COLLEEN & NIKE: Meson Sabika

Where do I even begin with these two?! I can't stop smiling as I look back at pictures from their big day. Colleen and Nike are #goals. Watching them interact will show you in a heartbeat what true love looks like. From the way they are constantly complimenting one another, to their smiles that light up the room when they look at each other. Their happiness is contagious and I couldn't be more grateful that they chose me as their wedding planner. 

Let's flash back to how I originally met Colleen. We happened to go to both jr. high and high school together. She seemed to have it all. I mean, come on, she's gorgeous, smart, kind, hilarious (and the list goes on and on). EVERYONE loves her. We kept in touch here and there throughout the next several years after graduating. When I got a call regarding her engagement and need for a wedding planner, I could not be more excited about the opportunity. It wasn't until we got together for an initial meeting that I realized I had been wrong about thing. For all of the years I'd known her, she was missing something. That missing piece was Nike. Together, these two are unstoppable. The ultimate duo. Their love for one another is truly inspiring. I mean just LOOK at that picture of Nike's face as he sees Colleen walking down the aisle. Again, I can't stop smiling. 

Their wedding day started off with a storm. Literally. Downpour rain, whipping wind, the whole shebang. I sat in the bridal sweet with Colleen and her mother a few minutes before her grand entrance and she said, "it's okay, at the end of the day I just want to marry Nike. Nothing else matters." 

As they said "I Do" the sun peaked it's way through the clouds. Some might say it was good luck. I personally think it's a sign that they are going to have the most beautiful, bright life ahead of them. 

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for letting me be apart of this special day. I love you both endlessly. 

xx,

kell

Photography: Rebecca Haley Photography

THE MAGIC OF WINTER WEDDINGS

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Living in the Chicago-land area, most of us dread the winter season. It alludes to darkness, clouds, arctic-like temperatures, snow, slush, and indoor hibernation. HOWEVER, what most may not realize, is that the winter season can be one of the most magical times for a wedding (if you plan accordingly). 

Let’s talk about photography. Natural light photography when there is snow on the ground gives the perfect light reflection. From a planners stand point it’s important to plan the wedding photos/formals early enough in the day (a few hours before sunset). This then can mean that an early ceremony time is IDEAL if you can adjust it that way. It also means you can likely start the reception a bit earlier as well since the sun typically sets by 4:30 or 5:00. Why not have the cocktail hour begin then with the formal reception at 6:00? Working with these times will result in some beyond beautiful natural light photos. If you can brave the cold for a bit, I HIGHLY suggest getting a few outside. 

Now let’s address booking vendors. As a wedding planner I can tell you that I book up (along with basically every other vendor in this industry) about a year in advance for summer/fall weddings. When I hear a client is particularly interested in having a winter wedding/Christmas wedding I get excited because I know that’s “slow season” and therefore most of the vendors I enjoy working with are likely available as well. I’ve mentioned before that it’s important to have an “A”, “B”, and “C” wishlist when booking both the venues you look at as well as your wedding vendors. Having a winter wedding puts you in a good position to book a lot of your first choice options. OOOOLALA!

Last but not least, having a winter wedding can sometimes mean you'll have a higher turn out of guest attendance. Summer and fall weddings are so popular in the Chicago-land area that guests often have to choose which wedding they'll be attending if two happen to fall on the same date. Having a winter wedding (as long as it's not Christmas weekend) often results in more of your loved ones there to share your magical night with you.

If you're newly engaged and dabbling around the idea of booking your big day over the winter months feel free to reach out to me and I'd be happy to go over what that could entail with an initial consultation. 

xx,

kell

10 SUMMER DATE NIGHT IDEAS!

Hey Loves,

Today I'd love to share a silly little video I put together with my boyfriend, Austin on 10 Summer Date Night Ideas. I STRONGLY believe that no matter if you've been in a relationship for two years, or twenty, that you should always be dating. What I mean by this is that it's crucial to take each other out for dinner and drinks, try new activities, meet up with friends, etc. Keep each other smiling. 

If you do have children, I know this can often times complicate things and you feel as though you can no longer go out as often. HOWEVER, you guys need some YOU time away from the kids. Make it a plan to go out if not once a week, than every other week. Get yourself a sitter, whip out a fancy dress, and enjoy a night away with your special someone. 

Joe & Chelsea

Meet Joe and Chelsea. I can not express how much I love these two. They are absolutely perfect together. I've had the privilege of knowing them for a few years now and was ecstatic when they decided to tie the knot. Their wedding was a little extra special to me because although this wasn't the first wedding I've worked, they were the first clients to book me once I launched my own business. They were both so calm and excited throughout this whole process (which is rare, let me tell you). Seeing these two so incredibly happy on their big day was a little reminder as to why I love my job so so much. 

