Becca and Brian tied the knot last summer at Perkins Chapel in Dallas with a fabulous reception at The Crescent Hotel. Becca and Brian wanted an elegant evening with rich red and champagne hues, and we were able to partner with some of Dallas’ best wedding professionals to make their day absolutely beautiful.

Thank you so much to John Christopher Photographs for these amazing photos!

• Caterer: Rosewood Crescent Hotel
• Ceremony Venue: Perkins Chapel
• Hair and Makeup: Haute Façade
• Cake: Rosewood Crescent Hotel
• Calligraphy: The Left Handed Calligrapher
• DJ and Lighting: It’s Your Night Entertainment
• Floral Décor: Branching Out Events
• Linens: BBJ Linens
• Musicians: Serenata Strings
• Photographer: John Christopher Photographs
• Reception Venue: Rosewood Crescent Hotel
• Transportation: Romantic Remembrances
• Event Planner: Sweet Pea Events

We are so excited to show you images from Julie + Travis’ romantic science themed wedding. Julie and Travis had a lot of ideas when we first met with them. They hired us to help plan their big day but especially to pull together all of their ideas for one cohesive vision. The two met at science camp, so it was only natural for us to design their wedding elements based on a science theme. Our most favorite part of the décor were each of the individualized tables which each represented a different type of science. (ie: oceanography, bio chemistry, biology, etc.) We worked with an amazing team of wedding professionals who pulled this sweet celebration off without a hitch.

We also had a blast coordinating their day after session at the fair where they not only took super fun photos, but they were also able to spend the day eating fried foods and playing games at the State Fair of Texas.

Julie + Travis’ wedding was featured on Style Me Pretty and we are so excited to finally show their wedding off!

• Alterations: Margo West Bridal Alterations
• Balloons: Balloon City USA
• Cake: Fancy Cakes by Lauren
• Caterer: eM The Venue
• Cinematography: Landshark
• DJ: DJ Mod Chop
• Dress: Pronovias
• Event Styling: Event Styling by Shawna Marie
• Hair: Jorge Abrego Jr.
• Makeup: Emily Ward
• Photographer: Sarah Rhoads Photography
• Rentals: Period Charm Rentals
• Venue: eM The Venue
• Event Planner: Sweet Pea Events

We are so honored to be apart of eM The Venue’s open house on Wednesday February 8th! We hope that everyone can join us from 6-9 that evening to check out their amazing venue, as well as checking out some of DFW’s best event industry professionals! Be sure to RSVP here!

We are so thrilled to be apart of Edison’s open house on January 19th from 7:00 – 8:30! Please join us and tons of other amazing wedding pros for a super fun evening of winter wonder! Be sure to RSVP here!

This wedding took place on August 13, 2011 in McKinney, TX. Jenny and Jeremiah were childhood friends until  Jenny’s family moved to Canada before she started the 4th grade. On one of Jenny’s trips back to Texas to visit family and friends when she was a senior in High School, she and Jeremiah reconnected not realizing who each other were. It didn’t take long for them to put two and two together and realize that their families had been lifelong friends.

Their wedding was full of family heirlooms and meaningful details to their relationship. Jenny and The Bridal Couture Girls had created a belt for her dress as well as hairpieces for herself and the flower girl out of her mom’s wedding dress. Jenny’s total wedding inspiration was based on a super sweet fabric that she found by Amy Butler. She took that fabric and made an aisle runner, table runners for all tables at the reception, as well as flowers for the ring bearers pillow. During the ceremony an acoustic song was played by the best man from her parents wedding, he wrote a song for Jenny’s parents and sang it at their wedding, and chose to sing it again at Jenny and Jeremiah’s. The lyrics to Jenny and Jeremiah’s first dance song were written on two of the tiers of their wedding cake. And, as guests departed for the evening they each left with a fried pie from the home of the original fried pies, a favorite spot of Jenny and Jeremiah’s.

We had a total blast helping Jenny and Jeremiah bring together all of their details and loved everything about their day!

• Belt and Hair Pieces: Bridal Couture Girls
• Caterer: McKinney Catering Company
• Ceremony Venue: Chestnut Square
• Cinematography: Lynn Films
• Dress: Circle Park Bridal
• Hair and Makeup: Haute Façade
• Map: Natty Michelle
• Cake: Sweet Art Bakery
• DJ and Lighting: Glenn Roush Productions
• Floral Décor:  Branching Out Events
• Fried Pies: Bakers Ribs
• Photographer: Elle Parks Photography
• Photobooth: Cowtown Photobooths
• Reception Venue: McKinney Flour Mill
• Event Planner: Sweet Pea Events

If you are still looking for some last minute holiday decorations, look no further. Kelly had a chance to do some holiday crafting and we wanted to share the super cute decorations she made. All of these items were super easy to make and will brighten up any home!

