Mary Dann's Blog

Top 5 Things to Do Once You Are Engaged

2012-02-16T09:00:00.000-08:00

He finally proposed and you said, “yes.” Now What??

Most girls want to buy the dress or pick a wedding date, but the most prudent step would be to discuss my top 5 pieces to the wedding planning puzzle:

1). Budget: how much do you actually have to spend. Yes, it is time to talk about the un-sexy subjects of budget, withdrawal from savings, money management, and who else can help you pay for it.

2). Guest count: when making your list, please consider that most weddings, on the average, cost from $400-$800 per person (inclusive of food, beverage, tax gratuity, vendors, rentals, etc.). As a rule of thumb, your location (food, beverage and site) usually costs half of your overall budget. Select a location/food/beverage knowing that if you doubled the estimated costs, you can afford the rest of the costs like entertainment, photographer, planner/coordinator, videographer, stationery, officiant, flowers, rentals, lighting, beauty, etc. So before you start inviting people you work with and your neighbors, ask yourself, are they worth the average cost per person for your wedding day??

3). Consult with a professional: Since a professional planner (someone who has planned at least 200+ weddings with 10+ years of experience) usually gets married 20-30 times a year, they have much more buying leverage, insights, suggestions and patience than a family member, friend or co worker. Most professional planners will offer a complimentary 1 hour consultation at their office to discuss your vision, budget, needs and features of their company. Your planner would help you create your dream day with your budget and vision in mind.

4). Design ideas. Look through magazines (print or online) to get design ideas. This is a perfect way to be able to communicate your likes and dislikes to anyone you meet or hire to help you. NO one can be a mind reader; it is your job to share some bits and pieces to your planner, designer, florist, and/or venue. Often times, a few “tear sheets” from a magazine can do the trick.

5). Choose a ceremony experience. This is the most sacred part of your wedding day. Make sure you select a setting that makes both of your hearts sing. As you move into making many decisions and merging your full and busy lives together, it is important to honor each of your traditions, dreams and wedding ceremony “ideals”.

Much Gratitude,
Mary Dann-McNamee

Monique Lhuillier Fall 2012 Trunk Show 1/26/12

2012-01-24T11:29:00.000-08:00

Monique Lhuillier is having their very last bridal trunk show for their Fall 2012 collection this weekend! If you are a bride who is still searching for your perfect wedding dress, you don't want to miss this! There are appointments open on Thursday and Friday. The collection is soo pretty! Below is the invitation and some of our favorite dresses.

Posey: Silk white silk faille fringe trimmed tank neckline mini dress

Monroe: White ice cream charmeuse halter neck draped sheath with front slit

Heidi: Silk white re-embroidered lace signature cap sleeve bodice with keyhole back and silk chiffon flowing empire skirt

Mia: Silk white re-embroidered lace sleeveless V-neck modified trumpet sheath with front slit

Emma: White re-embroidered lace strapless sweetheart asymmetric modified A-line gown with tulle inset skirt

Emotion: Silk white Spanish tulle portrait neckline with asymmetric draped bodice, elongated torso and full skirt

Garland: Ivory sweetheart strapless embellished Chantilly corset bodice with natural waist and embroidered organza high-low hem skirt

There are so many more beautiful dresses to see. We hope to see you there! Call 323-655-1088 to set up your appointment today.

Love, Laughter and Happiness,

Carrie

Carrie Goldberg - Event Manager

Mary Dann Wedding and Party Coordinators

Friday Favorite: Dead Hearts: The Wedding of Victoria and Jason Evigan

2012-01-06T16:28:00.000-08:00

I was recently at the Studio Agency (Venice, CA) getting my hair done with my trusted hairdresser Trina Duarte (who also does most of my brides too)

While I was there, I met Victoria Evigan who works closely with Trina and she shared her very touching wedding video with me.

Not knowing what to expect, I was blown away immediately by this raw, innovative, spiritual and loving wedding video! In all my years of planning weddings, I have never seen anything like this. It uses so many different mediums to evoke emotion through the use of family photos, old Hollywood love icons and eclectic music. The production team handled the emotions of family and friends with care and truly showed everyone in a beautiful light.

The concept of “dead hearts” stuck out to me especially when I heard the original song by the indie band Stars playing in the background. Victoria told me “Dead hearts means you make a promise to love that person until your heart dies, it’s about two people making this die-hard promise to love so deeply until they cannot breathe anymore.”

“Dead hearts are everywhere,” as the lyrics say, and thank God they are…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ri3EBDvbYXA

Much Gratitude,

Mary Dann McNamee

Mary Dann Wedding and Party Coordinators

Friday Favorite Find: WriteShot Photography

2011-12-16T09:01:00.000-08:00

We recently posted about Nicole and Eric's beautiful Four Season's Westlake Village Wedding. The couple had such a unique experience with their photography team that we wanted to share with you.

We love working with Natasha and Chris of WriteShot. They spend the entire week with a couple documenting their history, their wedding details, and learning all about their families and passions. Natasha and Chris join in the festivities leading up to the wedding including spa days, showers, guys nights out, wedding rehearsals, dinners, and day-after events.

At the end of your wedding journey they present you with a book that includes beautiful images and all the stories they have captured. You also get an iPad version of your book!
Natasha and Chris are both published writers and their designs are completely custom. When you hire WriteShot, you not only get a professional photographer with over 20 years experience, but a storyteller.

We invited Natasha to write a guest blog and talk about her experience with Nicole and Eric:
Here is a slideshow of their work: http://thewriteshot.com/weider/

"When Mary Dann contacts WriteShot, we know the client is going to be a perfect fit for us and this was most certainly the case with the Weiders. Nicole and Eric have a powerful energy between them and both of their families are truly dynamic. As a couple, they share a love for anything classic Hollywood--films, photos and music, included. Individually, they each radiate a unique passion. For Nicole, it is being a role model and educator for young girls. Eric is a historian, whose bent is the Old West. History is important to both Nicole and Eric, as is family. So, it came as no surprise that they commissioned us to photograph their wedding week and tell their love story and the story of their wedding. We first met the couple in their Hollywood Room early in their wedding week. And, as family and friends arrived, WriteShot was there capturing every moment in both images and words. The week ended with a romantic shoot on the Strand in Manhattan Beach. The couple will receive two distinct books, in addition to all of the hundreds of photos that were shot during the week. The first, a one-of-a-kind coffee table-style storybook comprises approximately 100 photos and 12,000 words. The second book, at the bride's request, will be an image-only book.

For couples whose love runs deep and for whom the values of family and legacy are paramount, WriteShot is a perfect choice. We are the only professional photojournalist/journalist team to document weddings the way we do--in both images and words. Our style is pure documentary. We take on approximately one client each month and all work is completely custom. Everything we do from the shooting, the writing, the editing and the layout, is completed in-house and everything we do is tailored to each couple's needs. Each storybook takes on the look and feel of that couple; and for the Weiders' book that means Old Hollywood.

When a couple truly appreciates fine art and believes in themselves and the power of their own story, that's when they start looking for something really different and satisfying--something that allows them to savor their wedding day over and over again. That's WriteShot. "

We can't wait to present future clients with the opportunity to work with WriteShot.

Love, Laughter and Happiness!

Carrie

Carrie Goldberg

Event Manager - Mary Dann Wedding and Party Coordinators

A Spectacular Wedding at Four Seasons Westlake

2011-11-30T09:10:00.000-08:00

Photo by Yitzak Dalal

We are so grateful to be on the referral list at the Four Seasons Westlake Village. They introduced us to the most wonderful couple who gave us the pleasure of planning a platinum wedding weekend for over 100 guests within three months. Not to mention on one of the most popular and exciting wedding dates ever! Nicole and Eric took advantage of the once in a lifetime opportunity to have their wedding date fall on 11-11-11, an anniversary date that would be impossible to forget!

Photo by Yitzak Dalal

The couple got married at the Four Seasons Westlake in a stunning indoor ceremony. The room was fiilled with beautiful floral arrangements of white, cream, blush, soft pink and champagne created by the Hidden Garden with lush petals down the custom aisle runner. Along the aisle were shapely glass vases with hanging crystals and a beautiful display of dripping florals on top. These were complimented with clusters of glass cylinders with floating candles.

Photo by Yitzak Dalal

The couple incorporated traditions from both their Jewish and Christian backgrounds. The spectacular chuppah was draped in fabric and adorned with floral tie backs and flowers covering the top and sides of the structure. There was a crystal wall hanging from the back.

After the ceremony, guests moved next door for cocktails and delicious tray passed hors d'oeuvres. The room was draped with white chiffon fabric and decorated with white pods of lounge furniture with champagne pillows.

Photo by Yitzak Dalal

The reception took place in a gorgeous tent on the Pagoda Lawn that was also draped from head to toe in white fabric and decorated with crystal chandeliers and hanging crystals.

Photo by Yitzak Dalal

Nicole loves crystals and all things "Bling"! Brilliant cut crystal paper weights were given to the bridal party as one of the many their many gifts and used instead of place cards.

Guests danced under the tent on the custom white dance floor with Nicole and Eric's monogram. DJ Jon Brown of Unite Entertainment kept the party going all night long!

Fabian from Event Designs by Fabian provided all of the lighting, draping, custom dance floor and lounge furniture. Kimberly Bailey from The Butter End Cakery created this stunning 7 layer cake that was as delicious as it was beautiful!

