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10 Things I’ve Learned Since Moving to the Country

0 · Apr 13, 2017 ·

Last month marked our 1 year anniversary of leaving suburban life in Grand Rapids and transitioning to a more rural setting in Big Rapids. We’ve made a few adjustments to our home, which was pretty much move in ready, just not filled with 100% all of my décor choices and with any home, I think there’s a learning curve and time you need to take to figure out how it really works for your life and your family. Houses are not one size fits all.

Amongst the projects that we’ve tackled and the ones I’m still scheming about, there have been some realizations. Life here is just… different. Last month I was at a wedding and I told someone that I moved from Grand Rapids to Big Rapids and his response was, “On purpose!?” Yes, we intentionally moved here. I read an article about a family that moved even further off the grid, I think to New Zeeland or somewhere similar, and lived technology free with kids wandering barefoot through the woods. After my one year of living in this more serene setting, I have to say the idea is becoming more and more appealing.

But for the moment, I’m sharing just a few of the biggest lessons I’ve learned since relocating.

Shelby | The Day's Design | On Country Living

Photography: Hetler Photography

You might have to walk a ¼ mile to get your mail

Regardless if it’s raining, snowing or hailing – if you want your mail, you’re going to have to work for it. The mailman does not come down our road, so we must walk or drive to the mailbox daily. And word to the wise, there are no streetlights out here so make sure you’re walking during daylight hours, otherwise you may not be able to see your hand in front of your face, much less the mailbox.

Chickens are mean

Next to said mailbox, lives a farmer and his chickens. These are free range chickens who roam wherever they please. I now know why the chicken crossed the road. It wasn’t necessarily to get to the other side, it was to guard the mailbox and their territory and I have been chased down the road on more than one occasion in fear of being pecked to death. They’re fast and they’re angry.

The stars twinkle in the most dreamy way

I’ve heard tails of how many starts are in the night sky. I certainly thought I knew what the twinkle of starlight looked like. But moving out here where they’re the only illumination in the air for miles around gives you a whole new perspective and they’re stunning. So far beyond beautiful, they’re breathtaking and I cannot imagine why anyone would want to cover their beauty with the glow of city lights.

The moon is really bright

I have an entirely new appreciation for the moon. I watched shows from the old west and wondered how they could possibly travel by night. I’ve also hear my dad and husband speak of deer who stay up all night and are really active when there’s a full moon. But until you have an uninhibited view of the world without streetlights or any electricity in the night air, I don’t think you can truly appreciate just how bright a full moon really is. And then how dark it is when it’s gone. Suddenly, I find myself fascinated with the mood and its phases. I also now very clearly understand this line “the moon on the crest of the new fallen snow gave the luster of midday to objects below”. It is so bright.

Wildlife is free to roam, including your dogs

The neighbor’s dog is constantly in our yard. At 7 am, he’s pawing at my back window wanting Polly (our dog) to come out and play. Polly doesn’t really like him. I don’t really like him. He doesn’t seem to get the memo. But I don’t complain, because our dog also roams the “neighborhood” is a frequent visitor at the lady’s house next door, despite the clearly worded signs in her yard to keep the dogs out of her grass. Sorry.

There’s also sausage shaped dog that occasionally musters up the energy to wander to our yard. The chicken roam up and down the street, usually making it just to the very edge of our property. Surprisingly, there are less squirrels and rabbits than I saw in Grand Rapids but we make up for it with visits from deer, turkey, more deer and I even saw a fox one day.

There’s no delivery service

You want Jimmy John’s or pizza? Then go get it, because they’re not coming to you. We did find out that if the right driver is working at Pizza Hut, he might decide to drive out to our road but that’s up to each driver’s discretion, and most will pass.

Its quiet

Like really quiet. And still. You can feel nature all around. Except at the very start of spring when the bullfrogs and crickets in the nearby swamp are so loud you can hardly even hear your own thoughts. But it’s such a welcomed noise, who could really care?

Your husband may start picking up some strange “country like” behaviors

Since we’re in a more outdoorsy and rural part of the state, I expected to have a couple battles to pick. I was leery of camo, flannel and Wrangler jeans making their way into his wardrobe (I can thankfully report, they have not – well, maybe some flannel but that’s okay). I’ve pushed aside his desire to get chickens of our own and even the fleeting idea that we should get a goat (no thank you!!) And the notion that we now have enough space to get a bigger dog is brought up quite often.

But the stories I did not expect to tell are the ones involving him army crawling across the lawn in his pajamas and slippers because it’s turkey season and some poor little guy had the misfortune of eating breakfast on our property (don’t worry, the turkey made a safe get away). I did not expect there to constantly be a pair of binoculars on our bedroom window ledge with the sole purpose of spying on deer and a flashlight that sweeps across our hill each night to watch them sleep. I guess I was naive to think that these behaviors belonged at hunting camp, not on our back yard.

There is no such thing as clean

Forget about ever having clean shoes, a clean vehicle, clean anything ever again. Living on a dirt road with only a partially paved driveway means that there’s mud everywhere. Just leave a change of shoes in your car.

Going into town is a big deal

Hitch up the wagon and ask the neighbors if they need anything, we’re heading to town for the day’s big outing. We really only live 10 to 15 minutes away from town, depending up your final destination, but the mentality is so different. We all make sure that no one else needs anything while you’re out and there isn’t a quick grocery store to pop into if you should happen to run out of milk. If you’re shopping for clothing or life’s finer accessories, that might involve at least an hour of travel. Thank goodness for Amazon Prime.

By far the biggest lesson I have learned is that I never want to live in a subdivision or close neighborhood again. The idea of closing my blinds and putting up a fence is not appealing. While I’m not certain that Big Rapids will be our forever home, it has become home for now and I love wandering in our woods, exploring down the dirt roads and am even starting a garden this year. Country life is where we belong.

Our Autumn Family Photo Session

0 · Feb 22, 2017 ·

I got up early this morning to do a little writing and try to catch up on life before the rest of the house sprung to life. I quietly crept out of bed, shimmied past the dog and sneaked into the bathroom. I kept the lights off and made my way to the coffee maker managing to adjust my vision and not stub my toe. So far, so good. But the second that cupboard door opened, sure enough I hear the patter of little feet on the cold tile floor. Apparently coffee awakens the four year old soul as well.

Measured in the dark, the coffee this morning is was not exactly my best ever. It’s funny how different life is in just four short years. Back then, I would have never imagined life today as I hear little voices in the background talking to Smelly Nelly (our cat) and reading tales of Fancy Nancy and fairy princesses. I would have never realized what a luxury waking up early and having a few quite moments to yourself really is. Although, I don’t think I would change it for the world.

