UrDreamPlanner's Wednesday Knowledge: Personalize your Wedding or Event!

Personalization is what makes a Wedding & Event stand out and be different! When I think of the ways to personalize a special occasion, so many ideas come to mind. However, there is 1 simple way to personalize your Wedding or Event. 

Put Your Name On It!

Custom Name Plate

Adding your name on any aspect of your Wedding or Event will automatically personalize it and make it unique to your special occasion. 

Custom Welcome Signs

Use a special font that fits in with your theme and to help set the tone! 

 

Make It Personal!

 

Talk To Me:

Do you like personalization? In what ways did you/will you personalize your Wedding or Event? Do you prefer custom personalized items vs. traditional? Share your experience of working with personalizing your Wedding or Event in the comment zone below! :-)

Follow us on Twitter @UrDreamPlanner

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Book us at www.BeautifulBeyondDreams.com

Sincerely,

UrDreamPlanner's Wednesday Knowledge: Custom Stationery!

When planning any type of celebration (Wedding, Event, Milestone, etc.), the stationery that is sent out will sent the tone for your upcoming celebration. Your stationery is the first impression of what your guests can expect for your wedding, event or milestone celebration. Through research you will discover that there are many different ways you can have your stationery created. Let's focus on "Custom Stationery"!  

Custom Stationery, is stationery that is more than often created from scratch, it will reflect the color or theme of your wedding, event or milestone, but more importantly; it will be a one of a kind design specifically made for you and your upcoming celebration!

I love anything custom, but truly love custom stationery!! Check out two of my favorite stationery designers both based in New York and both specializing in bringing you a one of a kind custom look!! 

{{{ Jacfred Creations }}}

In business since 2009, Jacinta Frederick's mission is to provide the best! Jacfred Creations make beautiful Handcrafted custom Greeting cards and Invitations.

 Learn more about Jacfred Creations by visiting their website, liking them on Facebook & following them on Twitter! 

{{{ Sage & Time Designs }}}

Sage & Time Designs creates handcrafted and custom stationery; designed by M. Shannon Hernandez. Products are created in Brooklyn, NY, and can be shipped directly to you. 

Learn more about Sage & Time Designs by visiting their website, liking them on Facebook, and following them on Twitter!

Both of these New Yorkers are amazingly talented and will be able to customize your upcoming wedding, event or milestone celebration. Stationery speaks for itself, don't allow it to say bad things about what you are planning! 

Be You, through Custom Stationery!

Talk To Me:

Do you like custom stationery? Have you used it before for a wedding or event? Do you agree that stationery sets the tone for your upcoming celebration? Why or Why not? How so? Share your experience of using custom stationery. Leave your thoughts in the comment zone below...let's chat! 

Follow us on Twitter @UrDreamPlanner

Like us on Facebook BeautifulBeyondDreamsLLC

Book us at www.BeautifulBeyondDreams.com

Sincerely,

UrDreamPlanner's Wednesday Knowledge: Inspiration Board Book!

As you may or may not know, the Owner of Beautiful Beyond Dreams, LLC, Brittany Allen {ME}, has written a book! The topic is, Inspiration Boards! I have created a five step method, a how-to guide for using four Inspiration Board methods. The book provides you with great insight, step by step instructions, a lot of tips, many laughs and will allow you to walk away inspired to create, create, create!!!

 https://www.facebook.com/InspirationBoardBook

Since, "Five Step Method to Creating A Successful Inspiration Board! {Weddings & Events}" will soon be published and readily available to the world, I wanted to share with you a little of what to expect; starting with, who the book is for.

Who Is It For?

This Inspiration Board book was written for the Wedding Planner, Event Planner, and Designer just starting out that doesn't know how to create an Inspiration Board. This book can be applied to the veteran planner or designer that has never used an Inspiration Board before. This book can help the Planner's who create Inspiration Boards already, but would like to have a good read on a topic that is very present in today's Wedding & Event Planning Industry! 

Not only is this book for the Wedding Professionals, but Brides can benefit from reading it as well. A Bride that is more hands-on and would like to gather her thoughts and ideas to portray her vision clearly to her Wedding Planner, Designer, and/or other vendors; this book will give her the skills to do so! 

Stay tuned for more Inspiration Board book insight, sneak peaks & book signing save the dates! You can like us on Facebook- http://www.facebook.com/InspirationBoardBook and follow us on twitter @InspBoardBook! If you have any questions, feel free to email us at inspirationboardbook@beautifulbeyonddreams.com! 

Thank you for your support!!

xoxo

Be Inspired!

