Wedding University, the movies!

During the last several months, Andrew Hsu, owner of Studio MSV, and a member of our Wedding University team, has been making short film clips of the many hours of planning which have already gone into preparing for

The 2010 Wedding University.

Episode 2 (Jean and Jubilee discuss TWU plans in general, meet with Armando Sarabia and Gabrielle Medrano, for a photo shoot with our TWU photographer, Janae Shields, and discuss the Beauty and Attire topic for The 2010 Wedding University)

Wedding 360 Webisode 2 from andrew msv on Vimeo.

Episode 3 (Behind the scenes with Jean and Jubilee at the Four Seasons, and with Gloria Wong and Nancy Liu Chin, as they plan the designs to be used in the Design Showcase, at The Wedding University)

Wedding 360 Webisode 3 from andrew msv on Vimeo.

Episode 4: ( November, 2009, Rehearsal for professors of The 2010 Wedding University, at the Four Seasons, Silicon Valley; professors practiced their presentations toh Jean, Jubilee, Janece and Amanda, the TWU Administrative team, who offered feedback. Professors pictured here include Kevin Chin,

Geoff and Lara White, Nancy Liu Chin and Gloria Wong.

Wedding 360 Webisode 4 from andrew msv on Vimeo.

Please plan to join us for The Wedding University, January 31, 2010, at the Four Seasons, Silicon Valley.

Tickets to The Wedding University are a wonderful gift to give engaged couples!

SPECIAL HOLIDAY PRICING:

$55. per person, and $100. per couple!

Consider asking parents, aunts, uncles and good friends to treat you, or other engaged couples you know, to this full day of professional wedding planning classes, taught by some of the best vendors in the SF Bay area, interspersed with the excellent cuisine of the Four Seasons!

AND don't forget the chance to win a 3 day Honeymoon stay at one of the Four Seasons Resorts!

You may register by clicking here.

Design Challenge announces a Winner

Yelena Johnson, owner of The Stylish Soiree, in her office

Wedding 360 is excited to announce our Scholarship winner for the

Academy for Planners and Designers, March 14-16, 2010.

Congratulations to Yelena Johnson, of The Stylish Soiree!

You can see Gloria Wong's comments about Yelena's winning design entry on our Wedding 360 blog.

We are so grateful to all of our amazing Scholarship entrants, who made the time to create and submit a visual and written response to Gloria's "opposites attract" design challenge.

We hope to meet many of you in March; we feel like we know you already!

It takes a team....

I want to thank Janae Shields for taking head shots of all of the staff and professors for The Wedding University; I will be using her work to introduce several of our professors during the next few weeks, beginning with the Administrative Team!

Jubilee Lau and I are the partners who formed Wedding 360 LLC, the overarching business created to produce Educational Programs for Engaged Couples, and Wedding Professionals, including The Wedding University and The Academy for Planners + Designers....but..

...planning an event like The Wedding University takes a TEAM---I want to introduce our team!


Jubilee, Amanda Chan, our Logistical Lead; Janece Shellooe, our TWU Administrator, and me, peeking in...now we are busily preparing the outlines, binders, name tags, and surprises for our 2010 Wedding University students. We look forward to seeing you on January 31, 2010, at the

Four Seasons, Silicon Valley.

The Wedding University, A Sneak Peek!

An Afternoon of Elegance and Education

January 31, 2010 Four Seasons, Silicon Valley 11am - 5pm

We are really gearing up for Wedding University, 2010 now. I met with Armando Sarabia and Gabrielle Medrano today to go over their presentation for our students on Sunday, January 31, 2010. I don't want to give all the tips away, but here is a sample of what Armando and Gabrielle will be sharing:

Hair and Makeup--Armando

-What should I take to a Makeup and Hair Consultation?

-What happens at a consult?

-How soon should I book a consult and hire a hair/makeup artist?

-Will I need a stylist all day?

As a special bonus, Armando will be doing a live demonstration on one of The Wedding University attendees during his presentation!

Wedding Attire--Gabrielle

-What styles of gowns are best for each body type?

-How long before my wedding should I order my gown?

-How do we choose a tuxedo or suit that is a good match for the bridal gown.

