5 Ways to Plan a Mother's Day Brunch

Have you waited until the last minute and don't have any ideas for your mother or for some your mother-n-law. A mother's day brunch is a fun and cost effective way to say how much your mother mean to you.
1) Pick a theme or color - When doing a mothers day brunch I like to work with colors. With colors they symbolize the season and also make you think about how to incorporate your mother's favorite colors for one lovely afternoon.
2) Gathering - Decide the type of gathering mom would want to have. Would it be small and intimate or on a larger scale with aunts, grandparents, close friends.
3) Food - You must have food. A perfectly planned brunch will include teas, pastries (danishes, scones, etc), and tea sandwiches.
4) Ambiance - Set the tone of the afternoon with fresh flowers, candles, and soft music.
5) Punch - A brunch is not a brunch without a great punch. Here is my favorite punch recipe, simple and taste great.
1 (6 oz.) can Tropicana orange juice concentrate, thawed
1 (6 oz.) can lemonade concentrate, thawed
1 qt. cranberry juice, chilled
1 qt. ginger ale, chilled
1 fresh orange, sliced

Mix thawed orange juice, lemonade, cranberry juice and chill until party time. Then add ginger ale and oranges. Makes 10 3/4 cups.

The Power of Image

A Dailey Event had the great pleasure to coordinate the event "The Power of Image 09". The event was to raise funds for Fresh Start Salon owner/founder Mona Echard. The foundation is dedicated to encourage, empower and inspire women transitioning from dependency to self-sufficiency. The POI'09 was a combination of a professional photo shoot and silent auction. Local artists contributed paintings to assist with the raising of the funds for the salon.

Play That Funky Music

There are times when clients tend to struggle with the decision to choose either a band, DJ, or sometimes both. The trend that you see more often is the band may play during cocktail hour and have DJ play during reception. One thing I have suggested to my clients is to utilize your dollars. We have hired a diverse band, that can sing at least two or more genre types of music. During the break or to get a good shuffle, we have utilized the famous IPOD. (of course) That has saved clients a whooping $600 or more. When selecting a band or DJ a few things to consider:
*Experience - how long have they been singing or DJing.
*Are the band/dj familiar with the venue?
*Are the band/dj properly insured?
*Make sure the band/dj is properly dressed.

Beauty Essence

I had an opportunity to meet a fabulous woman, Mrs. Susan L. Taylor. Susan Taylor is the former editor of Essence Magazine. She spent over 27 years publishing with Essence. She visited San Antonio to speak on The Power of Healing and Empowering for the Sistas in Business Power speaking series. Mrs. Taylor spoke on taking care of yourself, and body, before you can take care of others. Mrs. Taylor is now pursuing her passion for her foundation National Cares Mentoring Movement. She has a passion for helping African American children. I was privileged to assist her with the signing of her latest book All About Love.

The New Bridal Budget

We are so excited to have been featured in the Jan/Feb issue of San Antonio Weddings Magazine. ADE had an opportunity to chat about The New Bridal Budget. For over the past ten years the wedding industry has seen a shift from the traditional planning of the wedding were the brides parents and/or family pays for majority of the wedding. Now you see that couples tend to split the budget between the two of them. Reason being I have seen more brides getting married in there mid 30's and are settled in

their careers.

A few tidbits from the article:

• The bride and groom pay for the entire wedding themselves
• The cost are divided equally between both families
• Each family is responsible for covering the cost associated with the number of guest they invite.

Budgeting is very crucial to not only planning your wedding, but also in your marriage.

Real Weddings

It's a wrap...The wedding of Shulanda and Gary is complete. My staff and I traveled to my home town of Houston and had a fabulous time last weekend. The couple was a joy to work with these past few months. As with most clients miss working with them all after all the planning and the wedding is over. I have attached a few pictures from my camera.
Congratulations to Gary and Shulanda

Highlights of the evening:
Bridal Colors: Wine & Sky Blue
Theme: Feathers

Vendors:
Photographer: HTown Photography
Flowers & Linen: Darryl & Co and Linens n Decor
Cake: Bavarian Cake
Ice Sculpture: Ice Designs
Band: Austin Lydia & Company
DJ: DJ Unlimited
Venue: Ashton Gardens
Menu consisted of: Cocktail hour - Mini crab cakes, Smoked chicken quesadillas, cheese and fruit display, Signature drink
Dinner - Southwest Caesar Salad, Cilantro Adobo Marinated Flank Steak, Herb Garlic and Lemon Crusted Roast Chicken, Shrimp Etouffee, Green Beans, and Roasted Yukon Gold Potatoes.

