Circle City Planners Chic Chat

Christmas Ball Galore

2012-01-14T06:55:00.000-08:00

I know that probably all Christmas decor is now all put way but I had to post one more Christmas wedding. I received this lovely email from Amber and Matt and I just had to share.

Hi Darcie! We hope you had a wonderful holiday and that the new year is treating you well so far! We are so sorry for just now getting an email to you!! We have been working on a little "thank you" but haven't had a chance to send that off yet so I at least wanted to write and tell you how pleased we were with our the ceremony/reception turned out! The ballroom looked amazing! You and Tiffany both did a fabulous job bringing all of our ideas to life - every little detail was covered! We are still receiving compliments from friends and family on how wonderful everything turned out. We could have done it without you and especially appreciate all of you help on the wedding day keeping everything on track. The day was everything we could have hoped for and we are so grateful to you for the role you played and making it a truly unforgettable experience! We were sooo thrilled to get the pictures! Everything was absolutely beautiful! - Amber & Matt

I LOVED this design- it was one of my favorites of the year. The funny thing is- this design all came just about a month before the wedding. Amber and Matt's guest count dropped and to fill out the space of the Grand Hall we came with this.
Thanks to everyone that helped make this day a success!!!

New Year's Eve Bang

2012-01-11T09:50:00.000-08:00

Ashley and Craig decided to get married on NEW YEAR’S EVE! What a great time of year to tie the knot. It was absolutely a winter wonderland on this day of 2011. As you can imagine, planners tend to work mostly on weekends, nights, and holidays. You would think it would be uncomfortable to bring in the NEW YEAR with strangers, but this crowd was one to make you feel welcomed. Craig and Ashley’s family were so warm and inviting throughout the entire planning process.
It was important for the couple and family to keep things as local as possible. Most of the vendors were from the Noblesville and surrounding cities, I love supporting the locals. It was also crucial that we keep our guests safe throughout the event. Transportation and the coordination were of most importance throughout the evening. We didn’t want our guests to have to worry about transportation.
Ashley and her bridesmaids started the morning off at her parent’s home in Noblesville. Complete with hair and make-up, we had to sneak outside for a few breath-taking pictures by their family lake. With her cute little cape, she weathered the storm as Jordyn from Jennifer Driscoll Photography captured Ashley’s personality. The boys in the meantime, were getting ready at the Cambria Suites in Noblesville. Being a new hotel and suite, we hosted the majority of our guests at this hotel. They were absolutely accommodating and even helped us with transportation to keep our guests safe. The bridal party arrived at the Christ Luthern Church in Noblesville as the guests began to fill the pews. On this romantic, high spirited day the couple tied the knot with their closest family and friends. In between the ceremony and reception, the guests were allowed to go back to their hotel to freshen up for the evening’s festivities. The couple took at trip with the photographer and videographer, Jake from Vibe Video Productions to downtown Noblesville to capture shots as a newlywed couple. The reception at the Purgatory Golf Course in Noblesville was ready to greet the guests to begin the party. The couple greeted their guests as the warm, inviting winter wonderland welcomed them. The room was filled with sparkle, lighting, and warm sounds provided by Jason. The cake, by Classic Cakes in Carmel, adorned the room with festive décor to compliment the evenings’ theme. As the guests entered the room next to the cozy fireplace, they were amazed of the atmosphere. As the food stations were opened, the guests sipped on champagne bringing in the new year. Closer to midnight, we passed out party favors, hats, and noise makers as the LIVE stream of NYC ball drop aired. Counting down, 4-3-2-1 the guests raised their glass to congratulate the couple. Needless to say, Ashley and Craig had a ball as we danced the night away. Happy LIFE to the newlyweds as they bring in their NEW life and NEW YEAR together!

Winter Wedding Bliss

2011-12-27T08:26:00.000-08:00

Nicole and Justin were married on December 9, 2011 at Saints Peter and Paul's Cathedral and their reception was held at Historic Union Station. Meeting Nicole for the 1st time, I was taken back to learn both her and her fiance', Justin were both in the military. To say the least, I was honored to plan their wedding with them.
Even though Nicole wore camos she was a girly, girl at heart. The decor made some changes through the planning process but ended up being a beautiful mix of pink, white and silver. There were crystals, candle light and white feathers in all the centerpieces. And Nicole found her inner Martha Stewart by painting some vases and by hand making most of her wedding stationary items. Her ceremony programs were especially pretty.
About a month before the wedding, Nicole called me and said that we had went a bit over budget on some of the decor, so she wanted to change the silver chairvi chairs to chair covers and take out the silver charger plates. I was fine with the chair cover change even though it meant my team and I would have to tie 200 chair cover ties. But I just couldn't see how eliminating the chargers was going to work. So I decided that I would surprise Nicole with chargers the day of the wedding.
On Friday, everything was going smooth, the ballroom was starting to take on Nicole's vision so I asked her if she wanted to have a sneak peek. When Nicole saw the room, she was stunned. The 1st words out of her mouth was "the chargers" and I said SURPRISE, HAPPY WEDDING DAY! She gave me a big hug and said, "You're Amazing".
The ceremony was beautiful it ran a bit long but was very heartfelt. After the church pictures, Nicole and Justin and the rest of their bridal party came back to Union Station and had a private cocktail reception while their guests were enjoying hors d'oeuvres and drinks downstairs. Then it was time for their big announcement into the ballroom. Once announced, Mike, Nicole's dad said his welcome speech and Alex, her brother said the prayer it was time for dinner and I was starving! But the Jeremy, our DJ said and now Nicole would like to say a few words. SURPRISE TO ME, this wasn't on the time line! Nicole said" Without Darcie we couldn't of done this" and then asked me come up on the dance floor with her. Nicole gave me a thank you card and big hug. I was so touched and honored. I kinda felt like David Tutera!
Thanks to all that was involved that made Nicole and Justin's wedding a success. Jennifer Driscoll photography, Jeremy with DJs Direct, Katie and Megan from the Crowne Plaza, Classic Cakes of Carmel, Rebecca from True Colors, Kathy Moberly from Faces by KLM, LSG limo service, and of course Tiffany with Circle City Designers.

A Starry Night on video

2011-12-13T04:42:00.000-08:00

Check out this amazing video highlight from our friends at Indy Visual . Watching this brings back great memories of this amazing wedding and a starry night! Thanks Bob

Do you want a designer Christmas tree?

2011-11-21T09:50:00.000-08:00

Everyone loves a great Christmas tree, but few of us know how to make them look sleek, professionally designed, and perfect. The truth is, ANYONE can do this! I have a few tips for you so that this year's tree will be your best yet!!!!

*Go artificial if you can. I know everyone loves the smell of fresh tree, and nothing says Christmas like pine needles all over your floor. BUT, the investment in a good artificial tree will save you money in the end and is the core base of a truly designer tree. If you go natural, your tree will lend toward a more rustic, earthy look.

*Buy a great, WIRED, 3 inch thick ribbon in your favorite color. It doesn't need to be silver, gold or red to feel Christmassy. My tree's base color is rust orange because that is what I have most of in my house. Starting at the top of the tree, slowly twist your branches together around fluffed pieces of ribbon that end at the base of the tree. V-cut the ends of the ribbon. No tree looks great unless you start with a beautiful ribbon base.

*Stick to one, two or three colors when you design your tree. Again, you don't have to take Christmas literally. My tree is rust, gold, and mustard yellow with natural brown, organic elements because that is what style is in my house.

*Hang your big balls first! Seriously, after your ribbon is placed and perfect, hang the largest ornaments you have next. Do all the same type of ornaments at a time. You want to balance them out all across the tree.

*Create depth. Larger, rounder ornaments should be hung towards the trunk of the tree, close to the branch. However, long, narrow ornaments should be hung toward the end of the branch so that nothing obstructs the "hanging".

*You do not have to hang every ornament you own, every year. You really only need about 5-6 different shapes and sizes of ornament to make classic, beautiful tree. The best trees have a fun, whimsical element such as feathers, silk flowers or sprays, lanterns, etc. Don't be afraid to use things that are meaningful to you like handkerchiefs that you collect, or long hanging crystals if you like a lot of bling. The trick is to use something large, and use enough of the same item to make an impact. Don't hodge podge your tree.

*Don't go for a traditional tree skirt. Go to the fabric store and buy a great fabric that matches your home and your decor to adorn the bottom of the tree.

Fab Finds Friday: A Bride's MUST Have

2011-11-17T10:13:00.000-08:00

So the other day, I was helping a bride get married and she pulled out the most amazing, cute little emergency kit. As a planner we are always ready for any emergency! We carry all kinds of stuff in our emergency kits to help you throughout the day. Sometimes we need to help someone sew on a button, get a stain out of a dress, safety pin everything, etc. But when this bride pulled out this cute little kit I had to find out what was inside. To my surprise this little kit had everything from ear ring backs, to a nail file, sewing kit, you name it you’ll find it in this kit. I have to buy one, it’s a must have for any bride and a planner who needs one in her car (for the just in case). Check it out. I found them personalized for brides at Francescas in Castleton Mall. http://www.francescascollections.com/

It’s inexpensive and something you should keep in your car for the just in case moments.

Enjoy!

- T

My least favorite FOUR LETTER WORD!!!!!

2011-11-16T06:27:00.000-08:00

Sometime's the F-bomb can be really offensive to people, so cover your ears if you don't want to hear me say it, but I HAVE to get this out!

My least favorite four letter word when it comes to weddings is

F-A- K-E !!!!!!

I don't care if you have a lower budget wedding, or you want to preserve your bridal bouquet, or Aunt Cecilia wants to sit at home for months before the wedding making your centerpieces, there is NO excuse for using fake, artificial, plastic, silk flowers in your wedding.

In this down economy and the DIY phase of wedding creating...you may be tempted. DON'T do it. This is the most important day of your life and you should have fresh, beautifully designed flowers for yourself and your guests. If you can't afford to have a florist create centerpieces for all your tables, have them make your gorgeous bouquets, and use candles and rose petals for the reception, DON'T decide to throw some Hobby Lobby/Michael's rendition of a floral arrangement on your guest tables.

I'm not a fan of DYI'ing your wedding either. This is a day for you to be pampered, spoiled, loved, doted on, and beautified. You don't need to spend it working! The cost differences are not enough for you to have added stress on a day that will last a lifetime. These pictures show you super inexpensive ways to decorate your tables without having F-A-K-E off.

This moment will remain with you forever, and your florist can help you make economical decisions that are right for you. Don't do it yourself. Don't go F-A-K-E yourself either.

Adding fabulosity, not FAKE-ness to your flowers, Tiffany

Too early for RING-ING in the New Year???

2011-11-14T06:29:00.000-08:00

Nope! It's engagement season! And rings will be presented to lovely brides to be from now until Valentine's Day!!! I am happy to announce, that I AM ONE OF THEM!!!!! I am so excited! For nearly 20 years now I have been in the floral industry, sending hundred of brides down the aisle, and NOTHING is better than that moment when she steps out for the first time, walking toward her groom.

Most couples get engaged between Thanksgiving and Valentine's Day, and we LOVE to hear all about our bride's engagement stories. It is so important to get it right, because that moment will last a lifetime! Eric got our "moment" JUST RIGHT!!! Every year my friends and I have what we call "Friends Thanksgiving" as a way to celebrate and be thankful for each other before we get caught up in the holiday hustle that is usually devoted to family. I love my friends as if they were my family, and our tradition spawned from the idea that we were closer than blood, and in a sense, they WERE my family. Years of being there for each other, watching careers change, marriages happen, celebrating births of children, struggling through divorces, and millions of other ups and downs that have happened along the way, has bound us all together for a lifetime. When Eric and I met four years ago, my friends embraced him as one of "us" right away. This hadn't happened with previous relationships. I was always thought of as being on my own. Invitations didn't come for me and my significant others, just "Tiffany". It became assumed and quite common that when we had a get together, I would show up alone. This always seemed fine to me, because this was my family, a place where I belonged and I knew I fit right in. It didn't feel like there was a piece missing there. When I met Eric, he quickly became my best friend. He was a part of me, one half of a whole, and ALL my friends felt just the same way I did, and before he knew it, he was in the club!

That is why it was so PERFECT that he took this year's "Friends Thanksgiving" to ask me to marry him. It is really tough to surprise me, so there was no way he could do the birthday, Christmas, or family get together route....that's why this was perfect. He had all my friends in on the surprise, and as we gathered around the table, he was purposefully placed in the spot where he would share what he was thankful for...last. As we went around the table, everyone shared their thankfulness for each other and other things in their lives. I shared that I was thankful for creating "Friends Thanksgiving" and that over the years some faces had changed, and we had some additions and subtractions, but that THIS year, I knew that everyone standing there would be there year after year. We were ALL in the right place.

