Event coordinator, Bri, breaks down the pros & cons of doing a wedding registry versus not doing a wedding registry. Worth the read if you’re a Current bride!
So You’re Getting Married? Now What Do You Wear? | By Brianna Bowman
Gift Guide: What To Get Your Soon To Be Wife by Brianna Bowman
The holidays are in full swing. That means lots of hot chocolate, trimming the tree and of course gifts. While the holidays may look a little different this year that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t treat the special lady in your life to something nice (even though that beautiful ring on her finger is more than enough). Keep reading to see some great gift ideas for your Mrs-to-be.
Gift Guide: What To Get Your Soon To Be Husband by Brianna Bowman
Mixing New and Old Traditions by Brianna Bowman
It’s the most wonderful time of the year and we definitely need it after all of the twists and turns of 2020. One of my favorite things about the holiday season are all of the Christmas traditions. I love hearing what other families do every year, introducing ones of my own to my fiance and even creating some new ones together that we can do every year as our family grows.
And Don’t Forget the Groom: Current Favorite Groom and Groomsmen Styles
“I couldn’t say I do without you”: Bridesmaids Gifts, Dresses and much more!
Venue Shopping: How To Pick The Perfect Place With Your Partner
Who, What, When, Where and WEAR?
From Bri the Wedding Coordinator to Bri the Bride
By Brianna Bowman, Associate Planner + Coordinator
Like most people, I was used to being a wedding guest, but never knew what went on behind the scenes to turn the magical day that family and close friends get to experience into what it was. As the newest member of A & L, I got full exposure to what exactly goes into working a wedding. So, I want to share my insights with other newbies and professionals in the wedding industry on what it’s really like to work a wedding day...
Your feet are going to hurt. I learned this lesson the hard way at my first wedding. While wedding days for most people start at ceremony time, wedding days for a wedding coordinator start bright early. While our wedding day start time varies per wedding I can usually expect a solid 12+ hour day on my feet. A & L dawns a classic all black, professional look on wedding days and I thought no better way to add a pop to my all black attire than with a pair of cute animal print ballet flats. BAD IDEA. After running up and down flights of stairs, including moving a chuppa from the second to first floor, my cute shoes with barely any support showed me that investing in a great pair of comfortable shoes is key to making it all day without complaints.
As a wedding coordinator, I have seen numerous variations and takes on a couple’s perfect wedding and as someone newly engaged, this has created the opportunity to look at all of my options for my own big day. With that in mind I have written a list of my ten must haves and must nots for me and Alex’s wedding day. Now remember, this is just my personal preference, we’re all entitled to our own opinions and this is what suits us best as a couple!
CHURCH WEDDING VS VENUE WEDDING
Alex and I are a very casual, informal couple and working weddings has shown me that venue ceremonies allow you to have more fun and be more candid with your vows, so we have decided on a venue ceremony. While we still haven’t settled on all of the logistics like venue, indoor or outdoor, we are certain that this route fits our personalities and relationship best.
2. SEATED DINNER VS BUFFET
I am someone who loves options and a seated dinner in my opinion can limit the experience and freedom of choice for the guests. Think of it as this, if you choose the chicken you are stuck with the sides that come with the chicken. A buffet is perfect for us because it allows me to taste everything or pick and choose what I do and don’t want on my plate. (I also think it let’s you get to the party quicker and I plan to spend all night on the dance floor).
3. SPEECHES
Speeches are a key part to most people’s weddings. I always get to hear intimate details about the B + G’s relationship from the people nearest and dearest to them through the toasts. While I love hearing other people’s stories, I hate for people to hear mine. If it were up to me I would cut toasts out and get straight to the music, but a bride has to compromise on some things! ;)
4. BAND VS DJ
Both of these options are sure to get the party started and I’ve seen great bands and great DJs at weddings. In all honesty, I would love to have both at my wedding to give a good mix. I am a big fan of a local Pittsburgh band called the Bill Henry Band and all of our friends and family love them. I know they would make our night unforgettable, but there is just something about a DJ and classic renditions of your favorite songs that a band could never do.
5. FIRST DANCE
Yes, yes and more yes. This is my all time favorite part of every wedding I have worked, attended (and watched on TV).Getting to see the love and intimacy between a newly married couple is something that always brings a tear to my eye. The hard choice, however, is what will be our first song? While we both have our favorites, it is hard to settle on one that hasn’t been used by close friends, overplayed by other couples, or that we both like. I will be sure to keep everyone posted on our final selection as we get closer to our big day!
