Congratulations! :: {Karen & Kurt's Wedding Day!}

On this amazingly beautiful October Saturday, Kurt & Karen will tie the knot! I am so incredibly excited for these two and to see all of the amazing personal details and hard work that Karen has put into the planning come to life!

They are getting married at the Orchid Conservatory at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden and have already practiced running through this fountain...which they will also do this evening after their ceremony- and likely just as the sun sets!
And I absolutely cannot wait to show y'all Karen's dress...for real. It's so unique and so completely perfect for her! I also love that my last bride under the Green Shoes Weddings & Events name is wearing green shoes. Lovely coincidence, don't you think?

Here are a few of Karen & Kurt's engagement photos taken by Chuck Eaton.

So much love & congratulations to Kurt & Karen! I wish you tons of love, happiness, and enough crossword puzzles and games of Scrabble to last you a lifetime!

Cheers!
{erica}

Happy Anniversary and Published! {Heather + Matthew}

Today is Heather & Matthew's first anniversary! And their wedding was recently featured in the Summer issue of The Bride's Book.

There were several super fun details & personal touches that they incorporated into their wedding day. I had such a great time helping Heather through her planning process...whether she was in Chicago finishing grad school, Alabama visting her parents, here in Charlotte with Matthew or in Louisville where she had taken a job.
And I love that Heather & Matt have become such great friends to my husband and me. I mean, how can you NOT want to be friends with these two...

Her attention to detail and the effort she put into everything from the table names to the guest book to the favors made for a fun & fabulous evening!

Congratulations, Mr. & Mrs. Harris! Lots of love & wishes for many happy years together!

Hugs & Cheers!
Erica

Ceremony: St. Matthew Catholic Church
Reception: Omni Charlotte Hotel
Photography: Kristin Byrum Photography
DJ: Vinny Esposito, Split Second Sound

Invitations/Stationery: Kate at Custom Paper Works
Cake: Cheesecake, Etc.
Rentals: Classic Party Rentals
Specialty Linens: Connie Duglin Linen
Videography: Something Blue
Florist: The Flower Diva

{All photos copyright: Kristin Byrum Photography. Please contact KBP for permission to use these photos.}

Congratulations! :: {Kelly + Johnny's Wedding Day!}

Today is THE day! I can't wait to see how all of Kelly's super fun green, black & white details come together! I've had SO much fun over the past year working with Kelly on the fun touches for her & Johnny's wedding at the Rumbling Bald Resort and I am already looking forward to lots of fun images from Krista Faulkner (which I will, of course, gladly share on the blog!)

I also thought this would be a good time to post a "sneak peek" of a picture I snapped during Kelly's bridal portraits...how fun are the shoes?!

Congratulations, Kelly & Johnny! Best Wishes for a lifetime of love & laughter!

Happy Anniversary :: {Mandie + Drew}

HAPPY 1st ANNIVERSARY, MANDIE + DREW!

The fun + stylish Mandie married her southern beau, Drew one year ago and celebrated in style at the lovely Castle McCulloch in Jamestown! Mandie's wedding day style was so much fun and so "her"....just check out those amazing red cowboy boots!

Wishing a very happy first anniversary to Mr. & Mrs. Jester!
Cheers to many more happy years to a fabulous couple!

All photos copyright Bert Reed Photography. Please do not use these photos without first obtaining permission from Bert Reed Photography.

Pretty Inspiration from Style Me Pretty :: Brian + Katherine

I was so excited to see my friend Brian's wedding featured on Style Me Pretty earlier this week! Brian and his lovely bride, Katherine, had a beautiful wedding in upstate South Carolina over the 4th of July holiday weekend. I love the work that Sharon from Smitten Photography does and she did an amazing job capturing the feel of Brian + Katherine's wedding....which was such an amazing representation of them as a couple! Congrats to the new Mr. + Mrs. Hetherington!

I couldn't resist posting my two favorite pictures...the one of Brian is so "him" it's actually amusing. And I love the lighting in the one of them in the field! {Photo credit: Smitten Photography}

Be sure to check out the full post and all the fun details on Style Me Pretty here and Brian + Katherine's full gallery here.

