Cleveland Wedding Planner - Shi Shi Events Wedding Planning & Design

Best Wedding Dress Trends for Spring 2012

2011-12-31T14:40:00.000-05:00

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

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

2011-12-25T00:30:00.011-05:00

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

2011-12-24T12:00:00.003-05:00

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

2011-12-23T15:19:00.000-05:00

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

2011-12-23T00:03:00.000-05:00

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

2011-12-21T23:27:00.000-05:00

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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Words of Love Day 20

2011-12-21T00:11:00.000-05:00

We only have 5 days left in our countdown and are excited to share 5 days of beautiful passages from literature with you. To kick off our home stretch, here's a passage from

"A Gift From The Sea" by Anne Morrow Lindbergh

When you love someone, you do not love them all the time, in exactly the same way, from moment to moment. It is an impossibility. It is even a lie to pretend to. And yet this is exactly what most of us demand. We have so little faith in the ebb and flow of life, of love, of relationships. We leap at the flow of the tide and resist in terror its ebb. We are afraid it will never return. We insist on permanency, on duration, on continuity; when the only continuity possible, in life as in love, is in growth, in fluidity - in freedom, in the sense that the dancers are free, barely touching as they pass, but partners in the same pattern.

The only real security is not in owning or possessing, not in demanding or expecting, not in hoping, even. Security in a relationship lies neither in looking back to what was in nostalgia, nor forward to what it might be in dread or anticipation, but living in the present relationship and accepting it as it is now. Relationships must be like islands, one must accept them for what they are here and now, within their limits - islands, surrounded and interrupted by the sea, and continually visited and abandoned by the tides.

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Words of Love Day 19

2011-12-19T20:11:00.000-05:00

Good advice that's not always easy to heed, but totally necessary for a successful marriage. {At least in our opinion.}

"Foundations of Marriage" by Regina Hill

Love, trust, and forgiveness are the foundations of marriage. In marriage, many days will bring happiness, while other days may be sad. But together, two hearts can overcome everything...In marriage, all of the moments won't be exciting or romantic, and sometimes worries and anxiety will be overwhelming. But together, two hearts that accept will find comfort together. Recollections of past joys, pains, and shared feelings will be the glue that holds everything together during even the worst and most insecure moments. Reaching out to each other as a friend, and becoming the confidant and companion that the other one needs, is the true magic and beauty of any two people together. It's inspiring in each other a dream or a feeling, and having faith in each other and not giving up... even when all the odds say to quit. It's allowing each other to be vulnerable, to be himself or herself, even when the opinions or thoughts aren't in total agreement or exactly what you'd like them to be. It's getting involved and showing interest in each other, really listening and being available, the way any best friend should be. Exactly three things need to be remembered in a marriage if it is to be a mutual bond of sharing, caring, and loving throughout life: love, trust, and forgiveness.

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Words of Love Day 18

2011-12-18T12:44:00.000-05:00

"To My Dear and Loving Husband"

If ever two were one, then surely we.

If ever man were lov'd by wife, then thee.

If ever wife was happy in a man,

Compare with me, ye women, if you can.

I prize thy love more than whole Mines of gold,

Or all the riches that the East doth hold.

My love is such that Rivers cannot quench,

Nor ought but love from thee give recompense.

Thy love is such I can in no way repay;

The heavens reward thee manifold I pray.

Then while we live, in love lets so persevere,

That when we live no more, we may live ever.

-Anne Bradstreet

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Words of Love Day 17

2011-12-18T12:32:00.000-05:00

A classic.

"Sonnet 43"

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.
I love thee to the level of everyday's
Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.
I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;
I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.
I love thee with the passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints!---I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life!---and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.

-Elizabeth Barrett Browning

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Words of Love Day 16

2011-12-16T12:25:00.000-05:00

We can't believe we have only 9 days left on our countdown! (This also means we need to get a move on with our last minute Christmas preparations!) Rainer Maria Rilke is a favorite of us Shi Shi girls, and his series of "Letters to a Young Poet", published after his death, provides a particularly interesting window into his beliefs on a range of subjects from loneliness, to career choices, to marriage. It's a passage on marriage we've selected to share with you. Love, love, love!

“The point of marriage is not to create a quick commonality by tearing down all boundaries; on the contrary, a good marriage is one in which each partner appoints the other to be the guardian of his solitude, and thus they show each other the greatest possible trust. A merging of two people is an impossibility, and where it seems to exist, it is a hemming-in, a mutual consent that robs one party or both parties of their fullest freedom and development. But once the realization is accepted that even between the closest people infinite distances exist, a marvelous living side-by-side can grow up for them, if they succeed in loving the expanse between them, which gives them the possibility of always seeing each other as a whole and before an immense sky.” - Rainer Maria Rilke

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Words of Love Day 15

2011-12-15T21:27:00.000-05:00

Sappy and short from "Dear John" by Nicholas Sparks today.

{collective sigh}

“And when her lips met mine, I knew that I could live to be a hundred and visit every country in the world, but nothing would ever compare to that single moment when I first kissed the girl of my dreams and knew that my love would last forever.”

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Words of Love Day 14

2011-12-14T19:47:00.002-05:00

So, so lovely. The perfect wedding ceremony reading.

"Love"

I love you
Not only for what you are,
But for what I am
When I am with you.

I love you,
Not only for what
You have made of yourself,
But for what
You are making of me.
I love you
For the part of me
That you bring out;
I love you

For putting your hand
Into my heaped-up heart
And passing over
All the foolish, weak things
That you can’t help
Dimly seeing there,
And for drawing out
Into the light
All the beautiful belongings
That no one else had looked
Quite far enough to find.

I love you because you
Are helping me to make
Of the lumber of my life
Not a tavern
But a temple.
Out of the works
Of my every day
Not a reproach
But a song.

I love you
Because you have done
More than any creed
Could have done
To make me good.
And more than any fate
Could have done
To make me happy.
You have done it
Without a touch,
Without a word,
Without a sign.
You have done it
By being yourself.

- Roy Croft

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Words of Love Day 13

2011-12-13T23:03:00.000-05:00

We found this passage from Captain Corelli's Mandolin so true and moving, we had to share it with you. It's a wonderful passage from the novel by Louis Bernieres and perfect for a short ceremony reading.

"Love is a temporary madness; it erupts like volcanoes and then subsides. And when it subsides you have to make a decision. You have to work out whether your roots have so entwined together that it is inconceivable that you should ever part. Because this is what love is. Love is not breathlessness, it is not excitement, it is not the promulgation of eternal passion. That is just being in love, which any fool can do. Love itself is what is left over when being in love has burned away, and this is both an art and a fortunate accident. Those that truly love have roots that grow towards each other underground, and when all the pretty blossoms have fallen from their branches, they find that they are one tree and not two."

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Words of Love Day 12

2011-12-12T21:15:00.000-05:00

This poem paints the perfect moment. Short & sweet for your Monday.

"November"

What is eternal of you
I saw in both your eyes.

You were among the apple branches;
the sun shone, and it was November.

Sun and apples and laughter
and love we gathered, you and I.

And the birds were singing.

- F.S. Flint

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Words of Love Day 11

2011-12-11T15:11:00.000-05:00

As promised, here's the second dinner blessing we read that we fell in love with - we hope you love it too!

Wedding Prayer - Adapted. Robert Lois Stevenson (1850-1894)

Lord, behold our family and friends here assembled
We thank you for this place in which we celebrate
For the love that unites us
For the peace accorded to this day
For the hope with which we dream
For the health, the work, the food,
And the bright skies that make our life delightful
For our friends and family in all parts of the earth
Amen.

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Words of Love Day 10

2011-12-10T17:05:00.000-05:00

The blessing before dinner is always a touching moment during wedding receptions; all of the guests with heads bowed wishing love and happiness to the newly married bride & groom. We've heard some beautiful prayers in the past, but we know coming up with a dinner blessing that also wishes the couple well isn't always the easiest thing to do. For those who would like a little help on the prayer front, we're going to feature two dinner blessings, one today and one tomorrow, that we found to be fantastic.

Celebration - by Rev. Carl Thitchner 2003

We celebrate the love that brought you to this day. With love that deepens through many years, may they know its meaning and its mystery – how we become truly one in sharing ourselves with one another, and yet, remain truly two in our own uniqueness. May your house be a place of happiness for all who enter it, a place where the old and young are renewed in each other’s company, a place for growing, a place for music, a place for laughter. And when shadows and darkness fall within its rooms, may it still be a place of hope and strength for all who enter it, especially for those who may be entrusted in your care. May no person be alien to your compassion. May your larger family be the family of all humankind. And may those who are nearest to you and dearest to you constantly be enriched by the beauty and the energy of your love for each other, Amen.

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Words of Love Day 9

2011-12-09T22:22:00.000-05:00

As promised yesterday, today's feature is the abridged version suggested for use during wedding ceremonies of Dr. Seuss' "Oh, the Places You'll Go". This one reads in just under 2 minutes, so if you love the book but need a shorter passage, well here you go.

"Oh, the Places You’ll Go"
by Dr. Seuss

Congratulations!
Today is your day.
You’re off to Great Places!
You’re off and away!
You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself
any direction you choose.
You’re on your own. And you know what you know.
And YOU are the couple who’ll decide where to go.
You’ll look up and down streets. Look ‘em over with care.
About some you will say, “We don’t choose to go there.”
With your heads full of brains and your shoes full of feet,
you’re too smart to go down, any not-so-good street.
And you may not find any
you’ll want to go down.
In that case, of course,
you’ll head straight out of town.
It’s opener there
in the wide open air,
Out there things can happen
and frequently do
to people as brainy
and footsy as you.
And when things start to happen,
don’t worry. Don’t stew.
Just go right along.
You’ll start happening too.
OH! THE PLACES YOU’LL GO!
You’ll be on your way up!
You’ll be seeing great sights!
You’ll join the high fliers
who soar to great heights!
You won’t lag behind, because you’ll have all the speed.
You’ll pass the whole gang, and you’ll soon take the lead.
Wherever you fly you’ll be best of the best.
Wherever you go, you will top all the rest.
Except when you don’t.
Because sometimes, you won’t.
You’ll get mixed up of course,
as you already know.
You’ll get mixed up
with so many strange birds as you go.
So be sure when you step.
Step with great care and great tact
and remember that Life’s a Great Balancing Act.
Just never forget to be dexterous and deft.
And never mix up your right foot with your left.
And will you succeed?
Yes! You will indeed!
(98 and ¾ percent guaranteed.)
KIDS, YOU’LL MOVE MOUNTAINS!
So, be your name Buxbaum or Dowrie or Bass
or Mordecai Ali Van Allen O’Shea,
you’re off to great places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting.
So … get on your way!

