Engage11! Grand Cayman Wedding Summit Recap

Eight days away from home and a whole lot of inspiration later Engage11! was once again an experience to remember. Rebecca Grinnals & Kathryn Arce brought the best of the best in the wedding industry together for an experience words can not express.

It was amazing to spend time with our industry greats like::

Darcy Miller of Martha Stewart Weddings

Randy Fenoli of Say Yes to the Dress

Carley Roney of The Knot Inc

Bryan Rafanelli- Chelsea Clinton's Wedding Planner

Jasmine Star

Todd Fiscus- Tony Romo's Wedding Planner

Andy & Brian Marcus- Photographers of the Stars

Marcy Blum- NYC's Top Wedding Planner

David Beahm- Fashion & Socialites Event Designer

Mindy Weiss- Celebrity Wedding Planner

Michelle Lord Rago- Destination Wedding Planner

Shira Savada- Real Weddings Editor for Martha Stewart Weddings

Rebecca Crumley Weddings Photo Director of The Knot

Jill Meister- Media Production & Consulting

Angela Desveaux founder of WedLuxe

Harmony Walton founder of Bridal Bar

Sean Low- The Business of Being Creative Founder

Ceci Johnson- Couture Invitation and Branding Design

Sylvia Weinstock- Most Famous Cake Creator

Ed Libby- Amazing Floral & Event Designer

In the MOST "event" possible, I want to share with you two recap videos of my time in Cayman! More pictures to follow in later posts but for now, enjoy!

Day 1

Day 2&3

Vendor Collaboration:: Arizona Foothills Magazine

The one and only Gina Meola asked my husband and I if we wanted to be her bride and groom models for an upcoming photo shoot she was doing. While I said "YES!" right away my hubby didn't find it quite as exciting as I did.

As you can see below, he did it, he looked SO handsome and we had so much fun.

It was honestly like we got married all over again AND we like our look SO much that these pictures just might replace some from our real day.

We joke that our children are going to think we got married 50 times and not know which pictures are our real ones!

For a full vendor list and details about the shoot scroll to the bottom!

Gina, you are so gifted. Seriously. Amazing.

Rings were borrowed from the owner of this private boat Suzy Alofs. That girl has more style than any girl I know!!

Red soles, what else is there to say?

He looks so good in suits...my favorite thing ever.

Dinner with amazing friends!

I always get this dressed up for dinner. It's just what I do.

Fashion Stylist: Alex of AVE Styles
Matthew Christopher Wedding Gown: Mariee Bridal
Shoes and Wardrobe: Sakes Firth Avenue
Catering: Creative Hands Cuisine
Florals and Decor: Encore Creative
Sweet Treats: Tammie Coe Cakes
Venue Rental: Bella Palazzo
Hair and Makeup: Arthur Frederico
Stationery: The Paper Place

The Countdown Begins:: Engage! 11 Grand Del Mar Recap

3 days until I leave for Cayman and 5 days until the festivities of Engage! begin!!!!

A personal kick off to celebrate Engage! I have decided to do a mini recap of Engage!11 at Grand del Mar back in June. It was an incredible week to remember!!!

Upon arrival each guests received their welcome bag!The foyer of the welcome reception was dressed to impress with a stunning bridal silhouette covered in florals by none other than Karen Tran.Each gift bag was stocked with tiny details and fun welcome gifts!!! From Stationary by Mindy Weiss to cake in a jar it was a perfect way to kick off the festivities.Opening ceremonies with lots of motivational speeches by wedding industry professionals, perfectly place and accessorized furniture for guests to sit, and beautiful linens that made it feel like it might as been a wedding!

The red linens reminded me of Dorothy's slippers. SO blingy!!!

Me clapping! Someone must have said something GREAT!

The welcome party on The Grand del Mar's lawn. Natural woods, orchids, Aspen trees and food trucks. PERFECT combo!

This was a HUGE over sized violin like instrument that reached over and across the heads of guests. It was truly amazing.

We didn't just go to Engage! for the parties but to learn from our industries TOP professionals!!! The ambiance was stunning and a perfect seat to soak in all the amazing-ness that was about to come our way.

Monique Lhuillier was a guest speaker that day. Starting her company in her early twenties and only 39 at Engage! last year. So inspirational.

Even snack breaks are not boring at Engage! A strawberry display with everything BERRY-beautiful graced us in the foyer. Details, Details, Details!!!!

Lunch was hosted by the one and only Miss. Sylvia Weinstock. She literally built a cake as we eat lunch. She started her now WORLD famous cakes when she was 50 years young. SEE anything is possible!!!