Networking

I had an opportunity and was invited to attend a Networking Event at Granberry Hills for wedding consultants in San Antonio. It was great to meet new consultants and reacquaint with some old friends. The ambiance was wonderful, however the food was fabulous. The food was catered by Columbia Culinary Team. The presentation and the food was wonderful.
The menu consisted of:
Hors d' oeuvre
Buttermilk Fried Oysters w/Achiote Aoili
Lemon Chive Crab Cakes w/Smoked Bacon
Mini Lobster Sliders w/White Chocolate Blue Cheese (I could not get enough of those)

Salad
Heirloom tomato Bibb salad w/country croutons and a creamy gorgonzola Dijon dressing

Main Course
Grilled Beef Tenderloin w/port wine cream
Crispy Ricotta English Pea Ravioli (Favorite)

Dessert
Pecan Crusted Banana pudding w/spiced rum caramel sauce and vanilla bean ice cream

I had a wonderful time, can't wait for the next event at Granberry Hills.

Put A Ring On It

A little something for my grooms to be. Over the next few weeks a lot of women across the country will be blasting Beyonce's single to her new album "Put a Ring on It" to allure there mates to the jeweler for Valentines Day. Those of you who made the cut for Christmas ...Congratulations to you. The others will be shooting for Valentines Day. A few things to know about buying a ring for your mate.

• What style of jewelry do she wear? (Gold, Platinum, White gold)
  

• Does she like diamonds? Some women may prefer an emerald, or sapphire ring.
  

• Know her ring size.
  

• What type of stone not only does she like, but what look good on her finger.

Happy Hunting!!

After the Proposal...Now What

He ask and you said "Yes!" After the proposal you have called your mother, and your bestfriend. What do you do, Where do you go? For those of us who has gotten over the shock that the person you have been dating and fell in love with has finally ask for your hand in marriage, what do you do first? I have compiled a list of things that should take place within the first 30 days of your proposal:

• Days 1-7: Contact close family and friends.
• Days 7-14: Research wedding consultants in your area. A wedding professional will guide you through step by step planning to get you through the planning process for your wedding.
• Days14-21: Decide on a starting budget. Sit down with your fiance and parents to decide on how much you are willing to spend on the wedding.
• Days 21-28: Contact the wedding consultant you would like to hire to discuss your budget and begin the wedding planning process. With the help of your consultant the planning process will allow you various ways to allocate your dollars. The beginning stages of planning is crucial because you are constructing the blueprint of the wedding planning process.
  

Something Old, Something New

As 2008 is behind us and we look forward to a brand New Year. I would like to first thank everyone who has been an inspiration behind ADE this past year, my clients, family, friends and business acquaintances. It has been a pleasure working with you all. As we reflect on 2008 we look back at things that we no longer want to bring into the new year.
Something Old... 2008

• Old Habits
• The Economy
• Increase in Oil Prices

Just to name a few...

The exciting thing is we have a brand New Year and a brand new day to look forward to.
Something New ...2009

• New President - Barack Obama
  
• New Resolutions
• New Goals
• New Engagements

• So, as we prepare for 2009 Get Ready, Get Ready for this marvelous ride.
  

Wedding Planning 101

I receives numerous of emails in regards to internships, apprenticeship, and employment opportunities on a weekly basis. The wedding industry is a great career to pursue.
Earlier this year I had the opportunity to meet Linnyette Richadson-Hall of "Whose Wedding is it Anyway" in Baltimore at a wedding planner workshop that she had conducted. The value of the information that she had provided in the industry is priceless. I highly recommend anyone interested or have a desire to enter the field of Wedding Planning or already in the industry to get as much information as possible. There are seasoned professionals and associations that are there to provide as much education as needed. If anyone is interested in the Philadelphia and New Jersey area one of my colleagues Deidre Gray of Always a Positive Image will be conducting a similar workshop in the Spring. Good Luck!

Meet the Clients: Shulanda & Gary

I-10 here we come. My team and I will be traveling to Houston after the first of the year to coordinate the wedding of this beautiful couple. Since I met them both they have brought a since of delightfulness to the office. They are an adorable couple to work with. I am so excited to be apart of the planning process for this past year. Look for there pictures in February.

