Brandon and Jennifer Smith

Shady Wagon Farm offered a beautiful atmosphere for Jennifer and Brandon to share with their family and friends. As guests entered the ceremony they were given bright yellow parasols to shade themselves which added a little extra cheer to the already radiant ceremony. As the sun shined down on the two of them and their guests as they shared their love for one another and began their new life together as husband and wife.           

After the exchanging of vows the guests made their way to a cocktail hour in the barn while Jennifer and Brandon’s love was captured through photography by Images by Jess. They guests were allowed to sneak a peek at the Jennifer and Brandon's wedding cake during the cocktail hour while enjoying hors d'oeuvres, cocktails, and conversation. Brandon and Jennifer then made their way to the beautifully decorated barn where they were introduced for the first time as Mr. and Mrs. Smith.  Dramatic centerpieces from Expressions of Love Florist and rentals from CE Rentals made the rustic barn very chic!

After the first dance was complete the guests were welcome to start their wonderful meals provided by Catering Works which at the end of the night included a fun grilled fruit and ice cream station for the guests to enjoy. The bride and groom and their guests then continued with the fun evening dancing the night away to Top Notch Entertainment. And finished the night off with an exist through the bright yellow parasols that were given to guests at the ceremony to shade themselves.      

It was such an honor to be a part of Jennifer and Brandon's wedding since it was our second opportunity to work with this family and spend time with them. Shawn fell in love with Brandon and Jennifer when she originally met them at Jenn's sister's rehearsal dinner 4 years ago! 

Joie and Cody...Check this out!

What a fun couple in SO many ways!  There will be many...and I mean many photos to share from this wedding I have no idea how we will decide which ones to post.  This couple is a true example of "how we roll" at Your Special Day, Weddings and Special Events.  Weddings are not about the current trends or a theme, it is about the couple.  Joie and Cody so embraced the idea of making their wedding a reflection of them.



Joie and Cody thank you for allowing us to be a part of Your Special Day!  Enjoy the video....
http://vimeo.com/25075614

Kun and Lan

 

From looking at the pristine grounds at Barclay Villa on Sunday April 17th, one could not have guessed that tornadoes had ripped through our area just the day before.  Every inch of the gardens and grounds were immaculate and the sun shone on Lan Li and Kuan Huang for the day. 

Lan and Kun began their journey to this day seven years ago. They have seen each other through college, graduate school, new careers, and many MANY travels.  As they entered this next phase of their lives, they called upon us only a few short months prior to their wedding.  When we met in February, they had the venue and the date. Everything else was brought together in less than six weeks.  We fused various Chinese traditions with the couple’s style and American influence.  

From the ballroom entryway lined with their photographs, it was clear this day was meant to share their growing love through the years and to celebrate their promising future together.  Considering photography was so important to the couple, they hired Walters and Walters to fulfill this large task.  James Walters and his assistant were there for every moment.  He was able to capture at least one moment with the bride and groom per guest!  James is so skilled that his photography never disrupted or interfered with the great energy in the ballroom and on the dance floor thanks to Eighty-Seven Sounds and Entertainment.  Randall mixed American top hits with Chinese pop and the guests couldn’t get enough!  Rocky Top Hospitality added to the event by providing the bride and groom and their guests with a beautifully prepared meal. After a sparkler departure, the guests dissipated and allowed for Lan and Kuan to share intimate moments on the grounds.  Lan wore a traditional Cheongsam for her nighttime photos with her new husband.  

 

Ashley and Jordan

What a beautiful start to our 2011 wedding season. Ashley and Jordan were married at The Grand Marquise Ballroom, surrounding by their friends and family. I can honestly say that I enjoy elements of every event we produce but some will stay with us forever…this is one of those events. Ashley, Jordan and their family were a true blessing to work with, beautiful inside and out!

Our wonderful venue, florals by Expressions of Love and linens from CE Rentals provided the perfect décor for the wedding and reception.

Rocky Top Hospitality started with a popcorn station and passed sliders reflecting the couples love for sporting events followed by several other stations in the ballroom.  After dinner, the guests were tempted by cupcakes from Cinda’s Creative Cakes. Every morsel was wonderful! Simsound DJ and Lighting Services kept the dance floor alive while ShutterBooth NC entertained the guest when they needed a break.

My words do not adequately explain how precious this couple is…but Bridget, with Neil Boyd Photography captured the true essence of the day.

More special moments...

Allyson and Archie

Allyson and Archie were married at Barclay Villa in October surrounded by their loving friends and family.  Warren of Warren McCormack Photography captured not only the beauty of our couple but the emotions of the day.  We love how Warren presented the sneak peek of photos for this wedding.

With Archie stationed in London and Allyson joining him before the wedding, our couple relied on us to bring their vision to life.  Expressions of Love Florist, CE Rentals and Simpson Production served as our decor' team.   Ron K. Smith kept the dance floor full throughout the night, while ShutterBooth provided fun for those needing to give their dancing shoes a break!  Archie's highlight of the evening was the classic cake designed by Ambrosia's Cake Creations.  I understand the top layer has already been consumed.  He insisted Allyson bring it back to London after a visit to the States in November! 

