Color me flattered and Style Me Pretty.  If you are an avid wedding blog reader, you probably recognize the name Style Me Pretty (SMP) as a blog full of eye candy and gorgeousness.

They also have the Little Black Book (LBB) which is a listing of some of the very best wedding vendors in the industry from all over the US and world including a select few here in Columbus.  I was tickled when I woke up to an email a few weeks ago from SMP asking if I would like to join the Little Black Book.  I am thrilled to be one of only two event planners in Columbus listed along with my dear friend Kasey from Bliss.  (I obviously keep some pretty spectacular company.)

I am very flattered to have been asked and am proud to be able to display this pretty little blue badge:

Thank you so the lovely ladies (and gentleman) at SMP!

Looking for a way to make your bridal shower or rehearsal dinner something completely out of the ordinary?  Experience Columbus has introduced new Experiential Tours.  You can pick from a set theme or have them help you design your own.

Some of the fun things that they are offering that would be great for a shower or somewhat tame bachelorette party:

Wax, Wicks and Wine – pick a scent and pour your own candles at the Candle Lab and then have a wine tasting at House Wine in Worthington.  Pricing starts at $29 per person and can be customized.

Artisan Ice Cream – Jeni’s Ice Cream.  You can try anything and everything on the menu.  Do I really need to say more other than can I please join you?  $40 per person

Cooking with CaJohn – From soups/stews and salsas/dips to a 4 course dinner, learn to spice up your cooking from Cajohn himself!  $15-$35 per person.

Pamper Yourself - You will relax with a 1/2 hour mini service at Mukha.  Select from a manicure, pedicure, facial, massage or makeup lesson and take home a custom lip gloss.  $50 per person.

Looking for something that will keep the guys entertained as well?

Play Ball – Be a Columbus Clippers baseball player for a day!  Get a guided tour of Huntington Park, dress in the club house and play on the field, before enjoying a meal surrounded by Columbus baseball memorabilia.  $85 per person.

Start the Race – Open the starting gates for a race at Beulah Park, learn the care of Thoroughbreds and see trainers and jockeys in action.

There are tons more options at the website – including some that would be fun for a rehearsal dinner (murder mystery theater anyone?) .  What a great way to show off Columbus to your guests!

Emilie Duncan Event Planning was founded in Cleveland when I lived up there and I still do weddings there from time to time.  I came across this video the other day on Probably Bad News and I am still giggling.  Just watch it, you’ll see why.

Before you ask, no this isn’t from the Daily Show, it was a real news report on the Fox affiliate in Cleveland.  Hilarious!  The bear ‘climbing’ the tree almost made me fall off the couch.  A little humor for your Friday!!

Z is for Zzzzzzs (get some sleep already!)

It is SO tempting to stay up just a little longer because there is so much out there!  You could literally spend all hours of the night reading wedding sites, browsing blogs, working on projects and updating your to do list.  Don’t neglect sleep for planning – the to do list and all those great websites will still be there in the morning.

If you don’t know what Bride and Bloom is close down your browser and head straight for the nearest bookstore!  Go!  Scoot, scoot!

Bride and Bloom is one of my favorite wedding magazines with tons of pictures of gorgeous real weddings, amazing flowers – basically multitudes of eye candy!  One of the really cool things they do in every issue is take a newly engaged couple and have wedding pros from around the country create wedding ideas for them based on their wedding colors and other very basic information.  It is always amazing to see what these pros come up with and what the couple’s day actually looks like.

Well, if you want the chance to be one of those couples read below!

You have until August 31, 2009 to submit your application so get moving!

Y is for You (don’t forget who you really are)

It is very easy to lose sight of the ultimate goal in wedding planning (the marriage) and it is very easy to lose sight of yourself in all that planning.  There are so many people involved with so many opinions that sometimes brides and grooms are bullied into choices that really aren’t them.  Keep a clear picture in your mind of what you want and who you are and you’ll be fine.  If something isn’t going to work, doesn’t represent you as a couple or simply doesn’t make you happy, don’t agree to it.

X is for eXercise (yes, it is cheating but I couldn’t think of another appropriate x!)

You have plenty of time to get in shape before the wedding – don’t go crazy at first with an intense workout schedule and burn out before the wedding.  Start a sensible workout routine now and you will be more likely to keep it up and hit your goals by wedding day!

I have actually had brides ask to include a personal trainer as a line item in their wedding budget – they knew they would need someone to keep them accountable and their trainer was just that person.  The trainer even had a little cake at the wedding!

W is for Wedding Planner (hire one!)

Hire one – even if it is just for a little bit of direction in the beginning or wedding month coordination in the end, hire one. 

V is for Vendors (hire the good ones first!)

This one is simple: if you have your heart 100% set on a certain venue, photographer, wedding planner, makeup artist, band or whatever to the point that you would be willing to change your date to work with them, call them as soon as you possibly can.

Obviously, you need to set your budget first (don’t kill your whole budget on one vendor!) and more than likely your date, but if you are 100% certain on a vendor, don’t wait.  Vendor’s schedules book quickly, especially in the winter engagement season so when you know, sign that contract!