CHRISTMAS PARTY IN A BOX {CDE Christmas Cards}

Hello Hello there! Can you believe Christmas is just a couple of days away ? I'm so pumped, excited, nervous, braindead and just feeling overwhelmed! But before it gets any crazier at my house I wanted to drop in and share my Christmas Client gifts with you all. I love to spoil my couples and remind them of how incredibly special it is for me to play a part in one of the most important days of their lives.

I can't begin to tell you how long it took me to find the perfect Christmas Card. I searched high and low and been to both sides of the Internet - but finally peeking out of a shelf was one single solitary box of these pretties. It was true-love and first sight. Once I found the cards, it was time to put together the "presents." I wanted something fun yet intentional.

I know around my house it is super crazy, and I imagine it being a little bit of the same for my couples - so I wanted to remind them to keep their love close and "shining bright" and I found these incredibly gorgeous ornaments and thought of how it reminded me to "let love shine" and it all just fell together. I love the ornament even more because no matter what color your Christmas tree is decorated in, this ornament fits right in because it has virtually no color. If you are anything like me, the color of the tree and theme changes every year, so I knew these ice-like stars were perfect. Lovely, intentional and practical - I totally scored! I found the sparklers via weddiingsparklersdirect.com and they shipped super fast. I lit one up outside over the weekend and it was easy to light and super pretty.

That letter-pressed gold envelope liner is to die for. I found that at our local craft store - the butterfly on each liner is a little nod to my Callie, paired with the blush envelopes and confetti ribbons just makes my heart skip a beat. I love these so very much and am crazy happy how they came out. I didn't want to go over board with pink for Christmas - so I stuck with pops of pink but lots of metallic gold. I can't wait for my wonderful couples to get their hands on these! Happy Monday sweet friends!!

xoxo - C

THE COUNTDOWN IS ON!! {Confessions of a Rebrand}

It's Friday and in just one short week the all new Cassandra Dattoli Events will be launching. Wait; did I just say that? Hooray!! Friday September 19, 2014, the all new Cassandra Dattoli Events launches and to celebrate I'm having a little celebration party at our home with a ribbon cutting ceremony. This is really happening! I'm so excited about revealing everything to you all - including a much updated and very pink new website and blog.

I recently stumbled across the word Serendipity. The effect by which one accidentally stumbles upon something truly wonderful, while looking for something entirely unrelated. Serendipity - you have been in the back of my mind and on my heart since I first came across you. When I started the journey to rebrand; I was asked to write my story; and rewrite my story - and write it again and again. The whole point is to condense - and pull out the significant moments - the moments that truly show the path that has led me to where I am now. Well, I found it. The handful of moments that lit the fires that make up my core. The reason I'm here writing in this white space to all of you. The reason I started my business - the reason I rebranded.

 I chose to rebrand, because I was outgrowing the old look. Because the old look and logo got the job done - the website got the job done; but what if this space also made you feel like you knew me, before you actually knew me?  That was my goal when I reached out to Becky at RP Design & Branding. A brand - not just a pretty logo, or fancy collateral pieces - but a brand that people can come to and trust and know what to expect from. When you come into contact with my brand I want you to expect pink happiness bursting with confetti, a dash of glitter and above all else a happy place where love and marriage is celebrated. This rebrand has been so good for me - in a crazy, frustrating, exhausting and hair brained way. But it has also been so incredibly fulfilling & rewarding. I have a core purpose, and I know in my heart of heart's what that is - and what that even means!  I have a mission. I have a business plan. I have a workflow. well kinda ... but I have a brand.  I have a brand that is every piece of my heart and soul and represents who I truly am and what I want my business to represent. There is so much goodness still to share, but here is about half of my branding board that Becky created for me 

In condensing my story to fulfill the needs of representing my core I came up with this:

I grew up in Decatur, Illinois, dreaming of the day I would be a State Prosecutor in St. Louis. I'd have a downtown loft with an incredible view of the Arch and send my assistant to pick up my dry cleaning and coffee. We'd sit and discuss the legal issues plaguing our nation and have grown up conversations on capitol punishment and abortion. But as they say, sometimes, on the way to a dream, you get lost and find a better one. For me, getting lost; was my saving grace. During undergrad I met a blue-eyed Sicilian boy who stole my heart quicker than I could say "objection". Rather than head straight to St. Louis, I followed him and stayed closer to home. Six years later, ten moves, two graduate schools across three states and six months apart while he was at the State Police Academy; on October 20, 2012, we finally made it official in a traditional Greek Ceremony surrounded by close friends and family.

 Months after he proposed - it became clear that my heart changed. For as long as I could remember - I  read about, wrote about, studied criminal law and all the "bad stuff" in our humanity - and this wedding planning "stuff" was just the opposite. It lit a fire in me that I don't even know how to describe. It had hit me .. I want to be a part of people's happy moments - whatever this is, I want this. The memories of my mother and I planning get togethers, asking family to bring all white or red or green food containers; picking the napkins, plates, centerpieces and silverware for Thanksgiving and birthdays - it all just made sense.

Sometimes I wonder if God had a big chuckle with me - by putting me in the midst of the awful crimes people commit against each other to this complete opposite world - where love is the center and focus of everything. Love. Love is at my core. Love is my reason.

I'm having giveaways starting tomorrow to win some pretty awesome items from Pearls & Pastries, Woodenhive Vintage Silverware, Instax, Pease's Candy & Nuts, Starbucks, Target, Project Life and Meandmybigideas just to name a few; to celebrate this rebrand and to welcome you all to this happy little place of mine. 

ps. If you read this far down and leave a comment .. you'll be entered into all the giveaways!! 

xoxo