Atlanta & Gwinnett Wedding News
Fabulous Frock Friday: Heidi Elnora 2011 Collection
Wow! Adore this new "Behind the Seams" video from Heidi Elnora featuring her STUNNING 2011 gown collection!You can set up a consultation with Heidi to create your own custom gown here in Atlanta {404.903.4263} or in Birmingham {205.977.7202}.
Win Free Wedding Photography!
Christine Gallagher Photography and Occasions Online have teamed up to offer free wedding photography for one creative {and lucky!} bride-t0-be!Kristi & Adam won the last Creative Bride contestHere’s the scoop! They are looking for creative, outgoing, inspiring & fun brides! To enter, all you need to do is submit the following information via email to: info@christinegallagher.net A storyboard or collection of images that show us your wedding inspiration.A picture of you & the lucky guyA short note/essay about your wedding plans & ideas. Please include date, time, location, etc. The prize and fine print: Wedding must take place in 2011, in the Metro Atlanta AreaEntries must be received by 5:00 pm February 4thWinner will be announced February 7thWinner will receive up to 8 hours of wedding day photography, online posting of images and a DVD of images with a Christine Gallagher Photography team member. A $3000 value.Winner will also have her wedding featured on the Occasions Online website. This is the second year we have held this contest and we are super excited to start receiving entries, so don’t be shy! You can view the last winner, Kristi & Adam’s Eco Chic wedding here! Good Luck!
A Year in Review :: 2010
Hello and Happy New Year! We took a bit of a blogging "hiatus" as we wrapped up the end of 2010, enjoyed the Holidays and settled into the New Year. We have been hard at work on a new website that will launch very soon as well.Before we dive back into our "regularly scheduled blogging," I thought it would be lovely to review all of the fun we had in 2010.Early last year I headed to our Virginia office for a photo shoot that would later be our first feature on Style me Pretty.Photo: Julie ReneeIn February we were asked to style a shoot for Bride and Bloom Magazine. I will offer you an itsy-bitsy sneak peek. We look forward to seeing the feature in their next issue.Photo: Garrett NuddAs Spring and Summer rolled around, there were lots of wonderful weddings including Atlanta Hawks player Josh Smith's wedding at the St. Regis, which was one of the largest weddings {from a production stand point} we have ever done (thousands of crystals hanging from the ceiling... etc...). I cannot share the decor images quite yet as the wedding is slated to be featured in one of our favorite bridal publications, but, again, here is one teeny tiny little sneak peek:Photo: Tina RowdenWe were honored with wonderful press this year. Features on some of our favorite blogs such as Style me Pretty and Green Wedding Shoes as well as being named one of Atlanta's "Top 10 Most Influential Event Planners" by Occasions Magazine and "Best of Weddings" 2010/2011 by The Knot were stand out moments.I traveled A LOT this year including for two destination weddings. Kate and Mark's wedding was in one of the most scenic spots you can imagine in Vail, Colorado.Personal Photoand Katharine and Kyle's wedding was in beautiful Boston on the historic Harvard campus.Photo: A Bryan PhotoOctober was an amazing month! I went to the Engage conference again (one of seven or eight business conferences I attended this year), which is always beyond my wildest expectations. The speakers are the best of the best in the bridal industry and the attention to details, decor, food- everything- is unparalleled. This year the event was held at the beautiful and historic Breakers in Palm Beach.Photos via SW from Mel BarlowLater in the month I attended bridal fashion market in New York City and reported back on the latest trends for Atlanta Weddings Magazine. So many gorgeous gowns...Photos via Wed Obsession via Brides.comI wrapped up October styling a photo shoot for the cover of Occasions Magazine (full blog post coming right up...).Photo: David ChristensenI took a very big leap in November and spoke- for the first time- to a group of event professionals at The Party Goddess "Uncensored" conference in Los Angeles. Although I was extremely nervous, it was so much fun!Photo: Jen O'SullivanIn December I was thrilled to travel back to New York City to help Get Married and my sweet friend and wedding planner Annie Lee from Daughter of Design with the first ever wedding in Times Square and it was on New Year's Eve!! It was absolutely one of the most surreal experiences of my life to be in Times Square on New Year's Eve and watch the ball drop. Stay tuned for our next post with more images from and details about this truly unique event!Personal PhotoPhew! What a year! Looking forward to all that 2011 has in store. Cheers!
Jenn & Grant :: A Sneak Peek
I love following up an E-Session post with the couple's wedding images! We can only share a few of Jenn and Grant' s wedding images here, but look for all of their wedding details in the next Atlanta Weddings Magazine.We loved all of the stationery from Eberle Invitations. It absolutely captured that "vintage Holiday" feel Jenn was going for.Jenn really wanted to be sure that each guest felt special, so there were lots of personal touches including a "Make a Wish, Take a Wish" station where guests left personal messages for the couple and found an envelope with their names and table assignments. Inside the envelope was a handwritten note to each guest thanking them for coming.Anna and Spencer's images are really stunning and capture the day perfectly. Thank you, Jenn and Grant, for including me in your wedding day celebration. You were an absolute pleasure to work with! Wishing you all the best in your new life together!!
