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Natalee and Kyle met me under some interesting circumstances… trying out for “Whose Wedding Is It Anyway?”! Through Amanda Williams, we met to submit tapes to the show as they are looking for a Midwest planner to add to their ranks. Despite Natalee and Kyle being the perfect couple, we were not chosen (most likely due to Christmas being two days prior to the wedding and film crews not being willing to spend that time in Detroit…). However, I did meet one of my favorite couples out of the deal!

They got married on a crazy warm December day at St. Hugo of the Hills, which is just a beautiful church. You definitely don’t need to add much decor there! I helped pin on everyone’s flowers, made sure the wedding before theirs was out in time, and parted with a few items from the emergency kit before helping Natalee up the stairs for her walk with her father! As soon as the doors closed behind her, I handed out a few final payments and left for Addison Oaks to make sure setup was going according to schedule.

My assistant Stephanie got stuck with the job of folding napkins, since the linen company was going to charge double to fold… and after over two hours of folding, they looked great! When I got there, the staff at Addison Oaks was also helping with setup, which never happens. They were absolutely phenomenal to work with all night long, the food was fantastic, and I will definitely be recommending them in the future! Items that were set up include: jewels around the centerpieces, frame favors, table numbers, cake knife, toasting flutes, irish bell, unity candle and arrangement from church, seating chart, candy table, and candle centerpieces.

The ceremony went wonderfully, but a bit over which pushed back pictures a bit more than expected… my second assistant (and husband) Gene helped get everyone out of the church, into the limo (including bags, final payment and directions), and to the reception in time to start the grand entrance. The evening’s entertainment, DJ Crash from Music Box Productions, did an amazing job. They kept the dance floor packed all night, did a great job emceeing, and even managed an impromptu assembly of a slideshow when the projector arrived at the last minute!

Other vendors they used include Millenium Limo, Mike Miller’s Star Productions, Viviano’s Florist, Cakes Our Specialty, Shutterbooth, and Sinatra Sound. During the dinner music hour, Sinatra Sound entertained with a tribute to Frank Sinatra - it was very entertaining and something very unique for guests to experience. The Shutterbooth was a huge hit (as always), and it always makes me laugh when adults flock to the candy tables… they make you want to be a kid again!

The only mixup of the evening happened at the end of the night, when the valet company informed me that the last shuttle had departed - without the bridal party! I contacted the shuttle company with no answer, so all we could do was wait and hope that one did in fact arrive. I made several backup plans for alternatives if the third trip did not take place (they were scheduled for three), but fortunately it was the valet’s mistake and the shuttle company did in fact arrive.

Natalee has sent her bouquet in to Curly Art to have it turned into a painting - it is going to be gorgeous! Congratulations Natalee and Kyle on a beautiful wedding - I hope you had a blast at Sandals St. Lucia! I am honored to have been part of your day, and I wish you the best of fortune and happiness!