Friday, November 29, 2013

Engagement Season .... Yes, we said ENGAGEMENT SEASON!


Merry Christmas, friends! Christmas time is one of the most popular times of the year to get engaged. Make this year's New Years' resolution to hire your wedding planner and day-of coordinator! The holiday season can be hard enough to keep stress-free and adding such an important life event to the mix can make that feat nearly impossible. By hiring your wedding planner and coordinator early on, you can save yourself a lot of anxiety by knowing you and your fiancé are being taken care of. If you or someone you know is celebrating an engagement this holiday, please allow us to be one of your first couple calls. Tell the family and friends, then call us.

We offer free consultations, and can save you or your engaged friends time, money and lots of stress. Ask any of our former or current clients; you don't want to do this alone! We provide referral information to all prospective clients so that they hear firsthand how much of a saving grace hiring Celebrations by Amy Bacon can be. You should enjoy your own wedding, and the planning through your engagement is no different! We can help from formulating a color-scheme, negotiating with vendors, or simply the day-of coordination.

Contact us today and have the peace of mind that one of our three coordinators and many assistants will be there for you every step of the way! Celebrations by Amy Bacon wishes everyone a merry Christmas, a happy new year, and a joyous engagement!


Contact us! 
Direct - 602.762.1174

Thursday, October 10, 2013

Sam and Derek Burkum – November 2nd, 2012 – Sun City, Arizona



With friends and family by their side, Sam and Derek became Mr. and Mrs. Burkum with a gorgeous Arizona sunset as the backdrop. Not even blown tires could dampen this sweet couple’s happy moment. They were all smiles the entire day as they celebrated being husband and wife, something they had been looking forward to for many months. The weather could not have been more perfect on November 2 in Sun City, Arizona, for their outdoor ceremony overlooking the country club. During their First Look under the shade of a tree, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house; to say that love was in the air would be an extreme understatement!


With the golf course in the background and only blue skies above them, they said their I Dos with those whom they love most in the world as their witnesses. As the bridal party danced their way back up the aisle, everyone knew that the reception was going to be a true celebration. Their colors of purple, black, and white made the space POP and added an elegant touch to their sophisticated simplicity. Touches of bling could be found everywhere you looked, not just in their jewelry! The bridal bouquet had rhinestones in the lilies, gems were strewn across guest tables, and the Manzanita branch centerpieces were dripping with dazzling crystals. Uplighting helped set the mood as the sun went down and filled the room with a stunning, royal hue.



Almost as soon as they ceremony ended, the party began. And how could it not with so many Wisconsin Badger fans in attendance? With the fight song being chanted for the Grand Entrance and the school colors garter on an NCAA football, Wisconsin ruled the reception without a doubt. DJ Steve kept the dance floor packed all night long and guests literally danced until they dropped. Once they couldn’t dance, they simply posed – in the Clique Photobooth that is. With different hats, feathery boas, and props to choose from, everyone had a great time snapping memories all night long. As the reception came to an end, no one wanted the party to stop, Celebrations by Amy Bacon girls included! A guest summed up perfectly what everyone was thinking about the night: “what a party!”


Thank you, Sam and Derek, for inviting Celebrations by Amy Bacon to be a part of such a wonderful day in your lives!
Coordination by Celebrations by Amy Bacon 602.762.1174 - call for a free consultation. 

Celebrationsbyamybacon.com
facebook.com/celebrationsbyamybacon

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

J + A Wedding 4.27.13


We're honored to have a guest blogger today for Celebrations by Amy Bacon.  Thank you Stacia of MoxieMae Photography for sharing this special day with us. 


There are always a million things that can go wrong and there is always possibility for disaster. We all hope and pray that any kind of unfortunate event stays clear of one of the most important days of our lives. And it is often that not until we are faced with the possibility of an unfortunate event, do we really know how much love, family and friends are there to support us. Fortunately for J+A, luck and love was very much on their side on April 27, 2013. Some of you may or may not know, but one of the most fantastic wedding venues, The Inspirador in downtown Chandler, has closed it’s doors for good, and this wedding was one of the venue’s very last. And I must say (totally unbiased…ahem…) but The Inspirador certainly went out with a bang! J+A’s wedding was one of the most beautiful weddings I’ve seen and possibly one of the most wonderful groups of people I’ve met. There was not an ounce of love and happiness lacking for these two and it was overwhelming at some points to be a part of this special day. Huge shout out to wedding planning and match making extraordinaire, Amy Bacon with Celebrations by Amy Bacon for introducing me to J + A.

