Crowning Celebration: Aly's Celebration

I couldn't think of a better way to spend Mother's Day weekend than planning a Make-A-Wish event alongside my mom for a little girl named Aly and her mom, Kara!

Aly has 1p36 Deletion Syndrome. She is 2 1/2 and for her Wish her mom wanted to have an event to Celebrate Aly and thank all the doctors, nurses, caretakers and family members who have contributed to her quality of life. Aly loves color - so that was our theme and we had fun with it! Since Aly cannot sit up on her own, she spends a lot of time in her mother's arms, looking up. So making the ceiling just as interesting
was important for our design.

Aly and Kara were brought by limo to Wildwood Ward Pavilion where we created a colorful celebration for their friends and family!  Here are some images from the event:

The day was magical! Not only did I get to spend it with my mom, but many other mother-daughter teams worked along side us to make this day happen! Thank you to mother-daughter teams Ellie & Tatum, Sonya & Sierra, Shelli & Sam, Wish-granter Kimberly, Make-a-Wish interns Emily & Chelsea, my Aunt Carol, my cousin Gabriel, my assistant, Anna, NDA intern Lizzy, Ali from Cherry Lane Cakes for her chalk artistry, Tom for his trusty ladders, friends Dara, Denise & Karen and Make-A-Wish Jr. Committee members Brian, Leslie, Sarah &  Jennifer ...
and of course my dad who bought lunch for all the hard-working volunteers!

Thank you to the follow donors:

Wildwood Metro Parks

The Pinnacle & Central Park West

Parkway Place
Premier Catering

Le Petit Gourmet

DeVaul's Frame Shop

The Costume Holiday Shop

ShutterLove Studio
Grand Lubell Photoboothlive

Crossing River Media

Meredith Party Rentals
Decorative Sound

Denver Wholesale Florist

Emery's Flowers

Cherry Lane Custom Cakes

Sugar Shack Specialty Sweets

Cake in a Cup

Tout Sweet

All For You

UpperCase Designs

She's Crafty

Fiddle Stix Boutique
Paint your Place
Aguirre Limousine Service
Vision Quest
Tom Schuster

and the many private donors!!!

To learn more about the Make-A-Wish Foundation or make a donation, please visit: http://www.makeawishohio.org/

To learn more about Aly's condition, visit: http://www.1p36dsa.org/

Crowning Inspiration: Long Table Runners

Long tables are one of the hottest trends in wedding design - and a favorite amongst my readers (as I can tell from the incredible page views from my last post on long tables!!!)

One of the greatest things I love about long tables is the ability to carry the eye from one end of the room to the other with centerpieces and also table runners. Check out these great table runners - don't they complete the look?!

Adding a table runner gives another dimension to your tablescape and also brings color and texture in an affordable way. Create groupings of centerpieces along the table and also add some candlelight for that romantic glow.

From a simple fabric, to one with a pattern or even objects (like the typewriter - so cute), moss, ribbons and dollies - your runner can be eye catching and complete the look with ease!

Crowning & Cunning: Appy Couple Wedding App

There are a lot of applications out there for weddings - but this one takes the cake and is an industry hot topic! Appy Couple is a unique mobile wedding app to help you share your wedding with family and friends! And no worries, even if your friends don't have the ability to use an app using a smart phone, they can still access this user friendly idea on a custom website.

Love all these designs to custom match your wedding colors and theme!

This app is available by invitation only - so get on the list now. It will allow you to give guests travel information and guides, send personal messages, pictures and virtual toasts. Share your story and the excitement of your special day whether you have 20 guests or 2000 - there is no extra costs as guests download the password protected app for free!

Crowning Inspiration: Simple Chic Centerpieces

Sometimes its the simple things in life that make us smile. Like that note your fiance or husband left you in the morning, that perfect find at a thrift store, or the first spring blooms on a warm sunny day. That is what I love about these simple centerpiece ideas. They are elegant, colorful, organic and easy to use at any event.

What I also love is various heights and shapes of the vases or containers. Some look recycled or vintage. But each is well-thought and perfectly placed. Simple containers like these make for fun finds: items around the house or in your neighborhood. Shop your cupboards, grandma's antiques or your local garage sales for treasures that are sure to please the eye and make for great conversation amongst your guests.

Crowning Inspiration: Cake Push Pops

We are swooning over this delicious idea and therefore we just have to share!

These little beauties are cake push pops! Oh the many miracles of cake - from cupcakes, cupcakes in a jar, cake pops and now cake push pops, these sweet treats are sure to make your guests smile! You can buy the supplies on Etsy and have your favorite cake baker add their signature cakes and fillings! Yum!!!

Crowning Inspiration: Covered Shoulders for Ceremonies

In yesterday's class that I teach at UT, we talked about the Orthodox and Jewish wedding ceremonies. I love the rich heritage and traditions that these ceremonies still hold strong to this day. One of the traditions includes modesty and covered shoulders. But not just modesty, covered shoulders can signify strength and the new role that women take in their marriage.

If you are considering covering your shoulders for your ceremony, check out these beauties I pinned on Pinterest. Most of the bolero jackets can be removed to show off your glowing skin for post-ceremony festivities and receptions.

Love how just a little jacket can add some variety to your wedding dress!

Crowning Celebration: Lisa & Andy

Lisa and Andy had a blast at their October wedding at The Carranor Hunt and Polo Club. Check out their fabulous celebration captured by Everlasting Images Photography!

Check out more images on our facebook page!

Credits:

Ceremony & Reception: The Carranor Hunt and Polo Club

Photography: Everlasting Images

Videography: Showcase Video Productions

Florals and Lighting: Keith H. Brooks Florist

Linens: I Do Chair Covers

Cake: Eston's Gourmet Creations

Dessert Table: Tout Sweet

Reception Music: 56Daze Band

Event Design & Coordination: Crowning Celebrations

Programs, signage, escort card display, favor cards & table numbers: Crowning Celebrations

Bridal Gown: Gallippo's Bridal

Tent: American Rent-All

Crowning Inspiration: Flower Crowns

There's a new trend in bridal that we can't help but adore! For all of you who fell in love with Kate Moss' wedding spread in Vogue, then you will love new look of the bridal crown using flowers and foliages.

Check out these beauties to inspire your wedding day look:

1. etsy
2. etsy
3. etsy
4. Preston Bailey Brides
5. etsy
6. etsy
7. oncewed.com
8. etsy
9. Lovely Lost Things
10. etsy