Jennifer Starr: Seville

Big Announcement # 1!!!

I have a new job!!! Yes, again..... I'm crazy I tell ya!! In all actuality I've been considering the idea for quite some time... perhaps I should back up a little....

What have I been doing professionally up until this point?
I left Seville back in December of 2009 where I had worked as the Private Events Director. I had a wonderful experience at Seville for over 5 years....but I was at a point in my life where I wanted to shake things up, grow, learn, and branch out to the Wedding & Event Industry in the phoenix valley....because it's huge!!

I went to work for Still Life Studios in January of 2010 as their Sales & Marketing Gal. I had partnered with Still Life Studios previously at Seville, selling their services in my "Seville Experience Packages", plus Still Life had shot my wedding in 2006, plus my talented husband is subcontracted through Still Life to shoot weddings....needless to say... Still Life is like family to me.

So, I've been with Still Life for the past year and we've worked so hard to partner with other venues, and have done such a great job....because we have some amazing sites that our team gets to shoot nearly every weekend. And let me tell ya....doing Sales and Marketing for a team of such amazing artists/photographers/and designers...was a total cake walk, because it's easy for clients to see why they should book SLS!! The most amazing part of my experience with working for SLS is all the new people I've met, and all the new venues I've seen!!

In August of 2010...Chris Nagy, owner of the lovely Regency Garden called me. His business partner had just moved out of state and he needed someone to come in and help with Sales and Wedding Coordination two days a week. So I jumped in....while still keeping my role at Still Life and balancing both jobs. Regency was a wonderful experience because I was able to see a new side of the wedding industry....a Private Venue. Chris has poured his heart and soul into Regency...and it shows! The way he runs and operates Regency is completely different than a corporate setting...and it works~considering he books well over 100 weddings a year.

Well after Christmas....I started feeling the urge to challenge myself again in new areas...so what did I do? I applied for a new job. As much as I LOVE Still Life & Regency.... Still Life is Matt's "baby", and Regency is Chris' "baby"....and I'm ready for "my" baby again.... after taking a year off from being in the Event Director role, I was ready again.....
So, What am I Doing Now? I just accepted a role at..... Superstition Golf Club as the Director of Catering & Events!! I'm totally excited about have a new property...and blank canvas....just waiting for me to put my

"Jennifer Starr" into it!!!

It's a totally unique property...very different from Seville and Regency. It reminds me of a "Southern Plantation" as the ballroom sits up at the top of the hill. I'm totally inspired to "define" the feeling...I need to do some research and totally build, brand, and market....I love a new project!! I'm thinking very "Gone with Wind-ish"...perhaps I'll turn the bridal suite into a "vintage" glam theme.

One thing I know for sure....I will learn how to golf!!! I still can't believe I worked at Seville for 5 years and never once picked up a club, I'm determined this time!!

I already have a Bridal Fashion Photo Shoot in the works....if you know of any beautiful woman who would like to be in a shoot and still have a dress that fits and is "in style"... please let me know:)

I officially start my new role on Tuesday February 15th, and I can't wait to get things rolling. I will still try my best to partner with Still Life one night a week for client meetings and hopefully on Mondays to help with marketing efforts...and I'm sure I'll still do some coordinating at Regency from time to time as well. I'm so thankful for all that I have learned over the past year...it certainly wasn't an easy year emotionally...but I learned so much from all the people in life.

A special thank you goes out to

Matt Wheeler and Chris Nagy..... thank you both for all you've done for me....

your energy, spirit, and love is contagious!!

**Blog Readers stay tuned for one more big announcement that believe it or not....I'm even MORE excited about!!!**

Thanks for the Memories....

Following my last day at Seville was the Annual Seville Holiday Party. My co-workers surprised me by presenting this Framed Seville Flag and the plaque read....

I was brought to tears... as if all of a sudden I realized "wow this is really the end"....

My best Seville buddy Renata was brought to tears too.... We have worked at Seville together longer than anyone else.... I will miss you too my dear friend. But don't you worry you'll still be seeing a lot of me in this wedding world!

A kiss from Mark... so special ! I just adore Mark, he's by far the funniest F & B Director I've ever worked with!!

The gals.....

My "official" Seville Flag....

Thanks Again Gang! I luv ya!!! xoxoxoo

All Good Things Must Come to an End.....

Well.....after 5 and half years at Seville Golf and Country Club, I decided it was time to resign my position as Private Events Director.

So many wonderful things have happened to me while working at Seville.... my first "real" job out of college, meeting several awesome people, helped in the creation of over 300 weddings, received 5 promotions and most importantly ...my Wedding Day!

So many people have asked me why? why, you love your job?? you love the wedding industry? you love the brides? you love event planning? you love Seville?? While all of that is very true, I just truly felt in my heart it was time to move on from my "Seville Home" and challenge myself in new ways in the Wedding Industry ( more on that later;)

So thank you so very much to everyone who has been apart of my Seville Family past and present, I treasure the friendships we have made and appreciate all you've done for my life, professionally and personally, please keep in touch!

P.S. I will also miss my amazing office ~ with just the most unbelievable view of the Golf Course and San Tan Mountains....

