LEAP DAY SPECIAL OFFER!

Since February 29th only comes around once every four years, we’ve decided to do something exciting to celebrate.

Drum Roll Please (me just slapping my hands on the desk)………………

In honor of Leap Year Traditionally Modern Wedding Planning & Design will give EACH bride that books TODAY our Full Service Package for $2900 (get it “29” whoo hooo …confetti shot from cannons and balloons falling from the sky).  

If you’ve been putting off hiring a planning/design firm, this is the time to do it.

Click here and check out what our full service package entails, then call us quick 678.300.2124 or email us at Dawn@traditionallymodern.com

Operators are standing by to take your call…

Happy Leap Day!!

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?

 

 

 

 

Best Bridal Shoot Ever!

When Nicole and Paul first hired me they were full of fun ideas and were totally open to my suggestions on how to fit them into their wedding design AND their budget. I LOVE working with couples that want something “different” and aren’t afraid of stepping outside the proverbial box! So when my Bride suggested she would like to pose by a “car” I was less than thrilled.  However, I didn’t know what kind of car she had in mind.   The outcome was beautiful! I must say that this is my ALL TIME FAVORITE Bridal Shoot (so far anyway)!  Growing up as the daughter of a City of Atlanta Policeman I was forever being badgered by my peers (especially after my Father ask one of my dates a gazillion questions while in uniform) about cops and doughnuts.  So you can see why this photography by the incomparable Peter Doyle quickly became my favorite (not to mention the Stunning Ian Stuart gown, but I’ll get into that post later).  So Enjoy! My Favorite Bridal Shoot Photograph.

She sort of looks like Cinderella looking for her lost shoe!! Lost Peacock Shoe that is.

HERE’S TO YOU MRS ROBINSON

A sneak peek at our latest couple married Sunday September 26 at Villa Christina.  These stunning engagement and bridal  pictures were taken by one of our favorite photographers, Peter Doyle of Storyboard Life.  Nicole and Paul are an extraordinary couple and  I cant wait to share all of the DIY elements (all done by yours truly) of their wedding.  Nicole gave us the greatest compliment when she said “I trust you, whatever design you come up with will be beautiful.”

Tip of the Day - Try to schedule your bridal shoot on the same day you have your hair and makeup trial! This will save you time and money, two of our favorite things.