Happy Holidays - I'll Be Back and Better than Ever in 2010

I know I have been really bad a blogging lately, but the latter half of this year has been pretty rough, especially with having to deal with personal family issues (my mom being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer) and also launching the Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway, both of which has taken up a lot of my time and which explains the lack of my blogs. Additionally weddings, volunteer work, family, and raising a kid takes up a lot of time too. Anyway, come January 2010, I will be re-dedicating myself to my blog.

I actually got my Tarot cards read during a recent holiday party and the psychics told me that I have way too much on my plate and need to dump things that do not feed my soul, so I will be doing just that and concentrating on things that I love...wedding/event blogging being one of them. I look forward to inspiring my fans and future fans a like in the coming year with great blogs. Thanks for your support throughout 2009!

Remember to be happier, healthier, and wealthier in 2010!

-Percy

Honored to Be Part of 1st Edition of the Everything Wedding Blog Carnival

I was very excited to get an email from the folks at BrideTide that stated that a blog of mine made the First Edition of the Everything Wedding Blog Carnival! The blog that was included in the list of outstanding blogs on information and advice for brides was my blog on Smaller is Sometimes Better, which tackles the question of smaller intimate weddings.

I am truly honored that BrideTide found my blog to be pertinent to brides and grooms. Thank you BrideTide for the recognition.

The Everything Wedding Blog Carnival is is a monthly blog carnival that showcases outstanding posts about bridal and wedding information from both seasoned and new bloggers. Various bloggers take turns hosting the carnival to create a wonderful wedding resource that can be enjoyed by everyone.

Look out for next months issue and visit BrideTide for a constant flow of wedding news, bridal tips, DIY help, and Planning & Bridal Style.

-Percy

Logos from BrideTide

Wacky Wednesdays: The Man Registry

I came across this website just recently and I am totally diggin' it. It's a website that is just for the groom and is dedicated to everything groom. There's information on finding the right vendors for such things as the Bachelor Party, Rehearsal Dinner, DJ's, Groom's Cake, Groom Etiquette, and everything else that deals with the male perspective of the wedding. It's a perfect accompaniment to the bridal help sites. The best part of this is that it also has a wedding registry that caters just to the groom...non of the fancy shmancy china stuff.

I think it's wonderful and I am kinda sad I did not come up with the idea first! Go check it out or better yet tell your groom to check out, The Man Registry.



-Percy

Photo and video from The Man Registry

Trend Thursday: Unplugging

Today is Thursday and it's usually the day that I share with you some fantastic trends happening in the wedding, event, or fashion industry, but instead I am going to tell you a new trend..."Unplugging."

Unplugging, as defined by me, is to literally take yourself off any social media outlets for a few days. This is exactly what I will be doing for three days while I get some much needed vacation with my family. I wonder if I will be able to do it!

At any rate, starting at noon on 4/23/09 PT, I will be going device/computer free. I will not be blogging, Tweeting, Facebookin', emailing, or anything else (though I will be taking cell calls...I put my sim card in my old school flip phone...no blackberry) until Monday 4/27/09, just in time for another week of blogging and inspiring. If I would have planned it out better, I would have written several blogs early and had them scheduled to be posted on the appropriate dates, but I tend to write my blogs on the fly.

Reminders about this weekend. If you live in the SoCal area and a bride, bride-to-be, or future bride, please join me and other top wedding vendors at That's Amore, a bridal soiree at Cafe Firenze, restaurant of Top Chef contestant Fabio Viviani, this Sunday, April 26, 2009 from 10am - 2pm. For more information, please visit my previous blog about That's Amore.

Please take time to enjoy nature, and the outdoors, reconnect with your loved ones and live unplugged for a day or two.

-Percy

Graphic by Edmond Leung

Tipsy Tuesday: 2009 Wedding Pledge

Earlier this year BrideTide put out a call to wedding professionals who blog and asked them to highlight an unsung hero in the wedding industry or has ties to the wedding industry. They asked us to take a wedding pledge and to write a simple blog to be posted on April 21st abut someone in the wedding industry that we admire. These individuals should inspire us by doing what they love but also by what they do to impact their community either locally, nationally or internationally.

