Guest Blog Spot Featuring Stellar Events

I recently had the pleasure of guest blogging on Sheila Gallant-Halloran's blog - which led to my last post of her guest blogging for me! Thought I would share the link of the Q&A that I did for her earlier this week.

Check it out: http://sheila0gh.wordpress.com/2010/11/22/guest-blog-some-qas-with-event-planner-cristie-vito/

Enjoy! I had fun working with Sheila on these blog posts this week. Without a doubt, she is STELLAR ;)

Guest Blog: Some Q&As with Travel Agent Sheila Gallant-Halloran

I am very excited to have Sheila guest blog for me today. She is an amazing Travel Advisor for Vision 2000, and is my first call when working with destination wedding couples! I also recommend her to my couples when deciding on what they want to do for their honeymoon. In my opinion, Sheila is one of the best in the business - definitely on top of her game when it comes to all sorts of travel.


Take a look at what she had to say, during our Q&A:

Why are you in the travel industry?

Everything I do, I believe that caring for family is the most important job in the world. I believe that we all have a finite amount of time to do all the right things. I believe in building memories that families will cherish. The way I value my family is to be present in their lives, maximize quality time, and experience wonder. I believe that we can enhance wonder by carving out magical time together on vacation. It just so happens that I "sell" vacations that will help your family have "wow" moments, and build memories. Wanna buy one?

How do you become a travel agent? Do you have any specialities?

I worked in financial services for 20 years, and regular business commuting took me away from home. We often escaped to Walt Disney World on vacation. So, when I had children late in life, I looked for a way to combine my business acumen with my love of travel. I specialize in Disney travel (my own family has been 18 times), but I add magic to every vacation -luxury, cruise, beach, adventure, romantic getaway, escorted tour, safari: whatever you crave. I tailor vacation experiences to your desires and interests. Some of my certifications include being an Anguilla Travel Connossieur, a Certified Sandals and Beaches Specialist, and being a graduate of the Regent Seven Seas travel agent university, as well as the Disney College of Knowledge.

How long have you been doing this?

I supplemented my personal travel experiences by working as an authorized Disney vacation planner for 2 years, and for the last 2.5 years, I have worked as an independent contractor. I now run my own business as a travel advisor with the Vision 2000 Travel Group, so I can better orchestrate your travel dreams. Vision 2000 is a leading member of Virtuoso, a network of the world's finest travel agencies. This gives me more resources and global connections, and gives you access to exclusive travel offers that you can't get on your own, along with your best value for the money.

What’s your favourite memory of working with a client?

Recently, a client asked me to organize a surprise birthday gift for his wife - he wanted to take her to Disney to celebrate her retirement, cross off a "bucket list" trip, fete her at the best restaurants, have her meet "Winnie the Pooh,” and generally act like a kid again. This is an older, well travelled couple, and I'd organized many trips for them previously. This email is self-explanatory.

You have no idea how surprised, happy and all the emotions that you can imagine she demonstrated when she realised what was happening, and this was the start... I understand why you return there so many times. We will certainly go back as well....In short, there is no other word to explain our satisfaction/pleasure other than say this week was one of the most marvellous and magical weeks that [we]... have spent together.

Do you do destination weddings?

Of course. I have a destination wedding group returning from Punta Cana today.

What’s been the biggest obstacle you’ve had to overcome with a destination wedding client, just by your own sheer will and determination?

One couple wanted a family friend to marry them in the Dominican, but that wouldn’t work legally – so we had them legally married in Canada, and had the symbolic wedding on a DR beach with their friend officiating. Another couple had a set wedding date and after we’d worked hard to secure a judge at destination, the tour operator suddenly lost space on the flight – I had to scramble to make alternate arrangements, but it got sorted.

What’s the biggest stumbling block in taking on/ working with a new client?

I don’t get the do-it-yourself syndrome. I bet you could research how to perform your own appendectomy on the internet, but few would be willing to turn the scalpel on themselves. Yet, many do that with their vacation. There are many scams out there, and many consumer-rating agency sites that are not quite what they purport themselves to be. Why not deal with the professionals that have your best interests in mind?

Why should someone use a travel agent, especially when coordinating their destination wedding, as opposed to trying to book it online?
Group travel is a special animal. You want folks travelling together on the same plane, staying together in the same part of the hotel, paying the same price, and maybe getting some special amenities or travel concessions. Individuals don’t get that booking piecemeal; nor do you have access to the same resources and vendors that I do.