Then, it was Eric's turn, and I was NOT expecting it! He turned to everyone, thanked them for welcoming him into our "family" and asked me to spend my life with him.

That's why this is the perfect start to engagement season! What a great memory we will always cherish, and I am so grateful that some of the people I am closest to were there to witness it. I am going to marry my best friend, and my family is going to marry him too. That's how I know this is the right one. My Mr. Right, Mr. Wonderful, Mr. Fix it.....and I can't wait to be MRS. SCHNELLER!!!!!!!!

Adding fabulosity to your florals, Tiffany

FABULOUS finds Friday!

2011-11-11T06:28:00.000-08:00

It's almost the weekend! I love Friday's because you are looking forward to what is happening NEXT...Today I am going to tell you what I think is happening NEXT in the wedding biz! I spend a lot of time reading blogs, magazines, and watching wedding related television so I am a self appointed EXPERT on what the wedding trends will be for 2012. :)

First, DITCH the word "elegant"....weddings have long since been described this way, and it isn't enough to describe the look and feel of your whole event. Replaced next year with "ROMANTIC!" This still isn't enough to get the whole vibe going...but it's a nice start, and this year is going to be FULL of hearts and rosettes, and soft, sweet, girly things that scream romance. Weddings are going to be more formal, traditional, and sweeter than they ever have before.

Second, I really think the bold, vibrant colors of 2o11 (purples, hot pinks, and oranges) are going by the wayside and letting in the softer, paler counterparts...lavenders and pastels, soft blues and teals, and peaches are going to be the new palette starters.

Next, I think themes are going to become more important than ever. Brides want to make their wedding day tell a story about themselves and their groom. Decor is personal, detail is important, and brides want to literally do the "work" to get the look they are going for. This is why www.etsy.com and Pinterest have become so popular. (In fact all of these pictures on the blog today were taken from my Pinterest account. Girls love to buy custom, hand made things that SAY something about them and help provide a unifying theme to the wedding.

Say goodbye to the candy bar! You can keep your Snickers in your desk drawer, but brides are going to skip doing a display of various candies at the wedding. The "bar" has been raised to creating custom dessert stations. I think this will also dim the lights on the specialty cupcakes we grew to love in 2011....nothing is more romantic than a beautifully designed wedding cake, and

Lastly, photographers are going to be as creative as ever. Staging the cutest, perfect, meaningful shots, brides and grooms are really going to let THEIR personalities out in their wedding, engagement and trash the dress sessions. They are displaying cute messages, using props to capture romantic moments, and bringing their pets in on the game. This will be the best year yet for amazing wedding photographs.

Cant wait to see if I am right! Happy planning, and happy FRIDAY!!!!

Don't forget to call Circle City Designers if you are a bride needing help with her wedding flowers. We are the best in the business! 317-770-4321 ext 2 or email us at tiffany@circlecitydesigners.com

Don't forget to call Circle City Planners if you are a bride looking for extra help for your wedding day! 317-770-4321 ext 1 or email darcie@circlecityplanners.com

Wildflower Wednesday

2011-11-09T04:57:00.000-08:00

Circle City Designers LOVES today because it's the day we get to talk ALL about flowers! As local Indianapolis florists, we are constantly looking for the best and brightest hot flower trends to share with our wedding clients. Thank you for taking part in our Facebook poll letting us know that peaches, oranges, and classic ivories are the perfect fall wedding colors. I agree with you! Since it's fall right now, everyone is probably sick of looking at orange, red and yellow things, so the flower I want to showcase today is Blue Thistle! I LOVE this flower....it works great as a filler, a focal flower, or a fun addition to boutonnieres, corsages, and bouquets. The last few years, the floral industry has been inspired by some western/earthy/organic designs that have helped make thistle more popular here in the midwest. If you love blue, remember this flower because it is one of the very few blue choices you have! In fact, I forget about it! And it's just too darn cute to forget about :)

Traditionally a weed, thistle has become more loved by florists in the last several years as varieties are grown to be richer in color, and softer to the touch. Some varieties have been used to flavor foods and others have been used for medicinal purposes. Some thistles come in oranges, purples, and lavenders, but blue is my favorite. I love that thistle looks nearly the same even after it dries, making it a VERY long lasting cut flower. If you are a creative DIY'er, thistle is perfect for making your fall and winter wreaths.

If you are planning your Indianapolis wedding and are in need of a FABULOUS florist, give Tiffany a call today to set up your complimentary design session in our studio. 317-409-0989 or email us at tiffany@circlecitydesigners.com

Make today FABULOUS!

FABULOUS FINDS Friday!

2011-11-04T05:46:00.000-07:00

It's Friday and that means it is time for us to show you the FABULOUS fun things we are in love with this week!

As Indianapolis Area florists, we are always looking for the latest trends, and try to start a few ourselves :) Happy reading!

First thing we are LOVING this week is PINTEREST! It is a great place for brides to organize the images that inspire them for their wedding. I love it when I can follow a bride of mine on Pinterest and see how her vision for her big day sharpens as we make more and more plans. It is great way for your florist or planner to get to know you! Follow Circle City Designers on Pinterest here! Re-pin our favorite pics and get inspiration for your Indianapolis area wedding on line!

Next, I can't stop watching David Tutera's "My Fair Wedding" on We TV. He takes a bride's everyday, sometimes dreadful vision for their wedding and turns it into something AMAZING just three weeks before the big day! The bride gets NO say in what he does for them, but I love how he uses his planner-psychology to find the real heart and soul of his bride and always aims to please their inner bride, even if the outer bride doesn't know how to execute it. It a show that shows you the importance of hiring PROFESSIONALS to help you, and I just love how much heart he puts into his job. We aspire to treat our clients in much the same way around here at Circle City Planners and Designers.

Finally, I love it when I can find a way for a bride to save money. I would always rather you spend the money where you need it, and cut corners where you can. That's why I LOVE this website. Its called Rent the Runway, and you can finally rent designer dresses for your bridal party. They are amazingly affordable, and TOTALLY chic. As a bride you could rent a change out dress for your reception, or something funky and fab for your rehearsal dinner, and spend only a fraction of the cost! LOVE. WEAR. RETURN. SO FAB!

Adding Fabulosity to your Fridays, Tiffany

Wildflower Wednesday!

2011-11-02T05:42:00.000-07:00

Fall is my favorite time of year for Indiana weddings because its time for the rich, deep, bold colors to come out! I love the dark purples, greens, oranges, yellows and reds you just don't see any other time of year. Centerpieces can become so interesting and textured as we incorporate things like kale, wheats, cattails, berries and fruits and vegetables like peppers, pomegranates, and artichokes. No other time of year do you see such diversity in floral centerpieces.

Since most brides tend to plan about a year in an advance, I want all my Indiana brides getting married next fall to consider your fall color scheme. I believe your venue for your reception should be decided upon before you choose your colors. I DO think it has the biggest impact on the style, vibe, and color scheme of the wedding. Considering that most girls want their wedding to feel elegant, classic, romantic, and formal, I wanted you to consider a slight slant on traditional fall colors. Circle City Designers took a poll on Facebook, and we found that peaches, orange with classic ivory are the new wedding fall colors! I love this look and it can be paired with silver accents for a more modern vibe, or golds for a more formal feel. It still feels very BRIDAL, which I love, and has a neutrality to it while honoring the season.

We had the opportunity to pull off this look a few weeks ago at the Eiteljorg Museum downtown and it was FABULOUS! Clean, classic ivory linens, lush, full peaches, oranges, ivories (with a hint of green) in the centerpieces, and loads of modern (silver) accents all throughout the extra touches. LOVE IT!

Happy Planning! Tiffany

FABULOUS finds Friday!

2011-10-28T04:24:00.000-07:00

Every so often we focus on things we LOVE in the wedding industry and share them with you on Friday! This week, I thought I would try something a littttttle different....Although, what I am going to share IS fabulous!

It's US! Did you know that Circle City Designers is it's own company? Often times I think people are confused that Circle City Planners (the wedding planning team) and Circle City Designers (the florists) can not only work together, but they can also be separate! Just because you don't need an event planner to help you plan your big day, doesn't mean Circle City Designers can't come and provide you with the city's most FABULOUS floral centerpieces and bouquets.

We need our favorite vendors, venues, and clients to help us spread the word that Circle City Designers is simply THE source for the modern bride. EVERYONE needs flowers for their big day, and we focus SOLELY on wedding day florals.

As Indianapolis area florists, we know what it takes to pull off the perfect day. There IS a difference between a retail florist and a wedding florist handling your big day. YOU are our only focus, we don't have the distractions of daily deliveries, holidays, or walk in customers.

We handle everything from delivery, set up, assistance during your ceremony, to tear down, clean up and return of rentals. Whatever you need!

If you are planning a wedding, come see us NOW to get started designing your FABULOUS FLOWERS! email tiffany@circlecitydesigners.com to schedule and appointment!

Happy Planning, Tiffany

How do you choose the RIGHT bouquet?

2011-10-26T04:07:00.000-07:00

I have been doing weddings here in Indianapolis for nearly 20 years and I have seen lots of trends go in and out of style, only to come back again. So many of our Circle City Designer brides come into my office with pictures of the PERFECT bouquet only to have me tell them that the flowers in it are out of season for their wedding. There are so many things to consider when choosing your personal flowers....What time of year is it? What is the style of your wedding, casual, formal, modern, etc...What color is your dress? What is the length and style of your dress? How tall or short are you? What are the bridesmaids wearing? You are the focal point of the day, and what you carry is just as important as the jewelry you wear, the way you do your hair, and the shoes on your feet! (At least I think so ;) )

First: Season

Unless I can get a bride to wait to choose her date until she chooses her flowers....HA! than you are going to be at the mercy of the season. Fortunately most flowers are available all year round, and most brides are more concerned with color and texture than a specific flower type. As your wedding florist, it is my job to help you choose the flowers that are the best choices for your wedding date. If you are in love with a specific type of flower, or if they carry special meaning, you might considering calling me as you are choosing your dates so I can tell you when they are available. Peonies, anemones, ranunculus, and sweet pea tend to be the most common flowers that brides want when they can't have them. Makes me so sad!!!! Early summer (May and June) tend to be the BEST time to get most everything your heart desires.

Second: Color

I believe that most weddings photograph better under one of two scenarios.....I love lots of color, OR if you do soft colors or all white...do it right. Bright colors photograph best against your white or ivory gown. Color shows less damage, wilting, or flaws on the flowers. If you choose to go all white or very pale in color, you will want to use sturdy, hardy flowers like calla lilies, roses, or orchids. They hold up better if you are going to have a long photography session, take outdoor photographs, or have a gap between ceremony and reception. I think if you use softer colors for your bridal bouquet, monochromatic, but multi-tonal bouquets photograph better than a mixture of pastels. If you are looking for the sentiment of the "bride should have white"...then I recommend doing a colored bouquet rich in color with pops of white and keeping your bridesmaid's bouquets all colored.

Third: Shape

Body type and dress impact your bouquet shape more than anything. if you are a petite girl, a heavy, or long bouquet might overwhelm your look. If you are wearing a very ornate dress, or a long train, you should go ahead and take liberties with your flowers too, like holding a cascade, adding lots of jewels or feathers. If you have a simple, delicate dress, consider carrying a smaller than normal bouquet, possibly all one type of flower. Discuss stem length, and dimension with your florist to make sure they know your preferences. If you want a tightly compacted, round look, make sure you aren't getting a garden style bouquet with lots of height changes!

Fourth: Price

In my experience, a bride is willing to fork out the bucks when it comes to her own bouquet. So choose the things you love the most. You don't have to incorporate your same bridal flowers in your centerpieces or church decor, so if something is expensive and love it: keep in your bouquet and keep it out of everything else. Your bridesmaids should carry bouquets that compliment the bridal, but not mimic it. Here is another place to save, certain flowers are more expensive than others. If you are worried about cost, the ones to avoid for your girl's bouquets are stephanotis, peonies, gardenias, sweet pea, certain orchids, calla lilies, and catteleya and lady slippers. A cost saving tip on using the flowers you love is to create bouquets of all one type of flower. Mono-floral bouquets can have bigger impact when using fewer flowers.

Fifth: Meaning

We are always trying to help our clients make their wedding more personal. Whether the couple enjoys the outdoors, or gambling, or loves the color red, we help them find ways of including these passions into their decor so they can share it with their guests. One way to do that is by including the meanings of the flowers you are using. For instance, white roses indicate purity, love, and youthfulness. Maybe he bouquet you lilies after your first date. You could name different tables at your reception by the meanings of different flowers and use those flowers as the centerpiece. Or maybe your beloved grandmother loved daffodils and you want to include a homage to her by placing them in your bouquet. Whatever the significance, it is fun to add another layer of meaning into your decision making process. Circle City Designers can help you choose the right flowers that say the things you are trying to say!