Therefore, today, April 21, 2009 my wedding pledge is to honor DeAnna Cochran Jewelry.

DeAnna Cochran inspires me to be the best that I can be. The story of how she began her company is compelling, how she does business is inspiring, and what she does to give back to the community is truly uplifting. She makes me look at how my business can sustain my life and make an impact in the community I belong to or organizations I believe in. I love her work, her passion, and her dedication and her art pieces are definitely "Jewelry for a Cause!"

I know DeAnna is not a wedding industry professional per se, but her jewelry has provided pleasure to brides, grooms, and vendors. Select pieces from her line is definitely wedding focused. I have highlighted her work several times in my blog, not only because she is a personal friend and past bride, but also because I love her work and know that my clients and readers will think her pieces would be a great addition to their wedding.

If you are looking for wedding inspiration or gifts that are truly given with heart, you can choose pieces such as the Leave It To Love Brooch that becomes an heirloom boutonniere for the groom. The Noah's Heart Cuff can become a special gift to the bridesmaids and the Jackson's Leaf Cufflinks is the perfect thank-you to the groomsmen. Additionally, you can purchase the Anthony's Wish Ring as a memento to your beach wedding. Plus the great thing about buying pieces from DeAnna Cochran Jewelry is that with every purchase a percentage of what you pay will be given back to such organization as MEND, Koinonia Family Services, MD Anderson Cancer Center of the University of Texas, and Room to Dream Foundation. DeAnna Cochran Jewelry will also consider making special pieces for your wedding party and you can designate where the percentage of the sales goes.

Therefore, for my 2009 Wedding Pledge I applaud and thank DeAnna for giving back to so many and for designing Jewelry with Heart and for a Cause!

-Percy

Photos from DeAnna Cochran Jewelry; 2009 Wedding Pledge Logo from BrideTide

Wacky Wednesdays: Groom of the Year

Brides.com is looking for the first ever Groom of the Year. Are you the perfect groom, or is your fiance the perfect groom than have them enter at Brides.com to have the opportunity to win the ultimate "wedding" prize, being named "2009 GROOM OF THE YEAR!"

So what happens if you win? Well look at these fabulous prizes that comes with the title.

• His/hers wedding bands from Tacori
• Six tuxedo rentals from Men's Wearhouse
• A 40" flat screen HDTV
• A honeymoon at Montelucia Resort and Spa in Scottsdale, AZ from InterContinental Hotels and Resorts
• An Hammery Furniture entertainment console from Macy's

Additionally, three runner-ups will receive Macy's gift certificates and one random bloke will get a free tuxedo rental from Men's Wearhouse.

I think that is pretty cool gift list just for entering your name and filling out a questionnaire. Take the chance...who knows you may already be the Groom of the Year!

-Percy

Logo from Brides.com

TIPsy Tuesday: Groom's Survival Guide

Michael Arnot who owns GroomGroove.com and a fellow blogger has released a survival guide for grooms, titled Don't Screw Up Your Bride's Wedding. The book was released in December 2008 and perfect timing for the "2009 Wedding Season," but after reading through his website and blogs, I am sure it is full of great tips for the groom.

If it's anything like his blog or Website, I am sure it will make a great read. It will be packed with all original work from Mike, which will include musings from his blog, and will cover everything from popping the question to honeymoon planning. This book will surely become the wedding bible for any groom or soon-to-be groom.

Check it out this coming December or reserve your copy on Amazon now.

-Percy

Book cover photo from Amazon

Guest Blogger Fridays: Elizabeth Anne Designs and The EAD Library

I am a fan of Elizabeth Anne Designs. Ami and Rebekah have great ideas on their website/blog. Their site is so fun to explore...both vendors and clients alike will get inspired in creating some lovely events. One of their best features on their site is The EAD Library, a comprehensive one stop shop of vendors nationwide. Check it Out! I hope you enjoy their guest blog. - Percy

Hi, this is Ami Elizabeth and Rebekah Anne from Elizabeth Anne Designs. We are so excited to have been asked to guest blog today about one of our babies, The EAD Library.

