Sweet Press! The Daily Candy

For those of you that are not familiar with the fabulous Daily Candy, it is a free, daily e-mail newsletter and website-- the insider’s guide to what’s hot, new, and undiscovered — from fashion and style to gadgets and travel. I am thrilled that our studio and bridal co-op space, The Paisley Umbrella, was featured in the Spring 2008 Wedding Guide out today. Check out the article titled, "White Dress Optional," for more information about several hot Atlanta wedding vendors as well as our "Save the Date" cocktail parties. Join us at the next party slated for Thursday, June 5th from 5-8 pm.

Seasonal Extravaganza

Spring...

Summer...

Fall...

Winter...

I must say that I am very fortunate to attend lots of lovely parties and events throughout the year. I always feel so honored to be invited to so many great events, mingling with the best of the best in the Atlanta wedding industry. Each year, Bold American Catering puts on a fabulous Wedding Planners Luncheon and it always manages to top the previous year. This year was no exception as their design guru Steve Bales put together a "Seasonal Sensory Experience." As we entered into the lower gallery at King Plow, we were each given a champagne glass with a tag with our name and a season (my tag read "Fall"). We then enjoyed a very unique champagne bar with frozen fruit purees and yummy hors d'oeuvres. As we made our way from the lower gallery to the front gallery, there was a beautiful set-up to reflect a ceremony "in the round." And the back gallery was a site to behold with 4 seasonal sections that corresponded to our place cards with appropriate seasonal decor for each section. We then ate an amazing lunch prepared by Bold's talented chefs that included a cheese course, seasonal salad, and 4 small seasonal variety entrees on one neat plate- pancetta wrapped diver scallop, pork tenderloin, seared duck breast and filet wellington. The pastry chefs created a chocolate raspberry bomb with a hand painted white chocolate cherry on top for dessert. What a delightful experience- thank you to Bold American for including us! And thank you to the mega talented Ben Vigil for these amazing pics!

Tracey & Michael

Tracey and Michael were married on Saturday, April 12th at the Piedmont Room at Park Tavern. Tracey chose a beautiful ivory, green and chocolate brown pallete and was sure that every detail from the invites to the bridesmaids dresses and their pashminas coordinated perfectly! Tracey wore a gorgeous drop waist gown by Rivini. The bridesmaids carried whimsical bouquets of white tulips and green viburnum, while Tracey's bouquet was comprised of elegant mini calla lilies. The Catholic and Jewish ceremony took place under a simple and beautiful birch wood chuppa odorned with white hydrangea and sheer fabric. The guests enjoyed 3 food stations including pasta (lobster ravioli!), create-your-own mashed and sweet potato martinis and a carving station as well as a beyond delicious 3 flavor pound cake featuring sugar dogwood branches by the incredible Mark Lotti of Classic Cheesecakes. The bride, groom and guests alike danced the night away until the always fun sparkler exit. Here is the initial photo board from the amazing photographer Kristen Alexander. I had so much fun working with Kristen and her sister who are both super talented. More photos to come!

Trash the Dress

Erica and Danny's post wedding photo shoots (and a recent post on the very cool shop friends) inspired me to write about a popular phenomenon that has hit the wedding photography scene known as the "Trash the Dress" session. After the wedding, brides- and frequently their grooms!- put their wedding wear back on and head to a beautiful and/or fun location of their choice for some really creative photos and let loose. Here is an exerpt from http://www.trashthedress.com/, started by the super talented Mark Eric:

"Go ahead, you know you want to. Trash it. Get it dirty. Get it wet. Roll around in the mud. Drench it in the ocean. Totally trash it. Why? … Why not? You’ve made a commitment to your husband. He’s your one and only true love, right? Then you’ll never need the dress again. And no, your daughter won’t wear it in 20-30 years. So you have two choices: 1) Suffocate it in plastic and throw it in a closet 2) Show your husband how committed you are by trashing the dress, and get some great fun pictures while you do it!"

As they say on the site, "It's about creation, not destruction..." So talk to your photographer today about a post wedding TTD session!

Photo credits from top to bottom: Kamp Photography, The K Gallery, Jasmine Star, Matt Adcock/Del Sol, Infinity Studios, John Arcara, Heather Cole, John Michael Cooper, JoniLyn.

