Love Notes: Lindsay and Erik

I love getting mail, especially when it is a comment card from a wedding!  I received this lovely feedback from the mother of the bride following Lindsay and Erik's October 10th wedding:

Coordinating plans between Chicago and Jacksonville really required anticipatory guidance, etiquette guidelines, advice and recommendations to keep us on course. Heather did a FANTASTIC job! The best help was the wedding day - we could leave everything to her and her assistant Emma.  I didn't relax until then.  I will highly recommend her.

Heather responded promptly and professionally to all our phone calls and emails.  She was pleasant, calm, and helpful, and very accommodating  My daughter and I are very detail oriented and Heather was knowledgeable about all the specifics during our discussions.  That was very reassuring!

Celeste and Michael (10.24.09)

I have to preface this post by saying I did not coordinate this wedding.  I was instructed to be a guest, and I tried my hardest!  Celeste is my oldest cousin, and couldn't have been happier that she chose our hometown of Orlando for her wedding.  But when she announced it would be at Walt Disney World, it was even better! Mike and Celeste both have a long history with the mouse, and since they were engaged at Disneyland it was only fitting that they say "I Do" at Disney's Wedding Pavilion.  After a perfect ceremony with the Florida sun gleaming off Cinderella's Castle, we boarded buses to the reception at EPCOT.

Cocktail hour was hosted at Italy's Isola, a small island overlooking the World Showcase Lagoon.  The view at sunset was beautiful!  And what entertainment - pop sensation Taylor Dane was performing next door.

We were escorted in to the American Adventure Rotunda for a scrumptious Southern-inspired dinner of pork medallions, mashed sweet potatoes, and green beans.  Celeste and Michael had chosen an orange theme (the fruit, not the color) - each table was named with an orange-crate label, and the centerpieces were stunning glass vases filled with sliced oranges.  Each lady received an orange pashmina on the back of her chair - which would come in handy shortly.  Mickey, the "Mouse of Honor," even made an appearance and posed for photos with the guests.

After dinner, we went back outside to Isola for dessert - and to watch the Illuminations fireworks/laser show!  What an amazing ending to the evening.

But the highlight for me was the incredible "first dance."  You see, Michael has a broken foot.  So since he wasn't able to "dance," the newlyweds came up with a great alternative:

(I'll probably get in trouble for posting this, but hey, that's what family is for)

New Spotlight Gallery!

Be sure to visit our Spotlight photo gallery on our website!  We have just uploaded some gorgeous photos from Jennifer and Karl's September 26th wedding, courtesy of Oeil Photography.

Jennifer & Karl (09.26.09)

Jennifer and Karl were married on Saturday, September 26th in a beautiful ceremony at the Sawgrass Marriott Resort and Spa.  I'll post more details later, but here is a sneak peak!  Thanks to Michelle at Oeil Photography for getting these to me so quickly!

Beautiful centerpieces by Rose of Sharon

Amazing ceremony decor - uplights and draping by PRI Productions, ceiling treatment, florals and candles by Rose of Sharon

The bride's shoes, custom designed to match her gown

The stunning cake from Classic Cakes

Lauren & Jeff (07.11.09)

We were so happy to coordinate Lauren and Jeff's wedding at TPC Sawgrass!

The day started with the ladies getting glammed up by hairstylist Casey Powell and make up artist Kimtasha Armstrong.  The bridesmaids all looked amazing in their celadon gowns, but Lauren stole the show in her classic, lace covered mermaid gown.

Every moment was captured by photographer Agnes Lopez and videographer Turner Classic Weddings.  I can't wait to see the photos and video in a few weeks! In the mean time, here are some snapshots that I took with my camera:

The white backdrop and lighting by PRI Productions transformed the Sunset Room into a spectacular ceremony setting.  Even the groomsmen commented on how different the room looked from the day before!

The floral design and decor by Liz Stewart Floral Design was impeccable.  Lauren and her mom chose options that created a vintage, at-home feel, with four different floral arrangements on the guests' tables.  The tables were covered in a sophisticated champagne satin cloth and then topped with the Baccarat overlay from Tablewraps.

Lauren and Jeff had lots of family photos that we displayed throughout the second floor of the clubhouse.

This one is a bit fuzzy but thought I would post it anyway.  The Ponte Vedra Room looked stunning!  More great details to come...

