Congratulations Brittny and Earl: "Fall In Love"

Fall is one of the most popular times to plan a wedding -- and for good reason! On Saturday, October 8, 2016 Brittny and Earl Guyton became one. Their sunset union took place on the beautiful grounds of the University Park Golf Club. Here are a few photo's commemorating their day.

Sharon Patrice Simply Perfect Peace Events, Inc. and Designs by Shay, the Blog "My Peace, My Journey, My Way, SimplySHAY ~ Celebrating Love, Laughter and Everything in Between..." You or your brand interested in a review? Getting married or having a social event and need assistance? Email Me For All Your Event Planning Needs.

Newly Engaged? Tips for the bride to be!

So, he asked and you answered. The ring is on the finger. And you’ve posted your big news on Snap Chat, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Congratulations on your engagement! Brides-to-be are in for an exciting ride of wedding planning that leads to the big day, but it can also be exhausting – and even confusing. So, we’re here to help get you started with our top five wedding tips for brides.

Things to know about the date

Picking the date of your wedding is an important decision you’ll need to make early on in the process. First off, take a look to see what dates might not work, like school reunions, other family weddings, or other special occasions that could interfere with guests attending. 

Once you start to zero in on a few favorite dates, it’s also good to have an idea about what other events might be happening on your wedding day. Things like major sporting events, parades or charity walks could affect the logistics of parking, traffic or hotel availability. And you’d rather weigh those considerations on the front-end, rather than running into surprises after you’ve already picked the date.

Get a rough estimate of the guest list

The number of guests will be a factor in determining many of the other decisions about your wedding and reception. So, you’ll want to have an approximate number of how many people will be there helping you celebrate your special day. It will really come in handy when choosing a venue, to make sure there is space for everyone.

Keep in mind that the size of your guest list will have an impact on many of your wedding costs – from invitations to food and beverages.

Get Organized

There will be plenty of decisions, details and tidbits to keep track of with your wedding planning. That’s why it’s important to stay organized. Find whatever organization system works best for you (three-ring binders, electronic spreadsheets, notebooks) to keep all your notes, contact with vendors, photos, brainstorms and contact information in one place.

Staying organized will help cut down on some of that wedding-planning stress.

Slow and Easy

Sometimes slow and steady wins the race, right? Well, the same idea can be put toward wedding planning. Maybe when choosing a date, take a look at how far out you want to go. A year? 18 months? Two years? The further out the date is, it could help with vendor availability, making sure guests can get it on their calendar, and perhaps most importantly, reduce stress of all the planning.

Getting everything together for a day 16 months from now might sound much more doable than for a day six months from now.

Prioritize

It’s natural to want everything on the wedding day to go off without a hitch. Every bride wants everything to be perfect. However, nothing in life is entirely perfect, and that’s OK. Think of some priorities when it comes to the details of your wedding. What’s the most important thing? Is it having the best DJ in town? An extravagant cake from a well-known baker? A dress from the hottest designer? Pick a few things to prioritize and make sure those items are just right, and everything else will fall into place.

Enjoy the process!
SimplySHAY

Sharon Patrice Simply Perfect Peace Events, Inc. and Designs by Shay, the Blog "My Peace, My Journey, My Way, SimplySHAY  ~ Celebrating Love, Laughter and Everything in Between..." You or your brand interested in a review? Getting married or having a social event and need assistance? Email Me For All Your Event Planning Needs.

Love, Laughter and EVERYTHING in Between: Kris and Terrance

On June 6, 2015 we had the honor of working with this lovely couple. Congratulations Kris and Terrance and thanks for allowing us to be part of your day.

Sharon Patrice Simply Perfect Peace Events, Inc. and Designs by Shay, the Blog "My Journey, My Way, My LIFESTYLE ~ Celebrating Love, Laughter and Everything in Between..." You or your brand interested in a review? Getting married or having a social event and need assistance? Email Me For All Your Event Planning Needs.

Love, Laughter and EVERYTHING in Between: Nikki and Wylie

 

Taking place at the Rialto Theater in Joliet Nikki and Wylie were simply meant to be and we were honored to be a part of their day.

 

 

Sharon Patrice Simply Perfect Peace Events, Inc. and Designs by Shay, the Blog "My Journey, My Way, My LIFESTYLE ~ Celebrating Love, Laughter and Everything in Between..." You or your brand interested in a review? Getting married or having a social event and need assistance? Email Me For All Your Event Planning Needs.

Love, Laughter, and EVERYTHING in Between: Day 31-Happy Anniversary!!!

In 1997 I married a simple man with simple pleasures.  As the end of 2014 is here I'd be remiss without mentioning that today also ends another year of being married to my wonderful husband.  He has been my biggest cheerleader and supporter.  Today, as you celebrate the end of one thing and the beginning of another I join you in celebrating the beginning of more fabulous years married to the man that knows my worth and makes me smile.

Happy Anniversary Rick!!

~Until Next Time
SimplySHAY

Sharon Patrice Simply Perfect Peace Events, Inc. and Designs by Shay, the Blog "My Journey, My Way, My LIFESTYLE ~ Celebrating Love, Laughter and Everything in Between..." You or your brand interested in a review? Getting married or having a social event and need assistance? Email Me For All Your Event Planning Needs.

