From Chad Morgan Photography … When I met Jon and Jenette last year, the three of us had an immediate bond. Conversation was easy, full of laughter, and authenticity…we all got each other. I was 40 minutes late to our initial meeting (something that never happens), and they didn’t seem to mind. Of course, I apologized profusely, and they felt my sincerity, understood, and quickly forgave me. Nevertheless, I walked out of there feeling like I had made new friends…and I have.

A couple months later, I got a call from Joanna (planner) with some upsetting and scary news: Jenette had been diagnosed with breast cancer, was going to have a double-mastectomy, and an intense and aggressive regimen of chemo. My heart sank. My wife has MS. So, I understand the pain, struggle, and heartache that comes along with a diagnosis. My initial thoughts were with Jenette and the life-changing events set before her, mentally and physically.

And then, I thought of Jon. On a personal level, know what it’s like to be the support system, and what it means to have the love of your life threatened with an illness, or disease. Nothing about their journey was going to be easy.

The wedding was moved from June to August, we shot their engagement the very next week after Joanna’s call (before she started chemo), and I kept them in my thoughts and close to my heart, checking in every so often to see how they were doing, and if I could help in any way. I could definitely tell things were getting tougher as the treatments got more intense. But never did their resolve lessen. Seeing Jenette and Jon on their wedding day, made me…a little misty.

When I saw Jenette a few weeks ago getting her makeup and hair done, I told her I was proud of her. And I am. Her smile was new and powerful. Jon, too, seemed “grown up.” They had a new confidence in each other, and a new outlook on their life. It was palpable…and amazing.

I’m so, so honored to have been a part of their wedding. I’m also grateful to give Jenette and Jon these images that will allow them to remember their wedding, and all of the wonderful friends and family that surrounded them.

Planner & Florist: Joanna Bailey Weddings / Venue: Denver Art Museum / Photography: Chad Morgan Photography / Second Photographer: Amanda Forbes

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Post tags: Amanda Forbes, Art Gallery, Birdcage Veils, Chad Morgan Photography, Color Palette Purple, Colorado, contemporary, Denver, Denver Art Museum, Flower girls, Jimmy Choo, Joanna Bailey Weddings, Modern, Ring Bearers, Wedding Photography
Post categories: Contemporary, Little Black Book Blog, Wedding Photography

From the bride … Pat and I were living in Brooklyn when we got engaged, but we wanted to get married in Ann Arbor, where we met and fell in love while students at the University of Michigan. I had been an English major and was working as a book editor; Pat had been an architecture student and was working at a boutique architecture firm. We wanted a location that captured our personalities, that was unique and that had a sense of fun.

When we discovered that we could hold our wedding at the University of Michigan Museum of Art on the school’s campus, we knew we had found our dream location. The museum is beautiful—originally built in 1910, with a brand-new modern wing added in 2009. It pleased Pat’s architectural whimsies and it also tickled my little liberal-arts heart. Plus, our guests could peruse the museum’s collection during our reception!

Reverend Tom Burdette officiated the ceremony, and our talented string quartet provided stunning contemporary music – I walked down the aisle to the Beatles’ “Here Comes the Sun.” We followed the ceremony with a cocktail reception in the museum’s new wing. Then we laughed and danced the night away while our DJ spun tunes.

The lovely Gwen Kassa from University Flower Shop provided our flowers and created our sweet dahlia centerpieces, in which she used cool red and blue glass vases and gorgeous Penguin clothbound classic books.

Our day-of wedding coordinator was the fabulous Kathy Bishop. She made our day worry-free, even going on a beer run when the supply was low. Our photographers were the absolute geniuses of Jessica Johnston Photography, Nate and Jessica Johnston. Their photographs of our wedding day still leave me speechless. Our wedding day was a dream. It rained, and it didn’t even matter. There truly is nothing like being surrounded by friends and family who love you.

Photography: Jess + Nate Sudios / Wedding Gown: Vera Wang / Ceremony + Reception Venue: University of Michigan Museum of Art / Officiant: Reverend Tom Burdette / Ceremony Music: Panache Entertainment / Catering: Katherine’s Catering / Bride’s Headpiece: ban.do / Bride’s Shoes: Bloch from Laney’s Place / Jewelry: Kate Spade / Bridesmaid Dresses: J. Crew / Floral: Gwen Kassa of University Flower Shop / Day of Coordinator: Kathy Bishop / Entertainment: Lee Walch of Mike Staff Productions

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2011. | Permalink | 10 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Ann Arbor, Art Gallery, Ban.do, J. Crew, Jessica Johnston Photography, Kate Spade, Katherine's Catering, Kathy Bishop, Laney's Place, Michigan, Mike Staff Productions, Panache Entertainment, University Flower Shop, University of Michigan Museum of Art, Vera Wang
Post categories: Casual Elegance, Little Black Book Blog, Wedding Photography, Whimsical

From Botanical Floral Designs … If I hadn’t heard it so many times before, I would have thought the phrase “better together” was coined for the union of Caitlin and Sean. This very cool couple are so happy together, it is palpable when you are in the same room with them. They happened to meet when both of them were in a place of “self discovery” and looking to make some positive changes in their lives. It was kizmet they felt when they chatted and realized they had so many important things in common and were absolutely on the same path. They formed a bond quickly and easily and never looked back. They’ve been hand in hand on that path ever since.

