Mindy Weiss...

A big part of wedding and event planning is inspiration. It may be an image from a magazine cover at the checkout or a color combination in a sofa on display in a store window that provides the starting vision for a whole event. I find myself gathering inspiration from all around.

That said, it's important to also find inspiration in the greats of this business. These are the people whose blogs I check out when I want to gain perspective, focus, and spark. Mindy Weiss is one such great, and she is even a local. Today, I suggest checking out her website and her blog.

Most importantly, I encourage you to look for inspiration all around.

Joy

joy 
–noun
1. the emotion of great delight or happiness caused by something exceptionally good or satisfying; keen pleasure; elation (Dictionary.com)

Today I wish you all much joy in life! Happy Friday!

Happy Birthday LLC!

Today marks one year since Megan Kocher Wedding and Event Design received endorsement from the state of California to officially become an LLC. Why does this matter? Well, most importantly we want our brides and grooms to know we take this business seriously. We are 100% committed to you and your wedding.

It's been a wonderful and exciting year, and we can't wait to see what the next year has in store for us. Thank you to everyone who has supported us along the way and continues to do so! You mean the world to me!

Wedding Swans

Most brides have at least one, over-the-top, dream wedding wish. It may be a designer dress, a particular location, or a giant display of fireworks. For me, it was swans. As I've mentioned before, I was not the bride who had planned her wedding since the age of 5. However, there was one thing always in the back of my mind - swans. Real ones, wandering the grounds wherever I got married. In the end, swans were not conducive to my venue. I don't think they would have enjoyed the chlorine in the resort's pool. However, I saw some swans the other day and my dear husband captured them for me with the camera. It was too perfect. They were white and black - bride and groom. ;-)

Wishing you much joy in living out your wedding dreams, whatever they may be!

Welcome Spring

Today marks the first day of spring. I love looking out my window and seeing the Palos Verdes Peninsula turn a warm and welcoming green. I was thrilled last week to see lupins, and many other wild flowers, start blooming along the roadside.

The start of spring means that wedding season is fast approaching. It also stands as a reminder for us to all take a moment out of our hectic schedules to stop and enjoy all of the natural beauty around us. I wish you all a very happy Friday, and a wonderful spring season!

Above: first rose of the season to bloom in my backyard

Postage Increase May 11, 2009

This is a reminder that the United States Postal Service will be increasing rates on May 11th. The cost for the first ounce will increase from $0.42 to $0.44. Keep this in mind when considering postage for both your wedding invitations and reply cards. Don't forget, you can purchase Forever Stamps now to save some money later.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

In your wedding planning, marriage, and for life in general, I'd like to offer you all this Irish blessing:

May your blessings outnumber
The shamrocks that grow,
And may trouble avoid you
Wherever you go.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Budget Travel For Your Honeymoon

I did a little digging on Google and found that honeymoons date back to Biblical times. Check this out from Wikipedia: "Possibly the earliest reference to a honeymoon is in Deuteronomy 24:5 'When a man is newly wed, he need not go out on a military expedition, nor shall any public duty be imposed on him. He shall be exempt for one year for the sake of his family, to bring joy to the wife he has married.'"

Your honeymoon is not just a chance to take an awesome vacation as Mr. and Mrs., but it also gives you both some much needed time to unwind together after months of planning. Now, back to the reason I started this post in the first place...

Many couples receive help paying for their wedding but not their honeymoon. Remember, while it is nice, no one is truly obligated to pay for anything. With the economy the way it is, everyone is looking for a deal. The good news is, there are great deals on travel.

I've been doing a bit of research the past few days, and while there are lots of helpful travel sites out there, I would like to point you all in the direction of Budget Travel. How does a vacation package in Hawaii, including airfare, for under $700 sound? Or $67 per night in the Caribbean? Europe anyone? I'm finding their site to be the end-all-be-all of discounts. They are really staying on top of all of the current deals, and you may just find one perfect for your post-wedding getaway.

Happy honeymooning!