Wednesday, November 30, 2011

{Savannah Wedding Location} Whitefield Chapel

While doing a site check with new clients I decided to upload some of the pictures of Whitefield Chapel at Bethesda Academy School for the Boys to show what the space looks like when it is raw without any decorations. Such a gorgeous place! We can't wait to share the pictures of what it will look like for the upcoming weddings planned there for spring of 2012!


Just as we were leaving the sun just poured out in between the Spanish moss and looked breathtaking!!
Check out some of the weddings Teresa's of Memories n' more has done at this location! Beautiful photos!!
I can't wait to work with Teresa, she is so sweet and talented!! 
Click on these 2 links to see 2 beautiful weddings Teresa photographed at the chapel:

Friday, November 25, 2011

Thanksgiving

This year was just Chris,my hubby, my Mom, and I for Thanksgiving. We stayed at home, ate like pigs, then watched The Godfather Part 1 and 2! It was a pretty low key time, but very relaxing.

Here is a look at our pretty table-cost $0 since I used whatever we already had at the house :)

Our glutten fest began with whole grain waffles for breakfast! It's pretty funny since we got the waffle maker 2 years ago and this was the first time we used it. Now I want to use it all the time! For our Thanksgiving meal we had cranberry sauce, dressing, collard greens with ham hocks, baked beans with salt pork, whole grain strawberry rhubard pie and pumpkin pie. Our turkey was smoked this year instead of cooked in the oven. My hubby loves to use our smoker, so this year the turkey HAD to be smoked. FYI it takes less time then suggested to cook the turkey since ours was at temperature pretty early, but turned out pretty good. Also one of our family tradtions is making cream cheese with chopped green olives then spreading it on celery sticks for an appetizer while we wait to eat. I've had so much fun looking on blogs, facebook, and pinterest to see what everyone did for their Thanksgiving dinners!! Deliscious!! What are your traditions? What are you thankful for? I'm thankful for my health, my wonderful husband, and having such great friends & family ♥

TWIPS Tweet-a-Tete

Today there is a great post about Allie and I on the TWIPS website! Here is a little tidbit...

Written by Alicia, Interview by Allie and Layla
So exactly does Tweet-à-Tête mean? In French, tête-à-tête, means “head to head” or an intimate conversation between two familiar people. We took a little liberty and changed the words to Tweet-à-Tête {clever aren’t we?}. Tweet-à-Tête is a light-hearted conversation between two members of TWIPS that we get to eavesdrop on. 

One of the best things about the Tweet-à-Tête series is that it gives us all an opportunity to get to know each other a little better. Often behind the mask of Twitter handles and Facebook pages it is easy to forget that there are actual people behind those words. It is these posts that make all of us feel like we are truly part of community. Read more..

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Taken Photography Victoria & Branden Wedding


I recently went down to Miami, Florida to help out a Savannah photographer who you may remember had a {Vendor Spotlight} awhile back. Alicja of Taken Photography just posted the amazing pictures from this wedding that I helped be her light assistant. Yep, I can do that too. I actually went to college for graphic design & photography plus focused on ceramics, art history, and psychology. Although that was back when photography was all film so when everything went digital I stuck with what I do best - Party Planning and Designing. So whenever my photog friends need a hand with lighting, I'll jump right in since I LOVE it. She told me that I would love this wedding just from hearing some of the details, DIY, back yard, bird theme, purple, I WAS SO EXCITED!! To see more of this fabulous DIY wedding go to Alicja's website here: http://www.taken-photography.com/2011/victoria-branden-are-wed-modern-wedding-photographer


Simply Savannah Events: Guest Post on Dodeline

In the spirit of Thankfulness… {Guest Post}

Come over to Dodeline's blog for my guest post: Today’s Wedding Wednesday post is brought to you by Layla of Simply Savannah Events – thank you Layla for stepping in while I am traipsing around Rome looking for Thanksgiving dinner. 
How much time do we have to send out thank you notes for our wedding gifts?
Wedding gifts thank-yous should be sent out within three months of the wedding date or sooner, so be sure to acknowledge immediately to any presents you received before then. Be sure to put the pen and paper soon after you return from the honeymoon, share the writing duties and you’ll have your thank you notes out in no time. (Diane Forden, Editor in Chief of Bridal Guide )
Don’t forget Dodeline can also make your thank you notes to match your wedding invitations! Or if you are looking for some fun thank you’s make sure you look at the Etsy shop.
Read the post here!

