Erica & Brandon - Congrats on your Engagement!!

Let the planning begin!! Erica & Brandon got engaged February 6th of this year and are planning a February 6th 2009 wedding in Cancun, Mexico with a fabulous reception here in Peoria at the Holiday Inn City Center on Feb. 21st! I am so excited to work with this couple...the bride and I could have sat and talked for hours at our first meeting. She is fun, carefree, and has this beautiful glow about her. Congratulations again to the beautiful couple!!

Congratulations Kari & Myles and Rachel & Brad!

Yes, another 2 wedding weekend for Happily Ever After Weddings!

The picture above is Kari & Myles, courtesy of Pam Cooley. Kari & Myles we married Friday, June 13th in Pekin, Illinois! She was stunning in her strapless white beaded gown with a pink satin ribbon. Pink roses everywhere you turned, Kari was so beautiful, I had to post a picture ASAP - what a fun couple they are and their Bridal Party was the same way!!! Have a great Honeymoon and I will see you when you get back!! CONGRATS!!!

Rachel and Brad were married Saturday, June 14th in Eureka, Illinois....stay tuned for a picture of the beautiful couple! The love these families shared was amazing! I have never seen so many tears of joy shed - it was so touching!!! The flowers were all done by the bride's brother - talk about a talented family! And the music was like being at a symphony - since the bride is a music major, she had some great connections! The Dremann's are truly a special family - they touched my heart in many ways!

Another wedding weekend comes to an end and I continue to pinch myself - how lucky am I to have a job I love and clients I adore!! Life is good - really good!!

Congrats and best wishes to both couples!!!!

Double The Fun, Double The Love!

WOW, what a weekend! HEA Weddings had the privilege of witnessing the union of Natalie & Chris Johnson............... AND.................... Andrea & Jake Sweet! Yes, two weddings in one day!

So here we go....Natalie and Chris were married at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, downtown Peoria with a beautiful reception at Embassy Suites. Amazing lighting brought in by
Sound & Light Creations, Scott Fort was on site all night up-lighting the walls in shades of purple and gold, projecting custom designs on the dance floor and the walls - it was spectacular!
Pam Cooley did the photography, she and her assistant Mel were on site all day and late into the evening! Stay tuned for some great pics! Heaven on Earth designed three different centerpieces...I have to say the Curly Willow tree w/ purple orchids tied in was my favorite! This wedding screamed detail, from custom Menu's, custom place cards using Caterpillar Tractors (both Bride & Groom work for CAT) to 14 different cakes by LeBakery to choose from, and I cant forget the Ice Cream station - YUM! Natalie and Chris knew exactly what they wanted for their big day and every vendor and especially Embassy Suites, delivered with 110%!! It truly was a fabulous day!

And now on to Andrea & Jake..............the beautiful coupe were married at her Parent's home in Germantown Hills. Talk about a dream setting, WOW, I cant even begin to describe the beauty of their home and yard...the pool overlooking the lake, spectacular flowers and landscaping....every time I went there, I never wanted to leave! The setting for this wedding is a favorite of mine, getting married at a Parent's home is very special! Andrea was so glamorous in her white strapless beaded gown, she was truly stunning! After a beautiful ceremony, the trolley took the guests back to their cars and they headed to the Contemporary Arts Center, downtown Peoria for a fun interactive evening. A Latin inspired menu by Echo Valley Meats was a hit with the guests. Beautiful chocolate brown pin-tuck linens over white floor length with chocolate brown and sage green sashes over white chair covers by I DO -Events created a beautiful room! And Beck's did a fabulous job on the centerpieces, there wasn't one that was the same. They were contemporary and beautiful! There was a photo booth and a bag of props for the guests to enjoy for the evening, this is a great and fun alternative to individual wedding favors for your guests!
They had a 2 tiered wedding cake along with tons of personalized cupcakes by Joe Brew's..... Susan can do amazing things with cake and frosting!!
I have two very important people to thank for helping me make this wedding a success, Susan Smith and Lisa Tyler. They were on-site all day making sure everything ran smoothly and on-time while myself and Melissa were at the other wedding! I can't thank them enough for all of their hard work, you two were AWESOME!

So as two more beautiful couples begin their lives together, I am blessed with wonderful memories of their wedding day. I don't think this job can get any better!! I adore my couples, but I have to say their families were such amazing people to spend time with...I am going to miss them too, and.. .so the sob story goes...I will miss spending time and working with each one of you! Congratulation to both couples and I wish you a lifetime of love, health and happiness!!!

HUGS! ~Lisa