Sweet Pea Events - Seattle and Dallas

New Site

2011-09-30T10:34:00.000-07:00

We are so sorry about the previous post. Here is the link to our new website!!! www.sweetpeaevents.net

We Have A New Site

2011-09-27T12:07:00.000-07:00

I don't know if you have heard yet, but we have moved sites! Please visit our new site HERE!

SoleMates

2011-04-13T10:57:00.001-07:00

Posted by Meaghan Cody

If you haven’t noticed we LOVE outdoor weddings. Don’t get me wrong, we love indoor weddings as well. But there is just something about an outdoor ceremony or reception that we just love! With outdoor weddings we often run into the same problem, the dreadful sinking of our heels in the grass. It’s awful!!!! Luckily for you we have found something that has changed our lives, and will change yours as well. SoleMates High Heeler! These little treasures fit on the base of your heels reducing the pressure so that it prevents your heels from sinking into the grass or getting stuck in a crack. This creation is absolutely BRILLIANT and we keep them in our emergency kit at all times! They come in four different colors to best match the color of your heel. They also sell them at few retail shops in the Dallas area such as Circle Park Bridal and I Do Bridal in the Seattle area!

We hope that you love these little guys as much as we do!

These pictures were taken from the SoleMates website!

Technorati Tags: Dallas Wedding Planner,Seattle Wedding Planner,Outdoor Weddings,High Heel Solutions

Meet Lora Ayers- Dallas Wedding Photographer

2011-03-29T13:40:00.001-07:00

Posted by Meaghan Cody

We had the great pleasure of getting to meet Lora Ayers last year at Thursday Therapy. Lora recently moved to Dallas from Georgia and has brought her business with her - Lora Ayers Photography. Every time we see Lora she is so full of energy and can brighten any room up in a flash!

We asked Lora a couple of questions about herself, her business, and some things that inspire her. We hope that you adore her as much as we do!

How did you get started in the Photography business, and specifically with weddings? I started out doing child and family portraiture. Then someone that works with my mom had a daughter who was getting married and they asked if I would do the wedding pictures. I was very hesitant at first, but they were very persistent and if I didn’t do it then they were going to get a non-professional relative to do it, so I agreed. After that I started receiving referrals from other friends so I did a few weddings and just fell more and more in love with wedding photography each time.

What is your typical day like as a Wedding Photographer on the day of the wedding, and also on a non-wedding day? Wedding days are so exciting! We show up 2-3 hours before the wedding ceremony begins. This allows us to start at the beginning of the story of your day. We get pictures of the bride getting her make-up done, her hair being perfected, the shoes, and the dress, then her putting on her dress, etc. Then we do the same with the groom and his friends. Whether the bride and groom pictures are before or after the ceremony it is by far one of my favorite times of the day. The ceremony and reception is when we focus on capturing all the emotional moments, some that we know are coming (like the first kiss, or the father daughter dance), and some that just happen. On a non-wedding day I wake up early to get the oldest kids off to school, and on certain days take my preschooler to school as well. I focus on the business and all that that entails until they get home. Then we have fun, laugh, and try not to take life too seriously. We cook dinner together, and make “homemade” cookies (you know the kind you pull apart and bake), and we have lots of dance parties.

What would you say makes your style or personality unique from other Photographers? I love people, and I love weddings! I know everyone says this, but I’m truly passionate about what I do. I give it everything I’ve got every time. I’m one of those people that can mesh with all sorts of folks. I’ve always been told that I have a warm personality, and that I make people feel at ease. I hope that is true, and it is definitely what I’m striving for. As far as my style of photography goes I would say that I’m unique because not only am I trying to take pictures that are modern, fun, and creative, but I’m always trying to tell a story. One of my favorite pictures is a dad dancing with his daughter on her wedding day. His face tells a story. You can feel how much he loves her when you look at it, and I look for those moments at every wedding.

What are some of your favorite images from your portfolio? I love laughter. My favorite images are usually when the bride and groom are laughing and enjoying their day with their friends, or emotional moments. I go crazy over detail shots as well! Whether it’s the brides shoes, or a unique piece of jewelry…there can never be too many detail shots.

Here are some of our favorite pictures that Lora has taken!

Favorite tips or advice for the bride and grooms to be? Obviously a bride looks at the photographers work, but I would challenge all brides to meet with their photographer and see how you feel around them. This is someone who will be following you around on one of the most important days of your life. Make sure that you like your photographer’s personality, and that you feel comfortable around them. I would add how important an engagement session is. An engagement session is good for both the photographer and the client. It gives you a chance to work together, and get to know each other more before the wedding.

