The Busy Blog

We're hiring for Spring 2017!

2017-01-06T06:44:00.001-08:00

We are excited to announce OUR TEAM IS GROWING & we'd love to consider you to join the family if your interests align with our needs.

Currently, we are looking to fill One Seasonal Internship Position with a multi-talented individual looking to become an integral part of TBB and our Brand for Spring of 2017. We are considering a variety of skill sets to help build the TBB brand in a positive direction & are seeking an individual with expertise in areas we see growth.

If you have a passion for all things wedding, events & brand development, please take a close look at the job qualifications & descriptions below as well as how & where to send your application.

Job Qualifications:

Detail Oriented & Highly Motivated
Enthusiastic & Personable {we are people persons!}
Creative Thinker & Doer {our craft is creativity.}
Must possess Strong Organizational Skills
Excellent Writing & Communication Skills
Ability to "Think On Toes" & come up with working solutions on location
Ability to Represent The Brand in a positive light in social media, writing & in person
Willing & Excited to Produce Blog & Social Media Content
Proficient with Social Media Platforms {a job that requires you to be on Instagram? what?}
Ability to Take Direction & Execute Flawless Events
Ability to Take Initiative in order to grow the TBB brand
Ability to Stand On Feet for many hours at a time & to Move Quickly {it's like a free gym membership... kind of}
Availability to Work Nights & Weekends {don't worry, we take off on Mondays}
Ability to Report to Orlando Office {must have personal & reliable source of transportation}
Ability to Report to Event Locations in & outside of Orlando {we love to travel!}
Willing to Run Errands as needed {required to shop? ok!}
Personal Laptop
Not opposed to Eating Cake for Breakfast & Sipping on Fancy Lattes

Job Descriptions:

Title: TBB Intern
Available for Internship: Spring 2017
Hours: 16-20 hours per week
The TBB Intern will work alongside the lead planners in order to learn the wedding & event planning process and gain first-hand experience in producing real events during the Spring 2017 Wedding Season. Weekly activities include organizing & maintaining office operations, assisting event planners in file keeping, crafting, planning, event setup & coordination & assisting with social media updates.

To Apply:

If you believe you have what it takes & would be a great asset to The Busy Bee team, please send your resume to TheBusyBeeJobOp@outlook.com for consideration WITH the job title, TBB Intern, listed as the subject line. Please be sure to include the following:

Cover Letter & Resume
A photo of you at a recent celebration
A brief statement describing why you're a great fit for TBB

We wish you many blessings in the weeks to come & we cannot wait to hear from you!

We're Hiring for Fall 2016!

2016-07-12T16:18:00.000-07:00

Can you believe it's that time again!? Where did Spring and Summer go? We guess time really does fly when you're having fun and that's just what we've been doing!

We are excited to announce OUR TEAM IS GROWING & we'd love to consider you to join the family if your interests align with our needs.

Currently, we are looking to fill Two Seasonal Internship Position with a multi-talented individuals looking to become an integral part of TBB and our Brand for Fall of 2016. We are considering a variety of skill sets to help build the TBB brand in a positive direction & are seeking individuals with expertise in areas we see growth.

If you have a passion for all things wedding, events & brand development, please take a close look at the job qualifications & descriptions below as well as how & where to send your application.

Job Qualifications:

Detail Oriented & Highly Motivated
Enthusiastic & Personable {we are people persons!}
Creative Thinker & Doer {our craft is creativity.}
Must possess Strong Organizational Skills
Excellent Writing & Communication Skills
Ability to "Think On Toes" & come up with working solutions on location
Ability to Represent The Brand in a positive light in social media, writing & in person
Willing & Excited to Produce Blog & Social Media Content
Proficient with Social Media Platforms {a job that requires you to be on Instagram? what?}
Ability to Take Direction & Execute Flawless Events
Ability to Take Initiative in order to grow the TBB brand
Ability to Stand On Feet for many hours at a time & to Move Quickly {it's like a free gym membership... kind of}
Availability to Work Nights & Weekends {don't worry, we take off on Mondays}
Ability to Report to Orlando Office {must have personal & reliable source of transportation}
Ability to Report to Event Locations in & outside of Orlando {we love to travel!}
Willing to Run Errands as needed {required to shop? ok!}
Personal Laptop
Not opposed to Eating Cake for Breakfast & Sipping on Fancy Lattes

Job Descriptions:

Title: TBB Intern
Available for Internship: Fall 2016
Hours: 16-20 hours per week
The TBB Intern will work alongside the lead planners in order to learn the wedding & event planning process and gain first-hand experience in producing real events during the Fall 2016 Wedding Season. The TBB Intern will also help produce & ship orders purchased through TBB's Online Shop. Weekly activities include organizing & maintaining office operations, assisting event planners in file keeping, planning, event setup & coordination & assisting with social media updates.

To Apply:

Cover Letter & Resume
A photo of you at a recent celebration
A brief statement describing why you're a great fit for TBB

We wish you many blessings in the weeks to come & we cannot wait to hear from you!

We're Hiring for Spring 2016!

2015-12-01T13:52:00.001-08:00

It's been awhile since we've been on here, and we've missed you! Our Shop has launched & has been doing amazing, which has left us with little time to blog! But we're back & we are excited to announce that we are looking to expand in the Spring!!

OUR TEAM IS GROWING & we'd love to consider you to join the family if your interests align with our needs.

Currently, we are looking to fill One Seasonal Internship Position with a multi-talented individual looking to become an integral part of TBB and our Brand for Spring of 2016. We are considering a variety of skill sets to help build the TBB brand in a positive direction & are seeking an individual with expertise in areas we see growth.

If you have a passion for all things wedding, events & brand development, please take a close look at the job qualifications & descriptions below as well as how & where to send your application.

Job Qualifications:

Detail Oriented & Highly Motivated
Enthusiastic & Personable {we are people persons!}
Creative Thinker & Doer {our craft is creativity.}
Must possess Strong Organizational Skills
Excellent Writing & Communication Skills
Ability to "Think On Toes" & come up with working solutions on location
Ability to Represent The Brand in a positive light in social media, writing & in person
Willing & Excited to Produce Blog & Social Media Content
Proficient with Social Media Platforms {a job that requires you to be on Instagram? what?}
Ability to Take Direction & Execute Flawless Events
Ability to Take Initiative in order to grow the TBB brand
Ability to Stand On Feet for many hours at a time & to Move Quickly {it's like a free gym membership... kind of}
Availability to Work Nights & Weekends {don't worry, we take off on Mondays}
Ability to Report to Orlando Office {must have personal & reliable source of transportation}
Ability to Report to Event Locations in & outside of Orlando {we love to travel!}
Willing to Run Errands as needed {required to shop? ok!}
Personal Laptop
Not opposed to Eating Cake for Breakfast & Sipping on Fancy Lattes

Job Descriptions:

Title: TBB Intern
Available for Internship: Spring 2016
Hours: 16-20 hours per week
The TBB Intern will work alongside the lead planners in order to learn the wedding & event planning process and gain first-hand experience in producing real events during the Spring 2016 Wedding Season. The TBB Intern will also help produce & ship orders purchased through TBB's Online Shop.Weekly activities include organizing & maintaining office operations, assisting event planners in file keeping, planning, event setup & coordination & assisting with social media updates.

To Apply:

Cover Letter & Resume
A photo of you at a recent celebration
A brief statement describing why you're a great fit for TBB

We wish you many blessings in the weeks to come & we cannot wait to hear from you!

We're Hiring for Fall 2015!

2015-07-24T05:49:00.001-07:00

It seriously feels like yesterday we were announcing the same news for the Spring Wedding Season but we must have blinked! Spring came & went & who knows where Summer has gone, but we are now excited to announce that we are looking to expand in the Fall!!

OUR TEAM IS GROWING & we'd love to consider you to join the family if your interests align with our needs.

