A beautiful beach wedding in Naples, FL!

Its been awhile since I posted anything but I just had to post my latest wedding because it was featured on THEKNOT.COM today.

https://www.theknot.com/real-weddings/a-casual-beachside-wedding-at-ridgway-bar-and-grill-in-naples-florida-album

You can read all about the details and the couple on the Knot.  Justin and Jessica were so wonderful to work with and the photographer was simply amazing.  It truly was a perfect day for two people who are so perfect for each other.

Justin & Sarah Jane's NYC Wedding

I had a busy week starting on Memorial Day with Justin & Sarah Jane's amazing wedding at Studio 450 in NYC.  It was a hot day in New York but it didn't stop us from enjoying this adorable couple pledge their love on the rooftop with the Empire State Building looming in the background.

Sarah Jane's an actress, but she didn't have to act the part of a beautiful bride - she just was ...  She entered the ceremony on the freight elevator which created a dramatic entrance and a direct aisle view of her groom as Eric & Whitney Damewood sang the moving Hallelujah chorus of the song "Love Came Through".

The ceremony culminated with their first kiss which was delayed by the Officiant, JR Vassar, with lighthearted joking and much laughter.  Yes, it was their first kiss!

After a few photos and some beer and wine on the rooftop we moved the party downstairs.  The guests were treated to dinner featuring Chick-fil-A chicken nuggets and sliders and french fries from New York Burger.

My Broadway bride was definitely into DIY projects and made everything herself including mercury glass votive holders, candy and cake stands and "escort" cards on lemon sugar sticks.  Everything was a beautiful collage of silver, white and pale yellow.


The best part of the day, though, was the "Flash" mob First Dance to the Hanson song "Give A Little"!  The bride choregraphed the dance and the group rehearsed a few times.  It was incredibly fun.

It was a blessed and awesome day for this very special couple that I am honored to call friends!

NYC Wedding Connection Luncheon

Last Thursday we enjoyed another great NYC Wedding Connection Luncheon at  Tarallucci E Vino
located on18th Street.

We started in their Mezzanine space for cocktails and appetizers then went upstairs for a plated lunch in a gorgeous loft space.  The venue is great and the food was delicious.  Of course, our conversations were fabulous and fun.  Thank you Julie Lam, Effortlessly Chic Events and Danielle, Taralucci E Vino for helping me organize this event.

Thank you to Jason Gardner for the great photos!

Happy Mother's Day 2012

All women are called to mother.  And all women are called to give birth.  Women give birth to all kinds of things – to books (it’s nearly as hard as a child, believe me), to churches, to movements.  Women give birth to ideas, to creative expressions, to ministries.  We birth life in others by inviting them into deeper realms of healing, to deeper walks with God, to deeper intimacy with Jesus.  A woman is not less of a woman because she is not a wife or has not physically borne a child.  The heart and life of a woman is much more vast than that.  All women are made in the image of God in that we bring forth life.  When we enter into our world and into the lives of those we love and offer our tender and strong feminine hearts, we cannot help but mother them.   “Mothers, Daughters, Sisters” in “Captivating, Unveiling the Mystery of a Woman’s Soul” by John & Stasi Eldredge

From a groom ....

Here is a beautiful post from one of our grooms. I so appreciate Steven's insight and his kind words!

http://theneffs.squarespace.com/blog/2012/1/17/painting-the-picture-of-marriage.html

Another backyard wedding!

One year ago this weekend, I coordinated a backyard wedding in Naples, this year's backyard wedding was in Sarasota. It was a beautiful afternoon and the yard looking awesome. The FOB had spent months getting the landscaping looking just right and building a pergola, deck, etc. I arrived in town around noon and quickly went to work hanging lanterns, setting tables and tons of candles. It was a special and tender ceremony and reception for a sweet couple and their two children. I was honored to coordinate this wedding for this dear family!

Happy 2nd Anniversary Christine & Shawn!

It was a beautiful Fall day in SWFL as Christine & Shawn, surrounded by friends and family, pledged their love to each other. The details included a beautiful cupcake display, my favorite blueberry crinkle linens and the elegance of the Ritz at Tiburon! Congratulations! Photography by Peggy Farren at Avante-Garde Images.

Happy 1st Anniversary Carolyn & David!

Here's the video from the incredible, Brett Culp - it was so great to work with him on this wedding. Thanks, Brett, I love the video. Congrats, Carolyn & David - it was such a special and incredible day for you and your families!

http://www.brettculp.com/clients/kurtz.htm

Ritz Carlton Beach Resort, Naples, Florida

Happy 1st Anniversary Stephen & Elizabeth! (repost)

Last weekend my husband, Jim; daughter, Sarah; the amazing photographer, Ashley Brockinton and her lovely mother, Jill traveled to Lake George to celebrate the marriage of Stephen & Elizabeth! I was privileged to coordinate the details for the delightful and creative bride and my husband officiated the wedding. By Friday afternoon, I was in total "wedding mode" and was amazed at the wedding details that the bride organized.

Elizabeth works at Anthropologia in their "visual" department. She thought of everything and, with the help of friends, made everything: mustaches for the "guest book" photo "booth", brown paper bag table cloth "overlays", her dad cut the wood, she wrapped miscellaneous jars with twine, etc. She even made the cake topper out of twigs in the letter "B"!

The wedding was held at the YMCA at Silver Bay. The scenery was beautiful, the photo opps were many, the staff was outstanding - all in all - it is a great place for a destination wedding. Erin & Michelle went above and beyond to make this event extra special. Everything ran so smoothly and the food was delicious. The staff was very attentive and took care of all the details. Totally loved working with them. They have my highest recommendation - THANK YOU Erin & Michelle!

My favorite moment was when they started saying their vows and the groom began, "I, Stephen, take you Elizabeth ...." Stephen has waited a long time for God to bring him his wife. When he introduced her to us months ago, he said, "Wasn't she worth waiting for?" I was doing the "happy dance" in the back of the church.

Enjoy a few photos of the details - I can't wait to see Ashley Brockinton Photography's pics - I got a glimpse this weekend - you're gone just flip!!!!