Maternity Leave Update

     Is it really almost March!? My due date is this Friday (March 2^nd), which means I need to be making last minute preparations for this little guy to make his appearance.  What does this mean for all you brides that need a Professional Bridal Consultant? I will be taking off a couple of weeks of no work (okay, maybe checking emails when I can find time), but other than that, I am devoting this time to my family.  

     My calendar is already filled for May, most of June, and parts of July, so if you need any services for a wedding or event in one of these months, please call this week!  If you want to set-up a consultation, we will schedule it for a date in April or May. 

     I greatly appreciate your understanding!  Congratulations to all you newly engaged and soon-to-be brides.  I am truly looking forward to another great wedding season, and am excited to help your wedding day be a Once In A Lifetime event!

Happy Wedding Planning,

Melanie Jefferson, PBC

David Tutera's Bridal Jewelry

David Tutera's Affordable Glam at Sears
http://blog.davidtutera.com/2011/04/affordable-glam-at-sears.html

Okay, I confess. I was just reading (stalking??) David Tutera's blog, and this caught my eye.  He has just released a Bridal Jewelry line at Sears.  Sears? Really? Yes, I also was shocked and unsure to see what the designs (and quality for that matter) are, but I took a quick glance at them online, and I am thoroughly impressed.  Okay, maybe I am in awe.  I absolutely love my engagement ring and wedding bands (my husband helped design them, and had them custome made...so of course I love them!), but the first thought that ran through my mind was...I think I could wear one as a "right hand ring". :)

The next time I am at the mall, I will for sure have to stop by Sears and check these out (and maybe see if they have any in my size. hehe)

It looks like they are very affordable, and GORGEOUS!!!

Facebook

Are you on facebook? Okay, that is probably a silly question.  I just noticed it has been a while since I wrote a blogpost, but I have been active on facebook!! If you haven't already, "like" or "fan" us on facebook to stay up to date on tips and trends in the wedding and event industry.  Search for Once In A Lifetime Weddings & Events, and we will come up. Simple as that. :)

Thanks and see you on fb.

Google, Facebook, Yahoo

It is 2011 and everyone I know has a computer with internet and a cell phone (most a smartphone).  With the easy access to so much information out there, brides are finding wedding planning easier.  But some brides are finding all this information is also very overwhelming. 

Last night I participated in the Association of Bridal Consultants' monthly regional ILNG conference call.  I brought up the topic of online advertising, and it got me thinking....What do most brides use these days, and where would they like to see wedding planners?

Do brides (and grooms) want facebook to just be used for connecting with their friends from college, or would it be nice to also see that exposure of a wedding planner that can help find that perfect venue for your reception?  Do you use google, or yahoo?  I would love to hear some feedback!

If you want to find out more about the Association of Bridal Consultants, as well as those wedding professionals in the Heartland region (Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansas--I'm the only Professional Bridal Consultant in Iowa!!), then check out these sites:

www.abcheartland.com
www.bridalassn.com

Happy Wedding Planning. :)

Happy Valentine's Day!

Picture from afreeimages.com

I am sure you have been seeing a lot of red and pink everywhere you go lately.  Those are the two most significant colors for this special day because they resemble the colors of a heart.  Valentine's Day is in the month of February, which just so happens to be American Heart Month. (Keep a watch out for an awesome blog post about the Heart Ball, which I attended!) 

Today is Valentine's Day, and if you are reading this blog post, you most likely have a sweetie that you get to celebrate with. My hubby showered me with house plants (hey, they last way longer than a dozen of roses!!) What did your sweetie give you?

With it being the 5th most popular day of the year for engagements (yes, only 5th...but still quite a big day!), Once In A Lifetime wants to give all those newly engaged couples a Valentine's Day gift!

When you email (or call, or post on facebook, or tweet - :) us your proposal story, we will help you consult you with your budget planning, at no charge!! This is a huge priority for wedding planning, and it should be the first check on that wedding planning to-do list.  So let us help you!

(All proposal stories submitted may be published by Once In A Lifetime.  All stories must be submitted by March 13th, 2011 to qualify for the FREE Budget Consultation.  The FREE Budget Consultation must be completed by April 30, 2011.)

Unusual Gift Ideas

Valentine's Day is less than a week away.  Your fiance' already said she didn't want the usual: a dozen red roses and a stuffed teddy bear.  (Honestly, who would want a stuffed bear if they are older than age 10?)

Once In A Lifetime wants to help you make every event just that, a once in a lifetime event.  Valentine's Day comes around every year, and it seems we are always left with empty hands and no clue what to get our significant other.  This year, consider some of our ideas for a unique gift, that your loved one will remember all year long.

For the Ladies:

1. Luxury Perfume (I am obsessed with my Daisy by Marc Jacobs!)

2. Flowers of the Month

3. Chocolates of the Month

4. While we're at it, Cupcakes of the Month

(check out The Wright Touch Bake Shoppe -

http://www.thewrighttouchbakeshoppe.com/)

5. And if you haven't already: A PROPOSAL!!! Tell her you love her and want to spend your whole life with her. :) - And then call Once In A Lifetime to help you go from there.

For the Men:

1. Tickets to see his favorite sports team (And you go with him).

2. Candy Man Motion-Activated Candy Dispenser

 (http://www.brookstone.com/)

3. Beer of the Month Club

4. A Hot Air Balloon Ride

5. Who says a woman can't propose!? If he's dragging his feet, and you know you both love each other, Take the leap!! (Okay, if you know you love him, and want to wait for him to propose, you could show your love with a Boudoir Session!)

Whatever gift you may choose, just remember that this special day is all about the love you have for each other! Happy Valentines Day 2011!

It's That Time of the Month...

ABC ILNG Conference Call time, that is.

On the second Tuesday of the month, the Heartland Region for the Association of Bridal Consultants holds our monthly conference call.  There is always some hot topic, and tonight's topic was Non-Compete + Confidentiality Agreements.  How does this have anything to do with you, the bride (or groom, or parents)? Trust me, it has a lot to do with you. 

http://www.laurascouture.com/

Laura Mease, JD and Licensed MO Attorney, also owner of Laura's Couture, spoke on the topic and convinced all of us bridal consultants to have that confidentiality agreement signed with all of our employees.  This signed contract keeps your business just that...your business.  In my experience with working with brides and their families, wedding budgets are not something that gets passed around like that bruschetta at the cocktail hour.  By having all of our assistants sign a confidentiality agreement, all of our clients wedding details (like that amazing BBJ linen or the signature cocktail) will be a secret....(until the guests are introduced to them at the reception-the cocktails, of course.) :)

Check out Laura's Couture Collection above.  I bet you'll love some of these dresses!!

2011 Green Wedding Giveaway!

http://www.greenbrideguide.com/clay-hill-farm-green-wedding-giveaway

Are you planning a wedding, and wanting to go green?  Here is your chance to do just that...and for FREE!!

Green Bride Guide is an Emerald Sponsor for the 2011 Green Wedding Giveaway!

Click on the link above for all the details. Good Luck!

"3 Hot Color Combos"

This past weekend I coordinated a blue and orange wedding. When first meeting the couple and learning of this color combo, I was not sold.  But after seeing the details this weekend, I loved it! There are so many color combos that work, so don't be afraid to experiment and go beyond the red and black classics.

Theknot.com has some fun detail shots of "3 Hot Color Combos".