February... Oh My!

And do you know what that means....

In 18 days, I'll see my dream, literally a wake up and know that you were being lead to do this, dream, come true!

In 18 days, some of the most talented bakers from North Carolina to the Florida Keys and everywhere inbetween will be showing off their works for this amazing cause!

In 18 days, I'll get to meet Kerry Vincent!!!!!!!

In 18 days, we'll be working our butts off and have {hopefully} hundreds of people tasting tons of cake!!!

In 18 days... 18 days!!!!

Seating Schmeating!

Soooo, do you do this?

 

 

 

 

Or this?

 

 

 

Why? What's the difference? Does it matter?

 

First you have to ask yourself a series of questions, and the answers will help you determine which to do, if at all.

• Are you serving a plated meal with various selections for your guests to choose from?
• If so, you might steer clear of the seating chart, because you'll need to distinqish their selections some how to the servers or catering staff.
• Do you have limited seating, or the exact number of tables you'll need for your guests?
• If so, you'll need to consider some kind of table chart or seating cards, because you're guests will usually leave a seat or two open at their tables and that can't happen if you are limited.
•  Are you only reserving a few tables for your guests?
• For instance, it's open seating, but you want to make sure your parents and grandparents sit closest to you - then you'll need to have a few reserved signs at those tables in advance.

These are by all means NOT all of the reasons, but it should give you some help while you are determing where and how you'll seat your guests.

seating chart

place cards

Drink it Up!

Brides are looking for ways to cut back, but don't want to look stingie or cheap while doing so - so do you NEED to have an open bar at your wedding, I mean a full-all-out open bar?

Why not just do beer and wine, do 3 different kinds of beer, and a White and Red wine - and one signature drink... that will limit what your guests can drink - and your can even come up with a fun name for your drink. You can color coordinate your drink to your colors, come up with a theme....or pre mix the drink so that your bar tender doesn't have to mix it individually.

We've also have done His and Her's for cocktails as well. So it'd be two signature drinks instead of just one...more variety and still super fun!

Photo Source

To Blush!

To Blusher or Not to Blusher - that is the question.

When I was at the Bridal Salon last weekend, I noticed that brides didn't know what certain terms meant...one being - a blusher.

The Blusher is the piece of the veil that you typically wear in front of your face, to keep evil spirits away. At least that is what they used to think it was for.

Now it's used as a tradition. You don't have to wear one, or a veil at all for that matter. But it's definately an option.

Most bride's take off the veil for the reception it gives you some fun flexibility with your hair too, up for the ceremony - down for the party!

Engage: Something Blue

How I wish I could attend!  I have huge events the weekend/week of this!!! But for those of you more fortunate than myself... Engage:09 Something Blue, sounds amazing!!

The conference line up is priceless - although there is a tuition, and for those who are finding themselves unable to afford the tuition Rebecca and Kathryn are graciously offering a scholarship! The deadline is later this week, so please take a peek!

Engage is an amazing symposium!!! With an incredible line up of speakers, teachers, mentors and educators - what an opportunity!

The Science of Events

I probably should be posting this on Be A Planner, but since that is on a break until after Let's Eat Cake! I am going to post it here, for all the world to seeeeee!

I am so excited to be attending Eventology! I've been in this business for over 14 years, and you are never too knowledgable to stop educating yourself. Things change, the way to market yourself changes, the way you do business changes. You are never tooooo good at what you do, and the moment you think you are... well, you should consider doing something else.

So, in April, I will be headed to Indianapolis for Eventology! In case you haven't heard about it, here's a quick blip, but check out the website for more information....

*****************

Three highly successful and renowned wedding planners will be discussing their insight and perspective on how to create and cultivate a prosperous wedding business.


Chat with Saundra Hadley of planning. . .forever events on How to Close the Deal: Sales Methods for the Wedding Industry.

