We had planned on marrying at a resort in California with only our maid of honor and best man. Everything was set.

Then my mom went back into the hospital. It all changed. I realized that family there to support us was paramount to leaving and getting married and bringing back photos.

So, in four short months, I totally changed our plans (thank goodness I was a corporate event planner at the time, NOT a wedding planner, but I had the skills).

In the end, it was the best decision and my family was totally on board with being present and enjoying seeing us taking our vows. Because we paid for our own wedding, it was small (which is what I wanted) and exactly what we had wanted (that’s what you get when you pay for your own wedding).

The reason this all came to mind, I was watching the Real Housewives of Orange County this week (don’t judge me). Vicki’s daughter went to Las Vegas and on a whim, got married to her boyfriend. Someone who Vicki barely had met in the past and didn’t know.

Immediately, I went to my son (who is about to turn 16 years old and was a little confused at the conversation), and informed him how incredibly disappointed I would be if he eloped. He promised he wouldn’t.

Not because I want to throw a lavish wedding, like many of our clients plan. But because I would be hurt to the core not to be present at his nuptials. He is my only child. I have to be there. Whether I like the person he has chosen, or not. If he is old enough to make the decision, I want to be there for that important event of his life. Weddings ARE about family. Sometimes it’s good, sometimes … it’s not that good.

This is a little rant and it is not to put down others who elope. But please, take into consideration everything. Changing our wedding plans was the best decision we ever made. My father walked me down the aisle, both my brothers were present, my husband’s sister was there and our true, personal friends. It made all the difference in the world … as we move to celebrate our 19 years of marriage this July 4th. I’m grateful that I had the perspective, in time, to make the right decision.

Few little things you should know about our little event planning company:

• Everyone starts out with an unpaid internship.
• Everyone is on commission basis only. Including the owner.
• This job is awesome.
• This job requires many hours on your feet with a constant smile.
• While occasional food tastings and picking out pretty linens are sometimes perks of the job, this is a real business and managing other people’s money and their once-in-a-lifetime event is serious and not taken lightly.
• Kiss your Friday nights, Saturday day and evenings goodbye. Can you hang with that?
• You must have a deep desire to serve people, while thinking 10 steps ahead.

…. and this is just the beginning.

photos: saundra’s iphone

This was a special occasion for our team and many months of planning went into their wedding. The most important thing was that we would be able to enjoy the reception with our husbands … and we did!

Here’s a sneak peak of Kerry and Chris’s wedding.

The beautiful photographs are from Amy Shepherd Photography and her lovely husband and 2nd shooter, Paul. Thank you both for your great work, positive energy and we can’t wait to see the rest of the images.

Love this photo and all our interesting details that we designed and created.

Thank you Sally from Welborn Events for fabulous floral artistry and collaborating with us on design. Your help with break in and striking helped us enjoy the reception.

Thank you Dave Kennedy for your always exceptional emcee work and keeping the party moving and dancing.

Thank you Eyenamics for your winning personality and soon-to-be-watching exceptional wedding film. Our homemade iPhone videos obviously won’t compare to yours.

Thank you Chris at Rapp Owen Granary for your kindness and awesome service. Wendy too! Always a treat to work with you ladies.

Thank you Andrew for the sweet golf carts in New Harmony. My legs heart you.

Thank you Piece of Cake for the delicious cake. Kerry ate almost the entire chocolate bottom the next day.

Thank you to all the church ladies at Johnston United Methodist Church that were open and warm to us at

Thank you New Harmony Inn, always a pleasure staying with you. Your customer service is exceptional.

Thank you, last but not least, Bauerhaus Catering and Tim March for your fabulous tasting food and really stepping up to make sure we all enjoyed the day.

Thank you Kerry and Chris … for being an EXCELLENT bride and groom. You were open, fun, excited and your guests felt your energy. Much love and years of happiness to you both!

It’s now THE WEDDING DAY !!!

The Finale …

ps We’ll be posting a wrap up with the highlight photos of the day, the stuff that went wrong and the amazing vendors that made it all happen.

It’s now FRIDAY before the wedding. Rehearsal time!

Part Three …

…next up, the WEDDING!

It’s now TUESDAY before the wedding.

