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From the Bride… “Are you ready for the big day?” Another reminder of ALL the things left undone in preparation for our wedding. I must have answered that oh-so- popular inquiry a thousand times! Between that and The Knot’s daunting to do list, which greeted me each day with the number of overdue tasks (which, of course, always outnumbered the completed tasks), planning definitely seemed like mission impossible. Yet my answer to the question never changed. “Well, I have a groom who is my best friend, a minister to make our marriage official,  and a dress so that I don’t have to get married in the buff, so I guess I am ready!” Sure, I may have barely scratched the surface of the infinite To-Do list, but there was a light at the end of the tunnel guiding me through… Marriage. At the end of the day, isn’t that the point of the whole shebang? And holding to that simple yet easily forgotten principle made planning a joy and a breeze, because I knew no matter what the outcome of the day may be, at the end of it I would be married to my best friend.

Soak up every minute, because it goes by so quickly! That was possibly the best advice given to me about my “South meets the City” wedding. What took so long to arrive was gone in the blink of an eye. And perfect. Sure it poured all afternoon, the cake was late, and some flowers came in the wrong shade, but the look on my groom’s face as I practically ran down the aisle to him (sorry Dad) made up for all of that and so much more. The support of all our loved ones, the gorgeous Atlanta sunset, and all of our memories being captured by some of our sweetest and most talented friends, Scobey Photography, what more could a bride ask for? The song my father and I danced to really summed the day up perfectly. “When you’re smiling, the whole world smiles with you…”

Wedding Photography: Scobey Photography / Wedding Ceremony Location: Skyline Terrace / Wedding Reception Location & Catering: The Peachtree Club / Event Coordinator: Lisa Claire of The Peachtree Club / Bride’s Hair and Makeup: James Madison Salon / Wedding Dress: Essense of Australia via Bel Fiore / Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka / Wedding Cake: Happy Bakers / DJ: Arther Vaughn of A&R Sounds / Floral Design: Blossoms Atlanta

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2011. | Permalink | 4 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: A&R Sounds, Atlanta, Badgley Mischka, Bel Fiore, Cherry Blossoms, Essence of Australia, GA, Georgia, Happy Bakers, James Madison Salon, Modern Wedding, Orange, Red, Scobey Photography, Skyline Terrace, The Peachtree Club, Yellow
Post categories: Atlanta Weddings, Contemporary, Georgia Weddings

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I designed everything. From the reception space and what to include, to the types of flowers I wanted, I chose the cake, the cherry blossom theme, the colors, the drums above the dance floor, uplighting, all of it.  It was so much fun to put forth all the effort and see it all come together on our wedding day.

I’m very detail oriented so put a lot of effort into the details. I did have a day of planner that kept things in order and helped with the flow which was great. I bounced different ideas off of her the month leading up to the wedding, which helped a lot too. I think my colors were pretty unique. I used a nectar with browns, ivories, and golds.  I hadn’t seen it before, but thought it would go well together.  Plus my now husband looks great in brown and earth tones so I knew regardless that that color of tux would look fabulous on him.

Something else that was unique was that I had guests throw mini beach balls that said “I had a ball!” at Jeff and I as we walked out of the church.  It was so much fun!  I also had a treasure chest/time capsule that asked guests to leave “well wishes for the new Mr. and Mrs.”  We vowed not to open the chest until May 7, 2012, one year later.

I also did a lot of home made things to make our wedding unique. I designed my own table numbers using frames and paper from Hobby Lobby and cut out the numbers myself.  I also made home made sign that said “Dinner, Dancin’ and Drinks” which my dad made out of wood and myself and friends painted.  Also, I used Etsy a lot.

Ceremony location: Covenant Presbyterian Church / Reception location: Byrons South End / Cake:  Cheesecake, Etc. / Flowers: Flowers from the Cellar / Gown: Paloma Blanca from Classic Bride and Formals / Shoes: Glint from Nordstrom / Bridesmaids’ dresses: Priscilla of Boston / Tuxedos:  New York Bride and Groom / Headpiece:   New York Bride and Groom / Veil: Classic Bride / Engagement Ring: Simon G Jewelry / Wedding Rings: Herlzberg Diamonds / Hair & Makeup: Lindsey Regan Thorne / Stationery: Red Stone Press / Entertainment: Split Second Sound / Photography: Kristin Vining Photography / Videography: Ka Studios / Officiant: Mark Deihl / Caterers: Best Impressions Catering / Rentals:  Best Impressions Catering / Transportation: Trolley’s, Inc. / Day of Planner: Sarah Bradley with Blue Feather Media / Uplighting: Sterling Designs / Dance Lessons: Metropolitan Ball Room

