Thursday, June 21, 2018

Pam & Austin


Well, Pam and Austin’s wedding day was one for the books for Events by Sherri!  Never say never (and this will make SO much sense as you read through this post)!!

Outdoor weddings in the middle of the summer months always give us pause both for the potential heat and for possible storms.  This one was no exception.  As my grandmother used to always say “there will always be weather” so you just deal with whatever happens!  Saturday was a hot one for sure but that certainly didn’t diminish the enthusiasm of friends and family as they gathered to celebrate Pam and Austin’s marriage!

A beautiful setting for the ceremony with simple yet elegant florals provided by Stonecrop Farm and the idea that “less is more” which could not have been more gorgeous!  And with a bride who practically skipped down the aisle to meet her future husband, what more could you ask for!?
The ceremony proceeded without a hitch and guests made their way to the patio for an extended cocktail hour.  Soft background music was provided by a trio from Night Years, an amazing band out of Raleigh, NC.  Guests were seated for intro’s and a family-style dinner began.  Pam and Austin wanted everyone in attendance to feel like they were over 170 family just sitting down to all enjoy a meal together.  And here is where the evening got interesting. . .

Because of the extreme heat, we kept the wedding cake inside in an air-conditioned space until about 30 minutes before it was to be cut because . . . . well . . . . it was REALLY hot outside!  Pam and her attendants had previously used this particular space for their “getting ready room” but, per their contract with the venue, had to clear all of their items out of the space prior to the ceremony.  With a 10-member band that was to have played for over 4 hours, I felt really bad for them not having an air-conditioned Green Room space for their dinner and breaks that were scheduled.  So, after gaining permission from the venue, we moved the band into the space that was previously occupied by the ladies. 

Everything was moving along smoothly . . .a little TOO smoothly and I commented to my crew that everything was going so well that it was actually making me a little nervous.  So it’s time to bring the cake out about 20 – 30 minutes before the cake cutting.  Kaitlyn got the flowers that she was putting on the cake and headed over to put them on the cake and then set it out.   So she checks the fridge, no cake.  She turned around and there on the counter was the cake boxed opened with barely any crumbs left!  If you’re ahead of me, well, yeppers, you are correct.  No wedding cake!  And you’ve heard the old saying that “my dog ate it?”  Well in this instance, the BAND ate it!  As soon as they realized that the delicious carrot cake they had SO enjoyed was actually the wedding cake, well all heck broke loose!

So we did what we do, we figured it all out and didn’t miss a beat!  Pam and Austin had a ceremonial “pie cutting” with one of the pies earmarked for the dessert bar and Kaitlyn managed to locate 1 piece of cake that the band hadn’t enjoyed so they at least had a taste of their wedding cake! 

The guys in the band felt absolutely horrible about it and I have to tell you that they did everything possible to make up for it.  Played a straight 4 hour set with no break for Pam and Austin and I have to tell you that they rank literally right at the top as far as an amazing band goes!  Played all genres and played them all well, which is hard to find.  And they kept everyone on the dance floor all evening and I am convinced, if they could have, they all would have danced for several more hours!  Just an amazing bunch of guys and lady!

Pam and Austin left amid a sparkler exit with almost all of their guests staying until the very end to continue the “after-party” at a local hotel. 

Thanks to our amazing team of vendors who made it all possible!


The pictures below were captured by Events by Sherri so follow Red Cardinal Studio for the amazing professional pictures they captured!









The aftermath!


















Tuesday, June 19, 2018

Laura & Doug


For a couple who loves “all things outdoor” and as adventurous as Laura and Doug are, an outdoor wedding was the perfect fit!

Weather is always a cause for worry when you choose an outdoor venue and this wedding weekend was no exception. Saturday morning, we thought we would be in the clear, mid-afternoon rolled around and the radar was giving us a much different view. However, by a great miracle, the pending storms overhead moved out and away from us by 3:45 p.m. and we happily proceeded with their GORGEOUS outdoor wedding!!