J + A, I am so very grateful to have met the two of you and your families and friends and I can’t thank you enough for allowing me to be a part of your wedding day!   ~ Stacia







Need help coordinating your special day?  Of course you do!  Call Celebrations by Amy Bacon today for a complimentary consultation.  602.762.1174

Saturday, September 14, 2013

Tiffany a former bride was interviewed by Patrice Klaum | Lead Planner for Celebrations by Amy Bacon


Patrice - When/where did you two meet?
Tiffany - Chris and I met through friends on Mill Ave on February 7th, 2008. I knew the night that I met Chris that I was going to marry him. I went home that night and told my girlfriend that I was going to marry Chris someday. She asked me why, and I couldn’t explain it. It was just a feeling I had. But Chris, being a complete gentleman, didn’t even ask for my number that night because he later said he “wanted to be respectful and was a little shy”. From the very beginning I always felt like something was missing from my left had; it felt empty. I can honestly say that I have never felt like that about anyone before, so I knew he was a keeper!

Patrice - Who asked who out?
Tiffany - I ended up taking the reigns by finding Chris on Facebook and stated chatting with him, but we didn’t start dating until several months later. I found Chris on Facebook after we initially met, but Chris was the one who asked me out after we reconnected.

Patrice - How/when did you get engaged?
Tiffany - Chris proposed on February 7th, 2012, on the four-year anniversary of the day that we met. Us both being Sundevils, his proposal was on a private rooftop overlooking Sundevil stadium and downtown Tempe. The proposal was a complete shock, even though I had been hinting at it for months. Chris had to twist my arm to even get me there that night, tricking me into thinking we were going to a party of his company. It was a random Tuesday night and I was finishing up my Master’s program at the time, so I had a ton of homework. I was mad at Chris the whole car ride over, complaining about the inconvenience of a party on a weeknight. But when we arrived there was no one but a private chef to cook us dinner, candles, champagne, and a pretty little box with a sparkly ring inside! When he let the cat out of the bag that this was all for me and no one else was coming, he popped the question, with my best friend hidden to take pictures! I’m glad I went!

Patrice - What is/are your dog(s) names?
Tiffany - We have two dachshunds named Lily and Rex. They are our babies!

Patrice - Why did you pick Clayton on the Park?
Tiffany - Venue searching was the most exhausting part for me because I had a vision but couldn’t find the perfect venue to fit that… that is until I found Clayton on the Park. It was the perfect fit; the outdoor garden ceremony that I had dreamt of with a modern reception space that we could put our personal touches on.

Patrice - Were there any special details at your wedding that you knew you just had to have present?
Tiffany - We knew we wanted to do our wedding in the springtime, and decided on February since that’s the month that we met and got engaged. I knew from the beginning that I didn’t just want a standard wedding where you could just “insert bride and groom”. I wanted the wedding to scream Tiffany and Chris. My style is really eclectic, and I love vintage with a modern twist. That’s how I framed my wedding, through a vintage meets modern glam lense. I also knew I wanted the wedding to be very elegant and romantic.
Pinterest was both my best friend and worst enemy during the planning process. The bulk of my inspiration came from Pinterest, for everything from the linens to the flowers, to the cake. I took pictures from Pinterst with me to every vendor appointment so that I could show them exactly what I wanted (I’m a bit of a perfectionist!). Pinterest was also my worst enemy because I couldn’t stop looking for ideas! The creative part of by brain was going crazy thinking about all of these awesome DIY projects. It wasn’t until about 6 weeks before the wedding that we finalized all dĂ©cor. I was a bit of a nut with all of the details. Hiring the Celebrations by Amy Bacon team really allowed me to let them to handle all of the vendor relations, coordinating, and organization so that I could focus on the creative details that I knew I had to have. Amy also had a big hand in helping me refine my many ideas and helping bringing my vision to life!

Patrice - How important was it to you that your family was able to enjoy the day like guests?
Tiffany - We had family coming into town from all over for the wedding. Chris’s family is mainly from Ohio, and I had family coming from Tucson, Florida, and Texas. We were not only excited about the wedding, but also excited about spending time with our loved ones! We didn't want to burden our friends and family with helping run the show on the day of. This is where the Celebrations by Amy Bacon team came in. It was such a relief knowing that they were taking care of everything and that our family and friends could just enjoy the day and night.

