"You must be the change you wish to see in the world." - Mahatma Gandhi

Charity Means Everything

Christina Marie Events is excited to unveil a Charitable Campaign for all new contracts signed in 2009. For Wedding Packages that are booked in the remainder of the year Christina Marie Events will donate $100 to a Charity of the couples choice in their name! CME believes in the importance of giving where you can and this way the couple will be able to feel as if though part of their wedding

cost supports a cause that means something to them!

The trend of donating to a charity in lieu of a guest favor is on the rise with couples throwing a Wedding Celebration! This is another way that a bride and groom can feel as if though they are supporting a cause while planning their wedding. In these tough economic times it is important to give to those who are in need! Please join me in this effort!!

Another neat way to incorporate Charitable giving into your wedding is to register for it! Check out Just Give that has a Wedding Registry link in the bottom left
http://www.justgive.org/

CME has high hopes that his campaign will be prosperous and that it will be a continued practice with our planning packages!!

Thank You for your support and we look forward to working with you!



"You will find, as you look back on your life, that the moments that stand out are the moments when you have done things for others." - Henry Drummond

Catching Up & Corporate Events Galore!!

Wow, has it been a crazy different start to what should be the busy Wedding Season only it hasn't been filled with Weddings. CME has been busy helping corporation's with organizing team building retreats, launch events and attending seminars on business events. It has been a learning and growing curve kicking off spring and summer with Corporations rather than Couples but we loved every minute of it!! Once we have some pictures and release information from the companies please check back to see these exciting events.

Onto the Wedding Season, most of 2009 is booked for CME leaving only THREE weekends open for the rest of the year,7/30-8/2 and 8/21-8/23. Fall is completely booked and one weekend at the start of the Winter remains open 12/4-12/6.

2010 is starting to book up with anxious newly engaged couples so if you are looking to hire a Wedding Planner for 2010 I would suggest interviewing and inquiring SOON!!!

May VOM - Studio J Photo & Video

May's Vendor of the Month is Judd Sather of Studio J Photography & Videography. Christina Marie Events LOVES working with Judd and his crew! They are all so talented and so much fun to be around! I truly believe when it comes to a photographer that not only the talent and quality is important but also that you like them. They are around you all day. You want your photographer to be good at getting the right shots but not be in your face and noticeable. Studio J does a fantastic job at balancing all of this! They offer great package prices and really neat albums!! Check him out!

Vendor: Studio J
Service: Photographer & Videography
Location: Stillwater, MN

Contact Info: 651-762-8452 http://www.studiojphoto.com/<

Years of Experience - 8 Years

CME ~ How would you describe your Photography Style? -

Judd ~ Documentary – Natural, fun style with minimal posing.CME ~ What sets you apart from other Photographers? Judd ~
PERSONALITY. We really like to have fun with our clients!!
Also our fine art products such as albums, canvas prints, etc!!

CME ~ What is the cost of your average package for couples?

Judd ~ Studio J – Averages $2,000 for a photography package of 8+hours on the day of, fine art albums and CD with photo copies

Judd Sather Photography – Averages $4,000 for a photography package of 8+hours on the day of, fine art albums and CD with photo copies

CME ~ How many weddings to you average per year?

Judd ~ 2008 – 43 2009 - 50

CME ~ What is one unique idea you would like to throw out there?

Judd ~ Trash the Dress shoot after the wedding!! Great way to do something fun with the dress that ends up in a box for life! As Judd takes some of these shots we will come back and post them!
Studio J also has introduced Fusion HD video & camera. We are able to capture video at the same time as photos to combine them.

CME ~ What are some of your favorite shots to take?

Judd ~ Candid, documentary “telling the story” shots with long lenses, people don’t always know the macro detail shots you can get. Shots of details, rings, etc.

CME ~ Any suggestions you have for couples researching Photographers?

Judd ~ Photographers personality is more important than you think – your expressions will mirror how you are feeling. You will spend most of your day with your photographer as any one else. Being comfortable and having fun is how you should be when it comes to the photography on your wedding day.


CME ~ How long will it take to get proofs and does the couple own the photo rights?

Judd ~ We are the fastest studio to my knowledge with 5 day turnaround for 90% of weddings including artistic editing and fine art album design with online release on our blog. Delivery depends on the timeliness of the couple's decisions on revisions. Albums are printed in Italy and take about 4 weeks to print and bind by hand.

Special Bonus!! If you are a Christina Marie's bride and you book Judd's services in May you will receive a free hour with Studio J (value $300)

Thanks Judd for meeting with me, as always it was a pleasure!!