The EAD Library is filled with thousands of useful links, from photographers to shops to stationers and our goal is to help every bride and groom, no matter their location, find the vendors and inspiration they need for a beautiful event. The Library is organized into several categories: Photography, Stationery, Planning & Design, Venues, Floral Design, Shops, Beauty, Edibles, Videography, and Miscellaneous. Where applicable, these links are organized by state to help everyone find links quickly and easily!

Links you will find in the Library are not paid listings. Having a link in the Library is completely free - this allows us to present the most comprehensive wedding vendor resource guide possible. We offer vendors the opportunity to expand their listing, giving our readers full contact information as well as images of their work.

Another great feature of the Library is the ability for clients to write reviews of their vendors. It’s a great way for brides and grooms to read real opinions about the vendors they are considering and really helps to build a sense of community on the Library.

We have recently done a full redesign of the Elizabeth Anne Designs website and we are so excited to have a more fully integrated site. It’s easier than ever for brides and grooms to find vendors in the Library!

A big blog hug goes to Laura Hooper for providing all of the illustrations used throughout the EAD site. And another big blog hug goes to Percy for letting us blog here today! We are huge fans of Percy’s work, and of course he is a Library Member!

E. & A.

Photos from Elizabeth Anne Designs

Sorry for the lack of Blog

Hi All,

Sorry for the lack of blogging in the last month. But life has been crazy with weddings, events, and other life goings-on, and it has interfered with my ability to blog properly. I barely had time to put up my tree, but actually got to late Saturday night...glad that I finally did. The holidays seem to use all of my extra resources and with a 4-year old, anticipating Christmas...it is even more so.

As the holidays approach, I want to wish my readers, friends, clients, and colleagues Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, and a Joyous and Prosperous New Year! I hope that 2009 brings all that you hope for and provides some magical and unexpected surprises!

I will continue my blogging on January 12, 2009. Taking time off to enjoy the holidays, finalize plans for a New Years Eve Wedding for a client, and spending time with my family. I hope you will all do the same and take in the season and the time to renew!

Let's Party with Percy Sales Events will also be revamped next year. Each day a blog will be posted to reflect the theme of the day. Here is what we have in store!

Mondays will be "Inspiration Mondays" and blogs will include inspiration boards and other things that inspire me to do what I love to do...plan weddings and events.

Tuesdays will be "TIPsy Tuesdays" and blogs will provide tips for planning events, etiquette advise, suggestions, reader questions answered, and DIY projects.

Wednesdays will be "Wacky Wednesdays" and I will blog on whatever comes to mind that week. It could be musings, contests announcements, casting calls, great new blog finds, or whatever else needs to be talked about.

Thursdays will be "Trend Thursdays" when we will reveal some hot trends in fashion, decor, gifts, registry items and other things to get you in the shopping mood. Additionally we will highlight great new vendors.

Fridays will be "Guest Blogger Fridays" when we get professionals in the wedding, event, and fashion industries to blog on our site for you. We will also hear from brides who want to talk about their planning experience. So if you are a vendor or a bride and want to guest blog on a certain Friday, please contact me at percy@percysales.com

Saturdays and Sundays will be my days off from blogging. I will take this time to think of things to blog about for the coming week, spend time with my family, and execute weddings and events.

I think staying on focus with what to do on my blog will help me provide you all with some great reading context to inspire your journey as well. It will also alleviate the stress for me to write something just for the sake of blogging. I hope you will enjoy the new format and I look forward to you all rejoining me on 01/05/09 as I start my new blog year!

Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!

-Percy

Photo by Percy Sales

Uber Amazing Blog Award

I am thrilled that Wishpot has awarded me this wonderful Award, the Uber Amazing Blog Award! I am so happy that my blog inspires, makes people happy, and considered a great read.

