I had the pleasure of coordinating Ali and Helena's wedding at the Don CeSar recently.  Two talented and dedicated physicians who truly respect and love each other.   The weather was beautiful, the setting divine and the bride was relaxed and glowing.  The ceremony went off without a hitch.  After the ceremony, guests were escorted to the cocktail hour and the bridal party remained in the courtyard for pictures.  Ali and Helena couldn't wait to get to the beach for sunset pictures, but also wanted some formal shots on the staircase.  Almost to the end of the formal pictures, Helena was doing a couple of solo bridal shots with her train and cathedral length veil cascading down the stairs.  And then it happened... a bird pooped on her dress.  Myself and the bridesmaids all rushed over to clean it off and with a few paper towels and white chalk from my emergency kit, the dress looked like new again.  Being in this industry for many years now, I know that some brides would have stressed out and had a melt down over something like this.  Not Helena, she laughed and said "they say it's good luck when this happens!". 

So off to the beach we went for sunset pictures.  And then it happened again.  It had not rained at all that day and as the sun was setting, a perfect rainbow formed directly over the hotel.  It was amazing.  With all of the good luck charms Helena and Ali were having, I thought about running over and checking for a pot of gold!  Helena was absolutely delighted by the rainbow, as were we all.  Reflecting on what happened in the course of an hour, I realized that had Helena not reacted the way that she did with the bird "situation", she may never had seen her rainbow.

So the moral of the story is... on your wedding day, you can't control everything - especially nature - so find the positive in everything that makes your day yours.  Those are the things that you will remember forever and make the best stories to tell your future kids!  

As I sit here watching the Bucs pound on Carolina, I'm thinking wouldn't it be cool if the Buccaneers made it to the Super Bowl in February right here at our very own RayJay Stadium.  It's possible... look at what the Rays are doing by going from last to first - and a strong contender for the World Series - in a year!  But whether or not that happens, Tampa will be jumping come the last week of January and I can't wait to be part of the excitement.  Be sure to check out the newest page on my website!!

Last year, I joined the board of directors for Eighteen89, a social, mission-driven organization that benefits the YMCA.  I was always raised to give back to your community, and it is something that I strive to do regularly whether by volunteering my time, donating funds or in this case, donating my expertise.  Eighteen89 was in need of a philanthropic/ social chair and when a friend called me to ask for my help and after learning more about the organization and those who they serve, I excitedly joined the team.  In 2008, I was elected President of the Board.

So, one thing to know about me is that I like reality shows... the ones like Survivor and the Amazing Race.  I find them amusing and my husband and I always say we're going to apply to go on the Amazing Race.  Great way to see the world on someone else's dime, right?!  Yes, this is relevant, I didn't just go off on a tangent.  So last year I developed a "scavenger hunt" along Howard Avenue for Eighteen89.  It's based on the Amazing Race concept where we split people into teams and have them race from one place to another by figuring out clues that will lead them to their next "pit stop".

This past Saturday,over 50 people came out to MacDintons in South Tampa to race up and down Howard Avenue figuring out their clues and trying to get to the finish line first.  We named all of the teams after YMCA programs like Camp Cristina, which is a 66-acre facility in Riverview, that Eighteen89 supports during the holidays by passing out gifts and food to migrant families and foster families who wouldn't otherwise have much to celebrate during the holidays.  I guess you can say the scavenger hunt was a little bit of education and a whole lot of fun!

To find out more about Eighteen89 and its upcoming events, check out our group page on Facebook! http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=23629324266

In the event industry, everyone knows when summer comes to an end... the phones start ringing off the hook!  And in the last week it appears that we have entered into the event season once again.

I have been speaking and meeting with many prospective clients recently and I often get asked "I want to get married in three months, is that enough time to plan something?".  Absolutely!  Obviously the more time you have to plan, the more options you have available to you.  But for many different reasons some people don't want to wait as long - and that's okay.  Whether you have 6 weeks, 6 months or 6 years to plan, a professional planner can help you achieve the perfect style and vision you want for your day.

So before you stress and think time is running out, call me.  I'm here to help.

We are proud to announce that Divine Creations Event Planning Specialists has become an official vendor for the Super Bowl!  It was a fairly lengthy process between obtaining our MBE (women and minority owned business) certification through the State of Florida and also being approved by the Super Bowl Host Committee.  But it was well worth it! 

Check back to our website soon, as we will be adding a new page specifically for the Super Bowl!

As I drove over the Gandy Bridge the Sunday of Labor Day weekend, I looked out to the white caps in the Gulf and thought "uh oh".  Today is the day that Jenny and Dan have been planning for so long and who would have known that Gustav, although thankfully not threatening Florida directly, was still giving us wind gusts that made me drive with two hands on the wheel at all times.  All I could think about was what if one of those gusts comes along and knocks down their chuppah in the middle of their outside ceremony.

