I don't know how to even begin to thank you for your awesome work at our wedding (and the few months leading up to it). Really Kristin, you were absolutely amazing! I couldn't be happier with how the wedding/reception and the entire weekend went and I know Steve feels the same way. Everything was perfect (at least from our perspective/thanks to you)! You ensured our day was calm and stress-free and that means the world to us!
I have never been so IN LOVE with a photo shoot. Honestly, one of the reasons I love this career path is because I get to collaborate with so many wonderful vendors in the wedding industry. Most of you may know my background before weddings is visual merchandise. So it’s no surprise that I love to use my creativity in a whole new light and not just weddings!
This blog was inspired by Heather’s parents who celebrate their 43rd wedding anniversary today! Everything in this blog is real…even the couple!
Cheers to all you love birds out there- here is to many more years to come… and many more weddings to plan!
For more pictures please check out Heather Roth Photography or visit Landlocked Bride for our special Valentine’s Day feature!
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!!!
I am excited to post the Great Day St. Louis holiday (Thanksgiving and Christmas) special! I know around the holidays it is tough to throwing parties while still keeping cost & budget in mind. That’s why it’s nice to go green and reuse things that you may already have around your house! Here, I showed how you can change your Thanksgiving tablescape into a Christmas look in no time and hardly adding any additional cost! Now, turn on your holiday music and get busy!!! Ha, gotta love Matt’s face here…priceless!
Tablecloth, Garland, festive ornaments: Crate and Barrel
Hurricane and Chargers: Hobby Lobby or Michaels
I can remember from a young age my parents having the Bowerman & Kennedy families over for Thanksgiving. My mom would always make sure everyone felt welcomed, loved and thankful. When I say loved, I mean she made an extra batch of deviled eggs and saved me a bowl of raw (yes raw) stuffing. As much as I like to think I was the favorite child she managed to save the dark meat for my brother and picked up a heavenly ham just for him…
We love Thanksgiving… but my mom couldn’t wait for the weekend after to start decorating our house in live size snowmen, santa’s galore, and Christmas cheer you could feel down the street. So it shouldn’t be much surprise to most that I love the holidays!! This is how it gets started at the Weis house…
First things first… Pandora! Classic Christmas music is the best!
Having a hard time deciding where to start? Pick up Real Simple- it’s my monthly must read!
“Forever Young” Essie nail polish and an “Apple Pie” Yankee candle yummm!
DIY project- yes people get out your hot glue gun and head to Hobby Lobby. This year’s big thing is making your own wreath. Before anyone walks in your door, welcome them with a little holiday cheer…
(You need; a plain wreath, about 50-60 ornaments (hint get the ones on sale!), hot glue gun, ribbon and about 30 minutes).
I am not a GREAT cook and that’s no secret…I get all my tasty treats from blogs such as; Pioneer Woman, Real Simple, Smitten Kitchen and Yummy Mummy. I got this cute little appetizer idea from a friend of my Ashley Brooke that she made for the holidays. We picked this simple cranberry treat from Yummy Mummy!
Who doesn’t love a nice martini (please drink responsibly) or the alternative hot chocolate for all those who prefer a nice nonalcoholic drink. Check out Real Simples 10 Ideas for: holiday cocktails this Pomegranate Martini is just as delicious as it looks!
If you haven’t learned by now, I love Purdue, basketball, my family and well I am a sucker for paper goods! I took my Christmas card from last year (designed by Ashley Brooke Designs) and framed it in my kitchen I loved it sooo much! If there is one thing I miss most about Indiana (besides corn and tomatoes) is going to Purdue basketball games with my Dad. I hope you enjoy our holiday/team spirit as much as we do!
Saving the best for last…. My dear friend and blogger Nina Helleny of According to Nina and friend Erin came up with 25 Acts of Kindness which I LOVE! I printed this off and stuck it to my fridge (best way to look at it multiple times a day). Be sure to follow her throughout the holidays because I am sure she will have some great ideas/projects for the season!
Meet Kate and Grant Wiegmann…they were my August 20th clients. Kate and I first met because of her dear old Mizzou DG sorority sister, Mollie Lange (my previous client). Kate shared with me her and Grant’s ideal St. Louis wedding over a glass of champagne in celebration of their engagement last winter. They both live in South Carolina yet grew up in Missouri, so it was imperative to bring a little bit of Southern hospitality into their Midwestern wedding. Kate and I went back and forth with various ideas, modern inspirations, St. Louis locations and tons of tiny details that would end up making their day nothing less than ‘perfect’. I only got to see Kate and Grant a hand full of times but she became one of my dearest friends. I found myself chatting with her late nights beginning with”wedding talk” then diverting to latest Bachelor kicked off The Bachelorette.
I always talk about how I love getting to know my clients not only on a business level but a personal one as well. One of my favorite moments to this day with a client would be with Kate and Grant. Kate, Grant and I went to the church on one of their visits to St. Louis (they have never seen the church but booked it based on my word, ha). I could tell they were nervous and anxious to see it for the first time… when we walked outside, Kate jumped up in Grant’s arms with this radiant smile and said, “BABE, I love it! We are getting MARRIED!!!” I honestly loved being a part of ‘their’ special moment. It reminded me that it’s not only about the big day…it’s everything leading up to it as well that makes it all the better. As you can see from these AMAZING pictures captured by Heather Roth Photography, just how in love these guys are. (Please check out Heather’s blog for more pictures)
Now, for the good stuff… As you can see, Kate is a very chic, modern, easygoing, JCrew/Kate Spade prep stylish girl who knows exactly what she wants (my kinda girl). Her wedding must have was Gebbs Film (see previous post from their same day edit). Heather Roth photography was the perfect fit for Kate and Grant, it was a “love at first site” kind of thing. The floral was certainly not Grant’s main priority, but Kate and I had a vision for none other than Becky Huffman to create a look with white floral, fresh plants and twigs and it was amazing! Lumen Event Space was hands down Kate and Grant’s look, they wanted a reception with food stations so guests could mix and mingle over the course of dinner and it was fabulous (not to mention the Farmers Market station, WOW-delish)!
Oh, I forgot to mention the Wiegmann Gin Bucket- hey it’s family tradition, you know I had to get in on the fun!
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…
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 must admit this is probably one of the most fun-loving couples I’ve ever met. Maggie, Micah and families will travel from New Mexico and Texas to the rolling hills of Richland, MO for their July 2nd Rustic tent wedding. Maggie spent much of her life visiting with family and friends at the beautiful Nickens family country home just outside of Waynesville, MO. I can’t wait to blog about the details of this wedding! I have been waiting to explore my Midwest country-side wedding design for years now… make sure you bring your dancing boots and Yee-Haww’s – because Kristin Ashley Events is going country!
Cristy Cross captured Maggie and Micah’s Engagement pictures in New Mexico.
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.
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.
