Jessica and Brian


Brian and I were married May 3, 2008 in Gretna, Nebraska. It was the best day ever! Everything went perfectly (and even the unusual cold May weather did not damper the day).


Jessica and Brian
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Ceremony Location - St Patrick's Catholic Church--A+++++++++
St. Patrick's is an absolutely gorgeous church. It was redone in 2001 and is really stunning. As I was walking down the aisle with my dad, the sun was hitting the tall stained glass windows just right, and it felt like I had a lighted path leading me to my groom.
 
Officiant - Father Mike Grewe--A+++++++++++++++
From the day we first met with him to begin pre-marita! l prep, Father Mike made us feel very warm and blessed. He was f lexible, allowing us to do our pre-marital courses in Kansas City (where we live). He did a FABULOUS job at our ceremony, even making special mention of some of our special details (like the fact that we used our baptismal candles as our unity candle tapers). He joined us at the rehearsal dinner and the wedding reception--we were so lucky to have him.
 
Reception Location - Anthony's--A+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
WOW. My reception BLEW ME AWAY. Anthony's newly remodeled reception room is incredible. I booked Anthony's sight unseen (during the renovations). While it was a little ballsy to do that, I never felt unsure. I was assured that they would do whatever it takes to make our day what we wanted it to be. Christina, the banquets coordinator, is FABULOUS. She has been in the catering business for years and years. She has a great personality and w! as so easy to work with. Within 15 minutes of meeting her, I knew that she was going to do a great job with my reception. I dropped of all of my reception decorations to her Friday before the wedding (they decorated and set up everything for me). My decor included three different centerpieces, cake table and guestbook table decor, runners, linens, chair covers, tons of votives, favor donation signs for each table and paper lanterns. The perfectionist in me was nervous about leaving all of that to someone else for MY reception. I should not have been nervous at all because it looked AWESOME. As I walked into my reception for our grand entrance, I literally teared up as I looked around and saw all of my planning and work come together in such a beautiful way. There were paper lanterns all around the dance floor (a little detail I was obsessed with. Tony from Anthony's was so sweet to hang them for me on his beautif! ul new ceiling), ea! ch table was perfect, my cake table blew me away (5 -tiers of cupcakes , on a tiered table and my "Love is Sweet" signs placed perfectly)--everything, everything was perfect. There was SUCH an ambiance in the room. I got compliment after compliment on the venue and the excellent food and wait staff.
 
Caterers - Anthony's--A++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The food was AWESOME. We received many compliments on the food that evening.
 
Cake Creator - Hy-Vee (180th and Q)--A++++++++++++++++
We did a five-tier cupcake tower and like 20 dozen chocolate chip cookies (Brian's fave). I am not a big cake person, but everything tasted and looked GREAT!
 
Florist - Melrose Floral--A+++++++++++ +++++++++
I was completely BLOWN away when I saw my wedding bouquet (to the point of tears). The green hydrangea against the sahara (champagne) and ivory ros! es was perfect. Mel also wrapped my first communion rosary ("Something Old") around my bouquet stems--it was beautiful. She also did a "fourtune" toss bouquet for me (when I tossed my bouquet, the stems seperated and each one had a "fortune" attached)--so cute! The BM bouquets and bouts were perfect. Great vendor!
 
Photographer - Lesley Knox--A+++++++++++++
Lesley Knox was a COMPLETE rock star on our wedding day. Not only was she my photographer, she was my day-of coordinator, she was my dress bustler, my life saver (she brought an emergency kit with some much-needed Visine for me). I cannot, cannot, cannot say enough good things about her. The morning after the wedding at the hotel, we overheard three seperate conversations between our wedding guests PRASING Lesley. Once we got the pictures, I became even more pleased with her. We literally have thousands of pictures. S! he captured every single moment. HIGHLY recommended!
 
Videographer - C. Lynne Productions--(we have not seen the video yet, but A++++++++++ so far)
These ladies have been awesome to work with. Very addordable and from what I have seen, they do top quality work. Both girls met with Brian and I the week of the wedding to discuss all of the details we wanted them to capture. I can't wait to see the video (especially since the trailer brought me to tears)! What a great find they were!
 
