Not very many people know that I had a secret desire to fly fighter jets, I had since I was a little boy when my dad would take me to the base to see the Blue Angels......I still get goose bumps thinking about that........

WELL !!! Good news, one of my former Brides, the former Amy Redditt who married her dreamboat, Warren Tomlinson, at a really exceptional (if i do say so myslef) Navy wedding held at the El Cortez just got a promotion..................and what a promotiion it is. Amy, has been assigned to be the first female pilot to fly with the BLUE ANGELS......!!!, This everybody is a HUGE thing, it is a very big deal and knowing Amy's mom and dad, they have to be on cloud nine. ( a cloud Amy can probably reach in her new jet)

A few words about the experience of the wedding then on to some really great photos. Amy, Amy, Amy................what a beauty, what an amazing person......I was devoted after about 3o seconds with her, I almost felt like we were related, I felt very close to her. Amy and Warren met as I understand it in Iraq, both fighter pilots. Tehy gave me at our first meeting a photo of them flying over the Persian Gulf and another of them in their jet...............I was like, CRAZY, i was so happy.

The Wedding: An excerpt from The Bridal Bar Blog (www.bridalbar.com) for more beautiful pictures, please go to the site and do a search for Paul Bott

 It was by far was the perfect mix of all the elements that make a "special day" as they say.......special and perfect......it all starts with great people, this case the bride and groom, amy and warren, and the loving parents who were all part of the planning...........then the "story"..there is always a story, a love story, but in this case not only was the love story unusual, but the love story was inspired. amy and warren are both fight pilots.......they flew missions in iraq, where they met, and fell in love........and if i understand this whole story correctly..there love is something very visible and they share it with everybody they know, with a simple smile, a quite but focused glance, kind words.......and gifts.........yes they gave me a gift, actually more then one, but this gift came after our first meeting when i was so impressed with what they did that on the very next visit, they gave me a framed reversible photo........one one side them in the cockpit of there jet, and on the other side a picture of them flying in the jet over the blue water of the Persian Gulf.....it was overwhelming to a guy who as a kid could only think of flying jet planes! anyway, back to the love...........it is so refreshing to see two people who love each other and show it in such a way that it is infectious........the way they also love their families, their country, and they way they showed their love and respect for all who they encounter.

for us in the service business, it is so clear that our goals are always to give a couple the happiest day in their life as we plane and produce their wedding.........when you encounter a couple like amy and warren, that goal is a clear, focused, path from which there is no turning back.......for me, working on this wedding was as with all weddings not with out it's bumps, and glitches, but because of the impression that amy and warren made on me from the first moment i met them, i just felt that this was a mission i had to complete, this was a wedding that had not only a huge success but also for me an experience as to how i fell love.......

so, on October 6, 2007.........amy and warren exchange vows in front of their families and friends and proceeded in celebrating their experience until the venue finally had to say good night.for me this experience was one of the best i ever had, the experience of complete satisfaction, a complete experience of giving, creating, and seeing the results of all of this on the faces of the guests, in the smiling eyes of the families, and especially the happy faces of amy and warren........to me this is the reason we as wedding professionals do what we do........ i had my "babettes's feast experience" all over again.this was a magical, life changing evening for all.many people made this wedding the success that it was, including the mom and dad...BIG TIME, nicole de mers from "most organized bride, chana and don the best wedding photographers, and tim altbaum who married amy and warren and kept us all dancing...........

And it is letters like this and love stories like theirs that remind us why we are in the wedding business and we are happy and grateful to share it with you. Enjoy!

I recently got a call from a guy who was, you know...a vendor wanting to sell me his "stuff". I usually hate these calls, I would rather get an e mail but something made me listen, he seemed nice. His name is Chris, and he is VERY nice and has something fun to offer that I will insist that all clients, brides, corporate, social to consider. Chris does photo booths, and he does them all over the world...........and when he mentioned that Tommy Hilfiger is a client (also a New York client of mine) I thought , if this guy can get Tommy in a photo booth.....he had got my business.

Anyway, it turns out his business and his photo booths are way cool and since i have personally done these at my events, I can tell you that they are fun, a very good value and something your guest will adore. Go see his web site......! go, do it now!

