Saturday, December 20, 2008

Happy Holidays

Just wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
I hope you all enjoy the season with your family and friends. It has been such a wonderful year I can't believe it is almost 2009! Take care everyone, God bless!

I wanted to find a "fun" picture for this post...how about an upside down Christmas tree? Just think of all the presents you could fit under this one!!!

Thursday, November 27, 2008

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone! I wish you all a great day to enjoy with your family and friends and safe travels to all of those who will be traveling. I can't even begin to list all of the things I have to be thankful for in the last year. My husband, family and friends are always number one, the great year I had with my business in 2008 and of course the baby on the way!!! Thanks to all of those who read my blog and keep my business going, I appreciate all of you!

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Including Your Man: Part II

Earlier this week I spotlighted the wedding of Jess and Kevin and all of their fun details, today the focus is on Ellen and Jerry's beautiful wedding. Ellen and Jerry got married in Greenville at the Anna Behren's Lodge, what a perfect location for their theme. Jerry is a logger here in Michigan so the couple decided in incorporate the outdoors to make their reception personal.

The groom cut slices of trees for the cake stands that were on each table and took smaller trees to create the votive holders, adorable!!

For the placecard holders the bride found gold painted pine cones.

The lodge was just gorgeous, all logs and wood, it was perfect for this couple. Ellen told me that they had attended a friend's wedding here and that as soon as Jerry saw it he just knew they had to have their reception there as well, it was love at first sight for him! I just loved the way Ellen and Jerry incorporated what Jerry does for a living into the decor.

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Including Your Man

When my hubby and I were getting married I wanted to include him in the planning. Well, at first I did, then he didn't seem interested so I just went about the planning asking him occassionally what he thought. There were a few touches that were ALL him, such as the Metallica during the dinner music...subtle but effective. But some of those touches are the ones I remember the most and I wish I would have done more. I recently saw a U of M garder which I would have loved to surprise him with, maybe if we renew our vows someday!

Some of my couples this past year included little touches that both couples enjoyed but were inspired by the groom...

Kevin and Jess were a couple I worked with that live in Ireland. Kevin is Irish and Jess is from the Grand Rapids area, what a fun couple.

The couple both participate in a sport called hurling in Ireland...Kevin is quite well known. Jess and her sisters created these adorable place cards with pictures of hurlers with the guests name and table number at the top.



The place cards were in baskets with dirt and grass to look like the playing field. I had such a good time setting it all up.







For the guest book they used a "hurley" which is the stick used in the sport. All the guests really enjoyed leaving fun messages for the couple on it.




Another fun touch they added was that instead of just numbering the tables they called them different hurling positions such as Center Forward. This was such a fun and creative wedding, thank you Jess and Kevin for letting me be a part of it.
Tune in later this week for part II of "Including Your Man" for Ellen and Jerry's wedding details.

Sunday, November 16, 2008

To Clean or Not to Clean

Some friends and I got into the discussion of what to do with your wedding dress after the big day. One said she got her dress cleaned and vacuum sealed in case her daughters wanted to wear it someday. Another said she had it cleaned but not boxed so she could take it out again if she wanted. And me? well...gasp! Mine is still hanging in the basement 5 years later with the frosting still on the hem of the skirt! I know, I know, I should at least have it cleaned, by now the stains are probably there to stay, I'll have to get ahold of Tami at Great Lake Wedding Gown Specialists. Tami specializes in cleaning and preserving gowns, as well as being the owner of September's Bride, an amazing bridal store in Holland.

So it begs the question...what is the right thing to do with your dress after the wedding? I believe it all depends on what you want to do with the dress in the long run. If you want to keep it around for your children to see it in all it's glory then by all means definitely have it professionally cleaned and sealed up to preserve the color and integrity. Having it cleaned with or without sealing it up is a great idea, just to keep it fresh and beautiful.

There are many options out there for the dress after the wedding, if you don't know what you want to do with yours, consider the following...donate your dress. Many second hand or thrift stores and also consignment shops will take wedding dresses, just think if you aren't going to reuse your dress maybe someone that can't afford such a beautiful item would treasure it as much as you did.

{picture courtesy of September's Bride}

Friday, November 14, 2008

Slacker

(image from theknot.com)

I have been such a slacker with my blog lately! I'll get back into it soon, my mind has been wrapped around the baby on the way but that's not an excuse. Starting next week I'm going to try harder to post about great people, great ideas and great things...I promise!!!

Saturday, November 8, 2008

Cakes!!

I definitely realize I have a thing for cakes, well pictures of gorgeous cakes...Style Me Pretty featured this cake by Pink Cake Box in a board they had on their blog and I just thought it's fallish theme was so perfect.

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Lovin' the Weather

It's been a while since I've posted anything...but at the moment the only thing on my mind is how incredibly gorgeous it is out and how much I love fall. The colors, the smells, the sound of marching bands in the distance...mmmm....so that is what I had to post about today. Totally unrelated to weddings, well except for that fact that fall weddings are my favorite, my hubby and I celebrated our 5 year this September and it was just as beautiful as I remember.

