Looking For Creative Wedding Ideas?

To all those brides looking for creative, unique ideas for your wedding day, you must attend this event!


Event Design Show Room
By FLOWERSONMARS

Sunday, December 14, 2008
At our LAX Location
10am-5pm
Come and meet Nancy Flores and Mars Resendiz "the event designers of Southern California". We will be showcasing our work and educating brides on the do's and don'ts in planning their event decor. We will hold private consultations for your convenience.

Wedding professional Wenda Evans from More than Just Weddings...by Wenda will be present. She is one of our top wedding coordinators and will be offering valuable wedding planning information as well as a special discount.

Maya Meyers, one of our featured photographers will showcase her amazing work and will be offering 10% off her her wedding photography package if you reserve her services on December 14th.

Come and see first hand why everyone is raving about FLOWERSONMARS!

To schedule an appointment, and for location and parking instructions please email us at info@flowersonmars.com. Admission is complimentary and lite hors d'oeuvres will be provided.

A Way to Personalize Your Wedding...

I was browsing the web for some information for one of my clients and came across a really beneficial website I thought I would share. Today's brides are always looking for something to personalize their weddings and to make them unique. Wonderful Graffiti has customized monograms or quotes that you can use to add that personalization to your special day.

The possibilities are endless! You can add your monogram to your wedding day limo to make it "yours" for the day. Or add your monogram to the front door of your reception venue which will truly impress your guests! You can choose to have your favorite quote placed as a focal point to your wedding ceremony or even as a backdrop to your sweetheart table at the reception. There are so many possibilities to truly personalize your wedding, make sure you visit their site. I am sure you will get inspired for your wedding day!http://www.wonderfulgraffitiwedding.com/ Another thing I thought was pretty cool about their services is you can also choose to personalize your new home with catchy quotes to include in any room of your house! :-)

I am finally back!

Wow! Time has really flown by! I can't believe my last post was in August and next week is already Thanksgiving! We've been finishing up our weddings for 2008 and working on our 2009 brides! The Southern California Chapter of Association for Wedding Professionals International celebrated our one year anniversary in October at the beautiful Belamar Hotel in Manhattan Beach.

Since I haven't posted in a while I haven't been able to share my featured vendor of the month! The holidays are coming up and everyone is always looking for that "universal" gift for coworkers, friends and family members so I thought the Pasadena Winery at the Paseo Colorado in Pasadena would be perfect to showcase as the vendor of the month. Not only can you host a private event at their location but you can also make your own wine! You can have personalized labels made for your wine bottles to give to clients, friends, or even your bridal party! They offer wine tasting...a definite must! I have a few favorites...but I must say one I really like is the Blueberry Shiraz! Wine is always a wonderful choice when attending the numerous upcoming holiday parties! Make sure you stop by, enjoy some wine, enjoy the hospitable staff, and purchase some of your holiday gifts all in one place!


Pasadena Winery

260 E. Colorado Blvd. Suite 221

Pasadena CA

626.793.8898

http://www.pasadenawinery.com/

AfWPi Sacramento Mixer

Nancy(Flowers on Mars) and I should receive the award for traveling the furthest to a networking mixer! Earlier this month we drove out to Sacramento for an AfWPi mixer. We wanted to get new ideas and suggestions to see how to enhance the So. Ca. mixers.

This was my first opportunity to be a "guest" at one of our association's mixers. It was weird for me because I am use to making sure everything is running smoothly and trying to network with everyone who walks in! I am usually busy from the moment the first vendor walks in until the very end. In Sacramento, I actually had a chance to sample the foods, take a picture in their photo booth provided by one of AfWPi's members, and meet some really good contacts. I was very impressed, I met another coordinator who specializes in "bridezillas"! I take my hat off to her!

I had the opportunity to meet members who have been members for years and hear some of the stories first hand about how the association has made a big impact in their lives and their businesses. It's wonderful to hear how so many people who love the wedding industry will turn around and help one another when help is needed. I left Sacramento feeling proud of being a member of an association that treats it's members like family! What a wonderful experience!

August Vendor of the Month

Wow...I can't believe it's August already! Soon we'll all be preparing for the holidays again!

Well, it's that time of month to recognize another amazing wedding vendor. For August I've chosen Demetra from SBD Events. Demetra definitely gives every bride that finishing touch that's needed for her fantasy wedding day!

