A recent trend for weddings has been to light sky lanterns, otherwise known as Chinese wish lanterns.  The effect is a beautiful and unique end to your event.

Phindy Studios

But.....

(You knew it was coming didn't you. There has to be a problem with anything this amazing.)  It's illegal, unless you hire a licensed professional.  I have had to tell all of my brides from the last few months that the exit that they planned has been limited in the state of Tennessee.  This law went into effect July 1, 2011.  I know that my brides have been very disappointed by this news.

If you are planning to use these for your exit, be sure to check all your state and local rulings.

Sarah and Drew planned a fun and beautiful wedding in Franklin, TN.  The ceremony included a large bridal party and a bagpiper.  The reception was filled with great details and memorable extras.

Sarah wore these amazing blue shoes!

On the guest book table, Sarah made these cute letters.  Instead of the traditional book, she had a fingerprint tree with earth inspired stamp colors.

The reception dance floor was strung with lights lending an evening feel to the late afternoon event. 

The table centerpieces were alternated.  One was candles with an orchid; the other was a vase filled with ranunculus and roses.

Some of the highlights of the evening included more desserts - raspberry cheesecake was served and there was a smore station (very popular).  

Watch the highlights reel from Cinematic Focus:

Photographer: Betsy Limbaugh

Videographer: Cinematic Focus

Ceremony: St Phillips Parish

Reception: Factory at Franklin

Catering: Stoveworks Restaurant

Florist: Village of Flowers

Lighting: Nashville Event Lighting

Band: Top Tier Band

Update:

Sarah and Drew's wedding was published on the blog Woman Getting Married

Recently a celebrity wedding followed a few months later by a divorce has been making headlines.  The wedding was amazing with designer dresses, celebrity everything and hundreds of guests.  But somewhere in planning this event, the bride and groom lost sight of the true goal... the marriage.


Planning a wedding involves hundreds of hours of planning and coordinating sometimes hundreds of little details. It can be easy to get so caught up in the wedding that the marriage can be something of a let down.  Marriage isn't always glamorous or even fun.  Sometimes it is difficult and it takes work, a lot of work.  A good marriage doesn't make itself.  A good wedding doesn't make a good marriage.

Regardless of your state's requirements, you may want to consider premarital counseling.  Having realistic expectations and good communications can go a long way toward getting your marriage off to a good start.   Think Marriage is a good place to start as well as Prepare Enrich or Relate Institute.

While the color of the flowers and the style of the dress is important now, the quality of your marriage is what will matter in 20 years.  Start planning now.

Are you looking for a wonderful outdoor location for your smaller wedding.

Burritt on the Mountain in Huntsville, AL is the perfect location.  Located on Monte Sano, this site is filled with a mansion from around the 1930's, a church from 1884 as well as older log homes and cabins and a beautiful gazebo overlooking Huntsville.   There is also a Trillium Room with chandeliers and fireplace as another reception option.  The website contains all the rental information along with space capacities.

Looking for a Huntsville wedding planner? Contact me to talk about your wedding. 

Karol and Brad had a beautiful military wedding at The Governor's Club at Pleasant Hill Mansion.   The ceremony was complete with a professional Saber Arch with the help of the groom's friends. 

 The reception was beautifully decorated with red roses and candles throughout the pavilion and the mansion.  

Photographer: Aaron Yung Photography

Venue: Governor's Club

DJ: Nashville Party Authority

Flowers: Sweet Norma Flowers

Officiant: Ralph Griggs

Hair & Makeup: Bella Donna Salon

Cellist: Matt Nelson

I had the pleasure of working on a fall wedding at the Parthenon in Nashville.  The ceremony was held in the Athena room and then changed over for the reception as well.   Photos were taken at the Parthenon as well as Centennial Park in the gardens.

 The bride and groom incorporated color into the flowers and the groomsmen shirts.  

Instead of a traditional looking cake, the bride had a custom cake made using a mold from a pitcher that she owned. It was truly a stunning cake. 

Photographer: Spectra Dezigns

Catering: A Dream Come True

Cake: The Sweetest Day

Flowergirl Dress: Elite Dresses

The term DIY is everywhere in weddings.  Every blog is filled with amazing images of projects that the bride created herself.   It can make you wonder how she had the time.  Any bride can be a DIY bride the real question is should you?

Being a DIY bride can allow you to have a personal, tangible connection to your wedding, whether it is through the favors or the décor.  Almost no area of wedding planning has been untouched by DIY with the exception of actual day of events.  The list of possibilities is endless – chair sashes, bridesmaid hair pieces, cake topper, centerpieces, invitations, and so on. 

Before tackling any project, do you homework.  Research the final cost to create the item and then get a price quote from at least 2 wedding vendors.  If your only reason for doing DIY is to save money, you may find that it isn’t a substantial savings for every project.  If your reason is to create beautiful personal items that other will cherish, then also be sure to research the time investment. 

Don’t allow yourself to become overwhelmed with tasks.  Large tasks may require the help of bridesmaids, friends and family.  Time the projects so that they end at least 2 days before the wedding.   Unless you are skilled, experienced and have staff, don’t attempt to make the wedding cake or handle the catering yourself.  You don’t need the stress involved during the 24 hours before your wedding.

Plan ahead for transportation.  Now that you have created these amazing masterpieces, you have to know how they will get to and from the wedding venue.  Do they need assembled? Distributed? Arranged?  Talk with friends and wedding vendors to know in advance who will take care of these items.  Also be sure to designate who takes everything home after the big day.

Once you have handled these items, have fun with your DIY projects.  Invite your friends over for a crafting party and create a wedding that is unlike any other.  

Puckett's Grocery is great southern food. If you haven't already been to Puckett's Grocery, you should go. They have locations in Franklin, Leiper's Fork and downtown Nashville. The place is always packed, the food is awesome and they have songwriting nights throughout the year.  Everything I have eaten from the chicken to the prime rib to the burgers have been sooo good.  They have all the dishes you would expect including squash casserole and fried green tomatoes.  They would be a great option for rehearsal or reception.

Puckett's Grocery offers two options.
1. Their location in Franklin can be rented and seats 110.
2. The offer offsite catering.

See more photos of weddings at Pucketts at Style Me Pretty and Donald Yeager

Photo: Donald Yeager

Photo: Michael Howard

Wedding Stamps are custom postage stamps that allow you to control the look and feel of the postage stamp used on your invitations, save the dates, RSVP cards, or any other wedding mailings. While the USPS has two generic wedding stamps, custom wedding stamps allow for virtually limitless possibilities. There are currently over 150,000 different wedding-themed designs from which to choose, so you can coordinate your invitation postage with any wedding theme, color, or style.

Custom wedding stamps cost a bit more than stamps you would get at your local post office, but they add an incredible ‘wow’ factor to your invitations. To learn more about custom postage stamps, visit Wedding Stamps.

Amanda and Ryan were married at the Hermitage.  The ceremony was help in the Old Hermitage Church and the reception was help nearby at Tulip Grove both located on the Hermitage property, home of Andrew Jackson.   The old house was filled with wonderful details.

The photos were taken by the talented and always fun Matt Andrews and fellow photographer Twila Allen.  Check out more great photos!

Check out this awesome groom's cake!

As the evening went on, many of the guests, bridal party as well as vendors went outside to enjoy the fall sunset from the front steps.  

Photographer: Matt Andrews       Twila Allen

Catering: Monel's

Flowers: The Enchanted Florist

DJ: Cale Carver

Venue: The Hermitage

Cake: Signature Cakes by Vicki