Currently, we are looking to fill Two Seasonal Internship Positions with multi-talented individuals looking to become an integral part of TBB and our Brand for Fall of 2015. We are considering a variety of skill sets to help build the TBB brand in a positive direction & are seeking individuals with expertise in areas we see growth.

If you have a passion for all things wedding, events & brand development, please take a close look at the job qualifications & descriptions below as well as how & where to send your application.

Job Qualifications:

Detail Oriented & Highly Motivated
Enthusiastic & Personable {we are people persons!}
Creative Thinker & Doer {our craft is creativity.}
Must possess Strong Organizational Skills
Excellent Writing & Communication Skills
Ability to "Think On Toes" & come up with working solutions on location
Ability to Represent The Brand in a positive light in social media, writing & in person
Willing & Excited to Produce Blog & Social Media Content
Proficient with Social Media Platforms {a job that requires you to be on Instagram? what?}
Ability to Take Direction & Execute Flawless Events
Ability to Take Initiative in order to grow the TBB brand
Ability to Stand On Feet for many hours at a time & to Move Quickly {it's like a free gym membership... kind of}
Availability to Work Nights & Weekends {don't worry, we take off on Mondays}
Ability to Report to Orlando Office {must have personal & reliable source of transportation}
Ability to Report to Event Locations in & outside of Orlando {we love to travel!}
Willing to Run Errands as needed {required to shop? ok!}
Personal Laptop
Not opposed to Eating Cake for Breakfast & Sipping on Fancy Lattes

Job Descriptions:

Title: TBB Intern
Available for Internship: Fall 2015
Hours: 16-20 hours per week
The TBB Intern will work alongside the lead planners in order to learn the wedding & event planning process and gain first-hand experience in producing real events during the Fall 2015 Wedding Season. Weekly activities include organizing & maintaining office operations, assisting event planners in file keeping, planning, event setup & coordination & assisting with social media updates.

To Apply:

Cover Letter & Resume
A photo of you at a recent celebration
A brief statement describing why you're a great fit for TBB

We wish you many blessings in the weeks to come & we cannot wait to hear from you!

She Said Yes! To the Dress >> A Styled Bridal Luncheon

2015-06-26T07:27:00.001-07:00

Hello, Friend! How are you?? We've been meaning to write but with the onset of our Spring event season that quickly turned into Summer, here we are halfway through the year & we have so much to share!

To start, we wanted to share this adorable shoot we had the pleasure of coordinating, designing & styling, captured by our talented friend Amalie of Amalie Orrange Photography. (p.s. Amalie just refined her website & you should totally go check out her beautiful work, especially if you are in the market for a professional wedding photographer! You won't be disappointed.). We'd also like to note, this shoot would not have been possible without the seamless collaboration with such a fabulous team of wedding professionals! Seriously, look at all this pretty & we just had so much fun bringing it to life!

Not sure if you've noticed but we only commit to a specified number of styled shoots in a year in order to allocate more of our time to our beloved clients. With that being said, we do have to admit we love the creative freedom styled shoots allow & the opportunity provided to partner with some major talent! Our shoots are derived from sorts of deep-seated senses of inspiration that basically {need} to be brought to the surface, whether it be our own inklings or ones brought to our attention with our favorite question of the trade, "Can you help me bring this to life?"

Why, yes! Yes, we'd love to! We thought you'd never ask!

So, if you have been following along, you likely took note of our most recent sneak peeks or maybe you scrolled ahead here because you couldn't help yourself & you can probably guess our inspiration behind this particular shoot... {are the honeycombs & bright yellow tones ringing any bells??}

Without further ado, we present to you "She Said Yes! To The Dress", a styled shoot inspired by the joyous occasion of deciding on THE dress for your special day. Because why aren't we celebrating bigger for the second biggest "YES!" since he popped the question, ladies?!

He'll probably argue, "It's just another excuse to get together with your besties", & well, we couldn't agree more! So "Cheers!" to you on finding THE one {your dress & your fiancé} & to the ones who have been by your side all along! You are going to be one beautiful bride!

{The Wonderful Team of Wedding Professionals:}

Concept | Planning | Design | Stationery: The Busy Bee Events & Design

Photographer: Amalie Orrange Photography

Cinematography: Ivory & Iron

Venue: A Private Residence in Winter Park, FL

Bridal Gown | Shop: Calvet Couture Bridal

Floral Design: Andi Mans Weddings

Dessert Bar | Cake: P is For Pie

Wardrobe: Susie Q Boutique

Rentals: A Chair Affair

Sparkling Flavored Water: ONLI Beverages

Cupcakes: Smallcakes

Custom Vases: Sarah Hearts

Linens | Flatware: West Elm

Custom Metallic Honeycomb Plates | Glassware: The Busy Bee Events & Design

Pillows: Target

Hair & Makeup: About Face Design Team

Gift Guide >> Mother's Day

2015-05-03T18:08:00.003-07:00

Today officially marks one week until Mother's Day! If you're still looking for some great gifts for mom, we've created just the guide for you.

With Wedding Season in full bloom, it's hard not to find ourselves thinking of Mom. Mom is the one that dreams of your wedding day along with feeling your first kick. She is the one that wonders if He is "the one" upon meeting your new boyfriend. Mom is the one that jumps up and down with you after he proposes, and she's the one that cries with you as you say "Yes to The Dress!" Mom is the special one that makes sure every detail comes together on your Big Day, and she doesn't miss a beat. We are all so grateful for Mom and couldn't think of any better way than to shower her with love on this special day in May!

Rifle Paper Co: CITRUS FLORAL RECIPE BOX

What better way to honor Mom than to remind her of all your favorite childhood recipes with this Citrus Floral Rifle Paper Co. Recipe Box?! Write her a sweet card and slip it into the box so when she's making dinner one night, she'll stumble upon your sweet words. And who doesn't love a little Citrus Floral to spruce up their kitchen décor? We are certain Mom will!

LEGACYBOX

One of our favorite memories as children was watching old home movies with Mom. There was something so powerful in knowing the details in life that existed before us; Our Mother's life. Legacybox is a way to treat Mom to a chance to be able to share more of her special moments with those she loves. It preserves all recorded memories onto a DVD. Simple as that! Let her know that her life means as much to you as your life means to her.

Jessica N Designs

Nothing says "I love You Mom" better than a hot cup off coffee and these amazing hand-stamped spoons by Jessica N Designs. Every Mom relies on that one, or three, cups of coffee to keep them going through the day, and when you add a sweet spoon like this, we know it'll put an even bigger smile on her face.

TomDesign

Last but certainly not least, we are absolutely in love with the entire TomDesign collection! These Initial Stackable Bracelets are perfect for Mom to layer with all of her jewelry. And think of all the possibilities! Whether you choose your initials, her initials or create a set to spell out "Mom", these gold treasures are a beautiful reminder of how much she is appreciated, especially when we don't always have an opportunity to say it.

Chris & Christina

2015-03-25T17:21:00.000-07:00

Hello & happy #weddingwednesday to you all!

Today we come to you with a post full of pure prettiness & a heart full of joy.

You see, when we finally became The Busy Bee, we had no idea how much joy it would bring us. Yes, we knew it would make us happy, but joy; joy comes on a whole different level.

Joy is found in those moments when everything comes together so perfectly; when you get to sit back & take it all in; when you see a couple that once were complete strangers are now true friends kiss each other & say "I Do" to forever. That's when your heart becomes overwhelmed with joy. That's exactly what Chris & Christina's wedding day brought to us. And that's exactly what these images bring to us today.

When Chris & Christina came to us early last year, they came to us with a vision in mind & love in their hearts. We knew it was real just by watching him blush as he looked at her. And she? She couldn't help but break a smile every time she looked at him.

