We are super excited to once again be part of the 3rd Annual Davis Islands Garden Club Bridal Showcase presented by Table 6 Productions!  Vendors participating in this exclusive show are selected by invitation only, which means only the Best-of-the-Best vendors are represented.  Woohoo!  This is our 3rd year participating in this show, and from what we’ve heard, this year is going to be the best yet! 

Please mark your calendars!  If you’re in the midst of wedding planning, THIS is the place to be to get everything you need for your Big Day!  We’ll see you there…Sunday, February 28, 2010 from Noon - 4pm.  Admission $5.

3rd Annual Davis Islands Garden Club Bridal Showcase

Most of my focus in Atlanta surrounded my journey with Paper Presence: where I started, what I’ve become, and where I’d like to go.  But in those moments of contemplative thought, when we were asked to really reflect on our lives and goals, I found myself thinking of my husband and all that he has been, and continues to be, for me.  He is my rock.  He supports me 110% and believes in me to his core.  He is my emergency ribbon cutter, bow-tier and paper trimmer.  He is my heart, and I am in love with him.

John showing off his table saw skills

 First of all, John and I usually don’t celebrate Valentine’s Day.  At least not on the 14^th of February.  We are fortunate enough to know the exact day, and pretty close to the exact time, that we met; so we celebrate that day – February 8th.  We were both attending the Jimmy Buffett and Coral Reefers Band concert on February 8, 2003.  John was with a group of his friends who had all purchased nose-bleed seats.  My date that night was my sister-in-law and we had mid-level seats.  We were running late after spending too much time tailgating, and on our way into the concert my sis-in-law wanted some cheese fries from the Outback concession stand.  I warned her; cheese fries are only delicious when enjoyed at Outback.  Sure enough, she took one bite and wanted to toss the rest into the closest trash can.  John was at this same trash can throwing away his pizza (after heading down from his nose-bleed seats hoping to find one closer to the stage). As fate would have it, the two of them started a conversation.  I wasn’t all that interested at first, considering Jimmy Buffett was already on stage waiting for me.  (He was, trust me).  But, the three of us actually hit it off and had an incredibly fun time standing at a filthy trash can.  After ten minutes or so, we decided to get some fresh air and a drink at the outside patio/bar area.  We never made it back into the concert, and I never saw Jimmy Buffett that night.

Our first pic together, and our first pic as husband and wife.

It took John two weeks to finally convince me to go on a date with him.  I canceled several dates, and actually told him I wasn’t interested.  The night we met, and for several days after, I assumed he was just another guy trying to pick up another girl.  After our first official date, I knew better.  He was the most genuine person I had ever met, and I wanted to be around him every second of every day.  After dating for a little over a year, I sold my house, packed up my Shar-pei, Mr. Wrinkles, and moved across the bay to be closer to him.  About a year and a half later, he proposed.  We were married on October 14, 2006 surrounded by our family and friends, and our life has been a whirlwind ever since.

Mr. Wrinkles, Malcolm, and Nugget

 We’ve grown so much since then: we added a Boston Terrier, Malcolm, to our family, bought a house, joined our neighborhood association, started Paper Presence, John became president of our neighborhood association, we added a Miniature Doberman, Nugget…whew.  The list goes on.  But, through it all, we stay solid.  We go through our ups and downs like everyone else.  We have those days when we feel like we can’t take another moment: the dogs have eaten the pillows, the package of paper arrived soaking wet (love Florida rain), and we forgot to pay the cable bill.  But, we make it happen.  We remember where we started, reflect on where we are, and remind ourselves of where we want to go.  We surround ourselves with people who lift us up, who believe in us, and who love us as much as we love them.

So, on this Valentine’s Day, and on the heels of one amazing Monday in Atlanta, I want to say “I love you” to my husband, and to all of our friends and family who believe in us and support us.  We could not be who we are today without each of you.  Thank you for being you and for loving us.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Erika and Liz Escort Card Tree

Once inside, guests found their seats at tables set up “family-style” and decorated with centerpieces of peonies, hydrangeas and curly willow atop blue pin tuck linens.  Rather than the standard numbering of tables, Erika and Liz decided to name their tables “love” with each table featuring a different language.  Soooo perfect!  At each place setting, guests could review the dinner menu while snacking on fun rock salt candy in the colors of the day!

Erika and Liz Wedding Reception Stationery

Erika and Liz Davis Islands Garden Club

Who Made it Happen?

Ceremony & Reception Venue: Davis Islands Garden Club
Wedding Coordinator: Table 6 Productions
Photographer: Becky Johnson Studios
Caterer: Catering by Design
Flowers: The Bride’s Bouquet
DJ: Advance Entertainment
Specialty Lighting: The Production Crew
Bakery: Chocolate Pi
Stationery: Us!  Woohoo!

We are excited to announce that Paper Presence has been chosen to receive the Bride’s Choice Awards^™ 2010. This award recognizes the top 5 percent of local wedding professionals from the WeddingWire Network who demonstrate excellence in quality, service and professionalism.

The Bride’s Choice Awards™ are determined exclusively by recent newlyweds (brides and grooms) through extensive surveys and reviews, which means our past clients have spoken on our behalf and selected us to receive this honor. 

This is the 3rd year we’ve received this award, and we can not be more blessed and grateful!  We get to do what we love everyday with our amazing brides and extraordinary vendors.  Thank you for believing in us and supporting us! 

Weddings Unveiled Winter 2010 Cover

We featured Joyela and Kenneth’s wedding stationery and details here on the blog, and we’re excited to revisit their amazing day here again today!

Weddings Unveiled Real Wedding Joyela and Kenneth

Joyela and Kenneth Ringling Museum Sarasota

Photography by Phillip Lloyd and Limelight Photography

Congratulations Joyela and Ken!

Check out the digital magazine spread here and remember to visit the Weddings Unveiled blog for more fabulous wedding inspiration!

Thank you to Joyela and Ken, and Shannon Wilson with Table 6 Productions for the opportunity to design the stationery suite!  Congratulations Joyela and Ken!