25 Random Things About: Judd Sather

1. My bald head makes me look 10 years older than I am
2. I have 3 cloned kids (or so people say)
3. I played baseball in Sweden for 3 years
4. I taught math in India for 5 months and went on a camel safari for 3 days (was a mistake)
5. I’ve lived in California, Iowa, and Minnesota
6. The only other place I’d live besides MN is Colorado or Switzerland
7. I tried out for the NFL as a punter
8. I wish I would have known about Christina Maries when I got married
9. I met my wife on a blind date
10. We had a BBQ at Pioneer Park in Stillwater for our reception
11. I’ve skied in Austria
12. Pepperoni Rolls are almost as good as a Zone of your Own Calzone
13. I own 3 remote control airplanes
14. I shot a Wedding with a German WWII dagger as their cake knife
15. The only time I don’t wear Crocs is at Weddings
16. I am a self taught Photographer
17. My favorite item on the Old Chicago menu is a Zone of your Own with Hamburger,
Pepperoni, and pineapple with a tall single neck
18. I am not addicted to my blackberry
19. but…. My highest score on brick breaker is 13,960
20. I grew up in California as a 49ers & Raiders fan
21. We launched our Senior photo & Children/Family division
22. Studio J has 12 employees
23. I love to quote 80’s comedies
24. My favorite part of a Wedding is the toasts
25. I still carry my senior picture in my wallet…… because it was the last time I had a full head of hair

Until next months Featured Wedding Vendor ~ Ceremony Location

25 Things About CME!

I have seen these pop up everywhere and think they are very fun!! So here goes Christina Marie's 25 Things I am sure you are dying to know = )

1. I love to eat out and try new cuisine's

2. I love the way fresh laundry, a boat on the lake and fresh cut grass smell

3. Animals make me smile.. especially my cat & dog

4. I planned weddings at the age of 5. I would dress my poor dog Gigi up in a dolls dress with flowers wrapped around her collar, play music and have her come down the stairs for her entrance!!! I taped these moments with the largest video camera you have ever seen.

5. I love all types of music, country, alternative, jazz, rock you name it!!!

6. My favorite place in the world... well besides Fiji is my Cabin

7. I love to make homemade soups

8. If I weren't a Wedding Planner I would be a scuba instructor in Fiji or own a vineyard in Napa Valley.

9. I have WAY TOO many magazine subscriptions, I LOVE them

10. My favorite colors to pair are deep purple & oranges, Brown and light or teal blue, or Champagne and or pink with Brown....

11. I grew up in a farming family.. until we moved to the BIG city in 3rd grade = )

12. I love to run, I do many 5k & 10k's.

13. My favorite part of a Wedding is watching two sets of family & friends come together and have a blast, Oh and that moment when the groom sees his bride come down the isle... tear!

14. I love to golf (not really that great at it but love to do it)

15. My favorite time for a Wedding is Dusk or a candle lit ceremony!

16. I use too many exclamation marks when I write!!!

17. People tell me I am genuine and I smile a lot.

18. I love Sundays!! Paper, coffee, walk the dog.. and reminisce about my weddings the night before.

19. If I had 3 wishes they would be: 1. Never have to sleep 2. That the service industry would restore itself back to the level consumers deserve and pay for 3. World Peace

20. My husband is a dedicated soldier in the MN National Guard, we are a proud Military family

21. I LOVE football.... (GO Cowboys..... and well the hometown Vikes.... can they get a worthwhile QB please?!?!?)

22. I love my girlfriends, they are the best!

23. My least favorite part of a Wedding is saying goodbye to the bride & groom whom have become my friends and I realize I won't be hearing from them once a week anymore.

24. I do mood boards for all my weddings and events!! They are pretty neat!

25. My favorite corporate event to plan is Christmas or Holiday parties

April Vendor of the Month - Molly's Flower Studio

Christina Marie Events is proud to announce our monthly addition to our blog titled: Vendor of the Month. Around the first of each month check back to see which Wedding Vendor has been highlighted for their outstanding products and services. Each month will be particular to a different type of service!


April's Vendor of the Month is Molly Hiller of Molly's Flowers. Molly is extremely talented in floral design and has one of those you just gotta love her personalities. I always enjoy working with Molly and can't wait to see the designs she comes up with for some of my brides.


Molly goes by the motto "Take craft to the level of Art" And she clearly lives by this in her designs.


