Destination Decadence…Hawaii

I’m going to let you in on a little secret…I LOVE VERA WANG!  So much so that the very next time I am in Hawaii and feel like an unjustifiable splurge, I’m checking into the Vera Wang Suite at Halekulani.  Better yet…

Dear Future Husband,

I will love you even more if you surprise me with this as the destination for our honeymoon and/or anniversary.

Your loving future wife,

Me

Here’s why… this one bedroom suite features 2,135 sq. ft. of interior space, plus a 642 sq. ft. Oceanside lanai [a low-slung Hawaiian beach house with an open-sidedlanai to catch the tropical breezes], all of which is personally designed by Ms. Wang and adorned throughout with various décor hand-selected from her new home, gift, bath and accessories collections, as well as rare furnishings from Hawaii, the Pacific and Asia. Spectacular views of Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head are the focus of every room throughout the suite and from their luxurious master bedroom and expansive lanai overlooking the beach, guests may witness the moon rising over Diamond Head in the syrupy night sky.  Now…that’s sexy!

No detail is overlooked or untouched by Ms. Wang – she collaborated with Halekulani’s in-house master florist to create original arrangements of her favorite tropical flowers throughout the suite. The dining room, set with classic Vera Wang china and glassware produced exclusively by Wedgwood, accommodates an intimate dinner for two or a gala dinner for six. State-of-the-art SONY electronics, including a 50-inch plasma flatscreen television with DVD/CD entertainment center, are found throughout the living and bedroom areas.  And as if that isn’t enough, here’s just a taste of what else you can expect:

  • Vera Wang Suite guests will be chauffeured to and from the airport in a private limousine
  • Welcome amenity of French Champagne and amuses bouche
  • Selection of Vera Wang Fragrances, Body Lotion and Powder
  • Private Butler Service
  • Signature cocktail menu, designed by Dale DeGroff and Vera Wang
  • “Vera’s favorites” inspired movie library
  • VIP passes and services to the Honolulu Symphony, the Honolulu Academy of Arts, Bishop Museum, The Contemporary Museum and Iolani Palace
  • In-bed, ‘Diamond Head Breakfast’ experience

This type of luxuriation can be yours for the low-low price of  $5000/night.  Hey, you only live once so shouldn’t it be about quality…not quantity?

AND, in my humble opinion, it doesn’t get much more quality than Vera!!

For a complete list of amenities, check out the fact sheet.

All images courtesy of http://www.halekulani.com/.

You are cordially invited to the 2010 Pink Party!

image courtesy of udoewa.blogspot.com

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month – a 25 year old international movement that is dedicated to increasing public knowledge about the importance of early detection of breast cancer and for very good reason – it continues to reign as the 2nd leading cause of cancer death in women (next to Lung Cancer) [1].  I never realized how devastating this disease was until my sister’s godmother was diagnosed in 1999.  After months of chemotherapy, we celebrated what we thought was a successful recovery only to find out 6 months later that the disease had not only returned but had spread into her lungs.  No amount of chemo or alternative treatment would save her and it wasn’t long after that the disease finally had its way.   I remember feeling like we were the only people in the world going through this and couldn’t understand how someone so full of life could be debilitated so aggressively but since then, I’ve met and formed personal relationships with many phenomenal women who have been impacted by breast cancer.  Every story, however different, remains ever so moving and four years ago, in honor and memory of the victims and in celebration with the survivors, I began an educational fundraising event called the Pink Party.

flyer designed by momonphoto.com

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The Pink Party is just one of our nine annual Signature Series events, all of which seek to raise funds in support of grassroots charitable organizations that specifically target philanthropies that we hold dear to our hearts. This year’s Pink Party will be held on Thursday, October 28th from 5-9p at the swanky NINE Lounge in Hoboken, NJ (333 Washington Street) and  we are happy to announce that this year’s donation recipient is the Young Survival Coalition (YSC).  YSC is a New York based non-profit that works with survivors; caregivers; and the medical, research, advocacy, and legislative communities to increase the quality and quantity of life for women diagnosed with breast cancer ages 40 and under[2]. Their work is so important because while not as prevalent, breast cancer does occur in women under 40 and when it does, it is far more dangerous, there’s a decreased survivorship and these women are more susceptible to developing the disease again later in life.

