Featured + Real Wedding: A Modern Affair at The Mint Museum Uptown

We are honored to see Lauren and Andrew's modern & elegant Mint Museum Uptown wedding in the recent issue of Carolina Bride magazine. Lauren and Andrew met through mutual friends at Appalachian State University. If you're with either of them for even just a moment, you can tell that they are truly in love - as well as two of the most amazing human beings you'll ever meet. Being around them was like being in a Nicholas Sparks novel - two ridiculously good looking people, madly in love and sweet as pie!

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I first met Lauren and Andrew over brunch to talk about their big day. From the get go, I knew it would be a very good day! Lauren talked about her love of sparkle and that she wanted a day that was elegant and simple, yet luxurious feeling. We settled on a color palette of cream, black, champagne and gold. Lauren chose a gorgeous wedding dress that became a big source of inspiration for the detailing on the cake. Man, oh man did she take our breath away in this gown! Our bride carried a beautiful cascading calla lily bouquet created by New Creations Flower Company, and the ladies carried calla lilies as well. We intertwined sparkly elements throughout their design with the linens and centerpieces. The kings table was one of my favorites in our design, with a series of spray-like tulips cascading in the tall centerpieces with mirrored pillar candles and crystal votives going along the 24' table. It was stunning!

We had an amazing team of vendors who helped Lauren and Andrew have the best day ever. Thank you to everyone for all your hard work and for making this day as beautiful as it was!
Planning + Design: The Graceful Host
Photography: Julia Laible Photography
Flowers: New Creations Flower Company
Venues: Mint Museum Uptown
Wedding Cake: The Wow Factor Cakes
Entertainment: Split Second Sound
Hairstylist: Lindsey Pizzuti of Mirror Bomb Studios
Makeup artist: Erin Ashley Makeup
Wedding Dress Boutique: Belle Vogue Boutique in Kansas City
Gown designer: Martina Liana Bridal
Bride’s shoes: Jimmy Choo Ivory Shimmer Flats
Bridesmaid dresses: David’s Bridal
Tuxedos: Calvin Klein from Men’s Wearhouse
Invitations: Minted.com
Transportation provider: R&R Pedicab
Clergy: Pastor Reggie Hunt of Cornerstone Summit (Lauren and Andrew’s church during college)

Here are a few of our favorite photos from Lauren and Andrew's special day!

We were so honored to be a part of your celebration, Lauren and Andrew! Thanks for letting us in on all the fun! And don't forget to get your copy of the latest issue of Carolina Bride to see Lauren and Andrew's full feature on bookshelves now.

XO,
A.

Featured + Real Wedding: Garden Elegance at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden

We are over the moon and so thrilled to see Christina + Zach's Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden wedding featured in the pages of The Knot Carolinas!

Working with Christina + Zach last year was such a joy! I loved everything about our time together. This bride is just as sweet as she looks (x's a million!), and the love that they have for each other is so inspiring. Christina + Zach live in Raleigh, but wanted to plan a wedding in the Charlotte area since it was a half way point between their two families. Once they saw Daniel Stowe, they were sold! It was the perfect venue for their elegant garden wedding. When we met, Christina + Zach painted a beautiful picture of a garden wedding where they could bring the outdoors indoors and fill the room with full, lush centerpieces. They also stressed how important it was that they incorporate her Lao and Vietnamese culture into their day. With a color palette of blush, pink, green, and champagne we created a truly magical day for this amazing couple. (By the way, have you seen their inspiration board?)

I can't thank all the amazing vendors involved in Christina + Zach's beautiful wedding enough. It takes a village to pull off a killer wedding y'all, and I'm grateful for the chance to work with this wonderful team of talented vendors!
Planning + Design: The Graceful Host
Photography: Lauren Friday Photography
Floral Design: New Creations Flower Company
Venue: Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden
Catering: Best Impressions Caterers
Videography: Crown Alley Films
Entertainment: Split Second Sound
Rentals + Draping: Party Reflections
Hair + Makeup: William Henry Salon
Cake: Wow Factor Cakes
Wedding Dress: David Tutera from Savvi Formalwear in Raleigh, NC
Bridesmaid Dresses: Bill Levkoff from Savvi Formalwear in Raleigh, NC
Stationary + Paper Goods: Elisabeth Rose
Calligraphy for the Invitations: Delighted Calligraphy
Magnolia Leaf Calligraphy: The Graceful Host
Escort Card Calligraphy: Family member of the Bride and Groom

Here are some of my favorite photos from Zach + Christina's big day, thanks to the talented Lauren Friday Photography!