Their ceremony took place at the Morton Arboretum and boy was it HOT. Nevertheless, these two lovebirds weren't going to let a 97 degree day ruin anything for them. Running around in a big heavy wedding dress and a tux in the blazing sun may not seem like the most fun of activities, and yet they were both smiling ear to ear. That is what I love about them. No matter what obstacle may be in their way, they get through it together with a smile on their face. 

Joe and Chelsea are the perfect balance for one another. I am one lucky girl to have had the opportunity to work with them on such a pivotal moment in their lives. Thank you for choosing me as your wedding planner. I love you both!! 

DIY White & Gold Table Numbers

Hey Loves,

Today I'm going to be showing you how to make some simple DIY table numbers for your wedding! If you know me, you know I'm a HUGE fan of white and gold. So I obviously had to incorporate those two colors throughout this entire project. Hopefully you'll get some inspiration to create your own. 

Don't forget to give this video a thumbs up and subscribe to my channel. I do post new videos every week and a TON of them will be bridal related. Until next time folks, XXO!

DIY Tassel Garland

Hey Loves,

So I'm sure you're wondering where I've been. Well, I do have some exciting news!! For the past few months on top of Wedding Planning I've also been filming videos for YouTube. As of last Saturday, May 15th, my channel is officially launched!!! There will be so many DIY tutorials as well as skincare and beauty tips for all you beautiful brides out there. I'm excited to link along any wedding related posts to this blog as well. I hope you enjoy it. Don't forget to give the video a "thumbs up" if you do and subscribe! New videos will be posted each week. WOOHOO :) :) :)

The video above is how to create your own DIY Tassel Garland. I got the idea originally because I saw them up at a bridal shower I attended. When I asked her where she got them she told me Etsy. Now don't get me wrong, I LOVEEEE Etsy (hence several blog posts about their amazing wedding selection I've already posted). But when I looked at the price of what they were selling them for (about $50) I thought to myself, uhhhh, I could make that. Better yet, I could show you guys how to make that for under $10. I think doing it yourself is even more special because you could incorporate your wedding colors. 

Go ahead and give it a try. Let me know in the comments below in the video what you ended up doing with yours. Hope this was helpful. 

xx,

kell

Spring Date Night Ideas!

If you live somewhere with a cold winter and you’re anything like me, you’re DYING for some warm weather right about now. Spring flowers, fresh air - come to momma. As this new season approaches I thought I could give you and your special someone some fun spring date night ideas. 

Get Physical. Literally. Winter always adds on those additional pounds you can no longer hide when those baggy sweaters and leggings come off. Hit the gym together for some extra motivation. If you don’t have a membership, don’t use that as an excuse. The weather is warming up (finally) and you can take a jog outside, go for a hike, or a bike ride. This will help relieve stress and boost your energy. After your work out you can make a yummy protein smoothie together as a reward after you shower off ;)

Sit Outdoors At Your Favorite Restaurant. All the outdoor patios should be opening up just about now. Take advantage of that! Go order yourself a nice glass of wine (or whiskey as my boyfriend would pick), and enjoy the fresh air. 

Go To A Baseball Game. Baseball is back! Score yourself a couple of tickets, and head to the ball park. Sure it’ll be $9 a beer but what the hell, that’s what pregaming is for. It’ll be a great way to get out and do something fun together. (You can find us cheering on the Chicago Cubs.)

A Beer Garden. Pairing beer and food with outdoor scenery? If you wouldn’t like that I question your taste. 

Farmers Market. Most farmers markets around here open right around May. Go walk around the streets of your town and grab some healthy food you’d like to cook together that week. 

Create A Garden. Talk about what you’d like. I love growing my own fruits and veggies (tomatoes, eggplant, cucumber, different kinds of peppers - not to mention my favorite little lemon tree). You’ll need the space to do this and enough sunlight. I also love to plant a variety of flowers. If you don’t have a ton of space or live in an apartment you can buy a few planters and jazz those up with your favorite flowers. 

I hope this helps! Let me know in the comments below what some of your favorite spring date night ideas are. 

xx,

kell

Why Hire A Wedding Planner?

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A wise woman once told me, “At your wedding you are the guest of honor, not the host” and that is exactly what I tell all my clients. Everyone is there for YOU and you are meant to enjoy every moment and not worry about what’s going on behind the scenes and how to assist your guests.