Discuss how to Turn Brides into Fans: Nurturing Your Relationships with Clients with Terrica Skaggs of Fabuluxe, Inc. and iWed: International Network of Wedding Designers.

Lastly, learn how to Leverage Your Brand to Reach Today's Bride: Marketing in a Post-Modern World with Liene Stevens of Blue Orchid Designs and The Smart Planner.

You do not want to miss this educational and networking workshop! Gain expertise and insight on running a successful wedding business, as the reality is if you're not running a profitable business, it's just one big expensive hobby.

Take Two

What I love about Inspiration Boards, is that you can tell two people the same exact thing, and they come up with something so different!

This is a colaboration of Maggie and Emily's take on the Persimmon and Blues:

Sources:

Persimmon and Blues...

We have a wedding coming up in March, and her colors are Persimmon and Blues, we are so excited about this super fun color combo! I have the new Interns and Field Students doing inspriation boards for the colors... what do you think?

This is Erinn's -

Sources: Flowers by Ovandony , Invitations by Lisa Hoffman of Ceci New York , Orange place cards hung on blue ribbon, Orange Box with Ribbon by Matthew Mead, Orange Bridesmaid Dress by Jenny Yoo, Cake, Photography by Nicole Caldwell , Ribboned Programs by White Lilac Inc. , Vintage Pearl Grey Earrings by Carole Tanenbaum , Wedding Dress by Disney Bridal ,Male Suit,  Table Setting

The Wedding EXPO!

Solutions Bridal Designer House presents the 6th Semi Annual Florida Bridal Expo on Sunday, January 25th, 2009 at The Hilton University of Florida in Gainesville, FL from 12:00-5:00pm.

There will be over 50 wedding vendors at this show. Look for us next to our good friends at Unique Designs!

Huge Prizes will be given away, along with 3 Grand Prizes.

One Lucky Bride will win a WEDDING DAY GIVEAWAY valued up to $17,500. In additon prizes from Bed Bath & Beyond, Macy's and Belk.

For the guys, there will also be a Casino Lounge happening for you.


Tickets are: VIP Tickets are $15 (Advance Only through Solutions 352-367-0070 or online at http://www.solutionsbridal.com/); $5 in Advance; $9 at the Door.

Contest Deadline Extension!

There has been a big announcement made over at Let's Eat Cake! 

The deadline for Professional Submissions has been extended!!!

Let's Jump!!!

I had such a great time at Wedding JumpStart on Saturday at Solutions Bridal!!! It has been a long time since I've been in a bridal salon on a Saturday!! Thank you to Solutions Bridal, and all of the girls that were there, for allowing me to have so much fun and chat with your brides about their weddings!

I learned so much more than I ever thought possible! I know, I know - I was supposed to be helping brides - I promise that happened too! But just being there on a very intimate momment, and being the 3rd party - that probably has never met that bride before. Was so thrilling!

Let me tell you what I learned while I was giving advice to brides about their wedding!

• No dress looks the same on the same bride. We all know this - but with in 10 minutes 2 brides tried on and bought the SAME dress - and it looked totally different on each of them - and they both loved it equally.
• Popping Champagne when you find the wedding dress of your dreams is soooooooo fun!
• We popped 4 bottles while I was there, and I had the best time watching the brides and their friends and family, gush over the experience.
• Don't bring too many people with you when you go dress shopping, bring those that you'll trust their opinions, fully and honestly!
• You might look amazing in each dress, but being able to decipher THE ONE, and the one you look good in, are two totally different things.
• I'll have to do this again, I had a great time!!!

See you at the next Wedding JumpStart!!!

Photo Source: Power's Photography

Jump!

If you live in Gainesville and feel you need to get a quick JumpStart on your planning - stop by Solutions Bridal tomorrow from Noon-5 for Free Wedding Advice!

No Strings...

Just come by, and chat with me, here's what we can do:

• Free Vendor Referrals
• Help with Timeline advice
• Advise on Financial Concerns
• Invitaiton Wording
• Any Wedding Problem you feel is weighing you down...