6. FLORAL
Wedding flowers are a must in my opinion. I have seen some of the most beautiful floral arrangements from amazing florists all over the city, but there is one thing I know for sure...I DO NOT WANT ANY GREENERY. Gasp! I know. While greenery is very on trend and a needed element to most people in floral arrangements I am not the biggest fan. There’s nothing I love more than a classic arrangement filled 100% with flowers.
7. BRIDESMAID DRESSES
Some brides take the responsibility to select one bridesmaid dress that each bridesmaid will wear. This looks great in photos and is very aesthetically pleasing, but when I envision my big day I see my sister and all of my best friends in a dress that they feel most comfortable in and makes them feel 100% like themselves. But, I still get to pick the color they all wear!
8. RENTALS: CHAIRS, LINENS, ETC.
As I am still in the early stage of the planning process, I have researched and only gone to see a few venues, but after working numerous weddings one thing I know for certain is that chair rentals are absolutely worth it! Nothing ruins a wedding for me like a covered banquet chair with a satin ribbon... sorry, not sorry! You can easily transform a venue with a chiavari chair and a beautiful linen to really create the wedding you always envisioned.
9. TABLE ASSIGNMENTS
I have seen some of the most beautiful escort cards, and hand drawn calligraphy at the numerous weddings I have worked. Escort cards are pertinent when you plan to have assigned seating at your wedding, but this may be one element that I forgo. My fiance’s family and friends are all from out of town and haven’t gotten the chance to meet and mingle with my family. By forgoing assigned seating it will give everyone the chance to meet one another and truly combine our newly formed family!
10. FAVORS
No. Just no. As a wedding coordinator, I spend most of the evening picking up favors and collecting them to give back to the B + G. Instead of a physical favor, Alex and I plan to have an amazing cookie table, courtesy of his Mawmaw, who is an amazing baker, and other family members, with plenty of to-go boxes to go around… it’s what we want, while also giving the people what they want!
11. BONUS: SQUARES VS ROUNDS...OR BOTH?
The weddings I’ve worked have had all rounds, all rectangles or mix of both. I really like the look of a room with a mix. It gives the space some dimension and allows for tables for larger groups that will want to sit together. It also gives you the opportunity to use different linens and centerpieces to fit the different shapes.
For me, as Bri the Bride, the planning process has only begun and I can’t wait to share my journey and final decisions with you all. First up, the venue!
Xo,
B
Let’s Get Real: What Working A Wedding DAY Is Really Like
By Brianna Bowman, Associate Planner + Coordinator
Like most people, I was used to being a wedding guest, but never knew what went on behind the scenes to turn the magical day that family and close friends get to experience into what it was. As the newest member of A & L, I got full exposure to what exactly goes into working a wedding. So, I want to share my insights with other newbies and professionals in the wedding industry on what it’s really like to work a wedding day...
Your feet are going to hurt. I learned this lesson the hard way at my first wedding. While wedding days for most people start at ceremony time, wedding days for a wedding coordinator start bright early. While our wedding day start time varies per wedding I can usually expect a solid 12+ hour day on my feet. A & L dawns a classic all black, professional look on wedding days and I thought no better way to add a pop to my all black attire than with a pair of cute animal print ballet flats. BAD IDEA. After running up and down flights of stairs, including moving a chuppa from the second to first floor, my cute shoes with barely any support showed me that investing in a great pair of comfortable shoes is key to making it all day without complaints.
While we are on the topic of fashion, I thought I would also mention how important it is to find some wedding outfits that you don’t mind getting dirty and can potentially lift a chuppah in. Wedding days consist of everything from crawling under tables (and dresses) to cutting greenery for a nice place setting accent. I added a few jumpsuits to my closet before my first wedding which I quickly found out was a great idea.
One of the very first things I learned from A & L about weddings is that a great timeline is key to a successful wedding day. This one piece of paper dictates the day and ensures that everyone stays on schedule. It is quite literally the event’s lifeline.
