"The Party Planner" in Winter 2013 issue of New York Magazine, Weddings

This seriously is one of the hugest honors! I've dreamed about being the featured Expert in New York Magazine, Weddings since the first time I flipped through an issue! Please read the article while I think about what my new life goal should be now that this is checked off :)

Brides Magazine Field Guide: The 10 Things You Should Do First

 

10 immediate things to do when you get engaged! We spoke with Brides Magazine about the first first first things a newly engaged person should do. Look, everyone is going to give you their advice on the steps to start planning but these are the tips just for you personally on how to enjoy/prepare for your very recent engagement. 

 

 

Here is the full list of tips we gave to Brides. They had to be weeded down for the article but think the others will still benefit you newly engaged folks:

1) Look around where you are, save a keepsake, take everything in. What song was playing in the background? What kind of moon was it? Might be nice to have the actual sand, grass, leaf your fiance kneeled down on. Don't let your engagement be a blur.

2) call your important people BEFORE you change your status on Facebook so that's not the way they find out

3) Get your nails done. People are going to ask to see your ring, which is subsequently on your hand and so you will be showing your hands and nails to a lot of people in the coming weeks.

4) Speak to your accountant about what date would be best for you to joint file, might play into when you legally want to get married as you start getting ready to set the date. Also look up when will be best to go on honeymoon if you'd like to leave for a trip right after your wedding.

5) Cancel your haircut appt or just get a trim. You'll prob want that grown out for the wedding.

6) stop eating carbs. just kidding. sort of.

7) Record a video interview of yourselves so you can remember the moment and recap it. Like a video diary.

8) Speak with other engaged couple friends to make sure you don't have a scene from bride wars, allow honeymoon time

9) Don't even think about going for walkthroughs at venues until you have both of these 1) budget 2) guest count

10) Maybe not call everyone immediately and just spend the day with each other and enjoying the calm happiness before you pop open the can of ecstatic joy from all your friends and family. There's plenty of time to share the news but you only get a few private moments for you two like this.

11) Try not to have an out of body experience and listen and absorb the words your man is saying to you when he's proposing

12) Be mindful who you talk to your wedding about because they may assume they are a wedding party member or guest, when they are not. Whoops!

13) Someone's idea of best band they've ever seen doesn't necessarily fit your criteria. Everyone wants to be the authority and will give you their list of favorite vendor from their wedding, their cousin's, their neighbor's coworker's sister's wedding,... Be gracious and ready but don't feel pressured to use all the same vendors your sister did.

14) Ever watch say yes to the dress when they bring 10 people shopping? Only bring people who you really value their opinion. Otherwise travel light. This is not something the village needs to vote on.

15) Your favorite color/flower/dress will change 6 times at least. This is normal and part of the process. Don't feel afraid/hesitant to start collecting ideas of things you like, you're not committed to it and it's not the final decision by a long shot so just get going!

16) Make sure your fiance knows it is his wedding too (and mean it!) and do what you can to make him feel invested and that his opinions truly count and are as valuable. Don't get frustrated that he doesn't care more when he's checked out at the last floral sample meeting when he wasn't involved in the first 3 meetings or in selecting anything.

17) As long as you've been dreaming about your wedding day, your parents have been thinking about it for even longer. The event is in honor of you and your fiance but it is about them as well so try to keep an open mind to their thoughts on tradition, guest list, etc. It's a big day for them too.

18) If you're thinking of hiring a planner best to do it before you book the venue. There are so many times a client comes to me and I wish I could undo some of the planning and take them to the venue that would have really been a better fit for them.

19) There are so many options. Too many options. Brides suffer from "analysis paralysis" and drive themselves crazy trying to research the best deal, best photographer, best, ... What's best is if you stay sane, enjoy the options and be happy in your decisions and then don't look back. No buying the second or third dress!

20) Don't lose sight of what the wedding is about really. It's not about the celadon and aubergine color story. Promise yourself you will let go and not obsess about the details and enjoy your wedding day no matter what weather forecast it is and even if the DJ accidentally played the wrong first dance song.

One of The Knot's 20 industry MVPs

 

The Knot recently asked 20 MVPs (Most Valuable PLANNERS) for their favorite weddings of the year as part of a special feature in the National Edition of The Knot's Winter 2012 magazine.

First of all, we're considered top 20 of the country!!!! Incredibly honored.

Second,  you have to see Beth & Daniel's Bowery Hotel wedding. It really is a DREAM!

 Amazing photography by Roey Yohai

See even more photos on The Knot Website

Planner of The Knot Gala 2012

This year marked the 3rd annual Bridal Fall Fashion week Gala hosted by The Knot at the New York Public Library. And this year, Daughter of Design worked closely with The Knot and a laundry list of wedding industry luminaries to plan  the best yet!

Carley Roney, me, David Beahm
(note how nice it looks when you coordinate your attire with the event's color story!)

Check out these pictures, videos and press coverage of the event! 

The Knot Facebook

BizBash

The Knot Gala 2012 from Elysium Productions on Vimeo.