The first project that spells out "JOY" is wall art that Kelly made.  The wreath was styrofoam that she wrapped with yarn. She created the balls on the wreath with styrofoam balls also wrapped with yarn.  Then she added accent pieces that she found at Michaels for the sparkly greenery.  The J and Y letters were wood letters she found at Joann’s Fabrics and spray painted red. Very simple, and fun project to make!

The second project is a Christmas card display frame.  She wanted to display her cards in a different way than she normally does this year, so she found this frame at Hobby Lobby.  It’s super easy to make, as she used twine and criss-crossed it around the frame (used a staple gun to hold the twine down).  Then, she bought mini clothes pins to hang the cards from.  Underneath the frame she just used vases and bought cinnamon scented pine cones from Michael’s and mixed them with a package of those silver branch balls (also from Michael’s). Another super easy project!

Thank you so much to Teresa Gardner from LightBox Photography for taking these amazing pictures!

Posted by Kelly Simants

Earlier this summer we had the privilege of working with Emily + Tyler to design and style their décor for their big day.  This couple chose Marie Gabrielle for both their ceremony and reception, which was the perfect setting for their sweet, garden-inspired, hint of travel-themed wedding.  They both love to travel, and Emily lived in India so that’s where the elephants came into play.

Here is their inspiration board we designed to inspire us as we planned their wedding and sourced décor items:

And now for the real wedding!  These beautiful images were captured by the very talented Jennifer Yarbro Photography who we adore working with! Thank you, Jennifer!

Gorgeous backdrop at Marie Gabrielle for their garden-inspired wedding!

Gorgeous floral from The Garden Gate below, and chandeliers from Absolute Entertainment!

Stunning cake from Jackie Spratt, and we styled the table with some fun décor.  We loved this lace overlay from BBJ Linens!

Vintage suitcase with luggage tags we created for “Well Wishes” for the couple…to go along with the hint of travel theme of course!

Outdoor lounge – Meaghan and I found this hanging lamp at a garage sale…the original owner sold it to us, and told us they bought it in the 1950s!  Emily made the darling “Just Married” burlap sign, and the pillows were from World Market and Pier One.

Décor for the outdoor lounge end tables…

Love the café bulb lighting that Absolute Entertainment provided!

The new Mr. and Mrs.!

Enjoying the lounge!

Mini donuts made fresh on-site for guests as a late night snack! We love working with Josue from The Snack Box!

Congrats, you two! It was such an honor to work with you and we wish you all the best!

Emily + Tyler selected the following amazing wedding pros:

• Ceremony and Reception Venue and Day-Of Coordination:  Marie Gabrielle 
• Design and Décor Styling:  Sweet Pea Events
• Hair and Makeup:  Haute Façade
• Cake:  Jackie Spratt Cakes
• DJ:  Andy Austin
• Floral Décor:  The Garden Gate
• Late Night Snack:  The Snack Box
• Photography: Jennifer Yarbro
• Lighting:  Absolute Entertainment
• Linens:  BBJ Linen
• Stationery Items:  Personal friend who is a Graphic Designer
• Gown:  Monique Lhullier at Neiman Marcus
• Bridesmaids Dresses:  J. Crew

Posted by Kelly Simants

Calling all Dallas area Wedding Pros (or those wanting to enter into this industry!)…

I am also Co-Owner of a company called Sage Wedding Pros – our mission is to create sustainable businesses in the wedding and events industries.  My life before being an Entrepreneur/Wedding Planner was in Human Resources, so I am passionate about business and helping others to learn how to develop their own business plans.  Through Sage, we offer a business planning workshop called “The Simple Plan”, which is just that – simple.  A super easy, collaborative approach to writing your business plan.  You’ll walk away with a Mission Statement, Sales and Marketing Plan, Financial Strategy, and so much more…it’s a perfect time to take 2-days to work ON your business, so that you can plan for 2012!

Our next Dallas workshop is going to be held at Edison’s on December 13-14, 2011!

For more information and to register, please click here – hope to see you there!

Photo by Joann Arruda

Now that wedding season is starting to wind down, we had a chance to look back at all of our weddings to reflect on how wonderful they all were…and also, realized that we do so much more than most people know. Yes, we are responsible for the traditional tasks that a Wedding Planner takes care of – like lining up the wedding party for the processional, coordinating timing of the cake cutting with the DJ/band, etc. – but there are so many other things we take care of behind the scenes that people aren’t aware of.  So, we decided to make a list of all the unexpected things that happened, which we managed.  Here are just a few of the things that have gone on behind the scenes at Sweet Pea Events!