Look - you never get to recapture your personal time, especially your wedding day. So your vacation, and your destination wedding, has to be right the first time. Extraordinary travel experiences don't just happen - they are created through collaborative effort. So, if you're thinking about the kind of memories you'd like to take away from your next vacation, please give me a call.

What is the biggest misconception when a couple is planning their destination wedding?

You have to remember you’re still planning a wedding. Taking the wedding to another destination doesn’t remove the decision-making – it just changes the locale of the party. Involve a knowledgeable travel advisor to take care of the travel, and a wedding planner to take care of everything else.

Do you book honeymoons? Offer any special services or incentives to couples?

Of course! I meet with couples to find out what memories they are looking to take away, and what kind of honeymoon they want. We also offer a honeymoon registry program (allowing guests to contribute funds towards the honeymoon), and for destination weddings, we can build personalized websites for the bride and groom that can feature a gift registry, an RSVP page for all guests with full travel details, and an invitation service.

Sheila Gallant-Halloran
Travel Advisor
Made-to-measure travel: Please, go away!

W : www.vision2000.ca/sheilagh
E : sheila.gh@vision2000.ca
Blog: http://www.sheila0gh.wordpress.com/
P : 613-837-0699
Twitter: @sheila_gh

2010 Young Business Person of the Year

Last week I was honoured to receive the Young Business Person of the Year Award for the 2010 TD Canada Trust People's Choice Award for the Orleans Chamber of Commerce. I was born and raised in Orleans, so it means so much to be recognized by my community this way, especially since I am just going into my third year of business! It has been a very exciting journey so far and I can't wait to see how it continues to unfold. I have met and had the pleasure to work with so many people so far, and I have enjoyed every minute of it.

Most people in business face multiple challenges, and I think that being a young entrepreneur has a few additional challenges to add to the typical list! Seeing other people my age succeeding in business is very inspiring to me, and definitely helps motivate me when I start to feel overwhelmed. When I accepted this award, I did it on behalf of the two other finalists in my category: Jenna Majkot from Dahlia Party & Event Decor and Jeff Stoveld/Adam Quinn Taylor of Top of the Hill Bakery, who are successful young business people in Ottawa and should be recognized for their contribution to our community. Congratulations to all the nominees, especially the finalists.

I am blessed to be able to do what I love for a living, and I would not be where I am today without the continued support and encouragement of my family and friends - especially my parents! It is because of them that I am living my dream, and I am truly grateful.

Thank you to everyone that voted for me, it means the world to me!

Me with my parents after the awards gala - so happy they were there to share the moment with me!

CHEO Charity Halloween Party!

Come one, come all to the spooky Tripp Photography boutique studio (901 Bank Street) on Sunday, October 31 from 10 am to 6 pm. Whether you are a ghost or a goblin, a wicked witch or a naughty devil, come get your picture taken in the pumpkin patch.

On Hallowe'en Day, Tripp Photography and Stellar Events are hosting our 2nd Annual Hallowe'en CHEO charity event! For a donation to CHEO, you will have your child's photo taken (in Hallowe'en Attire) and receive a 4x6 complimentary print. All proceeds will be donated to the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario.

Remember, you only need to come for 20-30 mins to eat some snacks, get some treats, have your photo taken and enter to win prizes!

Last year was a huge success and we are hoping to double the results this year, now that we are using Tripp Photography's beautiful new studio in the Glebe.

Get your lil' ones dressed up before trick or treating and come get their picture taken for a donation to CHEO. It is a fun event, for an important cause. Come out and support us!

2010 People's Choice Business Awards

I am very honoured to be nominated for the 2010 TD Canada Trust People's Choice Business Awards this year. It means a lot to be recognized by my colleagues and past clients, so I am truly excited to be nominated for Young Business Person of the Year in addition to a few other categories!

The online voting for the ninth annual People's Choice Business Awards presented by TD Canada Trust ends on October 31st. Over 100 different businesses have already been nominated in 11 different categories. If you haven't voted yet, please do!

The winners will be announced at a gala dinner on November 18th at the Camelot Golf & Country Club in Cumberland.

To vote, just visit the Orleans Chamber of Commerce online at www.orleanschamber.ca/en/index.php

Stellar Events Quoted in The Ottawa Citizen

When stars align

Mike and Carrie's upcoming wedding is the best-kept secret in town. We talk to the pros to find out what to expect

By Janet Wilson, The Ottawa Citizen June 27, 2010

Mike Fisher kisses Carrie Underwood after she wins an award at the 2010 CMT Music Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on June 9, 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee.

