Collection of 2015 Professional Moments

Hi Friends, Family, Clients, Creative Partners, and Internet Peeps,

I have been missing blogging on here so much.  Please forgive me.  I hope to continue consistently blogging more in 2016 ~ who needs sleep right? In all seriousness it was a whirlwind of a year.  I hope to slow the train in this coming year, and really focus on doing less, but doing better, ya feel me?

 It was a BIG promotional year for J.Starr Stylized Weddings...which did amazing things for my business, that I'm incredibly grateful for.  However, this upcoming year is already filled with MORE bookings, therefore I'll be doing less promotional projects, AMEN.

Before I let this new year start....I did want to take a quick moment to reflect on all of the amazing celebrations that happened this year....(note, some are professional photos some as candids as I'm awaiting the professional ones to come in)


2015's Professional Moments:


Styled Phoenix Bride & Groom Magazine Bridal Booth

Styled/Coordinated the Grayhawk Cover Shoot for Arizona's Finest Wedding Sites Magazine

Styled/Coordinated the San Marcos Cover Shoot for Arizona's Finest Wedding Sites Magazine

Assisted Fellow Wedding Planners and Venues with a total 5 Weddings

Styled/Coordinated the Arizona Biltmore Cover + 4 Page Editorial Shoot for Arizona's Finest Wedding Sites Magazine

 
J.Starr Styled Wedding for: Lacey & Jarred

Styled/Coordinated the Chateau Luxe Venue Styled Photo Shoot

Launched New Website

 

Styled/Coordinated 3 Covers for Phoenix Bride & Groom's 15 Year Anniversary Magazine

J.Starr Styled Wedding for Ashley & Brian

 
Styled/Coordinated: Phoenix Bride & Groom Magazine Summer Bridal Booth

Styled/Coordinated:Seville Golf & Country Club Summer Bridal Booth

Served as Co Chair NACE Gala

Served as Event Chair for WIPA Summer Event

J.Starr Styled Wedding for Amanda & Nate

J.Starr Styled Wedding for Taylor & Justin

J.Starr Styled "Great Gatsby Styled" Bridal Shower for Marissa

J.Starr Styled Wedding for Cassy & Vincente

J.Starr Styled Wedding for Marissa & Michael

 

 

J.Starr Styled Wedding for Maryrose & Peter

And those my friends were just the professional "highlights"...I also mixed in many networking events, client meetings, vendor meetings, bridal open houses, was a vendor at the I.DO. Wedding Charity Auction, was the Featured Winter Designer for Classic Party Rentals Display Room, and was named "Style Editor" for Arizona's Finest Wedding Sites and Services Magazine Blog. 


In all honesty, creating this post has made me want to take a nap...wow, for like a long time. 

I'm slightly in shock that this was the year that I lived.. growing babies and growing a business. It was a wild and crazy ride, but I'm so thankful for all the many opportunities, amazing clients and creative partners I got to work with this year.  This just goes to show with the support of family and friends, many things are possible. 

I'm also excited to share at this point in time, I'm 60% of my booking goal for next year.  That means I'm only accepting a small handful of additional clients for the 2016 fall season!  There was honestly a time not that long ago that I worried I would never book a client, thankfully I didn't listen to my inner critic.

At last, but certainly not least.  I don't want this year to end without giving a big shout out, a hug and kiss to my biggest supporter, my best friend, my husband Justin.  Justin you are my "rock steady" I love you more than you'll ever know.  Cheers to an even better year ahead. 


Happy New Year Friends, thank you for allowing me to share my world with you. 

{Last Chance} "Spa Infused Cocktail Party"

Happy Tuesday Lovelies!

So this is it. This is the week that I have been working super hard to prepare for for the last few months. Tonight, is one of the biggest events I have ever done! YES!! My mind is trying to mentally prepare for a long yet very exciting day I have ahead of me!  I'm so thankful to have my intern Emily by my side and a committee of very talented creative partners to rock this day out!

Thursday is yet another super fun day! And I would like to give you one more opportunity to attend that event! The Wedding Industry Professionals Association, or WIPA, is a great association and their events are to die for. And I am the lucky title holder of Event Chair for this upcoming event!

Last week, I gave you the inside scoop on the event with the "In the Works: Spa-Infused Cocktail Party," post. This cocktail party is going to be a relaxing, luxurious, unique event that is truly not to be missed.  However, it is for WIPA members only! So today I am coming to you with your very last chance to join WIPA and register for this event!  To become a member of WIPA, click here or contact the lovely Andrea Leslie (Director of Membership) for more details. 

Here's a sneak peak into my inspiration mood board:

 

If you are already a member of this awesome organization, but you still want to register for this event, click here!

Very special thank you to Jennifer Newman from Envelope Envy for this absolutely beautiful flier that she created for the event, and the previous "Save the Date" invite.

