Bespoken, Betrothed, Engaged!

Posted by Angie VanDaele in Advertisers, Engagement, ideas, The Wedding Chronicle, weddings

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The Wedding Chronicle's May-June issue is now available throughout the valley. This issue is dedicated to the ENGAGEMENT portion of your grand adventure.

Congratulations! You have become a bride (not bride-to be). You are engaged. What to do next? Here is a little cheat sheet to help you start your wonderful journey towards your nuptials.

First, spread the news! Make sure you tell your parents first and close friends so there is no chance for them to hear it elsewhere.

Get a manicure. If everyone is going to be looking at your hand, make sure it looks great.
Gather the parents together if they don’t already know each other. Let them have a chance to size up each family. Listen for expectations for your wedding. Not necessary to voice opinions at this early stage of the game. Make sure you are prepared and pick your battles wisely. Not everything is worth it.

The engagement party is your opportunity to celebrate the beginning of the journey. Robin and Christine from The Flower Studio have offered an excellent idea for the budget conscious bride to really shine in Flowers Married to Design.

Get your ring sized and insured! Don’t forget this important step. It often is simply a matter of adding a rider to your homeowners or renters insurance.

Unless you are accustomed to hosting $30,000 events, meet with a wedding coordinator. We have several great planners here in the paper we can highly recommend. They will help you get started and head you in the right direction.

If you haven’t figured out, this issue is dedicated to your engagement. We have asked many of the finest photographers in the valley to submit their favorite engagement photos to give you ideas. We could not get all of them into this issue so we will continue to feature more pictures in future publications, blog posts and on our website. Enjoy your engagement. This is a wonderful time to sparkle.

Pick up your copy today! And watch for the return of our online edition!

Tips for Getting your Wedding on TV

Posted by Angie VanDaele in Advertiser, Advertisers, Bridal Show, event, ideas, Phoenix, Photography, press, Sedona, The Wedding Chronicle, wedding, weddings

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Platinum Weddings Sunday, April 19th Episode is featuring a wedding featured in The Wedding Chronicle. Summer Degado and Matt Gehrke were married at The Four Seasons, Scottsdale at Troon North June 21, 2008.

Photographers were Katrina Wallace and Andrew Mejia and edited Hollye Schumacher. Amy Vandervort was the coordinator. The gorgeous flowers were provided The Flower Studio and Petal Pusher. Ray the DJ was present. The Spin was one of the live bands for the affair.

Tri-Rentals and Kool Party Rentals provide much of the splendid decor. My friend Doug Johnston, Avant Garde Limousines coordinated all the transportation. I can't wait for the show.



I recently expanded my cable selections in my office due to the superabundance of wedding shows. I can almost watch a wedding program every hour of the day. Unfortunately, my favorite show "Platinum Weddings" on WeTV shows at 11:00pm on Sunday nights here in Phoenix. I am either too tired from the weekend or I manage to stay up for a couple of episodes and am cranky all Monday from lack of sleep. These are the top weddings with budgets over $100,000 and some go into the millions. I love the ideas, love the professionalism of the planners and love the fact that they usually don't portray the bridal party in a negative light.

Some other shows are WeTV's "Bridezillas," "Amazing Wedding Cakes," "My Fair Wedding" and "Rich Bride, Poor Bride" or TLC, home to "Say Yes to the Dress,""Get Married with Collin Cowie on Lifetime, and even "Whose Wedding Is It Anyway?," on E!'s Style Network. Most of these can be seen in full episodes online as well.

Getting on some of these shows could offer you some services you might not normally afford but at what price? First, having your wedding selected is a lot like getting on a game show. You need to be very appealing! Having a good backstory (as it is referred to) meaning how you met. Did you postpone the wedding because your dog died and you were transported to Oz in a tornado? Great backstory!

Next, you have to fill out the questionaire very creatively! Send an scrapbook with all the questions answered with lots of visual embellishments. Send a video tape along with the questionaire. Do something creative and different to get noticed.

You have to succeed in the first two steps before you get to the Screen Test. Be obsessed or be crazy but above all be authentic in a high energy sort of way. Nothing is more boring than a groom that agrees with everything.

But be prepared to give up some of the control. You may not be able to pick the wedding date and when you do get a date the network can come tape, be ready to find a venue on short notice.
Be ready to have the worst of you and your friends and family portrayed. Although it doesn't always happen, it does make for good TV. The network controls all the footage. So don't say it, think it or do it if you don't want it aired. Be ready to be provoke for reactions also.

