Rain. A four letter word that when mentioned in the event space packs a big punch.

The truth is when you think of a wedding planner you may not think about rain, but over the past 15 years I have noticed that it has been the one thing that has the ability to cripple any event if not taken into consideration.

Today we are jumping way back in to the archives. To the first wedding I was a part of that the rain plan mattered. We weren’t moving from a church to an indoor venue where the transportation plan is key, we were outside. Not just on any beautiful lawn, the lawn was the brides childhood home at the lake. In a beautiful cove filled with trees, lush greenery and hilly, rocky, uneven landscape.

When designing it was important for guests to feel at home and for the tent not to feel out of place. The beautiful details were intentional and mattered, but it was equally important to have a rain plan. Being in the cove in the spring rain showers were known to pop up unexpectedly.

We planned for tents to cover everyone, if needed, but situated the tables overflowing from the tent to give the space a beautiful organic feel. Needless to say the ceremony was perfect, but as the night went on the chance of rain shifted, and there it was. Lighting. Not just a small, single bolt, sprawling lighting wrapping around the cove. We knew the rain was coming and that it was time to get to work.

The obvious thing might be to move the tables under the tents, which we did, but there were other things to consider. It was important to touch base with catering and entertainment. To check in with transportation and key guests that may need additional assistance.

One might not think of things like the feet of the giant harvest tables on their wedding night. The base of the legs weren’t sealed and had to be covered to avoid water soaking up the legs and cracking the tables. We bagged all of the legs so that the bride wouldn’t have an unexpected bill from the rental company.

Once the guests were taken care of we took inventory and pre-packed as many things as we could before the rain hit. It’s not often a good wedding planner starts picking up the reception before you’re done, but in moments a planner needs to make a call this one can help significantly.

The creative teams at pickup were grateful they didn’t have votives full of water or heavy linens that had been sitting out in the rain. In addition, the mother of the bride was thrilled to know her patio furniture and cushions were put away before the storm hit.

There were so many more things that happened that night, but while we were taking care of the event from the logistics side the rain made the guests even closer (physically) and in return created a much more intimate atmosphere than planned. It was the perfect night for the couple dancing the night away with friends and family.

It is our greatest joy when our brides and couples trust us with their days. We make it the highest priority to know about preferences and to make plans so that we can do the heavy lifting when needed.

Not related to the couple that night, I also learned the importance of footwear and now carry a minimum of three pairs of shoes on any given event day!

Brides, we know you don’t want to think about the rain, but would encourage you to ask your potential creative teams how they manage the rain on an event day. It might just give you insight in to their process, or how they work, more than you might know.

Next time remind me to tell you about the time my rain boots were filled with rain so the guests could stay dry inside the tent. 🙂

Cheers, Christina

Welcome to 2024

2024 has arrived and we are so excited for our very first Wedding Wednesday of the year! After a year of behind the scenes fun, we are jumping back into sharing more of our day to day!

From celebrating our couples and clients (what you see most often) at their events, to the design and planning that happens behind the scenes! We have so many fun Wedding Wednesday posts ahead to help with registries, planning and more, but would love to hear what tips and tricks you would like to hear more about!

Leave us a comment below with your questions – we can’t wait to answer them this year! Stay tuned next week of our list of what’s in and what’s out in 2024!

xo Christina and Team CLE

It’s no surprise that around here we love, love. It’s always a joy to design and create the most intentional of days for our couples. What’s even better is finding a way, beyond the images and videos, to bottle up the joy of the day.

Pressed Floral isn’t your grandmothers pressed flowers! Yes, my own Grammy had a dehydrator and taught me how to press flowers, but our summer projects were no where near the beauty this team creates! If you don’t believe me take a look at CLE bride Leanne!

It was the perfect January day at Armadillo Palace. We were the most intentional about Leanne and Nathan’s design. We wanted fun but unexpected, the perfect design to play off of the fun decor that exists at the venue, but not be matchy matchy. Pink carnations as a nod to Leanne’s grandmother and deep burgundy and blue to tie in the space.

