Planning a Christening

I have been asked to plan an elaborate Christening Party for a beautiful baby boy named Tim. When I looked in his beautiful big blue eyes I knew I had to accept this job and make one very memorable for him and his parents. Tim is just absolutely adorable and behave SO WELL during our initial meeting. I was so amazed! His parents came to me and actually thought that because of the timing and all the planning involved I would have declined working with them and of course I said, "No way Jose, I will be more than happy to help you plan this very important occasion."

Now, the challenge has begun to plan this very special and elaborate Christening Party. Just a couple of months ago I planned my daughter's christening but it was only for 20 guest, mostly family, and it was at home. Totally different from what Timmy's parents want so I have to really put on my thinking cap and make this very memorable. I have to say that I do love the challenge and I'm always ready.

So here are my notes so far...

Invitations and Thank You Cards
Venue (They have a preferred venue, now is time to negotiate)
Balloon Bouquets as centerpieces
Candy Buffet
Custom Cardbox by Marni Gold for all the money gifts, gift cards, etc...
Favors
DJ (I know a great one in their area)
Entertainment (for both the adults and the children attending)
Photographer (Also know a great one in their area)

Of course as you all know, although the list seems short there is a lot of shopping, browsing and negotiating to do in a very short period of time. We don't have a set date but we are all estimating this event will beheld at the end of October.

I am keeping little Timmy in mind as I plan this because IT'S HIS PARTY and I want him to have a great time as well as all his guest.

Ketty
Senior Wedding & Event Planner for Detail Diva Events

Rett Syndrome Fundraiser

I am happy to announce that "A Night Of Rett Syndrome Awareness" was a success. This fundraiser was held at the very popular, fun and beautiful Cafe Iguanas, NYC. It was the first time I planned a fundraiser and I have to admit I was very nervous. Luckily everything went very smooth despite the rainy day we had here in New York City.

I want to thank the following vendors for their generous donations.

Brenda Gonzalez-Kennedy

Naughty and Nice Lingerie

Debbi Andersen

The Knead To Relax

Mary Reid

Satisfy Your Senses

Darlene Cox

Budget Minded Fashions

Kattia Gordon

Aleximani Events

Marni Gold

Creative Custom Cardboxes

Thank you all for wonderful evening!

Ketty

detaildivaevents.com

20% Off Wedding & Event Planning

Hello,

I have been super busy planning the Rett Syndrome Fundraise that's being held this Saturday at Cafe Iguana's in New York City. Everything is going along great and I am so looking forward for this event. Between all the chaos I have been feeling very generous and have decided to offer a special deal.

If you have already started planning your wedding and you feel that on the day of your wedding you want to be STRESS FREE... then the "Day of Wedding Package" is for YOU!

I am offering 20% off the regular price for this package. This is how it works...

• I will meet with the couple a 1-2 months prior to wedding day which will be a free consultation.
• If you hire Detail Diva Events we will meet again for 2-3 hours to discuss all your plans and gather all the information pertaining the vendors and venue you have selected and suggest new vendors you may need if necessary. We will also go over all contracts to ensure everyone is on the same page. (This meeting is included in the package)
• On the day of your wedding I, along with my assistants, will be at the venue to receive all deliveries, start decorations and any other details we have discussed during our meetings.
• We will be there through the duration of your event.
• Unlimited phone conversations are also included in this package.

I am offering this special to couples getting married during the months of

October and November 2009

or

March and April 2010

For couples not getting married during these months... Please know that ALL PACKAGES can be customized according to your budget. All you have to do is contact me and ask!

Day of Wedding package normally goes for $1,200 for wedding with 150 guest or less. So... you see? You can afford a Wedding Planner.

For further information please call me, Ketty at 917-570-0776 or you can send me an email at ketty@detaildivaevents.com.

Hope to hear from you soon!

Ketty

Rett Syndrome Fundraise

I am SUPER excited to announce my first ever FUNDRAISER! I have been working very closely with my sister who represents the foundation in New York City to raise fund for this wonderful course.