If all of this hasn't scared you away, you may be one of the lucky ones that is selected. You will get great video of your day. Your vendors may offer a little extra to show them off in the best light. And who knows, you may have something to share with your grandkids some day.

I can't wait for the show. Of course I will be cranky Monday morning.

Eyelash Extensions Go Big Time

Posted by Angie VanDaele in Advertisers, press, The Wedding Chronicle

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Our beautiful new First Lady has found the secret any bride can easily attain. Semi-permanent eyelash extensions. These are available here in the valley but there are many different skill levels. To have good extensions discuss the length, the thickness and the color of each lash that will be applied. How quick drying is the glue they use? Ask to see a completed set if possible.

Your lash artist should want to know how you intend to wear your makeup on your wedding day. If you are going for a natural look, you may not want 16-18 mm thick black lashes. My preference ( I am an old lady) is a thinner 10mm-12mm lash. If I need a more dramatic look, I can add mascara. Great Lash by Mabeline is a water based mascara that goes on clean and more importantly comes off clean without hurting your lashes.

Your lashes should be glued on one lash to one lash. Any clumping can cause extra lashes to be pulled out prematurely. This is an operator skill as well as your ability to not leave before they are dried. My eyes are really sensitive so I will have red eyes the rest of the day. You cannot get them wet for 24 hours but then for me, after they are washed the sensitivity goes away.

They last on me about three weeks before I need them refreshed. That doesn't mean they all fall off. No, your lashes are in a continual state of growing and falling out. The cycle is about 6 weeks. So I always check when I see a lash has fallen out to see if my real lash is attached as it should be. I also rub my eyes in my sleep, so a set that can last 3 weeks has been out on well.

The cost of a full set in the valley is everywhere from $150.00 - $500.00. Cost does not imply skill. Refills should be in the $30-$50 range. Do your research. There is nothing better than having beautiful, flirty lashes.

The Wedding Chronicle recommends Koltton Fox and Ramon Bacaui 480-946-2015 in Scottsdale and in Phoenix, Julia Trigile.

Disclaimer: I am not an expert on lashes, I am simply writing about my experiences. If I am incorrect with my facts, by all means leave a comment and straighten me out. If I have omitted something, please contribute. Thanks AV

The New Issue is Out! March -April 2009

Posted by Angie VanDaele in Advertisers, ideas, The Wedding Chronicle

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Is it cheap to talk about cost savings?
I attended a great bridal show last Sunday and had the good fortune to speak with many brides and grooms. Two of my favorite bits of advice I often share with couples can be considered budget savers as well just great ways to do things.

First, is the issue of the cake. I had a chance a few years ago to share a cup of coffee with the Grand Dam of Cake, Sylvia Weinstock of New York. She convinced me that there is nothing sadder than seeing dozens of pieces of orphaned wedding cake drying on semi-empty tables throughout the reception site in the late evening. Makes you want to cry doesn’t it? To avoid this, Sylvia encourages her couples to taste the cake immediately so that while your guests are eating, the cake can be removed, cut and served immediately after the last course. It’s called dessert. No need to serve up other sweets. All that time you spent fretting over the Pistachio Viennese Meringue vs. the Chocolate Expresso Butter Crème will really be important because your guests will actually get to taste the cake. Budget Saver = No extra dessert.

Second, is the tradition of not seeing the bride before the ceremony. I will come back to how it can save your budget, but did you know in Medieval times, all marriages were arranged by family members and village elders. Just to make sure the groom didn’t run for the border before the whole deal was finished, they put a veil over her head and plopped a bouquet of fragrant flowers in front of her so she wouldn’t smell. Then as soon as the I Do’s were done, the groom could see what he had just signed up for. Is that a tradition you want to respect? Also if you have the pictures of the two of you taken before the wedding, your make-up is perfect. You haven’t cried yet. You get some special time to remember why you are doing all this and the pictures are always better, free of distraction. You then won’t take as long doing family pictures after the ceremony. Budget Saver = Your guests won’t be able to drink or eat as much during the cocktail hour.

As you meet the vendors that will help transform your vision, be very frank. Ask them for ideas to help you save your budget. The quality vendors that advertise in The Wedding Chronicle will delight you. You see, they are not only savvy and sophisticated. They are very smart too.

