From Weddings and Beyond!

We love catching up with our past brides, so Aaryn was thrilled to get to help design a baby shower for one of our brides turned mommy-to-be! Check out the photos and remember to contact us if you have any questions regarding our Special Event Design and Planning packages!

This bride loves tea, so the shower was held at a coffee house. Since she won't be finding out the sex of the baby, we kept it gender neutral in browns and greens. The favors were clear boxes filled with tea bags, tag reading "Baby is brewing!". Favors and Diaper Cake made by Alred Wedding Consultants, Cake by Dierbergs, Invites by Pear Tree Greetings.

Julie and Matt

Have you ever met a couple and just think "they are in love". Well, Julie and Matt are them! Julie came to us with the idea of getting married in December but didn't want an overly "Christmas" wedding. After having them fill out our questionnaire, we came up with a theme for her of polka dots. We kept the holiday season in mind and incorporated reds but with gold and browns so that her guests didn't think holiday when they walked in. The tall vases were filled with cranberries topped with red roses and carnations (the most under appreciated flower ever!). The linens from BBj were perfect and served as our inspiration. We took the linen to our stationer, M Haley Design, and she made invitations, programs and place setting cards with the same design. We really enjoyed working with Julie and Matt and hope they are enjoying the cold Chicago weather!

Ceremony: First United Methodist Church St. Charles

Reception: Foundry Art Centre (http://www.foundryartcentre.org/)

Florist: Artistry Florist (www.artistryflorist.com)

Photographer: L'Photographie (http://www.lphotographie.com/)

Linens: BBj Linens (http://www.bbjlinen.com/)

Lighting/ Decor: Exclusive Events (http://www.exclusiveeventsinc.com/)

Band: Galaxy Band (http://www.galaxyband.com/)

Transportation: Best Transportation (http://www.besttransportation.com/)

Courtney and Eric

This wedding was beyond a blast to plan. Courtney and Eric had Platinum coverage and then some! They had a very specific design in mind...none of which we could actually get in St. Louis (very easily) so we had to put a lot of elbow grease into this wedding.

Linens: Had to special order,

Food: Had to have staff from the catering company to send in people of California to help (everything was passed tapas style)

Music: Had a club DJ spin records

Dress: I designed and made it for her!

Invites/ Stationary: Was all hand stamped by M Haley Design

Flowers: Courtney and Eric had to spray paint all of their containers to get them just how they wanted them and Luluthia Floral Design did a awesome job of making their sleek look come to life

Photography: Greg Lappin had to design an new style of album for the couple that only wanted it to look like a magazine

Reception/ Ceremony Site: Perfection! Contemporary Art Museum

Holly and Matt Platinum Wedding

Holly and Matt were married this past summer. Here are a list of the wonderful vedors that we worked with.

Ceremony: Cathedral Basilica

Reception: Chase Park Plaza

Photographer: L'Photographie

Flowers: Luluthia Floral Design

Invites/ Stationary: M Haley Design

Linens: Weck Events

Hair/ Make-up: Chase Spa and Salon

Dress: Saks

Head Table

The best part about planning your wedding is that is allows you to incorporate your style and personality into all aspects of the design. One of the apects to consider when designing your reception is your head table. There are many ways to display your style and creativity-- starting with the shape of your head table!

There are many shapes for a head table to choose from. From the traditional head table with the wedding party seated on one side to a sweet heart table which allows the husband and wife to share their meal alone. You can raise your head table for a better view of your guests or be seated in the center of all-- the possibilities are endless. So why settle for similarity when you can set your head table apart from the others?

Try a "Captain's Table", which is a rectagular table with the wedding party seated on both sides. That way you and your groom can comfortably share a meal and conversation with your wedding party. It's different and claims distinction.

Don't know what to do for a favor? Take a look around your house. Little ideas such as magnets on a refigorator can be transformed into a fun favor for your guests to enjoy. Magnetic poetry is a creative gift that allows your guests to excersie their own creativity!

Check out this artichoke napkin! It adds a little pizazz to your table and the raised look provides more demension to your look. This style also allows numeours options-- such as a flower in the center to hold the place card (as seen in picture) or by placing tea lights within each fold to brighten this arrangement!

Not a bow or shash person? Try a rosette on the back of your chairs! It's simple, yet elegant. Classy and creative! This style attracts the eye and ties your headtable look all togther (no pun intended).

Whatever style you choose for your head table be sure that it reflects you and your personality!

To view more photos from this photoshoot get the latest issue of St. Louis Bride Magazine.

Photos: L'Photographie (www.lphotographie.com)

All paper goods and favors: M Haley Design (www.mhaleydesign.com)

Linens: BBJ Linen (www.bbjlinen.com)

And the Louie goes to...

ALRED WEDDING CONSULTANTS!!!!! We are so excited to announce that Alred Wedding Consultants is the winner for not 1 but 2 Louie Awards! We are the very honored and proud winners for Best Wedding Budget Under $200 per person and Best Wedding Budget $200 and Over. We were nominated along with several other St. Louis talented wedding consultants in the St. Louis ISES Chapter. We have been an ISES member since 2004 and have won the Best Wedding Budget Under $200 per person category for the past 4 years. Thank you to all the vendors that worked so hard with us to make the weddings Louie perfect!

Moulin Bridal Event, February 27, 2009