Where are they Now? - Beth and Bobby!

We had the honor of being a part of Beth and Bobby’s wedding almost 7 ½ Years ago, in September of 2009! We are so Happy that we got to take the time to interview Beth and Bobby and see where they are now. This Blog is a must read; you are going to love hearing about their first dance song, wedding advise and all the amazing places they have traveled!

Questions about the Wedding: 

Flowers By: Neil Lesson

Q: What was one of the things that you disagreed about the most about the wedding or during the planning? When you look back now and think it was silly?
A: I pretty much did all the planning. He didn't really have much input and trusted my judgement, so we really did not disagree about anything.

Q: How did you feel the day after your wedding?
A: I remember thinking…I cannot believe it was over?!? I spent a year of my life planning this one day and It went so fast.

Q: How did you feel the day of your wedding? Example, calm, overwhelmed, emotional, like a natural host?
A: Super Calm. My bridesmaids kept asking me if I was ok as I am generally not a 'calm' person. We were on time, actually ahead of schedule, for everything. We had plenty of time for pictures and just hanging out. I really thought I would be running around like crazy the day of, but it was the exact opposite.

Q: What was your first dance song and why did you choose it?
A: We did the Cha-Cha to Lady Gaga's- Just Dance…which included a standing back flip by my husband. We picked it because quite frankly, who wants to watch 2 people slow dance to some sappy song that is only special to the two dancing??

Q: What do you wish you would have spent more time/money on or less time/money on when planning the wedding?
A: Looking back I wish we would have spent less time and money on everything. A more intimate affair with about 50 of our closest family and friends vs. 300 acquaintances and random family that we have not seen in 5+ years would have been way better all around.

Q: What is the one thing you wish you would have done differently?
A: Downsized everything, especially the guest list.

All Wedding Photos for Beth and Bobby By: Spencer Photography

Q: What did guests comment about most after the wedding was over?
A: The candy bar, the flowers (Thanks Neil Leeson) and the DJ's (Thanks Marino Brothers). I must admit, I loved all 3 as well. I have yet to attend another wedding that rivaled my flowers, candy bar and DJ's.

Q: Did you have a wedding cake? If so, were you nice about feeding each other, or did one of you smash it in the others face? (uh-oh!)
A: We did have a cake, a beautiful one actually. My husband was on his best behavior but I attempted to smear it on him. I wasn't very successful.

Q: What advice do you have for brides planning their wedding?
A: Just breathe. Everything is going to be ok. The things that are not ok, you probably won't even know about :)

Questions About Now: 

Q: How did you celebrate your first anniversary?
A: While honeymooning in Bora-Bora, we met another couple from Dallas, TX that was also celebrating their honeymoon. We hit it off and decided to make sure we stayed connected. For our first anniversary, we all decided to celebrate together on the Amalfi Coast in Italy for 2 weeks. We have celebrated our anniversaries together ever since. We have been to Italy, Ireland, Costa Rica, St Lucia, and Aruba to name a few. We also get together multiple times each year to just catch up.

Q: Does married life feel different to you?

Cake By: The West Side Bakery

A: Not really, it is still pretty comfortable in terms of a relationship and we are still really busy with our careers.

Q: Most exciting thing that’s happened since you’ve gotten married?
A: We have had a lot of exciting things happen, but it just seems like everyday life to us. My husband was featured in Forbes Magazine and I won CFO of the Year from Crain's Magazine.

Q: Have you moved since the wedding day?
A: Not yet, but we are in the process of building a new house. We should finish and move by October 2017.

Q: How have your careers or family changed?
A: We now work together, something we vowed never to do.

Q: Have you traveled anywhere fun as Mr. & Mrs.?
A: We are so fortunate and travel a lot. We have been to Portugal, Bora Bora, Moorea, Italy three times, Nice, Cannes, Monaco, Aruba twice, Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, a Silver Seas Cruise (the best vacation ever), Prague, St. Lucia, Los Cabos and many more. Did I mention we are super blessed to be able to travel?

Q: What have you learned about weddings or planning that you didn’t know before going into it?
A: That everyone considers themselves experts, from cousins, to random friends, to strangers. I finally had to tune out other people's opinions as they were driving me crazy and causing me to second guess what I knew I really wanted.

Q: What advice do you have for newlywed couples?
A: Where do we start…although we are so happy together and our wedding was fabulous, we wish we would have done something on a much smaller scale. I was so obsessed with every little detail. Today, I couldn't tell you a single thing that I worried so much about!

If you are going to hire a planner, even if it is just for Day Of Coordination, bring them in sooner rather than later. Things that I spent days pondering, Brandi had solved in 2 minutes. Planners know this industry. They live it, breath it and die for it. There is an extremely high chance that they have encountered whatever it is you are struggling with or stuck on. If you are like me and have Type A-OCD when it comes to wedding planning, it will save you so much time and effort to have her, especially sooner rather than later..

Beth and Bobby!

