Many of you are aware of my partner Pamela Gibson of Events by Pam. Most of the time we collaborate on projects together, giving clients two perspectives and an impeccable team to manage and coordinate their wedding. For Major News this week, I am happy to feature exciting news happening for Aloha Events by Pam, and Pam herself!

Pam is a fantastic logistics organizer, a detail oriented coordinator, and beloved friend. What a lot of people don’t know about her (she might kill me for this!) . . . she is a third generation Polynesian Dancer! Pam has been dancing hula and other Polynesian styles since she could walk. Having attended numerous conferences in her life and numerous trips to the islands, Pam is a wealth of knowledge on the culture. Her clients find the golden ticket for their Hawaiian and tropical themed events when they book her services!

Mom, Pam, Grandmother | Mom & Pam

Pam Gibson

Recently, Pam was nominated and selected to be the State of Michigan’s Association Representative for the Hula Association of the Midwest. Pam graciously accepted the position and is excited about the opportunity to represent Michigan in upcoming Hula gatherings.

The Hula Association of the Midwest is a non-profit group organized to serve the Hawaii, hula community and businesses throughout the Midwestern States.

Our Purpose is to:

• bring together all of those living in the Midwest who share an interest in hula, Hawaii and the aloha spirit.
  
• promote cultural awareness and education of hula and Hawaii throughout the Midwest.
  
• plan and/or promote various hula Hawaiian related events here in the Midwest.
  
• spread the aloha spirit with some *good fun* get together for all those in the Midwest who love Hawaii.
  

Click here to find out more about the Hula Association of the Midwest!

Check out upcoming events!!

So if you are looking for a Tropical, Hawaiian, or Polynesian themed wedding or events, give us a call. Pam and I would love to assist you!

I am always looking to celebrate cultural fusion! I am so excited with this little find I wanted to publish it with yesterdays information, but decided it was worthy of its own day! I found a beautiful rendition of Mile Davis’s, American Jazz star, “My Funny Valentine” sung in Maori by Whirimako Black, creator of original Maori soul music!   A beautifully sung rendition that would be the highlight of any first dance!

Whirimako Black “My Funny Valentine” from Full Circle Eventi.

Whirimako Black “My Funny Valentine” music video, from her New album Whirimako Black Sings

And a few funnies to make you smile!

Funny Potato

It’s Valentine’s week, a whole week to be showered in cute little cards, flowers and chocolate (of course!). While many of you reading this are already engaged, every once in a while I get a desperate plead for help with a romantic and unique way to get the ball rolling. So for all you guys, here are a few ideas I’ve drummed up, thanks to Groomsstand. Enjoy!

For many, Valentine’s Day, the national holiday of love, seems like the perfect time to propose. The day’s already reserved, the anticipation is already building… Then again, there is an implicit pressure in trying to combine to momentous romantic occasions into one. The key is to let the natural romantic ambiance of Valentine’s Day work in your favor, while adding some unique touches to create a personal proposal.

The first thing to do, since you’ve already selected a traditional date to propose, is to avoid any traditional sweet-but-cheesy proposals. So, no chocolate script on the restaurant dessert plate, no skywriters, and no fortune cookies! Groomstand’s unbeatable Valentine’s Day Proposal Guide will get you from bended knee to “will you marry me?” with superb creativity and aplomb. Simply take one of our suggestions, wait for the ecstatic “Yes!” and then come back later to pick out groomsmen gifts!

THE PROPOSAL: QUIZ ‘O’ LOVE

Secretly type up a Valentine’s Day Trivia Quiz. Start with general questions (i.e. “Is Valentine’s Day a pagan or religious holiday”) but make sure they are all yes or no questions. Have the last question be, “Will you marry me?”

HOW TO PULL IT OFF: Tell your lady you’re exhausted from work and you just want to have a low-key night in. If she’s a worth it woman, she’ll be disappointed, but agree. Get her to sit down next to you on the couch, and then casually pull out a Valentine’s Day trivia quiz you’ve typed up in advance. Pull it out of the newspaper and pretend it was an ad. Say, “Hey honey, I know you’re bummed about spending Valentine’s Day in. I’m just going to jump in the shower, but why don’t you take this Valentine’s Day quiz to get in the spirit of things?” While she’s taking a quiz, rush into the other room, where you will have stored the ring, flowers, and wine (bonus points for presenting it in our romantic personalized wine box – hey, it works for more than just groomsmen gifts). When you hear the tell-tale scream, rush back in the room, get on one knee, and propose.

