Me and A Wedding Veil....

Daphne & Andrew | Freedom Park, Aug 2011

2011-09-26T10:02:00.001-07:00

Blowing Wishes & Love

Sending much love to Daphne & Andrew who tied the knot last month in Freedom Park, Charlotte NC. This wedding showcased the love of friends, family and how the two can make pure MAGIC. I was so thrilled to be apart of this journey with them.... it was really Serendipitous!

A special shout out to:

Tirzah Photography

Classic Party Rentals

Polka Dot Bake Shop

Plate Perfect

When you just don't want the party to stop

2011-09-19T14:28:00.001-07:00

More couples these days are interested in having an after party for their reception. This is the time of the night where the children are put to bed and the rest of the guests can go out an celebrate your big day uptown style! Charlotte offers many wonderful locations perfect for any type of party.

One option is Strike City located in the Charlotte EpiCentre. Strike City is an upscale bowling alley that also offers dining, great drink specials, wonderful music and a party that goes on all night!

Another option you might consider is a popular club, Butter. Located in the Music Factory center, Butter offers a fun environment with “top 40” music and a crowd that is sure to keep you dancing.

The EpiCentre also houses two wonderful clubs, Suite and Whiskey River. Both are amazing environments. Suite is more of an upscale party, similar to Butter, but with its own glamorous style. Whiskey River, described as a unique blend of unpretentious charm, feel-good music and spontaneous atmosphere, is a wonderful place to go and let loose! They both provide a fun environment for all.

For more information about any EpiCentre attractions, visit www.epicentrenc.com, or for more information on attractions in the Music Factory visit www.ncmusicfactory.com.

Getting "Carrie'd" Away

2011-08-29T11:34:00.001-07:00

Finding time to have some fun with some of my favorite photographers - Brian & Melissa with Project: Life Photography - we wanted to show a different side of me and let the free-spirited person show through... this is what we ended up with:

This was so much fun... this photographer team is not only extremely talented but they are just sooooo sweet! Thanks to you both for hanging out with me on Saturday, sharing some pizza and basically just having a blast!!!

"Anthing you can do - I can do Better"

2011-08-17T10:57:00.001-07:00

Who says tuxedos are only for men? One new trend on the scene in Hollywood is women wearing tuxedo-inspired suits. True, tuxedos have in the past been considered the epitome of masculine dress but women are taking this outfit over! These newly designed tuxedos put a feminine twist on the average tux and look fabulous! If you are looking for a modern and unique touch to your wedding this could be an idea for you.

You could send your bridesmaids down the aisle in these uniquely designed suits; it offers a fun twist to your wedding and an outfit that can be tailored to fit every size and shape. Also, if the groom has a woman he would like to include in his entourage this could be an easy way to incorporate her into the mix!

Or if you like the tuxedo look, but want your bridesmaids in dresses, you could always try a tuxedo inspired dress. These can be formal or casual but always chic!

Make your wedding a day to remember! By incorporating some unique touches you will ensure that your special day is one your guests will continue to talk about.

Katy & Matt - "the perfect Mint"

2011-08-17T10:15:00.001-07:00

Katy & Matt, a fun loving, giddy in LOVE, non-traditional couple who tied the knot on July 23 at the Mint Museum on Randolph in Charlotte, NC. Every detail expressed the couple, from the celery dupioni linens to the standing daisy centerpieces - every element sparkled, as if basking in the celebration of this couple's big day.

Thanks to all the fabulous vendors who helped make their day shine!

Evergreen Photography

Classic Party Rentals

Cloth Connection

1 Catering

Ribald Farms

Split Second Sound

Mint Museum

Vintage is all the rage

2011-07-25T10:19:00.001-07:00

Vintage is in! If you’re more of an old school kind of person, why not incorporate that vibe into your wedding? The vintage style has a certain elegance to it that always looks fantastic at weddings! You can give off a classic vintage style with your colors, dresses, tuxedos, cakes and even flower arrangements.

As far as outfits go, there are all kinds of vintage style dresses and tuxedos to choose from. This style gives that glamorous feel to your wedding!

Vintage Wedding Dresses

Check off that “something borrowed” on your wedding to-do list. Using a vintage theme brings back a bit of glamour and romance only found in previous decades. It’s visually appealing and adds some classic style to your special day!

It's a "Paw'rific" Idea!

2011-07-02T11:30:00.001-07:00

When preparing for your big day you think about all of the people you want to be involved, but what about your pets? There are lots of ways to include your furry (or feathered) family members into your wedding!

One way to incorporate your pet is to make him/her a bridesmaid or groomsman! With dogs it is important to have someone designated to walk with them down the aisle and keep an eye open for any leg lifting. If your pet is a cat, bird, lizard, etc. you should also designate one of your other bridesmaids/groomsmen to hold them during the ceremony. This way someone will walk with them down the aisle and they will be right up front with you as you say your “I do’s.”

porate your pet in your wedding photos. If you are sending pictures along with your save the dates, invitations or thank you cards, your pets can bring a little fun into your photos!

You can also have your pet be the ring bearer. There are special pillows available that secure the rings and have straps that attach to your pet’s back. This would be easiest with dogs, but not impossible with other pets. If your pet is not able to walk down the aisle by itself, you could always have someone carry it down the aisle.

However you choose to incorporate furry friends, remember the most important rule when dealing with pets is practice makes perfect! Make sure to take the time to practice with your pets so you both can be prepared for the big day. Also, have a back-up plan just in case your pet gets too nervous to perform. You’re four-legged family members already have a special place in your heart so why not include them in your special day? You’ll be glad you did!

Cunningham-Hugger Wedding pure City Chic

2011-06-20T11:21:00.001-07:00

With New York City as the inspiration for a City Chic style soiree, it could only be something spectacular. Founders Hall in the middle of the the Charlotte City-scape was the foundation for a event that oozed style & class. Every element had a city feel that was light, airy and oh so New York City!

Many thanks to all the vendors who made this event possible!

Project: Life Photography

Wow Factor Cakes

Isabele's Corner

Split Second Sound

Classic Party Rentals

Ribald Farms

Founders Hall

Cloth Connection

Cloth Connection

Charlotte City Club - Samuelson Event

2011-06-20T10:35:00.001-07:00

Nothing better than a sassy event in the heart of the city - Bobby & McKinsey started their wedding weekend in style by hosting a rehearsal dinner at the stunning Charlotte City Club. The views alone are worth having an event - with the families coming together to celebrate the beginning of a new union the decor had to match the style and grace of both families!

The color pallet was a beautiful sharp green paired with black & white immediately set the tone for a sophisticated event. We pulled linens from Cloth Connection, flowers from Bouquet Floral Designs, stationary from Creative Blu, a stunning "StarTrek" cake crafted for us by Crumbs Couture & of course a delectable meal prepared by the Chrlotte City Club. Every element came together to create an evening that was pure magic - thanks to all the vendors for making this possible!