Part Two …

…. more to come!

Part One …

… more to come!

You would think that planning your own wedding (when you ARE a wedding planner), would be easier. Not so. In fact, there tends to be more pressure! At every wedding we worked at together, Kerry would would talk about her own wedding (even before she was engaged). “I like this. I don’t  like this. We are not using that vendor. This idea is so cool! I don’t like those flowers.” You get the drift.

Kerry tried every single cake at every wedding, trying to choose the right flavor and cake designer. Please, she can use the extra calories. She watched every DJ carefully. She scrutinized venues. Decided on bar needs. The list goes on.

She even didn’t follow my own advice at times, which consequently, kinda back-fired on her. But I’m not one to tell her, I-told-you-so. Crud, I just did. We fixed it and moved on.

So planning a wedding, as a wedding planner, is not without its drama. She’s held up like a champ and I could not be more excited.

Over the next week we will be video taping the last week pre-wedding planning and the details. All the way up to her big day, on March 24th. This may even include a snapshot of her bachelorette party. You’ll want to come back and see these. It will be nothing short of amusing.

photo: amy shepherd photography

It was a great time seeing all the excited brides. In case you couldn’t make it, we wanted to show you our country chic wedding decor we created just for the special occasion.

Because photos are much better than reading about it, let’s get going …

If you liked these designs, contact us. We help you design your look and theme and help with all the details of your wedding that can be overlooked!

photos: saundra’s iphone

So this year, let’s talk about the best love movies of all times and not given enough credit. Thus sayeth, me. You’ll notice a theme when you read through them.

When in Rome Beside the fact that Kristen Bell is insanely adorable with a smoking body, she gets to kiss on screen Jeff Duhamel. *sigh* This movie is quirky, laugh out loud funny and makes you smile. The premise: you cannot fight fate.

The Proposal Are you surprised? Sandra Bullock is a fabulous actress (good call on dumping her real-life husband) and she co-stars with, Ryan Reynolds. Both have impeccable timing with comedy and when they actually kiss for real, it’s steamy. It’s a perfectly enjoyable love story that is filled with lies and sheer comedy (thank you Betty White for your cameo).

Sweet Home Alabama Reese Witherspoon and John Lucus. A combination that is pure heaven. Southern charm and accents, city slickers from New York, a small town in Alabama and love is everywhere. It physically makes me smile while watching it and tear up with sadness and happiness. Actually own this movie.

Say Anything If you are an 80′d child, then you KNOW this movie. There is something about John Cusack… you know he’s not the hottest man in the room, but he is, just so hot. And sincere. And quirky. The female lead, I could absolutely care less about Ione Skye, sorry, she just wasn’t what you would watch on TV. However there was definitely a spark. And the ending…. with him holding the boombox over his head, playing “In Your Eyes” by Peter Gabriel …. epic.

Notting Hill Let’s face it, Julia Roberts will and always be on some “love movie” list. She’s is awesome at this. And humor, which is a good thing. Now English films are quirky, but I like a lot of them. And while I realize Hugh Grant is not attractive. Not. At all. He does have a sort of charisma and self-deprecating charm. The movie plot is interesting (although almost 99% unbelievable) and the characters are interesting…. the sound track is pretty good too.

Letters to Juliet Did not see this one coming on the list, accidentally caught it on cable. Amanda Seyfried is unbelievably gorgeous and witty. Seriously, you can’t stop looking at her and that full head of blond hair. Her love interest is Christopher Egan (didn’t know who he was) but it totally worked. And the sheer plot is genius, all about fate and love … in Italy. For pete’s sake….

Hope Floats Oh hello there, Sandra Bullock. She is a natural as well for love and humor. I must be in love with Southern folks … I love their casualness, realness and let’s face it … boots and cowboy hats are cool. Harry Connick Jr. bats his long eyelashes and shows how a man should treat a woman.

Dan in Real Life Are you surprised? You should be. This is a seriously, eye opening and gut wrenching moving starring funny guy, Steve Carell. He’s a widower (pause for tissues) and falls in love with his brother’s girlfriend, Juliette Binoche. Just rent it … totally worth it. Great cameo by Dane Cook (the brother).