Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Atlanta Botanical Garden - Venue Spotlight

Last week, I attended an Atlanta Wedding Professionals' luncheon hosted by Atlanta Occasions Magazine and Atlanta Bride and Groom Planner at the Atlanta Botanical Garden. At the luncheon, I was afforded the opportunity to hear BB Webb, owner of the award winning event venue, Carl House talk about her journey building Carl House and her plans to create global awareness of her business.

After listening to such a thought-provoking speech, I took a tour of the Atlanta Botanical Garden and the art exhibit (Moore in America) there at the time...such a beautiful place. If you're looking for a place to create a memorable experience at what is considered an urban oasis, then make sure you visit the Atlanta Botanical Garden. The Garden offers a variety of rental options, both indoor and out, for weddings/commitment ceremonies and receptions.
Enjoy the pictures...


Peace and Blessings

Tracy

Monday, May 25, 2009

Planning Weddings and Being Disappointed

Receiving emails and phone calls from potential clients wanting information about your services is a major part of the business of planning weddings. Once you receive one of these much anticipated emails or phone calls, you get excited because you know you have the qualities it takes to seal the deal. You schedule an appointment and prepare to meet your next client. You go over in your head your famous sales pitch that you know cannot and will not fail. Finally, it's meeting day. You're on time for the meeting, you're looking your best, you have your sales pitch memorized and you have a contract ready to be signed. Then the unthinkable happens - your soon to be client, that you're so excited about meeting, pulls a "no show". For a second you think...what just happened - did I get stood up? It couldn't have happened, because after all, you're good at what you do. You're detail oriented, you're organized, you're flexible, creative and the list goes on. But are you thick-skinned? Can you really deal with disappointment? If you can't, then you're in the wrong business. Of course its human nature to feel disappointed at times, but it's how you deal with those disappointments that makes the difference. So next time you experience disappointment, because you will -take a deep breath, dust your shoulders off and keep on keeping on. You know why? Because the phone will ring again and another email will come.

Peace and Blessings,
Tracy

Monday, May 18, 2009

A Wedding Planner's Worth

While sitting in the hair salon this past weekend, I overheard the conversation of two young ladies - one apparently getting married. While they talked, I took out a card, waited until the timing was right and politely interrupted. I gave the young lady my card and asked if she had a wedding planner. After saying no, she asked me how much did I charge. Before answering the question, I remembered a quote from Laura Molettiere of Cameo Event - "instead of letting a potential client ask how much your services cost, lead the conversation into how much your services are worth" - so I did just that. I explained what my services would be worth to her and why it is very important to hire a wedding planner. Even though I didn't directly answer her question, I do believe she was satisfied with my answer. When she left the salon, she told me she would definitely give me a call. I guess only time will tell.

Peace and Blessings,
Tracy

Saturday, May 16, 2009

Wedding Photos of the New Jersey Housewives

May 12, 2009, was the premiere of the Real Housewives of New Jersey. Housewives and sisters, Dina and Caroline married brothers who run The Brownstone, a popular wedding catering hall in Patterson, NJ. Below are wedding photos of Dina and Caroline, both married at The Brownstone and Theresa, a third New Jersey housewife.

Dina married Tommy Manzo
Caroline married Albert Manzo

Teresa married Joe Giudice at Bascilica Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Newark, NJ and the reception was held at Nanina's in the Park also in New Jersey.

Watch more of the Real Housewives of New Jersey on Bravo, Tuesday nights at 10:00 p.m. (EST).

Peace and Blessings
Tracy


Photo credit: Bravo
Source: Brides.com

Monday, May 4, 2009

My Pursuit of Greatness

Every Monday, I will share with you my personal journey to greatness and becoming one of the greatest wedding/event planners in Atlanta and beyond. There are many great wedding planners in Atlanta, but there's certainly room enough for me, so watch out world - here I come! If you want to get on this train to greatness, hop on board and hold on - I'm headed straight to the top. Along the way, I hope to inspire other aspiring event planners. I'll start today's blog sharing a little about myself.

What inspires me? I'm inspired by love. I love everything about it - how it makes me feel and how it makes others feel, and I especially love how it heals. This is one of the reasons why I love weddings! I love the anticipation the bride has as she walks down the isle to marry the one she’s going to spend the rest of her life with. I love when the vows are exchanged and the bride or groom starts to cry because the words mean so much…and often times I shed a tear or two myself, because I’m sentimental like that.

Interesting facts about me (in no particular order):

1) I love the smell of freshly cut grass.
2) I've never had a broken heart.
3) I don't believe in love at first sight, but I did know I would marry my husband the first time I laid eyes on him.
4) I love to sing and dance, but not good enough to make any money.
5) I'm shy, but try to act like I'm not.
6) In another life, I would like to be an attorney.
7) If I could be like someone else, I would be like Kimora Lee Simmons.
8) I would also like to be an interior decorator.
9) I would also like to be a real estate agent.
10) I am originally from Atlanta and have not, nor want to live anywhere else.
11) I am a Grady baby and proud of it.
12) I'm a hopeless romantic.
13) I'm not easily bothered by things I have no control over.
14) I'm a handy woman - I once put up a ceiling fan by myself. My neck hurt for days.
15) I would love to jump out of an airplane.
16) I would like to go to the moon.
17) I drive fast, but slow down when others are in the car with me.
18) I've never had any broken bones, but I have had stitches in my head.
19) I'm a reality show junkie.
20) My most favorite thing in the world is my laptop.

I hope I have given you some insight into my life. Until next Monday...

Peace and Blessings,
Tracy

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