Finding the Perfect Match

2011-06-14T15:33:00.001-07:00

Bridesmaids. The term sometimes has a clichéd bad reputation. For example, Katherine Heigl’s character in the movie “27 Dresses,” was given some real doozies! However there are some simple tips you can follow to make sure you provide your bridesmaids with a beautiful dress that they can be proud to wear on your special day and after.

There’s always a planning stage. Make sure to sit down and figure out what kind of style you are going for. Think about how you want your bridesmaids to compliment your dress but not look like you have multiple brides heading down the aisle. Narrow the dress options by deciding if you are looking for a more formal or casual feel.

Remember one size does not fit all. Search for styles that compliment your bridesmaids individually. Using different dresses with the same color pallet is a wonderful way to ensure the dresses fit your bridesmaid’s body type while keeping the overall connectivity of your wedding. There are a few different ways to do this. You could stick with the same color and use different styles or you could do entirely different colors and styles that still stay within your overall theme.

Notice below, though all of the dresses are different styles they complement each other while providing the best shape for each body type.

Below, is a beautiful example from the movie Sex in the City, of how different colors and different gowns can also flow together as well as provide the best fit and color for each bridesmaid.

Make your bridesmaids fashion icons, not fashion victims. Remember to take some time to plan a style that would be best suited to your gown and overall theme. Also, pick dresses that compliment each body type to provide a well fit look that is sure to please your bridesmaids!

Coping with Crazy

2011-06-09T07:50:00.001-07:00

June for many of us in the "biz" is the crazy month - lots of weddings, rehearsals, and parties. For myself June has turned into the month of total chaos - which is why chaos and I arenow B.F.F's. I have learned to love the craziness of the June season, but it doesn't come without some serious moments of insanity. With back to back weddings in June of 2011, I have done a lot of crying with my brides - tears of joy mind you! I have done a lot of pulling my hair out and have located at least a gazillion more gray hairs ( thanks ladies!). I have also done a lot of laughing, dancing and celebrating. Even with all the drama, deadlines, tears, joy and yes chaos this is the most rewarding career anyone could hope for - So thank you to all my June Brides for kicking this season off right!

"B" is for Bling!

2011-05-31T08:32:00.001-07:00

There are many ways to add flare to your wedding look. The best way is through the accessories you choose. Accessories can add that extra bling, making your outfit so much more than just a dress. Accessories can also add a splash of color to your outfit; this is a great way to tie in your bridesmaid’s colors or the colors from your flowers and room décor. Here are a few suggestions of some great accessories!

Hair pins can be placed anywhere in your hair. Whether you choose to wear your hair down or style it in an up-do, hair pins are a wonderful accessory that can provide an extra little sparkle to your hair style.

Are you a barefoot bride? If your wedding is at a beach or lake location and you’re thinking about skipping out on the fancy shoes, there are some beautiful foot accessories you could wear in place of actual shoes. Below are some examples of foot accessories that can add some bling to your feet instead of going completely bare.

Another way to add some sparkle to your look is to wear a watch or bracelet that compliments your dress while making a “look at me” statement! This is also a wonderful way to incorporate color, style, and sparkle to your look.

Whatever your accessory choice, make sure it adds that “wow” factor to your outfit. Whether it be in your hair, on your foot or on your arm, incorporating bling to your look adds that same sparkle to your outfit that is sure to be gleaming from your eyes on your special day as you walk down that aisle to your happily ever after.

Adding FLAVOR to your groomsman

2011-05-22T12:08:00.001-07:00

Traditional weddings are quite beautiful, however that’s not always the style everyone wants. For those of you looking for a different look for your wedding, I have an idea for you! One way to add some flavor to your special day is to incorporate a funky look to your groomsmen’s attire that strays away from the normal black tuxedo and formal accessories. There are many different things to choose from depending on your personal style and the theme you desire for your wedding. Here are a few simple suggestions that are sure to get your creative juices flowing!

One idea is to pick a suit that gives a retro/vintage vibe. Below are some examples of some vintage tuxedos. These tuxedos provides a fun twist to the normal tux and are sure to give your wedding that unique feel!

If you want to skip the tuxedos altogether, you could go for a nice sweater vest. This is more of a casual look, so if you want a casual wedding this could be a great look for your groomsmen!

As far as accessories go, colorful bow ties are a great way to add flavor to your groomsmen’s attire. There are tons of funky designs to choose from, you could even do a different bow tie for each guy.

Sneakers can also provide a funky element to your groomsmen‘s attire. Converse sneakers by Chuck Taylor coordinate well with suits but also provide that unconventional style.

So if you’re the type of bride or groom that wants a funky twist to your wedding, I hope you found some of these suggestions inspiring. The most important thing to do when planning your special day is to stay true to yourself and your individual style. If you do that, you can’t go wrong!

"Green - It's The New White"

2011-05-14T11:39:00.001-07:00

The terms wedding and environmentally-friendly were not always synonymous concepts, but now there are many ways to show off how much you care for your loved one and your environment! By following some of these simple tips, you have the power to reduce your wedding’s carbon footprint.

There are many options today for using 100% recycled or tree-free papers for everything from the invitations to the thank you cards.

Enjoy the look and feel of real paper with tree-free papers made from alternate fibers!

When selecting venues, an outdoor wedding would be a great way to offer a naturally appealing and environmentally-friendly aspect to your wedding.

Outdoor venues reduce electricity use, as well as provide a beautiful natural look to your special day

Small changes like these can really make a difference in the carbon footprint your wedding leaves behind. So make your wedding stand out, go green while keeping that same beautiful, elegant feel!

Mothers Day for Real Moms

2011-05-13T14:08:00.001-07:00

Mothers Day is always special - looking forward to the little homemade gifts, breakfast in bed... just the little things. Well once children become tweens and then morf into young adults things get a little crazy, at least in my house.

This year I got the pleasure of making my own breakfast, lunch and dinner... as the hubby was actually sick and couldn't help out. The boys who are now 21, 18 and 17 aren't really into the warm and fuzzy stuff of yesteryear - if I get a slight nod I feel like I have really gotten something! Once dinner was ready I called the boys down and along came several of their friends who I have layed claim to at some point in my life since they are here everyday. We had dinner, then they brought out a fun little card and 3 pink carnations (that had been appropriated from one of their friends church) Its the thought that counts right?? The surprise of the night was a mint chocolate chip Baskin Robbins cake - had not had one of those in years!

