The ISSE Cancun Experience

Thanks to Epic Motion for a super video!

Last year I had the priviledge to go to the ISSE Cancun Experience. I learned alot from some of the best people in the Event and Wedding Industry. I was lucky to meet and talk with (and no I'm not dropping names) and take classes from okay here we go. 

Sasha Souza: Event Planner and Designer

Preston Bailey - Floral, Event Planner and Designer, mostly known for his AHHHMAAZZING floral work, for the likes of Ivanka Trump, many of the Arabian royal family,

Jen of the Blog Green Wedding Shoes,

Dana from the Brokeass Bride Blog,

Diane Valentine, the founder of Inspired Smart Success

Stacie Ivers Francombe, CIO of Wedding Wire

Sonny Ganguly

and so many more.

It's easy to be in awe of these people, but for them to sit down and talk to us about the business side of what we do is amazing and when it came down to it they were all very humble, caring and willing to share their knowledge with us. I learned so much, from them and the other attendees, and also made some very good friends.

When the competition in Peoria gets a little on the crazy side, I go back to what I learned from them.
We had major evening parties, what do expect when you get the best in the Event and Wedding Industry! Our food was just incredible, and it was a beautiful setting at NOW Sapphire resort in Cancun.
I have to mention at least one more person, maybe a few more.

Joel Lethal DJ Rabe, he is out of Atlanta, but he will travel and I have never experienced a DJ of this caliber, he is super. We had so much fun the last night at our gala dinner, and then dancing to his tunes and mixes.

Thanks to a very generous husband, I am getting to go agian and I am looking forward to seeing old friends that I haven't seen but FB with all the time.

I am sure I am missing a few of the celebrities who were there, I can think of one more Youngson Martin of Wildflower linens.

Can't wait to be there agian to learn new things to help my business, so Thank You Stacie Ivers
Francombe for making this possible.

So come December 2, 2012 I will be flying out to Cancun for another seminar.



We're going to have another Blanco Party on the Beach, can't wait! Photos courtesy of Kismis Ink Photography

Tami Zachman
Inspired Events by Tami
PHONE (309) 256-4950
EMAIL tami@inspiredeventsbytami.com
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What a Wedding Planner Does

Here are just a few things I do as your personal Wedding Planner:


*Organize your wedding day timeline, sometimes it could be the week of the timeline depending on thetype of wedding

*Coordinate vendor arrivals and deliveries with your venue

*Prevent expensive mistakes such as rush shipping charges, or unnessasary changes


*Remind you of obligations, appointments and budget constraints


*Give you ideas and information on the current trends


*Help pull together a cohesive and unified look


*Keep a look out for details you might have missed

I perform a service!

Can you do this yourself, yes much like changing your own oil or do your own plumbing. What you are paying for is the convience of someone else to worry about

I like to say that this is a gift to your mother, it helps prevent any family misunderstandings and keeps things running smooth

In the same theme, I am a neutral party. I don’t have to worry about a family member not being happy with me because we didn’t use their neighbors daughter to make your cupcakes. Family feuds, I run interference, I help buffer any hurt feelings etc.

For the most part I am treated as the adult professional that I am. And when I’m not treated well, I don’t have to worry about so and so being angry. I am there for the bride and groom and their families.

I see the big picture. Lots of times when planning, anyone can get zeroed in on one tiny minute detail and not see the the forest for the trees.

For example: Their so worried about the cake topper, that they forget to order the cake. Since this isn’t my wedding, I can look at the big picture and help with getting everyone focused on making the right decisions

I’m not a guest, normally you and your guests should be able to immerse themselves in your wedding. I am there to make sure that the caterers are setting the appetizers out, serving the Bridal Party first, the DJ has the set list and is ready to go and you don’t have to worry about the best man who is stuck at Midway Airport in Chicago and doesn’t have the money to rent a car, you get him on the Peoria Charter Coach that drops of at the Bones Student Center at midnight the night before the wedding.

You don’t have to worry about me having a good time, believe me I am. Watching guests and clients having a good time is great.

I am the middleman, your bouncer, I run interference for any problems, this way everyone gets to enjoy themselves. My job is to make sure you have as many happy moments as possible. If an extra person comes I make room for them at the appropriate table, with no fuss.

I keep your best interests at heart, how you want things to go. If the DJ doesn’t play the right song when you enter the room for your first dance I take care of it, literally. In one instance I ended up announcing all the important events that happen during your wedding reception.

I donate my time to Easter Seals, I plan and work on decorating the Black and Blue ball, Easter Seals Ladies Auxillary Fashion show, and the Passage to India. 

I donate my time to help put on the best fundraiser ever. I give back because when I was young I had cousins that could have benefited from Easter Seals help and it wasn’t available to them and these are no small task but I enjoy giving back.

WOMENS LIFESTYLE DISCOUNT: I'm offering 10% off any wedding package that is purchased for a bride at the Women’s Lifestyle Show.

MILITARY DISCOUNT: I also offer a 15% discount to all military personnel who book their wedding with me. 

I also have many ala carte items to rent, the best aisle runners available, antique suitcase designed to be card containers for your wedding, and a flower backdrop made from old wedding dresses. I also offer some other ala carte items to purchase such as a bridal suite gift basket, kids table fun items, and out of town guest baskets.

Tami Zachman
Inspired Events by Tami
PHONE (309) 256-4950
EMAIL tami@inspiredeventsbytami.com
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Keep your heels and your standards high

Talking with industry peers who attended Fashion Week in New York and attended the Bridal shows, heels were not very prevelant. Now personally I love the way brides have been personalizing their shoes. I love the colors, the incredible styles, and yes, heights that brides are wearing.

