The “Must Haves” for Every Personality Type

Photo by Jay Goldman Photography

The best way to reduce anxiety as you plan your wedding is to pick one “must have” and relish in the fact that you have one dream item. Grieve the loss of not having everything you want early on, so you can enjoy the planning process!


Personality Trait:
A person that gets overwhelmed with details, design and organization

Must Have:
A Professional Wedding Planner. You can find one through the Association of Bridal Consultants (www.bridalassn.com) or your local luxury hotel. Most coordinators on the referral list of a luxury hotel are proven professionals.

Personality Trait:
Uncomfortable with people looking at you

Must Have:
A beautiful dress, something that makes you feel beautiful! Professional hair and makeup that comes to you on your wedding day is a plus.

Personality Trait:
Love dancing

Must Have:
2 pairs of shoes. I invite you to splurge on 1 pair…remember you can wear shoes over and over again, even if you lose or gain weight. A great DJ and/or band and custom dance floor are great “must haves” for the dancing types, too!

Personality Trait:
Concern with what people think and the need to be perfect

Must Have:
A professional planner that can execute your dream. Keep in mind something will NOT be perfect, no matter how much you spend or worry. If you go into planning knowing that this is true, you will most likely walk away with the feeling of being overwhelmed with love and beauty on your wedding day. The strong need to be perfect will also increase stress, and a great therapist can help you through accepting your own flaws and imperfections.

Personality Trait:
Difficulty making decisions

Must Have:
Professional planner that has experience (over 200 weddings). A couple usually makes 1000+ decision throughout the wedding planning process. It is imperative that they hire a seasoned and professional planner that can be able to see the wedding day backwards and forward with many back up plans. This can only come from experience!

Personality Trait:
“Outside of the Box” Thinker

Must Have:
Look for a unique location, perhaps an estate location (a private estate). This is a great option for couples wanting to do something different.

Personality Trait:
Sentimental and like documenting memories

Must Have:
Invest in a professional photographer and videographer. A photobooth is a unique guest book idea that encourages your guests to share more from the heart on paper along with a fun snapshot.

Personality Trait:
Love entertaining and are inviting guests from out of town

Must Have:
Invest in a luxury hotel for ceremony & reception. A key element to a great wedding is make logistics easy for you and your guests!

Personality Trait:
Super particular about food & beverage
(Aka “Foodie”)

Must Have:
Choose a location that allows you to bring in your own caterer (and/or bartender!).

Much Gratitude,
Mary Dann-McNamee

Mary Dann Behind the Scenes!

Thanks to Godfather Films for the video and editing!

My Speaking Tour

I just returned from a world wind of book signing and speaking presentations! I had such a blast!! My first stop was the Bahamas with WPIC (The Wedding Planners Institute of Canada).
I presented to over 200 planners on a subject near and dear to my heart: Staying Physically, Emotionally, & Spiritually Balanced As You Navigate The Planning Process. It was an amazing 5 days of book signings, speaking and career counseling--and I spent the last full day renting a cabana at the exclusive Cove Beachside Resort at Atlantis! I am so grateful that Danielle and Tracy, the founders of WPIC, asked me to be a part of the event. Enjoy some pics below!

My next stop was Phoenix, for the ABC (Association of Bridal Consultants) annual conference. It was a full day of book singing and I presented on “Hot Wedding Trends, Gismos, and Gadgets” with Elise Enloe to kick off the convention! Here are a few pics from the event:

My final stop was speaking at The Party Goddess, Uncensored Event at The Palomar Hotel in Hollywood. Marley Majcher of The Party Goddess was there, and a panel of us shared insights and gave tools for dealing with two different personality types: the leader and the follower. It was such a fun time! Below are some images, taken by Jen O Sullivan. More to come!

I had such an amazing time at all of these events, and I feel so grateful that I was able to be a part of them!

Much Gratitude,
Mary Dann-McNamee

Wedding Wands by Mary Dann

Wedding Wands are more popular than ever! They were recently featured on Cupcakes & Cutlery, a blog that features great items and party ideas. Be sure to check out the post and click here to see more colors and purchase the wands on Stylecology! Pictured below is the "Pretty in Pink" wand, one of my favorites!