When you aren’t working, what are some of your favorite things to do? Go on dates with my husband Aaron, dance with my kids all over the house, shopping, meet with new friends over lunch, talk to old friends from Georgia on the phone, watch ridiculous reality shows, listen to Pandora, and let’s not forget spending too much time on facebook and blogs.

Technorati Tags: Dallas Wedding Planner,DFW Wedding Planner,Lora Ayers Photography,Dallas Wedding Photographer

Thursday Therapy - March Recap

2011-03-15T12:15:00.001-07:00

Posted by Meaghan Cody

Spring is definitely here, and we were able to host Thursday Therapy at Top Golf in Dallas on the prettiest day of the year so far. Thursday Therapy is a laid back, super casual networking happy hour for wedding pros in the Dallas area. If you haven’t had a chance to go check out Top Golf\, you need to go! Top Golf is a two level driving range that has microchips in the golf balls that measure the accuracy and distance of each swing, while awarding you points for each target that you hit. We had a great turnout and the service at Top Golf is absolutely amazing! We can’t wait to get the chance to go back soon!

If you would like to be added to the Thursday Therapy mailing list, please e-mail us at Meaghan@sweetpeaevents.net or Kelly@sweetpeaevents.net.

Next month we hope that you guys can join us April 14th from 6-9 at Victory Tavern in Victory Park.

Enjoy these great pictures that Chantz Hough of Phose Studios captured for us!

Technorati Tags: Sweet Pea Events,Dallas Wedding Planner,Dallas Wedding Pros,Networking Happy Hour,Top Golf,Phose Studios,Bachelor Party Ideas

Jessica & Justin’s Wedding at The Joule!

2011-03-12T14:31:00.001-08:00

Posted by Kelly Simants

When Tanya and Cesar Perez of Perez Weddings sent us these images from Jessica and Justin’s wedding, we couldn’t stop oo’ing and aah’ing! Jessica and Justin’s wedding at The Joule was stunning, and Cesar and Tanya captured the details and emotions of their day so well. Jessica was a pure joy to work with, and we were so honored to be a part of their big day. This couple truly knew how to relax and enjoy their day while letting us worry about the details – love it! Special shout-out to Debby and Amanda at Branching Out Events for designing amazing décor for the day! As always, they created incredible floral designs that were truly pieces of art! And, the team at The Joule was SO amazing to work with…some of the best service we’ve ever seen! Congrats to Jessica and Justin! We loved working with you!

Here are the fabulous Wedding Pros Jessica and Justin selected:

Cake: Delicious Cakes
Ceremony Venue: First Baptist Dallas
DJ: Spin Productions
Florist: Branching Out Events
Hair: Emily Hudspeth
Musicians: Jeff Turner Quartet
Officiant: Dr. Larry Ashlock
Photographer: Perez Photography
Reception Venue: The Joule
Rentals: Posh Couture Rentals
Transportation: Blue Diamond Transportation
Wedding Planner: Sweet Pea Events

Technorati Tags: Dallas Wedding Planner,The Joule Hotel,Branching Out Events,Day-Of Wedding Coordinator,Sweet Pea Events,Dallas Wedding Coordinator,Peacock Weddings

Dallas Wedding Pros - Do You Have a Business Plan?

2011-03-04T10:33:00.001-08:00

Posted by Kelly Simants

Calling all wedding pros who want to work ON your business and not just IN it…

For those of you who don’t know, in addition to Sweet Pea Events I am also co-owner of Sage Wedding Pros along with the fabulous Michelle Loretta. We are inviting ALL wedding pros in the South as this will be the only workshop we do in this region for 2011. So come one, come all! It’s great for entrepreneurs who have been in business for 10 years, or for those who are just starting out…EVERYONE needs a plan, no matter what stage of your business you’re in!

Here are the details:

The Simple Plan
March 22-23, 2011
9:30am-4:30pm

Holiday Inn Express – Galleria
6055 LBJ Freeway
Dallas, TX 75240

Tickets:

Tickets can be purchased thru Eventbrite. (We only have Early Bird rates thru March 4, so get in there!)

Hotels:

Holiday Inn Express – Galleria – rates for $102/nt
Westin Galleria – rates for $250/nt

More Info:

Find out more here: www.thesimpleplan.biz
SEE what past graduates have to say.
SEE FAQs here.

Hope to see you there!

Kelly

Technorati Tags: The Simple Plan,business planning workshop,Dallas wedding professionals,Sage Wedding Pros,business plans,wedding industry

Thursday Therapy- February Recap

2011-03-02T12:36:00.001-08:00

Posted by Meaghan Cody

Every month we get so excited to meet new wedding pros at Thursday Therapy - new faces are so fun and hearing about how they are contributing to the wedding world is even more exciting! A couple of months ago Dean Faulkner from Live Wire Special Events asked if he could host Thursday Therapy in his showroom, and we couldn’t have been more excited. Dean definitely outdid himself last month when he opened his space to us and all of our Thursday Therapy friends! Mark Tresnicky of Mobile Music Magic came in to DJ the night, and Jim Lee Events brought in a mobile bar. The night was so fun and as always we had a great time seeing old friends and meeting new ones! If you would like to be added to the Thursday Therapy mailing list please e-mail us at meaghan@sweetpeaevents.net or kelly@sweetpeaevents.net.

