crazy & happy.

September is a crazy month for me but it's such an honor to bless so many wonderful couples in helping them achieve the wedding their hearts envision.

To kick it off right, this couple is rocking it into gear this weekend with yard games, DIY's and natures surroundings.

Meet Jamie&Glen. Let the good times roll...

xo,

elizabeth

*photo by Dominique Nelson Photography

creative thursday:: it's all in the details.

When I sit down with new clients, my desire is to hear their hearts. What makes them unique? What sets who they are apart from everyone else and how can we incorporate that into their wedding day?

Because to me, that's what takes a wedding from great to unforgettable.

Sometimes the details are forgotten with weddings and I see the details as one of the most important elements to a wedding day.

I have been to weddings {note:been too-not planned}, where they've got the music, they've the hall, the church, the cake-and it's a nice wedding. But in a year, I can't remember much about it. While it was nice, it didn't make an impression on me. How was their wedding different from anyone else's wedding?

What I see is taking elements from you, the couple, and entwine that into your day.

Here's a real example:

I had a couple who loved the outdoors. They were very green friendly, and loved to hike and walk. This is what we did to set their wedding apart to make it their own.

The ceremony & reception were outside. {Note: don't be afraid to plan a wedding outdoors. I know we live in the Midwest and the weather is so unpredictable, but if that's what you want-do it. There can always be a rain plan in place.} We used flower seeds as favors and natural elements for decor, such as tree branches for guests to write down & hang up a love note on a branch, and also branches in vases as centerpieces. For a dinner menu we arched the menu into a piece of bark and the color palette was green with a punch of purple. {I love punches of color to sprinkle throughout the day. Have a main color but punch it up! Make that color palette yours - own it!} The cake had branches that entwined into the layers and everything was very green friendly.

It is never my objective to stray you from your vision but merely to guide and infuse new ideas as they fit. When I step back and see my couple shining with delight,while the day infuses whothey are, I am filled with happiness.

Because in that moment I know I have helped you achieve the day your heart longed for.

xo,

Elizabeth

creative thursday turns personal.

Like most children, summer days were my favorite as a child. Really, what can be better than playing with your best friend-who happened to be your next door neighbor-all day?

pretty much nothing.

We made up imaginary games, played tag, and dug in the dirt. It's quite possible I was a tom-boy as a child. I'm convinced my short hairs had everything to do with that.

My parents had little money and their solution to saving money? Cutting my hair at home. It was the obvious solution.

Only my mom was not gifted with this talent.

I'm quite certain some cuts she literally placed a bowl on my head and cut around it. I joke not, Internet friends. That is simply how she rolled. I came out looking like the bottom of a mop or worse-a boy. It was not a pretty sight.

It's fond memories like this that is embedded in my heart as I grow older and watch my children grow. What will they carry with them and remember with a smile when they are adults?

The summer is fleeting away from us, and every day I am trying to live it to the fullest. My blog has been suffering for this, but it's my give and take. I'm taking a bit of my free time to invest into my family before summer rays turns into delightful crisp autumn air.

Creative Thursday will resume next week.

Happy Thursday, friends!

Gretchen and I at our fav restaurant.

creative thursday:::guest books

I've never understood the point of having a white book that has people sign their names as they enter your ceremony. So you can what? Look back at signatures 10 years later? When I got married {eek-it has almost been 11 years!} that's what I did simply because that's what I thought you just-did. I have never opened the book again, it just sits collecting dust. lame.

Today there are so many fun options for guest books. I'm going to highlight just a few of my favs for so be ready to be i-n-s-p-i-r-e-d!

river rocks to display in a bowl

cards to be hung from tree branches

old fashioned typewriter messages

Happy Thursday!

Love, Elizabeth

Creative Thursday::Seating Options

Let's face it:: everyone needs some creativity. We all go through slumps of feeling uninspired. I'm here to help. Once a week I'm going to highlight a creative outlet for you. Things to inspire and highlight. Today:: Seating Options. Because there's more to seating options than chairs.

oh, so much more....

Hay Havan

Japanese Benches

Trendy Chairs will a splash of chic.

Picnic Blankets

I've said it before and I will say it again: thinking outside the box personalizes your wedding and brings an unexpected element of fun!