Why I Love My Job: Client Review

As an event planner, the most enjoyable projects are those when clients hire me to plan/assist them in planning their wedding day. Even after years of planning events, I still wake up each morning of a wedding feeling the giddy/nervous excitement with butterflies. Wedding day is the Super Bowl of wedding planning. I always feel the buzz of excitement as the details start to come together during the set-up. It's truly what I was born to do and truly love seeing couples happy at the end of the day.

Recently, I had the absolutely pleasure of working with Lindie and Roman to create the perfect combination of their heritages; Irish Catholic and Jewish Russian. While it sounds challenging, we were able to find the perfect balance for Roman and Lindie. My heart burst with happiness to know just how much they loved working with SB! Here's what they had to say: (to read all of our client reviews, please visit WeddingWire.com)

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I was required by my venue to hire a wedding coordinator for the night, as they did not offer that service.... after researching all the top reviewed wedding coordinators in Houston i put them all in to a spreadsheet for me to compare pricing with the services they offered. Samantha with SoireeBliss Events was immediately at the top of my list with all she offered in her packages along with the pricing. After talking to her on the phone I knew she was the one. When i went in for our first consultation meeting, me and my husband were immediately put at ease. Samantha was exactly what we were looking for: well known/respected in the Houston wedding community, warm/caring yet very professional, and affordable. She immediately asked us our story and how he proposed, which made us feel special, like she really cared. We decided to go with her "Day of Management" package which only required her really to be there the day of to make sure everything ran smoothly, so i figured we wouldn't hear from her very much until closer to the wedding. I was very pleasantly wrong. Samantha was there every step of the way for any question i had, which sometimes i am sure was overbearing with my type A personality. She always made me feel as if it was no problem at all and quickly responded to any questions i had. Even when i had some issues getting in contact or timely responses with some of my other vendors, Samantha would immediately contact them and have a response for me usually within the same day, as all the vendors respect her. Samantha made our timeline for the evening, and it was literally down to the minute.... HER TIMELINE ALONE IS ONE OF THE MANY REASONS YOU SHOULD HIRE HER. Samantha definitely went above and beyond with helping with the setup, as we had a lot of DIY and extras to add around the reception room. I am so happy that the venue required a wedding coordinator, as i can't imagine going through that day without her. Everything went pretty flawlessly, all thanks to her. There were a few hiccups, but she never told me anything about them, i only heard later, which i am very greatful for as well because i was able to enjoy my day stress free. I would recommend Samantha to EVERY bride.. if you don't think you need a wedding coordinator and can do it all yourself, rethink that decision. :) If you are looking for someone affordable, very professional and efficient, that will make your day stress free for you to focus on YOUR day, instead of trying to make sure your timeline is followed, then Samantha and the SoireeBliss! team is who you need!!!----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I can not wait to share the pictures from their wedding at the Petroleum Club Houston. In the mean time, here are a few of their engagement pictures (Photography: Joshua Tyi Photography)


Blissfully Inspired!

Samantha Darr, Owner

New Twist on Your Engagement Session

One of the most common activities for couples after getting engaged is to shoot an engagement session. For some couples, they want to have this shoot very soon after they are engaged. Others wait until 2-3 months prior to the wedding. The engagement session allows you and the photographer the opportunity to get better acquainted. The more comfortable you are around your photographer, the more relaxed you will be and your pictures will look better. (Photo Credit: Christine Tremoulet)

With most things related to weddings, there is an exciting evolution; trend per say that is moving away from the tradition ways of which our Mothers did them. As a planner, I am starting to see more and more couples who want to make their wedding truly unique to reflect their style and personality. Even if that style means something completely outside the box such as a camping destination weekend wedding or a picnic wedding in the middle of the day. For me, I absolute love this as it allows me to reach a higher level of creativity.

If you are one of these couples, you may love something new that is replacing (in some cases it's an additional session) the engagement session - Couples Boudoir Session. Of course, you have to feel completely comfortable with your photographer. A couple's boudoir session can be romantic, sultry, sexy and very intimate for you and your fiance. The pictures from the boudoir session can truly reflect a very artistic creative and become pieces of artwork. (Photo Credit: Jamie's Photography)

(Photo Credit: Photography by Talitha A. Tarro)

(Photo Credit: Kyle Hepp Photography)

How'd We Get Our Name?

Since launching in January of 2008, we've received wide range of responses to our company name. Many have asked how we chose it. Other's have proven quite humorous by the different ways it's pronounced. And of course, some just absolutely love the originality. It's a name that sticks with you.

For me, when thinking about a company name, I wanted something original and different that was a reflection of my "think-outside-the box" design style. I tried endless combination of words that can be associated with party planning, details of decor and numbers. It finally dawned on me that having my own business was a dream come true at which point was truly the happiest I had been in my career. Hence the word "bliss".

Now everybody knows, your name should reflect what you do. So I sought the help of the Google translator tool to test every word associated with parties. From there, Soiréebliss! Events was born.

However, you may still be left wondering why the exclamation mark. For me Soiréebliss! has emotion and makes me think of and an expression. So, this is what I leave you with;

Soiréebliss! (swore ā bliss). adj. 1. The state of pure and memorable happiness experienced during a grand celebration. 2. An expressive emotion felt during a period of high emotional joy surrounded by perfection.

Always Inspired to Plan!

Samantha Darr

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