Westgate Dinearound

On Tuesday night I attended the NACE Dinearound planned by the one and only Kim with The Event Essentials. We first started out at the Renaissance Hotel in Glendale where we enjoyed a wonderful run raspberry lemonade and appetizers. We walked across the street to Fox Sports Grill where we happily chopped on sliders, salad and washed it down with a lovely fruity drink.
Our next stop was Margaritaville where we dove into a Nacho Bar and had a Pink Cadillac Margarita. Our last stop was The Shout House. It's a piano bar where we tried some delicious cupcakes. I know it sounds like we were all drunk but I promise they were samples. :)
The night was a lot of fun- it's amazing to me how much is now on the west side of town. It's really growing there. The networking was a lot of fun as well and I hope to continue to attend each month.

Absoutely an Awesome Deal!

Our good friends over at Absolutely You Event Planning is having a fabulous offer! I swear if I wasn't already married I'd take them up on this offer- :)

All you brides out there feeling a little overwhelmed with planning- give Rachel a call. She is planning a wedding I'll be shooting in October in Cancun and has done a wonderful job to keep us all informed. I can't wait.

Here's their special they are giving away-

*Book a "Full Service" wedding planning package and receive a 5-7 night resort stay in the Bahamas or like location on us.

*Want to plan your wedding on your own? Hire us for "Day Of" services and receive a 3 day 2 night stay in Las Vegas, Disneyland or Tahoe on us.

*Book a full service Destination Wedding and receive a 5-7 night resort stay in the Bahamas or like location for your first anniversary. We will handle all booking arrangements for your bridal party, family and friends for FREE.

Free Services

*Let us book your honeymoon! This service is free. You need not purchase an event planning package.

*Order your invitations, personalized ribbon, invitations, save the dates, etc. through our website, http://www.absolutelyyouevents.com/ and receive 30% off your entire purchase *excluding precious moments and disney

In the words of Absolutely You Events "Happy Planning!" :)

Photographer Assistant Position Open!

I'm in need of an assistant for the fall. I'm looking for someone who is outgoing, loves to have a good time, a hard worker, very organized and responsible. This is a part-time position that will be available starting in the fall.

I will need help with editing, assisting me with weddings, family sessions and some light office work.

You will be working some weekends.

If you or anyone you know might be interested please send in your resume to mandy@mandyhank.com.

I will be holding interviews in August. The deadline to get your resume in is August 24, 2008.

If you have any questions please call 1-800-284-3699.

Simply Elegant's tables

Last week Julie with Simply Elegant Event and Floral Design asked me take some pictures of some tables she had put together. I've been meaning to get to her store but the schedule just hasn't worked out. She actually was in an open house at a Sheraton up in North Phoenix and has some tables displayed so I went and took some pics of the tables. I am always amazed and what Julie and her team can pull off with these tables. When you see what can be done to turn your wedding completely elegant, you can't help but book her on the spot. She's amazing and has a great personality to go along with her great work!

Here are some of my favorite images

Sugarlips Cakery

Hey there Sugarlips, no actually I'm talking about Sugarlips Cakery, not you silly.
I found this adorable Cake company last summer when I was searching for a cake for my son. Hunter was having a "jungle" themed party and I had just had to find the perfect cake. Two things I don't skimp out on for my kids birthday parties is the invitations and the cake. I just always "forget" to tell my husband how much they cost. :)

They did an awesome job on his cake. In fact she even has the sample on her website of Hunter's cake. Reagan's birthday is coming up in a few weeks and of course I ordered an awesome cake for her- I can't wait to see it. It's going to be a Princess Carriage cake.

I refer all my brides to Sugarlips. I think they are top notch and do awesome creative cakes. Melodie is the owner and has so many cute ideas. You have to check out their website and even better pop in to see her shop. It's so adorable!!

Tell her I sent you and hopefully you'll be able to try some cake or cookies!

See Hunter's cake in her portfolio in the store- it was such a cute cake!

Just a reminder.......

You all need to get your letters in- you only have about a month.....


Big News!!!! Yes you heard it here, we have an exciting announcement at Mandy Hank Photography. In honor of my 5 year wedding anniversary this year to my husband Michael I have decided to start the First Annual Free Wedding Photography Contest Giveaway, by Mandy Hank Photography!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That's right- all free, no hidden charges, no hidden fees, nothing, nada, zilp. Here's the deal-

*You must submit a letter explaining why the couple is so deserving. Any obstacles they have overcome, any adorable love stories, unique ways of meeting each other- anything extremely romantic- I want to know. I'm a true love story nut and I need to hear about it.

*You can write in for yourself or a deserving couple that you know. Make them good letters. I want to laugh and cry..

*The contest starts today and you have until March 28th, 2008 to get your letters in. The couple will be announced on my 5 year wedding anniversary. - March 29th, 2008.!!!!!(awww)

*The wedding must be either in 2008 or before March 29th, 2009 and of course the date can not be a day that I'm already booked. :(

*The wedding can be anywhere in the United States.

