An Amazing Cake!

Posted by Angie VanDaele in advertising, Cake, music

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As many of you know, my sister Judy is the editor of The Wedding Chronicle. As such, she does a lot of writing. For her birthday, I asked Barbara Gardner of Let Them Eat Cake to copy Earnest Hemmingway's Royal Typewriter found in his Key West home. She did a magnificent job don't you think? And it tasted as good as it looked.

Curtis Whipple, Amy Vandervort and families joined us at the Old Town Tortilla Factory, where Curtis serenaded Judy with a lively rendition of the Beatles "When I'm 64." I think she had a good time.

Old Town Tortilla Factory, you were amazing too! Thanks all for a great night for my sis!

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.

DancIn'spiration 2009

Posted by Angie VanDaele in Charity, event

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What are you doing Sunday Night? May I suggest DancIn'spiration 2009?

I have placed info about the event below, but I know you will have a great time, in a beautiful setting for $15.00 I have tickets or you can get them at the door. The benefits are going to help my beloved charity, Arizona Helping Hands. Can I entice any of my friends to join me?

March 8, 2009 - 7:00pm


Orpheum Theatre
203 W. Adams St.
Phoenix, AZ 85003
(602) 534-5600

In 2002, DanceMotion Artistic Directors Kevin and Meri Bender were inspired to look for a new way to support our community through dance and that is how DancIn'spiration came to be.
Each year DanceMotion contacts elite dance companies throughout Arizona to stage this benefit show. Each participating dance company brings three numbers of varying genres: jazz, lyrical, tap, character, contemporary, and more. Besides DanceMotion, two other dance companies have been participating in DancIn'spiration since its inception, and all others have participated for at least two years. The waiting list of dance companies that want to get involved is long!

It's an exciting one-day event with the performers arriving early in the day to rehearse and stage the show and learn the 200 participant-wide closing number. The dancers have dinner in the theater and then get dressed and ready to hit the stage.

DancIn'spiration has raised $40,000 for local children's charities to date. Previous beneficiaries include the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Caitlin Robb Foundation which provided funds for children's cancer care and research, and Arizona Helping Hands a local charity that sponsors a "Christmas for the Homeless" and "Feed the Children" events.

Lillian Lottie Couture Grand Opening

Posted by Angie VanDaele in Bridal Salon, Open House, The Wedding Chronicle

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Meghan Lawlor and Jenny Pinto announced the official start of their new Bridal Salon in Old Town Scottsdale last Saturday night. Threat of rain and all, event coordinator Heather Sloane, Eventfully Yours, Heather and the following great vendors pulled off a great party.


Flowers: Michael at Terrace Florals and Events

Rentals: Melanie at Pro Em

Rich at Espresso Subito

Sandy B at All the Details Candy Tables

Let Them Eat Cake, Inc provided the delicious cupcakes! Foto Cabina, Barefoot Wines, Richard Steele was a great magician, Ambiance Catering and Great Event Photography by Chaz at Broken Image Photography Nice Work!

It's Thee Bridal Show Season

Posted by Angie VanDaele in Bridal Show, The Wedding Chronicle

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Saturday Judy and Bobbie participated in a bridal show at the Hilton Garden Inn in Avondale. It was medium-sized show, but the enthusiasm and camaraderie made it fun for both the vendors AND the hundred and twenty or so brides who attended. One nice touch were the box lunches provided to the vendors for a nominal charge and prepared by West Valley Catering. West Valley Catering Company is a full service catering company based in Phoenix’s West Valley. Fresh, innovative cuisine is the foundation of Chef Cory Mingo’s philosophy. His roots planted in New Orleans, from the long line of chefs in his family. Everyone who wanted to get a quick and tasty bite, could get one without missing brides or paying an arm and a leg.


The sponsors of this show were the ladies from Thee Wedding Warehouse in Goodyear. We commend and thank Kathy Baggett and Jacque Dearing and all the lovely women who work for them. If you haven't visited Thee Wedding Warehouse, you must take a moment and stop by.

Jan-Feb Issue is ON THE STREETS!

Posted by Angie VanDaele in

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In case you haven[t notice, your free copies of The Wedding Chronicle are available in centers through out the valley.

It’s a new year, take a deep breath and exhale. You are a very lucky and blessed soul. Congratulations on your upcoming nuptials! Let the planning begin. There are so many resources available to assist you. And as you notice in this issue, a plethora of bridal shows are being planned for you.

My best advice is to start with a meeting a professional wedding planner. Someone who can help you organize and someone with a list of wonderful vendors to recommend to you. Whether you plan had planned to use one or not, spend the money their services are invaluable. When was the last time you planned a $30,000 event? Not spending that much this year because of the economy and other considerations? Let’s try $10,000 for your event. Do you know what plus-plus means on a banquet BEO? How about what size linen on a 60 inch round and what size should the overlay be? Did I get your attention?

Paying for a consultation with a professional planner is essential. You are there to work not just talk about your ring. You need help to get started. It is worth the money. If you really click, consider hiring her (or him) to help you more. A consultant can save you money and oh, so much stress, can get extras added to service contracts or discounts from reliable vendors. A good planner will make sure you don’t waste a dollar.

We have several in this issue of The Wedding Chronicle you can trust. And they are diverse. A lot of them routinely plan weddings for the six figure crowd. But there are many others who care just as much for the small intimate ceremony or the destination wedding. Start the year off making smart decisions. You won’t be sorry.
Happy New Year!

Are you a aggressive recession advertiser?

Posted by Angie VanDaele in advertising

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In a study of 600 businesses, McGraw Hill Research found businesses that maintained or increased their advertising expenditures during the 1981-1982 recession, averaged higher sales growth during the recession and in the three years following. By 1985, sales of aggressive recession advertisers (those that either maintain or increased spending) had risen 256% over those that cut-back on advertising. Likewise, in 2001, another study found aggressive recession advertisers increased market share 2 1/2 times the average for all businesses in the post-recession economy.

In 2002, the Strategic Planning Institute illustrated, in contrast, during economic expansion, because 80% of businesses increased their advertising spending, there was no improvement in market share. The reason? Because everyone had increased spending. Now is the time to increase advertising, not cut it back.