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.}

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!

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!

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}

PRESS :: The Bride's Book Spring 2010

Back in January, I designed & coordinated a feature for The Bride's Book Magazine. The Spring 2010 issue features this shoot which took place on a cold, windy rooftop in January!

Thanks to the vendors who also participated in this shoot:

Holiday Inn Center City (Rachel Samuelson)
Hayden Olivia
The Place for Flowers
Diamonds Direct (SouthPark)

Tizzerts
3 Little Birds
Classic Party Rentals (Charlotte)

And an extra big thanks to two of my favorite photographers, Candice & Daniel Lanning from The Beautiful Mess for all of their extra effort & patience. Y'all do beautiful work!

If you haven't seen a copy of the magazine yet, go pick one up- or leave me a nice comment below and maybe I'll send you one! Who doesn't love a fun magazine in the mail?!

Cheers!
Erica

February Already?!

The weatherman was right, and we actually saw plenty of snow this weekend which may or may not have anything to do with being inspired to blog. So I won't dwell on how long it's been since I've blogged, but I will share some of the fun things that have happened since then...

*I finished my photography class at The Light Factory and now sort of know how to use a digital SLR camera

*I started the last year of my twenties

*I made a road trip to Louisville, KY for a basketball game and got to spend time with my fabulous former bride/friend, Heather and met two amazing planners, Lauren from Lauren Chitwood Events and Rayna from Always Planned while I was there

*I registered for Eventology 2010 in April...and I absolutely cannot wait!
*I spent the holidays with my family and enjoyed every relaxing minute of it! Nothing quite like watching my 3 year old niece on Christmas morning!

*I spent New Year's Eve with my husband and saw one of my favorite bands, The Avett Brothers, in concert.

*I designed my first magazine photo shoot for The Bride's Book and got to work with Candice & Daniel from The Beautiful Mess!

*One of my best friends/bridesmaids got engaged! :)
*I got to meet a fabulous Atlanta planner & fellow pug lover, Ashley Baber while I was in Richmond

*I attended the Grand Opening of the fabulous New York Bride + Groom in Charlotte

*I attended the Bridal Showcase at the Charlotte Convention Center to help out my good friend Lucy at her booth for Lucy Parker Photography and got a chance to meet some new vendors and see some vendors I already knew!

*I took my amazing husband out for his birthday to Soul Gastro Lounge. I want to go back. ASAP.

So there's the cliff's notes of what I have already done...and here's a sneak peek of my goals for February:

* Finish the book "Crush It"....and then read it again.

*book my flight & hotel room for Eventology
*write four blog posts

*attend at least one networking event

*meet with at least two vendors
*make a list of websites/blogs to share with my brides for ideas & inspiration

*follow up with vendors from the bridal show
*read & comment on more blogs!

Vendor Profile: The Beautiful Mess

So as part of my October goals, I met with 3 new vendors to broaden my network again. One beautiful Thursday I knocked out that goal in one fell swoop and was lucky enough to meet up with the amazingly fun & talented Candice Lanning from The Beautiful Mess photography in Charlotte. Candice is the "wife" half of the husband/wife team that also includes her equally talented husband, Daniel. They shoot such fun, fashionable pictures of brides, weddings, families, babies...you name it, they'll shoot it. And do a fabulous job of it!Candice & I met for some yummy apple cider at Caribou Coffee on East Blvd. and chatted away about weddings, music, & life in general. I had heard great things about Candice & Daniel and their work and began following her on Twitter where I had recently enjoyed her musings about music she was listening to. As someone who loves and appreciates new music I was stoked to get to meet her and discuss our musical tastes along with some wedding business of course.
I walked away from that meeting feeling inspired & renewed in my business as well as my taste in music....and feeling much less geeky about my recent interest in "Twilight" as I soon thereafter purchased advance tickets for the upcoming release of "New Moon" in the movie theater!
The first two images are of Candice & Daniel from their trip to Seattle this past summer (photo credit: Sarah Rhoads), but then check out some of these recent images from their blog....such amazing work! I absolutely cannot wait to work with them in the future and am so looking forward to catching up again soon- probably with our own personal reviews of "New Moon"

November Goals & Sneak Peek!

