When the bride contacted me, she knew she wanted a small, intimate wedding for 50 guests. I was very happy to help her.
Vendors:
Photography: Celladora Photography
Ceremony: St. Augustine Chapel
Reception: Butchertown Hall
Floral: White Orchid
Are you planning a party for a high school graduate? Here are some tips and ideas to get you started.
1. Start with the graduate
Start by asking them how they want to celebrate? Do they want a small, family party or a larger event for them and their friend? Have them make a list of their top 5 "wants." Take their personality, style, favorite colors and hobbies into account when making any decisions.
2. Look at the important numbers - Date & Guest Count
Decide if you are holding your party after graduation or another weekend. Look at what other local events will also be occurring that your graduate and their friends might also be attending. Put together a guest list to get an estimate of how many people to plan for and the space size needed. It is usually easiest to host the party as an open house so that guests can come and go at their convenience.
3. Choose a Location
While it is more budget friendly to host the party in your home, there are numerous other options.
Possible venues:
Party Rooms
Community Centers
Restaurant Private Dining Rooms
Church hall
City Building or Business Private Room
Clubhouse
Rec Center
Hotel Banquet Room
Bowling Alley
Theater or Art Gallery
Park
4. Choose a Theme
While you don't have to choose a theme, it can be fun for the graduate. There is an almost unlimited list of possibilities. But here are some to get you started.
Theme Ideas:
Fiesta/Taco Party
Luau/Aloha
Dr. Seuss
Adventure/Travel
Camping/Bonfire
Sailing into the Future/Nautical
The college they are going into
The world is your canvas/Art
To Infinity and Beyond
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5. Set a Budget
The 2 largest expenses for the party will be the venue (if not in your home) and the food. If you choose to host at home, a tent rental may be necessary. For many parties, it is easiest to use catered food from a restaurant such as a taco bar, BBQ, etc. Other typical expenses would be invitations and decorations. Some parents choose to spend larger amounts of money on entertainment for their parties.
You don't have to go overboard with decorations better. Instead, choose 2 or 3 accent points to decorate such as the front entrance, a gift table, dessert table, or a table honoring the graduate.
Decide how you will handle extra tables and chairs if you are hosting the party at your home. You may be able to borrow them from friends or neighbors.
6. Set the Menu
If you host the party in your home or a location that allows outside food, you will need to decide how much food to prepare yourself. It is more cost-efficient to cook the food, but much, much easier to have it catered.
Food Ideas:
Catering from a local restaurant such as a fajita bar
Homemade Finger foods
Pasta or Potato bar
Desserts Only
Party trays from Costco/Sams Club/Kroger
7. Order the Invites
Choose an invitation that matches the style and theme of your party. You may need to send separate invites for the graduation ceremony and the party if they are held on different days or times. Be sure to include a phone number or email address for RSVPs.
For invitations, my 2 favorite places for printed invites are Costco and Minted.com. For digital invites use Evite or Paperless Post.
8. Plan ahead
Try to make a plan for setting up decor and food ahead of time so you can relax and spend time with your graduate. Ask for help or hire staff so that you don't have to do everything by yourself.
This lovely all-inclusive wedding was held at an estate an hour south of Nashville. The bride was inspired by a steel blue color swatch for the color palette. The celebration was a destination wedding with guests from Nashville and around the country gathering in Lewisburg, TN.
When a rainstorm cancelled the outdoor ceremony, we moved everything to the foyer. The bridal party walked down the grand staircase to the wedding ceremony.
Guests moved outside to the tent and covered patio by the pool. After charcuterie for cocktail hour, food stations offered numerous food options.
Photographer: Adam Wallace Photos
Venue: Jubilee Hills Estate
Catering: Dannie Holmes Catering
Planning & Florals: Events by Elaine
Rentals: Southern Events
Coffee Bar: Brandon’s Bro’rista
Cake: Alanna Tyler
Bartending: Gina Jones
Every bride has a different vision of what her wedding will look like. Your flowers play a big part in creating that vision. For some brides that vision includes natural florals that looked like they were picked in a field. These stems will add a wildflower feel to your flower design.
