A Rehearsal Dinner at Matt Jones Gallery

I recently planned a rehearsal dinner at Matt Jones Gallery and wanted to share a few details with you.

One of the things I like most about Matt Jones' Gallery is the decor that is already in place before you bring in the first flower. The artwork and drapery are so beautiful, you could almost get away without doing one thing! When I began planning this event, my client and I decided we didn't want the dinner to be overdone. We wanted a simple, elegant look for her guests to enjoy.

I began brainstorming of what I wanted to do and I came across this photo.

I love winter rye grass more than anything! I don't know why....it's just really cool! When I saw this photo, I decided it would be the inspiration for the night. I believe I posted a few weeks ago about "growing our own rye grass." Well, I got too busy and decided to order it from my wholesale florist to save my sanity! Besides, when I went to Home Depot to buy the supplies...it was far more expensive to grow my own!

The event was a week before Christmas, but I wanted to stay away from the traditional reds and greens, so I decided gold with a little green would be appropriate.

If you do anything with rye grass, remember the you will need to cover up the roots with something. I chose brown satin ribbon, but you can use flowers or whatever you wish!

Instead of having a slide show, we decided to hang baby pictures of the bride and groom from branches over the place card table. Guests enjoyed looking at them as they arrived. I thought this was a great way to show where the bride and groom came from without having to play a 15 minute video that your guests won't think is as cool as you do!

One plus for booking an event at Matt Jones Gallery is that the venue comes with table linens. We opted for ivory linens to keep with our neutral tone. To add a little kick, we used gold chargers under the plates. It was a really nice touch!

The centerpieces were simple 12" fish bowl vases with 4 mini calla lilies, curly willow and a floating candle. Simple, yet elegant!

The groom's father writes for the newspaper in Dothan, AL. When his son got engaged, he wrote a sweet article about their family expanding by one. I really wanted to incorporate the article into the event someway, so we had it framed under the photo tree.

My favorite part of my job is exceeding my clients expectations. As this client stated:

"There is no way to tell you how wonderful the rehearsal dinner was! The compliments I have received from the beginning of the night have been overwhelming. At least four or five people told me that is was the best rehearsal dinner they had ever attended....quite the compliment! Others talked about the tables, the trees and the grass, the beautiful colors in the gallery, the bowls on the tables, on and on. What a compliment to you."

Many thanks to Kathy G. and Go Pro Events for all you did! It was a lovely evening enjoyed by all!

Happy Planning!

-NB

Off The Beaten Path

I was hired last week by a Washington D.C. resident who wants to get married in Birmingham on May 30, 2010. Like my wedding, this bride is hoping to create a personal wedding that gives off a relaxed and inviting atmosphere. She would like the ceremony and reception to be in the same venue and is thinking she will keep the guest list to a 100 of her closest family and friends.

With a short engagement, I do not have a moment to spare....

....Where, Oh Where, will this wedding be???

Virginia Samford Theater

The outdoor patio is a perfect area for a cocktail reception. If you are counting on this space for your guests, make sure you have a tent on hold in case of bad weather. You will also need to bring in your own chairs and tables.

The sound stage is an additional area that can be used for a seated dinner or reception. The space is small and I wouldn't recommend using this alone unless you are having a very small wedding. If you are into the theater...this would be a fun rehearsal dinner venue!!

Rent: $1450 for these two areas.
Catering Requirements: You can use whatever caterer you would like and you can bring in your own bar.

The Cantina
The Cantina is a great restaurant in the Pepper Place area. I have been hosting parties there for years so I stopped by to see how it would be for a wedding venue. The one downfall for this venue is the word "Cantina" on a wedding invitation. What do you think about calling it by its address instead of it's name??

The outside of the building has a good look to it and the name of the restaurant is not plastered across the front in a neon light like most Mexican restaurants I know.

The patio is cozy and clean and it will definitely fit 100 chairs (rented chairs) for the ceremony.

First view of the big room......it would be perfect for a reception or seated dinner.