Happy Planning! Tiffany

Time of our Lives

2011-10-24T09:48:00.000-07:00

Lauren and Tom
October 15,2011
St.Elizabeth Seaton and Grand Hall at Historic Union Station

Lauren and Tom are both super cute... and SUPER laid back. Tom was very involved with the all planning and Lauren was the crafty one.
The decor was so "Etsy"!!! Hand-made table numbers, clothes pinned place cards, and tree stumps used in fun and usual ways gave this wedding a very earthy, vintage garden vibe.
The weather was great, Jennifer Driscoll was able to get some AMAZING pictures. The Crowne Plaza looked FABULOUS. I was really excited to hear the reception entertainment, Cool 2 duel. They were a dueling piano band out of Michigan that Lauren and Tom had heard at one of their friends wedding. The band was fun and full of energy. For the first dance, Tom and Lauren reenacted "The time of our lives" from the Dirty Dancing movie. It was so cute!
Their cake added to the decor and tasted great! I'm still dreaming about another chocolate cupcake with peanut butter icing.
Thanks to everyone that helped in making Lauren and Tom's wedding successful.
Crowne Plaza, Circle City Designers, Jennifer Driscoll photography, Jake Stutzman video, True Colors,Yellow Rose Carriage and to Joely for tying 276 chair covers!!!

Avatar Inspired Wedding

2011-10-19T08:46:00.000-07:00

Megan & Noah
September 24, 2011
Coxhall Gardens and Bridgewater Club

When I first met Megan, she explained to me how she and Noah loved nature and thought of bringing aspects of the movie Avatar into her wedding. This idea very much intrigued me even though I hadn't seen the movie. I knew I had to get right vendors on board right away to carry out this inspiration in a classy way. Indianapolis florist Circle City Designers was brought on board right away to create the fabulous floral displays and Evans Audio Visual created the uber important lighting elements . The design that we came up with was AMAZING!!!!- The centerpieces were designed to create the look and feel of the "other-wordly" forest in the movie. We had 5 feet tall curly willow trees with floral accents, a water element with lotus pods, and futuristic manzanita branches with floral clusters for some serious drama. These took wedding flowers to a whole new level. Haze for effect and pin spots were just a few highlights from the design provided by Evans. We needed a great photographer to capture these design elements. Jessica Strickland on board to capture all of the AWESOMENESS.
Megan and Noah wanted everything for their wedding to go smoothly so there were lots of emails and phone calls during the planning process.
I was so excited the week of Megan's wedding, until Tiffany told me that it was going to rain. The back up plan for the ceremony was in a tent at Coxhall Gardens, rather than the planned outdoor ceremony with a petal drop. Jessica emails me the Thursday before and says the chance of rain was now up 70%!!! OH NO!
Even though rain is supposed to bring a couple luck, I was feeling luckier that the rain held off and ceremony got to be outside! Guests were greeted by strolling violinists and were surprised by the petal drop when Megan and Noah kissed. The happy couple left in a horse drawn carriage. At the reception, everyone was in awe over the way the room looked. Megan and Noah couldn't believe how their dream became reality. During dinner, the waterfall backdrop switched to Megan and Noah's love story created by Northern Light Filmworks. Jeremy from DJ's Direct kept party going all night long. A HUGE thank you to all that were involved in making Megan and Noah a success. Beverly from the BridgewaterClub, Scott and the entire Evans A/V team, Jessica Strickland Photography, Northern Light Filmworks, Karen Hall and Co., Tiffany and the Circle City Designers team, Jeremy from DJ's Direct, Encore Entertainment, Yellow Rose Carriage, Tom's Custom Trees, Indy Photo booth, Amazing Cakes, Vanilla Bean bakery, Emily and Jessica at Coxhall Gardens and my 2 super assistants Cara and Joely!!!

Circle City Planners shows off this weekend's wedding with Dave Mason!

2011-10-17T06:10:00.000-07:00

Everyone knows Circle City Planners puts on the BEST weddings in Indianapolis and this weekend was no exception. Circle City Planners was at The Crowne Plaza and The Scottish Rite Cathedral doing what we do best. All the decor was provided by the our sister company, wedding florists Circle City Designers. Fall flowers in purples and oranges transformed the ballroom into a rich and regal space fit for a queen! Sneak peaks from the couple's wedding photographer, Dave Mason were provided lighting fast and we are excited for you to take a look!

Please take peak at Kat and Eric's big day on Dave's blog. AMAZING!

Circle City Planners are Indy's finest wedding planners.

Circle City Designers is adding fabulosity to your wedding flowers in Indianapolis and surrounding cities.

A Starry Night

2011-10-11T10:00:00.000-07:00

Marissa and JW
St. Joan of Arc and IMA
September 17,2011

When I first met with Marissa and JW, I knew that their wedding was going to be special. Marissa told me about a suitcase full of paper stars that her and JW brought back from India. At that moment, I knew that the stars were going to be the focal point of the wedding! We also incorporated some really cool ornaments as favors that were brought back as well.
JW is a total free spirit and enjoys every moment of life. At the church, I went up to check on him and found that he and his groomsmen were playing a friendly game of shoot the groom with Nerf guns. I just had to laugh because that's exactly how JW is. Marissa on the other hand, is calm, quiet and thoughtful. Both are in the medical field, he is a doctor and Marissa a nurse so needless to say they are SUPER busy. September 17th was a beautiful day for a wedding,everything went very smooth. The ceremony was full of love, music and a tear from me as Marissa and her dad walked down the aisle. The IMA looked fantastic. Dinner was amazing. But the 1st dance topped my night. At the very end of the song, I saw JW mouthed "Okay I'm going to lift you" and Marissa mouthed back "NO" but he did anyway and twirled her around and around at least 15 times. By the end of the song, both ended up falling gracefully. I was lucky to work with some great old vendors for this wedding including, Joe from Kahn's catering, Bob with Indy Visual, Jack with Antique Limo, Nicole at the IMA, Karen Hall and Co., Evan's Audio Visual and of course Tiffany of Circle City Designers. And some great new vendors Amanda and Nate with Turtlepond (awesome photos) and the Groove Essential Band.
It was pleasure working with Marissa and JW. The couple is back from their honeymoon and enjoying life as a married couple!

Two-Lips for TA-TA's!

2011-10-07T05:39:00.000-07:00

Ladies, October is breast cancer awareness month, and we need to come together and support our ta- ta's. Without a doubt, Circle City Designers is here to support. Please help us out by sending your most creative and unique photo of you and your significant other putting your "two-lips" to work.

The contest will go on during the month of October, and we will choose a winner at the end of the month.

The winner will receive a free bridal bouquet of her choice.

Not only does the winner receive a gorgeous bridal bouquet, but a percentage of all bookings participating in the contest during the month of October will be given to support the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

Please email all photos and inquiries to tiffany@circlecitydesigners.com, and tell us why your picture is the most unique, and we will post the winner at the end of the month. The winner must book their wedding (minimums apply) with Circle City Designers to redeem prize.

Good luck ladies!

http://www.circlecityplanners.com/wedding-event-design

VIVA Las Vegas! Kassie and Ryan's I DO's!!!!

2011-10-05T06:37:00.000-07:00

About a month ago, Circle City Planners and Designers had the honor of creating the wedding of a lifetime. Kassie and Ryan worked with us for eighteen months planning every detail of their perfect weekend in Las Vegas. It isn't often that I get to do a destination wedding, but I literally BEGGED to be a part of this one!!!! The couple had big plans for their guests and we were thrilled to help pull it all together for them.

We had parties and dinners on the Las Vegas strip, and a stunning outdoor ceremony and GORGEOUS reception at the Springs Preserve Botanical Gardens with catering by Wolfgang Puck. From black and white with pops of pink, feathers, crystals and diamonds, 6 foot white manzanita trees, to a 24,000 petal aisle....this wedding had EVERYTHING a girl could want and more!....The wedding felt very "cosmopolitan meets vintage chic with a big scoop of girlie-ness"...Of course Kassie created her own unique style! She is one of a kind! I was blessed to be able to attend this wedding (which I NEVER do!) and I have to say, it was one party I wouldn't have wanted to miss. The DJ had us dancing all night, the food was UH-MAZING, and with such an intimate crowd, we really got to know all the guests and had a great time!!! I have never witnessed a couple who was more in love than Kassie and Ryan, truly and amazing day, and I felt very lucky to be there.

Wearing the most stunning dress I have ever seen (St. Pucci), our bride was picture perfect! Ryan is a photographer himself, so the pictures were one of the most important details of the day. Chelsea Nicole Photography was selected to shoot the big day! Thank you for these amazing shots and I can't wait to see the full reel. BIG thank you to Kassie and Ryan for trusting us to put their vision together and pull off this celebration that we will never forget!

Many hugs and blessings to you! Tiffany

SEASONS greetings! A four season wedding at the Crowne Plaza!

2011-09-28T07:13:00.000-07:00

When Jennifer and Brandon came to us, they had this beautiful idea to incorporate all four seasons into her late summer wedding. The couple just loved that Indiana provided us with all these dynamic times of year, and that is why they call Indiana...HOME. Their love for the changing of seasons seemed like a stretch to "theme" their wedding around, and Jennifer was ready to toss the idea aside...till we got ahold of her! We love nothing more than to find the personal, unique element that a couple share and bring it into their wedding. This was a challenge, but it was worth it!!!! We decided to create four trees that would serve as centerpieces, each changing slightly from winter, to spring, to summer, to fall. Each section of the room was devoted to one of the seasons, and the end result was AMAZING!!!

A BIG thank you to both Jennifer (for supplying the photos) and to Gail Werner Photography for taking such great images. It was a pleasure working with you both!

100 degrees of HOTNESS!!!

2011-09-26T11:01:00.000-07:00

We had the pleasure of planning the wedding for this very special couple this summer, in less than a month. AND, it was a secret! It was a mere 104 degrees the week of the wedding, but that didn't stop us from making it magical for Kerri and her groom. The wedding took place on their gorgeous property and the reception was tented in the back yard. We blogged about it earlier this summer, and we are STOKED to finally to be able to show you some amazing photographs from the lovelyKatherine Scheele!!!!

Flowers were created with a Southern Belle flair and not a single detail was overlooked. The chandeliers, walkways, steps, and tables were all adorned with gorgeous yellow garden roses, white hydrangea, feverfew and billy balls.
What really made this wedding special (other than the fact that it was a SURPRISE to all the guests!) was all in the details.....From chandeliers, to lanterns, to custom straws and horse and carriages, this was one wedding I will NEVER forget!

Big thank you to Hoaglin Catering, A Classic Party Rental, and Evans Audio Visual for providing the essentials to making this wedding FABULOUS!!!

Hugs, Tiffany

7 years isn't so shabby

2011-09-21T10:42:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago Matt and I celebrated our 7 year anniversary. Before our 1st anniversary, Matt and I came up with a special way to celebrate! We decided that each of us would plan an anniversary. I would plan the odd years and he would plan the even ones. We could do anything but whatever we did had to be on August 28th and the evening must end by us looking at our wedding album. So this year, I had planned for us to go to an early dinner at Cooper Hawk and afterwards we would go up in a hot balloon during sunset. August 28th was beautiful (unlike our wedding day 7 years ago. On our wedding day, it was super hot and an 80% chance of rain. But we still got married outside! I thought everything was going to be fine for our balloon ride but I was wrong...it was too windy. Matt and I were disappointed but we thought we would make the most of not having our daughter, Isabella, so we went to a movie instead. My best piece of advice that I could give brides and grooms is to make your own traditions and enjoy every minute of your wedding day.

ENOUGH ALREADY!!!!! Rain inspired blogging. :)

2011-09-19T13:54:00.000-07:00

I have been sitting at my desk for nearly six hours now and I would SWEAR that Noah and his Ark going to swoop right down Main Street to pick me up any minute. I love a rainy day and all, but this weather is FLOODING my mind with all sorts of gloomy thoughts. It has literally prevented me from being able to think today. (Hence, the blog NOT being written and posted first thing this morning!) So I finally said, forget it! I am just going to write about the rain.

As a person in the event industry, EVERY time the weather "affects" us, I immediately worry about my brides for the upcoming weekend. As much as I tell every girl that the day she gets married will be 72 degrees and sunny, it just doesn't always ring true. Here's every bride's RAIN PLAN.

* MAKEUP: be sure to bring small towelettes to dry off, powder and sponges to touch up washed away makeup, and Q-tips to clean up any runny mascara.

*SHOES: If you are getting married in the rainy season, buy yourself a blinged out pair of rubber boots. If you are taking pictures outside, or simply have to travel once you are in your dress, you will want to save your ceremony shoes from getting wet and dirty. Here's a great place to buy em: Hunter (THEY HAVE JIMMY CHOO's!!!)