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Words of Love Day 8

2011-12-08T22:03:00.004-05:00

Dr. Seuss is WAY up there on our list of favorite authors and this book is at the very top of our list of favorites of his. "Oh, the Places You'll Go" is a fantastic story about life - all the good stuff, the bad stuff, and what it means to be resilient in spite of all of that. Kind of sounds like a little like marriage doesn't it? We love it SO much, that we are dedicating both Day 8 and Day 9 to it. Today, we'll feature the book in it's entirety (it reads in about 5 minutes) and tomorrow we'll feature the shortened version we've seen used in wedding ceremonies before. We hope you love, love, love both!

"Oh, the Places You’ll Go!"
by Dr. Seuss

Congratulations!
Today is your day.
You’re off to Great Places!
You’re off and away!

You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself any direction you choose.
You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the guy who’ll decide where to go.

You’ll look up and down streets. Look’em over with care. About some you will say, “I don’t choose to go there.” With your head full of brains and your shoes full of feet, you’re too smart to go down a not-so-good street.

And you may not find any you’ll want to go down. In that case, of course, you’ll head straight out of town. It’s opener there in the wide open air.

Out there things can happen and frequently do to people as brainy and footsy as you.

And when things start to happen, don’t worry. Don’t stew. Just go right along. You’ll start happening too.

Oh! The Places You’ll Go!

You’ll be on your way up!
You’ll be seeing great sights!
You’ll join the high fliers who soar to high heights.

You won’t lag behind, because you’ll have the speed. You’ll pass the whole gang and you’ll soon take the lead. Wherever you fly, you’ll be best of the best. Wherever you go, you will top all the rest.

Except when you don’t.
Because, sometimes, you won’t.

I’m sorry to say so but, sadly, it’s true that Bang-ups and Hang-ups can happen to you.

You can get all hung up in a prickle-ly perch. And your gang will fly on. You’ll be left in a Lurch.

You’ll come down from the Lurch with an unpleasant bump. And the chances are, then, that you’ll be in a Slump.

And when you’re in a Slump, you’re not in for much fun. Un-slumping yourself is not easily done.

You will come to a place where the streets are not marked. Some windows are lighted. But mostly they’re darked. A place you could sprain both your elbow and chin! Do you dare to stay out? Do you dare to go in? How much can you lose? How much can you win?

And if you go in, should you turn left or right…or right-and-three-quarters? Or, maybe, not quite? Or go around back and sneak in from behind? Simple it’s not, I’m afraid you will find, for a mind-maker-upper to make up his mind.

You can get so confused that you’ll start in to race down long wiggled roads at a break-necking pace and grind on for miles across weirdish wild space, headed, I fear, toward a most useless place.

The Waiting Place…for people just waiting.

Waiting for a train to go or a bus to come, or a plane to go or the mail to come, or the rain to go or the phone to ring, or the snow to snow or waiting around for a Yes or No or waiting for their hair to grow. Everyone is just waiting.

Waiting for the fish to bite or waiting for wind to fly a kite or waiting around for Friday night or waiting, perhaps, for their Uncle Jake or a pot to boil, or a Better Break or a string of pearls, or a pair of pants or a wig with curls, or Another Chance. Everyone is just waiting.

No! That’s not for you!
Somehow you’ll escape all that waiting and staying. You’ll find the bright places where Boom Bands are playing. With banner flip-flapping, once more you’ll ride high! Ready for anything under the sky. Ready because you’re that kind of a guy!

Oh, the places you’ll go! There is fun to be done! There are points to be scored. There are games to be won. And the magical things you can do with that ball will make you the winning-est winner of all. Fame! You’ll be famous as famous can be, with the whole wide world watching you win on TV.

Except when they don’t. Because, sometimes, they won’t.

I’m afraid that some times you’ll play lonely games too. Games you can’t win ‘cause you’ll play against you.

All Alone!
Whether you like it or not, Alone will be something you’ll be quite a lot.

And when you’re alone, there’s a very good chance you’ll meet things that scare you right out of your pants. There are some, down the road between hither and yon, that can scare you so much you won’t want to go on.

But on you will go though the weather be foul. On you will go though your enemies prowl. On you will go though the Hakken-Kraks howl. Onward up many a frightening creek, though your arms may get sore and your sneakers may leak. On and on you will hike. And I know you’ll hike far and face up to your problems whatever they are.

You’ll get mixed up, of course, as you already know. You’ll get mixed up with many strange birds as you go. So be sure when you step. Step with care and great tact and remember that Life’s a Great Balancing Act. Just never forget to be dexterous and deft. And never mix up your right foot with your left.

And will you succeed?
Yes! You will, indeed!
(98 and ¾ percent guaranteed.)

Kid, you’ll move mountains!
So…be your name Buxbaum or Bixby or Bray or Mordecai Ale Van Allen O’Shea, you’re off to Great Places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting.
So…get on your way!

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Words of Love Day 7

2011-12-07T22:46:00.000-05:00

Short and sweet today from Mother Theresa - who knows love better than her?

"Spread love everywhere you go: first of all in your own house. Give love to your children, to your wife or husband, to a next door neighbor... Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God's kindness; kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile, kindness in your warm greeting." - Mother Theresa

Words of Love Day 6

2011-12-06T21:57:00.000-05:00

"When Harry Met Sally" is as timeless as romantic comedies come and this tidbit from the final scenes is just a teeny tiny portion of why:

"I love that you get cold when it's 71 degrees out. I love that it takes you an hour and a half to order a sandwich. I love that you get a little crinkle above your nose when you're looking at me like I'm nuts. I love that after I spend the day with you, I can still smell your perfume on my clothes. And I love that you are the last person I want to talk to before I go to sleep at night. And it's not because I'm lonely, and it's not because it's New Year's Eve. I came here tonight because when you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible." - Harry Burns (played by Billy Crystal)

And, if you'd like to see the original delivery and full scene, just watch here...

Words of Love Day 5

2011-12-05T14:44:00.000-05:00

Not as commonly used as Corinthians (and we think just a little more lovely), the Song of Solomon is a wonderful choice for use as a reading during Christian or Jewish ceremonies.

Song of Solomon 2:10-13;8:6-7

My beloved speaks and says to me:

"Arise, my love, my fair one,

and come away;

for now the winter is past,

the rain is over and gone.

The flowers appear on the earth;

the time of singing has come,

and the voice of the turtledove

is heard in our land.

The fig tree puts forth its figs,

and the vines are in blossom;

they give forth fragrance.

Arise, my love, my fair one,

and come away.

Set me as a seal upon your heart,

as a seal upon your arm;

for love is strong as death,

passion fierce as the grave.

Its flashes are flashes of fire,

a raging flame.

Many waters cannot quench love,

neither can floods drown it.

If one offered for love

all the wealth of his house,

it would be utterly scorned.

Words of Love Day 4

2011-12-04T19:10:00.000-05:00

We love this song! We love it as a recessional, as a reception entrance, and now as a reading. It's such a beautiful message of possibility and all things new - it's an oldie (1992) but a goodie. Ten thousand maniacs can't be wrong, right?

"These Are Days" 10,000 Maniacs, Our Time In Eden (Elektra, 1992)

These are days you’ll remember
Never before and never since, I promise
Will the whole world be warm as this
And as you feel it,
You’ll know it’s true
That you – you are blessed and lucky
It’s true – that you
Are touched by something
That will grow and bloom in you

These are days you’ll remember
When May is rushing over you
With desire to be part of the miracles
You see in every hour
You’ll know it’s true
That you are blessed and lucky
It’s true that you are touched
By something that will grow and bloom in you

These are days –
These are the days you might fill
With laughter until you break
These days you might feel
A shaft of light
Make its way across your face
And when you do
You’ll know how it was meant to be
See the signs and know their meaning
You’ll know how it was meant to be
Hear the signs and know they’re speaking
To you, to you

Words of Love Day 3

2011-12-03T19:22:00.000-05:00

The first time this poem came into my life was during a college poetry class. As unoriginal as my stumbling upon it was, it spoke to me in a very profound way. Just as in the way when rain falls it comes down and touches everything, so does love, and no where have I seen that more beautifully illustrated than in the last line of this poem "nobody, not even the rain, has such small hands".

Somewhere I have never travelled, gladly beyond

"somewhere i have never travelled, gladly beyond

any experience,your eyes have their silence:

in your most frail gesture are things which enclose me,

or which i cannot touch because they are too near

your slightest look easily will unclose me

though i have closed myself as fingers,

you open always petal by petal myself as Spring opens

(touching skillfully, mysteriously) her first rose

or if your wish be to close me, I and

my life will shut very beautifully, suddenly,

as when the heart of this flower imagines

the snow carefully everywhere descending;

nothing which we are to perceive in this world equals

the power of your intense fragility: whose texture

compels me with the color of its countries,

rendering death and forever with each breathing

(I do not know what it is about you that closes

and opens; only something in me understands

the voice of your eyes is deeper than all roses)

nobody, not even the rain, has such small hands"

- E.E. Cummings

Words of Love Day 2

2011-12-02T19:46:00.000-05:00

One of the best stories of what it means to love selflessly.

"Once there was a tree....
and she loved a little boy.
And every day the boy would come
and he would gather her leaves
and make them into crowns
and play king of the forest.
He would climb up her trunk
and swing from her branches
and eat apples.
And they would play hide-and-go-seek.
And when he was tired,
he would sleep in her shade.
And the boy loved the tree....
very much.
And the tree was happy.

But time went by.
And the boy grew older.
And the tree was often alone.
Then one day the boy came to the tree
and the tree said, "Come, Boy, come and
climb up my trunk and swing from my
branches and eat apples and play in my
shade and be happy."
"I am too big to climb and play" said
the boy.
"I want to buy things and have fun.
I want some money."
"I'm sorry," said the tree, "but I
have no money.
I have only leaves and apples.
Take my apples, Boy, and sell them in
the city. Then you will have money and
you will be happy."

And so the boy climbed up the
tree and gathered her apples
and carried them away.
And the tree was happy.
But the boy stayed away for a long time....
and the tree was sad.

