A LITTLE INSTALOVE FRIDAY {Engagement Sneak Peek}

My September 2015 couple recently had their engagement photos with the incredibly talented Matt DeBackere, and I could not resist posting a peek as today's instalove.

These two #worshampartyof2 just make my heart melt. The photos from their amazing engagement session are in and I just could not hold myself back from sharing a little sneak peek into their day with the talented Matt DeBackere. The couple is celebrating their love of sports and their sports driven careers in an outside ceremony full of lush floras, deep purples and soft romantic blue next September. While you feast your eyes on their love, and Matt's rad photo skills, I will be over here sketching up centerpieces that will have footballs and lush florals literally pouring from them. This picture - one of my favorites of all time.

CDE couple captured by Springfield's own Matt DeBackere Photography.

Cassandra Dattoli Events + Giveaway Details

How do I start this? How about I just have a happy dance! Because that is exactly how I feel right this second! Like dancing! Friday I shared with you the new brand. Now let's take a little walk down memory lane, shall we?

I told Becky to throw confetti, glitter, Kate Spade, pink, golds, blacks and whites, bold stripes and lots of happy with lets face it, a dose of hoodrat' into a blender and make me a Cassandra milkshake. Annnnd... this... this is what I got!!

I'm getting choked up, looking at the transformation - at all the changes - at my heart and core poured all over those pink, gold and black pages. Becky, thank you. Thank you for your talent, for you heart, for listening to me. For responding to the hundreds of emails at all hours of the night, for being patient with my technological ignorance, for forgiving my OCD and working with me anyways. Thank you for being so dam awesome. The next time we are on the East coast - I'm totally buying you a beer.

Don't get me wrong, having my plain old site worked just fine and got the job done. But it just wasn't reflecting the true me. It wasn't giving you a true glimpse into my world and into my heart. My clients need to know who they are working with, they need to know what they are getting themselves into, because we spend an impressive and incredible amount of time together.

Oh goodness - having a logo that is truly mine makes me feel so dam good inside. If I told you how many butterflies I looked through, how many times I asked Becky to change her, or recolor her, you'd think I was totally insane, no wait; you'd think Becky was insane for continuing to work with me.

This is so incredible. I feel like something inside me has woken up. I feel so inspired and so ready to move this business and grow. I've been afraid of growth for so long. But growth doesn't have to be scary as long as I stay true to my core and follow my heart. I prayed and prayed for this day - for the courage and strength to take this leap. I prayed for God to show me the way and give me signs I was doing the right thing, and he did; at every step. The investment into a rebrand is literally jaw dropping - I didn't take this road lightly; in fact it's been almost a year in the making - but it's been so so worth it. Soooo let's celebrate!

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

Today's giveaway is over here, featuring a gold sequin hanger from this gal, and some "win it before you can buy it" stationary from yours truly!

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading this, for visiting this pink and gold space - and you know what? If you leave a comment below you'll be entered into the grand prize drawing for Friday, Sept 26 for the Fuji Instax, Project Life & Filofax giveaway!! Good luck!

(there are no limit to entries, each comment counts as an entry. Winner for the grand prize giveaway will be picked at random from the comments on my blog, Facebook comments, Twitter retweets and Instagram reposts.)

Photos above by the handsome JD Datoli. B/c he says he deserves credit

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

GRAND SCHEMES & BIG DREAMS {September Goals}

September Goals

Where does the time go? I wonder if everyone starts their first monthly post this exact same way? Well instead of telling you how this year is evaporating, I'm just going to get right down to brass tax as they say and tell you that September is one of my favorite months - almost as favorite as October and May!

I truly believe in accountability. I believe that sharing here is the best way to hold myself accountable for my plans. Writing it just for myself? Well If I decide to take a breather; only I will know what I didn't accomplish - So my hope for these monthly goal posts is to have you - my lovely readers - keep me accountable - so here goes!

Healthy Living. It seems I've gotten a bit off track with my health goals lately and I want to get back into routine workouts and eating healthy so  I can be my best self for JD, my family and my wonderful clients.

Organization. I want to focus and make a real effort into cataloging my inventory and organizing all my shop items, and all the business 'stuff" that I have. My tornado-like-tendencies cause the studio and extra bedrooms to turn into "Danger Zones." So this month I'd like to get all that picked up and organized so I can find everything without spending hours looking for it.

Studio Help. I need to spend some time doing some training with those that help me with my events. I want them to be a true reflection of my brand and be able to work without supervision. I want them to "have the vision" with me and for my clients to trust them, so we can function as a better team together.

Love. I want to spend more time loving on my husband this month. I want to spend more face time with friends and family. I want to see my dad more.

Brand & Launch Details. Yes this!!

CDE Friendors.  I want to reach out to the amazing vendors here in Central IL and get acquainted with the talent in this area.

Shoot Details. This - in all it's sparkly, pinkness.

Bridal Expo. Do some major research on this and maybe even get signed up for my first Bridal Show. Woot! Woot!

October SS. There is a top secret-service plan that involves a certain State Trooper unfolding and I hope to share it with all of you very soon, but this is here to keep me accountable!

September is really going to be spectacular. Let's call it Spectacular September; yeah  I kinda like that. I have so much goodness to share - I'm nearly ready to explode with excitement, confetti and just lots and lots of joy.

I'd love to hear your goals! Share below in the comments and let's all keep each other accountable and make it happen!

xoxo - Cass

Amazing photo above by the talented Georgianna Lane & design by yours truly.