Love Note: Michelle + Jamaal

One of the best parts of my job is getting thank you notes from our lovely couples after the wedding.  This morning, I found this note from Michelle and Jamaal in my stack of mail:

Heather,

Thank you for making our day stress-free and perfect.  Your interpretation and execution of ideas is flawless.  You did a great job and made our day that much special.  Couldn't have done it without you.  God bless, thanks again.

Michelle & Jamaal

Michelle + Jamaal in Florida Times-Union!

Sexy April newlyweds Michelle and Jamaal were featured in Sunday's Florida Times-Union! In case you missed it, here is the article by M.C. Finotti:

Never underestimate the resolve of a high school sweetheart.

Jamaal Fudge and Michelle Gibbs didn't formally meet until their senior year at Ed White High School in 2001. But Michelle had watched the shy, handsome football standout for months, especially in the cafeteria.

"I loved seeing him inhale his lunch, as if it was going to get up and run," said Michelle, laughing. "He was serious about his chicken nuggets."

One day, Michelle - who also describes herself as shy - approached Jamaal.

"I went up to him and I said: 'I just want you to know I like you,' " Michelle, now 25, recalled. "Then I ran away."

Jamaal didn't know what to think. "She ran off before I could say anything."

But he answered back a few days later when he inscribed a football card to Michelle, signing it: "Your friend, Jamaal."

The two soon became inseparable, spending the rest of their senior year and the summer before college together.

In the fall, Jamaal, now 26, left to play football at Clemson. Michelle went to the University of Central Florida and FAMU, where she majored in biology.

The two stayed together several years, but the physical distance between them took its toll. Both eventually started dating other people. But they remained friends, keeping in touch with e-mails and phone calls. And they always saw each other during the summer back home in Jacksonville.

Jamaal returned to Jacksonville in 2006 to play special teams and back-up safety with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Michelle and Jamaal started seeing more of each other, but only as friends. Then Jamaal hit Michelle with a bombshell: He was getting serious about his girlfriend from Clemson, who had gotten a job up North.

"And that's when I got really scared. I thought I was going to lose him forever," Michelle said.

But Michelle grabbed hold of Jamaal's heart and wouldn't let go. The soft-spoken Jamaal explained it this way: "I prayed, and I talked with my mother," said Jamaal. In the end, he decided to marry Michelle.

The two said "I do" April 25 at The Lodge in Ponte Vedra. Jamaal is now a safety for the Atlanta Falcons, and Michelle will attend a chiropractic school in Atlanta this fall.

Jamaal's cousin, Marvette Tooks, says she thinks it was a good thing they both tried dating other people because they were both so young when they first met. As Marvette put it, "We always knew they'd end up back together." Read the original article here: http://jacksonville.com/lifestyles/relationships/2009-05-31/story/i_do_i_do_high_school_sweethearts_find_each_other

Photo by La Dolce Vita Studio (www.LaDolceVitaStudio.com)

Erin & Eric (04.25.09)

On April 25^th 2009, l had the pleasure of coordinating the Erin O’Connor and Eric Rehmeyer wedding at the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront. The weather was perfect and l had a great team of people to work with, including Darrin from Deland Entertainment, Judy and Lynette from Rose of Sharon, Michael from Jax Notary, Elizabeth McKee from the Hyatt and Zach Thomas from Zach Thomas Photography.

Zach Thomas took some of these amazing pictures of the wedding day, which are shown below. He is a great people person who puts everyone instantly at ease. He has a unique creative vision, and really captures the energy of the moment. To find out more information about Zach please check out his web site ztphoto.com.

Working with such a talented group of people is always an amazing experience, especially when you see everyone’s individual ideas come to fruition, creating a seamless wedding day event.

Michelle & Jamaal (04.25.09) - Part 3

More from our sexy April 25th newlyweds... the teaser video from In Motion Video Productions!!

New Spotlight Wedding!

We've updated our spotlight wedding feature on our website!  Be sure to check out some super-hot images from Michelle and Jamaal's wedding.  Thanks to Melanie and Bradford at La Dolce Vita Studio.

Jill & Michael (04.04.09) - Part 2

Jill and Michael's video teaser is online at InMotion Video Productions!

Danielle & Jay (04.18.09) - Part 2

Danielle's wedding was featured today in the Florida Times-Union!  Here is the full text of the article:

When wedding planner Danielle Gregory and her longtime boyfriend, Jay Bamba, decided to marry, they decided they wouldn't let the wedding steal the spotlight from their marriage.