As we always do, we cut up acted goofy and then my oldest and I decided that a few Komokosies would be the perfect end to a perfect day - after several of those I came up with another of my brilliant ideas and double dog dared two of my sons friends to eat a kitty snack - as we read the ingrediants and offered "it has real chicken" to the unsuspecting fellows - as they were getting ready to pop them in their mouth I added " you have to chew it up!" This was the highlight of the evening - I've never seen faces morf into unrecognizable versions of what they used to be. I rolled - cried and ended up with a side stich that was from another world !!

This is how we roll in my house - crazy, silly, fun types of LOVE!

Visual Impact One Table At A Time

2011-05-02T18:26:00.001-07:00

Color... we all love it but tend to be afraid to use it. Color is visually interesting and says to someone "Hey Look At Me!" When thinking about how to make the most visual impact at your event think about your linen choices - its a fast way to make a huge visual statement. There are so many linen choices out there, some with subtle detail, others with in your face bling and still others that offer a simple wash of color. The trick is knowing how and where to use it - choose strategic places to use really poppy colors, your cake table or sweetheart table are perfect choices for this. We have great vendors in the Charlotte NC and Southeast market - Cloth Connection, Classic Party Rentals and Connie Duglin are just a few of the vendors who can help you add color to your event.

Green Trends - Adding life to your party

2011-04-28T10:08:00.001-07:00

Green trends continue to be a hot topic - and with the Royal Wedding getting in on the idea its sure to be a even bigger trend in the coming years. Kate Middleton is adding live trees to the ceremony to give life to an otherwise hard, cold structure - by adding live trees she is changing the entire feel of the space and its environmentally friendly!

Try adding live trees to mark the aisleway or to outline your dance floor - even using smaller topiaries as centerpieces can add height and drama to any type of reception. Trees offer so many options - you can really dress them up or leave them totally natural and either way looks amazing.

Look for venues with live trees inside - these make for stunning photos; Some of Charlotte NC fun spots are Founders Hall and the Urban Garden - Byrons Southend has a wonderful patio space for cocktails with lush plants perfect for any setting. For a true garden experience try Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden to immerse your guests in the best that mother nature has to offer.

Take a cue from our newest celebrity bride, Kate Middleton and add some life to your next party!

Greenville SC - A Rare Find

2011-04-21T09:55:00.001-07:00

Field Trips aren't just for kids, this month our ISES group headed to Greenville SC to see what they had to offer.... I had never been so I wasn't sure what to expect. Let me tell you, I was blown away - really blown away! The historic main street has been touched with love and care and in shows not only in the types of businesses but also in the people you meet.

We hit several venues, spa's, hotels, art galleries and with the little I got to experience I will be pushing my clients to check out this city with vigor -

Head Over Heels

2011-04-02T12:51:00.001-07:00

Full Wedding Coordination
This package provides service from start to finish with complete
coordinating and organizing.

Wedding / Reception design & execution

5 face-to-face visits customized for your individual needs

Unlimited phone and e-mail consultations (normal business hours)

Assisting with selection and booking of ceremony and reception venues

Recommendation of vendors

Rehearsal coordination and instruction (2 hours)

Creating and distributing wedding day itinerary to wedding party and vendors

Final vendor confirmations

Full wedding day coordination for up to 8 hours

Wedding day emergency kit on hand

Assistance with distributing all bouquets, corsages, etc.

Lining up and cuing wedding party for processional

Making sure bridal party is ready for post ceremony photographs

Overseeing the setup of the ceremony and reception sites

Create and monitor budget

Cue vendors throughout the day

Distribute final payments and gratuities to vendors

Kicking up your heels....

2011-03-29T09:13:00.001-07:00

One of my favorite trends over the last few years has been the individuality of brides when choosing their foot wear for their big day. The satin dye-able shoes are finally taking a back seat and personal style is in total control.

For the gals who want that traditional look with her dress, her shoe choice gives the opportunity to show her personality with fun, trendy selections. If your favorite color is red but you could not incorporate it into your reception theme .. then your shoes are the perfect place to bring it in and say "Hey Look at Me - It's My Day, My Way".

So kick up those heels and check out some of the great shoe designers for fun & fabulous ideas! Here are just a few of my all time fav's....

Carlos by Carlos Santana

Non-traditional Venues

2011-03-15T13:27:00.001-07:00

The hottest trends is venue is non-traditional sites, the days of church halls and hotel banquet rooms are all in the past and brides are seeking out spaces that have more character and give them the freedom of decorating anyway they would like. For wedding planners it's been along time coming because the ability to utilize every inch of a venue is the best case scenario when trying to create completely unique designs for a client.

Some of the hottest venues in the Charlotte area are pulling out all the stops to attract new clients who will appreciate the fun vibe they offer.

Check out some of these great locations when making your venue choice!

Butter

Fillmore

Byrons Southend

CenterStage

Riedel - Wine Glasses Revieled

2011-03-04T17:51:00.001-08:00

On February 11th I was lucky enough to be the design element behind the Riedel Wine Tasting Event with Uncorked Wine. The event held at the Marriott Center City was the perfect location for mingling, education and fine spirits.... & the guests spirits were soaring when Maximilian Riedel hit the stage to begin educating on the pairings of wine and it's glassware.

The glassware is a work of art as was shown by Maximilian Riedel when he used a new decanter design to show off his handy work. The pieces are not only stunning but they serve as the perfect vessels to truly enjoy the aroma's and flavors of the wine.

Thanks to LunaZon Photography for coming out and taking these stunning photos & to Classic Party Rentals for the fabulous linens!

Shellac It Baby!

2011-03-03T17:41:00.001-08:00

There are not many things that grab my attention when it comes to nails, but during a recent dinner, some of my colleagues were raging about this new thing called Shellac - when they stated it would last for 14+ days I was like "hold it sister!" Did you say two weeks, as in 14 days of nail color that doesn't chip, crack or flake? This is too good to be true - I mean what took them so long right?

I had to try this out and today is day 14 and although I do have some growth showing my nails are still polished and look fantastic. I really put this stuff to the test with yard work, rearranging my prop room and several bubble baths - this stuff really does stick like glue.

For all of those ladies who are not quite a china doll - this is the perfect answer to that manicured look without the worry of ruining that fresh paint. It's totally worth checking out!

Don't "Shoot" the messenger

2011-02-03T09:54:00.001-08:00

Photography is second only to the actual nuptials in a wedding, every couple should put a lot of thought into who is going to capture the moments, memories and magic of their day.

The photos will be all that's left after the very last goodbye is given, so......

When making your decision consider several things:

Does the photographers work speak to you?

Can you imagine yourself in their photos?

Are you comfortable when you are with them?

If you can't imagine yourself in the photos than you probably won't like the actual you in their work either. You should be "in love" with the photographers images, be comfortable and relaxed when with them & most of all trust their opinions and experience.

