Saturday, March 24, 2012

Join me in the Dominican Republic!


Are you an event professional interested in building your business?

Would you like to meet with top industry professionals in a spectacular tropical setting?

From May 6 to 9, I have the privilege of speaking at the Inspire Smart Success conference in the Dominican Republic and I have a special deal for 2 lucky event professionals.  I have 2 half price tickets to attend this great networking and business building event.  To qualify to win one of these tickets, simply tell me in 250 words or less, why you should be chosen to receive the discount and how you will benefit from the program and use it to inspire others.  Submissions should be made to info@shawnrabideau.com no later than midnight on April 10, 2012.

To learn more about the program visit www.inspiresmartsuccess.com

Good luck and…

Cheers!

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Check out the Knot Live as I offer some unique wedding floral ideas!

I recently had an opportunity to appear on The Knot Live to share some unique floral ideas for wedding centerpieces, bouquets and boutonnieres.  Click on the link below to see the video from last weeks episode!

I hope you enjoy the clip and, until next time...

Cheers!

Thursday, March 1, 2012

Top 5 Tips When Planning a Destination Wedding

I am finding that destination weddings are becoming ever more popular.  To help those couples thinking about a destination wedding, I thought it would be useful to share my top 5 tips for planning a destination wedding.

1. Budget - Start by setting a clear budget.  This will determine how many guests you can invite.  Talk with your fiance and set limits on who you are willing to pay for when it comes to travel and hotel accommodations.  If you wish, plan a big reception when you return from your destination - that way those who can't travel aren't left out of the celebration.

2. Hire a Wedding Professional - To eliminate the added stress of planning a destination wedding, work with an expert either in your hometown or at the desired location.  Professionals provide trustworthy resources and take care of all of the details, making the process hassle free.  The cost of a planner equals peace of mind.

3. Do your research - Thoroughly research destinations, taking into consideration mother nature (hurricane season for example), best availability for your group, airfare costs, passports, legal marriage requirements and guest accommodations.  Do you prefer the beach or the mountains?  A popular hot spot or a remote getaway? Also, ask for discounts. If you are bringing a large group to a resort do not be afraid to strike a deal.  Some airlines even offer special group rates.


4. Visit - To make sure your wedding planner and fiance are on the same page be sure to do a site visit early in the planning process.  This will help you get a feel for the venue, transportation options, restaurants, activities and accommodations.

5. Take care of your guests - Send out your save-the-dates at least 8 to 10 months before a destination wedding to give your guests time to make their travel plans.  Also, think of guests' budgets when selecting a location.  It is always nice to prepare a welcome bag or basket.  In it, include a resource guide that has maps, restaurants and local attractions along with some local goodies (keep it to food they can eat during their stay or items they can easily travel with).  It shows guests how thankful you are that they came and it gives them a taste of the area.

There are a lot of considerations in planning a destination wedding and I hope this gives you a good start.

Cheers!

How to set your table to eat less!

It seems there is always a new diet trend or fad that everyone is following in an effort to lose a few pounds.  Following the latest trend my not be the best solution.

Did you know that there are some simple ways to set and decorate your dining table that will help you curb your appetite?  Certain colors and scents will actually help you eat less!

Tomorrow, on Better TV, I share some of my tips with host Lesley Nagy on how to create a diet friendly dining table.  Check your local listings at BetterTV.com for stations and show times.

Happy Entertaining!

Cheers