EP 1: A meet cute - Meet your hosts (Akeshi and Michelle)

On episode 7 of the art of celebrating podcast, Michelle Durpetti and special guest, Collin Pierson share their take on the science of gratitude and the art of mindfulness and ways gratitude can improve your life.  "Research has shown that gratitude can improve general well-being, increase resilience, strengthen social relationships, and reduce stress and depression. The more grateful people are, the greater their overall well-being and life satisfaction. Grateful people also have a greater capacity for joy and positive emotions." Michelle and Collin Discuss: They discuss why being mindful makes all the difference. Why as we go into our thanksgiving celebration, it's important to be go into it with a spirit of gratitude. Tips for celebrating thanksgiving mindfully this year Take a listen and please share. Enjoy! About Collin Pierson: Collin Pierson is an international-award winning wedding bridal fashion & editorial photographer and educator based in Chicago, Illinois. Combining his unique past in photojournalism, sports, and fashion photography, he created a style that is both candid and dramatic. Collin is dedicated to a personalized approach with all of his clients; reflected in the images he captures of their life-defining moments. When he is not shooting, he is an educator to other photographers at workshops, conventions and conferences around the world. Connect with Collin on Instagram => www.instagram.com/collinpierson Connect with your hosts: Michelle Durpetti  INSTAGRAM WEBSITE Akeshi Akinseye INSTAGRAM WEBSITE

On Episode 6 of The Art Of Celebrating Podcast, Hosts  and Chicago Wedding Planners, Akeshi Akinseye and Michelle Durpetti discuss the price surge and what it means for the wedding and events industry and share tips on how to get ready. Early in the year, the hope was that the bottlenecks that gummed up the global supply chain in 2020 would be mostly cleared by now. They’ve actually only gotten worse — much worse — and evidence is mounting that the holiday season is at risk. Across Europe, retailers such as apparel chain H&M can’t meet demand because of delivery delays. In the U.S., Nike cut its sales forecast after Covid-19 triggered factory closures in Vietnam that wiped out months of production. And Bed Bath & Beyond’s stock plunged amid shipping woes, with Chief Executive Officer Mark Tritton warning that disruptions would last well into next year. “There is pressure across the board, and you will hear about that from others.” Covid outbreaks have idled port terminals. There still aren’t enough cargo containers, causing prices to spike 10-fold from a year ago. Labor shortages have stalled trucking and pushed U.S. job openings to all-time highs. And that was before UPS, Walmart and others embark on hiring hundreds of thousands of seasonal workers to take on the peak of peak. So, what does this mean for events, weddings and celebrations? It means we have much to discuss on this topic plus we share a few insights on how to prepare. Take a listen and please share. Enjoy! Connect with your hosts: Michelle Durpetti  INSTAGRAM WEBSITE Akeshi Akinseye INSTAGRAM WEBSITE

“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” Collaborations is one of the quickest and effective ways to get the right content in front of your audience. You are able to create curated content you are missing in your portfolio without limitations from a client. All small business owners should be actively seeking out collaboration opportunities in their businesses in order to grow and become more successful. On episode 5, hosts Akeshi and Michelle discuss:  What true collaboration looks like The benefits of collaborations  7 tips for effective and meaningful collaboration  and more Great things happen when we work together. Be sure to check out this episode and get our 7 tips for effective collaboration. Enjoy! Connect with your hosts: Michelle Durpetti  INSTAGRAM WEBSITE Akeshi Akinseye INSTAGRAM WEBSITE

Sweetest Day is always celebrated on the third Saturday of October, and is primarily celebrated in the Midwest and parts of the Northeast. The holiday is said to have gotten its start in Cleveland in 1922 when a candy company employee named Herbert Birch Kingston wanted to bring happiness to those in society who were often forgotten, specifically children and the elderly.  According to Hallmark, 80 percent of the company's Sweetest Day cards have a “love” or “romance” theme. However, that doesn't mean those not romantically involved are left out. So we are taking about anybody we love to whom we can  "express appreciation and gratitude for special people..” Today's episode include five tips (plus one bonus tip!!) on how to celebrate Sweetest day in the very best way!  This year, that happens to be Oct. 16, which means you don't have a lot of time to prepare. But don’t worry! We are here today to discuss a few ways that you can make Sweetest Day extra special for all the sweet people in your life, especially your partner! Enjoy! Connect with your hosts: Michelle Durpetti  INSTAGRAM WEBSITE Akeshi Akinseye INSTAGRAM WEBSITE

After a long, pandemic-induced wedding drought, the industry is busier than it has been in decades — and venues, vendors, planners and creatives everywhere are feeling the squeeze. According to The Wedding Report, there will be an estimated 2.5 million weddings in 2022, which is the most the U.S. has seen since 1984. How can you be a positive part of this wedding boom?  On episode 3 of The Art Of Celebrating Podcast, Hosts Akeshi Akinseye and Michelle Durpetti discuss how clients can work with their vendors to make their celebration extra special.  They also share five tips for couples who are going through the planning journey to making sure their celebration process is positive and enjoyable. Enjoy! Connect with your hosts: Michelle Durpetti  INSTAGRAM WEBSITE Akeshi Akinseye INSTAGRAM WEBSITE

On this second episode we are discussing all that wedding planners do for their clients. We break down three important elements that a planner brings to the table:  Logistics and the planning process Design and building an event that hits all five senses  and the important of a beautifully, thoughtfully curated timeline  Enjoy! Connect with your hosts on social media: Michelle Durpetti  INSTAGRAM WEBSITE Akeshi Akinseye INSTAGRAM WEBSITE

EP 1: A meet cute - Meet your hosts (Akeshi and Michelle) The first episode of The Art of Celebrating is an introduction to your hosts through a series of fun questions that give background in to what inspires them, how they got started in the industry and what they love about bringing celebrations to life! In this episode, we discuss  When we fell in love with celebrations How long we have been producing events  Where we find inspiration and What we love about being in the industry, among a few other fun facts and memories that make Akeshi & Michelle who they are today.  Enjoy! Connect with your hosts on social media: Michelle Durpetti  INSTAGRAM WEBSITE  Akeshi Akinseye INSTAGRAM WEBSITE

Trailer - The Art Of Celebrating Podcast with Akeshi Akinseye & Michelle Durpetti A podcast for anyone who loves a good party! After years of curating luxury events and experiences we are now sitting down to dish with you on all the ins and outs of building a beautiful, layered celebratory experience that tantalizes all the senses