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Photography: Britney Tarno Photography

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The clouds of babies breath were inspired from the lake Leanne grew up on. Much like the way clouds billow over the lake we wanted a light, airy feel to the wedding day – but make them pink. Our team worked with Bramble and Bee and Revelry Goods to bring the design to life and I would say it was the perfect collaboration!

Leanne and her mom were so excited about the florals, so when I asked if they wanted a way to preserve them I knew exactly who to reach out to, Pressed Floral.

Their knowledge of floral artistry, attention to detail (they tell you exactly how to care for and send in your blooms post event) and options are perfect! They make the process of creating beautiful art easy and fun! I love that Leanne’s piece captures the feel of the day in one beautiful frame! What do you think?

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When Summer and Sanne reached out to see if I wanted to share their business it was a no brainer! It is always an honor to work alongside creatives that are amazing at what they do, and take care of our brides and couples the very best!

They were not only kind enough to send along the most amazing thank you to me (check it out HERE) to celebrate their limited launch of their new Botanical Blooms Collection, but they sent along a freebie for you!

Anyone that purchases a custom piece can get a free boutonniere piece with code: CHRISTINAbout. Just visit the site, add your custom piece to your cart and enter the promotion code at checkout!

Their website is beautiful and full of information and portfolios, but to see more of their work visit Pressed Floral on Instagram HERE.

Tell us below if you have heard of Pressed Floral or if you would like to see more of the wonderful creatives we get the pleasure of working with!

xo Christina

As I always say when I talk about any brand I won’t share it if I don’t own it, or love it. When you shop from any of my links it is possible that I am earning a small commission. The cost of the product is not more for you, but the commission exchange happens between the retailer and myself, through the affiliate link you likely clicked on! As an entrepreneur I am in the business of affiliate marketing and appreciate you shopping my favorites through my links!   

As a designer I love when clients bring ideas and their vision to the table, but allow me develop and expand upon them, to work with different creative teams to bring the big vision to life. That is exactly what happened with Lauren and Chris. On our very first call Lauren said, this might be different but I don’t want a single flower. We’d love to work with you if you are up for the challenge.

With a New Years Eve celebration ahead of us I knew there was the most amazing way to bring their design ideas to life, yes, without a single flower.

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Lauren has a background in interior design and Chris works for a luxury, boutique hotel so I knew we would have a lot of fun thinking outside of the box, and that is exactly what we did. With a palette of black, deep green and mixed metals we added more glass and mirrors than you could image to bounce candlelight off of all of the surfaces for the most wonderful dinner.

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One of the things I love to do is allow time for my couples and their families to see the space they have been dreaming about before anyone else. This moment is one of my top moments of the day and these hugs always mean more than any of my couples or clients will ever know. It’s when, as a planner and designer, I get to breathe out. 🙂 To feel the excitement in the trust that has been given to me is the greatest honor. Seeing these photos takes me back to the moment, let’s do it all again!

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I wish pictures did the atmosphere justice, and there’s so much more to see – the beautiful cake by Becca Cakes to celebrate Lauren’s birthday, the amazing paper items from Tie That Binds (truly amazing) and more. Until the full gallery goes live in our archives I will leave you with this teaser from The Drakes.

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Would you opt for an event without any flowers after seeing this one? We would love to know!

Bravo to the creative teams who helped us celebrate L+C!

Planner & Designer: Christina Leigh Events
Photography: Jessica Collins Photography
Videography: The Drakes
Stationery: Tie that Binds
Hair and Makeup: Lovely Kind Beauty
Entertainment: Divisi Strings
Venue, Catering, Valet: The Club at Carlton Woods
Lighting, Rentals, Linens: Plants ‘N Petals
Cake: Becca Cakes

The truth is people have the ability to change you. It can be a simple smile to change your outlook on the morning, a kind gesture to carry you through the day or it can be a big enough change to make an imprint on your heart.

You see, I am in the business of love. Over the past 15 years I have seen countless love stories, beautiful events and people have crossed my path that have changed me for the better.

When I revamped the website we lost the existing blog and galleries. It has been a goal of mine to revisit events of the past – to re-share marriage days in all their glory. The intricate details; the way a groom looked at his bride, the way a mother so delicately helped her daughter into her dress, the way a couple floated back up the aisle after reciting their vows. Most of all, I want to repost those weddings for you to see the pure joy that my couples get to feel on their wedding days. Joy because I get the honor of taking away all of the legwork and small details – which allows my couples the ability to enjoy their day, to focus on each other and their marriage.