As some of my followers know, my niece Angelina who just turned 5 years old on July 20th was born with Rett Syndrome. Rett Syndrome is a genetic neurological disorder that occurs almost exclusively in girls. The characteristic features include loss of speech and purposeful hand use, occurrence of repetitive hand movements, abnormal walking, loss of ambulation, scoliosis and seizures. The genetic mutation that causes Rett Syndrome was found in 1999 and in 2007 researchers reversed the symptoms of Rett Syndrome in mice models. Funding is for transitional research is crucial to make this a reality for my niece, Angelina and other Rett Angels and families affected by Rett Syndrome. So please join us if you leave in or close to New York City.

"An Evening of Rett Syndrome Awareness"

at

Cafe Iguanas

Saturday, August 22, 2009 from 6:00 to 10:00

240 West 54 Street

New York City, NY

Admission: $25.00

Special Guest Speaker: Dr Anthony Horton, Chief Scientist Officer

International Rett Syndrome

Hey, but that's not all! We will also have Silent Auction, Raffle, appetizers, cash bar, DJ and dancing. All guest are welcome to stay ALL NIGHT and dance after the event has ended.

I am so happy to be planning this event and to be able to use my expertise in a different form.

Hope to see some of my fans there!

Ketty Gonzalez

Senior Wedding Planner

detaildivaevents.com

Vintage Wedding Dresses

I was talking to a bride-to-be about wedding dresses the other day. She asked me what I thought would be appropriate for a small intimate wedding. She also mentioned how her and her fiance are on a very tight budget and that she really didn't want to spend too much on her wedding dress. She added that she really never had a dream of walking down the isle in a princess style gown (I'm not sure if I have mentioned this before but, small budget weddings is my niche) Because I love the challenge of planning a small budget wedding and trying to make them as close to your dream wedding as possible, I thought this was a very interesting question. One that not too many people talk about since most brides want a big gown. So when she approached me with this question the only thing that came to mind at the moment was VINTAGE DRESS. If you feel you are alot like this bride, then you should consider vintage as an option. As I browsed on the cyber world looking through many websites that sell vintage wedding dresses, I found that they are also ALOT LESS than non-vintage dresses. I saw many very pretty, cute even sassy dresses that can be accessorized to compliment your unique style. You can find an array of vintage dresses by visiting poshgirlvintage.com, they have a huge selection to match your style and taste.

This dress is also absolutely beautiful!

With these beautiful Prada shoes.... Wow!

Yes, you may be thinking... "How non-traditional is this?" Alot of brides are non-traditional these days and it's totally up to you how you want to look on YOUR DAY. I can't wait to hear from you. Your comments are ALWAYS WELCOMED! So come on, tell me what's on your mind.

Ketty Gonzalez - Senior Wedding Planner - www.detaildivaevents.com

Fabulous Find Friday!

Wondering how to gift your bridesmaids? Well, if you want something personalized, cute, chic and very feminine then this would be a great way to gift your bridesmaids. You can get these awesome sandals at sandals4events.com where you will be able to personalize each sandals for a VERY reasonable price.


Ketty Gonzalez
Senior Wedding Planner
detaildivaevents.com

Message To All Aspiring Wedding Planners

Hello!

I know I have not written in a couple of weeks but I am happy to say I have great reasons why. I have been meeting with vendors and working very hard in having a great network of vendors I can count on and my clients can count on. It is imperative for me to have a good system going because that is what clients want. They want sincere, talented, dedicated vendors that will make their event memorable. I recently met with two couples who have hired me as their wedding planner and I am excited to start working with them. Both weddings will be in 2010 and as soon as I get pictures I will post them here.

I am also EXTREMELY excited to announce that on August 22, 2009 I will be hosting, along with my sister, my very first fundraiser. My sister asked me to plan this fundraise for her because my niece Angelina has Rett Syndrome. My sister decided a couple of months ago to represent the Rett Syndrome Foundation in New York and also decided this is the best way to raise money for the foundation. This four hour event will be held at Cafe Iguana's in Manhattan and we are both estatic to say the least. For more information about Rett Syndrome please visit http://www.rettsyndrome.org/

This next subject I am about to write is a little touchy but I'll try to explain it as best I can. From time to time I receive emails from aspiring planners asking me what I suggest they should do, where should they start, etc. to become a wedding planner. I always suggest they go through a school or through one of the wedding/bridal association which offer courses.

