I'm back

Hi lovely readers,

I would like to reintroduce myself. I'm Stephanie Cross, a solo parent, and empty-nester. I currently have a bookkeeping & accounting company, Cross Professional Business Services LLC that I officially started in October 2021. More on that later.

This is my first post since my 5th Anniversary post on April 24, 2010. A Joyeux Blog was about all things weddings in and around Southern California. I had a some regular features: Beverage Monday, Venues of the Southland and Traditions & Superstitions. I might continue with Beverage Monday because it was fun looking for themed drinks. Since I'm no longer a wedding planner I do not get to see many venues anymore so I'll retire that. You can find the ones I featured under the venue tag. Although I've been kicking around an idea for a regular feature on the museums around Southern California. I have been to almost all of them...

Anyways, I shut down my wedding planning business, A Joyeux Day Weddings & Events at the end of 2010. My son was getting to the point where I needed to be with him {drive} to various activities. My husband's career was taking off, and since we were in the same industry, someone needed to be home with our son. 

I also went back to school. I started and stopped going so many times I lost count. I really hated sitting in a classroom. Then by 2010, schools were offering online classes. Finally, technology caught up and I could go to school while sitting at home at my desk, and continue being a stay-at-home mom that has time to volunteer.

I went to a community college for a couple of years and then transferred to an university that offered a Bachelor of Arts degree completely online. Win-win for me! My major was Business Administration. I had already had opened one business, and almost started another one, so I thought that was the best track for me.

About that, my current business is the basically my fourth business. The first time I thought of being a business owner I was in my mid 30's. I was back living with my parents, and my older sister and her son lived there, too. She was, and is really into animals, so I though about starting a pet sitting business with her, Me & My Sis Pet Sit. Now, I had never really thought about being a business owner, none of my immediate family are business owners, so I am not really sure where the initial idea came for this, many years later. I thought that she could be the animal person, and I would take care of the business aspect. When it came to business know-how, I didn't have any at that time. I was a food server and had been doing that for many years. The internet was just taking off, and I was able to do quite a bit of research online. I also took advantage of business classes at the library. We never got it off the ground, and I ended up moving two hours away, taking the knowledge with me. 

My second go around was my wedding business, which this blog was formally named for, A Joyeux Blog. Actually, my wedding planning company was named after my mom. I went with the French spelling of Joyous, because the dot com was taken for A Joyous Day. I officially had it for almost three years, and did weddings on the side without the official name for some time afterwards.

My third attempt was with my husband. I had to write a business plan for an entrepreneur class I was taking, so we followed it and opened a catering & event business. He was the chef, and I did the event planning. We did great for sometime, but only as a side business, he was working as a chef in a sorority house at the time and had weekends off. The company went under and he went back to working weekends, so our little business had to wrap up.

Now, I am the proud of owner of Cross Professional Business Services LLC a bookkeeping & accounting company focused on midlife female entrepreneurs. I am also branching out into helping women start their business.

I started the idea of CrossProBiz in February 2021. In 2019, I was starting to research what would be a viable business to open with my skill set after my son graduated high school in 2022. Then the pandemic happened, and I lost my husband at the end of 2020. I had to figure out what to do while in deep mourning. Fun stuff!! There was a bit of a learning curve since traditional marketing had evolved to mostly social media, and learning what a tech stack is and that, yes I do have one. I gathered all my new found knowledge and a shoestring budget to start Cross Professional Business Services LLC, which I hope is my last business!

Thanks for reading...

Welcome 2010

Hello Everybody. Welcome to 2010. I have been off the map for awhile, {I lost my father & planned a joint celebration of life for my parents, during the holidays, fun stuff!} but I am ready to get a jump on a new year and decade.

I do want to say congratulations to everybody who got engaged over the holiday's. How very exciting for you.

As a newly engaged couple where do you start? After you show everybody the ring and let everybody know just how excited you are where do you go from there?

• The first thing you need to do is decide on who is paying for the wedding. Or how much can you spend on your dream wedding?


• Once you figure that out, hire a wedding planner. They are not an additional expense, they can be a godsend. I am not biased or anything. We do help you, a lot!


• Once you do those two things then you can have some fun! Buy magazines, look at blogs, figure out what your wedding day style is.


• If you don't hire a wedding planner, you need to book a venue for your reception, one for your ceremony if you are planning on having them in different locations.


• While you are doing that and getting sticker shock on the per person cost, you need to decide on your guest list. At this point you will be cutting out a lot of people who you don't think is worth the $100.00+ per plate charge & understand why you couldn't just bring a date to your second cousin's wedding.


