This fairytale event has been a year in the planning. It finally came to life in the most beautiful and breathtaking way I could have ever imagined.
Like pages in a Storybook I want to share the details and how the event story unfolds.
The photos were all taken by my dear friend and photographer
There are over 900 amazing photos!!
So many that I have chosen to split the post.
Part I will be the details of the grand weekend.
Part II will be the fun photos of ALL the ladies, candids,
behind the scenes and outtakes.
This post can also be read HERE.
(photo courtesy of Sonia Crouse)
The event kicked off with the Welcome~Vendor Market~
Workshopette Night.
It was held in the evening at The Crest Pavilion high in the beautiful mountains.
I really enjoyed decorating and going all out on the details!
Welcome Table
Lots of sparkles and twinkle lights. It looked heavenly at night.
Swan name tags
The vendor tables were decked out with the most gorgeous handmade treasures.
Gorgeous tables full of yummies.
Here I am! Anxiously waiting for the ladies to step off the bus.
Jenn & Dee Foust
Stephanie Folsom (my wonderful helper), Natasha, Suzanne MacCrone, Penny Carlson
Karen Hillman was one of the vendors looking so cute and festive.
Natasha greeting the ladies.
How adorable is she???
The bus arrives with smiling faces and ladies ready to play!
Robin holding her magic wand.
Welcome Hugs.
It felt like a reunion seeing old friends again.
Adorable Lorraine Rose and Amy Powers.
Earleen Coburn, Maija Lepore, Annette Schwab
Hope Wallace, Andrea Singarella, Lori Oles
Tiffany and Suzanne Duda
Sherry Williams, Michelle Duke, Kim Caldwell
Natasha, Rebecca Lichtman, Sonia Crouse
Cynthia Vartanian who I was so happy to see.
I love how so many of the ladies got into the festive spirit.
The always adorable Sherry Williams.
Deborah Cashwell looking so lovely wearing her fairy laurel.
Shelley McNair Burgess the beautiful fae.
My fabulous online friend Claudie Frid who I was dying to meet, made the special trip from Canada to be with us.
The ladies shopped, dined on fabulous food and spent the last part of the evening taking mini workshop classes from Karla Nathan and Lori Oles.
Woodland Fairy Garland close-up.
Lori teaching and showing the "how to's"
My adorable big Sis Jessi. Looking gorgeous as always!
Karla taught her Prize Ribbon Sprite class immediately after Lori's.
I adore how Karla gave every kit a different Fairy name.
The evening was a fabulous night and the perfect way to start of our weekend together.
(photo courtesy of Sonia Crouse)
This is where creative magic happened.
At the gorgeous Claxton Farm.
The venue is not only breathtaking while surrounded by the mountains but it's also a very calming and peaceful environment.
We felt secluded and in our own little world.
With the help of my dream team of ladies they each physically helped me set everything up and turn the venue into a dreamy Neverland.
Lori and Karla are not seen in the photo but were very much included in the set up.
I am grateful for their help.
We transformed the barn into a fairytale heaven.
Natasha hand painted this stunning Dream Banner.
Our Saturday started bright and early with our tour of Biltmore Estates.
(photo courtesy of Sonia Crouse)
Fresh, Bright-Eyed ladies ready for the tour.
Unfortunately were unable to take photos of the inside, but we did however get a few photos at the winery.
Naturally our group of ladies gravitate to the pink label wine bottle.
Becca Wine Tasting
Shortly after our tour of grand Biltmore we took the 2nd part of the event day to downtown Asheville.
A quaint little bakery shop called Bake It Pretty
for the Gift Swap Exchange Party.
The space is owned by the beautiful and lovely Amanda Krueger.
You can visit her Shop to order baking goodies and supplies.
The shop is now selling yummy pies!
The inside is small and sweet as can be!
Amanda was so thoughtful and kind to make us mini cupcakes to enjoy.
The bakery is cozy and quaint and boy did it fill up fast with ladies,
gorgeous handmade swap gifts, laughter, and tons of "ooooh's and aaaah's".
Priscilla busting with happiness over her fairy laurel.
Valerie's Chanel crown made by Priscilla.
Cheryl super giddy.
So cute! Looks like she's been crowned Miss Fairy USA!
Adorable sweet Tricia admiring her fairy shoe.
Andrea wearing the fairy laurel Amy Powers made her.
Sweeeet!!!
Tracy & Sylvia
Karla the Swap Hostess
Heidi & Grace
Shelly looking lovely wearing her crown.
Beautiful aprons created in Karen France's Apron Swap.
Jeanie and her precious fairy house.
Beautiful details from the various swaps.
Darling fairy shoe made by Cathy Edmondson.
Darling!
A few fun shots of the ladies.
Darling Cynthia.
Susan Hoff
Natasha and Jessi.
We had a festive time at the bakery exchanging swap gifts.
Our evening ended with a relaxing night out on the town.
Enjoying dinners and the festive downtown scene.
It's never easy having to leave and say our goodbye's.
A few tears are shed, and hugs abound.
The weekend comes and goes lightning fast.
A year in the planning flashes in the blink of an eye.
I reflect on the weekend with great pride. Pride for the vision and hard work that was brought to life. Pride in the gorgeous projects the ladies tenderly made. Pride in seeing old friendships come together, and new friendships so lovingly made.
This event would not have been possible if it were not for the ladies who signed up and traveled from hundreds of miles away.
