Gratitude Journal

I recently discovered this wonderful blog called the Dating Divas, and I must say it is a must read for anyone in a relationship. Please enjoy!

"Several years ago, I was watching an episode of Oprah (BTW…I really miss her). The entire episode was on having gratitude in our daily lives. Oprah talked about keeping a regular journal solely about “being grateful.”  I immediately tried this idea and soon found that I LOVED it. Each week (about 2- 3 times), I would take 5 minutes and quickly jot down ten things I was thankful for. At first, I had to stop and really think. However, after doing this for a few weeks my lists got bigger and more detailed. I soon found myself counting my blessings and having an overall better attitude.

So, in my gratitude journal,  I make sure I list at least two things or more about my husband that I am thankful for each week. I find when I focus more on the things I LOVE and appreciate about him, I am less likely to focus on the little things that may arise.

I bought a journal in the $1 section at Michaels. This is a quick and easy thing I do a few times each week, but I have found has a great impact on my attitude and outlook about my marriage and life.

What are you most thankful for about your spouse? - Corie"

"What Happens to Love After the Marriage?"

I have noticed over the years that couples are getting divorced and separating left and right and it makes me wonder what happened to people staying together until death do them part, like the long lasting marriages of our grandparents. Perhaps it is a lack of communication or an unwillingness to view things from their spouses viewpoint.

Author, Gary Chapman, says it best in his New York Times Best Seller, The Five Love Languages:  "There are five love languages or five ways that people speak and understand emoptional love, and not until one learns to speak their spouse's primary love language will they discover the key to a long lasting, loving marriage."

This wonderfully written book is commonly used in marriage counseling classes of which I highly encourage each of my couples to take as it is one of the greatest investments you will ever invest in...Forever Love!

Michelle and Jose

I love this couple! Michelle and I usually started our meetings discussing the highlights of the latest episodes of Basketball Wives, and I immediately loved the Groom when I found out he was a Twi-hard (Lover of the Twilight movies)! ;-)

There was no theme for this wedding but the Bride did know that she wanted Purple and Silver as her colors along with touches of Bling.

The wedding ceremony took place  at the St.Mary Magdalen Church in Maitland, Florida and the reception was held at the Lake Mary Westin.

I can definitely say that this was an awesome wedding team on the day of Michelle's wedding. The hotel had a marriage conference for nearly 300+ attendees that was ending immediately before our cocktail hour was set to begin. No worries though, our team was ready to go and the transition was seamless.

Hope you enjoy the photos taken by Mike Richards-Photographer!

How to Save Money on Your Wedding Cake

·      You can opt for a smaller wedding cake and purchase sheet cakes

as a less expensive option to serve all your wedding guests

·      Your cake doesn’t have to be real, just one slice does. If you’re not

serving your wedding cake to your guests then have a Styrofoam

cake decorated and have one piece be real or a cake behind the fake

cake to do the traditional cake cutting

·      If you’re not serving your wedding cake for dessert you don’t need

to order one slice per person because if you’re serving it on your

midnight buffet not everyone will eat it

·      Many venues do charge a cake cutting fee/plating fee to serve a

cake not made by their catering staff

·      Use cardboard circles stacked together to give your cake the desired height you want, or you can purchase a cake stand from companies such as Raise the Cake. www.raisethecake.com 

·      Decorate the dummy cake just like a real cake

·      Want more servings then make your base larger or add satellite

Cakes (mini wedding cakes) which makes the cake table look extravagant

Designs by Cornelia Wedding

Photo Taken by Absolute Love Photography

Sandals is for Lovers!!!

For couples wanting to experience the Caribbean, Sandals is the way to go! What impresses me most about Sandals is how friendly and accommodating the staff is and the fact that everything is all inclusive. And when I say all inclusive, I mean all inclusive. All of your alcoholic beverages are included and all fine dining as well. I ate lobster, and that was included. Your room even comes stocked with champagne, wine, and a few different other cordials all complimentary.

From the pictures below, you can see this is a great way to spend your honeymoon! And guess what honeymoon planning is complimentary, you don't even have to be a Designs by Cornelia client. Call (407) 492-1943 or e-mail arlene@designsbycornelia.com so we can get started.

P.S. You don't have to be married to experience a Sandals vacation. If you and your sweetie want to take a getaway, we have you covered. You can even grab a few friends and have them bring their significant others and plan a group trip. Designs by Cornelia will take care of all details for you...complimentary.

Sandals Honeymoons 

Movie Inspired Wedding

As promised, here are more photos from the 2012 Special Events Show.

I had the opportunity to visit the Wedding Gallery where various designers come together to create different wedding concepts and designs meant to inspire attendees of the conference.

This particular showcase in the gallery was named "The Spirit of Adventure" and was headed by A Magical Affair along with Beth's Boquet's, Connie Duglin Linens, Designs in Paper, Music City Tents and Events, Nashville Audio Visual and Sweetface Cakes.

The theme was inspired by the Disney movie "Up" and the program read:

 "Join us as we step into an inspiring love story of colorful palettes, homespun accents, sweet sentiments, and magical departures! Our event design team cordially invites you to step "Up" and into a cozy front porch ceremony, a whimsical garden reception, and an adventurous departure. So won't you let your imagination soar as we take you "Up" and away into our beautiful balloon?"

Now how's that for creativity! ;-)

This is what it is all about... carefully infusing your theme through all of the various elements of your event while staying clear from "cheesy". Additionally, this theme could easily be used for a birthday party, baby shower, bon voyage party, wedding shower, etc.

This was definitely a job well done!

Amazing Photo Shoot with Orlando's Finest

Enjoy...Happy Planning!!!!