Jenn & Grant's E-Session
We are so excited to be working with Jenn Hobby, of Q100's The Bert Show, who is getting married to Grant this weekend! Check out a few of their e-session images from Anna and Spencer Photography. I love that they took some pictures at the High Museum- where the couple had their first date and where Grant proposed. Adorable! Congrats you two- it is going to be a wonderful weekend!
Kelly's Closet Sample Sale
In Atlanta and looking for your wedding dress for less? Kelly's Closet is having a sample sale November 26th through December 5th! Kelly's Closet is home to gowns from fabulous designers such as Angel Sanchez, Claire Pettibone, Jenny Lee, Jenny Packham, Lela Rose and Modern Trousseau, so you are sure to find the perfect gown. Why not get it on sale, too?
Vineyard Wedding Inspiration
A few months ago I had the pleasure of working with Peter Doyle of Storyboard Life, florist Anik Keuller, Luxe Beauty Co. and Paper Daisies Stationery to design a special photoshoot at the gorgeous Montaluce Winery and Estates. Enjoy this vineyard wedding inspiration :Thank you to our beautiful model, Christel Bethea. Christa is an amazing woman- a breast cancer survivor. It was an honor to work with her on this shoot for Project Storyboard's “To Have & To Hold” photo project, which is an avenue for men and women who have either experienced breast cancer individually or along side of a family member to share their personal stories.
Real Wedding Feature In Weddings Unveiled!!!
We are thrilled to see that one of our recent couples (Latonya and Jason) were featured in Weddings Unveiled for their wedding at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens on July 24, 2010. It was such a pleassure working with our vendors once again! http://weddingsunveiledblog.blogspot.com/2010/11/real-wedding-latonya-and-jason.html
On our radar...
I recently attended Engage10! at the Breakers in Palm Beach. It was my 2nd Engage! event and I was, again, blown away by all of the amazingly talented people in this industry that were in attendance. There were a few vendors that I thought provided particularly unique services that I want to tell you about for your upcoming wedding or event::: Donut Divas ::Everyone loved the mini donut station provided by Donut Divas at Engage10! Mini donuts are made fresh right in front of your guests and then topped with your choice of sugar & cinnamon or powdered sugar. Yum! Other delectable options from the Donut Divas include a Fudge Puppies Station: Belgian Waffles on a stick, dipped in Ghirardelli hot fudge and topped with whip cream and sprinkles or nuts, Mini Funnel Cakes and Deep Fried Candy Bars and Oreos. For the health(ier) conscious, they even offer a gourmet Candy Apple Station. See the Donut Divas in action (love that this video is set to the ER opening soundtrack) :Donut Divas from Artistic Film Productions - Corp on Vimeo.:: Newly Wish Registry ::Bored with the same old registry options? Looking for items that are more chic, unique, stylish and functional? Newly Wish allows you to access NYC’s finest merchants that provide everything from kitchen and tabletop to home décor- even bridal party gifts- so that you can truly Love Your Registry! And for couples that live in NYC or frequent the city, you can register for cooking & dancing lessons, spa, fitness, theater tickets & more! I hope Newly Wish continues to expand to offer these registry options to couples in other cities, but in the meantime, we are excited about this wonderful new registry option!:: Wedding Cake Pedestals ::Not in love with the over sized, ornate, uber-traditional, silver cake risers everyone seems to use? Check out the fabulous options for custom cake pedestals from WeddingCakePedestals.com.Just be sure you coordinate the size of the base of your cake with your cake baker to match up to the size of the pedestal you purchase. We love that you can keep your pedestal as a piece to entertain with in your new home- and that it will undoubtedly become a family heirloom.:: Custom Wedding Songs ::Felice Keller Productions helps clients celebrate their lives and transform their most special moments by creating their signature soundtrack. They work with you and the most successful song writers in the business to write original, custom songs for weddings, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, and other milestones. We love the idea of couples truly having "their song"- written and performed just for them- on their wedding day. Or maybe as a surprise for your bride or groom-to-be? How charming!
Our Wedding Wonderland Came to Life!!!!
So.....we are so excited to share our latest project with you!!!! We collaborated with Glendalough Manor in helping them plan and design a "mock" wedding that took place on September 10, 2010. The concept was to create a faux wedding to demonstrate to potential brides what a wedding experience would be like at Glendalough Manor. Of course, we couldn't just put on any old wedding.....we had to reach deep down inside our twisted imaginations and bring an amazing idea to life. Alice and Wonderland was were we decided to go....a world perfect for a wedding....so girly yet eclectic!!! It all began on a beautiful September evening in the gardens...the guests were greeted by The Mad Hatter and Alice and lured into our whymsical ceremony.....We enlisted the help of our former couple Jessica and Christian married at Glendalough Manor on June 10, 2006! They were excited to re-live parts of their wedding day over four years ago. Jessica wore a lovely Matthew Christopher gown from Etain Bridal Boutique http://www.etain-llc.com/After the bride and groom exchanged vows, the guests were lured into our enchanted cocktail hour in the beutiful gardens.....a tea party was the inspiration. We had a blast bringing our table of disaccord to life by putting together different sized tables, chairs and linens to resemble the Mad Hatter's idea of a tea party.... A delightful tea party was followed by a glimpse into "the queen's castle" giving our guests a more intense look inside our immaginations....We hope you enjoyed our take on an Alice and Wonderland inspired wedding and remember we can make any idea come to life!!!Thanks to Image Maker Photography and Brandylnn Photography for the amazing pictures!