Toward the end of October, I reminded myself that we need to preserve these moments just as we are, so we headed out into the crisp autumn air with my dear friend Kellie (of Hetler Photography). It was just before Gretta’s fourth birthday. Willa June had just pasted 18 months and I can still remember our spring time session with Gretta at that age. Gretta was so much more cooperative. But all the same, it was a moment, a memory, and I never want to forget these days.

So on this day, I’ll remember Gretta’s spunk and flowing pig tails. I’ll think back to how determined she was to be the best big sister and comfort Willa June’s unease. I’ll remember Willa’s stubborn disapproval of the entire day. And those big blue eyes. I don’t know where they came from but I love them.

Photography: Hetler Photography

There’s a different memory and lesson to be learned from each day. Some good, some bad. I’m slowly learning to savor them all – from early morning coffee to a meltdown in an autumn wheat field. This is our one and only life.

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5 Holiday Outfit Inspirations

0 · Dec 12, 2016 ·

Tonight I am headed to my one and only holiday party of 2016. It’s the singular chance I’ll have this holiday season to get dressed up. I feel like I need to make my outfit selection amazing because after this, I’ll be back to my standard black leggings and winter boots until April rolls around.

Every year I dream of getting all dolled up for a glitzy and classic holiday cocktail party. I dream of sequin and rhinestones, sparkling champagne and festive martinis. Rarely have I recieved an invite to any such party, but just the same I was thinking about what the more stylish “me” would wear and it made me reminice back to outfits I saw throughout the wedding season, and even years past. I’ve worked with a lot of extremely stylish couples who also have extremely stylish guests. And a lot of these fashions would double really well as holiday party attire. So I’m sharing just a few of my favorite go to pieces from the years gone by. Clothing that I am extremely jealous is not part of my wardrobe.

Tulle Skirts

from Nancy & Andrew’s Engagment photos with Ashley Slater Photography, see more here

These classic skirts have been on point for several years now and I still love them. They come in nearly every shade in the rainbow and can be paired with anything from denim or flannel shirts to crop tops and lace numbers.

Sequins

from a winter glamour shoot with Hetler Photography, see more here

Nothing says holiday to me more than something sparkly. And sequin dresses will forever and always be my go-to option.

The Little Black Dress

from Jarvie & Hank’s Lake Leelanau wedding (coming to the blog soon) with Ashley Slater Photography

We all have that classic little number that puts on in the mood to party. Nothing screams classic elegance and hugs our curves just right like your little black dress. I have several because black, never goes out of fashion.

Jumpsuits

from the archives of 2013, Sex & the City Wedding Inspiration with Hetler Photography

We live in Michigan and baby, it’s cold outside. Sometimes pants really are the best option. I love jumpsuits for the simple fact that they are totally moveable and practical but don’t make me sacrafice style.

Hats

another one from the 2013 archives, Hats Off to the New Year with Hetler Photography

I love hats and other hair accessories. And remember that quick blip of time when I actually made them and opened an Etsy shop? I might not be pushing that side of my business any longer, but I still think adding an accessory to the top of one’s head is an excellent idea.

Do you have other favorite holidays outfit ideas? I’d love to hear and I’m still a bit undecided about what I’ll be wearing tonight.

PS – itsn’t it crazy to look back and see how far your work has come? These 2013 throwbacks – sheesh!! I’ve learned so much and am so grateful to be moving forward in the name of experience and progress. Although I do still love working with Kellie of Hetler Photography 🙂

A Winter Glamour Shoot

0 · Dec 9, 2016 ·

The reasons behind creating a piece of art vary from time to time. Sometimes it’s to stifle a creative itch. Sometimes its the cure for boredom. At times, it’s simply to experiment with a new flower or design. And at times, it’s just for beauty’s sake.

During the slow winter months, dreams of miraculous blooms dance in my mind. I long to touch petals and play with the green of leaves. I eagerly wait in anticipation for that first little pop of chartreuse to appear on the grey trees. And I always forget how overcome with busyness I was in the previous summer season.

There was a moment of quiet last winter. A moment when I was asked to contribute to a glamour shoot happening at Kellie Hetler’s studio. She has the biggest heart and was seeking to pay it forward, offering a free glamour session, complete with hair and makeup, to a few deserving women. We also brought in a bridal model to stand in front of a simple backdrop I fashioned with a few winter vines.

I met some really amazing women, all with their own stories to tell that day. It just reminds one of how precious life is, how unique we all are. And how we should never take life for granted.

Photography: Hetler Photography | Floral Design & Styling: The Day’s Design | Makeup: Beauty by Katy | Hair: Diane of Cutting Edge Hair Studio | Sequin Dress: Badgley Mischka via Rent the Runway

Have a safe & warm weekend!!

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Real Weddings :: Shayla & John’s September Celebration

0 · Oct 26, 2016 ·

When Shayla and I started discussing her design and color scheme, the first things she did was show me this beautiful autumn sunset photo that was the source of her color inspiration. It’s an image that I quickly burned into my memory. And while I seldom referenced the actual photo, the memories forever served as my reference point with its vibrant colors transitioning from rich shades of burgundy, bittersweet, blush and golden rod then fading into traces of teal finally settling with a deep midnight blue.

As a couple, Shayla and John are bubbly and full of life. Their joy fills a room and they love donuts – so obviously we quickly became friends. For almost 18 months we worked together filling in details and making sure their wedding was a dream filled with rustic touches, vintage details and a little glam. The setting set the stage for all things rustic, but adding a few sprinkles of gold and glittering linens against the worn wood tables and chairs created the perfect contrast. The bright blooms and flower crowns gave Shayla the slightest boho edge and classic pearls and lace rounded out Shayla’s love of various wedding styles.

The month of September serves as a most stunning backdrop for a wedding day. The warm breezes followed by the cool evening chills, the touches of autumn that have started to fill the air and the apples that dance on our palettes. While we might all be glad we live in a world where there are Octobers, don’t let it over shadow the glory of September.

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Always an Original

0 · Oct 21, 2016 ·

I finally broke down and wrote myself a blogging schedule or editorial calendar, if you’d like to get technical. I have so many beautiful weddings just hanging around on my hard drive, waiting to be blogged. I’m trying to gain control. This is week one of the schedule.

However, I’m already breaking my plan because as I was scrolling through pictures, these images stuck out and I had to laugh to myself.

Shayla and John are one of the most loveable, kindest and delightful couples you will ever meet. They’re the type of people who instantly add a ray of light to a darkened room. And while I wasn’t there to witness the moment, I can just imagine what was happening in these pictures – I’m certain that Kellie was telling them to be serious and not smile. But that’s not natural. That doesn’t represent them at all.

