For the life of me, I can’t understand where 2011 went but am I happy to welcome 2012 or what?!
No matter what happened in 2011, I can testify to you 2011 was a great year because regardless of the disappointments I faced, I had a few) the doors that closed, (too many to mention) heartaches, tears shed, I was still favored as I have life, health and my loved ones are well.
In 2011 as a company we traveled less but traveled to some amazing destinations. Destinations we never thought we would ever plan a wedding. We met people that left such impressions and just made us think about how we do business and the need to give back on a regular basis.
In 2011, we assisted 21 brides and grooms with their wedding. We had a few amazing dinner parties, and a few fun birthday parties. Out of those 21 brides and grooms, we received invitations to 6 baby showers and have already visited 2 babies!! I know, it makes me smile thinking about it.
On the personal front, my son celebrated his 8th birthday and his second year with no emergency room visits!! He also attended sleep over camp for the first time! My daughter Nastajea faced her last year in middle school and I think I did okay handling what happens to the life of a thirteen year old.
Like many of you, I’ve been making my plans and pledges for 2012 and this year, they’re very simple. On the professional front, I always resolve to get closer to my clients. Be the best planner/designer I can and know how to be. I resolve to take advantage of learning more about the cultures of the destinations I’m so privilege to travel to.
I truly believe with all my heart and know God is preparing to come back soon and I want to be ready for him. I do go to church and ready my bible but I still slack off especially when I travel. You see, I am nothing without Jehovah and his holy spirit. I am just a person and I know I cannot conquer anything without his guidance and strength and for that, I want to take care of myself, my body, my health and hopefully my mind will always be clear and ready to hear him speak and provide guidance. For that, in 2012, I resolve to pledge myself again to him.
On the blogging side, we strive to continue our pattern of posts. We’re looking forward to writing about the issues that matters to our clientele. We’ll attend wedding expos both locally and nationally to bring you the latest trends and still remind you how to create your own trends. We will research venues, both nationally and internationally to show you all the amazing beauties our earth has to offer. We will continue to bring you the lasts fashions and certainly we will continue to challenge you to think outside the box when it comes to planning your event.
In closing, please know and trust that I am grateful that you’ve chosen to read our blog. If you’re a client reading this post, we’re so thankful and grateful to you for choosing our company to plan your event. We’re mindful of all the other blogs out there and all the other event planning companies to choose from.
Off course you know we welcome all your suggestions, comments and feedbacks. If there’s any particular subject you would like us to cover please send us a note. Did we miss something that’s important to you? What should we write more or less about? What are your plans in 2012? What are you resolving to do more or less of?
I hope your 2012 is filled with love, patience, endurance, guidance from your almighty, faith, and so many blessings. Extending my finest flutes to you and toasting to a very happy New Year! Until next year.
Cheers,
Violaine
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We’re starting the off on a great note with one of our fave brides of all times. On the sneak peek of her wedding a few weeks ago, I promised you the story behind her gown, well here it is.
Cornette (bride) whom I met in April of 2010 visited this blog and read the post The Romantic Drama Queen and immediately fell madly in love with one of Ines Di Santos’s gowns. Cornette had to have that gown and she called me immediately to ask how she can get her hands on the gown?! After a few hours of calling around, it was apparent no one in Atlanta carried the gown. Because Cornette would go just about anywhere to get that gown, I called the one and only Bridal Reflections in New York City where one of my contacts informed me that Ines Di Santos would be making an appearance for a trunk show that very same weekend. I called Cornette and informed her of the events and she simply said, “V, whatever time they have, I’ll take it!” and she booked her flight to New York that same day.
Cornette took a picture of herself wearing the gown with Ines Di Santos by her side and texted it to me. It made my week to see how happy she was to have found the gown of her dream and she entrusted me to find it. She looked absolutely stunning!!!!
Bizous, (kisses)
Violaine
Vendors
Flowers: Lee Forrest
Venue: Ritz Carlton Grande Lakes
Photographer: Rhodes studio
Hair and Makeup: Ritz Carlton Spa
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Happy Monday my darling readers…..today I’m bringing you this absolutely simply and splendid engagement session shot by Brittany Esther Photography. Joy is an artist and Joshua has a job all gamers would give all their lives for came up with this brilliant theme. I’m loving every single details….what about you?
Bizous, (kisses)
Violaine
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| Leave a Comment Happy Monday darling readers! I am soooooo happy to bring you this sneak peek of Shontell and Anthony’s wedding from this summer. Just like my previous bride Cornet, there’s a great story behind Shontell’s gown and her one very big request for her wedding day. I can’t wait to share the details with you. In the mean time, please enjoy these a amazing pictures captured by Christine Gallagher.
