30 Something ...Facts about me!

I decided for one of my first 2015 posts will be all about me! I threw in a few fun facts as well!  A lot of times, current and prospective clients ask me questions like how did I get started, ... what's my favorite part of planning, ect... so here are 30 something facts! Enjoy! 

#1 I have been planning weddings and events for over a decade. I began planning weddings in my home town/state of Kansas City, Missouri.

#2 I was inspired to start planning by my mother. Growing up, my mother always planned such Awesome parties for me (Social events, Birthday Parties, Slumber Parties, ect,...) 

#3 -The first wedding I planned, was a Valentine's Day weekend wedding in Kansas City, Missouri. It was a intimate church wedding with a off site reception. 

#4 - My favorite food is Pizza! 

#5 I love making diaper cakes and homemade decorations for baby showers, along with event styling (yes, I plan Baby Showers, Bridal Showers, ect...). 

#6 I was born in raised in the Midwest of Kansas City, Missouri (raised by two amazing parents) and now reside in Georgia. I'm the youngest of three children! 

#7 As a child I played several instruments, piano, violin, french horn, and clarinet. I played in a band/orchestra in high school and participated in band competitions. 

#8 I have an amazing husband, and 2 beautiful children (boy & girl), and 2 doggies (a Shih Tzu, and Cocker Spaniel). 

#9 I love planning full service, and "day of coordination" weddings but I also love planning "marriage proposals" I'm a sucker for romance! 

#10 One of my favorite things about wedding planning is meeting the clients. The Bridal Consultations are one of best times; I get to hear all about their wedding. Mostly, I love to sit back and listen to their love story! 

#11 - I got started planning weddings for my friends! A lot of my close friends were engaged and pregnant (Bridal showers, Baby Showers, Bachelorette Parties, and more).  Also, I had a book club, and I always planned all the social events for the club. The book club members asked me to plan their personal events and weddings.  

#12 I am a co-host for a wedding talk show podcast called, "Bridal Style Blog Podcast" catch the show every other Wednesday at 8:00pm EST/7 CST. 

#13 When I was coming up with a name for my business The Sweetest Thing Events. I was inspired by the name of my favorite movie (one of my favorites!) The Sweetest Thing! But, my absolute favorite movie of all times is Love Jones ( I have watched it probably over a thousand times)! 

#14 My hobbies - spending time with my husband and kids, listening to music, NPR is one of my favorite radio stations (the classical music and news are the best), reading (I love the library) I can spend hours and hours in there, blogging, participating in 5K walk/run, planning parties, events and weddings (of course)! Love to travel, blog, and chit chat with people I love ( text/talk/email). 

#15 - Marriage proposals - not only am I a wedding planner, but a marriage proposal planner ( aka a LOVE-O-Logist). I planned an amazing "proposal" Valentine's Day weekend, and later ended up planning the couples beautiful wedding (it seem that a lot of magic happens around Valentine's Day; from my 1st wedding I planned to this). 

#16 - I have been blogging for over 5 years, and I absolutely love it! 

#17 - My favorite color is purple! I streaked my hair purple once (true statement)! It was fun! 

#18 - My husband and I love to go to the mountains in Blue Ridge, Georgia along with Gatlingburg & Pigeon Forge, TN (we have been going at least 2-3 times a year for the past 10 years). 

#19 -  My very first pet, was a all white cat named, "Sugar". 

#20 - I love tons of romance, and after decorating a Bride & Groom Suite for the night of their wedding... the concierge  told the couple out of his 12 years as a employee at the Ritz Carlton. He went on to say that he's never seen a room set-up so beautiful (that brought a instant smile to my face).

#21 - My first destination wedding was 250 miles away in Savannah, Georgia. This wedding was on the most popular date of the year 10.10.10! It was a beautiful outdoor wedding in a historic courtyard. The cocktail hour took place poolside; and lastly the reception was in a stunning ballroom. Fact: over 13,000 couples got married that day! 

 

#22 - I became the co-host of Bridal Style Blog Podcast in Spring of 2014 during the 2nd season. Also, I met up with the host of the show this year, and we attended New York Bridal Market and Bridal Fashion week together!

#23 - I got married in Georgia, in a intimate wedding with 50+ guests surrounded by close friends and family. We had our honeymoon in Chattanooga, TN ( we also drove up to Gatlingburg & Pigeon Forge, TN). As you can tell we really love the mountains! 

#24 - I renewed my wedding vows recently 10.14.2014 in New York! It was a intimate vow renewal with just my husband and I. It was amazing, fun, and very romantic! 

#25 - I have to mention that I have a heart for giving back, volunteering, and have participated with feeding the homeless, and serving and baking for a homeless shelter. I also volunteer at the church I attend. I love GOD! 

