Can you believe today is New Years Eve already?! 2014 has been so good to The Graceful Host, and we've seen some really beautiful brides, handsome grooms, and absolutely stunning weddings! So, we're continuing our countdown of the "Best of 2014" by sharing a few of our favorite photos from this last year. If you missed yesterdays post, check it out here!
Couple Portraits
One of the first things I do when I get photos back from a photographer is to look for the portraits of the bride and groom! And oh my gosh have we had some seriously gorgeous brides and dapper grooms over the past year! // 1. Keely and Hill; 2. Adriana and Terrell; 3. Veronica and Chip; 4. Katie and Eric; 5. Mia and Alex; 6. Christi and PJ; 7. Lauren and Will; 8. Lauren and Chris.
Photo credit (starting top L): 1. Lauren Friday Photography; 2. Richard Israel Photography; 3. Jeremy Igo Photography; 4. Lauren Rosenau Photography; 5. Lauren Rosenau Photography; 6. Lauren Friday Photography; 7. Lauren Rosenau Photography; 8. Love Shutter Photography.
Wedding Cakes
I'm head over heels for cake, I will be totally honest. It's like torture sometimes going to cake consults because I can't really eat cake - and lets face it, I'd be a house if I had cake with every single consult! These are just a few of the yummy and beautiful cakes we've had over the year! And I have to spot light the gorgeous cakes created by talented bakers for various styled shoots over the past year. // 1. Beautiful sugar flower work by The Wow Factor Cakes from this wedding; 2. Lace detailing was inspired by the brides dress by The Wow Factor Cakes from this wedding; 3. Romantic blush cake with gorgeous peonies by The Wow Factor Cakes from this wedding; 4. You should always have equal ratio cake to flowers like this beautiful cake by For Goodness Cakes from this wedding; 5. A custom monogram on this incredible cake was recreated by The Wow Factor Cakes for this wedding; 6. A fabulous trio of cakes by Got What It Cakes; 7. Beautiful Mardi Gras-inspired cake by Got What It Cakes for this styled shoot; 8. Naked cake by Sky's The Limit Custom Cakes & More from this styled shoot; 9. Incredible sugar flower work by Sky's The Limit Custom Cakes & More from this styled shoot; 10. Amazing little trio of cakes with lots of textures by The Wow Factor Cakes from this styled shoot.
Photo credit (starting top L): 1. Lauren Rosenau Photography; 2. Lauren Rosenau Photography; 3. Lauren Friday Photography; 4. Jeremy Igo Photography; 5. Richard Israel Photography; 6. Love Shutter Photography; 7. Old South Studios; 8. Crystal Stokes Photography; 9. Old South Studios; 10. Crystal Stokes Photography.
Invitations and Paper Goods
I absolutely love paper products! We've had some truly stunning paper goods walk out the door and into guests mailboxes over the past year. // 1. Classic formal suite by Elisabeth Rose for this wedding; 2. Fun and fabulous save the date by Pink Toast Ink for this wedding; 3. Stunning suite for this inspiration shoot by Pink Toast Ink; 4. Beautiful menu for this inspiration shoot by Elisabeth Rose; 5. Unique and gorgeous save the date for this garden wedding by Elisabeth Rose; 6. Southern romantic invitation for this wedding by Olive Paper.
Photo credit (starting top L): 1. Lauren Rosenau Photography; 2. Courtesy of Pink Toast Ink; 3. Crystal Stokes Photography; 4. Old South Studios; 5. Richard Israel Photography; 6. Lauren Friday Photography.
Bridal Shoes
We've had some truly fabulous shoes go walking down the aisle over the past year! Here are just a few of my favorites. // 1. Gorgeous Valentino pumps for this bride; 2. Fun pop of color with these Christian Dior heels for this bride; 3. A little Kate Spade glitter and bows for this bride; 4. A touch of sparkle with these Kate Spade heels for this bride.
Photo credit (starting top L): 1. Lauren Friday Photography; 2. Lauren Rosenau Photography; 3. Lauren Rosenau Photography; 4. Beauty for Ashes.
