Bio

Ron and Amanda

All Pro Pics are By Stephanie Carson - IF YOU TAKE ANYTHING OFF THIS PLEASE GIVE ME AND STEPHANIE CREDIT! PAGE ME ON THE CINCINNATI BOARD FOR PERMISSION OR EMAIL ME AT amh003@gmail.com.
If you have any questions about any of the DIY, page/email me. I am more than willing to help out.
We met a few years ago by chance, he saw me from across the room and wanted to know who I was. What he didn't know is that I was the same girl he kept hearing about from a friend. He was surprised to find out that "the girl from across the room" and "girl he kept hearing about" were the same person. I almost didn't go that night.... Our first date was 12/30/05, and we have been together ever since. I knew after the first date that he was the one.

DH proposed to me on 10-6-07. He and his sister came up with a plan so I would be surprised, as it was my birthday a few days before. SIL emailed me the day before my birthday and said that she had received gift certificates to The Celestial (a restaurant in Cincinnati that overlooks the skyline) and wanted to go with someone who really enjoyed good food. She suggested that Saturday. Since Fi and I were already going out on my birthday, I didn't think anything of it. I mentioned it to DH and he acted miffed that he wasn't invited. SIL and I arrived at the restaurant and were seated at the table, ordered a little wine and some salads. The Maitre D came up and handed SIL a note on pink paper and stated she was wanted in the lounge. She acted very surprised and asked me if I knew what was going on... my response was "you invited me..." She got up and asked me to come with her. She walked ahead of me and then stopped, handed me the card and then said "oh.... this is all you" with a big smile. DH was sitting at the piano in the lounge playing. He turned around and said "Happy Birthday" and began to sing to me "For You" by John Denver (the song has special meaning for us). I still didn't get it b/c I thought it was just about my birthday. He then finished the song, and moved away from the piano so he could get on one knee and asked me to marry him.

*** If I have used one of your pics, page me on the Cincinnati board and let me know to give you credit, or remove the pic.***

Ron and I were married on 10-10-08 at St. Clement Church and our reception was in The Grande Ballroom at The Madison. The day was FABULOUS - weather was perfect. I could not ask for anything better! Vendor reviews are below!

Ron and Amanda
Planning That Came to Life
Our Wedding Day - October 10, 2008
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Planning That Came to Life
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Our Wedding Day - October 10, 2008
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The wedding day was fabulous. We were married at St. Clement Church, and the reception was at The Madison in the The Grand Ballroom. All of these pictures were taken by my FABULOUS photographer Stephanie Carson. www.stephcarson.com

My brother - www.stephcarson.com

My mom helping my step dad www.stephcarson.com

"Where are you????" My mom trying to find us, we were running late. www.stephcarson.com

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Toby, our dog, trying to figure out what is going on! www.stephcarson.com

I love that Stephanie caught such a cute picture of him! www.stephcarson.com

"I didn't MEAN to get in the way guys!!!!" www.stephcarson.com

I love my grandpa holding my flowers! www.stephcarson.com

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My new FIL! www.stephcarson.com

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Ron and his attendants, he had his two of his sisters and his female BFF in his wedding party. I thought it was awesome! In case you didn't notice, his girls are wearing black version of the BM dresses. www.stephcarson.com

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Ron's BFF www.stephcarson

Ron's beautiful sisters - there are 5 of them! www.stephcarson.com

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We used our baptismal candles as part of our unity candles.

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Ron walking his and my mom back to their seats after lighting the unity candle. www.stephcarson.com

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St. Clement Catholic Church, St. Bernard. www.stephcarson.com

Too much flash!!! www.stephcarson.com

Oh no, it's spreading! www.stephcarson.com

Even DH has it!!!! www.stephcarson.com

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Ready to PARTY! www.stephcarson.com

Who me??? www.stephcarson.com

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Dancing with my dad. www.stephcarson.com

Dancing with my other dad. www.stephcarson.com

I haz cake! www.stephcarson.com

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Getting down with mom! www.stephcarson.com

Vendor Information
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Ceremony Location - St. Clement Catholic Church

This is DH's home parish, and was very important to him to get married here. Because he used to be the music director here, we had no problems when it came to doing what we wanted. DH had friends from previous choirs including one of my BM and his one of his sisters sing and play the instruments (we had a viola, organ, trumpet, piano, and guitar) it was AWESOME! Not to be biased, but DH truly is one of the best music directors ever. People RAVED about the music. DH was quite the proud peacock!

Officiant - Father Eric Knapp

Father Eric is the priest from my church - St. Xavier in downtown Cincinnati. He was amazing. He truly makes the day memorable and all about you both. He is funny, energetic, and everyone loved him. Doing our pre-cana with him was also amazing, we were never made to feel bad about living together, but instead he challenged us to talk about what we already deal with and face in our home. (more about pre-cana below) Fr. Eric really is the best.

Reception Location - The Madison

Planning: B

Execution: A+

I got really frustrated with The Madison during the planning process of the reception. There was some information I was not given at the time I booked that I really wish I had been given before (re: set up fees, decoration limits etc). It all worked out and we were not charged anything extra, but there is a whole packet they sent us2 months before, that had information I would have liked to have seen prior. Also, I don't like how you start off with one person (wedding coordinator), then are given to someone else (detail specialist) and THEN the night of neither of them are there and a third person (room captain) is in charge of you. Anyways, when it comes to throwing everything together - THEY DO! The food was FABULOUS, I never had to go to the bar for a drink, they took care of the WP stuff when we arrived, had the room looking gorgeous - it could not have been more perfect. I had asked that they saved me some mini-crabcakes from the hors d'ourves and they did - AND kept them warm for me. FAB!I was very pleased at how the evening went - Good job Madison!