Get a JumpStart on your planning! Free!!!!

Make Melissa Pay!!!

Holy Moly! What a week for Let's Eat Cake!!! we asked and by Goly did you answer!!! So I think our totals are crazy ironical!

For those that didn't know, Monday was my birthay {1-12} this is significant for a reason... my favorite number is 12... my grandpa's birthday was 12/12 {I miss him dearly!!!} but again, I digress...

My favorite number is 12, my birthday is 112.... the number of bloggers that blogged Let's Eat Cake! is 112!!!!!!

Crazy Right!!!

A big thanks to all those that blogged, and special huge, ginormous thanks to our anonymous donor who is matching our contribution of $1 per blog, and a GINORMOUS, larger than life Thank you to Powers Photography for matching my dollar!!!

So what's the total:

112 Bloggers
$112 from MasterPiece Weddings
$112 from Anonymous Dude
$112 from Powers Photography

Total Donation to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital: $336!!!! From this drive alone!!!!

The Power of One... the Power of $1!!!!!!

It's not too late to Match the $1 drive! Email me if you are interested melissa {at} masterpieceweddings {dot} net

Thanks to these folks for bringing up the rear, and to my friends on Facebook who donated their status to Let's Eat Cake!

Amanda H
Kim World
Once Upon a Mel
Recycled Lovelies
This is the time to Remember
The Bridal Closet
Beary Excited Bride
Micro Bloggin Mom
Barefoot Stargazing Bride
Meand My Insanity
Good Intensions Queen
Elizabeth Ann Designs
Pink Cake Box
Photography by Linda
Uy Wedding
Authentically U
By Your Side Events
Cakes by Shara Lunn
Downs Gang
My Wedding Report
Sebring Wedding Photography
G Seemoore
Houses Couches and Babies
Rhondas Rants Ravings and Cravings
BeSpoke
Outside the Frame
Corinna Hoffman

Holy Moly!!!!

Do you recongnize her??? That's Kerry Vincent most recently known for her judging Food Network Challenge....

Well, I just hung up the phone with her, and she is going to Judge Let's Eat Cake! - so now you are either thinking one of two things...

1. I want to compete!!! {so what are you waiting for! turn in your forms - the deadline is the end of the month!!!!}

2. I don't want to compete!!! {Don't be a baby.... it's for charity, and she's really an wonderfully, sweet and humble person..... don't believe what you've heard!!!}

I honestly, am just thrilled to death, and now my dream is complete!!! Thank you to Kerry for taking the time out of your crazy busy schedule and moving thngs around for us!

PS - I am still working on the numbers for the Blogging for Bucks/Make Melissa Pay results...should have them later today!

Our Let's Eat Cake! blogging for bucks contest ended at Midnight on the 12th, we are still calculating the blogs, we are well over 100!!! Be on the lookout for how much money we donated to St. Jude.... we'll be announcing the amount shortly!!!

Thank you to all that have participated in our blog drive!!! You all are what have made Let's Eat Cake! so successful!!!

Thank YOU!!!!

Thank you to all of you who visited our booth at the Perfoming Arts Center this past weekend! We had a great time chatting about your ideas, visions and dreams!!!
Give us a call to take advantage of the free 2 hour consultations, and Good Luck to all of the brides that entered to win our $2500 Planning Package!! We'll be drawing later in th week!

And in case you forgot what we looked like....

Maggie, Me!, and Emily

If you life in Gainesville, and need a JumpStart on your wedding plans - head to Solutions Bridal this Saturday from Noon until 5PM for a JumpStart on your planning!

I'll be there to chat with you about your wedding plans answer any questions, give you vendor referals, calm any concerns that you might have, all FREE of charge!

I'll see you there!

Breaking News!!!

We have another matching gift! I just got a call from Stewart at Power's Photography and he offered to match dollar for dollar our friends that blog about Let's Eat Cake!