*The couple should be sincerely deserving of this prize. We would appreciate it if we didn't receive letters for couples just looking for a free ticket.

*The couple must be comfortable with having their entry letter posted on this blog.

*The details of the package The Deserving Couple will receive 8 hours of coverage Engagement Session and slideshow Online Gallery for viewing and ordering images 1 High resolution CD of all wedding images 1 8X10 20 page flush mount album All travel included for me (if applicable)

You may send all entries to mandy@mandyhank.com Subject: Contest Entry So there it is everyone- get your letters in as soon as possible- Ready, Set- GO!!!!!

A special offer from Absolutely You Event Planning

Rachel from Absolutely You Event Planning has an awesome way super deal she is offering. For all you brides who are just starting out that need help planning or any brides who are a little overwhelmed give her call. She is giving away a Honeymoon when you book a full service package with her- you can't beat that. Check out the details here.

Rachel also has just the day of services to help make sure your day goes smooth. I know she can help you with your needs and does an awesome job in details, make sure you tell her I sent you!

Happy Planning!

Simply Elegant is Simply Wonderful

Last night I attended the Grand Opening for Simply Elegant Event and Floral Design's new location. They are located on 7th street in Phoenix. I had never been to their shop before and was excited to go. I met Julie the owner and she is wonderful, she's a lot of fun and loves just making weddings beautiful.

Her shop is gorgeous- it has beautifully decorated table decor, linens, centerpieces and lighting. They do custom arch decor, backdrops, aisle decor and sashes. You can order everything there as well as flowers for your wedding.

I was a big knucklehead and forgot my camera to take pictures but I promise to go back and take lots to show you. This picture is from their website and I swear if I got married again this is what I'd do- I love love love the feathers!!!!

In the mean time check out her website here and stop in to say hello to Julie and her staff. Make sure you tell them I sent you there. I know you'll be impressed with her service, prices and shop.

Check off #12- My big fat secret 101 goal!!!

I couldn't list it publicly on my list because I had 2 people that couldn't see it. My #12 goal on my 101 goals in 1001 days was to give my parents a great surprise 30th Wedding Anniversary Party. And that is exactly what we did this past weekend.

My parents were married in Las Vegas on Nov. 19th, 1977. They actually kind of eloped. No one really knew they were going and it's amazing to me they have lasted this long and are still very much in love. In fact just in the last 10 years I can see their relationship growing stronger. They really do enjoy doing things together like traveling, movies,car shows, riding their quads and hanging out with friends and family.

My Aunt Bonnie, my sisters Tisha and Kristy and I have been planning a surprise 30th Wedding Anniversary Party for them for about 1 year. We wanted to do something big for them since they really didn't have a big reception or wedding. It was just the two of them. We really wanted them to know how exciting and proud we are of them for making it to the big 30!

We were a little nervous that we'd be able to keep it a secret but we have to thank everyone else for doing such a good job in keeping quiet. We had 102 people show up and more than that were invited, so thank you everyone very much for not spilling the beans.

The planning was a lot of hard work but so worth every minute of it when we saw their faces.

My parents had no idea and were very excited. Both started crying and both were very overwhelmed- can you imagine turning your head and seeing another person you weren't expecting. All my parents did for the first 30 minutes is hug everyone.

Here is my aunt Bonnie, me, my mom, sisters Tisha and Kristy

It was a fabulous night and definitely was a big hit- here are some images from the evening.

We also set a photo booth- these are so funny. I picked my favorites because there was a lot and I wanted to show you as many as possible.

Congratulations Mom and Dad- we all love you so much and your faces were priceless!!

Best wishes to many more years of marriage!!

A Wedding Occasion-Kristen Mandley

I've been meaning to post this for a couple of weeks now. I'd like to tell you about a wedding florist I love working with. I met Kristen last September at Jessica and Lucas's wedding. And right away I loved her style. Kristen owns A Wedding Occasion which is a floral company here in Phoenix. She and I have worked on a couple of weddings together and I just really love her work. A few weeks ago she and I had the chance to get together and meet and look at each other's portfolio. She's really creative and I love how traditional she can be and how contemporary she can be. She really can customize to what the bride will want for her bouquets and floral arrangement. Here are two of the weddings she has done that you can see some of her flowers.
Jessica and Lucas
Shanna and Jamie
I like to refer all my brides over to her that I can because I really like working with her so if you are in the need of a florist check her out at A Wedding Occasion and you can contact her at 480-654-0998, tell her I sent you. She's great!

Uptown Bridal

I went to high school with Tonya and Nicole, they were twins who were on my pom squad. I just recently found out that they just opened this bridal store in downtown Chandler. I hadn't seen the two of them since high school. That was 10 years ago for me this year- yikes. So I took a drive today to see them and the new store. Oh my gosh I was so impressed. It sure made me want to get married all over again. They have the cutest stuff. It's a great store, great location and owned by great girls. You really need to check their store out. They have an awesome selection of bridesmaids gowns and bridal gowns, along with shoes, veils, accessories and anything else you can think of. Check it out when you have a minute and tell them I sent you! http://www.uptownbrides.com