Talk To Me:

Do you use Inspiration Boards? Have you wanted to learn how to create one? Do you know how, but still want to learn more? Share your Inspiration Board experiences below in the comment zone!!

Follow us on Twitter @UrDreamPlanner

Like us on Facebook BeautifulBeyondDreamsLLC

Book us at www.BeautifulBeyondDreams.com

Sincerely,

{{ Wedding Dress Shopping: 4 Ways to Have Fun!!! }}

Throughout my years of planning Weddings and working with other Planners, I've had the pleasure of going dress shopping with a few Brides. I find wedding dress shopping to be one of the most exciting and fun parts of planning the Wedding. Enjoy these 4 ways to have a fun wedding dress shopping experience!!

(She really loved the first dress she tried on! Beautiful Beyond Dreams, LLC 1st Bride, Mrs. Jennifer Robinson!)

 {{ Wedding Dress Shopping: 4 Ways to Have Fun!!! }}

#1: Only take people with you that will give you positive critiques! (When shopping we like others opinions, at the same time we only like opinions that are given in a positive matter. When wedding dress shopping this way of thinking is increased by 100!! Take people that will lift you up and NOT tear you down. Those who on a daily basis that you have a conversation with that always talks negatively or brings others down is the exact person you need to leave at home. Tip #1 is crucial because it will reflect on your outlook and effect your mood. A critique is as simple as (#1: That shape does not flatter you.) which is different from (#2: That shape makes you look fat.). Critique #1 is a honest opinion that will help you and make you think, however, critique #2 is harmful towards your feelings and will probably make you cry. Take only positive people with you that will inspire you and make you laugh, smile and ultimately have fun!!! )

#2: Have an idea (and possibly a book of pictures) of what you want AND be open minded! (There are many, many styles out there and before you make an appointment, know or have an idea of the style, shape, etc of the dress. Do you love sparkle {maybe a Ballgown?}, are you modest {pick an A-line style), if you love fitted dresses {a Mermaid silhouette may fit you best!}. Knowing the different kinds of dresses or at least being able to show pictures of what you may desire..will allow your consultant at the dress shop to be able to narrow down what you want a lot easier and make the process a lot more enjoyable and memorable!!)

<--- (She tried on other dresses too. Beautiful Beyond Dreams, LLC 1st Bride, Mrs. Jennifer Robinson)

#3: Be prepared to NOT find the perfect dress at your 1st or 2nd wedding dress shopping appointment AND be prepared if YOU DO fall in love with the first dress you try on! (This is all about your thought process and knowing that wedding dress shopping is about knowing who you are and listening to your heart. Be open minded and enjoy the process. Listen to the advice of others that you brought with you and listen to your heart. Any woman that has went shopping, knows how it feels when you try on those jeans and they fit in all the right places...take "that feeling" with you! Don't force this feeling, but just enjoy, have fun and allow the experience to move you!)

#4: Grab a bite to eat and discuss! (Food makes any experience exciting! Enjoying great food and being able to sit down and discuss the wedding dress shopping is a nice way to ease whatever emotions you may be experiencing before going home. If you found "the one" and took pictures, enjoy looking at them again and discuss accessories and just enjoy the moment!! If you did not find "the one", take this time to gather your emotions, discuss the different styles you tried on and together as a group share. Talk about life, friendship and any other topic that makes you happy and laugh!! :-D)

(She got dress #1, she was head over heels in LOVE!! Mrs. Jennifer Robinson, Beautiful Beyond Dreams, LLC 1st Bride showing off the dress for her Bridal Party!)

Following these 4 tips will allow your Wedding Dress shopping experience to be enjoyable and fun! Take a great group of people and truly enjoy, laugh, eat some good food and make it a memorable experience!! :-D

Talk To Me:

Are you about to go Wedding Dress Shopping? Have these tips helped you? Did you enjoy your Wedding Dress shopping experience? Share your good or bad experience with us! What's your dream Wedding Dress? Share any other tips that you would like the readers to know!! Leave a comment below and lets chat!! :-D

Follow us on Twitter @UrDreamPlanner

Like us on Facebook BeautifulBeyondDreamsLLC

Book us at www.BeautifulBeyondDreams.com

Sincerely,

:: Our Decor & Design Journey: Pictures & Videos! #BBDllc ::

This year Beautiful Beyond Dreams, LLC has started to branch more into the decor and design aspect of planning amazing Weddings & Special Events, which we LOVE so much!!! My team & I has had several opportunities to put our decor skills to the test! Check out what my team & I have been up to this year so far as we begin our decor & design journey!!

Our Design Journey has Begun...

