“The secret to staying young is to live honestly, eat slowly, and lie about your age.” (Lucille Ball, Actress & Comedienne, 1911-1989)

What is it about birthdays that cause one to reflect in such an intense manner? Is it the days that have passed and the experiences that they’ve brought with them…the good and the not-so-good…the anticipated as well as the unexpected…the celebrated and the “wish it would’ve gone better”? Or is it the thoughts of what was desired but never quite came to fruition?

Regardless…more about that later…

In addition to birthday celebrations, the last few months have been filled with just good ol’ fashion busy, as evidenced by the time which has passed since the last post. But busy is good. While it keeps a girl away from the keyboard, it also keeps her out of trouble…for the most part anyway.  

More specifically, the month of May brought with it a multitude of activities from one end of the spectrum to the next. Again, so many that there was hardly a minute to spare…or to rest…or even to breathe.  

Highlights included numerous corporate events. There were those that were on the more casual side. Think blue jeans and boot scootin’. And there were a few that were a bit more formal. Imagine, if you will, stilettos and sequins.

There was also a nonprofit fundraiser or two. One successfully celebrated “champions of hope” and their dedication to children within the community.  Another allowed guests to “sip, shop, and savor” in order to contribute to various organizations within the local area. And as a volunteer, what better way to work for a good cause than to help pour (and, of course, taste) wine?

There were a few sporting events. This meant fourth row floor seats to an NBA playoff game. Thanks again, Ms. Katie! Sometimes it really is just about being in the right place at the right time, huh? Also included were VIP passes to the Valero Texas Open. Who knew being such a “very important person” meant traipsing through the mud and ruining a brand new pair of fabulous flip flops?

In addition, there was a celebration to mark the last day of school as well as the Memorial Day holiday. These included river trips, sunscreen, barbecue, and more than a few adult beverages. 

And sprinkled in between all of this…there were weddings, committee meetings, site visits, business dinners and cocktail receptions. There were also a few GNOs or “girls’ night outs”. What better way to celebrate friends and enjoy just being…well, a girl? 

Now…back to the musings about birthdays.

In addition to everything else that May has going for it, it also includes numerous birthdays. Perhaps not the very most important, but still extremely signficant, is the birthday of Bleuprint itself. 

And with that, comes reflections of all that has passed throughout these last few years. There have been celebrations and victories…some great and some small. There have also been a few setbacks, but none that have been tragic enough to shake the core of what the business is built upon. And as for the contemplations of what is still to come? They bring with them hope and optimism and a great deal of determination. Also a gift is the newly acquired, and much desired, ability to just be still and be present. You know…in the moment?

So, all in all and above everything else…the future sure looks bright!

“Love makes your soul crawl out from its hiding place.”  (Zora Neale Hurston, American Dramatist, 1891 - 1960)

If ever there have been two people who have completely opened themselves up and refused to “hide” from love, it is Paige and Joel.  They are an absolutely amazing couple…full of joy, and laughter, and everything else that is beautiful about love.

And, fortunately for Bleu, we were able to bear witness to their nuptials…as well as to help plan them. 

For months prior, we worked with Paige and Joel to offer insight regarding cakes, colors, flowers, photos, and even favors.  There were multiple vendors that assisted in executing the vision…all of whom were fantastic to work with.  And, on a gorgeous day in June, everything came together brilliantly.

The actual ceremony took place at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church.  An absolutely gorgeous and historical site in downtown San Antonio, it provided the perfect setting for such a glorious occasion.  Paige was escorted down the aisle by her doting father…and there was barely a dry eye in the place.  Surrounded by loving family and adoring friends, the couple exchanged vows in a traditional ceremony and were then gleefully announced as “husband and wife”.  

Following the ceremony, there was a reception at the Briars Suite.  Also a beautiful site, the venue offered a great space for the dinner, dancing, and joyous celebrating that took place into the late night. 

There were special touches throughout the evening that truly reflected the simple yet elegant taste of Paige and Joel.  Instead of signing a guest book as they entered the reception, attendees were asked to complete cards with words of wisdom and best wishes for the couple.  There was also a tin bucket filled with brightly colored flip flops placed on the stage immediately next to the DJ stand…just in case there were female guests who needed a break from their stilettos as they strutted their stuff on the dance floor.  Additionally, and in place of more common favors, attendees were welcome to fill monogrammed bags full of sweet treats at the beautifully displayed custom candy table. 

In addition to the aforementioned, there were also a few more traditional touches.  Included were the wedding party entrance and champagne toast; the first dance by the couple; and, of course, the bouquet and garter tosses.  Also a part of the celebration was the classic cutting of the cake…which was followed by the less traditional gulping of ice-cold milk by the bride and groom.