I’ve never seen a time when sweet Shayla didn’t have an expression of joy on her face. And while I can imagine John being slightly more serious, a conversation doesn’t go too far without his lips forming a curve either.

While I love a portrait with a solemn pose and calm expression, in this instance it just doesn’t seem natural. Shayla had to hide her laughter and John was caught with a couple humorous looks on his face as well.

Photography: Hetler Photography

I was quickly reminded that we all should just be ourselves. Do what you do and whatever feels natural. Be one of a kind and always an original. That’s how to always guarentee the best results.

There’s your Friday pep talk friends, may the little reminder carry you onward to a great weekend.

PS – Stay tuned for the rest of Shayla & John’s wedding which I’ll be sharing next week

10 Local Flower Favorites

0 · Jun 3, 2016 ·

Once upon a time, when we used to think of usual local flowers in your décor, images of black-eyed susans and statice in vibrant rainbow colors was the first thing to pop to mind, i.e. wildflowers. Today, floral designers across the country have found a balance of collecting any wild bloom they can find with making it more purposeful and part of your color story. Beautiful, textural and local artpieces are created.

When I talk about using local flowers, most of us imagine purchasing flowers Michigan’s huge flower farms – but not many exist. While I lot that thought, in reality when I saw using local or special seasonal touches, I’m really adding anything that I did not source from one of my wholesalers. For me, gathering local flowers may be a fresh farmer’s market bunch, picking a few extra special blossoms from my garden (when I don’t kill them first!), walking through the woods or collecting roadside finds or even heading to the greenhouse to disassembled a few potted treasures (which I will then try to plant later and probably kill). Here are a few of my very favorite ingredients found throughout the seasons and how I love to incorporate them into wedding and floral décor.

Blooming Branches

Whether you’re utilizing cherry blossoms, dogwood or service berry – May brings so many beautiful branches in bloom. These delicate blossoms add so much romance and texture to the overall design of the day and also create stunning floral photo backdrops.

Coral Bells

While the dainty little blossoms are sweet all on their own, my favorite part to use of this perennial is the foliage. The veins and color variation in a single leaf makes it the perfect complement piece. However, the stems are short at times depending upon variety and maturity of the plant, so often this greenery is better utilized as in centerpieces although I love to use them in bouquets whenever possible.

Dahlias

Big and bold, dahlias are a show stopper. The color variety ranges from deep burgundy’s to brighter pinks, yellow, whites and many shades in between. They start blooming late in July, with August and September being their prime time to shine. Use them in centerpieces, bouquets, on your cakes or really anywhere you want a bold conversation starter.

Foxglove

Known as fairy’s caps, thimbles or bumble bee hammocks, these linear blooms are spotted perfection. Early summertime is when they’ll beautify our lives. I sacrificed my plant’s only bloom last week for a bouquet and it was so worth it.

Hellebore

These moody blooms capture my heart every time. They’re one of the very first flowers to come to life after a long winter and are the very voice of refreshment. Also known as the Lenten rose, they’re perfect for bouquets, centerpieces and boutonnières.

Lavender

Such a soothing aroma to calm any wedding nerves. I had a plant in my garden that produced blooms from early June until autumn brought its first frost, however most commonly you’ll find fresh sprigs in July and as a dried herb at farmer’s market throughout the fall. I love adding these into boutonnières, bouquets and using them as place setting garnishments.

Lilacs

The fragrant blooms scream spring. They are worth waiting all winter for with their intoxicating scent, they make the perfect bouquet or centerpiece all on their own or can also be paired lots of other springtime favorites making a great border flower in shades of rich plum, lavender and white.

Peonies

Everyone’s favorite, the peony has become wedding royalty. Their ruffley array of petals just cannot be matched. While the spectrum of colors can be great, most commonly you’ll find shades of white, fuchsia and softer pink locally but on occasion I’ve seen a coral or red charm. Purchase them at roadside stands, the farmer’s market or plant a bush in your own back yard and enjoy the blooms throughout mid-June.

Pokeweed

American Pokeweed grows wild and is considered a nuisance by many. It has a long smooth leaf and green berries throughout the summer which become purple in the autumn. However, these are best utilized before the color change because once they turn, the berries fall easily from the stems and will stain anything they land on. They’re the perfect filler green for all your flowering needs.

Sweet Peas

These little pink blossoms start late June and grow almost everywhere that reaches the sun. So much beauty is added to the side of Michigan’s highways and the color lasts through late July. These hardy little vines are great in centerpieces and bouquets alike.

Photo credits:

Slideshow 1: Blooming Branch Cake, Ashley Slater Photography | Coral Bell Foliage, Bradley James Photography | Cafe au Lait Dahlia, Hetler Photography | Foxglove Bouquet, Bradley James Photography | Hellebore Boutonnière, Bradley James Photography

Sideshow 2: Spray Rose & Lavender Flower Crown, Kelly Sweet Photography | Lilacs, Ashley Slater Photography | Peony Bouquet, Kelly Sweet Photography | Pokeweed Centerpiece, Bradley James Photography | Sweet Pea Centerpiece, Bradley James Photography

A version of this post was originally published on Simply Blue Weddings, you can see it here.

Happy Flower Friday!!

Flowers Made with a Mirror

0 · Mar 7, 2016 ·

Building a Bridal Bouquet | The Day's Design | Helter Photography

Photography: Helter Photography

I finish every single bridal bouquet I make in front of a mirror.

In our current home setup (which is only last for a few days more…) I begin collecting flowers, arranging all the beautiful blooms in my hands, painstakingly spending minutes which quickly turn to hours, agonizing and arranging. And then I stop what I’m doing, walk to the other end of the house and hold it in front of our full length mirror.

Then I tweak some more.

The mirror is also conveniently located at the end of our hallway, which gives me the luxury of being able to practice walking down the mock aisle – giving the bouquet a full test run and enables me to see exactly what everyone else will see on your wedding day. It’s fascinating to me how a shift of perspective can completely change the look of a bouquet.

Sometimes I completely start over. Sometimes I just adjust a flower or two. But inevitably, there always seems to be a pile of loose petals and random leaf trimmings that migrate down the hallway and into this area of my house.

My husband tells me to put a mirror in the dining room, aka my flower studio, “condense your steps,” he says. I think in reality he would like to suppress the spread of flower trimmings. He also gets upset that we have so many mirrors in our house. Seems a bit contradictive if you ask me.

