I Do Declare

The Secrets to a Tasteful Boudoir Shoot

2012-02-11T09:00:00.000-08:00

It's getting close to Valentine's Day and a wonderful gift for your significant other is a boudoir session with a professional photographer. I am such a huge fan of these fun and sexy shoots, but I am NOT a fan of most I see. Why? Because, frankly, most are tacky and not tasteful. (Seriously ladies, neon pink lipstick and you stretched across the hood of a Mustang in a maid costume is not cute.) I reached out to my friend and amazing photographer, Marissa Kaplan of Marissa Joy Photography, to share her tips and tricks to a gorgeous boudoir session. My #1 tip? Pick a talented photographer like Marissa! ;)

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Being a photographer that has explored many areas of the field, such as weddings, landscape, and fashion, boudoir is definitely one of my personal favorites and definitely one the most fun to photograph! This is a time for you to celebrate yourself as a beautiful, sexy, and most importantly, confidant woman. What is vital is that you should choose exactly how you want to be shot and what you will wear.

Although most women use the images as a gift for their significant others, some do it simply for the fun experience or a way to remember their looks at a certain time in their lives. Regardless of your reason, boudoir sessions are always enjoyable!

Many times photographers will jump into the shoot without having discussed with their client what style they like (classic, revealing, sensual, themed), how they want look in the photographs (sweet, sexy, delicate), and what props or accessories to add to such a shoot. This does not result in the best photographs. In order to avoid this unnecessary disappointment, let’s reveal some of the secrets to creating a perfect boudoir sesh. Here are my little secrets of Do’s and Don’ts:

DO set up a Pinterest account in order to explain to your photographer what storyboard you have in mind. Using this site, you can pin pictures, colors, outfits, textures, anything that helps explain exactly what you want. This helps clarify how your photographer will shoot you and how he or she will post-process it. The tone of your shoot will be the most important aspect. So, be thorough and consistent.

DON’T be afraid of your photographer. Speak freely to him or her. You will establish trust, comfort, and ease. You should not feel embarrassed or insecure during the shoot, which might happen if you do not establish a relationship with your photog.

DO pick a swanky hotel for your shoot. Places like the Proximity Hotel have great bedroom furniture, soft, white sheets to play in, and amazing window lighting. I like to shoot midday because I can control how much light comes in the room, which always makes for beautiful photographs.

DON’T feel weird bringing more outfits, props, and accessories than you might use. Bring masks, hats, hairpieces, pearls, bold jewelry, high heels. Go through your man’s closet and snatch his white, button down shirt.

DO go all out! This is your day so invest in getting your hair done in a loose and relaxed style; wear makeup but not too much (natural look photographs much better for these sessions). Eyeliner and eyelashes are always good to accentuate.

DO loosen up with your photog! Before you shoot, leave 15-20 minutes to grab some champagne, wine, or snacks and chat before you shoot. This will relax you, make you feel more confortable in front of the camera, and will allow your photographer to go over any last minute concerns or concepts.

Here are some shots from my all-time favorite sesh with Andrea. She wanted this session as a gift to her husband for their one-year anniversary. She explained to me verbally and with the help of pictures that she wanted a very classy styled shoot, sensual but not tacky. I think we definitely accomplished her goal – she was extremely pleased…and so was her husband!

About Marissa Joy Photography:

Marissa Joy Kaplan has been a photographer for six years, ranging in her work from fashion week in the Big Apple to being featured on National Geographic’s daily dozen for her work on Mason’s Garage. She studied under some of the most prominent photographers in North Carolina and Boston, where she attended Boston College. Now focusing on weddings, boudoir, and lifestyle, she is based out of Greensboro and travels wherever her work takes her!

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Feel free to contact Marissa about scheduling a boudoir session (the one above was featured on several wedding blogs like June Bug Weddings), inquiring about a wedding, or just to say hi! Give her a shout at marissa@marissajoyphotography.com. Thanks again for sharing, Marissa!

Real Wedding at Proximity Hotel {Carrie + Gregg} | Greensboro, NC Wedding Planner

2012-02-09T09:00:00.000-08:00

First let me say, I am so head over heels for this New Year's Eve wedding at Proximity Hotel. Not only for their the lovely details, but because my couple absolutely rocked! Carrie was such an amazing bride to work with and Gregg was such a laid back, fun groom. You may have seen these two before in our behind the scenes video and I'm happy to share their drop dead gorgeous photos from Whitebox Weddings. Don't forget to check out the wedding highlight reel at the end of this post.. K2 Productions knocked it out of the park as usual. Enjoy!

Throughout our entire planning process, Carrie was totally in love with balloons. We didn't use them with our design, but as a surprise to Carrie, I got some ginormous balloons from Bears, Balloons, and Beyond. I incorporated them into Carrie and Gregg's first look and it was such a huge hit!

It was so much fun ringing in the New Year with these two love birds and their guests. A huge huge huge thanks goes to our rock star vendor team:

Planning: Leigh Pearce Weddings / Photography: Whitebox Weddings / Venue and Catering: Proximity Hotel / Florist: Farmer's Wife Antiques and Flowers / Cake: Maxie B's / DJ, Lighting, Lanterns, Video: K2 Productions / Behind the Scenes Video: Iron Kite Films / Hair and Makeup: Carla White / Ceremony Musicians: Massengale Entertainment Source / Photo Booth: Shutterbooth / Officiant: Rev. Gerald Donnelly / Balloons: Bears, Balloons, and Beyond

Leave a comment.. it makes my day!!

Bridal Portrait Ideas | Greensboro, NC Wedding Planner

2012-02-07T09:00:00.000-08:00

Bridal sessions are one of my favorite parts of the wedding planning process. I love getting a sneak peak of the bride all dolled up in her dress, the beautiful locations, and fun styling ideas. Continuing with our guest blogger series, I've asked Anna of Anna Paschal Photography to share some of her bridal portrait secrets (and some serious eye candy from some her client's sessions). Thanks, Anna!

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What bride-to-be (and photographer) doesn't love a beautiful bridal session? It allows the bride the chance to wear her dress for more than the typical 10 minutes she has it on during fitting. She also gets to be pampered in a day of hair & makeup. As for me, the photographer, the bridal session allows me an opportunity to get to know each happily anxious bride, but more importantly allows them to become a bit more comfortable in front of the camera.

Living in North Carolina provides endless opportunities for bridal session locations. Just a few of my favorite venues for bridal sessions would have to be Proximity Hotel, which is located right here in Greensboro, the Belmont Estate, located in Reidsville, and Oak Haven, which is a gorgeous farm located in the small town of Pelham. I just love Proximity Hotel because it provides such a unique, modern backdrop, with plenty of light and locations to work with! There are so many elements involved in making the decision of your bridal session location.

Here are a few things to consider when scouting out the perfect session location:

1. Style: Location always reflects in your photo. A edgy, fun shot in a downtown urban setting is much different from rolling green hills with a white fence. Make sure you have an idea of what you are looking for, and if you can, go visit the venue.

2. Price: One thing I tell most of my brides once we begin planning for their bridal session is to know most venues charge a fee to use their grounds unless of course you haven't booked them for your wedding day venue. So if you are on a tight budget, it is always a great option to use you venue your will be using for the big day!

3. Weather: Unfortunately, we cannot perfectly plan how the weather is going to be on your scheduled shoot. So keep that in mind if you are not flexible to reschedule. Are there indoor & outdoor areas on the venue? Some brides can't take off another days work since they are saving up those special days off for the honeymoon!

4. Bring a Bridal Kit! Be sure to bring the few simple things like lipstick/lip gloss, bobbi pins, a sweater if the weather is cooler, an extra pair of comfortable shoes. I always try to carry a few things that might be needed, but that way you will be ready for anything that might come up!

5. Most importantly, Relax & Enjoy! It is such an exciting day for you, so don't sweat the small things, like the wind blowing your veil (which makes for a great photo most of the time!), or the way your dress to laying, we will make sure everything is perfect.

So grab your mom or friend, a bottle of celebration bubbly, let your photographer do the work.

I hope this information is helpful to all of you brides-to-be planning your special bridal session! A huge thanks to Miss Leigh for asking me to write this fun post!

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I'm still dying over that last photo taken at Oak Haven. Thanks Anna for sharing your wisdom and gorgeous work! You can chat with Anna at annavarnedoe@annapaschalphotography.com or 336.552.3176. Make sure to 'like' her page on Facebook too!

Brides, are you having a bridal portrait made? Why or why not?

Leave a comment.. it makes my day!!

Wedding Music Ideas: First Dance | Greensboro, NC Wedding Planner

2012-02-05T09:00:00.000-08:00

Ahhhhh the first dance.. it's the first magic moment of the reception and gets everyone in the room a little misty-eyed (myself included). Instead of compiling a list of my favorite first dance songs, I thought it would be an interesting to look back at the songs my couples have selected last year for their first dances. Here are just a few of my favs..

What's your first dance song?

Etta James - "At Last"

Kenny Chesney - "Me and You"

Ingrid Michaelson - "The Way I Am"

Brad Paisley - "Then"

Taj Mahal - "Lovin' In My Baby's Eyes"

Alabama - "Dixie Land Delight"

Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald - "Cheek to Cheek"

What's your first dance song?