Much Gratitude,

Mary Dann-McNamee

Photo by Asgeir Fotographica

Wedding at Beverly Wilshire, Beverly Hills

On September 25th, I had the pleasure of working at the incredible Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills. Everything turned out so lovely, and I could not have done it without such a fabulous couple and hard-working staff. Special thanks to everyone at The Beverly Wilshire (especially Monica Bewak, Director of Catering) for contributing to the event’s success. The ceremony was held outdoors on the Rodeo Terrace, and it was such a gorgeous, sunny day. Following the ceremony, there was a cocktail hour on the Terrace. Many thanks to Mariea Antionette of MAH Productions, Walter Molina of Molina Flamenco, and Amick Byram for providing the beautiful music for the ceremony and cocktail hour. The reception took place in the stunning Grand Trianon ballroom. Fabian of Level 4 International did an amazing job with décor, lighting, and rentals, and the flowers by Nisie’s Enchanted Florist were out of this world. Another special touch was a photo booth for guests to take pictures and leave them for the guest book. A big thank you to Bryant Sentosa of Photoboothless, for making that such a success! Guests were taking pictures all night long. Other vendors who were so amazing include: DJ Tom Chandler of California Sounds for keeping people dancing all night, hair by Trina Duarte of The Studio Agency (Kristien looked phenomenal!), Abloom Media, and Felicia Perry Photography for capturing the event and providing the images below! Enjoy the sneak peek!!

The Happy Couple

The Head Table

The Lovely Centerpieces

The Amazing Cake!

A Ballroom Shot

Much Gratitude,

Mary Dann-McNamee

Las Ventanas 'Bride's New Beginning Ritual'

I'm so excited to share about this new opportunity for bride-to-be's and her bridesmaids to have a special sacred ritual before the wedding day! The Spa at Las Ventanas Resort in Los Cabos, Mexico now conducts an inspirational and spiritual ritual for the bride-to-be and her bridesmaids as a pre-wedding blissful experience. It sounds absolutely incredible!! The ritual includes a Holistic Twilight Ceremony, massages, and take-home gifts!! The focus is positive energy and eternal love. At such a beautiful resort, this sounds like the ultimate way to relax and enjoy time with your bridesmaids before the wedding! Enjoy the pictures below and for more information, check their website!

Much Gratitude,
Mary Dann-McNamee

Association of Bridal Consultants Orange County

I feel so grateful that I was able to speak at the Association of Bridal Consultants Orange County at the House of Blues in Downtown Disney. It’s always so great to see so many familiar faces and meet other inspiring professionals. I discussed the principle and showed my educational DVD “Expanding Your Staff Without Over Extending Your Self.” All of the different types of event professionals seemed to enjoy the event and walked away with a lot of inspiration. The ambiance and food was excellent! I was especially thankful to Kelly Feeney (Disney Fairytale Weddings), Michelle Tortuya (The Charming Little Event Company), Amanda (The House of Blues), and John Goolsby (Godfather Films), who all made sure I had everything I needed. I was thrilled to know that this was the orange county’s chapter’s ABC’s best turn out in a long time and I look forward to presenting in the future!!

Here are some great photos of the event taken by Marlin Munoz!!!!

A Speaking Shot

An Overhead View of the Tables

Enjoying the event with Annette Hoegner (Raye C Marketing), Melissa Churlonis (Event Manager for Mary Dann Wedding & Party Coordinators), & Rhonda Couchigian (Raye C Marketing)

Signing Books for Guests

Much Gratitude,

Mary Dann-McNamee

5 top key reasons to attend a national educational conference

I think it is vital for any novice or seasoned professional in the wedding planning business to attend at least 2 national educational conferences outside of their region…I have listed below the 5 top key reasons to attend a national educational conference:

Be inspired.

Getting away from your environment inspires you to meet other like minded professionals, share ideas and brain-storm new business directions. When you are away from family and the regular rhythm of life, you are more inclined to risk by meeting others, asking questions and keeping an open mind and heart for new seeds of brilliance to be planted.

Talented leaders in your beloved industry.

The quality of industry professionals that educate, share and lead are more available to you in one place, at a national conference, rather than a local networking event. Reputable, proven leaders in your industry are accessible, face-to-face, at the conference, which can be a catalyst for new beginnings.