And then one day the boy came back
and the tree shook with joy
and she said, "Come, Boy, climb up my trunk
and swing from my branches and be happy."
"I am too busy to climb trees," said the boy.
"I want a house to keep me warm," he said.
"I want a wife and I want children,
and so I need a house.
Can you give me a house?"
"I have no house," said the tree.
"The forest is my house,
but you may cut off
my branches and build a
house. Then you will be happy."

And so the boy cut off her branches
and carried them away
to build his house.
And the tree was happy.
But the boy stayed away for a long time.

And when he came back,
the tree was so happy
she could hardly speak.

"Come, Boy," she whispered,
"come and play."
"I am too old and sad to play,"
said the boy.
"I want a boat that will
take me far away from here.
Can you give me a boat?"
"Cut down my trunk
and make a boat," said the tree.
"Then you can sail away...
and be happy."

And so the boy cut down her trunk
and made a boat and sailed away.
And the tree was happy
... but not really.

And after a long time
the boy came back again.
"I am sorry, Boy,"
said the tree," but I have nothing
left to give you -
My apples are gone."
"My teeth are too weak
for apples," said the boy.
"My branches are gone,"
said the tree. " You
cannot swing on them - "
"I am too old to swing
on branches," said the boy.
"My trunk is gone, " said the tree.
"You cannot climb - "
"I am too tired to climb" said the boy.
"I am sorry," sighed the tree.
"I wish that I could give you something....
but I have nothing left.
I am just an old stump.
I am sorry...."
"I don't need very much now," said the boy.
"just a quiet place to sit and rest.
I am very tired."
"Well," said the tree, straightening
herself up as much as she could,
"well, an old stump is good for sitting and resting
Come, Boy, sit down. Sit down and rest."

And the boy did.

And the tree was happy."

- Shel Silverstein

Words of Love Day 1

2011-12-01T21:26:00.003-05:00

The holidays are all about love, and we thought what better a way to countdown to Christmas than by sharing with you some of our favorite words of love! So, over the next 25 days we'll post one of our favorites here every day. We hope you'll find one or two or three passages that you adore as much as we do. And we hope you'll incorporate those that touch your heart into your wedding ceremony or another piece of your wedding design so your guests can fall in love with the words too. It is all about love after all.

We Shi Shi girls have a giant soft spot for Sex and the City. It's an all time favorite over here and marathon viewing sessions may or may not happen regularly 'round these parts. So how else would we kick off our words of love countdown than with Carrie & Big's beautiful use of Beethoven's "ever mine, ever thine, ever ours"? When he whispers those words into her ear as they finally tie the knot (*spoiler alert*), it gets us every time. Here's the full version from Ludwig van Beethoven's "The Immortal Beloved Letters":

“Though still in bed, my thoughts go out to you, my Immortal Beloved, now and then joyfully, then sadly, waiting to learn whether or not fate will hear us ...

Yes, I am resolved to wander so long away from you until I can fly to your arms and say that I am really at home with you, and can send my soul enwrapped in you into the land of spirits ...

No one else can ever possess my heart - never - never - Oh God, why must one be parted from one whom one so loves ... Your love makes me at once the happiest and the unhappiest of men ...

My angel, I have just been told that the mailcoach goes every day - therefore I must close at once so that you may receive the letter at once ...

Be calm - love me - today - yesterday - what tearful longings for you - you - you - my life - my all - farewell. Oh continue to love me - never misjudge the most faithful heart of your beloved.

Ever thine,
Ever mine,

Ever ours.”

Super Shi Shi Flash Sale!

2011-11-15T16:37:00.000-05:00

We love a good flash sale as much as the next gal. And being that we've received an astounding number of new client calls and emails the past few weeks we want to offer all of you maybe Shi Shi brides & grooms a fun (yet fleeting) way to save on our planning and design services. So from now (Tuesday, 11/15 @ 4:30 PM) through Saturday, 11/19 @ 11:59 PM we are offering a 15% discount on ALL of our planning & design services to new clients! This means lots of $$$ savings for you! It's our way of saying we're thankful for you, Happy Thanksgiving, and who needs Black Friday when you have swoon worthy wedding services! Call us @ 440-623-3822 or email us to set up your consultation or book your services! But remember, you've only got 4 days to save, this offer will be gone in a flash.

A Chichi-er Shi Shi!

2011-10-19T20:51:00.000-04:00

Great growth is likely to bring great change, and we here at Shi Shi Events have grown a LOT over the course of the 2010-2011 seasons! With more Wedding Planning & Design clients than ever and the addition of our Lights, Sound, & Swag division our calendars have been packed leaving our schedules bursting at the seams, and 2012 doesn't show any signs of slowing. Being in our sixth season and looking forward to what's shaping up to be a fabulous seventh, we know all of this growth means we needed to make some changes in how we function so that we stay at our best and brightest for you!

{What does that mean?}

We're experiential people over here; we plan and design your wedding using a tactile, sensory based, color outside the lines approach. It's through our experiential approach that we're able to create ridiculously personal, high style weddings. That's why couples choose to become Shi Shi brides & grooms. So it's safe to say we feel pretty claustrophobic when we're faced with too many spreadsheets and check boxes, but we know they have their place in the planning process for sure. What a conundrum. We took a look at our existing planning documents and saw opportunities to rework them in a way that keeps us creative, and you fully and uniquely on track. So several of the newly improved planning documents we've introduced streamline your process by putting your documents in a central online location accessible to you and us anytime, anywhere. And our revised planning timeline document lets us check off all of our necessary boxes in a timely fashion, and also customize to do lists and payment schedules to your individual planning process. You won't find any cookie cutter, one size fits all here. In the end, you get the best of both worlds; an open minded, slightly left of center, style savvy design house that knows how to keep things black and white as needed.

Secondly, since I haven't quite mastered the art of teleportation, a lot of you are going to be seeing a lot more of/hearing a lot more from Shi Shi Events' Associate Planner, Katie. Katie's been with us for two years now so she's definitely down with all of our systems and philosophies. She knows what you Shi Shi girls need and how to get it for you, so she's going to be giving it to you on a much more regular basis. With Katie taking on more of the black and white elements of the firm, that leaves me much more time to focus on the not so black and white creative whatnots, and keeps my schedule from being spread to the max every. day. (The latter for which I am and I know you will be SO grateful.)

So that's what's what around here! We know this growth and these changes mean nothing but wonderful, spectacular things for us, and your planning & design process with us. And, we can't wait to get them fully implemented with our current 2012 couples as well as introduce them to all of our new Shi Shi brides & grooms!

Best Music Inspired Wedding Moments of 2010-2011

2011-10-12T17:15:00.000-04:00

Our 2010-2011 wedding season brought some of our all time favorite musical moments; from Fleetwood Mac and Sting on strings for a bridal processional, to iconic album covers as table names, and our amazing "Love Actually" inspired "All You Need Is Love" ceremony surprise, they each brought a beautifully personal touch to our couples' wedding days and gave us truly inspired moments. Take a peek at our favorites.

Becky & Bob were married last October and hosted their reception in the Music Hall at the House of Blues. LOVE this shot of the two of them in the Prayer Room at The Foundation Room inside HOB!

We also loved the bridesmaids' jewel toned dresses, each with a different complimentary bouquet from Vase to Vase to show off their color choice. ♥♥♥

It was a fantastic party, and being at the House of Blues we knew we wanted to incorporate music in a way that made sense for the venue without being over the top. We chose to do this by naming each of the guest tables after an iconic artist/album. Some of our favorite selections? Fleetwood Mac, Elton John, and Prince. Guests' names were listed on the back of the album cover like a track listing and a mini sized album was placed on the guest tables so they could find their places.

Margaret & Tony were married in May and hosted their reception at The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. Margaret & Tony not only had some wonderful music-centric elements to their wedding design, but also used one of our favorite color palettes ever! The colors for the day were yellow, persimmon, and navy; a truly striking combination (but we'll post more on that later). Our guests got a taste of what to expect from their evening straight out of the gate with a save the date inspired by a concert promo poster. We absolutely LOVED this!

Here are some fun shots of our bride & groom and their bridal party pre-reception from Making the Moment Photography.

Margaret & Tony also decided to incorporate music into their guest table assignments. Each table was named after a song title including a number (i.e. "Love Potion Number 9") and we had over 20 tables of guests! Here are a few of our favorites:

This last music feature is up there in terms of our most emotional wedding moments. Bride, Mandy wanted to surprise her groom, Scott with a real life version of one of their favorite movie scenes. We worked very closely for months with Scott & Geoff at Jerry Bruno Productions to pull off this "Love Actually" inspired surprise. Watch this video from Z Media for our version of "All You Need Is Love".

Shi Shi Couple Jamie & Ethan Featured in The Knot Ohio

2011-07-14T17:26:00.003-04:00

Congratulations to Shi Shi Events' couple Jamie & Ethan! Their July 10, 2010 wedding is featured in the Fall/Winter 2011 issue of The Knot Ohio (out now on newsstands)! I can't express how much I loved planning Jamie & Ethan's wedding. It was one of those times, where I really felt a part of the couple's family, and I enjoyed every minute of it! Jamie & Ethan were married on a brilliant day in July at St. Paul's Shrine in Cleveland, OH. Their ceremony was beautiful; officiated by a priest who was a long time family friend. Some of the ceremony highlights? The flower girls, twin daughters of close friends, were over the top sweet dressed in little pink tutus. Ethan created a program for the ceremony that looked exactly like a Google search page (Jamie & Ethan met while working together at Google). And the best part, Jamie surprised Ethan with The Euclid Beach Rocket Car as their transportation from the ceremony around town before the reception. Ethan was thrilled as he loves all things science!

For their reception design, Jamie and I centered on an Anthropologie-esque, found objects aesthetic pretty quickly. All that was left was to find a venue that truly lent itself to our design. Because Jamie lived in San Francisco, mother of the bride, Gayle, and I did all of the venue go sees and research together. It was such fun for me to get to know a mother of the bride so well; we instantly clicked and really just had a great time throughout the planning process. We both knew that The Glidden House would be in the top 3 of the venues we'd seen for Jamie, and I was thrilled when Jamie & Ethan chose it for their reception venue! The Glidden House is one of my favorite venues in Cleveland, not only for its beauty and history, but for the cozy vibe that's evident as soon as you step through their gorgeous midnight blue front door.