#26 - I have one tattoo (I've had it since 1998)!  

#27 - One of the first baby showers I planned was in Kansas City, Missouri. It was co-ed with 50 + guests! I drove over 800 miles away, and planned the entire event from Georgia.

#28 - My hair is natural and has been since 2010.  

#29 - I am a certified Cake Decorator, and I love to bake and decorate cakes! I'm certified through Wilton's ( however, I am not a Cake Designer by trade).  

#30 - My very first job was at a place in a mall food court called "Amigos". I was 15 years old. 

#31 - I love vintage-rustic themes, I'm a lover for old, vintage pieces, dresses, veils, and decor! 

#32 - I like participating in Twitter Chats, Twitter Parties, hosting Instagram bridal giveaways, my favorite social media platform is Instagram. 

Bonus Fact:  I love Glitter #thatsAll

I hope you enjoyed learning some facts about me! This was a fun blog post to write! Happy New Year everyone! 

Have a Sweet Day, 

Clarissa 

New Year Eve Inspirations

Happy Wedding Wednesday! The countdown for 2015 is tonight! This is my last blog post for 2014, WOW what a incredible year.  I cannot wait to bring you more great content next year! Today, I wanted to bring to you some fabolous New Years Eve inspirations. The holiday is surrounded with lots of glitter, confetti, and glam! Also, New Year Eve themed weddings, social events, and big spectacular parties. Here at The Sweetest Thing Events we are excited about the new year. Enjoy these inspirations and perhaps you can incorporate some into your own celebrations.

 

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Imagine celebrating the New Year in this beautiful sequin dress, covered in gold, it's very gorgeous and perfect for a night out of celebration.  Imagine arriving to a party, and dancing the night away in this dress. I love how it's paired with a clutch purse, and bracelet.

 

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New Years Eve parties are about the eye candy ( the pretty decorations) and you can WOW your guests with unique decor! When hosting a New Years Eve themed party you want to create a fun, festive atomosphere! Here's a awesome idea to implement if you love to do DIY projects! I love the GOLD!

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I was inspired by this beautiful bridal bouquet perfect for a blushing bride as she exchanges vows on New Years Eve! The colors are so soft and beautiful, and the bottom is wrapped so lovely in gold sequin. Lots of sparkle, and shine, and any Bride will dazzle as she carries this bouquet throughout the wedding day!

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Here's a sassy, short sequin, and pretty "Cut the Cake" dress, perfect for the curvy bride. The golds, blacks, and shimmer make the dress shine. Also, this dress is great "after the wedding" as the bride exits the reception on New Years Eve night! 

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Make the grand entrance into the wedding ceremony FUN! Here's a great way to bring out the theme of the New Year by adding shining stars into the aisle.   When the wedding guests enter the wedding ceremony they will love to see all the pretty stars in the aisle.  This will be a fun conversation piece as well for the guests, and will make ROCKIN wedding photography.

 

 

 

 

Also, for more inspirations, tips and more please CLICK HERE thank you!

 

 

Happy New Year!

2015

Have a Sweet Day,
Clarissa


Written by: Clarissa The Sweetest Thing Events

It’s Date Night! What are You Wearing?

Greetings!

I'm so pleased to have my first guest blogger on the BLOG! This is exciting because the  topic of date night styling and fashion goes perfect with engagement season. Love is in the air! Enjoy!

By: Lei-Loni Greenhow of Fashion blog Clothe Your Curves

I love any reason to dress up and feel girlie, so bring on Date nights! Going out with my husband tends to be on the casual side, but once in awhile I get all dolled up.  For relationships new or more seasoned, dates nights can be a great a way to spend time moreor reconnect with your partner, and it doesn’t hurt to look good while doing it! Now let me clarify, looking great does not mean dressing completely out of character. Wearing heels or a body-con dress to create this fantasy look on your first date can be nice, but if you’re not comfortable; you’ll be pulling and wobbling all night! The focus should be on having a good time and not how uncomfortable you feel.

Perfect example, when I was in college I went on a date with a guy who I met at a home improvement store. When we met, I was wearing jeans, an over-sized shirt and some sneakers. You know, comfy stuff. On the date, I listened to my friends and went all out (in our early 20’s mindset)! Fitted shirt, tight jeans, heels, make-up; I thought I was doin’ it! His reaction; surprised of course, but as the date progressed my shirt kept rolling up, my “tight” jeans were way too tight, and our long romantic stroll was cut short, because my feet hurt. He could tell I was uncomfortable, and what made it worse was him telling me that he was expecting for me to look the way I did when we met! The moral of this story is BE COMFORTABLE, and most of all BE YOURSELF!