Photo by Yitzak Dalal

We would like to thank our entire team of vendors and the Four Seasons Westlake Village staff for all of their help in making Nicole and Eric's wedding dreams a reality! Special thanks to Hidden Garden, Unite Entertainment, Event Designs by Fabian, Elegant Designs Specialty Linens, Wildflower Linen, Town and Country Event Rentals, Classic Party Rentals, Photo Illusion Photobooth, The Studio Agency, Olivia Vaatate with A Stitch in Time, Yitzak Dalal Photography, The Write Shot Photography, Original Runners, The Talent Plan, and Elegant Music.

Be on the lookout because this wedding is going to be published in 2012 in an undisclosed magazine.

Much Gratitude,
Mary Dann-McNamee

Mary Dann Wedding and Party Coordinators

Monique Lhuillier Sample Sale! 12/4/11

2011-11-25T09:30:00.000-08:00

It’s almost December which means it’s Monique Lhuillier's sample sale time again!

Here are the details:

Hope to see you there!

Much Gratitude,
The Mary Dann Wedding and Party Coordinators Team

A Beautiful Afternoon at The Pasadena Museum of History

2011-11-18T11:40:00.000-08:00

This week I had the pleasure to visit with some talented people in the wedding industry at a lovely venue. The Pasadena Museum of History is located on a two-acre property on the corner of Orange Grove Blvd. and West Walnut Street in Pasadena. It is a hidden gem!

For weddings up to 200 people, you and your guests will enjoy stunning backdrops of historic buildings and lush gardens. Ceremonies take place on the steps leading up to the majestic Beaux Arts style Fenyes Mansion.

After the ceremony, guests can enjoy cocktails on the lawn.

Receptions are held out on the lawn by the gardens.

We can thank one of our favorite women in the wedding industry for bringing us all to the Pasadena Museum of History. Jen O'Sullivan, amazing photographer and marketing extraordinaire, began the organization that we were there to support. Event Specialists International is made up of a group of extremely talented wedding and event specialists that help build each member's business to achieve success.

Here are some of the amazing members that were also there to showcase their amazing work.

The lovely ladies of The Butter End Cakery! Kimberly Bailey never ceases to amaze us with her stunning and delicious cakes! We were all very lucky to sample some delicious flavors!

Music and sound was provided by Steven and Jason from 11H Entertainment. Not only do they have awesome DJs, but they specialize in the Infusion Xperience that combines the talents of "Outrageously Skilled Musicians, World-Class DJs, and Etraordinary Emcees". We love 11H Entertainment!

Beautiful floral arrangements were created by Wisteria Lane that is a full service eco friendly floral studio. They specialize in unique designs and all of their flowers and succulents are locally grown.

The event was catered by Meg Hall of Made by Meg! I loved the Curry Flavored Popcorn and mini twice baked potatoes!

Saul Hirschhorn from Designer Event Rentals brought in all the linens! They carry a wide variety of products including linens, chairs, bars, dance floors, and furniture. Saul is a delight to work with! I know first hand having worked with him on my own wedding!

Copper Willow Paper Studio provided all of our name badges and specialize in custom letterpress! They are extremely talented and can help you create custom invitations and wedding stationery.

Some of the guests of the event were lucky to be beautified by Betsy diFrancesca, who was showcasing her make-up artistry. Betsy's forte is giving brides a "natural look with an understated elegance" or as she often says, "the most beautiful version of you."

It was a lovely day, enjoyed by all! Thank you, Jen O'Sullivan for inviting us to the Event Specialist International Social!

Much Gratitude,

Carrie

Carrie Goldberg

Mary Dann Wedding and Party Coordinators

Mary Dann Wedding and Party Coordinators on Rue la la

2011-11-08T11:11:00.000-08:00

Mary Dann Wedding and Party Coordinators is thrilled to be teaming up with Rue La La!

Starting this Thursday, we will be offering our Three-Month Wedding Countdown Package at a very special 20% discount.

Don't wait, because this Rue La La deal must be redeemed between November 11, 2011 and May 11, 2012 and your wedding date must be by or before June 1, 2012.

We can't wait to help you plan your special day!

Friday Favorite Find: Wildflower Linen's New Beverly Hills Showroom

2011-10-28T09:36:00.000-07:00

Last week I visited Wildflower Linen's brand new showroom in Beverly Hills.

The new showroom is located at 822 S. Robertson Blvd, #305 in Beverly Hills and is available by appointment only.

Schedule a visit to see their stunning custom linens, napkins, chair covers and other unique wedding decor.

Here are some photos of their beautiful products that are featured at the new location. Youngsong Martin is such an incredibly talented designer. The Wildflower team will be so helpful in finding the perfect linens for your special day. To make an appointment, contact Allison@wildflowerlinens.com

A huge variety of fabrics and colors to choose from.

Amazing chair covers to dress up your tables!

Unique bridal party gift ideas as well as specialty decor items

I can't wait to visit Wildflower Linen's new showroom again soon!

Much Gratitude,

Carrie

Carrie Goldberg - Event Manager

Mary Dann Wedding and Party Coordinators

A Recent Wedding Featured in Wedding Planner Magazine

2011-10-20T10:20:00.000-07:00

We would like to share a beautiful and very special wedding that was featured in the September/October 2011 issue of Wedding Planner Magazine. Sharise and Tim were a lovely couple to work with. Tim, a dear friend, was the last of seven children to get married. He and his lovely bride dated for over a year then planned a destination winter wedding in his hometown, Chagrin Falls, Ohio. The wedding took place on a beautiful snowy day at the quaint and picturesque Hillbrook Club.

We would like to thank our talented team of vendors for all of their efforts to make the day a success.

Special thanks to our Cleveland, Ohio based team including Heidi at Heidzillas, LadyHawk Events, and Your Dream Day for their help with day of coordination, Jonathan Koslen with New Image Photography, Lasting Impression Rentals, stunning floral design by HeatherLily, a gorgeous and delicious cake by Cakes By Nadine, Classic DJ Service, A1 Mr. Limo, and Arra Hair Salon and Spa.

We would also like to thank John Goolsby from Godfather Films who made the trip out from California to capture all the special moments of the day.

Here is the article that was in Wedding Planner Magazine that highlights all the details of Sharise and Tim's beautiful wedding!

Much Gratitude,
Mary Dann-McNamee

Monique Lhuillier Fall 2012 Bridal Trunk Show

2011-10-10T14:08:00.000-07:00

We are so excited to share the news that Monique Lhuilllier's bridal trunk show will take place from October 20th through October 22nd at their Melrose location. They will showcase their brand new Fall 2012 Collection!

The new collection hits the shows in New York on Saturday, October 15th. The store here in Los Angeles on Melrose will be the first store in the country to receive the runway samples.

This is a fantastic opportunity for brides to preview, try on and order their dress before the collection is in stores! They will also offer a 10% discount on bridal gowns that are purchased during trunk show.

Many of our past brides have worn gorgeous wedding gowns from Monique Lhuillier and some were found during the bridal trunk show!

Photo by Jon Barber

Appointments are required so please call to make one soon! Brides are not going to want to miss this!

October 20^th – 22^nd

10am to 6pm

8485 Melrose Place, Los Angeles, CA 90069

Phone: 323-655-1088

We hope to see you there!

Love, Laughter and Happiness,

Carrie

Carrie Goldberg, Event Manager

Mary Dann Wedding and Party Coordinators

Friday Favorite Finds - Save the Veil: When the Wind Blows..Your Veil Won't!

2011-09-29T20:43:00.000-07:00

Southern California Wedding Planner, Jill Watson

Introduces Extraordinary New Product...Veil Weights!

After coordinating many weddings where windy conditions caused her bride’s veils to blow every which

way, disrupting the ceremony & photos, Jill decided that there was a need to find a way to keep those

veils down and under control. So, she created these beautiful pieces of magnetic jewelry that can be easily

attached to a brides veil...“so when the wind blows...your veil won’t.”

These beautiful veil weights are made of genuine mother of pearl and Swarovski crystals and contain two

small hidden magnets. The veil weights are not permanent; they’re very easy to put on and take off and

allow your veil to have movement while keeping it from blowing out of control!

Veil Weights jewelry are something every bride should have on her wedding day if her wedding is at the

beach, on a cliff by the ocean, on an island, a yacht, in the desert, in wine country or anywhere the wind

may be blowing. Wedding planners should have them for their bride’s emergency kits. Photographers,

videographers, bridal salons, seamstresses and make-up artists would benefit from carrying Save the Veil.

Save the Veil is a great product for the bride who has always wanted a beautiful veil, but thought she could

not have one because of windy conditions blowing the veil out of control on her wedding day. The problem

is now solved!

When the wedding day is over, brides can use Save the Veil as magnets to hang up their beautiful wedding

photos. They become a keepsake of your fabulous wedding day!

Lizzy & James - An Intimate Wedding at Home

2011-09-28T08:01:00.000-07:00

A family friend of mine was planning to have her daughter's wedding in her backyard for 280 people. She had 6 months to put everything together for Lizzy and James, including the renovation of the backyard. Thankfully she had many loving and creative friends and family members that came together to create a magical, meaningful and intimate wedding. The wedding took place on a very hot sunny day in San Dimas, California.

This wedding was especially significant to me because the home was a block from where I grew up and the ceremony was at St. Dorothy’s Catholic Church where I attended grammar school. I accepted the coordination job 30 days before the wedding day and what I received was priceless! It was an experience full of so many lovely people. With so many family and friends pitching in to help, what resulted was a day full of vintage spirit with modern day flair.

The night before the wedding, fifteen of the family's friends worked together to create the centerpieces for the tables. These centerpieces were made using the soil from the family's yard.

The caterer, another member of the family, created a lovely meal and such a beautiful cake!

