An Outdoor Love

I am so excited to see what July 9, 2011 will hold for me. I met with my bride and groom at Starbucks and I instantly fell in love with them. They were so sweet and bubbly. As we talked about their big day they explained that their dog Baxter, which Lee pulled out his cell phone to show me pictures of, would be walking down the aisle as their ring bearer. They are just a cute and adorable couple that I can not wait to be apart of their wedding day at Spruce Mountain Ranch. Meghan and Lee love the outdoors which makes Spruce Mountain's Genevieve Garden a perfect setting for their ceremony. See a glimpse of just how adorable Lee and Meghan...and even Baxter are. Sarah from Trulife Photography captured these amazing shots of them.

Loving what you do

I have come to realize that my brides are like children. And I do not mean children in the sense where I have to do everything for them, but in the sense that you think you only have room to love one, but when you have more, you find you can love them all the same to the fullest extent. I have been blessed to have brides that are so easy going, relaxed and calm in their own way. It feels amazing to work with such wonderful people and the loved ones in their life. And for this, it makes me honored to do what I do for a living.

Having inspiration is our lives is a necessity. When we have inspiration we strive for bigger and better things. We strive to put our dreams in motion and do the things that make us happy. Inspiration has lead me to open my mind, accept greater things, and to reach beyond my limits. I met someone in the wedding profession and was immediately inspired by her work. You can tell that she LOVES what she does for a living because that love shines through her work. I look at her work and see the love that she poses with the end result of her clients being so happy and it proves that when you are in the right profession, you can love what you do for a living.

I am in a profession of helping others have the day of their dreams, what better feeling can you get at the end of the day when you have done that for someone. It is the greatest feeling in the world when you have brides, Mothers, Fathers, and Grandparents thanking you before the big day even happens. This job has proven to me that it is possible to love what you do for a living, you just have to find that passion and I have found mine!

"Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life- Confucius"

The Written Truth

 It is nothing but the truth when people say there are no two couples alike and no two stories the same. Nancy and Steve had me falling along with their love story when Nancy sat in my dining room and told me of their long journey of getting where they are today...their wedding day. Then I went to their house for a meeting to finalize things before their big day and Steve and Nancy read their vows they had written for each other. I had tears in the corner of my eyes and it wasn't even their wedding day yet. I could tell just from them rehearsing their lines how much love and devotion had gone into writing their vows for each other. 

The wedding was held at The Black Forest Bed and Breakfast. Their back drop as they stood hand in hand was Pikes Peak and Nancy had her two daughters walk her down the aisle. Steve and Nancy wanted nothing but fun for their night and when 'Pour Some Sugar on Me' and Another One Bites The Dust' rocked from the speakers as the cake was being cut and the garter was being retrieved it set the mood for the night. 


Nancy and Steve were such a fun couple to work with and I am so glad I met them. They are truly a couple in love with a great love story. Steve was so involved with all the wedding plans. He even surprised Nancy with the wedding cake. I wish them all the very best and their wonderful family and friends. 

Steve seeing Nancy for the first time as she walks down the aisle...
Its one of my favorite parts of the day! 

Reading their vows

Mr. and Mrs. Steven Barnett!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Maid of Honor and Best Man and the Best of Friends!

Ring Bearer & Flowergirl! They did a fabulous job.

Special thanks to Carollo Photography and Vanhook Photography who did a fabulous job capturing the events of the day. These are memories that Nancy and Steve will have for a lifetime and these photographers made that possible! Thank you!

Sheela and Aaron

With many thanks to The Historic Pinecrest in Monument, I was able to coordinate a traditional Indian ceremony followed by a traditional American ceremony. The detail and time that went into the ceremony set up was beyond my belief. It took them over an hour to build the Mantapam, the canopy where the wedding takes place under.

This being my first Indian ceremony I was amazed at the beauty of the wedding sari and the intricate detail each one entailed. Everywhere I walked there was something else to be amazed at, something else to ooh and ahh at. If it wasn't the Mantapam and every detailed item underneath, to the beautiful sari's, to the aroma that was over taking the chapel. There were fresh flowers to signify beauty, coconut to signify fertility, rice, sweets and sprouts to signify the food required for sustenance of human life, and Ghee (purified butter) to feed the sacred fire. Yes...there was an actual fire in the chapel to represent God's presence as a witness to the marriage.