• You will also need to start looking for your wedding dress. If you don't get it at David's or a similar take it home today store, you need to allow at least 6 months for your dress to be made just for you.


• You need to also think about the entertainment for the evening. Do you want a band or DJ? Since they will be there with you for your entire event you need to book them soon.


• But until you have a venue locked down {a signed contract and deposit paid} you don't have a date & if you don't start the search soon you will find that your dream location just might be booked on your desired date, especially if you want a Saturday in May, June or October.


• It takes about three hundred hours to plan a wedding, which is a lot of time. There are lots of decisions to make, lots of details to consider. Do yourself a favor and hire a wedding planner, even if you have one just for the Day of. Interview a couple. Make sure you click. Don't choose one on price alone. They will help you alleviate a lot of stress, because nobody wants to turn in to the dreaded...


• Have fun during this time. Enjoy the thrill of being in love and sharing that love with your fiance. Can you believe that you have one? I wish you all the best.

Congratulations Again,

200th A Joyeux Blog Post!

This is the 200th post of A Joyeux Blog. I have had visitors from all of the continents over the last year and a half. When I started this blog I just thought I would have people from Southern California visit. I didn't think about having an audience throughout the world. Besides the United States, I get the most visitors from Malaysia. I wrote about pre-wedding parties and it was posted to a forum. So hello, Malaysia Brides. If you look on Cluster Maps you can see where all our visitors came from during the last year. I have tried to post a least twice a week but that doesn't always happen. I have a few series, Beverage Monday { I am the most consistent on this one}, Venues of the Southland, Traditions & Superstitions {I havn't posted in awhile to this one} & our newest one ~Friday Shopping~. I have also posted a few Inspiration Boards. So I hope you keep on stopping by my labor of love and check out what is going on with A Joyuex Blog & my life.

In celebration of 200, I have introduced a new signature and a new blog banner.

Happy Reading,

A Day in the Life of A Wedding Planner

This is the third and last part of our series A Day in the Life of a Wedding Planner. Last week we left off with the ceremony ending. You can catch up with wedding planner 1 and wedding planner 2. Today we are going to go through the reception. Their Cake

11:35

• Once the bridal party is on their way to the park right next door for photos I start working on other things. I have the umbrella's moved from the ceremony area to the reception area. It turned out to be a very, hot day even though we were by the ocean. I gather the rose petals from the aisle for their get-away toss later on. I have the banquet captain call up the florist. {Their studio is in the hotel.} To take down the arch flowers and aisle flowers to decorate the sweetheart table, candy table and the DJ. I look around and everything is moving along.

11:55

• I go down to where the bridal party is and check on them. They are moving along nicely. They have two photographers and an assistant helping them with their shots. At that time we look up in the sky and there is a sky writer making double hearts. So appropriate! I go back to the reception take some more photos. {I don't always have time to take them}.

12:15

• The DJ starts playing and the trio is done for the day. I thank them and we had a mutually love fest. The cocktail reception is going great. I go back down to where the photos are being taken and let them know that time is running out. I get down on my knees, bustle the gown and do some spot stain removal. The Bride and groom are Doing their romantics while this is going on. The bride has also noticed that they didn't serve her coconut shrimp. They gave her tempura instead. Not happy!

12:30

• The bridal party makes the trek back up to the reception. They line up for their entrance. They all get introduced, now it is time for the Mr. & Mrs. They are introduced and go right into their first dance. I go over and talk to the Banquet manager about the shrimp and ask that The bride & groom get a plate of coconut shrimp on their table for when they are done with their dance. I also ask if the buffet will be ready and open when they are done dancing. Yes, all of the food is almost out.

12:45

• The groom's father sang a song for the guests, then the bride's grandfather said grace. The buffet opens up and the bride and groom wanted to walk through it so of course they are the first to go. I then release the tables starting with the parents. The bridal party decided to jump ahead. Oh well. The banquet captain~love her~asked me when we will be ready for lunch. I told her as soon as all the guests go through the line.

12:55

• Let the vendor;s know that it is time to eat. The DJ wants to eat at his station. They usually do. I let the two photographers and the assistant it was time. The one photographer went in the buffet line. I had to quickly grab her and let her know we are being served in the staging area from the ceremony. The four of sit down to lunch. Fabulous. We had steak and chicken. You never know what they are going to serve you. Sometimes it is just sandwiches. We rest and chat for a few.

