If you’ve been following along with me on instagram you’ll know there’s a fabulously fun wedding coming up on the HGE roster. It has a lot to do with unicorns and glitter, and rainbow and cowboys. And it’s been nothing sort of a wonderfully creative challenge that’s truly opened my eyes to a whole other level of artistry and design. Janet and Jon are both artists hailing from the Windy City with a sense of imagination I’ve come to so respect and admire. These two will be getting married at long last on June 2nd, and last week we finally joined forces with Kelly Braman to bring their fairytale fantasy to life. Their engagement session had some styled elements in it like the floral crown I created (and secretly want to wear in my office every day,) Janet’s bouquet, Jon’s cowboy-esque attire and the unicorn inspired hair piece and tulle tail fashioned by make up and hair artist Rebecca Gohl.  There’s so much eye candy here captured beautiful by Kelly. Janet and Jon, this whole planning process has been such a pleasure and the countdown is on!

Janet’s bridal bouquet will look similar to this mock up but with the addition of purple kale, blue, purple and red anemones, thistle and a few other quirky additions. Pretty blooms have been important to the couple throughout the planning process and I had such a blast designing their florals based around such unique and out of the box concepts and colors. The ribbon streamers will also be a design element used throughout the event as a nod to the whimsical fairytale themes Janet so loves. Oh and those are mini pineapples in that bouquet! Fun stuff right, guys?

Princess Janet.

This photo is my all time favorite of Janet. I’m thinking it should be a canvas in the girl cave, no?

We found this adorable pink trailer out in the Rockford countryside and decided to use it as a backdrop with Janet in her unicorn costume. It fit perfectly with her brightly hued highlights and gorgeous make up thanks to Rebecca’s artistry. And the sun was setting fast at this point in the shoot giving us the most delicious light. How handsome is Jon in a cowboy hat? Wait until you see both the bride and groom’s big day attire. The day of photos are going to be rad.

Happy Wednesday, friends! xoxo

. . . . . . . . . .

Photography: Kelly Braman Photography / Florals and crown: Hey Gorgeous Events / Make up and hair: Rebecca Gohl / Moss chair: Events by I Candy / Unicorn horn: Firefly Path / Headpiece faux flower: Loulou Loves You / Pink gloves: Jye / Sparkle shoes: Badgley Mischka / Dress: Claire La Faye

Guys, I nearly did cartwheels when I finally saw the latest issue of The Knot Michigan sitting on the shelves at Target this past weekend. The issue with my work published on the inside. See, a couple years ago Andrew and I made the move from Chicago to Michigan just three months after my second move back to the city (and only six months after our wedding; still with me here?) This big city girl was sick of moving and I remember sulking the entire drive here to Grand Rapids because I KNEW it was going to be so so hard to find my ideal client, the kind of client that I dream of working with, here in Michigan. I felt like the type of career and business I wanted so badly was further away from reality in Michigan and I couldn’t believe this would now be ‘home.’ Luckily I learned pretty quickly like with most things in life you can sulk about it and do nothing, or you can turn a negative into a positive and make it work for you. So I did just that. I decided I’d have to let Michigan learn to love me and what I have to offer. I’d have to try and set an example to show that quirky event design and full service event planning services are a must. With a small portfolio of events but all the gusto in the world to make it happen, I knew eventually things would fall into place. And they did.

If you pick up the latest issue of The Knot Michigan, you find a section in the middle called Tradition with a Twist. Guys, that is SO Hey Gorgeous isn’t it? Traditional with a twist. Playful with the pretty. Gorgeous with the unexpected. I had no clue what the story would be about prior to receiving my sneak peek copy but I love how they highlighted the juxtaposition-style of my florals and events. And seven pages? Of my work, blooms and my big old heart? HGE in print! To the editors at The Knot who told me I have something special to offer here in Michigan, thank you reigniting that fire in me that here in Michigan I am needed and understood. If you’re reading this and you’re in Michigan go grab a copy too. It’s really a gorgeous issue filled with amazing vendors and ideas from here in the Mitten.

Oh and the above double page spread is from our Little Black Dress Bridal Shower editorial. You can see more here. Amy Carroll shot the spread and did a wonderful job. Ashley from Lemon and Lavender created the lovely paper goods and I did the styling, concept and florals. Have a happy Tuesday, friends and go out there and do something wonderful! xoxo

Today, I turn 27 years old.

It’s not a special age by any means. I’m not 25. I’m not in my last year of my twenties or turning the big 3-0. I’m just 27. Yet I feel like this is a good number for me. It fits. I’ve felt so much clarity leading up to 27 and for the first time in a while feel content in my own skin. I have a small business that I adore, goals and dreams I’m working towards, an amazing husband, and a family and group of friends that’s small, but I’m a quality over quantity kind of girl anyways (unless it’s a bunch of blooms; you can never have too many blooms). I can’t emphasize enough how much I mean it when I say my life is far from perfect but leading up to 27 I’ve accepted – and learned to love – the imperfections.

My Mom asked me last night, what my plans were for today. I told her I wanted to take Zoe for a walk, get caught up on some laundry, take a trip to Target for some new foundation (and a new pouf for our front porch that Andrew doesn’t yet know we are bringing home) and enjoy a 3:00 pm surprise that Andrew planned for me. Maybe we’ll enjoy a nice dinner later and then I’ll prep for a new work week starting tomorrow. It’s funny how our birthday celebration desires change from year to year. But ultimately, my birthday wish for this year? To be happy. 27 I think I like you already.

Photo above from the incredible Mindy and Ben at Studio 6.23. Can’t wait to share more from our session :)

Thank goodness for Friday. There’s a reason someone coined the acronym TGIF right?

If I had to be honest guys, I’d tell you this week was overwhelming. Despite all of the pretty blooms and endless prop building that consumed my days and nights, it was a long one. Case in point: I haven’t even blogged since last Friday. I’ve also been reading a lot about businesses ownership and this blog post here really struck a chord with me. Those Sage Wedding Pro chicks really are some of the wisest and smartest pros in the industry. They ALWAYS have something to learn from. For a while I suffered from the comparison symdrome where it felt like everyone around me had it figured out and I swore I wouldn’t ever be able to have ‘it’ myself. But truth is everyone has business problems behind closed doors. And nothing is ever as it seems. Does it mean everyone is miserable in this industry? Not necessarily, but the grass isn’t always greener on the other side and this article was a sweet reminder of just that. Go read the post now :)

With that I’m off to assemble invitation box mailers for a June client, then I have to tackle some more paper cone garlands and finish up some timelines. Tomorrow we’re hoping to stain the deck and soak up my second to last weekend before wedding season officially begins for HGE. Did I mention it’s my birthday on Sunday too? I have a special little post planned for that so check back later. Happy weekend, beauties. Make it a good one xoxo

Happy Friday, friends!

Fragrant, fluffy, soft pink and white stock. Guys these are the things my dreams are made of. And I’ll keep this short today because these buckets of blooms over here are just dying to be arranged for Mother’s Day, but did I mention I’m way excited for a weekend away from the office and emails? If you missed it, yesterday I dished on my current studio space search (I’d love to hear your thoughts if you haven’t left them yet) and there’s been a whole boat load of fun and spray paint over on Instagram so follow along to catch more sneakies of upcoming events. What is everyone up to this weekend? Whatever it is, give a Mom a hug for all of her hard work :) That could be a bumper sticker quote huh?

Catch all of you beautiful people later! xoxo