While we're on the topic of timelines, I also wanted to mention that sometimes things don’t go as planned and the timeline gets a little derailed due to unpredictable or unforeseen circumstances. We had one wedding where the shuttle for guests from the hotel to the venue was running quite a bit late. A large number of guests, including the ring bearer, were waiting for the shuttle and were afraid they were going to miss the ceremony. I learned that day how important it is to be able to adjust the schedule on the fly, work with the vendor team to ensure we are all on the same page, and still make the day magical for the B + G.
Now, while we like to think we’re the ones running the show, the DJ or band are the ones that truly run the show. They are the entertainment for the night and are key components to making sure we stay on time. Sometimes DJs and entertainers get so amped up by the crowd that they may miss a step in the timeline but that is wear tip #5 comes into play! Be sure to have open communication with the DJ about the timeline and your expectations for the evening, because nothing is worse than when a DJ starts parent dance music and the father of the bride is nowhere to be found!
Now onto my favorite part, the sweets! Cookies are a crowd favorite and a pertinent part to a Pittsburgh wedding day. Whether we’re traying cookies, building cookie boxes or setting up a cookie table, working weddings in Pittsburgh always involves at least one cookie or maybe 240 dozen. That is no exaggeration, we trayed close to 240 dozen, or 35 feet worth of cookies, at a wedding and that truly showed me what a real cookie table is. (This is another instance that wearing an outfit you don’t mind getting dirty comes into play.) But at the end of the day traying cookies and refilling the cookie table isn’t so bad, because while everyone else is getting their dance on I get to try one (or 12) cookies here and there. Shhh!
Also, I always eat a piece of wedding cake if it is available to me. It’s my little reward for all my hard work that day. We have couples get wedding cakes from some of the best bakeries in the city, so of course, as Rihanna would say - cake cake cake cake cake.
While most people would think that the bar closing and the lights turning back is a sign that everyone gets to go home, that isn't the case for the wedding coordinator. We are typically the first ones at the venue and the last ones to leave. Tear down typically involves stripping linens, collecting the couple’s personal items and consolidating floral. While we usually like to start before the party is completely over at A & L I can usually expect for another hour of work to clean and load up any personal items. To make sure I can make it all night I like to utilize the time while the B + G and their guests are dancing to have a seat and get a drink of water, because once the dancing ends the real fun begins.
Weddings are hard work but nothing is more rewarding than seeing the beautiful smiles on the B + G’s faces when they see their dream day come to life that they created to celebrate their love. While some people love the summer for the sunshine and vacations, I love it for another reason… because it means that wedding season is at its peak, and I get to do what I truly love every weekend!
Xo,
B
Groovy Groomsmen Gifts | Awards for Outstanding BROfessionalism
CALLING ALL GROOMS-TO-BE:
Looking for a meaningful, fun, yet classy way to show your best buds how appreciative you are of them standing beside you on what’s to be the biggest day of your life? Well gents, look no further than Groovy Groomsmen Gifts.
Groovy Groomsmen Gifts is the perfect online destination “to help you hunt for the ultimate cool and unique personalized gift ideas, delivered quickly to your doorstep”. They have a very large range of different types of gifts that can be customized to meet your specific criterias. It’s truly a one-stop-shop made easy!
Some of our brides often ask us, on behalf of their grooms, about the proper type of groomsmen gift to give - of course, they want it to be special and thoughtful, however they do not want to break the bank (if you have planned a wedding, or are in the process of doing so then you know exactly the importance of budgeting!).
We believe with Groovy Groomsmen Gifts, any groom, on any budget can find the perfect party pleaser for his gang! Recently, after being approached from the website, we had the opportunity to review one of their top items -- The to the 9s Tri Pack.
Let’s get into the facts. Currently, The to the 9s Tri Pack is priced at $39.99, a very reasonable price for the high quality goods it is comprised of. The gift comes in a small wood box, personalized with the name of your groomsman. The box easily opens by pulling the top compartment off, revealing what is inside. Inside, your groomsman will find a set of initialed cuff links, a money clip, and a tie clip. These accessories are an ideal way to spiff up any suit or tux, especially the one worn for wedding day!
Not only was the wooden box housing the accessories engraved with the first name of each groomsmen, the items inside were made out of silver and stainless steel. They were modern, clean and crisp - adding just the right amount of shine and sophistication to your groomsmen party get up. For the price, you really can not beat this deal. Plus, it is a complimentary gift for everybody, no matter how different your groomsmen may be, all will appreciate a gift that keeps on giving.;-)
Overall, we give Groovy Groomsmen a 10/10. Their customer service is extremely polite and positive, their items are high quality, their variety is outstanding and their delivery was right on time. We call that a win.