Fabulous Frock Friday: Fall 2011 Runway Edition
As many of you know, I have just returned from Bridal Market in New York City- covering the latest trends for Atlanta Weddings Magazine. You will see a complete trend report on their website soon, but in the meantime I did want to share some of my favorite gowns from Market with you. Enjoy!AmsaleAtlanta's own Anne BargeAnne BowenThis dress has a fabulous "train" that extends behind one shoulder of the gown...Another fabulous Atlanta designer, Chaviano Couture! Annette featured a gorgeous collection (her first time showing at market!) including this great short gown. I love this for courthouse nuptials in the city, an afternoon wedding or the perfect going away gown!ChristosKenneth PoolLazaroMarchesaMonique LhuillierOscar de la RentaReem AcraRomona Keveza- Legends CollectionRomona Keveza- Couture CollectionVera WangAll photos from Martha Stewart Weddings
Kate & Mark
Did you know we offer destination wedding planning services? Kate and Mark were married in Vail, Colorado on August 14th in one of the most jaw-dropping ceremony locations you can possibly imagine. Guests made the (well worth it) trip up the mountain to Piney River Ranch where the couple exchanged vows. I love Kate's clean and slightly preppy aesthetic. The navy|green|white color palette was perfect.The reception followed at Donovan Pavillion where guests enjoyed "John Dalys" {the spiked version of an Arnold Palmer} and an innovative Paella station. Mark's Mom baked a plethora of desserts for guests to enjoy in addition candy and the two small cakes adorned with the cutest cake toppers fashioned after the bride and groom and the "flower dog," Izzy. Carabiners with flashlights served as functional favors for guests to use to find their way back to the hotel at the end of the night.We were excited to see Kate and Mark's wedding recently featured on the Couture Colorado blog. Thank you for sharing these gorgeous photos with us, Tamera!
Stephanie and Matthew - June 5, 2010
Stephanie and Matthew were wed on a beautiful June afternoon in the gardens at Glendalough followed by a reception in the stunning ballroom. The reception ballroom was accented with beautiful shades of purple shown through the flower centerpieces (flowers provided by Beyond Details) and the rich deep purple silk sashes and napkins. It was a pleasure to work with Stephanie and Matthew and wish them all the best in their new life together as husband and wife!! Visit Brandelyn Lee Photography's Blog for more detail shots! http://brandelynlee.com/theblog/1367/matthew-stephanie-atlanta-wedding-photographer/
Cindy & Mike
You remember Cindy and Mike- from the cutest proposal ever- right? Well, they were married and had their reception on June 19th at the Piedmont Room at Park Tavern. The beautiful affair with a green, black and white color palette included amazing flowers from Amy Osaba (just look at Cindy's phalaenopsis orchid bouquet!!) and a cake from Sweet Sensations.Congratulations Cindy & Mike! Thank you for sharing these pretty images, Brandelyn Lee Photography!
Melissa & Chris
Melissa and Chris were married on the Swan House Lawn at the Atlanta History Center on May 8th.Melissa and Chris incorporated so many wonderful details into their wedding day. Here are some of our favorites:Chris had a "Groomswoman" and Melissa had a "Bridesman." I love it when couples break tradition to incorporate people/things/ideas that are meaningful to them.The flowers! They were so bright- perfect for Spring. There were even lemons in the floral pieces adorning the stairway to the ceremony site- how fresh! I also love the color-coordinated ribbon Melissa found to tie off the boutonnieres and wrap the bouquets.Pretty floral cones in the perfect shade of blue on Sheppard's hooks line both sides of the aisle.After the ceremony and cocktail hour (in the Boxwood Garden), guests moved to the Grand Overlook Ballroom for dinner and dancing.Chris and Melissa love to travel, so guests found their table assignments on luggage tags (which were also their favors) on a table accented with vintage suitcases.Table numbers were designed to look like post cards and featured a picture of the couple on the front vacationing at one of the many places they have traveled.The Bride's cake was gorgeous! Melissa and Chris play kickball, so the Groom's cake was quite apropos.Guests- ok, primarily the male guests, enjoyed the cigar and cordial bar.Custom lighting added a special touch. Guests felt like they were spending a magical evening "under the stars."Congratulations Melissa and Chris! Thank you for sharing these lovely images with us, PhotoSynthesis!