1:15

• On the way out of the restroom I am stopped by a couple who would like to book me. Yay, they did! I run out to the site because I think I am gone too long. I guess the girls were waiting for me to come back. I thought they were already out. Oh well. I talk to the Banquet Manager to have them start pouring the cider for the toast. She thought they were not getting anything for the toast. I had her check. Yes, they were and the cider was poured. Once everyone had some the toasts started with the Best Man, the the nervous Maid of Honor. I also asked the Parents of the Bride and Groom if they would like to talk. The Groom's parents didn't want to, but the Bride's parents did. A few other people gave toasts.

1:30

• Now it was time for the Father/Daughter dance. The Groom and his Mother followed them. They then went into cutting the cake. The cake was served and everybody was dancing, except it was an awfully hot day, so the chocolates that the venue served with the cake melted. So sad!

2:15

• The garter toss and the bouquet toss was a hoot. Everybody was having a blast.

2:30

• Noticed that the staff took everything off the tables. Not good. They didn't have a bar. So I asked if they could set up a little water station since everybody was dancing and sweating!

2:45

• The Mother of the Bride wanted to decorate the bridal suite, so I went to the front desk to get the key. I gave her some of the petals from the aisle and off we went with one of the photographers.

3:15

• I sent the Bride to her room to freshen up since she and her Groom were taking their photos on the beach after the wedding and who wants melted make-up for that! {her Aunt did hair and make-up}. While she was gone the groom was taking some fun photos with his friends that were not in the wedding.

3:45

• I went off in search of the Bride. I actually missed her and they were playing the last song we I got back. I let the photographers assistant that it was time for her to get her car. As she was pulling up on of the parking attendants gave her grief, but the General Manager asked if me if he could block traffic for them. So sweet! I gave the Maid of Honor and a Bridesmaid the rose petals to hand out to all of the guests. I held back the Bride and Groom and lined up the guests in two lines towards the get-away car. As soon as everybody had petals I had the Bride & Groom run towards the car. I looked great! They jumped in and off they went with the photographers.

4:00

• The party is over the guests are leaving and now is the fun part, packing up everything. All their stuff is going into their hotel room but only the Bride's Mother and I know where their room is. I ask the Maid of Honor and The best Man to bring me their bags so I can put them in the room along with all of the wedding stuff. Here mom just asks that I keep everything 'pretty', of course. So all of their stuff get put away. The DJ breaks down his stuff and the banquet staff breaks down all the table and chairs.

4:30

• I wait for a bell cart to put all of the stuff into their room, gifts and all! I leave her bouquet and his bout on the bed and her veil on their couch. Her mom did a great job! The staff has already delivered their champagne. I leave the key on the desk and leave the room. My Day is Over!

Enjoy,

A Day in the Life of a Wedding Planner

Last week was part one of the series. It covered 6:30 am to 10 am. Click on Wedding Planner to see it. This week will take us through the ceremony.

~The Happy Couple~

10:05

• Set up the ceremony area. Pour the sand into the the vases, They had a vase of sand for the officiant, too. They officiant is still with the Trio discussing their cues. The guest book attendants want to know if the guests can sign anywhere in the book. They did a cute photo book and of course where ever they want. The banquet captain is helping me by putting the finishing touches on the candy bar.

10:23

• I noticed looking at my phone so I knew it was exactly that time. Went to change. I usually come in 'set-up' clothes & no make-up and then change into my nice wedding clothes and put my make-up on. As I am getting my clothes out of the Bellman's closet. {Since it was outside there was no place for me to store my clothes anywhere else.} I just miss the bride getting back from photos, but I was able to chat with the photographer for a moment.

10:35

• After I am dressed, my hair is done and my make-up put on. You need to be quick! I go look out the set-up and make sure everything is going smoothly. I check in with the DJ. He teases me since I haven't changed into my pumps, yet. I am still in my flip flops easier to walk around in right now!

10:45

• I go make the long trek to go get the Bride. The Banquet Captain is getting the guys. I get to her room which is up some stairs, down a hallway and down a elevator and then down another hallway. I get to the room and tell them it is time! We gather everybody up and make the long journey back. Everybody won't fit into the elevator so the bride, her dad and the photographer get in with me. We leave the bridesmaids to take the next one.

10:55

• I get our little party into the staging room and leave the bride, her dad and the photographer in there. I am off to search for mom. Find her, send her into the room. Look for the grandparents and the groom's parents since they will be in the processional. They are were they are supposed to be. The Banquet Captain meets up with the bridesmaids {whew, we missed the groom} and they along with the groomsmen come up to the staging room. The groom goes off to the side to make his entrance with the Officiant. I went back into the staging room and let everybody know it is time. I walk back out to where I will be sending the bridal party down the aisle. I let the guests know it was now time to take their seats. Have the officiant meet the groom at the designated area.

