For more info on the show, click here.

Trust me. You DON’T want to miss this show! Only the most creative, compassionate and fantastic companies in the area will be there. Including yours truly.

Bridal shows can be a bit intimidating if you haven’t been to one before, maybe even if you have. Make sure you come prepared. The best thing you can do is create a label with your name, wedding date, email address, phone number, and any other pertinent information you can provide. This will prevent you from having to fill out 18 bajillion information sheets and sign ins. You can thank me later, when you aren’t icing your sore hand! Also, wear comfy clothes and shoes, leave your purse in the car (but put your ID, some cash, credit card and a few checks in your pocket or in a friend’s purse, just in case.) and have a game plan. Who do you want to see? Which vendors are you looking to book? Keep an eye out for good deals, too. Good luck!

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December is a time for reflection for most people and, while I don’t normally sit down and evaluate every moment of my life, I knew that I had personally and professionally come a long way in just a few short years. I was in a place where I felt comfortable, but is comfortable a good thing? I have always been the go-to girl for my friends, family and even my clients, but is that what I wanted to be? I saw a post on Lara Casey’s blog about a workshop that she was doing and it sparked something in me. The moment I read it, I knew I had to try to get a scholarship. I never EVER win anything, but somehow, I knew that this was something that had to happen. I didn’t know how or why, or what sparked this feeling, but I entered anyway. To my surprise, about two weeks later, I heard my name as one of the winners. I felt an immediate sense of relief, followed by a paralyzing sense of panic. What the heck did I just get myself into?

It is amazing how one little bump in the road, or decision you make, can completely reroute your life’s course. I remember back in college thinking that I had it all figured out. I had an amazing job lined up in Boston when I finished school, I was ready to move at a moments notice and start this great career and surround myself with new friends and a bright new city. Sounds perfect, right? Well, as we all learn at least once in our lives, life sometimes has other plans for us.

I was sitting in my dorm room in college when I got the phone call that changed it all. “Amanda, we have something that we need to say to you…” My mom isn’t one for spreading bad news over the phone, so I knew it had to be serious. Over the course of that hour long phone call, I was told that my dad had cancer. I don’t remember what was said or how I reacted in that moment, but I do remember a feeling, or a lack of feeling,  of complete emptiness. I don’t remember feeling anything at all. In my mind, it was all a dream. A hazy fog that just wouldn’t lift. I carried on in that fog for the better part of the past five or so years.

The news of my dad’s illness completely affected my school life. I started not caring. I came home at the end of the semester. I felt like I needed to be the rock in my family. I had to be there for my mom and my sisters and salvage some sort of relationship with my dad while I had the chance. (The back story there is much to long and personal to share here) Without knowing it, or making a conscious decision, I gave up on my life. Not a complete – throw in the towel- giving up, but the kind of giving up where you just go with the flow. Never taking chances or jumping at opportunities. My plans for Boston shriveled and I let those dreams of a new life slip away. The battle that my dad fought was filled with frustration, anger, moments of pure joy and excitement, and just a roller coaster of emotions. When he passed in 2005, it was like this earthquake that shook me clear to the core. It took me months to realize he was gone and there are times that I don’t think I have completely coped. That was clear to me during my session at MAKING THINGS HAPPEN. When I sat down for my one-on-0ne with Lara and Jeff, I felt excited to hear what they had to say, opinions that they wanted to share, and answers to my many questions. I thought it would be strictly business. That isn’t how it went at all. About 10 minutes in, Lara asked me a question that hit me hard. “Why do you think you aren’t good enough?” Wow! Was that what this was all about? Is this what was holding me back from moving forward? One question that started a complete overhaul of my life, personally and professionally. One little spark that started a wildfire deep inside me. I had been holding onto that baggage for years. The fear, the sadness, the raw emotion… it all poured out of me. I joked that I didn’t know I signed up for therapy, but that one-on-one is exactly what I needed.

See, when I lost my dad, I lost the true me. A happy-go-lucky kind of girl. The type of person who lived every day with excitement and enthusiasm, each moment was an adventure. My family, friends and even my husband noticed the change. It was really bad when a few of my colleagues would ask me “What’s wrong?”. I somehow missed the fact that I was a totally different person. Grief can do that sort of thing to you. One minute you are on top of the world and in a second, you feel like the weight of the world is on your shoulders. Those feelings can only hold you back, make you think you aren’t good enough. Feelings that make you stop living your life for yourself. I AM good enough. I know that sounds all self-helpy. But it is the truth. If you haven’t ever experienced any of those feelings, you are in the minority and you should be grateful that you haven’t.

