We were so in love with the photos by Ash Meier Photography, that we just had to write another blog about the Harrison Ranch wedding in Fort Collins to showcase her work! Sometimes, My Big Day wedding planners are brought in at the last minute, for “day of” only help. Other times, we are fortunate enough to work with a couple, crafting and creating THE perfect day from start to finish. While we are always happy to fill either role, crafting a couple’s dream wedding vision from start to finish is always a labor of love and considered a privilege. Craig & Catherine Harrison had a vision for their Big Day, and we had the privilege of making that dream come true! Craig and Catherine dreamed of celebrating with friends and family on their family owned ranch located just outside of Timnath, Colorado. Their expansive property was the perfect place to not only be wed to to each other, but to also combine their love of their new longhorn cattle herd operation and new show barn, with Catherine’s fondness of all things glamorous and shiny! Open pastures, bubbling brooks, and painted mountains provided the perfect backdrop for this dream wedding, and the newly constructed show barn offered the perfect spot for a festive cocktail hour and dancing. As wedding planners, we always have an eye for detail - small details and touches pack a punch and can pull everything together. Catherine was all about the details - from the feminine and soft floral arrangements hand picked and held in family heirloom vases, to the old books and picture frames, repurposed as barn decor. She pulled this vision of “high sophistication with a rustic flare” together with antique furniture, lace and tulle, wine barrels, and candlelight provided by sparkly votive jars. The floral arrangements that were placed throughout the ceremony site, barn, and dining tent were simply stunning. Our job of pulling all of the details together began early on September 16. Our team oversaw the set up the ceremony site and stage - complete with a hand made lectern provided by our groom, Craig. We worked closely with florist, Lace and Lillies as well as baker, Sarah B's Bakery, to place floral displays throughout the venue, as well as a delicious dessert bar, located in the barn. Caterers Juli y Juan, and their team worked to create flawless displays of tasty dishes, hand picked by the bride and groom for their guests. First look and pre-ceremony photos took place throughout the property, and were lovingly captured by Ash Meier Weddings and Arcadian Pictures. Wedding Professionals: Venue: Home in Timnath, CO Dress: Tara LaTour from Anna-Be Bridal Boutique Boots: Rocketbuster Fur: Coyote Creations Groom's Suit: B.Spoke Clothing Cake: Sarah B's Bakery Hair: Tara at Suite C Salon Music: Jonathon Moody Band Flowers: Lace and Lilies Event Planner: My Big Day Events Catering: Juli and Juan's Kitchen Photography: Ash Meier Weddings Decor Rentals: House of Yonder Event Rentals: Flexx Productions Car Service: NoCo Party Bus Carriage: Colorado Carriage & Wagon Cigar Bar: The Cigar Guys Videography: Arcadian Pictures Enjoy the slideshow below with some of our favorite photos from Ash Meier Photography! Contact My Big Day
"Dream Big, Live Big. For Life's Events" Original Ideas, superior strategies, your own private party planner. ~Event Planning, Coordination & Management~ My Big Day llc Phone: 970-613-1455 or 303-886-3068 Email Us Located in Loveland, CO As event planners, we serve the entire Front Range; Southern Wyoming, the CO Mountains, and Northern Colorado: Loveland, Fort Collins, Greeley, Windsor, Berthoud, Estes Park, Lyons, Longmont, Boulder, Wellington, Johnstown, Evans, Severance, Timnath, Mead, Frederick, Firestone, Milliken Clayton and Grace chose My Big Day to help them execute their romantic destination wedding at the historic Stanley Hotel in Estes Park. The bride and groom chose an indoor ceremony, with picture windows that looked out at the breathtaking Colorado Mountains. All of the little details were hand-picked by Clayton and Grace. Everything had a hidden meaning, or sentimental tie! We loved every moment with this sweet Kansas City couple! Thank you for trusting us with your BIG DAY! Wedding Professionals:
Event Planners: My Big Day Ceremony: Stanley Hotel, Estes Park Reception: Stanley Hotel, Estes Park DJ: A Music Plus Photographer: All Digital Photo & Video Hair: Jen Goodrich Florist: Enchanted Florist Nanny: Seeking Sitters Cake: Indulge Bakery Quartet: Cheza String Quartet Recently the My Big Day team was invited to tour the Fort Collins Palmer Flowers location, meet the staff, and learn all about the floral industry. We toured their entire facility- who knew it was so big!?!?! We learned about all of their coolers, the process for keeping flowers fresh and buying direct from farmers... about holiday business, event rentals - and best of all... their wedding an corporate business!
