our anniversary!

Today is Jon and I's 2nd anniversary! {happy anniversary babe!}

The past 2 years have flown by and they've been pretty great...I'm blessed...

Today, a few photos from October 6, 2007 for you!

And we're headed to the beach for a vacation and to celebrate...we'll be back next week!
Have a great week...happy planning your special day that you'll celebrate each year on your anniversary!

{Photo above from our vacation in Florida, 10/06/2009}

mr + mrs stryker!

Katie and Kevin were married in Bloomington on October 3. It was a perfect day, Katie was gorgeous and Kevin wore his uniform from the Coast Guard.

Navy blue and platinum were perfect for the fall day...

Loved the large head table in the middle of the Tudor Room at the IMU...all of the bridal party and their dates were seated there with Katie and Kevin.
Katie did some great touches, such as this table so they could sit together, a fun appletini ice luge, and a delicious customized dinner with food stations.

Larissa Shroeder, a family friend of the bride's and high school friend of mine did the awesome floral.

It was so fun working with Katie and her mom on the wedding, and the bridal party was so great! It was one great party! Congratulations Mr and Mrs Stryker!

spring colors!...and fun with matching accessories…

Spring 2010 Pantone colors are out! They were released a few weeks ago at fashion week.

Take a look…

These are the colors that the experts say will be big in spring…

See any that you love? Colors you’d use for your wedding?

Also, check out this awesome site to put together the colors for your wedding, Dessy's Pantone Site!

You can explore how colors work together…upload images…and share your ideas and final product with your vendors! It's pretty great...

Dessy is a manufacturer of bridesmaid dresses (cute and stylish ones!) as well as destination gowns, flower girl dresses and more.

{Quilted Tote and Flip Flops from Dessy.com}

They recently released a couple of cute flip flops for only $15. They are must see (and if you buy dresses from there, they could match perfectly, ingenious!)! They also other coordinating accessories such as clutches, totes, & classic pearl jewelry.

Lastly, they have coordinating “doll dresses” for your flower girl. For $25 you can give your flower girl a memorable gift that matches what she will wear on your big day made just for her favorite doll….great idea…

Love it!

Rainy Day Weddings...

Rainy day in Bloomington today…and I started to think about rainy wedding days.
Even thought its said to be good luck to have rain on your wedding day, many brides-to-be start to cringe when they see rain drops predicted for their big day.
A way to brighten the day and have some fun might be beautiful umbrellas...for the couple, for the bride, for the bridal party, or guests! I just love the pictures of a kissing couple under the umbrella {rain or shine!}. Check out these fantastic options!

Pamela's Parasols: http://www.pamelasparasols.com/ {above}

They offer personalized umbrellas, and also "Pure & Simple" for less and an organics collection as well.

Bella Umbrella: http://bellaumbrella.com/
Vintage, polka dot, bridal options and more..as well as a rental option!

I Do Originals: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=31146814

www.idooriginals.com {more on them later!}

There are also several other options available on Etsy. Check it out!

Hopefully these ideas will start you thinking about turning rain drops into picture perfect moments...

Happy Planning!

happy first day of fall!

In honor of the first day of fall, some inspiration for a fall wedding or event! We love it!

Pumpkins and apples!

Or think about pears or pomegranates...

We love the idea of the shawls being used as gifts...and how practical are those dresses!

Happy Fall!





{Credits: Martha Stewart Weddings; cafemom.com; beau-coup.com; daffyapple.com; beau-coup.com; paperyandcakery.com; etsywedding.com; favorideas.com}

Customizing Your Wedding

{All photos from projectwedding.com}

Today, we feature some additional and unique ways you can customize your wedding and bring out your unique tastes and loves…

Have you ever considered creating a signature drink that matches your color scheme? A drink that satisfies your taste and color palette! Love it!

How about a dessert bar for the bride and groom with a sweet tooth! This goes beyond the traditional cake and expands into several items that can reflect what you both love.

Or beyond desserts, how about other food you both love for a "midnight snack" (pizza from the local place you love, cheeseburger sliders, or milkshakes!) or incorporated into the dinner. Consider a mashed potato bar, sushi, different ethnic foods, or favorite junk foods.
As I told one recent bride, its your day, your dinner! Don't mind what your guests might like or not, what do you and your groom want? What reflects you two?

Lastly..tired of cluttered tables at weddings? What about putting the place card on the back of the chair? This adds some fun visual interest to the chair, is cute, fun, and different! {picture above}

A beautiful sash could also be incorporated. I think this would also be great for showers, the rehearsal and other events!

You can also customize your wedding, by doing it "your way" at the reception. Dance first, cut the cake in between courses, don't have a formal meal...in the end it is your day and you should do it how the two of you want!

What other ideas do you have to do easy unique touches?

Happy Planning!

fun!

This is another video you have to check out!
For the Oprah show season opener (aired Thurs, Sept 10), the Black Eyes Peas performed "Tonight's Going to Be a Good Night" and thousands in the streets of Chicago joined in on the largest flash mob dance ever. It's awesome!

Have a great weekend!

What We're Loving Now!

This week has flown by...I can't believe its already Thursday!
We've been working on Megan and JD's wedding this weekend, and have also come across some awesome ideas and items on the web. Here's what we're loving now:

• Cute clutch from Etsy {above}! We think it would be great for bridesmaids or for yourself...fun, classic, great colors, and a bit unexpected. Also love that there is a small pocket on the inside for smaller items. Check them out at AngeeW's shop here.


• Cupcakes! Yes, cupcakes have been around forever, but we're loving these presentations and using them for different events besides the wedding. Both of these first images are from Vanilla Bake Shop in Santa Monica.
  
  

  

  Cupcakes can be a great option and the presentation can be just beautiful!
  
  This {below} is from Pink Cake Box and was designed for a bridal shower. Loving all the sweets--cake, cupckaes and cookies! That's our kind of shower! {Their blog has great ideas! Check out for awesome ideas and designs!}

  


• We've been thinking about table numbers and came upon this via the Southern Weddings Magazine blog {love them!, love southern weddings!}, check it out to start your wheels turning about great table numbers for your wedding!
• Lastly, keeping along the theme of sweets, I came across this company recently...they specialize in renting wedding cakes! That's right...why not save money and rent the tiered wedding cake that you'll cut for that special photo opp and use sheet cakes to serve to guests. They are gorgeous, and not just your traditional cake either. Check out Cake Rental and let me know what you think! {They did the cake in The Hangover movie this summer}

Happy Planning!