With that in mind, checkout some of these date looks and see if one speaks to you!

Lunch Date

If you're still one of the lucky few that take more than a half hour lunch, why not try a casual lunch date? Great for first dates or a chance to reconnect!

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Casual Date Wear

Date night does not always mean getting dressed up. You can feel just as amazing in a pair of boyfriend jeans and a tee!

              

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So Fancy

Planning to go somewhere special or a few notches above your normal dining routine? Get fancy in this gorgeous look!

    
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What’s are some of  your favorite date night looks? Does your spouse/fiancé have a favorite they love to see you in?

Find More from Lei-Loni on:

Blog

www.clotheyourcurves.wordpress.com

Instagram

www.instagram.com/clotheyourcurves

Twitter

www.twitter.com/clotheurcurves

Marsala - Pantone Color of 2015

 

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It was great to learn of the 2015 Pantone color of the year!  I heard the big annoucement and was very excited to learn what the new color was ( it's pretty). The color Marsala 18-1438 is very natural, full of richness, and is a pretty reddish-brownish color.  This is perfect for the Winter /Fall weddings due to the deep hues in this color.  I think brides would like this for Valentine's Day. I will show some different ways that Marsala can be incorporated in the wedding day.  

 

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When I see a color such as Marsala I think of love and romance, and these inspirations boards display how beautiful the color is. The color is sensual, and romantic!  I cannot wait for one of my brides to utilize this color in their wedding day.  This color is going to beautiful for 2015 as brides implement the color throughout their event design.  Pictured below is a beautiful cupcake ( I can only imagine how pretty the dessert bars will be with this color)!

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This bouquet is very elegant, and beautiful I love how the pretty Marsala is displayed here. Lots of pretty pink, white, and other deep fall colors, along with the  greenery throughout the floral design.

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Now that I have given my thoughts on Marsala, please share your thoughts in the comment section below. Please, don't forget to subscribe to my BLOG!

Have a Sweet Day,
Clarissa

Written by: Clarissa The Sweetest Thing Events

Romantic Trips & Cyber Monday

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We all love the latest gadget, iPad, tablet, electronics, flat screen, or game system during Black Friday, and Cyber Monday. Not only can you catch deals on those items; but also on ..... (Drum roll).... Romantic getaways!

We are in engagement season, and this is the time for love, and romance! Also, Cyber Monday is a perfect opportunity to grab lots of deals on trips! Perhaps, it's a place you and your significant other love to go. Also, it could be a place that you two have always "wanted" to go. Maybe, you could book a trip and make it a surprise getaway for later next year. 

Don't miss out! Start searching and find some awesome deals! 

Tip:  To find the Cyber Monday travel deals, search your favorite travel sites! 

Happy Planning!

Please check out "How to Write a Love Letter" which is apart of my romance series! Also, if you want to plan a romantic staycation CLICK HERE .

Have a Sweet Day, 

Clarissa 

By: Clarissa The Sweetest Thing Events

How to Write a Love Letter

                                                                             

We are currently in the season of love and romance, with Engagement season being close; I want to introduce everyone into the art of letter writing.  I love to write, and there is nothing more heartfelt than writing a love letter. I want to talk about how to write a beautiful love letter. Here's a few tips, and advice!

Go purchase nice paper- buy some pretty stationary paper, and coordinating envelopes. Think about how you want to set the tone. Plain paper will work as well, it's totally up to your personal taste. 

Set the mood - find a quiet place, someplace that's very calm, and relaxed. You want to be able to think clearly about what exactly you want to write. Turn on your favorite music, and take your time; collect your thoughts.  Think about how much you love your significant other, and how much they mean to you. 

Put the pen to the paper-  as you begin writing (DO NOT email, or text; handwritten only). I want you to write down all your thoughts and emotions, explaining your love on paper.  Include special moments and memories you have shared together. Also, talk about the romantic future you look forward to sharing together.  The letter can be short or long, and always seal it with a kiss! Always, make sure you proofread the letter.


The most special moment is delivering the love letter! Seal it in a nice envelope, or place it in a small box wrapped in tissue paper. If you want a added, extra touch mail the letter (think of ways to make it really special). Ask the post office for stamps that consist of hearts, or something involved with love.

Tip: Spray the love letter with your favorite perfume, cologne, or body splash ( for the ladies put on some lipstick and leave some kisses on the letter).

                                                                     

   

If you would like to read more romantic tips and more CLICK HERE also check out my romance series  Part 1  and Part 2 !

Have a Sweet Day,

Clarissa 

Photo Credit: Hallmark.com
By: Clarissa The Sweetest Thing Events