Leave a comment.. it makes my day!!

A Letter From the Bride: Carrie | Greensboro, NC Wedding Planner

2012-02-03T09:00:00.000-08:00

From the bride:

I don't even know where to begin with Leigh because she is so amazing. I guess I should start by explaining that we originally began to plan a proper wedding in Las Vegas. Since I am an older bride of 37, a lot of my family has passed away, including both of my parents. Our goal with the wedding was to keep it a fun, happy celebration, which I thought would be impossible to do in Greensboro without my parents. So we were off to Vegas for planning!

We hired a planner and booked a venue and began our wedding planning in Vegas. It was immediately a disaster. The planner wouldn't respond to my emails for at least 5 days, the venue hated the planner, the planner wasn't sure my ideas would work, and on and on and on. Everything was so difficult. I had to have several strong conversations with the planner about communication and I knew it was going to be a bumpy ride. Within 3 weeks of signing our contracts we decided to cancel...of course the planner and venue kept their deposits.

I began looking at Greensboro with hesitation because of the emotional connections but as soon as I spoke with Leigh for the first time I knew everything would be perfect! We clicked instantly and I felt she got me and our vision. She was excited about our ideas and knew how to run with them and take them to that next level. Being from Greensboro myself I had an idea of some of the vendors I wanted to use and each of them LOVED working with Leigh which makes a huge difference. I felt more at ease every time I mentioned Leigh's name in a meeting and the vendor would say, "Oh great! We love working with her!" That is definitely what you want to hear! For areas I did not have specific vendors in mind, Leigh was able to give me her top 3 favs for ME and let me pick. I can honestly say that one of the best things going for us was all of the vendors knowing and liking working with each other, and that was 100% because of Leigh.

Having started with another planner and then moving to Leigh gives me the unique opportunity to compare value and service. Leigh's total cost was equal to just the deposit I payed for the planner in Las Vegas. I could go on for days on the the difference in value! Leigh always responded to emails with 1 day, usually within a couple of hours. She was professional and timely but fun and spunky too. She was completely available and made me feel as if our wedding was the only thing she was working on. That feeling and confidence is worth a million times what we paid her! She did so much for us that I can't even list everything she took care of things I don't even know (or worry) about! I was completely comfortable handing everything over to her and knew it wouldn't just get done, it would get done right. Every single guest has raved about how fantastic everything was, all of the detail, how smoothly things ran, etc. -- 100% all Leigh. All in all, she is amazing and she made our day spectacular!

I highly recommend Leigh Pearce Weddings for any wedding or event in general that you may be planning. She will make sure your event is exactly what YOU want it to be! The first time I spoke with Leigh I had never met her, but by our wedding day she was like family. Thank you Leigh! We love you!

- Carrie & Gregg

Leave a comment.. it makes my day!!

You Want Fries With That? | Greensboro, NC Wedding Planner

2012-02-01T09:33:00.000-08:00

Umm, yes please! Who doesn't like french fries and sliders (a.k.a. mini burger goodness) after a night of drinking and dancing? Or what about ice cold milk and gooey, chocolately cookies? You have to be lacking a pulse not to enjoy these treats from time to time.

A trend in weddings right now featuring these tasty treats is the late night snack. This trend works best served up after ten.. even later and you can note it as a "midnight snack". Genius, right? Kick it up a notch by turning this snack into your wedding favor. Give your guests take-out boxes so they can enjoy their grub at home. Here are some tasty options for your snacking delight:

Popsicles, sliders, and fries.. insert stomach growl here.

Via Love and Splendor

Ice cream bar: just make sure you don't get brain freeze.

Via Brides Magazine

Reserve a hot dog cart or a taco truck to feed your guests' late night cravings.

Via Flickr

A s'mores station: complete with mini burners
so everyone can get some melted goodness.

Via Brides Magazine

What's your favorite midnight snack?

Leave a comment.. it makes my day!!

Wedding Bar and Drink Ideas | Greensboro, NC Wedding Planner

2012-01-30T09:00:00.000-08:00

I love unexpected details at a wedding. I think one of the aspects that's often overlooked --as far as design goes-- is the bar! Here are some fun ideas to spice up your beverages from our Pinterest:

Leave out some coasters! You can incorporate them into your place setting or just leave a stack on the bar with a note. Guests can either take them home as a favor (and useful wedding momento) or as a gift for you and your groom. Have guests leave you words of wisdom or just some well wishes.

{BHLD}

Offer your guests colorful straws and stir sticks. Look on Etsy for custom options or peruse your local Hobby Lobby and get crafty.

{Style Me Pretty}

Signature drinks are a popular trend that isn't going anywhere.. and for good reason. Share your favorite cocktail with guests or have your bartender create something just for your wedding.

{Entrenous}

Don't skip the champagne! Even if you don't want to have a formal champagne toast, it's nice to offer it as an option to your guests. Jazz it up with sticks of rock candy or sliced strawberries for an unexpected (and tasty) twist.

{The Sweetest Occasion}

Ahhh, the mason jar. Our trusty old friend. It's probably our Southern nature, but the mason jar will never go out of style. Give each of your guests a mason jar to sip their beverages out of all night. You can make it double as a favor and an escort card.. don't be afraid for your wedding details to pull double duty!

{Style Me Pretty}

Look at what you're serving and find a unique way to display it. These glass decanters can be found inexpensively online and make for a gorgeous display.

{Style Me Pretty}

Have you found a pretty way to display your drinks??

Leave a comment.. it makes my day!!

The Difference Between a Wedding Planner and a Wedding Coordinator? | Greensboro, NC Wedding Planner

2012-01-28T09:00:00.000-08:00

I'm always asked, "What exactly is the difference between a wedding coordinator and a wedding planner?" Read up on my definitions of the two roles and why they're both important.

Wedding Coordinator:

A wedding coordinator is a person who is there to, duh!, coordinate your wedding. They will be there to do the hands on work for the rehearsal and the wedding. The coordinator is there to make sure that everything you planned for last three hundred sixty five days goes perfectly. All details are overseen by the coordinator. This include vendor management, making sure photographs are being taken of all the special moments, putting the bridal party in all the right places, and countless other tasks. The most important thing the wedding coordinator does is make sure all of the guests are happy. A happy guest makes a happy wedding. Sounds a little fluffy, but I swear it's true.

Wedding Planner

{theage}

A wedding planner means what you think it means. Wedding planners.. SURPRISE!! plan weddings. They can be hired at any point in the wedding planning process. Some brides start with a planner from the very beginning and some jump on board with only a few months left to go. Planners visit vendors, negotiate prices, help develop your wedding style, control budgets, offer advice, and more. The list of what a wedding planner can do for you is endless. Think Jennifer Lopez in The Wedding Planner. I know some of it is cliche, but that's pretty much what planners do.

So, now what?

Here at Leigh Pearce Weddings, I am ALL about my brides DIY-ing, buying planning books, and reading Weddings for Dummies. However, I think the one important vendor brides continuously forget about is the wedding coordinator. They may know they don't "need" a wedding planner, but what about hiring a person to relieve the last minute stress? Most women that I talk with that have gotten married without a coordinator regret it tremendously. They missed invaluable wedding day moments because they were micromanaging the vendors. They had to make sure the bartender was pouring the champagne for the toasts instead of texting his girlfriend. They had to find the caterer to make sure Aunt Millie got her gluten-free entree. They had to get more favors out of the trunk of their car and arrange them on the entrance table.

Those are just a few examples of the tasks you would have to undertake if you didn't have a coordinator. The girls I know that did without a wedding coordinator could have said, "Ehhh.. who needs champagne even though I paid $20 a bottle." "Whatever. Aunt Millie can suck it up and eat pasta for a night." "Pssshhttt.. I don't care about the favors I stayed up three nights in a row hand crafting." But they didn't because they busted their little tail bones trying to make their wedding perfect. And honey, perfection takes work.

Married gals, did you have a coordinator or planner? Why or why not? Brides, are you hiring one?

Our Favorite Wedding Movies | Greensboro, NC Wedding Planner

2012-01-26T09:00:00.000-08:00

I'll be the first person to admit it.. I'm a major sucker for a romantic comedy.. especially if it's about a wedding. Yes, I love Pulp Fiction and Goodfellas, but anytime a new wedding rom-com comes out, I'm the first person in line to see it in the theaters. During your engagement, make sure you take some time to relax and kick back with your honey to watch a movie. Here's a list of my FAVORITE wedding movies. What's your favorite??

1. Father of the Bride

2. Steel Magnolias

3. My Best Friend's Wedding

4. The Wedding Planner

5. Sweet Home Alabama

6. My Big Fat Greek Wedding

7. Runaway Bride

What's your favorite wedding movie?

Leave a comment.. it makes my day!!