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Amazing Cake


I just had to share this picture of this amazing cake, it's SEVEN tiers!!! This cake was just a "small" part of a gorgeous wedding shared by The Bride's Cafe.

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Worst Best Man Ever

Amber Gustafson of Amber Events posted a video on her blog that sent me over the edge. I just had to share to make sure everyone got to see it. I just gasped, I just didn't know whether to laugh or cry!

http://video.yahoo.com/watch/3710199/10203309

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Reusing a Centerpiece

I was so excited to recieve a phone call from a mother of a bride getting married this weekend that she had seen pictures of a tree centerpiece I had made for a wedding back in September. She loved them and wondered if she could rent them for her own daughter's wedding. "Of course!" I replied. After the September wedding the centerpieces came back home with me and just were gathering dust until she called. What a wonderful opportunity to reuse something from one wedding to another.


If you have fabulous centerpieces that you feel bad just pushing aside after the reception, offer them up to friends or family to reuse, all you would have to do is switch out one aspect to make them unique.

Saturday, October 11, 2008

Just a guest...

Today is so weird for me...I'm going to a wedding but only as a guest!!! It has kind of been stressing me out...I want to help out or do something but then I realize I don't have to, I can just sit back and enjoy the day!

It's kind of funny though, roles have been reversed because my handsome hubby is a groomsmen so he had to get up early and get ready to be at the church. While his cheeks start to hurt from smiling for pictures, I am sitting here enjoying my chicken McNuggets!!!

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Snail Mail strikes again!!!


I was SO excited to see on Blush's blog yesterday that my newest issue of Martha Stewart Weddings would soon be on it's way. And it was...I recieved it today, but alas it did not come in the beautiful condition that I love magazines to be in. It was in rough shape, torn cover with writing on it, pages ripped all along the edge...just a tragedy. But the worst part??? This is the same thing that happened to my last issue, actually that one was even worse off and a couple of months late to boot!!
What I want to know is...who are these horrible people that dispise wedding magazines so much that they would deface my magazine and take that moment away from me that makes me so happy a just few times a year...getting a gorgeous new issue of Weddings.

Sunday, September 28, 2008

Ellen & Jerry ~ 09/20/08

Ellen came to me a few months ago after another wedding coordinator cancelled on her. Of course, I would help her, I can't imagine cancelling on a bride just months before her wedding!!


Ellen and Jerry hired me to do the set up of their reception held at Camp Anna Behrens in Greenville. What a gorgeous log building!! Jerry fell in love with the site after attending a friends wedding there, he is a logger so it was just perfect. His love for trees came into the decorating aspect as well, using slices of logs for cake stands and votive holders.

Ellen's aunt bought the cake but had me put the pieces together, I was so nervous, but here's an action shot...

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Big News!!

I thought it was about time I shared my big news. My husband and I are expecting our first little bundle of joy next March!! We are just thrilled.

This is an ultrasound from a few weeks ago, so it's a little outdated, but I just think it's so cute that you can see it's arm...


But don't worry...even with this life changing excitement business will continue as normal. I am hoping the that next year will bring a lot of new opportunities for me to grow Memorable Events into the dream I've always had for it.

Sunday, September 21, 2008

My Grandparents Wedding ~ 1947

When my great aunt passed away a few years ago, someone in my family found a bunch of video tapes, I'm not sure if they were 8mm or even an earlier version of recording technology. Well just in the last month or so my cousin got his hands on these tapes and realized that one of them contained my Grandparents wedding ceremony from 61 years ago!! How thrilled was I to hear about this, especially since he transfered it over to DVD.

My grandfather was in WWII and so they were not married until he returned home after the war, he was 27 and she was 24. They held the wedding at my great-grandparents home in the living room, very intimate. Of course, back then they didn't have the money to spend on large wedding venues or anything else wedding related for that matter. And the entertainment? setting out the gifts for everyone to check out. So classic, I just love it.

Such an amazing and handsome couple. Grandma...thank you for watching this with me and telling me who everyone was and Grandpa...we miss you and wish you were here with us still.

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Becca & Scott ~ September 13, 2008

What a rainy day for a wedding, but it didn't dampen the spirits of the bride and groom at all, they were just excited to be getting married. What a great witness to love that is. I used to work with Scott a while back and got to know both him and Becca, our love for Boxers made us instant friends!

Summer from SJO Photography captured the day through her lense and what amazing images were the result. Summer and I have been friends since grade school but this was the first time working together and it was so much fun. If you are looking for a fantastic photographer that you will have a blast with on your wedding day contact Summer, she's great!!

The couple choose the colors of chocolate brown and forest green and wanted to go with a woodsy theme for the decor. For the church I put together some tulle pew bows with silk green hydrangeas and ribbons in the wedding colors. The reception turned out lovely, the chairs covered in white covers with chocolate sashes and fall wreaths on the tables as well as some taller tree like centerpieces that I designed and created for the couple.