Spread the word. If you are in search of gifts with “BROfessionalism” you now know where to go -- Groovy Groomsmen Gifts.
A big thank you to Tom Ryan for connecting with us, we loved having the opportunity to feature Groovy Groomsmen and showcase The to the 9s Tri Pack on our blog!
Stay Groovy Pittsburgh,
L
PS - who got the Anchorman reference? :-)
Megan + Justin | A Memorable Memorial Day Weekend Marriage
June 4, 2017
This past Memorial Day Weekend surely was memorable for us. We celebrated, laughed, cried [happy tears, of course], and celebrated a little more. Megan + Justin’s wedding weekend was one for the books and certainly a wonderful way to kick off our 2017 wedding season!
Let’s chat about the couple.
I cannot say that I remember formally meeting Megan and her family because, well, I have known them since the “diaper days”. Our families became fast friends through our close-knit church community, so our Sundays were spent together as well as many other days; Dads & Kids Camping trips, Molinaro cookouts and the infamous annual Shidel Christmas Eve Parties. Megan always was the cool, older girl that had a great sense of style and the kindest, caring personality -- she is still the same way today!
Then Justin came into the picture. One year at the Shidel Christmas Eve Party, as my group of friends and I stood stationed around the cookie table [which was always our spot] we saw Meg walk in with a tall, strapping man.. I remember thinking two things to myself, 1) wow, Disney World should hire them as Ariel & Prince Eric and 2) whoever he is, he better treat her like Prince Eric treated Ariel. PS - you are never too old to love Disney. For the record, I was not the only one who initially felt that way; all of the dads had to scope out this situation as well, I guess you could say we were all a little protective. However, long story short [because I actually could go on forever], we all learned there was nothing to fear and if real life emulates fairytales, Meg and Justin’s love story is pretty darn close.
Let’s fast forward a bit.
First comes love, then comes the engagement, then comes a beautiful garden party wedding. The couple exchanged vows and tied the knot as husband & wife at Pittsburgh’s picture perfect and historic Heinz Memorial Chapel. Megan is a Pitt grad, so to be married on the campus she studied on during the time she fell in love with Justin was a special element added to their day. The celebration was held at Dundee Farm, a place the bride spent many previous summers at. Dundee Farm is a working sheep and honeybee farm located in Sewickley Heights. Megan and Justin wanted an elegant, yet relaxed, garden party feel for their wedding day, and the French countryside atmosphere that Dundee Farm provides made it the perfect venue for their reception.
Working together with this amazing couple and their families was an experience that we will always hold dear. Sending Meg down the aisle and watching her and Justin take their first dance as husband and wife put happy tears in our eyes and happy flutters in our hearts. There is nothing more satisfying or heart-warming for us than to see the way our couples look at each other on their wedding day. It’s those beautiful moments that become cherished lifetime memories. Megan and Justin’s sweet story was something special to share in, and we truly consider it a gift that we were apart of it.
Let’s give the vendors a round of applause.
We had the opportunity to work with a group of incredible vendors for this wedding who brought the magic and made this Memorial Weekend Wedding so, so memorable!
Photography: Lindsey Zern Photography assisted by Alexa Connor Photography
Floral: Community Flower Shop
Catering / Bar: Blue Sparrow & Jess Wagner
Hair/Makeup: Hannah Conard Beauty
Gown: The White Orchid
Ceremony Venue: Heinz Memorial Chapel
Reception Venue: Dundee Farm
- Stationary: Lauren Caruso
- Rentals: Kenmac Rentals
Planning, Production and Coordination: A & L Events
To see more pictures of Megan + Justin’s wedding please visit our Portfolio tab, as well as photographer Lindsey Zern’s blog post on her website: click here!
Thanks for stopping by, we look forward to sharing more of our charming 2017 couples with you!
Stay lovely,
L
Painted Bouquets Captured by Ashley Cecil
Hi Friends! Happy Spring!
