Resource Interview Series: I Do University

I am beginning a new series where I interview Website and Business Resources from the web that I love the concept of and having found them, want to share with you! Once or twice a month you will get to know the face and voice behind these resources all the while possibly finding a great resource you will love!

Today we get to meet:
April Dorsey Founder and Owner of  The Dtales (www.theDtales.com) and I Do University (www.iDoUniversity.com)

1. First and foremost, tell us a bit about yourself and what your site is about.

I always love when people ask me to “tell me about you”; it really is hard to do!  So let me get to the fluff first lol.  I love Cupcakes, baking, loud music, exercising with my husband (well I enjoy his company anyway- not so much the exercise part lol) and quiet time with my Maltipoo, Coda. This was his puppy picture and tell me this, how could you NOT fall in love!!!

I was born in Miami, pre-South Beach and lived there until I left for college.  I always love going “home” with all the rich culture and ethnic food, and there are so many wonderful wedding venues there! Plus It is a good way to get my Spanish practice in.

The D-Tales Blog is tailored toward the bride who is DIY and just wants to check out what I find interesting. So many of my brides have used these ideas as their inspiration, so I get giddy when I see all the cool stuff they do! I thought about coming up with the traditional “inspiration” blogs, but honestly they are plenty in numbers so, why not just be me and post what I like. 

2. What is the inspiration behind the creation of the site? I was really tired of reading the fantasy blogs for wedding information that may not be affordable.  I prefer to listen to my readers and give them a few bits of my sassy likes. I love educating too! 

In fact, we saw a huge need in the industry for education for brides. We created I Do University as a way for brides to access affordable wedding planning with a professional wedding planner who guides you step by step through the wedding planning process. We do this 3 ways- Online classes, field trips to locations and via our own social network.. Our Orientation classes are free and I encourage every bride to join us for a great course on Budgets 101.  The budget tool is so easy to use and much more functional.  I just love to help brides out AND Wedding planning should be fun!

3. What is your favorite feature of your site? I love the ability to tell you a lot about so many things on my site (without advertising btw.) The site is fun, sassy and totally me! (Yes, I do look like the girl in the avatar! Ok, well that is what people tell me anyway lol. )  I also love the social aspect of the internet these days.  From Blogs, twitter and ultimately Facebook.  The information you read should NOT be static.  How do you actually get useful information from a “live person”? Look for me on Facebook (The D-Tales and IDoUniversity) and ask away.

4. What is your favorite source for finding wedding inspiration? I search terms not one site.  I never know what will inspire me. A great song, the smells of flowers…….. but honestly, I love photography. I love a great photographer who can capture a moment in time without having to touch it up too much.  I follow a few photographers (who do fashion AND weddings) that I just swoon over.  Every time I see a new blog post from them, I just have to sigh and share it!

When I am planning the weddings, I like to really get to know my couples.  This allows me to be inspired by their childhoods, their dating, the proposal and what hobbies they have.  Finding a couple’s style, to me, is the only way to know what advice to give them. I don’t like cookie cutter weddings so I try to create a personalized wedding that guests will say “OMG, that is so you”. Plus, it gives me a chance to really become friends with my brides.  Sometimes, I will go to a consult or meeting with them just because we haven’t seen each other in a while. 

Wanna know how our brides <3 us?  Check us out on Wedding Wire!

5. What is your favorite thing about weddings? I love the romance! Seriously, there are 3 predicted tearful moments at every wedding 1) when I send a bride down the aisle 2) The couple’s first dance 3) Father/Daughter dance. The funny thing is, my husband knows exactly when the bride starts to walk because I always text him “I love you…. sniff sniff”

Now I am gonna have to be honest with you, my second favorite part of the wedding, is CAKE!!!!!! Yes siree, I am guilty as charged. ALL of my brides know that I join them in the cake tastings so I can help them (yeah right, now all my cake vendors will be on to me!!!) Plus I think the wedding cake is such a focal point of the décor and a HUGE statement!

Now, my RULE…………NO CAKE SMASHING! Honestly, this is the last reminder I give to my couples before their grand entrance (Have a great time; don’t worry about a thing, and NO CAKE SMASHING lol.)  In all honesty, if you understand the tradition behind the “feeding of the cake” you can see why I might have an issue with it (WELL, beyond the possible stain on the dress, which will then show up in every picture, and mess up that lovely make-up job she paid for.) The feeding of the cake is used to signify “nourishing the marriage!” so it really should be a moment to respect.  It is a time of joy and commitment.  I just find it blatantly disrespectful and demonstrate a lack of respect for the one you have just married….

Ok, so that might be MY little quirk but I totally stand by it!

6. What is your one piece of advice to brides? Other than hiring a professional (either a Planner or a Day of Coordinator) I tell them to stop stressing and enjoy the engagement.  You have been dreaming about this your whole life and it will zoom by.  Take time with your fiancé to have wedding free dates! NO talking about the wedding on the date!

The next thing would be to MAKE a budget and Stick to it! You will enjoy the process much more (but if you have the budget for a wedding planner, the savings are worth it -plus you will save time, energy and stress! Trust me.)

April, thank you so much for letting us get to know you!