 

If you are not going to be able to make the event,  stay tuned as I'll be doing a follow up post with tons of gorgeous photos. 

If you would like to see the "In the Works" post for my event tomorrow, click here!

 

Happy Tuesday! 

 

Much Love, J.Starr

In The Works: "The Gala"

 

 

Happy Friday All, 

Tonight I thought I would share my thoughts on an upcoming *huge* event that I'm involved with.....that's coming to life on TUESDAY!

About 4 months ago I met up in a cute little restaurant with my wedding industry friend, Dawn Peterson (Dawn is the Vice President of the Phoenix Chapter of NACE.)  We chatted about family, food, life....and all things wedding industry related.

And then Dawn mentions, that she's looking for a "Creative Designer" to take the lead as an Event Co Chair for an upcoming National Conference (specifically the Awards Dinner Gala).  She showed me videos and photos from past conferences and gave me a general overview. 

I thought to myself...why not?  The conference was in July (that's off season in Arizona!)  I knew this was an opportunity to work with new people and incorporate creative concepts, so I accepted the position, and I am extremely thrilled to be serving as the Event Co-Chair for the Extravagant  Awards Gala for the Experience! Conference and Exposition for the National Association for Catering and Events.

Over time, I slowly began to realize that....umm....this is a HUGE event!   Umm, what?  The guest list alone is 500 people and I should also point out, these are not normal people; these are all event industry professionals!  That adds about a billion more tons of pressure because these people do this for a living and they've seen mind blowing events before.  Now all of a sudden, I'm in charge of impressing all of these people?   

And so it began....ideas upon ideas...email after email, meetings, meetings, and more meetings... And now, the time has come!  I'm excited and nervous (the good kind of nervous).  It's going to be amazing to see all our efforts play out. 

The Concept:

"All That Shapes Us" ~
Artistic, Graphics, Modern, Geometric, Funky, Cool

"In the wedding and event industry, your mind is constantly flooded with beautiful imagery, new trends, exciting ideas...but have you ever taken a moment to stop and recognize how important "shape" plays into our events?  The use of shape is everywhere...invitations, room diagrams, tablescapes, wedding cakes, place settings, how entrees are plated.  We invite our guests into the awareness of "shape" and the many options you have as an event professional.  We hope you find inspiration in the use of shape, how it trends us, changes us, and enhances our experiences." 
 

The Design Boards: 

(Cocktail Hour)

(Dinner)

(The After Party)

Committee:

This event is *so huge* that it could only be accomplished by the incredible committee that has been hard at work for months and months to get every detail right. 

The committee is comprised of so many talented people that I am honored to be working with. It's really a magical thing when a group of people with years of experience, inspirations, and connections come together. 

Kate Christensen	Gala Event Co Chair/ Owner of Kate & Company
Jennifer Starr	Gala Event Co Chair/ Owner of J.Starr Stylized Weddings
Amber Allen	Phoenix NACE President / Director of Catering and Restaurant Sales, Gila River Gaming Enterprises
Dawn Peterson	Phoenix NACE Vice President/ Regional Sales, Phoenix Bride & Groom
Ronnie Anderson	Director of Catering Phoenix Airport Marriott
Nicole Jorgenson	Senior Event Manager Santa Barbara Catering
Jennifer Cotsonas	Accountant Executive Kool Party Rentals
Cheryl Denham	Owner/CEO AZ Family Florist LLC/LUX Wedding Florist/Wed AZ
Cynthia Pottinger	LUX  Florist
Rob Hinkle	General Manager Alive
Lori Apt	Event Director/Designer Fred’s Signature Floral  Events

The Sponsors:

Naturally this event couldn't be made possible without all of the generous sponsors:

Kate Patay/Creative Coverings www.creativecoverings.com	Linen Rentals
Kool Party Rentals www.koolpartyrentals.com	Furniture
Bob Messinger, Applause Productions & Entertainment www.entertainment-arizona.com	Cocktail Hour Entertainment
Champagne Creative Group www.champagnecreativegroup.com	Dinner/After Party Entertainment
Creative Occasions www.creativeoccasions.com	Table Numbers + Gold Pipe & Draping
Alive www.aliveexpo.com	Audio Visual Equipment
The Instant Classics www.theinstantclassics.com	Entertainment For After Party
Santa Barbara Catering www.santabarbaracatering.com	Desserts for After Party
Pixy Cakes www.pixycakes.com	Desserts for After Party
Caramel Addiction by Sherrye’s Kitchen www.carameladdiction.com	Desserts for After Party
Gigi’s  Cupcakes www.gigiscupcakesusa.com	Desserts for After Party
Classic Party Rentals www.classicpartyrentals.com	Chargers
The Event Essentials www.theEventEssentials.com	Menus
LUX Wedding Florist www.luxweddingflorist.com	Floral
Kenwood Vineyards Monique.studak@pernod-ricard.com	Wine

In addition to the Gala on Tuesday, I have the opportunity to attend three other amazing events during the NACE National Conference. 

