Paige's Event Planner Blog

Happy Valentine's Day

2012-02-14T19:04:00.001-08:00

For all of you couples in love that decide to make the big leap into marriage, let me be the first to say congratulations on your engagement!

For those of you who made that leap many years ago, congratulations on making the big decision to stay together.

For those who have loved and lost, may today be a time of remembering all the wonderful times you had together.

For those who long to make the big leap, but have not found the right girl or guy, may the love of God, your family and friends be overwhelming.

For those who don't understand love, I pray that you will come to understand the love of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We cannot give or understand love fully until we have understood the love of God the Father through the sacrifice of His Son. Love because He first loved us.

my visit to the ranch

2011-10-17T18:17:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago I have the wonderful opportunity to visit Willowood Ranch in Bells, Texas. Willowood boast 350 acres, a charming chapel, reception hall, gazebo, the ranch house and several other housing units. If you are looking for a destination wedding location that's not the beach, Willowood is worth looking into. Once you visit, you won't want to leave. It truly is a "Place of Peace."

The staff at Willowood are second to none. They are professional, accommodating and the definition of "Southern Hospitality." I want to take a moment to thank the owner and the staff (a special shout out to my chauffeur for the day!) for allowing me the opportunity to visit and learn more about Willowood.

Below are some pictures for you to enjoy and dream about your wedding at Willowood Ranch.

I don't think my pictures really do this place justice. Their website has some great pictures, so take a look, www.willowoodranch.com.

upgrade

2011-08-31T08:42:00.000-07:00

New website coming soon! My site is down currently, but check back tomorrow for a new and excited website experience, www.complimentsofyou.com.

Wedding Gowns from Unlikely Places

2011-07-15T08:09:00.001-07:00

Did you know that you can actually purchase a Wedding Gown from Costco? There are several companies that are now selling wedding gowns that you may not even think to check into.

Below are several links for the chic and price savvy wedding consumer.
Costco

The Limited

Anthropologie

Ann Taylor

J. Crew

Happy Gown hunting!

Budget Bride

2011-06-18T14:55:00.001-07:00

Recently, I have had the privilege of meeting and working with Brides on very tight budgets. It's spurred me to give out a few tips for staying within your budget and still having a great wedding.

1. Combine all your monies (from parents, grandparents and the couple) and put it in a separate account.

2. Determine your budget and stick to it.

3. Be flexible and remember that you may not be able to afford everything you want.

4. Make list of "Must Have," "Would like to have," and "Can go without" - Base what you spend your money on off of this list.

5. Cut your guest list.

6. Choose to have less food.

7. Choose a simple invitation that doesn't require additional postage.

8. Design and Print your own program.

9. Always remember that at the end of your wedding day you will be Mr. and Mrs.__________ (you fill in the blank), and that really is the MOST IMPORTANT and the BEST PART of the whole experience.

10. Budget in "Sanity" money - higher a wedding coordinator to help you. We can offer lots of money saving tips, help with decorating to keep cost low and save you a lot of grief and stress through the entire process.

I hope these tips will help you in planning your dream wedding.

Understated Elegance . . . my take on the Royal Wedding

2011-04-30T12:57:00.001-07:00

Yesterday morning, like many others I awoke at 3am to partake in the Royal Wedding Festivities. Although I listened to the commentators and watched the guest arrive, I was much more interested in the decor, the protocol of a British wedding and of course the dress. There are several differences between English and American weddings. Obviously, there are several difference between a Royal Wedding and a Commoners wedding, too.

The Floral Design. I loved the trees in the Abby, what a great idea. Very simple, yet very impactful. I thought it changed the feel of the church and made it seem "happy" and "inviting." Maybe, a reflection of the couple's personality? The only other flower arrangements that I say were the altar flowers and even in those it was simple greenery with white flowers and not out of the ordinary. With a church as beautiful as Westminster Abby you do have to be careful that you only enhance the churches beauty and not cover up or try to compete with it.

The Bridal Bouquet. The bride's bouquet took me back, but it fit perfectly with everything else in the decor. Her flowers were lily of the valley, sweet william, white hyacinth and myrtle. Very small and simple, but just enough to accentuate her beauty and her dress.

Take Away: 1) Look at your canvas and bring out the strong points of your venue with your decoration. If you try to cover up or compete with the natural look you will, most likely, not be pleased with the outcome. 2) Put your personality into every part of your wedding, even the flowers.

British/Royal Wedding Protocol. The few main items that caught my attention 1) The bridesmaids are very young 2) A Best Man, but no groomsman only two page boys 3) The bridesmaids and Maid of Honor and Page Boys walk in behind the bride 4) The parents and Grandparents just walked in, they were not seated as part of the ceremony 5) The Bridesmaids did not stand with the Bride, they sat down front

I should probably do a little research to find out the differences between a Royal Wedding and a Common Wedding in England.

The Dress. Understated Elegance seems the best way to describe this dress. It was very simple, but absolutely perfect. I also loved the way the bride looked, she looked like herself. She very tastefully chose a simple tiara and simple drop earrings.

Take aways: 1) Be you on your wedding day. 2)Simple can be very impactful. 3) The dress is always a big deal. 4) Be choosy when picking your jewelry.

