Erin + Todd

Two great friends, Erin and Todd tied the knot last March. I have been working on getting this wedding just right for so long and am thrilled beyond belief to be sharing it. In honor of that, we MUST have a Freaky Friday Happenstance. So here it is... a wedding I have been drooling to post. Take a look at how Erin just allowed her spontaneous nature and ability to follow her instincts lead her to a fabulous wedding that THIS guest sure enjoyed. You'll love it too! Love ya Erin and Todd!

When and where was your wedding?
March 22, 2008-Our first anniversary is this weekend! Hotel Boulderado, Boulder, Colorado

Snow and pretty cover ups.... and the sweetest kiss.

Was there any reason for choosing that particular date or location?
We wanted to be near a major airport so it would be easier for our friends and family to get in. We also love the mountains and were hoping for snow on the wedding day (which we were lucky enough to get)! When we saw the Hotel Boulderado we had to have the wedding there. We love historic hotels and the Boulderado is absolutely beautiful.

How many guests were invited?
100

The Todd's sister steals all the lollipops for herself.

This closeup of Erin's bouquet is amazing.

That would you say was your inspiration for planning your wedding? For instance, was it the season of the year that guided your choice in décor, a grouping of colors, or a theme?
I took an eclectic approach to wedding planning. I knew that I wanted the bridesmaids to wear red dresses, because it would look good at the location and I love the contrast with the red and white. The bright color mix of flowers was fabulous and then I got inspired when I saw someone use lollipops as favors, so I decided to do lollipops as seat cards. After that I just ran with the candy theme for the jelly bean centerpieces. I couldn't have been happier with how things turned out.

Chocolate, Strawberries, Cake.... and "Cars" for Todd

If you had 1 (or 2) “redo’s” what would you use them on? (i.e. cake, décor, programs, etc.)
Nothing. Our wedding was perfect!

Inside the beautiful Hotel Boulderado

What were you most pleased with during your planning experience?
Everything just fell together perfectly. I only made three trips to Boulder and arranged everything in those three days. I never really had a big desire to plan all the details so it was nice that the hotel took care of the linens, catering, bar, and placement of flowers and centerpieces. Once we got there we dropped things off with the wedding coordinator at the hotel and we got to spend the rest of our time with friends and family, which is how it should be.
What advice do you have for a bride or groom to be?
Marriage is a partnership. There are good times and bad and it won't always be the intoxicating kind of love that brought you together in the first place. The lasting love and committment of sharing your life with one person is what marriage is about.

Meghan + Steven Part I

Here it is readers, my first feature wedding! I am so proud to have completed the first of these little gems and am posting my first one of Friday, the day that "Freaky Friday Happenstances" appear. I hope you enjoy the photos, details, and advice from the the Bride. Monday will have Part II of Meghan and Steven's big day.......

Meghan + Steven

We have 5 Groomsmen and 5 Ushers waiting here to get things started outside of Meridian Street United Methodist Church.

Meanwhile, inside, the gorgeous bride shares a moment with her young attendants.

The flower girl and ring bearer shyly walk down the aisle....


"The Best Moment Ever"



Blessings.... Newlyweds!

A few details from the program: The Bride was carrying the wedding basket of her late Grandmother, The Maid of Honor wore the wedding dress and locket of the Bride's late-great-grandmother, and the Flower Girl's dress and Ring Bearer's suit and pillow wer made by the Brides's Aunt.

1. When and where was your wedding?

July 15th, 2000 in Indianapolis, IN at the Meridian Street United Methodist Church. Reception was at the Columbia Club on the circle.

2. Was there any reason for choosing that particular date or location?

Hmmmmm, Well, Steve was graduating so we wanted it to be after his graduation, and we were also trying to coordinate it around family birthdays and other summer festivities. I think it's also when the church was available.

3. How many guests were invited?

Heck, I can't remember. Maybe 275?

4. What would you say was your inspiration for planning your wedding? For instance, was it the season of the year that guided your choice in décor, a grouping of colors, or a theme?

As for decorations, I think I knew what direction to go in once I had my dress. I also tried to coordinate everything with the look of the reception room, which was already very pretty. I also knew I wanted my sister to wear my great grandmother's wedding dress as her bridesmaid/maid of honor dress, so all of those things made everything else fall into place. Plus, I was obsessed with reading the Martha Stewart Wedding mags and knew all of the ideas I liked from those. We were engaged for over a year and a half so I had plenty of time to plan!

5. What was the best advice you received and implemented as the bride and groom to be?

The best advice I received, was from the pastor that married us. He told us to support your spouse, even when he/she has made a mistake. You should always love them and stand behind them. This was wonderful advice. We are all human and still need love and support and forgiveness, even more than ever, when we are wrong.

6. On that note, what was the worst advice?

Hmmmm, I think the worst advice was after the wedding, when one of our guests bitched about her table being moved so we could open up the dance floor. She said that was rude and tacky and we never should have done that. I mean, she was so pissed that she still won't speak to me or my family, even to this day. She was lucky she was invited.

7. If you had 1 (or 2) “redo’s” what would you use them on? (i.e. cake, décor, programs, etc.)

If I could have a smaller bridal party, I would have. I was young and naive and thought I had a billion best friends. If I had to do it all over, I would just have my sister as my maid of honor and no other bridesmaids. It's silly to "chose" your best friends and line them up. I don't talk to half of them much anymore anyway.

The other thing I would have redone is I would have made sure my luggage made it to our hotel room! No one ever delivered it, and I had no clothes, meds, toothbrush, etc. the night of my wedding or the morning after! I don't think my new hub minded the no clothes part, but I was cold! ;)

8. What were you most pleased with during your planning experience?

I think I was most pleased when the reception finally came and all the months of hard work had turned into a reality. There is nothing more special than having everyone you love, all in one place, and knowing they're there because they love you. It wasn't until that night that I thought all the work was worth it!

9. What advice do you have for a bride or groom to be?

1. Forgive. Forgive. Forgive.

2. There will be times in your marriage where you have to work at falling back in love. It takes work. You have to want it and it takes patience, sacrifice, and work. (It's all so worth it though. Nothing is more valuable than unconditional love. (and hot sex).)

3. Tell your spouse you love them at least once every single day.