"Knock Their Socks Off"

"Prissy Peacock" Wedding

This wedding is one of my favorite because of the before/after. The reception was held in the church reception hall! (I know, just those lil words make any wedding planner cringe) although this time it was different. Yes, the lighting was horrible, you could see all the metal beams of the structure and the kitchen with all of the industrial appliances was in clear and direct view, but creativity is never at a lull with this one! We decided to tent the inside of the gym, bring in a lighting company and drape fabric panels.... this ma'am is what became of it. The transformation was amazing, the guests were in ah and didn't realize that they had just stepped into their old church gym. That my people is what its all about! Did I mention, I heart my job! :)

Wedding Winners E Seshy!

Thank you Hara with Documented Photography for your beautiful work, once again! Your talent shines with every picture taken! Nicole and Chad, you guys are the best and deserve this wedding! I am super excited about all that is coming together!! Next on our list... the tuxes, courtesy of Don Alan Fine Clothiers.

In honor of "Shark Week"

In honor of Shark Week, here is a beautiful inspiration board that you can sink your teeth into. Here in Pensacola we heart beach themed weddings! We have the gorgeous back drop for it. Enjoy!~

Allison VanGrowski &Miles White

Ages:28 & 34
Occupation: Licensed Massage Therapist, Yoga Instructor,

I was on a 'working' vacation in Costa Rica (studying with a bunch of Americans) & on the penultimate night this stunning little fox walked up to me, bold as brass, & paid me a compliment so outrageous, I was lost for words. Later, when I finally managed to get her alone to talk, I summoned all my charm & told her she looked like a little elf! Yep, that's what came out of my mouth! I've no idea how or why it worked, but in the two days we had left to get to know each other, I felt something so strong that I was convinced to shorten my long-dreamt of vacation in Paradise to fly to some backwater Pepsicola town I'd never heard of to meet her family & former Marine father… oh Joy!


I'll let her finish my story (as usual)….


When Miles showed a photo of me climbing a tree and said very sincerely and strangely complimentary, " Awww look; ya loook lyke a lil' elf " (in his English/Aussie accent)….I knew this was his strange way of saying he liked me, but I had to take that to the limit..."I tell you you're the most gorgeous guy I've ever seen and you come back with that?! Geezums you Aussie guys sure know how to make a girl's knees knock!"


Everyone saw and witnessed our love develop from that point. We spent our last 2 days we had together getting to know each other and shared our hopes, dreams, spiritual beliefs, visions and morals....all of which were strangely similar, despite the differences in our upbringings and cultural backgrounds... It was like looking in a mirror and seeing ourselves, but as the opposite gender. True. Twin Flames.


When he got to Florida, Miles was DRILLED, GRILLED CHEWED, ASSESSED & ultimately approved, accepted, welcomed and loved by ALL my family and friends, especially my 8 year old son, who's hit guys I've dated before!


Miles surprise proposed 3 months later, on my birthday (in a fantastically romantic way, overlooking the quaint English countryside with both our families involved). His family being properly English, I thanked my grandma for taking me to violin, piano, etiquette classes and having tea time since I can remember. It was like Hill-Billy Hollywood meets the Royal Family!


The last year has been a roller coaster ride with him living in Australia and us dealing with massive emotions, separation and a plethora of financial/logistical complexities that any sane couple would have bailed long ago. Despite the torturous months of separation, tears, heartache, long haul flights, phone bills(love you Skype) and the many obstacles we face it's really been a fairy tale. We've managed to stay strong, our love has grown from it all we still cherish every second we have together.

Tasha Lamb & Brennan Cooper

Ages: 28, 28

Occupation: Manager for a non-profit, Student (working on a degree in Chemical Engineering

First Date:
Our first date was Monday November 11, 2006. Brennan did not tell Tasha until later but he missed Monday Night Football, wings and beer with the guys to go out with her. We had dinner and drinks followed by a few rounds of video bowling. Tasha beat him mercilessly but rewarded him with a kiss for being a good sport.

Love Story:
From the first time I saw Tasha I was enamored. I told everyone at work that I had the hots for her just because I knew someone would probably end up telling her. In the meantime she was busy not liking me. Upon hearing about my hots for her Tasha was quoted as saying that she would never ever go out with me…ever. Tasha and I had hardly spoken up to this point in time.