It's your day so kick up those heels & say CHEESE!

Some of my favorites:

Kristin Vining Photography

Richard Israel Photography

Rachel Fesko Photography

Mike Clay Photography

Anna Naphtali Photography

Project: Life Photography

2011 WeddingWire Bride's Choice Award Winner

2011-01-26T10:52:00.001-08:00

Charlotte, NC January 26, 2011 - WeddingWire, the nation’s leading wedding technology company, is thrilled to announce Serendipity Weddings & Events, LLC has been selected to receive the prestigious annual WeddingWire Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2011 for Wedding Design / Consultant!

Recognition for the Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2011 is determined by recent reviews and extensive surveys from over 750,000 WeddingWire newlyweds. Our past clients are among those that shared their experiences on WeddingWire, the largest wedding review site in the nation.

Serendipity Weddings & Events, LLC stands among the top five percent of wedding professionals in the WeddingWire community, representing quality and service excellence within the wedding industry. Awards were given to the top wedding professionals across 20 service categories, from wedding venues to wedding photographers, and were based on the overall professional achievements throughout the past year.

“WeddingWire is honored to celebrate the success of the top-rated wedding professionals within the WeddingWire community,” said Timothy Chi, WeddingWire’s Chief Executive Officer. “With the annual Bride’s Choice Awards™ program, WeddingWire has the unique opportunity to recognize the best wedding professionals across the US and Canada. We applaud Serendipity Weddings & Events, LLC for their professionalism and dedication to enhancing the wedding planning experience last year.”

We are happy to announce that Serendipity Weddings & Events, LLC is among the very best Wedding Design / Consultant within the WeddingWire Network, which includes leading wedding planning sites WeddingWire, Martha Stewart Weddings, Project Wedding and Weddingbee. We would like to thank our past clients for nominating us to receive the Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2011.

For more information, please visit our WeddingWire Storefront today at http://www.weddingwire.com/vendor/VendorViewStoreFront?mode=edit&tab=profile.

For more information on the Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2011, please visit www.WeddingWire.com.

Tweet, Tweet - it's all in the birdcage, ya'll

2011-01-17T17:12:00.001-08:00

Birdcage veils have made a serious comeback, this sexy glam look is mixin it up with every style of gown and in both modern and relaxed styles of weddings.

There are so many options with this style, traditional with a touch of attitude. Try this style with colored netting, flowers, feathers or just glam it up with crystals. There is no wrong way to rock this style, if you want to make a statement then get inside a birdcage veil.

Clear Trends

2011-01-06T17:22:00.001-08:00

One of the hottest trends for 2011 is the Louis Ghost Chair by Philippe Starck. Similar to the idea in the childrens book "The Emperors New Clothes", the premise is that less is more. This line is showing up in all the most trendy bridal magazines as the newest must have at your reception. The simplicity of the line is that it goes with anything - no more worrying about how colors are going to work together because this chair allows the linens and table decor to truly take center stage.

Your choices are not limited to chairs & tabes, this trend is showing up as cake stands, vases and of course the clear tent. If your having trouble mixing and matching your colors try adding the Louis Ghost Chair - its clearly stunning!

Spotlight - Bonterra Dining & Wine Room

2010-12-29T13:57:00.001-08:00

I had the pleasure of dining at Bonterra last night - if your looking for atmoshere then look no further. Bonterra is located in Southend on Cleveland Ave and is housed in an renovated church. Everything about this space is charming - it really has the feel of one of the great dining gems in Charleston, which I adore.

The meal was equisite - and the wine selection was mind blowing for all those wine lovers!

This venue also will host dinner parties, rehearsal dinners, and small weddings, with the location being right outside of downtown Charlotte you are still close enough for the city vibe but far enough away to avoid the hassle of the traffic & parking.

This is a must go to for Charlotte!

Favorite Things

2010-12-20T08:44:00.001-08:00

The fun of the holidays is getting to indulge in some of your favorite things, some are old traditions and some are brand new but all of them add the magic that makes Christmas so special.

Baking Christmas cookies has been in my family for over 70 years - we all still use my great grandmothers recipe and we all have a love-hate relationship with the hours of rolling, cutting, baking and icing the cookies. What drives me to do it year after year is that my children and I do it together, so its truly a family tradition. I used to love to watch the boys choose their icing color and then create masterpieces with the cookies. I'm sure more icing ended up on them then on the cookies but it was so fun watching them try to get the green icing on the cookie trees - priceless!

One of our new favorite things is playing Guitar Hero - we have rock smack downs that last for hours or until one of us concedes to the other. Now that my boys are older this has taken the place of Christmas cartoons - its a fun way to have family time on their terms. I LOVE this game and hope to keep it around for years to come.

Everyone loves holiday parties and spending time with friends and family - this is one of my all time favs. It reminds me of the Christmas bashes my grandparents threw when I was a little girl. Music, laughter and spirits were abound every year and it made me appreciate the joy of having the people you enjoy most around you.

Here are a few more of my favorite things; Christmas lights, holiday music, watching little children see Santa, Christmas cards and seeing my children try to guess what is in every gift under the tree.

Serendipity wishes each of you a Holiday season full of your favorite things!

Yummy in Your Tummy

2010-12-04T10:50:00.001-08:00

Recently visited the Sunflower Baking Company in Charlotte - WOW what a great surprise! The space is so inviting and the food was pure Southern comfort. This is going to be my new favorite meeting spot - everything looks fabulous and tastes better than it looks. They also make wedding cakes, I have had the pleasure of tasting these goodies and they are worth checking out.

Another awesome thing is that they are a family owned business - so get out there and support!

Thankful for....

2010-11-29T10:53:00.001-08:00

With the holiday season upon us, It's important to think about and ackowledge all the blessings each of us have been given. My list grows, but here are just a few of the things that I have been blessed with this year:

I have been blessed beyond belief this year with new friends - the people I have met have each touched my life in ways they would never know. The saying about making a difference in someone else's life rings true - those differences come in every size and come every day. I hope I have been able to touch others in the same way - I strive to make that commitment to my friends every day.

I have a wonderful family - we look out for one another and when the chips are down I know I can count on them every time, I have to acknowledge just how fortunate I am to have that in my life.

My children give me hope and inspiration every minute of every day - they are the greatest gift I have ever been given. I'm amazed daily by the things they do and am so thankful that we are close - I really don't know where my life would be without them.

My husband drives me nuts, but I wouldn't trade him for a million Brad Pitt's. He keeps me centered, picks me up when I can't take another step and is my greatest fan. He makes my heart sing and I'm so grateful to have him in my life.

My business - Although I have had some rough days, I am so thankful to be living my dream. How many can say they set a course and had the opportunity to see it through. I have to thank God for giving me the creativity and ability to dream big - every accomplishment has been done through his hands.