Love, Laughter, and EVERTHING in Between: Day 15-Down the Aisle

It's the last few moments before one of the most important days of your life and you're full of nerves. The man of your dreams is anxiously awaiting your entrance; as your planner, I am doing any final tucking and fixing your veil. The makeup artist adds just a little more lip gloss, your dress is breathtaking and your bouquet is perfectly placed.  As I hand you to your escort you'll hear me say "This is the moment you've dreamt of, breath easy, take your time and relish in the beauty of what awaits you. Thank you for allowing me into your personal space; it was an honor and I don't take it lightly.  Live life out loud and love on purpose".

(photocredit: George Street Photography, voephotography.com)
~SimplyShay
Sharon Patrice Simply Perfect Peace Events, Inc. and Designs by Shay, the Blog "My Journey, My Way, My LIFESTYLE ~ Celebrating Love, Laughter and Everything in Between..." You or your brand interested in a review? Getting married or having a social event and need assistance? Email Me For All Your Event Planning Needs.

Love, Laughter, and EVERYTHING in Between: Day 11 - Managing Wedding Blues

Here comes the bride, all dressed in white... (or whatever you're wearing).  This is suppose to be the happiest time of your life; why are you feeling the blues?

How do you keep your nerves from getting frayed when your entire life is changing? The pre-wedding stress is all that comes before the wedding date. I tell my brides that it's natural to be stressed before the wedding; a wedding is 20 to 30 years of hopes and dreams all in a six-hour time frame. The wedding day represents unlimited possibilities and new beginnings; there's so much stress because the evening has got to be right....I get it!

Note that in additional to pre-wedding stress, there is also post-wedding stress. The couple often feels sad, and they don't mention it because they're embarrassed to think something is wrong after the wedding. The planning stages are intense, the wedding is a blur, the honeymoon is certainly over and it's back to life as you know it. It is important for couples to anticipate this, expect it and welcome the post-wedding blues as part of the package.

As far as pre-marital stress there are small occurrences like misspelled names, flowers not exactly as ordered, a few people that failed to respond to the RSVP and unhappy bridesmaids. These things will happen and they need to be factored into the wedding plans.

Know this.... Marriage is a risk. If things feel wrong, don't ignore them. You have to open up and talk. Sure, your planner will work out as many of the kinks as possible so trust that her professionalism will see you through some of the tough times.  

If you and your mate are experiencing more difficult issues, Chantelle Bittings is a licensed and professional therapist that can assist you and your future husband in figuring things out during pre-maritial counseling.

~Until Next Time
SimplySHAY


Sharon Patrice Simply Perfect Peace Events, Inc. and Designs by Shay, the Blog "My Journey, My Way, My LIFESTYLE ~ Celebrating Love, Laughter and Everything in Between..." You or your brand interested in a review? Getting married or having a social event and need assistance? Email Me For All Your Event Planning Needs.

Wordless Wednesday: "Have the MARRIAGE of your Dreams"

"Live Life Out Loud, On Purpose, and with NO Regrets"
Sharon Patrice Simply Perfect Peace Events, Inc. and Designs by Shay, the Blog "My Journey, My Way, My LIFESTYLE ~ Celebrating Love, Laughter and Everything in Between..." You or your brand interested in a review? Getting married or having a social event and need assistance? Email Me For All Your Event Planning Needs.

Wordless Wednesday: Talk Less ABOUT and Pray MORE For Marriages"

Anointed Wives Ministry (AWM) is dedicated to Y OU, the wife or wife to be, who wants to know how to have a "Till Death Do us Part Marriage". AWM is striving to be that "Good Thing"  connect with them on FB at http://facebook.com/anointedwivesministry

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  "Live Life Out Loud, On Purpose and with NO Regrets"
Sharon Patrice Simply Perfect Peace Events, Inc. and Designs by Shay, the Blog "My Journey, My Way, My LIFESTYLE ~ Celebrating Love, Laughter and Everything in Between..." You or your brand interested in a review? Getting married or having a social event and need assistance? Email Me For All Your Event Planning Needs.

Wordless WEDnesday: "A Marriage Prayer"

 

 

(Pinterest.com)

"Live Life Out Loud, On Purpose and With No Regrets"
Sharon Patrice Simply Perfect Peace Events, Inc. and Designs by Shay, the Blog "My Journey, My Way, My LIFESTYLE ~ Celebrating Love, Laughter and Everything in Between..." You or your brand interested in a review? Getting married or having a social event and need assistance? Email Me For All Your Event Planning Needs.

Motivational Monday: "Age Aint A Factor"

As we're rounding up the summer love series of motivation though music I thought I'd hit you with one of my favorite artists.  Jaheim! Although we haven't heard from him since 2010, this soul crooner, whose sultry voice reminds me of Teddy Pendergrass,  makes his return with another hit for the ladies.

I can't believe with time, girl you're getting better

Lookin' like a picture of before and after

Your story gets more pretty every chapter

More and more attractive, age aint a factor!

Throughout the track, Jaheim compares his partner to ageless beauties like Stacey Dash and Viveca A. Fox.  Word has it that in addition to the release of this single, he is also working on his sixth full-length album and if that's the case, I can't wait.

"Live & Love"
Sharon Patrice Simply Perfect Peace Events, Inc. and Designs by Shay, the Blog "My Journey, My Way, My LIFESTYLE ~ Celebrating Love, Laughter and Everything in Between..." You or your brand interested in a review? Getting married or having a social event and need assistance? Email Me For All Your Event Planning Needs.