Thursday, December 18, 2008

I love when ABG brides share their wedding planning. It’s so neat to hear about their plans, especially when they have great taste and have chosen great wedding vendors to make their day uniquely theirs.

So, when Rhonda shared the concept for Lori and David’s wedding - I was super excited. Love the colors, love the designs and know that Lori’s wedding, with the help of Mary Auburn and Rhonda, will be amazing.

Here’s the sneak peek.

Guest Post: Rhonda Patton Weddings is a Nashville-based, event floral designer.

Lori Ann is an avid reader of Ashley’s Bride Guide (ABG) and followed my blogs via ABG. Her planner, Mary Auburn of One Fine Day Wedding & Event Planning contacted me and said, “I have a client who is very interested in meeting you, she loves your blogs!!!! Meeting Lori Ann and David was a joy! They are a match made in heaven! I had the pleasure of orchestrating their floral design for their lovely wedding reception.

THE COLOR PALETTE

Lori Ann and David begin with a monochromatic color palette comprised of hot pinks accented with chocolate brown. They created a winning color palette with this Neapolitan mix of colors. Pink is the bride’s favorite color and was the perfect choice for venue’s neutral color palette.

Here is a sneak peek {a few shots with my camera}…although I’m very anxious to see the professional pictures from Krista Lee Photography.

Pink up-lighting illuminated the beautiful walls at the World Outreach Center in Murfreesboro, TN. Cocktail tables were draped in chocolate brown poly satin linens from Southern Events and dressed with floating candles and rose petals.

ROUNDS AND SQUARES

The bride selected a mix of table sizes. She thought outside of the 60″rounds and incorporated a variety of table sizes. She used cocktail tables for the mix and mingle, 32″ rounds, 60″ rounds and 4ft squares for the guest seating. With a total of 38 guest tables, she took advantage of the large venue space by utilizing a variety of table sizes.

To create the tablescapes, I designed 3 different centerpieces (all low designs) proportionate to fit the varied size tables. The bride and groom gave me the 5 most important adjectives to describe their tablescapes: Romantic, Elegant, Monochromatic Pinks, Textured and Lots of Candles.

Design I: was comprised of hot pink roses, orchids and coxcomb to achieve the monochromatic textured look. Coffee beans filled the vase and cylinders to exude texture and to infuse the accent color of chocolate brown. Pillar and votive candles created the romantic ambiance.

Design II: was a candlescape comprised of various size cylinders with a mixture of floating and votive candles with rose petals to accent.

Design III: was comprised of mini hot pink calla lilies and lily grass wrapped in an over-sized fish bowl accented with a pink floating candle and rose petals.

Best wishes to Lori Ann and David!!! Stay tuned to Lori Ann and David Destination Wedding: Part Two via my blog.

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

When Rhonda Patton speaks, I listen. I call her my “trend-spotter’. Rhonda’s designs are forward thinking. If you are unique and want a one-of-a-kind wedding design, she’s one of my go-to-girls.

So, if she says the wedding world is no longer round…I’m lovin’ it. Circles are so overrated:).

Guest Post: Rhonda Patton Weddings is a Nashville-based, event floral designer.

When I got married in 2003, I did not use 60″ rounds. I worked my magic by use of the venue’s {free} 8-foot rectangle tables. I kept the rental price down by use of what the venue had to offer for free. In some areas, I put two 8-foot tables together, made a custom runner and created low centerpieces and lots of candles to create an elegant ambiance.

Recently, I’ve noticed the emergence of banquet-style seating. Banquet-style seating is nothing new but is being redefined by brides. It reeks with royalty and exudes a very glam look! Not only is it cozy but creates conversation.

The very elegant and monochromatic tablescape that appeared on the front of Martha Stewart Weddings Collection’s Edition back in the summer was admired by many brides and wedding planners across the country. It’s something about this square table design and strategic placing of the low florals that is simply stunning!