If I sat here and said that this was a terrible time in my life, that wouldn’t be 100% honest. Through those hard times came some of the greatest. I fell in love with an amazing man, who became my husband. I found an internship for a company that I now own. I got to get to know my dad, who he truly was and how I was so much like him. And I developed a bond with my mom and sisters that cannot be broken. All marvelous things in their own right, but the battle that I watched my family fight was one that I won’t soon forget. The loss of a parent can do so many crazy things to a person.

I wanted to share this with you because I know that I am not alone. There are millions of people in this world who lose themselves for some reason or another. The challenge for all of us is to pull through and stay intact. I know, what you are going to say. “It is much easier said than done, Amanda”. Well, my response? NO IT ISN’T! All you need is someone to ask you the right questions. “Why do you think you aren’t good enough?” “What is holding you back?” “What can you, or what do you need, to be the true you?”

Be completely transparent and authentic. Those words of advice spoke to me louder than anything else I learned at MAKING THINGS HAPPEN. Why was I holding back and acting like I thought every one expected me to act?

They say it takes three weeks to develop a habit. Well, it has been three weeks since the workshop and here I am. Publicly admitting that I have a new habit. I am living passionately. I am authentic and transparent. I am being my best self, while living my best life. I am letting you all in to my life. My real life. Not the one you know from the other side of the computer screen, or the one who you see running around at events, or sipping coffee at meetings. This is me. I am a happy-go-lucky, enthusiastic person, who is taking each day as it comes and living in the moment. I challenge each one of you to do what I have done these past three weeks. Develop a habit. Whatever you think will create the environment you need to open up. Be the best you, no matter how hard it is at first. You will all be so happy if you just take some time to really think about what this means to you. You all have the ability to Make Things Happen in your own life and you don’t need me or anyone else to tell you how to do it. Just do it already!

I love what I do. Plain and simple. I get the chance to help people everyday. That is my passion. That is what wakes me up every morning and keeps me going on my worst days. I am still that rock for anyone who needs it. There are a few things that will continue to evolve and change, just as they should. I will be using my job as a platform to do bigger and better things. I will change the world. Not just my world, but the world of those around me and maybe even people I haven’t met yet. I will continue to work with amazing clients and colleagues. This is a turning point for me and for Bliss. You haven’t even seen the half of it yet! New things are coming in the next few months. They are pretty big projects, so please be patient.

Thank you all for taking the time to read this post. So many of you have asked about my opinion on the workshop and I thought this was the best way to respond. It really is the most personal thing most of you will ever learn about me. I apologize if it is chaotic or rambling, but this is how my story had to be told. If you have a chance to attend MTH2010, please do yourself a favor and attend. If you feel like you are drawn to it, and can’t figure out why or what it is, please take that chance. You will thank yourself if you do. I am so grateful to have met Lara Casey, Jeff Holt and the 4 amazing woman who attended with me in Chicago. I know that the bond that I have shared won’t soon go away. I am looking forward to seeing what MTH2010 brings to all of the other attendees and hopefully YOU!

Oh, and HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY! Make this one count.

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Please pardon the break from email, blogging and most of the typical day to day stuff. I have been in Chicago MAKING THINGS HAPPEN 2010! We will be back to the regularly scheduled program on Monday. Enjoy your weekend! If you are curious about MTH2010, visit this amazing blog, by amazingly sweet, talented, super smart, motivational and inspiring Lara Casey. Also, do a Twitter Search for #MTH2010… be careful, it may be a bit overwhelming. In a good way, of course!

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This all started when Lara Casey announced her MAKING THINGS HAPPEN intensive tour. I was one of the very lucky people to win a scholarship. Well, some personal things prevented me to go, but I still caught the bug and jump started my game plan for the year. Luckily, I will have another chance to attend very soon and cannot wait!

In 2010, I hope to get Bliss exactly where I want her (yes, I consider Bliss a girl!). There will be some changes to many of the packages we offer, clients we work with, vendors we team up with and even bigger news to come about possible changes to “Bliss” itself. That is right… HUGE NEWS! But, alas, I cannot say anything just yet. Too many things could change now that I have started this wave of ambition and excitement.

Here is what you can expect, for The Bliss Blog. I will be posting regularly, as usual, with the possibility of video blogs, online workshops and more! I said video blogs. Did you see that? I will get over my awkwardness in front of the camera to share some really exciting info, ideas and inspiration. I had to jump on the band wagon eventually, right?