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Bizous, (kisses)
Violaine
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I am tickled pink to bring you this sneak peek of Cornet and Erik’s wonderul wedding which took place at one of my personal favorite Ritz Carltons! I’m hopeful I’ll be able to share the complete story behind Cornet’s gown with you soon. In the mean time, enjoy the pictures captured by Rhodes Studio
Bizous, (kisses)
Violaine
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| 4 Comments Poonam and Amish were easily two of the sweetest people I’ve ever met in my life! Amish, so caring towards Poonam and simply adorable all around. Kate Byars whom I’ve had the most pleasure of working with on another wedding was the photographer who shot this amazing and adorable couple. Enjoy the stunning pictures!
Bizous, (kisses)
Violaine
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| 4 Comments It seems like I knew of this birthday party before the guest of honor was even out of the belly! Ms. Elenia is the daughter of a colleague, an industry friend, Irene. When Irene was pregnant we would have conversations about what life is like raising little girls and how each birthday party seemed to get bigger and bigger! So imagine my surprise when I saw this darling little face while enjoying her Minnie Mouse themed birthday party.
Orlando is home for Irene and her husband! They attended college in Orlando. They were married and started their lives together in Orlando and with lots of friends and family still living in Orlando, what better place to celebrate Elenia’s first birthday party?
Ms. Elenia seemed to enjoy herself at the very least her cupcake! Enjoy the pictures.
Bizous, (kisses)
Violaine
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It’s not every day I wake up to find my bride and her groom’s wedding to be announced in The New York Times! To say I’m thrilled about this announcement is an understatement. One more congrats to Shontell Powell and Anthony Blount Jr. on what was an amazing wedding!
Bizous, (kisses)
Violaine
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What a perfect way to start the week and fall in love with my job once more! I’m simply thrilled to have my darling bride Shontell and her fiancée Anthony published on one of my favorite magazine blogs, Munaluchi Bridal!
Shontell and I have been planning her wedding for well over a year now and to say I’m looking forward to her wedding is an understatement. She and Anthony will travel to Atlanta in a few weeks for what’s promising to me an amazing wedding weekend.
Below are some of my favorite pictures from their amazing engagement session photographed by Christine Gallagher near their home in Washington DC.
Bizous, (kisses)
Violaine
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My son John turned eight this past April 15th and off course I had the most pleasure of planning his little birthday party. Well, it wasn’t planned to be a “little” birthday party but that’s what it turned out to be. I’m sharing this because at times no matter how much we plan things, it will turn the way it’s suppose too!
If you know me on a personal level or a sociall media level, you know my son as my Mr. Man. He earned that name because he really thinks that one day he and I will get married and I hang the stars and the moon by hands with my eyes closed! You can understand why it was so important for this birthday party to turn out perfect.
For months I planned this party, I covered all my basics and made sure no details were left behind especially when my daugther Nastajea’s birthday party was publised in a magazine. The pressure was on! Mr. Man’s favorite board game is Candy Land and going to the carnival is something he always looks forward to and that’s how we came up with his theme. My house was the venue of choice with lots of yard space for the rides. I rented all the games/rides one can have at a carnival. I had the welcome carnival tent, the carnival signs, photo booth boards, dot boards and all I can think of including an order of 100 red, blue orange and yellow balloons.
The one thing I didn’t plan on was Mother Nature! All night long, it rained, rained and rained some more. The morning of the party, it was a mere 50 degrees (in mid April) with 20-30 miles an hour wind! None of the signage we designed would stay hung. Carnival tent, photo booth boards, ticket booth, the wind would not hear of it. All the games that would have taken place on the lawn and yard were canceled. What was left on the nicely decorated “food court” was the kids size tables and chairs with perhaps 20 of the 100 assorted balloons. But you know what? We improvised and went with the flow.
The funny thing was, I noticed all the details that were missing but Mr. Man and all his twenty friends didn’t notice anything! They all kept telling me what a great time they were having and at the end of the party, Mr. Man said “Mom, this was the best party I ever had! You just make me so happy.”
Below are some of the pictures captured by Hilary of My Fotographa
Bizous, (kisses)
Violaine
Lisa from Papered Wonders was so patient in the designing of the invitation.
Mr. Man had a specific shade of blue he wanted, the ballons had to be a certain color and she delivered!
At the door, each child received money to buy tickets for the rides/games, a custom made T-Shirt and a bag to collect all their prizes.
This pony race was a huge hit!
Sack race anyone?
This egg toss was not part of the original plan but when half your games are out, a girl must move quickly.
Pluse those kids went crazy over this one!
When the kids saw his cake, they could not believe it was real! Apple Butter Bakery did such an amazing job on the three tier cake.
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