Cleveland Wedding: Sam & Rusty {7.30.11}

Samantha Schindler and Russell "Rusty" Brown were married on July 30, 2011 at St. Clarence Church.  It was a beautiful thing to watch the priest who had married Sam's parents, George and Karen Schindler, and baptized Sam, officiate their wedding ceremony.  Sam looked incredible; her wedding dress with sweetheart neckline, beaded bodice, and layered, ruffled skirt was so stunning! The bridesmaid dresses (Jim Hjelm) were one of our favorites to date, a modified mermaid with gorgeous neckline embellishment in the color “Sunset”.  We kept the bridesmaids’ bouquets clean and simple using two white Cattleya orchids hand tied for each girl.  Samantha’s bouquet was an all white mix of Cattleya orchids, calla lilies, hydrangea, spider mums.  Vase to Vase provided all personal flowers for the wedding.  We also have to mention Mrs. Brown’s hat - OMG Rusty's mom's hat!!!  It was spectacular!

We weren't the only ones over the moon the for the bridesmaids dresses!  JLM Weddings (a JLM Couture real weddings site) recently featured Samantha's bridesmaids!  For more photos of the girls' dresses visit JLM Weddings.

The reception was held at Weymouth Country Club in Medina, OH. Sam & Rusty's wedding day was all about bold, bright, fun!  Samantha wanted a tropical "hot" feel to their wedding day, which we achieved by incorporating vibrant pinks and oranges into their color palette and design.  The first hint guests received of what the wedding day would hold in store for them was the save the date.  Sam wanted to keep it light, and being that she is a diehard Browns fan and Rusty is a diehard Bengals fan, and both teams have orange in their team colors, and we were using orange in our color palette, (see where this is going?) we created a save the date with Paper Trails that featured "The Battle of Ohio Unites" with the couple smiling in their jerseys and the wedding date circled on a July calendar.   We also custom created Sam & Rusty's invitation suite and accessories with the lovely gals at Paper Trails.  Sam wanted the invitation to be formal, but still have a fresh, fun feel; an iridescent white card stock complimented by a phenomenal card stock in a color called "Pout" (a sassy deep honeysuckle) brought the two worlds together perfectly.  We all loved the abstract rose motif we used on the invitation's cover so much that it made it's way onto all of Sam & Rusty's paper accoutrements and even made an appearance in their lighting design!  Samantha's table numbers showed the couple's playful side by showcasing a photo of Sam & Rusty each at the age corresponding to the table number.  To view all of Samantha and Rusty's paper wonderfulness, visit their album on our Facebook page. 

Being that Sam's father George is a restaurateur; it was of the utmost importance that the menu be memorable.  Sam & Rusty had one of our most diverse and extensive menus to date!  For cocktail hour, not only did they serve the expected stationary and passed hors d'oeuvres, but they also brought in the unexpected Sushi Rock to hand roll custom created "Sam" and "Rusty" rolls for the guests!  Servers passed splits of Perrier Jouet with orange straws and guests enjoyed Weymouth Country Club's terrace in lounge spaces we created with rattan furniture.  Cocktail hour was just the beginning!  

Guests were seated for dinner at a mix of estate and round tables with tabletop arrangements from Vase to Vase.  Weymouth has a very tall vaulted ceiling and on the estate tables we highlighted that feature with towering tropical leaved "trees" as the focal point of the design.  For dinner, guests were served a plate of citrus honey glazed chicken with mango cilantro salsa, coconut basmati and wild rice, and petite carrots and haricot verts.  After dinner, guests were treated to an exceptional dessert buffet featuring four different flavors of wedding cake (almond, red velvet, carrot, and chocolate), and assorted pastries (including two different types of cake pops {lemon or lime}, 3 different kinds of brownies {dark chocolate, peanut butter, or dried cherry with ganache}, caramel nut bars, lemon squares, and chocolate dipped coconut macaroons) all from Flour Girl.  The cake's top and bottom tiers were modeled after the bride's dress and the middle tier after her incredible hand made garter!  If that wasn't enough to calm the guests' craving for sweets, there was also a chef making Bananas Foster to order!

The dance floor was packed all night thanks to the DJs of TKO Entertainment, and for those taking a break from the dance floor, Shutterbooth was onsite with a photobooth.  Our favorite moment of the night?  The surprise fireworks display!  Only Sam and her vendors knew; all of the guests including both sets of parents, and her groom were surprised!  It was an incredibly magical and touching moment made even more special by the "fireworks mix" Ted from TKO created to accompany the show.  It was all so perfect.