Patrice - When did you know that you wanted/needed a wedding planner and coordinator?
Tiffany - Pinterest was both my best friend and worst enemy during the planning process. When we began the planning process, we quickly realized that there is so much that goes into planning a wedding. From the really big decisions of what vendors to hire, to the tiny details, it was all very overwhelming. This is when I decided that I needed help. Though I had a good idea of what I wanted, Amy and her team helped organize my ideas and suggest vendors that could bring my ideas to life.

Patrice - When did you hire Amy?
Tiffany - We hired Amy in March of '12 (I think). We interviewed several other planners; however I knew right after talking to Amy that she was the right planner for us. She really was a step above the rest. Not only is she an awesome planner but she puts a lot of heart into what she does, and I could tell that from our first conversation.

Patrice - What was your favorite part about having the Celebrations by Amy Bacon team by your side on February 8th?
Tiffany - We loved having the Celebrations by Amy Bacon team there on our wedding day. My favorite part was the fact that I could relax knowing that all of the logistics were being taken care of. I didn't have to think about vendors, set up, timeline; I knew everything would flow seamlessly with the Celebrations by Amy Bacon team there for me. Also, Amy and Patrice helped keep me sane in the weeks leading up to the wedding and on the day of. I was a bundle of nerves the day of and I couldn't ask for better gals to have by my side!

Patrice - Is there anything you'd like to say to couples planning their big day?
Tiffany - My biggest piece of advice is to get as much done in advance as you can. When you're engaged for several months, it's difficult to get everything done in advance because you keep thinking you have all of this time...until it runs out! Amy and the team really helped me get all of the big stuff out of the way in advance. It was so nice to have trusted vendors recommended to us so that we didn't have to spend hours researching vendors. That really made a huge difference. I would also say to focus on a handful of things that are really important to you because it is easy to get caught up in the tiny details. Oh and one more thing...don't take on too many DIY projects! 

 
 
 
   
 
 

Images Provided by About Love Inspired Photography 480.734.0492

Call Celebrations by Amy Bacon today for your free consultation. 602.762.1174

Thursday, June 13, 2013

Amy Bacon was recently interviewed on the new ABC show THE LIST!

A walk down the aisle these days is like walking the red carpet. With the increase in cameras on cell phones and tablets, guests are becoming paparazzi. The quest to capture the perfect picture is the biggest problem at weddings, according to wedding planner Amy Bacon. The camera toting guests are interfering with professional photographers who are trying to get the perfect shot, by using the flash, standing in the background with camera in hand, and even blocking shots.

Bacon shared her list of photo opps that are off limits for guests.

Walk down the aisle
First dance
Cutting the cake
Father/daughter and Mother/son dance
Bouquet toss

The simple rule: If it’s a major event let the professionals handle it. But still some guest and bridal party photos make it to social media before they should, which causes another set of problems.

"If the groom has mutual friends, and he’s looking through Facebook in the down time before the ceremony he may see the bride," Bacon said.

While social media is bad for guests, Bacon said nothing is off limits for the bride and groom.

"I have brides give me their passwords to change their status the moment the ceremony is over," she said.

It’s not just facebook, Bacon also had another couple who incorporated twitter into their ceremony.

"I actually had a couple who met on twitter and they actually tweeted before he kissed her," she said.

So leave the social media to the happy couple, and the perfect shots to the professionals as you navigate the new water of technology and wedding etiquette on The Breakdown.

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

LOCAL WEDDING VENUE CLOSING



As it was one of our favorite venues at which to coordinate events, the Celebrations by Amy Bacon team is shocked and saddened by the news of Inspirador’s closing. It was a great space and a great group to work with, no matter the theme or reason for the event. As Inspirador closes its doors this weekend, we as planners acknowledge that the show must go on!  We would like to let any couples know whom had their future weddings planned at Inspirador that Celebrations by Amy Bacon is here to help you. We cannot offer free venues in replacement of Inspirador but we are more than happy to help you find an equally perfect venue for your big day and are willing to assist day-of! Please contact us today and we will start getting your plans back in motion.
Additionally, we know other vendors are out there who want to help these brides and grooms as well. If you are an event vendor in the Valley and would like to help those affected by the closing of such a great venue, please let us know! We will happily pass along your information to couples with whom we speak.
Never would we have expected to be saying that Inspirador is closing but we were happy to have had the pleasure of working events here in the past. We hope that everything that comes out of this will work out for the better, and encourage everyone to keep their chins up and to continue celebrating!

