Featured: A Whimsical and Romantic Wedding at the Mint Museum Uptown

I am over the moon to see Katelyn and Phillip's summer wedding at the Mint Museum Uptown featured on Style Me Pretty! Honored and humbled just skims the surface of how I felt when this amazing bride changed her wedding date to hire me as her planner after finding out that I was already booked for her original intended date. Working with these two was a breeze and so much fun! There was definitely no shortage of laughter at each meeting. Katelyn came to me with a vision of a vintage romance and elegance, and we married her style (Ha! Pun intended, of course!) with Phillip's artistic and minimalistic aesthetic. It's always a fun challenge when a bride and groom have different styles to create a wedding design that fits both their needs. The outcome is without a doubt one of my all-time favorites!

Be sure to head over to Style Me Pretty to see the full feature by clicking here. And check out this blog post for more behind the scenes and photos from Katelyn and Phillip's big day! K + P, thank you so much, again for allowing me to be a part of your big day! It was such an honor!

XO,
A.

Wedding Inspiration: Modern Romance

Lucky for us, our first wedding of 2015 will be K & R's lovely wedding at  The Ritz Carlton Urban Garden. Our inspiration board has me eager for spring with this gorgeous color palette of blush, ivory and pale grey. We've definitely got a few tricks up our sleeve that I am just so excited to see unfold! This sweet bride wanted the feeling of over the top romance meets chic, modern flair. I absolutely can't wait to celebrate these two in a few short months with an amazing vendor team! In the meantime, we'll be hard at work finalizing some fun details, but I couldn't resist sharing a peek into this beautiful wedding design.

XO,
A.

Our 2014 Christmas Card

Christmas is my favorite time of year. I love the feelings of joy and focus on family that surrounds the weeks leading up to Christmas Day. Every year I send out a card to share with family and friends. And while our cards in the past have done the trick, I was never as excited as I should be because I never had the right photo to send out. My husband and I have almost no photos of each other since our wedding back in 2012... and even so, there are very few portraits. So, I approached Lauren Rosenau Photography for a little anniversary shoot in October at one of my favorite spots in Charlotte - Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens.

This shoot was special to me for so many reasons. Most of all it was a chance for Todd and I to finally have a photo together that wasn't taken on a silly iPhone. I was also beyond excited to have the chance to be on the other side of Lauren Rosenau's camera. Lauren is one of my favorite photographers in Charlotte - I just love the way she views the world! But another reason why these photos are so important is because I finally feel like my authentic self. After losing close to 70 pounds over the past year, I can say without a doubt that I've never felt more like myself than I do now. It was hard looking at photos from my wedding day and staring into the eyes of a girl who I just didn't identify with. Shedding the weight was like shedding a second skin. After years of trying to achieve success with weight loss, I've finally done it and I finally feel like myself. So, I jumped at the chance to have Lauren take a photo of Todd and I that I could be proud of. I know it seems crazy to place so much meaning on a photo, but for me, these are nothing short of priceless.

So, now that the sappy personal post has come to an end, I'd like to share our 2014 Christmas card and a few of my favorites from our anniversary shoot with Lauren Rosenau Photography.

Our pup Charlotte even joined in on the fun for some family photos!! I'll cherish these forever and ever! 8.5 years with this sweet guy.... and not a day goes by that I don't thank God that our paths crossed. Thank you to Lauren for capturing us. I am so grateful for your friendship and your endless, incredible talents! Huge thanks to Erin Ashley Makeup for making me feel so beautiful. I am so grateful for you! And to New Creations Flower Company for the gorgeous bouquet and sweet garland for Charlotte. Your talents and creativity are limitless, and I'm so thankful for you! I feel so blessed to know and work with so many creative and talented ladies! :) I also want to include a huge thanks to all those who continue to support me in passion for my business and in my pursuit for health and wellness.

From my family to yours, may your Christmas season be merry and bright! I hope each of you has a safe and healthy holiday, and that the new year brings all your dreams into reality! 

XOXO,
A.

