For The Love of Brides

Krysta and Andrew's Classic Wedding Part 3

2009-11-18T09:46:00.003-05:00

If you thought Krysta and Andrew's ceremony was beautiful, just wait until you see these images from their Parisian inspired reception. Krysta and Andrew got engaged in Paris, and they both share a love of wine. This was infused throughout all the decor and design for the reception. From the table numbers (pictures they took in Paris) to the signature wine-a Vouvray that they had while in France and fell in love with..

Krysta has been collecting milk glass for over 10 years. For the centerpieces she had over 200 milk glass pieces filled with gorgeous flowers!

Not only was this one of the most beautifully designed weddings I've ever seen (which makes sense seeing as how Krysta is an interior designer) but it was also a GREAT party! Krysta and Andrew spent so much of the evening dancing well into the night with their friends and family. They had a blast, and are so thankful they didn't worry about trying to talk to every single person-they just enjoyed themselves!

Thank you, Krysta and Andrew, for sharing your amazing wedding with us!

Krysta and Andrew's Classic Wedding Part 2

2009-11-17T11:18:00.005-05:00

Ok lovelies...are you ready for some incredible getting ready and ceremony details shots?

Below, you'll see an upclose shot of Krysta's flower belt that was made out of her Mother's wedding dress.

The Tulip House is the name of Krysta's childhood home where she has so many memories..she was thrilled to be able to get ready here for her wedding.

The swing has been in her family for decades...her Mother used to rock her in it when she was a baby!

Krysta gave Andrew a custom fly rod with the wedding date inscribed in the handle...

Here is a great shot of Krysta's Dad working on his speech.

I love that they incorporated Andrew's family plaid in the pocket squares.

Krysta's flowers were done by her very talented sister..this is her bouquet

Krysta was so inspired by Portia de Rossi's wedding hair, that she used it as her inspiration. She also used shoe clips as her hair clips!

Here you'll see closer shots of the precious flower girl and ring bearer and Krysta's lovely bridesmaids who all wore dresses in different shades of champagne. The bagpipes leading her down and back up the aisle was such an incredible touch-and so stunning in the gorgeous church where the ceremony took place. The flowers and Krysta's veil are some of my favorite details. I love that family was so involved, with her sister doing the flowers and the veil being her Mothers!

Coming up...the couples beautiful Parisian inspired reception!

-All images taken by the talented Melissa Louise

Krysta and Andrew's Classic Wedding

2009-11-17T10:02:00.004-05:00

Krysta and Andrew's Minnesota wedding was one of the most creative, well planned and classically beautiful weddings I've ever seen. They are one of those couples that exudes unconditional love simply in the way they look at each other. Their wedding was full of intimate and personal details...more on the details in the next post--for now I wanted to give you a glimpse of the happy couple...

Krysta...simply gorgeous...

Andrew...the very dashing groom...

It was a windy day...and Krysta wore her Mother's veil-the belt they added to her Vera Wang gown was also made from her Mother's wedding dress...

Krysta and her sweet Dad getting ready to enter the ceremony...she was lead down the aisle to the sound of bagpipes..an homage to their family's Scottish heritage...

Married! The look on both of their faces is absolutely CLASSIC!

An intimate moment before heading to the reception...beautiful...

Stay tuned for more from this breathtaking wedding!

Krysta and Andrew's Lovely Rehearsal Dinner

2009-09-23T09:19:00.006-04:00

Hello lovely brides to be! If you remember the previous post, I introduced you all to Krysta who gave us some wonderful insight and tips for the big day. Today, I'm going to feature her gorgeous rehearsal dinner--prepare to fall in love with Krysta and Andrew...and plaid!!

They hired the fantastic Melissa Louise to shoot their rehearsal dinner and wedding day. They had already put a deposit down with another photographer, but didn't feel great about it. When they found Melissa, they knew they had to hire her-and I think they are so glad they did!

I mean, are they just the cutest things you've ever seen?

They chose this darling italian restaurant in St. Paul, Minnesota called Pazzaluna

The dinner was themed around Andrew's Scottish heritage and they included his family plaid everywhere they could - from the invites to their clothing to the decor and menus.

Love the place settings...

Don't you wish you had been invited to this lovely affair??

I love that Melissa caught this sweet moment between them. You can see how in love they are surrounded by their closest family and friends...

What a fantastic evening! Thanks for sharing, Krysta! I can't wait to feature her ceremony and reception here soon!

Happy Planning!

A letter to the bride to be...

2009-08-18T10:06:00.004-04:00

A dear friend of mine just got married up in Minnesota. I knew about quite a few of her plans, but I had no idea her wedding was going to be such a masterpiece! I have asked her to write a "letter to brides" of sorts with advice that she learned from her own big day. What she sent me is something I think all brides will find very informative!