It was August 2013 and I had the pleasure of hearing from Sarah. She was excited to be getting married October 11, 2014 at the Mayo Hotel. I know Sarah from college, but had only heard of Kyle as we had never met. Sarah is the girl you want to know, to know her is to love her. When her wedding was over I told my mom that I wanted to bottle her up and put her in my pocket. She was a constant ray of sunshine, she gave compliments straight from the heart and valued having people around her that were great at their craft, and that she could learn from.

I will never forget the trust she put in me as her wedding planner and designer. I remember proposing a welcome tree to her. An actual tree, in the lobby of the hotel but would need her complete trust to pull it off. She agreed at our design meeting and I was able to give her the best surprise on her marriage day. We laughed so hard that the hotel still gave me a table for the “welcome tree” because they didn’t believe that my team would wheel in a 200lb base and almost 30′ tall tree we adorned with 5″x7″ escort cards. A “tree” that most definitely would have crushed a table.

We saved a tree from the wood chipper. She may have been most proud that we created a beautiful conversation piece that not only served a purpose, but that was created sustainably.

Sarah wanted an elegant dinner party. An evening to celebrate those around her and Kyle as much as they were set to celebrate their marriage. When I tell you that wonderful people surround themselves with like people, this wedding was the definition of that. Each person in the room was a ray of sunshine. From Thomas who spoke at the ceremony about the kind of man Kyle is, to Laura Beth who gave the most beautiful toast at the reception. She spoke about a lady she and Sarah heard at a sorority convention. The speaker (speaking about her husband) said:

“People say I love you from the bottom of my heart, but hunny, for you, my heart has no bottom.”

I will never forget the toast she gave about the kind of love Sarah had found, “the kind of love that sweet lady had found in her husband, she knew that Sarah had found in Kyle.” Those two lines could define the entire wedding alone – just watch their first look.

It was the biggest honor to bring Sarah’s elegant dinner party to life. To work with incredible creative teams like Wade Tower, to serve her family, to assist her brothers with a a family prank (all in appropriate fashion because I am most certainly one to protect any of my events like a mama bear 🙂 ) and to allow her time to change into her mothers wedding gown for their exit. What a joy it was to have a front row to the once-in-a-lifetime magic that was that day, with those people. If you don’t believe me here is a 5 minute peek from the talented duo PenWeddings.

To be honest, I didn’t think loosing Sarah would lead me to this post, but here we are. Sarah went home to be with the Lord a few weeks ago, and while we had only spoke a few times over the past 9 years, each time we did she was that same ray of sunshine. She was far too young to go, and I know she will be greatly missed by many.

For those of you who knew Sarah, I hope this post brought a smile to your face. For those of you who just met Sarah and Kyle through this post, I hope it brought a smile to your face as well.

When I say that all of my couples are forever part of the CLE Family, I truly mean it. Whether a wedding from 15 years ago, or a few weeks ago, the moments and memories I hold close are many. They are moments I look forward to sharing more of right here on the blog. So buckle up, because I have so many wonderful memories to share!

xo Christina

Planning, Design and Production: Christina Leigh Events
Images: Chris Humphrey
Video: PenWeddings
Entertainment: Wade Tower
Venue: The Mayo Hotel
Lighting: OMNI Lighting
Linens: Nuage Designs
Floral: The French Bouquet

To read more about Sarah Hummel Brown please click here.

Can you feel the joy?

This photo from Krista and Mike’s wedding was the perfect image to headline this sneak peek blog post. Krista wanted to get married in an English Garden, Mike didn’t want a pink wedding – I am fairly certain that our 8 month journey of planning and designing delivered the perfect “marriage” of design details for the couples marriage day!

We’re so excited to share the video sneak peek and a few images from their marriage day by Nate Messarra Photography. Thank you to our amazing team of creatives who helped us bring their vision to life and celebrate our couple!

