Leeya and Jeff

This past weekend we were so excited to see our featured couple on the homepage of our website, as many of you may have seen, exchange vows at the beautiful Omni Orlando Resort. This wedding was a merge of Leeya's Japanese heritage and traditional American wedding customs. I felt so privileged to learn and be a part of this amazing wedding.

Leeya was stunning in her hand beaded and embroidered gown as she walked down the aisle on her father's arm. The fabulous Domenico Castaldo was there to capture every moment with his unique artistic style of photography.

During the reception, guests were invited into a room adorned with floral arrangements designed my Greenary Productions which coordinated perfectly with the eggplant colored linens supplied by BBj Linen. More importantly, guests from all over the world danced the night away to the music played by DJ Dave of JC Entertainment.

Congrats Leeya and Jeff!

Rustic Love!

Down a long, long scenic route, the YFA girls and I headed to Steinhatchee, FL to a quaint, rustic location that allowed for the a magnificent wedding weekend Robin & J.R.'s guests would never forget. The resort served as the perfect location for the couple's rehearsal dinner, which ended with a bonfire as guests watched a fireworks display, and ceremony. The fantastic Meg Baisden was there to capture all the fun!

Got good shows?

Is anyone else getting a little bothered by this whole writers strike? I can say that I completely understand why they writers are striking. Look at all the great shows out these days, they would be nothing without those writers and they should be compensated accordingly. Unfortunately the longer this lasts the longer it will be before they start filming new episodes. I know it won’t be too many more weeks before some of my favorite shows start airing re-runs. I already checked my TiVo and its not looking good for the next few weeks. However, I did hear a rumor that could put my mind at ease about not having new episodes of Law & Order (and Nikki's Grey’s Anatomy) to watch. It is being said that Big Brother is, for the first time ever, going to air a spring edition starting in February! I’m usually waiting in agony by the time the summer rolls around and now I might get it 4 months early. This can also be said for Biggest Loser which will air a January season and Survivor that will begin in February sometime. I can’t wait!

Holly and Robin

How wonderful must it be to marry your best friend for elementary school? This weekend we coordinated the wedding of Holly and Robin as they made their 15+ year friendship/relationship "official"! The couple exchanged their vows at the beautiful Downtown Baptist Church. Shannon Caine of Beautiful Music orchestrated the classical music during the ceremony. Immediately following, the couple danced the night away with family and friends at the Rosalind Club. Many years before, Holly's parents exchanged vows and celebrated their nuptials at the Downtown Baptist Church and Rosalind Club.

Puff 'n' Stuff did a fantastic job on the food and, my personal favorite, the smoothie bar. Domenico Castaldo took amazing shots of the couple as usual and Complete Music and Video did a great job keeping the guests on the dance floor!

Frequent Flyers

During the next few weeks, we have gotten the opportunity to do a little traveling. During the month of October and beginning of November we are packing our bags and planning weddings throughout the south! Now I know we might be exhausted and ready to sleep in our own beds by the end of this stretch, but we are so excited about these amazing upcoming weddings. First stop is Fort Lauderdale with Sarah and KC and then we are off to Steinhatchee with Robyn and J.R. Lastly, we are going to live it up jazz style (and definitely visiting Cafe Du Monde) in New Orleans with Sheri and John. In between we will be back home for some local weddings but these trips are going to have us living out of our suitcases. See you when we get back!

Stop and smell the roses

Ahhh….do you feel that small glimpse of fall weather approaching? It’s about time! This time of year there are so many great things to get out and do; I personally am looking forward to all of the art festivals all throughout Central Florida. It’s such a great time to experience a little culture and creativity. Even though I don’t paint or do photography I think of what I do is design as well. I hope you find time to enjoy a weekend outing, this is definitely the time of year for a good picnic!

BB Part II

So to continue with my love of Big Brother I can say that I am so upset that E.D. won!!!! I am in utter shock that he and Danielle actually pulled it together and were the last two standing. My fellow Big Brother lovers may disagree and say that they earned it by their tactics but I just can’t get past it. I tend to be more of the ‘may the best man or woman win’ frame of mind!’ In other news, we have a lot of great couples whose weddings are quickly approaching. The last few months have been full of implementing all of our new design ideas and concepts to ensure that every wedding and event fulfills its greatest potential. Were really looking forward to all the beautiful events to come!

We are hot...literally!

For those of you who live in or have ever been to Florida, you know that this time of year is just astoundingly hot. I, however, chose to be here of my own free will, am I crazy??? Being from Atlanta by way of Philadelphia I am a little more used to the weather that we have down here, in the very aptly named ‘Sunny Florida,’ but some days it just takes your breath away. So with the height in temperature we are getting a few weekends off each month. Most brides couldn’t fathom sweating all their makeup off in the first 10minutes and having those curls fall out of their updos so we take this tiny bit of ‘free time’ to be creative and research all of the new trends in theworld of weddings and events! We’ve been busy drawingup designs and giving our couples all the customized and personal design we can. We will be putting up some new pictures of all of wonderful newly-weds and hopefully you will take this time to be inspired to be creative.