*HAIR: Consider having a up-do plan with your stylist in the event of rain. Even after it rains, the dampness in the air can give you fly aways and ruin a fantastic blow out.

*BRIDESMAIDS: Buying your girls cute wedding coordinated parasols or umbrellas for the wedding day is a great, albeit practical gift. They also make the cutest pictures! For fun, have them monogrammed with you and your fiance's initials. So cute~ Bella Umbrella, check em out!

*PHOTOGRAPHS: Here's the great news, photographers will tell you that you are BLESSED to have inclement weather! The lighting can be better, and you are bound to get some great, unique shots that won't get on a nice sunny day. Buck up and embrace nature! You and your groom will be singing in the rain, and the photographs will be timeless and amazing!

*LUCK: Some people deem a rainy day a sign of bad luck for the bride and groom, others say it is a sign of a long and blessed marriage. I choose to believe the latter. Rain is a symbol of unity, prosperity, and even fertility. Even though you weren't praying for it, if it rains, remember this Italian saying, "Sposa Bagnata, Sposa Fortunat." What does this mean? A wet bride is a lucky bride.

Happy planning and here's to "wet" feet!!

Tiffany

Video Hightlight from Sara and Luke's wedding

2011-09-16T06:52:00.000-07:00

Sara and Luke, Wedding, 5-7-2011 from MVP on Vimeo.

Thanks Troy at Movie Tyme. This was an amazing wedding.

For the GROOM! Education and Etiquette for your groomsmen!

2011-09-14T07:08:00.000-07:00

Ninety nine percent of weddings is "all about the girl"....but you have a big responsiblity too, and not many resources to tell you how to manage your "groomhood." We are here to help! From helping in the planning process, managing your best man and groomsmen, to handling the in-laws, we have advice that is a must read for our young grooms.

*What is your role during the planning process? If you are the average guy, you want to have a say in a few things, but mostly, you want your bride to have the wedding of her dreams. It is a great idea to take a few things off her plate. Offer to handle transportation and DJ details so she has a few less things to worry about. You should also handle making the arrangements for the honeymoon (but where you go should be a decision you make together!) The rehearsal dinner is traditionally something your parent(s) handle, so chip in on the planning there, keeping your future wife's preferences in mind. It is important that you give input when it matters to you. Don't be afraid to step in and say how you feel.

*It can be tough to appease everyone on both sides of the family when planning such an important affair. When your parents try to get too involved, or go against what your bride wants, try to stay on her side. It is important to be united even before the "I do's" and you will have a happier, less stressed bride if you always put her needs first. Make sure you handle communication with your family.

*How do I choose my best man and groomsmen? When you have a big family, it can often be expected that you choose family members to stand up for you. Your bride may wish for you to include some of her male friends or family. It is important that whomever you choose, that they are responsible and respectful enough to fulfill their duties for the wedding throughout the process. Being in the party is more than showing up for the ceremony :)

*The groom's party is expected to pay for and be measured for their own attire. Tux rental is relatively inexpensive and most places are nation wide so that you may be fitted wherever you live.

*It is expected that the groomsmen attend all the couple's pre-wedding festivities, including the engagement party, couple's shower, bachelor party and rehearsal dinner.

*The groomsmen should help plan the bachelor party and be respectful of what the groom wants. Make sure your friends and family involved know your expectations. Tip: NEVER have your bachelor party the night before the wedding!!! Give yourself a week to recover :)

*They are expected to be courteous, show up on time, where they are expected to be, ready and able to serve their duties. They may be asked to seat your guests, answer questions or directives from vendors, guests, or family members. They are to be a part of your pictures, toasts, dances and videos of the day, so make sure you have chosen guys who will stay in "good shape" for the entire event.

*You are going to be a much happier groom if you spend time throughout the planning process pampering your bride. Every few weeks or once a month, take her out for a special dinner, get her a massage or spa day, bring home her favorite wine and some takeout and have a romantic picnic...buy her a special present or bring her flowers (REMEMBER what she is using in her bridal bouquet, and send her THOSE to work as a preview!)

*You should get your parents, groomsmen, and future bride a gift for the big day. These serve not only as "thank-you's" for being there for you, and helping pay for and participate in the wedding, but also as a gift from the heart that reflects your gratitude for the role they play in your life. Give this loads of thought, and get your bride's input. The parents should receive their gift at the rehearsal dinner the night before, the groomsmen should get their gifts while getting ready with you, and your bride should have a surprise delivery the morning of the wedding (or while she is getting ready) of your gift with a sweet love note :)

*After all your efforts, you will have a wonderful wedding to remember! If during the process, you find you or your bride seem overwhelmed with the details, consider hiring a planner :)

Happy Planning, Tiffany

Tragedy and Celebration.....Smiling despite the sadness.

2011-09-12T06:26:00.000-07:00

I won't ever forget that day 1o years ago when the Twin Towers were hit. Of course, I was affected like the rest of America was affected, but it was also my sister's birthday (the next day). It was so difficult to celebrate and share with her the a day that every person enjoys year after year. It felt disrespectful to our fallen Americans to put up the balloons blow out the candles. Yet, my sister can't simply change the date, or ignore her birthday every year. This weekend marked the ten year anniversary of that fateful day, and it can still feel strange to celebrate in the wake of 911. However, this weekend, brides all across the world said "I DO", and many have in the years before. There are a million reasons to celebrate on September 11th, and only one reason to mourn. Share your love, the day of your birth, or any anniversary you may have, because it is in our living that we honor those who have died......

So, to all of you who had a reason to celebrate this weekend, I hope you did. I hope you toasted to the memories, shared in your love, felt gratitude, danced, laughed, smiled.....and remembered.

xoxoxox, Tiffany

All good things begin with CHANGE!!!! How to bring the season into your wedding!

2011-09-08T07:48:00.000-07:00

No matter what part of the country you live in, there are brides trying to incorporate that outdoor, natural feel to their wedding. It is a timeless, classic take on the casual wedding. There are a million ways to bring the outdoors in, and one of our four wedding last weekend did just that....in the most unlikely place. I wish we had professional photographs, because my cell phone didn’t do it justice!!!

The Crowne Plaza is almost majestic with it’s high ceilings and beautiful windows. The trains and the downtown location make it feel like a busy hub with a beat of it’s own. Usually brides pick this place because they want an over the top, BIG wedding...but Jennifer was a little different! Her and her fiance had a love for this state because of the four seasons. Not too many areas of the country allow you to experience such drastically different weather patterns, and their travels left them loving home. Circle City Designers wanted to bring that feel into their wedding. The father of the bride was a photographer and took the couple many places throughout the year, photographing the couple in each of the seasons. We used those photos for place card holders and cocktail table decor.

The room was divided into four distinct sections, each transforming gradually into the next. Hence, the changing of the seasons. We created trees that would serve as centerpieces that would showcase this change, and honored the space by being REALLY BIG!!! They were fantastic!!!

The bride brought in many other elements, like lemonade stands for summer, pies and warm desserts for fall, hot cocoa station later at night for winter, and gave away seed packets for spring as her favors. The entire wedding was unexpected, unique, and honored the love the couple had for the midwest and its four seasons! It is SO important to find those elements that are really important to the couple, and find a way to share them with your guests.

Congratulations to Jennifer and Brandon! Thanks for being part of the CCD family!

Adding fabulosity to your florals, Tiffany

Summer Happiness

2011-08-24T06:24:00.000-07:00

Christin and Jack
July 30,2011
North United Methodist Church and Eiteljorg Museum

What at GREAT wedding for such an incredible couple. Christin and I first met when our office was located in Fishers. It was fun to run over to each others offices and talk about design ideas for the wedding. Christin is a fantastic graphic designer and it showed at the wedding. She designed and printed almost all the paper items. They all coordinated so well and truly gave the wedding a cohesive look.
At the rehearsal, after meeting the bridal party, I knew that the next day was going to be a party. Everyone was so nice, friendly and ready to enjoy this special day celebrating Christin and Jack. The morning of hair and makeup went off very smooth. Once everyone was ready we snapped some pictures of the Jack, his groomsmen and his family in the JW Marriott bar no less. Then it was Christin's turn. Jack and Christin were literally steps away from one another but didn't see each other before the ceremony.
After the ceremony, the bridal party hopped onto a trolley and headed downtown with the photographer for more pictures while guests enjoyed cocktails at the Eiteljorg. Dinner was delicious. Afterwards, was when the party really got started!!!
Christin and Jack honeymooned in Hawaii and are now enjoying married life! A huge thank you to all that helped make Christin and Jack's wedding a success- Joe and his staff at Kahn's Catering, Rachel from the Eiteljorg Museum, Joel Cookston for the amazing photos, Tiffany at Circle City Designers for the beautiful flowers, Kathy Moberly and J.Nicole for making the ladies hair and makeup look flawless, In Living Proof for keeping the party rocking all night long, Mary Howard for capturing the day on video, Miri Chung for the beautiful music during the ceremony and cocktail hour, Regina at North United Methodist for all her help at the church, Miller Transportation for getting everyone to church on time and of course my fabulous assistant Cara.

A DASH to the altar! She finally says "I DO!"

2011-08-22T07:11:00.000-07:00

After a SHORT 3 month engagement, Kim Kardashian tied the knot with Kris Humphries over the weekend in what could be called the "American Royal Wedding!" It was UH-mazing!!!! Kim and her team knew how to pull off a classic all white and black wedding.....fit for a princess.

The quite regal Miss Kardashian waltzed down a long aisle covered in a custom made, all white runner with hints of black scroll work along the way. She wore a Vera Wang custom designed gown with a diamond studded head piece and veil. Her bridal party and groom all wore white as well, giving the ceremony a sharp, crisp and clean look that must have required the planner to carry a Clorox Bleach pen with her at all times. She carried an elegant bouquet of all white roses. The little "Prince" of the day was nephew, Mason, who was the ring bearer. After several failed attempts to make it down the aisle, he finally made it! He stole the show! From a glance of the guests, it looked as though they were instructed only wear black and white as well. Only in Hollywood!

The couple honored Kim's late father, and Kris's late grandparents during the ceremony that took place in front of the most amazing Swarovski crystal cross! This HUGE backdrop was fit for a queen! The ceremony was off to a late start and lasted about thirty minutes as the couple shared their own vows with each other.

After a wardrobe change( into a mermaid style, Chantilly laced Vera Wang gown) the couple and their mere 450 guests danced the night away at the reception on the private estate's grounds. They ate dinner created by Wolfgang Puck and danced their first dance to singer Robin Thicke. Sweet tooth? They cut into a 20, 000 dollar replica of Prince William and Kate Middleton's cake! I wonder if their were actual diamonds in every bite?

Kim supposedly worked all day on the E! set for her reality show, and has to postpone any honeymoon due to the taping schedule. I hope Kris is ready for a life on camera! I can't wait to see full coverage of this royal affair, (Kim's Fairytale Wedding: A Kardashian Event) in October when it airs on E!

Do YOU know how to be a good guest?

2011-08-17T10:12:00.000-07:00

Being a gracious host seems a daunting task, but have you ever thought about how to be a perfect guest? When attending a wedding, etiquette is more important than ever! If you have never thought about your own behavior at a wedding, it's time to start!

The bride and groom have enormous amounts of decisions to make, and pressures to deal with during the entire planning process. It is your job as a good friend, and a good guest, to make your attendance problem free!!!!

*The FIRST thing you need to do as a good guest is RSVP promptly!!! Even if the groom is your best pal, you MUST send in your response card IMMEDIATELY! Equally important is to let a couple know you send your regrets. Also, follow through with your decision, no one likes a wedding crasher, and if you said you were coming, keep in mind the couple has spent non refundable money on you! It can cost upwards of 100.00 per head for food and beverage for each guest, so be courteous and show up! A bride and groom also painstakingly spend hours planning a seating chart. Can Aunt Martha sit next to cousin Bob? Pam doesn't get a long with Susan.....etc... If you make the seating chart, you better be seated ;)

*Second, USE THE REGISTRY! Couples spend hours selecting the things they need most to get their new lives started. It is also customary to send the gift ahead of the wedding to their address. It can be cumbersome to have to deal with gifts on the wedding night, especially if they are slated to fly off to a romantic honeymoon. So do not bring packages to the reception.

*Next, arrive early! It is customary to arrive for the ceremony at least 15 minutes prior to the time listed on the invitation. If you arrive late, do not sneak in during the ceremony. Wait outside until the couple begins the receiving line. On a side note, keep your congratulations brief during a receiving line. Everyone wants a chance to see the couple, and there is usually a timeline to keep in mind.