The Uber Amazing Blog Award is a blog award given to sites who:

~ inspires you
~ makes you smile and laugh
~ or maybe gives amazing information
~ a great read
~ has an amazing design
~ and any other reasons you can think of that makes them uber amazing!

The rules of this award are:

* Put the logo on your blog or post.
* Nominate at least 5 blogs (can be more) that for you are Uber Amazing!
* Let them know that they have received this Uber Amazing award by commenting on their blog.
* Share the love and link to this post and to the person you received your award from.

So in the tradition of Uber Amazing Blogs, I nominate the following blogs for this award:

DeAnna Cochran Jewelry - She inspires me not only with her jewelry but because she gives back to the community. She inspires me to love my work, but also share and give back to the community/communities that support me. Her blog is also a great read.

Sparkliatti presented by Sasha Souza - Sasha's blog is just so fun to read. Full of inspiration, ideas, and thoughtful little tidbits from a TRUE EXPERT. I love visiting it everyday to see what she is thinking.

WishPot Wedding Blog - Gift Girl and the wedding experts at Wishpot are all inspirations. Her blog is full of great information, wonderful guest bloggers, and provides useful information to anyone planning a wedding.

Lilia Photography - Lilia's blog is so inspiring, her photos are wonderful and it's great to see the beauty that she see's through her lenses.

Offbeat Bride - Wonderful to see things that is no so traditional. Lots of inspiration for the unconventional bride and groom, as well as great DIY project ideas.

Here Comes the Guide - Great useful information and reviews for Californians. The bloggers there all have their own perspective which is wonderful.

Coco + Kelley - Classic, romantic, and full of inspiration, plus it's a beautifully designed blog. Coco + Kelley is a great stop for brides and grooms.

Make sure to check out these blogs for inspiration, ideas and for amazing information. Congratulations to my awardees, you deserve it!

-Percy

Logo created by mommawannabe

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One Stop Vendor Shop

The gals at Elizabeth Anne Designs have created a library that has an extensive list of wedding vendors. Think of it as a one stop shop for all the top Wedding Vendors throughout the country...including Percy Sales Events!

I am pretty excited about being on the list of top noted wedding vendors, it's truly an honor. Thank you Rebekah and Ami!

The library is very easy to navigate. It is categorized by areas of expertise, making it very simple to see their noted vendors. Rebekah and Ami have created a wonderful resource, not only for clients, but also a great networking tool for us professionals.

While you're at their Website, make sure to check out their great blog as well! It has some great articles and ideas for planning your special day.

-Percy

Photo from Elizabeth Anne Designs

Groom's Checklist...It Really Exists!

I was surfing some of my favorites sites today and came across the following "Groom's Checklist" from The Groom Guide. It's totally useful and gives you some ideas on how you can help lessen the stress of the planning process. So guys take note, print out, and get ready for the ride of your life.

The Official Groom Guide Checklist:

1. Suggest writing an engagement announcement.

2. Make a list of family, friends and co-workers you would like to invite. Start a spreadsheet with names, and addresses of guests.

3. Help work out a wedding budget.

4. Offer to call vendors to set up appointments.

5. Volunteer to confirm all services and vendors a week or two before the wedding.

6. Choose a Best Man and Groomsmen.

7. Meet with your Best Man and discuss responsibilities.

8. Make a trip to several suit and tux shops for a try-on session.

9. Set up formal wear options for the Groomsmen.

10. Purchase wedding bands together.

11. Help choose boutonniere styles for you and your Groomsmen.

12. Talk about honeymoon options with your girl and discuss a budget. Plan it! Then book everything, including plane tickets ASAP!

13. Suggest taking dance lessons.

14. Book a wedding night location.

15. Find city maps and airport transportation information to assist your guests with their plans.

16. Set up a time you and your bride can obtain and pay for the Marriage License.

17. Make wedding day transportation plans for you, your bride, and the wedding party.

18. Meet with your officiant or interview officiants.

19. Write a Toast and/or Thank You speech.

20. Write down a list of people you would like to thank publicly.

21. Make a list of songs you want the band or DJ to play or make a do-not-play list.

22. Thank and meet everyone at the wedding.

23. Find a location suitable for outdoor photos in between the Ceremony and the Reception.

24. Pay for and arrange payment (via Best Man) of the officiant’s fee, the musician and tips.

25. Have the Best Man deliver your Bride a special breakfast the morning of the wedding.

26. Write a special note thanking her for being your wife.

27. Write special notes for your father-in-law and mother-in-law, thanking them for everything they’ve done, especially for creating the most amazing woman in the world.

