Snow White!

Birmingham has been covered with snow for almost a week, so I can not help but find myself being drawn towards the color white. I found it only fitting that a friend of mine sent me this photo from a wedding she attended in Lafayette, La. I thought it was a tribute to the white world we are living in and a good inspiration for doing something different.

Happy Planning!

-NB

Creating the mood with Lighting & Linens

I met with a florist/wedding designer this week with one of my brides. We discussed flowers, lighting, table arrangements, linens and much more. We tried to stress to the vendor that we were going for lounge seating, cool lighting and clean/simple linens.

While everything about this wedding is spectacular...I want to point out the key elements that really stick out to me, so that maybe you can incorporate some this into your next event.

Notice the rectangular shape surrounding the cake and the thin rectangular tables being used to display smaller cakes. We are so accustomed to seeing everything round, that the rectangle actually gives a new sense of style and feel to the event. Try replacing your hightop cocktail rounds with a high, narrow rectangle table instead. I also love the glass tops instead of just a plain cloth draped over a table. If we are trying to create a "living room" feel, then why not dress your tables as you would in your home.

I love the pleated tablecloths. It is such a fresh look compared to the round highboys with a tie!

(This is a highboy with a tie...just in case you didn't know what I was talking about)

Lighting is everything....The room is beautifully decorated, but without the bright light around the bar and the deep mood lighting around the room, the atmosphere would have a completely different feel.

The venue I am using for a fall wedding has built in bars just like this. I am very excited about pulling off this same look!

Happy Planning!

-NB

Sweet Tooth!

I have chocolate on my mind. Could it be because I have decided not to eat dessert after ever meal and I am having a sugar with drawl as we speak; could it be because I really wanted to have a candy display at Jennifer's party last night and didn't or is because every website and wedding magazine I have looked at tonight has something to do with a candy display....whatever the reason, below are a few of my favorite displays!!

I have a new obsession...Amy Atlas Events. She is the dessert bar Queen!! Check out her website....If only I could be this cool!

I LOVE all white!!!!! Finding a white room with the white curtains might be my challenge. Anyone have an all white room in their house? If so, can we have a party??

Please do this at your upcoming baby shower! This would be so much fun and your guest would love it!!!

Alright, so I have convinced you to do a candy display at your next event, now you need to think about what to put the candy in. Try and come up with a super creative way for your guest to take the goodies home. I love these little jars. How cute are they!

Go the extra mile and have your initials or married name on the outside of the jar. If you have a really great wedding planner, have a logo that is used on the jars and throughout your entire wedding.

Don't like the popcorn idea, but love the paper cones. Pick any cool paper,roll it (or have your planner do the work) and you are done!

PS: Tom isn't into my blog tonight...Poor guy had a weekend filled of party planning and ideas. I think he had enough! If you catch a mistake, it isn't him, its me...oops!

Happy Planning!

-NB

Great Heights!

I attended the Ball of Roses last night. It is one of my favorite “flower” events of the year. The flowers were amazing as usual, thanks to Carole Sullivan. While the event takes up the entire Birmingham Country Club, the focus of the event is in the East Room. For those of you who have been there before, you know how massive this room is. If you ask a BCC bride what her biggest challenge is with using this room, she always says, “how will I afford to decorate a room this big??”

When you are dealing with a ballroom filled with hundreds of people, the focus becomes the ceiling! In order to have the jaw dropping event you have always dreamed of, you will need something above the heads of your guest.

Trying to cover a ceiling with flowers will get very expensive! Unless your wedding is going to be featured on In Style Weddings, you might want to think of another alternative.

I loved the way these butterflies hung from the ceiling. While they were decorated with what seemed to be tissue paper (not really sure....) I think it would be really cool to decorate it with silk flowers such as orchids. I know, I know...I can't believe I said it either. I am known as a flower snob, but I will admit, if the height is right, no one will be able to tell. Do not waste your budget !

(Butterflies up close and personal... yes, I was the girl taking pictures with her iphone!)

I love these Chinese lanterns!! Is this not the coolest look! I am always going for a modern, yet classy look. The more lanterns the better!!

(In Style Weddings)

Last idea for the night... I will need you to close your eyes and use your imagination (couldn't find a visual photo for you). What do you think about hanging grapevine balls from the ceiling at different heights? You can weave tulips through the vines to add color. You would only need 10 tulips per grapevine ball. I have strung Christmas lights around grapevine balls before and it looked really cool...getting electricity to them was a different story!

Second confession of a party planner....It took me 5 hours and two trips to the HELP DESK to figure out how to post this blog. Like all things...practice makes perfect!

Happy Planning!

-NB