Thank you to all these special folks

Until next year y'all!

"The Expert" in October issue of Brides Magazine!

Me? The "wedding doyenne," well thank you very much Brides magazine!! Check out the feature in the October issue where I dish about what I would do for my dream wedding (not that I'm engaged...or dating anyone for that matter ha! Man, do you think this is going to scare the fish away? Hard enough to tell guys I'm a wedding planner but now they can read an article where I've even picked our china!)

Special mentions to:

Dress - Marchesa

 Flowers - Hatch Creative Studio

Invitations - Bernard Maisner

Food - P.S. Tailored Events

First Course - Spoon House

China - Meissen

Chargers - Party Rentals LTD

Cocktails - Yusef Austin

Music - Hudson Project of Elan Artists

Linens - Wildflower Linens

So, guys, this means you're going to hook me up one day, right? :)

Watch our eHow wedding dress and veil videos!

I recently did a series of videos for eHow about one of the most important elements of a wedding -- the wedding dress! Watch as I give you some tips to help you choose the perfect dress and look your very best on the big day!


Things to Know Before Getting Fitted for Your Wedding Dress -- powered by ehow
Find out about some important things you need to know before getting fitted for your wedding dress!

Differences in Wedding Dress Silhouettes -- powered by ehow
There are 5 different wedding dress silhouettes to choose from. Learn about differences in wedding dress silhouettes and which of these are most flattering to your figure!

Do You Need to Bring Anything Particular to Try on Wedding Dresses? -- powered by ehow
Before you go shopping for the perfect dress, there are a few things you may want to bring with you. I'll tell you what you should pack before going in search for your wedding dress!

Styles of Wedding Veils -- powered by ehow
Learn about the many different types and styles of wedding veils you can choose from!

How to Pick the Right Veil for Your Dress -- powered by ehow
Picking the right veil is one of the most important finishing details that can either make or break a dress. Here, I'll help you pick out the right veil for your wedding dress!

What Is the Difference Between Mother of the Bride Dresses and Mother of the Groom Dresses? -- powered by ehow
You may want to help choose a dress for your mother or your future mother-in-law for your big day. Here, I'll talk about the subtle differences between mother of the bride and mother of the groom dresses and how they can pick a dress that stylizes well with your wedding!

What Is a Good Wedding Dress Choice for Petite Brides? -- powered by ehow
If you're a petite bride, there are a few distinct wedding dress styles that you might want to explore. Let me help you pick the right dress that will bring out your best assets!

Pregnancy Wedding Dresses -- powered by ehow
Sometimes, you may be expecting a little one on your wedding day. Watch as I talk about different dresses that suit a pregnant bride!

How to Unwrinkle a Wedding Dress -- powered by ehow
If your wedding dress gets wrinkled on the big day, don't worry! Learn how to unwrinkle a wedding dress here!

Instructions to Bustle a Gown -- powered by ehow
On your wedding day, you may want to bustle your gown to create a different look or simply for comfort. Here, I explain how to bustle your gown for your big day!

VIP Planner guest on "The Knot Live"

 

 

 Watch me on The Knot Live! On this episode I talk about: 

- the new Over the Top

- cultural cool

- shopping your own stuff

- blue, the it color

- anti-banquet, dinner party style decor

Chelsea and Will in The Knot NYC, Spring/Summer 2012

 

Chelsea and Will's Pratt House wedding featured in the The Knot's Spring/Summer 2012 NYC Magazine! I know I say this about nearly everyone but really Chelsea and Will are one of my favorite couples ever! Their wedding was so classic and sweet!

My absolute favorite were the mahjong tiles that served as escort cards. Each were engraved with the person's name and table number and displayed with real mahjong tiles. This was a fantastic, fresh, creative way to incorporate Will's culture and background into the NYC UES wedding!

Happy Birthday Shape Magazine!

Look at these great photos in the February issue of Shape from a fun night celebrating the magazine's 30th birthday! Dr. Oz and Jane Fonda hosted!

CeciStyle: Birthday Party Ideas

In celebration of Ms. Ceci's birthday, she asked top planners for their favorite FRESH birthday party ideas to be featured in CeciStyle.


CHARITY
I suggested that people organize an event doing a day of work for your favorite charity. Sad but true, but the "donation in lieu of a gift" request to your friends hardly materializes much. Whenever we check with the organization to see how much has been donated it's almost embarrassing to ask!

BORROW THIS IDEA for your next birthday party! Use your birthday powers for good and get your friends involved with your favorite cause!

If you're in New York, here's a site that can help you find some volunteer opportunities: 

Here's a sample of the kind of opportunities you can find: 

Paint and Sort at PS 208 M Manhattan :: Central Harlem	Saturday, 2/11/2012 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Sign Up  Revitalize a local school so they can start the year right. Volunteers will sketch murals designed by students on the stairwell doors with a projector, in addition to sorting and organizing closet spaces. Artistic and creative types are welcome to sign up.