Share my world: The Morning of...

I last left the planner plans series here. Since the wedding, many of you have reached out to me to ask if I was going to continue the series with recaps and well, truth be told, I looked up and 8 months were gone. So without further ado, I introduce my recap series, "Share my world"...

1...

It was finally here, the day before the big day. I would spend the day caravaning picking up my bridesmaids arriving by air, bus and train. I could hardly contain myself knowing that my "rocks" would all be with me to get me down the aisle.

Rental car, check. Pick up dress, check. Rehearsal dinner gifts, spa day confirmation and out of office autoreply-check, check, check. It was official...I was off. One day before the wedding and I was determined to spend it with the girls I've known the majority of my life at the spa.

Oh universe, if it was only that simple...

Instead, Mr. Charming didn't quite realize that he would be the one driving to pick up our seating chart and instead made other arrangements. So instead of relaxing, I spent the day on the phone-worried about my bridesmaid whose flight was delayed from LAX and who would pick her up and how we were going to pick up the seating chart,check-in AND make it to rehearsal on time.

My friend, colleague and amazing wedding planner, Deidre, called and told me not to worry...suddenly I found peace.

My gorgeous bridesmaid took a taxi from the airport to surprise me at the spa, the boys drove the turnpike and picked up the seating chart, we made it (almost) on time to the rehearsal and had a great time at the rehearsal dinner at Kabuki Japanese Restaraunt.

My world was right...

The next day I opened my eyes at 4:00am. In a hotel suite full of girls not a peep could be heard. I opened the blinds and called Mr. Charming who also couldn't sleep. He went to his window and we watched the sunrise. It was so amazing. I felt so amazing.


(this is the actual sunset from that day snapped with my cell phone)

The rest of the day seriously flew by.

First on the agenda was hair and makeup. In true non-diva fashion, I hopped in the car with 2 of my bridesmaids and drove over the bridge to my regular salon. After a quick chic-fil-a run, we were headed back for makeup. The one requirement I had for the girls was that they all had their makeup professionally done. As gorgeous as I think my girls are, it was important to me to have that moment of bonding and to put the "finishing touch" on the ladies...all nine of them.

Throughout the morning I received lots of calls, texts, facebook messages and tweets of good luck. My best friend Sophie who couldn't attend from Atlanta due to surgery, also called to wish me well.



As makeup was wrapping up, our photographers handed me a card from the hubby...and then they started. Tears, lots of tears.



The moment finally felt real.



I looked over into my crowded suite and with the music blasting, my sister, friends and family dancing, my dad playing paparrazi, I knew that even if everything went wrong from this point forward, I was content. Lucky for me, the day only got better.

The girls gathered around and all helped me get dressed. Yes..ALL. Which is hysterical b/c with 8 sets of arms plus my mom, there really wasn't too much room. One would push tighter, the other looser and eventually we just burst out into laughter


Mom gave her once over and seal of approval.


The clock struck six, fireworks began and our photographer Angie said "sweetie, it's time to go". The she took this shot.



It was Finally.My.Time. Giddy is an understatement.

Published: Our Wedding on The Brides Cafe and Essence.com

Honored.

In this business there are many times that I have been moved. When I walk my brides to those double doors, when we receive thank you notes, when my inbox is filled with pictures of POSH bundles of joy. I'm always moved.

Today however, it's personal.

In an industry where it is easy to "get in" and incredibly difficult to maintain, where turnover is high and loyalty not so much, I've been extremely fortunate. Not just with POSH as a business, but with the many relationships that have evolved out of this business, my passion.

When I got engaged, I was immediately hit with an overwhelming feeling of fear. Would MY wedding be good enough? Would people be moved by my story enough to be featured? Printed? Would anyone even care? I'm not going to lie, at times it was extremely stressful. See with a client it's easy. I can pick amazing picture, after amazing picture, eyes closed. With our wedding however, I came to the realization that I am not superwoman. With a little help from my friends, I realized our wedding was not going to be designed for display purposes. It's was going to be a reflection of "us" and that would be good enough.

So today, 3 months after we exchanged vows to see our wedding featured TODAY on The Brides Cafe and Essence.com after being featured previously on Munaluchi Bridal , three industry publications that do amazing things for couples in general and of color specifically, I am honored. And humbled.