Recap: Joy Thigpen Workshop

At the end of our wonderful 2014 wedding season, I had the opportunity to attend the Joy Thigpen Workshop in gorgeous Serenbe, Georgia. I've long admired Joy, and I jumped at the chance to learn from her! With topics ranging from aesthetics & styling, to branding & making a career out of your passion, the two-day workshop was chock-full of amazing information that I couldn't wait to apply to my own business and clients. And we ended the workshop with a fun flower arranging tutorial. I had never attempted to create a floral centerpiece - and between you and me, I'm not sure I will in the near future because it is so not as easy as it looks! I'll just leave that piece of creativity up to the professional florists. :) Attending workshops and continuing education sessions is so important to me because I'm constantly learning. I don't ever claim to "have it all together" or to know everything there is to know about business... plus it's always changing! I believe in constantly stretching my limits and seeking out every opportunity out there in order to be a better business owner for my brides and grooms.

Hands down, one of my favorite parts of attending educational workshops is all the incredible people I am able to meet! There were so many amazing, creative women with wonderful stories in attendance. I always walk away learning just as much from the other attendees as the speakers. And it's so great to have friends from all over the country who are going through exactly what I'm going through at any given point in their business. The network of support that is created after these intimate experiences are invaluable! I'm so grateful to have had this opportunity, and I wanted to share some photos from the workshop. Huge thanks to the very talented Rylee Hitchner for taking gorgeous photos throughout the workshop and of all our centerpieces!

So proud of my first floral creation! And the property at the Serenbe Inn is so beautiful, I couldn't resist sharing a few photos of the property.

XO,
A.

The Perfect Bridesmaid Gifts

Much like your beau, your girl friends are with you through thick and thin, better and worse.  After you've asked your bestie to stand by your side for the big day, treat them with a special thank you gift. Since I have many brides who ask for advice on what to get their bridal party, I thought I'd share a few of my favorite gift ideas for your bridesmaids.

Buying Guide: 1. Gift them professional hair and/or makeup services | 2. Jewelry to go with their dress, like these adorable earrings | 3. A robe or t-shirt for getting ready in the suite before the ceremony | 4. Bridesmaid tote bag to keep all their belongings together as you go throughout the day | 5. Travel or cosmetic bag, because can you ever have too many?! | 6. A monogram clutch to take to the reception | 7. Stylish flip flops for dancing all night long | 8. Cute personalized koozies perfect for the bachelorette party and wedding weekend festivities

XO,
A.

Engaged: Shelby and Jordan

This sweet couple just melts my heart! Shelby and Jordan's parents actually live across the street from each other. One day the cute boy across the way and the girl next door met, and the rest was history! 

I absolutely adore this bride and her family! We've been having a blast planning their June wedding at Foundations For The Carolinas. I can't wait to share the details of their design plan soon! But for now, look at this adorable engagement session from Smitten and Hooked. 

These two are huge panthers fans.... so, of course the had to include their love of football and Charlotte!

Aren't these just the sweetest engagement photos?! Congrats, Shelby and Jordan! Just 7 more months until the big day! 

XO,
A.

Featured: Easy Entertaining

Thank you to Lake Norman Magazine for asking some advice for easy entertaining this holiday season! Hosting a party is without a doubt one of my favorite things to do! The party planning process can be very overwhelming and the day of the party is usually full of organized chaos, but why not try some of these great tips this year so that you can a Graceful Host!

xo,
A.

Featured: Glamorous Spring Wedding

I am so excited to see Whitley and Darian's beautiful wedding featured on Style Me Pretty today! I had so much fun working with this sweet bride - I LOVED her chic and glamorous style. The vendors that helped bring this couple's amazing vision to life were some of the best around. So grateful to have worked with such incredible professionals! Thank you, Style Me Pretty, for featuring this wedding! What an honor! Be sure to check out the full feature and gallery on Style Me Pretty today!

For more photos from Whitley and Darian's big day, click here.

XO, 
A.

Personal: That's A Wrap!

