Putting “you” in your wedding!

I am soooooo tired of seeing the same things over and over and OVER for weddings.  These day’s its acceptable to have something different – step OUT of the box for cryin out loud – be different – be bold – be YOU!

I must say this post was inspired by my friend April Dorsey at The DTales and her AWESOME wedding featured on Rock n Roll Bride (this is a big deal).  This couple had such cool elements to their wedding that was really a reflection of who they are as a couple.

Every couple has things that are unique to them and should infuse those into their event.  If you have a gagillion dollar clown collection then have clowns at your wedding (not really but maybe clown colors). When I got married almost 24 years ago I wanted a pink dress – my Mother said no way – so I had a white one (sigh) huge mistake.  The point is this is your chance to really show off YOU. The one think I’ve preached to my children everyday is “Don’t be ordinary”.  Show off what makes you unique as a couple.  Don’t go crazy now, sometimes subtle is better (sometimes, not always).  Here are some ideas on infusing your style and personality into your wedding!

Theme – choosing a theme can be tricky.  Having a theme doesn’t mean that every aspect of the wedding has to relate to the “theme”.  Your theme is really an overall “feeling” for your wedding.  Think about what you and your fiancé like to do on dates, where you like to dine, or vacation.  Choose a look and feel that really portrays who you are as a couple. A good designer will give you tons of ideas on how to make the most of your theme.

Stationery – Stationery is a great way to showcase your personality.  Remember that your invitation is the first glimpse of your wedding.  Through your choice of stationery and verbiage your guests will be able determine not only the formality of your event, but a little about the overall style of the wedding.   Your planner will offer you suggestions on verbiage etiquette as well as choices of paper weight and colors.

Menu Selection – Choosing your food should reflect the taste and style of the couple.  If you and your fiancé love simple things, then offer simple menu choices that complement the wedding as a whole.  On the other hand, if you have a sophisticated palette you should certainly offer more sophisticated choices.  Keep in mind to serve food that all of your guests will enjoy.  Your wedding planner will direct you to caterers who will help you prepare a flawless menu that will leave your guests satisfied and happy (but not too happy, there is dancing to be done!).

 Décor & Details Details Details – By far the BEST PART! A flawless design is what says the most about you as a couple.  When your guests walk into your ceremony and reception, the first thing they should think is “this is so (insert names here)”! If you are a casual couple who love the outdoors then don’t showcase your wedding as “old Hollywood glamour”, choose décor that brings the outside in. If you and your fiancé are wine enthusiasts, then think of Vineyard inspired décor.  The sky is the limit if you think outside of the box and use what you know – yourself and your fiancé!

Fashion – This is the number one way to “wow” your guests and show them your own personal style.  Often times the Bride gets so caught up in the opinions of everyone around her that she ends up wearing a gown that is not uniquely “her”. You must let those close to you know that the gown choice is ultimately yours, not theirs, and although you value their opinion, you will choose what makes you feel best.

Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Red Carpet to Bridal Fashion

The long-awaited award season is upon us – yay! I love looking at (and critiquing) the fashion.  Bridal fashion is always inspired – at least a little bit – by red carpet looks we see on celebrities.

Now I’m no Joan Rivers, but I know what I like – even if it’s not what all the “cool kids” like.

So here’s some looks I think would translate from red carpet to bridal fashion – WITH CHANGES OF COLOR (or maybe not who knows).

First up the fabulous Fergie in Jean-Paul Gaultier. This would be stunning in white with a bikini under it for a beach wedding OR with lining for any wedding.  The more I look at this dress the more I love it! It’s sort of like lace on crack…

Next is the ever beautiful Rhianna in Giorgio Armani – No description necessary, I’d hate her for having my body if I didn’t like her so much. Anyway, imagine this in white, ivory or champagne. Perfect for a bride with a KILLER BODY!

Next is the super-awesome-fabulous Katy Perry.  I love this Elie Saab gown for an older bride – so classy and elegant. I would even like to see the bride in this blue and her “maids” in blush or white (minus the Smurf-head-Marge Simpson-slicked back up-do – no offense Katy or Marge or Smurfette)

Next up the beautiful songstress and REAL woman …Adele in Armani.  She is so stunning with perfect red lips and real confidence (take that Karl). She really lets her voice speak for itself and doesn’t act like a Diva.  Both of these gowns would work well in a bridal color – or kick butt RED!

Just my thoughts Grammy to Bridal fashion – can’t wait to see who’s wearing what at the Oscars! Leave your comments – we would love to hear your ideas on Red Carpet to Bridal looks.

Outdoor Fall Wedding- State Park Chic

Bryon and Marla Thernes came to me and ask for a “Wedding in the middle of a party”! SCORE!! I thought it sounded like so much fun.  They had a ton of families on their guest list and they wanted to make this a party everyone could enjoy (so I immediately though SMORES STATION).  They had already booked the pavillion at Red Top Mountain State Park – a truly blank canvas. The ceremony included ribbon flying from the trees, tree stumps (which we cut ourselves) adorned with beautiful flowers and hay bale seating for the guests. The lighting in the the pavilion was so harsh so I made chandeliers with flowers and battery operated lights to hang from the beams as well as mason jar chandeliers.  The “Cake Stand” was also made from tree stumps from my forest of a back yard (saving the couple money!!). This was one of my favorite outdoor weddings! I love the family friendly rustic vibe.

