Hi and welcome to Beth’s Weddings Blog. I am an event planner that is based in Michigan. When I started my own business in 1993, I would have never thought that I would be sharing my stories on the internet. How times have changed… I used to get all my clients simply by referrals…. now most of the calls come in from my web site. I hope this blog helps you to get to know me personally, and how I help my clients to have the most memorable wedding of their dreams!
Enjoy!
-Beth
When you imagine your wedding, what do you see?? Maybe you dream of exchanging vows before an intimate gathering of family and friends at sunset, followed by a chic and elegant dinner under the stars. You can practically see yourself at the altar, taste the cuisine, smell the gardenias, and feel the music playing when you join your guests to party at the reception. Before your wedding comes together with all the romance and glamour you have imagined, you will need to make decisions about the details. Is your color scheme bold and rich, or soft and ethereal? Will you marry in your Mother’s garden or on an exotic beach with the ocean crashing in the background? Do you desire an elegant sit-down dinner or a fabulous cocktail party with a great D.J. who keeps the party going late into the night? With so many choices, it can be hard to decide where to begin. My job is to keep you from being overwhelmed, so you can enjoy the process of planning the most amazing wedding ever!!
Here are some “highlights” of my weddings & events ….
August 31, 2010 – 9:30 pm
Kathy & Rick ~ June 2010
I met this couple at my office as we were ordering their invitations for their wedding that was to take place two months from the date. As we talked, I asked if they had everything arranged for their wedding. Their answer was” No’” but Tom the best man is helping us! After letting them know what I could do to help … they hired me on the spot.
We had a lot to arrange in two months, the girls dresses, the flowers,tansportantion, and the cake where just some of the tasks at hand . Having a wonderful list of vendors, we pulled everything together without much stress. The wedding and reception took place at the Detroit Yacht Club on Belle Isle in Detroit. Kathy and Rick blended their two beautiful families together and then sailed away on their boating honeymoon!
August 31, 2010 – 9:11 pm
Shawn Abraham Scholarship fundraiser ~ May 2010
Shawn was a remarkable woman who graduated with her MBA from Wayne State University’s school of social work and was my BFF. She did wonderful work in the city of Detroit before cancer took her life at the young age of 30. An endowed scholarship in her name at Wayne State University School of social work is established, and we enjoy watching it grow to help other students. Our latest fundraiser was a “celebration of her life” at D’Amato’s Restaurant & Goodnite Gracie Jazz & Martini Bar in Royal Oak, Michigan.
The truly successful event was made possible by all the wonderful people that had helped. D’Amato’s Restaurant owners Lisa & Paul Jackman graciously opened their restaurant to us for the evening. The food is amazing and friends of the Jackman’s donated their time and talent with the entertainment. The amazing Emma Kate donated the yummy cupcakes along with a friend who works at Sysco. We had a successful raffle with items from Kid Rock, Chris Chelios, the Kamanos’s, and many more. And the highlight of the evening was the celebrity bartenders. If you are interested in making a donation to the school of social work, please contact me.
August 31, 2010 – 8:59 pm
Gillian & Michael ~ May 2010
I received a telephone call from Michael asking about my services. This couple was in the process of arranging their destination wedding in Mexico. The person whom they were working with was not very helpful and Gillian’s Mother Anita was very upset. I arranged to meet with them a few days later and they hired me on the spot. This was a very large destination wedding. Ninety – eight of their close friends and family came from all over the United States and overseas to attend this beach wedding at Dreams Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa, Mexico.
This resort is brand new and was a perfect spot for a wedding. Ana, the wedding coordinator on staff and my assistant Natalia were very helpful as we had to change the reception site at the last minute from the beach to an inside location. The ceremony took place under the chuppah on the beach as the wind wiped sand all around us. This couple could not have been more in love as Rabbi Bennett performed a very memorable ceremony. The reception had to be moved inside , but the food was amazing and everyone enjoyed watching the wedding party enjoyed dancing to the Hora. The biggest compliment I have ever gotten was by the Mother of the bride, Anita. She toasted that she could not of gotten through without me and that she loved me! How rewarding!!!
August 31, 2010 – 8:45 pm
Laurel & Brandon ~ April 2010
I met this couple at a bridal show at MGM Grand in Detroit a year ago. Brandon had just been transferred to New York for his job and they needed help planning their Michigan wedding. Again, I felt like the “Mother of the Bride” as I helped Laurel pick out her dress and assisted with booking all their vendors. We had a very stressful year as the couple had to endure another move to Colorado, and Laurel’s very sick Mother had passed away prior to the wedding. I have to say that Brandon was the most kind and compassionate groom I have very dealt with. He helped to put Laurel’s mind at ease and make their wedding everything they had dreamed about.
