Last Chance!

Today is your LAST CHANCE to puchase tickets to the 5 Course Beer Tasting Dinner. For more information scroll down the page - and to purchase tickets visit www.bellasignatureevents.com/events.html

Better than a fresh pack of Crayola Crayons....

Margo and Zack's Wedding

Margo wanted to have a beautiful fall "themed" wedding, without it looking like there was going to be a hayrack ride after dinner. I think we accomplished that.

Margo and Zack both spent the afternoon keeping themselves calm (each in their own way).

They had the ceremony and reception at the Country Club of Lincoln. I loved working with Julie and her team. I hope we have the opportunity to work together again soon!.

Heidi Beran provided the ceremony music on her harp! It sounded awesome, she is incredibly talented.

The uber talented Conrad from Stem Gallery created the centerpieces, aisle decor, and altar arrangements, and Char from Charlene's Bridal and Event Rentals provided the chair covers and linens.

A couple days before the wedding, it was realized that the escort cards were not going to work as we had originally intended them to. So, three days before the wedding I got my hands on 175 wine corks and constructed escort card holders out of them. They blended in well with the rest of the decor. Christopher and his team from Porridge Papers created all the paper (and printing) for the wedding. The invitations rocked - they were made out of plantable paper. Instead of tossing the invitation after the wedding, guests could plant their invitation and wildflowers would sprout! How eco-friendly and awesome is that!?

Zack had a slightly untraditional wedding party - instead of a Best Man he had a Best Woman. Let me tell you, I think EVERY groom should have a Best Woman in his bridal party. We loved Kate!

Immediately following the ceremony, David Dale (thanks David (and Chris!)for the photos!!) stole Zack and Margo for a private photo session. Margo and Zack wanted to have some time alone to let the fact that they just had gotten MARRIED settle in. This was the perfect way to get that alone time, and get some rad photos taken. Apparently David had taken some time off from shooting weddings - but you couldn't tell from all his awesome photos he took! He definitely has an artistic eye when taking shots.

After they were done shooting photos, it was time for dinner and dessert. Zack is a horseshoer so it made sense to have an anvil for the grooms cake. Linda Hudson (Butterfly Bakery) created this masterpiece.

The rest pf the night consisted of Kala and Ryan keeping the dance floor rocking all night long, and a vodka and red bull hour (free vodka and red bulls for an hour) that really kicked the party up a notch! Kala and Ryan are two of the most personable emcees/deejays I have EVER met. I can't wait to work with them again.

The night ended with Zack and Margo being whisked away to the Magnolia Hotel in a sedan from Luxury Limousine.

Thanks for letting me be a part of your special day - and I wish you two the best of luck in the future!

Client Insight: Heidi McLaughlin

1. Why did you hire a wedding planner to assist you in planning your wedding?
We live out of state and needed someone to organize and coordinate vendors and to help the day run smoothly. Also because I needed to maintain my sanity ;)

2. What was something that surprised you about the planning process?

How nice it was to have someone taking care of the details and keeping me on task throughout the year. It was nice to know that someone else was helping to make sure everything got accomplished.

3. What percentage of the decisions regarding the wedding was made by you? Your husband? Jointly?
By me...30%, by Festy...20, Both...50%

4. Is there anything you would have done differently? Shifted any of your priorities?

No...it was PERFECT!!! (happy sigh!!)

5. When you think back on your wedding day, what is your favorite memory?
Looking at everyone having a fun time; being relaxed and celebrating with our family and friends.

6. Anything else you would like to add?
Having Sara as our planner was amazing. She became more of a friend than a helper/planner and we could tell she had our best interests in mind and listened. She really took time with us and made us feel comfortable and we loved having her there. She ROCKS!!!! and we hope to keep in touch with her in the future.

Client Insight: Margo Hamilton

1. Why did you hire a wedding planner to assist you in planning your wedding?

Zack and I have never planned a wedding, so we thought, who better to help us through the myriad of appointments, choices, and expectations than a professional. We knew we would never make it through the process without help mediating families, and keeping us on track.

