Dejanae Events Names Best of The Knot 2016!

I'm so excited to share for the 7th time, 6th time in a row, that Dejanae Events has been named 2016 Pick The Knot Best of Weddings!!!  With our 6th win the DE Team remains apart of The Knot Best of Weddings Hall of Fame!!! WOW!
 

From The Knot:  "CONGRATULATIONS ON BEING CHOSEN AS ONE OF THE BEST in the City (we knew it all along)!  WOW! Enjoy bragging rights and proof that you are considered tops in the Chicago wedding market by our brides!  ONLY 1 % of our vendors won this award for 2014. You are in the top 1%, the best of the best! It’s time to showcase your business and BRAND yourself as a Knot Best of Weddings winner! 

As you know, winning this year was much harder and more competitive than ever before. I have far less winners this year and YOU DID IT!  This is YOUR TIME TO SHINE!"

Thank you to our 2015/2016 clients for your lovely reviews and allowing Dejanae Events to be apart of one of the most memorable days of your lives!  We share this honor with you!!! xoxo
 
Until next time...WEDologize!

Happy 15 Year Anniversary Dejanae Events!

Today, I celebrate my 15th year in business and I feel beyond blessed and excited!  In the past I have written about how the business started, about my challenges and successes, but today I want to share some fun facts about the person who created Dejanae Events on April 24, 2000...ME :)

My must have on wedding day? Cell phone.  Sad part is that about 1-hour into wedding day, I sit my cell down somewhere with my binder and forget where I left it!  LOL!  That's when complete panic sets in (see the question below).  But one of my trusty coordinator's (Priscilla, Nikki, Vanessa, Holly, Kelly, Angie P., Angie J., Didi or Peggy) always finds it for me.  Thank you DE Team!!!

What is my sign? Gemini.  I'm a true Gemini, too.  On wedding (or event) day, I start off all excited and ready to implement the plans I've worked on for months, but soon as something goes wrong or off schedule, I change into my Lieutenant hat and get right down to business.  That's the 2nd personality in me and she's the real Desireé!

What is my obsession? Gourmet cupcakes.  Anyone who knows me knows I love a good cupcake!!!  Actually, to be truthful...I'm also obsessed with delicious wedding cake as well.  And buttercream frosting is my favorite!  Yummy!!!

What is my must have beverage/addiction? Coke.  Sad, but so true...I have been drinking Coke since I was a young kid.  My grandma got me hooked and now, I'm a total caffeine-holic and must have Coke at least once a day.  I know...don't judge me :)

What is my favorite scary movie? Halloween 1 and 2.  Baby, Michael Myers was the truth back in the day!  I live for October when AMC and other channels run the Halloween marathons!  I watch them all like I've never seen them before.

What is my favorite place to vacation? Disney World!  Yep, I'm a true kid at heart and probably love Disney World more than kids!  Well I haven't been on a real vacation in what seems like years, but I have promised myself and family that we are outta here in December! 

What is on my playlist? Faith Evans.  Who remembers her and her debut album with 15 tracks!?!  I can listen to her soulful voice over and over again.  Doesn't matter to me that the album come out in the 90's.

What is my most prized possession? My Boops.  My most prized possession is my daughter...Deja.  Many of you may not know, but she is my only child...a full-fledge teenager now...and the business name.  I hope one day she'll appreciate what I have built for her and take it even further than I could ever imagine!

What all that said THANKS to everyone that has supported me throughout all these years!  I honestly cannot believe it's been 15 years, but I'm more than thankful to be doing what I love!  My heart is so full and 2015 will be EPIC!  Just wait and see!

Until next time...WEDologize!

(photo credit - BM Photography)

Dejanae Events Named Best of The Knot 2015

 

I'm so excited to share for the 6th time, 5th time in a row, that Dejanae Events has been named 2015 Pick The Knot Best of Weddings!!!  With our 6th win the DE Team remains apart of The Knot Best of Weddings Hall of Fame!!! WOW!
 

From The Knot:  "CONGRATULATIONS ON BEING CHOSEN AS ONE OF THE BEST in the City (we knew it all along)!  WOW! Enjoy bragging rights and proof that you are considered tops in the Chicago wedding market by our brides!  ONLY 1 % of our vendors won this award for 2014. You are in the top 1%, the best of the best! It’s time to showcase your business and BRAND yourself as a Knot Best of Weddings winner! 