This weekend I began to wonder where I would put my “bouquet mirror” in the new house. I was thinking I should find something full length and pretty fancy – since I will not be taking the gold and black trimmed, faux marble mirror that is glued to our hollow core wood door with me, such a shame. And then I realize flea market season is just around the corner. A mirror with a little aging and patina would fit the bill just right.

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Finding “The One”

0 · Jan 29, 2016 ·

Shelby | The Day's Design | Hetler Photography

Photography: Hetler Photography

I’ve had quite an adventurous week. I jetted off to NYC and experienced the wrath of winter storm Jonas. I ran through the airport like a mad woman being chased by angry bees and plowed through the airport, nearly missing my flight. I made it home to only to leave a mere 8 hours later to continue our quest for the perfect new home. I’ve been up to my elbows in emails and ridiculously gorgeous linen swatches, invitation samples and room layouts. And my quince, which I bought for a project two weeks ago, finally decided to bloom and is displaying the most exquisite, dainty little white blossoms. Yes, I’d say it’s been a pretty good week.

Most notable on that list, or at least on the forefront of my mind, is the continued housing search. It’s all I can think about. We found another house we like. The number of houses that we have even come close to considering has been slim pickings. This is #2 in the past 4 months of looking. But is it truly “the one”?

I am that person who finds value in old things. When I see an older home being torn down, it’s all I can do to stop myself from knocking on the door and pitching a fit, throwing myself in front of the crane and wondering why in the world someone would rather throw a treasured piece of history away than try to breathe new life into space and return it to its former glory. If we continue on this path, one day there won’t be any history left and no one will know the ornate detail of a hand carved mantle, the allure of coved ceilings or recognize the creak of an old wooden staircase. So to purchase a house without these things feels untrue to myself and hypocritical. I want an old house. I want to know what the walls would say if they could talk. I want to think of what is was like when Mr. & Mrs. 19^th Century walked through the doors of their brand new house for the very first time. It makes me sick to my stomach to consider purchasing otherwise.

Other thoughts that keep me awake at night include the nightmares of remodeling a room, or worse – an entire house, again. It took months of living in filth, having furniture chaotically spewed about and not being able to cook in an oven, sit at a kitchen table or use certain rooms. Painting takes hours. Shopping is time consuming. And now we have two little girls who would be shuffled in the midst of it all. It took us 5 years to get our house to its current décor state and my to-do list isn’t even finished.

On the other hand, if we purchases something that is “move in ready” I won’t get the pleasure of making it my own. I can’t take pride in the design or know that I have truly found the very best chandelier to display proudly over my dining room table. I’m really picky about the finishing touches (in case you couldn’t tell by now) and often when I think I can deal with something and live with a space as is, later down the road realize that I can’t and these quirky little things drive me bananas. I despise modern touches like vaulted ceilings, can lighting and other nuances that seem to be perks to other buyers and heavily advertised in home listings. That’s not to say I won’t or haven’t ever lived in a space with these items, their simply not what I would choose for myself and they definitely don’t add value from my standpoint. I’d rather head to the flea market and find a rusty little gem to spray paint and pop on the ceiling. I love the idea of designing a space from scratch.

So have we found “the one”? Heavens to Betsy, I don’t know. It’s a nice blend of old and new. It sparkles and has lots of land. But there’s always the nagging thought in the back of my mind that perhaps I should loosen my purse strings and purchase the 1875 farmhouse that we originally put an offer in on. We could polish her up and make her shine again. Or we can just keep on looking, we’re not being kicked out of our current home, yet. Or perhaps the best option out there has yet to be listed. Value can be measured in many ways, I’m just trying to figure out which increment we’re going to use.

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Patience is a Virtue

0 · Jan 11, 2016 ·

My family is one of those families that can take about any word or phrase and turn it into a song. So today’s lyrical inspiration comes from Mr. Tom Petty because “the waiting is the hardest part”.

I was awake at 6:30 this morning with thoughts of home décor, moving and endless possibilities floating through my brain. I just laid in bed pondering it all. We put an offer in on a house over the weekend. And while we did give them an acceptance deadline, that doesn’t necessarily mean that they adhered to it. So we’re still waiting.

I was reminded of a time back in high school when I prayed for patience. It might be a virtue, but it’s never ever been one of my strengths. Once I set my mind to something, I like it to happen NOW – like instantaneously. So I thought it would be wise to ask for some assistance in this area of my life. I said a few prayers and soon forgot about it. Little did I know that there was a lesson on its way.

You see, there was this boy. This boy was the apple of my eye. Remember high school crushes? My world revolved around him. And finally, I got his attention. We went to homecoming. We dated for 2 whole months. Pure high school bliss. Until he broke up with me. My world ended. I didn’t give up on this romantic dream though, but for months I lived in tortured misery. He didn’t go to the same school as me, so he didn’t know that I had practically given up on life (that’s a little teenage drama for you). Six months after the worse day of my life, he wanted me back. Oh joy! Life was worth living again! We went to prom, had an awesome summer and everything was right in the world once more.

There was an epiphany moment a little while later. I realized this was a lesson in patience. It wasn’t that I couldn’t have what I wanted, but rather I needed to wait.

I have faith there is something amazing down the road for me, for us and my family. But waiting for it is not the fun part. It is however, just another learning period in life teaching patience.

Waiting | The Day's Design | Hetler Photography

“You take it on faith, you take it to the heart, the waiting is the hardest part”

-Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

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And speaking of waiting, can we give a little shout out to Kellie of Hetler Photography, she never keeps me waiting for gorgeous pictures. The one above is from a little project on Saturday, talk about a quick turn around time! You can see more from our project together here.

Wedding Planning Services

0 · Jan 8, 2016 ·

Wedding Planner Services | Job Description | The Day's Design | Ashley Slater Photography

Photography: Ashley Slater Photography

Somewhere between pretentious corporate event planner and “I planned my sister’s wedding so now I’m an event planner” – on the side, is where you’ll find me… with a bouquet of flowers in my hands. I am a small business owner and boutique wedding planner, specializing in one of kind celebrations. I have a degree in event planning – or as close as I could get (Bachelors of Science in Hospitality and Tourism Management with an emphasis is Event Planning – yes, that’s a mouthful). I plan, design and floralize weddings for a living.

However for me, business isn’t really about the title, it’s about being able to do what I love. While The Day’s Design didn’t necessarily start with flowers, it was born out of my love for design. Pulling together all the individual details for a wedding and forming one cohesive event makes me so happy. I love finding the perfect napkin that matches your invitation that pairs perfectly with your bridesmaids dress.

FLORAL DESIGN

But often the element that speaks loudest in that design scheme is the flowers and since I am so passionate about this aspect too, they naturally became part of my service offerings. They are a tangible component that everyone can see. The floral selection for any event says a lot about a person and the impact is huge. This is what draws most people to my work. And then we bond because they fancy blooms almost as much as I do.