{Organic Wednesday} Biodegradable Wedding Confetti

To continue on with more Eco-friendly wedding favors I have added another great website filled with green wedding ideas. If you have missed my previous posts on wedding favors be sure to read these too!! 
Give your guests biodegradable tissue-paper confetti and streamers for your grand exit and be Green. The perky popper wrapper, which gives guests instructions for use, shows a cartoon bride and groom holding hands, surrounded by festive confetti and streamers, with the words “Wedding Poppers” overhead.
Measurements: 4 ¼” h x 1 ½” in diameter
Sold as a set of 12 poppers. 


More ideas for Eco-friendly wedding favors: www.blissweddingsmarket.com

Friday, November 18, 2011

{Pin it Friday} Custom Wedding Dress Sketch


I just love this idea of having your wedding dress sketched with black ink and framing it!
See more: go to Laura Lavender's Blog

Thursday, November 17, 2011

{Bright Idea Thursday} Wedding Splurges

Most of my clients are on a pretty average wedding budget since I cater to affordable weddings not luxury weddings, BUT if I could offer you some ideas of where I would splurge and spend extra money these are my top 3 ideas:
Hire a wedding videographer! I have showcased Indie Atlantic Films in my previous post about wedding music, but here is another great video for you to watch. Their work is amazing and if you had the extra money I would hire them, they'll come to Savannah!! Such amazing story telling and artistic style!

Sari & Aaron Wedding Trailer from Indie Atlantic Films on Vimeo.

There are very few, and I mean, few talented wedding cinematographers in the area, of which Robert Charles Wedding Films is one of the TOPS! These wedding clips are just absolutely gorgeous. If you have the time sit down and watch his films and consider if you would want a film too.


This video gives me chills and tears to my eyes!



Purchase personalized pedestal (like that alliteration) cake stands for wedding cake, cupcakes, pies, & other yummy goodies with beautiful cake stands by Sarah's Stands!!
Their cake stands are completely constructed in the United States. They are made of sustainable soft maple wood and turned by skilled artisans. They are then individually finished with a food safe paint. This process produces a top of the line cake stand that will truly make your cake stand out.
- Larger sizes available: 12", 14", 16", 18", 20" & 22"
- An array of colors to choose from

This cake stand was featured in Style Me Pretty. So delicate and dreamy. Just look at the cake toppers! Photo by the oh-so talented Oohlala Photography,www.oohlalaphotography.ca
Here is a cake stand photo to brighten up your day. This is a great example of how the cake stand can pick up on the accent color of the cake. Photo by Anna Kuperberg Photography, www.annakuperbergphotography.com
How much weight can your cake stands hold?
Below, please find a chart of the maximum weight we recommend for each size cake stand.
Cake Stand SizeMaximum Weight
12” cake stand75 lbs.
14” cake stand110 lbs.
16” cake stand145 lbs.
18” cake stand180 lbs.
20” cake stand215 lbs.
22” cake stand250 lbs.


Contact me if you are interested in purchasing any cake stands. Also see more online at:

How about a vintage limo service! Check out this classy car!

Timeless Motorcoaches


Other ideas:
Buy custom cake toppers
Professional teeth whitening
Designer shoes

Friday, November 11, 2011

Bohemian Beach Styled Shoot

I can finally share with you the much anticipated styled shoot I have been working on with many talented Savannah area vendors! We set up on the north end of Tybee by the lighthouse and it was such a gorgeous day to be shooting. We all worked very hard to pull it together and I am so happy with the results. Here are the list of vendors who helped to put this shoot together.
Photography: Alexis Sweet Photography
Styling and Flowers: 
All the Little Details Designs
Models: Nicole and Bobby
Hair and Makeup: Color Boxx
Dress: Nicole Miller by BleuBelle Bridal
Stationary: 1420 DeZigns
Dove Release: Lowcountry Lovebirds
Hair Piece: Makebelieven


It has been featured on two wedding blogs the bridal detective and  the oceanside bride!!!