Meredith & Matt
Meredith and Matt were married and had their reception at The Biltmore Ballrooms on June 26th. Meredith looked stunning in her Maggie Sottero gown. The ballroom took on the perfect blush pink hue as the sun set and guests danced the night away.One of our favorite details from Meredith and Matt's wedding day was the gorgeous hand painted stationery from our friend Kristy Rice of Momental Designs.Great idea! If you spend the money to rent that special get-away car, be sure you take the time for some special photos. Matt and Meredith stopped by the historic Fox Theatre on their way to their hotel.Thank you for sharing these pretty images, Matt Yung!
It doesn't get much bigger than this...
We are excited to learn that Atlanta based media group Get Married will host the first wedding ever live in New York's Times Square during New Year's Eve 2011! By submitting entries online at GetMarried.com now until October 1st, one lucky couple will have the chance of a lifetime opportunity; to win the wedding of their dreams, with the historic background of New Year's Eve in Times Square, while sharing planning details and nuptials along the way with the Get Married online audience. The wedding will be witnessed by million people in Times Square and seen by millions of viewers around the world.On New Year's Eve 2011 before the annual Ball Drop, Get Married will host and broadcast live a truly unique and spectacular wedding event-Get Married in Times Square-for one deserving couple selected here. As part of its mission to engage an interactive audience, Get Married will enable its online audience to vote on key wedding elements provided by participating sponsors, including bridal gowns, bridesmaids gowns, tuxedos, wedding bands, wedding invitations and wedding cake. Each wedding component will be part of a virtual gallery of images and videos on GetMarried.com, providing information about the details its audience votes on, with the highest number of votes ultimately determining the wedding details for this extraordinary wedding in Times Square."We are ecstatic about hosting the very first wedding in the epicenter of New Year's Eve excitement-New York's Times Square-and we are looking for one special couple who wants to experience a true wedding adventure," said Stacie Francombe, founder and editor-in-chief of Get Married Media. "Get Married promises the wedding of the decade and, with the iconic, vibrant and celebratory backdrop of Times Square, we welcome the opportunity to put one couple's 'I do's' in the limelight and in the hands of the passionate GetMarried.com audience."As the big day approaches, Get Married will fly the winning couple to New York City to meet with vendors, narrow their selection of wedding details, create webisodes showcasing voting options, and conduct media interviews about their unique wedding experience. The day of the wedding, Get Married will videotape the couple's wedding preparations and various wedding elements and will broadcast it live for the world as well as on the large LED screens around Times Square. Immediately following the wedding, Get Married will host a reception for the couple's friends and family at Hard Rock Cafe New York in Times Square.
Heidi & Todd's {San Francisco} E-session
We are so excited for Heidi and Todd's wedding in late October. Heidi moved to San Francisco this summer for an internship that is part of her Emory graduate program (she is becoming a Physical Therapist) and to be closer to Todd who works at Stanford University. What a perfect setting for their engagement photos shot by their photographer, Heidi from Our Labor of Love.
Shalya & Jason in Atlanta Weddings Magazine
Pick up a copy of the latest Atlanta Weddings Magazine to read all about Shalya and Jason's beautiful and bright Spring nuptials at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens!
Upcoming Atlanta Events
We are looking forward to two great Atlanta wedding events this month!Atlanta Weddings Magazine hosts it's annual event, The Wedding Party, at the new Loews Atlanta Hotel on September 15th at 6 pm.This event always proves to be a wonderful resource for brides-to-be with some of the best vendors in the city in attendance. Tickets are $10 here, however the first two brides to send an e-mail t0 ashley@ashleybaberweddings.com will receive complimentary admission! *Please include "Wedding Party Ticket" in the title of the e-mail. The Atlantan Brides Magazine hosts it's annual event, An Evening of Bridal Luxury, on Sunday, September 26 from 4:00-7:00pm at the newly renovated Buckhead Theatre.Come enjoy this luxurious evening that includes a high fashion runway show featuring top bridal designers Anne Barge, Christi’s Bridal & Formalwear, Formally Yours, Guffey’s Formalwear, La Raine’s Bridal Boutique, and Wedding Angels. Front-row fashion show tickets are $35 for brides. General admission tickets are $25 for brides and $10 for guests. Tickets can be purchased here.
Colleen & Don
Collen and Don were married and had their wedding reception just south of Atlanta at Serenbe on June 5th. I love neutral color palettes, so this wedding really made me swoon. The J.Crew bridesmaids dresses, Colleen's couture gown and her Oscar de la Renta bejeweled peep toes don't hurt, either. The ceremony was set in a wooded area and the surrounding tall trees made it feel perfectly intimate. The (partially tented) reception, featuring Southern eats and LOTS of dancing took place at the pavilion on the farm property. So, without further ado, Colleen & Don...See the complete slideshow of Collen and Don's beautiful day (and more of Altmix's pretty pics) here. Happy Monday!