You can also see more photos and info from the bride on the Smitten Photography blog as well!

And speaking of Style Me Pretty, I LOVE that two of my favorite Charlotte photographers, Kristin & Aaron Byrum from Kristin Byrum Photography had an engagement shoot featured on Style Me Pretty's Facebook page! So fun! Congrats to Aaron + Kristin on their feature! So excited to work with them again in April!

Kickin' off the Green Shoes :: Changes are coming!

Exciting news! Green Shoes Weddings & Events is undergoing a major makeover! So much so that we're even changing the name itself! This, of course, means a new logo, website/blog, marketing materials and all the fun that comes with those decisions! As much as I love my current logo, it was a late night labor of love from myself & Lucy and was never intended to be a "permanent" logo. Although I didn't initially intend to change the name itself, I've been exposed to so much inspiration, knowledge and even a little soul searching as it relates to this business and industry as a whole and decided that kicking it up a notch would be a good move at this point! I admit, it has been overwhelming at times, but I'm so excited to give y'all a little preview of what I have up my sleeve!

{Photo Credits: 1: Hanson Mabry 2: WeddingClipart.com 3 & 10: Anthropologie 4, 5 & 9: CB2 6, 13, & 14: Target 7: Status Serigraph
8: Font Bros 11: Green-Inspired 12: Hobby Lobby}

This is sort of the "inspiration board" for my new brand, logo, and overall "feel" of my company. When I started this journey, the amazing Jeannine Kennedy (from The Stylish Planner & FAVOR Events) gave me some great ideas and pointers on how to make sure that my new brand was a reflection of me as a person and as a wedding planner.
When I sent Jeannine my first round of "inspiration" her assesment of what I sent was that my style said "Kate Spade, with a little bit of Anthropologie and a hint of Lilly Pulitzer." I laughed out loud- she had described my style perfectly! The important thing for me as I've gone through this process has been to stay true to myself and make sure that my brand accurately conveys my personality and style. And with the help of Jeannine and my fabulous graphic designer, Jessica Bishop from Jess Lehry Designs I think I've accomplished that!
The color scheme in the collage (with the green & blue squares and gray rectangle) & the font sample are both from my new logo! I love the blue & green color combo but knew I didn't want it to look or feel too beachy or tropical so I tried to steer more towards an olive-y green and a darker turquoise. I'm not quite ready to reveal the new name or actual logo, but I've posted a "snippet" of it below just for fun!

I'm so excited to share my new name and look with everyone...so far we are on track for a mid-fall launch! I'd love to hear your thoughts on the direction this is going- opinions are always welcome {and comments, too- obviously!} Anybody want to come celebrate at a "re-launch" party before all of the holiday madness gets started?!

Cheers!
{erica}

The Stylish Planner is coming to Charlotte!

I am so super excited that one of my very favorite people, Jeannine Kennedy, is bringing her The Style Plan workshop to Charlotte! Jeannine is the owner of Favor Events of Atlanta and the founder + editor of The Stylish Planner blog. I met Jeannine this past spring at Eventology and can honestly say that she has changed the way I think about myself and my business!

{The lovely Stylish Planner herself! She has the BEST red hair!}

The fabulous Shanika Butts of SJB Weddings & Events is hosting the day long workshop at her boutique, The Bridal House on Monday, August 23. This workshop is open to ALL wedding & event pros- not just planners! So all of you photographers, stationers, pastry queens and the like should be sure to join us for this great workshop! {PS: You can read Shanika's blog post on the workshop here}

Here is more info on The Style Plan:
The objective of The Style Plan is to clearly show the importance of having a strongly defined and consistent image. I believe that image is so much more than just your physical appearance.

