{Fireside Chats} Introducing Ali Phillips

We are so excited that Ali Phillips of Engaging Events by Ali will be joining us again next year in Indianapolis. What she will be doing you will have to come and see! Ali has been featured in several magazines as well as television shows. She took sometime out to answer our fireside chat!

What is your favorite time of day for a wedding?

While most of the weddings I do are afternoon ceremonies with evening receptions I LOVE luncheon weddings and had two this year. When I was a bride, I was married in the morning and had a luncheon reception and loved that everyone was happy, dancing and hugging by 3:30pm in the afternoon.

Where is your favorite place for a destination wedding?

The Cayman Islands. All the vendors, hotels and restaurants are so accommodating and easy to work with. I have always wanted to do one on a mountain top in the rockies though….may have to add to my goals for 2010 list.

What is the smartest piece of business advice you were ever given?

My Dad always said you don’t get the sale unless you ask for it!

What advice would you offer to new comers of the industry?

Write a business plan. Network, attend conferences, read. Become a sponge.

What was the one class that helped you the most in your career?

The class of life. Making mistakes and strides in life and learning from them has been my best classroom.

What advice would you give to newlyweds for a happy marriage?

To laugh often. To have FUN! To plan a wonderful vacation for just the two of you to reconnect at least once a year.

What was or would be your first dance song at your wedding?

It was “How Sweet It is” the James Taylor version. Jon twirled me around a lot and I got a bit dizzy.

What trends do you expect to see in weddings?

I get asked this a lot. It is funny because trends come and go and color schemes come and go. I tell the client they should do what they want, whether they want to be trendy or not and own it.

Who in your life is your role model and why?

My mother and father. They are very different and so important in molding who I have become.

What is your favorite industry book or magazine?

Martha Stewart Weddings and also Special Event Magazine. And I also love all the Biz Bash magazines of all the cities.

What are your favorite color schemes?

I am open to all color schemes but what I LOVE right now is the color yellow. But I also love black and white and one other POP of color (whether it is hot pink, cool blue or even bright yellow). And it now looks like green is going to be HOT after seeing the tweets from the runways at NYC Bridal Fashion week.

Do you have a favorite venue for weddings and receptions and if so what are they?

I love the variety of locations in Chicago and that there is a venue for every couple. I am not sure I could pick a favorite.

Describe the perfect wedding cake in your opinion.

That is tastes good (perhaps Carrot cake or Red Velvet), something rich and fun.

How do you feel about the smashing of cake in the face at receptions?

I try and explain to my grooms that it may not be the best idea at a wedding when their new wife is all pretty and has spent money and hair and makeup. I always make sure there is a fork and a plate on the cake table with their cake knife and server and a napkin.

How did you know this is what you wanted to do in life?

I wanted to do something that played to my strengths (personal relationships, project/logistics management, and the quest for things to go smoothly), just so happens being a wedding consultant you need all these things!

What brings you the most joy in life?

I love spending time with my husband on the days I don’t work. I love to take dog walks with our dog on the lake. I love to spend time with my family and friends. And I LOVE to travel. I am planning my next adventure on the flight or drive home from the current adventure I am on.

Can't wait to see you in Indy Ali!!

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{Fireside Chats} Introducing Linnyette Richardson Hall

I hope everyone had a chance to read about all of the fabulous speakers that will be at Eventology 2010. We have other great things in store. Linnyette Richardson Hall will be conducting our welcome speech. Here is your chance to meet the infamous Diva from Who's Wedding is it Anyway.

Linnyette took time to answer our invading questions...

What is your favorite time of day for a wedding?

I absolutely love early morning weddings! There is something about the sunrise, the dawn of a new day, the sight of glistening dewdrops on flowers that just speaks to me in volumes about the newness of love. The fact that I also LOVE brunch is a mere sidebar :)


Where is your favorite place for a destination wedding?

