Sabrina & Nathan

Ceremony Location: MSU Alumni Chapel

Reception Location: MSU Union, East Lansing

Wedding Colors: Gold, Dark Teal, Fuchsia

# Guests: 136

Emergency Kit Items Used: Talcum powder, lotion, Band-Aids, gum


Sabrina & Nathan live in California and were in need of some additional assistance on their wedding day to make sure everything was set up and in place. This was a rare situation in which I did not meet the couple until their wedding day, but no worries!

And what a hot day it was! It had to be at least in the mid to upper 90's! My assistant and I arrived first to MSU Union where Corine Sebesta of Sebesta Design (http://www.sebestadesign.com/) was already setting up the chair covers and florals. Corine is absolutely professional, does a beautiful job, and really has her act together. Looking forward to working with her again in a couple of weeks!

On to the setup....Sabrina had a personalized CD made for each guest that we placed on the chairs as not to interfere with the table settings. Actually there were two CD versions ~ one for the younger crowd, and a "clean version" for the rest of the guests. Lots of votives surrounded the centerpieces, with some really pretty scrapbook paper placed under each centerpiece, and we draped tulle (over skirting) and lights (under the skirting) to make the 2-tier head table look extra special.

For the cake we added the flowers left for us, then surrounded the table with petals and gold votives.

The ceremony took place at MSU's Alumni Chapel and let me tell you, they really have their weddings down to a science. Up to 3 ceremonies can take place there in a single day and they really run smoothly. I was recently there in June also, and the ceremony coordinator, Sarah, is super sweet and so organized. As before, Sabrina & Nathan's ceremony went off without a hitch. Guests were offered progams of course, and these adorable fans that Sabrina's step mother had brought from China. The Alumni Chapel is air conditioned, but the fans came in handy for everyone outside and later on at the reception when everyone was hot from dancing.

At the reception, the plated meal was delicious. Guests were then served cake for dessert. The Union staff (especially Patrick) was so very professional and accomodating to anything I requested of them. Sabrina's father and step-mother were also an especially big help, and even agreed to bring the altar flowers to the reception site from the church for me. I had wanted to leave them in the church so they could be in the background for photos, but since the reception was immediately following the ceremony, we had to get back to the reception site to make sure things were set for guest arrival. Thanks, Ted & Alanah!

Sabrina and Nathan's wedding was photographed by Sam of Sam Sarkis Photography (http://www.samsarkisphotography.com/); the preview pics I got a chance to see were beautiful. Video was done by MK Video, and DJ "T" at Tunes By T (http://www.tunesbyt.com/) kept guests on the dance floor all night long. I had been in touch with Sam and T prior to the wedding day and both were very cooperative and stuck to the timeline so that we were on-schedule the entire evening. I love working with great vendors!

THANK YOU and congratulations, Sabrina & Nathan! Enjoy HAWAII!!!

Kellie & Victor

Ceremony Location: Ford Memorial Methodist Church, Detroit

Reception Location: Oakbridge Suites, Wayne

Wedding Colors: Pewter, Fuchsia, All shades of PINK!

# Guests: 192

Emergency Kit Items Used: Blotting papers, double-stick tape, pins

(Pro photos located here)

One word, rain. And lots of it! What a wet way to start a wedding day! Regardless of what anyone might say to make a bride feel better, I think most brides would understandably be a little bummed to have rain decide to rear its head on her wedding day. Kellie was a trooper and hung in there though.

Miss (now Mrs!) Kellie holds a special place in my mind, as she was one of the first brides to book me and it means a lot when someone has that kind of faith in you. I will also mention that she is one of the sweetest people you will ever meet. Even with an unfortunate incident just a couple weeks prior to her big day, she looked beautiful on Saturday and you'd never have known.

We started the day early at Oakbridge Suites and began setup. Boxes and boxes were unloaded, with everyone involved getting a bit soaked. There was a lot to do, so we got right to work. First her centerpieces were set up, square vases and bunches of hot pink roses were cut and placed, with candle votives all around. Votives and lush petals (not shown in photo, petals were placed later on) surrounded the sweetheart and cake tables. Next came the candy buffet with candies in all shades of pink. This candy buffet was just the kind I'd love to partake in as a wedding guest: lots of containers chock full of great candies, pretzels, and mini cupcakes. The room was finished off with some pretty pink uplights which really added to the room ambience.

At the ceremony site, Pastor Kenneth Bryant (who is Kellie's uncle and quite possibly one of the nicest people I've ever met) gave me a run-down on some things. We then got to pinning boutonnieres and making sure things were set for the ceremony. The aisle was lined with candles and lots more rose petals in pink shades. The ceremony ran a bit late which was actually a good thing, because the rain finally stopped a few minutes before the end of the ceremony so that the bride and groom could make their church exit in a somewhat dry manner!

