August 2011

I always wonder how we get to the end of summer so fast - I was at Target today and saw all of the mom's and kids frantically getting ready for school with supplies and clothes and then I stopped at a garden store and was bombarded with Fall decorations! It seems like summer just started. Don't get me wrong, I love Fall and really all seasons but just love the simplicity of summer - flip flops seem to be just right for anything, walking out the door without finding a coat or sweater - but time marches on.....I had the saddness of 2 couples this year break off their engagement...They were both so sweet and I enjoyed the work I had done with them but they decided for different reasons that it just wasn't right...I can't imagine how hard that would be but as everyone tells them - better to make that decision now than later after they are married and possibly have kids. Divorce is very hard - feels kind of like cutting off an arm or leg and that lasts the rest of life....Those 2 couples will find happiness in their future as individuals and I am sure will be able to look back later and see that it was the right thing for them. As the old saying goes, hind sight is 20/20!

I have a lovely bride next weekend and look forward to her day. Actually they have all been amazing and fun this entire season and I am already working with some 2012 brides that are doing some awesome things as well. One next May is having a New Orleans style wedding with a jazz band and choir. I will love that!

My husband is building me an office space and it is almost done and ready to move into. I am so excited! I tore a pic out of a magazine in 2005 and kept it in a file. He is so amazing and has been doing it without any experience or direction. These day's we have the help for this kind of stuff from u tube and the internet which is great. I will post pics as soon as I am moved into it but it is yellow and cream with beadboard and shelves - very cottage. Then he will be also adding space in the loft next to the office as a studio so I can meet with brides and grooms up there right next to the office. But I'll warn you now grooms - it's pretty girly!

Marriage 101...God's Way

Hi everyone! Just got home from a wedding and it was awesome. Another bride and groom that had been dating since high school which is always so sweet...pretty colors of buttercream, ivory, green and salmon...roses, gerber daisies, cala lilies, and so many others. There they go beginning their lives with all choices ahead of them. How do we as parents tell them to love each other beyond measure and to go into their marriages with their eyes wide open and after marriage with their eyes mostly closed....to each others faults that is....

I guess now I am talking as a parent...not just a wedding planner....I can't help it. I am a parent of 5 and have learned by experience and want to help others know the preciousness of their marriages. No it is not easy at all...but it's not that hard either, to put each other first and wow your spouse with niceness, selflessness, and love unconditional...

Wedding are a big business these days and I am part of that. But each bride and groom I have the privilege of working with will be prayed for from beginning to end and then after the wedding when I am not even a thought on their minds, they are on my mind for a long time, when life and a lack of time gets in the way. My prayer is that each of you will always remember why you got married in the first place and keep your love for each other alive in the ups and downs just like your vows stated!

Weddings Etc.!!!

I haven't posted because I have been super busy with weddings which is a very good thing! The wedding that was on the royal wedding day was really original-the first officiant was dressed and acted like the priest in the Princess Bride movie, Mawige.....it was funny. Then the official one came on the scene and gave the couple some very good words and advise.....They looked so happy and had a great time of course and used royal blue as one of their main colors...then on Sat. the bride chose all of my favorite colors and style...that design was my favorite. The pics above were in citron green and purple and I loved this couple and the entire family too. It was at the Renaissance and even though they got rained out and was inside it was beautiful but they did did get pictures up on the 4th floor pool deck after the wedding! Then last weekend 2 weddings again both unique but perfect. I feel so close to all of these families and then when it's over I feel so sad because I usually don't see them many more times. The wedding is such an emotional event and we work so closely I miss them all when it's over! But on to tomorrow, anticipating another awesome day. The other pics are of course my amazing pianist husband playing at one of my weddings and then of course my grandaughters right before their soccer game. I am anxiously waiting for the rain to subside so we can enjoy Spring and soccer!

Royal Wedding!

Everyone is talking about the Royal Wedding and getting soooo excited! Well I am too and want to catch some of it tomorrow morning but really every wedding is so special and can be considered royal. It is a very sacred and meaningful event where your life completly changes for the better. When we are single most things we consider are about what's best for us - after marriage it's more about what we can do to WOW our husband or wife and put them before self. Sometimes that's hard to do but marriage has a way of making us all better people and working toward selflessness!

I have a Royal Wedding I am coordinating tomorrow and then another on Saturday. Both are completely different styles and I will love them both. I get teary eyed at each ceremony watching all the hopes, dreams and happiness they portray.

