I am very proud and thankful for being nominated, and want to extend a HUMONGOUS thank you to all my past brides and grooms (and anyone else) for voting me in as their “best” pick for THE KNOT. Please click HERE for the online version

Here is a scan from the magazine:

Well that’s horrible if that’s the truth. I hope the best for him and his family and that they get though it and are cured quickly.

But what burns me up is that ONE, he told her in his voice message that he found on Tuesday (4 days before the wedding) that he had swine flu. So why didn’t he call her right then? TWO, he didn’t have a back up plan. Who, in their right mind, has a business without a “PLAN B”? With 4 days from the wedding, there would have been plenty of time to find another caterer to cover for him, or at least give the bride a head start herself to find someone.

If you were to hire me for your wedding and something happened where I wasn’t able to be there, I have local and out of state DJs that I trust would to come in and do a fabulous job. I would literally fly one in if needed. Thankfully since I began my business in 1997, I’ve never missed a wedding. Been under the weather a bit at a few, but put on a smile and sucked it up!

Bottom line: If you are a business owner, have a back up plan, a “PLAN B”, someone you can call on to help you out when life throws you a curve ball. But don’t leave a bride hanging on the most important day of her life. I’m amazed at how calm and collected she was that bright and sunny Saturday afternoon.

THE POSITIVE:
The couple had a guest in from out of town that was a restaurant owner. When she got the word that the caterer canceled, she hustled to the store early in the morning, bought the food needed, and started preparing everything at 11am (4 hours before it was needed to be at the venue). Neighbors donated their ovens to bake all the food as it was being made, and everything turned out great!

We applauded the baker and the oven donators at the reception and it was a successful night.

Today’s lesson is…you never know what you’ll get until you DON’T get it.

Ashley & Josh met in the spring of 2005 while at summer orientation for college. Throughout the school year, they became closer as friends, passing notes back and forth as a way of learning more about each other, eventually leading to their first date at Texas Roadhouse.

As the years went by and marriage was brought up, Ashley made it very simple for Josh to buy her a ring….because she emailed him a picture of the exact ring she would like!

The night of their proposal they took a walk on the beach while on a weekend getaway in Myrtle Beach. When they finally made their way back to the beach entrance, while Ashley was looking away, Josh got down on one knee. When she turned around, she found him looking up at her, holding a ring, asking her to marry him. She said yes, and then proclaimed to the entire beach that she was engaged!

OUR STORY:

When I first met with the family 10 months prior to the wedding, it was just Ashley, and her parents, Pam & Steve. Josh wasn’t able to make it that day. But I really got to know the Wrobel family, which was great. They shared with me they wanted a fun, elegant and comfortable wedding celebration. I learned that Ashley was a soon-to-be 4th & 5th grade teacher, and Josh worked for Honda as a lighting engineer. I also learned that they would be having a lot of college friends in attendance at the wedding. I knew this only meant for a lot of festive people! And finally, they had hired my good friend and amazing photographer Nick O’Donnell from 808 Studios in Kettering OH. Nick and I work with each other quite often throughout each year.

THE TEAM:

Master of Ceremonies & DJ – Brian Harris Entertainment
Photographer – Nick O’Donnell of 808 Studios
Caterer – Little Miami River Catering
Cake – Classic Confection Cakes
Florist – The Flower Man
Venue – Arbor Hall

THE RECEPTION:

It was unfortunately a rainy morning and afternoon that day. But things cleared up by “showtime” and when guests arrived to Arbor Hall at 3:30, they were happy and excited that the start of the day actually ended up being wonderful.

After dinner, we shared Ashley & Josh’s Love Story and then they had their first dance.

Ashley shared a special dance with her father Steve Wrobel.

And Josh shared a dance with his mother Trish Glazier.

We even did a candy toss for the kiddos, which was a lot of fun!

Then Josh had a little fun with the garter removal.

And we followed up with an Anniversary dance.

And then it was party time!

Josh goes in for the dip and smooch!

Groomsman Kevin got a little excited near the end!

Saying goodbye!!

Thank you Ashley & Josh, for having me a part of your fun and festive celebration! Have a great married life!

Danielle & Greg met in high school, so they have earned the title “high school sweethearts”! They met in Spanish class through a mutual friend. Throughout their relationship, they’ve enjoyed trips to the east, west and south, as well as completing college together.

Finally 11 years later, and after purchasing one amazing sparkling ring, Greg proposed to Danielle. It was on the way home from an all day extravaganza, and it was raining cats & dogs. But in front of the Rainbow Lakes fishing pond, Greg pulled the car over, told Danielle how much he loved her, and popped the question.

OUR STORY:

I remember meeting with Danielle, Greg, and Danielle’s mom, Karen. I love when the one or more of the parents attend the initial meeting. It’s shows how close the relationship between them and their child is, and also that they are involved in the planning.