As I pulled up to the Vinoy for set-up my cell phone rang.  It was Jenny.  As I prepared to give her my recommendation of pulling the ceremony inside, she said "my parents and I think we should change the ceremony to our back-up location".  Whew.  I never want to be the bearer of bad news, but I also don't want a downpour to occur while 200 guests are watching the bride make her entrance or witness her mom's wedding veil tear off the top of the chuppah in the wind.  That is why I always, always have a Plan B.

I understand the attraction of wanting an outdoor wedding, especially in Florida.  But as we know, Mother Nature can have a mind of her own.  Make sure that if planning any portion of your event outside, the venue is holding back-up space during that exact same time inside AND that it is written in your contract.  Fortunately Jenny and Dan understood that moving their wedding inside, while not what they pictured, was far better than wind blown hair, wet guests and a soggy mood for their reception!  

Let's face it, we live in paradise here in Florida, but along with the reward comes some risk.  We Floridians know that as hurricane season.  TS Fay decided to visit us recently... three times.  And now Gustav is heading up the Gulf and Hanna is hanging out in the Caribbean waiting to make her move.  So does that mean you shouldn't have a special event planned anytime from June to November?  Not necessarily, but event insurance is something you should definitely consider.

Event insurance comes in many different levels of coverage.  There is event cancellation or postponement that covers deposits and payments made if the event cannot take place or if you must postpone and the vendors you selected are booked on the date you rescheduled it for already.  There is also general liability insurance which some venues require you to have if you hold your event in their facility.  Art museums are a good example that require insurance.

Some individuals are able to get event insurance through their homeowners insurance company so that's a great first place to start.  There are also other companies who specialize in this type of coverage like www.firemansfund.com; www.onedayevent.com; www.eventinsure.com; www.privateeventinsurance.com; and www.wedsafe.com.

In my opinion, hiring the best vendors who are professional, reputable and top notch in their industry is one of the easiest ways to ensure a successful event.  As an event planner, I do my best to match up my clients with the vendor who will best fit their personality, style and budget. 

With weddings I offer several levels of involvement, one of which is the day-of wedding coordination package.  This works well for couples who want to plan their own wedding, but don't want to stress on their big day.  With a day-of coordination client, I generally start getting into the action about 3-4 weeks prior to the wedding day.  When we meet, the client already has secured their own vendors and has contracts for the services they require.  Sometimes I am unfamiliar with the vendors they have selected, but I am fine with that; there are many talented professionals in the Tampa Bay area and I enjoy meeting them and broadening my network for future clients.

Unfortunately there are also individuals that say they are professionals, but when asked the right questions, you find out that is not really the case.  Recently I had a day-of client have the unfortunate experience of her photographer backing out... two weeks before the wedding.  He referred them to a friend of his who was also a professional (and I use that term loosely) photographer.  The bride had concerns, but since she lives out of state, felt like there were not many options.  She called me and asked for some advice.  I could hear the hesitation in her voice, but trying not to alarm her any more than she was, I offered to call the new photographer since I had never worked with him before and ask some follow up questions.

When I spoke with the photographer I asked a few very simple questions:  1) How long have you been doing this professionally; 2) is this your full-time profession; 3) do you have a business license with the city/ county; 4) do you carry insurance; and 5) how many weddings have you shot as the primary photographer - not someone's assistant.  His answers went something like this: 1) One year; 2) No, I have a Monday-Friday, 9-5 job; 3) I'm registered with the State of Florida - not what I asked, and then I found out he didn't know that he needed a license; 4) No insurance; and 5) Maybe a dozen or so.  As a professional, red flags were waving brightly in my face.  I called my client back and let her know the questions that I asked, the reason I asked those questions and his answers. 

Question #1 is obvious - hands-on experience is what makes a professional a true professional.  We all have to start out somewhere, but if you think you know it all, and can do it all, after one year in business, there's a problem.  I've been doing this 12 years and I learn new things all the time.  You can learn only so much through books, experience is what will take you to the next level.  Question #2 - if you can't support yourself with doing what you love as a profession, it's a hobby.  Unless you can dedicate yourself to improving your skills, learning new things and polishing technique 100% of the time, you just can't be all that you can be.  Question #3 - basically, if you don't have a license you're operating your business illegally.  Question #4 - all vendors should carry general liability insurance at a minimum.  Additionally, professional liability and workers compensation insurance are also a very good idea.  What if your photographer leaves his equipment where someone can trip over it?  If he/she doesn't have insurance that person who fell can sue you.  What if the photographer stood on a chair to take a picture and he/she fell?  That's right, your photographer could sue you.  And what if the photographer didn't take proper care of his/ her equipment and it is faulty?  That means not only do you not get your pictures, but also if you sue them, with no insurance, you won't get any compensation either.  Insurance is expensive for vendors to carry, but it's also what separates the professionals from the rookies.  And lastly question #5 - You can't recreate your wedding day and pictures are one of the only ways you can capture those moments and preserve them.  If the person who is responsible for capturing these memories isn't as qualified as they portray themselves being, you are going to be highly disappointed in your photos and that, unfortunately, will be the lasting impression of your wedding day.

