Meet Tana

Photos by Cory Weber Photography

At A Day in May we receive many inquiries for employment. This past fall we announced, very quietly, that we were looking for an intern/assistant for 2010. In January, while I was in Florida, I received the email I had been waiting for... Tana Steinberger, an interior designer from Chicago was looking to move to Northern Michigan and was interested in working for us.

Her professional, yet personable, email set the tone and we met for coffee this past spring for an interview. Dressed with style, armed with confidence and poise I knew she would be a great fit; not to mention posses talents that would be key in growing A Day in May.

In May of this year Tana joined A Day in May! She has been an integral part of our success this season thus far and will continue to be a huge asset to our team. With an eye for detail that compliments our existing vision and a passion for the creative, I'm excited to have her on board!

Please welcome Tana to our team!!

Kai Heeringa Photography

This past fall we had the pleasure of working with Grand Rapids based, husband and wife team Kai and Kayley Heeringa of Kia Heeringa Photography. For over four years the duo have been photographing together from Northern Michigan to Scotland and everywhere in-between!

Wedding days seem to go so quickly for all of those involved and it is important to capture the people and details for our clients and Kai and Kayley are just the people to do so. They love to show their clients a perspective of their weddings that they themselves were not able to see until well after the last candle is blown out.

Providing their clients with images that are unique and true to their event they make their photography interesting to everyone viewing it, not just to those who know the subjects.

Before we take a look at McKenzi and Rob's wedding from this past fall here are a few of my favorites from Kai and Kayley...

























Thanks Kai and Kayley for sharing your talents with all of us! Make sure to check out their blog here for their most current work!

Cory Weber Photography

We work with so many fabulous vendors each year and today I wanted to share with you one of our favorite local Northern Michigan photographers- Cory Weber of Cory Weber Photography.

Last August, Cory and I worked together for the first time at Kate and Brian's wedding (coming up on the blog this week). After a few exchanged words I knew he was going to be a great source of creativity and inspiration (not to mention friend) in the industry!

Cory's artistic eye and unique approach to photography allows him to capture life's most intimate moments in an unobtrusive way leaving you wanting more. He has a true gift for wedding photography and I'm thrilled to show you some of my favorites from his past clients...



































Be sure and watch for more of Cory's work featured on the A Day in May Blog! Thank you Cory for sharing your talent with us. Stay tuned for Cory Weber Photography and A Day in May, Event Planning & Design's first collaborative wedding together- Kate and Brian, coming up on the blog!

Google Launches Wedding Documents

The key to any business professional is being organized and orderly just like planning a wedding. Style Me Pretty, Michelle Rago and Google teamed up to offer DIY brides planning templates that we as industry professionals have been creating and using for years.

With professional advice from Michelle and Abby, planning a wedding designed and orchestrated wedding is available at your finger tips. Read SMP today for Abby's update and click here to access the templates featured below...





Remember to save after you have updated each template!

Erin Swift & Taryn Bickley

Artistry is expressed across all creative platforms including event design. Through fabulous retail displays and media I am constantly inspired by the “styling” of an event.

Styling (or staging) is a perfect blend of textures, colors, patterns and “things” that work together to enhance a particular setting or emotion through visual stimuli.

With the book on event planning and design ever evolving, as a designer I am constantly drawn to talents like like Erin Swift and Taryn Bickley (from Michigan) who have taken the art of styling to a new level.

Erin’s work has graced the cover of Gourmet and Elegant Bride. She’s a regular contributor for Oprah Winfrey's O at Home and has been dazzling us all with her creative arranging and staging techniques.




A twisted look at wedding gowns and femininity. Who wouldn’t want to embody such sophistication while layered in gorgeous fabrics?


Perfect inspiration piece for designers just starting in the industry- look at Erin’s perfectly placed textured pieces and her use (or lack of) color and lighting.


Two of my personal favorites from her portfolio. The quintessential haberdashery “look” that is revolutionizing design.

Taryn Bickley's style is completely swoonable! With launching Metro Detroit Bride in 2004 her fashion journalism career and talent speaks volumes by simply turning a page in one of the posh Detroit Magazines she styles.


HOUR Detroit Magazine, April 2008- fashion styling shoot in Detroit Metro Airport's McNamara Terminal.


Metro Detroit Bride Magazine, Summer/Fall 2008- whimsy with design elegance, cake never looked so stunning!


Chicago Home Magazine, May/June 2008- the perfect setting for a perfect afternoon party.


Metro Detroit Bride Magazine, Summer/Fall 2007- edible styling is a talent I covet of Taryn's. Food paired with chic settings and surrounding are a sure win for this feature.

When planning your next event or party think about ways to enhance your surroundings with subtle impact. Don't be afraid to mix browns and blacks, white and ivory. Thanks to Erin and Taryn for your fantastic design eye and contribution to creativity!