Love, like a tree, sends its roots down deep
so when the storms of life abound and the winds of adversity blow,
it shakes and bends and goes with the flow but doesn’t break or fall.

And during times of drought it drives its roots down deeper
so whatever comes and goes—

Summer, winter, spring, or fall, the good times and the bad—it stands the test of all.

– Dick Innes

Happy Valentines Day !

 Mother Nature at its BEST!

http://www.thehomesteadresort.com/

(Leelanau County’s little secret)!

I’m sitting at my desk and watching the snow fall.

Although it is the middle of January and simply gorgeous outdoors, I cannot help but close my eyes and breathe deep, as if I am taking in all the sweetness of the amazing peony. (Oh how I love this flower).

I have always been drawn to each of the four seasons, but Spring has to be my absolute favorite!

Around my house, the minute the last Christmas box is packed and put away the tulips come out!

Today we are celebrating a Special Birthday.

I just couldn’t resist these darling 2″ potted bulb plants that became the perfect favor for our guests.

Happy Birthday Amanda….and Happy Spring to All!

The below link is a sneak peek into this magical wedding.

Many thanks to our wedding planner Kris Rundblad with  Merry Makers and to the talented photography team  “Our Labor of Love” for creating this video and capturing some incredible moments for our bride and groom.

Lastly I send a  Big CONGRATULATIONS to Debbie and Nick and many hugs to Debbie’s folks, (Sue and Bob).

Enjoy!

http://www.ourlaboroflove.com/showit/debbie_and_nick/

Stay tuned for more images from this Spectacular event!

Part two

Today I am featuring the second series of this crazy, fun weekend for Taryn and Brian and their many guests. The thought and detail that went into this event is by far the most  magnificent I have ever come across. Taryn left no stone unturned. This is  an event that I am not only proud to have been part of, but it is an event that will always hold a special place in my heart.

As most of you know this event was featured in Martha Stewart Weddings, http://www.marthastewartweddings.com/, So needless to say we could hardly contain ourselves!

(For more details see the featured article on Martha Stewart’s website) http://www.marthastewartweddings.com/photogallery/taryn-and-brian

So on to the wedding that that ROCKED the hills of Glen Arbor, Michigan !!!

Taryn (owner of Sage and Style), http://www.sageandstyle.com/ and Brian were married last September.

The ceremony and reception took place at  Snow Moon Ranch in Glen Arbor, Michigan, Home of  Great Lakes Llamas and Suri Alpaca’s

http://www.snowmoonweddings.com/

If you get a chance to visit this amazing venue, you are in for a real treat!

The property is just beautiful, and Juliet (the proprietress) is absolutely charming.

Chandra Demers Wheeler and her talented team from Orchestrated Grace were the event planners for this fabulous weekend affair! http://www.hitchingpostphoto.com/, Chandra has a talent many would yearn for and as previously mentioned, this is one friend that is never afraid to think out of the box.

The day started early for our team of 17. A caravan of trucks, trailers, and vans began the 50 minute drive to Glen Arbor.

Here are a few pre – party pictures taken early Saturday morning.

Special Events supplied the tent and rentals for the ceremony and the reception.  http://www.specialeventsrental.com/

Robbin, our “Dancing Designer” constructs the Lucite planks that are placed over the guests dining tables.

The Ceremony

Guests enjoyed mimosas and munchies as they mingled prior to the ceremony.

Mother Nature provides the incredible backdrop for the ceremony. Guest could see the  Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes from their seats, not to mention the abundance of color in the hills, trees, and beautiful blue water.

Taryn  looked stunning! (as she did the entire evening)…..

Taryn’s bridal  bouquet consists of all white  blooms, fresh  freesia, tanacetum, eustoma, lysmachia, dahlias and mini callas.  Black privet berries, scented geraniums, and sprigs of barberry were tucked in between white ostrich feather tips and tied off with a simple and funky eyelash ribbon.

Pashmina’s were offered to all of the ladies prior to being seated.

The wedding arch and aisle were designed  by nature and consisted of fallen birch tree limbs, field stones, hand thrown mocha pots filled with a variety of grasses and herbs, and a collection of lichens and mosses.

I had to pop this picture in…it is one of my favorites!

(A true gift, A best friend….. Mom)

xo

Little Miss Alpaca greets guests as they make their way to the reception site.

The Reception

The barn made a perfect setting for the cocktail hour.

Wrought iron chandeliers were suspended from the barn beams and herbal wreaths hung on the stable doors.

Freshly squeezed juice like mango, peach and pear nectar were featured in the evenings signature beverage.

Guest seating assignments could be found hanging from the vintage door knobs attached to an old farm door. Created by Holly at Paper Nickle…

http://www.thepapernickel.com/

The evenings menu was all but amazing; complete with wine pairing.

Trattoria Stella prepared all of the food for the evening. The meal was  scrumptious and the presentation was creative and fun!.

http://www.stellatc.com/stellatc/

The stars were visible as guests  dined under the clear span tent.

Lucite planks were suspended above the guest tables. Wrought iron lanterns in stages of height rest upon the planks. The candles bring a soft glow and softness to the vignette, accompanied by long birch tree limbs, adorned with crab apples and hanging crystal votives.

