I am spending my husband’s 31st birthday at an awesome Misty Farm wedding today (stay tuned for my pictures in a few days!). Last year at this time, I was on Plan B for his 30th birthday, setting up a tent in our back yard!
Happy 31st birthday Gene, I love you!
For Amber & Keiland’s wedding day, Plush Paper created square booklet ceremony programs with a soft gold watermark of their engagement photos on front & back covers, and holes for an antique gold accent ribbon.
Other paper accents included a unity candle wrap with ‘A’ & ‘K’ monogram wraps for the tapers, a memory candle wrap, and various reception cards that were all placed in frames - family photo card, photobooth card, bar card and table number cards.
August’s Association of Bridal Consultants (ABC) meeting was held at the MGM Grand in Detroit, MI. The host of the event was Laura Davis, our new Michigan State President!
All centerpieces for the evening was provided by the wonderfully talented Parsonage. Linens were brought in from the Linen Hero.
Lorio Ross provided the evening’s entertainment with Dueling Pianos International. It was so much fun! I am pretty sure every table was participating…
The annual conference also came up - it is taking place in Phoenix this year and I cannot wait to go! It is always such a motivational trip, and I return with a million things on my list of to-do’s!
The topic of the evening was presented by Ryan from Epic Motion, who spoke on the details of a wedding that make it unique. He touched upon a few things his company is doing - such as wedding websites for clients, save the date videos as well as thank you’s, and the ability to provide a same-day edit to clients so their guests can see the first half of the day later on in the evening!
The amazing cupcakes were brought in from Just Baked, which now has locations in Ann Arbor, Livonia, Royal Oak, and Twelve Oaks Mall in Novi.
We signed up seven new ABC members - very exciting news! I would love to see ABC grow in Michigan to become as important to the wedding industry as it is in California where meetings have a regular attendance of about 150 people!
Of all the most beautiful places on earth, only Sandals Grande Antigua has earned the title of “The World’s Most Romantic Resort.”
Sandals Antigua is the resort I am most looking forward to visiting - it looks just amazing!
Another resort with recent renovations, don’t you just want to live in this bathroom?!
The resort features 9 restaurants serving food from around the world, and 10 bars - you will never go hungry or thirsty!
“Filled with the authentic charm of the islands in its lush garden oasis known as The Caribbean Village… and resplendent with European grandeur amidst its palatial retreat known as The Mediterranean Village, this spectacular resort offers the best of two worlds on one idyllic island where balmy breezes still whisper tales of yore when British Admiral Lord Nelson sailed these famous shores.” Sandals Website
One of the nice things about Sandals is the “Luxury Included” nature of the place. You do not need money for anything except spa treatments (most bookings include $250 worth to start), and you are not allowed to tip. After spending so much money on your wedding, it is so nice to take a week off from even seeing green!
Not a beach person? They have amazing pools too, with swim-up bars and private cabanas!
Check out the Sandals website to see all the resorts!
Amber and Keiland were married at Fort Street Presbyterian Church in Detroit, MI this past Saturday. Amber was an absolutely stunning bride - she definitely had the bridal glow! TwoFoot Creative coordinated their beautiful wedding day.
She walked down the aisle with her father to a special song that only she knew about up until the doors opened for them to make their entrance! Capturing the memories were Melissa Patterson Gallery and Castle Video Productions.
Once the ceremony ended, we brought her aisle arrangements and all the items used during the ceremony to the reception hall at the Doubletree Fort Shelby in Detroit. Ashley was already on site making sure setup was completed in time, that vendors were arriving as scheduled and to check in guests as they made their entrance from cocktail hour into the reception.
Amber had so many wonderful touches to the day - like the family picture table above! She also brought in Rock the Booth for guest favors as well as for her and Keiland to have a scrapbook album at the end of the night.
One of my favorite things they did was to arrive to the hotel in time to see the room before any of the guests had entered. After all that hard work - of course she wanted to see it! The photographer and videographer were there to capture their reactions as they entered the room for the first time.
Amber had forgotten to bring the candles for half her centerpieces that day, so we did have some improvising to do! Her florist was kind enough to leave behind all the extra flowers, which were placed into votive holders and hurricanes to create a centerpiece in addition to the votives and gems that we had to work with already. I think it turned out beautifully!