Opening your mind up to new possibilities.

The Wedding Planning industry is filled with entrepreneurs all doing their best to live a life of purpose (serving others) while (hopefully) making money. Connecting with others along the same journey to share stories and dreams can be very empowering, refreshing and enlightening. Learning from others without having to make their mistakes, can be priceless!

Get educated.

Education can make the difference of how you respond to difficult questions and circumstances. Immersing yourself in a national industry conference will increase your self esteem and confidence. And when a bride is looking to invest in a planner, confidence can make the difference on whether you will be hired for the price you are worth!

Be a leader.

Once you have invested and attended a national industry conference, you have the choice to share your experience and knowledge to your local community of professionals. It is the best way to earn the respect and admiration from your local associates by sharing your educational experience with them. Not everyone has the means to attend a national conference in an exotic island. Be a leader to your local group and share what you have learned with them. After all it is in the giving that we receive!

I hope to meet you in the Bahamas November 1-5, 2010 for www.weddingconf.com !

Much gratitude!

Mary

All Things Wedding...All in One Weekend in the Factory at Franklin

I am soooo thrilled to be a part of this unique wedding-inspired weekend in Nashville, TN coming up August 19-21!! It’s going to be an amazing weekend jam-packed with exciting activities for vendors, planners, and brides alike! The itinerary looks fabulous. In addition to a VIP cocktail party, silent auction and bridal expo, I will be speaking, hosting coaching sessions, and having a book signing. A Magical Affair and Wedding 101 are sponsoring the event, and you definitely won’t want to miss it! Call 615.791.9771 for more information or to make a reservation. More details to come. Can’t wait to see you all there!!!

Much Gratitude,
Mary Dann-McNamee

Kolo USA

Kolo recently sent me a new sample product that I just love!! It’s called the Kolo Rivoli Accordion Box and it’s just the thing every Bride needs to keep organized and stress-free. I use lots different types of folders like this for each of my clients, and this one is fabulous! The folder is great quality, expandable, and has 7 tabbed sections making it super easy to arrange vendor documents and miscellaneous papers. You can also customize the box by placing a photo or label in the window. I’ve always loved all of Kolo’s products. Pictures are a big part of every wedding and they have wonderful photo albums and photo books. They also make my absolute favorite guest book album, shown below. In addition, all Kolo products are available for purchase online or at Aarons Brothers..super convenient! See images below and take a peek at their website!

The New Kolo Rivoli

Much Gratitude,

Mary Dann-McNamee

7 Top Reasons Why The Bride & Groom Should Take Pictures Before The Ceremony

The belief that the bride and groom should avoid seeing each other before their wedding ceremony, though amusing, should remain as it is…an ancient tradition. The popular ritual dates back to when marriages were arranged and the bride revealing her face created the possibility of the groom making a run for it! For whatever reason, however, many couples still partake in this peculiar procedure, expecting heightened anticipation, drama and excitement as a result. But why set yourself up for more drama on your wedding day?! I am happy to share 7 compelling reasons why the bride and groom should take pictures BEFORE the ceremony.


1. The first moment will be even more intimate for the couple. Scheduling pictures before the ceremony gives the bride and groom a chance to actually enjoy their first time seeing eachother, without the nervousness of ALL eyes watching them. Their photographer is able to better capture the special moment as well, as opposed to taking shots from a distance with numerous guests in the background. First moment shots are precious and often a couples’ favorite photo from the whole day!

2. Everyone will look better. Ceremonies can be long and emotional. Tears fall, mascara runs, dresses and tuxes wrinkle, and flowers droop. If the ceremony is outdoors, weather could create problems too…hair frizzes, people sweat, and outfits get dirty. There’s only so much a gifted photographer can retouch.

3. Taking pictures beforehand ensures that no one will be left out. It gives the family and the photographer time to find people who are missing and take as many shots as desired. Moreover, if anyone misses the round of pictures before the ceremony, specific shots can quickly be made up after. It creates two opportunities to get all the pictures the couple and family want, eliminating the worry of people taking off after the ceremony and having their own agendas.