The party went until 2 AM, and with one of Sam & Rusty's favorite meals of the day being breakfast, it was only natural that we should serve a breakfast buffet at Midnight.  Guests loved the french toast sticks, silver dollar pancakes, mini McMuffins, and classic cereals!  It was a sweet ending to a sweet, sweet day.

        

Want an experience like Sam & Rusty's?  Here's the rundown on our experience essentials partners:

Ceremony: St. Clarence Church

Reception: Weymouth Country Club

Wedding Planning & Design: Shi Shi Events Wedding Planning & Design

Photographer: Z Media

Floral: Vase to Vase

Linens: La Tavola Linen

DJ: TKO Entertainment

Cake and Pastries: Flour Girl

Event Lighting: Shi Shi Events Lights, Sound, & Swag

Photobooth: Shutterbooth

Fireworks: Mad Bomber Fireworks Productions

Sushi: Sushi Rock

Guest Transportation: Lakefront Lines

Bridal Party Transportation: First Class Limo

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Best Wedding Dress Trends for Spring 2012

We can't believe 2011 is nearly over!  It's so cliche, but every wedding season seems to go faster and faster; one day it's May and in a blink we find ourselves in November.  2011 was an incredible year for Shi Shi and we're looking forward to a fantastic 2012!  Thank you to everyone who continuously contributes to making our success possible - much love to all of you!  With the start of the New Year just hours away, we thought we'd give you a trend-watching, eye candy filled post to help you with the start of your planning process - finding your dress!

After our brides find their venue and select their wedding date, it's all about the dress!  You'll need up to 6 months for the dress to arrive, so we suggest starting to dress shop at least 9 months in advance to leave room for alterations once the dress arrives.  {If you procrastinated on your dress shopping, or are planning on a tight timeline, no worries, just know you might have to pay a bit extra for rush charges in order to get the dress on time.}  

2012 is shaping up to be spectacular bridal fashion wise!  SO many delicious gowns hit the Spring 2012 runways, we thought an awesome way to kick off the New Year would be to share three of our favorite bridal dress trends with you!  So without further adieu...and in no particular order...here are the Shi Shi girls' favorites for Spring 2012.

Illusion Necklines
An illusion neckline is typically constructed of lace, tulle, or net and extends from the bodice of the dress to the collar.  Many will be adorned with beading or appliques to enhance the dress' design and define the collarbone area, while others are left plain to give just the softest sheen to the skin.  Illusion necklines are wonderful options for the bride who likes the strapless gown look, but doesn't want to fuss with pulling her dress up all night.  Here are your Shi Shi girls picks for favorite illusion neckline gowns from the Spring 2012 runways:

Alvina Valenta

Marchesa

Reem Acra

Sleeves
We are SUPER excited about the return of sleeves!  They're just so beautiful and universally flattering that even if you hadn't envisioned your dress as having sleeves, we think it's definitely worth a shot trying them on in the dressing room!  We don't care if they're short, long, cap, off the shoulder, flutter, or on a removable bolero - we love, love, love them!  {You may find the sleeves and illusion neckline trends overlap one another on many of the dresses you'll see.  The Marchesa and Reem Acra dresses above are good examples of that.}  Here are your Shi Shi girls' picks for sleeved gowns from the Spring 2012 runways:

Elie by Elie Saab for Pronovias

Jenny Packham

Reem Acra

Blush Pink 
In the past we haven't been strong proponents of color on a wedding dress {with the exception of small black accents, like a sash}, but this season is changing our mind.  Color abounded from the Spring 2012 runways and we honed in on a delightful shade of blush pink that on the right skin tone is nothing short of perfect.  From dramatic blush cascades of fabric, to dresses with such a trace hint of the shade you have to do a double take to be sure it's not white, to just a pop of pink on a sash or applique, we think you'll be seeing a lot of this stunning shade in 2012!  Here are your Shi Shi girls' picks for dresses featuring blush pink from the Spring 2012 runways:

Vera Wang

Monique Lhuillier

Rivini

Rivini

Will you be trying any of these trends for your wedding dress?  Let us know with comments to our Facebook or Twitter pages, or by pinning your favorites for us to peek at on Pinterest!  Want to search for your perfect gown?  Visit the NY Mag Fashion Shows page and scroll down to Bridal Shows 2012 where you can view each fashion house's complete collection for Spring 2012.  Happy shopping & Happy New Year everyone!

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Words of Love Day 25

Truly some of the best words of love ever written.  Merry Christmas everyone!  Health, happiness, and peace to all of you this holiday - we hope you're celebrating today with those you love.