The ceremony began with Maappillai Alaippu-Welcoming of the Groom. Aaron's arrival was greeted by family and friends and Aarthi is performed by women as a form of greeting. Each session of the wedding is ended with Aarthi which is a Sanskrit word meaning "The Close". The women wave a tray with yellow water and camphor is lit in the middle. Camphor signifies purity as it leaves no residue or ashes.

Under the Mantapam Aaron performs Pada Pooja, which is a ritual of cleansing the feet of his father and grandmother. This ritual is performed to show respect to parents and demonstrate humbleness. When the ritual is complete, Aaron is tied with a sacred thread around his wrist and wedding clothes are presented to him to wear.

Welcoming the Bride took place next- Penn Alaippu. Sheela arrived with her family and friends and performs the same rituals as Aaron to her mother and father. She is also presented with a wedding sari and leaves to change.

While both Aaron and Sheela are changing into their wedding clothes, Thali, a sacred gold chain, which represents Sheela marrying into the family, is placed in a tray on top of a coconut and presented to the elders to get their blessings.

Aaron and Sheela return and sit under the Mantapam together both offering ghee and twigs to the scared fire. Aaron was then to put the Thali, along with a sacred thread around Sheela's neck and ties three knots. He then repeats the Sanskrit invocation, "With this sacred thread, I entrust my life to you and will protect and care for you for a hundred years". At this point, Sheela is welcomed into Aaron's family.

Aaron and Sheela hold hands and take the first seven steps together-Sapthapadi. With each step, they take a sacred marriage vow:

1.) We will provide for a nurturing household.

2.) We will develop physical, mental, and spiritual unity.

3.) We will procure wealth by righteous means.

4.) We will acquire knowledge, happiness and harmony together.

5.) We ask to be blessed with strong and virtuous children through mutual love and trust.
6.) We will work for self restraint and longevity.
7.) We will remain companions for the rest of our lives.

After taking the sacred marriage vow, they each walk around the sacred fire three times. On the third time, Sheela puts her right foot on top of a stone, which signifies that she will be strong as a rock. Aaron puts a metti, (toe ring) onto her toe. Aaron then looks to the "Arunthathi star" and asks Sheela to be as truthful as Arunthathi was to her husband. (Which we found out is an Indian legend).

To end the ceremony, they both get blessings from their parents and other elders in the audience. The entire audience throws flowers to bless the couple.


What an amazing day and experience. 

"TWO TARE A"

My up and coming assistant loves the TV show 'My Fair Wedding with David Tutera.' I think she may actually like it more then me, which I didn't think was possible! She gets excited when the brides put on their dress and loves it even more when David changes them. She loves to comment on the brides ideas from their flowers to bridesmaids dresses and always states..."I can't wait for David to change their dresses!" I knew she would be a great assistant when I saw her attention to detail come into play. I have always pronounced David's last name as "Ta Tare Ah". But one day my assistant heard the announcer on the show pronounce it "Two Tare Ah" with a long emphasis on the TWO. All I could do was laugh. Not only has she corrected me, but she gets quite defensive when her father jokingly says "David Tortuga". 

Being the fan that I am of David "TWO Tare Ah" , I started following him on the ever popular facebook. He made a post about doing a seminar entitled: "Become an Event Planner with David Tutera from My Fair Wedding with David Tutera" in NYC and my heart jumped out of my chest. How I wished I lived there!!!! I sent the seminar information to my mom simply stating..."Wouldn't this be an amazing experience? Too bad he will not be here in Colorado" Not expecting anything back other then a simple reply, she replied back with "Yes it would, you have to go! It would be a once in a life time experience". After long debate, my mother insisted that she buy my ticket so I could go meet David Tutera. So I was off to NYC to meet someone that I admire and aspire to be like. With all the excitement I was feeling, I still had to inform my assistant that I would be going to NYC and meeting David Tutera. A few tears were made by her, but I promised I would bring her something back from NYC.


