This year at Signed Sealed Delivered has been the most magical! It was a roller coaster of amazing events and learning curves sprinkled with old friends and sparkled with new! Here is an SSD year at a glance! I am so proud and full of love when I look back at these memories I was a part of creating and the team of people who came together to execute just that!
I kicked off the year with a photo shoot that I had been dreaming about with a dear friend and photographer Dreaming Tree. She captured my joy with my real life SSD brides! We designed the backdrops with Grand Rental Station! Love that Lea! Flowers by An Affair to Remember Hair and Make Up by Halo Salon all took place at the Regency Conference Center and the sweet Sugarbelle Cakery made adorable cookies for us!
SSD’s first event of the season was a vow renewal at my old stomping ground, the Four Points with two people so deeply in love after 35 years you will want to take tips from them! I worked with A Special Touch Florist and the ever jazzy Green Wall Studio Sparked Media Collective Grand Rental Unique Moments Epic Entertainment My favorite part of this event was all listening to all the kind things that their family had to say about them. And I know that typically people say nice things on camera about you at your party- but these guests were literally choking up while they were talking about how genuine and kind and loving Mark and Donna are. It will make you wish you were a part of their family. Watch their event video here. And try not to cry while Mark reads his vows to Donna. Pure love.
In March I attended the Wedding Market Expo where I met Johnny Lewis at HoteLumiere. He recently took over in the wedding sales department at this hidden gem and asked if I would collaborate with him Trotter Photography and TKO DJ’s to create some prettiness for his marketing material that really showcased their space. From there we built a team consisting of Tower Studios Artistry Florist Ultimate Bride Savvi Formalwear Sugarbelle Cakery La Belle Mariee Carolyn Burke Weinhardt Party Rentals and PK Paper Art The HoteLumiere has an incredible lobby with grand piano, a bar, and a modern waterfall, and skylights – perfect for hosting cocktail hours, a ceremony and even the reception. And their theatre space is unlike any other in the city. It’s a must see plus Johnny is simply the best and you will love meeting him! PS The food here is splendid!
Super proud to say this bad boy was published in the The Westchester Wedding Planner And Amber, I won’t ever say no to you, but I will always give you a hard time because I love working with you!
June started off with an intimate country backyard ceremony followed by a reception at the American Legion. Two Less Fish in the Sea, Lindsey and Nick, have been together since high school so family and friends waited a long time to get these invites in the mail! Their big day was documented by husband wife team For the Moment Photography (heart their work), florals and decor/linen by An Affair to Remember Cakes by Marla Unique Moments McMusic DJWhite Traditions Bridal Behind the Veil Media Watch video here The Glam Fam Worn Vintage Rental Lindsey has a degree in interior design and you sure can tell with the magical palate of colors, patterns and textures she brought together with a hint of vintage. So many of these details were handmade and that made this wedding even more special. Favorite part of this wedding was the beautifully close relationship between Lindsey, Lexi (her sis) and their wonderful momma!
Favorite part of the night was the family dancing Gangnam Style! Oh and it was pretty amazing that papa bear had a hidden Mickey sewn into Ashley’s dress as a surprise!
You know when a family comes into your life and then moves into your heart? That is the Howald Family. I knew most of them before I met them and Roxanne, my mother of the bride still checks in every few weeks. This Fourth of July themed roof top wedding at Aeries Terrace in Grafton is one I will cherish forever. Whitney and Brady are both in the military and spent most of their relationship apart. With one in Alaska and one in Korea they would skype as much as possible. They would brush their teeth together, fall asleep with one another all from 18 hours apart. It was so wonderful to watch them come together- physically together in the same state after several huge emails and skype dates ourselves. Check out their wedding video here by our favorite little Brit- Sparked Media Collective. Photos by Brandi Burnet / Hair and Make Up by Casey James Styles The rest of the party crew Epic Entertainment Steve Mueller Florist Unique Moments Lunch for the Bunch Mens Wearhouse Hair pieces custom designed by the precious Branded By Beauty
A big thank you to Kelly at Aeries Terrace- she is seriously one of the most dedicated and big hearted catering managers out there! This was the first wedding ever where I choked up so bad I couldn’t speak while reviewing the ceremony timeline with Pastor Jeremy BEFORE the actual wedding. I knew I was screwed for the real ceremony. My favorite part of this wedding was the flickering balloon release at the end of the night.
Kicked off this breathtaking blue wedding at the Jewel Box with a beautiful tear jerking ceremony by St Louis Officiantsand a never ending dance party with CJ’s DJ’s. There was a “delicious and dazzling” culinary spread by Ces and Judy’s Catering Can I get an Amen for that carrot souffle??? If you haven’t tried it yet, you need to! This transformational uplighting (all 60 of them) was designed by CJ’s DJ’s and we had a great time installing them around the flower beds and mini forest in the Jewel Box. Always an adventure! Music by Rosewood Ensemble Celebrating Life Cakes Centerpieces and decor designed by the couple’s dear friend. And last but not least, it was an honor to finally work with Bobbi Brinkman (and the fabulous Tina)!!! To be a part of a team who is passionate about what they do brought so much joy (and tears as if the ceremony wasn’t tearful enough)! Favorite part of the night was when the ENTIRE party was laying on their backs dancing to SHOUT! compliments of the best DJ in town!