Allyson and her girls began the day with hair and make-up, on-site, with Margo Williams, Belloviso.   

Take a minute to watch this video and enjoy Allyson and Archie's special day!

A Note of Thanks....

We just received this note from one of our previous brides. This is why we do what we do and love every minute!

"Hey Shawn,

Hope you are doing well. Mom had said that she mentioned to you that I have taken some interest in planning and directing weddings here in Hickory. I had my second one this past weekend and I love it!!!! I thought of you all weekend. I have a total different perspective on what you did for my wedding. Thank you so much!! YOU were a blessing!!! When you are on the other side (not the Bride caught in the moment) you realize what all it takes to have a successful wedding day!!! It has been a year and a half now since mine, and way too late, but Thank You!! Can't wait to get another myself!!

Thanks,Ashley Reynolds"

Check us out!

How exciting it is to be a contributor for one of our local publications. We hope you will take a moment to read our article in the December issue of Cary Magazine!

How to Host a Dinner Party

Contributed By Shawn Schindler, of Your Special Day Weddings and Special Events

Imagine the expressions on the faces of your friends and family as they enter your home and take in the surroundings that you have created especially for them. Your creation may be an elegant holiday dining affair or an eccentric coffeehouse-styled leisurely evening. You may be thinking, “I can’t pull something off like that!” With my tips, you will be able to create a memorable occasion.

Let’s start with eliminating the thought that entertaining in your home is going to require gross amounts of money, an abundance of decorations and countless hours. If you follow these helpful hints that I have gathered in my many years as an event planner, you will learn the ropes of home entertaining.

Be a Good Host

The first and foremost element to discuss is you, the host or hostess. You need to be able to enjoy your own event. You could be the executive producer of your production or the author of your own confusion. One key rule of thumb here is a stressed host or hostess will leave a lasting impression, and not the kind you are trying to make! Even a novice can be the executive by being organized, detailed and exact in executing the perfect production, no matter how small and intimate or grand and lavish.

Pick a Theme & Budget

To begin, you need to establish a theme, not in terms of a 40th birthday party or Super Bowl party, which are both fun atmospheres, but in establishing your style, color palette, food and drinks to serve and what budget you want to work with to complete your event. Everyone has a budget, regardless if it is $200 or $2,000. Remember, overspending will not impress your guests!

Set a Date & Invite

After you determine your theme, set a date in advance, allowing your invitations to arrive to your guests by mail … yes, the kind with a stamp! As is it convenient to send an Evite, an invitation received in the mail will set the personalized tone for your gathering and show that you have a sense of social etiquette that many have forgotten.

Decide Your Menu

The next and potentially most important element of your actual production is the food and drinks. This can be accomplished with your own talents or those of a professional chef, which is a huge trend right now. A personal and professional chef can simply deliver the food or prepare it on-site, serve it in your dishes and clean up while you enjoy your guests. If you have a few special dishes but need a more balanced menu, improvise and call a caterer for your needs or go to your local gourmet grocery store.

Choose Your Spirits

Now that you have your food taken care of, let’s think drinks. I highly recommend hiring a professional bartender if you are serving a variety of alcoholic beverages. Not only do professional bartenders serve your guests, but they have knowledge of a large array of beverage recipes. For the small investment of $25–$50 per hour, you are releasing yourself of some of the hosting responsibilities, allowing you to further enjoy your guests.

Set a Time Line

As a professional event planner, I cannot stress enough the importance of preparing a time line for the days leading up to your party as well as the day of. You need to make sure you schedule time for shopping, cleaning, food preparation, and don’t forget to allow a few minutes for relaxation prior to greeting your first guest. Remember what we discussed earlier: A stressed host or hostess will leave a lasting impression, and not the kind you are trying to make!

Conjure Up Your Decor

Theme, food, drinks, time lines — now the décor! This element is going to completely depend on your theme. Let your creativity kick in and showcase your style. Place your decorations as accents to your evening not to steal the show. Instead, let your moments with your guests create memories that make the show. If you need help with decor, there are plenty of professional decorators and florists who can help.

Go to Plan B

Lastly, if you still feel overwhelmed and you just want to test your hosting skills, consider having your event at a restaurant. There are many excellent places in our area that offer private dining facilities. You can add your personal touch with linens, florals and print stationery.

If you would love to create this special moment for your family and friends but don’t think you are up to the challenge, special event planners can design and execute your party on your behalf, and no one has to know. A planner can take you from start to finish or can even provide you with hourly consultations to get you moving in the right direction and build your confidence. Special event planners have the resources you need at their fingertips, which will save you time and money, bringing vendors that will reflect your particular style.


Shawn Schindler is owner of Your Special Day Weddings and Special Events in Raleigh. For more information, call (919) 662-7816 or visit www.makingyourdayspecial.com.