"Rustic Romance"

First up, Beautiful Beyond Dreams, LLC was presented with the opportunity to do a Designers Showcase at The Imperia in Somerset, NJ in early February! One of the design themes I pitched was "Rustic Romance"(we did the wine bottles side)! My team & I had a blast setting up at this event. Check out the video to see some snippets of our work, which are displayed within the first few minutes of the video!! :-D

The design concept for this theme came when I started collecting my roommates wine bottles..from there the theme was born!

"Easter Candy Buffet" 

Our next project that we came across was for a candy buffet company. Beautiful Beyond Dreams, LLC loves to do candy buffets. I love the look of them, the themes you can create and more. This candy buffet was one of our first and something that was not the norm, perhaps that's why I loved it so much. It was different and not something you would see at a typical Wedding or Event. So check out this inspiration board and enjoy! Pictures taken by Kareem Taylor!

We didn't get accepted for this project, but I am very happy I had the experience and would really love for all the candy buffets I do to be this detailed!! I really loved creating this candy buffet!! :-D

"20's Fundraising Gala" 

Finally, but definitely not the last design project was for a friend of mine. This young lady is apart of a group called the Junior Women's Club of Haddonfield. I was asked if I could participate by doing some 1920's decor. These ladies wanted simple, but elegant. Just little touches that would really enhance the room!! The ladies reaction to entering the room was awesome, it sure made me smile!! The candles really added to the ambiance and they came all dolled up in their 1920's outfits. The fundraising gala, which benefited The Valerie Fund an organization that helps children with cancer and blood disorders was a big success for them! My team & I was happy to play a small part in it all!! :-D

Since I cannot figure out the embed code, please click the link to check out this video to see just how successful this event was!

http://animoto.com/play/C08oPkwWbbZxD1gFb1edbg

 Thank you, I hope you enjoy it!

"Our Journey Continues....w/You!" 

Beautiful Beyond Dreams, LLC loves doing decor & design and my team and I are very excited for all the future projects we will get to take part in! If you have a Wedding, Party, Special Event, Gala, Launch Party etc. coming up and need decor & design assistance: give us a call, 267-702-3037; send us an email, info@beautifulbeyonddreams.com or fill out our "Contact" form!! My team & I will be more than happy to make your upcoming occasion beautiful beyond dreams! ;-)

I hope you all enjoy your weekend!

Have a Happy Easter!

Talk To Me:

What's your favorite decor project? Do you feel decor in important at an event? Share a wedding, party or event you attended that had amazing decor!! Leave a comment below and let's chat!! :-D

Follow us on Twitter @UrDreamPlanner

Like us on Facebook BeautifulBeyondDreamsLLC

Book us at www.BeautifulBeyondDreams.com

Sincerely,

Happy #WeddingWednesday!!

I Just Wanted to tell you Happy #WeddingWednesday!! 

Today is a day to enjoy all things wedding related. 

Tweet, pin, blog, post and share wedding related fun with everyone!!

Smile because weddings are fun and it's #WW!! :-D

Talk To Me:

Do you look forward to #WeddingWednesday?? What do you like or dislike about it? Share and comment below. Looking forward to chatting with you!! :-D

Follow us on Twitter @UrDreamPlanner

Like us on Facebook BeautifulBeyondDreamsLLC

Book us at www.BeautifulBeyondDreams.com

Sincerely,

::: It's #WW, Let's watch #wedding videos!! :::

Happy #WeddingWednesday to you all!!
I woke up wanting to dance..so I went and found some wedding Videos!!

Video #1

I loved this video because these guys were just fun to watch! They did a great job!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Video #2



This was really good..I loved the intro..haha
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Video #3



Very cute, I loved Grease...the bridal party colors were nice too!! lol


Hope you enjoyed these cute Wedding Dance videos!!

Talk To Me:

Which one was your favorite?? Did you do a special first dance like the vid's above, how was it? Would you do a special dance like the vid's above?? Share all the fun of your wedding in the comments below!! :-)


Also, if you missed Monday's ::Week 3:: Love, History & Heart post, check it out!!!

Follow us on Twitter @UrDreamPlanner

Like us on Facebook BeautifulBeyondDreamsLLC

Book us at www.BeautifulBeyondDreams.com

 

Sincerely,

"Dear #Brides, Your #Groom has Spoken!!"

I have written this post today to help and guide all my awesome Brides out there planning fabulous weddings! Today is all about what your groom is really trying to say to you. Don't read to fast because this is going to be a short little message!

