This was by far one of the most stressful weddings I've ever had to plan. There are several lessons to be learned but I think the most important lesson I learned was that as long as you have friends, family and a community that supports you everything and anything is possible. Zoila and Arturo are blessed to have a community and a loving family that were willing to do whatever it takes to make their special day possible. Two weeks prior to her wedding the venue that they had booked informed them that another wedding was also booked that day and they would have to find an alternative venue. With two weeks to the date we worked hard to pull it all together. To all the vendors that help me with your support I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. I also am blessed to have a great network of wedding vendors to work with. Congratulations Zoila and Arturo, if you managed to make it through this you can make it through anything.

Photos by Studio 7 Photography

Less than six months ago my friends Ivis + Mike surprised us at their house warming party with the announcement of their engagement.  We were all so excited for both of them, but soon after that a date was set and the next few words came out of her mouth "Do you think you can plan a wedding in four months?"  Oh, how I love a challenge. 



Ivis is one of the most creative and crafty people I know.  I knew my friend was talented, but I didn't know she was this talented.  Before I get into all the craziness that took place in such a short amount of time, I want to thank two of my favorite boys.  Henry of Henry Chen Photography and Will of William Kim Photography for capturing all the very special moments of my dear friends wedding day.
 
The staff at The Mitten Building went above and beyond to help me set up and keep things running smoothly throughout the night.  I even had a local volunteer roll and wrap every single napkin, I mean only in Redlands would that happen. Farm Artisan Foods and its staff was one of the easiest catering companies I've worked with in a long time.  I have to say it was really nice to start off my season working with such competent vendors. 

This post will most definitely have to have a part two.  There are so many little details of this wedding the require its own post.  Ivis not only challenged me to help her plan a wedding within four months, she also decided she was going to make every single element from centerpieces to homemade infused vodka favors.  I fell in love with the brides bouquet, hair piece, bridesmaids bouquet and the flowers girls piece so much so that I want to start selling her items in my store.  They were so adorable.  There is so much to describe from guest book board to the cake table displays that it most definitely requires a follow up post.  I'll leave you with a few shots and if you want to view more click over to Henry's Blog.

I hope everyone is having a lovely Easter Sunday.  After a gorgeous wedding on good Friday (details will be posted next week), and meetings all day Saturday, it was nice to sit back and enjoy a day with my family.  I'm so blessed to be surrounded by friends and family that love and support me.  Days like today make me realize how lucky I truly am for my friends and family.  Today was a perfect sunny day for a back yard brunch.  No detail is ever left behind at the Randazzo home.






One lucky little man had an Easter to remember.  The perks of being the only kid in the family.  Memere made Rocco's little face light up with all the goodies in his basket.



I hope you all had a wonderful Easter.  There is nothing more important than spending with with family.  Now it's time to relax and enjoy the rest of my day. 

Eight months prior to NOZZA Fest actually coming to a fruition, I had a crazy idea of planning a weekend long music festival.  I figured how hard can it possibly be, after all I plan weddings all year long.  Oh my friends, it is not as simple as a wedding.  The thing with weddings is that you always know exactly how many people are showing up.  My nerves almost got the best of me that night.    Although my initial destination had to be canceled due to some unforeseen issues, I manged to secure a venue locally in Long Beach.  The newly renovated Art Theatre of Long Beach was the perfect setting for an intimate evening of music.  Myself and about 150 other local music enthusiast had the pleasure of enjoying some unique and intimate performances.

I have to thank the amazing, talented, and patient artists who performed that evening.  Tadhg Cooke started out his three month long U.S west coast to east coast tour at NOZZA Fest.  I had the pleasure of having him as a guest in my home.  The perks were endless.  Morning walks to my favorite breakfast place,  conversations about everything and anything under the moon, he managed to fix my broken laptop *kuddos*, and as if that wasn't enough he rehearsed in my studio while I worked.  Ah, I miss you Tadhg.  He safely made his way across the terrible storm the east coast had this winter and recently made his way back home in Ireland.
 
Jay Buchanan I don't even know where to begin to thank you.  Your music speaks to my soul.  You write the most amazing lyrics and sing with a voice that just penetrates throughout.  I'm still getting calls, random people stopping by the studio and emails asking me where will you be performing next.  You definitely left an impression on all those who came out to see the show.  I had the pleasure of listening to Jay last week as he performed at The Hotel Cafe and just like before I was left speechless with his talent.  Thank you for not only performing at NOZZA Fest but for genuinely being one of the most kind people I've ever met.

So this is what wedding professional do on their off season.  There are days that I like to convince myself that there is actually a "wedding season" and an "off season" but the truth of the matter is that as wedding professional we are always creating and working.  It's a love affair with all things wedding.

This past month while having a conversation with  Erica O'Brien Cake Design about our new The Wedding Clique blog (we're getting a face lift check back next month) featuring real weddings incorporating our love for .... "his, her, and forever theirs" design concepts, we decided to submit one of ours to the latest and greatest new online wedding magazine Nonpareil.

I was recently asked on an interview by the Style Network "what is your signature style?" I really never gave it that much thought before but the best way I can describe it is a bit like Thom Filicia.  I love to incorporate lifestyle, design and each individuals personality to create a cohesive wedding that represents both the bride and the groom.  This project is a perfect example on how it all comes together.

No wedding can ever be completed without the creative driving force that is every professional wedding vendor.  I want to thank Deanne of Bella Fiore, Henry of Henry Chen Photography, Erica of Erica O'Brien Cake Design, Monica of Paper Cut Industries, and Liz of The Ebell Club it takes a team to make it all happen.  I'm fortunate to work with such talented individuals.

Click here --> Nonpareil Magazine Issue #2