What's In Your Wedding Day Tool Kit? | Greensboro, NC Wedding Planner

2012-01-24T09:00:00.000-08:00

Every bride should have one. Every wedding coordinator should have one. A brown paper bag for hyperventilating? No. Some Xanax for those nerves? Nope. Maybe a frying pan to hit an unenthusiastic bridesmaid with? Wrong again. Brides and coordinators should always have a wedding day tool kit. I've listed below some of the things I keep in my wedding day survival tool kit:

{Pasha Belman Photography}

Wedding Day Tool Kit:

A Tide pen and white chalk for stain removal.
A sewing kit, safety pins, all purpose glue, heavy duty tape, and double sided fabric tape to keep your dress in place and avoid a Janet Jackson moment.
A very light, yet durable, hammer and some nails. Also, an umbrella, a flashlight, some AA batteries, pair of scissors, and a long candle lighter.
Beauty supplies like a mirror, blotting papers, Q-tips, makeup remover, a hairbrush, hair spray, bobby pins, hair ties, floss, travel size toothpaste, a toothbrush, breath spray, clear nail polish, a nail file, tampons, tweezers, deodorant, and lotion. (TIP: Bride and groom should grease up their hands with some lotion pre-ceremony to help wedding bands slide on with ease.)
A medical kit and/or first aid kit with aspirin, Tylenol, Alka-Seltzer, Tums, Pepto-Bismol, Bandaids, Visine, and Neosporin.
Random items like earring backs, a lint brush, straws (to keep lipstick on your lips and not on your teeth), sunscreen, and tissues.

{Becki Dickinson Photography}

Its also a good idea to make a tool kit list for your MOH. She's probably been bugging you to let her help.. and this is the perfect solution. On your list for her include the items about but also some items from home such as: snacks, bottled water, perfume, makeup, pen and paper (to write down last minute lists because it always happens), a digital camera, significant phone numbers, cell phone and charger, and important items like the bride's shoes, dress and veil. Wouldn't it be awful if the bride brought everything on her list and forgot to bring her dress dress along too?

It may sound extravagant and it's a lot to tote around, but you never know what you are going to encounter. I'd rather be prepared than stuck in a bind. I hope this list inspires you to make a tool kit for your wedding or any occasion! It's like ol' Ben Franklin said, "By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail."

So, what's in your wedding day tool kit?

How to Serve Your Guests Graciously | Greensboro, NC Wedding Planner

2012-01-22T09:00:00.000-08:00

Different wedding vendors will tell you that the most important aspect of the wedding that the guests will remember is probably whatever they specialize in. Well, I can tell you without a doubt that the guests are going to first, remember their experience at your wedding and second, the food. Having a kick-butt menu is a great way to knock your guests experience from mediocre to out of the park. Continuing with our guest blogging series, Brad Semon, owner and veteran Chef of The Painted Plate in Greensboro, is here to explain what your options are as far as catering service. Take it away, Brad!

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Deciding on the style of food service for you reception and exploring the pros and cons of each can be perplexing. While we are sometimes surprised when non-traditional efforts prove successful, there are generally some considerations that will make your wedding reception more satisfying for both you, your family, and guests.

Are you serving a meal or appetizers to your guests and what is the difference? From the time they guests leave the house, attend your ceremony and move to the reception location, your guests have plenty of time to grow hungry and thirsty. When you plan for a reception filled with dancing, pictures, celebration and toasts, in most cases, your friends will expect to be fed some sort of meal. And regardless of what you call the meal, they will eat a very similar amount of food especially if your event is at night.

Photo: Becki Dickinson Photography

Skimp on the quantity and selection of food and you will most likely have a short reception with plenty of grumbling. Let’s face it--the one thing people most often remember and discuss when recalling a wedding reception is the food they were served. We ask our brides to consider the cost of going to their favorite restaurant then consider that you are renting the staff for your exclusive use.

Unlike at most restaurants ,some venues also require the expenditures of tables, chairs, china, silverware, glassware, and table linens. Often the caterer has to set up and break down the room, load in props and food, pack it all up, and then do it again when they get back. These additional costs are all added to your catering bill and generally finding a facility that includes many or all of these items will provide you substantial savings and allow more of your budget to be used for food and service.

Photo: Alexa's Photography

The style of service you choose can also have an impact on cost and set the tone for the type of reception you plan to have. Buffet meals sometimes are more cost effective than plated meals because they require fewer servers and kitchen staff. Buffets also can offer more variety, an opportunity for the caterer to build attractive displays, and your guests can choose the selection and quantity of food that appeal to their individual taste. When serving buffet style reception, consider multiple stations; adding some with action or cooking and carving to bring the Chef to the party. Small tapas-like plates and mini foods are also interesting, appealing, and trendy.

You can serve a heavy hors d'oeuvres menu and save on staff and rentals by also limiting the seating to no more than 30% of guest capacity. Serving a cocktail buffet with full seated tables is confusing for the guests and in general keeps them in their seats and makes for a boring party.

Photo: Day Images

Plated multi-course meals are the next broad category to consider. It’s best to choose a facility with a full working kitchen when considering a plated meal but it’s possible to plate in any setting. The most economical plated meals involve one primary selection and we often will make a vegetarian meal available by request. If you wish to offer guests a choice, make sure to include a menu description and reply card in your invitation so that the caterer can prepare the proper number of meals (and even then the caterer should prepare extra of each because people often forget or change their minds after service begins). When plating and offering choices, remember that the demands on the staff also increase and you should heed the advice to add staff accordingly.

So many decision and considerations can be explained best by spending time with a licensed, safe and well equipped caterer. If you are using a planner, working with the caterer will be one of their most important duties. Regardless, make sure that the caterer you use is licensed and insured and check references and reputations whenever possible. After you found the right caterer for your needs, relax and enjoy the most important party of your life!

About Brad Semon and The Painted Plate: The Painted Plate is owned and was founded 20 years ago by Chef Brad Semon. Painted Plate enjoys an outstanding history of achievement and excellence and they are founding Charter members of the Triad Bridal Association, Greensboro Chamber of Commerce, NACE (National Association of Catering Executives), and Triad Local First. They have a string of BBB complaint free years and Brad has won numerous awards and recognized as one of the triad’s top veteran Chefs.

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Thank you Brad for sharing! You can contact Brad and his amazing staff (seriously y'all, they're THE BEST!) at www.paintedplate.com or at 336-230-2433. You can also swing by to visit them in person at 2001 N. Church Street in Greensboro.

Leave a comment.. it makes my day!!

Wedding Photo Booth Ideas | Greensboro, NC Wedding Planner

2012-01-20T09:28:00.000-08:00

Photo booths are another fun wedding trend that we hope sticks around for a while. Here is some inspiration for your photo booth:

{K Leigh Ford}

{Wedding Chicks}

{Style Me Pretty}

{McCardell Photography}

{Style Me Pretty}

{Brooke Kelly Photography}

{Abigail Seymour Photography}

What props would you want in a photo booth?? Mustaches, funny glasses, etc. We love crazy hats!

Leave a comment.. it makes my day!!

Bride's Choice Award | Greensboro, NC Wedding Planner

2012-01-19T09:00:00.000-08:00

We are so excited to announce that we won the WeddingWire Bride's Choice Awards 2012!!

This award means we are in the top 5% of wedding professionals nationwide. The WeddingWire Bride's Choice Awards recognizes the top local wedding professionals from the WeddingWire network that demonstrate excellence in quality, service, responsiveness, and professionalism. Unlike other awards in which winners are selected by the organization, the WeddingWire Bride's Choice Awards are determined soley by the reviews from over 1.2 million newlyweds.

Thanks to our wonderful brides and their reviews.. your kind words mean the world to us!!

Behind the Scenes Wedding Video by Iron Kite Films | Greensboro Wedding Planner

2012-01-16T09:00:00.000-08:00

I am beyond excited to be sharing this video with you. Iron Kite Films has created a behind the scenes video from my final wedding of 2011 (which also happened to take place on New Year's Eve). My bride and groom, Carrie and Gregg, were so amazing to work with and every little detail of their wedding was perfection. Iron Kite captured my vision for the film perfectly and completely exceeded my expectations. Without further ado..

See more work from Iron Kite at www.ironkitefilms.com and make sure to fan them on Facebook.

Leave a comment.. it makes my day!!

Wedding Centerpiece Inspiration and Ideas | Greensboro, NC Wedding Planner

2012-01-14T09:00:00.000-08:00

There are so many intricate details to consider when creating a wedding design. There's the invitations, the candles, the escort cards, the chairs (yes, the type of chair is crucial), the linens, the aisle markers, the programs, the cake... well, you get the picture. But the centerpiece (pun intended) of the design is always the flowers.

No one knows this better than floral designer, Sami Price, owner of Just Priceless. Continuing with our guest blogger series, Sami has shared some of her favorite floral inspiration for 2012.

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What's on your guest tables? As I devour all the resources that are available to us now (Pinterest, wedding blogs, etc.), one thing is very apparent as far as reception centerpieces are concerned -- very rarely do you see a huge "traditional" bouquet of flowers on every table.. gone are the days!

This is due to two things, I believe. Budgets, of course, are much more important because of the recent economy and we have simply become more creative. Maybe that creativity has evolved from necessity. The ideas are endless -- all you have to do is start with something you really like (like peonies and lace), something important to you (like a family heirloom), or inspiration from your venue. Collaborating with your florist and wedding planner, you can arrive at centerpiece ideas that you didn't see at the last five weddings you attended.