Understated Elegance does not necessarily mean understated cost or impact. I don't know what the dollar amount was for this wedding, but I doubt it was understated. I can definitely say the wedding made an impact.

It was fun watching this wedding and all the "pomp and circumstance", but royal or not a wedding is the same for everyone, a celebration of a God-ordained union/covenant between one man and one women, who have devoted themselves to one another.

the barefoot bride

2011-04-07T10:13:00.000-07:00

Are you really going barefoot? Well, yes and this is why . . .

It takes a lot of trust to say, "Here I am, the good, bad, and ugly. Please love me through it all." Marriage is choosing to love each other even though you see the good, bad and ugly.

I knew that on my wedding day I was saying to my husband that I submit to the authority that God has given you over me and I trust you to love me as Christ commanded. I wanted him to know that I choose to be "naked" before him, on our wedding day and throughout our marriage. I expressed this through my "barefeet." To me it was the perfect picture of laying myself bare before him. Marriage is such an amazing picture of Christ love for us. He sees the good, bad and ugly and still chose to die on the cross to save us from eternal condemnation. He desires for us to come "barefoot" before Him and accept his free gift of salvation. I leave you with the verse Rick and I had read at our wedding. Ruth 1:16-17 But Ruth said, "Do not urge me to leave you or turn back from following you; for where you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God. Where you die, I will die and there I will be buried. Thus may the Lord do to me, and worse, if anything but death parts you and me."

Is it April already?

2011-03-26T13:08:00.000-07:00

March is almost gone and April is here. Wedding season has begun. For all you May and June brides, it's time to finalize all your decisions. Here's a few details you want to tackle.

First Dance Song
Father/Daughter Dance Song
The Wedding Program
Bridal Shower Thank You Notes
Personalized Napkins, Cake Knives, Guest Book etc.
Guest Favors
Out of Town Guest Gifts
Finish Up Marriage Counseling & meet with the Minister about the ceremony
Blood Work and Marriage license (one month from wedding day)
Gifts for the Wedding Party and other attendants
Finalize all wedding & reception decorations (including flowers)

At this point, once you make your decision follow through by ordering what needs ordering, assembling what needs assembling, notifying those who need notifying, printing what needs printing and so on and so on.

I think that's enough for today. Happy Weddings!

Honeymoons and Vacations

2011-03-01T08:24:00.000-08:00

WHY SHOULD YOU USE A TRAVEL AGENT TO BOOK YOUR HONEYMOON OR NEXT VACATION?

it's free // you get expert advice // you have someone to call if a problem arises // you get great deals // you will have more free time // you will avoid scams // you have peace of mind // your trip will be perfect

i recommend talking with melissa kemp of love's tour-n-travel. she loves what she does and will take really good care of you.

http://lovestourandtravel.com/

Overwhelmed Yet?

2011-01-12T07:46:00.001-08:00

It's January of 2011 and all you spring and summer brides are busy. I just want to remind you of a few things during this season of your life.

Breath deeply and take it all in
Remember you only need a few things to pull off a wedding: Bride, Groom, Officiant & Marriage License, everything else is extra
In the midst of wedding day preparation, make sure you take time for marriage preparation (a Wedding is one day, a Marriage is a lifetime)
Pray- God cares about you and your wedding day
Keep your priorities straight
Remember that sometimes a little extra money can mean a LOT LESS HEADACHE

May your wedding planning be smooth (and if it's not, hire me) and your marriage be blessed.

a tip for new couples . . .

2010-11-30T06:39:00.000-08:00

This time of year tends to bring about the best in people and the worst in people. It's a busy time and it's easy to get "caught up" in all the festivities and ignore the feelings of your spouse or set them aside as less important.

Let me explain what I'm getting at. Most families have Christmas traditions that they love and want to keep from generation to generation. Although this is a good thing it can also cause a lot of tension for young couples who are trying to decide how to make it all work together. I know of several couples who are so tired after the holidays because they had to go to each set of parents and a few grandparents' homes all within 2 days.

I'm not a marriage counselor, but I do know that holidays should not cause fights and that their are practical ways to avoid tension during this time of year.

My husband and I decided that we would not go to any one's home on Christmas day. We are our own family and we wanted to start our own family Christmas traditions. We made this clear to both of our families from the beginning. Because we made this decision together and informed our families it has never been a problem. I know this is not the solution for everyone, but I do think it's important that young couples understand that as a married couple you are a family and you must make decisions that are best for you.

I have several friends who alternate holidays with their families. One year they go to one family for Thanksgiving and the other for Christmas and then the opposite the next year. This allows you both the spend time each year with your family.

Any solution that you come up with is going to be a compromise. You can't be in two places at once and you shouldn't try. Be upfront with your families and let them know that as much as you love Christmas/Thanksgiving the way we have always done it, you and your spouse must make decisions on what is best for your family.

Above all, enjoy this special time of year!

Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Simplicity & Money Savers

2010-08-02T14:22:00.000-07:00

Simple touches will add elegance to your wedding day without adding too much to the bottom line.

On July 31st, Jamie and Grafton were married. They had a simple reception that was very cost efficient yet elegant because they chose to highlight a few parts with some very nice touches.