Of course I found out exactly what she said. I actually didn’t care if she wanted to marry me or not: I just wanted her to think I was fun to be around. I cracked a few jokes here and there and tried to be extra helpful with her at work. I would talk our managers into letting us close up together just so I could work with her longer and hang out with her more. Sometimes a group of us would go have beers after work. I typically would only go when Tasha was going to be there. If we were riding somewhere together I would leave the top of my Jeep down because I knew that she would be cold.

Before you go thinking I’m crazy just remember that I was pretty much in love with her at this point. I look at it like how a good coach puts his underdog team in position to win the game at the last minute. I started to realize that I didn’t want to leave her when it was time to go home. I started to wonder if she felt that way too.

Turns out she did. We finally figured out that we were in love with each other. We are now engaged and I look forward to marrying her. I already know that day is going to be the happiest day of our lives.

We haven’t set a date yet because we don’t know what we are going to be able to do. We’re saving what we can and we’re going to see where it gets us. We will live happily ever after no matter what happens, but I will be eternally grateful if you guys helped me make my bride-to-be the happiest girl in the world on October 21st.

Erica Laxson & Travis Huffman

Ages: 25 & 25
occupations: Manager-David’s Bridal Pensacola
University of West Florida, Educational Doctoral Fellowship Student


First Date: (50 words)
After first meeting in 2004 we did not go on our first date until 2005 (after spending most of the summer getting to know each other via
lengthy phone conversations from 10 hours away) Travis invited me to meet him at the UWF gym for our first date upon return for the
upcoming fall semester. If you know Travis, this fits him perfectly!

Tell us your love story in 350 words or less.
Travis and I met in 2004 during move-in day at Martin Hall on the University of West Florida campus. As the semester proceeded,
I would occasionally chat with Travis in the hallways or he would catch my eye outside the Martin Hall dorms while I sat wrapped in ice
(because I played softball at UWF). Throughout the year we would continue to develop a casual friendship that consisted of these brief
encounters. After our first year at UWF we each ventured our separate ways home for the summer. Shortly after our departure from school,
we began to message each other on facebook. We eventually began to call one another and converse for what quickly evolved into hours
on end. We realized that we shared many things in common and could easily entertain one another even from such a great distance apart.
When we returned to campus for the 2004 Fall Semester, Travis invited me to the UWF fitness center for our “first date” (if you know
Travis this is standard operating procedure). The chemistry did not seem as strong in person as it had over the phone all summer long
and our “date” did not develop into anything further. We simply continued on our separate ways and realized that timing wasn’t right
for a relationship between the two of us.
After a few failed attempts at love from both sides I was randomly “facebooked” on my 21st birthday by Travis once more in 2007
while on my summer vacation home. We immediately picked up right where we left off years ago and decided that we would give it
another shot. Upon our arrival back to school in 2007 Travis took me on our first “real” date in August. The classic “dinner-and-a-movie” format
won out this time over the previous gym offerings. On September 5, 2007 after our lunch at Jerry’s Drive-In I asked Travis if I should tell my
grandmother if we were courting. His response to the old-fashioned inquiry was a definite yes! Three years, 10 months, and some odd days later we have
been happily together ever since!

Nicole Slay & Chad Parker

Ages: 31 & 34
Occupations: Marketing and Recruiting for Financial Services Company,
Owner Parker Pools