I told my client that it was 100% her and her fiance's decision, but if she wasn't sure that she wanted to use this photographer, I would help her find another.  She spoke with her fiance and they decided to go with someone else.  I truly believe that in hindsight they will thank their original photographer for doing them a favor by backing out. 

When hiring vendors without the advice of an event planner, please be sure to do your research.  Ask the right questions, and don't settle for anything less than the best.  There are great, high quality vendors in every budget range out there... don't give up until you find the right one for you. 

So I bet some of you thought my blogging was short lived... not the case!  My husband, Joe, and I took some much deserved R & R and slipped away on a 3 week vacation.  Summer is typically a slower time of year for the event industry, but each year is different so you better make plans in advance or you won't be able to get away... which was my mistake last year!  But I have to say we made up for it in 2008.

We ventured up to Seattle for a few days and then on to Vancouver for a few more.  And then we boarded a seven day Holland America cruise from Vancouver to Alaska.  And then the fun really began... another whole week in the Alaskan wilderness.  Okay, truth be told, we didn't rough it like in the movie "Into the Wild", but those of you who saw the movie and knows what happened in the end, well we opted for B & Bs and hotels instead!  On the cruise we stopped in Ketchikan, Juneau (my favorite port by far) and Skagway, as well as cruised the Glacier Bay.  The scenery is amazing and the wildlife is incredible.  We took a float plane ride of death... I say that because it was raining and windy and I did a lot of serious praying...  We hiked Mendenhall Glacier which was breathtaking.  We also took a jet boat tour in Haines where our driver got us stuck in a sandbar, but the two bald eagles right above us (and probably laughing at us) and the black bear sighting made it well worth it.

Once we got off the ship in Seward the true adventure began.  We stayed in Seward for a couple of days where we got to feed the puffins at the Alaska SeaLife Center.  That was so cool (and really smelly).  We walked along the water's edge to watch the sea otters playing and eating.  But probably the best part of the trip in my opinion was the catamaran ride to Kenai Fjords.  Talk about jaw dropping memories.  We saw killer whales playing with porpoises, a breaching humpback whale, seals, sea lions, mountain goats, lavender and orange starfish, and our boat got about 150 feet from a caving glacier.  Some moments I would just stand there with my jaw hanging open and totally forgot that I should be taking pictures!  It was wildlife at its fineness. 

Then we rented a car and took off for Denali National Park and Preserve.  The tour in the old, rickety school bus through Denali rivaled the boat to Kenai Fjords.  We were nearing the end of our vacation and I had yet to see a grizzly bear.  Every time we heard about a sighting we were off and running towards it.  I know, most people would do the opposite, but it was number one on my list of things to see.  We always seemed to be just a little too late.  Well, this time, SCORE!  Not one, not two, but six grizzlies... including two cubs!  And we saw a grizzly chasing a wolf pup (I know, I was cringing too!), then all of a sudden the grizzly stopped dead in its tracks and started running the other way... Mama wolf came to save the day!!  She was hot on that grizzly's tail!  It was truly a National Geographic moment.  We also saw moose (and baby calves), dall sheep, caribou, and lots of other critters that I can't remember their official names.  Totally worth sitting in a school bus for 8 hours!

So now, back to reality and real life.  It's always fun to get away, but it's also nice to come back home.  Now I am totally energized and rested and ready to tackle the work at hand... planning perfect events!! 

I am proud to announce that Divine Creations Event Planning Specialists has moved into a new storefront location in the heart of South Tampa.  Conveniently located to I-275, the Veterans Expressway and the Crosstown Expressway, we opened our doors officially on May 1st at 3309 S. Westshore Boulevard.  The "Champagne and Chocolate" open house was a huge success with over 70 people coming to tour the new studio.

The studio has a warm and inviting reception area complete with great items available for sale including cute tote bags, picture frames, guest books and those fun items that make great gifts for any bride.  There is also a conference room in which you can view pictures of our work and kick back on a comfortable sofa to look through invitation albums.

Many planners, particularly wedding planners, work out of their homes, and I'm not criticizing that by any means.  I myself, started in 2002, working out of my own home then moved into an office building before settling into our current location.  However, it does make it difficult for the client to see their wedding planner's personal surroundings, and feel like they really know the person they are about  to spend a lot of time with planning such a personal milestone.  Having an office outside of the home also provides the peace of mind that when the planner is working nothing else will distract them from the goal - planning the perfect event for you.