Project Love Blog

This year I had the privilege of teaching a session at Engage 11 in San Diego.  I can still remember the day when Rebecca responded to the email request I had sent her almost a year previously and asked if I was available for this year’s conference.  I had heard so many great things about the Engage experience but I have not attended a wedding conference in years so I really had no expectations.  All I knew was that I was thrilled to join such an established group of wedding professionals – many heralded as the leaders in our industry and at this year’s Engage, I would be listed among them.

I love working with smart, strong women and Rebecca Grinnals and Kathryn Ace certainly sit at the top of my list.  They are incredibly insightful and have put together an incredible experience that left me in awe!

Rebecca & Kathryn Photo Courtesy of Jessica Claire

Having traveled the world creating so many wonderful expressions of love – I am not easily impressed.  However, the opening night party was my absolute favorite of the entire experience for several reasons:  (1) The Grand Del Mar is one of the most magical destinations on the west coast.  It features the perfect blend of Italian elegance and style with a modern edge for the luxury travel experience and I love traveling well!  And Paige Levy-Kouretchian is so genuinely warm and accommodating and always a gracious host.

Paige Levy-Kouretchian and the adorable Todd Fiscuss - Photo Courtesy of Jessica Claire

(2) It was a casual, unscripted gathering that allowed us to relax, network and engage in so many visceral touch points from the food stations, to the photo booth to the incredible entertainment – my senses were fully engaged!

The Gorgeous Elizabeth Messina and DV- Photo Courtesy of Jessica Claire

(3) Edgar Zamora from Revelry designed a gorgeous chic outdoor lounge set against the backdrop of the Aria Lawn and Pavilion.  So often times I see designers go into venues with beautiful concepts that completely fight the architecture of the space.  Revelry infused a mix of French Provencial furnishings with natural organic wood pieces and stunning florals from my friend Eddie at Tic Tock that was understated, elegant and edgy.   This design showcased a beautiful extension of the gorgeous architecture at The Grand Del Mar with a harmonious rhythm that played like a beautiful melody!

Photo Courtesy of Jessica Claire

Photo Courtesy of Jessica Claire

Photo Courtesy of Jessica Claire

And (4) I was able to bring my best friend and daughter Riann with me to experience my professional world yet again.  Success and accomplishments mean so little when the people you love the most are not involved and proud of your accomplishments so I hope that Riann looks back on these times with great pride!

Photo Courtesy of Jessica Claire

Me and My Best Girl!

However, the real fun began for me on Wednesday morning when I stepped into the Capella to teach my session entitled Bucking Tradition To Create Your Differential Competitive Advantage. Rebecca had asked me to teach three sessions so that all those that were interested would be able to get a bit of the ‘DV’ experience.  My session focused on sharing what I know to be true: (1) Define yourself or others will; (2) My untraditional stance towards wedding customs and traditions has established my clients as trendsetters and labeled me a trailblazer in our industry and (3) Every bride wants to express her love creatively even if she is stuck on tradition and we learn where those opportunities lie by listening to the words she does not speak.

Photo Courtesy of Jessica Claire

I L-O-V-E beautiful, engaging and thought provoking design but I am incredibly shy (contrary to popular belief) and there are few places where I feel totally comfortable.  Speaking to a live audience makes me feel right at home.  Connecting with people on a raw, uncensored platform makes my heart sing for it is a rare opportunity that I have to share my purest self.  My thoughts, mannerisms, animated style and gut wrenching passion emanates from my soul and during these brief encounters with groups I am able to share the best of me.  Live presentations do not lie.  They are unedited.  Uncensored.  If my presence with a live audience does not come from my heart, my group knows immediately so for our time together, I block out all of the other cares and troubles in my world and give everything I have to leave my newfound friends with a profound experience.

There is something so fulfilling and rewarding about the stage.  I compare it loosely to the feeling a musical artist experiences when they walk on a stage or that which an actor feels when they perform on a live set.  For however long I have, nothing else exists in the world – only me, my mic and my audience.

Photo Courtesy of Jessica Claire

On Sunday, July 24^th my new show I Do Over premieres at 10pm EST on WeTV. This is my latest attempt at transferring my live skills to the small screen.  I hope you will mark your calendars and join me for an hour of wedding programming that I believe is going to elevate the respect for wedding professionals around the country.  My only hope is that as you watch our show of dream fulfillment that your sentiment will be that I have made us all proud!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVObQJVrPVY

So you know I need to hear from you.  What makes you feel right at home?

Keep spreading the love,

Join the Diann Valentine family and share your passion!