Consider renting demitasse cups for a coffee bar instead of using large coffee cups or plastic. You can still use the cheaper plastic service for the food and other drinks. You could also rent china plates and real silverware for the cakes only. Again, this will add a unique touch, but it's not something you have to carry out through the entire event.

Re-use your flowers. The bridal party bouquets are some of the most beautiful flowers of the entire wedding. Set out empty vases at the reception and use the bridal party bouquets as part of the decor. Another money-saver is to use the rehearsal dinner flowers at the reception (As long as both families are willing). You can use the exact arrangement or re-do the flowers for a new look.

Jamie and Grafton re-used all the flowers from the rehearsal dinner at their reception by reworking the arrangement. No one ever knew.

Congratulations to Jamie and Grafton, it was a wonderful wedding!

Vendors . . .

2010-06-18T11:24:00.000-07:00

I have just updated my vendor list with several people/businesses that I have had the privilege to work with this year. It is important that you are comfortable with your vendor so don't stop looking after just one meeting. Check out a few different photographers, florist, bakers etc. before you choose.

Ashley and Tim

2010-06-10T16:24:00.000-07:00

In 2008 I had the privilege of being a part of Ashley and Tim’s wedding. I have asked Ashley and Tim to share a little about that day.

PH. Share some of the different elements of your wedding day.

A: We agreed throughout the planning process that the different elements of our wedding day must be intentional, not based on tradition or expectation.

Here are a few aspects we were intentional about:
- We recited the traditional wedding vows instead of repeating after the pastor. We decided to honor the vows that have been spoken for centuries, but we wanted to have those memorized and spoken fluently.
- We involved our friends and their talents. Barry Simpson and Aaron Phillips are close friends and our photographers. Sara Rogers Michel, an artist friend, designed a woodcut print for us to be used on the invitations and programs. Will Thompson, Tim's childhood friend, played with his jazz trio during the coffee hour, and four more artist friends hung artwork in the house like a gallery.
- We wanted the ceremony to look and feel like a worship services at the Journey (our church). We took communion--just like we do at church--and involved the church musicians. Those who served communion had mentor-like relationships with us.
- We decided to surround ourselves with our bridal party; they were placed in a semi- circle around the stage area.

PH. How were your families involved on your wedding day?

A: The entire wedding was a family affair. My (Ashley's) family worked really hard for days before and after the wedding. My grandmother and all of my aunts prepared all of the food for the reception. My uncle (Dale Frazier) was even found hours before the rehearsal digging up a stump in the yard! It was truly my dream day. It was a service from my family that made us feel humble and loved.

PH: What little things did you do to honor your family and loved ones on that day?

A: The bride's cake was an exact replica of my maternal grandparents' 50th wedding anniversary cake. I asked our mothers and the women who have made a strong impact in my life what their favorite flowers were; a blend of those suggestions were used for the bride’s bouquet and other floral décor. We used hymns that were favorites of our deceased grandparents.

PH: Who made up your bridal party and why did you choose them?

A: The bridesmaids were my two sisters-in-law and five of my younger cousins. It was important to give them such a special place because family lasts forever and I have always tried to share special moments with them. We hope our relationship is an encouragement to each of the girls. I also had five honorary bridesmaids representing close friendships through different phases of my life. Tim chose close friends from childhood and college. It was not important for us to have the same number of bridesmaids and groomsmen (Ashley had 7, Tim had 9). We choose them with intentionality and purpose.

Why I do Weddings . . . the courage to “walk that aisle.”

2010-03-16T17:32:00.000-07:00

In May of 2006 Rick and I were married. It was my dream wedding. We wed in a small white church out in the country. My bridesmaids wore periwinkle blue tea length dresses and carried one single long stem calla lily. I carried three white calla lilies, symbolic of our union with each other and God. The reception was held at my grandfather’s house, just a hop and a skip down the road from the church. It was wonderful to have all my family and my closest friends all in one place. I will never forget that day and all the hard work that went into making that day perfect.

At the time Rick and I were married I was working at a job that was a good job, but it was not the job for me. We prayed a lot during our first year of marriage about what God wanted me to do. In the spring of 2007 I quit my fulltime, good paying, great benefits job to pursue event planning full time, thus Compliments of You, LLC was formed. So what did this mean? Well, first it meant all of a sudden we had half as much money coming in; second, more money going out to pay for business expenses and third, no great work benefits. I will always look back on this time with gratefulness because of God’s faithfulness to us. God provided additional income for us through my husband by increasing his pay by almost double. WOW! God’s amazing! It was just another assurance that we were in God’s will and following the path He set for us.

It was tiring, but exciting to be running my own business. It was another lifelong dream that at age 24 I never expected to happen. The business was a little slow for the first year and a half. I did small parties and a lot of volunteer work trying to make connections. In 2008 I was approached about coordinating all the weddings at Broadmoor Baptist Church. I was ecstatic; this was it, my first break. I knew this would lead to more work and more connections. And I was right; now 3 years into the business God has richly blessed it. In our secular economy the purpose of a business is to grow and make more money. I want the purpose of my business to carry a little more weight. I desire that God will use me and the gifts He has given me to honor Him. I want to serve my clients and help brides with their weddings, but at the end of this life I want to hear from my maker “well done, good and faithful servant, you were faithful with all that I gave you.”

