Thursday Therapy Recap!

Posted by Kelly Simants

Last night, Dallas wedding professionals came together for “Thursday Therapy”, a fun, casual networking event where we meet for Happy Hour.  Every month we rotate venues to try something new, and last night was at the new DISH restaurant in Dallas. It is such a beautiful venue, and it was a GREAT evening meeting new faces and seeing old friends!  Thank you so much to DISH for providing the space, yummy flatbreads, and incredible service! By the way, DISH would be an incredible place to host a rehearsal dinner, bridal shower, or bachelorette party!

Jason Huang and Celina Gomez are two incredible Photographers who were generous enough to take pics, and I’m so excited to share them with you as they help relay what this incredible group of wedding pros is all about!  Today we’re featuring Jason’s images and then next week we’ll be back with Celina’s work!

Meet the one and only Jason Huang…

As I reflected about the conversations I had with people last night and think about the amazing energy that was in the room, I wanted to share just a few highlights and give you some insight as to the cool things that are happening as a result of this Thursday Therapy Group:

• I learned about an awesome business for custom suits and menswear owned by Drew Jones.  Ladies, if you are trying to find a suit or tux for your guy, he can custom design and tailor one that is perfect for your wedding or special event (and you’d be surprised how luxurious + affordable they truly are!)  Ok, so then Drew’s Marketing Manager, Cristina, is engaged (congrats!) and looking for a florist.  Kate Foley is a super talented florist, was there last night so I was able to connect Kate with Christina! Instant connection – love that! Oh, and if you want to learn a bit more about Drew check out some of his work that Stacy Reeves posted on her blog!
• Tamara from Grooms Sold Separately told me all about their bulletin board for brides and their mission to help connect brides with wedding pros, kind of like a match-making service!  Love that concept and all that is ahead for them.
• Met Casey, a DJ from i-entertainment…I have a bride looking for a DJ and I think he’ll be a perfect fit! Adding Casey to my network of DJs I recommend!
• Chris Ryan, master networker and owner of The Ryan Manor, was busy connecting all kinds of people last night! He commented on the energy that was in the room and that he’s so excited that everyone attending Thursday Therapy is like-minded, wanting to help each other out and collaborate – so awesome!
• Met Treva of Treva Tribit Photography - she called me this morning to let me know about a bride needing wedding planning help for her destination wedding in Playa del Carmen – I am unfortunately booked on this bride’s date, but referred her to Deanie Yuska who is a fellow Thursday Therapy groupie! See how this whole collaboration thing is working?!  Love it!
• Talked to many of you about The Simple Plan and Sage Wedding Pros…and the importance of having a business plan so you can have a strategy for your marketing, sales, etc. So many of your eyes lit up when we were talking about this as I know you’re gearing up for a successful 2010, so I’m excited to hopefully see you a few of you there!  Remember, you WILL walk out with your business plan – woo hoo!!! :)
• And the list goes on and on of the ways that I observed people sharing, networking, collaborating, and having fun together!  It almost feels like we’re all co-workers, part of one big company with one aligned mission: To provide the best service we can to our clients and the wedding industry, and have fun helping each other out along the way!  I’m so excited for what’s ahead for the Dallas market and want everyone in the industry to know you’re welcome to join us and would love to see you at the next one!

So, without further ado, here are the awesome pics that Jason from Table 4 Weddings captured from last night! Celina’s pics will be featured next week, so be sure to check back for more!  Oh, and leave a comment and let us know what some of your highlights from last night were! Would love to hear from you!

            

 

Thanks to all of you who joined us!  Can’t wait for next month! :)

Fun Bridesmaids Gift Ideas

Posted by Kelly Simants

I was just shopping for one of my girlfriend’s birthday presents on Etsy and ran across some super cute handmade cosmetic bags/clutches that I thought would be fun for bridesmaids gifts! Enjoy! :)

This first one is a Silk Quilted Cosmetic Bag – by Pins and Needles Too

Super cute wristlet from Dahlia Handbags

Cheeky Cosmetic Bag Set from Cheeky by Shannon

Design It Yourself Clutch from Chamberry Cherry

Fun and Funky Boutonnieres by Peppermint Cloud

Posted by Kelly Simants

Ok, seriously…how cute are these boutonnieres by Peppermint Cloud on Etsy?!  They can customize orders based on your colors and style, so if you’re looking for a truly unique boutonniere that will stand out at your wedding I would definitely check them out!

Row 1: (From Left to Right) Everybody Loves Creamsicle Boutonniere and All Tied Up Boutonniere

Row 2: Green with Envy Boutonniere and It is Pleasant to be Pleasant Boutonniere

Upcoming Workshops in Dallas for Wedding and Event Professionals!

Posted by Kelly Simants

Now that the New Year is upon us, I’ve heard from many of you that you’re considering making a career change and are interested in becoming a Wedding Planner.  Or, you’re an Event Professional looking to grow your business and set some amazing goals both personally and professionally.  Check out the following three workshops to see if one of them might be a fit to help you achieve your goals that you’ve set for this new year! 

1.  “The Simple Plan”:  In addition to Sweet Pea Events, I am also part of Sage Wedding Pros, where we provide educational opportunities to wedding professionals in an effort to help create sustainable businesses.  On February 8-9, 2010 we’re bringing this workshop to Dallas! We’ve got an awesome line-up of speakers and you will literally walk away with your business plan IN HAND after this 2-day workshop! Whether you’ve been in business for 10 years, or you’re just starting up, it’s so important to have a current plan that you’re working from in order to drive your business forward.  Click here or on the image below for more info and to sign-up! (If you live outside of Dallas, check out the other cities we’ll be visiting this year - http://www.sageweddingpros.com/2009/09/08/workshops/)

    

2. “Sweet Success”:  I am offering a one-day intensive workshop for aspiring Wedding Planners who want to learn the ins and outs of the business.  I share with you my personal experience and a TON of advice that will help you to determine if Wedding Planning is the career move you want to make!  We review everything (high level) from the basics of setting up a business, to networking in the wedding industry, to pricing and sales. Click here or on the image below for more information and to sign-up! Note: This will likely be the last Sweet Success workshop I will offer until Fall 2010.

3.  “Making Things Happen” – The Publisher of Southern Weddings magazine, Lara Casey, is hosting an intensive designed to fire you up for the coming year! She’s bringing this to Dallas on Thursday, 1/14 – it’s not too late to sign up!  I’ll be attending, and hope you consider as well! This workshop is designed specifically for Event Professionals who want to change and harness their full potential. Here’s a great excerpt from Lara’s blog about the Making Things Happen intensive:

This is your year and my goal is to make sure you harness it to its fullest potential.  Why am I doing this?  Because I've come to realize that life is just too short.  Every moment should be lived with a sense of adventure, excitement, and knowing that you are on the right path in your life's work.  It's time, ya'll.  It's time to make big things happen in your business.  You know where you want to go.  Let's do this.

Click here to sign-up or on the image below!

Hope to see you at one (or more) of those workshops! :)

Cheers!

We’ve Been Nominated for the Dallas Wedding Planner 2009 Blog Awards!

Posted by Kelly Simants

This week we were so honored to find out that our Sweet Pea Events blog has nominated by Dallas Wedding Planner as one of the best Dallas Wedding Blogs in 2009!

Here is the direct link to the post with all of the nominees and the poll to vote (voting ends on January 12, 2010):

http://dallasweddingplanner.com/blog/2010/01/04/the-nominees-for-the-2009-best-dallas-wedding-blogs-by-dallas-wedding-planner/

Thanks in advance for your support…we would love your votes!

Cheers!