What I have is more than I ever could have hoped for, thanks to my family & friends - realizing my dreams means nothing without each of you!

Suma & Sujit September 4, 2010

2010-11-29T10:24:00.001-08:00

When tradition meets contemporary style the end result is a fusion that is unforgettable!

The challenge of this event was staying true to the Hindu traditions while allowing the couples contemporary styles to shine through.

What we ended up with was a ceremony that was steeped in traditional Hindu decor & values with subtle hints of the personality of the couple. The Groom, Sujit was the Wow factor and the Bride, Suma was the Glitz – those two elements mixed with the traditional made an impact statement that was clearly their style.

We chose rich colors in turquoise, burgundy, pumpkin, gold and raspberry – these colors were inspired by the bride’s favorite bird the peacock. We used the peacock as our inspiration as we designed the floral pieces, menus, butler cards, wishing cards & table markers – this majestic bird stood tall in a large entry way design by Ribald Farms. As the guests entered the ceremony they were swept away to India, the room was transformed by a beautiful Gold Mandap, deities, music and traditional dress.

This feel was continued in the lunch and dinner menus with an eclectic mix of choices for the guests. The food was incredible and gave you such a sense of the Indian culture; your mouth was literally alive with flavor.

The receptions Wow factor featured to large X tables that were situated in the middle of the room, they gently surrounded the couple’s sweetheart table and allowed the immediate family to be included in the rest of the evening’s festivities. To incorporate the glitz we added crystal beading to the center pieces, butler card station and in the curtain behind the Split Second Sound table. The rich colors of burgundy and pumpkin provided by Classic Party set the tone for the entire evening. The wedding cake by Nona’s Sweets was one of the true highlights, the cake was a simple butter-cream icing with an intricate peacock pattern that flowed down the cake – the design mimicked the henna design on Suma’s hands.

One of our favorite elements was Sujit’s lounge that was done in a wash of turquoise blue lights and included a water fountain in the middle of the room. The soothing sounds of the water and cool colors were such a transition from the party going on in the other room.

A special thanks to all the vendors who made this day possible:

Classic Party Rentals (chairs, linens, tables)

Marriott Center City (venue)

Nona’s Sweets (cake)

Ribald Farms (florals)

Split Second Sound (DJ, lighting)

Extravaganza (pipe & drape, lighting)

Kristin Vining (photographer)

Jason Vittorio (videographer)

Lille Designs (custom stationery)

Woodlands (lunch caterer)

Bombay Grill (dinner caterer)

Samantha Smith (makeup artist)

Meredith Hoke (hair design)

Usha (mandap rentals)

We Cut Cakes (cake cutting)

Suma & Sujit allowed me to share a special moment in their lives, their wedding will always be one of those once in a lifetime events that you never forget – Thank you

New Orleans Style Soiree

2010-11-09T09:42:00.001-08:00

Donise & Brian

July 31, 2010

Sass, Style and Sophistication were the ingredients for this event. The personalities of this couple were larger than life and that feeling swept throughout the entire evening.

[caption id="attachment_245" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Donise & Brian"][/caption]

The Magnolia Room in Rock Hill, SC hosted this grand event, the space is gorgeous empty but when we added the crisp color pallet of navy, corn flower blue and silver the room was transformed to a New Orleans style soiree.

[caption id="attachment_218" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Ceremony set up"][/caption]

Both ceremony and reception were hosted at the Magnolia Room which required an intricate flip of the space. The silver chivari chairs provided by Classic Party Rentals served double duty and gave a glamorous feel to the event.

[caption id="attachment_219" align="aligncenter" width="199" caption="Magnolia Room"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_234" align="aligncenter" width="199" caption="French Tulips"][/caption]

Each table was marked with a New Orleans street which was a fun flare we added to give a nod to the bride’s roots. The décor of square glass pieces with alternating shades of blue where captivating with the floating candles, each table had just the right amount of sparkle to make the guests feel that they were in the center of a party. The energy stayed strong all night with laughing, dancing and a true celebration of this wonderful couple. This wedding was full of wow moments but one of my favorites is when the group started dancing and waiving white napkins to “second line” – when the group hoisted the groom into the air you just knew it was going to be a great night.

[caption id="attachment_237" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Centerpieces"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_227" align="aligncenter" width="199" caption="Table scape"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_221" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Second Line"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_223" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Cheesecake Etc."][/caption]

A very entertaining bartender who had the moves of Tom Cruise in Cocktail delighted the guests with his acrobatic moves with the liquor bottles. Cheesecake Etc. provided a beautiful cake with the bling that matched the bride’s flair for life; the flavors were a perfect pairing.

[caption id="attachment_228" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Donise & Brian"][/caption]

A special thanks to all the vendors who made this day possible:

Classic Party Rentals (Tables, Chairs, Linens)

Cheesecake Etc

Todd Bailey (bartender)

A Place For Flowers (flowers & centerpieces)

Ribald Farms (ferns)

Magnolia Room

Mike Clay (photographer / videographer)

DJ Brian (music)

Extravaganza (props)

We Cut Cakes

One of the best thing abut being a wedding designer is meeting new people, its even better when you make new friends. Thanks to Donise and Brian for letting me share this day with them.. Much Love

Suma & Sujit September 4, 2010

2010-10-25T13:37:00.001-07:00

Paper, Patterns, Personality.... Oh My!

2010-10-18T08:19:00.001-07:00

Stationery with vibrant colors and patterns are an easy way of infusing your personality into a wedding design. I often start the design process with the “Save The Date” card – it’s the preview to the entire event and gives the couple a chance to express their style on paper. If geometric patterns & lines are your style then use it throughout the wedding, it can be a fun punch of color when used in unexpected places.

During a recent visit to Salutations in Charlotte I found so many fun ideas and the style options are endless, from contemporary to preppy, if you can dream it you can have it.

Paper is one of the easiest ways to express yourself, don’t be afraid to experiment with color, design, patterns and creative ways to use old favorites.

Everyday Inspiration

2010-10-10T09:23:00.001-07:00

Inspiration comes when you least expect it…

Some of the best days are stumbling into a great shop like West Elm and being surrounded by creativity that inspires you.

A recent visit to West Elm laid way to some great new items from David Stark’s new line. David is a renowned event designer who has the ability to turn everyday items into show pieces. The simplicity and possibilities of his paper flowers immediately hit me as a new favorite. I adore the idea of matching stationery designs throughout an event and this is another creative way to do just that. Flowers are just the beginning; this idea can be translated into just about anything wedding.

For DIY brides this is a fantastic project for family and friends to help with – let your imagination lead the way!

