Color Me Spring

Welcome to our March Blog Hop!

This month we are focusing on all things Spring to help you in the process of planning your wedding or event. Get ready for some great ideas, inspiration and how to as you move along through the blog hop.

You may just be starting the blog hop or may have come from SwaLaRue Events on Natalie’s Blog Hop. If you get off track at any time, the full lineup below will help you move along from blog to blog so you make sure to see and learn from all of the articles featured here today.

Springtime is such an amazing time of year to get married.  Everything is in full bloom around you and a ton of flowers are available to you that aren't seen year round, like the coveted peony and blooming branches.

We always love to infuse tons of color into our spring weddings because it often makes for a fun and festive atmosphere.  The beautiful weather and amazing color is a recipe for event success as with Christie and Corey's springtime wedding at Lake Oconee featured below!

Images by Graceology Photography

The next stop is Elite Design on Natalie’s Blog Hop! Thanks for visiting and I hope to see you again next month!  

1. Natalie Bradley at Natalie Bradley Events 
2. Ashley Rae at Ashley Rae Events
3. Shaun Cox at A D.I.Y. Affair Weddings and Events
4. Kristi Richardson at Bloomed To Last
5. Chantal Benoit at Chantal Benoit Photographer
6. Irene Tyndale at Irene Tyndale Events
7. Peter Merkle at Chicago Wedding DJs
8. Katrina McCullum at Made of Honor Weddings
9. Kelly King at Affordable Wedding Invites by Gossett Printing
10. Rachel Huntoon at Ashford Manor Bed & Breakfast
11. N’neka Scruggs at Images by N’neka
12. Teresa Rhodes at Nearly Nesters
13. Laurie Kuerlemann at Platinum Party Events Entertainment, Inc
14. Katherine Shorter at Creating Awesomenessity
15. Liz Coopersmith at Silver Charm Events
16. Kimberly Parks at KP Photography
17. Cindy Clearwater at Something Blue Virgin Islands
18. Anshwa Lewis at SwaLaRue Events
19. Nikki Michel at Ciao Bella Weddings << you are here!
20. Daphne Simpson at Elite Design
21. Kelly Snyder at Southern Charm Weddings

Surefire Way To Get Organized For Your Floral Consult

Welcome to our very first Blog Hop for 2015!

This month we want to help you start the year off by getting organized as you’re planning your wedding or event. Get ready for some great ideas to help you reduce stress and enjoy the planning process as you move along through the blog hop.

You may just be starting the blog hop or may have come from Andrea Freeman at Andrea Freeman Events on Natalie’s Blog Hop. If you get off track at any time, the full lineup below will help you move along from blog to blog so you make sure to see and learn from all of the articles featured here today.

There is one surefire way to make your first consultation less intimidating and impress your floral designer at the same time!! Read on to find out...

The design process for your wedding is one of the biggest wedding to-dos on your checklist.  You are essentially setting the tone of the entire day.  Trying to convey all of your wants and utter desires for your big day (in an hour!) can be overwhelming.  The best way to get the most out of your first consultation (because your head will be spinning by the third!) is to Define Your Style ahead of time!  

I find, the the best consultations are the ones with clients that have an idea as to what they want their design to convey.  I am not suggesting that you know the exact fold of the napkin for each place setting for this first meeting, but a general concept that you may have in mind can open the dialogue for your floral consultation and get the creative juices flowing.  Any experienced designer will be able to take even the most shell of a concept and blow your mind with ideas and suggestions.

Where do you begin?  Look at your everyday life.  What is your one "go to" outfit that never ceases to amaze?  When you walk in your home is it reminiscent of a look book at Z Gallerie or Pottery Barn?  Is your idea of a good time, an On Demand binge of the Mindy Project or hitting the swankiest, new lounge in town? Believe it or not, these little intricacies about your personal life will set the framework for an event that your guests are familiar with because it is totally you!!  Unless you are the "Sasha Fierce" bride that wants to do something totally unexpected.  In that case, look at your everyday "norm" and do the total opposite!

Need a little nudge in the right direction to define your style.  Check out examples of our past events and the client's lifestyle that helped shaped the final product!

Barrie and Rod affectionately labeled themselves "water people".  Rob is a surfer and every chance they got to vacation, water was nearby!

Laronda was high fashion in every sense of the word.  Her first email to us was a picture of her wedding ensemble, a couture wedding dress and Louboutin shoes to boot!