We can still remember the day we met Christina & leaving our meeting knowing we wanted nothing more than to be a part of their special day. Oh the joy we experienced when they invited us to share with them the most significant day of their lives celebrating the love they have for one another! True love friends is the kind of love these two exemplify & we would do just about anything to relive their beautiful wedding day. And since their day has come & gone, we will gladly sit here & enjoy these gorgeous images captured by one very talented photographer, our friend Amalie of Amalie Orrange Photography. We hope you enjoy them just as much as we do!

{Escort Card Drink Stirrers}

{The Wonderful Team of Wedding Professionals:}

Wedding Planner: The Busy Bee Events & Design

Ceremony & Reception: Winter Park Racquet Club

Pre Ceremony Photos & Getting Ready Rooms: The Alfond Inn

Photographer: Amalie Orrange Photography

Cinematography: Ivory & Iron

Florist: Lee Forrest Design

Rentals: A Chair Affair

Linens: Over the Top

Custom Escort Card Drink Stirrers & Calligraphy: LH Caligraphy

Chalk Art: The Busy Bee Events & Design

Cake Design: The Sugar Suite

DJ: Soundwave Entertainment

Lighting: Get Lit Productions

Photo Booth: Amalie Orrange Photography

Hair & Makeup: Makeover Station

Bridal Gown: Solutions Bridal

Chris + Christina >> November 22, 2014

2015-03-11T09:09:00.000-07:00

It's {Wedding Wednesday}!!

We know it's been a while since we last posted here, but we are happy to be back and say "Hello" with a bang! Chris and Christina's wedding video is complete, & we were left speechless by the amazing footage caught by the ever-so-talented Seth Dunlap of Ivory & Iron.

We knew this video would be nothing short of breathtaking after viewing the same day edit clip Seth showed us during their wedding reception. We were left with dropped jaws & teary eyes.

After months of planning and designing Chris and Christina's Wedding at The Winter Park Racquet Club, we knew we wouldn't want the day to end. We hope you take a moment to witness the love between these two & see how it all came together. Stay tuned for detailed photos from the talented Amalie Orrange Photography.

B L A C K M O N | W E D D I N G V I D E O

Photo By: Amalie Orrange Photography

We're Hiring For Spring 2015!

2015-01-02T16:06:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year, Friends! And what a good year it's looking to be!

It's hard to believe how far we've come since this time last year & how much fun we've had along the way! 2014 was a year defined by momentous growth for The Busy Bee & with our goals set for 2015, we are looking to keep the momentum going.

With that, growth generates opportunity & opportunity requires an adequate team to make it all happen. So, what does that mean?

OUR TEAM IS GROWING & we'd love to consider you to join the family if your interests align with our needs.

Currently, we are looking to fill Two Seasonal Internship Positions with multi-talented individuals looking to become an integral part of TBB and our brand long term. We are considering a variety of skill sets to help build the TBB brand in a positive direction & are seeking individuals with expertise in areas we see growth. We hope to see the position evolve & expand as the company continues to grow.

If you have a passion for all things wedding, events & brand development, please take a close look at the job qualifications & descriptions below as well as how & where to send your application.

Job Qualifications:

Detail Oriented & Highly Motivated
Enthusiastic & Personable {we are people persons!}
Creative Thinker & Doer {our craft is creativity.}
Must possess Strong Organizational Skills
Excellent Writing & Communication Skills
Ability to "Think On Toes" & come up with working solutions on location
Ability to Represent The Brand in a positive light in social media, writing & in person
Willing & Excited to Produce Blog & Social Media Content
Proficient with Social Media Platforms {a job that requires you to be on Instagram? what?}
Ability to Take Direction & Execute Flawless Events
Ability to Take Initiative in order to grow the TBB brand
Ability to Stand On Feet for many hours at a time & to Move Quickly {it's like a free gym membership... kind of}
Availability to Work Nights & Weekends {don't worry, we take off on Mondays}
Ability to Report to Orlando Office {mainly Tuesdays & Wednesdays; must have personal & reliable source of transportation}
Ability to Report to Event Locations in & outside of Orlando {we love to travel!}
Willing to Run Errands as needed {required to shop? ok!}
Personal Laptop
Not opposed to Eating Cake for Breakfast & Sipping on Fancy Lattes

Job Descriptions:

Title: TBB Intern
Available for Internship: Spring 2015
Hours: 16-20 hours per week
The TBB Intern will work alongside the lead planners in order to learn the wedding & event planning process and gain first-hand experience in producing real events during the Spring 2015 Wedding Season. Weekly activities include organizing & maintaining office operations, assisting event planners in file keeping, planning, event setup & coordination & assisting with social media updates.

To Apply:

Cover Letter & Resume
A photo of you at a recent celebration
A brief statement describing why you're a great fit for TBB

We wish you many blessings in the new year & we cannot wait to hear from you!

Nicole + Mark >> April 05, 2014

2014-11-14T08:32:00.000-08:00

Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate was by far a gorgeous backdrop for an April Spring Wedding. Skies were blue, there was a sweet breeze in the air & a happy couple eager to say "I do!"

Nicole & Mark's wedding was filled with laughter, tears of joy & gorgeous elegant wedding décor. With champagne chargers, custom wine stoppers as favors & tall classic floral centerpieces created by the ever-so-talented Lee Forrest Design, there was something beautiful to catch your eye everywhere you looked.

We truly enjoyed working with Nicole & Mark, as well as all the amazing vendors who helped make the day seamless! We wish you both a lifetime of happiness!

{The Wonderful Team of Wedding Professionals:}

Wedding Coordinators: The Busy Bee Events & Design, LLC
Ceremony: Corpus Christi Catholic Church
Reception: Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate
Photography: Thirteenth Moon Photography
Videography: Walking Saloon Pictures
Chairs: A Chair Affair, Inc.
Florist: Lee Forrest Design
DJ & Lighting: Soundwave Entertainment
Cake: Party Flavors
Transportation: Apollos Chariots

Love Is In The Air >> Wedding Inspiration

2014-11-05T09:38:00.001-08:00

In honor of Sabrina & Patrick's wedding this past Sunday at The Grand Bohemian Hotel, we are excited to feature our travel inspired styled shoot with Bumby of Bumby Photography & Lauren at Every Last Detail. When the opportunity came to create a styled shoot based on a real couple, we instantly knew Sabrina & Patrick's story would be the one to tell.

When Patrick met Sabrina, it was love at first flight. Their love for travel has enriched their relationship & has brought them to far-away places they could only dream of. With Patrick following closely in his father & grandfather’s footsteps & becoming a pilot, the sky’s the limit when it comes to traveling.

Most days, Patrick is navigating the airways leaving Sabrina with their two pups to hold down the hangar in The City Beautiful. Even with his hectic travel schedule, Patrick manages to find time to be there for his fiancé, especially when times get tough. He always seems to know how to ease the pain with soothing words, a light joke & an inviting shoulder to lean on. That’s what Sabrina loves most about him & that’s how she came to know he was THE one.

And wouldn’t you know? Patrick proposed to Sabrina during their travels! This time he took her to Breckenridge, Colorado for her birthday where they drove through the mountains to a place called Sapphire Point. As they made their way down the snowy path, a light snow began to fall around them & drew them closer as they bundled up at the edge of the overlook taking in the winter white capped scenery. It was all he could do to get down on one knee & ask her to be his co-pilot for as long as they both shall live. She knew her answer long before he asked.

And so, this shoot was inspired by their love; by their journey as a couple. It depicts who they are & how they became to be. There is nothing more inspiring than the love these two have for one another. Whenever we are with them, we are immediately filled with that feeling- Love Is In The Air.

When we sat down to create the inspiration board, we knew we wanted a vintage feel with a modern twist. A “Modern Pan Am Era” if you will. We desired a color palette that popped, complemented by a warm undertone. With that, we started with Pantone’s color of the year, Radiant Orchid, contrasting it with a cool mint, ocean blues & a dab of raspberry.

