First Comes Love

I was approached by my mother for some help. She and 2 of her church friends were throwing a shower for their friend’s daughters… and she needed my help. The shower was for 3 sisters, 2 of which were pregnant and 1 of which was getting married. My job was to basically make a way that each girl felt honored and special, but to also make the shower cohesive. Once I figured all that out, I had to make the invitations and decorations.
 
Let me just say I was honored to be able to help my mom and her friends. Her friends are so kind and I’ve known then all since I was a baby. So, when my mom asked, I gladly accepted.
 
However, I had no idea how I was going to go about planning the shower when I couldn’t even figure out how to get baby and marriage to mesh. I was sitting by my computer, looking at my past events, and all of a sudden it clicked. You know that old kissing song from kindergarten, “Suzie and Bobbie sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G. 1st Comes Love, Then Comes Marriage, Then Comes Baby in a Baby Carriage.” Perfect. The invites and decor played up this theme with hearts, diamond rings, and baby carriages, all in white and silver. I had a lot of fun making the decorations (although, there was a lot of paper scrunching and gluing): there were hanging mobiles, white topiary’s, lots of scattered gems and rings, and white flowers.
 
Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to attend the actual shower, but I heard it was a lot of fun. Congrats Lindsey, Kimberly and Stephanie!
 
Grand Rapids Wedding Planner

Grand Rapids Wedding Planner

Grand Rapids Wedding Planner

The Groom’s Gift

The tradition of giving gifts between the bride and groom is a longstanding tradition. However, just like any other tradition, you can choose to follow it or ignore it. If you decide to give each other gifts, remember, it is the thought that counts.
 
While you could get your groom cufflinks, a tie, or a money clip, my favorite groom gift is cologne. It can be one of his timeless favorites, a new one that when he wears it, it will remind you both of your wedding day, it can be a vintage one that you found in a cute boutique, or one that goes with your wedding.
 
Plus, it’s the gift that gives back to you: a great smelling husband to be.
 
Grand Rapids Wedding Planner

Love Is Sweet

Sweetheart Cupcakes

2 cups white sugar
1 cup butter
4 eggs
1 tbsp vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tbsp baking powder
1 cup milk
red food coloring
1 16oz tub of frosting
 
1. Preheat oven to 350° F. Grease 1 muffin pan and 1 8x8in pan.
2. In a medium bowl, blend together the sugar and butter until creamy. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then stir in the vanilla.
3. Combine the flour and baking powder together and then add to the creamed mixture; mix well. Finally, stir in the milk until batter is smooth. Pour or spoon batter into the prepared pans.
4. Bake 20 to 25 minutes. Cake is done when a toothpick is inserted into it and comes out clean.
5. Let the cupcakes and cake cool completely. Then using a heart shaped cookie cutter, make cut outs from the 8×8 in cake. Frost the cupcakes and then put a heart on each one.
 
Grand Rapids Wedding Planner

Finders Keepers

My mother was going through her pin collection the other day and I happen to be over there while she was sorting through them all. Growing up, it was tradition for my brother and I to give my mother a pin at Christmas. Some of them were cute, some of them were extremely flashy, but mostly they were fun. Over the years, her collection has grown: gifts from my dad, from her friends and those she bought herself.
 
As I was looking at them, my mind was thinking of all the possibilities that one (namely me) could do with them. Some of them would make awesome pendants for necklaces. Some would probably end up in the donate pile, but 1 in particular was destined to be worn in hair. It was a little bit old, a lot a bit classy with a hint of modern. So next time your mother, grandmother or sister is going through her old jewelry, think outside the box and you might end up with a pretty neat piece to wear, for, say, a wedding.
 
Grand Rapids Wedding Planner

Christmas Dessert Gala

November 29, 2010
 
I had the lovely opportunity to help with the decorations, desserts and hosting at a local event. The event is a Christmas dessert gala at my church for women who come to fellowship, eat dessert and hear a great speaker. This was my first year and I had a lot of fun. Over 300 women attended, my mom and grandma included, and the event was a big success. Below, I will post pictures of the decorations I did, as well as the desserts I made. At my purple table: each plate was hand painted and unique, each guest received hand made favors, and I used my grandmother’s Fostoria China.
 

Grand Rapids Wedding Planner
Grand Rapids Wedding Planner

Grand Rapids Wedding Planner

Grand Rapids Wedding Planner