Real Wedding: Summer Soiree

Mandi & Khoa | Asian Art Museum Wedding from IQvideography on Vimeo.

Mandi and Khoa are such a sassy and sweet couple.  Mandi is inherently kind and warm. Khoa is reserved and calm.  Together they are just perfect.   I'm so honored to have worked with them on their Asian Art Summer Soiree!!!!

This beautiful and sweet short film by IQ Videography is charming to the core.  You will love it.

Part of why this wedding was so charming and elegant was the fact that I got to work with a few wonderful vendors including Gwen Helbush of Where to Start, Alicia Slater of Global Gourmet Catering,  and Cliff Brunk the so cool photographer.

Sit back and enjoy this short story! (If you can identify me in the video, I'll send you a "sparkly" gift - Only 1 winner!)

About Nancy: 4 times a Lady

A year ago, I had the misfortunate of getting into a bicycle accident while on vacation in Anguilla.  That journey has been a long one of healing and mending.

In a few days, I go under the knife again.  Like the previous other 3 surgeries, I am glad that I have my family and friends for their unconditional love and support.

Needless to say, I owe much thanks to my great team.  Rarely do I get to acknowledge them but I want to say "thank you" and send this shout out to all of them.

Lily C.

Crystal K.

Kristen B.

Rachel G.

Allison R.

Gabriella R.

Micah U.

Uncle Ben

Steve A.

Erin M.

Mei T.

A few shouts to our interns, Jae, Danielle D., Nicole, Lisa K., Heather Y - you have been so valuable.  Heather and Danielle know what it feels like to setup a wedding and to strike a wedding, you are my heroes.

And our weekend warriors, thank you for being there on our setups.  To Amanda K. Karen L., Amy M., Nicole C., Beth, Christopher L., I am incredibly grateful for your willingness to do some strange and unusual tasks while holding down a 9 to 5 job on the weekdays.

Without all of you I couldn't do this.  I wouldn't do this.  A small business needs great people and you are some of the best.

Finally, since I will be recuperating for about two weeks, I'll be posting infrequently.  Hang in there and I'll be back shortly.

News: Elizabeth Anne Designs

So excited.....we've been added to the vendor guide at Elizabeth Anne Designs in the floral section.  We are so thrilled and excited.  This is such a great blog and website.  And look at the company we are in.

Swoon.

Lessons: A little more Patience!

Many people have asked me what is the one secret ingredient that sets you apart.

Initially, I would say that it's our classic but modern floral arrangements and personable service. But lately, the more I think about this, I would say that patience is a key component.  Though I wouldn't necessarily say that I am the most patient of people but when it comes to working with my staff, my vendors and my clients, patience is key.

The definition of patience is

"The capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry or upset. "

When you work in this volatile floral business where one week the flowers look great and the next week the flowers are terrible, you have to be patient with your sales rep and grower.  If you lose your cool which I've done a few times in the past, you might burn a bridge which you can never cross again.  Now that I've done a few more weddings(over 400), I'm wiser but still learning that it doesn't look good to get upset or angry.  Sometimes raising your voice has its merits but in general, tolerance and acceptance are some things you have to have if you want to stay in this business for a long period of time.

As a wedding vendor, the relationship you have with your client is a tender and fragile one.  The capacity to weather difficulty is the hallmark of a true professional.  There will be times in which a client might be overly demanding.  There definitely will be times in which communication might fail.  There might even be hurt feelings.  Seasoned pros have all experienced these emotions but those who practice patience weather these storms and come out stronger.  Throwing in the towel is no way to behave.  Getting angry or upset reflects an inability to put things into prospective.

Even if you are upset or angry, walk away and evaluate the situation.

It's frustrating being a business owner.  Your patience will be pulled until you are on tenterhooks.
Yes, there will be long hours rewriting proposals.  Definitely, you will have to prove yourself to your client and fellow vendor(over and over again)  Undoubtedly, you will have endless emails that will make you feel like you are spinning out of control.   For certain, there will be unusual requests.  Inherently, people may fail you.

Unexpected things will appear.  Delays will happen.  Troubling issues will arise.

Yes, everything you have gone through, I've probably seen something similar or heard of some unimaginable nightmare.  However, the big but is this....

As a professional, we have to accept the things we cannot control and be calm when trouble or frustration arises.  We can be upset but we don't have to show it to our staff, vendors, or clients ---- ever.

A little more Patience never hurt anyone.

Best Thing Ever: Reception Decor

Recently I was doing some research on backdrops.  I don't know how it happened but my internet search led me to this amazing table.  I was blown away by this wall of paper flowers.  Amazing - yes.  Fabulous - definitely.  Inspiring - absolutely.  Beautiful - for sure.  Transforming - positively.

This wall was designed by the talented crews at Hartmann Studios and let me say - bravo.
Best Thing Ever.

Press: Style Me Pretty features Ritz Carlton Wedding

It's so true.  To have one of our weddings featured in a magazine or blog never gets old.

So excited to see this lovely Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay wedding featured on Style Me Pretty.

What made this wedding so wonderful was working with planner Frances Liu of Charmed Events.  Her professionalism stands out.  Throughout the planning process, she remained focused, positive, and supportive.  Her communication was excellent and made for such creativity.  Since much of my interaction is often with the planner, I love it when there's this calm spirit and fun energy.

The photographer, Geoff White Photographers captured this amazing wedding.  One of my favorite images is of the couple with a great tree in the background.  The sun is shining.  You could never tell that it was a day in April.

Thanks SMP, Frances, GWP and our beautiful couple.