Disc Jockey - Mark with Bandstand Music--A++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
As Brian and I planned our wedding, we knew that the reception DJ was one of the most important things to us. We go to so many weddings and we feel that a good DJ often sets the tone at the reception. I am convinced we hired the best with Mark. Our dance floor was HOPPING from the moment dinner ended until they were literally kicking us out of the reception hall. He read our crowd perfect! ly. Eac! h time a great song ended, a BETTER song began. Mark fufilled all of my requests (no country, Sex and the City theme song for the bouquet toss, Iowa Hawkeye Fight song for the garter toss, etc.). Bandstand=Awesome for me. They also did our video slideshow (not a dry eye in the reception) and when I had a stain on my dress (curiously placed on my backside) as we arrived to the reception, he placed a phone call to have someone bring him something to clean it. Mark's the bomb; Bandstand's the bomb.
 
Musicians - Legacy Strings--A++++++++++++++
As soon as we got engaged, I knew I wanted to have at least a violinist at the ceremony. I am SO, SO happy we hired the trio; it's probably one of the best decisions I made during the planning process. I cannot describe what I felt when the trio played Canon in D as my dad walked me down the aisle. It was one of those MOMENTS I won't forget.
 
Transportation - Ol! lie the Trolley--A++++++++++
We booked Ollie almos t the day after we set a wedding date. We knew we wanted something to ride around in with our WP after the wedding and we knew Ollie books up fast. Ollie was perfect!! Very fun and our driver was great. We had the 22-person and we had NO problems.
 
Invitations - DIY--A+++++++
I will give me an A for the design and I will give Brian the +++++++ for his mad embossing skills.
 
Rental Company - AAA Rents and Events--A+++++++++
I rented green runners and linens and head table chair covers from AAA. I worked with Missy--she was great and the rental items really helped to make the room.
 
Tuxedos - Anthony's Formal Wear--A++++++++++++++
We got a great deal and great tuxes (with beautiful green ties). I would definitely recommend!!
 
My Dress - Bridal Traditions--A
I really enjoyed my shop! ping experience. The ladies were always VERY courteous to me and my mom and sister. They were a little standoffish when I came to pick my dress up to have it altered elsewhere, but I can understand that.
 
Bridesmaid Dresses - NetBride- -A++++++++++++++++++
The girls' dresses were $70 (compared to $150 in the store). They arrived perfectly. Love it. I have no idea why people would ever pay a bridal store for BM dresses now.
 
Hair Stylist - Katie (my BFF and BM)--A++++++++++++++
Katie did an incredible job on my side chignon. I got a ton of compliments on it.
 
Makeup Artist - Cari Maxwell--A+++++++++++++++++++++
Cari drove to my parents' house in Gretna to do makeup for several of the BMs, my mom and me. She did SUCH a GREAT JOB. I know I could not have done my own the day of, so I am SO happy I hired Cari. I felt like a supermodel all day long that day.
 
Honeymoon Destination - Aventura Spa Palace--A++++++++++++++
We had a wonderful time! Page me for details or a full review!
 
Other Vendor - Creative Tailors--A++++++++
Very, very good seamstress. My dress was ordered almost two sizes too big, so I was anxious to get it altered. The seamstrees did an EXCELLENT job modifying the fit perfectly. When I came in for my last fitting, howver, it did not zip! It was my fault (stress=chocolate eating for Jess) but she let it out the 1/4 inch in less than an hour. It fit perfectly, and I felt amazing in it.
 
Other Vendor - Lindz1414 (Rental Items and BM Jewlery)--A+++++++++++++++++++++
As many of you know already, Lindz is a Omaha Knottie and she is an absolute SWEETHEART. She is known on the Omaha Knot board for making FABULOUS BM and bridal jewelry; she did ju! st that for me. Seriously, my BMs LOVED their jewelry--it was so CUTE! I also rented centerpiece vases and light bases from Lindz for SUPER, SUPER cheap. They were all beautiful! She was an amazing resource during the planning process.
 

 

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