Unforgettable Soirées

White Aisle: Letterpress Invitations & Bridal Jewelery

2010-07-25T10:39:00.004-04:00

I'm very excited to introduce White Aisle to my readers this week. They're an online vendor for custom letterpress invites and vintage style jewelery and they do an amazing job.

Here is an example of one of their invite items. You have to check out their website to see all of their styles. They really are wonderful!

Above is one of their letterpress thank you notes they offer. It's on sale right now! They always have different sales available. Their quality is top notch.

They have a selection of vintage jewelery as well from earrings to barrettes to brooches. If you want to add some vintage style to your wardrobe, be sure to check out what they have available. Their prices are very reasonable and they ship quickly. To give you an idea about their quality, I ordered them form my bridal party and one of my bridesmaids just wore the earrings as her wedding earrings! I'd say that speaks to their quality- even 3 years later!

Have you purchased something from WhiteAisle that you loved? Tell us about it!

Happy Shopping!

Real Weddings: Greta & Andre

2010-03-29T18:10:00.007-04:00

I know this has taken me a while to get to, but here are some great pictures thanks to the uber talented altmix photography. Greta and Andre were married on January 8th, 2010. The day after a major ice storm hit Atlanta. Most business shut down, but the party went on for this fun couple and their guests!

Andre was anxiously awaiting the arrival of his stunning bride, Greta.

After the couple saw each other for the first time, they headed out and around with Matt and Kate. They were very daring and even went outside (just after the huge ice storm!) for some fantastic pictures. The sun provided really great lighting that these photographers just couldn't pass up!

After being outside for a while, the couple came back in and took advantage of the beautiful red velvet couches and fabric walls that 103West has to offer in the lobby. Also, please allow me to take a moment to tell you how fantastic 103 West is as a wedding facility. They were so accommodating to Greta and Andre, always a pleasure to speak with on the phone, quick to respond to any needs, and always offered outstanding service!

I love how the photographers were able to capture how delicate of a bride Greta was, and always graceful! I also wanted to point out the stunning hair, which was done by Raney O'Keefe. She also did a beautiful job on the bridal party's makeup!

I loved Andre's ring. They worked with the jeweler and designed it themselves.

Their ceremony took place in the small area off to the left of the lobby area. It provided the perfect space for such an intimate wedding.

The florist for this event was Heather Kocevar of Stems Atlanta. She did so many beautiful submerged flower arrangements. I think there were over 60 in total! All perfectly rounded off with floating candles!

One of the best parts of the food was the dessert buffet. If you've got room in your budget, I strongly suggest it. Guests were enjoying it throughout the evening. Mini creme brulee, fresh fruit tarts. chocolate covered strawberries, tiramisu, you name it, it was on that buffet!

The music that kept the dance floor packed was provided by Chris Meeks of Pulse DJ Services. I strongly recommend him due to his utmost professionalism and fun character.

I had such a great time with this couple. Thank you Andre & Greta!

Sites & Sounds: Celebration String Quartet

2010-02-11T10:02:00.003-05:00

This week's Sound is coming to you from the Celebration String Quartet. They are an outstanding, reasonably priced string quartet. They also have the ability to break into dous and trios as needed!

It's also your lucky day, they'll be playing an open rehearsal in Douglasville this Saturday the 13th from 2pm-4pm at the First Baptist Church of Douglasville. They'll be previewing some of their new more modern songs like "All my Life" by K-Ci & Jo Jo, "Wonderful Tonight" by Eric Clapton, "I'll Be" by Edwin McCain and so many more!

Couples are invited to drop in as their schedules allow. Please RSVP to Sandy Michaud.

I hope that some of you are able to enjoy!

Sites & Sounds: Infinity Show Band

2010-02-04T08:20:00.003-05:00

Last September I had the pleasure of working with the incredible Infinity Show Band! When I say that they're the best wedding band that I've seen!

They have a very extensive playlist that consisits of music from every genre. They're very upbeat and are sure to keep your guests on the dance floor the entire night. Kerwin, the band director is so flexible and has lots of fun during the planning process as well. You really should give them a call!

Brides Choice Award

2010-02-03T16:02:00.003-05:00

I am very proud to anounce that we have received the WeddingWire Bride's Choice Award for 2010! I am so proud of all of my team members, they're fantastic and they are what make us who we really are!

Sites & Sounds: Greystone Hall

2010-01-26T13:55:00.004-05:00

This is the first post of our new series: Sights and Sounds of Atlanta!

I'm very excited about working at Greystone Hall in Piedmont Park this coming February! It's going to be a stunning event, thanks in large part to how wonderful the venue is! Here, take a look!

Another reason that this location is "Near and Dear" is because I wrote a short summary about the location for the most recent issue of TheKnot Magazine, GA. Check it out!

When guests first enter they come into the great open main hall. It has high ceiling and stone walls. So much can be done with the space to add a splash of color!

Here is an image of their South Wing. It's long and narrow, but has some great qualities as well. Great space for the band or DJ as well as the buffets!

Bethany & Michael's Trailer

2010-01-11T10:51:00.001-05:00

Just wanted to send you guys over to Indy Productions quickly to have a look at the trailer for our December 19th, 2009 wedding. So excited for this couple!

New Series on the Unforgettable Soirees Blog!

2010-01-10T12:17:00.003-05:00

We're going to be adding a new series to the blog: Sites and Sounds of Atlanta. This series will feature sites such as engagement shoot suggestions, ceremony site suggestions, reception venue suggestions and our favorite bands and DJs! If there is one in particular that you would like to hear more about, feel free to leave a comment and we will be happy to feature that site in an upcoming week!

Tammy & Kiman

2010-01-04T11:26:00.007-05:00

Tammy and Kiman were married at Chateau Elan this past September. Although the ceremony was originally planned for outdoors overlooking the golf course, the weather had something else in mind. We would like to thank Blue World Studios for all of these stunning pictures!

The mother of the bride was giving dance lessons while the other girls were getting ready. The maid of honor and sister of the bride took advantage of it!
We all loved the vibrant fall colors that the bride used in the bouquets and centerpieces. The florist, Carla Duncan of On Occasions of Atlanta did a beautiful job!

Both the mother of the bride and the mother of the groom wore traditional Korean dresses for the ceremony and then changed prior to the reception.

Their absolutely breathtaking cake was a creation of Eileen Carter. So much time was spent on this stunning cake. What a masterpiece!

The bride decided to uphold many of their Korean traditions including giving their guests rice cakes as a favor.

They also gave out Red Velvet Cupcakes to their guests to take home. Luckily, there was an extra- and let me tell you it was the best cupcake I've ever had! Thanks Eileen!

They had truly an amazing night and we were so thankful to be chosen to be part of their wedding. Congratulations Tammy & Kiman!

Best of Weddings 2010

2010-01-02T09:41:00.001-05:00

In other big news, we were voted "Best of Weddings 2010" in Georgia this past year. We would like to thank all of our brides that voted for us. We're really excited for what the new year will bring! You can see all of the winners in The Knot Georgia Magazine for Spring/Summer 2010.

Happy New Year!

2010-01-01T11:01:00.001-05:00

Thank you to everyone that helped make 2009 a VERY successful year for us! We couldn't have accomplished so much this year without the help of our friends in the industry.

