the day's design

Branding :: Mud

0 · Jun 23, 2017 ·

Mud. From the earthy, wet fragrance to the magic that grows within it, there’s something fascinating about mud. It’s definitely underappreciated and so often taken for granted. But this is the canvas from where all of our sweet little blossom grow. This is the place where roots dig deep and stems grow tall. This is where it all begins.

As I have been working with Ciarra, of Silver Fox Calligraphy, on some of my new branding, we started with the flower. I had her create a delicate little forget me not, as a reminder of the perfectly periwinkle colored blossoms that would take over my grandma’s lawn each spring, as well as much of Northern Michigan’s other woodland areas. We didn’t exactly create my various branding pieces in logical order, because from that flower I realize that some of my other elements felt “off”, they just weren’t at home with one another.

So she reworked my logo design. I began describing what I wanted, not really knowing what I wanted. I used words like elegant, organic and whimsical. I wanted sophistication and simplicity. Ciarra created some magnificent pieces of art, I can only imagine the hours she spent with nibs and watercolors in her hand bringing my vision to life. In the end, there was one thing missing and I couldn’t quite put my finger on it. Then I realized, my logo need to be the color of mud. It’s not charming or chic or any of the other words that I think I should use to describe my wedding style, but it’s the beginning. It’s unpretentious and raw. The soil is where is where the seeds start, where the weeds grow and the most pure canvas for God’s artwork to be displayed.

Botanical Stationary | The Day's Design | Cory Weber Photography

Photography: Cory Weber Photography | Stationary Design & Calligraphy: Silver Fox Calligraphy | Design & Styling: The Day’s Design

I’m keeping it quiet until I get a couple of the bugs worked out, but you can take a little sneak peek at the new and improved, The Day’s Design website here which shows off my new logo and lots of new flowery goodness that I’ve been holding back.

Happy Friday!

You can also read part 1 & 2 in this branding project here and here.

Seeds

0 · May 2, 2017 ·

If you were to take a trip to the house where I grew up, you’d head a few miles outside of a small town. Travel down a dirt road framed by a perfect archway of oak and maple trees and land at a dusty driveway just beyond a swampy ditch full of cattails. There sits a small blue house on 2 acres, with a miniature hill (perfect for sledding), an above ground pool (with a semi-circle deck hand built by my dad) and an old aluminum swing set in the back yard. This was home.

Each summer, my mother and I planted flowers around the edge of said pool, the side that wasn’t framed by the wooden deck. This is where I learned to plant and sow, how I watch the magic of seeds becoming sprouts and transforming into beautiful blooms. I suppose this may be where my love of flowers really came from.

I have magical memories of this time in my life. Memories of collecting dandelions, wondering barefoot in the yard until the grass became too crunchy under the summer’s heat and squishing wild mushrooms beneath my shoes, despite my dad telling me not to. I still recall the scent of the honeysuckle that climbed up the trellis providing shade to our back deck’s swing. The rose bushes that were nestled beneath our bay window kept mesmerized for years.

Today I seek to recapture that magic, with my two girls by my side, we forage, plant and arrange nature’s bounty – transforming flowers from around the world into a one of a kind wedding display crafted especially for you. Moving to the country has given me this gift. We have acreage to explore and adventures to be had. This year, I’m even planting a few of my own seeds, even if I’m not exactly known for having a green thumb. I no longer have an excuse to at least try. And when I successfully grow a flower to place into a bride’s bouquet, I know that will be the highlight of my summer.

Photography: Hetler Photography

Garden plans are in the works and my seed packets have arrived, some of them are already standing tall in their starter trays. I’m so excited to share the progress (or failure!) that lies ahead. I’m going to grow some flowers this year.

My Holiday Living Room Tour

0 · Dec 28, 2016 ·

I know many of you are moving full steam ahead into the new year. But I’m not there yet. I’m holding onto Christmas for a bit longer. I don’t like the idea of rushing to tear my decorations down and discard my beautiful tree. I like Christmas to linger on as long as possible.

I also find this time between Christmas and New Year incredibly peaceful. The frantic search for the perfect present and the never ending battle of wrapping is behind us. I can just sit and relax, finish up a few winter tasks and watch the girls play with their new treasures.

Decorating this year for Christmas was fun. I had a new living room which gave me a new blank canvas to create in. I have a back yard filled with an unending supply of evergreens. And finally I had a mantle of my very own, which is something I’ve been dreaming about for a long time.

I use the same Christmas ornaments for my tree every year. I love pulling each bobble out and thinking of the memory that it represents. Some belonged to relatives that have left us years ago. Some are a reminder of fun shopping trips with my mom. I have those that symbolize the years that my girls were born. And a couple that date back to a time when my husband didn’t realize what he was getting himself into and bought me a couple ornaments back when we were dating. The tree is always the center of my holiday décor.

This year I resurrected a few pieces from my Snow Village. I used to setup up an entire scene complete with mountains of snow. I’m not ready to recreate the entire Department 56 in my house like I used to, but many of this pieces were gifted to me by my grandma and it’s fun to get them out.

And when it comes to greenery, I’m always a fan. I love how adding a couple sprigs can add just the slightest touch of holiday charm to your existing décor.

I’m more than happy to share sources for anything shown in this post however there are too many items collected throughout the years to list them all here, comment below or email me at hello@eventsbythedaysdesign.com if you have any questions.

Hope your Christmas was fabulous!

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Cinderella’s Proposal Video

0 · Jul 29, 2016 ·

My little sister is getting married.

If you’re a longtime reader of this little blog, you’ll understand the impact of that one little sentence. It symbolizes how love overcomes all. It shows that we should never settle or give up hope. I’m not going to dig up her dirty laundry, but rather I want to celebrate the future that lies before her.

