Introduction of our NEW Texas Event Blog "Celebrate In Style"

After a few months of planning, I'm so thrilled to finally be able to share with you exciting new venture. With planning events all over Texas, we thought it would be so helpful to others to share our expertise and information which we've gained over the past 10 years.

Let me introduce our new blog: "Celebrate In Style". We will event professionals, venue locations, event ideas and new tools to assist you in all that is event related in Texas. We hope you enjoy reading the new blog.

Blissfully Inspired,

Samantha Darr

Owner & Lead Planner

Elegant Beginning's 10 Year Anniversary

As a small business owner, there are certain milestones throughout the life of your business which is worth celebrating. The first would be your 1st year anniversary. At this stage you're happy, nervouse, and excited to have gotten the business started and be heading in a direction. Possibly, still wondering if you made the right decision and if you're doing things right. Then comes your 3rd year anniversary. I have coined this as "the toddler" stage of your business. At this point, you've developed made a few mistakes, developed processes and am truly at the "crawling" stage; things are coming together. Your 5th year is the anniversary which you're running like a well oiled machine; making things happen and looking for ways to expand. However, nothing is more exciting than your 10th year anniversary. For me, I still have 7 more years to get there and would truly be a blessed.

I am genuinely excited for one of my favorite vendors whom is a friend as well to be celebrating her 10 year anniversary. I have always admired her business savvy ideas and looked to her as a role model. Elegant Beginnings has become a leader in the events industry in Houston.

Please join us as we wish Jill Vidal and the entire Elegant Beginning crew a happy birthday and wish them another successful to years.

Blissfully Inspired,

Samantha Darr
Owner/Lead Planner

[SB!] Love: Wedding Planner's Rewards

When most people hear what I do, they always "ohhh" & "auhhh" and goosh about how much fun it must be to be a wedding planner. And truly, there are many times when it is incredibly fun and an absolute joy. What better kind of job could there be than creating some of the most heartfelt, memorable memories in a couple's life?! For me, it's sincerely an honor to have a couple entrust to me such a day.

Yes, it is very rewarding to have my own business, enjoy the benefits and sense of satisfaction as the company grows. But what most people don't realize is that it can be tremendously stressful, requires grueling hours and at times personal sacrifice. We find ourselves working evenings, weekends, but also some holidays. Because of this, I am super thankful for a loving and understanding family who support my passion that allows me to pursue my dream.

One of the the moments for me which puts me on cloud 9 is knowing that I made a couple's day all that they hoped for and MORE. One of those moments was today when I received a "thank you" note from last weekend's couple:

"Hi Samantha, We got back from the honeymoon last night and wanted to let you know that the wedding was absolutely fabulous!!!! Everything was so beautiful and we had a great time. Thanks again SO MUCH!!"

Blissfully Inspired

Samantha Darr
Owner/Lead Planner

Make-up Tips: Smokey VS. Natual

Hey ladies, my name is Kristi and I am the new intern for Soiréebliss! Events. I'm super excited to write my very first blog and share the inside scoop when it comes to bridal make-up.

Having been an artist for M.A.C Cosmetics for a little over 5 years, I definitely know what brides go through when deciphering between wedding day looks. One of the most popular questions I get asked is should I do a smokey eye or or go with more natural colors? The most important thing to know about a smokey eye is that it's just a technique. You can do a smokey eye with browns, blues, purples, anything your little heart desires. Think about it this way; it just means a darker shade of whatever color you're wanting to use.

If you wear a smokey eye everyday...it's for a reason; you like how your eyes are defined with a darker color, it makes you feel sexier and more confident. The bottom line is, YOU have to love how you look in your wedding pictures. If you go with lighter more natural colors when you're used to darker colors, you will feel like you don't have any make-up on and you won't be happy with how you look. Those pictures will last forever so you really have to go with your gut and do what makes you happy. Also, most weddings last through the late evening, so your make-up should be on the darker side to fit the time of day.

Now remember ladies, you do have options when it comes to a smokey eye! There can be a dark color on the whole eyelid or the eyelid can have a light color and then a dark color in the crease. Either way, a darker color really needs to be used to define and show up in pictures. Another thing to think about is mixing up your textures. If you use a shimmer or a frost on the lid, you want to use a matte in the crease. You can still use a shimmer in the crease, but you want to break up your textures. Plus, matte colors in the crease will create depth, shimmers/frosts won't.