In the title I mention the phrase, “the courage to walk that aisle.” It took faith to leave the familiar and jump out on my own, not only for me, but also for my husband. When we are praying and actively seeking God’s will we will have the courage to “walk our aisle” whatever it may be.

For every wedding I am privileged to be a part of I realize that it takes courage on the part of the bride and groom to stand before God and a host of witnesses and make a marriage covenant. Walking down the aisle is a big deal and it should not be taken lightly. Let me encourage you with a Scripture verse from the book of John.

“These things I have spoken to you so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

Is it really 2010?

2010-01-17T12:17:00.000-08:00

I feel as though it has been forever since I have blogged. I just wanted to give a word of advice to all the brides out there. If you're getting married this spring or this summer, it's time to really get into gear. I know most of you are on top of it and have everything planned and ready to go, but have you thought about purchasing your guest book, ring bearer pillow, monogrammed cake servers, toasting glasses, cake pulls, personalized napkins, flower girl basket, attendant gifts, parents gifts and musicians gifts etc.

It's the details that can be overwhelming, but if you start on them now and designate a "wedding" corner in your home; they will be there when you need them.

Another important detail that is often missed during the wedding planning process is working on your marriage and future together, yup you're gonna be married forever so begin now by talking regularly and spending quality time together.

Holiday Parties . . . Time's a wastin

2009-11-12T12:29:00.001-08:00

Who doesn't love a good Christmas party. I know I know. All that great food that we have all come to expect each Christmas/Thanksgiving season.

As fun and fabulous as parties are they can be stressful for the host. My best advice is to make a plan. Decide in advance what you will serve, how you will serve it, when you will prepare it and when you will purchase it.

If you aren't into cooking, then just go buy it from your local grocery store and then present it on decorative serving pieces.

I really like a good check list. Without a list I will probably forget something. Have you ever cooked a large meal and then left a side dish sitting in the fridge because you forgot to put it on the table. So make a list, it will keep you from going "aw snap, I forgot to put out the______."

You want to enjoy your party so think of a creative way to keep from being the clean up crew. Make sure you place trash cans around that are visible, but not obtrusive, if you are using disposible products. You can place trays for guest to put dirty dishes on or as you're picking up have a designated, but slightly hidden place to put all the dirty dishes. It may be as simple as screening off an area of your counter to pile high dishes and then tend to them when your guest leave.

Enjoy your parties!

a fun holiday favor . . .

2009-10-16T13:12:00.000-07:00

Have you ever had a chocolate dipped spoon? Recently I made several for an evening dinner party. All you need is clear plastic spoons, almond bark(chocolate & vanilla) and toffee bits. Oh, and wax paper to set them on.

Here's what to do . . .

Melt either chocolate or vanilla almond bark according to instructions. Dip each spoon in bark and place on wax paper. Sprinkle toffee bits on top. I chose to dip them in chocolate, let them dry and then dip them in vanilla leaving some of the chocolate exposed, then I sprinkled them with toffee bits and then I striped them with more chocolate and vanilla almond bark.

It's a fun and simple treat that can be used to add a hint of chocolate and/or vanilla to your coffee or other hot drinks.

I hope you try it and enjoy it. It's very easy. If you plan to give them as gifts place each in a small clear bag and tie.

July 25th

2009-10-06T09:41:00.000-07:00

On this day, July 25 in the year 2009 a certain girl woke up and realized "it's my wedding day." She has spent months preparing and taking care of every detail from what food would be served at the reception, how the ceremony would come together, and even making sure her skin was flawless for this one day. Because, this day, she has dreamed about for years.

That same morning a certain gentleman woke up and realized he was getting married that day, though fully confident in his decision to marry this girl his stomach still had butterflies. He knew that this marriage was plotted out in God's plan for his life. He had found the women who he could love and cherish and who would partner with him and fully love and support him in his calling.

She readies herself in a white sundress to attend the traditional Bridesmaids Luncheon at the Fairview Inn. Immediately following she goes to have her makeup done and then it's off to the church. Meanwhile, the groom heads up to the church to enjoy time with his groomsman at their luncheon.

The photographer, Erin Fults, arrives and it's time for the bride and groom to get dressed and then take their "first look." (Traditionally, a bride and groom would not see each other until she walks down the aisle, but many couples are now choosing to take all their pictures prior to the wedding so they have more time to visit with guest at the reception. That's why they do a "First Look." The couple can take a moment for themselves.) At this point all the pictures have been taken and guest begin to arrive. It's time for the ceremony to begin.

As Seth awaits at the front for his bride, the bridesmaids and groomsman enter to How He Loves by John McMillan and as the song builds so does the anticipation of the entrance of Amanda. As she enters, the words of this song sends a message to the crowd that this union is built upon the foundation of Christ love for His children. The ceremony combined traditional elements such as communion,the unity candle, Scripture readings with non traditional music selections.

The Bride was beautiful in her lace covered gown and carried a bouquet of bright, colorful roses and lilies. Her maids were dressed in clover colored tea length dresses. The Groom and Groomsman were dressed in distinguished, but simple tuxedos.

The reception was held in the fellowship hall at the church. The food and the flowers all done by Wendy Putt and I must mention it was delicious and beautiful. Another special touch added by the bride was an Ice Cream Bar, each guest could take their pick of chocolate or vanilla ice cream and pile on their favorite toppings. For a hot July wedding there is just nothing better than a waffle bowl full of ice cream.