Sitting front row for the seminar, David walked in and the room went wild. There were about 50% industry individuals, 40% fans of him and his show, and 10% brides that were getting married soon. David spoke of his past working with celebrity brides, his show, My Fair Wedding, and what the future has in store for him. He is coming out with a new book, a certification course for all aspiring wedding coordinators, and partnering with Joann Stores featuring David Tutera with Faviana.

As he spoke throughout the seminar he said a few things that I will take to the inspiration board for my own business. Such as...jump into every opportunity! Regardless if you know the opportunity to a certain extent or not, get to know it. He told a story about his first bar mitzvah where he booked a client, but had no idea what a bar mitzvah entailed. Additionally, that you have to be emotionally connected with your client regardless of their taste, style and behavior. He recommended groups to join such as ABC, NACE, ICES and NPI, but not to solely rely on them. Its important to be involved but also market yourself. And to find unique ways to market your business by finding creative ways to show your work. This business is primarily based on word of mouth referrals and that your work will sell you!

The audience was allowed to ask questions which everyone wanted their shot at 15 minutes of fame. We heard of peoples love for David, their aspirations in life and why they are in the business and even the life story of one individual. But then questions were asked to David on how keeps his ideas fresh? In which he responded that he does his work world wide therefore he sees a lot. And how he pulls clients in and gets them focused? He said our job as planners is to organize their craziness and adapt to them.

I could go on and on about the facts and fun that I learned from David but what I walked away the proudest knowing is that having confidence in what you are doing is key. When you show confidence in yourself and your work, brides will have trust and confidence in you.

After the seminar David signed his book: 'The Big White Book of Weddings: A How-to Guide for the Savvy, Stylish Bride'. I bought two....one for my company and one for my assistant.

It was an amazing experience and I thank my mom for allowing me to have this chance. I was the only one there from a different State and I can come back home and utilize what I learned from David Tutera and enhance Sarah Viera Event Planning & Design.

When I returned home I gave my assistant her book. She squealed with delight as she saw her name written in the book and signed by the ever so popular David Tutera.


I think if David Tutera ever needs a new assistant he should consider hiring mine! What better of a person than a four year old to insist that people say his name correctly. That's the first step to a successful business woman! I guess I better watch out for my daughter over taking my business one day!

Front row!

My assistant's copy of her book

Little Fish....Beautiful Wedding

I remember the day as if it was yesterday, even though it began 16 months ago. A friend came to tell me of her engagement, at that point, I was just starting my business. From there our relationship and friendship blossomed. While I was excited to have my very first bride it was also intimidating. I did not have an extensive list of esteemed vendors, or organized, detailed materials a established planner would already have. I had to start from the ground up and build my business alongside my bride while trying to put my best foot forward at all times. Well that best foot forward went out the door when a few mistakes were made by no one other then myself. One of my first mistakes was telling the photographer the wrong print numbers to order for my brides engagement pictures. Issue resolved in plenty of time, but it cost my slow, starting business a few extra dollars. Lesson learned though-document everything through email in regards to important dates, times, and print numbers...do not text them!

While I wish I was sitting on cloud 9 excited to blog that my first wedding went off without any complications, the real truth is, it didn't. It wasn't the perfection I had hoped for, even though I had nothing else to base it off of. It had more tribulations then one would want to admit, but it was a life changing moment for me and my business. It was a monumental indication for me to see what needs to be remembered, what needs to be mentioned AT THAT moment, what needs to be checked off, and what needs to be communicated with ALL parties involved.

To many of the guests, they thought the wedding was the most beautiful, elegant and breathtaking wedding they had ever seen. The creamy-dreamy feel that my bride was dreaming of, was captured unequivocally. The candlesticks on the tables, the champagne linens and the lush floral on the head table surrounded between candles created a romantic look throughout the entire night. But it was behind the scenes where stress over took my cloud 9.

When first starting out it's hard to determine how much say you really have as a wedding coordinator. On TV shows, the wedding coordinator tells the florist the flowers are wrong, the cake is incorrect, or the linens are the wrong color, but that is on TV. To me, it's not a complete reality. Often times they seem so over the top and dramatic that it makes it seem as if, in real life you could never really do that. For instance, David Tutera could ask for anything he wants and he could probably get it, but who is Sarah Viera? If the flowers were wrong would the florist really change the arrangements hours before the wedding? Would they have the correct flowers in stock? I guess I should have gone with my instincts and said something about the floral arrangements. I did mention that they were in vases when the bride specifically stated she did not want that, but lesson number two, mention that the flowers are wrong completely. When the bride asks for NO greenery, but creamy dreamy, you do not expect to see greenery protruding from the top and stargazer lilies in the middle! 


