We’re getting to the end of our Best of 2009 series but I still have a few more great posts to share with you.  I was so happy that my friend and ultra-talented planner, Jennifer Carroll of Jennifer Carroll Events was able to get a few of her best-ofs to me before we were done.  Today I have 2 of her lovely Spring & Summer weddings to share (nice and warm!) You’ll have to admit that Jennifer’s papers are extraordinary and yes, she designs them her very own self… aren’t they lovely?  Not to mention the fantastic table settings and all the rest.  Thanks for sharing your talent with us, Jennifer!

First up from Jennifer:  Erin & Andy – Farmington Country Club – July 25, 2009… enjoy!

And here’s Susan & Thad’s wedding at Clifton on May 9, 2009.  I love the black & lime green color theme…

Contact information for Jennifer Carroll Events:
~ website: http://www.jennifercarrollevents.com
~ phone: 540-456-6550
~ e-mail: jyetman@jennifercarrollevents.com
~ blog: http://jennifercarrollevents.typepad.com

Today I’m happy to announce the much anticipated launch of Jennifer Carroll Designs.  The very same talented designer and planner of Jennifer Carroll Events has launched her own line of beautiful papers for every occasion.  Jennifer was kind enough to send along a small selection of photos of a few of her designs but be sure to check out her lovely new Jennifer Carroll Designs website devoted completely to her paper creations.  I know you’re going to love Jennifer’s remarkable work… enjoy!

Photos by Jen Fariello

Contact Information for Jennifer Carroll Designs:
~ website: www.jennifercarrolldesigns.com
~ blog: http://jennifercarrollevents.typepad.com/
~ phone: 540-456-6550
~ e-mail: jennifer@jennifercarrollevents.com

If you’re planning a wedding in the Charlottesville area, the Charlottesville Wedding Directory will make your life so much easier… check it out… and happy wedding planning!

Well, think again! My friend and colleague, Jennifer Carroll of Jennifer Carroll Events has lots to offer Charlottesville area brides who could use some help and has some amazing special offers right now for the 2009 season. Before you make up your mind please read on…

Jennifer writes: “Did you know that the biggest regret couples have after their wedding is not having had a wedding coordinator there?The recent issue of The Hook’s: Getting Hitched told the tale on page after page.

The amount of work you’ve been pouring into your wedding planning is all going to culminate in this one day and rather than rely on family and friends working to make it all happen, the value of having a professional day-of planner is monumental. There are thousands of tiny details that need to be managed. A professional planner will handle these with ease and free you and your family to truly celebrate the day and not miss a single moment. What a wonderful gift to give yourself and them!

Many couples fear this is a service that they can’t afford but I feel that it is so vital that you can’t afford not to have it. I believe this so strongly that I am offering a select number of couples a very special discount for their wedding in 2009. If you are dreaming of a low-stress, blissful wedding day please call or email me right away to learn more about this special offer. I look forward to helping you make all of your wedding dreams a wonderful reality!”

“Hiring Jennifer Carroll was the best decision of the wedding– she made the fairy tale come true!” – Tatiana Sainati

“I’m also excited to announce that we are having a Wedding Paper Sale! Do you need ceremony programs, menu cards, or other papers for your wedding? Let us help you create beautiful & memorable papers for your perfect wedding day! And best of all their on SALE! Enjoy $15 off orders of $99 or more and $50 off orders of $299 or more!”

Enjoy a small selection of some of Jennifer’s beautiful work:

Contact Information for Jennifer Carroll Events:
~ website: www.jennifercarrollevents.com
~ blog: http://jennifercarrollevents.typepad.com/
~ phone: 540-456-6550
~ e-mail: jennifer@jennifercarrollevents.com

Earlier this week Kathryn Kieffer of Festive Fare let me know that Katie Sale of Rock Paper Scissors will be leading an evening workshop on Thank-you note writing on Tuesday, April 28th from 5 – 7 PM in their showroom.  Kathryn writes…

“we will offer light refreshments and let you unwind after the work day and then a fun and informative session on thank – you notes. We’ll wrap up with looking at all the goodies that “Rock, Paper, Scissors” has to offer as well as new items that Festive Fare has introduced for spring. Let us know if you would like to join. Please R.S.V.P by 04.22.09 to 434.296.5496 or Kathryn@fesitvefarerentals.com and we can accommodate up to 15 people so please let me know if you would like to attend”

Festive Fare is located at 1745 Broadway St., Charlottesville…  thanks Kathryn & Katie… hope that you have a wonderful workshop!

