Coordinating your theme

My hope with every client is to build a relationship with them. I mean, after all, we do choose to work together on one of the most important days of your life. I enjoy finding out what makes them tick, what their hobbies and passions are, what their favorite colors are. I especially enjoy making friends with my clients and vendors, for me that is one of the best things about this business - the people!

By choosing our Something Blue, concept design package, we choose colors and themes and take design ideas to the next level. We get to work incorporating your theme with your reception location, save the dates, invitations, placecards, table linens, favors and additional decor items so, in the end, we clearly have a complete look that you are happy with.

Take for instance, your love for biking, vibrant pinks and blues. Let us create your storyboard and see what ideas come into play. It's the greatest way to see for yourself how things will look when they all come together.

Call us to today to schedule your inital consultation and let us help you with the creative process.

Storyboard created by The Dressy Group including Pantone Colors, Ann Taylor Dresses, and Nedrebo's Formal Wear

Winter wonderland photos

Are you having a spring or summer wedding? Have you thought of having your engagement photos taken in the winter? I know, I know... its cold outside, the snow is wet and dirty in places. But just think of what a beautiful backdrop clean, white snow is.

 

Aren't these the most romantic photos you have ever seen? Bill and I are having Karrn Frost take our photos next week in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan and I am so excited!

Now to decide what to wear.  Forest green, red, burgandy. Mmm, warm earthy colors that will appear vibrant in your photos. Furry boots are a must have, yes, I know its trendy but oh so fun!

The most important tip I can give you is to have FUN, enjoy yourselves, forget the camera (and the cold) and play like a kid again. Dress warm, wear your hat and mittens and allow the talented photographer to get some great shots of you and your beloved. Build a snowman, make snow angels, hold each other close and tell him that you love him! Enjoy the season and each other.

If your still looking for a talented photographer, check the blog for Links we Love and you'll find several that do fabulous work. Or call us and we'll chat about your needs.

Photos courtesy of the web: #1, Carden Photography. #2, realphotography. #3, Title Nine. #4, Earth snowboots



The TENT: Dress it up with color

Take your drab white tent and dress it up with lights, flowers, garland, and paper lanterns and you've got yourself one beautiful showcase. Easy and cost effective for a do it yourself bride, just need a trustworthy delegate. Or you could hire us to assist with design and decoration set up, which you'll find is included in our Something Borrowed, day of planning package.

This is one of my favorite photos and concept ideas, taking a beautiful collection of flowers and layers of tulle for simple display of elegance. Even if your tent sides don't cooperate for this type of look, you could still get away with this on the inside of the tent with the tulle being draped from one side of the tent to the other.

Add just a little bit of color and lights and here you have a glow that makes your outside venue shine. How romantic and festive for a wedding.

Call us today - 608.234.8304 for your initial consultation and we'll help you plan the wedding of your dreams.




Photo credits: Top: Allegra's Studio. Middle: unknown found at The Knot. Bottom: RossJames Photography.

Using color to coordinate your theme

One of the first questions I ask clients is about colors. What are their favorites, when is the wedding, what types of flowers do they like? I enjoy taking an initial concept and designing around those ideas.

Typically we start with choosing dresses for the attendants. But like the photos suggest, you may begin with flowers. I love the idea of using blue hydrangea's, very summery - plus that could even be your 'something blue'. Note the orange ribbon and cornflower blue in the paper. Tie those together and you make a fashionable statement. Add in the colors of coordinating attendants dresses and you have a complete look. Using the hydrangea's on your invitations, place cards and further in your table decorations is a creative way of bringing your theme full circle.

photos courtesy: The Knot. Left, bottom right: Grand Lubell Photography. Top Right: Andrew McCaul

Photographers..... what a stir

There's something about photos to me that just creates a stir. I am not sure what it is, but the details and valuable memories are something that many times you just can't replace. When I first started planning our wedding, it was the beautiful details and angles that were captured that just wowed me. I kept seeing these remarkable images that were captured from a talented eye.