This is also a great “Green” idea for those brides who are looking for eco-friendly ideas for their wedding centerpieces or favors – reusing old books and newspapers breathes new life into an otherwise throw away item.

Some of my favorites are paper machete topiaries, garlands, save the dates, table markers, butler cards… the potential is endless, so get ready for some pre-school style fun!

Another fabulous item that I was drawn to was the grouping of hanging chandeliers – of course in the true style of West Elm these were not your ordinary chandeliers. Each of these wonderful designs was crafted from cardboard or ply board. What is so interesting about this idea is the ability to transform them into a truly customized piece of art. You can look for this fun idea at an upcoming SW&E event.

Introducing ... The Princess and the Planner

2010-10-06T12:44:00.001-07:00

Serendipity: (n.) discovering valuable or desirable things accidentally or unexpectedly.

What Serendipity means to me — discovering the desire to design fabulous events for my clients and in that discovery I found my purpose — which is serendipitous!

I made the decision 15 months ago to leave corporate America (and my human resources background) to follow my dream of owning my own business and Serendipity Wedding & Events was born from of my need to create, design and socialize.

When I started developing my branding and logo, I knew I wanted fun lively colors that would reflect my quirky personality. So, I chose pink and green, two of my favorite colors that seemed to just scream out at me. My struggle was how I needed to use them. I saw a business card with polka dots that made me think of a party on paper and ultimately led to choosing polka dots with pink and green. The polka dots were just plain fun, but after my first year of business, I started to feel like I needed to have a more mature vibe to attract a variety of clients. After speaking with Ray Parrish at Cuberis (who is amazingly talented, beyond patient and helpful and a creative genius) I found that I was very reluctant to change from the polka dots. He suggested they go, I wanted them to stay. I had already launched a successful ad campaign in Charlotte and I felt like people recognized the company name with the dots. I felt like the dots were my Spiderman suit, and we completely bonded.

As Ray began to walk me through the steps of a logo and website re-design (and suggesting I move past the polka dots) I started to struggle with trying to figure out a way to keep my precious polka-dots but create a new logo and design. (I even consulted with event industry leaders (what can I say? I tend to have a hard head) and they agreed with Ray.) While working on creating a custom place setting and event tags for a June bride I found and fell in love with a craft paper design. I finally connected with something as much as I had the polka dots and this design became the backdrop for a whole new look for Serendipity Weddings & Events! My design team at Cuberis came up with a logo that embodied exactly what I was envisioning – the new site felt sexy, sultry & sophisticated with a Southern twist — what obviously equaled Serendipity Weddings & Events in my mind and I was thrilled!

Now that my new branding and website re-design are complete I can focus on growing and developing Serendipity Weddings & Events into a sought after design firm in North and South Carolina … and beyond.

Like any entrepreneur and business owner I have a lot invested in this venture. Not only am I trying to create a successful and sustainable business for myself and my clients, but also a family venture. I have my three sons help me and participate in events to learn about work ethics and the details and skills of event design on a regular basis.

[caption id="attachment_153" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="My son Chad, who's 17, helping with table and place settings at a recent wedding reception."][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_154" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="My other son, Ryan who's 18, helping to hang lanterns for one of my events."][/caption]

This blog "The Princess and the Planner" is where I’ll be sharing inspiration, ideas, photos from my events as well as personal stories and events that happen in my everyday life to give you a behind the scenes look at my design and creative abilities, professional and family life and a taste of my personality.

I hope you’ll continue reading and feel free to always leave comments, ask questions or share ideas!

Enjoy,

Carrie

News, Travel & Updates

2010-09-23T15:45:00.000-07:00

Over the last several months Serendipity Weddings & Events has gone through a dramatic change - it was a change that was like morphing from one thing into another. As anyone will see with the feel of our new website, we have matured and found ourselves... its an exciting time with new services, new ideas and a renewed enthusiasm for this crazy business. Be sure to check out the new site at www.lovethatserendipity.com, you can follow us on twitter and facebook as well as sign up for our mailing list that will include quarterly newsletters and periodic Serendipity Specials for those new bride-to-be's.

I have recently returned from Arizona (officially the brownest, driest, hottest state in the US). I went to see my baby brother & family.. had such a great time. My niece and nephew kept me rolling and a continued thankfulness that my children are all but grown. His kids are 6 & 4 and full of energy & sass. The highlight of the trip (well there are 2) is when my 4 year old niece beat me at CandyLand and proceeded to say "Loser" to me with a sheepish smile. The next event happened when she dropped her baby doll shoe and demanded that I get up and pick it up for her - she didn't realize that I was equally as stubborn, so when I refused she began throwing a good ol Southern (Scarlet version) fit. I said your going to go to your room if you don't stop that, and she turned and looked at me and politely told me that I was not in charge... yes she is only 4, I sure feel for all the boyfriends in the upcoming years. It would be best for the boys if they just checked their pride at the door, they won't be needing it when dating this little spitfire.

Shockingly I have no exciting news to report about my own family, all the boys are actually doing pretty good right now - which is a little un-nerving but hopefully this nice respite will continue through the fall.

2010-05-04T18:22:00.000-07:00

Here we are again and what stories I have to share. As anyone can see my weeks are normally crammed with clients, weddings, family - and of course my quirky sense of humor.

I would like to start with the sticker shock I received when the oral surgeon told me how much this next little adventure with my son was going to cost; I think given the choice he would have the shiny new car - no joke, this is going to be costly. I have learned to just grin and accept it for what it is - a brief moment in time that only shapes events that I allow it to shape. Once I picked up my jaw from the floor my son and I sashayed out of the office and moved on with our day. I love the word sashayed - just sounds like a fun Southern word.

I have had a guest in my home for the last week - my mother who drove in from Texas (and after being in the car with her while driving it's a wonder she ever made it to SC) As always we chatted it up and caught up on all the details of our lives - always so much to share, the small details are what makes ones life and those are the things that get lost in email and phone calls. I have to say that I shared my blog with her and I enjoyed so mush her laughter as she read through my rendition of my life.

For the very first time she and I decided to take a "mother - daughter" trip together - a new adventure begins... so off we go to Ashville to visit the Biltmore Estate ( I have never been even though I have been in SC for 19 years) WOW is all I can say about the Biltmore - hard to imagine anyone living like that, heck the chamber maids had better accommodations than I did as a child. I found out during this trip that my mother has absolutely no sense of direction - none, not even a hint of directional intelligence. She has a Tom Tom but this still did not assist us from making at least 5 turn arounds on our way back to the hotel. I kept waiting on Tom Tom to go into physco mode.. luckily we did not have any twilight zone episodes. We made it to our hotel and then proceeded to talk until well after midnight... it was allot like a pajama party. We had the best time - I can't wait for another little adventure where I get to know my mom for the amazing women she is.