Christie purchased these large crystal candle holders three years before she was engaged!  She gave them to us and said make it pretty and pink!

Catlin and Forrest's favorite movie is Moonrise Kingdom.  Do you notice the yellow suitcase used for the escort card table?!

Now you see where we're heading?!  Equipped with your style in mind and basic event details, your first consult will be way better than you can ever imagine.  The next stop is Kelly King at Affordable Wedding Invites by Gossett Printing on Natalie’s Blog Hop! 

Thanks for visiting and I hope to see you again next month! 

1. Natalie Bradley at Natalie Bradley Events 
2. Katherine Shorter at Creating Awesomenessity
3. Kristi Richardson at Bloomed To Last
4. Chantal Benoit at Chantal Benoit Photographer
5. Elizabeth Batte at plainjane designs 
6. Andie Freeman  at Andie Freeman Photography 
7. Brenna Fields Taylor at An Elegant Affair LLC
8. Irene Tyndale at Irene Tyndale Events 
9. Tessa Marie at Tessa Marie Weddings
10. Peter Merkle at Chicago Wedding DJs
11. Anshwa Lewis at SwaLaRue Events
12. Deborah Ashe at Rev. Deborah Ashe
13. Angela Christoforo at Elite Wedding and Event Planning
14. Liz Coopersmith at Silver Charm Events
15. Amber Peterson at Cheers Wedding & Event Planning
16. Maggie Evans at Maggie Evans Designs :: handmade bridal couture
17. N’neka Scruggs at Images by N’neka
18. Kelly Snyder at Southern Charm Weddings
19. Cindy Clearwater at Something Blue Virgin Islands
20. Kimberly Parks at KP Photography
21. Simone R. Ross at Lil’ Tux N Tiara’s Event Sitters & Entertainment
22. David Osborne at Sound Insight Productions
23. Nicole Hill at Flora Bond
24. Shaun Cox at A D.I.Y. Affair Weddings and Events
25. Katrina McCullum at Made of Honor Weddings
26. Sandy Salle at Hills of Africa Travel
27. Rachel Huntoon  at Ashford Manor Bed & Breakfast 
28. Daphne Simpson at Elite Design
29. Kishana Highgate at Kishana Highgate Photography
30. Loraine McCall at Mojica Photography
31. Teresa Rhodes at Nearly Nesters 
32. Andrea Freeman at Andrea Freeman Events
33. Nikki Michel at Ciao Bella Weddings <
34. Kelly King at Affordable Wedding Invites by Gossett Printing
35. Christine Ringuette at Down The Aisle Wedding Planning & Design
36. Myiesha Antwine at Kiss and Tell Weddings
37. Ashley Rae at Ashley Rae Events
38. Laurie Kuerlemann at Platinum Party Events Entertainment, Inc
39. Lydia Wells at Writer Mom
40. Melissa Pepin at Melissa Pepin Photography

Scandal Inspired Wedding Photo Shoot | Olivia and Jake are Married

Tonight is the fourth season premiere of Scandal and I couldn't be more excited to tune in.  Whether you're hooked on Olivia's incomparable fashion sense or one liners, I am waiting in anticipation to see "Where in the world is Olivia Pope?"  If you can't wait until tonight's season premiere and want to indulge in what I wish would happen...watch our Scandal Inspired Wedding photo shoot!  Now I'm definitely no Shonda Rhimes when it comes to crafting a suspenseful drama, but let me set the tone of the photo shoot with our back story!

Miles away from the scandalous drama at the big house on the hill, Olivia and Jake latch on to their new laid-back life on an island. Jake, devoid of stress, grows a beard; and Olivia lacking her cell phone, realizes that a quiet life crafting jewelry makes more sense than making jam, because well, that was just a fantasy.

After months of walking barefoot in the sand, Jake pops the question. They marry in a quaint art gallery near their new island home. The gallery is a space full of color and life, completely different from their grayscale world across the ocean. And it was just the two of them. Standing in the sun. Together.

