Welcome To Our New Blog!!!

 Thank you so much for supporting WEDologize by Dejanae Events since 2009!  I truly appreciate each and every person that took the time to read my almost 600 blog posts.  But I'm excited to share that Dejanae Events now has a new website and a new blog!!!  Please check us out at www.DejanaeEvents.com/blog and feel free to surf the new website.

Until next time...WEDologize!

Wedding Tasting Goals

 
Depending on your venue, catering will either come with the price of renting the reception space or you will need to outsource a caterer.  Regardless of your decision, you should taste the food prior to serving it on wedding day to your guests. 

But what should you expect and what will you discuss at a tasting?

Well first, a tasting is just that...a taste. Do not expect to be served a full meal.  You will see the full presentation of the soup, salad, entree and possibly the hors d'oevures.  You may even get to sample the wines that will be served during dinner and cake should the caterer be providing the wedding cake. 

Next, bringing your entire family and friends to a tasting is not appropriate.  Most tastings can only accommodate 4-6 guests (couple and each set of parents).  Plus all those extra opinions will truly dull the experience.

Also, be very honest about how the food tastes.  That is the purpose of this meeting.  So if you feel it needs extra salt, let the chef know.  There are no repeats in wedding planning so you want to make sure you have voiced your opinion especially during the tasting.

Last, during your tasting experience, consider some of these questions:

• Do you like the look of the food presentation?
• Are hot dishes served hot and cold dishes served cold? 
• How's the plating of the entree?
• Are the hors d'oevures easy for your guests to eat?  
• Do the courses make sense for the season?
• When is the latest date you can make a change to the menu?

Until next time...WEDologize!

(repost from 2013)

The Next Chapter Is 40!

Today's blog post will be simple because I'm taking a few days off to celebrate my life as I turn 40 today!  I invite all my readers to celebrate with me today with some cake (see below) and a glass of "something tasty" to wet your palette (see below).  Then I'm going to open my birthday gifts and end this blog with some fireworks.

Delish cake from couturecakery.net

Nothing beats a celebration than a pink drink and a haute pink shoe!

I sure hope there is a diamond in this box! LOL!

Yeah!!! Happy 40th Birthday to me!!!

Until next time...40 is the New 20 and WEDologize!

My Dream 39th Birthday Celebration

As I wake up smiling this morning in celebration of my 39th birthday, I said to myself, "Self, if I were to have a birthday party...how would I celebrate?"  Well I see an intimate affair with about 15 of my closest friends and their spouse/partner.  The environment would be a loft-style space with a wonderful patio or deck over looking downtown Chicago.  The color scheme is red, black and platinum and all my fabulous guest MUST be dressed to the nine in their sexiest formalwear.  Champagne and wine from the bar would be flowing and we'd dine from 3-4 stations of my favorite fair.  And of course I'd have to have the most over-the-top birthday cake and desserts that would have my guests taste buds in a frenzy!!!  Then after all the laughter and fun as ended...me and my Boo Thang would head to O'hare for our 5 day get-away to Maui :)

But their will be no birthday party for me due my crazy schedule, but regardless...I'm so very thankful for seeing another year!!!

Until next time...WEDologize!

(photo credit:  cake - http://verusca.deviantart.com; dress - www.tumblr.com; necklace - www.katespade.com; shoe - Oskar Alvarado; tablescape - www.wedlux.com; drink - www.resepiibamku.blogspot.com; candles - www.stylemepretty.com; mini cakes - www.sprinklebakes.com)

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!

Venue Spotlight - Flossmoor Country Club

I had the proud honor of being the planner to assist the staff of Flossmoor Country Club with their Open House on Wednesday, November 16th.  This private country club and award-winning golf course and grounds has recently decided to open their doors to the public to host spectacular weddings and events on their 2nd floor.

Their event packages include:

• Your choice of three Passed Appetizers
• Salad and Entree selection
• Wedding Cake
• Premium Bar
• Champagne Toast

And can I testify that the food is delicious!!!  They even have Sweet Table upgrades and Late Night Snack options :)  Additionally, should you want to really utilize the venue for it's beauty, consider having your wedding ceremony on the 18th hole of their lush green gold course.

Check out some of the pictures from the Flossmoor Country Club's Open House and must thank the following vendors for making this evening so perfect.  The entire look and ambiance of the event would not have come together without you!

