Mrster :: A Gay Wedding Planner & Online Resource

Mess That Dress: My Wife & I Took the Plunge

2010-03-11T15:00:19Z

After an over-the-top wedding, my stunning wife & I were dared to jump in to the sparkling pool at FireSky Resort. There we are, staring at the glistening pool. Should we?

We briefly considered the consequences of potentially ruining our gorgeous David’s Bridal attire, but after further provoking from said friend and a conscience immersed in prosecco, I bulldozed my wife right in to the pool! It was exhilarating.

Now newlyweds, my wife & I had just broken through two barriers known by those that love us. For once I was the spontaneous one and my wife who "hates being wet when she’s not supposed to be" plunged in laughing…and yes I bulldozed her, but she wanted to do it, or she would not have taken off all of her jewelry. WE DID IT!!

Feeling refreshed from our late night float, our dresses were floating on top of the glimmering pool, sparkling with reflections of underwater pool lights…our friends hoisted us, heavy in water-logged dresses, back on to the pool deck just in time for a late night fast-food run!

Guest Blogger, Shannon Williams and her fiancé are sharing with us their journey of planning their same-sex wedding. Read more about them here.

The Orpheum Penthouse :: A Networking Event

2010-03-10T03:11:09Z

Admission
$5 members/$10 non-members

Networking is one of the most effective ways to grow a successful and profitable business.

Come join hosts Life Design Event Planning & United Parking Systems for cocktails and an appetizers at The Orpheum Penthouse and enjoy the charm of Phoenix. Bring associates, clients, friends, co-workers for an intimate, social networking opportunity. The night will begin at 6:00pm.

This event will start at 6:00pm Parking cost & valet provided by United Parking Systems.

Date 3/10/2010
Time 6:00 PM TO 8:00 PM

RSVP RSVPevents@gpglcc.org

The C's of Diamonds - Color

2010-03-03T15:00:33Z

GuestBlogger :: Mr. Greg

So far, we have discussed carat weight and diamond certification, and now we will discuss color and what it means. Many of you have probably heard that “no color is good color,” and from a rarity standpoint this is true--unless we consider fancy colors, which we will cover a bit later.

Color in a diamond has been described many different ways, but the bottom line is that after you have shown yours off, you want everyone to gasp because of its dazzling beauty.

Color is rated on an alphabetical scale from D-Z. Most people wonder why there is no ABC. Well, let me tell you what happened. Before the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) created their standardized grading system, the system every jeweler in the world used was A, B or C. It was their own personal way to represent their diamonds. A jeweler graded their best diamonds as grade “A”, their second best as grade “B”, and their third best as grade “C”. The challenge was that there was no correlation between each jeweler’s grades.

One jewelers ”A” grade could have been today’s equivalent of an “F” color “VS1” clarity, where another jeweler would represent his “A” grade as an equivalent of today’s “H” color “SI1” clarity. You could end up paying a lot more for a diamond based upon one jeweler’s grading system.

Luckily for you, in the 1940s and ‘50s, a standardized grading system was developed through GIA and is recognized as the industry standard today. Now you can ask your jeweler for this grading system on every diamond you look at, and have a much better chance (it’s still not perfect) of getting what you are paying for.

A diamond is made up almost entirely by the element carbon. Diamonds formed millions of years ago between 150 and 200 kilometers deep in the earth’s mantle just above the molten core. Under tremendous pressure and temperature, the carbon crystallized in the cubic system.

There are trace elements in diamonds that give a diamond color. NITROGEN, for example will give a diamond the yellowish tinge that moves the diamond’s color down the scale from D to Z.

Capture the Fun :: Photo Booth

2010-03-01T19:36:18Z

A few months back, I posted some ideas for party photo booths. Added to the list is a new shutterbug company on the block, from local photographers Jill and Michael McNamara. The Self Portrait Station will come and set up for your next event, and let guests snap photos of themselves with a remote-controlled shutter.

All images courtesy of www.selfportraitstation.com

The Self Portrait Station can also create custom backdrops to color-coordinate your event, and make DVDs of all of the images your guests created. Photo booths like these are always a big hit at events, and partygoers receive an archival-quality print to take home. Add a chair to jump off of, and voila! Action-filled photos that will keep your guests entertained all night.

