Summer Romance Table Display

Remember this inspiration board? I created it for my Summer Romance table display at StudioWed.

Well, here's how it turned out!
Contributing Vendors
Photography & Lighting: Blue World Studios
Table Design: Lemiga Events
Stationery: Luxe Expressions
Flowers: Tulip
Linens: I Do Linens
Rentals: Event Rentals Unlimited
Wedding Cake: Sweet Sensations

See all the details on the StudioWed blog as well as the rest of StudioWed's Summer display tables.

New Issue of Atlantan Brides Magazine

The new issue of The Atlantan Brides magazine has arrived! The issue is stunning - from the layout, to the weddings featured, and there is an article on StudioWed!
Pick up your complimentary copy of the magazine at StudioWed Atlanta.

Weddings Unveiled Summer Issue

Here is the beautiful cover of the new Weddings Unveiled Summer issue
Pick up your complimentary copy of the magazine at the Weddings Unveiled Summer Social at StudioWed, tomorrow, Thursday, June 25th 6-9pm. Register to attend here

Thanks to everyone who helped us spread the word about the event:

It's A Jaime Thing

Shosho Designs

Liana Photography

Ink & Paint

Andrea Taylor Studio

Dreamy Gelato & Chocolates

Dawn Easter Events

Swanky Tables

A Delightful Day

TLS Elite Events

Sugar & Spice 1st Birthday - The Food & Favors

I hope you have enjoyed seeing all the details from the party! Finally, I would like to share the food and favors.

One of my favorite Atlanta caterers, Endive, did a wonderful job (as usual) with all the food. The adults had a buffet
while the kids enjoyed a sack lunch which included mini chicken sandwiches, P&J sandwiches, chips, and fruit

Miss Pickle Press provided all of our coordinating paper items, from the napkins
to drink stirrers, as well as cupcake flags and favor tags.


Dreamy Gelato & Chocolates did THE most divine gelato cart


and custom monogram chocolates

The 'Sweet Shoppe' was a huge hit at the party
Haute Cakes did a fabulous job coordinating the candy with the party colors

The cupcakes from Sugarplum Visions finished off the sweets buffet

The birthday cake, also from Sugarplum, was divine, both in design and taste!

The flowers from Tulip accented the cake perfectly with fluffy peonies and blueberry strands

The party favors for the girls were pink monogram bags (from Madame Monogram) filled with goodies, and sports baskets for the boys.
The kids' faces lighted up when they received these

Of course, the birthday girl had to have her very own special "smash" cake
And she did enjoy smashing it!
Happy 1st birthday Cydney! It was such a privilege to plan such a special occasion and work with a wonderful family. Thanks again to Andrea Taylor Studio for all the beautiful images and to all the vendors who pulled together to make this party a success!

Sugar & Spice 1st Birthday - The Entertainment

My client wanted to make sure guests were entertained from start to finish, from the youngest to the oldest.


When guests first arrived they signed Cydney's birthday jersey, (a way to incorporate her father who is a NFL player),
and they also wrote birthday wishes to be stored in a keepsake box for Cydney to read when she's older
Next, guests were invited to our photo booth, which I wanted to look more like home than a typical booth. The photographer, Andrea Taylor Studio, shot photos of all the guests in our booth and the guests were able to go online to see them.

The adults were entertained on the outdoor terrace with a Nintendo Wii station
Board games

And Kourosh, a caricature artist, who did fantastic drawings of the guests on this custom pre-printed background


The kids had their own tent with lunch bags


Elegant Event Sitters did a great job watching over the kids with crafts, including making birthday cards for Cydney

as well as a build a bear craft

We also hired Bubbleman who captivated the kids with bubbles


and there was also a magician who started with a show

and ended with balloon art


Finally, you can't possibly have a kid's party without a bouncer! We had a castle bouncer that sat on the dock beside the lake


A good time was had by all! Thanks to Andrea Taylor Studio for all the photos in this post. Coming up next, the final installment for this party, the food and favors!

Sugar & Spice 1st Birthday - The Decor

For the overall decor, we wanted a look that was stylish but still whimsical since it was a 1st birthday party. The color scheme of navy and fuchsia was already dramatic, and we used that to set the tone of the decor.
We started with custom linens by I Do Linens. Tamara did a fabulous job creating linens that were polished but still fun.
Just look at these chair caps!

She also created a cake table linen that mimicked Cydney's party dress, with hot pink tulle and a navy top
Pillows in our lounge area added the perfect pop of color on the white chairs, complete with Cydney's monogram!

The flowers were absolutely to die for! Tulip completely captured my vision of fabulous flowers with fun elements like strands of blueberries

Unique vases
Perfect shades of pink accented with navy blue ribbon
And the most adorable flower soda pops and cupcakes!