As anything in life, I learn from the mistakes and the good fortunes that I have encountered and move forward. I learned that as a coordinator, I do have a say. I have a right to make that change and make things as perfect as possible for my bride. And I did that with certain tasks throughout the night; insisting the venue that my bride would see the candelabras lit when she walked in, calling the baker back to let them know the grooms cake was missing, but lesson number three...be that strong with every aspect and detail of the wedding. Tell the florist the flowers are incorrect, tell the DJ the lights on the wall are pink instead of white, tell the florist the cake flowers are suppose to be straight down the cake instead of zig-zagging down the cake. Tell, tell, tell. Because in the end I am the one who has to make this day perfect for the bride regardless of how others perform. 


But while that day was stressful, it wasn't all stress on cloud 9 for the whole planning process. I learned a million things and yes a million! My business grew to the fullest and I owe that all to my first bride. No matter how much schooling one may take, real life experience overtakes it all. She taught me how to take skills I already possessed and further them. To be the true friend, listener and companion a wedding coordinator should be. Or at least the one Sarah Viera Event Planning & Design wants to represent. When she didn't want to talk wedding, but wanted to talk about other difficulties in life, I was there to listen and support. I was also the outside opinion different from the family and friends that weighed in on their decisions. I realized not only am I the wedding coordinator, I am one of their closest friends during that time. Even if it is for a few months, sixteen months, or years after, this person puts their trust in you and you become the shoulder they need at times. And from that I learned LOVE! I love to be there not only for my brides as a coordinator, but as their friend also. I love to hear of their life stories, their day to day activities and to hear of their dreams, goals and wishes for their wedding day and future.


Now that sixteen months has passed I have built my business and I have a list of esteemed vendors, organized, detailed materials to present to my brides. My business has grown with the success of my first bride and the elevated confidence I now provide. I have two more brides this year and three in 2011. To me, that is a good grounding foundation and I know they will all be a success.

With much love and gratitude I want to thank Takishia and Brian for letting me be apart of their special day. She was one of the most beautiful brides I have ever seen and Brian is just as amazing as Takishia. I wish them all the best in their future together.

 

Their monogram which was featured throughout the night

TK & Brian's first dance

"All the Single Ladies!"

Ring Bearer (Luke) and Flower Girl (Natali) are well on their way to wedding bells

Mother of the bride and the Aunties dancing the night away

Sparklers to send of the Bride & Groom

A mother and daughters dream come true~

When I started my wedding business my daughter became instantly interested. Not for the attention to detail, nor the planning process or the gratifying feeling at the end of a successful wedding day. She became interested in the over the top flowers done by the likes of David Tutera, the new trend of brides wearing colored shoes from Jimmy Choo, the castle like venues, and of course the wedding dresses!

She started her journey looking through my wedding album and commenting how beautiful she thought my wedding dress was and when she gets married she would like to wear it on her wedding day. I felt a tear well up in my eye, isn't that every mothers dream? The truth is, I know in 20+ years, Natali, my daughter, will not want to wear my wedding dress. Not only for the reason that today, 8 years later, it is out of style, but who knows what it will be like in 20+ years. And Natali is a fashionista in the making. She likes to wear dresses regardless of the temperature, as long as the sun is out, then it is dress weather! To top it off, her shoes can not be scuffed and have to match perfectly, or you would think a travesty happened. So I have come to the realization that her sweet comment is sweet today, and something I will always cherish in my heart. With that, I wanted to capture this heartfelt wish from Natali and hold on to it forever. What better way then to capture it then through photographs.

The inspiration for the photo shoot came from the ever popular "trash the dress" photo shoots that are becoming the next big thing to some brides. It was a chance for Natali to wear her mama's wedding dress but also be her self. Natali was hanging from tree's, rolling down hills, blowing bubbles, running with a bundled up dress, and of course posing as if she were the beautiful bride herself. At the end of of the photo shoot, she did not want to leave or take off the dress!

