Welcome to Paradise - Montelucia Resort & Spa

Welcome to InterContinental Montelucia Resort & Spa in Paradise Valley, Arizona. Kristine & I had the pleasure, along with other valley event planners, of taking a personal tour of this breathtaking new venue in Arizona. They are still in construction but are officially opening very very soon. This resort truly encompasses all aspects of a dream wedding location. With it's amazing chapel, Castillo Lucena, to the breathtaking ballrooms like the Valencia Ballroom, Alhambra Ballroom or their magnificent gardens.

Here are a few pictures from our tour:

(above) Managing Director, Valeriano Antonioli, explaining the venue's design,

layout and mission of this Intercontinental Resort.

(above) This was a mock up of one of the guest rooms.

(above) Such a spacious and spa like guestroom powder room.

(above 3 pictures) The passionate owner, raving about all the thought

that went into every detail of this venue. A dream of his for several years.

(above) Here is a view of Camelback Mountain from the Spa terrace.

(above) The before picture of one of their ballrooms. I can't wait for the final product.

(above) A second smaller more intimate ballroom.

I am very excited to work with this venue and present this as a possibility to Life Design Event Planning clients. All the best to all of you at the resort and many thanks to Mr. Antonioli, Dennis, Jodee, Penny, Kirk & Courtney for rolling out the red carpet for us. I can't even imagine the service they will give their clients! Outstanding for sure!

For more information about the resort or if you are interested in learning more about holding your wedding festivities there click here for their website.

With all that life has to offer,

Cicely

Our Spot on Sonoran Living

Friday morning I had the opportunity to do a 5 minute spot on Channel 15's morning show, Sonoran Living Live. Stephanie Sandoval was an absolute sweetheart to work with and loved the ideas that we came up with. I write, we because I had the help with the following vendors in creating the cute table designs. I want to personally thank the fabulously talented Diane & Melissa @ Table Tops, Etc., Cindy @ Tri-Rentals & and the miracle worker Karen @ BBJ Linen.

For a direct link to the website including my segment spot and the article written click here: Life Design Event Planning on Sonoran Living Live.

Also, Stephanie mentions at the beginning of the spot that I was featured planner of a show called, Party Momma's on the WE channel. I was on the show and it will aire at the end of July or beginning of August. It was an amazing experience and so fun! I will blog on that experience soon.

With all that Life has to offer,

Cicely

Glass Girls :: A Fun Gift for Any Bridesmaid

A Client of mine recently came across custom painted wine glasses (pictured above) at a local gift shop and called me ecstatic that she found them. She proceeded to hunt down the glass manufacture; Leslie Hand Painted Glass, and contact them about customizing a set to reflect the beautiful faces of her bridesmaids. She added a little touch and had their names added to the bottom of the stem. I thought it was so darling, I just had to share.

Giving gifts to the bridal party is a topic that comes up often. My advice time and time again is to make it about the person you are giving the gift to. I recommend trying to stay away from your wedding colors or any engravings of your wedding date. Think about all the engraved things you personally have held on to. Oh wait, their aren't many. Just because you are crazy about green doesn’t mean she is. Purchasing something that is remonisint of them and not you, will reflect that they were in your thoughts as you carefully picked their gift out; that's more impactful. After all, they have spent money on a dress they probably won't wear again, many times paying for hair, make up, mani-es and pedi-es, and often travel and accommodation expenses. Show them that you are truly grateful that they are apart of your wedding day. What I like to tell my Brides is to take some time to write each attendant a letter of why they are so important in your life, the impact they have had on you, how excited you feel that they are in you bridal party and write how thankful you are to have them in your life. Your thoughts shared are so much more priceless.

With all that Life has to offer,

Cicely

Life IS Good

Apparently, people are so impressed by our services that they are advertising us proudly on their tire covers. It's true! Life Design Event Planning IS good!

Table Top Decor & Confectionary Creations Competition

Photography by: David De Dios Photography, Rhonda Lewis Photography, Scott Foust Photography, Jane Jordan Photography

I love table decor and design. Those in our industry call it Tablescaping (at least I do) and this year's Event Elements competition is right around the corner. Last year, I had the chance to be involved and actually won first place within my element and I loved my experience so much last year that I jumped on the chance to be involved again. This year I would like to personally extend an invite for you to come check out this years event.

We invite you to join us at the 2nd Annual Event Elements - Confectionery Creations & Table Top Decor Competition featuring the styles - Retro, Contemporary, Traditional or Vintage.

My element this year is Retro. I am pretty confident that no one else would have thought of the direction I am going, but it's always exciting to see everyone's interpretation. Should be interesting for sure! Here is a hint: It's very fitting for our nations timing.

Here are all the details for the public viewing:

When: Monday, June 30, 2008
Where: JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort, 5350 E Marriott Dr Phoenix, AZ 85054
Time: 3:00 - 6:00 pm
Cost: $10 Per Person

See you there!

With all that life has to offer,

Cicely