I want to WARN aspiring planners to be very careful if they decide to take a course with planners who offer to teach you how to become a wedding a planner. Do your homework first, RESEARCH. Make sure that others who have taken the course recommend them. Recently, an aspiring wedding planner went through insults from a very famous celebrity planner, TV personality in one of the wedding shows based out of New Jersey. This planner offers courses to include what she calls "work in a event". When the aspiring planner contacted her numerous times with her availability "to work an event" this planner and her assistant never bothered to contact her to give her instructions, an address, etc. for any event. The day this aspiring planner decided to confront the situation in a nice way she received numerous email insulting her and telling her that they were not in the business to hunt people down. Of course, there are many more details to this story but in the meantime this aspiring planner is going through the headache of pursuing legal actions againts this celebrity planner. NOW, with all this said, there are MANY, MANY honest planners out there and MANY, MANY courses being taught by great individuals. For instance, The Smart Planner is a great blog and the owner travels all around the US giving seminars. All I hear from other planners who have attended these seminars is that it's fantastic and that they went home with tons of information. You see, that's one seminar I would love to attend because it has been highly recommended to me. So to all the aspiring planners out there PLEASE, PLEASE research before you decide to pay. Be smart about it and do not let "Celebrity" status decide for you. Make sure you check all the bridal and/or wedding associations. They are your best bet in my opinion plus upon completing their course, you are truly CERTIFIED.

I Have Been Featured In Three Different Blogs - YAY!

Hello Everyone!

I am extremely happy to announce that I have been featured three times this week!

These wonderful ladies have featured me on their blogs. Please take a look at my interview with Andrea Baker of This Moms Life and please visit the following links and feel free to browse around their blog as they all have great things to offer!

Bold & Beautiful Party Girl

This Moms Life

Sassy Sisters In Sales

Thank you Andrea, Christine and all my Sassy Sisters In Sales! To my dear readers... Please feel free to comment here on Detail Diva Events blog! I can wait to hear your feedback!

Meet My Sassy Sisters In Sales

Hello,

I hope that all my readers had a great Memorial Day weekend, I for sure did. Today I want to let everyone know about this internet group I am a member of called Sassy Sisters In Sales. I know it's a bit off topic especially since I always write about weddings and events. I just want to share how excited I feel to be part of this group. This is a group of women in business who are unique in their own ways. Not only do we all help each other out but we also give each other LOTS of support and this is why I love these gals. As a women in business, I am all for supporting other women as well. I am a HUGE fan of supporting small businesses because unlike the big companies you receive your orders with a personal touch and many times with a letter thanking you for your purchase. Yes, a letter...not just a "Thank you for your patronage". Isn't that wonderful?

My last purchase were these handmade soaps from Satify Your Senses and I was so HAPPY with my order. Mary Reid is the owner and she does such a great job. I loved how all the soaps I order smell so WOW! Just recently I ordered a Tutu from Mommy Sunshine Designs for my 16 month old daughter and although I haven't received it yet I know I am going to like it, if not, love it.

As a matter of fact, we have Brenda the owner of an online lingerie boutique named Naughty and Nice Lingerie. Brenda sells lots of beautiful and sexy lingerie and does BRIDAL PARTIES (hint, hint). She currently has a blog where she talks about these fun parties where you can gift the bride-to-be and get her ready for her honeymoon. If you want to visit Brenda's blog click here.
Recently I have partnered with Jean owner of Jean May Originals. Jean is currently working on a new bridal line which I will keep you all informed in the very near future. So keep your eyes opened for that post. We also have a CUP CAKE LADY! Micki Mcbee is a proud MILITARY MOM and the owner of Baby Cakes. Micki makes these outstanding cup cakes and she ships all over the U.S. We have our dear Ferf who's real name is Jennifer Stoll and she is our Stand Up Coach. She is fabulous and full of advise. She has written a book which I recommend to anyone who is in business, really! We also have Debbi Anderson who keeps us all together in a way that only she can. Debbi is the owner of... well let's just say MANY THINGS and she is awesome and great at it. She is the owner of Debs Gift Boutique so please stop by and see what she has to offer, you will not regret it. We have Andrea Baker, I like to call her "my feedburner coach" (don't hate me for this one Andrea) She is the owner of an Etsy shop called Handmade By Andrea. I cannot begin to tell you how talented she is so...you are going to have to see that for yourselves. She is awesome!

