CCP & BBJ Linens

So since I was going to Chicago, I thought it would be a great idea to stop off at one of my favorite places BBJ Linens. They are one of the largest linen companies in the nation. Since the FED EX (now UPS) man is at my door every other day delivering great linens, I thought I would see how this operation really works from the inside out. Thank goodness for my navigation on my phone, otherwise it would have been impossible to find the warehouse. Connie was there to greet me and show me the showroom. To my surprise, she showed me a few private specialities that would be perfect for a WOW table. I fell in love. Linens are my speciality. I love color. Ever since I was a little girl, I would memorize color in my mind and could match things up perfectly from my memory. I could even tell you if the color was a shade or two off. So needless to say, I spent a good amount of time in the showroom picking up and just “touching” the linens. “Boy it would sure be nice to bring my clients in here to show them all these beautiful things,” I casually mentioned to my new friend Connie. We are still working on that, right Jesse!

Our next stop was the pressing room, where all of their linens are put through a machine by hand. Every linen is checked for spots, rips, and tears. The next room was the inventory room (see picture), oh my goodness you have never seen so many linens stacked to the ceiling. The tour continued as the sweat started to form on my forehead. I can’t imagine working in that heat all day long. Each person was a busy little bee sorting, folding, counting, creating. The spools of thread on the wall amazed me as I watched these workers create new product. To think that linen could be at my next event was a pretty neat feeling.

The tour ended as I able to connect with the owner of the company, Bill. He was headed out to town to buy speciality fabric for the latest and greatest. Once again I encouraged him to open a showroom here in Indy, so we can WOW you when you come into our office.

Now when the UPS man comes to my door, I can picture the process that all those linens go through just to BEDAZZLE my next event.


Just another day on the job!

In the picture you will see our event pictured. It’s the black and white damask napkin. Kristen and Ryan will be featured on the KNOT coming up soon. Check back soon.

The Windy City

The Windy City



Ever since our fabulous Conrad show back in February, I knew I had to make a personal trip to Chicago to see the VERA WANG Store. Amanda, the owner, is so sweet with great style I wanted to see with my own eyes these beauties. It was LOVE at first site! Now Darcie is the dress girl in the company, but now she has a run for her money. I’ve always had expensive taste, but now I have REALLY expensive taste and love EXPENSIVE dresses. I was blown away not only by the atmosphere, but by the shape and feel of all the gowns. It was like nothing I had ever seen. Every turn, every rack I picked out a new gown I loved. I couldn’t decide, which one would I chose? The more racks, the more expensive the dress. I touched gowns from $2800 to $20,000. As I waited for my lunch date, I observed a bride and her mother. With her personal stylist on hand at all times, I watched her sway in and out of the spacious dressing room. To ensure great customer service and personalized attention, this bride had a two hour window (normal for Amanda’s customers). There was no rushing, it wasn’t crowded, it was very calm and relaxed. As the scones and hot tea were offered, a purchase was made!



Amanda has two stores (WOW, can you believe that?) Belle Vie on the 2nd floor off of Oak Street and then the Vera Wang store on the 4th. If you’ve ever been to Chicago, you know Oak Street is the place to be. I shopped my way past Jimmy Choo, Channel, Prada, and Juicy before I came to Amanda’s store. It was hard to walk away from that purse (no, I still didn’t get it), but I had to make my lunch date. We ate a leisurely lunch at Fred’s, top floor of Barney’s. After listening to Amanda’s story of Paris and fashion, I was asked to come back to the store. Kate, her assistant, started gathering Vera’s newest perfume LOOK, Vera Wang’s wedding coffee table book, and other goodies. Amanda asked me to go back to the bridesmaids area, I followed. She looked at me and said, “Which one do you like? Pick one out?” “WHAT?!” Yes, she told me to pick out a dress and had me fitted in less than 2 minutes. WOW, I was shocked. Back onto Oak Street, getting my car out of valet, I looked back at the designer street with the biggest smile on my face. It was worth the trip, a new dress and a new friend.



Wedding Love and Hugs,

T

Christy and Eric

Christy and Eric

May 16,2009

Immaculate Heart Catholic Church & Crowne Plaza Hotel Grand Hall

WOW!!!!! This wedding was amazing. Christy, Eric and I have been planning this wedding for over a year and on Saturday it all came together. It was amazing. Way back when Christy asked what do think my colors should be? Then she saw the combo of turquoise and fuchsia and I loved it! So we went with it and WOW did those colors work! I decided to name the wedding "the modern boy meets modern girl"

So we had a couple of CCP firsts. 1. There was some construction by the church and there was no where for the SUV Hummer Limo to park so my wonderful assistant Laurenne moved some of the construction barrells right in front so when the limo arrived it would be right in front of the church. Well, as soon as we got the (seemed like 100lb.) barrels moved and a security truck pulls up and the lady inside says "Why did you move these barrells" I couldn't talk my way out of this one so we moved them back. Luckily Laurenne found some other orange cones to block off the street for the limo! 2. We've had many 2nd dresses but this was the first time both bride and groom changed. Christy looked hot in her short white dress and hot pink heels and Eric looked so handsome in his black shirt and pants, black and white tie and white sport coat. 3. The After Party. Christy and Eric knew in the very early stages of planning that they wanted to have an after party. So this was the first time that it was planned and coordinated.

