Stella Event Design::Michigan Wedding & Event Planner »

(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!

This was just too funny not to share!

(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!

(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 Photography, 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!

Kate+Mitch had their engagement pictures snapped earlier this week, and I just couldn’t wait to share! The awesome Jen of JK Photography travelled to Chicago to take some amazing photos of this very fun couple! Check out her blog for even more—they found some really fun locations, from a light shop to a marina! Above is my absolute favorite shot, but it has some close competition!
The exact spot where Mitch proposed! I love it! Kate+Mitch are getting married on the beach, also, which is perfect!
Thanks so much to Kate+Mitch (and Jen) for letting me share some of their amazing engagement pics!

The Sparkliatti Blog, hosted by the fabulous Sasha Souza, is one of my new favorites! After taking a glimpse at this gorgeous sunrise-inspired board, I just had to share! Check out her blog for non-stop eye candy and inspiration!

Also, if you’re a bride-to-be, check out her great post on escort cards vs. place cards—this is a question asked so often, and she does a great job of summing up the differences—-YES, they are 2 completely different things!

(all images copyright The PhotographyTeam)

I’m under the weather this weekend, recouping from bronchitis, and becoming addicted to “So You Think You Can Dance,” thanks to the marathon of last seasons episodes I’ve been sucked into all afternoon! Between naps on the courch, I was pleasantly surprised to receive some of the pro pics from my April 19th wedding, courtesy of photog Ben Pancoast. So, to apologize for my absence from blogging while I continue to be pampered by my husband, and hopefully kick the sickness, here are 2 of my favorite photos from the wedding—expect more soon!I love ring pictures, and this one doesn’t let me down—I don’t know what it is, but I absolutely adore this picture!