The "WHITE" wedding shoe is still here, beautiful, and classic! Check out these heel protectors, so you can walk on grass.  SO here is a bit of eye candy for you:

Also, don't forget your guests sore feet from wearing
their heels, many brides are now offering these great
flip flops. Now your comfortable, you don't have to
worry about broken glass or stickie floors.

Also, don't forget the tie up barefoot sandals for beach weddings!!!!!




-- Tami Zachman
Inspired Events by Tami
PHONE (309) 256-4950
EMAIL tami@inspiredeventsbytami.com

Champagne for a Wedding "To Have or Have Not"

Champagne at weddings, can you afford a good Champagne?  Champagne you have Demi-Sec (Sweet), Extra Dry ( in the middle), and Brut (dry and the most popular).  Now there are different price points for Champagne from $20 to over $200 dollars. Champagne can only be called Champagne if it is grown in the Champagne region around Reims, France by French law.





If it is grown out of this area of France it is considered a Sparkling Wine.

Here are what I think are some quality and reasonably priced Champagnes;
Nicholas Feullatte "Blue Label" Brut Champagne (FR) $30
Pommery Brut Royal Champagne (FR) $35
Veuve Clicqout Brut Yellow Label Champagne (FR) usually around $40 and up depending where it's purchased
Piper Heidsieck (FR)$35
Laurent Perrier Champagne (my favorite) $30 - $50

Then we of course we get up to the big boys: Over $100 a bottle
Dom Perignon
Crystal
Tattinger
Perrier Jouet

At this point I will admit that I think that many of the under $50 a botttle Champagnes are just as tasty as the over $100. In fact my favorite Champagne is in the $30 - $50 a bottle range, I can't tell the difference between Dom and Laurant Perrier.

Now not all of us can afford to have a bottle of any of these on everyone's table, that is where Sparkling Wines come in. You can get a big bang for your buck with Sparklings.
Here are some recommendations:
If you like sweet sparklings:
Moscato di Asti
Korbel NV Sweet Rose Sparkling from California
Mumm Napa Cuvee M Sparkling Blend from Napa Valley, California

Dry Sparklings:
Prosecco - Italy
Cava - Spain
Cremant - Burgandy region of France (excellent)

Okay, as an example, Santa Margherita Prosecco sells for $18.00 a bottle, it is by far excellent! You can also find Cava's and Prosecco's at cheaper prices just make sure you talk with a reputable wine shop or sommelier who can give you advice on your different options. This will allow most people to enjoy a sparkling wine for your big evening and share with your family and friends. If you can find a shop that will give you a tasting, go and try some different kinds and find something you like. In Peoria, UFS, is an excellent place to try different types, due to their twice a year tasting.

One last bit of knowledge, there are also flavored sparklings out there that are very good too. This is just a small bit on Champagnes and Sparkling Wines, get out there and don't be afriad to ask questions. Let them know what your menu is for the night and they will help you find that perfect selection.

Please keep in mind these are some of my favorites, by no means am I a professional sommelier or shop owner.


Tami Zachman
Inspired Events by Tami
PHONE (309) 256-4950
EMAIL tami@inspiredeventsbytami.com
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My Empty Nest

I am going to follow Preston Bailey's advice and vary my posts.

I was going to talk about shoes, but here I am in Greeley, Colorado staying at the Sodbuster Inn Bed and Breakfast (which I highly recommend) wide awake thinking about when I brought my baby girl home, and now she is starting her freshman year at the University of Northern Colorado. Orientation, long day, but much better info than I got at my son's college.

I can't believe that she's going to college, and she is so ready to be here and out on her own. Now I want her to still need me, but she doesn't anymore, at least not in the way I would like her too!

She's moved into her dorm, will meet her roommate on Thursday and on Monday she starts school. And on Friday we leave her here. I had very hard time with my first child going to college but this is so much harder. I don't know why it is what it is.

Hopefully, she'll do what her brother has done in the past and text me about 11pm one night a week. I'm not sure how my son decided to do that but I always looked forward to those texts. So I hope my daughter does too. I LOVE YOU WITH ALL MY HEART! I know you've been here for a few months, and I know you can stand on your own two feet, but I hope you know I will always be here for you.


-- Tami Zachman
Inspired Events by Tami
PHONE (309) 256-4950
EMAIL tami@inspiredeventsbytami.com

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Blue Bunny Wedding Cake ice cream

Well, they finally did it. Ice cream in a wedding cake flavor, called "I Do, I Do". Isn't this cute?


-- Tami Zachman
Inspired Events by Tami
PHONE (309) 256-4950
EMAIL tami@inspiredeventsbytami.com
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A Piece of Cake

Marie Antionette's famous phrase: "Let them eat cake".

 In the past it was customary to have a "wedding cake", to share with your guests and to thank them for celebrating your big day. But as in all customs, things do change. The traditional wedding cake is not the only sweet that brides and grooms can choose from.

I love that todays versions of the "cake", are highly personal. From beautiful, whimsical, sculptered cake to macaroons, incredible cheesecakes, cupcakes to pies. If you want it, it can be done, make it your own, these are the details that make it your wedding.

 S'mores, what a fun fall idea. Thank you to "The Wedding Coordinator" and Style Unveiled for the great S'mores idea. These are the little details that can make your wedding spectacular, memorable, and mirror your personal style.

-- Tami Zachman
Inspired Events by Tami
PHONE (309) 256-4950
EMAIL tami@inspiredeventsbytami.com