2. What was something that surprised you about the planning process.
That a wedding is an intricate creature. No matter how casual, or fancy, detailed, or personalized your wedding may be, everyone wants to know every detail down to the smallest thing. Most times, the bride has to decide, which is at times, more irritating than one imagined possible, but none the less, necessary.

3. What percentage of the decisions regarding the wedding was made by you? Your husband? Jointly?
Our wedding was about 95% jointly planned between Zack and I.

4. Is there anything you would have done differently? Shifted any of your priorities?
I would have really hounded people for their guest lists earlier than I did, perhaps been more pushy than I was with our parents.

5. When you think back on your wedding day, what is your favorite memory?
Seeing Zack at the altar in his kilt.

6. Anything else you would like to add?
It takes more than a bride and a groom to make a wedding happen. Be kind to your providers, and try to realize they are human beings too, with opinions which are at times more educated than your own. Its a wedding, not a nuclear missile launch, don't stress over details, or forget your manners just b/c you are at wits end.

Jazz it Up - Holiday Parties

Party at your party. {Leave the details to us.}


You work hard all year long, and before you know it you should be planning the annual company holiday party. However, you don’t have extra time to devote to this, so you plan the same dinner party with the same food and the same entertainment at the same place as you did the last 10 years. We don’t blame you – planning parties isn’t your thing – running your business is. Lucky for you, planning parties is OUR thing, and we would love to plan your next holiday party. Let us jazz it up a bit and you’ll really show your staff how appreciative you are of everyone.

If you have a staff of 12 or 1200 – we can orchestrate a party they won’t forget. We will coordinate with the best venues, caterers, entertainers, etc. to create a holiday event your employees will WANT to attend! All you will have to do is show up and the leave the details to us!

Contact us today for your free consultation. We will discuss your priorities, vision and budget and find the best way to achieve it all!

Private Husker Parties

Keep warm and bring the tailgating inside!!

Party in warmth before the Oklahoma and Kansas State home games. We have a private prime location (couple minutes away from the stadium) for you and your guests to enjoy awesome food and great drinks before kickoff. If you don't have tickets to the game - no problem. Everyone is more than welcome to stay and watch the game!

Everything will be taken care of - food, drinks, transportation, etc. We offer a diverse menu of food and beverages and can find something for any budget.

All you have to do is show up and cheer on the Huskers!

Contact us today - availability is limited

If you are looking to really add the WOW factor to your wedding ceremony or reception... look no further. Theatrical Media Services are the people to call! Pat is willing to work within your budget and get you the look you want. The following photos are from a wedding a couple weeks ago. My clients were married in a movie theater, and needed functional lighting since movie theaters are dark (who knew, right?). They got functional lighting and really awesome creative lighting too.

Seriously, all you brides need to call Pat and see what he can do to make your reception venue look top notch!



Thanks to Micheala from Something New Productions for the awesome photos!

Therese and her flowers

I spoke with Therese about 5 weeks before her wedding. She lives over 1000 miles away from Lincoln but was getting married here. She had a couple vendors left to book and needed my help.
She wanted flowers for the chapel and needed her bouquet and the attendant’s flowers designed and made, and she gave me a budget to work with. Working quickly, I think we achieved what she wanted.
This is what Conrad from Stem Gallery designed:

I want to give Conrad special thanks for helping us out with such short notice – you’re the best!

One word: FUN.

Heidi and Festy are such fun, laid back and creative people. I had such a fun time working with Heidi on the details of the wedding – she had such awesome ideas and willingness to think outside the box.

They had originally wanted to be married out at her grandparent’s farm. However, Nebraska weather is never predictable and she didn’t want to run the risk of inclement weather on her wedding day. (The weather on the wedding day ended up being absolutely BEAUTIFUL – however, the day before the wedding was very COLD with high WINDS). Good thing she chose the movie theater.