Y'all. The 2014 wedding season is officially over as of this past Saturday. I cannot believe I just said those words! This year, I have been fortunate enough to be a part of 22 celebrations, 5 styled shoots, & 3 bridal portrait sessions, and I've attended 3 educational workshops in Charleston, Dallas, & Serenbe, Ga. It's been the most amazing year ever - a journey of a lifetime! In all honesty, when I took over The Graceful Host 2 years ago, I could never ever have imagined where this business would end up. I had never owned a business - I mean, how do I do this for real?! Of course I learned a lot after my first year of business being truly on my own, and I started to write down some goals and dreams for my next year of weddings - the 2014 season. But I think the most important step I took after 2013 ended was to begin to refine the brand of The Graceful Host. Who is The Graceful Host? What does she do for fun? What are her favorite things? What is she like? I asked myself pages and pages of questions and spent hours reflecting on what this business really means and why I even want to be a wedding planner. What's my "why"? Why do I do this? How do brides benefit from my services? What can I offer my brides? I had the opportunity to attend a few workshops this past year that have really helped me focus my direction of The Graceful Host. These workshops have been some of the most beneficial learning lessons of my entire year!

As I look back on the past 10 months, I'm in serious shock and awe. I can't even believe that I have had the chance to work with 22 truly amazing & special brides over this past year!! Just one word comes to mind.... THANK YOU! Thank you to each of my beautiful brides, dapper grooms, & their sweet families for putting your trust in me to plan and execute your wedding just as you've always dreamed. Thank you for giving me the chance to be creative and create an experience, not just a wedding day. Thank you for putting confidence in me to source a vendor team that would give you the best day ever. Thank you for letting me handle all the little details so that you can enjoy not only your wedding day, but the planning of your wedding day. Thank you for your kindness, respect, and love as you allowed me to be a part of your family for that important weekend. And most of all, thank you for choosing me to be a part of the biggest day of your life. My heart is seriously just bursting thinking all of this through. I know that hiring a wedding planner is an investment for couples and many don't want to take that money away from their budget. I totally get it! But to those of you who have invested in me - thank you for seeing the value of my services; for seeing my passion for this job; and for putting your wedding my hands.

I have to extend another heartfelt thank you to each of the vendors I've had the chance of working with over this past year! From old friends to new, it was such a pleasure to work with such talented professionals! I am grateful for all the support and kind words I've received.... It means so much to me to have people who understand exactly what I am going through as a creative entrepreneur, and to listen to all my questions and concerns. I'm a huge fan of creating a network and I believe in building others up because in doing so, you create a better environment for not only yourself but for everyone around you! Within such a supportive group, I've been able to bounce around crazy ideas, collaborate with incredibly talented people, and really challenge myself both creatively and personally. I'm so thankful to everyone who has believed in my dream and has helped me in my path to achieve all of my goals. It means the absolute world to me!

I am looking forward to 2015 and all the amazing couples that I have the pleasure of working with. I cannot wait to see where the next few months will take me! Cheers to the journey, friends! :)

XO,
A.

Just Married: A Whimsical Navy and Green Uptown Wedding at the Mint Museum Uptown

It is so hard to believe that just a few months ago this sweet couple, Katelyn and Phillip, were married. I'll never forget my first phone call from Katelyn. This busy bride-to-be knew that she needed a planner, and she'd do whatever it would take to get one - even changing her wedding date so that she could book me! Honored and humbled just skims the surface of how I felt when this amazing bride said that she couldn't imagine getting married without my help.

Working with these two was such a blast. There was no shortage of laughter at each meeting! Katelyn came to me with a vision of a vintage meets whimsical meets elegance wedding inspiration that had no shortage of personal touches and was big on family traditions. (We've got two Italian-Irish Catholic families here, y'all!) So with this inspiration in mind, I worked with her to create something unique and beautiful in a color palette of navy, cream and kelly green. The end result was seriously so beyond my wildest imagination - and the bride and groom were equally as wowed! Their reaction to seeing the reception space for the first time was one of my favorite moments of the year! I just love these two to pieces and I was so happy that they chose me to help them design and plan their perfect wedding day. Take a peek at some of my favorite photos from their beautiful summer wedding by the incredibly talented Lauren Rosenau Photography.

And don't miss Katelyn and Phillip's wedding featured on Style Me Pretty!

Huge thanks to all the talented vendors that helped make Katelyn & Phillips day so incredible!