Favorite part of this wedding was when our groom Devin walked down the aisle and his groomsmen started clapping. Oh and have to say that moment was tied for favorite with the father daughter dance to Don’t Worry Be Happy.
Favorite part of this wedding was when our groom Devin walked down the aisle and his groomsmen started clapping. Oh and have to say that moment was tied for favorite with the father daughter dance to Don’t Worry Be Happy.
It was also an awesome bonus that my assistant on this day was 2014 SSD Bride Jenny Glenn who’s dreamsicle wedding is featuredhere. Favorite part of the day was watching how relaxed and happy Makenzie was. That makes me so happy!
I loved working with this family and we are already planning Ali’s wedding to take place in a castle in Ireland- we are just waiting on a groom! And by the way, it’s totally normal to have a wedding planned and not have a groom yet, what do you think I did all the years before I met Jason? Favorite part of this wedding day was watching Ali (little sis) do Tori’s hair while all the bridesmaids watched. It was such a tender moment.
Favorite part of this day was right before Papa Ridolfi walked Gena down the aisle – in those few quiet moments, in the back of St. Mary’s church, nervous giggles and anticipation ran deep.
Right before go time, she said: Are you ready dad? and kissed him on the cheek. This is why I cry at every wedding. Gena is the first of 3 daughters to get married. Here’s hoping SSD will be involved in future family affairs. He he he.
Gena was one of our most radiant brides- her smile was just contagious and warmed every room she entered. |
Favorite part of this wedding was first look with mom and dad. There were tears all around as daddy saw daddy’s only girl as a bride.
Favorite part of this wedding was the sparkler sendoff outside the Fox as horns played “when the saints go marching in”!
Favorite part of this wedding was the ceremony beautifully performed by The Rev John Doll and seeing the emotions on both Jill and Todd’s faces, at one point you see nerves, then you see fighting tears, then a hint of giggle and then a genuine relieved smile… “oh yea, it’s you, my love and we are getting married right now.”
My final styled shoot of the year I collaborated with Blue Garnet Weddings Free Cake Film Unique MomentsSeasoning Bistro Flowers by Dave Hair and make up by Kayla Hudgens and last but not least our genius creative friend Deliciously Ordinary at a Camp Manitowa in southern Illinois for two whole days of creative magic! More of this to come after the new year!
My favorite part of this day (and this is tough because there are so many great parts to this day) is the first look with the groom- his face says it all! Be still my heart. Yes you will see this picture hanging in the SSD office forever.
Out of all of the gorgeous photos from the day, this was the photo that stole my heart. It is true love! |
My favorite part of my sissy’s wedding was the ceremony when Derek met her half way down the aisle, as their song Just the Way You Are played. I love this version, seriously listen to it. The words and a love like that is every girls’ dream There is no gift better in this world than seeing your sister so happy and her dream come true. Derek is her key and they were made for each other. Not a dry eye in the crowd. It was beautiful. Jeez, pass me the tissue, I’m reliving the day again!
Favorite part of Lori and Steve’s wedding- don’t make me pick please!!!! – was watching Lori shimmy and shake rattle and roll on the dance floor for hours in her gold sequin Tina Turner number!
SSD also won The Knot 2016 Pick Best of Weddings and a nomination for St. Louis Best Bridal Best of the Best Award as Wedding Planner of the Year.
Jenn, my mini me, who kept me on track and organized, my life hacker, the best listener and the best assistant. Thank you so much for being a part of SSD this year! It has been truly a joy and you are an asset to any team! Jenn also ran day of coordination for my sister’s wedding. You didn’t think I was going to do that myself did you? LOL She did awesome, I felt sorry that she had to deal with me and my triple checking all day long, but she did and did beautifully!
And Brittani, my other half, who also has her own wedding planning business Brittani Joyce Events was lead planner for two of our weddings this year and assisted me on two more. Her comical relief and quick thinking saved the day, but even more this bundle of sparkle became a life long friend! Thank you for everything.
My mom Lynn, who not only keeps the design and styling part of SSD organized (because I am like a bull in a china shop when it comes to keeping our workshop clean) and is on site for events to insure all is set up exactly as the client ordered, but she works behind the scenes managing a lot of our paperwork. PLUS she’s my mom so she is also my rock and counselor and my best friend. Thanks mom!
This photo taken by the AWESOME Photo Elegance
And last but not least my love connection (because I don’t brag about him enough on the faceboo), Jason. This man has taught me so much in the last year alone. He is my sounding board and my “make it all better. ” He is my rock and my solitude. Thank you babe for stealing my heart and keeping up with this adventure. I love you forever for it