Planning, Design and Production: Christina Leigh Events
Photography: Nate Messarra Photography
Videography: Nate Messarra Photography
Floral: Bramble & Bee
Wedding Crest: Simply Jessica Marie Crest Bar
Stationery: Nellie Sparkman Stationery
Hair and Makeup: Jentry Kelley
Cake: Becca Cakes
Ceremony Entertainment: Divisi Strings
Reception Entertainment: Jordan Kahn Orchestra
Venue: The Astorian
Catering: Jackson and Company Catering
Chargers: Aztec
Draping and Escort Card Wall: LG Events and Production
Linens: BBJ La Tavola
Valet: The Astorian
Brides Dress: Brickhouse Bridal
Brides Shoes: Loeffler Randall
Grooms Tuxedo: J. Hilburn, stylist Cari Kerns

What do you think of this fun post? What would you like to see more of? If you have a happy wish for our couple we would love for you to leave it below!

Having been a luxury wedding and event planner for over a decade my love for weddings runs deep in my bones. It’s the type A personality in me that loves creating timelines, the dreamer and visionary in me that loves designing one of a kind events and the servants heart in me that loves giving all I have to each of my couples.

It only seemed fitting for me to begin celebrating my sweet little girls marriage day on her first birthday. So when I stumbled across this precious cake knife tradition I just knew that I had to have it be a part of Charlotte’s birthday celebration.

Let’s break the tradition down.

It’s unclear where the tradition came. Although cutting a birthday cake dates back to Germany in 15th century A.D. it wasn’t until Victorian times when the Brides Cake entered a wedding celebration. As far as gifting a cake knife on a first birthday the history is unclear, but when I stumbled across it I knew it was the key to the perfect first birthday gift.

What:
A special cake knife is gifted to a little girl on her first birthday.
Note: I did receive messages that it can also be custom to gift a little boy a cake knife as well.

Why:
The special cake knife can then be used for special occasions leading up to ones marriage day. Birthdays, communion, graduation, etc.

Julia Childs did say that any event without cake it just a meeting. We all know that cake is generally key to a proper celebration so why not have the perfect cake knife for each special occasion.

How:
For Charlotte I will admit that I didn’t have a formal cake knife for my wedding, or I would have passed our wedding set to her. Instead we got her a set from Tiffany’s as her very first blue box.

A few of the options we looked at were:
Tiffany and Co.
Kate Spade , with blue
Kate Spade, with rose
Vera Wang for Wedgewood
Sterling Silver Set
Waterford Diamond Set

Leave it to me to be indecisive about what I want to engrave on Charlotte’s set. For her birthday it was blank, but I think I have decided to simply put her formal name on the cake knife and for her wedding we can then add the name of her groom to the cake server for her set to be complete.

I have also heard of a simple message on the back of the cake server to be a great option. Something like:
Here’s to the first of many celebrations honoring you.
Happy First Birthday! May this cake knife bring you joy each time you celebrate.

In hindsight I may have given Barrett his own birthday cake knife, but will reserve that for his someday bride. Maybe she will have been gifted her very own cake knife.

Our precious cake knife sign came from Honey Bear Pages to match all of our stationery for the party. She has an adorable Etsy shop and is the sweetest! I would highly recommend reaching out to her for a cake knife sign or any stationery needs.

What do you think of the tradition? Did you receive a birthday cake knife, or have you gifted a special cake knife to someone? I would love to hear below!

xo Christina

1 decade. 10 years. 120 months. 521 weeks. 3,652 days.

The girl in this picture is equal parts the same as she is different. It only took me one wedding to learn that you can’t wear heels all day (even when you are 25), and that serving couples and families on a marriage day is truly the best job anyone could ask for.

I had been planning weddings for 2.5 years, but on November 11, 2011 (yes, the planner in me picked 11-11-11 intentionally) I officially re-organized my business into the LLC that is Christina Leigh Events.

I told my mom for years I wanted to be a wedding planner. I had a binder with my logo, sketch of my desk and office decor inspiration (hello pink gerbera daisies). I don’t know how many times she said to me, “go to college and we’ll talk about this later.” I majored in Communications and my senior year an opportunity to work an event for a planner in town surfaced. From there came an internship, then my first “real job.” That job taught me more than I could ever write on paper and lead to the business you see today.

