Meet Jessica & Garrett October 29, 2008

Bride and Groom

Jessica and Garrett

Date Engaged

August 9, 2008

Where and how did you meet?
(Sheepish Grin) We actually met in a country bar called Six Strings in Central Illinois — Jessica was not so interested in meeting anyone, but after introductions, for some crazy reason she decided to give Garrett her phone number anyway.

After waking up to a text message from him the next morning, Jessica asked Garrett to go out for coffee (not knowing he doesn’t drink coffee). This awkward and incredibly uncomfortable coffee date turned into a somewhat terrifying interview for Garrett.

Long story short — Garrett continued to pursue Jessica and God continued to soften her heart. )

How and where did he propose?
Jessica is a devoted Chicago Cubs baseball fan… Garrett roots for the St. Louis Cardinals. Garrett nabbed tickets to a Cubs/Cardinals game in Chicago on August 9, 2008. The Cubbies did not win. Jessica was oblivious that Garrett had a ring.

Unfortunately, Jessica had not been feeling well the days leading up to the trip. Garrett had actually tried to propose on 08/08/08, but Jessica was not up to going anywhere or doing anything. So, after the baseball game on Saturday, Garrett and Jessica continued to venture out all over Chicago — going to dinner, to a great little piano bar, and Navy Pier (just missing the fireworks).

The two headed back to the hotel, Garrett somewhat frustrated and Jessica somewhat relieved to get some rest (still not feeling well). Jessica was in the bathroom of their hotel room preparing for bed and decided to open the door so that Garrett could come in if he needed to. Water running and toothbrush in hand, Jessica opens the door and finds Garrett… on one knee… ring in hand.

With a look of complete exasperation/exhaustion on his face, Garrett says: ‘I was trying to make this perfect and unique…. but you just… kept… ruining it.’

So absolutely true. AND she said YES!

When is your wedding date?

December 13, 2008

Why did you pick Savannah and Whitefield Chapel

We promised Garrett’s parents that we wouldn’t elope, so our solution was to have a small destination wedding with our closest family and friends. Months earlier, we had discussed wanting to travel to Savannah — this seemed like the perfect time to escape the cold December weather of Central Illinois.

Where do you reside now?

Central Illinois

Describe Your Dream Wedding

Getting married at Whitefield Chapel in Savannah, GA — of course — with our closest family and friends attending. Some of our siblings will not be able to attend, and if they could… it would be perfect.

Lynne & James – October 3, 2008 October 10, 2008

Meet Lynne & James

A fabulous couple from Chicago

I met the newly married couple in April and they were wonderful to work with. Lynne, very detailed oriented and knows exactly what she wants.

I loved working with Lynne. Very organized and focused. Her attention to every detail was seen throughout the event.

Their wedding day was filled with elegance, grace and sophistication. Lynne’s family is truly awesome and her father can definitely liven up any party! I was blessed to be a part of such a wonderful and blessed celebration.

Lynne chose an awesome group of professionals. Lynne’s all-star team of vendors included

Garden on The Square, Julie is the most amazing and gifted floral designer I have ever met.

The First City Club, Jennifer and her staff were very professional and courteous. The food was amazing!

First African Baptist Church - Revered Tillman and staff were so accommodating and eager to offer their assistance wherever needed.

(re) Defining Moments – Full Service Wedding & Special Event Planner

Savannah’s very own Huxsie Scott sung the night away. Huxsie’s band was a hit with all the guests. Huxsie’s granddaughter, Markeya made a special appearance. Markeya performed a wonderful rendition of Ella Fitzgerald’s A Tisket, A Tasket. This young lady is destined for greatness!

The Mansion’s 700 Drayton Street – Day After Thank You Brunch

The Lady & Sons – Groom’s Dinner

DVB Photographers – Donna and Kelli, did an amazing job of capturing a lifetime of wonderful memories.

Mirror Images Productions – Thomas and Claudia were on point as they caught the entire day on film.

New Arts Ensembles – It is always a pleasure to work with Kristen and Ricardo. The Gospel choir was awesome and left a memorable impression on all.

Thanks again to all of the wonderful vendors who worked together to make Lynne and James event a success!