The boutonniere (photo on the right) was made of sweet peas, which is a nickname for Zach from Christina. And the turtle pin is a family heirloom from the grooms family. It's the sweet and special touches that make this wedding so unique and beautiful!

This family Bible has been passed down for generations in the grooms family and is traditionally part of the wedding day. 

 I love that their pup Amos was able to be a part of the ceremony! Mom + Dad are married!

I love all the heirloom pieces - and here's another one! The coop champagne glasses that the bride and groom toasted with are from the grooms parent's wedding day. 

Part of Christina's Vietnamese culture is to welcome each guest with a shot of cognac. Dressed in traditional Laos attire Christina welcomed her family, then changed to welcome into a traditional Vietnamese dress to welcome the other side her family with Zach by her side.

Christina + Zach it was an honor to be a part of your special day! Love you both! 

XO,
A.

Wedding Inspiration: Simple Elegance at The Mint Museum

We absolutely LOVE summer weddings! There is just something about this season that I just makes me fall in love year after year. The heat not being one of them, of course! ;)

We can't wait for our next wedding at the Mint Museum Uptown celebrating Jana + Jordan! We have been working hard planning a day that is perfectly "them", with custom details that are a reflection of their style and personalities, as they become Mr and Mrs in just a few short weeks. Final preparations are underway, but I wanted to share our inspiration board for this elegant, sophisticated yet simple neutral-colored wedding. We can't wait to share all the details with you!

XO,
A.

6 Non-Traditional Items You Should Add To Your Wedding Registry

When it comes to wedding registries, there are always questions: What do we need to register for exactly? Where should I register? How do I even start creating a registry? Registries can be confusing and overwhelming, but it shouldn't be! They should be a fun way for you and your future spouse to think about your future lives together - whether you're starting from scratch, or you already live together - and how you'll build your home. Of course there are some "must haves" when putting your registry list together. Things like china, kitchenware, & household goods are always popular - and let's face it, always needed! But how do you craft a wedding registry that you'll love and that reflects your personal style? Some couples get nervous about veering off the path of tradition, but I'm going to share with you 6 non-traditional items that should make you reconsider the road less traveled!

a.) A DSLR Camera
You're going to be honeymooning after your fabulous wedding. Ditch the iPhone and opt for a real camera to snap those memories of you and your spouse! Photo credit: beginner level DSLR, pictured is the Nikkon D3300

b.) Frames for a Gallery Wall
Couples invest in professional wedding photography to capture their memories. So it only makes sense that you consider displaying those happy memories proudly once you get your photos back for all who enter your home to see! It's so important to remember to print your memories. Just think about all the butterfly feelings you'll have looking at them each and every day! Photo credit: pictured is Framebridge via Haute Off The Rack.

c.) Bar Cart & Accessories
I don't know about you but after I got married I had a huge urge to host every party under the sun. What can I say - I love planning parties! ;) It's traditional to register for serving ware, dishes, glasses, etc. But what about your bar? Make sure you're ready for your first hostess gig with all the necessary equipment - and maybe a cute, stylish bar cart to display it all! Photo credit: Pintrest via Lydi Out Loud

d.) A Juicer
File this under a must have kitchen item! If you haven't discovered the joys of juicing, you're missing out. From fresh squeezed OJ for mimosas with brunch to a healthy serving of veggie/fruit juice for breakfast - the possibilities with this handy kitchen tool is endless. Photo credit: Jack LaLanne electric juicer via Target.

e.) An Ice Cream Maker
Who wouldn't want to make fresh ice cream every night? Okay, well maybe not every night - that would be counterproductive to the healthy juice you made earlier! But think about how fun it will be to make all sorts of yummy ice cream varieties with your sweetie, and one day your children. Talk about sweet memories. Photo credit: Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker via William Sonoma

f.) Herb Garden
You've registered for all the cookware and kitchenware under the sun, right? Well, now it's time to start cooking! An herb garden is a fun project for both you and your spouse to enjoy. I know in our home, we play "how long can we keep this plant alive" often. Not only will it add color, foliage, and fragrance to your home but it will add lots of flavor to your dishes! Photo credit: via House Beautiful - a perfect Ikea hack project!

Your friends and family ultimately want to buy you something that will make you happy. Take comfort in the fact that you can't really mess up a wedding registry. Remember that variety is key so that you can offer your guests different price points, and consider shopping at 2-3 stores. Any more than 3 and it gets a bit excessive. There are great websites like Zola that allows you to combine your registry from various shops in one convenient list for guests. But I wouldn't skip registering at each individual store. When it comes to getting the additional money off after your wedding has come and gone, you're going to want to make sure you've registered with that store in order to reap that benefit! So happy shopping, y'all!

