The past 6 weeks have been crazy busy for me (just how I like it)! I decided this year to invest in a few bridal shows in Los Angeles. When I was planning my own wedding I only attended 1 bridal show, but I still remember some of the vendors that I met. Unfortunately I didn’t save their info, and now I don’t know how to find them. I definitely took my own experience into consideration when I planned to be a vendor in a bridal show and came up with some helpful tips to share with brides.

1. Take notes! Yes, every vendor will have literature and giveaways with their branding stamped all over it, but after you meet 25 vendors, your going to have a hard time remembering all the extra information they give you. Also, vendors have a wealth of knowledge and are often more than happy to share referrals and advice that will help you with your planning process. It also helps to bring a long a friend that will take the notes for you, so you can focus on the conversation.

2. Write out a list of what you need and questions you need to ask before you go to the show. There are a lot of options out there when it comes to the details of wedding planning. I’m still discovering new stuff myself. Its very easy to get sidetracked and overwhelmed at a show. Your questions and priorities may change after you’ve met with a few professionals, but at least you won’t feel like a deer in the headlights when someone asks you how many tray passed hor d’oeuvres you want at your cocktail hour.

3. Know your budget. Its fine to shop around to get budget ideas at these events, but if you are in the booking stage, have a number in mind. Wedding vendors book up quickly, and chances are if you’re planning a Saturday wedding there are at least 4 other brides at the same event with your date.

4. Book follow up meetings. Give yourself an opportunity to have a more intimate experience with vendors, see more work, and ask questions that you may have not asked at the show.

5. Limit yourself on the number of vendors you meet with. Don’t confuse yourself with price shopping 16 different photographers. Trust me, it will only make things harder for you. If the stars align and you happen to find a vendor that you like and the numbers are right, don’t fight the feeling. Sign on the dotted line.

More tricks of the trade:

• Stay for the giveaways and take advantage of the freebies. Who can’t use a little bit of free when planning a wedding?
• Make sticker labels with your name, email, phone number and wedding date, so you don’t have to write out your info at every booth.
• If you can’t stand email marketing, make a separate email account dedicated to wedding planning. Just don’t forget to check it, most vendors send out time sensitive information.
• Arrive early for the mega-swag bags and vendor hand outs. Arrive later (or just stay later) for less congestion and a more relaxed one-on-one experience.

The team at the Everything Wedding Bridal Show at the Adamson House in Malibu. (L to R: Stephanie, Monique, Mo Wooley) Celebration Portraits teamed up with Make Up by Mo Woolley to offer an incredible show special with all the bells and whistles. Wedding day make up included!

Booth set up at the Porter Valley Country Club Bride Expo (iPhone picture)

Monique was supposed to be helping me at the booth, but she decided to go be in the runway show instead. (iPhone Picture… ok so clearly I don’t have a 4s)

I also showcased at the Premier Bridal Show in Pasadena, but my booth was too big to take a picture with the iPhone!

Thanks to everyone who came to the shows and stopped by my booths! Happy planning!

I wasn’t planning on offering a holiday package this year, but I was so flattered when people started inquiring about holiday portraits. SO by popular demand, I had to do a little something-something for everyone who supports my business. This is a steal, so consider it an early Christmukkah from me to you.

Last week I celebrated my 28th birthday doing one of the things I love most. Eating. My besties both took me out for sushi on two separate days (score!), and my hubs took me to experience the legendary Killer Shrimp in Marina Del Rey – which actually just reopened earlier this month after shutting the doors of it’s landmark Venice location in 2008. After 4 years of talking this place up, I finally had the chance to judge the Killer Shrimp for myself, and let me be the first to tell you- it did not disappoint. If you like shrimp and spicy food, let’s plan to be best friends forever and go to Killer Shrimp for lunch every day.

On top of devouring all that delicious food last week, I also got the chance to do something else I love: put a smile on some faces. This year for my birthday I hosted a giveaway for 2 engagement sessions and wedding photography. It is always amazing and inspiring to hear stories of love and experience love through the eyes of my readers. If I ever win the Lotto, I promise I will offer free photography to all of you, but as of now there were 3 winning couples who I’m really looking forward to working with.

Couple #1 Todd & Sara

Todd and Sara are planning their wedding for June 2012. I totally laughed out loud when I saw this picture with the caption “Our faces when we saw or wedding bill.” HILARIOUS.

Couple #2 Anna & Jimmy

Anna and Jimmy are planning their wedding for August 2012. Anna’s caption: “It is amazing what a spray tan, hair, and make-up artist can do… Jimmy likes to be bronzed and beautiful.” Clearly, I love the jokes!

As for Couple #3.. the WEDDING winners… well, that’s my little secret.  I decided not to post the picture or names of the wedding couple, because I don’t want their wedding to be scrutinized in any way. Just know they are AWESOME and SO deserving of this grand prize. <3

Thanks everyone for making my birthday extra special!

I met Debra at a Creative Connection USA/LA event. I really didn’t know what this event was, I didn’t really know what Creative Connection USA was, but I wanted to know. We met at the Santa Monica lounge-spot Upper West. My expectations were low, not because of the location, but because I had literally been referred to this event hours before. I thought to myself, if nothing else at least I can check out a new spot and get a glass of wine. I pulled up, valeted my car and walked into a private room of fashion forward ladies who were chatting away while sipping on pretty drinks. My kind of scene. Elise, a petite girl with an enormous smile, and Emilee (who had an equally big smile and a fun vintage frock) were at the door to greet me with a name tag and a little bag to collect business cards. In the first 10 minutes, I met photographers, stylists, florist, and a few other crafty ladies who offer superb services like invitation design, and blinged out cake toppers. My low expectations were squashed.

Debra is an event planner (Purple Meadows Event Studio) who was in need of a photographer for a friend’s bridal shower (that’s were I come in). We were chatting though email the night before and she suggested I check out the CCUSA event. Bada bing bada boom. That’s how the magic happened. Debra planned out a tropical bridal shower in a Venice backyard. If you’re familiar with Venice, you may have trouble putting “tropical” and “backyard” in the same sentence, but Debra’s genius design skills made it happen and it was gorgeous!

The bride and her personal bartender. And above her? Those are called S’muffins. I’m sure they are just as magical as this bridal shower was. I will be getting that recipe asap!