Wedding Planner and Designer: The Graceful Host Photography: Lauren Rosenau Photography Florist: New Creations Flower Company Ceremony: St. Peter's Catholic Church Reception: Mint Museum Uptown Videography: Brian Bunn Films Catering: Something Classic Cafes & Catering Cake: Wow Factor Cakes Bagpiper: Carolina Bagpipes Entertainment: All The Right Grooves Ceremony Programs, Table Numbers & Seating Chart: The Graceful Host Hair and Makeup: Who's The Fairest Wedding Dress, Veil, & Belt: Kleinfeld Bridal Bride's Shoes: Badgley Mischka Transportation: R&R Pedicab

I absolutely can't get over how adorable these two are! Congratulations, Mr. & Mrs. Gilbert! Cheers to your happily ever after!

XO,
A.

Featured: Accept With Attitude

Many thanks to Charlotte Wedding magazine for interviewing me on the latest trends in wedding RSVPs. I am all for adding unique and creative twists in wedding details that will catch guests off guard, making them extra excited for the big day! As a lover of paper goods, it was so much fun talking about fun and quirky ways couples could make their wedding invitations more lively and interesting. The latest issue of Charlotte Wedding magazine is on newsstands now, but you can also check out the full article online by clicking here.

XO,
A.

Featured: Hope and Faith

I've been an admirer of Inspire Weddings & Marriage magazine for a while. I'm a huge fan of any publication that showcases marriage and real couples rather than just pretty things without substance and meaning. So when they reached out to ask me to design a shoot based on a real couple's love story, I didn't hesitate to accept! Once I heard Emily and Scott's incredible story, my heart immediately sank - how could you hold back tears after hearing about this couple's journey?! Their inspiring and unwavering devotion aside, I felt such a personal connection to this couple and their story.

On May 3, one of my dear friends was in a tragic car accident while serving in the U.S. Army in Venice, Italy. She's been in a coma ever since and has been fighting for her life every single day since that terrible night to regain consciousness and return to her husband, 3 year old daughter, family, and friends. So, when I heard that Scott had a terrible accident that left him unconscious and the doctors had told Emily to give up hope - so eerily similar to my friend, Captain Kimmy Fix - I just had to be a part of this project! Emily never gave up. The words she shares inside the pages of Inspire are absolutely beautiful. Scott is the definition of a fighter and his future is still so bright, with sweet Emily by his side.

I love to share background details on inspiration shoots because I feel like everyone has this perception that it's all glamour. Hate to burst your bubble friends, but styled shoots are really anything but glamorous. I mean, everything always turns out amazing - just look at the incredible images Julie Staley with Old South Studios captured! But, it took a lot of hard work to get there. Oh and always bear in mind that life is not perfect and things don't always go as planned. (I think Emily and Scott can attest to this!) Even though we had this date set for weeks to do a styled shoot, naturally Mother Nature stepped in with a different plan. She decided to let it monsoon - I'm not being dramatic here, y'all. Picture this: Outdoor shoot in a sunflower field. All the furniture and rentals are delivered. Hair and makeup has arrived to get our lovely models ready. Outfits have been coordinated. Cakes were en-route. Flowers were arranged. The photographer and I had just arrived when the sky opens up and it begins to pour. Absolutely pour. Don't even get me started on the lighting! I hadn't been that scared in so long. So, it took some scrambling. What do you do next?! With Emily looking so gorgeous and Scott so handsome, we couldn't afford to postpone until the next day. Thankfully our lucky started to turn around and the rain gave us a little reprieve. We rushed back out to the sunflower field and started snapping away. In all honesty, I think this is exactly what God had intended - everything happens for a reason, right? The sky that appeared as we started shooting was pure magic! We made the decision to break up the shoot into two parts - the couple was shoot that evening and then we did the details at 7:00am the following morning. You better believe I'm still cleaning mud off my shoes from this shoot. But, you probably couldn't tell any of that from these gorgeous photos. That's the amazing part of styled shoots. All the chaos and things that didn't go quite as planned are completely masked by the stunning images that are the result of a hardworking team.