All in all, it was a truly splendid and special event that not only marked the occasion but commemorated the marriage of an unbelievably amazing couple with style and grace.  The laughter was plentiful…the joy in abundance…and not a soul amongst them could be found “hiding out” from the love that permeated the day.  

“Don’t aim for success if you want it.  Just do what you love and believe in, and it will come naturally.”  (David Frost, Journalist, 1939 - )

Bleu appreciates and celebrates those who love what they do.  And, when we are really fortunate, we also get to work directly with them. 

In recognition, we’ve decided to feature a few of our very favorite partners in the next couple of posts.  Some of the articles are new, others are favorites that we will simply be revisiting.  Regardless, they are all contributions made by partners who are at the top of their game, admired and recognized in their respective fields for being the very best at what they do…people who are passionate about their work…and who have achieved success because of it.

One such person is Denise Goral of “Leave It To Us” (www.leaveittous.com), a full-service catering company specializing in extraordinary culinary creations.  Denise and her team are celebrated for being “distinctively different”.  With over 25 years in the industry, they are recognized for creating custom-designed menus to meet the needs of almost any event, be it social or corporate.  Whether it’s for a party of 50 or 5000, the food is always delicious and the service exceptional.

With such experience, Denise has encountered most every type of client…with most every type of request…most every type of need…as well as want…and wish…and desire…and, of course, demand.  And, all of that together makes her a logical choice to contribute an article on just that subject.

When asked for some interesting facts to add to her author bio, Denise quite fittingly offered “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” as her favorite movie.  And, just as appropriately, she selected “Eat, Pray, Love” as her favorite book.  Spoken like someone who devours life and has definitely chosen the right profession! 

And, along those same lines, when asked how one should choose a caterer, Denise had this to offer…

“It’s not all about the food, but great food is a product of experience, proper equipment, planning, and knowlege.  Customizing your menu, presentation, and service style will make it your own; so, the connection between you and your catering coordinator is imperative.  Tastings have become the “norm”; but, remember that most anyone can create something good for two or three people.  The questions is whether or not they can create it for hundreds and make it taste as good.  And, the food not only has to taste wonderful, but it also needs to be handled, prepared, and arranged according to your vision. 

Ask the caterer.  Find out from the company that you are considering how long their head chef has worked with them.  Being a chef is a stressful job; therefore, if the chef has been there several years, it probably means that this is an organized, well-run company and that the chef has the experience of creating fabulous food.  

Also ask them how long the catering coordinator has been in their current position.  What all do they usually do at the event?  Will they arrange and serve the food, as well as help with the flow of events?  Again, it is experience that makes the event go smoothly. 

Additionally, ask the potential caterer what types of food they typically offer their clients or what their specialties are.  If their answer is barbecue, and that is what you want at your event, then you’re on the right track.  If their answer includes items that are so trendy or “gourmet” that you can barely pronounce them, and you are still wanting something as “downhome” as barbecue, then they are probably not the right caterer for you. 

Also ask them how many staff persons will be working your event.  This should vary depending on the guest count, type of menu, and service style.  Ask them what the staff will be doing during the event.  Will they bus tables?  Replenish food and beverage?  Package up the leftovers?  Do the final clean up? 

Ask other vendors.  When you go to meet with the planner, venue, florist, photographer…ask them for referrals or recommendations as to who they have had a good experience in working with.  And remember, it doesn’t do any good to ask  a vendor for their opinion once you’ve already contracted with a caterer…they will generally just be polite. 

Communicate.  When it comes to selecting your caterer, as well as all of your vendors, keep it simple.  It is important to collect your thoughts, form them into questions, and then group them together into bulleted or numbered lists.  This will assist your potential vendors in answering each question in a detailed and thorough fashion.  It will also make it easier for you to refer back and compare the options.”

“And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.” (Anais Nin, American Author, 1903-1977)

There are certain times in all of our lives when we come to realize that the potential glory to be gained by quite literally opening ourselves up to the possibilities far outweighs the risk and the value of what might be lost.

And so it was on a gorgeous day in early May at the union of yet another magnificent couple.  Valerie and David, both quiet and seemingly reserved by nature, shared their love with a very small and intimate gathering of close friends and family. 

It was an outdoor ceremony timed perfectly with the setting of the sun.  The surroundings were stunning, due not only to the labors of Mother Nature herself but also because of the energy and efforts expended by the bride’s parents in anticipation of the day.   There was tremendous love put into each and every detail as, for more than a year prior, they prepared the land by clearing, sewing, planting, and meticulously manicuring each and every bloom and blade of grass.  They even built a pergola and constructed a flagstone pathway specifically for the occassion.  Such fondness and devotion they demonstrated for their daughter as all of the details were precisely planned.

