin' Business!

In every step of my life there has always been something next whether it be the next grade after summer vacation, graduating into high school and college, and now graduating into…adulthood?? I just feel like saying “Second star to the right and straight on ‘til morning! Never Never Land!!” Everyone keeps asking…what’s next?? Good question! For now, I will be working for my dad to earn some extra money and before we know it, coordinating a wedding in October.-not as an intern, but as the official planner! So scary! I am also looking into an event planning internship with a nonprofit foundation in October then hopefully I can go back and take some classes in Orange County, get some more experience, then start my very own company. If someone has a good name, let me know! =) 

I am so excited to finally show off some pictures from my October couple’s engagement shoot. This wedding means so much to me because I grew up with the bride and groom and even shared a house at one point with the groom in college. I knew these two before they even started dating so I have seen their relationship flourish from day one! I can’t wait for their special day to finally be here!

Lance and Laura’s photography team is Fallbrook Photography. This may sound really weird, but it was surreal coming into contact with my first vendor as the coordinator. I guess one day I will get over it and realize I am the person in charge or I've said before the coach, not the assistant. 

The engagement shots are absolutely adorable and were taken in a jackpot area, the Castle Dome Museum. Our little hometown of Yuma, AZ doesn’t have many resources as far as areas to photograph and Fallbrook really demonstrated their creativity in finding a key spot! Here are a few of my favorites: 

The desert is so green! 

Aww he is romantic!

I have to go visit this place!

To see the rest of the photos checkout Fallbrook Photography's site here!