During the workshop, we will discuss three key areas of our image as follows:
-Virtual Image = website, blog, online ads, and social media
-Business Collateral = cards, stationery, brochures, books, albums, etc. & their packaging
-Personal Image = YOU, the person – outward and inward

The Style Plan topics will include:
- My story of how The Stylish Planner came to life
- Why creativity and passion are crucial to your business
· Overall image case studies of 3 celebrities
· Overall image case studies of 3 successful wedding professionals
- Looking the part – why image matters and should be consistent
· How your website, blog and social media use convey your image to others
· Why your business collateral should be more than just your card and a price sheet
· Basic style guidelines such as dressing for your specific profession & dressing
for various events
· Your self-promotion plan: interacting with vendors and clients, promoting
yourself at networking events and through social media
· Why you MUST maintain all areas of your image on an ongoing basis & how to do it.

Each attendee of The Style Plan workshop will receive the following:
- Self Analysis Worksheet: Virtual Image, Collateral Image & Personal Image
- Target Market Analysis Worksheet (are you reaching who you are aiming for?)
- Professional Biography Worksheet
- Dress Codes Defined Reference Sheet
- Weekly Wardrobe Planner
- Wedding submission tips and guidelines
- Image Maintenance Worksheet
- Complete Style and Image Resource List – with discounts for goods + services
for attendees

This is sure to be a workshop that is both fun AND educational for anyone in the industry, so be sure to register today by clicking HERE! Hope to see you there!

Cheers!
Erica

Charlotte Wedding Planner :: {Beth + Danny: Engagement Session}

Beth & Danny are headed for the aisle in October- meanwhile, they had an AMAZING engagement session with the fabulous Nancy Ray! I'm super excited for their cute fall wedding at Owl's Eye Vineyard + Winery and am also thrilled to get the chance to work with Nancy! As it turned out, it rained right before their session but they certainly didn't let the weather get them down!
Since they were having their engagement pictures taken, Beth & Danny also included Danny's son, Chandler for a few family shots. I love that they affectionately call Chandler "the kid."
Totally love these images & cannot wait for their big day in October!

Cheers!
{erica}

{Note: all images copyright: Nancy Ray. Please do not use any images without her permission.}

Wish Upon A Wedding- The Carolinas

Wish Upon A Wedding is a new charity- and the first of its kind- whose purpose is to grant wedding wishes to terminally ill adults regardless of sexual orientation. I heard about this amazing new charity earlier this year and then got to meet one of the founders, Sasha Souza, when I attended Eventology back in April.

WUW has gotten some amazing national press lately! A few days ago celebrity blogger, Perez Hilton, wrote a post about WUW as one of his "worthwhile causes".
Yesterday the home page for TODAY featured a WUW wedding!


As soon as I found out there was a chapter being started in the Carolinas I knew it was something that I wanted to be involved in as a volunteer on a committee as well as a wish granter.

Wish Upon A Wedding- Carolinas held their launch party on June 24th and our first wedding wish couple was there to celebrate with everyone!

{Wish Upon A Wedding- Carolinas first couple Yolanda & Marcus with WUW- Carolinas Chapter President Ivy Robinson. Photo credit: Cunningham Photo Artists}

The party was a huge success and got great local media coverage thanks to the always swanky Melissa Lamkin and her awesome PR skills! The launch party was featured on 3 local news stations- NBC36, WBTV, and News 14. Be sure to check out Melissa's re-cap of the event on Bride + Groom

{Clockwise: Yummy appetizers from Nolen Kitchen, future DJs Tyler + Corey Esposito, the beautiful wish tree + martini glass display designed by the lovely ladies of Carolina Wedding Design, two of the most talented (and 2 of my favorite!) guys in the Charlotte wedding industry- Aaron Byrum from Kristin Byrum Photography and Vinny Esposito from Split Second Sound, WUW-Carolinas Founding Board Members. Photo Credit: Cunningham Photo Artists}

Want to get involved? You don't have to be in the wedding industry to volunteer or donate! Please feel free to contact me for more information on how you can help!

For more information or to find out about other chapters, please visit the organization's main website, Facebook & Twitter!

{Personal} Happy Birthday Mini-Me!