To inspire you and get your creative juices flowing.. here are some seasonal ideas:

Photo by Just Priceless

Photo by Bill Broere Photography

Photo by Just Priceless

Photo by Abigail Seymour Photography

Photo by Jessica Lobdell Photography

Photo by Just Priceless

Photo by Autumn Song Photography

Photo from Just Priceless

About Just Priceless:

Just Priceless is a creative floral design studio in High Point, NC. They specialize in unique and special floral arrangements while using the freshest possible product available. Keeping up with trends is of utmost importance in order for Just Priceless to pave the way to be on the creative edge.

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Stop by Just Priceless and visit Sami at 1313 N. Main Street in High Point Monday - Friday 10 AM to 6 PM and Saturdays 10 AM to 2 PM. You can also visit them online and connect on Facebook. Thanks, Sami!!

Leave a comment.. it makes my day!!

Bridal Portrait Session {Stella} | Winston-Salem NC Wedding Planner

2012-01-12T09:00:00.000-08:00

One of the few things we love more than wedding photos is a bridal portrait session. And this one of our stunning bride Stella (taken at Old Salem) is a doozie. Alexa's Photography, you've outdone yourself yet again!

Leave a comment.. it makes my day!!

Wedding Bouquet Inspiration | Greensboro Wedding Planner

2012-01-10T09:00:00.000-08:00

I have this conversation with all my brides and florists: Do you go for a brightly colored bridal bouquet that wows or stick with soft colors that don't take away from you and your dress? Here is some of my favorite bouquet inspiration from my Pinterest board and you be the judge!

Via Junebug Weddings

Via Elizabeth Anne Designs

Via Style Me Pretty

Via Martha Stewart Weddings

Via Style Me Pretty

Leave a comment.. it makes my day!!

Not Your Daddy's Minister | Greensboro, NC Wedding Planner

2012-01-08T09:00:00.000-08:00

Surprisingly, booking the officiant (meaning the person who legally marries you) falls to the wayside on the planning list for most brides. It's important not to get caught up in just the pretty little details (which, trust me, I LOVE) so you can choose someone to marry you that 'gets' you as a couple.

In continuing with our guest blog posts, I've asked Rev. Dr. Susan Kennedy to share a little bit of why she does what she does. I hope it will broaden your horizons in regards to your wedding ceremony! Take it away, Susan!

---------------------------------

I loooove doing what I do. And I am easily amused. It’s a blessing of a combination!

I’m an InterFaith Minister; my seminary is an affiliate of the United Nations. Everyone in the class had his or her own religion, but we studied religions & beliefs from all over the world. What does that mean for YOU? I get to custom-craft every single ceremony that I write. So your wedding is all about YOU, all for YOU! Your ceremony is genuinely one-of-a-kind…because YOUR LOVE is one of a kind!

Now, some folks are happy with that five-minute “Dearly Beloved, Your-Name-Goes-Here” that is the standard at most weddings. Me? Not so much.

Your love story intrigues me; fascinates me; thrills me. Once you were strangers—& now you want nothing more than to spend your entire lives together! How did that happen? One day, you were in the same place at the same time…& met. One of you asked, “Would you like to get together again?” & the other said “Yes!”. Soon you were “a couple”. One of you said “The L Word” & the other said it back. You found all these things you love to do together—outdoor stuff, cooking, elevating being a couch potato to an art form… And, while you also enjoy separate activities, when you’re apart you miss each other. One day, you realized you had this mental list of all the qualities you hoped for in a lifetime mate &—in this person, you’d found virtually every one! Amazingly, this person feels the same way about you! That’s when the amazing proposal story takes seed.

I’ve been honored & thrilled to hear almost a thousand proposal stories—every one unique & perfect for the two people involved. Some happened on mountain tops; some at the beach or (gulp) with a ring presented on a dock over the ocean! One happened right at the airport because the groom was afraid they’d open the box with the ring in it as he was passing through the metal detector! In one, the guy got on one knee was in a jammed Cracker Barrel.

Some gave engagement rings to each other, lying in the grass under a blanket of stars. Some, in total keeping with the personalities of the couples, amounted to, “Here—d’you wanna marry me, or what?” Other times, the child or children are part of the proposal, too: “Dad & I would really love it if you would marry us, & make us a real family”. Or “Mom, I hope you’ll say yes to this next question, because I think that would be really great”. My personal favorite, to be honest, was a proposal via Flash Mob (see video below)!

Bottom line, though, I get to hear all these astonishing stories about how two people went from being strangers to taking vows, & then crafting that into a flowing, memorable narrative as part of your wedding ceremony. It’s one of the coolest parts of my job & one of the greatest honors in the world!

About Susan:

Susan completely custom-writes every single wedding ceremony that she performs. She believes telling the story of your romance on your wedding day is a fabulous way to get your guests to bond with you in a way that isn't created at 'cookie cutter' weddings. Susan also has a PhD in Counseling to provide to her couples as an option--not a requirement.

--------------------------

Thanks, Susan, for sharing! You chat with Susan at marryusrev@gmail.com and 336.323.6688. Learn more about Susan, get wedding tips (like how to get the ring bearer to behave), and more at www.perfectcircleweddings.com.

Leave a comment.. it makes my day!!

Real NC Mountain Wedding {Stella + Jon} | Greensboro, NC Wedding Planner

2012-01-06T09:00:00.000-08:00

Stella and Jon's gorgeous mountain wedding was two months ago and I still swoon every time I look at their photos. Stella and I hit it off immediately and we were two peas in a pod while planning her wedding. There were a few bumps along the way (we had to unexpectedly change the reception venue a month before the wedding), but everything turned out better than we could have imagined.

All photography swoon-age can be addressed to Alexa's Photography. Oooohs and aaaaahs after watching Stella and Jon's wedding video can be directed at K2 Productions. Enjoy!!

Planning, Design, and Coordination - Leigh Pearce Weddings

Photography - Alexa's Photography

Ceremony Venue - Private Home

Reception Venue and Catering - Twenty One and Main Restaurant

Florist - Amy Lynne Originals

Cake - Maxie B's

Hair and Makeup - Carla White

Officiant - Rev. Dr. Susan Kennedy

DJ, Videography, Lighting - K2 Productions

Leave a comment.. it makes my day!!

7 Tips for Finding Your Dream Wedding Dress | Greensboro NC Wedding Planner

2012-01-04T09:00:00.000-08:00

Before stepping into the bridal salon or applying to be on

"Say Yes to the Dress," read up on our top 7 tips for find

your dream dress:

Photo by Becki Dickinson Photography

1. Know exactly how much you are able to spend before you even walk in the door. Set a realistic budget ahead of time to avoid disappointment. Nothing good can come from trying on a dress that is way outside of your budget. I guarantee you will fall in love with the dress and nothing else will be able to compare.

2. Set up an appointment so you get the time and attention you deserve. If you're able to, I suggest taking a day off of work. Week day appointments are less frequent so sales associates can give you more of their attention and aren't going to rush you out when your time is up.

Photo by Alexa's Photography

3. Bring some inspiration. Take along some magazine clippings or show the bridal consultant your Pinterest board. They will be able to get a sense the style you're going for. I also recommend showing or describing a few dresses/styles that you absolutely hate. The consultant will appreciate the parameters you set and will be able to help you that much better.

4. Don't bring along everyone you've ever met. If you've ever watched an episode of "Say Yes to the Dress," you should already know this is a bad idea. Take along no more than 3 people (and that's a stretch) to pick out your dress. You want to take someone whose opinion you value but who can also balance telling you you're gorgeous and telling you the truth. Moms, sisters, and maids of honor are usually a safe bet. The other important people in your life that you want to see the dress (like Grandma or Dad) can come along with you to an alterations appointment.

Photo by Sadie Higs Photography

5. Keep an open mind. The bridal consultant will take your ideas that you shared, but she's the expert here. Don't be afraid to try on some shapes and styles a little outside of your comfort zone. I guarantee you'll like what you see.

6. Don't forget about the details. Ask how the dress will look bustled. Try on some accessories like a veil to get the full affect. Ask when the dress will come in and how the payment plan (if there is one) works. Can the shop work with you on a discounted rate? Most importantly, ask how the alterations will work. Do you have to use their seamstress (how much?) or can you find your own?

Photo by Alexa's Photography

7. Trust your gut. If you have to be constantly reassured that this dress is the one, then maybe it isn't. Can you really see yourself walking down the aisle in this dress? Don't be afraid to take a night to sleep on it. The dress will still be there the next morning. You don't want to make a $2,000 mistake.

Leave a comment.. it makes my day!!

Jazz Up Your Chairs | Greensboro NC Wedding Planner

2012-01-02T09:00:00.000-08:00

When you're working on pulling the pretty little details together for your wedding, don't forget about jazzing up the chairs. Whether you spruce up just two seats of honor, every reception seat, or just a row at the ceremony, your extra design work won't go unnoticed! Here's some of our favorite chair decor ideas from our Pinterest:

Via Style Me Pretty

Via Southern Weddings

Via Style Me Pretty

Via The Sweetest Occasion

Happy New Year!! | Greensboro NC Wedding Planner

2012-01-01T09:00:00.000-08:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Photo by Whitebox Weddings

Last night, we rang in the New Year at our final

wedding of the year (or was it our first since the guests
went hard 'til 1 AM?). Congrats to the new Mr. and Mrs. --
Carrie and Gregg!! Check out more of their fun loveshoot with WhiteBox Weddings on their blog.