The couple met at TGIF, so it was fitting that their wedding cake was a beer mug covered in TGIF memorabilia! For dessert, guests were each served two-tiered miniature wedding cakes. The groom’s cake was boxed up to take home.
Congratulations on a beautiful day you two!
Amalia & Andrew were married two years ago today at Cobblestone Farm in Ann Arbor, MI.
Congratulations to you both!
Carrie and Gareth were married a year ago today at the First Presbyterian Church in Plymouth, with a reception following at the Inn at St. John’s.
Congratulations to you both!
Danielle and Bobby were married a year ago today at Fenton United Methodist Church with a beautiful reception following at the parents’ of the bride’s home.
Congratulations on your first year of marriage!
Jessica and Chris were married a year ago today at St. Mary’s in Ann Arbor, MI. The reception following at the Union was packed until the very end of the night, it was a huge hit!
Congratulations to you both!
A colleague sent this my way, and I just love the detail described here about Chelsea and Marc’s wedding on July 31st!
Written by a wedding attendee who is Chelsea Clinton’s friend.
The Wedding…
Although we weren’t allowed a camera at the wedding or any events - here is my attempt at giving the full rundown.
Astor Courts - Built between 1902-1904 and originally used as a sporting pavilion with guest bedrooms, it houses the 1st indoor swimming pool in the US, and a huge indoor Tennis Court.
To get there you have to go through this long winding road, and the grounds are truly breathtaking on the Hudson. Upon arrival we had a quick glass of water, and then went to the ceremony.
Ceremony - It was all outside and the weather was great. They had yarmulkes for men, and fans for everyone in case it got hot.
The chuppah was the most amazing one I have ever seen, and it was constructed out of willow branches and decorated with white roses and hydrangeas. It was shaped like a dome, almost like a pavilion and it was lit up at night so we could see it in the evening. Chelsea told me later that she was inspired by our chuppah! The Ceremony was very jewish, about 80%. The rabbi did most of the talking and they had a nice Ketubah on display, and they had a Sheva Brachot whereby the Rabbi read each one and they had a reader repeat in English.
At the end when Marc broke the glass, the Rabbi told us that they would use the broken pieces and put them back together to make a mezuzah for their apartment. I really liked that idea, and when I spoke with Chelsea she told me it was her idea, and she researched it and they bought it at the Jewish Museum. Clearly alot of thought had gone intothe ceremony and it was really lovely right at sunset.
Dresses - As has been reported Chelsea was in Vera Wang, in which she really looked lovely and it had a long train. I was really blown away by Hillary, who looked great. She wore a beautiful red dress with embroidered flowers and she was so attractive.
Bill looked great and lost over 20 pounds for the wedding. Both of them were really beaming throughout the whole ceremony. The bridesmaids also wore Vera Wang in light purple (which is one of a kind, because they had white dresses dyed the right color). After the ceremony Chelsea changed into another white dress (Vera Wang again). Needless to say Vera was in attendance.
Flowers - I don’t think there is a hydrangea left in the northeast. The main house was decorated in large bouquets of white hydrangeas/roses and over the fireplaces were long displays of white lillies (like they have in the George V in Paris, where they arc across the room). As I mentioned the flowers in the Chuppah were amazing as well. In the main reception area (Tented construction in the rear), the were a variety of arrangements but the tables had a minimum of 3-4 different arrangements - this time in purple/pink roses and hydrangeas again. I mean there were a minimum of 100/150 roses per table.
Reception - They set up a marquee in the back behind the tennis courts - and it was truly amazing. Chandeliers/air conditioning and a huge dance-floor. There were about 450 people but it didn’t feel that big. The tables were mixed arrangements - some circles, a very long dais (where Chelsea/Marc/Bridal Party/Family were). The flowers were arranged mixed, some high, some low, with a variety of candle/water arrangements.
The colour palette was soft lilac/white. We were seated at each table, with a personalized printed menu for each person (instead of a name card). Of course everyone was split up - so Heather and I were apart from one another. It turns out that the parents of a couple at our table are very good friends with the Waldman’s (the Berkowitz’ of St Andrews) - Jewish geography (as they are not from Canada).