As far as Bliss, the company, there will also be many changes. Pricing, packaging, website, marketing materials. It is all going to change. This will be a huge undertaking, and will take a lot of time and energy, but I feel like this step into newness will most definitely be an exciting one. I promise to share the news as it is available and keep you all in the loop with each big step.

Now, all of you clients and potential clients out there are probably wondering what this means for you. Good news is that it will make you all very happy, I am sure. Until the changes are underway, we will keep the same packaging and pricing. (Which you can find on our website.) These changes will only provide you with better service wrapped up in a prettier package.

I apologize for being so vague. But, once this is all ready to go, you will not be disappointed. I am sure of it! I know that this new “Bliss” will be a better representation of me, my company and our brand as a whole. Thank you all for the support and for being patient while we work hard to take over the world to nail down the details.

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• Having the opportunity to do what I love and help people at the same time!
• Getting to know my clients on a personal basis and spend one of the most important days of their lives with them!
• Watching past clients move forward with their lives and begin starting their families. So many new Bliss babies!
• Working with some fabulous and well respected vendors.
• Networking with other wedding industry friends via MWEP and a million different social media tools (Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, etc.)
• Attending life changing seminars and workshops, including Eventology 09.
• Continuing to learn from some of my wedding planning idols!
• Teaching new planners and coordinators with the experience I have gained.
• Hiring on three new assistants and continuing our internship program!

A few of our favorite events from this year:

• Joanna & Tom’s beautiful pink and gray wedding with bridal party photos at Comerica Park
• Deanna & Cass’ heartwarming wedding at the beautiful Orchard Lake Country Club
• Lisa & Matt’s Oh-So-Sweet wedding at Mac and Ray’s
• Erin & Grant’s vintage inspired yellow wedding at Dearborn Ritz Carlton
• Anne & Aaron’s smile-filled wedding in Ann Arbor
• Amee & Matt’s chic & swanky wedding at Royal Oak Music Theatre
• Kim & Rich’s gorgeous blue wedding at Meadowbrook & Penna’s

We also had the wonderful opportunity to be featured in two major bridal publications this year! One was a 5 page spread for Shannon & Kayu’s wedding and the other was an article on Unique Reception Entertainment.

Our most popular posts on The Bliss Blog were about River Birch Lodge (One of our favorite venues!) and Barbie’s Boudoir shoot!

Two of my favorite parts of 2009 were the headshots sessions done by Nicole Ladonne Photography (Just for me, Amanda) & Dustin Francis Photography (The Bliss Team).

Stay tuned for tomorrow’s post about what is to come in 2010! There are some big things brewing behind the scenes here at Bliss and I am beyond excited to share them with you!

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Just for fun, a a little something to pretty up this post, a sneak peak of Dawn & Rocky’s wedding from the uber talented Kristen Taylor Photography.

Today, I would LOVE to share some of the posts that other bloggers have created about what I do. I hope you enjoy getting to know a little more about me, my company and everything that we love to do. Get ready for lots of links!

The always fabulous, WedMichigan blog, recently did a feature about our brand new Etsy store! She also created a fun post about our company and a Real Wedding Feature about my very own Michigan wedding.

Lienne Stevens, the brilliant mind behind Think Splendid, a blog dedicated to social media and the wedding industry, featured us in her “Meet The Planner” series.

The fabulous Aletha Vandermaas, of Pearls Events, has been sweet enough to talk about us on more than one occasion. The first is published on the MWEP (Michigan Wedding & Event Professionals) blog. MWEP is a group of wedding and event pros spread out across the state of Michigan. If you are looking for a great vendor to add to your wedding day team, this is a great place to check.

Aletha also created a few other posts featuring us on the Pearls Events Blog.

Here are a few more of our many features and posts:

Feature on Jason Aten Photography Blog

Feature in Brides Michigan Magazine

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Just a reminder: You can find us every day at the following places.

Etsy

Facebook

Twitter

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Liene Stevens, The Blue Orchid Blog, shared a very insightful post about one of the many hidden wedding planning costs. The Plus/Plus rate.

The fabulous Always A Blogsmaid blog created a delightful post about entertaining the little ones on your wedding day.

Visit Earth Friendly Weddings to read a post about a great post featuring beautiful frame-worthy ketubahs.

For some completely awesome cake displays, visit Wish Special Events blog.

Want to win a fun prize? Check out Hostess With The Mostess to win a $100 Gift Card to Gallery 19!

And last, but definitely not least, feast your eyes on this gorgeous Inspiration Board from Snippet & Ink. I am in love with these colors!

Courtesy of Snippet & ink

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