5th Birthday Blowout!!!

Planning my son Dylan's birthday parties are always my favorite thing to plan.  This year with being 6 months pregnant I decided we were going to go somewhere and have them do most of the work but of course I had to add some of my own personal touches!!! 

Dylan decided he wanted a bowling party.  So I decided on black, white & red as the colors and made some cupcake toppers and that was going to be all I was going to do... yeah right!  Then I decided I wanted a really cool cake- this is where the outsourcing comes in because I can't bake!  So I had a friend (who doesn't have a website yet so if anyone wants her information just shoot me a note) make him a bowling cake.  For the favors I found these adorable bowling water bottles.  I made a banner which was cool to hang right above the lockers they had there. 

Bowling Cake & cupcakes (Dessert Table)

Bowling Water Bottle Favors

Banner above lockers

Cupcake Toppers

Since we just did the friends birthday party I decided we needed to have a family get together too so I was going to do a family brunch... So again I decided on colors, this time black, white & turquoise.  And AGAIN wasn't going to make a big deal out of it but decided I wanted my friend Andrea to make another amazing cake...

As our guests entered the house...

The back of the cake

The spread

Beverage Table- Tub from Etsy

Dylan getting ready to blow out his candles

On Dylan's actual birthday I brought in Super hero cupcakes to his class and threw together these little favors for the kids. 

Even Superhero's need Hugs & Kisses

That evening we let Dylan decide where he wanted to go to dinner and he chose a Japanese steakhouse- he loves hibachi style where they cook the food in front of us and he LOVES trying to catch the shrimp in his mouth.  So when his birthday was finally over and we were reflecting we realized we did 5 celebrations!!!  I guess mommy is feeling a little guilty about the new baby coming and overcompensating by spoiling him rotten... Now it's time for damage control!!!

Brown's Chapel... Jacobs wedding

I love this picture so much because obviously it's a beautiful picture but it's one of those pictures I just know the bride will look at for years to come and smile remembering that special day.  Susan was such a great bride to work with.  She wanted this wedding to be intimate and small, just very close friends and family.  She found me through my blog (which is ironic bc my blog is not very impressive!).  She saw pictures from the last wedding I did at Brown's Chapel and contacted me to try to re-create a similar look.  The cool thing about Brown's Chapel is it is just a square room that you really have to transform yourself.  It's not a grand ballroom or a place where weddings are done daily so it's very unique and fun. 

I loved the intimacy of this wedding, as I said small group but both Susan and Gary's children were involved the ceremony and even their little puppy was involved- very cute!  When Susan and I started planning she wanted to do a bbq style reception outside brown's chapel with a tent, food, music, etc.  Unfortunately that isn't allowed so we looked into some other options.  Susan landed on a luncheon at McCormick & Schmick's.  I've done a lot of corporate events there so I knew the rooms pretty well but Susan and I met so she could check it out and she loved it.  It was perfect for her group. 

The day was perfect, the weather was nice, not too hot.  Everyone was just so happy.  It really was a wonderful wedding.  Here are some pictures that Lori & Ashley (http://www.capturedbyla.com/) let me share:

Since Susan's dad wasn't around to walk her down the aisle... Gary met her 1/2 way to escort her the rest of the way... A gesture I love:)

Susan's daughters & Mr. & Mrs. Gary Jacobs

Catherine & Ed Vint...

So it's official I am a HORRIBLE blogger!  As I find myself bundled up in a sweater today avoiding the freezing weather outside I think about how quickly summer came & went.  This summer I had the pleasure of working two amazing weddings... Figured it's time I blog about them...

I attended the rehearsal for Ed & Catherine in Alexandria on a Friday evening in June.  On my way home I swung by my parents house for dinner and a quick visit then headed home so I could rest up for the big day I had ahead of me.  On the way home things were flying across the road and my dad called me to tell me I was driving straight into a tornado- luckily I was near a friends house and was able to take cover.  Turns out it was a Derecho Storm.  I was able to get home safely and get a good night sleep.  The next morning I woke up to get ready for the wedding and heard of massive power outages everywhere.  I immediately called the church & hotel where the wedding was taking place to make sure everything was working and luckily everything was fine.  There were hotels surrounding them though that were out of power.  It was very lucky that their day went smoothly and for the most part unaffected by the strong storms.  Catherine was a beautiful bride and Ed a very handsome groom.  Their wedding was a lot of fun!!!  Here are some pictures I got permission to share:

The brides Dress

Huge Floral Arrangement

The stunning bride

A very fun wedding party!!!

Love this one:)- Photography by Neil Van Niekerk Photography

Great Lighting by Superlative Events