Second view.....the opening (where the man in all denim is) is another room that can be used for a party.

Rent: $350
Caterering: Cantina has a great catering menu for you to select from. You must purchase the alcohol through them.

The Townhouse at Mt. Laurel

I had never been out to Mt. Laurel so I was excited to make the trip down Highway 280 (actually, I wasn't that excited about the 280 part, but excited to see the town that had gotten so much hype a few years ago).

The Townhouse is a small two story building that is a tea room by day and an event venue by night.

This is the front of the Townhouse. Everyone meet Darlene...lower left corner. She is the super sweet lady who runs the Townhouse.

One of my favorite things about The Townhouse is that they can close the street off for your event at no additional charge. For this wedding, I would want to tent the street and let the reception flow from the street into the main floor of the Townhouse.


Lets go inside and take a look.....


This is the main floor of The Townhouse. It is a small room that would be a good location for a few tables and the food. This room, as well as the street, is ipod adaptable in case you didn't want to hire a band.

The upstairs of the Townhouse is more like an upstairs apartment. There is a small kitchen, living room, den and billiards room. It is open for events, but I am not sure it would be a good fit for this wedding.

Rent: $950 (may be more on Saturday nights)

Catering: You can either use their catering or get drop off from another caterer. You MUST bring your own alcohol. They do not have a liquor license.

I hope you enjoyed you tour of the "off the beaten path" venues I visited this past weekend. Keep them in mind for your upcoming events!!

Happy Planning!

-NB

Today's News

One of my favorite things about Sunday is the Lifestyle section of The Birmingham News. I love this section for a few reasons:

1) The Horoscopes

(yes, I read them religiously on Sundays and only believe them if I like them!)

2) The Wedding Announcements

(Since I am not an actual reader of the paper, I typically just look at the pictures of the sweet couples and read the write-up only if I know them. However, the editor of this blog reads the paper from front to back and is quick to point out the unique write-ups that bring a little humor to my business.)

3) Alene Gamel's weekly wedding column.

(As a fellow planner, I enjoy hearing her thoughts on different issues.)

Today's News:

Taurus (April 20- May 20):

"You have no problem getting down to business because the process you've signed up for just happens to be one of your favorite ways to spend the day."

So true, so true!!! As a wedding/event planner, I work many nights and almost every weekend. While some might say I work too much, I could not disagree more. I absolutely LOVE what I do and find every second enjoyable!

HOUSE OF WORSHIP IS NOT JUST A VENUE

by Alene Gamel
To sum it up.... If you were married in a church, you may remember the "church rules" for decorating the sanctuary such as restrictions on flowers (don't block the altar, no pew markers, nothing in the aisle, etc.), candlelight, music, wedding party placement and photographer locale. These rules can create a little tension between the bride and church wedding coordinator. The article today explained the view of the church as a place of worship instead of the view of the bride who wanted to completely transform the sanctuary.

If you are a bride who dreams of walking down an aisle covered with rose petals or saying your vows in candlelight, be sure to check with the church before booking it for your ceremony. Instead of feeling restricted by the rules, consider choosing an alternate location to exchange your vows. While many brides have dreamed of having their big day in the church they grew up in, you can still have an appropriate religious ceremony in an alternative venue.

For those of you in Birmingham, the photos below are from a ceremony at B&A Warehouse.

Happy Planning!

-NB

**pictures were found on Style Me Pretty , Always a Blogsmaid and A Bryan Photo

Architectural Heritage

For all the great things Birmingham has to offer, there is a limited amount of event space. After being a corporate event planner for 5 years, it seemed liked we kept returning to the same venue time and time again. While I was out looking for a venue for my May 2010 bride, I came across a new venue that can be used for a variety of events....Architectural Heritage (later referred to as "A.H." so I do not have to spell Architectural every time :))

Foremost, you will not have to worry about an approved vendor list at AH....hire whomever you would like and you are even welcome to bring your own bar in (huge money saver!). The only thing they ask is that you return the store as you found it.

Lets take a look around!



