Beautiful Weddings Julie Hopkins and Matthew Klone

Posted by Angie VanDaele in Local Weddings, The Wedding Chronicle, weddings

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Julie Hopkins and Matthew Klone
March 7, 2009
Tempe, Arizona

Behind the Scenes

• Photographer - Beauty of Life Photography
• Florist - Petal Pusher
• Ceremony Site - King of Glory Lutheran Church
• Officiant - Pastor Roger Gordon
• Reception Site - Desert Botanical Gardens
• Reception Site Coordinator - Debbie Weisz
• Catering -Santa Barbara Catering
• Wedding Cake -Robert's Catering Inc
• Bride’s Gown - Uptown Bridal
• Bridesmaids’ Gowns B2
• Hair Stylist - Stormy Martin
• Tuxedos - Uptown Bridal
• Ceremony Music - Riviera Strings
• Entertainment - All American DJ, Chad Trapeur
• Rehearsal Dinner - Oregano’s Pizza Bistro

Beautiful Weddings Nicole Hochstein and Damon Sanabria

Posted by Angie VanDaele in ideas, Local Weddings, The Wedding Chronicle, weddings

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Nicole Hochstein and Damon Sanabria  
November 7, 2008  
Cancun, Mexico

Behind the Scenes
Photographer- One Fine Day Photography, Ann McCarthy
Travel Agent - Escapes Unlimited, Terri Flood
Ceremony & Reception Site - Moon Palace Resort & Spa
Bride’s Gown - Maggie Sottero
Bridesmaids’ Gowns - Jasmine, B2 Line
Hair Stylist - Savvy Salon
Professional Makeup - Michelle Sanabria
Ceremony Music - Mariachis, Moon Palace Resort
Invitations - Hanson Ellis, Message in a Bottle
Videographer - Warne Brothers Productions

Beautiful Weddings Rachelle Harris and Jordan Corbisier

Posted by Angie VanDaele in ideas, Local Weddings, The Wedding Chronicle, weddings

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Our newest edition of The Wedding Chronicle, the November December 2009 features The Most Beautiful Weddings of 2009. We had so many submissions, it was very hard to choose who goes into the Chronicle. Many finalists were left out and I feel bad. So I am going to continue the winners here for as long as I can. Let's start with:

Rachelle Harris and Jordan Corbisier

March 14, 2009

Mesa, Arizona

(click to enlarge)

Behind the Scenes

Photographer

Cristi Owen Photography

Ceremony and Reception Site

Private Residence

Officiant

Roselyn Taylor

Caterer

Baci Italian Bistro

Wedding Cake

Piece of Cake

Florist

Oopsie Daisy

Tuxedos

Mr. Formal

Ceremony Music

ASU Music Department String Trio

Linens and Rentals

A-Z Rentals

Invitations

Michael’s

Local Vendors Shine in Southern Weddings!

Posted by Angie VanDaele in Advertiser, florals, Local Weddings, Phoenix, Photography, The Wedding Chronicle, weddings

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Two of our favorite vendors were mentioned in Southern Weddings. The Amazing Floral was Designs by Design and the entire Biltmore event was coordinated by Charlee Geisler at Signature Events. Don't you just love the Tiffany lamps festooned with red roses on each table? See more of Leanne + Robert's beautiful wedding at Marriott Photography.

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!

Curtis Whipple, BS

Posted by Angie VanDaele in Advertiser, Introduction, Phoenix, weddings

1 comments

Judy, Bobbie and I had the best time yesterday watching our friend Curtis Whipple receive his diploma at The University of Phoenix Commencement held at the University of Phoenix Stadium. He received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. Many of you know Curtis as the new coordinator of the Wedding and Event Network here in The Phoenix Area. He is also the President of the American Disc Jockey Association Phoenix Chapter.

If you haven't met Curtis, you have missed out. Bright, funny and a bit whacked (in a good way); he plays the piano, guitar, sings and is one of the most popular and professional disc jockeys in the valley. I am proud to call him my friend.

Congratulations Curtis! Job well done.

What Are They Thinking

Posted by Angie VanDaele in press, The Wedding Chronicle, weddings, What were they thinking?

