Inspiring Style - Bouquets

Today we bring you inspiring bouquet styles from some of our creative partners!






























































































































Photo Credits: 1. Catherine Marciniak Photography, 2. 6. 8. The Beautiful Mess Photography, 3. Themba Imagery, 4. Cunningham Photo Artists, 5. Kelli Brinkley Photography, 7. Alicia White Photography

January Bridal Events in Charlotte

If you have plans to wed in the Charlotte area make sure to check-out these bridal events in January.

Sunday, January 13th
12pm-5pm
The Bridal Showcase
Charlotte Convention Center
501 S. College St.
Charlotte, NC 28202
Cost: $12 at the door and $10 online
www.thebridalshowcasenc.com

January 18th - January 19th
Accessories Trunk Show - Haute Bride
Nitsa's Apparel
4705 Ashley Park Lane #113 
Charlotte, NC 28210

January 24th - January 26th
Trunk Show - Jim Hjelm Fall 2012 Bridal Collection
Hayden Olivia
221 S. Tryon Street, Suite 200
Charlotte, NC 28202
Appointments are limited and book quickly.
Call to schedule your appointment at 704-333-0377.
www.haydenolivia.com

Back to the Basics!

In 2013, we are kicking our blog into high gear! Posting weekly, we will feature:

- Real Weddings

- Charlotte Wedding Vendors 

- Inspiration/Style Boards to help guide your wedding/party design

- Wedding/Party advice

- Fabulous Local Store Finds (for our DIY and Crafty readers)

- and MUCH MORE!

Cheers to a FABULOUS and STYLISH 2013!

XOXO,
Carla - Style Perfect Events

Cakes and Dresses!

Last month I had the opportunity to celebrate the growth of two great wedding vendors, Wow Factor Cakes and Classic Bride and Formals. Both companies have moved into larger locations, to better service their clients. Congratulations to Amy at Wow Factor Cakes and Phaedra at Classic Bride and Formals!

Please check-out their new locations. You're going to LOVE them!

The Wow Factor Cakes
2400 Park Road, Suite I
Charlotte, NC 28203
704-654-0598


Classic Bride and Formals
20910 Catawba Ave
Cornelius, NC 28031
704-896-3655


Image: Love Shutter Photography

Happy Planning!

2011 EVIE Awards

I'm on the board for the Greater Charlotte Chapter of the International Special Events Society and this year I was asked to Co-chair our annual EVIE Awards Gala and Fundraiser. This event recognizes event professionals through-out the Carolinas by celebrating outstanding achievement in a variety of disciplines including event planning, production, catering, graphics and more.

I'm really excited about this year's event because we have a lot of fun surprises in-store and will be introducing the new People's Choice Award.

For the People's Choice Award we asked area designers, florists and planners to create a table top design inspired by our theme: sports/competition. We also asked local caterers to create a dish that best represents their take on game day/stadium food. Guests in attendance at the EVIE Awards will be able to vote on the best food and best table top design.

The details for the event are below:


I hope to see all Charlotte event professionals in attendance as we celebrate the special events industry!

Food Presentation

As a self-proclaimed foody, I not only love great food, but I swoon over fabulous presentation. When planning your wedding or next social event, don't forget about the little details when it comes to displaying your menu. Your guests "first taste" is with their eyes.

Here's some YUMMY inspiration! (all images via Charlotte caterer's La-Tea-Da's Catering)

Wedding Day Make-up

I've always known about airbrush make-up, but was always a little skeptical. Airbrush make-up sounds so harsh and it seems like it would run down your face if you get too hot.

Well, my concerns have been debunked!

Yesterday I took new headshots, since I have a new haircut, and Adrian Howe of the Beauty Sophisticate did my make-up and I was very pleased with how smooth and lightweight the airbrush foundation felt. It also didn't run down my face with the warm weather we had yesterday in Charlotte.

Here's a camera pic of my "airbrushed" look! ;-) Stay tuned for my new headshots taken by M. Clay Photography.

It's all about the TEAM!

One of the best parts of my job is being able to meet with new wedding professionals. I love learning about people and discovering what makes them who they are. Last week I had the pleasure of meeting with Rev. Tod Coles of Big Love Weddings and Amanda Pagano of Isabel's Corner Videography.

There is a large selection of wedding professionals, so as a wedding planner it is our job to always stay on top of the industry, market and people that make up the wedding business, so that we can deliver a fabulous wedding experience for our clients. It's all about the TEAM!

Rev. Tod Cole is fairly new to the wedding industry and has a heart felt story on how he get started in the business, as the officiant for his niece's wedding.

Tod has been a member of Davidson United Methodist Church for the past decade and although he does not have his own church or congregation, "he feels that it is a great honor to serve God and every bride and groom (regardless of their individual beliefs) by helping loving couples enter the holy sacrament of marriage."

Tod has an awesome down to earth personality and would be a joy to work with on any wedding!

Check-out Big Love Weddings.

Amanda Pagano of Isabel's Corner Videography, I had the chance to meet briefly last year and really enjoyed the wedding mosaic that she put together for one of my 2010 clients! This week we were able to sit down and chat and Amanda has a true passion for videography and the craft. You can check-out some of her work here.

