Melissa + Effi 7.21.12

Wow!  I am so behind in my blogging!  Apologies to my blogger friends!  Melissa & Effi's wedding was held at the uber-cool Bay 7 at the American Tobacco District in Durham.  If you've ever been to a Durham Bulls baseball game or gone to DPAC, you've been to the American Tobacco District.  The whole history of this area and the Duke family is very cool, click here to learn more. 
Since it was pretty stinking hot outside, as it usually is in July, Melissa and Effi decided to have the ceremony inside Bay 7 on the 2nd floor followed by dinner and dancing down below.  Great choice guys! 
Durham Catering did an amazing job, as usual, with all the food, drinks, and service.  Their team rocks!  Tre Bella used their keen eye for details and beautified both the ceremony space and reception area with their fresh flowers and creative touches.  Melissa picked out the coolest color combinations of deep blue, purple, ivory and pops of green.  Tre Bella did an amazing job bringing her vision to life. 
Whole Foods knocked Melissa's wedding cake out of the ball park! They did an amazing job. It not only tasted great, but it was simply stunning!   I'll never look at a "grocery store cake" the same way again. 
Patrick Cooke with PC Productions not only kept Melissa & Effi's guests on the dance floor, but he also lit up the lower level of Bay 7 with the coolest purple uplighting all around the room.  Ladies, if you haven't thought about having uplighting, I highly recommend it!  Patrick also provided the coolest pin-spot lighting on Melissa's cake which made it glow in the room!  Very chic.  
A special thank you to Katie Pietrowski Photography for sharing her amazing shots of Melissa & Effi's very special day. 

 

I have got to be one of the luckiest planners because I always end up with such gorgeous brides!!

How cute are they??!!  These crazy kids decided to take "First Look" pictures  :)

this moment is why I love what I do...

 

Can you believe this cake?!  b-e-a-utiful!

Since Bay 7 doesn't allow sparklers, Melissa & Effi chose to use glow sticks for their exit! 

Melissa & Effi,  Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your BIG DAY!  It was beautiful and everyone felt the love you have for each other.  We wish you all the best in years to come!

Nicole + Jimmy 5.20.12

For anyone who has been flowing our blog and/or me in general, knows that Jimmy and I (finally) tied the knot back in May.  The whole "Wedding Planner planning her own wedding" thing was very interesting.  For the most part, I was just like any other working bride --I did most of my (personal) planning at night/on the weekends when I wasn't attending to the needs of my clients (i.e. other brides!).  There were some minor (and a few major) bumps along the way, but now I fully know what it feels like to "walk the walk".  =)

The ceremony was held at Fairmont United Methodist Church.  Jimmy and I had been searching alllll over Raleigh and when we walked into Fairmont, we both immediately agreed that "this was the place!"  The church has the most beautiful set of stained glass windows.  Eight in all that depict the life of Jesus, from birth to the cross.  

After the ceremony, guests made their way to the Renaissance at North Hills for the cocktail hour and the reception.  Thanks to my amazing vendors, the ballroom was BREATHTAKING!  I mean, really!  Patrick Cooke and his team from PC Productions outdid themselves with the purple uplighting!  I couldn't believe how amazing the room looked.  Also, the team at English Garden did an amazing job setting up hundreds (literally!) of floating candles and purple roses on the tables.  The combination of candlelight and uplighting blew my expectations out of the water!   

Next was our cake.  Leona Taylor of Frosted Bliss Cakes created a cake that was just too pretty to cut!!  (we eventually did cut it, though!).  Everything was amazing!

I am sooo thankful that we hired our videographer!  It was something we weren't going to do, but my mom and (at the time, future) sister-in-law convinced us to reconsider.  Vincent Murphy and his team from Red Carpet Wedding Films did an amazing job covering our day.  They killed it! 

Lastly, a HUGE thank you to Karen Clark for being my day-of planner!!!   There wasn't anyone else I would have trusted with our wedding day!  You are amazing!   

Special thanks to our photographer, Cole Gorman of Blest Photography for capturing our special day. (warning!  lots of pictures ahead!  =) )

 

  

my "something blue"  =)

 

 

my "something borrowed" Grandpa Sam bought these in Italy for Grandma.  <3

"Bye!  See ya at the church!" 

 

love love loved our bouquets!!!  Thank you English Garden!

<3

hehehe!  They thought they were so cool!

one of the best moments of the day

 

the new Mr & Mrs! 

I still can't believe this was our ballroom! 

 

 

 

YUM!!!

 

Mr. & Mrs. Jimmy Conder  :)

 

 

some of our guests were "encouraging" him to smash cake in my face!  Luckly he knew better!  HA!

 

 

 

I cannot wait for the video - Jimmy danced for me before he took off the garter! 

 

 

Normally, I end our postings thanking the couple for allowing us to be a part of their special day.  Since I can't really do that, I am thanking the vendors and my parents.  I know I've said it already, but I really could not have done this without their amazing help and talent.  My vendors were the force behind the magic.  Yes, I planned it, but without them it would not have gone off without a hitch.  From the bottom of my heart, thank y'all so much!!   <3