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Posts tagged ‘birmingham wedding planning’

Dec 28

New year, new design

I’m not usually one for new year’s resolutions. I never really have been. But, I have decided that I needed to get more organized this coming year. To most people, that would mean organizing their office (I should do that), their closets (that too), their entire house (okay – you got me). But, to me, it means organizing my online life. That is a tall order for a business owner these days. Between a website, blog, Facebook, Tumbr, Pinterest, etc. there is much to be done. Because I put a lot of effort into my blog, I decided to start there and work out. So, I found a new design, added a few new pages and in general got a little more put together around here. What do you think?

Also, I ran across this fun little video that I put together years ago. I think I was just wanting to play around with my new Mac and the video software that it came with. I never really did anything with this video besides posting it on Facebook a few months ago. Maybe if I find the time, I’ll do another one. But, in honor of the new year coming up and the organizing that I’ve been doing, I’m putting it here and hope you enjoy it. May you have a safe holiday and many great wishes for a wonderful new year for you!

Until next time… XOXO, Julie

Jun 29

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My Favorite Wedding Design: An Inspiration Post in Black and White

When I get a new wedding client, I begin by making a story board of photos for the particular design that we are working towards – which has now gone digital with Pinterest. Just recently, I have found myself pinning a few more photos of things that I find inspiring. Not for any client or wedding in particular. Just for things that I, personally, am excited about. I get in various moods. Sometimes a spring design is really exciting. The next day, I’m dreaming of an intimate wedding in the vineyards of Napa. Well, I have a few Pinterest boards started for things that I love and I thought that I should start sharing them in a semi-regular column here on the blog. So, here’s my very first personal inspiration board post. And, just to throw this out there, I would DIE to make any of my inspiration boards come to life in a photo shoot if I can’t plan this for myself in real life. *hint, hint to any photographers, florists, etc. to jump on board…

Also, you are welcome to follow this board on Pinterest here.

Julie’s Dream Wedding Design Yes. This is what this post is all about. Thank you in advance for letting me be completely self-serving with this post. I can design for just about anyone’s style, taste, season, etc. But, if I were to pull photos for my personal fairy tale, then this is what you will get. No, this is not what my real wedding looked like – although, there are some similar threads. I had a slightly smaller budget than what this wedding would require. But, this really does sum up what I love more than anything. Formality. Anything I do or plan for myself inevitably becomes more formal than first proposed. As my sister, Lisa, once told me, “Julie, you aren’t an uptight person. But, you like uptight things.” It’s true. I LOVE it. So, I will walk you through my design and we can all dream together of attending such a shindig. One day…

When I say formal wedding, you would assume black tie, correct? To explain what black tie design means to me: black and white. Or silvers. And greys. Not really any color. Obviously, black tie events that have loads of color happen all the time. I’ve designed some of those. But, for my own personal taste, it’s black and white. To those who know me, this will come as no surprise. It’s almost odd how much I love the combo of black and white. In fact, my whole house is done in black and white and grey. I own more black dresses/pants/clothes in general than any normal person should. My husband and I drive one black and one white vehicle respectively. I have a black and white dog. I also have a brindle dog, but still… Just goes to show you, this fantasy design is pretty engrained. As a side note, this is how your wedding should be – an extension of your personality. Never try to be something that you aren’t. I wouldn’t be happy with a beach wedding (as gorgeous as they are) any more than the beach wedding personality would be happy with this design.

Since I haven’t been shy about how the invitation is everything to a wedding, I’ll put my money where my mouth is and start there. For my fantasy, I need the invitation to scream black tie. An invitation with custom calligraphy. Black ink. Letterpress or engraved (below is letterpress, I believe). Perfection.

Next up: Attire. I have always loved Badgley Mischka. I follow their evening wear designs from afar. I can’t say that I own any Badgley Mischka. But, their designs are lovely. I give you their designs in both Bridal and Bridesmaids options.

Shoes by Badgley Mischka as well.

Jewels by Harry Winston, natch.