For lack of a better word, I stumbled upon Pearls Events website and blog and was mesmerized by the shots taken by Karrn Frost Photography. Little did I know, several months into the planning process, that I would end up hiring Karrn to do the photography for our wedding. I am so excited and needless to say, that we are hoping for some outside snowy winter engagement photos to be taken during the christmas holiday. If anyone knows me, they know that I really am not that fond of ice, cold, and snow. I love hot weather, sunny beaches and cool drinks. Think lemonade on the front porch in my rocker, reading a really good book. But this year, I am looking forward to being in Michigan for the holidays, being with friends and family and getting our picture taken by Karrn.  And lets hope for SNOW!!!!


courtesy Karrn Frost Photography


I would describe Karrn's style as very artsy, and very non-traditional. Sure she's great at the traditional point and shoot photos but she really gets to the details and heart of her clients. I fell in love with the idea of Lake Michigan as a backdrop many, many, many years ago and thought what area in Michigan has sentimental value for us?  Petoskey, yup it is.... after looking at a few places in Northern Michigan, it turns out Staffords Perry Hotel is THE place. Bill's family has a cottage not far on Burt Lake and he has lots childhood memories of the beaches and sailing. It's such a quaint little village and I often wonder, if you could live anywhere, why would you not choose Petoskey? I can't wait to get up there again and again.

But until then, I have Karrn to thank for being willing to travel the 200+ miles along with another photographer to do our shoot on July 29, 2011. The excitement and love continues to grow!

Photographers.... oh, so many to choose from

Today, we feature my take on photographers. For me, this net can be cast wide open, there are so many styles and differences that each photographer brings to the table. From fashion forward, photo journalistic approaches, to traditional styles where do you begin?

First off, look at the their website and blog. For example, Blue Dandelion Photography shares sneeky peaks of a variety of their photos. When I met with Doug, he told me he does not specifically adhere to timelines. He does this because he learns how his clients feel, maybe they need a break from shooting.... He does more candid, rather than posed shots. Courtney does all the editing, she sees it from her perspective, if Doug did the editing, he'd likely see it from a different perspective. To them, consistency is key and the relationship that is formed with a couple is extremely important to them.

Send an email, make a phone call, see if the photographer responds. mmm, no response? Move on to someone else. Their response time gives you an idea as to how they present themselves professionally. Do you want to work with someone that you repeatedly have to follow-up with?

Get references and call them. Ask questions, what did you like, what didn't you like? Where they on time, how did your photos turn out?

We have many excellent photographers in the greater Madison area. Let us help you with selecting one that is right for you. We'll even go to the appointment with you.

Madison Wedding Planner and Guide GIVEAWAY!

Photo courtesy of WedPlan

I love attending bridal shows. I love seeing the vendors and all the ideas they have for the upcoming season. I'd say love is in the air.... This year, A White Dress Affair will participate in the Madison Winter Bridal Show sponsored by the Wedding Planner and Guide, slated for January 15 and 16, 2011, held at the Alliant Energy Center.

We are so looking forward to joining this fabulous group of vendors and seeing the beautiful gowns and sleek dresses. An extra special treat for one lucky bride and her groom is the giveaway package valued at $10,000+.

The prize package includes a few of the following: Tuxedo rentals from Nedrebo's Formal Wear, a Wedding Cake from Craig's Cake Shop, $1000 gift certicate from The Ultimate Spa & Salon. Custom Wedding Invitations from The Paper Deli, Limousine Package from Gallant Knight Limousine.  PLUS, A White Dress Affair is giving away Day of Planning Services! We'll help you coordinate with all the vendors and we'll help make the introductions if you'd like. And, this is just a small portion of those participating, all I can say is WOW!

Feel free to email or call if you have further questions! Happy planning, we wish you the very best!

Christmas card 2010

Peppermint Bliss Christmas Card

Make a statement with custom Christmas cards at Shutterfly.

View the entire collection of cards.

dunt, dunt, du, dunt....

And now featuring Madison Wisconsin's premier wedding planner A White Dress Affair.