{A few pictures of her adventures over the past 4 years. How cute is she?!}

Today, my niece Lucy turns 4. Time flies when you're having fun...and fun she is! I cannot believe she is already 4 and will start pre-school this fall! She keeps us all on our toes with her many questions and sweet southern twang. Some days I think she's 4 going on 14! She loves to dance and shop at Target. Her favorite things are girly and fabulous and of course, the Charlotte 49ers and she's a great big sister to Kate-Linn. It's been said she's a bit like I was...but I'm not sure I see it :)
Leave her some sweet birthday comment love!

**HAPPY BIRTHDAY, GOOSE!**
~xoxo~
Aunt Erica

{Kelly + Johnny's Engagement Pictures}

I am so excited about Kelly + Johnny's September wedding at Rumbling Bald in Lake Lure! I've had such a great time working with Kelly and their wedding is going to be amazing! I mean, what's not to love about a couple who includes a bride who wears green shoes, has their wedding at Lake Lure, books their favorite band for the reception, and includes their pug and boxer in the ceremony? Love it. Every last bit of it.

{And now for a little peek at Kelly + Johnny's engagement pictures captured by the talented Krista Faulkner!}

And I had to include a picture of the doggies!
Philly (the boxer) and Otis (the pug) will both have a
small role in the ceremony! I can't wait!

{Wedding Day} :: Logan + Jason

{Jason & Logan :: The lovely soon-to-be newlyweds!}

Left: At our 10 year high school reunion last fall. Me, Logan, &
our friend Haley (who is one of Logan's bridesmaids!)
Right: Me with Logan at a friend's baby shower last summer

Today, one of my oldest, dearest friends, Logan is getting hitched! Logan and I have been friends for over twenty years. When we were younger, people thought we were sisters! I have so many fun & fond memories that include her (and her amazing mom) and am so excited to see her as a bride!

Logan and I have been shared a lot together...dance competitions, many many sleepovers, cheerleading tryouts, passing notes in class, middle school boyfriend drama, graduating from high school, then college. We eventually sort of went our own ways and did our own things, but always kept in touch & remained friends. She's just one of those people that no matter how infrequently we talk or see each other nothing ever seems to change!
Little known secret about me: thanks to Logan, I was actually a Tar Heel fan for a few years {it was before I knew any better ;) }

I'm so excited for Logan & Jason's wedding this evening at the Victorian Villa Inn and am so thankful for everyone that the weather has cooled off just a smidge! I can't wait to see some old friends from high school and some of Logan's family that I haven't seen in years! Should be a fun reunion for all. Complete with "Carolina blue" bridesmaid dresses, of course!
Congratulations, Logan & Jason! I wish you many years of happiness!

xoxo,
erica

Feelin' HOT HOT HOT!

Maybe it's just me, but the weather in Charlotte over the past several weeks has been insanely hot + humid! Definitely hard to believe we're officially only 10 days into summer- I'm already itching for the cool days of fall!

This little "heat wave" has affected other areas of the country as well. I recently came across this blog post from Saundra Hadley with Planning...forever Events in Indiana and thought it was worth re-posting here! Saundra recently had an outdoor wedding on a day when temperatures hit a new record high! This is a great reminder for planners and brides-to-be alike that when you are working on the "back-up plan" in case of rain at your outdoor summer wedding, make sure you have one for extreme heat as well!

I've been to several outdoor weddings where the heat was nearly unbearable! As a guest this was extremely uncomfortable and made the wedding very difficult to enjoy! While I understand that none of us can control the weather, a bit of planning can make everyone more comfortable during an outdoor summer wedding.

Providing bottled water or lemonade for your guests at the cermony is a relatively easy & inexpensive option for beating the heat. Colorful fans are also useful for making the heat a bit more bearable and as a bonus they also help keep bugs away and can even double as ceremony programs!

What are some other ideas that you've seen or used to keep the guests & wedding party comfortable at an outdoor wedding? Leave a comment and let me know!