XO,
A.

Featured: Keely + Hill's Southern Wedding at Boxwood Estate

We are thrilled to be kicking of this Friday with a feature on one of our favorite blogs, Carats & Cake!

Keely + Hill's southern, elegant wedding was one of our all time favorites. From the gorgeous decor, which was inspired by our brides classic style to one of the most fun wedding receptions we've ever seen. We're serious - the band Loose Chains had everyone dancing and partying all night long! And it was all in the name of celebrating one of the most incredible couples! Check out the full feature, here, on Carats & Cake. 

See a few of our favorite photos and more detail from Keely + Hill's special day in this blog post.

All this wouldn't have been possible without the help of our talented vendor team:
Wedding Planning and Design: The Graceful Host
Photography: Lauren Friday Photography
Floral Design: New Creations Flower Company
Ceremony and Reception: Boxwood Estate
Catering: Something Classic Catering & Cafe
Cake: Wow Factor Cakes
Entertainment: Loose Chains via East Coast Entertainment
Ceremony Musicians: Elegant Ensembles
Tent and Lighting: Party Reflections
Linens: Party Tables
Hair and Makeup: Lisa Freeze
Wedding Dress: Bellissima of Salisbury
Bride's Shoes: Valentino
Videography: Shamus Coney Films
Transportation: Salisbury Trolley Tours
Paper Goods: Olive Paper
Pillow, Koozie and Napkin Printing: Mom N Pop's Print Shop

XO,
A.

Real Wedding: Sophisticated Glamour at The Ritz Carlton Urban Garden

What happens with you get a gorgeous bride with an eye for design and a handsome groom with a smile that will light up a room?! You get Kendra and Randy's chic uptown Charlotte wedding at the Ritz Carlton Urban Garden! 

When I tell people I'm a wedding planner, their next immediate comment is "Oh I bet you deal with a lot of bridezillas!" I quickly answer, "Nope!". And I'm serious. My brides are some of the sweetest, most genuine, grounded women I've ever met. I feel so lucky to get to be a tiny part of their lives as they marry the love of their life. Kendra was an absolutely dream to work with! Here is a woman who knows what she wants - I love that! - and as a talented interior designer, she has an incredible eye for design - my kind of bride! Together, we created a wedding that was a perfect reflection of Kendra and Randy's style: sophisticated glamour.

This wedding day felt extra special because it was a celebration of two families coming together. The bridal party consisted of Kendra and Randy's family members and children, and Kendra was even escorted down the aisle by her two adorable son's! It was a beautiful Carolina spring day full of love!  

It's so easy to fall head over heels in love with this sweet couple! I loved every second of our time together and watching them say I Do was such a treat! Cheers to you, Mr and Mrs White! I am grateful to have been a part of your special day. And I have to extend a huge thank you to our team of talented vendors who helped make Kendra and Randy's day an absolute dream:

Wedding Planning + Design: The Graceful Host / Photography: Lauren Rosenau Photography / Flowers: New Creations Flower Company / Paper Goods: Pink Toast Ink / Venue, Catering and Wedding Cake: Ritz Carlton Charlotte, Urban Garden / Hair and Makeup Artists: Makeup by Jenny Le / Wedding Dress Designer: Victor Harper Couture / Wedding Dress Boutique: Nitsa's Apparel / Bridesmaid Dresses: Amsale Bridesmaid / Ceremony Musicians: Queen City Ensemble / Reception Band: In The Pocket via EastCoast Entertainment / Rentals, draping and furniture: Spark By Design / Rentals, linens and staging: Party Reflections / Rentals, linens: BBJ Linens / Rentals, linens: Party Tables

And don't miss Kendra + Randy's wedding featured on Inside Weddings! Read more about their story and see photos from their special day, here.

XO,
A.

Welcome to the World, Ryan Elliott

I hate to interrupt all the pretty wedding goodness - but today, I have a personal blog post to share with you today.

On April 6, 2016 my husband and I were thrilled to welcome our baby boy, Ryan Elliott Cash. After going into labor at 3:00am that morning, we made our way to the hospital and were all checked in by about 6:00am. I was actually 5 days past my due date and our midwives had scheduled an induction for that Friday. (And I swear to you that having that induction date scheduled was what sent me into labor!) Coming into the world a whopping 10lbs 11oz and 23inches, our son was a bundle of perfection with the prettiest red hair I've ever seen! And where the red hair came from, I'll never know. :)

Motherhood has been both wonderful and challenging. The first few days are no joke hard. Actually, there needs to be another word to describe it because hard just doesn't seem to do it justice! But just as everyone says, every single second of the tears - both of joy and sadness - is worth it for the sweet baby you get to snuggle in your arms. And as just everyone says, time flies by! I honestly cannot believe that our little boy is already one month old. 