Banquet-style seating is higly preferred by the uber-talented Preston Bailey. He is one of the world’s most talented designers and my guess is that the pros outweight the cons when it comes to banquet-style seating.

Recently, I did a wedding where the bride and groom selected a 4′-serpentine table as their sweetheart table. How sweet!! Not only was was it intimate but it’s a versatile and decorative addition to any set-up. Many caters prefer use serpentine tables to stage a unique buffet.

As a designer, square/rectangle tables are one of my faves! A square-shaped table not only facilitates conversation better than a round table, but it also gives a room a clean modern look. They are great canvases for printed table runners, interesting floral arrangements, and rows of elegant pillar candles.

Consult with your planner or event designer to get feedback about the use of square tables. Each venue is different and may not accommodate square/rectangle tables.

Photo credit: Arising Images

I love the layout in the picture! A mixture of both square and round tables were incorporated with a tall centerpiece for the rounds and a low design for the squares.

Photo credit: Westchester Magazine

Photo credit: Beginning to Wed

Work your venue space…don’t let it work you! Think outside of the 60″ round and incorporate serpentines, rectangles, squares or mix and match. If your venue space is “blah” then consider a mixture of tables to break up the monotony of the room.

Thanks for reading!

R. Patton

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Yesterday, I shared Rhonda’s DIY wedding inspiration. Today, she how she transformed the wedding of a real Nashville bride. Told you, she can make your wedding dream come true with floral creativity that is one-of-a-kind.

Guest Post: Rhonda Patton Weddings is a Nashville-based, event floral designer.

Trying not to blog about this wedding before it happened was tough - now that it’s over, I can finally release the chains and give you a sneak peek about this lovely couple.

Lee {the handsome “Will Smith” look-a-like} and Elisabeth {a beautiful and classy diva} were married last Saturday at St. Luke’s with a warm reception at Marriott-Vanderbilt. I had the pleasure of working as their event and floral designer and had a blast because they were sooooo sweet and such an adorable couple! They could easily pass as siblings and they had this majestic connection to one another. Lee was very involved in the planning process and even helped me with the design of their tablescapes.

I was absolutely ecstatic they hired Gray Photography as their photographic artist. Gray Photography, a hubby and wife duo are one of the most sought after wedding photographers. Their work is regal redefined - over and over again!

Here is a sneak peek with pics courtesy of Gray Photography’s Blog

Elisabeth carried a bespoke bouquet of calla lilies accented with crystals. The entire stem was wrapped in black midori ribbon and accented with a beautiful butterfly brooch {the bride loves butterflies}…

Gray does a fabulous job capturing details! Ingenious skill - they really crossed the line with this one….

…more details - the bride and groom’s ring in the candy scoop of jelly bellies

…the beautiful and delectable cake by Signature Cakes by Vicki

… fun photos of the bride and groom from Photo Booth of Nashville

…Best Wishes to Mr & Mrs Cunningham!!!

To see more from this wonderful wedding, be sure to visit Rhonda Patton Weddings over the next few weeks - or contact her for help with your Nashville wedding.

Monday, December 15, 2008

Rhonda of Rhonda Patton Weddings is one truly one of the most creative floral designers I’ve ever encountered. Her work is bloggable, a photographers dream I imagine.

So, I am so glad to call this week “Rhonda Week” on ABG!!! Today, she will share some wedding inspiration. She can turn anything in your pantry into wedding fab. It’s an amazing talent.Enjoy!

Guest Post: Rhonda Patton Weddings is a Nashville-based, event floral designer.

On a super tight budget… look in your pantry for wedding decor.

I am all about creativity and being that unique texture is in style then your pantry may be the next place to find your wedding / event decor.

From dried beans and noodles to lentils, rice or even coffee beans…. your centerpiece can be one of a kind by creatively using these non perishable items.