Sunday Night = The Opening Reception! I have volunteered myself (and my Brother, hee hee) to be servers...but not just any servers....Dia de los Muertos servers!  This event is going to be off the chain...and the best part, I happen to know who the surprise band is.  YES.

Monday = I get the chance to listen (and hopefully meet, fingers crossed) the famous Wedding & Event Planner: Colin Cowie.  Followed by the Keynote Luncheon.  So ready to be renewed with some fresh inspiration.

Stay tuned.....I'll share more soon.  And a special thank you to Dawn Peterson for asking me to be a part of this incredible experience.   

If you liked this post, check out my previous "In the Works" post below!

In the Works: Spa Infused Cocktail Party

In the Works: "Spa Infused Cocktail Party"

{Featured Friday} Our *In the Works* Upcoming "WIPA Spa Infused Cocktail Party:


And all of sudden....it's July.  What?  I have two huge industry events two days apart from each other, that I'm incredibly excited about.  And today, I thought I'd take a moment to highlight my amazing vendor team for one these events. 

The Wedding Industry Professionals Association  (WIPA) is an organization that I am proud to be a member of.  I was so honored and excited to be asked to be the "Event Chair" for their July event! And I can’t wait for the WIPA members to see the vision come to life at our *Spa-Infused Cocktail Party*! This evening will include so many fun surprises with so much talent. 

Here is the extraordinary line up for talented featured vendors:

Venue:

The Sanctuary Resort & Spa is serving as the venue for our luxurious event, and it is the perfect place! With the incredible views and nature surrounding the grounds, there isn't a better place to have our cocktail party at! Plus, rumor has it...they *might* be offering some onsite massages for our guests! Does it get much better?

Design Team:

Jan Dekker of Jan Dekker Designs is an absolutely amazing florist, and I am so excited that she will be designing the floral pieces for this event. I have worked with Jan for many years, she truly puts her heart into her work and has a genuine care for the outcome of the event.  Additionally, she has top notch taste. 

Glamour and Woods will be providing some beautiful statement pieces throughout the event to really enhance the look of the room. This amazing company caught my attention in the Phoenix Bride and Groom magazine with their stunning styled shoot, and I knew they would be perfect for this event!

Southwick Linens is a company that I have also had the pleasure of working with many times, and I absolutely love it. Laurie Southwick really is the master of capacities, sizes, and colors that blend well not only together but also for the venue and it's natural elements. Southwick Linens always provides absolutely beautiful and quality linens for their events!

Event Rents is an awesome company that will be providing beautiful draping throughout the event to give it that luxurious, spa-like feel. Draping can really place a big role and add it so much softness to a space.

Photography and Cinematography: 

                                                                                                                                                               

Rachel Solomon Photography is an amazing Scottsdale-based photographer who will be taking some beautiful photos of our event! Her style is so romantic and as you can see from her photo below, she is just as lovely as the images she captures.

                                                                                            
  Serendipity Cinema will be catching the cocktail party in motion! Some events are so exciting, we want them in still life and in motion, and Serendipity Cinema will be providing this for our event! Taryn, owner of Serendipity, is just so passionate about what her company captures, and we can't wait to work with her and her team for this event!

 

Entertainment:



                                                                                                                                  

     Desert House Productions will be setting the mood for this event and providing hip, yet spa-like music to keep the atmosphere relaxed. I'm thrilled to be working this team. Dave and Drea (pictured below) have a such a modern vibe and ultra cool style about them. 

  Champage Creative Group is an absolutely ridiculously talented group, based in Vegas that will be creating a custom showpiece for this event.  I cannot *wait* to see what they come up with.  They specialize in incredible things like champagne fairies, cocktail waitresses on stilts, and strolling cocktail tables.              

The Wellness Bar AZ is the perfect vendor to be at this event! They will be featuring an "Essential Oil Bath Salt Bar"...and also offering some tips on how oils can enhance your life and overall wellness.

Paper Products:

Envelope Envy is a great company, and Jennifer Newman created our beautiful Save the Dates for this event, and they turned out absolutely amazing. Jennifer's easy going nature plus great attention to detail makes her tons of fun to work with. 

This event is being offered to WIPA Members Only. If you work in the Wedding Industry and have been considering joining WIPA, now's the time to do so!  Stay tuned current WIPA members, you'll be receiving registration details in your inbox very soon.

I'm so incredibly grateful and excited to be working with such talented vendors for this event, and I'm quite certain the our WIPA Members will fully enjoy an evening of luxury and leisure. 

Stay tuned for a follow up full feature on this evening!