Queen Anne’s Lace:
This flower can be found growing along fence lines and by fields around the area. Other similar looking flowers are Orlaya, Dara, or Yarrow.
Goldenrod (Solidago):
Blamed for everyone’s fall allergies, this “weed” is truly a beautiful filler flower. It adds eye-catching yellow color. Similar flowers are Astilbe and Estelle.
(Emily Rose Photography)
Bee Balm:
This wildflower ranges from pink, purple, white, and red. It is a favorite of bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Similar flowers would be asters or poms.
Foxglove:
These tall spiky looking stems have bell shaped flowers ranging from purple to pink to peach. They add visual interest.
Sweet William:
These clusters of little flowers have graced flower beds for years. They are frequently found in purple, white, pink and bicolor.
Scabiosa (Pincushion):
These unique flowers have wavy stems and flowers ranging from blue-purple to almost black. They add a wild character to centerpieces.
Columbine:
Dainty flowers on tall stems, these florals add wild appeal. They are found in yellow, pink, blue, and purples.
When I met Whitney, I knew her wedding was going to be wonderful. She was the sweetest bride with a laid-back approach to planning. Together we brought her simply stunning concept to life. From greenery on the tables to rectangular plates with slate blue napkins, everything was clean and minimal, yet romantic. Did you see that amazing greenery wall? Working with the bride and her mom was truly a joy!
(Be prepared for photo overload. I couldn’t choose which ones I liked most and there were so many beautiful ones..)
The bride was breathtaking in her lace dress and with her wild, lush bouquet.
We added draping to part of the Cordelle to create an intimate feeling space for the ceremony.
After the ceremony, guests relaxed on the porch while we setup a beautiful reception with long wooden farm tables. Every guest had their name and a note at their place setting.
In addition to cake, there were cookies, brownies, and other desserts.
The bride’s mom made homemade jam as favors for the guests.
Vendors:
Venue: Cordelle
Photographer: Madi Flourney
Catering: Actual Foods
Beauty: Amanda Gros
Dress Shop: The Dress Theory
Bridal Designer: Rue de Seine
Flowers: Elder Floral
Draping: Nashville Audio Visual
Rentals: Liberty Party Rental
Pantone has released their 12 color predictions for 2019. These colors are fun, joyful, uplifting and vibrant with lots of warm colors in reds, oranges, yellows, and pinks. The color of the year is always one of the group. This year the color of the year is:
Living Coral - a soft, warm color that feels like a delicious drink or a welcoming hug. Joyful and vivacious there is a lot of optimism in this hue.
The full palette of 12 colors is warm and playful.
Let’s take a look at the other colors.
Aspen Gold - This color feels like a warm, autumn sun shining down.
Pepper Stem - This color reminds me of a bountiful garden
Fiesta - There is so much excitement and boldness in this color
Jester Red - This deep shade is both elegant and bohemian
Tumeric - Just like the spice, this color adds flavor and intensity
Princess Blue - As the only blue, this color is bold and majestic
Pink Peacock - For those who love intensity, warmth, and lots of fun.
Toffee - Like a perfect piece of chocolate, satisfying and tasty.
Sweet Lilac - This pinky-purple is soft and gentle
Mango Mojito - This golden shade is uplifting and pleasurable.
Terrarium Moss - Inspired by nature and a walk in the wood.
I had the pleasure of working with Kelsey and Jeremy for their small holiday wedding. This intimate celebration had 30 guests and was perfection!
With red and white colors for their flowers and lots of greenery, the setting was perfect for a holiday themed celebration. Their cakes came from New York to Nashville and were amazing. Guests enjoyed chocolate chip cake and confetti cake truffles. Look at those cute pinecone cake toppers!
For favors, guests were given tiny pine trees in burlap bags that they could plant.
