Today’s blog is by Rhonda Patton Weddings, an amazing floral event designer in Nashville, TN. Rhonda is trend-setter who is always educating the Nashville bridal community (brides and planners) on how to recreate the stunning looks we see in bridal magazines and on t.v. Contact her to get these amazing looks for your wedding day.
Out with contrived centerpieces, in with timeless tablescapes…
Tablescapes are arrangements of items gathered in a grouping on top of a table. They’re sometimes called tabletop arrangements. A tablescape includes a centerpiece and arrangement of other items. Some popular wedding reception tablescapes can include floral centerpieces, candelabras, pillar candles, votive candles, glass cylinders with floating candles, picture frames, lamps, plates, charges and other decorative accessories.
6 steps to creating timeless tablescapes:
1. Limit displays to three items to avoid clutter.
2. A tablescape arrangement should cover no more than 1/3 of the table top.
3. Floral arrangements should contain items of different heights, sizes and textures.
4. For balance, arrange tablescape items of different sizes and textures in staggering heights.
5. Color is the best tool of design. Color can affect your emotions, and mood. When designing tablescapes and table settings, be consistent with color; then you can mix patterns and shapes. Color is the most powerful tool or element of design.
6. Be creative. Fabrics can be used for added texture and color.
I am currently designing several tablescapes for upcoming weddings and my primary focus is layering or stacking. Current trends in tablescapes include a look referred to as layering or stacking. This trend gives depth or dimension. It’s achieved with color, texture, height and placement such as using items of three different heights on one surface or “grouping” a cluster of items.
I love this tablescape!! Not only is it rich in color but the layering gives the tablescape a beautiful dimension. This table is consistent with color but mixed with patterns and shapes. I love the variety of flower selection in the similar red hues.
The result of a tablescape should be a harmonious one. This means that the eyes of your guests should flow easily from left to right. The selection and placement of objects in a tablescape should present a feeling of harmony and unity. Harmony (scale, proportion, and balance) can be achieved using color, depth, layering and textures.
This layered look includes a citrus color palette of roses and dahlias. The table runner brings balance, the 3 arrangements is harmonious and the varied texture flowers makes this tablescape timeless!
Rhonda Patton Weddings is our newest Nashville wedding vendor. She is an event floral designer, which means that she works with you or your planner to make any space beautiful. Her floral designs are amazing but her creativity extends beyond flowers. I always love my chats with her because she is oh-so creative and has a knack for creating glam on a budget. So whether your budget is $10K or $80K, she can get you an amazing look for less.
New ABG Baby!
Lindsey, an ABG reader and amazing wedding planner / owner of A Bride Idea, is now a mommy! She and hubby welcomed a healthy baby boy in February. Congratulations!
Happy Valentine’s Day everyone! Today, I will keep it short and simple so you can enjoy your Valentine’s Day. Oh - congratulations to all the ladies getting engaged today! We can’t wait to hear all the proposal details.
Ok…back to today’s post.
Signature drinks are all the rave these days. The last wedding I attended had the most wonderful strawberry lemondade concotion ever, available with or without alcohol. The color popped and was probably the yummiest I’d ever tasted.
Have you created your signature wedding drink? If not, here’s some inspiration:
1) Get colorful - choose colors that complement your wedding palette or vivid colors that pop
2) Complement the wedding theme or season
3) Keep it simple so the bartender can have it readily available for your guests, something easy to mix
4) Represent your unique style
I also ran across these these “Happy Hour Bouquets”, from 1800-flowers. They don’t offer them in Nashville yet, but, I am so sure that very talented, Nashville event florists, like Rhonda Patton Weddings (615-579-3255) or Sherrell Florals (615-289-5211), could help you repllicate this look.
I am not sure if I love the cocktail bouquets just yet. They are different. What do you think?
Been waiting to hear all about the 27 Dresses Party? I couldn’t wait to share all of the details and now I have the pics!
First - Congratulations to Dawn, the ABG member who won the “Sparkling Josh” mug contest. Her wedding colors are chocolate, pink and green. She chose the apple green mug to match her fabulous wedding colors.
The Guests & the Goodies:
I have so much to share that I’ll have to share over a couple of days. It was so much fun! I met so many wonderfully cute brides, bridesmaids and moms. (Nashville must have the most beautiful brides2be.) I especially loved meeting all the wondeful moms.
It was great meeting ABG brides in person. I have gotten so many emails from you. I am glad you enjoyed yourself. Hope you liked your swag bag from our sponsors.
Organization - When I arrived, the planners were already there. They were so easy to work wtih that it reminded me over and over again why I should have hired a wedding planner for my wedding. To be able to walk in and know things are under control is simply priceless. There main concern was reducing my stress and making sure the party was fantastic. They organized every detail leading up to my event and were awesome the day of the event. (Plus, Kenneth and Don, their significant others came too and were sooo helpful. Kenneth was passing out directions, Don was cutting notecards - it was a family affiair.)
I didnt have to do ANYTHING but show up and greet my guests. That’s what I consider a perfect party. You should not have to worry about the details; you should be able to actual “enjoy” your event. So, thats what I did:)
Personality - I didn’t hire a wedding planner for a few reasons. The main reason was that I couldn’t find anyone that I “connected” with. Sorry, but a lot of the planners were better suited for my mom. They were all about etiquette and tradition and were like 30 years older than me. Don’t get me wrong, I am sure they were very experienced BUT I wanted someone who could relate to the modern, contemporary bride who didn’t want to be beaten over the head with tradition every step of the way. I wanted my day to represent me. That said, hire a wedding planner who works with your personality. Its important that they are flexible, willing to understand your priorities and someone you like being around. A Magical Affair is one of the planning companies that fit my personality. It is important to hire a wedding planner but do keep searching until you find the one thats right for you.