Our birth story is nothing special or unusual. We knew that we would be having a "large" baby from our third trimester ultrasound. I had no health problems prior to getting pregnant, no gestational diabetes, no high blood pressure - nothing except a family history of large babies! At 36 weeks, he was already estimated to be over 7lbs and was measuring ahead by two weeks. We thought maybe he would come early since he was already a good size, but as one doctor reminded us - just because a child is the size of a kindergartener, that doesn't mean he's ready for kindergarten. That analogy helped put things into perspective for us, and we patiently waited and waited for when he would make his big arrival. Around 38 weeks, our midwives talked to us about potentially needing to schedule a c-section due to his estimated size - he was measuring at 41 weeks by this point! We prayed about it and consulted with OB/GYNs, and ultimately decided that it wasn't the best course of action and that we'd continue to wait it out. In the meantime, we put the finishing touches on his nursery, enjoyed plenty of time together, and I even worked a wedding at 40 weeks and 1 day pregnant! Fast forward to the morning of April 6 and it was finally time for us to meet our son.

Our families actually don't live anywhere near us, and I really wanted to have my mom there when I went into labor. I called her as we drove to the hospital around 5:00am, and by 7:30am she was on a plane from New Orleans to Charlotte. When I checked into the hospital, I was already very far along - 6cm! And by the time I was brought into my room I was approaching 8cm. It was at that time that I decided to go for the epidural. I have zero regrets about this choice. I really wanted to labor naturally for as long as possible, and I felt that I hit my limit and pulled the trigger before I was in too much more pain. The epidural made the process of birth so much more enjoyable and I was able to really be present rather than wishing I was anywhere else in the world, doing anything else! (And for anyone considering an epidural - I'm not a needle person. In fact, I pass out usually when I receive a shot. But the epidural was not bad at all and it was over in a flash - don't let it scare you, too!) So with the epidural by my side, we continued to wait. But we didn't have to wait very long. My contractions were increasing and I continued to dilate pretty quickly. Magically, which a change in position as directed by the nurse, my labor stalled a little. This delay allowed for my mom to land in Charlotte and make it to the hospital just in time for the birth! I know that was God working in our lives so that she could be there for this huge moment. Pushing was a whole different ballgame and it nothing like you see in the movies. After roughly 40 minutes of pushing, he was here! As they laid him on my chest, I was in shock that he was actually here. I was so overwhelmed with what was happening! This baby that I had prayed for, thought about for 9+ months, and dreamt about was actually here! And when the put him on me, I thought okay he's not that big - no emergency c-section like we thought might happen and he looks absolutely perfect. After a while they took him to go weigh him and clean him off and my husband, Todd, went with him. A few seconds later he goes, are you ready to hear how much he weighs? My guess was 9lbs 6oz, and we had taken the guesses from family and friends, too. So when Todd says 10lbs 11oz, I was just shocked! There's no way this baby was that big - he definitely didn't look like it. Then they gave me his inches and he was off the charts there, too! When they went to go stamp his foot, it was actually too big for the pad. So we realized pretty quickly that our baby boy was overcooked! :) But he was perfect in every way - just a little overachiever, I guess.

When we tried to figure out a name for our little guy, we really wanted something with significance. The only problem was that we had no significant family names for boys! (Go figure the list of girl names we had created was full of family names and names with emotional attachment - isn't that how it always goes, though?!) All of my family names were way too Italian to go with Cash, and Todd's family didn't have anything either. Todd's Dad had passed away in 2013 and the loss of his Dad still leaves a big hole in his heart. We wanted to honor his memory in some way - but no one, not even his Dad, was a fan of his name. So we decided to use his initials instead! Now that we had the letters REC, we needed to fill in the blanks! Ryan had always been a favorite name of mine since I was a little girl. When I was younger, having the large imagination that I had, I named my guardian angel Ryan Elizabeth after learning about angels in religion class one day. She was a "person" I prayed to all the time and I truly felt like I had an angel guiding me through life. Ryan Elizabeth was on our list of girl names, too. So when we nailed down the initials REC, using Ryan for our baby boy was a no brainer for me. I mean, Ryan is traditionally a boys name anyways! And now it means that my guardian angel finally came to life! I loved that we found a name with significance for both my husband and I - it makes saying his name that much more special.