America's Next Top Model

I have to say that this little has to be the cutest kid! So.....I may be a little biased since this is the love of my life, my son Jordan, but I know it's true. Just a couple of days ago, I stopped by the NEW studio of Damon Tucci and had the master do an impromptu photo shoot. Everyone who is remotely familiar with wedding photography in Florida (and beyond) is very knowledgeable of Damon's work. However, I was very impressed at how his many talents extend far beyond the wedding market. My husband and I are already thinking of when we are going for our first family portrait session! Now, who do I call to get this handsome face in the next big ad?

Welcome Baby Ashton!

As promised....I am so happy to update everyone on the birth of baby Ashton to Jessica and John. I can not wait to meet the new little one and I am sure the entire family is basking in excitement. Of course, I had to get the first set of pics from the amazing Meg Baisden! Congrats Jess and John!

Big Brother is back!

Now I know most people come on here to read about wedding "stuff." But, since this blog is a little bit of me as well as a little bit of wedding I just have to share this tid bit.

I am an self-proclaimed, full fledged Big Brother fanatic! Anyone who knows me well knows that I LOVE 2 television shows; first and foremost Young and the Restless and second Big Brother. Unfortunately, BB only comes on during the summer every year so when a new season starts I am happier than a my son in Dylan's Candy Bar.

Recently, I have recruited Kristy Chenell, Senior Wedding Sales Manager for the Ritz-Carlton Grande Lakes, to the Y & R Fan Club while chatting up the daily Young and Restless gossip over lunch. Now, I am looking for some faithful Big Brother fans to join my club.

Just in case you don't know...tune in tonight at 8 to CBS...let the games begin!!!!!!!

Remember to CELEBRATE life!

-Sharia

Jessica's a mommy!

This morning I opened my inbox to receive a pleasant surprise. Sheree Porter, mother of the now Jessica Kerr, emailed me a link to Jessica's new maternity pictures. You have probably seen a few pics of Jessica throughout the website from her wedding this past December 30th.

She was one of the most beautiful and photogenic brides I have ever seen. The amazing exchange between the camera and Jessica was captured by the phenomenal Meg Baisden. Not only did Meg photograph Jessica's bridal shoot, engagement shoot, and wedding, she also shot Jessica's maternity photos. By far, Meg is one of the BEST photographers I have ever met. She even shot my wedding!

When all the wedding plans have been executed and the big day has come and gone; it really means a lot when we are still able to keep in touch with the clients and families we have grown to care about. I am very excited to welcome baby Kerr to the YFA family. If this baby is anything like her mother or grandmother I am sure she will be beautiful, humble, and amazingly kind. Here are a couple of pictures from the photo shoot:

Glowing isn't even the word to describe Jessica. As soon as baby arrives I will post more pictures of the happy family.

BTW, Sheree if you are reading this let me know when we should start planning the shower!!!!

Congrats Jessica & John!

New site is UP!!!!

Today I am so excited to finally have the new site up and live. Our staff has worked so hard compiling pictures (all 70+!), writing content, and brainstorming the best concepts. I am so proud of the final product and thankful to all the individuals who made it possible. In comparison to the last site, you will see the bold, bright, and fabulous change of colors which was the brainchild of the amazing Lindsey Luxa of Dragonfly Custom Design. Big THANKS to Lindsey!

I hope everyone loves the site and will visit often.

Remember to always celebrate life!

-Sharia

Here we go!

First and foremost I would like to say thank you for visiting my blog and taking some time to read my thoughts. Growing up I always had a diary and this seems like the new millenia's version of a diary. Anyone who knows me knows that I love relate to others (hence all the stories!) and have open dialogue about life. Therefore, I anticipate this forum to be reflective of me and my personality. If you take the time to visit often I promise you will get to see a side of me that is very personal and candid.


Besides me gushing my heart ;) look forward to hearing about all things in the wonderful world of creative, unique, and illustrative weddings and events. I am always on the search for the biggest trend and interesting edge to throwing amazing fetes. I live by the motto "Anything is Possible!" Your dream wedding is only limited to how creative our minds will go. This blog will definitely take you to destinations you have never imagined...buckle up!


To start this journey off I think it would be of utmost importance to tell you, especially those who do not know me personally, about me and my family. I have been absolutely blessed to have an amazing and supportive husband (Sherman) and the greatest gift ever given to me, my son (Jordan). In the midst of my busy world there is always a calm that soothes my soul...the thought of my guys!

Here is a picture of us taken by the amazing Meg Baisden:



On my (few) weekends off, we are always on the go with Jordan; whom is a sports fanatic. This year Jordan will be 4 years old and loves to talk about his "pretend" little sister...do you think he's dropping hints? (Eyes rolling!) I am a huge believer that people naturally have talents that manifest into their livelihood and lifestyle. When I was a child I would dress up dolls and have pretend weddings (really). Well, I think my son was born with a ball in this hand. He knew how to make basketball shots on his mini-hoop before he could walk.

Enough about me (for now)! Come back for more as we submerge in the amazingly world of WEDDINGS AND EVENTS!!!

Remember to Always Celebrate Life!

-Sharia