Our First Date: March 1998.
We met 13 years ago while working at my neighbors’ pool store. We had our first date within the first few days of meeting. We went to Peg Leg Pete’s for dinner to meet some of my friends, who ended up being a no show.
But that worked out just fine for Chad and I. After dinner, our first kiss was in the parking lot. It was a warm March night and I was wearing a sundress and sandals and remember having butterflies in my stomach.
Our Story
We fell in love hard and fast that summer. We spent the spring and summer working, going to school, and bouncing back and forth between Destin, Pensacola and Biloxi visiting and meeting each other’s family and
friends. We jet skied and boated almost every weekend all along the coast from Florida to Mississippi. We bonded over beaches, boats, bikinis, and board shorts.
Thirteen years later, a few cross-country moves (solo on my part), lots of packing and tears, missed calls and emails. I moved back for good over 10 years ago and we are planning on getting hitched finally. I love this
man with all my heart, even at times when I want to strangle him…..which any female on earth would share the same feeling if you had to wait over 13 years to get a ring!! We have watched our family grow as my sisters
have gotten married and we have witnessed the births of our niece and nephews. I know that there will be a collective sigh of relief and even some shouts of “unbelievable” and “finally” heard throughout Pensacola
when we actually walk down the aisle together as man and wife. But, the end is well worth the journey and I will be the happiest woman on earth on that day. And our story will begin a new chapter that day.
I can’t wait for the day that I start my walk down the aisle toward Chad. My favorite part of any wedding is when the groom is looking down the aisle waiting for his bride, and the first smile and sometimes tears
when he sees his bride for the first time. What will make my walk down the aisle even more special is that my Dad will be walking me down the aisle. I like most girls have dreamed of this day growing up. It was
always something I took for granted until March 23, 2010. My Dad was involved in a motorcycle accident and is truly blessed and extremely lucky to be alive. It was originally believed dad would lose one if not
both of his legs, but he is a fighter and he has struggled through the pain and therapy and is now able to walk short distances with help of his cane. So now I will walk down the aisle with the first man that I fell
in love with, my Dad, toward the man I love deeply and will spend the rest of my life loving and building a family with, Chad.
Chad and I have had ups and down like every couple. We have laughed and cried together. Words can’t explain all we have been through and learned from each other, and I don’t know the words that will fill the
middle and end of our story. But I know that together we will start the journey with lots of love and see where the journey takes us. As long as it is together, I know our future will be everything I want and more.
Love is where the journey begins and ends.

Kelly Blackwell & Nicolas Pauwels

Ages: 31/32
Occupations: Communications Coordinator at UWF
Assistant Electrician at Johnson Electric

Our First Date: The Fish House
We sat on the deck underneath the stars and enjoyed an amazing dinner. Nic was nervous, fidgety, and oh so charming. When our drinks arrived, he clanked them so hard that I thought they would break! I smiled softly while he recovered and then proposed a toast, “Here’s to a beautiful evening, I’m so glad I found you again”.
Our Love Story:
Nic and I met in high school. Almost 15 years had passed since I had last seen him. He sent me a message on Facebook telling me that he was in town visiting for a few weeks (before moving back to California) and would love to grab coffee. We did just that, and neither one of us expected anything more than a friendly reunion. We talked until the store closed, like long lost best friends. By the end of the night, I think we both knew we felt something major transpiring. We made plans to meet up at the Oyster Festival the following day. I showed up at the beach with my best friend, who happens to be male, and I couldn’t figure out why Nic wasn’t approaching me. I finally realized that he thought I’d brought a date! I got up the nerve to go talk to him, and made it obvious that I wasn’t with a date. We ended up seeing other friends there as well, and hung out collectively for a bit. Towards the end of the night, we decided to head into town and ended up at Sir Richard’s Lounge. Chris, my best friend, ordered us both a drink, and said “Kiss her already”. The next day was full of cute text messages helping us pass the time at work. The last one said “I can’t move to California–I’ll either have to kid nap you or change my plans.” Needless to say he never left Pensacola, and has been by my side every single day since the first day we had coffee. We never dated in high school, just friends. I think that we both needed to grow up, live life, make mistakes, and be absolutely comfortable in our own skins before finding each other again. We know for certain who we are as individuals and ultimately who we are together as a couple. We have cherished every single moment since our reunion. He leaves me little notes in my lunch, sends me flowers for no reason, compliments me when I’m not wearing any make up, protects me from the boogie man, and is the most amazing man I’ve ever known. I can’t wait to spend the rest of our lives together!

April Rogers & Carl Abbott

Ages: 26 & 27,
Occupations: Dental Hygienist &Air Force Officer

It’s hard to define exactly when our first date happened. We met very randomly at a mutual friend’s house and talked for twelve hours that night. It was clear at that moment we were in love. Our first planned date was the next day at a restaurant in Jacksonville. We had a stranger take our picture in front of a pond, where we sat after dinner talking for another 5 hours. I can’t imagine a greater treasure in life than finding someone to share your heart with, and I truly don’t believe that first date is over yet. The momentum hasn’t stopped and now that night, that date, that moment of fate has turned into a love story.

