What's in a Shoe?

 

Today I feel like talking about shoes.  Wedding shoes to be specific.  It can be one of the easiest or most trying accessories to choose.  They have to be comfortable enough to stand in for extended periods of time, they absolutely must coordinate with the gown, and, now this is a big one, they must must must be the perfect height - don't want to be too tall or too short.  Things to remember - can I dance the night away in these or am I bringing slippers to change into? - how long is my dress and if I choose a low/high heel will it require an insane amount of alterations? -how tall will I be next to my hubs-to-be if I choose a high heel?



The Sissy Wedding Shoe- Europe



The shoes you choose to wear reflect who you are, your personality.  An outrageous, sparkely, glammed out shoe says that you are a fashionista with a wild side.  A simple, elegant shoe says that you are a traditional person with traditional values.  Perhaps you are a free spirit or an outdoorsy kinda gal...you may choose to wear flip flops or go barefoot if you are having an outdoor affair.  It's like choosing the dress and it can definitely be just as much work. 



Advantage Bridal



I have a friend who has purchased 5+ pairs of shoes because she cannot choose the one she loves the most.  If you find yourself in that same position, do not be alarmed!  As long as you have some time to decide and a team of bridesmaids to help you see the light, you will be able to make a decision.  For me, I ordered a pair of shoes online and when they came in they fit, so I kept them.  They were a very low heel, pointed toe sling-back, ivory with a cute little buckle across the top.  Matched my dress, fit my foot, ready to go.  Every bride is different and has a different decision making process. 



Looney Maiden Wedding Jewelry



What about the barefoot bride?  How can a girl make her feet look beautiful without having to wear a shoe?  Simple.  A pretty pedi is more than enough, but if you are looking to add a little sparkle, do what my cousin did and wear foot jewels!  These are a very popular item for destination, beach weddings.  It's a new take on the ankle bracelet but with more pizazz!  There are so many different styles and gem options, you can even get them covered in pearls.  This is a beautiful and unique way to stand out and make a statement. 

No matter who you are or what you do, your shoes can make a big statement.  Just as big a statement as the gown and the groom you choose!  Glam, Casual, Beachy or Ballroom, your shoe should be a reflection of who you are and what you love. 

Older Americans Day

Today is Older Americans Day.  Across the nation senior citizens are being remembered, acknowledged and celebrated.  Our center is no exception.  Today we hosted over 300 seniors from Centers throughout Sussex County and we celebrate them, their accomplishments and their dreams for the future.  Delaware's own Senator Tom Carper was here to announce some of the new reform laws and benefits coming to our senior population.  DJ Sky Brady was here mixing it up and getting everyone up off their seats and dancing the afternoon away with tunes from generations gone by.  A special thank you to the students from Sussex Tech High School who volunteered their time to help serve meals today, as well as to the Choir who sang for us this afternoon.  Everyone had a wonderful time and truly appreciated everything and everyone. 

We also held a tree planting ceremony to honor one of our dedicated, generous CHEER employees who recently passed away, Rick.  Rick worked for CHEER as a food van driver for 10 years.  His generosity and passion for our mission will always be remembered and one way we are going to ensure that his memory lives on is through the planting of a beautiful tree right here on the grounds of the Community Center. 

Throughout the year CHEER hosts many events for the Seniors.  Anything from Older Americans Day, Veterans Day and Thanksgiving Dinner to Prize Bingo and BBQs.  Our entire mission is to keep seniors healthy, active and independent and that's what we do.  When I hold catered events here (weddings, birthday parties, etc.) all of the money we make from renting out the venue goes into ensuring that those less fortunate seniors in the area are receiving care and meals regularly through our Home Health program and our Meals on Wheels Nutrition program.  If you are interested in more information regarding CHEER and all of the wonderful benefits CHEER has to offer, please visit our website at http://www.cheerde.com/  Stay tuned because we will be doing a web redesign over the coming months!!

L&J's Purple, White & Antique Car Wedding

This past Saturday we celebrated the marriage of L&J, a quiet couple with a passion for antique cars.  They arrived on Friday with a team of about 15 people to help get the room put together and boy did it go fast!  They were done in no time at all.  From chair covers and bows to decorating a beautiful archway and cake table, this group was on a mission.  The end result, a beautiful purple and white spring affair (with car flair!).

My favorite part...when each groomsman pulled up in his own antique car with a bridesmaid riding shotgun!  Each car pulled up under the porte cochere and dropped of their bridesmaid, moved around and parked in a reserved space in our parking lot.  It was truly a unique idea and a perfectly executed event.  Unfortunately I did not have the chance to take photos of the cars, but I am hoping the photographer will send me a few.  Meanwhile, enjoy some of these photos that I was able to take before guests started to arrive!


Purple & White on a Perfect May Day



Homemade chocolate cars served as both a table decoration and guest thank you gift!

A fabulous cupcake tree topped with a bride & groom riding off in a car
was the perfect accent for this wedding

 

J&L's Sweetheart Table looked amazing and was an intimate way
 for them to share their first meal as husband & wife

Decision Made.

