Antonia Christianson Events: January 2011

Best Of: THE KNOT!

2011 Pick - Best of Weddings on The Knot

We are proud to announce that Antonia Christianson Events has been rated by local brides and

voted The Knot Best of Weddings 2011 Pick.

You're Engaged. How do I pick my vendors?

Congratulations! You are just engaged and have no idea where to start? Don't be scared, thats normal. 'Tis the season for engagements and for brides to start planning. This thought can drive many women insane...but just relax, think before you act and try to savor these months before your nuptials. Here are a few fool proof tips to help you pick the perfect vendors for your joyous day.

1. Do a bit of research...and if a vendor's price seems too good to be true. It probably is. Or the product is not "the same" for half of the price. In the wedding world, you pay for what you get. So if vendors A, B and C are $1000.00 ask yourself why vendor D is only $500.00. A few extra dollars in your wallet now can cost you in the long run.

Now, don't think you can't save money in certain places...but there are 2 things you absolutely don't want to skimp on. First, photography...all you have after your day is over are those amazing pictures. Second, food...Trust me, your guests will remember if your chicken was dry or if they left your event hungry. Ask vendors for recommendations...when you hear the same name over and over again, maybe it's a great vendor for you to chat with as well.

2. Slow response time when you are a new client inquiring about services means slow response time throughout the entire process. Be realistic with your expectations, if you call or email a vendor on Friday during peak wedding season, they might not call you back until Monday (which is ok). But, if you call on Monday and haven't heard back by the following Monday, i'd be leery about how their entire communication process will work. You deserve to be treated as a vendors only client, from day one.

3. Read Reviews...ask to talk to past clients...and if a vendor doesn't allow you to do that, then they aren't a vendor for you. Here is the thing: 1 bad review could mean that the vendor and client just didn't mesh, but if there are multiple bad client reviews, proceed cautiously. There are many great resources now out there for you to find out what other brides are saying about your "must have" vendors. Sites like WeddingWire and TheKnot offer the opportunity for past brides to comment on current vendors. Now...here is the warning. If you can not find a review anywhere, the vendor won't allow you to talk to previous clients and they are slow to respond: FIND A NEW VENDOR.

If you hear bad buzz about a vendor from other wedding vendors...listen. They are trying to make not only your day,but your planning process as stress free as possible...

Media: The Knot, DC/MD/VA

It is always an honor to be included in any sort of media/publicity...so of course, when we found out we were going to be included in the latest publication of the Knot we were ecstatic! Below are the actual pages from the magazine. There is no better way that the ACE Team would like to celebrate their 4th Anniversary than with a great article in a sought after magazine.

Workout Wednesday: Make this your best year yet

We are almost 2 weeks into the New Year – I’m sure most of you have vowed to make this year your best year yet. I am here to help motivate, encourage and educate to ensure that stays true (at least in the fitness and nutrition aspect). Simply check the Workout Wednesday article each week - put the effort into applying what is said to your day, week, life, etc. Easier said than done, I know. BUT if you don’t try and/or put effort into living the healthiest life possible - then we all know what the outcome will be.

This week – I would like each of you to “try” at least one of my tips below – if not all of them. As I have said all along – adapting a healthy lifestyle is a baby-step process. It all starts with a small change. As long as you are putting one foot in front of the other in a healthy direction – you are doing great.

1. Right now – literally write down (actually seeing it on paper makes a huge difference) make a 7 day goal for you to achieve. It must be realistic and attainable. You also need to be specific. For example: If you have not worked out in months or years – then do not shoot to hit the gym for the next 7 days. Aim for 2 or 3. Also don’t just say 2 or 3 actually specify the days. Once you achieve this goal – set another goal for the next 7 days. This can be to maintain the 2 days of working out. Or it can be to continue working out 2-3 days but add 5 minutes to the treadmill.

2. Plan, plan, plan! Whether you do it the night before or first thing in the morning – plan what you are going to eat and when each day. Yes, “when” is important (see #3). Not only does this help keep you on track – it makes the rest of the day of deciding what you are going to eat – easy. The chances of deviating from your “plan” are less likely to happen when you are prepared.

3. If you are trying to eat more often throughout the day - set a timer. I know, I know – sounds silly but if you are used to going long periods of time between meals and/or waiting until you are hungry then eating every 3-4 hours will not come easy. When the timer goes off, chances are you will tell yourself “I’m not hungry”. You will want to slip into your usual habit of waiting until you are hungry. You are NOT supposed to feel hunger. When you wait to eat once you are starving you WILL overeat or make a bad food decision. Hunger is very powerful and will over-ride anything “good intention” you had. By eating every 3-4 hours – you will stay in control of what you truly intend on eating and chance are very slim that you will overeat. Until you get into the habit of eating every 3-4 hours – set an alarm/timer to keep you on track.

4. Tell yourself you will not eat past a certain time and/or no more food after dinner. Mindless eating occurs most frequently after dinner, when you finally sit down and relax. Snacking in front of the TV is one of the easiest ways to throw your diet off course.
The time of when you should stop eating really depends on your lifestyle. The goal would be to stop eating 2 hours before you go to bed.

5. Exercise in the morning – If heading home is winning over exercising after work, you might want to consider doing it before work. This way you know you have your workout over with and whatever comes up throughout the day will not get in the way of your workout regimen. This of course will be an adjustment but just like anything else – it will get easier. The key is not “thinking” when the alarm goes off in the morning because your bed will win. You have to head to the gym on auto-pilot. Getting there is the hard part – once your there you know you will be so thankful you did it and more importantly – it’s over for the day.

Flash Mob Wedding. Amazing

I mean, who doesn't love a good flash mob? I saw this on one of my guilty pleasure sites today, perezhilton.com (don't judge) and I fell in love. I have amazingly creative clients and I like to think that the ACE team comes up with a pretty good idea now and then, but this video takes the cake.

A Flash Mob Wedding:

2010: A Year In Review

What a year 2010 was! I celebrated my 5^th wedding anniversary with my husband, countless memories with my boys (who by the way are growing like weeds) and we moved our studio to space that more accurately conveys our brand. We helped plan over 30 weddings, an amazing “Pink Martini Night” for Susan G. Komen for the Cure and even had time to throw in a surprise party for my hubby James. Not only has our business grown, but so has our staff. The 2 amazing event staffers and 1 intern that we started the year off with quickly grew to a staff of 6. We were growing so our staff needed to as well! We hit a few bumps in the road but I am so happy with the girls that help make our clients dreams come true every day. They are my team, my friends, and my saving grace in the middle of this chaotic world.

The ACE Team was honored to be featured in Bride & Bloom Magazine in the Spring along with client features in National Wedding Blogs such as Inspired By This, The Brides Café, Uniquely Unveiled (the Weddings Unveiled Blog), Sparkliatti and even Essence Bridal Bliss (the blog for Essence Magazine). We were honored to be nominated as a Wedding Wire Rated Wedding Planner in 2010 and are blessed to be chosen as “The Best Of the Knot” for 2011.

Life is good, business is better...my blessings are uncountable.

I could go on and on about everything that happened in 2010…but I know you just want to see a few of our favorite images...I said, Just a few: