Jen and Ashok

Did you ever meet with a client and know that it was just meant to be?  When we met with Jen and Ashok, we instantly clicked. They hired me on the spot and it was smooth sailing from that point on.  As per our process, I asked them to fill out our lengthy questionnaire. I started looking through it and I noticed that his parents address was in a small town in Southern Illinois very close to where I grew up. Upon further investigation, not only was it the right town, it was the family that lived next door to my husband grandparents! What are the odds?  The grooms father called me (possibly the nicest man ever) and asked if I was the granddaughter of the great "mole killer"  I had to laugh. If you knew my husbands grandma you would understand...She is about 4'11", white hair and super cute.  

This bride and groom during this entire process really wanted to make sure that all of their vendors were comfortable. They were quick decision makers, very kind and really trusted their vendors (which is key to a fun wedding). They wanted to hire vendors that worked well with each other, vendors that would ensure that everything was perfect for them and vendors that wanted to have fun planning during the process.  After many laughs, here is the end product. 

Please enjoy the blog posting by the very talented ladies of L Photographie, Kate and Kristie!

Jen and Ashok

I wanted to give a special thanks to all of the vendors that worked very hard on this wedding.

Exclusive Events: Not only created our vision, but added their special touches, creative eye and made all three events spectacular!

Artistry Florist: The flowers OMG! Were amazing!

The Chase: For the amazing food and letting us invade your property for days!

L Photographie: You created some of the most beautiful photographs ever!  It was like reliving the day

M Haley Design: Your invites, day of stationery and favors were amazing as usual! I also think you made a new friend ;)

The Cakery: Amazing in not only looks! I think I ate two pieces (and that doesn't happen very often)

The Chase Salon and Spa: You really made Jen feel relaxed and look beautiful!

Weddings are always a 100% team work effort and this one was no exception. I have said it before and I will say it again, all of our amazing vendors in St. Louis make wedding consultants like me look really good!

Wedding Website Love!

Social media is a wonderful thing. I just came across these super cute wedding websites at http://www.weddingjojo.com/ You can create your own custom domain and publish all of your wedding details!

So every year since I have had kids, I literally am still making costumes the night of Halloween (since it so inconveniently falls right in the height of wedding season). As a clothing and textiles major, I find it really hard for me to go buy store bought costumes. I have to admit, I have done it but I have always added a twist to it.  Since I have a girl and a boy, I also really want to make them a dynamic due. One year my daughter was Little Red Ridinghood and my son was The Big Bad Wolf.

He looks dangerous with a binky and a bib, right?

Since my daughter has turned into a "girly girl" the only thing she wants to be is some sort of Princess...so I bit the bullet and bought a costume. My son on the other hand it still to little to put up a fight so it was either Prince Charming or a pirate...the pirate won!

I came across this Halloween costume from Misha Lulu Blog and thought it was brilliant! http://www.mishalulu.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Alice-4.jpg

Let us know what you are going to dress up as or better yet, show us your photos.

Adorable coat

I love a good tailored coat!

What is Your Body Type and What Style of Dress Should You Buy

What body type are you? Its a question none of us want to face, but one that can really change the way we look at our whole lives. Knowing and understanding your body type can affect what you go shopping for for everyday clothes, but how does that translate when you are buying a wedding dress? We come in many shapes and sizes but I am just going to talk about four general categories: Apple, Pear, and Hourglass, Rectangle. Let’s look at a definition of each:

Rectangle: Torso and upper body are the same width as your hips – little waist definition

Apple: Torso and upper body wider than your hips – with little or no waist definition. You might have weight surrounding your waist. Tummy area is a big concern for you.

Pear: Torso and upper body smaller than your hips with waist definition. Hips and thighs tend to be the area of concern for you.

Hourglass: Torso and hips are approximately the same width – with waist definition. (I am definitely hourglass!)

If that doesn't help...take a look at this great image I found on citizensofbeauty.com

Which category do you fit?


