Your DaySpring/Summer 2015

The Bridal Coordinator & Wedding Decorator Doin’ It Her Way in the Midwest.

a century ofengagement ring

trends

Plus: Bridal Week in NYC

Editor Notes

Last month I was enjoying dinner with my sister and her family. My sister’s daughter was baptized and we hosted a celebration dinner in our home. I had the pleasure of sitting next to Oliviah, the older sister of the tiny baby we were celebrating. Oliviah is four years old, and very observant and even more curious. Sometimes she

shocks us with how mature she can be. Knowing this, I knew that I would probably be facing some interesting dinner topics.

Oliviah started out with the usual comments about her baby sister and how she “got a bath” at the ceremony. Then she started in on

how her white baptismal gown looked like a “big pretty dress” in one of Aunt Ana’s magazines. She wanted to look at the big pretty dresses immediately after she came to that conclusion, I told her we should wait until after dinner and dessert. She seemed to be

satisfied with that suggestion. (Whew, distraction successful)

Now this is where the randomness of a four-year-old’s thought process comes into play.

I’m not sure why or how, but she started in on trees. She talked to us for what seemed like five solid minutes on how trees were beautiful and that they offer shade and how we need to be

sure to save them because people make lots of things out of them.

Here comes the reason why I’m writing about this event. After her monologue on the importance of trees, Oliviah sat back in her seat

and then turned directly to me, eyes wide open. “Aunt Ana, what are you doing to save the trees?”

All too precious, and so much ahead of her. That little face.After we discussed trees and how our publication uses recycled paper as often as we can, we moved on to her favorite television

show characters. Since that night I’ve been wondering how we are all work-

ing to “save the trees”. Whether it’s a fair-trade & locally sourced wedding gown, or vegetarian and vegan options for a reception

meal, some people are looking to preserve the remaining resources of our planet.

So this month, I’m asking for your submissions of how you’re looking out for our children and their future. Tell me how it’s going. Let’s continue little Oliviah’s discussion on “Saving

The Trees”. Ana Hanisch, Editor-in-Chief

This Issue

PAGE 18COVER STORY:

BUILDING A NAME

FOR HERSELF

PAGE 34TRENDS AT

NYCBRIDAL WEEK

PAGE 27QUIZ:

WHAT’S YOURWEDING

STYLE?

PAGE 7A CENTURY OFENGAGEMENT

RINGS

Building

A Name

For

HerselfWritten by Ana Hanisch

“I brought my business back home, to grow in

the Heartland”

Both left and right: Design elements from the mock-up at the shop.

Tammy Green set out over 18 years ago to build her career and start a new life in South Korea. She had no idea if or when she would ever come back home to the United States or the Midwest, let alone Iowa, much less even Waterloo. She had accepted a job as an event coordinator and designer for a high priced country club. This meant she would be working with large bud-gets, highest quality materials, and very well-to-do clients. “It was like the perfect fairy-tale for a special event designer”, Says Tammy when we sit down to talk in her newly built kitchen. The kitchen, in fact, she never thought she would ever build back home in Waterloo, Iowa.

She continues, “I had so much fun getting to dream and create beauty and style with almost zero hinderences. The sky was the limit for the most part.” After meeting her charming husband Rob, who she endearingly re-fers to as her biggest fan and greatest support, we take a ride to the downtown area. We’re headed to see the storefront that is being renovated to become the first ever Ladybugs shop. Tammy has always worked out of her basement up until now. With rows upon rows of shelves, it was great for organization but was dungeon-y at times. They were also running out of room, even though she was working in over 2,000 square feet. The business is growing and their needs are certainly changing.

Once we get to the shop she turns back to me before unlocking the door and says, “Now remember, we’ve been working on this, really.” And they have been, through setbacks of all sorts. Between changing city codes, materials on backorder, and general headaches, they have had their share of battles. The inside looked just like I had expecteed. There’s a table saw in the front window display area. A fold-ing table is littered with candle votives, random screws, nails, and other fasten-ers, some blank client contracts, and a couple Starbuck’s cups, presumably empty. By the looks of things, they have reached the point where they have done what they can and are now probably waiting on contractors and supplies.

“Event design is all about using

your resources

to create the picture you have in your

head.”

“I brought my business back home, to grow in the Heartland, because I have always felt blessed to have been nurtured here myself.” She shares as we walk around a series of long tables where a mock-up of a wedding head table has been staged. Even though the shop is still under renovation she’s shown a few pos-sible clients their “dream decor” amidst the floor tiles and two-by-fours. She always gives them a warning about the state of the area. No one ever seems to mind. She shares with me that she kind of enjoys the opportunity to share what most people would try to hide from a client looking for beauty and perfec-tion. “It feels like I’m sharing something intimate with them, allowing for a better

relationship while we work together.” While Tammy was in South Korea she worked her way up to the top of the event coordination chain. She didn’t have any family member to pave the way for her. She didn’t have any names to casually toss around to give her a boost. She says that the mindset for an event designer is one that will naturally drive the person ahead. “Event design is about using your resources to create the picture you have in your head.” Just like with working to further her career and getting a mental image translated to real life, so has the renovations been on the shop. Her and Rob couldn’t be more proud of the fact that they have been able to do some

things on their own. They are defining their own path and playing by their own rules. As far as what the future holds, Tammy says that her and Rob will con-stantly be building and rebuilding their brand. “It’s all about taking a look around and using what you got in order to make what you want and create what you need.”

Far left: The view of the outside of the shop.Top right: Tammy adjusting a few things before showing a client the mock-up.Bottom right: a tablescape of a guest table Tammy has designed in the past. (Professionally photographed by Jennifer Heuber.)

cap sleeves

tiered skirts

oversizedbows

illusionbacks