The Wedding Experience. March 7, 2010.

I recently teamed with a national, publicly traded company to create a Wedding Show in Grand Rapids, Michigan on March 7, 2010. As any bride-to-be knows, there are many wedding shows, so in creating a new show, it had to be different. This show is a Wedding Show, brought to brides by a Wedding Planner.

While tradeshows have a functional purpose, they are not pretty and it is hard for individual vendors to really stand out and showcase their work. Brides easily find themselves overwhelmed and jumping from booth to booth. It's hard to foster creative ideas in that type of environment. The approach that I took was to create a show that set the stage and built the image for potential clients to match up with potential vendors.

I approached Grand Rapid's premier hotel (who's building was at one point among the Top 10 Hotels in the U.S.) and was able to gain permission to utilize their facilities. My show which has been titled "The Wedding Experience" truly takes brides through the experience of a wedding day. Showcasing three of Amway Grand Plaza's gorgeous ballrooms, each room is set for a particular part of a wedding and highlights vendors that pertain to that portion of the wedding. The center of the room is adorned with items on display as vendors are throughout the room's perimeter.

The Pantlind Ballroom will be set as a wedding ceremony with ceremony chairs, an aisle, etc. and vendors displaying their products that are used in a ceremony.

The Gerald R. Ford Ballroom will be set for the dinner with tables displaying vendor's linens, centerpieces, menus, etc.

The Imperial Ballroom is a great old bank that has been converted to a ballroom. The bank's original decor has been preserved with large columns. This room will feature a dancefloor, tall cocktail tables and live music as you would find during a reception.

In addition, The Wedding Experience is teaming with area high schools and will be collecting gently worn bridesmaid and other formal dresses. These dresses will be donated to area girls to be used during the upcoming prom season.

We are all busy working to match vendors with this opportunity and to start getting the word out about the show. It's going to be a magical day and truly a Wedding Experience.

www.grweddingexperience.com

Blogging

When I started this blog, I wasn't completely sure which direction it would take. Which angle I would go after. But like all events and all weddings, each post has taken on its own characteristic. There are many sites out there that tell you the most popular color or the rules of etiquette; I'm sure now and then, I'll touch on those areas, but overall my blog is to provide a sense of who I am and what my style is. It's also a justification for my English degree and provides a fun avenue for writing about topics I enjoy.

It is so amazing when I receive feedback on my blog's posts. I love the random comments that I receive, many from people I do not know. When opening today's mail, there were a few last minute Christmas cards, a lot of information about holiday sales and one special note from a lady in Cincinnati whom I have never met but had a brief call with last week. In a much approved fashion, she wrote me a very timely thank you note on personal stationery. She ended the note by saying "please keep blogging."

I am humbled, flattered and can only respond by saying thank you to all who are reading this. The comments help me grow both professionally and personally, so please continue to send them.

I also adore personal stationery and hand written notes and know that this lady will go far because of this simple gesture. Letters cannot be taken for granted and the art cannot be lost. A txt message or email will never replace the grace that is shown when the time is taken to pen a few words.

This photo was taken when I was shopping for stationery at one of my favorite stores Gus & Ruby in Portsmouth, NH. These girls know, understand, live and breathe stationery (and invitations if you're in the market). And funny enough, this photo was posted on a blog about their store. I would have brushed the back of my hair had I known I was posing, but c'est la vie.

Santa Came Early for Lilybrooke

The store's sign is up!

I can't wait to plant spring flowers

around the window.

Warm wishes for a

wonderful Christmas holiday season.

J.McLaughlin

My inner preppy (or even my outer preppy, it's not much of a secret) was introduced to the J.McLaughlin brand several years ago when I fell head over heels for their pants embroidered with lobsters and other amazing creatures. They were brilliant.

Now as a girl addicted to dresses, I so admire their 3/4 sleeve Harbor Dress that comes in so many beautiful styles that I'd take one of each if given the opportunity and lifestyle to wear them everyday.

As the charmed life of Brooke Sheldon continues (titled dubbed by my attorney), I was lucky enough to become friends with a man who is among the helm of the J.McLaughlin company. And even luckier yet to have an opportunity to catch up with him in New York last week. It's a bit intimidating to meet with a man who knows more about women's fashion than I can ever dream, but I so enjoyed the chance to catch up and brainstorm.

With all that is going on in the world, it is such a wonderful opportunity to reevaluate and become creative with my business plan. I love this challenge and aside of the uneasiness that many are feeling, it has been nice to watch people focus on things that are truly important.