Dear Brides,

     Congratulations on getting engaged to the man you love. He is the man who completes you and makes everything right in the world. He always listened to your every word and gave advice or maybe he just nodded. Brides, ask yourself these questions: Is my groom into fashion, music, food , etc? What has he always talked about prior to engagement when we were just two love birds getting to know each other? Does he enjoy watching "My Fair Wedding" or would he rather watch football and let you and the girls enjoy all of that? When it's time to go shopping is he the kind of guy that goes with you, gives you the money and says call up your girls, does he surprise you and buy you things? Brides, I want you to think about all these questions and then think about your Groom. The man you love so much that has now asked you to be his wife. I want you to think about your wedding planning process. Are you frustrated by his lack of participation in picking out the colors, desserts, themes, etc..etc..etc? Are you nagging him (yes I said nag because ladies we NAG!) and constantly saying "you never this"..and getting mad when you ask about a color combo and all you get is "idk..pick what you like!". Now Brides..I want you to sit down and close your eyes..find a mellow happy place in your mind and think about the groom your engaged too..is he the same groom that you fell in love with before he was your groom? Is he a give you money and have you go shopping with your girls kind of man..did he constantly surprise you during your relationship??? I say all this Brides, to say that just because your darling fiance has taken the big leap of commitment and asked the question you've been dying to hear..he is still the same man. Brides, I know you have been planning this day in your mind..but learn to listen when your groom speaks. He is not going to change his behavior just because the two of you are saying I Do...and why would you want him to because isn't the man who proposed, the man you fell in LOVE with!? So first and foremost I am so sorry that my short message..now very long letter has gotten so long. Second..learn and listen to your Groom's behavior because he is helping you. He is giving you what you want the only way he knows how. Cut him some slack and enjoy the moment with him. I promise you the moment he does the opposite of what he has always done..the things that you fell in love with..it will send you into a frenzy and you will wish you let him just be him! So again..listen and hear what your groom is saying. Enjoy the planning process and be happy..after all this day is about the love that the two of you have for each other!

Sincerely,
UrDreamPlanner ( A caring Wedding Planner)
xoxo

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Brides & Grooms feel free to reply back: 

Dear,

 UrDreamPlanner (A caring Wedding Planner)...

I would love to hear your thoughts and share in convo with you all!! 

Follow us on Twitter @UrDreamPlanner

Like us on Facebook BeautifulBeyondDreamsLLC

Book us at www.BeautifulBeyondDreams.com

Sincerely,

R.I.P Etta James

It saddened me when I read today that the amazing Etta James had passed away today due to her battle with Leukemia. Her music will be remembered for having a lot of soul, personality, truth and hair-standing vibes! The sound from Etta James was and will always be one of a kind. 

This beautiful talented signer contributed so much to the music world and the wedding world! Her amazing songs have been heard many, many times as couples share in their first dance. Read more about Etta James and the life she lived. Listen to some of my favorites by the talented, Etta James!

Etta James

January 25, 1938 - January 20, 2011

Rest In Peace...

Track	Duration	Album
At Last	3:03	At Last
I'd Rather Go Blind	2:34	Her Best
Stormy Weather	3:09	At Last
Something's Got A Hold On Me	2:49	Her Best

You will always be remembered!

Follow us on Twitter @UrDreamPlanner

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Book us at www.BeautifulBeyondDreams.com

Sincerely,

12 Day Giveawy - Day 11: $240.00 Gift Certificate!!

Beautiful Beyond Dreams, LLC 12 Day Giveaway is coming to an end tomorrow! It has been a great process and I hope everyone truly had fun playing. Today's giveaway is specifically for those that have been inquiring about the services of Beautiful Beyond Dreams, LLC! In honor of the Owner & Executive Planner (me) of Beautiful Beyond Dreams, LLC 24th birthday tomorrow (Nov 12th), today's gift certificate is our way of saying thank you!

To win this amazing prize you must submit your answer to our Fb Post that lists the question. Since I am such a great mood about turning 24 there is a chance that more than one $240.00 Off Gift Certificate can be given out! Check the pic below and submit an answer. 

This $240.00 Off Gift Certificate can be used for your own needs or given as a gift to a friend! Beautiful Beyond Dream, LLC offers several payment plan options and offers customized packages to meet the needs & wants for your upcoming wedding or event! To schedule a Complimentary Consultation you can contact us via phone: 267-702-3037, email: info@beautifulbeyonddreams.com or by submitting an inquiry!

Win big by submitting an answer on our Fb Fan Page Post. :-D

Good Luck!

Sincerely,

The Wedding Planner & The On-Site Coordinator--"Two Are Better Than One!"

