Amy and I have been saying two things from day one:
1. We wish we had a two-gals-big-city-creating-business-from-scratch reality show.
2. We want someone to make AELO a for-realsies business and just hand it to us because it's, like, hard (wah).
WELL. Unfortunately number one has not come true. However, there is a company called Corporate Creations who will literally do just that...create the for-realsies business for us and hand it over.
And for that, we are extremely thankful.
Hope you and yours have a marvelous Thanksgiving. It's engagement season! Hopefully our business will grow even more!
stay fab,
carolyn
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Looks like it's a business, folks.
Last night, we met with our beautiful bride Lisa. She is getting married April 10, 2010 and we are so so excited to be a part of her wedding day!
Amy and I aren't quite sure what to do with ourselves. After our consultation with Lisa, we looked at each other and said "Did...we just start a business?"
Although, Lisa is not our first bride! We are meeting with Angel and her fiancee Pedro on Saturday for our first meeting about the design of their wedding. Angel and Pedro are a cool, low-key couple getting married at the Chateau Bu-Sche next July. We are thrilled to be able to plan their wedding, from the tuxes to the flowers to the day-of coordinating.
Amy and I are so excited to share this journey as it really begins. (Now could someone please call TLC or WEtv and get us a show? Everyone is sick of Jon Gosselin being a ::insert uncomplimentary adjective of choice here::, right??)
This is all slightly overwhelming, but Amy and I are quite proud of ourselves. Looks like it's really happening, folks. (Guess we better get a business license...and trademark things...and get a bank account...and a logo...and finish the website...and visit Office Max........)
stay fab,
care
Amy and I aren't quite sure what to do with ourselves. After our consultation with Lisa, we looked at each other and said "Did...we just start a business?"
Although, Lisa is not our first bride! We are meeting with Angel and her fiancee Pedro on Saturday for our first meeting about the design of their wedding. Angel and Pedro are a cool, low-key couple getting married at the Chateau Bu-Sche next July. We are thrilled to be able to plan their wedding, from the tuxes to the flowers to the day-of coordinating.
Amy and I are so excited to share this journey as it really begins. (Now could someone please call TLC or WEtv and get us a show? Everyone is sick of Jon Gosselin being a ::insert uncomplimentary adjective of choice here::, right??)
This is all slightly overwhelming, but Amy and I are quite proud of ourselves. Looks like it's really happening, folks. (Guess we better get a business license...and trademark things...and get a bank account...and a logo...and finish the website...and visit Office Max........)
stay fab,
care
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Woah!
40 dollars. 40 hours. 40 couples.
This is quite awesome. What a clever way to give a charitable donation. And she didn't have a HEADSET?? Impressive.
http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/living/2009/11/16/nr.40.dollar.weddings.cnn
Thank you to Jesse for the link!
stay fab,
care
This is quite awesome. What a clever way to give a charitable donation. And she didn't have a HEADSET?? Impressive.
http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/living/2009/11/16/nr.40.dollar.weddings.cnn
Thank you to Jesse for the link!
stay fab,
care
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Keep Holdin' On
I don't know about you, but the Glee soundtrack has made me an extremely happy girl. If there's anything better than listening to delicious Broadway star Matthew Morrison (he was the original Link in Hairspray, and far better than Zac Efron!) sing "Bust a Move" and "Leavin' On A Jet Plane", I'd like you to tell me about it.
Now that that's out of the way...Amy and I met last night and purchased business cards, completed the contract and contacted the first couple of brides who expressed an interest through our Craigslist ads. We are moving right along, kids, and so very excited!
Next up, completing the business process. Tax ID, register with the city and state, that kind of thing.
And keep on the lookout for a revamped website, coming soon! We are completing it as soon as possible.
I've been reading bridal magazines specific to Chicago lately, and there are a jillion places to hold your ceremony and reception, in all kinds of price ranges. I stalked my friend Mark's wedding album on Monday night (because I am obsessed). He and his wife Kristine had their reception at the Chevy Chase Country Club in Wheeling and it was GORGEOUS.