The couple sipped their champagne from their custom-made silver champagne flutes that were adorned with the Irish symbol of the Claddagh, which symbolizes the qualities of love (the heart), friendship (the hands), and loyalty (the crown).

Guests spent the evening under the stars, with extra lighting provided by strands of twinkle lights and Chinese lanterns.

So much was done to the home to prepare for so many guests. A plateau was built against their hill to allow for mingling room, an area was leveled out to hold a dance floor, and amphitheater style seating was created and decorated with beautiful pillows for guests to relax under the stars. They also created beautiful alcoves of lounge furniture throughout the backyard.

It was a beautiful day full of people caring about each other. Special thanks to Classic Party Rentals and Witon Photography (the only non-family vendors!) for creating and capturing all of the special moments of the day.

Much Gratitude,
Mary

A Beautiful & Memorable Terranea Wedding!

2011-09-06T19:03:00.000-07:00

This weekend at the beautiful Terranea Resort was Sara & Jonathan's wedding. It was such an amazing day filled with love, laughter, kind words, and a team of amazing vendors that worked incredibly hard to make the day special. The bride and groom were two of the loveliest people we have ever had the pleasure of sharing a wedding journey with!

Here are some photos from the unforgettable day!

If you've never been to Terranea, we would suggest visiting soon. The views from the cliffs are breathtaking and the perfect backdrop for gorgeous and romantic memories. The staff is absolutely incredible and delightful to work with.

Sara and Jonathan picked a color scheme of pearl and ivory with accents of light blue, blush pink and slate grey. The bridesmaids were in stunning slate grey dresses and the groomsmen in handsome grey suits. Special thanks to Stormi Yates of Stormi Beauty and Joe Alvarez for the bridal party's amazing hair and make-up.

The ceremony took place at the the Catalina Point with 360 degree views of the ocean. At the end of the aisle is a gazebo which was draped with sheer fabric to compliment the movement of the ocean. The flowers by Amy Marella of The Hidden Garden Floral Design were a combination of roses and hydrangeas in white, ivory, green, blush pink and light blue. Rose petals were scattered along the aisle and under the gazebo. The ceremony site was spectacular!

The violinist from Elegant Music played a solo of Bittersweet Symphony. It added such a dramatic element as the bride walked down the aisle with her father.

Sara and Jonathan met at one of Marianne Williamson's Tuesday night Seminars. Marianne is a spiritual activist, author, lecturer and founder of The Peace Alliance. She has published ten books, including four New York Times #1 Best Sellers. It meant so much to Sara and Jonathan to have her officiate their ceremony and Marianne felt honored to be a part of their wedding. A large portion of their ceremony included words from her book called Illuminata: A Return to Prayer.

The talented trio of the Mark Castrillon Band entertained guests during the cocktail reception and throughout dinner service. Sara and Jonathan had seen them play the night of their engagement and were thrilled to have them play at their wedding. They were amazing!!! Everyone loved their music and we can't wait to see them play again!

The decor in the Catalina Ballroom stayed true to the bride and groom's color scheme with silver linens and chairs, a combination of centerpieces incorporating light blue hydrangea, cafe au laits, dusty miller, eucalyptus, sahara roses, vendella roses, lavender and juniper berries. Thanks to Fabian Gracian of Event Designs by Fabian for the white dance floor with the couple's monogram and for perfectly lighting the room with accents of blue and amber.

The cake was done by Vanilla Bake Shop and was not only a work of art, but it was delicious too!

DJ Jon Brown of Unite Entertainment rocked the party and had all of the guests dancing the entire night...and after a bit of persuasion from Sara and her bridesmaids, agreed to share some of his own breakdancing skills! It was such a fun and memorable night for all! Guests had a great time dancing and enjoyed the photo booth that was provided by our amazing photographer, Jen O'Sullivan.

Special thanks to my unbelievably supportive and energetic team including Mary Dann, Melissa Churlonis, Sarah Porcaro, Sarah Barret, Janel Gonzalez and Leanne Lagace! The night would not have been as incredible as it was without you.

We wish Sara and Jonathan all the best and we are so happy we could be a part of their special day!

Love, Laughter and Happiness,
Carrie

Carrie Goldberg
Mary Dann Wedding and Party Coordinators

New Mentorship Opportunity - Terranea Resort!

2011-08-18T18:50:00.000-07:00

I am thrilled to announce a new Mentorship opportunity that has just become available!
I have a new opening to increase your wedding planning experience and wedding wisdom on September 2 + 3, 2011 at The Terranea Resort, Rancho Palos Verdes.  Your Friday and Saturday will be filled with education, inspiration and hands on experience to take your business to the next level.

Day 1 will be filled with office training and education on how my business is run.
Day 2 will be filled with shadowing me while I lead my team, orchestrate a rehearsal, manage vendors and help clients through their magical wedding day (from set up to break down).

All will take place at the beautiful Terranea Resort!

At the end of your mentorship you will receive a certificate of completion, an autographed signed copy of my book, Wedding Wisdom, and 2 hours career counseling time for follow up.  The reduced mentorship fee is $ 1,500. (a $1,500 savings)  Please note: travel fees are not included, but I will get you the lowest available room rates at this amazing resort.

See what Janet had to say about her past mentorship with Mary:
Mary,
Words will never be enough to thank you for the wonderful time I had with you! It was so  Amazing to be able to be a part of your life if only for 3 days!!! I look forward to our next time together! I am so happy to have gained you as a friend and mentor.  I will treasure our time we shared  forever!
Warmest Wishes to you and your family!Janet

Below are images of Terranea. Enjoy!

Much Gratitude!
Mary Dann-McNamee

Our Team Photo Shoot in Laguna Beach

2011-08-08T11:37:00.000-07:00

On a gorgeous sunny Friday in July, the Mary Dann Wedding and Party Coordinators Team aligned with some fabulous people at the beautiful Laguna Cliffs Marriott to take some photos for our upcoming website redesign. We wanted to share a few of the photos and re-introduce our team!

Our Team: Carrie Goldberg, Mary Dann, Melissa Churlonis

We would like to thank Mike Steele of Mike Steele Photography for taking the time out of his busy schedule to spend the day with us and take these photos. He was a pleasure to work with and gave us great direction for being in front of the camera. He also provided some helpful tricks for "camera ready" arms! Mike Steele, who is based in Orange County, makes his clients feel very comfortable in front of the camera. We loved working with him!

Here is a sample of some of Mike's creative and artistic wedding work!

Carrie had the opportunity to visit Design Visage at their brand new location in Costa Mesa. Since 1986, Design Visage has been helping brides look and feel their best! They have a full staff of artists that are trained in all areas of bridal beauty and provide service in Los Angeles and Orange County. Special thanks to Lauren for doing Carrie's hair and make-up!

And here's a little sample of the amazing looks that the artists at Design Visage can achieve!

Meet the MDWPC team!

Mary Dann-McNamee, Owner of Mary Dann Wedding & Party Coordinators

Email: m@marydann.com Twitter: @MaryDann

Melissa Churlonis - Lead Event Manager, Orange County

Email: melissa@marydann.com Twitter: @MaryDann_Melisa

Carrie Goldberg - Lead Event Manager, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara & Palm Springs

Email: carrie@marydann.com Twitter: @MaryDann_Carrie

Thanks again to everyone who made this day possible! It was such a lovely day and we look forward to working with you again soon!

Much Gratitude,

The Mary Dann Wedding and Party Coordinators Team

An Educational Visit with a Talented Photographer

2011-08-02T10:20:00.000-07:00

Last week I had the pleasure to visit with one of my favorite photographers, Jen O'Sullivan who gave me some great tips to share with our brides and grooms. I wanted to pass along a few of my favorites (and some samples of her beautiful work!) that I found extremely helpful! Not everyone is comfortable being in the spotlight, and on your wedding day, there is no escaping it....these tips will help you feel more relaxed in front of the camera and lead to stunning pictures.

Here we go...#1
Always giggle a little when getting your photos taken. Your smile will look more natural.

Tip #2
Try not to "pose". Stand or sit the way it feels natural. You will always look better.

Tip #3
Consider the lighting and time of day for your ceremony. Half shade, half sun, not good.

Tip #4
Always put yourself in the best light. Face the brightest location in your area.

Tip #5
Buy blotters and keep them with you at all times. In a pinch use a toilet seat cover.

These are just a few of the many helpful tips that Jen O'Sullivan provides to her wedding clients. Your wedding pictures will be a cherished memento of the beautiful day you shared with your families and closest friends as you started your new life together. These tips, along with an amazing photographer, will lead to photos that you'll enjoy for a lifetime.

Love, Laughter and Happiness,

Carrie Goldberg
Mary Dann Wedding and Party Coordinators

Love Is Sweet Dessert Table Featured on The Plunge Project

2011-07-20T19:01:00.000-07:00

We would like to thank Nicole from the The Plunge Project for featuring one of our favorite candy tables by KCee's Candy Buffets.

Check out the Love Is Sweet Dessert Table!

Next Exit Photography

Nicole, a social media extraordinaire, began the Plunge Project when she was a bride-to-be as a place to document her journey down the aisle. Last November she became a wife and with the Plunge Project she continues to share creative DIY projects and engage in topics and issues that couples face.

The Plunge Project is a great resource for brides-to-be and newlyweds as they begin their new lives together! From topics such as planning your wedding budget to managing finances and decorating your home, there is an interesting topic for everyone to enjoy!

We look forward to seeing what Nicole and The Plunge Project will share with us next!