To say that I was honored to be a part of her proposal story is an understatement. I heard the news months before that all important question was posed and was privileged to be a part of the entire process. Ring shopping, scheming and all the lovely details.

When I suggested that we have the entire occasion photographed, my sister’s soon-to-be fiancé was overjoyed with the idea. It all snowballed from there with video, flowers and a beautiful dress. He wanted something memorable. He wanted to create that perfect moment that she would never forget. He definitely accomplished that.

For me, bringing this to life was one the most stressful events I have ever taken on. Everything had to be timed perfectly, from hair and makeup, to her dress, his arrival and the music cued in the background. I rehearsed the scene over and over in my mind, but ultimately it was out of my control.

I couldn’t decide whether to share the story, the video or the photographs first. I love it all. They complete each other, just as Justine and Devin complete one another. Today I’ll leave you with the scenery in motion from Katie Grace Photography & Videography. It tells the tale in a way that words cannot.

In just two short weeks, they’re getting married.

Featured :: Cinderella’s Proposal on The Wedding Chicks

0 · Jul 19, 2016 ·

There’s nothing more exciting to me than creating something beautiful and yet functional. Creating something that celebrates real life the that moments that happen within it. I think we need to vanquish the idea of the empty table. No more heartless styled shoots. We need to celebrate life as it happens.

My little sister is getting married. That’s exciting new all on it’s own accord. But in addition, as I was schemeing about yet another “boring” styled shoot, I caught wind that this all important question was about to be popped. That’s where my inspiration came from. The story suddenly fell into place and I had the honor of working along side her now fiance, to help create the fairytale proposal we all dream of. And then it was featured on The Wedding Chicks.

You can see the feature here. You can read about the inspiration and romance. And I’ll certainly be sharing a few more of the behind the scences of being part of such a momentous occassion at at later date.

Cinderella's Proposal | The Day's Design | Samantha James Photography

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Seasons of Love

0 · Jun 27, 2016 ·

This past week, I co-hosted a bridal shower for my younger sister. I am ridiculously excited for her wedding and so happy for her. However, this post isn’t really about her. Rather, it’s about something that was said during her shower that particularly struck me.

Whenever my family hosts a shower, we always include a small devotion. This shower was no exception and we asked a member of her church to share a few words. She started talking about fairytales (you may have seen a few sneaks of my sister’s Cinderella inspired proposal so this message was spot on) and then she spoke about the different seasons of love. Seasons of Love | Marriage Proposal | The Day's Design | Bradley James Photography

Photography: Bradley James Photography

Anyone who is married can tell you that those butterflies and pangs of longing and excitement don’t last forever. Happily ever after is something that you have to work at. Love has different seasons and is constantly evolving.

As she spoke, I began to wonder what it would be like to hold onto that so fresh in love feeling forever. I starting thinking about how miserable life might actually be if my gut was tormented eternally every time we were separated for 2 hours or if he didn’t return my call.

And then another memory came flashing back into my mind. My first love. I was sixteen years old and he was my everything. His mother, on the other hand, has some prude-like tendencies. I remember one night sitting and watching Groundhog Day with his entire family. Remember at the end when Bill Murray finally makes it through the night and it’s a different day in the morning? And Andie MacDowell is still there. In bed. With him. And then they kiss. And my boyfriend’s mother said “ugh, like anyone would kiss with morning breath”.

As a sixteen year old who was madly in love with her first boyfriend, I was appalled by this comment. Who cares?! I would have given anything to give my boy a kiss first thing in the morning. I could only dream about a time when this would be a real possibility. Thoughts of love, marriage and all sorts of romantic notions flooded my hormone infused teenage mind. My heart nearly broke every time I had to tell my boyfriend good bye.

Fast forward 15 years, 6 of which I have been married, and suddenly I can see where she was coming from. It’s certainly not because I don’t love my husband, but I prefer a little minty freshness in the morning. I’m in a different season of life, of love.

We need to cherish the season we’re in. If you’re newly engaged, this is your time to savor the feeling of novel love. The tingles and exhilaration will vanish overtime, but that doesn’t mean that either one of you have “fallen out of love” but instead, it has evolved into something new. Newfound emotions and levels of understand and commitment are just around the corner.

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Featured :: Styled Boudoir Editorial on 100 Layer Cake

0 · Jun 10, 2016 ·

The sensual side of being a woman. That’s what I’d really like to entitle this project. It’s not about raunchy, racy photos of women in the nude but a reminder that we’re all beautiful and our own kind of sexy. It’s about the lingering glance behind long lashes. It’s the she simplicity of timeless lace. It’s the flower in your hand that so desperately wants to be held.

Today women get so focused on power and not being left behind in a man’s shadow. We’re out to prove that we’re strong and capable. And while there’s nothing wrong with that, we also need to remember what makes us unique. There’s a reason that we are different from men. We get to do things and experience the world in a way that will forever remain a mystery to the male population.

This project with Ashley Slater reminds us of that. It reminds us to embrace our inner and outer beauty. We are feminine, classy and romantic beings. And today you can see it through our feature over on 100 Layer Cake.

Bridal Boudoir | The Day's Design | Ashley Slater Photography

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How to Work with a Wedding Planner :: Part 4 :: The Full Service Planner

0 · May 25, 2016 ·

Photography: Ashley Slater Photography

A full service planner plans weddings for a living. Simple enough. For myself, that means that I will tackle any wedding related task that the bride and groom throw at me, and then some. It means I work an unlimited number of hours doing whatever it takes make all your wedding dreams come true. It means that I handled every detail from floral design to event design to day-of management and more (all the tasks listed in parts 1, 2 and 3 of this series). I’ve not so delicately referred to myself as a “wedding slave” to my full service clients, although I guarantee you its much more enjoyable and rewarding than that description would lend you to believe.

