Kara and Patrick

Every once in a while, I meet a bride who has drempt of her wedding day for years and it always turns out to be a wonderful adventure to create HER special day using these early building blocks. My June 2008 bride,Kara Antonini, came to meetings with a wealth of photos from magazines and books that she had collected over the years - these were her favorite images and when all combined would surely create one of the most perfect wedding days anyone could possibly imagine. Our meetings were all about assembling these favorite and extraordinary touches and incorporating them into a one-of-a-kind special day for her and her groom, Patrick.

Some of Kara's favorite pages had turned corners and some had slightly discolored over the years, but this bride didn't deviate from ideas found and loved so many years ago - these were the images that tickled her years before and after she met her prince charming, they seemed all the more perfect! So, the photos and articles about special touches were the frame work for putting this special wedding together piece by piece.

Along with the "must have" list of details that had been generated over the years, also came spontaneous touches. One of the most inspirational details came when Kara found her wedding gown, THE dream gown - an Oscar de la Renta gown from Ulitmate Bride in Chicago. As luck would have it, the same gown was featured in a fashion spread in Town and Country Weddings - so we all fell in love with the magic that came with this beautiful gown. With most gowns being strapless, this gown was not and the bodice showed off the beautiful patterns that caught this bride's attention. The V neck gown was made of taffeta and tulle.

I really do think that there was magic in that gown! The Oscar gown had a very interesting lace pattern and a scallop at the bottom of the gown - both details became the inspiration for the print work of this wedding. The Save the Date had a vellum overlay with the screen of this lace pattern...the Wedding Invitation used the same pattern on vellum and acted as the blotter piece over the invite. The love of the scallop design first showed up on the envelope flap - a custom designed envelope! The next time the scallop would appear would be as the circle cut out on the front of the ceremony program - when all the pieces were put together - it was a fabulous print package created by Cartoleria for a one-of-a-kind wedding.

Every bride looks for ways to personalize their event. That first detail can start with the locations of the ceremony and the reception. Being married in the family's parish church, celebrating at the reception at a country club where the bride grew up were the beginnings of making this a personal experience. When it came time to "set" the head table, the mother of the bride offered pieces of her silver and crystal for added decor ...think what a keepsake these special pieces will be for years to come. Watching family heirlooms being created and established at a wedding is one of the most delightful experiences to witness!

The fact that this bride loved to bake created a very personal and sweet ending to this wedding day! A very industrious bride indeed...Kara made mini pies for each guest to take as their favor! This baking project was accelerated when a terrible storm caused massive power outages in the area...so days of baking were delayed...plan as we may, Mother Nature has a way of humbling even the most organized souls!

Kara had always dreamed of having her own bakery...she did that evening - at valet, we created Kara's Bakery - the groom's favorite pie flavors, Cherry and Blueberry, were the featured choices...each pie was boxed and wrapped with a pink ribbon that matched those spectacular pink peonies that were hand picked and delivered by David Calcaterra of Thrifty Florist. Now, every time I make a pie, I take my hat AND apron off to Kara - what a project to make all those little pies!!!

An outdoor tent created the perfect afterglow for dancing to the Simone Vitale Band - open to the rolling golf course of Bloomfield Hills Country Club, the setting could not have been more beautiful. Lanterns suspended from the ceiling and cylinder vases wrapped with lace patterned vellum set the perfect mood in this tent structure. In addition, many luminarias lined the path to Long Lake Road - the last and final surprise for guests that evening. This reception was picture perfect...as a whole, it was far better than any single image that had been torn from the pages months and years ahead with such great anticipation!

The tent construction began early in the week by Special Events and the staging, a black and white dance floor, and bistro tables were detailed that Saturday morning - even though there was intermitten rain during the day, the tent kept everyone protected and comfortable. The importance of a good rental company proves to be invaluable on such important days!

Brides, the lesson learned from this wedding - look, tear and file - keep those photo images in a special place for that special day - it is a wonderful wealth of great ideas once you start to plan your wedding day! Assign the "A Team" to take care of the details and the results will surely be a happy bride and groom and proud families!

Personal touches...this wedding had them everywhere...kudos to the bride that allows herself to dream...those dreams are the fabric of a great wedding!