I cannot believe I made it through today!  I got in at 8am, it's only 2:30, but in 2 more hours I will be at home with my feet up and a nice glass of wine in my hand. 

After a full day of back-to-back meetings yesterday we finally made our catering decision and extended an offer to a company that was more than happy to accept.  I am very confident that this caterer will be a great fit here at the Community Center.  Their experience, personality, pricing and menu choices are going to be a great compliment to the Community Center and I am very much looking forward to working with this new group! 

Today my mission (which I for some crazy reason chose to accept) was to contact every wedding and event on the calendar from now through 2012 and let them know of this change.  Many were receptive and understanding.  I did have a few who were, understandably, less than thrilled.  With weddings right around the corner this is pretty short notice to pull a caterer out from under someone.  I was and am very understanding to every concern, comment, question, but in the end we have to move forward with our new caterer and that's where we are now.  I am very pleased with our 2011/2012 group because they are all so nice and many even said that change is a good thing (which is what my last post was on!  How 'bout that!).  

So there's my short post for today.  Time to move on to other things because tomorrow we have a wedding of 164 to prepare for.  Don't worry, I'll have a great post for this one next week and plenty of pics!  **Spoiler Alert**Antique Cars!!

      

        Please join me in welcoming

            Catchers Catering

                 to the CHEER

            Community Center!!!

Change is a good thing (?)

All good things must come to an end.  All not so good things must come to an end.  I prefer the later to the former.  You? 

At this time my event facility is in the midst of change.  We are doing many improvements and turnovers within our agency and within my facility.  At present, we are deciding on a new catering company to take over all catered events and to run our in-house cafe.  We solicited seven (7) catering companies, one of which was our current caterer.  In total we received proposals from two of those companies, neither of which was from our current caterer.  Now we are in the meeting and weening down phase, which I must say is easier said then done when you have so many things to factor in.  Our final decision must be made by Thursday and as that date draws near and we begin to come to terms with our future, it is becoming increasingly more daunting for me to make this change. 

Both of our options are excellent.  That is not the problem.  For me, being the Events Manager/Wedding Coordinator, this decision means that I must contact every event we have on the books from now through 2012 and inform them that the current caterer will no longer be here and that they will have to work with someone new.  In this county, that could definitely go one of only two ways.  Wish us luck!

Believe me, I have done the whole wedding planning thing, I would be freaking out if I was weeks away from my wedding and received a phone call telling me "Oh, sorry, you have to use this new caterer.  Good luck."  (I, of course, will not be so blunt, but you catch my drift.)  It could potentially to lead to minor turmoil and  cancelled events (hope not) or venue changes (hope not again) because the people in this area know and love our current caterer and change may not be taken so lightly.  Fortunately for us they did not submit a bid, so many complaints can be forwarded directly to them and will make this a little easier (fingers crossed) for me in the coming days. 

On Thursday afternoon we will be announcing formally the company being awarded the contract.  As you may have gathered excitement and nervousness are high on my list of feelings right now.  It's time for change, but change is not always easy and not always taken well by all parties involved.  We are going to try to keep spirits up with a positive change that will help our non-profit in the long run, but also by being realistic to the reasons this change is needed.  My hope is that people are understanding.  My reality is that they may not all be understanding. 

Change is a good thing...

Photo's from Weddings at the CCC

H&U's Purple Spring Wedding

It's May!  Spring.  Picnic weather.  This is when we really get into "Wedding Season" here at the Community Center.  Yes, we have already had two weddings this year, both in March, but May is such a different, beautiful time of year.  The weather is not too hot, not too cold.  It {hopefully} doesn't rain nearly as much as April.  And the colors!!!  This weekend was a pale purple and white wedding.  They came on Friday to do all of their decorating, so I am really excited with everything.  The simplicity and ease of this event was a perfect pairing for this couple.  H&U are so sweet and easy-going, it's no wonder their budget-friendly wedding had that same laid back, low-fuss feel. 

From our first meeting it was clear that these two just wanted to be married.  We met only 5 months ago!  They never stressed or cared much about what would happen with the decorating, the reception, etc.  They were really just looking forward to forever together.  It's so refreshing.  So often these days weddings become about the dress, the reception, the drama.  It's amazing to find a couple so in love that the only thing they are thinking about is the "I Do". 

H&U planned a beautiful outdoor ceremony by our gazebo.  We watched the weather for two weeks and they lucked out with a perfect day.  74 degrees, sunny and breezy.   --In the {unlikely}event that it did rain we do have indoor space to accommodate a ceremony.  That did not happen with this event, but it has in the past and it only takes a few minutes to turn an empty room into a perfect place to say "I Do". 

This coming weekend we have a break from events so I am throwing a birthday bash for my husband (a NASCAR themed BBQ since we live in redneck country and are going to the races on Sunday...which I cannot believe is something I tell people! haha!)  But the following weekend we are right back at it with a dark purple and antique car themed wedding and a bride who really wants her husband-to-be included in every aspect.