As we continued to brainstorm, there was one thing that kept coming to mind as we fantasized about travel- a world map & so we knew we had to incorporate one as a focal point. After searching & searching for the perfect depiction, we fell in love with the idea of a hand-painted, watercolor piece to double as a backdrop. What better fun than a photo booth? And what’s a photo booth without themed props? It’s the perfect recipe to create fun memories on such a special occasion.

Additionally, the carefully chosen décor provided the perfect mix of vintage-modern. Mixed metallics, vintage luggage, paper airplanes & travel inspired trinkets helped achieve the look we envisioned. And when Patrick’s mother offered his grandfather’s pilot accessories to use as we wished, we were over the moon.

The 3-tiered cake and the over-abundance of floral provided plenty of color & just enough modern to our vintage. The cake pulled in the watercolors showcased in the map backdrop & featured more of the cool mint & raspberry hues. The overflowing floral arrangements incorporated more of the color palette while the soft succulents helped maintain the modernity of the shoot. The perfect combination if you ask us.

And how would their guests know to prepare to take flight? By receiving a custom airline ticket inviting them to the ultimate takeoff, of course! As guests arrive to the exclusive aerodrome, they are directed to the ticket counter where boarding passes depict their specific gate number for the reception. A custom chalk departure board provides each guest with their destination & special remarks detailing Sabrina & Patrick’s journey. Everyone is invited along for the ride.

And what better way to showcase the loving couple than to host their romantic affair amongst vintage aircraft where Patrick adorned his pilot’s uniform & captain’s wings & Sabrina slipped into a vintage-modern gown coupled with a feather hair fascinator. Her retro inspired updo & classic makeup completed the entire look. These two were made for this shoot & quite possibly born in the wrong era. Wouldn’t you agree?

Now, sit back, relax and enjoy the flight!

{Check out some behind the scenes & for the full feature, please visit Every Last Detail}

{Everything Cake}

{The Busy Bee Events & Design}

{Lee Forrest Design}

{Tracie Cervero}

{Brie & Brie}

{The Wonderful Team of Wedding Professionals}

Planning & Design: The Busy Bee Events & Design, LLC
Photography: Bumby Photography
Publisher: Every Last Detail
Location: Eagles Nest Aerodrome & Seaplane Base
Florist & Decor: Lee Forrest Design
Linens: Over The Top Linens
Chairs, Chargers, Table Numbers: A Chair Affair
Cake: Everything Cake
Hairstylist: Brie & Brie
Make-Up Artist: Tracie Cervero
Wedding Gown: Calvet Couture Bridal
Invitations & Stationary: Pretty Peacock Paperie

Danielle + Kirby>> April 26, 2014

2014-10-29T11:12:00.001-07:00

It's always fun when you go way back with either the Bride or Groom, and even sometimes both!

When we were approached by Danielle to design Save The Dates, we had no idea that we'd be blessed to join their entire wedding journey; including their engagement photos, designing of their save the dates, and then coordinating their amazing backyard wedding in Gainesville, Florida.

We actually went to high school with Kirby, and when we learned that Danielle was his bride to be, we felt so much joy in joining their journey!

And so it began....

Kirby and Danielle hired Jenna to photograph their Engagement Photos, and had asked if she'd be willing to capture their Big Day. Jenna was thrilled to take part in such a special way, so we divided and conquered. Shannon coordinated, and Jenna played photographer for the day.

Gainesville in April is definitely hot, but the way this family transformed the backyard into a wedding venue instantly made you forget how hot it was and had you thinking of love, dancing, and having a great time with friends and family!

ENJOY!

{Programs}

{Chalk Art}

We wish you both so much happiness in all the years to come! Thank you so much for allowing us to be a part of your BIG day!!

{The Wonderful Team of Wedding Professionals:}

Wedding Coordinators: The Busy Bee Events & Design, LLC
Ceremony & Reception: Private Residence
Photography: Jenna Dail
Rentals: Party Time Rentals
Florist: Gainesville Floral Exchange
Caterer: Celebrations Catering
Band: AJ Entertainment
Cake & Desserts: Gigi's Cupcakes

Danielle + Bart >> April 20, 2014

2014-10-23T09:04:00.001-07:00

Hi Friends! We hope this finds you doing well!

It's been a while... too long for our liking but we've been busy little bees over here & sadly, our poor blog falls by the wayside. It's sad because we've been a part of some wonderful weddings over the past year & have yet to share them with you.

Let this be the start to our conscious effort to share what we've been up to & the beautiful love stories we've been honored to be a part of thus far.

We hope you enjoy the journey just as much as we have!

---------

Take us back to the gorgeous Easter Day at Rosen Shingle Creek as we celebrated the love between these two. Danielle & Bart were such a sweet couple to work along side of. We loved every little detail incorporated into their gorgeous wedding, including the Easter Basket favors & their sweet pup Cookie walking down as the ring bearer before Danielle made her grand entrance! We wish you both nothing but pure happiness and a lifetime of love!

{The Wonderful Team of Wedding Professionals:}

Wedding Coordinators: The Busy Bee Events & Design, LLC
Ceremony & Reception: Rosen Shingle Creek
Photography: Norman Yu
Rentals: Orlando Wedding & Party Rentals
DJ: Crystal Lake Productions
Officiant: Sensational Ceremonies
Harpist: Perficio, Inc.

Indiana Coh!

2014-09-05T12:49:00.002-07:00

{From the Desk of: Jenna Marie}

{Invitation}

Wait a minute, I have a FOUR year old? When did that happen? I guess I can kiss "feeling in my twenties" goodbye, and embrace the feeling of OLD.

Only kidding! Four is actually an interesting age. Although it sounds so long ago that I gave birth to a beautiful baby boy, it still reminds me I have a little bit of that fun and adventurous side to me. Cohban brings out the inner child in me, even when I feel like I'm 40 most days.

4 years ago, God blessed us with our oldest, Cohban Douglas. He was quiet the first few minutes of being born, but that changed quickly. He's our wild child, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

He made the quite the entrance, not waiting for Daddy to come home from Kuwait, and was wrapped around his Mommy's fingers immediately.

Our four year old takes after his father with the love of movies, sports, and anything Disney. Last year I began thinking of ideas for Cohban's 4th birthday; Pizza Planet, All Things Toy Story, Sports, etc, but our four year old has a mind of his own, and the days of Mommy choosing the theme are long past us. Coh asked nicely for an Indiana Jones party, with all things "good guys and bad guys." He's all boy I tell you.

This could not have made Nick any happier. And the planning began!

We decided to plan both Maddie Lu's and Coh's birthdays on the same day. It was just easier for us, as well as having all the family in town already made it more convenient. So many ideas popped up in my head while planning the party, but simple took over, and I couldn't be any more happy.

We decided since it was a hot day in July the kids could enjoy a day splashing in the pool while celebrating with yummy food and great goodie bags.

Take a look and ENJOY:

{Fondant Cupcake Toppers: Everything Cake}

Game Time: Mummy Game!

Cohban Douglas, Cocomo, Coh Coh, Monkey, Munster, Brother, my little man- at four you have shown me what it means to live. Your days are filled with giggles, lots of energy, cuddles with sister, many many I love you's and I miss you's, crashing, jumping, learning, and sarcastic comments. You love dressing up as Super Heroes and Indiana Jones, running across the living room and whipping toys in sight. There's not a night that goes by that you don't ask to cuddle your Daddy because "You love him so much," and there's never a morning that you jump up and beg to wake your sister because "You just want to play with her!" Your heart is so sweet, and your hands are the perfect size to hold. I thank God every day for blessing us with you, and for all the greatest that YOU are. I pray that as life gives you challenges that you keep your faith in God, and keep singing "How great is our Lord" on top of your lungs. I pray that you keep the love in your heart, the joy in your eyes, and the peace in your smile. I pray that you succeed far beyond anything you dream of, and that you continue to live in your free spirit, wild child ways! What would a day be without all that energy afterall? I love you so much Monkey man, and I pray 4 is the best year yet!

