May
16    Megan+Greg

June
13    Stefanie+Jim
21    Yana+Duncan
27    Kate+Mitch

July
04    Kimberly+Jeremy
18    Lisa+Bart

August
01    Unavailable
07    Katy+Ken
22    Kellie+Kevin

September
12    Meaghan+Tom
19    Pending Inquiry

October
10    Melinda+James

Email Jessica@StellaEventDesign.com to set up a free consultation!

(photo by Jessica Claire)

When you’re flipping through the endless bridal magazines out there, it’s easy to get sucked into all of the glossy pics and think your wedding has to be a mirror image.  To make your wedding beatutiful and unique, keep a few things in mind when looking for ideas for your big day.

Use Elements
When you find a picture you like, decide what element makes it so appealing. If it’s a beautiful bouquet you’re gazing at, what makes that bouquet stand out? Is it the structure of the arrangement? The use of a single bloom? The combination of colors? The unique handle wrapping? Even if that bouquet isn’t your exact color scheme, look for the elements that make it attractive to you, and apply those to your own design. You  don’t want your wedding to look like someone else’s photo spread—instead, choose elements that you can make your own!

Be Flexible
You don’t have to carbon copy a design concept to make it your own. Take a picture of that stunning Martha Stewart bouquet into your florist—but be prepared for sticker shock if you’re on a tight budget! If you can’t swing $400 on that bouquet of your dreams, ask your florist to substitute some blooms.  Does that silk and orchid covered chuppa make your head spin with bridal delight? If it’s not within your budget to have one professionally made, seek out a friend or family member who could construct one, and substitute more reasonable fabric and floral accents.

Using inspiration will give you lots of elements to pull into your own design concept, while imitation will make you feel restricted and cookie cutter—so go out and be inspired! (and send us pictures—we’d love to see the results!)

(photo by Scarlett Lillian)

Recently, I was contacted by a bride who wanted to honor her mother at her wedding. Her mother passed away when she was very young, and she was raised by her stepmother, so she wanted a way to honor her mother that would be meaningful but subtle. In the past, this has been done in a number of ways—a special note in the program, an altar arrangement dedicated to a loved relative, or using a special belonging of theirs, such as a handkerchief or piece of jewelry.

One of my favorite ways to honor a loved one at the wedding is pictured above. Lockets are filled with the pictures of loved ones and are tied into your bouquet handle.  It’s classy, subtle, and very personal. Have you seen any other creative ways to honor a loved one who has passed?

(photo by Ben Pancoast Photography)

Recently, I made a stop at my favorite jeweler to have my rings inspected and cleaned. I try to do this at least every 6 months, which is required to keep my insurance up to date. But, truth be told, I get it cleaned just about every time I’m in the area because I love to see that rock shine!

However, it seems that while I am incessant about cleaning it, I’m not taking the best care of it, and my jeweler gave me a good old fashioned lecture.  I was surprised by what I learned, and wanted to pass it on to all you gals sporting shiny new rings!

First, she was none too happy that I had not soldered my rings together. I’ve always intended to, but it was just something I never got around to, and I got used to them twisting and sliding around on my finger. However, I was told this is actually horrible for my ring, and not only scratches the rings finish but can also weaken the structure that holds your diamonds. In my case, I found out the bridge underneath my middle stone was cracked, and I probably would have lost my middle stone very soon!

Looking back, I would have soldered my ring before the wedding—trust me, once you tie the knot you won’t want to take that ring off! Instead, I’m stuck without my rings for a whole week while they get a shiny new finish, a fix-job on the cracked bridge, and they solder my pair together! Don’t get me wrong–it’s not all bad—those rings are going to look brand new when they get back on my hot little hand!

{Fast Forward: I got my rings back and they look AMAZING! And it’s so nice to not be twisting them around all day to re-align them! I was pretty OCD about lining up my rings, so I figure I’ve gained at least 40 minutes of extra time each day—maybe a little extra blogging with all that free time?}

(Mill Creek Barns, opening May 2009)

Last weekend I had the chance to stop by Mill Creek barns, the new venue from the owners of the Blue Dress Barn. It was just as lovely as I thought it would be, even though it’s not fully completed just yet. I shot a little video with my Flip Video, so I’ll post that soon (that is, if I get the courage to hear my voice broadcast over the internet!) It has all of the beautiful details I expected, and I can’t wait to post pictures of the inside when it’s completed.

(outdoor ceremony location nestled between the barn and the woods)

There’s a beautiful ceremony area, TONS of natural light in the dance hall, and too much charm to mention. There’s also tons of opportunities to utilize the outdoor beauty including several french doors in the dance hall, several patios and bonfires to cozy up to at the end of the night.  Definitely look into Mill Creek if you’re seeking a beautiful venue with rustic elegance. It is so far from a cookie cutter hall, I guarantee you’ll love it! It’s opening in May of 2009, and I’m excited to have a couple tying the knot there on the 16th! I’ll update as our planning goes along, and as it nears completion you can expect more lovely pictures!

We have some really beautiful venues in Southwest Michigan, nestled in the countryside. I live just around the corner from the beautiful Blue Dress Barn, and while I’m driving home I’m always observing the most beautiful rustic locations that inspire me for amazing wedding photos. I hope a few of my 2009 brides snap a few lovelies like these two, taken by the talented Trista Lerit.