About Me

Wow!! Talking about neglect. It has been a while since I last posted. I also noticed that I really did not say much about me. Well I'm originally from Houston and have been in the San Antonio area for about five years or so. I come from a background of event planners in my family. San Antonio has been good to me I have a wonderful family here and have enjoyed working in the Alamo City. I came across this tag from one of my favorite wedding bloggers. I thought it is perfect to help explain a little more about "Shama".

I AM…unique in my own special way.
I WANT…to be an inspiration to others.
I HAVE…a wonderful family and friends
I KEEP…a notebook and pen on me at all times to jot down ideas that come to me.
I WISH I COULD…meet Oprah.
I HATE…procrastination
I FEAR…the Lord
I HEAR…my daughters laughter and singing every chance I get.
I DON'T THINK…I'll get use too wearing 3' heals.
I REGRET…nothing really.
I LOVE…my family and friends
I AM NOT…shy
I DANCE… every chance I get.
I SING…in the car, in the shower, in my office.. name it
I NEVER…give up
I RARELY…get upset. Everything will work itself out.
I CRY WHEN I WATCH… Armageddon
I AM NOT ALWAYS…right, and will admit it, when I'm wrong
I HATE THAT…I cannot change how people see this is truly "The Land of Opportunity"
I'M CONFUSED ABOUT… the Economy
I NEED…a vacation.
I SHOULD…exercise more.

That was fun!!

I have tagged:
Deidre Gray Always A Positive Image,
Linnyette Richardson-Hall The Wedding Diva,
Jackie Achekian Eleganza Intima,
Denise McMormick Special Moments Event Planning

Brooke & Mark

Heat in San Antonio in June can be scrutinizing. My recent couple Brooke & Mark wedded on June 7 one of the hottest days of the year thus far. I really enjoyed working with this couple. There personalities along with mine we instantly had a connection from the first day I met with Brooke. The couple was not from San Antonio so helping to assist along the way was going to be very exciting.

The Venue: Southwest School of Arts
The Ceremony: Mission San Jose
The challenge: There guests and wedding party would be traveling from across the state to celebrate on there day. So coordinating a guest list of about 250 people and 5% lived in San Antonio. However, I enjoyed every bit of it.
My staff and I had the pleasure to work with some fine vendors. Tim and Dara from Timachine video and photography. They were a joy and easy going to work with. The food was provided by Leave it to us Catering,Michelle and her staff really set the tone of the evening starting with the cocktail hour.

I'm going to miss working with you both.
I have provided a few photos. Check my website in a few weeks for latest photos.

Tea Time

One of the great things I enjoy is a a warm cup of tea. It is a great way to calm down from all the excitement of what transpired earlier in the day. Don't be surprised when you visit my office I'm enjoying my cup of tea. One of my clients asked how do I feel about Bridal Brunch and/or Tea. I told her it was a great way for your bridal party to get acquainted prior to the wedding. The Bridal Brunch was held in Houston were the wedding will be taking place in the next few months. So the two of us compiled a list of ideas for an afternoon of tea.

This was a nice gesture to have all the ladies involved before any additional events will take place. While the bridal party will be wearing custom made dresses that will compliment there size and style, this was another opportunity to preview there patterns to all of them. Also, I provided my guidelines for them and there duties to assist the bride to be for the next few months.

Our menu consisted of:
Spinach stuffed chicken tenderloins
Shrimp pasta salad
Cocktail croissants
Parmesan meatballs
Ambrosia fruit salad
Miniature Cheesecake cookies
Mimosa
Tea

This is a great idea to sponsor for your bridal party about four months prior to the wedding.

Because You're Worth It

The Branding words that stands behind the famous cosmetic line L'OREAL. "Because You're Worth It" Is one of the most common sayings I mention to my clients. Often times I receive phone calls and emails from clients wanting to know information and assistance on planning there wedding. The popular question is "Will or Do I need a Wedding Coordinator?" I simply tell them yes and show them the pros and cons of having a professional to assist them with there day.

This past weekend I had the opportunity to travel to Dallas to coordinate a wedding at the Waxahachie Civic Center. The couple was a lot of fun to work with. We started planning in September and we finally pulled it off on Saturday. From the first phone call both bride and groom was convinced they could pulled it off on there own. I advised to them this day is for you to remember for the rest of your lives and you owe it to yourselves to enjoy every minute of it.

At the end of the evening they both just hugged me and said "You're Worth It."