I recently received a few unbelievably kind thank you notes from recent clients and even one couple who got married a year ago! I was so happy about their kind words that I decided to post on our blog. I am so lucky to be able to do what I do and meet such wonderful people.

I love creating these relationships through the wedding planning and keeping them after couples are married. It truly is a wonderful feeling to play such a large part in the most memorable day of people's lives. My team and I try so hard to make people happy and keep improving with every wedding and I think it shows. I'm so proud of our weddings and accomplishments and look forward to touching many more people's lives with our services!

Typical of most years, Memorial day weekend was the first weekend booked for a wedding for 2011. I was absolutely over the moon excited about working with Shannon and Bryan on their 5/29/11 nuptials, as I knew this was going to be quite the wedding event! They wanted everything at the Ritz Carlton's beautiful Silver Grille room (which, if you're a regular Kirkbrides blog reader, you know we love doing weddings in that room!). As our planning relationship evolved, I learned a few things:

• they wanted a very contemporary blue and white "South Beach" feel for the cocktail hour with trendy food stations including thai, sushi and a few big long bars
  
• all white for the ceremony and all white with lots of sparkle for the reception as well, with just a touch of Shannon's favorite color purple for the lighting
• a big grand entrance to wow guests as they arrived for the ceremony
  
• they LOVE their Yorkie dogs and we used them on the save the dates dressed as a bride and groom, as well as an ice sculpture at the ice cream bar at the reception!

• they have wonderful families who were so very fun and kind to work with along the way of planning for 16 months

Our day was made perfect by the following vendors showcased in the pictures:
Floral and Decor: Arne at Blooms by Plantscaping
Cake: White Flower Cake Shoppe
Photography: New Image
Videography and Video Booth: Moonstruck Productions
Band: Jerry Bruno Orchestra
Lighting and Draping: Rock the House

These two are a picture perfect couple who I'm certain will share a lifetime of joy, love and fun together!
Congratulations Shannon and Bryan!





























Some pictures taken by Zack at Rock the House:

Best Season for this theme: Spring or Fall

Cleveland Venues that would work well for this wedding style:
Legend Lake Golf Club
Hoyt Block Atrium at Blue Point
Club Hillbrook

Music:

• Use an Irish guitarist/singer during your cocktail hour or reception, such as Mossy
• Use a fiddle player to send the bride down the aisle or to provide dinner music during the reception
• There are plenty of Celtic bands in the Cleveland area, look into hiring one for entertainment during cocktail hour

Other Ideas:

• Irish brides often carry a horseshoe for good luck, incorporate a porcelain one in a bouquet or a fabric one in a bracelet but make sure to have it turned up so its luck doesn't run out
• Use different shades of green in your decor- emerald green, forest green, and mint green can be a beautiful combination
• Use a custom seating board and place tables in the shape of Ireland
• The chime of bells is thought to keep evil spirits away, restore harmony if the couple is fighting, and remind the couple of their wedding vows so instead of rice pass out a tiny bell to ring after the ceremony to celebrate with the couple
• Specialty drinks: Guinness, Irish coffee served after dinner, or a cocktail that contains Bailey's Irish Cream, for example an Irish Ghost (Bailey's, Kahlua, Irish Mist herbal liquer, and cream) or an Irish Paddy (Bailey's, creme de cacao, and green creme de menthe)
• Include English Lavender in the brides bouquet it symbolizes her love and devotion
• Consider using shades of gold and brown as your accent color, using it in chargers, table easel's or reception stationary
• Brainstorm with your caterer and serve traditional Irish style hor's d'oueveres
• Placing decorative herbs in the brides hair stands for her fidelity to her new husband
• Favors could include tiny chocolates in the shapes of shamrocks or claddaughs, personalized Guinness mugs or tiny loaves of Irish soda bread!
• Use a custom made guest book where guests can write their "luck" to you
• Incorporate the idea of lucky in love, possibly including the phrase "We are so lucky to be in love" in invitations or save the dates!

St. Patrick's Day is considered the luckiest wedding anniversary date in Ireland!