However, some planners do limit the number of hours the work or have more restrictions than I do. So don’t assume that this is an unlimited everything option with all planners. Even I have a few boundaries, I have to draw a line somewhere. I think some others are just better at defining that line than I am.

I think this is the post that most of you have been waiting for. Very few people really seem to understand how this relationship works. The bride wants to know if she should talk to the photographer or if I should. The photographer wants to know if she should work on the timeline with me or the bride.

I know some planners are really controlling and they don’t want vendors communicating with the brides without their involvement. It seems like they’re being overbearing. But the reality is, if something goes wrong on the wedding day, it always falls back on the planner. They’re just being cautious.

My personal rule of thumb is if it’s a vendor providing a service, I want the bride and groom to be involved. Photographers and the couple spend an enormous amount of time together, I would never suggest you merely let me hire them without a consultation between the bride and groom. I’ll pair you up with some of my favorites and then the ultimate decision us up to the bride and groom. Same goes for hair and makeup or catering, I know what I like to eat and can tell you some of my favorite chefs, but I’m not going to decide who has the best chicken or steak and I’m not going to tell you how to wear your hair on your wedding day – I’ll just steer you in the right direction.

I will do a lot of the leg work for my clients. I’ll make the initial contact and see if my favorite vendors are even available. I don’t want to waste my clients’ time. I’m here to narrow down who’s available and within their budgets, but the final decision is up to the bride and groom.

Once the vendor is hired and all the imperative details have been discussed, I usually take over more of the technical details and final logistics. Likewise, if it’s more of a behind the scenes vendor – we’re just using them for charger plates or linens, I don’t include the bride and groom in on that. It goes back to people that I’m subcontracting to make the wedding come to life (read more from my event design post here). Those vendors can deal specifically with me, I’m here to make the bride and grooms lives easier, not add to the list of people they need to talk to.

Dear Vendors: I want to work together. I feel like we have a common goal – at the end of the day we want a really happy married couple. If I talk to you about a potential wedding and the bride and groom don’t book, please don’t take it personally. If I talked to you at all about it – that probably means that I was rooting for you, they just didn’t think you were the right fit. We’ll work together soon. And I promise I wasn’t wasting your time with a meaningless inquiry. I’m going to bust this myth wide open – wedding planners to not control every vendor that’s hired at a wedding.

Something helpful you can do prior to the wedding season, keep me up to date on your pricing. That helps me match budgets and brides right away. Once they’ve booked, you’ll probably communicate with me a little more. But on matters of opinion, I want the bride and groom involved. Conversations with them are by no means off limits, I just want to be kept in the loop.

Dear Clients: Don’t be afraid to tell me why you like one vendor over another – it might make the rest of the process a little easier. The more insight I can get from you, the better. I need to be notified when you change your mind about things or if you decide to invite extra guests. Communication, communication, communication. I can’t stress it enough. Share copies of your contracts with me so I have full access to all fine print. Remember I am a professional and you have hired me to do a job, however it’s a really fun job and you should be enjoying this engagement period and I want you to enjoy working with me too!

Do you have other questions about working with a wedding planner? I’m happy to help and shed light on the subject however I can.

Real Weddings :: Becca & John

0 · May 19, 2016 ·

August has been on my mind a lot lately. It really is a beautiful month to get married in, although it’s also a reminder that summer all too soon will be coming to an end. Becca and John got married in August. It was the most picturesque day. The heat of summer was all around with the breezes to Lake Michigan there to keep it in balance.

St. Joseph played host the celebration, with the nuptials being held at his parent’s beachside residence that ended up only being partially completed by the big day. But in the end, it didn’t matter that everything wasn’t perfect. It didn’t matter that construction schedules ran behind. What mattered was their love. It was on this same property that he had proposed to Becca one year prior, in the town where both had spent the summers of their youth, so in the end, it really was perfect.

It was a Jewish ceremony with a custom made birch chuppah. It was brought to my attention that the four open sides of a chuppah represent open doors and hospitality. Becca and John’s home will always be a place of welcome for friends and family. I love the tradition of being married under a chuppah all the more now. And theirs was extra special as it was adorned with Becca’s grandfather’s pray shall. Don’t forget to add just a little sentimental value to your wedding day.

After the ceremony, the celebration continued at The Heritage Center, where guests were wined and dined and danced the night away. A live band, a cupcake truck and a sparkler exit complete with a pedicab driven by the best man for the getaway vehicle of choice. Warm summer nights like these will live in our memories forever.

You can also see this wedding featured on Style Me Pretty here.

Mattie & Nick :: An Autumn Engagement

0 · May 11, 2016 ·

I remember this autumn day – not because I had much to do with the planning or even tagged along with Mattie and Nick’s engagement session, but rather because it was glorious. It was the kind of October day that every bride dreams of. Blue skies, heavenly temperatures and most majestic display of colors.

If I were planning my own wedding day in the autumn, I’d want it to look just like this. It would be casual, with hints of burgundy and brown. The soft glow of sunset would warm each and every photo and add that extra layer of romance. And this field absolutely takes my breath away every time I see it, its so far beyond words I can’t even grasp a way to accurately describe it.

The evening would be treasured as we all would know that winter was on its way and the feeling of the warm sunshine upon your skin will become only a memory. We should never take these days for granted, you never know what lies around the bend.

The custom dyed silk ribbons have been ordered. The flowers are being prepared. And in three day’s time, Mattie and Nick will be walking down the aisle in celebration for their love of one another.