So this weekend is my kickoff for my wedding season and I'm excited!

Easter!

What a wonderful time of year! I was thinking that maybe I needed to build an ark but today is sunny and beautiful and the rain has finally stopped. Can't help but think about what this weekend means and what really happened over 2000 years ago as they crucified Jesus and he was resurrected into His Father's arms on Easter Sunday to save each of us for those that have belief and faith in Him.....what incredible joy we can have with that assurance and, talk about love!!!....has anyone else ever loved you enough to die for you? I wish you all the joy I have in that amazing grace!!!!


And then talking about love...weddings are almost here and the brides and groom's are getting very excited. I am so looking forward to the weddings and all of that happiness and excitement. Here's my little word of advise to all brides out there...you have hired many awesome professionals to be a part of your day right? Now have confidence that they can do their job well. We will be talking to each other and getting things coordinated behind the scenes so you don't have to. Keep in mind that we all know each other and work so well together. We want you to have the most amazing wedding weekend and do promise to assist in that goal. So for just this once, pamper yourselves, take care of yourself in mind, body and spirit and come to your wedding day relaxed and smiling big for this day of your dreams!!!!

Sunset!

Wow! Today was amazing. I think it got up to 70 and it was sunny!!!! I actually watched a sunset out of my office window. The brides are getting so excited and that excitement is spilling over. I love weddings and my season officially begins on April 29. This year I am so ahead of the game and have met with many brides and grooms already to figure out their time lines and all. A predominate color this year is purple or eggplant. So many have chosen that. Linens really do make the room seem special. If you can afford that extra color it will raise your wedding a level. Then a theme is fun as well. I've seen brides do a travel theme, lovebirds, charity, their pets, fun flowers like Gerber Daisy's or romantic blush roses....whatever the theme and decor I encourage the couples to spend lots of time enjoying each other through the process. That is where I can help. I've seen way to many couples fight about silly details and by the time the wedding day arrives they have to heal scars...so be joyful....love much...and always..always put each other first!

Joy of all Joys!

Someone please pinch me...I have begged and prayed for my children to live close and never thought it would happen. Well they are not all in Columbus but now I have Amy, Kevin, Hannah, Grace, Emma and Joshua here just 7 minutes away, Jeff , Kelly, and Andy 15 - 20 minutes away and Jodi & John just 3 hours away in KY but we are hoping they will move back sometime soon too. When I get to just drop in and see my grand babies or they stop over I get so excited because it's still so new to me. What a blessing to be able to really be in their day to day world. It's amazing. I know our world is usually not like that and jobs separate people but I think that may be part of the breakdown of families these days...when you are young and raising kids it's hard to do it far away from family...you know they always say "It takes a village to raise a child!" Believe it because it definitely works better to have family support. Christa is still in college but Steve and I are praying already that she will stay around this area too.

I am looking forward to my husband's Valentine dinner concert this Sat. in Walnut Creek, Ohio and on Valentine's Day in Sugarcreek. He will be working very hard but for me it's a real vacation. I love it in Amish Country. As soon as you get there everything is so beautiful with the snow covered rolling hills. It's like stepping back in time. http://www.dutchmanonline.com/

Happy January!!!

Most people hate the winter - but me...I am loving it. I HAVE SO MUCH TIME!!!! First of all, I love walking in the snow because it is sooo refreshing...days where it is too cold I jump on my trampoline (in the house) and that makes me feel like I am about 10 again! I had a play date with my favorite little girls - Hannah, Grace and Emma yesterday. We played Wii golf and bowling, popped popcorn and watched a movie and of course had Jeni's Spendid Ice Cream. I've met with excited brides this week and I can say I am getting excited about this upcoming wedding season! Life is soooo good. Heading to an all girl's night out tonight! Stay warm and be very happy out there...

2011 Bridal Show!

It was busy-crazy-fun to see friends and meet many many brides - but I am glad it's over and am looking forward to this new year. The New Year is a great time to start over again with all of the knowledge of the year before...what you did right and what you want to change. There are many things I am going to do this year and one is create a better quality and quanity of down time for Steve and I....we love our weddings and Steve's music is his passion but sometimes we let it take over...this year will be different and I'm excited about that....and we know we can control it as long as we are aware that we need to keep a concentrated effort on it all....It's fun to lay out your year which we will be doing this month and make a business plan as well as a personal plan. I am excited to do that and then work the plan!!!