WED with Erika

08/31/2024

Want to party nonstop at your wedding?
Want everyone to stay all night?
Want people to be talking about the party long after the wedding?

You cannot go wrong with of .worx!!
Bride & Groom along with their ENTIRE guest list…they were on the dance floor ALL night!

These memories of it all captured by

Even I didn’t want the party to stop! We could have partied all night long!!!

08/14/2024

If you know someone in the wedding industry and they have children… give them a hug, check in on them, send them a pick me up…

Back to school = the start of the CRAZY insane wedding season and we are all here for it.
But damn it’s a lot sometimes wanting to give all the TLC to couples AND our families.

Grateful for clients who know and understand that family is first always (on their end and mine) and together we’ve got this!

I did some self care today starting my morning with a four mile walk, followed by an hour in the garden, lunch with my hubby, and a two hour nap.

Kids are coming home now thanks to the amazing hubs for being daddy chauffeur.
I’ll work after bedtime stories. (Current read: Saving Winslow by Sharon Creech and it’s hard to put down)

Vendor friends… We’ve got this!! 💪🏽
And remember there’s a slow down coming and we make our own schedules. There’s nothing like working for yourself!!

The photos are just for fun from some of my recent weddings!! I have three weddings this weekend (they’re #19/20/21 of the season) and that just barely puts me over the half way point! Still have 19 weddings to go between August 23-Oct 13!!






📸:
📸:

08/11/2024

This is what I do for a living.
Celebrate life, love, and all there is to be joyful about in the world.

Oh and trek 22,733 steps in 12 hours to do whatever it takes to make sure it’s perfect for two beautiful people.

Because everyone deserves to have the world revolve around them even if for just one day.

I love what I do.
And I hope they feel it.

07/23/2024

Isn’t she lovely.
We spent 6 months together bringing their special day to life.
For her to have this peaceful moment to reflect during a day that many define as “stressful” - makes it all worth it!

When you work with a planner for all aspects of the day you are sure to have a dynamic team who works together well.

Every special moment thoughtfully supported by these professionals:

Venue: Hillside Gardens and Events
Catering: Andiamo Catering
Photo: Epoch Moment
DJ: HEPS DJ & Photo Booth
Floral: Cosette's
Cake: The Sugarplum Cake Shoppe
H&M: Captivate Beauty
Dress: Something New
Alterations: excellence by Elisabeth

07/22/2024

It’s been a hard week but a good week too. So I take pause. Reflect. Focus on gratitude.
I’m so grateful for my life, my family, my opportunity today. And not even one bit sad to be up before the sun - especially when my office is in my cozy home with my babies sleeping soundly nearby.

Yes I’m working at 2am (my hubby works early morning so I got up with him). Yes I got plenty of sleep last night after early bedtime stories.

I’m grateful for the work life balance we’ve created.
I’m also treading water in the thick of wedding season!
(Don’t worry it’s normal - if you have a friend in the wedding industry, check in on them 😉)

14 incredible weddings into the 2024 wedding season and I’m filled with gratitude. This morning I’m doing a little meditation before I dive into writing timelines

Incredibly thankful for my sweet friend Piper & her mother who gifted me with this beautiful candle yesterday after I supported them through Piper’s wedding. Check out Courage Cottage - a portion of all purchases goes to support Pancreatic Cancer Research.

Their kindness fueled me and reminded me the work I do makes an impact. I’m not perfect, I fall behind on deadlines in the height of the season, I don’t answer every email/text immediately, I am internally frustrated when barriers to the timeline come up, I make mistakes and do all I can to fix them… despite it all I strive to support an experience in the planning process that does not cause unnecessary stress. I aim to create and support a day in which a couple can savor every moment and build lasting memories. My goal is to make the most of this one single day marking the beginning of their life together.

Most days I’m 100% and nothing short of perfect.

Some days I push myself too hard, overthink things, or feel like an imposter wondering how I’ve made it here.

But I hope they feel it…
My passion. My heart. My excitement for them.

Grateful for the hundreds of people who have trusted me to be a part of their most special day.

Grateful for grace and understanding.

Grateful friends who support, rescue, and forgive each other in this crazy industry.

Grateful for my family who supports and loves me.

07/07/2024

Cosette's did an incredible job with this amazong wedding. I love working with Cosette when I plan weddings with couples as she always helps me to help our couples bring their vision together!

Floral from last night’s wedding donated by my kiddos and Grady Weeks to MacKenzie Place - Colorado Springs again today!

So sweet when couples choose to donate their floral and save it from the trash to others can have a little joy!

The colors in this wedding were incredible!

07/03/2024

So many flowers from this beautiful wedding.
With couple going out of town the next morning… they didn’t need to keep the flowers.

So we donated them to MacKenzie Place - Colorado Springs!

Didnt take the best selfie with my hands full but the residents were already excited to snag arrangements and single stems as we were leaving.

06/28/2024

How was this less than a month ago?!

Earlier this month my husband and I took my amazing teammates and some of my favorite vendors out for some much needed R&R before wedding season got crazy (and boy has it gotten crazy!)

We completely led them on for weeks and then surprised them with a morning at an incredible experience at a sound bath led by the amazing Gigi at Singing Bowls of the Rockies!

I’m so grateful for the countless incredible people I’ve met along this journey of figuring out how to start and build my business.

This special morning was a moment of gratitude to just a few of them. I am making an effort to stop and show gratitude to others and not just for what they do for me and others but for who they are to the world. We all matter and sometimes it’s good to be reminded.

I wrote them a letter. Too private to share the whole thing but here’s a little excerpt… and I send this to everyone who’s ever been on the team for a wedding with me. Everyone who offered love and support through this last year. Everyone who’s mentored, listened to me vent, or encouraged me. In this photo or not, YOU are special to me and I’m so grateful our paths have crossed.

…Thank you for coming today.
Thanks for playing along.
But most of all, thank you for trusting me. Trusting me enough to know that I would not subject you to anything uncomfortable. Trusting that I will take care of you.

I hope you feel that today and any day that we work together. That I will take care of you. I consider myself incredibly fortunate to even have opportunity in wedding world, let alone be successful in it - and I genuinely believe I could not have done it… without the trust of so many amazing professionals like you all.

So here I am. I’ve made it in the industry. People actually want to hire me and they trust me more and more to walk aside them and plan their weddings! They trust me telling them to hire you!! It’s crazy to me most days.
I still have a little bit of imposter syndrome wondering how in the world do people pay me to PLAN their weddings?! I dunno if any of you ever feel that way but I’m entering my 6th wedding season and it’s STILL surreal for me.

I’ve learned a lot about gratitude and appreciating the people you value in your life over the last year. Now I just want to express gratitude and appreciation for you. Not just you as a wedding vendor or my teammate but you… who you are to me, to our couples, and without getting too mushy… who you are to the world.

You are each incredible people. You matter. You have so much to offer to your friends, your family, your profession and skill, and your couples.

I value working with you because each of you truly care at the end of the day. You show up, care, and are dedicated to making the day perfect for two people who are just trying to figure it all out as they are starting their life together.

(There was more but thats all I wanna share here)

I’m blessed to be living this life.
It’s tough. I complain. I care too much and always have to work on boundaries. But their memories will last forever. And I am honored to make it happen for them with amazing people.
Thank you for playing along and spending this special morning with us:
Lindsay Ann Smith
Chrissy Howard
Jen Hull
Reina Pudder
Epoch Moment
Hillside Gardens and Events
PRTY WORX LLC
Summit Catering
Emily Jo Photo Co.
Singing Bowls of the Rockies

06/16/2024

Them: “I don’t need a wedding planner…”

Me:

(Thankful for the nearly 200 couples who have worked with me over the years and saw the value in every step)

05/25/2024

So excited for this dynamic couple to get married in September!!

Planning with them has been so fun it feels like hanging out with friends. Their energy and friendship is that of such a genuine connection AND they’re rocking wedding planning!!!

Don’t you just love their engagement photos from Epoch Moment?!

04/26/2024

Prepping for the season and realized I had some client folders still full from last year. Seeing their names makes me so happy for each of them and their beautiful days!!

I’m so honored to be party to so many special memories. This year I will hit 200 weddings! And it’s surreal to me still that this is what I do for a living.

Excited for wedding season. It’s right around the corner!

04/18/2024

Get yourself, your wife, or your mama a photo shoot this year!!

Photos last a lifetime and they grow up too fast!!!

04/18/2024

Flower subscriptions perfect for:
Mom 👩🏽
Grandma 👵🏼
Teacher 👩🏻‍🏫
Yourself ❤️

04/16/2024

Well this is a new one! I love pets in weddings.
Haven’t met a llama groomsman yet!

Have a llama in your wedding party?
Let me know! I’d love to help you plan your wedding!!

😝

03/25/2024

Getting married?
You need an engagement shoot?
Don’t know why you need one? Just ask me.
Don’t think it’s in the budget?

⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️

One Dollar Engagement yes, this is real Book your engagement for $1 $1.00 for a full engagement session? This can't be right, right? No Wedding Contract No Print Restrictions No Gallery Limits Yep, this is

03/03/2024

So great to see all my friends at the Something New Boutique bridal show with Hillside Gardens and Events last night at The Broadmoor.

Didn’t take many photos but Design Works a Floral Studio did it again with the floral! And of course The Sugarplum Cake Shoppe never fails with amazing dessert bars! 👀

02/24/2024

Stunning is an understatement.
One of my amazing 2023 brides!

Perfectly captured by Epoch Moment at Hillside Gardens and Events

02/18/2024

Tough day at work… 😉

Today someone asked me if I missed being a nurse. I miss the patients… but I don’t miss the job because I have the BEST job ever!!

Never a bad day when you get to spend some time at The Sugarplum Cake Shoppe!

02/10/2024

Some weddings really hit home.
I can tell you this couple and I meeting was not by accident.
It was simply meant to be.

A family coping with illness but also still celebrating life.
How kismet that they would meet a wedding planner who used to be a hospice nurse? To be able to walk this journey with them was a blessing and one I will not forget.

Proof there can be joy in grief...

Grateful for the amazing team that helped me pull it all together in a short time.

Venue: Hillside Gardens and Events
Catering: Urban Egg Downtown
Floral: Come to the Table Co.
Photo/Video: Jarrah Marie Photography
DJ: Boogie on Down Productions LLC
Donuts: Arnold’s Coffee & Donuts
Cake: The Sugarplum Cake Shoppe
H&M: Captivate Beauty
Sendoff: Arch's Pedi taxi
Dress: Something New Bridal Boutique
Bridesmaids: AZAZIE
Menswear: Jos. A. Bank

02/06/2024

Think it’s too late to plan your 2024 wedding?!
Think again!!

I planned this beautiful wedding with Mr & Mrs J in just under two months!

150 guests, personalized touches, amazing vendors, perfect weather (nod to Mother Nature), and many happy memories made for this incredible family!!

Thanks to the team who put their whole hearts into creating these moments for our couple:
Venue: Hillside Gardens and Events
Catering: Urban Egg Downtown
Floral: Come to the Table Co.
Photo/Video: Jarrah Marie Photography
DJ: Boogie on Down Productions LLC
Donuts: Arnold’s Coffee & Donuts
Cake: The Sugarplum Cake Shoppe
H&M: Captivate Beauty
Sendoff: Arch's Pedi taxi
Dress: Something New Bridal Boutique
Bridesmaids: AZAZIE
Menswear: Jos. A. Bank

Brittany and Eric Hillside Gardens, Colorado Springs Colorado Wedding Film - Short Version

01/30/2024

Grateful for what January has brought me, but I’m ready to say goodbye to this long, dark, cold month. How about you?

Currently planning 2024 weddings and all the vendor meetings and this amazing sunshine we are getting in Colorado is making me yearn for the colors and vibes of Spring!!

This photo, thinking about past brides like Mrs. Hull, the floral (let’s take a moment to love the color!), and that sunshine captured in this moment!!

Wedding season needs to take its time but it also can’t get here fast enough!!







📸 Emily Jo Photo Co.
🌹 Cosette's
⛲️Hillside Gardens and Events
💄 Captivate Beauty

01/28/2024

It’s ALWAYS a great day when you start your full day of wedding planning at Colorado Party Rentals!!

Thank you Vicky for taking care of the amazing couple I got to spend the day with!

01/20/2024

I always love a “working” lunch that feels more like lunch with friends!

Many thanks to Franco and the amazing team at Andiamo Catering with Paravicini's Italian Bistro!! I’m so excited for you to cater at Hillside Gardens and Events again this year!!

Family style meals, gelato cart, delicious made on site pasta so it’s ‘fresh from the kitchen’!!

Thank you for the delicious meal and for always taking care of the special couples I work with!

I’ll be back soon, I have to remember to save room for dessert!!

01/16/2024

In the midst of the freezing temps, I’m thinking of summertime…

Grateful for Epoch Moment for capturing my couples’ day perfectly every single time.

Jessica & Dylan invited me to help them plan their perfect Day and despite the rain (which was nowhere in the forecast), they achieved it.

Love is uplifting and I think everyone can use a little boost on these cold days.

Thanks for the amazing team who brought the day together:

Venue: Hillside Gardens and Events
Catering: La Gran Tenochtitlan
DJ: PRTY WORX LLC
Photo Booth: Epic Photo Booth
Floral/Decor: Cosette's
Donuts: Amy's Donuts
Rentals: Front Range Tents and Events
Hair/Makeup: Captivate Beauty
Hotel: Kinship Landing

Thanks for watching!Check out my work:http://epochmomentphotography.com/https://www.facebook.com/epochmomenthttps://www.instagram.com/thisepochmoment/

01/16/2024

I’m the midst of the freezing temps, I’m thinking of summertime…

Grateful for Epoch Moment for capturing my couples’ day perfectly every single time.

Jessica & Dylan invited me to help them plan their perfect Day and despite the rain (which was nowhere in the forecast), they achieved it.

Love is uplifting and I think everyone can use a little boost on these cold days.

Thanks for the amazing team who brought the day together:

Venue: Hillside Gardens and Events
Catering: La Gran Tenochtitlan
DJ: PRTY WORX LLC
Photo Booth: Epic Photo Booth
Floral/Decor: Cosette's
Donuts: Amy's Donuts
Rentals: Front Range Tents and Events
Hair/Makeup: Captivate Beauty
Hotel: Kinship Landing

Thanks for watching!Check out my work:http://epochmomentphotography.com/https://www.facebook.com/epochmomenthttps://www.instagram.com/thisepochmoment/

01/13/2024

⏰ Voting ends in 2 days!! 🗳️

Is this real life?
This career path I’m on?!

Did this hospice nurse find a way to joyfully walk life’s journey with others with great compassion and meticulous care?

Did I really make it?
Did all my dreams really come true?

🤩 YES!! It is real life.
And I am beyond honored to have been trusted with nearly 200 weddings since starting in 2019!!

🙏🏽 I am beyond blessed and grateful that I was nominated The Gazette Best of Springs in the catergory of wedding planner.

I would be honored to have your vote.
Local and distant friends and clients can vote here (scroll down to wedding planner, I’m the first one listed):

🗳️ https://thebestofthesprings.com/voting/ #/gallery?group=473272

And while you’re there please consider voting for my home away from home. 🏡 My favorite place for any celebration. 🎉
Vote Hillside Gardens and Events in the following catergories:

✅ Wedding Venue
✅ Best Margarita
✅ Event Venue
✅ Music Venue
✅ Best Hidden Gem

10/30/2023

Making room in your budget for floral really pays off. I know some have mixed feelings about fresh floral but I encourage considering it. The right pops of floral really make a huge difference and I always love to see how they accent a photo.

The beauty it adds to the day is incredible. Work with a florist who is willing to help you find ways to make it work in your budget and make the most of every stem!

Come to the Table Co. was trusted with this beautiful wedding I planned in just under two months. Angi captured the couple’s vision perfectly and took the hassle out of decorating for them so they could be fully present on their day.

📸: the amazing Jarrah Marie Photography