So, you’ve got your wedding planners and then you’ve got your uber wedding planners. Mary Dann-McNamee is most certainly one of the latter. If you don’t know who she is, take a minute to google her … but wait until after you’ve watched my video below, of course!;-) After a quick search you’ll find her list of credits to be substantial.
The woman is busy … so how Mary found time to write a book, I have no idea … but she did. With the help of the bright and savvy Leila Khalil of Inspired PR, Mary collected her years of wedding and family planning experience and authored Wedding Wisdom.
Last week, Mary and Leila had their first L.A. book signing. And who was lucky enough to capture and create a mini picture show of the event … ? Me, me, me!
With the creative efforts of the following vendors, I can safely say, the book signing was a success. I love hanging with these industry creatives … I’d like to think I’ll pick up on some of their talents thru osmosis of some sort.;)
Yes, I’ll readily admit it ... I get writers block … and I get it often. Many times it has to do with the fact that I don’t know what to write, that I don’t have enough material. ‘Tis not the case here …
Erin and Adam’s wedding: sweetest couple … smiles that lit up the room … the love they shared – tangible … the day – beautiful … lovely family (I’ll begin my adoption proceedings soon) … the photographers and vendors – so talented … clear skies when rain was expected … and lest we forget – sexy shoes. =)
Well, it appears that email addresses and domains take a holiday vacation as well ... and that's exactly what my email address (isabel@isabelgonzalez.com) is doing. I suppose I'm a bit of a slave driver because I expect my email to be up at all times - no vacations! Unfortunately, technical snafus appear to be the exception here.
As of today, my email address and website will be down for 4-9 days. I'm hoping it'll be on the shorter end.
I apologize for any inconvenience. If you wish to get a hold of me, please feel free to call me at 310.490.7221 or email me at my personal email address - izebel@aol.com.
I'd like to take a couple moments to wish you all a Merry Christmas ... or happy holidays or whatever it is that you believe or look to at this time of year. I don't like to get hung up on titles or labels, I like to get hung up on feelings and memories. Whatever your beliefs, faith, background, I hope that this year has been incredibly kind to you. My wish for all is great joy and peace.
Last night I wrapped up my last official wedding of the ’09 wedding season at Pasadena’s Rococo Room (congratulations Caryn & Mike!). This fact didn’t really dawn on me until I was putting my equipment away, crossing my T’s and dotting my I’s. So, I decided to take a walk down memory lane and I pulled out my list of clients for the season … to remind myself of where I’d been and who I’d shot. I suddenly felt like a post-nuptial bride. How did it go by so quickly? It’s all just a blur.
Amongst my list of clients, there was Bridget and Bjorn married back in May. Just the sweetest, cutest couple … beautiful wedding all around. They also had very memorable toasters – the bride’s father being one of them. When it came time to put a recap together of their day, Bridget’s father’s words stuck in my head. Because those words were so incredibly touching I decided to let the father tell the story for the recap video.
So here’s a wedding story told from a father’s perspective.
It was a windy Tuesday night as I was driving thru the hills of Hollywood.The further up the mountain I went, the more desolate it became. I wasn’t used to bumpy, single lane roads.What kind of event had I been invited to participate in?No signs, no lights.“Am I here?”,I thought as I drove into a dirt lot.No way.Keep going.And I did … only to arrive right back to where I started.Fate?Who knows?But these are no times to be questioning such things …. after all, gasoline prices are way too high.Are those twinkling lights I see up ahead?Yes indeed!Joy!I wasn’t lost after all.I meet up with some kind folk – Carissa of JL Designs – couture floral and event stylist!Civilization is not lost!In fact, this is where it takes on new meaning.
I sign in at the registration table at the bottom of the hill … and then I’m directed up the path – the dark, predominately unlit path.Is this the part of the movie where I call out for the proverbial Steve?In a high-pitched manner … “Steve?Steve?Where are you Steve? ….This isn’t funny!”
I ventured forth with camera in tow.There’s no such things as ghosts, goblins, Jasons or Freddies.Up the hill I trekked.More lights up ahead … oh joy, joy, joy!Fun and merriment and strange and beautiful costumes abound!I was safe and happy.
Enjoy the light at the end of my scary (albeit very short) tunnel.