The adults had their own outdoor lounge area to watch the kids play on the dock below


Drapery from Event Drapery added a burst of color to completely transform the terrace

And of course we couldn't leave the kids out! They had their own tent right by the dock, with children tables, drapery, and custom linens.

All of the photos are courtesy of Andrea Taylor Studio

Now if you think the decor is fabulous, wait until you see the entertainment! Up next...

Sugar & Spice 1st Birthday - The Inspiration & Venue

I had the honor of planning the most fabulous 1st birthday party for a very special little girl named Cydney! The birthday girl's mom came to me with a dress she found at Bloomingdale's that she wanted her daughter to wear at the party. I used the dress as inspiration to design an unforgettable 1st birthday party for Cydney.

Photo from Bloomingdale's

We came up with the theme of "Sugar and Spice" after the very popular poem about little girls. Debra with Luxe Expressions took our color scheme of navy and fuchsia and theme to design the invitation and monogram that we were able to use throughout the party.

The venue for the party was the Clara Meer Dock and Visitor Center at Piedmont Park. It was perfect for the party with its indoor and outdoor spaces. With a little imagination and help from my wonderful team of vendors, we were able to transform the space.

BEFORE: Visitor Center

AFTER: Visitor Center
How do you fix up a drab park bathroom? Hot pink fabric draped on the bathroom doors instantly dresses up the space.
BEFORE: Outdoor terrace
AFTER: Outdoor terrace
BEFORE: Terrace
AFTER: Terrace
BEFORE: Dock area
AFTER: Dock areaAll the before photos are mine. All after photos are courtesy of Andrea Taylor Studio.

I look forward to sharing with you all the fun details from the party over the next few days.

Venue Spotlight: Blue Mark Studios

For those looking for a unique event venue, Blue Mark Studios, located in Midtown West, near the King Plow Center, is a renovated 110 year-old Church that offers more than 3000 square feet of event space.

There is a ballroom with high ceilings and hardwood floors

There is also a lower level that features exhibition and party space, a kitchen and built in bar.
The owner is working on developing a rooftop garden with spectacular views of the Atlanta skyline. As one of the few venues in Atlanta that allows you to bring in your own caterer and alcohol for events, Blue Mark is definitely worth taking a look at for your next event!

Weddings Unveiled Summer Social

StudioWed Atlanta is hosting a Summer Social to celebrate the release of Weddings Unveiled magazine's Summer issue, Thursday, June 25th, 6:00pm-9:00pm. See all the details here and register to attend here. Hope to see you there!

(Photo by Ross Oscar Knight)

Evening at Ritz Carlton Atlanta

Earlier this week I had the opportunity to attend an event for wedding planners at the newly renovated Ritz Carlton Atlanta. I was so impressed with the renovations. The hotel now has a Hollywood Regency feel to it

And here is the hotel lobby bar Lumen




They had this display table off the lobby area - it was stunning!
I just loved the chairs

The staff at Ritz Carlton completely spoiled us with a dinner and dancing in their gorgeous new ballroom. The overall palette is a soothing platinum silver which lends itself to being very modern

For those looking for lighting, the ballroom has these curtained areas around the room that change lights and are included in the rental

The overall table set up was very unique as the tables were set in a big X design

And each arm of the X was a different color scheme


Dinner was a fun inventive 3 course meal - not your typical meat and fish duo!


Tamara with I Do Linens do a superb job with all the table linens

And Rich of Creative Events by Sunflowers wowed us with the table centerpieces


Thanks so much to Robin and the entire staff at Ritz Carlton Atlanta for an unforgettable evening! As a wedding planner it's always nice to be able to enjoy an event once in awhile instead of working it.

Atlanta Magazine Weddings Event

Last week I attended the Wedding Party event by Atlanta Magazine Weddings at the Atlanta Botanical Garden. It was the perfect evening for an event in the Garden. Here are a few of the highlights.

I loved the whimsical buffet display by Sun In My Belly
The fabric flowers hanging from the umbrella were adorable!
Blossoms Atlanta showcased a gorgeous arch. It was the perfect pop of color in the garden.
And Anne Barge displayed their always stunning gowns

Venue Spotlight: Cator Woolford Gardens

Recently I had the opportunity to meet with Erin Stroup, sales manager at Cator Woolford Gardens and tour their beautiful wedding venue

Photo by Jessica Horwitz

The venue is located right outside of Midtown on a 33 acre estate in the middle of a hardwood forest.

Photos by Shari Zellars

Redesigned in 1996 as a series of outdoor “rooms,” the gardens are ideal for ceremonies, receptions, benefits, corporate events, banquets or rehearsal dinners.

Photo by Orpheus and Aphrodite

Photo by James Adam Hill

The venue has a very "secret garden" type of feel and the possibilities are endless as to what you could do to make it your own for your wedding.

