Aysha & Ryan's Wedding

It was a beautiful Thursday afternoon. The sun shone so brightly that we couldn't ask for a better weather. The ceremony was held on the Endless Bridge - Guthrie Theatre. With breathtaking architectural feature, the site was a great first impression. Aysha was truly a beautiful sight that I'm pretty sure Ryan's heart skipped a beat upon seeing her.

I first met Ryan & Aysha on a snowy October afternoon at Cafe Latte, St. Paul. Ryan was actually the one who contacted me and our first meeting was a total family affair. There were Ryan & Aysha, her mother, her sister and her best friend all present at the initial consultation. To my own amazement, I totally felt at home with them. They hired me on the spot - which was the highlight of my day.

The journey of planning their wedding was almost too good to be true (I'm not making this up!). They were so easy to get along with that almost everything (I said almost, of course there were a few bumps with other vendors along the way) went practically effortless.

For my very first Thursday wedding, this would be hard to top off. The reception at FIVE Event Center went smoothly despite the air conditioner decided to quit working that morning, but the crew was able to pull that off just 1/2 hour before the dinner started. Kudos to them! The site has a great lounge-y feel and the staff was awesome to work with!

Overall, it was an awesome experience and I am honored to be a part of their new beginning together.

PS: Did you know we re-use frappucino bottles from Starbuck as vases and Aysha's dad create a wood-bench masterpiece that the guests used to take pictures for the guest book! Wood slabs from Ryan's hometown in Wisconsin are used as a decor item on the dessert table and manzanita tree on the escort table.

Cheers!

Ceremony: The Guthrie Theater
Reception: FIVE Event Center
Catering: Cafe Ena
Photographer: Chris Emeott Photography
Videographer: Saved By Grace Studios
Dessert Table: Bee The Buzz Event

Pantone Color of The Year

Yes, I maybe a few months late. But I just learned today that Pantone's color of the year (2010) is the PANTONE® 15-5519 Turquoise, which according to www.pantone.com, "transports us to an exciting, tropical paradise while offering a sense of protection and healing in stressful times"

One place that reminds me to the "exciting, tropical paradise" is BALI, Indonesia. Yes, I may be biased because I was born in that country, but a lot has changed since the last time (and only time) I came to the island. Bali is now a world-class venue which hosts events, such as destination weddings, that attract people from all over the world. No wonder it is one of the most romantic places in Southeast Asia. Marcia Selva, the president of Global Spectrum and a specialist in travel to Southeast Asia said this about Bali, "Romance is something that is unexplained and these romantic places leave you wanting more. Southeast Asian culture is dreamy. It is seductive and sexy. (Bali) has that. They have the spiritually and the allure."

So, if you're considering the color turquoise for your wedding, I hope it does transport you to an exciting, tropical paradise that you've been dreaming of. The color itself is so refreshing, airy and uplifting. Wikipedia defines it as a "rare and valuable in finer grades and has been prized as a gem and ornamental stone for thousands of years owing to its unique hue". And with that, I wish you: Happy Planning!

Ring Pillows ... so yesterday!

I am a sucker for all things unique and out-of-the-box. This is one of them. Ring pillows are cute and pretty but take one step up and you've got a fantastic ring holder that can be matched to any wedding theme. Here are a few of my favorites:

What's for ... dessert?

As I was searching for inspiration on dessert bar table for my client's wedding, I came across this name: Amy Atlas. One word to describe her creation: AMAZING. It almost seems as if she was a painter and the dessert table is her canvas. I was completely mesmerized by the colors and dessert options that were laid on the table. I am totally inspired!

Working on revamping the website

I just received the first draft of the layout for my website and I am just giddy! I can't wait to see the final look! I'm also excited that we are going to do some photoshoots with some friends of mine who volunteered to be my models. Woohoo!
E-x-c-i-t-e-d!

I also just got a call from a groom-to-be who's planning his wedding in two months! Wow! I'm looking forward to meeting him and his fiance in person and see what we can produce together!

Bea

Matthew & Michelle's Wedding

It was an intimate, full-on romance type of a wedding. The location was the groom's parents house - which is located out on the country somewhere in Wisconsin. The house itself was gorgeous and the view from its deck was breathtaking. I was honored to be part of this special couple's wedding. This is a wedding that I will remember for a long time.

I had the pleasure of getting to know this couple with their sweetness and sincerety that are hardly found in people nowadays. I wish them a lifetime happiness and blessed marriage!

Flower & Design: Sadie's Floral
Linens & Rental: Arcee Rental
Food: Grecco's on the St. Croix
Flatware: Family heirloom
Photography: Wendy Woods Photography

Here is their full testimonial:
"We were extremely lucky to find Bea to help us with the day of our wedding. Although we only needed help on the actual day of the wedding due to the small size, Bea went out of her way to help us firm up those essential details that one always seems to overlook. She also went out of her way to visit the wedding venue before the reception despite my horrible directions to the location in middle of no-where Wisconsin. On the actual day of the wedding, Bea showed up early in great spirits despite driving around town on our request to pick up the last food items and desserts for the reception. She then proceeded to orchestrate our contractors including the flowers, designer and chefs so that we could concentrate on getting ready. Once the reception was in full swing, Bea returned to the church to clean up so that we would not have to worry the next day. In all, our wedding would not have been as wonderful or easy as it was without Bea who handled everything, even the hiccups, with a positive and engaging attitude. We strongly recommend Bea to anyone who wants their day to go off without a hitch." - Matthew and Michelle M.

Have you said "I love you" today?

Yes, I purposely timed this to not be on Valentine's day or any day that has any thing to do with love. Today is Friday - an ordinary day. But today is the perfect day to say "I love you" to your special someone. Why?

Because in the midst of all the planning and stressing over which linens go with which silverwares, there is another person who is craving for your attention. And that person is the one whom you eventually share your toothpaste with (only if you want to) and perhaps a little bit of that piece of chicken that you've been salivating over the last week (again, only if you're the sharing kind).

So, go over to your fiance/spouse/partner-in-crime (ha!) and say "I love you". Right now. Whether you want to say it out loud (while reading this blog), or send out a text message, or write it on that foggy bathroom mirror, that's completely up to you. In times when they don't expect it, these three little words matter most.

In the 7 years that I have been married to my husband. We always make the time to say "I love you" even when only the slightest opportunity arises. It helps to make our marriage stronger and our children - guess what - happier. Isn't love grand? It fills everyone surrounds it with joy! And it also builds trust which is the essence of a good marriage. I am no marriage counselor, but I can share that a marriage without trust is like sitting on the passanger seat in car where you may have a hidden built-in injector seat that can pop you out of the roof when you want to get out.

Call me old-fashioned, but I believe in spending the rest of your life with someone you love. I don't believe that people can fall "out of love" - unless there is something as extreme as domestic violence. I believe every marriage is worth saving for.

And as far as my clients, I want their marriages to last longer than the wedding preparations. I always take it personally when a client hires me for my services. I not only focus on their wedding, but I want them to think further into the marriage. Their long-lasting happiness is what I wish for them well after the wedding. I care for them not only during the stage leading up to the wedding, but far beyond into the future.

I wish them (and you) a fabulous wedding and a "love-me-forever" marriage.

Cheers! - adopted from my current clients whom I just adore!