Reception time! We headed back to the reception site to get to putting out loads of rose petals and lighting all of the votives and uplights. The night ran pretty smoothly and on time. Guests enjoyed food by the caterer, Chef Anthony Brock ~ And later, a delicious moist cake done by Cakes By Angelique (Gist). After tasting it a bit later, I was wishing I'd known about her when I was looking for my own wedding cake!!

Others who were part of the Kellie-Victor Team that day were Kris from Kreativ Imaging (who set up a slide show later with some images he had taken through the day, great work! http://www.kreativimaging.com/), DJ Orlando DeJesus of PRP Productions, and Jay Fontaine from Your Bartender (http://www.yourlibations.com/) who really was a HUGE help to me through the entire night. Kellie & Victor's mothers and some other family members were also a great help during setup and throughout the evening. I can't say enough about how everyone came together and made it happen.

Kellie, if you are out there reading, congratulations! I really hope that despite the rain and things that your day was everything you had hoped it would be. Lastly, I read your card and choked up a bit. You are such a poised, well-spoken, beautiful young woman. I enjoyed our emailings leading up to the wedding and I thank you for the faith you had in me and for allowing us to be a part of your day! Congratulations and best wishes!!

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Ashley & Trevor

Ceremony & Reception Location: Silver Garden of Southfield

Wedding Colors: Hot Pink & Orange

# Guests: 100

Emergency Kit Items Used: Scissors, Advil


Ashley & Trevor were married in July, with both the ceremony and reception taking place at Silver Garden of Southfield. All weather reports had claimed it was to rain that day, but we lucked out big time and the day ended up being completely clear. Not a drop all night! Ashley was able to have her outdoor wedding at Silver Garden's gazebo on the grounds (phew!!!).

Ashley sported a huge smile ALL day and ALL night. Both the bride's and groom's families were so very kind and welcoming.

Her wedding colors were hot pink and orange, and they really popped in the room. Silver Garden has pretty neutral decor that can work with most any color scheme. Linens were already set and ready to go by the time I arrived, The Linen Closet (http://www.thelinenclosetllc.com/) did a beautiful job on the sashes, chair covers, table runners, and table swag. I then got to setting out all of the wedding accessories, centerpieces, favors, and lots of pink & orange petals.

I also got to work with the fabulous Amanda Williams (http://www.amandawilliamsphotography.com/); she was my own wedding photographer just a few months ago and we love her. The woman literally drops to her stomach or lays on the ground spontaneously to get the shots she wants....and on this day, she was even able to get up on the roof to get some ceremony photographs. I can't wait to see how those turn out! (Update, see some pro photos here)

DJ Larry Nichols of DJ By Design kept the crowd dancing all night long. I don't recall too many moments after dinner where the dance floor got a break.

Ziad, Mo and Kari at Silver Garen were also very helpful and accomodating whenever anything was need it. Mo even helped me later on, at 11:00 at night in the dark when I was on my hands and knees picking up all those pink & orange flower petals!! Thanks, all of you!

All in all, it was a great day. Best wishes, Ashley & Trevor! (They are en route to Europe as I type!)

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Shelby & Kevin

Ceremony Location: MSU Alumni Chapel

Reception Location: University Club, East Lansing

Wedding Colors: Purple & Green

# Guests: 140

Emergency Kit Items Used: Tape, Pins, lots of Kleenex!

This one was a special one to me because not only are Shelby & Kevin clients, but also friends. I had been on-board to do Shelby's wedding months ago, but in the meantime we became wedding planning friends and then friends "in real life". My husband Dan and I were invited to this wedding as guests, so I readily put him to work for me that day instead of bringing an assistant. I am not sure how much he enjoyed that, but he had no choice in the matter :-)

The day started out bright and early, and we had lost power at home so we started off to East Lansing a bit earlier than planned, dog and all. The reception location, University Club, has Candlewood Suites attached which is where we were to stay that night. I have to give them major thanks for being so accomodating once I told them our situation (no power) and allowing us to check in so much earlier than usual with no additional charges. They also gave me a discounted pet rate.

Dan and I arrived to the MSU Alumni Chapel just as Horrock's was delivering the flowers, so I checked all of those and started pinning bouts on the guys. It is a pretty ceremony location, and as I understand, only MSU alumni (ahem, both Shelby & Kevin are very proud Spartans!) and a select few others are able to use this church. The gorgeous bride arrived a little while later and in good spirits. As she and the girls were getting dressed and ready, my "assistant husband" and I got to attaching pew bows and setting out the other decor/accessories (unity candle, initial letters to hang from the church doors, garland, guest book, programs, rose petals).

