{Wedding Design} Chalk It Up

Chalkboards are definitely an up and coming trend in weddings. The chalkboard look is becoming more popular in home design, as well – just like the inspiration mantle from The Lettered Cottage. For DIY projects, you can pick up a can of Benjamin Moore Chalkboard paint to paint on inexpensive plywood for your seating charts, welcome signs or decor around your reception.

In Everything, Give Thanks

I’m so excited for Thanksgiving, and although I’m typically not too reflective about the holiday, I think I’m beginning to sing a different tune. It’s such a blessing to look back at the year and think about some things to be thankful for.

When the year started, I never would have expected to be starting my own business – taking a risk and putting it all out there for anyone and everyone to see. You never know until you try, and I’ve been inspired by the couples who have let me be part of their special days. I’m thankful to have the opportunity to continue to grow as a wedding planner and can’t wait to see what 2012 brings.

I’m so thankful:

• to be saved by grace. The love and mercy of Jesus amazes me every day and I am humbled to know Him.
• for my husband. I am continuously blown away by his selflessness, love and constant support of what I do and who I am. He even likes to cook (I’m working on it!) and am so thankful for his willingness to serve and lead our family.

• for family. I am so glad to have family, in-laws and extended family that are a joy to share life with. Thank you for your listening ears, open arms and unconditional love that is extended on a daily basis.
• for friends. It is a blessing to realize that there are people in life who may not technically be family, but might as well be. I treasure these friendships.

¹⁶ Rejoice always, ¹⁷ pray without ceasing, ¹⁸ in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

{Wedding Dresses} Making a Comeback

One of my favorite things about wedding dresses are the backs of the dresses. An opportunity for brides to showcase their style to guests during the ceremony, a dress can really hit the wow factor with an amazing back.

{Destination Wedding} Lake Superior’s North Shore

Last winter, I spent some time in Northern California. While I was there, I did some serious exploring and loved every minute of it. By far, the best part was Big Sur, with amazing views at every hairpin turn on Highway 1 (above).

Although Minnesota doesn’t have the warm coastal beaches of California, we do have the North Shore of Lake Superior. Duluth and northward makes for a great escape from the city, all within an easy afternoon drive from Minneapolis.

{Wedding Reception Style} Twinkle Lights

Lighting makes a world of difference in a ceremony or reception space, but is often an item that is overlooked, except for the usual votive candles. This is a huge element of the ambiance of a space and something to consider, just like flowers and music, when setting a budget. Including lighting into your decor budget will allow for some flexibility and creativity for how to best light your space for an evening affair.

Unveiled Wedding Event

This weekend, the Unveiled Wedding Event came to the Minneapolis Convention Center. The perfect one-stop shop for brides-to-be, vendors varied from wedding dresses, men’s attire, flowers, and stationary to furniture rental and even custom chalkboard designs (what a great idea!). It’s such a pleasure to see the talent that the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area has and the creativity involved in the wedding industry. I snapped a few photos of my favorite dresses, centerpieces and desserts that brides-to-be and entourages were soaking up.

{Color Inspiration} A Plum Palette

Today’s perfect pallet is plum. A tasteful color choice for any season, plum, purple, orchid or mulberry tones are complemented by many colors. Rich jewel tones look great in pictures and are worn well by most complexions!

The complementary color of purple is yellow (remember your color wheel from art class?). If the yellow/purple combination is a little too punchy for you, don’t fret! There are tons of other beautiful combinations with purple, including gray, black, green or gold tones. Whatever your choice for a pairing, plum is a rich tone that is sure to add elegance to any wedding.

How Can a Shoe Box Change a Life?

Today I’m taking a timeout from the usual wedding chit-chat to tell you about a cause that’s near and dear to my heart. It’s called Operation Christmas Child, a project of Samaritan’s Purse, an international relief agency. The idea of the project is simple: fill a shoe box with small items (toys, tooth brushes, socks, crayons, etc), drop it off at a collection site, and track it as it travels across the world to a child in need.

The shoe box can change the course of a child’s life. For some, this is the first gift they’ve ever received. Along with the small items, each box arrives with “The Greatest Journey” booklets, sharing the love of Christ in the child’s native language.

As a volunteer for the organization, I’ve gotten to hear the testimonies of people who received an OCC shoe box as a child. One that stands out in my mind is the story of Lelja  – but I’ll let her tell you in her own words.

The Lejla Allison Story from Samaritan’s Purse on Vimeo.

In the seven processing centers around the country (including in our very own Minneapolis suburb of Mendota Heights), there were  more than 327,313 volunteer hours in the 2010 season. Over 5.5 million shoe boxes were collected last year and traveled around the world to kids in need.

National Collection Week for Operation Christmas Child is coming soon. Collection sites will be filling with shoe boxes from November 14-21. Check out Drop-Off Locations to find a collection site near you. You can be a key part in changing a child’s life this year. Blessings and thanks for reading!