Kansas City Weddings : Gallery

I've posted two new weddings in the Real KC Wedding Gallery!  Here is a sneak peek... to see all of the images, visit The Bliss List!

Jennifer + John

Photos courtesy of Adrienne Maples - Bliss List Member!

*Look at the beautiful stationery created by Bliss List Member, AJK Papery... I'm obsessed with these - so artistic!

Lis + Marc

Photos courtesy of Kdog Photographers - Bliss List Members!

View all of the images from these weddings in The Bliss List's Real KC Wedding Gallery!

The White Event

My weekend was FILLED with Bridal Event fun!  Today, I've posted photos from The WHITE Event.  I attended with Julie Blanner, of coordinately yours, and we had such a great time.  I was so inspired by all of the vendors' presentations and displays - it was truly a group of professional, enthusiastic, and knowledgeable vendors.    Thank you, Mr. Nolte for the invitation!

Above : Natasha's Mulberry & Mott - Bliss List Member!  Isn't Natasha's display lovely?  I can think of no other word to describe it!   Absolutely lovely.  

Below : A close-up of her marshmallows in an apothecary jar.  The silk ribbon is stunning.  

This is the sweetest little cake I've ever seen.  Perfect for a bridal luncheon or shower!

Below : AJK Papery - Bliss List Member!  Look at all of Amy's ribbons and papers... what a fun world she lives in!  Amy and I have so much in common - from our love of being surrounded by fun ribbons and crafty supplies to our obsessions with Martha Stewart : )
Amy Kirkland, owner of AJK Papery, giving great advice on planning a themed and beautiful wedding and how to get all of your vendors on the same page.  One of her tips?  Read The Bliss List... I agree!
Below : Shana Vaughn Designs.  I posted Shana's work at The KC Bridal Spectacular as well.   I think her display here is absolutely adorable.  Very feminine without being to fussy.  I would love to attend an event with a table set like this!  A placecard tucked in the flowers at each setting?!  Yes, please!
Look at those little fruits... apricots?  Love it.  
Isaac Alongi.  Me taking a photo of one of the best photographers in town... ironic.   
All Seasons : A very cool lounge/tent.  What a fun chandelier.  Totally DIYable.  
Did anyone else attend the event?   Stay tuned for photos from Laura's Couture Collection's Event, LUXE!

KC Bridal Shows : This Weekend!!

Wow, I can't wait for this weekend - Kansas City's best bridal events are here!!   Our Bliss List Members are going to be featured in the city's best shows.  Be sure to pre-register... all of the events require pre-registration!

Look for me - I'll be at ALL of the events.  Say hello and we can take your photo for the blog.  I love to meet my Bliss Readers : )

The Luxe

Kansas City's Wedding Showcase presented by Laura's Couture Collection

The Intercontinental's Rooftop Ballroom,  Country Club Plaza 

Friday, Jan. 23rd, 8:00 p.m. - "Presentation of the 2009 Luxe Awards" - $45

Saturday, Jan. 24th, 10:00 a.m. - "Lian Carlo Trunk Show"

Saturday, Jan. 24th, 2:00 p.m. - "High Tea & Fashion Show" - $35

Sunday, Jan. 25th, "The Bridal Event for the Discerning Bride" Bridal Show featuring KC's Finest Wedding Professionals. - $25

Look for the Bliss List Members! 

*Laura's Couture Collection

*Studio Dan Meiners

*Beco Flowers

*Emerson-Martin Stationery

 

The WHITE Event - Bliss List Members get a $10 discount!!!**

The Ritz Charles, Overland Park

Sunday, Jan. 25th - "The WHITE Event" Champagne Luncheon & Show 

An afternoon educational bridal event for engaged couples and their parents. 

Look for The Bliss List Members!

*Natasha's Mulberry & Mott

*Wirken Photography

*AJK Papery

**Bliss List Members = $20!!!   Call and register for the event before Saturday at 3 PM - mention the Bliss List and get a $10 discount (original ticket price was $30)... Wow!!

Soiree Event Designs : Michelle & Jason

This blog posting is from guest bloggers and new Bliss List members, the girls from Soiree Event Designs!  

Photogrpahy: PhotoMomentos
Venue: The town of Barnes, KS
Caterers: A collaborative effort between Barnes locals Vathauer Catering and Chellie Powers
Flowers: Branches and Twigs
Rental: Celebrations Party Rental
Disc Jockey: Complete Music of Manhattan

See all of the photos in The Bliss List's Real KC Wedding Gallery!!

