Gallery – Effortless Occasions

Punta Cana Wedding – Trash the Dress Session

Published on March 19, 2015July 1, 2015 by effortlessoccasionsandevents3 Comments

When the you are in Punta Cana and the brides asks you where and what to do for her trash the dress, the ocean is the obvious answer, and when your friends are there as well, of course they should join. Of course we had to add on some another trash session, in the pool, because it was there and we were having fun.

Nothing like a good frolic in the water.

(Photo credit Boris Kilimnik)

You know just throwing left over rose petals (they are real so we are not polluting the world FYI).

(Photo credit Boris Kilimnik)

The best shots (IMO) came after the beach, right into the pool. The faces could never be replicated even if we tried.

(Photo credit Boris Kilimnik)

And last but not least because we needed to get our money worth, there was champagne, because we had some left over.

(Photo credit Boris Kilimnik)

Punta Cana Wedding – Fire in Paradise

Published on February 17, 2015January 16, 2018 by effortlessoccasionsandeventsLeave a comment

So when of your best friends is getting married and you get to help plan it there is literally nothing more exciting…. Or terrifying lol.

Next best thing, the couple decides to have a destination wedding. I definitely jumped around my living room when they said they wanted to go some where tropical. Beach wedding?! Yes please.

Last but not least when I suggest a fire show (because seriously what could be more awesome) they were completely on board. Granted I knew that Brandy would be down with it because she is awesome and likes my ideas, and what guy doesn’t like fire?? So thanks Shou and Brandy for trusting me with this awesome experience, can’t wait for the next party! I am thinking five year anniversary party in Europe, I will start planning it now 🙂

(Photo credit Boris Kilimnik)

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.)

Rochester NY Birthday Party – Not too much Minnie

Published on August 20, 2014July 1, 2015 by effortlessoccasionsandeventsLeave a comment

I love first birthday parties for the following reasons:

1. It really is a party for adults.
2. There is cake.
3. There is a cake smash.
4. Super, super cute decorations that I wish I had when growing up. Or maybe I just cared about the presents as an adult I love decorations…..

I digress.

This was my daughters first birthday party, which was Minnie Mouse themed. I wanted to have it outside and watched the weather like a crazy person everyday, every 10 minutes. It looked like it might rain through the whole day but thank goodness it held out.

We have a relatively large backyard but it wasn’t going to be a huge party, 30 people, and I wanted to keep everyone in the same location. Also I there is a big hole that my dogs had made that needed to be covered, so we wouldn’t have anyone falling into it. Lastly as it was mostly adults, I didn’t want it to overwhelmingly mousey.

So I decorated my tree which is right next to the back yard deck. Thanks to my husband, who is my muscle, he climbed the tree so I didn’t have too. My daughter was acting like the middle child that she is in this picture.

The display table with the drinks and dessert went under the tree and over the big hole (sneaky sneaky). As the display table was right next to the deck, where I was putting the food, I was able to keep everyone in a relatively small space compared to the entire back yard.

Probably my favorite part of the party was this photo display I made. The wooden poles my husband bought at the hardware store and I just wrapped the photos around them. It was great for myself and everyone else to see how much she grew in a year as she slept through most of the party.

Check out the cuteness of the cake smash. I am in love with the tulle skirt for the high chair. The high hair wasn’t pretty, so this was my way if covering it up. The Minnie bunting made it unique. When I was up at 3 am finishing it I actually ended up hot gluing it to the chair itself. The things we do when we are tired and impatient. Also the bow needs some credit. Thanks Pink and Blue Ninja Bowtique for your awesome bows each and every time.

Some more of the details below. Special thanks to my mother-in-law who did the cake and cup cakes. She makes the cakes for each of the kids birthday parties and they are always a hit.