The ceremony site coordinator, Sarah, was professional and ran things exactly as needed. In many cases with ceremony sites, intervention by an additional coordinator is not neccessary. As always, I am on-hand and available to step in where needed, but my purpose is not to step on toes. I provided Kleenex for our tearful bride pre-ceremony, fluffed her dress, and off she went. The ceremony started on time and was tearful but very pretty. Upon exit, I had guests take handfuls of fresh flower petals. The bride and groom made their exit as we all tossed the purple rose petals. I cannot wait to see those photos. I am a huge fan of exiting with the rose petals; I really love the photos that result from this.

After cleaning everything out of the church and getting the couple off in their limo, we then headed to the reception site. We were greeted by Janice at University Club and began the setup as discussed. Shelby had a candy buffet, purple uplighting, and 8 miniature angel food cakes with sugar flowers on top of a glass cake stand as her centerpieces. The initial letters we used at the church were attached to the head table. Also, we placed another great floor monogram from Right On The Walls to the dance floor.

Instead of a memory table, two place settings were set with an empty plate and a red rose in memory of Kevin's father and brother who are no longer with us. A very thoughtful touch. We could not find the two red roses anywhere (as it turns out, someone forgot to bring them) so I sent my dear husband out to get some roses. He was a trooper for me that day!!

The University Club staff (Janice and Tricia) were a HUGE help and so very accomodating to anything we needed. It is much appreciated when reception site staff works with the coordinator rather than against them and I could not have asked for more cooperation. They were terrific.

Everything ran smoothly and as planned. There was a minor emergency regarding the music, but luckily we got that problem solved quickly as well. Many thanks to the guest with the IPod!

After the rounds of special dances and some candy buffet refills, I was able to relax and enjoy the party as a guest for a couple of hours. Moonlighting :) Later came pack-up time and we got that done in a flash with a little help from a couple friends and family. Totally not neccessary, but so very appreciated!

Shelby & Kevin, thanks a million for giving me this opportunity to be a part of your day, for welcoming us also as guests, and special thanks to Shelby for all these month as a friend who sincerely cares about people. You are truly one of a kind. Have a WONDERFUL honeymoon in Europe!

* Photographer Samantha Vanderlist of Shutter Sam (http://www.shuttersam.com/); DJ Sean Bouchard of Complete Music DJ's; cake by Roma Bakery * (Update ~ Some pro photos can be seen here)

The happy groom with a wedding gift....

Kristin & Christopher

Ceremony Location: St Aidan Catholic Church

Reception Location: Dearborn Inn

Colors: Hot pink, light pink, black, silver

# Guests: 140

Emergency Kit Items Used: 2 Advil :)

Well what more can I say here ~ Kris and Chris are a gorgeous couple and soooooo nice. The day was sunny and bright for the most part, and by the time it rained, the reception was already in full swing so no worries!

Emerald City was working hard when I arrived and I must say, they really do a beautiful job. EC had provided and set up full-length table linen, chargers, floral centerpieces complete with scattered gems for some sparkle, table numbers, head table swag, pink uplighting, and a full pink rose on each place setting. I was just in the same ballroom at Dearborn Inn two weeks prior and it looked completely different! The uplighting really adds to the atmosphere and makes me wish I'd done some at my own!

Kris had a large floor monogram (http://www.rightonthewalls.com/) that nearly gave me a heart attack, but luckily one of the kind Emerald City workers helped me get it down there. Thanks so much guys!! She also had a framed seating chart done by Kristie at So In Love Invitations, a photo guest book, the photo card box (http://www.theperfectcardbox.com/) some really pretty DIY blinged-out toasting flutes for the bridal party (on top of some GORGEOUS Swarovski ones for the bride & groom), and place cards with cute little logos I believe she also had Kristie do. These logos determined what plate each guest was to have for dinner and they were so cute. I overheard quite a few people, including the DI wait staff, commenting on them.

Again, the Dearborn Inn staff was thorough and professional as always. They don't miss a beat. Everything ran smoothly and on time. The only minor snag of the evening was in regards to the hired cocktail hour pianist; hopefully the company who was to provide them will compensate and resolve the issue as needed.

Thanks to Kris's mom, she was a real doll ~ and also to Ed and Adrienne from Memories of Yesterday Video (http://www.memoriesofyesterdayvideo.com/), it was SO nice working with then, they were terrific and SO nice to talk to! Families and vendors like them are part of the reason I LOVE doing this! Also part of the "team" that night were Matt Candela (another great DJ from Mike Staff Productions) and photographer Jason Samkowiak (some pro photos now located here). Thank you, thank you, thank you! The lovely bride and groom seemed SUPER happy with everyone.

Congratulations Kris & Chris, have FUN FUN FUN at Sandals Whitehouse in Jamaica!! I wish I could sneak in your suitcases! ;-)