The Opal Affair

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The Opal Affair

Curating Expressive & Meaningful Events
for the anti-bride
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Visit The OPAL Affair on Instagram, www.theopalaffair.com, and Tik Tok for the most updated and accurate information!

25/11/2024

An exclusive peek inside the Shinola Hotel’s iconic event space.

Finding a space for your event that’s truly timeless isn’t easy. Incorporate the Shinola brand of also being high-quality, elevated, quiet, and effortlessly comfortable, and you’ve found yourself a real gem of a venue. 🫶🏼

photos by
florals by

20/11/2024

Usually around this time of year I start in on my yearly existential crisis- ruminating on where I want the next year to take me personally and professionally, and thinking hard about what I want to leave as a legacy someday.

But this year? So many people have recently texted or messaged me asking if I’ve watched the Martha doc yet….and because of that, I decided that I’m gonna take a year off from ruminating. I’m not gonna worry too much about what people think of me or the work I’m putting out there. Martha would literally *never.*

Even if all I’m remembered for someday is loving Martha Stewart and listening to a lot of Jimmy Buffett, I guess that’s not a bad way to go. 😅

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13/11/2024

The People’s Princess, Mary Catherine 🕊️

A young fish swims up to an older fish and says, “Hey, I’m trying to find this thing they call ‘the ocean?’”

“The ocean?” the older fish says, “Well look around. That’s what you’re in right now!”

“This?” says the young fish. “This is water. What I want is the ocean.”

Just wanted to send out a heartfelt “thank you” to 2024’s OPAL clients. I’m doing exactly what I never thought I’d be able to do with my life & career. And it’s because of the clients who trust me. 🤍🫶🏼

photos by
venue
glam
florals

08/11/2024

friday musings

more than ever, we need community. and that’s not intended to be a political statement. it’s intended to transcend politics.

we hide behind screens and say s**t we’d never say to someone’s face. even I was guilty of it just a few weeks ago when I shared insensitive opinions on business ownership.

now more than ever, we need to gather. we need community. we need each other. we need our differences.

we need to hash out thoughts over beers in a pub with people we’ve never met before and will never meet again.

we need lively round table discussions about dusty old books and philosophers and economics with people who view things completely opposite from the way we view things.

we need to make art. slow art. slow content. not just content to be posted online for the rapid, rabid consumption of others.

we need to care. we need to be curious.

we need to relish being wrong.

and as I said elsewhere this week, we need to accept that there’s a little truth in everything, and a little error everywhere.

venue
florist
catering
bar

04/11/2024

A post to save as we head into Engagement Season 💍✨

Picking the right vendors is…kind of the whole thing. As in, it’s the most imperative part of any successful wedding.

And there are 5 questions you absolutely NEED to ask any potential vendors you talk with during the vendor inquiry process. Questions that any vendor worth their salt will be able to answer without batting an eye!

Feeling like you need more assistance with the curation of your vendor list? Inquire at the link in bio regarding cool, calm, vibey wedding planning services.

photos by
venue

28/10/2024

fall in five frames 🕯️🍂

photos by
venue
florals
catering
dj

16/10/2024

a little something blue 🦋

Throughout the planning process, Nicole & Anibal maintained their vision of a mostly neutral color palette- lots of white florals and greenery- for their decor and florals. And honestly, Race & Religious is an exceptional venue to choose for a neutral color palette because there’s already sooooo much visual interest and texture throughout the space!

But I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t wildly excited when Nicole told me she wanted her bridesmaids to choose their own blue gowns! It was the perfect pop of color that was reflected throughout the space- in the iconic R & R pool, as well as in the venues paintings, portraits, and fabrics.

We all know that I obsess over individual bridesmaid gowns, and Nicole’s girls truly understood the assignment. These looks will go down as some of my forever favorites!

photos by
venue
glam
florals

11/10/2024

Shinola Hotel, forever holding the (Michelin) key to our hearts 🗝️

Congrats on a well-deserved and completely unsurprising designation!

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venue
florals
glam
Entertainment
coordination

08/10/2024

The bride, her dresses, and all of their ethereal angles 🕊️

photos by
venue
glam
florals
stationary
planning

Destination Wedding, Clean Bridal Beauty, Bridal Portraits, New Orleans Wedding, Wedding Planner

02/10/2024

off-duty wedding planner in october

25/09/2024

Some photos for your Pinterest board…

photos by
venue
florals
band
coordination

Detroit Wedding, Shinola Hotel, Black Tie Wedding, Wedding Portraits, Timeless Wedding, Wedding Vibes

17/09/2024

what it looks like to marry your bestie🤍🫶🏼💌

photo by
venue
glam

10/09/2024

Gone are the days of the Bouquet Toss…we’re entering the era of the Bouquet Dedication. (And frankly, I think it’s a place we should stay!)

Traditionally, the FOB (Father-of-the-Bride) gets the Dad-Daughter Dance, the Groom’s mother gets a dance, but what does the MOB (Mother-of-the-Bride) receive as a token of love and gratitude?

Well in the OPAL Affair world, the MOB gets a Bouquet Dedication.

A brief, heartfelt few words spoken by the bride to her mother or mother figure.

I can say with complete and utter confidence that it’s so much more meaningful than tossing a couple hundred dollars worth of flowers over your shoulder 💐

photos by
florals by

06/09/2024

OPAL Tips for Signing the Marriage License

When: Typically, I advise all OPAL couples to sign their license immediately after their ceremony! After you’ve walked back down the aisle (your recessional) head straight towards your bridal suite or other prearranged (and private!) area. Have your officiant, photographer, and two witnesses follow!

(I like to have a plate of hors d’oeuvres and two glasses of champagne for the couple waiting as well, so that the couple can take a private moment to themselves after the signing is done!)

Who: As I mentioned, your officiant needs to sign the license, as do two witnesses. Often, couples use their Best Man and Maid of Honor. However, I think a reeeaally cute and special substitution is to ask grandparents or significant family members to step into this role, instead!

It’s a heartfelt, meaningful moment that can be captured by your photographer for lasting memories. 🤍

photos by .jowett
venue

05/09/2024

clearing out my drafts

As the hot & sticky summer air gives way to that crisp autumn breeze, I just wanted to share a peek behind the curtain. A look at my real life. At my inspiration.

The Wedding Industry is a fickle b**ch. It pushes out trends with one hand, and with the other it admonishes anyone who isn’t planning a timeless event that stands the test of time.

The Beauty Industry tells us in one breath that we’re perfect as we are, that nothing about us needs changing. And then with the next exhale, it’s pushing expensive toxins and tinctures, telling us how much younger we’d look if we only invested more into it.

I hope when you see OPAL content pop up on your feed, you feel safe. I hope you feel at peace with yourself- with your style and your skin- just as you are right now.

Life just isn’t meant to be taken as seriously as we’re all marketing it to be. Have fun, be good, stay present.

x | k

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http://www.theopalaffair.com/

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