Once Upon A Dream honestly far exceeded my expectations. It was more perfect than I could have ever hoped for. The weekend will forever hold a lasting memory in my heart.
I appreciate you for supporting me in my dreams and enabling my visions to come true.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
That post was a beautiful rendering of your event. It's always evident how much you love what you do Miss Jenn. xoxo...
Posted by: Jennifer Grenko | October 20, 2011 at 07:10 PM
WOW!!!!!!!! Each picture prettier than the last... I MISSED A GREAT EVENT! I can tell it was once again... MAGICAL! Thank you for sharing & everything looked amazing. LOVED your dress. HUGS!
Charlene
Posted by: Charlene | October 20, 2011 at 08:51 PM
Jenn, you and the girls produced a magical dream that the ladies attending will never forget. And, they'll be dreaming about for years to come! What an event! Your attention to details is evident. I love the banner Natasha painted. I love the final two pictures of you! I love Tiffany's photography. I love that it appears time stood still in these photos. Wonderful! Thanks for taking the time to share all the photos! Hugs, Heidi
Posted by: Heidi Woodruff | October 20, 2011 at 08:57 PM
Thank you, beautiful Jenn, for all you did to make this the most magical and memorable time ever. The settings & scenery could not have been more perfect. I loved wearing the white wings that I bought for my granddaughter, Madison, to wear for a photo shoot on the beach, almost 9 years ago! The classes, the food, seeing old friends and making new ones was so amazing. You did a wonderful job and I wish we could do it all over again!
See you Saturday a.m. for the Country Living Fair! Can't wait.
Love you,
Sherry
Posted by: Sherry | October 21, 2011 at 01:25 AM
OMG I have just picked up my jaw from the floor, sooooooooooooooo amazing and gorgeous and ebery other word under the sun,. What a great turn out for you and the photos are truely beautiful., You are so beautiful too Jen,.thank you for showing and I am sooooooooooooooooo jealous of you all,.,.love from Glenda xxxx
Posted by: glenda sellwood | October 21, 2011 at 02:11 AM
Oh, Jen, I would have absolutely loved attending this event. It speaks to my heart on so many levels. I have been awaiting your gorgeous reveal of how everything went! I know you worked so hard, and I can tell it was so amazing. I was so happy for you when you said it was more perfect than you could ever have hoped for. What a wonderful cherry-on-top statement to be able to say about something you worked so hard for.
Posted by: Linda Diane | October 21, 2011 at 04:39 AM
Dear Jenn,
What a wonderful capture you have shown everyone, and lucky me I got to be there and be a part of it. I do not even need to post a single photo on my blog...I will send everyone here!
It was a beautifully designed event and you know it. I'm proud of you girl! Now take a little time to enjoy the memory you created for everyone who was there and for yourself.
xoxo
Ciao bella,
Suzanne
Posted by: Suzanne | October 21, 2011 at 11:11 AM
Dear Jenn,
The event looks like it was just perfect in every way. LuLu and I were talking the other night and both agreed that we missed something so great and so amazing. We're both a little sad that it didn't work out for us to attend.
Thank you for sharing all the stunningly beautiful pictures and allowing me (and all your readers) to live vicariously through you and your lovely guests. Will be back for part 2!
Hugs,
Holly
Posted by: holly | October 21, 2011 at 01:43 PM
Wow how beautiful, you really made everything look amazing....I love the last two photos of you , so romantic , just breathtaking, Im happy it was a success! xoxo Kimberly
Posted by: [email protected] | October 22, 2011 at 09:00 PM
Oh Jenn, what {another} amazing event!! Your imagination, attention to detail and expert execution are incredible! Congratulations to you and your team, looks like a wonderful time was had by all! xo, Jen
Posted by: Jen B | October 22, 2011 at 10:05 PM
OH Jenn,
AMAZING!!!!!!! I had been following your blog and dreaming I could've participated. You are amazing. It looks like a dream come true. Thanks for sharing the pictures, so we can continue to dream.
lori v
redshoesandglitter.blogspot.com
Posted by: lori v | October 23, 2011 at 06:42 PM
Jenn- everything looks GORGEOUS!! It's always amazing to see your events and all the details that bring your vision to life! The faeries will be talking about this event for years to come! :)
Posted by: Julie Ann | October 24, 2011 at 06:43 AM
Thank you for sharing & everything looked amazing. LOVED your dress. Wonderful! Thanks for taking the time to share all the photos!
Posted by: Check Insurance | October 27, 2011 at 03:55 AM
You are the mistress of midsummer and all the woven spells and dreams of Titania herself. Sprites and oberon got nuthin on you!
Love you!
xoxo
Posted by: Christine Rose Elle | October 27, 2011 at 06:37 PM
oh my, jenn! what a beautiful fairytale of a blog post. i had so wanted to attend but it just didn't work out. looking at your photos, i am awestruck by your vision as a planner, decorator and hostess. i agree that it's all in the details and omg -- no one does details like you. beautiful! i hope that the next time you host a fabulous fete, that i am able to attend!
warmest congrats on a magical job well done! everyone is beaming and beautiful!
you truly bring sweet eye candy and so much more to so many!
xo
elyse
Posted by: elyse | October 28, 2011 at 12:43 PM
Just beautiful. What a wonderful, fun event. So wish I could have been there.
Posted by: Ginger | October 29, 2011 at 04:22 AM
Oh my I just found your site from pintrest and I love it so wish I lived by you all
Posted by: Jen | January 07, 2012 at 03:54 PM