28. Thank your mother-in-law and father-in-law over and over and over and most importantly, do it publicly.

29. Tell your Bride at least 100 times that day that she looks beautiful and that her dress is spectacular.

30. Plan a surprise for the reception. I.E. example, fireworks, special music, monkeys, elephants, etc….

I personally think this covers it all. It really makes sense and it makes your other half feel like you are really into the planning process...even if you would rather be out hanging with the guys. For more advice on the wedding day...from the groom's perspective check out The Groom Guide.

-Percy

Photo from Gloria Plunkett Photography

Make Your Wish at Wishpot

When you wish upon a ... pot? Forget the stars; make your wish on Wishpot, "a new social shopping service that makes it easy for you to share interesting things you find in stores and online." Do you ever go to an online store or see something at your favorite shop and want to remember it...well now you can with Wishpot. You can save items easily in your Wishpot account by going to the website of your favorite store or online shopping site and simply tap on your "Add to Wishpot" button. It automatically adds it to your Wishpot profile. Now you have your item accessible anywhere around the world and at your fingertips.

You can categorize your finds, share with the Wishpot community, and refer to your list for future shopping needs. It's a perfect site to keep all your gift ideas for Holidays, Weddings, Birthday or for whatever shopping needs you may have. It's easy to use and you won't have to remember where or when you saw it, because it's all in your Wishpot list.

For all you brides and grooms, go to the wedding section or Wishpot and see what the Wedding Experts are picking as the hottest trends in gifts, registry items, and wedding needs. Yes, Percy Sales is one of the wedding experts chosen by Wishpot...so come by and see my picks.

Do yourself a favor and explore Wishpot today. Making a shopping list for fabulous things has never been simpler or more fun!

-Percy

Logo from Wishpot

Masterpiece of Words

I've come across a Website that can manipulate words that you enter or words from your blog into a really cool design, which they call "word clouds." Wordle, according to their Website, "is a toy for generating “word clouds” from text that you provide. The clouds give greater prominence to words that appear more frequently in the source text. You can tweak your clouds with different fonts, layouts, and color schemes. The images you create with Wordle are yours to use however you like."

What I love about this site for events is that you can customize the words you want and use them for say...save the date cards, informal invitations, or for just something cool to put on your event website. They have numerous amounts of colors, fonts, and other gizmos so that you can create a unique "word cloud" that reflects you. Have a go at it at Wordle and see what you can create. The above "word cloud" was used by inputting my blog address and it pulled words from it creating the masterpiece. I was going to add some color, but I loved the simplicity of the black and white and the awesome font...very late 80's feel for me.

-Percy

Photo of Percy Sales Events "word cloud" from Wordle

Being on Top at Alltop.com

If you are a blogger or a bloggee (is that even a term...maybe I just coined it...one who is obsessed with reading blogs) you may know of a site called Alltop. This site handpicks "all the top" blogs from all over the world and has collected them in one easy to use site.

They have tons and tons of categories that you can choose from. You can read the top blogs on such categories as Adoptions to Yoga and even Event Planning and Weddings, including...wait for it..."Let's Party with Percy Sales Events!" Yes they have chosen my blog to be on their website and can be currently found in the Event Planning Category as well as the Wedding Category. Thanks to Alltop for choosing me to be on their site. I always knew my site was interesting, but it's always wonderful to be acknowledged by others as well.

So I guess the pressure is on to keep up my blogging for my current fans and all the new fans that Alltop is going to drive to my blog site. If you are searching for particular blog topics, please visit Alltop and read the Best of the Best!

-Percy

Badge from Alltop