DIY Aisle runners!

We've Moved!

Head over to www.StellaEventDesign.com/Blog to check out the DIY guide to making your own custom aisle runner!

{Fairytale Runners}

We've moved to www.StellaEventDesign.com/Blog! Please change your bookmark or reader!

I absolutely LOVE custom aisle runners! Even if it’s one of the only things you do to spruce up your ceremony site, it’s such a fantastic way to make your wedding feel like a custom event. Fairytale Runners was started by a former bride, who got such rave reviews on her own runner, that she began making them for family and friends, and then went into business! I saw this on one of my daily blog reads last week, and had to share after checking out the website {can’t for the life of me find who posted about this–so if it was you, let me know!}

I’ve seen lots of places you can buy custom runners—ebay, etsy, other websites—but what caught my eye about Fairytale Runners is that they actually use canvas to make the aisle runner. This means no snagging, no poking a heel through the runner, and canvas is heavy enough to hold it’s own in the aisle, and not wrinkle up as much. Anyone who has painted on canvas knows what a difference it makes!

The website it amazing—you can select all of your preferences online, starting with the width and length of your runner, all the way to the monogram, saying, font, and picture. One thing I especially liked was that you can send in a custom color by going to a Benjamin Moore paint store, and giving them an exact color code of what you want! No guessing, no hoping they can match the swatch from your ‘maids dress! Check it out—and later this week, look for a DIY post on doing it yourself (I did, and you can too!)

{MOVING} New Blog Address!!

Stella Event Design has officially launched our new website and blog! {Woohoo!} If you're linked to us {thanks so much!} or visit us via Reader or RSS, our new address will be:

www.stellaeventdesign.com/blog

We've tried to keep up to date on our own list of linky-love, so if you're linked and we've missed you, please leave a comment! Or, if you just think your blog is fabulous---let us know---we'd love to add you {to our list, AND our google reader!}

Our new blog is internal to our website now, but we've attempted to keep it as close to our beloved blogspot blog as possible. {Almost} all of our old blogs have been transferred, and we'll continue to post on both sites for a week or so to make sure we don't lose anyone {Because we really do love our readers!} Please let me know if you encounter any issues!

Claire+Chris {All That Jazz!}

I missed the first dance as I was running some errands for the bride, but Leda of LVL Photography captured it beautifully---aren't they stunning!? They opted for live music, and Me and the Boys kept the night going with big band hits! I can't say enough good things about the band--all 8 pieces! They were all super nice, and they did an absolutely amazing job--such a unique touch!
The amazing floral arrangements were provided by Flowers with Jazz (how appropriate) and they did an absolutely amazing job--the bride inforporated Bells of Ireland into almost all of the arrangements, as well as peacock feathers.

Catering was out of this world, and Matt Kis of Great Lakes Catering did a phenomenal job with the presentation. Check out their "window display" of fruit--I love it! The menu consisted of chicken breast with an apricot honey mustard glaze, roasted prime rib, glazed salmon, an amazing salad bar, and green beans and potatoes that were delish. Not to mention Matt was so easy to work with, and bent over backwards all night to help us out!

The lovely Leda and Sasha of LVL Photography were on hand to capture all of the beautiful moments at this truly personal and fun celebration. They were a pleasure to work with, and you can check out more great pics at Leda's blog!

*All images copyright LVL Photography

Fundraisers that Rock {A Wedding for Alex}

(A Wedding For Alex)

If you haven't heard about Alex's lemonade Stand, you are missing out on such an amazing cause! I first heard about Alex when I did a Google image search for "Lemonade Stand" (for a wedding project). What I found was an endless list of pictures of lemonade stands dedicated to this wonderful cause. Alex's Lemonade Stand was started by a little girl with cancer. She didn't live to see her ninth birthday, but in her short time, she managed to raise over $1 million towards the fight against cancer---I've lived almost 3 times longer and can't even begin to think of how much she accomplished in such a short time!

Now, the charity lives on, and people continue to raise money in the name of Alex and her Lemonade Stand. Now, as a bride, you have a chance to make your dreams come true, while also helping this amazing cause. Omni Hotel at Independence Park has put together a wedding package to rival all wedding packages. For $20,000 (or more) you can bid on this amazing dream wedding on EBay, and have a five star wedding fit for royalty. You'll get a wedding for 135 guests at the Omni, a couture gown, a honeymoon to Dreams Tulum Resort & Spa (my husband and I honeymooned here, and it is AMAZING!)...you also get a rehearsal dinner, and so much more! Check out the website for full details on all that's included (jewelry, hair, cake, photo, video and entertainment, and more!) Bidding begins today, and runs through June 7th! Bid Now!

