The Excitement Never Ends After Marriage!

For those of you who fear that after you tie the knot the fun is over, you may want to wait on that thought. I think I've heard the "ball and chain" comment way too often. I still laugh because I know this is so far from the truth. But I do like to watch the fear in a grooms eyes as he takes the plunge! Hey, I know it's bad, but I can't help myself! I think the one area where I see the most anxiety for the bride, is the walk down the aisle. I've been at the end of a line-up hundreds of times where the bride takes that DEEP breath and it's like she's walking down the aisle to an exam at college! Well brides, I have news for you, the groom is twice as nervous as you are. He has to wait at the altar a lot longer than you, and people STARE at him. It's like they are waiting for something to happen. Is he going to run, pass out, vomit..I know it's sick, I know it's truly hard to believe that people actually wait and hope for some kind of drama, but it's true. I just can't lie about this one. You can't tell me you haven't thought something like this, especially if the groom looks nervous, is running late or needs to have a seat... It's only natural that we would think MAYBE something could happen. Let's be honest, most of the time, nothing does. One another note, when I say the excitement doesn't end after the wedding I mean it. I've been married for 7 years. There is always something happening in our relationship. An occasional argument (I mean discussion, sorry), a crazy week with work, someone falls ill, someone snores too loud and etc... When you have children, that's the icing on the cake. You actually can't act like a kid anymore because you now have to raise one. I would like to think I can still act like a 21 year old on occasion. I just can't do this in our home. Our daughter Sydney is turning 5 this year. It's hard to believe I've raised anything for 5 years. I thought keeping Sea Monkeys or goldfish alive was difficult. Someone should have told me. My mother may have mentioned the "just wait Sammy" comment a few times, I probably ignored her like most teenagers do. I try once a month to do a "mommy and Sydney" spa day. We usually get our nails done and pick out a new outfit to match our new nail color. Well, she gets the new outfits and I come along for the nails. It goes something like this. Tonight was "our" day to hit the spa and shop. This night is one I know I won't forget. I know this because she is going to remind me of something I said after we finished with our nails. She was so impatient while allowing them to dry, and I knew others around us didn't want her running around them. I respect that this time for most women is to relax. So I grabbed her and we left. Next stop was "The Children's Place". For those of you who don't have children yet, this is a somewhat sassy store for children. Glitzy and sparkly fun clothing. I wish I had this growing up. I would have put the character "Fancy Nancy" to shame. I have to admit while trying to find the right outfit, I did put a few larger shirts against me to see if I could squeeze into one. I'm so disappointed for one, but REALLY embarrassed that the clerk caught me. She chuckled and said she had wished for one in her size too. I'm not alone! Well after 30 minutes of trying to guess what she wanted, we finally found the right outfit! She picked out a fabulous hounds-tooth dress with silver buttons. I attempted to put her into it and SMUDGE! The beautiful nails I had were destroyed. I don't get my nails done but once a month. So this kind of stinks! Here's where I bit the edit button, "I said, Oh crap, I screwed up my nails". My daughter said let me see. I showed her and she said "Mommy, you didn't screw up your nails". I said "yes, mommy's thumb is bad news". It wasn't even 2 seconds later where she is screaming "look mommy I screwed my nails up too!" She adamantly runs around the store yelling "I screwed up, my mommy screwed up, we're twins now mom"! Everything for that LONG 40 minutes was REALLY screwed up. The new word of the day is "screwed" and I'm responsible for it. The word "screwed" doesn't sound so good coming from a 5 year old. I try so hard to say the right things, and yet still there's always something that just destroys my hard work. In conclusion, when I said things always stay active, I really meant it. I can only imagine what Sydney will bring into her classroom tomorrow. I only can pray it's a new book. Stay tuned...I may have to stand in the corner this time.

Planning Course CAES 100 series! December 18th 2008!