"We didn't want the sentimentality of the day to be overshadowed by a crazy bouquet or a full orchestra," said Danielle, 24, a wedding coordinator at First Coast Weddings and Events.

Danielle knew the wedding wouldn't be elaborate. For one thing, her family is feeling the effects of the recession, which meant an affair on a budget: $10,000, to be exact.

"I actually came in a little under," she said.

Danielle, who loves to read a wedding blog called StyleMePretty.com, saved a lot of money by doing things herself. She screen-printed her invitations and learned calligraphy, so she could address them.

She also saved money on her dress. "I wore a no name chiffon gown from a department store and made my own birdcage veil," Danielle said.

A few days before her wedding day, Danielle turned her refrigerator into a flower cooler and went to Whole Foods to buy $200 in flowers in shades of purple and raspberry. Danielle used tulips and Calla lilies for her bridal bouquet, wrapping them with a piece of crochet made by her grandmother.

Danielle and Jay met in 2001 at Ridgeview High School in Clay County. "I had seen her around school, and I thought she was real pretty," said Jay, 25, a field technician at Comcast.

Jay wanted to marry two years ago, but Danielle's mother said no.

"She thought we were too young," Danielle said. Jay asked again this past Christmas. This time, Mom put up no objections.

"She thought we were ready," Danielle said.

The couple said "I do" April 18 beside the Treaty Oak on Jacksonville's Southbank before 150 guests. Their dinner reception was held at Maggiano's Little Italy.

"Food cost about $6,500," Danielle said. "That was for a five-course meal."

To save money, the couple decided against a wedding cake and opted for the desserts that came with their five-course meal.

They also invited guests to participate in an heirloom dessert buffet. Several days before the wedding, two dozen guests sent Danielle their favorite dessert recipes. She turned them into a recipe book and screen-printed copies of the pages.

Guests brought three batches of their favorite dessert to the wedding and went home with different recipe pages. For Danielle, it was a simple but soulful way to achieve the wedding she wanted.

"I've seen many beautiful weddings," she explained. "But the ones I liked the most were the ones that were meaningful."

Michelle & Jamaal (04.25.09) - Part 2

Melanie and Brad of La Dolce Vita Studio posted some images of Michelle and Jamaal on their wedding day - check it out on their blog!

Danielle & Jay (04.18.09)

After years of planning other peoples' weddings, Danielle finally made it down the aisle with her high school sweatheart Jay.  I'm sure that Danielle will post a blog entry soon with her side of the story, but for now, we'll just say CONGRATULATIONS!

Check out more photos from the Oeil Photography blog.

Michelle & Jamaal (04.25.09)

I usually ask my brides, "Are you ready?" before we begin the rehearsal.  Michelle's answer was "I've been ready for this day for a long time!" Michelle and Jamaal met in high school, and Michelle has stayed by Jamaal's side through high school football, college football at Clemson, and two NFL teams (the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Atlanta Falcons).  Today, she finally got to hear the words, "I now pronounce you husband and wife."

Jamaal is so romantic, he even hired a photographer to capture the proposal!

We only had a short time to plan their dream wedding due to Jamaal's training schedule with the Falcons.  So we set our sights on an April date and got to work!

We had several site visits set up before Michelle moved to Atlanta to be with Jamaal, but as soon as she and her mom saw The Lodge and Club at Ponte Vedra Beach, the decision was made.  And what an easy decision it was!

Beautiful decor from Anything With Plants and Flowers added to the gorgeous venue and added the vintage-glamour touches that Michelle wanted.  Check out the centerpieces, with feathers, crystals and pearls!

La Dolce Vita Studio's Melanie and Bradford Watson were selected as the photographers, and InMotion Video Productions was chosen for the videography.

Brooke Alford provided romantic violin accompaniment for the oceanfront wedding ceremony, and a saxophonist provide background music during the cocktail hour under the trellis.

As a sentimental touch, Edgewood Bakery created the wedding cake and groom's cake - the bakery had also created Michelle's parents' wedding cake for their wedding!  The shop opened in 1947, and serves the best pastries and sandwiches in addition to their beautiful special occasion cakes.

A friend of the bride and groom, Rasheen Waring of Dynamic Musician ENT, kept the dance floor packed all night. Congrats, Michelle and Jamaal, I wish you many more happy years together!

(other than the engagement pics, the photos in the post are my snapshots, pro images coming soon!)

The Garden Club - Before + After

Everyone who has been to The Garden Club of Jacksonville knows that it is a blank slate! So I thought I would share yesterday's transformation for Kristin and Sam's wedding. (note: these are my snap shots with my camera, so not great images!)