The wedding and reception was held at Cherry Creek Golf & Country Club in Shelby Twp, Michigan. Laurel wanted the ceremony on the beautiful porch that over looked the golf course. Michigan weather in April is very iffy, so as their good friend Scott finished marrying them outside on the beautiful porch, the rain drops started and the party moved inside. The reception was decorated just as Laurel had wanted, black & white with yellow accents. All the flowers were designed by Karen Duncan from the Pedal Ladies and the table numbers where photos taken all over Detroit. This really gave the tables an urban feel. I was honored to work again with the incredible Brian Widdis who took the photos. Zingerman’s bakehouse in Ann Arbor made Laurel’s favorite cake which was topped off with the dinosaur topers that I made for her. (Inside joke)
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August 31, 2010 – 8:28 pm
Katie & Clinton ~ November 2009
After meeting this super cute free spirited couple, all I could think about is they want to have a “fun” wedding experience for themselves and their guests! We decided on a destination wedding in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico at Dreams Resort Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa. The resort sits on Mismaloya Beach on a secluded beach cove. This is the third destination wedding that I have had at this resort this year alone. The weather could not of had been more perfect for their sunset ceremony as the waves crashed on the sand behind them. The reception for 35 of the couples closes friends and family was held on the beach just past their ceremony site. “Fun” was had by all as the guests dined on gourmet cuisine, smoked fresh rolled Cuban cigars, and danced all night under the stars.
October 14, 2009 – 7:37 pm
This is the all American story …. Couple attends the same high school together .. Natalie had always had a crush on Mike, but never acted on it. They meet again at their 20th class reunion.. Their eyes lock and the rest is history!
This is the 1st marriage for both of them and I have never had a couple (especially the groom) so involved in the planning as they were. Mike was at every meeting and called me as much as Natalie did. He came up with a “bubble” theme for their beautiful fall wedding and the very creative petal ladies ran with it. The wedding took place at the historical Mill Race Park in Northville, Michigan. We had an unbelievable warm sunny fall day. The colors on the treess were just starting to change and the their eyes sparkled in the sun as they spoke their own written vows in the small white gazebo surround by friends and family. The reception took place at the Livonia Marriott which had a very quaint outside patio with fire pits that guests enjoyed sitting around sipping their favorite cocktail. The many mum plants that lined the walk way to the gazebo were a huge hit as they were given to guests as they left late into the night.
Wedding - September 25th 2009Wedding decorations
Mike loves beer and the pedal ladies came up with this cute idea for the bar area
September 21, 2009 – 8:13 pm
“It’s the best day ever” (song by Sponge Bob), Miley, Joe Bro’s, and Selena Gomez were playing during Jordan’s 7th Birthday party. We had the big girls giving manicure and pedicures, did fun crafts, dance concerts, and yummy cupcakes from just baked in Livonia. It was the BEST DAY EVER!!
September 21, 2009 – 7:50 pm
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Amy called me in a panic one day …. “Can you help me make all the arrangements for a wedding in two months?” Love the challenge of my job! Amy is originally from Taiwan and this is where couple started their celebration with a huge engagement party in her home town. Wanting to have their legal wedding here in the United States, they had already arrange for Chris’s Uncle to perform their wedding ceremony at the Salvation Army Church in Farmington Hills, Michigan. Because this was a very small wedding, I took on the task of “florist”. Having worked and learned from my amazing friends, “the pedal ladies”, I truly enjoyed making and arranging the flowers. The one flaw of the day was when Amy’s sister showed up to church without her bouquet with 20 minutes before the ceremony was to start…I ran to Kroger’s and bought white roses, cut them, wrapped them and gave them to the maid of honor with 2 minutes to spare. Great save, if I do say so myself!
The reception was held at Hung Hua fine Chinese restaurant which was nominated as the best Chinese food in Michigan. They wanted everyone to experience all the food that Amy grew up with. After 10 courses later, the guests had full bellies and happy smiles on their faces.
August 24, 2009 – 9:23 pm
One of my dearest friend’s parents celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary and I was honored to help plan this special day. This party was a surprise and was difficult to pull off because most of the siblings were from out of town. We found the perfect place, Café Cortina located in Farmington Hills, Michigan. The food is fabulous and the restaurant is just perfect for a small wedding reception or private party. The majority of the budget was spent on the food, so the decorations were very simple and sweet. Pictures that document the couple’s life together are my very favorite decore at this type of event. Mr. & Mrs. Flanagan were surprised and absolutely loved their party. Big smile on my face!!!
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