The list goes on and on! I am missing many of my friends right now by not mentioning them or their business and I apologize to them (Ladies I promise I will write another post and give you some props too.)

You can meet ALL of my dear Sassy Sisters on the new blog that has been created by four of the members. PLEASE visit The Sassy Sisters In Sales and please take a moment to look at the right hand side bar, there you will be able to click on each business which will direct you to their individual websites.

Don't forget to comment and remember you can always sign up to my free newsletter by registering above.

ALSO, if you would are women in business and would like to join us click here. Don't forget to let the moderators know that Ketty owner of Detail Diva Events sent you.

Bridesmaid - Etiquette

Hello!

I know I have been MIA and I apologize, really. I have been doing a lot of networking and going to many meetings always trying to find as many vendors as possible. I am always on the look out for new ideas so I can be of better service to my clients.

Wedding season is in full swing and I love it and although many have already married, there are still some of you who are going to be walking down the aisle in a couple of months and are still debating what your bridesmaid should or shouldn't wear or who pays for what. Here are four of the most common questions/debate that many brides go through so...I thought I would write about it today. I really hope the following Q&A help you in making a wise decision.

Do bridesmaids have to pay for their own dresses?

Bridesmaids are generally expected to pay for their own wedding-day ensemble (shoes and jewelry included). Talk to your bridesmaids individually about any financial concerns, and tactfully work out a solution that suits both of you -- maybe you will pay for half or all of the cost, or you can set up a payment plan. Above all, try to choose a dress that's reasonably priced, or consider letting your maids choose their own gown. Give some color/style requirements (i.e., black and ankle length), and ask them to show you the dress for final approval (just in case it's a little too risque for grandma's taste).

What is the proper order in which to line up your bridesmaids and groomsmen? I was under the impression that you have them in the order of who is important in your life. Someone else said you put them in order by height.

This can get sticky. Do the height thing only if you care about that sort of thing for the pictures, etc. That might save you some grief. If you go the other route, though, handle the "you're important to me" approach with care. You don't want to ruffle anyone's feathers. Maybe arrange the girls in order of how long you have known each bridesmaid: family first, then friends, and so on. But you see how even this plan has the potential to hurt feelings. Maybe the best thing to do is let your attendants decide the order among themselves.

Am I required to give my bridal team "thank you" gifts? How much do I spend?

Think of it this way -- your maids are majorly putting themselves out for you. To remain in their good graces, show your gratitude by gifting them properly. Many brides give out gifts at the rehearsal dinner. Sometimes it's something the girls can wear on the day of the wedding, like a barrette or a bracelet. Other brides say thanks with a magazine subscription, wedding keepsakes, or special gifts handpicked with each attendant's interests/tastes in mind. As for a price range, it depends entirely on your budget. We think spending $25-$75 is a safe be

Most of my bridal party is from out of town. They will most likely need to stay in a hotel for two to three nights. Is it their responsibility to pay for their hotel rooms? Or is the onus on the bride's family? Also, would it be okay to split the cost with the attendants as a possible compromise?

Generally, the attendants are responsible for paying their own way, just like they pay for what they'll wear to your wedding and for getting there. And usually, if you have out-of-towners in for your wedding, you'll be able to reserve a block of rooms at a discount, which ought to help them save cash. Going halvesies is perfectly fine, but know that you and your family shouldn't be expected to pay.

Remember ladies, if you have any questions or feel confused about something please feel free to comment or ask here. Also, if you prefer, you can always send me a direct email to ketty@detaildivaevents.com

Free 1 year subscription to Bridal Guide Magazine

Hello!