Here's Krysta....

"Dear Bride-to-be,

Okay, so the wedding. It was the best day of my life - no comparison. I wish I could do it all over again, it was just so much fun! The people there were humbling and I was so touched by how everyone rallied not only to help out the last few days, but really made our wedding special. That was the best.

WEEK PRIOR

Get away to the pool with your girlfriends and gossip. Its the last chance you have for sun before the big day - 1 week before was perfect for me. I didn't look "tan" or too light.

The few days before were incredibly stressful and I definitely took on too much and too late. I would encourage you to really stick to not doing anything the week before - that was my plan, but then we found our house.... There were little details that only I would notice that didnt come through, because we simply ran out of time. But, really I could not have cared less by that point.

Wrapping presents for your bridal party - takes forever!!! I would highly suggest pawning that off - my mom, aunt, and cousin did it and it took them about 3 hours with everyone!!

Have some quality time with your future husband before the wedding. Andrew and I were so swamped with wedding and house business that we felt a little distant from eachother. That added stress is sooo not necessary!

Once that Friday came (my bridal luncheon and rehearsal) I couldnt stop pinching myself. It just seemed so crazy to actually be happening! Take some time to love your moms and sisters and tell your girls how much they mean to you. Its easy to get wrapped up, but I just kept trying to remember to say please and thankyou - they were all so incredibly wonderful..

Get your nails done with the girls - its the only time you cant get wrapped up because you are tied to a chair! I did this Friday with all the girls right after the luncheon so we were all toghether.

SLEEP!!!! I was short on sleep and I regret that! Take Tylenol PM, whatever!

Look at your rehearsal dinner as an opportunity to say everything you usually wouldn't to the ones you love. I have been to too many where its all about the bride and groom - thats unfortunate. It is about those who know you and love you most that have brought you together. Tell them every gushy thing you always wanted to - they have to listen and they will be touched.

Thank your parents - I told my parents that loving each other is the best lesson they ever taught me; that I learned from the most in-love couple what it means to truly find a soul mate.

THE DAY OF

Take a deep breath and some solitude when you wake up. I slept alone at my parents house and it was perfect. No one was there to stress me out when I woke up. I just layed there and thought about what was about to happen.

Give yourself plenty of time but also, you dont need to get ready first. Make sure your girls are up earlier than you - they should be getting ready well before you are so they can help and not be fussing over themselves.

Hire a makeup and hair person - no question. The stress factor for doing your own - not worth it. It was so relaxing to be pampered!!!

Have a toast - its your day and make sure to say cheers often.

Dont see your bouquets until you are all done up. They were such a fun suprise to see - and they were more beautiful than I could have imagined. Seeing them made for some great photos as well. It was a lovely little dose of suprise.

EAT - enough said.

Deep breath before walking down the aisle, take it in. Its about to happen and its okay to cry. I did.

Keep your eyes on him the whole way down - it will keep you calm.

Kiss your dad, its the last time his little girl is completely his.

Relish your ceremony - it is so different when its actually yours! Every word is important. Every reading has meaning. It is beautiful and somewhat euphoric. It is heavenly.

Whisk away after the ceremony for some alone time. Kiss kiss kiss.

Get all of your checks handed out way before - I was handing them out when I should have been kissing! The church lady was on me like white on rice.

Have some time to see the reception before anyone else does. You have worked so hard and you should get the glory first. I took some time to finesse of course - its in my genes. I was tweaking arrangements with a corona in a white dress. Would not have wanted it any other way though - I am a perfectionist....

Photos are important but having fun with your bridal party is more important. Sure, I was probably missing the artsy group shots, but I was too busy having drinks and hearing toasts with my little party away from everyone else. I couldn't care less that I dont have the cool art shot - I will remember those toasts far longer.

We did our first dance right after we were announced and I loved it - got it out of the way.

MY BIGGEST PIECE OF ADVICE

First..Forget what everyone thinks you should be doing/saying....do what feels natural and right. I did not leave the dance floor and I loved it. I partied so hard - was sweating through my dress. I am sure people thought I should have gone around and said hello yada yada. But I stayed on the dance floor with all of my friends and boogied with my husband. I think people found it refreshing to see a bride and groom acutally being themselves at a wedding. And it rubbed off. The dance floor was packed the entire night and even for the last dance - there were tons of people there. There was one point that I looked out and not a soul was to be seen - every single person was rocking out with us. Pure bliss.

Secondly..give a speech. It doesnt have to be long or planned, ours certainly wasnt. But we spoke from our hearts and thanked profusely and even called out certain family members and friends. I am so proud to have done that - it shows we are human in the midst of the production. People of course raved about the decor, the food, the dress, etc...but at the end of the day, it was our hearts that were so full and I forgot about the planning and remembered it was about those people who brought us together."

