End of Wedding Season | Maternity Leave

For those that don't know, my husband and I are expecting our first child (a baby boy!) due in August! This past weekend we wrapped up our final wedding of 2012! It feels unbelievably surreal to say that. Even though our season was relatively short compared to recent years, we completed 7 weddings in just 10 weeks all while I was pregnant. It was no easy feat, and I have to thank SO many people around me for their amazing support and assistance.

As I begin my maternity leave and get ready to hand over my trusty clipboard + wedding tote for bottles + a diaper bag, I can't help but look back on all of the incredible moments I've witnessed at the 40+ weddings I've been lucky to have been apart of. 

To my Clients - As I've said many times in the past, I am extremely lucky to have worked with soooo many amazing couples. Many of my brides have become very dear friends, and I am so grateful for that. Today, I am reflecting on this post I wrote nearly 1 year ago. These could not be more fitting words for how I feel about all of you. Seeing so many of you purchase your first homes, travel the world with your spouses, and become first time parents is what I love so much about my continued friendships with all of you. Please continue to keep in touch! 

To Meghan - Simply put, you ROCK! How can I ever thank you for all of your hard work and countless hours that we've spent together pulling off some amazing weddings?! I think we make one heck of a team! 

To Rob - THANK YOU for your unending support that has allowed me to do what I love for a living. There are no words to describe how grateful I am to have such a supportive husband. I love you! 

Lastly, to Baby Schmitt - Thank you for not surprising us with an unexpected appearance at a wedding ;) Mommy is SO ready to meet you and fill her days with lots of cuddles and play time together! Just a few more weeks baby boy!!! 

My official maternity leave begins this week and will extend through the end of the year and into early 2013. We are currently in the process of restructuring some of our service levels, but I do plan to be back for the spring/summer wedding season of 2013. Details regarding our new service levels are now available on our website.

Ok, now that I have cried through this post multiple times, I will wrap things up and just simply end this post with another huge THANK YOU! :)

  

xoxo,

 

Real Weddings 2012 :: Kate & Bernie 5.26.12

Kate & Bernie's wedding day was filled with loads of bright colors...perfect for an early summer wedding! Kate and I started planning nearly 2 years before their big day, which gave us plenty of time to perfect all of the details. With the help of the fabulous Mocha Rose team, the flower arrangements were stunning and definitely one-of-a-kind!

Kate & Bernie's day started off with a spa treatment for Kate and her bridesmaids right onsite at Chestnut Ridge...not a bad way to start your wedding day, huh? The girls got ready in the spa, and the guys got ready next door at the Hampton Inn. Since everything was within walking distance to Chestnut Ridge, Kate & Bernie got lucky and didn't have to rent any transportation for the day...definitely a big bonus! 

May 26th was a HOT one, but that didn't stop the bridal party from setting out onto the golf course property to snag a few photos before the ceremony began. Kate & Bernie wanted to keep things traditional, so with the help of the couple's photographer, Leeann Marie, we kept the two of them separated until it was time to say "I Do". 

Kate & Bernie tied the knot inside the Crystal Terrace room at Chestnut Ridge. It was a short and sweet ceremony officiated by Rev. Mark DeNuzzio.

Following the ceremony, guests headed over to the London Ballroom (just steps away from where the ceremony had taken place) where they enjoyed a three-course sit down meal, some photo booth fun, an amazing dessert spread, and an evening full of dancing. No detail was overlooked. Kate even treated her guests to a few extra surprises - flip flops for the ladies and a cigar bar for the guys. Oh, and I can't forget the cake - Kate & Bernie's wedding cake was probably the most talked about cake ever. Kudos to Tammy from Cakes by Tammy for designing this gorgeous cake! :)

It was an awesome night, and we couldn't be more happy for this great couple! Congratulations again, Kate & Bernie!!

The Wedding Team

Wedding Planner Simply Perfect Weddings

Ceremony + Reception Venue Chestnut Ridge Golf Resort

Photographer Leeann Marie Photography

Videographer Nate Sherer Video

Floral Designer Mocha Rose Floral Designs

DJ 5th Ace Entertainment

Bakery Cakes by Tammy 

Photo Booth Photobooth Pittsburgh

Ceremony Musicians Steven Vance Strolling Violins

Officiant A Simple Vow (Rev. Mark DeNuzzio)

Rentals (Chiavari Chairs) All Occasions Party Rental

All photos courtesy of Leeann Marie Photography.

Real Weddings 2012 :: Emily & Eryk 4.28.12

Where do I start with Emily & Eryk's wedding?! I got to know Emily and her family very well over the course of our wedding planning and I am absolutely smitten with them! I first started off planning Emily's sisters' wedding (which will be debuted on the blog soon!), and after several months of planning Alison's wedding, Alison passed my name along to Emily. Emily and I hit it off right away, and before I knew it I was helping to plan both sisters' weddings just 2 months apart from each other...talk about a busy time in their household! ;) 

Emily & Eryk's wedding day started off with hair and makeup for the ladies at Emily's parents' home. We planned plenty of time for hair & makeup so the ladies could be fully pampered that morning. Following hair & makeup, Emily and her bridesmaids set out for a photo session around the family's property. It was a bit chilly and damp on their wedding day, but Emily was still smiling through it all and was seriously one of the most happy and cheerful brides I've seen :)

Emily & Eryk exchanged vows at St. John & Paul Catholic Church in Sewickley. Prior to the ceremony beginning, guests were treated with a variety of romantic music selections from harpist, Julia Ann Scott. Having the harpist play as guests arrived was a nice change from the traditional organ.

Following the nuptials, guests made their way downtown to the Omni William Penn for cocktails, dinner, and dancing. The Omni was the perfect location for Emily & Eryk's formal wedding reception. Guests enjoyed amazing cuisine, stunning decor, and not to mention an incredible dance set by In the Mood (I mean, just LOOK at that packed dance floor!). 

Emily & Eryk's wedding was the perfect kick off to our 2012 wedding season!

Congratulations again to Emily & Eryk!!

The Wedding Team

Wedding Planner Simply Perfect Weddings

Ceremony Venue St. John & Paul Catholic Church

Reception Venue Omni William Penn

Photographer Bellissima Photography

Videographer Pittsburgh Wedding DVD

Floral Designer Karrie Hlista Designs

Band Three Rivers Entertainment & Production (In the Mood)

Harpist Julia Ann Scott

Transportation Amore Limousines

Stationery Purple Wagon Designs  

All photos courtesy of Bellissima Photography.