My inspiration for this shoot was this incredible couple. These photos have captured this couple to the letter. Scott is so handsome, he's funny and sharp as a tack. He had us laughing so hard during this shoot! Emily is beautiful inside and out, so loving and attentive, and just the most kind-hearted person. Together they are so sweet. I used a color palette of yellow (a symbol of hope), dusty blue, blush, and green. For me, this color palette is sweet, romantic, and a bit playful. Just like Emily and Scott's story. I had this vision of Americana in my head - moving from industrial error to the modern 21st century. I loved the idea of mixing elements. Industrial metal and rustic wood with modern china and gold flatware for the table top. Soft, bohemian style lace Claire Pettibone gown (from J Majors Bridal Boutique) next to a preppy, modern Brooks Brothers navy suit.

The way this vision came together was really beautiful. I'm so proud to be a part of this team of talented vendors, who poured their love into this shoot. The magazine hits news stands this week! You can pick up a copy at your local Barnes & Nobel, or you can order a copy online. You have to read Emily and Scott's beautiful love story. Here are a few of my favorite images from our inspiration shoot.

Lindsey Regan Thorne of Be Pretty made this beautiful wife feel like a glamorous model. And I'm pretty sure Scott agreed with the rest of us that Emily's the most gorgeous woman in the world!

I created the vow runner backdrop using words of hope, faith, love, devotion, honor, and respect - all words that describe the commitment that is marriage. Creating this was so cathartic for me, personally. I felt like I was renewing my own vows by just writing the words and creating each statement! Couldn't be more excited with how this turned out!

I love the textures of this arrangement by Karisa of Nectar Floral Designs!

Carrie of Pink Toast Ink absolutely nailed the paper goods. How stunning is this suite she designed?

These cakes exceeded my every expectation. Ines of Sky's The Limit! Custom Cakes & More is such an artist!

So, if you know me then you know that I have to incorporate a signature drink into my designs! They're so fun - so why not! I opted for a fun champagne cocktail. Huge thanks to King of Pops for supplying us with these delicious popsicles. A fun and easy drink to make... how can you resist?!

I cannot thank Inspire Weddings & Marriage enough for allowing me to be a part of this shoot and to tell this sweet couple's story. And I have to brag on this amazing team of vendors that helped me create something really remarkable. I love working with creatives who are just as passionate about telling stories as I am. I'm so grateful for all your flexibility and team work!

Photography: Julie and Andrew Staley of Old South Studios
Styling and Design: Ashley Culicchia Cash of The Graceful Host
Floral Design: Karisa Pennell of Nectar Floral Designs
Cake Design: Ines Aranguren of Sky's The Limit! Custom Cakes & More
Paper Goods: Carrie Barker of Pink Toast Ink
Rentals: Party Reflections and AFR Events Furnishings
Hair and Makeup: Lindsey Regan Thorne of Be Pretty
Popsicles: King of Pops
Wedding Dress: Claire Pettibone from J. Majors Bridal Boutique
Bride's earrings: Scout and Molly's of Charlotte
Groom's attire: Brooks Brothers and Mens Warehouse

And a big thanks to our sweet models, Emily and Scott Agnew, for being so fabulous! We loved working with you! Cheers to your beautiful love!

XO,
A.

Just Married: Martha + Matthew

With fall wedding season in high gear, it's been a while since I've posted a real wedding! So, we're going to get back into the blogging spirit with Martha and Matthew's colorful and fun wedding! This bride is about as sweet as can be in every way. And the groom is totally goofy and fun-loving. I loved working with these two!! As we started to dive into planning, Martha - like so many brides - had a lot of trouble defining her style. She knew what she liked and didn't liked, but didn't know how to put her style into words. As a wedding planner and designer, thats my job! I'm here to help my brides and grooms sort through their Pintrest photos and magazine clippings, and define a cohesive style that will be carried out from start to finish. And, so that's exactly what we did together! Our end result was perfectly them in every way. We incorporated bits of sparkle and glitter, bright and vibrant colors, and unique hand-made elements into the design. Even their reception menu was a reflection of Martha and Matthew - the two have a love of Chinese and Asian food, so we incorporated a number of the couples' favorite dishes into their menu. It was important to incorporate unique and untraditional aspects into the wedding day. So this couple opted against tradition and didn't have a bridal party! With family and friends traveling in from all over the world to celebrate their marriage, Martha and Matthew went for an adorable chalk globe so that guests could "leave their mark". I loved how one of their guests - who are from Germany - surprised this sweet couple with one of the German wedding traditions, which is to do a project together after the wedding ceremony. So, Martha and Matthew cut out a gigantic heart from a sheet and then hopped through the center together into their future as Mr. and Mrs. Hogge!

