Blush + Bashful

I found this article in the June 11th Newsweek. I wanted to share it because I know how difficult it can be to write a meaningful and touching speech. I’ve heard many Maid of Honor toasts that have made me tear up and they do all seem to have these rules in common!

WEDDING CHEERS

If the prospect of giving a maid-of-honor speech makes you want to run as fast as your dyed-to-match satin pumps can carry you, take heart: Vance Van Patten, author of “Ten Minutes to the Speech” and executive director of the Producers Guild of America, says using his “Four-H” rule will get you through the toast unscathed.

Start from the heart, expressing admiration and love for the bride and groom. Season the speech with lots of humor, using funny stories you get from the couple’s family members. “If you don’t get a really good version of how the couple met, you failed,” says Van Patten. Expose your own and the couple’s humility by expressing how honored you are to be giving the speech and how lucky they are to have found each other. Finally, end with haste. A wedding speech should last between three and five minutes. Start early and practice telling the stories so you don’t have to use notes. And above all, leave the bride alone. “For a wedding, a bride is sacrosanct,” Van Patten says. “Never embarrass the bride.” –Stephanie Schaerr

Blush & Bashful Events is having a busy and exciting summer! We’ve been booked solid since May. Over the summer, we’ve done events at many fantastic venues from the North Shore to Northwest Indiana. We’ve met so many wonderful people and had such a great time. Over the next few weeks, I’m going to attempt to tell you all about the amazing couples we’ve assisted this summer with the hope that their love and wedding stories will inspire you.

Cheers!
Meg

Due to the large number of requests we have for internship opportunities, Blush & Bashful Events is hosting an informative afternoon tea on Sunday, August 19th. If you’d like to attend the event and find out more about career opportunities within Blush & Bashful Events, please RSVP by sending a letter of introduction and a resume to meg@blushandbashfulevents.com.

What: An informative presentation about wedding day coordination with an opportunity to sign up for amazing events happening later this year!

When: Sunday afternoon, August 19, 2007

Where: To be determined, based on final number of participants

Please RSVP by Sunday, August 5 to reserve your seat.
Thank you!
Meghann VanderBaan

Have you been dying to have a honeymoon adventure in Australia or New Zealand? Would you like to have an intimate destination wedding in Tahiti or Fiji to celebrate your love? (I would be more than willing to help you plan that, by the way.)

If either of these scenarios tempts you in the least…you have to contact Down Under Endeavours! The staff there is highly familiar with the gorgeous destinations of the South Pacific and they’d love to help make your vacation dreams come true.

Planning a trip at one of these locations shouldn’t be taken lightly. You are going to be dropping serious cash on it, and you want everything to be perfect. This probably isn’t a trip you want to plan with Travelocity or Priceline!

If you’d like to go say G’day to the Down Under team, they are having an Open House on Thursday, May 10 all day long. They are open from 9:00am-8:00pm. Stop by their office at 520 W. Erie, Suite 120 to learn more about their destinations and services.

If you plan to attend, email Audra at ahazners@downunderendeavours.com and let her know when you’ll be there. They are serving champagne from 6:00-8:00pm!

Have fun,
Meghann

www.downunderendeavours.com

I’m so excited that I am going to be able to attend Self’s Workout in the Park this year! Every year, Self Magazine holds four wellness events in San Diego, New York City, Miami, and Chicago to help women get excited about working out. This would be a great way to jumpstart your fitness program for wedding (and bikini) season.

What: SELF Magazine’s Workout in the Park
When: Saturday, May 5 11:00am-3:00pm (THIS SATURDAY!)
Where: Lincoln Park, Grove #2 LaSalle Drive by the South Fieldhouse
Cost: $20 ahead of time, $25 on Saturday
Other Details: There are two main stage areas. One has high energy sculpting and cardio classes, and the other has Yoga activities. You get free stuff!

Check out the website and sign up to attend at www.selfworkouti nthepark.com.

See you there!
Meghann