Often times I read great blog posts, articles, statuses(on FB), tweets & more. Recently within the past week I've seen a surplus of comments related to "not needing a Wedding Planner because you have an On-Site Coordinator". This statement boggles my mind because it is a misleading thought that can ruin a Wedding Day!

This post is not to bash in any way, but to educate and inform! Don't get offended.

Let's begin...

As a Wedding Planner, I find that it is important to have a good relationship with the On-Site Coordinator at any venue. The On-Site Coordinator is great because he or she knows the ins & outs of it's own venue. The On-Site Coordinator has a list of preferred vendors that are associated with it's venue that will provide you with an amazing service to assure your wedding day goes smoothly. The On-Site Coordinator & The Wedding Planner should have a sound relationship because as a Wedding Planner you are stepping into their house. The rule that ALL Wedding Planner's should follow is to ALWAYS RESPECT the On-Site Coordinator's house (meaning the venue)!! The On-Site Coordinator is there to meet the Bride & Grooms needs while at the venue. The On-Site Coordinator tends to not be as involved in the planning process outside of the general wedding planning searching needs.

"I'm not a wedding planner but an onsite coordinator and caterer seems very impersonal..somebody who is providing a service but no feeling behind it...A coordinator really just organize the ppl and order of service but what about floral arrangements, various venue options, etc.. They are only there to advertise their employer not assist in the desires of the couple..#my opinion" -Jugga (Beautiful Beyond Dreams, LLC FB Fan!)

The Wedding Planner is the "Genie" of Wedding Planning! It is thee Wedding Planner that is truly there from beginning to end. Most Wedding Planner's will educate you, laugh with you, disagree to agree with you, cry with you, break-up family arguments with you, guide you, budget you so you have a life after the wedding day, fight for you (being your voice to make it happen) and so so much more! The Wedding Planner brings a personal touch that wakes up and greets you the morning of your wedding and stays with you all day until the car is all packed and everyone has driven off. Then the Wedding Planner will even return rentals for you while you are away on your honeymoon. Once you return the Wedding Planner is still there to assist you with sending out thank you letters, doing the name change process & more!

The Wedding Planner & On-Site Coordinator are both essential and crucially important to a successful Wedding Day. One without the other just doesn't make sense (this is mainly for a full service venue or a venue that does have an On-Site Coordinator...All other venue types without one is not related to this comment).  Together the Wedding Planner & On-Site Coordinator will work together to assure that each guests finds it's correct table, the bridal party are where they need to be when it is time for introductions, your cake topper is packed away safely so you can enjoy it on your 1yr Anniversary & more! The relationship between the two, again; is crucial. None the less...The On-Site Coordinator does NOT replace the Wedding Planner. 

"Why choose a Wedding Planner over a Onsite Coordinator? The answer is so easy…… A Wedding Planner is a mediator, consultant, sounding board, organizer, an artisan and a financial advisor all rolled into one package. When nerves are frazzled, they may even turn out to be a punching bag, “figuratively speaking.” A wedding planner can work with you from your initial engagement to the honeymoon departure. A Wedding Planner is there to guide you through the rough waves of wedding planning." -Justin S. Brown (CEO/President of Creations By Brown)

Many times the Wedding Planner becomes the On-Site Coordinator for the venues that do not have one. Mainly non-traditional locations (parks, community centers, FOP halls, etc). Therefore to replace your Wedding Planner with the On-Site Coordinator again, just doesn't make sense. If you cannot afford a full service Wedding Planner then bring some relaxation to the busy of planning a Wedding & hire a Month Of Coordinator, which most will provide their services 6 to 8 weeks prior to the Wedding Day. This provides you the ease of knowing the day you have been dreaming of for however long will be beautiful! Your Month of Coordinator will be able to bring your On-Site Coordinator up to date on anything that needs to be known. The Wedding Planner is the middle man, the go-to man, THEE MAN or WOMAN that makes your dream wedding a reality and keeps ALL vendors in the loop!

Dear On-Site Coordinators,

         Wedding Planner's do you respect you and understand that you are the head of your house. It is offensive when you inform clients that book your venues that they do not need a Wedding Planner because they have you! You are indeed misinforming them and potentially causing them undesired Pre-Wedding Day, Wedding Day and Post-Wedding Day stress. In the Wedding Industry it has been taught that planning a Wedding involves a team of vendors, one of those being The Wedding Planner. The Wedding Planner is here to help all vendors have a successful Wedding Day by making sure everyone stays on time, hence the very detailed timelines that are often produced and emailed out! The Wedding Planner wants to work with you and work together to assure a happy Bride, Groom, Parents & Guests. Working together is the main goal!