Photography: Ashley Slater Photography | Flower Crown: The Day’s Design | Bride to Be: Mattie of Spark & Wildflower

How to Work with a Wedding Planner :: Part 2 :: Day-of Coordinator

0 · May 4, 2016 ·

Photography: Ashley Slater Photography | Floral Design: The Day’s Design

As my business has evolved, I usually only coordinate weddings that I’ve also done the florals or some aspect of design for. This wasn’t always the case, I used to do coordination or event management for the day as a standalone service. So I’m writing this post as if you were hiring me for that unaccompanied help – since we really are trying to single out the Wedding Coordinator’s role in the overall vision of the wedding.

This is purely speculation, but I think this is probably the most commonly hired wedding planning service. Couples are given some professional guidance without relinquishing control or loosing too much from their pocketbooks. While they aren’t necessarily contracted to do so, most Day-of Coordinators will give some tips on etiquette share their favorite vendors with you. After all, it’s in there benefit for the couple to hire a photographer that coordinator loves and makes their life a whole lot easier if you don’t hire that caterer who is terrible at communications. I always say, I’d rather that you come to me instead of asking Mr. Google.

The process of working with me as your Day-of Coordinator typically works like this: the bride and groom hire me. Sometimes this is the first thing they do, other times it happens in a panic three months before the wedding. Either way, I won’t really start talking in more depth about the wedding until about 6-8 weeks before hand. We’ll walk through what the couple has planned for the day, how they envision everything, chat about a brief day of timeline, locations for things such as the guest book, placecards and the cake table. If at all possible, I try to visit the venue together. Then I’ll get a complete list of vendors hired by the couple. I’ll address any concerns I have logistically or otherwise and then I’ll get to work.

My first task is filling in the gaps on the itinerary. Details like ceremony and reception start time aren’t up for discussion. But often no one knows what time the caterer is planning on arriving or when the tables and chairs will be set up so the florist can place her flowers (or when I can place the centerpiece if I’m also your floral designer). If no one has told the baker what time she should arrive with the cake, it might end up sitting out all day and we’ll end up with a big pile of melted buttercream. We want to make sure that pertinent events are scheduled during the time that the photographer is contracted to work. Coordination of these details is absolutely necessary and I fill in all those holes, working on arrival times, traffic flow and general order of the day – things that the bride shouldn’t be worrying about while she’s off having her hair and makeup done the morning of the big day.

Dear Vendors: Your first contact with me will be a nice little introductory email asking if you have any concerns, special setup needs or any lingering questions that haven’t been clarified quite yet. I’ll do everything within my power to address those and a couple weeks prior to the wedding, when all these details have been confirmed with each and every one of you, I’ll send along a copy of the finalized itinerary and contact information – important phone numbers, addresses and anything else I think you might possibly need on the wedding day. Yes, that itinerary will be chucked full of information that you might not think you need, but I think over informed is much better than under.

On the actual wedding day, I try to interrupt the bride and groom as little as possible and ask that you do the same. Please be respectful of what they hired me to do and address me first with questions or concerns. I don’t have all the answers, but normally I have a few.

Dear Clients: You can make this process go smoothly by being up front with those hired vendors about my existence right from the start. Give them my email and cell phone number, that’s excellent and telling them that I’ve authorized to make decisions on your behalf is even better. As for me, I ask that you let me know the person that you’ve been in most contact with. I’d like to know all previously arranged details and if you feel inclined to cc me in on emails or forward contracts my way, that’s perfect. This gives me a little leverage when the limo driver shows up a half hour late to pick you up from the church. But so we’re clear on things, I don’t address why things when wrong on the wedding day – we can figure that out later – my goal is moving forward to solve the problem. Please don’t ask me to focus on the negative on your wedding day.

And one more little reminder – the term Wedding Planner and Day-of Coordinator are NOT interchangeable.

In case you missed it, you can read Part 1 of this series here.

A Story Waiting to be Written

0 · Apr 19, 2016 ·

Remember back in the day when people would want to show you slides from their vacations? Alright, so maybe I’m not that old but I have definitely been forced to sit through rolls of awful developed images with full of landscapes, with pictures and pictures of rocks and trees, a few buildings and inevitably the backside of the picture-taker’s thumb.

I remember always wondering why people would take so many pictures like this? Why aren’t there any people in these pictures? Where are the smiles and memories?

It’s funny how things change. Now, some of these person-less photos are some of my very favorites that come back after working on a wedding or an editorial piece. There’s an art and emotion that can be felt through this imagery. It’s like I can envision myself there without others in the picture to distract me. I’m instantly transported back to that time and place.

You may remember this post awhile back when I grumbled about the wedding guest who thought it was ridiculous that we’d want untouched reception photos. I’ve suddenly been able to jump in his shoes, channeling back to that time when I too thought “empty” snapshots were pointless.

While I can hardly compare some of the fine art produced by my photography friends on the same level as that of a disposable camera, I think the thought behind it was the same. There’s something special, something beautiful happening in front of them and they want to remember it forever. Those scenes deserved to be remembered always, whether they’re of a bride and groom, a flower girl twirling or simply the mountainside where the day of your dreams took place.

North Carolina Mountains | Team Flower Workshop | Heather Payne Photography

Photography: Heather Payne Photography

The above photo is from 2014, almost exactly two years ago in the mountains of North Carolina. I have oodles of flower pictures from that workshop, I have pictures with friends that I made that day. But this image always comes back to my mind. It instantly transports me back to that time and place.

Driftwood | Beach Wedding | The Day's Design | Bradley James Photography

Photography: Bradley James Photography

And this one. A simple piece of driftwood. I posted it on my Facebook page and had the most engagement that I’ve ever had for a non-floral picture. It seems relatively simple, nothing overly special about it – it just made me happy. I thought about the beach, what it would be like to walk there after a long cold winter. I thought about the first time I met Hallie (who’s wedding pictures it was a part of) and the day that we went on a sightseeing adventure when the weather finally began to thaw last April.

