lauren & mike – part 1: reception

Monday, November 9, 2009 8:00 am

my 12 weddings in a 10 week stretch ended with the fun of lauren and mike this past saturday. i handled set up and reception coordination for them during their evening ceremony at the old stone church. i’ve never seen a bride and groom and their wedding party so ready to celebrate! i wish i had my video camera on me when i went to greet the limo… everyone was SO fired up i knew it was going to be an energetic, awesome night.

first up – some details, then some action shots:

lauren and mike opted for a signature matte frame instead of a guest book. it was packed with signatures, late guests had to squeeze their names in!

there were a few high top cocktail tables throughout the bar area that i strategically placed the decor. some of lauren’s plans had to be switcherooed based on a few items that wouldn’t fit, we feared would get broken…or got broken on the way there.

the escort cards, inside the shown envelopes, were photos of lauren and mike holding numbers (an idea i *think* lauren may have seen here on the heidzillas blog).

guests matched up their photos to the framed table numbers with the same photos/numbers.

lynn from creations by lynn and her staff whipped together some orchid bar arrangements with a few extra stems they had that we coupled with the specialty drink menus

inside the room, the main focal point was the head table, including a four column plus uplit white organiza topped with window box filled with branches that lauren developed and nicknamed “her masterpiece”! it fit perfect between the two columns.

chair sashes and table runners were placed by the finishing touch.

instead of longer, rectangular tables that hold 4 or 8, guest tables were arranged in large squares to hold 12.

there were three kinds of centerpieces: low with hydrangea…

tall with orchids and branches…

and sunken orchids in large vases. (this one shown on a cocktail table.)

the cake, from cmykakes, was set up surrounded by family wedding photos. (another idea lauren might have seen on the heidzillas blog :- D)

later in the evening, the place card table got filled with favors – one bottle of champagne per couple.

okay so now for some fun action shots from the evening…

when the bridal party arrived, i greeted them at the limo and took any items i could from the bridesmaids, including: bouquets, purses, totes, shawls AND “carlos rico” the blow up man from lauren’s bachelorette party. (his head is on my left shoulder!)

the parents and bridal party announcements were the most boisterous fun i’ve seen in a while. first up, lauren’s parents barreled into the reception hall to “boom boom pow” and got the party started with dancing – complete with her mom doing the “stankey leg” LOVED. below, mike’s parents heading into the hall for introductions, where they took off their jackets and threw them into the crowd – FUN.

then came the bridal party! the bridesmaids sauntered in to “my girl” followed by the groomsmen. then suddenly, ben, from ben ricci ultimate entertainment switched up the music…

after announced, each couple made a tunnel for the bride and groom, who ran in together and then threw “chalk” in the a la lebron james.

after dinner, the music slowed down for the couple’s first dance, the father/daughter dance and the mother/son dance.

after that, the dance floor opened and was instantly packed with guests celebrating with the new mr. and mrs.!

if guests weren’t dancing they could get in the red eye photobooth.

lauren provided a prop box with a scrapbook…

…for guests to paste in their photos and sign.

guests proudly display their photos.

the groom and his men in the booth – the props were a big hit.

for professional photography, i had to get an action shot of cherish from photos2cherish doing some ring shots on the orchid/branch arrangement.

finally, while i was checking in on the bridal party during dinner, lauren’s brother asked me if i was the one with blog. i told him i’d put him on ithere we are —

lauren and mike, you two – and your bridal party – were a HOOT! congrats!!! i KNOW you had fun on saturday and i hope you have even more fun in jamaica!