You are my Sunshine.

2014-08-08T09:51:00.000-07:00

{From the Desk of: Jenna Marie}

July 20, 2013, Nick & I welcomed a beautiful baby girl into this world. She weighed 7lbs 05oz & she melted our hearts the second we locked eyes.

Just looking into Maddie Lu's eyes, you feel like she's filled with all the Sunshine God has to offer. She lights up your day in just one glance.

While I held my new born baby in my arms, I couldn't help but sing,

Can you believe it's been a year?! I most certainly can't. It feels like yesterday I was begging her to come! I was very impatient that summer, hence calling my Doctor on a Saturday & asking her to induce me because I was showing every sign of labor, minus the consistent contractions. Plus, it worked better with our schedule, of course.

Madison Luann is now saying "Mama, Dada, Hi, Bye Bye, No, and Bubba." She signs "more", "eat", "milk", and "ALL DONE"! She's a crawler that wants to walk so bad but she hasn't built up enough trust to let go. It'll come sooner than I'd like though, right? Funny how that works; the first child you can't wait until they hit all the milestones, such as walking, and the second, well, you encourage them to take their time. Mama has enough chasing to do these days!

It breaks my heart to know I now have a ONE year old, but I'm beyond blessed with this little one. She's the most laid back and easy going baby and finally sleeps through the night! She has her brother beat on that one.

While planning Maddie Lu's first birthday, Sunshine was the only thing that came to mind!

{Invitation}

I went into the planning process with one rule, go simple.

The Busy Bee has been busy to say the least and having the kids home full time this summer has been keeping me on my toes as well. We had tons of family coming into town and as much as I enjoy setting up a great party, I love spending time with family. That's what matters most, right?

So, simple was the plan and Sunshine was the theme!

With some help of a great friend and, of course, my hands on family, we pulled it together & better than I had imagined!

Hope you enjoy:
PS. Bear with some of the pictures. We were short a flash this day. You get the idea. :)

{Amazing Cake by: Everything Cake}

{Chalk Art by one of my close friends: Marci Kelley- LOVE HER!}

Madison Luann, Maddie Lu, Maddie Girl, Magoo, Sister, Chunky Monkey, My Princess, {Our Sunshine}, God has BIG plans for you my girl. I wish I could keep you small forever but we know that's not possible, so I'll just say a prayer for you instead. I pray that life brings you joy, even in the moments that hurt. I pray that you always find the good in people & give them your amazing smile regardless. I pray that you play harder than you work and you love harder than anything. I pray that you take some time to enjoy the beauty in this world, including the beauty in you. I pray that you & brother never lose your friendship & that you'll always glow when he enters the room. I pray that you'll always love cuddles from Dada & I and that we can become so close as you get older. I love you princess & I thank God EVERY SINGLE DAY for the blessing of YOU!!!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY MADDIE LU! I LOVE YOU.

#dailfamiilyonamove | Less

2014-06-25T07:17:00.000-07:00

{From the desk of: Jenna Marie}

Shannon & I thought it would be fun to open up on the blog, by getting personal and inviting you into all the chaos & bliss that makes up our lives. It's so amazing how you can have two individuals who are so close and so alike, yet be in two total different stages in their lives. Mine is complete night & day to hers. But I think that's how we help each other grow. We can be that "outside" person who can try to give advice when it's needed and we can be each other's best friend always.

#Dailfamilyonamove.

The Dail Family consists of a tall dark-hair handsome husband who knows the in's and out's of EVERY sport, a "I try to plan out my life yet God laughs at me & gives me something BIGGER & BETTER" mother, a very active, yet fun loving FULL HEARTED three {almost 4} year old boy, & the happiest, bright eyed baby girl.

We've got it all. Yet we've got nothing at all. I like it that way.

You know the saying, "We may not have it all together, but together we have it all." Yep, that's my motto right now. I'm fully embracing it.

2013 was a whirlwind for us. For me. It consisted of tons of planning, surprises, busy schedules, joys, let downs, endings, beginnings, and a single room filled with four bodies.

As I entered 2014, I focused on the word "Less," and each day I try to remind myself to cling tight to it. After the year we had last year, I {NEED} less in 2014.

In all my years I've found myself focusing on more. More activities to sign myself up for, more square footage in the home that I was living in, more friends, more time, etc. I always failed to focus on being satisfied with what I had at that very moment. I remember a time in college when more just took control of my life, and I began to beg for less. I had an amazing town home with my best friends, my car, & all the freedom I could ever dream of. But I craved less. I remember laying in my bed dreaming of the dorm room I once had. I dreamt of that tiny room all to myself. Visions of walking to class full of "me time" consumed my thoughts. More had gotten the best of me & I wanted out.

Starting 2014, nearly 5 years later, I found myself in that same very dream. Although, add in a handsome husband, a career I love, & two gorgeous babes!

Our family has always been on a move. We are on a move daily. Our family began in 2009, when Nick & I secretly got married in WA state, where he was serving in The Army.

We moved from WA back to Florida, and we moved a few times within Florida until we found a house to rent in October of 2012. This house was beyond perfect for us. Granted it was not "ours," but I should have treated it that way. Once again I got caught up on "more," and I focused on the next place. I focused on the extra room that we did not have, failing to actually see the greatness in the room that we did.

The Leak.

If you are close to me, you know that God speaks to me through leaks. HA, I laugh even while typing this. Last summer, our roof sprang a leak. I was 8 months pregnant. Now, this was a minor leak, and I definitely smiled once I realized it chose to miss my beautiful white couch. {Thank you Lord for that one. Much appreciated.}

They fixed the leak & went on with their day. Reason #1 why I love rentals. Free repairs.

Only a few days or so later I received a call at work. My husband was not a happy camper while telling me that the leak had now moved to the other skylight. Oh joy.

That's when it hit me. God was trying to tell us something. "Wake up Jenna. I'm speaking to you. Take a look at your situation. Take a look at the season you are about to enter."

>>Husband, wife, toddler going on three, & a sweet baby girl due in July. Husband is quitting his job come September, (mind you this was June) to join the Police Academy = no income. Wife is days away from leaving her job to have a baby and then put all her time and expenses into starting a business with her sister, & then two young children to add in the mix.<<

No income = no home.

Whoa. {More} had definitely gotten the best of me. We had planned this for months on end but never sat down and actually calculated what was about to happen.

And yes, it took some rainy days & a few old nails in a skylight to make me realize this.

"Luckily," or however you want to describe it, {I for one like "faithfully"} our landlord offered us out of our lease for free, and on our own time. We prayed & prayed. Going back & forth, holding fast to our "more," while picturing our "less."

In the moment it was hard to see the good in less. Less took away my new baby's nursery. Less took away every little thing we'd worked so hard for.

Less... less brought us together & allowed us to follow our dreams.

#dailfamilyonamove into a single bedroom.

Here are some great ways to look at less as being more that I learned from living in that single bedroom.

Less worry, MORE celebrating.

Less clutter, MORE freedom.

Less "things" to check off "the list," MORE accomplishment.

As I leave you with this tiny excerpt of our mini series of my life, I'd like to give a little encouragement to anyone who may need it. Always remember there are many seasons in our lives. They will change from good to bad or from comfortable to stepping out on the ledge. Don't be afraid to take the jump. Your time for "more" will come and until then just focus on enjoying the less in your life because chances are that's all you need & all that matters in this season. Give more, smile more, celebrate more, & find pure joy in the less.

We're Hiring!

