Taking a Step Back

No, don't worry. I am not stepping back from wedding and event planning. Actually, we've got lots of new and exciting things going on that you will be hearing about over the next several months. However, I do find that I do my best work and planning when I take time now and again to step back, breathe, and take a day to gain perspective. It's in these times that some of my best ideas come to me.

Brides and grooms, remember to apply this strategy in planning your wedding. It's so easy to get caught up in phone calls to florists, emails to the caterer, shopping only for wedding stuff... Make sure you take a day every now and again where you don't do a single wedding-related task. It's important for you and the sanity of those around you.

All I want for every bride and groom in their planning is to have a day that they and those around them enjoy. One where they can sit back and take in the full meaning of the day. If you don't do this from the start of planning, trust me, it will be difficult to do on your big day!

Wishing all of you the absolute best with your weddings,

Letterpress Save the Date Giveaway

Engagement season is starting up soon. However, if you are already engaged you may be thinking about save the dates. How about some free save the dates? What bride doesn't love a freebie? Invitations by Ajalon is doing a letterpress Save the Date giveaway through their blog. Here's the information they sent over:

Everyone's got a story to tell, and everyone likes to hear about the "Grand Proposal." Tell us how he proposed (or did you?) to enter our giveaway for 100 letterpress save the date cards, over a $300 value!

Set contains: 100 one-color, one-sided 5x7 letterpress save the date cards, and 110 blank envelopes printed with soy-based ink on 100% cotton Crane's Lettra stock.

The winner will be able to choose from most of our gallery designs, fonts, and our standard ink and paper colors. Here's a sampling of our nine most popular designs:

Contest will end October 31, 2009. The giveaway winner will be selected by a random number generator and notified by email on November 2, 2009. All entries will qualify for a free letterpress sample package, a $10 value.

So head on over to their blog and enter!

Best of luck to you all,

J. Crew Wedding Trunk Show

I wanted to alert everyone that the J. Crew wedding trunk show will be in Los Angeles, at the Grove, October 24th and 25th from 8-11am. They will be featuring their fall/winter 2009 and spring 2010 bridal gowns and wedding party collections. They are offering one-on-one appointments, so if you are interested I would get in touch with them ASAP. Personally, I think J. Crew is one of the few companies that offers bridesmaid dresses that truly can be worn again. Here's the rest of the info:

The Grove . 189 The Grove Drive . Los Angeles, CA . 323-939-1070 .

RSVP to Ashley@jcrew.com

Happy Shopping!

Simple Truths to Remember for your Wedding

While weddings are typically very complex, there are many simple truths to remember. Here are just a few of them:

1. The goal of the day is to get married. As long as the officiant, bride, groom, and witness show up, you will be married.
2. This is your day. Enjoy yourself.
3. Everyone is there to support you and cheer you on. Don't worry about impressing people.
4. Be yourself. That's who your spouse-to-be fell in love with.
5. Take time to take it all in. The day will pass you with the blink of an eye.

Love Is...

...committing to love one another for better or worse and then following through.