As we usher in the new year, many of us are thinking about our resolutions. Many brides have resolved to lose weight before their wedding. I came across in interesting article, titled “The Incredible Shrinking Bride”.  Read More. You bet it caught my eye. It’s all about the lengths brides will go to look “perfect” on their wedding day. Unrealistic diets, botox injections, teeth whitening and even artificial tanning.

As a woman, I believe we should always want to look our best. It’s understandable that you want to get in shape and be as beautiful as possible for your wedding day. But at what cost? Is it healthy mentally or physically to try to loose 20 pounds in a month? Should you risk damage to your skin by ariticial tanning beds? How much money will you spend to change the appearance of your teeth? Ask yourself why? Why would you go to these lengths for your wedding day? Then ask yourself are you preparing yourself for a wedding or a marriage?

Remember the day your fiance proposed? You were deliriously happy. To him, you were the most beautiful woman in the world, and he chose you exactly as you are. He loves YOU and wants to spend the rest of his life with the woman you see in the mirror today.

I’m not saying you shouldn’t strive to be healthier and look your very best. You should. We all should. Make realistic goals and don’t overshadow the time leading up to your wedding by being ill from starving yourself. Most importantly remember you’re planning for a future, not just a day.

Wedding Jeannie is welcoming 2010 with open arms. Let’s face it 2009 was a tough year for so many people. Weddings were impacted in a huge way. Engaged couples decided it wasn’t wise to get married in 2009 and have held off for 2010. For those of you who waited and are ready to marry in 2010, WE’RE WAITING FOR YOU!

There is so much to be excited about. We have some very interesting weddings coming up. Veronica and I are thrilled about what is to come. Some Cultural weddings include Indian, West African and Latin. We love the rich traditions that cultural weddings bring to our lives. Some of the venues where you will find us this year include Arbor Terrance in Fallbrook, The Huntley in Santa Monica, The Museum of Latin American Art in Long Beach, The St. Regis in Laguna Beach, and the historic Park Plaza in downtown Los Angeles. Wow! I’m excited thinking about it.

2010 also brings another new beginning for us. We created THE CONFIDENT BRIDE WORKSHOP in response to the confusion brides have told us they are experiencing. Wedding Jeannie believes that every bride should be a CONFIDENT bride. The World Wide Web has made wedding planning more confusing than ever. There are hundreds of websites available. It’s where YOU look for advice and vendors. Unfortunately those vendors are not always reputable. Our workshops strip planning down to the basics. We teach you how to choose qualified vendors, budgeting for your particular needs, organization and the critical 30 Day countdown. Join us as we bring you the best vendors in Southern California sharing their expertise with you. Our workshops are NOT a bridal show. Nothing to buy, no hardsell. Only free advice! Why would we do this? Because there is alot of bad advice out there and we want all brides to have a positive planning experience, whether they decide to use a planner or not.

Wedding Jeannie is renewed and ready to take 2010 by the tail. Why not come along with us? We accept a limited number of weddings per year. This means we are booking up quickly. What does that mean to you? It means we can focus our energy and expertise on your wedding and individual needs.

We wish to congratulate you on your engagement. You have an exciting 2010 ahead of you. If you find that you need the assistance of a qualified, creative and enthusiastic team of wedding planners, call us today. We can’t wait to be your partner in planning.

DO YOU WANT TO BE A CONFIDENT BRIDE? Join us for an intimate gathering of the best professionals in the industry, giving YOU the advice you need to plan your wedding with confidence.

Wedding Jeannie is proud to announce our first offical CONFIDENT BRIDE WORKSHOP. Visit the official blog to learn more about this One-Of-A-Kind FREE event.

Once a month our workshop will move to different cities, in order to give all BRIDES an opportunity to take part in this intimate and free workshop. This is not a Bridal Show. It’s a small and intimate workshop where YOU will interact with the best wedding professionals in Southern California. Each month three premiere vendors will share their knowledge with you, in an open forum where you ask the questions. Only 50 brides are allowed to attend each workshop. That means the workshops fill up fast. RSVP TODAY AT rsvp@weddingjeannie.com to reserve your seat.

Our first workshop takes place at Bella Collina in San Clemente, on January 12, 2010. Bella Collina is the newest and hottest venue in Orange County. This workshop brings together the experience and expertise of Wedding Jeannie, Jay’s Catering, Photojenic Photography and Music On The Move. 

Enjoy learning from qualified wedding vendors, meet other brides and share your experiences, receive a wedding planning packet and a generous goodie bag. We can’t wait to meet you and help you to be a CONFIDENT BRIDE.

Your wedding is planned. The vendors are ready to go. Everything is in place. Or…is it? 30 days prior is the all important time to confirm confirm confirm. The service I provide to my clients always includes the final preparations. If you don’t have a coordinator, here is what you need to do.