Next item: Location. I think a gorgeous hotel in Paris would make me happy. Like Le Meurice. Quintessential Paris style. Merci.

I suppose we need some decor. White. Everything white. With silver accents. And candles.

And, to round out my fantasy, dessert. Simple cake. The best way to end a night.


So, what do you think? Would any of you like to attend my fantasy wedding? Is this too expected? What would you do for your fantasy wedding or event? Anyone up for a photo shoot???

And, be sure to visit the Pinterest board here. It has even more photos to round out the vision.

Jun 22

Floral ideas from Jess Margeson of Frou Frou

Hello readers! I am way excited to introduce you to my very first guest blogger! After my post on DIY wedding projects (see it here), I immediately thought of our own local crafty genius, Jess Margeson of Frou Frou, Inc. Jess gives her own touch to events on various scales. She can tackle true craft projects such as a life size tree made entirely of paper for an escort card display at one of my favorite weddings we’ve worked on together – or my one of my favorite weddings period. Or, she can handle fresh floral arrangements. She has a crafter’s heart and a southern bent – a killer combo! So, I asked her to chime in on some things that she has been inspired by for events and weddings. She was so kind to want to contribute and I know you will like her ideas. So, please enjoy her crafty musings today. -  xoxo, Julie

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By: Jess Margeson – Frou Frou, Inc.

You could call me a fool for fruit.

I have (with reckless abandon and little regard) added to fruit to almost everything my crafty little hands have touched this summer. I would say it’s the summer season that has me in this state but to be honest, it’s really a year-round obsession.

I love the idea of mixing mediums, so naturally this combination peaked my interested. Fruit not only adds bold pops of color but also brings in that ever elusive element of texture. And thus it’s the mixing of textures and mingling of mediums that take a design from pretty to pretty fabulous.

Check out the following for ways to bring this festive idea to ‘’fruition’’. Excuse the bad pun ;)

The Inspiration: Color Contrast

For Jessica’s spring wedding, the bride knew she wanted to play up the color pink. What better way to do this than to place pretty pink tones against the crisp coolness of Granny Smith apples? Petite bouquets comprised of spray roses, garden roses and antiqued hydrangeas sat in marked contrast to the backdrop of green apples stacked in clear glass cylinders. Set against the green of the grass surrounding Moore’s Mill Country Club, the effect was subtle but still surprising. And perfect for a summer soiree. *photo by Tristan Cairns

The Inspiration: Organic

Green apples were once again the focal point in this low arrangement used to mark guest tables at Oakbowery Plantation. The heavy emphasis on the color green paired perfectly with the lushness of this outdoor setting. *photo by Lucky Photography

The Inspiration: Lemon Yellow
When bride Morgan told me she wanted her primary color to be a ‘’lemon yellow’’ I immediately knew fruit would play a part. For her festive summer wedding at Fountainview Mansion, the vibrant palette popped against the coolness of the pool and subtly of the surrounding landscape. Lemons were the theme and the result was a zesty combination of cobalt blue and vibrant yellow! *photos by FlipFlopFoto.com

The Inspiration: Something Blue

Bride Erin requested a classic look, centered around the color blue for her summer wedding. Like Morgan, her wedding was also held at Fountainview Mansion so we knew the blue of the pool would be a focal point. To set off the blue of the hydrangeas, I once again turned to my old friend-the Granny Smith apple. The crispness of the green was a bold contrast to the classic coolness of the blue and the combination was perfect in this lush outdoor setting. *photos by Carson Studios

Jun 15

Peyton and Tyler – Married!

This wedding makes me smile all over! Peyton and I knew each other through a mutual friend as we all were in the events industry here in Auburn. Peyton planned events for the College of Science and Math at Auburn University. So, when it came time for her own wedding, Peyton was smart enough to know that she couldn’t handle the day all on her own. To be sure, she is one of the most detail oriented people I know and I loved following her progress in her planning. But, she decided to ask me to oversee her wedding day activities and make sure they all went as planned.