Love, Laughter and Happiness,

Carrie Goldberg
Mary Dann Wedding and Party Coordinators

A Lovely Visit To A Tranquil European Garden

2011-07-11T16:01:00.000-07:00

The First of Its Kind in the World - The Restoration Hardware Gallery Beverly Blvd

The Gallery houses a European Garden, Design Bibliotheque, Fresh Floral Boutique,

and an Organic Tea Atelier

Future meeting space for Mary Dann Wedding and Party Coordinators! Lead Event Manager, Carrie Goldberg lives two doors down from this beautiful space and has made fast friends with Eddie Zaratsian. Eddie's just invited us to host all of our meetings with future brides here.

We are so excited to get started!

The Floral Boutique is open Monday through Sunday and

always has something fresh, new and amazing!

I am really looking forward to reporting on all of our future adventures here

in West Hollywood and Beverly Hills!

Love, Laughter and Happiness,

Carrie Goldberg

Mary Dann Wedding and Party Coordinators

Faces of Freedom Flag

2011-07-04T10:36:00.000-07:00

I thought today would be an appropriate time to highlight one of my favorite charities: Faces of Freedom Flag; a non-profit organization created by artist Michele Dawn and her executive team. Michele wanted to create a visual and personal way to honor and support our troops and decided to construct a flag.

The first flag to be constructed is 10 feet high by 20 feet wide and will consist of 428 pictures submitted by members of the armed forces. Pictures are still being accepted for this flag. The pictures are painted into the flag creating a unique work of art. On the back of each photo spot on the flag will be a panel with information from or about the service member as well as a message, which has been sponsored by a member of the public, a group or company.

When fully assembled, this and each flag that follows will be on display on request at businesses, parks, public buildings and other appropriate venues. The public will get a chance to view the faces of the troops and read the information and messages. Eventually, these picture and message combinations will also be available for online viewing.

Most soldiers hold second jobs off base to make ends meet. The added income helps buy formula, diapers, pay utility bills and other basic necessities of life. Once deployed, that second pay check vanishes and the families are left to make ends meet, and suffer financial hardship.

You can sponsor a spot in the flag for a service member, as well as provide a message of support for our troops which will be displayed on the back of the photo of one of our service members. This message will be seen by everyone who sees the flag in person or online.

The funds raised to create this flag monument will be used to support the families of troops here at home. Faces of Freedom Flag will use your contribution to either provide gift cards and in-kind help directly, or through cash contributions to existing non-profit organizations, which already help the families of troops.

Go to the Faces of Freedom Flag website to make a contribution and submit your message and photo spot sponsorship for the troops to be displayed on this historic flag monument to the serving troops.

Thank you soldiers for all your hard work and thank you Michele Dawn and Faces of Freedom Flag for honoring our troops! Have a safe and happy Fourth of July!

Ritz Carlton-Nina and Igor Wedding

2011-06-30T13:11:00.000-07:00

Please enjoy this gorgeous video from the wedding of Nina and Igor produced by Godfatherfilms. Thanks to the Mary Dann Wedding and Party Coordinators team this magical Academy Award style wedding took the guests breath away. The wedding exceeded the expectations of the bride and groom and they were able to relax and enjoy every moment of their special day.

The Ritz Carlton Laguna Niguel Wedding in Dana Point from Godfather Films on Vimeo.

Monique Lhuillier Sample Sale!

2011-06-27T09:14:00.000-07:00

My favorite wedding dress and fancy dress designer, Monique Lhuillier, is having a Sample Sale. Hope you can stop by!!

Much Gratitude!
Mary Dann

Fridays Favorite Finds - I Do Cam

2011-05-27T10:03:00.000-07:00

One of favorite finds in the I do cam… you provide the camera person and "I Do Cam Products" provides the editing and visual art of film making for a final version of your wedding video. I do Cam is owned and operated by Ashley Video Productions, which is the most reputable videography company in Los Angeles and Orange County.

See below for a sample of a finished product we helped our clients create on their wedding day.

Much gratitude!

Mary

Mary Dann & iDOcam from Vidiyeo on Vimeo.

New Mentorship Opportunities!

2011-05-20T12:05:00.000-07:00

I am thrilled to announce two new Mentorship opportunities:

I have two new openings to increase your wedding planning experience and wedding wisdom on June 17 + 18, 2011 at The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel and September 2 + 3, 2011 at The Terranea Resort, Rancho Palos Verdes. Your Friday and Saturday will be filled with education, inspiration and hands on experience to take your business to the next level.

Day 1 will be filled with in office training and education on how my business is run, along with a wedding rehearsal.

Day 2 will be filled with shadowing me while I lead my team, vendors and clients through their magical wedding day (from set up to break down).

At the end of your mentorship you will receive a certificate of completion, a autographed signed copy of my book, Wedding Wisdom, and 2 hours career counseling time for follow up. The reduced mentorship fee is $ 1500. (a $1500 savings) Please note: travel fees are not included, but I will get you the lowest available room rates at these amazing resorts.

See what Janet had to say about her past mentorship with Mary:

Mary,

Words will never be enough to thank you for the wonderful time I had with you! It was so Amazing to be able to be a part of your life if only for 3 days!!! I look forward to our next time together! I am so happy to have gained you as a friend and mentor. I will treasure our time we shared forever!

Warmest Wishes to you and your family!

Janet

Below are images of the resorts. Enjoy!

The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel

The Terranea Resort, Palos Verdes

Much Gratitude!

Mary Dann-McNamee

CHARITY SHOOTOUT AND MARRIAGE.COM SOCIAL WHERE ALL MONEY GOES TO CHARITY!

2011-05-16T14:45:00.000-07:00

Charity Shootouts and Marriage.com are teaming up to offer engaged couples and wedding pros an opportunity to mix, mingle and get photo sessions from some of the top photographers in Southern California. Even more, all the proceeds of this event will benefit BRIDGES TO ABILITY, whose mission is to improve the lives of teens and adults with disabilities through quality vocational, educational, social and recreational programs.

Charity Shootouts is an organization founded by Beverly Hills wedding photographer, Jen O’Sullivan to bring new and seasoned, talented photographers together with engaged couples searching for the perfect wedding photographer as well as wedding industry specialists who need an updated headshot. Test drive photographers with no pressure to book and all your high res files are included. The experience is unlike any other wedding or bridal event out there. The lucky brides-to-be also get to test drive hair and makeup artists as well as other wedding day specialists.

THE DETAILS

~ Test drive photographers with no pressure to book and all your high res files are included (engagement photo sessions for couples and professional headshots for vendors!). Note: One photo session included; $20 suggested donation per additional photographer, with proceeds going to BRIDGES TO ABILITY.

~ Test drive hair and makeup artists as well as other wedding day specialists

~ Cake tasting from premier cake artist, Kimberly Bailey of The Butter End Cakery. Bel Air Bay Club will also feature their tastiest hors d'oeuvres and fantastic music from the best entertainment company in the country, 11H Entertainment will play all through the event. There are several participation opportunities for you so please contact us to get involved!

~ Complimentary hors d'oeuvres and cash bar

~ Complimentary Sparkling Wine Toast by Fresita.

~ Live and silent auction at the close of the event full of valuable wedding day items to benefit BRIDGES TO ABILITY.

Much Gratitude!

Mary

Fridays Favorite Finds - Mike Steele Photography

2011-05-06T11:47:00.000-07:00

I wanted to highlight one my favorite Photographers in Southern California…

Mike Steele Photography. He was voted the top photographer in Orange County. He is tall (which is always a great view point to snap a shot), easy to be with, super creative and has a talent to make you feel comfortable in front of the camera…Enjoy some of his work…

Much gratitude!

Mary

Mike Steele Photography

www.MikeSteelePhotography.com

www.facebook.com/mikesteelephoto

949-510-3258

Maria & Tony's Metropolitan Wedding with a Marina Reception

2011-04-22T10:00:00.000-07:00

I loved escorting Maria and Tony through the journey of wedding planning and down the aisle at the awe-inspiring Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels. Our Lady of the Angles Cathedral. Maria and Tony both live a purposeful life of helping to heal others and make the world a better place, and this venue offered the perfect spiritual environment to begin their new life together as husband and wife.

Spanish architect, Professor José Rafael Moneo designed this contemporary Cathedral with virtually no right angles! Rafael Moneo. The design challenge was to build a new Cathedral Church that reflected a modern Los Angeles. The Cathedral is a spirited expression of our city's diversity.

Entering on the south side of the Cathedral, you pass through a breathtaking set of bronze doors cast by sculptor Robert Graham Robert Graham Artist. The doors are crowned by a contemporary statue of Our Lady of the Angels.

It's truly inspiring to be in the presence of such amazing architecture and sculptures. Speaking of amazing artists, I was very pleased with all the new people I worked with on this project. A great planner needs to be open to working with new vendors, client ideas and new challenges. A special thanks to:

Giselle Macfarlane Photography gmphotography.com

Charles Lauren Films charleslauren.com

Elegant Designs Specialty Linens Elegantdsl.com

Mahalo Flowers mahaloflowers.com

Integrated Transportationitslimo.com

The reception at The Ritz-Carlton, Marina del Rey following this fairy-tale wedding was the perfect ending to a beautiful day. Ritz Carlton

Enjoy,

Mary

My Take On Shoes For Your Wedding Day

2011-04-20T12:13:00.000-07:00

Invest in shoes for your wedding day and make sure of two things:

First, please break them in so you don’t slip and you feel confident in them.

Second, have gel pad sole liners for all the dancing you will do!

Please invest in a shoe that WILL last a life time (simple and elegant in design).. This WILL inspire you to feel sexy, beautiful and happy anytime you put them on. No matter how your body may change throughout the years…

That is my 2 cents on wedding shoes…

Much Gratitude!