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So what should you expect? Well, in promoting the event so far I find that a lot of people immediately think they have to go home and put on their dancing shoes to step in the name of breast cancer. Not so fast twinkle toes. It’s happy hour so the martinis will be readily available and there will be room and opportunity to cut a rug but this isn’t your textbook party. You’ll be treated to a one-hour wine tasting; poetry reading by NY Poet, Megan Harris; plenty of opportunity to network and promote your brand; and a chance to win a number of raffle prizes, courtesy of Loveliness Baskets among other local businesses. Everyone will leave with plenty of information on breast cancer from the Young Survival Coalition (YSC) as well as a devishly delicious pink cupcake, courtesy of BreakBread Co. The most important part of the night, however, will be the silent auction as 100% of the proceeds generated will directly benefit YSC and their efforts. We’ve raised the stakes just a little giving our twitter followers an opportunity to get in on the bidding and beginning October 1st, we’ll begin posting a library of items that are up for grabs so please stay tuned.

image courtesy of Moonchilde Stock

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A few final housekeeping notes before we go…since pink is [unofficially] the official color for breast cancer, we’re requesting that everyone wear something pink in recognition and support of breast cancer awareness month. No, this isn’t mandatory and yes this request is for guys too. Oh, and exciting news, Time Warner will be covering the event!!!!!  We’re 1000% excited and hope that their presence will catapult the mission and objectives of YSC to new levels. Thank you Time Warner!!

***

References:

[1] NBCAM.org – Official website for National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

[2] youngsurvival.org – Official website for the Young Survival Coaltion

A Weekend of Celebrity Weddings

The last weekend of July went out with a bang with some of biggest names in entertainment finally saying I do and Vera Wang sweeping the “Most Brides Donning a Fabulous Gown” award!

courtesy of examiner.com

Chelsea Clinton says “I Do” to Marc Mezvinsky at the very historic Astor Courts in Rhinebeck, NY
Not only did Chelsea double-dress herself in Vera Wang, wearing an ivory strapless gown for the interfaith ceremony and a silk tulle cross-back Grecian gown for the reception, but Vera was also the creative inspiration and designer for the bridesmaids dresses.

  • Officiated by Rabbi James Ponet
  • Besides having the former President of the United States walk her down the aisle, her very high profile guest list included THE Vera Wang (Yes! We know she was not THE MOST high profile guest but sorry, we LOVE her…no one else really matters).
  • Estimated price tag: $5M dollars…now there’s a PLATINUM wedding.

courtesy of popeater.com

Alicia Keys says “I Do” to Kaseem “Swizz Beatz” Dean in Corsica, France
Grecian inspired dresses were predicted to be one of 2010’s wedding dress trends so it’s only apropos that Alicia decided to adorn her baby bump in a beautiful ivory gown designed by none other than…Vera Wang.

  • Officiated by Deepak Chopra
  • Guest List included Bono and Queen Latifah

courtesy of tmz.com

Tameka “Tiny” Cottle says “I Do” to Clifford “T.I” Harris on Star Island in Miami, FL

Because I was raised to just say nothing in situations where there’s nothing good to say, I am refraining from saying much about Tiny’s strapless ivory gown designed by Valentino. Okay, just one little comment/question…if she had a wedding planner WHY didn’t they recommend a different dress? Not that it’s bad but it’s not screaming “Here Comes the Beautiful Blushing Bride” to me. Moving on…

  • Officiated by former Atlanta mayor Andrew Young
  • All of the “A”; including Usher Raymond, Jermaine Dupri, TLC’s Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas, Bow Wow, Nelly, Ashanti, and Trina; descended upon Miami to help the couple celebrate their long-anticipated nuptials.

courtesy of popeater.com

Kimberly Brock says “I Do” to James Van der Beek in Tel Aviv
This wedding was probably the most overshadowed by the Clinton/Mezvinsky wedding as we couldn’t find one interesting detail, or picture, about it outside of news that Kimberly wore a Shareen Vintage dress. BOR-ING! Oh wait, like Key’s she’s pregnant!