If you’re planning a wedding in the Charlottesville area, the Charlottesville Wedding Directory will make your life so much easier… check it out… and happy wedding planning!

Last week my friend, Anita Gupta of Maliha Creations, sent me an e-mail introduction to a friend of hers who is a relatively new calligrapher in town… Jennifer Maton.  I hopped over to Jennifer’s website: If So Inklined, (cute name, huh?) and invited her to send me some of her work to share with you.  Along with the photos of her beautiful work, Jennifer sent me this little introduction to her business:

“If So INKlined Calligraphy offers traditional, modern and unique professional hand designed calligraphy for all occasions. Every design is hand crafted, not computer generated to give each project a unique and one of a kind look. Our services include: envelope addressing, place card lettering, seating scrolls, whimsical map direction card illustrations, invitations, table cards, monograms, custom art, wedding vows,  and so much more!  We offer custom mixed colors, including metallics and pearls to match specific requirements. Attention to detail, years of experience, and dozens upon dozens of well – satisfied clients mark If So INKlined as a premiere provider of the finest calligraphy. No job is too large or too small. Book your special event now with confidence. All projects and ideas are welcome.”

Contact Information for Jennifer of If So Inklined Calligraphy:
~ phone: 401-207-4644
~ e-mail: jen@ifsoinklined.com
~ website: www.ifsoinklined.com

A couple of weeks ago I discovered this lovely little website called butterflieskiss by Donna Wilson, a talented artist, putting her gifts to work for brides who want something truly unique for their printed materials… almost like creating a logo or brand for your wedding. Let me quote right from Donna’s “About” page:

“butterflieskiss is home to wedding inspired designs and illustrations by Donna Wilson. A graduate of both the Fashion Institute of Technology and Parson’s School of Design, her work has been exhibited at the Society of Illustrators and the Art Directors Club in NYC as well as galleries worldwide.

While planning her own wedding, she became interested in creating card designs that reflect diversity of ethnicity and lifestyle. Her multi ethnic bride illustrations were born out of genuine interest and love of giving people something personal and unique. The first set was a gift, the second an order, the rest is history.

Each card is a custom design, specifically created according to the client’s personal likes and vision. These custom designs can include your own personal portrait or likeness, dress style, colors and flower choices with embellishments such as crystal or dried flowers.

They have been used as shower invitations, thank you and also as gifts. To arrange a meeting or to see a portfolio, please email  Donna at: butterflieskiss@mac.com”

I think Donna’s work is just lovely and so unique.  I’m even thinking of having her create something special for a project I have coming up later this year… I’m wondering how she came up with butterflies kiss as the name for her business… maybe she’ll let us know!

I just learned that our very own amazing and talented Jennifer Carroll of Jennifer Carroll Events was featured on 2 wonderful blogs today… so I decided I’d jump right in there and feature her here too… maybe 3 in one day will be some kind of record

First, let me link you up to the 2 other blog posts that came out today, they are both wonderful, please check them out:

• Weddings Unveiled features Jennifer’s wonderful favors invites and papers.
• Teardrop Weddings has Jennifer in their Vendor Spotlight.

Jennifer is an extraordinarily talented planner, designer and artist and is a joy to work with. Her work is a true expression of her many gifts and talents and it is so much fun to watch her multitude of amazing ideas and inspirations come to life.