 

 

 
CT Designs (Stationery) | Rush Event Photography and Videography Productions (Photography) | Rosemary's Garden (Centerpieces) | Fiddlehead Florist (Centerpieces) | Red Hen Event Decor (Backdrops and Lighting) | Words With Melissa (Dance Floor Decal) | Classic Party Rental (Linens, Chairs, China, Flatware and Stemware) | Classic Chair Covers and Linens (Chair Covers and Table Linen) | JAM Music (DJ and Lighting) | Caribbean Blend (Cigar Roller) | Rolf's Patisserie (Tasty Treats) | Classic Cobbler (Tasty Treats)

And should you want to visit the best kept secret in the Chicago South Suburbs, contact Peggy Ziemba, Banquet Manager, 708.798.0000, banquets@flossmoorcc.org, to schedule a site tour.

Until next time...WEDologize!
(photo credit - www.rushphotovideo.com)

Upcoming Chicago Wedding Events

For today's blog, I thought I'd compile a list of some of the wedding-related events and activities going on in the Chicagoland area for couples as well as industry professionals.  If you are aware of an event I've missed, please add it to the comments so that I can share it in future WEDology posts.

Monday, October 3rd (TODAY)
The Wedding Salon
at The W City Center
Downtown Chicago
4:00pm-8:00pm
www.weddingsalon.com
***use code DEBC for complimentary tickets

Sunday, October 16th
Bridal Open House
at Sharon's Custom Cakes
Crete, IL
11:00am-4:00pm
www.sharonscakes.com
www.chicagolandcakes.com

Sunday, October 16th
Bridal Expo Chicago/Milwaukee
at Double Tree Hotel Oak Brook
Oak Brook, IL
11:30am-4:00pm
www.bridalshowexpo.com

Monday, October 24th and Tuesday, October 25th
Inspire Smart Success Experience - Chicago
at The Sax Hotel Chicago
Downtown Chicago
Monday - 7:00pm-9:00pm
Tuesday - 8:30am-6:00pm
http://inspiresmartsuccess05.eventbrite.com/
***Dejanae Events is the Chicago Event Planner

Sunday, October 30th
Bridal Expo Chicago/Milwaukee
at Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers
Downtown Chicago
11:30am-4:00pm
www.bridalshowexpo.com

Sunday, October 30th
Bridal SamplerWedding Expo
at The Hilton Rosemont
Rosemont, IL
www.bridalsampler.com

Saturday, November 5th
WEDology Experience - Fall 2011
at Flossmoor Country Club
Flossmoor, IL
9:00am-4:00pm
http://wedologyexperience2.eventbrite.com/
***by Dejanae Events

Wednesday, November 16th
Open House and Networking Event
at Flossmoor Country Club
Flossmoor, IL
5:30pm-8:30pm
***details coming soon
***Dejanae Events is the event planner



Until next time...WEDologize!

Here Cometh the Shoe!

I was just with a client on Saturday, as we were thumbing through the latest Get Married magazine, and she simply feel in love with a pair of purple shoes to wear with her fabulous bridal gown for her June wedding. Today's contemporary bride wants to add some color and pizazz to their wedding ensemble outside of wearing a colored sash around the waist or a jewel-toned brooch. Shoes, shoes, shoes!!! The Twenty-Ten bride is jumping all over the idea of wearing brightly colored heels (or flats) under their lovely wedding gowns. The pop of color will make you certainly stand out. Check out some of the styles below. I'm sure designs like these will have your groom smiling from ear-to-ear, especially if you have a reveal AFTER you say "I do"!

My client then went on the say, "How cool would it be to go on a date with my husband in some jeans and my wedding shoes!" I agreed...cool idea!

Until next time...WEDologize!

Photo Credits:

Red shoes - http://www.getmarried.com/

Fuchsia, Green and Purple shoes - http://www.zappos.com/

Turquoise shoes - http://www.pricescope.com/

Navy shoes - http://www.theknot.com/

Yellow shoes - http://www.dyables.com/

Whatcha Know About Etsy?

What do you know about http://www.etsy.com/? Well if you aren't aware of this website...make it a site you surf today. I honestly just discovered Etsy a few months ago, but for a couple getting married...this is a WEDology site for certain! Etsy is a community of people and small companies that make useful items and sell them to us, the consumer. This site showcases some of EVERYTHING and I've taken a complete liking to their wedding community. These men and women have some serious talent and in most cases - the price is right!

Below are some of my "Esty Wedding Favorites". Let me know what you think.


The birdcage veil for that sexy, glam bride breaking away from tradition



Stylish personalized luminaries that would look great as decor for cocktail hour or lining the pathway of an evening reception

Personalized guest welcome box of useful goodies like snacks, candies and medicine

Envelope guest book w/ cards allowing each guest to write a personal message



Save The Date magnets...not just your typical magnet


Until next time...WEDologize your budget!

(photo credits - Etsy, Inc. http://www.etsy.com/)