Sincerely,

The Wedding Planner

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dear Brides & Grooms,

        Planning a Wedding is fun, exciting, life-changing, time-consuming, at times stressful, emotional and all around magical. The Wedding Planner & On-Site Coordinator wants to both provide you with a memorable Wedding Day. Do remember that the On-Site Coordinator is the coordinator for the venue, he or she will not be able to be by your side during the whole process. The Wedding Planner is there to guide you from beginning to end no matter the location. He or She will be there months before the Wedding and months after the Wedding! Always do your research and remember to hire a Wedding Planner, as he or she will work together with your On-Site Coordinator!

Sincerely,

The Wedding Planner

Planning a Wedding is absolutely amazing, but a lot of work! Don't get stuck in the stress of planning because you chose NOT to hire a Wedding Planner. Think about it! 

Do you have any success stories that you would like to share about your On-Site Coordinator & Wedding Planner?? Post your stories below in the comments section!! 

"Sharing is caring and it really is fun!" :-)

Sincerely,

Part 2: Let's Discuss Networking Styles!

Networking is crucial to any business that desires to grow and expand! FACT. 

Last week we started discussing Are You "Networking!!" or "Netwatching??" it was the intro to a 3 part series! This past Friday we discussed {Part 1: 5 Signs You Are Netwatching!}. If you missed either of these discussions then read those prior to continuing.

Networking comes in many styles. You have Target-Market Based networking events, One-on-One meetings and Casual Networking events. Because networking can be applied to any of these I will be giving examples of all! Today's post is all about the different styles of networking events & what to do at the networking events. To begin let's start with target-market based networking events. 

ABC New Jersey State Conference 2011

(Sadly I wasn't at this one..)

Target-Market Based networking events for me fall in the category of Bridal Shows, Industry educational related events, etc. At these type of events your goal is to make your business known, discretely. I say discretely because you want to say hello, without screaming it..if you get my drift. You are attending on the basis of learning, but also to meet & greet new businesses that can help your business grow. At these kind of events you should dress professionally. A nice button down top w/business jacket/blazer, a pin-striped skirt and 3 inch heels (black preferably!) You should look classy & fit-in. <--- I technically don't follow this rule, however for those that like rules this is the typical industry look. I like to be a little bolder and stand out. So you will find me wearing bold colors, especially when it comes to my shoes! Be prepared to hand out a business card if it comes up in a conversation. When cards are given out (especially at educational based networking events) it happens at the end of the event. So don't walk in throwing cards at people..get the education, socialize and distribute then! Sometimes networking means being at the event and learning and socializing. Not necessarily saying this is who I am, utilize my services. This is the start of a network connection.

(Meetings can take place at Panera Bread, Starbucks, Olive Garden etc!!)

One-on-One meetings are great and are usually formed after attending an educational networking event, bridal show, etc. This is the next step to continue a connection made. This is your opportunity to create a long-lasting relationship or just a social media based relationship. Networking is great, and one-on-one meetings are crucial because it allows you to know if you want to actually work with this new connection. 

"You won't work with everyone, some are just nice to chat with on social media." -UrDreamPlanner

I love One-on-One meetings because you learn a person's personality, goals, desires, etc and see if they match up with what your trying to present to your clientele. When at a large target-market based networking event you don't get to know the person, you just see the surface. Therefore having this personal one-on-one meeting can give you a feel for your next move. I have had good & bad one-on-one meetings. Some meetings have created long-lasting relationships, while others are some of my coolest social media friends!! {{Now being a social media friend is NOT a bad thing! My main social media friends are those that don't live within 150 miles of me. These are friends that I only see on fb, twitter, blogger etc unless we both attend a national or regional networking event. I usually do not work with these people not because they are not amazing(because ALL my friends are amazing :-)), but because at the moment I don't have a clientele in their specific area. Having social media friends is equally important as local colleagues because you never know where your next client may come from and it's great to have connections all over the world!}} Be yourself when attending one-on-one meetings, dress professional during these meetings as well, every impression makes a difference! This is your time to shine and show who you are and how you can help the other business!  

::Awesome Tip::

If you're the one setting up the meeting be prepared to treat the other person (& yourself, no one likes to eat alone) to some Food!! It's a kind gesture that goes a long way. :-)

I Do Brunch 2011 for Wedding Planners!

Lastly, and one of my favorites are Casual Networking events! Casual Networking events are awesome!! When attending these networking events you tend to be more comfortable. I find that when I attend these it is because I am apart of the organization, I am attending with someone else, and I am just comfortable at going out there and talking with random people that I don't know and catching back up with those social media friends and local colleagues!!  Casual Networking events can be professional attire and is usually fun professional attire. Because of the fact that you ARE a professional you should always dress accordingly. Depending on the event, you can dress it up or dress it down as long as your camera ready. You may not think you are in the picture but if you happen to get in a side shot that you weren't expecting you need to be dress nicely!