With the venue selected, Jamie, Gayle and I visited Arne at Blooms by Plantscaping to chat about flowers and the decor for the day. He loved our direction with the found objects, and the vintage inspired, whimsical feel we were hoping to create. We all decided he would be the best person to bring our ideas to life, and were absolutely over the moon with what he created for the wedding day! Gayle spent months collecting vintage items; card catalog drawers, silver serving pieces, lanterns, and egg cups were all part of the mix.

It was important to Jamie & Ethan that we also showcased their love of travel, all things board game, and working crossword puzzles into the day. So, when guests arrived at the reception they were asked to select a vintage postcard and "mail" their wishes for Jamie & Ethan to them in a vintage mailbox. Cocktails were had both outdoors on the Glidden House lawn and inside the Glidden's Study, Dining Room, and Loggia. Guests found their seating assignments in the Loggia inside an old library card catalog drawer. Seating assignments were written on library book cards and stamped with the wedding date in the color of the guest's meal choice. Next to the card catalog drawer was a wonderfully designed crossword puzzle, created especially for Jamie & Ethan by a friend of theirs. Guests could take the puzzle with them, or work on it during the reception with the Google pencils provided. As guests made their way to the dinner and dancing tent, they passed beautiful vintage lanterns hung from ribbon streamers in the Crabapple tree next to the path. Under the tent, it was a feast for the eyes and the stomach with intricately designed centerpieces from Arne at Blooms, and amazing food from Sergio's Restaurant. Arne had taken all of the objects Gayle found and created the most spectacular groupings, filling them with succulents, orchids, champagne grapes, and poppy pods, amongst others. A very sweet touch; Jamie's dad hand made each of the table numbers. And, each guest had a card with the evening's grace so they could participate. Jamie & Ethan opted to forego a traditional wedding cake, so for dessert, Sergio's served their legendary (for good reason) Coconut Butter Cake. Completely delicious! For guests who chose not to dance, the couple had some favorite board games on hand to play. A very serious game of Bas-ket ensued! And to cap off the evening, we served Jeni's Homemade Ice Cream, a favorite of the bride's family, as a late night snack. It was the perfect way to end a wonderfully perfect day.

How can you get an experience like Jamie & Ethan's? Here's a rundown on our experience essential partners:
Photography: Hunter Photographic
Flowers: Blooms by Plantscaping
Ceremony Location: St. Paul's Shrine
Reception Location: The Glidden House
Catering: Sergio's Restaurant
Late Night Snack: Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams

Entertainment: TKO Entertainment
Transportation: The Euclid Beach Rocket Car
Rentals: Event Source
Invitations: Volta Press
Shoes: J. Crew
Dress: Amy Kuschel, All Brides Beautiful
Makeup: Lisa Adams

The Knot's editorial spread:

And here are a few of my personal favorite images the Knot did not feature, but I love so much I wanted to share with you!

The Big 6!

2011-07-01T09:30:00.007-04:00

In the whirlwind that is every wedding season, I'm constantly surrounded by the anticipation, last minute nerves, swells of emotion, and joy that are what makes a wedding day. It really is such a beautiful feeling I'm blessed to share with all of our Shi Shi couples, and it's hard to believe that my own day as a bride happened 6 years ago today. It seems as though I've only blinked, but yet here we are 6 years later. So I'm taking some time this morning to remember all that was July 1, 2005; all of the fun with my girls the night before, our relaxing afternoon getting ready, the excitement of getting into the dress, the moments with my dad before those doors to the aisle opened, and the whoosh of the guests as they stood for me that nearly took my breath away until I saw Joe. The moment I saw him there at the end of the aisle I knew everything was just as it should be, and for me there was nothing but joy and the two of us there in that atrium.

What followed was a raucous celebration that lasted until 2 AM the following morning and continued all weekend with additional events we had planned. I always tell our Shi Shi brides to be sure to enjoy every moment of the day because you will never again have so much love and joy being thrown at you from so many people all at once all in one room - take it all in, because it's over as quickly as it begins. I've never published photos of our wedding online, but since I'm in quite the bride state of mind today, here are some of my favorites from the wonderfully talented Steven Mastroianni.

Happy 4th of July everyone! And happy anniversary to my one and only Schigs. I love you baby with everything I am, eternally.

A Shi Shi First - A Thank You Note From A Wedding Guest!

2011-05-26T11:24:00.000-04:00

Sorry for the lack of posts lately, but we promise it's only because we've been so hard at work with workshops and weddings! Photos of all of that coming soon, but today we have our first ever thank you note from a wedding guest! Margaret & Tony were married last Saturday, 5/21, and on Monday morning I had the following note in my inbox, via Margaret, from one of the wedding guests. It's such a first for us to receive such a note, that we had to share it here with you!

Dearest M.,
Just wanted to let you know that your wedding was fabulous in every detail! You were so beautiful, and your groom was so handsome. Your dress was even more elegant on you than in the pictures you'd shown me last year. The venue was extraordinary--such a classy set-up for your tables, right down to the little daisy vases that also held a card informing us of your donation! So sweet!

Although keeping this list narrow is difficult, I wanted to give you just a few of my favorite details:

The crepes! They were SOOOO tasty, and such a fun touch!
Your wedding cake. Graham especially loved it--totally different style from anything we've seen that was perfect for your event!
Best appetizers I've ever had at any event, wedding or otherwise. Period. The sushi/seaweed cups were our favorites--we kept chasing the lady around for more!
Cannot believe that you offered Kettle One and Grey Goose. You are amazing!
The hearts of palm in the salad. They are my fav, and it was a delicious touch!
The band ROCKED the house--Graham and I cannot get over their voices! We had more fun dancing at your wedding than any we've been to!

Hope you are off and away and enjoying each other's company. Thanks for letting us share your special day with you!

Love,

Alana

Thank you Alana! And thank you Margaret for sharing this with us! It was a fantastic day from start to finish - we loved every minute!

Mandy & Scott's Gorgeous February Wedding

2011-04-19T19:57:00.000-04:00

As promised yesterday, we have some incredible images to share with you from Mandy & Scott's February 19th wedding! This is one of my most favorite weddings. Between the ceremony ending surprise, the gorgeous fashion, and the rich color palette with a hint of plaid (a la Alexander McQueen's SJP number from 2006's Costume Institute Gala); it was the perfect mix. And, we got this spectacularly clear, blue-skied February Saturday to boot!

When we started planning, Mandy & Scott had thought they wanted a spring or fall wedding, but weren't sure of what they wanted it to look like; maybe something outside or by the water, they didn't know. So we saw a LOT of venues of all different vibes and styles, but what it really boiled down to was that Mandy & Scott love the city. They met downtown on the rooftop of the Velvet Dog and have enjoyed many a night out in the city. But, a summer wedding in the city didn't appeal to Mandy, and so began the chat of "What about a winter wedding in the city?". A city winter wedding had a coziness about it that appealed to both Mandy, Scott, and me greatly. And it allowed for a color palette that was right up her alley, full of rich tones; navy, red, and gold set off by white, and that Scottish tartan plaid reflecting both their families' heritage and their sense of style. Once we were settled on in the winter in the city, we knew very quickly that the Renaissance Cleveland Hotel would be our reception venue for its history, beauty, and impeccable service. They would have their ceremony at St. Patrick's Church on Bridge, another gorgeous Cleveland landmark. Z Media was chosen to photograph and film the day, Fresh Tendrils would provide the flowers, and Michael Angelo's Bakery was selected to provide both the wedding cake and groom's cake.

When we arrived at the Renaissance the morning of the wedding, we stopped in to see the girls as they were getting ready. This was one of the most fashionable and striking wedding parties we've seen! Hair was styled by Kristin Collins and make up by Kimberly Seenarine-Pfeifer of Kajal by Kimberly. The girls looked AMAZING! Check out these shots of their shoes and accessories, and the girls themselves all done up!

Bridesmaids' clutches

Mandy & Kimberly

Mandy's red hairpin

Mandy's shoes

Bridesmaids' shoes

The ceremony was lovely and you've seen the ceremony surprise ending video by now, right? Here are some still shots from the Love Actually "All You Need Is Love" inspired ceremony ending.

The reception was breathtaking! The floral centerpieces from Fresh Tendrils were fantastic and really made the Ambassador Ballroom stunning! We wanted luxe, romantic arrangements that had a classic feel with a modern twist. Tracy delivered that aesthetic and then some. Votive candles hung from blossoming branches on our tallest arrangements, beautiful branches and greens climbed gold candelabras topped with hydrangeas on others, and lush, low arrangements were framed by floating candles at three different heights. It truly was a beautiful room. We selected a champagne crush linen, gold chiavari chairs with navy pintuck cushions, and tartan plaid napkins to complete the look.

Programs, escort and menu cards were provided by CDK Designs - they were the perfect compliment to the wedding! Classic and elegant with just a touch of whimsy.

Guests danced the night away to the sounds of Shady Drive and DJ Scott Jones. In one final surprise for the evening, Mandy changed from her formal wedding gown into a short and sassy mini dress that we LOVED!!! She paired the dress with sparkling blue heels, blue drop earrings, and a blue hairpin - fantastic!

A note from Mandy:

"Gina,

We have tried to write you many times and couldn't find the right words to thank you for all you did for our wedding. We finally realize it is going to be hard to put our appreciation into words, but we will try. In summary, know from the bottom of our hearts we thank you for making our version of a "dream wedding" into a reality.

Thinking back to the time we decided we wanted to hire a wedding coordinator we had several reasons for doing so. A couple of reasons we decided to hire a planner were:

- We had no idea what we were doing and didn't know where to start.

- We didn't know what type of wedding we wanted.

- We didn't have time to research vendors to find the best for our style and budget.

- Most importantly, we didn't want to worry about details on our wedding day, nor did we want our parents bothered with any work leading up to and the day of the wedding.

Thanks to you, all of our reasons for hiring a planner were justified plus much more.

As mentioned, we were not sure what we wanted our wedding day to look like. We started by wanting a spring or fall wedding on water or some sort of scenery and you helped us seek out these locations and show us the logistics involved. You were more than patient with us when we realized that idea was not what best suited us. You helped us talk through what was lacking in our first plan and then helped us to find what it was we truly did want for "our day". We appreciate the fact that you were never pushy to try and force us to make a decision we weren't comfortable with; I have heard from friends they were rushed to make a decision they later regretted and this was never the case with you. Your work ethic proved to us you would work tirelessly until we were happy.

