saying goodbye to 2013 :: fearless in '14!

2013 ... you were AMAZE-BALLS! I'm actually sad to see you go as you were more than generous but excited to start writing the new chapter for 2014.  

So here's a little New Years Inspiration or "resolution" ... try something new. Something different. Something you have NEVER done before. Make experiences. Make new friends. Make time for old friends. Make time for YOURSELF. Find quiet time. Take walks. Learn something new. Fall in LOVE! Travel. Read a book. Read a few books and then read some more. Watch the sunset then watch it rise again the next day. Be fearless. And ask yourself this question ...

"Go someplace where you can marvel at something. Anything." ~ Eat, Pray, Love

Happy 2014!  Bring it! #fearlessin14

Happy New Year!

mb

holiday decor we die for :: 2013 season

My Boo patiently deals with my OCD, detailed design mind throughout the whole year. Usually he is just a spectator and gets to watch me go crazy coordinating linen swatches, florals, mercury votives, etc. There is really not much for him to do during the wedding season ... when the holidays come around, that's a different story! Numerous trips to Home Depot for silver wire to hang our holiday cards, a massive search for specific vintage, globe string lights (which he adorably sent pictures of to make sure they were the right ones) and having to listen to why our color scheme was blue and silver NOT red and green. :)  He gets mad props, I tell ya what!

Anywhoo ... coming home to a warm and cozy, holiday decorated home or home studio just gives you that extra holiday joy. So here are some of my favorite holiday decorations I have seen on the worldwide web that will make you want to put on your fuzzy socks and curl up under a blanket by the fireplace.

photo image ≡ the bride's cafe

photo image ≡ the white dress by the shore

photo image ≡ raw silk and saffron

photo image ≡ san diego feng shui

photo image ≡ 100 layer cake

photo image ≡ bellafare

photo image ≡ martha stewart

All our love, Baileys and Hot Chocolates this holiday season from our families to yours! 

Happy Holidays!

dGE

we'll always have paris :: a family affair

To all you Sex and the City lovers out there ... you must know the scene in the movie when Charlotte so subtly stands up in the middle of the restaurant and announces Carrie's engagement to Big after "10 years"!  

Well, it wasn't quite ten years for my cousin Patrick and his beautiful fiance Kelly, but on September 13, 2013 after six years of Kelly already being a part of our family, they finally got engaged! During their planned photo shoot by Pierre Torset, Patrick got down on one knee and asked to share her life with him ... in PARIS ... at the EIFFEL TOWER!  Yeaaaa, my cousin is a BALLER. 

I am so honored to be planning their wedding for them and being a part of this love story that is so close and special to my soul.  

photography © 2013 | Pierre Torset

Congratulations guys! I love you both so much!

All my love, 

mb

mad props :: style me pretty :: the knot best of weddings

Holler! Thank you so much once again to all our brides, grooms and MOB's for their immensely kind words in their reviews this past season! We have the honor of winning The Knot's, Best Of Weddings for the third year in a row! You humble and warm our hearts. Thank you all so much for the early Christmas present!  =)

Happy Holidays from our families to yours!

... and TWO of our weddings this past season has been chosen for features on Style Me Pretty's, Little Black Book!

Stay tuned for more upcoming news and press, we got a few more surprises up our sleeves ... 

Cheers + Happy Planning!

dGE

2013 :: i am thankful for ...

With Thanksgiving and the holidays upon us, we all start to reflect on the past year and what we are thankful for. I've been trying to do this on a daily basis instead of just at this time of year but sometimes life passes us by too quickly and we forget that simple gratitude is always appreciated.

The year 2013 was, in a nutshell, AWESOME {or DOPE} as I like to say! I turned 34 years young this year, booked the most weddings we have in one season since dGE launched in 2010, won the Best Of Award for The Knot for the third consecutive year {shout out to my business partner Gary, my SUPAH awesome Event Manager, Ashley and my crazy talented Day Of Planners Trisha + Rhonda} met some new amazing, creative, talented people I am lucky enough to call my friends and moved into a new house with my great love. Yea, pretty dope!

2013 has also had it's share of downs as any year does. This is the year I lost my little co-pilot, my dog Kana. I still miss her everyday and still tear up from time to time when I look into the eyes of our other dog, Guinness and see her face for a minute. I look forward to crossing the Rainbow Bridge with her one day. I know we will see each other again.

photography © 2010 | LandinoPhoto ImageStudio

I end this year with much gratitude for everything that has been gifted to me. There are times when we wish we had more of something or think our lives would be better if this or that happened. When you're blessed with so many things in life, you tend to forget where you came from. The struggles you went through to get where you are now and the people who supported you along the way. Success is not about achievements and money. It's about how you live your life and being humble about it. It's about your relationships. Relationships with your parents, your family, husband or wife and your kids. Success is not a guarantee, and you never know when you will have to struggle again.

We need to take more moments and look around, I mean really look and you will see you have everything you need and are right where you are supposed to be. I am a lucky girl with an amazing family, beautiful friends, a creative passion that I was lucky enough to turn into a career and a love-partner in crime who supports me in every step I make.

Bring it 2014, I'm ready! Stay tuned ....

photography © 2013 | @lhcalligraphy via Instagram

May all the warmth of this season fill your hearts with love and all the food fill your bellies with turkey!  Happy Thanksgiving!

Namaste, 

mb

model of a love story :: jessica & greg

Just looking at these pictures makes you feel the love Jessica + Greg have for each other and the embracing warmth that comes from their families. We have never been so welcomed in a family and home like we have with model Jessica Rafalowski's family. Maria + Stan became like our very own Mom and Dad and we were happy to spend the weekend with them. Thank you for the Polish cookies, Maria!

Jess + Greg celebrated their marriage at her parents home in CT with 150 of their friends and family, drinking, eating, dancing and sharing their love story. With her classic design style, it was definitely a night to remember and we are so honored to have been a part of it!  

photography © 2013 | Tim Coffey Photography

Thank you to the Rafalowski and Viggiano families for welcoming us into their hearts and homes and treating us like their own family.  

And thank you to Jess + Greg for choosing us to be a part of their love story.

All our love,

dGE

Street Cred :: Styling + Coordination: Double G Events | Ceremony: Saint Cyril Methodius Church | Reception: Private Residence | Photography: Tim Coffey Photography | Cinematography: The Pro's | Floral Design: Flowers by Danielle | Tenting + Rentals: Abbey Tent and Party Rentals | Catering: The Federal Restaurant | Ceremony Musicians: Renata Kwasnik | Reception Music: Seward Park Tech | Hair: Brush Salon, NYC | Make Up: Jessica Rafalowski | Cake Design: Just A Lil' Something Cake Pops