Now that Ryan is here, our lives are that much more sweeter ...and a little less restful! We feel truly blessed to be his parents and to be given this gift. So happy one month birthday to our little sweet redheaded boy. We love watching you grow everyday! 

XO,
A.

Photo Credits: Hospital photos by my talented and sweet friend Allison Kuhn Photography // Newborn photo by the awesome Lindsay Thalinger Photography // iPhone snap by yours truly with a Batz Kids monthly milestone swaddle

Valentines Day Inspiration: Blush and Bashful

Valentines day is drawing near - if you didn't already know by the absurd amount of chocolates every where you go! I'll admit, I used to fight my love of the color pink for a long, long time. But I've accepted that I'm a girl who loves the color pink - and it feels great! All jokes aside, pink is a really beautiful color to add into your wedding color palette. In fact, it's one of the two Pantone colors of the year! Lets face it, nothing says fairytale love full of floating hearts and romance like a little infusion of pink into your wedding day. It's a versatile color that can easily take center stage in a design, or serve in more of a supporting role letting other colors shine. Here are a few examples of how our sweet brides have embraced the color pink and incorporated it into their wedding day!

Sophisticated Luxury at Ritz Carlton Urban Garden

Kendra and Randy, April 2015
Lauren Rosenau Photography
New Creations Flower Company

English Garden Party at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden

Danielle + Sam, June 2013
Rachel Fesko Photography
New Creations Flower Company

Secret Garden at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden

Adrianna + Terrell, August 2014
Richard Israel Photography
Chelish Moore Flowers

Elegance in Nature at Morning Glory Farm

Megan and Tyler, August 2015
Alicia White Photography
New Creations Flower Company

Chic and Modern at Foundation For The Carolinas

Jackie + Daniel, August 2014
Smitten and Hooked Photography
New Creations Flower Company

Sweet Southern Love at Boxwood Estate

Keely + Hill, May 2014
Lauren Friday Photography
New Creations Flower Company

Playful Vintage Elegance at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden

Mia + Alex, April 2014
Lauren Rosenau Photography
New Creations Flower Company

Sweet and Glamorous at Mint Museum Uptown

Rachel and Mike, October 2014
Lauren Rosenau Photography
New Creations Flower Company

Lush Garden Romance at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden

Christina and Zach, June 2015
Lauren Friday Photography
New Creations Flower Company

Let us know what you think! How will you incorporate pink tones into your color palette?

xo,
A.

Featured: Elegant Southern Irish-Inspired Wedding

Get ready to meet the most adorable couple ever! Megan and Tom were married in a sweet celebration in July of 2015 at the Cathedral of St. Patrick in Dilworth, followed by a reception at Charlotte Country Club. We infused so many details inspired by their lives and love story - read all about it here, on Style Me Pretty!

Here are a few of our favorite photos from Megan + Tom's wedding day!

Check out this amazing highlight video from videographer, Shamus Coneys Film!

Aren't they the cutest?! I am so, so, so thrilled to be able to share Megan + Tom's wedding day with the readers of Style Me Pretty and of course, you! This day was just as magical as it looked, and we have a team of talented vendors to thank for giving their all for Megan + Tom's big day!

Event Planning + Design: The Graceful Host
Photography: Lauren Friday Photography
Cinematography: Shamus Coneys Film
Floral Design: New Creations Flower Company
Stationery: Elisabeth Rose Stationary
Ceremony Venue: Cathedral Of Saint Patrick
Reception Venue: Charlotte Country Club
Makeup: Makeup By Jenny Le
Hair: Sara Egri
Band: East Coast Entertainment
Bridal Boutique: Bellissima Of Salisbury
Catering + Cake: Charlotte Country Club

Megan + Tom it was an absolute honor to be a part of your wedding day. I truly enjoyed getting to know you both and being a part of your celebration! 

XO,
A.

Featured: Simple and Chic Foundation For The Carolinas Wedding

We are over the moon to see Shelby + Jordan's beautiful wedding at Foundation For The Carolinas featured on Carats and Cake! Our lovely bride, Shelby, dreamed of a clean and elegant wedding in a color palette of neutral cream, white and grey. With modern and feminine touches, we created a timeless design with endless details inspired by Shelby + Jordan. Check out the full feature, here.

Here are a few of our favorite images from Shelby + Jordan's beautiful wedding day!

