The Knot Best of Weddings Pick 2011 for Your Dream Day!

A huge thank you to our happy clients who voted for us for "The Knot Best of Weddings 2011!" I got the official word today from Karrie, my sales rep for The Knot. What a wonderful surprise and honor! A huge thank you to all my staff (the dreamgirls) for doing such an amazing job! The Knot will officially be announcing this and other Cincinnati / Dayton area winners on Friday.

Got Wedding Stuff Charity Event for Lupus Foundation

It's not too late to donate to the silent auction, Got Wedding Stuff, this coming Thursday, September 24 from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Savannah Center. Cost is $5 per person and the fee will be deducted from any items you purchase from the auction that evening. Our first annual event is being held in conjunction with the Wedding Mafia's Bridal Event that evening. Visit the website for more details about donated auction items and other details! http://www.gotweddingstuff.com

Why Lupus? Lupus is an autoimmune disease that primarily impacts women and onsets (in general) between ages 28 and 35 -- the same age when many women are getting married! I was diagnosed with lupus six months after my own wedding. Lupus has had a great impact on my life, and it took many years to get me on a balanced regimine of medications so that I can lead a normal life. This charity is near and dear to my heart -- I am a survivor. This event is a way to help brides find a great bargain while helping to provide funding for research and helping lupus patients throughout the State of Ohio.

Bid on lightly used wedding items, such as centerpieces, attire, favors, treasure chests, gift boxes, fabrics, wedding accessories and gift certificates toward services for your upcoming wedding! Items donated by past brides and Cincinnati area wedding vendors! All proceeds to benefit the Lupus Foundation of America. Admission into the silent auction is $5 donation per person. Should someone win an item in the silent auction, this $5 donation will be deducted from the winner's total at checkout. This event will be held at the same time as the Wedding Mafia's bridal event.

What are some thing you can donate? If you are a vendor, perhaps a gift certificate toward your services. Maybe your closet (whether you are a past bride or a wedding vendor) is full of items that have seen their day for you, but might be another bride's treasure. Regardless of what you donate, your donation is tax deductible. All proceeds raised that evening will benefit the Lupus Foundation of America.
Gift certificates for the auction may be donated between now and September 24 at 12 noon. Lots of large items may be dropped off at the Savannah Center on Wednesday, September 23 from 6 p.m to 9 p.m. and Thursday, September 24 from 9 a.m. to 12 noon only. No large or bulk items may be dropped off sooner or later than that timeframe.

Presented in partnership with Your Dream Day, The Wedding Mafia, Perfect Wedding Guide and Bride and Groom Planner. For more information or to contribute to the silent auction at this event, visit www.gotweddingstuff.com or contact Kathy Piech-Lukas at 513-241-2777 or kathy@Yourdreamday.com.

Event Schedule
5:00pm Doors Open for Got Wedding Stuff Silent Auction, hosted by Your Dream Day.
6:00pm Doors Open for Cocktail Party, hosted by the Wedding Mafia.
6:30pm Section 1 of Auction Closes
7:00pm Section 2 of Auction Closes
7:30pm Section 3 of Auction Closes
8:00pm Section 4 of Auction Closes
8:15pm Fashion Show begins. Fashion Show production by Kotsovo's Furs and Fine Apparel, Folchi's Formal Wear, Peppe Ramundo and Sons, DJ Butlers, Chenese Bean and Macy's Ecotage Salon and Day Spa.
8:45pm $15,000 Fashion Giveaway
Includes custom wedding bands, bridal gown and headpiece, manicures and pedicures, hair and makeup for the bridal party, 2 $1000 tuxedo vouchers, bridal party gifts and more. Must be present to win.
9:00 Winners to pick up Silent Auction Items

I hope to see you and your family at this event! In case you have items to donate to after January, the next "Got Wedding Stuff" event will be held this February in Dayton. More details to follow!

Sports lovers...literally!

Once again, the Buffalo Bills kicked a wide right field goal to lose the football game during Monday night football. So sad... Like the late Tim Russert, I have roots in Buffalo (where I was born and raised, and watched Buffalo lose four consecutive Superbowls!), attended college in Ohio, and (sort of) have a connection with politics. (My husband works in local government as a city manager.) Even though they lost tonight, the Bills still make me want to shout! :-)

Having lived in Ohio since 1996, I also enjoy watching live Cincinnati Reds and Bengals games. There is something about the crowd at a game. Speaking of which, did you know you can have your wedding at Duke Energy field, host your rehearsal dinner in a box, have your wedding photos taken at the Bengals Stadium, or get the Buckeye mascot to come to your reception? I have had die-hard Buckeye fans play the game during their wedding reception or (at least!) have the DJ announce the scores. You can have your wedding reception at the Cintas Center, a local country club or even on an ice rink. Most courses will let you have photos on the greens but some have restrictions with the ceremony. So many unique ways to bring the love of sports into your wedding! Now if only the groom could look like David Beckham...