Photo by Jessica Horwitz

Photo by Shari Zellars

Photo by James Adam Hill

And here are images from a wedding shot at Cator Woolford by the very talented Our Labor of Love

StudioWed Blog

Be sure to check out the StudioWed Blog and add to your blog reading list for all the news on StudioWed, wedding features, and vendor wedding tips.

Recently announced is our partnership with Weddings Unveiled magazine. Stay tuned for details on a social event with the magazine later this month at StudioWed Atlanta!

Destination Wedding - Savannah

For those desiring to stay a little closer to home for their destination wedding, one of Georgia's most romantic cities, Savannah, serves as a beautiful backdrop for weddings.

(Photos from Mansion website)

Boutique hotel, the Mansion on Forsyth Park offers luxurious accommodations,
a stunning canopy tent for ceremonies,
as well as a grand ballroom.

One of my favorite weddings at the Mansion is from photographer Timwill whose photos of this wedding really capture the romance of the venue


A great idea for a unique rehearsal dinner is to do a Riverboat Cruise on the Savannah Harbor. Guests get a tour of the city while enjoying dinner.
I hope you have enjoyed this week looking at different locations for destination weddings. Some important factors to keep in mind when searching for a location: think about your guests in terms of the ease of travel and their comfort at the location; what are the restrictions the location will bring to the wedding; and how accommodating is the staff in regards to fulfilling your desires for your wedding?

Of course hiring a competent wedding planner to communicate your wishes to the hotel staff and making sure all the hotel's obligations are honored is also key to having a smooth and enjoyable destination wedding!

Destination Wedding - Four Seasons Costa Rica

For couples who like to be near the ocean but want activities available beyond the beach, one great destination is the Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo
The accommodations blend into the natural surroundings
The rooms are open-air and spacious

The activities available include the jungle canopy where guests are harnessed and slide along a series of zip lines suspended above valleys and amid treetops.

There are also rain forests, waterfalls, hot springs, and lagoons.
No one can complain about being bored at a destination like this!

(All photos in this post are from the Four Seasons website)

Destination Wedding - Grace Bay Club

I've noticed more of a trend towards destination weddings with my new clients. I've done lots of research on various locations and thought I would share a few of my favorites.

First up is the Grace Bay Club located in Turks & Caicos.

All photos in this post are from the hotel's website

Set on a 12-mile stretch of beach heaven, Grace Bay Club is the perfect mix of seclusion and boutique hotel luxury.

Accommodations
The hotel is divided into two separate sections. For those without kids they have the adults-only Hotel. And for those with kids, they have the family-friendly Villas with their own restaurant, bar, and pool.
Weddings

Grace Bay Club can host up to 120 guests and offers several choices for ceremony locations including a secluded beach, gazebo, private catamaran, or an uninhabited cay.

Here are a few other features of the hotel that make me ready to pack my bags right now!

The Infiniti Bar

The bar stretches 90 feet across the hotel to the shore. The design of the bar creates the illusion that it's floating above the sand. Guests are able to dine at the bar with their feet in the water.

Beach Beds

One of my favorite things to do at the beach is to fall asleep with the sounds of the ocean. The hotel offers daybeds directly on the beach complete with chilled sorbet, fresh fruit, and beach service.

Beach Dining

The hotel offers dining directly on the beach and limits it to one couple or group per night to ensure a private and exclusive experience. The Chef even customizes the menu to the guests tastes.

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I'm sure guests who use their vacation time to attend a destination wedding will appreciate being pampered at a resort like this. And what a memorable wedding that would make!

Carolyn and Raj - Part 2

The rest of Carolyn and Raj's wedding took place at the MeadowView Conference Resort

photo from Marriott's website

The hotel was beautiful, the beds in the rooms were heavenly, and the hotel staff went above and beyond to make sure we had everything we needed.

The night before the Hindu ceremony, the groom's family hosted the Garba which is a dance before the wedding. The bride and groom lead the dance in a circle around the room as the guests follow. The Garba lasts for hours and gets more lively as the night goes on. I didn't get any good photos of the Garba but will hopefully have some to share once the professional photos are in.


The next day started with the Baraat.
The baraat is a procession that represents the journey of the groom and his family from his village the bride's village. The groom rides on a horse and a drummer or band lead the family in dancing and singing during the journey.

Once the groom reaches the bride's family he convinces her mother to let them marry. And then the wedding ceremony begins.

The couple's Hindu ceremony was held in the hotel's ballroom. It was a beautiful ceremony focusing on the blending of the families.

One of my favorite details was the ceremony program which was printed on a gold scroll

Later in the evening was the reception. The colors were pink and orange and I loved the beautiful centerpiecesI had such a wonderful time working on this wedding and learning so much about the traditions and culture of both families. Here I am with the KIS3 team. Thanks Nirjary and Snehal for giving me the opportunity to work with you!