So final tally:

  • VERA WANG:2 +all of Chelsea’s Bridesmaids dresses
  • VALENTINO: 1
  • New Wedding Accessory: Baby bump (Oh, how I hope this isn’t the new trend!!)

courtesy of eonline.com

Weddings to watch
Tamera Mowry, twin sister of Tia Mowry, is engaged (AGAIN) and this time she’s scheduled to wed Fox News correspondent Adam Housley in May 2011.

Congratulations to all of the Couples!! What wedding were you most anticipating? And now that the big day has passed, which one left you teary-eyed and awestruck?

ABCs of Wedding Planning: [A] is for Announcing Your Wedding

You’ve said “Yes” and naturally you’re on such a high that shouting it from the mountaintops with an amplified bullhorn seems the only appropriate way to announce to the world that YOU’RE GETTING MARRIED!! So it’s only fitting that the first step on your journey down the aisle is the announcement of your engagement.

Ways to Spread the Big News

Traditionally, snail mailed invitations were the only method of spreading the good news but with all of the advancements in technology (and creativity) variety is now truly the spice of life when it comes to the number of ways you’ll have to choose from when announcing your engagement.   The Bride’s parents were usually responsible for creating the wedding buzz but we’ve found that the couple is more often than not taking this task into their own hands or delegating to the MOH to help get the job done.  Here we’ve listed a few based on couple’s personality types:

STILL A TRADITIONALIST AT HEART? Announcing It and Wedding Paper Diva are just two of our fabulous twitter friends who specialize in awesome wedding stationary. Pay them a visit and tell them we sent you.

Sweet and Simple: Publish an announcement in your local newspaper.

photo courtesy of newspaper announcements

Writing your love down in history by publishing the details in a local newspaper is a sentimental and cost effective way making your big announcement.   Select and contact one or two newspapers in your area which will accept your wedding announcement submission.  Upon contacting them you’ll want to ask:

  • What forms are required in order to have your announcement published? Typically, you’ll be asked to provide the location and date of your wedding ceremony, the bride’s maiden name, your parent’s names and city of residence and sometimes, where you will live once you are married.  If you’re allowed to provide additional details about your wedding, consider publishing the names of your bridal party, how you and your fiancé met and where you will be going on your honeymoon.
  • Here is an example of a standard engagement announcement:
    • Mr. and Mrs. John Brown of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania announce the engagement of their daughter, Miss Mary Jane Smith, to Mr. Ryan Edward Brown, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ryan Brown, also of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  An October wedding is planned.
      Miss Smith is a 2001 graduate from Drexel University and is a Marketing Director for KPMG.  Mr. Brown is 1999 graduate from Temple University and is a Financial Investor for PWC.

Socialbfly says: There are also many circumstances where the wording must be changed to reflect the situation of the bride and/or groom. There are many different combinations of situations that can occur so if you have a question about how to word your announcement, please contact us.

  • What size, resolution, and quality photograph do they prefer and can they accept for printing? Once you determine whether high resolution, full color photography is preferred over black and white, you’ll need to select a photo that best captures you and your sweetheart happy, smiling and in love.  Remember to include your name and phone number on the back of the photographs and enclose a SASE if you want the photo returned.  If you don’t have a photo that you think best compliments your announcement, consider scheduling a photo shoot.  If needed, the photographs from the shoot can be repurposed for inclusion on your save the date cards, invitations, and wedding programs and even a slide show.