They shared with me that they wanted a fun, memorable, exciting, and interactive celebration….and that they wanted it to be better than a college grad party! I loved that last part. And boy did we ever achieve a celebration better than that!

THE TEAM:

Master of Ceremonies & DJ – Brian Harris Entertainment
Photographer – Elizabeth Callahan of Callahan Photography
Cake – The Cakery
Venue – NCR Country Club

THE CEREMONY:

Guests arrived to the NCR country club to the sounds of a string quartet for prelude, under the gorgeous sky, out on the green.

Danielle & Greg had just a Maid of Honor and Best Man. When the ceremony began, Greg made his way to the start of the isle to meet Danielle.

As she walked out of the NCR to meet her groom, you could see the excitement in her face, as she was giddy to finally, after 12 years with Greg, tie the knot!

Pastor Terry Carlisle (whom I highly recommend and work with often) presided over the ceremony and always does a wonderful job officiating!

They had an amazing vocalist/friend who sang a few times throughout the ceremony.

Near the end of the ceremony Danielle & Greg released a large box of doves, who weren’t exactly cooperative. Greg actually had to reach in and grab one to “kick start” their exit! But what a beautiful sight when they all did finally fly away.

They’re married!

THE RECEPTION:

Cocktail hour was out in the lobby to a mix of Motown, 70s classic rock and fun 80s pop music!

Then everyone filtered in to the ballroom, and dinner and the festivities began!

Just seconds after they smashed cake in each others face!

After they cleared the cake from the dance floor, I shared their Love Story (12 years of history!) and then they had their first dance.

We tossed the bouquet & garter, had an Anniversary Dance, and then….we celebrated!!

With nearly all of her friends and family left at the end of the night, Danielle was emotionally overwhelmed. She began to shed tears of happiness from such a successful celebration, but sad that it had come to an end, as she hugged her mom tightly during the last dance of the evening.

Danielle & Greg then said their goodbyes….

Thank you so much Danielle & Greg for trusting me with facilitating your celebration! Best Wishes!!

May of 2006, Emily & Roberto hear about each other through Emily’s mom, Cheryl, when she hired Roberto to work for her. But it took 7 months of Cheryl talking to both of them about the other before they actually met. When they finally met up at a work Christmas party, the attraction was mutual and the rest was history!

So, almost 2 years later, the time came for Roberto to express how much he really loved Emily, and how much he wanted her to be with him, for the rest of their lives. He enlisted a friend from college to help him with the ring purchase, and on Sept 5, 2008 Roberto & Emily took a trip to West Palm Beach Florida. After a walk up and down the beach they found a couple lonesome chairs, and from there Roberto expressed how much he loved Emily, “from here to China!” he exclaimed, but then went into a more detailed response. He followed that up by pulling the ring out of his pocket and said “Emily Nilsen, will you marry me?”

OUR STORY:

I met Emily & Roberto 8 months before their wedding, and knew immediately that this would be an awesome celebration. Not only did they pick a gorgeous location – the Wetherington Country Club in West Chester, OH – but they conveyed that the very festive celebration that they wanted would be in my hands, and that they looked to me to keep things flowing, keep the guests informed of what was to happen, and to keep a very eclectic mix of music going throughout the night….AND when it was time to open the dance floor, their mix of American and Puerto Rican guests would bring an energy that would be unstoppable! I was giddy, to say the least! This was one wedding I was looking forward to, and seemed like it took forever to finally get to!

THE TEAM:

Master of Ceremonies & DJ – Brian Harris Entertainment
Photographer – Steve & Kelly from Michael Bambino & Co.
Videographer – Greg from Michael Bambino & Co.
Cake – Collette’s Custom Cakes
Venue – Wetherington Country Club

THE RECEPTION:

Guests arrived to the amazing Wetherington Country Club, which is located right off I-75, but very deep into a gorgeous neighborhood of very high-dollar homes!

When they walked in the front door they were greeted by the friendly staff and a tent card table with Emily & Roberto’s initials

…and then they walked further into an amazing room

…with an amazing cake, made by Collette’s Custom Cakes

And after we brought the entire Wedding Party in with a high energy informative grand entrance, it was Roberto & Emily’s turn. When they made their entrance, the Wedding Party and guests cheered them on, and Roberto & Emily didn’t stop when they got to the dance floor….they danced!

Their playful banter while cutting the cake was fun to watch, and kept the guests attention. Just when you thought Roberto was going to smash his piece of cake into Emily’s face, his actions slowed down and fed her lovingly

After dinner, I shared their Love Story and then they shared their first dance

Followed by a Father/Daughter dance, Mother/Son dance, Anniversary Dance, Wedding Party dance, and the bouquet & garter tosses….and then….we got things going with the “Cupid Shuffle”!
And then we’re off for the rest of the night!

