Real Wedding | Mairead & Christian

I had the great honor of helping Mairead and Christian on their beautiful wedding day. Talk about a fun, amazing couple! They were an absolute blast to work with and some of the nicest people I have ever met.

The very talented Yuliya, from Yuka Photo Art captured their special day. Here are a few shots that I wanted to share - I love how she was able to capture the pure magic of the day. The day was full of love, joy, laughter, and excitement. A big thank you to Mairead & Christian for being such a pleasure to work with and for such an incredible day!

Check out some of the awesome details at Facebook.com. Just search "Queen City Weddings."

Ceremony & Reception Location: The Saturn Club

Photographer: Yuliya, YukaPhotoArt

DJ: Frank Sansone, Joy Ryde

Flowers: Maureens

Books n' Babies - A Cute Baby Shower Idea!

This past summer, I had the absolute honor of helping my mother plan a very special baby shower for my sister-in-law, brother, and their baby-to-be! I was so excited to hear the news that I was going to be an aunt again and wanted to do something special for my niece/nephew (they didn't find out the sex of the baby). In wanting to do so, I knew that sometimes, due to the use of registries, showers can lose that personal touch.

So in trying to keep it personal for my little niece/nephew, I decided to add a little twist to the ever-so-popular Hallmark card. I have heard this idea here and there, but I wanted to share it with everyone because it really was fun - not to mention something that the family can enjoy (and pass down) for years to come - rather than throwing away a cardboard card.

On the shower invitation kindly ask the guests to bring a storybook for the baby in lieu of a card. Also include on the invitation to please include their special thoughts, advice or blessings for the baby on the inside cover so both the baby and parents can keep and treasure your words. This was really a hit at the shower, and my sister-in-law walked out with a basket full of personalized books for their baby! Because o the popularity of the book poem, I thought it was perfect to include in a blog for easy access - and so more babies can enjoy the gift of reading!

Although cards are nice with their sentiment and prayer,

They're read once or twice then tucked away with care.

A book is a treasure - words and pictures unite

Read over and over to teach and delight.

So instead of a card for baby and mother,

Please give a child's book with your thoughts in the cover.

Your book will be cherished; God will watch from above,

When it's read they will remember your kindness and love.

Ps. I am now the proud aunt of niece Shylah Belle. She is one of the happiest babies I know and loves reading her books. ;-)

Stock the Bar!!

Mixed in with the many summer events that I attended this past summer was a "Stock the Bar" party. It was a night full of fun, friends, and plenty of amazing drinks! A "Stock the Bar" party is a fun housewarming (or shower) idea for those who want to do something a bit different - and wake up to a bar full of liquor!

When my husband and I were first invited to the housewarming party, I knew that I had to do something with a little more "umphhh" than the usual bottle of Citron or Jack Daniels. So, I decided to put together a fun little "stock the bar" basket to help celebrate the first time home buyers!

With the help of Toast Events, and some online searching of the best recipe, I found this awesome Key Lime Pie Martini recipe (see below). I bought a bottle of Smirnoff Vanilla Vodka, Parrot Bay Coconut Rum with Lime, and lime juice for the core part of the recipe. Then added a box of graham cracker crumbs and a lime for a tasty garnish - and finished the basket with a martini shaker, plastic martini glasses and a printed copy of the recipe! Not only was it a blast to put together, but we were also invited over again shortly after the party to make this scrumptious drink. Yummmm!

Key Lime Pie Martini

ß 1.5 oz vanilla vodka
ß 1 oz coconut rum
ß 3/4 oz lime juice
ß Splash of pineapple juice
ß 1/2 oz of cream/half and half - the cream is what makes it look like the pie.

Mix all ingredients in a shaker tin filled half way with ice. Cap with a mixing glass and shake gently. The trick here is to chill the ingredients without diluting them too much. Strain into a chilled martini glass.

Apologies!

Just a quick note to say that I am so sorry for my lack of posts lately! Things have been absolutely crazy in both my personal and professional life - and I haven't had a minute to blog. I promise to be back in full force. (hopefully - fingers crossed.) :-)

I am very excited about the fall and everything that the fall brings - the change in leaves, yummy smelling cinnamon brooms and candles, fun fall decorations, the crisp refreshing air, delicious apple cider, plump pumpkins and the like! And along with fall comes a calming effect for me. A time when I can grab a hot cup of coffee (or sweet cider), a nice warm blanket or comfy sweatshirt, and my thoughts - and head out to my rocking chair on my back porch where I can gather and share with you my life happenings, my business and more amazing wedding ideas!

Stay tuned! <3>

30 Little Wedding Upgrades Worth Every Cent!!

As I was perusing through my new Brides magazine, I found an article that I just had to share - 100 Wedding Upgrades for $100! I narrowed it down to my top 30, but feel free to pick up the August 2010 copy for the full article! These great ideas add that special touch to your event without breaking the bank, actually without breaking a $100! Enjoy! :-)

1. Favor Stickers; beau-coup.com

2. Custom Wine Labels; myownlabels.com

3. Custom Invitation Stamps; artisticpostage.com

4. Vinyl Wall Devals; Wallsneedlove.com

5. Twinkle Lights; Partylights.com

6. Gobo For Dance Floor; goboman.com

7. Pair of Wreaths for Church Doorwawy; Creativedecorations.com

8. Paper Lanterns; Orientaltrading.com

9. Personalized Table Runners; Idooriginals.com

10. Groom's Cake

11. Ice-Cream station

12. Mini Cupcakes

13. Pre-Ceremony lemonade and Iced Tea

15. Customized Totes for Attendants; llbean.com

16. Mini Touchup Kits for attendants; Sephora.com

17. Pedestal Tables

18. Napkin Upgrades

19. Getaway-Car Upgrade

20. Organza Overlay for Cake Table; Tableclothrental.com

21. One 45-minute pre-wedding Private Dance Lesson

22. Monogram Cake Topper

23. Monogram Font; Myfont.com

24. "Just Married" Car Banner; abridesride.com

25. Crystal Toasting FLutes

26. Bathroom Toiletry Baskets

27. Sparklers for Getaway

28. Flip-flops for Dancing Guests

29. Custom Maps for Guests; Distinctivedirections.com

30. Candy-Favor Boxes; Favorstudio.com

Happy Planning!

DIY | Illuminated Table Numbers

Feeling Creative? Here is another great DIY idea to add an extra special touch to your tables! Table numbers are a great way to be creative and add to your decor without breaking the bank. Plus, I love how you can customize them to your exact colors and theme!! These illuminated table numbers were featured on the Intimate Weddings Blog and were made by Tuppence of Momfetti.

To learn how to make these gorgeous additions check it out {here}

Have other great table number ideas? Send them my way to be featured on the blog!! Email me at Johanna{at}QueenCityWeddings{dot}com.

I'm Back!

Just a quick apology for the lack of posts lately. My mother was in a pretty bad accident and my focus was put on her. Thank goodness she is already getting back into the swing of things and she is already a lot better. Thanks for all of the love and prayers!

With that, paired with Memorial Day and all of the festivities that went along with that wonderful day of honor, I have been pretty MIA on the blog. No worries though! I am working on some pretty fun posts for the upcoming weeks. Stay tuned!!

Vendors: I am updating my vendor listing and would love to talk to you about adding your business! Contact me at Johanna@queencityweddings.com. Thanks!