So that means so far:

99 blogs
$1 per blog from me!
$1 per blog from our Anoymous Donor
$1 per blog from Powers Photography

= $297

So FAR!!! {Keep it going... what are you waiting for}

Keep Blogging! You have until the 12th, so bloggity blog away....

{If you are interested in matching $1 for $1, email me at melissa {at} masterpieceweddings.net

More Thanks!!!

So we asked, and you answered - we asked that you blog about Let's Eat Cake! and you have!

We asked that some one match my dollar for everyone that blogs - and one business did... I'd love more...but I'm not greedy- okay maybe alittle!

The Power of One:

One Person asked for people to blog and in exchange donate $1 for every blog
So far 84 People have answered
One person said they'd match my donation
84 blogs, my one dollar, their match
$168.... the power of one

SO FAR!!!! I'd love to add a zero to that number!!!!!!

Thank you to these folks and...

And now more have answered the call - you have until the 12th - Blog it Forward...

Fine Things and Big Dream
Mommy of 1
Inspired Events by Nycia
Kara Pennington
Design by Kendall
Elements of Entertaining
Creative Entertaining
uber brides
Fete Fanatic
Corinna Hoffman
Gwendolyn Marie
Trash the Dress
Scott Andles
The Alice Line
Simple Beautiful Concepts
Rollins World
The Wedding Workroom
Bubbly Bride
Simply Beautiful
Lisa Lyn
Personally You Parties
Creative Girl
KS Cook
Alva In Chi Town
Tricia Cohn
Too Shai Shai
Of Soup and Love
Thoughtfully Simple
Life with Ashley Baker
Gwendolyn Marie
Sho Sho Designs
Butterfly Wishes
Cherished Gifts and Favors
Katie Leonard Photography
Michelle Charm World
Tad Too Much for Tan for Taupe
Kin Sanity
Motherhood Metamorphosis
Little Otti Story Book
Goodies for Mom
Bridal Inquire
Stay Positive Greetings
Thoughtfully Simple
Zuzu Girl Handmade
Naydee Got Inspired
Southern Lady Vintage
Your Champagne Wishes Events
A Sweet Wife
Moore Shugar
Luck Designs

Keep them coming... you have until Monday the 12th!

And Thank you, really, it means a lot that so many people would take the time out of their days and blog about helping these kids!!!

The Sweetest Thing!

We had a fantastically perfect wedding this past weekend! It was a really long day, almost 22 hours, but it didn't matter because we love our clients, especially Audrey and Nate!!! In fact, Audrey offered to write a series of posts for us about her wedding!!! So, definately be looking for that!

At about 11PM, the day of the wedding, this email comes in from the photographer, Lindsey, and it says:

Audrey and Nate were talking about how glad they were to have hired you. Audrey said she was so surprised how much you were able to do-- and that you did her hair better than the hair dresser! She was so pleased that you were there and so helpful all day and that she was so happy to have hired you! She had no idea how much you really were going to end up doing. :)

I was blushing from ear to ear! Can't wait to get their photographs in!!!

Bridal Show!

It's Bridal Show Season!!! 

Gainesville's REAL Wedding Expo sponsored by Jay's Bridal

12:00-5:00 PM. - Sunday, January 11th at  The Curtis M. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts.

Don't miss a Gainesville TRADITION.

Plan your wedding in a day! Twice a year, the best local wedding related vendors gather in ONE PLACE to help you create the wedding of your dreams!

Visit them all, and then take a break to see the newest 2009 Wedding Fashions in a fun-filled RUNWAY fashion show by Jay's Bridal. Theater doors open at 1:30 pm. Fashion show at 2:00 pm. Prize drawings at 4:00 PM.

Sample tons of catered delights, visualize yourself in one o the newest limousines, chat one on one with with professional wedding photographers and videographers, taste yummy wedding cakes, check out area florists, DJ's, party and tent rentals, reception sites, wedding consultants and more!