Hmm....a personal favorite is the islands of Turks and Caicos. I’ve vacationed there with my family and fell in love with the natural, almost unspoiled beauty of the place. The beaches are incredible, the people are friendly and the water is so crystalline blue. The food? OMG - nothing like freshly caught seafood, expertly prepared for your tastebuds to savor - the island cuisine was simply off the hook!


What is the smartest piece of business advice you were ever given?

“Work Smart, Not Hard”. It may seem cliche’, but it’s the honest-to-God’s truth. So many of us are out there getting our proverbial “hustle” on, that we fail to realize and understand that while we may indeed be “working”...we’re not working smart. We overextend ourselves, we burn the candle at both ends and the result is an unhappy soul. Yeah - your bank account may look fat, but you are severely anorexic in the true happiness department. The person who gave me that advice kept the solution very simple : know your boundaries and limits. When you understand what you are capable of honestly taking on, your business will thrive.


What advice would you offer to new comers of the industry?

Get educated and network! This is a fairly new genre, so there are so many ways to learn the craft. But you HAVE to learn it - it’s not an automatic “gimme”. There isn’t a textbook way to learn how to run a successful wedding business, so you’ve got to get in the trenches and take advantage of as many educational opportunities as possible. From classes, workshops, conferences, conventions, online seminars - there’s no good reason for anyone to be lacking in this area.

Part two of this scenario is the value I see in good, consistent networking. There’s an old saying that rings so true in our industry “No man is an island, no man stands alone”. You can’t run in this business WITHOUT making salient contacts..it’s simply not doable. Meeting, interfacing and sharing with like-minded colleagues is your best bet to making a successful start. What you know is good - who you know is better.


What was the one class that helped you the most in your career?

I’d have to harken back to my days at the University of Maryland and say ALL of my Sociology classes. While that is what I have my degree in, who knew that all of the lectures on how society as a whole “ticks” would become an invaluable part of how I deal with people and run my business? Society and it’s mores, morals, traditions and values make up a great deal of what we do as planners. I give a big “shout out” to all of my professors who truly ingrained those concepts into me!!!


What advice would you give to newlyweds for a happy marriage?

First
LOVE each other unconditionally. Your partner is not perfect and neither are you. So accept them with all of their quirks, inconsistencies, foibles, oddities...(insert your favorite verb/adjective, etc.). All of THOSE things make up the person you love..it’s a part of their emotional DNA.

Second:
Learn to talk TO each other - not AT each other. Simply put - you cannot have a meaningful conversation with anyone if you are consistently shouting, screaming or otherwise engaging in obnoxious, uncontrolled dialogue. If you don’t know the art of conversation - seek help and learn together. There are plenty of amazing couple’s counselors and resources that can help you fine tune this vitally important part of a successful marriage.

Third:
Know when to admit that you are wrong. Yes - that may be a hard thing to do, but you are not going to be in the right all of the time. A mature person knows when to say “I was wrong”..they also know how to ask for forgiveness and to move forward with making things right.


Finally - say “I LOVE YOU” every dang day. Don’t let one day end without you shouting, whispering or murmuring those words to your beloved. Life is short and it’s not promised to us. If you love them - tell them. You have no idea what the impact of hearing those three words can do for your spouse - it can take them from sad to joyous in no time flat. It also keeps you and the basic reason for your relationship front and center at all times......


What was or would be your first dance song at your wedding?

If I were to ever jump the broom again - I can assure you that the song would be “Soul Mate” by Michael Franks and these lyrics say it all for me:

Look for a soul mate Someone whose love will go the distance Stop collecting only temporary hearts Just find a soul mate And then let go of your resistance You'll live happy ever after from the start You need a soul mate Before your house of cards collapses Whose devotion is like a candle in the night Locate a soul mate To help you navigate the rapids That rise up along the river of your life...

To me, the first dance speaks volumes about your particular love and the journey you’ve come through and are heading towards. Make it relevant and make it special.


What trends do you expect to see in weddings?

I hope to see couples continue the positive trend of making their weddings look and feel like their relationship and lives together. Personalization is SUCH a good thing...it stops the cookie-cutter feel of an event and makes your guests feel immersed in your love. Which is how this should go anyway, right?