Once you’ve received your publish date, you’ll want to tell everyone to pick up a copy.  What a sweet way to forever capture your wedding moment in time!

 

Tech Savvy and Not Afraid to Prove It:  Create a wedding website

The use of wedding websites as a method of announcing your engagement has become a fast-growing trend for several reasons:

photo courtesy of dex knows

  1. It doesn’t take long to register and create an online wedding profile using pictures, wedding details, and your personal love story.
  2. Most sites like the Knot, WeddingWire and Wedding Announcer, are free making it a cost effective and budget friendly alternative.
  3. Not only can you announce your engagement but it also allows for easy ongoing communication regarding your wedding plans to friends and family with the click of a mouse.

A simple email to friends and family asking them to check out the cool new website you’ve found only to learn that that cool new website is their favorite and newly engaged couple is a plan so simple, it’s Genius! Hit send and watch the congratulations pour in.

 

photo courtesy of your engagement 101

Life of the Party: Throw an Engagement Party

Should you have an engagement party?  Well consider this, gone are the days when couples must have one.  Sure, it’s a great way for both families to get better acquainted but if you are hosting your own, you’ll want to start by carefully assessing your budget.  It is, after all, another party and weddings quickly add up.

You’ll also want to consider your timing.  In terms of the wedding timeline, engagement parties should be planned about 3 months after the official proposal and about a year before the actual wedding date.  If your budget and timing can accommodate an engagement party, then let’s plan a party!!  If your timeline doesn’t allow for that you can also consider celebrating it 6 months before your wedding date but we tend to sway couples away from this decision – there will be several future opportunities to toast to your love leading up to the wedding ceremony.

If you decide to plan a party, you will again be faced with options as an engagement party can take the form of a backyard garden party, formal dinner, intimate home gathering and anything in between.  Regardless of your location, have fun!  The most important goal of your engagement party should be to create a friendly, warm environment that inspires conversation and celebrates you and your fiancé as a newly engaged, soon-to-be-married and super in love couple.

Sidebar: As with formal announcements, the engagement party was the honor of the bride’s parents but today, it’s no longer a faux pas to have a best friend or godparent fulfill this role.  If someone other than the Bride’s parents are planning the engagement party, she should speak with both sets of parents to ensure they are available for the event date.

The Etiquette Behind Announcing Your Engagement

There are some rules of…pardon the pun…[announcing your] engagement!

  • Whom To Tell First and When? If you or your fiancé have children from a previous relationship, you’ll want to start here and you’ll want to handle with care.  After all, imagine how daunting learning that there’s a new daddy in town or that all of a sudden you have older siblings can be.  You’ll want to allow plenty of time for the children to adjust to the change and often times, the old saying “time heals everything” will apply itself as long as there is unwavering love from the biological parent and unconditional support and an genuine attempt to bond from the new one.  Next up are your parents. Traditionally, the bride’s parents are notified first and the groom’s immediately thereafter.  There is no “right” way to tell your parents however whenever possible, face-to-face is always the best policy – it just adds that extra oomph to the excitement factor.  Regardless of how you announce it, the both of you should be present.  I usually recommend that Grandparents, siblings and anyone else who you know would be emotionally devastated at the idea being the last to know be notified. This includes close friends.  Once you’ve completed this roll call, my dear Bride, you are free to tell the world.
  • Who to Invite to the Party? If you decide to host an engagement party, take extra care with your guest list and never invite anyone who will not be invited to the wedding.  It’s just bad social relations.
  • Gifts NOT Required. Not only is it a bad idea to ever mention your requests for gifts on your invitations but it’s important to know that gifts aren’t “regulars” at engagement parties.  If you do, however, receive gifts, wait until after the event to open them and always send a thank you card.

Tell Us How You Announced to the World That You’re Getting Married.