The meadow was adorned beautifully with flowers arching over the wooden arbor and hanging mason jars lined the aisle. With the processional underway, Laura and her father approached the standing doors and as Adele’s song “Make You Feel My Love” began, the doors swung open and Doug saw his beautiful bride for the first time that day.

The reception got underway with the wedding party introductions and a sweet first dance that Laura and Doug had been practicing! Her father’s welcome toast was truly heartfelt as he shared many memories that he had of the times he spent with Laura throughout her life.  After the welcome, guests were ready to enjoy the deliciousness that is Blue Ridge Catering’s signature!

The Matron of Honor and Best Man shared more stories about Laura & Doug amid much laughter. The bride and groom then shared dances with their parents to kick off the party! DJ Rick kept the dance floor full the rest of the night. The couple even came prepared to Limbo which was a huge hit with their guests.

As the evening wrapped up, family and friends, with sparklers in hand, assembled to send the newlyweds off to begin their new life together as husband and wife!

Thank you to all the wonderful vendors who helped ensure Laura and Doug’s wedding day came together seamlessly!

Events by Sherri – Planning, Linens, Décor
Blue Ridge Catering – Buffet and Bar
Sinkland Farms – Venue
Rick Pruett – DJ
Gates – Bouquets, Boutonnieres, Ceremony flowers
April B Photography – Photographer
Tents R Us – guests tables
Sunshine – Transportation
Fresh Baked – Cake


The pictures below were taken by Events by Sherri, follow April B Photography for the gorgeous images she captured!! 















Tuesday, June 5, 2018

Caroline & Chris

Chris and Caroline began their weekend on Friday with the rehearsal, followed by a rehearsal dinner and a “Welcome to Roanoke” reception for all out-of-town guests!

Their wedding day began with a beautiful mid-afternoon Mass at St. Andrew’s.  As soon as Mass was over, guests made their way to the back patio at Billy’s in downtown Roanoke to visit with one another until time for the “official” cocktail hour, dinner and reception to begin at the Taubman Museum of Art.  Because of the relaxed time frame, Caroline and Chris were able to join their guests at Billy’s and then enjoy their cocktail hour as well! 

We love it when our couples tell us they want simple yet elegant because there are SO many ways to make that work while incorporating the couple’s individual vision into the overall event design.  The colors they chose meshed perfectly with the backdrop of the TMA.  And other event details just fell seamlessly into place.

Surrounded by family and friends for most of the day, Chris and Caroline took advantage of every second of their day!  After being announced into the reception with the dramatic entrance down those amazing stairs at the TMA, two of their friends played and sang their first dance song!  Then guests were treated to an elegant plated dinner by Blue Ridge Catering that was served with perfection! 

After dinner came the cake cutting, toasts and then Caroline and her dad’s dance which was to, none other than “Sweet Caroline!”  How could it have been anything else!  Chris and his mom followed with “Humble and Kind” and then the party started!  An amazing DJ kept everyone on the dance floor the entire evening and then their perfect day was topped of with a sparkler exit in front of the TMA!

Sunday morning saw guests gathering at the Hotel Roanoke for a brunch to top off a perfect wedding weekend!

Thanks to our amazing team of vendors who made it all flow seamlessly:

Events by Sherri; Planning, coordination, décor rentals
Rock Paper – Hair and makeup
St. Andrew’s Catholic Church - Ceremony and music
Taubman Museum of Art, Carley Edwards - Venue
Penthouse at Center in the Square - Rehearsal dinner and after-party
Creative Occasions, Mark Frye – Florals, linens, small décor
Kemper Mills Fant – Photographer
Lighting Ninja, Brad Foster – Pipe & drape and lighting
Blue Ridge Catering, Hannah Martin
Kidd Carter – DJ
Hotel Roanoke & Hampton Inn & Suites Roanoke Downtown – lodging for guests
Fresh Baked, Sarah Blanchard - Cake

The pictures below were taken by Events by Sherri; for the gorgeous images captured during the day follow Kemper Mills Fant!