Who in your life is your role model and why?

Ah...this is an easy one :) My Nana - without a doubt!!! She is an amazing woman who has come through so much in her lifetime, but has managed to find joy in every aspect. My Nana raised me and my sister, so I watched her single-handedly take care of two small girls, an aging mother and a sick husband - on her own. My grandfather died and left her as widow when she was still fairly young, but she soldiered on. I have learned my work ethic from her - she was famous for getting out there and getting the job done!!!

I get a bit of my sass from her too - oh, she can take you down a notch :) But she also instilled in me how to be firm, yet gracious and ladylike at the same time. Her favorite saying to me is “Baby - you attract more flies with honey than you do vinegar”. Oh.....that is so true!

Now that she is battling a terminal illness, I take so much pride and honor in taking care of her, the way she took of me so many years ago.......

What is your favorite industry book or magazine?

Architectural Digest and Food & Wine magazines. The Digest - simply because I can look at what trends are happening globally with interior design. Keeping my finger on that pulse is excellent for spotting new ideas to bring to the wedding and event planning table. Food & Wine magazine, well...simply put, I’m a “foodie”. That love of great cuisine is a talent and formidable skill I bring to each of my events. ½ of a wedding budget goes towards food and beverage, so I make sure that all of my clients have memorable, tasty gastronomical experiences that will last them a lifetime. No one ever leaves one of my weddings complaining about the food!!!!

What are your favorite color schemes?

I admit it - I like color hues and palettes that go “boom”! I’m currently enamored of chocolate and eggplant...there is something so daggone SEXY about that combination. It’s rich, it’s luxe and seeing it all pulled together may make you wanna reach out - and touch somebody :)


Do you have a favorite venue for weddings and receptions and if so what are they?

Give me a private residence, mansion or other non “wedding factory” environment any day! I like places where I can go in and highlight otherwise unnoticed features. I like homes and mansions because of the way you can add a couple’s personality in with a few simple touches..I also like the fact that you are the ONLY ones on property because running into 5 other brides in the restroom is so NOT my idea of fun!


Describe the perfect wedding cake in your opinion.

Looks great, tastes amazing and none left over!


How do you feel about the smashing of cake in the face at receptions?

HATE IT. So uber-juvenile. I’m gonna be pissed if you smash that lovely sugary confection all over the MAC makeup it took my artist some serious time to get on my face.


How did you know this is what you wanted to do in life?

I didn’t - really. I’ve just always had this knack for making stuff beautiful and planning it to the nines. Even in my prior incarnations in the business world, I was always the one doing the parties, pulling events together, in addition to the other responsibilities I held. I’ve been doing this kind of thing for as long as I can remember - even as far back as the little “parties” I’d host for the neighborhood kids back in the day. The Good Humor ice cream truck was my friend and red Kool-Aid was my ally. Hey - all the kids wanted to come and hang on my front porch, because I was always having a party.

Little did I know that the young “hostess with the mostest” would develop the love of a good party into the thriving enterprise I have today.......


What brings you the most joy in life?

Knowing that what I do brings happiness to others on such a special occasion. While the money is important (I’m not gonna lie about that!), I get such a KICK out of seeing all of those happy, smiling faces at an event, truly enjoying what I’ve pulled together for them.

Part two of this answer are my kids - I’ve got an amazing son and daughter who have literally grown up with an entrepreneurial mother. They’ve seen me grow this business and they understand from first-hand experience, the value of hard work. I could not have given them a better life experience than this one......

Thanks Linnyette! Can't wait to see you in 2010.

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{Fireside Chats} Introducing Harmony Walton

Today we bring you our very last speaker for Eventology 2010. Harmony Walton is not only the founder of the Bridal Bar, she is also the driving force behind many brands to date in the wedding industry. Harmony took a few moments to share some of her wonderful views on weddings:


What is your favorite time of day for a wedding?

