Celebrations

Model Call

0 · Oct 9, 2013 ·

Hi there – it’s been a whirlwind of activity over here and I’m so excited to share a few details regarding my next project! Kellie of Hetler Photography and I are teaming up again to create some beautiful holiday magic. I’ve got some new things up my sleeve and while I can’t share all those gorgeous details yet BUT I can tell you that this well definitely help you ACCESSORIZE for your next party! (Yes, that was a giant hint!)

So if you’d like a little sneak peek while also having a fabulous and fun time hanging with your girlfriends
YOU can be part, we’re looking for models.

Here are the details:

We are putting together a fun editorial styled shoot happening October 30^th. 4 female models would be perfect although we wouldn’t turn away a dapper gent or two, if they wanted to help out. All sizes and shapes are welcome, although I will need to know sizes in advance as we’re making wardrobe decisions. The shoot will take place in downtown Grand Rapids and will last most of the day, so please schedule accordingly. For more information or if you’d like to be a part email me (Shelby) at hello@eventsbythedaysdesign.com.

Grab your girlfriends and we’ll pour some bubbly! Cheers!!

Photo by Helter Photography from our last editorial shoot which is scheduled to be published next month!

September’s Bride

0 · Oct 2, 2013 ·

I have been wanting to share this shoot from last year for awhile now… I waited until September and now it seems that September has come and gone so fast, I nearly missed it! But today is the perfect day. My beautiful model and friend for this shoot just gave birth to a sweet baby boy this morning, and I could not be happier for her.

This project represents all things lovely about fall – leaves beginning to change, the scent of apples in the air and my love for donuts. And of course I couldn’t resist throwing a little aqua into the mix either! Thank you so much Unikke Photography for capturing the day, and congratulations Jessica on your new bundle of joy!

Photography: Unikke Photography / Event Styling & Coordination, Floral Design: The Day’s Design / Vintage Rentals: Refunction Junktion / Chocolate Chip Pumpkin cookie favors: Monica’s Gourmet Cookies

Featured: Vendor Interview on Wedding Lovely

0 · Sep 17, 2013 ·

I started this week off with a lovely vendor feature over on the Wedding Lovely blog. Can I say, I’m just a little excited? It’s my first feature, just a little interview with yours truly, but it’s kind of fun to be in the spotlight for a minute, I’m not going to lie (even though normally I don’t really like to be the center of attention).

In case you missed it, you can read about me here. I’m going to share more of those lovely photos seen in the post soon, because that little shoot with Bradley James Photography was pretty darn fun!!

Hope you’re having a great week!

One Year Ago

0 · Aug 26, 2013 ·

It was about this time last year that The Day’s Design became an “official” business (paperwork filed, DBA, tax IDs and all that un-fun stuff put in order). I was almost seven months pregnant and waiting to be called back into work after a short and temporary summer lay-off. Around this time I had high hopes and dreams about what this summer would bring, bustling around with numerous brides, designing away and getting ready to wrap up wedding season, all with my perfect little baby girl by my side.

Yup, life was to be just about perfect. My basement studio space would be shabby chic fabulousness and provide lots of space and organization. I would have the best of both worlds being able to work from home and not have to send Gretta to day care – not missing a single moment of her life. We could spend time playing together in the mornings and I’d stay busy crafting and creating while she peaceful slept each naptime.

Now we’ll fast forward to today. That studio space doesn’t even exist. Instead my basement looks like a moving truck full of décor exploded, with vases, tulle and supplies scattered in every direction, creating an obstacle course for me to maneuver through each time I need a new supply. My office has been relocated to the living room for convenience purposes and is haphazardly organized and accessorized by a baby gate. Miss Gretta is crawling nonstop, hardly allowing me to sit down and scribble down an idea or blog post, much less all the other pieces of owning a business I need to work on. Despite it all, this summer has been amazing and I wouldn’t change a thing.

But it does leave me wondering, why didn’t anyone point out to me how crazy I was starting a business now??? Shouldn’t my mother have told me I was getting in over my head? (Moms are supposed to warn you about stuff, right?) It probably wouldn’t have mattered much anyway, I was and still am super determined to make this work. It does work, just not in the same way that I had envisioned. But on that note, I have every intention to take the rest of this week off, savoring what little sliver of summer we have left organizing life before the onset of fall, and even sneaking up north for a couple days too!

