Guest Post

Check out my guest post on the Event Manager Blog.

"Wedding Planner’s Toolbox: 10 Tools to Help You Plan Your Wedding"

Happy Planning! 

Published!

I'm a published writer now! The Summer 2010 Issue of Serendipity Magazine is now on stands at Barnes & Noble, CVS, and Bristol Farms all over California.



Go check out my two articles in there!

Thanks so much to the vendors and contributors who sent me quotes and allowed me to interview them for the articles. I so appreciate your time and contribution!

5th Annual Talent 1 Media Film Festival!

After a rather interesting weekend of car battery dying, getting a new car, and still making it to the beautiful Valencia wedding I coordinated (which I will HAVE to post photos when available, absolutely gorgeous!) - I'm ready for the next event! Which is....

The 5th Annual Talent 1 Media Film Festival!



I've been helping out with this film festival for several years now - such a great event highlighting and spreading awareness on the issue of human trafficking.

I'm so excited to see all the films the amazingly talented filmmakers put together. Please come join me! You won't be disappointed!

Details:
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Film Festival & Reception 3pm - 11pm
(Various food trucks will be onsite from 2pm - 12am; see complete list below)

Japanese American Cultural and Community Center
244 South San Pedro Street
(between 2nd and 3rd Streets)
Los Angeles (Little Tokyo), CA 90012

Admission: FREE

Food Trucks onsite:

Coolhaus (Saturday 2 - 4pm)
http://www.eatcoolhaus.com/

Komodo Food (Saturday 4 - 8pm)
http://komodofood.com/

Dumpling Station (Saturday 4 - 8pm)
http://www.dumplingstation.com/

Buttermilk Truck (Saturday 4 - 8pm)
http://buttermilktruck.com/

Sweets Truck (Saturday 4 - 8pm)
http://www.thesweetstruck.com/

Doug the Coffee Guy (Saturday 8pm - 12am)
http://dougthecoffeeguy.com/

Frysmith (Saturday 8pm - 12am)
http://eatfrysmith.com/

Slice Truck (Saturday 8pm - 12am)
http://www.slicetruck.com/

Dosa Truck (Saturday 8pm - 12am)
http://www.dosatruck.com/

Honestly, it's NOT about the details

Often times, I sense and hear clients' frustrations when planning their weddings. They get bogged down with the little details - what colors, fonts, patterns, etc. etc. If things aren't exactly the way they want it, they freak out. Some do so more than others. I totally get it - wedding planning is very stressful if you let the details get to you. (Technically, you don't have to - if you have an AWESOME coordinator who will figure out the details for you.)

With all the wedding sites and blogs I subscribe to, I see tedious DIY projects like personal tissue holders or hand stamped invitations, and I think to myself, "WOW, how do people have time and the will to do that?" But I know everyone's priorities differ, some things people will put more effort into, others people won't.

Honestly, it's NOT about the wedding, or the details, what's most important is the MARRIAGE. Yes, you are having a wedding to show your loved ones your lifelong commitment to your significant other. But that's just it, it's a show, simply a one day event. The marriage is for life.

I'm learning this more and more as I start thinking about my own wedding. What are my priorities? Who are my closest family and friends? This period has been very contemplative for me. (Oh yeah, for those of you who haven't heard - the wedding planner is finally engaged! Yup, I got engaged a month ago! No more "always a planner, never a bride" )

Note to self and readers: Make sure to have your priorities straight, to have fun, and remember that you're celebrating the joyous occasion with your loved ones.

I made it to 2nd!

This is long overdue - but on April 2nd, East West Event Productions was announced as the 2nd place Best Wedding Planner in Orange County on the MyFoxLA Hotlist! 2nd out of 41 nominees! Crazy!

It is an amazing honor as my business is based purely from word of mouth referrals, so THANK YOU - ALL OF YOU - for your undying support and love.

Wish Upon A Wedding!

I want to take some time to introduce to you a great non-profit organization - Wish Upon a Wedding! I'm passionate about this organization as it involves my 2 interests - wedding/event planning and helping those in need!



Wish Upon a Wedding was founded in San Francisco, CA, in January of 2010, by a group of wedding and business entrepreneurs. It is America’s FIRST nonprofit wedding wish granting organization, producing weddings and civil union ceremonies at destinations across the United States for individuals facing terminal illness, regardless of sexual orientation. Boasting twenty chapters nationwide, it is headed by some of the industry’s most renowned leaders.

To qualify for Wishes, applicants must be unmarried legal citizens of the United States, over the age of 18, who have been diagnosed with less than three years to live. Simply apply online to request one of three wedding types: URGENT (Up to 10 guests, in hospital or at bedside); BOUTIQUE (up to 25 guests, in home town of applicant); ROMANTIC (Up to 50 guests, at any WUW destination) Wish Granters (any event/wedding professional) needed in all locations. Please apply online today to start helping us make Wedding Wishes come true.

Take a look at the story of Florence and Michael, the first WUW wish recipients hailing from Elk Grove, CA http://wishuponawedding.org/the-story-behind-florence/
http://wishuponawedding.org/florence-michael-wedding-wish/

Featured!

Recently, Drexelle and her husband David from D. Park Photography approached me with an opportunity to feature me on their blog - all I had to do was answer some questions about my business and wedding planning services; in return, I would receive edited digital headshots. Of course I jumped at the chance!

Not only do I partake in a fun photoshoot with a talented, up and coming husband/wife photographer team; but I also can use those headshots for my website! (Much needed as the current photo on my website is horrendous!) Double score!

Here is the great post that Drexelle typed up:

http://dparkphotography.blogspot.com/

She did a great job showcasing who I am and what I do. Love it!

Thanks for featuring me, D. Park Photography!