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

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

My LoVe!!

I am a little embarrassed to admit, but V-day is my MOST favorite day!

While I have been (secretly) celebrating Valentine's Day at my house for weeks, tomorrow is the official beginning of the season! With a Valentine's Day Birthday party tomorrow (stay tuned for a re-cap of this EVER so sweet 1st birthday) to a first grade Valentine's Party art project...the pink and red are coming out!

While red roses can be nice, they must be arranged the right way for me to get excited.....you might want to make subtle hints to your sweet someone that there are so many other options!

These tulips are simply beautiful!

Remember the day when your mom took you down to the drug store and let you pick out the Valentine's Day cards you would be giving out to your classmates? I remember studying my options and trying to pick the coolest card possible. As I sorted through the Valentine's Day cards that came home from kindergarten last year, I realized that the cool cards did not come from Target, much less CVS.

Below are two fun ideas came from My Insanity.

If you don't have time to get this together for the class Valentine's Day party, this would make a very fun birthday party favor!

Don't you L O V E these bags! Check out Crafty Sisters for instructions on how to make your very own L O V E bags.

Note: Do not give a friend the "O" bag or "V" bag alone... your fun creative project will just be weird! Instead stencil the whole word "love" on each bag and then give them out as a gift.

I think I might talk to one of my brides about using this type of bag as their out-of-town gift bags. Instead of stenciling LOVE, we could stencil the wedding logo or couple's monogram.

Dear Mrs. May Bride.....let's talk, this photo has made me remember my original idea of burlap for your reception. Ooooh, very excited!

Happy Planning!

-NB

Bon Appetit!

I had a meeting today with a possible caterer for one of my upcoming weddings. Consequently, all I have thought about tonight is food! I have just polished off a hot brownie/ice cream dessert and I am now pulling photos of food.

Cupcakes instead of a groom's cake???

I have a bride who LOVES doughnuts. She might have a stronger feeling for Krispy Kreme, but this is just too cute~

While meeting with another caterer on Friday (for a different bride), we decided on cookies and milk for the dessert bar. I think I like this better than the idea of mini 100 calorie milk cartons with straws.

I have just the wedding for these mini pies!!! Perfect for a southern menu!


Two good options for cold salads. They remind me of my favorite lunch spot in Atlanta....
Souper Jenny's....(oh, so good!)

All photos were found on my new favorite blog...JL Designs! Check it out...so cool!!!

Happy Planning!

-NB

Celebrating 18 Years of A Super Sweet Life!

I was very happy to help a mother of 5 children pull together a simple dessert party for her 18 year-old last week. With 5 children and a house to run, this mom needed a little help getting it all done. Both Katherine and her mom wanted to celebrate the special birthday in a big way without a big fuss.

Like most 18 year-old girls, Katherine lives for pink, sweets, photos and music......so we kept it simple and did just that!

Mary V. Baugh with Razzle Dazzle Creative Designs did an awesome job, as usual, designing a very cool invitation for the soiree!

I hired Snapster Foto to come and capture the night. They are great for events like this! Guests can log on to their website and order whatever prints they want.

Happy Planning!

-NB

A little somthing other than the dress....

I had an absolute blast dress shopping with one of my brides this weekend. With each new dress, another was added to my list of favorites. While the dresses were beautiful by themselves, the different sashes and belts are what made the biggest difference. These accessories can be as plain or detailed as you wish (crystals, pearls, satin, bows, flowers.....you name it).

Why not wear an elegant band of crystals down the aisle and then switch to a colored satin sash for the dance floor during the reception??? Maybe you can even borrow one of your grandmother's diamond broaches to pin on the sash for a little more fun.

Below are just a few I have seen on Style Me Pretty...

Okay..so enough with the sashes and belts....check out the jewelry these ladies are wearing. The necklace makes the outfit! Consider giving your bridesmaids a funky, chunky necklace to wear with their dresses instead of the same plain Jane pearls they wore at their high school graduation!

If you decided to go this route, pick a simple (inexpensive dress) and make it all about the jewelry instead! You will be voted bride of year by your maids...I can assure you that they would would rather pay $200 for a necklace and $100 for a dress than $300 for a dress they will never wear again!

Just a thought.....

Happy Planning!
-NB

So thankful to be busy!

Wow, what a week! Meetings, meetings and more meetings, but I am happy to say A LOT was accomplished! I scoped out venues and vendors for a September wedding, worked on details for a May wedding, assured my July MOB (mother of the bride) that the bride would be saying "Neillie, Neillie, Neillie"....instead of "Momma, Momma, Momma," gathered supplies for a Dessert Party and began the planning process for an unbelievably urban engagement party.

I have to say, I have enjoyed the last two hours on the sofa with Pizza, Chambers (my precious Wheaten Terrier), Tom and DVR, but now it is time to get back to work.....

Inside my mind this week you will find.......

1) Handwritten Calligraphy Invitations....This invitation is done by Laura Hooper. Her work is amazing. Check out her save-the-date maps.

2) Couple's Monogram.....Very cool idea to truly make your wedding your own!

3) Cupcake toppers for a prince and princess party....Etsy.com here I come.

4) Pink Bubble Gum arrangement for a 18 year-old's dessert birthday party

5) Yes...I am not kidding...possibly a port-a-potty. Don't worry, by the time the event comes around, you will not even know it is a potty. Just the right decor (and maybe a few drinks) and the men will think this is just another restroom.

6) A carb heavy/meat heavy hors d'oeuvres

7) A florist that that will create simple/elegant arrangements for a good price. Okay..so the arrangements I need made are far more simple than this bouquet, I promise. This is the color we are using so I wanted to put it out here.

8) Hotel room blocks in two cities. It is a huge hassle to deal with sales managers at various hotels. Pat Rice will take the stress out of it for you!

9) Wine with Arden from Arden Photography to discuss the world of weddings.

10) Last but not least....Advertising for Gather!

Happy Planning!

-NB