As the day came to an end Mr. & Mrs. Seth Price were showered with rose petals as they ran out of the church and were whisked away in an antique Ford Fairlane. What better way to end this dream wedding day.

Congratulations Seth and Amanda! It was a pleasure to be a part of your wedding day!

People Flow . . .

2009-10-03T08:02:00.001-07:00

What!??? Yes, flow. For those do-it-yourself weddings and events it's very important to think about People Flow as you decide the set up of tables, buffet lines, drinks etc. Ask yourself a few questions before you get started.

Where will most people enter from?
Will people enter in groups?
Is anything obstructing their preferred walk way?
What is the most natural way to walk through the space?

After you've answered these questions you can then think through your set up. Below are some elements to keep in mind.

What is the focal point?
Will this set up create a bottleneck?
Does it make sense?

A good event planner can help walk you through the thought process and come up with the best alternative.

WORSHIP . . . NOT JUST . . .

2009-09-14T17:06:00.000-07:00

My pastor is doing a sermon series on "WORSHIP", what a hot topic in the Christian church. Different churches through the years have deemed different forms of "worship" as acceptable at different times in history. It makes you wonder who is the individual or group influencing this?

In some churches an emotional show of worship is looked down upon and then in other churches it seems to be the primary focus of worship. The real deal about worship is Romans 12: 1-2 which states, "Therefore I urge you brothers in view of God's mercy to offer your bodies as living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God. This is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." Worship is all about living a life of surrender to Christ, not just singing on Sunday morning (although I really like that part!).

How does this concept relate to an event? Well, as Christians, we are to strive to worship God with our lives and that means surrender to His will even as it relates to planning a wedding or organizing a fundraiser or whatever it may be. Praying diligently that God be evident in everything. Colossians 3:23 says to do "everything as unto the Lord, not as unto men." Even in the mundane we should strive to do our best, because we work for God. Even in so-called "secular" events we should strive to please God with our actions. We show others Christ through the way we conduct ourselves and how we work. God is pleased when we work well, live honestly, strive for integrity and just live by His Word.

"WORSHIP" Such a powerful concept. What are you worshiping?

Mission Market

2009-08-25T09:36:00.000-07:00

I know it's been a little while since I have had the time to write anything, but that's just the life of a planner. I'm busy year round with different events.

I want to share with the community about an event happening at my church on October 10th. It's call the Mission Market. The purpose is to raise money to fund a project through the International Mission Board. We will help to send missionaries to villages to teach women how to sew and market their products so these women can help provide for their families.

What will be happening that day to raise money, you may ask? Well, admission is $5 per person and you can stroll through the Market and purchase items from various vendors, buy baked goodies at the Bake Shop, check out the Kids Consignment Corner, participate in workshops, have family photos taken and enjoy lunch ($5 per plate).

As time gets closer I will post a detailed listing of Vendors. I hope you will make plans to attend.

Mission Market
at Broadmoor Baptist Church
1531 Highland Colony Pwky
Madison, MS 39110

October 10, 2009
9am-3pm

July 11th

2009-07-30T07:14:00.000-07:00

It's been awhile since I have had time to write anything. It feels good to be back. I just want to tell you about some of the events that have been going on lately.

I just love weddings and I loved July 11th and all those involved. The wedding took place at Broadmoor Baptist Church at 2 o'clock in the afternoon. The bride chose for her wedding day colors fuschia, black and white. The bridesmaids were gorgeous in their fuschia dresses and the men so handsome in their tuxes. The bride carried a beautiful bouquet of red roses, with the bridesmaids carrying bouquets of white. Another idea that I want to share about the wedding. Both the bride and groom have no living grandparents; the couple decided to have a place on the program for "Seating of the Siblings." It was a special way to honor their only siblings. One other unique item to their ceremony was a prayer for each other and to each other.

The reception was no less than a good time. Everything done in black, white and a "pop" of fuschia. I loved the way the florist (Connie Joyner, Marshall's Florist, out of Meridian) used different vases with flowers on each guest table. It added a unique touch. Another great touch to this reception was a "kids table." Yes, I've seen them done before, but this one stood out to me. The family took sand buckets and laid them on their side on a round table, each bucket had a shovel and was filled with goodies for the kids to come by and scoop onto their plates. In the center was a three tiered cupcake cake for them to enjoy. The kids and the adults seemed to love it.

Overall it was a great day!
Congratulations to the Bride and Groom!

Stephanie's Wedding

2009-07-02T09:11:00.001-07:00

Have you ever tried to plan a big event...like your own wedding...when your parents live in another city? Well, it can be a challenge. Like most girls I had been dreaming of my wedding since I was a child. I wanted the big puffy dress, a big wedding reception, lots of dancing, the perfect photographer to capture every moment, the whole nine yards. Then reality set in; we had a budget!

Since all of my family would be coming to Jackson from out of town, we knew we needed a great place for them to stay and lots of room for the rehearsal dinner. Only God could have provided the perfect wedding coordinator at First Baptist Church where we were getting married to help me with all of these requests. Not only did she have lots of references and invaluable resources....her daughter worked for my mom in Birmingham.