The day went entirely too smooth. Yes, there was a little rain in the early afternoon but it didn't ruin the day at all. After the ceremony while the bridal party was taking pictures, I went down to the Crowne to check on things and I was absolutely stunned when I walked in. The room looked amazing. I was like a kid in candy store. Seeing everything come together like it did. I was just overwhelmed. We didn't leave anything out. Flowers on the bar, little martini glass centerpieces on the cocktail tables, huge martini glass centerpiece on the escort table, the high and low carnation ball centerpieces on the guests tables, hot pink and turquoise up lights, the gobo that took up the entire dance floor, the dessert bar not a single detail was not thought of. The reception rocked, the dance floor was packed. It was an amazing (long) day but it was all worth it especially when Christy said "Its more than I ever imagined" as she was overlooking the room! However, I will say that I couldn't of done it without my FABULOUS TEAM. Megan, Cambrie, Andrew, Jeremy, Brian, Troy, Paige, Laurenne and Jen. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!!! Christy and Eric are off to the Dominican Republic for their honeymoon. I will truly miss them.

The Hawk's Babies are here!!!!

I'm so pleased to announce that Elizabeth and David Hawk are proud parents of two adorable twin boys!! Elizabeth and David were married on August 30,2008 at the Crowne Plaza. They were such a fun couple and I'm so glad that we have kept in contact since the wedding.

The boys were born on April 28,2009 at 6:03 and 6:05 am. Tyler Douglas weighed in at 4.5 pounds and Jackson Allen was 4.6 pounds.

The babies were early and are still in hospital but both are gaining weight and doing well. They even graduated to big boy cribs.

I want to thank Elizabeth and David for sharing these pictures with us. The boys are adorable. Elizabeth and I joked about how is Isabella going to choose on which one to take to prom!! I'm excited to have a play date with them.

Gina and Scott

Gina and Scott from Tonya Shadoan on Vimeo.

Gina and Scott
May 9, 2009
Crowne Plaza Hotel


Gina and Scott, my Georgia couple, were married this weekend on Mother’s Day weekend. What a cute couple! The ceremony went off without a hitch on this gorgeous May Saturday the 9th. The reception took place at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. Of course, the room décor was so refreshing and beautiful. Gina knew the soft, elegant touch she was after from the very beginning. Using soft champagne, white, and accents of green were the perfect touch. I love the look of the orchids in the tall centerpieces and the romantic feel of all the candles, way to go Julie. The couple had a blast while they went to the Circle and Lucas Oil for some amazing Jessica Strickland shots. Check out the blog later this week for those photos (right Jess?)J Brian Whitis mixed it up with his tunes as the girls filled the dance floor. I loved the special touches Gina added to make the wedding her own. She had cute little jars of Peach preserves from Georgia and a personalized monogram in the middle of the dance floor. The best part of the wedding were all the couples who have been married for such a long time. Her parents celebrated their 36th year of marriage, Scott’s mom and dad have been married for a long time, and there was one couple there who have been married for 50 years. WOW, that’s amazing.

Here is my first attempt (I know a little rough for the first go round, right Bob?) with my new HD flip camera. I thought it would be cool to capture the moment. Plus I love this Tim McGraw song, it makes me cry everytime. Seems like I’m always having a happy cry when I do weddings. Gotta love this biz.

Wedding Love and Hugs,
T

Ritz Charles Bridal Seminar

On Thursday, April 30th Tonya and I attended the Ritz Charles Bridal Seminar. Well, not only did we attend Tonya was the guest speaker!!! This is FUN evening for Ritz brides where they get to come in and taste all the wonderful food the Ritz offers as well as sample some tasting cocktails!!! Brides also have the chance to meet some great vendors as well. Tonya was a little nervous before she spoke but is was nothing that a couple of drinks couldn't handle. This seminar was focused on "Insider tips on how to have a Stress FREE Wedding Day" We broke it up into 4 parts: The week before, The Dress Rehearsal,The Wedding Day and Wedding Hangover. During the Wedding Day, Tonya spoke about not forgetting to Thank your parents. She said something to the effect of And Brides don't forget about your parents as your riding off in the horse & carriage. You need to Thank them. You need to hug them and kiss and thank them. And I don't know what came over the BOTH of us but we both started to get emotional. If you never heard Tonya speak, she's really good. And I think its because I know her so well and I know how passionate she is I think that's why we both started to cry. Check out the pictures. Erin Hession did a FABULOUS job photographing the event.

If you would like to purchase your copy of "Insider Tips, How to have a Stress FREE Wedding Day" email Tonya at tonya@circlecityplanners.com or myself darcie@circlecityplanners.com . We have audio and video versions available.

Whitney and Wes Video

Hello Everyone Remember Whitney and Wes?? They got married at the Crowne Plaza on March 7th. This is their highlight video from Bob Ridge at Indy Visual. For more about the wedding check out the blog post of their wedding. Happy Viewing!!!!