Calling All Couples! Wedding Contest

Are you that lucky couple?

Cydney Junius Event Design will be giving one stylish, modern and chic bride and groom a complete Silver Level package! This contest will be open to all brides in the Los Angeles metro area. Any reader/visitor of our blog and website is welcome to enter.

The Silver Level is our “Day-of Coordination" service level. We box up all of your planning and details and package it nicely and put a nice pink bow on top! What this really means is that we meet with you to go over your concept and vision for the day, contact and finalize all your vendors, help with last-minute snafus, design a wedding day timeline and produce and coordinate your wedding rehearsal and your wedding day. The contest ends at midnight on August 15, 2009.

Here’s how you can enter: Send us your story—how you met, your engagement story, your vision for your day, any planning obstacles you’ve faced and why you think you’d need the extra help on your wedding day. Even if you aren’t getting married, send us the story of a couple that you know needs the extra assistance.

More parameters for the contest:
1. All entries must include a photo of the couple
2. Please include a complete list of the venues and vendors you have already booked
3. The wedding must take place between September 2009 and February 2010 (based on availability)
4. The wedding must take place in the Los Angeles metro area
5. You can nominate yourself or a friend. Email your entries to cj@cjeventdesign.com by 12 midnight PST August 15, 2009

The winner will be decided by the team at Cydney Junius Event Design. Visit our site at: http://www.cjeventdesign.com. We look forward to reading the entries of deserving couples and and gifting them a stress-free wedding day!

Milestones

I can truly say I love what I do because I leapt out of the bed this morning at 7 a.m., excited and on my way! I scurried on over to my parents' house where six of their friends were meeting them for a limo ride tour through Santa Barbara's wine country. Their trip is in celebration of my step-father's 60th birthday and my mother had secured my services in helping to plan the big trip.

I was more than thrilled to help with the outing -- one that included the couples being chauffered in a stretch Chyrsler 300 all day while vineyard-hopping along the coast. After leaving Los Angeles, they stopped for breakfast at a quaint cajun kitchen, sipped wine at three of the best wineries on the central coast, and enjoyed a dinner of fresh, local Californian cuisine fused with flavors from around the world at Opal Restaurant.

I even included a large basket of fruit, bottled water, and other goodies to nibble on during the ride up and back. Heck, at this point, I'm kind of jealous the trip wasn't for me! It was exciting to be a part of this event, a first for me.

What are your ideas for a milestone birthday? Make it great!

Deals, Deals and More Deals!

Are you a user of Craigslist.org or any other online classifieds site? I happen to think they are a huge resource for most anything and you'll often find great deals on wedding vendors. For instance, I found a local florist willing to put together a wedding package (bouquets, centerpieces, cake table flowers, the whole shi-bang) for $1,000! That is unheard of! There are a ton of professional photographers just waiting for your call. Looking for a make-up artist or hair stylist for your big day? They're there!

But you might be asking, how do I know if these folks are the real deal, reputable, responsible? Well, most have professional websites showing projects they've done in the past. You can always ask for references and of course, meet with them at least once to nail down the details of the services they'll be performing.

These sites are definitely worth a hard look, especially during our economic times -- when folks are looking to stretch their dollar and small business owners are looking to drum up work.

Happy Hunting!

See: www.craigslist.org and www.ilist.com

Where to Begin -- Things You Might Be Asking

In today's economy, things are grinding to a halt. We're shopping less, putting off things we are afraid might cost a lot, and finding ways to clench every penny. But what if it's our 10th wedding anniversary, our daughter's graduation, or our upcoming nuptuals? No matter the financial climate, life's celebrations don't stop! And each event deserves a planner, more importantly someone who will strive to make it as special as it should be.

Here are some questions you might be asking when thinking of hiring a planner:

Why should I hire an event planner?
It's simple. Planning a special event requires a lot of work, coordination, time, and resources. Hiring someone to take over the many tasks that go into creating a fabulous event saves you precious time and energy. It even saves you money! We've had enough experience to know where to find the best products and services for your event, and often, at a price that is cost-effective. An event planner can also connect you with the best possible vendors through established working relationships.

How soon would I need to secure an event planner?
Let us know as soon as you decide on your date. We'll want to make sure we are available to coordinate your event on the actual day. It's never too soon to start planning your memorable event!

I'm getting married and don't know where to begin my planning process. How will you help?
Congratulations on your engagement! We understand the excitement as well as the anxiety you might feel about the task at hand. First, you'll need to contact us so we can arrange a date to meet, either in-person or online conferencing, so we can get to know each other and you can share all of your exciting ideas! We'll then be able to answer your questions and choose the way to move forward with planning your special day.

What if I have a small budget? Can I really afford a planner?
Clients with modest budgets will actually really benefit from hiring a planner. We can save you money through our contacts and show you ways to save where you might not have thought you could. We know how to make your day look like you've spent lots of money when, really, you've saved.

What does an event planner really do?
Everything! We can coordinate and design your entire event from conception to execution or we can pick up in the areas of planning that have not yet been addressed if you are doing your own planning. We are also on-site coordinators handling the minute details that go into events. On wedding days, you'll find us getting flower girls down the aisle, arranging place cards, greeting and directing vendors, and even helping to wipe a few tears. We're simply there to handle the day so you can relax and be a guest!

Looking for the Latest Bridal Gown?

My sister, who knows and loves all things fashion, recently sent me a list of a few very exciting trunk shows coming up in the Los Angeles area -- Beverly Hills, to be exact. Perhaps if you're looking for the latest hot-off-the-runway trends in designer bridal gowns or if you just want to feed your dress-hungry self, mother or bridesmaids, these might be the events for you! Happy Hunting!

Bridal Events
On Four in Beverly Hills West
To make an appointment, please call 310.887.5509

Oscar de la Renta Bridal Trunk Show
Thursday, March 5 to Saturday, March 7

Vera Wang Bridal Trunk Show
Thursday, March 12 to Saturday, March 14

Melissa Sweet Bridal Trunk Show
Thursday, March 19 to Saturday, March 21

Kenneth Pool Bridal Trunk Show
Thursday, March 26 to Saturday, March 28

Budget Bridal

We all know it -- we're in a deep economic downturn, something that affects us all one way or another. But the great part about life is that love endures! Couples will continue to marry, hearts will continue to burst with happiness, and folks will continue to celebrate milestones -- 10 years of matrimony only comes around once, no matter your wallet!

So, I suppose the real challenge of today is how to still celebrate life's big moments in a more financially modest way. I've seen countless books on how to throw weddings on the cheap. I'm a big fan of Costco wholesale stores, and what a great resource they are for reasonable appetizers for that dinner party. The internet has also made it a cinch to find deals on favors, decor, apparel, and the other makings of a great celebration.

How do you plan on celebrating this year? How will the economy affect your wedding plans? I've come up with the "Bailout Package" for those wanting to still celebrate what life brings and still do it on a budget. See http://www.cjeventdesign.com/ for more info.