From Trash to Flash – Upcycling old stuff

So I love a good “redo” – I love taking something that another has deemed “trash” and make it something super fabulous – something they never thought possible.  Soooo….I have taken two old chairs that I got off the street (I paid $1 each – just to make sure they didn’t call the cops- always make sure you ask before you take someones trash).  The seats were caved in and the backs were broken – STILL, I thought I could make them amazing.

I removed the cushions and made a template on a scrap piece of wood ( leftover from making display boxes for a wedding). I didn’t want these chairs to look anything like they did originally so I cut off the backs (well my handy man did – he’s my husband too – double duty!)

I used some sanding gel so I didn’t have to hand sand the chairs, they weren’t too bad anyway.  I put two coats of white enamel spray paint to the bottom of the chairs and covered the seats with an old sweater I got a Goodwill – yea thats right, Goodwill (they know me by name there!).  After attaching the seats to the new white frames I added freshly painted silver finials to the back (the finials were left from my dining room redo the previous week) along with a silver painted backing to a drawer pulls I found for 25 cents at ReStore.  And……

I put them at the foot of the bed so my guest will have something to sit on while changing or putting on shoes.  I love the way they look sort of “Fantasyish” or Royalish or somethingish anyway.  The whole room was actually designed from “rescued” furniture (sorry about all the quotation marks but you get the idea).  The artwork was done with coffee filters (yes you read right plain white coffee filters), feathers and an old gift box. The lamp was revamped and I made a new shade to complement the room. The window treatments I made from material I got from Goodwill (about 20 yards for $4.00) and the bedside table use to be my Mother’s.  I painted the furniture a cheery yellow and the walls a bright blue.  I used the rust color to to tie in the pillow I have on the bed.  So let me know what your thoughts are!!!

Traditionally Modern Inspiration

So during the Summer I was working on a stylized shoot with one of my favorite Atlanta photographers, Peter Doyle of Storyboard Life.  We were working on a great shoot featuring Anne Barge gowns  - but that’s not what this post if about!!

I tried to finding some pics that would give my potential clients an idea of “who I am” as a designer and planner.  The pics of my work are more reflective of my client than me. There just weren’t any that I felt got my point across sooooo…I stylized a shoot that is representative of “Traditionally Modern” and how I see myself in the wedding industry.

I love “back in the day” movies, pictures, and the general way of life (but with Diet Dr Pepper, TiVo and women’s rights) I love the look of short wedding gowns with tons of tulle and the casual male.  I love love love the vintage hat I found for the shoot.  It was so much fun working with Chrissy Pike and Tyler Cowart (yeah that’s right, that’s my kid!!!)  I think the colors are bright and edgy and the fun design elements are just that Fun! Sometimes I think we lose sight of ourselves and the fun part of our work.

So what do you think? What do these pics say to you – about me and more importantly about Traditionally Modern?

 

 

 

 

What to DO Number 1..Not your Mothers Wedding

What to DO…Number 1…Not Your Mother’s Wedding

To end this five part series, I’ve come to the number one most important thing to DO for your wedding.  Make it your own.  So many times we get caught up in everyone else’s opinion of what we should do, how we should plan, what we should wear that we end up doing, planning or wearing something we didn’t want at all.

If your parents are paying for your wedding, by all means, they should be allowed to invite guests they want to. However, it doesn’t mean they get to make all the decisions.  “He who pays chooses” doesn’t work for me.  As I see it, you’re given a GIFT, and a GIFT is given with the knowledge that the recipient may do with it what they please.  Its your wedding and should be about you and your fiance.  Infusing who you are as a couple is imperative.  If you don’t want your reception at the local bar, then SAY SO. Don’t be bullied or guilted into having what someone else thinks you should have.  If your mother wants you to wear a full ball gown and you want a fitted mermaid gown, then SAY SO (and when you shop for your gown, take one or two people, not twenty-too many opinions muddy the water).

So many times couples are afraid of stepping on toes and hurting feelings that they end up with less than what they hoped for.  Now I’m not saying to go full on Bridezilla – I’m just saying stand up for yourself, say what you want, thank others for their opinions and do what makes you happy. You’ll be sorry if you don’t.  And everyone, including your Mother, wants you to be happy, sometimes they just need to be told what you want!

I want to offer a few pieces of advice for you

• Make sure that you are planning for a marriage and NOT a wedding.  The whole reason you are having this party is to celebrate that you have found the person you want to spend the rest of your life with (YES- THE REST OF  YOUR LIFE).
• However you start out your marriage is how it’s going to be forever, make sure you’re honest and working together to make it the kind of marriage you’ll be proud of.
• NEVER EVER complain to someone about your spouse to anyone that doesn’t love them as much as you do! Those people won’t be as easy to forgive as you are.