My favorite time of the day for a wedding is late afternoon. I used to love sunset but I’ve become a bit more practical and I love a wedding that allows for photos of the bride and groom at sunset, after the ceremony. I’m traditional and like the couple not to see one another before the ceremony but still have time for fabulous photos with some natural daylight left.


Where is your favorite place for a destination wedding?

Humm…that’s a tough one because I love so many places for so many different reasons. If you want a beach ceremony, I love the Caribbean - Virgin Gorda (a place a little less travelled to). If old world romance is more fitting for the event, then Italy, Italy, Italy! Rome for a big city, Capri for an island, and one of the villas in a small town outside of Rome for an out of the way affair.


What is the smartest piece of business advice you were ever given?

Take every step as if you are walking towards your exit strategy for the end of your career. If you don’t know what that is, figure it out and walk accordingly towards that path. All decisions should prepare you for bigger decisions and starting from the ground up is the only way to get to those big opportunities.


What advice would you offer to new comers of the industry?

Be original, the market is saturated so find a way to offer something completely different and completely you. Whether that’s an entirely new service or a new spin on a popular product, create a space for yourself in a space where no one else stands. On the flip side of that coin, don’t be an island either. Set out to be different while soaking up the lessons of others. Don’t enter the field with an ego that says you know it all, because none of us do. Success can come that much quicker if you have the support or knowledge of others before you – both from the good and the bad. So surround yourself with people who will allow you to learn and be the best version of yourself.


What was the one class that helped you the most in your career?

I went to UCLA and oddly enough the courses weren’t career driven so not many directly supported my career. However, going to school in LA I had the luxury of a great college job, working for Dustin Hoffman. The work experience I received from him, his family, and his company while I was in college helped me tremendously and gave me that entrepreneurial bug to do my own thing.


What advice would you give to newlyweds for a happy marriage?

I haven’t been married so I’m not qualified to say! If I had to observe from the outside, I’d have to remind people to be open with one another to avoid future resentment. Be honest and stop looking for the next best thing! Don’t take what you’ve got in front of you for granted.


What was or would be your first dance song at your wedding?

Depends on the husband. I would hope it will be something personal and meaningful to us, and not necessarily a traditional wedding song. Who knows, maybe even a Jimmy Buffett song!


What trends do you expect to see in weddings?

I think we will continue to see the destination wedding market boom and that those events will take place in more and more unusual places. Creating a vacation and a cultural experience out of a wedding is priority now – values are changing and it’s less about the cake as it is the culture and the people. So finding far off places or nearby but off the beatin’ path places that provide a richer yet more simplified experience is where couples will go. From Portugal to Palm Springs, the trend is to go away from the trend of the big hotel or the tourist destination.


Who in your life is your role model and why?

I have a lot of role models, I’m very blessed. But my dad is certainly one of them. He’s brilliant in business, incredibly respected by his peers, at the top of his game and his clients count him as a friend. As a child, I watched him take charge of his career and do it with class, sophistication, respect and a lot of success. He has achieved the “build and sell” model at the highest level and he did it with integrity and as a straight shooter. But at the same time, he always found a way for family to be first and that balance and ability to function at such a high level is something I aspire to. He taught me the tools that make me good at what I do, from watching him at a young age to getting his advice today.


What is your favorite industry book or magazine?

I don’t read wedding industry books; I think reading too much on your subject stunts your creativity. But I enjoy reading industry books covering the industry of business. Blue Ocean Strategy (a Sean Low recommendation) is one of my favorites for its methodology and message.


What are your favorite color schemes?

I am a sucker for jewel tones, though not for every event. Purples, plums, fuchsias, burnt magenta and teals are colors I love, especially as we head into fall. But in the wedding market I do feel that there is a time and place for every color.

Do you have a favorite venue for weddings and receptions and if so what are they?

I love the Hummingbird Nest Ranch just outside of Los Angeles for a fantastic ceremony and reception site. You can wed there, party there, and even sleep there. The privacy, quality of experience and detail on the property is just incredible.


