Marissa Mortimer, creator of Lavish Occasions is one of the most sought after event planners in the New York Metropolitan Area. Marissa realized her calling to plan outrageous and extraordinary events back in the early 90’s when she sang for wedding ceremonies. At the young age of 30, she is known for her commitment to surpass her clients’ expectations and for creating intimate weddings and extravagant upscale affairs for a long list of clients, including many of Staten Island’s elite.

Marissa’s experience as a wedding singer was what first exposed her to this industry and the love affair has continued ever since. She was named one of the ‘Top Ten Entrepreneurs under 35’ in Staten Island-Central New Jersey area by Industry magazine in 2005. A recent achievement was being selected to teach the Wedding Planning Institute’s How to Become a Wedding Planner course at the prestigious Wagner College to help current and aspiring wedding planners to gain industry certification.

Read full article »

Robert Meli began his journey in the hospitality industry, and started doing event design simply by helping close friends and family plan the occasional dinner party and offering advice on home décor. From this came referrals and advice quickly became consulting. After years in the business, Rob still experiences great pleasure in transforming his client’s dreams into reality. His originality along with his innate eye for color and design set the stage for what was destined to become his company Bella Rose (www.bellaroseevents.com), which is quickly becoming a recognized leader in the field of lifestyle design. Robert is acknowledged as an artistic visionary whose expertise, exceptional creative talents, and impeccable reputation have made him an extreme success throughout Florida.

Robert is sought after for his over the top original receptions and ceremonies which stray far from the average cookie cutter wedding. Robert has designed and produced weddings for clients who expect nothing less than perfection, including celebrities and high profile professional athletes. Bella Rose creates unforgettable weddings that allow couples to become honorary guests at their own wedding and creates a lifetime of blissful memories and cherished moments for them and their entire family. Regardless of whether a client wishes to create a black tie dinner at an exquisite hotel, steal away to an exotic destination for a wedding weekend, or gather friends and loved ones under a beautifully decorated canvas in a private backyard, Robert ensures that wedding dreams becomes reality.

“We work closely with our couples so they may enjoy the entire process of planning the wedding as well as the special day itself. Our clients receive the wedding that best reflects their true personality and style. From the wine to the music to the very last dance, every detail will be fine tuned to perfection,” says Robert.

Robert attended the University of Central Florida where he majored in Organizational Communications and Minored in Journalism/ Advertising. He believes in staying active in the wedding and event industry as well as giving back to the community.

Robert is the President of Wedding & Event Professionals of Tampa Bay, a Certified Consultant with the Association of Bridal Consultants, Active Dynamic Dad & PTA Board Member at Mc Mullen Booth Elementary School, an active Member of the Safety Harbor Chamber of Commerce, and holds a seat on the City of Safety Harbor Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. Robert is also a certified instructor for The Wedding Planning Institute, a division of Lovegevity, which is taught at St. Petersburg College in Clearwater (www.WeddingPlanningInstitute.com). Robert lives in the Tampa Bay area with his wife and 2 beautiful children.

Candidates for the wedding planning certification course at Saint Petersburg College Center for Continuing Education can register by calling Jackie Addis at 727-341-3184 or by visiting their website at http://www.spcollege.edu/AC/lifelong/wedding.htm. The fall session begins on September 27, 2008 and will meet each Saturday from 9:00am to 2:00pm for eight weeks. Tuition is $795 and includes classroom instruction, textbook, six months online curriculum and support access, and post-graduate job placement assistance.

Elaine Deluca thrives on making people happy. After several years of planning social events, she established her company, Exquisite Events, in 2002 to provide a personal approach to wedding and social event planning. Located in the historic village of Roslyn, NY, Elaine and her staff provide consultation and planning services throughout the New York tri-state area, with a specialty in planning tented weddings at area vineyards and estates. Exquisite Events was awarded the title of “Best of Event Planners” in 2007 by TheKnot.com, a premier wedding website.

In recognition of her wedding planning proficiency, Elaine’s advice and expertise has been sought out by publications including Manhattan Bride, Long Island Weddings of Distinction and Newsday and the company’s events have been featured in New York Magazine and Wedding Bells Magazine. Exquisite Events recently expanded its services to offer a collection of fine stationery and favors to complement weddings and wedding-related events of all styles.

Read full article »

Shafonne Myers is living her dream by helping others realize their dreams. While attending Mary Baldwin College, she coordinated all social events on campus through her direction of the Baldwin Program Board. That experience helped her further develop the leadership, creative, and organizational skills she brings to her clients as well as to her classroom students.

Since graduating from MBC, Shafonne founded and is president of Making Your Event Special, a top wedding and event consulting firm in Richmond. Continuing her tradition of bringing people together, she organizes bride and groom socials and workshops, as well as hosts Virginia’s first wedding and event planning radio talk show (Wednesdays at 7pm - www.makingyoureventspeciallive.com).

Read full article »

Sherry Lopez has a passion for creating distinct events. She developed her attention to detail, grace, and style working on the event staff while attending Azusa Pacific University and discovered her love for the details that create events ranging from intimate luncheons to high profile weddings and events.

In 2003, Sherry opened her own company, Your Wedding Planner, utilizing her keen understanding of what makes an event special: paying special attention to the flow, timing and execution of every detail, and the deep knowledge and vast resources of vendors to make each event a success.

Since then, Your Wedding Planner has become the company of choice for savvy, stylish clients in Albuquerque and throughout New Mexico. Dedicated to continuing education, Sherry has continued her education through many outstanding organizations such as International Special Events Society, The Association of Bridal Consultants, New Mexico Wedding Professionals, and The Wedding Personalities of New Mexico as well as instructing wedding planning certification students for The Wedding Planning Institute (www.WeddingPlanningInstitute.com).

Read full article »

Juanita Hozey has always lived to help others. For two decades of her life, Nita dedicated herself to nurturing over ninety foster children in her home and shares that level of care and commitment with her wedding planning clients and her students at Piedmont Technical College in Greenwood, SC. Beginning with her own wedding, then her siblings, and eventually her foster children, she developed her love of wedding planning without the thought of opening her own business.

After her husband retired, Nita was initially content with raising their adopted son, loving their many grandchildren, and continuing their work with foster children. Her interest in wedding planning also continued as she noticed the lack of resources for brides in her small South Carolina town. She started her own business, Praise Unlimited Weddings, by acquiring several florists. She quickly grew her wedding planning inventory of candelabras and floral supplies to include stores of linens, centerpieces, columns, tables, chairs, and tents.

Read full article »

Attention: Wedding Industry Experts! The Wedding Planning Institute, a division of Lovegevity, Inc. is currently accepting proposals from industry professionals who can communicate their expertise in the form of an online course. Industry experts will need to develop their course utilizing the latest trends, industry best practices, and time-honored traditions to provide instruction and valuable information to our students.The Wedding Planning Institute is partnered with an extended network of over 1800 accredited colleges and universities worldwide. Industry Expert courses will be offered through our partner colleges as online training programs and the Industry Expert will provide training, advice, and feedback to students through our online curriculum system.

Read full article »