As you know, winning this year was much harder and more competitive than ever before. I have far less winners this year and YOU DID IT!  This is YOUR TIME TO SHINE!" 

Thank you to our 2014/2015 clients for your lovely reviews and allowing Dejanae Events to be apart of one of the most memorable days of your lives!  We share this honor with you!!! xoxo
 
Until next time...WEDologize!

The Best of 2014 Dejanae Events Style (Day #31)

I'm so thankful for the wonderful 2014 wedding and event season!!!  I have worked with some of the most amazing Chicago and national vendors.  Now having been in business 14 1/2 years, I'd like to say I've seen and done almost everything, but that wouldn't be the case because every couple leaves me open to learning more. 

I am so honored to have been asked by newspapers, blogs and magazines for articles, quotes and even to bring my Partyscape vision to life.  I'm honored to have worked with Diann Valentine for 6-weeks of the summer as the Lead Event Producer on one of her fabulous weddings and to be the Transportation and Logistics Manager of Nike's World Basketball Festival.  I am so honored to now hold Best of Weddings by The Knot in the wedding coordinator category for 6 years and to be apart of their Hall of Fame.  Wow!  And last I'm honored to have the most amazing team of professionals who have had my back.

To my past and 2014 clients...to my vendor friends...and to my amazing family, I toast to you as this year and series of blog post comes to an end.  The year 2014 was great BUT 2015 will be EPIC!!!

Until tomorrow...WEDologize!

Dejanae Events Named Best of The Knot 2014!!!

I'm so excited to share for the 5th time, 4th time in a row, that Dejanae Events has been named 2014 Pick The Knot Best of Weddings!!!  With our 5th win the DE Team is officially apart of The Knot Best of Weddings Hall of Fame!!! WOW!
 

From The Knot:  "CONGRATULATIONS ON BEING CHOSEN AS ONE OF THE BEST in the City (we knew it all along)!  WOW! Enjoy bragging rights and proof that you are considered tops in the Chicago wedding market by our brides!  ONLY 1 % of our vendors won this award for 2014. You are in the top 1%, the best of the best! It’s time to showcase your business and BRAND yourself as a Knot Best of Weddings winner! 

As you know, winning this year was much harder and more competitive than ever before. I have far less winners this year and YOU DID IT!  This is YOUR TIME TO SHINE!"  

Thank you to our 2012/2013 clients for your lovely reviews and allowing Dejanae Events to be apart of one of the most memorable days of your lives!  We share this honor with you!!! xoxo
 
Until next time...WEDologize!

Best of 2013 Dejanae Events Style!

What an amazing year 2013 has been for the Dejanae Events Team! 

The year started off with us learning that Dejanae Events was named Best of Weddings 2013 in the wedding coordinators category for the 4th time!  I can't thank our clients enough for the wonderful reviews!  Then we went right into the planning the kick-off of Inspire Smart Success Experience Tour in Chicago at the InterContinental Hotel in mid-January.  This was the seconded time Stacie Francombe, the Founder of ISS, entrusted us in bringing this awesome educational experience to Chicago.

Then we headed into February as the event planner for Wedding Guide Chicago's annual industry event called, WEDBash.  What an honor to bring over 250+ industry professionals to Pinstripes Oak Brook to celebrate successes and prepare for the upcoming 2013 wedding season.  I'm so thankful to the 22 sponsors that assisted in making the event a total success!

Just as the planning of industry events came to an end, the first of 19 weddings took place on March 9th and continued with the last being held on Sunday, December 15th.  And then the Editor of Pretty Pear Bride featured the wedding of Michael and Hareder in their spring issue and the features just kept coming!  The Real Wedding of Nikkol and Dion was featured in Chicago Style Weddings in July and the Real Wedding of Amaka and Hugh was featured in Wedding Guide Chicago in December.   And if it couldn't get any better than that, I was afforded the opportunity to work with an amazing team of vendors to bring my Partyscape, Urban Tranquility, to life!

But the BEST part of this year...was being named Best of Weddings 2014 in the Wedding Coordinators category which now places us in the The Knot's Hall of Fame with 5 wins!!!  And last, we held WEDologyEDU - Winter 2013 at Flossmoor Country Club and it was our most successful workshop yet with the launch of the new coursebook! What an amazing 2013!!!  I'm just so thankful!!!

Keep your eye out for plenty more useful wedding planning posts and Real Wedding features in 2014!!!

