landlocked bride | midwest wedding inspiration

Image courtesy of k. holly photography

The second I saw the below photo, I thought of one person and one person only.  Groomsman A.  Now, he’s not getting married, but the guy is from Texas.

I can remember one of the first stories he told me when he started his new job in New York (you read that right, he left Texas and moved to New York to work for an airline).  He had been working at this airline for about a month or so, wearing his cowboy boots each day to work, when someone finally told him it might be a good idea to buy a pair of dress shoes.  I thought he was going to die.  So, of course, when I saw Lisa posted this photo, it immediately reminded me of how A loves his cowboy boots.  I’m pretty sure if given the option, he’d wear them at the wedding!

Image courtesy of Lisa Hessel Photography

I hope I didn’t embarrass him (and I’m pretty sure he doesn’t read this blog), but I couldn’t not share this story.

Now that is a wedding exit!

Image courtesy of The Parsons Photographers via Southern Weddings

So, if you haven’t heard, Turquoise is the “it” color for 2010.  While I love turquoise, I love other colors more.  Namely, plum/eggplant.  Jewel tones are gorgeous at ANY time of the year, and this purple can be rocked is something fun and flirty, or long and elegant (I’m talking bridesmaids dresses).

And, if you don’t want to take my word for it, see for yourself.

Image courtesy of Amelia Lyon Photography

Or this one, which I’m a huge fan of and plan on purchasing for something.  It’s from Nordstrom, too, which means it’s an easy buy.

Image courtesy of Nordstrom

Michelle Torno of Memorable Events

1. What type of services do you offer to brides and grooms?

Memorable Events offers wedding packages from venue set up to full planning. Our most popular request is for day of coordination. I usually tell my brides if they think they need help with it I will take care of it.

2. How long have you been in the wedding industry and where are you located?

I have been in the wedding industry since 2005, previously I worked on corporate events. Memorable Events is located in Hudsonville, MI which is halfway between the lakeshore and Grand Rapids, but I will travel the entire state for events.

3. What type of couples do you like to work with (traditional, modern, etc.)?

I love working with all types of clients. Lately I have been working with a lot of DIY brides that are looking for someone to bounce ideas off of and to pull all their ideas together on the day of.

4. Is there anything within your business that you specialist in (green weddings, floral design, etc.).

I specialize in Day Of Coordination. I pride myself in being able to see a couple’s vision both in all the little details and the overall picture and am able to bring their vision into reality.

5. What do you think sets you apart from other vendors in the industry?

I believe what sets me apart from other vendors is that I have a great ability to think outside of the box. I think through an event from every angle, the guests, the couple, and the families and make sure every need will be met leading up to and on the day of the event.

6. What advice would you give to a bride and/or groom who is just beginning his/her wedding planning journey?

I hate to see couples overwhelmed with the planning process during their engagement. I tell all my clients to make sure they put each other first and focus on the real reason for the wedding, their marriage.

7. When you’re not busy planning weddings for couples, how do you like to spend your downtime?

When I am not busy with weddings I am at home enjoying all my boys…my husband, my 10 month old son and my dog. We love to go to the lake and to camp. But in reality, planning is 24/7!! The only real break I get is when there isn’t wireless service!

So, I realized I have not shared many of the details of our wedding lately and wanted to bring some of you up to speed.  I also realize there are a million other things I still need to blog about, so bare with me.

Since the moment the Pilot and I got engaged, we have been racking our brains to find the perfect rehearsal dinner venue.  Now, to most couples, this is probably the least of our worries, but we really wanted to find a spot that is unique and/or different, somewhere fun.  There are a lot of places in town where many people have their rehearsal dinners, but we wanted to find something else.

Choice #1:

The first and obvious choice for us was Sage.

This particular restaurant is a big favorite of mine and the Pilot’s.  And, a big plus? They have a large private space on their second level, which is devoted entirely to private events.  We loved the idea that we would sort of have our own little party area.  Sage was opened a few years ago in the historic Soulard neighborhood in downtown Saint Louis.  It look over the same location where Lynch Street Bistro was housed.  The restaurant is literally a 5 minute walk from the front doors of the Anheuser-Busch Tour Center (and, you can trust me – I used to be a tour guide there).

And, on to the food.  Oh, man is the food good.  It’s pretty American, but they really try to keep it seasonal and local (big bonus).  Not to mention, the Pilot loves their chili and tuna, and I’m quite fond of their pulled pork sandwich and Amber Bock onion rings.  Now, if I only had pictures to share, because, they would so make you hungry.  The lunch and dinner menu, although not huge, is filled with deliciousness.  As for dessert – they offer little dessert shots. My favorite? Pumpkin gooey butter cake (and for you non-Saint Louisans – here is a little background on Gooey Butter Cake, only one of the best desserts ever).

An acquaintance of mine from college recently got engaged a few weeks ago, and when I heard the story of her engagement, I sent her a message to find out more details!

I asked her to provide a few details and she gave me permission to use a few of the pictures, and she willingly agreed (which means I get to share with you all!). Here’s the story in her own words!

“He proposed to me on New Year’s Eve, which was the day of our first kiss two years ago. He made me dinner that night and after dinner we were talking about these past two years and he told me he had a gift for me. He had given me a wrapped present which had the Viewmaster inside. As I was flipping through the pictures (which were of us over the past two years), I heard him fumbling with something under the table.

That’s when I knew he was up to something! When I got to the last picture of him with the box, of course I started crying! I put down the Viewmaster and he was on one knee with the ring! He asked me again and obviously I said Yes! I definitely was not expecting anything like that!”

And, in case you’re wondering – this was the very last picture in the Viewmaster:

Just goes to show, guys sure can get creative!

Have a proposal story you would like to share? Send your story to brit at landlockedbride dot com!

What an enchantingly romantic ceremony location?!

Image courtesy of Jeff Greenough Photographers via Southern Weddings

Dear J.Crew,

Why must you continually produce the most chic dresses?  I already own like every single dress in your bridesmaid collection in every color, but when I laid my eyes upon this piece in your latest catalog, I was sold (again).

Image courtesy of J.Crew

Granted, it looks pretty similar to my bridesmaids’ dress, but I can’t not buy you to wear at a shower or rehearsal.

Anyone else have similar problems in that they keep buying dresses? I hope I’m not alone…

Trust me, I love heels, but I couldn’t resist sharing this cute pair of flats.

Image courtesy of Beth Berry Photography

And, if you know who the designer is, please share for the rest of the readers!