Quote & Praise

It means so much when my clients send thank you notes. Thank you's in any form: email, text, calls, etc. Many marketing experts have asked me to update my website with a section on quotes, but thus far I have been resistant as I believe it would be so easy for someone to make up quotes and add them to a website. But....like blogging...I'm giving in. Below are a few of my favorites that I've recently received. They make me smile when I think of them. And seriously...I could not make these up!

"You are my wedding planner/coordinator/superstar, which ever you prefer! Thank the Lord!"

"You did great! I wish we had another daughter to marry off so we could work together with you. Perhaps my future daughters-in-law will want you."

"I have heard nothing but positives about the wedding. Most people have said that it was the best wedding they ever attended."

"That is the best news and I can personally recommend Brooke or Lilybrooke as the best wedding planner if you need one. She did both weddings for us and handled many issues, always with good cheer."

Katie and Adam's Wedding

Katie and Adam were engaged in 2006 and after a tour in Iraq, Adam returned to the US and was finally able to marry his fiance. The ceremony took place at Gonzaga's Saint Aloysius Church in Washington, DC on a blustery September afternoon. The very thoughtful Catholic mass included a 20 page program so that non-Catholic guests could follow every detail. Music was sung by the amazing Irish Tenor Mark Forrest. The ceremony concluded with the bride and groom being pronounced as they walked under a military Saber Arch.

Following the ceremony, the guests enjoyed a cocktail reception in the library at the Daughter's of the American Revolution (DAR) while the George Washington University a cappella group performed from the balcony. Dinner followed in the O'Byrne Gallery with dancing and laughter on the Portico overlooking the Washington Monument and the White House. It was a fairy tale wedding for Katie and Adam.

I'm hopeful for professional photographs to post soon, but until then I have some snapshots from the day.

Katie and Adam's Reception

Laudholm Farm, Kennebunkport Wedding

I met today with an extremely happy bride-to-be who has yet to announce her Kennebunkport wedding plans to her friends and family. It's beyond exciting and flattering to be in on the planning at such an early stage. But this is a bride who knows exactly what she wants (in a good way) and goes for it. My kind of girl! I can't wait to work with her and her fiance over the next year to bring their ideas into reality.

In the lead for the reception is Laudholm Farm which is one of my favorite venues around Kennebunkport. Most people disregard it because of it's lacking of ocean views, but it is a place worth falling in love with. I was so excited to plan my first wedding there last year and that wedding resulted in a few special friends so Laudholm will always have a special place in my heart.

4th of July wedding in Maine

Recently engaged Shannon and Jeff (currently living in Washington, DC) are planning a 4th of July wedding in Kennebunkport. We are looking at so many fun options that tastefully include a red, white and blue theme and of course are considering an amazing blue star Sperry Tent. www.sperrytentsseacoast.com. These tents make me want to have a party. For any reason. But it screams 4th of July wedding. Shannon has been planning this Independence day celebration her entire life and I'm so happy that she's found her mate to share it with. Did I mention he is a US Secret Service Agent? Very fitting.

Photos were taken from a Rehearsal Dinner

at the Nonantum Resort last summer.

Washington, DC wedding at DAR

I'm putting the final touches on the wedding in Washington, DC at the end of the month. The assistants have been hired, the details finalized and everything seems to be in place. This is the first Lilybrooke military wedding that will include a Saber Arch following the ceremony. They are a very sweet couple who have made it through so much already. It's going to be a magical night at the Daughters of the American Revolution www.dar.org, (a stunning venue in DC, next to the White House). Katie and Adam, I'm looking forward to you becoming Captain and Mrs.

MacBook

After my Dell computer of 5 years rudely placed a blank screen screaming "Hardware Malfunction", I quickly ran (did not stop to pass go) RAN to the closest store. Ok, I phoned a few friends along the way for their input (including my best friend in the world who works for Dell). Once at the store I was met with a 20-something who graciously showed me the Dell that I was looking for and explained a few of the features. When I asked if it came w/out a DVD player, he was stunned. Ok shocked and asked why I wouldn't need to watch movies on my computer. I tried to explain, but realized I'm probably one of the only people in the world who still uses a computer solely for work and not for entertainment when I realized it was a battle I was not prepared to take on. I then asked about a Mac and, turning on faster than a Christmas tree on Christmas morning, he swept me off my feet and showed me the glowing section in the world of Mac. I never wanted to be one of them. I still refuse to consider myself a Mac user. But I am completely honest to myself about two things: 1) I am a sucker for good packaging and 2) I truly believe that people younger than me know a lot more than me about technology. If Mac is what everyone wants, there must be a reason for it. Yes, my Mac has a lot of problems that I don't yet understand and my Dell was amazing to me for 5 wonderful years. But I love the white computer in front of me. And yes, it makes me feel younger than any eye cream ever will.