Also, stay tuned for an update on my trip to Mill Creek Barns—a lovely new venue opening in 2009!

Stella Event Design is excited to announce we will be accepting 1-2 interns to assist us with our 2009 wedding season! The interns will assist with at least 5 events during the summer and will assist with tasks as needed during the rehearsal, ceremony and reception. This internship will offer hands-on experience in day-of event execution and you will work directly with our Lead Planner, Jessica Pennington and Event Assistant, Beth George.

What we’re looking for in the ideal candidate:
-Junior or Senior in a related field
-Previous coursework or hands-on experience in event planning is preferred
-Must be located in SW Michigan, West Michigan, or NW Indiana during the internship, or be willing to travel
-Must be available to work weekends (especially Fridays and Saturdays) as needed throughout the summer months, May-September, as well as some Thursdays and Sundays
-This is a part time Internship and is not paid.  Must apply towards college credit

You will be working directly with the bride and groom, as well as their family and guests, so you should be comfortable with people, outgoing and presentable. Wedding planning is a lot of fun, but it’s also a lot of hard work, so we’re looking for someone who wants to work hard in an incredibly rewarding job! If you’re not familiar with our company, please take some time to read through some of the real weddings on our blog to see what we do before applying! We love what we do, and we are excited to bring on interns who share the same enthusiasm!

If you would like to apply for our 2009 Internship, please send a cover letter and resume to intern (at) StellaEventDesign (dot) com with “2009 internship” in the subject line. Please do not call or mail resumes, and please do not submit information via the Contact page on our website. We will be accepting applications through December 19 and will be setting up interviews for early January.

(views from The Veranda at The Whitcomb on the bluff)

For those of you unfamiliar with the local area, the downtown area of St. Joseph is on a bluff overlooking the lake and the river and it’s filled with quaint shops and delicious restaurants.The Veranda at The Whitcomb overlooks the lake, with a beautiful view of the lighthouse and river. It’s literally across the street from the Bandshell, which I’ve blogged about before, and is a wonderful ceremony location. The Veranda at The Whitcomb can seat up to 250 guests. As you can see from the picture below, the venue is open-air, but has ample covering in case of inclement weather. There are also beautiful gardens on the far side, perfect for a garden-style cocktail hour, bridal portraits, or mingling with guests.

(a community big band dance hosted at The Veranda at The Whitcomb)

The on-site catering and beverage service is provided by CK Catering. They recently revamped their website and included a ton of great pictures. They do beautiful presentations and are amazing to work with. The combination of CK Catering and The Veranda at The Whitcomb is one I’m very excited about, and I was thrilled to hear about some of their upcoming plans to expand the events area, which sound absolutely incredible. If you’re in the market for a reception location, you can check it out at the corner of Port Street and Ship Street!

I was fed up with our standard business “fan page” on Facebook, so I created a new page that will be business-focused. Friend Us to see photos of recent weddings, blog feeds, connect with other brides and we’ll be adding discussion boards! Also, comment on the wall to let us know any topics you’d like to see us blog about, and submit questions regarding your own wedding! Friend Us!

(Tracy+David in South Haven, JK Photography)

Outdoor weddings and events can be absolutely wonderful. The natural light, beautiful surroundings and open air can draw a lot of people to want to host an outdoor affair. However, you don’t want to set up your ceremony or throw up a tent just anywhere! Give yourself some piece of mind by considering some important factors before choosing your ideal outdoor wedding location.

Are there any policies, ordinances or restrictions?
For example, some public beaches will not allow chairs brought in and will request all guests stand. Also, if you’re renting a public park or beach area, you’ll want to check on any restrictions with serving alcohol if you’re hosting an outdoor reception.

How public is the area?
I plan a lot of beach weddings, and in our area you can throw a stone and hit 12 beautiful beaches. When you’re looking at locations, consider how busy it will be, at the time of year you’ll be tying the knot. Will you be able to secure a private area? If you’re on a public beach, ask a designated friend or family member to watch your area during the ceremony to avoid bikini-clad onlookers from wandering into ceremony pictures. If you’ve hired a coordinator, they can also assist with this. People can be surprisingly cooperative when they’re asked not to disturb a wedding!

Is there ample parking available?
This is one area where unexpected costs can arise. When budgeting, take into consideration the cost for shuttle service to get guests to rhe location, or for many public beaches, the cost of admission/parking. This can add up to as much as $9 per car in our area, but can often be paid for ahead of time if the proper arrangements are made.

Is it easily accessible to handicap or older guests?
Secluded beaches or outdoor areas can be beautiful, but make sure to consider accessibility. Do you have older guests who will not be able to walk the distance? Is it handicap accessible?

Is there an option for inclimate weather?
If you’re tying the knot outdoors, look for areas that may also provide for shelter in the case of inclimate weather. Certain beaches will offer a covered pavilion, or areas where you could set up a tent. While I always like to stay positive, it’s best to be prepared—-always have a back up!

Now go out there and find your perfect outdoor location! There are a lot of hidden gems out there, that you’ll never find browsing from your computer so hop in the car and explore your local area—you’ll be surprised at all of the unique and beautiful areas you’ll find!