2011 Wrap Up and Thank You | Greensboro NC Wedding Planner

2011-12-30T10:38:00.000-08:00

2011 has been such a wonderful year for Leigh Pearce Weddings. As we wrap up our second year in business, I am proud to say that we planned, coordinated, and designed 22 weddings, had a great experience traveling to our first official destination wedding at the Greenbrier, participated in 4 bridal shows, made so many new friends (both brides and vendors alike), and fell in love with all our couples and their families.

I often have people ask me, "Who is the 'we' and 'our' you refer to?" Leigh Pearce Weddings would not be a success without the support of a solid team. My staff has grown from just myself to 3-strong (some seriously amazing and talented ladies) and I was privileged to have some of the best interns a girl could ask for.

Thanks to all our brides, grooms, their families and friends, our vendors, our family and friends, anyone who has ever shared an encouraging word, folks that have commented on the blog, Facebook, or Twitter, or anyone who simply shared our information.. each and every person means so much to us! (Seriously, blog comments make my day!!)

For those of you new to this lil' blog of mine, most days you'll find me showing off our gorgeous clients on their wedding days, sharing lots of wedding advice and tips, and posting the latest news about Leigh Pearce Weddings. Take a minute to see what all I've shared this year on 'I Do Declare'.

Photos by Alexa's Photography

Advice

Top 7 Wedding Blogs and Websites

DIY Do's and Don'ts

Why Have an Engagement Session?

The Newest Manicure Trick for Your Big Day

What's a First Look and Why Should I Have One?

The Newly Engaged To Do List

Tips on Selecting a Wedding Venue

Update Your Wedding Vocabulary

Photo from Maxie B's

Guest Bloggers

Things to Think About When Selecting a Venue by Proximity Hotel

All About Fondant by Maxie B's

Do I Really Need Wedding Videography? by Iron Kite Films

Wedding Paper Inspiration from Carolina Pear

How to Select a Rental Company by Partymakers

DJ Tips from Wally West

Catering Tips from Sweet Basil's

Photo by Liz Grogan Photography

Inspiration

Wedding Cake Ideas

Details We Love

Sweet Bridal Session with Liz Grogan Photography

Fun Engagement Session with Anna Paschal Photography

Photo by Elizabeth Larson Photography

News

Letter from a Bride

Green Wedding Show - A Success!

Happy Holidays Y'all!

Photo by Pasha Belman Photography

Real Weddings

Scott and Scarlett at Belmont Estate, Reidsville

Angie and Selassie at Studio B, Greensboro

Zach and Paige at Pine Lake Pavilion, Mebane

Corrie and Michael at Proximity Hotel, Greensboro

Emily and Michael at Tanglewood, Winston-Salem

Amy and Matt at Revolution Mill, Greensboro

Annie and Dean at Willow Oaks Plantation, Eden

Ashton and Brandon at The Empire Room, Greensboro
Part One | Part Two

Ashley and Casey at Embassy Suites, Greensboro

Jessica and Jeremy at Magnolia Manor, Greensboro

Photo by Anna Paschal Photography

Styled Shoots

Beatles Inspired Wedding

Ashton's Bridal Session

Susan and Ben's Engagement Session

Jessica's Bridal Session

Fashion Inspired Bridal

Photos by McCardell Photography

Wrap Up

Our Favorite Moments of 2011

Our Favorite Details of 2011

I hope that everyone has a happy and safe New Year's! We'll be ringing in the New Year at our last wedding of the year. What are your NYE plans?!

Leave a comment.. it makes my day!!

Advice on Selecting the Perfect Wedding Venue | Greensboro Wedding Planner

2011-12-28T13:50:00.000-08:00

You're engaged (congrats!).. so who do you hire first? One of the very first vendors you should secure after he pops the question is the venue. You have an idea of what you like (ballroom vs. barn vs. cool downtown spot) but, how do you know it will work perfectly for you? Amanda Martin, event coordinator at one of our *favorite* venues, Proximity Hotel, is going to share with you her tips and tricks on securing a great venue.

Brides (past and present), what was/is the perfect wedding venue for you?

---------------------------------------

When I first meet with a bride and groom to discuss the possibility of hosting their wedding at Proximity, the meeting is focused on two things: showcasing the amazing spaces and services that Proximity has to offer and *the* feeling. Just like picking your groom, your dress, and other wedding details, the venue should be about the feeling--the butterflies in the stomach, the "This is it/Say Yes to the Dress" moment. After the a-ha! moment, a feeling of excitement and ease of mind takes over the, now, Proximity couple.

Photo by Pasha Belman Photography

As a boutique hotel, we at Proximity not only offer beautiful spaces, but, much more than that, we have amazing inclusions and a real gem in the team that works behind the scenes to create a memorable event. Our desire is to make the planning process stress-free and truly about you as a couple in creating the vision you both have for the day.

Photo by Kellie Kano Photography

We provide everything in-house from the setup to the table and chairs to the linens to the catering and even a florist. I like to say ''everything but the cake, photographer, and entertainment''. All that being said here's some advice that will help you select your perfect venue:

Photo by Becki Dickinson Photography

1. Be honest with yourself about the number of guests you are inviting in association with what your space can truly hold. Not doing so will make you much more stressed than a) not inviting those guests in to begin with and b) not being able to have space to accommodate them for almost 6 hours.

2. Be strong about your vision yet open enough for advise on making it happen just a beautiful as you see it.

Photo by Abigail Seymour Photography

3. Think about the food. It is one of the things your guests will remember most. (They typically remember the dress, food, and if they had a good time.)

4. All of your vendors should be people you trust and genuinely like to spend time with each time. You are about to spend anywhere from 6 months to 2 years with these people, you should enjoy them. It makes all of the planning much better.

Photo by Katie Klein Photography

5. Have someone you trust (we highly recommend a professional coordinator) in charge on the day of the wedding. You are the bride and should be enjoying it all and not worrying about things that you probably can't fix or change.

6. Remember why you are a part of your day. Remember why you have invited your friends and family and all the moments you want to share with them. Remember as much as you can and take all the mental pictures your mind will allow.

Photo by Sadie Higs Photography

About Amanda Martin and Proximity Hotel:

Amanda graduated from Appalachian State University with a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration with a focus in Hospitality and Tourism Management. She has worked at various venues, including the Charlotte Convention Center and Homewood in Asheville, before finding a home with Proximity Hotel.

Proximity Hotel is known for it's new world feel, old word hospitality, vibrant restaurant, creative events, and stylish loft-like guest rooms. Focusing on sustainable style and taking the lead as the first LEED Platinum Hotel in the USA, Proximity is the perfect venue for those looking for a eco-friendly location.

---------------------------------------

Thanks Amanda for sharing your tips on selecting a great wedding venue. Brides, you can chat with Amanda at amartin@qwrh.com and don't forget to visit Proximity Weddings on Facebook for the latest news and more real wedding eye candy.

Real Wedding at Revolution Mill {Amy + Matt} | Greensboro, NC Wedding Planner

2011-12-26T10:00:00.000-08:00

Amy and Matt's Revoultion Mill Studio wedding was another one of my all time favorite weddings... although, I'm a little biased because Amy is one of my best friends. I had so much fun mixing Southern charm with subtle baseball touches in their design. Their wheat grass centerpieces (mimicking baseball turf) were one of my favorite design ideas this year. I turned over the coordinating reins to Dylan so I could join in on the party and, as always, she did an amazing job keeping everything running smoothly. Thanks to Alisha Silver Photography for the beautiful photos!

And a huge thanks to our rock star vendors:

Planning and Design - Leigh Pearce Weddings - Leigh

Coordination - Leigh Pearce Weddings - Dylan

Photography - Alisha Silver Photography

Second Shooter - Anna Paschal Photography

Venue - Revolution Mill Studio

Catering - Sweet Basil's

Florist - Farmer's Wife Antiques and Flowers

Cake - Delicious Bakery

DJ, Lighting, Lanterns - K2 Productions

Hair and Makeup - Bella Upstyles

Happy Holidays Y'all! | Greensboro NC Wedding Planner

2011-12-25T12:00:00.000-08:00

Please excuse the horrible camera phone pic..
I just couldn't resist the opportunity to show
everyone my cute furbabies and official
Leigh Pearce Weddings mascots, Jake and Ellie.
Happy Holidays!!

Unique Bridal Session | Greensboro Wedding Planner

2011-12-23T09:00:00.000-08:00

I love opening my email and seeing a message from one of my fav photographers that says: "I'm working on a really creative bridal shoot with a model I met at Fashion Week in NYC. Interested in helping with design?" Let me think.. DUHHHHH!

I had such a blast working with the amazzzzzing photographer, Marissa of Marissa Joy Photography, on this conceptual shoot. She has so many great ideas and I loved helping implement them. Thanks to super-talented Stephen of Stephen Thrift Photography for collaborating!