I probably should have asked the groom to step aside...oh well, everyone meet Jim! This is the front entrance of A.H. I love the big iron gates. I am very excited about hanging two cool arrangements on each gate to create a grand entrance for the guests. (The iron fence encloses the entire courtyard, so no worries about stragglers joining your party.)

The courtyard displays iron gates, planters, urns, baptismal fonts, one-of-a-kind garden pieces, and terracotta tile out of a château in the French countryside. The pieces are so beautiful and they add elegance and character to the venue.
My favorite thing about the courtyard is the 18th century wall fountain with Lady Bank Roses.

Notice the two garage doors in the picture on the right. These two doors open and create an indoor/outdoor venue. It is so cool!

I love the columns and lanterns when you first walk in the door.

The flat screen above the limestone manual can play any DVD you wish (slide show of photos would be a fun touch).

The front desk would make a great built-in bar.

Please keep in mind that the 6,500 square foot warehouse is a operating store by day, but the owner Roy Morton will be happy to move furniture out of the way to create the needed space for your event.

A.H. and Integrity Gardens (remember Troy Rhone from blog entry long ago??) is in the processes of making plans for a roof top garden deck. This deck will almost double the size of the available outdoor space. Your guests will now be able to enjoy the a night overlooking Birmingham's much loved Pepper Place.

Be one of the first to host an event in a new venue that offers up an amazing atmosphere and true elegance by just opening the doors.

Happy Planning!

-NB

Event Venue in Birmingham....

"You must use our caterer, our bar and our florist if you want to have your wedding here."

Have you heard this before?? If you are planning a wedding or an event in Birmingham, most likely you have. While this cuts down on the decisions you have to make, it leaves you with little flexibility and room to make your event your own.

A client of mine is getting married in May and she is leaving the planning up to me. Given that her family is in the catering business, she would like for me to find a venue that will give us control over the food and bar.

During my search, I came across a venue that I had no idea existed and I thought I would share it with you.

The Villa at Avondale Park

This space is located behind Avondale Park in the Crestwood Area. Now, this is not the greatest part of town, but the villa sits high up on the hill and has a private drive that makes the area very secluded.

Facts:

$500 for the entire day and evening

You can use whatever vendors you would like

You will need to hire two Birmingham Police officers if there is alcohol being served

There is a great patio on the back that could be tented if it rained.

Love the arched windows!

For a 200 person wedding reception, this venue would be great! The yard around the villa could be utilized as well if you needed more room.

Finding the person in charge of renting this venue is another story. Call me if you are interested and I will help you track her down!

Happy Planning!

-NB

Event thoughts and ideas from Atlanta.....

Tom and I made quick trip over to Atlanta this weekend to get away and enjoy everything the big city has to offer. We had dinner at an amazing new restaurant called Abattoir. The french country design of the restaurant was beautiful and full of style. The colors of the restaurant created a neutral palette and the lighting was dimmed just enough. Everything from the over sized napkins to the small stemless glasses were perfectly in place to create a sophisticated, yet relaxed feel.

Being in the business I am in....I couldn't help but let my mind wonder.

Oh what a cool party I could have....If only I worked in Atlanta!

There is a great bar area when you first walk in and then the room opens up to the large dining space.

This was the long farm table in the bar area.


The overhead lighting might be a little awkward for a reception style party, but you could definitely use it to your benefit for a seated dinner event.

While I love the Birmingham venue market, I wish we had more restaurants like Abattoir that would allow for more event space in our city. The Birmingham restaurants and their owners are FABULOUS about allowing private events, but it sure would be nice to have more to choose from! Maureen at Little Savannah offered her restaurant up for a 50th birthday party I was working on a few weeks ago, Cafe Dupont will let me have just about anything with them and while I have only used Hot & Hot as a caterer, I have heard of some amazing parties being held at the restaurant.

A trip to Atlanta would not be complete without stopping by Ikea on the way out of town. I am usually looking for random home items when I go, but I was on a different mission Sunday. I wanted to scope out the vases, candles and lighting for an Christmas project I am working on right now. Not only did I find a huge selection of funky vases and festive lighting, I found the wine glasses from Abattoir!!!