It’s not lost on me that I have the most amazing job because of the incredible humans I get to work for and alongside every day. To the hundreds of clients who have trusted CLE with your weddings and events thank you. It’s not only a joy to design a beautiful experience for your guests, but to get to know you and welcome you into the CLE family.

To my brides who have called just to chat.
To moms who have trusted me with more than one special wedding or event.
To the fathers who call your Fronk to add in a surprise father daughter dance on your little girls marriage night.
To the grooms who allow us to manage the logistics so that you can be fully present.
To the clients who give us full creative control and allow us to put fourth our best work.
To the couples who welcome us into your home, and on private property, to create your dream wedding.
To clients who allow us to celebrate your businesses and employees.
Thank you for your trust, love and referrals CLE is what it is because of you!

To the countless creatives and creative teams (we don’t work with “vendors” around here – your event is more important than the county fair) we’ve been able to work alongside as we serve our amazing couples and clients, thank you. Working with experts in so many fields creates a beautiful finished product that is unique and special in its own way, every single time.
Thank you for putting you best foot forward for our shared couples, and teaching me a thing or two along the way.

I’ve had countless moms ask me to write a book. Maybe someday I’ll put a pen to paper about the fallen cakes, burst water mains, torrential downpours, no catering staff that lead to my cleaning dishes for 300 people, red wine spills on wedding gowns, dry cleaner ruined gowns (yes, before the wedding) and even the time I had to be a bouncer. I haven’t written those stories yet because it seems unfair for those stories to outshine the first looks, Father of the bride speeches, helicopter exits, epic bands, one-of-a-kind designs and all of the walks up the aisle as Mr. and Mrs. All of the nights that turn into mornings and the clocks that don’t slow down. That time is where memories are made, where love is the most tangible and the start of a brand new chapter.

To say the past decade has been the honor of a lifetime would be an understatement. It is truly a joy to celebrate love, and I can’t wait to see what the next decade holds.

Cheers to allowing CLE to serve you for your special celebrations!
xo, Christina

Thank you Nellie Sparkman for zhuzhing up the CLE logo for a decade of celebrations!

It’s that time of year! Engagements are in full swing and fall weddings are right around the corner. With a new ring, name and new house comes new opportunities to host your friends and family, as well as create new traditions. I joined forces with one of my favorite stores, Pottery Barn, to share a few of the registry tips I share with my couples to help make their house feel more like home.

• A registry is the best way to politely suggest items you would like to receive as you start your life as a married couple. Register for high and low end items and don’t be afraid to register for a few fun things. If you register for what you love, and not what a general guide tells you that you have to have, it’s less likely you will have to return any gifts.
  
• In my experience it’s good to register at 3 locations; a department store, a large retailer (available in most cities) and a local boutique. This will allow each of your guests to shop where they feel comfortable. 
  
• Think about your lifestyle and what you would like for your home. If you love the outdoors and don’t plan on hosting any formal events china and crystal might not be the best fit. Instead, start with the basics. A great set of dishes, flatware and glassware can be great layering pieces. Add seasonal napkins, placements and chargers to change the look of your table.
  
• Just like seasons change so does inventory! It’s likely that if you register for your fall wedding in the spring the floral print pillows you placed on your registry might not be available by the time of your wedding. Always refresh your registry at the change of any season. 
  
• Another great time to refresh your registry is after any pre-wedding event. It’s possible that for your engagement party or bridal shower your guests will shop your registries. Make sure there are items left for guests who may not have been able to attend, or might still be looking for a gift for your wedding day. 
  
• Test things out in person! Do you like the way the fork that you saw online feels in your hand? Is the coffee mug you love the perfect one for your morning java? It’s ok to mix and match, your wine glasses may not be the same as your every day drinking glasses you already own and love. 
  
• It is never proper etiquette to list your registries on your save-the-date on invitation. Instead, list your registries on your wedding website and let your maid of honor, mother and mother-in-law know so they can answer registry related questions when they are asked. 

Were there great tips you received when registering? We would love for you to share your tips and tricks below as well!