And here it is a month later which means new goals! And one of my goals is definitely to blog something other than goals! In fact, I’ll even post a sneak peek at one of the weddings you’ll see more of soon! October was lots of craziness and fun and November promises to be just as busy! Here’s how October’s goals fared…
{} Finalize my contract & have the attorney review it In progress- will see the attorney over Thanksgiving so I will have him review it then.
{} Do the paperwork to become an LLC (changing from a sole proprietorship) Paperwork complete but am submitting it after January 1 for tax purposes.
{} Meet with 3 new vendors Check!
{} Have dinner with a friend I haven’t seen in a while Check!
{} Catch up on thank you notes to vendors In progress.
{} Organize my business expenses/receipts Didn’t get to this one...procrastination strikes again!
{} Schedule someone to deep clean our house & carpets House cleaners are coming Friday!
{} Catch up on “Mad Men” & “Glee” episodes Decided to try to do this over the holidays.
{} Start working on my business plan In progress.
{} Clean out my closet & switch out the seasonal clothes Check!
{} Take Norm to the dog bar in NoDa Check! (So much fun- can’t wait to go back!)
{} Make something with my KitchenAid mixer (I am not a cook/baker and it’s starting to get dusty!) Check! The peanut butter-chocolate chip cookies were definitely a success!
{} Plant fall flowers in my front yard & get out the Halloween decorations Check!
{} Update/clean out my Google reader Check!

And now for my November goals…
{} Get a good start on the Christmas shopping (cannot believe it is time for this already!)
{} Order holiday cards for Green Shoes Weddings & Events
{} Meet with 3 more vendors
{} Blog 5 times (this one doesn’t count!)
{} Order a new chair for our office at home
{} Work on marketing plan & materials for Green Shoes Weddings & Events
{} And, of course, work on the goals from October that didn’t I didn’t quite finish!

And here’s a sneak peak from Mandie & Drew’s September wedding at Castle McCulloch in Jamestown! Such a FUN couple- and Mandie has great style! Leave me some comment love regarding the monthly goals or Miss Mandie Grace! Happy Fall, y’all!

{Photo Credit: Bert Reed Photography}

Goals for October!

So I’m totally stealing this idea from my fellow Charlotte wedding pros, Cheyenne Schultz & Alyse Woodward and starting my own monthly “goal list” on my blog. Just for fun reference, you can check out Cheyenne & Alyse’s goals for October as well as the results from their September posts. I think they got the idea from fab photographer Nancy Ray , but as someone who loves to make lists, I thought this would be a good idea! Plus it will help me be more accountable in actually accomplishing some of these goals! Some are business related and some are more personal. There are big goals & small goals on my list, but nonetheless, here’s my list for October (and yes, I know it’s late, but I had a big, fabulous wedding this past weekend so better late than never!)

{} Finalize my contract & have the attorney review it
{} Do the paperwork to become an LLC (changing from a sole proprietorship)
{} Meet with 3 new vendors
{} Have dinner with a friend I haven’t seen in a while
{} Catch up on thank you notes to vendors
{} Organize my business expenses/receipts
{} Schedule someone to deep clean our house & carpets
{} Catch up on “Mad Men” & “Glee” episodes
{} Start working on my business plan
{} Clean out my closet & switch out the seasonal clothes
(check out my inspiration from Julianne Smith here)
{} Take Norm to the dog bar in NoDa
{} Make something with my KitchenAid mixer (I am not a cook & it’s starting to get dusty!)
{} Plant fall flowers in my front yard & get out the Halloween decorations
{} Update/clean out my Google reader

And here is my inspiration board for my goals (disclaimer: that is not actually my closet, nor would my closet EVER be that organized!)

What are some of your goals for this month? Any fun suggestions for what to make with my mixer or any good blogs I should be sure to read on a regular basis (wedding or non-wedding related)?