My family is spread out across the country, so we wanted to be sure we had as much time as possible to visit....so we invited them all to our rehearsal dinner. My mom came to town one weekend and we had three very intensive wedding planning days. We visited many different photographers, caterers, florists, etc. Choosing these vendors was like visiting a college campus...you could tell quickly if the fit was right. We went to all kinds of restaurants...all too small or too expensive. Finally, we decided on a beautiful place on the Reservoir that could accommodate everyone in our family for the rehearsal dinner. Though my wedding wasn't just how I had envisioned it when I was ten years old, it was far better than I could have ever imagined.

I managed to escape the whole wedding experience with no major catastrophes, only a few minor glitches here and there.

The one thing I will always remember is something my wedding coordinator frequently reminded me of... it didn't matter that things didn't go exactly as planned because at the end of the day we were going to be married and that is all that really counts!

Heather's Wedding

2009-06-20T07:52:00.000-07:00

I wake up the morning of my wedding and go to wash my face and feel like I have something in my eye. I did all the tricks you are told to do to try and get it out, all to no avail. After a half hour, I was getting really frustrated. One of my bridesmaids father is a doctor so he looked at it and said I must have scratched either the inside of my eyelid or my actual eye. Are you KIDDING ME? How did I live to be 21 years old and never have this happen before, ever, but on the morning of my wedding! So I finally figured out it did not hurt when my eye was open, but when I blinked it got really irritated. Well, that wouldn't be so bad if I didn't have to ever blink!

At this point my mom is freaking out so we call the family doctor who is in town for the wedding and he goes to the pharmacy and gets this stuff called lacrolube. It's like a gel to put in my eye. I was really nervous because I didn't know if it would make my eye droop or look weird so I agreed to let him put it in after we got to the reception and had taken pictures. What was supposed to be a relaxing day with my friends ended up being me crying and holding a cold rag on my eye! I remember getting into the limo with my dad to go to the church and just crying! I even looked like I was crying all the way down the aisle, but it was just my eye hurting making it water!

So we make it to the reception where I promptly take two loratab for pain and the doctor puts the medicine in after the pictures. Well it worked! It completely numbed my eye so I couldn't feel it. (the medicine I am sure had something to do with it!) SO I was able to really enjoy my reception. I had a blast dancing and hanging out with my friends and family and completely forgot about my eye. Now we can look back on it and laugh, but at the time oh it was awful! Of course, to this day, after 2 and ½ years, I have still never scratched my eye like that again.

I can't wait to get to heaven and ask God why all of that happened! I am sure we will have a good laugh over it.

~Heather

Kristen's Wedding

2009-06-15T17:57:00.000-07:00

My husband and I got engaged in April, so soon after; wedding planning took over my life! But nothing seemed to go right, everywhere seemed to be booked, I couldn’t decide what type of wedding I wanted (small, large, close friends, etc) I really couldn't even decide on a date.

My husband is a professional wrestler and at the time he was training in Tampa and his career was just starting to take off, so we had the whole long distance relationship going on, and trying to plan a wedding around when he could take time off. If you aren’t familiar

with wrestling, its 12 months a year, pretty much the only vacation they get is if they need surgery! We finally decided on December 13, although I really wanted a fall wedding.

Well, one thing started to fall through after the other. For example, I finally decided on having the reception at the Marriott downtown. Only to find out a few months later, they hadn’t penciled me in like they said! So there I was at square one again. I was reeeaally starting to get stressed at this point. In September, Teddy (my husband) was asked to audition for a movie, The Marine II. We found out a few weeks later they wanted h

im as the main character! It was very exciting, but....they tell him he will be gone November 10- December 20 to film the movie in THAILAND, just in time to miss the wedding!!

First, we decided to wait until he got back from filming to get married. But after LOTS and I mean LOTS of prayer we decided to go ahead and get married. Teddy's usually gone from Friday to Tuesday and there really wasn’t any time for him to take off for the wedding. So we got married on a Thursday night. The wedding was literally planned in two days and his mom's friends and my mom’s friends did everything! Cooked, decorated, everything! The only for sure thing about the wedding was my dress had actually come in!! I had planned on having 11 bridesmaids, 11 groomsmen, ordered 500 invitations. Needless to say we scaled down ALOT.

The wedding was October 30, smack dab in the middle of fall just like I always wanted. It was PERFECT, just close friends and family. The weather was absolutely beautiful (it was outside on a lake) and all the people I loved and cared about helped put it all together! Looking back, it is very evident that the Lord knew all along what would happen. Nothing seemed to go right; I was never completely satisfied with my plans because His plan was sooo much better.

And if I had to do it all over again, I would do it the exact same way.

~Kristen

Wedding Stories

2009-06-15T17:51:00.000-07:00

Dear Readers,

Over the next few weeks I will be doing a series of wedding stories written by friends of mine. You may find a little inspiration in what they have to say. Some stories will be funny and some sweet, so enjoy.

Paige

Keepin It Simple

2009-06-12T09:53:00.000-07:00

A few tips on how to simplify the wedding process.