The entire wedding day was absolutely perfect and so much fun! And thanks to an incredible team of vendors, Martha and Matthew had an amazing day celebrating with family and friends.

Wedding Planning and Event Design: The Graceful Host
Photography: Beauty for Ashes Photography
Videography: Iron Kite Films
Flowers: New Creations Flower Company
Ceremony and Reception Venue: Separk Mansion
Catering: Something Classic
Cake: Wow Factor Cakes
Paper Goods: Elisabeth Rose
Photo Booth: ShutterBooth
DJ:All The Right Grooves
Wedding Dress: JLM Couture from Hayden Olivia Bridal
Bride's shoes: Kate Spade
Grooms Suit: Custom
Hair and Makeup: Dollface Skin & Makeup Lounge
Popsicles: King of Pops Charlotte

One of my favorite portraits to date - how adorable are these oversized confetti-filled balloons?!

I created 64' worth of wooden block runners for the tables and painted them shades of gold, pink, and ivory. Yup - cut (with the help of my handy husband!), sanded, and painted every single inch of these. I absolutely LOVED seeing this vision come to life! I'm so glad our sweet bride trusted me to bring this unique detail to life!

Glitter in the vases - does it get any better than this?! Love this sparkly touch!

I love the highlight film from Iron Kite Films!

Don't you just love the details of this wedding?! Those extra large confetti balloons were such a hit - especially with our adorable flower girl! Huge thanks to Martha and Matthew for allowing The Graceful Host to be a part of your amazing day! Cheers to a lifetime of happiness, you two!

XO,
A.

Engaged: Christi + PJ

It's finally Christi + PJ's wedding week! This adorable couple will be traveling down from Boston, Massachusetts to beautiful Asheville, North Carolina in a few short days to say "I Do" at the Omni Grove Park Inn. Christi and PJ knew they wanted to have a fall wedding in the mountains, and the stunning views at the Grove Park Inn won over their hearts. We've had so much fun planning their intimate, fall-inspired wedding full of lush cranberry and golden tones. I cannot wait to head up to Asheville in a few short days to celebrate this fun-loving couple! In the mean time, as I finalize some of their wedding details, I'm excited to share Christi + PJ's beautiful engagement session from Lauren Friday Photography! I love how these two fit so perfectly together - their love is just so sweet! Cheers to the best week ever, you two!

XO,
A.

How To Plan A Wedding Menu

Brides and grooms always have dozens and dozens of questions around catering! I can't blame them, really, when there are a lot of choices and so many different ways you can go about planning a wedding reception menu. I think one of the most daunting tasks of wedding planning for brides and grooms is creating the perfect menu. Many of my couples aren't sure how to wrap their minds around catering and menu planning. So, where do you begin? How do you choose a caterer? What style of menu is right for your wedding? How in the world do I keep the food budget under control? There are so many questions to be answered! I've asked Catherine Luckadoo with Something Classic Catering & Cafes to give some expert advice on how to plan a wedding menu and to provide some insight into choosing the right caterer for your wedding.

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Q: When first starting to plan for your wedding reception menu/food, what is the best piece of advice you can give to a bride and groom? What should they know going into this part of wedding planning so that they don't get overwhelmed and frustrated, or make too many costly mistakes? A: It's your day so make it a menu YOU like!  Choose items that reflect your personalities, cultures, and relationship with each other.  If you are from very different regions, select items that represent both areas.  If you love to eat pizza together, choose a small mini pizza as one of your butlered hors d'oeuvres for cocktail hour.  If you got engaged over cheesecake, incorporate cheesecake into your desserts.  Use food tags to identify why you chose some of the selections.  The more your menu reflects the two of you, the better.  Have fun with picking your menu and trust your caterer to help guide you with quantities and balancing the menu selections.

