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

Etiquette for Real Brides

At the ABC Business of Brides conference, I had the tremendous opportunity to hear Peggy Post (great, great granddaughter in law of Emily Post) speak.  She was great!  Her relaxed approach makes the guidelines of etiquette completely doable.  I have to repeat this fabulous quote Peggy shared:

“It really doesn’t matter what fork you use.  What really matters is being interested in the people you’re having a meal with.”  --Emily Post

As all my clients know, I am a huge promoter of this concept of etiquette.  One of the first things I often  tell my clients is that etiquette exists to make us feel comfortable and to resolve awkward situations in a non-offensive way.

Peggy says etiquette is the fuel that helps us build relationships.  Here are her three principles:

*Consideration--thinking before acting

*Respect--interest in others as they are (empathy)

*Honesty:  being sincere, truthful, tactful

Peggy believes that those who follow etiquette, in essence, abide by the Golden Rule which transcends culture, tradition, race, education, or marital status.

How does this apply to your wedding?  Your wedding is about you and the groom, but it also involves your family and guests.  You are building the relationships for your future from your past and present.  Each of these relationships can only be made stronger when you treat others with consideration, respect and honesty at all times--even on your own special day.

On a note about the future, Cindy Post Senning (great, great granddaughter of Emily Post) writes books for children and parents about manners based on the principles of etiquette and different developmental abilities.  I can’t wait to get the illustrated books for three year olds based on a little girl named, what else but, Emily!  Peggy and Cindy's books are available online of course, but I also recently saw one of Cindy's at the Baggie Goose in Biltmore Village.

So by now you may have guessed part of my inspiration behind a wedding planning career.  Call (828.808.8888) or email me today to talk about how the three principles of etiquette can help you through the sensitive moments of your wedding.  I look forward to hearing from you!

Emily and Cindy Post Senning

ABC Business of Brides Conference

I just returned from Indianapolis where I attended the annual Business of Brides conference sponsored by the international Association of Bridal Consultants. I met so many wonderful and talented people in the industry. There were gala events showcasing the latest trends in weddings (these photos are from my personal camera) and classes upon classes taught by industry leaders on how to provide more and better services to our clients. The Association of Bridal Consultants strives to take each member to the next step as a professional by providing and rewarding continuing education, community and industry participation so that when brides contract with an Association consultant or vendor, they know they can trust that company to be top in the field. I am so excited to be a member of an Association that sets the bar for excellence in wedding planning and design!

Yes, the chocolate really was as good as it looks!

This sign inspired me every morning

From the skywalk on the way

to the Circle City Mall.

Teresa and Phil

I'm so excited to post these pictures from Teresa and Phil's wedding on July 4th. They married at a private lodge next to a fresh, clear mountain river. They are a sweet, sweet couple with really fun family and friends! Color was one of the highlights of the day for me. Teresa incorporated vibrant shades into her florals, shoes, and of course the fabulous fuschia lipstick on all the women of the wedding party.

Fresh lemonade! Teresa and Phil had a lemonade welcome table for their guests. What could be better on a hot Fourth of July?

Gorgeous details in the cake by Asheville Cake Company. My first ever "log" cake stand and I'm LOVING it! Teresa and her girls put together all the centerpieces and other small arrangements like you see in this picture.
The hanging twine balls with twinkle lights from Classic Event Rental gave an elegant, yet outdoorsy ambiance to the tent. And I wish you could hear DJ Dylan Skidmore of Blazin Sounds who provided great entertainment for HOURS of dancing.
Excellent (and very attractive) food from 28806. Kudos to Stacey and crew.

This photo is beautiful, classic Angela Stott Photography. You don't even have to know these people to wish you could have a copy hanging in your living room!

Teresa asked for something creative from Steve at Merrimon Florist and he totally caught her vision. Long grasses, bells of ireland, a seed pod (!) and pops of fuschia and yellow.

Southern Weddings

Southern Weddings is a super-chic blog that publishes beautiful, creative weddings from our very own region. Last week they published Brian and Marcy's Biltmore wedding complete with their story, peacock feather details and a great photo of Marcy's make-up being applied by the expert, Scott Thompson. Check the link for more fun details about this wedding and to admire more of Angela Stott's photography.
http://www.swsmag.net/blog/2009/8/18/real-north-carolina-wedding-marcy-brian.html