Heidi constructed the marriage ceremony herself, highly personalizing every aspect. This was truly a marriage ceremony about Heidi and Festy. Her cousin Heather became ordained and was able to officiate the wedding for the couple. How cool. With a few readings (one being from the Velveteen Rabbit) and a guitar performance, and a hand tying ceremony, and a kiss to seal the deal – it was off to Lincoln to begin the party at Chez Hay. And party is what everyone did.

After dinner and toasts, and an impromptu toast from the father of the bride (not a dry eye in the place) the dancing commenced. Heidi and Festy had QUITE a few close friends (they were really just like family) travel from Chicago to celebrate. You could tell this group knew how to have fun, there was dancing and laughing all night long. You could feel the happiness and excitement in the room.

Thank you Heidi and Festy for letting me be a part of such a special day. I’ll look you up when I am in Chicago next!

Vendors:

Bella Signature Events

Rivoli Movie Theater

Something New Productions - thanks for the photos - you rock!

Theatrical Media Services

Luxury Limousine

Stem Gallery

Chez Hay

Sweet Art Wedding Cakes

A Sound Impression – DJ

Best Styles Formalwear

Client Insight

I asked Sally to answer a few questions, and here we have it.


Here we go:

1. Why did you hire a wedding planner to assist you in planning your wedding?
We live in CT and planned to get married in Nebraska. Both of us have extremely demanding jobs therefore; we knew we could not devote the necessary time and efforts it takes planning for a wedding.
2. What was something that surprised you about the planning process? The amount of details involved as well as time it takes.
3. What percentage of the decisions regarding the wedding was made by you? Your husband? Jointly? Made by the Bride – 50%, Made by the Groom – 5%, Jointly – 45%.
4. Is there anything you would have done differently? I would have un buttoned the bottom of my skirt so I had the short train at the church….. I would have made sure the DJ kept the lights on during our wedding dance and relatives performances, I would have asked the DJ to shut off the flashing lights as it was a nuisance to the guests, I would have lost weight instead of gained weight………… Shifted any of your priorities? All in all it was just a few minor things (except the weight piece) – nothing major – oh, I probably would have spent a little less on flowers and a little more on food. I would have had a buffet instead of a sit down dinner – takes too much effort in asking for the guests choice. OR perhaps I would have NOT given them a choice and gave them all Chicken or half and half.
5. When you think back on your wedding day, what is your favorite memory?
Outside of my 50 year old cousin Tom slow dancing with my 30 year old friend Daryl who has a disability, I would say my favorite memory was Vernon’s speech at the reception, followed by my son’s toast via the telephone from Fort Knox, then followed by Vernon’s daughters toast at the reception.
6. Anything else you would like to add? Absolutely! There is no way this event could have been pulled off this successful if it wasn’t for my wedding planner. Sara paid attention to every detail, kept everything on track and on schedule, remained calm and very professional when the DJ’s sound system (a vendor that I selected) failed and implemented a back up plan immediately that ended up very successful. Not only did Sara tend to every detail, she was the only one that asked me (the bride) if I had a way to the church and then picked me up and drove me there personally. She assisted with helping the bridal party get dressed – had bobby pins and safety pins ready, etc. Sara was the first to arrive at the church and the last to leave the reception. As my wedding song goes…. “I could not ask for more”! She took all the stress off of me and was worth every penny….. Which was extremely reasonable.

The day started at Christ United Methodist Church in which Vernon’s brother David Gauge Veira performed “Hands High” and had all of the guests on their feet with their hands in the air! Sally’s cousin Trevor Racine also had an amazing performance! What a talented family. Sally and Vernon made a point to embrace the blending of their two families and honored each and every family member. Pastor Jim Miller officiated the wedding, and coordinator Sharon Nilsson helped send everyone down the aisle. We couldn’t have done it without them!