We absolutely LOVED working with Shelby and Jordan (and their families!) to help them celebrate their amazing wedding! These two danced well into the night and enjoyed a little late night pizza delivery from Fuel... it was such a fun party with Split Second Sound keeping the energy going strong all night. Shelby, thank you so much for allowing us to be a part of your special day - it was an absolute pleasure getting to see you two say I do! 

Huge thanks to all the vendors who made Shelby + Jordan's day so fantastic!
Planning/Design: The Graceful Host
Photography: Smitten and Hooked Photography
Floral Design: New Creations Flower Company
Catering: Best Impressions Caterers
Venue: Foundation For The Carolinas
Entertainment: Split Second Sound
Paper Goods: Pink Toast Ink
Cake: Sky's The Limit Custom Cakes
Makeup/Hair: Makeup by Jenny Le
Wedding Dress: Alvina Valenta from J. Majors Boutique
Grooms Attire: Vera Wang from Mens Wearhouse
Shoes: Badgley Mischka

Oh, and this just might be my favorite room reveal of all time... Shelby you're the best!

xo,
A.

Recap of 2015

It's been a wild and exciting year for The Graceful Host! We feel so honored and lucky to have worked with so many amazing couples over the past few months. With styles ranging from glamorous to organic, we've loved helping out brides + grooms bring their dream wedding to life! To celebrate a fabulous year - and our 3rd anniversary! - lets recap this gorgeous year!

Kendra + Randy
Ritz Carlton, Urban Garden
April 18, 2015
Photos by: Lauren Rosenau Photography

Melinda + Scott
Mint Museum Uptown
May 30, 2015
Photos by: CaptureMe Candid

Christina + Zach
Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden
June 6, 2015
Photos by: Lauren Friday Photography

Shelby + Jordan
Foundation For The Carolinas
June 13, 2015
Photos by: Smitten and Hooked

Megan + Tom
Charlotte Country Club
July 11, 2015
Photos by: Lauren Friday Photography

Cassie + Hunter
Mint Museum Uptown
August 8, 2015
Photos by: Lauren Friday Photography

Megan + Tyler
Morning Glory Farm
August 15, 2015
Professional photos by Alicia White Photography to come! iPhone snap shots by yours truly for now.

Brittany + Taylor
Mint Museum Uptown
October 3, 2015
Professional photos by Lauren Rosenau Photography to come! iPhone snap shots by yours truly for now.

There will never be the right words to express my gratitude to each of the families who allowed us to be a part of their special celebrations, to all our hardworking and talented vendors who went the extra mile to make our clients happy, and to my amazing team - whom without none of this would be possible!

I am going into 2016 with a very full and thankful heart for the year that was. Thank you for your support and love of my business... it's what drives me every single day! No doubt there will be some amazing things to look forward to in 2016 - like 7 incredible weddings, an all-new rebrand project to be revealed soon, oh and a new baby! ;) Take a bow 2015, you were a good one!

XO,
A.

12 Entertaining Tips from The Graceful Host

Huge thanks to The Venue Report for using some of my planning tips + advice in their recent article about entertaining! From words of wisdom & helpful tips to the perfect party play list & a few of my go-to recipes, I'm talking about ways you can make your life easier as you prepare to be the hostess with the mostest this fall and into the holiday season! Check out the full article, here.

Featured: Romantic Southern Wedding Inspiration at Graylyn Estate

I am over the moon to have our romantic wedding inspiration featured on Weddings Unveiled today! I have to extend a big huge thanks to Allison Kuhn Photography for all the gorgeous images! We were presented with many challenges in executing the shoot - the monsoon of a rain storm being the biggest of all. But thanks to Allison and Lindsey Regan Thorne of Be Pretty we moved on to plan B, and I think the end result is still absolutely stunning! Working with a talented team of vendors makes the biggest difference in the world, and I am so honored to have had the chance to work with an incredible team!

Creative Director, Styling and Calligraphy: The Graceful Host
Photography: Allison Kuhn Photography
Venue: Graylyn
Florals: Amy Lynne Originals 
Farm Table: Classic Party Rentals 
Chairs, China, Glassware Rentals: Party Reflections 
Linens: Nuage Designs 
Wedding Cake: Wow Factor Cakes 
Invitation Suite: Amanda Day Rose 
Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier from Nitsa’s 
Earrings: Nordstrom 
Hair & Makeup: Lindsey Regan Thorne 
Groom’s Attire: Jos. A. Bank 
Models: Bethany and Scott Grotz