Mary

My Promotional Card for Monique Lhuillier Bridal Salon

2011-04-19T12:52:00.000-07:00

I was thrilled when Kadie, Salon Manager of Monique Lhuillier Bridal Salon
asked me to create a fun bridal tip promotional postcard that can be given
out to the brides that visit their flagship salon at 8485 Melrose Place
(corner of La Cienega and Melrose Place) in Los Angeles. I gave some thought
to the top 2 questions brides ask me in an initial meeting... Hope it can
help you too!

Much Gratitude,

Mary

Fridays Favorite Finds - U Bridal Magazine

2011-04-15T10:00:00.000-07:00

So thrilled to be invited to contribute to the first luxury wedding magazine in the middle-east! This pdf does not do it justice. It is thick, sexy and inspiring! Please email the editor to receive your special edition…. managingeditor@alfaridah.com.jo

Much Gratitude!

Mary

Teaching My First Class, Starts Today!

2011-04-12T14:52:00.000-07:00

Tuesday, April 12, I am teaching my 1^st core class in the Event Planning Certificate Program offered by UC Riverside, Extension Classes.

The class title: Managing Your Event Business

Units: 3 units (30 hours)

Meeting dates + Times; University of California, Riverside Campus, 1200 University Ave Riverside, 92507

Starts: Tuesday 4/12, 5:30p- 7:30p. NO online students at this time. You have to be present in the class to get the credit.

Description of the class: Students will learn about building a foundation and sustaining a successful business in the Event Planning Industry.

Purpose: To expose students to the challenges of starting and sustaining a profitable position in the social event planning industry, while keeping a healthy balance of life, physically spiritually, mentally and emotionally. Inspire students to co-create with their internal and external clients to make any event beautiful, fun and inspiring!

Cost $ 495

https://www.extension.ucr.edu/enroll/catalog/olr_course_details.php?crsid=22190

Much Gratitude!

Mary

The Best Experience with LOEWS Santa Monica Beach Hotel

2011-04-11T13:09:00.000-07:00

Calling all Brides who want a Santa Monica Beach wedding, this summer! I am
offering half price wedding planning and coordination rates (hourly or
package rates), if I am hired to plan your wedding and you have not yet
selected the Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel. Help me team up with one of
the most prestigious Beach front resorts in California to make your wedding
day exceptional! After all, with a professional planner, all you really
need is 3 months to plan an unforgettable day. Keep in mind this offer does
not apply to any other hotel and must take place in the year 2011.
Hope you consider the impeccable team of Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel and
Mary Dann Wedding and Party Coordinators!

Much gratitude!
Mary

Fridays Favorite Finds - The Celebration Wands

2011-04-08T10:00:00.000-07:00

Product Details

Light up any wedding ceremony or celebration with the hottest trend in weddings. When it is too dark to wave wands of ribbon, think about waving wands of multi-colored lights. These 14 inch plastic sticks can be placed on a solid "on" position or a "blinking" position. They last for 10 hours and completely accent your joy on your special day. They are perfect for the fan fare of departing up the aisle at a ceremony or departing the reception at the end of the day… I have found that sparklers can be too dangerous for guests to handle after celebrating with food and beverage. The Celebration Wands are more vibrant, safer, more versatile and a keepsake for anyone to reuse…

Cost: $ 2.95 each + .50 for shipping and tax, per wand. Wands are sold in increments of 20 and may take up to 2 weeks from the date the order is placed. Please contact us directly for faster delivery, additional charges may be applied.

To Order

Twitter Chat Interview with @WeddingMarket on Wednesday, 4.6, 10am, PST

2011-04-05T17:05:00.000-07:00

I'm super excited about my twitter chat with Julie Albaugh, owner and president of Wedding Market. Her blog was rated one of the top 10 wedding blogs to be inspired by! You can log into our chat + ask questions by clicking onto the following link:

http://tweetchat.com/room/weddingmarket

Look forward to learning and sharing what I know with you!

Much gratitude!

Mary

Monique Lhullier Trunk Show

2011-04-04T12:08:00.000-07:00

I'm happy to say most of my brides choose Monique Lhullier for at least one of their wedding gowns on their wedding. Although, last October my bride could not decide between 2 dresses so she bought and wore both perfectly. I hope you will call Kadie or Megan to book an appointment.

Much Gratitude!

Mary Dann-McNamee

Four Seasons Hotel Wedding Packages

2011-03-31T20:50:00.000-07:00

The Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills is offering fantastic new wedding packages! They have three new Wedding Reception and Dinner options: the "With This Ring" Package, the "I Now Pronounce You" Package, and the "Ever After" Package. The packages range from $255 per person to $345 per person in addition to the Ceremony Fee of $1,750. And they include options for everyone, from hors d'oeuvres to plated dinner choices to dessert stations!

Be sure to contact don.ehehalt@fourseasons.com for more information. Click here for All of the Details.

Much Gratitude!

Mary Dann-McNamee

THE FOUR SEASONS HOTEL - ALL THE DETAILS

2011-03-30T20:51:00.000-07:00

Fridays Favorite Finds - The Ohio Trip

2011-03-25T10:00:00.000-07:00

Last week I returned home from whirlwind 4 day trip to Columbus, Cincinnati and Dayton, Ohio. I was greeted and escorted by my special Ohio PR connection and friend, Kathy Piech-Lucas, Owner of Your Dream Day Wedding planning company {www.yourdreamday.com}.

Yes, she is a high profile planner throughout Ohio and has now add Wedding PR to her resume, after all, she did PR before she started her wedding business in 2002.

I had the privilege of speaking to engaged couples, brides and mother-of- the-brides at a private luncheon where I sold and signed books and DVD’s. Then we were off to the Association of Bridal Consultants, Ohio State conference in Dublin Ohio.

I love inspiring others to be their best self, to speak my heart and mind along with helping others build their dream business. The experience is a blessing like no other!

Special thank you to Julie Albaugh from The Wedding Market for covering 2 full days of my trip!

On April 6, Wednesday we will do a live tweet chat together.. stay tuned for more inspiring details…

Much gratitude!

Mary

Photograph by Julie Albaugh, The Wedding Market

For Japan With Love

2011-03-17T18:39:00.000-07:00

Join us tomorrow for a Bloggers Day of Silence to support the relief effort in Japan. Please go to www.forjapanwithlove.com and give what you can. Thank you.

A Winter Wedding with the help of ABC

2011-03-08T16:42:00.000-08:00

I just returned from my first winter wonderland ceremony in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, a quaint historical town built around a beautiful waterfall. The wedding took place at St. Joan of Arc, a local Catholic church and was officiated by a priest who is also a family friend.

I had two months to plan a 150-person destination wedding weekend for Sharise and Tim, who live in Manhattan Beach, California. Quite a challenge, as I had never been to the great state of Ohio. They chose Chagrin Falls, Tim's home town, and since the groom had the larger family, they selected a location most convenient for keeping travel to a minimum.

They had most of their events; rehearsal dinner, welcome night gathering for out of town guests and wedding reception at The Hillbrook Club www.clubhillbrook.com

It's an outstanding club, reminiscent of a fairytale dream princess estate. The ballroom holds up to 200 people and the tavern 80 people. It was perfect for the rehearsal dinner, which we designed with two long tables of 35 guests each, and a living room that held up to 125; again perfect for our welcome night reception. Their service standards far exceeded my Ritz-Carlton expectations!

I opted not to travel with my team from Los Angeles. Instead, I invited a few of the local top ABC professionals to help:

Kathy Piech Lukas, owner of A Dream Day Events

A Dream Day Events Manager, Annette Troescher www.yourdreamday.com

Day-of help, Heidi Baumgart www.heidzillas.com

A special thanks to:

Videography: John Goolsby www.godfatherfilms.com

Photography: Jonathan Koslen www.newimagephotgraphy.com

Florist: Heather Thomas www.heatherlily.com

Rentals: www.Lnique.com

Cake: www.nadinescakes.com

Entertainment: DJ Larry Kopniske

The first secret to accomplishing so much in such a short time, miles from home in an unfamiliar small town is Quality Connections. Thank God for Association of Bridal Consultants. The largest association of bridal consultants worldwide www.bridalassn.com As a keynote speaker since 2007, I have had the privilege to meet professionals from all over, with like-minded business practices.

The second secret is working with a couple that trusts my style, judgment and ability to make magic within the budget allowed!

Learn more about how I handled the 10+ toasts at the wedding reception, 2 wedding crashers, and the 3+ hours of toasts and the rehearsal dinner. I will be presenting details during my tour book signing and speaking tour in Ohio.

I’m looking forward to more Ohio ~ Columbus, Dayton and Cincinnati March 11-14th for speaking engagements and book signings.

More details on my speaking calendar

www.marydann.com/speaking_calendar.cfm after March 4^th.

Much gratitude!

Mary

Winter Wonderland Wedding in Chagrin Falls, Ohio with Mary Dann from Godfather Films on Vimeo.

Fridays Favorite Finds - The Party Goddess Uncensored

2011-03-04T12:35:00.000-08:00

Todays Friday Favorite Find....My dear friend Marley Majcher founder of the Party Goddess Uncensored. Her bi-annual conference is in San Diego and I am so excited to once again participate in this high energy conference. This my third conference and I have something special planned for my presentation.

"Staying Emotionally, Mentally, Physically and Spiritually Balanced

While navigating the exciting business of a Wedding Planner"

Love to see you at the conference! All of the details below!

