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

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