Learning from the best: the Artist Holiday

This summer when I saw a posting on Instagram by Magnolia Rouge, I thought to myself, "why not? If it happens, it's meant to be. Maybe God has a plan."

I honestly cannot believe I did it. I cannot believe I entered for a chance to win $500 toward a seat at the Artist Holiday. I still cannot believe I received an email from Kurt Boomer saying they were offering it to me and I cannot believe I went. Yes, I literally jumped and squealed like a little girl when I received that email. Honestly, who wouldn't? It's an email from Kurt Boomer! 

I was crazy excited, and I felt in my bones it was a sign that it was meant to be....I was supposed to go to France and I was supposed to meet these phenomenal people and I was supposed to get back in touch with who I am. 

I honestly cannot describe it. I'm not sure even Hemmingway or Shakespear could put into words my thoughts and feelings about this summer and the emotions and thoughts and plans that have gone through my head (and there really isn't enough space to blog it either). It has truly been amazing!

July 20 - I arrived in Paris, the city of love. Leaving during the summer meant I knew I had to stay focused so I set some goals:

1. rekindle a love affair with my cameras;
2. get to my lodging on time; 
3. soak in all that these wonderful industry experts had to offer; 
4. reset my budget; and
5. I don't remember the 5th...clearly I didn't accomplish it. 

                   

I decided I was going to take the trains from Paris central to Brou (pronounced Broo, not Brow like cow). Surely I could do it. I'm a grown woman. It's not as easy as it sounds though. But I made it to Chartres and then Brou and I was a happy girl. I already hit one of my goals :) Doesn't sound like much I know, but it was for me. I was taking the train and I was by myself and I don't know a lick of French. In fact, more Spanish came out of my mouth than French the entire week. But I made it. 

We stayed in Fraze at a little farmhouse. Brou was in between the farmhouse and the chateau where we'd be doing all the learning - Chateau  de Bouthonvilliers in Dangeau.

The Chateau is truly spectacular! Every inch of the grounds is stunningly beautiful from 250 year old trees and wild flowers to the rolling fields in the back which you can see as you gain entry through the front door. And every inch of the interior is covered with the Verdun family history. 

 

Giving Back...One Wedding at a Time - Nina and Jerry

Almost every weekend I get to work with wonderful brides and grooms and their families and I love every minute of it!! On top of that, I get to work with phenomenal New Orleans Wedding vendors! We have fun and we are creative and professional and at the end of the day we get to be a part of the start to a new chapter in someone else's life! I do this work and choose this business because I truly love to see people happy, and if I can look back and say I helped make it that way even in the smallest way, then I am doubly blessed.

Knowing that I am making a difference in the world I live in has always been a part of who I am and what I do. I spent SIX years in DC and over that time I raised money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and organizations at home to help after the oil spill and other events. I ran and trained for an ungodly amount of races and miles and I held a ton of fundraisers. I did it all in the name of making a difference. I loved giving back. I still do love giving back. So now that I'm home I've been searching and praying and thinking of ways I could consistently give back.

I did a lot of research and talked to various people and found there was definitely a want within the New Orleans wedding industry to give back, to do something for others. Several of us are doing it! We have each decided to donate our services to a special couple who has been through so much! Right now we have the following:

Elizabeth & Darly

Photography by 1216 Studio

Terry 

with Studio Vieux Carre

Ann Marie with

Dazzle Doll Professional Hair & MakeUp On Location

Destiny 

with Poppy & Mint

Lisa & Jason 

with Luminous Events of New Orleans

Big Easy Limos for Transportation

Erin (me) 

with It's Your Time Events

The bride and groom are old fashioned and love all things Disney and NOLA. The couple has a date of September 6, 2015. They wanted their families and their friends to be able to come and not worry about work or timing. 

Our bride is Nina Neesom, born and raised her in South Louisiana. She's 46 years old and has been through a lot, but she's never allowed herself to become bitter. Now, she has finally found love and she is getting married. 