Photograph by: Jason Merritt, Getty Images

With rumours of country singer Carrie Underwood and Sens star Mike Fisher's impending nuptials, we asked Ottawa wedding planner Stacey Price to envision their fairytale wedding.

Price, who has 51 weddings on the books for this summer, has built a solid reputation for executing memorable, high-end events. She was behind weddings for both Jason Spezza and former Sen Wade Redden.

While she was hoping to land Underwood and Fisher as clients, Price believes Underwood may have opted for either Preston Bailey, who organized Oprah's 50th birthday bash and Ivanka Trump's recent wedding, or Colin Cowie, a party planner to the stars known for designing spectacular celebrations around the globe.

"The first step in keeping things hush-hush is for the vendors to sign a confidentiality agreement. You don't want anyone to blab."

A good wedding planner must be discreet, focused, and, above all, a good listener.

Price expects Fisher and Underwood to stay true to their morals, values and religion.

Fisher, a country boy at heart who grew up in Peterborough, and Underwood, who was raised on a farm in Checotah, Oklahoma, have publicly stated that they would like a laid-back wedding rather than an opulent, star-studded affair. While the lovebirds may initially have preferred an intimate event with mostly family and friends, celebrity websites claim the guest list is now topping 250 people.

Rumours suggest the wedding is slated for mid-July -- possibly July 10 -- near Nashville or Georgia, although their new property in West Carleton, just minutes from ScotiaBank Place, could do in a pinch.

Keeping the wedding location secret is tough for anyone to pull off -- especially if you're rich, famous and beautiful. Some stars go to great lengths to keep their plans under wraps. Chelsea Clinton's upcoming wedding location is so secret that guests are to wait for a personal phone call from her wedding planner to tell them where to go.

"I've heard that Mike and Carrie's guests have all been told to show up in a farmer's field where they will be flown or bused to the real wedding location," Price says.

"I always thought it would be in Tennessee. I've heard that the wife of one of her roadies is making the wedding cupcakes and she lives in Tennessee -- although cupcakes can be shipped anywhere."

There's another rumour that the wedding might be held in Renfrew.

"If it's in my backyard, I'll be really upset. Maybe there's a Renfrew in Tennessee," Price says.

There's no denying that Fisher and Underwood ooze chemistry and that forthcoming nuptials will be oh so romantic, from the elegant wedding invitations to the whimsical bouquet of flowers.

Gerry Arial of Silver Rose, often described as Ottawa's florist to the powerful and famous, says Underwood's bouquet should be simple yet elegant.

Many factors determine the makeup of the bouquet, from the length of the bride's gown to its colour. A wedding bouquet should always be carried slightly off to the side as an accent piece, Arial says.

"Carrie Underwood is very dainty and petite, so we'd recommend either sweetheart or spray roses with very little greenery. The bouquet should be one colour and one type of flower. It should also be wrapped in sheer ribbon with nothing hanging down."

Underwood is sure to be dressed in a chic yet timeless gown, perhaps in silk to suit her slender frame.

David McCaffrey, designer and president of McCaffrey Haute Couture on Sussex Drive, says her dress should be fun, with a longer bodice that goes below her backside with random, bias-cut pleating.

"I would make a defined sweetheart neckline. She's in great shape, so she'd want something that clearly defines her body."

On the skirt, McCaffrey says he would add organza flowers and ostrich feathers. The silk satin gown would be made in an ivory tone to highlight Underwood's golden hair.

Cristie Vito, creative director of Ottawa's Stellar Events, says the couple's publicist deserves kudos for keeping everything under wraps.

"The media gets a little bit to go on and then throws in some potential changes to keep everyone guessing," Vito says. "They don't want to be bombarded by strangers on their big day.

© Copyright (c) The Ottawa Citizen

Read more: http://www.ottawacitizen.com/entertainment/When+stars+align/3204384/story.html#ixzz0zivUw8Ha

Today's Bride Feature Article

I am excited to share with you an article featuring some of the top wedding planners across Canada - including celebrity planner Jane Dayus-Hinch from the hit show Wedding S.O.S. in the latest issue of Today's Bride. I am even more thrilled to be the second wedding planner mentioned in the article, next to Jane, and the only one from Ottawa! Take a look (or for a better view, check out page 64 of the latest issue of Today's Bride on stands now!):