Here's your chance to get a FREE 1 YEAR SUBSCRIPTION to Bridal Guide Magazine. Like I say time and time again, I am always looking for ways to please my brides and to pass along any savings. Now I have the opportunity to do the same with my readers!

Click here to receive a FREE 1 Year subscription to Bridal Guide Magazine!

Hey, leave a note and let me know if you took advantage of this great offer!

If you are planning your wedding and would like some tips do not hesitate to contact me at ketty@detaildivaevents.com

TTFN!

Bridal Jewelry feat. Adorn Me Jewelry

I know how much of an important role jewelry plays for a bride and how hard it is to get just the right one. It's hard to decide among so many different styles, prices and value of each piece(s). Well today I am going to let you on a secret...

special day - bridal and prom, petite

My friend Tina is the owner of an Etsy shop called AdornMe Jewelry. Tina is so creative, very talented and she handcrafts all the jewelry in her shop. I have ordered from her in the past and I am a VERY SATISFIED customer (which reminds me I need to order a necklace to match the last ring I ordered from her.) It's so hard to pick just one thing you may like because everything in this store is awesome. Also, with the economy the way it is we are all cutting down on cost and AdornMe Jewelry has the best prices around even the shipping charges are extremely reasonable. Also, if you see something you like but think that maybe something else can be added you can contact AdornMe Jewelry and Tina will work with you and try to bring what you envision to life, all you have to do is ask.

Well enough chattering... I am here to give you the BIG SECRET! So here it goes...

AdornMe Jewelry is now featuring a Bridal & Special Occasion Line which I am HIGHLY recommending. So please stop by this WONDERFUL STORE and browse all the beautiful jewelry AdornMe has to offer.

AdornMe Jewelry is offering 20% off to all my readers! Yes, 20% OFF!

At check out you will have a chance to send the seller a note. Just type in Detail Diva Events and you will automatically receive 20% off your purchase. As a wedding planner it is ALWAYS my pleasure to pass along all the discounts I can get to my clients and now to all my readers! Isn't that wonderful? It's what I love the most, to put smiles on peoples faces.

Now, don't ever say I never shared a secret you with you!

special day

Please visit AdornMe Jewelry you will not regret it!

Disaster On Your Wedding Day

Okay, so I am browsing through the blogs that I follow and I stop at one of my favorites which is from a VERY FAMOUS Wedding Planner in Baltimore, MD.

I REALLY enjoy reading her blogs because she is very straight and to the point and that I LOVE!

The following blog is exactly all the things that may go wrong if you don't hire a planner for your wedding day. This scenario, my dears readers, she couldn't have worded better.

**Please be advised that I did not write the following ALL the credits goes this fabulous planner in Baltimore.

Read on my dear BRIDES AND GROOMS... This is extremely important!!!

This is what she recently wrote on her blog:

Recently a bride called me inquiring about hiring me. I was already booked for her day, but referred her to another planner that I know and trust. Her wedding was 45 days away and she still didn’t have a DJ. Even though I wasn’t her planner I referred a great DJ to her, and she hired him.

Monday after the wedding, I heard from my valued DJ. The bride decided not to hire a planner because she didn’t want to pay the fee, and she was confident that her family members would take care of the details. Unfortunately they didn’t, and her wedding was not all she was wishing for. Here is a list of what went wrong, and how it could have been avoided.

1) The bride was 30 minutes late for her own wedding.
We make a detailed timeline of the entire day, from the time the make-up artist arrives, to the time the limo picks up the bridal party, etc. We even contact your hair and make-up artists to tell them what time they should start and finish, to keep the bride on time.

2) The florist was late and didn’t have an assistant to help him. He was putting down the aisle runner and petals while the guests were seated and watched.
A professional coordinator’s timeline is detailed. Each vendor (including the florist), is called two weeks before the event to discuss the duties and what time they need to start work and finish work. The florist is called again a few days before the wedding to confirm. I always have an assistant, and often times an intern. If a vendor is late and needs help to finish, we all jump in to get it done.

