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Welcome to my blog!

Welcome to Avso Events- A Very Special Ocassion. Here you will find weekly tidbits of wedding and event planning ideas that will assist you in planning your event.

We will share with you secrets from our top notched vendors and planners about the latest craze in wedding styles.

So, check in with us and find out what's hot and what's not: the latest in plannning your very special day!

A Bride with a Style of Her Own

June 25, 2010 – 12:32 am

Family and friends traveled from Africa, Canada, Europe and across the country to witness the nupitial and celebration of Showa and Abe.

From the start of planning her wedding, Showa knew exactly the look and feel that she wanted to experience on her wedding day.  A traditional wedding motif was not her style. What she wanted was a ceremony and celebration that would incorporate her rich African culture with her Mediterrean travels and experiences.

What Showa envisioned: A bridal gown designed by Suzanne Hanley that would reflect her native earthy and rich Etrean colors; an Italian wedding cake from local San Mateo bakery- Dianda’s Italian Bakery, and the Palo Alto Garden Court Hotel, an Italian like boutique hotel that reflected her love of Italy for her venue.

With family and friends closely gathered, Half Moon Bay Celebrant, Fr. Miles Riley-It’s Your Wedding, Not Theirs, joyfully shared with the loving couple the beatitudes of marriage  prior to pronouncing them as husband and wife and introducing them as Mr. and Mrs.

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By avso | Posted in Latest Weddings | Tagged , , , , | no comments         |

A Mountain Top Vineyard, Butterflies and the Sweetest Couple-Shannon and Kerry, May 29, 2010

June 14, 2010 – 11:54 pm

I have never met a client, who was so trusting and sweet as Shannon and Kerry, and of course Shannon’s mother, Janice Cozzo. From the moment, we met, I felt  joy in having the privilege  in assisting them with the planning details of their  special day. They were receptive and open to suggestions that would bring their vision to fruition and make  their wedding day special.

A Breathtaking View

Starting with a breathtaking venue, Paul Masson Mt. Winery, in Saratoga, CA provided the perfect location for Shannon and Kerry to  exchange vows  and celebrate  their joyous union with family and friends.

Although everyone was concerned  about the unusual wet weather in May, Read More »

By avso | Posted in Latest Weddings | 3 comments         |

Photographer Touts the Advantages of a Wedding Planner

March 19, 2010 – 5:49 am
Details, details captured by photographer Jasmine Wang

Details, details captured by photographer Jasmine Wang

On Thursday, March 18, I met with Rhonda Giedt a wedding photographer. I’m always looking for vendors, who love what they do. When I see that they are passionate about what they do, I know that they have their client’s best interest at heart.

During our meeting, I found Rhonda to be very effervescent and  passionate about her work and clients. As we talked, somehow our conversation  gravitated  to the subject of successful weddings and events. Rhonda mentioned that her best weddings were the ones where the bride had a wedding planner.  She said that the difference was noticeable. Where there was a planner involved, the wedding was seamless. Where there wasn’t the guidance of a planner, there seemed to be a disconnect in the flow of the wedding activities.

Rhonda confirmed why it is so important to have a planner by your side. Yes, I know it’s the economy and many couples feel that the services of a planner isn’t in their budget, isn’t necessary, or they want to   plan their special day themselves, fearing that the planner may not respect their vision.

Whatever the reason, I highly recommend  the services of a planner or coordinator. Maybe your budget cannot accommodate the full services of a wedding professional; however there are options.  You may enlist the services of a coordinator to handle the details the month before the wedding, or think about

enlisting the services of a day of coordinator to handle all of the “day of wedding” details.  In any event, it is advantageous for you to have an advocate on your side to take care of the behind the scene activities and intercept mitigate  un-for seeable mishaps that could put a damper on your special day.

More Details.. Jasmine Wang Photography

More Details.. Jasmine Wang Photography

By avso | Posted in Weddings - General | no comments         |

Teaching What I know and Love to do

July 17, 2009 – 7:24 pm

You never know how much you know until you teach and share your knowledge and experiences with a class of future wedding planners. This has been my fourth class experience teaching wedding planning to hopeful and talented students.  The biggest task in teaching is to calm fears about homework. Everyone who attends the first  class is shocked to learn that this is a real class with lots of homework!  it’s not all about the dress, the ring, the photographer and flowers. It’s about the nuts and bolts of building a solid wedding planning business. Don’t get me wrong, we do have fun; however we focus a lot of attention to the business side of the industry,  The intensive 8/10 week class covers research, mission statements, business plans, marketing/branding and of course fun!!  There is nothing more valuable than to have vendors share their experiences and knowledge with the class. Whether the vendors teach the class for an evening or having a class at the vendors place of business, meeting vendors allows them to gain first hand knowledge from talented  industry professionals.

This last class was my best class. They were the most gracious, sweet and talented group. I wish them lots of success!!


By avso | Posted in Education, Latest Weddings | no comments         |

“Secrets to A Successful Wedding” Wedding Event and Bridal Fashion Show

March 28, 2009 – 2:06 am

Being a wedding planner, I’ve noticed that many engaged couples are not sure how to begin the wedding planning process.

A few years ago, I planned to host an educational workshop that would give couples the necessary tools and information to plan their special day.

Whether they hired a planner, or elected to plan their celebration themselves, this workshop  would give them useful information.

However, due to the health of a family member, my plans were temporarily set-aside.

Well,  the idea  stayed with me and in October 2008, I started to share my ideas.  I didn’t even think about the economy. All I wanted to do was to educate and help engaged couples make their day special. And being that I’m a certified wedding planner and instructor, I thought this would be a piece of cake.

In November, I approached the wedding director at the Oceano Hotel and Spa in Half Moon Bay with my idea. They thought it was a great concept and said “yes” to hosting the event. However,  when we met a few weeks later, they had an even better idea. Why not a bridal faire?  What a project!! So, we set the date for March 1, 2009.

With the holidays and the flu, we didn’t get around to the planning the event until the first week in January. Normally to plan an event of this magnitude, one would have to start  10-12 months out. What was I thinking about: planning an event of this size in two months!! I must be nuts!! But with such great help and support from the Oceano Hotel things just started to happen. Bay Area wedding professionals such as Orna Maymon of Ornamento, Cecile Gady of Cakeworks were excited  about the event and easily said “yes” to participating in the faire.  Other event experts, such as photographer, Monica Michelle,  Kathy Goodman of Well Rehersed, Jasmine Wang of Jasmine Wang Photography,  Floramoor Studios, Hartman Studios and Blue Water Rentals all added to the success of the event.

It was a very rainy day, which we expected. However, we were unsure, if anyone would brave the wind, rain and Highway 92. However, they did! More than 300 guests moved along the hallways, guest rooms and grand ballroom of the hotel.

The day was filled with entertainment, education, fun and fashion. Guests were treated to chamapgne as they oohed and ah’d the latest bridal fashions from Maggie Sottero.

Wedding photographer, Brian Orlov made sure to capture the energy of this exciting and elegant event, thus allowing me to share it with you.

Thanks to the wedding and events director, Nancy Nehran and Jennifer Pickart and their great staff-the event was a  big success. Read More »

By avso | Posted in Latest Weddings | no comments         |