Here is a very cool thing you can do Tuesday, March 29th.  Damion Hamilton is organizing a pledge drive that will directly help victims of the Japan tsunami.  If you visit his blog on March 29th and comment, .10 will be donated directly to aid.  Here is a video that will explain more:

Comments For Cash from Damion Hamilton on Vimeo.

So Save the Date and visit his blog.  It is so simple to give sometimes.

Damion Hamilton and I corresponded as a result of The Special Event in January.  He took some pretty rad pictures of the dress gallery we put together (see below).  They are just too good not to share.  Plus, some show me in action which is always kind of fun to see.  What you look like when you don;t think anyone else is looking…  After “meeting” him through this event, I have become friends with him on facebook and follow his blog.  This guy is very cool.  He loves life, his kids, his wife.  And he is a super talented photographer!  So if you are going to good ‘ol CA for your wedding, call this guy!  I mean it!  Don’t even hesitate.  You will Love, Love, Love your photos and his team!  Thank you Damion for allowing such beautiful images to hit the world.  You rocked it!

AGAIN, because they are worthy of another thank you!  Bridesmaid Dress courtesy of Twirl.

Bridal gowns courtesy of Destiny’s Bride.

Hair accesories and Jewelery courtesy of Designs by Claudia. 

Clutches from Davie and Chiyo. 

Me, in action.  Hehe.

Thanks again for all who were involved, especially Diane and her Glam Lounge girls.  What a fun event!!

This past January Phoenix hosted the annual Special Event show at the Phoenix Convention Center. The most exciting part of this conference, besides the many educational opportunities, is the The Wedding Lunch. Sasha Souza was the keynote speaker and I just loved that she opened my eyes to some really cool things for wedding planners. After lunch is over, guests are allowed to experience the galleries. These are over the top beautiful rooms decorated for a wedding ceremony, cocktail hour, or after dinner party. New to this year’s wedding lunch was a dress gallery. Imoni Events executed this part of the gallery experience and it was a huge hit. I actually overheard people gasp and ask, “Are they real?” It was so much fun to be part of the day, and I think the girls, and dresses rocked! A super HUGE thanks to Lisa at Destiny’s Bride for the bridal gowns, Jenni and Keri at Twirl for the bridesmaid dresses, jewelry and hair pieces from Designs by Claudia, clutches by Davie and Chiyo and styling by Diane Aiello and team at Glam Lounge Artists.

Thank you to Melissa Jill for such great photos!!

The following information is provided by our guest writer, Beth of food4fuel. She is so much fun to be around and she is very knowledgeable about getting rid of those pesky pounds. You should contact her for sure!  Look how nice she looks!

So, are you looking for help removing those extra inches before THE big kiss? And while practicing is fun, it doesn’t burn that many calories. You would like to be successful, but don’t know where to turn? They say you should always plan for alterations for your gown, but you would love for the seamstress to have to alter just a little bit more. Then you may want to enlist the help of a dietitian/exercise physiologist. She is not your fairy godmother and cannot click her heals together either, but through proper nutrition and exercise she can help you obtain a healthy weight within a 6-12 month time period, for you to feel fabulous on your big day and even keep it off after the honeymoon!

A few ‘Tricks of the Trade’:
2-4 weeks prior to your wedding day:
Stay away from salty foods or dishes that are high in sodium, this will help reduce bloating and decrease water weight
Drink only WATER, carbonation can increase bloating and most other drinks carry extra calories that aren’t needed
Stay away from unfamiliar foods; this will help prevent indigestion or food poisoning during all of your wedding weekend festivities

Remember: Create a plan, start early and stick to it! Small steps for weight loss work best, for example a goal of losing 1 pound per week or 2 pounds per month will be much more manageable than trying to lose 10 pounds the month before your wedding!

Contact Beth for help!
Beth@food4fuelaz.com
www.food4fuelaz.com

Beth also donated a great package to this year’s Brides Give Back event at the Ice House.  If you would like to bid on her services, you should come.  And get to meet Beth in person!

A lot of couples opt away from traditional gifts at their reception, and donate to a charity instead.  A lot of couples really like wine.  How can you combine both of these ideas into one amazing wedding gift?  Purchase a bottle, or wine membership from One Hope, and give the gift to both the couple and to a great charity! 

The goal of One Hope is to do their part in saving the planet, and they do this buy donating 50% of their profits to a charity, depending on which wine you purchase.  Their company is contributing in such a creative way, and Imoni Events loves their idea and efforts.  Here is how your gift donates:

One Hope Carneros Reserve Pinot Noir- 50% goes to charities supporting the fight against cancer

One Hope California Cabernet Sauvignon- 50% goes to charities supporting the fight against autism

One Hope California Chardonnay- 50% goes to charities supporting the fight against breast cancer

One Hope California Merlot- 50% goes to charities supporting the fight against AIDS

One Hope California Sauvignon Blanc- 50% goes to charities supporting the planet

One Hope California White Zinfandel- 50% goes to charities supporting our troops

If you purchase a wine club membership, the gift you’re giving is a bottle of wine every other month, from the list above, and donating to the corresponding charity each time. 

By purchasing this wine, you can contribute to the wedding couple’s favorite charity, or your own, and give a gift that is giving in more than one way.  What a great concept! Imagine if all companies did this!  Hats off to you, One Hope!