Vendors
Venue: Atmology
Photography: B & B Portraits
Catering: Copper Kettle
Flowers: Village of Flowers
Cake: Milk Bar Store
Many couples are embracing small weddings and elopements. The simplicity of these gatherings is celebrating with friends in a relaxed setting while being less stressful and less expensive.
What is a small, intimate wedding?
An intimate wedding is one where there are 75 or fewer guests. An evening with 50 of your closest friends and family is perfect for celebrating.
What is a modern day elopement?
Unlike the courthouse weddings of a generation ago, many couples are having elopement style weddings. These weddings are typically only a few hours and include a ceremony and dinner with just closest family or friends.
Tips for an intimate wedding:
You can get your Pinterest dreams. Having a smaller event means that you can incorporate some of those larger or more expensive design ideas. Instead of needing 20 tables, you only need 6 or 8. It is much easier to create your dream wedding when you aren’t obsessing over details for 125 guests.
Your guests get to know each other. When there are only 35 people for dinner, it is much easier for everyone to chat and meet each other. Everyone can be involved whether it is a group reading at the ceremony or group karaoke at the reception.
It is easier on your budget. Instead of throwing a large party for 150, an intimate, down to earth gathering can save you money. (Every guest you add to the list costs you more). An afternoon elopement with a casual dinner won’t require dipping into your retirement savings. Or you can create a lavish party for your 35 closest and best.
Less Stress. It is so much easier to manage the guest list when it only includes 40 people. Smaller affairs mean fewer details, but still high on style.
Skip the Fluff. With weddings, it is so easy to get caught up into needless things and details. When your wedding is smaller, you can skip the fluff that doesn’t add any value to your wedding. Instead you can do things that wouldn’t work at larger affairs.
Customize everything. It is much easier to have custom place cards, a personalized menu, or one of a kind decor when you only need it for a small number of guests. Instead of traditional invitation, you can create a handwritten note to each guest inviting them to your day.
Connect with me to talk about your small, intimate wedding.
Giorgio and Andreas destination wedding in Nashville was classic and stunning. A sunny and beautiful day greeted their guests for an elegant ceremony at Scarritt Bennett.
The bride's dress was spectacular!
After the ceremony, guests went to the Parthenon for a fun reception.
Vendors
Photography: Hannah Elaine
Ceremony: Scarritt Bennett
Reception: Parthenon
Catering: Ribbons of Chocolate
Flowers: Belles Fleurs
Cake: Dulce Desserts
Videography: Needle and Thread
Ceremony Musicians: Wedding Musicians Company
Band: Emerald Empire
Bartending: VIP Bartending
Rentals: Liberty Party Rentals
Lighting: Bright Events
Kaitlin and Mick's spring wedding was a beautiful affair for all of their guests who gathered in Nashville from around the world. The day started with the bride, her bridesmaids and mom getting ready in the bridal suite.
The ceremony was held at historic Wightman Chapel. The wreaths and altar continued the wild and loose feel of the florals.
Guests then headed to an amazing reception at the Cordelle. The relaxed, elegant feel of the reception was designed by Kaitlin and her mom who wanted an understated feeling and a relaxed space for their guests.
Guests were greeted with a shrimp and oyster bar.
The reception tent featured gorgeous chandeliers with greenery and lovely wild flowers with lush blooms.
The bride and groom left the reception to a Second Line.
Vendors:
Photographer: Justin Wright Photography
Rentals: 12th Table
Dress Designer: BHLDN
Lighting: Bright Event Productions
Cake Designer: Dessert Designs
Tuxedo and Mens Attire: Joseph A Banks
Makeup Artist: Katie Russo Beauty
Caterer: Kristen Winston Catering
Dress Store: Modern Trousseau Nashville
Equipment Rentals: Music City Tents and Events
Ceremony Location: Scarritt Bennett Center
Band: Scat Springs Band
Ceremony Musicians: Silver Strings
Calligrapher: The Dotted Line
Floral Designer: Basil and Bergomot Flower Farm
Event Planner: Events by Elaine
Reception Venue: The Cordelle
