Inspired Occasions is in the press!

It has been over a year since I came up with the idea to create a Bride Education branch of my business. I came to realize that no matter how flexible and accessible Inspired Occasions' services are, there are going to be brides that will ultimately choose to plan their wedding solo. However, with a long standing value of bringing valuable information, support and advice to all brides, I decided there must be a way that I can serve these brides as well.

Finally, my idea has taken shape and will come to life on this Sunday, August 29, 2010 when we launch our very first bridal seminar "How-to Tie the Knot: Planning Strategies for Today's D.I.Y. Bride." With an agenda that covers planning basics, do-it-yourself design, stress management and much more, I am thrilled to bring such valuable information to the brides and their families in attendance. It is a day designed to support and empower each and every one of them to create the wedding of their dreams and enjoy the process of doing it.

What I didn't anticipate when I started this venture is that there would be media interest in such a concept. Imagine my excitement when I was invited to appear on YNN (Capital News 9) in a live in-studio interview with their afternoon anchor. I had a blast and it was so thrilling to be able to spread the word to everyone in the area about what Inspired Occasions is up to. The good news doesn't stop there. This week, my interview with Saratoga.com's Dave Bigler is being featured on http://www.saratoga.com/. To check it out, click on "featured video". And the interest keeps coming . . . A TimesUnion reporter will be joining us for the seminar on Sunday and writing a feature about it.

I am amazed at the attention this event is receiving. I can only hope that it is because it is satisfying a need among local brides and that this will be the first of many successful bride education seminars.

There are still some spots available for anyone still interested in attending. Registration is required and must be received no later than Friday, August 27th. Any registered bride is invited to bring one guest for free. For more details, go to our website http://www.inspired-occasions.com/ and click on "bride education" or call us at (518) 487-8128.

How-to Tie the Knot
Sunday, 8/29/10
9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Pat's Barn at Rensselaer Technology Park
Registration includes breakfast, lunch, snacks and all materials

How-to Tie the Knot - AGENDA

It's almost here! Inspired Occasions' very first bride education seminar, "How-to Tie the Knot: Planning Strategies for Today's D.I.Y. Bride", is happening on Sunday, August 29th at Pat's Barn at Rensselaer Tech Park. Time is running out to take advantage of great savings. Register before Friday, August 20th and receive $40 off your registration. Take advantage of this offer by registering by phone (518) 487-8128 or email @ info@inspired-occasions.com by Friday.

What an amazing day we have planned for our "do-it-yourself" brides. Here are the topics that will be covered in this fun and informative day:

Planning Basics

• Determining the priorities
• Developing a planning timeline
• Creating and tracking your budget
• How to select the best vendors for you
• Wedding day coordination
  

Floral Design: Do's/don'ts and insider tips (by Michele Peters, Ambiance Florals & Events)

Photography: What you need to know (by Yvette Wilson, Yvette Wilson Photography In Design)

Wedding Design

• D.I.Y. or NOT to D.I.Y.
• D.I.Y. Details Demo
• From Tired to Inspired: Creating a magical and affordable tablescape

Be a Stress-Free Bride (by Diane Albano, LEAD Consulting & Coaching)

Registration of $109 (after coupon) includes all planning materials, breakfast and lunch. And . . .
DON'T COME ALONE! BRING A FRIEND FOR FREE!

Can't wait to see you all there!

Natalie & Brian (Lake George) - Mary 29, 2010

The wedding of Natalie and Brian on May 29, 2010 has to be one of my favorites. Natalie is proof positive that you can plan a beautiful, detailed and chic wedding on a budget.

Natalie contacted me a year in advance of her wedding date with major concerns about the venue she had selected for her Adirondack destination wedding. Her recent site visit had raised some major red flags and her intention was to hire a planner to manage venue issues on her wedding day. After further discussion, I helped Natalie come to the decision that there was still time to avoid disaster and change her wedding venue.

Once the venue disaster had been averted and a new location was selected, it was time to help Natalie create a chic wedding with a modern color palette and a few rustic Adirondack touches. I’m proud to say that we accomplished just that!

The ceremony location selected was Shepard Park right on the shores of Lake George. The natural stone amphitheatre was an economical choice and offered a Celtic feel in tribute to the couple’s heritage. Floral Designer Martin Dodge of Drops of Jupiter transformed the simple alter area into something extraordinary with a handmade ceremony structure of birch, vines and clusters of hydrangea and cream roses. Personalized seat cushions doubled as a comfortable seat for guests on the stone benches and a take-home wedding favor.

Natalie arrived in style in an antique car and walked down the aisle arm in arm with her brother to the magical sound of a bagpiper hidden up on the bluff behind the ceremony. Gave me the chills! After the “I-do’s” the bagpiper led the parade of the bride and groom to the shore for formal photographs.

The magical tent reception for her 85 guests was decked out with the colors of pewter, white, pale blue with modern pops of lime green. The groom’s love of fishing was incorporated into the design of the escort cards and table names. Martin Dodge worked his magic again with tall and romantic centerpieces of birch, hydrangea and hanging Amaranthus. Plain poles of the tent were turned into birch trees with glowing hanging lanterns. The overall effect . . . enchanted Adirondacks! The star of the reception was the elegant display of the couple’s favorite dessert, mini cheesecakes, which took the place of a traditional wedding cake. Yummy!!!

Although Natalie’s planning process was rocky at times, I’m proud to say that I helped her pull off an elegant event representative of her style and who she and Brian are as a couple. It was an absolute pleasure working with them and I wish them all the happiness in the world!

Thanks as always to my team; Katelyn, Leah, Morgan and Julie. Also to the many amazing vendors who made Natalie and Brian’s wedding possible; Martin Dodge with Drops of Jupiter (floral design), James Bass (photography), Dale Himelrick of Memories in the Making Video Productions (videography) and Jessica Volkamer of Chocolate Mill (desserts).