December 26, 2011 – 11:32 pm
I first met Mike Colon when he photographed Usher’s wedding for me a few years ago. After reaching out to the ‘one and only’ Joe Buissink and discovering his unavailability, he told me that Mike was at the top of his recommendation list and that was good enough for me. I confirmed Mike at about 2:30am on the morning of the wedding and told him he had to make a 6:30am flight in order to arrive on time. After a hectic morning, he arrived calm, cool, reassuring and ready to go to work. However, my lasting memories are the spirit of the man that showed up to shoot this critically important client. Now with years of friendship under our belt, I am still in awe and impressed with his inner man. I know that his personal conviction and acknowledgement of his enormous responsibility will never allow him to show up in the wrong state of mind. You see, his gifts and his calling outweighs whatever may be in disarray in his private world. Mike Colon wears his heart on his sleeve and shoots from the soul – a quality that is admirable but also scarce. Mike shot 4 of the 6 episodes of I Do Over and blessed our couples with incredible memories. With this year coming to an end, I’ve finally been able to slow down a bit and had a chance to chat with Mike discuss some of the qualities that can only be found in a person whose life is called for greatness!
December 11, 2011 – 11:42 pm
The fire that ruined the Pepple’s first wedding was such a devastating and unforeseen disaster. How do you prepare for a fire in the building? This disaster even had me with a loss of words – a rare moment of course! Jennifer and Ian Pepple were a very quiet and shy couple who wanted nothing to do with fire again. However, my design plan was to re-introduce fire in a way that would help them establish some beautiful and artful memories that they could be proud of while embracing the beauty of fire. Also, since Jennifer and Ian met in an art gallery, I wanted to create as many artistic design elements that would pay homage to the encounter that brought them together. Flowers and textiles were my two primary elements that would bring this design approach to life. And it also helped that we found this gorgeous, eclectic warehouse space in Downtown LA that allowed me to turn it into an art gallery.
December 1, 2011 – 10:28 pm
Eddie Zaratsian of Tic-Tock Couture Florals and I have been friends and colleagues for many years collaborating and debating design in his gorgeous design studio. His vast experience and worldly viewpoint brings an incredible perspective to the design world. Furthermore, his sense of humor and overtly confident nature is always an enjoyable mix with mine. Eddie and his team worked their magic and transformed flowers into works of art for The Tumbagas, which was our toughest episode. It was the first episode of the season and lets just say – we still had a few kinks to work-out. With the Tumbagas episode airing this Sunday, I wanted to share my recent conversation with Eddie so that you will watch this week’s episode and fall in love him just as much as I do!
November 29, 2011 – 7:09 pm
Thankfully, life has been so busy with brides, events, the premiere of I Do Over, new ventures, new explorations and making time to take care of my family. However, earlier this year I stopped, called and introduced myself to Jacqueline Nwobu, the publisher of Munaluchi Bride after stumbling upon the gorgeous but obviously different cover that featured actress La La Anthony. As another brown girl in the wedding industry, I felt compelled to simply call and say hello because we needed to know each other. I shared my excitement for her and how much pride I felt knowing that she was leading her own charge to change our industry for the better – level out the playing fields just a bit in terms of bridal publications. We instantly bonded and I shared that I was not in search of anything but offered a helpful hand along her journey. If there was anything I could do, I would always make myself available to her. Before I could make good on my promise, she surprised me by offering the following feature to introduce Diann Valentine and I Do Over to her readers.
October 10, 2011 – 5:43 pm
With my growing schedule of appearances, speaking engagements and interaction with my fellow event professionals more than ever, I have grown increasingly bored with event design as a whole. I keep showing up hoping to be moved, inspired or enlightened by someone or something but to no avail. So when a last minute invitation from a friend came to spend a few days in Paris for Fashion Week, I expeditiously cleared my schedule, packed my bags and gave my husband a long kiss goodbye in search of something new. Few cities evoke such a distinctive experience like Paris. An exciting mix of historical architecture, haute couture fashions, delectable desserts and an overwhelming jult of raw sexuality. Paris stimulated my senses with such emotional overload leaving me full of respect for the French and renewed inspiration.