What my mother lacks in directional ability she make up for in ingenuity - while visiting we created a wonderful storage unit that is going to make my life much simpler.. we had a little contest on who was going to finish their portion first - I actually claimed ownership of that price, but truth be known she beat me hands down. Oh well - I guess I can't win at everything.

I have also been challenged this week with clients -- seems that anything that could have gone wrong has decided to do so all in one week. Thankfully all has been resolved but for a moment there I was checking for convenient exit routes. Dealing with clients during one of the most emotional times of their lives utilizes my degree in HR management... its never easy but the key is working together for the best possible end result.

On the heels of my busy week and a extremely busy upcoming wedding season I have also decided to tackle taking my boys to the Biltmore ( hope they have solid hazard insurance ) This should be a very interesting trip and should be ripe for wonderful stories should I survive the weekend. I like challenges or maybe its that I enjoy total chaos... time will tell I guess. One of three things will happen during this trip, you will find me on a milk carton as missing, I will be on America's most wanted or I will survive with more life lessons.. stay tuned.

Another pleasure was meeting my oldest sons girlfriend - sweet girl but I'm still trying to figure her out. First accepting that your child is old enough to be in a relationship also means accepting that you are getting older - not my favorite pastime. Once you move past that you find yourself more often than not looking in a mirror as you examine the newest member of the club - yes that means that your children tend to find mates that in some way emulate their parents; don't ask me why since we all know our parents were at one time the dumbest humans on the planet. I'm not sure where I am on the evolutionary ladder right now, I think somewhere between dirt and rice fields - will have to check on that and get back to everyone.

On the wedding front the two June weddings coming up are poised to be pure perfection - I am currently finalizing all the little details that will make these stand out as true Serendipity occasions. Can't wait to post those photos (once I figure out how to do that ) ;)

Talk Soon

2010-04-20T11:56:00.000-07:00

Where to begin when you are 4 + weeks behind in "blogging" Over the last 5 weeks I have been through every gamete of emotion, from the highest high to the lowest low.

When I last left off I was preparing for a romantic getaway with my husband to the wonderful island of Jamaica.. lets start here since this is the romance part. After having to seek help from my state representative to get my passport (apparently I resemble a terrorist) we were finally Jamaica bound. Flight leaves at 8:30 - I'm not a morning person so I have no idea what I was thinking... 6:30 we arrive at the airport, always fun, no parking - no shuttle in sight and it was really cold. Ok so we make it into the airport, check our bags and then head to the security check... honestly I did not pay a lot of attention to the new rules and regulations which is why every alarm in the place went off when I tried to come through will all my hair products in 1 gallon zip-lock bags, who has a 3oz bottle of hair products?? As the security guy is yanking my $80 bucks worth of hair stuff and telling me he is trashing them ( I don't think so buddy ) his female sidekick shows mercy and allows us to check another bag so I don't have to loose my styling products - thank you God, she was obviously my fairy hair angel.

So we have diverted one major issue, now off to find our gate..... boarding begins, things are looking up until motor mouth guy is seating behind us. Hello MMG its 8:00 am - and no-one cares to hear about your night, your life or anything else. Obviously it was to early for my wonder-twin powers to be working - just our luck that Mr. MMG was a self professed expert on everything from french fries to women - keep dreaming! I could not get my IPod loud enough to drown him out, I guess this is pay-back for holding everyone up in the security line to save my hair products.

Touch down in Jamaica - every minute was fab.. no complaints. The bartender at our pool made me a Jason-special every morning, I have no idea what was in it but it certainly put a little skip in my step. The weather, room, meals and company were perfect.

I learned my lesson, so all my hair products were packed up nice and neat in our checked baggage. I am feeling fairly confident until I choose the one line where small scissors are a capital offence.. yes once again my bags were riffled through to identify a small pair of ball nosed scissors.. this lady had no concept of powdered makeup (bare minerals) as she shook, turned upside down and examined my extensive collection of such items - unbelievable!

We arrive home on Sunday, tanned and tired.. you would have thought the excitement would have ended and being home would initiate the same old boring day to day stuff... not in my world. On Wednesday, I get a call from the local PD to let me know they have my son and he would be having a little sleep over..... WHAT ??!!?? How did he go from Young Life to locked up abroad in less than 2 hours - this will be an on-going saga and let me just say that after 24 hours I did retrieve my son. I will have to complete this story once we have gone through the "process" with our wonderful judicial system. Stay posted on this one

Ok now we move to the next week, where I get to undergo a fun filled day in the hospital having surgery. I had a nurse from hell, who obviously didn't do so hot in her clinical's - my hand was black and blue from the IV nightmare. Thank goodness for verset - that was the saving grace. I survived and am now recovering from hand surgery.. the recovery has been harder than I expected. Not having the use of your right hand really sucks!

I have learned to write and type pretty good with my left hand but it sure has put a kink in my style. It never fails that when your unable to do something is when you want to do it the most.. for instance I want to re-paint my room and I have not mastered the art of painting with your non-dominant hand. Such is life

My Wedding season is kicking into full gear and I have so much to do - this is the fun part of my life but it can still be stressful. I am currently on a US search for jeweled boxes for wedding favors, trying to nail down details with several venues and come up with cost cutting ideas to keep the overall design theme on a dime.

My June posts will feature two weddings with unique and fun ideas to celebrate family, friends and marriage. I've got two totally different personalities in these brides and the celebrations will be fun, creative and most importantly memorable for everyone. Bringing these two weddings to life is going to be a challenge but one I am totally up for....

Thankfully I have met some wonderful people in the industry who are true finds, they make the tough days bearable.

Talk Soon

2010-03-04T06:37:00.000-08:00

Another Thursday and what a week it has been. This week has been a real blend of family and business. First surprise of the week is that I have to have surgery on my hand - that was my Monday... then on Tuesday I find out that my youngest son needs surgery for an ongoing issue with his hand... no wait there is more... then on Wednesday I'm informed that my youngest also needs to have oral surgery - no joke this has been my week. On the business side I'm juggling 5 brides and their needs, vendors, venues and the task of coming up with something unique for each bride. Really that seems trivial in comparison to the family issues this week. Since I've been told things come in three's, I'm hoping that I am done with the medical surprises for 2010.

Although this has been an emotional week and has again humbled me to the forces that work beyond my control it also gave me more determination than ever to forge forward. Owning your own business is all about who wants it the most - and I'm just hard headed enough to want to fight this fight. This is the hardest rewarding job I have ever tackled and that includes motherhood.