2014-06-20T15:48:00.000-07:00

Yep, you heard it right! The time has finally come & we have been doing everything in our power to keep this exciting announcement under wraps until the time was just right. And there was no better time than now to let you know >> our team is expanding!

If you're interested in becoming a part of The Busy Bee family, please don't stop reading now!

Currently, we are looking to fill Two Seasonal Part-Time Positions with multi-talented individuals looking to become an integral part of TBB and our brand long term. We are considering a variety of skill sets to help build the TBB brand in a positive direction & are seeking individuals with expertise in areas we see growth. Both positions will essentially evolve & expand as the company continues to grow.

If you have a passion for all things wedding, events & brand development, please take a close look at the job qualifications & descriptions below as well as how & where to send your application.

Job Qualifications:

Detail Oriented & Highly Motivated
Enthusiastic & Personable {we are people persons!}
Creative Thinker & Doer {our work entails crafts. lots & lots of crafts!}
Must possess Strong Organizational Skills
Excellent Writing & Communication Skills
Ability to "Think On Toes" & come up with working solutions on location
Ability to Represent The Brand in a positive light in social media, writing & in person
Willing & Excited to Produce Blog & Social Media Content
Proficient with Social Media Platforms {a job that pays you to be on Instagram? what?}
Ability to Take Direction & Execute Flawless Events
Ability to Take Initiative in order to grow the TBB brand
Ability to Stand On Feet for many hours at a time & to Move Quickly {it's like a free gym membership... kind of}
Availability to Work Nights & Weekends {don't worry, we take off on Mondays}
Ability to Report to Orlando Office {must have personal & reliable source of transportation}
Ability to Report to Event Locations in & outside of Orlando {we love to travel!}
Willing to Run Errands as needed {getting paid to shop? ok!}
Personal Laptop
Not opposed to Eating Cake for Breakfast & Sipping on Fancy Lattes

Job Descriptions:

Title: TBB Event Assistant
Available for Training: September 2014 {hours will be flexible}
Available for Employment: October 2014 and beyond {hours will vary week to week}
Position will begin as Seasonal Part-Time and will primarily consist of night & weekend work during Fall 2014 Wedding Season.
The TBB Event Assistant will work as the right hand man of the lead planner on event days & assist with overall setup & coordination of event details & run of show. Party planning at its finest!

Title: TBB Intern
Available for Internship: Fall 2014 Semester
Hours: 16-20 hours per week
The TBB Intern will work alongside the lead planners in order to learn the wedding & event planning process and gain first-hand experience in producing real events during the Fall 2014 Wedding Season. Weekly activities include organizing & maintaining office operations, assisting event planners in file keeping, planning, event setup & coordination & assisting with social media updates.

To Apply:

If you believe you have what it takes & would be a great asset to The Busy Bee team, please send your resume to TheBusyBeeJobOp@outlook.com for consideration WITH the job title {described above} as the subject line. Please be sure to include the following:

Cover Letter & Resume
A photo of you at a recent celebration
A brief statement describing why you're a great fit for TBB

We cannot wait to hear from you!

Ciara + Matthew >> February 22, 2014

2014-06-04T08:38:00.003-07:00

There's something special about the first wedding of the season. It's hard to put into words the mix of emotions running through our veins leading up to the event that will ultimately set the tone but we crave it.

We live for it.

There's something even more special when the team chosen to make it all happen is comprised of distinguished professionals who are passionate about what they do. It's makes a world of a difference when the team shares a common goal to make the day the happiest of all for the loving couple because, quite simply, they care. We are grateful for opportunities like that.

Overall, February 22, 2014 was a great day.

We had the honor of working with the sweet couple, Ciara & Matthew, along side of Kim Tran of Pearl White Events. It was our first opportunity to collaborate with another planner in the area & oh, what fun we had! After all, BIG events call for BIG efforts & this day was no exception to the rule. .

From the moment we met Ciara & Matthew at the tasting hosted by Rosen Shingle Creek, we knew this was going to be a fun celebration. We could see Ciara was looking forward to her big day surrounded by family & friends {traveling near & far} and Matthew {like most of our grooms} was all about a hearty meal his loved ones would enjoy. Lucky for him, Rosen Shingle Creek always offers an assortment of tasty menu options we could all try & he could be the judge for himself.

...Maybe the whole "the key to a man's heart is through is stomach" does hold some truth...

All in all, our wonderful couple planned for a Red, White, & Purple Red Carpet Affair & it came together quite beautifully. The setup for this wedding was an all-hands-on-deck kind & we couldn't have asked for a better team to work along side than those of Rosen Shingle Creek & Pearl White Events as well as the many other wedding professionals who contributed their flawless services.

As we worked to finalize the details of their Big Day, it was hard not to notice the love Ciara & Matthew share for one another. It is a beautiful thing to witness.

Be sure to witness for yourself in their wedding highlights film by Black Label Films posted below.

We are just so happy for Ciara & Matthew & thank them for including us on such a monumental day in their lives as husband & wife. We wish them all the best through the years of a Happy Marriage!

Ciara + Matthew | Wedding Highlights | Black Label Films

{WATCH HERE!}

{The Wonderful Team of Wedding Professionals:}

Wedding Coordinators: The Busy Bee Events & Design, LLC & Pearl White Events
Ceremony: St James Catholic Cathedral
Reception: Rosen Shingle Creek
Photography: Callaway Gable
Videography: Black Label Films
Rentals: Orlando Wedding & Party Rentals & Longwood Events
DJ: DJ Charles Tuason
Photobooth: SNAP!Studio Booth
Transportation: Above and Beyond Limo
Candy Buffet: Florida Candy Buffets
Floral: Cindy’sFloral

Coming Real Soon: Casa de Calderon!

2014-05-14T15:01:00.001-07:00

{From the Desk of Shannon Elizabeth}

"Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all." -Helen Keller, The Open Door

Life lately has been all about taking risks.

BIG risks.

But we take them. We've always taken them. Remember that one time we moved to New York City with only one guaranteed salary out the gate or the time we both were employed by the same company & decided we were going to move back to Florida whether they supported it or not without a clear backup plan?? Or how about that time I gave up my job in order to chase my dreams with no real way to predict our success?

Yep, that pretty much sums us up in a nutshell. But I wouldn't want it any other way with any other one. And now, in less than one week, we are beginning a new chapter as husband & wife. Next week we will become homeowners!

I am so excited I can't contain myself. I am so uncertain I can't sleep at night. I am so emotional I'm brought to tears. I am so stressed out I've been putting things off until "later". I am so happy I can't take it.

...We began the journey late last year when we came across a house on Zillow I just HAD to go see in person. I'd been searching for months on end to just see what was out there and when this house popped up in my email, I knew it was THE one. It was the first house we had ever walked through & we immediately moved ourselves in. We had to have that house.

We joked a little as we exclaimed it was "so us" to put an offer on the first house we ever went to see. Maybe it was because I looked every single day since before we got married to see if a new house came on the market or maybe it was because we were ready. Maybe we just knew what we wanted or maybe it was because it was just "so us". Either way, we did it. We put our offer in and we lost.

I was distraught. I couldn't imagine us living anywhere else. I couldn't imagine bringing our unborn children home to any other house. All I could think about was this other family moving into OUR home & taking over the space I had created for my family {in my head, of course}. It hurt. It just wasn't fair & I couldn't shake the thoughts.

After many "if only we had..", two weeks had passed & we had given up on our home search {imagine that! lost out on our first offer & we were done. who'd want to go through those emotions time & again?!}. But then one night I decided to pull out the laptop & do a little searching. I'd "just browse" I told myself. Next thing I know, we're making plans to go see a model home & we were filled with excitement all over again. And then on New Year's Eve, we made it official. We signed the dotted line. She'd be ours by the end of May! {almost one year to our Wedding Anniversary}

And so it began.

