HEA Blog

Kelli & Jason Featured on GSS....

2011-06-29T22:11:00.007-05:00

HEA is so excited that one of our weddings is featured on Groom Sold Seperately. Stunning photos by Pam Cooley Photography! Click on the logo above to see the beautiful post! Enjoy and Happy Planning!

May 21st Wedding....a Little Preview

2011-05-23T14:01:00.006-05:00

Kelli and Jason were married on May 21st in Peoria, IL. I can not wait to do the entire blog post and give you all the details. This bride and her family are so very important to me. This is the third daughter that I have had the honor to work with...they treat me like family, and that means the world to me.

Take notice of Kelli's necklace....AMAZING!!!!!

Stay tuned for more details on this wedding...coming later this week! HAPPY PLANNING!

Something new and oh so much fun.....

2011-05-11T13:32:00.000-05:00

Looking for something different than the traditional "guest book"? Or perhaps wanting a photo booth, but a fresher look/concept? Then you have to check out this site!!!

Deidre Lynn Photography has just announced "The GuestBooth". Everything is included.... no shopping around for props, not to mention you recieve a DVD of all the edited digital files with rights to print and create your own custom guest book. LOVE!

I can hardly wait to see this for myself!

Happy Planning!

Breath......

2011-05-10T12:18:00.011-05:00

Ahhhhh, wedding season is fast approaching...vendor meetings, client meetings, venue walk-thru's, and final design meetings...and the oh so many "Sanity Checks" the last few months before the wedding. I tend to see stress levels increase, even when a wedding planner is involved, so "sanity checks", are a MUST!

Several of my clients are going through "seating chart madness" right now. Trying to get RSVP's back, making the seating chart, someone cancels, someone else is bringing their entire family, plus a few friends...its those things that can really throw brides and their families into stress mode.

Take a deep breath...these things are common and unfortunately happen all the time. I tell my clients that you have to "go with the flow" at this point. Try not to get caught up on these things and lose focus on what really is important....the wedding, the marriage between to people.

Your seating arrangement may not be as you planned it three weeks ago...but will your guests mind who you sit them by for one hour for dinner......no. They are there to celebrate YOU.....to eat, to drink, and dance the night away. So take a deep breath, picture your day, the walk down the aisle, marrying the love of your life, the amazing reception...and let everything else, all the little things.... just be as they may.

Happy Planning!

Engagement Pics..Kelli & Jason

2011-05-04T19:01:00.004-05:00

I couldn't be more excited for Kelli & Jason's wedding day and it is fast approaching! It will be an amazing day and one that means so much to me! I can not wait to share all the details, so stay tuned and Happy Planning!!

My Inspiration for change....

2011-05-02T19:02:00.007-05:00

HEA Weddings has a new logo, a new look, AND a new blog coming very soon! Stay tuned for some fabulous things!!

A Backyard Wedding in Washington, IL for Dana & Steve...

2010-10-11T15:02:00.005-05:00

When my dear friend Pam Cooley called me to ask if I would lend a hand at her friend's daughter's wedding, I couldn't refuse!! Especially when I heard about the ideas and plans...I was IN! All I had to do was show up and let the creative juices flow...and that they did! It was a small, intimate ceremony and reception for 60 people. The bride's parent's home was the perfect location. So up went a tent, strung some lights (that was quite a site to see..Pam standing on tables) hay bales for guests to sit on for the ceremony, long tables with white linens, white wood chairs with burlap, beautiful flowers that I arranged in blue mason jars, and mix-matched china and glassware was the final and perfect touch. ADORED this wedding and how it all turned out!! Pam Cooley did a fabulous job and we had a blast putting it all together!!

HEA Weddings Spring Special!

2010-10-11T14:52:00.004-05:00

Are you getting married in March, April, or May 2011? Or know of somebody who is? Happily Ever After Weddings is running a Spring Special for those months only. Contact us today for details! Happy Planning!
-Lisa
lisar@h-e-a.biz

Heather & Jeff - Married September 18th 2010

2010-10-06T16:44:00.008-05:00

The day started off with rain and a very gloomy sky...which I have to say was quite a shock, as the forecast leading up said it would be a sunny beautiful day. And luckily, to our surprise, it turned out to be just that!

Heather and Jeff were married at Second Presbyterian Church in Bloomington IL, with a reception at the new Marriott, also in Bloomington. Heather and Jeff were the first wedding to sign with the Marriott, so when Heather first saw the hotel it was concrete and wires....she was very trusting that it would be just what she envisioned for her day...and it was. I met Heather and her Mom at one of my receptions back in January of this year at Embassy Suites. They walked in and loved the room, the layout, and decor...Heather knew at that point that she wanted "that" for her big day. So on-board I was...we tweaked the style and decor to fit Heather's classic elegant style and everything turned out beautifully. I have to say that the best part of the day was this.....I had just gotten to the reception and was putting some items away, guests were outside the room enjoying cocktails, and all of the sudden I hear..."OH...MY...GOSH...LISA!" and you have to know that there was SERIOUS pauses in between each of those words, it was priceless!! She was beyond happy with how the room came together...we all were!

Stunning gold curly willow with white orchids tied on..candles everywhere, gold and dark brown satin linens, gold chiavari chairs, a beautiful candy display, and the fabulous lighting in golds and persimmon brought the room to perfection!

I already have Heather withdrawal....that is the down side of this job! But as I have always said...the bonds that are formed, stay with me for a lifetime!! Our clients are not just clients, they are our family!!

Congrats Heather & Jeff...I and my staff wish you a lifetime of love, happiness, and health!

The Vendors...thank you for all your hard work and attention to detail!!

-Reichman Photography...thank you for this wonderful photos!

-Heaven on Earth...flowers, centerpieces, and chairs

-I Do Events...linens

-White Lily Productions.....videography

-Sound & Light Creations....DJ and lighting

-That's a Cake? ...wedding cake

Happy Planning!!!

-Lisa

Melissa & Nick - Married Sept 4th 2010

2010-10-05T11:04:00.008-05:00

I wanted to share some beautiful images by Jeffrey & Julia Woods, from one of our weddings a few weeks back. Nick & Melissa were married at St. Mary's in Metamora with a beautiful reception at The Hotel Pere Marquette. One of those days where the weather was perfect and you can see exactly that in the beautiful images. Adorable couple, and you could see the love and happiness surrounding them that day. Congratulations you two!!!

Brad & Melissa, Married September 4th 2010

2010-09-13T16:44:00.015-05:00

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!!!!!!!

Heaven on Earth

Save the Date

Sound & Light Creations

That's a Cake?

You Shoot Photobooths

Brad & Melissa pics continue....

2010-09-13T16:26:00.008-05:00

Melissa & Josh - Married August 6th 2010

2010-08-24T15:09:00.008-05:00

Melissa and Josh had been clients of mine for over a year and a half...so we truly became like family. I was so excited for their day for so many reasons. Melissa and Josh struggled with some of their vendors in the beginning, so when she decided to hire HEA Weddings, we had to scrap some things and start over...like the venue and the photographer. But as I told her..."Sometimes things are just meant to be!" And that really was the case. Plus they ended up with the best vendors possible for their day....I don't settle for less and nor should the client.

The weather was beautiful that day..low humidity and hardly a cloud in the sky...perfect for an outdoor wedding.

Melissa looked amazing with her crystal detailed gown...her bridesmaids in deep purple...and Josh and his groomsmen in their tan suits and purple ties. When it came time to walk down the aisle, Melissa was a bundle of nerves...so scared she would trip, so we decided that if she did...all she would have to do is stand up and say "tada" and act like it was totally planned! THANKFULLY, she did not trip and everything went perfectly!! A beautiful ceremony from beginning to end!

A stunning reception followed...cocktails on the patio before guests were ushered into the reception room. Silver Chiavari Chairs, Plum satin linens, and stunning lighting made the room look fabulous! The wedding cake and groom's cake were show stoppers, guests couldn't stop looking at them.

As I have said in the past, I get really attached to my clients...and these two will always remain very close to my heart. We became friends, good friends, and I am so thankful for that! And I have to mention...the love these two share is like out of a fairytale...you can see it in everything they do, the way they look at each other, talk to one another, and laugh with each other. I look forward to seeing what the future holds for them, and I know it will be great things!! I wish them a lifetime of love and happiness, they truly are beautiful inside and out! Congratulations Melissa and Josh, thank you for allowing me to be a part of your wedding...but more importantly becoming a part of your lives!

The fabulous Vendors:

Photographer - Pam Cooley Photography (thanks for the beautiful pictures in this post!)

Heaven on Earth - Flowers, Centerpieces, and Chiavari Chairs

Lighting - Sound and Light Creations

Linens - I Do Events

Wedding Cake - Wedding Cake Connection

Groom's Cake - That's a Cake?

DJ - Don Baker

Officiant: Adam Jamsa

Venue: Kickapoo Creek Winery

Sarah & Clark....Married August 7th 2010

2010-08-09T17:53:00.003-05:00

It was a busy weekend for HEA Weddings, three weddings in two days. And everyone of them went perfectly. I couldn't be more thrilled with my staff for all their hard work in getting everything ready and helping me execute these flawless weddings! I only wish I could clone myself to be everywhere all the time....hum...maybe I need to work on that! haha

First one I have to share with you is Sarah and Clark. A beautiful ceremony at the Pettengill/Moron House on Moss Avenue in Peoria. This house is part of the Peoria Historical Society and I couldn't be more thrilled to find this little gem of a site. Of course when I took Sarah to see it, the lawn was covered in snow, so she had to use her imagination just a tad.

The reception was at The Cornerstone where the guests enjoyed a Photo booth, Video Games (3 different TV's set-up), and outdoor games like Bags and Horse Shoes....Sarah and Clark wanted ALL of their guests to enjoy themselves, not everyone likes to dance, so why not have other interactive things for them to enjoy...and that they did!!!

Luckily the weather was perfect and the day went wonderfully thanks to so many fabulous vendors:

Heaven on Earth Floral Design and Wedding Boutique

Schilling Photography - Photographer and Photo Booth for the reception - HUGE HIT!!

That's a Cake

I Do Events

The Cornerstone

I adore Sarah and her mother Lindsey, they were so wonderful to work with and makes this job the best ever! I received an email from Lindsey at 12:45 AM that read:

Lisa,

Just going to bed after a perfect wedding day for Sarah and Clark. My family was so impressed by the wedding and all the attention to detail. We couldn't have done it without you. I really wish you could have been at the reception too, but Melissa and Jamie did a great job. You guys are just AWESOME and I can't thank you enough!

My heart was full after reading that email!! Nothing better than receiving emails and text messages from your clients the night of, in the wee hours saying how great everything was!! Nothing gives me more satisfaction...I love this job!

The pictures above are courtesy of Schilling Photography.

A Must Read by Sasha Souza - Celebrity Wedding Planner

2010-05-18T12:47:00.003-05:00

Click here to read this really insightful article by Sasha. "Let Me Clarify...you can always get it cheaper..."