Describe the perfect wedding cake in your opinion.

Lots of chocolate! Not a lot of design, just sweet and simple with that home baked taste.


How do you feel about the smashing of cake in the face at receptions?

Depends on the couple but why not if both parties are up for it! I just may not be one of them…


How did you know this is what you wanted to do in life?

I didn’t know this was what I wanted to do when I set out to do it. I knew I loved the wedding industry though hadn’t found a service or talent that I excelled at. But as soon as I started The Bridal Bar, I knew I was hooked. I loved the family it created and the process of helping others’ businesses grow, watching their successes and getting to be a part of that. It’s a little like coaching a sports team that wins a big game; that’s a great feeling no matter how many games you play.


What brings you the most joy in life?

I love, love, love to travel and I love, love, love my family. Time spent with family and time spent abroad is what I cherish most.

Thanks for stopping by today Harmony.

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{Fireside Chats} Introducing Terrica Skaggs

Today we are chatting with the infamous Terrica Skaggs of Fabuluxe, I-Wed and Chic Wedding Geek. Some of you may have remembered Terrica's outstanding presentation at Eventology 2009. We cannot wait to see what goodies she brings back to the table in 2010.

What is your business and where are you located?

I am located in the Golden Isles—where we have four beautiful islands nestled off the coast of Georgia: St. Simons Island, Jekyll Island, Sea Island and Little St. Simons Island.


How long have you been in the business?

Five and a half years.


How did you know this is what you wanted to do in life?

In contrast with where my career was headed, I knew I wanted to do something that left a positive and memorable impact on someone’s life. There is no better place in time than when a couple professes their love for one another and become their own new family.


What do you want clients/vendors to know most about your services?

Our services are diverse, just like our clients. We’re fun, we’re traditional, we’re ostentatious, we’re demure. We constant evolve to meet the needs of our brides and truly believe in the art of teamwork. As professionals, we’re one unit that works together to make sure our client’s day is remarkable.


What was the one class in college that has helped you most in your career?

I don’t think I could name just one! There were so many—Contract Law, Information Technology, Business Management, and Sociology.


What is the smartest piece of business advice you were ever given?

Keep it real and keep it moving.


What advice would you offer to new comers of the industry?

Keep it real and keep it moving. And be fabulous :)


Who in your life is your role model and why?

This may sound cheesy, but my mom. So much of my “business street smarts” have come from learning from her—she’s a savvy woman and could make a way out of no way. She’s unbreakable, smart, and strong. I owe so much to her on so many levels.


What is your favorite industry book or magazine?

Ouch. Just one? So not fair. I really did (and do) love the Style Your Dream Wedding book by Susie Coelho. That was a fabulous book put out that did exactly what the title described—helped brides style their dream wedding. There were so many ideas that can be scaled or amped up to appeal to any event vision or budget.


If you were to have a destination wedding, where would it be?

Stuck between Paris and Fiji. Ask me tomorrow.


What is your favorite time of day for a wedding?

Hmmm. As a planner or a guest? As a planner, naturally a morning wedding :) But for overall effect and fabulousness—give me the night anytime, baby.


What advice would you give to newlyweds for a happy marriage?

Keep it real and keep it moving. Just kidding! But that could apply here too. Never go to bed angry—keep unhappy, negative and jealous people out of your business and marriage, and most importantly whatever you did to get your spouse, you must do to keep them. That is all.


What is the best color palette you’ve ever seen/used for a wedding?

Aruba Blue, Orange Popsicle, and Virtual Pink (all pantone colors)


What was or would be your first dance song at your wedding?

I think it was Jaheim’s Forever.


Describe the perfect wedding cake.

Completely reflective of the event vision—so this could be inclusive of color, florals, height, varying tastes, etc. Perfect is relative, and this of course is dependent upon the client.


Cake smashing: yay or nay?

Hell no.

Thanks for stopping by today Terrica.