Really I could have lived in my office..... oh wait I think I did :) !! Goodbye Seville, it was a great run!

Justin's last day at Seville

So... everyone always asks me where my husband works and I never know quite how to answer this simple question. Over the past year I would have to answer the question like this....

Well let's see....

He’s a full time student working on obtaining his doctoral degree in Physical Therapy

He’s a main and second "shooter" wedding photographer for Still Life Studios on the weekends

He’s a personal trainer at Seville one day a week

He owns and operates our own photo company: Social Grace Studios

So as we began to think about the fall we realized that we wouldn't have a day off together for six weeks. Because ~ I work Tuesday through Saturday at Seville and Justin will be "shooting" every Sunday... and Justin has school Monday through Thursday every week. And on top of that....Justin needs to study practically every night! Wow... I'm wondering will it ever slow down? Probably not!

Rather than Justin going delirious we came to the conclusion that it would probably be best for Justin to drop his Personal Training at Seville. After working at Seville as a Trainer for the past 4 Years, Justin says goodbye to Seville....oh how I will miss our Saturday afternoon subway lunches together.

I got to thinking.... hmm we will ever work at a country club together again, probably not. It’s been fun!!

Hoopes 25th Wedding Anniversary at Seville

" The same words, the same hearts,

But wiser, somehow

The same vows, the same faith

But deeper, now

As we turn to each other

Again we are sure

Love doesn't wait, it gets better"

These were the words in their invitation, I just found them so moving. I think it's just wonderful to celebrate anniversaries especially the major milestones.

Lisa has worked at Seville as one of our main Wedding Captains and I was just thrilled when I heard she wanted to host her wedding anniversary party at Seville!

That now makes 4 of our main "Event Women" of Seville to host their most special days at Seville! That about honest advertising!

We had a blast with the Seville crew and felt very special to be included in Doug and Lisa's special day.

Highlights Included:

I really love the look of the room as a whole! Lisa had a gorgeous vision for this event. The room was filled with the colors of lime green, white, and black and white damask~great color combinations for a summer wedding, it felt very fresh and clean. The room was also filled with soft candlelight ~everywhere... just stunning!

I laugh when I look at the photo listed above of Renata and myself. We have been though so many ups and downs during the past five years at Seville. This photo was taken "behind the scenes at Seville ~ the banquet kitchen" where many interesting conversations have taken place, tears of been shed, several secrets have been shared, screaming contests have been held, and many friendships have grown. I love you Renata~ you make me laugh daily... and I can't imagine being at Seville without you!

I LOVED the mini photo gallery that Lisa had set out. It had photos from the wedding along with photos of their children, it was so amazing to see what 25 years of a marriage can add to your life~children, fun times, and endless memories.

Don't be fooled by how sweet this group of ladies looks above, we mean business! After all it takes strong women to deal with brides on a daily basis. Shown above is Me, Renata, Lisa, and Dianna ( we miss you at Seville D!)

I love this shot! However you don't see this very often unless of course an employee is hosting an event... look out shots all around. This was Erin's (bartender) last night at Seville, she moved the next day back east with her family... thank you for the fun Erin!

There's a reason they don't normally let Chef's behind the bar!

Dianna worked at Seville as the Banquet Manager for quite some time! Although I don't get to see her as much, I'm so happy we've kept in touch!

Ania and Juan Carlos tearing up the dance floor

I always have the perfect date! No matter the event Justin is always there having a great time and I love that he was able to capture some fun photos of this evening.

And this has to be my favorite photo of the evening! Lisa and Martin our the Banquet Captains at Seville and any time an employee has an event at Seville we always manage to get Marty on the dance floor~that's when you know the party is truly rockin!

Lunch with my Former Seville Gals

Ahhh... I really miss these two so much!! I worked with both of them at Seville and we had some super fun times together.... Kimmy is my former assistant and Sarah worked with just recently up until she moved back to Seattle. We met up for lunch just before Sarah left... Congrats on your new adventures Sarah, you will be missed :)

NACE Elements Competition

I'm truly so proud to work at Seville and work in the Event Industry!! We really have so much fun! Last month Seville participated for the first time in the NACE Elements Competition. Renata Hodl and I have now worked together at Seville for 5 years... Renata is our Director of Banquets and I just love her!!! She's incredibly talented at taking an idea and making it come to life... this competiton was truly her baby... I was simply along for support and to promote Private Events at Seville!!! We were the only Country Club to participate in the contest!!!

Our assigned element was: Cairo

Although we didn't win this year, I was so proud of Renata- and the Seville Team!!! We really showed off what we offer to our clients to make their events magical!!!!

June Bridal Show

The day after I returned home from San Diego it was time for the June Bridal Show at the Phoenix Convention Center! Thanks to my amazing team, I was able to simply walk up to our beautiful booth and just start "selling". As much work as these shows are they really are fun.. it's great to network with all the valley's talented Wedding Vendors.

( Stay tuned for photos of our booth to be posted)

Chase's Prom Dinner at Seville

My little brother is almost a high school graduate! I can hardly believe it....it seems like only a few years ago he was following me around bugging me and asking a million questions... now it feels like the other way around.