3) Kneeling benches were to be used for the ceremony. The bride’s sister was to pick them up from the rental company and bring them. She didn’t do it! Her own sister didn’t do it.
Prior to every wedding, I’m mentally prepared for every possible problem. I know what rental company is nearby, and could have had my assistant pick them up within ten minutes.

4) Seating cards were to be placed outside of the ballroom. Assigned seating was the order of the day. The bride left this task to her beloved and responsible cousin. Guess what? She forgot them! It was a seating “free for all”. Important family members were relegated to the back of the room, because people who took the seats closest to the couple refused to move.
We require that the seating cards are given to us the night of the rehearsal. We place them and assist guests in being seated.

5) The ceremony was one hour late and the priest threatened to leave because he had another wedding to perform. He instructed the DJ to start the music and send the bride down the aisle immediately or he would leave. The bridal party was running around visiting with friends and would not stay lined up. The brides father couldn’t be found when it was time to start. The Bride had to walk down the aisle alone!
This is absolutely heartbreaking. There are always two of us at every wedding. I stay with the bride and her maids, and my assistant stays with the groom and his men. We keep everyone in line. The latest I’ve ever started a wedding was 10 minutes.

6) Photography is one of the most important aspects of your wedding. You get one opportunity to capture “moments” on film. The photographer at this wedding was eating hors’ doeuvres and sitting down. The DJ caught him sitting down on several occasions, not taking pictures. He had to continually hound him all night to do his job.
It is not the job of the DJ to help with all of these problems. This couple was very lucky that this DJ is very caring and wanted the best for them. A coordinator would have made sure the photographer was doing his job. If necessary, my assistant would shadow him and keep him on his toes. It’s our job to oversee that the important shots are being captured.

7) A video montage was to be played during the reception. The bride assured the DJ that there would be a projector and a screen provided. She forgot to inform the venue. No screen, no projector. Luckily the DJ had a backup projector in his vehicle. He convinced the venue manager to allow them to use their screen (additional fee for the couple).
We do a final walkthrough with the venue to go over the timeline and flow for the day. The mistake would have been indentified and corrected at that time.

In the long run, the couple were married. Isn’t that what really matters? Of course it is. But the bride was especially distressed about everything that went wrong. Most brides are sure that their family will “take care of them that day”. I can attest to the fact that when a family member has been assigned a duty, 8 times out of 10, they don’t deliver. It’s not that they don’t love you, but your wedding is not their priority. We see it happen every day. That’s why I carry in the trunk of my car, an extra sign in book, toasting glasses, garters in every color, place cards and pens.

We are trained floral designers. If the florist forgets grandpa’s boutonniere, I can make one in one minute. My emergency kit contains, florist’s wire, tape and pins. We can put together an amazing cake topper from flowers from your centerpieces in five minutes.

Pardon the sound of anger in this post. I am so heartbroken for this couple. For the cost of hiring an experienced planner, these problems could have been avoided. Let me break it down this way:
Wedding Coordinator- Month Of Package…$1500
Walking down the aisle with your dad….PRICELESS!!!

THE END

Detail Diva Events and most, if not all, wedding planners offer an array of packages all you have to do is ASK and have your planner customize a package to meet your budget.

For example, right now I am offering a "Day Of Wedding Package" for under $900.00.

I meet the couple 2 months before wedding day and work with the vendors that have already been chosen and refer new ones if needed. On wedding day we my staff and I will be at the venue making sure EVERYTHING goes as planned oh... and don't forget, we also bring the EMERGENCY SUITCASE filled with goodies that will take care of any mishaps. Anyway, this is something to think about... In the meantime my dear readers I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR ANY COMMENTS FROM YOU! HECK, EVEN A HELLO WOULD BE NICE!

Dealing With The Kiddie Complications

Hello!

Here I go again with the difficult topics of planning a wedding. It's all about decision, decisions, decisions...and here's a TOUGH ONE! Read along my brides and tells me what you think. It took me a while to write this post because it's a very touchy subject and I wanted to make sure I said as best as I can.

One of the wonderful things about weddings is that they can bring many generations together under one roof. On the other hand, you may not be delighted to have screaming infants punctuating your vows, or paying for even the most adorable Shirley Temple clone to take up a seat at your reception.