  

Luke 2:1-20

 And it came to pass in those days that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.

    
 2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

    
 3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

    
 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee out of the city of Nazareth into Judea, unto the City of David which is called Bethlehem (because he was of the house and lineage of David)

    
 5 to be taxed with Mary, his espoused wife, who was great with child.

    
 6 And so it was that while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

    
 7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

    
 8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

    
 9 And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them, and they were sore afraid.

    
 10 And the angel said unto them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

    
 11 For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

    
 12 And this shall be a sign unto you: Ye shall find the Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger."

    
 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

    
 14 "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men!"

    
 15 And it came to pass, when the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, "Let us now go even unto Bethlehem and see this thing which has come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us."

    
 16 And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger.

    
 17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this Child.

    
 18 And all those who heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

    
 19 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.

    
 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

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Words of Love Day 24

Well it's Christmas Eve, our favorite day of the year!  So much excitement and anticipation and visiting with family and friends - love, love, love!  It's such a very cozy day.  And what better to share with you than one of our all time favorite literary passages from "The Velveteen Rabbit" by Margery Williams

"What is REAL?" asked the Rabbit one day, when they were lying side by side near the nursery fender, before Nana came to tidy the room. "Does it mean having things that buzz inside you and a stick-out handle?"

"Real isn't how you are made," said the Skin Horse. "It's a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real."

"Does it hurt?" asked the Rabbit.

"Sometimes," said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful. "When you are Real you don't mind being hurt."

"Does it happen all at once, like being wound up," he asked, "or bit by bit?"

"It doesn't happen all at once," said the Skin Horse. "You become. It takes a long time. That's why it doesn't happen often to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand."

"I suppose you are real?" said the Rabbit. And then he wished he had not said it, for he thought the Skin Horse might be sensitive. But the Skin Horse only smiled.

"The Boy's Uncle made me Real," he said. "That was a great many years ago; but once you are Real you can't become unreal again. It lasts for always."

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Words of Love Day 23

We have never come across this passage and found it incredibly moving.  The beauty of ordinary moments perfectly told in "The Last Good Time" by Robert Bausch.

"There was a lovely time, long ago, too private to tell anyone, or too ordinary. It had nothing to do with anything, really: it was almost embarrassingly humble. One December night, unable to sleep, he had glanced out the bedroom window to discover that it had snowed. He woke his wife and made her come to the window, and the surprise of it delighted her as it had delighted him.

They dressed and bundled the baby up and took a walk, and watched the dawn arrive, and when they returned to the house, he took the day off. They played with the baby, cooked dinner, and baked bread. They listened to the baby playing in his playpen, and they talked idly about anything that came into their minds, and that evening, late, they lay whispering to each other about what a beautiful day it had been.

He thought about all this on his way down to the grocery store. The memory of it came through him like a breath, and then he was savoring it, basking in its warmth. And he thought that this is what love really meant: this very ordinary memory. That love was easy and plentiful as grass, and as still, as calm somehow."

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Words of Love Day 22

You may know Robert Fulghum from his first book "All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten".  In his 5th book, "From Beginning to End - The Rituals of Our Lives" you'll find this awesome passage simply titled "Union"; we think it's the perfect way to start your married life!

"You have known each other from the first glance of acquaintance to this point of commitment. At some point, you decided to marry. From that moment of yes to this moment of yes, indeed, you have been making promises and agreements in an informal way. All those conversations that were held riding in a car or over a meal or during long walks — all those sentences that began with “When we’re married” and continued with “I will” and “you will” and “we will” — those late night talks that included “someday” and “somehow” and “maybe” — and all those promises that are unspoken matters of the heart. All these common things, and more, are the real process of a wedding.

The symbolic vows that you are about to make are a way of saying to one another, “You know all those things we’ve promised and hoped and dreamed — well, I meant it all, every word.”

Look at one another and remember this moment in time. Before this moment you have been many things to one another  — acquaintance, friend, companion, lover, dancing partner, and even teacher, for you have learned much from one another in these last few years. Now you shall say a few words that take you across a threshold of life, and things will never quite be the same between you. For after these vows, you shall say to the world, this is my husband, this is my wife."

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Words of Love Day 21

From the classic novel "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Bronte:

I have for the first time found what I can truly love – I have found you. You are my sympathy – my better self—my good angel—I am bound to you with a strong attachment. I think you good, gifted, lovely: a fervent, a solemn passion is conceived in my heart; it leans to you, draws you to my center and spring of life, wraps my existence about you—and, kindling in pure, powerful flame, fuses you and me in one.

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