Call Chris at MVS Studio Inc.
310-259-6859
http://www.markvans.com
chris@markvans.com

This has been quite a year.........i had a big move to Los Angeles / Hollywood, the economy became a giant monster, I have reunited with some friends from the past, like my good friend John Schmidt, I have falling in love......again with my work and have finally perfected the PERFCT pie crust............and I have enjoyed every challange and every blessing to the fullest. Gratitude is a key word for me to descride how i feel, I am grateful for all of it, and especially that it is finally over!

So, the best to all of you who stay tuned, and I empbrace you all with good will for the new year ahead.

the festival of light and sound 

vintage paul bott / circa 1989 / new york city / world financial center

DIAMONDS, DIAMONDS, DIAMONDS!!! WHAT IS MORE BEAUTIFUL 

THEN A PERFECT DIAMOND? WELL, MAYBE YOU ON YOUR

WEDDING DAY, WEARING A BEAUTIFUL DIAMOND FROM

THE HOUSE OF HARRY WINSTON. HARRY WINSTON BRIDAL WEEK RUNS

THROUGH THE 22ND OF NOVEMBER FROM 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM.

PRIVATE APPOINTMENTS ARE AVAILABLE THROUGH MY FRIEND,

NOAH RAPPAPORT. YOU MAY CONTACT NOAH BY

TELE AT 310.271.8554. NOAH IS THE NEW SENIOR SALES

 EXECUTIVE AT THE HOUSE OF HARRY WINSTON,

310 NORTH RODEO DRIVE. YOU WILL LOVE HIM!

WWW.HARRYWINSTON.COM

Erin and Mike got married last year at the beautiful Prado in San Diego's Balboa Park. Their wedding was photographed by the FABULOUS Ron Hughes.

Erin, AKA Tweedy Bird and her mother and I worked on every detail of the decor and flowers and I will say that over the whole planning experience I grew to LOVE them. They are what you call in my neck of the woods, "good people"

I again will say how much fun it is for me to see people I have worked with and who I have seen get married well after the wedding is over. In this case, they keep in touch and have shared with me a new arrival................8 month old Jordan................enjoy the before and the after.!!

Details, details, details.........!

The first time I met Rebecca, she was working as an assistant at one of my weddings for another very well known wedding photographer. Her was this tall, gorgeous, impeccably dressed woman shooting photos of my food. I introduced myself, and asked if I could see what she was shooting. She let me look into her camera and what I saw was amazing. Detailed, clean, perfect photos.

Since that first meeting, I have referred Rebecca many times to my clients and I have worked with her on my own detailed shots for my ads and web site.

Another wonderful thing that I love about Rebecca is that she is a true DOG person, you know how much I love dogs, and Rebecca is just as passionate about the four legged guys...........I hope she will be availible when I get the BOW WOW BOTT part of my businss off the ground!!!

(www.rebeccaseal.com)

I recently heard from Djoahn and Arthur Ebuen, a couple I worked with a few years back and still will say one of mty favorite couples ( two of the sweetest and talented people on the planet!!!).............I love them!!! Together we created a beautiful wedding and reception photographed by Ventana Studios. So here are a few wedding photos, followed by Djoahn and Arthur's latest "creation".

ENJOY!!!

Perhaps the photographer's I seem to work with most are the team of Chana and Don. There have been times where I see them every weekend! Chana and Don are not only excellent photographers, they are also 2 of the nicest people on the planet.

I love the way both of them seem to right on the edge of what is happening on the day of the wedding. They are seem to anticipate the mood, the pace, the personalities of the guests and most important, they also seem to be closely linked to the bride and groom.

Another thing that I love about them is there attention to detail and the amazing focus they have. They do not miss a thinng!

you may contact them through their web site or by clicking the link on my own contact page. www.photobychanaanddon.com

I wanted to post over the next few weeks a sort of tribute to some of the photographers that I work with and I wanted to start with Darin Fong.

I call Darin "the genius". Darin is one of those photographers who really "get it". Darin's work  is not only exceptional but he really "gets" how to capture moments that encapsulate the wedding experience. So many moments are spontaneous, and not part of “posed” photos with family and friends and it takes a real talent, and a real genius to be there and capture on film those unique moments of life.