Tomorrow, 3/3, is this month’s Thursday Therapy at Top Golf in Dallas! We hope to see you all there!!

Enjoy these great pictures taken by the super fabulous Natalie Pitts with Natalie Pitts Photography!

Technorati Tags: Dallas Wedding Planner,Thursday Therapy,Live Wire Special Events,Natalie Pitts Photography,Event Rentals

Vintage Wedding Signs

2011-02-23T12:20:00.001-08:00

Posted by Meaghan Cody

Fun fact for you readers out there: We absolutely LOVE vintage anything! And we LOVE etsy anything! And we LOVE wedding anything! So today we found these super cute vintage wedding signs on etsy. Talk about perfect! They can be used for your wedding or for your home or you can give them as a gift. Basically we love them and of course we had to share!

We found these signs from Etsy seller MyPrimitiveBoutique. She also has a website that you should check out here. Here are a few of our favorites! Enjoy!

Technorati Tags: Dallas Wedding Planner,Vintage Weddings,Wedding Signs,Anthropologie Weddings

Thursday Therapy - January Recap

2011-02-16T14:43:00.001-08:00

Posted by Meaghan Cody

Woah!!! We cannot believe that it is already February of 2011. This year is already starting to fly by. After the holidays we were able to kick the new year off right by having Thursday Therapy at Edison’s in Dallas. Edison’s is a wedding venue just south of downtown that is definitely worth checking out. We were able to meet tons of new wedding pros and chat about all kinds of new ideas for the new year! Vanessa from Deceitfully Sweet brought a variety of adorable sweets for everyone to snack on through the evening - they were so yummy! Vanessa specializes in making sweet treats that are designed to look like entrée items. It’s a super great idea for a dessert bar with a twist. We also were able to enjoy some amazing music from the band Identity Theft! They definitely kept the party going! If you’re looking for a fresh, energetic cover band then look no further.

If you want to be added to the Thursday Therapy mailing list please e-mail us at meaghan@sweetpeaevents.net or kelly@sweetpeaevents.net.

Tomorrow is this month’s Thursday Therapy and it will be at Live Wire Special Events. Next month, Thursday Therapy will be held at Top Golf on March 3rd from 6-9 pm so save-the-date! It will be a blast!!

Enjoy these pictures taken by the super talented Kelly Rucker of Kelly Rucker Photography!

Technorati Tags: Thursday Therapy,Dallas Wedding Planner,Edison's,Dallas Cover Band,Dessert Bar

Courtney and Jacob’s Beautiful January Wedding

2011-02-08T11:36:00.001-08:00

Posted by Meaghan Cody

Earlier this month we had the pleasure of coordinating Courtney and Jacob’s beautiful wedding here in Dallas. They had chosen to get married at First Baptist Dallas and then headed over to The Crescent for a very elegant and fun reception. Courtney and Jacob have a kind of love that is sweet and contagious that when you see them the only thing you can do is smile.

Here are the amazing photos that were captured by Averi Blackmon.

Here are the fabulous Wedding Pros Courtney and Jacob selected:

Cake: Romano’s Bakery
Ceremony Venue: First Baptist Dallas
DJ/Lighting: Roush Productions
Florist: DiFiori
Hair: Avalon- West Village
Musicians: Gyros String Quartet
Officiant: Alan Lynch
Photographer: Averi Blackmon
Reception Venue: Crescent Hotel
Rentals: Posh Couture Rentals
Transportation: Cloud 9 Vintage Coach
Videographer: Roman Video Productions
Wedding Planner: Sweet Pea Events

Technorati Tags: Dallas Weddings,Crescent Hotel,First Baptist Dallas,Elegant Wedding,Dallas Wedding Planner

Thursday Therapy- December Recap

2011-01-18T11:42:00.001-08:00

Posted by Meaghan Cody

Last month we were able to get in once last Thursday Therapy before we rang in the new year. We did something a little different in December to celebrate the holidays. Everyone wore their super tacky Christmas sweaters while warming up by getting fun manicures and pedicures at the Hawaiian Nail Bar in Addison! We had a great turnout and met lots of new wedding pros. Heidi Allison from Sugar Bee Sweets brought an adorable cake to share with us while we sipped on pina colada’s and talked about big plans for the new year!