Happy Planning
-Lisa

Something to share...(Peoria, IL Wedding)

2010-05-07T11:26:00.009-05:00

Jill and Andre were married on April 17th at First Federated Church with a fabulously FUN reception at Packard Plaza. Jill and Andre were beyond a pleasure to work with, and I think Jill was the most laid back bride I have ever had! So laid back that she didn't even pick out her wedding cake. She let myself and Susan from That's a Cake have creative reign, and it turned out amazing. But this isn't something that happens everyday, that's for sure!

I have to mention that Jill and Andre's friends and family were so wonderful and made myself and my staff feel like we had known them for years. We laughed, we cried, and we laughed some more. And the reception was like no other...A choreographed first dance that wowed their guests and with Andre's family being Armenian, the music and dancing was out of this world!! My staff and I, the photographer (Ever After Photography), and videographer (White Lily Productions) were all in amazement watching, it was truly a fantastic reception!!!! And here is what Jill had to say...

"You guys did a perfect job. I have never heard anyone say that their wedding was flawless....ours truly was and it was all because of you. We recommend you to anybody getting married. Your wedding planning knowledge along with your vendor knowledge and recommendations added up to savings that more than paid for your services. We are so happy!! Thanks for everything!!!" ~Jill Minassian

This is why I love what I do...bonds are created and memories are cherished! Happy Planning!

~Lisa

Wedding day around the corner? Starting to feel stressed?

2010-05-06T12:03:00.008-05:00

Well Spring is here and wedding season is in full swing all around the country. I see many bride's on a daily basis, some that are clients, and some that are not. And when I ask them, how they are doing with everything...I tend to see a "look" come over them...and I know that look! It's the "there is so much to do, have I forgotten anything?" look.
When bride's have a wedding coordinator, they are kept on track with checklists, constant emails reminding them of what they need to finalize, and overall help in keeping them organized. It keeps the stress level down tremendously. But for those brides out there that do not have a coordinator and feeling that stress, here are some tips that might help calm the nerves...

-Keep plastic totes handy....label some "Wedding Ceremony" and others "Reception". Put all the items that pertain to your ceremony in the correct tote and then same goes for reception items. This way you can always go back to make sure you have everything...plus this makes it easy to transport everything. I even list all the items in each tote, so that I know everything that goes back in.

-Take all the items (ring bearer pillows, bubbles, camera's etc) out of their boxes/containers/packaging...this will help in creating less mess at the ceremony and reception when setting up. Please however, if using toasting flutes...keep the box handy at the reception so they can be put away before all the dancing begins, you wont want anything to happen to them.

Below are some standard items needed for the ceremony and reception...but in today's weddings, you may have other items you are using, but here is a starting point.

Standard Ceremony Items Needed:
-Marriage License
-Rings
-Unity Candles & Holders (if applicable)
-Ceremony Programs
-Flower Girl Basket
-Ring Bearer Pillow
-Guest Book & Pen
-Music for Ceremony (if not using Organist or live music)

Standard Reception Items Needed:
-Toasting Flutes
-Cake Knife & Server
-Card Holder
-Guest Favors, if applicable
-Place Cards or Seating Chart
-Table numbers/names (if venue doesn't supply, or you want to get creative)
-DVD for slide show, if applicable

Great organization, will make a world of difference in how you feel leading up to the big day. My last tip for the day is this...Starting a few weeks out, start visualizing your day, sit and close your eyes and picture.... getting your hair and make-up done, spending time with your bridesmaids, putting your dress on, seeing your mom or dad for the first time, seeing your GROOM for the first time, walking down the aisle, the music, your guests faces as you walk by them. The vows, the music, the kiss, the music. (Music always gets me!) And then to the fun part...pictures, your bridal party announcement, the toasts and speeches, cutting the cake, your first dance, and those ever emotional father-daughter dances. Visualizing your wedding day or any major event in your life can help calm the nerves and get some of the emotions out ahead of time. This doesn't mean you wont tear up, but you are prepared for those moments that make you emotional. I have used this technique in many aspects of my life and I can't tell you how much it helps.

Stay tuned for more tips and Happy Planning!!!

Wedding Season is heading into full swing!

2010-04-07T13:39:00.007-05:00

Photos by Ever After Photography

10 days till wedding season is full swing! April 17th, my darling clients Jill & Andre will become husband and wife. They are an amazing couple full of love and laughter...and I am so excited for their wedding day! They have some great surprises in store for their guests...so I will fill you in on those details after the big day! Great vendors as well...Packard Plaza..Ever After Photography...That's a Cake?....Heaven on Earth Floral Design Studio....White Lily Productions...and DJ4U.

Happy Planning!

-Lisa

Introducing Heeren Signature Rental Company

2010-04-07T13:03:00.006-05:00

Peoria has a new rental company..Heeren Signature Rental Company. They carry brand new White Wood Chairs along with 72" round tables....and more products to come in the near future. As a wedding coordinator, I am always thrilled to hear about new vendors and new products....and brand new white chairs..YEAH! With as many outdoor weddings that we have, its important that the chairs are clean, in great shape, and all the same style. The chairs rent for $2.75 each with free local delivery and pick-up. Need set-up and tear down? They offer that service as well for an additional fee.

Heeren Signature Rental Company Contact Info:

heerensignaturerental@yahoo.com

815.535.3623

Or you can rent them directly through Heaven on Earth Floral Design Studio at 309.691.5330

Happy Planning!

Happy Valentine's Day....

2010-02-14T12:06:00.002-06:00

My husband and I on April 26, 2003

Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength,
while loving someone deeply gives you courage.
-Lao Tzu

Shelly & Nick

2010-02-08T15:10:00.004-06:00

My darling Shelly & Nick..where do I begin!!!! Shelly and Nick were married this past fall at the beautiful St. Mary's Cathedral with a fun and stunning reception at Embassy Suites. Shelly and I worked together for almost a year and a half planning her wedding, from our first meeting we knew we could be life long friends. She has a personality that makes one want to be near her at all times, a laugh and smile that lights up a room...truly a beautiful soul!

Shelly had been gracious enough to model for Heaven on Earth and myself for the Floral Fashion shoot we did last month and boy did she nail it! Because of that shoot, Pam Cooley contacted her and said.."I have to get pics of you and that dress, its amazing!" And AMAZING it is! I will be honest that when Shelly told me she was buying a blue wedding dress, I was a tad taken back and demanded to see pictures right away. And when I did, my jaw dropped...it is stunning!! I loved that she look that leap, stepped out of the box and did it "her way".

I was like a momma bear when I saw these pics, so proud of her..I feel like I have watched her blossom right before my very eyes. I know she and Nick will cherish these beautiful photos for the rest of their lives.... beauty such as this is timeless! For more pictures of this shoot, please visit Pam Cooley's site.

More pics....

2010-01-25T18:32:00.002-06:00

Katie from Embassy Suites and myself having a little fun before guests arrived! :)
The bar wasnt at 100% completion here, but gives you the idea.

Cupcakes by That's a Cake?

A Tropical Paradise for Angela & Mike!!! (Peoria, IL Wedding)

2010-01-25T18:05:00.006-06:00

Mike and Angela were married over a week ago in Aruba...starting to see a theme here...and wondering why I haven't gotten to go with yet..hum! Okay, back to the story here...

Their love for the tropics inspired Angela to have a tropical reception...try to bring Aruba back to Peoria in the middle of January. This was HEA's first themed reception and you can bet I wanted it to be perfect. I wanted guests to feel like they were on the beach..long tables, bamboo tiki bar, white folding chairs..green palms, blue water...everything Aruba has to offer...minus the sand...darn it!!!

There were even goldfish, which ask anyone...we were all a little nervous about. But there was no need to be, it all worked out perfectly. They all made it home with Angela & Mike to their new fish aquarium...SHEW!

The evening started like this....Guests arrived, found their sand dollar place cards, signed the AMAZING picture the bride's father painted, and made their way into the reception room, where it was lit in beautiful shades of blues and turquoise. As the time neared 6:00, the lighting gradually changed from blue to yellows, golds, and oranges...just as a sunset would. Then promptly at 6:00 the video started of the wedding ceremony....it was beautiful! As soon as the ceremony concluded, the Bridal party was announced and entered the room...perfect execution!

Dinner was served...Chicken, shrimp, and steak kabobs over rice, fresh fruit, and coconut cupcakes for dessert.

I personally loved every detail of this reception...and when the father of the bride showed up with the most amazing paintings for the entrance and by the bar, I wanted to jump for joy..and I think I did! So a special thanks to Mike Baxter for his amazing talent, what a gift!

This night couldn't have been pulled off if it weren't for all the fabulous vendors involved...

-Heaven on Earth for the centerpieces and Bamboo bar

-Sound & Light Creations for lighting and DJing

-That's a Cake for the cupcakes

-Save the Date - square top table

-Let's Party - white wooden chairs

-Pam Cooley for coming to shoot detail shots on her husband's birthday, she even drug him with. Such a dear friend you are, THANK YOU!

And to my awesome team who worked tirelessly with me all day and into the wee hours of the morning tearing down...love you gals!!

And a special thanks to Angela, Mike, Lorrie, and Neil for trusting such an important day to the HEA team, we hope we made it a night you will never forget....I know we wont!

Sneak Preview - Floral Fashion Shoot - Winter 2010

2010-01-17T14:58:00.002-06:00

Just a few pictures to share from the Floral Fashion Shoot. Heaven on Earth created some amazing bouquets...some traditional and some that were fun and trendy. We had several photographers shooting in different locations, it was a whirlwind of a day, but the end results are amazing. Thanks you Deidre Lynn for these amazing pics...for more go to http://www.h-e-a.biz/, click on "galleries" and then Floral Fashion Shoot. There will be more amazing pics to come from Jeff Woods and Nellie...so stay tuned! And thanks to our models (my darling past clients) for breaking out those dresses and hamming it up for us! You were great!!

Winter Chic Reception for Karen & Chris!

2010-01-03T17:10:00.007-06:00

The entrance...The Centerpieces
More details...

This has to be one of my favorite receptions of all time...partly because I had such freedom to create! Karen & Chris came to me several months ago and said "We want one really great party for our guests. We don't want a sit down dinner, no first dance, no cake cutting...just a fabulous party...and we don't want to have to do anything!" And that is exactly what they received! Karen & Chris AKA "Critter" were married in Aruba on the beach over Thanksgiving, many of their "formalities" took place there. So back here in Illinois they just wanted to entertain their guests with great food, drinks, and a rockin band! And I cant forget to mention that Ever After Photography went to Aruba with Karen & Critter to capture everything, they played a slide show at the reception, the pictures were absolutley amazing! I hope to share some of those with you at a later date.

HEA Weddings wanted to create a winter chic reception for Karen & Critter, something that would WOW them and their guests, create an experience not normally found at a wedding reception. Food stations were set-up around the room for guests to enjoy and my favorite part...the ice cream sundae station!! Yes it was negative 2 degrees out that night, but who doesn't enjoy ice cream!??