Kathleen & Jon: Part II
Kathleen and Jon's wedding reception took place at The Foundry at Puritan Mill. The surroundings are full of industrial/rustic backdrops- a great contrast to the soft beauty and newness of a wedding. Love the cake with swiss dots (to mimic Kathleen's dress, of course) and the fun topper from Ashley Meaders. I am such a fan of local products used in weddings in anyway possible, so we loved to see the Georgia honey favors! And check out that exit shot! Nothing short of fabulous. Just like this whole wedding.Pretty pics courtesy of Our Labor of Love. And for you music aficionados, find out more about the wonderful musical details from Kathleen and Jon's wedding on the Hi-Fi Weddings blog. Amanda and I had the best time working with you, Kathleen!PS- I am certain this is not the last we will see of Kathleen in the wedding world! She kept a wonderful, detailed account of her wedding planning journey on her blog. You will see all of the nitty gritty details of her planning process, including how she learned the skill of letter-pressing to create her own invitations. Check it out, people. Check. it out.
Kathleen & Jon: Part I
Our Labor of Love took so many amazing photos of this wedding, we just had to make it a two-parter. Kathleen and Jon were married at Trinity Presbyterian in Atlanta on May 22nd. I am in love with the carefully perfected red, white & blue color palette Kathleen chose for the wedding and reception. Her swiss dot Christos gown makes me swoon along with the sassy floral embellished peep-toes from J.Crew.Stay tuned for details from their reception shortly!
Amy & Ryan
What a wonderful wedding full of fabulous details! Amy and Ryan were married at Peachtree Road United Methodist Church on June 12th. Their reception followed at the Piedmont Garden Tent. Some of our favorite details from this perfectly Southern soiree: Amy's Melissa Sweet gown, all of the pink and green details, black and white damask linens and custom monogram pillows (even the ring bearers pillow!) from I Do Linens, parents and grandparents wedding photos cutting their wedding cakes placed on the cake table and guest tables named after colleges- some of which the Groom's family have been football coaches for (the Groom's Grandfather is legendary FSU coach Bobby Bowden).Thank you to Tina Rowden for sharing these beautiful images!
A pink, Parisian, picnic e-session: Melanie & Mike
We are excited to be back on the blog after a hiatus with summer vacation and lots of fabulous weddings that we can't wait to share! But first- we wanted to share this special e-session we styled that was recently featured on Style Me Pretty's Little Black Book blog. Melanie is a florist- the owner of Le Bonne Fleur- here in Atlanta. We conceptualized her sweet picnic engagement session with the mega-talented photographers David and Linda Murray of David Murray Weddings to incorporate lots of pink floral details since she was engaged to Michael Pink, as well as some Parisian details- a nod to their honeymoon location. Here is what we came up with... Enjoy!Congratulations to Melanie and Mike who were recently married in Jamaica.Shoot Sources: Ceramic Heart Charm: Paloma's Nest; Love notes: Bumblebee Press; Venue: Swan Coach House; French Pastries: Lovely Catering and Bakery; Dress: Kara Janx; Hair: Steve Hightower; Makeup: Tina Christina
Monique & David
Meet Monique:And David:Monique and David were married on May 15th at Serenbe in Palmetto, Georgia. We were delighted to be a part of their intimate wedding day. It was a sweet celebration of the couple's love with close family members and friends- not all all distracted by the chaos that can sometimes arise when hosting a larger affair. The photos of their day- as they explore the Serenbe property together- are like a dream. A magical, rustic, woodsy dream....Check out Our Labor of Love Too's blog to see additional images from Monique and David's wedding.
Fabulous Frock Friday
I have been in love with fabric with Swiss Dots for quite some time now... I think I saw a Carolina Herrera Swiss Dot bridal gown years and years ago and have been adoring the fabric ever since. So, when I saw this wedding (I. Die.)- and the bride's Pronovias gown and veil- on Style Me Pretty, it was love at first sight. Photo Credit: Marianne Taylor
Lauren & Matt
Lauren and Matt were married and had their reception at The Foundry at Puritan Mill on June 5th. Lauren chose a classic and slightly preppy palette for her wedding- navy, champagne, white and ivory and little pops of bright kelly green. Lauren got ready at the W Downtown and took some pre-wedding photos on-site. Love these custom wedding dress hangers from etsy featuring the bride's new last name- a lot of our brides are using these!Lauren and Matt saw each other before the ceremony to be sure they had plenty of time to enjoy themselves and greet guests during their cocktail hour and wedding reception. Love this photo of their "First Look."The flower you see on the escort cards came from Lauren's wedding invitation. We also included it, along with the couple's name, on the photo strip guests got to take home from the photo booth.The monogram on the cake was used on the menus as well as on custom cocktail coasters.Great idea! Changing your look for the reception can be as simple as removing your veil and adding flowers to your hair.We had a specialty lighting company hang a massive amount of string lights over the dance floor. I think it adds so much to the look and feel of the wedding- and the photos!Everyone enjoyed the party before sending the bride and groom off with a petal exit.The beautiful images are courtesy of Matt Daniel Photography. Head over to their blog to see more details from Lauren and Matt's wedding day. Lauren- it was a pleasure to work with you throughout the wedding planning process. Good luck with your move and to Matt with Law School.
