Amber & Derek - October 17, 2009

Well, my 2009 wedding season has officially ended. And what a great wedding to end the season on. Amber and Derek were married in Grand Rapids yesterday and followed the ceremony up with a beautiful reception at Frederick Meijer Gardens.

Amber hired Memorable Events for Set Up services, and from the first email exchange I knew I would love all of her details. Amber and Derek love everything earthy, organic and eco-friendly and that really showed in their decor. They did their own centerpieces which consisted of DIY glass cake stands (pieced together from second hand stores), DIY floral arrangements and greenery cut from the backyard. I loved all her small touches, such as the birch table number holders and the hand made caramel apple favors.


And I can't forget to mention the dessert table....oh the dessert table!!! There were 12, yes 12, pies from Grand Traverse Pie Co. and 2 cakes, a cheesecake, a tiramisu and chocolate pudding tarts from Marie Catribs. Amber had collected and pieced together all different colored and sized cake stands for this table as well. And in between the desserts we tucked cute little "cake toppers", like a Darth Vader and Storm Trooper Mr. Potato Heads, a tofu and bacon couple, and mini knights for Amber's love of medieval history.


Amber's sister surprised her with the idea of doing a photo booth area for the guests to take fun pictures and place them in a guest book for the couple. Very fun. There were a ton of props for the guests to use, including bride and groom Mickey Mouse hats!

I can't wait to see the professional wedding pictures from Lotus Photography!

Get To Know - Amy Boeve Photography

I am always nervous when I go to places and don't know anyone. A few months ago when I was at one of my first MWEP meetings I didn't know many people and was just standing over to the side surveying the room. All of the sudden I was approached by one of the sweetest people ever! Amy Boeve came over and introduced herself and I just knew it was the start of a great relationship, both professionally and personally.

Amy has an amazing eye for photography, she is truly blessed with great talent. If you are looking for great pictures and a great experience you must check her out.

Here is a little more about Amy Boeve Photography....

1. What type of services do you offer to your clients?

   I offer fun, fresh wedding photography and modern portraits. I specialize in relaxed photojournalism where I strive to capture natural moments between a couple!

   

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

   While photography has been a passion of mine for several years this is my second summer shooting weddings professionally. I fell in love with capturing couples on their wedding day. I am located in Grand Rapids but also do a lot of work in the Detroit area.

   

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

   I enjoy working with couples who are relaxed and looking to have a good time with their photography! I love when couples can have fun and I always take lots of laughing photos:)

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

   I specialize in wedding photojournalism which basically means I capture natural moments as they are happening. I will pose a couple but then tell them to cuddle into each other, talk and play. During that time I end up getting the most romantic relaxed photos!

   

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

   I think what sets me apart is my ability to connect with my brides. I love getting to know couples before their wedding! I strive to capture their personalities and have their pictures reflect who they are. I also love to make couples laugh and am willing to act like a dork to accomplish this:)

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

   I am a wife, a doggy mom, and a dancer:)

(couldn't do a post about Amy without including Mocha!)

Turning Apple Picking into Decorating

(from wedding at orchard)

This time of year it is common practice in Michigan to go apple picking. To be outdoors in the fall is poetic, with the cool air and the smells, I just love it. I have had the opportunity to go to an orchard more than once this season but it overwhelms me to think of what to do with all the apples once I have them home. I'm not that handy in the kitchen plus I don't have much time to spend in there. I have made apple crisp once though :)

If you are like me and love the orchard experience but lack the time to create much out of the apples here is a great idea that is quick and easy.

Take any nice sized apothecary jar, hurricane or vase and fill it with different sized apples. It works well with two different sizes, a large and a small to fill in the gaps. Mixing colors or varieties is a fun way to incorporate color into the arrangement as well. If you think to grab a few leaves off the trees while picking you can tuck them in between the apples for a more organic look.

Here is a little cute pic from a visit to Robinette's this year...

(Mine is the little guy on the right)

Couldn't help but share this picture, they are so cute!

Rainy Day Rehearsal

I just had to share these pictures from my rehearsal the other night. I couldn't help but take my camera out for this. My very first rehearsal under umbrella! So cute, the bride was determined to have her ceremony outside so why practice anywhere else.

Did I mention it was like 45 degrees out?

Get To Know - Crumbles Cupcakery

Via Twitter I connected with Sara and Allison of Crumbles Cupcakery. They are a new cupcake business in Grand Rapids and with first hand knowledge I can tell you that their treats are AMAZING!!!! The ladies of Crumbles are fantastic and they are coming up with unique new recipes all the time, for the fall they have a Pumpkin Pie Cupcake....I'm drooling just writing about it!! A little more about Crumbles Cupcakery...

1. What type of services do you offer?

Crumbles Cupcakery provides made-to-order gourmet cupcakes that are made with the highest quality and freshest ingredients available. We also use local products whenever possible. All of our cupcakes are made from scratch using tested and approved recipes! As a small business, we believe very strongly in not only supporting other local businesses but also creating a community of entrepreneurs who are dedicated to offering the best services possible to West Michigan.

Crumbles Cupcakery is available for small events such as birthday parties, christenings and showers, and large events like weddings and community soirees. We work with each client individually to customize our cupcake flavors and designs to ensure that everybody’s tastes are well suited!

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

Crumbles Cupcakery is brand new! Owners and principal bakers Allison and Sara began Crumbles in May 2009 and have been overwhelmingly encouraged by the response we’ve had! We currently work on an online, order-by-order basis. Please feel free to contact us at crumblescupcakery@gmail.com for menu and pricing and check out our cupcake portfolio at http://www.flickr.com/photos/crumblescupcakery.

