Danielle's Garden Party Shower

A few years ago, one of my very best friends fell in love. Steve and Danielle met at the Calgary Stampede so already I liked the beginning of their love story!

Growing up with all sisters, I always begged my parents for a brother. I would bring guy friends home that at the time may have been fighting with their parents and would say "um, so can we adopt him?". The answer, to my surprise, would always be no. Years went by and in high school I met a group of rather fun and surprisingly caring guys. I am still good friends with all of them and consider Steve, one of my best friends, the brother my parents never allowed me to have. When you know someone really well, and are so close to them you become protective of them, and only want the best for them, and I can honestly say that Steve found that person (I might even like her more than him, ha ha!).

Danielle and I took Latin aerobics together often at lunch, so we got to know each other without Steve being around with I think is always imperative to get to know the real person. Before I met her the other boys said "she is like Steve, in girl form", that thought scared me a bit, but she really is! She is funny and awesome, and very caring to all her close friends. She puts every piece of her into special events and gatherings for others and doesn't skip a minor detail. I was absolutely ecstatic when Steve told me he had proposed, and so...the crazy wedding planning began.

Danielle has done a wonderful job of planning details of decorations, the outfits of the entire bridal party, the photographer, the hair, the flowers, everything. I think like a lot of brides she would be a little sad after the wedding is done and over...but she'll be too busy gallivanting around Europe on her honeymoon to think of that.

Part of me understood where Danielle got her awesome personality from and that is her mom Val, who is so fun, energetic and sweet. Her and I discussed over several emails about little details for the shower, her backyard being ready for the day, the hundreds of little flowers she planted, the food, the invitations and those paper flower puffballs that I am a big fan of (thanks Martha Stewart, you are my hero!).

I think the day was perfect, sunny and bright, just like the beautiful bride to be. September 19th can not get here soon enough!

Brian and Stacey's Beautiful Day

There's not a lot of people I know that could say their friendships are as old or as strong as my circle of friends. I feel completely blessed to have a wonderful group of old friends who've been through thick and thin together since High School. A good sign of a true friend is one that you don't see every day, but when you do see them, it's like you haven't skipped a beat. When they have happy mile stones, your heart cheers for them and when they are going through a life challenge your heart aches alongside with them. This happy occassion is one of the events that made our hearts cheer (although the speeches pulled at our heartstrings, I think I was crying for the majority of the speeches).

Brian and Stacey are a beautiful couple inside and out. They have watched each other grow, learn and change. They have overcome obstacles and been on adventures together. Their love is one that everyone looks at with envy. I believe the Maid Of Honour Andrea said it best "they've always been like one of those couples at the mall that are all over each other and all in love that you just hate", ha ha, we all knew what she was talking about!

Stacey is an extremely talented wedding planner. She has not yet taken the plunge to do it professionally, but one look at this wedding and you'd think she had been doing this for years, I think she's definitely found her calling. This made me really proud to see it all come together and at the end of the night told her, when the business gets up and running, she's hired. From the stationary all hand done and matching, to the beautiful centerpieces, the hand crafted linens, the personalized memorial candles, the seating chart, the lighting, the well laid out candy buffet, and the venue pick, it was simply a perfect day, despite the cold and gloomy August weather.

I can't say I take credit for anything with this wedding but the homemade cupcakes, but I did ask Stacey if I could share their beautiful wedding on my blog and "she said YES!". Congratulations you two, we all love and support you in everything you do and couldn't be happier for your new beginning!