Lighthouse Weddings and Events

07/11/2020

✨Introducing the newest addition to our rental collection at Lighthouse Weddings, these beautiful boxwood hedge walls!✨ The possibilities are endless for these beauties at your next event! A photo backdrop, champagne wall, es**rt card display, seating chart, you name it and we can do it!🌿

Message me or send an email for more details. Walls can be rented separate or together, the Better Together sign is also available to rent. These stunning walls were handmade with so much love and are ready to shine at your next event!🌿🤍✨

25/09/2020

Cheers to Friday! It was a good week over here at Lighthouse Weddings!✨ The highlight of my week was when one of my sweet brides received her gown from Kleinfeld Bridal and I got a sneak peek of it!😍 I just love being a part of these moments with my brides. What was the highlight of your week?🤍

28/08/2020

Hey hey happy Friday! With so many new faces around here, I thought it was a good time to re-introduce myself! ✨

I am the owner and lead planner here at Lighthouse Weddings and I am seriously so blessed to be able to do what I love every single day! 🙌🏼

I received my undergrad from The University of Iowa (GO HAWKS!) and Iowa City will alway have a special place in my heart! I also have my MBA which has helped tremendously in running this little business. I then went on to get certified in wedding planning and design! 📋

My husband and I recently moved back to our hometown of Rockford, IL and our hearts are so happy! We’ve had our taste of city life while living in Chicago for a couple years, then we moved to the burbs, and now we are finally home near family! We will eventually be building our forever home out on some property we own, so a lot of our free time is spent looking at floorpans and dreaming up ideas! 🏡

I am the ultimate dog mama. Murphy is an almost two year old yellow lab, and he is seriously our whole world. He comes everywhere with us and is our pride and joy! 🐾

I am an aunt of 6 nephews and 1 niece, and I don’t have enough room here to explain how much I love these kiddos. My world revolves around them and I would do anything for any one of them. Being an aunt is by far my most proud role! 🥰

I am a huge adventure seeker and traveler, and this dang ‘Rona has put a big damper on our travel plans. I am trying to embrace the downtime, but I will admit it’s been hard for me. My absolute favorite place I’ve been is French Polynesia, it’s honestly a once in a lifetime experience. 🌺

Some random facts about me: grilled cheese is my favorite and I will for sure order from the kids menu any chance I can. Fall is my favorite season and yes I already have my candles ready! I love anything involving the ocean and could be snorkeling for hours nonstop. 🧜‍♀️

Thank you so much for following me and supporting me! I feel so lucky to have met some incredible people in this business. If there’s anything else you want to know about me, drop your question in the comments. Have a wonderful weekend!🤍

12/08/2020

NEW BLOG✨ Yesterday was our second wedding anniversary! Honestly, I feel like I blinked and here we are two years later. Time flies when you get to do life with your best friend. Due to good ole ‘rona, our original travel plans to celebrate were cancelled, so we decided to relive our wedding day as much as possible. This included visiting our venue, making a toast with our wedding day champagne flutes, and indulging in all of our yummy late night snacks. On the blog is a list of creative ways you can revisit your wedding day on your anniversary! 🤍
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Here’s to reminiscing on the best day ever and a lifetime of adventure together!🥂
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📸: C. Tyson Photography

Yesterday was mine and Ben’s second wedding anniversary. Due to good ole Covid, our original plans which included a little getaway were cancelled and we were forced to be creative with how we celebrated. Let me just say, this anniversary is one I will never forget. It was truly special. We decided...

