Charlotte Wedding: Valecia + John 3.5.11

Valecia and John kicked of the 2011 wedding season for the SPE Team back in March. What a great couple! I had the pleasure of designing and coordinating a chic and modern uptown wedding at the Charlotte City Club. Valecia was in love with two color palettes when we met, but after our initial walk-through at the City Club I recommended we move forward with fun and warm jewel tones: fuchsia, teal, navy and purple. The smoky purple was inspired by a beautiful victorian lilac crinkle taffeta linen.

The wedding was absolutely beautiful, from the vibrant teal bridesmaid dresses, to the lush florals and Wow Factor cake. The couple had a wonderful time sharing this milestone with family and friends and the party rocked all night with music from Spintastic Sounds, the Happy Booth by Lucy Parker Photography and a fabulous lounge area set-up by Style Perfect Events, so guests could enjoy the Duke and Carolina game. The bride went to Duke for both undergrad and graduate school.

The amazing vendors that were involved in creating Valecia and John’s uptown wedding were:
Photography: Lucy Parker Photography
Ceremony: St. Martins Episcopal Church
Reception: Nathan at the Charlotte City Club
Flowers: From this Day Forward Wedding and Special Event Design
Cake: Wow Factor Cakes
Stationery: Richard at Red Stone Press (invitations) and Michelle at Creative Blu (guest seating chart, table numbers and place cards)
Calligraphy: Lyncrist Calligraphy Studio
Linens: Cloth Connection
DJ/Lighting: Todd at Spintastic Sounds
Rentals: Party Reflections
Lounge Furniture: AFR Furniture Rental
Transportation: Rose Chauffeured Transportation

























You can view more pictures at Lucy Parker Photography.

Honoring a Loved One at your Wedding

Image via Google by Photographer Sakura Photography

When planning your wedding, it can be difficult to think of ways to honor the memory of those who've passed.

If you and your fiance are looking to memorialize a family member or friend at your wedding, here are a few ways to acknowledge and celebrate the life of that person or persons.

Light a candle in their honor.
This can be done before the ceremony starts and can remain lit throughout the wedding or it can be lit during the ceremony, with a brief explanation in your program of its purpose. Or, the officiant can say a few words in honor of your loved one as the candle is lit at a specific point during the ceremony

Save a seat in the front row.
You can place a flower or a memento in a seat in the front row or have a family member of friend walk into the ceremony and place the flower or memento on the seat of the loved one.

Keep them close to you.
Wear or hold onto something of your loved one or in honor of them, such as walk down the aisle with the same bouquet that your mother carried at her wedding or a bouquet made up of her favorite flower, wear a locket with your grandfather's picture inside or wear your father's favorite cuff links.

Photo display.
Set-up an area at the ceremony or reception with framed photographs of your family member of friend.

Dedication through a poem.
Include in your ceremony program a poem, short story or letter dedicated to your loved one. This provides a subtle remembrance that all of your guests can read and even those who may have not known them will be able to commemorate the memory of your loved one.

Be Inspired: Sparkle and Bedazzle!

Weddinggawker is one of my favorite sources for daily wedding inspiration and today on Weddinggawker this wedding via The Bijou Bride's blog stopped me in my tracks! I love glitz and sparkle! Check-out this stunning wedding from photographers, We Heart Pictures.

Signature Summer Cocktail!

Signature cocktails are such a fun way to personalize your wedding! My favorite cocktail for the summer, which will give you a nice tropical red color is the "Woo". The ingredients are vodka, cranberry and peach schnapps. Yum!

What is your favorite summer drink?

Are you planning to serve a signature cocktail at your wedding? Check-out some fabulous inspiration pictures from the Knot.

Destination Carolina Wedding: Kristen+Mario 4.17.11

In April, the SPE Team had the pleasure of designing and coordinating a beautiful South Carolina wedding for Kristen and Mario at the Inn at Palmetto Bluff. What a sweet couple! We had a great time planning and styling the decor and design details for their wedding day and making sure the guests had a wonderful time! Here are a few pictures from Kristen and Mario's wedding captured by Savannah based photographers Jade and Matthew from Jade and Matthew Take Pictures. Enjoy!

































Special thank you to all of the vendors involved!
Venue/Catering: Kelly and the fabulous team at the Inn at Palmetto Bluff
Photographers: Jade and Mathhew Take Pictures
Videographers: Absolute Productions and Media
Florist: Sue Burden
Linens: Cloth Connection
Cake: Bride's Cousin

Sugar! Candy Tables

Image via Google Photography by the Artist Group/Design by Sugar Mama's LLC

Candy and dessert tables are here to stay. Everyone loves the nostalgic feeling that sweets give you. They are also great for getting your guests moving and interacting.

With that being said, the million dollar question for all brides and party hosts when they decide they want to incorporate a candy table is "how much candy to buy?"

My first suggestion is to figure out the number of guests and how many different types of candy you want to display. Candy comes in different shapes, sizes and weight, so you want to make sure that you're not going over board. Project Wedding suggests purchasing 1/2 cup (4 oz) of candy per person, which I think is a great gauge. Another website, Big Wedding Tiny Budget, suggests 1/4 lb (4 oz) or 1/2 lb (8 oz). My vote is for the 4 oz because your guests will have already eaten plenty during the cocktail hour and dinner, along with the wedding cake.

