introducing two new Mr and Mrs's

Hi Everyone,

Back from a soggy Allegan Michigan trip, trying to dry out (again) and my Monday just got a whole lot better. Actually fantastic!

We have done a load of wedding items in the past few years, thousands of pieces and the one drawback is that I do not have action pictures from them. Out of respect for the couple, I will not post any pictures ahead of time just in case someone should see them so I have to rely on someone sending me just one picture to let me know how things turned out.

About a week ago there was a wedding in Michigan at a ski resort. It gave me some new opportunities to be a little more creative, ski lift anyone? just for starters. The couple, Pete and Mary Ann were not kids getting married and from the beginning were a joy to work with. Cool venue, mature adults and super agreeable with just about any suggestion I made and boy, did I make suggestions.

The weather for the few days before their wedding had been horrific, real hot, really humid and stormy. I held my breath until Sunday morning when it turned out to be a breathtaking gorgeous day, mild summer weather.

I sent a text to the bride Mary Ann on Sunday morning stating, "You are going to have beautiful day, enjoy every minute".

She replied , "Thank you! Just finished yoga and champagne! Can't wait"

You couldn't believe how  surprised I was when the next morning after the wedding I received this message, " It was perfect. Absolutely perfect". What a great text to receive, I was over the moon.

Somewhere in the back of my mind I was still secretly hoping to see what 'absolutely perfect' really meant and low and behold, that showed up today.

This morning I received an email from the new groom, Pete that read,

I just wanted to echo Mary Ann and tell you how happy and grateful we both were for all you did to make our wedding day magical.  I'm enclosing some iPhone and Facebook pictures that don't do your decorations justice but just to give you a flavor of the day.  We had so many people at Crystal Mountain tell us our wedding decorations are the best they've seen all year, and they were amazed at all the tables. everything turned out perfectly.

We'll be sure to get some professional photos to you when our photographer sends them to us..

It was a special and fun day and we really appreciate all you (and George, of course) did for us...

All the Best,

Pete & Mary Ann

It simply doesn't get any better than that, well almost because he did enclose a couple of great pictures.

Our newest Mr and Mrs banner is done with six different lace backgrounds but there is so much more on their bridal table. There is our burlap and lace runner, our mason jars for the floral centerpieces, our French marriage document and burlap silverware pockets, votive holders and the keys to a great marriage as well. That is what I see so far. I am hoping the new pictures will have even more detail.

But the cutest picture he sent, and by the way, isn't he just the sweetest thing to write his own thank you note? Just love the both of them, they were so cool to work with. Back to the cutest picture . . .

the other new Mr and Mrs, 

I present to you Mr and Mrs Peter Dow 

Love the expression on his face and isn't she stunning in that gown? Can not wait to see the rest of the pics.

It truly was a beautiful day and they made it more so. Thanks guys for including us and letting us know, we were thrilled everything was to quote 'absolutely perfect'.  You deserved it!

Suz

the Muze

Yin and Yang

Hi Everyone,

It has definitely been the week from heck, the last 96 lours or so are just a snowy blur with a couple of highlights. But, that's what always makes it worthwhile.

The first highlight was the sweetest thank you note I received out of the blue. Weekend before last was in Carmel IN, a super busier than usual show and the usual hoards of shoppers were present in our booth. So much so, I held most of my conversations from behind the ironing board/desk, basically because I simply couldn't get out from behind the ironing board/desk! Now most of you know that is not okay with me, I love getting out and meeting face to face with all of you.

So imagine my surprise when I received the following email from a name I didn't recognize at first:

Hello,

I was at Saturday's show in Carmel, Indiana and your booth was my favorite!  I bought several vintage white frames and I am having fun trying to decide how I want to arrange them.  You were very busy, yet you took the time to talk to me!

Thank you,

Julie

I particularly love the "your booth was my favorite" part, as a vendor can never hear that enough, trust me. But it is so nice when someone speaks up to say something. So whether I say that to you at the booth when you see us or not, know that I treasure your saying it more than you will ever know. Thank you Julie, your note made me smile and I am glad you likes your frames.

So that little bump kept me going forward towards the 1200 brides-to-be for Saturday at Indie Wed. Boy, did I need it.

Not all of the 'staff' here got the rush and importance level of getting ready for the show. Here is what is going on at George's workspace for all the jewelry boards we needed to get made. 

Notice the wire right next to him, yes he is in the middle of the construction area for a belly rub. What you don't see or hear is the electric staple gun going off when this was taken. he was perfectly fine with all that.  I need to crack down on employee perks here. Lige certainly is on my list.

The real push was to get all the new items made, the cool silverware pouches, new lace and burlap pew bows, beautiful chair covers and my favorite, our brooch bouquet.

I need get the handle photographed with it's burlap wrap and glitter dewdrop accents. Just stunning and it went over really well with the brides.

Here's what it looked like all together

The biggest obstacle tho ended up being the space. That damned 6 X 6 impossible space. Who can do anything with a space that size?

Reconfiguring our sellable bridal wares down to a 6' X 6" booth was hard enough but the frosting on the cake was our neighbor behind our spot. A florist who decided on 6 shades of hot pink netting as a backdrop. Seriously, hot pink?

Yes, hot pink, 8 foot high . . . kinda adds a glow to the area . . .

It was there from the get go but from the huge amount of traffic and business we got, it seemed that it bothered me more than anyone else. Especially not the neighbors next door, they just yoga-ed their way through.

But the absolute best part of the event was making not one but three of my bridal clients tear up when they got to see their new creations for their big day. Words just can't capture how cool you feel when they 'get it'. It nice to know it was worth all the long hours and lack of sleep.

(Written by the person who got in a four hour nap today because I could. Ha! I am feeling a little spunky after almost dead yesterday.)

This will not last too long.

I will post our schedule next week but be advised NA DA just posted their sale dates as May 17 &18. Yep, Spring is right around the corner and we will be out at the barn. Whoo Hoo!

Later,

Suz
the Muze