The ground breaking. The foundation laying. The block building. The framing. The roofing. The dry wall hanging. The finishing touches. All of a sudden we have a house. A house we'll make into a home.

Our home.

I wouldn't say we know exactly what we've gotten ourselves into but I can tell you we're excited! We're excited to finally call a place "HOME". We're excited to continue building our life together & we'll be excited to start our family here. The icing on the cake? We can't imagine this journey with anyone else by our side.

And so, I'll leave you with this... someone recently asked for my advice regarding a life changing decision & I could only speak from my personal experiences. If you continue to do the same things, you must expect the same results. For us, the greater the risk, the greater the opportunity. So, if you've been on the fence & can't decide whether to jump on an opportunity, set all your fears aside. Take a chance & you'll be surprised by the doors you'll open. It's totally worth it!

Jenna Marink

2014-05-02T14:05:00.001-07:00

J - Jesus Lover

E - Empathetic

N - Noble

N - Nurturing

A - Authentic

Jenna.

Oh my, where do I begin? I should probably start by stating Jenna is one of my absolute favorite people in the whole entire universe. Yes, whole entire.

{My favorite pic of her}

I've had the privilege of knowing {sweet} Jenna her entire life & most of mine. In fact, I even had the privilege to welcome her into this crazy world the day she made her first appearance. Our Mom told us recently I wasn't all too impressed with her when she first came home & quickly inquired when we could bring her back to the hospital. If only I had the power to go back in time to advise my younger self, I'd tell her that Jenna is one of the best things God has ever given me & she'd be the one I'd confide in most, the one I'd laugh & cry with most & the one I'd call my {Best Friend} for the rest of my life.

{The day I met Jenna}

If you know Jenna then you know she is the best kind of friend to have. Her huge heart is made of pure gold & her free spirit is contagious. She will be your biggest supporter & devoted confidant {but she won't pick up the phone & order a pizza for delivery for you. Don't even ask.}

{Standing in front of Mt. Rainier when we lived on opposite coasts}

For those who don't know, Jenna & I are sisters & about two & a half years apart. I'm older. It may not appear that way given our current seasons in life {she got married first, has kids, goes to bed WAY earlier than I do} but the secret's out. She my little sis & I wouldn't want it any other way.

{Jenna & her husband, Nick}

Many people have told me over the years they feel like Jenna looks up to me. What I don't think they realize is I look up to her in many ways. As aforementioned, she is a free spirit. I am a "by-the-books" kind of gal. She is a "spur-of-the-moment" decision maker. I am a "plan-it-out" & wait until the moment is just right believer. She is too trusting. I am a skeptic. She has been described as the "fun one". I've been described as the "serious one". {Do you see where I'm going with this?}

These traits are quite arguably mostly innate & I embrace our differences but I've always admired her qualities & wish I could be more like her.

{Breaking it down at a family wedding}

Jenna & I have always shared a closeness many do not understand. We joke often how we should have been twins. We finish each other's sentences. We know exactly what the other is thinking. We say the same things at the exact same time {and I'm talking off the wall things we could not have possibly planned to say}. And so, if I didn't have Jenna, half of me would be missing...

{Jenna & Nick's Rehearsal Dinner}

So what's the scoop on Jen? She has made me the proud Godmother of two beautiful children. She is quite possibly the best mother I have ever known. Her children come first & I wouldn't expect it to be any different. I can only hope & pray I will be half the mother she is to my unborn children.

{Cohban & Maddie Lu's Dedication Day}

She just had to pick the one college I absolutely despise for her studies. {I guess it makes for a fun Thanksgiving weekend especially when the Gators show the Seminoles what's up.}

{Jenna & two of her best friends from college}

She is a chocolate fanatic {she emptied me out after Valentine's Day}. I'm pretty sure if she didn't have a baby, she'd need a 12-step program for coffee. Don't forget the hazelnut! DO NOT {AND I REPEAT} DO NOT TOUCH OR EVEN LOOK AT HER ARMPITS. You may get hurt. Her house isn't always tidy but she fills her home with love. Her laundry isn't always caught up but she keeps her children warm. She writes a lot of stuff down but never seems to be able to find the list. She has a lot going on but somehow manages to keep it all together.

Isn't it funny how you can feel so much like someone and yet be so different? I think that's what I love most.

{Catching the bouquet at Mom & Paul's Wedding. Mom's only rule was "neither of my daughter's can catch the bouquet". Oops! We both did}

And so, I have to leave you with this... Jenna is the perfect partner for The Busy Bee. Heck, we've been partners all along. She brings a sense of lightheartedness to the mix & knows how to relate to our clients. She has an eye for design & continues to surprise me with her talents. She remembers every little detail without having to write it down & listens with the intent to understand, not to reply. She cares about the quality of the work she produces & I continuously see her go above & beyond for her clients. She is a hard worker & passionate about her trade. She makes me want to go to work every day. Yep! I love her!

Wanna Hear a Secret?

2014-04-30T09:17:00.000-07:00

It's the last day of April & that means it's National Honesty Day!

This holiday is celebrated on the last day of April since April Fools Day falls on the first & encourages national truth & honesty. What a great virtue to live by & a fantastic way to encourage us to be honest today & every day.

In honor of the holiday, we've decided to disclose a couple of truths about us. Can you guess who made each confession?

Confession One:

I own over 100 pairs of shoes. {And my collection continues to grow. yikes!} I haven't decided if that is a good or bad thing {my husband will argue bad because he is forced to put his shoes in a separate closet} but what I do know is my fetish began at a rather young age.

In fact, when I was a little girl, I went shopping with our Mimi & picked out a pair of shoes & a purse I just had to have. In true Grandmother fashion, she bought me the shoes & purse, making me the happiest girl alive.

Not too long after, I went to spend some time with our Nana & she asked me what I wanted to do. Without hesitation, I exclaimed I wanted to go shopping & returned home with a new pair of shoes & another purse. When Mimi came to pick me up, Nana told me to show her the purchases we had made earlier that day only for Mimi to inform Nana I had her buy me the EXACT same pair of shoes & purse earlier. I think they shared a good laugh. {And since we're making it a point to be honest today, I'll just say I may or may not still do this... you never know when you'll wear out your favorite pair of shoes & if they'll be available for purchase at that time... am I right?}

Confession Two:

Are you ready for this? I'm deathly afraid of BEES! I know, I know what you're thinking right now. Really? Afraid of bees & your whole business is the face of a bee? I never said I didn't like the look of a bee. Actually I think the silhouette is quite possibly the best logo ever, but if there's ever a real bee near me, you'll catch me running in circles with my eyes shut & my ears covered!

I think a few Friendors have caught on to this secret lately while working with us. I just can't help but squirm & squeal.

On Easter, a bee landed on my leg. I literally froze & screamed for my Dad to get it off. Of course, my Dad came and saved the day!

On National Honesty Day, I'll admit that I am a {bee} that's afraid of bees. :)

{An oldie but definitely a favorite. Our bee in training.}

Many Thanks!

2014-04-29T17:32:00.000-07:00

Happy Tuesday! It's been a while... & we've missed you!

We're happy to report we've been living up to our name recently. "Busy" is the name of the game & we couldn't be happier!

In many ways, the last five & a half months have flown by. They've been filled with fun meetings, joyful celebrations, happy matrimonies, long days & late nights. And as we come up on our half year anniversary of launching The Bee, the old saying "hard work pays off" has more meaning than ever.

Amidst the laundry list of {to do's} of the current wedding season, we took on an ever-so-special project with Bumby of Bumby Photography- OUR FIRST STYLED SHOOT!

She's a brave one, that Bumby, enlisting our services without having worked with us previously. {oh! & jumping up on this lift to capture the perfect shot!} She's the best & we are ever-so-grateful for her trust & more importantly for her support!