Our Love Story

We fell in love the night we met. It can’t start much better than that. After meeting at a mutual friend’s house at 8pm, we sat and talked until 8am without a pause. Our mutual appreciation for flying and a strong shared faith led to a romance like no other. A month into the relationship Carl set up a city wide scavenger hunt bouncing from one previous date site to another, and finally ending at the most romantic restaurant in town. While at dinner he asked me where I’d like to go next. I answered “Ireland!” He then spent the next year preparing our trip to Ireland and has been trying to make every dream of mine come true since. He has been flying since he was 13 years old, was the youngest man to ever be hired by Northwest Airlines, and now is in flight training for the Air Force. He proposed a year and a half after we started dating, and did it in the most amazing and fitting way possible. Two days after Christmas he took me on a surprise helicopter tour of the hills and valleys of Branson, Missouri. After a beautiful flight and bottle of Champagne he proposed stating: “The two most important things in my life have always been God and flying. Since meeting you, the most important things in my life are God and you. I wanted to combine all three when I ask…Will you marry me?” After the mid-air proposal and a very ecstatic “YES!!”, we landed in a secret location where his entire family was waiting with flashing cameras and open arms. My fiancé has spent the last two years trying to make all of my dreams come true, including planning my dream wedding. I would love to win this wedding giveaway so that I could finally give him something amazing in return.

Amanda Waltman & Dustin Noles

Ages: 27 &28
Occupations:
Sales Representative
Mortgage Loan Originator


How is it that two lonely beings come together? How is that two people from across a state just happen to find each other without the help of modern
technology? How is that two star-crossed lovers lock eyes from across a room? Only one word, one answer, Fate. Call it what you will; destiny, predetermination,
divine intervention, yet fate is the grand plan. For Amanda and Dustin, fate had their number. For what was once only eternal friendship was fated to be
cultivated and nurtured into something amazingly wonderful... eternal love. Their love was destined. Through many trials and tribulations, rocky roads
and broken hearts, their love was fated for each other. With a greater force and a greater plan, they finally realized turning in their souls, it was time to
recognize a love that would not be denied. A love fated.
Their seven-year novel is difficult to summarize. From the day he first laid eyes on Amanda walking her best friends dog, Dustin knew their
paths where destined to cross at a moment’s notice. Through mutual friends they were introduced and from there, a friendship ensued. In
a society where the “friend zone” is treated as a black hole, once entered, never escaping, Amanda and Dustin fought that unbeatable
pull into the darkness and escaped into an enlightened aurora borealis of bliss. It was on that fated night, five years in the making that a giddy
“Goose” (Dustin) could not fight his desire for Amanda no longer and asked for her permission for a single kiss.
From that fated night and that fated kiss, their love has grown into a powerful force, one that God devised as a part of his divine plan. It was
written long ago that Amanda and Dustin were to be eternally lasting in the sacred bonds of marriage. For accepting God’s fate was the challenge
for Dustin and Amanda to overcome, a daring step out from a prosperous friendship into a preordained love. They challenge you to not be afraid,
but to accept your fate, and let God’s plan unveil itself to you. May your fate be with you and a part of you.

Annalise Ritter & Chris Davis

Ages: 28 & 26
Occupations:
Chris: Disability Examiner, Florida Department of Health
Annalise: Fiesta of Five Flags (Volunteer Coordinator)/Nancy’s Haute Affairs (Day of Events and catering)

First Date: Our first public debut was the University of Alabama vs. University of Florida bowl game in 2008. He and all of his friends are Auburn fans and she was rooting for ‘Bama. Needless to say,
his friends were a little questionable at first. Ultimately they welcomed her with open arms.

Our Love Story:

“Love Story” by Taylor Swift came out right around the time we met. I couldn’t hear it enough, even playing it at work as a graduate student teaching classes at FSU. There was a
stronger, more powerful meaning behind it, after all.
Although we met six months prior through my big sister in the sorority (she and Chris worked for ARC Gateway), I struck up a conversation via a social media outlet about his favorite
football team. It was casual at first – I wasn’t looking for love, I had my final exams for my Master’s degree coming up and my father had just passed away – but it quickly grew into
more than being just friends. I had barely graduated with my Master’s degree, but I knew I was going to move to Pensacola for him, if only on a whim at first. It had been a three-month
process just to find a job to get a start. I moved here with a car full of clothes and shoes – I never looked back