Photo courtesy of Rachael Ray Magazine

• Pinto Beans : Less than $2 for a small bag of dried beans
• Glass Cylinders: $1 each at your local Dollar Tree
• Silk Gerber Daisy: Less than a $1 per stem at your local craft store

Total Design Cost: Less than 10 bucks for a PRICELESS centerpiece. This centerpiece would be ideal for a bridal shower, luncheon or even an escort card table.

Pic courtesy of Flickr

This picture of split peas and a spider mum is quite interesting! I love dried split peas {not to eat}, but as a vase filler they work magic! They are a lovely chartreuse green color with unique texture and look amazing in glass vases. Pour some split peas in a $1 cylinder vase with a small votive candle and you’ve just created a piece of art.

I created this design for a bride who was having a 4th of July Bar-B-Que themed dinner rehearsal. Right out of my pantry, I dyed red and blue rice and poured the layers of red, white and blue accented with a candle for a festive centerpiece. This would also be an unique vase filler idea for a baby shower perhaps… pink rice or blue rice it’s all just as nice!

Pic courtesy: Project Wedding

Wow! It’s rice and dendrobium orchids for a very elegant and Oriental ambiance.

Pic courtesy: Rachael Ray Magazine

Who would of ever thought asparagus and pistachios would make an interesting centerpiece???

Need a cute, quick but inexpensive centerpiece… look no further - it’s in your PANTRY!

Thanks for reading!

Contact Rhonda Patton Weddings to discuss your wedding floral vision.

New Custom Decor & Rental Items at Lavish!

Got an email from Tara of Lavish Event Planning and I am jumping for joy! Tara (and Jen) did my fabulous candy bar booth and she has such style and vision. So, I am pleased to announce that she now offers fab event rental decor. “Lavish is expanding our business to provide upscale, unique event decor to Nashville weddings. Click here for our Fall 08 rental catalog. We have some great new items - 6ft metal trees, canopies, and more! We also fill custom decor requests for hard to find or interesting pieces. We will be adding lounge furniture…first of next year as well! Lavish has partnered with Bubble Miami to provide bubble bars to Nashville…Call or email if you have any questions or want to meet!”

Enjoy 15% off any purchase on Friday, November 28 and Saturday, November 29, 2008 in our After Thanksgiving Day Sale!!

Valid in-store only. Discount valid on all special orders, regular priced, sale and clearance items. Not valid on previous purchases. Cannot combine with other discounts or promotions. Maximum discount is $150.00. Other restrictions apply.

Visit Creative Celebrations,Inc :
2728 N. Mt. Juliet Road
(Located Directly Behind the US Community Credit Union)
Mt. Juliet, TN
615-758-3656
www.CelebrateLikeNeverBefore.com

Friday, November 21, 2008

Guest Post: Ever After Weddings is a Nashville-based, wedding planner.

(If you missed yesterday’s post on 2009 Wedding Color Trends, be sure to start there.)

All shades of purple will be very popular and carried over into decor. Sky blue combined with lilac, lavender, and periwinkle will be very popular for the 2009 season.

Photography by Kathy Ziegler Art & Photography

Photo by one of Ashley’s favorite wedding websites, Southern Weddings

Tiffany Blue and light aqua portrays a calming and refreshing atmosphere…

…and will be paired with green floral, yellow and lavender. It’s all about breaking up the white décor and wedding gown with hot flashes of color.

Do not despair; the elegant and classy black tones will remain constant in 2009. Roses or rosettes, black table linens and black and white color combinations continue to make a really sophisticated statement.

Cakes by Shara

The colors of your wedding can be anything you would like them to be. Add personal touches, splashes of color and try to keep as much of a theme going as possible. Just remember that colors represent the unique style of the bride and groom and trends are merely designed to serve as a guide. No matter what the trend, it’s your day and it’s about you.

Trends by Ever After Weddings
Invitations by Relish
Photography by Kathy Ziegler Art & Photography