Alicia and Matt - Park Tavern
Alicia and Matt's wedding was a little different for us because she was one of my good friends from high school. I have known both of them for a long time and it was such a pleasure to be a part of their special day! She was the most beautiful bride I'm sure most of you will agree and they make quite the handsome couple don't they?? Matt and Alicia love each other so much and truly enjoyed their wedding day knowing that they will be together forever. The Park Tavern in Atlanta set the scene for their reception with the ceremony in the garden. It rained lightly just before the ceremony but we were still able to have the ceremony outside. The couple wrote their own vows which brought the whole audience to tears...including myself. We love you guys and are so happy for the two of you! Thanks to The Long Farewell for the photos!
Mandy and John - May 22, 2010
Congratulations to Mandy and John on their recent nuptials on May 22, 2010! The couple chose The Biltmore for their wedding venue which suited their Old Atlanta theme. The bride and groom chose shades of pink, green and cream to compliment the gorgeous bridesmaids dresses and the beautiful linens that dressed the tables. It was an affair of 120 guests that were treated with a colorful candy buffet as a thanks for attending the wedding. The groom went to Ohio State which was cleverly displayed through his groom's cake. Affairs to Remember hosted an exquisite plated meal for the event and On Occasions of Atlanta provided the lovely flowers!! Thanks to Jessica Horwitz for the photos. We wish Mandy and John a lifetime of happiness and were honored to be part of their wedding day!
Marcel and Eundria - May 30, 2010
This is a true story of sweet love!! Marcel and Eundria were wed on May 30, 2010 at the Decatur Solarium. The bride and groom were so adorable together and could not hide their love for each other. We enjoyed helping them plan their wedding day and were amazed at how laid back Marcel and Eundria were during the months leading up to their big day! They truly enjoyed planning their wedding and were always excited to get closer to spending the rest of their lives together. The bride and groom chose a garden/rustic style for their wedding which was perfect for a spring wedding at the Solarium! Mason jars filled with wild flowers and gerbera daisies covered the tables and the yellow and white checked gingham style napkins were the perfect touch to making this idea come to life! The ceremony and reception was an intimate gathering of about 70 people. The bride wore a short 60's style gown and the groom accompanied her with his navy blue pin-striped suit. We will miss working with you guys and wish you the best in your new life together!
Dust A Little Sugar On Your Cake!!!
So...Last year it was candy stations galore in reds, pinks, greens and much more!! We love the concept of the candy stations and 2011 is taking a new twist on the candy buffets.....Candy Cakes!!!! These are just too cute to not share with you and we hope to see a lot more in the upcoming wedding season!!
Recent Nuptials!!!
Well...Wedding season is in full gear and we PROMISE we will post some of our recent wedding photos as soon as we get them!!!!! Keep checking to see our most recent fabulous weddings and awesome couples!!!In the meantime, congratulations to Eundria and Marcel on their recent Nuptials on May 30, 2010 at The Decatur Solarium. We had the privelage of planning their big day!! Check out Darnell Williams Photography blog for some pictures....more pictures and details coming soon!http://www.darnelwilliams.com/blog/
J. Harlow Famous??..........Well, we are tyring to be anyway!!!
We have teamed up with the lovely ladies at Glendalough Manor in a series of YouTube "wedding know-how" videos that air on YouTube once a month. Thanks to the FABULOUS SCG Productions, we have taken a different approve on the same old boring wedding advice that you find all over the Internet. We think they are pretty funny as we make fools out of ourselves all over the Internet but we do it all out of love for our brides' to be out there that are planning their upcoming nuptials!!!! Follow us every month as we launch a new topic and let us know your feedback!! Don't forget to become a fan of J. Harlow on Facebook!! http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Tyrone-GA/J-Harlow-Weddings/225366675701?ref=ts&ajaxpipe=1&__a=6Here are our videos so far......http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FgF6LLEqEkohttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mnz43bUZP98http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7tDXE9WZjchttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJImMJ_YH6ghttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJImMJ_YH6g
Welcome To Atlanta........