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As a publisher of The Wedding Chronicle I receive some strange Press Releases. With the wedding economy being one of the most stable during this recession, companies now believe if you can link it to marriage, it will sell. Hence the following press release:

With This Ice Cream I Thee Wed

Blue Bell Creameries Introduces Groom’s Cake in May

Blue Bell's New Flavor - You'll Love it Enough to Marry it

BRENHAM, TEX. – Every wedding should be celebrated with a toss of the bouquet, a toast to the happy couple and a bowl of Blue Bell Ice Cream… Blue Bell Groom’s Cake Ice Cream to be exact. The newest creation from “the little creamery” is sure to become a wedding tradition.

Groom’s Cake Ice Cream is a luscious chocolate ice cream with chocolate cake pieces and chocolate coated strawberry hearts, surrounded by swirls of strawberry sauce and chocolate icing.

“The inspiration for this flavor came from an actual groom’s cake I tasted at a family friend’s wedding,” said Brenda Valera, director of research and development at Blue Bell “It was so delicious, a chocolate cake with chocolate icing, a strawberry filling and chocolate coated strawberries on top. The flavors were perfect for an ice cream. ”

The tradition of a groom’s cake originated in the South, just like Texas-based Blue Bell Ice Cream. Many Southern weddings feature a cake for the bride, which is usually the larger, more grand creation with a groom’s cake displayed nearby.

“Our ice cream might just change the whole groom’s cake concept,” Valera added. “We have already had employees request it be served at their weddings in place of an actual cake. It’s a great-tasting flavor that you can enjoy at a wedding or at home for no special reason at all.”

Groom’s Cake Ice Cream will be available in May and can be found at Albertson’s, Fry’s, Basha’s, Super K-Mart, and Walmart.

For more information and ice cream recipes, visit Blue Bell online at www.bluebell.com.

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.

You Must Pay Attention to What Congress is Doing!

Posted by Angie VanDaele in EVENTS, Government, weddings

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Senator John Kerry (D-MA) is proposing legislation that would ban all 421 firms including the nation's largest banks that received money from the Troubled Assets Relief Program (TARP) from hosting, sponsoring or paying for conferences, holiday parties and entertainment events.

I am copying an email directly from the ISES Newsletter

ISES Advocacy – Your Voice Matters!

As you are no doubt aware, our industry has recently been splashed all over the mainstream media. From the government's proposed regulations for the disposition of the second half of the Troubled Assets Relief Program (TARP), to corporate America's cutbacks on meetings, travel, conference participation and special events for both customers and employees, our industry has been unfairly maligned as extraneous, frivolous, and unnecessary as a core business strategy during recessionary times. ISES leaders have been working behind the scenes with our fellow industry associations to thoughtfully respond to each of these assertions. Now, we need your help to reinforce these responses in your local communities and to your elected officials. Go to the ISES Industry Advocacy page to see what you can do to help carry our industry's message forward.

The actually proposed legislation is found at this link.

You may say what does this have to do with weddings? Everything! Who do you think makes the money from these meetings? Think about all the people involved with meetings and events? Airline staff ; baggage handlers; sky caps; taxi drivers; servers; bell men; housekeeping staffs; meeting planners; bartenders, rental companies, hotels, rental car agencies, florists, musicians, etc. THEY ARE THE SAME PROFESSIONALS THAT CREATE YOUR WEDDINGS. Tell Mr. Kerry, that money would go back to the taxpayers, stimulating the economy as it was supposed to do! Write your legislators call your senators! Failure to act will hurt this industry more than you know.

WHEN A LIVE BAND – REALLY ISN’T!

Posted by Angie VanDaele in music, Phoenix, weddings

1 comments

We can't always use every article that is sent to The Wedding Chronicle. But sometimes the information is too good to pass up. Hence my GUEST BLOGGER today is Spencer Bass, a professional musician in the Phoenix area.

What image comes to mind when you think of a live band? Talented artists playing musical instruments and singing together? In the past, that would be an apt description. When the technology available today is utilized, “live” can be open to interpretation. How can you tell if the band you’re thinking of hiring uses high-tech devices to create their sound, rather than musicians? Today’s high-tech devices can do everything from imitate any type of musical instrument, to turning a weak singing voice into a strong one. Even adding chorus like harmonies!

A device with most potential for misuse is called a “sequencer”. When fully employed, professional musicians can be replaced by just about anyone acting like they’re playing an instrument. You may have already seen what you thought was a “live” band but was actually a staged act “lip-synching”! Remember Milli-Vanilli?

