Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Happy Holidays!

What a year it has been…

In January, Mary Dann Wedding & Party Coordinators moved into a new office.

We filmed several TV shows: an episode of “Married Away” at The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, Canada which aired on the Style network and an episode of “Platinum Weddings” at La Costa Resort & Spa in San Diego, which aired on WE network. You should be able to catch a re-run or two; if not, we have copies at the office!

Along with launching her stationery line with Mimio Papers, which focuses on luxury wedding notes of gratitude, Mary has launched a new DVD, “The Balanced Planner: For the Bride, The Planner, or Both”. You can find out more by visiting our website at www.marydann.com

In October, Mary was asked to be the key note speaker at the annual Association of Bridal Consultants convention in Orlando, Florida where 400 people attended her talk on “Balance in the Wedding Business: Emotionally, Mentally, Physically, and Spiritually.”

Mary’s daughter, Grace, turned 2 and her husband Jimmy continues to be the best Dad and husband. Her family and loving team are a huge part of the success of Mary Dann Wedding & Party Coordinators. We welcome Constance Curtis ( her sister was a past bride of ours), and Holly Schoenke (our former intern) to the team to join Leila Khalil, who handles our PR and Marketing. Our staff is looking forward to a wonderful year of planning!

Although Mary will be on maternity leave from February 1^st through April 1^st ( yes, she is pregnant with Sophia Helen, who is due 2/22/2008) our office will still be operating at the high standards you have all grown to know and count on.

Florida Fusion Fun

The national ABC convention was a complete success! I met the most lovely people who gave me a warm welcome. The ABC gave me a booth where I was able to showcase both my existing dvd, "The Wedding Planner Path", and my newly released dvd, "The Balanced Planner: For the Bride, the Planner, or Both" Leila, my PR and Marketing assistant, was manning the booth and sold over 100 dvds!

My new stationery line of luxury gratitude notes was also a hit. I couldn't' have asked for a better response.
On Tuesday at the conference I was the featured speaker at the Spa Luncheon. At the end the ladies who had hosted it, Lisa Konecny of E-Events and Lori Patterson of A Memorable Affair, started a game of "Mary Dann Trivia" which was a lot of fun. Among the prizes was a free copy of "The Balanced Planner" and a 1hr phone career counseling session with me.

I even took on a new mentoree ,whom I met in Florida, 2 weeks after the conference with Monica Gill of JCricket Events. She came to shadow me for 3 days for a wedding I had at the Hotel Bel-Air- she was such a treat!

I want to thank all those with the ABC who made my travels with baby Sophia and Leila as comfortable and enjoyable as possible.

Watching myself on Married Away...

I thought I would share a bit of my insight about watching myself on Married Away which aired on the Style Network last night.

I couldn't believe how much they cut out of the production! We had filmed for 4 days in two separate locations/hotels (Fairmont Banff Springs and Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise) with two separate camera crews. One crew was for Brad and Leia and the other camera was for myself... I felt bad when I saw that my hotel contacts, Nancy Jackson (PR Director) and Marie Eve (Catering Manager) didn't make the show. These people were a big part of my success. I couldn't have done it without the valuable help of the Fairmont Hotel Group in Banff and Lake Louise.
photo by Danny Baker, www.EpicImagery.com

I hope you all noticed my Baby Bump. I was 4 months pregnant while filming this show. I had a wonderful time in Canada and enjoyed the beautiful scenery.
With all of that being said I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving. Happy Shopping..
Bride and Groom: Leia and Brad and myself with the Married Away film crew

Leaving on a Jetplane & New DVD & Stationery Line

Well today is Wednesday, November 7th. I am getting ready to leave on my trip to Florida for the ABC (Association of Bridal Consultants) Florida Fusion National Convention. There will be over 365 people attending the event. This is the largest attendance ABC has ever had. I feel honored to be speaking at such an event. My speech will coincide with my second released DVD titled "The Balanced Planner". .
The DVD as well as my speech includes ways to be emotionally, spiritually, physically and mentally prepared to plan a successful wedding. A unique aspect of the DVD is that it is for the bride and the planner, not just the planner. I am also launching my new line of stationery focused on luxury gratitude notes for all the many people that have helped along the wedding planning process.
I have had a wish to create these for many years. For two reasons. One, I am always sending out checks from clients to vendors thanking them for their services. Now I have the card already to go so it is much easier however still very personal. Second, the cards are a way for the bride and groom to express their gratitude for the people who have offered their time in helping with the wedding or even being a part of it. My stationery line and DVD will be available at the end of November.I am feeling very blessed and thankful for my new professional beginnings.

On a personal note for my daughter's second birthday and for the healthy pregnancy of my second daughter who will be born February 2008. I am looking forward to the new beginnings as the 2007 year ends on a high note.