There was open seating using round and long tables along with three bar top tables with bar stools.

The Hey Jimmy Band out of Chicago entertained the guests for hours, they were fabulous! Talk about great music selection......from Motown to Lady Gaga!

It truly was a fabulous night and one fabulous couple!!! And a special thanks to all the vendors that made it all happen...

-Heaven on Earth

-Sound & Light Creations

-I Do Events

-Embassy Suites

-Hey Jimmy Band

-Ever After Photography

-Pam Cooley for these great shots!

Giving Thanks....

2009-11-26T11:19:00.004-06:00

As I sit here on Thanksgiving morning drinking my coffee (and fighting my cat off my laptop), I catch myself reflecting on everything I am thankful for.

Thankful that myself and my family are healthy, thankful for all the friendships I have gained, relationships made. Thankful for my amazing husband that supports me in everything that this wedding business entails. My family who helps me at midnight when asked...and they don't even gripe or complain..:) My three little nieces and my new nephew (in picture above)who bring joy and laughter to my heart and soul. For my past clients, thank you for the amazing memories. And to my present clients, how wonderful you all are, and how very blessed I am to be on this amazing journey with you as we plan your wedding.

To my employees for all your hard work and constant enthusiasm. Thankful for the wonderful vendors whose passion in what they do brings so much happiness to myself and my clients.

This year I am so thankful, my heart is full!

-Lisa

Something to share....

2009-11-24T15:13:00.007-06:00

Feeling the love..and giving thanks to Shane for this fabulous write up!!! For more on the write up he did click here.

"To be honest with you, when I started playing weddings a few years ago I didn't know why people would spend money on a Wedding planner. Wow, was I ignorant. A wedding without a wedding planner is like having a wedding without a cake. It just doesn't make sense. The difference that it makes is a blessing for any bride who wants to be certain that their big day runs smoothly. You can find out more about "why you need a wedding planner" on Lisa's site...but now onto my rant. I had the pleasure of playing a ceremony and reception a year ago yesterday with Lisa of Happily Ever After Weddings as the wedding planner. This was the 2nd time I had played a wedding with someone to boss me around all day (just kidding), and let me say that I have never been to a wedding that was so thought out, planned, organized, and a pleasure to be at than this one was. Lisa is a pure charm to work with and can bring light to any situation even though there wasn't a bad situation all day because that is what good planners do. In my business classes they used to call is risk-management I think. I didn't get to see all the pre-planning that goes on beforehand but I heard from the Bride that there was nothing to worry about there either. I wouldn't expect anything less after what I saw on the day of the wedding. It was one of those weddings where I played the ceremony and the reception so anyone who can keep me in line for almost 12 hours has to be awesome at what they do. To that I say, Lisa with Happily Ever After Weddings is a must have for any wedding. Keep rocking Lisa!!"

-Shane McSimov

Mac Live Entertainment

Ava & Reese..The Tea Party models

2009-11-16T15:36:00.000-06:00

HEA Weddings & Pam Cooley Photography present "The Tea Party"

2009-11-16T15:20:00.003-06:00

This was a fun opportunity for me, so I couldn't pass it up. Many of you know Pam Cooley for her beautiful wedding photography, but what you may not know is how fabulous she is at Children's photography. She spent most of the summer so concentrated on weddings that she put children's photography on the back burner till a few weeks ago when she remembered why she loved it...the kids!!!

So Pam contacted me to see if I would assist her in a little girls shoot and I said - UH YEA, if you let me create a tea party table-scape for them, and she jumped on it. So off I went to Hobby Lobby and that was all she wrote folks, let the fun begin!!

I had so much fun with this, everything from helping Jessica pick outfits for the little girls, to setting up, to chasing them around the park trying to get them to go back to the tea party. Note to self...Tea Party props can be very distracting to a 2 & 3 year old! But that was part of the fun, watching them look over everything and then go for what excited them the most....the gerber daisies!! :) And did I mention I had cookies and apple juice ready for bribery??? It came in very handy! :)

So not only does HEA Weddings organize and plan weddings and special events, we will gladly style a photo shoot for you, your children, family, etc. We love creating moments that turn into beautiful memories.

Happy Planning!

Behind Every Bride...

2009-11-05T15:33:00.003-06:00

I couldn't be more excited to tell everyone about a new publication coming to the Peoria and surrounding areas called Behind Every Bride, or BEB for short. Sara O'Shea, the founder of BEB has been working so hard getting as many fabulous vendors to be a part of BEB as possible and I know she has had a great response for the first publication. I knew the moment I got the info in the mail, that this was the magazine for me! And I know so many other wedding vendors in the area felt the same way.

BEB is going to be an amazing resource for area bride's and groom's as they search for their perfect venue, florist, photographer, planner, etc. This wont be your standard wedding guide full of advertising, it will include fabulous articles written by the local vendors themselves. Not to mention Bridal Shows and one very informative website.

If you would like to receive a copy, please email me and I will send you one as soon as they are ready. Trust me, you wont be disappointed....it has a style all of its own (which I love) and I couldn't be more thrilled to be a part of it!!

Happy Planning!!!

More of Regan & Quinn...special thanks to Cathy & David Photography!

2009-10-25T12:17:00.003-05:00

Please check out Cathy & David's blog post to see the entire blog & slide show...love the song!!!!

http://cathydavidphoto.com/blog/2009/10/peoria-waterhouse-wedding-photography-regan-and-quinn/

Pics I have to share...Regan & Quinn

2009-10-25T12:11:00.002-05:00

Regan & Quinn - October 10th 2009

2009-10-15T14:27:00.003-05:00

Where to begin....this beautiful couple charmed me right from the beginning! Both working so hard to get their law degrees that they waited 3 years to get married...so I knew how important this day was to both of them and their families! Regan is one of the kindest souls I have even had the pleasure of meeting...and you talk about ORGANIZED - wowzas! When I picked up her items the day before the wedding, she gave ME a checklist...talk about role reversal!!

Regan had the most stunning dress that fit her like a glove and Quinn was in a classic tux...they looked like they stepped out of a classic movie. They were so excited to see each other for their "private moment" that I thought Regan was going to tackle him!

We had fabulous photographers that made the day so fun..Cathy & David came to town to save the day...the original photographer left town months ago and is no where to be found. But we managed to find Cathy & David from Bloomington, IN and they were FABULOUS!! I cant wait to see the great images!!

Great vendors made for a beautiful reception room at The Waterhouse (love that place). Regan and her mom both screamed with delight when they saw the room. All that imagining finally comes to life, and it was perfect, exactly as Regan dreamt it would be.

Heaven on Earth did the flowers and centerpieces

I Do Events did the linens and chair covers

Don Baker DJ'd the event

The Wedding Cake Connection did the yummy cake

CF Gala

2009-09-29T23:13:00.009-05:00

This past Saturday night was the First Annual CF Gala held at the Holiday Inn City Center. I had the honor of being their event manager and creative designer for the event. My dear friend Melinda Iund approached me over a year ago to help, and I jumped on board. I got several of my vendor friends to donate items in order to make sure this event was perfect for Melinda and the CF Foundation. Heaven on Earth donated centerpieces, I Do Events donated runners, chair covers & sashes, That's a Cake donated her yummy cake for dessert, and Sound & Light Creations donated their DJing services for the evening.

It was such an amazing experience and every volunteer worked so hard and did an amazing job, and I have to say that the silent auction was phenomenal!! And I even won one of the items..A Marigold cap that I adore!!!!

It was a "feel good" evening for sure and then to top it all off, I receive this amazing email that I had to share......................

“To the BOL Committee and Volunteers-
To you all, I cannot thank you enough for lending us your time and talent for the last year or so, and for the volunteers that came to help us at the event. You all contributed to this event, and I am truly grateful that as a result of all of the hard work, that we were able to raise $35,000 for Cystic Fibrosis and Care. This event would not have been the success it was, had it not been for Melinda Iund and her determination to get this event off of the ground. I am thankful to her for so much, but specifically today, for introducing me to the best team of volunteers ever! Each of you played a special role to her and I and to the Foundation. Jacqui ,Shawn and Melissa- simply put, your organization and execution of the auction was priceless. It was a beautiful display, perfect record keeping, and wonderful redemption. The silent auction raised $4631 and the live auction raised $3700. That amount is spectacular and would not have happened without all of your hard work. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. To Lisa Ragan, I cannot tell you how much your donation of time and talent meant to this event...you are truly amazing at what you do and there will not be a day that goes by that I dont recommend you to someone. You are brilliant, and you made the Breath of Life Gala come alive Saturday night...so thank you so much for that! To all of the committee members who by attending the event, helping with invitations, securing donations, donating items, recruiting tables, selling tickets, spreading the word...Thank you..you have helped to create a stepping stone for the future Breath of Life event and raise $35,000 for Cystic Fibrosis Research and Care. Melinda, thank you for all you have done..you were the perfect person to lift this off the ground and now we have a great basis for the future!
Now, .....I hope everyone has recovered from a long night, and I will be in touch as I wrap up this 2009 event and start the planning for 2010!
My sincere Thanks,
Kellie”

Pictures of Annie & Andres's Wedding....

2009-09-23T18:46:00.002-05:00

Pictures of Ali & Anthony's reception...

2009-09-23T18:42:00.001-05:00

A Two Wedding Weekend!

2009-09-23T17:29:00.005-05:00

Wow, what an amazing weekend HEA Weddings had this past weekend. I, along with my staff are still reliving the weekend, it was just that fantastic!! I rarely take two weddings in one weekend, but on the rare occasion that I do, the logistics have to be perfect, and the venues ones that we work with on a constant basis. So this past weekend was one of those rarities and it was so much fun! Both weddings and clients get the utmost attention, right down to dog sitting and babysitting services, we do it all for our clients to ensure they have the perfect day.
A special thanks to all my girls..Melissa (best Event Manager ever, she is my right arm and calming soul!) to Sherry, Amber, Lisa T, Heather...and always to my husband who helps with tear down and deals with my crazy schedule, and my parents for coming to take pictures for me.

So let's recap the weekend shall we.....