Chris is a native to Pensacola and Annalise soon learned that he would not want to live anywhere else. As a tourist to Pensacola throughout college, she saw the true beauty of the historic town and understood his reasoning.
She confessed her love for him at a wedding in April. There was love in the air and far too much wine in her glass. Chris is so reserved that the love
“word-vomit” took him
by surprise, as he said nothing in return. She just smiled and said, “I know you love me too!” With a shy smile from him she continued on,
“I see the way you look at me when I make you laugh. You love me!” Even though it’s a moment that some people dread – not having a reciprocating
answer when the L-Bomb is dropped, Annalise didn’t mind at all. Later that May, he finally made the decision he was ready to say it back.
As things continued to get more serious, all she wanted was a picture perfect proposal at Disney World. When he said, “book a trip,” her heart (and mind)
raced. A trip to Disney World was planned for November 2010. Much to her dismay, there was not a ring presented to her under the fireworks at Cinderella’s
castle. As his mom explained to her later, “Chris will analyze a situation down to every last detail before he makes a move.” Instead of Cinderella’s castle,
it was a pavilion overlooking the water in Apalachicola after a casual dinner at That Place off 98. It was a true fairytale.
Like any true love story, there are always good and bad times. I had a preventative surgery in March 2010 and I don’t think I would have been able to go
through it without him. When I was told last week that I need another preventative surgery, he rushed home from work to be by my side. He has done
nothing but be by my side through it all. He never looked back, either.
Due to the surgeries, we are thinking about going through with a courthouse wedding to save money. The irony is that I help plan and coordinate weddings
for a local caterer. I have had the chance to attend so many Pensacola weddings that it would be rather devastating to not be able to have our own love story
end with a ‘happily ever after’ wedding day. There is nothing more I want than to see his ever-reassuring shy smile at the end of the aisle.

Heidi Hensley & Juston Takacs

Ages:26, 26
Occupations: Counselor III at Children’s Home Society; Food and Beverage Supervisor at Margaritaville Hotel

We met in the most elementary of ways: on the school bus in third grade. And for the next five years we were inseparable. We lived in the same neighborhood in Smyrna, Tennessee
and spent all of our free time together until Juston moved to Pensacola after seventh grade. Juston and I had our first kiss the day before he moved to Pensacola in 1998. We had
our second kiss the next time we saw each other: 12 years later in the Nashville airport.
The first glimpse of him caused me to stop breathing. His eyes were brighter than I remembered. Immediately we kissed -my heart racing. I wondered: Is this the same Juston?
Is it possible to find your true love in third grade? My head full of disbelief; my heart full of hope. He looked the same but 12 years of life had changed us. Over the past few months
we had spoken every day on the phone and were beginning to wonder if these long conversations and electrifying emotions were real. They were. He only stayed two days, but we
knew this was it: Love. Even though he lived in Miami, and I lived in Nashville we visited each other often and within three months Juston moved to Nashville while I finished school.
One weekend in March while visiting Pensacola we went kayaking in the Sabine when we decided to move here. I was nervous about moving far from home without being engaged.
When I told my family they didn’t share my concern. Later I found out Juston had asked for my parent’s blessings two weeks prior. Juston proposed to me at sunset in May outside
of his grandmother’s house while overlooking the water. In that moment my heart fluttered at this realization: my best friend was now to be my husband.

Liz Riegle and James Beck

Ages: 31 and 30

Occupation: Assistant Nurse Manager West Florida Hospital and Server Mellow Mushroom Pensacola

First Date:
Our first date was at Olive Garden the day after the cast party for "Rocky Horror" ( I told you he hasn't left my side since that night). It was lunch, laid back and very nerve racking at the same time because James worked there at the time. While we we're eating, and trying to talk and get to know one another, every single person that was working lunch that day came by to say "hi" and, I'm sure, check out who this girl was James had brought to lunch. Like the gentleman that he is, he dropped me back off at the apartment and called that very night to say he had a great time and would like to do it again sometime. And the rest, as they say, is history,

