erica & aaron | beachwood wedding

erica & aaron | september 4, 2010
ceremony: good shepherd baptist church
reception: embassy suites beachwood
florist: ufloral
rentals: l’nique
photographer: corey ann
videographer: attention to detail
dj: lo key entertainment
transportation: all occasions limousine
bakery: the cake loft
photobooth: photobooth cleveland

the hiring:
erica hired me almost two years before the big day. she was one of my first clients and also one of heidzillas biggest fans: thanks erica!
the planning:
erica was planning from cincinnati for two years. we predominately planned over email as she works and takes classes and of course was out of town.

the results:
rehearsal
the praise dancer practiced giving erica the opportunity to see the dance, since she wouldn’t be able to the next day

all ready for the next day!

ceremony
ready to begin

all down the aisle!

vows

reception
the embassy suites hosted guests in their atrium for the cocktail hour.

another pride and joy card box! :D

soon the doors opened for guests to be amazed by the purple room!

action shot of corey catching the head details photos!

the bridal party was announced in, and erica and aaron chose to do their father daughter and mother/son dance right away. they followed that up with their first dance, which was a HUGE hit was guests. be sure to watch throughout the video – i ADORE the crowd’s reaction! (sorry for the shaking, several guests rushed the dance floor to take pics/video too :D)

(can’t see the player? click here for the video)

the moment the dance floor was open IT WAS PACKED! i haven’t seen one packed THAT full with THAT many of the guests in over a year.

before we left, corey and i snuck in the photobooth :D

the notables:
favorite planning moment: i had one of the best client/coordinator relationships ever with e&a. i loved that i was able to give them sound advice based on experience and they took it. they valued my opinion so much, even aaron shot me a few emails with questions. erica and aaron hired ONLY vendors who they trusted, and let everyone do their best work.
additional help: e&a not only asked two close friends to be ushers during their ceremony, they also had three “hostesses” who were available to hand out programs, give driving directions and be lovely attendants throughout the ceremony and cocktail hour. it was a very nice touch and freed me some time to tend to other details.
unique detail: e&a chose purple uplighting on the walls which beautifully illuminated dinner. once dancing started, however, the lighting designers hooked their system up with the dj and he was able to make the purple leds strobe to red, blues and greens for more of the “club” feel that erica and aaron were hoping for.
biggest challenge: there were several musical cues to hit for the ceremony being that the praise dancer was after the mother’s processional but before the groom, best man and minister’s. the bridesmaids also came down to the same song as the bride, but the sung chorus started when the bride appeared.
sources: ufloral’s dee handled a bulk of the detailed decor from the chuppah-like altar to the unity candles, table decor and lighting.
fun fact: erica holds the record for most emails exchanged between a client and myself at over 400. i will surely miss the random emails from her!

erica and aaron, it was truly a pleasure to serve as your day of coordinator and wedding advisor for the past several months. you cared about the big picture – a beautiful wedding to celebrate with your friends and family and your loving marriage – and it turned out stellar. stay in touch!

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