I have to say the website process has been pretty easy and I love what we have come up with. BluDomain did a great job with the entire process and I am very glad that I made the decision to go with them for the webdesign. So easy, and I followed the directions and here we are!

2011 is in the air....

I see beautiful trends for 2011... Bright, bold amazing color and soft earthy tones with a hint of elegance, very 1950's. Think vintage, your Grandmothers diamond brooch or classic pearl earrings to be used as your something borrowed. Tulle overlay on the dresses creating a softer look to silk and satin.


Here are a few of our favorite things.....

Classic and beautiful, and has the added something blue!

If you thought that you had to wear white or ivory, think again!

This dress with detailed bodice and peachy colors are in.

I follow Michelle Mospens My Personal Artist and I think she is right on the money when she talks 2011 colors.

And this was only part one..... check out her page for part two! WOW, beautiful, natural tones. Perfect for spring, summer and fall 2011.

So many to choose from, where do you begin?

SPOTLIGHT Service: Something Blue

When I think of something blue, I think, dazzling earrings or beautiful blue garter. But if you think more creatively, blue shoes are a simple way of adding personality to your day (and they add to your comfort). What about beautiful hair pins?

Be Flirty Dresses

Beautiful blue shoes

At A White Dress Affair, our Something Blue package allows us to get creative.

Many clients wish to have someone to bounce ideas off of. We talk colors, themes, and concept design. We then use the resources available to plan a spectacular event. We assist with budget management, provide vendor recommendations and negotiate contracts (reception venues, photographer, florist, musicians, entertainment, etc). We are also available for all communications during the planning process, rehearsal, dinner and day of coordination.

Schedule your initial consultation today so we can start the creative juices flowing.

Happy planning!

Etsy Finds

I love hunting through Etsy to see what creative goods I might find. Today, I happened across a few cool items...

San Jose Engraving (sjEngraving) is a home based workshop located in downtown San Jose, California. They are a husband and wife team - Joanne and Tony Cheng who specialize in custom engraving on natural rocks, glass and wood for all occasions. Love what they have done with these beautiful stones, they could easily be used for placecards for guests and serve as lovely favors. How beautiful and unique.

I have been looking for a cake topper that could be used to incorporate our theme... what do you think of these? Aren't they adorable?

Minnesota mom and QTIFF Cottage owner Tiffani Schreinerand enjoys working with all sorts of mediums. She has been working with polymer clay for over fifteen years and absolutely LOVES making little creatures - humans and animals! She puts her whole self into her work and gets carried away with tiny details. Can you tell? They are all custom made and designed specifically by you. Cool huh?! I think I might have to order one, and have Rusty and Fletcher included... what do you think?!  Check out Cake Toppers by Tiff today.

Its in the details

I have a 4 year old niece who is a girly girl and I love her to pieces. Bill and I have asked her to be the flower girl in our wedding and she is very excited! You ask her what she wants to wear and she says pink and purple. Must be her favorite colors, mmm, not sure about that but ok. Alexandra and I have to come to terms with what she will wear but I have a feeling that when she puts on the pretty white taffeta dress, she won't care what color it is. She will think she is a princess and I have to say I am looking so forward to having her join me and my sister Kate on my special day.  I was thinking too that she could get some funky shoes that come in pink and purple. Maybe that will satisfy her!

This photo is from last summer, can you tell I love her?! Regardless, she and I have lots of details to work out when I am home at Christmas time. I have narrowed down many things on the TO DO list but at the beginning it was definitely a work in progress. So much to think about....

Bill and I love biking and sailing. How do you combine those ideas for a wedding? And I wanted cerise pink. Cerise pink - what is that? Its a beautiful shade of dark pink, not fuschia and not red-ish pink but somewhere in between. I love gerbera daisy's and Bill's favorite color is orange. Uggg. How do you get all this to come together you ask? Well its all in the details. This is the part that I LOVE, taking initial concepts and bringing them to flourishing.