We even were entertained by Emily’s parents, Cheryl & Ken Nilsen, and their dance to Santana’s “Smooth”

Latin music also filled the room and I was really surprised by how many couples were well versed in that style of dance

Give it up!

Saying goodbye

Emily & Roberto, thank you so much for trusting me with your wedding celebration!

THE “TEAM”:

Master of Ceremonies & DJ – Brian Harris Entertainment
Photographer – Steven Hutchison of Childers Photo
Videographer – Paul Miller Videography
Cake – Elé (ex-Taste of Elegance)
Venue – Dayton Art Institute
Wedding Planner – Jean Neuhart of Weddings from the Heart

THE RECEPTION:

WATCH THIS “HIGHLIGHTS” VIDEO FROM THE WEDDING!

Guests filtered in from cocktail hour in the Rotunda, to the Gothic Cloister where the reception was planned to take place.

The DAI is definitely one of my favorite places to work at. I mean, heck, do I need to say WHY? Look above! Gorgeous!

Sarah, being the artist that she is, had a vision for her cake and Elé bakery certainly delivered!

And if cake wasn’t enough, guests found themselves filling themselves with an array of candies!

Centerpieces were grand

And what a cool “menu” at each table setting

This was the first time I have done a wedding at the DAI where the head table was a long stretched one (usually the wedding party is seated at 2-3 round tables). This was a pretty cool layout and I enjoyed the uniqueness of it.

When it came time to cut that gorgeous cake, Sarah & Kevin had a lot of fun with it, as can be seen in the picture below.

And then shared their first dance, after Kevin tied his shoe

Followed by a dance for Sarah and her father John…

…and a dance for Kevin and his mother Lorri

Here comes the bouquet ladies!

Let’s dance!

“Thriller” zombies!

Then we sent them off with a spark!

Thank you Sarah & Kevin! I had a blast planning with you and even more fun celebrating with you!

Beth & Brian met in mid 2007 when she took her broken computer tower into his computer shop in Huber Heights, to be fixed. Ten months later she was back in his shop, getting her computer fixed once again! But this time was different. Brian took notice of Beth and how attractive she was. Their conversation lasted 40 min and ended with Brian asking Beth out on a date. But she wasn’t ready to get into another relationship. However, she reciprocated with making him dinner, but just as friends. However, in all actuality, it ended up being their first date. Their first kiss came after a second date a week later.

7 months later Brian began the process to propose. He bought the ring and set up the proposal spot, back at home. Brian and Beth went out for dinner, while some of his family members set up a few things for him at his house. When Beth and Brian got home after dinner, he told her to wait in the car, and that he had something to do inside before she came in. Then he called her in.

Beth was excited, as she knew what was about to happen, but not sure exactly HOW it would happen. Upon her arrival into the house, she found a bouquet of flowers, and then another, and then another and what felt like a million candles lit and leading upstairs to the bedroom. When she walked in the room Brian was down on one knee. He took her hand and asked her to marry him. She said yes!

OUR STORY:

Well, unlike every other bride and groom I have worked for, this one was slightly different. Beth is my sister! I didn’t need to get to know them. I already knew them! But like all of my Brides and Grooms, I still needed to find out what they wanted to experience the day of their wedding…and those things were discussed at every family get-together function! And oh yeah, did I mention how weird it is for me, for Beth to be married to a “Brian”? LOL

THE “TEAM”:
Master of Ceremonies & DJ – Brian Harris Entertainment
Photographer – 3-7-1 Photography
Cake – The Cakery
Venue & Caterer – Celebrations/Creatif

THE CEREMONY:

The ceremony went off without a hitch. Here are a few images from it:

L-R: My son Tyler, my/Beth’s mom, my daughter Lauryan, Beth’s son Jordan, my/Beth’s dad

But every wedding has to have a little comedy relief right?
Here’s the flower girl Maddie “hissing” at someone who told her she looked cute (she hates to be told that!)

Here’s my/Beth’s dad handing her off to Brian

The Vows

The kiss!

The Bubble Exit…

… to the awesome get-away vehicle!


THE RECEPTION

CHECK OUT THIS VIDEO OF THE WEDDING HIGHLIGHTS:

Guests filtered into Celebrations Banquet Center to the upbeat sounds of jazz and some 80s mix!

And when it was time to bring the wedding party in, we had a fun, high energy, informative and entertaining Grand Entrance…with Beth & Brian coming in to an unexpected whirl of the napkins!

The cake

Their first dance

Father/Daughter dance

Mother/Son dance

Let’s have fun!

Macarena it!

Chicken dancing!

Saying goodnight, thanks, and goodbye!

Thank you Beth & Brian for having me a part of your wedding day. It was one I will never forget!

]]>