*Finally, here are some little tips to be certain you are "guest-worthy" at your next wedding. Don't drink too much. Just because it's open bar, doesn't mean you should overindulge. You don't want to take away ANY attention from the bride ad groom. Be on your best behavior. Dress appropriately. Don't wear white, off white or anything risque. Do not take pictures during the ceremony. Do NOT bring along a guest(s) that was not invited! Pay attention during toasts and first dances, and be respectful of all the vendors (DJ, photographer, wedding planner) that are working at the wedding.

The next time you attend a wedding, use proper etiquette and be a gracious guest. Remember, the day is about the bride and groom, not you!

Helping make your weddings fabulous! Tiffany

A Circle City Crowne Affair!

2011-08-15T07:37:00.000-07:00

(the above picture was stolen from Jim Cerone :) Thanks! )

BUT!

Check out our SNEAK PEEKS of the Uh-MAZING photos from the always awesome Jessica Strickland!

We had the priveledge to be a part of this amazing, unique, classy and simply FABULOUS wedding that took place at Geist Christian Church with the reception to follow at the Crowne Plaza Indianapolis.

Megan asked us to create her dream wedding using a palette of creams, ivories, cappuccinos, lattes, persimmons and peaches. It truly was the PERFECT color combination for a late season summer wedding in the most elegant place in town! We used what I refer to as the "Chanel" of all flowers, phalaenopsis orchids, peach garden roses, persimmon roses, and peach calla lilies that would break your heart! OOOH! So pretty. Everything was adorned with crystals and supersized so that guests got that WOW! factor at every turn.

Jim Cerone kept our crowd hopping all night and was the perfect emcee to host this loving couple! Great job, Jim!

You can just tell that Megan and Julian are SO in love! Thanks to everyone on the team including Katie McHone and Megan Kissel at the Crowne Plaza, Jill Sowder with Westwood Paper Company, Northern Light Filmworks, and Heavenly Sweets!

Sweet and Simple

2011-08-09T09:01:00.000-07:00

Mollie and John
July 23,2011
St. Luke & Indianapolis Museum of Art

What a great wedding! Mollie was such a great bride to work with. She had a traditional Catholic ceremony and one GREAT reception.
The bridesmaids' dresses were so fun and it was the first time I had ever seen a "print". They were perfect for her summer wedding. Mollie then created custom clutches. Mollie had said from the beginning that she wanted a party and that's exactly what happened.
After the very emotional ceremony, Mollie, John, and their bridal party jumped on a mini bus that took them to the IMA. There they were able to get some amazing pictures, even though it was super hot outside. At six o'clock their guests arrived and they were able to enjoy cocktail hour with them. After the ballroom doors opened, guests were still able to mingle as they went to various food stations around the room.
The 1st dance was one reception tradition that wasn't left out. However, Mollie wanted to cut the song short so the party could get started. The plan was for her and John to dance alone for about a minute, then the band was to start a fast dancing song and their bridal party was going to join them on the dance floor. Myself and the band leader didn't think this idea was going to work, but BOY were we wrong. As soon as "Dyomite" started, everyone got out of their seats and headed straight to the dance floor. The dance floor was packed the entire night. It was an AMAZING party.
A big thanks to all that made the Mollie and John's day a success. Joe from Kahn's, Nicole from the IMA, Joel Cookston photography, Tiffany at Circle City Designers, Shannon from St. Luke, Patrick Wimp Videography, Kiralee of Eyemax makeup, and Zanna Doo!

The HOTTEST wedding of the year!

2011-08-05T07:30:00.000-07:00

It was a dreadfully hot week, exceeding 100 degrees most days. I was so nervous about the flowers holding up. An outdoor wedding at a family's beautiful home was just too tempting to stay inside! At the end of the day, my team did a great job at bringing out the flowers at the last possible minute, and they looked FABULOUS!

We worked with Scott Evan from Evans Audio Visual on creating the most GORGEOUS backdrop for "I Do's" I have ever seen! A gorgeous tented reception occured in the back yard with dinner catered by Hoaglin's Fine Catering. Beautiful bursts of yellows and ivories gave this wedding some Southern Belle charm. Evans brought in crystal and iron chandeliers that broke my heart they were so beautiful! I have stolen a few pictures to give you a sneak peek at this incredible day! Tonya put the finishing touches on everything and did a great job at keeping this whole shebang a SECRET!!! None of the guests knew the couple was getting married! I was honored to have worked with such a great team, for such a great couple!!!!

Adding fabulosity to your flowers, Tiffany

A sweet goodbye !!!! A letter to those interested in the event industry

2011-08-03T07:52:00.000-07:00

A sweet letter to future candidates from my departing intern, Kim. We love you and have appreciated working with you this summer! Best of luck to you!

This summer I have had the AMAZING opportunity to be an intern for the best floral designer in all of Indianapolis (shoot, and probably in all of the US!) and hang around some pretty great people in the Circle City office!

If you think these internships are your average desk job, you are mistaken! Some days there will be blood

and sweat, but the reward is incredible. I have learned more this summer than I did during my undergrad courses - there is nothing like getting hands on experience that will stay with you for years to come! Not only was there design experience, but I got to dip my feet in to the marketing world a little bit by helping with social media and writing some of these great blogs too!

One of my favorite things about each wedding has been working with different venues and vendors and getting to know Indianapolis even better. CCP/CCD always does an incredible job of creating unique weddings that are PERFECT for their clients! They take the time to really dig in to the personality of their client in order to make their big day flawless, and that is the exact passion that drew me to CCP/CCD in the first place.

I am so proud to be a part of a team that has a reputation for FABULOSITY and am so thankful for the opportunity I have been given! You would be downright silly to pass up the chance to intern with CCP/CCD! :)

Best of luck to future interns with this FAB company!

xoxo, Kim

Marketing Intern candidates - email hello@tonyashadoan.com

Circle City Designers Intern candidates - email tiffany@circlecitydesigners.com

Circle City Planners Intern candidates - email ashlee@circlecityplanners.com

Ritz Seminar Pics!

2011-08-03T04:56:00.000-07:00

Darcie posted all about our night at the Ritz on Monday, but I wanted to showcase a few ofDave Mason's photos for you all to see! Great job! And, my flowers aint too shabby either :) Happy Wednesday!

A Night at the Ritz

2011-08-01T12:19:00.000-07:00

Last month Circle City Planners and Circle City Designers we invited to the Ritz Charles for a meet and mingle with Ritz Charles brides. Tiffany designed floral arrangements for show tables and Tonya gave a presentation on How to have a LUXE wedding on today's budget. Brides of the Ritz were able to try numerous hors d'oeuvres along with specialty drinks. Our friend, Dave Mason took these pictures.... and the event code is ritzcharles2011.
Enjoy!!!!!

Just Give....

2011-07-27T09:01:00.000-07:00

Everyone is always asking about favor ideas so when I received this email, I thought I would share... Enjoy GIVING from JustGIVE
~Darcie

JustGive has launched two new ways to create personalized GiveNow charity gift cards, making them unique and memorable:

1. Select from more than 160 online images or

2. Upload your own photo
Whether you need a charity gift card to celebrate a birthday, wedding, anniversary or religious ceremony – to say thank you, get well or I’m sorry for your loss – or to honor military service or a favorite cause like children, environment, education, global issues, local community or peace, JustGive now has the widest array of GiveNow cards available anywhere!
With a variety of designs for more than 23 causes and occasions, the new cards are an excellent gift for loved ones, friends, family members, colleagues and customers of any age, any gender. The broad assortment of images and styles makes it a cinch to find just the right card for every purpose, every person.
You can create one-of-a-kind charity gift cards by uploading your own image. Customize the card with your message, preview it, and send. It’s that easy! You can schedule the desired delivery time (immediate or future date) and choose whether to email or print GiveNow cards.
The eco-friendly GiveNow cards are a green gift for good that lets each recipient support a cause they care about and donate to any of more than 1.8million charities online. With JustGive’s new charity gift card images and options, every card can be perfectly personal.
“We wanted to offer more choice—more ways to personalize charity gift cards and more images to select from for every cause and occasion,” comments Director of Programs Andrea Lloyd. “We’re pleased to have developed the most robust and streamlined charity gift card offering in the industry—allowing us to remain the only site donors need for online giving.”
San Francisco-based JustGive, founded 11 years ago by Kendall Webb,a Harvard graduate and former Silicon Valley dot.com executive, has sent more than $170 million to over 50,000 charities. Through JustGive, donors can give when, how, and as often as they want in a variety of ways—direct and memorial donations, charity gift cards, wedding gifts, gift collections, and fund-raising registries.
The destination for online charitable giving® and a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, JustGive has been recognized by Forbes as one of the Best of the Web

Color Explosion

2011-07-18T03:00:00.000-07:00

Shannon & Larry- July 9, 2011
St. Michael's Church Greenfield
The Crowne Plaza at Union Station

When Shannon came to me earlier this year, all she knew that she wanted was a room full of color! She had so many beautiful summer colors in mind for their July wedding. She just could not narrow them down and she had no idea how to incorporate this into the Grand Ballroom at Union Station. So we played with various groupings of colors and at her tasting brought in different linens to pick the perfect combination that would show her and her fiance's personalities!

The day of her wedding Union Station was being set up by the fabulous staff at the Crowne Plaza and two lovely ladies. My assistant Kelly put all of the bright color around the room, but I have to give a special THANK YOU to Darcie for getting all of the chair covers on for me!! So THANK YOU Darcie! You are the best! And what you see is the final result of the colors coming together!

When Shannon & Larry saw the room for the first time, she was jumping up and down saying this is exactly how she visioned it looking and couldn't take the smile off her face! Shannon had the best reaction to date of a bride seeing the reception decor for the first time:)

Shannon & Larry also LOVE desserts and Jenny Leisure from A Couple of Sweet Things was great to work with for this wedding! She created a small wedding cake and then surrounded that with some of the bride and groom's favorites. Everything on the dessert display had a little touch of color to match everything in the room and it tasted fantastic!

I also have to mention that Shannon's and Larry's parents were super fun and easy to work with throughout the process! We had so much fun making all of this come together! Mr. & Mrs. Lewis, have a great time in Jamaica!

Five Fabulous Friday Favorites!

2011-07-14T20:27:00.000-07:00

What is one of the top reasons we LOVE working in the wedding industry? Trends are constantly changing, keeping us on our toes and excited about the endless possibilities when it comes to designing an AWESOME event!!

As always, some trends come and go faster than others, and some stick around for a little while longer - here are five of our favorite trendy elements in weddings right now!

1. Personalization - every bride wants her big day to be unique and memorable! Brides are getting more and more creative when it comes to putting together an event that every guest will remember. We've seen everything from awesome logos projected on dance floors to signature drinks and midnight snacks.

2. Getting REALLY crafty - some brides are taking to websites like CraftGawker and Etsy to find inspiration for some intense DIY elements! Creating decor pieces with your bridesmaids or family members is a great way to bond before the wedding, plus could be a definite money saver! We LOVE the string balls used in these aisle pieces!

3. Black chandeliers - these are on the rise! We have seen them pop up in weddings and showcases lately and are always stunned by how they can completely transform a room and provide an awesome focal point for your look! They're simply FABULOUS!

4. Bold shoes - we have all seen these before, but the trend has stuck around for quite some time! Whether you want to use them for your "something blue" or bring out your color scheme in your wedding wear, a pop of color on your feet may be just what you need!

5. Pomander balls - these are great alternatives for bouquets or petals! They can be made at just about any size, so even the teeniest flower girl can hold something size-appropriate for her. We also love the idea of using them as aisle decor!

There you have it! Our Five Fabulous Friday Favorites! Have a great weekend!

Photo Credits -

1. http://www.elizabethannedesigns.com/blog/2009/04/04/wedding-details-specialty-drinks/
2. http://thegreendandelion.blogspot.com/2011/04/its-all-in-details-yarn-balls.html
3. http://pendantslighting.net/tag/crystal-chandeliers/
4. http://itsabrideslife.com/tag/blue-heels/
5. http://sherricassaradesigns.blogspot.com/2011/04/kissing-balls.html

I've got the FEVER!!!!! Wildflower Wednesday is ALL about FEVER!

2011-07-13T06:51:00.000-07:00

It's the best part of my job when I find a flower that has the charm to reflect a client's personality. As the flower psychologist I am, I can always find a way to do this, even with the clients who claim they are not "that into flowers". Try me, I'll figure you out :)

Feverfew is one of my all time favorite seasonal flowers. I have the luxury of incorporating it into a "Southern Belle" style outdoor wedding next weekend for the sweetest little lady. She is getting married on her property that echos Southern plantation life right here in Indiana. Its a little white flower with a yellow center resembling a small daisy, and quite frankly, it's as HOT as a fever! It was originally cultivated medicinally as a fever reducer (it's latin origin literally translates: fever reducer), but it's medical uses are long since gone, and now this little baby is simply free to be a beautiful cut flower.

