Glamorous Camping Trend Wedding

Just when you thought you saw it all - here comes another new trend for weddings and events described as "glamping" Glamorous Camping. This idea is the brainchild of Shelter Co. Just wish I lived in the San Francisco area so I could try this out. Well, the company states they have tents where the bride can get ready and guests can enjoy the outdoor camping experience. The beds are full-size with 450 thread count sheets and comforter with a host of amenities so you never have to rough it. Their inventory includes lounge furniture, children's tents, vanity tents with rolling racks for bridal party, Adirondack chairs, hammocks and camping boxes with welcome kits.

Full size beds 

Spacious interiors

Guest seating

Yummy cookout

The Spa at Serenbe

Have you heard? Did you know the "Meet me in Serenbe" event has a payment option? Ask about the details when registering for this AMAZING event. You can contact Black Bride or T. MORRISON AGENCY with any questions regarding payment options. Again, this event is exclusive with a space limited to only 20 couples.

Also, make sure you visit The Spa at Serenbe while you are at the couple's retreat. Check out these fabulous pictures by photographer Ali Harper. This is yet another reason why you don't want to miss out on this event! Register today on Eventbrite!

Photos by Ali Harper Photography

Photos by Ali Harper Photography

Photos by Ali Harper Photography

Photos by Ali Harper Photography

Photos by Ali Harper Photography

Relax.  Unwind and submerse yourself into a state of tranquility.  Located in the heart of the Serenbe Community, the Spa at Serenbe offers multiple services that will strip away the stress and recharge your body and spirit.  With an exclusive approach to clinical ARoMATOUCH therapy, the Spa at Serenbe has a unique approach to the art of healing.  From manicures and pedicures to  Anti-Aging Facials, the Spa has something to offer for everyone. As well as the many services offered, the Spa at Serenbe also has a range of products to take your relaxation home. For your complete Spa Retreat, stop into today and set up an appointment. Open 7 days a week, 11am to 6pm Monday through Friday and 9am to 6pm, Saturday and Sunday.

The Flying Wedding Gown

You need to head over to Rock and Roll Bride to check out this awesome wedding. The flying dress took my breath away. Not sure I would be this bold to hook my wedding gown up to a bunch of balloons - lol! But, it does capture a beautiful moment. The photographer actually used fishing line to hold the dress while the balloon slowly lifted the dress into the sky - genius!

Anatomy of a Monogram

There are so many ways to incorporate a wedding monogram, the possibilities are endless. For Nikki and Nate's wedding I had custom napkins made for the wedding. Not only are these monogram napkins gorgeous, the couple can us them again for special dinners and family gatherings. We also incorporated the  monogram into their stationery and dance floor gobo. To save money, I shopped for the best deal on napkins and had my seamstress complete the project.

Couple's Circle of Love Logo

Custom Napkins with Logo

Dance Floor Gobo
Shawna Herring Photography

Pre-Wedding Cocktail Hour

The question for the day: Should you have a cocktail hour after the ceremony, before the ceremony or ditch the idea all together? I've been reading answers from several wedding forums and there seems to be no strong consensus.  The cocktail hour allows the venue to flip the room (if necessary), allows the couple time to take pictures and guests time to mingle. However, many guests are bored with the time lapse between the ceremony and reception. Again, it will depend on the couple but clearly there are no rules when it comes to cocktail hour.  What's your opinion on pre-wedding cocktail hour?

Cocktail hour appetizers
Shawna Herring Photography

Here are a few answers from the Knot:

I think this can be done. You could have some passed appetizers with a signature drink as guests arrive. After the ceremony, you could move straight into the reception. 

I have been to two weddings where they have done this--mostly champagne and strawberries and light apps. I think it is fine. You know your crowd--is it something they would go for? kasabby

I wouldn't bother having a cocktail hour before the ceremony. Just speaking from personal experience, if I've had some appetizers and a couple of drinks, I'm not going to feel like then sitting through a ceremony before getting back to the "party". sunico

Chairs 101 with Sweet Seats

Today, I want to introduce you to my dear friend Cheryl over at Sweet Seats. If you haven't heard about Sweet Seats make sure you take time to read my blog post and check out her website.

About Sweet Seats

Sweet Seats is your spot for stylish seating to sweeten any special occasion, offering chic rental options that are elegant, beautiful and excellently priced. Currently, Sweet Seats offers the classic Chiavari chair in four colors, the modern luxe Ghost chair, super cute kids' Chiavari chairs and tables, as well as crisp white resin folding chairs. We pride ourselves in providing a personalized experience to help fulfill a vision that aligns with our client's event style and decor. Once a client has selected Sweet Seats as their specialty chair provider, we consider it an honor and a pleasure to be included as a part of their momentous occasion. Even though we play a 'behind the scene' position, our team is committed to be responsive, professional, and personable from the initial point of contact until the event is over and the last chair is rolled out the door. It is this commitment that inspires us to delight our clients in hopes that they will trust Sweet Seats to sweeten their daughter's princess-themed birthday party, their sister's wedding reception, their employer's retirement party, their client's book signing event, as well as their best friend's baby shower. Look to Sweet Seats for new sophisticated seating options being unveiled this winter.

What are some of the new chair trends (colors, style, functionality)?