As the mother of the bride, who had also been selected as the matron of honor, anxiously awaited the exact moment when her family would begin their descent down the aisle, that immense love and admiration were once more apparent.   And then, as Valerie and her father walked arm-in-arm toward the man who would soon be her husband, there was not a dry eye amongst all who were gathered. 

Following the ceremony, there was a reception at a private club.  After a slight delay with the bustling of the dress, Valerie and David entered the room to the announcement of “Mr and Mrs”.  Soon thereafter, guests joined in the customary activities of a wedding reception…the best man’s toast, the couple’s first dance, and the cutting of the cake.  There was one more “non-traditional” occurance, however, that touched the hearts of all who were witness…David’s original composition, performed and offered with great adoration, to his true love and new bride.  There was not a bloom throughout that entire day that could compare to the brightness and beauty of Valerie as she opened her heart to the love she’d been offered.

And so it was on a gorgeous day in early May at the union of yet another magnificent couple.

“To love someone deeply gives you strength.  Being loved by someone deeply gives you courage.”  (Lao-Tzu, Philosopher, ca. 600 BC)

And so it seems with the love of one of the most amazing couples Bleu has ever had the pleasure and joy of working with.  Jennifer and Michael could not be more glorious and their love more grand…and not in the typical “glorious” and “grand” fashion…but instead in a manner that is both simple and pure, as well as beautiful and blessed, and…all at the same time!

Keeping all of this in mind, Bleu set out to help create a celebration that would be worthy of this special couple.  Upon first introductions, with many of the decisions already made and multiple vendors already secured, the coordination was intended to be simply “day of”.  Over time, however, it became just a bit more.  And, how grateful are we?  To never have come to know these two and those who are closest to them would have been both a professional loss and a personal misfortune.   

All that being said, the event was magnificent and the memories magical.

The wedding took place in the gazebo at Southwest School of Art & Craft (www.swschool.org) on a fabulous April evening.  Everything about the ceremony was special…from the absolutely perfect weather (it takes a truly confident bride to plan an outdoor wedding in South Texas in the spring!)…to the “long” walk down the aisle with Jennifer and her father…to the exchange of vows and the subsequent burst of triumphant glee from the guests…to the exit “stage left” as the sound of The Verve’s Bittersweet Symphony filled the air. 

The celebration continued from there with a cocktail reception in the convent garden for guests and a stroll down the Riverwalk for the bride and groom.  Then, dinner and dancing in the chapel and on the grounds of the center. 

Helping to make the evening even more magnificent was the small, but intimate, gathering of only the closest family and friends…some of who arrived onsite hours before to help hang outdoor draping, lanterns, and other special touches.  Also instrumental in the festivities were all of the amazing vendors that shared their insight and expertise. 

Marcus, of Marcus Revilla Photography (www.marcusrevilla.com), worked tirelessly to capture the night  in pictures.  Through mulitple iterations of the “traditional” family photo, as well as some not-so-conventional shots, Marcus spent his time and talents ensuring that every moment was made even more special by illustration.  AWESOME!

Stacy Buntrock, of Yours by Design, created the most brilliantly splendid floral arrangements.  The selections were fabulous and so very unique; and, the juxtaposition of the vibrant colors against the background of the gorgeous, yet much more muted, setting was simply dazzling.  Stacy has also been gracious enough to provide “tips and tricks” for Bleu’s featured partner article for April (http://bpeventsbydesign.com/whatisbleu.html).  AMAZING! 

Denise Goral, with Leave It To Us Catering (www.leaveittous.com), created a scrumptious menu of appetizing selections.  With dishes presented as stations, guests were encouraged to tempt their tastebuds with everything from margarita shrimp to mashed potatoes in martini glasses.  BRILLIANT!

Ivette Irizarry, of Allegretto Music (www.allegrettomusic.com), once again helped to compose the most magnificent collection of music.  It was all arranged perfectly and executed by the quartet brilliantly, resulting in melodious sounds that were breathtaking and so very memorable.  STUNNING!

And, of course, the night would not have been complete (nor would it have been possible!) without the wonderful Reverend Wendy Rieley of The Perfect Union (www.theperfectunion.org).  Her wit and humor added such energy to the ceremony and to the celebration as a whole.  It was a pleasure working with her and having the oppportunity to get to know her better.  AND, she was also kind enough to provide a few photos, all of which are included below.  MAGNIFICENT!