Bottom line: You can listen to bridal magazines, your friends, your mom. But at the end of the day, wear what makes you feel sexy. You should feel as if you are a goddess, because it's YOUR wedding day. Enjoy it!

Kristi Gomez
Superstar Wedding Intern


Make-up in pictures done by Lisa Pelayo: http://lisapelayo.com/
Photography done by Laurie Perez: http://laurieperez.com/

Wedding Dress FLIP!

Are you worried about the difficulty of wearing your gorgeous wedding dress during all the dancing at the reception? Do not fear because at soiréebliss! Events there is an answer for everything! There is a fabulous trend in the wedding world to have a dress flip after the ceremony. All the best wedding dress designers such as Monique Lhuillier, Ines Di Santo, and Rivini had fabulous short gowns all over the runway in the New York Bridal Fashion Week this year. These dresses are short, sassy, and absolutely perfect to allow the bride more comfort and let’s be honest, what girl doesn’t want another wedding outfit?

Wedding dress boutiques offer wedding dresses of all lengths and sizes. Find one you love then go get a splash of color to make sure you stand out amongst your guests. Try incorporating your wedding colors by adding an adorable sash and bright colored shoes. But don’t stop there! Get some incredibly jewelry that will make you sparkle from head to toe.

This dress change will be an eye catching surprise to your guests and you will be so much happier dancing in this dress as opposed to your 500 lb dupioni silk gown you walked down the isle in. Bottom line: it is your day, make a fabulous spectacle of yourself.

Always Learning, Always Fabulous,

Vanessa Sinatora
Associate Planner

Holiday Party Idea: Entertainment That's Show Stopping

With the holidays quickly approaching, you may find yourself in the beginning to think about this year's holiday party. One of the most important parts of the evening ........besides the food and drinks will be entertainment. If you are seeking something different that will make your party truly memorable, consider a dinner mystery. You can host the event at the location of your choice with the option of having 10 of your guests are playing interactive roles whiles your other guests try and solve the mystery. One of our favorite companies is Celebrity Mystery Theater. The have a full cast of celebrity impersonators that makes for an even more entertaining evening.

For more holiday ideas and planning services, contact as dates are quickly filling up. Let us plan the spectacular party for you.

Blissfully Inspired,

Samantha Darr

Owner/Lead Planner

{Helpful Tips} Reselling Wedding Items

Were you a DIY'er for your wedding left wondering what you're going to do with 35 lanterns or 300 chargers? Or maybe you're contemplating a splurge for your wedding and wondering how to off-set the cost. Seriously, consider reselling it after the wedding. Not only will it make your new hubby happy to have the "wedding room" cleared out, but will also reload the pocket book. If you have a couture item that was really over your budget, start advertising the sale of the item before the wedding takes place. This way, you can feel better and enjoy the splurge on the wedding day.

Some very valuable sources for selling wedding items:

1. Bride Share - all items are welcome and there's even a message board to chat with other brides. Total bonus!!

2. PreownedWeddingdresses.com - this site is absolutely addicting. I love checking it out periodically to see all the gorgeous dresses. You will find anything from custom gowns to couture dresses by Carolina Herrera. AND at a fraction of the original cost.

3. Who can beat theKnot when it comes to wedding resources. The have a message board geared toward every subject. Consider posting your "for sale" items on your local board and also future wedding date boards.

4. In some areas of the country, Craigslist is a great resource. I have been lucky enough to sell and purchase a few pieces of furniture on there myself. Just be super cautious of scammers wanting to send you a check. Always have another person present if someone is coming to your home to look at the items your selling.

5. And last, but not least, the tried and true Ebay. You may consider taking your items to a company who lists and sells the items for you. May save you a lot of time and the best part is that they take the photos and manage the listing for you.

6. If you're ever in Chicago, you surely have to make a stop at White Chicago. It's truly a premier couture resale wedding dress boutique. AND for those not in Chicago hold onto your seats because they recently launched an online site as well. www.whiteXchange.com

We would love to hear from fellow readers which sites were most successful for you.

Blissfully Inspired,

Samantha Darr

Owner/Lead Planner