So loves, have a great week and a happy Labor Day! I’ll talk to you next week!!

And also last year around this time I was busy designing my first photo shoot with Unikke Photography, as I prepared to launch my website. This is just one of the images we created together 🙂

Real Weddings: Kait & Jordan

0 · Aug 20, 2013 ·

On one snow filled day this winter I met Kait and her amazing family for the first time. How do I even begin to tell you how delightful they are?? We spent that blistery morning bundled up and sipping hot cocoa, dreaming of the summer days ahead. To simply put it, I fell head over heels with this girl (and her family) and could not wait to be a part of her wedding day! The day finally came on July 19th. Kait and Jordan said “I do” in her Grandparent’s back yard in Muskegon, while I handled all the decor details here in Grand Rapids. I hope to share more pictures at a later date, but until then, here’s a peek at their wedding video from Aubrie Vela, which is amazing! I almost cried!!

Congratulations you two!!

Wedding videos just capture something that photos simply can’t… and I ♥ them!!

Downtown Inspiration Shoot {Teaser}

0 · May 31, 2013 ·

Something gorgeous happened in downtown Grand Rapids Wednesday that we simply cannot wait to share! An urban city venue combined with lots of sparkles, amazing shoes and other fabulously girly delights – there’s so much to swoon over, but we’ll just tease you with this little sneak peek for now!!

West Michigan has some amazing vendors who I simply cannot thank enough for their contributions to this project! Photography: Hetler Photography / Event Design: The Day’s Design / Floral Design: Modern Day Floral / Chairs: The Rental Company / Bride’s Dress: Bridal Elegance / Hair & Make-up: Cheeky Strut / Jewlry: Ashley Poolman, Lia Sophia Independent Consultant / Cake: Mirabella Confections / Paper Products: Emily Ross Creative / Videography: Inspiration Video – and a huge thank you to our lovely models!

The Light

0 · Apr 3, 2013 ·

I debated on whether to share these pictures or not. So here’s my disclaimer: This is NOT my best work, it was a great idea for a great cause. I know as event planners we should always showcase our best work… that is what our website/blog is here for, it is an advertising platform. However, this is real life. Not every event turns out picture perfect. Not every photograph is captured perfectly or emphasizes the most beautiful flower in the garden.

In real life we simply put our best foot forward and live every day to its fullest. I try to inspire others while seeking my own inspiration. And I put my whole heart into every project I work on.

I am posting my Easter Breakfast pictures because somebody may need to see the light. Somebody may need to know that inspiration can come from something as simple as flipping on a light switch. Additionally, last week I promised you the results, good or bad, and I am not backing down on my word.

So here it is. The inspiration struck me as my husband turned on his bedside reading lamp late Wednesday night. I was then reminded of one of my favorite verses, Psalms 119:105, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.” I came alive with thoughts about Jesus being the light of the world and how he brought that light filled with hope back to a dark world on Easter Sunday. Decorating with lamps suddenly seemed very appropriate for Sunday’s celebration. With a little research I came up with several other verses about lamps and then slept pretty well that night.

Photos by Unikke Photography

Here’s what I’ll leave you with today, Matthew 5:15-16 “Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. In the same way, let your light shine before men that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” We all have a light inside us, let’s make them shine!

An Easter Tabletop

0 · Apr 2, 2013 ·

Last week I shared how stressed I was about the upcoming Easter holiday. Quick looks on Pinterest and Google results lead me nowhere. I found a few pretty pictures, but nothing was really what I was searching for. I was leaving on Thursday for my parent’s house, on Sunday I would be decorating for their Easter breakfast a Riverdale Baptist Church. As of Wednesday, I still did not have a plan in place. Finally, I was struck with inspiration laying in bed late Wednesday night, a “light bulb” finally went off!

But before I share the results of my epiphany, I would like to share the beautiful tabletop that welcomed me at my parent’s home. My mother has a great eye for decor, so my talents come naturally as I have been surrounded by pretty things for most of my life. She has also been my right hand at several events and helps with a little inspiration here and there.

I am so ready for spring! To me, Easter always marks the unofficial start of spring, and it’s April already! I want to see bulbs popping up in my garden and daffodils lining my fence. Somehow, waking up this morning to a dusting of snow is not what I had in mind… have patience. And I might just as well keep looking at pictures of pretty spring decor!