Feverfew is small, feminine, and dainty, but packs a big punch, just like my little Southern Belle I get to marry off next week!!!!

Hope we made your Wednesday just a little more WILD!

Adding fabulosity to your flowers, Tiffany

One HOT wedding!

2011-07-11T13:30:00.000-07:00

WOW!! This was an awesome wedding!! Suzanne and Chad were amazing to work with, as well as their families. The ceremony setting was stunning!! We brought in a white birch tree arch and then used a black crystal chandelier for the very first time. After the ceremony, we snuck the arch out the side door and flipped the room into one of the most AMAZING receptions to date. This wedding was full of firsts- I got to work with the ever so talented photographer Brooke Bustillos, super cool videographer Jet Kaiser,(and his wife Danni) and DJ Wes Adkins with Event1 DJ's. I don't know how Wes was able to keep the dance floor packed for the entire 7 hours of the reception but he did it! Quite the party! I had also never worked with My Yellow Rickshaw Band, they were one of the groom's favorites, and now one of mine too! I had never heard "Whoop There It Is" played by violin and guitar! It rocked. Tiffany from Circle City Designers created FABULOUS centerpieces with black manzanita branches, kiwi hydrangea, phalaenopsis orchids, feathers and black hanging crystals! OOOH LAAAA LAAAA!!! And check out the picture of this stunning cake!!!! What a gorgeous job by Classic Cakes of Carmel, it looks TOO GOOD TO EAT! The Crowne Plaza Grand Hall has never looked so HOT!

I'm so excited to see the trailer film from Jet and more of the 11,000 pictures that Brooke took.

Stay tuned for more....

Ring around the ROSE-Y!!

2011-07-06T10:39:00.000-07:00

We've noticed something a little unusual this year - a lot of summer brides are opting to use RED ROSES in their celebrations! Many other types of fabulous flowers peak around spring and summer, so what is so special about this flower that continues to bring brides back to the red rose?!

Traditionally, red roses are THE classic symbol for admiration and desire, making them perfectly appropriate for weddings! According to ProFlowers.com, the first ties between red roses and love trace back to Greek and Roman mythology, where the red rose was tied closely with the goddess of love, Aphrodite. Looks like the tradition has stuck around for quite some time!

Curious about what other colors of roses might signify?

Yellow - Friendship, Welcome, Joy
White - Purity, Innocence
Pink - Gratitude, Joy, Admiration
Orange - Passion, Energy
Lavender - Enchantment, Adoration
Green - Harmony, Peace, Tranquility

So, why not consider adding a few roses to your big day to really personalize the feeling behind your celebration! After all, there is nothing we love more than a CLASSIC love story :)

Sources:

http://www.proflowers.com/flowerguide/rosemeanings/redrose-meanings.aspx
http://www.theflowerexpert.com/content/aboutflowers/flowermeanings/rose-flower-meanings

Details Galore

2011-07-05T11:05:00.000-07:00

Jessica & Eric- June 18, 2011- The Bridgewater Club

Jessica and Eric live in Cincinnati, Ohio so they were planning this special day from a far, but Jessica grew up in Carmel so her mother Cindy along with myself were in charge of making sure all of the planning came together flawlessly for the day! I spent time getting to know Jessica and Eric each month they were in town to work on wedding to dos and meet with their pastor. It was not hard to see why they were so in sync every time we met. On their wedding day, both Jessica and Eric were so calm, relaxed, and in LOVE. They were able to enjoy the day no matter what!

Cindy & Jessica are very detailed oriented people so we made a great team to bring it all together. No detail was missed from the candy bar, to the photo booth, and the blue water bottles and votive holders in each table! It was with all these special touches that made Jessica and Eric's day so memorable. The ceremony was held out in the tent area at the Bridgewater Club and the cocktail hour was to follow immediately outside. They weather was overcast and perfect for pictures until right when the guests were sent in to be seated for dinner when we got a little rain shower! Dinner was started with a memorable slideshow of both Jessica and Eric and the evening followed with a rockin' party from Dave & Rae! Enjoy your honeymoon in Europe!! XOXO Randi

"It was a complete success"

2011-06-29T10:11:00.000-07:00

Sarah and Matthew

June 11,2011

Our Lady of Lourdes and Artsgardens

The title is what Sarah, the bride,said to me at the end of the night. Sarah and Matt contacted me just a couple of months before their wedding. Sarah knew she wanted her wedding to be FABULOUS but did not know exactly how to make it a reality. Tiffany from Circle City Designers and I worked closely together on the design of the wedding. Our focus was on everything- even down to the size of the diamond strand hanging from the centerpieces. Sarah and Matthew live in California so there were many late night phone calls and Skype meetings. But as Sarah and Matt's wedding day drew closer all the details came together. On the day of the wedding everything ran smoothly. However, I will admit that Sarah and her bridesmaids arrived to church just minutes before the guests which was not in the plan, but in the end everything worked out. The ceremony was nice. I especially liked when Sarah's mom stood up with the rest of the bridal party and gave her Matthew's ring. After the ceremony ended, Tiffany Stoner from Nathaniel Edmunds photography took the bridal party to a beautiful urban garden for pictures. I then raced to the Artsgarden and metup with my team to put the final finishing touches on the reception. Although Sarah and Matthew choreographed the cutest first dance, the highlight of the evening was the lion dancers. This was a Chicago based Chinese dance group who started the dancing off with a bang! I'm excited to see the video. I also wanted to thank everyone who was involved that helped make Sarah and Matthew's wedding a complete success. Of course, Tiffany at Circle City Designers, Jessica and Mark from the Ritz, Jess, Mike and Jeff from the Artsgarden, Tiffany and Meredith from Nathaniel Edmunds, Eyemax makeup, Bouquet and Garter, Jill at Westwood Paper, Evans A/V, DJ Jim Lewis and Tony Avellana for the music on the piano. I hope I'm not leaving anyone out. The couple is just now finishing up a two week honeymoon in China! Congratulations from the entire CCP and CCD team!

Life Altering Garage Sales: YEP, I said it!

2011-06-27T07:47:00.000-07:00

I would never have banked on a garage sale having an effect on my psyche. However, this weekend, all of that changed. In an amazing turn of events, I did NOT have a wedding this weekend. Instead, I had a garage sale. A sale that accumulated items from not one, not two, but THREE homes I have been living in (meaning my possessions were there). I have never worked so hard to drag, lift, move and trash belongings that have encompassed nearly 30 years of my life. It was a span of time from the days when I got my first set of baseball cards and comic books, to the time I first became a mother, to days of picking up Little Tykes and My Littlest Petshop toys from all over the house, to the days I went back to school, to the days I decided to open my little flower shop, to the days I said "I Do". I realized all of these"things" had symbolically become of part of who I thought I was, a reflection of my likes and dislikes, my mistakes, my accomplishments, my joys and my sorrows. And now, after 3 days of work, these "things" lay in my garage with a masking tape price tag on them. How do you determine their worth? The little table that I love, the stuffed animal my daughter snuggled with while she was teething, the first set of dishes I bought when I got my first apartment. They "seem" so important. Can anyone else truly understand their worth?

Here's the therapy part. I know you were worried I wouldn't get there :) So, amidst all this "stuff," I have about 85 various vases and floral related things from my old flower shop. Anyone who knows me, knows that I define myself mostly as a florist. So this "stuff" is important!!!! I have held onto it for nearly 5 years now, collecting dust in the garage. It DEFINES me, right? I NEED it, right? SOMEDAY, it will be useful again, RIGHT????

Well, that probably seems silly to the reader. It's just a bunch of "stuff!!!" However, in an event that can be translated as nothing short of fateful, a young lady walks up my driveway, eagerness in her step, a smile on her face. She is simply out garage-saling hoping to find miscellaneous things that will help her get her business "inventoried". She didn't know she was about to walk on a landmine. This "STUFF" that I held on to for so long, just created a future for this sweet girl. She is a young florist, opening a little shop, hoping to get her feet wet in a big, expensive industry. I just made that a little easier for her. Each of these vases and miscellaneous "flower" parts will help her get started! I was just so excited at that, that I forgot all about how that stuff defined "me".

In the end, we sold almost every single item from those 3 decades of life, and here's what I discovered: NONE of it was worth ANYTHING to me. On this Independence Day, I want to celebrate my "independence" of material things. I will live a simple, clean, and clutter free life FOREVER after going through this experience. Life is not made up of the stuff we bring into our house, it is made of the love we put in our hearts.

Thank goodness I am also blessed to be in the LOVE BUSINESS!!!!!!

Happy Independence Day, go have a garage sale! Tiffany

We LOVE Beach Bum CARES!

2011-06-23T08:26:00.000-07:00

Areas like the Caribbean and Mexico are traditionally the most popular honeymoon and vacation spots among American couples and families. While we are laying in the sun, sipping on a delicious daiquiri at our favorite resort, children and families just a few miles away are living in extreme poverty. Beach Bum CARES was founded to bridge the barrier between these very different lifestyles and give hope to the communities that provide us with such fabulous vacation opportunities.

Beach Bum CARES partners with schools and orphanages in your favorite vacation destinations, providing them with financial aid, relief and educational supplies. A team made up of Beach Bum CARES board members, vacationers and clients are then sent to these locations to personally deliver the gifts collected by the organization and make a difference in the lives of those most in need.

The organization pairs its volunteers with a partner in their general area of travel and provides transportation to and from the site. Anyone traveling in the area can participate, not just customers of Beach Bum Vacations! If you are interested in the opportunity to give back while on vacation, be sure to contact Beach Bum CARES through their website at www.BeachBumCARES.org!

If this opportunity just isn't for you, there are plenty of other rewarding ways to contribute to the organizations. Their website offers instructions for donating monetary funds and supplies that will directly benefit these communities as well.

If you are looking for a way to incorporate philanthropy in to your big day, consider donating your time and efforts with Beach Bum CARES!

A Notre Dame Wedding

2011-06-20T10:32:00.000-07:00

Caitlin & Paul are the sweetest couple. He is a Notre Dame grad and she is a St. Mary's grad, so these families had strong traditions and they displayed them in such fun ways! Being a Notre Dame fan myself it was great to see them incorporate many fun things from the fight song to hearing their families speak of how they met at college. Caitlin & Paul now live in California and served wine from Paul's family's winery! Great personal touches throughout the day!

Thanks to Nate from Nathaniel Edmunds Photography for these great shots! It was so great to work with you Nate!

Once again the Crowne Plaza staff did an amazing job with everything!

Susan & Brian's Perfect Spring Wedding

2011-06-13T11:36:00.000-07:00

Susan and Brian

May 21,2011

St.John and The Omni

Susan is one of the most sweetest brides. I had a FABULOUS time helping her plan her beautiful spring wedding. Susan had most everything planned when they hired me but wanted my expertise with decor and pulling it all together.

Pinks and golds were the perfect back drop for the Omni Severn. Maxi and her staff were top notch. The other members of Susan and Brian's dream team did a fantastic job as well. Thank you to Dan at Twisted Scissors, Tiffany of Circle City Designers, Paige from Sweet Seductions, Terry at Djs Direct, LSG Limo and the amazing photographs from Angel Canary.

Gearing up for that summer heat!

2011-06-06T06:09:00.001-07:00

Congratulations to Andrea S.! Our newest alumni married off this Saturday at the beautiful Laurel Hall facility. An outdoor ceremony under one of our custom built arches (Thank you Tom!) and a quaint sit down dinner reception inside. So happy to be a part of your big day!

Nothing is more synonymous with "weddings" as is "summer"....And we are just starting to experience those midwest blazers, reaching almost 95 degrees last week! Hot tamales! With so many months of heat ahead of us, and so many "I do's" left to say, it is important to take special precautions for high temperatures on the wedding day.

*Put together tote bags for all the bridesmaids for the day of the wedding. Have water bottles, spritzers, hand held fans, and wet naps in each tote. That way the girls can spray themselves with water to keep cool, drink plenty of fluids, and dab off any sweat with a disposable towel.

*For outdoor ceremonies, be certain to provide fans for guests and a water station.

*Remember if you or your bridal party is drinking alcohol, they are more likely to become dehydrated. For those pre-ceremony celebrations, be sure to follow with equal parts water!

*Flowers are not meant to be in the heat and out of water for long periods of time. Plan your photo sessions around the heat of the day if you can. Designate one person to care for the bouquets throughout the day by recutting them and placing them in water in a cool area while not being photographed. Misting them with a water bottle can help too.

*If it is necessary to have your bouquets out of water for a long time before the ceremony, and you DO want to include lots of outdoor shots, you should consider ordering 2 bridal bouquets. One to take pictures with, and have one waiting for you at the ceremony when you arrive. Another tip: Don't go all white. White flowers are far more likely to show bruising and wilting than colored flowers. As a general rule, the hotter the day, the brighter the flowers...Dark pinks and oranges tend to hold up best under pressure and photograph great!