There you go, ladies! Isn't Krysta just lovely? I cannot wait to feature her wedding here-so stay tuned for lots of pictures, details and more advice from the beautiful bride herself!

Happy Planning!

A gorgeous UGA wedding

2009-08-14T10:16:00.003-04:00

Some of our favorite photographers here in Atlanta are the VERY talented folks over at Our Labor of Love. David and Kendrick shot this unbelievable wedding up at UGA. I am always amazed at the shots this duo can get-and the love that always shines through their images. They have a serious gift...check these out!

Pool table awesomeness!

Such a fantastic shot of the entire wedding party

Oh. My. Gosh--how cute is the brides getaway outfit?! She looks so classy and darling!

If you're looking for some amazingly talented folks to photograph your wedding, you cannot go wrong with these guys. Check out their blogs here and here

EDIT: The lovely bride, Tabitha, emailed me to let me know that the wedding took place in Gainesville, Georgia--their engagement session was at UGA, not this wedding. Thanks Tabitha!! We love your wedding!

Honeymoon Dresses

2009-07-24T15:53:00.007-04:00

Happy Friday! I spent this lovely day today at the Atlanta Apparel Mart and man, was it a great day. I picked up lots of jewelry and saw so many cute purses and dresses. Seeing so many summer dresses that would be perfect for honeymoon wear inspired me to search for some dress ideas for you lovely brides out there.

Check these out:

From seller: Stephanie Teague

From seller: Thimble and Acorn

From J Crew

My favorite one: from Anthropologie

Aren't those just the cutest dresses to spend your first few days as a married woman in?

Happy Planning!

Atlanta Occasions Magazine Launch Party!

2009-07-20T11:35:00.004-04:00

This is going to be an awesome event!

Come party, get a copy of the magazine, and check out amazing Atlanta vendors! It's going to be a blast, so you don't want to miss it!

Bridal Bar Atlanta

2009-07-16T10:40:00.003-04:00

Last night I had the pleasure of attending the Bridal Bar Grand Opening here in Atlanta! It was an incredibly well planned and executed event with SO many amazing wedding vendors there.

If you aren't familiar with the Bridal Bar, it is a one stop shop for all of your wedding needs. A bride is invited to make an appointment and drink champagne while browsing through the works of some of the best wedding vendors in Atlanta.

If you're planning a wedding and you have anything left on your list, I strongly suggest stopping in and checking it out!

Happy Planning!

Lovely Etsy Invitations

2009-07-14T11:06:00.000-04:00

One of the sites I love using as a resource when looking for products for a budget-savvy bride is Etsy. If you're new to the blogging world, I strongly suggest you sit down with a snack and a drink and dedicate a few hours of your day to browsing all of the wonderful items that site has to offer.

Now, I love Etsy for it's unique products, great prices, and a selection that fits absolutely anyone's taste. I also love it because it gives me the chance to support folks who are trying to make a living doing what they love. I'd buy a purse from "Jane" in Ohio who is spending her days making pieces with love and passion before I would go looking for a purse at Target (not that I don't love Target, I do-I just love supporting the little guy more)

With that being said, there are some fantastic invitations to chose from on Etsy-and you'd be surprised at the incredible deal you can get when you shop here versus going to a stationer.

These are all from seller OneReverie and I just love them:

All of these can be used for a formal or informal wedding-so much of it is in the wording and the fonts you choose.

I love that these are so modern but still classic enough to use and not regret the choice 30 years from now!

Aren't these just so whimsical and fun!?

It's important to do your research when deciding what to do for wedding items on your list. Don't just go to the first stationer you see in your area. Check out Etsy and I guarantee you'll find something that is truly original, and you'll be working with someone who is so passionate about their product that they will not rest until you are 100% satisfied.

Now that's a good deal no matter how you look at it!

Happy Planning!

Personalized Cake Toppers

2009-07-08T10:26:00.001-04:00

One thing I think is very important when planning a wedding is to find fun, different things to do that makes your wedding your own. I like the idea of having lots of personalized features for your guests to look at as they make their way around the reception area. Some people do a cool grooms cake, some have old family photos framed for guests to look at.

What about a personalized cake topper?

There are a lot of websites to choose from that specialize in custom cake toppers...

Found on etsy from seller Nicole W Clark:

I saw this on a blog recently and just fell in love with the simple sweetness of it:

This one was shot by Laura Kay.

Isn't it great?! Bobble heads!

Here is one that is classy, romantic and unique. It's from etsy seller Red Light Studio:

What a fun way to show your personalities. There are websites where you can send pictures of you and your fiance-and if you have specific hobbies or a sports team, they can incorporate that into your topper as well. If you're Irish, why not have the groom in a kilt? If you love your dogs, consider having them in the topper as well. Try to do things that reflect who you are as a couple. It will make the topper more your own.

