The New Years Bride Series

We started the year off with such a great wedding.  It goes down in history as our coldest wedding ever, and I have to confess, I hope that it stays that way.  These pictures below are not pro pics, they're ours, but I couldn't wait to show off this great weekend at South Seas.  As soon as we can share the images from the super cool Tonya Malay, we'll post away, and then you'll just drool,  I'm sure.

 

These beach chic welcome bags included customized koozies, bottled water, gum, ibuprofen, key lime cookies, and  pretzels.  The basics are always a hit with destination wedding guests.

 

It was just too chilly to have the rehearsal dinner out of the deck like we planned, but the indoor table for 24 ended up looking just as great indoors.  We used simple potted orchids and bougainvillea with lanterns and beach rocks on a linen tablecloth to have a completely natural tablescape.

 

This is me and the groom, Mr Prince.  We bumped into each other on the golf course (it runs right next to the ceremony site at Sunset cove beach) when I was checking on ceremony set up.

 

Could you die over how cute this hanger is?  You can find one like it on Etsy.

 

I recommend to all my clients to have make & hair done professionally for wedding day.  If ever there was a day when you wanted to look perfect and be pampered...this is it.  Heather Longshore did an outstanding job on Mrs. Prince's hair & makeup as well as the rest of the bridal party.

 

Um, yeah, I dream about these shoes. Not even going to lie.

 

Here's the kicker with the sash and this gorgeous embellishment on it.  Mrs. Prince told the designer she didn't want a sash.  When the dress arrived, it was included as a surprise.  It totally made the dress.  See below...

 

Told ya.  Sash is awesome.

Make sure to read all the posts in this series because I have an awesome ending care of the masters over at AMC video.

Here's to another great wedding

-- Posted from my iPhone "Because I'm always on wedding style alert."
Kelly McWilliams

Location:Naples, FL

What did those plates look like again?

Did you look at the place settings when you picked your venue out?  This is one of those little details that can really add up in the end in your- "Oops, I didn't budget for this" list.

Quick tip: It's very easy to miss checking the little details that can make a big difference in your aesthetic and budget.  When you are scouting possible venues for your wedding ceremony and reception, make a check list of things to ask to view.  Why?  You might be surprised to find some of the most gorgeous venues have the ugliest plates, chairs, linens,  you've ever seen in your life.

So be sure to include the following very important items on your check list:
Standard chairs
Standard Linens (for guest tables and food tables)
China, Silver & Glassware
Dance floor
Tables (make sure you get the available sizes)

Also take note of:
Light fixtures
Carpet
Table
The bathroom

Book review: Weddings by Tara Guerard

I think what I love most about Tara Guerard's books is that she shows that its the small details, which aren't necessarily extravagant, that make a wedding personal and unique.  I've waited quite some time for this follow up to Southern Weddings and it was worth the wait.
Weddings
is a compilation of 16 stunning weddings, all with exquisite details that truly are fresh ideas.  For someone like me, who has read (and owns) just about every wedding book published, this a welcome addition to my library.  I read it twice through because it really is that good. I'm glad I did because I was even more inspired by the details I noticed the second time around.  And that is exactly why I am such a big fan of books and magazines- its not that you need to copy what is in there, but they should inspire you or get your creative mind started so that you can create something just as "fresh" as what you've just read.  Oh, and by create I don't necessarily mean DIY...it's plenty fine to take your creative idea and have someone else execute it (honestly, this is my preferred method).
I so wish that I could just so you a few of the gorgeous photographs inside, taken by Liz Banfield.  Who, by the way, is one of the most darling people.  I'm pretty sure that after you see her work you may just want to call her about documenting your wedding day as well.  This book is packed with beautiful pictures that will leave those of you currently immersed in the wedding world drooling.

The Kentucky Derby Delay

 The Dining Room: We used different sized tables to fill the room and create the dinner party ambiance

While organizing our studio this week, we came across a couple weddings we hadn't blogged about, and this was one of them.  There are incredibly talented photographers at Michelle Reed Photography (Aimee documented this wedding) and well, the proof is in the pictures.

 

At the ceremony, each of the guests received one of these handfans with the custom tags

 

Derby Bride wanted a very intimate ceremony, so all the guests surrounded the couple.  We just had a few seats for those who really needed them.

I've never had a late start that made me giggle. Until this past May.  I had a bride who refused to leave the bridal suite to go down to the ceremony. Not because she didn't want to get married though.

The sand ceremony; chocolate and sea blue sand.

It was because the Derby hadn't happened yet.  Hilarious.   Derby bride and the rest of the wedding party (and me) sat and watched the race and then raced down to the limos to get to the ceremony on time.

 

The tall centerpieces of white hawaiian dendrobiums in sea blue water filled vases lightened up the room.

Pale blush tones are what made this bouquet of roses and peonies so romantic

The very simple and intimate ceremony took place on Bonita Beach and the reception for about 60 was at The Hyatt Coconut Point Country Club, Raptor Bay.

 

The champagne colored textured linens were just what we needed to tie the lightness of the flowers to the heavier design of the room.

 

Adding a bit of formality to the cake with the fondant draping

 

You know how there is always that picture perfect spot and if everything is just right you get something amazing?  This is it.

 

Gift and escort card table details.  You can't go wrong with candles.

The beautiful flowers are from Signature Florals...Sue always exceeds my expectations.  The cake was from Ella's Cakes and was so good there wasn't a slice left behind.