I can’t seem to quench this thirst for floral knowledge. Colors, varieties and bouquet shapes fill my imagination…

WEDDING DESIGN

At times, the conversation ends with flowers, but more often it continues on, circling back to that design discussion and dreaming of all the decorative possibilities from escort card displays to making sure each place setting is arranged with a perfectly graceful ribbon draped on top. My sketch pad is full of doodles from blooms, to ribbons to invitations and the possibilities are endless. My creative mind is always on a wild quest for more. We’ll fashion an entire mood board and sketch out designs for the day. Together, we’ll visualize all the various details, big or small, and the roles they play in the overall tone of your wedding. If you hire me to design your wedding, I’ll be a part of every aesthetic facet working with your other creative vendors and then onsite that morning making sure that everything is perfectly placed and spotless. I may even help your photographer style a few photos if our paths should happen to cross and your timeline allows.

EVENT MANAGEMENT/DAY OF COORDINATION

Since I am there anyway, event management becomes a natural step for me to take. It’s a little more work for me on the front end of things (with a stellar team of assistants in tow), but so worth it to any bride who is considering whether or not to do everything herself. I’ll help build the entire itinerary for the day, making sure there’s a planned arrival time for each and every vendor. You won’t have to worry about whether or not the cake was delivered or the linens are set on your tables in time for the caterer to begin their part. The bridal party will know where they’re supposed to be and when to start walking down the aisle and I’ll straighten out your train before your grand entrance. Concerns about whether the photographer is in the room when the best man makes his toast or when husband and wife dance for the first time are eliminated as it will all be scheduled and well thought out, flowing as if it were all just naturally meant to happen.

FULL SERVICE WEDDING PLANNING

Then there’s the bride that needs help from the very beginning. The number of inspiring vendors in her area seems daunting and the idea of figuring out a budget is tedious. I become the friend that’s planned a million weddings and a liaison between practical, glam, organic and what your mother wants. I’m the voice of reason and inspiration, guiding the couple through each step of the planning process. Our journey together may begin with a location, a venue, finding the perfect caterer, tasting cakes or drinking champagne after he first proposed. Having a wedding planner doesn’t mean that you lose out on planning your wedding, but rather you have an experienced hand helping you along the way and any dull tasks that you don’t want to do, you can have someone else take care of. Everything stays orderly, on schedule and remains fun, after all wedding planning is supposed to be fun. It’s a celebration!

Regardless of contracted services, each couple is special to me. Each event is one of a kind and deserves its own contemplation and creativity. Being engaged is a once in a lifetime experience and I want to make it the very best for you. But most importantly, I wish all of my clients a marriage far more beautiful than any wedding I could ever help to create.

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Beauty is a Choice Giveaway

0 · Dec 30, 2015 ·

Christmas has ended but that doesn’t mean the spirit of giving has to fade away. 2015 overall has been a good year, I’ve had joyous moments, a couple stumbles but nothing that rocked me too hard and I came out on top. But perhaps you know someone who hasn’t been as fortunate. Perhaps there’s someone in your life that’s climbing an uphill battle – illness, grief, hardships, life struggles – and needs to start the year off with a smile on their face being reminded that they are beautiful. Or perhaps that someone is you.

Whoever that person is, we want to hear their story. And in return, they may be the recipient of a free mini glamour session, complete with hair and makeup, with photos by Hetler Photography and a few floral and styling details from yours truly.

To enter – simply send your nominations to info@hetlerphotography.com along with their name, email address and why they should win (we want to hear what makes them beautiful!) Winners will be selected on January 4th with sessions taking place on January 9th at Kellie’s studio in downtown Grand Rapids.

Share this post and nominate someone who needs to be reminded they are beautiful!

Touring Our 1950’s Ranch :: The Living Room

1 · Dec 29, 2015 ·

Visiting someone’s house can give you some major insight about a person. You can realize their passions, their priorities and it’s a glimpse into how they live. Style, favorite colors, personal tastes, preferences other and hidden secrets can all be discovered, even if it’s in a subtle, subconscious way. It’s not just a house but a home.

I’ve always had this vision of sharing a home tour on this little blogging space. We bought a 1950’s ranch from a sweet little lady who had lived here for over 40 + years. She raised her babies, watched them graduate and move on to have families of her own. She was only the second owner of the house. It soon became time for her to move on to a new piece of her life as well and share what was once her home with someone else. I can still remember her pointing out how lovely the rose colored wallpaper in the kitchen was and telling how she admired her 1980’s drapes. I certainly did not have the heart to tell her that these things she cherished didn’t hold the same sentiment to me. While I would surely take care of her house, it was to become something that would now tell our story and reflect who we are.

Over the past 6 years we have poured so much time, energy and savings into the space making it our own. While from the beginning I realized how interesting it would be to see the before and afters, I’ve never come to the point where I thought it was finished. There’s always something to tweak, rearrange or redecorate. The updating and remodeling seems never ending and there’s forever been a project sitting on deck. However, seeing as our house is officially on the market and we’ve even accepted an offer, it seems like my remodeling story of 123 Ivanhoe may be finally reaching its end.

Today’s tour will begin with the living room which each December hosts a large Christmas tree with as many gaps in it as I can possibly find. Those tree farmers have yet to realize that people like me exist – those of us who want trees that looks airy and spacious, as though they had just been trimmed from the side of the highway or plucked straight out of the woods – but that’ a story for another time. When we moved in, the living room boasted worn blue carpet and white walls. There was nothing particularly special about the living space and in fact, I scarcely remembered what it looked like then until digging out these old photos.

We removed the beams between the two rooms, lifted the carpet to reveal the original hardwood floors and added our own furniture to the space.

I quickly realized how strange the lighting in my house was. For the walls, I wanted a very soft and neutral green hue which would play off of the sage of my sofa. But every paint swatch seemed to glow as soon as the color hit the wall. It was as if I was choosing a florescent colors, even though the swatch itself was a pale and muted tone. After countless trips to the hardware store, I finally settled on a color with a bit more intensity than I had originally envisioned but at least it would have enough depth and not glow.

I soon realized this green too had a neon radiance around 4:00pm each afternoon when the sun shone though the picture window just right. But I really didn’t have the energy to change it so that’s how it stayed for the first couple of years.

You may recall the story of the giant ice hole in my ceiling and if not, you can relive it all here and here. It was a blessing and a curse all at the same time and allowed us to revamp the space even more and I finally got the paint I love and brand new windows to match.

