Michael Danso loves Casamentos Haute Couture Weddings
Anyone can be wonderful or really good. However, few have the interest or drive to create “Magic” for a couple’s Wedding Day. “Magic” is a key ingredient which is needed to making a couple’s wedding day special and unique.
I have shared this “Magic” at weddings with a dynamic singer, dancer and performer, Michael Danso. Michael Danso has performed, and continues to perform, with some of the best Jazz musicians in the world, including, Grady Tate, Reggie Moore, Don Shirley and many more. He has performed, appeared and done projects with Ella Fitzgerald, Goldie Hawn, Diahnne Carroll and the names go on.
I received this email today from Michael and I’m happy to share it with you. Thank you, Michael Danso, for always being a part of my ”Team of Romance” and continously adding Magic to each of my weddings. Meet Michael Danso at www.michaeldanso.com.
“Hello Gabrielle,
Michael Danso here. I think that it is a truism that sometimes things need to be said and I am taking the opportunity to do it right now. I have known you for quite some-time now and have worked with and for you, and your Clients, on many an occasion. I think that it is now time that you should know that I admire and appreciate the care and attention you give to the personal and professional needs of your Clients.
I have worked with quite a few of the people on this so-called “Wedding Circuit”, and they all seem to have their own single tried and proven formula that they bring to every Client, and as a result, their Events are all so similar that they could be regarded as the same “Event Genre” with the only difference being the evening’s Client’s and guests.
The music is usually the same choice of repertoire and type that worked “last time”; the floral arrangements and any planned special entertainment, seem to come out of the same box, and as the evening progresses it is scheduled exactly the same way. As well as the fact that they (the “Planners”) usually leave the Event as soon as dinner is perceived to be served thus leaving Families, Friends and the Bridal Couple alone to handle any unforeseen emergencies by themselves.
I have always noted and appreciated the time, effort and individual attention you give on each Wedding that I have worked with you. Not one has been the same because you tailor the Wedding to the taste of your Clients with such a professional eye and caring attention to detail and the Client’s personal style that makes the entire evening magical.
Vendors who have worked with you speak highly of you and say they look forward to your calls because there is no uncertainty or loose ends when you give instructions for an Event.
You are a fine person who is one of the best in her profession, at the top of her craft. Now you know why I always take your calls and do my best to be free to work with you.
Thank you for the work and regarding my contributions to your Special Moments as being worthy of repeat performances.
Wind, at your back, Gabrielle …. I remain
Michael Danso”
Casamentos Haute Couture Weddings
Real Love. Intimate Moments. Exquisite Weddings.
fashion colors SPRING 2009
The word is out and what will be the hottest colors for Spring 2009. Bright colors return to the top 10 list for Spring ’09.
What is the inspiration behind the essence of these spring colors…Super Lemon…optimism; Fuchsia Red…hot, cool and neutral; Lavender…peace; Vibrant Green…organic colors that are drawn from nature and cool, peaceful, zen-like neutrals and pastels; Slate Gray…colors that have been sunkissed and weathered on a foreign exotic land; Palace Blue…inspired by four elements, Earth, Air, Fire and Water; Lucite Green…eternal spring; Salmon Rose…very girly with a gypsy touch; Rose Dust…city savvy but with a relaxed charm; Dark Citron…wit and playfulness.
The palette of these colors are definitely going to be striking when paired with the beauty of your bridesmaids. The question is what color will you choose?
Blue and Purple dominated Fall 2008 and they are going to continue to do so in Spring 2009. “Palace Blue” will have a spring navy-like tone. Purple will move into a lighter direction - ”Lavender”, a more softer summery hue.
Thien Le has captured the essence of these colors and has translated it to spell out romance. The Spring 2009 Collection was hitting the runway at L’Oreal Fashion Week here in Toronto. The Thien Le label made its debut in 1999 and has become synonynmous with glamorous and elegant eveningwear. Price points start at $1,000 for an evening gown and $2,500 for a bridal gown. 
View Thien Le’s Spring 2009 Collection at www.thienle.com.
Photo courtesy Thien Le.
Casamentos Haute Couture Weddings
Real Love. Intimate Moments. Exquisite Weddings.
Romance And F1 oozes at La Maquette Restaurant
I had the pleasure of dining at La Maquette with Casamentos Bride-to-Be, Becky Thursday evening. This restaurant speaks the language of romance and I can understand why Becky and her fiance Joe chose it as their wedding venue. The glass tiled exterior, waterfalls, sparkling chandelier, grand staircase and Conservatory overlooking the Sculpture Garden were setting the stage for a truly romantic wedding.
This restaurant is renowned for its romantic atmosphere and sumptuous culinary delights. Year after year La Maquette has been nominated for Most Romantic, Best Venue, Best Food, Best Service, Best Ambience and Best Desserts by Where Magazine’s Toronto voters. I invite you to take a video tour of La Maquette at www.lamaquette.com.
Becky and Joe are a sweet couple. Joe only has one request – “I don’t want any detail to overshadow Becky’s beauty on our wedding day”. Awww!!! No ladies, Joe does not have a brother. I can reassure Joe that he will see the beauty of Becky’s reflection everywhere that he looks on his wedding day.