A Few Words From Lynne & James – “We just finished our last wedding event and we couldn’t have done it without all of you. Thank you for putting up with my incessant emails, planning and schedules, etc. I read on many wedding websites -that you should plan for something to go wrong at your wedding – no matter how long or intense your planning process.

What those folks didn’t count on was a phenomenal team of wedding professionals such as yourselves. All of our guest raved about Savannah, the attention to detail and how personal the wedding was. James and I felt comfortable the entire 3 days because we knew you were helping us with our vision.

On behalf of James and myself – from the bottom of our hearts – we will never forget you and we thank you for blessing our wedding events with your incredible skills and talents. ~Love, Lynne & James”.

The couple celebrates their one-week anniversary today. They compliment each other very well. A union of two wonderful families has been made. This couple is destined for a lifetime of happiness!

Lynne & James, Congratulations! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for allowing me to share in your very special day!

Blessings,

Karen

Pictures from Lynne & James Wedding Celebration

The picture of Lynne climbing the steps is one of my favorites. I love the way her gown flows and moves with her as she heads up the steps in one of the alley’s on River Street.

To move in high heels like this is an amazing feat in itself.

Kudos to you Lynne!

Thanks Donna for the amazing photos!

Diversions October 8, 2008

The past couple of evenings I have taken some time off from my job of wedding planning. I am learning to relax and enjoy some of the quiet and simple pleasures in life. My 17 year old son recently told me that I don’t know how to play and have fun. His exact words “Mom, you need to relax and chill out a bit”.

Well, I finally took Christian’s advice. Oftentimes we get so inundated with things that we forget to take time out to just breath.

On one of my online searches I came across a site that sells downloadable games. One in particular struck my eye. The game entitled “Dream Day Wedding”. The object of the game is to help the character Jenny plan her dream wedding.

What a befitting game for a planner don’t you think?

I downloaded the one hour trial on Monday afternoon and was hooked after an hour. My son even joined me for the last 15 minutes of the trial.

You must use your keen eye and memory to find items at the gown boutique, bakery and other shops in this romantic seek-and-find! The task sounds simple enough. Not!

There were mixed reviews on the game. Some reviewers commented that the game was boring. After five minutes of playing, I was inclined to side with the reviewers.

Although, bored I pressed on. The longer I played, more challenging the game became. I became determined on my seek and find mission. The items are hidden in the most obscure places. Which made me even more insistent on finding them.

Overall the game proved to be a wonderful diversion. I went back online on Tuesday and purchased the game. The cost was minium and I found a terrific outlet. Oberon also has “Dream Day Honeymoon” and I look forward to trying it as well.

Want to test your skill?

A trial can be downloaded from http://www.playfirst.com/game/dreamdaywedding.

Live, Love, Relax & Have Fun!

Karen

Meet The Cake Girls October 6, 2008

Oh My Gosh! These sisters are amazing! Their wedding cakes are truly phenominal! Meet Mary and Brenda Maher of Cake Girls, based out of Chicago, Illinois.

They specialize in modern high end wedding and speciality celebration cakes. I was absolutely blown away when I stumbled across their website. Their cakes have been featured in all the major wedding magazines.

Their signature purse cakes are simply adorable! Please take a moment to check out cakegirls.com. You can also catch a clip of them on WeTV’s Amazing Wedding Cakes.

I just love these modern designs! All cakes featured are by The Cake Girls.

Tips For A Fabuluxe Tented Affair October 6, 2008

Yesterday, I posted some great information on using tents for your reception. Today, I will pick up where I left off. Giving you four awesome tips that will result in fabuluxe tented affair.

A tent reception can be an exceptionally beautiful and unique experience for the bridal couple as well as their guests. The variety and sizes of tents that are available today make finding something that fits your personal style easy and affordable. Clear top tents let you dance beneath the starlit sky and flat top frame tents provide you with an open and welcoming feel without supporting poles blocking the way. You can choose a tent without sides or one with French window sidewalls. Whatever tent you select, you will need the right lighting, flowers, fabrics and favors to make it a gorgeous oasis for your guests.