Happy Planning!

Creative Wedding Videos...

2009-07-06T11:10:00.000-04:00

There is a new trend going around the wedding world that I think is SO cool. Couples are creating wedding videos that are fun, funny, creative and reflective of their personalities.

Check this one out-I love how the couple used the entire wedding party to make it more fun:

Brandon and Jessica - "I Believe in a Thing Called Love" from Toad Productions on Vimeo.

This one is one of my favorites, those British sure know how to have a good time. Getting the ENTIRE wedding involved must have been a challenge, but they certainly pulled it off!

Brian & Eileen's Wedding Music Video. from LOCKDOWN projects on Vimeo.

Last but not least is this awesome video that's made it's rounds lately in blog-land. The bride writes a blog called The Broke-Ass Bride, and she's awesome! I love how their fun, quirky, hilarious personalities shine through in this video:

If this is something you'd be interested in, you should DEFINITELY talk about it with your videographer. How fun would it be to come up with your own creative video!? I love the idea of showing the video at your reception-your guests would love it!

Happy Planning!

Engagement Photo Shoot in Paris

2009-07-03T10:16:00.001-04:00

Engagement Shoots:

I've had many girls ask me about engagement shoots.

I think they are a fantastic idea, and here's why.

They help you become comfortable in front of the camera, and with your photographer.

They can be VERY creatively done using props and locations that are near and dear to your hearts.

They provide memories for you to have forever.

My mom was mentioning the other day how much she wishes she had more pictures of she and my dad when they were young. They had an awesome vintage car-and she regrets not having more pictures of it-and of them in front of it.

I was engaged in Paris, so when I came across this photo shoot on this blog that was found on this blog taken by this photographer

--I fell in love--

Oh these are just so romantic. Paris is known as the city of love-and let me tell you, it was amazing to be in love and in that city. Our engagement was magical...and I now want to go back and have a professional photo shoot there!

I mean, does it get any better? Ah, you can just feel the love when you look at these images!

AND I'm obsessed with my iPhone, so this picture really made me fall in love even more...

What a great shoot. I can just imagine their future children sitting on the living room floor pouring over these images. It will be so neat for them to get a glimpse into the lives of their parents so many years ago!

Here are some great photographers in the Atlanta area to check out if you're interested in an engagement session:

Happy Planning!

Escort Card Ideas

2009-07-01T11:35:00.001-04:00

I have recently had a few brides who were wondering what the difference is between escort cards and place cards. Allow me to explain...

Escort cards are placed in a central location at the reception. They are used to guide guests to the table you have determined they will be sitting at for the evening. They can be simple-or they can double as a favor like these pomegranates...

Or like these bars of soap with names and table numbers on them...

This set up would be very DIY friendly...

I LOVE these for a fall wedding...

Place cards on the other hand are used to let your guests know which seat is theirs once they arrive at the table. I don't think place cards are necessary, but again they can be a nice way to incorporate a favor...

It would be so sweet to use a little plant if you're having an outdoor wedding...

{all images from Martha}

So there you have it! Escort and place cards are a fun way to continue with your color scheme or theme of your wedding.

Happy Planning!

Things I'm Loving...

2009-06-29T10:00:00.000-04:00

Happy Monday!

Since Monday's are usually pretty sucky, I thought I'd make it a little better by sharing some things I'm loving lately...enjoy!

This gorgeous backyard wedding from Jill Thomas via 100 Layer Cake:

These fabulous shoes and an AMAZING winter wedding found via Snippet and Ink:

Winter weddings are SO romantic...

And these adorable vintage dresses found from Hello!Lucky-made by etsy seller Timeless Vixen Vintage:

I love these for bridesmaid dresses, or to wear to a shower or rehearsal dinner...

I hope everyone had a lovely weekend, and have a happy Monday!

{vendors} Fabulous Photographers

2009-06-22T13:07:00.008-04:00

I am very excited to feature one of my dear friends and FANTASTIC photographers today on the blog. Leslie does incredible work with wedding photography and portraits as well (you must look at the baby sessions she has done on her website-absolutely gorgeous!) And now I present to you the lovely Leslie!

{this image by climie&co}

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your business:

My name is Leslie Walker and I am the owner of Leslie Walker Photography. I am a wedding and portrait photographer in Charleston, SC but I work all around the Southeast. My father was very much a photographer by hobby as I was growing up but he had more equipment and knowledge than most professional photographers. I guess thats where I first learned the art of photography. I decided to finally make the career change from an Account Manager at a Marketing firm to a full time Photographer approximately a year ago. This is my passion and I am so thankful to be doing what I love!

What are some tips you can give Brides-To-Be on what to look for in a photographer?