Your invitations have been sent out and you get excited each time you open the mail to see which one of your beloved family or friends is coming to your wedding! There is not much more to do for your wedding and you are looking forward to seeing all of your friends and family when the big weekend arrives. By planes, trains or automobiles, your guests are spending money and time to support you and your fiance on what is probably the most important day of your life. Some couples get so busy with the wedding planning that they forget about accommodating the guests that will be traveling to their wedding. Don't fret!!! There are some great ways that you can welcome your guests and thank them for making the trip for your special day. The most important thing you want to do is to block several rooms at a local hotel. Usually, you can do this about 4-5 months out from the wedding date. Most hotels offer a group rate or a special discount for blocking such a high volume of rooms. When you are deciding on a location for the hotel, you will want to take into consideration distance, quality and affordability. Pick a location that is close to your ceremony and reception venue(s) so that your guests do not have to travel far or risk getting lost. Be sure you pick a hotel that is moderately priced that most people can afford; you can even select two different hotels for those with different taste. Atlanta is a great place to visit and there are so many activities your guests can do before and after the wedding festivities! A really nice way to welcome your guests is to put together welcome baskets that are ready for them in their hotel rooms when they arrive (J. Harlow can do this for you in one of our packages:). Include some relaxation/spa products, eatable goodies and refreshments. Another crafty idea is to include a map of Atlanta and some brochures for local attractions like the Georgia Aquarium, Zoo Atlanta, The World of Coke and some Varsity Hats. Try to include some great, trendy restaurants as well for those that are traveling without children and want to have a night out on the town.These are just some ways you can welcome your guests and let them know that you appreciate their travel!! Believe me, they won't forget it and will always remember your wedding weekend!
Peacock Inspiration!!!!
We had the pleasure of Designing a showcase event and mock wedding at Glendalough Manor on January 7, 2010! Our vision was to begin the cocktail area into a breathtaking lounge enhanced with beautiful white fabric, outstanding columns, and hues of blue. With the help of Geri Sims Draping Company, we transformed the pre-function area into an inviting space to await the arrival of the bride and groom.The reception was inspired by peacock feathers and an infusion of deep purples, blues and teal. We used a combination of estate tables, square tables and round tables to give the room some dimension. The peacock feather as well as the georgeous arrangements pulled the whole look together! The pictures say the rest.........Photography By Stephanie Hamlet PhotographyFlowers by Blueberry Spring Florist
Help!!! How Do I Get My Un-involved Groom Involved?
A wedding is time where a bride and groom make the decision to profess their love for one another in the company of their closest family and friends. It is a time where the bride and groom can come together as a team and intertwine their different ideas to create their dream wedding right? Well, while there are a few grooms out there that participate in the planning, there are far too many that would rather just show up on wedding day and enjoy the wonderful wedding that his bride pulled together. So, how do you entice your groom to get involved in planning your wedding? Let’s face it, we know that they are men and there a lot of aspects about a wedding that men are just not interested in. However, there are a lot of areas that I guarantee they would love to participate in. For example, I assure you that your groom will attend the taste testing with the Caterer. This is a great way to get his opinion on what he would like to serve at the wedding. Also, if you are going to hire some sort of transportation for you and your new hubby to make your grand exit in, this is a great task to give to your groom. Guys love cars and the idea of being able to leave in a vintage or fancy car makes them happy. These are just a few ideas but just remember that he is part of your big day more than anyone else and try to include him or listen to his advice whenever the occasion arises!
Check Out Our You Tube Monthly Series!!!!
With the help of the fabulous SCG Productions, we teamed up with a few of our wedding expert friends for a podcast on You Tube that will air monthly for a year! Each month, we will discuss a different topic giving advice to the bride to be. We wanted to do something a little different and deliver advice to brides on a whole new level. Check out the link below and subscribe! Let us know what you think and we hope you enjoy.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mnz43bUZP98
The "Green Bride"
2010 is all about saving money and equally important; saving the environment! Let's face it, the economy is tough making it more difficult than ever for most couples to spend a ton of money on their wedding. Fortunately, it is becoming a common trend for couples to "Go Green" on their wedding day. There are some fantastic ways to create an eco-chic wedding without breaking your budget.One of the best ways to create your eco-chic wedding is to start with the venue selection. Choosing a venue that is located outdoors allows you to utilize the natural beauty and landscape without being wasteful with live flowers that have to be brought into the venue. Also, if you choose a time of year that has an appropriate climate (March, April, September and October) where your guests will not be freezing cold or scolding hot, you do not need to use air conditioning or heat therefore saving energy!Some eco-friendly brides are going all the way by using organic cotton napkins, biodegratable plates, leaves and branches in their centerpieces, and even renting hybrid cars for their guests to use to get around the city. These are just a few ideas to help you have an eco-chic wedding!
Cocktails at the Manor!!GLENDALOUGH MANOR INVITES YOU FORCOCKTAILS AT THE MANOR ON JANUARY 7, 2010FROM 7:00 PM TO 9:00 PM.Our gala event will feature:* Full tour of Glendalough Manor and the Gardens* 2010 hot new wedding trends from Atlanta Vendors* Design ideas by J. Harlow Weddings* Unique Menu options from executive chef Raymond Gregory* Fashion show hosted by Etain Bridal Boutique!!! Featured guestDesigner from New York City, Matthew Christopher will be there!!!!!Please RSVP by January 6, 2010 at678.870.0068GlendaloughManorhttp://www.glendaloughmanor.com/200 GLENDALOUGH COURT • TYRONE, GA
The Power of Fruit!!!