Brides, do you prefer a more traditional bridal session or something a little outside the box?

{Marissa Joy Photography}

Thanks Marissa for letting us share this bridal eye candy! Brides, do you prefer a more traditional bridal session or something a little outside the box?

Leave a comment.. it makes my day!!

Fondant: Love It or Hate It? | Greensboro Wedding Planner

2011-12-21T09:00:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite parts of wedding planning is meeting with my client's bakery of choice. We get to talk over pretty details like sugar flowers and shades of purple and sample some tasty cakes and fillings. One of my *favorite* bakeries is Maxie B's. (Seriously, I'm in l.o.v.e. with their caramel pecan cake.) One of the first things that's brought up in every meeting is, "Do we have to have fondant?" Listen to what Shannon, the even coordinator at Maxie B's, has to say about it. She'll really open your eyes to all your options.. and no you don't have to have fondant!

The great debate: do you like the taste of fondant or hate it?

----------------------------------

Over the years here at Maxie B's, we have seen a wide range of trends in wedding cake design. One year it may be that a crisp, clean, white on white cake with smooth icing and a fresh floral cascade is the thing, where the next year a Mad-Hatter inspired cake stands at the top of the list. I think that the clients we work with really enjoy the aspect of incorporating their own personal touches when planning their wedding cake. Most of the wedding cakes we create have several flavors of cake inside the tiers, with one uniform icing on the outside. We use anything from a Dark Chocolate to a Buttercream...and even fondant. These days, brides can pick all of their favorites when it comes to flavor and decoration without having to compromise.

(Look familiar?)

I meet with brides every day and see that one question continually comes up during my consultations, "Do I have to use fondant on my cake?" Fondant is a part of every wedding cake discussion I have with our brides because I find that a lot of them come in with an idea that their cake must be covered from top to bottom in fondant, whether they want it or not. That is not the case when it comes to our wedding cakes. At Maxie B's, we work with several types of icing on the cakes, and we find that our couples really enjoy having not only a great tasting cake, but a beautifully decorated one, by working with their choice of icing. If they are not interested in fondant, we have other options; but if they do want every inch of their cake covered in fondant, we can handle that as well.

So, what is fondant? The easiest way that I explain this to my clients is that fondant is a sugary Play-doh like icing. You can roll it, sculpt it, shape it and form it into just about anything you want. It tastes like straight sugar, but it is chewy rather than creamy which is why some people like it, and some people do not.

I see fondant icing used a lot on cakes in magazines and on websites. This is something that can be a bit confusing for brides who browse to get ideas for their own cakes; they may feel like there is only one kind of icing that is able to be used. When I meet with a bride one on one in the shop, I like to see things that catch her eye for design without discussing icing first. I allow them to sample flavors from our menu and find the icing that pairs best with her cake flavors. Once I have a good idea of all the things that are important for the wedding cake, I walk through all of the options with the bride and groom. Most times I find that there is a really easy way to bring all of the elements together with cake design, while still avoiding fondant icing if the bride is not a fan of it. If a design like a harlequin pattern, damask print or sugar flowers need to be worked onto the cake, I simply suggest icing the entire cake in a buttercream or cream cheese icing and only do the decorative pieces from fondant. Most clients are excited about the hands on work they get with planning and designing the cake, and I think that is a big part of what makes our wedding cakes such a fun part of the wedding planning process!

About Maxie B's:

Maxie B’s is a locally-owned bakery and dessert café in Greensboro, NC. Join us to relax and indulge! Settle into our newly remodeled café for a slice of cake, cupcake, banana pudding, keylime pie, or one of our yummy frozen yogurt concoctions! Whole cakes are available daily...call or drop in for our selection!

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Thanks Maxie B's for sharing some decadent wedding cake inspiration! You can stop by daily to visit with the awesome ladies of Maxie B's at 2403 Battleground Avenue in Greensboro. Stay up to date with them on their Facebook for specials, dessert ideas, and news!

Leave a comment.. it makes my day!!

Our Top 7 Wedding Websites | Greensboro NC Wedding Planner

2011-12-19T09:00:00.000-08:00

One of the first things I do with my new brides is share a long list of my favorite online resources. These websites are great tools for collecting design inspiration (hello, Pinterest!!) and getting general wedding tips and advice. Here's our top 7 favorite wedding blogs and websites.. what's your go-to wedding website for advice and/or eye candy?

1. Style Me Pretty

Ahhhh the mother of all wedding blogs. No body does

weddings like SMP. They always have the best of

the best and showcase weddings all over the world.

Want to make one of those cute inspiration boards

you keep seeing? Create one for your wedding on

SMP and share with your vendors.

2. Ruffled

Ruffled is my wedding blog crush. Every time I am

gah-gah over a wedding, it's featured on this site.

Ruffled is perfect for brides who are a little bit vintage,

a little bit trendy, and a whole lotta savvy chic.

3. Southern Weddings Magazine

There isn't a prettier print magazine around and their

website is pretty darn awesome to boot. SW always has

the best inspiration, vendors, ideas, advice and more for

the Southern bride.

4. Green Wedding Shoes

Feast your eyes on some serious wedding eye candy.

Green Wedding Shoes is perfect for the bride who loves

all things pretty but isn't afraid of a little quirkiness.

5. Ever Last Detail

This is a recent favorite of mine. Every Last Detail always

has insightful tips and advice (the editor is a recent bride

herself!) and lots of gorgeous weddings with perfect details.

6. Ever Lovely

I'm all about supporting local business. So, how could I not

share my favorite local wedding blog? Ever Lovely is all about

fresh style, timeless weddings, and, well, a whole lotta lovely.

It's also is a great resource for brides in the North Carolina

Triad because they focus on showcasing local vendors

as much as possible.. and we're all for that!

7. The Knot

If you're a bride, you should immediately make this your

home page for the next year or so of planning. If you have

a random etiquette question, The Knot probably has the

answer. If you need ideas for design, The Knot has hundreds

of images to give you inspiration. You can even sign up for

a *free* personal wedding website all about your wedding

plans. Share the link on your Save the Dates and keep your

guests informed.

What's your go-to wedding website?

Wedding Videography - Do I Really Need It? | Greensboro Wedding Planner

2011-12-16T09:00:00.000-08:00

My brides ask me all the time.. do I really need wedding videography? The answer is: yes, but only a good one. What's the point of shelling out $1,500 for a wedding video if the videographer is just going to set up a camera on a tripod and not move all day? It's boring and frankly, you could do that yourself. You want your videographer to tell a story and that's exactly what Iron Kite Films does. They are quickly becoming one of my go-to videographers and I'm so happy to share their advice with you today.

What do you think -- is videography worth the added expense? Share your thoughts after reading what Iron Kite has to say about the matter.. they just might change your mind!

------------------------------

Hello! We are Iron Kite Films. We were so excited when Leigh approached us about writing a guest blog and are so honored that we have your attention for a few short paragraphs--to share with you our passion and our perspective.

Wedding videography has gotten quite the wrap over the last few years...mostly due to the use of typical and predictable camera angeles, odd Hollywood-ish editing and awkward interviews. What is probably most interesting is that if you look at nearly every other aspect of a wedding, you see that they have dramatically changed since the 90s (thank the Lord!)---dresses, photography, cake, flowers, etc.. Sadly, though, videography has changed very little.

We have observed a few things that need to happen in this often overlooked field (be honest...you know the videographer is the LAST thing you book!). These are also some things you can look for when searching for a videographer. First, videographers need to see their role less as "capturing an event" and more as "telling a story". Anyone's uncle can videotape what happens on a wedding day, but why not have a passionate professional tell the intricate and unique story of your day.

Second, videography needs to be viewed as art in the same way that photography is. Our background is in photography...we love the ART of capturing light. The same lessons we learned behind the camera are now implemented behind the "moving camera". Videography can be art IF the one behind the camera is an artist and views their responsibility as "creating" rather than "capturing". That simple difference is incredibly important to the final outcome of the film.

Finally, the videographer should view his or her responsibility to the bride and groom with the same intensity and professionalism as the cake decorator (traditionally the most observed and scrutinized craft on the wedding day outside of "the dress"). This is not a slight to videographers, but by and large videographers view their craft in the same way others do...bottom of the list. No! We have the privilege of capturing light in motion, telling the story of a princess on her most special day. No other craft can capture these moments the way that we can and preserve them in a way that will bring the bride and groom right back to their wedding alter for years to come.

We hope to change the way that videography is viewed in the Southeast. Our approach is from an artistic, storytelling perspective--and who doesn’t love a great love story?! After all, good love stories stand the test of time--they are timeless and enchanting. These films are intimate and inventive. They show a snippet of one of the most important parts of your lives--unscripted!

About Iron Kite:

Iron Kite Films, based out of Lexington, NC, is a boutique film company specializing in short, artistic productions. Projects include weddings, storybook films, company profiles, events, artistic experiments, and any other creative idea in motion that you would like captured.

We would love to talk with you about your creative vision (or lack of vision!) and see how Iron Kite Films can capture it form you.

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Thanks Iron Kite for sharing what modern wedding videography is and your beautiful films! You can chat with them at neil@ironkitefilms.com and visit them on Facebook for more eye candy!