I'm going to blame this last class on Jennifer Orsini. G-d I do love that gal, but she makes me give in on my one weakness and that is, I love teaching! It's in my blood! I know I've mentioned a few times about my going to college to become an Elementary Ed teacher and ended up planning events instead. I knew at some point in the future, I would revisit my passion for teaching and allow it to work it's magic within this career! So as they say in Hollywood, "One more time!" Last Call For 2008! Please join Jennifer Orsini along with yours truly for our last planning course for beginners 2008! Date: Dec 18 Location Springfield NJ Time: 9:30am-3:30pm Content: The class will entail how to get into the business, stay organized, how to market yourself, networking and how to find your special niche. We will also cover how to close each client and make your programs stand out! We will supply you with the proper tools to get started. Such as, spreadsheets, questionaires, budget guidelines and etc... Class is a 1 day seminar and will include lunch. Longevity: Approximately 6 hours. **Class is also great for brides who want to plan ther own wedding but just need to get organzied. We will teach you the skills to negotiate! The fee of $900 includes all materials such as questionaires, copy of contracts, vendor lists, Budget Spreadsheets, time-lines. and much more! You will also have the option to work with Jenny or Samantha hands on in the field or in the office. This is an option and is not mandatory with recieving your certificate. For those who are traveling, we will gladly extend consultations over the phone in place of field experience. If this is of interest to you and you would like more information, please contact us at SamanthaGoldberg@goldeventsplanning.com or call (908)450.9766. Cash, Personal Check and Money order accepted. We are happy to announce we now accept Pay Pal as another option for payment. (there may be a small 1-3% service fee). HOLIDAY PROMO! GOOBLE GOOBLE...For those who sign up before Thanksgiving, we will offer you a $50 early bird discount! No pun intended!Ha! When I say this REALLY is the last class of 2008 I REALLY mean it this time! Unfortunately based on space, we can only accomodate 12 students! I can't push my contacts on this one sorry! I hope to see you soon! Sam

Contest! I need your help!

While working the wedding industry, I love taking the time to figure out new ways to make the business both fun and exciting for both the planner and the client! I have EXCITING news to share...With few details I cannot "talk" about just yet...The name of my company! It's like the best part too! I am in the process of being branded! Not with a metal rod that tells one what number I am either! For those who were aiming for this, sorry! This is an area I have dabbled in for quite sometime. Even when I worked in the professional beauty industry I had always hope to come out with the miracle cure for acne or frizzy hair. Well, we already know many companies have come out with spectacular products for hair and acne. No miracle cure for the zit of the century yet. I would imagine this is right around the corner. My thoughts would be to design things that make people smile, have fun and also attract some attention! I know that some would feel people get enough attention during the planning of any event. I say, you can never get enough attention! I was approached by a few companies 2-3 years ago who asked for me to carry their crazy bags on television. I am always willing to try anything that's fun. Let me tell you, the purses/totes that were sent DEFINITELY FUN. Somehow this is how I've been pegged! The lady on television who carry's the fun feather purses! Some of my peers, hate these bags. I won't mention who, I want to save them from being embarrassed! But every time we are out, someone always comments on the bag. The good news is that I have decided to take up one of those designers on developing my own line of accessories and bags. This person who is the MOST fabulous person ever has been watching the show, along with other forms of media I have participated in. She has taken my "quotes" from shows that made her laugh and turned them into cute t-shirts and the totes into something more eye catching than I could ever imagine! Bottom line...We need your help to come up with one more eye catching phrase for the t-shirts. The line will be released for the first time at the www.btvexpo.com. I will also be giving out a fabulous feather purse to the first 200 brides who either sign up, or are registered at the door. As of now, I was told we are expecting over 600 attendees. Which means I am looking for the first 200 brides to walk in the door! You must be engaged to participate. The value of this bag is at $30! It's a cutie! I look forward to the many fun names/slogans for the t-shirts...One hint to get the juices flowing... Do you remember the episode on "Whose Wedding" where I walked off the set because the couple would not tell me WHERE they wanted this crazy couch? Well, one name of the t-shirts someone suggested and I am using this... is "WHERE do you want the couch? This participant took the misery of the show and turned it into something really funny! You have to be a fan of the show to understand this one... I will keep you updated with my top 3: Let's get started! Sheri C Northern Jersey "Shalom Sassy" Lisa L Chicago IL "Complexly Simple. If you have to ask; you just don't get it." I REALLY do LOVE this one! Allison M South NJ "I'm a magnanimous woman" Best of luck to you! Contest rules: Each participant may register multiple times. Only one phrase or word will be chosen. The winner will receive credit via nationally, a t-shirt with their phrase and a crazy feather bag! Contest winner to be announced January 18th 2009! I would love to include your idea when we launch the line! May the winner wear it proudly! Have fun! SG!