Until next time...Happy New Year and WEDologize!

Best of 2012 Dejanae Events Style!

I'm so excited and thankful when I reflect back on the wonderful year of press and media for Dejanae Events!!!

The year started off fabulous when I was told by Chicago Style Weddings Editor that I was one of six selected to be apart of the Designer's Challenge.  My team was awesome and I thank them so much for bringing my vision of Refreshingly Simple to life!!!  And to top it off, I'm also a featured contributor of the magazine and was quoted 11 times in various articles.  Then I woke up in April and learned I was tagged in a post on Facebook from Stacie Francombe's Inspire Smart Success blog that I was selected as an "Wedding Entrepreneur That Inspires"! WOW!  I was also quote in the inaugural issue of Inspire Smart Success magazine and just recently in the Fall 2012 have a full page article that I wrote entitled, "Marketing To Make Happen". YES!

2012 got even better because I was selected as Best of Weddings 2012 in the Wedding Planners category as well as had a full page feature in the Fall/Winter The Knot Chicago apart of the Wedding Planners Dish.  Then I forged a wonderful relationship with Wedding Guide Chicago and was asked to create a Partyscape for their Winter/Spring edition that I entitled, "Cocktails With Details" which can be seen on pages 140-141!  But it doesn't stop their, I'm also now the Co-Host of a Webisode called, "The Wedding Planners" where we talk about "all things weddings" on a monthly basis.

And to top off 2012, I hosted two Wedology Experience training workshops for aspiring wedding and event planners and I have a MAJOR announcement coming out this month.  Last, I was called by one of The Knot Editors and was told that not only has Dejanae Events been selected for the 3rd time in a row as Best of Weddings for 2013, but I'm also an Editor's Pick!  Amazing and Blessed!!!

I'm so excited about 2012 and all its blessings, but I know the best is yet to come in 2013!!!


Until next time...WEDologize!

Dejanae Events: The Knot Best of Weddings 2012

I'm once again excited and thankful to be named "The Knot Best of Weddings 2012 Pick" in the wedding planners category featured in the latest The Knot Chicago - Fall/Winter 2012 edition!!!  This our third "Best Of" and an honor we hold close to our hearts because the reviews are given by our clients!!! 5-Stars!!!

Also, check out our one-page feature on page 48 of The Knot Chicago - "Wedding Planner's Dish".

Until next time...WEDologize!

Guess Who Is In The Knot Chicago!!!

I'm so VERY EXCITED to share our one page feature in The Knot Chicago - Fall/Winter 2012 edition!!!  The four tips I offered under "Wedding Planners Dish" page 48 addresses:  Stationery, Wedding Cake, Sweetheart Table and Summer Events.

We are also names The Knot Best of Weddings 2012!!!  Our THIRD time...but I'll save that post for another blog :)

Until next time...Pick up the latest The Knot Chicago and WEDologize!

Best of Dejanae Events 2011 Style!

I always like to reflect on the previous year, both good and bad, before setting future goals.  2011 was a year of change, growth, education and new friendships and I accepted all the challenges with open arms. 

I started the year off receiving the proud honor from The Knot being named Best of 2011!  Then moved into announcing myself as the author of a bridal planner called WEDology Notebook: For The Budget Chic Bride.  From there a magazine named N'Digo contacted me and wrote a full-page spread about the Notebook, Dejanae Events and our future goals.  After speaking with up-and-coming planners in this industry, I developed and launched WEDology Experience, a full-day training seminar based on the Notebook and it's usefulness for planners and hosted 2 awesome training sessions.  From there, I reached out to the fab Stacie Francombe on Facebook, the former creator and editor of Get Married Magazine, and a whirlwind educational event was heldd in Chicago, called Inspire Smart Success Experience, and Dejanae Events was the event planners!  We also had 2 weddings featured in Today's Chicago Woman and the partnership with Flossmoor Country Club grow as I assisted in planning their Open House. 

But the best part of 2011 was graduating eight excited students from the Wedding & Event Planning 10-week certification course I have instructed at Elgin Community College for 5 years!  Whew, but I'm not done sharing because my biggest challenge and happiest accomplishment comes from blogging 31 Days in December to my fabulous readers!  Love you all!!!

The best is yet to come in 2012!!! Watch :)  Now back to our regularly scheduled program...

Until next time...WEDologize!