It all went down a week ago today {you may or may not have noticed our lack of social media updates & blog posts but we're committed to our clients & our projects & they will always come first}. It is hard to put into words the mix of emotions filling us to the brim last week... In fact, we were brought to tears as each vendor arrived & unloaded their works of art & in a collaborative effort, brought our visions to life. Scratch that. They exceeded our expectations, each of them going above & beyond what was asked of them.

These wedding professionals are specialists of their craft & we are honored to have them as part of something so meaningful to us. We cannot wait to share the final edits with you! We've seen a few sneak peeks & let us to be the ones to tell you, you won't want to miss them. Bumby certainly found her calling in life. So glad she came into ours.

A special THANK YOU {from the bottom of our hearts} goes out to the following:

Bumby, for presenting us with this opportunity & supporting us from the beginning.

Julie Fetcko for opening up her doors & providing the most spectacular backdrop & props to complement the shoot. Wait until you see where & what we got to work with!

A Chair Affair, Inc. for providing the foundation of our shoot {tables, chairs, chargers, flatware & miscellaneous décor pieces}. As always, such a pleasure to work with & provide high quality rental décor without a doubt.

Lee Forrest Design for the over the-top-floral designs that completely blew our minds. Each arrangement was a true masterpiece.

Everything Cake for her superb eye for design & creating the most beautiful cake we could only dream of. We'd say we had our cake & ate it too!

Pretty Peacock Paperie for creating the cutest & highest quality invitation suite to fit the theme perfectly. We just couldn't get enough of all the little details she surprised us with!

Calvet Couture Bridal for opening up her boutique & allowing us to hand pick the perfect silhouette for our bride to fit seamlessly with the era & theme of the shoot.

Over The Top Rental Linens for providing high quality table linens that provided pops of color & allowed us to show off the color of the year!

Brie & Brie for fashioning the perfect updo for our beautiful bride to suit the era of the shoot. She continues to live up to her "Best Updo Artist" title.

Tracie Cervero for her flawless makeup application & for sticking around for touch ups to ensure our models maintained a fresh look from beginning to end.

Sabrina & Patrick for taking the time out of their personal lives to model for us; for enduring the no-see-ums and warm sun; for being so sweet & so in love. You two looked awesome & really pulled it all together!

All in All, last Tuesday was one of our best days yet as The Busy Bee & we cannot wait to work with each of these companies as we continue to grow! We {HIGHLY} recommend all of their services!

We Must Endure the Rain

2014-04-08T16:08:00.000-07:00

{From the Desk of Shannon Elizabeth}

We were completely unprepared for the rain today. But that seems to be life at times, right? Often times our gloomiest of days roll in over heads with little to no warning and all of a sudden we're left to sink or swim. Most of the time we are prepared for bad weather by keeping an umbrella thrown on the bottom of the car floor or a pair of rain boots by the front door so we can quickly slip into them without even having to worry about "ruining" a cute outfit because {luckily for us} Hunter made them the latest fashion statement.

But today we were left without the luxury of our typical rain accessories because neither of us bothered to check the forecast. It wasn't until we were halfway out the door we received an email from the client we were on our way to meet to "drive safely" because a bad storm was fast approaching. No time to turn back but how sweet it was to read the concerns from someone we had yet to meet in person. Little did we know, that statement would have even more meaning after our meeting.

So there we were enjoying our toasted bagels & fancy lattes & green teas when she decided to share a story that still weighs heavy on her heart. And we were quickly reminded that life is too short. Tomorrow is never guaranteed & we did everything we could to fight back the tears & reach across the table to hug one another. To hug her.

And that seems to be life. People are taken away from us, obstacles are laid before us, bad weather sets in & we are left to deal. No fair warnings. No heads up. Only the family & friends around us. Only our own will.

But that's what makes us stronger. That's what brings us together. It's what molds us. It's what defines us.

It's not always easy to come up with the right words to say to someone who has or is enduring the rain {even when we can relate & especially when we can't}.

But there is one thing we do know. Life does not provide us the option to choose the weather for the day or even our current season. However, we can rest easy in knowing we will never be given more than we can handle. And so we know, we must endure the rain for it is the rain that makes the flowers grow.

It's the rain that allows us to fully {bloom}.

Buck or Doe?

2014-04-04T05:47:00.000-07:00

{From the desk of: Jenna}

Ever since I can remember, it's always been The Fizer Sisters & The Heiblum Sisters. They are twin sisters we met in high school & we've been best friends with them since day one. Heather & Vanessa are identical twins with two separate personalities but both sweet as can be. Heather is the more reserved, quiet one while Vanessa is the outspoken, outgoing one. And when the four of us are together, our time is always filled with great laughs & stories to tell later.

I created this announcement for Vanessa last fall. We were so overjoyed with the news of her & Adam's sweet baby to come! Vanessa had been wanting a baby for as long as I can remember. She & Adam are always stealing my baby. Always.

Soon after I had taken the photo above, Shannon and I received a text message that included two pictures labeled: {Baby A & Baby B}.

I immediately called Heather to see if this was some joke or the real thing. She confirmed that yes,

{two peas in a pod were due July 12, 2014}

That's when the planning of the {Buck or Doe?} Gender Reveal party started! Adam is a hunter & loves his deer heads. Honestly, I do too. I don't hunt, but I'm obsessed with a good deer head silhouette. If Maddie Lu was a boy, he'd have deer heads all over his room. Hmm, maybe if I have a third?

{Invitation}

Vanessa gave us a guest list, & soon the invites went out! She wanted the party to be small & intimate & all things yellow & green. She's more of a neutral hue kind of girl rather than a pink or blue kind.

{4x6 Prints}

{Chalk Art}

(Side note: Tell me why I didn't include the real deer head that was above this table in the photo? Oh well!)

Buck = Green

Doe= Yellow

Cookies & milk.

You have to love Vanessa when she asked how we got the milk green & yellow. Don't be fooled, she's a teacher- & a great one at that!!

{8x10 Print}

We created the foam pins for their guests to guess Buck or Doe. This was probably our most favorite detail of the whole party. Along side of the chalk art.

Majority of the party guessed: GIRLS!

Seriously though, those Antlers. I'm obsessed.

{8x10 Print}

And now for the food table. We decided to keep with the theme & make everything green & yellow. We felt bad after the fact that Vanessa doesn't like cheese. In order to accommodate the yellow in our spread, let me tell you that most of that food was cheese. We owe her one. But hey, at least she got her pigs in a blanket!

And now for the big reveal.......

PINK!!!

Vanessa got so into the silly string!!

We are so excited to welcome Kendall & Taylor into the world! Who would have thought, an identical twin girl would be pregnant with identical twin girls!?!

Congratulations again Adam & Vanessa. Here's to your sleepless nights & having my baby back in MY arms. (KIDDING!) We love you guys & are so excited for these girls to join our family!

Brides For The Day

2014-04-03T13:50:00.001-07:00

We know, we know. Secrets, secrets are no fun unless you are a part of one. But this secret wouldn't be the same if we let you in on it just yet. Without giving away the store, we'll let you know we are working on a special project with some very talented Central Florida wedding professionals & we cannot wait to share the details with you!

With that, today we got to play {Bride}!

First stop: A Chair Affair, INC

Also known as Wedding Planner's Heaven on Earth!

With rows upon rows of chargers, chiavari chairs, cake stands, candelabras & as many farm tables to make every rustic bride's dream come true, we thought we died & went to Event Rental Heaven. You can bet we were dancing on Cloud 9 when they opened their doors & let us go to town.

Next Stop: Pretty Peacock Paperie, LLC

We were so excited to see Natalie's new office!

Black, Gold & pretty paper: these are a few of our favorite things!

Between choosing our samples for our upcoming project, we snuck in some quality "catch up" time & learned of the plans for her new space.

We love her vision not only for her space but for her business & her clients.