Nina says she always lacked grace which has caused her to fall numerous times. Because of the weight and the falls, she's had many broken bones. In March of 2010 she had another fall, but this time she broke both ankles and damaged her knee. She had 3 surgeries and still can not stand for any length of time or walk any distance. Since then, she is very dependent on her wheelchair. She is hoping to be able to have the strength to walk down the aisle on her wedding day. Through all of this she stays so positive and strong in her faith. This past year she has lost about 100lbs and was so excited to wear her first Fleurty Girl shirt!

Nina met Jerry in October of 2013 online. Jerry was born with Spina bifida. A complication of Spina bifida is liver disease and a progressive loss of lower extremities. Jerry has both of these complication as well as others. He is confined to a wheelchair and has had numerous surgeries and is in the hospital so much that everyone at the hospital knows him. Just last year he spent over 2 months in the hospital. He now has congestive heart failure and diabetes in addition to the liver disease. But like Nina, he remains positive and has a great spirit.

Their first actual date was Christmas Day 2013 and they got engaged on July 25, 2014.

When Jerry and Nina met it was a coming together of two souls that had known hardships throughout their lives. Right away they knew how the other felt. They share some common issues, but compliment each other as well. What he can't do, she can and vice versa. They are always there for each other. For example, Nina explained he can get around the kitchen in his chair so he keeps both of them fed and she is able to help him when he needs things he can't reach.

Nina believes God has placed them together perfectly at this time in their lives to share however much time they have together. They both feel all of the roads before lead to this time and to each other.

If you would like to help make Nina & Jerry's day all that it can be, we can accept payments through paypal (send as a "gift" for Nina & Jerry to erin@itsyourtimeevents.com), or you can also contribute to their Disney Honeymoon registry! We are still working on a band/DJ and more transportation. Any help is appreciated! 

We are so excited to be a part of this event and to share this wonderful moment with Nina & Jerry!!

Becoming Brennan: Michelle & Sean

Michelle & Sean are married! They came to me through another client, one of my very first clients, Ms. Pam, of Amanda and Aimee :) Yup, my Houma people are going strong! I have fallen so in love with all of them and Houma that I've seriously considered moving down there! The people are just so nice!!!

Back to Michelle & Sean!

While Michelle was defintely a part of the planning process, it was Mrs. Shelly who worked really hard to give her only daughter a wedding anyone would dream of!

Mrs. Shelly contacted me even before Michelle was engaged (not sure if Michelle knew that :) She was truly on a roll! Mrs. Shelly took the reigns and I helped steer her through the New Orleans wedding planning process. And Michelle, all she wanted was for it to be pretty.

It was definitely a busy year for the May family. They're huge LSU fans which means they travel to both football and baseball games. They run their own business. And their only daughter was getting married, IN NEW ORLEANS! We needed a hotel and church and reception and transportation and we needed it to be "pretty." Of course Mrs. Shelly wanted help; she's from down south! You know, closer to the Bayou :)

I so enjoyed spending time with these ladies and planning this wedding! Both of them are smart, funny and completely successful! And on top of it, they'd chosen the lovely Catherine Guidry for photography which meant I was surrounded by some of the warmest, friendliest people we're going to find in the state! One of my favorite memories from the planning process was spending the day with all three ladies for Michelle's bridals. It was here where I learned Michelle likes to act like she is not photogenic, but I'm pretty sure between Mrs. Shelly, Catherine Guidry, Sean (her now husband), and many others, we would all beg to differ. Michelle May is beautiful inside and out!

Her mom definitely accomplished that goal! It was truly a wonderful day and night!

 

Of course to our vendors, thank you all so much! And to Ms. Shelly and family, thank you for being so open with me and for being so absolutely wonderful! You are all truly beautiful!

Coordinator: Erin with It’s Your Time Events 

Photographer: Catherine Guidry Photography 

Videographer: Randy Diddly Studios

Cake: Bittersweet Confections 

Photobooth: Boogie Booth 

Flowers & Decor & Candles: Bella Blooms Floral 

Drape: Event Rentals

Chandelier: Firefly Ambiance

Lounge Area: Fleur de Lis Rentals

Transportation: Big Easy Limos 

Lodging: Windsor Court 

Ceremony Music: Vincent Woolf 

Reception: The Chicory 

Reception Music: MoJEAUX Band 

Second Line Band: Red Hot Brass Band 

Bride's Dress from Wedding Belles & the Stationer