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{Fireside Chats} Introducing Sasha Souza

We have a very special {Fireside Chat} today. We are chatting with one of the featured speakers of Eventology 2010: Sasha Souza from Sasha Souza Events. I personally have looked up to Sasha over the years and I am so honored to hear her speak and share all that she has contributed to the industry over the years.


What is your business and where are you located?

My business is all over but my home is in Napa. We have planned weddings from Tokyo to the Bahamas and across the US in most major cities; recently we introduced a new office in Tennessee to handle the Southern US.

How long have you been in the business?

15 years but it feels like yesterday that I started this journey

How did you know this is what you wanted to do in life?

Honestly, I didn’t know. I fell into the career almost on accident by reading a book on home based businesses and thought I could do it. Not everybody was convinced; however, because I was told that nobody would hire me for my opinion. Now, 15 years later, it makes me chuckle.

What do you want clients/vendors to know most about your services?

We pride ourselves for taking meticulous care of every detail of our clients’ events and staging memorable celebrations. We try to work with vendors whom we consider being among the best on their business and that work well with us and our clients. Hopefully, our events stand out as extraordinary and we are very grateful that most national bridal publications chose to feature our real weddings year round.

What was the one class in college that has helped you most in your career?

Honestly? Typing. I respond to sometimes 100 emails a day, twitter, blog, write proposals, and respond to media inquiries. Without typing over 70 words a minute, I don’t know how I would get it all done.

What is the smartest piece of business advice you were ever given?

Do what you do well. Let others do what you do not do. (Meaning: if you’re a good planner, be a good planner and leave the design to others – if you’re a great designer & not a good planner find a good planner).

What advice would you offer to new comers of the industry?

Know you’re going to work long hours and it’s not always a “fun job” – the weddings you are planning are not YOUR wedding, but they should have something of you in them. Don’t copy others, but take inspiration from them and aspire to be the best in your area. You shouldn’t want to be anybody other than who you are.

Who in your life is your role model and why?

I’m blessed to have so many smart people in my life who support me – each of them acts as a role model. I have received amazing advice from vendors over the years and they have all helped create the designer that I am today. It’s just hard to choose one or two people.

What is your favorite industry book or magazine?

Can I say my own? Debuting January 2010? Signature Sasha: Magnificent Weddings by Design.

If you were to have a destination wedding, where would it be?

Napa J

What is your favorite time of day for a wedding?

Most of our events take place outside. I love the sunset around dinner time and the evening lit with candles & special event lighting. I think any time a few hours prior to sunset is the perfect mix of light and dark.

What advice would you give to newlyweds for a happy marriage?

Be open and honest with each other about how you feel – always.

What is the best color palette you’ve ever seen/used for a wedding?

That depends on the day. I change my opinion on color with each couple. I can’t pin one down.

What was or would be your first dance song at your wedding?

I didn’t do a first dance, my husband is too “cool” for that! But some of the best songs I’ve seen are AC/DC “You Shook Me”, Michael Buble “Home” and Eric Clapton “The Way You Look.” I’m not a lover of “At Last” or “Wonderful World”.

Describe the perfect wedding cake.

The perfect wedding cake:

#1: Tastes Good

#2: Has symmetrical tiers

#3: fits the wedding décor/theme

Cake smashing: yay or nay?

I’m gonna say no to that.

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{Fireside Chats} Introducing Saundra Hadley

We have a very special {Fireside Chat} today. We are chatting with one of the featured speakers of Eventology 2010: Saundra Hadley from Planning Forever and Saundra Hadley Sales Guru. Saundra has taken time out of her hectic and funny day to share some of her thoughts on weddings and the industry.

Please do not drink anything with coloring because you are sure to spit it out while reading this interview. Please enjoy.

What is your favorite time of day for a wedding?

I like 5:30pm weddings that allow the bride and groom to go straight into their cocktail hour and actually enjoy being with their guests. A crazy concept, being able to actually taste the yummy hors d'oeuvres they paid for. However, in order for this idea to be successful, all the photos have be taken before the wedding.

Where is your favorite place for a destination wedding?