The first time we talked we said we wanted our wedding to reflect us as a couple and you promised our guests would walk away feeling the day represented us well. This was absolutely the case. The number of times our friends and family have said the wedding very much reflected us is countless and for us that is the best compliment we could receive.

Looking back, the day and days leading up to our wedding were a dream come true. We loved the fact that by spending time with us you quickly found key elements that were important to us and made them a part of our day. We, of course, are biased but we have never been to a wedding that was both elegant and a complete blast. If we had a dollar for every person that said our wedding was the best, most fun, or most beautiful wedding they have ever been to we would have our wedding paid for.

As the bride and groom we feel incredibly lucky to have had as much fun as we did on our wedding day. When we say it was the best day of our life we also mean it was the most fun we could have possibly had. We have seen many of our friends who didn't seem to enjoy their wedding because they were stressed or busy with details. Neither of us felt one ounce of stress and were able to enjoy the day knowing you would take care of everything and anything needed. Thank you for that precious gift.

Thank you, Gina, for taking charge to help us find Cleveland's best wedding vendors and then guiding them to turn our vision into a reality. You're simply the best.

Mandy & Scott"

It was a simply dazzling day from start to finish and we loved every minute of it! For all of the photos we couldn't fit in this post, please visit us on Facebook and check out Mandy & Scott's online gallery!

How can you get an experience like Mandy & Scott's? Here's the rundown on our experience essentials partners:

Church: St. Patrick's Church on Bridge

Reception: Renaissance Cleveland Hotel

Photography: Z Media

Floral Decor: Fresh Tendrils

Band: Shady Drive

DJ: Scott Jones

Cake: Michael Angelo's Bakery

Hair: Kristin Collins

Makeup: Kajal by Kimberly

Rentals: Event Source

Invitations: Paper Trails

Stationery: CDK Designs

Event Lighting: Shi Shi Events

"Love Actually" Happens in Real Life

2011-04-18T12:23:00.008-04:00

One of my favorite movies of all time is "Love Actually". It's perfectly romantic and real and funny, and I watch it every holiday season. One scene in particular is a favorite from the movie; the marriage ceremony of Peter & Juliet where the couple is surprised with a performance of "All You Need Is Love" after they are pronounced husband and wife. You can watch the scene from the movie here http://youtu.be/1_f5gRCv5eY

So I was beyond excited when our bride, Mandy, told me she loved the movie just as much and wanted to surprise her groom, Scott, with a real life version of the Peter & Juliet's "All You Need Is Love" scene at their wedding ceremony! Mandy and I worked for months on figuring out how we could get the "scene" to play out right, who we would trust with the music production and filming of the surprise and how we could best work it into the end of the ceremony. When we reached out to Scott Jones & Geoff Short of Jerry Bruno Productions they were super psyched about the idea too, so we all got straight to work! Scott & Geoff assembled several different ensemble options from their various groups for us, and Mandy and I selected the final "cast" who would perform the number on her wedding day. We signed on Z Media to film not only the full wedding day, but the surprise as it unfolded.

All of us were so anxious to see it play out in real life, it was SO hard to keep the secret! No one but Mandy, me, Jerry Bruno Productions, and Z Media knew what was coming at the end of the ceremony. Emotions ran high that morning in anticipation. The ceremony came to an end, the priest announced Mandy & Scott as husband and wife and the surprise began.

As the bridal party exited the church they, along with all of the guests, were cheering, some were crying, all were completely surprised; it was perfect. For me, it was one of those moments I know I'll always carry with me. It was all so very beautiful. A note from Mandy:

"Gina -

On a side note, thank you for listening to me back in June when I shared with you my crazy idea about incorporating a surprise ending into our wedding. From the moment I told you my dream to end with "All You Need Is Love" in a traditional Catholic ceremony, you supported my idea. Even when it seemed too big of a task to pull off, you forced me to keep believing in the idea until we could make the dream a reality.

You allowed me to give my new husband, family, friends, and all attending our wedding the best gift ever...a surprise they will never forget. I have yet to have a conversation with someone that attended the ceremony that didn't bring up the "flash mob ending" (LOL that is what everyone says). All tell me it was one of the most moving things they have ever seen at at wedding. For that I am forever grateful. Thank you Gina. I appreciate the chance to work with you over the last 11 months. I hope one day to work together to plan another amazing event. I'm pushing for a 5 year vow renewal and reception. I'll keep you posted... :) Thank you!

From the bottom of my heart,

Mandy"

More photos on Mandy's completely stunning wedding with experience essentials details coming tomorrow....stay tuned!

Joe & I Get Crowned

2011-04-15T17:02:00.000-04:00

I have never posted personal photos on our blog, and this may be one of the only times you ever see them featured, but I want to share with you the joy that was Sunday, March 27, 2011. I chose that day to officially convert to the Antiochian Orthodox faith. We had been attending Liturgy at St. George Antiochian Church in Tremont for over a year, but I knew the time was right to make it official. So, that morning I was Chrismated into the faith. And after Liturgy was complete, Joe and I received one of the most beautiful blessings I have ever seen - an Orthodox Crowning. The Crowning during a marriage ceremony is a very integral part of the service. The couple is crowned before God with glory and honor, and the crowns themselves are symbolic of the new "kingdom" over which the couple will rule, as well as serving to remind the couple that marriage is about martyrdom and sacrifice for each other. It truly is beautiful.

When we were married on July 1, 2005, we had a non-deominational service outside of the church, so our Crowning ceremony did not include the betrothal, but was more of a blessing upon our marriage and a recognition of it within the Orthodox church. Our wedding photographer (and one of my favorites in market), the fabulous Steven Mastroianni, was kind enough to join us at the church to photograph the event. Then we joined him at his studio afterward for some more fun shots! Thank you Steven so very much - we love the images! Here are some of our favorites. Have a beautiful weekend everyone!

Sam & Rusty's "Spring" Engagement Shoot

2011-04-09T11:04:00.000-04:00

You might remember earlier this week on FB, we shared an image from what should have been Sam & Rusty's spring time engagement session. But, on the day of the shoot, what we hoped would be mild temperatures and clear skies, turned out to feel more like the heart of January! Sam & Rusty went with it, as did their photographers, Dan & April O'Keefe of Z Media and the results were fantastic! Here's one awesome shot we loved so much we just had to share it with you again.

In fact, there were so many gorgeous images from their afternoon in University Circle/Little Italy, we wanted to share a handful of our favorites with you! Goes to show you that when you just go with it and have fun with whatever life throws at you, the end result is something truly beautiful. Enjoy - happy Saturday everyone!

LOVE those shoes!

Sam is a HUGE Browns fan & Rusty a HUGE Bengals fan, so getting a shot in their respective jerseys was very important to Sam. Cute fact: their married last name will be Brown. Check out the back of Sam's jersey!

We ♥ ♥ ♥ Pomona Chocolates!

2011-03-18T22:03:00.001-04:00

We recently had the pleasure of sampling some of the gorgeous artisanal confections created by Pomona Chocolates, and all we can say is WOW! We noshed our way through the Chai Tea Buddha, Salted Caramel Truffle, Mojito Bon Bon {shown below}, Limoncello Truffle, Hand Painted Heart {shown below filled with spicy chocolate sweetness}, and Lemon Rosemary Caramel {our favorite - swoon!} to name a few. Each bite was truly something to savor! The care that's put into the creation of these chocolates is so very evident and the flavors that explode when they hit your tongue are well worth the trip to City Bake Shop in Sandusky. {If you would rather they come to you, all you need to do is call 419-366-4295 or email Julie@pomonachocolates.com to place your order.}

A small box of 4 is the perfect wedding favor for your guests! They are boxed beautifully, very similarly to the box of 6 shown here.

We're going to be recommending Pomona to all of our girls looking for some chocolate deliciousness for their guests! So wonderful that the colors and flavors of many of the chocolates change with the seasons - we feel quite inspired by the change of seasons and appreciate a flavor palette that reflects the beauty of what's happening at the moment. Isn't that where the best inspiration comes from? We think so.

Thank you Wendy Kromer of Wendy Kromer Confections & City Bake Shop for turning us on to this delightful find! Visit Pomona Chocolates online here to discover all they have to offer - we promise you'll be as over the moon as we are with what you find!

Shi Shi Couple, Amanda & Chris, to Appear on WE tv's Amazing Wedding Cakes!

2011-03-11T11:44:00.020-05:00

Check out this trailer for WE tv's new season of Amazing Wedding Cakes! Shi Shi couple Amanda & Chris and their Italy engagement cake are the first couple shown in the video. So excited to see the episode air on WE tv Sunday, 3/27 at 9 PM EST. Big big thanks to White Flower Cake Shop for this amazing opportunity!

And visit Amazing Wedding Cakes and WE tv online for exclusive videos and show information.

Sarah & Brian's Winter Wonderland Wedding

2011-03-09T22:57:00.015-05:00

When we first met Sarah & Brian we knew that it was not only important that their wedding day be a celebration of their love, but also a celebration of their coming together as a family. Brian's young son Joshua was to serve as a groomsman, and both Sarah & Brian wanted to be sure that family would be at the heart of the sentiment for their 12/10/10 wedding. The day was also full of sweet surprises from the bride and groom to each other like Brian's gift of a bagpiper to end the ceremony for Sarah, and Brian's special cassata cake, along with beautiful cufflinks from Sarah to both Brian and Josh. It was a very special moment when father and son opened their gifts from Sarah together.

Also very important to Sarah was an icy, glittery, wintery feel. We decided very quickly on a palette of white and silver with pops of blue and lots of candlelight. After seeing several venues, The Ballroom at Park Lane was the one that really stood out to both Sarah & Brian. Marigold Catering is the exclusive caterer at Park Lane, so we knew the food would be nothing short of amazing! With both sides of the family sharing some Italian heritage, another must have item was a massive dessert buffet. We decided on an all white display and were thrilled with what Bridget from Flour Girl created!

We had a cast of amazing vendors (of course!) at work on Sarah & Brian's experience essentials including Paper Trails for stationery, Fresh Tendrils for floral, and Z Media for the gorgeous photos you see here. Sarah & Brian also opted to have a photobooth from Shutterbooth onsite with TONS of super fun props for the guests. We had a blast while planning the wedding, and on the beautiful day that was December 10, 2010. Here's a note we received from Sarah:

"Dear Gina,

Brian and I are finally getting settled into "real life" post-wedding. We often can't believe how fast our engagement went and that it's all over. :( We had a great time planning the wedding with you and an even better time enjoying it on our big day!