Pretty fans that double as ceremony programs!
{Image found on Backyard Bride. Program fans designed by PEAKaBooDesign}


Summer refreshments to cool your guests! And with a little creativity, they will even coordinate with your wedding decor! {Image found on Hostess Blog. Photo credit: Melissa Kelsey Label design: Blonde Designs}

New to Green Shoes :: {Mary + Luke}

Y'all I am so super excited about Green Shoes Weddings & Events newest clients, Mary & Luke!
I've known Luke since middle school and loved Mary the first time I met her! They are an adorable couple and are so. much. fun. Their wedding is sure to be amazing!

{the newly engaged couple over Easter weekend!}

Just a bit of info on the lovely couple- Mary grew up in Charlotte and graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill. She is a financial planner at a bank in Charlotte. Luke hails from the "City of Pleasant Living" that is Shelby. He graduated from Appalachian State University where he was a manager for the National Champion Mountaineer football team. Luke is currently a team sales rep here in Charlotte. And check out their adorable Boston Terrier, Effie.

{Miss Effie is ready for a boat ride!}

When I met with Mary & her mom to chat about the wedding, the first detail Mary shared with me was that she & Luke knew they wanted a fabulous band- one with a horn section. Not that I ever doubted these two would throw a serious party, but that certainly sealed the deal!
With a good size guest list and a bridal party consisting of 12 bridesmaids, this is sure to be a fabulous event! When I asked Mary what her "vision" was for the design/color scheme she immediately answered "very fun and bright for spring- think Lilly Pulitzer but more glam" needless to say, after that meeting I could not wait to chat with Mary again about more of her ideas!

I will periodically blog about Mary & Luke's planning progress-
and may even have them write a post or two!

Be sure to follow the blog so you can stay updated on all of their super fun details!

A few details about Mary & Luke's wedding:

Date: April, 2011
Ceremony: Sardis Presbyterian Church {the church Mary grew up attending}
Reception: Mint Museum
Photography: Kristin Byrum Photography
Catering: Best Impressions Caterers
Band: TBD through East Coast Entertainment

{Congratulations, Mary + Luke! I am so thrilled to be a part of your wedding!}

Cheers!
{erica}

Memorial Day:: Stop to remember

In the true spirit of Memorial Day, I thought I'd write a post to remind all of us of the reason we celebrate this holiday. It is because of the men & women who have fought for our country and continue to do so everyday so that we can have our freedom. Regardless of your political views or your opinion on the current situation in Iraq & Afghanistan, please take a moment today to remember and thank those who have served. These photos are of people who are important to me who have served our country.

Patrick (United States Marine Corps) and Butler (US Army) are two of my best friends. I've known them both for 15+ years and love them like brothers. They were both ushers in my wedding. Both of them fought in Iraq & Afghanistan and were deployed multiple times. My mother's father, my Grandpa Pete, fought in the Army during World War II. In my recent explorations of my parents' attic & storage unit I've come across lots of old pictures including these of Grandpa during his service days. I also found his dogtag from the Army and now wear it myself on occasion. The photo in the background of the collage is of the 88th Division Cemetery No. 3 near Florence, Italy. The picture was taken by my grandfather in 1944.

So as many of us enjoy our long weekend, let's not forget those who continue to fight so that we can enjoy the freedoms we sometimes take for granted.

Cheers!
{erica}

Happy Anniversary :: {Kristi + Zach}

Happy Anniversary to one of my dearest friends, Kristi, & her husband Zach! Kristi & Zach were married at Rumbling Bald Resort on Lake Lure (which also happens to be the fabulous location of another Green Shoes Wedding later this year!)

As I helped Kristi plan her fun, casual lakeside wedding- complete with a sparkler exit to a boat that was captained by my father- she became instrumental in encouraging me to pursue wedding planning as something more than a hobby to help my friends. I will always be grateful to her for that little "push" that I needed! She's also the reason I met my husband, so she gets points for that too!

We all need a Kristi in our life...the friend who drags you out one night when you don't want to go (where you end up meeting your future husband) and the friend who encourages and pushes you to do something you really love and want to do- even if it isn't always logical!

So Happy Anniversary to Kristi & Zach! Cheers to many happy years to come!


love,
{erica}

photo credit: Piper Warlick Photography