Way back when VHS tapes were first introduced, Bruce Springsteen released Born to Run, and gas was only 44 cents/gallon, a blonde haired, green eyed girl named Andrea was born in Akron, Ohio. Three months later and more than 8,000 miles away, when India was in the grips of an emergency, an adorable baby boy named Jayaprakash (JP) was born in Mumbai, India. They may have grown up halfway around the world from each other, but shared many similarities like going to Catholic school, a love of reading, rocking out to Bon Jovi, and watching videos on MTV. As fate would have it, they both got jobs at the same company a few years after graduating from college - Annie in Cincinnati, Ohio and JP in Hyderabad, India.



They ended up working together a couple of years ago on a project in Jacksonville, Florida. After one very long day at work, Annie invited JP out to dinner with a group of team members. JP slung his backpack over his shoulder, said “no thanks”, and strolled nonchalantly out of the conference room. Annie didn't know that he was heading home to work the rest of the night, so all she could think was what a nerd JP must be to pass up a fun evening out with friends! Annie never invited him out again after that. Six months later, they both happened to attend a co-worker’s birthday dinner and had a great time together. Soon, they were inseparable…



JP wooed Annie with homemade tea after work and dinners cooked from scratch. Soon, they fell in love! They spent a whirlwind week in Paris last Summer, JP met Annie’s family last Fall. They traveled to India this past Spring to work for a few weeks, see the sights, and to most importantly meet JP's family.


Towards the end of their trip in India, they went to a romantic little resort in Kumarakom. On April 19, 2008 JP chartered a speed boat so they could explore the surrounding lakes and the famous Kumarakom backwaters. Just before heading back to the resort, JP proposed! And of course, Annie said yes!!!


Shortly after that, Annie got in touch with ME to start planning her wedding! We found an amazing venue, developed out a theme and booked awesome vendors very suited to their personality. Halfway through the planning, JP came into town to help us! Annie, JP and Pat (Annie's mom) were just some of the nicest clients I have ever worked with! Annie is such an endearing person because she is so real, she's funny and very loving with everyone in her life.
Many thanks goes to Scott and Julie at Easywind Studio for these awesome and colorful pictures!

This winter wonderland, indian influenced and romance wedding was one of THE most BEAUTIFUL weddings I have ever seen. Congratulations Annie & JP! I hope to keep in touch and see you sometime when you're back in Ohio!

Andrea and JP are getting married on Saturday and the Kirkbrides team could not be more excited! They have such an amazing love story and this wedding has turned out to be quite the affair. We have touches of winter wonderland, romance and India. That is where JP has moved from to be with Andrea!

Andrea has picked out the color "Kirkbrides magenta" :-) as her main accent color, along with steel gray/silver and black. Here is a picture of the menu we have custom created just for them. Pictures will most definitely be posted next week after the big day. You won't want to miss pictures on the horse and carriage we have rented either! I can't wait to show you all of the fabulous details we have planned. Stay tuned...

Yesterday I attended the baby shower for Jenny, one of my best friends. It is hard to believe that we've been best friends since we met on the school bus in 1990! She is due with a girl on February 25.  Her sister had a baby girl just 10 months ago and brought her to the shower.  Check out the picture I caught, while Aly put her hands on her aunt's belly while her mom looks on in the background.  I definitely think this needs a frame!  Is a future in photography in store for Kirkbrides in addition to wedding planning??  hahaha, just kidding.

I'm a big fan of feminine, mindless romantic comedies. I love seeing them in the movie theater - such a great way to escape from the world for 90 minutes or so! Last week I went to see Bride Wars with my matron of honor. I thought it was hilarious and for about the first half of the movie I found myself laughing and personally relating to almost every line.

I LOVED the part where Kate Hudson's character is at the stationery store with her fiance shopping for save the dates, and she gets mad because they have been there for hours, she still hasn't picked anything and he doesn't care which one they pick. That is so classic!

Some of my favorite quotes:
"Your wedding better watch it."
"Your wedding is going to be huge...just like your ass at prom."
"Your wedding can suck it."

Spoiler alert: (if you haven't seen the movie stop reading this post now!)


Since they end the movie with both of the brides being pregnant, I wonder if there will be a "Pregnant Wars" sometime next year! Funny ending, since my MOH is 8 months pregnant! I only hope that I will look like her when I am pregnant...still her skinny little body, it just looks like she stuffed two basketballs into her sweater.

Loved Bride Wars and can't wait to see it again!

Did you know?

An estimated 30% of brides get engaged between October and the holidays, which means come New Year's they are looking to book their wedding planner, reception site, caterer, photographer and more.
Source: The Knot User Study

Did you know?

Believe it or not, you actually receive a return on your wedding coordination investment. This can be financial, in selecting the right vendors, picking the right packages, coming up with the best creative direction for the budget and receiving Kirkbrides discounts from vendors. Non-financial return would include what your time and stress level is worth to you. Another return on investment is the enjoyment you have on your wedding day and memories for years to come.

When you have direction in planning the creative aspects, this is the best way hands down to create a personalized wedding as well as staying within budget.

Call us if you are curious about how a wedding planner can help you get started with planning your wedding! We can meet to talk about your wedding, our packages and possibly customize one for you!

Happy New Year!


Photos courtesy of Rodriguez Photography

I've received so many comments about the Old Glam wedding from my clients and vendors that I decided to post some more pictures! These pictures come courtesy of Nathan Migal at Imagen Photography. He came along with Scott from Easywind to cover the second shooting duty while Julie was on maternity leave. It was the first time I'd met Nathan and I look forward to working with him and Marisa in the future because these pictures are gorgeous!



I'm in love with these flower girl pictures.


Today I had lunch with Vanessa at Sushi Rock. It was so nice to catch up and talk all about the wedding, as well as future plans to stay in touch. We are both Scorpios, her wedding was in November (5 days before my birthday!) and both of our names start with a "V". We also have the same taste so needless to say, creative ideas during her wedding planning came very easily!














I love how it looks like there are rose petals on the aisle in this picture! Of course there is not.

Barb, one of the best hair stylists I've ever met, did an amazing job, AGAIN, on Vanessa's hair.