Fab Blog

A picture tells a story.  A picture is worth 1000 words… or WHATever all those quotes say.  A good photojournalist takes a bunch of pictures of a wedding day to tell a story of the day, the couple, the families…  But it’s easy to omit some of that story because it just doesn’t really fit into the calm, pretty story of the day that we want to tell.  Take this picture, for example:  Me, my parents, random pieces of chiffon that are not supposed to be affixed to a lattice thing… you can’t hear me barking orders or cursing when I dropped pins or stuck myself.

photo credit to Noah Wolf… my butt in ill fitting trousers, circa May 2009.

When people ask me “What was the craziest thing that EVER happened at a wedding?” I always site the madness that happened surrounding their ceremony! Rebecca and Harrison’s traditional Jewish ceremony required they be married under a Chuppah.  On the way to dropping the supplies off at the Harriett Rose Gardens, one of the very important structure creating poles of the Chuppah bounced OUT of the back of the groom’s truck and was nowhere to be found.  I got the frantic phone call at 10am.  Sunday.  Of Memorial Weekend.  It was a mad dash to call anyone and every possible rental company I could think of.  Most were closed and only had emergency numbers and the ones that answered took the time to go to the warehouse only to find they were OUT of Chuppahs.  COME ON!  Finally, I was able to get in touch with Apres Party Rentals and they SAVED THE DAY by leaving his boat outing on Prior Lake to bring us a lattice structure to construct along with the chiffon material meant for much different poles.  As I wasn’t expecting to need help because the reception room had been set the night before/the morning off, I had to call in the trusty backups… My parents.

The picture below is the chokehold of happiness Rebecca put me in when she first got to the park to see the Chuppah put together…

After that was built and we prepared for the start of the ceremony, about 8 minutes (yes, I checked) before the ceremony, Harrison realized he had left the glass behind for the breaking of that glass at the end of the ceremony.  My trusty 5’1″ (I say 5’0″ – I think her hair adds that extra inch) emergency Chuppah building sidekick/Mother FLEW into Uptown where my mother tore out of the truck with 1″ tall hair flapping like wings from the sides of her face in the wind and into Figlios (may it rest in peace)  to have the oh-so-kind people give us a glass and napkin and wish us well in our wedding endeavors.  If there is anything I wish I ever had a picture of, it would be my tiny little mother flying out of the SUV before I had even come to a complete stop… arms and legs going like a cartoon as she flung herself out and ran towards Figlios’ front doors.  Oh good Lord I die laughing just remembering it.

These pictures will remain a couple of my favorites of all time… Nothing can totally capture the insanity of that morning/afternoon, but these pictures capture those three particular moments:

- a single act from the multitudes shown to me in my life of how I know my parents love me andwill  do anything for me

- knowing that the couple/the bride/ the groom/ the families are happy (and it’s a word much that encases so much more than just ‘happy’)  is what gives meaning and worth to the entire reason I sweat and run and bruise myself to get things done for them.  it’s a sick and over the top version of customer service, but it’s their wedding day.

- when you think you’re being kicked when you’re down,  learn to just kick back and just figure it out.

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This is me, having a life outside of work.  The last few years have been crazy and I didn’t think I could afford the time or energy to take time out in my life.  I have decided everything has to change.  I can’t do my work well if I’m burning the candle at both ends and I’ll never be able to really use my creativity, my energy, or my love to it’s fullest potential if I’m constantly maxed out.  This year will be the busiest summer the company has seen and yet my calendar has some great things carved out for me.

May has been a crazy month.  We got our first 4 weddings of the season out of the way and I spent a weekend in New York City celebrating my dear friend, Dana, and her single-hood before she is married in September.

And this memorial weekend was spent on a family trip to Chicago to see my future sister-in-law graduate from medical school.  There are so many new adventures ahead for them!

Now it’s back to work, but I’m feeling refreshed and inspired.  Marriages are all about making families.  Whether it’s a family of just the two of you or a family of 6 (like mine), it’s a new family.  I think there is no better way to be inspired to work hard for my couples and their families than to spend time with my family (and my friends that make up my extended family) and get back to what it’s all about.

Happy Memorial Day.  Thank you to those that served our country so that I can enjoy the luxuries that come along with my freedom.  I am eternally grateful for your hearts and sacrifice.

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I screamed pretty loud when my brother called to tell me he was engaged!  He had to tell me over the phone since he and the soon-to-be Mrs. reside in Chicago.  I asked if they’d be willing to share their engagement story and this is what Lance had to say about it… (photos by Gina Zeidler during our family session):

I guess it would have to start that weekend in August when the ‘rents were in town. Sarah was at a volunteer function so Mom, Dad, and I were finding things to pass the time. We decided to stroll up the street to check out the vintage shop. On our way to the shop the subject of my future plans came up and I said something along the lines of “Well I’ve been meaning to talk about that.”  Mom told me about her grandmother’s ring, what it meant to her, and who has worn it. When their visit was coming to an end, Mom gave me the ring and told me that we had hers and Dad’s blessing.

