wedding certification – CharaNicole

November 19, 2013January 24, 2014

Tuesday’s Table | Orange & White

Around this time of year, we get pretty used to seeing the color orange. Orange has seemingly become synonymous with autumn, usually being coupled with browns, golden yellows and hints of mahogany. Today’s table is inspired by the season, but given a fresh perspective that is bright and modern.

Cocoa and Fig | The Knot – Pacific Palisades | The Knot – Peach | The Knot – Photos

My Italian Wedding | Occasions Online | Ruffled Blog | Weddingomania

July 18, 2013January 24, 2014

Wedding Tip | No. 1

Life. That one word, both as a noun and verb, will sometimes send my heart and brain in a whirlwind. As you are reading this now…know I have typed, deleted, re-typed and rearranged that first sentence several times. There is usually so much going on in our lives and what lies ahead that it can become hard to focus on now.

If fact, take a moment, close your eyes (WAIT! not right now…finish this sentence first!), take a deep inhale through your nose and exhale deeply through your mouth, repeat at least three times. No cheating! They need to be deep, calming, centering breaths.

In all the little & big list of event to dos, running a gallery AND the day-to-day of work, out-of-town visitors, household malfunctions, body aches, bill paying, AND being mommy…I have to remind myself to breathe. Sometimes, I only have a moment between emails and phone calls and pick ups and drop offs. In those little moments (even right now as I type this) is when I purposefully inhale and exhale. There is just something about that small action.

I know how I get, so I’m sure you may need that reminder every now and then as well. When your eyes are blurry from all the amazing Pinterest inspiration. Breathe. When you’re looking at your long or even short but significant list of to dos. Breathe. When responses from your various phone calls or emails have not come in during your allotted work break. Breathe. And yes, even, when all is well, the birds are chirping, the sun is shining, and you actually have a moment to sit and celebrate your accomplishments. Breathe.

July 16, 2013January 24, 2014

Tuesday’s Table | Candlelight

When thinking about an evening reception during the summer, I immediately thought…candles, tons of candles. Candlelight gives the room an unbelievably romantic atmosphere. Whether your venue is a large hallowed banquet hall or a quaint country vineyard, the soft flicker of the flame will give you a unique intimacy. And remember, everyone looks better by candlelight.

July 3, 2013January 15, 2014

Be a Fabulous Wedding Planner

I’ve been designing and planning weddings for almost 13 years. Like a lot of planners and many of you, it started as a hobby just helping organize and produce something special for family, a friend or a friend’s friend. My business was run “on the side” of my full-time (60-100+ hour) media/production job. I knew event planning was what I wanted and was even meant to do.

For the last several years, I’ve spent part of my time training others in the art of wedding planning, through the Wedding Consultant Certification course offered at Cal Poly Pomona and various training workshops and showcases. Far beyond the pretty flowers and dresses found on Pinterest lies a meticulously well-oiled machine complete with vendor qualifications, timelines, deadlines, budgets and a lot of hard work. We become the client’s friend, accountant, production manager, therapist, and confidant. I take such pride in the list of successful planners and business owners supported by these trainings and so grateful to take part in the building of their dreams as well.

July 10, 2013, the Wedding Consultant Certification (495.00) course will begin at Cal Poly Pomona. Over the ten Wednesday nights, you will learn the nitty-gritty of wedding planning that will undoubtedly give you a suitable foundation to not only excel in your business, but excel in making your client’s dreams come true. You will receive your certification, which is required in many of the more reputable wedding venues throughout Southern California. Sign up now…space is (very) limited.

July 27, 2013, the Day of Wedding Workshop (175.00) will be offered at the LOFT for those of you who are looking to get the tools needed to run the actual wedding day and the weeks leading up to it. Learning how to set things in order so that the big day goes off without a hitch. This workshop is open to Wedding Planners, DIY Brides (or Bridesmaids), Photographers/DJs (looking to expand their business) and more. A lot of DIY Brides decide not to hire a professional planner and have a friend or family member help run the big day…this is the perfect opportunity to make sure they have a bit of training. If you’re interested in attending, email me at info@openboxdesigns.com or Register/Pay here.