Mary

Believe it or not, it's easier than you think to have the event planning company of your dreams

AND make tons of money at it.

The best part is that you can do it quickly WITHOUT tons of follow up and prospecting all year long.

If you'd like to learn more, then I invite you to join us at this CRAZY FABULOUS live event Uncensored - for event industry professionals looking to knock it out of the park in 2011 - March 16-18 in gorgeous San Diego, CA.

As many of you know, The Party Goddess! is going strong with more than a million dollars in annual revenue and she is ready to pull back the curtain and show you EXACTLY how

She's done it so you can duplicate her success.

During this ground-breaking conference you will learn:

- What works...and what DOESN'T work when it comes to getting more clients

(you may be surprised at how many heart-centered entrepreneurs are making simple mistakes that are costing them thousands of dollars and hundreds

of wasted hours!)

- Hands down the number one FASTEST and EASIEST way to make more money in the event industry TODAY!

- 5 crucial reasons why you MUST add this to your marketing mix if

you want to have a quantum leap in your business, work with the

best possible clients and secure a year's worth of business in just

a few months.

- Specifics about how exactly to make your events hugely profitable and fun whether they're big or small!

- And much more!

Here's that link again to reserve your spot in this amazing conference.

The Party Goddess Sign Up

Cheers to your best year ever!

P.S. As you probably know (and may have experienced yourself first-hand) it's one thing to talk about creating a successful event planning business, it's quite another to actually do it. Honestly, it's easier than you think. Let her walk you through her simple steps. Reserve your seat here and stop struggling.

P.S.S Want to help spread the word...partner with us!

Fridays Favorite Finds - John Goolsby with Godfather Films

2011-02-25T15:01:00.000-08:00

Twenty-three year IEPPV member John Goolsby is a Wedding Video Hall of Fame member who started his filmmaking career in 1986. He has gone on to film in 18 different states and ten countries. Goolsby is the recipient of the Prova Award for the Best Wedding Video in the United States three years in a row and has been voted one of the Top 25 Videographers in the World.

Since the first moment we met, John has gone above and beyond for me and for all of my brides! A true professional, and my Favorite Friday Find!

After 25 years in the business, Goolsby still thinks that preserving the memories of that one special day, time and place where everybody important to a couple have gathered to celebrate their marriage is the best job in the world. Goolsby likes to say, “Our most treasured belongings are the memories of our life experiences”

Be sure to visit their website: GodfatherFilms.com

John also filmed this a promotional video for my company. Click below to see an example of his wonderful work!

Enjoy,

Mary

Friday Favorite Finds - Hire Elegance

2011-02-18T10:00:00.000-08:00

I am really impressed with Hire-Elegance. Not only are the furniture and dining products amazing, but Mark is so gracious and accommodating!

Their Italian Dining Chairs are really something special and make a huge impact, as do their tables. They stock wooden frames of 4,5 & 6ft Round and Square Tables. The client picks their fabric and color and they custom wrap the table for the event. It is an extremely clean look, with the fabric being used one time with no linens needed.

Lastly, with regard to Lounge Furniture, they have an extensive line of sofas in 7ft, 13ft and 20ft in 9 colors. To match these sofas in the 9 colors, they have daybeds, wing chairs, 5ft benches, cubes, mirrors, etc....

Please send Mark a note and introduce yourselves. This is definitely a firm we will be seeing more of in the next few months.

Hire-Elegance

Mark@hire-elegance.com

Enjoy,

Mary

Friday Favorites "Facebook or Twitter?" A Recap of The Debate

2011-02-11T13:42:00.000-08:00

Today my Friday Favorite Find is "Facebook or Twitter?" A Recap of the Debate.

Yesterday, I had the honor of debating with Tonya Shadoan, MBC (ABC, Master Bridal Consultant, based in Indiana) via live audio conference call. We debated what is better for your business: Facebook or Twitter??? And this is what we came up with:

The style and tone of Facebook is: Like being a guest at a wedding or party where most people know each other…. you chat with old friends and acquaintances, mixing and mingling in an intimate manner. In this setting, people tend to feel more relaxed and “in their element”. Conversations are familiar and center on shared experiences and connections

The style of Twitter: The style and tone of Twitter is like: can be like stepping on to a stage, where you are communicating with an audience and quickly find that you need to find a voice and say something useful and interesting or quickly lose the attention of your audience. People refer to Twitter as a mini or micro blogging platform. Another way I view Twitter is like a big cocktail party where you see others chatting to others (so you see who knows who) and when you hear something interesting you want to share it (by “retweeting”) with others you know.

Twitter Pros

Easy to navigate and update, link to and promote anything
Reach far beyond your inner circle of friends
One feed pools all users; anyone can follow anyone else unless blocked
Pure communication tool, rapid responsiveness
You don’t have to be logged in to get updates; you can just use an RSS reader
Very interactive, extensible messaging platform with open APIs
Many other applications being developed (Twitterific, Summize, Twhirl, etc.)
Potential SMS text messaging revenue from wireless networks (although Twitter states they are not currently getting any cut)
Potential future advertising and/or enterprise subscription-based revenue streams
With its “thin” overhead, Twitter is probably more scalable than Facebook, giving it a cost advantage

Twitter Cons

Limited functionality; find people, send brief messages, direct replies
Limited to 140 characters per update
Not all people find it immediately useful
Over-emphasis on follower counts
Easily abused for spam and increasing the noise level
Relatively smaller installed user base
As yet no readily apparent monetization strategy

Facebook Pros

Application mashup; find people, make connections, email, instant messaging, image/video sharing, etc.
Most people can quickly grasp the value of connecting with friends, family and established contacts; some people report they use Facebook instead of email and IM
More emphasis on deep connections with others vs. who has the most connections
“True Friends” feature increases your transparency to selected connections; almost like having private and public profiles
Huge, rapidly growing installed user base
Inherit stickiness, third party applications, “gift giving” and personal data collection make Facebook a powerful advertising platform

Facebook Cons

More difficult to navigate and update
Requires investment of time to realize sustained benefit
Opt in model requires a user to allow others to connect
Less immediate responses; unless you stay logged on continually

I hope this inspires you to increase your social marketing practice and grow your business!

Much gratitude!

Mary

Casting Opportunity for Brides and Moms

2011-02-04T10:00:00.000-08:00

Every week I like to showcase a Favorite Friday Find, Friend or Fact.. This week I am thrilled to share the news of a Casting opportunity on a major cable network, The Stylish OneJ! They are casting brides and their mommy’s as they journey the last 8 weeks of wedding planning.

They are taking sophisticated look at loving, inspirational mother-daughter relationships as they anticipate and plan for their fabulous day. You must be getting married in April or May of 2011 and getting married in the southern California area. So if you are a bride or a planner with a bride that is planning a special wedding day with your mom, please email me for more information.

Much gratitude!

Mary Dann-McNamee, MA

Professional Wedding Planner since 1991

Which is Better for YOUR Business? Facebook or Twitter?

2011-02-03T10:00:00.000-08:00

2011 is going to be a great year for us at Mary Dann Wedding and Party Coordinators. So many exciting things to share.

First I want to introduce you to my dear friend Tonya Shadoan. She is an amazing life coach and an inspiration to all she meets.

Tonya has officially launched the Around-The-World series and asked me to tell you about her first monthly educational call! Her guest expert this month is me, MARY DANN and you are invited to be a part of the call!!

Tonya and I will be having a Facebook V. Twitter FACE-OFF! These days, social media has taken over. Which avenues do you REALLY need? Which will get you more clients? Listen in on the call to hear us battle it out, share the best tactics and hear our recommendations.

At the end, there will be a LIVE 15 min. Q&A session so you can ask us your burning questions! Please join us as we discuss how you can GROW YOUR BUSINESS! This call is going to be so informative - don't miss out!

Friday, Feb. 11th, 3:30-4:30 p.m. EST

To reserve your FREE spot TODAY & become a part of Tonya's Around the World Series: visit http://programs.tonyashadoan.com/2011-progra ms .

Make sure to check out my new book 'Wedding Wisdom', full of insights and advice for planners like YOU! Click here to purchase!

ABC Santa Barbara Ventura

2011-02-02T17:19:00.000-08:00

ABC Santa Barbara with Mary Dann-McNamaree

Leaders and Followers

Wednesday, January 19th Mary’s talk explored the dynamics of working with leaders and followers. She provided insights and tools that will serve the Santa Barbara ABC Community as they journey through any type of intimate event planning situation; such as a mother-daughter planning a wedding, teenager and parents planning a mitzvah or a corporate planner and their team planning a gala or corporate meeting.

The presentation was based on years of experience working with couples in a therapeutic situation.

The talks main objective was to identify the Leadership Personality, Leadership Traits and the ability to motivate and Identify Traits that make up a good Follower or “Team Member”. She explored how important it is to recognize the balance intrinsic to creating a positive outcome of the team.

She and her panel of experts, Colette and Kaitlin Lopez of La Fete Weddings, and Nikki Khan of Exquisite Events, identified how good leadership affects followers, and the team success. They also shared how to recognize specific personalities within a planning environment and to leverage each individuals unique ability to contribute.

The discuss ended with an insightful discussion on how these personality traits manifest within Mother Daughter Relationships in a Legacy Business.

Enjoy,

Mary Dann Wedding and Party Consultants

Friday Favorite Finds - Raise the Cake

2011-01-21T19:15:00.000-08:00

Kathy Jo Peterson's Raise the Cake has been a favorite find of ours since she began making these wonderful custom designs in 2009.

Design your own cake stand to match your event or choose one from their Couture Line.