Decor - Everything was beautiful and in my website colors (pink, chocolate, oranges, etc). My fav touch of the event was the lemondade bar! Take 121 offered wine which was great but I really wanted a fun beverage. I simply asked A Magical Affair for lemondade, nothing fancy. But fancy it was:) Check out this wondeful assortment of lemondade and fruit tea.
The Flowers: Sherrell’s Floral Design, 615-289-5211
Speaking of decor, I asked Sherrell’s Floral Design to provide the floral arrangements. I have been a big fan of Tonya’s work for a couple of years. Now, I am working with Tonya on the website thing, b/c she doesnt have one. But, she had amazing floral design. Plus, Tonya is so precise. She asked really good questions when trying to create the perfect flowers for my event.
The ladies of A Magical Affair secured the venue. I had complete faith in their ability to find something super. A few days before the event, I started wondering if that I was totally nuts for doing so but when I arrived I knew we were in good hands.
Aside from being a funky spot, Nanette (of Take 121) took great care of us and made sure we had what we needed at all times. If you are looking for a venue thats accessible, fun and full of character - Take 121 might be your spot. Only drawback is the $10 parking spots adjacent to the building. But, if you dont mind a short stroll, cheaper parking is only a few feet away. Space standouts - love the hardwood floors, artsy feel, and great bathroom decor (black walls and super chic appliances).
Well, it’s time for breakfast. I’ll share more details on Thursday! Check out these great wedding pros in the meantime. Or, share your thoughts on the message board.
Thanks Brides, Courtney/Hillary, Tonya and Nanette!
I visited Corrine’s blog (Weddings with Reese - Nashville wedding planner) and found these cute floral boxes. How creative! They double as namecards or just about anything. Check out Blumebox for more details. Thanks Corrine!
Reminder - don’t forget about the Clarksville bridal show this Sunday. I’m going with planners from A Magical Affair and Bridal Opulence. We’re carpooling because we’re so green:) and I’m all about chatting the whole way, which is what Courtney and I seem to do best. Anyway, we are going to find out what’s going and to learn how to ballroom dance; be sure to check out the class if you go.
It is also my husband’s birthday. Any ideas on what I can give him? He’s a huge sports fan and loves any Louisville team. Email me ideas.
Here’s is my final report on my top 20 favorites from Weddings, The Bridal show…drumroll please:
J.Botanical - Fun team with fabulous work. No website address so call Judy at 615-826-7263. (Tell her Ashley sent ya!)
Nashville Toffee Company - Add a this taste of Nashville to your wedding attendant gifts or “out of town” bags. The orange/red color scheme of their boxes are great for summer/fall weddings. (I know brides are always thinking of color complements!)
Black Eyed Pea - Best food I tasted and my girls loved them too. Great food, great staff…what more do you need. No website so call 615-264-3005. They are in Hendersonville.
Enchanted Florist - Breathtaking! I didnt met the owner, Caprice, but I hear she is awesome to work with. Can’t wait to meet her!
Accent TN - You couldnt miss their amazing table displays as you entered. Plus, they were friendly and had great floral bouquets.
Chicas and Brides - Really neat gifts for bridesmaids and brides. You are only a bride once (hopefully) so enjoy it and let everyone know with these cute tees and totes.
Chef’s Market - they cater but they also decorate for your event. they consider themselves a “one-stop” shop, which makes life easy. Didnt taste their food but they had the most stunning table decor.
Street Tuxedo - They are locally-based company which is rare for tuxedo rental. I spoke with Dick and he was very informative. He said they have a great selection of inventory that’s local so they can get the styles you want, fast.
Jo’s Cakes and Catering - Wow! Her work doesn’t even look like cake. It looks like art. It is amazing. I didnt get a chance to chat with Jo b/c she was bombarded with brides but she should be added to your list for a custom cake. Her website doesnt do her work justice so check out my pics below to see her talent.
Still in Hawaii enjoying 80 degree weather and yummy frozen drinks. While away, I asked some Nashville wedding pros to keep you inspired and informed. (Am I giving away my job?:)
Amber and Brandon were married at Two River’s Mansion here in Nashville, and it is such a beautiful place! I loved all the textures throughout the old Mansion, and the wallpaper was so much fun to photograph.
What really made Amber’s wedding special was all of the detail that she put into it. Amber is super creative and designed everything from her invitations to her programs. She has a company called Sweet Life Designs where she does everything from wedding invitations to place cards. Amber’s flower’s were beautiful shades of pink and red that were put together by Fresh by Carry Ann. Mary Alice Sublett was the coordinator for Amber’s wedding, and she did a spectacular job. I was excited and not surprised at all to hear that Amber is now working with Mary Alice’s company, A Delightful Day.
If there is one thing that I regret my own wedding is not having a coordinator- so if you are on a limb about whether or not to hire one, I HIGHLY recommend it. Here is a little collage I put together of all her details.
And now for the rest of the day! Here are a few of everyone getting ready…
The pink shoes…
Amber’s flower’s were beautiful, and were made by Fresh by Carry Ann
The beautiful inside of Two Rivers
I love this sweet image of Amber and Brandon after they saw each other for the first time.
The bridal party
The guy’s Playboy Bunny socks…
Amber just before the ceremony (isn’t the wall paper awesome!)
The Ceremony!
And the night ended with a fabulous party… -Whitney
Thanks Whitney!!! Love the pics, especially the pink shoes. Looks like Amber and Brandon hired some awesome Nashville wedding vendors. I love Mary Alice’s work. Looks like I need to reach out to Amber to see more of her work. She certainly has great taste.To contact Whitney Carlson, call 615-945-3147, email [email protected], visit www.doveweddingphotography.blogspot.com