Tickets are $10.00;children under 12, $5.00;infants under 2, free.

Look for us in the Black Box!!!

Do Gooder!!!

I am so over-whelmed! So far over 40 people have blogged about Let's Eat Cake! - I've donated $40 in 24 hours, and we've had another company who wishes to remain anonymous match my efforts!

I'd love to add a few zero's to that number!!!!

Is there another company out there that wants to match our $1 per blog that posts about Let's Eat Cake!??

So far thank you to:

Unique Designs - Thanks for the fantastical logo!!!!
Posh Pastry
Power's Photography
Hostess with the Mostess
Coach Corrie
Let's Entertain
KB Kakes - who also is donating 10% of all of her sales to Let's Eat Cake! {WOW!}
Lexus Events
Tellez Photography
K-Gallery
Domestic Divas
Allegra's Blog
Studio Snapshot
She Knows Parties
Pure: by Lindsey
Entertain Exchange
SM Weddings and Events
Well How Nice
A Tale of 2 Monkeys
Slightly Cosmopolitan
Little Ant Design
Alba Fam
Sweet Madys Notes
Emily's Something
Invitations by Design
Charity Mojo
Biker Chic
Coveiter
Abbies Party Place
Color Bar Creative
Bonnie Belle
Stem
Design Evolution
Moments We've Celebrated

If I am missing someone, please email me, I'd love to give you props for the do-gooder in you!!!!

Thank you again, and remember you have until the 12th!!!!

BCS Board!

This week our Gators are being challenged in the National Championship Game! In honor of them, and all of the fans that wish to incorporate Orange and Blue into their weddings, but feel it'd be a big Ritz Cracker wedidng...

Really pretty, right?

Sources: Vase, Cake, Albert and Alberta, Bridal Party, Shoes, Aisle, Escort Cards, Soda, Favors

Blog for Bucks!

It's time for a Challenge!! I'll put my money where my mouth is!

Let's Eat Cake! is less than 2 months away (it's a month and a half away) - if you check out our counter you'll see we've done a nice job so far of raising money!

Free fundraiser
thermometer
for your original fundraisers

But with the time crunch we are still $35,000 away from our goal!

It's now time for a challenge!

Here's the deal - if you blog about Let's Eat Cake! on your blog or website (before January 12th, 2009)  - MasterPiece Weddings will donate $1 for every site that mentions Let's Eat Cake! (and links to Let's Eat Cake's website) and our cause. In fact to make it easy for you, I'll even give you the text! You can copy and paste what I've written below, or write from your own heart.

• 
  
  Blog about Let's Eat Cake! {email me, or leave a comment with your blog address so we can verify}
• 
  
  MasterPiece Weddings will donate a dollar for every post on each blog
• 
  
  Do it before January 12th

We are officially at crunch time - please help us! I'd love another company to match my challenge, if you know of one, or you are one - email me at melissa {at} masterpieceweddings.net.

Here we goooooooooooooo:

Masterpiece Weddings, an event coordination agency founded by Melissa Margarita-DiStefano, is working really hard to put on an amazing fundraiser in February called Let’s Eat Cake! - which will benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital - an incredible organization that’s dedicated to treating children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases.

Let’s Eat Cake! is a wedding cake competition, featuring Wedding Cake confections from all over the United States. Bakers will feature their cakes to be judged by Local and National Culinary Celebrities. In addition bakers will be asked to make enough cake to feed the general public, so that they may judge the cakes as well!
 
Our Goal is to raise $50,000 for this extremely worthy cause, we know times are tough for everyone out there. But that doesn't mean that doesn't mean that kids still aren't getting sick. Please help spread the word about our goal, and our mission. If you can help financially, that'd be great, if you blogging about this right now.... your spreading the word - and that's all we can ask for!

Thank you!

So what are  you waiting for??? Blog about this today, and help me to donate a dollar!