My accessories and décor are switched throughout the year, my furniture is often rearranged and the artwork and family photos ever changing on my walls. I have winter and summer throw pillows and more seasonal décor than I care to admit. But right now, it feels like home and I’m so glad Kellie was able to capture it during my favorite holiday of the year.

I’m not going to bombard you with lots of details and pictures of the space as I am hardly an interior designer. However, this is just a small glimpse of what my world looks like {when the house is clean and the toys are all put away}.

Professional photos are courtesy of Hetler Photography, the icky “befores” are my handy work and the reason that I strongly recommend hiring the pros.

1 Recipe… Endless Possibilities (Part 2)

0 · May 15, 2015 ·

I think today calls for another dose of cheery blooms. So I’m sharing what I learned from Kaci with Damsel Floral Co about creating a more traditional, or formal style bridal bouquet (here’s the post from last week talking about looser, more asymmetrical bouquet styles).

We stayed true to the original nature of this project, further proving that just because we’re using the same flowers, it does not mean we’re going to yield identical results. In fact, far from it. There’s so much to factor into the equation but the major influence is the designer’s eye and personal preference. This is an art form, you wouldn’t expect 2 painters to paint the exact same painting or two sculptors to sculpt the same statue. It’s all in the eye of the beholder. And no two flowers stems are the same.

To create a more traditional bridal bouquet, we’ll start from the inside and work our way out. Pick a cluster of blooms that will be the central focal point. In a circle pattern, startarranging around that focal point, one blossom at a time. Keep the stems in a tight and in a spiral pattern.

As you work, startadding a few textural tidbits and accent flowers into the bouquet. This will soften the overall look and add more visual interest. Once the bouquet is complete and has reached the right size, perfect it by adding a few more greenery touches and even out any gaps making sure the bouquet is aesthetically pleasing and balanced.

An extra tip: Pay attention to the natural curves of each flower’s stem. Blooms with straight stems fit better towards the middle of the bouquets and those with a slight curve or angled flower head make better border flowers.

My final results.

And Kaci’s beautiful bouquet… while I struggled a touch, she whipped this up effortlessly.

I loved seeing all the completed bouquet (minus one we had to disassemble due to running out of flowers!). They were all so different even though we had used the same ingredients.

Photography: Hetler Photography | Floral Design: Damsel Floral Co and The Day’s Design

Mommy of 2

0 · May 12, 2015 ·

A day late and a dollar short. That’s the story of my life right now. This is my mother’s day blog post… which in fact is even being posted 2 days late. The most frequently asked question of my personal life is all about being a mommy of 2. How is it? Is it easier/harder? Does Gretta love being a big sister? Is Willa June a good baby? Are you getting much sleep? Cue the super mom comments…

So here we go.. I’m a mommy of 2 beautiful little girls. My business is having it’s busiest year yet. I work from home and have yet to secure a summer sitter. And most days I just classify as a big huge fail. Truth be told, life is CRAZY! At any given moment you might find me holding a baby, typing an email and teaching Gretta how to unpack my new floral containers and pick up wayward stems (she might as well learn to earn her keep!). Every single day is a new adventure.

In lieu of all of this, I think it’s appropriate to reflect back a moment. Those first few days were a little simpler, the hubs stayed home from work, Willa June decided to take naps and Gretta was still a bit unsure about this new phase of life. The time will fly by quickly, it’s hard to believe that Willa June is already 2 months old. Pretty soon there will be two chatty little girls running around the house and we’ll be in the next season of life.

I would love to extend a huge thank you to Kellie of Hetler Photography for so beautifully documenting yet another special moment in our lives.

1 Recipe… Endless Possibilities (Part 1)

0 · May 7, 2015 ·

Yesterday I received the most amazing flower order. I think I literally squealed when I opened the box – they were knock-your-socks-off pretty, oh my! And even though I’m the one that placed the order, it’s still like Christmas when they arrive. I don’t always remember exactly what’s in the box or sometimes I just flat out forget how pretty certain flowers can be.

Pulling out each gorgeous blossom made me think back to this fun project that Kaci of Damsel Floral Co and myself put together. As flower friends, we like to learn from one another, there’s always more to know and I love finding different ways of doing things. We were inspired by bouquet recipes — you see them across major wedding blogs, on Pinterest and always accompanied by a picture of a really gorgeous bouquet. However, I think they’re misleading sometimes. For the DIY bride, she now knows exactly what flowers to use meaning she should be able to duplicate that picture. For the less DIY inclined, they should be able to take this recipe to a florist and have them create an exact replica as well, right?

I’m going to compare it to a food recipe. You can give me a list of ingredients. You can even tell me how much of each ingredient to include in my dish. But if I’m not give any instructions with it, I won’t know when to add what and how long to cook everything. While I might be able to use some common sense and come up with a decent meal, the results could also be disastrous.

Back to flowers, if the person creating the bouquet doesn’t understand the basic style and composition, then the results might not be exactly what you hoped for. You might create 2 bouquets with the exact same ingredients and yet yield completely different results.

This was the point that Kaci and I hoped to demonstrate. She gravitates a bit more to a more classic or formal style bouquet and I tend to like mine looser and more reminiscent of the garden (although I’ve seen her create some amazing “loose” bouquets and I should probably watch out, I might have some competition!). We both use the same flowers and yet we created completely different looks.

We started the day my way, meaning I showed Kaci the basic steps I take for constructing a looser, more relaxed style bouquet. My methods usually involved starting from the outside and working my way in. So I begin with usually 3 pieces to build a frame, either line flowers or greenery, and create a tripod type shape. From there, I start to fill in with secondary blooms keeping in mind what I want my focal point to be, which is usually a giant face flower. That focal flower, which in this case were the lilies, are added towards the end and once they’re in place I will start to adjust and add a few more blooms as needed.

Fun facts: I’m always very scattered while making a bouquet… very thoughtful and purposeful, but scattered. Flowers get flung in every which direction until I find the perfect bloom and it often looks like a tornado tore though a flower shop after I create just one bouquet.

And I always keep a mirror nearby. I have to see what it would look like if I were carrying it down the aisle. I never create something for a bride that I wouldn’t carry myself.

Part 2 of this post will be coming to you next week, we’ll see Kaci demonstrate how she takes a more formal approach to a bridal bouquet using the same flower recipe. And of course more gorgeous photos from Kellie of Hetler Photography.

Photography: Hetler Photography | Floral Design: Damsel Floral Co and The Day’s Design

New Life

0 · Mar 19, 2015 ·

I’m so thankful for the sunshine and milder weather that has finally reached us here in West Michigan. I think Polly (my cocker spaniel) is pretty thankful as well. We’re finally able to step outdoors without having to be completely bundled head to toe, and as we do every spring, we’re on a quest – searching for new life.