I was thrilled to be her wedding planner! Peyton has great taste and working with someone in the industry who knows events from a different angle is kind of a treat. We both knew the vendors well, we both knew how things should go. It was great! It was a warm wedding in July. But, things were perfect as guests gathered for a beautiful ceremony at Auburn United Methodist Church and then for the wedding reception at the Jule Collins Smith Museum of Art. A Toomer-tini greated guests (homage to Auburn’s Toomer’s Drugs Lemonade), station dinner and dancing on the patio. My husband, Dallas, served as my dutiful assistant that day and we had a blast. It was more than clear that Peyton and Tyler were happy, happy, happy!

So, here are the highlights from their wedding. It was gorgeous! Thank you to Greg Johnson of Greg Johnson Photography for the wonderful photos. Congratulations you guys!

Jun 9

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DIY Weddings – The Crafty Post

It should go without saying that “Do-It-Yourself” and weddings go hand in hand. Weddings are generally thought of as a woman’s domain and I know scores of women that just love a crafty project. I, myself, have been known to tackle such a project. In general, I wouldn’t say that I’m a “crafty” person. I would probably have to search for a while to find my glue gun. However, I will definitely jump into an involved project if a – I can’t find what I want or b – I know exactly how I want it and it would be best if I just did it myself (my long suffering husband can attest to this).

I was thinking about my various projects (wedding related and otherwise) as I flipped through my current copy of Martha Stewart Weddings. This issue is dubbed their “DIY Issue”. I consider Martha Stewart the be all, end all of DIY and crafty genius. So, I was loving the issue. After a while, though, I got to thinking about how you can take DIY too far. As much as I love personal touches, I just want to explain where DIY needs to stop and someone else needs to take over. Not that Martha’s projects are too much at all. It’s just that many people can get caught up in the DIY spirit and really take on too much. I have spent some time thinking about it and the following items are my Rules for DIY.

1. Hands on projects must end before the wedding day. Whatever items you decide that you will be constructing for the wedding, be sure that they can be/are finished before the day of the wedding. For example, that means that I don’t agree with or suggest that you, or anyone who is emotionally attached to the wedding, try to take on your own floral arranging. Most flowers will need to be dealt with the day of the wedding. You don’t need to worry about anything other than making sure you enjoy your family and friends as much as possible on your wedding day. Not the flowers. So, what items would be eligible under this rule? Invitations, favors, custom decor pieces. Anything that isn’t perishable. My favorite DIY item is invitations. They have to be done and in the mail at least 6 weeks before the wedding. While invitations can be stressful, at least that stress isn’t adding to the wedding day its self. Your wedding director will be able to help you set out all the pre-made centerpieces, guest book, etc.

2. Anything that has legal stipulations that comes with it should not be considered DIY. Food, alcohol, sometimes transportation should be left to the professionals. Please. Self catering is the worst thing I have ever heard of. It will not help your budget if anyone gets sick and then sues you. Or, if you are careless with your bar. Weddings don’t need to have police visits.

3. Second-degree DIY. This what I call it when you have talented family or friends who you can call upon for various wedding duties. And usually, these are budget friendly. Our favorite, right? I am all about working the “friends discount” system. But, be careful what you ask for. Getting anyone that you are really close with to do wedding day activities (food, photos, directing, etc.) can mean several things. First, those friends/family won’t get to enjoy your wedding. They are working. No fun. Second, what happens when something goes wrong with one of those items? Now, you are dealing with someone you are close with and not just a hired vendor. It makes things very confusing. Personal story: I love it when my friends and family get married. Not only am I just over-the-moon excited for them, but I want to be as available as possible for them. I would handle it all for them if they wanted me too. But, when my best friends got married and asked me and my husband to be in the wedding, I knew that it would be a little difficult for me to serve as wedding director. I do have a team that could have stepped in when I was otherwise preoccupied. But, Joanna didn’t ask me to do this. Instead, she hired another group of directors to help her with her wedding day. And guess what? I had the best time ever at a wedding. My husband and I got to celebrate our friends’ wedding like everyone else. Of course, during the planning, I was available as her consultant. But, that day was strictly about our friends and being happy with them. It was the nicest thing ever.

