My One Focus for 2015 - Bride & Groom Education

Education, is the one thing I want to focus on more than anything in 2015. Educating brides and grooms, by blogging, writing a ebook, hosting workshops, events, and functions centered around wedding and bridal education. I will not forget the guys, grooms need education as well. I want to provide a fun, interactive platform, for brides and grooms to easily access. I want to create series of workshops. I have been thinking about this a long time. I am all about education.

I have such a desire to teach the brides and grooms what they need while engaged. I want to be very hands-on with the couples. 

     "I am happy to be apart of the process of educating couples, this is a very exciting venture for me" 

Also, teaching about preparation for pre-wedding, scheduling and planning all those fun activites ( engagement party, bridal shower, bridal luncheon, rehearsal dinner, ect...) I see a lot of engaged coupes that really need a lot of education and guidance. I love to blog about varies wedding/bridal topics that will assist with the wedding planning. Also, it's truly important to hire a wedding planner (no matter what). 

Furthermore, by creating such amazing platforms, for the couples; this will help me be a very resourceful wedding planner. I have already started thinking of what I would like to do. Now, that the new year is here, it's time to start plugging in those dates/time/location for the upcoming events. Also, it's time to continue to blog, and to keep putting out amazing content. The ebook is a project I want to really want to complete; and have available for couples.

I love to write, and I know the ebook would be a fun project for me. The ebook ties into the educational element of my "one" goal to focus on (which is indeed "education").

I'm excited about what's to come for my 2015 engaged couples. I want brides and grooms to have a amazing experience while engaged and going into their marriage.

Note: This blog post was inspired by Natalie Sission 15-Day blog challenge.

Have a Sweet Day, 

Clarissa 

Photography Credit: Clarissa

Written by: Clarissa Pinterest

Sweating for the Wedding!

As a Blushing Bride you want to look and feel your best on your wedding day! 

It's a perfect idea to start your workout regimen, as soon as you are engaged!

Source: Bing Images

Here's a few tips to jump start your new year to a healthy lifestyle ( and SWEATING for the wedding). Remember:  Always consult with your physician before beginning any workout program.

Eat Healthy & Hydrate - eat healthy, add alot of fresh vegetables and fruits! Try out a Green Smoothie. Take a daily vitamin (You will feel better), and cut your portion sizes down. Stay away from high fat, high sugar, processed foods! Drink plenty of  (8 glasses a day) water; try alkaline water).  Click here to watch a video on making alkaline water!

Get Moving - you may be ready to start exercising. However, you cannot figure out what exactly you want to do? Try out Zumba, pole dancing, chick boxing, or maybe a hot yoga class. Perhaps, you may want to try out rock climbing (indoor), go skating, or jump rope! Lastly, you might want to try out a Salsa, or a Hip Hop dance class. 

Note: If you are in the Atlanta, Georgia Metropolitan area please check out my favorite Lawanda "The Fitness Diva" Brokenborough.

                                                                Source: Bing Images

Purchase great workout gear - go to a running store that can match you with the perfect shoe.  I like to find chic and comfortable workout shoes, and a cute bag ( Makes working out fun)! Check out my favorite consultant, Naomi Irion she has the perfect bag for your exercise gear Click Here. My favorite place to find exercise clothes is TJMAXX. 

Stretch - stretch your muscles BEFORE and AFTER working out. Warming your muscles are very important, and cooling down as well with a nice stretch. Make sure while you are stretching take deep breaths, inhaling and exhaling. Relax your entire body; focus on each muscle group during your stretch.

Set Goals - before you start your exercise program always set a goal. Think about what your short term and long term goals are. What's your target BMI? What's your target weight? Where do you want to be in your fitness journey this time 6 months from now,a year from now?

                                                               Source: Bing Images

Bonus Tip: Why not grab your groom! You two can workout, and plan your healthy meals together!



Thank you,
Have a Sweet Day

Clarissa

DIY Brides: You can benefit from hiring a wedding planner!

            ( Do-it-Yourself- Bride)

DIY Bride can mean many things in the wedding world. It's such a broad term, I don't want to put all DIY brides or DIY weddings in one "box".  Some DIY Weddings have professional wedding planners evolved, some don't. Every -DIY Wedding and or Bride is different. 

Example:

DIY bride may opt to only hand make her hair Embellishments. Should weddings be 100% DIY? In my opinion I say NO, a professional wedding planner should always be hired. 