HEY! It's me. ;)

Back to hearing speakers after lunch was MY personal favorite Marcy Blum. She is a very talented and amazing Wedding Planner from NYC.

Then there is the WEST Coast Goddess MRS. Mindy Weiss. When she speaks you can hear her passion for what she does. She is gifted, beautiful and so nice.

Jen O'Sullivin & I. SHE is an extremely talented photographer from Los Angeles.

Our final night was hosted, designed and planned by Mindy Weiss. It was OVER-THE-TOP stunning and vibrant. The centerpieces alone made me feel so if I was walking into Wonderland right behind Alice!

YEP, that's me! Dancing with Todd from Todd events in Dallas. I LOVE him!

My Engage! BBF Dennis. I can't wait to see him in Cayman!!!

I love photo booth pictures and when you are working events it's rare you actually get to jump into one!!!! :)

The Life In Between:: View From a Wedding Planner's iPhone

I still find each day too short for all the thoughts I want to think, all the walks I want to take, all the books I want to read and all the friends I want to see. ~John Burroughs

Time, it goes by so fast doesn't it?

One day it's Monday the next thing you know it's Sunday.

One day you go from single to having a boyfriend, and then in a blink of an eye there you are zipping up your wedding dress to take that walk down the aisle.

As a child my Grandma would take me on trips from the beaches in California to New York city. We would find cool restaurants, see amazing plays, visit see-it-to-believe it destinations. Each place added to me as a person and helped me view the world as this vast space where the possibilities were endless.

Grandma would makes me stop, not allowed to say a word, look all around my surroundings and just take it in. As a child it was hard enough for me to sit still so I didn't quite understand what she was having me do.

Now when I think back to those moments they are the moments I remember. Those times I just stopped, focused on that moment and took in all the life around me, those are the moments I will remember forever.

To this day I try to do the same thing. Only now, I take out my iPhone and snap a picture, so I can go back and see it.

I want to share with you some of those moments over the past month, in a new Ashley Gain posting called The Life In Between.

While on a venue tour for a client at the W Hotel in Scottsdale these were the flowers that were sitting on bar. I loved how the florist used the colors of the rocks to enhance the colors of the flowers. It was so vibrant and lovely.

During The Royal Couple's visit to Los Angeles I was blessed to attend the BAFTA event and after party at the luxurious Hollywood hotel Chateau Marmont. During the event, although it was a split second, I got to shake Kate's hand and received a big beautiful smile from her. Full of grace and poise she carried herself like a true princess.

I am obsessed with Pintrest. I have seen SO many awesome pictures of fun girly manicures. SO I decided to try one. This is a first attempt with Sephora pink and gold glitter! Stay tuned for a much better looking second attempt!

There are days that I get hiccups like crazy. This day was no different. Jeff & Jon from Bright Bokeh and I made our way to The Hudson off Santa Monica in West Hollywood after a LONG day of shooting at our California destination. Jeff told me a secret on how to get the hiccups to go away. AND it WORKED!!! However, it means I have to make one not-so-cute face doing it. Well worth it.

A bed of rustic and chic succulents in our neighbors yard. This picture doesn't even fit half of them. I know a few brides that would love some this size for their wedding day!

My beautiful, sweet, fluffy, all heart dog Marlee. She was laying in my hubby's arms one day and just being her loving self. My dogs are my babies until I have babies.

One of the things that I love most about our wedding industry are the friends I make and get to work with. On a hot Scottsdale summer day I sat down to lunch with the amazing Rene of Bride and Groom Magazine and Sarah of Hagerty Photography at Olive & Ivy on the Scottsdale Waterfront.

One of the BEST things about spending some time in Los Angeles is the restaurants. Literally everywhere you go there is somewhere AMAZING to eat. My hubby took me on a brunch date to Tavern in Brentwood and more than just having amazing food the decor and set-up was amazing. This adorable bread display is my new inspiration for a 2012 Ashley Gain bride who is obsessed with cheese and bread! Maybe a similar display during cocktail hour?

Where would we be without our friends? Kim (on the left) and April (on the right) have been two of my VERY best friends for a very long time. April & I have been BBFs since Kindergarten and both of the girls were on cheer leading and pom squad at our Tucson high school together. We headed out to the W Hotel Scottsdale one night and took some fun goofy pictures. Just as if we were still 16. *smile*

During a weekend trip to Malibu Beach this seagull stared at me as I ate lunch on a deck above him. Literally, he just kept starring at me.

On a day date with my husband where Sunset Blvd meets PCH we stopped for a summer drink at Gladstones. Every moment I get to spend with him is precious to me. He snapped this picture as I was laughing with him about the story of our life together. He always makes me laugh

This is my life in between.

Thank you for letting me share with you!! XO