4. Taking pictures before the ceremony also ensures that the couple and wedding praty will not miss out on the cocktail party/reception! Any additional pictures taken after the ceremony won’t take long. The wedding party will appreciate getting all the pictures before the ceremony so they can enjoy their dates, family and friends at the cocktail reception, and the couple will have time after the ceremony to relax, go to their room and enjoy spending time with eachother and their guests!

5. It gives the photographer more of a chance to be creative. Whatever shots he did not perfect before the ceremony, he can re-take after. During the ceremony, he can think of more ideas for pictures afterwards. Even the most creative people don’t flourish in rushed, high-pressure environments. Taking pictures beforehand relieves the photographer of unnecessary anxiety, allowing his/her work to be even more brilliant. The pictures will be less posed, more natural, and more real.

6. Anxiety will be taken away from the couple as well and consequently, the focus of the ceremony will be on what’s important. Couples who take pictures beforehand tell me that just seeing their spouse and spending a little time with them before the ceremony calms their nerves and puts them both at ease. Further, as the ceremony begins, instead of the bride worrying about what the groom thinks of her dress, or if her hair is perfect, the couple can enjoy the beauty of the moment with decreased anticipation. They also won’t need to rush right away to PICTURES after walking down the aisle.

7. Instead of one big hoorah moment of seeing each other coming down the aisle, doing things this way divides the magic into sections by creating several special moments. Ask any couple. Even if they’ve already seen eachother, they will still feel lots of excitement and emotion at the start of the ceremony when music is playing, the bride first walks down the aisle, and all of their favorite people are witnessing their every move.

A couple’s wedding day is on one of the most important, exciting, and happiest days of their lives. Why not make it even more enjoyable by taking away added anxiety and the feeling of being rushed? My suggestion to any bride and groom to be is that pictures begin two hours before the ceremony. The first half hour is pictures of the bride and groom only. The second half hour includes the wedding party, and the third adds the couples’ immediate family. Following pictures, everyone can take a 30 minute pause before the ceremony to relax, have hair/makeup touched up, and attend to their own needs. After the ceremony, only 30 minutes or so will be needed for pictures of the extended family or people who were missing before.




Much Gratitude,
Mary Dann-McNamee

Inside Weddings Website

We all love Inside Weddings magazine but did you know their website is fabulous too?! I’ve always felt that their site is one of the best. It’s very user friendly and super helpful. They have great articles, wedding resources, pictures, and more. It’s wonderful for brides and planners alike! They’ve just added some great new things as well. The new insider’s blog highlights the best parts of each issue…I think all magazines should do this!! It’s very helpful if you want to find something from the magazine but you don’t want to look through the entire issue again. Inside Weddings site is also great if you’re looking for ideas and inspiration. They have photo galleries with pictures of shoes, flowers, cakes, and more—making it super easy to find something you might like! I love it when things are easily accessible and organized. Be sure to check it out!!

Much Gratitude,
Mary Dann-McNamee

Mark Your Calendars!

Starting Thursday July 8th, Kirstie Kelly Couture is having a sample sale with AMAZING discounts!! Who doesn't love a good sale?! If you're looking for a bridal gown, you definitely don't want to miss this. Kirstie is one of my absolute fave designers (and friends!), so be sure to stop by and see what you find!

Much Gratitude,
Mary Dann-McNamee

Ear on Careers Podcast

My most recent podcast was released last week and I've been so eager to share it with you! It’s the latest episode of a series of podcasts called “Ear on Careers." Top-Tier Tutoring produces the free series which is designed to introduce listeners to what it’s like to have different careers in various fields. It's so great for anyone contemplating career paths or considering a career switch. I always say that everyone deserves to have a career that they love! Anyways, Rhonda Rivera kindly asked me if she could interview me for the wedding planner episode and I was so flattered. In the interview, I speak about my background, what a typical day for me is like, and I also give advice to those considering a career as a wedding planner. I feel so lucky to have a career I enjoy. Be sure to tune in here and tell your friends about it. Hope you like it!!