I’m sad to say that as of 3:30pm on March 18, I have no notable findings to report. Brown, matted grass covers the vast majority of the landscape with a few lingering snow piles scattered here and there. Puddles still fill the ditches and tree branches remain barren, with the exception of a few shriveled berries left behind by the birds.

I’m not going to hide my jealousy for our neighbors to the south. I’ve seen peeks of forsythias and daffodils beginning to fill my feeds. However, I feel that this just fuels hope. Spring will arrive as it always does, fashionably late. It will be worth the wait, and we will be thankful after a long cold winter.

In the meantime, the only new life to be spotted is here in my home. I can tell by the increase of blog hits that I have a few nosey readers who are all patiently (or not so patiently!) awaiting a glimpse of the newest addition to our family. Right now my life consists of babies, bliss and blooms. I’m happy to introduce little Willa June. She’s one week old today.

Photography: Hetler Photography

Merry Christmas 2014

0 · Dec 24, 2014 ·

Presents are wrapped, the car is being packed and we’re heading down the road to spend some quality time with the fam! So Merry Christmas from our family to yours.

Thanks Kellie for the beautiful Christmas photos!

You Bring Our Hearts to Life

0 · Dec 23, 2014 ·

“We believe in the kingdom come,

We believe in the risen Son,

You bring our hearts to life.”

This is the anthem that’s been ringing through my head this week. And while this isn’t exactly a Christmas song, is it connected to the holiday theme. It’s because of Christmas that we can sing this at all. (You can hear the whole song here.)

Just think, if Jesus hadn’t been born in the manger, there would be no risen Son. There would be no hope, no joy, no peace. Our hearts wouldn’t have life.

It’s so easy to get wrapped up in the presents and hot cocoa or even write blog posts about how much we miss our Christmas trees (I caved and put one up over the weekend, by the way) – but to me this season is really based on hope. I simply cannot comprehend what it would be life to live in this world without the knowledge that someday I’m leaving and headed to my eternal home. This isn’t forever and the best truly is yet to come.

May you be surrounded with this comfort and joy as you celebrate this Christmas.

The above picture was captured by Hetler Photography as part of our “Hat’s Off to the New Year” shoot last winter. You can see the entire holiday post here.

Dear Christmas Tree

0 · Dec 18, 2014 ·

Dear Christmas Tree,

You are without doubt my biggest joy throughout the holiday season. I love to peer upon your loveliness and watch your lights twinkle. I eagerly wait in anticipation for that glorious day in November when it’s no longer “too early” to proudly pick you up from the lot and bring you home to be a part of my holiday traditions. I dress you up with ornaments that have very little monetary value but so many memories, recalling the story behind each and every sparkly little bauble.

You are sorely missed this year as December has hurried by in a blur, not even leaving moment to reflect and focus on the true meaning of the season. I haven’t felt any warm fuzzies or had a moment to hang the stockings with care. You’ll find not a speck of tinsel or garland gracing my home, no pretty ribbons and boxes waiting to share joy on Christmas morning.

With the days of construction dragging on, the anticipation of something new is quickly fading as I long for something old. I yearn for those time-honored traditions and the glow of Christmas tree lights. The nostalgia and peace they bring each December is a quiet reminder to be thankful for the blessings of the year gone by. This year I sadly have found myself forgetting to be thankful for 2014. May we never forget the many miracles and wonder of Christmas.

The above picture was captured by Hetler Photography as part of our “Hat’s Off to the New Year” shoot last winter. You can see the entire holiday post here.

FAQ :: Do You Have a Website?

0 · Dec 3, 2014 ·

It seems like everyone and their brother knows something about wedding planning these days. There’s a list of people a mile long claiming to coordinate weddings and have similar such hobbies. But for some people, it’s just that – a hobby.

There’s nothing wrong with this hobby. In fact, planning and decorating is something many people enjoy and many people are good at. However, it’s not something that all people can make a living doing. And it’s often because of these “hobbyist” that I’m not taken seriously as a professional.

Photography: Hetler Photography

What I would love for you to understand is the level of skill and business savvy it takes beyond being able to make a pretty centerpiece and find coordinating linens.

It takes ownership and pride. You have to lay claim to your work and own up to how you make a living. There was once a point where I would kind of mumble something about coordinating a few weddings when someone asked what I did. Now I scream it loud and proud. This is who I am, this is what I do.

It involves being business minded. I hate having to sell myself and my services. But unfortunately people don’t usually book you without any prior knowledge or at least being made aware how you can help them and why the need you.

It takes a commitment to staying in business, even when times are tough. It’s not all ruffles and roses over here. Some months are slow, but I still have to pay for my website, advertising and general business needs. I must be willing to take it all in stride and push forward. I can’t simply give up but rather push myself to be a little better every day.

So commonly I’m asked if I have a website. I think this is a significant sign of seriousness. Facebook pages are awesome because they’re free and they can be easily updated, but they lack a certain level of commitment. People look at you differently when you can hand them a business card and web address. And once they see my website, I’m knocked out of the hobbyist category for good. So making it a good website really counts.

Sharing Thanks

0 · Nov 26, 2014 ·

It’s Gretta’s birthday today (can you believe she’s 2 already!? Flashback to her 1st birthday here) and I’m busy making cake, wrapping a quick present and packing to head out of town for the Thanksgiving holiday but in the midst of it all I’m going to totally be cheesy and cliché here and share a few of the things I have to be thankful for.

No doubt this has been a year of trials and struggles, I feel like a broken record as I’ve said that about the last few years in general. There’s been loss and heartache, ups and downs and challenges for sure. I cannot deny that life is full of struggle. I am hardly the eternal optimist.

Never the less, I am thankful for this space where I can share little tidbits and advice, tips on wedding and life planning, creating beautiful blooms and parts of my heart. I am thankful for you who continue to read the random thoughts that I choose to blog about. I’m thankful that you don’t criticize and critique me too much.

I’m so thankful for all the couples who have hired me to be a part of their 2014 celebration. I finished my last wedding of the season this past weekend (yes, I know I said that at the end of October but I snuck one more in there – more on that later!). I’m ready for a time of rest and refresh until next year which will undoubtedly be my busiest yet, it’s looking seriously fabulous and I can’t wait to celebrate with my 2015 couples!

And I’m thankful for my family. They’re crazy, and often annoying and pushy and intrusive and completely loving, supportive and the greatest people ever. The definition of family is constantly changing for me as people seem to come and go out of my life. There’s the pain of loss but on the other end, we also celebrate the joy of new life.

