rochester event planner – Effortless Occasions

Upstate NY Barn Wedding

Published on March 21, 2018March 21, 2018 by effortlessoccasionsandeventsLeave a comment

When Sarah and Wade contacted me about having their wedding in Upstate NY at Sarahs family barn, I was beyond excited. Starting from scratch for a wedding can be daunting but making each detail fit the bride and groom is so rewarding.

We worked together for just over a year, the details all came together and the end results was amazing.

The day started at Sarahs parents place, right next to the barn. Special Occasion Hair Design did an amazing job making each of the woman look fabulous. The dogs even joined in on the fun.

Photo Credit: Michael Fisher Photography

That dress though.

Photo Credit: Michael Fisher Photography

Sarah and Wade’s first look was so adorable it almost hurts. Their love for each other is infectious!

The flower girls during the ceremony almost stole the show, but Sarah and her dad and then of course the Sarah and Wade really made the whole ceremony so special.

Photo Credit: Michael Fisher Photography

The barn set up was gorgeous. A grand entrance, with family style seating within and a dance floor with a covered tent just outside the barn. Perfect place for a party!

Sarah’s dad actually made the escort card holders.

Photo Credit: Michael Fisher Photography

Every details was thought out, even keeping the kids occupied with these adorable kids activity packs.

Photo Credit: Michael Fisher Photography

Amazing desserts provided by Scratch Bakeshop

Photo Credit: Michael Fisher Photography

A beautiful sunset, and lots of dancing made the day complete.

Photo Credit: Michael Fisher Photography

Thanks Sarah and Wade for letting us be a part of your wedding day!!!

Rochester NY Oak Hill Wedding

Published on January 16, 2018January 27, 2018 by effortlessoccasionsandeventsLeave a comment

This wedding started and ended at Oak Hill in Rochester NY and was gorgeous from start to finish. From the big to little details, it was all there. Add in that it was the first wedding of the season for us… perfection.

Lets start with the gorgeous and move from there…. The veil and dress gaaaahhhhh.

Photo Credit: Natalie Sinisgalli Photography

You can see the full effect here when she was going to do a first look with her father. Huge props to Natalie for this shot. It is one of my favorites.

Ahhh the anticipation… I love a first look!

The wedding ceremony was held at Linehan Chapel, beautiful inside and out!

The details for this wedding were to die for… The head table had napkins that were embroadiered with their initials. Such a great idea, as they can take them home and use again for all the future family dinner parties.

Champagne makes people happy, champagne bars… even happier.

Doesn’t get much more regal and romatic as this!

Desert by the amazing, five of each please. The Groom went to Villinova, so Scratch came up with this dessert display as the grooms cake.

Orient Express kept everyone moving all night long, including the bride and groom who pretty much didn’t leave the dance floor all night.

Late night snacks finished the night off.

Seriously there was not a detail that wasn’t addressed. Such a fun day, great weather, great company and above all an amazing couple.

Rochester NY Birthday Party – Movie Themed

Published on February 26, 2015January 23, 2018 by effortlessoccasionsandeventsLeave a comment

About a month and a half ago I started to try to plan my oldest daughters (BG3) seventh birthday party. I don’t know what goes on in everyone else’s house hold but my kids start planning their birthday parties 364 days out, and it changes 364 times. So I never know what to expect when I ask them what they want.

She wanted a movie themed birthday party. I was like… AMAZING… we can do it AT the movie theatre.

NOPE…

BG3- “But Mom if we do it at the movie theatre I can’t have an ice cream sundae bar! You can just set up a movie theatre in the basement and Grandma can make a movie theatre themed cake”

Well she just had it all figured out for me.

It was actually pretty awesome to design a party for one of my girls that didn’t have any pink in it. What was even more awesome was that it was Oscar night the day after the party, so all the decorations in Target were Oscar/Movie themed. So I took some of those, added a few more things, repurposed a few and voila, movie themed birthday party.

Oh and how cute are the marquee letters, Michaels for the win.

As you can see we had a plethora of pillows and blankets for the kids to watch the movie (Despicable Me 2). Once the craziness of the food, cake and presents was over I was able to sit back and just listen to them laugh hysterically at the movie. A pretty great #mommoment.

My mother in law was able to pull off an amazing cake, all the kids were so excited that there was pop corn on the cake. One actually complained when his piece didn’t have any on it (we were scraping it off because we figured they wouldn’t want it).

Also for dessert we had the infamous ice cream sundae bar.

Each of the kids was able to take home a box of candy from the “Concession Stand” a pop corn container (thanks to the $1 section at Target) and a “Hollywood Walk of Fame” handprint.

When the party is over, all the kids have gone home and your oldest daughter thanks you for such a “really awesome party Mom”, there is nothing greater.

Finger Lakes Birthday Party – First Birthday Party on the Lake

Published on September 16, 2014July 1, 2015 by effortlessoccasionsandeventsLeave a comment

So my niece is beyond adorable. She squawks. Seriously this little thing loves to hear her own voice and will squawk like a bird, hence the nick name “Lia Bird”. Her mom asked me to do a bird theme to go along with her nick name. Since a first birthday party with a bunch of birds around would be strange, birds and flowers it is. Also the guest of honor typically sleeps through most of the party so an adult tea party is perfect.

(photo credit The Harris Co.)

For Lia’s smash cake my mother-in-law did an amazing job as usual and made a “nude” cake. Perfect for our little lady.

(photo credit The Harris Co.)

There were bird cages and flower to go along with the theme. I loved the bird cage pedestals which I found and had the very talented florists at fill. How awesome did they turn out?! (photo credit The Harris Co.)

I spray painted some smaller bird cages that were originally orange to better align with the colors of the party. Along with some loose flowers that also came from Sassafras they became a very cute focal point for the table.
(photo credit The Harris Co.)

As most of you all already know, and if you don’t you should, Lia’s mother is the very talented photographer for . Lia is one lucky chica to have an unlimited amount of incredible photographs. Here’s just a sampling. (photo credit The Harris Co.)

Of course Oneida lake needs to be given it’s due. Nothing like an outside party with an amazing view. (photo credit The Harris Co.)

Last but not least the birthday girl, isn’t she gorgeous. Loving the flower halos, a girl can never have too many accessories. (photo credit The Harris Co.)

(photo credit The Harris Co.)