Velvet, taffeta, grosgrain, silk, satin, and sheer ribbons hang from the back of the shabby chic ballroom chairs.

The table design displays a collection of wood, metal, glass, stoneware, paper, a smattering of special textiles and loads of living plant material. Tall Espresso bottles contain an assortment of grasses and grains, all slipped between a collection of votive candles in various shapes and sizes.

Aromatic herbs and flowers tied everything together creating this eclectic, edgy, stimulating vignette.

The guest book consists of pictures and well wishes from friends and family, compliments of Shutter Booth. http://shutterbooth.com/

We mustn’t forget the portable restrooms, because they really are amazing. With a little plant material and glass luminaries it feels just like home!

These fancy commodes on wheels are trailed in by Michelle with At Your Service.

http://www.atyourserviceplus.com/index.html

Special Thanks to our Photographer Brian Confer at Studio B Photography http://www.studiobphoto.com/

And to Taryn and Brian’s Photographer Cybelle Codish for these amazing images

http://www.cybellecodish.com/

Happy Anniversary Brian and Taryn!

Thanks again for the opportunity be part of your special day.

I wish you all the best!

Well, as much as I hate to admit it,  I am as green as grass when it comes to the world of blogging… however I could not let the fall season pass me by without writing a little something on a fabulous event that took place in Leelanau County last September. Most of you know that this was the event of the year for many of us, and it just so happened to be featured in Martha Stewart Weddings  http://www.marthastewartweddings.com/photogallery/taryn-and-brian

Before I begin I would like to acknowledge my family, friends and some of the most talented designers in Michigan for helping to make this event one to remember. Thank you

Today I am featuring the  first part of this crazy fun weekend for Taryn and Brian and their many guests. We called this the Friday Night Welcome Party!

As I thumb through the overstuffed folders and visit all the archived photos I am still in awe of the time and the detail that went into every element of this event. Our bride Taryn is  a talented stylist,  writer and owner of Sage and Style. http://www.sageandstyle.com/. Taryn’s line of work allows her to travel the country and work with many people within the fashion and wedding industries. I love her passion for detail, and her quirky way of making everything she likes go together. Honestly, it was one of the greatest times I have ever had planning the floral and design layout for a wedding. As I saw it, her vision for the event was  no doubt a definite description of her.  It had to be fun, a little funky, and a bit eclectic. As you will see in the following images; we pulled it off! A team of many; all friends with extreme talent.

The Welcome party took place Friday evening, on the beach in Glen Arbor, Michigan

Our event planner for the weekend was Chandra Demers Wheeler and her talented team from Orchestrated Grace, http://www.hitchingpostphoto.com/ Chandra’s ability to carry out a vision is quite incredible. This is one friend that is never afraid to think out of the box and it shows. Chandra spent many hours with Taryn, working out every little detail bringing this party to its highest level of perfection…

As guests arrived  they followed the colorful luminary path as they make their way to the beach.

My dear friend Dave Monstrey from Monstrey’s  http://www.monstreys.com/ supplied the rentals for  Friday evening.  Dave has been keeping brides “covered”  for many years, and I have had the pleasure to work with him for at least 20 of them! Dave continues to impress all of us with his majestic white tents, (not to mention his contagious smile)!

Local beers and wine were the beverages showcased for the evening, as well as a selection of infused lemonades.

A marvelous meal was prepared and served by Epicure Catering. http://www.caterleelanau.com/

All of the food was grown, purchased, and prepared locally and served in an assortment of handcrafted bowls, platters  and unusual vintage serving pieces. All servers were dressed in “Country Fair” Attire

Flowers were displayed in an array of vintage vases from the Amy Kate Designs Collection. Amykatedesigns.com

Luminaries in glass line the dock, the beach, and all paths throughout the property.

Friends and family danced into the evening while others walked the beach or roasted marshmallows over the roaring bonfire.

Luminaries viewed from above and below led guests to the trolleys that would take them home for the evening.

Many Thanks to Taryn and Brian, Martha and Mike, and Nana…..

A special Thank you to our amazing Photographers

Cybelle Codish www.cybellecodish.com/

Brian Confer  www.studiobphoto.com/

Chandra Demmers http://www.hitchingpostphoto.com/

Be sure to check back in a few weeks to view  the details and photos of Taryn and Brian’s incredible ceremony and  knock out reception, or go to our website for more event images.

]]> http://amykatedesigns.com/blog/2010/the-latest-real-weddings-martha-stewart-weddings/feed 0 http://amykatedesigns.com/blog/2010/wedding-ceremony-overlooking-torch-lake http://amykatedesigns.com/blog/2010/wedding-ceremony-overlooking-torch-lake#comments Wed, 29 Sep 2010 23:31:50 +0000 Admin http://amykatedesigns.com/blog/?p=27

What could be more breathtaking than the colors Mother Nature so often treats us to…. clear blue skies, emerald green grass, and the turquoise tones of Torch Lake Michigan. Welcome to A-GA-MING…A perfect venue for an outdoor wedding.  If you have not yet had the chance to visit this beautiful part of Antrim County, I would suggest that you put it on your list of to dos and enjoy a fall color tour in our neck of the woods!…ENJOY!