Ali & Anthony were married at Sacred Heart Church, downtown Peoria. The church was full, and Ali was just bursting to get down the aisle, she and her father locked arm in arm. She was radiant and stunning right down to her blue shoes. It was a beautiful ceremony, and when Ali & Tony exited the church to beautiful custom made wedding wands swirling in the air, there waited the red carpet and the Roles Royce...the perfect exit, fit for royalty! Then came the party, something Ali and her mom really wanted to be perfect..Ali wanted a nightclub feel to her reception and that is exactly what she received. When I entered the room, I was blown away and that was before all the lighting was finished. I work with my clients to achieve their dream wedding and when that dream becomes a reality, its just breathtaking!! To back track a bit...when I arrived at the church to see Ali, one of the first things she asked me was "how does the room look?" And my face and body language must have said it all...ok..ok..so I might have been jumping up and down. Its hard to hide that kind of excitement! She couldn't wait to see it!
Three different centerpieces by Heaven on Earth.....Custom lighting that included up lighting, pin spotting, and custom gobo's all by the amazing Sound & Light Creations team. One of the most amazing and TALLEST wedding cakes I had ever seen by That's a Cake? And square top tables, bar stools, and linens by Save the Date. All the details down to the Suckers that served as place cards were carefully thought out...nothing less than perfection would do. I cant wait to see the pictures that Bruer Photography captured, I know they will be stunning.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Annie & Andres were married at St. Mary's Cathedral downtown Peoria. A classic beauty Annie was in her lace gown, and it fit her like perfection! She was beaming from the first moment I saw her to the last moment when we said goodbye late in the evening. The three of us had a great time planning their day, and yes, 3 of us..Andres was very much a part of all the planning and it was so refreshing. I just adore these two!!!
Their reception was at the Hotel Pere Marquette downtown Peoria, beautiful white wooden chairs, black & white linens, candles, and custom menu's all by Save the Date. Beautiful chic floral arrangements by Gregg's Florist. The wedding cake by Trefzgers and the groom's cake (which was a total surprise to him) by That's a Cake? I have to say that the groom's cake was a huge hit, with the bride and groom being Chicagoans and many of their guests as well, the Wrigley Field cake was all the talk...really made it hard to cut! The band Final Say had the dance floor packed in 45 seconds and it never stopped. Their energy was contagious and I would highly recommend them for any wedding or event, they are out of Chicago, but do lots of traveling.
I also had the pleasure of working with Nellie for the first time, she was an absolute doll, great to work with and looking forward to more in the future. And of course I can not wait to see the pictures and get some on the blog and site.

As I come to a close, I have to admit two wonderful couples and two fabulous events in one day is a lot to take in, but thanks to blogging and facebook, I can keep reliving them both for a very long time!! Myself and my staff couldn't have been more honored to be a part of these two very special weddings.

What's the difference??

2009-09-09T16:14:00.003-05:00

I often get asked "What is the difference between a Wedding Coordinator and an Event Designer? Are they not the same thing?"
The answer to that question is "No".
An Event designer creates the visual aspects of your event, like a florist does. However most Event Designers also have many other items to offer clients such as beautiful linens, chavri chairs, furniture, lighting elements, and so much more..think of it as a one stop shop in many cases. Most event designers also do flowers, from bouquets and corsages to centerpieces.

Wedding Coordinators work with their clients to create the perfect day from start to finish, making sure you have the best vendors for your needs and budget. Working with your florist or event designer to ensure every detail discussed is perfect and as planned. Your wedding coordinator also works with your photographer, your DJ, your church and reception venue, all vendors to ensure everything is planned accordingly and happens flawlessly. Wedding coordinators are by your side on your wedding day, from getting you down the aisle to running your reception, ensuring a fabulous time for your guests. The best part about a good coordinator is they take the work, the worry, and the unknown away from the bride, groom, family and friends so that everyone can enjoy the day together. At HEA Weddings we like to say "You show up, exchange vows, party, and go home...the rest is up to us!"

Happy Planning!
-Lisa

Reception Pics from Sarah & Daniel's Wedding

2009-08-26T16:04:00.002-05:00

Sarah & Daniel

2009-08-26T15:49:00.005-05:00

Sarah and Daniel were married on August 15th at a private residence on Grandview Drive in Peoria. Has to be the most beautiful setting for a wedding that I have seen in a long time! The weather was great, and that's a first since most of our 0utdoor weddings this year have been "weather challenged". My staff worked their tails off that day, setting up the reception which took place at The Gateway, setting up all the chairs for the ceremony, and then all the clean-up and tear down that takes place so late in the night. My girls are fabulous and I couldn't do it without them! Just the fact that they show up at midnight with smiles on their faces is wonderful!

Special thanks to Pam Cooley who came and took some details shots for me! It was her anniversary and she still took the time to shoot, she is truly an amazing friend and photographer!

Sarah & Daniel's vendors were great..Johnson Floral did the flowers (bride used all her own containers/vases/candle sticks that she collected over the course of the year. It made for a very modern eclectic look, and I loved it! Trefzger's made the beautiful cake, Sound & Light did the up lighting, I Do Events did the linens, and River City String Quartet made beautiful music for the ceremony...truly was a great day!

Sarah and Daniel were off to Colorado for their honeymoon, I hope they had a great time and look forward to talking to them soon!!

Another great wedding, thanks to everyone involved!

Erin & Tommy

2009-08-13T18:02:00.008-05:00

The first dance....

The darling couple...One georgeous bride!!

Postcards were used as Table #'s...a way to personalize their reception from all their worldly travels

The centerpieces...from Heaven on Earth..

Erin and Tommy were married on July 25th at Sacred Heart Cathedral with a beautiful reception at Mt. Hawley Country Club in Peoria, IL. They even enjoyed a small intimate party at the Bride's father's home for immediate family and bridal party before the reception started.

Talk about a darling couple...I only wish I could have gotten to know them even better. Erin and I communicated via email while she was in Turkey teaching. Her mother and I worked closely on the details till Erin could get home one month before the big day! These two have traveled the world and they incorporated that into their reception by using Postcards they both have collected over the years from all their travels.

I unfortunately wasn't by Erin and Tommy's side on their wedding day, but my wonderful assistant Melissa was there every minute to execute the day. She did an amazing job along with Sherry who assisted Melissa throughout the day and night. I have to say that is the hardest part of this job, I get attached to the Bride and her family through the planning stage and to not be there truly breaks my heart. I get to live it through pictures though, thanks to Deidre Lynn's beautifully pictures. I posted one above and will post more when available.

Congratulations Erin and Tommy, hope you had a great honeymoon!!

Lisa & Tony

2009-08-04T13:59:00.006-05:00

Lisa, the beautiful bride...yes her dress had a pink sheer material from the waist down...all hand made
Tony sporting is shades..chilling with the guys..

The beautiful couple.....

The flowers...by Heaven on Earth

Pink Hydrangeas and Pink Parasols....

On Saturday July 25th, Lisa & Tony became husband and wife at Luthy Botanical Gardens in Peoria IL. It was one of the most beautiful summer days we have had here in Illinois...FINALLY! :) The ceremony site, located in the Rose Garden was stunning..garden stakes & glass cones filled with pink hydrangeas lined the aisle. Pink parasols for their guests and River City String Quartet was playing beautifully and everything was set and ready.

It was a beautiful ceremony with the most stunning bridal party, white tuxes, pink vests and ties and the girls in knee length pink dresses and silver heals.

Then off to the reception at Stoney Creek, pink lighting, crystal accented centerpieces....But the best part of this reception was the dancing..Lisa & Tony are both hip hop dancers and they put on quite a show for their first dance. IT WAS AWESOME!! Plus some of their groomsmen are dancers as well...and let me tell ya ladies...nothing better than a man that can dance!!! My assistants and I could have stayed all night and watched them. Josh, one of their groomsmen reenacted "Billy Jean" by Michael Jackson...sang and danced it...he glided across that dance floor like nothing I had ever seen, the crowd went wild! I believe Pam Cooley was standing on the head table trying to get shots...now that's a devoted photographer risking her life for great pics!

Lisa, Tony, and Rita (Tony's mom) are some of the kindest people I have met, truly was an honor to be a part of their wedding day and the journey leading up to it. Funnest reception in HEA Wedding history!! THANKS SO SO SO MUCH!!! Best wishes to you both, hope you had a great time in Hawaii!

Now for the REAL pics...from Deidre Lynn Photography

2009-07-29T15:44:00.003-05:00

Love these..all the bridesmaids wore them in their hair....

The amazing ceremony location at Kickapoo Winery....Abbie's father put this together onsite

Beautiful centerpieces....

Reception pics from Abbie & Keith's wedding

2009-07-28T22:17:00.004-05:00

Bar floral arrangement....all flowers by Floral Designs Unlimited in Morton IL

The short centerpieces...

Head table...

The tall centerpiece...

Myself and Deidre Lynn's assistant...

A special thanks to my assistant Trish who took these pictures, if it wasnt for her, I would never have any of my own.

Ceremony pics from Abbie & Keith's wedding...

2009-07-28T21:58:00.004-05:00

Abbie and Keith were married on June 28th at the Kickapoo Creek Winery...had to be one of the most beautiful summer days we have had here in Illinois. This was one of the most beautiful weddings we have had the honor of coordinating. The couple is so endearing and everyone they surround themselves with are the same way...made for a very special wedding day. Abbie has the biggest heart I have ever seen, she gives it entirely and you can see it in everything she does..right down to singing to her groom at the reception...it was breathtaking!! To read more about their beautiful day...check out the June 30th post.

Well enough of my babble...hope you enjoyed the pics.

Lots to blog about!!

2009-07-27T18:34:00.004-05:00

Wow, not even sure where to begin....

I will be blogging my tushy off for the next few days, catching up with posting pics from Abbie & Keith's wedding from back in June, I now have some of them..YEAH!!!

And of course blog about this past weekend, HEA Weddings had TWO weddings this past Saturday. Erin & Tommy and Lisa & Tony. Everything went so perfect and I cant thank my staff enough for everything and I mean everything you did to make it all happen - you girls ROCK!!

And can I just say that one of my weddings this past weekend, the bride and groom are both hip-hop dancers.??..and some of the groomsmen are dancers as well. You talk about entertaining...words cant even describe the excitement in the room that night!! More details tomorrow, so you better stay tuned.

And of course we are gearing up for another wedding this weekend, Hannah & Michael...we cant wait!

Happy Planning!

A Photography nightmare....turned into a happy ending

2009-07-27T18:19:00.005-05:00

In the midst of this amazing wedding season for HEA Weddings, when things are in full swing, weddings almost every weekend, we occasionally run into little hick-ups that need immediate attention. And that's what we are here for, to solve the problem and take the stress and worry away from our clients.
Well this past Friday, I got a call from a bride's mother that their photographer was no where to be found. Bright side, wedding isnt till October 10th, the dark side..THE WEDDING IS OCTOBER 10th!!!!! So I was on the phone to all my photography contacts and of course the amazing talented folks are all booked, October is a very busy month for all of us. Then Monica Z out of Chicago came to the rescue, she was booked, but willing to help me find one as soon as possible..THANK YOU MONICA!
So myself and my clients couldn't be more thrilled to work with Cathy & David, they will be traveling t0 Peoria to shoot this beautiful wedding and they couldn't be more excited about it.
As I told my bride, "I believe things happen for a reason, and as stressful as this was, it all worked out beautifully." By Saturday afternoon, the new photographers were booked.
Just another reason to hire a wedding coordinator, we know how to solve these types of problems, keep you constantly updated, and find a quick resolution...quick being the key word.

More Pics from Abbey & Doug's Wedding....

