It's my wedding right?

I love when I sit down and have the first meeting with clients. They always start out really well, with the brides and grooms telling us what they are envisioning. Then they elaborate and tell us about visions, and ideas, or elements that they have had in their head since they were little. So our job should be easy right?

The truth is, yes it is your day, and yes it should be easy. But the reality is, there are other people to think about. Maybe the couples parents, have been dreaming about this since they were little. Maybe they are the only child, or maybe the parents are polar opposite of their kids. There lies, the challenge, and the benefit to hiring an experienced wedding coordinator/planner.

We wear many hats in our business, we are mediators, couselors, and at times even referees! I recommend to all of our clients that they do the following steps to ensure a more peaceful planning process:

1) Think about the most important elements that both you and your partner want
2) Ask your parents what some of their important elements are
3) Then calmly discuss what things you are willing to compromise on, and then what things you are unwilling to compromise on.
4) Then keep the lines of communication open, and try not to be worried about hurting the others feelings by saying no, or telling them you would really rather not do that.

Communication is key, and honesty is a great policy! Agreeing blindly to something like a dress, or flowers, or officiant, just purely to avoid conflict with your parents is not always the best bet. This type of behavior often times results in things building up, whether it is tension or frustration. Eventually when things build up they explode, and you do not want that for your wedding.

Now we do not advise, taking everyone and their Aunt Martha's opinions. (Sorry Aunt Martha) As too many people often offer unsolicited advise and opinions which can cause issues all in itself. But focus on the key people closest to you that love you unconditionally and just want the best for you.

Take it from us, as many many of our clients can tell you. We help all sides plan the wedding of their dreams with minimal stress and hurt feelings. No bridezillas/momzillas/groomzillas in the LBE family if we can help it.

So talk openly and honestly we know that it can be hard to get that dialogue going, but in the end it will be worth it. Just remember although it is your "day", long after your day, you will look back and be glad that you kept them involved.

Happy Planning..

Love is in the air..

Happy Valentine's Day to all of you. We are lucky enough to see couples in love on a daily basis. It is one of the great perks to our jobs. Our clients are in love and are planning their big day, that they will start the next chapter in their lives. Then after one couple marries, we get to do it all over again with the next ones.

It never gets old to me, hearing how the couples met, how they got engaged, and how much they love each other. I also enjoy hearing how much the parents, siblings, friends, etc love the couple! It brings a smile to my face to witness love in all forms.

So I know that technically Valentines' Day is about couples or two people in love. However, I challenge you to think about all of the LOVE in your life. Take a moment and be thankful for those people that love you, and reach out and tell them how much you love them. I guarantee it will make someone smile. Love is free, it doesn't cost you anything, so don't be stingy with it!

Another birthday...

Normally I do not put very much personal stuff on this blog, but I wanted to share this with you. Well we all know that I LOVE producing weddings and events, right? So what do I do on my downtime? Plan a birthday party of course! This year I celebrated with my dear friend and co-birthday person Dawn. However, I wanted this party to be BIG and to be meaningful. More then just pulling our friends together, I wanted to give back. So this year we raised money for a charity that is near and dear to my heart, the ASPCA.

The theme of the party was comfy, casual, pajama's! Who doesn't love lounging around in pj's? Even the weather (ice and snow) didn't keep our beloved die hard friends from coming out. This is a picture of Dawn and myself, the two birthday girls!


The event was at the super funky and fun Mad Art Gallery in Soulard. If you haven't checked it out yet, you definitely need to. We had over 50 people in attendance, and another 12 that couldn't make it but still donated. All in all we raised $450 for the ASPCA.

Mad Art Gallery is even more unique as it use to be a police station, so it still has jail cells. This was a perfect place for a lounge for people to hang out in. Our friends at Two Blue Doors, Inc. did what they do best and created cute signs to tie the entire theme together. The doors to the dance area, had our names on them, and the hallway had a collage of pictures of us throughout the years. They were adorable!

Chris Johnson from CJ's Disc Jockey Service kept the party going all night long. Let's just say that since it was my party, we played A LOT of 90's music!

Tamico Love, from The Brick Street Bakery made us the most fantabulous birthday cake! The pj part was red velvet, which is my favorite, and the pillow was white with rasberry filling. YUM!


I feel so lucky to get to do what I do for a living, and to be surrounded on my birthday by so many people. Working in the event world, allows me to work with great vendors, etc and so many of them made this birthday extra special! Thanks to all of you who sent birthday wishes and helped us raise money for the prevention of animal cruelty!