However, Joe and I do share a common passion. He loves Ferrari’s and I love Formula 1 Races. Legendary Racer Michael Schumacher – the Best Ferrari Racing Driver of all times, stirred up my love for F1 forever. With that being said, a shiny sleek red Ferrari, driven by Joe, will arrive at La Maquette as they both make their grand entrance.
The excitement of designing their wedding kept me awake till the wee hours in the morning. Madonna’s song was playing in my mind, “Don’t go for second best, Baby, put your planner to the test”. Ultimately, this is what sets apart a great planner - Dedication and being precise and creative about every design detail.
Details are what makes everything a little bit more special. So we’ve decided to convert the Conservatory into a “Ferrari Lounge” and furnish it with contemporary modern furniture, serve a Signature red “Ferrari Cocktail”, offer cigars and serve edible treats stamped with the the Ferrari logo. I know Joe is loving this idea.
“Cheers” to everyone who enjoyed watching the best car racing talent the world has ever seen – Michael Schumacher. F1 is not the same without him.
Casamentos Haute Couture Weddings
Real Love. Intimate Moments. Exquisite Weddings.
W-Day Workout 101
Confessions of a Casamentos Bride-to-Be:
“Let me preface this by saying, I’m not a fitness professional. I’M A FITNESS ENTHUSIAST. Now that I am engaged, not only are there more demands on my time, but there seems to be this pressure (99% of it from me) to look hot on my wedding day. I know, I know he loves how I am blah, blah, blah, but there’s still this desire to make his jaw fully drop on our wedding day and think “DAMN, my wife is HOT!!” That and the fact that these are the pictures I’m going to be looking at for many, many years. Of course, I want to be and look my best! That means making sure I’m in the best shape I can be.”
W-Day Workout 101 training starts the moment he slips that diamond on your finger. Think of your wedding day as your W-Day marathon. Sometimes, I wonder if I need to remind my brides, “Let’s Get Physical”. I am always interrupted during conversations about photographers, reception halls, or flowers by my clients, “Gotta go workout this evening around 11″ (p.m. that is) or “Going to stop at the gym after work. I will call you later this evening”. Wow! What dedication! Obviously, my brides are going from stressed to stunning!!!
But don’t fret and panic because whether you have one year, 6 months or 12 weeks before your wedding day, just get started by taking part in the Buff Brides Fitness Challenge. It is a 24 week fitness challenge or 12 week total body workout laid out for you by Sue Fleming, fitness expert and author of the book, “Buff Brides”. Katie Holmes sought out her help on how to get rid of her post-baby bulge before her wedding day to Tom Cruise and didn’t she look absolutely glamorous!
Buff Brides fitness program was born out of the demands of brides who were ready to start a fitness regime with the goal of looking their best on their wedding day. Sue Fleming states, “Brides-to-be are the most committed clients I’ve ever had. They’re motivated. They’re focused. They’re ready. In this society, we’ve been brought up to believe that the most important occasion of a woman’s life is her wedding. On that day, all eyes are on the Bride!”
Get in shape and have a look at www.buffbrides.com.
Here are helpful tips I would like to pass onto you that I feel will put you in peak shape for that walk up the aisle.
1. Set Aside Time
You know how in your head at 12:00 it’s lunchtime and you generally stop what you’re doing and have lunch. Workouts need to be like that. You can’t wake up and say “I should workout today” and just assume that it will happen. Things come up, better offers come along. It’s easy to find reasons and excuses not to go. Schedule it in. Find a time that works for you in your day and block it in.
2. Make It Count
I read an article that suggested brides multi-task while they work out. Flip through magazines, make lists, prioritize. My advice – DON’T. This is your time at the gym to focus on YOU!!! Get in there, be focused at the task at hand and have a hard intense workout. You’ll see better results in an intense 20 minute cardio session than you would la-dee-da-ing on an exercise bike for an hour flipping through magazines.
3. Strength Training
Cardio is great, but strength training is where it is at! Not only do you tone up and look better, but muscles burn more than fat. As you increase the amount of muscle in your body, you are effectively increasing your metabolism. This means your body burns more calories at rest. Confess: So that one cookie you just had to have won’t sit on your hips like it used to (notice I said “ONE” cookie).
4. It’s Basic Math
A calorie is a calorie. They add up and you only lose weight if the number of calories is less than the number of calories you eat. There are websites out there to help you figure out how many calories you need to eat a day for your body type and weight. Find out how many calories you are currently eating and see if you need to re-evaluate food choices or portion sizes. A workout should burn 300-400 calories (depending on intensity).
5. Sometimes Numbers Lie
Don’t measure all your progress by your weight. Muscle is heavier than fat. As you are losing fat and gaining muscle, you may not see huge numbers on the scale. You could have lost 5 pounds of fat but gained 4 pounds of muscle. So the scale will only show 1 pound lost which can be discouraging. I always judge how I’m doing by the fit of my clothes. There is nothing more satisfying than moving your belt in by one notch (even if that naughty scale says I didn’t lose any weight).
On a final note, remember on your Wedding Day, You are beautiful inside and out.
Casamentos Haute Couture Weddings
Real Love. Intimate Moments. Exquisite Weddings.
Cant Take My Eyes Off Of You
This has got to be the Ultimate Classic Love Song! Enjoy!
Casamentos Haute Couture Weddings
Real Love. Intimate Moments. Exquisite Weddings.
