Congratulations Kati & Adam Riekena!!!

WOW - what an amazing day! Kati & Adam exchanged wedding vows on Saturday, November 22nd at St. Pete's in Gladsford, IL. It was a beautiful ceremony, red roses, white callalillies, bridesmaids in classy black dresses....and a stunning bride in a white satin strapless gown. Everything about this day was perfect...and SO ahead of schedule too. And as a wedding planner..that is a huge deal!

The reception took place at The Ashland House in Morton, Illinois and I cant say enough wonderful things about that facility! From set-up, to the staff, the food, everything was top notch! I know I told the staff over 100 times how great they were doing...but to me a great staff or a bad staff can make or break a wedding reception. And I love seeing a staff walk around with smiles on their faces....THANK YOU ASHLAND HOUSE for a wonderful evening for my clients!

The ballroom was beautiful...thanks to Heaven on Earth for their hard work (even after a fire near them in the Metro Center forced them out on Tuesday of last week) - they still came through like I knew they would! Pedestal vases with a pillar candle, silver wire, black rock and red rose petals were on every table - along with more square vases, red roses, and more silver wire. Black linens, red menu cards, and adorable wine bottles, which marked the table name along with a poem the mother of the bride had written.

I have to talk about the wonderful vendors which helped in making the day so fabulous...
Marc Lester did the photography...even gave a sneak peek slide show at the reception from shots earlier in the day...Kati had tears in her eyes as she watched them...ok.....I did too!
Ingrid from White Lily Productions was the videographer and she was everywhere I turned. Another beautiful, fun, and quirky cake made by Barb Evans, Wedding Cake Connection was all the talk due to its fun shape and the big black and red polka-dots!

Now I have to give a huge write up on Shane from Mac-Live Entertainment....every one needs to have a DJ....NO.... an Entertainer like him for their reception. Shane is not your average DJ, he actually sings, plays the guitar, really gets the party going and it never stopped - EVER! When I had heard about Mac Live this past summer..I didn't know what to expect...but I am so glad I got to see for myself and what an impact it had on the entire evening. So.... some of the songs were your typical songs but then after a few of those he would get the guitar out and sing live - SO FUN! Now there is one little problem...Shane now lives in Seattle, but we are working on seeing if he will continue this venture and head back this way every now and then for some weddings. I really want more clients to experience a reception like this...especially clients that really want a band but the cost is just too much....this is the way to go! THANKS SHANE for keeping the party going all night!

Kati and Adam will leave for their honeymoon this weekend....of course I will miss Kati and her mom Debbie very much...they were always so wonderful to work with, sent the funniest emails in history...I will think of Debbie every time I see Mayonnaise...(long story)....

This is my last wedding of the year and what an awesome one it was!!!! Thank you Kati & Adam for allowing me to share in this wonderful day! Congrats and hugs to you both!!

Congratulations Katie & Jarrod Buckley!!!

Saturday couldn't have been more beautiful!!! Katie & Jarrod became husband and wife at Bethany Baptist Church with a beautiful reception at The Packard Plaza. Katie became very special to me....ok...her entire family became very special to me throughout the planning process. They live close by, so I was always over at their home every time we met and I got so attached to them. Not to mention I went to school and very good friends with one of their older son's...so its funny how things happen.

Katie wore a beautiful white strapless gown adorned with crystals, she just beamed all day... a stunning bride! Her groom Jarrod, wore a white tux and was the life of the party! They had 10 attendants on each side, which kept myself and my assistant on our toes, they were all so fun to be around!

The church aisle was lined with stunning wrought iron leaf candelabras with fall floral arrangements from Heaven on Earth along with 2 beautiful arrangements at the alter. At the Reception, 3 different centerpieces were used...rippled hurricanes, bullet vases filled with copper/orange beads, and wrought iron trees filled with votives...truly stunning! Did I mention the Chocolate Fountain - it was amazing! I don't have their business card on me right now, but I will add their name to this blog later today. They did a great job, the chocolate was the best I have had! And I know my chocolate!

Lori and her daughter Casey from Picture This were snapping pictures all day, they did a fantastic job keeping on schedule with such a large bridal party...its easy for pictures to run over...but that was something I didn't have to worry about - Thank You Lori! I cant wait to see the beautiful shots!

I will add a few of my pictures later this evening, I didn't get to take as many as I would have liked too...but I do have a few to share!

Thanks again to the Emlen's for allowing me to share in this beautiful day, you will always have a special place in my heart! And Katie......you ARE the little sister I never got to have, and I mean it! Love ya!

Congrats Katie & Jarrod...enjoy that Honeymoon!!