THE PROPOSAL: YOU PUT THE STARS IN MY SKY

Okay, I know we said no skywriters, but that’s because we have a better idea. Have a star named after your intended, only with her first name and your last name (or your last names hyphenated, if you prefer.)

HOW TO PULL IT OFF: Take her to a scenic vista with plenty of star-gazing spots. Give her the document to open, and then say “I want to spend the rest of my life star-gazing with you. Will you marry me?” Spend the rest of the night picking out “your” star.

THE PROPOSAL: GET IN TOUCH WITH YOUR FEMININE SIDE

We know it’s not macho, but women do stuff like this all the time. Drop in on your local craft circle and get some knitting tips. Embroider “Will You Marry Me?” on a table cloth. Bonus points for multiple languages.

HOW TO PULL IT OFF: Invite her to an intimate dinner for two at home. When she gets up to go to the bathroom, switch your old everyday table cloth for your handcrafted masterpiece. Wait and see how long it takes her to notice. When she does, pull off dinner plate cover to reveal ring box. Say, “Honey, now you know that when I said I’d do anything for you, I really meant anything. Will you marry me?”

THE PROPOSAL: SAIL AWAY WITH ME, HONEY

If you two are sailing sweethearts, a romantic moonlight sail is your perfect Valentine’s Day proposal.

HOW TO PULL IT OFF: Wait until the moonlight is just right, and then tell her you have a Valentine’s Day present for her. Give her this beautiful silver compass and tell her “With you, I can never lose my way. Will you marry me?” Have the compass engraved with a special message for a perfect proposal memento. Bonus points if she wears it on the wedding day.

NOTE: If you don’t sail, another idea is to take her on a drive and pretend to get really lost. At the last moment, pull into a romantic spot, give her the compass and say, “I’m never lost as long as I’m with you. Will you marry me?”

THE PROPOSAL: BUTTERFLIES IN FLIGHT

Make the location of your Valentine’s Day Proposal a huge surprise! Take her to a tropical butterfly museum for an exotic proposal she’ll love re-telling.

HOW TO PULL IT OFF: Get on one knee and say “Honey, you’ve given me butterflies since the moment I met you. This is my chance to give some butterflies back to you. Will you marry me?”

THE PROPOSAL: YOU MAKE ME FEEL SO YOUNG…

Especially if you have been high school sweethearts or together for a long time, this Valentine’s Day proposal is a sweet gesture. Plan a kid-themed day of amusement, ending with a timeless proposal. Spend a day swinging on swings, picking apples at an orchard, wading in a creek, and flying kites. At the end of the day, surprise her with either a grade-school style valentine that says “Will you Marry Me?” or even more classic, a simple folded “Will you Marry me? Check Yes or No” note.

THE PROPOSAL: BUILD-A-BEAR MARRIAGE . . .

What is sweeter then given her a cuddly bear? Given her a cuddly bear with a marriage proposal! Create a “Proposal Bear”. With hundreds of Build-A-Bear Workshops around, getting a hold of one won’t be hard. Stop by your local Build-A-Bear and pick out a bear. Before stuffing the bear you will be given the option to insert a message box. Select a personal message box and record your proposal. Place the box inside of the bear and then continue the process of it. Once your bear is created you can dress it how ever you would like to but keep in mind they do have wedding dresses and tuxedoes. This way you will have a romantic proposal along with a keepsake!

And if you are one of the lucky ladies to get engaged over the holiday, be sure to let us know!!!!!

I’d love to hear your story! How did he propose? Leave it in the comments and we’ll repost it again soon for others to enjoy your story!

If I had the opportunity to take advantage of this myself, I wouldn’t be sharing it with all of you! Ok, maybe I would! J

So to all you brides with dreams bigger than you’re budget, and I know mine are, here is a chance at an amazing lifetime chance! Crate&Barrel partnered with Daily Candy to giveaway an amazing $100,000 Wedding. Oh, what I could do with that!

The contest started February 1^st, so get cooking on your entry details, stir up your registry, and flood your Facebook friends for votes!

Best of Luck!

I happened upon this artist by chance, but how fitting for my week of Korean celebration. It didn’t start off that way, but it certainly has ended that way. Check out these amazing custom rings!