In the next few weeks, we'll be showing you some of our proud moments in flash back posts of couples from this past year. The first couple we would like to thank is Amy & Josh. This fantastic couple had a beautiful wedding at Roswell River Landing. We couldn't really post the pictures because we knew they were going to be published in The Knot Georgia Magazine. Here are a few sneak peek pictures from their wedding. Make sure to pick up a copy of The Knot Georgia on news stands now, the wedding is featured on 6 pages!
Amy spent so much time on details in her wedding. She came to me with a vision and our staff and a few family members were able to tie it all together the morning of the wedding. Guests loved the fun feel that the couple showed on their wedding day. I know that the bright colors set the mood for a fun group of people to enjoy themselves.
If you can see the bright yellow table at the bottom of this photo you would think that it might stand out for being "out of place." It was really a kids table and Amy put so much effort into making sure the children really enjoyed themselves. It was covered in paper rather than a table cloth. They were given tons of crayons, games, and toys to play with throughout the reception! They had such a blast!
Amy offered her guests a variety of drinks, and this was her lemonade stand with personalized coasters from etsy.com. She made sure to add touches of yellow and green throughout the wedding, and it really helped bring everything together!
Roswell River landing is a beautiful sight to have a wedding. This gorgeous couple were blessed with wonderful weather, and spring vibrancy in the tree coloring. I've never had weather cooperate so well for the couple to even give them bright leaf colors to make sure it tied all the weddings colors together.
Amy's cake was decorated by Eileen Carter. It was a delicious cake accompanied by an LSU football cake. The bride's cake really helped bring in the bright colors again.
What bridesmaid wouldn't want to wear these dresses? Amy picked a simple yet beautiful dress from J.Crew. And Look at those flowers! Perfect thanks to Angie at Birch Blooms.I loved the guys ties! They also brought the colors together a bit more. And again, the freshness of the flowers was just incredible.

What a wedding! Don't forget to look at more pictures in The Knot Magazine for Georgia.

Also, a VERY HUGE THANK YOU to Michael Saba for the stunning images from this event.

Fun Day of Delivering Cake!

2009-11-17T07:17:00.000-05:00

This past Saturday I had the pleasure of being part of the Eileen Carter Creations delivery team!

It was so much fun! It was one of her classic cakes with curly willow and beautiful orchids and roses! It was interesting to see the inside workings of another wedding business! From the pick up, to the directions folder, to the delivery and stacking in the cake! It was quite the outing with a beautiful result!

Emily & Joseph

2009-11-16T07:47:00.013-05:00

Emily and Joseph were married on a beautiful Saturday evening at the Cathedral of Christ the King in Buckhead. I would like to thank Laura Stone of Artstar for these and all of the fabulous pictures she's given me!

Emily was an absolutely stunning bride, and she picked the perfect colors of pink and green to beautifully accent the bridal party dresses!

The church was tastefully decorated by Southern Bouquets. They used so many beautiful green hydrangeas to add some color to an otherwise exquisite church.

They had a stunning bridal party!

Following the ceremony, the reception was held at the Wimbish House, which is a beautiful downtown location for a wedding.

Here are some of the centerpieces:

Their cake was baked by the marvelous Eileen Carter. Admittedly, this was one of the tallest cakes she's ever made!

Here is a look into the ballroom before guests made their way downstairs.

The caterer, Affairs to Remember always does a fantastic job with decorating their buffets to meet the feel of your events. The food is always delicious, and their service is top notch!

This was an idea that Emily had early on in the planning process. They took pictures of their grandparents, and from their parents weddings and put them on the mantle. Just an idea for those of you having your reception in a location with a mantle!

Emily also made sure to take care of her guests with a candy buffet filled with pink and green candy!

Back to Blogging!

2009-11-13T15:12:00.001-05:00

After quite a long hiatus, we're back to blogging! I thought we could start by sharing pictures from one of our stunning summer weddings! Hope you enjoy!

Event Lighting

2009-08-17T20:24:00.000-04:00

Are you faced with a bland ballroom? Besides adding flowers to the n'th degree, there aren't many options for jazzing up a ballroom. Here is one of my best suggestions, and usually one of the least expensive: Uplights! You can rent them in the Atlanta area for about $40 a piece, have your coordinator set them up for you, and they can really spice up a room!

Lighting is available in all different colors, above you can see reds, below blue, but they also carry greens, yellows, pinks, oranges, purples, and just white. Hopefully you can find something that will work for you and your event space!

When picking out your lighting, be sure to consider how it will look on the walls. If there is a choice of two color reds, and you have yellow walls, go for the deeper red if you want red, otherwise, you might get orange!

You can also get fun shapes! They add a lot of texture to the ballrooms, and can really make a tent stand out! I suggest borrowing the light for a short period of time to try it out in the room to see if you like it. Also see if you can borrow a few different color screens to see what works for you space!

Budoir & Bubbly!

2009-08-15T12:17:00.005-04:00

Looking to get some beautiful boudoir pictures for your fiance to give as a wedding gift? Are you married and want to give your husband a special Christmas gift with a wink? Come out to the Risqué Launch Party! You'll be able to meet the photographer, Meredith Wullkotte, while sipping on Champagne and tasting some wonderful hors d'oeuvres! It's sure to be a great event!

Mark your calendars for this Thursday at 6pm at Andrews Upstairs! See you there!

Where have I been?

2009-05-25T13:23:00.002-04:00

So people have been asking: What have you been up to? Why haven't you been blogging?

I apologize. My computer time has been spent building my new website, and here's a sneak peek just for you!

I promise, the blogging will pick back up- and I've got a ton to share of the weddings we've had this year!

Tented Weddings

2009-03-05T06:39:00.005-05:00

At times, there is a misconception about tented weddings, and I just wanted to show you how great they can be. With the ceiling draped in white fabric, you can rent lights to give it even more texture and it can be absolutely stunning!

Sure, you've got to worry about the weather just a bit, but with sides on the tents that look like large windows, it probably isn't too huge of a deal. And those sides don't have to be down unless it starts raining, otherwise you get a wide open feel that many people look for. What also adds to the open feel is the fact that you have such high ceilings and that you can do so much to tem! Another thing that you can do to the ceilings is have paper lanterns hang. They give it depth and can be truly beautiful while bringing in the colors of your wedding.

Website of the Week: Wedsite

2009-03-04T05:56:00.003-05:00

Are you looking to create a website that gives your guests information about your wedding?

Wedsite gives you that opportunity! Tell your guests about the two of you, how you met, things you've done together and how you got engaged. Then tell them a bit about the bridal party, a who's who? if you will. You can tell them about the ceremony location and the reception location, give directions and timing of all the events. Give the out of town guests information on the local airport, hotels, and things to see while they're in town! It's a great way to get them all of this information and can definitely save some paper! The best way to get the website info out there is to send it on your save the date.

It's so much fun!

Programs Part II: Style Inspiration

2009-03-03T07:24:00.000-05:00

Whether you go for the simple single fold program, or a multi layer program, it's a really easy way to incorporate your wedding colors and style into the ceremony!

If you're creative with powerpoint, you can easily come up with a monogram, or if Photoshop is easy for you, an ornate wedding logo can also tie it into the invites!

The most important thing is that it reflects you! Have fun with it, add some ribbon, a bit of color or a special poem. It's a personal choice what you do with it.

Also- if you're expecting some kids and want to keep them occupied during the ceremony, a great program is the kids coloring program.

Programs Part I: What's in Them?

2009-03-02T06:27:00.004-05:00

Well, as spring wedding season approaches, this is one of the last tasks to get completed. So I figured I'd give a little insight on what you can include, and then come back to give you some style inspiration!

First off, programs are popular but not a necessity. Don't feel like you have got to have them. They are probably the most popular thing to be left behind at the end of the night. So if you don't have the time, or the space in the budget, then no worries.

If you do have the time and the budget, they can be a nice touch. Here are the things that I suggest having in your program:

1. Welcome: To all of the guests whether they traveled 5 miles or 5000 miles, it's nice for them to feel welcomed.
2. Introductions: Of the bridal party, the parents and grandparents. It is usually best to put this in processional order so that guests can play a little game of Who's Who?
3.Ceremony Order: Not completely necessary, but sometimes when it is an interfaith marriage it can be a nice touch.
4. Readings: It's nice to give people something to read along with. If you have space, Great! If not, it won't kill anyone to have to listen.
5. Explanation of Traditions: Again important if you're marrying someone of a different background, it will help both families understand what's going on and why it's important to the both of you.
6. Thank You: It's a good time to put your thank you to your parents, family and friends in writing. **This is not in lieu of a traditional thank you after the wedding**
7. Directions: You can stick a piece of card stock in the back with directions to the reception, or you can simply write them into the last page of the program. Either way, it's nice to ensure guests won't get lost!

