Mariani Wedding

It was a beautiful Saturday that was threatened with showers and high winds yet somehow the storm circled around us, blessed us with sunshine and graced us with a rainbow... beginning to end. In March Roseann Hoffman, the mother of the bride, contacted me regarding her daughter Kristi's wedding. We hit it off immediately and for the past three months we've developed a friendship and design for the wedding their family would never forget. I met the bride and groom on their wedding day- no pressure right! Delicate, feminine touches were the focus for this June wedding with shabby chic details oozing all the way to the cucumber wrapped salad in soft green hues to the crystal details on name cards and HUGE peony blossoms. (Hmmm I just did a post on those didn't I?!?)

It was a huge success and a wonderful evening. I can't begin to say enough about the love and life that was carrying on in that barn! Thank you Rose and Tom for allowing me to be a part of your daughter's special day. It was such a privilege to breath life into your vision and anytime you need an event planner in Chicago you just let me know, I do travel! And congratulations to Paul & Kristi, the new Mr. & Mrs. Mariani!

For more images please visit A Day in May.

The centerpieces were beautiful peony blossoms in pinks and whites.


The hand lettered calligraphy on the escort cards was stunning.


What a gorgeous cake. We had to cut it earlier in the reception because the bavarian mousse wasn't too fond of the humidity and warm weather.


The chandelier was draped in crystals and cherry blossoms.


The empty room was transformed into a beautiful, warm and inviting space.


Location: Crooked Creek Ranch
Caterer: Epicure Catering
Florist: Field of Flowers
Entertainment: 56 Daze
Photographer: Joana Kaylene Photography
Transportation: New York Luxury Limo, Celtic Tours & Northwest Travel
Linens: BBJ
Rental Company: American Rentals

Favorite Flower

With summer finally here, my favorite flower is blooming in our garden. The peony. These flowers are simply stunning and are perfect as a single bloom or a cluster in a simple vase. Yeah summer!

Caitlin & Cam's picture perfect day

Last week I had the pleasure of working with an amazing couple- Cam and Caitlin Brensinger and helped organize their wedding day at Crooked Creek Ranch on Lake Leelanau. The beautiful couple had about 70 guests from all over the country/world join them in celebrating their marriage. Aside from the chaos of the week and the bumps in the road, the skies parted and heavens shown down on them- their wedding day was literally picture perfect.

The following pictures were so kindly supplied by local photographer Tom Kachadurian. For more images click on this link.

Thank you Cam & Caitlin for letting me share your wedding day with you, I am honored to have helped bring all your details and design elements together. Your families and friends are truly one of a kind and I am looking forward to visiting Boston this fall!

The groom and groomsman sunning at the beach bar before the ceremony.


Chandelier decorations, very simple with a touch of class.


The BEAUTIFUL bride. She was an absolute vision in her custom tailored Anne Barge gown.


They were supposed to be straight faced, haha!


Cam's grandfather, Arnold Hanson who is 84, performed their very personal and very moving ceremony. The groom and his men all donned cowboy hats and upon entering the ceremony took them off to pay honor... or as Cam put it, "the way cowboys did when then entered a saloon." You got it!


The wedding party. From left to right: Evelyn, Scott, Ashley, Andrew, Lindsey, Justin, Caitlin, Cam, Lisa & Barry.


Cutting the cake! I love this candid shot!


The band was great, as you can tell!


The newlyweds, Mr. & Mrs. Cam and Caitlin Brensinger, June 14th, 2008.


Photographer: Tom Kachadurian
Caterer: Catering By Kelly's
Floral Decor: Marla Courtney Woods
Linens: Cloth Connection
Entertainment: Eminence, JR Productions
Rental Company: American Rentals
Location: Crooked Creek Ranch

IT'S FINALLY HERE!!!

Hi everyone!

I am extremely thrilled and so excited to announce the official opening of A Day in May, Event Planning & Design! Our new site went up yesterday and we are thrilled at the compliments and positive feedback.

Please visit us at A Day in May and we look forward to working with you soon!

Wedding season

This past weekend Kyle and I were in East Lansing for one of his good friends weddings at Michigan State. We had a great time and they threw a great party! I've always been more in tune to the details of events but being an "event planner and designer" I feel like I've turned that up a notch. One of my favorite details from their day was their escort cards. They were made to look like tickets to a Spartans basketball game where Dan and Tiffany first met- adorable!

Here are a few highlights from the weekend, stay tuned for this weekends event- Cam & Caitlin's wedding!



The cake was delicious!


This little one wanted to dance with somebody!


Congratulations Mr. & Mrs. Stuart!

Last signs of spring

Can you guess what these are?



If you don't know then I am not going to tell you! But if you do know, they are best prepared pan coated in butter with salt and pepper. Let them brown before eating them and make sure you give them a GOOD soak in salt water! Enjoy

Oops, someone did it again...

There are some things in life that women, and other men, don't touch. More specifically, there are some things you don't touch that belong to men... one of those is their vehicle. In Kyle's case it's his truck and people have "touched" it twice.

Yesterday morning Kyle's not so brand-new truck got hit again. The first time was very innocent and a complete accident- and minimal damage. This time was quite different. If I told you the whole story you wouldn't believe me and probably stone the individual who did it. Then to have this person say it's not their fault! Here's some of the images from the incident. Thank goodness it wasn't me who hit it and that no one was hurt!

Poor baby!


Aside from all the bug guts you can't really see the crunch marks but they are there... all $3K of them!


Last time I checked the hood wasn't supposed to ripple.


Or not close!


He's taking the lose incredibly well... not!