Distant Friends

Google stats completely fascinate me.  The computer elves keep really cool information including how many times a page is viewed per day/week/month, where people linked over from and even where their computer lives.  Ah, the wonders of the internet. 

My very sweet child hanging out while I explore the complexities of the world of Google or some equally important endeavor.

What's even more amazing?  There are people in Tunisia (2) and Russia (1) who read my blog--how cool is that?!?!  I am so ready to start planning weddings in these countries.

According to Wikipedia, Tunisia has particularly good relations with France--maybe a Parisian desert oasis theme for my fabulous readers there?  This is a picture of an amazingly non-wilty floral piece we did for an outdoor wedding in Greenville, South Carolina in late July (104 degrees).  After that success, I say bring on the heat!  However, I must admit that I personally did not attend this wedding since I was home in the AC waiting to have a baby, so my staff may have input on the desert heat concept...

 

 

And Russia...hmmmm...maybe we could capitalize on the snowy images in my head and make centerpieces out of ice sculptures with candles and sparkle everywhere.  This photo of the very gorgeous Mandy and Michael at the Crest Pavilion by Katy Cook shows tons of glamor and sparkle.  While it wasn't Siberia, it was below 70 degrees and we totally rocked it.

 

There are so many wonderful people in this world--I'm glad every time I get to meet one of you.  Thanks to all for following this blog.  Please take a minute to introduce yourself.  Planning events is all about relationships and sharing special moments with other people.  Celebrating life's occasions with you is what makes my job one of the best in the world!

Jessica and Alan

Jessica and Alan enjoyed perfect mountain top weather at Castle Ladyhawke for their October 9th wedding.  Guests drove in from Charlotte and beyond to celebrate with them and their families.  Classic Event Rental built a tent structure for their plated dinner and dancing that was larger than the footprint of my house (seriously, amazing work by Scott and team).  Janet Frye of the Enchanted Florist proved just how enchanting her staff can be by creating one of the most beautiful and comprehensive floral designs that I saw all year.  There were flowers everywhere!  My staff and I oversaw all of the logistics and went home with happy, tired feet.  Enjoy the great photography from Nick Breedlove who tirelessly shot stunning images for about ten hours!

 

 

 

Other Credits (in order of appearance):

Makeup and Hair by the wonderful ladies of Adorabella Salon in Waynesville.

Bagpiper Ken Swinton provided Scottish sounds at the parking area to greet guests.  How cool is that for a destination wedding at a Scottish castle?

Transportation by the always professional and reliable, Elite Limousine.

Ceremony and Reception Music by Nathan of Mr. C's Mobile DJ -- We love working with Nathan because he is an expert at reading the crowd to keep the party going!

Video by Stellar Media, based out of Asheville (hope to share their teaser with you soon).

Ceremony by Pastor Bill Knight of Image Church, Jessica and Alan's place of worship. 

Catering and wedding cake by Harvey and David's -- what a great staff of servers.  The guests enjoyed fast service and delicious food!

 Photo booth by RentPhotoBooth.com.  Everyone loves this activity!

The Big Goodbye

  
My friend and fabulous wedding & event planner, 
Lisa G. McMillan, owner of Exquisite Events & Consulting 
and I have collaborated on many events and love to share our expertise with brides regarding tips, trends and ideas to help them create the weddings they envisioned.  Today we joined brains for ideas on the topic, “Reception Send-Offs”.  Please take a minute to read our take on alternatives to make your grand exit memorable.

Every party has to end and a wedding's final goodbye offers the most dramatic of parting notes.  Couples regularly leave to a shower of bubbles, rose petals, bird seed, lavender, or even more exciting, sparklers.  This tradition of a grand exit is a fun climax to your wedding reception, but should be as uniquely yours as any other aspect you plan.

photography by Shutter Shack

First of all, you must somehow depart the reception at some point.  While it's certainly ok for you to slip out the back without anyone noticing, it will be very disappointing for your guests, some of whom have likely spent a great deal of time and money on your wedding and would like to have the pleasure of hugging you goodbye.  Other guests (like your mom) want to kiss you one final time on the cheek and finalize the farewell in her heart to her baby who is now a married adult.  You also might want to take the time to call out one final goodbye and thank you to all who have supported you thus far on your journey of life as an individual and now as a couple.  If people are at your wedding, they're likely very important to you and should be shown the respect and love that you feel for them.