Thank you to the Palmer Flowers staff for the incredible tour and floral education! What a fun site visit for the My Big Day LLC crew! So many coolers... so many choices... we were in heaven! We are seeing some exciting wedding trends for 2015! My Big Day loves working with brides who have a vision and are willing to try new things. With every wedding season trends change and we can see patterns in popularity. Here is what we are seeing for 2015: Destination Weddings to the Colorado Mountains: Living and having a business based in Colorado, we see 'mountain themed' weddings all the time. But in 2015 we are seeing more destination weddings to the Colorado mountains than ever! We have brides coming from out of state and getting married in Silverthorne, Breckenridge, Estes park, Vail, Beaver Creek, Granby, and Steamboat Springs. Why are mountain weddings so popular? We think it's because a wedding outdoors makes for great photos, Colorado has reliable weather, and Colorado is more affordable than having your friends and family fly to Bora Bora for your destination! Classic Making a Comeback: Everything old is new again! Simple elegance, white, gold accents, distinguished details... We are seeing the word "Classic" everywhere! Think lace... pastel pink... fine china ... crystal.... what weddings were, and are again! CLICK HERE for more wedding inspiration on Pinterest! Laser-Cut Wedding Invitations: In 2015 laser cut and laser scribed invitations have definitely become popular. We are seeing "Classic" make a comeback, and laser cut invitations are a statement piece that can convey a classic theme to your guests. With the array of designs and intricacies available, these invitations set the tone of a wedding! They are great for Save the Dates too! We received this laser scribed invitation from bride, Alicia: "Frozen" Winter Weddings: Blame it on Disney... weddings are not just for the summer (they never really have been). But more than ever, winter weddings are gaining in popularity. And why not!?! Snow makes the perfect background for soft, clean, sparkly elegance! CLICK HERE for additional winter wedding inspiration on Pinterest. Wedding Cinematography: Forget the words "wedding video." Wedding movies are the new trend! My Big Day has worked with some incredible videographers who turn weddings into short films. We LOVE this trend! Below is a wedding film from one of our recent weddings: Craft Beer Weddings: Being from Colorado, and having a business in Northern Colorado, "The Napa of Beer"... we find that craft beer has made it's way into the wedding scene - BIG TIME! Signature cocktails will always be a fun offering for guests. But local, craft beer and spirits make your Big Day a celebration of you, and where you are from! Have Fun. Be Young. Let us know how we can help!
Original Ideas, superior strategies, your own private party planner... Christine Kovacs Forster, Owner/ Party Planner My Big Day llc Phone: 970-613-1455 or 303-886-3068 Located in Loveland, CO As event planners, we serve the entire front range; Northern Colorado, Southern Wyoming and mountain venues.
Of course, My Big Day has worked with many more of the wonderful florists in Colorado!
If you need planning advice, you know who to call! Have Fun. Be Young. Let us know how we can help! Original Ideas, superior strategies, your own private party planner... Christine Kovacs Forster, Owner/ Party Planner My Big Day llc Phone: 970-613-1455 or 303-886-3068 Email Us Located in Loveland, CO As event planners, we serve the entire front range; Northern Colorado, Southern Wyoming and mountain venues.
The highlight of the day for us was the love between Julian & Charlotte. There were so many emotions and nerves leading up to the ceremony. Julian could not wait to see his bride! ![]() Thank you to all the vendors who made Julian & Charlotte's wedding a spectacular celebration of love! Wedding Professionals: Event Planners: My Big Day Ceremony: Kiwanis Community House, Lakefront Reception: Kiwanis Community House, Cheyenne Flowers: Love Letters Floral Photography: Ben Bradley Photography Music: Jim Cox Officiant: Maria Cox Video: Ampersand Family Rentals: Dan D Party Rentals My Big Day would also like to thank Bob & Courtney at Kiwanis Community House for their extreme helpfulness! We love working with these guys!