Like I said though, they're not mandatory, but a nice touch. And these aren't rules you have to follow, you can include anything you'd like!

Website of the Week: HoneymoonUp!

2009-02-25T08:13:00.005-05:00

Looking for more honeymoon advice? HoneymoonUp is one of my favorite Blogs! I wish that I could travel more often, and I would definetly go to some of their favorite stops. They give detailed info on many romatic destinations.

Flower Quotes: What they need

2009-02-24T07:55:00.002-05:00

When you meet with a florist, it's a good idea to have the numbers ready: the number of corsages you need, the number of boutonnieres you need, the number of bouquets, the number of tables you'll have centerpieces on, and finally, your budget! Also make sure that you bring them pictures of flowers that you've seen and like the style.

When you leave that meeting, you should have a quote in hand, or an agreement to have a quote via e-mail. Here are some things you want to make sure that quote has:
1. Description: This should be as detailed as possible, contain information like size, number of stems of each type of flower, as well as color of the flowers.
2. Number of Items: It should have a tally of how many you need of each style and size.
3. Price Per Item: It should itemize each item you're purchasing. It doesn't need to be itemized down more than that, but this is a MUST.
4. Design Fees: If they charge for their creativity and labor, they should list it here. It should be on the quote, and not ambiguous.
5. Delivery & Setup Fees: Normally between $75 and $150 depending on the location.
6. Tax: In GA it should be 6% of the flower total.
7. Total: This should hopefully be under your budget! :)

Donation Favors

2009-02-23T06:32:00.002-05:00

You didn't think I'd leave without giving you something wedding related, did you?

Let's be honest, in many cases, if you don't have an edible favor a few are going to be left behind. (Trust me, I've seen it) So here's a suggestion to combat being left with 20 candles with your names on them:

A new popular trend is to give a donation in the names of your guests. Whether it be "The Guests of the Haggerty Wedding" or each guest individually (They may not let you unless it is over a certain amount).

You can give the donation in any name, and for any amount. You don't have to donate a certain amount per guest, you could just do a blanket donation of $x. To tell your guests, you could have a small frame on the guestbook table, telling them about the charity you've donated to. You could also have small cards made up at each place setting telling them about your donation. I've even seen a bride give out bookmarks that have the information on it.

THON 2009!!!

2009-02-23T06:18:00.003-05:00

Every year in mid-February, I am left in awe of what college students with a mindset can do. I know this isn't wedding related, but this is something that always knocks me out of my socks. Students at Penn State are given the opportunity to give back, by giving up weekends, beer money, and time. It always amazes me what they can do!

THON is the largest philanthropic effort by a college and has been for many years. Students have designated weekends where they spread throughout the Northeast, holding cans, and asking anyone who passes for a donation "For kids with cancer." On weekends that they're not canning, they are calling corporations and sending letters. It is through this effort that they were able to raise $7,490,133.87 in the past year, which is up nearly $.7M from last year's efforts.

So where does the money go? It is donated to the Four Diamonds Fund, which operates out of Hershey Medical Center in Pennsylvania. The Four Diamonds Fund supports the families of children with cancer who walk through the doors of Hershey Medical Center. If their insurance doesn't cover the full amount of the medical bills, Four Diamonds covers the cost.

This past weekend, I was able to watch 700 students stand for 46 hours straight, without sleep, without sitting. They stood there "For The Kids." It's a pretty amazing sight within a time of recession that people were willing to put their hands in their pockets and donate. I am still in awe and get choked up when I think about it.

Wedding Insurance?

2009-02-20T07:55:00.001-05:00

Wedsafe is a site that provides both liability insurance (Up to $2M) and cancellation/postponement insurance. For a $25,000 wedding in GA, you can purchase protection for $350. If it's something you're concerned about, it might take some stress out of the day for you if you purchase the minimum coverage. It may just add that bit of peace of mind.

Some Quick Honeymoon Tips

2009-02-19T07:59:00.000-05:00

Starting to plan your honeymoon? Here are a few quick tips to get you started!

1. Set your budget, and stick to it! Make sure you plan on how you're getting to the airport, or parking at the airport. Don't forget gratuity.

2. Decide on warm or cold, beach or mountain, land or sea.

3. Know what the weather is. It's important to know if it is the rainy season in Hawaii(November-March) or if it's Hurricane Season (June-December)

4. It's also important to know whether it is the off travel season for the country you're going to. In most of Europe late August through September is a light season and sometimes they even close some of the local restaurants. But no worries, the main tourist activities and best restaurants are kept open. Just make sure to check on limited hours of operation.

5. What do you want your budget to include? Meals? Drinks? Multiple locations? Activities?

Website of the Week: NNichols

2009-02-18T08:36:00.000-05:00

Are you looking for some great bridal party gifts or perhaps some favors. Well here's a site that will give you plenty of options at probably the best price out there! NNichole!

My personal favorites from their site are their tote bags. They start at $7, and are actually really great quality. I purchased them back in 2007 and I know that the 3 teachers in my bridal party are still using them as their tote bags for books, papers and all the other stuff they have to carry to and from school. They've got totes in all colors, makeup bags, and more. They also offer free monogramming on many of their products.

Types of Bustles Part II

2009-02-17T08:38:00.002-05:00

As promised yesterday, here is the info on the second type of bustle:

The French Bustle

The French bustle is currently the more popular bustle for a lot of reasons, the first of which is that it is the safe way to go. If someone steps on it, it's much less likely to fall apart. It is distributes the weight of the train a bit more. It also carries the weight a bit lower and not on your waist=MORE COMFORTABLE!

It does cost a bit more, but is well worth it. Here are a few tips that I've picked up along the way:

1. It is better to have ties than to have loops and hooks.

2. It's good to have the ties numbered or lettered so that it's quick to bustle.

3. Have someone attend your final fitting so that someone knows exactly how it is put together.

Types of Bustles Part I

2009-02-16T08:48:00.000-05:00

Are you trying to figure out what type of bustle you'd like to have on your dress? In this two part blog, I'll be talking about the two different types of bustles, the overbustle or "English Bustle" and the underbustle or "French Bustle."

The English Bustle:

There are three main reasons, besides the look, that one would select an English Bustle. The first of those reasons is that if the dress is made of a delicate material such as tulle or lace. This bustle protects the material because the bustle is formed by looping a reinforced section of the material to the bottom button on the back. The second reason that someone might want to have an English Bustle is to show off any beading or crystals at the bottom of the train. It's also a bit less expensive than an underbustle.

One of the major downsides of this type of bustle is that if not strongly reinforced, it can be torn and completely ruined if one person steps on it. Make sure to double check the reinforcement of the bottom button as well. My suggestion is to make sure you have many safety pins available and even diaper pins which are the strongest of the safety pins.

Stay tuned for tomorrow's post on the French Bustle.

Writing Your Own Vows

2009-02-13T08:50:00.003-05:00

Are you thinking about writing your own vows to one another? If so, here are a few things that you should consider first:

1. If you're getting married in a church, do they allow it? If not, you can still write them to one another and read them to each other after the ceremony, or exchange them in the morning.
2. Will you be able to get through them while still being understood. If you know you're going to cry, sometimes it's easier (and doesn't leave your face all red and splotchy) if you repeat after the officiant.
3. Make sure you practice. Your hands may be shaky, you might have a glimmer of a tear, and you might get a bit choked up. Practicing will definetly help.
4. Have a backup plan. If you thought you could get through them, but during the ceremony you feel too choked up, or you are getting a bit too nervous, have a sign with the officiant to show them you'd like to go with his version of the vows.