Siiiigh...the fairy lights, the dark wood, the beautiful couple...can I please witness this every weekend??
stay fab,
carolyn
Monday, November 9, 2009
Ready.
I had my internship this past Saturday and it was such a fantastic experience. I learned so much! Like:
1. Wedding coordinators do not eat, unless it's hastily purchased trail mix on the way to the reception. Really, even if the couple offers the coordinator a meal, there's really no time.
2. Walkie-talkies are imperative. Not only are they necessary to communicate, but you look really cool with one (hee).
3. You have to be able to listen to a guest WHILE hearing in your ear that the bride is freaking out about her Jimmy Choos.
4. Guests will ask you ANYTHING and you better be prepared.
5. Knowing who everyone is - v. important! I think that getting a photo of the entire bridal party prior to doing a day-of coordination would be extremely helpful.
6. Most weddings will not start on time.
7. Ethnic weddings are fascinating! This was an Indian/Syrian ceremony, and not only was it very cool to watch (and long), it was BEAUTIFUL. I'm so glad I got to experience it. And love, across every culture, is celebrated.
8. FLATS ARE THE ONLY SHOES A COORDINATOR SHOULD OWN. My feet were KILLING me by the end of the day, I cannot imagine having done that in any sort of heel.
9. Watching a bride and groom look at each other will never stop making me hopeful and happy.
10. A VERY detailed itinerary and directions to everywhere are necessary.
11. Developing a good relationship with the vendors is a must.
12. Snags will happen, and it takes a quick mind to fix them (done and done).
13. OCD is a good thing to have when you are coordinating (yes!).
14 . Do whatever the bride says, at all times. It's her day. And make sure she eats something. And when steaming her veil, don't let the 18-month-old flower girl near it.
15. Watching delicious food go by and not grabbing any is hard, but when you are trying to keep pushy guests out of the ballroom during cocktail hour, you'll have a lot to do anyway.
16. A tiny purse with your cell, lip gloss, itinerary and directions is all you need to carry. And even that got heavy after 8 hours.
17. Bridal kits! I had to find a bobby pin SUPER fast right before the couple's entrance into the ballroom. Good thing the bridal kit was handy. This contains EVERYTHING a gal could need. Sewing kit, tampons, hair spray, bobby pins, deodorant, perfume, cotton balls, duct tape...think J. Lo's belt in The Wedding Planner and multiply it by a hundred.
18. Money makes pretty weddings, but you can't buy the look on the bride and groom's faces during their first dance.
19. You cannot be wishy-washy in this business. Polite pushiness is best.
20. I was BORN to do this. I've never felt more at home, never felt more fulfilled doing a job. I'm ready. And I know Amy will feel the same when she does her internship on December 12.
Also, we are offering our services right now for over 50% off what a bride would pay a more experienced coordinator. If you know anyone who would like a day-of coordinator, let us know immediately! We want this so bad! It's like trying to get a serving job...you need experience to get hired, but you can't get hired without the experience. We NEED the experience, so tell all of your friends!
stay fab,
carolyn
1. Wedding coordinators do not eat, unless it's hastily purchased trail mix on the way to the reception. Really, even if the couple offers the coordinator a meal, there's really no time.
2. Walkie-talkies are imperative. Not only are they necessary to communicate, but you look really cool with one (hee).
3. You have to be able to listen to a guest WHILE hearing in your ear that the bride is freaking out about her Jimmy Choos.
4. Guests will ask you ANYTHING and you better be prepared.
5. Knowing who everyone is - v. important! I think that getting a photo of the entire bridal party prior to doing a day-of coordination would be extremely helpful.
6. Most weddings will not start on time.
7. Ethnic weddings are fascinating! This was an Indian/Syrian ceremony, and not only was it very cool to watch (and long), it was BEAUTIFUL. I'm so glad I got to experience it. And love, across every culture, is celebrated.
8. FLATS ARE THE ONLY SHOES A COORDINATOR SHOULD OWN. My feet were KILLING me by the end of the day, I cannot imagine having done that in any sort of heel.