When Michelle and Jason contacted us last February to do their wedding we instantly knew this was going to be a challenge, but we were also very excited. See, Michelle grew up in Barnes, KS (population 375!) which is an hour north of Manhattan, KS. However, for the past nine years she has called Los Angeles home, and Jason has lived there his whole life. Michelle still has a lot of family in the Barnes area and they felt that “coming back to her roots” for the wedding was very important. Since 50% of the wedding guests would be traveling from LA, Labor Day weekend was chosen and we got started planning the 3 day extravaganza! A sampling of our upcoming challenges included getting guest from KCI to Barnes without them getting lost, no cell phone service, no running water or restrooms at the reception site, generator power, wind…

Friday night there was a Welcome Dinner hosted at a local restaurant called Our Daily Bread and then everyone went out for a night on the town! Saturday all of the out of town guests “experienced Kansas” with fishing, gun shooting, tractor lessons and corn shucking on the bride’s brother’s farm. In the meantime, we began our set-up! Our venue was Main Street in the middle of Barnes. There were about 5 local businesses on each side of the road that provided real authentic scenery for our tented reception. Celebrations Party Rental in Lee’s Summit brought in all the tenting, lighting, tables, chairs, plates, glassware, etc. as there weren’t a lot of local resources. That evening the bride’s parents hosted the rehearsal dinner at their farm. Food was set-up on an old truck bed and picnic tables were draped with the traditional red and white checked table cloths. Carnival lights strung from poles provided a festive atmosphere.

Sunday was wedding day. Michelle was gorgeous in her Marchesa gown. Stylist Rachel Zoe is one of Michelle’s good friends and Michelle was featured on The Rachel Zoe Project shopping for her dress. Jason and his groomsmen embraced the surroundings and wore seersucker suits with salmon colored ties to match the bridesmaids. The ceremony was held on top of a hill overlooking the Kansas fields. Michelle and her father were taken to the ceremony site in an old buggy, guests sat on hay bales and the bride and groom were married under an old wind mill. After a very windy, but beautiful ceremony, guests made their way to the cocktail hour where the mood was set by the Little Brown Jug band, a bluegrass band from Nebraska and guests sipped on four different signature cocktails. Dinner was served under the main tent and two local caterers served smoked and barbequed meats and salads made with home grown ingredients. A buffet of homemade pies accented the wedding cake and dancing went into the wee hours of the morning! All in all it was by far our most challenging event to date but it was also one that we are extremely proud of!

PhotoMementos captured the 3 day event in the most magical way. 

Tasting : Olive Events

Last night I attended a tasting at Olive Events Catering.  Marisa and her crew hosted quite the evening! 

Their kitchen and consultation space is located on the lower level of Marisa's beautiful home - overlooking a lake, surrounded by trees... not bad!  

I'm dying for this kitchen...

And this couch : )

I was greeted at the door with a mango martini topped with blueberries!  Yum!  

The tasting plate... very beautiful, don't you think?

Isn't this such an inventive way to display deserts?!

 

Crab Cake - wow!  We also sampled mini Lobster Pot Pies, and Butternut Squash Shooters.

I think these cupcakes are adorable... such unique packaging!

Thanks for the great evening, Marisa & the Olive Events crew!

DIY : Designing Stationery

Designing your own wedding stationery is HUGE right now... and it is a great way to cut back on the all important budget and allows you to put a personal (sweat & tears!) stamp on Your Day.  The Smart Planner (a resource for wedding professionals, but I think these tips are applicable to novice designing Brides, too!), posted some general graphic design tips that are right on!  Read the article here. 

Twitter & Facebook

Good Morning, Bliss List Readers!

I've officially become an online social butterfly... 'follow' me on Twitter, and become my 'friend' on Facebook!

Barns & Farms : Willoughby

Is it just me, or does it seem that there is an ever increasing trend of hosting weddings in barns?! I guess it makes sense, barns are large, empty spaces constructed of amazing, knotty wooden beams vaulting lofty ceilings... the perfect character loaded canvas to create an event full of whimsy and charm. 