Photography by Shutter Shack

How to make this exit comfortable for you?  Remember that there are no absolute rules of society about how one must leave.  There may be a few practical rules and considerations (my colleague Lisa McMillan of Exquisite Events and Consulting covers these today on her blog), but there is nothing that you absolutely must do to make the goodbye official.  If you're just going upstairs to your room from the ballroom, no need to make people stand outside blowing bubbles while you exit one door of the venue to run in the next.  You may exit from your ballroom, waving after your last dance a la Sound of Music.  If you are not in the mood to be pelted with small objects, consider having your guests wave white handkerchiefs as you walk toward your car.  If fireworks make you nervous, what about the more fun, and way more child-friendly glow sticks?  OK, so it's a crazy idea, but still, the exit is about you and your personality just as much as any other part of the wedding.

In closing, have fun with your exit.  Think outside the box.  Ask your planner (or me :) for unique ideas that would be fitting with your overall vision and design concept.  Ask your photographer what will be best captured on film.  Consider how best to stage the exit so guests are safe and everyone can catch a glimpse of you.

For more great ideas and tips for your final exit, please visit my friend, Lisa McMillan's blog!

photography by Shutter Shack

Sara and Matt's Engagement Session

A fun option offered in many photographers' packages is the engagement photo session.  This is such a practical idea because it offers the bride and groom an opportunity to "practice" with the camera in locations that are comfortable or natural to them.  As the bride and groom become more at ease in front of the camera, the photographer gets to know their personalities, what gets a giggle, which side is better (oh come on, everyone has a "better" side) and overall what is going to be best for relaxed photos of the bride and groom on wedding day. 

The preparation provided by an engagement session is important because the only real things a bride and groom will keep from their wedding are each other and the photographs.  It just makes sense that photography has priority within the budget, as well as practice time to be sure bride and groom are ready to smile and pose as naturally as possible on their big day.  After all, everyone's favorite photos are images that capture genuine happiness, love and other fleeting, but oh, so precious moments. 

The following photos of Matt and Sara, a gorgeous couple that may actually have been born for the camera, are by Regina Holder.  I love the almost-European feel that comes from Sara's elegance and the backdrop of downtown Asheville.  You can see how much fun they're having from their smiles.  Great work, Regina!

Clarke and Hardy's Wedding

Image from the Pretty Place website

Clarke and Hardy married in the Spring at Pretty Place with reception following at the Robin Hood Barn in Sherwood Forest.  It only made sense that they celebrated in the southern mountains as many of the family and guests came from deep South cities such as Memphis and Atlanta.  I loved their accents and southern class!  Guests enjoyed perfect weather and a weekend full of fun events.  Many of the friends and family stayed at local bed and breakfasts Tiffany Hill in Mills River and Red House Inn in Brevard.  Delicious meals for the weekend came from the Hob Knob in Brevard 

and 12 Bones in Asheville.

Photography by Marc Newton.

 The Occasions by Emily design team had the remarkable fortune of listening to Clarke's design ideas and making them happen, just as she pictured!  We were so excited to see the look of satisfaction on her face when she entered the room.

 

 

Clarke was too sweet when she asked for a photo with her VERY pregnant wedding planner!  We had such a great time working together.  As usual, I miss her now that her wedding's over...Clarke, if you're reading, please write to me.  :)

A few more credits:  

Kind and wonderful officiant:  Rev. Jean Rowe

Ceremony music:  Sons of Ralph (love these easy going, great sounding guys!)

Reception music: the Patrick Smith Band (you gotta hear them to believe how fun they are)

Gorgeous wedding cake:  Anne Somich of Wild Indigo Catering

Rentals and Linens provided by the ever helpful and excellent:  Classic Event Rental