Our inspiration came from the effortless elegance of Southern brides. Since lace, vintage touches, and a crisp white tuxedo are some hallmarks of Southern weddings, I took those elements and gave them a unique twist. The brides stunning Monique Lhuillier gown from Nitsa’s is a perfect example of a classic silhouette that has been modernized with a fun and flirty high low-esque skirt. I fell in love with the addition of the beautiful lace linen from Nuage Designs to our tablescape - it was the perfect way to add lace to our dining table! I brought in vintage china from Party Reflections for just an extra pop of color at each placesetting and added a flower with calligraphy place cards by yours truly. The color palette was one of my favorite aspects of this shoot! I am in love with the combination of pale yellow, blush, peach and green! The design is a mixture of classic and traditional Southern elements done in an elegant and sophisticated style. Be sure to check out the full feature on Weddings Unveiled! Here are a few of my favorite photos from the shoot.

XO,
A.

Featured: Jackie O Inspired Wedding in Uptown Charlotte

I am incredibly proud to see Lauren & Will's beautiful wedding featured on Weddings Unveiled today!! Working with this sweet couple was an absolute dream, and their wedding day is still one of the most fun we've ever had! This group knows how to party! I loved each and every detail we planned. When I first met Lauren, she mentioned wanting a wedding at was inspired by Jackie-O: timeless, classic and full of style. I fell in love with these two the moment we met, and we had such a blast planning for their August 9, 2015 wedding at St. Peter's Catholic Church, followed by the Charlotte City Club. Just wait until you see their stunning portraits by the talented Lauren Rosenau Photography around uptown Charlotte - these two are absolutely breathtaking!

Don't miss the full feature on Weddings Unveiled today by clicking here. And see a few of my favorite photos, as well as a full recap of Lauren & Will's big day in this post. Thank you so much, Weddings Unveiled for the gorgeous feature - it's an honor to share this special day with your readers!

Lauren & Will, thank you two so much for letting The Graceful Host be a part of your wedding day! You and your families will always hold a special place in my heart!

xo,
A.

Bringing Your Inspiration Board to Life

I'm excited to have had the chance to be a guest blogger for Kory Woodard today! We are talking all about creating inspiration boards and how you can bring your ideas into reality. Ever wonder how designers and planners start the design process?! It all begins with an inspiration board! I'm a big fan of using inspiration boards for all sorts of projects, but when it comes to planning an event, they're a big ol' must for organizing your thoughts and creating style boundaries. See some of my tips for creating your own inspiration board and see how you can bring your ideas to life!

Click here to view the full post, full of helpful tips and advice to get you started! And I want to extend a big thank you to Kory for asking me to be a part of her blog today! Check out her beautiful branding + design work, here!

XO,
A.

Wedding Inspiration: Garden Romance

It's no secret how much I love and adore garden weddings. Well, it's also no secret how much I love and adore this amazing couple! I am beyond excited for Christina & Zach's beautiful wedding in just a few short weeks at Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens. With nature as your inspiration, the sky's the limit! I love the different shades of pink and varieties of foliage we have planned for the centerpieces. And there are so many fabulous details planned for guests that incorporate our sweet couples' personal style and favorite hobbies together, as well as our bride's Laotian heritage. I am so excited about this design for Christina & Zach, and I can't wait for Lauren Friday Photography to capture it all. 

Take a peek at our inspiration board!

XO,
A.

Featured: Modern Sophisticated Southern Duke Mansion Wedding

I'm not even sure where to begin ... how do I even begin?! This is one wedding that will always hold a special place in my heart. It's not just because of the design, or the fabulous details involved. It is because of the incredible couple that is at the center of all this prettiness! Breeze and Montell have become more than just clients who were seeking guidance in creating their dream wedding - they've become dear, dear friends that I love so much! I could not be more thrilled to see Breeze and Montell's wedding featured on one of my absolute favorite blogs today, Style Me Pretty!

This gorgeous bride has impeccable style. She's a fashion-forward girl, and wanted a wedding that spoke to her forward thinking style, but also incorporated classic & timeless elements. With a crisp palette of cream, gold, and black, we achieved something so beautiful that mixed both contemporary and traditional design. The end result was nothing short of perfect for this amazing bride and groom! Creating this wedding was such an honor, and working with this bride was nothing short of wonderful. I'm truly grateful for all the trust Breeze put in me to bring her vision to life. I am so lucky to have such amazing brides & grooms that entrust me with one of the biggest, most important days of their lives.