From Glitzy & Glam or Fun & Funky to Sleek & Mod, there is a cake stand for you.

Contest Details here......

Will a Free Custom Cake Stand
$ 150 value

Log onto www.raisethecake.com pick your favorite stand from their galleries.
Click back to our blog and tell us about your favorite designs.
Winner will be picked randomly next week.

Enjoy,

Stands come in 3 lightweight, one-time use sizes and arrive to you with directions and helpful ideas on how to make your cake table look faboo!

Every Cake Needs a Stand. These stands take your cake from the ordinary to Unique, Unforgettable, Fun and Fabulous! Perfect for weddings, baby showers,

bridal showers & birthdays.

Don't make the mistake of forgetting to raise your cake!

Kentucky Bride - Thank you for the feature!

2011-01-17T10:12:00.000-08:00

Reprint from San Gabriel Valley Tribune - Interview with Kevin Smith

2011-01-15T09:05:00.000-08:00

Pulling it togetherWedding, event planner deals with stress, details

Kevin Smith, Staff Writer

GLENDORA - Few events can generate as much stress as a wedding.

The thought of hiring a caterer, getting the invitations out on time, securing the entertainment and coordinating all of the other details can seem daunting to just about anyone.

But Mary Dann-McNamee does it all - without breaking a sweat.

As the owner of Mary Dann Wedding and Party Coordinators in Glendora, Dann-McNamee is used to coordinating everything from intimate gatherings to upscale weddings, parties and other events that demand great attention to detail.

"Wedding planning is all about teamwork," the Glendora entrepreneur explained. "All of these people have to perform for you - the photographer, the caterer, the baker, the invitation people, the florist, the entertainment and the lighting people. And the more elaborate the wedding gets, the more you have that has to fall into place."

Dann-McNamee knows of what she speaks.

She's been a contributing writer for "Inside Weddings" magazine, "Ceremony" magazine and an on-air talent for nationally syndicated TV shows, including the Style Network's "Whose Wedding is it Anyway?" and "Married Away," among others.

As one of the most sought-after event coordinators in Southern California, Dann-McNamee and her team of wedding and party coordinators have done event planning and creative party consultation for corporations and families throughout the country since 1991.

The business even coordinates memorial services.

"That's one of my other specialties," she said. "I love to be able to capture the essence of someone's life. And memorial services happen so quickly. You have to have confidence in your skills to represent the family."
Dann-McNamee enjoys her work. And along the way, she's worked with some well known clients.

"Locally, we did Kobe Bryant's wedding," she said. "I had to do so much in such a short time, but I couldn't tell anyone. I had to pick people and sign off on everything. And you'll never see a wedding picture because we had to control all of that."

The guest list at another event included singer Frank Sinatra.   "He had to have a bottle of vodka at his table - chilled," she said.

Jennifer Jo can attest to Dann-McNamee's abilities. Dann-McNamee served as her wedding planner when Jo appeared on an episode of "Whose Wedding is it Anyway?"   "It was excellent," Jo said. "We were kind of leery about it at first - we thought a wedding planner would be like Attila the Hun. But she was completely the opposite. We didn't worry about anything because of her."

Dann-McNamee used to work as a catering sales manager and corporate group sales manager for the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Co. She also holds a master's degree in clinical psychology with an emphasis in marriage and family therapy.   "I feel like my life's work prepared me for what I'm doing now," she said. "I waitressed through college. That helped me a lot with the idea of making people happy and making sure that things happen in a timely way."

For more information, call 626-963-1212, or log onto www.marydann.com

kevin.smith@sgvn.com

626-962-8811, Ext. 2701

Friday Favorite Finds - The Write Shot Photography and Video

2011-01-14T15:27:00.000-08:00

This is the first of many "Friday Favorite Finds" I (with the help of my amazing PR company, Raye C Marketing www.RayeCMarketing.com ) will post each Friday, highlighting my favorite people, places, services and things that relate to the business of brides and special events!

The Write Shot Photography and Video company does something that no one else does... they capture the week leading up to your wedding day and the honeymoon in 300 + page coffee table book and lets you tell your own love story!

www.WriteShot.com
@thewriteshot

You've got one shot. Make it the WriteShot.

Welcoming a New Year!

2011-01-13T17:18:00.000-08:00

As we start the new year, I am thrilled to share my New Years Card! I have so much fun creating something meaningful and inspirational while I keep you updated on the growth of my business and family.

This year I had the pleasure to work with Jen O Sullivan Photography http://www.jenosullivan.com/m and her sister Cindi Garabedian http://www.love-and-paper.com/ I know you will be seeing much more of these talented young ladies!

Much gratitude and Cheers to a new Season!

Special Offer: Save 50% on Mary Dann's Mentorship Program in Ohio

2011-01-06T15:13:00.000-08:00

Greetings,

Since 1991, Mary Dann-McNamee (www.marydann.com) has been planning weddings in Southern California, Oregon, New York, Canada, and now Ohio! She has been a member of Association of Bridal Consultants since 2003. She is extending a once in a lifetime opportunity for near by wedding professionals to follow her around while she plans and executes a 150 person wedding in Chagrin Falls Ohio, in 2 months.

A three-day Mentorship Program for those of you who are seriously invested in improving your professional event planner skills. Shadow Mary and learn first hand for a full day of pre-planning details (January 14th and 15th in Chagrin Falls, Ohio), at the rehearsal and welcome reception (February 25th) on an actual wedding day (February 26th ) . The experience encompasses, but is not limited to, the following:

Pre-planning Day (January 14th) at the Venue, Hillbrook Country Club

Learn how to put together contracts, budgets and detailed wedding checklists for clients

Begin to understand the process of event day timelines, which list all pertinent information required for a flawless event

See a sample Selected Vendor Referral List, learn about the dynamic between vendors and planners and how to maintain a successful relationship with them

Observe the way Mary handles her business with the venue, vendors and menu tasting

View samples of printing - Save the Dates and Invites, ceremony seating cards, etc.

See how Mary keeps client files in order by organizing vendor info, correspondence, notes, etc.

Rehearsal Day:
Meet and greet with the bridal party and their families at the wedding ceremony location, St Joan of Arc Church

Help collect all wedding day items ie. Guest book, toasting glasses, programs, placecards, etc.

Observe Mary as she organizes the bridal party, music, ceremony details

Observe Mary as she manages the Rehearsal Dinner and welcome reception at The Hillbrook Country Club

Wedding Day:

Observe Mary's direction of bridal party, family and guests as the day progresses

Assist in transportation of bridal party and guests ie. Shuttle services and schedules

Help oversee setup of ceremony site ie. Programs and guest book in place, name cards on chairs, special items for ceremony in place

Understand the process of the day's setup and timing ie. vendor arrivals, ceremony setup, reception completion

Get an overall view of the behind-the-scenes action and how Mary prioritizes where to be and when to be there

In the bridal suite, help Mary get the bride get into her dress and veil

Understand the importance of how to accommodate and ensure the comfort of each guest

Greet guests as they enter, making sure they feel welcome and taken care of

Help manage the photo guest book making sure pictures get taken, guests are signed in, etc.

Watch Mary as she organizes the bridal party and gets everyone down the aisle on time

Assist in setup of reception site ie. Placement of menus, placecards and favors, make sure tables, chairs etc. are arranged according to diagram, etc.

Guide guests to the reception site once ceremony has concluded

See Mary coordinate special dances and toasts, making sure that important people ie. Family members, photographer, videographer are present when they take place

Secure and pack up all extra items at the end of the night ie. Extra favors, menus, programs, placecards, etc. and put gifts in the proper location

Help decorate bridal suite with candles, petals, bubble bath, cake, champagne, etc.

Mentoree to provide own airfare and accommodations. In addition, contact Mary Dann-McNamee directly for more information at m@marydann.com. This offer is only open for the next week and will be accepted on a first come first serve basis. The mentorship fee is $1,500. (1/2 due once you have been approved and the remaining balance due 2nd week of February).

Much Gratitude,

Mary Dann-McNamee

The “Must Haves” for Every Personality Type

2010-12-11T16:50:00.000-08:00

Photo by Jay Goldman Photography

The best way to reduce anxiety as you plan your wedding is to pick one “must have” and relish in the fact that you have one dream item. Grieve the loss of not having everything you want early on, so you can enjoy the planning process!

Personality Trait:
A person that gets overwhelmed with details, design and organization

Must Have:
A Professional Wedding Planner. You can find one through the Association of Bridal Consultants (www.bridalassn.com) or your local luxury hotel. Most coordinators on the referral list of a luxury hotel are proven professionals.

Personality Trait:
Uncomfortable with people looking at you

Must Have:
A beautiful dress, something that makes you feel beautiful! Professional hair and makeup that comes to you on your wedding day is a plus.

Personality Trait:
Love dancing

Must Have:
2 pairs of shoes. I invite you to splurge on 1 pair…remember you can wear shoes over and over again, even if you lose or gain weight. A great DJ and/or band and custom dance floor are great “must haves” for the dancing types, too!

Personality Trait:
Concern with what people think and the need to be perfect

Must Have:
A professional planner that can execute your dream. Keep in mind something will NOT be perfect, no matter how much you spend or worry. If you go into planning knowing that this is true, you will most likely walk away with the feeling of being overwhelmed with love and beauty on your wedding day. The strong need to be perfect will also increase stress, and a great therapist can help you through accepting your own flaws and imperfections.

Personality Trait:
Difficulty making decisions

Must Have:
Professional planner that has experience (over 200 weddings). A couple usually makes 1000+ decision throughout the wedding planning process. It is imperative that they hire a seasoned and professional planner that can be able to see the wedding day backwards and forward with many back up plans. This can only come from experience!