Planning 101 {Setting the Date}

(image source)

Picking a date can be very exciting. Often, couple's pick a date without too much consideration, which can lead to trouble down the road. Before you pick your date, consider the people and places around you---do any of the "key players"---you know, the important people like your parents, bridal party, and siblings---have prior engagements? You don't have to completely rule out a date because one potential bridesmaid won't be able to stand up, but if she's really important to you (or 3 or 4 of your bridesmaids will be MIA) then you may want to consider another date. Will you have relatives unable to come because you've chosen a date that correlates with high school or college graduation, or because their kids are finishing up school?

Secondly, consider the places around you. Do you live near a major university, sport facility, or festival location? Here in St. Joseph we are roughly 40 minutes from Notre Dame---however, many couples are surprised to find that on home game Saturdays, a hotel room in the greater St. Joseph area is extra expensive, if not elusive all together. The same goes for the annual Venetian Festival in July, which brings in more than 100,000 tourists to the town and hotels. So if the venue you love is booked for the entire year, and has ONE hot date available....take a closer look, and make sure that you're not missing an important event or activity that will throw a wrench in your plans. On the other hand, if you're willing to battle crowds, and subject your guests to limited or pricey accommodations, you may be able to negotiate some great deals on these weekends!

Wedding Laughs

This was just too funny not to share!

Vendor Feature {Kelly Powers Photography}

(photo copyright Kelly Powers Photography)

When it comes to choosing your vendors, there are few pieces of advice more important than this: Choose vendors who you can enjoy spending the day with! If you don't care for them during your initial meeting, chances are, you won't enjoy them sharing your big day with you. No where is this more true, than with a photographer, with whom you will spend more time than the majority of your other vendors. It is so important to find someone you are comfortable with, and who you will enjoy spending this special day with!

Last week I met up with Kelly Powers to talk weddings, and get to know her and her work. I've admired her work via her web site, but was very excited to meet her in person and get to know her! I simply can't say enough about what a sweet and wonderful person Kelly is. She took me out for a shoot around the city, and I'm not sure I've ever had so much fun getting my picture taken! I can't wait to see the results later this week!

Kelly does amazing work, which I truly believe comes from the kindness of her spirit, and the connection she forms with her clients. If you're looking for a photographer, check her out---you will not be disappointed!

Vendor Score Card {Michele+Tim} 4.19.08

(Image copyright Ben Pancoast Photography)

A little late, but here is the recap of my April 19th wedding with Michele+Tim, and their wonderful team of vendors that helped bring the whole day together (in less than 4 months!)

Wedding Coordination: Stella Event Design (obviously!)
Services Provided: Full Service Planning, start to finish!

Reception: Vineland Center, St. Joseph, MI
Rating: A
The Vineland Center officially opened about 6 months before the wedding. It's brand new, very versatile, and has a wonderful staff. The owner, Don, bent over backwards for us.
Website

Catering: The Catering Department at the Vineland
Rating: A+
We've all eaten wedding food---there's good wedding food---then there's GOOD FOOD. The Catering Department knocked everyone's socks off with the delicious spread.
Website

Floral: Beikmann Associates, Niles, MI
Rating: A
Sheri is a sweetheart, and was wonderful to work with. The bouquets were beautiful, she let us assemble our own centerpieces, and she was very accommodating...even when we decided at the last minute to tape down the aisle runner!
Website

Bakery: Debbie Karsen, Watervliet, MI
Rating: A
Debbie was an acquaintance of the bride and groom, who also happens to make wonderful cakes! The wedding cake was beautiful and delicious, as was the grooms cake. If you'd like her contact info, please shoot me an email!

Photography: Ben Pancoast, The Photography Team, St. Joseph, MI
Rating: A+
I love working with Ben---he captures amazing shots, makes the most of his surroundings, and thinks on his feet. I'm always surprised by the fun shots that come out of the simplest things! Plus, he's super nice, and brides and grooms have a blast spending the day with him.
Website

Entertainment: Music Unlimited DJ, Riverside, MI
Rating: A
Tim of Music Unlimited did a fantastic job of keeping the night going! He's great at communicating with couples, and familiarizing himself with exactly what they want, which is great! He also took charge of "Karaoke for a Kiss," which turned out to be a completely fun and phenomenally successful part of the evening---so much fun!
Website

Bartending: With A Twist! Stevensville, MI
Rating: A
Sue Luther's gang at With A Twist! is absolutely phenomenal. Each and every bartender I've worked with has been fantastic, and this event was no different! Also, her rates are amazing, and can't be beat! If you'd like to contact Sue, shoot me an email and I'd be happy to get you in contact!

Okay, so this report card makes me look like one of those mushy teachers that gives everyone an A, but I say, if you deserve it, you deserve it---no bell curves here! Everyone did an amazing job, and helped to bring together an event that was so fun and special. Michele+Tim are (another) amazing couple, and I'm so thankful to have been able to share this special day with them!