Band - The band was amazing and I think it was about 20/25 people with a full string section as well as a standard band. They could play anything and really led the crowd the entire night.
The first dance was great and Marc and Chelsea did a pretty sexy tango style which showed how much in love they were. Bill was crying when he danced with Chelsea. They did a hora, and yes, both Bill and Hillary were raised on the chairs and carried around the room. Hilarious.
Food - I thought it was good (and now I know that Chelsea is a Vegan. There were gluten free bread and the huge wedding cake was gluten free as well. Salad/Risotto/choice of Arctic Char, Angus Steak or Vegetarian/Desert/Cake. We didn’t finish eating until 1am or so.
After Party - The band wrapped up at 1:30, and then we went into the Tennis Court which was converted into a lounge, with different flowers (this time red hydrangeas/roses everywhere) and a dance floor with couches etc. Then came the comfort food, grilled cheese with Truffle, seared tuna, red velvet cupcakes, mini burgers etc). They had a DJ playing, as well as someone playing the electric violin. It was really great fun, and we headed back on the buses at 3am, and got back to the hotel at 4am. We started the night at 4pm, so a long night.
Guests - The press had it all wrong, it wasn’t a hollywood event but more of a family and friend event. So the only “stars” were Mary Steenburgen and Ted Danson (who partied till 3am as well). Madeline Albright, Vernon Jordan and Terry Mcauliff attended. There were alot of Washington people, but mostly it was family and friends which was great as it was very comfortable and we knew people.
Speeches - Hillary and Bill made the welcome speeches and both were excellent. Hillary welcomed everyone by saying “The press was saying - who is invited - well you are, everyone in this room has touched the lives of Chelsea and Marc either in the past or present and we hope you will be part of our lives going forward - we thank you for all that you have done for them both.
Bill then said that he has been outnumbered in his house with Chelsea and Hillary and was looking forward to having an ally. The best men (brothers) made nice speeches and the matron of honor (Jewish girl) made a really heartfelt speech. The highlight was Marc’s where he described the moment he went to ask for Chelsea’s hand in marriage with Bill (and Hillary) which was funny and surreal. He also said that Chelsea embodied the finest qualities of both her parents and he thanked them for raising such a special person (Bill had tears at this point). Marc also said that as people have been there for them, he wanted to make it clear that he and Chelsea would always be there for everyone else - good times and bad. It was very touching and meant alot to everyone in the room who knows them well. Chelsea ’s speech was also great (off the cuff) and she radiated when she spoke of her love for Marc and again for everyone in the room.
Whew, then we had the Brunch!
Location - The brunch (again hosted by Hillary and Bill) took place in this magnificent barn in Rhinebeck. We had to drive (ID checked again and again) and then a golf cart took us to the barn, which was just amazing. They had two 20 foot walls covered in Sunflowers and we sat a communal tables (it was informal) and had very good brunch food (again wheat/gluten free options). It was a beautiful morning and you could look out over this huge expanse of land and it was really special.
Even though we were all tired, it was great.
Hillary was out in force, being very Mother of the Bride and looking very summer cool. Bill showed up towards the later end of the Brunch, and Marc and Chelsea were both there (Chelsea again in a beautiful bright blue dress). We caught up with some more friends and Marc’s family whom I know, and it was a great end to the weekend
Highlights:
Hillary complimenting Heather on her earrings, Heather getting 3 compliments on the dress -
people thought she was European.
Madeline Allbright dancing with Vera Wang, and hearing Hillary say to Madeline at the Brunch “You were one hot mamma last night”.
Bill and Hillary being lifted on chairs during the hora. Secret Service made sure there were plenty
of men to do the carrying.
The grounds of Astor Courts lit up at night framing the marquee, pool area and the Chuppah
under the stars.
The relaxed elegance and beauty of the brunch - it was a special place.
Gift Bag - Last but not least they had a great gift bag (again with the same logo/writing as the
invitations/save the date) - with wine, maps, sweets, pen, stationary, all local things sourced
in Rhinebeck as a tribute to the Wedding.
…and that is all she wrote.