Vendor: Molly's Flowers
Service: Florist
Location: Minnetonka, MN
Contact Info: 612.770.0322 ~ Molly@mollysflowerstudio.com
Years of Experience - 8th year


CME ~ What style do you specialize in? - Molly ~ Artistic, my niche is really in Peonies


CME ~ What sets you apart from other florist's? Molly ~ I feel it is really important to listen and interpret the brides ideas to help create their visions into a design and reality. I also have a knack for coming up with unique centerpiece ideas. Here are a couple of ideas provided by Molly:

To lively up white linens, add a colored or patterned napkin ironed flat and placed in the center of the table under the centerpiece flowers. This can set the tone for your color scheme and provide a base for the rest of the centerpiece.

For even more "girly" flower girls, add some hair flowers to your order.These are green dendrobium orchids pinned into the girls' hairdo.

For a swanky event, have your caterer provide martini glasses and fill each with one a wide open rose bud for the cocktail tables. Tie the stem of the glass with ribbon in your color scheme to add more flair. A few petals and candles on table and you are set!






CME ~ If a average budget bride were to walk in here today what would her expected budget be with Centerpieces on 20 tables, Ceremony flowers and 4 Attendants on each side cost? Molly~ A small to average bride in this range would be looking at $1,500-$2,000


CME ~ How many weddings to you average per year? Molly ~ 40+ per year.


CME ~ What is the process or your suggestions for a couple booking your services? Molly ~ Settle on your main decisions first to create a base for the floral design. This being your Venue, dresses and color scheme.


CME ~ Anything they can do ahead of time to prepare for meeting with you? Molly ~ Research! Pull pictures from magazines or books for style, specific flowers and inspiration to help work off of.


CME ~ What is one unique idea you would like to throw out there? ~ Molly A unique centerpiece. For Brides looking to do the individual cakes at their guests table incorporate a glass bowl flipped over as a cake plate. Place flowers underneath the glass vase to create a beautiful and stunning cake plate with a touch of flowers! Molly posted an entry with pictures to help bring this idea to life. The cake is provided by the extremely talented Queen of Cakes. Check it out ~ Cake Stand Centerpiece


Molly provides a very warm and friendly home studio for you to meet her at and start with the idea's. She is wonderful to work with and comes highly recommended by Christina Marie Events. Tell her we sent you!

Special Bonus!! if you are a Christina Marie's bride and you book Molly's services you will receive a toss bouquet for free.


Thanks to Molly for meeting with me and showing me such sweet hospitality!!


Until next months Featured Wedding Vendor ~ Photographer

It's all in the DETAILS!!! Alex & Bridget February 28th, 2009

Mr. & Mrs. Young sure know how to throw a party that is 100% them. Cabin style was the theme for this outdoor Wedding on February 28th, 2009. The venue fit perfect - The Horse and Hunt Club in Prior Lake provided a cozy and warm environment for the 155 person guest list. The ceremony was held outdoors on a snowy path lined with pine cones and luminaries that led to a lighted pavilion. While the temperature was hovering around 21 the pavilion was filled with warmth and love... and warm cider and coffee!!

From the beginning to the end this couple was determined to provide their guests a unique experience and that was so well connected with their relationship and lifestyle. The guest favors were smore people that were personalized to each individual guest. The centerpieces were hand made out of birch trees from their lake in Wisconsin. They showered their guests with 25 lbs of Chocolate, Carmel, hard candy and more. Instead of the dollar dance this couple introduced a game to many called Hammershlagen which includes a large piece of tree trunk, nails and a hammer, I could over hear guest raving about this at a wedding and how fun it was. Couples being creative with typical wedding traditions yet molding them around who they are is what makes your wedding so uniquely your own. At the end of the night they incorporated their family tradition at the lake with smores you could make yourself around the campfire out side. This wedding was so much fun to help plan and I am so thankful to Alex & Bridget for letting me be apart of their special day.

Congratulations Alex & Bridget I had so much fun working with you. CME wishes you the very best in your bright and cozy future together.

CONGRATULATIONS!!

Happy Holidays from Christina Marie Events!!!

In the spirit of the Holiday Season CME is offering a discount of $150 off all planning packages and $75 off the Day of Coordination package.

We will also include a set of personalized toasting flutes FREE!!

Contact us today to build a package that suits your Wedding planning needs. info@cmaries.com 952-233-1813
***Signed contract & deposit must be received by December 31st, 2008 to qualify for these specials.

Christina Marie Event's wishes you and your family a Safe and Happy Holiday Season!!