Make sure to check-out Project Wedding for additional tips.

Bridesmaids

This weekend I saw Bridesmaids and I only have one word to describe the movie, "CLASSIC". I did not have any expectations going in to the movie because I had only seen the preview a few times, but the first scene had me crying laughing. The movie is definitely not your typical chick flick. It's a comedy! A great comedy at that, with an all female cast. I felt so empowered after watching the movie because these ladies are really funny! I will definitely buy this movie on DVD!

Inspired by Capiz Shells

Capiz shells are beautiful. The fresh and airy look of the shell transports me to a far away island or resort. Take your guests on a journey to a breathtaking island by incorporating capiz shells into your design and decor.


Image: West Elm


Image: Google Images via Designs by Hemingway


Image: The Knot


Image: West Elm

Who Pays for What?

Now that you’re engaged and have started planning your dream wedding…“who pays for what?”

Per Emily Post, here are the traditional expense responsibilities of all the various aspects surrounding a wedding celebration. I’ve added in some commentary in quotes, based on my experience with couple’s and their families.

Traditional Expenses of the Bride and Her Family
• Services of a traditional wedding consultant
• Invitations, enclosures, and announcements
• The bride’s wedding gown and accessories
• Floral decorations for ceremony and reception, bridesmaids’ flowers, bride’s bouquet
• Formal wedding photographs and candid pictures
• Video of wedding
• Music for church and reception
• Transportation of bridal party to and from ceremony
• All reception expenses
• Bride’s gifts to her attendants
• Bride’s gift to groom
• Groom’s wedding ring
• Rental of awning for ceremony entrance and carpet for aisle “And any additional items needed for the ceremony: unity candle, ceremony programs, etc.”
• Fee for services performed by sexton
• Costs of soloists
• Services of a traffic officer “You don’t see this service widely used.”
• Transportation of bridal party to the reception
• Transportation and lodging expenses for the officiant if from another town and if invited to officiate by the bride’s family
• Accommodations for bridal attendants
• Bridesmaids’ luncheon

Traditional Expenses of the Groom and His Family
• Bride’s engagement and wedding rings
• Groom’s gift to bride
• Gifts for groom’s attendants
• Ties and gloves for the groom’s attendants, if not part of their clothing rental package
• The bride’s bouquet (only where it is local custom for the groom to pay for it)
• The bride’s going away corsage
• Boutonnieres for groom’s attendants “Many times the bride’s family pays for the entire florist order and does not separate out the boutonnieres for the groom’s attendants.”
• Corsages for immediate members of both families (unless the bride has included them in her florist’s order)
• The officiant’s fee or donation
• Transportation and lodging expenses for the officiant, if from another town and if invited to officiate by the groom’s family
• The marriage license
• Transportation for the groom and best man to the ceremony
• Honeymoon expenses
• All costs of the rehearsal dinner
• Accommodations for the groom’s attendants
• Bachelor dinner, if the groom wishes to give one
• Transportation and lodging expenses for the groom’s family

Bridesmaids’/Honor Attendants’ Expenses
• Purchase of apparel and all accessories
• Transportation to and from the city where the wedding takes place
• A contribution to a gift from all the bridesmaids to the bride
• An individual gift to the couple
• Optionally, a shower or luncheon for the bride

Best Man’s/Groomsmen’s/Ushers’ Expenses
• Rental or purchase of wedding attire
• Transportation to and from the city where the wedding takes place
• A contribution to a gift from all the groom’s attendants to the groom
• An individual gift to the couple
• A bachelor dinner, if given by the groom’s attendants

Out-of-Town Guests’ Expenses
• Transportation to and from the wedding
• Lodging expenses and meals
• Wedding gift

SPE Featured on Wedding Row Charlotte

We are very excited to announce that the new blog for Charlotte Brides, Wedding Row, featured our couple Jennifer and Daniel who were married last fall at the Peninsula Yacht Club.



Make sure you check-out Wedding Row Charlotte for inspiration and the latest in Charlotte weddings.

Fabulous Local Store Find: Z Gallerie

I haven't blogged about Z Gallerie lately and they are such an awesome resource and inspiration for design and decor. Here are a few great finds and an online coupon code!


$7.99 - SALE


$9.89


$9.95


$9.95-$12.95

Happy Planning!

Receive 10% off your online order (sale items excluded). Coupon Code is "TakeTen04"

Royal Wedding Dress

Many brides opt to wear strapless gowns. In selecting your wedding gown, would you go "royal" and wear sleeves?




Image: Pronovias Costura 2012 Bridal Collection


Priscilla of Boston 2011
Image: Wedding Inspirasi


Marchesa Bridal Spring 2012
Image: Wedding Inspirasi


Jesu Peiro Bridal 2011
Image: Wedding Inspirasi


Carolina Herrera 2012
Image: Wedding Inspirasi

Sew Fun!

I LOVE crafting with and for my brides! Incorporating at least one DIY aspect to your wedding day brings such an element of love and personality.

For the past four weeks, I've been learning how to sew! One of my many sources for inspiration is fabric. I love the color and texture fabric can bring to any design element.

Here is a camera picture of the zipper that I sewed in class. This week we're sewing pajama bottoms! ;-)