Being ever so lucky to be apart of the Pittsburgh wedding industry has connected us with so many incredibly talented professionals. So genuine, so unique, and so creative. It wouldn’t be fair to keep all of these wonderfully talented people to ourselves, so…
Meet Ashley Cecil. Ashley is a Pittsburgh-based artist and illustrator specializing in paintings of flora and fauna. We stumbled upon Ashley’s floral design work and all we can say is—WOW! Her love of flora blossomed while studying landscapes with accomplished painters in London, painting live observation at Phipps Botanical Gardens, serving as an artist at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, and collaborating with various top-notch floral designers.
So, you might be wondering, what ties her to the wedding industry? Well, Ashley believes that brides should treasure their special day for a lifetime and what better way to do that than with a custom painting of their unique bridal bouquet.
Ashley is an artist that creates ‘Painted Bouquets’, and boy, are we in love. Flowers are a game changer when it comes to weddings – from bouquets and boutonnieres, to centerpieces, to flower petals down an aisle; they capture the feeling, mood, and expression of your special day. Unfortunately, more times than not, flowers get tossed, sent home with guests, or delivered to others at the end of the night when the celebration is over. You’ll cherish your memories, but why not cherish your floral designs as well? From simple to elaborate, Ashley’s stunning paintings vibrantly represent the sentiment of your wedding day and bridal bouquet.
We recently had a conversation with Ashley about what she creates, what inspires her, and more. Learn more and see for yourself – she produces amazingly beautiful work!
A & L: What first inspired you to start painting personalized wedding bouquets?
Ashley: About a year ago, while scouring the web looking for reference photos to use for new paintings of flora and fauna, I realized the majority of images I was saving were of wedding bouquets. That's when I had my ah-ha moment - I should paint actual bouquets for newly weds. It's only a slight variation on the style of paintings I create when I'm not working on commissions, and it's an excellent way to keep my botanical rendering skills sharp.
A & L: What is your favorite part about what you do?
Creating artwork for someone that captures one of the most stunning components of their big day. I've come to learn that many people dislike (dare I say hate) preserving flowers. Not only is a painting a far more vibrant representation of someone's bouquet, but it also allows for a little more creative license. For example, a bride asked me to incorporate a few visual elements from their honeymoon - what a great idea! I added a delicate pattern in 22k gold that was reminiscent of the pattern formed by the windows of the Louvre Pyramid, which they visited. I also included a crescent moon from the facade of one the buildings they stayed in.
A & L: Being in the Pittsburgh creative industry, what do you, as an artist, enjoy the most about it?
Ashley: Just about anything is possible here. My husband and I moved to Pittsburgh from London in 2011 and I immediately fell in love with the warm vibe and can-do attitude of this city. London, as much as I thoroughly enjoyed it, was exhausting and expensive in suffocating way. There's room to breathe in Pittsburgh. It's also affordable enough to take risks, like buying a building for my studio, which I did in 2016 (studio visits are encouraged!).
A & L: Because you pay such close detail to floral/flowers in your paintings, do you have any advice for future brides who are deciding on their bouquets/floral arrangements?
Ashley: Tell a story with your flowers. I'm a raving fan of 17th century Dutch still-life painting largely because the artworks made visual commentary on social and political goings-on. In other words, I love botanical symbolism. You're fluent in the language of flowers as well - what does a red rose symbolize? Love, of course. But how about a sunflower? It's thought to represent devotion. And an anemone? Grief - possibly fitting if a loved one recently passed who you want to honor at your ceremony. If you're hoping to start a family right away, ask your florist to include a pomegranate, a symbol of fertility. It will make for a wonderful story to tell future generations.
A & L: Do you have any upcoming floral trends in mind you think we will see this wedding season? / Do you have a favorite?
Ashley: I'm seeing adventurous bouquets forming dramatic and organic shapes with a broad variety of flowers. I love when a bouquet looks like someone just got back from picking flowers by hand in a garden - natural and a little messy. Also, being someone who loves dramatic value contrast (bright highlights on deep dark backgrounds, like Dutch still-life paintings) I'm really into this trend of showing off a bouquet on a dark gray backdrop (such as a steel gray bridesmaid dress). It makes flowers like white peonies and saturated coral poppies pop.
Whether you’re a blushing bride, a thoughtful groom, a loving mother, or the best bridesmaid, Ashley can help you commemorate the special occasion with one of her customized Painted Bouquets.
