The Proof is in the Pudding! Wedding 360

My grandmother always said when I would describe a wonderful plan I had for some new adventure or project, "The proof is in the pudding!" I was not sure what she meant, but later I realized that she was comparing our un- tested plans to how using a recipe works. No matter how good a recipe is for something like Plum Pudding (she was from the English side of the family!), until the ingredients were put together, baked, and presented to the guests, there was no proof that it was a good recipe. I remember tasting the yummy Plum Pudding she presented to us each Christmas, warm from the oven with buttery rum sauce over it, and yes, the proof was there!

I thought of her saying as I read the note below:

"Dear Jean,
The Academy was life changing! I am forever impacted by my experience at TAPD. I learned more than I expected to about the industry and about myself as a designer.
Thank you for creating Wedding 360 and for sharing your talents and expertise with us all. I look forward to the next Academy!"

Notes like this, and the photos you will see in the following slide show: http://pulp.orangephotography.com/blog/?p=2854 , put together by
Orange Photography, are showing me just how "worth it" all of our hard work, financial investment, and following a passion was for Jubilee and me as we put together a "recipe" for Wedding 360; we wanted to put together elegant, welcoming events which would provide encouragement, education and inspiration for Wedding Designers and Planners, as well as for Engaged Couples, planning their own wedding (The Wedding University, 2010).

Knowing that our efforts were of value to creative designers like Yasmin, who wrote us the note, as well as to the many engaged couples who attended our Wedding University, is the proof for us that the "recipe" for providing education, encouragement and elegance is a good one!

We will be announcing the next steps in the growing vision for Wedding 360 in the next month or so; Jubilee and I want to offer more options for the learning and encouragement we saw our participants savor, as the ingredients of our vision came together on March 14-16th, at the Academy for Planners + Designers.

Anniversary trip 2010!

This month, Jeff and I are making our second trip to Italy; the first was in 2006, to celebrate our 25th Wedding Anniversary, and now, we are going back to celebrate the 29th, because I just could not wait for the 30th! These are some samples of my photos from our last trip, some of which were made into photo cards, which many of my wedding clients and colleagues receive as gifts. I am hoping to have many more images to share with you when Jeff and I return in a few weeks. Until then, Ciao Bella!

Varenna, Lake Como

Above and below, view from our hotel in Varenna, on Lake Como

Jean enjoying a mug of strong Cappucino, from our hotel room window, in Varenna, Lake Como

Florence, from one of the rolling hills surrounding the lovely city

Tuscan cat who made himself at home on the veranda of our Tuscan Bed and Breakfast

One of the wonderful hill towns in Tuscany

Sunrise over Santa Margherita, near the Cinque Terre

Cinque Terre

Now you see why I have to go back! This trip we will begin with a few days outside Rome, moving down to the Amalfi Coast, which I have heard is amazing! Jeff has done the planning on this trip, as I was super busy with planning my weddings for 2010, as well as the Wedding University, and Academy for Planners + Designers, with Wedding 360. He has us traveling from Amalfi, all the way up to Lake Como, and then to the Aosta Valley, near the border of Switzerland. I am glad he is driving, so I can just enjoy the ride, and not be in charge of anything, except my camera and maybe, where to stop for lunch!

I will miss my wonderful clients, family, friends and wedding colleagues, but I must say, a vacation sounds really wonderful about now! Ciao, again!