We've chosen some very beautiful and fun details with a little help from our florist friends at Flowers From Sky's the Limit in Petoskey . The other details, well they will be left as a surprise, but I can say its all coming together very nicely!

Rumblings of facebook

I have been trying the last few days to get my posting entries from my blog to post to A White Dress Affair facebook page. I would really prefer that my postings not post to my personal page. I mean, I don't mind but I'd really love it if they'd post to page I manage.....

I have looked in help and its been NO help. So, I added NetworkedBlogs to my facebook page and this will be a test to see if my entry will automatically post to the facebook page correctly.

Just curious, readers what blogs do you follow and why? I was never really a blog reader before but now I rather enjoy it! Hope you all have had a glorious weekend, I am off to feed my doggies and the grocery store is calling my name. Oh the joys of a busy stepmother, fiance, and wedding planner....

SPOTLIGHT SERVICE: Something Borrowed

What is A White Dress Affair you ask? We provide inspiration for planning weddings and events across the state of Wisconsin.

Something Borrowed?  This is something different than your traditional something borrowed. Here YOU plan all the details; we make sure its carried out just as you dreamed. Basically, you borrow us for the day.

We help by smoothing the bride's nerves on the day of the wedding, knowing that she will be thinking of many different things that day. We make sure she hasn't missed any details and help bring together her vision for what this day will look like. We make sure everything and everyone is in the right place at the right time.

Typically we begin working with the client 30-60 days before the wedding and we invest 20 hours of time bringing this all together. From consultations to rehearsal coordination to securing the plans for the day of the wedding. We even help with having that something borrowed item!

We look forward to assisting you with your special day! Wishing you much love and happiness. God Bless.

Client Only Page

Most people don't like bringing up the subject of money, but me who comes from a banking background, isn't afraid to broach the subject.... Besides everyone needs to be paid for their services, right?

Every afternoon, I come home and work diligently on something for the business. Typically, when Bill comes home from work and I am sitting in the same spot as I was the day before, it seems my laptop is attached to my thighs. Anyway, today I discovered a way our clients could easily pay us online. Isn't technology a wonderful thing?

After we've received the signed event agreement, you will be provided access to our "client only page" so you can easily pay your bill. We have several payment options available. Currently, we are running a 10% discount promotion for those that pay in full within 30 days of signing the event agreement.  Cool huh?! I am hoping the site will be up and running by the beginning of November. Watch for more details. 

Toodles. Gotta find a way to get my legs unattached from this computer.

Social Media here we come

I personally have accounts on both MySpace and Facebook. This allows me to stay connected to family and friends. And, it almost makes me feel like I am still in Michigan, not the 600 hundred miles and a lake that seperate us. So this week it seemed like a good idea to create a Facebook page for A White Dress Affair and get onboard with Twitter. Follow us on Twitter at AWDA_Weddings and LIKE us on Facebook. We love you!

By the way, we launch officially at our first event, the Madison Wedding Planner and Guide Winter Bridal Show on January 15 and 16, 2011 to be held at the Alliant Energy Center. Come check us out. But in the mean time feel free to pass the word (socially, that is) about how we can help plan the perfect wedding.

And Its Official!

A name has been born and A White Dress Affair, LLC is now official. Miss awesomeness herself, Victoria Pater  is assisting me with logo design and I couldn't be happier. Victoria was a referral from Aletha from Pearls Events, a West Michigan event planner, who thinks very highly of her as well. As a matter of fact, it just so happens they are sisters! mmm, coincidence you say?? Yes, Yes!  But needless to say, I am meeting with Victoria next weekend when we are in Chicago and am so excited to meet her and see what creative ideas she has come up with.

It seems since I last posted, I have been quite busy because I am also in the process of creating a new website. It is just waiting for final revisions in order to make it go LIVE. And if I don't say so myself, I love it and am so pleased with it that I could burst. I can't wait to share it with you! So until then, as I think day and night about ways to market A White Dress Affair.... feel free to pass along to all your friends. I would be happy to meet them.