02/08/2020

If you can get through planning your wedding during Covid, you can get through anything.🙌🏼 Marissa and Joey tied the knot surrounded by their sweet families and I couldn’t be happier for them! Next year may be the big celebration, but right now they are basking in that newlywed glow!✨Love these two so much!🤍
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📸: Nikki Kate Photography

23/07/2020

Our donut wall is the {sweetest} addition to your intimate wedding or small gathering this year!🍩 We still have some 2020 dates available! Feel free to message me for more info✨
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📸: Nicole Jansma Photography
🍩: Firecakes Donuts

20/07/2020

Ever wondered why your wedding planner reviews your vendor contracts? Well for starters it is always nice to have an extra set of eyes look over it. We make sure everything you are expecting from that vendor is outlined in the contract. We make notes of payment reminders so we can help you stay on top of them. Contracts often outline things like how long the vendor will be on site, how long they need for set-up, and any specific requirements they have, which helps us create your detailed timeline!✨ Trust us, we read the fine print and make sure everything is covered for you! We’re taking care of the little things so you can be focused on the big thing: marrying your best friend!🌿🤍

18/07/2020

Today should have been sweet Arianna and Esteban’s wedding day but gosh dang Covid had other plans. Today we celebrate their love and the countdown to the new big day next year! I am so blessed to work with amazing couples like these two who are such a light during these hard times✨ Next year’s celebration is going to be one for the books, I can just tell!🥂🤍

📸: the amazing Nikki Kate Photography

24/06/2020

Wedding Tip Wednesday!✨ Today’s tip is all about tablescape design. Did you know that adding a beautiful menu will absolutely elevate your entire look?! Here are some reasons I am all for adding menus to your tablescape:
1. Guests will for sure read them! I mean who doesn’t want to know what they are eating!
2. It’s a simple and often times affordable way to enhance your look. Couples often say to me, “If I don’t use a charger or other glassware I am worried my table setting will look empty,” well menus are a great way to transform the look and give it a more “finished” feel.
3. It is such a fun way to add some personalization to your wedding day, you can get as creative as you wish!!

I had the honor of working with Taylor Slager Design who designed and created these GORGEOUS acrylic menus. I mean, seriously, could they be any prettier!?🤍

22/06/2020

Spice up a rainy Monday with some at-home signature drinks taste testing! Margarita Monday anyone?!✨

21/06/2020

Father’s Day • A day to celebrate the loving men in our lives. So here’s to the dads who are a girl’s best friend, the dads watching over us in heaven, the brothers and uncles who love like dads, the dog dads, and all the men we so cherish in our lives!
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If you know me, you know my dad is my whole world and a huge spark behind Lighthouse Weddings. To my dad, my person, my best friend, my biggest support, I love you so much and thank you for pushing me to follow my dreams! Happy Father’s Day!🤍
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📸: C. Tyson Photography

22/05/2020

This one goes out to all of my sweet couples that have pushed their weddings back to 2021. I know I have taken a little social media hiatus while I have been busy postponing weddings. This is not how I expected the first year of Lighthouse Weddings to go, but if I have learned anything it is that love prevails. The fear, the worry, the stress, the anxiety, it all goes beyond more than we can imagine, but the LOVE these couples show is above all else. They are selfless, they are handling curve balls with such grace, they are patient, they are understanding, and they are putting love first. These are the type of couples I am proud to work with. And hey, a positive takeaway is that I get another year to know them, be a part of their lives, and plan with them!✨

Thank you to all of my couples. You are amazing. The 2021 celebrations are going to be that much sweeter!🤍

📸: MLW Photography, LLC

03/04/2020

I think we all could use a donut (or two) right about now!💗🍩

📸: Nicole Jansma Photography
🍩: Firecakes Donuts

28/03/2020

Honestly, I am so blessed to be a part of the Rockford community! How amazing is Rockford Art Deli for providing this opportunity for local small businesses! You can get your own Lighthouse Weddings and Events shirt by clicking the link below. Your support means the word to me!✨

I will also be paying it forward. For every shirt sold, my portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Illinois Covid-19 Relief Fund, to help fight this awful fight, support our medical workers, and help those in need!

This is how a community comes together in a time of need!🤍

Help Keep Local Business Here for Good Check them out - Lighthouse Weddings and Events These are a preorder - We will be printing and shipping or emailing for local pickup one we are able to get back into the shop! $10 from each sale goes to the Independent Business You Are Supporti...