Kiwanis Community House 4603 Lions Park Drive Cheyenne, WY 82001 (307) 638-4356 ![]() My Big Day was honored to be chosen as the planners for this stunning garden wedding. The event was hosted at the lovely home of Gary and Carol Ann Hixon of Fort Collins, near Horsetooth Reservoir. The bride and groom, Nikki & Ryder, were surrounded by loved ones who helped with all the little touches that made the day extra special. Hosting a large event a a private home is no small feat. Not only are you bringing in decorations and rentals to a location vendors haven't been to before, but you need an XXL emergency kit available to trouble-shoot any accessories needed, should the home not be equipped with traditional supplies you would find at a venue. Luckily, My Big Day carries a large amount of supplies with us, AND the Hixons are no strangers to hosting large galas at their home. Aside from some unpreventable weather just prior to the wedding, the day want off without a hitch! ![]() Thank you to all the vendors who made Ryder & Nikki's wedding a spectacular celebration of love! Flowers: Florals by Rhonda Cake: Fiona’s Deli & Bakery DJ/MC: Robert Krueger Photographer: BlueHaus Studios Videographer: Forget Me Not Media Caterer: Café Mexicali Bartending: With a Twist LLC MakeUp: Keegan Steele Hair: Alysse Riccio Rentals: Best Event Rentals -My Big Day LLC ![]() Every wedding is unique and My Big Day treats every day as such. When planning your wedding, smart brides ask for tips to pull the day off smoothly. The secret to a stress-free wedding day? Giving yourself enough time to prepare for a VERY full day! Get the complete breakdown below to what happens on your wedding day. (in general of course) Getting Ready: Bride's hair: One hour, depending on the style. This gives enough time to get it right and make any tweaks or changes from the trial run. Bride's makeup: 45 to 60 minutes, depending on the makeup style the bride selects Bridesmaids' hair: 30 minutes per person. (depending on style) Bridesmaids' makeup: 45 minutes per person. The order: When your hairstylist arrives, have her start on your bridesmaids first. This way, the bride can go last so that when her photographer arrives, they catch those last-minute 'getting ready' shots, and the bride looks the freshest. Photographer arrival time: One hour prior to formal photo time. This gives your photographer time to walk your wedding site for any last minute photo ideas, and to capture photos of the bride getting ready. 5+ Girls Requiring Hair/Make-up Styling: ask your stylist to bring an assistant to cut down on time. For makeup, add an assistant after yourself plus two. Traveling to a Salon: Double the travel time you anticipate — better to have too much time than not enough. Photos: Pre-ceremony photos of the bride with her family and attendants/groom with his family and attendants: Two to three minutes per shot; more if the groups are very large, and less if they are very small. "You must also consider how punctual the groups tend to be and possibly cushion the schedule to allow for unexpected delays. First look: 15-30 minutes. Groom and groomsmen arrive: An hour and a half before the ceremony. Bride and bridesmaids arrive: An hour before the ceremony. We want to make sure you are hidden before your guests arrive, so they don't get an early peek at your gown! *If the bride won't be taking photos at the church or ceremony site prior to the ceremony, then she can arrive moments before walking down the aisle and wait in the limo until it's time. The Ceremony: Ideal ceremony length: 30 minutes. It's enough time to have meaningful readings and music to make your ceremony unique and memorable. Receiving line: For a ceremony with 100 guests or less, this will take 12-15 minutes. With 150 guests, allow 20+ minutes. If you're expecting more than 150 guests, consider skipping the receiving line and visiting guests at their tables during dinner instead. Maximum gap between ceremony and reception: One hour. Any more than that, and we’d recommend suggesting places for your guests to visit between the ceremony and cocktail hour. Family photos: Two to three minutes per shot — if your family is properly organized! Bridal party: Two to three minutes per shot. Didn't have a first look? Allow 30 minutes post-ceremony for photos of you and your groom. If you did have a first look, you'll still want 15-20 minutes post-ceremony for just the two of you. *Save photos of very large groups (like classmates, coworkers, and large extended family groups) for the reception, when your DJ or band leader can make an announcement to gather everyone. You'll be able to take the photos much faster than trying to track down 50 people during the cocktail hour. The Reception: Ideal event length: Six hours. This will allow an hour for cocktails, two hours for dinner, and three hours for dancing. First dance: This can take place immediately after the bride and groom enter the reception, following the conclusion of dinner, or right after dessert. Father/daughter dance: Immediately following the first dance. Mother/son dance: Immediately following the father/daughter dance. Or, sometimes, this dance is shared with the father/daughter dance. Welcome toast: Given by the father of the bride or by the bride and groom. Toasts: Ladies first! Start with the maid of honor, followed by the best man. Guests invited to dance: Open up the dance floor, and get the party started! Dessert: Two hours before the reception ends. Cake cutting, cupcakes, or whatever you have planned. Bouquet and garter tosses: Right after the cake cutting, or about two hours before the end of the reception. Late-night snacks: A popular trend, many couples start passing around bite-size snacks at this point to refuel guests. Farewell: If you're doing a sparkler farewell, for example, have guests start lining up about 10 minutes before you plan to exit. For more tips and helpful hints, or to hire My Big Day as your wedding planner - Contact My Big Day! Christine Kovacs Forster, Owner/ Party Planner My Big Day llc Phone: 970-613-1455 or 303-886-3068 Email Us Located in Loveland, CO As event planners, we serve the entire front range; Northern Colorado, Southern Wyoming and mountain venues. |
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