Erica & Danny

Tijen was on hand as this sporty couple were married quite appropriately at the 755 Club at Turner Field on March 30th. Erica and Danny met while working for Niketown in Atlanta, so it made perfect sense for them to be married in a sports themed venue such as the 755 Club. The rain held off so they could get some great pictures in the stadium before the ceremony. After the wedding, the attendants were each given a pair of the latest Nikes to change into for dancing- even the flowergirl got a pair! Erica and Danny now live in Louisiana, so they utilized a couple days after the wedding for two super fun photo shoots with their wonderful photographer Rafael of Big Day Photography. They had a fantastic city shoot around Midtown that included Piedmont Park (that is probably one of the best Bride & Groom city-scape shots I have seen to date!), the High and a few stops along Ponce. And Erica and Danny love to run, so Rafael got some action shots of them on the move in Buckhead. These post wedding photo shoots are such a great idea- the photographer will catch you- now as husband & wife!- in a much more relaxed state than on the big day!

Win Free Wedding Photography!

My good friend and wedding photographer Christine Gallagher is having a really fun contest. She is looking for a unique wedding to photograph- for free! You must enter to win:

1. E-mail a picture of you (the couple) and a essay about your wedding day.

2. Wedding must take place in the Atlanta area in 2008.

3. Entries must be submitted to Christine at info@christinegallagher.net by May 15th.

4. She will announce the winner on the blog on June 1st.

The prize: is 6 hours of wedding day coverage with Christine and an Assistant and online posting of images: a $3000 value! I will be one of the "guest judges," so I can't wait to see your entries!

An Evening of Bridal Luxury

"You've been up to your elbows in flowers, photographers and reception decisions, and you deserve a break. Treat yourself to a night of food, drinks and pampering, and pick up a few gown ideas from the fabulous runway show while you’re at it. The Atlantan Brides presents an Evening of Bridal Luxury on Sunday, April 13th at Mason Murer Fine Art, 5 o'clock to 8 o'clock with a fashion show starting at 7pm. This soirée will include a fabulous runway show featuring designs from Atlanta’s top bridal boutiques, masterpiece dining stations (from A Legendary Event), luxurious event designs, delicious desserts and an Oscar style SWAG bag exclusively for the brides. Attending brides will have a chance to register to win a weekend filled with pampering and celebrity treatment by Atlanta’s top wedding professionals. " Click here to buy your tickets now!

Kristen & Christian

Kristen and Christian were married at the gorgeous and historic Georgian Terrace Hotel on March 1st. This relaxed-yet-elegant daytime wedding was a nice change of pace for us! The couple was married in the Grand Ballroom. Christian is a Captain in the Air Force and a few of his fellow pilots were his Groomsmen and his Father was the Best Man (a trend we have been seeing a lot lately). Kristen's maids were lovely in Navy blue which complimented the white, green and pale blue florals (predominantly hydrangeas) perfectly. And I just love their high-five at the end of the ceremony! After the ceremony, the guests enjoyed a cocktail hour that included passed mimosas, a create-your-own bloody mary bar and brunch bites such as fruit skewers and mini bacon and shallot frittatas. Guests then proceeded to the Piedmont Ballroom for a seated lunch. The early afternoon end time of the wedding allowed for some fun pictures around Midtown and on the roof of the hotel where there are spectacular views of the city skyline. We wish Kristen and Christian the best as they settle into their life together in Florida. Thank you to Lamar Gee for these fantastic photos and his tireless team of professionals that worked ALL day to get these (and many more) great shots!

My Inspiration Right Now

Thank you to the always fabulous snippet & ink for this sunny board that perfectly reflects my current mood. I also have included a picture from the most recent Tabletoppers Inc. catalog- I think this decor would be a perfect reception with the elements from this board. {I think I might really be falling for yellow!}

San Francisco

What a fantastic weekend in beautiful San Francisco! I saw many long time friends that I have missed. I explored the multifaceted neighborhoods of the city, sampled some of the delicious ethnic cuisines tucked around every corner, visited Sonoma for wine, North Beach for night life, Ocean Beach for some peace and quiet and Sausalito for the breathtaking view of the city. I renewed my spirit for the rigorous wedding season ahead and I am very excited for all of the wonderful things going on here at Ashley Baber Weddings!