Always carry business cards and try to remember names! At Casual Networking events, you tend to see some of the same faces over and over. If you don't remember someone's name and they remember yours (this has happened to me..Shhh o_O) it is okay, ask them what their name is. Just don't let it happen twice. I one time found myself looking on Fb so I could figure out who I was talking to..it happens..but try not to make a habit of it! People like to be remembered especially at these type of events. Be yourself, dress nice, hand out a few cards and enjoy!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

So we discussed several types of networking events! I decided to save discussing how to be a confident networker for the last post because people tend to remember most what they read last. So this Wednesday we will learn how to be a confident networker. 

If you attend networking events, which do you find to be your favorite style? Do you follow any of these rules? Feel free to add some tips on anything listed above!

Sincerely,

My First Hurricane Wedding!

If you live on the East Coast or watch the news then you know this weekend the East Coast experienced a Category 1 hurricane; "Hurricane Irene" was her name! She was a pretty nasty young lady breaking down trees, causing tornadoes, flooding entire communities and made it life threatening for many. 

However in the midst of all the chaos that this hurricane brought, LOVE also flooded the guests that attended the wedding of Mr & Mrs. Sandy & Terrance Tripplet on Saturday August 27th at the beautiful Brigalias! Having never experienced a hurricane I agreed to assist Isis of POSH Events, LLC the Wedding Planner for this beautiful couple along with Malakeia another Assistant Consultant that also works for POSH Events, LLC. 

We started the detailed set-up earlier in the day. The wedding took place towards the later afternoon/evening hours and it wasn't until around 8:45 that Hurricane Irene decided to pay us a visit. Due to the weather the reception did have to end a little early. None the less, the guests invited by Mr & Mrs Tripplet experienced a beautiful ceremony and gorgeous reception which included heart-felt toast, romantic decor & atmosphere, amazing food and a lot of shared laughs and thank-you's!

Once concluded, we left everything as is blowing out only the candles to assure the safety of the building and all the staff & guests safely drove home. Being that I never experienced a Hurricane Irene, it was quite scary going home. However, as I got in the car I said "alright God it's me and you, get me home safely" and I drove close to the wheel with my blinkers on, my phone off and God on my side! The winds were strong and the rain was coming down hard, but miraculously I made it home in 20 minutes; with only wet clothes to remind me of my travels since I had to park away from my home due to the flooding blocking me from driving through! 

I love doing weddings and when LOVE is real, strong, and pure nothing can stand in the way of it being shared with others, not even mean ol' Hurricane Irene!! :-)

Check out some pictures taken by Malakeia:

All decor provided by Isis of POSH Events, LLC

 

My first hurricane wedding was an experience I would never forget and absolutely worth it to see the couple so happy and filled with love! 

Did you also experience a Hurricane Wedding, if so please share!! :-)

{Thursday's Food Tidbit}::Wedding Etiquette Tip #3-Eat, You Should Enjoy It Too!

{Thursday's Food Tidbit}::Wedding Etiquette Tip #3-Eat, You Should Enjoy It Too!

Today's wedding etiquette tip is dedicated to the Bride & Groom! Wedding day is your day and all about you! You've spent months or years planning a beautiful wedding; picking a beautiful location, selecting the best dj, entertainment & caterer, etc. The food portion of the wedding is always a memorable part for the guests and should be memorable for you too!

At every wedding I've found that the Bride & Groom don't really get to enjoy the food that they carefully picked out for their guests to enjoy. I know you want to enjoy the day, dance all night, mingle with your guests, etc; but eating is also important!

Wedding Etiquette Tip To Go:

(( Dear couple, enjoy your dinner! After all you picked these items because they were something that you wanted to have on your special day, so why not take some time to enjoy. I promise your guests won't mind if you take time to enjoy dinner also. :-D ))

<---- {Wednesday's Inspiration}::Wedding Etiquette Tip #2-Listen, We Care!

{Wednesday's Inspiration}::Wedding Etiquette Tip #2- Listen, We Care!

{Wednesday's Inspiration}::Wedding Etiquette Tip #2- Listen, We Care!

A wedding planner is hired by the couple to assure their day goes smoothly. We are there to be the eyes and ears for the Bride & Groom, but also for the bridal party and family members. Today's etiquette tip is for the bridal party. Although we are hired by the couple, we are also are here for you! 