From the moment you said I do you’ve been busting at the seams with the excitement that you’re getting married.  And for good reason – you’ve been fantasizing about it since you were a little girl marrying Barbie to the latest Ken doll (wait…was that just me?). So, don’t you think you should tell us all about how you made the big announcement? Did you throw a surprise engagement party for your guests?  Was a large fireworks display your way of telling the world you said “yes” (don’t laugh…it’s been done)? We want to hear your story.

Other Online Resources: Announcing Your Engagement at Work

Back to School Night with David Tutera

You’ve seen him on WEtv’s, “My Fair Wedding”.  He’s been lovingly crowned ‘Wizard’, ‘Godfather’, ‘Fairy Godfather’, and ‘Prince’ by the brides who’s wedding dreams he’s made a reality.  And last night I had the pleasure of being taken back to school by event planner extraordinaire, David Tutera at a Learning Annex event held at the lavish Hilton Hotel in Downtown Manhattan, NYC .

What can I say besides…He was fabulous! Throughout the course of the night we learned little DT Gems like he doesn’t belong to any associations, which is especially ironic considering he’s starting one in 2011, and he’s never paid for any form of advertising (thanks David!! I finally have an answer to my, To Advertise or Not to Advertise, question!). Just to give you an idea of how much information was covered, I went home with 8 pages of notes but because this is not a book report (remember those?), I’ll bestow upon you a few of my [paraphrased and in my own words] favorites, which I’ve categorized below:

Learn your Client. David urged us as planners to learn how to listen to the client and to learn what they want and who they are.  “Become emotionally connected to your client…” He suggests that 75% of the conversation, during the first hour spent meeting with a new client, should be about them and as you’re listening jot down five adjectives that are a recurring theme in the discussion.  Include those words in the proposal so they feel like they’ve written their own proposal.

Looking for ways to motivate (or rejuvenate) your creative edge? Opening up your client base and vendor base were two of David’s simple suggestions.  In both cases, lack of variety can quickly lead to stale and cookie-cutter ideas.   Creating a story also has many benefits to ensuring each event experience is unique.

Keep the Party Going. “Weddings are about the Bride and Groom but more importantly it should be about the guests.  Something different should happen every 30 minutes putting guests on a journey and preventing boredom.”

With plans for 2011 that include the launching of a new jewelry line of wedding and engagement rings, the David Tutera Wedding Certification Course and the launching of a line of bridal crafts, it’s hard to not think of him as some kind of super wedding action hero so imagine how great it was to learn that he isn’t impervious to things like burnout, planners block, and annoying clients.  Yes, annoying clients get on his nerves also! Here are some of his tips to help cope and better manage Life as a Planner:

  • In order to avoid burnout minimize the amount of time spent socializing with people in the business because what you end up doing is talking about work all of the time!
  • “Never under price yourself.  When you do, you’re under pricing your confidence”.
  • Take baby steps.  Don’t leap.  Become good in one section and segue way into another.
  • Networking with organizations such as MPI, ISES, and ABC to build your contacts is good but also branch out and make your own networks.
    • Your network mix should be 70% social and 30% corporate.
  • “As event planners it is important to create a team of vendors who you are confident can deliver and are willing to support (even if something goes wrong)”.
  • Reforecast yourself every 3 years and in that time, always move prices a little higher.
  • Breaking even on a project is fine but losing money is never good!
  • You are a Mediator, Therapist, Counselor, and Wedding Planner Last. Know when you switch hats”.

There were also valuable little tidbits about destination weddings and the real story behind the Joan Rivers scandal but you had to be there.  Overall the learning experience was priceless and even though his manager came across as more of a sharpshooter for the CIA thus preventing me from getting a picture with David, I will still continue to be a faithfully loyal My Fair Wedding watcher til death do us part.

July is National Picnic Month!

Picnics can be an excellent location to have a romantic lunch or dinner getaway from reality au pair.  They can also be the setting for a fun-filled summertime barbeque with family and friends, but this month I think the focus should be on ROMANCE.

