Archive for the ‘Celebrate Life’ Category

Good Words

Wednesday, December 21st, 2011

As 2011 winds down, I recall all the words I had to learn this year. So many of them were not by choice and they weren’t good words either. They were sad, scary and frightening words. I battled hard against a lot of these words from January to December and I will probably be battling many of them for my whole life.

As this year draws to a close, I’m going to do my best to only think of GOOD WORDS. Words that uplift, motivate, comfort, nurture, inspire and heal so that they keep the other words far at bay. A whole new dictionary being created for a new year, a new life, a new beginning in a new “familiar” place.

I will start with the words of an inspirational Canadian leader who lost his own battle to cancer this year. The following words summarize his final letter to his fellow Canadian citizens just days before his death.

THESE are GOOD WORDS!!

“My friends, LOVE is better than anger. HOPE is better than fear. OPTIMISM is better than despair. So let us be LOVING, HOPEFUL and OPTIMISTIC and we’ll change the world”.

Former Canadian New Democrat Party Leader, Jack Layton (1950-2011)

Celebrating Good Words, Love, Life and Style Today and Everyday,

Tracey

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Changes

Monday, September 19th, 2011

My Message on the “Bright Run” Wall of Hope, 9/10/11

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

The last few months, since about the second week of March when I found a very large lump in my breast, have been a blur.

It happened right after attending a professionally exhilarating Catersource 2011 Conference and Trade Show where I enjoyed presenting as a panelist speaker and judging in several prestigious categories at the International Caterers’ Associations’ “CATIE AWARDS” gala.

So, after a great week of education, networking and inspiration, I was pumped and ready to make some changes. I HAD NO IDEA!!

I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer on April 8, 2011. My mother was in Las Vegas on April 11th and the “Amazing Race” was on for tests and more tests. As we met with doctors under my insurance plan and then doctors I really wanted who were not, I got the whole scary picture of what I was up against and I was more afraid of the costs than the disease!

Still being a citizen of Canada, my husband, my parents and I made the very hard but wise decision that only I would return to do all my treatments in my home town at the amazing Juravinski Cancer Center in Hamilton, Ontario with an incredible health team. I returned to Canada just before Easter and began chemotherapy immediately which was completed in August. I am so blessed to have come through that ordeal with great results and, not too worse for the wear, thank G-d.

I write this post on the eve of my surgery. Radiation to follow and then another IV drug treatment for a year after (that would be $100K alone in the USA but covered in FULL in Canada)!

I won’t get into THAT argument here now or anytime, but I will say that, for financial and logistical reasons, “coming home” to enjoy the benefits of Canadian citizenship was the best decision I ever made for my survival and well being.

I will be here in Canada for an extended period of time and taking an extended leave of absence from my business and from planning weddings and events in Las Vegas. I’m taking one step and day at a time and I know that I will be a SURVIVOR!

One thing I will make an argument for is this; LOSE THE WEIGHT (if you have to) or maintain a healthy one, exercise, go to the doctor, get MAMMOGRAMS or other important medical tests when (if) you are due. TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF because you only have this one life and this one body to live it in. I know that sounds hokey. Oh well, it’s true! If my story can be of service to anyone, it is that I would have never found the lump if I had not lost the weight!! Losing weight SAVED MY LIFE! I reversed the self-imposed curse of Type 2 onset Diabetes and, in the nick of time, gave myself a shot at hopefully many more years to enjoy life with those I love and do great things for others in whatever way I may choose in the event world or beyond that.

To ALL the venues, creative wedding partners and my wedding planner colleagues who are doing an amazing job of stepping up to take over the weddings that I could not continue planning this year; Jeannie Ward of Wedding Jeannie and Veronica Medrano of Summit Events Catering in California, Juliet Douglas, Angelica McDonnell of Green Orchid Events and Dennis Silknitter at the Four Seasons Resort, Las Vegas….THANK YOU!

To Danielle and Terry, Theresa and Dave, Allison and Ron, Natalia and Rhett; being part of planning your weddings this year was/is a great thrill and honor. Although I couldn’t be there for you in person, I was and will be celebrating every moment with you on your day and thrilled for you! I know you will make every moment count and I WANT PICTURES!!

Please contact my Las Vegas Wedding Planning colleagues if you are looking for assistance in planning your wedding celebration. Whomever you choose from this list, you will be well taken care of by all wonderfully talented, passionate, professional, creative and professional women I am proud to call my friends.

www.GreenOrchidEvents.com-Contact Owner Juliet Douglas
www.EppolitoEvents.com-Contact Owner Andrea Eppolito
www.CLMWeddings.com-Contact Owner Christie McCoy-Hjelm
www.SchemeEvents.com-Partners Rissa Merkley-Gunderson, Traci McMaster, Tara Cox, Jacqueline Butler
www.SimplyWeddings.com-Contact Owner Brit Bertino
www.PriscillaDrozd.com-Contact Owner Priscilla Drozd.

Thank you and, for now, wishing you happy planning for your wedding or special event Celebrated with LOVE, LIFE and STYLE!!!