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2011. | Permalink | 8 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Best Impressions Catering, Blue Feather Media, Byrons South End, Charlotte, Cheesecake Etc., Cherry Blossoms, Classic Bride and Formals, Color Palette Pink, Covenant Presbyterian Chirch, Flowers from the Cellar, Glint, Helzberg Diamonds, KA Studios, Kristin Vining Photography, Lindsey Regan Thorne, Metropolitan Ball Room, New York Bride and Groom, Nordstroms, North Carolina, Paloma Blanca, Pricella of Boston, Red Stone Press, Simon G Jewelry, Split Second Sound, Sterling Designs, Traditional Elegance, Trolley's Inc, Wedding Photography
Post categories: Little Black Book Blog, Traditional Elegance

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From the Bride… Our love story is a bit unusual.  We met in the dorms as students at Harvard Law School, became friends, fell out of touch, reconnected six years later, fell in love right away, and got engaged shortly thereafter!  Though years had passed, the same familiarity and comfort between the two of us remained.  We wanted our late spring New York wedding to reflect the feelings of the season, as well as our own feelings about our amazing (re)union:  freshness, loveliness, optimism, and the sense of things budding everywhere.  To reflect that, we picked soft lavender, sage, cream, pink, and gold as our wedding colors and designed around that.  We were married in a small English garden on our venue’s grounds, under an arch featuring deep pink peonies, sage green antique hydrangea, lavender roses, and cream dendrobium orchids.  Our centerpieces at our reception had these same flowers plus cherry blossom branches for drama and height.

We tried to DIY a few things for the wedding, primarily because we discovered through wedding planning that we actually love to make things ourselves.  Doing so allowed us to create unique, bespoke items with our own mark on everything.  For example, when we struggled to find a box that would perfectly fit all of our hand-calligraphed escort cards/envelopes (which were styled to look like pieces of mail complete with stamps on each corner), Gene handmade a box from balsam wood.  He even hand-turned almost one hundred pieces of copper wire for each escort card so that they would stand upright in the dried moss that lined the box!  We also made our menus with our “JG” monogram, our accordion-fold programs, and our favor tags (which hung from the neck of miniature bottles of zinfandel).  The programs and favor tags featured our custom silhouettes, hand-drawn by Gene’s sister, an artist.

Being both of Korean heritage, it was important to us to incorporate a traditional Korean paebaek ceremony into our wedding, during which we paid respects to our family members by bowing and offering wine.  Most of our younger guests had never seen this before so it caused a huge sensation when we re-entered the ballroom in our traditional Korean attire. After it was all over, I changed back into my gown and Gene back into his suit and the raucous dance party began!  We were amazed to see people of all ages cutting a rug, from our grandmothers to our distinguished guests (even members of the judiciary!) to our little nieces; everyone was out on the dance floor and having a great time.  It was a magical day, and for us, it truly captured how we felt about our (re)union:  full of hope, optimism, and just joy!

Photography: CLY Creation / Cinematography: Magic Flute Videos / Floral Design: Pedestals Floral Decorators / Wedding Ceremony & Reception Location: Crest Hollow Country Club / Wedding Invitations: Bella Figura / Calligraphy: Rona Siegel Calligraphy / Wedding Gown: Maggie Sottero / Bride’s Fascinator: Virginia Geiger Elegant Jewelry Design / Groom’s Suit: Calvin Klein / Groom’s Tie: Brooks Brothers / Day of Coordination: Vow Wedding Consulting / DJ: FM Entertainment / With Love Cards: Twin Ravens Press

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2011. | Permalink | 8 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Bella Figura, Brooks Brothers, Cherry Blossoms, Clavin Klein, CLY Creation, Cream, Crest Hollow Country Club, FM Entertainment, Garden Wedding, Gold, Lavender, Long Island, Maggie Sottero, Magic Flute Videos, New York, NY, Outdoor Ceremony, Pedestals Floral Decorators, Pink, Rona Siegel Calligraphy, Sage, Twin Ravens Press, Virginia Geiger Elegant Jewelry Design, Vow Wedding Consulting, Woodbury
Post categories: New York Weddings, Traditional Elegance

These are the final words of James Joyce’s character, Molly Bloom, in the novel Ulysses. These simple words served as fascinating and romantic inspiration for Barbara and Steven’s sweetly-sophisticated wedding celebration in Philadelphia last March.

Kendall Brown of Eclatante Event Design and Donna O’Brien of Beautiful Blooms once again teamed up and helped the bride put the finishing touches on this elegant wedding filled with intimate and heartfelt details. We’re positive you’ll agree that this is a truly special wedding.