If you're going to write them, start early. One bride came up with a great way of writing her vows, and I don't think there was a dry eye in the house! She got a small notepad and wrote down every time her fiance made her feel special, and how exactly she felt. After about 6 months of notes, she was able to skim through and pick the perfect words for how he made her feel. She then gifted the notebook to him.

I thought that with this romantic holiday ahead, some brides might be able to begin a notebook.

Mashed Potini Bar!

2009-02-12T07:56:00.000-05:00

Another favorite food trend of mine is the Mashed Potini Bar. I've seen it featured in so many weddings, and is always a hit. If you're thinking about doing a buffet and this isn't on the menu, you might want to think about adding it!

So what does it typically include?

-Regular Mashed & Sweet Mashed

-Toppings Galore!

For the Regular Potatoes:

1) Sour Cream

2) Shredded Cheese

3) Bacon

4) Onions

5) Ham

For the Sweet Potatoes:

1) Marshmallows

2) Brown Sugar

3) Cinnamon

The best part: They're served in a martini glass, so it adds a fun modern twist on an old fashioned favorite!

Website: Wedding Chicks

2009-02-11T11:14:00.003-05:00

So one of my favorite wedding sites is Wedding Chicks. They've got great inspiration boards, and even have a local site that lists vendors in different categories. If you have a second, I'd totally check them out.

New Stamp Price!

2009-02-10T16:12:00.004-05:00

I know it's a bit late in the afternoon, but for anyone still keeping up:

The price of stamps will be changing this May 11th, up by another $0.02/stamp. If you're mailing out invites with RSVP envelopes that will be returned to you in May, I'd suggest purchasing the Forever Stamps. They are still widely available at Post offices. To learn more about the change go to the website for USPS. They also have plans to up them every May from now on. Those of you in the very early stages of planning, keep this in mind.

Laura Simon: Makeup

2009-02-10T07:37:00.000-05:00

Photo Courtesy of Kristy Odom.

I want to introduce all of you to Laura Simon. If you haven't selected your makeup artist yet, I think she might be perfect for you. She travels to the bride, and works efficiently while making sure that every tiny detail is attended to. I've worked with her multiple times, and I'm always impressed with how beautiful everyone looks, from flower girls to mothers of the bride!

The best way to get in touch with her is e-mail: laurasimonmakeup@gmail.com. I do suggest getting in touch with her as soon as possible, because she books quickly!

Children in Wedding?

2009-02-09T09:09:00.004-05:00

Are you planning on inviting children to your wedding or are you thinking about having children in your wedding party? If so, here are some tips I've gathered over the past few years.

In the wedding party:

1. Don't have them ready 3 hrs before the ceremony for pictures, take some pictures with them right after the ceremony. This way they stay clean, and you don't need to have an older bridal party member be a babysitter.

2. Have their parents practice with them. If they know what's coming, they'll be better prepared. The best Flower Girls and Ring Bearers are the ones that have practiced walking down an aisle, or practiced throwing petals.

3. Don't give them their petals or pillow until the very last minute. If they're told to hold onto it, it will get lost, dropped all over the place, or could even be broken.

4. Don't give them the real rings. In some cases the ring bearer might be older and reesponsible but if you tie the ring to the pillow, when you go to untie it, and it drops, rings are round- they'll roll.

On the Guest List:

1. Give them something to do. It's great if you provide them with small baskets with coloring books, crayons, puzzle books, and even disposable cameras.

2. Ask the parents if they would like the child to sit with them, or if they think it would be better for all of the kids to be together at a table. This is great because then you can put tons of fun stuff on that table. Only do this if they're old enough.

3. Be prepared for dancing! Usually the kids are the first ones on the dance floor. They love being invited to the big kid's party, and they're sure to get the party started.

If you're not inviting kids or having them in the wedding party, that's totally cool too. There are some weddings where it's just not their place to be. Just make sure that if they are invited, they've got something to do, this allows their parents time to enjoy the wedding!

2009-02-06T08:27:00.004-05:00

A Friday Double Blog Dose!

I just had to share this wonderful vendor with you before the end of the week. Recently, I had the pleaseure of meeting Tamara of I Do Linens. She introduced me to one of her new products and I've fallen in love!

She's got this new concept of making the cake table mirror the design of the bride's dress. Then after the wedding, she will turn it into a baby blanket for the bride and groom. I just had to share this quickly before the weekend begins. I hope you'll have a chance to check out her website and get in touch with her!

Traditional Cake Topper Not Your Thing?

2009-02-06T08:10:00.000-05:00

If you're not into the traditional cake topper where the bride and groom simply stand next to each other, and you're not really feeling the monogram toppers, I've got a fun site for you to check out, InkyPink.

They've got great styles that rage from your athletic baseball bride and groom to your beachy bride and groom, with plenty of other style in between.

They've also got the perfect topper if you want traditional with just a slight twist.

If you're intrested in traditional, they've got tons of those toppers available as well. Be sure to check out the site for favors and other fun products!

Friendly Valentine's Day Reminder...

2009-02-05T09:51:00.000-05:00

For all of you that like to wait to the last minute, Valentines Day in Atlanta is not the place to do it! Make your reservations now, if you still can. You can also try Open Table.

Good luck! And Happy Hunting!

Booking Your Honeymoon?

2009-02-04T14:01:00.004-05:00

Are you planning to use the web to book your honeymoon? Does your honeymoon involve a flight? If so, I'd suggest checking out Kayak. It is a search engine that checks all other travel sites for deals, like Travelocity, Orbitz, Priceline, Expedia and more. Once it finds you a good rate, I'd suggest going to that airline's website to check and see if they can do better- sometimes they can, sometimes they can't.

Happy Honeymooning!

Wedding Wire Award!

2009-02-04T12:15:00.000-05:00

Woo Hoo!!! We have received a 2009 Bride's Choice Award from recent brides on Wedding Wire!

Thank you to all who have reviewed our services as well as those who answered survey questions! We truly appreciate it, and honestly couldn't do it without you!

Reception Venue Selection

2009-02-03T11:22:00.003-05:00

There are many factors that should go into the selection process of your venue. Here are a few for starters.
1. Price: Can you afford the rental fee, catering/beverage minimums and rentals (Such as chairs, chair covers and linens) it would require?
2. Food: Do they have a caterer on site or would you also have to hire one. For some the fewer vendors the better, for others, it's great to have a large selection of caterers to work with.
3. Beverages: What is their alcohol policy? Beer and Wine only? Do they charge an alcohol fee?
4. Location: How far is it from your ceremony location? Atlanta is a tricky town to drive in, so make sure that if it is a bit of a distance, you give excellent directions and the contact # of someone who knows their way around. How close is it to a hotel where out of town guests can stay? Is there anything else locally that guests can do to enjoy while they're in town?
5. The Look: Is it the look you're going for? Classic Ballroom, Antique House, Rustic Plantation...
6. Style: Can you see it decorated with your style, colors, and flowers? Does it need much to get it where you want it to be?
7. Timing: Are they available on your date? How long is the time slot they give you?

Here were just a few to get you started. This is one of the more difficult decisions, so hang in there!

How involved is mom?

2009-02-02T09:53:00.003-05:00

First of all, I want to congratulate the Steeler fans out there! A tough win, but a good win!

Just some food for thought today...

How involved are your moms in the planning process? I know that some moms want to be over-involved and that inevitably leads to more stress for the bride and groom. I've noticed that the more things YOU ask them to do, the more they stay out of your hair. So what does this mean? If you give them something to work on, like coming up with a list of songs they know their friends and family will dance to, asking for input on invitations, asking them for opinions here or there, they will be less likely to keep asking you what they can help with and offering to do things that you want to have most of the control over. And hey- if they're willing to do more and have some free time- how about those DIY projects you haven't gotten to because you're so busy with everything else!

