Get To Know - Allison Bower, Makeup Artist

At the July MWEP meeting I was lucky enough to meet Allison Bower, a local make up artist. We traded cards and last week met for coffee. Allison came over with her adorable little girl, Baye, and we had such a nice morning just chatting.

Allison has an amazing eye for color and detail. When you talk with Allison you can just tell that she has a passion for what she does. It is always so refreshing to meet people in the industry that love what they do and that comes across in their work.

Here are a few questions I asked Allison so that you can get to know her a little better.

1. What type of services do you offer?

I do makeup application for weddings, photo shoots, television, theater, etc.

2. How long have you been in the makeup industry and where are you located?

I have been doing makeup all my life but I decided to start my own business a year ago.

3. What type of clients do you like to work with (traditional, modern, etc.)?

I work largely with models, brides, photographers and shop owners. I enjoy working with people who are fun and innovative.

4. Is there anything within your business that you specialize in?

Makeup for weddings and fashion.

5. What do you think sets you apart from other vendors in the industry?

It’s difficult to draw a comparison between me and other artists. From what I’ve seen, there are some talented local artists. I believe fully in my training, technique and collaborative efforts with clients and vendors. I’m considerate of other people’s time and efforts and always follow through on my word.

6. When you’re not busy working, how do you like to spend your downtime?

I have three young children who are 8, 6, and 4. I also have a fantastic husband. I love to be with them when I am not working. Even doing little events like going to pumpkin patches, nature walks, or going to the zoo gets me excited.

7. What is one crazy story of something that has happened while you were working?

I had a photographer who had to reschedule shortly before a fashion shoot. I had to find a different photographer in short order to work with five models. I had to sift through 70 emails from photographers and pick the best one (this was early in my career and I didn’t have an established list of preferred photographers). In the end, an amazing photographer committed to the shoot and the results were fantastic. Out of courtesy, I did write all the other photographers back, too.

Thanks Allison!!

Get To Know Fridays

This fall I am going to be doing a Get To Know Friday. Each Friday I am going to be featuring a local wedding vendor so that you can get to know them better.

If you would like to be featured please let me know

Look for local makeup artist, Allison Bower, this coming Friday.

DIY Place Card Board

I needed a quick, easy and inexpensive way to display place cards for a wedding. But, of course, I also wanted it to be really cute. So this is what I did...

The board is a piece of foam board, purchased at Walgreens for $4. This particular one is 22X28 and fit 45 standard sized place cards, so depending on the number of guests you may need multiple boards. The ribbon was from Walmart and was $1.47 a roll and I used about 1.5 rolls.


Step 1: I figured out how many cards I could fit across (five) and so I knew I needed 9 rows. To keep good spacing I measured out every 3 inches and used a pencil to mark the spot.

Step 2: Lay your ribbon across leaving about an inch and a half on each side. You can prepare ahead and cut all the ribbon at once.

Step 3: Flip the board over. Wrap the ribbon edges around the back side of the board and tape on one end. I used black electrical tape so that it wouldn't show up against the black board. Before you tape the other end of the ribbon make sure to pull it very tight, to remove any slack in the ribbon, then tape that end.















Step 4: Continue taping the ribbons down the board, following your measured out pencil marks
to ensure each line is straight.


























Step 5: Place the cards tented over the ribbon in alphabetical order and VOILA!!!

Less than 30 minutes and under $8 and I had an adorable board that received many compliments! I set the board on an easel but thought a metal book stand on a table would be cute too, especially if you need more than one board.

Stacy & TJ - Reception 09-12-09

My sister in law was married in North Carolina in June. They had a very small intimate ceremony with only close friends and family. So wanting to celebrate more and party with more friends and family we decided to throw them a reception here in Michigan this past weekend.

My Mother in law and I planned the reception and it turned out just wonderful. The bride wasn't allowed to see the room before it was finished and upon arriving for the reception she was speechless! Almost to tears, it was perfect, just what I was hoping for.

For dinner we chose to do stations of hors d' oeuvres, both hot and cold. All the guests loved the idea and I heard many people say they had more than enough to eat. (of course, I didn't get pictures of the stations!)

Venue: GVSU Alumni House, Allendale
Catering: GVSU Classic Fare Catering
Cake: Second Floor Bakery
Floral: Memorable Events
Glassware: Events by I. Candy
DJ: DJ Vybes
Photographer: Randy Willis
Chair Covers: Elegant Chair Covers




Thanks again to all the vendors for doing such an amazing job!

Congrats, Stacy and TJ, welcome to the family!

Keep an eye out for the DIY Place card board step by step post coming later this week!

Dream Wedding Giveaway

(source)

Are you on a strict budget and not sure how you are going to afford your dream wedding? Or do you know a friend or a family member that really deserves that dream wedding but won't be able to have it? Register for the Dream Wedding Giveaway through the Wedding Card.

What all is involved in winning the contest? What isn't!?

Here is a sample of what the winner will receive:

Wedding Coordinator (Me!)
Engagement pictures
Wedding Day pictures
Trash the Dress pictures
Bride's Dress
Groom's Tux
Centerpieces
Favors
Flowers (Bride's bouquet and for ceremony location)
Reception Venue (located in Holland)
Dinner for Reception
Rental Equipment for Reception
Wedding Cake
Groom's Cake
Rehearsal Dinner (venue and dinner)
Make-up for bride
Even catering for shower's and an engagement party

And that's not even all that will be in the package!!

How do you get registered? Follow this link to fill out the information form and you are on your way to the wedding of your dreams. The winner will be chosen and announced at A Bridal Affair on Friday, September 25, 2009.

New Website and Email

Hello all!

I have finally updated my website domain and my email.

New site: www.MemorableEventsLLC.com

Email: Michelle@MemorableEventsLLC.com

The old ones still work and are just getting forwarded for now but eventually everything will switch over.

Thanks! Have a great holiday weekend!

DIY Petal Cones

I offered to run some errands and pick up some last minute items for a client and on the list were paper cones for the tossing rose petals. Easy enough I thought, I'll just go to Hobby Lobby or Michaels and pick some up. Ummm...nope! My mom and I were out one day and looked everywhere! We even started just looking for anything that we could make into cones, I was getting very frustrated. A couple of days later my mom called from the parking lot of Walmart saying "she thinks she found something that would work". Walmart carries a line of Wilton cake supplies including...10" white grease proof doilies with a lace like die cut edge. My mom is brilliant!!!

There are 10 doilies per package for $1.98, so out of one package you can get 20 cones. For this wedding we only needed 40 so it cost us under $4!


Step 1: Cut the doilies in half to make 20


Step 2: Roll each half into a cone shape, there is a smooth side and a rough side of the pattern, I rolled it with the rough side facing in. After a couple you will figure out the trick to getting the edges to line up.















Step 3: Tape or glue stick the edges, both inside and out. I used a small piece of double sided tape on the top corner where the pattern is because there isn't a lot to hold glue there.


Step 4: Fill with flower petals of your choice!

Have fun and enjoy!!