Just to make plain that I am not anti-DIY, here is a list of things that were DIY at my own wedding: all printing (The envelope liner photo is from an old Martha Stewart. I did that exact same collage-type liner for my invitations), favors and dress. Yep. My mother (seamstress extraordinaire) made my dress. It was the best part about my whole wedding. We spent hours designing it (inspiration from a Carolina Herrera gown) and I am still in love with it – 7 years later.

So, have a good time making your wedding as personal as possible. Just keep these tips in mind to keep you from being too stressed out come wedding day.

XOXO – Julie

Jun 2

Budgets, Calendars and the Well Planned Wedding

thedecisivemoment.com One of my favorite ceremony designs for Brooke and Tom's wedding.

I am a Twitter follower of many of the wedding industry movers and shakers. You know them – Martha Stewart Weddings (@marthaweddings), Colin Cowie (@colincowie), Preston Bailey (@prestonbailey), Style Me Pretty (@stylemepretty) and others (FYI – follow Invision at @invisionwedding. Do it. Now). Come to find out, many of them were attending the Engage!11 conference this past week and I got to read all their fun tweets from the events. This conference focuses on the luxury wedding market. We are talking large budgets. And, it got me thinking. While any wedding vendor will tell you that they would love to have luxury wedding clients all the time (and I’ve had my share), I want to let brides know that they don’t have to spend a fortune to have a beautiful, gorgeous, personal wedding. Let me try to define the difference.

I’ll be honest. A wedding that has a large budget is really fun to work on. Why? Because. It’s a fantasy. It’s where you can fine tune design. It becomes its own thing. It has a life of its own. I get the chance to get lost in the art of floral design, be the paper snob that I really am deep down and marvel at exquisite designer gowns.

But I have also found that the beauty of a wedding has less to do with the amount of money you are spending and everything to do with the amount of time you have to plan it. There are lots of tricks to finessing a budget to get the things you want at your wedding. Plenty of DIY options on various wedding projects. But, regardless of what you are spending on it, if given the right amount of attention, even a budget wedding can be perfectly designed and executed. These are the weddings that are featured on wedding blogs. These are the weddings that are looked at for years and elements copied. These weddings might look simple and easy. But, believe me. Every single detail was thought about. It didn’t happen by accident.

I have planned weddings with all types of time frames and all types of budgets and I would say that to give really good attention to details, you need at least a year. Of my favorite weddings that I have done, I have had 15 months to plan. One thing that will help you a lot is knowing what you want and don’t want. That gives you the extra time and brain-space to be able to fine tune the minute details.

Regardless of how much time you have – hire a wedding planner! I know you would expect me to say that. But, it’s the truth. A planner/designer (and make sure they can do both) will help you keep all your elements working together. Give them the freedom to have an editing eye over the whole thing. Putting together the entire picture. That is where it all starts.

So, call me!

May 27

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Invitation School – Classic Winter Wedding

When last we met, we were discussing the brilliance of Leah and Nathan’s beautiful Auburn wedding (in case you missed it, see it here). Per my usual, I have the invitations from their wedding to dive into.

Some may wonder why I spend so much time blogging about invitations and wedding printing in general. Well, if you have never been through the process of picking out and designing invitations, editing wording, counting your guest list, etc. for a wedding, then take my word for it. Wedding invitations are the most involved parts of wedding planning. You are, in essence, putting your entire wedding down on paper for all your intended guests to see. And remember that some of those invited won’t be able to attend. So, your invitation is all they see from your wedding (until the fabulous photos of course). As an event designer, I’m big-time crazy about having the invitation reflect the event perfectly. And as someone who dreams of being a graphic designer in her next life, paper (and all that goes with it) is a near obsession.