What started as a tiny idea....what if we used a Moroccan rug on a beach to create a beautifully styled beach wedding scene....soon turned into a full size beach wedding shoot!! Alexis and I planned this shoot from the very beginning, going back and forth sharing ideas, inspirations, concepts, which culminated into our concept of the Boho Beach Theme. Once the theme was decided, off I went brainstorming how to style the shoot and of course I had so much fun shopping for all the details! Krissy of Make Believe'N creates beautifully handmade custom bouquets, boutonnieres, corsages, sashes, belts, fascinators, but I thought, why not make a headband, and voila! Krissy made one just to our liking! She was wonderful to work with and listened to exactly what I was envisioning to match the dress, sea shell necklaces and shell tablescape sweetheart table.
Next came the idea of a flowing ribbon ceremony scene, which was created by different materials from Jo-Ann Fabric & Craft Stores, shell necklaces that were attached into one long chain, and wood poles from a hardware store. Very simple DIY that I created, which can be even more elaborate if you choose to buy more ribbon, shear fabric and have a good amount of patience. To finish off this amazing "wedding ceremony" why not add some love birds!!?? I had my fingers crossed that Tina of Lowcountry Lovebirds would say yes to letting us use her beautiful doves for our shoot-and she said YES! You may remember my post about how to honor loved ones at your wedding, doves can be a symbolic gesture for remembrance of a family member who has passed. The coolest part that I found out about the doves, was that after their release they are instinctively drawn to go back home to their mates and offspring, they will circle the area, figure out where they are, then head home, and go right back into their cages!! The doves are able to fly home from several hundred miles away!!!
My husband also had a hand in helping out with this shoot too. He actually spray painted, hand stenciled the letters and aged the "Shoes Optional" sign. When having a beach wedding, it's always fun to go barefoot! Valerie of 1420 DeZigns, LLC A Custom Stationery Studio created beautiful invitations, program fans, and little tags for the oyster knives guest favors.   
Something you would be surprised to know is that Nicole, my assistant and Bobby are just friends. A huge thank you to Nicole's boyfriend who was ok with us doing this shoot and being a good sport!! Also to Allie Morris, Alexis' assistant/2nd shooter, who volunteered her time to help us trek through the sand shlepping all the items needed for the shoot and help where needed. She also supplied those killer Ray Bans.






On to the sweetheart table!!! This was super fun for me to design and shop for the details. All the shells were from my house which have been collected over the years or bought at beach surf shops. The glass jars were recycled and the upside down wine glass idea with flower and candle was an inspiration from a post on http://emmalinebride.com/.
Last scene was the GRAND FINALE! As the sun was setting we rushed to set up the Moroccan rug gorgeous champagne toast filled with pillows, delicious food platter, and accoutrements, that came out AMAZING!!! All of our hard work can really be seen in this last shot of Nicole and Bobby lounging on the rug. Pure exhaustion set in!! The images of the flowers I worked hard to create for the bouquet, boutonniere, and small arrangements with the pomegranate, star fruit, figs, grapes, pears, etc fruit platter and Cupcake Vineyard champagne are probably my favorite pictures! I had a vision of pearls, feathers, flowers and shells in my mind while putting together the flowers and LOVE how they turned out. Big thank you to Carlstedt wholesale florist located on 515 Barnard Street in Savannah, GA where I purchased the beautiful flowers from, BleuBelle Bridal for letting us borrow the wedding gown, and ColorBoxx for doing the makeup and hair!