If you want to be added to the Thursday Therapy list please e-mail us at meaghan@sweetpeaevents.net or kelly@sweetpeaevents.net!

Next month we are hosting Thursday Therapy at Live Wire Special Events on February 17th! We hope to see you all there!

Here are some amazing pictures that Magaly from The Modern Image captured for us! Thanks again Magaly, you ROCK!!!

Technorati Tags: Dallas Wedding Planner,DFW Wedding Professionals,Holiday Party,Bridal Luncheons,Nail Salon

Adorable Wedding Favors

2011-01-05T12:36:00.001-08:00

Posted by Meaghan Cody

Finding the perfect wedding favor for your big day can be a little difficult. We know that you want to be original without completely breaking the bank, and you likely also want to find something that your guests will actually use. Today we found these precious favors that we wanted to share with you…how cute are these bags of flavored tea with a label that expresses 'love is brewing’?! If you wanted to spice it up a little you could also attach a precious heart shaped tea infuser!

This is from IdeaChic

This is from Beau-Coup Favors

Technorati Tags: Dallas Wedding Planner,Wedding Favors,Cute Gift Ideas,Bridal Showers,Love is Brewing,Custom Wedding Favors

Wedding or Anniversary Gifts

2010-12-29T15:01:00.001-08:00

Posted by Meaghan Cody

In the midst of our holiday shopping we managed to note things we came across that could possibly be a really great wedding or anniversary gift for ones you love. One item that we were especially fond of was a wooden plaque personalized with the couples last name and the year that they were married. We came across these on Etsy and knew that we had to share them!

I went ahead and ordered one as a Christmas present for Kelly and her family, it was a huge hit and they LOVED it! The Etsy seller is janaitwct, they were super nice and really helpful with my close to Christmas time shopping! Below is the plaque that I had made for Kelly and her family.

This one is from snickerdoodlesigns:

Here is another precious one that involves blocks instead of a plaque. This is from Simple Block Sayings.

All of these were from their Etsy shops. So get to shopping for any upcoming wedding, anniversary, or even valentines day gifts for your special someone! Enjoy!

Enjolik Bailey of Low Country Quisine – Dallas Caterer

2010-12-21T06:15:00.001-08:00

Posted by Meaghan Cody

A couple of months ago we were introduced to Enjolik at Thursday Therapy and immediately knew she was something worth sharing. She is the owner of Low Country Quisine, a catering company in Dallas that is southern food at it’s finest.

We had the chance to ask Enjolik a couple of questions about her business and some of the things that inspire her. Hopefully you enjoy her as much as we do!

How did you get started in the Catering business, and specifically with weddings?

As a small child I spent my summers in Charleston, SC with my grandparent who cooked all three meals every single day without fail! So my love for food came at an early age, I’d say around 4 or 5! Since my mom never learned to cook, I took on the role of cook for my family. Around 2007 I realized that people were always asking me to cook for parties and events. At that point it literally came to me in the middle of the night; I could combine my passion for food and entertaining with my background in sales & marketing. I thought about my fondest memories of food and I kept going back to the food I ate with my grandparents, Low Country food. Hence the name Low Country Quisine by Jolie’ Ramize. My business started in 2007 as a part-time venture and at that point I didn’t take on any bridal clients because I felt that weddings were events that would require full-time attention. In 2009, we prepared to take the business full-time and we catered our 1^st wedding for 150 guests and the rest is history! I love working with brides and their families. After all, the food is one of the most important elements of that special day.

What is your typical day like as a Caterer on the day of the wedding, and also on a non-wedding day?

On a wedding day, our day usually begins very early. Normally around 5am. The most time consuming part of the day is coordinating all of the supplies we need to bring along to create beautiful visual that compliments the bride’s vision for the day. Presentation is very important to us. On a non-wedding day our day is pretty similar. We have the food preparation down to a science. It’s the details and decor of each event that we tend to spend time on because each event is unique.

What would you say makes your style or personality unique from other Caterer?

I think my personality is different from other caterers because I have a strong background in sales which makes it easier for me uncover my clients needs. When clients know that you’re taking care of the things that are important to them it makes for a great working relationship. The same is true when I work directly with wedding planners. It’s our goal to make their job easier. They trust that we’ll deliver what we’ve promised and then some!

What are some of your favorite dishes that you serve at events?

Our mini crab cakes are always a favorite, Alma’s Mac & Cheese, named after my grandmother,as well as our barbeque braised short ribs.

Favorite tips or advice for the bride and grooms to be?

When it comes to catering for your special day, I always advise my clients to take their time when confirming their guest counts. Food & beverage is one of the most, if not the most expensive line items for a wedding and you never want to over or under estimate.

When you aren’t working, what are some of your favorite things to do?