With an all-start team assembled, we were able to achieve something so stunning and unique for this sweet couple. Fabulous photographer Lauren Rosenau of Lauren Rosenau Photography beautifully captured all the details that were oh so carefully planned. And Melanie Edwards with New Creations Flower Company exceeded all my expectations with her incredible interpretation of my design plan & amazing creativity. I don't have the words to say how much I love and adore Melanie - her talent never ceases to amaze me, and I just LOVE working with her! To have a partner like her that can seriously read my mind and know exactly what I'm envisioning is priceless! She seriously out-did herself with this one and I'm so, so proud of her! Carrie Barker with Pink Toast Ink blew it out of the park with the incredible paper goods. From unique invitation suites to a jaw-dropping mirrored seating chart, Carrie took my vision and ran with it! Don't even get me started with Sara Shelor from Party Reflections-Charlotte who has such amazing expertise, and not to mention incredible patience, that I just could not live without and love so much! I couldn't be more honored to work with some of the best wedding vendors in Charlotte on this amazing wedding.

Huge thanks to all the outstanding vendors involved in Breeze & Montell's wedding day!

Event Design And Planning: The Graceful Host
Floral Design: New Creations Flower Company
Photography: Lauren Rosenau Photography
Venue: Duke Mansion
Invitations, Seating Chart, and Paper Goods: Pink Toast Ink
Calligraphy: The Graceful Host
Hair : Mirror Bomb Studios
Makeup Artist: Erin Ashley
Linen Rentals, Tables, & Chairs: Nuage Designs
Tent, Chandeliers, Draping, Chairs & Linen Rentals: Party Reflections
Mixologist: Bob Peters
Wedding Cake: Kathy Allen Cakes
Catering: Duke Mansion
Bridal Boutique: Hayden Olivia
Wedding Dress: Modern Trousseau
Groom's Attire: Men's Warehouse
Bridesmaids' Dresses: Amsale
Reception DJ: Split Second Sound
Wedding Bands: Diamonds Direct
Brides Shoes: Valentino

I'm so excited to finally have the opportunity to share Breeze & Montell's story with y'alll! Be sure to hop on over to check out the full feature on Style Me Pretty! And I'm sharing some of my favorite photos from this beautiful day below. Believe me when I say that keeping these photos to myself has been so difficult!

I mean, could she be any more beautiful?! And I just have to say, I was so beyond honored that Breeze wore my earrings that I wore on my wedding day.

So here is where the miracle in this wedding day emerges. As the bride was finishing getting dressed the rain rolled in and it started to pour. We were all devastated! As a planner, I never want to go to plan B! I'm just as invested in my clients dream wedding day that we've all worked so hard to create! So moving the wedding indoors wasn't exactly something I was thrilled about. I made the very difficult (and ulcer-inducing) decision to delay the ceremony by 15 minutes because the forecast was looking like there could be chance for a break in the weather. Thankfully the decision paid off and the rain ceased just in time. We hustled to dry off chairs and seat guests as quickly as possible so that the ceremony could go on as planned! The smile on our sweet brides' face as she's walking towards the love of her life with her dad by her side were just absolutely priceless!

As a surprise to guests, Breeze & Montell brought in Bob Peters - mixologist extraordinaire! - to treat guests to a few signature cocktails that were inspired by the bride and groom! Needless to say, it was a huge hit with guests, and they tasted absolutely fabulous!

It was truly an honor to work so closely with this couple & their family! I love these two to pieces! Talk about two people who are madly in love - I just can't get enough of this bride & groom! I am so excited to share these amazing photos with you. The entire night was an absolute blast and everything was absolutely gorgeous! I was thrilled to be a part of Breeze & Montell's beautiful love story, and I wish them many, many more years of wedded bliss! Don't miss the full feature on Style Me Pretty! 

XO,
A.

By the way, our beautiful bride is an incredible athlete and trainer. So just a little side PSA: If you're looking to make serious changes to your life, go see this amazing woman at Moga Charlotte! She will seriously transform your world!

Anniversary: Veronica + Chip

This past weekend, we wished a very happy one year anniversary to one amazing couple - Veronica and Chip Getz! I absolutely LOVED having the opportunity to work with these two. Talk about two of the kindest, most genuine people I've ever met! Not to mention one seriously gorgeous couple, who are just a perfect match! Their romantic & sophisticated wedding at The Mint Museum was a highlight from our 2014 season. And in honor of their anniversary, I couldn't help but share their fabulous highlight reel from 5Ahead Films! 

Here are a few of my favorite photos by the talented Jeremy Igo Photography from their beautiful day!

One incredible year down, and just a lifetime to go! Cheers to you, Mr. & Mrs. Getz! Lots of love to you both!

XO,
A.