Beach Wedding | The Day's Design | Ashley Slater Photography

Photography: Ashley Slater Photography

Or this one. I certainly don’t love feet, but this image compels me.

I don’t know why these pictures are so powerful, why sometimes they can express more for me than I could even put into words. But I know they’re an important piece of the story. I know this world would be lost with only portrait photography. And there’s a reason beyond my understanding as to why when I’m playing with my own camera, I take picture after picture of my back yard – without a soul in sight or a real purpose behind it. There’s a story there – it’s just waiting to be written.

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Friday Flowers

0 · Apr 8, 2016 ·

I put a ton of emphasis into selecting the right flowers for each and every event. I give my brides a few visuals and ideas of what varieties I plan on using, but in the end, plans change. Sometimes I get inspired by something else. Sometimes the color, size or movement is just off in the bloom that I choose. And sometimes I kill flowers. Yes, it happens.

I love to take the time to focus on each and every bloom that passes through my hand. But when it’s wedding crunch time, I have to admit that often the focus is more on just getting it done rather than making it perfect. It’s for that reason that I make the most visual pieces first. And I do like to save the pieces that I’m most excited for until the end, this way I ensure I will stay excited throughout the entire creation process rather than becoming too weary of flowers. However, I’m very cautious about this approach.

I think it would be really neat to be able to tell the bride the story behind each and every blossom. Yet anyone who’s been a part of a wedding knows that this is completely unrealistic, the bride clearly has other things on her mind that day – even if I do not.

So I quickly hand off the bouquet, finish my delivery and then start plotting out my next event.

But I had an idea. I could share the stories here. I could tell where the flowers traveled from, how certain varieties came to be in my hands and some of the thought process that went into the selection. It would be an open and honest discussion of my flower journey. You’d know of my ordering mishaps and maybe even a couple wasteful tales. But I think in the end it would be fun to reflect back and maybe even I would grasp a deeper understanding of myself and how I work through the creative process.

Peony & Pinecone floral recipe | The Day's Design | Katie Grace Photography

Photography: Katie Grace Photography & Videography

As much as I love local flowers and talk about a lot the advantages of American grown blooms, it’s pretty amazing to think that some of your flowers have traveled half way across the world. A single bouquet could easily represent a number on continents and I’d like to start tracking that. It’s like philosophy, geography and flowers (I think they call that horticulture?) all in one little post.

And because most Fridays I either have flowers in my hands or wish that I did, this will be my version of Friday Flowers. More next Friday 😉

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Why You Should Consider an Unplugged Wedding

0 · Apr 6, 2016 ·

Do you ever just take a moment to sit in silence? Just stop what you’re doing, close your eyes, turn off the TV, put down your phone and sit quietly.

How do you feel? What are your emotions at this moment? Just breathe in and breathe out. Let your thoughts circle around you.

Reasons Why You Should Have an Unplugged Wedding | The Day's Design | Clary Pfieffer Photography

Photography: Clary Pfeiffer Photography

A few weeks back after the kids were to bed and while hubby was still at work, I experienced a moment of silence. After a couple of minutes of merely sitting on the sofa, I started to grab my phone and mindlessly scroll through Instagram. I thought about finding something else to watch on Netflix. But I fought the urge. I sat there without a sound, without a movement, for a few minutes more. I had to battle myself the entire time.

Prior to this moment, I had watched a sappy Nicholas Sparks movie. They get me every time. It made me smile, it made me cry and at the end I was a blubbering mess of emotions. When it was over, I wanted those emotions to disappear. I couldn’t feel the hurt and sadness anymore. After all, it was just a movie.

But instead, I embraced this rare moment in time and let myself feel things. I pondered exactly why this movie made these feelings surface in the first place. I took the time to sort out things that have been haunting me for years, but I’m always just a little too busy to stop and think about. I thought about love, I thought about life, I thought about family and past relationships.

Oddly enough, the following Sunday the message at church circled around the idea that people are so busy that they don’t take the time to properly grieve. They don’t take the time to feel things, embrace their emotions and understand what their senses are telling them. They become a tangled mess of a person who doesn’t know how to deal with life when something when it doesn’t go their way. In biblical times, when someone died they would find people to come cry with them. They would sit in a period of mourning and embrace their grief – for days, for weeks. Today, we encourage people to get back to work, get back to normal, stay busy. The hurt will go away.

But it doesn’t. It just gets buried under the busy of the moment.

We’ve created a generation of people who are hot headed and miss out on so much of life because they cannot properly channel their joys and sorrows.

It’s for this reason that I encourage you to have an unplugged wedding. There are arguments that iPhone cameras get in the way of photographers. Point and shoot flashes can be damaging to the venue’s natural light. And guests get in the aisle way and try to get the very best shot, therefore preventing the professionals from doing their job effectively. All very valid arguments.

However, I think by encouraging your friends and family to put down their phones/cameras, you’re actually doing them a favor. You’re taking away the pressure for them to get the very best shot and be the first one to post it to Facebook. You’re giving them the opportunity to be present with you and experience the joy and celebration that’s happening in your hearts during your union. You’re allowing an excuse to disconnect from the rest of the world and focus solely on what’s happening right in front of them. Let them inspect every flower that’s been so painstakingly selected. Enable them to smell the sweet scent of the fresh summer air. Allow them listen not only to the musicians, but the birds and the babbling brook in the background. Give them the opportunity to reconnect with family that traveled from afar to share this day. And encourage them catch up on life happenings with old friends. It’s your gift to them on your wedding day.