Love Story:
James and I met almost ten years ago while we were both in the theatre department at UWF. I was working on my roommate's senior thesis and James had been roped into playing Rocky in "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" only 2 weeks before opening. I was rounding up audience members to participate in the senior thesis when I came across James practicing with other cast members in the Mainstage Theatre and invited him to sit in on the show. While sitting in the light booth calling the show' I leaned over to my roommate and said, "I'm gonna get that guy". My roommate just shook her head.
A week later on opening night of "Rocky" I was at the show and couldn't help but notice James painted gold and in a tiny gold Speedo running around on stage. At the end of the show I was talking with members of the cast and realized they didn't have a place for an opening night party. I graciously, and with other intentions, offered my apartment for the cast party, making sure that James would be there. He showed up at the party, we talked, all night. He hasn't left my side since that night. We watch Rocky Horror every October to remember how we met, because without that little show we never would have crossed paths. Three years ago we we're both cast in PLT's rendition of "The Rocky Horror Picture Show". At the curtain call after taking our bows, James was introduced and came to the front of the stage. With all our friends, family and a large group of strangers present in the audience, he got down on one knee and proposed. He had planned the whole thing and I was, of course, totally surprised. Since our whole relationship has been part of live theatre and in front of an audience, it only makes sense that our wedding should be too.

I heart Monograms

Monograms made with love by yours truly in honor of our TOP TEN finalist.

Make sure to vote for your favorite couple!! Someone is going to get an AMAZING wedding. The vendor list is only the BEST of the BEST in Pensacola. October 21st, Gallery Night will be one to remember!!

~ TOP TEN Love Stories~

We have decided to hold off on posting the love stories of our top ten couples until after the July 28th issue of the Independent News!! :) All ten couples will be showcased in that very special issue!!

http://www.inweekly.net/

Art in Bloom 2012

I am SO excited!! I am now the new chairperson for this upcoming years "2012 Art in Bloom." This fragrant event is a three day long weekend, hosted by the Pensacola Museum of Art, where the downtown streets are filled with flowers and the best florists come and make beautiful masterpieces. Each florist will choose a piece of art that hangs in the museum and use their skills to master a floral arrangement that somewhat duplicates the art. It is simply amazing! MORE INFO TO COME:)

Date: March 23-25th, 2012
Location: Pensacola Museum of Art
407 S. Jefferson St.
Pensacola, FL 32502

Style Downtown

Look how good our poster looks in their window.

just saying!! STYLE 850.497.6648

So Shiny!!! :)

We also made a quick trip over to Susan Campbell Jewelry on Palafox Street. She also is one of our amazing vendors. Man Oh Man, I could have stayed in her store forEVER!! She is such a talented lady. Her custom made jewelry is to die for. We got to look at some possible samples of what our Pensacola Blockparty Wedding BRIDE will be wearing!! Here's a hint, it can also double as her "something blue" Her shop will be open this Friday, for Galley Night. So stop by and check out what we saw :) Ladies grab your mans credit card before you go. You wont want to leave empty handed!! :)

Out and About!!! :) TAKE II

We are getting so close to the end of our registrations and couldn't be more excited. We have some of the cutest couples registered. We are going to have a really hard time choosing the TOP TEN!!

We paid a little visit to some of our sponsoring vendors yesterday, to drop off MORE registration forms, posters and business cards. Can I just say we have some of the most amazing people, now friends, on board for this super cool event!! :)

Our First stop was SKIN. You must check them out. I found a purse that I must have, and Hara found a new friend!! :)) I wanted to stay and play in the make up but we had other stops to make.

Baseball "Lovers"

In honor of the amazing 2011 Homerun Derby that Yankees, second base player, Robinson Cano killed at last night, I decided to post a Vintage Baseball Themed wedding. A lil' crazy, right? I don't think your baseball lovin' fiance will think so! :) This will deff get him involved in the planning process.

Think of this, wedding set location is at a most popular baseball field. Saying your vows on the home run plate, and bases loaded with family and friends. A tented reception, with mini hot dogs and glass bottled pop with a red striped strawed being served as your guests walk in. Old Time concession stand in the corner with caramel covered popcorn for favors. Guest tables set with ivory floor length linens and red and cream stripe runners. Glass containers filled with old baseballs, topped with beautiful flowers. (girls, of course I'm not leaving us out! :) Check out the ring bearer in this inspiration board. I mean, super cute right!?!? End this most unique wedding with a "BANG" and a patriotic display of fireworks.

I know a wedding like this, is a little far fetched, but its perfect for someone!! :) This wedding would keep your guests talking about your event for years! :) {Go Yankees!}

Why hire a wedding planner??

