The Batten Wedding: March 2012

When I first thought of starting my own business it was actually to become a wedding planner. 

I love the festivities and chaos of weddings. 

It's probably the closest to working a Disney Event so that explains my love for them.

Bring a bridesmaid you get a taste of this but in 2009 when my brother and sister in law married in Boston someone needed to step up to help coordinate things so they could actually enjoy their wedding and of course... I jumped at the challenge. 

When some new friends of ours found out I started my business and was shooting one day to get into expanding into Wedding Coordination they were very eager to help me do that. That sweet couple!! 

Franki and David met at Tulane University and God had planned them perfectly for each other. 

They are our game buddies so often came over for dinner and board games.

Well, Franki has exquisite taste and she let me be a part of her special day by making sure everything was in place, coordinating the rehearsal and sending her successfully down the aisle. Though I was about seven months pregnant, it was one of my favorite McCarty Designs day yet! 

The Rehearsal Dinner at Nuvolari's in Mandeville. 

The Wedding took place in Fountainblu Park

Franki and David had a small army of friends that were at my husband and I's disposal that day and they were fantastic. Everything was pulled off within a short time and it was perfect for a couple that could not have deserved it more. 

What a delight it was to have been a part of their day!

And how sweet of my husband that he was my right hand man that day. 

I told him he should quit being an Engineer and join me in my business...

He just kissed my head sweetly and said, "No dear, you've got it without me." 

I doubt that... but it probably is a good idea for him to not quit his job. :) 

The lovely couple. 

Thank you so much sweet Battens for letting McCarty Designs be a part of your 

very special day!! 

Courtesy of In Bloom Photograhy

God Bless,

  Jessica

1st Birthday Party: Elliot - November 2011

Planning Elliot's 1st Birthday Party is what gave me the excitement to start my own business. It also introduced me to the awesomeness that is Pinterest. 

I think kid parties are an amazing time to make little dreams come true and while this party was probably more for the adults than Elliot, one day I hope to give him fun superhero parties and adventures that though look daunting seriously are just little touches anyone can pull off. Perhaps that is another reason I started McCarty Designs, because these little touches are worth doing and easy to do with someone helping you along the way. 

I got the idea from an amazing lady in Australia and tweaked it a bit but all in all it was a beautiful Kite Flying Adventure and perfect for my sweet and precious little boy. 

Grandpa getting Elliot ready for his big party. 

Elliot and I share a common love for Donut holes. So we of course had to have them. 

We get them from Blue Dot Donuts. The BEST donut shop in all New Orleans. 

Since we had a few older kids coming (That's my sweet little niece Lucy!) we had a face painting station and a Kite Making station. Working enough kid events at church has taught me how to keep kiddos entertained. 

We made a fingerprint Kite that all of Elliot's guests could put their mark on. 

The favors were handspun cotton candy that looked like clouds. My mother-in-law made them with her own cotton candy machine. She rocks. 

Bryan and his dad making kites! 

This is my whole side of the family minus my brothers. See my adorable nieces Anna, Lucy and my cute nephew Cohen! 

Best cake photo ever. 

We used Elliot's big birthday to announce another little surprise... 

We were pregnant again! Our new little bundle would be due in May 2012. 

I know my little birthday boy had a good time and we did too. 

Kid parties are so much fun. 

Photos by Jen Menard Photography.

God Bless,

  Jessica

Little Touches: Sylvester & Lindsey Wedding November 2011

Sylvester and Lindsey's wedding day arrived and we were very excited! My sweet (and might I add sexy) hubby was part of the wedding and Lindsey had a few tasks for me as well. Check out some little touches McCarty Designs can add to any celebration: 

My good looking man and the awesome groom Sylvester! 

As was taught by Disney... whenever I enter into a venue I tend to automatically take charge and make friends with everyone who works there so if they need anything or want me to do anything they know where to find me. I seriously try to not do this... it just never works. For some reason I tend to give off this aura that I know what is going on. Often I don't but Disney taught me to fake it like a pro. (In fact strangers still ask me for directions when I'm in Disney World even though I'm not in costume whatsoever. It's like I have a beacon on me or something) At least my husband finds it amusing when servers and attendants are asking me questions about where things go when I technically have no business at all to be in charge. 

What I was in charge of at least... was setting up the cakes. 

My friend Tori and I had a grand time arranging those cupcakes above than stacking the Oreos below. 

For the groom's cake Lindsey and Sylvester wanted an Oreo cake to kind of symbolize their marriage. Aren't they a hoot? So she gave me a picture, sent me to buy Oreos and this is what we came up with. I re-did their country photo (from the Recipe Shower post) and made a small sign to let people know to take the cookies from the top. 

Recognize that cake pedestal? It's a McCarty Designs original made by my hubby Bryan. 

I told you he was awesome... now here is more proof in print. 

God Bless,

  Jessica

Surprise 30th Dinner: October 2011

As I've dragged my friends to thrift stores and craft stores around New Orleans they have been very supportive of my little business endeavor. Especially my bestie Megan and one day when she and I were chatting about her husband's upcoming 30th Birthday and how she wished she could do something... 

"Meg... I'm a party planner. Let's do it!" 

After much convincing that we could pull it off we started off running to make her honey's birthday an amazing experience. Megan has exquisite taste so we designed a beautiful backyard dinner perfect for their families and special enough for her main squeeze. 

We picked up food from a local restaurant called Zea's. It was delish!

We took empty frames and filled them with photo of the birthday boy throughout the years.

This was our favorite. ;) 

It sadly isn't the best picture but he was definitely surprised! Most of his family had come in from North Carolina and across the lake to be there for him. 

My lovely bestie. She pulled off a great surprise for her husband! So proud of her and love her buku bunches. She's such an amazing wife!! 

God Bless,

  Jessica