The next thing I felt I had to do was to get the Ok from the hopefully soon to be father-in-law.  Sarah and I were wrapping up what seemed like a marathon of friends weddings and getting asked when it would be our turn. The final wedding we attended that year was in Minnesota, and we had planned to meet Sarah’s folks for breakfast that Sunday before we began our drive back to Chicago. It turned out that the breakfast crew was Sarah, her father, myself, and her youngest sister, who would be late due to her keys locking themselves in her car.  Sarah didn’t leave the table until we were leaving the café, then leaving her father, her sister, and I standing outside. I decided to capitalize on the opportunity.

“Real quick before Sarah gets back. Are you going to let me marry your daughter, Jack?” was the question I posed. Having blindsided Jack I had to repeat the question, a particularly hard task whilst attempting to comprehend the gravity of such an inquiry. Jack tried to ask a question or two, but Sarah had rejoined the group. We said our goodbyes and headed for home.  The next day I got a call from Jack. He stated that someday he knew some fellow would ask for his daughter’s hand, but the exchange that took place the previous day was not how he pictured it. He then shared some kind words and gave me the go ahead.

So with ring and blessing in tow I was a little closer, but still no exact plan. I had given Sarah tickets to the Lion King for her birthday, and decided to her ask her that night. Figuring that dinner and a show would provide a good foundation for what could be a life changing evening.   The day finally came and we decided to go on an adventure before heading to dinner. We had heard of an apple pie festival happening in the area and decided to go check it out. Upon arrival we found that we were a day early. We settled for a beer at the Map Room, a nearby tavern, instead then decided to head towards the restaurant for dinner. Rose Angelies had been the setting for a previous romantic dinner, so we decide to return. We even had the same waiter as our prior visit. Enjoying our food and wine took longer than expected, thus foiling my idea to ask on our way to the show. We arrived at our seats just at the end of the first scene and enjoyed the rest of the show.

I didn’t want to ask amongst a sea of fleeing theater goers so decided to hold off on our way to the next stop, but was determined to end the night engaged. With the night still young we decided to grab a drink. While sipping our cocktails we struck up a conversation with the couple next to us. I remember them asking us if we were married, and my response being “not yet”. That being my standard response Sarah didn’t think anything of it. We soon paid our tab, and Sarah was ready to head home.

With little time and a few missed opportunities, I said now or never. Walking back to the car, I noticed we had the entire block to ourselves and began to tell Sarah that I love her. I stopped her under the “L” and presented Sarah with the ring and asked her if she would be my wife. Her initial response was “Wait, What?” Not having fathomed a response other than yes, I pulled the ring out of the box and placed it on her finger and asked “Will you marry me?” This time I got an affirmative answer, an embrace, and a few kisses.

Hand in hand we continued working our way towards the car as the reality began to catch up with us. Outside the parking garage a street peddler, in fact the only other person around, commented on how good we looked together. We then did what anyone else would do. We hurried to the grocery store to get some champagne before off-sale ended.

With that… I get a new sister!  Lance and Sarah have yet to pick their wedding date, but will soon be making lots of decisions.  This pretty lady is incredibly smart too!  She was matched with her #1 pick for her residency and they’ll be moving to Michigan in July.  Our whole family is excited for what is in store for them and I truly, sincerely, and whole-heartedly believe there couldn’t be a better match for Lance.  Love you both!

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I’m bumping the mid.week Pretty for Style Me Pretty!

If you’re a wedding blog stalker, you’ve stalked (and/or drooled over) Style Me Pretty… It’s one of the best wedding blogs out there as they feature incredibly gorgeous weddings and styled shoots from all over the world.  And so… I am SO excited to share that a wedding I designed is featured on Style Me Pretty today!   Run over there to see Amma + Drew’s modern and Ghanaian infused wedding, which was fantastically photographed by Ling Photography. while I try to collect myself.

(side note:  Amma was a breath-taking bride.  even one of the waitstaff at their reception stopped dead in his tracks when he saw her!)

Photo by Ling Photography

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photo:  TheKnot.com

I was delighted and honored to be asked to be included in the “Just Between Us” section of the fall/winter issues of the Minnesota Knot Magazine.  When you pick up your copy, peruse to page 28 where you’ll find an ‘ask the experts’ page filled with helpful information about planning your wedding in Minnesota.  I’m quoted about booking venues early and what to include in out-of-town gift bags for guests while other very talented Minnesota planners from Ambiente and Event Couture are quoted about how to give weddings Minnesota flair and transportation ideas.

Don’t forget to find fab.you.lous event design (and many of my other vendor friends) in the Best of Weddings 2010 section in the magazine too.  Come on… I get to give it one more plug, right?!

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