There are several key elements you’ll want to keep in mind when planning your picnic.  The first of which is LOCATION.  Wouldn’t it be grand to hop on your private jet for a romantic afternoon picnic on the sandy beaches of Costa Rica?  I can see it now…but the reality for most of us is if it’s not a planned vacation, that perfect scenario is not really a….well, reality.  That doesn’t mean that you can’t plan something just as beautiful and there are a variety of nature’s best backdrops to choose from.

Beaches. Who doesn’t love sand between their toes and an ocean breeze at their back?  For a comprehensive list of public beaches nationwide, click here.

Parks and Playgrounds. Public parks, reservations, and botanical gardens can provide an airy beauty to your picnic experience.  If you have kids, there’s no reason you can’t still enjoy a semi-romantic picnic while the kids tire themselves out at the jungle gym.  Of course, at some point you will be required to jump in to push swings and encourage your little acrobat to reach for the next monkey bar but in the moments when the kids are playing amongst themselves, take the time to just appreciate one another. For a comprehensive list of public parks and playgrounds nationwide, click here.

The Mountains. If you and sweetie are more of the adventurous type, a short hike through the mountains to the picnic site can be a fun way of burning some calories and kicking up those endorphins.  It can also be a very private setting and that’s all we’re going to say about that (wink, wink).

Outdoor Theatre. Though there are few still in operation, finding one and using it as your picnic location will make it even more nostalgic.  For a list of outdoor movie theatres, click here.

Home Sweet Home. Your home can actually be the setting for annual picnic celebrations. Why call off picnic season due to cold weather when you can just take picnic season indoors? Especially when a perfectly prepped backyard can be just as titillating as your living room fireplace or bedroom floor.

With a little imagination, picnics can be an easy way to celebrate family, love and life all year long,

Socialbfly says…If you’re looking for a scenic outdoor multifunctional location in New Jersey, we recommend the NJ Botanical Gardens in Ringwood, NJ which is open from  8a-8p all year long and FREE to the general public.

The second key element you’ll want to consider is your PACKING LIST.  Where you decide to host your picnic will ultimately require you to examine the items on your final packing list but there are some basics necessary ingredients:

  • Picnic basket
  • Picnic blanket
  • Can opener, bottle opener, and corkscrew
  • Sunscreen
  • Ice packets
  • Citronella candle and insect repellant
  • Trash bags
  • Plastic ware and napkins or paper towels
  • Wine glasses
  • Camera
  • Music

Though there’s little room for something to go wrong during a picnic, Murphy’s Law is more often than not waiting to work her charm.  And besides, isn’t it better to be safe than sorry?  You might want to take these along as well, (especially if you’re hiking):

  • First aid kit
  • Extra pair of clothing (in case you’re swimming)
  • Compass
  • Flashlight
  • Insect net
  • Antihistamine (for the allergy afflicted)

It is a good idea to utilize a location that you’re familiar with and when you arrive, park close to your picnic site.  The summer months are notorious for passing thunderstorms and I promise you won’t really be interested in walking 2 miles back to your car if a storm cloud passes over.

Third and final key element is THE MENU.  The foodie in me argues that this should have been first but in my own defense, I didn’t list these in order or importance…just in order.  And now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, I’d like you to introduce you to my friend, Ms. Ilia Daniels, who is an a-maaaaaz-ing cook and in our friendship circle is referred to as the Diva of [fine] Dining.  She’s also the owner and head cook of BreakBread Catering, a full service event catering company which also provides personal chef services and cooking classes which, for the cooking impaired like me, are absolute gems – there’s a huge chance I may one day be able to cook for my family.  I called to get her feedback on what she thinks should be inside of the picnic basket and her suggestions will make you rethink peanut butter and jelly and run to the supermarket right now:

  • Hummus and Pita
  • A Bottle, or two, of your favorite wine
  • Individually packaged sandwiches like tuna with capers and olive oil  [BreadBreak Tip: lightly toast the bread to reduce sogginess]
  • A pasta accompaniment that can easily be served cold.  She makes a flavorful Farfalle Pasta with Broccoli that fares well hot, room temperature or cold.  (see her recipe for Farfalle Pasta with Broccoli here)
  • Fruits:  Melons and berries serve as the perfect dessert.  For three different variations of a fruit dessert, consider topping it with a Chantilly cream or yogurt.  You can also consider grand marnier infused strawberries. (see her recipe for Fresh Summer Peaches and Raspberries with Chantilly Cream here)
  • Sliced veggies and olives to go with the Pita
  • B.M.T – Basil, Mozzarella, and Tomato
  • Water, water and MORE water…there’s nothing romantic about being dehydrated and water can also serve to clean an unexpected cut or insect bite.

She cautions against “messy” dishes and those that include mayonnaise (or other dairy products) because they tend to spoil easily in hot weather and suggests mayo packets instead.  Packets are also a good idea for toting other condiments including ketchup, relish, salt, and pepper.

When selecting your basket you’ll want to choose a size that can support the number of dishes you intend to serve.  When packing your basket you’ll want to pack the heavier items on the bottom.

FACT: The most popular picnic food is watermelon.

A picnic, overall, can be a romantic and relaxing way of spending quality time with your loved one(s) without putting a lot of financial stress on yourself.  Invest in your love life and block out a weekend afternoon and properly celebrate National Picnic Month.

Thank you to our Blog Contributor(s):

  • BreakBread Catering. Ilia Daniels. Want more delicious recipes? Follow on Twitter @BreakBread_Co.

Feature Opportunity for Wedding Photographers

Socialbfly is getting a makeover and the first order of business is the design of a new flyer and wedding guide to market our wedding planning services. We thought we’d set out a friendly competition for our wedding photography friends to get in on…(insert drum roll here)
… Photographers can submit up to 3 wedding photos for consideration of being included on the flyer or in the guide (total distribution = 5000). Both will be showcased here as well as on our twitter and facebook pages and will give mention to the photographers name, website, and contact number.

For more information or to submit your photos email us at info@socialbfly.com. Submission will be accepted until July 1, 2010 and the winner will be announced on July 15, 2010.

Hello world!

(That was the default title WordPress assigned to our first blog and it worked…so we’re sticking with it.)

Hello World and welcome to our little piece of the blogosphere. Behind the Veil…Beyond the Vows is the new official blog for Socialbfly and in case this is the first time you’re hearing of us, Socialbfly is a special events and lifestyle marketing boutique geared to enhancing every aspect of our clients lives through three unique and trendsetting studios:

  • The Imaging Studio provides assistance to individuals and businesses looking to alter, enhance, or maintain any and all aspects of their lives.  We work with a sassy lineup of indie stylists, motivational speakers, and designers to provide personal services, seminars and workshops that successfully enhance our clients’ definition of love, life, look and luxury
  • The Publicity Boutique specializes in providing premier marketing and publicity services for businesses, brands, and personalities anchored in arts, entertainment and womens health and beauty
  • The Event Design Studio is actually comprised of 4 Boutiques geared to our most popular client types: Charities and Small Businesses, Children, Girlfriends and Blushing Brides-to-be

We also host an annual calendar of events throughout NJ, and the surrounding areas, that are used to raise funds and awareness about charitable causes.   Stay tuned because the  “Behind the Veil…Beyond the Vows Bridal Expo” is in the works and we’d love to see you there.

For much more information on our services visit our website, http://www.socialbfly.com.  In the meantime, stick around and see what the fuss is about as we explore all of the ins and outs of the wedding experience and beyond (Yes, there is life after marriage…lol).   They’ll be a lot of housekeeping taking place in the weeks ahead so pardon our dust but we promise to keep you entertained in the meantime. We’ll be launching with a 26 week series on the ABCs of Wedding Planning very shortly as well as profiling our first feature vendor so make sure you don’t stay gone long.

Hello World!  We’re Here!!!

Cheers!