*Don't forget sunscreen for you and your bridesmaids. Your pictures are worth a thousand words. Don't let some of them be "man, your shoulders are RED!".

*Have a Plan B. When planning a wedding outdoors, there is always a Plan B in case of rain. Don't be afraid to enlist Plan B when it is just TOO hot. You want your guests to be comfortable and enjoy the day. If they are sweating their breakfast off, it gets harder to appreciate the ceremony and all its meaning. Plus, no one wants to be a sweaty bride :)

Enjoy the summer, and many blessings on your I Do's!

Stay cool :) Tiffany

A Wedding FULL of Color

2011-06-01T05:17:00.000-07:00

Kyle and Caleb

May 14,2011

Scottish Rite Cathedral

The title says it all! When I first met Kyle and Caleb,

I never imagined that their wedding would turn out like this.

They told me they loved fuchsia, yellow and coral and they wanted everything to be personalized. After assembling Kyle and Caleb's DREAM TEAM of wedding vendors. We started personalizing everything. We started with the save the date cards and finished up with the monogrammed stir sticks. The monogrammed aisle runner for the ceremony was stunning.

The wedding day ran extremely smooth. During the ceremony, there were many laughs and even more joyful tears. Kyle and Caleb decided to incorporate the wooden box ceremony into their ceremony. And of course Kyle blinged out the hammer that sealed the box.

After the ceremony, all the guests gathered on the steps for Kyle and Caleb's GRAND EXIT. And boy, was it grand. Guests waved personalized ribbon wands, then the flower girls released fuchsia, yellow and coral wing tipped doves as Kyle and Caleb drove away in her dad's Ferrari.

At the end of cocktail hour Kyle and Caleb took center stage again as they danced their first dance as husband and wife as all of their guests watched from the balcony.

After dinner, there were more surprises when we turned off the chandelier and lit it up with the fuchsia spotlight. We also paraded late night snacks and Kyle appeared on the balcony to throw her bouquet.

Did I mention that over 7,000 roses were used for this wedding? All in fuchsia, yellow and coral.
Kyle and Caleb's wedding was absolutely stunning! Not one detail was missed. I was able to work with an amazing team of vendors. So thank you Ashley at the Scottish Rite, Renee at Thomas Caterers, Karen at Karen Hall and Co., Tiffany at Circle City Designers, Jill at West Wood Paper, Chris at Copper Moon Entertainment, Bob at Indy Visual, Jennifer at Jennifer Driscoll Photography,
Scott at Evans A/V, Beth at Yellow Rose Carriage and Cara and her staff at the Conrad Indianapolis and of course our staff at Circle City Planners.

Kyle and Caleb took a once in lifetime honeymoon cruise all around Europe .

CCD gives back!

2011-05-26T09:02:00.000-07:00

There is nothing more rewarding than being able to step back from our busy everyday lives and give back our time and talents to deserving members of the community. Wish Upon a Wedding Indianapolis has recently given us the chance to do just that!

We were lucky enough to be a wish granter for the second wedding put on by Wish Upon a Wedding Indianapolis earlier this month. As a wish granter, Circle City Designers was able to contribute stunning florals to help make Tom and Sally's wedding picture perfect!

It was spectacular to have all types of event industry professionals in the area come together to make Tom and Sally's big day as special as possible! Sally could not have looked happier walking down the aisle, and that is the reason we do what we do! We LOVE to do anything we can to make a difference in someone's big day, especially a couple as special as Tom and Sally!

Check out the video below put together by Jeff Dillow, another wish granter from Tom and Sally's wedding!

Tom & Sally {Married} from Jeff Dillow on Vimeo.

To read more on Wish Upon a Wedding, visit their website:

http://www.wishuponawedding.org

Ahead of Schedule

2011-05-18T15:25:00.001-07:00

Erin & David ~ May 14, 2011 ~ Crowne Plaza at Union Station Grand Ballroom

What a great spring day to celebrate Erin & David. Both ceremony and reception were in the grand ballroom at Union Station and things could not have turned out better. Needless to say we were ahead of schedule the entire day!

Thanks to Kierstie Phillipo Photography for capturing some great images of the day and also showing off the great aspects of one of our favorite venues in the city.

Tiffany and her team at Circle City Designers did a fantastic job bringing in the bright colors of spring right into the ballroom. The oranges, yellows, and greens jumped right off the black and white decor. Everything was beautiful!

Once again Heavenly Sweets made a deliciously tasty cake which Circle City Designers accented with our signature damask linen.

Cheers to the bride & groom as they continue the celebration on their honeymoon!

Our Boilermaker Bride

2011-05-16T10:32:00.000-07:00

Sara and Luke
May 7,2011
St.Mary's Cathedral and Purdue Memorial Union

Sara and Luke are an AMAZING couple. Right now, they are soaking up the sun in Hawaii. Here is a teaser video of the wedding. I'll be posting more pictures soon.

Sara & Luke's Wedding Day Teaser from MVP on Vimeo.

The Royal Couple of Indianapolis

2011-05-12T08:58:00.000-07:00

April 30,2011
Gwen and Tyson
Tabernacle Presbyterian Church and Indiana Historical Society

Gwen and Tyson are CCP's royal couple. They have the sweetest families ever and it was an absolute joy to be a part of their wedding. Even though we hit a few snags along the way, Gwen's wedding was stunning. Gwen had the idea of using her family's silver serving pieces filled with flowers for her centerpieces. This served as the inspiration for the rest of wedding. Everything was beautiful shades of purples, from the giant monogrammed "C" to the personalized table numbers and even the lavender infused ceremony programs.
Gwen and Tyson's ceremony was so unique. After the mother's walk down the aisle, the ushers came and lit candles for the congregation. Once all the candles were lit, 3 of the cutest little ring bearers came down the aisle ringing bells for Gwen's big entrance. As Gwen and her father walked down the aisle, the church was completely lit in candle light.
At the reception, the Historical Society was beautifully uplit in purples. The tablescapes were all different but cohesively went together. The speeches from Gwen and Tyson's friends and family were heartfelt and at the same time funny. Dinner was excellent and The Dave and Rae band rocked it. The dance floor was packed all night long.
At the end of the night, we broke out the glow sticks and danced to "Don't Stop Believin." Guests were then treated to a late night snack of Hot Box Bread Sticks. It was a perfect end to a perfect day.

The newlyweds are now soaking up the sun in St. Lucia.
Thanks to my team of Circle City Designers, MBP Catering, Jennifer Driscoll Photography, Card Ink, Twisted Scissor Salon, Antique Limo, Dave and Rae, Wip Salon, Holy Cow Cupcakes, Carey Limo and of course to the best intern ever, Emma Bennett, who set up the reception by herself for the 1st time!!! Way to go EMMA.

This is a MUST READ blog today! Thank you to our soldiers!!!!!!!

2011-05-02T12:48:00.000-07:00

In light of the recent events, I struggled to try to write a blog about weddings and fun and sparkles and fairy dust today...And then I thought of my friend Tiffany Stoner, with Nathaniel Edmunds Photography. Her and her husband, Tim, and her brother Nate, have created this beautiful, touching, and pristinely done book documenting their family's experience during Tim's deployment as Commander of his MEDEVAC unit. It has been set up to have proceeds benefit children whose parent(s) are serving are country in the military. It truly showcases the hearts of its authors, and the underlying commitment that they have to each other, their family, and their country. Beautiful photography, poignant stories, and touching moments that make us all sit back and feel proud to have people like Tim Stoner fighting for us. They are an inspiration to us all to have created such a loving, strong bond with each other, their four children, and to have the grace, strength and courage to share their story with the world. Thank you so much for sharing your hearts with us!!!!!! On a day like today, marking history, victory, and gratitude, this is a MUST read today. Enjoy!

Excerpt from FamilyPrint
www.familyprint.org

Saturday | August 11, 2007
THE ELEVENTH HOUR

It's here. It's finally here...we are in the eleventh hour.

We are currently completing our dessert flight training and will be crossing-the-berm soon. the eleventh hour is producing more energy, anxious energy, within the soldiers. Some people release this extra energy by working out, some pack and repack, some clean weapons - again, some read, some listen to iPods, many are joking with their buddies, smoking, chewing tobacco, and some simply sit in solitude.

This window we are in is having quite a diverse affect on the group. You quickly see how people deal with enormous amounts of stress: in public, by mentally escaping, or by remaining quiet.

Most of the soldiers want to end the training, and end the waiting by 'going forward' and 'getting into the fight'. I too, just want to go.

The visual picture of a boxer comes to mind. Just before the bell rings, many boxers begin to jump around, shadow punch and move - exuding energy, concentrating and increasing focus.

We have plans, and contingency plans, for everything, bus we simply do not know 'what's next'. We've never been here before. The State of Indiana has never sent a helicopter unit into combat, in any war, ever. We were not handed an overall strategy, an operational plan, or tactical plans. There has been no playbook, we have defined, built and refined it along the way.

The team is highly capable, and confident - amazingly confident.

As I write, tears begin to well up in my eyes. I will not hide them.

WE ARE READY.

.....
FamilyPrint is a book focused on One Family’s Unique Reflection During War. It has also been established as a nonprofit organization assisting the children of deployed soldiers.

Army National Guardsman Major Timothy Stoner, commander of Indiana's first BlackHawk unit in Iraq, and his wife Tiffany chronicle their journey into and out of war.

Stemming from the blog established as their primary means of communication during wartime, FamilyPrint: One family's unique reflection during war, tells the story of this
family of six.

Trading wingtips for combat boots and managing four children under the age of six, Tim and Tiffany transform their difficulty into an experience of graciousness, growth and gratitude. “The dialogue drew in our families and supporters and touched so many people’s lives,” says Major Stoner, who was awarded the Bronze Star during his deployment. “It became our compass and the foundation for what created this book.”

Not only does FamilyPrint depict this candid wartime experience with words, but also via the breathtaking photography of Nathan Rowe, who beautifully captures the agony of separation and the utter joy of coming home.

Indiana’s Governor, Mitch Daniels says, “When a National Guardsman deploys there are truly two people at war: the soldier who goes to fight the enemy and the spouse who stays behind to face, in many ways, an equally difficult task. Tim and Tiffany Stoner’s new book is a useful reminder of the debt we owe to both members of any National Guard Family.”

The Journey: HRH The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge

2011-04-29T07:46:00.000-07:00

The day is here and Catherine Middleton is now the Duchess of Cambridge. Read about all the insider details revealed today as Kate and William said “I DO”!

THE DRESS- Kate took a page out of Grace Kelly’s book. She looked breathtaking in her wedding gown by Sarah Burton of Alexander McQueen. Her look was completed by stunning jewels and accessories fit for a princess. Sister Pippa and bridesmaids looked amazing too! Pippa was also wearing Alexander McQueen.

THE JEWELS- She adorned her long locks with a 1936 Cartier halo tiara lent to her by Queen Elizabeth. This was the Queen’s 18^th birthday present. Her earrings where designed by Robinson Pelham and given to her by her parents Michael and Carole Middleton. The leaf design was taken from elements on her tiara.

THE MEN- Prince William and his brother Prince Harry bother were dressed in formal military attire. The 28-year-old prince choose to wear the uniform of Colonel of the Irish Guards with a Forage Cap.

MOMENTS- The new HRH Duke and Duchess of Cambridge had many touching moments together during the ceremony. They really displayed their true love for each other throughout all of the "Pomp and Circumstance". This also happened to be the song they made the four minute walk through the Abbey and made their debut to the public.

THE EXIT- Kate & William made their special exit on the same 109 year old State Landau carriage the Prince Charles & Princess Diana used in 1982.

SURPRISES- The happy new couple must have consulted with us because they surprised their guests on not one but two occasions. The much anticipated KISS turned into TWO while the crowd outside Buckingham Palace asked for more. Then as William & Kate exited the palace, William drove the happy couple in an Aston Martin decorated with balloons and streamers.

THE HATS- Let's just say I could have watched the hats all day! Some extreme and some demure, but it was definitely a requirement to bring out your most interesting design in the hat department.

Check out People.com for the fashion and the touching moments we all love about weddings!!!

XOXO!

2 more days!!!! OH EM GEE! Royal Wedding Buzz!

2011-04-27T08:05:00.000-07:00

Everyone is jumping on the Royal Wedding bandwagon! 2 more days and all of our questions will be answered! According to a recent article, news stories (as indexed by Bing) are up nearly sevenfold to 7 million per day since the beginning of the month. Blog posts have more than doubled from 46.7 million on April 5 to 102.9 million, according to data obtained from Trendrr. Over 5,000 "royal related" tweets are being generated per hour this week! Literally, EVERYONE is talking about it! Another interesting rumor is that Americans are MORE invested in its coverage, are talking about it more, and capitalizing on it more than Britain. We just LOVE weddings! You Tube has been hit 12.8 MILLION times to catch this spoof of the Royal wedding party entrance. LOVE IT!

