Thank you, thank you, thank you for all that you have done for us the day of our wedding. I knew that at the rehearsal dinner, I could hand you all of the details and I knew everything would go off without a hitch - and it DID!"
I often get asked the question, “How can I make my wedding unique?” Well, for starters make it your own and a great way of doing it is thinking outside the box when it comes to your gift registry! I sat down with Dana Dean, to talk alternative wedding gift registries for this season. The wedding industry has came a long way, just four years ago when my husband and I were shopping for our registry it was such a painful experience! Now, you can registry for pretty much anything you want or even let your guests decide between a gift off of Etsy, excursions for your honeymoon, repairs for your home or even a donation to your local humane society. Watch my interview with Dana Dean as she explains our top picks!
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For the full article visit the following link KSDK
Meet Dallis and Scott- this crazy in love couple tied the knot just after the New Year at City Museum, here in St. Louis. Dallis and Scott are professional Roller Derby players and are probably one of the coolest couples I’ve ever worked with. She is as charming as they come and Scott (aka Scotty) loves and adores everything about her, which is such a powerful thing to see in couples. Behind all the glamour of my job I truly enjoy a beautiful wedding and when I heard them share their vows (they wrote their own) it was a moment I’ll never forget, I couldn’t help but to reach for my heart and whip my tear… Not to mention she has one heck of a voice
Dallis and Scott really wanted the wedding to be special and reflect who they are. They had a Steampunk Themed wedding, playful/fun environment (City Museum), and an amazing band (Griffin and the Gargoyles). The flower girl came in on Roller Skates (she rocked it) and the two ring bearers came in with firefly mason jars- too cute! The photobooth and dance floor was packed the entire night and I am happy to say, no one left early! Many of the guests enjoyed the theme and came in costumes or brought fun props. This was a very unique wedding, which makes me love it even more!!!
Nothing is more fun for me than getting to work with couples who love to have FUN! Christine and Larry recently went back to the place they first laid eyes on each other, Mizzou (Missouri University) for their engagement pictures. Christine and Larry have been planning their November 26th wedding for months now and it’s hard to believe it is just around the corner! When Christine and Larry are together it just makes sense…and I am looking forward to sending this beautiful bride down the aisle in just a few short weeks!
I am amazed by how many wonderful people I get to work with and for. There is no exception for this couple, it seems like yesterday I started working with Kate and Grant. Kate and Grant both grew up in Missouri and now reside in South Carolina, it was important for them to guarantee their friends and family from all over had the best St. Louis experience. They wanted food stations, welcome bags, great music and simple yet elegant decor. This is just a little sneak peek to their day…more details and photos soon!! (You can’t tell me their first look doesn’t give you goosebumps…every stinking time!)
Kate and Grant thanks so much for letting me be apart of your special day.
Big thanks to all my wonderful St. Louis vendors…
Trying to stay cool this summer at events?! Special thanks to KMOV for having me on air this morning to talk about all the fun ways to stay cool at summer outdoor events! Check out our next blog for recipes and more ideas!
This special couple got married on June 4th at the Millstadt Trinity Lutheran Church in Millstadt, IL. Frank and Kristen met in the summer of 2007 and dated, get this… overseas for the past four years. Frank moved to England at the age of 16 to play for a well known International soccer (football) team called Arsenal. (He now plays for Carlisle United.) So when Frank happen to visit home for a summer, we aren’t sure if it was fate or luck that Kristen was at the same graduation party but that was the night it all got started.
I was privileged enough to be apart of this special occasion. Yes, I helped with the planning aspect, but on the flip side I got to be IN a wedding for once! Frank just so happens to be my husband’s cousin (who was the Best Man). When Frank told us he met a girl who had long brown hair, beautiful, smart, kind hearted and her name was KristEn I thought for sure he had a secret crush on me. Come to find out she was the real deal and not only did he fall in love with her, so did our family. After we met Kristen, we advised Frank the smartest decision he would ever make was keeping her…and that he did. And now I am honored to call her one of my best friends.
Everything about their day was perfect. The guys got ready at the Weis house and girls got ready at the Simek house (a near 50 yards away in the middle of no where). It was a casual hot summer day as we got ready and hopped on the church bus, driven by Ryan, with no AC and radio, we sang our own tunes and laughed the entire way there. It was all fun and games until it was time to walk down the aisle. It was such an emotional yet joyful ceremony,there wasn’t a dry eye in the church. Afterwards, we traveled to Washington University for some classic wedding pictures and headed back over the river to the Illinois side. Their reception was exactly what Kristen envisioned; soft, feminine, romantic and well perfect!
When Kristen and Frank got engaged, I told them that I got to meet with Switzerfilm when I was working with Engaging Events by Ali in Chicago and they would be perfect for their wedding. Not only did this team meet my expectations but they exceeded it in more ways than one (film and video)! Everyone gushed for days about how wonderful their same day edit was. We worked hard, laughed much and enjoyed every minute of their company.
Accessories: Nelle Handbag, Etsy accessories for bride. Groom American Flag cuff links and boutonnieres by Etsy
Something New: Dress, Something Borrowed: Cake Knife and Server (Kristin and Ryan), Something Old: Great Great Grandmother’s Engagement Ring, Something Blue: Blue Initial Stitching done by Grandmother
I can hardly put into words how much I love my job and the amazing clients I get to work with. I have been updating you all about my March 12th bride and groom since we got together back in February 2010. Mollie was my client who I like to describe as “love at first sight”. Mollie didn’t care that she was my first St. Louis bride, she trusted my experience and I admire Mollie for giving me the opportunity to use her as my first St. Louis client… and the wedding went on without a hitch!