Their wedding was very much a reflection of their taste and style. The unique, artsy venue was the perfect location. They had a scrapbook station for guests to help commemorate their day. The food was vegetarian and their cupcake tower was made of all vegan cupcakes. Their fish theme was carried throughout the day including fish gobo’s swimming along the floor.

Vintage postcards were used as save the dates; carried into the wedding day, these postcards were also used as a base for the men’s boutonnieres. Berries and colored wiring along with beading added a touch of modernity to these personal flowers.

Instead of large tables for guests, smaller tables were spread throughout the art gallery to encourage mingling as well as exploring all the food stations, including a veggie station, noodle station, risotto station, coffee bar, and milkshake bar.

Venue: Beatnik Studios / Event Planner: Do An Event Event Planning / Florist: Botanica Floral Designs / Photographer: The Memory Journalists / Catering: Crisp Catering / Bakery: Bliss Bakery / DJ: Michael Grosse / Lighting: BP Productions / Coffee Bar: A Whole Latte Love / Rentals: Tableaux Event Rental / Featured Artist at Beatnik Studios: Lorenzo Ortiz

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2011. | Permalink | 12 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: A Whole Latte Love, Art Gallery, Beatnik Studios, Bliss Bakery, Botanical Floral Design, BP Productions, California Weddings, Crisp Catering, Do An Event Planning, Sacramento, Tableaux Event Rentals, The Memory Journalists
Post categories: Casual Elegance, Little Black Book Blog, Wedding Flowers, Whimsical

from the lovely ladies at Table 6 Productions …

Since the ceremony took place in the “Loo Family Wing” AKA the Art Gallery of the Colorado Fine Arts Center, we were unable to bring in any flowers or décor because of the surrounding artwork of this room. Therefore, we decided that Tracy would walk down the aisle with a button bouquet, purchased from Etsy’s RBK Creations.

. . .

Their son, Myles, escorted his mom down the aisle {… so sweet} …

Tracy LOVES to surprise people and so when a friend of their’s wound up marrying them … everyone was …. well … surprised!

Paul is from South Africa and Tracy from Colorado Springs. They are avid bikers, so it was especially important to them to include lots of bicycle and “South African” details (think Protea flowers on the “cake centerpieces”) throughout the wedding!

more from Table 6 …

To incorporate the button theme throughout the wedding, we put buttons on top of the programs and made button table numbers as well. Their officiant {and close friend}, even made a “wheel of objection” that he spun prior to them saying their vows! Luckily, it did not land on “objection”!  They read their own version of Dr. Seuss vows and even had their son read from “The Owl and The Pussy Cat”.

Reception floral design was by Little Black Book member Delilah’s Flowers of Denver.

Wedding Cake by Elegant Bakery, Catering by Garden of the Gods Gourmet.

LOVE the images from Otto Schulze Photographers!

Thank you, thank you, thank you to Ashley & Heather at Table 6 Productions for sharing Tracy & Paul’s SO cute wedding!

Update ... a few more production details  from Ashley @ Table 6 Productions …

Following the Ceremony guests were lead down the hall for cocktail hour which began with a surprise Flamenco performance. Their Reception tables were two long banquet tables, each seating 30 people. Their escort cards hung from a bicycle wheel and the reception tables had “cake centerpieces” , which was a request from the Bride who didn’t even want to see the cakes until the day of! I had to design 6 cake centerpieces and their wedding cake, so that this would be…what else but a surprise on their wedding day! Their table numbers (made from buttons) were displayed from iron bicycles that I discovered at a local craft store. Their guestbook was a large white blank canvas where they wanted guests to write and draw their well wishes so that they could hang the canvas in their living room. At the end of the night, guests were sent home with cookies (from their favorite local bakery) and milk that had a sticker on the milk carrier that said “we hope you had a wheelie good time” love Paul and Tracy!

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Post tags: Art Gallery, Colorado, Colorado Fine Arts Center, Colorado Springs, Delilah's Flowers of Denver, Elegant Bakery, Etsy, Garden of the Gods Gourmet, Otto Schulze Photographers, RBK Productions, Table 6 Productions, Themed Weddings
Post categories: Bouquets, Casual Elegance, Contemporary, Little Black Book Blog, Wedding Planners & Designers, Whimsical