ANY place a client wants to pay me and my team to go.

What is the smartest piece of business advice you were ever given?

Success is built on relationships. Know when to grow them and when to cut them off at the root.

What advice would you offer to new comers of the industry?

Don't measure yourself against what others are doing. Be yourself and you will flourish. Or you won't. But at least you went down your own path.

What was the one class that helped you the most in your career?

Those inane speech communication classes I was required to take through high school and college. My hands would literally sweat when I was forced to give an impromptu speeches. Now I use those skills daily to promote my business. For the past 3-years on LIVE TV as the Fox 7 Wedding Planner and my Sales Coaching. Forget math and business law, learn how to speak.

What advice would you give to newlyweds for a happy marriage?

After every argument, have sex. If you consider having sex before you argue, you probably won't argue.

What was or would be your first dance song at your wedding?

Super Sappy Alert: A very old, twangy, country song, "Walk Through this World with Me" by George Jones. It meant something to us because my husband would always sing it to me. The rest of our guests were like, "Whaaaaaaa?" To hell with them, it was our day.

What trends do you expect to see in weddings?

I'm hoping that I will continue to see trends of couples really being themselves and adding their own quirkiness to their wedding. These forced, time-old traditions are just getting so tired and played out. What should be a day that reflects the two of you, becomes semi-robotic. However, I'm seeing an upswing and looking forward to it continuing.

Who in your life is your role model and why?

I struggle answering questions like this, because I have many. There isn't one person that embodies everything that I need to model myself after. I will say that my husband is a great role model on many levels. He's a better person than I am.

What is your favorite industry book or magazine?

My current fave is The Wedding Book by Mindy Weiss. I like the way it's organized and it's a good read. But I adore many other books for pretty decor and design ideas. Really looking forward to seeing Sasha Souza's book come out (hope she'll read this plug and send me a free one).

What are your favorite color schemes?

I don't have a favorite because there are so many great palettes that make me unexpectedly smile. I love using 3-4 colors to give the decor depth and richness. Pastels make me yawn.

Do you have a favorite venue for weddings and receptions and if so what are they?

Give me a client with a decent budget, a venue that has a great catering staff and a nice big room that is a blank canvas to work with, and I am a happy/creative person.

Describe the perfect wedding cake in your opinion.

I like a clean-line, stacked, very tall cake with beautiful fresh flowers (sorry cake designers). And I love something on the cake that ties into the whole theme of the wedding; a custom monogram or a certain design. Pin spot that creation and we are hearing oooh's and aaaahh's from the guests.

How do you feel about the smashing of cake in the face at receptions?

You would THINK I'd be all about this fun, but I'm not. I cringe and turn my head. Look couples; go back to the hotel room and bathe in your cake if you wish. But we don't want to see it. And I don't want to have to tell a pretty bride about the massive quantities of chocolate cake that are stuck in her teeth, in her cleavage, her hair.....

How did you know this is what you wanted to do in life?

Heck no! This is a crazy, challenging, mental and physically demanding career. And since I have undiagnosed ADHD, I'm sure this won't last forever. My next dream job? Being paid to Twitter. Call me.

What brings you the most joy in life?

Belly laughing at a good joke. Watching my son and husband talk/play with each other. Enjoying the anticipation of a phone call or meeting with a good friend. I take time out of the day to "note" these small moments.

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{Fireside Chats} Introducing Lara Casey

We have a very special {Fireside Chat} today. We are chatting with one of the featured speakers ofEventology 2010: Lara Casey of Southern Weddings Magazine, Lara Casey Reps and Bliss Event Group. Lara has been able to share so many inspiring details as well as help cultivate the careers of some of the best in the industry

Sit back and enjoy the sneak peak into one of the wedding worlds socialites.


What is your favorite time of day for a wedding?

Sunset wedding and a relaxed dinner with friends followed by a night cruise on the ocean ending around midnight with fireworks.


Where is your favorite place for a destination wedding?