Obviously, you've got to fall in love with the pictures that your photographer takes. But almost as important is to love the photographer. You've got to trust the person behind the camera. Your personalities should click so that your photographer is truly able to capture you and your fiance as the people you really are. I would advise Brides-To-Be to really spend some time researching your options with photographers. When I was looking for a photographer for my own wedding, I seriously had that 'moment' when I knew who I would choose to photograph my wedding day--just as some people have that 'moment' while finding The Dress, you should have that same feeling when choosing your photographer!

What are some of your favorite props or design elements you’ve seen that make the pictures more fun?

Oooohh props and certain design elements can really MAKE the picture. In general, I advise brides to add things that help tell the story of who you are and why you've come together as a couple. Some ideas: cowboy boots for the Southern bride, Umbrellas are great, Signs that the two of you can hold up. If the two of you love coffee, why not have some pictures taken in a coffee shop? Unexpected locations are wonderful- especially if they tell a certain story about your relationship.
What kind of tips would you give a bride about colors and design elements that work better in pictures?
Colors are such an easy way to add excitement and personality to pictures. Obviously, you'll choose colors for your wedding that are your favorite and reflect you, but don't forget about how everything will look when its all put together. I love bright, bold, unexpected colors in pictures. Pay attention to how things will look as a whole and then your pictures will reflect the cohesiveness.

Thank You Leslie!

Aren't those images gorgeous? For more of her photography, visit her website

If you're in Charleston, SC-or anywhere in the Southeast, really-you must contact her! She's wonderful!

Happy Planning!

A Gorgeous Backyard Affair

2009-06-16T10:16:00.007-04:00

We were recently involved in the planning of a backyard reception after the couple were married in Vegas. The reception had a very simple budget and one goal: to celebrate their love with their closest friends and family. I believe this goal was definitely achieved!

Months leading up to the reception, clear wine bottles were collected, washed and labels removed in order to serve sweet tea...

Hundreds of hours were spent creating these lovely paper roses for the centerpieces...

White tablecloths with a burlap runner covered each long table...

For months, mismatched plates in shades of green and yellow were collected from thrift stores and garage sales along with mismatched silverware...

After the catered BBQ dinner, guests were invited to sit on bales of hay by a fire pit and roast s'mores ...

When it began to get dark, candles scattered over the tables provided the ambiance for dancing and socializing late into the evening.

Isn't that lovely?!?!

It is important to remember that you don't need an enormous budget in order to have a wonderful, thoughtful, romantic and beautiful wedding.

Happy Planning!

Thirsty Thursday Thoughts

2009-06-11T14:56:00.007-04:00

One of the important elements of a wedding reception are the drinks!! Whether you're having a wedding with or without alcohol, there are still ways to have fun, creative drinks that look good with the decor.

If your wedding is more formal-but you're trying to cut on cost, consider having a signature drink as opposed to a full open bar...

If you're having a more causal out door wedding, consider a passed signature cocktail. I love the little swizzle sticks with yours and your new husbands name on them!

Especially if you are getting married in the spring or summer, we want to make sure your guests are hydrated at all times-they have a lot of dancing ahead of them, and they need their fluids!!

I love these glass dispensers. These are great for a more budget wedding where the need for a bartender is eliminated. You could even have some of these pitchers with alcohol and some without (just be sure to label them clearly! You don't want grandma getting drunk when she's never been a drinker!!)

Of course there are a lot of ways to personalize and dress up the drinks...consider these sticks from Miss Pickles Press...

How cute is this mojito set up?! You could use this as your signature drink AND your favor-by allowing guests to take them home.

Another idea I really love is having a "grooms drink" and a "brides drink". This one is a great grooms cocktail, and not too feminine-so the men at the wedding won't feel silly holding a girly martini with an umbrella in it :)

How about you lovely brides out there? Any of you have creative, different cocktail/beverage ideas for your wedding? I'd love to hear about them!

Happy Planning!!

{Planning} Bridesmaid Gift Ideas

2009-06-01T17:52:00.007-04:00

I'm sure most of you brides out there have struggled with what to give your best girls as thank you gifts for being involved in your wedding. There are so many "cliche" gifts to choose from, but if you think outside the box, I think you will find that there are many creative and thoughtful choices out there! Here are a few of my favorites:

Personalized koozies from etsy seller, Pink Gasoline:

Sweet necklaces from etsy seller, Silverhand:
Matching rings to wear at your wedding from etsy seller, Vintage Inspired Jewelry:

If you're crafty, try these adorable clutch patterns from Keyka Lou:

Or these gorgeous and delicious homemade soaps from the 100 Layer Cake ladies:

(click link for the tutorial)

See, if you are creative, you can find some really wonderful things out there to show your girls how much you appreciate them!

What are some bridesmaid gift ideas you've had for your lovely ladies?

Wedding Shoot Accessories

2009-05-27T12:35:00.007-04:00

SO I absolutely LOVE the trend that's floating around the wedding blogs lately. BALLOONS! They create such a whimsical feeling in photo shoots...