THE GARDEN CLUB - BEFORE This is what the Garden Club provides, and how the room looked when we arrived.

THE GARDEN CLUB - AFTER Once we set the ivory pintuck table cloths, black chiavari chairs, and coral sashes and napkins, the room started coming together! Add in the ivory and gold china, gold flatware, and menu cards tucked into each napkin, and it starts looking great. Once the centerpieces from Wilson's Ltd. arrived, it was amazing!

Incidentally, so many couples think it is cheaper to rent a space like this than to have a reception at a hotel or country club.  If you are one of them, be sure you are comparing apples to apples - look at all the extra costs involved, like renting china, glassware, flatware, bringing in serving staff, linens, bartenders, and catering supplies.  You can easily spend an extra $3,000-$5,000 on these items for a wedding of 150 guests!

Elizabeth & Patrick (04.10.09)

Danielle coordinated an amazing wedding last weekend!  Since she is busy with her own wedding preparations (CONGRATS, DANIELLE!) I thought I would share this link to a blog post from Oeil Photography about the wedding.

Check out the post for more AMAZING images!

Jill & Michael (04.04.09)

Jill and Michael are an eHarmony commercial waiting to happen! They are so wonderful together and their families are too. A highlight for me was getting to reunite with these girls - Jill had been a bridesmaid in Mandy's wedding (2nd from left), and several of the other girls had been bridesmaids too.  It was great seeing them all again!

Jill and Michael were married in a traditional Catholic ceremony at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, the church the bride grew up in. Following the ceremony, the bridal party piled into the Hummer limo from Dynasty Limousine to take photos at the beach.  Photographer Nikki McEneaney of Photography By Nikki got some incredible images!

The reception at Marsh Landing Country Club was beautiful! Jill chose ivory and gold, with orange accents and touches of hot pink and lime green. DJ David Hanscom of Y? Entertainment kept the crowd on the floor from the first dance to the last.  Jill and Michael's first dance was perfectly choreographed to Frank Sinatra's "The Best Is Yet To Come" and was a definite show-stopper!

I can't wait to share the video from InMotion Video Productions!

Tiffany & Drayton (03.29.09)

As a wedding planner, I see a lot of rude wedding guests.  I can honestly say that there wasn't a single one at this wedding! Tiffany and Drayton were married in a beautiful ceremony on the lawn at TPC Sawgrass on Sunday, March 29, 2009.  Wilson's Limited provided phenomenal decor for the entire clubhouse.  Dr. Wayne Faison officiated the touching ceremony flawlessly, despite the windy conditions.  The couple united their families with a sand ceremony - each mother, the couple, and their daughter all added sand to a beautiful keepsake vase.

The Fusion Band played beautiful jazz music during the ceremony and cocktail hour.  The guests enjoyed cocktails and hors d'oeuvres on the lawn overlooking the world-famous golf course before moving upstairs to the Ponte Vedra Room.

In the ballroom, DJ Carlton McGee of McGee Entertainment kept the crowd dancing throughout the evening. These photos are my snapshots, but I can't wait to see the pics from Sheri Ebert and the video from Simply Wed!

We will really miss having Drayton as a Jaguar, but wish him all the best in Buffalo!

Abby & Ryan (02.21.09) - Part 3

Abby and Ryan are featured in The Florida Times-Union!  Here's a little teaser of the article:

For Abby Dwyer and Ryan Beazley, going from friends to more-than-just friends was as easy as working in a restaurant right after college.

The two met in 2003 when Abby was hired to be a waitress at the Ale House in Davie, and Ryan, who already worked at the restaurant, was assigned to train her.

The two enjoyed an instant connection.

"She liked my sense of humor and dashing good looks," said Ryan, now 27, and a designer at Brown Enterprises, an architectural signage manufacturer in Jacksonville.

His height didn't hurt either. Ryan is 6 feet 6 and Abby is 5 feet 8.

"Tall men are hard to come by in Miami, and I was always looking for my tall guy," said Abby, now 28 and the manager of Professional Recruiting at CSX in Jacksonville.

The night after he met Abby, Ryan called his older brother, Chris, in Chicago. "Ryan told me he met this really amazing, vivacious girl," Chris said.

One week later, Abby called her father in Maryland. "I told him, 'Dad, this is it. I've met my future husband,' " Abby recalled.

Read the rest of the article here