Whether to invite children to your wedding is one of the more-emotional issues you may face during your premarital meanderings. As you may have noticed, people can get positively fierce when it comes to their little darlings. So what are you choices and, after you make your decisions, how do you impart them most graciously? After you have made your decision, be gracious but firm when people call and ask if their child not being included in the invitation was an oversight.

Specifying an age cut-off is difficult. If you have young ladies and gentlemen involved in your ceremony as junior ushers and bridesmaids, they'll undoubtedly be crushed if they aren't invited to the reception. What's more, depending on your families, you may be pressured to invite other relatives of the same age if you are including these kids. And for an evening reception, trying to have any children whisked away at their witching hour without having to bid farewell to their parents is next to impossible. One solution may be to arrange a quiet area adjacent to your reception where this age group can be taken for a nap - under the supervision of a sitter - until their parents are ready to leave.

Banning children at destination weddings is tricky. Many people won't travel without their children, and consequently may refuse your invitation. One way to please everyone is to include children as surrounding events and hire a baby sitter during wedding itself. It's up to you to pick up the tab for this sitter as well as to arrange to have the children in one place, fed, and properly cared for.

Well, like always I ask ALL MY READERS to send a comment and let me know what you think and of course, any questions I will be HAPPY to answer.

You have asked and I have answered. It's my job to do so!

Hello Everyone!

I have received many messages of people asking how they can access my site and where are we located. So, I thought I would post our information again.

Please bookmark my website www.detaildivaevents.com and if you have any questions or you know of a bride-to-be who may be interested in our services you can email me directly at ketty@detaildivaevents.com

Here's a preview of my website!

OUR SERVICES

Detail Diva Events not only specialize in Weddings, we also specialize in the following services.

ANNIVERSARY PARTY

RETIREMENT PARTY

BIRTHDAY PARTY

SWEET SIXTEEN

BABY SHOWER

BRIDAL SHOWER

SMALL CORPORATE EVENTS

Please contact us for a free consultation so we can create a customized package for your special event.

Remember no budget is too small to have a memorable event!

Contact us today for a complimentary consultation

ABOUT ME

My name is Ketty Gonzalez and I believe everyone needs assistance during these celebrations so that they can be present in the moment not worrying about what they need to do or where they need to be. Able to just relax and enjoy the celebration at hand. It could be a party of 30 or 300, having someone there to coordinate and handle anything that might arise is the peace of mind you want so you can enjoy the event. Keeping in mind your idea of a perfect day, realizing a budget and using all of our resources to make your event one to remember is our goal.

Whether it’s a consultation to get ideas flowing, putting a plan together or coordinating the entire event we are here for you.
We can be involved in as little or as much as you want.

With experience, research and planning, along with a certification of professional bridal consultant and a desire to help others with their planning needs,“Detail Diva Events" was born. A fresh approach and
a “can do” attitude along with a great deal of passion for
what I do are reflected in my work.

After helping many friends with parties and doing my own
wedding I knew immediately that this was my passion.
I found out that every event, big and small needs a planner.
I remember walking into the reception area and looking at
everything to make sure it was there, instead of just
enjoying the moment. I offer personal service and an emotional refuge for anything that arises accented with a smile.

I have a knack of making things happen no matter where you want your event. I take the approach of good listening, careful and thorough planning, creative ideas coming to life and follow up on every detail very seriously. The planning experience for all involved can be fun and fulfilling when you stay in the right frame of mind and always remember that the event is a celebration of life. With life’s busy schedule, it’s nice to have at least one day where it's all about you.

Since all events are different in one way or another I can custom design a package just for you. Pricing depends on guest count, location, set up requirements etc. and can be discussed for customization.
You can also pick from one of my specialty packages. I will personally handle the coordination of your event.

Looking forward to hearing from all of you.

Do we have to send "Save the Date" cards?

Hello!

