Lucky Girl Weddings

About a month ago I sent a quick note to friends and family stating that although the wedding business is my passion real life still happens and I was in need of some additional income.  Thanks a lot economy!!!  Low and behold I was contacted by a friend and fellow wedding planner Aletha Vandermaas of Pearls Events. 

Aletha is a first class wedding planner and is very well know in West Michigan and all over the nation.  She is an excellent blogger and marketer which really propelled her business into the powerhouse that it is today.  Not many internet savy brides-to-be in West Michigan haven’t heard of Aletha or Pearls Events.  Need I say more?!

Aletha, being a smart business woman, preferred that I work for her rather than give her business away.  I was thrilled!  How can you say no to an opportunity to work with one of the best!  To make a long story short I have been hired by Pearls Events on a contract basis for the 2010 season. 

Q & A for my current and potential clients:

Q: What is going to happen to Lucky Girl Weddings?

A: Nothing! It’s not going anywhere…I will continue with my business as usual and will still be working with my current brides and looking for additional clients for the 2010 and 2011 seasons.

Q: How will you keep up the dual presence? Won’t this be hard?

A: It will get a bit interesting if Pearls Events clients learn that I also own a wedding planning business but quite frankly I will have to cross that bridge when I get to it.  I am guessing that not one bride will be upset to find out I am a professional and that I have experience in this field.  I will work for myself and for Pearls Events this season and will re-evaluate what the plan is for the 2011 season when that time comes.

Q: Now that we know you work for Pearls Events too should be just go through that site to book you? 

A:No, if you want me and what Lucky Girl Weddings offers (price, packages, etc.) you would still go through my site.  If you find that you have a larger budget and you prefer the style and packages that Aletha offers then you can go through her and request that I be your coordinator. 

To sum it up this is a phenominal opportunity for me.  I  can’t wait to work for Aletha and work with my clients and see where God leads me!

Rogerson-Powell Wedding, Grand Rapids, MI -  April 25th, 2009

Lucky Girl Weddings Package:  Day of Coordination (Won at a Ferris State University Hospitality Silent Auction)

Ceremony:  Forest Hills Presbyterian Church

Reception:  Noto’s Old World Italian Dining

Photographer:  HH Creations Photography

Florist:  GVL Floral by Gail VanderLaan

Cake:  Noto’s Old World Italian Dining Pastry Chef

DJ:  Complete Music

Rehearsal Dinner:  Cascade Winery

Lodging:  Crowne Plaza Hotel & Hilton Airport Hotel

Transportation:  Metro Car

Hair/Makeup:  Design 1

Details:

Erica and Ben are both alumni of Ferris State University’s Hospitality Programs.  I also am an alumnus of FSU’s Hospitality program.  We had all heard of each other and briefly met before hand but it was when they attended the 2008 FSU Hospitality Gala and bid on my businesses silent auction gift that we officially met.  The couple is currently living in the Chicago area.  They traveled back to Michigan on multiple occasions and during those times we got to meet to hash out the details of their April wedding.  It was a blast to work with fellow alumni and to see my professors and classmates at their wedding. 

I also had the help of two current FSU students in our program that asked to assist for school credit.  We met at Erica’s Aunt’s house and assisted her in getting ready and picture taking.  We then traveled to the church to set up there and help the ushers and attendants line up, seat guests, etc.

The ceremony went off without a hitch and then myself and my two assistants went to Noto’s for setup.  Noto’s staff, as always, had everything running and well prepared.  We decorated the room with their signature wine bottles and placecards.  My assistants had to leave at this point.  Soon after the guests started to arrive and the bridal party was downstairs in the wine cellar getting pictures taken. 

The event was beautiful and fun and the food was delicious!  Great job Erica and Ben for all your hard work leading up to your wedding day.  It was my pleasure working with you both and your families.  I can’t wait to hear about your honeymoon and new life together.  God bless!

Aaron of Captured Productions  emailed me in the beginning of March to introduce their newest idea…DVD wedding invitations!  BRILLIANT!  This idea is sure to catch on in this technology hungry world.  They are constantly working to stay ahead of the videography game and they are doing a fine job.  Kudos! 

Check out the DVD of Kaylie and Josh’s invite here!

The beautiful photo featured above was done by Sara Anthony Photography

She herself recently got engaged.  It will be fun to hear, via her blog, how her experience goes.  I am sure she will learn a lot more about the Michigan wedding scene and share it with all of us.  Thank you Lindsey for such a great site.

The Photo Booth Company is an amazing vendor that I suggest any bride planning a wedding look into.  The service they offer is fun and practical.  Check out their website.  While your there also check out their blog section.  You will see a lovely feature on Lucky Girl Weddings.  They asked me how I decided to start my business, what is the craziest thing I have seen a bride do, What do I do differently now as opposed to when I first started, etc.  They ask some tough questions…go and read the rest.

Samantha, Owner and Lead Photographer of Shutter Sam Photography is nothing but a joy to work with.  I had the pleasure of meeting with her in person awhile back to “talk shop”.  We hit it off right away and because I felt so comfortable with her I asked her if she would take some professional shots of me for my website. I think it is important for my potential clients to be able to put a face with the name. 

