Happy 1 Year Anniversary Nina & Justin!

Congratulations Nina and Justin on your First Anniversary! I hope it has been a wonderful, exciting year full of new experiences :)

See more pictures from their fabulous wedding by clicking: here (all images by Dave Won)

An Entrance to Remember!

I just have to share this awesome video posted by Weddingbee’s Mrs. Shortcake! Check out this amazing wedding processional… It put a HUGE grin on my face and I can’t imagine the joy that the guests must have felt witnessing this spectacle!

I’ve been to/planned a lot of weddings, but I’ll admit, this is something that has never crossed my mind! But I imagine that this entrance is completely in tune with the personality of the couple. And their friends must be a super fun(ky) group to be willing to dance along to the couple’s request!

It’s a bit lengthy, but the exuberance of the bridal party keeps it fun and upbeat. I don’t think this would be appreciated (or allowed) at every church, so be sure to check before you plan your own dance down the aisle. In fact, I personally think this would be best reserved for a non-church ceremony. Now I just have to find the riiiight couple to plant this seed in their mind… hehe just kidding!

If I Could Do It Again: The Color Scheme

My apologies, I didn’t mean to abandon my “If I Could Do It Again” series… it was just a temporary pause, I promise! In case you missed it - If I Could Do It Again - here is my dream venue and my dream photographer(s).

Now where was I…? The color scheme - a super important decision for sure! I am absolutely SMITTEN with aubergine aka “eggplant”, not to be mistaken with a royal purple-y/grape! I would pair the aubergine with small accents of fuchsia, large splashes of marigold yellow, lots of moss green and with gray serving as my “neutral.”

If you are looking for a cool site to help you pull together color palettes like the one above, check out ColourLovers.com.  Click on Palettes –> Create New, and then have some fun!

What is your color scheme… or if you are married like myself, what would you choose now?

Maylene’s Senior Pictures by Laurie Peacock

This is not wedding related, but I am so excited to share my sister Maylene’s fab senior pictures by wedding photographer extraordinaire, Laurie Peacock.

Last summer, Maylene took the standard posed senior pictures by the studio dictated by her high school… you know, the ones where they make you fold your hands under your chin. They were generic and no fun (not to mention expensive to order!) so I told her to hold off – I would find her a kickass photographer to take some REAL pictures!

This fall, Maylene is heading to the University of Illinois Champaign – Urbana… my old alma matter, my old stomping grounds. I am so excited for her – more excited than SHE is – but that’s just because she doesn’t know what’s in store for her these next four years! I have to say that my family and I will miss her sorely, and my parents will finally be empty-nesters!

For more pictures, visit Laurie’s blog!

Don’t you wish YOUR senior pictures looked this good?! I certainly do!! I’m in the hands-folded-under-chin camp myself… I can’t recommend Laurie enough! Gift the senior in YOUR life with some amazing pictures!   

Married: Maria & James - April 4, 2009

Last November, my friends James and Maria asked me to step in and help them plan their upcoming wedding.  With 6 months left, they still needed a florist, DJ, linens, and lighting! Of course I gladly agreed – James and I have been friends ever since we were mere kids in high school – so it meant a lot to me to see them through this exciting time.

All eye candy below courtesy of Millicent Wong Photography.

Maria was stunning in her Vera Wang gown and simple drop veil…

James and Maria taking pictures downtown

Outside the MCA

I adore this next series of ceremony shots - you can just SEE the love in their eyes!

 
The draping behind the alter just happened to match their wedding colors!

I love this shot of James’ young nephew! Priceless…

The reception was held in the lovely pavilion at Meson Sabika in Naperville.Tapas, yum!

The draping and chandeliers get me all giddy…

To honor their elders, James and Maria took part in a traditional Chinese tea ceremony.

Maria wore a gorgeous red Qua and they served tea to their parents and in return received gold jewelry and lucky red envelopes. 

 
Their delicious cake was from Whole Foods! Who knew that WF could do wedding cakes?! 

   
Their “cardbox” was actually a vase encircled with a ring of flowers on the top. The vase and the flowers were large and tall enough to make it difficult for people to reach in and snatch anything… (not that they would of course, but you never know…). Half of their centerpieces were glass apothecary jars filled with moss, anemones, tulips, and more… I wish we had pictures of their other centerpieces which were simple, low rounds full of lush blooms in a similar color scheme!

Oh lighting, how I love thee, you can transform a room!

The yummy purple and gold candy bar! No surprise, this was a HUGE hit with the young AND old!

  Candy bar duty… I kept those containers full for as long as possible (not long)
    The best thing about having an April wedding? Peonies, of course! Just kidding…  


Congratulations, my dear friends! Thank you for letting me be a part of your day!

Ceremony: Gary Church, Wheaton
Ceremony Musicians: String Theory Trio
DJ: Chris of Spin Productions
Florist: Petal Play, Lemont
Lighting/Draping: Art of Imagination
Linens: Chaircovers by Sylwia
Photographer: Milly Wong
Reception: Meson Sabika