As any couple knows, planning a wedding can be a huge amount of work. There are countless decisions to make, and they're all the more daunting for brides and grooms that are inexperienced with putting together such a big event. One of the best steps a couple can take is to hire a wedding planner. Listed below is the top ten reason why. Not brought to be a wedding planner (me) but a wedding photographer. This is her insight.

Top 10 Reasons to Hire a Wedding Planner
10. Sounding Board -- Wedding planners are a huge creative resource. They listen to your vision and dreams for your wedding and bring their creativity to the process to help your vision come alive.

9. Big Picture -- When you pick a venue they often give you a "wedding coordinator" from the venue to help coordinate the day. This person is NOT the same as an independent planner. He or she is the venue's catering manager and their job is to make sure that everything having to do with the facilities runs smoothly. While they are helpful, they do not cover the scope of what an independent planner does.

8. Budgeting -- Wedding planners have been in the industry for some time. They know what things should cost and the difference in value. They can help you navigate the often confusing waters of wedding industry price tags and balance your budget around YOUR priorities.

7. Enjoyable Process -- I've observed so many brides through the process of planning their wedding and when they do it without a professional planner, oftentimes by the time the wedding comes around, the process has been so stressful that they just can't wait for it to be over. Planning your wedding is supposed to be an enjoyable process. A good wedding planner helps you enjoy the journey.

6. Mediator -- A good planner serves as a buffer in tricky relational situations. It's a known fact that it's impossible to make everyone happy when planning a wedding. A planner is a safe neutral person to point to for direction. It's easier to tell your future mother-in-law, "My planner thinks we need to...." instead of "I think we should...."

5. Timeline -- Your wedding day will involve numerous vendors who need to work together to insure that the day goes smoothly. A planner understands how each vendor relies on the others and serves as the team captain who coordinates the complexities of the timeline with all its moving parts.

4. Knowledge Base -- This is likely your first time planning a wedding. Planners have been in the industry for years and are experts in protocol, etiquette and everything it takes to pull off an event of such magnitude. They are a HUGE and readily accessible resource for education.

3. Background -- In addition to possessing a wealth of knowledge, planners have been in the industry long enough to know who the players are -- which vendors can be trusted and who has the best business practices. A referral from someone who has roots in the industry is GOLD when you're having to place such a high level of trust in those you previously had no knowledge of.

2. Save $ -- I have had the planners I've worked with tell me that they can actually help their clients save enough money on their wedding to cover the cost of hiring them! How unbelievable is that!?


And the #1 reason to hire a wedding planner is...

1. Stress -- The difference in the stress level of a bride who has a professional planner and one who doesn't is palpable. When it comes to the day of your wedding, the most important thing is that you are able to relax and enjoy it. You are the bride. You don't want to end up being the point person for issues and questions that will inevitably arise. Hiring a planner frees you and everyone you love to live in the moment on your wedding day.

Livin' the talent :)

"Everyone has a talent, what is rare is the courage to follow the talent
to the dark place where it leads." ~Erica Jong

A Happy Bride!!! The best advertisement EVER!! :)

I have a beautiful couple, that I simply adore (and just signed last week) Samantha and Sean. She called me over the weekend and we talked a bit. No big deal!! :) We decided to schedule some appointments with vendors and just went over some of her ideas!! :) I LOVE that part of my job!!!! lol, but you have to foll lowing this link to see what she had to say!! PRICELESS!! I couldn't have PAID for better advertisement!! :) THANKS SamIam01 :) YOU GUYS ROCK!

http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_florida-north-florida_kudos-planner-this-july-4th-weekend

"Deep Blue Sea"

After spending all weekend at the beach, enjoying family, friends and fireworks for the 4th of July, I thought this was most appropriate! :)

Taking inspiration by our beautiful beaches, blue is one of my favorite wedding colors. Paired together with lime green, we have found the perfect palette for this brides "Deep Blue Sea" theme.

Bridesmaids carry a burst of blue hydrangeas wrapped in perfectly matched ribbon. Little button mum balls, starfish and striped runners decorate the tables. Japanese lanterns dance from the ceiling and give a perfect glow as the night falls.

Happy Birthday America!!

