Kerra + Chris Engagement

Kerra and Christopher are getting married over Memorial Day Weekend this May.  The 6 p.m. ceremony will take place at Reid Chapel on the campus of Samford University with the reception immediately following at Swan Lake Stables.  Mary Rosembaum captured these romantic pictures of the couple at locations around Birmingham.  Check back with us in early June for more pictures from what is sure to be an unforgettable evening thanks to some of Birmingham's most respected vendors.

Love Is In The Air

Love is in the air this Valentine's Day.  I am celebrating ALL the loves in my life this holiday.  Have you ever noticed how much love is surrounding you?  It's amazing when you take a moment and value ALL of your loving relationships, not just your romantic one.  This Valentine's Day, I say "I Love You" in a different kind of way.  Read my tips on sharing your love with more than just the one you love.

I don't talk about my personal life much, but I have the most wonderful people in it.  This Valentine's Day, my sweet boyfriend and I are celebrating 8 of the most wonderful months together.  I'm in the LOVE business, it's my life.  But I'm in LOVE with my friends and family (and my awesome dog Millie Grace).

I have the most wonderful best friends of 10+ years that I just adore.  We have so much in common and just can't get enough time together with our crazy schedules.  Our passions are the same, our outlook on life is the same, and our addiction to shopping is out of control.  We talk everyday via email.  No matter how crazy our schedules gets, we always make time for one another.

As my company grows (thank you LORD), I continue to fall madly in love with my business.  I really love the people that I am surrounded by on a daily basis, my DREAM TEAM.  I couldn't continue to follow my dreams without my family.  They have played such a crucial role in my personal life and are my biggest fans.  They never say "NO."  They always say, "We'll figure it out!" no matter what kind of mess I have created.  My friends encourage me when I come to them with my latest vision.  I am surrounded by great loving people.  I'm the luckiest girl.

So on this Valentine's Day I ask you... "Who are the lovers in your life?"  Of course your groom, boyfriend, or significant other is the main squeeze, but this Valentine's Day I encourage you to say "I LOVE YOU" to more than just that special man in your life!

Click below to read some special romantic ideas for your valentine!

Candy Canes...Not just for Christmas!

Looking for a special sweet for your sweetie this Valentine's Day?  Well look no further.  If you're anything like me, you stocked up on a $1.99 box of candy canes over the Christmas holidays with every intention of incorporating them into your decorations, but alas, you forgot about them and they are still sitting in the cabinet.  Well...it's time we use those holidays treats.  We've found a clever way to repurpose an everyday item.

Original purpose: Adorning Christmas trees, Gingerbread houses, and stuffing stockings.

Aha! use: Valentine candy.  With some minor melting, they can decorate cupcakes and gift boxes, or cards that will be hand delivered.

How to do it: Remove the cellophane wrapping from the canes and form hearts by placing them hook to hook and tail to tail on a nonstick baking sheet or one lined with parchment paper.  Bake at 350F for 2 to 4 minutes (depending on the canes' size) or until they stick together when you pinch the ends lightly.  Cool thoroughly and remove with a spatula.  IF you want to make flat hearts with psychedelic stripes, bake for 8 to 10 minutes.

Reward: Leftovers that say "love."

*Image and idea courtesy of Real Simple* 

I Do With A View

From romantic park picnics to sky-high proposals, Vulcan has been a symbol of romance for decades.  For those of you who are hopeless romantics like me...keep reading!

This Valentine's Day, Vulcan Park and Museum presents "I Do With A View," Birmingham's biggest wedding event.  14 couples have the chance to get married atop Red Mountain beneath the city's iconic cast-iron landmark.  Purchase your Premiere Wedding Ceremony package today!  Log onto www.b-metro.com/idowithaview for package details and how to book - Space is limited!

Red Dress Month

February is Red Dress Month to help raise awareness in our communities about women and heart disease.  We thought it would only be appropriate to show you a few fabulous red dresses.  Don't forget to wear your fun red dress this month!

The 12 Things I Can't Live Without

One of my favorite home design magazines asks an interior designer every month what are the 12 things they can't live without.  I like reading this feature, because I usually glean new resources and bookmark worthy websites.  This week, I've decided to copy this idea and list the 12 things that I can't live without as a wedding and event planner.  Once I got started, it was hard editing it down to 12, but here they are in no particular order:

12.  Monthly deep tissue massages.  Melissa at Massage Envy is the best!  However, when I want the full spa experience (and because they can always fit me in at the last minute) Halcyon Day Spa at The Summit is my number one choice.

11. My Apple MacBook Pro.  I can't say enough good things about my favorite road warrior tool.  I can surf the web at lightning speed, check email, shop, and chat on the webcam with my friends.  It also has Microsoft Word, so I can write my blog posts when inspiration hits.

Click below to read the rest of "The 12 Things I Can't Live Without"

Some Like It Southern

MyScoop Contributing Writer, Ashlyn Stallings, has done it again!  Thank you for including M. Elizabeth Weddings & Events in the lastest MyScoop article on Wedding Planning 101!

"So he put a ring on it, and you're over the 'constant gaze-towards-left-hand' stage and ready to start planning your wedding. We gathered a team of Birmingham's wedding experts--a wedding planner, event planner, stationery expert, and florist--to spill their tips about appropriate wedding planning 101. Being good Southern belles, we added M. Elizabeth Events etiquette expert Meghan Cease's pearls of wisdom, just look for "Meghan Says" to glean some insight!"

Click below to be taken straight to the MyScoop homepage to read the entire article!

Some Like It Southern 

Bridezilla is dead.

I spent $30 in wedding magazines yesterday and after reading them all, I learned three things:

1. We're in a recession

2. Over-the-top is...well...OVER-THE-TOP, and

3. The meltdown of the world economy has brought some perspective to the wedding planning process.  Brides are no longer caught up in our culture of narcissism.  In other words, Bridezilla is dead.

Somewhere out there is a group of wedding planners forming a conga line.

Click below to read more.

Allison + Robby Engagement

Allison and Robby are getting married this July in Tuscaloosa with the ceremony being held at Trinity United Methodist Church and the reception at North River Yacht Club.  Photographer, Alisa Lynn, captured these photos on the University of Alabama's campus, along with Capital Park in Tuscaloosa. Check back with us in July to see more pictures from this sweet couple!

McIntosh + Addington Wedding Recap

It was the last wedding of 2009 for M. Elizabeth Weddings & Events and man was it awesome!  Leigh & DJ were such a sweet and fun couple and had a beautiful wedding ceremony at Oak Mountain Presbyterian Church followed by a reception at Greystone Country Club.  We had an outstanding team of vendors including Emily Kicklighter Photography, Dreamcakes, Sweet Magnolia, The White Room, Lillie's Flowers, and John Bell & Friends.  Seriously it was like a dream team and we had so much fun!