2009-07-22T12:26:00.001-05:00

Abbey & Doug - Wed on July 17, 2009

2009-07-22T12:06:00.002-05:00

Where to begin...Abbey & Doug...a beautiful couple inside and out! I met Abbey through Pam Cooley and Heaven on Earth. We were compiling the vendors for their new boutique back in February and that's when I met Abbey, she is a Personal Stylist and amazing at her job. Well once all of us vendors found out Abbey was engaged...that was all she wrote..poor girl! We all wanted to be involved..and of course I wanted her to have the most amazing wedding she could dream of. Then she tells me, "I want to have it in a barn in the country." Ok, I like a challenge and love something new and unique...so I went to look at it. Well... it was a barn, full of 100 year old "stuff", hey, dirt...we really had to use our imagination to start visualizing the layout. But it all snapped into place and it all turned out beautifully. Thanks to my vendors and wonderful friends for everything you helped me with to ensure a beautiful event for Abbey & Doug! It truly was stunning and one of a kind...at least to me it was.

The day was grey, windy, and cool for mid-July in Illinois...but the love between the couple, their families, and friends kept spirits high. All the details were in place, the cross was up, chairs set, music cued...then came Abbey, a stunning bride, eyes filling with tears as she saw her groom for the first time as she walked up the aisle. Doug was beaming as he waited for her patiently. The ceremony brought tears to every one's eyes..and I mean everyone!!

Immediately following the ceremony, guests entered the barn for food, desserts, drinks, and great music by Laura Clark and her band. The atmosphere was warm, cozy, and full of beauty...from wildflower centerpieces, hanging glass globes, candles everywhere, quilts hanging, old family pictures stuck in nooks and hung on walls. Mis-matched old china plates, glass mason jars...the list goes on and on.

Abbey and Doug's wedding will stay with me forever and what an honor it was to be a part of their day!! Congratulations and I cant wait to see you both when you get back!!

Happy 4th and Happy Wedding Day Megan & Ryan!

2009-07-06T09:28:00.003-05:00

Well, it wasn't exactly as planned this past Saturday on the 4th. Megan and Ryan were to exchange wedding vows under a beautiful oak tree at Kickapoo Creek Winery, but low and behold..the rain came and wouldn't let up!
The wedding was moved into Kickapoo's new pavilion, we opened the doors and tried to let the outside in. Pam Cooley did an AMAZING job with the couple's photo's...check out her blog post for some beautiful pics.
The bridal party was FAB..from their fun personalities, their awesome "chuck" tennis shoes, the well behaved ring bearers..(aka Megan & Ryan's two dogs)...OK so Jaxon the pug only got away once, but we caught him!
It truly was a fun day and another beautiful couple exchange intimate vows to become husband and wife...doesn't get much better than that!
Congratulations Megan & Ryan, it truly was an honor to be a part of your day!!

Congratulations Mr & Mrs Folken!!!

2009-06-30T09:57:00.003-05:00

Wow, what an amazing wedding this past Sunday. The sky was blue, the wind was slightly blowing, the air was cooler..it was perfect. The white chairs were set, the string quartet was playing and the most beautiful wedding party and bride walked across the dam at Kickapoo Winery to the ceremony site. The ceremony took place under a beautiful white pergola that the bride's father had made, chandelier and all. I just love an outdoor ceremony!!!
Abbie and Keith made this day so special for everyone..down to the finest details...I cant wait for you to see the pictures. Deidre Lynn Photography was there to capture every moment and every detail.
This couple will stay with me for a very long time, truly genuine, kind, and loving people. And I need to mention TALENTED too. One of their favors to their guests was a CD that they had compiled and the first song is them two, Abbie singing and Keith playing the guitar...and you talk about a voice...WOWZERS! I am hooked! And then to much of our surprise, she sang for her groom during the reception..tears and chills filled the room, beautiful!!!!
I will share pictures as soon as I can...this is one not to be missed!!!

Wedding season in full swing...

2009-06-30T09:47:00.002-05:00

It's official, wedding season is in full swing...which means now I really have to step it up with the blog posts..:) First I need to start with Kristen & Tim Karmik, who were married on June 13th at Scared Heart Catholic church, downtown Peoria. With a beautiful luncheon at The Cornerstone...then to top off the evening, there was an after-party at Crusens. Such a fun day for everyone, including us.

This wedding was very meaningful, the Bride and her family have become very special to me. This is the second daughter that I have had the privilege and honor of planning their wedding. I love the Crusen's, from their good nature, their fun personalities, the list goes on. Not to mention they make me feel like family all the time, so its never work with them...ever!!! Can you believe I even MC'd this event...not something I would do for just anyone..haha!!!

Please check out Reichman's Blog, great photographers that captured the day beautifully.

I am looking forward to my next Crusen Wedding...one more daughter to go! :) Love you all!

Congratulations Mr & Mrs. Weinstock!!

2009-05-26T19:57:00.003-05:00

Sunday was an amazing day for HEA Weddings! The sun was beaming and so was my bride, her smile will never erase from my mind. For starters this was HEA Weddings first Jewish wedding, although this was a Christian/Jewish wedding, all of the beautiful Jewish traditions took place. Rabbi Frazin and Pastor Shane led a tearful (speaking for myself) ceremony under a beautiful white satin Chuppah that Save the Date created in one of Embassy Suites ballrooms. Black chairs with deep pink sashes that lined just the aisle, and a grey aisle runner transformed the room.
As the guests exited the ceremony, cocktails and appetizers were waiting for them. Then at 6:00, the doors opened into the other portions of the ballroom and Downtime began a 15 minute Motown jam fest!! IT WAS GREAT! The room was stunning with black linens and chair covers, deep pink floral centerpieces, some in low square vases and some on tall silver candlesticks. And of course...candles...always have candles!! It was a great reception, full of energy and if it couldn't get any better, the Horah & Krenzel dances topped it all off. Rhandi and Adam being lifted in chairs above every one's heads, their faces were priceless, they were having the time of their lives. I cant say that so much when the bride's parents and groom's parents were lifted in the air! :)

And I cant forget to mention that on this wedding day, was also the bride's parent's 34th wedding anniversary. They had a special dance just for them..again tearful moment! There were several times that I found myself tearing up that night and on the way home I was thinking to myself.."why so emotional?" Then quickly came the answers...I get to spend one of the most important days in a couple's lives witnessing their union, watching their first dance, witness the love they share, the smiles, the laughter. I form a bond with these clients and in a way its the end of the long road I traveled with them. Love is a beautiful thing and I am so furtunate to do what I love so much and with clients like Rhandi & Adam, their wonderful families and friends...I cant wait for 1000 more!!!

Thank you Rhandi & Adam for the honor! And to Rhandi, you are top notch all the way, your organization and knowledge made this "first" one of the easiest. I will forever be greatful!! Have a wonderful honeymoon in Hawaii and I cant wait to see pics!!

-Lisa

PS. I will try to post some pics soon!! You need to witness the beauty!! :)

More pics from the Floral Fashion Shoot....

2009-05-08T09:39:00.003-05:00

Floral Fashion Shoot - Spring 2009

2009-05-08T09:30:00.007-05:00

What is a Floral Fashion Shoot?? Its a way for myself, Heaven on Earth, and Pam Cooley Photography to showcase what is up in coming in floral trends for 2009. Everything is soft, romantic, vintage, and unique. Creating your wedding with YOUR style, weddings do not have to be traditional in any sense, don't be afraid to step out of the box and be YOU! Your wedding is a reflection of who you are as a couple, so have fun with it!

So this shoot was all about Modern Vintage and the flowers were absolutely stunning!! We had such a great time and there will be many more pictures to share, these are just a few! ENJOY! And I cant thank Pam enough for these amazing pics! You will start seeing them everywhere, including on Get Married with Colin Cowie...Michelle from Heaven on Earth will be spotlighted on the show in upcoming months!! HOW EXCITING!!

-Happy Planning!

-Lisa

Cha Cha Bella Rings coming to Heaven on Earth!!

2009-03-17T15:48:00.002-05:00

Ok, so I have a weakness for fun accessories and about a year ago I ran across a website called Cha Cha Bella! They make the most fabulous rings and would be spectacular for Bridesmaids gifts or for that special girlfriend! Well I am PLEASED to announce that Cha Cha Bella rings are going to be carried at Heaven On Earth's new store out at The Shoppes of Grand Prairie! You will even be able to customize them for your bridal party with up to 5 colors - let the fun begin! They should arrive in about 3 weeks!!! I will keep you posted!

Happy Planning!

-Lisa

Grand Opening Success!

2009-03-11T14:07:00.005-05:00

What a great day we had on Sunday, thanks to everyone who braved the weather to come out and see us. We couldn't believe the turnout we received and WEEK showed up to interview Michelle (owner) of Heaven on Earth, I was SO hiding in the back...I wanted nothing to do with that! :) But talk about great exposure for them, and in this economy when so many stores are closing, some are going to fight with all their might to stay open, or in this case..RE-OPEN!

Several of the vendors still have their Grand Opening specials running, so if you didn't make it on Sunday, stop in this week at Heaven on Earth and pick-up a wedding packet!

Stay tuned for many more Bridal Events to be held soon at Heaven on Earth's Bridal Boutique!

Happy Planning!
-Lisa

Weddings go on, even in a tough economy...

2009-03-05T14:57:00.003-06:00

So I was thinking last night about how even though times are tough right now...weddings must still go on. Are there ways to still have the wedding your dreams with out breaking the bank...the answer is YES!

Of course you still have to be practical here...if you want a princess wedding with 1000's of roses and custom linens, a live band, etc then you may need to wait a year in order to handle all the expenses. But first things first...your guest list. Your guest list is a huge determining factor...it dictates how many invitations you buy, how many centerpieces you need, how many plated dinners you will pay for, cocktails, favors, and so on. So when you start trying to determine your budget, start with your guest list, try to cut it back as much as you can without upsetting family and friends...and always remember..ITS YOUR DAY...the only people you have to please is you and your fiancee. Aunt Betty's neighbor just might be cut from the list..:)

The next thing I recommend is make a list of the things that are important to you and your fiancee. The things you always dreamed of having..the things you and your fiancee have been talking about that YOU HAVE TO HAVE! Then prioritize that list..and spend your money on the things you want. And I have to say this , because this is a huge issue for me...if you are going to put extra money anywhere in your budget...do it in photography..PLEASE! It is something you will never regret doing. Your pictures are the story of your day, the images you will cherish and pass down to your children and your grandchildren. Research photographers, find one that matches the style you are wanting. You can not relive your day, you have no "do-overs", so please, please, please get a good photographer, you will not regret it!

Favors...unless you absolutely have to have something special, donate money to a favorite charity..your money will go towards a wonderful cause and doesn't end up in the backseat of your guests cars..where it will stay till they clean out their car a month or so later. :) Many charity's will send you cards to put at the guests tables announcing your donation...or you can type up a letter, frame it and put it by the guest book at the reception.