I want to thank all of the brave men and women that sacrifice their life every single day to make America, my home, free! You are always in my thoughts and prayers. Pensacola is a true military town and I am so proud to live here. I hope everyone has a safe and blessed Happy 4th of July! See you in downtown Pensacola tomorrow night for the big firework show! God bless the U.S.A. :) ~ Sara

luv it!! :)

Custom bowties for the groomsmen!!

I recently stumbled upon a super cute lil' shop in downtown Pensacola, where I found these custom made groomsmen bow ties. I promise you're gonna luv them!! Any fabric, any theme!! I cant wait to see these bad boys walk down the aisle!!

BRIGHT Beauties @ The Fishy!

Well, if you didnt make it to the Fish House for ladies night this week, you missed it!! But as promised, I have posted these pics for your enjoyment!! :) In our very bright bridesmaids dresses, we drew much attention. At first I don't people knew what to think, but soon came around! I will say, Hara made me wear it!! I tried everything to get out of it! Sometimes our ideas are a little crazy. I am very glad I gave in! I must say I think I wore the bright yellow very well! lol :)

We met many amazing couples I got them registered on the spot. Good LUCK to you all!

Delivery of the registration boxes!

We were so excited to get our registration boxes out to some of our amazing vendors (don't worry, if you don't have yours yet... you will get to see our pretty lil' faces early next week!) We sent off poster for the windows, sheets of registration forms and stacks of business cards. Make sure to start looking for our signs everywhere in downtown Pensacola. Let me know when you see one!! :) Here we are delivering to Fiore and Style! look at those girls! Courtney and Sara you guys are awesome!! Have we told you that lately.

In the office.... PBWG Headquarters :)

Eyes glued to the computer! Working hard? or hardly workin! We put in so many hours right here @ this desk. Killin' it for our vendors, brides, clients oh and yeah a "free wedding!!" lol. We lighten the mood every now and then and get a lil crazy. That's who we are! Its also the reason why we can work in a 12 x 12 office for hours @ a time and still luv each other!! :) lol

business expo with Gulf Coast Premier Promotions!

... and the award for the best marketing company in Pensacola goes to ..... (drum roll please) Gulf Coast Premier Promotions!! These guys have def played a huge part in the success of our Pensacola Blockparty Wedding Giveaway. Jennifer Harrison (not pictured, you were missed) and the whole team has really pulled together for us. KUDOS to you guys! :) Pictured from left. Eddie, Hara, Sara and Sean :)

Scan it!!

OK super cool new thingy!! Great idea from Gulf Coast Premier Promotions. Scan this code with your smart phone scanner app. It goes straight to my website. I know!! Pretty funky!! :)

Where did that come from?

Everyone keeps asking us where in the world we came up with the idea to give away a free freaking wedding. Lets just say wine played a big part! haha. SO Hara and I have been best friends for a loooooooonnnnnnnngggggg time since the start of our business. I honestly couldn't breathe without her sometimes!(not to mention own a business without her encouragement, passion and drive) We have been thru the pits together fo sho (boys, magazines, business' cars, houses, and kids... lots of kids! all together right now its @ a grand total of 6. GEEZ we should have our own TLC show) anyway I heart this girl!!

All together having a wine night, because as everyone knows that when the best ideas happen. Both of our business were... well lets just say, not at the top!:> and we needed a marketing plan!

Convo went something like this: "A free wedding DUH....winning. Lets do it somewhere CrAzY!! how 'bout in the MIDDLE of the street!! I mean,, because who does that? ha!! NOT only that, but lets do it in downtown Pensacola, on a friggin Gallery Night!!" The boys didnt know what had just happened, they kinda just looked at each other! lol but we knew!

So the next work week... the adventure began. We started with a meeting with Hillary, Downtown Improvement Board (man were we excited to get that) then off to Vinyl we go, you know to ask if we can crash their venue on a Friday night! Those guys were/are awesome but Ive known that for a while :)... wow we thought we had done so much just on that day! then the word spread..... people started talking and look where we are now!! I mean have you seen our vendor list?? um WOW!!!!!!!! The FISH HOUSE!! FIORE!!!! SUSAN CAMPBELL!! GCPP!!ME!! HARA!! STYLE!!! SKIN!!! for real, go to the website and look @ the list. I know!! We cant believe it either!! "just keeping our dreams alive" :)