By Melissa

Check out the pictures from the 2nd Annual Before You "I Do" courtesy of the fab Dustin Francis Photography. Check out the whole gallery here.

By Melissa
Thank you to all of the people that attended the 2nd Annual Before You "I Do" yesterday! It was a lot of fun meeting so many fabulous brides, although I wish I had a chance to talk to everyone. I look forward to working with you. It was nice to see all of the smiling faces and kind comments as everyone was leaving. A lot of lucky brides walked away with some really great prizes!

I received a really nice email this morning from a bride that attended the show. I wanted to share a piece of it. This is why I created this show.

"First of all, I would like to thank you for putting on such a helpful and unique event.  My fiance and I have been planning our wedding for almost 2 years, so we have been to our fair share of "bridal shows".  The idea of your event providing useful information from all of the vendors was such a help, even for someone like me who has been planning for so long!  I didn't know that I could check the Michigan Department of Transportation for my limo companies name to be sure that they were registered!  What a great tip.  Any bride planning her big day needs to plan on attending one of your bridal events!  I really appreciate your time and attention to detail in planning this event.  I am really looking forward to you helping us with our big day!"

All of the vendors did a fabulous job on their presentations and display tables. Everyone was really great to work with. I hope to share pictures from the event soon. 

I am always looking for ways to improve this event. If anyone has any opinions on what you did or did not like about the event please email me melissa@allaboutyouproductions.com.  

I am already looking forward to the 3rd :)

By Melissa

We have now added on a special private event to an already fabulous bridal event! There will be a private wine and cupcake tasting prior to the Before You "I Do" event. From 12:00pm-1:00pm at the Baronette you will have the opportunity to enjoy yummy wine from the Cupcake Vineyard and cupcakes. Tickets must be bought in advance they are $15 each and include entrance to the 2nd Annual Before You "I Do" event. If you just want to attend Before You "I Do" be sure to get your ticket before they run out. The line up of vendors is incredible and the prizes are unbelievable! Get your tickets here.

I am very excited to announce the 2nd Annual Before You "I Do". It will take place at The Hotel Baronette in Novi on Sunday, January 29th, 2012 at 2:00pm-4:30pm. If you have not heard of Before You "I Do" check out the website.  Click here to find out where Before You "I Do" came from.

The list of vendors and giveaways are coming soon! This is an event any couple planning their wedding will not want to miss! It doesn't matter what stage of planning you are in, you will benefit from this event. Tickets are $5 each  and can be purchased here. I hope to see you there!

Here are some pictures from B4UIDO this past April. To check out all of the pictures go to the gallery. Stay tuned for details on the next B4UIDO.

Photography by Dustin Francis Photography

Yesterday was the very first Before You "I Do" event. The room looked incredible! All of the vendors worked wonderfully together and I am so pleased with the set up. I want to thank New Creations Flower Company, Dustin Francis Photography, Owen Video, Affordable Elegance Chair Covers and Linens, miss kate's maids, Domestic Arts Custom Cakes, Marbella Couture, Masters of Ceremony, Shutterbooth, ElliBell Creative Services, Salon at Saks, and Karen Egren Jewelry for all of their hard work. I also want to thank Bob Dillon of RE/Max, he included really nice purse hangers for the gift bags. One lucky bride won an awesome prize valued at over $10,000! Pictures will be coming soon. I am already working on the next one for this fall! Stay tuned for more details :)

I must give my husband credit, he gave me the idea of planning a wedding seminar. He suggested that I get together a group of brides and offer free advice on planning their wedding at the local library. I thought it was a great idea but I wanted to take it a step further and include a couple vendors. Then why not a vendor from every area involved in a wedding?  I wanted this event to be something educational. I wanted people to walk away excited and inspired about their wedding. I wanted this event to be nothing like a bridal show (No offense to bridal shows, I am doing one this weekend). I feel that people go to bridal shows to get the best deals and vendors are there to sell. The purpose of Before You “I do” is not to sell, it is to educate.  If people are interested in us then great! The first hour and a half will include the speaking portion of the event. Vendors will give tips and advice on their specialty. The last hour everyone will have a chance to walk around and talk to any vendor they want. Lastly, will be the huge giveaway! I am so excited about this giveaway and I hope everyone is too. We will have other giveaways so that more than one person can win something. Every person will leave with a gift bag filled with goodies.

I found a great venue in a central location. I got together a great group of vendors that have given ideas and have been a part of the planning process. Joe Kinney designed our logo and flyer. Dustin from Dustin Francis Photography has been a huge help! He may be tired of me bugging him all the time but I really appreciate him and I love the website he designed.

It has been a long process since November and has taken a lot of planning and there have been many obstacles to overcome.  I think this event will be everything I hoped for and I would really like to do it annualy.  Space is limited so be sure to rsvp right away. Tell your friends, family, and co-workers. This is the event engaged couples will not want to miss!

Getting married or know someone that is in the near future and don't know where to
start? Come to the Before You “I Do” Wedding Forum presented by local Wedding
Professionals Sunday, April 3, 2011 from 2:00pm-4:30pm. You will learn how to save
money, get the most out of your special day, trends of the seasons, and hear tips from
the pros that work in the industry every day! Get tips from a wedding planner, a
photographer, videographer, florist, baker, bridesmaid dress store, stationery
designer, and linen company.  It is free to attend but space is limited so you must rsvp at www.b4uido.com. Bring a friend, your mom, your fiance, or everyone! Every bride that attends will be able to enter a huge wedding giveaway.

One lucky bride will win:

Day-of Coordination by All About You Productions
8 hours of coverage by Dustin Francis Photographygt
6 Hours of coverage by Owen Video
Wedding Cake by Domestic Arts
Linens for guest tables by Affordable Elegance Chair Covers and Linens
Bouquets and Boutenierres by New Creations Flower Co.
6 Hours of DJ Service by Masters of Ceremony Productions
Vera Wang shoes by miss kate’s maids

Others will get a chance for other giveaways too! Vendors include: All About You Productions, Dustin Francis Photography, Owen Video, Domestic Arts, Affordable Chair Covers and Linens, New Creations Flower Company, miss kate’s maids, Master of Ceremony Productions, Paper and Ink by Betsy Coats, ShutterBooth, and the Salon and Spa at Saks, Somerset.

For more details visit www.b4uido.com.