Thank you for helping to plan such an amazing and beautiful day for us. Our family and friends are still talking about it, many claiming it was "the best wedding they've ever been to!"

The final day far exceeded our expectations - and looking back - it was a very easy process for us. You helped us to meet our overall goal in hiring a planner; plan an amazing wedding in less than six months all while working crazy jobs and caring for Joshua! :) The process was virtually stress free and at many times throughout the process I was so glad you were there to work out the details or resolve a potential issue. This allowed Brian & I to enjoy our engagement.

Lastly, a big thanks for your amazing vendor recommendations. We were not interested (nor did we have time) to interview multiple vendors. It was so helpful to be able to fully trust your preferred vendor recommendations and everything from the photographer to the cake was absolutely amazing!

We wish you much continued success & happiness!!

Best,

Sarah & Brian"

Enjoy these photos from Z Media and keep an eye on our Anthology at www.shi-shievents.com for more photos from Sarah & Brian's big day!

How can you get an experience like Sarah & Brian's? Here's the rundown on our experience essentials partners:

Ceremony & Reception Venue: The Ballroom at Park Lane

Catering: Marigold Catering

Cake and Desserts: Flour Girl

Photography: Z Media

Floral Decor: Fresh Tendrils

DJ: TKO Entertainment

Rentals: Event Source

Stationery: Paper Trails

Event Lighting: Shi Shi Events

Photobooth: Shutterbooth

Mandy & Scott Teaser

2011-02-28T11:56:00.008-05:00

We had such an amazing day with Mandy & Scott on 2/19/11! The weather was gorgeous, the ceremony (especially the surprise ending) was one of our all time favorites, and theRenaissance Cleveland Hotel was flawless. We'll give you more details and pics of their wedding day, along with the surprise ceremony ending video we've been promising, in the coming weeks. But we were so over the moon with these shots from Z Media that we couldn't wait to share them with you - take a peek!

12 Days of Favorites Recap!

2011-01-12T19:25:00.007-05:00

Over the 12 days of Christmas we posted 12 of our favorite things for weddings and parties on Facebook. In case you missed it, check out our favorites list below!

1) Meri Meri's Tweet Treat Cupcake Kit. We love how whimsical these sweet little birdie toppers are - perfect!

2) DiorShow Mascara - Never has there ever been a better mascara for making lashes as long, full and lovely as possible for photos - love, love, love!

3) We don't think anyone does it better when it comes to chocolate, than Vosges Haut Chocolate! With their exotic flavor combinations and gorgeous presentation, they're the best we've found. Check out their wedding favor chocolate gifts starting at just $5.25/box!

4) Jenny Yoo's bridesmaids' collection. Everything about her line is just fabulous; from cut to color to fabric selection and cost, the woman is a genius. She can even make chiffon look good and that's pretty impressive if you ask us.

5) Sophia from Coppola Vineyards! Perfect for passing pre-ceremony or during cocktail hour, each individual can comes w/a straw for sipping. We just love how flirty and sweet they look - plus they're delicious!

6) On our 6th day of favorites, we call on sparkler exits! No matter how many times we've seen them, they never get old. Brilliant light, a beaming bride and groom - it doesn't get any better than that!

7) We ♥♥♥ Adorn! Rent $7,000 earrings for $75??? Yes, please!

8) CakedLA and their awesome cake pops! They're ridiculously delicious (and cute!) and with 8 flavors to choose from, you're sure to find a favorite to use as favors, place cards, on a dessert buffet, for the kids, you get the idea... :)

9) Wedzu! We love the site for quirky and sweet additions to your wedding for yourself and your decor!

10 & 11) One day wasn't enough for our next favorite - so she takes our 10th and 11th spots! :) We just can't get enough Vera Wang. Nothing speaks classic wedding like a Vera Wang wedding gown. And now with her brand encompassing tabletop, fine papers, bedding, shoes, and more we needed two days of favorites just to fit it all in!

12) Our final favorite is the perfect first dance song. It doesn't matter if you have an elaborately choreographed routine, or you just sway to the beat; if the song truly means something to the two of you, it's one of the most beautiful moments of the day. One of our favorites? "These Are Days" by Van Morrison. Take a listen here.

Heather & Kyle in The Knot Ohio!

2010-07-02T14:27:00.005-04:00

Congratulations to Shi Shi bride & groom, Heather & Kyle, for having their wedding featured in the Fall/Winter 2010 issue of The Knot Ohio!!! Heather & Kyle had an absolutely stunning June 6th wedding at Walden Inn & Spa. The issue hits newsstands next week - be sure to check it out!

Shi Shi Chosen as Featured Coordinator in The Bride & Bloom!

2010-04-20T16:44:00.006-04:00

We are SUPER excited to share our "Featured Coordinator" spot from The Bride & Bloom Spring 2010 issue with you! The Bride & Bloom gave us Pantone's Color of the Year, Turquoise, as a jumping off point for our color palette, and Degas provided the rest of the inspiration with his "Dancers in Pink and Green". See what came to life by clicking the photo below!

We shot on a snowy January day at a private residence, available for limited engagements through Shi Shi Events. It was such fun shooting with Chris & Julie from Z Media - they are so incredible to work with on a photo shoot or wedding day; they always turn out fabulous shots! Thank you guys for all of your hard work that day! We'd also like to thank the rest of our fantastic vendors who made this shoot possible:

Vase to Vase who created the amazing table arrangement, bouquet, and boutonniere.

Wendy Kromer Confections whose cakes are incredible: beyond, beyond, beyond.

Paper Trails who designed and created the invitations and menu card featured from their own in house stock and printing departments. (Wonderful for you DIY brides, or if you have a tight stationery budget.)

Event Source for the lovely event rentals.

La Tavola for the gorgeous linens and chair covers.

L'Nique for the spectacular overlay cloth.

And of course, HUGE thanks to The Bride & Bloom for asking us to be a part of their Spring issue! The Bride & Bloom is one of our favorite magazines because of their commitment to design, and their fabulous layouts. You can pick up the Spring 2010 issue on newsstands now!

Seeking That Perfect Wedding Day Glow?

2010-04-08T22:44:00.001-04:00

Here's a new favorite from the staffers at Shi Shi Events - Bliss' Triple Oxygen + C Energizing Cream!

We've test driven this super lightweight, yet ultra moisturizing gel-cream, and it's a new favorite in our personal product arsenals. What makes this cream so darn nifty? It combines the long used skin brightener/complexion booster, Vitamin C, with a Bliss favorite - pure O2 - that instantly gives that "I've had so much beauty sleep, I glow from within!" look. How do we love thee Bliss Triple Oxygen + C Energizing cream? Let us count the ways:

1) You raise our skin to flawless, decidedly dewy new heights.

2) You protect our faces from stress - the stress of finalizing that guest list and the stress of putting said faces out into the polluted world everyday.

3) You cost a mere $54, which is money very well spent.

For the perfect wedding day glow, with just a hint of dew, we think there's nothing better as base than this Bliss wonder!

We ♥ Pinwheels!

2010-04-02T17:50:00.011-04:00

We LOVE pinwheels! They're the perfect bit of Spring, all breezy, and whimsical. ♥ We love them with wedding parties, as escort cards, place cards, and in cupcakes! We love them made out of paper, and felt, and plastic! They just make us smile!

Want to make your own pinwheels? Here's a super DIY project from the fabulous folks over at Once Wed http://bit.ly/8mbtIo

Not only do they show you how to make pinwheels, but ribbon wands too! Ribbon wands are great options for guests to wave at a grand exit from ceremony or reception and are super cute to boot!

New Z Media Wedding Film!

2010-04-02T13:46:00.003-04:00

We are so thrilled to share this positively stunning clip from Shi Shi clients Heather & Kyle's wedding film! Filmed and edited by the marvelously talented folks at Z Media it serves as a delicious reminder of how gorgeous their wedding day was. Heather & Kyle were married in June 2009 at Walden Inn & Spa in Aurora. A must visit venue if you are unfamiliar! And, thank you Heather for sharing this with us! Can't wait to see the full version!

Heather & Kyle 2 from Z MEDIA on Vimeo.

Shi Shi Now Seen On SMP!

2010-03-11T14:16:00.007-05:00

We are so completely thrilled to announce that Shi Shi Events is now featured in Style Me Pretty's exclusive Little Black Book! We love, love, love the ladies at SMP for their incredible gift of seeking out the most thoughtful, well designed, and inspirational weddings out there, and are so proud to be a part of their family! Check out our profile with them here. And check in with SMP often to see the gems they've found, and what's new from us!

WE ♥ Jamie & Ethan!

2010-02-11T12:01:00.003-05:00

Check out this SUPER FANTASTIC save the date from Shi Shi clients' Jamie and Ethan! We love, love, love it, and know you will too!!! Brilliant! Enjoy!

Best Of Weddings 2010!

2010-01-21T15:08:00.003-05:00

We are so thrilled with all of the wonderful happenings in the Shi Shi Events' world over the past month! Please accept our apologies for being so MIA on the blog, we promise we have some really good reasons. Take a peek!

We've been very busy completing the new website, which is now live online!

And, we were prepping for the gargantuan Today's Bride Show which was a blast last Sunday! Thanks to everyone who came out to chat us up! We had a great time!

And now...we've been voted "Best Of Weddings" by brides of The Knot!!! We are so honored, and thrilled, and excited! Thank you to all that voted and to The Knot - we LOVE LOVE LOVE you! This is our 2nd time appearing on the list, and we couldn't be more delighted!

4 Pack Ticket Winners Announced!

2009-12-03T19:07:00.004-05:00

Congratulations to Brittney, Anne, and Katie! Enjoy the show and we hope to see you there! Thanks to all who emailed as well - be on the lookout for more fun contests in the future!

Today's Bride Show Coming to Cleveland 1/17/10

2009-12-01T18:44:00.006-05:00

We hope everyone had a wonderful and restful holiday last week! Today, we're excited to announce our participation in the Today's Bride Show at the IX Center on 1/17/10! We'll be unveiling our brand new division, and new service offerings, as well as special pricing and gifts to all of our brides in attendance. To kick things off, we'd like to offer the first 3 brides that email us at info@shi-shievents.com a FREE 4 pack of tickets to attend the show! Make sure to put Today's Bride Show in the subject line & be in touch!

We ♥ Hello Super 8!

