On The Cover 2012
Meet Carrie Masters Starts, cover girl for Bride & Groom Planner 2012. Carrie generously answered a few questions for us about the couple’s wedding day and the preparation it took to get there.
What love story is complete without the tale of how the couple met? Carrie and now husband, Jason, met on May 2nd, 2009 at the famous Kentucky Derby. Carrie is native to Northern Kentucky while Jason is from South Jersey. The group of girlfriends met the group of boys from New Jersey and it did not take long for Jason and Carrie to run away with each other’s hearts.
Almost a year after meeting, their engagement is a true example how a long distance relationship can turn into a magical night in Atlantic City. On March 13, 2010, Carrie took a half-day off work to catch a flight to Philadelphia at 2 pm so the two could spend the weekend in Atlantic City. However, Carrie’s flight was delayed…until 10 pm that night. When she finally arrived Philadelphia, she was in terrible spirits and her mind was made up that Atlantic City was no longer in the cards for the night.
To her surprise, Jason didn’t feel the same way. He tried his best to turn the night around and insisted the two make the drive anyway. Arriving close to 1 am, they were upgraded to a suite at Caesar’s and headed to change so they could spend a little time at the casino. Jason, with the engagement ring burning in his pocket, couldn’t stand it any longer! Once the couple made their way to the room, he was on one knee asking for her hand in marriage. Carrie states, “Although it started a little chaotic, it was perfect!”
Carrie and Jason married on April 9, 2011 and of course, a wedding would not be complete without the many sweet memories that are created throughout the day and night. The thing that stood out the most to Carrie was getting to see her husband at the end of the aisle. Carrie describes the moment with “an intense calmness [came] over me and all I needed was to see his smile and hold his hand to know that the day was perfect. I will not forget that moment for the rest of my life.”
Carrie felt as if the most fun part of the planning process was shopping for the traditional wedding dress, purchased from Fabulous Bridal. “I felt like a princess and it was so much fun to try on so many dresses.” Carrie saved money through the planning process, as she used her engagement photos to create a guest book. Using a blank book, she added the photos and had guests sign around them. Now, the handy creation serves as a photo album with memory saving messages from all of their loved ones.
There are several vendors that were chosen to help create their magical day! “One thing that stood out was my photographer. Having his crew there throughout the day was almost like having a personal assistant.” Utilizing the service of lImages by Daniel Michael, Carrie felt that the preparation, personability, and service oriented business made the day go by smoothly. “Daniel Michael captured great candid photos and made the entire bridal party have fun and be at ease,” remarked Carrie.
Another great vendor service Carrie enjoyed throughout the reception was through their DJ, Bobby Leach, at A Steve Bender Productions. Leach had the perfect soundtrack as he knew what music to play and when to play it. “The lighting made the whole room change and created the exact atmosphere that I wanted.”
To bring excitement to their wedding guests, Carrie and Jason created their own personal candy buffet as a gift for friends and family to take home. Using a do-it-yourself arrangement, they offered clear bowls, sheer mesh bags with easy-close drawstrings, and an assortment of various candies so friends and family were able to help themselves to the sugary treats.
Carrie’s number one piece of advice to give brides on their hectic wedding day is to provide a catered breakfast and lunch for the wedding party. “One thing I do remember is not having lunch planned the day of the wedding. I hosted a breakfast brunch for my bridesmaids that morning before starting the day of getting ready…however, I should have catered in lunch because we were all starving by the time the wedding finally came.”
“There is nothing I would do over again. The day, even with imperfections, was perfect.” Carrie and Jason, a now happily married couple, had a day to remember with the help and services from the wedding vendors they selected!
Reference list of vendors and businesses used for Carrie’s wedding:
- Venue: The Madison, Grand Ballroom
- Photographer: Images by Daniel Michael
- Videographer: Matt Mills
- Florist: The Flower Loft
- Dress: Fabulous Bridal
- Men’s Attire: Hugo Boss
- Shoes: Fabulous Bridal
- Accessories: Fabulous Bridal
- Make up: Marxey Makeup
- Hair: Jessica Opiela – Salon Concepts
- Church: Hyde Park Methodist
- Rehearsal Dinner: Yesterdays Café and Tea Room
- Transportation: Crown Charter, Lawrenceburg, IN
- Cake: Bon Bonorie
- Candy Buffett: Self
- Jewelry: Fabulous Bridal
- Entertainment: A Steve Bender Productions
- Lighting: Goodwin