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Style Me Pretty Bouquet Breakdown :: Nautical Lake Michigan Wedding

0 · Mar 21, 2016 ·

Building a bridal bouquet is so much more than just gathering a handful of flowers and binding them with a silk ribbon. It’s an artful composition of design. It’s a process of sourcing the right ingredients, crafting the perfect recipe and then weeding out any blooms that don’t quite meet the cut. And then the labor of love truly begins.

I remember the day that Becca send me a gorgeous, white mounded bouquet with the caption “this would be a dream”. I would never copy another artist design – there are a number of logical reasons behind this, but for the most glaring of those is because I wouldn’t be true to myself, I would be relying on someone else’s creativity and it might actually rob not only the other artist, but also the bride of having a piece that’s a one of a kind treasure that’s designed solely for her. The bridal bouquet is an artist’s floral interpretation of each bride, their story written in flowers.

So I asked, “What is it that you love so much about the bouquet?” After a little thought, she determined that it was the way that it was white, and yet had the tiniest tinge of pink scattered amongst the petals. It was so subtle and barely noticeable, and yet, there it was.

Becca was a very elegant and chic bride, so her bouquet was designed to be a reflection of her. It was just a touch nautical, perfect for a beach wedding. The blue hint in the greenery blended with Lake Michigan’s shoreline and the wild dune grass which prevalent all around. Then a couple anemones were added to tie in the nautical navy of the men’s suits. I chose to make the clematis and its silky smooth petals, the star of the garden rose infuse bouquet. This provided a resting place of the eye to naturally fall and also nodded to Becca’s appreciation of simple, clean lines.

Photography: Clary Pfeiffer Photography

You can read more about the individual floral ingredients and inspiration behind the bouquet here, as it was featured on Style Me Pretty over the weekend. You can also see the full St. Joseph wedding here as well from its feature back in December.

Big Rapids Beige

0 · Mar 18, 2016 ·

Grand Rapids Wedding | Rainy Wedding | The Day's Design | Jamie & Sarah Photography

Photography: Jamie & Sarah Photography

Mud, muck and icky mush. So much brown. It’s all I can think about.

We’ve been here a 7 nights now. The days attached to the nights have been filled with packing, sorting, boxing, taping, loading, traveling, unloading, resorting, unpacking and the piling up of so. many. boxes. The reoccurring question of the moment is how am I liking Big Rapids so far? So far, I feel like a work horse tromping through the sludge, splashing, mopping, sweeping and dealing with an endless trail of mud.

I know March is a naturally muddy month in Michigan. I’m realistic enough to realize that. But somehow living in an asphalt neighborhood you forget. You see the gray and the undesirable tones left behind on the snow piles. And of course the mile long lines at the carwash on a sunny day don’t go unnoticed. But when you head out to where the blacktop ends the word “dirty” takes on a whole new meaning. I have worn rain boots out of pure necessity for the last week straight, with no end in sight.

In other news, my house is very brown as well. There’s a reoccurrence in the palettes of this area that I’ve come to know as “Big Rapids Beige”. It’s everywhere. The warm and fairly unwelcoming tones of brown, brown and more bland brown. Perhaps is to camouflage the mud. Maybe it’s what soothes people here. Perhaps the locals know something I have yet to learn. But at the moment, I cannot wait for a fresh coat of paint. And I’d like to feel clean.

Redecorating adventures are just around the corner, I’m trying to fit as many in as I possibly can before wedding season swings into full gear. I’m so excited to add a dose of personality into our new home and create a space I am proud to call home.

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Nancy & Andrew’s Love Story

0 · Mar 2, 2016 ·

Every day has a story. I don’t just mean wedding days, or fancy celebration times but literally every single day. Some tales are bit boring while others are a bit more momentous. Some stories are disregarded by the next morning. Some have a narrative that would rather be forgotten while others want to be relived continuously throughout time.

I don’t know the number of days or how many stories Nancy and Andrew have shared together. I don’t know how he proposed or what their wedding will look like. But I can surmise that their tale will have a happy ending. I can imagine that the day that Ashley followed them around Downtown Grand Rapids on this crisp autumn morning was a happy one, one that will remain in their hearts for years to come.

When an author writes a book, they are then tasked to find the perfect artist or illustrator to portray what the imagination cannot visualize on its own. In the same way, a photographer must tell the story of love, of engagement and then on to the happily ever after – the wedding day.

I will only play a small role in the overall plot of their lives. I’m merely an extra in the background or a set designer, supplying a couple props for the day, whether it’s a halo for engagement photos, a flower for a special occasion or a cascading showpiece for a bride on her wedding day. Photography: Ashley Slater Photography | Floral Design: The Day’s Design | Location: Downtown Grand Rapids

When people ask me how many weddings I do a year, I would rather tell them how many love stories I’ve had the privilege of being a part of. I’m merely helped set the stage, designed the set or illustrated a page where the romance will come to life.

When to Break the Blogging & Business “Rules”

0 · Feb 26, 2016 ·

Love Letters and Lace | The Day's Design | Wildfield Paper Co | Ashley Slater Photography

Calligraphy: Wildfield Paper Co | Photography: Ashley Slater Photography | Styling: The Day’s Design

What do I have to offer the world today?

A fellow blogger posed this question and it’s been bubbling around on my brain for month’s now. Ever read something that another writer, or even friend, has posted online and wondered why on Earth are you telling me this? I have those moments all the time. Why did the world need to know that?

Something very few people (if anyone) knows about me is that I used to daydream about being a writer. I would write short stories, dream up scripts for plays, novels and had collections of poetry. And I kept a journal. But my journal wasn’t a pretty little notebook with flowery thoughts and aspirations, it was a mass collective of random papers, paragraphs and ideas I’d scribbled down during calculus class or angry letters to ignored crushes. My journal was anywhere I could find a scrap of paper, napkins, post-it notes – you name it, I was resourceful and could then stuff them in my purse or pocket only to be discovered later or perhaps never even relived again. It was this way for me to vent and clear my head and figure out what I was really feeling. And usually they were deep, dark and often angry. Those are the moments I most feel the need to pick up my pen.

