Association of Bridal Consultants

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Real Wedding - Wisconsin

ABC Member Planner: Katie Hess, CWP, 
ABC™, Seize the Day Events, Green Bay, Wis., 
www.seizethedayevents.com. Photographer: Photo by Aubrey.
The Flower Girl Design Studio, Pat Rafferty Productions, Alpha Delights, Sound Dimensions Disc Jockeys, Gareth Woods, and Wildflower Linen. The couple: Katie and Daniel Adamany are a wonderful, giving couple with a beautiful son, Miles. Katie is an attorney and Daniel is the president/CEO of Ahead, a Chicago-based IT consultancy.  They both started a non-profit called Getting Ahead to provide educational, social, and cultural assistance to underprivileged youth and were planning its launch while we were planning their wedding. Wedding date(s): Thursday, July 19, 2012, in Door County and Saturday, July 21, in Green Bay. Wedding planning/style inspiration: The Thursday wedding was an intimate wedding and reception for close family. A musician was brought in from Chicago, and the event was held at Daniel’s mother’s home on the bay. Natural lighting elements, delicious catered food, and excellent music in an intimate setting were the hallmarks.  The Saturday reception (see photos on Wedding Planner Magazine's Facebook page), with a distinctly different look, was for family and friends. Held at Daniel’s father’s restaurant, Wally’s Spot, this reception was in a classic, all black and white, 1940s theme—giving a nod to the supper club vibe of the venue with linens, a Chicago band, ambience lighting, a large dance space, custom menus, a seafood ice bar, and food stations with a classic flair. Color palette: Thursday— natural, ivory, cream, white. Saturday—black, white, blue. Budget: $40,000. Guest count: Thursday—12. Saturday—175. Most unique design element: Guests were greeted at the reception site by an artist’s rendering of the bride, groom, and their son and welcomed with champagne.  Another drawing of the bride and groom was visible as guests entered the dance hall and were welcomed with another signature drink when dancing was set to begin. Biggest challenge: Two themes, two days, two guest lists, two invitations. I was seeing double trying to keep organized with tabs on each vendor and the overall budget. Even though I knew issues would arise last minute, next time I’ll be more detailed and diligent with the budget so that everything is detailed to the penny. Learnings: I have a tendency to group items together and then send emails or place calls to clients.  This way, I don’t feel like I’m always contacting them.  I have started contacting my clients more often, which seems to put them at ease knowing that I’m always thinking about their day.