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!

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!

Bride and Groom|Amylynn Meissner and Chris Buchach
Date| 05-31-08

Lucky Girl Weddings Package| The Big Day

Ceremony| St. Anthony of Padua (Father Mark)

Reception|Noto’s Old World Italian Dining
Photographer|Kyle Bultman and Katie Pfruender of Dan Johnson Photography

Videographer|Visual Inspirations Video Production by Anne Oppenhuizen
Florist/Decorator| Shelly’s Designs and Creative Events by Nancee Neville

Wedding Cake|Noto’s Old World Italian Dining

DJ/Band| Montage (Kramer Entertainment)

Rehearsal Dinner| Bistro Bella Vita

Lodging| Amway Grand Plaza Hotel

Transportation| Crystal Limousine Service

Hair/Makeup| Design 1 (Grandville)

How I met Amylynn| Amylynn had originally contacted Aletha VanderMaas of Pearls Events, LLC., another wedding planner in the Grand Rapids area.  Because Aletha had just booked Amylynn’s date she referred her to me.  I immediately met with Amylynn and just adored her within minutes.  Her Aunt Diane was with her at the meeting and you could just tell that the two of them had a special bond and that they were going to be great to work with.  Amylynn is a teacher and very organized.  She was bright and sunny and happy.  I was very thankful (and still am) to Aletha for sending Amylynn my way!

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Bride and Groom| Samantha (Sami) Miller and James Ung
Date| 05-25-08

Lucky Girl Weddings Package| The Big Day
Ceremony| Amway Grand Plaza Hotel, Imperial Ballroom
Reception| Amway Grand Plaza Hotel, Pantlind Ballroom
Photographer| Mitch Ranger Photography
Florist| Eastern Floral
Linens| BBJ Linen
DJ| Star Productions

How I met Sami|Sami’s cousin Erika booked her wedding reception at the Crowne Plaza Hotel on 28th Street in GR.  The Catering Sales Manager there, Lisa Patow, knows me because I hosted my own wedding there.  She referred Erika to me.  Before Erika even booked with me, Sami called and booked! 

How it went|  It was fabulous! The Amway Grand did an excellent job of taking care of this event and all it’s guests.  Everything went smoothly.  The rooms were ready on time and the staff attended to the bride (and my) every need.  Sami looked perfect and so did her wedding party.  The events started the day before as we went through a rehearsal in the Imperial Ballroom.  The rehearsal started at 2:00pm but because I arrived early I helped Sami’s Mother Deb put some ribbons and crystals on the chairs for the ceremony.  After this was done we had Kayden (the young man driving the infant flower girl) practice his trip around the ceremony hall in his Power Wheels electric car!  Very cute!  The other child attendants of course had to have a turn.  We then gathered the family and ran through the ceremony.  Because of Sami and James’ Laotian and Malaysian backgrounds they had two small ceremonies to represent both cultures. 

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