Congrats Winnie & Mike! 09.10.2011

No, no, there isn’t anything wrong with your screen – that does in fact say 2011. I still have a handful of weddings to get through, so here we go!

Here’s how we met: I met Winnie through Bonnie – they are sisters. I met Bonnie through Taketo – they are coworkers. I met Taketo through Tracey – they are married. Yes that makes him my brother-in-law lol. Weird as that connection may be – a few years back I was planning our 2nd annual PROJECT SWAP fundraiser and Taketo had mentioned he knew someone at his work that also had an interest in event planning and could perhaps be of assistance. We started corresponding through email, met up for coffee at Starbuck’s and the rest is history. Bonnie and I have become close friends – her “to-the-point” attitude and loyalty is something I really admire. AND, I’m proud to announce that she will be getting this August!

Winnie was a much more energetic version of Bonnie.  She definitely had a vision about what she wanted to look like on her big day and that was something I thought was special. When we met for our trial, it was the funniest thing and here’s why. Winnie had met up with makeup artist and super friendor Vanessa prior to our appointment. When the door bell rang and I peeked through my window, I froze for a bit wondering who the heck was this girl and then I freaked thinking I had double booked two brides at the same time. I opened the door with hesitation and finally when I heard her voice, it was in fact, Winnie. As she came in…I am pretty sure all I said was , “wow…..wow…” LOL. She asked if I had liked it and I just kept saying “Yes…wow…” Honestly, the makeup looked amazing! Not that I was surprised, but whatever V did really enhanced Winnie’s natural beauty. I was in SHOCK to say the least. You know that saying, “easy breezy, beautiful  cover girl?” Ya, that was Winnie.  Looking back, I must have been such a dork.

ANYWAY, we tried a few different looks as the original plan was to do a Phase II (hair change). However, the big day fell on my bestie’s Bachelorette party…um, yes, Bachelorette (what? this is the result of having your best friend be the opposite sex haha) that will be in massive blog to come. Unfortunately because I was pretty much running that show, I was unable to Thankfully, Winnie was very gracious and understood. So, as we continued on with our trial, I remember her specifically telling me what she wanted her guests to see and what she had always had envisioned walking down the aisle. I know most girls probably have an idea, but it was the way she had described why she wanted to look that way that really made me stand back and say (in my mind), “ok – I am going to make this happen for her.”

On the morning of, it was early like always. By the time I reached there, the girls had just gotten out of bed. Lol.  And as the morning went on, more people started trekking through and like most weddings, we were down to the wire. THANKS FOR MY COFFEE btw! Vanessa and I worked like little work bees and got the whole party camera ready. Winnie made her transformation and wow (here I go using that word again), it all came together! Super Friendor, Andrew, captured the entire day!!

Winnie – in spite of all the craziness, I hope you enjoyed the beautiful day because you totally deserved it. I wish you, Mike and little Tiffany all the best. It was an absolute pleasure working with you and sharing such a special moment in your life.  Your giving nature, big heart and love for others is obvious and I admire you for being a great friend, sister and mother. See you soon!!

What an awful picture…I promise to get better ones!