2009-11-15T18:58:00.005-05:00

We were tipped off by Rebecca Crumley of The Knot about Hello Super 8! They produce wonderfully modern wedding videos and video guest books using the decidedly vintage medium of Super 8 film. We have decided we think they're spectacular!

Take a peek at their 2009 wedding highlights reel found on their blog to see more of what Hello Super 8 can do for you. Enjoy!

2009 Hello Super 8 wedding highlights from Hello Super 8 on Vimeo.

Stylist Secrets for Your Day Of Emergency Kit

2009-10-29T16:18:00.003-04:00

Having a wedding day emergency kit is the standard for every bride-to-be on her big day. Most have the necessary "go to" items like:

-Nail file

-Kleenex

-Fabric tape

-Dental floss

-Shout wipes or a Tide To Go pen

etc.

We include all of these items and more in our Day Of Emergency Kits, and encourage you to add these often overlooked items to yours:

-Hollywood Behind the Seams ($10/12 shields)

Undetectable disposable shields line the inside of your dress to prevent underarm stains.

-Expert's Choice Shoe Stretch ($2/1.15 fl. oz.)

This spray instantly softens leather to make shoes more comfortable.

-Strap Tamers ($9/6 concealers)

These little clips fasten straps to the shoulder seams of your dress so they'll stay put all night.

-Mighty Mendit ($9/3 fl. oz.)

For use on any fabric rips, torn hems, etc. It sounds funny, but this product has saved the day for us on several occasions!

-Band-Aid Blister Block ($7/1 roll on stick)

This roll-on formula creates an invisible barrier between your shoe and foot preventing blisters from forming.

A Note of Thanks!

2009-10-27T15:19:00.002-04:00

We received such a beautiful note of thanks from Shi Shi couple, Dan & Erica today that we had to share it with you. We loved working with them, and can't wait to share photos of their spectacular wedding day with you!

"Dear Gina & Shi Shi Family,

Thank you; thank you; thank you!!! We are so very grateful to have had you on our team! We could not have done it without you! You went above and beyond to make our day not only gorgeous but a reality!!! You became a good friend, who truly cared about us and that means the world!

With love,

Dan & Erica"

Look for the gorgeous shots from Dan & Erica's wedding coming soon!

More Ring Pillows From 5eizen!

2009-10-25T20:13:00.007-04:00

So we've been posting the absolutely lovely, crush inducing ring pillows from 5eizen we found on Etsy all week on our Facebook page. And, we want to fill you in! Here are the rest of the pillows we love so much, we spent a week covering them:

Now Featured On Elizabeth Anne Designs!

2009-10-22T13:52:00.003-04:00

We are so thrilled to announce our inclusion in Elizabeth Anne Designs vendor library! EAD is one of our favorite blogs to peruse, as it's chock full of eye candy and DIY ideas. We particularly love this gray and purple inspiration board Elizabeth designed. We're sure you'll agree this deliciously opulent and vintage inspired board is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to what you'll find amidst her pages!

Shi Shi on Wedding Chicks!

2009-10-20T16:46:00.003-04:00

Erin & Brian's wedding is featured on the Wedding Chicks blog today - check it out!

Just click here.

Ring Pillows Get Chic

2009-10-19T20:01:00.002-04:00

Often overlooked, and mostly not quite fashionable, the ring bearer's pillow typically falls into the "What do I do about that?" category with our brides. We found this completely gorgeous option by 5eizen today on Etsy. And, we think the entire line is so utterly splurge worthy that we're going to pepper them into our posts all week. Enjoy!

A Very Merry Un-Birthday To Us!

2009-10-19T10:45:00.002-04:00

We're celebrating our (4th) birthday this week with swoon worthy savings for YOU on our Full and Partial Planning services. Want to join in the celebration? Call 440-623-3822 or email us at info@shi-shievents.com by Sunday 10/25. After that, we pack up the party (and the savings) until next year!

Perfect Wedding Day Videography

2009-10-08T15:07:00.004-04:00

I found another video by Stillmotion, an absolutely delightful photo & cinema studio based in Toronto, on The Cinderella Project this afternoon. It was an absolutely perfect video from start to finish and overwhelmingly touching. So I visited Stillmotion's site and found this. Undeniably great work. If you are questioning the need for a video, imagine yours looking like this.

jc plus esther // all 7d highlights from stillmotion on Vimeo.

2009-10-06T17:42:00.018-04:00

Engagement sessions are a beautiful thing. We love it when our brides and grooms book them with their photographers! The biggest benefit of an engagement session is that you and your fiance get a chance to work the camera prior to your wedding day. Practice makes perfect, as for most people, comfortability in the presence of a lens is the key to great shots.

What does all of this mean? An engagement session can equal better photos on your wedding day! Your photographer has already gotten a chance to see what your shooting style is as a couple, and you've already gotten out all of your pre-lens jitters. So, you can expect seamless shooting, and far less "awkward moments" than if you had not elected for an engagement session.

Here are some engagement session tips from us to you:

The shots featured here are from the wonderfully talented Steven Mastroianni. Our couple, Timothea & Pat, plan to be married at a private home in North Bloomfield, OH in June of next year. The home is positioned on over 125 acres of gorgeous grounds where these shots were taken just last week.

We always recommend choosing sites that are personal to you not only for your engagement session, but for your wedding

day photos as well. Every element of your wedding helps to tell your story as a couple, so the places "in the background" should mean something to the two of you. For Timothea & Pat the site of their wedding made perfect sense as their were so many different areas in which to shoot and the homeowners are lifelong friends of the bride's family.

For you, a personal site might mean your favorite restaurant or bar, a city park, a coffeehouse, a bookstore, or your favorite place to spend a Sunday. What matters, is that the spot you choose, matters to you. Trust us, if you're shooting somewhere close to your hearts, it will shine through in the photographs as it does here with Timothea & Pat.

Some couples like to schedule their engagement session during the season in which their wedding will be held, and some like to shoot during their favorite time of year regardless of the season of the wedding. We think either are great. However, if you're planning on using shots from the engagement session for your save the dates, keep in mind save the dates should be sent out to guests no later than 6 months prior to the wedding. Talk with your photographer about your timeline and schedule accordingly.

Last but not least, we love engagement sessions bound into guest books. This is a lovely way to put a twist on the traditional guest book, by allowing your friends and family to leave personal messages among your favorite engagement shots. Guests love it too! Ask your photographer if this is an option they can provide for you.

Weekly Eye Candy

2009-09-24T12:19:00.002-04:00

We're inspired! And not just by gorgeous tabletops and stunning gowns, but by everyday things like furniture, clothing, accessories, etc. We think that when done right, it's all art. And so, we've decided to share our inspiration with you each week. Stop by and see us on Facebook, even "fan" us if you'd like and then come back often to check out what we're craving. We just posted our first piece, and it's lovely!

A Note of Thanks

2009-09-11T13:55:00.003-04:00

We were honored and delighted to design and plan the wedding of Cynthia and Michael at the Cleveland Botanical Gardens on Saturday, September 5th. The couple resides in Los Angeles, and were only in town a handful of times before the wedding, so we really maximized our use of weekly conference calls, emails, and of course the time they were able to spend here. The result was an intimate, beautiful, flora and fauna themed wedding day capped with spectacular September weather. We can't wait to share photos from their wedding day with you! On Tuesday, I received this letter of thanks from our new bride:

"Hi Gina,

I can't believe the wedding's over! Mike and I were so happy with the way everything turned out. Thank you so much for all your help and hard work with it all!...Again, thanks so much for everything! It was such a great night! Things couldn't have turned out better!

All the best,
Cynthia"

We too wish Cynthia and Michael all the best, for they are truly an inspiring couple. Love and luck from all of us here in the Shi Shi Events family!!

Fan Us on Facebook

2009-09-01T22:39:00.002-04:00

So, we at Shi Shi are definitely Facebook addicts. That being said, we just launched our Shi Shi Events page on Facebook! You can become a fan of Shi Shi Events by clicking here.

Check our page regularly to see new photos, get updates on what we're working on, and all of our (gotta have it, love love love it) style musings!

What a Summer!

2009-08-10T18:54:00.002-04:00

Wow! What a summer we've had here at Shi Shi Events! Many new photos will be coming to the site soon, so please stay tuned.

We're excited for our brides yet to be married this year and are putting the final touches on their wedding day plans. And, we're just beginning to develop our brides' weddings for our 2010 season. For those of you also planning for 2010, here are some helpful questions to ask when seeking your caterer:

1) Do you have experience catering to my type/size of event? (This is especially important if you are having your wedding reception at an "off-site" venue.)

2) Is there a fee for the food tasting?

3) How many may attend the tasting?

4) What is the guest to staff ratio?

5) Do we have to purchase all beer/wine/liquor through you?

6) If a cake is brought in by another baker, is there a cake cutting fee?

7) Do you provide china, flatware, and glassware?

8) What service charges and fees to you apply to my total event order?

9) What happens to the food that is leftover?

10) What is the typical deposit for your services?

Shi Shi Wedding Slated to Appear in the Fall/Winter Issue of The Knot Ohio!

2009-03-27T12:39:00.004-04:00

We are excited to announce that our October 4, 2008 bride, Emily Heigel Kennedy, will have her wedding featured in the Fall/Winter Real Weddings editorial in The Knot Ohio magazine! We are thrilled The Knot chose Emily's wedding, and are honored to have worked with Emily and Michael to create their spectacular wedding day! Here's a sneak peek at some of the shots The Knot loved:

Look for the Fall/Winter issue to hit newsstands this summer.

Congratulations Emily and Michael!

Did You Know?

2009-03-18T12:43:00.003-04:00

A Wedding Planner typically pays for themselves! Once you factor in:

1) the discounts you receive from the vendors who work with the planner on a regular basis

2) the time you save by having the planner manage your planning timeline and appointments

3) the invaluable design, etiquette, and planning ideas and advice he/she gives

the cost of hiring a planner is usually $0!

Shop Love!

2009-03-12T13:11:00.002-04:00

If you're seeking style inspiration for your wedding or the home you'll share together, look no further than Mitchell Sotka in Rocky River. Mitchell fills his antique shop with fabulous finds from all over the world and there's always something new to uncover. We think his showcase of pieces truly represents "a way of living". You can find Mitchell Sotka in the Shops of Old River at 19071 Old Detroit Road, Rocky River.

