what I love: 2013 - Big Things!

Hello lovelies, and happy 2013! (I know I'm SUPER late to the bandwagon on that whole happy new year thing, but please forgive me! We've been busy.)

Speaking of busy, we've marked some major milestones in the last few months here at Invited! To begin, we've officially opened our LA office, and Pavaune (that's me!) gets to spearhead that office. I'm a California native, so it's kind of like a little homecoming. Needless to say, I'm thrilled! Our LA clients seem to be pretty ecstatic too!

So I'm pretty sure you're wondering... who's running the DC office?!  That's the even more exciting news! Ruby Dichirico joined the Invited team last year, and she's heading the DC office. She's absolutely unbelievable. With more than 100 weddings under her belt, all of you DMV brides will absolutely be in the best hands!

photo credit: Leo Druker Photography

What's more?! Annie Oudom, who's been with Invited as one of our fabulous assistants for about 2 years now, has been promoted. She is now a day-of coordinator! After 2 years of experiencing all the ups and downs that DC weddings could throw at her, she's ready to take on wedding days as the head honcho!

photo credit: Leo Druker Photography

Finally, we were lucky enough to have Leo Druker photograph us for all-new company head shots. It was an incredibly fun time shooting with him, and now we can speak firsthand as to how at ease he makes his clients feel! I'm beyond thrilled by the shots that came of it, so thank you Leo!

photo credit: Leo Druker Photography

Needless to say, we have some very big things in store for 2013 - from coast to coast!

Style Me Pretty Feature!!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

We're so happy to announce that one of our weddings was featured on Style Me Pretty today! We now get to proudly display this! Yay!


Please feel free to check out the feature here! And don't hesitate to comment!

Hope you are getting a chance to give thanks for all that you have. I certainly know that we are!

what I love: FREE webinars!

So how many of you out there got rings on your fingers sometime in the last couple of weeks - hm? What's that I hear?? A whole lot?! That's right! You're engaged! Congratulations, but now what do you do? Where do you start, and who do you talk to?? Well, I can guarantee you that what I love this week, will hold all the answers because what I love this week is OUR free wedding planning webinar!

We'll be holding the webinar on January 12th at 7 PM for ten lucky couples. It will be an exclusive opportunity to chat with a wedding professional about all those questions you have in the beginning of the planning process, and hopefully get that wedding-planning ball rolling.

For your convenience, you can register below for the event.

Remember - only ten couples get in on this, and it's filling up fast!

what I love: featured weddings!

Hello loves! Well this week's love has been hijacked by another blog, but it's okay! I've given this week's post over freely to Elizabeth Anne Designs (EAD) because they have featured one of my favorite weddings EVER - Melinda and Jason's January gem!

To say I adore this couple is an understatement. They are the absolute bee's knees, and Melinda did a fabulous job as a Wedding Bee (Miss Lamb!) They have been through so much together, and they've continued to be each other's rocks. The love that they share is so very evident in their photos, so I'll share a few for you here! All photographs are courtesy of Sam Hughes Photography. For the rest of the feature you can check them out over on EAD!

So, yes, what I love this week is one of my own! But can you blame me?!?

what I love: happy brides!

I have to admit; it's been a long while since my last "what I love" Wednesday, and I am truly sorry for that! But we've been so busy over here with new clients, weddings and fun - after all it is wedding season! We've been feeling the heat over here, that's for sure! It's all about those details, details, details! But at the end of the day, what's it boil down to a happy bride (and groom)! What I love this week, and every week for that matter, are happy brides. What rekindled this love you might ask?

A little character some know as Mrs Lamb (otherwise known as Melinda of the famed Invited clients, Melinda and Jason!) happened to write an incredibly endearing post about our wedding planning process. In it, she explained to her followers just how much she appreciated us by her side through the process.

In her oh-so kind words, she had this to say about just a few of the items involved in her big day:
"Who stayed at the Opera House on Wednesday to ensure we didn’t pay delivery fees on the holiday? Who set each table setting? Who gave all of the vendors the day of time line? Who coordinated the clean up at the church? Who relentlessly tracked down absentee vendors? Who finished and delivered all of the OOT bags? Who oohed and ahhed at my fitting? Who assured me that my reception dress was off the hook? Who had extra bobby pins for my fascinator? Who delivered all of the presents to the hotel? Who stayed up all night after the reception packing all of the DIY centerpieces and decorations? Who facilitated between us, parents and vendors?
Pavaune. And it was worth every single penny."

Needless to say, what I love this week (and will adore forever) are happy brides. Thank you Mrs Lamb, and thank you to all those brides who have allowed us the opportunity to make your day that much more special!

why: hire a planner?

Excerpted from Elizabeth Anne Designs

I have to tell you this is one of the best and most concise explanations I've ever seen as to why you need a planner for your wedding day - more than you might know!

"I can’t tell you how many times I have been asked this question! Hiring a planner is the best investment you can make in your wedding.

Whether you hire one for the day of or the whole process, a planner can take the pressure off and make the planning process more fun and less stressful. Or course, if you watch those “reality” shows, you may ask yourself - “are they for real?!” Well, unfortunately, yes they are. Be careful! Just because someone planned their own wedding and is now charging dirt cheap prices for helping you, doesn’t make them a wedding planner. Florists are not wedding planners, the event coordinator at the club or the hotel is not a wedding planner and your Aunt Sally may be more than willing to help out, but she is not equipped to handle emergencies on your wedding day.

You want a planner that is there for YOU- from beginning to end! This is the most important day of your life! Don’t entrust it to just anyone. Ask questions, do your homework and get references."