The photography was captured by Carollo Photography. Abe was amazing how quickly he connected with Natali. Abe has a unique way of capturing kids looking their best when they are not even paying attention and these moments turn out to be some of the best pictures.  I think her being in a wedding dress had something to do with it, but Abe brought out the true dimple smiles that we all love about

He captured for us a lifetime of memories that I will always hold in my heart; my little girl wearing my wedding dress. It really is every mothers dream and I have that dream captured. Thank you Abe and Carollo Photography for making my dreams and my daughters dreams come true. 

Up next for Carollo Photography and Sarah Viera Event Planning & Design...a 2 year old birthday party! More memories to be made!

See below for a sneak peak of what fun Natali had in the day of a wedding coordinators daughter. Follow me on Facebook to see the entire album from Natali's photo shoot. Enjoy!

Follow me on FB:Sarah VieraEvents

And on Twitter: http://twitter.com/SarahVieraEvnt 

Meeting Photofly...

Have you ever walked into a place and felt at complete ease? That is how I felt when I met Larry Jacks from Photofly Images. What an amazing person. He has such a diverse background, from living in California and being apart of Disney to being a wedding coordinator himself. He knows the in's and out’s of production and now Videography and Photography.  As we met today and discussed our businesses, I discovered we both have something in common, we are putting ourselves out there to build our business and become the success we want our business to be.  We are thriving for the success that everyone wants. With that thrive, we will succeed! Look at the greatness that Larry is already creating! His work is amazing and he has what it takes to make make your memories last a lifetime!

For more information on Photofly Images check out: www.photoflyimages.com

From the ground up...

When I was four years old I went to my very last ballet practice. I told my mom that I wanted to do what my brother was doing. The following week she took me to where my brother was practicing and after 5 minutes, I cried the entire rest of practice. The coach had to hold me the entire practice, while still teaching the rest of the class. The other parents in the class said I wouldn't be back, or I wouldn't last, but I came back for the next practice. I did a few rolls and then I resumed my position in the arms of my coach for the remainder of class, but I hadn't cried that time. I kept going back and I never stopped for 18 years. My love and dedication was to a sport called Judo.

The sport taught me to never give up, to always come out with your best foot forward and show them what you've got, and that is what I plan to do with my business.

With that, I am proud to say that my website has finally launched. I have many people to thank who have helped me get to this point. First and foremost, my husband and daughter. My daughter loves to hear about the wedding world and wishes she were in the shoes of the bride I am working with and my husband has to be the extra set of hands for every aspect whether its for the business or our family life. I owe my success to them. There are many thanks to my family and friends who have supported me along the way from the ground up and will always continue to support me through the success of the business. To the Stockton/Lisko family for instilling their trust in me on such an important and beautiful day. And without further delay to all the esteemed vendors that I have met. The long hours, meetings, phone calls, emails and bridal shows has paid off for each and everyone of my esteemed vendors is part of the foundation of the business. It is important to have a foundation of trustworthy vendors who will provide the same level of excellent service and professionalism that I will provide to my clients. And in the esteemed vendors I have collaborated with, I have found that.

And finally a thank you, that words cannot express enough, to Magnifica Bella. Thank you to Cynthia and Joey for doing my hair and makeup for my portfolio photo shoot. Your work is outstanding and with all the nerves that I had, you both made me feel at ease and I was beyond delighted with the results. Many thanks to Carollo Photography for the amazing pictures you took for my portfolio and for the site. You have amazing talent and it will take you far. To Mimi Wilson for designing a beautiful site. It provided the best foot forward edge that I was aiming for. And a huge thank you to Jonathan Betz Photography for providing additional images to add that final, lasting touch. Jonathan and Lindsay are beyond describable in their efforts to help others. From the first time I met them, I saw the love and dedication that I had in Judo in their photography.

I plan to provide the same love and dedication that I had in judo to Sarah Viera Event Planning & Design. I have the heart and mentality to never give up until you are satisfied with the outcome and I only want the very best for Sarah Viera Event Planning & Design.