Much Gratitude,

Mary Dann-McNamee

Beach, Boardwalk, and Building Your Bridal Business 2010

I am so excited to be the guest speaker at The Association of Bridal Consultants 2010 New Jersey State Conference! The conference will be held from August 25th to August 27th at the fabulous Caesars Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City, NJ. It’s definitely a trip you don’t want to miss!! It costs $200 for ABC Members and $250 for Non-ABC Members if you buy tickets before June 26! After the 26th, the prices go up $25, so act now! The itinerary looks amazing!!! There are going to be other incredible speakers and various seminars, networking events, and panels with professionals in the wedding industry! It’s going to be a lovely event and I can’t wait to see you all there!!!

To RSVP and find out more information, click here!!

Much Gratitude,

Mary Dann-McNamee

Ceremony Wands by Mary Dann Now Sold on Stylecology

I am super excited about The Bride and Bloom Magazine’s cool new web shop called Stylecology! At http://www.stylecology.com/, you can purchase various wedding products including my handmade ceremony wands!! The wands are a perfect, fun way for guests to congratulate the bride and groom at the end of their ceremony, and they look great on the site and in photos! I am so appreciative that The Bride and Bloom reached out to me with this idea. To find the wands, you can either: click here, go to the Stylecology home page and click on Wedding Style, Ceremony, and Ceremony Wands, or search Mary Dann. Be sure to tell all of your friends and bride-to-be’s to check it out!

Much Gratitude,

Mary Dann-McNamee

My Favorite Handmade Organic Ice Cream

If you’re like me and you love ice cream, you have to try Sweet Lucie’s Organic Ice Cream! Yesterday, Geri Czako, the creator and owner, was sooo nice and brought us 5 pints of her hand-made ice cream and sorbet for us to try at the office!!! What a treat! Ice cream is my absolute favorite, and this was some of the best I’ve ever had!

Check out the website or follow Sweet Lucie’s on twitter to hear more about their story and find out who Lucie is. They don’t have a shop yet, but they have the cutest little vintage cart that they use for parties and weddings! It’d be the PERFECT prop for unique, vintage engagement photos. The flavors, which include Pistachio, Oatmeal Raisin, and my personal favorite Cookies N Cream, were all to-die-for. I just love how everything is organic and natural. Reserve Sweet Lucie’s for your wedding or next party!

Enjoy the pictures below!

Ice Cream Cart

Their truck, coming soon!

Geri with me and my two interns, Sarah and Rachel

Much Gratitude,

Mary Dann-McNamee

Grace's Graduation Captured By Mimi Teller

This past Saturday, my oldest daughter, Grace, graduated from American Martyrs Catholic Preschool. It was a very special day for our family and I wanted to put icing on the cake by getting new photos of my girls. I asked a few photographers, and Mimi Teller stepped in and without a doubt surpassed my expectations. She got my youngest to smile and made the experience fun for everyone. She has a great personality and made my girls feel comfortable (which made the photos even better for me!)

Mimi primarily does weddings and even though I haven’t had the opportunity to work with her personally on a wedding, her photos speak for themselves. Take a look at her website! I am very excited and thankful for my photos. I am already in the process of getting cards made to use for stationery. I am thrilled she captured their angelic essence! Now I have photos that captured this special day to look back to as my girls continue to grow too fast in front of my eyes…

Grace(left) & Sophia (right)

Grace, 4

Sophia, 2

Much Gratitude!
Mary Dann-McNamee

Glen Ellen's Beltane Ranch

If you're looking for a breathtaking getaway location or wedding destination, check out the lovely Beltane Ranch in Sonoma Valley! They have a super cute Bed and Breakfast overlooking green vineyards, beautiful gardens, and vast fields. It's only 8 miles from downtown Sonoma and Napa Valley, and they do beautiful weddings, events, and retreats. I'm hoping to take a trip up there as soon as possible! It looks absolutely gorgeous (see pictures below). It is my step-brother's girlfriend's family winery! And if you can't make a visit there just yet, you can always try their wine...I'm having a few bottles shipped to me soon! Their 2009 Sauvignon Blanc scored an 89 in Wine Spectator--high for a Sauvignon Blanc and higher than Cakebread and Kunde (which both got an 86)! Read this article for more background on the Ranch and take a peek at their website to purchase a case or make reservations!

A Gorgeous View of the B & B



A Lovely Ceremony

Much Gratitude,

Mary Dann-McNamee

Luxury Hotels/Resorts that Require Wedding Planners in L.A. and O.C.