As people are planning their special occasions, they are definitely looking to infuse more personality in the decor, which translates into more color, style and customized accents. Black chiavari chairs with black or shaded cushions offer elegance and versatility as they perfectly compliment classic, as well as modern event themes. Ghost chairs are right on trend by lending a sleek appearance that enhances any color palette and design, whether placed at a large estate table or in a cozy lounge area complete with settees and mirrored tables. Florals are being used to adorn chairs as well as customized chalk signs and more textured fabrics styled vertically or diagonally. Kids' parties have become so popular that themed character parties present the perfect opportunity to seat party goers in their own kids-sized chiavari chairs while tufted wing back chairs are a sophisticated seating option for sweetheart and honoree tables.

What do you think about mixing different styles of chairs?

I honestly think mixing different styles of chairs can be a total winner or a total disaster, depending on the colors and styles that are paired. Lounge areas provide a unique opportunity to combine different styles of seating options such as settees, high back chairs and even tree stumps if it's a rustic elegant setting. Vintage tablescapes with different styles of chairs at the same table have become very popular, and some brides choose to outfit their estate table with a unique set of chairs to truly make the bridal party feels special. I always encourage my clients to see a mock tablescapes complete with linens, chairs and samples centerpieces in the venue if they are thinking about a nontraditional combination of styles, so they are not unpleasantly surprised on their big day.

Finish this sentence: On your wedding day...be true to thine own heart. Every trend is not for everybody, so be sure that your final event design and selections of seating are a true reflection of your own personality!

Cheryl, Owner Sweet Seats

Ghost Chairs

 Black Chiavari Chairs 

Silver Chiavari Chairs

Dr. Alduan Tartt joins Meet me in Serenbe

Exciting News! TVOne's Love Addiction relationship expert, Dr. Alduan Tartt will be sharing his divorce-proof strategies typically reserved only for CNN, HLN and TV One where he is a regularly called upon. Now you can meet him at Black Bride's Meet me in Serenbe couple's retreat.

Dr. Tartt has performed countless hours of research of what it takes to keep marriages together. "Initially love sustains the marriage but that wears off in less than two years. Then, it's the skills, strategies and ability to resolve conflicts that maintain the loving marriage." Dr. Tartt will teach these skill so couples can enjoy the good times and survive the challenging times.

Meet me in Serenbe vendor and sponsor opportunities are limited and exclusive. To inquire, please send request to info@blackbride.com. Couples interested in attending can visit Eventbrite to purchase your ticket. Don't delay, space is limited!

Limited media passes are available and should be directed to the T. Morrison Agency at 404-593-0607, or email at publicity@tmorrisonpr.com.

Real Wedding - Allison & Marquis

I've had the pleasure of not only being auntie, but also sending one of my beautiful nieces down the aisle.  Allie was living in Chicago and decided to marry her college sweetheart in the ATL. The wedding was held at one of her favorite venue - The Four Seasons.  I filled her day with lots of surprises (good surprises) jazz soloist and tons of custom touches. xoxo

Time to get dressed

This is her true personality - lol!

One of my favorite pixs

Congrats Allie & Marquis

Wedding-Theme Cases

Looking for a cute gift for the bride to be - look no further. These adorable wedding-themed design embellished case by Case-Mate are designed to for the iPhone 4 or 4S. Head over to Nordstrom to pick out the perfect pink case - so adorable.

I DO

Diamond Yes

Here comes the Bride

Wedding Transportation - Wacky Taxi

Looking for an alternate mode of transportation on your wedding day - check out Wacky Taxi. The retro cars have been fully restored and even include a black/white checker board floor. The vehicles include amenities such as air conditioning, heat, champagne buckets, satellite radio, iPod compatibility, and most of all privacy and class. Book your taxi today at 505-578-4555 or email wackytaxi@yahoo.com

Are you ready to Meet me in Serenbe?

Are you ready to Meet me in Serenbe? Stay tuned for more exciting details. Meet me in Serenbe vendor and sponsorship opportunities are limited and exclusive. To inquire, please send requests to info@blackbride.com. Couples interested in attending can visit Eventbrite to purchase your tickets.

Register now at Eventbrite: http://blackbrideserenbe.eventbrite.com.

Real Wedding - Tracy & Mark

Tracy and Mark's wedding day was perfect! It is always great when a wedding runs so smoothly, but when you work with great vendors such as photography Cayce Callaway, Divine Events, The Flour Shoppe and Stylish Stems you can't expect anything less. Tracy is also one of my Spelman sisters which is always an added bonus. The couple formed a prayer circle with the guys and one with the ladies before the ceremony. What a great way to start a marriage with prayer?

Couple's guest book Vietnam - honeymoon location & groom's birthplace

Tracy's Badgley Mischka shoes

Beautiful beaded gown and shoes

Tracy heads downstairs to get married

Strike a pose before heading down the aisle

Details, details, details

Cake provided by the Flour Shoppe - Eileen Carter Creations

Back necklace - so cute

The happy couple

Atlanta skyline

All you need is a LOVE sign

There are few things that make me go ohhhhh! And, sequins and sparkles go hand in hand. Check out this super cute LOVE sign. The site says they rent out the sign; unfortunately they are located in Europe so that means I will make my own sign! LOVE IT!

According to one of my favorite blogs - Pocketful of Dreams:

"We created a gold LOVE shimmer sign which looked really beautiful as it gently glistened in the wind. Made from a hundred metallic gold mirrored discs which hang slightly away from the wood backing so they are able to move gently with the wind and as they do so catch and bounce the natural light around."

All you need is LOVE

Just a bride and you have a stunning backdrop

The creators of this lovely sign

Here is close up shot

Image Credit:  Leo Bojesen