I’m a huge fan of destination weddings because it usually means a smaller guest list and a new location for your guests to explore. For me personally, it would just be the two of us in the Maldives, Grand Cayman, Fiji, Montana or some really remote place that no one has ever heard of.


What is the smartest piece of business advice you were ever given?

Straight from the Man upstairs: This too shall pass. There are high highs and low lows when you are a business owner. The lows always pass and always make you stronger.


What advice would you offer to new comers of the industry?

Get educated. There’s no governing association like the Bar for the wedding world, so it’s your responsibility to have integrity, soak up knowledge and get yourself some practical experience.


What was the one class that helped you the most in your career?

I studied music, dance, theatre and design in college, so my education as a whole has really aided me in my work. But, the most valuable class I had was called "Rhythm". It had nothing to do with music though. My professor, Victoria Santa Cruz, taught us to use our raw intuition... to "stop thinking. Just listen and feel the solar plexus." In double-dutch you essentially have to stop thinking and let go of control... let the rhythm take you over. You have to fall into that zone where the slightest tempo change doesn't matter because you're right there with it. You ARE the rhythm. The second you get distracted or over think, it's over. Tangled ropes. This class taught me how to go with my gut and make my move at the right time. This sense has helped me a lot in business. Taking 15-20 hours of dance every week for four years also teaches you discipline.


What advice would you give to newlyweds for a happy marriage?

Get out of the house. Take weekend trips together, have mini adventures, and keep things spontaneous. It’s so easy to get stuck going through the motions of marriage and not finding spice in everyday life. Keep surprising your spouse and you’ll find yourself equally surprised.


What was or would be your first dance song at your wedding?

Ari and I didn’t do anything traditional at our wedding. If I had to do it over again though, I’d pick a classic… What a Wonderful World.

What trends do you expect to see in weddings?

I’m not a huge fan of “trends” simply because I think the only way to plan a wedding is to make it personal. Couples create their own new fresh take on design and expression by focusing on their unique love story.

Who in your life is your role model and why?

Life role model: Jesus. I don’t have one single business role model, but if I could have all of these people in the same room at once I think my head might explode: Kimora Lee Simmons for her drive and flair, Rebecca Grinnals for her genuine joie de vivre and solid wedding industry knowledge, Seth Godin for his business savvy, Sean Low for innovation and the staff of Wired Magazine cause I’m a bit of a nerd at heart.

What is your favorite industry book or magazine?

Honestly, I don’t read wedding magazines. I’ll glance at a couple of my favorites to look at design – Bride and Bloom and Martha Stewart. I’ve found blogs more up-to-the-minute. Favorite business magazines- I subscribe to Inc, Wired and Fast Company. My favorite business books would have to be Tribes, Good to Great and The Bible.

What are your favorite color schemes?

This always changes for me. My current favorite is white, sand, silver with a hint of an accent color... Maybe Navy, butter yellow or sea glass blue… very beach, clean, preppy. Ask me tomorrow though and my answer will be different.

Do you have a favorite venue for weddings and receptions and if so what are they?

Almost anything outdoors- under an old oak tree, on a classic sailboat, on a cliff overlooking the ocean.

Describe the perfect wedding cake in your opinion.

My mom’s carrot cake or pound cake with Grand Mariner.

How do you feel about the smashing of cake in the face at receptions?

Yes, always! You have to start your marriage with a little fun, right?

How did you know this is what you wanted to do in life?

My mom is a French chef so I grew up watching her entertain and create beautiful dinner parties. I got a thrill out of helping her and seeing people celebrate and savor time with friends. I’ve never been happier. The first 5 years of growing pains were worth what I’m experiencing now. Even though there are daily challenges, I’ve built something I’m proud of and that makes me know I’m on the right path.

What brings you the most joy in life?


Relationships. Connecting with people one on one, sharing life's triumphs and struggles... I live for that personal connection. Seeing people succeed and do what they love gives me the greatest joy!

Thanks Lara for stopping by and we cannot wait to see what you have in store for Eventology in 2010.

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