For a little bit of Steven and Barbara’s story, from Eclatante’s blog, A Designer’s Diary …

Steven was a visiting English professor at the University of Buffalo at the time that Barbara was finishing her Ph.D in Poetry/Poetics. Her dissertation was based on the “yes” and “no” in the works of James Joyce and Gertrude Stein. When Steven placed a first edition of Joyce’s Ulysses in her hands, their future together was sealed. Steven’s late father had given him the first edition novel before his death, and upon receiving it, Barbara felt his blessing on the two of them deep in her heart.

Barbara and Steven’s wedding was exquisitely planned. They designed letterpressed invitations that were hand-sewn ‘books’, sent in small boxes to their guests. Other paper pieces used throughout the wedding were also letterpressed and carried through the theme of the inspired “yes”.

More from Kendall …

The classically modern F.U.E.L. House was exactly the right setting for this elegant, vintage modern wedding.  The place settings were absolutely elegant with silver beaded chargers on stunning black matte satin linens, carefully folded napkins with Barbara & Steven’s lovingly crafted menu cards. The cake by Cake Art Studio was absolutely perfect — the lace detailing was a perfect match for the delicate lace in Barbara’s gown. Barbara and Steven also arranged to have a wishing tree — where guests could compose and hang their well-wishes to the couple on the beautiful cherry blossom branches.

From Beautiful Bloom’s blog …

Barbara’s mini calla lily bouquet was accented by a brooch given to her by her mother. Loose arrangements of white and ivory French tulips were placed on beautifully draped pedestal tables and amber lighting filled the space. White cherry blossom branches, white quince and white manzanita branches were all used … with lots and lots of candles! Donna described it as a “wintery March look”!

Every element of Barbara and Steven’s wedding was centrally focused on the oh-so-simple but very poignant words … yes I said yes I will Yes. Sooooo romantic.

Barbara wore a classic Jenny Packham gown …

Our thanks to their wonderful photographer, Maggie Wallace-Cullen for sending us all of these lovely photos from Barbara & Steven’s beautiful wedding! She was kind enough to also send us the link to their slideshow. Tons more images from their stunning affair.

Congratulations Barbara and Steven on a perfectly beautiful wedding celebration from all of us here at Style Me Pretty.

And ~ as always, a huge round of applause to Beautiful Blooms & Eclatante Event Design! For more of their gorgeous events, be sure to visit both of their websites and blogs!

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 16 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Beautiful Blooms, Cake Art Studio, Calla Lilies, Chandelier, Cherry Blossoms, Eclatante, F.U.E.L., Maggie Wallace-Cullen, Philadelphia, Wedding Cake, wishing tree
Post categories: Little Black Book Blog, Real Weddings, Traditional Elegance, Wedding Flowers, Wedding Planners & Designers

She and Ryan asked 30 of their closest friends and family to fly to New York with them to celebrate their marriage in Central Park!

The morning of the wedding, Melane’s bridesmaids were busily putting the flowers together while hair, make-up and the final details were being attended to …

Meanwhile, at Camp Ryan …

… and then the final reveal … that romantic “first look”…

Melane and Ryan headed outside into the hustle and bustle of New York City for a flurry of photos to commemorate the day.

And then onto their final destination … Central Park. But first, a few more pre-wedding shots from Britney and Joe of turn loose the art …

What an unbelievably pretty wedding venue!!

Wow!

And then off ~ in true New York style ~ to an intimate dinner at Sarabeth’s Central Park South.

Britney asked Melane what the best part about the whole day was. She replied, “Saying the vows we wrote to each other … and involving our family and friends in the ceremony. My sister and brother-in-law led us in the traditional vows as we repeated after them and a friend officiated.”

Ryan and Melane’s wedding came in right around $8000 … a perfect example of how to pull-off a budget wedding in high style!  Our best wishes to you both!

***

Thanks SO much to the very talented team at turn loose the art.  The front page of their website says, “There is art in your life.” SO true. And these two truly know how to capture it!

{ps … Congrats on the 1st place at the ISPWP contest in the Reception~Dancing category! Personally, though, I loved the Kids Will Be Kids 5th place winner!}

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 19 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Bouquets, Central Park, Cherry Blossoms, Cherry Tree, ISPWP Contest Winner, Lasting Bridal Couture, New York City, Pronovias, Ruthy's Bakery, San Patrick, Sarabeth's, Turn Loose The Art, Warwick Hotel
Post categories: Budget Beautiful, Do-It-Yourself Inspired, Little Black Book Blog, Real Weddings, Wedding Photography