{source}

I love the idea of having some kind of accessory to use in photo shoots...they just make them so much more fun and creative...

{source}

The parasol is also a favorite of mine, like this one from etsy seller, I Do Originals

Sexy Red Frame also used some accessories in her photo shoots, like this one with the Marilyn Monroe picture...

{tip:} when planning your wedding photo shoots, think outside the box. Think about things like couches, chairs, or ladders to use in your shoot. Things like vintage chairs or couches add a touch of romance and surprise to otherwise typical wedding pictures.

{Planning} Beach Ceremony

2009-05-22T13:18:00.006-04:00

So we're at the beach right now working on a destination wedding. Being here just inspires me to think about beach weddings. There are so many gorgeous things that can be done with a beach wedding-and the ambiance is always romantic and intimate...

Here are some inspiration ideas we came across on the knot...

Adorable shell escort cards...

We love incorporating elements from the beach into the ceremony decor...

Since the beach is already beautiful, you need very little color to add something to the decor...

Just a touch of color really stands out...

{Venues} Wolf Mountain Vineyard

2009-05-14T22:10:00.006-04:00

Since I blogged about a North Georgia Venue yesterday, I thought I'd continue with another favorite of mine in the North Georgia mountains. It's a vineyard called Wolf Mountain Vineyards. It is nestled in a gorgeous spot and truly a wonderful place to get married. Everything about the venue is beautiful-and the staff do a fantastic job at making your wedding a magical day.

This lovely bride and groom were photographed in the wine cellar by w.scott chester

Such a gorgeous space for the ceremony...

Imagine being in the middle of a vineyard with your new spouse just sharing a few moments alone! For more info, visit their site:

{Venue} Neverland Farms

2009-05-12T13:01:00.007-04:00

Brides getting married in Atlanta have many options to chose from in the city to hold their ceremony and reception. There are churches, hotels, old homes, and event halls. Some brides may want a different option that gets them and their guests out of the city. South of the city, there is a gorgeous place called Serenbe which I will post about later this week. North of the city, there is a gem of a town called Dahlonega.

In Dahlonega there are many options for a weekend wedding getaway that guests are sure to rave about. One of my favorite venues is called Neverland Farms. It is tucked away in the North Georgia Mountains-and is absolutely stunning. The owner, Suzy Tebor, has thought of every detail for the couple and their guests to enjoy.

Here is the scene as you drive up...

This is the arbor where the ceremony takes place..the bride and her father arrive on a carriage and they chime a bell that you can hear across the farm as they pull up to the ceremony-very romantic...
Here is the reception hall as seen from the ceremony spot...it's such a short walk for your guests!

This shot is of the tables and the centerpieces that Suzy designs and implements. The candelabras are all filled with candles-the whole place is lit up with candles and rope lights. GORGEOUS!

This is a view of the reception hall and the dance floor...

So there you have it! Neverland Farms is a gorgeous option for a bride who wants something a little different-and something outside of the city.

For the Love of Brides...

2009-04-21T09:53:00.009-04:00

...Complete Wedding Preview!

That's what the fabulous--don't you wish you lived in Atlanta so you could attend this--event will be called. I am SO INCREDIBLY excited about this event. We have so many amazingly talented vendors interested in participating. The best part to me is this:

When you go to a "bridal expo" you feel like cattle. You are being herded through this HUGE arena and you are BOMBARDED with vendors who are all competing with other vendors in their category.

For The Love of Brides Complete Wedding Preview will be so different. Passed appetizers. Champagne. Great music. And the best part? Only ONE vendor per category. So they can relax-and the brides won't be inundated with information.

And now...I present to you...the amazing venue for this fabulous event...

GORGEOUS!

Intimate. Urban. Industrial. Perfect.

If you are in Atlanta-email me for details. You will WANT to be a part of this event, I promise.

For the LOVE of DELICIOUSNESS!

2009-04-16T08:29:00.006-04:00

Ok, so because I love ya'll...and because I think it's imperative in life for EVERY woman to have the right to smell like a bakery if she so chooses...

I give you...

The most delicious etsy find ever. I mean it...EVER.

Cozy Moments

This is not a sponsored post, I just feel the need to pass along great finds, and this is one of the best, my friends.

I'm actually considering taking my chances on going to the hospital for ingesting this goodness-it's that amazing. When I put on the whipped body frosting (which by the way LOOKS just like frosting) I have to fight every natural instinct not to scoop my finger in and eat it.

Oh, and this foaming sugar body polish? It really does foam on a loofa. And it makes your skin smell so good and feel so soft. This stuff is incredible, I don't know how they do it but I don't want them to stop. Ever. I'm ordering a lifetime supply.

