Life as a Texas Gal; where we go from here...

Whew it has been a crazy, busy summer at The Chic Reception! When I relocated my family to Austin 6 months ago never did I think things would take off as fast as they have. This will be my 2nd time rebranding The Chic Reception due to moving states--I never claimed to be sane. I am so grateful to our fabulous clients, vendors, staff, family, friends, coaches, my husband and god for making it all possible.

In the journey of being a womenprenuer there are so many emotions at all times as you try to juggle, managing and growing your business, with your every day life. I hit a lot of milestones professionally and personally this summer. My kiddos turned 5 and 6 and they both will be in school full-time starting Monday. The side of me that has loathed for this day to come, came to a sobbing mess as we sat through my kindergartners orientation and his teacher put a poem up on the overhead that brought the entire classroom of parents to tears. Reality hit; my babies are no longer babies anymore! This will be the first time in 6 years that between the hours of 7:45 am and 3 pm that I will not be on momma duty. As I know I will be an emo wreck come Monday morning, I am also very excited for this next chapter in our lives.

So what's next? Let's talk biz....

The Chic Reception is my wedding planning, design, rentals and stationary division. Our website is getting a brand new make-over, I mean who doesn't love a good makeover? We are looking to add a couple fabulous lead planners and a social media intern to our team. We are working on a top secret project that is in its early stages of development with a goal of releasing at the Bridal Expo's in January. Watch out world, its gonna take the wedding industry by storm! ha or at least that's what I tell myself in Brandiland.

I recently launched Branding With Brandi. We specialize in branding womenpreneur businesses in the wedding industry. This business has really taken off and I am looking to add a fabulous girly, girly graphic designer to my team. I am so excited as one of my clients, Tiffany & Company Events, is hosting their relauch party on Sunday in St.Louis. Good luck, Tiff, I know that it is going to be nothing less than absolutely fabulous!

B Elite Productions is our event planning/design division. We are thrilled and honored to be planning for the second year in a row, The WPO/YPO Southern California Chapter Men's Retreat on the beautiful Catalina Island. This event is always so rewarding as I get to brush shoulders with the elite of the elite in businesses, and walk away inspired!

Just a few things going on over here, right?

We have been pretty quiet this summer, but that is all about to change as this momma sends the kiddos off to school and grows our team!

Happy Thursday!!!

xoxo,
b

How to be a Wedding Planner!

Ladies:
Do you have what it takes to a be a wedding planner? Are you having a blast planning your own wedding and want to know about the business? For a limited time only The Chic Reception Presents: WEDDING PLANNING WORKSHOP-Wedding Planning 101, June 9th from 1-4PM. During this one day workshop, you will learn what it takes to become a wedding planner. In just one day you can explore the idea of getting paid to do what you love to do! In order to be considered for our summer internship position you must take this “jump start” course. Selected intern will be reimbursed for class. It’s going to rock. This course is not just for interns, it’s designed for anyone wanting to break into the wedding industry locally. Here is what you will learn from the workshop (I promise it’s going to be a blast)!

CLASS OBJECTIVES:
• Learn the fundamentals of becoming a Wedding Planner from expert Brandi Traut, owner of The Chic Reception
• The 4 must have characteristics to have what it takes to make it in this business
• The event design (the FUN part of planning) elements every designer must know, bring your Pinterest boards
• How to create a timeline, meet with vendors, organize clients, and get paid doing what you love
• How to land a job within the industry
• And much, much more
PLUS all materials, hand outs, and networking you can imagine all in one afternoon!

RESERVE YOUR SEAT EARLY, we only have 15 spots available. They go fast…..CLICK HERE TO GRAB YOUR SEAT for only $99pp.
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=A9VR27MTNUL68

*If you and a friend want to come together, I do offer a discount. Email me for pricing!

Space is limited to only 15 participants. Hurry!

If you would like more information, send me a message directly.

Bring a friend and SAVE!

Wedding Happiness and Hugs,

Brandi
Owner The Chic Reception
brandi@thechicreception.com
www.thechicreception.com

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And the Award Goes To....

Loving everything fashion related, I of course watched the Golden Globe Awards last night.  Sadly, I can only recite the names of a handful of the winners, BUT I can tell you what all of the attendees were wearing, so sorry actors/actresses.  In my eyes if you can remember a page full of lines without having the script in front of you, and not sounding like a robot, you get my vote.  In my 'I can do anything' spirit, I secretly watch one of my favorite movies and picture myself playing that role.  Then I quickly am snapped out of that day dream when I realize ummm yeah my memorization skills are pretty sad.  Enough with my daydreams, onto the lives of the rich and the famous!

Last nights show and tell of gowns confirmed the predictions of what some of the hottest wedding trends in 2013 are presenting to be and I can't tell you how excited I am about these trends, as its like they were determined based upon my personal style. 

VINTAGE lives on again this year! 

Megan Fox in Dolce & Gabbana

Amy Adams in Marchesa

No, I am not a Megan Fox fan, however I will say she has great taste in men.  Well, at least one.  My hubby back in the day looked like her beau Brian Austin Green hahaha.  I do have to admit that she looked fabulous in her vintage inspired, lace Dolce & Gabbana blush gown.  And to boot, she just had a baby a few months ago!!!! You go girl!