Words can't describe the beauty that can be created by Demetra and her staff. From fantasy tableskirts for your cake table, headtable, or sweetheart table, candy bars, beautiful linens, chair covers, table runners...the list goes on and on. Demetra has what it takes to make your event gorgeous and truly unforgettable!

Contact Demetra today and let her help to make your dream wedding a reality!

http://www.sbdevents.com/

Congratulations Demetra!

AfWPi Mixer at The City Club on Bunker Hill

Our AfWPi July mixer was hosted by the City Club on Bunker Hill. What an amazing facility. The romantic view of the city is truly priceless. The staff was beyond professional, helpful and extremely courteous. Maria Schmidt, the private events director went beyond her duty to assist our vendors with a welcoming attitude. The City Club on Bunker Hill is a definite must see when planning your next event.

We had an amazing turnout. Our vendors came from San Diego, Orange County, Riverside and of course L.A. It's wonderful to see so many vendors who are passionate about their businesses.

We did a lot of networking. Some vendors gained new clients. We welcomed new menbers to AfWPi. The food was wonderful. NancyKay from NancyKays' confections spoiled us with samples of her delicious cakes. Demetra from SBD Events impressed our guests with her beautiful fantasy sign in table skirt. Flowers on Mars amazed everyone with their gorgeous crystal tree. DJ Keith from Totally Entertainment had AfWPi members doing the Cupid Shuffel! What an amazing night. To top it off, we were fortunate enough to have our president Richard Markel and Vice president Julia Markel present for this event. When an event lasts 2 hours longer than anticipated...you know it was AMAZING!

If you are a wedding vendor and have not had the opportunity to come to an AfWPi mixer, make sure you plan on attending one soon! For additional information about upcoming mixers, visit the AfWPi website at http://www.afwpi.com/ Next month's location is the Pasadena Winery and in September, AfWPi will be celebrating our 1 year anniversary in Southern California! This will be a "must attend" mixer for all wedding professionals!

July Vendor of the Month

Being a wedding coordinator I have the opportunity to meet and work with some very talented wedding vendors. I have decided to choose one vendor per month to rave about so that brides or anyone planning an event can be aware of this vendors services.

For the month of July, I have selected Michael C. Events as our vendor of the month. Michael C. Events is a full service catering company. Chef Michael has the most charming personality and his food is beyond amazing! He is very passionate about his work and his passion is displayed in his food. I had the opportunity to work with him last month and from my first interaction with him until the end of the event....nothing but total satisfaction. His prices are affordable and presentation is beautiful. A definite must if you are looking for an amazing caterer who can definitely "wow" your guests! Visit his website at http://www.michaelcevents.com/ or contact him at 877.625.6453

Congratulations Michael and thank you for being a "true professional"

Remembering True Love...

I love what I do. I love planning weddings, I love meeting new couples and developing friendships and I love seeing all of their dreams come true on their wedding day. A little insight about me, I get very attached to my couples because I work so closely with them. Everytime I see my brides in their dresses I get emotional. I've been known to shed a few tears because I feel like my "babies" are growing up!

The first time I spoke to Shana (recent bride) I could tell she was truly in love with Matt. When I met them I could tell they were deeply in love with each other. Wow, if you could only see the way Matt looks at Shana! L-O-V-E!!!! Ladies, I know you understand what I am talking about. When your mate stares into your eyes with the look of: you are the most beautiful woman in the world and no one else matters! When all he cares about is satisfying your needs and making sure you are always happy! Yes ladies, that is the "look of love"! Matt and Shana are too cute together!!!

Ladies, while you are making all of the plans for your wedding and the stress begins to build up. Remember the most important thing is you are marrying the one you are deeply in love with.
Love is a beautiful thing. Consider yourself lucky that you've found your "true love". Remembering this will make your whole wedding planning experience a lot less stressful!

For my children...

As many of you know my children started a new school this year. Of course I plan on continuing to be that mother all of the teachers can count on so I jumped right in when asked to chair certain events! After this weekend...I am asking myself what did I get myself into?!?!?! We had the school's annual fair which next year I will be organizing the entire food court...this year I only had to assist. Talk about WORK! From making sure all of the volunteers were signed in, cleaning tables, making sure the volunteers had their supplies, jumping in when needed to sell churros (lol...thanks Yami!) cleaning up afterwards and making sure the rental companies had their items back. It was definitely more work than I anticipated! Let's just say by the time I got home my feet were crying for a massage! After about 10 hours sleep, I am all better now! LOL! This morning my first thought was I am not doing this next year especially because I am also chairing the staff appreciation luncheon tomorrow! BUT....everyone who knows me knows I love a "challenge"! So, I sat down and brainstormed about what I would like to change, how many people I would need to help make this work and what could be done to make everyone's lives easier! Now I am looking forward to taking this on. I try to show my girls that you can do anything you set your mind to doing. When things get rough, I only tend to work harder! Although this weekend's event isn't the type of work I am use to doing or prefer doing...I have to remember without parent volunteers these events our kids love participating in wouldn't be possible!

Happenings at MtJW

More than Just Weddings has finally joined the world of blogging! I've been told this would be a great way to keep my past brides, current brides, potential brides, vendors, and friends up to date with what is going on in the busy world of our company! Let me bring you all up to date! First off I would like to welcome the greatest asset to MtJW! Andrea...Andrea is a gem, my newest assistant that I LOVE so much! She has helped alleviate a lot of my work so that I can focus on my clients and AfWPi events. Andrea is not only remarkable in the office but at events and weddings she helps to make my clients day FABULOUS!!!! Andrea showed her skills at the Lopez/Comulada Wedding. This was a very fun yet challenging wedding because my bride Jeannette wanted to make sure her guests were truly entertained and walked away feeling like they had never been to a wedding where they had so much fun. Feedback three weeks later...they are still talking about this wedding! Everything was beautiful from Flowers on Mars recreating the Jessica Simpson ceremony look at a very affordable price. Tesoro Trattoria provided an amazing location for the reception. The service was top notch...food...beyond amazing. Marvin, Tesoro's manager is every wedding coordinators best friend! DJ Mars kept the crowd going to where guests were requesting his play list! And how do we ever forget the amazing team at Planet Zaya who made the couple feel like their wedding was being featured on Platinum Weddings! Planet Zaya's crew consisted of 5 staff members to ensure every aspect of the wedding was captured and a jib (crane used to shoot movies) made everyone feel like they were all in a featured film. The response of the crowd...this wedding must have cost a fortune! Andrea was able to assist with the many "surprise" events going on from the Peruvian Band entrance to the debut of Scott's rock band performance! My other beautiful assistant Adrianne was on hand to assist with this wedding as well. My staff helped me to pull off yet another successful, flawless event! I love you guys!!!!

Congratulations Scott and Jeannette!!!! And yes Scott, you made the wall of fame!!!!

I wanted to wish my funniest couple a very Happy Anniversary!!!! Cameron and Rochael Williams celebrated their one year anniversary Mother's Day weekend! Talk about a couple who can make you laugh for hours straight! They were truly made for each other! Love you guys!!!!

In the world of AfWPi we are pleased to announce our newest board members: Totally Entertainment; Darryl and DJ Keith will represent their amazingly talented company! So welcome aboard Totally Entertainment! For those of you who are not aware of this association, AfWPi is the Association for Wedding Professionals international. It is a nation wide association for weddding professionals and I am the Southern California Community Leader. Every last Tuesday of the month we host a mixer at various locations throughout the Los Angeles County area. Some of our previous mixers include Brandview Collection in Glendale, Lawry's in Beverly Hills, Primes American Kitchen in Long Beach, Redondo Beach Castle, Tesoro Trattoria in
Downtown LA and Cinespace in Hollywood. This is an excellent way for vendors to network with one another and introduce their companies to individuals who may not be aware of their services. Our current companies representing the board are: Planet Zaya (Jonathan/Carrie), Flowers on Mars (Nancy/DJ Mars) Shear Delights (Deana) Sounds Like Love (Randy) For further information about the association visit our website: http://www.afwpi.com/

Linda Novia magazine the only bilingual wedding and quinceanera magazine launched the "Dear: Wenda" section where brides can contact me about questions pertaining to their wedding.

Wow...we really have been busy, and this isn't even half of what we've been working on this year! I will keep you all abreast on the happenings here at More than Just Weddings! Thanks for letting us share our happiness with you!

Hugs & Kisses,
Wenda