Leave a comment.. it makes my day!!

Our Favorite Moments from 2011 | Greensboro NC Wedding Planner

2011-12-14T09:00:00.000-08:00

2011 has been an amazing year! We've had the *best* clients and truly enjoyed being a part of each of their days. These are just a few of our favorite moments caught on film and thanks to the amazing photographers for capturing them!

We love seeing the bride and groom lock eyes for the first time and watching the guests break it down on the dance floor .. What's your favorite moment at a wedding?

It was so sweet watching Casey and Ashley read the
notes they wrote each other before the ceremony.

{Alexa's Photography}

You know how much we love a first look..
and Corrie and Michael's was to. die. for. You couldn't
help but smile when you saw them lock eyes.

{Sadie Higs Photography}

Emily was just filled to the brim with happiness the day
of her wedding. Nerves were no where in sight..
Emily was laughing with her parents as they begin
their walk down the aisle.

{Phillip Austin Photography}

Everyone always looks at the bride when she walks in,
but my eyes always go to the groom. Trey and Christina's
ceremony was so personal and intimate.

{Phipps Photo}

Amy and Matt's first dance was one of my favorites.
They spun around the dance floor to 'Dixie Land Delight'.
The bridal party clapped and stomped to the music and the
entire crowd joined in.

{Alisha Silver Photography}

Paige and Zach's reception was one huge dance party.
Every time the song changed, the dance floor went bananas.
Like b-a-n-a-n-a-s bananas.

{Becki Dickinson Photography}

The cigar bar at Ashton and Brandon's wedding
(see here and here) was a HUGE hit.

{Pasha Belman Photography}

Annie and Dean's rock-a-billy wedding was so
(for lack of a better word) bad ass. Dean took the
stage with the band and played a few songs.

{McCardell Photography}

I was so happy to be a part of not only Stella and Jon's
wedding, but their proposal story as well! We surprised
Stella with a flash mob and well.. take a look ..

{K2 Productions Video}

What's your favorite wedding moment?

Our Favorite Details from 2011 | Greensboro NC Wedding Planner

2011-12-12T09:00:00.000-08:00

One of the things that I pride myself on and that, I believe, sets my team and I apart from the rest is our unwavering need to get to know our clients on a very personal level. Doing so helps us not only create some visually stunning details but personal ones. Our clients can look back at their wedding photos and share how their guest book tells the story of their proposal or how their escort cards hold an inside joke between the bride and groom. Here are just some of my favorite details from my client's weddings this year. What are your favorite wedding details?!

1. Jordan and Jeff shared their vows with an intimate guest list at their family home at Atlantic Beach. They hosted their reception the following weekend at Proximity Hotel for all their family and friends. We showed their wedding video as guests were arriving and incorporated the beach into their centerpieces. I also placed a single starfish at each guests place setting and used small shells to host place cards.

Photos: Anna Paschal Photography

2. Zach and Paige's vintage, Southern, and super fun wedding took place this summer at Pine Lake Pavilion. I was OBSESSED with their guest favors. How cute are those honey sticks? You just snip the ends and squeeze into a cup of tea. Their tablescape was so stunning and every little detail (from the table numbers to the custom menus to the custom burlap and coral ribbon overlays) was perfection.

Photos: Becki Dickinson Photography

3. Angie and Selassie created the perfect conversation piece for cocktail hour. They pieced together old doors and strung ribbon and photos. Guests were able to reminisce at family photos and awww at baby pictures of Angie and Selassie.

Photos: Abigail Seymour Photography

4. Corrie and Michael's creative escort cards were certainly one of my favs of the year. They created 'tickets' to different events (from a Panthers game to a Journey concert) to direct guests to their seats.

Photo: Sadie Higs Photography

5. We knew from the beginning of planning that Amy and Matt's Revolution Mill wedding style was going to be Southern with touches of baseball for some fun. Along with Sweet Basil's Catering, we planned a biscuit bar with all sorts of fixings (I can't even tell y'all how amazing the made from scratch apple butter was). For the cocktail hour, we passed mini pretzels and corn dogs in old Pepsi crates on the upper patio that we renamed the 'Grandstand.'

Photos: Sweet Basil's Catering

6. Annie and Dean tied the knot this fall at the gorgeous Willow Oaks Plantation in Eden. For their rock-a-billy wedding, they had custom koozies made that coordinated with their super cute Save The Date. We put baskets full of the koozies on each bar and the guests loved them. Another fav detail was their sheet music paper cones filled with rose petals that doubled as aisle markers. The guests tossed the petals at the couple as they recessed back down the aisle at the new Mr. and Mrs.

Photo: McCardell Photography

7. I had so much fun planning and designing Ashton and Brandon's travel inspired wedding (see here and here). With the inspiration of the phrase 'we found each other' and Ashton and Brandon's long list of destinations they have traveled to together, we came up with their escort card display. Custom luggage tags with the guests names printed from a vintage type writer directed guests to their assigned tables. We enhanced our inspiration phrase into 'We found each other now find your seats.'

Photos: Pasha Belman Photography

8. Another favorite detail from Ashton and Brandon's wedding was their cigar bar. We had a professional cigar roller at the reception and it was a HUGE hit. We created custom cigar bands with the couple's monogram for a extra special touch.

Photos: Pasha Belman Photography

9. Jessica and Jeremy's wedding at Magnolia Manor was another one of my favs. I may be slightly biased because Jessica is my best friend, but that doesn't mean her details were any less cute! Jess gave her father a handkerchief that was stitched with a special note--something that he will be able to cherish always. I was in l.o.v.e. with their ceremony decor. Farmer's Wife hung glass orbs filled with tea lights from the large magnolia tree at the alter. It created a beautiful effect with the light reflecting off the glass and candles.

Photos: Shark Vs. Aardvark

10. Stella and Jon's mountain affair was so much fun to plan. Stella and I instantly clicked and I was so honored to be a part of their proposal. If you watched the proposal video from K2 Productions, you'll see that they were engaged at Starbucks. Since, their nuptials were taking place outside at the beginning of November, we knew there was going to be a definite chill in the air. We created a coffee bar so the guests could warm up and mingle before the ceremony. We'll also had a mingling and sitting area around a fire pit to warm hands before and after the ceremony. Another favorite detail was the ceremony seating. Jon and Stella's guests sat theater style with no center aisle. Everyone sat as one big group with no 'traditional' bride and groom sides. It created a wonderful sense of community.

Photos: Alexa's Photography

Of course, these are just a FEW of our favorite personal touches from this year. We're looking forward to another year full of special details! What detail is YOUR favorite?

Real Wedding at Magnolia Manor {Jessica + Jeremy} | Greensboro, NC Wedding Planner

2011-12-10T09:00:00.000-08:00

This wedding is so very near and dear to my heart. You see, Jessica is my best friend. So you know what that means.. I had to set down my wedding coordinator hat for the day and gladly put on my maid of honor dress. I knew the day would be absolutely perfect not only because Jess and I.. umm I mean Jess and Jeremy ;).. had planned a beautiful day, but that Dylan was there to handle all the day of coordinating. Every detail was perfect for this Halloween-rustic-chic wedding from the cute 'Boo' and mummy cupcakes to the white pumpkins on the guest tables to the amazing food from Above and Beyond Catering. Everything went off without a hitch (of course!) and I couldn't be more happy for my best friend and her hubby. Thanks to Shark Vs. Aardvark for all the lovely photos!

Congratulations Jecca and Jermah!! xoxoxo

Thanks to the wonderful vendors:

Coordination - Leigh Pearce Weddings (Coordinator: Dylan)

Photography - Shark Vs. Aardvark

Venue - Magnolia Manor

Catering - Above and Beyond Catering

Florist and Decor - Farmer's Wife

Cake and Cupcakes - Delicious Bakery

Hair and Makeup - Bella Upstyles

Wedding Paper Inspiration and Ideas | Greensboro, NC Wedding Planner

2011-12-08T09:00:00.000-08:00

Continuing our series of guest blog posts (see the first here) from local Triad wedding experts. Today's expert is Allison Harris of Carolina Pear. Allison and her business partner Brettany create amazing custom, personalized wedding invitation suites, menu cards, escort cards, and anything else you can dream up. They have created countless custom items for my brides and continue to blow me away with their creativity.

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Hi! I’m Allison, one half of the brains behind Carolina Pear, the paper goods company I started with my best friend, Brettany. One of our goals is to show you, the bride, how your paper goods can convey much, much more than just the when and the where of your nuptials. Inspiration can come from anywhere!

First up is this Sgt. Pepper inspired wedding suite we created for this shoot (featured on La Belle Bride) that was a little vintage, a little bohemian and a lot of fun! Being a huge Beatles fan myself, I couldn’t resist incorporating a few song lyrics and a medallion inspired by the Sgt. Pepper’s drum head.

To help the design from the invitations come to life we incorporated several details to let the 'guests' know what they had in store on the big day, such as a sweet “all you need is love” mini-banner tucked into the bouquet, a Marilyn Monroe table number card (taking note from the Sgt. Peppers album cover), and a program inspired by a record sleeve.