When I have down time, I like to spend time with my husband and daughter. I usually end up cooking for them or experimenting with new recipes. It’s hard for me to get away from food.

What are some of your favorite venues in the DFW area, and why?

I really love Studios 1019 located in the Design District. I think lofty, “warehousey-like” venues tend to be blank canvases that you can design to suit your needs. To me it’s all about creating a memorable and unique experience for you and your guests.

Enjolik just presented her new website this past weekend and we absolutely LOVE it! Check it our here.

Romantic, Vintage Wedding in McKinney – Marandah and Weston

2010-12-09T09:56:00.001-08:00

Posted by Kelly Simants

Ohhh sweet Marandah and Weston…this couple is so IN LOVE. They met at Texas A&M and couldn’t be more perfect for each other…they’re even both adorable redheads! :) When I first met with Marandah and her mom Angie (who also couldn’t be any sweeter) they had 5 months left until their big day, and still needed to book quite a few vendors, decide on their event decor/design, and just needed help in general to drive their overall planning checklist, budget, and pull all of the details together. The one thing Marandah knew she absolutely had to have was a bouquet similar to a picture she pulled from a magazine (it’s the bouquet in the inspiration board above). So, with that one image I was able to ask her a ton of questions to draw out of her what she actually did know – what she likes, and loves! We designed the inspiration board above with romantic, vintage elements and she fell in love! With this design board in hand, we used it as we met with her Florist, Rental Companies, and Cake Baker. We even shared it with her Photography, Stacy Reeves, so that she knew what kind of ambiance Marandah was going for. It truly helped everyone to see Marandah’s vision and as you’ll see in the images below…her vision truly did come to life!

Without further ado, please enjoy the images below…thanks to the amazingly talented (and super fun) Stacy Reeves for capturing their big day! Stacy, you rock and we’re so honored to work with you!! (Be sure to check out Stacy’s blog for her write-up of Marandah and Weston’s wedding as well as Marandah’s bridal session!)

Also, here is their highlights video from Daniel at Lynn Films – thank you Daniel!!

Weston and Marandah from Lynn Films on Vimeo.

Fabulous Wedding Pros Marandah and Weston Selected:

Bridal Gown and Bridesmaids Dresses: Bridal Designs – Southlake
Cake: Delicious Cakes
Carriage Ride: Happy Trails
Caterer: Bailey Catering and Events
Ceremony: Chestnut Square
DJ: Mike Slay
Florist: Di Fiori
Hair: Katie Page from Green Peridot
Invitations: The Paper Kutt
Officiant: Mark Noblin
Photography: Stacy Reeves Photography
Reception Venue: Heard Craig in McKinney
Rentals: Big D Party Rentals and Designs by Carlos
Videography: Lynn Films
Wedding Planning: Sweet Pea Events

Technorati Tags: McKinney wedding,Heard Craig Museum,Chestnut Square,Dallas Wedding Planner,vintage wedding,romantic wedding,full wedding planning

Adorable Custom Ornaments from Paloma’s Nest

2010-12-07T19:46:00.001-08:00

Posted by Meaghan Cody

It’s hard to believe that December is already here! We just love the holidays here at Sweet Pea Events, almost as much as we love to share fun things that we find. As we all started putting up our trees and began to decorate we thought that we would share these super cute ornaments that we have found. Our good friends at Paloma’s Nest have their Holiday Collection items on their website and they are just too cute to pass up. Here are some of our favorites below. We hope that you love them as much as we do. Make sure to place your order today so that they arrive in time to give one as a gift, or to decorate on your tree! Happy ornament shopping!

All of the below images are from Paloma’s Nest:

Paloma’s Nest has also commissioned the amazingly talented Moya Minns from MM Ink to do a new line of ring bearer bowls. With her stunning calligraphy and Paloma’s fabulous bowls these items are to die for! Congrats on a terrific partnership, ladies! :)

Enjoy!

Technorati Tags: Custom Christmas ornaments,holiday decor,party planning,Christmas party

5 Ways to De-Stress During Your Engagement and Holiday Season

2010-12-01T20:34:00.001-08:00

by Meaghan Cody

Photography from Sprinkles.com

With the holiday season underway, we know that so many of you are recently engaged – CONGRATS! After getting engaged and beginning the planning process of your big day, you may find yourselves becoming overwhelmed and stressed out. We at Sweet Pea Events are here to remind you that your wedding planning season should be a joyful time, not stressful. We know that you want your day to be perfect and special in every way, but taking care of yourself and your fiancé is one of the most important things to be mindful of.

