Tanya Carroll, 'er Eledmire was a bride I shall never soon forget!

Now very proud to call her my friend, we met approximately one year prior to her wedding date to begin the process of designing her wedding.

It never felt like work with Tanya and I was just so pleased to see the love and compatability she shared with her fabulous husband, Carl.

Jokingly, we call each other "diva" though there was never such behavior...;)

Her amazing team consisted of the enviable The Ritz Carlton, J.R. Sterling, Jeffrey Stoner Video, Flowers of Winter Park, DJ Carl and the one and only Dale Dees.

See you real soon, friend!

Wedding Music No-No's from Music Expert, DJ Carl

Have you ever heard inappropriate music played at a wedding reception? Perhaps a great tune without profanity removed or malapropos lyrics?? The horror...!!
This month, DJ Carl has shared his insight on sending the suitable message about your love during your wedding reception:

"One of the biggest variables that separates excellent and mediocre entertainers is paying attention to the details. There are many songs with nice melodies or catchy hooks that we may like when heard on the radio, however, the most important detail for positive wedding memories is the selection of your wedding music. Do not ruin the message for your love to one another with lyrics in songs that will embarrass you, your family and friends. Your music's tone will start the wedding with a foundation of lifetime happiness, so avoid these popular hits from rock to hip hop, which depict violence, stalking, infidelity and divorce being played on your special day."

This month's music mix,as prepared by DJ Carl:

(1) You Give Love a Bad Name by Bon Joni
(2) Every Breath You Take by Police
(3) So What by Pink
(4) Hot N Cold by Katy Perry
(5) Creep by TLC
(6) Down Low by 69 Boyz
(7) I Don't Wanna Know by Mario Winans f. Diddy
(8) Gold Digger by Kanye West f. Jamie Foxx

Wedding Music and Diversity

I am delighted to share DJ Carl's latest music mix with you this week. Carl will be a regular contributor to the blog monthly, and I will be eager to share his well-prepared music mixes with you to kick off each month.

This month, Carl wanted to illustrate wedding music and diversity:

"The diversity of music has made wedding music programming challenging for experienced professionals. Hiring a band or DJ who can keep the flow non-stop once guests start dancing is an important variable when considering your musical entertainment. Here is a mix that may appeal to diverse guests from different parts of the world who want the music to be really different from traditional wedding play lists, yet the music is themed around the word "DANCING". I hope you like the song transitions because that is what would make these songs successful."

From a planner's perspective, I can tell you that our main "music goal" is to have our guests {every guest!}emotionally and musically engaged at every stage of the evening. Thoughtful and careful planning with your musical host will ensure that very success you expect.

This week's music mix is fantastic and you can listen for yourself by clicking *here*

1. Rock Your Body (Oakenfold Remix) by Justin Timberlake (R&B/Pop)
2. Dance Hall Soca by Byrin Lee & Dragonaires (Soca)
3. La Negra Tiene Tumbao by Celia Cruz (Salsa)
4. Hella Good by No Doubt (Rock)
5. Toot Toot by Rockin' Sidney Simien (Zydeco)
6. I Hate This Part by The Pussycat Dolls (Pop)

I've been enjoying listening to these mixes and hope you are as well-

Cheers!

**Images courtesy of proud new papa, Garrett Nudd**

Wedding Music *hearts* the U.S.A.

For this week's music mix compiled by Celebrity DJ guest contributor DJ Carl, {Williams} I requested something in honor of the historic Inauguration experienced by us all this past Tuesday. Regardless of your vote, we must all support the future, our leaders and our troops--

I would also like to dedicate this to my military couples for which I have shared the honor with you in creating a military worthy and appropriate wedding. My team is grateful to you for your dedication, commitment, soul and heart to our country and your families.
Carl shares my sentiment...

"This mix celebrates the historic inauguration of Barack Obama. The inspirational songs were chosen from the 70s to today that depicts the revitalized atmosphere that was celebrated by millions of Americans in Washington, D.C. and now around the world. I hope that many of the songs will maintain the sense of pride in you that I have to be an American citizen."

This music mix, I am confident, will renew your spirit and inspire you for great music in the overall experience you wish to design for yourself.

You can listen to Carl's Inauguration Mix for America click *here.* It includes:

(1) America the Beautiful by Ray Charles
(2) At Last by Beyonce
(3) It's a New Day by will.i.am
(4) Born in the U.S.A. by Bruce Springsteen
(5) Pride (In the Name of Love) by U2
(6) Signed, Sealed & Delivered I'm Yours by Stevie Wonder
(7) R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A. by John Cougar Mellencamp

...to all who bravely serve our country, however, especially to those I have the privilege to know {and have worked for} personally:

*Michael Ferrara
*Matt Gillette
*Neroliza Quiles-Milas
*Michael Milas

Thank you--




***Photo Credit: John Unrue, Sandra Johnson and Laura Grubl-Gillette

Celebrity DJ, DJ Carl: Guest Blog Contributor

Over the years I have had several tremendous opportunities to work with good friend and colleague Carl Williams of DJ Carl Entertainment
From our very first introduction I knew their was this "compatability." We shared the same passion for our work and for designing and delivering experiences for our clients to remember for a liftime.
Always the trailblazer, Carl has now taken his craft to the next level. Having done the very first "Down the Aisle" show with me in Orlando and then again this past summer in Denver he began creating music mixes. This has been so incredibly well-received {and requested!} that Carl has agreed to share his expertise with my readers for further music inspiration.
His first presented music mix for "In My Shoes" was a request I had for dinner music. Enjoy!

Lisa,

Here are five songs that provide a nice balance of an "old & new music sound" to compliment the variety of ages of people who typically attend a wedding. These are songs that I would play during dinner for a twenty-some couple who have their parents and grandparents in attendance. These songs would appeal to a nice variety of ages.

