What To Expect From Your Florist

HOW TO GET THE BEST FROM YOUR FLORIST

--by Paul Brummer, Rooms In Bloom

Selecting your florist is simply the first step on your journey to perfect wedding flowers.
Even though you have been dreaming of this big day for years, your florist has not been a part of your dream, so it is important to provide them with as much information about your vision, and the kind of celebration you are planning.

If you have favorite colors, a theme or particular flowers in mind, it‘s vital that you take examples and pictures of them to your first meeting with your florist. Tear pictures from magazines, fabric swatches, and photos of your dress and the bridesmaids. anything you have collected to give your florist a clearer idea or your wedding vision. However, don‘t worry if you haven’t had an inspiration early on. A good florist will have a large portfolio or even a website which should give you a lot of possible ideas.

Tell your florist if there are any restrictions or special instructions from your church regarding flowers, decorations and delivery times. Most churches will give you a list of their particular requirements.

** Be upfront about your budget.
To be sure you’re not disappointed later on, it is important that you give your florist a clear idea of your budget before you discuss details. A good florist should be able to work with any budget and suggest creative ideas to make your wedding beautiful. Feel free to inquire if any modifications can be made to give you the maximum value Do not feel uncomfortable in asking your florist any questions that you are unsure of …like approximately how many flowers will be in your bouquets, the size of the bouquets, the centerpieces, etc. and if there are any additional charges or fees so you can accurately plan you budget.

Byline: Floral designer Paul Brummer is owner of Rooms In Bloom Floral Decorators in Roswell. You may contact him at 770-500-4472 or through his website www.roomsinbloomflowers.com. Paul is a Board Member of The Wedding Alliance of North Georgia and is a Director with Georgia State Florists Association.

Cakes, Cupcakes, Two-Tier, Three-Tier -- So many choices....

Lulu’s Bakery
Rooms In Bloom
And
A Big To Do Event
Invite you to a
Wedding Cake Tasting
Flower Presentation
And
Vendor Introductions
Sunday, April 5, 2009
1:00 to 3:00pm
Lulu’s Bakery
900 Mansell Road
Roswell
(Behind Longhorn Steakhouse)
R.S.V.P. 404.547.5712 or Erica@ABigToDoEvent.com

Please feel free to bring any pictures of wedding cakes or
Floral arrangements that you like.

Pictures of Weddings We've Done

One of the most common questions I get is: "Can you show me pictures of events you've done?"

Well here you go. Click on the title of the blog to see the slideshow.

What'd ya think??

In service,
Erica

Joe M. Turner (Entertainer Extraordinaire) gives us kuddo's!

Turner Magic Entertainment Update

News and Ideas from Atlanta Magician Joe M. Turner
Spring 2009
Magically Thriving in Challenging Times
· Duluth GA Theatre Appearance
· Better Mornings Atlanta
· The 2009 Possible Woman Leadership Conference
· "A Big To Do"

Greetings!
There's no denying that we are facing some challenging times, but in the more than eight years I've been out performing and speaking fulltime, I've learned that you still have choices to make. Are you going to get up and make the calls? Are you going to meet new people? Are you going to ask for and give referrals?
My decision is that I will do so, and I will do so energetically. The harder it gets out there -- economy, taxes, whatever -- the better I will feel when I succeed in spite of the obstacles.
Are you connected in the various online social networking communities? Make sure to link with me on LinkedIn and Facebook. And read my blog: Better Living Through Card Tricks
There are some important items in this newsletter -- please take a look. And please -- tell three friends or colleagues about my shows and presentations.
Thanks for your friendship and support!
Joe M. Turner


Duluth GA Theatre Appearance

This Friday and Saturday night, I'll be presenting an evening of sleight-of-hand and illusion at the Red Clay Theatre in Duluth, Georgia. Tickets are on sale now for only $10 each - you can find out more about the show and purchase tickets online by clicking on the RCT's logo above.
Please tell your friends about the show!

Better Mornings Atlanta

I appeared on the CBS affiliate here in Atlanta recently to promote an upcoming show. Though the show date has passed, the clip lives on!
Click on the "Better Mornings Atlanta" logo to view the clip on YouTube.
Note -- the "weather cards" trick was improvised on the spot. Imagine the customized, message-oriented magic I could produce for you with a little prep-time!

The 2009 Possible Woman Leadership Conference

Linda Wind is a woman dedicated to helping other women further their professional development as executives and leaders. She approached me several months ago about adding some magic to her 12th annual "Possible Woman Leadership Conference" here in Atlanta. As a reader of my newsletter, you are eligible for discount pricing for this conference. Don't miss out -- take action now to reserve a spot at this conference for you or for a woman whose leadership skills you admire.



