My Very First Wedding As The Calla Lily Event Planning
Photo by Jose Almeida Photography
I will never forget my very first wedding as The Calla Lily Event Planning. This wedding was so special to me for multiple reasons and it will always be one of my personal favorites because of that. I have worked in the Wedding Industry in different positions and companies for about 8 years but, The Calla Lily Event Planning wasn’t born until February 2015. That Spring, I started planning my very first wedding as an official Certified Wedding Planner and owner of The Calla Lily Event Planning. My very first couple was my Uncle Chris and his now wife, Jennifer who planned to be married on June 17th, 2017. These two super loving and supportive humans trusted me to help them with planning their very special and unique wedding on a budget. What an honor that was!
Photos by Jose Almeida Photography
Chris & Jennifer had a limited budget of $5,000 to create a totally unique wedding for about 120 people in Northeastern Pennsylvania, near the Poconos. There budget was tight and their ideas were varying but, I was grateful and excited and up for the challenge. We talked over the phone and met up a few times to discuss color palette and overall style & design until we narrowed down their ideas to a fun and casual backyard picnic feel with lots of yellow, the Bride’s favorite color. We had our overall concept so now it was time to start creating! Our venue options were limited with the budget but, we were determined to find a venue that could meet the outdoorsy backyard feel, offer a rain plan option, accommodate the guest count and have a canvas we could turn into something beautiful. So, I did a lot of research and digging until we finally narrowed it down to a secluded privately owned park that my family used to go to for reunions when I was a kid. The price and the space checked off all our boxes. It had a large covered pavilion, lots of grassy lawn for games, plenty of parking space and was surrounded by beautiful trees and woods for epic picture opportunities. Plus, we really couldn’t bet the price! But, it was definitely a blank canvas and as an outdoor venue space that was often used for family reunions and fireman’s picnics, it could use a little imagination and creativity and lots of TLC. At first, Jennifer & Chris were having some trouble imagining their wedding taking place in the space but, after a few trips to the venue together to talk through ideas for layout, design and decor, they were able to start seeing it all come together. Once we had our venue in place, we started pulling in all the other needed vendors and decor elements to bring their ideas to life!
Photos by Jose Almeida Photography
When the wedding day came, the morning was filled with fresh air and sunshine which was much needed for all the setup that took place that morning. My team and I (which at the time was my amazing sister and my husband) running on no sleep, began setting up all the Ceremony and Reception items and decor that the couple had lovingly hand picked to incorporate into their day. With rain looming in the forecast my team and I made the decision to revert to our rain backup plan and bring the festivities for the Ceremony & Reception in under the pavillion. Once all our vendors were on-site and in place, guests began arriving and finding their seats on the venues solid wood picnic tables adorned with rustic burlap runners and unique handmade floral centerpieces filled with bright and sunny pops of yellow and white flowers. The Ceremony began with the couples groomsmen walking in one by one carrying and playing different instruments including some tambourines, a bodhran and bongos. A Norwegian traditional that was a nod to the Groom’s diverse love of music and musical instruments. Then, came the Bride. Jennifer, wearing a beautiful a-line lace gown and red lipstick, walked down the aisle between the rows of decorated picnic tables accompanied by her Father to an instrumental version of Coldplay’s “Yellow”. Their Ceremony was Officiated by the Bride’s older brother and featured unique and sentimental elements of love and unity through special poems and readings, a potted plant that they added dirt from the venue to to help grow the plant that represented their love, water they added to nourish it, a gardenia incense they burned to represent the air around their love and a candle they lit to honor those who have passed on. When the Ceremony was over, the couple excited the pavillion with a parade of music and lots of happy clapping and cheers from the crowd. Now it was on to fun and games!
Photos by Jose Almeida Photography
Jennifer & Chris are big food lovers and wanted to have some delicious food that kept costs low but kept tummy’s full and happy. That led the couple to decide on a local food truck for their dinner and what a treat that was for their guests! They had decided on a truck called Taste Time To Love Us which offered their guests unlimited Philly Style Cheesesteaks, Italian Roast Pork Sandwiches, Sausage & Pepper Sandwiches, Meatball Subs and even a vegetarian Portabella Mushroom Sandwich accompanied by their signature French Fries. Guests were able to order and pick up hot, fresh, made-to-order food right from the truck. The rain had let up by the time the Reception took place and while they waited for their food, guests enjoyed yard games, a selfie booth with handmade props, music and dancing, a self serve lemonade station with an assortment of tagged mason jars with yellow straws, individual bags of popcorn and pretzels and, a well stocked beer & wine bar featuring an extra special hand painted sign made by the Bride’s Dad highlighting the couples beloved dachshund, Sinatra.
Photos by Jose Almeida Photography
As the night went on, the couple shared special dances with each other and their family and friends, enjoyed heartfelt speeches, threw the bouquet and a yellow football instead of a garter and cut an adorable cake made by the Groom’s sister (my Aunt) that was designed to look like a wooden stump surrounded by delicious cupcakes in a multitude of flavors.
Photo by Jose Almeida Photography
Although they had a limited budget, Jennifer & Chris really made their wedding their own. It felt unique to their personalities and showcased so many elements of who they are together. They used their budget to it’s fullest potential and created a fun and exciting experience for their guests without spending a ton of money. Guests danced, sang and enjoyed themselves well into the evening making this fun filled celebration a great success! The couple is now happily married and I am so happy for them and so grateful for the opportunity they gave me to be a part of their special day to grow my business from! They will be celebrating their 3rd Wedding Anniversary this coming Wednesday. Happy Anniversary Chris & Jenn! So much love for you both! <3
Love,
Naticia
Vendor Love:
Photogaphy: Jose Almeida Photography, Catering: Taste Time To Love Us Food Truck, DJ: Tons of Fun DJ’s, Wedding Planning & Coordiantion: The Calla Lily Event Planning, Flowers: My Sister Larissa & I, Cake & Desserts: Rebecca Fama (my Aunt)