If you would like to talk flowers with Ashley, you can do so by clicking here! Or, check out her work on her website at www.ashleycecil.com/wedding or across her social media platforms @ashleycecil.
Now, please excuse me while I dream about springtime, beautiful flowers, and bridal bouquets! TGIF!
Xoxo,
A
Eva's Winter ONEderland
Yesterday we threw a party. Not just any party, a FIRST birthday party.
Before I was a mom, I truly never thought I was going to be the type who goes "all out" for a 1st birthday party. Wellllll, turns out I am. And you know what? I own it. I think 18 hours of labor, 365 days of #momming, and 24/7 care for a little human calls for one big celebration. Celebrate we did.
Before I go into the party deets, let me give you a little bit of background info.
Last year at this time, I was a little over 9 months pregnant. Our condo was the cleanest it has ever been. My nails were freshly painted a new color everyday. I had read a plethora of books. Basically, I had too much time on my hands waiting for this little girl to make her world debut. During my "nesting" period the unpredictable Pittsburgh weather was chilly, yet no snow in sight. Up until Friday, January 22 that is. The Steel City was Snowmageddon. We're not talking a few flurries, my Pittsburgh peeps will understand this.
My husband came home from work that Friday the 22nd covered in snowflakes. A perfect reason to start a fire and Netflix the night away. We could see the snow falling heavier and heavier outside, and I do remember thinking to myself "If baby girl decides to come now we will be screwed driving to the hospital".
Yep, you guessed it. That night I started having serious contractions so Danny and I grabbed our overpacked, pre-packed (first time parent probs) hospital ready bag and off we went into the tundra.
That next day on Saturday, January 23 5:26pm our little sweetie Eva Alyse was born. I can still remember it so vividly. It is an unexplainable thing to those who have not yet experienced the overwhelming joy and awe of becoming a parent. We just can not get enough of our little Evie.
Ok, I'm done with the emotional momma stuff. Let's talk shop.
Because Eva was born in the January 2016 snowstorm, I wanted to incorporate that into her birthday party somehow. Hence, Eva's Winter ONEderland.
I am a sucker for a pink and gold color combo - that's the girly girl in me. We incorporated a color scheme of pink, blush, gold, silver, ivory and rose gold. We were in luck when it came to the decor of this party, a local craft store was discounting most of their Christmas goodies so we cleared them out taking any winter-esque/sparkly/glittery related decor item we knew would look amazing paired with our theme.
For balloons, table cloths, eating ware as well as other party necessities we went to one of our favorite party supplying websites; ShopSweetLulu. They have absolutely everything under the sun when it comes to throwing a snazzy shin-dig.
The centerpieces we wanted to keep fairly simple. We used mason jars and filled them with pink, blush and gold bits of crinkled confetti paper then arranged sparkly, winter white faux branches in them with a gold glitter accent. To complete the centerpieces we added foiled gold and ivory tissue paper molded around the mason jar, then we added a pink fluorescent confetti circled around the entire piece.
My very favorite part of Eva's Winter ONEderland was the desert table. OBVIOUSLY. Mediterra Bakehouse was the lovely creator of Eva's smash cake and the cake for our guests. They did a lovely job of keeping the sweet, dainty feel I was going for and keeping with the ONEderland theme. Not to mention how delicious the buttercream icing and burnt almond batter was! Yum, yum, yum.
Cupcakes were baked by my bestie and business partner, Toni. She's always been a cupcake connoisseur, baking delicious treats yet always coming out with a creative style more charming than the last - for Evie's cupcakes she topped each with beautiful blush pink frosting and either a sparkly white snowflake or a glittery gold "1" with the cutest little pink tulle bow. She's like Betty Crocker, but better. They were a fan favorite for sure.
The French macaroons were from one of our absolute favorite bakeries when it comes to macaroons; Bartram House Bakery. Pink and ivory of course! Got to stick with the theme. Those are their raspberry buttercream and white chocolate ganache flavors. They were such an elegant little touch to the desert table.
Eva's Winter ONEderland was certainly sweet but definitely made even sweeter with the loved ones who celebrated with us - I feel so overwhelmed with love and happiness when I think about all of the amazing people in my life, who now are in my baby girl's life. All the heart flutters.
A & L Events would love to be apart of your special little guy or gal's first birthday - there's not a lot we love more than babies and cake. Beside brides and cake, of course. :)
xx,
L