Wish Upon a Wedding

Last week the Wish Upon a Wedding Carolinas chapter hosted their first fundraising gala at the Ritz Carlton. It was a pleasure to be in attendance to support this great charity. Wish Upon a Wedding is the world’s first nonprofit wish granting organization providing weddings and vow renewals for couples facing terminal illness and serious life-altering circumstances, regardless of sexual orientation.

The gala was held to raise funds for the organization to aid them in granting wishes. You can learn more about the organization and how to volunteer or donate at their website.

Please spread the word!

Charlotte Wedding: Jennifer + Daniel 9.25.10

I had the pleasure of working with two great teachers, Jennifer and Daniel, from the Community School of Davidson on their wedding this past September. Jennifer loves pink, so the day was filled with pops of fuchsia against the modern print of black and white damask. The bride and groom even sat in custom pink chiavari chairs at the reception!

The ceremony took place at Davidson College Presbyterian Church and the reception was at the Peninsula Yacht Club. You can see the inspiration behind the wedding design here.

Thank you so much to all of the vendors that made this wedding day fabulous! My team and I greatly appreciate you.

Ceremony: Davidson College Presbyterian Church
Reception: Peninsula Yacht Club
Photographer: Lucy Parker Photography
Florist: From This Day Forward Wedding and Special Event Design
Cake: Wow Factor Cakes
Rentals: Party Reflections
Lighting: Cooke Rentals
Linens: Cloth Connection
DJ: Matt, Michael Catlow Group
Invitations: Three Little Birds
Additional Stationery and Signage: Style Perfect Weddings and Events
Transportation: Road Trip Transportation
Nanny Service: Carolina Preferred Sitters
Guest Hotel: Homewood Suites in Davidson
Wedding After Party: The Dirty Martini

McGill Rose Garden in NoDa

A few weeks ago McGill Rose Garden in NoDa hosted an open house to showcase their event space for weddings. This was my first time at the gardens and I just absolutely love this outdoor space. It's an "urban oasis" surrounded by so many unique elements of nature and city living. An old train sits on the property and can serve as the backdrop to your ceremony. Through-out the gardens there are statues, fountains and park bench seating. It's really serene.

McGill Rose Garden
940 North Davidson Street
Charlotte, NC 28206
704-333-6497

Here are a few camera pictures from the event!

Sample Sale: New York Bride and Groom

Yesterday, while driving down South Blvd., I decided to stop in New York Bride and Groom and I was quite impressed with the customer service and the huge selection of fashionable bridesmaid dresses and bridal gowns. I've been meaning to check out the store, since they had their re-grand opening at the beginning of the year. It's so cute and I love the fitting room area! Each dressing room is named after a place or street in New York City, very charming.

If you are still searching for "the dress" they are currently having a great sample sale, with gowns priced at $299 and $399. They carry the designers:
Allure Bridal
Justin Alexander
D'Amore Lezu
BLUSH by JLM Couture
Maggie Sottero
Casablanca Couture
Monique Lhuillier BLISS
Da Vinci
Pixton Bridal
Enzoani
Private Label
Impression
Pronovias
Jim Hjelm
Sottero & Midgley

New York Bride and Groom
4618 South Boulevard
Charlotte, NC 28209
704-529-6400

Wedding Magazine UK

I have some good news to share! My table number design from the Garden Party Concept Shoot that I designed and styled last Fall is being featured in the August/September issue of Wedding Magazine UK! Please grab a copy and check-it out!

Kudos to The Beautiful Mess Photography for their amazing work on the shoot and to all of the fabulous vendors that made the day possible. You can see images from the shoot and a list of the amazing vendors that participated here.

International Special Events Society (ISES)

I am so excited to announce that I was nominated and accepted to the 2010-2011 board of the Greater Charlotte Chapter of ISES, as a board of director!

ISES is an international organization whose charge has always been to educate, advance and promote the special events industry and its network of professionals. The mission for ISES member is to:

- Uphold the integrity of the special events profession to the general public through our "Principles of Professional Conduct and Ethics"
- Acquire and disseminate useful business information
- Foster a spirit of cooperation among its members and other special events professionals
- Cultivate high standards of business practices

Looking forward to a great year ahead!

Charlotte Wedding: Sheretha + Tremaine 11.27.09

I had the pleasure of working with Sheretha and Tremaine, a lovely couple who met in Japan while serving in the Navy, on their destination wedding here in Charlotte.

The style of the wedding was rich, romance and elegance, with lots of roses and deep red, yellow and orange colors.


Photographer: Gene Ho Photography

Thank you so much to all of the vendors involved!
Venue: Renaissance Charlotte Suites Hotel
Photographer: Gene Ho Photography
Videographer: Ella Grey Video
Ceremony Music: Elegant Ensembles
Cake: Cheesecake Etc.
Flowers: The Place for Flowers
Rentals: Party Reflections and Cooke Rentals
Linens: First Impression Party Linen Rental
Ice Sculpture: Ice Sensations