Want more than white linens at your reception..you want a splash of color on your tables but cant afford luxury linens? Ask your linen source about Runners and Overlays, they are less expensive and still give you that formal or funky look you are wanting for your reception.

I will continue to give "money saving tips" and feel free to email any questions, comments, or suggestions...but as I tell all my clients..."Your wedding day is about one thing..the union, the commitment that you are making to one another..the party, the flowers, all that "fluff" is just extra...its not the important part...the vows you exchange between one another are!"

Happy Planning!
-Lisa

My new obsession!

2009-03-04T09:57:00.002-06:00

Well I am officially obsessed with these to websites/blogs. They are based out of Southern California and talk about style! I LOVE outdoor weddings and unfortunately living here in the Midwest, outdoor ceremonies and receptions are just "tricky" due to the lovely weather we have. But if you dare to risk it, then by all means check out these sites for amazing ideas!!! I am fortunate this year to have four clients having outdoor ceremonies, with one having an outdoor reception as well.
When having an outdoor ceremony & reception you can put so many personalized details into it, things you cant to in a church or ballroom. Hand pained wooden signs, silver buckets with fruit and or wild-flowers to line the aisle, umbrella's for your bridal party, the list goes on and on. Then comes the reception, take the outdoor elements and incorporate them into the reception decor..from the place card table, to earthy centerpieces using wood, lots of candles, lavender scented bug repellent for your guests, and so much more. For more great ideas check out these sites...simply amazing. Not to mention some of the best wedding photography you will see - great for getting ideas for your engagement pics and wedding photos. Wedding photography has become a form of art, so have fun with it and make it your own!!

www.greenweddingshoes.com
www.thebridescafe.com

Happy Planning!
-Lisa

Heaven on Earth Floral Studio and Wedding Boutique GRAND OPENING THIS SUNDAY!

2009-03-03T11:19:00.004-06:00

We are very excited for the Grand Opening this Sunday at The Shoppes of Grand Prairie - next to Sealy Mattress..from 1-4PM .

If you are planning a wedding for 2009 or even 2010, please stop in and meet all the great vendors to help you plan your perfect day, first 100 Brides receive a gift bag FULL of discounts, and you can also enter for a drawing with two Grand Prizes!!

We hope to see many of you there, and even if you aren't planning a wedding, stop in and see and all the beautiful things that can make any party or celebration HEAVENLY!

Happy Planning!

-Lisa

A little bit of paradise in Peoria, IL this weekend...Congrats Erica & Brandon Stewart!!

2009-02-23T16:09:00.006-06:00

Erica and Brandon were married in Cancun, Mexico a couple weeks ago and returned to Peoria for their reception! It was cold day here in Peoria, with horrible winds and freezing temps, but inside, it was paradise. We had such a fun day....there was no stress of walking down the aisle, no crunched timeline for the day. The bridal party relaxed, got ready, took lots of pics, and truly enjoyed themselves the entire day.

I had some of my favorite vendors this weekend to pull off this beautiful reception.....Pam Cooley doing beautiful photography, Ingrid from White Lily Productions following the bride, groom, and bridal party around capturing everything on film. Heaven on Earth with 2 incredible table arrangements, and elegant orchid and feather bouquets. I Do Events did the silver organza overlays, chair covers, and draping, and Susan from Is That a Cake? with her beautiful cakes...and there were many!! Great tunes from Diamond Dan kept them dancing till midnight... And I cant forget about Abbey, she is a new vendor that I am just adoring...she is a personal stylist for the bride the day of the wedding..everything from doing hair and make-up, to getting the bride dressed and ready for the day. And let me say Abbey did an amazing job...Erica was stunning.....hair was so fab and the makeup was timeless and stunning! What I love most, Abbey comes to the bride, so that is a huge perk for the bride and myself!! I will be posting Abbey's info on my site soon...and she is also one of the vendor's at Heaven on Earth's NEW Wedding Boutique.

The reception was held at The Holiday Inn City Center and they were fantastic, so on top of everything, the staff was professional and great to work with. Everything ran seamlessly and that is because of Lisa Howard's & Abbas's hard work...thanks so much you two! They are on the top of my list for Venue's - no doubt!

Erica....what a fun time we had planning and I am thrilled that we were able to create a beautiful day for you to celebrate with all of your friends and family!! I wish you and Brandon a beautiful future full of dreams come true! Thanks for letting all of us be a part of this beautiful day!

For more pics and a slideshow..click on this link below..
http://pamcooleyphotos.com/news/

So much to blog about...so little time

2009-01-12T16:05:00.003-06:00

What a great Bridal Show yesterday. Of course I love being able to see all my favorite vendors/friends all in one place...so as much as I would like to say its "work"...it was more like a social gathering for all of us! I met so many brides and I have to say that my summer dates are booking up rather quickly...so if you are considering HEA Weddings for you special day, call soon for your consultation!

I do have LOTS to tell you about from Digital Guest Books, to Photo Booths, to stunning floral and rental pieces. I promise I will tell you all about it tonight when I get everything together..well and I need to get some pics off my camera as well to show you.

Also I am starting my consultations and meetings at Heaven on Earth Floral Studio and Wedding Boutique at Grand Prairie Mall tomorrow, we will officially be open for business on Wednesday. I hope everyone will stop by and see the new boutique!

Stay tuned for more info about the show!!

Wedding of a Lifetime Bridal Show and MORE!

2009-01-08T09:53:00.002-06:00

I hope everyone had a wonderful Holiday season and enjoyed time with your families. I still can not believe that 2008 is gone..what a wonderful year it was. So many beautiful weddings, fabulous clients, and great memories! But I am so anxious for what 2009 is going to bring..more beautiful weddings, great clients, and a business that is continuing to grow. Couple things I want to tell you about...
First is the Weddings of a Lifetime Bridal Show that is coming up this Sunday at the Civic Center, downtown Peoria. There is a record number of vendors this year and I am thrilled to be a part of it! Please stop by and say HI if you are planning on attending.
Secondly...Heaven on Earth is opening their new store out at Grand Prairie Mall and it is SPECTACULAR! I was fortunate enough to get to work with Michelle and Judy to design a beautiful studio and boutique. Now the best part is.....Not only is this a Floral Studio, its also going to be a Wedding Boutique with some of the best vendors in the Peoria area. You will be able to see their work and set-up times to meet with them all in one place.

-I Do Events - Linens
-Is That a Cake? - Amazing cakes for weddings and all occasions
-Pam Cooley Photography
-Sound & Light Creations - DJ and special event lighting
-White Lilly Productions - Videography
-Happily Ever After Weddings - wedding planning and consulting

They will also have cake toppers, custom monograms, and much more to come!

We are all very excited to be a part of this and hope that everyone will stop in and see us! We will open on Monday, January 12th!!

I look forward to seeing some of you this weekend and stay tuned...there will be LOTS to blog about after Sunday!

Congratulations Kati & Adam Riekena!!!

2008-11-24T16:19:00.003-06:00

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!!!

2008-11-03T14:30:00.004-06:00

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!!

Congratulations Jodi & Shane Simmons!

2008-10-13T14:30:00.004-05:00

This weekend Jodi and Shane exchanged wedding vows at Dingeldine Music Hall at Bradley University, in Peoria, IL. It was a beautiful ceremony filled with some of the most beautiful music I have ever heard. Jodi has an incredibly talented family, they sang, played the piano, violin, - it was fabulous! The couple exchanged touching vows and had one amazing exit with 3 foot long sparklers for their guests...I cant wait to see those pictures!

Jodi wore a beautiful ivory satin, strapless gown for her ceremony and then changed into a red satin evening gown for her reception at the Contemporary Art Center, downtown Peoria. The room was light up with red up-lighting from Sound & Light Creations which totally transformed the room from great to FABULOUS. All the candles with red LED lights, rose balls, and silver urns were from Heaven on Earth. The guests enjoyed wonderful horsd'oeuvres and cocktails as they danced the night away.

Stay tuned for more pictures as Ever After Photography (Carrie Stratton), great photographer, will be sending some my way to use on my site.

Another fun event that I was so honored to be a part of! Congratulations Jodi & Shane, I will see you when you return!

PS-I know my pictures are not all that fabulous (I am definitely NOT a photographer) , but wanted to share something with you!

Congratulations Alisha & Matt Schoedel!!!

2008-08-04T15:03:00.003-05:00

Saturday July 26, 2008 Matt and Alisha became husband and wife. Beautiful ceremony at First Federated Church here in Peoria, IL. With a stunning, elegant reception at the Civic Center Ballroom. Heaven on Earth did all the flowers, including the beautiful Candelabra's - LOVE! Scott with Sound and Light Creations did all the wonderful lighting which totally transformed the room, the guests were in AWE! Barb Evans with the Wedding Cake Connection made the amazing cake, which was beyond yummy..if I might add!

The Bride and her mother had impeccable taste which made for so much fun when planning this wedding. The linens were brought in by I-Do Events, I made the custom menu cards, and we found a great website for the frames which we used for the table numbers. Every tiny detail was thought out and done to perfection. We even bought beautiful Apothecary Jars to use for snacks and candy for later in the evening.

It was a beautiful day from start to finish, I adore these clients and we have become great friends...we called ourselves "Team Bailey" and I decided I wanted to be on Team Bailey for life!! Congratulations Alisha and Matt, I hope you had a wonderful Honeymoon in Mexico and were finally able to get some much needed rest!

HUGS TO YOU ALL!

Something new to share!!

2008-07-11T09:18:00.003-05:00

I just got this picture from Michelle at Heaven on Earth last night. This is a great addition to the already many things you can rent from them for make your wedding and reception absolutely fantastic. How beautiful would this be to get married under??? LOVE LOVE LOVE! Contact them today for pricing info!!

Erica & Brandon - Congrats on your Engagement!!

2008-06-20T09:23:00.002-05:00

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!

2008-06-16T16:18:00.003-05:00

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!

2008-06-09T17:39:00.006-05:00

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

Bridesmaid's Gift/Friendship Ring - LOVE LOVE LOVE!

2008-05-22T09:10:00.003-05:00

Okay - I am on a roll what can I say! I was watching "Get Married" last night on Lifetime and towards the end of the show they always plug a new "find" - and well.....this one made me run right to my laptop!! Cha Cha Bella has these beautiful rings, hand made with Swarovski Crystals, and available in any color or color combination, you can even customize them. They come beautifully wrapped with a wonderful saying about friendship. What a great gift for your bridesmaids or your dearest girlfriends, mom, sisters, etc. Not to mention they are stunning and have "BLING" all over it!! What girl wouldn't want one of these??

Guest Books and so much more!

2008-05-20T16:29:00.004-05:00

What a great find, thanks to one of my clients! Jinny Bick Bookbinding is a website you must check out! Everyone is always asking me where to find a beautiful guest book. And I have seen several at Hallmark, online, but this website has something more beautiful, not to mention you can personalize them. They also have a book that I adore "Twelve Ways To Say I Love You" - I think every Bride and Groom should buy this book, fill them out, and exchange them with one another on your wedding day. When you get a spare moment, click on the link above!

