About Me

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I spent two summers while in college working as a waitress at a dude ranch in Colorado. The experience was nothing less than incredible. Years later, I have wonderful friends that I still keep in touch with as well as an amazing husband. I still think back to those summers because I learned how hard work really pays off and how much I enjoyed putting together all the food events for the guests. The ranch always hired staff from the South because the owners said they always received compliments on their friendly service from guests...My boss' response was "It's just Southern Hospitality." It was not until I began planning my wedding that I realized how I had missed my calling. I wish I could say I am a successful event planner living my dream, but I am not just yet and hope that collecting my ideas and sharing them will be a start (thanks Molly). Enjoy!

Sunday, September 4, 2022

Rain

 It’s been years since I have touched this blog.  I am still not an event planner nor have a planned an actual invitational type event in a long time.  I do miss those days at times but I can say that I do still plenty of planning.  It just looks much different now.  As a mom of two busy elementary aged kids, the day to day planning takes over much of my life.  After I leave work, I am the driver of getting one kid to ball practice and the other to the next thing.  The typical life of so many moms! I sometimes look back and wonder how quickly I got here but I do not regret.  I prefer a busy schedule.  However, I do look back and wonder “what if” at times when I think if I had pursued an event planning career.  I know it wouldn’t have been easy….did I take the easy route? Will I regret it? 

I made my decision to go a different career path so I could be an involved mom.  I still do not regret that but I am approaching 10 years in my current profession and I still wonder if I made the right choice. 

I don’t have a lot of time these days to ponder many things, but as I sit here at the lake on the dock on a very rainy day, I do wonder and think about the “what ifs” 


Thursday, June 26, 2014

4th of July Planning



4th of July is almost here and there are tons of great ideas on pinterest (follow me on pinterest if you like, I have an event & wedding board, Pinterest). I have started compiling the ones I am considering trying for my get together with friends. Hopefully some of these ideas will inspire you!

Taco Salad Flag

 
4th of July Trifle


Pretzel & Fruit Flag


Strawberry & Blueberry Parfaits


Red Twizzlers can easily be set out for a pop of red, I am thinking about just putting some out around the table in ball jars tied with raffia. Here is another cute inexpensive idea too










I saw this banner idea and loved the blue jean background. I am going to create my own banner by using an old pair of blue jeans, burlap and lettering that says "Happy 4th"
In the truest sense, freedom cannot be bestowed; it must be achieved. ~Franklin D. Roosevelt

Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Rustic Summer Wedding with Southern Charm


I got to attend a wedding in Auburn, AL a few weeks ago.  It had so many custom details and charm that I couldn't stop taking pictures. If you are into the rustic look, take notes...burlap used all around in a classy way, love it!

The wedding reception was held outdoors at a family friend's home, who happended to have plenty of land and a barn in their backyard.  A few tents were brought in and the barn was used to hold tables for seating as well as serving food and drinks.  The band played under a tent.  Due to the South's summer hot and humid evening, the wedding cakes were served inside the family's main house in their dining room. 




Signature Drink, Sweet Tea Vodka





The South...Our Tea is Sweet, Words are Long, Days are Warm and Faith is Strong

Needless to Say...

It's been awhile! So many things have changed in my life and yes, I have let Life get in the way of sharing on here...but I am back and will hopefully be posting about events.  I am not planning wedding so much anymore but I love taking detailed pictures at ones I attend.  I have also become the host house for family holiday gatherings, etc. So this sharing will be a little more on the "real life" event side than just weddings from now. Hope you enjoy!
"We may not have it all together, but together we have it all."

Sunday, July 24, 2011

Fall Wedding- Tuscumbia, AL

Yes, this is very overdue but better late than never! I was very fortunate to have a good friend I grew up with call me to help with his wedding.  Heath and Mary married on October 30th in Tuscumbia, AL.  Their ceremony was at First Presbyterian Church and the reception was at Locust Hill.  The church and venue were very unique.  First Presbyterian is one of the oldest Presbyterian churches in Alabama and Helen Keller was baptized there.  Locust Hill has been renovated and hosts numerous events every year but long ago it served as a conferderate hospital during the Civil War.www.locusthillevents.com












Wedding details: 
-Paper Chase in Decatur, AL did her invitations and programs, http://thepaperchasedecatur.com
-Armosa Studios did her photography and videography-They did such an amazing job and were such a nice couple, http://armosastudios.com/?s=mary+and+heath&x=0&y=0
-Jackie Hendrix with Party Pros in Florence set up the tent outside in the yard and took care of the other rental equipment, http://partyprosusa.com
-Rhoda Plain, with Rhoda P's Catering, did the delicious buffet, http://www.rhodapscatering.com/index.html
-Lola's Gifts and Flowers did an amazing job, http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lolas-Gifts-and-Flowers/158599527495310?sk=wall
-They did cute white personalized cups for beer, www.discountfavors.com, and beige personalized cocktail napkins, www.foryourparty.com
-To embrace fall and Halloween, Mary made cookies with candy corn topping for wedding favors and her guest book was two artificial pumpkins for guests to "carve" their name on
-Out of town guests stayed at the Marriott Shoals Hotel & Spa. Heath's mom made welcome bags for guests by filling cute pumpkin boxes with goodies


Baby boo pumpkins were even incorporated in the fruit arrangement!
Thank you Heath & Mary for letting me be a part of your day.  Also a special thank you to my assistant that day, Molly Wallace...could not have done it without you! 

“Expect the best, plan for the worst, and prepare to be surprised.”
-Denis Waitley

Saturday, October 2, 2010

Fall is Here and I Love Pumpkins

If you are getting married in the Fall, maybe some of these ideas will encourage you to use pumpkins!  It is a great way to save money and be festive! 


You can use pumpkins as vases for flowers
Fall Decor Crafts and more creative crafts projects, templates, tips, clip-art, patterns, and ideas on marthastewart.com



I love this one...Using a pumpkin as a cooler- Serve a seasonal beer too!
Ideas: Samuel Adams- Octoberfest, Blue Moon- Harvest Moon, or Leinenkugel- Oktoberfest


Use baby pumpkins for place cards


Carving pumpkins is not just a fun thing to do for Halloween-
Be creative...carve an initial or fall leaves




This is one of my favorite ideas and would be great at the entrance to your rehearsal dinner or reception.  Urns are easy to find or you may already have one that you can use from your own front porch.



If your rehearsal dinner or reception venue has a fireplace place pumpkins, gourds, and fall foliage around it for a great festive and cozy look.


Other fall arrangement ideas




Use baby pumpkins to hold pumpkin soup or a cranberry-raisin bread pudding that you serve at your rehearsal dinner or reception 




Unique idea...pumpkins are used to line the path from the parking lot to the reception


Use baby pumpkins as votive candle holders in a fall foliage chandelier or just use the pumpkins as votive holders and place them on tables at your rehearsal dinner or reception (great size to have on bistro tables at a reception)


If you are not a big fan of orange, you can find pumpkins in various colors.
These baby boo pumpkins are great to use for a wedding


You can also put these baby boo pumpkins in a tall vase layered with green hypericum berries


Nailheads could definitely give pumpkins a new look! 





Placing a variety of pumpkins on steps is a simple but great look and most venues have a few steps in the front, inside, or back


“Four steps to achievement: Plan purposefully. Prepare prayerfully. Proceed positively. Pursue persistently”
-William Ward