Long Distance Love

I love it when my friends get married, but it makes me sad when I can't be there...hazard of the job I guess. SO, what's a girl to do? Make one of her best friends dress, I guess!

I have been friends with Angela since 1993 or 1994. We met when we worked at a music store together. Being the only two girls, we became fast friends.  She moved away, I moved away, but our friendship remained. She is just the type of person that you can just pick up where you left off.

Watching her through her dating "process" with this new guy named Bob was really interesting. This guy was different and she was different too. She was 100% truly happy! They found each other through Facebook, met on the weekends, which turned into a proposal and then a wedding...my favorite! When Angela asked me to be a bridesmaid, I of course said YES! But then the date changed and I already had a wedding I was planning for a client I adored. I tried to figure out a way that I could be there to share in their day, but it just didn't work out. I know one of my favorite parts of planning the wedding is dress shopping, but instead I got to go fabric shopping with her. I was honored to design and make Angela's wedding dress for her.

Angela and Bob share many many interests, but being environmentally conscience is a passion they share. I think it just comes second nature to her. After her wedding was over, she finally got to sit back and ponder the details...which turned out were very green choices.  Because of that, she had her wedding featured on www.greenbrideguide.com.

You can check out all of her "green" details at http://www.greenbrideguide.com/realgreenweddings/long-distance-love

Mr. and Mrs!

Birch Chic in Columbia

They work together, they play together and they planned this wedding together. I could go on and on why I loved working with Annie and Terry, but I think the photos will show why I loved them! Their wedding had so many moving parts, but it was all so effortless!

These beautiful out of town gift bags were filled with sweet treats from The Cup Cakery, locally made BBQ sauce, locally made trail mix and many other local favorites

Annie's beautiful bouquet from Artistry Florist 

Large birch covered vases topped with puffs of baby's breath lined the aisle

She's a little bit country, he's a little bit cool!

Together, they are perfect

The guests entered the tent where they picked up their escort cards made by Cheree Berry Paper. They were perched on a moss covered table sitting birch logs...did you notice the wood floor in the tent?

This birch wall was one of the most thought out details. A wall filled with photos of their favorite things

Menu by Cheree Berry Paper. She calls him Mister and he calls her Lady

I make their cake pedestal out of birch. Their forks were etched by M Haley Design and read "Mister" and the other "Sister"

Seriously, this tent was perfect! The tent was from Traube Tent Company, the flooring and decor by Exclusive Events, the flowers by Artistry...notice the 6' wide orchid balls hanging overhead?

The groom burned the table numbers on birch logs...loved them!

The invitation set by Cheree Berry Paper

They danced the night away to the Well Hungarians!

Treated the guests to hot chocolate and donut  holes on super cute custom made wooden stirrers

His love of The Simpsons...a late night snack

They had quite a few custom made chalk boards that gave information to the guests! Made by their friends and co-workers. They were stunning!

Their beautiful wedding took place in Columbia, MO...and all of the vendors were in St. Louis.  There was a lot of coordination to be done, but when you have a relaxed couple, you have relaxed vendors that really want to make their day perfect and it was PERFECT!

Design and Coordination/ Out of Town Gift Bags: Alred Wedding Consultants
Tent: Traube Tent
Tent Decor/ Lighting, Beautification/General Awesomeness: Exclusive Events
Flowers/ Perfection: Artistry Florist
Linens: BBj Linens
Ceremony: Missouri United Methodist Church
Reception: Old Hawthorne Country Club in Columbia, MO
Rehearsal Dinner responsible for Chicky Wicky Dinner (inside joke): Country Club of Missouri
All things paper and beauty: Cheree Berry Paper
Delicious Cake: Cakes with a Personal Touch by Edith Hall
Late night snacks: McDonalds
Person responsible for beautiful images and all photography: Koch Photography
Band responsible for all the sound complaints due to too much fun: Well Hungarians
Chairs and tables for all guests to sit and eat on: Premier Party Rentals

Preparing to Propose

All of us are not like Romeo, or want to be Romeo. Rather, we will hopefully find ourselves in a position where we are proposing marriage once, to the loves of our lives, and survive it! Everyone definitely wants to make that moment as memorable as can be. We hear countless stories of how he/she proposed, and while many are fantastic, there are many tragic proposals as well.

We tend to think the best proposals are the ones that truly strike a chord in the heart of both people. There is no secret way to accomplish this. It is simply about knowing each other and finding that one proposal that brings in all the elements of the relationship and becomes the perfect proposal for each individual couple.

Proposing for marriage is something we all dream of. Try to become creative and invent your own ways before proposing for marriage. It is a very special moment in a lifetime so never try to copy someone. Surprise her by your unique way of proposing for marriage.

Why Hire Alred Wedding Consultants?
First of all...we have been helping grooms propose since 2005! We have a lot of experience in helping Grooms get the YES they want!

You have to prepare your proposal according to him/her, and it can be very stressful. This is where AWC can make a difference. Let us take care of all the things you may need and services you would like to avail. We can help in a multitude of ways. From helping you choose the right engagement ring to arranging things on site at your proposal location to securing special requests at exclusive hotels, shows, concerts... We are committed to make every moment memorable when you are proposing for marriage to someone you love. There are so many things to do before proposing for marriage. That is why we exist. To help you plan and see your dream proposal come to life.

If you are ready to pop the question, give us a call!

Caroline and Etai

After Caroline met Etai at work, she knew he was the one...and they are such an amazing couple. Their love for each other is so evident in every little thing they do.when they came for their design consultation, I didn't know if we would ever get through it because they kept laughing at each

Caroline and Etai were so fun and didn't take things too serious...in fact, their groomsmen and bridesmaids danced their way down the custom aisle runner.

Beautiful cakes by Sugaree

Their goal was to make it casual, fun and special to their guests. The details were everywhere! The number 3 was special to the Father of the Bride so we created everything in 3's. The tables for the place cards, three centerpieces,and three display cakes.

These were the place cards and the specialty cocktail...SUPER CUTE!

The one thing (and there are lots!) that stood out to me was their generocity. Caroline and Etai had been on their own and didn't need anything so they decided to have their guests give to Childrens Hospital (where they met) in lieu of wedding gifts.

The end of the night special treat was one of my favorites... A waffles and ice cream station! Delicious!!!

Super Cute cocktail napkins from Two Blue Doors

Favors by Two Blue Doors

Table Decor...notice the three different centerpieces on the table

Here is a close up

The beautiful chuppa that Exclusive Events built

Two Blue Doors made these fun cards for the couple where people could leave their "Wit, Wisdom and Wishes"

Beautiful teardrop bouquet made by Artistry. The orchids were the same flower that her mother carried on her wedding day.

Each family brought their kiddish cups for the couple

Wedding Design and Coordination: Shelli Alred/ Alred Wedding Consultants

Venue: The Chase Park Plaza

Photographer: Steven Seebeck Photography

Florist: Artistry Florist

Linens: Cloth Connection

Lighting and Decor: Exclusive Events
Cakes: Sugaree Baking