This joy will be celebrated again in 2015. We’re excited to announce that our family of three will soon be four, with our newest addition set to arrive mid-March. And we’re thankful for that.

So may you all be blessed and have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Lastly, I cannot forget all the vendors who have supported my creative talents and ventures, including the incredibly talented Kellie, of Hetler Photography, who took the above photos and who has had constant faith in my abilities. Thank you!!

Ribbons :: A Graceful Extension of Design

0 · Nov 13, 2014 ·

Photo by Hetler Photography

Yesterday I posted a little tidbit on my Facebook page about my love for ribbons. When it comes to ribbon on a bouquet for me it’s simple (kind of), the more the merrier and the longer the better. I spend just as much time picking the perfect accent colors, textures and styles for the ribbons as I do picking the blooms themselves. The process might seem pretty straight forward, and maybe I’m just an over thinker (scratch that – I know I’m an over thinker) but it’s really important to me that the ribbons adorning your bouquet are perfect.

You may be wondering what there is to consider, I mean your wedding colors are pink and black so the blooms are pink the ribbon should be black. Simple enough, right? That’s one possibility, definitely one that would add lots of drama. But let’s think beyond just the color palette.

I like to consider what the bouquets will be photographed against. If the bridesmaids are wearing black dresses, you’ll never see the black ribbon up against them. On the contrary, black against the bride’s dress would certainly make a huge statement and will not be missed. When they’re not being held, where might the photographer place them? Are there pretty wood floors or upholstered chairs in the bridal suite, I certainly wouldn’t want my ribbons to clash. Will they be outside against the grass or against a tree… what might the photographer be thinking?

I also think about the overall feel or theme of the wedding. I like to imagine what the ribbon will look like in conjunction with all the other décor elements. If you’re using beautiful hand-dyed silk table runners, plain grosgrain ribbon simply won’t do. Satin is classic, silk is flowy and graceful and suede is an earthy, more natural chose.

Ribbons are so beautiful blowing in the wind so if it’s an outdoor wedding (or if there’s the possibility of lots of outdoor pictures being taken) I always use lightweight ribbons that will look so carefree and elegant if the breeze should catch them. You know those gorgeous flowing veil shots that make us all swoon? Well my heart gets just as happy when I see the ribbons in motion with the wind.

Odd numbers are visually pleasing and since I can rarely decide on just one, most of my bouquets have at least 3 ribbons draping down. Sometimes I aim to combine the styles of the décor, and sometimes I focus more on extending the color palette with a cascading trail of fabric.

Personal touches such as family heirlooms, meaningful trinkets or Grandma’s handkerchief are always sweet touches and make your bouquet extra special and unique. I believe every bride should love her bouquet more than any other piece of the wedding décor, it really does become an extension of you, an expression of your personal style and stays by your side for most of the day.

Wedding Wardrobes

0 · Sep 30, 2014 ·

Photo by Hetler Photography

I am to be a bridesmaid in an upcoming wedding. While I’ve been a bridesmaid several other times, this is the first time that I’ve ever been asked to shop and purchase a legitimate “bridesmaids” dress, which is proving to be a bit more daunting than anticipated. Previously, I had simply been handed a color swatch or I’ve been told to go pick out a black dress. Simple enough.

When it comes to bridesmaids dresses today, it seems that anything goes. You can match, you cannot match. You can all wear the same fabric, length or color or shop completely independent of one another. It’s really the bride’s choice, right?

When was the last time you went to the mall, picked out a complete outfit for your friend and made her wear it on an important night out on the town, without her ever trying it on first and agreeing. You’d make sure the top hugged her curves just right and the shoes were killer (and comfortable!) You might shop together, but you wouldn’t force her to wear something she didn’t like, right?

I was once a bride. I totally thought it was within my rights to dictate what the members of my wedding party wore. And it was my right, to a certain extent. They want to feel comfortable and beautiful too, even if the day isn’t revolving around them.

So how do you make sure everyone feels comfortable and the bride still gets what she wants? Here are a couple tips for you brides:

Analyze what’s really important to you about what the members bridal party wear. Is it the color? The style? The length? The fabric? The overall look? Pick one or two of these things to really be the focus.

Determine the formality level. Are you hosting an extremely formal or traditional affair? Then everyone matching might be really important to you. If it’s there’s more of a casual, laid back theme, they you might reflect this through your wedding party’s wardrobe choosing patterned dresses or allowing the girls to mix and match.

Consider the weather. If there’s a chance it might be chilly, allowing the girls to wear a floor length gown or tights/nylons might be greatly appreciated, even if the wedding itself doesn’t take place outdoors, there’s a good chance some of the pictures might. Photographer’s love outdoor lighting.

Speaking of photographers – how do you want your photos to look? Deeper colors can be really pretty and make a bold statement. Pastel and neutral tones make give photos a softer more romantic look, blending more with their backdrops bringing focus to the picture as a whole not just the brighter pieces.

Study your surroundings. Clothing should not only coordinate with other décor elements of your day but also locations where you wish to have portraits taken. That cute little red barn might seem like the perfect backdrop for your wedding photos but maybe not if you’re ladies are wearing hot pink dresses.

Budget. Ughh…. I feel like I’m constantly bringing up that nasty word. But being a bridesmaid can be an expensive endeavor – there’s always more to buy than just shoes and a dress. If you have your heart set on a pricy dress option, see if less expensive brands might have a similar option or there’s someone you know who can afford it, as her to wear it and the other ladies to purchase something that compliments her, but do be tactful please.

Be aware of different body shapes. Dresses rarely come in a one-size-fits-all option. At first glance it might seem like your wedding party is all pretty similarly size. But upon further exploration, you might determine that Anna has a long torso and zero curves, Jane is extra busty and Gabby has legs that just don’t quit. The translation – while technically they can all wear the same dress, only one or two are actually going to look good in it.

It’s really a balancing act – trying to make everyone happy, with the bride just slighter happier. That’s how you choose the wedding day wardrobes. Do you have other ideas that should be considered? Or if you’re already married, did you let your wedding party pick their own dress or did you choose for them?

And you can read the other side of the story about being an amazing bridesmaid here.

hetler photography

You might have to walk a ¼ mile to get your mail

Chickens are mean

The stars twinkle in the most dreamy way

The moon is really bright

Wildlife is free to roam, including your dogs

There’s no delivery service

Its quiet

Your husband may start picking up some strange “country like” behaviors

There is no such thing as clean

Going into town is a big deal

Tulle Skirts

Sequins

The Little Black Dress

Jumpsuits

Hats

“You take it on faith, you take it to the heart, the waiting is the hardest part”

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