     (Source: www.borrowedandbleu.com) 

However, this post is focussing on the DIY Bride that is planning her entire wedding, and making a lot of her decor by hand, and is relying on friends and family to assist her in executing the wedding. This DIY Bride is not hiring Professional vendors, and will take on this HUGE task of planning the entire wedding. 

How can a Bride enjoy the actual wedding day when she has to worry about the set-up and break down, last minute mis-haps, and a wedding day is 12-15 hours long on average ( very long detailed day!).

Some brides opt to be a DIY Bride and create, hand make all the elements needed for their wedding (That is totally fine).  These Brides are crafty, and can master tutorials, and create their own inspiration boards. 

       (Source: www.bridalmusings.com) 

Weddings involve so many fine details, that a DIY Bride will still need to HIGHLY consider hiring a wedding planner. 

Below are few reasons why you NEED a wedding planner:

*Day of " Services 

You plan your wedding from the moment you are engaged, leading up to the wedding day. However, who will professionally execute on the "Day of"? A Professional Wedding Planner!  The planner along with her staff will pull all the elements together, confirm with all your vendors, and apply his/her expertise, skills, training, experience, so you can focus on being a beautiful blushing bride! 

"Pre-Wedding Activities"

A wedding planner can plan your "Engagement" Celebration. Relax, and allow a professional planner to pull all the details together, and hire professional vendors so your celebration can go off without a hitch!  What about your planner putting together a swanky Bridal Shower! Perhaps, planning a beautiful Bridal Luncheon, or a amazing Rehearsal dinner? 

"Wedding Insurance"

You may not think about wedding insurance. However, as a Bride you want to protect yourself, and have coverage. Also, some venues may even require you to have wedding insurance. A professional wedding planner can educate you on insurance, and recommend what policies work best for you. 

"Current Trends & Ideas"

I know you can use the internet to check out the new trends, and what's popular.  However,  Professional wedding planners are learning about new trends on a daily basis, attending conferences, workshops, webinars, seminars, social media organizations, joining professional organizations, and some planners are developing and creating their own new trends! 

"DIY Workshops"

I know what you are thinking! Why would I need a wedding planner to teach me DIY projects? Yes, you NEED professional guidance!  Some planners offer a DIY Workshop. It's a day of DIY Brides and Professional vendors. These workshops will teach brides hands-on skills of how to properly make anything from bridal bouquets, to fancy centerpieces, and more! Vendors will provide professional advice, and tips on wedding planning. Plus DIY workshops are a lot of fun! Tastings, swag bags, networking, and most important professional guidance! 

"Preferred Vendors List"

Don't cut corners, and hire your uncle that's good with a camera to shoot your wedding photography!.... Or hire your girlfriend that is good at cooking to cater or the next door neighbor that is learning to design invitations (PLEASE DO NOT) ...Please, hire professional vendors, that are educated, experienced, and trained (Do not just Goggle someone and pick them)! Hire a professional vendor and inquire about his/her Preferred Vendor's List. A planner has developed professional relationships, and this list has the best the industry has to offer, and experience, education, and skills. 

I can name more reasons that a DIY bride can truly benefit from hiring a wedding planner ( Honeymoon planning, Out-of-Town guest services, Wedding/Honeymoon Registry, Budget Planning, .... Production Day Schedule, and more).

Please leave in the comment section below how you feel about DIY weddings and or DIY Brides? I would LOVE to hear from you!

Thank you,

Have a Sweet Day ❤ 

Clarissa

I have so much fun with my clients!

I love to work one-on-one with my clients. Everything from attending the vendors meetings together, bridal gown fittings, tastings, and also attending Bridal Shows together!

At the beginning of the year I booked a beautiful blushing bride, Shandria Duffy. She was a June 2013 Bride!  We dove straight into the planning.  Our first stop,  we planned a fun activity for the month of
January!

                                        As you can see by the pictures below we were having a ball!

We decided to attend the 2013 "Black Bride Bridal Showcase" together, we had so much fun! In the pictures you will see Shandria ( in the black and white shirt) and to the left of her is the Matron-of-honor Kammie and to the right the Maiden of Honor Ebony. I'm the one making silly faces right below the blushing bride! The show was full of awesome vendors, tastings, samples, fashion show and more! We had a blast when we decided to stop and take pictures at this photo booth! 

Lastly, I think it's so important to have a beautiful relationship with your clients, and be able to have fun throughout the planning process.

More information on Black Bride Bride: www.blackbride.com

Thanks for reading,

Clarissa

Have a ❤ Sweet Day!