With that out of the way, I will get back to the issue at hand. Leah and Nathan’s gorgeous invitations. With a December date, it is inevitable for a pseudo-Christmas theme to be proposed. That wasn’t quite what they were going for. Yes, they would have some trees in the decor, but that wasn’t really the bulk of their design. It was more along the lines of warm winter. Welcoming. Roaring fireplace (and it was roaring!). Sparkle. Vintage inspired. Am I describing this correctly? At any rate, getting my invitation in the mail was a treat. The warm ivory tone, the small and understated (read: perfect) tree motif, the gold accents. I knew what was to come on December 4.

So, here are some invitation pictures along with some wedding pictures to round it all out. Perfect photos by FlipFlopFoto. Of course.

It was a really beautiful wedding. Ms. Joni and Leah, you have flawless taste. It was such a pleasure helping you bring it all together. Congratulations again!

– Julie

Apr 27

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The Graphic Designer’s Wedding

I am attempting to resume my series of posts on wedding invitations and how they define or relate the wedding style long before the wedding happens. Today, I will write about Lauren and JP’s wedding printing (see previous post for a wedding overview). While Lauren wouldn’t be categorized as strictly a graphic designer, based on her wedding printing, she could be considered as such.

I have a deep admiration/appreciation/love for all things printed and well designed and seeing Lauren’s printing made me smile from ear to ear. To be sure, this is not your traditional wedding printing. This printing is very stylized and completely true to Lauren and JP’s personality as a couple and it definitely related their wedding style to their guests as a preview of what is to come.

This is what I try to get my clients to understand when it comes to their invitations and printing in general. Everything with your wedding starts with the invites. It’s the first thing your guests see. It encompasses your entire event on paper. It dictates the formality of the wedding. It gives the personality of the wedding. And when you consistently carry it through the entire wedding, you have put together a complete package for everyone to enjoy.

So, I will start with their invites. Then, I’ll move on to how they carried their theme through out the entire wedding. Genius photography by Our Labor of Love. And….enjoy!

I think the addition of the paper cranes just made all the other printing come full circle.

Apr 17

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Lauren and JP: Art Meets Wedding {LaGrange, Ga}

I’m playing more wedding catch up. This particular wedding is one of my favorites. I’m always excited to work with the truly artistic. It’s so refreshing and lots of fun. It makes my job as a wedding planner so great.

To that end, I give you Lauren and JP’s wedding. Lauren is, quite possibly, one of the most artistic people I have ever met. Seriously. Graphic design, photography, sculpture, paint. You name it. I am quite impressed. Lauren contacted me to direct her fabulously artistic wedding and I was very excited.

A little wedding background: their wedding was taking place in Lauren’s hometown of LaGrange,Ga, where she had also finished her degree in fine art (note some of their photos done in the art gallery where her senior work was on display). Their wedding was relatively small: 80 guests or so. Ceremony at the Methodist church downtown and then reception at her parent’s house. It was a great setting. JP and his family were from Germany, so they had a several German-themed menu items and of course good beer. Lauren had been making origami cranes since she was a child. Kind of a habit almost. So, she decided to incorporate them into the wedding. The bright colors were chosen carefully as well. If there are any designers out there, they will understand when I say that Lauren chose the process colors CMYK as her color palette – Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black. An homage to her art training. A summer wedding. Bright, exciting colors. Happy, happy couple. It was a good wedding.

I will apologize in advance for the amount of photos that I am about to put up. But, I can’t stop myself. I had the good fortune to work with awesome photographer Matt Miller of Our Labor Of Love – a studio in Atlanta whose work I had been admiring for a while. They have a contemporary style in terms of wedding coverage. The style fit Lauren and JP to a T and one I personally love.

So – on with the show!

Believe it or not, there are some things that didn’t make into this post. Be prepared for the resuming of the posts about invitations and how they relate to the wedding – all coming up! Lauren’s printing was beyond. But, I think that you need a little time to take in all their wedding goodness. Happy Sunday!

Julie

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