Congratulations Dr. & Mrs. John & Kathleen Linn

2008-05-15T11:41:00.003-05:00

It was a beautiful Spring day this past Saturday, the sun couldn't have shined any brighter for John & Katie!
Katie & John were married at St. Mark's Catholic church near Bradley University, as Katie's father walked her to the church, her tears began to fall. Her father was trying to calm her by talking baseball, but the tears of happiness kept coming. Katie was one of the most beautiful brides I have ever laid eyes on. Her dress was exquisite, with pleating and covered buttons all the way down the back. Her hair was all pinned back with a cathedral length vail and a flower pined off to the side. She was breathtaking..... and to see John see her for the first time as she walked down the aisle to him, made all of us cry!
The reception was held at the Hotel Pere Marquette with gorgeous displays of orange and pink flowers by Gregg's. The arrangements were stunning, from pink vases to tall clear vases full of hydrangeas, curly willow, and Gerber daisies. Chocolate brown satin runners on all the tables..pink Menu cards were in each napkin and tied with a pink satin bow. And for a favor - THUMBPRINT cookies from Trefzger's Bakery....YUMMY!!
Their wedding cake was a Chocolate Gonache cake, also from Trefzger's..and it was trimmed in pink ribbon- you could smell the Gonache frosting as walked up upon the cake - it was spectacular!!!
Dave and the Dynamics had everyone up and dancing all night, I have to say a Band can really get a party started.....but can also keep it from ending! haha

I wish all the best to Katie and John, they were so wonderful to work with. I will miss Katie a lot, she is one of those people that you just love being around. She is as beautiful inside as she is outside.

CONGRATULATIONS AND BEST WISHES TO YOU BOTH!!

FINALLY!

2008-05-04T15:09:00.003-05:00

I am thrilled to announce that I am about to go live with my new website! I am so excited I can hardly stand it! My husband thinks I am crazy, for I havent left my laptop for 2 days now...this website building is very addictive!!!! The new site will have Galleries, Reception and Ceremony, a calender of all my upcoming weddings, new packages and services, and much much more!!
I have a few more pics to add and then I will go live - stay tuned, thanks for your patients, and I will let you know when I am up!!

Enjoy this beautiful day!!!

-Lisa

Congratulations Mr. & Mrs. Formhals!!!!!

2008-04-28T16:29:00.003-05:00

It was a special day for me this Saturday, two of my darling clients Tracy & Chris we married at Mackinaw Valley winery with a dazzling reception at Embassy Suites. This was a special day for me because it was my 5th wedding anniversary. So watching Tracy walk down the isle to Chris brought back so many wonderful memories. The sun was shining as their guests looked on over the beautiful lake...gorgeous flowers in shades of Orange, lime green, and fuchsia pink were lining the isle. It truly was a spectacular site!
The reception was amazing, black linens, custom pink menu's, stunning floral arrangements from Heaven on Earth (wait till you see the pictures!) Everything was top notch! And I have to say the biggest hit of the night was the "Candy Bar" set up in beautiful glass jars in all shapes and sizes, all the candy matched the colors of the reception. All 425 guests went crazy for the candy - there was hardly any left over - this is a great idea for your favors, plus it allows the guests to help themselves - it was so much fun to watch everyone!!

Photo 98 did the photography, Josh and Amy (husband and wife team) were so much fun to work with, everything ran so smoothly and on-time - which as a wedding planner - I LOVE! I cant wait to showcase their pictures and stay tuned to their blog. http://www.photo-98.com/
I will upload some of my photo's (I actually remembered to take some) tomorrow, so stay tuned.

Another wedding comes to an end and I truly enjoyed these two families, I have said this 100 times and will continue to do so, It's hard when a wedding is over, I get very attached to my clients - I will miss them!!!!!! MUCH LOVE TO YOU ALL!

GOOD NEWS FOR INPLAY CLIENTS!

2008-01-16T15:54:00.000-06:00

My darling clients Kari and Myles who are getting married June 13th, were contacted today by InPlay in Des Moines, IA and they will be taking over the Peoria InPlay. The offered to still hold their reception or give them their deposit back. SO YEAH, I cant tell you how happy I am that it's getting resolved. Kari and Myles have already moved their reception to The Waterhouse, thanks to Andrew who was so wonderful in working with us and getting everything set-up.

So good news, InPlay will remain in business, getting remodeled and things will get back to normal. And for any of you Bride & Groom's that thought you lost your deposit or your reception site....sounds like they will take care of you! Make sure you contact the Des Moines, IA office if you have not been contacted yet.

HAPPY DAY!

New info coming....

2008-01-16T14:43:00.000-06:00

Well starting a business can be LOADS of fun...but it can also be a rather large learning experience. So in the past few months I have gained much knowledge about my own business, how to make it better, and how to better serve my clients and my future clients as well. I am reworking some of my packages so that I can hit a broader audience...so stay tuned! I am also working on a new website...yes, mine needs to be spruced up a tad. If you know me, you would know that I am all about fashion, beauty, trends, TOTAL GIRL. And I have to be able to change things, (ya know, like shoes) have different looks, etc. So I am so excited to get started and show you so much more about my business and what I can offer. Image is everything in this industry, so its important to me that my first impression is a great one. Not to mention I have met some amazing vendors that I need you all to know about. I cant keep all this great information to myself, so that will be included on my new website as well as galleries of my past client's weddings and other great ideas that anyone can do themselves. Stay tuned.......

Wedding Drama for the Peoria Area

2008-01-11T11:10:00.001-06:00

Wow, what a week it has been for some wedding vendors in the Peoria area. First Trefzger's Bakery gets broken into and all of their wedding contracts are stolen....WHO DOES THAT??? And then word finally got out about Forte/In-Play, a bank is taking over, all contracts will be broken, AND no deposits will be returned. Its been a tough week for some of my clients. Luckily, Kari & Myles, who were to have their reception at Forte have moved to the Waterhouse...a special thanks to Andrew for meeting with us so quickly and getting this reserved for my clients!

Trefzger's is making headway and will be contacting Bride's next week to ensure that everything will be okay and all set for their wedding day. But please contact them to make sure they have your name, number, and wedding date, don't leave anything to chance.

If anyone needs help, guidance, or suggestions regarding Reception Venue's, please call or email me...times like this you need all the support and help you can get!!!!

And like I told my one Bride...all these crazy things are happening now so that your wedding day can be perfect!

Congratulations Mr & Mrs Crumrine!!!!

2008-01-08T11:47:00.001-06:00

This past Saturday, my darling clients Daniel and Cara became husband and wife at Northfield Christian Church in Tremont, Illinois. It was a beautiful ceremony...and I was actually there to witness it. Normally I am off and running to the reception...so the tears were forming as I watched her walk down the aisle to the love of her life. Every detail of this wedding and their 2 receptions was perfect...from black lanterns, evergreen, Christmas trees with tons of white lights, Snow Angles instead of Flower Girls...it was beautiful!

Cara and Daniel had two receptions....a Dessert Reception full of fabulous food, fruit by Lisa Webb and cheesecakes from Desserts Unlimited. And my ALL TIME FAVORITE.....A Coffee Bar!! Yes folks, there is a Coffee Catering Service called Coppercino new to the area. They are a husband and wife team, so nice to work with and the coffee drinks were top notch, not to mention a beautiful set-up! You can email Marianne at Coppercino at coppercino@goowy.com for more information. And for their favors..Cara and Daniel had a Cookie Bar where guests could pick from homemade cookies...it was a hit! And I have to mention the "Card Tree"...instead of having a guest book for guest to sign, each guest was given a card when they entered for them to write a special note to the couple, then the guest clipped them to Christmas Trees in the reception room with red and black painted clothes pins...it was darling!!

After the Dessert Reception was over, the couple, their family, and close friends went to a Celebration dinner at "The Tearoom at the Depot" in Mackinaw for a private dinner. Beautiful setting to be able to spend quality time with all that is close to them.

What a beautiful couple inside and out, stay tuned for pictures. Pam Cooley , from Pam Cooley Photography has posted some on her blog, so scroll down till you see Daniel & Cara. Congrats Cara and Daniel and thank you for letting me be apart of your beautiful day!! Happy Honeymooning!!

Happy Holiday's from Happily Ever After Weddings

2007-12-20T09:23:00.000-06:00

We wanted to wish everyone a Very Merry Christmas from all of us at Happily Ever After Weddings. I wanted to share a picture of my VERY best friends who are also my wonderful assistants. I don't know where I would be without my girls, they each bring something different to my business and always put a smile on my face, no matter what the situation! I love them dearly...pictured from the left..Tricia Wiegand, me (Lisa Ragan), Melissa Koch, & Lisa Tyler.

We had our Annual Girl's Night Christmas Party last night, the one time a year that I break out the china and crystal...but oh so worth it. But then I have to hear my husband say "Why don't you go all out for me?" "uh........cause you don't squeal with excitement like they do?" :)

And remember you can easily jazz up your Christmas Party dinner with menu cards, chocolates, ribbons, place cards.....you can print your own menu's and layer them on colored card stock. It's inexpensive and adds a personal touch to any dinner party, not just Christmas.

Happy Holiday's to you all! And to Lauren and Grant Essig & Cory and Michael Cripe...enjoy your first Christmas together as husband and wife!!

-Lisa K Ragan

Bridal Show at the Peoria Civic Center

2007-12-14T14:46:00.000-06:00

I am thrilled to announce that I will be a part of the Wedding of a Lifetime Bridal Show at the Peoria Civic Center on January 6th. Doors open at 10:00 AM with bridal style shows at 11:00 and 1:30. The show will take place in the new Ballroom on the 2nd level, this will be a great opportunity to check out all the new renovations at the Civic Center, especially if you are looking for a Venue for your upcoming wedding.

The most exciting part for me is working with Heaven on Earth, they graciously let me apart of this wonderful experience...and in return I have River City String Quartet coming to play and Pam Cooley coming to take some great details shots of the booth and flowers. Us girls can never have enough pictures of our work! haha So a SPECIAL thank you to Jane Hoffmire from River City String Quartet and my wonderful friend Pam Cooley! What a fun day we will have! If you plan on attending, please come by our booth and say HI - we would love to tell you about our services and how we can make your wedding day as perfect as you always dreamt it would be. HAPPY PLANNING!

Congratulations Mr. & Mrs. Michael Cripe!!!

2007-12-10T14:04:00.000-06:00

Another beautiful wedding took place this past weekend, ice and all! Cory Crusen and Michael Cripe became husband and wife at 4:30 Saturday evening at Jubilee Historical Site by candle light. It was the most beautiful, romantic ceremony I have ever seen. The bride was beyond stunning in her ivory beaded satin gown..not to mention her floor length white fur to keep her warm. Heaven on Earth did an amazing job on the church decor, it was exactly what the bride had dreamt of!!