And Amy Adams, WOW!!!  She stunned in her blush Marchesa gown.  The strapless trumpet dress features a soft lace bodice and whimsical tulle skirt. This was my FAVE gown of the evening. 

Are you seeing a trend?  Blush, lace, strapless and trumpet style.

This vintage inspired look once again graces the wedding design boards .  Lace, lace and more lace!  From gowns to table overlays, vases, candles and bouquet wraps to even the wedding cake.  It adds a soft, romantic layer to any color palette.  Feathers are no longer just being sported at bachelorette parties.  Used in moderation, feathers add a soft timeless look to headpieces, bouquets and centerpieces.  Same can be said for tulle and beads.  Old cars, jazz bands, chandeliers and china.  Oh how I would love to roam the streets of Paris in the 1920's!

Just PEACHY

Jessica Alba in Oscar de la Renta

 Another one of my absolutely fave gown's from the evening was Jessica Alba's Oscar de la Renta's silk faille trumpet gown from the PF13 collection.   And not to mention the sparkling $5.8 million Harry Winston diamond necklace. OH MY WORD, seriously, $5.8 million necklace!? I'm back to daydreaming again about being the lead actress in the next big hit!  I love how they added a little spunk with the retro fuzzy Roger Vivier clutch.

A hot new color for this year that is so complimenting to every skin tone and color palette is peach.  What I love about this color is that is so universal-- you can use as modern sophistication or as romantical chic.

The peach and corals add the perfect 'pop' in an otherwise neutral, vintage setting.The sparkling lights, draped above, give added depth and complete this vintage, romantic affair. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Modern Sophistication

 Striking GOLD, Old Hollywood Style

Emily Blunt in Michael Kors

 Emily Blunt looked radiant in her fabulous gold studded lace Michael Kors gown.  She wasn't the only one that decided to rock a metallic.  Julianne Hough, Kate Hudson, Nicole Kidman, Conne Britton (Oh I just love her in the show 'Nashville'), Michelle Dockery, the list goes on and on.  

Gold used in moderation add's a striking pop of color to a neutral color palette.  No matter if you are a punk princess, southern belle or a hollywood glam gal, it will give you just the right amount of drama to set the tone for your special day!
 

Julianne Hough looked like a punk rock princess in her white Monique Lhuillier ballgown with an illusion neckline and sparkly gold embellishments.

Kate Hudson looked glamourous in her Sparkling, high-drama Old Hollywood black and gold Alexander McQueen gown.

 

The Southern Belle- Using a touch of gold elegance by layering with a plate charger

Traditional Elegance- Gold elegance brought out through the chair covers, vase and splashes in the centerpiece

Hollywood Glam Gal- Bold yet simple

  Dare to be bold

Gabby Douglas sequined chartreuse-hued Pamella Roland gown

Zooey Deschanel wore a glamorous red Oscar de la Renta.

Gabby Douglas and Zooey Deschanel (she cracks me up!) opted to hit the red carpet wearing a bold splash of color.  

Bold use of color in weddings is soo 2013. Its okay to wear those turquoise cowboy boots under your vintage tulle dress, its okay to wear a non white colored wedding dress, its okay to have a different colored bouquet for each bridesmaid or a different color centerpiece at each reception table.  

You know what else is sooooo 2013?  Mixing elements.  Its okay to mix an old wooden table with ornate chairs with chandeliers of different colors and materials dangling from above!!!

As a planner and your friend here is my one piece of advice that I want to leave you with today.  Think outside of the box!!!   There is no wrong or right when it comes to your big day except if you are doing what someone else envisions and/or wants you to!

xoxo

~Brandi, your chic wedding chick

New Year and Against My Will

 This is a test, this is only a test!  I consider myself to be a pretty tech savvy gal.  But in the years of owning businesses and through all of my creative journey's, I have never "blogged"....Gasp!! (insert shocked face here).  I honestly really don't know why as I love to talk and share my opinions, just ask my hubby =) 

One of my New Years Resolutions, to be completed by the end of February, was to  publish a blog page and actively post.  Umm yeah I may or may not be doing a happy dance in my living room right now as it's the 9th of January and here I am typing my little fingers away.  Sadly though, I did not drink 8 glasses of water today, which was another one of my resolutions/goals.  Hey, baby steps, I did drink 3 which is a huge improvement for me. 

                                                                                                           

I love the first of the year as it puts everyone into the mindset that its okay to restart, make changes, set goals and let go of negativity from the prior year.  My mentor spoke today about eliminating small lingering nuisances.   And no, she wasn't referring to my 4 year son that is a maniac.  So this afternoon I moved the empty boxes in my garage that I am forever tripping over when I get out of my car to the basement and I went through my kids closets and removed all of the clothes that they have outgrown or that are out of season.  These tasks may sound so minute and silly, however I won't be thinking about and cursing at the boxes anymore.  And dressing the kids in the morning is going to be so much easier.  What lingering nuisances do you have in your life right now that would take no time at all to rid of?  And no, it can't be a living being!!!  lol 

YAY I am survived writing my first blog!!  I promise my posts moving forward will be wedding related, I'm pulling together all sorts of wedding trends 2013 eye candy.  Thanks for bearing with me as I overcame my fear. 

xoxo,
Brandi your chic wedding chick