19/03/2020

Happy first day of spring!🌸 Spring is a season of growth and new beginnings. Just a reminder, flowers grow back even after the harshest winters. Keep your head up and find something beautiful in today✨

16/03/2020

Faith over fear✨ It feels like life has come to a sudden halt. Restaurants are closed, stores are empty, vacations are cancelled, small businesses are struggling, weddings are postponed, and anxiety is high. If there is one thing to keep our heads up it is that we are all in this together. We need community now more than ever. I know it’s scary, and my heart breaks for everyone impacted by this, but just know you are not alone. For the sweet couples making terribly difficult decisions right now, do not lose sight of what really matters: you are marrying your very best friend and at the end of the day that is the most important thing. I am here to help in any way I can, please reach out if you need anything or could just use someone to talk things through and vent with. I am here. We are all here. We are a community and we will get through this.

In the meantime, embrace this uncertainty and find the silver-linings. For me, that’s more snuggle time with the sweet pup, lots of Trader Joe’s deliciousness, and maybe some much needed “me time.”

Be kind. Be positive. Have faith. Be supportive. Be there for one another. We can do this💗

27/02/2020

NEW BLOG✨ Getting real over here, sharing some heartfelt lessons learned from my first year of marriage. Always striving to be real, open, and honest with my couples as they enter life as newlyweds! A successful wedding day is my goal as your planner, but a successful marriage is the ultimate goal🤍

I help my couples plan the best day of their life, but I am also here to help navigate this new journey they are on. I am here to be really open, honest and sup

25/02/2020

Fun fact: I am a certified wedding planner!✨ You might be wondering what that means? It means that I am whole heartedly committed to this career. I am devoted to consistently staying up to date with all of the latest trends and advancing my knowledge about the wedding industry with monthly workshops and courses. I also have some incredible partnerships and unique discounts I get to bring to my couples! One year ago I attended the Bridal Society Certification Course and I am proud to bring these opportunities and insights to Lighthouse Weddings and Events and only offer the best for my sweet couples!🤍

17/02/2020

Back where it all began! It’s crazy to think how much this one lighthouse has impacted my life!✨

12/02/2020

Today is fueled by a lot of coffee and the fact that I am outta town tomorrow for my brother-in-law’s destination wedding!🏝 I love being a wedding guest almost as much as I love planning weddings!✨

07/02/2020

The best thing in life is when your dream becomes someone else’s and they share in the journey with you. Today’s Friday introduction is all about the biggest support behind Lighthouse Weddings and Events. This guy ⬇️ my handsome hubby, is such a huge part of this business. Not only does he help me handle all of the not-so-fun operational stuff (finances, taxes, numbers, ya know….!), but he also totally accepts my over-excitement when I receive a bride’s floral proposal and I’m just swooning over all the prettiness; he is always down for a Starbucks work date, and he is always giving me honest advice. He has been the biggest part of this dream coming to life and I am so thankful!✨

27/01/2020

Starting the week with some sparkle is never a bad idea!✨

10/01/2020

Because every wedding is better with donuts!🙌🏼🍩 Interested in renting our amazing donut wall?! Email me for more info at [email protected]

📸: C. Tyson Photography

04/01/2020

NEW BLOG✨Let's be real, weddings are expensive and money post-holidays can be tight. Here are some creative and realistic ways you can save some money while still planning the wedding of your dreams! 🌿

Let's be real, weddings are expensive! Let me offer you some realistic cost saving ideas for wedding planing so you can save an extra buck and still have th

30/12/2019

Thank you 2019 for bringing me so much self growth, confidence, love, guidance, and the opportunity to do what I love every single day!✨ And here’s to 2020: to the many opportunities for continued growth, the incredible couples who get to start their lives together this year, the amazing & talented vendors I get to know and work with, and the endless support from the people around me! I cannot wait for the excitement and love that will fill this new year!🥂

03/12/2019

The meaning behind Lighthouse Weddings and Events is so close to my heart and I’m excited to share my story in my first blog post!✨

You may be wondering, why Lighthouse Weddings and Events? Lighthouses hold a special place is my heart. I grew up loving lighthouses, but I loved more than the