Then off to the Packard Plaza for a beautiful cocktail hour, including a red holiday signature cocktail and appetizers galore! Later the guests were moved up to the Ballroom for the dinner reception including more appetizers and a plated dinner. And I have to admit this is the first reception I have ever been to where the dancing started BEFORE the dinner was served. However, if you had this band at your reception, you would have been dancing too...Encore... out of St. Louis, MO was AWESOME!!!! The ambiance of the room was breathtaking, candles everywhere, had to have been 100's of them, the room was glowing....my pictures do not even do it justice.....Scott Schilling will be sharing some of his photo's with me so that you can see how amazing it was...every bride's dream come true! Gregg's florist did the flowers and decor for the reception site....a hundred rounds of applause for them, they transformed that room in a day...so much fun to see!

Again, it is always sad when a wedding is over, I get so attached to my Bride & Groom..almost like they are family....but the great news is...I wont have to leave them completely, I will be doing Cory's sister Kristen's wedding in Chicago in September of 2008...I am very very fortunate...these two families were simply beautiful people inside and out, thank you for the HONOR of being your wedding coordinator, I will never forget the memories!

I wish Cory and Michael all the world holds for them...love, happiness, health and a lifetime of great moments together!! LOVE YA BOTH!!

Wait till you see what we are up to now!

2007-10-24T16:53:00.000-05:00

My dear friend and wonderful photographer, Pam Cooley came to me with a fantastic idea. And since we are VERY alike, I jumped on it! Myself, Pam, Heaven on Earth, and I-Do Events are working together to create some beautiful table decor ideas for area brides. Some might say that this type of Reception Decor is only done in big cities....WRONG, the options are here, right here in Peoria and we are going to show you exactly what can be done! And it doesn't always have to be costly, you can achieve color and beautiful design in many ways! We are all very excited to show you what we come up with....stay tuned!!!

Few more Pics to share...

2007-10-18T16:24:00.001-05:00

Okay, okay....I had to share more pictures from the wedding this weekend.....I just loved this cake stand.....you must check out Heaven on Earth for their amazing selection of wedding rental items....LOVE THEM!!!!

And the picture table of the Bride & Groom ........this can add a beautiful element to any reception venue. Just wanted to share a few more......I LOVE MY JOB!!!!

Congratulations Mr. & Mrs. Grant Essig!!

2007-10-18T16:08:00.000-05:00

This past weekend Lauren & Grant were married at St. Mark's Lutheran church in Washington, with a reception at the Pere Marquette in Peoria. The event was beautiful from start to finish!

I wanted to share a few pictures from the reception, my assistant was able to get some great shots before any guests arrived...every hour as the set-up went on...the more beautiful the room became, once the candles were lit....it was breathtaking!!

Lauren had a vision for her wedding and no detail was left unturned. Everything from Silver Candelabras, silver cake-stand, printed Menu cards, the picture table, to the hand-dipped pretzel rods......every detail was perfect!

To see pictures of the Bride & Groom, visit Pam Cooley's blog for a preview. More pictures will be available on my site as well as Pam's shortly.

It was a pleasure working with Lauren, Grant and their families....I am always sad when a wedding is over, I form a bond with my clients and I think a part of them will always be with me.....its like leaving a handprint.....I wish you both a lifetime of love and happiness!!

Top Notch!!

2007-08-28T16:12:00.000-05:00

As a Wedding Coordinator, its my job to lead my Brides in the right direction. Whether it's simple and classic or upscale and elaborate, its my job to find the vendors they need in order to make their wedding a dream come true. Last week I went to the most wonderful florist who had the most BEAUTIFUL candelabras, vases, pillars, cake stands, and on and on - ALL available to rent. We were all blown away and I had to about tie my Bride down, she was so excited! And the longer we were there, the more nervous the father of the bride was looking! :) My client who had very specific tastes and wants, found exactly what she had been looking for. Please stop in and see what Heaven on Earth has to offer, I promise you, you wont be disappointed!!
Heaven on Earth -4700 N. University - Peoria, IL 61614. Phone number 309-692-2871

And on another note, a musical note....River City String Quartet is a MUST if you are looking for something special and unique for your wedding or reception. You and your guests will be enchanted as the music fills the room...call them for more information, they are wonderful to work with - they come highly recommended. (309) 369-6429

We have a WINNER!!

2007-08-07T11:44:00.000-05:00

Rachel Dremann who just booked with Memories by Michael won the Wedding Day Special! Congrats Rachel, I am so excited for you and can't wait to meet! Rachel is getting married in Eureka on June 14, 2008 - CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!

Memories by Michael's Brides - Wedding Day Coordinator Special!

2007-07-16T15:08:00.000-05:00

For all you brides that have already booked with Memories by Michael....this special is just for you! For $300.00, you will receive....make sure you read all the way to end....-

3 hours of meeting time prior to their wedding to discuss all the details of your wedding day.-Unlimited email and phone time to help answer any questions you might have or any issues that arise.
-Contact all of your vendors to ensure everything is as ordered.
-Create a Wedding Day Timeline for your family & bridal party.
-Create a timeline for your vendors.
-Attend your rehearsal the night before (approx 2 hours) to ensure a timely rehearsal to answer any questions.
-Take all of your items (guest book, programs, etc) the night of the rehearsal so that you don’t have to worry about those details on your wedding day.
-8 hours the day of your wedding:
-Make sure all vendors have arrived and set-up.-Make sure ceremony and reception site are set-up as expected.
-Help photographer with pre-ceremony pictures (create a picture list) to ensure no moment goes un-captured.
-Keep you and your bridal party informed at all times
-Get you and your bridal party down the aisle on-time and flawlessly.
-Attend your reception for 2 hours to ensure everything is moving smoothly and you have the perfect ending to your perfect day.

THE FIRST BRIDE TO CONTACT ME WILL RECEIVE ALL OF THIS FOR FREE!!!!!
Offer expires August 1st - email me at lisar@h-e-a.biz or call me at 309-264-7286.

Whether your wedding is 3 weeks away or 6 months away, having a Day of Wedding Coordinator can be the best money spent. You and your family should spend the day getting ready and enjoying the special day, not worrying about all the details - leave that up to us!

Wonderful Brides!

2007-07-16T15:02:00.000-05:00

I have met with some of the most wonderful Brides! Kari who is getting married in June of 2008, she is all girl and we are having so much fun working on colors, flowers, cakes, and on and on. And this past weekend I met with Cara who is having a beautiful January 5th wedding full of Christmas trees, wrought iron lanterns, and lots of candles. I am so excited to start working on these wonderful events!

COOKIES~COOKIES~COOKIES

2007-07-05T12:22:00.000-05:00

Cookie Favors are ALL the rage right now. Anything from simple to very ornate! Check out these ideas from Martha Stewart.com. And I love the idea of having several cookies jars set on a table, an assortment of cookies, cutsie bags, and then let your guests pick their own cookies to take home with them as a favor. Stay tuned....I am working with a gal who is getting into the cookie business, she could be a great asset to my brides!

Congratulations Kari & Myles - YOU WON!

2007-07-05T09:48:00.000-05:00

Wow - what a great response I got...but Kari was quick on the draw! I will be assisting Kari and Myles with their June 2008 wedding, and I am just thrilled!!! CONGRATS TO YOU BOTH!
The $300.00 special is still running and stay tuned as more specials are bound to be popping up!!!
Hope everyone had a great 4th of July with your family & friends!

Attn ALL Pam Cooley Brides!!!

2007-07-02T14:11:00.000-05:00

Whether your wedding is 3 weeks away or 12 months away, let Happily Ever After Weddings make your wedding a dream come true! It’s our job to make sure your wedding day is as perfect as you planned it. This package allows you to spend the day with your family and friends, while we do the work! For all you brides that have already booked with Pam Cooley Photography....this special is just for you! For $300.00, you will receive....make sure you read all the way to end....
- 2 hours of meeting time prior to their wedding to discuss all the details of your wedding day.
-Unlimited email and phone time to help answer any questions you might have or any issues that arise.
-Contact all of your vendors to ensure everything is as ordered.
-Create a Wedding Day Timeline for your family & bridal party.
-Create a timeline for your vendors.
-Attend your rehearsal the night before (approx 2 hours) to ensure a timely rehearsal to answer any questions.
-Take all of your items (guest book, programs, etc) the night of the rehearsal so that you don’t have to worry about those details on your wedding day.
-8 hours the day of your wedding:
-Make sure all vendors have arrived and set-up.
-Make sure ceremony and reception site are set-up as expected.
-Help photographer with pre-ceremony pictures (create a picture list) to ensure no moment goes un-captured.
-Keep you and your bridal party informed at all times
-Get you and your bridal party down the aisle on-time and flawlessly.
-Attend your reception for 2 hours to ensure everything is moving smoothly and you have the perfect ending to your perfect day.
THE FIRST BRIDE TO CONTACT ME WILL RECEIVE ALL OF THIS FOR FREE!!!!!
Offer expires July 23rd.

Very exciting!

2007-06-27T16:41:00.000-05:00

I am very excited after talking to my friend Lynn, the owner of Scrapadoodle in Peoria. They are going to be launching an Invitation divsion. For weddings, showers, birthdays...etc. I was so thrilled to hear this great news!! The most recent wedding I helped plan, I designed the invitations and they came out to be exactly what the Bride was looking for. (see attached pic) Handmade invitations with several layers of cardstock and two different ribbons. And I also designed her Bridal Shower invitations (see pic) with a top layer black piece of lasered cardstock that I had designed and made at a local Scrapbook Manufacturing Co. And had LeBakery do her cake in the same scroll pattern - it turned out beautiful. What ever your style, custom invitations are the way to go! I recently read in a Bride's magazine that Formal Invitations are OUT and Handmade Inviataions are SO IN! So brides, use your imaginations, dream up any idea, and then make it happen! Whether you are into Monograms, flowers, ribbons.....etc. Your guests will love it and so will you....plus.. dont you want to be set apart from the rest?? I will keep you updated as soon as Scrapadoodle give me the go ahead! How fun!

My First Blog!

2007-06-26T16:32:00.000-05:00

Well, here it is..I am blogging for the very first time...kind of takes me back to my diary days in grade school. I am so excited to launch my new business, Happily Ever After Weddings. The moment I planned my wedding, the obsession started and that was 4 years ago. And after assisting my friends with their weddings, I decided that my passion lies here. So I became "official" through the Association of Bridal Consultants. Its been a whirlwind of excitement meeting with area vendors and getting my business off the ground. I have met some amazing vendors that I can not wait to work with! Pam Cooley Photography - check out her beautiful site - her work is amazing!
Today I met with the most amazing florist - Michele from Michele's Floral Events...talk about talented. She does everything from georgeous linens to lighting to top-notch floral design - check out her site too!
Right now I am in the process of planning a Wedding Professionals Networking Session for the Peoria area. Stay tuned to the Blog for more details.......