A Wedding Stimulus Plan

2009-02-20T12:59:00.004-05:00

Over the past several weeks and months we've certainly all read the headlines and heard the stories of what a troubled state our economy is in and what we we should/could do about it. The state of our economy can make things like planning a wedding, purchasing a home or car, or making any large financial commitments an even bigger deal than they normally would be. Some are suggesting to save every penny, some are suggesting to spend what you can to stimulate growth, and some are just completely confused (I fall into this category). My two cents is that we all have seen ups and downs not only in our country's economy, but in our own personal "economies" if you will. And this too, in my opinion, shall pass in due time. Why am I writing about this on a wedding blog? Because in these cost conscious times, there are some things you can do to maximize your budget when planning your wedding and still get a big impact. How might you ask?

1) Make it intimate. Spend your wedding day with your closest family and friends and then send announcements to extended family and acquaintances after the wedding day.

2) Choose 2 or 3 areas of your wedding you really want to focus on like floral, photography and food, or location, food, and entertainment and spend the bulk of your budget here. Let the rest of your planning "to do" list fall into place and in line budget wise with where each item falls on your priorities list.

3) Go thrifting! Many clients have had great success both style and wallet wise by finding decor pieces for the tabletop at estate sales, flea markets, and online at sites like eBay and craigslist. The best part is after the wedding you can use these pieces in your new home or gift them to friends and relatives.

4) Get creative with your menu selections. Not only are there more options out there than filet and lobster, but many of them show off your personal style and food favorites as a couple much better! Your presentation of the meal can be creative too - try active food stations where guests can watch as a chef prepares their meal, or serve a multiple course tapas-style meal where guests are served a series of small plates to up your flavor quotient.

5) Forget the fully stocked bar and offer guests a selection of fine wines, champagne, and beer. You can add 1-2 signature cocktails to the mix to personalize it for your guests while still keeping the costs down.

These certainly aren't the only ways to maximize your bottom line, but they're a start as you begin your planning. Above all, remember that finding something inexpensive ("a value") doesn't always equate to finding something of value.

Chocolate Love!

2009-02-06T21:58:00.003-05:00

So, I can't say enough about Vosges Haut Chocolat the fabulously purple boxed spreaders of "peace, love, and chocolate". I first discovered Vosges several years ago when they created a line of perfectly chocolate scented candles for the holidays (unfortunately no longer available). It was then that I realized they also created amazing truffles and other chocolate confections with truly exotic flavor combinations like one of my favorites, Red Fire - Mexican ancho and chipotle chiles, ceylon cinnamon and dark chocolate. You can make Vosges a part of your celebration with their fantastic favors featured in the photo above. There are several box styles and ribbon colors available in house, all at a reasonable price. You can be sure your favors will be a huge hit with this little bit of heaven in a little purple (or white) box.

Site Renovation Complete!

2009-01-28T03:17:00.004-05:00

As promised, our Style Muses are now fully updated. Find your inspiration by visiting our muses, easily accessible from anywhere on the site.

Shi Shi and Wedding Chicks!

2009-01-24T18:05:00.002-05:00

We are happy to announce our partnership with Wedding Chicks! Wedding Chicks is a fabulous blog brought to you by Jocey and Amy, who share their wedding musings on fashion, details, etc. and bring you fantastic giveaways! Check them out here and be sure to watch out for Shi Shi postings of real weddings, and our wedding musings on Wedding Chicks!

Pardon Our Dust!

2009-01-24T18:00:00.002-05:00

Please bear with us as we update our galleries. In the coming days you will find all of the galleries in our Style Muses to look like "The Classic" does currently. We hope you'll enjoy the changes and thank you for your patience while things are out of sorts!

5 Big Wedding Planning Myths

2009-01-23T12:29:00.005-05:00

Check out our article on Today's Bride online about some of the BIG myths brides take as truths when planning. You can access the article by clicking here.

Did You Know?

2009-01-22T15:43:00.003-05:00

I found a fun fact today in the Winter 2009 edition of InStyle Weddings and thought I'd share. "The oldest invitation suite, circa 1600s, was just an invite and two envelopes. (Guests wrote their own RSVPs.) The reception card and response set were added in the late 1800s." We've come a long way since then with save the dates, custom stamps, and couture invitations - haven't we girls?

Comfort and Joy...Introducing the Martins

2009-01-20T22:27:00.010-05:00

On December 6, 2008 Lauren and Jeff were married at St. Paul's Shrine on Euclid Avenue. Their reception was held at the Union Club in downtown Cleveland on that snowy winter night. It was very fitting, as snow and frost permeated the wedding design, with the use of many frosted branches, and snow filled cylinders housing the guest tables' centerpieces. The bride was bedecked in a fur stole to keep warm and wore a custom couture dress from Fyodor Atelier at La Place in Beachwood. Some special touches to the evening included place cards in the form of snow globes, and a heart felt toast "via satellite" from the groom's brother and Best Man, who couldn't be in attendance due to the birth of his second child. You can find more photos from the wedding in the "Classic Elegance" section of our Style Muses online.

New Terminology, Same Shi Shi

2009-01-14T20:02:00.003-05:00

Today I had a very eye opening conversation that has energized me in ways I couldn't have imagined or anticipated. In light of this "A-ha!" moment, you will find some changes on our site. There are now words used to describe our services that aren't typically associated with wedding planning. In the past, I have been afraid to use words like "brand" or "brand experience" for fear they may not be understood. There is still that chance that they may not be understood, but these concepts have always been the soul of what we do. They are what set Shi Shi Events apart from the rest. And in that moment of clarity today, I found the words and the courage to make our first impression to you, one that shows how different we truly are as a wedding planning firm. I hope you find the site changes as refreshing as I do, and inspiration in the work pictured. I am blessed to have many clients who have taken the journey with me, you truly are the reason. And, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

There will also be changes to this blog. I'll be sharing design musings and planning tips with you, as well as some of my favorite moments from recent weddings. And, I'll be asking for your feedback. Send me a planning, etiquette, or design question to info@shi-shievents.com and if you're featured on the blog, we'll send you a little something special as a thank you.

Enjoy the changes, and we look forward to hearing from you!

Thank you!

2009-01-06T13:47:00.004-05:00

What a busy, wonderful season 2008 was for us! And, we'd like to take the opportunity to send warm wishes for the new year and many thanks to all of the clients that helped make it so special! May your marriages be blessed with many happy years to come.

Photos of 2008 weddings are available now throughout the site. Thank you to our fabulous photographers for providing these gorgeous images! We look forward to working with you in 2009!

Early season booking specials are available now to new clients through February 14, 2009 on all Shi Shi Events' services. Call 440-623-3822 or email info@shi-shievents.com for more information!

Day Of Coordination - The Best Way to Ease Wedding Day Stress

2008-03-18T14:45:00.008-04:00

Day Of Coordination services are the absolute best way to ease wedding day stress! By having an independent event planner on hand to work with the venue and vendors on your wedding day, you can be assured a smooth running, flawless event. On site coordinators and other wedding vendors have long praised the benefits to having an independent event planner the day of the wedding as it allows them to focus on their specialty be it photography, catering, or entertainment instead of handling all of the details and of the minute situations that arise. Your end result is a blissful, stress free wedding day!

Parents appreciate an independent planner the day of the wedding as well! Because we're handling the details, timing, guest flow, and bridal party and family organization, they can relax and enjoy the party. Many parents and couples have indicated how much more comfortable they were having a planner act as their central point of contact for the day, rather than having to run around to find this person or that person while they'd rather be enjoying the wedding. We do all of the running around for you!

Shi Shi Events' Day Of Coordination services include one planner and one assistant on site for up to 300 guests and the following outlined items, in addition to many others detailed in our service contract:

Wedding day itinerary assistance

Distribute bouquets, boutonnieres, programs and favors to bridal party and guests

Organize bridal party and families for ceremony processional and reception introductions

Cue music and musicians

Facilitate and organize guest flow through ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception

Coordinate the evening's activities including first dances, cutting the cake, etc.

Transport gifts to designated family vehicle or hotel suite

Day Of Coordination services ease wedding day stress and are reasonably priced to suit couples of all budgets. Shi Shi Events customizes Day Of Coordination quotes based on many wedding factors. Contact us today to find out how we can make your wedding day stress free!

Summer Internships with Shi Shi Events

2008-03-03T08:49:00.004-05:00

In recent weeks we've received many inquiries regarding whether or not we accept summer interns. While we do accept interns, we have already made our selections for this summer and are fully staffed. If you are a freshman, sophomore, or junior in college, please keep us in mind for next summer. We wish you good luck in your internship search this year, and in all of your college endeavors. Thank you for your interest in Shi Shi Events, and have a great summer!

Our tips requested for Jerry Bruno Productions site

2008-02-14T13:12:00.003-05:00

I am very pleased we were contacted by Jerry Bruno Productions to offer our favorite planning tips on their website! You can view my comments below, and be sure to check out Jerry Bruno Productions at www.jerrybruno.com.

1. Make it personal! Your wedding should be completely reflective of the two of you and not a reflection of things you think you should do because your mother, sister, or best friend wants you to. The more personal the wedding, the more memorable it becomes for your guests!

2. Location, location, location! Choose a location that shows off your personalities, there are many fantastic venues to choose from in Cleveland and beyond, it’s just a matter of uncovering the perfect one for you!

3. Know where to splurge and where to skimp. While choices like entertainment, photography, and food should be splurged on, other items can be skimped on based on your preferences and priorities without the event losing impact.

4. Keep everything in perspective. Ideally, this will be the one and only time you plan your wedding – try to take everything in stride and enjoy the experience! Let the little things be just that – little things!

5. If you’re going to give favors to your guests, make them edible. I can’t tell you how many couples rack their brains trying to think of a creative little trinket, and the truth is, if they can’t eat it, usually the money spent is wasted. Make your favors favorite treats of yours and they will be a huge hit with your guests!

The New Site

2008-02-08T01:02:00.001-05:00

So the new site is in its final stages and as I type I can't wait for it to go live! While I've never been a blogger before, I think this is going to be an interesting addition to the site. In this section you will find my little musings on life and weddings, plus some useful information like tips for planning, or answers to some of your trickier etiquette questions. And every now and then, there'll be updates on the company or any feature articles where you can find our comments, like in the February 2008 issue of Long Island Bride & Groom. If you're in the New York tri-state area, check it out! And if you're not in the New York area, you can always order a copy online at www.longislandbrideandgroom.com.