My inner prep has met my outer entrepreneur and worlds are colliding. It's a bit like this J.McLaughlin silk fleece shawl. Are you kidding me. Stunning. I need it.

To everything there is a season.

I own a home that is rented out in the summer months to tourist who visit the beautiful beaches along Lake Michigan. With this responsibility, I have two annual weekends throughout the year that I love. The weekend when I get the house ready for the rental season. And the weekend when I get the house ready for me to nestle in for the winter.

It's slightly a pain. Well, more than a slight pain, but after a few years, I have a good system down and really enjoy the opportunity to have "spring cleaning" twice a year. It is a great time to go through all that I own, organize and reevaluate the necessity of clothing in my closet.

Today is the day I am starting the winter cleanse. The closets have been unlocked, the linens are being changed over, as are the dishes. I recently brought items from the refrigerator in the garage to the refrigerator in the house. Unpacking those long forgotten leftover condiments makes me smile with memories of wonderful summer parties and dinners with friends.

It is a time of year when my life and event planning has a its own solstice, changing from the non-stop rush of execution and travel, to the filing, the organizing, the planning and volunteering.

It's a enchanting day in Michigan that began with my dog taking me for a walk along the near frozen lake, snow that has been falling for hours and fires burning in two of my fireplaces. I've included a few photos from one of last winter's storms.

To everything there is a season. Here's to a short winter season as I look forward to all the exciting things that 2010 will have to offer: Lilybrooke Events, mid-term elections, Olympics, World Cup, and so much more. Some things yet unscheduled and many things yet unknown.

Lilybrooke Boutique. Our New Home.

Finally I have photos of the new Lilybrooke Boutique.We love our new location and have already been meeting with clients and showing guests around. The boutique boasts bridesmaid's gifts, guest welcome baskets, amazing rental items on display and of course a ton of photos of the weddings and events we have been lucky enough to be part of. It is a place where you can see, touch and feel the items you would like at your wedding or party - a great place to brainstorm and gather ideas.

Sadly, today is the last day of the store's normal business hours for the season. I am packing up and heading to Michigan for the winter to plan weddings, political events and a few sport events as well; stopping in NYC to meet with two potential clients. Tomorrow will be a long day. But road trips are always fun and a great time for new ideas to percolate.

Lilybrooke will continue to be open all winter and spring by appointment with one of my assistants, so please continue to call and visit with your requests.

If you're Tying the Knot in Kennebunkport, we'd love to meet you.

All Things Kate Spade

I adore Kate Spade and was so excited when my friend Anna showed me her recent acquisition of a Kate Spade thermos. I am worshipping it and must find one. Mostly because I think it would look amazing with my black and white polka dotted Wellies.

Plllleeaassseee Santa.

Favorite Quote of the Day

I love nice people. I love nice people who say what they are thinking and make the world a better place (especially when I'm on the receiving end of a compliment). The biggest compliments I have received are when former clients come back to me for advice. This week I had the opportunity to brainstorm with two amazing women on their projects. Below are my two favorite emails that I received this week.

No.1

"Oh Brooke, I adore you! This is more helpful than you realize. I actually printed it out and have been carrying it around with me! You are an invaluable resource."

No.2

"I am so excited at the thought of you offering products online…because knowing whatever you put out there will be nothing less than FABULOUS!!"

If you love something, let someone know.

Lilybrooke Store Photo Shoot

As the new Lilybrooke store gets up and running, the website is also being improved with items that will soon be available for purchase online. Over the years, the largest demand has been for custom hotel welcome baskets, but we have several items for bridesmaids, flower girls and even a few wedding gifts.

Getting ready for the new launch, today we had a photoshoot of the different products that will be available. Many thanks to our friends at C.A. Smith Photography www.casmithphotography.com for their photography, patience and great artistic eye!

Christmas Prelude cont.

My first Christmas Prelude has come and gone, but the memories will take years to erode. I loved every minute of it and only wish I could have been able to participate in multiple things at once.

Attached are few photos of the hot chocolate topping display outside of the store and my wonderful toy soldier who bravely passed out fresh mistletoe at the tree lighting ceremony. She was mobbed by participants wanting the berries or simply wanting to take a photo with her. A new Prelude tradition is born.

Christmas Prelude

I'm getting ready for Kennebunkport's Christmas Prelude; an annual Christmas festival. This is my first Prelude and I am eagerly awaiting its arrival after hearing of it for years. On Friday evening there will be a tree lighting ceremony where a Lilybrooke representative will be dressed as a toy-soldier passing out mistletoe. Attached are photos of the work in progress. 'Tis the Season.