Q: Are there any specific food items, food genres, and/or serving styles that you would recommend to couples looking to plan a menu on a budget? A: Steer clear of a plated dinner if you are on a tight budget.  The food itself is not necessarily the most expensive option but the service required to execute a seated dinner - to get your guests served quickly and efficiently - is about 5% higher. A simple buffet is generally the most cost effective.  And a pasta buffet is typically the most economical way to really fill up your guests and keep them happy.

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Q: The big debate: station style menu vs. a plated meal. From a catering perspective, can you give one or two pro(s) and con(s) of each menu style? A: Variety is the spice of life as they say, so the more variety, the better chance you have of pleasing all of your guests with varying tastes.  A stations menu allows you more selection.  Keep in mind it is also a little less structured so there is a slightly less formal feel to how it is presented and served.  A seated menu can be more time effective if you want to get your guests fed quickly and get on with the party!  It is also a little more formal in the fact that your guests are being served directly to their tables.  The major con, I would say, is that it is a lot more work for you.  Unless you plan to serve all of your guests the same meal, you have to keep track and organize everyone's meal selections from their RSVP cards to turn in to your caterer.

View More: http://laurenrosenauphoto.pass.us/whitleyanddarian

Q: What are some of your favorite wedding menu/food trends that you’ve seen lately?
A: It’s all about “small plates” right now. Guests love the cute and clever presentation of their own petite dish full of fun and unique flavors. The small plates we are using at Something Classic these days are everything from an actual small plate, a mini cast iron skillet, a ceramic Asian spoon, a shot glass, a bamboo steamer pot, an espresso cup, and a petite mason jar, to name just a few.  You can take what would ordinarily be a rather uninteresting raw vegetable display, for example, and turn it into something fun and enticing by placing those same vegetables and dips in a little personal mason jar.

Q: Let's break down a wedding menu. How do you recommend brides and grooms plan a wedding menu so that it's balanced and appealing to all their guests? 
A: Let your caterer and wedding planner help guide you - and don't be afraid to ask for help.  No one expects you to know how to plan a perfect wedding menu.  Start by making a list of your dream selections and then your caterer can help ensure that it is balanced, well rounded, and cost effective.

Q: There are so many dietary restrictions these days, and all brides want their guests to be well-fed and comfortable. So, when planning a menu for your reception, how many options is enough and what suggestions do you have for accommodating guests dietary restrictions, while keeping costs in mind?
A: Don't get too bogged down in this one but it is, in fact, very considerate to try to accommodate the dietary restrictions of your guests as much as possible.  It is probably the easiest to do when you are planning a seated dinner and guests have the option of notating their restrictions on the response cards.  On the other hand, as I mentioned previously, the more variety you offer, the more chance you have of providing something for everyone. At Something Classic, we like to provide attractive menu cards to place by all of the food so that guests know what they are eating and can avoid anything that is not preferable (or not safe) for them to eat.  Ask if your caterer will provide those and if not, you may want to consider printing your own.

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Q: What are the top three things you should be on the look out for/consider when going into a menu tasting?
A: So in all honesty, this is a bit of a hot button topic for me and probably for many caterers.  Every company does tastings differently and many do not offer them at all. Let me start by saying, I totally get it.  I was a bride once too and I wanted a tasting to be sure we had made great selections.  But I was told that they didn't offer tastings and that I could visit their restaurant instead.  I was disappointed, but I had lunch there and was relieved to find the quality was excellent and I could rest assured my guests would be happy with anything we chose.  And they were! There is a misconception out there that every couple should get a five course tasting just for considering a catering company.  If we offered that to all interested couples, it is all would spend our days doing. Tastings are expensive and incredibly time consuming and labor intensive for chefs, and so we reserve them for our clients who have booked our services.  For those who are not comfortable booking without a tasting, we offer three options: excellent references, several restaurants owned by our company to give our clients an idea of the quality of our food, and we do offer a tasting at a fee to clients who have not signed a contract (which is waived if they move forward with our team).