The thing about these writings is they were never really meant for an audience. I couldn’t easily share them with anyone and most people don’t even know of their existence. I had a poem or two that I’d read to a boyfriend on very rare occasion, but never my mother, best friend or even an English teacher – they were much too personal and I couldn’t bear the thought of anyone critiquing my work.

Creative writing was always my elective course of choice. I guess you could look at this as sort of a foreshadow of things to come. Never did I think that I would post writings online, I rarely even update my Facebook status because it is simply “none of your business”.

But from what I have read of “successful blogging” is you must be consistent, follow the 3 part story structure and most of all, have something worthwhile to share with the world today. Those are all three things that I really struggle with – and perhaps that’s why my blog isn’t “successful”. Why would anyone want to read what I want to share with the world? However, I mentally turned a little switch and decided to break these rules and no longer look at this as merely an informative wedding blog but rather my journal. My writer’s block has decreased. I feel like I just gave myself some freedom to be myself and write whatever I want – not what you’d want to read on a “wedding blog”. And I’ve actually had a very slight increase in readership.

So, what do I have to offer the world today? This – be yourself. Don’t do something because it seems like that might be the “rule” of business or “the way” things are done. If it don’t feel right, then stop. Simple enough, right? Just be yourself.

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And a little side rant – I hate the word blog. It so harsh and not poetic at all as it rolls off your tongue, it’s like you just spat the word out. Plus it reminds me of Pogs which gives me a little 4^th grade flashback.

Artful Boudoir

0 · Feb 12, 2016 ·

Boudoir is concept that sometimes I struggle with. It is a French word that means a woman’s bedroom or private room. And I think that’s the key to boudoir – it is private, personal and an emotional experience.

Each January I see a huge influx in boudoir advertising, its right before the Valentine’s holiday and it seems like a very romantic gift. It is, that I can absolutely agree with. And from a marketing standpoint, it’s right on.

Bridal Boudoir | The Day's Design | Ashley Slater Photography

I also get asked to be a part of similar sessions, staging, designing and helping to choose tasteful lingerie. I personally love it, it’s so romantic and raw. There’s an energy that’s created and the form of artistic expression is something special. I understand why the ancient Greeks and Renaissance artists used women in the nude as their muses.

But then I struggle with whether or not I should actually be posting these private images. Is this something that’s too racy and dare I say, pornographic, for me to be a part of?

Enter the gray line. Remember when Glamour Shots from the mall were all the rage? When I was younger, my pastor had one of his wife hanging in his office. She looked amazing. So remarkably beautiful, sexy. Of course, I was 10 at the time so those weren’t the words I used to describe her, but just the same that gorgeous airbrushed image is burned into my mind and I can still see the teal backdrop against her fiery red hair. She was a vision. And not the vision you’d typically think of when you imagine a pastor’s wife.

She was somewhat plain in her everyday existence. I think every woman deserves to feel like a fiery redhead goddess at least once in her life. It’s a boost in self-confidence to be depicted in this way and there’s really no rule that you need to share these images with a man. As someone who often struggles with body images and confidence, I encourage any photography style that will help promote inner beauty and enhancing the outer, in a natural, real way.

Bridal Boudoir | The Day's Design | Ashley Slater Photography

Photography: Ashley Slater Photography

What I have witnessed is a trend towards the art and the thoughtfulness. Boudoir is 2015’s Glamour Shots. I worked with one woman who wore a full length robe. It was silky and feminine, but showed no more cleavage than one might expect to see in a wedding dress. And on the other end, she showed off her ankles and toes. Back in 1915 this might have been controversial, but today it was barefoot and beautiful. Often textures and fabrics add grace to the photos. Some of my favorites would hardly even be considered boudoir. They’re not full of the kinky lingerie, provocative poses and indecent images that convince ourselves are necessary for this type of session. Think long lashes, sweet muted tones and tender beauty.

My thought is if you can’t show them to your daddy, then they should never leave the bedroom. I’ll never post anything that’s revealing beyond an artist’s eye. But I do encourage sessions that show off this more sensual side of being a woman. Whether it’s in a sequin dress, a bridal veil an old t-shirt, be your own definition of sexy.

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Tips for Traditional Church Weddings

0 · Feb 9, 2016 ·

White Chapel Wedding | The Day's Design | Cory Weber Photography

Photography: Weber Photography

There’s time honored tradition that goes along with getting married in a church. It’s a humble beginning and a way to start your lives together with a God centered marriage.

However, more and more couple are choosing to get married in wide open spaces with nature as their backdrop. That doesn’t mean the ceremonies have to be any less religious or meaningful, but there is a certain charm that’s lacking. It’s just not how Grandma would have done it.

I understand. I’m a visual person and love planning ceremonies in pretty places. I too opted for beautiful surroundings rather than honoring tradition. So how can you find the best of both worlds?

Every now and then I pass a darling little white chapel and dream of what it looks like on the inside. It’s so picturesque. Occasionally I’m even able to peak in the windows or find images online. Usually I’m disappointed. So many times they’ve been updated with blue industrial grade carpeting or the old wooden pews have been replaced by something a little plusher. And on top of that, sometimes these little churches are small and seat under 100 guests, without bridal suites or even a classroom to take over for primping. In compromise, perhaps plan you ceremony on the steps of a chapel with the building as your backdrop. Set chairs on the lawn and you can have the best of both worlds.