I know it has taken me a while to write again and I apologize to all whom follow my blog. I have been re-organizing and creating new folders and new everything else for my future clients. I feel very confident that 2009 is going to be our year, "Detail Diva Events Year". I must admit that with everything that is happening with the economy everyone feels they can't afford extras or at least feel that they should hold on to what they have and spend it wisely. The good thing is, I have done 3 meetings this month and all three 3 couples have asked for the "Day of Wedding" package. Although I am used to having clients wanting the "Full Wedding" package it still feels good to know that couples still want to get married and still feel they can use our service just not to a certain extent which is perfectly fine with me and I also consider it a very SMART move. Only you as an individual knows how hard you work for your money and therefore determine where and how your money should be spent. As a wedding planner I feel that I will still be able to be part of their VERY SPECIAL day and still take away the stress off when their special day is here.

Today, I decided to discuss this VERY famous question "Do we really have to send save-the-date cards?" Here are some tips and hopefully it will help you determine if you need to. Every situation is different so it's really up to the couple to figure if it's necessary.

As destination weddings and three-day weekends have become m
ore standard, so have save-the-dates. And if you're marrying during high travel time like a holiday weekend or summer in a beach town, a save-the-date is an expected courtesy. Of course, you don't have to send one if you don't want to, but it will give guests a heads up about your wedding plans. Between travel arrangements and busy schedules, deciding to send a save-the-date will increase guest chance of attending your celebration. That's the goal, right?

As a general rule, it's best to start spreading the news at around six months prior to the ceremony (eight months for faraway locale). This gives guests plenty of time to book their travel, save a bit of cash, and ask for days off from work. Any earlier, and they may toss the notice aside. Any later, and it may as well be an invitation.

Should you send save-the-date to everyone on your list? The answer is no, just to the people that you want to come to your wedding. Once these are in the mail there's no turning back. Seriously though, a save-the-date is essentially an early invitation to the wedding and even if you have shared wedding details with some guests, you still need to send them one (bridesmaid, siblings, and parents too).

What's the best way to announce your wedding date to the masses? Take the formality of your wedding into account then consider wording your save-the-date more casual, I would say about 10 percent more casual.

Please remember if you have any questions or would like more ideas you can email me ketty@detaildivaevents.com Until next time!!!

Why It's Important To Hire A Wedding Planner - A Brides Story

Hello Everyone and Happy New Year to you all! I was trying to stay away from blogging and doing all the twenty thousand things I do but I just couldn't hold back today after reading the following blog about a bride who regrets not hiring a wedding planner.

Many newly engaged couples begin planning the details of their wedding with so many ideas and questions running through their minds. In addition to deciding the date and location, one important detail they must discuss is whether or not to hire a wedding planner.

I came across this post that shares a story of a heartbroken bride who decided not to hire a professional wedding planner. As I was reading I kept telling myself, "Ketty you hear this all the time." Every time someone comes up to me and tells me how things just "didn't go as planned" or "let me tell you my horror story" I really feel sorry because so much work goes into planning and to see it all just crumble it really brakes my heart.

This story is something I want to share with you all because I feel it will make many of you realize why hiring a wedding planner is something to consider. Here's the bride story in her own words:

“I hated all of the planning and felt so tired, stressed and sick of it all. I had so much stress even the week before and my venue treated me like dog doo doo the day and night before my event...I have been overcome with depression and anxiety over imperfect details. Most notably is that the day seems like a blur and this is most likely due to the fact that no matter how many times I asked, no one would get me some lunch...My husband felt as I did - starving! We felt like there were a million people around when we were taking pictures and no one thought to get some damn food. Anyway, I felt like this seriously compromised my day. The photos seem like a blur, not sure if they will even come out well, everything was so chaotic. We were 40 minutes late for pics. My bridesmaids would not let me wear a watch and yet kept horrible time. All I can think is that I wish I hadn't bought into what everyone was telling me about how this was my day, that everyone would take care of me, I could just relax and enjoy it, one BM said she promised that everything would be as I wanted...It was awful and my fault in it is that I should never have trusted or given others so much control and power over making sure I was taken care of.”

If you or someone you know is planning a wedding or special event in the New York City or New Jersey area you can find out more information about my services by visiting
www.detaildivaevents.com