All of this being said, if you are having a tasting, these are the things you will want to keep in mind:

1.) Accept trying any food offered even if it is not what is specifically on your menu.  It will at least give you a good feel for the quality coming out of the catering kitchen. 2.) Understand that unless you are working with a restaurant, tasting hours may be very limited.  Catering chefs work very long hours and weekends so they typically have small windows during the work week to produce tastings on a smaller scale.  You may need to take time off of work to attend. 3.) Keep in mind that caterers serve the masses.  While our food quality is excellent no matter how many guests we are serving, I have found that what is being prepared for the two of you to try at your tasting may not translate exactly the same on your wedding day when it has been prepared for 150 guests. 4.) Have fun with it!  The best part of your tasting is getting to experience the excitement and anticipation of your wedding day together. Don't take it too seriously and get bogged down too much in the details.

I leave you with this: Food is important and with it being a huge portion of the cost on your wedding day and a very big part of entertaining your guests, I completely understand why it can feel like a stressful decision.  But it doesn't have to be and it shouldn't be!  Find a caterer who loves what they do - it should be evident from the start.  If your coordinator is excited about your wedding, that will go a long way in the service your receive from the whole catering team throughout the planning process and on your wedding day.  Our head chef, David Clarke, tells us all the time upon receiving complements on his food, "We just put a little love in it".  If you find a caterer who will do just that, you will be in great shape.

Eat, drink, and be MARRIED!

XO, Catherine

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Huge thanks to Catherine at Something Classic for giving such great advice and insight into planning a great wedding menu that will please your guests - and your budget! I know wedding planning can seem overwhelming for couples - and planning a menu can feel nearly impossible. But, if you hire a professional and licensed caterer, you cannot go wrong! Trust them and their experience, and you'll have a delicious night your guests will enjoy. Happy planning, y'all!

XO,
A.

Anniversary: Morgan + Mike

Today, I'm having so much fun reliving Morgan + Mike's wedding! Hard to believe it's been one year since this beautiful bride and handsome groom said I Do. This architectual-inspired grey and white wedding at the Atrium at Byron's SouthEnd was so much fun to create! I loved working with Morgan, who is just so incredibly sweet. What a wonderful experience it was to work with such a great friend to help her plan and design the perfect day. But, even though the entire day was absolutely flawless, Mother Nature decided to RSVP - but that didn't dampen our bride and groom's spirits one bit! (Who ever said rain on your wedding day can't be incredibly romantic hasn't seen these beautiful photos from the talented Sarah Whitlow of Two Cents Photography!)

I can't believe how fast time flies by! I hope this first year of marriage was full of incredible memories and lots of exciting firsts. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to work with you both, and to create such a beautiful + fun day. Wishing you both a happy anniversary and many more years of wedded bliss! Cheers you two!

XO,
A.

Signature Drink: The Paloma

Happy Friday, y'all! Who doesn't love a good cocktail recipe as we head into the weekend?! I fell in love with this unique signature drink from Adriana + Terrell's Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden wedding. Throughout our planning, it was so important to tie in aspects of Adriana's Mexican culture. What better way to include our sweet brides heritage than through a traditional cocktail signature drink that would greet guests upon arrival! Within beautiful clay pots (straight from Mexico!), we served a very yummy Paloma!

(Photo by Richard Israel Photography // Catering by Best Impressions Caterers // Wedding Planning and Design by The Graceful Host // Wedding Venue is Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden)

The recipe:

-One oz of tequila
-Three oz grapefruit soda
-Splash of lime juice
-Splash of club soda

Serve over the rocks with a lime garnish. Don't have these adorable vessels to serve in? No worries - You can use a high ball glass as a substitute. Cheers to the weekend, friends!

XO,
A.

Bridal Portraits: Jacquelin

I'd like to introduce to you the stunning Mrs. Victory! This sweet bride is finally a Mrs. after over 4 years of being engaged to her high school sweetheart. Seems like a marathon, right?! Last weekend, surrounded by family and loved ones, Jacquelin said "I do" in a beautiful ceremony at Morning Glory Farm. I am so excited to share her gorgeous bridal portraits by the very talented Andy of Indigo Photography! Seriously, y'all - how beautiful is her dress?! Oh my goodness. This married lady is one heart stopping bride!

DSC_6188

Locations: Private Residence & Monroe Airport Bouquet: Elizabeth House Flowers Photography: Andy with Indigo Photography

XO,
A.