Chelsea and Jason | Glendalough Manor, Tyrone, GA

Have you ever met a family and thought the sweetness must run rampant through their genealogy?  Well the Lewis family definitely has the "sweetness" gene!  Chelsea was such a great bride to work with.  Initially meeting with us before she had an idea of what she wanted her wedding day to look like, we were able to assist her in finding the vision for her day.  It was definitely a lovely one.  Chelsea chose a silvery blue hue for the bridesmaids floor length chiffon gowns and wanted to incorporate radiant orchid into their bouquets for just a pop of color.  She went with a classic design of white hydrangeas for her centerpieces enhanced with a gold pedestal vase.  It was definitely a sweet design, to match her personality.

Chelsea carried a romantic rounded bouquet of ivory spray roses, tulips, and garden roses accented with pearls.

The bridesmaid's bouquets consisted of hydrangeas, garden roses, tulips, scabiosa pods, seeded eucalyptus, and silvery dusty miller.

How adorable is this sweet kiss from the ring bearer.  He definitely was a show stealer!

Chelsea;s smile is just so radiant and matches her personality perfectly.

Jason walks away from the ceremony like a boss!

You can definitely tell he's happy!!!  I just adore the love between these two!

The bridal party were seated at an estate table accented with elevated arrangement of white hydrangeas atop gold pedestal vaaes.  The guests table centerpieces alternated between gold candelabras and floral centerpieces.

The couple chose a traditional four tiered cake with a rose cake topper.  

 Wedding Dream Team

Floral and Event Design | Ciao Bella Weddings
Venue | Glendalough Manor
Photography | Craig Obrist Photography
Cake | Cutie Pies & Cakery
Rolls Royce | Special Day Limos
DJ| One of Kind Music

Peonies in October

Who said you can't have peonies in October?  Certainly not us!!!  If you are in Atlanta (like we are), they have to be shipped in from across the world but that's just a minor detail!  For Gabby's English Garden Inspired wedding we created a loose bouquet of amazingly gorgeous blooms including garden roses, dahlias, South American roses, dusty miller, seeded eucalyptus, Queen Anne's lace and yes, peonies!  That massive flower in her bouquet are Coral Charm peonies.  It had to be at least 6 inches in diameter and a true, rich coral tone. We can't wait to share more amazing images from Stephanie Hamlet Photography with you!

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Wedding Crush Wednesday | Kristen and Michael - The City Club of Buckhead Atlanta

Kristen is the ultimate fashionista and Michael has the kindest spirit you can ever imagine.  When I met with Kristen and her mom for the first time, I knew this was an event that I wanted to be apart of!  They picked the most amazing linens from I Do Linens and Tabletoppers so I had a great canvas to start with.  With the backdrop of the City Club of Buckhead and planner extraordinaire Gail Johnson, this was a wedding for the stars!

Kristen wanted the guests to be "wowed" as they exited the elevator into the reception space.  We created this cascading arrangement of gold monstera leaves, long stemmed calla lilies, hydrangeas, roses, and the brides favorite tulips on the clubs foyer table.  When lit by candlelight, this was definitely a way to say welcome!!!

The City Club of Buckhead has such character and we stayed true to that by not covering their decorative pieces with linen.  T-eveniere Stationery Boutique designed the escort cards with the couple's motif.

The couple had a muted color palette of champagne, gold, ivory and blush which accented the architecture of  the City Club of Buckhead perfectly!

The newlyweds were seated at a table for two dressed in floor length blush sequin linen.  The tabletop was accented with gold pillar candles and petite arrangement of hydrangeas, roses, tulips and dusty miller in mercury glass.

The bride was "sitting pretty" in this embellished organza chair cover accented with a ruffled tulle skirt from I Do Linens!

And the groom's cover to match, without the tulle skirt of course!!

The bridesmaid's bouquets served double duty, accenting the submerged white dendrobium centerpieces.

The views of the city were amazing as the sun begin to set!

The after party commenced on the 19th floor with scenic view of the Atlanta skyline.

A vinyl decal of the couple's initials was added to the glass for a classic touch!

We are wishing Kristen and Michael an eternity of marital bliss!  We can't wait to share more of this amazing wedding with you!!!

Wedding Dream Team

Floral, Event Design, & Lighting | Ciao Bella Weddings

Detail Photographer | Sarah Jordan Photography

Event Planner | Gail Johnson Weddings

Venue | The City Club of Buckhead

Linens | I Do Linens and Tabletoppers

Chiavari Chairs | S & K Event Rentals

Vinyl Decal | Ten23 Designs

Stationary | T.eveniere Stationary Boutique

Dance Floor and China Rental | Peachtree Tents and Events