Time is Running Out – Register Now for Spotlight! Arizona 2008

Posted by Angie VanDaele in Advertisers, EVENTS, Misc, Phoenix

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Tuesday, June 17^th at the University of Phoenix Stadium – Glendale

11:00am-5:30pm

This is not a show for Brides, this is a show for wedding vendors especially event planners!

Learn, Network and Have Fun at the 3^rd Annual Spotlight! AZ Trade Show for the Arizona meeting and event industry.

Meeting & Event Planners - Spotlight! features:

*A fabulous keynote luncheon featuring Industry Trends Expert & Celebrity Planner Michael Cerbelli

*Expo Floor featuring 150+ exhibitors as well as plenty of fun demonstrations and activities

*Three Free Educational Sessions throughout the day

*Exciting Stage Entertainment, Raffle Prizes, and Complimentary Food & Beverage

*The Sweetest Hour Finale Reception presented by Global Spectrum, the University of Phoenix Stadium and Centerplate Catering-an event extravaganza showing the stadium in a way you’ve never seen before!

This is the best Spotlight yet, and you don’t want to miss out!

IT IS FREE TO ATTEND!* If you plan any type of meetings or events, register now to attend!

Register Here: http://www.spotlightshows.com/upcoming/arizona/register.html

*With the exception of the Michael Cerbelli kick-off luncheon which is only $50! Please note that attending is only open to planners, and not non-exhibiting suppliers.

Vendors: Interested in Exhibiting? Space is still available - Register NOW!

Register Here: http://www.spotlightshows.com/upcoming/arizona/register_exhibitors.html

Thank you to our promotional partners: MPI, HSMAI, ISES, NACE, SITE, HIP, AzSAE, WEN, The Wedding Chronicle, Southwest Meetings & Events and the West Valley Events Coalition.

Thank you to our sponsors: University of Phoenix Stadium, Global Spectrum, Centerplate Catering, GES, Action Registration, TIS/Pixtreme, Kool Party Rentals, RegOnline, KaBloom, Shadow Mountain Productions, Living Energy Productions, Fairytale Brownies, Bahr Photography, Super Hero Productions, Marveless Transportation, Gold Stars Speakers Bureau, Connection Pros, Exhibit Experts, Robert Van Arlen LLC, The Wedding Chronicle and Foot Klan Entertainment.

Questions? Contact us at 800.914.1421 or at info@opendoorevents.com

Andrea's Winning Cake

Posted by Angie VanDaele in Advertisers, Cake, ideas, weddings

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Given 30 minutes to sketch her design after being told the theme of her "Mystery Cake Challenge", Andrea designed this adorable Baby Shower Cake (for J-Lo's twins maybe.) It stands over 3 feet high I think. She and her assistant, Jay were then given 8 hours to create this masterpiece. I will be interviewing Andrea more for the next issue of The Wedding Chronicle. I just wanted y'all to see the cake. I managed to set my alarm for a 2:00 am showing as I am a partial Luddite that doesn't TIVO and couldn't be home at a reasonable hour to watch it. Nice Work Andrea!

For that Unique Gift

Posted by Angie VanDaele in Advertisers, Finds, Jewelers, Wedding Rings

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I found GEMS Fine Jewelry a couple of years ago and enjoyed meeting Gary Thompson immensely. A native of Rhodesia, Gary came to the US in 1982 and worked with the famous jeweler Roger Coudert (Van Cleef and Arpels) in Chicago. Gary perfected the art of French Pave setting and has distinguished himself working here in Arizona on major diamond pave pieces for Scott Gautier and Alfredo Molina.

Hanging his own shingle, Gary is a fun person to know. Not only is his only work creative and impeccable but his store is filled with the most unique pieces from all over the world. Gary can tell you the story of just about every piece and he and his wonderful Jack Russell Terrier, Showlow love to tell you about them. And not just things that are out of sight price-wise. Many things are very reasonably priced and his custom work is a steal. (But don't tell him I said that!)

Send your brides and grooms for custom rings, bridesmaids gifts or those special earrings. You'll never go back to a "Chain Store". Stop by the store and just look. Meet Showlow and Gary. If you don't leave there with a special find, you'll be back soon to design one. I speak from personal experience.

GEMS Fine Jewelry
7000 N 16th Street
Phoenix, AZ 85020
602-943-2206
Northwest Corner of Glendale Ave and 16th Street just west of SR 51.
(Squaw Peak Parkway)