Coordinating the Day of your Wedding

You have the dress, the colors and the theme.

Your bridesmaids, maid of honor and groomsmen all picked out.

Every detail of your wedding is planned, right down to the favor on the table.

Congratulations!  Planning an event like this is a labor of love and when the day comes, you are sure that it will run smoothly.

Except that all of the plans are in your head and you forgot to delegate the coordination of the event to someone who can ensure that your plans are put into place and ensuring that everything you want to happen WHEN you want it to happen.  

Could having on-site coordinator for the day of your wedding be that important?

Yesterday, we assisted a bride and a groom for their themed “Pi Day” Wedding.  She had carried out the theme perfectly, the colors flawlessly but she knew that she did not want to be responsible for making sure that the small details that get out of place were her responsibility.  She wanted to do nothing more than be the center of attention and not running the event.

CZ Concierge Services stepped in to ensure a timely execution of the event and handle the minor issues that always happen.  

One of the first issues of the day was that one of the ring bearers was not going to walk down the aisle; the concierge was there with a bribe of jelly beans (with the agreement of his mother). 

Would you believe that 10 minutes prior to the wedding, the bridal party realized that they forgot the veil?  

No problem, they sent her brother to get it while the concierge on site informed the groom, groomsmen, priest, and organist that we would be running about 10 to 15 minutes behind.

The veil arrived and the concierge quickly let all the parties know that we were ready to begin.  In the back of the church the concierge, she readied the grandparents, parents and bridal party for their walk down the aisle.

And just as she had dreamed, the bride became the center of attention without looking hurried or stress because those little details were being handled for her.

At the reception hall, once again the concierge was on hand to talk to the catering manager, the DJ and other vendors with the schedule of how the bride wanted the day to go.  Before entering the dining room, the concierge once again lined the party for their announced entrance.

Everything from the cake cutting to the tossing of the bouquet were planned and executed just as the bride ask but without the bride being concerned over who was doing what.

Even the groom had asked a favor to clean his glasses after the bride got icing stuck in the nose piece right before their first dance.

At the end of the day, the mothers of the bride and groom were so thankful that hugs had to be received.  The mother of the bride and the Matron of Honor both were quick to say that the bride was so happy that she never had to worry about the details.  Everything went according to plan and she couldn’t be happier.

So is having a concierge on your wedding day important?  According to this family, it is a resounding YES!

Call Christine at 314-779-9495 to show you how having a concierge by your side on the day of your wedding will ensure your day to be stress free!

6 Steps to Master the "Art of Delegating"

When Dolly, the cloned sheep, made her entrance in the world, I remember thinking, “If I could clone myself I could…”

But the truth is that I don’t know that I would have trusted Cloned Christine to take over some areas of my life. I didn’t trust anyone to do it as well as me.

As a Squad Leader in a Military Police Platoon, I thought I knew how to delegate as it is an integral part of how the Army works. I told the Team Leaders and they told the Privates what to do - except when it came to planning the Company Picnic or the Family Day activities. I just knew that “nobody” would take the time or care the way I would.

There were very capable people ready to help. I was concerned that the detail that I would bring to a project would not be brought by someone else and this stopped me from delegating even the smallest task.

My consequence for not mastering the “Art of Delegating” was a migraine headache the day of event. Something had to change and these are the steps I developed to help overcome my own fear of delegating:

1.) Make a list.
Although this seems like a no brainer, for some people it needs to be reiterated. I use a Mind Map because linear thinking doesn’t help in multiple projects scenarios. Use our Task Mind Mapping tool to get started.

2.) Be honest with yourself.
There are only so many hours in a day and there are only so many of those hours that you can dedicate to tasks. Once you have listed all of the tasks on the Task Mind Map, you need to determine which tasks is Priority and have to be accomplished by you this week, which can be done Later next week and which ones you can Delegate.

If you have gone through your list and have not found a task to delegate go back through this step and start with BE HONEST WITH YOURSELF. Take a deep breath and trust the process.

3.) Define your Expectations.
Do you need the task done at by a specific date? If purchases are to be made, do you have a specific brand or store that you prefer? As much as I hope that someone can read my mind to totally get what I want, the fact is that they can’t. Defining your expectation for the task will make it clear to both you and the Delegatee of what exactly you want accomplished.

4.) Determine who you will Delegate your tasks to.
The Concierge is a great choice to delegate tasks simply because you can trust that they will get done when you want them done.

5.) Give the Delegatee the list of tasks.

6.) Step Back.
Whether you give your task to CZ Concierge Services or to your spouse, the truth is that no one will do something the exact same way you would have. You have determined that the Delegatee is someone you trust and now has your expectations. If the end result is the same as you wanted it, then it was a good delegation!

We want to hear about your success at mastering the “Art of Delegation”. Be sure to leave a comment below.

