Jill & Steve were married on July 16th at the First Presbyterian Church in Saline, MI. A year ago, I helped coordinate Steve’s brother Justin’s wedding at that same church! It was great to be back, and to see so many familiar faces. They used the same photographer as well – John Rogers. I am looking forward to seeing his pictures!

Following the reception, guests made their way to the Michigan Union for cocktails and appetizers in the Pendleton room (complete with Tabla and Sitar players!). At 6:30pm, the Union staff (amazing as always) encouraged guests to find their escort card and head inside the ballroom where my team had been busy setting up linens, folding and placing napkins, and setting other items such as the guest book table, menus, place cards, candles, candy buffet, favors etc.

Steve did an amazing job with so many of the paper products, as well as the slideshow and monogram! This was the view guests saw as they entered the room. Quest Productions did the uplighting on walls (amber) and ceiling (blue), and Maureen’s Designs created all of the centerpieces.

The music during the reception was provided by Sara from Platinum Mix Productions, someone I always love to work with. She does a wonderful job of reading the crowd, and kept the dance floor busy all night!

Jill & Steve elected to sit at a sweetheart table, with their bridal party at the two tables next to them. While getting last minute shots in with the photographer, I took their drink orders which were waiting for them as soon as they came in for the grand entrance. Shortly after that, dinner was served!

Candy buffets look great, and they make people happy so I am a huge fan! We stored the extra candy underneath to refill as needed throughout the night.

Favors for all the guests were oatmeal cookies. They also served wedding cake along with a gourmet coffee station later on at night. No one left hungry!

I just love the Union ballroom, it is so elegant and grand. Lighting really adds so much to it as well. In the top left corner, guests were in for a surprise when caricature artists showed up after dinner! There was a line all night for both artists, definitely a worth while investment!

Gwen’s Cake Decorating in Saline did both the wedding cake and groom’s cake, which was set by the front doors along with all of the bridesmaids’ bouquets.

Congratulations on a beautiful wedding you two!

Ann & Tom were such a pleasure to work with. They were married on June 11th at The Westin Book Cadillac. This hotel has so much character and gorgeous details. The ceremony took place in the simply elegant Crystal Ballroom. Their photographer, Tamara of Silver Thumb Photography, did an amazing job with the pictures – enjoy!

I loved how Ruby & Duke, their two dogs, were dressed to walk down the aisle!

After the ceremony, my assistants Carissa & Kate helped escort guests to the cocktail hour in the Italian Garden for drinks and appetizers. Meanwhile, Ann & Tom were able to steal away for some shots of them in the Downtown area.

The reception was held in the Venetian ballroom. As always, Bill Hamilton Designs did an amazing job on the decor pulling inspirations from the styling of the Italian Garden. I loved the vintage-preppy of this wedding… everything from the color choices to the combination of hard vessels with soft florals.

Guests were having a great time dancing to The Sun Messengers band. They definitely know how to keep people on the dance floor!

At the end of the night, we took Ann’s bouquet to later be preserved in a canvas painting by CurlyArt. I can’t wait to see it when it’s done!

Congratulations Ann & Tom!

Written by Ashley Mason – TwoFoot Creative, Grand Rapids

Alice and Mick were married at a private residence in Dexter, MI on June 25th, 2011. TwoFoot Creative worked with the couple and Alice’s parents for a full year of planning to make everything come together – and it did so beautifully! Even the weather cooperated, after a full week of rain, it held off the entire night!

Zingerman’s provided the more intimate dinner for ceremony guests as well as the larger stationed meal for reception guests, the wedding cake, coffee station and bartending for the evening. Needless to say, they brought a small army to make it happen! The tented dinner was inspired by a restaurant that the family loves – Le Relais de Venise.

All decor, including the above gorgeous lounge area, flowers, linens, chandeliers and amazing glass bubbles floating in the pool below were brought in by Bill Hamilton Designs. Rentals and the amazing gold liner in the tent came from Colonial Events.