9. Watching a bride and groom look at each other will never stop making me hopeful and happy.
10. A VERY detailed itinerary and directions to everywhere are necessary.
11. Developing a good relationship with the vendors is a must.
12. Snags will happen, and it takes a quick mind to fix them (done and done).
13. OCD is a good thing to have when you are coordinating (yes!).
14 . Do whatever the bride says, at all times. It's her day. And make sure she eats something. And when steaming her veil, don't let the 18-month-old flower girl near it.
15. Watching delicious food go by and not grabbing any is hard, but when you are trying to keep pushy guests out of the ballroom during cocktail hour, you'll have a lot to do anyway.
16. A tiny purse with your cell, lip gloss, itinerary and directions is all you need to carry. And even that got heavy after 8 hours.
17. Bridal kits! I had to find a bobby pin SUPER fast right before the couple's entrance into the ballroom. Good thing the bridal kit was handy. This contains EVERYTHING a gal could need. Sewing kit, tampons, hair spray, bobby pins, deodorant, perfume, cotton balls, duct tape...think J. Lo's belt in The Wedding Planner and multiply it by a hundred.
18. Money makes pretty weddings, but you can't buy the look on the bride and groom's faces during their first dance.
19. You cannot be wishy-washy in this business. Polite pushiness is best.
20. I was BORN to do this. I've never felt more at home, never felt more fulfilled doing a job. I'm ready. And I know Amy will feel the same when she does her internship on December 12.
Also, we are offering our services right now for over 50% off what a bride would pay a more experienced coordinator. If you know anyone who would like a day-of coordinator, let us know immediately! We want this so bad! It's like trying to get a serving job...you need experience to get hired, but you can't get hired without the experience. We NEED the experience, so tell all of your friends!
stay fab,
carolyn
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Ready for the real thing...
Today, Carolyn and I were selected to be Intern Coordinators at 2 different weddings with a prominent Wedding Coordination company in Chicago. We are so excited! We'll be able to watch a successful planner do her thing, help out wherever we can, and get some much needed experience. I'm also thrilled that we'll be doing 2 separate weddings, so that we can learn different things and compare notes.
It will be great to get the experience without the pressure, as well. We might think we're ready, but honestly, I'd rather test my day-of coordination skills when someone else is running the show first, you know? Just to be safe.
More to come on this topic, as Carolyn's test-run is this coming Saturday! Weee!
It will be great to get the experience without the pressure, as well. We might think we're ready, but honestly, I'd rather test my day-of coordination skills when someone else is running the show first, you know? Just to be safe.
More to come on this topic, as Carolyn's test-run is this coming Saturday! Weee!
Monday, November 2, 2009
Back in the game!
Let it be said: Amy and I are truly back.
We just wrapped up a three hour meeting where we created a contract and some ads and...gossiped because it had been a while since we'd seen each other. But we got some work done and are READY. Brides please!
I was thinking today about all the weddings I've been involved in. I've been a bridesmaid many a time (eesh), and I've loved being involved. Perhaps it comes from my love of directing, too, but I am generally the girl who is running about making sure the bride is enjoying her day and doing anything I can to help and organize. Coordinating runs in my veins!
Also...you know that moment - it happens in every wedding - when the bride and groom look at each other for the first time and their faces plainly read "OHMAIGAWD MARRIEEEED!!"? Here's my favorite ever, from their first meeting. Her face is absolutely priceless.
stay fab,
care
We just wrapped up a three hour meeting where we created a contract and some ads and...gossiped because it had been a while since we'd seen each other. But we got some work done and are READY. Brides please!
I was thinking today about all the weddings I've been involved in. I've been a bridesmaid many a time (eesh), and I've loved being involved. Perhaps it comes from my love of directing, too, but I am generally the girl who is running about making sure the bride is enjoying her day and doing anything I can to help and organize. Coordinating runs in my veins!
Also...you know that moment - it happens in every wedding - when the bride and groom look at each other for the first time and their faces plainly read "OHMAIGAWD MARRIEEEED!!"? Here's my favorite ever, from their first meeting. Her face is absolutely priceless.
stay fab,
care
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