How fun is this! It’s Wedding Wednesday and it only seems fitting to curate an Easter “basket” for the newly engaged! How adorable are these ice buckets as the basket! There are so many adorable options it’s hard to choose just one. The celebratory bunny, summer lemons or perfect monogram – you choose your base! Add coordinating linen napkins and stir sticks for all of the wedding planning meetings you’re about to toast at! I love the addition of gift tags (hello hostess gifts) and stationery for those first thank you notes.

TIP: It’s not customary for a bride to use her new three-letter-monogram until
after the ceremony. If you are gifting stationery for wedding thank you notes, the brides
maiden name and/or maiden monogram would be proper etiquette.

I love this adorable ring tray and don’t forget the best ring cleaner! Of course every bride needs a beautiful planner and this one is a Team CLE favorite! We love the coordinating pen and that this planner was just named one of Vogue’s top 11!

Finish off your basket with a few sweet treats and this newly engaged Easter basket is set to go! We’d love to know, are you newly engaged this Easter? Tell us below!

Sources: Ice Bucket, Candy, Pen, Wedding Planner, Cocktail Napkins, Stationery,
Gift Tags, Ring Cleaner, Stir Sticks, Candy, Ring Tray

When we decided to bring back the Christina Leigh blog it was so fun to go through archives. It’s crazy to think that some of our posts were from 2009! Needless to say after years of blogging, multiple websites and lots of transitions so many of our original blog links and images were broken. The good news for you, is that we are bringing back some of the OG posts simply because we love them.

Without further ado, one of our very first posts. This shades of green inspiration board is a breath of fresh air. It seemed perfect to re-post the week of St. Patrick’s Day. Whether celebrating a very green day, or simply loving mint green we think this palette is classic and beautiful.

For two and a half years I have been faithfully blogging for my previous company, and while I am so thankful for the experience I am so happy to have a new blog and company!

I figured half of you may not really know who I am, or what I do, so I thought I would share. Will that be ok?

So this is me… My name is Christina Leigh Clayton and I own Christina Leigh Events.

I love the sun and the soft colors of the spring.
I’m not a fan of pop, I only drink water… and soy chai lattes.
I love peonies, ranunculus, parrot tulips and soft texture flowers.
I love my family.
I think snow looks best on a postcard, or looking at it out my window from the fireplace.
I love Jesus.
I have a degree in Communications from The University of Tulsa.
I was a cheerleader in college.
I want a mini goldendoodle and a great dane.
I started buying wedding magazines with my allowance in fifth grade.
I am OCD and color code everything.
I am a Kappa Alpha Theta.
I would be lost without my calendar.
I love all of my brides… and their moms… and their soon to be moms.
I’m a designer, planner and coordinator.

In short, I’ll be your best friend, help you pick out a dress, walk you through one of the best times of your life. I’ll think like a 13 year old to throw the best Bat/Bar Mitzvah you’ve ever been to. I love holiday parties and representing your brand. I am an event planner, I love what I do, and I would love to help plan, design and produce your next event!

If you’re getting to know me I thought I would introduce you to my soon to be Mr. also; meet Blair!

I have walked so many brides though the wedding process and it has been so much fun! A little over a month ago I became a bride myself, and I am so excited to share my journey with you all.

I’ll begin with how we re-met! It was April 10, 2010, I was at contestants day for Miss Oklahoma and got a phone call from a friend that a group was going to dinner and I should come. She also told me that Blair was in town. — Rewind four years. I remembered Blair from college; he played football and I cheered. The first time I ever met him was in the Kappa Alpha Theta house at TU. He was doing a class project with my Big, Sarah, and she briefly introduced us. — Of course I remembered the 6’6″ tall, sweet southern gentleman from Texas. I hadn’t been to dinner with a group of friends in awhile so I went. Being the sweet man Blair is, he offered me his chair so that I didn’t have to sit on the end. We ended up chatting for awhile and then we all headed to stop number two. We spoke there for awhile and then I called an early night and headed home. A couple of days later I sent Blair a Facebook message to say it was great to see him and I hoped he had a great trip back home. The message was the beginning of a never ending chain of messages. Needless to say, I’m glad I sent that message. 🙂 Next week I’ll be back to share our proposal story.