Discounted pricing for Joe M. Turner's network to hear Dee Dee Myers and "Why Women Should Rule the World"
"What would happen if women ruled the world?" Dee Dee Myers, former White House press secretary, will ponder this question when she speaks to women over lunch in Atlanta. Myers is the keynote speaker at the Possible Woman Leadership Conference Power, Promise and Possibilities: Women Creating the Magic of Change on Tuesday, April 21 at the Georgia World Congress Center.Debuting in 1996, the Possible Woman Conference is presented by Wind Enterprises. President and CEO Linda Wind, a nationally known expert on leadership development, will join Georgia Attorney General Thurbert Baker to welcome attendees. Corporate magician Joe M. Turner will kick off the conference with his special brand of magical inspiration. Closing keynote for the conference will be an energetic presentation by Nicki Keohohou, CEO of Direct Selling Woman's Alliance and one of the Top 30 Female Entrepreneurs in America. A Women of Power and Vision plenary session, moderated by Pat Falotico, VP of ibm.com Americas, will feature Marsha Sampson Johnson, SVP of Southern Company, Belinda Grant Anderson, VP of AT&T, and Ann Cramer, Director of IBM North America.
From a 7:30 a.m. continental breakfast to a Connection Reception from 4:45 to 5:30 p.m., this 12th Annual Possible Woman Leadership Conference is a day packed with dynamic speakers, interactive question-and-answer sessions, well-qualified panels, informative exhibits and exciting networking opportunities.
Joe M. Turner, Corporate Magician clients & friends will receive discounted pricing for this life-changing event, the lowest ever, only $150 (early bird price ends March 20). If you join the newly launched Wind Enterprises Membership Program (http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102495041773&e=001HNbCwYjXTYuJhXKoWUOV5670kFAkXCPg2ELMs_jJ6Fp2N79RVmi2rrO3liKiS8WcY4Qshys_APIccaP3MV7s9sqYNQeSZYL9KCyo9e2jP-37tHRX4RxDiiZOXJGJ98jHuA4Q7pdkQ11M-7Z3xeTbLh87-W4FMePyctI2ljb2ORtpi99BIINbyg==) you will receive another $50 discount off the already low rate of $150, so the price is only $100!
To register & receive the discounted Turner Magic clients & friends Special Rate, go to WindEnterprises.com, Register Now, and use WEMAGIC for the Promo Code. This validates the discount price of $150. WindEnterprises.com also has information about the conference speakers and workshops.
A portion of the conference profits will benefit the Possible Woman Foundation International, a 501(c) (3) organization, founded by Linda Wind in 2001, to award non-traditional academic scholarships to older women in need returning to school. In addition, Wind Enterprises is donating $1 from every registration to the Childrens Safe Drinking Water Program; each $1 donated to CSDW will provide safe drinking water to a person in the developing world for 50 days.
For exhibitor information, or to register for the April 21 Possible Woman Leadership Conference at the Georgia World Congress Center in downtown Atlanta, please go to: WindEnterprises.com.

"A Big To Do"

If you're planning a meeting, conference, private party or other special event, then I know someone you need to talk to today.
From small private events -- to large private events -- to enormously complex corporate spectaculars -- Erica Flippo Prewett is the kind of planner I really like to work with. She thinks ahead, plans for contingencies, and she shifts gears from "large-scale vision" to "important minute details" as needed.
Her ability to maintain the overarching vision has made her a valuable asset to some truly massive events all over the world. Some of the industry's largest production companies hire her as a production manager because of her uncanny ability to get it done and get it done right.
You don't have to hire the largest production company in the industry to get the benefit of Erica' expertise, though. Check out her own firm, A Big To Do Event, based in Atlanta... and you'll be amazed at the value she delivers. It's almost like... magic!
email: jmt@joemturner.com
phone: 404 644 6791
web: http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102495041773&e=001HNbCwYjXTYtAW9ChRAKv5qVGcXecgptkLyBQkz5O6629KpQVpm9ZwOZDD4zZRfz_QC-pv6cMdzXdIaYP3d-nSsccu6bLyko-0U0WkStZzK4RYEtup9cewg==

So You've Got The Ring. Now What?

According to the Association of Wedding Ministers, the average wedding engagement is seven to 12 months. If you were one of the lucky ladies who got engaged on Christmas Day or will be getting your ring on New Year's Eve, odds are you will share wedding vows during the months of July to December. This makes sense seeing as the most popular wedding month in Atlanta is October. There’s a lot to do between now and October!

So what do you do first?

My very first recommendation is to find a venue. A couple of questions to ask yourself before trekking all across the Metro Atlanta area:

1. What will my wedding date be?
   This is a question that you might not be able to dictate. Especially if you are looking at a September or October wedding, venues may have a limited number of Saturday’s available. That’s when you might consider a Friday or Sunday celebration. Many venues will discount their food and beverage minimum or site rental fee on those “off” days.
   
2. What is my general style?
   Do I enjoy the historic feel of one of Roswell’s Antebellum mansions? Or is it more important to me that the guests can just take the elevator to their room after the reception?
   
3. Where do I want to have my wedding? One of the biggest trends is to have a mini-destination wedding. Choose a venue that is about an hour and a half from your home – someplace like Serenbe or a winery in North Georgia. Having your celebration there cuts down on the number of guests – generally just getting rid of the ones who are just coming for free food.

Your second task is for you and your fiancé to ask your maid of honor and best man to share your special day with them. Make this proposal memorable by taking them out for a really nice dinner and popping the question over their favorite meal. They will remember it forever.

Thirdly, discuss with your fiancé what each of your Most Important elements of your wedding will be. Do you have your heart set on a band instead of a dj; is his most important element the food? By bringing him into this conversation early on, both of you will enjoy the planning process more because each of you knows what’s a key ingredient for your partner.

Above all, remember, you are not planning a wedding. You are planning the first day of your married lives together. The two of you are planning a marriage celebration. That’s what is Most Important.

Byline: Erica Prewett is a wedding expert and owns A Big To Do Event, planning weddings all over the country. You may contact Erica at 404.547.5712 or Erica@ABigToDoEvent.com.