Reception: Eberhard Center - GVSU

Photographer: SJO Photography

Florist: Ball Park Floral

Cake: It's a Piece of Cake

DJ: Complete Music

Chair Covers: Elegant Chair Covers






Bright Invites

AMB Paperworks did all the paper products for Kristin and Graham's wedding on August 15. Anne did such a wonderful job with every piece and I know she created exactly what the bride was picturing in her head. If you are looking for hand crafted products look no further!

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Love this Aisle!


I just love this aisle featured on Southern Weddings.

Sunday, August 31, 2008

Underrated Orange

I love orange, it is so bright and vibrant and I believe very underused and underrated. Plus...it goes with just about any other color...blues, reds, pinks, browns, yellows, greens...and it looks great for any season.

{photos: theknot.com}

Kristin & Graham ~ A few great shots

Here are a few great shots from Steven F Fox Photography from Kristin and Graham's wedding on 8/15/08.


Just gorgeous, thanks Steven and Jessica for a great day! All the images turned out just fabulous!

Saturday, August 16, 2008

08/15/08 ~ Kristin & Graham

Yesterday was a wonderful day! The weather was perfect and the wedding was perfect, every little detail fell into place.
Date: 08/15/08
Bakery: Fun Cakes
DJ: Extreme DJs
Paper Products: AMB Paperworks
Chair Covers: Elegant Chair Covers
I had such a nice time working with Kristin and Graham over the last year. Kristin and I are friends outside of the wedding so once the question was popped I was one of the first ones called and hired on to help her out. Since Kristin was in Indiana for school her and I worked a lot together pulling the little details together, I was so happy I was here to help.

I loved everything that the couple picked out, the colors were fabulous...cornflower blue, orange and sage green. The orange and green just popped against the bridesmaids blue dresses. We incorporated the three colors in such fun ways, from the flowers to the centerpieces and all of the paperworks. Brillant!!!

For so many reasons I was excited about this wedding, one of those reasons was to finally work with Steven and Jessica Fox of Steven F. Fox Photography. They are such a nice couple and it was great working with them and I can not wait to see the pictures soon!!! Hopefully I will be able to post a few for your enjoyment!

Thanks again Kristin and Graham for letting me be part of your day, I was truly honored to be a part of the day.

Monday, August 11, 2008

Thirty, Flirty and Thriving!!

Well, I don't know about the flirty part but the rest is true. Yup...I turned the big 3-0 on Saturday, but it's okay, I don't feel any different than I did on Friday. I had a great day...I planned myself a party, I know I know but who would I trust more than myself to plan the perfect party? Plus, my amazing husband was more than willing to give up the control and hand over the credit card...perfect.


Friends and family from every aspect of my life came to help me celebrate it was so much fun!! My favorite detail of the day? I rented a cotton candy machine!! I little messy but oh so worth it, I found cotton candy in my hair the next day! All the guys...including my dad and father in law went out and played wiffle ball, so much fun!


My color scheme was red and turquoise and it looked perfect, I was thrilled with everything. Here are a few pictures of the details...of course I totally forgot to take any pictures with people in them, duh! There is one goofy one of me by the cotton candy machine though, don't laugh too hard at my expense.


The invitation...a little blurry but yes...that's really me in the picture.



Lantern lit path to the parking....

Thanks everyone for making my day so wonderful! I love and appreciate you all!!!

Wednesday, August 6, 2008

Vibrant!!!!

Southern Weddings posted about an absoultely fabulous wedding shot by Jennifer Bowen Photography and the details were put together by Ashley Stone of Something Blue Events. The colors just pop off the screen and just make you wish you could have been a guest to see it in person. I couldn't resist sharing it just in case you missed it!!
For more details and larger pictures check it out on Southern Weddings.

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Southern Weddings

One of my favorite blogs to stalk is Southern Weddings & Style. It's written by the editors of Southern Weddings Magazine and it is just fabulous. I am always amazed by the weddings that they feature on their blog. The details of these weddings are breath taking!! If you haven't visited them already please check it out!

Thursday, July 31, 2008

Delicious Scents


I got to thinking about the amazingly delicious smell of peonies tonight after meeting with Christina and Ryan. They are planning a wedding on Windmill Island in Holland and I just can't wait to see all of their details come together. Christina is planning on having a bouquet of peonies and it just sounds amazing!!! Can't wait to work with you Christina and Ryan!!

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Amazing Details


Check out this gorgeous wedding of Allison and Jeff captured by Summer of SJO Photography.

All the colors and details are just amazing and Summer did a fabulous job of portraying them.

Thursday, July 24, 2008

Adorable Antonio

I just got this picture today from Amarilys from their wedding this past weekend. Amarilys and Daniel's little boy Antonio stole my heart! He is such a sweet, friendly, funny little boy and I had so much fun watching him throughout the day Saturday. By the end of the ceremony he was asleep in his stroller in his tiny little tux! Precious!

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Adventures in Wedding Planning video

Melissa DiStefano of Masterpiece Weddings had a photographer follow her around at a wedding she did recently and put it together in a video to show exactly what wedding planners do during the day. There are two videos, one from rehearsal and the other from the ceremony. What great videos! I told Melissa that the part I really would have loved to see is before the photographer got there...gotta read the story on her blog...priceless!

Great job, Melissa!!