Items to get from Ikea for your next event:

Wine, Champagne and Water Glasses

Unique Beer Mugs

Colored Votives

Colored Vases

White Paper Lanterns

Cocktail Napkins

Disposable Plates (Not paper...but cheap enough to toss if you want)

My Favorite Ikea find of the day!

***The inspiration for my Valentine's Day Party****

Happy Planning!

-NB

"Exceptional" Venue

Conversation between Gather's Creator and Blog Editor:

Editor: This cake is so ugly!

Creator: No comment on who forgot to pick up the other cake from Edgar's

My step-daughter turned 7 years old this Thursday and we have been celebrating since Wednesday night. We had been planning to have a "water" party in my back yard for a month -- I wasn't very excited about the idea given the the fact there were only adult family members attending this party. However, since she told me that "she got to pick the venue since it was her party and I could pick the venue when it is my party," I had little choice. I think she is spending a little too much time in the party planning world...where did the word "venue" come from??

Thank you Mother-Nature for saving us from an afternoon of water balloons and garden hoses!

I don't know if you are familiar with The Exceptional Foundation in Birmingham, but they have a huge gym with a moon-bounce, air hockey, their very own wii station and much more. It was truly a party in a bag type of deal. The kids had the time of their life running wild, playing baseball on the wii station and a riding the bicycle built for two.

Great news...you do not have to be the daughter of the executive director to get this great party venue.

For $200 the whole place can be yours!!

(Best of all...your money is going to such a great cause!!!)

Happy Planning!

-NB

AVO

Barrie Wilson, a legal recruiter here in town, called me today needing some last minute help with a party she was having tonight. It was "girl's night out" for her female law students and she was in need of favor ideas. Since the night consisted of nail treatments, girly cocktails and dinner at AVO...I immediately picked up the phone and called my wine rep to see what he could do. We ended up with mini bottles of champagne and bubble bath......what more could a girl want!







While I could write about my love for champagne all day long...I wanted to tell you about AVO!










I had not been to AVO before tonight (However, I am a regular at Dram) and let me tell you, I was pleasantly surprised! I LOVED the colors and the open feel to the restaurant. My imagination got the best of me and I envisioned a sophisticated rehearsal dinner with a modern and crisp decor.

Every person that worked there was over the top friendly and helpful. Every time I turned around someone was asking me if they could help or introducing themselves to me!

***NOTE: If the staff is good...you can almost bet your event will go off exactly as you wish...if not, you know they will do what it takes to get it right.

How cozy is this gathering spot!!! Someone please plan an intimate dinner. I would kill for that table!

These are the stairs leading up to AVO. How cool would it be to do a small arrangement on every handrail bracket. The opposite side of the stairs (sorry..should have thought to capture it on film) is a bare wall, so I would probably just do the arrangements up that side and leave the wall with the"art deco avocados????" alone.


There is a landing at the bottom of these stairs and I would probably do some sort of Calla Lily arrangement there. I like the idea below...obviously you wouldn't need to use a big pole, but it could be cool to have three bamboo shoots at different heights with calla's strapped to them.

(Wedding featured on Style Me Pretty)

One other thought....I think it would be fun for all of your guest to have a cocktail on Dram's patio before heading upstairs to the dinner. There is a balcony at AVO, but it might not hold all of your guest. If you aren't up for a pre-party cocktail, what about having a party afterwards. You could always assign the "after rehearsal dinner party" to a group of your parents friends. Have them rent a one man band and host an open bar for you and your friends who did not attend the rehearsal dinner....(actually, tell hostess to call me and I will make the suggestion....THE BRIDE SHOULD NEVER TELL HOSTESS WHAT SHE WANTS THEM TO DO!)

The only challenge I thought of was parking....Don't you worry about that, I will figure out the logistic.

Happy Planning!

-NB

PS: My sweet spell check is driving home from Mobile. I was too excited about AVO to wait to post!