This brings me to life lesson #(I lost count) Two weeks ago while taking some glassware to my "wedding room" I noticed my sons door was closed, he had asked me the night before if his girlfriend could come over after school - sure no problem, I work from home - no worries, right? I thought to myself, I'm going to make sure his bed was made and that he didn't have clothes on his floor - I go to open the door and its locked ( my first thought was that he had accidental locked the door when he closed it ) At that very moment I had that sinking feeling or "momdar" - I had seen his book bag downstairs - UH OH! So I knocked, no reply - I knocked again, no reply, then I called his name ---- finally he said yes? I said what are you doing - why is your door locked? He replied I am sleeping, I said are you ok - unlock the door........ at just about that very moment that sweet little toddler who's photo sits next to my bed in his Easter Sunday suit flashes before me when I realize what is happening. I can hear whispering - and as I was being pulled into the Twilight Zone the door opens and well surely I don't have to spell it out for anyone. I was freaking out inside but totally composed on the outside as I asked him to come downstairs with me for a moment.

You might be wondering what in the world this has to do with Wedding Planning - composure is the answer - holding it all together in the face of unimaginable horrors (ok, I'm exaggerating a little) ... holding it all together no matter the circumstance is a huge part of being a planner / designer, you never know what or when something is going to happen - you just have to be ready.

Talk Soon!

2010-02-25T08:30:00.000-08:00

So from Monday my life has gone in a million directions - have you ever thought about the hundreds of emotions you can go through in a day - no I'm not talking about a Sybil issue where you have as many personalities as there are stars in the sky..

I can't count February 24th as one of my most brilliant of days - you know those days where nothing fits together the way you want it to or you question the simplest of ideas - that was me yesterday. Thankfully I am aware of who I am and where I am at any given point... today is a different day, I'm back on top of things and what seemed liked a climb up Mt. Everest yesterday is nothing more than a slight incline today.

What is the difference today? Several thing, the first being that the sun is actually out and there is no rain, the second is that my eldest son Britian is home for spring break from college. I have a very close relationship with my son - he and I compliment and balance one another. May seem strange to some, but I think it has a lot to do with my young age when I became a mother. Of course there were tough times but the fact is that having teenagers at this point in my life keeps my soul young. I'm exposed to new music, thoughts, concepts, fashions and designs just by being in this place in my life. This helps me really tap into my clients lives, I can relate and understand so many of their struggles because we mimic them in my family.

So today I will begin a new design concept for a June bride - I've got a million ideas so step one is to narrow my focus and come up with a simple design thread that we will carry through the entire wedding... here we go!

The Concept

2010-02-22T08:43:00.000-08:00

While watching Julie & Julia a few weekends ago, I had one of those "A HA" moments.. I have been struggling with creating a blog that was just a reflection of my business. Having another blog that had links to some site with nice bridesmaids gifts seems a little redundant considering there are thousands of those out there, I wanted to be different than the others, I wanted my readers to know me and how my experiences have shaped who I am and what I do.

Life is all about moments, each moment defines who we are & how we see the world.. this blog is about my life moments.....

So here it goes, "Me and a Wedding Veil".. and just in case it didn't jump out immediately the title is a play on the saying Me in a nut-shell.

I don't believe I need to start with "I am born" but I will give a brief history of my humble beginnings. I started my life as the first born to an Army family in 1968 - Ft. Hood Texas is where I made my first appearance. We moved around a lot - so I can't claim deep roots until I was much older. One of my favorite landing spots was San Diego CA - I have great memories there and some of the free spirited culture stuck with me. I do have a younger sister and brother - quite a few years between us so I claim to be an only child up until age 7 - not a bad thing because I developed a keen imagination and found a love for music, dance and art. I was able to express myself best through one of these forms.

Fast forward to age 10 - we are back in Texas for good, settling in Waco on my Great Grandmothers farm. At the time it didn't seem like such a wonderful thing, lots of chores and working the garden - I can say now that looking back those were some of my favorite childhood experiences. This is where I gained a true appreciation for nature; spring wild flowers in Texas are an experience that not even Monet could capture.
I didn't grow up with a silver spoon maybe not even a stainless steel spoon.. but I had a sense of self and that is worth millions.

I'm going to spend just a moment on my parental grandparents - they showed me how to love, how to live and how to do them both without regret. I've lost them both now, but they never leave my mind or heart - they gave me the courage to dream and the strength to believe in myself. Their marriage is a testament to love and the reason I am so passionate about wedding planning.. selfishly it gives me the opportunity to be apart of someone elses love moments, and it takes me back to some of the happiest times of my life.

Fast forward again to age 20 - after a few wild years in the 80's, I found myself with child and married to a Army specialist in San Antonio Tx. By age 21 I was a mother and a wife - my first son, Britain was a brand new experience and a lot different than my baby dolls. I was afraid of everything - for those of you who are not yet mothers you will get this soon enough and for those of you who are, you will totally get this. Day 1 with baby - bath time; seems simple enough until you get this tiny helpless baby in the water and realize that he is 100% dependant on you - that is a real eye opening experience. I got through bath time but had to call mom for the dressing stage - who knew babies arms and legs could bend like stretch Armstrong - I was certain I was going to break something but I was assured that babies where much tougher than they appeared.
When Britian turned 3 months we were off to Watertown NY - being a southerner - I just assumed that New York was what we saw on TV, great shopping, food, and lots to do - reality check came when there were more dairy farms than shopping malls. So here we were, young new parents in a brand new world. The first obstacle was accepting that they don't have sweet tea up north - they give you sugar packets with cold tea so you get to suck up sugar granules with your straw (not quite the same thing). We managed to survive the north in one piece and ended up in South Carolina - Britian is now 2 and I am pregnant with our second child.
This was a difficult pregnancy, which should have been my first clue that Ryan would always be a handful. To my surprise 3 months after Ryan's birth I was pregnant again with our son, Chad. I can tell you now that nothing prepares you for unexpected moments like finding out you are with child, 3 months after having a child. I can't think of anything that could be more shocking than that - I think I spent the majority of that pregnancy in a fog.

So lets recap - I'm now 25 years old, married, living in South Carolina with 3 children.

From there I had lots of normal mommy moments, like Britian hiding his hard boiled Easter eggs in the house - always nice to find things like that hidden in a toy box weeks after the holiday. Then there are those moments where you have a child who can scream louder than the car radio can play, and better yet the wonderful hide a seek moments when your children decide to play the quiet game while under clothing racks in the middle of a Wal Mart.

Now if you haven't caught on - each one of these funny, sad, maddening moments prepared me for wedding planning - you don't really know chaos until you have 3 children under the age of 5. There is not a class in the world that can give you that kind of insight and ability to stay calm when your facing a cat 4 storm.

As I move forward and add to this blog I am going to continue to recount stories of my life and how they relate to Serendipity - I hope you enjoy them and find them as precious as I do.

Talk Soon!