If you are looking for a way to make a lasting impression with your future husband or wife, this just might be the most unique impression yet!  Inner message ring by Korean artist Jungyun Yoon!  The custom rings can be designed with a personal saying in the inside like Marry me, Love you or Forever!  The cool thing is when you take off the band those words are impressed into your finger.  Love it!!

Full Circle Eventi is happy to announce a new addition to our blog feature. There is so much information out there, and there is no way we could cover it all. While we have featured real weddings and cultural tips over the past few months, we want to expand this tradition by including submissions from other vendors and brides.

If you are a vendor or a bride who would like to share the details of your day with us, we would love to feature you here. Click on the new Email Me form and submit information. You can send pictures and any information directly to submissions@fullcircleeventi.com as well.

Additionally, I have received fabulous feedback from all of you regarding our imagination boards. Many have inquired about how to have a personalized board created for them. It would be my pleasure to create an imagination board to cater to your wedding. Be it a color scheme, a theme gala, cultural fusion display, or modern meets traditional, I am up to the challenge you present. Any ideas you have, send them my way and I will realize your imagination.  Again, checkout the Email Me form and submit your details, or email me directly at submissions@fullcircleeventi.com.

I look forward to hearing from you all soon!

Adding Spice to your life,

Lia

As promised, here is part two of the Brides to Be experience for Pam and I at Full Circle Eventi!  We had a lot of fun adding little touches to the booth to step up the details to another level.  We added the beautiful 4′ vases on the side to add some height.  But let’s stop talking and check out the photos!

Adding Spice to your life,

Lia

Monday is always the beginning of the week, at least in my book. And what a great time to deliver exciting news to all my readers! The first few weeks of January flew by in a whirl wind and there are some exciting things brewing here at Full Circle Eventi, including some amazing new brides.

Congratulations Jessica Gabarra and Matthew Cieciek on their engagement and upcoming Wedding. The team is ready to assist them in making their wedding spectacular and memorable. We will certainly be posting Jessica and Matthew’s engagement sessions in March!

Stay tuned for their photo session!

Adding Spice to your life,

lia

A bit over due, but here is the first weekend’s look into Full Circle Eventi’s display at the Bride’s to Be Bridal Expo held at the Hyatt in Dearborn, MI. Both Pam and I had a blast! It was bitter cold out both days, so loading and unloading we could barely feel our legs, but we managed to cram everything into one car (Jeep) and head down to the show. We got there bright and early to ensure we had enough time to set up the Mandap. After some creative struggling the few days before Christmas determining the best way to set up the display with only two people, we finally got a system down and were able to erect the structure without the aid of anyone else. Every element of the display went according to plan and we were very pleased with the outcome.

Decked out in our fusion East meets West attire, Pam and I were the booth to go to. Everyone, including many of the vendors, stopped by the display to introduce themselves and get acquainted with our company. Additionally, we said hello to some of our favorite vendors, and made friends with many others. One of my personal favorites is an invitations master and I will be sharing images with you soon.

The major attraction to the booth was the custom toasting champagne flute design, created by Full Circle Eventi’s premier designer to be used as a head table centerpiece, or as displayed in the booth, as the décor on the place card table. The design was such a success we know it will begin to be emulated and find its way into many weddings!

Our Henna/Mehndi Artist, Hiral and her mother, were also a fantastic addition to the booth. They were always busy with someone’s hand creating beautiful artwork to last for days. Many of the brides had never been introduced to the bridal aspect of henna, and I was happy to share this cultural charm with them. Others were well informed and a select few decided they wanted to throw henna parties for the bridal shower or bachelorette parties. I can’t wait to assist them in creating their Moroccan themed parties!

Pam and I are so grateful to all the brides that stopped to share their day with us and are looking forward to working with many of them over the next few years (we had brides at the show with 2012 weddings! Never too early to start!). Overall the show was a success for Full Circle Eventi, and we are looking forward to working with the winners of our Day of Direction Package giveaway coming up in April and August.

Adding Spice to your life!

Lia

My dear readers, I am so sorry I have been neglecting you. There are so many things going on at Full Circle Eventi right now, I’m not sure where to start. So I will begin where we left off on Friday. Although I have not reached all of the winners yet, I am going to announce them here.

For the Bridal Show in Dearborn, we have a Saturday and Sunday winner of our Day of Direction Package.

Congratulations

Jessica Gabbara & Mylene Yap

For the Bridal Show at Fern Hill in Clinton Township, we also selected 2 winners for the Sweet as Honey Favor Package.

Congratulations

Cecily Brandow & Heather Clancy