Other churches are much more modern to start with. They don’t have windows, pews or any qualities really that brides today seek in their wedding photos. It’s not the church’s fault. They’re meant to be places of worship, not photo backdrops.

So if you are planning church nuptials, or saying I do in any indoor setting, here are a few ideas to keep in mind:

Lighting – make sure your photographer is properly equipped to work in a potentially dark space. Also understand that if you hire a natural light photographer, the ceremony pictures might not be as airy and luminescent as other images in their portfolio.

Décor limitations – many churches and indoor spaces tend to have many décor restrictions. Flowers can’t always be placed highly visual areas. Candle use might be restricted. And often aisle runners aren’t allowed.

Other Restrictions – other churches, especially Catholic and various formal settings, have policies in place limiting photography. Photographers and videographers occasionally are restrained to certain areas and banned from places like balconies and the front pews. They also may require you to use their minister and have set ceremony and rehearsal times.

As with planning any wedding ceremony, the focus should be on representing your relationship. Décor should aim to accent the beauty that naturally exists in the space and remember that no matter where you host your celebration, at the end of the day, the important thing is that you’re married.

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Trust the Experts

0 · Jan 19, 2016 ·

I love wedding blogs as much as the next gal. I read them here and there, find inspiration and even advertise on a couple. But sadly, I have to say that they don’t always get it 100% right. Occasionally I can even go as far to say that I’m appalled by the information that they’re sharing with their readers and my brides.

Autumn bouquet | The Day's Design | Bradley James Photography

Photography: Bradley James Photography

It is true that every last wedding vendor has their own opinions on how things should be done in the wedding industry, much less in their specific area of expertise. We all wish that others might change their way of thinking or order of operations. Yes, everyone is entitled to their own thoughts and ideas.

However, with all that being said, who should brides really turn to for advice on wedding planning? Who can we trust if not these nation-wide, big name publications?

When it comes to flowers, trust a florist. Flowers are a big focus of the wedding industry and instantly grab one’s attention. But when I see one of my bouquets featured on XYZ’s Instagram page and captioned as they’re “obsessing over this dogwood bouquet” and yet I’ve actually never played with dogwood before and definitely didn’t include it in that particular bouquet, it makes me a bit leery on all fronts. It’s not the first time I’ve witness similar such situations.

When it comes to budgeting advice, take note of your city or market. What a photographer or wedding planner charges in one destination might be a far cry for what they could potentially charge if they lived somewhere else. Be cautious of posts detailing these incredibly awesome celebrations that were done for under $5,000-7,000. I’m not saying that it’s impossible here in Michigan. All I’m asking is that you consider the story that goes untold – their best friend was a florist and did the flowers for free, there were only 20 guests, uncle Tom owns a venue, they didn’t serve a full meal, the bride was a frazzled mess because she took on too many projects herself… pictures and blog post don’t always tell the entire story. Budget is a really tricky topic to talk about and “inexpensive” can have a range of interpretations. And mostly their referring to nation wide stats and numbers.

When it comes to food, talk to you caterer. Each and every chef is different and has different pricing structures, timelines, service styles and ideas. Farm to table and family style options are really on trend right now, but that doesn’t mean its right for you event. Or perhaps a plated dinner would be much more cost effective. I’ve seen both options work in the bride and groom’s favor.

When it comes to lighting and family photo timelines, your photographer will know best. Photographers all use different cameras, equipment and know the methods that work best for them to capture your perfect moments. I’ve worked with lots of fabulous photographers and while it seems there are lots of common rules, many have their own little tricks and preferences and it’s not a one size fits all situation. But I absolutely will NOT tell you to be off beat and ditch a photographer all together in favor of Facebook photo shares or disposable cameras – there are publications that have completely lost my respect as of late.

Have to seen the pattern here? As a wedding planner I know lots of do’s and don’ts but I can’t play expert in each of these categories, I can simply guide you to them. Wedding blogs are the same. They see lots of things, but until they’re actually there in the moment, living through the situation and seeing the day through each vendors’ eyes, they can’t tell you how to plan your wedding. Hire creatives who are each experts in their own field and have fun planning your wedding your way.

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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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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.

A New Adventure

0 · Dec 22, 2015 ·

Photography: Katie Grace Photography

On November 2, a new adventure began for our family. My husband accepted a new job. It’s a great job and excellent career move. However, for the past 2 months he’s been commuting 60 miles back and forth each day. The situation is less than ideal.

The remedy is for our family to relocate, plain and simple. So the adventure is really beginning in the New Year. We finally have our house listed for sale, we have been scouring the real estate market and we are packing our bags.

I’ve held onto the dream of living in Northern Michigan for so long now, and I’m falling just shy. Our proposed destination town is Big Rapids, a mere 12 miles south of what most consider to be the cutoff line to living up north. So close. We’re almost north. At least it’s a step in the right direction.

And as far as business goes, I don’t foresee much change on that front. Only a small fraction of the brides I currently work with are local, and I really do very few wedding right in the city of Grand Rapids itself. I’ll be that much closer to my Leelanau brides and my Southwest Michigan brides will only be a stone’s throw further. The dream is to find a place with a potential floral studio, perhaps a small garden, or I’d at least like to get out of my formal dining room so maybe I could actually host a dinner party once in a while.

Right now I feel like we’re living on a prayer. We’ve had so much interest in our home, but the housing market in that area is a bit… challenging, to say the least. It’s a faith journey, trusting that we’re making the right decision and that it will all work out in the end.

Merry Christmas week – we’ve had 5 showings of our house this week, which is also less than ideal. It’s cutting into my wrapping and family holiday time so if your gift was late or not perfectly wrapped, I’m sorry – I don’t know how Martha Stewart does it all! I hope you’re all enjoying this season of laughter, joy and togetherness.

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