This is the next thing I'm going to try. Vince is going to take a bite out of my arm one of these days. Oh, and I have to try this one also:

"Day at the Beach--Exfoliating Shea Butter Soap - Summery Fragrant Blend of Sand, Sun-Kissed Sea Spray, Suntan Lotion, and Mandarin"

YES PLEASE!!

Ok, I'm done. Run to the shop. You won't regret it, I promise. Oh, and the prices are amazing!

It's a busy life...

2009-04-13T20:29:00.006-04:00

So while in the throes of planning our October wedding, I am also starting a wedding planning business. This is so exciting because it's something I've wanted to do for a very long time. I have never felt more drawn to anything than I am to planning and entertaining. This new venture is exciting, but it's also a little scary.

What if I don't know enough?

What if no one wants to hire me?

What if I make a mistake and (dare I say it) mess up an element of someone's wedding?!?!

GASP!

As long as I don't let myself worry about these things and doubt myself--I'm ok.

I am in the middle of planning a very exciting event to jump start my business. It's going to be a CLASSY, UPSCALE and FUN bridal show. So far we have:

Venue

Caterer

Florist

Baker

Stationer

Plastic Surgeon's office (mini-facials)

Make-up artist

Bridal shop

Videographer

Photographer

The list continues...

The venue is this AWESOME urban industrialized hall that is going to be perfect for this event. We'll have great music, fantastic food, fun things to do and of course, COCKTAILS!

My hope is for brides to bring their girls with them and have a fun night. They can sample food, cake, look at invitations, table decor and more. Doesn't that sound like a blast??

{images from here and here}

Now I just have to come up with a super catchy name for it...

Any suggestions??

Logo excitement!!!

2009-04-09T17:59:00.006-04:00

Here is the LOGO for my new company....(click to enlarge)

I am SO in love with it. A highschool friend of mine told me on facebook that she is a graphic designer-and we started working on this together. I couldn't be happier with the way it turned out. I love the bride (we named her Betty) and I love that I'm not stuck with one color...she gave me 4 options! I also got letterhead, envelopes and business cards-Rachel is amazing-and if anyone needs an identity for your company-she's your girl! Email me for her information.

The main page of my website is up and running as well! You can check it out by clicking HERE!

I'll be posting on EAD again tomorrow, so check me out over there!

Check me out!

2009-04-07T09:08:00.007-04:00

I've been asked to guest blog on Elizabeth Anne Designs blog for the next 6 months! I'll be posting twice a week over there, so check me out!

Times they are a changin'

2009-04-06T10:33:00.001-04:00

Two of my engaged girlfriends and I went to the NotWedding last night here in Atlanta. It was a lot of fun! I ended up spending most of the night hanging out with our ever cool photographers who were the main photographers for the evening. The NotWedding was basically a big, fake wedding that showed off some of the city’s most talented vendors in action. Guests could partake in a cocktail hour, an all-out ceremony, and a reception. It was fun. I will be trying to do something similar with my business in the near future...so stay tuned for that!

Speaking of my business...I will be linking my website to this blog, so my blog will be changing a little in the near future. I'm going to change the blog name to For the Love of Brides. This blog is still going to be about life, love, and weddings-it's just going to feature brides and weddings that I'm currently planning-instead of just my own wedding.

I'm not sure what the process is yet to make these changes, but I'll be sure to let you all know as soon as I do! Thank you so much for all of your encouragement and support-this is such a new and exciting venture for me-and I couldn't imagine doing it without all of you wonderful bride/wedding bloggers out there!

I heart ETSY!

2009-04-02T09:40:00.000-04:00

While looking for a cool new bag for my laptop-I came across this shop on etsy. I am in LOVE with their fabrics and bags! I figure once my business gets going I'm going to have my MacBook attached to my hip--so I might as well look stylish while I'm carrying it everywhere!

I had narrowed it down to these two, but I went with the top one. I really love the bottom design, but I didn't want it to be quite so 'loud'.

Check out the shop if you're in the market for a cool bag. Oh Etsy-you haven't failed me yet!!

A depressing obsession

2009-02-02T11:31:00.000-05:00

The chicks who work at Cathy Jean in the state of Georgia hate me. I mean, LITERALLY hate me. I have been calling every store in Georgia for the past three weeks looking for these boots in brown....

They look terrible in black, so I don't expect any of you to love them like I do right now. However, they are sold out of brown everywhere. Online, in stores etc. So now I'm on the hunt for some that look just like them.

I found these on Aldo for the same price, but they just don't make my heart sing like the other ones.

I also found these on Steve Madden, but they are TWICE the price. If the Cathy Jean shipment that comes in today at 2pm doesn't have my brown shoes, I'm going to have to buy these. I NEED them. Desperately.

You NEED this!

2009-01-28T15:51:00.000-05:00

Ladies....