Personalized Stamps

2009-01-30T09:20:00.000-05:00

One way to jazz up a boring invitation envelope is to personalize your stamp with photos of the two of you!

Here are a few great compaines to try:

Have fun!

Rehearsal Dinner: Location

2009-01-29T09:09:00.005-05:00

A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of attending the Southern Weddings Magazine Launch Party. And I must say, the entire time I was there, I was thinking about how great it would be for a rehearsal dinner! The restaurant is Dogwood, and it's located right across the street from Emory Crawford-Long Hospital. It's got a private room upstairs and the food is excellent. So, if you're still looking for a location, I highly suggest you try it for an elegant twist on southern cusine!

DIY Invites: Cards & Pockets

2009-01-28T09:56:00.001-05:00

So one of my favorite types of invites are the pocket-folds. I know there are some of you out there that can't wait to get rid of them, but I still love this trend. They allow the addition of so much style and color to be brought into your invite. So my website of the week is Cards & Pockets because they offer the materials to DIY these invites! Keep up with the blog and I'll be talking soon about the best way to assemble and about all that you can inclue with a pocket-fold invite!

Having your cake and eating it too... a year later.

2009-01-27T10:01:00.004-05:00

How to save your top layer:

1. The night of the wedding, have someone take home the cake and put it in the freezer for you while you're on your honeymoon. This is just to solidify the icing so it doesn't become totally crushed.

2. Wrap it first in plastic wrap.

3. Wrap it in aluminum foil.

4. Wrap it again in plastic wrap or put it in an air tight plastic bag (getting as much air out of it as possible)

5. Store it for a year.

6. Order another replica so that when you don't feel like having more than a bite, you've got a backup!

Enjoy,

Adding some bling... to your shoes!

2009-01-26T09:05:00.006-05:00

A current style trend is going with colored shoes. And to be honest, I LOVE IT. I've seen blue, pink, purple, hot pink, orange, and red! It's so much fun to see just a peek of it under the dress. Here's another new idea to jazz up the shoes just a bit more. Shoe Rhinestones! They're inexpensive, but who gets up close to your feet anyway, they just add a bit of shine!

Bridal Show, This Sunday!

2009-01-23T07:43:00.001-05:00

Don't miss it ladies! This Sunday, A Bride for All Seasons Bridal Show is hitting Atlanta. With some of the finest wedding vendors, you're sure to find a wedding vendor in a variety of categories.

The bridal show is taking place in the grand ballroom at the Four Seasons Hotel. Also be sure to check out other event areas that they have, with gorgeous views of the Atlanta skyline. You're sure to be impressed. The price for admission is $45 for the bride and $25 for each additional guest. A high price to pay, but sure to give the highest quality and results!

Date: 1/25/09

Time: 2-5pm

Location: Four Seasons Atlanta.

Have fun!

Wild Oats Catering

2009-01-22T12:18:00.003-05:00

In June of last year, I had the pleasure of working with Terry and her staff from Wild Oats Catering. They were fabulous! The food was so fresh and had a fun new look to it. They had a delicious new twist on a fun southern menu.
They had very clean lines of service, and never ran out of food, even the most delicious of foods.(Photos Courtesy of Shannon Wright)

They had fresh biscuits with a peach barbeque sauce over pork, deliecious skewers of shrimp and pineapple in a coconut mint sauce. But this isn't all that they've got. Check out their website to see another sample menu, and to get in touch with them! If you're lucky, they may still be available. They book up quickly!

Website of the Week: She Just Got Married!

2009-01-21T14:00:00.000-05:00

Are you looking to see what brides have used, and what they're willing to sell after the wedding? Are you looking to sell some of your wedding related items? Well then I have the perfect website for you She Just Got Married! It has a "Boutique" area for goods to buy, and a place to list your items you'd like to sell. It also has a forum for married ladies to talk about real-life issues, traditions, and more. I personally had the opprotunity to meet and chat with the founder of the program, and with much excitement, they have a lot of great things coming up on their site in the near future. Be sure to check them out!

The Wedding Cake: Preservation

2009-01-20T12:57:00.000-05:00

So you've heard about the tradition of eating the top tier of your wedding cake on your first anniversary? Does the idea gross you out a bit? Well, you've got a few options:

1. Eat that top tier on your 1 month wedding "Anniversary"

2. Find a Cake Baker who offers a replica for your first anniversary. (The Cake Lady does this)

3. Make your own replica a year later (I don't recommend this, if you recall my disaster)

4. You can save it for a year later, and hope that it's still 1/2 yummy!

If you're interested in learning how to save the cake layer, you'll just have to keep up with my blog!

Registries 101: Location, Location, Location

2009-01-19T07:30:00.001-05:00

From time to time, brides ask me for advice on registering. There are a few great spots, but for this post, I'd like to highlight my all time favorite: Macy*s.

There are a few key reasons that I recommend them to all of my clients:
1. Their Star Rewards Program. If you are willing to sign up for a credit card, you get 5% Macy*s cash back for every purchase made in the home department. Then you get a gift card after the Wedding.
2. You get 10% off of your purchases in the home department after the wedding to complete your registry- this is often for over a year!
3. Their return policy. I can't say enough about their return/exchange policy. If anything is broken or the wrong item, it is returned, no questions asked.
4. Their ease of registering! It's fun and they host events where you can drink champagne and register all at the same time!
5. Their website is great. They make it easy to update the registry right at home!

I highly recommend them!

Invitations 101: Timing

2009-01-16T07:18:00.006-05:00

Currently, I have many clients in the invitation printing/sending invitation stage, so I find it fitting to quickly blog about invitations.

Here's a short list of what you should do while planning your invitations:
1. Determine your final count due date (to caterer and venue).
2. Back up 1-2 weeks from that date, and make it your RSVP date.
3. Send invites 6-8 weeks before the RSVP date.
4. Have all envelopes addressed and stamped 1 week prior to send date. Stuff, then send!

Make sure you leave extra room in this timeline whenever you can!

Happy Sending!

The Rainbow Martini!

2009-01-15T05:50:00.001-05:00

Another great drink idea for a signature drink is my personal favorite, the Rainbow Martini.

Shake with Ice:

1 part Peach Schnapps

1 part Rum

1 part Vodka

1 part Pineapple Juice

Pour all contents into martini glass and add just a splash of grenadine!

Sure to please right there!

Southern Weddings

2009-01-14T09:37:00.001-05:00

In honor of their upcoming launch, I've decided to make this week's website: Southern Wedding Magazine's Blog. Their real wedding posts, as well as their fun suggestions for new wedding ideas are truly inspiring! I'm also a bit partial because one of my couples, Amanda and Eric had their wedding featured on the blog!

Chair Covers & Linens

2009-01-13T09:13:00.000-05:00

On Thursday, I had the opportunity to attend a fun planning meeting at Chair Covers and Linens with Leah, one of my favorite brides. We had such an amazing time looking at different options, and we settled on some stuff that she really loved! Below you can see that they have so many options to look through when you go in, it's really phenomenal!

After going through all of their options in the blue/silver/pink combo that Leah had chosen, it was time to figure out which color combos she liked best. Here are some of the winners!

This was Leah's final decision for the guest tables. Navy satin linens with a nearly fuschia chair tie on the gold Chivari chair.

For the cake table, she's decided to go with the navy underlay with a sheer silver overlay with the swirl design and a blue sheer bunching of fabric for the cake stand to be placed on. We're also planning to put some votive candles around the base as well as some of the pink rose petals from the guest tables.During the cocktail hour, guests will be mingling in the bar area of the Signature Room, and the tables will be draped with silver satin accompainied by alternating blue and pink table runners.As it stands, I really think that Leah made some great decisions, and that she's really happy with the outcome!