I can’t tell you which category you fit in, that is some research you will have to do on your own. But one of the most reliable ways to discover this is by taking your body measurements using a cloth tape measure. Measure at your bust, natural waist and hips, then compare those numbers with the definitions below.

Apple: Bust and natural waist measurements are greater than that of your hips. Example: 36in x 36in x 30in

Pear: Your bust and natural waist measurements are close to the same number but are far less than your hip measurement. Example: 28in x 28in x 40in

Hourglass: Your bust and hip measurements are almost equal to each other and your waist is much less. Example: 36in x 24in x 36in

Rectangle: All measurements will be within approximately 3 inches of each other. Example: 32in x 31in x32in

You may think "why does it matter" but the more familiar you are with your body, you will know what looks good and fits well versus what you want to look good that doesn't.

With these tips from Real Simple, I hope this guide will make dress shopping easier:

If you are a Pear Shape:

Look for: A skirt that gradually flares out in an A formation from the natural waist to the floor, highlighting the narrowness of the midsection and floating away from the hips and thighs. (Sturdier fabrics, such as duchesse satin and taffeta, are especially effective, since they won't cling.) A spaghetti-strap bodice or a V neckline will also showcase a more slender upper body.



Keep in mind: A classic A-line silhouette lends itself to formal weddings, but it can also be dressed down when made from a more casual fabric, like eyelet lace or raw-silk shantung.

If You're Busty

Look for: A dress with a scooped neckline. It will open up your face and display your décolletage without showing too much cleavage. If you love the look of strapless gowns, choose one that has a slight dip along the neckline, like a sweetheart, rather than a style that goes straight across (which will make your bust appear even larger and more shelflike).



Keep in mind: Fabric on the bodice that has a sheen to it (such as organza, satin, or silk) will add volume and call attention to your chest. Material that are gathered will have the same effect.

If You’re Plus-Sized

Look for an Empire dress with a skirt that begins just under the bust and flows into a gradual floor-length A-line. Make sure the empire seam does not start on the chest and that there is no pleating of the fabric, which is reminiscent of maternity wear. In my personal opinion, I think curves are beautiful…embrace them! I love this style of dress hugs the body. The dress should play up the curves. If it too loose it will add pounds

Keep in mind: Find fabrics like satin that provide structure, rather than anything too flowy. If you love the romantic look of airier fabrics, choose a gown with a stiffer base, then add an embroidered tulle overlay.

If You’re Apple-Shaped

Look for: A dress that cinches in at the smallest point on the waistline, then flares out into a gradual A shape. Opt for a bodice with a lot of texture to it―think ruche or lace detailing―that will camouflage and fit snugly, creating a corsetlike effect. The most slenderizing neckline for you is one with a deep V, which will draw eyes toward the vertical, not the horizontal.

Keep in mind: Avoid trumpet dress styles, which emphasize the area where your body is widest and flare out at the legs and the knees, where you are most slender.

If You're Tall

Look for: A simple silhouette. The strategy is to emphasize your natural shape, so every aspect of the dress―the lower waistline, a floor-sweeping hem―needs to reflect your longer proportions. If you're wearing long sleeves, they should go past the wrist. You don't want to look as if you've borrowed a gown from someone shorter than you.


Keep in mind: Because you are statuesque, you'll want to err on the side of simplicity when it comes to embellishments. Too many bells and whistles, like ruffles and rosettes, can come off as cutesy, particularly on a tall person.


If You're Petite

Look for: Trumpet, sheath, and modified A-line gowns. Find a style with a waistline above your natural waist, to make the lower half of the dress (and therefore you) appear longer. The fabric is up to you―you can pull off a high sheen. But the detailing should be small (no huge bows) and limited to the bodice, to draw the eye upward.

Keep in mind: Be wary of dresses with a dropped waist, which will make your legs seem nonexistent, and ball gowns―it's easy to get lost in that voluminous skirt. Also, avoid anything calf-length, which will make your legs look short.

If the salon will allow it, take a photo of yourself in the dress so you can see how you look in photographs.

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