• Groom’s tux was no where to be found, until our client realized that it was never picked up from the dry cleaners. We made a quick trip to the cleaners five minutes before closing time to ensure it was picked up and that the Groom had his tux!
• During the reception the Groom had requested cigars for him and some of his guests. We ran out to the closest cigar shop so that they could enjoy cigars on their special day!
• A chuppah was set up the day before the ceremony and after the rental company left, a storm blew through and ruined the chuppah. We coordinated with the rental company to come back the next morning and fix the chuppah before the ceremony so that everything was perfect!
• Both bride and groom’s wedding bands were left at the hotel, so we ran back to the hotel to retrieve bands before ceremony started.
• Bride had ordered incorrect linen sizes for tables – we were able to pull in correct sizes from an outsourced company before reception began.
• At the end of the evening, a overly intoxicated wedding guest started a fight with hotel employee and we brought in security to smooth things over.
• The water fountain at the chapel was broken in the midst of summer, so we ran to the store for the wedding party to bring back water bottles.
• The catering company was short staffed and we helped bus tables for close to two hours during the reception.
• We made special arrangements with a reception venue and bride’s parents to ensure the centerpieces arrived to the reception outside of normal venue hours.
• The twinkle lights wrapped around pillars went out, and we ran to buy a new strand before the reception began.
• Bride’s family planned a last minute slideshow to be played at the wedding reception, so we coordinated with the family and the AV company to ensure it was set up in time.
• A bridesmaid dress split right before the ceremony, and we were able to sew it back together.
• We swept and cleaned all trash at the chapel after the last guest departed.
• The catering company was running very late the day of the wedding and we helped them set-up before guests arrived.
• We had several missing boutonnieres and quickly created them to make sure all men had their special flowers!
• A flower girl’s pomander ball fell apart and we patched it back together before she walked down the aisle.
• When the cake was being transported in a car, it fell over and was completely smashed – we patched it with flowers so that no one knew!
• Made a last minute trip to buy roses for a ceremony tradition, per the brides request.
• Bustles break almost every weekend and we have become masters at fixing them!
• Cake baker was no where to be found, so we tracked them down to give them correct directions and make sure the cake arrived on time.
• We have called plenty of cabs for guests who are unable to drive home at the end of the evening!
• Stepped in to attend the guestbook and pass out programs at the ceremony.
• Made direction cards from the ceremony to the reception.
• Drove a Uhaul full of bride’s décor for reception and set it up – as well as packed it all back up at the end of the night.
• The couple ran out of beer at the reception, so we made a quick run to the local store to pick up more.
• Load gifts into parents cars at the end of the evening…

This is just a short list of the many, many random things that come up at weddings that our team is there to handle and take care of!  We love making sure that things go smoothly and do whatever it takes to run interference for our clients and put fires out! 

We’d love to hear from you…if you’re a bride, what happened on your wedding day, and how did you handle it?  If you’re a wedding pro, what stories do you have to share about things that are out of the ordinary that come up at weddings you work at?  We should all come together and write a book someday!

Before wedding season really kicked in we planned a super fun venue tour extravaganza! We invited 30 wedding professionals to join us at Jim Lee’s venue Experience for our first venue on Ticket To Ride. From there we had limos provided by Choice Luxury Limos waiting to take us out to all of our stops!

Our next stop was Hickory Street Annex where we saw this super cool venue as well as munching on some yummy bites provided by Gil’s Elegant Catering.

From there we got back into the limo, checked in to facebook places and then stopped at The Women’s Museum. This venue is located in Fair Park and has such cool history all throughout the venue.

Our next stop was Texas Discovery Gardens where they have an amazing butterfly house, pretty ballroom, and lots of outdoor gardens for ceremonies!

We then ventured on to Dallas Heritage Village, which is a small little village of old historical buildings in a western setting.

Next we went to Off the Grid, a three leveled industrial building that is super unique.

After a little stop for champagne we headed over to Lofty Spaces, a blank space to create your perfect venue!

We finally ended at The Starlight Room for some yummy food by Jim Lee Events! It was definitely a successful day and we couldn’t of had more fun! Thank you to all the venues who let us stop by that afternoon and a special thank you to Lora Ayers of Lora Ayers Photography for taking all of these amazing photos! We can’t wait to do this again soon!