Southern Romance!!

Photo courtesy of Ali Harper Photography.

When I saw this incredible wedding that was recently featured on Grey Likes Weddings, I swooned. Every breathtaking image from this amazing day felt like a fairy tale come true – it was the perfect blend of traditional and modern, glowing in a pool of Tennessee sunshine. I mean, just look at these photos and tell me you don’t wish you could have been there to see this gorgeous couple tie the knot!!

Photo courtesy of Ali Harper Photography.

Photo courtesy of Ali Harper Photography.

 

Natalie and Conar were married at the downtown chapel in Gallatin, Natalie’s hometown. The charm of this small town was only enhanced by the perfect fall day that greeted all of their guests – a small gathering of close family and friends. I just can’t get enough of all the sweet details that make this wedding the ultimate balance of warm and welcoming + elegant and chic… the flowers, the cake, the bride’s dress… and the car!! LOVE.

Photo courtesy of Ali Harper Photography.

Photo courtesy of Ali Harper Photography.

The photographer did an incredible job of capturing the day – almost unbelievably so. I was trying to figure out what was so magical about her photos (aside from the fact that Ali Harper is incredibly talented, of course!) and then I discovered that the photos were all taken with a film camera, not digital. Wow!!! Need I say anything more?

Photo courtesy of Ali Harper Photography.

Photo courtesy of Ali Harper Photography.

I hope you enjoy soaking up all of the beauty of this wedding as much as I did. When you see something that inspires you like this, you just have to share. I will never get tired of seeing the millions of different ways that couples choose to celebrate their special day.

Photo courtesy of Ali Harper Photography.

Photo courtesy of Ali Harper Photography.

Photo courtesy of Ali Harper Photography.

Photo courtesy of Ali Harper Photography.

Unique Ideas for Wedding Receptions

I love thinking outside the box when it comes to weddings. You know – finding just the right unique idea that will set your day apart from the rest. I’ve heard some pretty fun ones lately that got me thinking about different ways to make the photography or videography particularly special. So of course, I had to share…

• Polaroid cameras at the reception.  I love this idea! Pass out Polaroid cameras to your guests and have a blank photo album that they can put them in. In addition to the gorgeous shots taken by your traditional wedding photographer, you will find yourself with lots of fun and sometimes humorous candids as well.

 

• Video Interviews of your guests.  Have your videographer bring an extra camera person with him (or simply ask a family member with a video camera) to go around to all of the guests and interview each of them. Ask them how they met the bride/groom, what their favorite memory is of the couple or most embarrassing moment, or what their message is to the bride and groom’s future children. This is wonderful footage that can either be incorporated into the wedding video itself, or simply something extra that the bride and groom can enjoy after the honeymoon. It makes the whole experience that much more personal. I have a friend who did this, and the mother of the groom passed away not long after the wedding. The interview that they had with her on that day is now one of their most cherished videos. 

• Photo booth or glamour shots.  Set up a booth or area off to the side of the reception. You definitely don’t want to replace the regular wedding photography, but this can definitely complement it and add to the fun of your guests! Let them step inside and take fun photo booth pictures, or have a photographer there specifically to take glamour shots. After the wedding, send them copies with a thank you note, and keep your favorites to include in your photo album.

Citrus and Peaches

Photo courtesy of Veil and Bow.

I just had to share these photos from a wedding recently featured on Style Me Pretty – everything about this day was so sweet and delicious! The color scheme of warm peach, gold, citrus, light blue and aqua is soft and romantic and I find myself completely lost in every single picture. It looks like a perfect southern afternoon.

I also have to say -- the paper designs are absolutely beautiful! The bride is a graphic designer and decided to do all of the designing herself for the invites and signage and such. I think she did an amazing job. That and so many other handmade tidbits that other friends and family contributed really made this day special for the couple. Her mother sewed the bowties and her father made the cake stands – and the groom and his best man even brewed beer for all of their guests!

Photo courtesy of Veil and Bow.

Photo courtesy of Veil and Bow.

Photo courtesy of Veil and Bow.

Photo courtesy of Veil and Bow.

Photo courtesy of Veil and Bow.

Here’s another fun little tidbit: the bride had her grandmother’s 1940’s dress altered specially so that she could wear it towards the end of the party. It was hidden away in a costume drawer for decades. She had a seamstress hem it and remove the wrist-length sleeves, patch up several holes and iron it for her. So fantastic!!

 

 

 

Photo courtesy of Veil and Bow.

Photo courtesy of Veil and Bow.

Photo courtesy of Veil and Bow.

Photo courtesy of Veil and Bow.

Photo courtesy of Veil and Bow.

Photo courtesy of Veil and Bow.

Photo courtesy of Veil and Bow.

Photo courtesy of Veil and Bow.

Photo courtesy of Veil and Bow.

There really isn’t anything about this wedding that doesn’t make me smile. From the gorgeous floral arrangements by Jackie Brooks to the bowls of peaches and the super-yummy looking cakes, to all of the summery décor that brings out the beauty of the location, it all comes together wonderfully. (Speaking of the location, aren’t those regal old cypress trees that line the Cypress Trees Plantation on Edisto Island just breathtaking? Now I really want to go see it for myself!!)

Photo courtesy of Veil and Bow.

Photo courtesy of Veil and Bow.

Photo courtesy of Veil and Bow.

Photo courtesy of Veil and Bow.

Photo courtesy of Veil and Bow.

Photo courtesy of Veil and Bow.

Photo courtesy of Veil and Bow.

Photo courtesy of Veil and Bow.

Photography: Veil and Bow

Event Coordinator: Simply Smitten Events

Location: Cypress Trees Plantation

Paper and Pattern perfection!

Photo courtesy of Envelopments.

Happy New Year, everyone! Out with the old, and in with the new… and what does this coming 365 day calendar hold in store for BG Design? I’m so excited to find out!! Lately I’ve been coveting all of my paper goodies, sifting and sorting through solids and patterns, trying out new color schemes and combinations. There is something so delicious about the perfect color and pattern combo that just makes my heart sing!

Photo courtesy of Envelopments.

Photo courtesy of Envelopments.

Photo courtesy of Envelopments.

I also get a lot of wonderful inspiration from our vendor’s blog – Envelopments. They always have fabulous examples of invites, envelopes, cards, table toppers, and everything paper. What’s great about their samples is that sometimes our brides will see something that they really like, but they want to change things around a little bit and customize it so that it is more personal to them. We always love using our expertise to find just the right design elements that give them exactly what they want, making their paper goods extra special for their big day. Every wedding should be just like a snowflake: truly one of a kind.

Photo courtesy of Envelopments.

Photo courtesy of Envelopments.

Photo courtesy of Envelopments.

When it comes down to it, I just really enjoy the process of putting new designs together. Because each wedding is different, the variety is what makes it so much fun!! It usually takes a little experimentation – you know, asking yourself ‘what would this pattern look like with that color? And what if we added this color to the mix?’ Sometimes you move design elements around and try different things, but when you find that sweet spot, you just know. You look at it all come together and get that giddy rush of excitement, and you think, this is it! It’s that delicious moment when the magic happens that is one of the many reasons why I just love what I do.

Photo courtesy of Envelopments.

Photo courtesy of Envelopments.