Monday, September 13, 2010

Brad & Melissa, Married September 4th 2010









What an amazing day this was..... and you can see from the pictures, in the details is where it all came together!

Melissa & Brad were married at Crossroads Methodist Church in Washington, IL. A beautiful service that brought tears to most. Melissa in her stunning Jim Hjelm dress. The Bridesmaids were in different styles of dresses and colors. The groomsmen in black tuxes and "chuck" tennis shoes in honor of the Groom's brother.

This wedding OOZED style...and then led into one of the most fabulous receptions HEA Wedding's has had the opportunity to be a part of.

The reception was at Embassy Suites in East Peoria, IL... and as the guests entered the room, you could see the "awe" on their faces...most walked right past the gift table because they couldn't stop looking around the room.

First, I need to fill you in on a little background of the planning stages so you can really appreciate all the details and hard work that the bride, her mother, and all the vendors put into this amazing day. Melissa had been dreaming and planning her wedding since she was a little girl, and I know that isn't a shock to most...but the details this girl had in her head were fabulous and I was not going to let anything get in the way of what she wanted. Peacock feathers were her theme, but she didn't want anything that anyone had seen or done before. So out came the glue guns and several trips to Hobby Lobby and Pier 1 for Melissa and her Mom. They purchased some items themselves vs. renting because they knew no one would have these exact things. They made boards covered in peacock eye feathers for the candle centerpieces...and never once did they complain, they really loved being hands on.

Then came the vendors to make all the missing components come together....Heaven on Earth with the tall feather arrangements, tall cylinder vases with the feather balls and copper winding around, and all the candles and holders. The beautiful gold trees on the head table that had clumps of green crystals and feathers wired on. And of course the beautiful bouquets that were one of a kind - STUNNING! Beth Maxwell with Save the Date....couldn't have done it with out her beautiful decorative elements....Mirrored top for the head table, the lime green chargers that Melissa HAD to have (that could be a blog post all on its own - she will laugh about this comment, but they truly made the look of the tables come together), and the purple and teal sashes and napkins. Scott with Sound & Light Creations for putting his magical lighting touches on the room, from Pin-spotting to custom gobos's.....truly spectacular..plus the room gradually changed color through-out the night. And my favorite lighting element that night...the head table was flooded with teal light from up above...stunning!!!

The guests had so much fun at the reception, photo booth, two cupcake and ice cream stations, and flip flops for the girls to change into. And of course flat bread pizza's for later in the night. The Menu was top-notch, Embassy did it again, A FABULOUS JOB! And a signature drink that the guests loved called the "Karacourtini"...the bride and groom both lived on Kara Court growing up...hum...a major love story here (that too deserves its own blog post).

And on a personal note, when I was going to high school, Melissa was my neighbor...but I only remember this little girl twirling in circles in the driveway, I would have never guessed that some 15 years later, I would have the honor and privilege of seeing and helping her walk down the aisle to the love of her life. Melissa and her family and I have reconnected in a way that only fate allows to happen. I found some amazing friends in Melissa and her mother, it made that day, even that much more special...and even more sad when it was over. Melissa is one of those people that you want to surround yourself with, her smile and grace is infectious!! And her style..OH MY WORD, this girl OOZES style in a way that makes me look like I need to study up more. :) I honestly think I would pay her to be my friend...that is how genuine and amazing she is! I adore her to pieces and look forward to our friendship growing well into the future!!
Congratulations Melissa & Brad, I will never forget that magical day!!

The Amazing Vendors:
Deidre Lynn Photography - thank you for these amazing photos!!!!!!!






Brad & Melissa pics continue....