You need to check out this new company my dear friend Suzette and her friend Wendy just started.

It's called Wine and Designs and it's awesome!

The prices are amazing, and they make it so much fun, you'll want to get your girls together for a night of drinking, appetizers, and WINE GLASS PAINTING!

They come in these cute kits and they have everything you could possibly need. They can even give you specific colors to coordinate with your wedding colors!

The best thing about them is after you are finished- you cook them in the oven and they are dishwasher safe forever!

Aren't they cute? I just love the idea of getting some friends together for a fun night and doing this.

check her out at

www.wineanddesigns.com

The Skinny on Ties...

2008-12-11T14:23:00.000-05:00

So here's the deal. I love skinny ties. There is just something about the way guys look in them that makes me swoon. I found a website called narrowties.com.

These ties are awesome!

Here are two I love...

How cute will Vince's 7 adorable buds be in these socks?!

They are going to be so cute!

Now if we could only be cool enough to have them all in matching Converse...

Or these adorable Vans....

le sigh...

Hot Ring Shots...

2008-12-02T16:22:00.000-05:00

Oh I just love ring shots. I know they are so trendy, but I cannot get enough of them!

Here are a few I have saved in my wedding favorites...

This one is my new favorite...

GORGEOUS!!!

My Number One

2008-09-12T15:54:00.000-04:00

SERIOUSLY???

When I think about the wedding I will have some day, I use some advice I got from Sara at 2000dollarwedding.com. I like to think about what I want the guests and Vince and I to think and feel when the wedding is over. I make the list in my head often, and the first thing that always comes to my mind is: FUN.

Now to me, fun does not mean having an ice sculpture with our initials. It does not mean having a huge band. It does not mean an expensive dress, a ton of flowers, a perfectly matching wedding party, a huge tasteless cake, or an old remodeled car to leave in. In fact, these details sound like a headache to me. The opposite of fun.

To me, fun means just that. FUN. Entertainment. Laughter. Drinking. These things are what I want our wedding to be about. I want people to leave thinking, "wow, I didn't even notice if the cocktail napkins had the couples initials on them because I was having so much fun!" I want people to laugh and feel relaxed. I do NOT want people to feel like they are outsiders at an exclusive show.

At many weddings I have attended I have found that unless you are in the wedding party, you're kind of on the outside. Most people who are not directly involved in the wedding end up sitting at their table watching the wedding party get drunk and dance. This is something I want to avoid. I want to have things that everyone can do, so no one is bored if they don't feel like dancing.

These pictures are from a wedding I saw awhile ago on offbeatbride.com. I think they are hilarious. I love the idea of having a flowerguy instead of a flower girl. I love ideas that take the stress and seriousness out of a wedding and just make it fun and funny.

Hats off to the bride...

2008-09-08T09:06:00.000-04:00

So I had a few conversations this weekend about women wearing hats at weddings. I came across this photo on www.ourblogoflove.com.

This was from a wedding in England. I just love the English attitude about weddings. A british friend of mine has told me that weddings across the pond are such a blast. Everyone always has a great time, and the women wear hats! I just think this is the best idea ever.

After talking to one friend who agreed that requesting guests wear hats to your wedding would be fun and appropriate, a wedding planner friend of mine said absolutely not. I see both sides. Kate, my wedding /event planner friend argued that it is tacky to tell people what to wear to an event. Based on the time of day, people should know what attire is appropriate, and should not be told (or asked) what to wear. I agree with that, but when pictures look like this:

How could something so right be so wrong??

Love is the thing, you know?

2008-09-04T08:16:00.000-04:00

I love the Sex and the City movie. I have seen it 4 times with each of my favorite girlfriends, and I cannot wait until it comes out so I can buy it and watch it again! While most girls loved it for the clothes and the funny scenes, I loved it for the message.

In the end, Carrie says something that I think is true for relationships and especially for wedding planning. She says,

"why is it that we are so willing to write our own vows, but not our own rules?"

This quote hit me hard, and it got me thinking-women feel so much pressure to have the "perfect wedding" and I think a lot of times it ends up being more of a competition than an actual expression of the love the couple have for each other. If you don't want a wedding party-don't have one! If you don't like the garter or bouquet toss-DON'T do it! There is no rule that says weddings have to follow a guideline. Make it your own, make it a reflection of you and your partner, not a reflection of the wedding industry's idea of the "perfect" wedding.

I hear of brides who break down after the wedding from the stress. They get sick, or they are emotionally a wreck on the honeymoon because it wasn't perfect, or merely because it's over.

To me a wedding should be about showing your commitment to each other with fun, laughter, relaxing, spending time with loved ones and enjoying yourself. I wish more women would consider the marriage and not "the best day of your life"

If my wedding day is the best day of my life, I'm going to be extremely disappointed.