Vendor Negotiation

2009-01-12T08:46:00.001-05:00

Who isn't trying to save money these days? Many brides ask for tips on saving money when booking vendors. One suggestion that some brides have had success with is full payment up front. If you're able to, ask a vendor if they would be willing to knock off a percentage of their price if you pay it all up front. It will also make the planning process a bit easier if you don't have to remember all the little payments over many months. Just a small tip that could save you money in the long run!

Bachelor's Button

2009-01-09T15:05:00.001-05:00

So I've decided to add a new aspect to my blog: Flowers. Everyone knows about peonies, roses and lilies, so I'm going to focus on some lesser known beauties that can really add a bit of color to a wedding.

Today's focus: Bachelor's Button. The reason I like this flower is because if it's late-winter, early spring availability, through the summer. I also love it because it's purple! Luckily for those that don't love purple, it has recently become available in many different shades! It's also on the lesser side of expensive! And who doesn't love to save a little green!

From the flower patch,

Razzmataz Martiniz!

2009-01-08T11:43:00.001-05:00

With the popular trend of signature drinks, it would be cruel of me not to mention a few great recipes that I've got! So here's one of my favorites (from my birthday) I hope you enjoy!

2 part Grey Goose Le Citron
Lemon Juice from 1/2 Lemon
1 part Chambord
Garnished with fresh Raspberries!

Drink and enjoy!

Website of the Week: DIY Bride

2009-01-07T14:12:00.000-05:00

So I've decided that I'm going to start posting some of my favorite websites every week. This week, I'd love to share diybride.com with you. It's a great way for you learn about different DIY projects, ways to negotiate, money-saving tips and more. Khris is so talented, and we're all lucky to be able to learn from her! She's also got a book out, a way to learn even more of her famed secrets!

Enjoy!

Something Old, New, Borrowed & Blue!

2009-01-06T12:20:00.000-05:00

So what's with this tradition? It seems to be quite popular, but where does it come from? It actually dates back to the early Victorian Era in England (Mid 1500s). Each item is seen as a token of good luck for the bride.

"Something Old"-people often ask "How old is 'old'?" Well, there was never any set length of time, so I like to go by the definition: something that's not new. I can be anything: A necklace from a grandmother, or a veil from a mother, it's a symbol of the bride's connection to her family.

"Something New"- This can be anything, the dress is used most commonly for something new, but could be jewelery or a pair of shoes! It represents good hope for the future.

"Something Borrowed"- Just what it says! Borrow something from a happily married friend or family member for this one!
"Something Blue"- For something blue, it's common to use a blue garter, underwear, having your initials embroidered onto the dress in blue, or even carrying a small blue handkerchief with your flowers. It's said to symbolize love, so don't forget this important one!

A Quick Look at Budgets!

2009-01-05T11:15:00.000-05:00

Congratulations to all the newly engaged couples out there! Because there are so many of you, I figured that this is something important to point out before the major planning and contract signing begins!

With the skyrocketing costs of weddings, it's important for you to set your boundaries (budget) early in the planning process. Come up with a good round number, and stick to it! The round number should include all contributions from family members, your fiancé, and yourself. Now here's something that I often tell my brides, just to keep them under the overall budget: When working with your budget, assume that you can only spend 85% of it. That way when you forget little things, or decide to splurge on something towards the end, it's still within your budget!

Just because you create the budget doesn't mean you're finished looking at it, constantly update it with any contracts you sign, and diligently work to stay within it. I promise it will take so much of the stress out of the planning if you don't also have to plan how you're going to get rid of the credit card debt!

Happy Planning!

Welcome to the Team!

2009-01-02T08:59:00.002-05:00

I would personally like to welcome Jessica to the Unforgettable Soirées Team.

Currently she is acting as an assistant and I look forward to working with her on many of our upcoming weddings. I also look forward to her future opportunities within the company.

Jess is a recently married Seminole who loves event planning and has great knowledge of Atlanta area vendors as well as many hidden gems! She is a great addition to the team and I'm so excited to have her!

Welcome Jess!!

Happy New Year!!!

2009-01-01T08:46:00.003-05:00

So many people have been asking me where Unforgettable Soirées is going next year, and the truth is: in so many new and exciting directions! However, we can't look at where we're going until we know where we've been right?

2008, a year in review: It started off in a mad rush, people were calling, and e-mailing, and even texting me to reserve their date at my bargain of a price. January was full of meetings with potential brides, many of which turned into clients, and some now even friends. With only one wedding in February, it was a time to focus on a plan, how was it that I would do 26 weddings in 1 year? Well, sitting here on the last day of december, it seems as though it's worked. I'm still here, doing what I love to do. Over the course of the year, I've gained so much experience, knowledge of the industry and some truly great friends that I love to work with!

Now where are we going in 2009? Well packages have been re-focussed based on the needs of clients, so that I can provide the best service possible. The new webiste is almost ready to launch, my assistant, Jess is taking on a great deal with quite a few weddings in the next year, and more to come, and I think we're ready, as a team for it to begin!

I wish you all a very prosperous, exciting, and happy new year!

Bachelorette Ides: Watson Adventures

2008-11-14T06:14:00.003-05:00

If strippers aren't your thing, and you've got a large group interested in attending your Bachelorette Party, I think that Watson Adventures might be a really fun idea. It's a scavenger hunt that can be located throughout Atlanta (The History Center, Fernbank Museum, the Aquarium, and many more).

You can do a walking tour or a limo tour or so much more! The cost is a bit much (probably close to about $1500) but if you get a big enough group together, it could be a ton of fun!

Mid-Planning Minute: Leah & Christian!

2008-11-13T06:55:00.002-05:00

So as you saw earlier this month, I met with Leah and Christian at Eileen Carter's home to do an amazing cake tasting. I just wanted to post quickly and just tell you all how excited I am about their wedding. They're such a sweet couple, and they're using some of the best vendors Atlanta has to offer. Here's a pic of the happy couple taken by the superb photographer, Shannon Wright. Their church is gorgeous, their catering hall is going to be fabulous, they're working with an amazing florist, Heather at Stems Atlanta, and they've got SO many other greats! I can't wait!

A Unique Twist: The Not Wedding

2008-11-12T18:20:00.000-05:00

I'm really looking forward to this weekend! I've got plans to go to The Not Wedding at Opera on Sunday afternoon. Some of the best and most creative vendors will be hosting a mock wedding to show potential brides (and the occasional vendor;) ) ideas for hosting a wedding outside of the box.

The cost is $10 either online, or cash at the door and includes some hors d'oeuvres, specials offered by the various vendors, the entertainment, and a fresh look on a timeless tradition!

Some vendors include Joshua John's Cakes, Brown Linen Goods, Event Drapery, DJ Josh Whitlock, and so many more!

I can't wait! It's going to be a ton of fun, and I get to go with the hottest date out there, Shannon Wright!

The Cake Lady!

2008-11-06T19:59:00.008-05:00

I'm so excited to post about my first tasting with Eileen Carter, aka "The Cake Lady." We met where she works her magic! People always wonder, "What happens at meetings with vendors?" So here's your inside scoop on the meeting with the baker!

When we arrived, it was first and foremost important that we look through albums of past cakes to pick the design. Leah and Christian decided to go with a petal design which is so new and exciting!

From there, Eileen actually put together styrofoam cakes so they could visualize which one they liked best. It was so cool!

Then it was time to try the cakes flavors. We got to try so many, and the bride and groom had fun coming up with different combinations for each layer.

The best part, Eileen is creating a stadium for the Groom's cake. She's quite excited about this one, and I can't wait to see it!

Oh- and she's blogging now, check out Eileen's Blog.

Pro Pics: Marva & Pascale!