There seems to be a big misunderstanding that hiring a wedding planner will cost you a fortune. When in reality, a planner can save you a great deal of money in the long run. I know what you’re thinking...this girl must be crazy - but hear me out. Because we work daily with vendors in the area and have established relationships, we’re often able to get discounts on their services. We also know exactly which ones are reputable and able to fit well within your wedding budget. Most wedding planners also have a few different packages available for their clients. With this, you and your fiancé can pick and choose which services best apply to what you’re looking for, and what you’re able to afford. 

Planning a weddings takes time. In the United States the average time for an engagement is 15 months. Most venues book up around a year in advance (especially late spring-November if you live in an area with cold winter months.) If both you and your fiancé work full time jobs, planning a wedding can be challenging and eat into a huge chunk of your nights and weekends. Having someone handle these tasks for you can be a huge lifesaver. 

To Minimize Stress and Maximize Smiles. Chances are this is one of the biggest days of your life thus far and you deserve to enjoy every second of it. There are plenty of engaged couples out there who want to plan out their wedding all on their own, and that is perfectly fine! But, when it comes down to the actual day of, who wouldn’t want someone to come in and assure everything goes smoothly, allowing you to relax and live in the moment? Finding yourself a wedding planner to come in with a timeline for the day, confirm times with all of your vendors, and run the show behind the scenes is exactly what you need in this case. Like I mentioned earlier, you are the guest of honor, not the host. 

Style and Etiquette. There always seems to be questions when it comes to wedding etiquette. Not only will the planner be able to inform you on the correct way to handle things, but they’ll also be able to share a great amount of intel from working in the industry. Whether it’s the current fashion trends, how to work with a small budget and still have a beautiful wedding, advise and assistance with decor, or how to host 500+ people, a coordinator is who you need to turn to. 

We’re Fun. You’ll be spending a lot of time talking with your wedding coordinator, so it’s important to find one you click well with. Through this whole process I’ve become pretty good friends with several clients. Instead of leaving a million tasks for your maid of honor or your mother (both who likely have things to do of their own) you can leave those details in our hands. 

xx

kell  

Etsy Engagement Rings

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Hey Loves,

As promised, here’s your post all on Etsy engagement rings. Not only are these rings BEAUTIFUL but they are also perfect for couples on a budget. They have over 250 pages on handmade wedding rings alone so theres an enormous selection to browse from. You can search based on your price point, filter by color, and choose which locations you’d like them to have come from. Such a great alternative if you’re wanting to avoid Tiffany's and all the other high end jewelry shops. As always, I hope this was helpful and feel free to leave any comments below :) 

xx,

kell

Spring Weddings

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Tulle And Chantilly

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Now that winter is almost at it’s tail end it’s time to start diving into some spring wedding tips and tricks. Prepare yourself for pastels and fresh flowers. As much as I LOVE outdoor wedding ceremonies, make sure you have a back up plan that involves indoors or a well secured tent/canopy. Whether we like it or not, spring weather can be very unpredictable hence the saying April showers bring May flowers. Incase it does downpour on your big day, don’t get discouraged. As long as you have a back up plan (which your wedding planner should assist with) you’ll be just fine. PLUS - I’ve seen some really cool wedding photos taken out in the rain for couples who are daring enough to go out for a few shots with their umbrellas. 

There are so many fun spring decor options to jazz up your ceremony and reception sites. A fun and simple DIY is to spray paint some wine bottles (I love gold and shimmery gold but you could also opt for a more pastel color for the spring) and stick some flowers in them. You could then place these at the entry table or as centerpieces. A fun DIY youtube tutorial will be coming soon on this, I promise! Stay tuned, loveys :)

xx,

kell

How To Spice Up Your Bridal Shower

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Cake Topper

Mimosa Bar

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Bridal Showers are AWESOME for the couple. I mean, who wouldn’t love getting showered with gifts and hanging out with a bunch of fun ladies? Unfortunately for the guests, they can be a bit tedious at times. So how do you get your shower to stand out and be fun for everyone? Below are a few ideas to jazz things up a bit ;)

• A mimosa bar. Enough Said. How fun! 
• Lots of treats accompanied by a fun back drop
• Get a photo booth or set up a backdrop where guests can get their pictures taken
• It’s now becoming more and more common to have your future hubby at the shower as well. Take advantage of this and have questions created for the two of you to answer on the spot. I’ve seen it done where the couple will sit back to back in chair, and each have a prop to represent both themselves and their fiance. A question is asked such as “who made the first move” and they’ll have to answer the question by holding up the appropriate prop. (example shown above in the photos attached to this post)
• Have guests write advise for the soon to be newlyweds 
• Good party favors are a must. They don’t have to be expensive either. A mini bottle of champagne, or a mini spa package with nail polish and facial cream, etc. You can find lots of ideas for this via Pinterest

Until next time, folks! 

xx,

kell