Our Inside Scoop on the Boutique Bridal Bazaar

Last Week we had a really great time at Something White’s Boutique Bridal Bazaar. After about two months of planning we ended up with a refreshing winter wonderland display. Many of the elements were hand crafted, such as our actual table, curtains for the backdrop, hanging sign, etc. Check out our Facebook and Instagram for some behind the scenes photos! Besides the way, the whole look came together, it is hard to decide what our favorite part of the booth was. We can say that the beautiful flowers by Sue Bernhard (Tin Can Design Studio) and our custom-made hair ties by Love Mia + Co. on Etsy that said “Let us help you tie the knot” were definitely a big hit.

Out of all the wedding shows in Northeast Ohio, this one was very unique. The vendors are told to bring their “A” game in booth display. It’s truly a sight to see. No matter who the vendor is, you can bet that they will have a presentation that is trendy and inspirational. The show usually attracts about 300 brides each year, which we found to be absolutely perfect. Each bride that we had a chance to engage with, was truly interested in learning about All Events Planned and what we had to offer. The three of us had a wonderful time working with each other and learning about the brides and their needs. Dare we call this work… “fun”!?

We had the chance to catch up with and network with a few of the great vendors at the show. Molly Taylor and Co., as well as Kew Floristry each had a very impressive flower display. We met Sweet Bean, they had the most delicious handmade Mr. and Mrs. chocolates. They are known for their salted caramel chocolates – Yumm! Something White brought such a great collection of dresses. They also had creative little touches all throughout the space, such as whimsical paper background displays and unique balloon arches, bringing it all together so well. Borrow Rentals had the most awesome mirror top table that I still cannot get over. Spice catering had the most eye catching and mouthwatering Smörgåsbord board I have ever seen! Back to dessert - The Bees Knees Custom Cakes and Piccadilly Artisan Creamery ice cream were of course both must haves! (I’m starting to feel like we focused a lot of food!) J But to say the very least there were so many great vendors and I wish we could mention them all! But you’ll just have to go check out the list or the show yourself.

This show meant so much to us and we are so grateful to all of the great couples getting married that we got to meet. This wedding show has inspired us to begin doing more for our Style and Design Department of All Events Planned, which we are excited to announce for 2017! Keep a look out for all of the great things coming this year. Please do not be afraid to reach out to us and ask us any questions, Brandi Hamerstone founded this company in 2009 and has been planning since 2000. We are eager to help and … heck, I would even say really fun to talk to!

Congratulations to everyone getting married in 2017! This is going to be a great year!

We Go Together Like Cake and Frosting ... One Sweet Proposal

Many of you may remember the ever so popular engagement video on Facebook that Wild Flour Bakery in Rocky River, OH posted about a month ago. Well, we just thought it was the cutest thing and just had to learn more about the stars, Adam and Carolyn. They so graciously participated in our engagement interview and even said they had so much fun doing it!

In Adam’s words; It all started when they ran into each other at a Country Music festival, where a mutual friend introduced them. Adam said he was muddy and gross; it was the type of festival where everyone camped out and hardly anyone showered. The following day, their phones were both dead. Adam said he tried calling any number he could remember on a buddy’s phone to retrieve Carolyn’s number. Low and behold, he saw her walking up the hill and we locked eyes again. He was so close to not even going to this festival!

When I asked Adam what his first impression of Carolyn was he said: “Lighthearted…the second I met her it was like a calming presence came over me and I felt like any outside ugliness from the world couldn’t find its way in.” Carolyn’s response was just as adorable: “Handsome (I mean it is a first impression after all!) I was so attracted to his green eyes and then when we started talking I remember thinking to myself "Plus he's so sweet and has a great sense of humor?!" I was one smitten kitten from the get-go.”

You can see the rest of their interview below:

AEP: Tell me something about your fiancé that people may not know.
Carolyn: Sometimes when Adam and I are watching TV he will doze off and fall asleep. Every once in a while, he will bust out into a deep, full belly laugh and it is the funniest thing. I always end up laughing too and when he finally wakes up, he never has any clue what was so funny in his dream.

AEP: What types of hobbies do you like to do together?
Carolyn: We love trying new brunch spots together. We're on opposite sides of the brunch drinks spectrum. He's not a fan of Bloody Mary's while I am on a perpetual hunt for the best Bloody Mary spot around town, so it's a fun way for us to find good spots all over town that we both love. We are also big fans of being outdoors, whether its talking a walk outside to spending a whole day on the beach.

AEP: What is one of the things on your bucket list to do as a couple?
Adam: Definitely to travel to Europe together. Carolyn is an amazing travel partner; she does all of the research and it is always such a great experience.

AEP: What is one of your fondest dating memories and how did it influence moving forward together?
Adam: Carolyn lived in Columbus and I in Cleveland when we first started out. I drove down for our first date, and I loved how after our post dinner walk she offered up the option of grabbing night caps at a bar around the corner. Somehow we are always the type that likes to end up with just each other at a dive bar around last call.  
Carolyn: Adam and I had a week between when we first met and our first date. I was SO nervous to see him again. Adam drove all the way down to Columbus just to go on one date that night and when he came to the door, my heart started racing realizing he was even cuter than I remembered! As we were walking to dinner together, he automatically reached for my hand and we held hands the whole way to dinner. It was such a small gesture but it made me feel at ease and his hand holding mine couldn't have been more perfect.