Guest blogger Gina Niemiec is the owner of Fiori Floral Design in Scottsdale, Arizona

Dresses for the Unconventional Bride

2010-02-22T15:00:25Z

Guest Blogger :: Alejandro

Clothing designers the world over are running around like crazy this month as New York Fashion Week is underway. Only a couple more days left of some inspiring and some "not-so-much" looks make it down the runways in the tents at Bryant Park.

As it seems my invite was lost in the mail, I've been stuck to my computer eyeing the Fall 2010 looks. While bridal wear is not the focus of many designers, red carpet and bride favorite Marchesa presented some cocktail dresses and gowns that would be right at home walking down the aisle. My picks are from the ready-to-wear collection, but Marchesa also has a bridal line. While these dresses are some of the more demure of the pack, they have a whimsical, feminine, almost magical feel that is sure to set any bride apart from the rest and make her the center of attention. And with the blast of color in the cocktail dresses, the bride might be vying for some of that attention back from the bridesmaids!

Marchesa Fall 2010 RTW
Marchesa Fall 2010 RTW

Marchesa Fall 2010 RTWMarchesa Fall 2010 RTW
See the whole Fall 2010 RTW line at style.com

Revamping the Heat

2010-02-11T14:39:27Z

Outdoor space heaters are a necessary evil. You want to keep guests warm, but the giant metal suckers are an eyesore. What's that in the back of every damn photo, ruining the shot? The stainless monstrosity of heat. Save your photographer from Photoshopping them out by using the Kindle Glow.

These gorgeous heaters are made from composite material, come in shades from black to blue, and some models light up independent of the heat source. Ask your planner about renting the Kindle Glow, or buy one for your patio. Keeping warm just became stylish.

Guest blogger Gina Niemiec is the owner of Fiori Floral Design in Scottsdale, Arizona

The Orpheum Penthouse :: A New Downtown Phoenix Venue :: Grand Opening :: Corporate Night

2010-02-09T14:26:24Z

A few weeks ago I invited you all to an amazing new venue in downtown Phoenix called the Orpheum Penthouse. Wednesday was our first night and we catered (no pun intended) to the corporate clients, including CVBs, Chambers, DMCs, etc. Here are some pictures from both Rhonda Lewis Photographyand James J. Barnett Photography. It was a jam-packed evening and the night couldn't have been more beautiful. Thank you to all who came out and supported this new venue.

Floral provided by Fiori Floral Design

Me and my cocktails...I loved this idea from Santa Barbara Catering...a fizzy soda fountain. Doesn't this concoction look amazing?

These grapefruit martinis were a huge hit.

Colorful, fresh and so, so yummy.

Sara G., Sales Associate and Networking Guru assembling some of the paper products from The Invitation Lady. Thanks Rikki!

Inside the penthouse as our guests are starting to arrive!

One thing I LOVE about this caterer is the outstanding presentation...check out these ahi tuna cones! On a bed of nails, no less! (below)

Loved this arrangement Gina made for us. The feathers were so what we needed!

We had an awesome sound mix...DJ coupled with a sax player. It was rad!

The outside south patio fireplace which is the second of two. Could you imagine sitting by the fire 11 floors up in downtown Phoenix? I can.

Look for tomorrow's post on the social night. That, too, was outstanding.

Thanks again to all the vendors that made this night possible.

Creative Event Rentals

DJ Senbad

Fiori Floral Design

James J. Barnett Photography

Life Design Event Planning

My Wedding Film

Rhonda Lewis Photography

Santa Barbara Catering

The Invitation Lady

United Parking Systems

Scott Jochim

If interested in learning more about the venue please email us at penthouse@lifedesignevents.com EVERYONE welcome and it is MRSter approved.

With all that Life has to offer,

Cicely

The Beatles Said It Best...

2010-01-12T20:16:33Z

ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE!

With all that Life has to offer, Cicely

Arizona Pride Guide ::

2010-01-08T18:24:17Z

It's a busy time of the year and her is another awesome event we are proud to be a part of. Check it out and please come!

The Orpheum Penthouse

2010-01-07T17:49:58Z

Everyone is invited to either or both nights. Please come and check out the space. It's beautiful.

With all that Life has to offer,

Cicely