Wedding Planners carry an emergency kit filled with items that are ready for any and every situation. If we suggest or give advice, "Listen because we care about your well being". I understand not taking the spotlight off of the couple, however we are only advising to make sure the unforeseen accidents don't occur. 

Wedding Etiquette Tip To Go:

(((Take advice given, as it is given to assure your well-being and we want to take care of you too.)))

<---- {Tuesday's Insight}::Wedding Etiquette Tip #1- Make No Assumptions

{Tuesday's Insight}::Wedding Etiquette Tip #1-Make No Assumptions!

{Tuesday's Insight}::Wedding Etiquette Tip #1-Make No Assumptions!

For the past three years I have worked and lead many weddings under Beautiful Beyond Dreams, LLC as well as for other local wedding planners in South Jersey and Pennsylvania. I have been hired and have hired others. Over these past couple of years I have truly learned the importance of not calling out when scheduled to work a wedding. It wasn't until I was my own boss and someone called out on me that I felt the real effect of looking for someone trained to cover a wedding. Not only does having adequate staff make great coverage, which is crucial; but your couple is also expecting a certain amount of staff to be present.

As an assistant consultant, intern, etc if you are scheduled to work a wedding don't assume nothing. Ask what time you need to be at the specific location for wedding day, attend the rehearsal so you can be introduced to the couple and the bridal party, and most importantly Do Not Call Out unless it is an Emergency! The lead planner will provide all the important information needed for you, however it is important to be in tune to the wedding at least a week prior.

Wedding Etiquette Tip To Go:

(((Do Not Assume Anything; Ask Questions!)))

<----{Friday's Spotlight}::Bougie Magazine

{Tuesday's Insight}::UrDreamPlanner Internship Program

{Tuesday's Insight}::UrDreamPlanner Internship Program

Last Tuesday on the blog the topic was about What makes a great intern. Today on the blog we wanted to share with you all our UrDreamPlanner Internship Program! Read below to learn more about our internship program.

Beautiful Beyond Dreams, LLC is looking for interns to be apart of our UrDreamPlanner Internship Program. This program is 12 months long with a 6 month evaluation interview. It is a non-paid position. During the UrDreamPlanner Internship Program you will learn business basics, event design, inspiration boards, blogging & social media, experience real weddings & events, attend industry networking events and more. An assistant consultant position with Beautiful Beyond Dreams, LLC is not guaranteed, but it is a possibility as we are looking to expand our Beautiful Beyond Dreams, LLC family!

The UrDreamPlanner InternshipProgram requires a four step process: Application Submission, Phone Interview, In-Person Interview and Hands-on Interview.

 To learn more about the internship and apply visit any of the above links! 

<---- {Monday's Starter}::Question-"What gets your morning going?"

{Wednesday's Inspiration}:: ---->

{Friday's Spotlight}::Wish Upon A Wedding-NJ & Philadelphia

 {Friday's Spotlight}::Wish Upon A Wedding-NJ & Philadelphia

 Logo designed by Kimberly Schwede. www.kimberlyschwede.com

Wish Upon a Wedding is a nonprofit 501 (c) (3) organization that provides weddings and vow renewals to couples facing terminal illness or other serious life-altering circumstances, regardless of sexual orientation. Often, couples facing such situations do not have the energy, time, money, or resources needed to plan their wedding. Wish Upon A Wedding organization takes care of all the details, offering couples a chance to relax and enjoy a very special day while surrounded by the love of their closest family and friends.

By celebrating the courage & spirit of these couples, they help create lasting memories that will be cherished for years to come. It is their wish to instill a sense of hope and strength in other couples who may be facing similar situations. Wish Upon A Wedding officially launched in January of 2010, Wish Upon a Wedding currently has over a dozen chapters to serve Wish Applicants.

Below is two of the 17 launched chapters with 4 more chapters in the works to be launched.

Wish Upon A Wedding New Jersey & Metro New York

Launched January 18, 2011

Chapter President: Candice Benson

Wish Upon A Wedding Philadelphia {Delaware, Pennsylvania, & South Jersey}

Launched January 31, 2011

Chapter President: Mark Kingsdorf

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Get Involved:

Become a Wish Granter!

Make a Donation!

Volunteer!

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Get Connected:

via Facebook

Like Wish Upon a Wedding

Like Wish Upon A Wedding NJ

Like Wish Upon A Wedding Philadelphia

via Twitter

Follow @WishUponWedding

Follow @WUW_New_Jersey

Follow @WUW_Philly

Happy #FF (#FollowFriday)

<----{Thursday's Food Tidbit}::Cocktail Hour