-What do you need on your wedding day to best protect your gown?

Gabrielle will have models circulating throughout the day, modeling a wide range of designers, styles and price points. She and Armando will use the models as examples in their presentation, to point out how the hair style, and accessories, were chosen to create an elegant and unified look for the bride.

To give you a sample of how Armando and Gabby work together, I am including a few photos from a photo shoot we did with our TWU photographer,

Janae Shields, as a part of our preparation for The Wedding University 2010.

The model, the hair and makeup artist, the dress, and the preparation begins in one of the elegant suites at the Four Seasons...

..with hair styling completed, the gown on, and the final touches of makeup in place, it is time to go downstairs and outside for the photo shoot itself...

Armando is always close at hand with his touch up hair spray...

...as is Gabrielle, to do any necessary "fluffing" of the gown to assure the perfect shot for Janae.

The results, seen in these two pictures, show the elegance of a professionally styled, dressed, and photographed bride.

Please register for The Wedding University soon; our capacity is 150 students, and last year we did sell out. To register, click here.

All photos are by Janae Shields.

A colorful bride, and new friend!

WHY I LOVE MY JOB!

Wonderful brides like Monica who become my friends!

My last wedding of 2009 was a wonderful experience! Part of the joy was seeing the two cultures of Monica's parents come together to celebrate as one. Monica's mother is Japanese, so for after-ceremony photos, Monica put on an elegant white Kimono, sent by her grandmother who could not travel for the wedding; and after dinner, Monica changed from her wedding gown, into this incredible, hand-made Indian outfit to honor her Dad, who is from India. Truly an international celebration!

In the next few weeks, I will have more photos from the wedding and reception, at the Claremont Resort and Spa in Berkely, but this shot is one Monica just sent me and it means so much because of the note that went along with it:

"Dearest Jean, Our wedding was a dream come true for me...I really loved every minute of it, and I believe that God blessed me with such a warm and caring person who would just fit into our family dynamics and faith to bring this all to together.

I know you worked so hard and dedicated so much time and effort to make this perfect, and it was!

Most of all, Jean, I felt so secure and taken care of; I felt like you were my friend by my side and even during the down time...I just never felt alone since I knew you were right there.

Everyone thanks you for making this memorable!!

Love and Thanksgiving, Monica."

What can I say?? This is WHY I am a wedding planner; because of the way I can be a support during the fun, but often challenging months needed to plan a wedding, and then remain a caring and competent presence throughout the busy hours of the wedding day itself. As my tag line puts it, "..beside the bride to help as needed." Thank you, Monica, for allowing me to be there for you...it was a privilege!

The Wedding University, 2010

Please join us for an Afternoon of Elegance and Education, for Engaged Couples, at the Four Seasons Silicon Valley!

If you are planning a wedding,

you do not want to miss The Wedding University...a full day of education, interaction with other engaged couples, and great food, where you can learn directly from top Bay Area wedding professionals.

SAVE THE DATE:
Sunday, January 31, 2010!
Four Seasons, Silicon Valley
2050 University Avenue, East Palo Alto, CA 94303
11am-5pm
beginning with Mimosas and Brunch

Here are some comments from a few of last year's students:

"The dance instructor was great with her tips, and offered information that applies to every couple in an entertaining an engaging way."

Cynthia Clinka escorting a groom onto the dance floor for a practice spin!

"This was so much better than any wedding fair; I appreciated the demonstrations, tips and tricks, and that the focus was about my wedding day, not sales....I was able to convince my fiance to attend, and he loved it!"

Nancy Liu Chin teaching the students about the "Love Letters" design display she created with Gloria Wong, as an example for the TWU students.

"The Decor and Design session was straight to the point and used great examples of how this specific part of wedding planning can be personalized and elegant."

One of the 5 vignettes created for The Wedding University Design and Decor Class.

Since Wedding University has spaces for only 150 students, and last year we were full, with a waiting list, register now!

Emily and Michal, Nestldown

I love the photos Michelle Walker put into a slide show to preview her amazing work at Emily and Michal's recent Nestldown wedding; please take a look!

http://www.michellewalker.com/data/web/slideshows/LuthraDrewniak/index.html