Earlier this year Jennifer’s friend and colleague, the talented Jen Fariello, sent me this selection of her photographs of some of Jennifer’s incredible design work from a wedding that we all did together at King Family Vineyard in May of this year… and today seems like a great time to share them with you… enjoy!

Jennifer knows how to keep the kids busy!

Contact Information for Jennifer Carroll Events:
~ website: www.jennifercarrollevents.com
~ e-mail: jennifer@jennifercarrollevents.com
~ phone: 434-823-7607
~ blog: http://jennifercarrollevents.typepad.com

Contact Information for Jen Fariello Photography:
~ website: www.jenfariello.com
~ e-mail: jen@jenfariello.com
~ phone: 434-963-7976
~ blog: http://jenfariello.bigfolioblog.com

Yesterday, I spent a wonderful hour with Louisa Wimberger, owner and artistic talent behind weehah! at her home office and workshop in the Belmont neighborhood right in downtown Charlottesville.

Louisa creates (among other things) a wide variety of unique items for couples who are planning their wedding: save the date cards, invitations, menus, direction cards, shower announcements and thanks-yous. What is really special about what Louisa offers is the large degree of customization she offers and how closely she works with the brides and grooms who come to her door.

Louisa says that the items she creates with her couples are geared towards who they are, she encourages them to make their wedding paper creations their own and to step out of the box rather than always following the rules.

Visiting Louisa’s at-home office and workshop was so much fun… everywhere you look there are her colorful creations in various stages of production… made me want to roll up my sleeves and help out (if I knew how ). She uses a variety of personally created and hand-embellishment techniques to produce these truly wonderful products. I’d have to say that just working with Louisa would be half the fun!

If you’d like to contact her please be sure to visit her website, give her a call at 434-923-0561 or shoot her an e-mail at cards@weehah.com to find out what you and Louisa might create together for your big day… have fun!

Photo of Louisa by Jen Fariello.

A Ketubah is a decorative Jewish marriage certificate. Traditionally, it was used to specify the legal obligation of a groom to his bride but today, at Ketubah Tree, a Ketubah is so much more! Whether you are having a traditional Jewish celebration or an Interfaith or Multicultural Wedding, Ketubah Tree has the most incredibly beautiful certificates to honor your love and your union that you can imagine.

These certificates are so beautiful that I would think it would be very difficult to make a choice. And, if that weren’t enough, Ketubah Tree offers many, many customization options such as: language, color, text, size and design.

The thing that is most striking when you go to their website are evocative colors and designs as well as the heartfelt words.

Michelle Rummel is the owner of Shell Artistree, LLC. She is also a wonderful designer and most definitely has her heart in every aspect of this work.

Some of the wide range of wedding-related items that you’ll find at Ketubah Tree, in addition to the Ketubot and other certificates are:

• Wedding Program Covers
• Invitations & Save-the-date cards
• Notecards & thank-yous
• Favors
• Chuppah Designs

Visit Ketubah Tree and enjoy their beautiful, heartfelt and unique items and have fun!

It’s All In The Details!

Today I am happy to share with you a wonderful site that I recently came across called I Do Originals. According to their site, “I Do Originals.com is an on-line boutique that “was launched in November 2006 as an affordable avenue for brides to completely personalize every aspect of their own special day.” And, oh my, they have ways of personalizing your wedding that I never would have thought of in a million years! For instance:

• Custom monograms that you can use in dozens of creative ways including: on your printed materials (invitations, menu cards, etc.) or on any of the other items in this list.
• Aisle Runners
• Table Runners
• Banners
• Parasols (hand painted…. love these!)
• Embroidery (dress tags, cosmetic bags, chair sashes or just about anything you can imagine!

Their site and blog have lots of great photos of all the amazing things they create… check them out for some truly unique ideas for your own day.

Additionally, I Do Originals works with their affiliates, Wedding Paper Divas and My Own Labels to provide invitations, save-the-dates, labels and favors, all in keeping with their theme of helping couples thoroughly personalize their wedding details.

To contact I Do Originals e-mail is best: iDoOriginals@live.com

Enjoy!