SWEET PINK LOVE THEMED TABLE {Cassandra + Springfield P.C.}

While I can't quite go into details, just yet; a local business and I have teamed up and they asked me to set and design tablescapes for their showroom - and how could a girl say no ? I had so much fun designing and creating silk flora for the sweet family behind this Central IL rental company. I'm absolutely honored to do this for them and show case their lovely rentals. I had fun dreaming up a tables cape for February and incorporating just a hint of Valentine's Day. Enjoy the IPhone pics I snapped. 

This table makes me want to sit down and have dinner, how about you ? Happy Friday sweets!

xoxo Cass

SO Magazine Feature

Guys! Yes this!! So this lovely little gem landed on shelves last week and I'm so excited to point you over here to read all about my thoughts on Social Media Wedding Etiquette that the wonderful SO Magazine interviewed me for. I may or may not have bought four copies of it and did a booty dance in my kitchen when the calls came in last week. I can't thank Julie & the folks behind SO Magazine enough for making me sound like I have it all figured out and for this wonderful opportunity. There is so much goodness and advice for couples packed into this little gem; I feel so honored to have played a part in it.  Happy Friday guys!!

FEATURED VENDOR {The Knot}

 If I could just put exclamation points into this post I would do just that! Did you see the title of this post ? YEAH!! I don't know if you've noticed in the last few weeks some of the changes that have happened to my site and more so in my blog. I'm so excited to announce that Cassandra Dattoli Events is now a featured vendor on theknot.com. When the gals from the Knot first reached out to me early last year to offer me this amazing opportunity - I was blown away that my little boutique could be so honored. As much as I wanted to, it just wasn't the right time.  That's when I knew it was time - all or nothing - it was time to brand myself, so I could take this dream to the next level.  I can't compliment my go-to gal over at the Knot enough. Her eagerness, encouragement and excitement to get me noticed pushed me to truly make the commitment and investment into this little dream of mine. I didn't want to have couples visiting my old site when I felt like it wasn't a true reflection of my heart and what I put into each and every wedding I'm brought on to help with. I believe so much in love and marriage and what it all means - and I want so very much for my couples' weddings to be just that - more than just one day. I wanted my name and brand to not only represent this big Greek heart of mine, but also be a true reflection of what it means to hire me. After all the hard work that has taken place on my name and brand and all the hard work the folks over at the Knot have been doing I'm so happy to finally share this with you. I've been working behind the scenes to get my past couples to put up their reviews and get pictures up that showcase all the heart and soul that goes into each and every wedding I'm lucky enough to play a part in.  It is still a work in progress, but I'm so excited and just want to jump up and down - oh wait - I did jump up and down! 2015 is shaping up to be a mighty fine year.! And guess what! I feel like spreading the love! So to celebrate I'm giving away bags of Sparkle from the amazing Lauren over at Pearls and Pastries. Leave a comment here with your email and I'll pick five random winners to send these fun bags of celebration to! Dream Big my Friends!!

xoxo - C

 Photo via Shay Cochrane 

Hop on over to Shay's amazing real estate on the interwebs (other Internship movie fans, "on the line") and sign up for her monthly emails, or head over to her shop SC Stockshop and pick any of her gorgeous styled stock photos. You won't be disappointed!

THE NEW & IMPROVED CASSANDRA DATTOLI EVENTS

I've started this post so many times. Each time, it seemed more and more ridiculous. This day is finally here. I feel speechless, yet amazing, exhausted and just fired up! I feel like I. cannot. believe. this. is. actually. happening. Wait, I feel like dancing.  ? IS that my little butterfly that was tattooed on me over 10 years ago? How did this little dream of mine come alive? I feel like I've changed, like my business has finally come into it's place in the world. 

This feels like a breath of fresh air. Like this person I am on the inside finally has a space to play that truly reflects her. It's so incredibly scary putting myself out here for the world to have a glimpse into my heart and to who I truly am. But it also feels absolutely amazing. 

Looky there - at all that pretty. The heart of Cassandra Dattoli Events. The unbelievable amount of support that I've received from family, friends, followers, strangers and my incredible clients has been overwhelming. It makes me incredibly excited for my future and the future of my little business.

Through this incredible journey, I've learned the importance of letting go of perfection and allowing the true me to shine through. My clients deserve that. They are so much more than just a plain white background. They are so much more than a thrown together logo.

I owe so much to so many people - first to my incredibly loving and supportive husband. JD you have shown me so much love and support these last months in every way a husband should. Every time I was near burn out or breakdown you were there. You brought me water, food, the camera, snacks, books, and rubbed my shoulders as I typed so I wouldn't have to leave my desk. You continue to tell me I'm beautiful even though I know you hate the blond hair I've recently changed to and the dark circles from my insomnia and the fact that I can't remember the last time I shaved my legs. You supported this rebrand not only with your time, help and patience but also financially even though you really don't understand the need or the why behind it. To you my old logo and website and business cards worked just fine. Yet, you supported this anyways. I really don't know how I got so dam lucky that you picked me, but I'm sure glad nearly 10 years ago you stopped to ask me if we had any classes together. It was not only the best day of my life - but it drastically altered it. This happy heart of mine is happy because you give me a safe home to live in and loving arms I can always count on. This happy place is simply because of you; I love you with every part of my heart.

To the spectacular and amazingly patient Becky over at RP Design; girlfriend this is it - you survived this crazy Greek and you rocked it for me. Not only did you listen to my thoughts and ideas but you turned them into amazing graphics that are a true reflection of my core. You have given me a new confidence in my brand - and my business. I will forever be grateful to you. 

To the ladies behind the cameras of Doubleshot Artistry, thank you from the bottom of my heart for my new lovely photos and the insanely crazy funny yet beautiful you have worked so tirelessly on the last week. I cannot thank you enough for coming into my home and capturing all this for me. I can't wait to work with you girls again!!

Have you ever just had a happy cry? I totally just did! As Walt Disney says: to all who come to this happy place: Welcome!

Welcome to the new Cassandra Dattoli Events!!

Photography by the lovely ladies of Doubleshot Artistry

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