Cake Creator - Cake For All Occasions

Planning : A+

Execution: A+

Great little bakery in Middletown Ohio. $1.75 a slice and delivered to The Madison. I LOVE her icing. So yummy! The cake looked fabulous - and I was amazed at how good it tasted, just like her cupcakes. Moist, yummy goodness! She is very sweet and did exactly what we wanted.

Florist - Julia's Flowers and Gifts

Planning: A+

Execution: A+

Julie is a family friend and has always done flowers for us, so when I got engaged it was the first place I went. The flowers were beautiful and amazing. I was thrilled at how great they looked. We gave Julie freedom when it came to the Church and decorating there - and it was awesome. I was very happy at how everything turned out! 513-738-5683 , she is located in Ross.

Photographer - Steph Carson

Planning: A++++

Execution: A++++

Okay - I know there is no need to fore all the crazy + signs after, but really Stephanie is an artist. Everything she does is fabulous, not to mention in how she does it. She kept everything smooth, and me calm (and Dh who apparently had a groomzilla moment during his pics)but she made everything fun. So far the teasers on her blog have blown my mind (and my mom's). While some may think she is expensive, I don't think she is - she is PRICELESS. The moments she captured, plus the time and energy into processing the images has to be grueling - and she was FABULOUS. I can not wait to see the rest of the pics. Menad was the photojournalist with her, and I have to say - he was AWESOME at getting moments. He would slip in undetected and snap pictures before anyone realized he was there - and then slip out again. They made a great team. BOOK HER!

Videographer - Lifetime Video - Matt Pines

Planning: A++++

Execution: A++++

While we haven't gotten our video yet, I know that Matt has EVERYTHING. Every time I turned around he was getting shots of something. What really blew my mind was , like Menad and Steph, he would just capture shots without anyone really knowing he was there. He was amazing, and funny, and calming. I CAN'T WAIT to see the video!

Disc Jockey - Nemar Maize

Planning:B+

Execution:A++++

I learned the best way to get a hold of Nemar is to CALL him - not email. However, once you get a hold of him he is phenomenal. We completed the online planning form and then met with him the week of the wedding to go over everything - it was awesome. We had the Price is Right theme to enter to, and it was hysterical. Nemar did a great job playing the music we wanted during dinner, and kept the dance floor packed all night. Nemar has a way of infusing music that is just unreal - my mom wanted "Smoke on the Water" by Foghat, HE PLAYED IT and made it DANCEABLE! She never left the dancefloor, as well as my BM's DH who took over and was a sweaty mess at the end of it! Nemar truly made the night fantastic. Aside from Video and Photos this needs to be an investment as well - people WILL remember. Everyone has said - BEST RECEPTION EVER to us multiple times. Thanks Nemar!!!!

Invitations - My Gatsby

Overall : A+

Ordering was easy - I could do it online and see what we were ordering. Price seemed okay to me. They were gorgeous. We ordered the invitation, reception card, and response card. What is nice is there is a mix and match - loved it! We assembled them at my mom's house with Pocketfolders from Cards & Pockets. I found matching metallic pink card stock at Paper and More to make and information card. www.paperandmore.com

Jeweler - Geraci's Fine Jewelery

Overall : A+

Another family friend, his shop is in Colerain and our rings are gorgeous! He is super friendly, and because he is a family jeweler you know you are getting quality service.

Tuxedos - Skeffington's

Overall : A

Everyone looked great - and there were no hassles at all. Even with my dad ordering from 5 states away!

My Dress - Posey Patch

Overall : A

In Indianapolis, I was there with 2 of my BMs while they were in town and saw my dress.... I just knew. Vanessa was super helpful and very sweet. I had no real problems - although it seemed like forever for my dress to come in.

Bridesmaid Dresses - Bridal and Formal

Overall : A

They have been good to work with. They price matched me for the BM dresses, and took all of the girls info so they can just call or come in and get their measurements. Dresses came in exactly how they were ordered - no issues!

Hair Stylist - Jeffery at Salon Urbanity

Overall : A++

I have been going to Jeffery for almost 15 years - I LOVE him. He knew exactly what to do with my hair and make it amazing looking. I felt beautiful.

Makeup Artist - Nancy at Brideface

Overall: A++++

WOW - really..... WOW. I don't even know how to put into words what she does. She made me gorgeous - really. I think she even made my face skinnier, not even playing. She is a very talented person, and awesome at what she does. AMAZING!

Wedding Coordinator - Myself

I give myself an A++++, I threw a fantastic wedding... maybe I am being a little biased. :o)

Honeymoon Destination - Sandals - Whitehouse

Overall : A+

Sandals does not play around when it comes to delivering. It was beautiful and fabulous - I did not want to leave. Jamaica is awesome.

Other Vendor - Pauline Miller

Overall" A+++

Pauline was amazing. My dress had to be reconstructed at the top, and she did an AWESOME job, truly fabulous. I would be afraid that if I took my dress to someone else they would not have done as good a job, and the dress had really delicate beading and fabric in some areas. She works quickly and efficiently. I took my dress to her ONE month before and it was done in two and half weeks. FAB!

Other Vendor - Cards and Pockets

Overall : A+

I heard about this website from other Knotties, she makes Pocketfolds and are great quality for a good price, $1.00 to 1.50.Everyone RAVED about how beautiful our invitations were.

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