After the wedding

I have been privy to a ton of weddings at my young age but have only been a bridesmaid in 1 wedding. There, I held the elected position of Maid of Honor in my sister Katie's wedding. It was thought provoking and challenging (just what I like), helping her decide between cake and dresses and colors and flowers. But boy did we ever enjoy ourselves while planning and I found that she was truly happy with her choosen selections, and her husband turned out to be just as expected, absolutely wonderful!


Why do I share this tid-bit of information you ask? I find in the whole sceme of things that many people get so wrapped up in the wedding planning process that they forget about afterwards. The marriage. Its certainly challenging at times, having to think of someone else's needs all the time and having to keep the house clean, do laundry and go to work. But in the end, I (and my sister and her husband) have found all that is worth it. I wouldn't want to be alone and I like having my best friend listen to me when I am tired and having one of those "moments". Think about what you enjoy doing with each other and DO IT. Its about creating a partnership and loving one another even if you are tired.


Bill and I are off to sail this weekend (something we both enjoy so much). Wish us luck!

I'm engaged, I'm engaged. Now what's next?

First of all CONGRATULTIONS! How Exciting. Now you can begin the planning process. How fun! But where do you begin?

Before we even got engaged, Bill and I had talked about what type of wedding we both wanted and what was important to us. A small, intimate church wedding with close family and friends. So, with all that in mind, I set out upon a search for the perfect place for the reception...Oh boy, I was totally overwhelmed with options and ideas. In keeping an open mind, I went with my Mom to a few places that I hoped would turn out to the just what I was looking for. I figured if I narrowed some places down, Bill and I could make the final decision together.

Banquet room - check. Golf course - check. House on Lake Michigan - check. Fancy resort in Northern Michigan - check. Private restaurant - check. Victorian Hotel - check.

After day 1 of serious looking, I was exhausted and thought, okay lets just run off and elope. At the end of a long day, Mom and I went to dinner with my Dad. Tired and hungry, I asked him to pull over please, I wanted to check out Stafford's Perry Hotel, where we had an appointment the next morning. I walked inside and immediately thought, WOW, this is beautiful. Very elegent, very classy, just my style. I looked around a bit and almost forgot that they were still outside waiting for me! They decided to come in after me and we looked around a bit more and I knew we'd be coming back the next day to meet with the Sales and Event Coordinator.

The next morning we got up bright and early and headed back to Stafford's Perry Hotel to meet with Kristina. She has been wonderful to work with and I promptly decided this was the location for us. She has been nothing but professional in answering ALL my questions.

Courtesy of Stafford's Perry Hotel


Veranda at Stafford's Perry Hotel

Okay, the point of all this is to say - its all about you and what you invision for your perfect day. Let a creative thinker help with the details. After talking it over with Bill and my parents, I realized it wasn't so overwhelming, I just needed to refocus on what was important and forge ahead. If you happen to feel this way, contact me and know that I would be happy to help you in anyway I can. That's what I am here for. I help coordinate all the details no matter how overwhelming it seems.

What's in a Name?

After much thought and consideration, I have determined I need another challenge. I am happy and content with my life with Bill, the boys and our fur children but I need something mentally stimulating. Something to challenge me, allow me to grow professionally and as a person.

So, I have begun the mission of starting a wedding event planning business. My dad and Bill both thought it was right up my alley (thanks Bill, for the kind encouragement). With all my years in banking and managing a sales team, I figure its time to take advantage of my skills. I love the details of planning, being organized and entertaining friends and family. I have already begun the process of writing the business plan, completed the financial projections, established the blog and now I need to talk to my partners. Photographers, florists, caterers, here I come!

But before I am knee deep in clients and vendor relationships, I need to establish a name for myself. Friends and family, put your thinking caps on. Your feedback is warmly welcomed.

My goal for this is all focused on the client. Allowing them to celebrate a wonderful day that's truly personal to them. It's a start of a marriage, that in my opinion, one that is blessed by God as He is the one that brought them together. But for me, its all in the details. Now, let the thinking begin!