Children's Hope Chest and Mitchell Yellen

Mitchell Yellen and his wife Windsor are dedicated to supporting Children’s Hope Chest.  Mitchell is personal friends with Tom Davis, CEO of Children’s Hope Chest.  Mitchell along with his children, Rachel, Winston and Abraham have all traveled to Africa in support of the ministry and Children’s Hope Chest. 

Mitchell Yellen is interested in new revenue ideas for Children’s Hope Chest.  He hopes to bring music and artists together to spread the word about Children’s Hope Chest and the need for kids to be adopted.  Winston Yellen recently signed a record deal and may be involved with these new outreach ideas. 

As we look forward to breaking ground at The Pinery at the Hill, Mitchell hopes to connect with Children’s Hope Chest in coordinating future events.  Learn more about Children’s Hope Chest, community to community sponsorship, the purpose and how to become a member at www.hopechest.org. 

Wedding Insurance

As a Wedding Planner, I often get asked about wedding insurance.  Each individual couple has different needs and thoughts on this personal decision.  I came across this video searching the web and thought it might help a few of you make this important decision.

http://yourmoney.msn.com/saving-money-help/97eba0f4-1ac3-4a7e-8e6d-eba52440f0ff?ocid=boacopy

Pictures Speak A Thousand Words, and So Much More

Choosing a photographer for your wedding day can be exciting and stressful all at the same time.  You find yourself at a place where you have to hire a sometimes complete stranger and entrust them to capture the day you’ve dreamt of your whole life.  These are the photos your children will look at, friends who couldn’t make the wedding look at, and the pictures you and your husband look at many, many years down the road.  To not be able to be thrown back in time and remember every feeling, tear of joy and feelings of excitement reflected by your photos is a scary thought.  How are brides supposed to choose the “right “photographer in a world where there are more wedding photographers than weddings!?  Well, the answer is simple: There is no “right” photographer, only a “right” photographer for YOU.

It’s not just about pretty pictures, it’s about finding someone who captures the moments that are important to you.  It’s also about the photographer themselves. This is someone who is going to be apart of your day in all aspects.  As you curl your hair in the dressing room, step into your gown with your bridesmaids, stand behind the chapel doors right before they open and even in your face with the camera as you exchange your vows.  With someone so close to you all day, it’s pretty important that you not only like them as a person but that they bring a sense of calmness and good energy in the room. (Or whatever energy you’re hoping to have on your wedding day).

At The Pinery, we see several different photographers come in and out of our doors during our busy season.  All seem wonderful and all seem to fit what the Bride and Groom were hoping for.  Someone to capture the best day of their lives!

So, before you begin the process of choosing this oh-so important vendor, make sure you look further than just a picture.

-Amy

P.S. I spy a groom =)

 Picture by Teresa Lee Photography at www.teresaleephotography.com

The Pinery and Young Life

Every October The Pinery is host to a couple of Young Life fundraisers.  The Pinery has been host to these events for the past three years.    Mitchell Yellen and his wife Windsor are tremendous supporters of the Young Life organization.  Once a week, Mitchell and his wife host approximately 100 kids from Young Life in their home.

It has been a great pleasure to meet the Young Life leaders and work with them in organizing these events.  Mitchell wants to encourage people to support the Young Life organization.  To learn more about Young Life and what they do visit www.younglife.org.   From the website you will learn “What Young Life is:  Young Life doesn’t start with a program.  It starts with adults who are concerned enough about kids to go to them, on their turf and in their culture, building bridges of authentic friendship.  These relationships don’t happen overnight – they take time, patience, trust and consistency.  

 Young Life leaders reach out to kids – where they are, as they are.  We listen to their stories and learn what’s important to them because we genuinely care about their joys, triumphs, heartaches and setbacks.” 

Mitchell has been a mentor and leader to many kids over the past 25 years and mentors approximately 10 young men weekly.  He is a leader that reaches out to kids and provides encouragement and guidance. 

The Pinery looks forward to continuing to serve the Colorado Springs area Young Life community.

Have you ever wondered where all those wedding traditions came from?

The Pinery is in full swing planning for Wedding Season of 2012.  It is a fun, exciting time for all of us!  As we prepare, all kinds of questions arise.  We have couples that come in that have thought about every single detail of their wedding and others that have a multitude of questions.  It is always fun to share our experiences with them. 

So as I was looking for possible readings to share with a bride.  I came across some of these interesting tidbits about traditions in "Bride's Book of Etiquette":

Something old,

Something new...

*Something old:  a family heirloom -- a Bible,  antique veil, jewelry -- for continuity. 

*Something new:  the bride's clothes, lingerie -- for optimism.

*Something borrowed:  a lace handkerchief, jewelry borrowed from a happily married relative(happiness rubs off!!!)

*Something blue:  blue ribbon threaded through lace, a slip, or the garter, blue toenail polish, blue stones sewn into the train, earrings or necklace, blue flowers--for purity, fidelity, love. 

*Penny in your shoe:  a sixpence in England, a quarter in Canada, a penny in the U.S. -- to insure a life of fortune.

 ----- and for the true romantics the answer to "Why does the ceremony end with a kiss?

From the days of ancient Rome, the kiss was a legal bond that sealed contracts, and thus, the betrothal.  Christianity incorporated the betrothal ceremony into the marriage ritual.  It was also believed that when a couple kissed, part of each of their souls was left behind in the other when their  breath was exchanged.  Occurring at the end of the rites, the kiss announces a new status.