I think Darin is not only a genius, I think he is one of those few talents that can really “go with the flow” and capture the event as it unfolds. So many photographers actually stand in the way of the flow with an agenda that not always is compatible with months of planning of the wishes of the bride and groom. Not Darin. He is almost invisible as he works his way in and out of the event, his work is seamless and his work is beautiful.

Take a look at some of his work:

Darin can be reached at www.fongphotography.com or 619.266.2893

DIFFA: Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS has been around now for over  20 years. The foundation is one of the country’s largest supporters of direct care for people living with HIV/AIDS and preventive education for those at risk. Merging care and commerce, supporters of DIFFA come from all fields of fine design and the visual arts, including: architecture, fashion design, interior design, photography and consumer product design. Back in the day, the founders of DIFFA organized the "community" and they actually did something that changed peoples lives.

In 1989, i was honored and thrilled to be part of the first large scale benefit which was a designer's showhouse featuring leading designers of the day including Michael Graves, David Hockney, Wolfgang Puck, , John Saladino, Andre Putman, .........and this young guy..sort of new in the design world but making his mark.......me.

i can tell you that the experience then was pure bliss, as we all felt there was a real opportunity to make a difference in peoples lives, doing what we all did, and did well.........design. our designs made a difference and were featured in METROPOLOTAN HOME and that made a difference in other peoples lives as well.

At that first gala dinner party, i sat next to Kathleen Sullivan who was listening to the vice presidential debates.  you remember......when Dan Quail was talking about himself and comparing himself to JFK, then Lloyd Benson stepped in and said" i knew Jack Kennedy and you are no Jack Kennedy".........across from me was Brooke Shields and Shirley Macclain and the place was filled with wonderful celebrities and designers and donors.

The evening was hosted by the FABULOUS Gloria Steinham, who was dressed in a spectacular pink sleeveless ball gown who introduced  Billy Crystal who was brilliant, then Gloria cam back and simply said......"and now ladies and gentleman, i would like to introduce the only person in our country qualified to be president........Bette Midler."

the place went wild.

the divine miss M came walking out through the crowd, zig zagging through all of the tables, dressed  in a skimpy black sequin studded corset. she hit the stage, faced us all, stood there for a moment, we all grew quiet. and when she was ready, she sang with such strength, and such clarity, and such compassion. she sang with out an orchestra, or a piano, or any back up. she sang the song "friends" and there was not a dry eye in the house.

 i will never forget that experience.

segue to 2008 and i was asked to contribute to the DIFFA benefit that had transformed itself into "dining by design"

This format is wonderful, it allows more designers to participate by creating different "rooms" for guests to dine in. it also allows and offers some great opportunities for sponsorship. and BONUS, dining design travels all over the country, so go to DIFFA.org and see where they will be next and maybe they will be coming to a city near you!

Anyway, this was great, it was fun and i hope to do it again! the 3 day event was planned by the great plan A events with sponsorship that included BERRINGER WINES, BENJAMIN MOORE, HP, THE NEW YORK TIMES, GOURMET MAGAZINE, etc........(for a complete list please visit DIFFA.org)

my special thanks to Joel, Kevin and Alex at LDC design studios (www.ldcdesignstudio.com) who loaned the magnificent sunburst mirror, the mirrored cabinet and the gorgeous pale blue matching lamps, Beth at the photographers gallery  who donated 5 outstanding works by the great  John Arsenault. please go see his stuff! (www.photographersgallery.com)

I would also like to thank Neilah Meyers who's work was donated by the creative galleries (www.neilahmeyers.com)

And of course thank you to Eduardo and Rosana at the silk trading company who donated exquisite draperies, (ww.silktrading.com) Mary Ann at Wildflower lines who donated the fantastic and a little kinky chair covers (www.wildflowerlinens.com) and to Victor at divine orchids (www.divineorchids.com) and finally "the girls" Cindy, Rachael and Trudy at Mayesh wholesale flowers in carlsbad ( www.mayesh.com)

And a special thanks to Jonathan Yepez who helped me keep my head on straight!

and now........ladies and gentleman....my room!