All in all, Bleu feels extremely blessed to have been invited to participate in such a grand, and yet gloriously “simple”, celebration.  Tremendous appreciation to all of the aforementioned; and, even more importantly, a million-and-one thanks to Jennifer and Michael.  (And, of course, thanks to you, Glenda and Christine!)

“Love is, above all else, the gift of oneself.”  (J. Anouilh, French Dramatist, 1910 - 1987)

How fortunate Bleu has been to have had the opportunity to take part over the past year in helping to plan the most amazing wedding for the most magnificent couple.  Alex and Klaus are two truly fabulous individuals who decided to join their lives and celebrate their love in a way that was so special to all who were witness.

The wedding took place in the chapel at Southwest School of Art & Craft (www.swschool.org) on a gorgeous March evening.  Everything about the night was magical…from the time that Alex arrived onsite looking more gorgeous than a girl has a right to…to the exact moment that her eyes met those of her groom…to the minute that they were announced offically as “Mr. and Mrs. Ruhl”.  The celebration continued from there with a cocktail reception in the convent garden and then dinner and dancing back in the chapel. 

Helping to make the evening spectacular were all of the fabulous vendors that gave of their time and expertise. 

Studio 423 Photography (www.studio423photo.com) took absolutely outrageous photos that helped to truly capture the most special moments of the celebration.  A few are included here for everyone’s viewing pleasure.  Thanks, Chasity and Jana, for being such a pleasure to work with.  As always…you ROCK!

Botanika (www.botanika.com) created the most uniquely fabulous floral arrangements.  Everyone was raving about the vibrantly gorgeous colors and commented how perfectly they fit within the overall setting.  Thanks, Melissa.  Once again…you BLEW US AWAY!

Page Barteau Catering (www.pagebarteaucatering.com) put together a fabulous menu of delectable culinary offerings.  With dishes presented in a multitude of stations, guests were tempted with everything from paella to root beer floats.  Thanks, Page and Tamara.  It was all SCRUMPTIOUS!

Cakes by Cathy also helped to tempt the palate of guests with the most delicious cake…EVER!  In fact, there were many who commented that it was the BEST they’ve ever had.  Not sure what Cathy’s secret ingredient is; but, it is definitely working for her!  Thanks, Cathy.  You continue to deliver EXACTLY what you promise!

Allegretto Music (www.allegrettomusic.com) filled the air with a melodious symphony of selections chosen especially for the bride and groom.  The trio added just the right touch to both the ceremony and the cocktail reception, helping to make both truly memorable.  Thanks, Ivette.  You are such a BLESSING!

Again, Bleu feels so thankful to have been a part of such an amazing celebration with such a special couple.  It would not have been possible without the aforementioned.  And, it would not have been as much fun either.  Thanks a MILLION, Alex and Klaus!  (Thanks to you, too, Mikel!)

What an amazing few weeks it has been!  Where to begin…

Simply put, we’ve been enjoying the company of our brides; and, with four weddings “just around the corner”, we’ve been spending quite a bit of time with them, too. 

Arriving first on the calendar, and in just a couple of weeks, is the Brightman/Ruhl wedding.  What a joy it has been to be a part of the planning.  For more than a year now, we’ve been working towards what promises to be one of the most blessed days of 2009.  Alex and Klaus have been nothing short of fabulous, and we feel extremely honored to be assisting in making it all come together.  We’ve got a shower this weekend, another the following, and a rehearsal and dinner the weekend after that; and, then finally, the special day will be upon us.  WOW!  What a joyous ride it has been; and to think, it all started with a simple phone call from a parking lot just last January. 

Following closely behind is the Dennis/Hunt wedding in April.  Once again, we’ve been so fortunate in having the opportunity to work with such a spectacular couple.  Jennifer is simply a ray of sunshine, and she brightens every room she enters.  We’ve been working with her to finalize some of those “last minute” details.  It’s all coming together beautifully; and, just like it’s March predecessor, it will certainly prove to be an unforgettable day.

And, so as not to break the pattern, we then have a wedding the first weekend of May and another the first weekend in June.  WOW!  What a season for love!  It’s as if the gods of fate are shining down upon us and blessing us with dream clients, because these two brides are just as spectacular.  Valerie wants a day surrounded only by those that she is closest to; so, her plans include an intimate affair in the back of her parents’ property.  Paige also wants “simple elegance”; and, although her wedding will take place in one of the most elaborately gorgeous churches in the city, the day will also be an intimate celebration shared by those closest to her and the man who will be her husband. 

So, all in all, bleu’s life lately has not only been about brides, but also about love.  And, on this day before the day in which we are all due to celebrate that everlasting emotion, what better way to honor it than to reflect upon that which has been sprinkled upon us.  YEAH LOVE!