• Confirm every vendor. Do they know what time to arrive? Do they have directions to your venue(s). Don’t assume they are prepared. We make the calls for our clients to ensure everyone is on the same page.
• Pay your final balances. When you confirm you vendors, ask what is their final balance, when is it due, what form of payment is required, etc. No vendor wants to chase you around on the wedding day asking for money. Our clients receive this at the 30 day mark, so they don’t forget someone.
• Assemble all of your items. Keep them in a plastic rubbermaid box and have them ready for wedding day. I’m talking about cake knife & server, cake topper, guest book & pens, favors, place cards, menu cards, etc. Make sure who is putting them out for you. Confirm it.
• Send bridal party a schedule for wedding day. Where should they be? What time. Ensure they know.
• Make a timeline of your entire day. Our timelines are complete and sent to the venue, photog & dj 2 weeks prior to the wedding.
• Have tips in envelopes ready to go for wedding day. I provide all my clients with a tipping guideline 30 days prior to the wedding.
• Go to city hall and get your marriage license. Bring it with you on wedding day and give to the officiant. Without it, it’s not legal!
• Bring a bridesmaid or your mom to the final gown fitting. One of them should know how to bustle your gown prior to the grand entrance. We attend every fitting with every bride and we know that bustle like the back of our hands. Ask you seamstress to color match the ties if it’s complicated.
  START EARLY, GET IT DONE, AND YOUR WEDDING DAY WILL BE BEAUTIFUL AND STRESS FREE. NOW SIT BACK, RELAX, YOU DID IT!!!

Congratulations to The Ebell of Los Angeles. They have been chosen to be my first Spotlight Venue. Featuring this magnificent location was an easy choice. Vintage venues are hard to come by in Southern California, and this one is my favorites. Walking into The Ebell is like walking into another time. It envelopes you. You are instantly transported into another era. One of grace, style and elegance. My recent clients, Gwen and Mark were married at The Ebell in July. Our experience with Melissa and the entire staff was fantastic. I can’t say enough about the delicious food and the outstanding service. Dina Douglass of Andrena Photography captured the couple and The Ebell in fine detail. See the pictures in Dina’s blog

The Ebell’s Director of Catering and Special Event’s is Melissa Allen. She is a consumate professional who works hard to ensure that her couples have a fantastic wedding experience. Wedding Jeannie posed these questions to Melissa. Enjoy her answers in red.

What is the history of your venue?  The Ebell of Los Angeles was built in 1927 by The Ebell Women’s Club and remains their clubhouse to this day.  This architectural masterpiece by renowned Architect Sumner Hunt has been designated an Official American Treasure by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the White House Millennium Council  as well as state and local designations as a historic landmark.  The Ebell of Los Angeles is not only a elegant setting for a wedding and reception: the 1,200-seat Wilshire Ebell Theatre has been a theatrical and cultural centerpiece to the Los Angeles community as well.  Judy Garland was discovered performing in a talent show on the Wilshire Ebell Stage.  Amelia Earhart made her last public appearance at The Ebell before her ill-fated flight around the world. 

How many guests can you accommodate?  Ceremony?  In the lounge, appx 250; in the garden, approx. 200 (though its more comfortable around the 150-mark)  Reception?  In the dining room, up to 250 guests with space for dancing (up to 300 without a dancefloor).  In the Lounge, up to 170 guests with space for dancing (up to 220 without a dancefloor.)

 Do you provide In-House Catering?  Yes; our executive Chef Louis Pechan is an extremely accomplished culinarian.  His flair for the exotic compliments his superlative talents in classical and innovative cuisine.  

Is parking provided on-site?  Yes, the Ebell has two parking lots that we share with the Wilshire Ebell Theatre.  Valet parking can be arranged as well, though its only required for events that extend past midnight.

Do you book more than one event per day?  Our clubhouse can accommodate two events based on the layout of our facility.    

How will that affect my event?  It shouldn’t affect it much at all: guests for each party have separate entrances and use separate restrooms and when available, use separate parking lots.  It’s rare for us to book two events on the same night, but it does and can happen.    

What is your favorite feature of your venue?  The Ebell is absolutely stunning in architectural design.  I personally have an affinity for everything vintage, so the history and the uniqueness of the Ebell is probably my favorite part.   We also have a fabulous event team: Teddi and David and I take great care to give personal attention to our clients during the planning process, Chef Pechan takes great pride in his culinary presentation, the Service Staff led by Party Supervisor Anessa Curtin is top-notch and an attentive team.  Its pretty obvious that we all love working here and with each other…

Give us the top three reasons why couples should book your venue for their wedding/reception.Besides the architectural beauty of the Ebell (reason #1) we find that the privacy of the facility is appreciated (reason #2); unlike a hotel or country club, the Ebell is a closed facility, so you needn’t worry about a hotel guest on their way to the pool stopping and gawking at your wedding ceremony.  And reason #3: we know that a wedding day is a once-in-a-lifetime moment and its precious not only to the couple but to their family and friends and we approach each one with the honor and integrity it and our guests deserve.   Thank you, Jeannie!  It was such a pleasure working with you and having you here – I can’t wait to do it again! Cheers!

~Meliss