Small print - you will have to provide a copy of your Inspirador contract to receive special pricing or complimentary services.  


 

Call Amy Bacon at 602.762.1174 or 

Email amy@celebrationsbyamybacon.com
 www.celebrationsbyamybacon.com
www.facebook.com/celebrationsbyamybacon 

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Desert Wedding Love!



Chris and Michelle wanted a beautiful desert wedding they could celebrate with their friends and family for hours on end…and that’s just what they got! The September weather could not have been more perfect for a day filled with pictures, laughs, and all around good times. Professional level Do-It-Yourself touches were seen all over the space but luckily for the bride and groom, they hired Celebrations by Amy Bacon to coordinate the day! All of the vendors were taken care of without the need for the happy couple to make any calls or sign for any deliveries. Instead of tying bows and setting out their “guest book” postcards, Michelle and Chris were able to be pampered as they got ready and party as the night went on.  

Image provided by Lindenleaf Photography  WWW.LINDENLEAFPHOTOGRAPHY.COM
Just as should be the case for all couples, photography was a priority for Michelle and Chris’ Big Day. Linden Leaf Photography spent hours on end capturing not only the traditional moments (like exchanging of rings and a kiss between the happy couple) but distinctive ones as well (like Michelle feeding Chris an item dipped in cheese fondue and lilac on the bridal hanger). No detail went uncaptured but then again, why would you want them to? In every shot of the happy couple, their love for each other and their guests exudes just as much as it did at the event itself. A picture is indeed worth a thousand words, and the photographs from Michelle and Chris’ wedding spell out their love story to a T.

Image provided by Lindenleaf Photography  WWW.LINDENLEAFPHOTOGRAPHY.COM

Image provided by Lindenleaf Photography  WWW.LINDENLEAFPHOTOGRAPHY.COM

Hues of chartreuse and fig danced about the space, while everywhere you turned love could be seen and felt by all. The lilac and succulents used in the bridal bouquet, boutonnieres, center pieces, and cake details stood out as unique pieces which will never be forgotten. Constantino’s at Chiricachua Country Club offered breathtaking views of the Valley below both at sunset and at night, from the rays of sunlight to the sparking city lights. The Tuscan, winery feel set the tone for a festive night with loved ones and friends.

Image provided by Lindenleaf Photography  WWW.LINDENLEAFPHOTOGRAPHY.COM
All one had to do was look at the groomsmen’s sunglasses and knee-high purple socks to know that having a good time and celebrating this new marriage were the themes of the wedding. The entire wedding party was full of laughs and smiles from getting ready to taking pictures on the golf course to snacking on Chicago style hotdogs at the after-party. Guests especially enjoyed the live music pumping out from the band, Josh and the Empty Pockets! Being that many of the guests were from out of town, Michelle and Chris wanted everyone to enjoy themselves and the picturesque location they had decided upon. Carefree was the perfect destination for Mr. and Mrs. Meyer’s fall nuptials!

The Celebrations by Amy Bacon team had a blast planning, coordinating, and celebrating with Michelle, Chris, and all of their guests! We will never forget such a fun-filled day and are excited to see where life takes them as husband and wife.

Image provided by Lindenleaf Photography  WWW.LINDENLEAFPHOTOGRAPHY.COM

Image provided by Lindenleaf Photography  WWW.LINDENLEAFPHOTOGRAPHY.COM

Image provided by Lindenleaf Photography  WWW.LINDENLEAFPHOTOGRAPHY.COM
 Blog written by Patrice Klaum | Planner for Celebrations by Amy Bacon


Photographer | Tara Keator | 480-703-3112 | tara@keatorphoto.com
Florist | Ever After Florals | Jen Colvin | 480-234-3935 | jen@everafterflorals.com
Band | Josh and the Empty Pockets | Erika Brett Holleb | 1-847-533-8080 | erikabrettmusic@gmail.com
Mandolin Player | Walt Pitts | 602-769-2328 | walt@vpmmllc.com
Make up & Hair |Allyson Pynn | allisonpynn@gmail.com
Officiate | Fr. Michael Burrows| 630-897-7215 | michael@marmion.org