AEP: After you two are married, what is the first thing of each other’s that you will make each other get rid of?
Adam: Carolyn has some weird decorations. I would have to go with this random large plastic camel she brings out at Christmas time. It must have originally been a part of a nativity scene? I don’t know…just a strange thing to see all December.

AEP: How was your first Christmas and New Years as an engaged couple?
Adam: It flew by so fast! It was filled with anxiety at first because we are both close with our families and wanted to squeeze in as much time with everybody as we could, but it was great to see everyone’s genuine excitement for our wedding.

AEP: What are you looking most forward to on the wedding day?
Adam: The general celebration with everybody. I always have fun with Carolyn’s family and friends; and I feel she mutually enjoys my friends and family. I just hope I don’t cry in front of everybody at the ceremony when I first see her walk down the aisle. 
Carolyn: Seeing Adam at the alter when I'm walking down the aisle. We aren't planning to see each other from after dinner on Friday through the ceremony on Saturday, which will be VERY long for us. I'm sure I'll be practically sprinting down the aisle and just to be standing next to him.

AEP: How did you know you were ready to propose?
Adam: The tough part about that is I knew right away, but I knew I had to let time pass for our relationship to mature and develop, and for us to be in a right place as individuals. But I actually knew on my birthday exactly a year prior. Carolyn went above and beyond for my birthday and treated it like a special holiday, I felt like a kid on my birthday again because she went to so much trouble for me.

AEP: How did you prepare for the proposal?
Adam: I had the cake idea for awhile but then ventured away from it and thought of unrealistic ideas. Once I settled on an idea, I called Wild Flour and they were just so excited to join in that it felt like a perfect set up. I came in two times before the engagement to work out details and then just waited for Carolyn behind two giant refrigerators.

AEP: How did you feel before proposing?
Adam: Nervous! I may have had a cocktail prior… But I also was rehearsing what I’d say and I’m pretty sure I did not say any of it when I was down on a knee!

AEP: Who out of your friends and family helped you pull off the proposal?
Adam: My older sister Katie asked Carolyn to pick up my “birthday” cake, while my mom put together the party at Eastend Bistro in Lakewood where we celebrated with close friends and family.

AEP: How did you keep it a secret?
Adam: I am a terrible secret keeper. I was convinced Carolyn knew the whole time. I am a teacher, and I kept making up surprise random parent-teacher conferences to throw her off my scent. Carolyn was so annoyed with me hahaha.

AEP: What was your initial thought when you read the cake?
Carolyn: I honestly thought they had the wrong cake. If it wouldn't have had my nickname "Slippy" on it, I would have been convinced I ruined someone's engagement. Once I realized it was for me, I didn't know Adam was there, so I didn't know who to say 'yes' to! Once I realized he was there it all sunk in and I was a mess!

AEP: What was the first thing you did after the proposal?
Carolyn: Since Adam and I drove separately I drove back home with my mouth hanging open out of shock. Then, as you could see in the video, I was in workout clothes, so I had to attempt to get ready and that was nearly impossible--I was so excited and the last thing I wanted to was my hair and makeup. Once I did, our family and friends were at a EastEnd Bistro waiting at the engagement party!

AEP: What is your favorite part of your engagement story?
Carolyn: It's so hard to choose! I think knowing now that Adam had to keep a secret for so long. He has such a hard time keeping secrets and it's one of my favorite things about him--he usually gets so excited for things he spills the beans ahead of time. I will also never forget for the rest of my life what he said when he was on his knee, "Your hand is the only hand I want to hold the rest of my life." I still tear up thinking about it now.

AEP: Did you give Adam any hints on what you wanted for a ring or did you leave it all up to him?
Carolyn: Not at all and he couldn't have done a better! I still catch myself still staring at it wondering how he did such a great job. People will say, "It looks like it was made to fit your hand perfectly" when they see it and I can't disagree!

AEP: What is a pet name/nickname that Adam has for you? Do you have one for him?
Carolyn: Adam calls me Slippy (the name on the cake). It came from the night we met, it was pouring rain and I wanted to run to the front of the concert to get closer so I grabbed his hand and started running. As I was running I slipped through the mud and landed flat out on the ground. I was so embarrassed I jumped right back up, grabbed his hand again and kept running. The bruise from the fall went away but the name stuck!

 AEP: Are you proud of Adam for pulling off the most adorable engagement ever?
Carolyn: YES! I watched the video at least one time a week. And local wedding vendors and other people will tell us they've seen us or recognize us, which makes it all the more fun. It's such a wonderful memory we will have the rest of our lives together and one we could share with other people, too. I already knew Adam was perfect, but if this definitely confirmed it even more.

Screen Shot from Wild Flour Bakery Video ^