I have had a whirlwind few days. I traveled to Jacksonville, Florida to promote our DVD, Susan Southerland’s Just Marry! Wedding Planning Secrets on a morning news show. I gave my favorite tips for saving money while planning your wedding. I had a great time doing it and in the process, I met some great new wedding vendors. Over the next few days, I am going to tell you a bit about each of them.

My first stop was at Sharon Batten, a stunning bridal gown salon unlike any I have ever seen. Sharon and her associate Nicole were so welcoming when we arrived at their shop. The salon is open and airy and completely uncluttered! All of the exquisite gowns are in easy view. Some of the designers she carries are: Vera Wang, Oscar de la Renta, Monique Lhuillier, Angel Sanchez, Melissa Sweet, and Priscilla of Boston. Sharon told me that only twenty-one stores around the world carry Oscar de la Renta. Can you imagine that we have such an exclusive shop in Jacksonville? Brides come from all over the country to get a gown from Sharon.

Now that I have dropped the names of the outrageous designers that Sharon has in her store, you may be wondering why she would be involved in a segment about saving money while planning your wedding. Well, it is a little-known wedding gown secret that I will share with you. Gown salons have to carry a certain amount of inventory. Every six months or so, they need to clear out the old inventory to make room for the new. The salons don’t want to just toss the older gowns in the trash, they want to sell them. So, if you pay attention to the sales, you can save fifty percent or more on a designer wedding gown. While this certainly isn’t as inexpensive an option as purchasing on Ebay or wearing you mom’s dress, it is an amazing option if you want a couture wedding gown and a luxurious salon experience. One small tidbit of advice, the sample sizes are typically size six or eight, however, some salons get other sizes. Before driving all over town (its bad for the environment and lately awful on the pocket book), call the salon to make sure they have gowns available in your size.

Sooo… If you are in the Jacksonville area, RUN to Sharon Batten and take advantage of this sale.

There is one more punch line to this story… my associate, Michele Butler, was one of my models. Check out the photos below. (I apologize for the poor focus. We weren’t allowed to use a flash in the studio.) She was wearing a GORGEOUS Melissa Sweet gown (Michele is the brunette). I think we made her boyfriend a bit nervous.

Orlando Wedding Planner from Just Marry!, Michele Butler and beautiful model Betsy, show off a couple of gowns from Sharon Batten. Can you tell which one came from the sale rack?

Orlando Wedding Planner from Just Marry!, Susan Southerland, speaks to anchor, Casey Black, about saving money while planning your wedding.

Coming Soon… Liz Stewart Floral Designs, Edgewood Bakery, and The Write Touch,

One of the big pay offs of a well-planned wedding (and an amazing client) is that the Just Marry! team and I get to enjoy the evening. This past Sunday was one of those weddings. The Greenbergs and the Biers really knew how to party! Three things Sunday evening really stood out in my mind as exceptional.

First was the brilliant attitude of our bride. Something unexpected happened during the ceremony, but our bride let it roll right off her. In fact, as the ceremony was ending, she looked more relaxed than I had ever seen her. Her smile walking back up the aisle was stunning. (I can’t wait to see those photos. ) She was beaming. I congratulated her on not being bothered, she said, well after that, anything else that could happen will be insignificant. BRAVO!

Second, the couple brought back a tradition that I haven’t seen in years, wedding cake charms. The pastry chef placed little charms tied to ribbons under the frosting of the bottom tier of the cake. Prior to the bride and groom cutting the cake, the bridesmaids each take a string and pull out a charm. Each charm has a prediction for the bridesmaid’s future, for example, a shamrock for luck, an airplane for adventure, cupid for the next to fall in love, a couple for next engaged, and an engagement ring for the next to wed. The bridesmaids had a blast with that. The photos (which I will share when I get them) were fantastic.

Third was the Horah. For those of you not familiar with Jewish weddings, the Horah is a traditional dance where all the guests join hands and rotate in a circle. The bride and groom, followed by the bride’s parents, followed by the groom’s parents, are lifted in the air in chairs while the guests dance around them. Sunday night, not only were guests dancing the Horah on the dance floor, but guests around the room were dancing in circles as well. They were all so filled with joy. It was beautiful to watch.

Bringing old traditions into the wedding reception really make the occasion memorable and fun. Guests who don’t have the same ethnic or religious background as the bride and groom will enjoy learning something new. Also, having a carefree attitude, regardless of what mishap may come about, will ensure a fabulous celebration for all.

I have said many times that I love my job. I will probably never be a millionaire, but I get some really great perks. Last night, I got to enjoy one of those perks with my clients Alex Diaz and Dawn Greer.

Normally I wouldn’t be so public with my clients’ names, but Alex is a local radio producer on a fabulous morning show. You can follow the link above on his name to access his blog. He talks a lot about the wedding planning process from his perspective which is really cool.

Anyway, Alex and Dawn are having their wedding at the Buena Vista Palace. It is a really nice property, so I expect great things from them, but last night, they outdid themselves.

Alex and Dawn invited me to attend their tasting with them. My first instinct was that their wedding isn’t until the end of November and they haven’t chosen their menu yet, so why are we going to a tasting now? The tastings I am accustomed to are typically with the bride and groom, the bride’s parents, the catering manager and me. We sit down together, taste the different menu items the couple selected, try the wine, review the agenda and then go on our way. Last night was very different.

I arrived at the hotel laptop in hand and there was a crowd. I was very puzzled. I met up with Alex and Dawn and they explained to me that this was more of a wedding showcase then a traditional tasting. The ballroom doors opened and inside were tables beautifully set with different linens and different centerpieces. Servers passed glasses of Cabernet, Chardonnay and White Zinfandel. Three buffets were set, one with hot and cold appetizers, one with a selection of entrees and accompaniments and one with a selection of desserts.

Everything was absolutely delicious! Dawn and Alex chose their final menu right there

Appetizers: Pineapple Fruit Tree, Assorted Canpaes, Spanicopita, and Mini cheeseburgers.

Salad: Spinach Salad with Apple Smoked Bacon, Saga Brie Apples and Fiery Pecans with Sherry Vinaigrette.

Entrees: Grilled Tenderloin of Beef on Sweet Onion Confit, Dauphinois Potato (these were AMAZING!), and Cabernet Gorgonzola Sauce and Pan Seared Chicken Medallions Lightly Crusted in Parmesan topped with Prosciutto, Toasted Pine Nuts and Orzo Pasta with Lemon Basil Sauce.

Dessert: Wedding Cake.

The showcase made planning the menu so easy and it was a lot of fun interacting with other couples. It was more like a fun evening out than a wedding planning task.

Bravo to the Buena Vista Palace. I hope I have the opportunity to attend another showcase soon.

Alex will be posting video blog from the showcase. As soon as it is up, I will link to it.