Love Song by 311

Wonderwall by Paul Anka

You Sang to Me by Marc Anthony

Got to Give It Up by Urban Knights

The Look of Love by Diana Krall


**Handsome headshot provided by Garrett Nudd

Glitz. Glamour. Reveal E Events and Liga Photography Style!

W-O-W!!! I have already gotten such tremendous feedback regarding our grand opening soiree last night-
We have all heard the saying, "A picture is worth a thousand words..." My personal dictionary is now overflowing and I shall not even attempt to compete with the phenomenal slide show images from Liga Photography except to say:
Thank you, thank you, thank you for all of your support, encouragement and love. Our guests included current clients, previous clients, {Hopefully NEW clients!!} professional partners, personal friends and Winter Park neighbors. I feel so incredibly blessed and humble.
My personal and sincerest thanks goes to Jeffrey Stoner, DJ Carl, Jay and Aaron with Flowers of Winter Park, Awny Kashoggi with Unique Option, Kevin with Moore Fine Foods Rashida with BBJ LInen, Amy Morelli with 2u Collection,Alicia Zutter of Alicia Zutter Couture {fabulous designer!!} Tommy Hart with American Audio Visual, my TEAM {Jessy, Brittany and Nancy; what would/could I do without you??} and all of you-

Roll -em!

An Officer, A Gentleman...and quite a Lady

This entry is so long overdue, but it is worth every bit of heart and soul...This was a wedding and process I shall never soon forget.

Megan and Michael were married on September 8, 2008 to the likes of the most visually dramatic ceremony and liveliest and memorable reception.

Our relationship with Megan was quick and we had to hustle with the dynamics and logistics given the 4 months we had to pull it all off. Megan is an extremely busy woman, but one who had a definite vision, aesthetic and emotional tie to every person that was to share this amazing journey with her.

Megan was a coincidental guest at our "Down the Aisle" show at the Ritz Carlton last April, there only to support her friend and trusted hair stylist Dale Dees. Clearly, something "grabbed" her that evening prompting her to make some major decisions as to the direction of her wedding day.

I am just the lucky gal who managed to answer the phone on the day she called, and it was a thrilling ride to share with her.

I have never met someone that had such specific stories to share about everyone in attendance, what they meant to her and Michael and how she could gracefully display her deep appreciation to all of them for just being a part of their lives. No detail was spared.

THANKFULLY, (somewhat by my own imploring!) I was assigned a true partner, Tami Corday at The Ritz Carlton. This is a no brainer people! Together, with Tommy Murphy at Greenery Productions, Paradise Band, DJ Carl, The Culinary Institute, (Did you see that cake?! It was over 5 feet tall!!) Jeffrey Stoner and John Unrue, we had one heck of a soiree!

The ceremony boasted 4 points if entry during the processional with beautiful solos from the Broadway renown Connie Kunkle, accompanied by the classic Shannon Caine and her musicians with Beautiful Music. The lighting was dimmed and timed appropriately for maximum emotional effect and reverence. Guests were invited into the ballroom prompted by a heightened musical cue int he foyer only to find our "magical" couple already dancing to their first dance, "Cheek to Cheek." With their bridal party and family positioned by them throughout the dance, we all felt as we were in "Heaven."

Michael is one of our officers and a gentlemen proudly serving our country in the Air Force. We were humbled by his and his fellow officers' commitment and dedication to our country.

For all of this, Mr. and Mrs. Michael Ferrara are truly an officer, a gentleman and QUITE a lady!

P.S.: Please don't mind that goofy photo booth picture at the end there...Nancy, Jeffrey, Ricardo and I were feeling a little "punchy" and thought we could have a little fun with it as well!! This was our impressive "Zoolander" pose which has become a photobooth fave... :)

Perfection at The Portofino

Creating an environment worthy of the "party" that Laura and Joe Cavallero wanted was an assignment I took very seriously (and happily!).
Laura and I met in my office months before her wedding and hit it off immediately. She was a "transplant" from Maryland and very unfamiliar to Orlando. You know the "mommy" in me just wanted to take care of her! :)
We hit the ground running, and she was certainly up for the task...
Laura came to me from the fabulous Lindsey Luxa so I knew she was all set with paper. Although she had a dress, I felt she should check out the dresses and have a little fun with my gals over at Solutions. Smart move: Look at that Rivini gown on her!
We had to progress further with a line-up of top professionals all to include Damon Tucci, Flourish, Bonnie Garfield with The Portofino, Wings of Sound, DJ Carl, Bake Me A Cake and Dale Dees.
As if planning with these 2 often included many laughs, jokes, a little wine and some sushi from time to time wasn't enough of a good time; the actual execution of the day was the perfect ending.
Laura started her day in the plush Presidential Suite with her bridesmaids getting pampered and all glam with Dale. The beautiful flowers were delivered, and the rest of the day was a seamless series of events, despite the rain call to move our ceremony inside. (Bonnie really hooked us up with an amazing Plan"B"!) Dreamy, classical prelude and ceremony music was the anticipated top-notch performance from Shannon Caine and her musicians with Beautiful Music. Shannon even had a fabulous saxophone player for the cocktail hour which truly set the tone for the party that waited behind those ballroom doors...
The food and service was top notch and the compliments were flowing--as was the martinis via the martini ice sculpture luge. Nice!
Looking over these images, seeing how gorgeous and handsome they looked from the inside out and remembering the fun we had through this process has made me so nostalgic to meet up again with Laura and Joe, and we did make that promise to stay in touch. Falling out of touch is NOT an option, right Laura??!? "YOU BETTA' DON'T!!" (Inside joke!)

Party + Posh = PERFECTION! That's my favorite kind of math!