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