{Pin It Friday} Bell Send Off Wands

Today's pin I recently posted to Pinterest is a DIY for Bell Send Off Wands which are a great alternative to sparklers! According to The Green Bride Guide sparklers are fun (also can be very dangerous) but they are made from mined metals (such as iron, aliminum, barium, copper, and strontium) see more info below. I made ribbon wands in the Button Themed Shoot and they are really fun since you can match them to your wedding color scheme, but adding bells makes the experience so much MORE FUN!!
























































Environmental issues can include erosion, formation of sinkholes, loss of biodiversity, and contamination of soil, groundwater and surface water by chemicals from mining processes. In some cases, additional forest logging is done in the vicinity of mines to increase the available room for the storage of the created debris and soil.[26] Contamination resulting from leakage of chemicals can also affect the health of the local population if not properly controlled.[27] Extreme examples of pollution from mining activities include coal fires, which can last for years or even decades, producing massive amounts of environmental damage. Mining companies in most countries are required to follow stringent environmental and rehabilitation codes in order to minimize environmental impact and avoid impacts on human health. 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mining

Thursday, November 10, 2011

{Vendor Spotlight} Alexis Sweet Photography

Drum roll please!!! Today's Vendor Spotlight is Alexis Sweet Photography, whom I have become very good friends with. Alexis will be the photographer for one of my upcoming weddings here in Savannah and she will be taking their engagement session very soon (I'll be the doggie sitter since the couple MUST include their adorable two corgis, but will also be taking some pictures san-doggies). Alexis was also the amazing photographer behind the Bohemian Beach Styled Shoot that we recently just finished which combined many talented Savannah area vendors - pictures and post to come, don't worry! 
Grab your coffee, sit back and enjoy our little Q & A.....

Layla: Which are your 5 favorite images and why? 

Alexis: I couldn't possibly choose favorites. Instead, I offer 5 wedding images that I enjoy and am proud of.
1) This photo was taken in the hotel lobby as we were waiting for the car to come around to take us to the ceremony. I love that the bride has a look of both confidence and nervousness at the same time. Her mother was holding her train for her in the background with such a wonderful expression of pride and contentment. I am such a sucker for beautiful window light and the lobby of the Bohemian provides a beautiful example of the best kind.
2) This wedding had been running behind all day. We had planned to do shots for 45 minutes on the beach after, but I ended up with only having the couple for 5 minutes right before the reception for their portraits. This couple was sweet and quiet. The wedding schedule was so crazy, but the entire time the couple exuded a quiet calm. It was evident that this was the way they loved each other too. I thought this photo captured that calmness beautifully. 
3) This super fun couple (mentioned in a further question) was willing to do anything for their portraits. I love when I get couples like that. This bride trudged right into the surf to get this photo. When she pushed him up on the rock and kissed him it was all her, not a hint of direction from me. He just loved it. He said to me he had finally snagged his mermaid. This photo is also in a way the birth of my current style. The beautiful creamy luminescent quality was a happy accident that I now try to carry through a lot my editing process. 
4) This was from a simple elopement wedding. The couple tied the knot in a very quick ceremony in one of the sqaures and we headed off on a sunset walk through downtown. I saw this railing and the beautiful light and directed them to it. I suggested he kiss her cheek and as he did, she moved right into it and gave this beautiful expression. It was like his kiss was just as warm and inviting as the sunset.
5)  This was taken just before they were announced as husband and wife and kissed. As the moment drew close they both became so excited that they began swinging their arms back and forth in anticipation. Their smiles went from being big to being mega-watt. I connect with the total adoration you can see in the bride's eyes when she looks at her man. 

Layla: What makes you laugh?
 
Alexis: 80's teen movies like Better Off Dead and Just One of the Guys, awkward moments, and I always burst out in uproarious laughter when I fall down.

Layla: What do you find enjoyable?

Alexis: I enjoy fall air, my dog Molly (when she isn't destroying my house), a quality sandwich from the likes of Starland Cafe, the city of Chicago, and bees wax candles. 

Layla: What are you most proud of?

Alexis: I am most proud of myself. I have come a long way to get from point A to point B in my life. While I have a long way to go to get to Z (although I'm pretty sure only folks like Nelson Mandela or Ghandi make it to Z), I'm proud of who I am now and how I am learning to handle what life throws at me.  

Layla: How would you describe your style?