Personality Trait:
“Outside of the Box” Thinker

Must Have:
Look for a unique location, perhaps an estate location (a private estate). This is a great option for couples wanting to do something different.

Personality Trait:
Sentimental and like documenting memories

Must Have:
Invest in a professional photographer and videographer. A photobooth is a unique guest book idea that encourages your guests to share more from the heart on paper along with a fun snapshot.

Personality Trait:
Love entertaining and are inviting guests from out of town

Must Have:
Invest in a luxury hotel for ceremony & reception. A key element to a great wedding is make logistics easy for you and your guests!

Personality Trait:
Super particular about food & beverage
(Aka “Foodie”)

Must Have:
Choose a location that allows you to bring in your own caterer (and/or bartender!).

Much Gratitude,
Mary Dann-McNamee

Mary Dann Behind the Scenes!

2010-12-10T12:23:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Godfather Films for the video and editing!

My Speaking Tour

2010-11-12T15:09:00.000-08:00

I just returned from a world wind of book signing and speaking presentations! I had such a blast!! My first stop was the Bahamas with WPIC (The Wedding Planners Institute of Canada).
I presented to over 200 planners on a subject near and dear to my heart: Staying Physically, Emotionally, & Spiritually Balanced As You Navigate The Planning Process. It was an amazing 5 days of book signings, speaking and career counseling--and I spent the last full day renting a cabana at the exclusive Cove Beachside Resort at Atlantis! I am so grateful that Danielle and Tracy, the founders of WPIC, asked me to be a part of the event. Enjoy some pics below!

My next stop was Phoenix, for the ABC (Association of Bridal Consultants) annual conference. It was a full day of book singing and I presented on “Hot Wedding Trends, Gismos, and Gadgets” with Elise Enloe to kick off the convention! Here are a few pics from the event:

My final stop was speaking at The Party Goddess, Uncensored Event at The Palomar Hotel in Hollywood. Marley Majcher of The Party Goddess was there, and a panel of us shared insights and gave tools for dealing with two different personality types: the leader and the follower. It was such a fun time! Below are some images, taken by Jen O Sullivan. More to come!

I had such an amazing time at all of these events, and I feel so grateful that I was able to be a part of them!

Much Gratitude,
Mary Dann-McNamee

Wedding Wands by Mary Dann

2010-10-14T13:01:00.000-07:00

Wedding Wands are more popular than ever! They were recently featured on Cupcakes & Cutlery, a blog that features great items and party ideas. Be sure to check out the post and click here to see more colors and purchase the wands on Stylecology! Pictured below is the "Pretty in Pink" wand, one of my favorites!

Much Gratitude,

Mary Dann-McNamee

Photo by Asgeir Fotographica

Wedding at Beverly Wilshire, Beverly Hills

2010-10-01T12:37:00.000-07:00

On September 25th, I had the pleasure of working at the incredible Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills. Everything turned out so lovely, and I could not have done it without such a fabulous couple and hard-working staff. Special thanks to everyone at The Beverly Wilshire (especially Monica Bewak, Director of Catering) for contributing to the event’s success. The ceremony was held outdoors on the Rodeo Terrace, and it was such a gorgeous, sunny day. Following the ceremony, there was a cocktail hour on the Terrace. Many thanks to Mariea Antionette of MAH Productions, Walter Molina of Molina Flamenco, and Amick Byram for providing the beautiful music for the ceremony and cocktail hour. The reception took place in the stunning Grand Trianon ballroom. Fabian of Level 4 International did an amazing job with décor, lighting, and rentals, and the flowers by Nisie’s Enchanted Florist were out of this world. Another special touch was a photo booth for guests to take pictures and leave them for the guest book. A big thank you to Bryant Sentosa of Photoboothless, for making that such a success! Guests were taking pictures all night long. Other vendors who were so amazing include: DJ Tom Chandler of California Sounds for keeping people dancing all night, hair by Trina Duarte of The Studio Agency (Kristien looked phenomenal!), Abloom Media, and Felicia Perry Photography for capturing the event and providing the images below! Enjoy the sneak peek!!

The Happy Couple

The Head Table

The Lovely Centerpieces

The Amazing Cake!

A Ballroom Shot

Much Gratitude,

Mary Dann-McNamee

Las Ventanas 'Bride's New Beginning Ritual'

2010-09-24T12:17:00.000-07:00

I'm so excited to share about this new opportunity for bride-to-be's and her bridesmaids to have a special sacred ritual before the wedding day! The Spa at Las Ventanas Resort in Los Cabos, Mexico now conducts an inspirational and spiritual ritual for the bride-to-be and her bridesmaids as a pre-wedding blissful experience. It sounds absolutely incredible!! The ritual includes a Holistic Twilight Ceremony, massages, and take-home gifts!! The focus is positive energy and eternal love. At such a beautiful resort, this sounds like the ultimate way to relax and enjoy time with your bridesmaids before the wedding! Enjoy the pictures below and for more information, check their website!

Much Gratitude,
Mary Dann-McNamee

Association of Bridal Consultants Orange County

2010-09-16T14:16:00.000-07:00

I feel so grateful that I was able to speak at the Association of Bridal Consultants Orange County at the House of Blues in Downtown Disney. It’s always so great to see so many familiar faces and meet other inspiring professionals. I discussed the principle and showed my educational DVD “Expanding Your Staff Without Over Extending Your Self.” All of the different types of event professionals seemed to enjoy the event and walked away with a lot of inspiration. The ambiance and food was excellent! I was especially thankful to Kelly Feeney (Disney Fairytale Weddings), Michelle Tortuya (The Charming Little Event Company), Amanda (The House of Blues), and John Goolsby (Godfather Films), who all made sure I had everything I needed. I was thrilled to know that this was the orange county’s chapter’s ABC’s best turn out in a long time and I look forward to presenting in the future!!

Here are some great photos of the event taken by Marlin Munoz!!!!

A Speaking Shot

An Overhead View of the Tables

Enjoying the event with Annette Hoegner (Raye C Marketing), Melissa Churlonis (Event Manager for Mary Dann Wedding & Party Coordinators), & Rhonda Couchigian (Raye C Marketing)

Signing Books for Guests

Much Gratitude,

Mary Dann-McNamee

5 top key reasons to attend a national educational conference

2010-08-19T16:42:00.000-07:00

I think it is vital for any novice or seasoned professional in the wedding planning business to attend at least 2 national educational conferences outside of their region…I have listed below the 5 top key reasons to attend a national educational conference:

Be inspired.

Getting away from your environment inspires you to meet other like minded professionals, share ideas and brain-storm new business directions. When you are away from family and the regular rhythm of life, you are more inclined to risk by meeting others, asking questions and keeping an open mind and heart for new seeds of brilliance to be planted.

Talented leaders in your beloved industry.

The quality of industry professionals that educate, share and lead are more available to you in one place, at a national conference, rather than a local networking event. Reputable, proven leaders in your industry are accessible, face-to-face, at the conference, which can be a catalyst for new beginnings.

Opening your mind up to new possibilities.

The Wedding Planning industry is filled with entrepreneurs all doing their best to live a life of purpose (serving others) while (hopefully) making money. Connecting with others along the same journey to share stories and dreams can be very empowering, refreshing and enlightening. Learning from others without having to make their mistakes, can be priceless!

Get educated.

Education can make the difference of how you respond to difficult questions and circumstances. Immersing yourself in a national industry conference will increase your self esteem and confidence. And when a bride is looking to invest in a planner, confidence can make the difference on whether you will be hired for the price you are worth!

Be a leader.

Once you have invested and attended a national industry conference, you have the choice to share your experience and knowledge to your local community of professionals. It is the best way to earn the respect and admiration from your local associates by sharing your educational experience with them. Not everyone has the means to attend a national conference in an exotic island. Be a leader to your local group and share what you have learned with them. After all it is in the giving that we receive!

I hope to meet you in the Bahamas November 1-5, 2010 for www.weddingconf.com !

Much gratitude!

Mary

All Things Wedding...All in One Weekend in the Factory at Franklin

2010-08-03T12:25:00.000-07:00

I am soooo thrilled to be a part of this unique wedding-inspired weekend in Nashville, TN coming up August 19-21!! It’s going to be an amazing weekend jam-packed with exciting activities for vendors, planners, and brides alike! The itinerary looks fabulous. In addition to a VIP cocktail party, silent auction and bridal expo, I will be speaking, hosting coaching sessions, and having a book signing. A Magical Affair and Wedding 101 are sponsoring the event, and you definitely won’t want to miss it! Call 615.791.9771 for more information or to make a reservation. More details to come. Can’t wait to see you all there!!!

Much Gratitude,
Mary Dann-McNamee

Kolo USA

2010-07-20T13:04:00.000-07:00

Kolo recently sent me a new sample product that I just love!! It’s called the Kolo Rivoli Accordion Box and it’s just the thing every Bride needs to keep organized and stress-free. I use lots different types of folders like this for each of my clients, and this one is fabulous! The folder is great quality, expandable, and has 7 tabbed sections making it super easy to arrange vendor documents and miscellaneous papers. You can also customize the box by placing a photo or label in the window. I’ve always loved all of Kolo’s products. Pictures are a big part of every wedding and they have wonderful photo albums and photo books. They also make my absolute favorite guest book album, shown below. In addition, all Kolo products are available for purchase online or at Aarons Brothers..super convenient! See images below and take a peek at their website!

The New Kolo Rivoli

Much Gratitude,

Mary Dann-McNamee