Alice & Mick’s paper products were just beautiful, thanks to Tifany at Gourmet Invitations. She created an Alice in Wonderland inspired book for the guests, which arrived in the form of their wedding invitations! Menus beneath each charger plate, valet tags, bathroom signs, street signs and bathroom hand towels also came from Tifany.

Entertainment for the evening was in abundance: the Ann Arbor boychoir surprised guests from the balcony with the bridal processional and recessional. Panache brought in a string quartet for cocktails and dinner, and Macpodz carried the rest of the evening. Right after the cake was cut at 10pm, a fireworks show gave guests one more surprise!

The linens Bill brought in came from Graceful Tables – they were amazing to work with and the linens came in beautifully. After dinner, we helped Zingerman’s clear all the tables, flip the linens and put the centerpieces back on so when the coffee station opened up later on, it came with a fresh start!

It was a beautiful day, and I will let Alice’s words sum up her experience: “I never imagined that I would enjoy the day so much. You got me through the whole process and left me with a smile on my face. I really admire your grace and positive attitude, and I will be forever grateful to have had you as my wedding planner.” Alice – I will always be grateful to have had you as a client – you are a beautiful person!

Congratulations Alice & Mick!

They say rain on your wedding day is actually a promise of good luck, but what about hail? Does it mean your marriage will have nothing but good luck for as long as you both shall live? On July 2, in Clarkston, MI Alexia and Nick proved that nothing was going to stop them from getting married and dancing the night away with their guests. This adorable backyard wedding was full of personal touches from the bride and groom, and it had the cutest vintage-indie theme!

Guests arrived and everyone enjoyed walking around and seeing all of the special items the bride had us set up. From centerpieces of old books and vintage cameras, suitcases to hold their cards and their very own handmade photo booth, this wedding was ready for guests to pop open the Faygo and enjoy a handmade pin or two.

There were three different sets of flower centerpieces used that came from The Parsonage. They were all gorgeous and added very nicely to the books and cameras. Guests located their names on a framed guest list and then found their table that had library cards with their names on them.

As we all crossed our fingers for the storm to just wait until they said “I do”, guests made their way to the ceremony, which we set up in the back yard. The groom serenaded guests as he led his groomsmen down the aisle while playing his guitar. Alexia’s mother escorted her down the aisle and one of the groomsmen took over playing the guitar. I don’t think there was a dry eye in the crowd.

I truly believe the rain gods were looking out for us, because just as the couple said “I do” and shared their first kiss, we rushed the guests into the tent, and the rain came down. Thankfully all of the guests were under tents as it started, because soon we had hail. We ran to the tent and held items down as things were trying to blow away.

Guests helped us and I think we all bonded while trying to stay dry and not get hit by the giant balls of ice falling from the sky.

Blessings sometimes come in disguise and for us it was the rain. It was so hot that day and after the rain we were all cooled off and ready to have a wonderful reception.

Guests dined on Famous Daves for dinner and everyone enjoyed how great the comfort food was. Being a southern girl myself, I would have to say this menu of chicken, salmon, and spicy mac’n cheese was better than fabulous. After dinner, the groom had a surprise for his beautiful bride. He gathered everyone together and him and one of his groomsmen sang an original song. While the groom sang, “I choose you babe,” all the guests got involved and the smile that was on Alexia’s face was priceless.

Alexia and Nick had one last surprise for their guests and it came in the form of an ice cream truck. The DJ (Jim from Postman Productions) made the announcement, and guests lined up so they could pick out their favorite childhood treat. This was one dessert that no one could pass up. As night came and everyone was full of delicious food and sweet treats the music began to play and everyone was out on the dance floor.

I will never forget this wedding. Not only from the hail and how we managed to keep the night going, but also all the special little touches that the bride and groom did. All the super sweet details both big and small, made this wedding that much more personal and special.

I wish all the best luck in the world to Alexia and Nick; they survived the hailstorm and still had a smile on their face. I think that proves that nothing will stand in their way of experiencing true happiness in life.

Written by Melanie King – TwoFoot Creative, Ann Arbor