Alexis: Its a bit of a grab bag when it comes to my wedding work. My work seems to polarize between really fluid candid shots and editorial portraits. This really seems to work for me though. The candids pull at my documentary heartstrings, while the editorial style adds a little extra gloss and polish. I find that it suits the task of capturing a wedding very well. I often remind myself throughout a wedding day "shoot the story, then shoot it prettier". 

Layla: How did you get started in photography?

Alexis: I got started in high school with a fabulous teacher. He imparted in me the importance of composition and light and I was immediately hooked. It was the darkroom aspect that sucked me in at first. Something about watching the image I captured slowly appear on the paper while it was in the developer. That was like poetry to me. I made a misguided attempt at studying Classics in college, but after a year and a half transferred to an arts and media school to pursue a photography degree. 

Layla: When did you start your business?
 
Alexis: I've been working freelance for the last 10 years. It wasn't until I moved to Savannah that I thought of pursuing wedding photography. In fact, I didn't think I would enjoy it. Thankfully I was wrong and I absolutely love it. I've been doing it now for about 3 years. 

Layla: What has been your favorite/most memorable wedding thus far?

Alexis: This is a tough one. All of the weddings I shoot end up taking up a small space inside me. I get emotionally attached to the couples and the amazing experience they are having, so picking a favorite is nearly impossible. I do have to say that an extra fun wedding I shot was when I was first starting out. It was a simple budget wedding out on Tybee. The bride and groom were laid back and total jokers. They were totally comfortable and up for trying anything during their portraits. Their friends and family were just as fun and by the end of the night the bride was doing keg stands and the groom had on a lobster hat. That was a fun wedding. It taught me that you don't have to have expensive details or flowers to provide a great memorable time for yourselves and your guests. 

Thank you Alexis!!
Don't forget to check out her website at
www.alexissweetphotography.com or facebook page or email her alexis.l.sweet@gmail.com

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

{Organic Wednesday} Polkadile

I love when I find great Eco-friendly ideas from fellow wedding vendors. Krissy is the Etsy artist who made the gorgeous headband hair piece for our Boho Beach Shoot (which will be up on the blog soon!). Check out Krissy's store for handmade wedding accessories and also go to her blog to try and will a $50 gift certificate to Polkadile to use towards your wedding necessities or to indulge in your favorite piece of jewelry.

Polkadile is an eco friendly source of experimental handmade recycled silver and copper art jewelry.
"This ring set is made to order. Both are a created with an impression of a leaf that I find on my life travels and that has a special meaning. This comes out beautifully in silver clay. They are made of pure silver (.999), with a sterling silver wire structure within for durability. They are completely sculpted by hand every time and that makes each one completely unique. These rings are about 1/4” (6.5 mm) wide. For you that are eco conscious: you can feel good about wearing this ring it is made from recycled silver from old films and computer motherboards and the sterling is from a certified eco conscious refinery! Truly eco friendly. Comes in a nice little hand made pouch, that I sew myself out of recycled fabric. Gift-wrapping is also made out of recycled materials. No need to feel guilty about it."
Go to Polkadile Etsy Shop to see more of their collections, plus follow them here:


Also be sure to look at these other Eco-Friendly Rings and Jewelry Vendors:

Leber Jeweler is proud to be the first fine jewelry store wholly dedicated to socially-conscious and eco-friendly fine jewelry. We design and handcraft rings, earrings, and necklaces of the highest quality in our Chicago studio using materials that are sourced responsibly. A third-generation family-owned business since 1921, Joanne and Brian Leber maintain the highest ethical and professional standards. 

Touch Wood Ring "Some of the wood we use is from blow down and bug killed trees on our 50 acres. We take the stewardship of our land and the health of the planet very seriously. We've collected our birch bark from the ground around stands of birch trees in the bush. Our juniper heart wood, cherry & olive wood come to us from a family orchard in the Similkameen Valley of British Columbia. Some of the other woods that do not come from our land are surplus and scrap woods from wood shops and factories where it would otherwise be trash. Folks send us woods too, from their own orchards and properties. Additionally, we use a tiny bit of wood to create a ring that we couldn't use up a tree in a lifetime of making wooden rings. We are always striving to lighten the load on our planet."