brides
father of the bride’s…are the best
I’ve been a wedding planner for 7 years and it’s so cool how we get to get a glimpse into people’s families and interact with them on such a highly emotional and personal day.
Some of my most memorable weddings comes from my interactions with the Father of the Bride. It’s a tough day for them. Watching their baby girl walk down the aisle and turning his most precious possession over to another man….yeah, if you know ANYTHING about men, it’s a really, tough day for them.
So today, for a very personal reason, I’d like to pay a little homage to past Father of the Brides (or affectionately called The FOB) who personally made a big impact with me. There are many more than just featured here…
photo credit: studio b
2007 FOB, Steve Burris
What I loved about Steve he was a total business man with a great attitude. He actually interviewed me while his daughter and Mom sat quietly. Steve would chuckle about the expense of “flour and water” for a wedding cake and roll his eyes at his wife’s obsession for the perfect floral or gown to wear. But secretly, he loves his family and would do anything for them. Our team worked extra hard to WOW him at his daughter’s wedding and we met his high standards. He also let me know at the end of the reception that he would of spent TWICE the amount that he did for his little girl. Steve, thanks for letting me know that AFTER the event….
photo credit: jordan barclay
2008 FOB, Doug Little
Sometimes Dad’s are chosen. That was Doug Little, technically a step dad but in every important way, a real dad to his daughter. He’s pretty quiet, but has a sense of humor and a great laugh. He was a little overwhelmed by all the wedding planning. Not sure what to make of all the decoration selections or the food tasting. He would of been happy with a beer and a burger, probably. But the way he looked at his (step) daughter; pure joy would shine through his face. He couldn’t be more proud of his little girl. He even played along with the Jewish tradition of putting on the kippa for the ceremony (which he forgot to take off until WAY into the reception).
photo credit: jordan barclay
2009 FOB, Glen Sturm
Actually I met Glen for the first time the Friday before the wedding. You can see what an impression he made on me to make this short list on the blog. First, he’s a jokester and a prankster. I figured that out real quick. But he is also a planner. Actually all the Sturms meticulously plan out details. From taking dance lessons and practicing the day before with his daughter AT the reception hall for their Father/Daughter dance to writing his Welcome Speech about a year in advance, (which by the way, major props…that speech was awesome), to the high stool chairs that you brought from home so the bride and groom could sit while you made all the guests laugh.
photo credit: equinox photography
2010 FOB, Michael Espenlaub
Some Dads are rock solid, some are rockstars. Enter Michael Espenlaub. To begin with, his lovely daughter just wanted the planning…forever events team for design and decor for her wedding. But when Michael learned more about our Wedding Day Management service, he was sold and hired us. He came to EVERY planning meeting, even when we tried to “lose him” by going to sushi for a meeting (just kidding). He called me, “HIS wedding planner”. I won’t lie, a personal first. Favorite part of the day, we were walking his daughter outside to the front of the church minutes away from getting married, he hung back on the side watching her. He thought we didn’t notice, but we did. He loves his daughter very much and would do anything for her. And as a selfish bonus, has another daughter. Michael…….call me.
photo: my daddy and me in 1969
Why all this talk about Daddies today? Because this morning at 6:45am marked the one year anniversary when my own Dad, passed away. Instead of being sad, I want to remember good times and celebrate the living.
Being a Daddy’s Girl, I’ve always been acutely aware of the Father of the Bride and what he must be feeling on his daughter’s wedding day. But now since my Dad is gone, I seem to be drawn to watching them, watch their little girls.
So even though it is not “Father’s Day”, do me a favor. If your Dad is still living…..please call him, email him, text him or better, hug him and tell you that you love him.
tj maxxinista bride
Just for fun….
“Lisa Sayatut and Drew Ellis, a local Mount Pleasant, Michigan couple said their “I Dos” in their local T.J.Maxx store on Saturday, July 24, 2010. The couple’s unique nuptials came as a result of the bride-to-be’s love for T.J.Maxx. Lisa, a true “Maxxinista,” who admits to visiting the store three times a week, calls it her “happy place.”
On a $5k wedding budget, this Maxxinista got her wedding and maybe a little shopping afterwards!
What do you think, readers?
pretty engagement photos
We believe it should be a priority to get to know your photographer by investing in the engagement photos. It helps all of you relax and get to know each other (especially when many people have anxiety about having a camera in their face). Once you trust each other, the wedding day is a breeze.
For your visual fun, check out our clients Whitney + Tyson who are tying the knot on August 7th later this year. We also are doing the design and decor and cannot wait for their wedding day.
incredible photographer: Equinox Photography
patriotic garters
Fourth of July is coming up soon! It’s my favorite holiday for many reasons, one of which it is also my wedding anniversary.
So I was intrigued when I stumbled across these beautiful Patriotic Garters designed by The Garter Girl (Julianne Smith). Her garters are so awesome, we featured her designs on Fox 7 Wedding Planner segment.
She makes the most incredible garters…quality, detailed and beautiful.
You MUST visit her etsy store …. It is full of garter goodness.
so, what’s with the blog?
This afternoon I had the pleasure of having lunch with Amanda Monarch Woods (previous bride), her fabulous mother, Rachel Monarch and the soon-to-be-wed sister, Amy Monarch.
I have to tell you, I triple heart the Monarch family. What is not to love? They are Type A personalities (check), lots of fun (check), very direct and blunt (check) and always want to throw a great party (check!).
Amanda politely asked me, “What’s up with the blog?” Seriously, thank you for the gentle reminder, as I have been quite delinquent. As our team has grown this year, I’m hoping to have more blog posts done by not just “my voice”.
Now Amanda and Brian are no strangers to our blog, you see when you have a super cool personality, you get talked about. Like when they decided to meet before the wedding, we used their pretty faces, or when we talked about being a “wedding risk taker“, and finally, my personal fave….. how to make a grand entrance into your wedding reception, OH YES!
Today, though, also just happens to be Amanda and Brian’s 2nd wedding anniversary. And for that reason, I’d like to play a little homage to their wedding and see if we can get Amanda to cook more than just spaghetti for her anniversary dinner…
Enjoy….
photo credit: walker studio
flowers by: Simply Fresh Floral
we’re back!
You missed us, I know you did. Here’s a secret. We have missed YOU too.
While we’ve been absent to the blog, we birthed something new … a brand new website and look for planning…forever events.
We hope you take a moment to take a peak at it. This website would not be possible without our fabulous clients and even more fantastic photographers who were generous enough to share their photos with us.
Couple points of interest:
- Every event in our galleries are events we have produced through event planning and design/decor with floral.
- Notice a link on the right hand side: love stories… This link will feature recent weddings from start to finish. Clients if you would like to have your weddings featured there (and we would too), then please encourage your photographers to share their photos of your event.
Thank you all, it’s been a labor of love, but we think it’s pretty great. If you like it, please leave a comment!
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