Valentine's Day 2014

If you are someone that hyperventilates at the thought of Valentines Day, we need to talk.

Whatever the reason for your anxiety, we have answers to get you through the day.

Did you ever see the episode of Friends where Monica, Rachel and Phoebe decide that they are tired of the expectations of Valentines Day and burn items that represent former loves?  In their case, their rescue came in the form of hunky firemen saving the apartment from being burned down. 

If that is not the type of rescue you are looking for may I offer some other suggestions?

Whether you want to get together with other single friends to enjoy a night out or take your sweetie out for a night they won’t forget, there are plenty of options still available that will save you from “Romantic Burnout”.

Valentine's Day is on a Friday this year and there is still time to plan a weekend get-a-way.  One of my favorite get-a-way is the YMCA Trout Lodge in Potosi, Missouri.  Located only two hours away from St. Louis, your romantic get-a-way will be one to be remembered.  With planned activities to choose or camp activities to plan around, it is guaranteed that you and your sweetie will have fun and connect in new fun ways.  RECOMMENDATION: Bring your own bottles of wine for Saturday night’s dinner and dancing as Trout Lodge does not sell alcohol.

If you want to stay closer to home, check out Copia Restaurant & Wine Garden.  They bring the spirit of the vineyards to the heart of downtown.  The wine garden is gorgeous with water features and so much to adore that you will want to come back for the ambiance, great food and excellent selections of wines.  Located on Washington Avenue in St. Louis City, they truly are a part of the St. Louis Revival!  This is a perfect spot for a couple or a large group of friends.

A great splurge on the romantic side is a movie with Marquee Seating.  You have to be 21 or older to enjoy this luxury as the waitresses will serve you adult beverages of you choice.  Sitting in a recliner watching a good movie while people serve you is what the fab life is all about.  There are several theaters in the Metro area that offer this 5 star treatment: Wehrenberg Theatres, AMC and B&B Wildwood 10.  Call ahead to be sure that your movie is being shown in that theater.

Don't forget the kiddos like special treatment, too. Have a special cupcake delivery made to the school during lunch.  

No matter what you do this Valentine's Day, I hope that it is fun and abundant.

Is your Resolution on your Calendar?

If you are one of the 45% of Americans who have made a New Year’s Resolution, let me ask you a question: is your resolution on your calendar?  Whether your resolution is to eat healthy, be a better parent (sister, daughter, community activist), to grow your business or be a better boss, make it a part of your to-do list to schedule it on your calendar.

Just as every business meeting or children’s activity gets inscribed on your calendar, so should the goals you set for yourself.  How else will you remember or - more importantly- find the time to work on your goals?

Let’s say we have resolved to eat healthy.  Buy vegetables and lean meat, cook and VIOLA you are eating healthy.  And then the week comes and you were really busy that you weren’t able to buy groceries and what would you make tonight anyway and ohhhh look, there’s the McDonald’s (Long John Silvers, Hunan Wok).  From there you slide into, the “well it’s just this week”, which leads to “let me get through the month” and the next thing you know it is the New Year and you are resolving to do better - AGAIN.

“Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” - Albert Einstein

This year, plan out the success of your resolution!  Take an hour and start blocking the time you will need to make your resolution a reality.  Look at your calendar and decide where you can block time for going to the gym, volunteering or whatever task you need to do.  Don’t schedule anything else during that time.  If someone wants a meeting at that time, explain that you are already committed and that they will need to choose another time to meet.  Stay firm; you wouldn’t schedule two meetings at the same time, would you?

Out-source the rest.  No one said that YOU have to grocery shop in order to eat healthy.  Make a list, call CZ Concierge Services and have them deliver your items to the work place, home or even the soccer field.

It takes 21 days to create a new habit so put those days on your calendar TODAY!

What can we Learn?

There is so much to do in the world.  So many places to see, so many foods to taste, so many people to meet.

I have never understood those that just had to leave St. Louis because they thought we were just to provincial.  As I see it, most of us don't have time to know what is available.   It is time for us to gain our 25th Hour of the day and to spend that time wisely.  My goal is to give you more ideas of how to spend your free time!

When was the last time you went to a new restaurant or visited a new company in St. Louis?

My husband and I went to Yelp's 1st Burstday Party a couple of weeks ago at the 3rd Degree Glass Factory on Delmar.  What a great time and what a great opportunity to have visited this glass art facility as well as sample great food from many vendors from around the area. 

What I learned is that gluten-free foods don't taste as bad as I thought they did! (Thanks Range Free Cookies)

It is time to spend our time enjoying what life has to offer.  And I want to hear from you.  What have you eaten or visited lately that St. Louisians need to know about?

Learning is an adventure and I hope that together that at the end of the day, we have gained new insights as we find new adventures in the St. Louis Metro Area!