I want to say thank you internet for all that you do. For the many phone calls, text's, tweets and "likes" of support. For allowing me during this process to feel like a "Bride" and not just a planner, for supporting Mr. Charming and I and allowing me to remain #giddy. From the bottom of my heart, I appreciate it.

I will begin recaps shortly amongst recaps of our client weddings, but in the meantime here's one of my all time favorite pictures courtesy of my rockstar photogs Entwined Studio



xoxoxo
Isis

My ridiculously amazing vendor team:
Wedding Coordination: POSH Events (www.posheventsllc.com) and Day Of Planner Deidre Gray (www.alwaysapi.com) for Always a Positive Image
Event Design- POSH Events www.posheventsllc.com
Photographer- Entwined Studio www.entwinedstudio.com
Videographer Illumimoto Cinema www.illumimoto.com
Cakes/Dessert Table- The Hudson Cakery www.hudsoncakery.com
Lighting- Synergetic Light & Sound www.synergeticsounds.com
Band- CTO 5th Ave www.cto.com
Ceremony/ Reception Venue- The Hyatt Penn's Landing- http://pennslanding.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/index.jsp?icamp=hyattregencyphiladelphiaredirect
Florist- Leigh Florist www.leighflorist.com
Stationary- LePenn Designs www.lepenndesigns
Rentals- Choice Party Linens http://www.choicepartylinens.com//Select Event Designs www.weparty.com
Table Names- Paperfinger www.paperfinger.com
Makeup Artist- Ashanti Ortiz (facingbeauty@aol.com)
Calligrapher-Kathleen Turnure
Dress: Maggie Sottero http://www.maggiesottero.com/
Bride's Shoes : Christian Louboutin http://www.christianlouboutin.com/
Bridemaids Dresses: Alvina Valenta
Fotobooth :Go Festive http://gofestive.com/
Placecards: Timeless Paper www.timelesspaper.com

A Planner Plans: The Date

The date of an event is so critical in determining the style, location, and overall type of event you will be having. For us,the decision was one of the easiest we've had thus far.

The conversation went a little like this...

Me: "Honey, have you thought about when you want to get married?"
Mr. Charming "We can do it whenever you like..."
Me: "Well, if we do destination..."
Mr. Charming: (with a look of total confusion) "We can't do destination, I want to make sure that the people closest to me attend. I'm thinking Philadelphia".
Me: (slightly saddened): Well, if we do it locally, it has to be in the winter. I currently have weddings until October 23rd and need atleast 1-2 months to focus on ours. That puts us in December."
Mr Charming: "A December wedding? With the holidays. I don't know..."
Me: "Not just a December wedding, a New Year's Eve wedding".
Mr. Charming: (Not totally convinced) "New Year's Eve?"
Me: "Yes sweetie, it's perfect. Exactly one year from the date you proposed, we will get to celebrate the biggest day of the year surrounded by all those we love. EEEEEK!"
Mr. Charming (cracking a smile): "Sounds good to me!"

And there you have it ladies and gentleman. The 60 second exchange which took place to decide on our date. We're very fortunate to have a solid booking and amazing wedding season spanning from January-November at POSH this year and I know that I had to give my current Clients 100% of me to avoid feeling guilt during my own personal planning process.

Mr. Charming and I love the holidays. Between November-December 31st, we celebrate 8 family birthdays (including his and mine), Thanksgiving and Christmas. We both have strong ties to our families and feel fortunate to have fostered friendships in excess of 20 years that are now extended family. We recognize that a holiday wedding isn't ideal for all. To add to the mix, NYE falls on a Friday this year and we're having an evening ceremony and adult only reception.

While it may not be convenient for all of our guests, we hope that those that are able to attend experience a magical night, witnessing the love we share for each other and for them. It's like I always tell my couples, the goal of a great wedding is for your guests to walk away feeling like they've learned a little more about your relationship. The foundation of our relationship is faith, family and friends. Celebrating on one of the biggest holidays of the year, is an added bonus.

Besides, when you are guaranteed a view like this, how could you resist?