2008-10-29T18:54:00.016-04:00

I know it's been a little while since I've posted, so I figured I'd start up again, sharing new pics that I got in the mail today from Gene Ho. Gene and his assistant were an absolute pleasure to work with. They were professional from start to finish. I was so excited to see the pictures because I knew he was able to capture so many of the important and personal moments of the day! All of the following pictures are thanks to Gene and the fantastic team he's put together.
The day started with the Marva and the bridesmaids getting ready at the Ritz Downtown. Their makeup was done by Deetvekio, one of my personal favorite to work with. He is able to keep you looking natural, while adding the perfect amount of color! After getting ready, they headed to Piedmont Park to take some great pictures, and to put the finishing touches on the bride.

She was absolutely BEAUTIFUL!

The flowers were done by the AMAZING Carla Duncan with On Occasions of Atlanta. They were the freshest flowers I've seen! It's always a pleasure to work with her, and her creativity always impresses! Carla also pays so much attention to detail. Take the hand-wrapped bouquet above, flawless!The ceremony took place in the meadow just off the Piedmont Garden Tent. The bride was escorted down the aisle by her mother.

The ceremony was absolutely beautiful, and the sun peeked through the willows perfectly. They were surrounded by loving family and friends.

You can see here how truly happy they were!

Following the ceremony, the couple and their guests moved into the garden tent for a stylish reception.
The food was also the talk of the night, and absolutely delicious!

All in all, I would say that it was a fabulous wedding!

Such an amazing couple!

Need a Map?

2008-10-02T17:39:00.005-04:00

Are many of your guests from out of town? It might be a good idea to provide them with a map of the local area. I'd suggest checking out Wedding Maps. Their creative staff will come up with something in just your style!

You can put them in the Out of Town Guest bags, or you can mail them with your invitations! They've got tons of paper styles and colors to choose from and they promise prompt quality service! Get in touch with Eric today!

Vendor Spotlight: Illuminated Videos

2008-09-25T18:03:00.003-04:00

I had the pleasure of working with Kelley Hammock with Illuminated Videos on Marva & Pascal's Unforgettable Soiree! It was my first opportunity to work with her, and I can't wait to do it again! She's got a great sense for what she's doing and she manages to not be in the way like so many brides are afraid of! You can check out their website for demos, and they'll even send you one for free! I just got mine in the mail today and let me just say that it's phenomenal! Their prices are very reasonable for the services they provide! Oh- and people will think you have a movie star filming you wedding because Kelley looks just like Reece Witherspoon!

Venue Preview: Signature Events, Dunwoody GA

2008-09-25T06:00:00.003-04:00

Monday I had the pleasure of visiting Signature Events in Dunwoody GA. It's a beautiful site that can host ceremonies and receptions for up to 300 guests.
As soon as you enter, you are in a large open space that serves at the cocktail hour room or ceremony room. The bar is in the back and the ballroom is to the left. During cocktail hours, they place high boys out for guests as well as sometimes put some food displays. They've also got some pretty comfortable lounging furniture!
Judy mentioned that they usually move the highboys out of the immediate bar room because of the clutter, but that they can always keep a few in there if requested.

The ballroom is large and has a pretty good sized dance floor. In the picture below, the room is only set for 100, but you can imagine that there would be enough room to fit quite a few more tables and chairs. It really is a beautiful place, and a clean slate, so a lot can be done with it by simply using some imagination!
Their packages are very reasonably priced and they also have many different bar packages available. The Chiavari Chairs come with any event and they're in really good shape. Check them out!

Registries 101:Timing

2008-09-24T20:06:00.003-04:00

Many brides ask "When should I register?" Here are a few things to think about before you start to register!

What are you planning to register for? Some products go through cycles where they become discontinued. Safe bets that are long lasting and OK to register early (1yr out) for: Fine China, Crystal, Silverware, Luggage, Pots & Pans, Kitchen Odds and Ends. Here are some items that are often seasonal and shouldn't be registered for until 6 months out: Bathroom Sets, Everyday China, Everyday Glasses, and Sheet sets.

If you're getting married in the Spring or Summer, go ahead and register before the holidays- for a few key items in each price point (-$50, $50-100, $100+). You should plan on watching your registry monthly just to make sure that your items aren't discontinued. If they become discontinued, you'll be on top of it so that you can swap it out! If you're getting married in the Fall, I suggest you wait on the main items until after the new year.

Get excited and make sure you include your Fiancé!

Monogram Cake Topper?

2008-09-21T14:40:00.007-04:00

A trend that's been popular for quite some time now is the Monogram Cake Topper. Sure, there are many places to order them, but I personally suggest Toppers With Glitz. From personal experience, they do beautiful work, with quality metal being used for the actual letter.

They have many different fonts available, and any color crystal you could imagine. Sure, their pricing might seem a little steep, but they provide great products, and something that you can have displayed on a shelf or next to a framed invite for years to come!

A Sneak Peek at Jennifer & Jey's Unforgettable Soiree!

2008-09-14T10:57:00.006-04:00

Here's just a quick sneak peek of Jennifer and Jey's wedding from Saturday the 13th. They were married at the Magnolia House in Powder Springs and it was very beautiful.They have an on-site baker who came up with their very beautiful cake as well as their fun and original groom's cake! It was a surprise to the groom, and he LOVED it. It was at that point that he shared the secret that he was taking her to Hawaii for their honeymoon.

Outdoor Wedding?

2008-09-05T17:41:00.004-04:00

Are you having an outdoor wedding? Do you wish you could wear the perfect set of heels without sinking into the grass? Well, there is finally a solution. "Heel Stoppers" are slowly catching on, so I thought I'd bring this new idea to you!They slip onto the bottom of your heel, and can be easily removed when the party moves inside. They keep you above the grass, keep the heels clean, and are clear and subtle. No twisting ankles either. Check out Belle Devine.

Another Sneak Peek: Cathy & Danny!

2008-08-31T09:44:00.006-04:00

Look familiar? Danny and Cathy were also married in the Piedmont Meadow, with their reception following in the Garden Tent.

It was a romatic evening ceremony with plenty of fun to enjoy in celebration of the couple.

Sorry this one is a little dark, but everyone was enjoying the food- they had a carving station, a sushi station, as well as a mashed potato bar- a huge hit!

I'll be sure to share some new pictures when I get them in a couple of weeks!

A Sneak Peek of Marva & Pascal's Soiree!

2008-08-30T10:43:00.006-04:00

Marva and Pascal had an incredible wedding day, and I just wanted to stare two of the pictures I was able to snap quickly.

They were married in an evening ceremony in the meadow just outside of the Piedmont Garden Tent. It was a beautiful ceremony!Following the ceremony, guests made their way into the reception in the tent. The decor was provided by Carla Duncan of On Occasions of Atlanta.

I'll be sure to post some more pictures when I get them from the photographer, Gene Ho.

Who's RSVP is it anyway?

2008-08-14T18:48:00.006-04:00

After the excitement of getting your invite in the mail, so many reply almost immediately! How exciting right? So you open up your self-addressed (and stamped) envelope to check out the RSVP. Uh-Oh! They forgot to write their name, so you know that 2 people are coming, but you have no idea who they are! Want an easy fix for this? Here's my easy, inexpensive, and best of all invisible solution.

1)I suggest that you head to a craft store and pick up a pack of Crayola Changeables markers.2) Print out a copy of your invite list and start numbering them. (1, 2, 3...) You can also just save the numbers on your spreadsheet where you'll be keeping track of the RSVPs!

3) On the back of the response cards, use the clear, color-changing marker to number it, corresponding to the number on your invite list. Write the number in the same place on every card so you'll remember where to look for the invisible ink!4) Send the invites and stalk the mailbox!

5) If you happen to get an RSVP where the guest forgot to write their name, turn the card over and use one of the Changeable colored markers to highlight that area. You'll see the number in a matter of seconds, and you'll be able to look them up on the list!