11:05

• Send the Groom' parents and the Bride's mom and Grandfather down the aisle. The Groom & Officiant come out from the side. Once they are seated I do I huge hand wave to get the trio's attention that is now time to play Canon in D. They finally see me, turn their pages and start playing. I send the bridal party down the aisle. Smile everybody, have fun and hold your bouquets at your belly button. As the best man is in the line up I ask, "You have the rings?" Of course he did. The flower girl DOES NOT want to go down so her mom picks her up and carries her down the aisle. I wave my hands again. It's the brides turn. Her music is starting. Tell her to breath, smile and how beautiful she looks. She goes down the aisle with her dad to become a wife. I fix her train as she turns. Whew! The ceremony is out of my hands now.

11:10

• I take a few shots of the reception and ceremony. Move the guest book and gifts to the other side of the ceremony area. I watch the ceremony for a sec, then I go back to put my pumps on.

11:20

• They're not with the rest of my stuff. Did I leave them in the car? I grab my set-up clothes and run out to my car. As I am almost there I realize no, I left them in the ladies restroom where I changed. I run there, find them and put them on.

11:30

• As I go back the wedding is over and everybody is back in the staging area. A tray of appetizers is passed around to the bridal party and we get everybody back outside to take photos.

Enjoy,

A Day in the Life of a Wedding Planner

Today, I am going to start telling you the multi-part story of what one wedding planner {me} did on the day of the wedding at a luxury resort. It was a daytime wedding. The ceremony started at 11am and the reception was over at 4pm. The ceremony and reception were at the same place. The Bride, Groom, wedding party and parents all stayed at the hotel the night before.
6:30am

• Wake-up. Shower & dress, in casual clothes. Say bye to my little boy who woke right as I was leaving.

7:05

• Left home. I wanted to leave at 6:45-7:00 but, oh well.

7:15

• Stop by a fast food drive through. Not sure when I will have time to eat later.

8:05

• Arrive at the venue. Almost missed the off-ramp. I am so not a morning person and thought I was driving to San Diego, oops!

8:10

• Park, go to the bell desk to retrieve the wedding stuff from the Catering Managers office. Too much for one bell cart need to call another bellman.

8:20

• Get to the ceremony & reception site. Everything will be outside today. Photographer’s assistant arrives and we go over to the bride’s dressing room. She has been to this venue before and know the trick to get in without a key. Another photographer calls. She’s on the way. Their original photographer went into labor that day. There is confusion about which photographer is going to be with the bride.

8:35

• Go see my Bride. So beautiful! She’s a bit nervous. Talk with the Maid of Honor. She just had a baby two weeks before the wedding and couldn't make it to the rehearsal the previous night. I gave her a rundown of what she needed to do. Told everybody that they needed to be ready by 9. One of the bridesmaids argued that she couldn't be. OK, not your wedding. Except the bride. The photographer’s assistant was loaning her BMW for the get-away car and the Mother of the Bride wanted to decorate it. So I get them together.

8:45

• Start setting up ceremony & reception. They are within a few feet of each other. Checked in with the Banquet Manager, confirmed floor plan and table set-up. Started putting together their candy bar. Realize I don’t have the glue dots. Go to the Groom’s room. The groomsmen are rocking pink ties. The guys are so very restless. Had them go out to the lobby to wait for their photographer; Call the photographer to let her know that she needs to meet the guys in the lobby. Walked over to the bride's room to get the boutonnieres. The bride's photographer was taking shots of them so I asked her assistant if she could bring them to the lobby when she is done. Go to the lobby to let the guys know what's going on. The go back to the wedding area.

9:05

• Continue the set up. Florist is working on the ceremony area, great. Met the Banquet Captain. She is fantastic and helps me A LOT! plus, she brought me some ice tea. The drink of the gods! She helps me set up Candy Bar. The first person of the string trio arrives. Concerned there isn't enough shade. So ask if we can get another umbrella over where they will be playing.

9:15

• Continue setting up.

9:30

• The DJ arrives. I introduce myself. You email and talk on the phone but you don't always meet the other vendors till wedding day. Hear the the guys yell out the DJ's name as the drive off for their photos.

9:50

• Guestbook Attendants & one of the Ushers arrive. Let them know what their duties are. I also give them a timeline to look over. Get officiant and the trio together so they can discuss the cues for the ceremony. Finish setting up. Cake is there. I didn't even notice it arriving.

Part 2 will be next Tuesday.

Enjoy,