December 5, 2011 – 12:32 am
The Tumbagas made a tough gamble on bad weather that cost them the perfect celebration for their wedding. After surprising them, I set out to help Jung re-create her wedding celebration while abandoning some of the traditions she held onto for her first wedding. Jung admitted that she did not love her wedding gown, was underwhelmed by her nautical décor and missed the favored candy table that she hoped to enjoy. Yet still, Jung holds on tight with her type-A personality and does not relinquish decision making authority too easy. After an uncertain week of deciding whether or not to trust my vision, Jung and Victor were in awe of their I Do Over! From the baby blue wedding gown to the ‘Candy Land’ lounge, I showed her how to distinctively interpret her love story on her own terms. However, I hope that they learned that you can never underestimate the power of Mother Nature!
November 28, 2011 – 10:16 pm
Lindsy Jennings is one of the happiest and fantastically optimistic women I have ever had the pleasure of working with. Despite a dreadful fall that broke her leg in three places and left her hobbling down the aisle on crutches on her wedding day, she still managed to keep the gigantic smile on her face. Throughout our time together, she consistently focused on what lied before her and in fact was quite uncomfortable conveying any of the disastrous memories from her first wedding. She was so in tune with every moment – surprise after surprise and present to the magic that was happening around her. You see, I learned a great lesson from Lindsy about our reaction to disappointments in life. Sure she was saddened with the outcome of her first wedding but I truly believe that her willingness to leave those memories ‘behind the line’ allowed her to fully enjoy each experience of the new wedding that we were feverishly designing and executing on her behalf. She wasn’t worried about ‘looking good’, ‘feeling embarrassed’ or being paranoid about us making a mockery of her wedding. In essence – Lindsy simply trusted the process and is likely the one bride that enjoyed her ‘do-over’ the most this season. So as the credits rolled last night, I hope that you shared my sentiments knowing that this woman truly deserved her I Do Over!
October 21, 2011 – 11:28 am
My recent trip to International Bridal Market in NYC gave me a chance to see firsthand some of the fabulous creations that will make their way down center aisles in the coming wedding months. I loved Paris Fashion Week for the drama and architectural influences, but I knew before landing in New York that all of the gowns on the runways would be inspired by love. Bridal fashion designers showed the world their interpretation of love – how they define it and the characteristics of the woman they envision walking down the aisle in their creations. With my DRV Coordinator Tiffany Pompey in tow, we set out to show one of our newest brides the best of bridal market while taking our own bite out of the Big Apple. Come along for the ride!
I knew that the heart of wedding season was the perfect time to introduce I Do Over to my respected colleagues in the wedding industry but deciding on the best city was my quandary. Atlanta had been good to me over the years and always embraced my presence so it seemed like the best logical choice. And with my birthday being in early July, it also seemed to be the perfect excuse to throw a great party and offer an early preview of I Do Over. And a great party is exactly what transpired in Atlanta on July 14th. Unlike all DRV productions and personal parties I have hosted myself, I was able to actually be a guest and simply enjoy every single minute of it!
This year has been full of wonderful surprises, developments and changes in my career. In July, I joined WeTV at the Essence Music Festival in a very new role. During the pre-production of this activation, I was able to design the WE tv booth and give them a fresh perspective on a corporate exhibit booth. An inviting environment where women could come and experience the WE tv brand in a comfortable and engaging space using my favorite, delicious hot pink sofa from Form Décor as the centerpiece of the space. However, once I hit the ground I was not a designer but the host of WE tv’s newest wedding show, I Do Over!