Flower Girls
Over the past year, we have had some truly adorable flower girls! Here's my thoughts on flower girls - the more tulle and sparkle, the better! How cute are these little dolls?! // 1. This little sweetheart stole the show at this wedding; 2. Loved this adorable flower girl's flower crown from this wedding; 3. Flower girls in ballerina-inspired dresses passing out roses to guests as they walk down the aisle during this wedding; 4. Can't get enough of this adorable navy dress with a pink pomander ball from this wedding; 5. This little angel was so cute walking down the aisle with her beautiful dress from this wedding; 6. The brides sister was the most adorable flower girl and love standing by her big sister at this wedding.
Photo credit (starting top L): 1. Lauren Rosenau Photography; 2. Lauren Friday Photography; 3. Richard Israel Photography; 4. Beauty for Ashes; 5. Jeremy Igo Photography; 6. Lauren Rosenau Photography.
Centerpieces and Decor
My favorite part of wedding planning is working with the bride to bring her dreams to life in a way that reflects her personality. 2014 brought us some truly beautiful weddings - and just think, this isn't even all of them! I'll never be able to say thank you enough to all the couples we've had the opportunity to work with over the past year for allowing me to be a part of their weddings! // 1. Secret garden inspired centerpieces by Chelish Moore Flowers for this wedding; 2. Whimsical and elegant centerpieces by New Creations Flower Company for this wedding; 3. Vibrant pop of color for this Uptown wedding with flowers by New Creations Flower Company; 4. Pure luxury for these tall centerpieces by New Creations Flower Company for this wedding; 5. Southern-inspired vignettes by New Creations Flower Company for this wedding; 6. Southern-inspired vignettes by New Creations Flower Company for this wedding; 7. Classic centerpieces by New Creations Flower Company for this wedding; 8. Romantic candelabras by New Creations Flower Company for this wedding; 9. Sweet vignettes by New Creations Flower Company for this wedding; 10. Chic lounge furniture from Sterling Events Group surrounds the dance floor at this wedding; 11. Layer texture upon texture with 7 different centerpiece designs by Chelish Moore Flowers for this wedding; 12. Kennedy-inspired centerpieces by New Creations Flower Company along the kings table for this wedding; 13. Kate Spade-inspired centerpieces by New Creations Flower Company for this wedding; 14. Whimsical and elegant centerpieces by New Creations Flower Company for this wedding; 15. Creative and colorful for this wedding with flowers by New Creations Flower Company and wooden block runner created by The Graceful Host.
Photo credit (starting top L): 1. Richard Israel Photography; 2. Lauren Rosenau Photography; 3. Smitten and Hooked; 4. Lauren Rosenau Photography; 5. Lauren Friday Photography; 6. Lauren Friday Photography; 7. Lauren Rosenau Photography; 8. Jeremy Igo Photography; 9. Lauren Rosenau Photography; 10. Smitten and Hooked; 11. Richard Israel Photography; 12. Lauren Rosenau Photography; 13. Lauren Rosenau Photography; 14. Lauren Rosenau Photography; 15. Beauty For Ashes.
Ceremonies
The whole purpose for the celebration of a wedding is the actual ceremony! I love seeing my couples exchange vows and take their first steps together as husband and wife. It's a really special moment to witness! // 1. A museum was the perfect place for these I do's; 2. Exchanging vows with a breathtaking view of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Asheville for this wedding; 3. To honor the bride and groom's heritage a bagpiper lead the recessional at this wedding; 4. A formal Catholic ceremony for this wedding; 5. An outdoor ceremony was just beautiful for this wedding; 6. This historic Uptown church was the perfect location for these I do's.
Photo credit (starting top L): 1. Lauren Rosenau Photography; 2. Lauren Friday Photography; 3. Lauren Rosenau Photography; 4. Richard Israel Photography; 5. Lauren Friday Photography; 6. Lauren Rosenau Photography.
I'll be eternally grateful for all the opportunity to work with each one of our 2014 couples! I have had so much fun reliving 2014 through all these gorgeous photos in part 1 and part 2 - and I hope you've enjoyed looking through just a few of my favorites. I can't thank you enough for stopping by to celebrate with us! Cheers to life, love, health and the New Year of endless possibilities!
XO,
A.