Legitimate musicians use such devices sparingly, so as not to fool the audience or damage their credibility. When the use of such devices is disclosed up front, there’s no problem. But frankly, this disclosure almost never happens and those who hire the band end up paying way too much for what they are actually receiving! Imagine purchasing what you thought was say, a genuine Rolex watch, only to find out later it’s a knock-off! The motivation for someone to “stage” a band utilizing a sequencer, rather than investing the time and money to produce a real “live” band is the same as anyone selling a counterfeit item, GREED! If your event calls for “live” music and you have never hired a band before, because of the burgeoning use of devices such as a “sequencer”, it is probably a good idea to seek professional advice or representation so the band you hire is actually “live”!

About the author: Spencer Bass, a professional musician working in the Valley over 3 decades has seen a genuine need for those seeking to hire a “live” band, have someone to represent them in the procurement process. Spencer can be reached at: (602)248-0307,(602)717-8482 Or via e-mail: SpencerBass@live.com

WMBA Offer Extended

Posted by Angie VanDaele in ideas, Misc, Phoenix, weddings

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By popular demand, the special 2 for 1 offer for the Wedding Business Merchant Academy (see last post) has been extended till September 12. Don't miss it. It is the best early Christmas Present you can give yourself.

Blogging with the Best of Them

Posted by Angie VanDaele in Advertiser, EVENTS, Local Weddings, Phoenix, weddings

1 comments

I am sitting with the talented Charlee Geisler of Signature Events discussing blogs. There are so many great ideas opened to brides as well as professionals through the miracle of the internet. I love reading blogs every day and find it cathartic to rant and rave in public.

Charlee writes for The Wedding Chronicle about weddings and event planning and I have convinced her to share some of her insights and ideas developed during her 18 years doing this. I place some random pictures of her events below. She is the 2008 Wedding Chronicle Readers Poll Best Wedding Planner recipient.

Watch for Charlee's Blog soon!

Winner - NACE Confections Competition

Posted by Angie VanDaele in Advertiser, Cake, chocolate, EVENTS, ideas, Sedona, weddings

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Winner of 3 awards at this years ELEMENTS Competition at the J.W. Marriott - Desert Ridge this year was my friend and advertiser Andrea Carusetta-Blaut of Sedona Cake Couture. On Monday, June 30th, she took 1st Place in the Vintage category, Best of Show (of all entries) and People's Choice Award (voted by the public that attended). This was the 2nd year in a row that she took these top 3 awards! Next year she will be a judge so that others can be so recognized.

Twenty of Arizona's finest cake artists competed. The themes were: traditional. contemporary, retro and vintage. Andrea chose Vintage. I don't have pictures of the other cakes yet but isn't Andrea's amazing. She saw an actual picture of this vase and recreated it in sugar. Those are not real flowers, they are SUGAR! For tasting she brought my favorite of her cakes the chocolate with espresso buttercream. Ummmmmmmmmm. And she is so thin!

My lovely friend Barbara Gardner of Let Them Eat Cake (also an advertiser) had two Kick Ass Cakes! They were also award winning but I don't have pictures of them... yet!

It was a fun evening and I hope to post pictures of the amazing tables as soon as I can get my hands on them. I also want to give a special shout to Connie Thiebault the coordinator extraordinaire of the J.W.Marriott - Desert Ridge. I don't see how she slept. The evening was flawless! Thanks... Oh how I hate my job! (not)

Best Fish I Have Ever Eaten

Posted by Angie VanDaele in Advertiser, Finds, weddings

1 comments

I must qualify this statement by saying I usually hate fish. (I love food just hate fish!) For me, it can't look like a fish, have any body parts on it including skin and above all else smell like a fish. Do not take me to a crab shack with newspaper, mallets and buckets. Uh-uh. But the fish I ate was the Grilled Alaskan halibut steak topped with feta cheese, sliced tomato, fresh Greek oregano and lemon garlic sauce. Served with potatoes & vegetables. The picture and the description do not do justice to the great food my guests and I enjoyed at Alexi's Grill in Phoenix, Wednesday. I also heard very favorable remarks about the trout (from a fly fisherman from Montana), salmon and rack of lamb. Add the key lime pie, tiramisu and cheesecake with strawberry sauce and you get the idea we were rolled like barrels out of there. If you are looking for a new place with a classic continental feel, great waiters and friendly owner Michael, visit Alexi's. 3550 N. Central Avenue (At Osborn). 602-279-0982 A GREAT PLACE for rehearsal dinners and they do cater professionally.


PS: I hope those who read this and haven't met me know that I would not write this just because they are an advertiser with The Wedding Chronicle. I write it because it is true.