Voila! No last minute phone calls or looking through old letters or cards to determine who's handwriting it is!

Vendor Spotlight: Shannon Wright

2008-08-13T20:30:00.007-04:00

Shannon Wright is one of my favorite photographers to work with. We've worked together so many times that I know that brides are in good hands with her. She is able to capture every emotion of each bride's wedding day. I can't wait to work with her again!

I was able to catch up with her and ask some questions so we can all know her just a little bit better:)

So what first inspired you to be a wedding photographer? I was in school at the time and assisted a wedding photographer and knew (even though I was just carrying equipment) that's what I had to do!

What keeps you coming back? My desire to be a part of couples happiest days and well I just absolutely love photography.

What is your favorite picture to take? Hmm, tough question I guess my fave would be the one I take at he reception in a dark place lit with intense light. It's a very funky shot!

If you had to provide one picture to win a client, what would it be and why?? How about two? I love shoes and it's kinda of a signature shot and I just love this one at Piedmont! If I have extra time to do creative formals this is what I can produce!
If you had one word of advice for future brides, what would it be? Don’t forget how and why you fell in love in the first place…… The wedding day does not have to be perfect but your life together just might be…..

What is Project 42 and how is it going? Wanna share a picture or 2? Project 42 stands for Love (4 letters) Is(2 letters).... This session is for couples that are already married. The idea is .....what does love mean to you? Let me capture that for you in pictures to show others. The picture I am going to share has to do with their love for their children. We went to Piedmont Park and had a great time. It is obvious in this picture that they love each other, and their children, very much.What a great photographer to have capturing your wedding day. Book her early!

Chrissy & Andy's Unforgettable Soiree!

2008-08-12T19:20:00.009-04:00

Chrissy and Andy were one of my most fun couples. Within five minutes of starting our first meeting, I could see how in love they were, and see that they just wanted to enjoy their wedding day.

The day started with me meeting Chrissy and her bridal party in a suite at The Georgian Terrace Hotel. They had two hair stylists working on location, as well as Laura Simon, a great new makeup artist in the Atlanta area. Just take a look at the picture below to see how great of a job she did!
To get in touch with her, try e-mailing her: laurasimonmakeup@gmail.com.

The fabulous Shannon Wright was her photographer, and it is thanks to her that I have all of these pictures!

After getting ready, they were able to sneak some pictures in at The Georgian Terrace before moving to the church.
Chrissy and Andy decided to see each other before the ceremony, to be able to take some pictures. They really got some great shots!Following the ceremony, we moved over to the GA Tech Alumni House. The reception was catered by one of my new favorite vendors, Wild Oats Catering.

Before heading to hotel for the night, they snapped a really cool picture ON 10th St.

Joanna & Evan's Unforgettable Soiree!

2008-08-09T08:04:00.012-04:00

So back in May, Joanna & Evan were married in the Piedmont Garden Tent. This was my first event at this location, and I have two more weddings in the tent coming up at the end of August!

Their wedding also gave me the wonderful opportunity to work with some of the best vendors in the Atlanta area! The pictures are from one of my favorites, Shannon Wright. She's just incredible! You can see her work through her website, or you can check out her blog.
I just wanted to highlight this picture quickly because you can see the incredible work of Carla Duncan from On Occasions of Atlanta. Her team arrived early and did such beautiful work. I'm looking forward to working with her at the end of the month again.
As you can see, the wedding was officiated by the amazing Reverend Deanna Lancaster. She wrote a beautiful ceremony for them, and was able to tie in family history as well as a dinosaur story!
This was just one area of the wedding where you can see so many intricate detail coming to fruition. Each guest got a small pot with a festive colored rose. It was another way they decided to liven up the tables. These were also provided by Carla at On Occasions.

What would a wedding blog be without pictures of the cake! This is another masterpiece of "The Cake Lady." To get in touch with her, I suggest e-mail, eileenmcarter@yahoo.com
Harrison with Avalanche Entertainment was able to keep the party going all night. Even through the after party inside the Park Tavern, where they served doughnuts with shot glasses of milk, and some pizza.

Today is my 1st Anniversary!

2008-07-26T09:49:00.006-04:00

So today is my first anniversary with my husband, Chris. We decided to celebrate yestearday and it was amazing!

The weekend started with me trying to make a replica of our cake topper. It came out OK- luckily it tasted great so we were able to ignore the look:) We didn't freeze our cake topper because we made it a special flavor for the bridal party, Cannoli! So here's a picture of our cake on our wedding day:

And this is a picture of my recreated cake top! (Insert Laughter followed by mmmm...)

We woke up nice and late (8:00am) Saturday and Chris suggested that we head into town a little early and walk around Piedmont Park. I thought it sounded like a great idea! So we check into the Wyndham Midtown and start walking toward the park. On our way there, Chris's phone rings. I asked what it was and he told me it was a reminder of why we're not going to the park!

Usually he's not able to surprise me, but in the case, he was! He walked me to Blue MedSpa, and had booked us for an hour long couples massage! While I was there, I couldn't help but work! They have a lot of great bridal packages available too!

From that amazing massage, we went back and got dressed for dinner at the Melting Pot, one of our new favorite restaurants!

All of that was followed by a walk around the park today- what an amazing anniversary in town!

Reverend Deanna Lancaster

2008-07-24T16:55:00.005-04:00

I've had the pleasure (and I do mean true pleasure) of working with "Rev D" on three occasions at this point. I honestly can't wait to work with her again! Each ceremony is individualized to the couple, and said with a heartfelt voice. She grows attached to all of her couples, which can be seen in the occasional tear. She also smiles, and occasionally laughs with each ceremony.

Pricing you ask? Last I heard she started at $250- which is SO reasonable these days!

Above Photograph thanks to the amazing Shannon Wright!

Is a Wedding Coordinator Necessary?

2008-07-12T19:06:00.004-04:00

Can't decided whether a wedding coordinator or planner is really necessary? Check out this message board from Weddingbee.com where brides talk about their experiences when having a coordinator. Then, if you have any questions about my services, feel free to check out my packages as well as getting in touch with me!

Amanda & Eric Have Been Blogged!

2008-06-22T18:25:00.010-04:00

Free advertising is always exciting, being blogged about is even more exciting!

Amanda & Eric's pictures were featured in the blog of Southern Wedding Style thanks to their amazing photographer Shannon Wright. All of the following pictures are thanks to Shannon as well. She is always a pleasure to work with and has a great eye for fun shots.

Their wedding was held at the First Presbyterian Church in Athens, GA. It was a beautiful church and a beautiful ceremony.

After the ceremony, they made their way to campus for a picture or two, and then met up with their guest for dinner and dancing at the Foundry Park Inn and Spa. The food was absolutely delicious!The florist for Amanda and Eric's Wedding was Gardenia Floral Designs. They had beautiful bouquets, wonderful church decor, and the centerpieces were fabulous!
Their entertainment for the night was with Music Masters DJ, and did a great job. He kept everyone on the dance floor and they all had a great time!

The cake was done by a local Athens bakers, Cecilia Villaveces. It was a HUGE hit and there wasn't a piece of either cake left!
Amanda was one of my first brides to book, and from the start I was so excited to be working for she and Eric!

My First Blog!

2008-06-11T18:17:00.005-04:00

Well here I am, after 6 solid months in the business, loving every minute of it!

From my very first bride, Kerry, to my next bride Sherry, I've enjoyed planning and coordinating over 10 weddings! Each wedding has had a different style, color scheme, and overall feel to the wedding. Some have been on the extreme side of elegance where others have been laid back, while keeping in style.

My plan for this blog is to provide brides with tons, and I do mean TONS of wedding information. I'll provide vendor recommendations, money saving tips, etiquette advice, and much more!

If there is something in particular you'd like to hear about, don't hesitate to e-mail me: Ally@unforgettablesoirees.com