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

Everybody loves a cupcake and Crumbles Cupcakery loves everybody! We are pleased to work with clients of all different aesthetics, styles and tastes. Simple adjustments such as the kind of icing tip we use to top the cakes or the type of decorations that adorn the icing can make a cupcake mod, cute, elegant, sophisticated and everything in between!

Crumbles also offers a wide range of display settings that help create a perfect “cupcakescape” to match every occasion. Because we love new ideas and we enjoy experimenting with new looks, if our client has something particular in mind we’re more than happy to try to make it happen. That goes for cupcake flavors too! We find there is no shortage of flavor ideas and we love to try them all!

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

While not necessarily a specialty, we do try to add a creative spin and extra detail into our cupcakes – every little thing counts towards the final creation! For example, we swirl cinnamon into the shortbread crust for our Pumpkin Pie cupcake, making a delicious, flaky and spiced base for adding on pumpkin cake, filled with homemade pumpkin custard. We also use unique ingredients, such as Coquito liqueur – a Puerto Rican cream brandy, used to create a sensational icing for our It’s 5 O’Clock Somewhere cupcake. Our Dulce de Leche (South American caramel) is a family recipe that we use as a filling in several of our cupcakes. We’re constantly trying to innovate and dream up new ideas – the cupcake clock never stops!

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

Well, for starters, we make cupcakes! The Grand Rapids cupcake scene is really developing, but Crumbles Cupcakery remains one of first in the area that provides all cupcakes all the time. Also, while Crumbles offers many classic flavors such as chocolate, vanilla and carrot cake, we are also inspired by global flavors, which we turn into unique and flavorful cupcakes combinations that you won’t find anywhere else! One of our most popular cupcakes, the Taj Mahal, is infused with the flavors of an Indian sweet that incorporates pistachios, cardamom and cinnamon. Yum! If you’re looking for traditional, we certainly have it, and if you like something a little unfamiliar (but always delicious) then we have that too!

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

Creating new cupcakes, of course! J Well, both of us come from large families, so we definitely love spending time with them! We also volunteer locally with nonprofit organizations and like to be out and about in Grand Rapids as much as we can!

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

We’ve been fairly lucky so far that nothing too crazy has happened at Crumbles Cupcakery, though we’re sure our day is coming! We have had some baking disasters in our kitchens but thankfully only while we were testing new recipes and not working on a big order. There have definitely been a few dozen cupcakes that have gone straight from the oven to the trash, and maybe even a few tears shed in the kitchen, but nothing catastrophic yet!

Get To Know - Chic Chair Covers

This week I am featuring Bianca from Chic Chair Covers. Bianca and I met this summer and immediately hit if off, we even both have Boxers! Here is a little about CCC.

Chic Chair Covers, LLC (CCC) offers white banquet style chair covers and organza sashes in a variety of different colors. The owner, Bianca Tompsett, runs the business from her home in Allendale where she meets with clients to see our products and find the perfect sash color to compliment the events decor.

Bianca, a graduate of Ferris State University's College of Business, has a passion for weddings and events in general. With five years of experience working directly with events, from planning to advertising, she knew she wanted to have her hand in events in some way. After planning her own wedding in 2007, she realized the wedding industry is where she wanted to focus her energy.

"I've been a guest at far too many receptions where the couple uses chair linens, but the sashes are on the floor by the end of the night. One thing you'll notice about our high quality organza sashes is that they're slightly thicker than our competitors, so it stays on the chair and holds it form better than others," Tompsett said.

Bianca offers many services for free that other chair linen providers often charge extra for. She personally sets up the chair covers with her team, as well as steams them on-site, for no extra charge. She takes pride in the finished product, as it adds a lot to the ambiance of the room.

"I can remember my wedding day distinctly. One thing I definitely didn't want to deal with was setting up chair covers and sashes. I just wanted to focus on getting ready, staying relaxed, and having a good time. So, we ended up paying someone to do the set-up for us....which added up quickly! That is why I opted to offer free set-up and steaming of all chair covers and sashes. That way the room will look crisp and clean, and the bride doesn't have to lift a finger," Tompsett said.

When she's not working she enjoys spending time with her husband and their dog Bella, a Boxer. She enjoys traveling, photography, party planning, and anything design related.

For more information, visit:
Main Website: http://www.ChicChairCovers.com
Blog: http://ChicChairCovers.blogspot.com

Table Design/Bridal Show

I did my first bridal show this past weekend, it was fun! I wasn't sure what to expect so I thought I would show a table design that could be used for a wedding or other special event. I also wanted to pull all the pieces together from some favorite vendors.

The Bridal Affair was in Holland at the Midtown Center, it is the old Holland Public High School and they have redone most of the building and there is a fabulous banquet room on the second floor. The show was put on by Miss to Mrs Magazine (Lakeshore Edition) and they did a great job. The big excitement of the evening was the Dream Wedding giveaway, there were about 150 brides nominated for the giveaway and one very deserving bride was chosen. The package for the giveaway added up to about $14,000 worth of gifts and services. I donated my planning services as well and am looking forward to working with this bride and all the generous vendors in 2010.

Here are some pictures from my booth.

Gorgeous arrangement from Engedi Bridal, vase from Events by I. Candy and chairs from Cascade Rental

Gorgeous linens from Special Occasions, china and glassware from The Rental Company.
I got the gold flatware on clearance at Target :)

My intern, Therese, came to help and hang out...and we both enjoyed the food!