I have a new found love in the barn world... The Willoughby Design Barn was constructed by and for an uber-creative firm, The Willoughby Design Group. The farm property, just outside of Weston, Mo., boasts a 100-year-old home and a 10-year-old barn. The two buildings are a perfect combination of modern and rustic.  

I am planning a Client's September wedding at the farm- and I couldn't be more excited!  On Sunday, Ann Willoughby, Steve, and her property keepers (who do an amazing job!) showed us around the stunning farm.  Thanks, Ann, Steve & company! 

KC Star : Favorite Books

I was one of the 'experts' featured in the Kansas City's Star House + Home on Sunday!  

"Local pros and experts suggest their favorite guides to include on the home library shelf." 

My recommendation : 

Barefoot Contessa Parties! (Clarkson Potter, $32,50)

"Jenny Steffens, an event planner who owns Occasions Kansas City and The Bliss List, a site with descriptions of wedding vendors (www.blisslistkc.com).  Steffens considers this book her home-entertaining bible.  'It has it all,' Steffens said, 'from recipes to party idea, to how to set the table.  She even talks about her mistakes.'"

"The 264-page book is organized by party ideas for the four seasons.  The book is iconic Garten, host of her own Food Network series and author of other cookbooks.  Her philosophy is keeping an event simple but elegant, making for a happier host and more memorable party.'

"'I can't say enough about assembling food rather than cooking,' Garten wrote. 'I keep telling myself that my friends won't have more fun if I spend two days making a dacquoise for dessert than if I find a delicious pound cake at a bakery and serve it with store-bought lemon curd and fresh raspberries.'"

Sunday, January 11, 2009, Kansas City Star, House + Home

KC Bridal Spectacular

This weekend I (along with 3,000+ others!) attended the Kansas City Bridal Spectacular. My mission of the day was to introduce myself and The Bliss List to all of the vendors (hello to all of my new vendor friends!) and to scout out the new wedding talent in KC. Here is what I found :

Pretty Ink Designs : This 'booth' (I use the term loosely, because owner, Kelly Morgester, basically build the cutest little room I've ever seen. It was set-up how envision a creative stationery designer's studio would look!) had so many great, feminine and classic designs.  www.prettyinkdesigns.com

Lily Willow : I've always admired Lily Willow - very creative, very beautiful and whimsical designs.  Look at the "not-so-western" invitation suite below.  Love it!  www.lilywillow.com

Shana Vaughn Designs : New designer, Shana, had a really elegant booth.  Note the votives handing from the branches!   www.shanavaughndesigns.com

Blue Bouquet : Incredible!  Dru & Neil's booth was super amazing.  Every element was new and fresh - no over-used tired ideas here.  I really love the candle arrangement below - a perfect example of how you can create a stunning look by using very few flowers... You could probably put this look together from something you already have!  www.bluebouquet.com

Laura's Couture : Don't you just love this Vera Wang gown?  It was featured in all of the VW print advertising last year.  So rich and luxurious.   www.laurascouture.com 

Red Door Event Design : Sorry my photo is so terrible!  The booth was so much more beautiful than this picture.  She had orchid leis hanging from a branch/thatch canopy and gorgeous bouquets!  www.reddoorevent.com

Berg Event Space : The booth totally portrayed the ultra modern loft - the trip up the old freight elevator is worth the visit to the Berg Event Space!   You have to see it!  www.bergeventspace.com 

delish! catering : Mary Berg, owner of delish!, had her booth filled with gorgeous arrangements, tasty (to die for!) chocolate treats and beautiful photos of her artistic and creative creations.  

Mitzy's Tea Room : Brand spankin new... I'm so excited to visit this new venue that is supposedly perfect for small groups (20-25).  Hello bachelorette party or bridal shower!  www.mitzylondons.com

DIY Project : Glass Jars

As promised, I replicated the DIY Martha Stewart project : Beautiful Bottles.  I used a collection of blue glass Ball jars from my Grandma's collection... she had hundreds - all shapes and sizes.  

#1 : Clean jars thoroughly.  Any dirt spots will be magnified when the enamel is applied.

#2 : Pour white enamel into jars.  For clear glass, you can use a tinted enamel to make a colored jar to match your palette. 

# 3 : Roll the enamel around in the jars to coat the sides. 

#4 : Stand up-side-down to dry.  

I'm so excited about my new jars... I have so many ideas for them!  Right now, they are on my desk filled with pencils and pens!