1. The fewer the better. Limit your wedding party and the number of invitations. I understand that sometimes this is unavoidable. For your wedding party don't ask your mother's second cousin just because she's the only other female on that side of the family, put people in YOUR wedding party that are special to you and your fiance. I know in the South it is custom to send invitations to everyone and anyone that you have ever come in contact with. Ask yourself this question, do I care if they come??? If the answer is no, then why waste the money on inviting them, they probably won't come anyway. (Getting more gifts is not a good reason to invite people)

2. Hire versatile vendors. Try to find a company that does flowers and food and rentals, it's one or two less people to have to meet with. Get all your printing done at the same place and get to know them, so they treat you good. Try to get your wedding dress and bridesmaids dresses from one place. Etc., etc., you get the idea.

3. Invest in a Planner. Well of course, this is the most obvious solution. In all seriousness a planner can be a vital investment, because they can take care of all the little details, herd the bridal party (since your mother insisted that every 2nd, 3rd and 4th cousin be in the wedding party), confirm with your vendors and just take care of all the non-fun wedding stuff and figure out solutions to anything that may go . . . not exactly as imagined.

4. Don't stress and don't let others evoke stress. Easier said than done, yes I know, but try.

5. In general, be nice. The nicer you can be in the midst of the wedding planning to better it will be for you and your fiance. Things happen, it's part of the process. It's okay for things to go be a little different that imagined, just know that in the end you will be married to the man/women of your dreams!

6. Enjoy yourself! Don't let things become so elaborate and so big that they get out of hand and you can't enjoy it or you are too exhausted because you've stayed up for two weeks straight prior to the big day trying to decide . . . (you fill in the blank).

A Marriage Can Last

2009-06-09T09:53:00.000-07:00

So often we focus all our attention on the Wedding Day and forget what it really means to spend a lifetime together. My husband and I recently celebrated our 3 year wedding anniversary. I know it's not that long compared to many, but looking back it has flown by! My husband and I never hesitate to tell anyone that the 1st year was rough, absolutely the hardest thing I have ever done.

We both new that divorce was not even an option so we worked through the difficult times. We now know how to love one another and to get along.

I heard a statistic the other day from a Counselor that 1 in 2 of ALL marriages end in divorce, but if a couple prays together regularly that percentage decreases to 1 in 12,000. It's worked for us!

I encourage every bride and groom to enjoy your wedding day, stick with your marriage and pray together!

A Dream Come True

2009-05-24T17:47:00.000-07:00

As I was standing in the back of a church sanctuary listening to the bride and groom say their vows and exchange rings I was reminded of the first time I thought about becoming a wedding planner. Little did I know that it would actually happen.

I was a Sophomore in high school on a church trip. We were staying overnight in a Microtel close to the airport. The girls in my room and I decided to order the movie The Wedding Planner with Jennifer Lopez and Matthew Mcconaughey. At that moment I remember thinking what an awesome job! Of course at that stage in my life every girl I knew wanted that job, because we all dreamed about getting married one day and the romance of it all was so intriguing.

I truly thought it was just a phase and a ridiculous fairytale. So why even try to work towards it? Well, I didn't. I graduated from college with a degree in Business and Marketing planning to make it big in the world as the youngest CEO of a Marketing Firm. Obviously things didn't pan out in that way, but I'm so thankful they didn't.

Throughout high school and college I planned all sorts of events and participated in numerous leadership teams. Out of college I volunteered planning a celebration event for a non-profit (truthfully I was hoping to get a job working for them). I loved it! Well, I didn't get the job so I went somewhere else and was given the opportunity to plan other small events. At this time I realized my passion for event planning and my God given talents seemed to coincide.

I've always been a "jumper." What do I mean by that? Ya know the phrase "a leap of faith." Well I "jump off clips." I quit my full time job to pursue Event Planning full time. And that's how Compliments of You got started and God keeps it going. Thank you God for you provision and for blessing this business.

I pray that I work with many more brides and grooms to plan their weddings because every time it's unique and special and I feel so privileged to be a part of that special day.

May Wedding

2009-05-19T03:46:00.000-07:00

On May 15th, I was privileged to be a part of Jessica & Allen's Wedding. It was a formal 6pm wedding at Broadmoor Baptist Church in Madison, Mississippi.

Wendy Putt, Fresh Cut Catering & Floral, did the flowers and the church was absolutely stunning. The flower sprays on top of 6 columns were filled with gladiolas, Gerber daisy's and other white flowers, but not roses.

The Bridesmaids were dressed in Black floor link gowns and the Groomsman in bow ties & tails, it was quite the "Southern Affair."

A few elements to this wedding that you don't see everyday . . . three bell ringers, yes bells rang out throughout the church as the Bride's entrance became imminent. She also asked her College Social Tribe (similar to a sorority) to be Honorary Bridesmaids, they each held a Gerber Daisy and marched in two by two with an usher in front and one in back.

At this particular church the side doors are often used for the entrance of the Bridesmaids and Groomsman. For this wedding we used 4 doors. Each Bridesmaid was met by a Groomsman at the front of the steps or in the middle of the center aisle. It was a great picture to see all these people begin entering the sanctuary and engulf the guest. Heads were spinning as people tried to figure out what door the next person would enter from. The Bride also used the song "Shine" by Matt Redman for the processional. A great symbol of what she and her husband have done throughout their lives. Congratulations Jessica and Allen!