Fondly,
Tracey Kumer-Moore

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Remembering Elizabeth Taylor-Beauty and Style In and Out.

Wednesday, March 23rd, 2011

Elizabeth Taylor in "Father of the Bride" 1950

Today, legendary screen actress Elizabeth Taylor passed away.

The world is just a little bit sadder and less beautiful with her gone.

Today remembering a truly gorgeous woman, inside and out who was a living ICON and loved for being so many things to so many people.

Oscar Winning Actress, Screen Siren, Wife (many times), Mother, Humanitarian who was one of the first to take up the cause for HIV/AIDS, style setter, savvy business woman and SURVIVOR on so many levels.

On the silver screen her whole life she blossomed from pretty girl, to radiantly stunning young lady as the original “Annie Banks” in 1950′s Father of the Bride to Gorgeous object of desire. Like the “White Diamonds” she personified in her perfume, Elizabeth truly was a diamond in every sense. Raw beauty, passion and fire taken from the earth, burnished and polished by life into a gem of a human being that sparked and radiated brilliant, intense love for every one and everything she loved.

Through sickness, health, divorce, marriage (repeat, repeat), thickness and thin. . . through it all, her heart and soul were the most beautiful of all.

What a Lady! What a Life!

Elizabeth Taylor truly lived her life “Celebrating Love and Life with STYLE Today and Everyday”.

Tracey

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In Celebration of Transformations

Tuesday, February 1st, 2011

Evocation of Butterflies by Odilon Redon

As caterpillars take time to transform and have a season to emerge, so does Your Las Vegas Wedding Concierge.

In July, I began a personal transformation to get my physical, spiritual and emotional self back in the best health that I am deserving of so I could be the best person I could be, live and celebrate my life with Style as I espouse and see my Wedding Planning business grow, evolve and thrive.

The beginnings of that transformation started with a new logo, my new blog and, with the coming of Spring, when these creatures break from their cocoons into beautiful creatures, I will also celebrate the completion of this stage of my personal and professional transformation by March 1, 2011 with the launch of the new Las Vegas Wedding Concierge website.

Weddings are also all about transformations. You and your fiance are experiencing one of the most transforming life cycle events as individuals and as future partners. The planning experience is not just about what linen and flower you select but how you interact with one another, lean on one another and respect each other’s likes and dislikes, traditions, beliefs and values throughout the decision making process.

I believe the wedding planning journey you are about to embark on can be YOUR butterfly experience together.

Celebrating Life (and all it’s wonderful transformations) Today and Everyday with Love, Life & Style!

Tracey

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A Gift of Love & Life Video You MUST See-To Life!

Monday, September 13th, 2010


“To Life:: Vanessa’s Wedding Surprise” from her husband, father, family & friends.
Created by Films by Francesco, New York | Palm Beach

Your Las Vegas Wedding Concierge absolutely LOVES this wedding video that my dear friend Ellen sent me from You Tube.

An original, touching surprise involving the entire wedding party and parents and their true gift of love, joy and for celebrating Life and family with STYLE!

Of course, many of you know this song, “To Life, L’Chaim” from “Fiddler on the Roof” (one of my all-time favorite films). As the song says, “It takes a wedding to make us say, let’s live another day….”

I could not agree more. It really does take a wedding celebration or any special occassion (“simcha”) to make us realize what blessings we have in this life, even when things are not always so great.

For comparison, here is a You Tube video of the song and scene from the movie. I think you will all agree with me, they ALL did a fabulous job!!

I couldn’t help smiling and singing and clapping during this wonderful tribute to family, new family and to the beautiful bride, Vanessa. This just makes you (well me for sure), feel so good.

To the bride and groom, the parents, wedding party and family and friends, what a beautiful memory you created for yourselves and congratulations to Films by Francesco for preserving it in such a fun and touching way.

MAZAL TOV and may you all (and all my readers) celebrate Love and Life Today and Every Day.
To Life, L’Chaim!!

Posted by Tracey Kumer-Moore,JWIC|Your Las Vegas Wedding Concierge

Posted in Celebrate Life, Celebrate Love, Cultural Weddings, Entertainment, Jewish, Video, Weddings on Film, Your Las Vegas Wedding Concierge | 2 Comments »

Celebrating Life on Jewish Holidays-Closed 9/9-9/12

Wednesday, September 8th, 2010

Your Las Vegas Wedding Concierge wants to wish all my family, friends and colleagues near and far, my very best wishes for the Jewish New Year on this eve of Rosh Hashana (aka “Head of the Year”, aka “Birthday of the World”-5771 years actually).

I will be closed for the holidays starting at 6:00 PM Pacific Time and back on Monday September 12th. I will not be checking regularly for voice and email messages and not returning messages until the 12th.

As a Wedding Planner, one of the most wonderful things I have to look forward to this coming year is the blessing to be involved in helping to create wonderful wedding celebrations of Love and Life for some wonderful brides and grooms. Thank you for the gift of trust you have given me to be a part of your lives and that of your families and friends to help you on this wonderful journey that we will all take together:)

May the coming year bring you and your loved ones happiness, health, good fortune (in whatever way it materializes) and sweetness.