Bunnies, Baskets & Hope

0 · Apr 1, 2013 ·

As I was sitting in church Easter Sunday, thinking about the violent and gruesome details surrounding the death of our Savior, I could not help but wonder where did this cheery, pastel, Easter bunny, egg loving version of Easter come from? While I do agree that Easter is a cheerful occasion, as the darkness that overtook the earth on Friday was overcome by the light of Sunday morning, I’m just not sure that celebrating with bunnies and baskets is the correct approach to the holiday.

So naturally, I did what any curious American would do, I Googled it. Where did these Easter traditions come from? Here’s a snapshot of our Easter traditions, and if you’d like to read more, you can do so here.

Bunnies, Eggs & Baskets:

The bunny first arrived in the Americans in the early 1700s, brought over by German tradition. The German children that settled in Pennsylvania created nests for the bunny to lay his colored eggs in. As time wore on, the nest eventually transitioned to baskets and the eggs were accompanied by chocolate and other gifts.

Why a bunny? Rabbits are an ancient symbol of fertility and new life, which is appropriate for a spring holiday. Eggs are yet another symbol of this and are often associated with pagan springtime festivals. From a Christian perspective, this symbol of new life represents Christ rising from the dead or the stone rolled of the tomb. Decorating eggs dates back to the 13^th century when eggs were a forbidden food during the Lenten season. Since Easter marks the end of Lent, the eggs were decorated and then eaten on Easter Sunday.

The Hope:

But what Easter really brings is hope. Hope to all of mankind and is a reminder of a love so strong, it overcame the grave. It is a reminder to me, that I’m not in control, that God is and has a greater plan and vision for me and he loves me. I am not going to lie, I get discouraged and feel like there is no point in moving forward. But yesterday was a reminder that He keeps His promises. Use your talents for a greater good, because your story is not over yet.

May your day be filled with hope!

Easter Inspirations

0 · Mar 27, 2013 ·

Easter is this Sunday! Did you know that? That’s a mere four days from now!!! I am starting to hit panic mode as I am helping my mother’s church with their Easter breakfast and guess who’s in charge of the décor? You guessed it.

But I am having designer’s block (you know, like writer’s block, but with décor!) So I have done what any reasonable lady would do, and it’s off to Pinterest!

My first thought was doing something like these tissue flowers, then adding some real blooms and greens around the room with them. They seem simple enough. It’s cost effective and I could clear out some of the mountains of tissue paper that I have stored down in my basement, it’s a win-win! However, my flowers flopped. It’s okay, I can admit when I failed, and I failed with these.

{Tissue flowers are via Design Sponge, see the entire tutorial here.}

So it’s back to the décor board! It is like a jungle out there, idea after idea, the good, the bad and the ugly. I continue to scour through waiting for some great inspiration to strike me…

{Top Left: Via Ruffled Blog, Photography: Brion Hopkins / Wedding Planner: Joy de Vivre / Floral Design: Nico Designs; Bottom Left: Via Style Me Pretty, Photography: Jessamyn Harris Photography / Floral Design: The Monkey Flower Group; Top & Bottom Right: Via Ruffled Blog, Photography: Jenna Trapasso of Red White and Green Photography / Event Styling: Ashley Hayward}

I love these ideas, so fresh and cute and they make me think warmer weather might actually be on the way! As a bonus, any design that incorporates aqua automatically has my attention! However, these do not seem practical to replicate on large round tables, they would be lost. I have more than one table to decorate! That’s the trouble with clusters of arrangements; you have to make them big to have a big impact on a big table.

The real problem is this isn’t a styled photo shoot where we can play pretend and just photograph it from the right angle. This, my friends, is real life. And things here tend to be a bit trickier.

I’ll leave you today with a pretty picture of what I wish my Easter table could look like and I am off to do some shopping. I will be sure to share the results (good or bad!) next week!

{Picture via Ruffled Blog, Photography: Brion Hopkins / Wedding Planner: Joy de Vivre / Floral Design: Nico Designs}

I have a few other spring ideas that have inspired me, you can see them on my Spring Fling Pinterest board. Have a great Wednesday!

Kiss Me Because You Love Me

0 · Mar 15, 2013 ·

What if we turned St Patrick’s Day into a day of romance? What would it be like waking up to a quaint little breakfast for two? A sweet Sunday morning… so without further ado, I bring you:

Event Design & Florals by The Day’s Design

Have a romantic Sunday! And you can click here if you’d like to know how to make those yummy drinks!

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