1. Use Lighting to Create Drama

The lighting of your reception tent is extremely important. By using some simple tricks, you can create an elegant escape or a fun and festive celebration. Twinkle lights, in white or colors, are often used in tent receptions; hidden in garlands, draped along ceiling panels, or strung in plants and shrubs. Other lighting options include spotlights with colored gels that create dramatic patterns on walls, floors or ceilings. For those who want a classic, romantic feel, candles create a dreamy and mysterious ambiance that could be just the right touch. A plethora of candle holders are available and make wonderful centerpieces. Blinking balloons can create a fun and casual tone to your event that your guests will love. Whatever your style, lighting is an important factor in creating the right atmosphere for your reception.

2. Bring Nature Indoors

Through the aid of well-placed flowers, trees and shrubs, your guests may be able to forget they are even in a tent. Fill corners with beautiful flowering shrubs or trees. Disguise support poles with vines and bouquets. Add fragrance with elaborate floral centerpieces. A nice twist on the traditional cut flowers for the table is to have a living arrangement that your guests can take home and plant in their garden or keep in the house, a continuous reminder of your special day. Flowers can add color and excitement to your event with a subtlety that your guests will surely appreciate.

3. Surround Yourself with Sumptuous Satins

In order to really transform a reception tent, creative use of fabrics is essential. From luxurious panels draped across the ceiling to tantalizing tulle-adorned support poles, fabrics can create depth and contrast to the harsh lines of the tent. Soften doorways by swathing them in flowing chiffon. Emphasize your head table with curtains of lace as a backdrop. Evaluate your tent and accentuate the highlights while downplaying any possible negative aspects. With a little imagination, you can create a completely unique and ethereal feeling for your reception.

4. Finish with Wedding Favor Flair

Complete your décor with corresponding favors that complement the surrounding motif. Very often, a well thought out favor can be the final touch needed to create a cohesive design for your reception, uniting the various elements around them. Whatever theme you use for your reception, you can use favors to heighten your guests’ experience.

With these simple techniques, you can create a magnificent venue for your reception. However, don’t forget the little details, too. Think about if you need flooring for the entire tent or just the dance floor. Are there any sound ordinances in the area that might affect your party? Do you have enough parking and restrooms for your guests? Do you have enough power for the caterers, musicians, and lighting? Is there a contingency plan in case of extremely bad weather? Once you have answered these simple questions and created your own design plan, you will have a wonderful reception that is uniquely your own that your guests will absolutely adore.

Tents: A Blank Slate and Creative Palette October 5, 2008

There’s nothing quite like a wedding reception in a tent, with its uniquely informal atmosphere, customized decor and proximity to the elements outdoors.

Weddings and receptions with an outdoor component are incredibly popular in the warm months. And, with larger, more sophisticated tent structures boasting such comforts as built-in heating, tent receptions are even taking hold in the colder seasons as well.

Yet tents are so much more than simply shelter. I love tented receptions for their natural intimacy, and creative possibilities.

One of the nicest things about tent receptions is the creative possibilities they enable. Unlike the typical reception hall, a tent is indeed like a blank slate upon which you can build your own world, creating exactly the atmosphere you desire for your grand celebration.

This not only makes your reception more memorable for you and your guests, but also makes possible a unique and powerful set of visual elements that will translate to beautiful memories. A tent gives you the creative freedom to visual construct the venue of your dreams

Because the canvas is bare you don’t to work around the existing décor of a venue, which oftentimes clash with the overall theme and look that you are trying to achieve. With tents you have more latitude to create a specific feel.

If you use a tent’s creative freedom wisely, you can assure an environment that not only reflects your own aesthetic, but also creates a sense of warm intimacy that would be difficult, if not impossible, in most banquet halls.

The direct proximity to the outdoors opens up an entirely new dynamic of atmosphere and social interaction.

From a distance, at nighttime the tent just glows. They have a very warm and cozy feeling. Receptions are all about creating the sense of intimacy-the sense of space and place. Tent weddings/receptions are romantic and magical. I feel brides always look for these key elements when planning their wedding.

A tent changes the dynamics, climate and culture of an event.

Photo’s Courtesy of Beachview Tent Rentals