Speaking of "crowns".....We wanted to share with you this amazing video provided by Jesse Wallace of Copy and Paste Productions, It is a "room flip" at the Crowne Plaza in downtown Indianapolis. The staff there is AMAZING at handling both ceremonies and receptions, and pulling off this rapid fire room flip while guests enjoyed cocktails on the other side of the curtains. The Crowne Plaza is a great space for your own regal wedding!

20 Second Crowne Plaza Flip from Copy Paste Productions on Vimeo.

Thanks you, Jessie Wallace, for creating this FAB footage, and SO quickly!!! This is from our wedding this weekend! Congratulations Eden and Anthony!!!! We were honored to be a part of the big day!!!! Our own Randi Neukam was the planner for Eden and Anthony's big day and did a tremendous job! She captured these great photos during the day! Enjoy! Thank you to my Circle City Designers team for creating such beautiful flowers for the wedding and reception. We used a bi colored rose called "Roulette" to wish the couple to be "lucky in love!" And the burgundy Black Baccara roses and Stargaiser lilies looked perfect in the Crowne Plaza's Grand Hall!

We LOVED that the couple chose Dave Matthew's songs to play during the ceremony and to honor their special dances at the reception! We wish you the best on your new marriage!

Royal Wedding is now only FIVE days away!!!!

2011-04-25T04:27:00.000-07:00

With over 2 BILLION people expected to watch the nuptials, we are all on pins and needles to find out the latest dish! Soooo.....what is the NEW news on Prince William and Kate Middleton's big day?

Well, we now know that despite her denying it earlier, Sophie Cranston has landed the gig of Royal wedding dress designer! Cannot wait to see how it will affect upcoming bridal trends for 2012.

Kate is reportedly doing her OWN makeup! She allegedly received some "lessons" on this subject, and we can't wait to see how it turns out. Tip to our brides: Don't do this :) Use a professional make up artist for a picture perfect look.

She is expected to wear her hair down, long and flowing. Can she puhlease! put a gardenia in her hair? That would make me so happy :)

See the latest news and updates on the official Royal Wedding Website!

Also, PLEASE read this fun little article we wrote that got published in MORE Magazine last week! It's chock full of information for brides to be! Enjoy!

New Wedding Customs from Circle City Planners!

Tell us what you think! Are there some "traditions" you would like to seen tossed out the window?

The Royal Wedding Countdown!

2011-04-22T04:30:00.000-07:00

EVERYONE is talking about the Royal Wedding! It's a mere 7 days away and we just CAN'T WAIT to see it! So many unanswered questions still remain...Whose dress will she wear? What flowers will she carry? What food will they serve? What famous people will attend? I'll be watching it live from my laptop on The Royal Channel at 5 AM (EST)!

Being a princess is part of every girl's dream growing up, and now I get to see a real life princess in the making! Waiting 7 more days in anticipation of the wedding industry's BIGGEST event is just going to kill me!

Here's what we know. The world's largest procession begins on April 29th, at 10 am, ending at Westminster Abbey for the ceremony to begin in front of a mere... 2000 guests! The Archbishop of Canterbury will perform the ceremony at approximately 11 am. The big question is, will she include the word "OBEY" in her vows? Following strict British Tradition, the ceremony vows have not changed at all in hundreds of years, save one exception. In 1980, the vow ending, "to love, cherish and obey your husband" was allowed to be changed. Princess Diana omitted the word from her vows, and I presume Kate will do the same.

A 650 guest reception will be hosted by the Queen at Buckingham Palace, and a later reception will presumably be hosted by Prince Charles for approximately 300 guests. At Buckingham Palace, guests shouldn't expect a big meal. It is rumored that they will serve 10,000 appetizers and finger foods, champagne, and wedding cake as its only noshes.

Music will play a huge role in the day's events, with 2 choirs, a full orchestra, a league of trumpeters, the Fanfare Team for the Royal Airforce, and the royal harpist performing. Any number of musical performances will occur during the procession, and there is rumor that at an evening reception either James Blunt, Elton John, or Paul McCartney could be making an appearance! Music to my ears!

The dress.... The mystery dress we just can't wait to see!!!!! Did you know that the "tradition" of wearing white first came about after Queen Victoria did it nearly 171 years ago? First, rumors had Sophie Cranston (Libelula) creating it, she then denied it. Then it was Alexander McQueen's house, but alas....denials. It is likely the dress will white or ivory, be adorned with lace or pearls, and will have sleeves and a long train. Queen Elizabeth will likely give Kate a stunning tiara to go with her ensemble. I simply love that it's being kept a secret and I cannot wait to see it!

Supposedly, there are three florists involved in the royal wedding creations. It is tradition to include lily of the valley, gardenias, roses and delphinium in the classic, typically all white designs. The flowers used at the wedding will be left at Westminster Abbey for the public to view after the ceremony!!! Oh, how I wish I lived in England! What a dream to be able to create the future Princess Catherine's bridal bouquet! Goosebumps!

Let them eat cake! American's jaws dropped when we heard the royal couple was serving fruit cake at the wedding. Fiona Carns was selected to create this British tradition and has shared that Kate referred to the "Language of Flowers" when designing her cake. She wanted to include sugar flowers of specific types to reflect certain meanings. For example, Fiona Carns tells us she will be using roses (to represent happiness), oak and acorns (to represent strength and endurance), and lilies of the valley (to represent sweetness and humility) to decorate the cake. As a florist, I just LOVE that Kate was influenced by the symbolic meanings of flowers! Prince William has a sweet tooth of his own, and has requested a chocolate biscuit cake (another British tradition) be created by McVictie Cake Company to be served at the reception.

What do you buy a Prince? It is remarkable the impact Princess Diana had on global outreach and giving. This is a legacy she has left with her sons. Prince William and Kate Middleton have created a Charitable Gift Fund for their wedding honoring 5 different categories of those in need. There are several organizations listed under each category that each have special meaning to the Prince and future Princess, and certainly tug at the heart strings of us all. They encourage you to give to causes that support military and their families stationed all over the world, groups that help children have a voice, end bullying, create education, protect the arts and music, conserve the environment, help save endangered species, and provide support for ailing family members with terminal, critical and mental care needs that cannot be afforded. The list is endless, and the need for Prince William to carry on his mother's tradition far outweighed his desire to register for china :) Information about the couple's charities can be found on the Official Royal Wedding Website along with other information about the big day!

The Duchess of Cornwall will plant a tree at St. Mary's Church in Tetbury (near her home) in honor of the couple's nuptials. It is referred to as the "Wedding Cake" tree because it grows in white "tiers" and will surely grow strong and beautifully, just as the marriage will! Dawww, how sweet! Fun fact!.... Prince William, upon being married, will don a new title, honoring his "Duke-hood"....Queen Elizabeth gets to decide where the Prince will reside, thereby giving him his new title. No one knows where the Duke of "____" will live, but it could be Sussex.

As we all wait to see if Kate will toss the bouquet (rumor has it, she won't), or if Sir Elton John makes an appearance, people will be attending "Royal Wedding Viewing Parties" all across the world. TLC is prepped to host a HUGE shebang in Times Square with live coverage of the royal nuptials. Colbie Caillet will unleash her new single "I Do" right at the heart of the world's most exciting "I Do's" to date!! Can't wait!!!!

Life gives you lemons, and we make CENTERPIECES!

2011-04-20T04:17:00.000-07:00

There is this cute, adorable, tiny, little brunette that is going to take Indy by storm with her talents! Cambrie Anderson is a fresh face in the world of photography, and let me say....We just LOVE HER! She nabbed this shot of our CCPINK gang, and we wanted you to see it!

We are so blessed to get to work with lots of great photographers, and I am stoked to have had the opportunity to have her shoot some of my work at the JW Marriott a few weeks ago.

We were lucky enough to be able to handle a fabulous event for the Julian Center for our first time being in this magnificent blue building! Thanks to Jennifer McKinney Seet for all your help at the JW, your space is quite wonderful! Thanks also to Molly Barrick, Anne DeLaney, and Sandy Noe from the Julian Center for having Circle City Planners and Designers be a part of this event.

The decor inside screams contemporary, modern-earthy chic. It embraces the perfect marriage of natural, organic elements, with bold colors and clean lines. It's just simply amazing there!

My family's company, EF Marburger Fine Flooring , installed the carpeting that really makes the ballrooms POP. I used bold yellows in the floral designs to really make them stand out against this distinctive backdrop.

Great BIG hugs and thank you's to Cambrie Anderson and her amazing photos on this project! We love you!

Perfect Start to the Season

2011-04-14T10:56:00.000-07:00

I LOVE Spring time! The flowers are blooming, the birds are chirping and best of all, it's the beginning of wedding season. Kailee, Jake and Bella are the newest family members of Circle City Planners. We are so happy for them. Kailee, her mom, Cortney and I did most of planning. We started at the beginning and when I showed them the Scottish Rite Cathedral's theatre their mouths dropped and I knew this was the venue for them. Tiffany of Circle City Designers and I designed the newest backdrop for the theatre. The lily and pearl wall!! It looked AMAZING! We also took Kailee's vintage lace idea and brought it to life in the South Lounge of the Scottish Rite. Renee of Thomas Caterers helped us with the reception menu and it tasted divine. I don't think this this day could have been anymore perfect. Best Wishes to Kailee and Jake.

Enjoy Jamaica mon!

Thanks to my entire team for bringing Kailee's wedding to LIFE. Jordyn of Jennifer Driscoll Photography, DJ Brian Whitis, Heavenly Sweets Cake, KB Designs, Antique Limo, Faces by KLM, Lockerbie Quartet, Monna Breland and of course the FABULOUS staff of CCP. What a wonderful way to start off the season!

Calling all our BOOOTY-LICIOUS Brides! Come join us!

2011-04-12T09:02:00.000-07:00

All of our CCPINK gals know we put on monthly event for our clients to relish in our girliness :) We are so fun! This month I want to invite our closest friends and future clients to join us as well! If you would like to attend our CCPINK event and see what Circle City Planners and Designers is all about, BE THERE on April 20th, at 6:30 pm for our VAULT DENIM TRUNK SHOW!

Our address is 324 West Main Street, Carmel, In the Arts District! YOU MUST RSVP!!! Email tiffany@circlecitydesigners.com if you would like to join the party!

Vault Denim offers high-end designer and boutique denim jeans at a discount price. Save 30%-60% on your next pair of designer jeans. Jeans are priced from $48 to $88. Looking for the jeans the celebrities are wearing? Vault Denim just might have the jeans you are looking for. Authentic, no seconds, or knock offs. Try on as many jeans as you like! When you find a pair or two that you like you can take them with you! Enjoy a great time with friends and the CCPink girls while finding jeans that look great on you!!

Check it out on www.vaultdenim.com

Everyone gets butterflies? Don't they?

2011-04-04T07:11:00.000-07:00

I'm not talking about your nerves, either! It's spring! And that means it's time to think about the birds and the bees and BUTTERFLIES! I saw this CCCCCRRRRAAAAZZZZYYYY wedding dress this morning and it made me wonder what else was out there!

WHOA.

Can she pull these off with that dress?

Uh, no. I don't think so.

I'm all for bringing elements of the season, as well as personal "loves" into your wedding. The question is, how far is TOO FAR? Do we love this cake? Or is too much to "stomach?"

If my guy put this ring on my finger...I'd probably fly away...FAST. I don't care how much I loved butterflies. OR how many carats were in each wing!

Now THIS seems fitting. Go ahead with this plan, you have my blessing :)

Stop and smell the....WHAAAAT? Umm, NO.

Perhaps I AM a flower snob. So be it. But if you are going to do it, you gotta do it right!

What's the moral of the story? See ME before any bug inspired wedding takes place. Entomological event decor is not to be handled by amateurs. It doesn't take much for a great plan to turn cheesy. Better get an expert on board to get rid of any "bugs" in the system. :) Or else, I will have butterflies in my stomach FOR you!!!!!!!

Bulldogs and Wedding Bells!

2011-04-01T07:58:00.000-07:00

How many of you would LOVE to say "I DO!" along side your favorite pet? As weddings become more and more personal, brides are trying to incorporate every day things that are important to them in their plans. We all know our furry friends are more like members of the family, so why not get them involved in your big day too?!

Whether you use your pet as a ring bearer or just want them by your side, they can easily add to the excitement of your wedding! We LOVE Carrie Underwood's take on the idea, she even dressed up her pooch for the occasion!

Speaking of pets, a big Circle City shout out to Blue 2 and the Butler Bulldogs - bring it home, boys!