Mollie came to me with an inspiration board consisting of; JCrew, champagne, sweet green, a little dazzle, chic flowers, pin spot lighting and well the hint of pink that came months later. Seeing that Mollie and Matt (both St. Louis natives) dated for nine years before they got married, all 170 guests were like family to them. Mollie didn’t always know what she wanted but knew what she didn’t want and never wasted time getting those on board for their dream wedding.
Mollie rocked her Monique Lhuiller dress, Huffords jewelry, Dominic Michael hair/make up and Kate Spade shoes.
Tina is one of St. Louis’s sought out florist, she listened to Mollie’s vision and within an hour knew exactly what we wanted! Melinda, with Paper Frosting, has a keen eye for detail and custom made all stationary.
Matt has this witty charm about him that can light up a room. When I saw Matt’s face as he looked at Mollie walking down the aisle, I thought he was going to fall flat on his face- it was like he saw her for the first time. Standing behind the doors, waiting to send Mollie down the aisle I found myself holding back the tears and trying to hide my goodsebumps. It is a feeling I get when I know a marriage is going to last forever.
I love how Clary captured these moments using Film- this look is perfect for this couple. Clary is known as one of St. Louis’s top wedding photographers, you can clearly see why!
Mollie used different frames for all tables to make every table unique.
Their effortless love is one that I look up to. I am happy to say this couple will remain life longs friends of mine and I am forever grateful to be a part of their special day.
I am so excited to share St. Louis Town and Style current issue features a Kristin Ashley Events wedding! Stephen Schultz, with Schultz & Myers Law and his dazzling wife, Tara got married at Graham Chapel follow by a glamorous reception at Chase Park Plaza in the Zodiac Room on August 7th, 2010. The couple danced the night away inside and out on the 11th floor terrace overlooking St. Louis. Check out all the details of this unforgettable wedding or be sure to pick up a copy!
Lacey is sophomore at Mizzou University studying Communications. After graduation Lacey is wanting to get into the event industry focusing on Public Relations. I asked her to assist me last summer with a few weddings because I saw something in her that I don’t see in a lot of college students. Lacey comes up with creative ideas, very fashionable and has the ability to think on her feet! She can talk to anyone, has a heart of gold, intelligent and willing to work with me…
Meet Lacey Weis
Kristin Ashley: Why do you want to work for Kristin Ashley?
Lacey Weis: I have always enjoyed attending weddings but didn’t know how much I liked them until I worked some with you last summer. The most rewarding part of a wedding would be the pre-wedding process and organization of all the minor and major details. The actual wedding day is the best because you are able to see everything come together. It takes a lot of patience, organization, delegation and ability to initiate which are all skills that I will use in the future.
Kristin Ashley: What past experience do you think will help you succeed when working with a wedding planner?
Lacey: I love planning things in general, such as; charity events, sorority functions, family get together’s, etc… I sacrificed a lot of my weekends in past summers working so I don’t see working on the weekends as a major burden.
Kristin Ashley: What do you look forward to when working with Kristin Ashley this summer?
Lacey: I am looking forward to working with a great wedding coordinator doing extraordinary weddings in St. Louis. I really enjoyed seeing couples like Nina and Joe Helleny get married. It was gratifying to see how happy the clients were after we put so much hard work into their day. I really wanted to work for a St. Louis wedding planner so I can get hands on experience in the industry. I think Kristin Ashley Events will be a perfect fit for me!
Kristin Ashley: In three words, describe yourself!
Welcome to my blog! I am very excited to create Kristin Ashley Events in St. Louis. The thought of creating my own business started as a little idea, but watching it come alive is a dream come true. Although you know a little personal information after reading my “about me,” some additional details might peak your interest and give you a further insight as to how Kristin Ashley Events came about. I met my husband a month into college, and shortly after I just knew he was “the one”. After a few months of dating, I inevitably joined “theknot.com”. Shortly after this discovery, I found myself much more interested in the wedding industry than in statistics or finance.
Kristin and Ryan having dinner with Ali and Jon
After obtaining my college degree in consumer relations, working in retail management, and doing a lot of self-reflection, I decided to give the wedding industry a shot. Privileged enough to work for Ali Phillips with the very well-respected and prestigious, Engaging Events by Ali, I acquired enough courage and confidence in myself to one day open my own business. Two years later, my husband and I moved back to his native city, St. Louis. (For you St. Louisans: Yes, I like Anheuser Busch products. Sorry, I still remain a Cubs fan. Last, I went to high school in Indiana in case you were wondering).
The following people have assisted me along this journey, and I would like to personally extend my gratitude for all their hard work and encouragement to make Kristin Ashley Events happen. My brother Ryan, my father Ed, and my mother Madonna- you have always told me to take risks in life, never give up, and to be the best I can be. My husband, Ryan, who gives me unconditional love and support- thank you for being my backbone. My in-laws: Mark, Lauri, Tara, and Andy- you helped create a place for me here in St. Louis in which I have grown to love. Ali Phillips, you are the reason I started Kristin Ashley Events, and without you I couldn’t have done it; you are the best friend anyone could ask for. I would like to also thank those who have helped Kristin Ashley Events come alive: Sarah Alair Photography, Jamie Sanger Photography; Switzerfilm and Nick Gerber with Gerber and Scarpelli for my amazing headshots; Justen Hong with Visual Lure for creating the most unbelievable website; and Jenna Plonka with Clementine Ink for your brilliant designs. A special recognition and gratefulness must also extend to all my vendor support back in Chicago. Finally to all my past brides- you all truly inspire me to do each and every wedding better than the one before.
Come to find out she was the real deal and not only did he fall in love with her, so did our family. After we met Kristen, we advised Frank the smartest decision he would ever make was keeping her…and that he did. And now I am honored to call her one of my best friends.