In the history of weddings, flowers have always played and intricate role in creating a magical scene. However, brides today are constantly finding creative ways for their wedding to be one of a kind. Fruit is one of the most popular alternatives to flowers for a number of different reasons. The most obvious is budget saving. By using fruit as centerpieces, brides are able to save a ton of money rather than if they were to purchase floral arrangements for every table. For those environmentally friendly brides, substituting flowers for fruit is a great way to help the planet! The core of a wedding is the color scheme and since fruit comes in an array of colors, it is a fantastic way to add that pop of color that some flowers just cannot add. Check out these amazing centerpieces built out of fruit and see more ideas at http://www.theknot.com/
Matthew Christopher and My Fair Wedding
My Fair Wedding on the WE Channel has become the hot new wedding show. David Tutera undeniebly creates some fabulous weddings for couples that need a little guidance. For the "Diamond White Wedding" episode, Tutera teams up with the wonderful Matthew Christopher to help the bride Caroline feel like she is in diamonds from head to toe. Matthew Christopher is an awesome coture wedding gown designer that is blowing up in the wedding industry!! We love Matthew and have had the honor to meet him and get to know him when he came to Atlanta last year for a trunk show. Etain bridal boutique http://www.etain-llc.com/ carries his line and provided the actual gown worn by Caroline in this episode of My Fair Wedding. We can't wait to see more of Matthew in his collaboratio with WE TV this fall!!!!http://www.matthewchristopher.com/
Find The Perfect Hair Style For Your Wedding Day!!!
Tired of seeing the same old updo? Well, you are in luck because http://www.brides.com/ showcases some hot new looks for your wedding day hair!! Weather you are looking for a look that is glamorous or more casual, you are sure to find the perfect look for your wedding. The most common mis-conception that brides have is that they have to do a tight updo for their wedding. However, this particular hair style does not suite every bride. A good rule of thumb to remember is that your wedding hair should reflect your personality. If you normally wear your hair down, try a style that is similar to your everyday hair yet spruced up a bit. Check out these great looks!! http://www.brides.com/ for more styles...
Jennifer and Brandon: May 30, 2009
Jennifer and Brandon got married at the beautiful King and Prince Resort on St. Simmons Island, GA May 30, 2009. The very talented Jeremy Harwell was her photographer and captured these stunning moments from her wedding day. The couple chose a blue and yellow color scheme which was perfect for her beachside affair. Their ceremony took place at the King and Prince Resort overlooking the ocean! The reception was held inside. The lemons were used to tie in the color yellow and give it that summer appeal! We wish Jennifer and Brandon the best in their new journey together!!!!!
1920s Vintage Glam
We have a fun bride that is doing a 1920s vintage glam theme that is going to be so much fun!! We can't wait for this one.Tiffany and DavidDecember 19, 2009 Congratulations Tiffany and David on your engagement! We look forward to helping you bring your theme to life and give you a memorable wedding day! Colors!You and David have chosen a beautiful color scheme for your wedding consisting of Black, White and MagentaWe have some great ideas already and can't wait to see it all on wedding day. We will keep you posted with pictures from the wedding.
Remembering 9/11
We want to thank all of our troops that are fighting for our country. September 11, 2001 was a day that will never be forgotten. We go to sleep safe at night because of the men and women that risk their lives for our freedom everyday. Our hearts go out the all of the 9/11 families and surviors and absolutely to the troops. http://www.tributewtc.org/index.php
Breast Cancer Fundraiser
Breast Cancer AwarenessJoin us at Glendalough Manor for our Murder Mystery Dinner Benefiting breast cancer awareness!September 17, 20097:00 PM$25 per person for Dinner$35 per person for Dinner and Drink TicketsAll proceeds will help Glendalough Manor participate in the Atlanta 2 Day Breast Cancer Walk.Great Food ~ Chocolate Fountain ~ Candy Buffet ~Pink Fun For Everyone!www.itsthejourney.org www.itsthejourney.orgCall 678-870-0068 to reserve your spot!200 Glendalough Court –Tyrone, GA www.glendaloughmanor.com
Real Wedding: Krupa and Mukesh
We had a great time planning Krupa and Mukesh's wedding on July 4, 2009 at Glendalough Manor!
The Kapok Experience!!
We had the privelage of planning Josh and Jennifer's wedding that took place at the beautiful Kapok Special Events Facility in Clearwater, FL. The wedding took place on August 22, 2009 and what started off to be a rainy morning, turned out to be a sunny Florida afternoon. With its old world quality, The Kapok houses a beautiful garden, ceremony location and a majestic ballroom. There is truly nothing like it! http://www.kapokspecialevents.com/Jennifer and Josh decided to go with a black and (apple) red color scheme for their big day. The ceremony was lined with tall vases filled with apples and a floating candle with red rose petals scattered in the center of the aisle. We helped the couple save some money on their reception centerpieces by utilizing the ceremony vases on the reception tables. Tall centerpieces made with calla lilies and roses graced the other reception tables. We loved working with Jennifer and Josh and we wish them much love and happiness in their new life as husband and wife!