Coolest Event Tonight at Marriott Desert Ridge

Posted by Angie VanDaele in Cake, EVENTS, florals, Misc, weddings

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Starting at 3:00 pm this afternoon, The National Association of Catering Executives is hosting the 2nd annual ELEMENTS Competition. Designers, florists, event planners, caterers and rental companies go head to head in a table design contest under four categories. Retro, Contemporary, Traditional and Vintage. There will be master bakers competing under the same categories for cakes. Some pictures from last year follow. (Categories last year were fire, water, sky and earth)
Admission to the event $10.00.

Local Videographers Mentioned in Top Magazine

Posted by Angie VanDaele in Photography, press, weddings

1 comments

Enough of the bad news for a while! Some great news for a change. One of my favorite magazines is Bride and Bloom out of Torrance California. Imagine my surprise when reading an article about Wedding Videographers the names Darby Simon and Ande Martineau of My Wedding Film popped out at me. The article is about Hollywood style now becoming integral for wedding films. and Darby and Ande are some of the experts they quoted. Known for their cutting edge style, they taught me something new. Because Brides are used to watching television, the main wedding film is now kept under 25 minutes. Sure you can get the whole shebang and they give that to the Bride too. But the clever shorter production is what everyone else wants to see. I like it when our local artists are recognized for their expertise on a national platform. It makes me proud. Way to go girls, I am proud of you!

A Step in the Right Direction

Posted by Angie VanDaele in Photography, press, TV, weddings

3 comments

They say sunshine is the best antiseptic, so I took some steps to get some publicity for the plight of you brides going through the Star Studio Fiasco. A reporter for Channel 15, Anne Yeager is on the story. Hopefully they will air the story as soon as possible. If you are one of the brides and would like to come forward about your story, please email Anne at ayeager@ABC15.com immediately with your contact information. She wants to talk to you.
I pray this will keep another bride from having her wedding ruined. If you are a bride that has signed with Star Studio for an upcoming wedding, I may be able to help you find another, better photographer to capture the memories of the day. Just email me.

Another Jim Bruno Problem

Posted by Angie VanDaele in Photography, weddings

8 comments

And I quote from a recent email...

Hello,

I am writing to you today in response to the Jim Bruno Story. He was our wedding photographer in November of 2007, and now we can not get a hold of him to get our pictures. We have been trying since March, I do have his cell number which is 480-228-2515 but of course he never answers or returns our calls. So if you have any other way of reaching him I would greatly appreciate it, or if you have heard anything about him since that last story about him we would love to know about it!

Thank you,
Meghan McLaughlin

and
Based on BBB files, this company has an unsatisfactory record

BBB Definition: unsatisfactory record - A company has an "unsatisfactory business performance record" with the BBB is based on the experiences reflected in BBB files. This file condition results when the company has failed to resolve or respond to complaints, repeatedly failed to respond or resolve issues in a timely manner, failed to resolve the underlying issues for a pattern BBB Definition: pattern - More than 2 complaints involving the same allegations usually within 12 months that are significant in relation to the company's size and volume of business. of complaints, failed to honor their commitment to mediate or arbitrate disputes or honor mediated agreements or arbitrated decisions, failed to substantiate, modify or discontinue false advertising claims that are challenged by the BBB, or failed to discontinue unauthorized use of the BBB name and logo, a Federally protected trademark.

with the BBB due to failure to respond to a complaint.

I hate to go on about this But I want to make sure these Brides are taken care of.

Where is Jim Bruno?

Posted by Angie VanDaele in Misc, Phoenix, weddings

24 comments

I hate being the bearer of bad news but I want to be an ombudsman for our industry if it helps. We have a bride whose wedding was at Grayhawk Golf Club on 4/6/08. She wrote to Phil Waring looking for this Photographer. Can anyone help us? Her letter reads as follows...

Hello!
Thanks again to all of you, Gwen, Phil, and David for making our wedding wonderful! I have trying to contact Jim Bruno at Star Studio and his phone is disconnected. I know you all have worked with him in the past so I was wondering if you had heard anything about his business? My friend used him for her wedding 3 years ago and his pictures were wonderful. I hope I am worrying for nothing. Please let me know if you have heard anything.
Thanks,
Deena

When wedding vendors are unprofessional, it makes us all look bad. Is anyone else having problems with this vendor? Does anyone know how to reach him? I have never met the man. Let me know. Thanks

Andrea's Winning Cake

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

0 comments

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!