Crazy Days

2009-05-03T13:40:00.000-07:00

On Friday I worked on an event for Mission Mississippi called the Mississippi Mayors' Prayer Luncheon. It's quite the event. It's truly a great way for Christians in Mississippi to say to our leaders that we appreciate your work (even if we don't always agree with you) and we are committed to praying for you.

My favorite part of the event was a the power point presentation that we showed of the Mayors that came, kind of a "thanks for coming" scroll on screens throughout the convention center. As I was showing Mayors and distinguished guest to the reception area several mayors stopped to look at the screen and find their picture. What a priceless moment because our goal was to make the mayors feel appreciated and it that moment I knew the directive had been accomplished. That's an awesome feeling for me because I feel as though I'm not just planning an event, I'm helping people feel important and appreciated.

Ya know the saying "the devil's in the details?" We'll that feels so true prior to the event when my mind is drowning in the details, but at the end when all is done, the details make the memories and they separate good events from fabulous events! I guarantee that each mayor that attending may not remember the keynote speaker, the meal or even Mission Mississippi, but they will remember seeing their face on the big screen and that feeling of pride in their position.

Have you thanked your state leaders? Have you voiced your opinions/concerns to your leaders? More importantly, have you prayed for your leaders?

The memories are made in the details!

Until next time . . . God Bless

-Paige

unusual

2009-04-02T14:19:00.000-07:00

I was looking at other event planner blogs the other day and I ran across a wedding cake made of Jello, yes Jello. The comment below was something like "a nice cool treat for a summer wedding." One of the best things about a wedding is the wedding cake. Jello in my mind does not make it as a substitute for wedding cake, but that is my opinion. I do feel very strongly that if the bride and groom want something, such as a jello wedding cake, then they should get a jello wedding cake.

Nothing to do with events

2009-03-31T14:09:00.000-07:00

Fishing, I love fishing, but only when I catch something! This is totally unrelated to events, but I would like to share my fish story. The other day my husband looked outside and said, "Paige, it's good fishin weather, ya wanna go?" My response, "umm, okay." (not all that enthused) So we are fishing for about 45 minutes and nothings happening, no bites, nothing. So my husband says, let's just try this spot one more time and then we'll leave. So we through in and BAM, a fish and pretty big fish. This is it in the pic. About 3lbs. Definitely the biggest fish I've ever caught. So it's Rick's turn and he get's one. And then I get another, another, another, another, another and another. All together I caught 6 fish that day! This is no lie. It was exciting, but the best part. Eating them. I love a good fish fry and there is nothing better than frying up your days catch. I hope you enjoyed my fish tale. It's not near as much fun hearing about it as experiencing it, so go fishing.

Event Tip #1

2009-03-28T13:38:00.000-07:00

You must feel at ease with all your vendors. Be sure to pick caterers, photographers, florist etc. that you know have your best interest in mind. Whatever the occasion, hire people you trust and that you know will do a fantastic job. It's not worth the stress and possible disappointment to hire someone you have that little feeling in the pit of your stomach or that voice inside your head that says "don't do it." Trust your instincts, you can always find another vendor. I hope this is helpful to some of you.

A New Month

2009-03-01T17:29:00.000-08:00

I can't believe it's March. I hope all you brides out there have been taking care of all the last minute details for your spring wedding. One tip I like to give out, make sure that you have someone gather up the cards (not the ones attached to a gift) you receive on your wedding day. Many times your guest will put cash in them. It's just nice to have a little extra spending money for the honeymoon.

Surprise

2009-01-25T17:33:00.000-08:00

Last Saturday night I had the privilege of being a part of a surprise party for a very special person. It was a fun event to plan and participate in.

Her husband and I had been working for months on this party. We finally settled on Tye's Restaurant in Downtown Jackson. It just seemed like the perfect atmosphere. Picture this, a Saturday night, pulling up on a brick road to a downtown restaurant, it just felt movie-like. You have to understand Downtown Jackson, MS. There's not much of that funky downtown atmosphere, but people are trying to bring it back to it's glory days. I hope they succeed because there's a lot of character and it could be a fabulous place.

Back to the party, so everyone arrived on time and then the happy couple arrives and the expression on her face was priceless. She is so sophisticated, that I have no funny "slips" to report. The night was as perfect as anyone could hope for.

Wedding Season

2009-01-08T18:05:00.000-08:00

Weddings are gearing up and my life is getting busy(my husband may beg to differ, "it's not getting busy, it's always busy"). Here's a tip or two for all you summer brides, it's time to start thinking about all the little things. Sometimes it feels like a wedding list can be endless. Weddings are wonderful, try to enjoy every minute! Surround yourself with people who care about you and want to make this a painless and joyful process. And remember, stay calm, and let someone else field the phone calls on your wedding day.

Just starting out

2009-01-07T18:12:00.000-08:00

I've never really gotten into blogging, but I thought I would give it a try. I'm used to keeping journals, but not on the computer or posting my thoughts so that the whole world could find them.

So here goes trying . . .

Ya know the saying "when it rains, it pours?" It's so true in the event business, everything seems to happen all at once. My mother always told me that I thrive under stress, I might even create it.

To any others out there who are going through a thunderstorm, just remember that it always clears up eventually, but until it does, dress and act appropriately.

Have a good evening.