After the ceremony, they took a Harley Davidson Limousine to Wilderness Ridge to start the party.
Sally and Vernon had a choreographed first dance that the wonderful Cali Hlavac from A Sound Impression captured on film. You can check out the video on her blog. She also single-handedly saved the day! The DJ had a malfunction of his equipment and she was unable to play any of the special songs – included the choreographed first dance music! Without a second thought, Cali ran to her office and gathered all the necessary equipment to allow the night to go on without interruption. THANK YOU CALI!!!!
The very creative Misty from Sweet Art Wedding Cakes provided the elegant (and colorful) cakes for the evening. There were 5 flavors and they all tasted de-lish! Anne and her crew from the Midtown Hy-Vee provided all the beautiful flowers for the day.
The very talented and sweet Jamy Sullivan took the photos of the day. She suggested Sally and Vernon take a “Where’s Waldo” photo – in which all of their guests surround them on the dance floor and she captured a big group shot. I think it turned out awesome! Thanks Jamy for all the great photos!

Everyone danced the night away until a limo whisked them away to the Cornhusker Hotel.
I had a great time working with Sally and Vernon – they are two very dynamic individuals and I am so pleased they chose me to be a part of their big day! I wish them the best of luck in the future – and hope to see them around town someday!

Wedding Recap

Hello!

I hope everyone enjoyed their long Labor Day weekend. Two clients of mine got married over the weekend, and the weather was gorgeous! The air conditioning went out in the sanctuary of their church a couple months ago. It was not set to be fixed before they got married, so we were hoping for cool weather. Lucky for everyone, the temperature in the sanctuary stayed fairly mild; I didn't see anyone break a sweat!

It was the first Husker game of the season, and it never even crossed my mind that there was a game going on. All the RSVP'd guests showed up, and all attention was on the bride and groom the entire night. (I did receive notice at the end of the night that the Huskers did win - Woohoo!)

I really enjoyed working with these to on their wedding. It was great to meet all their family - everyone was so personable and inviting. Weddings do bring out the best in people - and I loved being a part of it.

**I want to give a shout out to Cali - with A Sound Impression. She was there catching everything on video when the DJ's equipment (from another company) was not working correctly. Cali also offers DJ services and she had equipment back at the office that we could use. While everyone was eating, she ran to the office and got her equipment. Her equipment ran smoothly, and the rest of the night went great. THANKS CALI FOR SAVING THE NIGHT!!

Once my clients get home from their honeymoon I will post some pictures and their client interview.

Happy Planning!

Okay Ladies, listen up. You found the perfect guy and you know you want to marry him. We all know love has nothing to do with the carat of the diamond, or the place he proposes..... but it sure makes the love sweeter. So, if you think your boyfriend could benefit from a little guidance and creativity, have him give us a call. We will help create a proposal that will knock your socks off, and if he needs help picking out the ring... we can do that to. :)


So, have him call 402.486.3793 OR visit www.makehersayyes.net or email sara@bellasignatureevents.com


Good luck ladies!

plan B and thinking outside the box

I received inspiration from two of my clients a couple days ago to write this post. They had originally planned to get married on her grandfather's farm. It would have been a beautiful (and meaningful) setting, but Nebraska weather is just too darn unpredictable. So, they came up with Plan B.

They are now getting married inside of a movie theater. It's an old historic movie theater that has been updated (think plush purple reclining seats)and has tons of charm. Not your traditional locale to get married, but an awesome place, none the less.

When the guests arrive they will be greeted by bags of popcorn and handed a playbill that will list the "cast" members.

The owners of the theater were SOO happy to host this wedding at their beloved movie theater. We could not have done this without their willingness to be flexible and make it work. I can't wait to see how the pictures turn out - I will be sure to post some pictures so maybe you can gain some inspiration from their unusual ceremony site!

I have to thank my clients for thinking outside of the box for plan B. I think they have come up with awesome ideas that have in turn sparked my creativity. I can't wait for the big day!