If you go to my blog and scroll to the bottom it will list my “pages”.  Check out the Shutter Sam Photography-LGW Shoot for about 10-15 shots that were my favorites.  Sam was so accommodating!  She really took her time to think of how each picture would look in regards to lighting, surroundings, body positioning, etc.  She wasn’t just snapping away not caring if you are even smiling or not like some photographers do.  I thought I would feel a little uncomfortable in front of the camera all by myself but because Sam keeps a dialogue going with you, you just feel like you are hanging out with a friend and you (and face) starts to relax!  It’s great!

I would highly recommend Sam for any bride.  She is professional and very fun!  You will just love her!  Check out her site and look through some of her work today!  If you are a 2009 bride you have to book with Shutter Sam Photography! 

If you are currently a client of mine and need a photographer, lets get you connected with Sam!

Thank you again Sam for an awesome experience.

As I come to the close of my 2008 wedding season I have to say this year takes the cake so far!  Well, wait, maybe that is because its my first year in business.  I can only pray and hope that next year is even better! I wanted to say a HUGE thank you to all the people that have helped make my dream of being a wedding planner become a reality. 

My Savior Jesus Christ: “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” -Philippians 4:13 Because I believe in God and follow his teachings I have been blessed with success. This is the sole reason any of us can survive in this world.

My husband: Thank you honey for trusting in me and taking the chance with your hard earned money to finance me and my little ole’ dream!  Its working huh!!  It didn’t always look so hopeful in the beginning but with more patience and trust in God it will flourish even more!

My parents and sister:Mom and Dad, thank you for always telling me I could be successful at anything I wanted to do.  You believe in me no matter what I choose to do and it really helps keep me motivated.  Lindsay, thanks for listening to me and my stories all the time.  I need someone with an unbiased ear to listen to me!

(more…)

Bride and Groom/ Jennifer Krzycki and Andre Green

Date/ 10-11-08

LGW Package/ “Charmed”

Ceremony Site/ Kuyper College Vos Chapel

Reception Site/ Grand Rapids Public Museum (“Van Andel”)

Photographers/ Elite Photography & Design (Lisa Ruff) and The Photo Booth Company (Brian Josefowicz)

Florist-Designer/ Shelly’s Designs Wedding & Event Specialist (Shelly Johnson)

Cake/ Sweet Cakes Design (Barb Hoek)

DJ/ Party Down Music (Michael Handlin)

How I met the bride/ I met Jennifer through a referral I believe!  It has been almost a year now since I first spoke with Jennifer.  Forgive me to whomever referred Jen to me but I cannot remember…my guess is it was Aletha!  Thank goodness she is so popular and has to send people to me and other planners!  Jennifer was the first official client booked for Lucky Girl Weddings way back in December.  But, ironically, the last wedding I did for this season.  It was nice to have some weddings under my belt before Jenn’s so I could be sure to give her the service she deserved.  Jennifer and Andre were the most laid back couple.  They were so in love and so ready to be married and let the fun begin.  Thank you both for being a wonderful couple to work with.  I really appreciate your support of my business and your trust in a new planner!

How it went/ Smooth is the word I would use to describe this wedding day!  From the rehearsal the night before to the “Cheeseburger in Paradise” song with actual mini-cheeseburgers at the end of the reception, the whole weekend was a success!  Jenn, Andre, and their families were so happy to be together they had no worries or cares on their minds.  The weather was perfect, all the vendors were on time, the food was great, the DJ knew just what songs to play to keep the dance floor full, it was wonderful!  Jenn was an extremely organized bride and that always helps!  I am so thankful that I could be a part of her big day! 

Interesting facts/ Jenn and Andre live in Florida, so for Jenn to plan a whole wedding from there is awesome!  I can’t stop giving props to Jenn and her family for such a great event. 

Vendor report/ All the vendors involved in Jenn’s wedding were truly amazing.  The museum was a very unique venue and the staff members were right on point all night long.  Thank you Jim and Patsy for all your help.  The flowers and centerpieces were beautiful!  Not to mention the stunning arrangements at the church before hand….Shelly you always amaze me! The DJ was very professional and played great tunes all night long.  The Photo Booth Company was there, thanks Brian for providing great entertainment for all the guests!  The cake, perfect as usual from Sweet Cakes Design.  It was fun to talk to Lisa Ruff and her assistant from Elite Photography & Design throughout the night about our businesses and experiences.  I can’t wait to get some professional shots from this great night.  Thanks Lisa!  Last but not least the friend of the family who made those cookies!!! YUM-O!!  They were so good!  I wish I could have had more than one! I really hope I didn’t forget anyone.  Everything ran smooth as butter…so thank you to all involved! 

Congratulations Jennifer and Andre! May your marriage be blessed by God and may you have many many years of happy anniversaries to come!

Who doesn’t like to look at pictures…especially of weddings!  Well, I have now linked my Lucky Girl Weddings Myspace page to this website.  On my LGW Myspace you can view all the shots of my clients weddings.  Granted, they are from me…not a professional…but hey, it is still fun to look!  When I get the professional shots from the photographers that did their weddings I will post them on this main website. 

View my Lucky Girl Weddings Myspace page now!