Shana Tova (Happy New Year) and...

Celebrate Today and Every Day with Love, Life & Style!!
Tracey
Posted by Tracey Kumer-Moore,JWIC|Your Las Vegas Wedding Concierge

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A Prayer for You on Your Wedding Day

Tuesday, August 31st, 2010
Your Las Vegas Wedding Concierge found another wonderful wedding oriented article on Aish.com (a Jewish online site for learning).

This was written by Azriel Hirsh Friedman and it is called “Wedding Day Dreams”.

Again, the theme resonates for me that these prayers are said or can be said, by any bride and groom and wished for them by their loved ones on their wedding day no matter what your background. I truly believe most of these prayers are universal-every one wants these gifts for their future together.

On your wedding day, do try and make time for some silent reflection to thank your higher power (whatever that may be) for the gifts you are receiving; love, support, affection, extended family and to also contemplate for a life blessed with good fortune, good health, joy, love, children and whatever you and your spouse wish to make of your lives together.

Here are a few select excerpts…

“On one’s wedding day, the gates of prayer are wide open. The Jewish mystical sources tell us that on a wedding day, the bride and groom’s power of prayer is greater than even the holiest person alive. You can ask for anything! Yet most of us get so caught up in the details of the day that we forget to tap into this spiritual wellspring.“

When I got married, I hadn’t the slightest clue what to pray for. Someone was nice enough to make me a list, so that I wouldn’t miss out on all the blessings for a great marriage and life together.

On your wedding day, I recommend going through this list at a quiet moment, right as you get out of bed in the morning, before everything gets hectic.

And don’t forget: Prayer works best when you open your mouth to speak it out, as opposed to just skimming with your eyes.

Marriage Relationship

May I always speak gently, and think before speaking.

May we always have open, good communication.

May I always act with caring and compassion.

May I have the patience to appreciate our differences.

May we bring out the best in one another”

Read the Entire Article Here.

Thank you for allowing me to pass the list on to my readers!

Celebrate Today and Everyday with Love, Life & Style
Tracey

Posted by Tracey Kumer-Moore,JWIC|Your Las Vegas Wedding Concierge

Posted in Aish.com, Celebrate Life, Celebrate Love, Jewish, Tracey's Life, Your Las Vegas Wedding Concierge | 1 Comment »

The "OG’s"-Beautiful Example of Celebrating a Lifetime of Love

Wednesday, July 7th, 2010

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Yesterday, Your Las Vegas Wedding Concierge was watching the Today Show and caught this segment about Barbara and Harry Cooper, also known as “The OG’s (Original Grandparents).”

Barbara (93) and Harry Cooper (98) have been sweethearts since their eyes met on an LA tennis court in 1937 and have been married for 72 years. They are still “Crazy in Love” with one another!

They still kiss (all the time), go out for chocolate sundae dates, to the movies and they have their own website that they began as a way to entertain and educate their grandchildren. Sure enough, that took off to where they are now internet stars being documented by their grand-daughters and they have their own song.

This story, and when I reflect back on my parents 50th Wedding Anniversary a few years ago, it brings home the true meaning of the wedding vows that I am honored to be a part of hearing at my clients’ weddings. They are important words, they mean something. They represent the beginning of sharing a lifetime with another human being built on love, mutual respect for one another (and their loved ones).

The vows you say to one another on your wedding day may seem to come quite easily surrounded by pretty flowers and a great party. But I do encourage you (as your clergy will in your ceremony) to really grasp the meaning of the words you speak to each other as you say them.

Living those vows, through the days, the years and the decades; “through thick and thin, in sickness and in health” and all the other things life throws our way is not easy.

“Cutie & Pop Pop” as Barbara and Harry are called, Ben and Sylvia Weinstock who I had the pleasure to see spin on the dance floor at Engage ’09 Encore, my parents and some of the 29 couples I had the honor of coordinating the renewal of their vows at the Beth Sholom Wedding Gala last month (that event to be blogged soon) know their meaning.

Whether you are celebrating your wedding this week, this year or celebrating your first, 10th, 25th, 50th or 72nd, wedding anniversary, I wish for all of you a lifetime together that is as wonderful and filled with the same passion and love and spirit as this special couple exemplifies.

(And yes, I cried when I watched this).

May you celebrate today and every day with Love, Life & Style!!
Tracey

A few more links for Barbara and Harry: Read a fun interview with them at SHALOM LIFE.com and you can follow them on Facebook too!

Do you have any stories about your parents or grandparents and a long lasting marriage that are inspiring your wedding vows? I would love to hear them. Please leave a comment and say hello.

Posted by Tracey Kumer-Moore,JWIC|Your Las Vegas Wedding Concierge

Posted in Celebrate Life, Celebrate Love, Love and Relationships, Technology, Wedding Planning Advice, Your Las Vegas Wedding Concierge | No Comments »