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.

Our Grand Clients

The last few weeks have been better than exciting for us here in the studio!  At The Engagement Party on January 10th, we gave away a wedding valued at well over $100,000, and the number is growing every day with all the awesome pro's getting involved.  The lucky winners are Sara & Nick- aren't they adorable?  They truly are even sweeter than they look.

Planning their Grand wedding (and wedding parties, all 5 of them) in just 6 weeks has been amazingly perfect, thanks to the incredibly generous and talented wedding professionals that we're working with.  Everyone has been asking so...here is a little bit about Sara & Nick: They met during college at FSU (and yes, there will be a FSU grooms cake) and have been together 4 years.  Both of them are really drawn to modern, architectural designs- which works out perfectly for the wedding I am designing for them.  Nick proposed to Sara during a walk of some of the important places he grew up visiting.  When they got to the beach he got on his knee and said, "This place is so important to me, and I want it to be important to us"
Could you just die? So sweet.
Sara is a scientist and Nick is a property tax consultant...yep, they're smart people.  And after spending last weekend with them, I can officially also confirm that they are genuinely super nice, gracious, and full of laughs.  On their finalist questionnaire, we asked "How would your family or friends say you handle high stress situations?" Their answers:

Sara: By making to do lists and being easy to compromise with
Nick: Well, with a twist of comedy.

 Not that we care about that, because this is one wedding where there is no stress to be had.
I'll be sure to blog about all the wedding parties and the wedding.  You can also follow the planning on The Grand Wedding 2010 blog.

Here we are on the Wink Morning News about The Grand Wedding!

Centerpieces that grow. Literally

Last week was Melissa & Brandon's wedding out at South Seas.  Melissa made it a priority to make her wedding as eco-friendly and charitable as possible, and so I wanted to do my part too.  For her rehearsal dinner centerpieces I purchased these incredibly cute Bella Palms- tropical and tiny enough to be on a table top.

Of course, I find the fake (plastic) terra cotta pot they come in not so table-top-fabulous.  So I placed the pots into a glass cylinder filled with these red kidney beans.

What I did not expect is that when I got them home and removed them from the cylinder that they would get weeds while sitting on my lanai.  For those who don't know me...I am not the green thumb or dirt type.  Not even a little.  I was ready to just toss these cutie pie palms out when I looked a little closer.
Those aren't weeds...they're little Kidney bean plants!  They had managed to germinate in just one weeks time and are already a foot tall!  How funny.

 So does anybody want some Kidney Beans?  I have about 13 seedlings. HA!

The Pro Series: Jason P Smith

Insanely talented.  That's what I emailed back to Jason after he shared these last images with me from our wedding just a week ago (click on featured weddings and then Melissa and Brandon).  While I was looking at his site, I also looked back to watch the slideshow from our 1st wedding together (Holly & Bradd) and wow did the memories come flying back.  Jason is the epitome of a true wedding photojournalist...he doesn't make pictures happen at all, he waits for the moments to arrive and captures them instantly.  In other words, "enjoy your wedding day as you will, I'll document it for you."

What is your company name and profession?

Jason P. Smith Weddings; I'm a photographer

What’s your name?

Should I know anyone else from your company?

Jason. Nope, it's just me.

Where do you do weddings?

 I've shot in a lot of places: Florida, Colorado, Maine, Michigan, Maryland, etc. I really enjoy traveling, so I'm always open to new locations and destinations. I'm available internationally.

Website:

www.JasonPSmithWeddings.com

How long have you been in business?

I've been in business seven years

Why weddings?

I love to tell stories with photos. My background is in photojournalism, and that is what photojournalism is all about; weddings are a natural extension of this in many ways. It's a story that is only told once, so it's always very rewarding when someone asks me tell their story--from the little things they spent months planning to the things they never expected would happen. Every wedding has a unique story and personality, and I work to make all of that come together in my images.

What your clients most often commend you on?

I would have to say the one thing that most people mention is that they really didn't notice me much during the course of the day, which is a big compliment. I do my best not to interfere with the course of the day as much as possible. My philosophy on wedding photography is that if you are working as a photojournalist and capturing the day as it unfolds, you will come away with a more compelling and story of the day.

Oh, and people enjoy the photos as well!

Best piece of advice for brides & grooms?

he best piece of advice I can give is to just plan a wedding that fits your style, and have a great time doing it.

What is one thing that makes working with new clients easier?

It would have to be having a similar vision for how the day's story will unfold through photos. It is so important that couples not only look for someone who they would like to spend the day with, but also someone they can trust to tell their story in a way that will really help preserve the memories for their future.

Can I find you on Twitter?

JasonPSmithP

What is the craziest request you’ve ever received? Or

What is the craziest thing you saw happen at a wedding?

Groomsmen burning money with their cigars at the reception

What is something you hope to do in the near future?

Man, that could be a long list. I always enjoy shooting in new locations, and places I've never been, so I hope to keep meeting interesting people and seeing new things. Both are a great source of inspiration.

Special just for you!

I'm currently offering a discount on travel rates.