I just wanted to share some of the fun I had in Boston during my photo shoot with an amazing person and artist. I was having such a crappy week and while I wanted to get this done, Eric made me forget my troubles... If you are looking for great headshots or more of an "urban chic" style for your wedding. This is the person you should be talking to. He not only can take amazing headshots which is VERY hard for most photographers, but he grabs expressions at the right moment. To me that is someone who knows their camera! Thanks Eric for an amazing shoot! I look forward to seeing the other crazy things we did that day! Linking..http://www.seekthejoy.com

Bloomingdales Boston and Cosmopolitan Magazine is Out!

This week has been a rough one, both with Binky passing and travels to Boston for a great event with Bloomingdales. The store was absolutely amazing. The guest count was fantastic and I had fun speaking as well as mingling with brides. We decided to change the format of how I gave the presentation and made it more interactive. Dana Marcos Events was the floral artist behind the show. Dana is amazing. From the first time we spoke on the phone, he was exactly on the same page with me regarding decor. We decided it would be fun to mimic a celebrity wedding I did against a less costly version. We then asked the brides to guess which table was the celebrity and the "just like celebrity version". When we completed this activity, we had each person guess the price of each centerpiece! We had 2 RIGHT ON THE MONEY winners! They both walked away with gifts from Waterford and Lalique. Now that's a GREAT take home prize! Some of the brides thought the celebrity centerpiece was over $3000...Little did they know that even my A celebs this year are cutting back on guest count but are staying lavish on detail. Interesting huh? I have to tell you, I don't blame any of my SS clients for wanting something intimate. Why should they spend millions just because they have it? We are all on the same page with that comment right? I will post the pics as soon as they come back from the photographer. Thanks Dana! You made this event awesome. I look forward to working with you VERY soon! Even better news....Cosmopolitan Magazine Dec issue is out! I was like a kid in a candy store yesterday at the Boston Airport. OK. I got REALLY carried away. I saw the December issue and bought SEVERAL copies. The cashier asked why so many? I said ummmm, I just love Cosmo what can I say! The article is called "Confessions of a Wedding Planner". You will find it on pages 166-168 YES 2 full pages and a great mug shot! I love the article and am so excited that they chose me for this piece! Thanks Cosmo you could not have come at a better time. Let me know your thoughts please! I also finished taping the pilot for my own show today! We have been shooting for 3-4months now. I think the first round is about a 10 minute version. We then have to go back for more footage once they take out what they don't want. All I can tell you, it's hysterical, it's me...and NO DRAMA! Well fun drama and certainly not leaving you wonder if it really happened!I wanted to add humor and that's exactly how it appears. I may be able to post some raw footage on-line soon. Tomorrow is going to be a tough day for me. I bury Binky along with the remains of Sheiba my other baby we had to put to sleep 4 years ago. They were best friends. I know now, they can finally play again. Thank you to everyone for the cards and special emails. It kept me strong when I felt like this week could not happen. I had so much to do and had no heart left to complete my tasks. But I did. I know life goes on, I just wish it would slow down so I can catch up. Binky's photo is attached this was taken a week ago. Shows you just how young he looked and still perky.

Binky Goldberg May 1993 to November 4th 2008

This blog entry is very painful to write. But I wanted to inform everyone who has been a part of my best friends life in person and on television that we put Binky to rest today. He was suffering with renal failure and was slowly disintegrating. I know this was the right thing to do but I am so beyond words right now. Sometimes when I write, I can work out painful things. I don't feel so relieved right now. He was not in any pain and kept eye contact with me while going to a better place. It's almost as if he knew I could only handle this if he kept his focus on me. I loved him so much. I will always love him and I know several of you loved him too. Binky was a dog with a lot of character. He would walk up to big dogs on the street and try to tackle them. I don't think he realized how small he was at 4 pounds. He had a sassy attitude (like his mother) and was very protective of me in general. He was called my assistant on television and my partner in crime. How lucky does one get to have their dog as a celebrity? He really was. If anything, Style has given me some great shows with him... We are trying to work out burial arrangements and will have a private service for my friends and family later this week. I am not sure if any site or casket can show just how much he meant to me. After almost 16 years, I want him to go with dignity. He gave me such wonderful memories. I hope he made you laugh a few times too! Binky, I will always love you. You are still my best friend and family member...