We would like to share 5 ways that you can de-stress during this busy holiday season while you’re also planning your wedding:

1. Schedule regular date nights: Immerse yourselves in the fun and happiness that you and your fiancé bring each other. Some fun ideas: look at holiday lights together, make a gingerbread house, decorate your tree together, take a cooking class, go wine tasting, find a local tree lighting festival or parade, bake some holiday treats for neighbors or co-workers…the possibilities are endless. :)

2. Create a holiday tradition together: You can take one of our date activity ideas above and make it a tradition so that every year you can look forward to making your annual gingerbread house, going ice skating, whatever it may be. Think of the traditions that you enjoyed growing up, and incorporate them into your relationship now so that you can look forward to these traditions every year when you’re husband and wife.

3. Treat yourself to something festive: Peppermint Mochas from Starbucks, Eggnog Spice cupcakes from Sprinkles, or a “Sugar Plum” pedi. For those of you in the Dallas area, The Crescent Hotel is featuring this amazing pedicure for the holidays that sounds amazing! We just googled “holiday pedicure Dallas” and found this one so wherever you’re located in the world, you can search online and likely find something similar! :)

4. Give back: If you’ve ever volunteered your time or money, you know that more often that not you receive more than you are giving. There is just something wonderful about giving to those in need and it’s one way to keep perspective and not to sweat the small stuff. You could volunteer at a soup kitchen, adopt a family for Christmas who is in need of clothes and gifts for their children, etc.

5. Take care of yourself: By eating right, exercising and getting enough sleep, you will be able to deal with any stress that might come your way much better when you are well rested. Often easier said than done during the holiday season, but we know how frazzled we get when we don’t take care of ourselves. Just a reminder to slow down, enjoy this engagement and holiday season, and incorporate one or more of these ideas into your life so you don’t let your emotions and stress get the best of you!

Cheers to a stress-free engagement and holiday season! :)

Image by www.williamsonoma.com

Technorati Tags: Ways to de-stress,holiday engagements,Dallas Wedding Planner,pampering ideas,gingerbread house,holiday traditions

Thursday Therapy- November Recap!

2010-11-30T08:55:00.001-08:00

Posted by Meaghan Cody

Here in Dallas we get a chance to host a monthly networking happy hour for wedding professionals in the area. This is a laid back and fun way to collaborate with other wedding professionals, meet new friends, and talk shop!

This month we had the chance to host Thursday Therapy at Go Fish Ocean Club in Dallas! If you haven’t been to Go Fish, we recommend you making a trip there! This venue is super cool and has really great specials on yummy appetizers and sushi during the week!

Lora Ayers of Lora Ayers Photography took these amazing pictures for us! She is oh so talented and a pure joy to be around! Be sure to check back here soon to see our feature on Lora!

In the month of December we are hosting Thursday Therapy at The Hawaiian Nail Bar in Addison, TX on December 9th! We hope that you can make it!

If you would like to be a part of Thursday Therapy please contact either Kelly@sweetpeaevents.net or Meaghan@sweetpeaevents.net !

Check out Lora on the left in the fun purple tank top!

Technorati Tags: Thursday Therapy,Dallas Wedding Professionals,Go Fish Ocean Club,DFW Wedding Planner

Happy Thanksgiving!

2010-11-25T10:56:00.001-08:00

Posted by Kelly Simants

On behalf of both our Seattle and Dallas offices of Sweet Pea Events, I would like to wish everyone a wonderful, blessed Thanksgiving. This year, more than ever, we are grateful for all of our incredible clients, colleagues and employees. It has been a wonderful year for our business and we are ever so thankful for the support we receive from all of you! I am also beyond thankful for an amazing community of friends, and a wonderful family who bring me so much joy.

Wishing you all a Thanksgiving full of love and laugher! Oh, and just had to share a few fun finds from Etsy! : )

Row 1: Vintage Silverplated Serving Fork by WoodenHive, Thanksgiving Coasters by TKirbyCreations
Row 2: Autumn Appetizer Plates from marywibis, Eat, Drink Love Napkins by lovenatalie

Rustic, Romantic Fort Worth Wedding

2010-11-24T21:02:00.001-08:00

Posted by Kelly Simants

Today we were featured on Style Me Pretty, one of our favorite wedding blogs that provides incredible inspiration to brides. We’re one of their exclusive “Little Black Book” members for both of our Seattle and Dallas offices, and we are so honored that they published Angela and Danny’s wedding at ArtSpace111 in Fort Worth, TX. They were a wonderful couple to work with, and selected a rock star team of wedding pros who created their rustic, romantic celebration. We were brought on board fairly early on in the planning process (which we love!!) and worked closely with Branching Out Events and Wynnwood Catering to design all of their event elements. It was truly a team effort and I’m grateful to have the opportunity to work with such talented people in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Click here to read the entire feature as well as a detailed description about this fabulous wedding! Enjoy!

Please enjoy these images from the amazingly talented (and super sweet) Melissa Zihlman of Melissa Zihlman Photography!