I hope you’ve enjoyed the series – I’m looking forward to questions and comments and tons more blogposts!

What to DO….. Number 2..Be Prepared

Even if you think you’ve thought of everything, you haven’t.  There are so many things you don’t know that you don’t know (sounds weird but you know what I mean). Today I’m sharing just a few of the thing you may not realize or remember for your wedding. If you have anything to add let me know!

 What? I need cash to tip my limo driver, planner, DJ, Wait staff? Nobody told me that.  

 Be prepared with labeled envelopes of money for gratuity.

 What? I forgot my garter to toss, hairspray and double stick tape?

Be prepared with an emergency kit stocked with all the things you just might need.  All good planners carry one with them at all times (mine is in a three tier tool box).

What do you mean the cake’s not here and the DJ is lost?

Be prepared with a list of all vendors contact names and phone numbers for the day.  Make sure you email confirmations with address and times for each vendor(#1 reason to hire at least a Day of Coordinator- just sayin).

Rain? Seriously, its raining on my wedding day?

 Be prepared with umbrellas and a PLAN B – there must always be a PLAN B.

Why are you asking me about when to serve the cake? 

Be prepared to appoint someone the point of contact for the day (not your mother, maid of honor or bridesmaid either).  This way you won’t have to be bothered with these things throughout the celebration.

You mean the wedding is over? So quick? I spent a year planning it!!

Be prepared for post wedding blues.  Now the planning is over, you’ve returned from your honeymoon, and you don’t know what to do with yourself.  It’s only natural that you’ll miss the vendor meetings, meetings with your planner (who is by now, probably your friend) and daydreaming about  your perfect gown.  What to do next? No, not children (even if your mother in law is insisting- mine was asking me the day after we got married!) Look at your photographs and just imagine every moment, every detail and every emotion you felt.  Memories last forever, you can relive your wedding anytime you want to. Always always remember, you got what you wanted, you’re married to the perfect partner.

What? I’m stuck with their family forever? 

 Another post for another day…….

 Tomorrow…..NUMBER 1 “NOT YOUR MOTHER’S WEDDING” Oh yea, I went there.

What to DO Number 3…Be Realistic

What to DO Number 3…..Be Realistic

Ok, we’ve gone over vendor value and honesty…that brings me to Reality! Being realistic is SO important. You say your dream wedding centerpiece is a five foot high arrangement exploding with imported tulips, calla lilly, peonies and roses all designed by Preston Bailey himself (he’s the Lord of all things beautiful).  But, in REALITY, the only arrangements you’re going to see by Preston Bailey are in his book or on TV (unless you’ve been less than honest about your budget and we’ve been over that already).

What I’m getting at is you can’t expect have every thing you’ve ever seen, heard of or read about for your wedding. Now I like wedding shows just as much as the next guy.  I mean who doesn’t love watching Diann Valentine and David Tutera make a seemingly small budget look like a GAGILLION $$$? If your’e not lucky enough to be a guest on “I Do Over” or “My Fair Wedding” then you have to be a guest on “I’m Gonna Be Realistic…” Use these outlets as inspiration. You can, however, have your own VERSION of those things you’ve seen (as long as there’s cohesion in the design).

I encourage my couples to bring me pictures of what their dream wedding would look like if money were no object. The sky’s the limit.  They’ll bring pictures from internet sites, high end magazines, blogs, books, etc. to use as inspiration during our design session.  We go over and over the pictures and decide which elements are the most important in achieving the look they want for their ceremony and reception.  All the while being REALISTIC.  Those five foot centerpieces a MUST? Use Hydrangea instead of peonies and go monochromatic instead of using different colors, this looks high end while keeping your design and budget in tact. GOTTA have couture linens from I Do Linens? Use one of her specialty linens on the cake table for a WOW factor.  I promise you wont be disappointed.

Some couples think they can have a full seated dinner for 150 with Prime Rib, a string quartet, six tier wedding cake, and leave in a horse drawn carriage and a cooler full of Champagne. All for $10,000 – Not. Gonna. Happen (and if it did, the prime rib may be hamburger, the horse a donkey, and that champagne, Boones Farm).  However, if you’re realistic about things, and you use the right designer, you can have your version of your dream wedding while keeping your budget in tact (this is where having a professional helps out the most).

In addition to your design and decor, be realistic about your guests.  When you first become engaged you are super excited and want to invite everyone (sort of like going to the grocery store when you’re hungry). The more you invite, the more you spend.  A good rule of thumb is to ask yourself “do I really want to spend $125 or $150 for this person to come to my party?”  Another piece of advice I share with all my couples is to be prepared for everyone to say YES! If you invite 400 people, you should have a budget that accommodates 400 people.  This is reality.

Here are two photos for you – the first is one my bride brought me as inspiration…

The second is what we came up with for her 200 guest wedding. What do you think?

You CAN have it all….your version…if you are REALISTIC.