Photo: Anna Paschal Photography

Last, but not least, we changed out the tired old guest book and gave our 'bride' and 'groom' this fun thumb-print guest print. OK, that’s not a Beatles reference, but what retro-lovin’ guest doesn’t get a kick out of a VW Beetle?

Photo: Anna Paschal Photography

If 60’s rock stars aren’t your thing, how about injecting some school spirit? Rachel and Ryan met at an ASU football game – go Mountaineers! – and Rachel’s favorite flower is the daisy. We just knew their paper goods had to incorporate a black and yellow color scheme (ASU’s colors) and daisy-inspired graphics. Plus, lots of Rachel’s friends and family are theater people so we thought they might provide some entertainment with a mad-libs style R.S.V.P.

Or you can be like me and get all sentimental with your program. Yep, designing our own wedding stationery is what got Brettany and I interested in this business in the first place! My somethings old, new, borrowed and blue were very meaningful to me so I wanted my guests to know all about it. Also, being in design school at the time, I had access to a laser cutter so I wanted to add a little engraving to express the non-sentimental, woodshop-using side of myself too.

But enough about me, let’s look at what we did for Lorraine and Jonathan. To put their personal spin on things they literally put themselves on their invitation! Don’t you just love the peg people? Even cuter, we hand-painted some matching wooden peg people for them to have as a cake topper!

If you don’t have something already in mind to put on your paper goods, why not take inspiration from your ceremony venue? Chelsea and Eric got married in front of a gorgeous old oak tree so I had a local artist do a little drawing of that very tree and then used the drawing on their invitations and program fans. Morgan and Andrew got married in Red Rock Canyon so I put together a little mountain graphic for the bottom of their invitation.

I hope I have shown you how your invitations and programs can express your personal style and be anything but boring! Carolina Pear never re-uses old designs and we always look forward to what a bride will bring to the table. I can’t leave without mentioning you can’t go wrong with some perfectly personalized note cards for your thank you notes. Whether you go with some fun bunting, cool chevron, or classic Mr. and Mrs. make sure they express your gratitude and your personality!

About Carolina Pear:

Carolina Pear is our labor of love. We met in design school and became fast friends. We happily served as bridesmaids for one another and, in the midst of wedding planning, we discovered the joy of designing paper goods. While we got our start with wedding invitations, we would love to help you design a birth announcement, an invitation to celebrate your golden anniversary and everything in between. We hope you enjoy our work as much as we enjoy creating it.

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Thanks Allison and Brettany for sharing some gorgeous paper inspiration! You can chat with these awesome ladies at info@carolinapear.com and don't forget to visit them on Facebook for more tips, advice, and news!

Beatles Inspired Photo Shoot | Greensboro Wedding Planner

2011-12-06T09:00:00.000-08:00

This shoot was so much fun. Carolina Pear, Anna Paschal Photography, and myself came up with this shoot idea after realizing that we were all huge Beatles fans. It was seriously a no brainer to focus our color palette and design inspiration around the Sgt. Pepper's album. The colors are so vibrant and the album has so much personality. We were so lucky to have this shoot featured on one of my favorite wedding blogs, La Belle Bride.

This vintage gown from Songbirds Consignment was perfectly simple and worked wonderfully with the overall design.

We had the best models! At the time, they were engaged (married now, congrats y'all!) so their happiness really shows.

The day-glo colors from the center of the album really come through in our tablescape. The Marilyn Monroe table number is an homage to the cover of the album which features life-sized cardboard models of famous people.

The 'B' and 'G' (representing bride and groom) were born from the 'Beatles' written in red flowers on the album cover.

How could I not bring my original album to the shoot and used it as a prop?

Thanks so much to all our vendors!

Event Design and Staging - Leigh Pearce Weddings

Photography - Anna Paschal Photography

Hair and Makeup - Carla White

Stationary - Carolina Pear

Dress - Songbirds Consignment

Flowers - Fireflies

Venue - Belmont Estate

Bridal Portrait Session {Jessica} | Greensboro Wedding Planner & Stylist

2011-12-04T09:00:00.000-08:00

This is hands down one of my favorite bridal portrait sessions yet. Now, I may be slightly biased because Jessica is my best friend. I was honored to be the maid of honor in her wedding and, of course, took off my coordinator hat that day. One of my lead coordinators, Dylan, did such a wonderful job coordinating Jess's wedding a few weeks ago at Magnolia Manor. Thanks to Shark vs. Aardvark for sharing the gorgeous photos!

This is hands down my favorite photo. I think I love Jess's facial expression more than anything. This is definitely going on display in my office.

Real Wedding at Embassy Suites Greensboro {Ashley + Casey} | Jamestown Wedding Planner

2011-12-02T09:00:00.000-08:00

Ashley and Casey's wedding was yet another reminder of why I am so in love with my job. Their wedding was the perfect balance of sweetness, tradition, and personality. Both Ashley and Casey's families made Dylan and I feel completely at home. It was such an easy going and relaxing day. You can thank Alexa's Photography for the amazing photos. Enjoy!!

Thanks to our wonderful vendors:

Planning - Leigh Pearce Weddings

Photography - Alexa's Photography

Church - First Baptist of Jamestown

Reception Venue and Catering - Embassy Suites of Greensboro

Florist - Sedgefield Florist

DJ - Jeff Brown Sound Production

Cake - Delicious Bakery

Hair and Makeup - Carla White

How and Why to Select a Party Rental Company? | Greensboro Wedding Planner

2011-11-30T09:00:00.000-08:00

This is the first of many guest blog posts. I've solicited the expert advice from many wedding and event vendors in the Triad to bring you, the bride, the best possible information. First up: Emily Reynolds of Partymakers. Emily is so wonderful to work with and is one of the many reasons I continue to work with Partymakers. She's going to share with you some tips and tricks to keep in mind while ordering your wedding rentals. Take it away, Em:

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How and Why to Select a Party Rental

Company for your Wedding

Photo: Elizabeth Larson Photography; See the full feature from TriadWeddings Magazine here.

What are the benefits of hiring a rental company?

There are three major benefits to rental companies. The first is that rental companies offer delivery, set-up, tear down, and pick-up, which can give the bride's family more time to be together before and after the wedding. The second is that no one has to clean dishes after the event! However, most importantly renting is cost efficient and environmentally friendly.

We have brand new tents, tables, chairs, china, glassware, flatware, linens, stages, dance floors, lighting, candleabra and much more!! Our wide variety of items helps us to offer various options that are in a bride’s budget.

Walk me through the process of hiring and working with a party rentals company. For example, what steps should a couple take when trying to decide on a rental company?

The first step is setting up an appointment in our showroom to get a quote or set-up a reservation. One important aspect of renting which is often forgotten by brides is to look at the actual items in the warehouse that you will be renting. Never book with any company unless you are satisfied with their service and the quality! Also, we have a really great website that makes it easy for busy brides to find images and prices of our rental items online.

Photo: Zoe Lam Photography

What are some suggestions for brides who want to be creative with their reception? Can you suggest ways of mixing and matching styles, products, etc. in an unusual way?

We have a brand new hexagon shaped wedding tent which is something really unique in the Triad! We can connect this tent with some of our other tents to give lots of tented square footage at a great price point with a look that is unforgettable!

What are the top rental items for wedding couples? Do you offer any assistance in helping brides plan for outdoor events?

Wedding couples love renting our tents because we only offer clean white tents. Also, our cocktail tables and chivari chairs have grown in popularity for weddings!

Partymakers Party Rentals offers a very unique feature for brides considering tent rentals. Our website offers a free submission for a tenting floor plan and a matching quote. All you have to do is go to the site, submit your information and within a few days you will have e-mail with a custom designed layout for your wedding and a quote so you have idea on how to budget appropriately for the amount of guests you plan to have. For your submission, visit us here.

About Partymakers and Emily Joy Reynolds:

Just to give you a little bit of history about us, Partymakers Party Rental has been in business since 1955, but recently has new ownership and ALL new party rental equipment. Our goal is to provide brides with high quality rentals and to become a trustworthy partner in their event. Emily’s personal background includes 10+ years in the interior and event design industry, 2 accredited degrees in design, and teaching experience at the college level for 3+ years on various design topics, so any questions you may have about your event layout, colors, lighting, and centerpieces, she would love to help you with. This design service is free of charge and something that makes us unique!

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Thanks again, Emily, for sharing! You can contact Emily at 336.275.9171 or emily@partymakersgreensboro.com to set up your consultation in their party showroom.

Real Wedding at Empire Room {Ashton + Brandon Part 2} | Greensboro Wedding Planner

2011-11-29T09:00:00.000-08:00

Ashton and Brandon's wedding was so amazingly wonderful that we just had to split into two blog posts. {See part 1 here} Thanks to Pasha Belman Photography for the lovely photos!! Enjoy!

A million thanks to our wonderful vendors:

Planning and Design - Leigh Pearce Weddings

Photography - Pasha Belman Photography

Ceremony Venue - Phillips Chapel

Reception Venue - Empire Room

Catering - Painted Plate

Florist - Farmer's Wife

Cake - Maxie B's

DJ - K2 Productions

Hair and Makeup - Carla White

Linens - Partymakers

Cigar Bar - Coastal Cigar