Angela’s STUNNING custom ring they designed. Gorgeous!

Debby Jewesson, the brilliant designer and owner of Branching Out Events, carved Angela and Danny’s initials into this tree stump. Not only a super fun décor element, but what a cool keepsake they will have forever!

Debby and her team completely ROCKED this ceremony backdrop!

Adorable Ring Bearer Bowl from Paloma’s Nest that Angela and Danny’s son, Carter held. What an incredible heirloom to have! (Side note: if you haven’t checked out Paloma’s Nest yet, that is a MUST as Caroline’s products are adorable.)

After the ceremony, Angela added this sash to her gown that she and her mom made. BEAUTIFUL! I told her she could sell these for sure!!

Head table for family and wedding party…so romantic and sweet! Again, the design and labor of love from Debby and crew!

Angela found this awesome marquis to signify their new last name, Weaver! Was a great focal point for the evening!

Incredible corsage for Angela’s mom…and DELISH mini apple pies that Angela and her mom made as favors for each guest.

Debby had this vintage Coca-Cola crate that we used on the gift table for cards. So fun.

Homemade pies that Angela and her mom made for dessert (do you see a trend here? they are SUPER crafty and amazing bakers!) Wynnwood Catering and Special Events added vanilla bean gelato shots to accompany the pies. Definitely a crowd favorite!

Loved these bridesmaids dresses!!

This one melts my heart! Angela with her sweet son and ring bearer, Carter. Precious!

ArtSpace111 in Fort Worth is an awesome venue for outdoor receptions. We had the perfect evening – about 75 degrees with a light breeze in October. Café bulbs from Celebration Event Rental provided us with the perfect ambiance.

Guests enjoyed cornhole during the reception…gotta love this one with The Rangers logo on it! This was pre-world series too! : )

This one is pretty much my fave image from this wedding. Danny serenading his sweet new bride and Angela is just glowing and head over heels in love! So sweet, and oh so southern! : )

Last dance…Angela so didn’t want the night to end!

Sparkler send-off…congrats Angela and Danny!! We had a blast working with you and wish you all the best!

Here are the incredible wedding professionals Angela and Danny selected:

Photography: Melissa Zihlman Photography
Flowers and Event Design: Branching Out Events
Event Planning: Sweet Pea Events
Ceremony and Reception Location: ArtSpace 111
Cake: Colleen’s Cakes
Catering: Wynnwood Catering and Special Events
Rentals: Celebration Event Rental
Hair: Halo Salon
Makeup: Makeup by Melissa
Bands: Calhoun, Holy Moly, John Price
Wedding Night Hotel: The Ashton Hotel

Technorati Tags: rustic wedding,vintage wedding,Fort Worth weddings,ArtSpace111,fall color pallette,Dallas Wedding Planner

Nikki Nuckols of Doodle Dog Advertising

2010-11-23T08:02:00.001-08:00

Posted by Meaghan Cody

Today we wanted to feature one of our favorite wedding professionals here in Dallas. Nikki is the owner of Doodle Dog Advertising, and is so talented in what she does. She focuses on branding for wedding pros here in the Dallas area and all over the country, and she also designs fabulous invitations! She recently helped us design a logo for Thursday Therapy and we are just so in love. Nikki is so full of life and a complete joy to be around. We are super excited that we have the opportunity to work with this talented and fun girl!

We had the opportunity to ask Nikki a few questions about herself and her business…enjoy!

• How did you get started in the Advertising business, and specifically with weddings?
I originally moved to Texas from Iowa to go to school for Advertising. I have always had a passion for design and for being an entrepreneur, so strategic marketing and advertising was the perfect fit for me. I started Doodle Dog about a month after graduating from college, while also working full time at various ad agencies as an art director and later as a marketing coordinator and web-master. After a couple years of working full time and trying to build Doodle Dog my sister asked me to make her wedding invitations, and as they say the rest was history. I found my niche and knew it was time to leave the agencies behind and take Doodle Dog to the next level. So I added wedding stationery to my repertoire and started working with brides on their invitation sets and wedding/event professionals to help them develop, grow and reinvent their businesses from their logos to their websites and everything in between. Each project is different and I LOVE working with people who are as passionate as I am, whether it’s about their own wedding or their business.

• What is your typical day like as a Designer for Doodle Dog?
Long. Fulfilling. Never boring. I wake up at 5:15 every morning, pack my husband’s lunch, eat my cereal and get to work. I start with checking my email and answering as many as possible before the phone starts ringing. Starting at about 9 I either have a phone meeting, Skype meeting or an in-person meeting with various business owners or brides. Around noon I grab my blue monster and Jalapeno Cheetos and get back to the projects. I work until about 5 then head to the gym, do a little reading on the StairMaster, back home to eat some dinner, and then finish up a few of the projects I’ve been working on all day and send out files for review. My day normally ends around 10:30 or so.

