Launch of Grooms Matter Too

Grooms Matter Too launches today and I'm so excited about this amazing company created by my dear friend, Lenee Valentine CEO and founder of Lenee' Valentine, Inc.   Grooms Matter Too provides services so that men can experience the same pampering experiences as brides as they prepare for their wedding day.  Equally important, the company takes the stress out of men's responsibilities.

Grooms Matter Too Caters Solely To Men On Their Big Day

Event designer Lenee' Valentine launches company that provides wedding preparation services to grooms and their groomsmen.

  

The company focuses solely on all of the details for the groom’s big day such as assisting with:  surprise wedding proposals, styling services, organizing groomsmen outings and parties, spa and grooming services, rehearsal dinners, transportation services, gifts for parents and guests, and the list goes on.  With a knack for creativity and personalization, Valentine will delve into the core of each man to discover his interests and passions and bring them to life in each service offered.

Research shows that young adults are delaying marriage now more than ever.  This means that many of the financial responsibilities are left on the couple moreso than their parents.  As such, both the bride and groom should have the same exciting experiences when planning their nuptials.  

The services provided by Grooms Matter Too can also be rendered for men who are planning birthdays, retirement, anniversaries, red carpet events, and more.

Congratulations Doll and you are spot on...Grooms Matter Too!!!

Until next time...WEDologize!

CREDITS:

Grooms Matter Too – Owner|Creative Director Lenee’ Valentine @groomsmattertoo

Photographer - Chi-Chi Agbim - Two Twenty  @chichi_220

Topping the Wedding Cake

As I've mentioned time and time again, the wedding cake is the showpiece of the reception!  And yes, a lot of time goes into the design, flavoring and frosting covering this beautiful confection, but how do you plan to top it off?  Check out a few cake topper ideas that just make me smile.

 

Until next time...WEDologize!

(photo credits -  Rush Productions and Eivan's Photo and Video)

Celebrating Dejanae Events Sweet Sixteen Birthday!

Each passing year amazes me as I celebrate another milestone in Dejanae Events.  I'm so grateful, no thankful, to say that I have sustained in the wedding and event planning industry for 16 years!!!  Yes, God is GOOD!

As I reflect on the year that has past, I'm honestly most grateful for bring able to endure the 2015 wedding season.  The year started out so great with dozens of client's wedding and events on the calendar.  But in May, I found out what had been troubling my body for over 2 years and I was in need of surgery.  I was told that I needed to have the surgery almost immediately, but in my mind...there was no way that is happening.  I'm thinking, "There are still almost 30 weddings and events on the calendar to plan and direct!"  And although I had a medical clause in my contract, I did not want to stop working.  Sitting still is not even in my bones or vocabulary. 

So I took a very strong, body altering medication during the summer.  And although it made me sick and pained my body, the DE Team held me down through all of our events and even the teaching of my wedding and event planning class at Triton College.  I cannot thank these ladies enough!  They hugged me, wiped the sweat from my forehead, allowed me to cry on their shoulders, fed me and smiled with me all the way through the 2015 wedding season and through the surgery I eventually had in November.  From the bottom of my heart...thank you Priscilla, Nikki, Didi, Vanessa, Kelly, Peggy, Holly, Angie and Angie!!!  The love and respect I have for you ladies can never be expressed in words!!!  It is because of you we hold The Best of Weddings by The Knot for 7 years and are apart of The Knot's Hall of Fame of Vendors.  It is because of you that we helped over 200 less fortunate men and women over the holidays and it's because of you that we moved into our first official office location in early 2016!!!

Yes, I said it early on that God is good!!!  My body is healed and my team...the DE team is a blessing!!!  I toast to these 16 years of business with each of the ladies and I'm excited about sharing year 17 with the DE Team and the clients who love us.

HAPPY SWEET SIXTEEN TO DEJANAE EVENTS!!!

The entire DE Team could not be present for this shoot. Didi, Kelly and Nikki are pictured.

Until next time...WEDologize!

Photo credit - www.BM-Photography.com

Really??? Postage Rates DECREASE!

Usually I'm writing a blog about postage rates increasing, but not this time.  As for 4/10/16, the First Class stamp has decreased from $.49 to $.47!!!  This is just in time for wedding season.  There have been a few additional changes.  Please see below:

The additional ounces of first-class letters will drop to $.2, from $.22.
International letters drop to $1.15, from $1.20.
Postcards drop from to $34, from $.35

Until next time...WEDologize!

The Knot Webinar - Reviews Think Tank

Registration

So what do you have planned on Wednesday, March 30th around 12:00pm CST?  Well clear your calendar because I am one of five The Knot Ambassadors that will be on a panel to discuss how to take your reviews to the next level and build a stellar online reputation, plus we will answer your burning questions.

You can register for this wedding industry webinar here or by clicking the registration link below the photo. 

Can't wait to meet some of you on Wednesday for what I know will be a very informative webinar.

Until next time...WEDologize!

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!

Welcome Matrimony Monday 2016

Well first...congrats on your engagement!!!  What does Matrimony Monday mean?  Well with the most engagements happening between the Christmas and New Year holiday, the Monday after New Year's Day is believed to be the most popular planning day for newly engaged couples.  So of course, I need to be apart of the planning and education :)

If you follow our blog, we didn't blog as much in 2015 as we usually do because of the crazy value of weddings and events we had to handle.  But that "excuse" does not stop the substantive blogs we produce.  Now that you are engaged, where do you start?  Check out the links below to some of the blog posts we find to be most useful while planning your wedding:

Wedding Day Forget-ables

Bridal Show Frenzy

How to Unplug Your Wedding

Limiting Your Wedding Guest List

Wedding Planning With Children

First Touch Instead of First Look

Reception Introductions

Ceremony Decor Doubles At The Reception

Also, check out a few of our "Real Wedding" recaps for some "WEDspiration":

Brittany and Edward

Kenyatta and Garrett

Emilie and Terrence

Brooke and Patrick

Kendele and Tony

Amaka and Hugh

Louisa and Anthony

Until next time...WEDologize and Happy #MatrimonyMonday!