Downtown Grand Rapids wedding

Real Weddings :: Heather & Dave

0 · Mar 30, 2015 ·

Often when I big working with couples, I can’t help but relate back to my own wedding and that experience. I channel back to the excitement, the stresses, what we found most important as a couple and the details that I cherished most as a bride. I think about not only what I might have done differently, but also what I did right that just made the day. I remember the emotions and how the day just simply seemed to fly by… especially for a bride who decided to do just about everything herself.

It’s for that reason, that I’m so happy when a couple reaches out in need of a day-of coordinator. I know hiring a full on wedding planner is not for everyone, but your wedding day is a fleeting moment, a flicker in the overall scope of your life but you want the memories to last a lifetime, so let’s make sure they’re good ones.

It was a joy being a part of Heather and Dave’s wedding. Heather told me on one of our very first meetings that one of her biggest concerns is that everyone gets to have a great time. I think an excellent time was had by all. Heather and Dave are that couple who just radiate fun, and it’s contagious. I was able to work at two new venues to me – with the ceremony being held on the Blue Bridge in Downtown Grand Rapids and cocktail hour and the reception followed shortly after at The Downtown Market. This was one of the few events last summer that I didn’t get involved in the overall design, but with Heather’s great taste, I didn’t have to. It was modern, chic and right on trend but the day the still held on to a little romance with bride’s chose of keeping a soft pastel color palette.

Cheers to Heather & Dave, it was a pleasure to be even just a small part of your celebration!

Hats Off to the New Year!!

0 · Dec 20, 2013 ·

With Christmas being a mere 5 days away and the start of 2014 only 12 days from now, I think it’s high time to share my festive little New Year’s shoot I put together a little earlier this year. Back in September when I began dreaming this up and then in October when this shoot was actually brought to life, it seemed like the holidays would never come. Snow was a distant dream and I was still living in the memories from last Christmas.

More recently, however, I feel like we’re living in a snow globe! What I wouldn’t have given to have snow this day in October!! But instead the day was full of warm wishes and piles of tulle, glitter and ribbons.

The concept of “Hats Off to the New Year” was born in honor of my new Etsy store. Sequins, glitter, bows, tulle, champagne and all things bubbly and sparkly just seemed like the perfect way my new line of goodies (and the New Year).

This stunning home in historic Heritage Hill served as the perfect holiday backdrop. I simply fell in love the first time I saw all the dark woodwork and stunning crystal chandeliers and knew the house needed showcase something special. New Year’s through the decades began to unfold.

Cheeky Strut and the fabulous talents of Jennifer Houseman captured the perfect old Hollywood glam essence through hair and make-up, bringing my models to life.

I had so much fun digging up old New Year’s traditions and styles, like serving wassail with toast (who knew that’s why we ‘toast’ each other??), pairing the unexpected together, like gold succulents and felt top hats, and celebrating the start of something new.

Photography: Hetler Photography / Concept, Event & Floral Design: The Day’s Design / Hairpieces: The Day’s Design / Stationary: Crown and Clover / Venue: McCabe-Marlowe House / Desserts: Dana Wilmer-Lucus / Hair: Cheeky Strut / Make-Up: Jennifer Houseman

An enormous THANK YOU to all the vendors who made this party happen!! You can also see this feature on Oh Lovely Day. And whether you’re tying the knot or just planning an amazing bash, I hope you have a fabulous 2014!!

Sex and the City Wedding Inspiration

0 · Nov 20, 2013 ·

Eeekk!!! Did you see my feature over on Every Last Detail yesterday? I am beyond excited to be published and so happy to finally share all the results from this super girly and glamorous shoot Kellie of Hetler Photography and I put together. So sit back, relax and scroll through all the pretty (and make sure to stay tuned until the very end for an amazing video surprise!!)

Kellie and I knew we wanted to put together an upbeat, modern styled shoot with lots of sparkle. While we love vintage and it is still very popular, we visualized a sleeker event, with lots of downtown glam. As our concept began to unfold, we aimed to define and pinpoint our big city feel. And no city defines big better than the Big Apple! So we began creating an event that Carrie and The Girls would be proud to attend…

To start the day, the fabulous ladies at Cheeky Strut knocked it out of the park with the hair and make-up for our models, bringing all the Sex and the City characters to life.

So many glorious peonies on this tabletop, it’ll take your breath away!

Get a load of these yummy treats! My hubby just happens to be an amazing chef who was able to make these New York inspired dishes for us.

It simply couldn’t be a New York inspired shoot without a big yellow taxi!

And now for one of my favorite parts of the whole shoot – the wedding video!! Inspiration Video blew me away with the results, it still gives me goosebumps!

Photography: Hetler Photography / Event Design & Coordination: The Day’s Design / Floral Design: Modern Day Floral / Hair & Make-up: Cheeky Strut /Stationary Design: Emily Ross Creative / Cake: Mirabella Confections / Venue: The Cheney Place / Videography: Inspiration Video / Chiavari Chairs: The Rental Company / Bride’s Dress & Veil: Bridal Elegance / Bride’s Hat: The Day’s Design / Ice Sculpture: Luba Petrash, Grand Rapids Community College / Catering: Chef Josh Ferguson

We completely immersed ourselves in Sex and the City, watching way too many episodes and channeling our “inner Carries”. But it was just too much fun to resist! Thank you to all the vendors that took part in bringing our vision to life. ( and feel free to pop on over to Kellie’s blog to see her take on all this fun!!)

Downtown Grand Rapids wedding

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