I recently surveyed eleven luxury hotels and resorts in Los Angeles and Orange County to find what their policy is with requiring a professional wedding planner for their brides. I hope my research will inspire more partnering and collaboration with professional planners and asssist you in searching for your venue location. Please don’t hesitate to call or email. I am always happy to help any bride, at any stage, through the journey of wedding planning!

Luxury Hotels in LA and OC Hotels that require Professional Wedding Planners

Los Angeles Hotels

The Beverly Hills Hotel
9641 Sunset Boulevard, Beverly Hills, CA‎ (310) 276-2251‎

Not required, but highly recommended. Hotel offers a list of recommended wedding coordinators.

Fairmont Miramar Hotel
101 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA (310) 576-7777

Not required, but highly recommended. Hotel will give verbal referrals.

Langham Huntington Hotel
1401 South Oak Knoll Avenue Pasadena,, CA 91106 (626) 568-3900

Required to have minimum “day of” coordinator. They state in their contract one must hire a professional wedding coordinator for either “month of” coordination or full-service.

Montage Beverly Hills
225 North Canon Drive Beverly Hills, CA 90210 (310) 860-7800

Not required, but highly recommended. Hotel will give verbal referrals.

Ritz-Carlton-Marina Del Rey
4375 Admiralty Way, Marina Del Rey, CA (310) 823-1700

Currently not required. Due to the increase, of weddings being booked may change to “required.”
Note: Most Ritz Carlton Hotels do.

Shutters on the Beach/Casa del Mar
1 Pico Blvd. Santa Monica, CA 90401 (310) 458-0030

Required. They handout a list in their marketing packet.

Terranea Resort
6610 Palos Verdes Dr S, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA (310) 265-2800

Required to have a “day of” planner if ceremony is on property. They provide a list of professional planners and give a $1000 off site fee if a planner from the list is hired.

Orange County Hotels

Montage Laguna Beach
30801 Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach, CA (949) 715-6000

Requires someone for at least two months of service to assist with wedding arrangements, ceremony, rehearsal and reception. Montage Laguna Beach must approve coordinator and will require proof of qualification.

Resort at Pelican Hill22701 Pelican Hill Road South Newport Coast, CA 92657 (949) 467-6800

Required and states perimeters in catering contract.

Ritz-Carlton-Laguna Niguel
1 Ritz Carlton Dr, Dana Point, CA (949) 240-2000

Required to have a “day of” planner if ceremony is on property. Hotel promotes the planners by giving research in all packets.

St. Regis-Monarch Beach
33000 Niguel Rd, Dana Point, CA (949) 234-3200

Required and states perimeters in catering contract.

Much Gratitude,

Mary

Wedding at Disney's Grand Californian

I just finished a wedding celebration at The Disney Grand Californian Hotel (attached to Disneyland). The wedding was absolutely fabulous and the guests had a blast! The ceremony was at San Antonio Catholic Church (Anaheim) who had the NICEST church coordinator, Michelle Revas, I have ever worked with. Michelle was so lovely and helpful throughout the entire ceremony! After the ceremony, the 220 guests departed to the Sequoia Ballroom at The Disney Grand Californian Hotel. The ballroom space was over sized so we brought in lounge furniture to utilize the space and make it more intimate. We also partially draped the ballroom, floor to ceiling, 19ft high! A special thanks to Fabian and Level 4 International for handling those special elements. During the event the parents' welcome toast could not have been any nicer. They actually said they wanted to hire me on full time as their personal assistant to keep them organized on a day to day basis. They were too sweet!! I also had guests come up to me and say “this is by far the best wedding I have ever been to!” That’s always the biggest compliment for me. A special thanks to KC of VOX DJ who highly contributed to the energy of the guests during the wedding. He had everyone on the dance floor and was even passing around the microphone for guests to sing along. It was a huge hit. There are so many other vendors that contributed to this success. Special thanks to: Bleu Cotton Photography, Elegant Designs Specialty Linens, Nisie’s Enchanted Florist, Make-up By Berit, Tiffany Monday (hair). Below is a sneak peek!

The Happy Couple

The Lovely Place Cards

Room Shot

The Sweetheart Table

The Amazing Cake!

Ashley, Andrew, and I

Much Gratitude,
Mary Dann-McNamee