• What would you say makes your style or personality unique from other Designers?
I think what sets me apart is the strategy and thought that I put into each project. I feel like each brand should represent the client and how they want to be portrayed in their industry. I want to put a smile on their faces and make them confident enough that they love the work as much as I enjoyed working on it for them.

• Favorite tips or advice for the bride and grooms to be?
Make it your own. Don’t follow the trends or your friend’s advice, let your wedding day reflect you and your future husband.

• Favorite tips or advice for the business owners?
I give business owners the same advice as a bride or groom. The only way you will be truly happy and be content with your branding and website is if you make it your own. Stay away from trends and don’t involve too many people in the branding process.

• When you aren’t working, what are some of your favorite things to do?
Going to the movies. Eating Mexican food. Watching train wreck reality TV shows like Teen Mom and Jersey Shore. Taking a bubble bath while listening to Bob Marley. Visiting Iowa. Being with my family.

• What are some of your favorite venues in the DFW area, and why?
Well since I got married at the Filter Building, I have to mention it, but I think it takes a certain person to love the Filter Building and it has to be someone who wants to start with a blank canvas, and that was exactly what I was looking for. I also love ThirdSpace, it is an excellent place right in the middle of Main Street and Frances is great to work with!

Check out some of Nikki’s incredible work below:

Technorati Tags: invitation designer,dallas weddings,branding expert,doodle dog advertisting

Fun Finds - Wedding Cake Pedestals

2010-11-18T08:55:00.001-08:00

Posted by Meaghan Cody

We recently found these super cute cake pedestals and figured we would share them with you in hopes that you would love them as much as we do. These cake pedestals are custom designed and are handcrafted out of solid wood.They have different sizes to fit your cake, as well as various styles and colors to compliment your cake design. These cake pedestals are very stylish and can be kept forever as a keepsake or can be used again at another party or event you may have. You can find these at www.weddingcakepedestals.com

All photos are from www.weddingcakepedestals.com!

Technorati Tags: Wedding cakes,cake pedestals,cake stands,dessert stands,dallas wedding planner

Thursday Therapy - October Recap!

2010-11-10T13:50:00.001-08:00

Posted by Meaghan Cody

Every month we host a networking happy hour called Thursday Therapy for wedding professionals in the Dallas area. We rotate venues, get a chance to see old friends, meet new ones, collaborate and talk shop. It is super casual and always so fun!

This past October marked our ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY for Thursday Therapy and we were so excited. There was no other way to celebrate than having a stellar party at The Joule! The ballroom was so beautiful and we were able to bring in a few wedding professionals to give it just the look we wanted to celebrate our big event. We had a huge turnout and couldn’t have been more thrilled. We would like to thank everyone who came out and all the people who have supported us over the past year. This group has grown so much and we look forward to seeing where it takes us next.

If you would like to be a part of Thursday Therapy feel free to contact Kelly@sweetpeaevents.net or Meaghan@sweetpeaevents.net!

These photos were taken by the amazing and talented Jonathan and Samantha Foster of Jonathan Ivy Photography (see their headshot below)! Thank you so much!!

November’s Thursday Therapy will be held at Go Fish-Ocean Club on November 11th. We hope to see you all there!

Thank you so much to all of the wedding pros who helped out to make our anniversary party such a hit! We couldn’t have done it without them!

Florist: Debby Jewesson with Branching Out Events

Lighting: David Allen with Cassidy’s Entertainment

DJ: Colby Lewis with Astounding Sounds

Maps: Daley Harris with Merry Maps

Desserts: Amy Kerstetter with Romano’s Bakery

Videographer: Daniel Troupe with Lynn Films

Thursday Therapy Logo: Nikki Nuckolls with Doodle Dog Advertising

Photography: Jonathan and Samantha Foster with Jonathan Ivy Photography

Venue: The Joule

Technorati Tags: Thursday Therapy,The Joule,Dallas Wedding Professionals,Dallas Wedding Planner

One more day to buy your Get Hitched Give Hope tickets!

2010-10-25T13:00:00.000-07:00

posted by Holly-Kate Foss

You have just one more day to purchase your Get Hitched Give Hope tickets online. Today is the day - just click on the link below and purchase. Common, you know you wanna! (pssssst....you can also buy them at the door)

It will be the most talked about event in Seattle. It is a great way to shop for your fabulous Wedding Vendors, while also giving back to a wonderful & amazing cause. You could also Win a Wedding Planning Package by Sweet Pea Events!

Here is the e-program, so you can get a preview of all the goods before the night of the event.

See you Thursday!

Holly-Kate & Kelly