Ashley Baber Weddings: March 2010

Couture Maps

I received the most adorable map in the mail a couple of weeks ago from a San Francisco based company called Couture Maps. Stephannie Barba makes the most adorable maps (named one of Brides Magazines 100 Best Products of the year) that she then sews on a fabric backing. I also love the maps used on Save-the-Dates or even on wedding accessories such as welcome bags or napkins.

Shalya & Jason's E-session

We are super excited about Shalya and Jason's wedding in May at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens. I think they are just adorable...

Images courtesy of Christine Gallagher

Court House Nuptials

I am head over heels for this Atlanta photo shoot from Melanie Carter, Amy Osaba, Raney O'Keefe and Aregrayline Photography. I imagine this couple walking over to the Court House together on a lovely early Spring morning- chatting all the way about their new life together. I love the concept that a Court House wedding with an intimate and casual reception to follow can be equally as chic and stylized as a grand affair {a la Sex and the City}.

This shoot was featured in the fabulous new on-line wedding magazine Nonpareil. Check it out for lots of inspiration- even DIY downloads and tutorials!

Technically Speaking

We live in such a technology driven society it is no surprise technology has found its way into the wedding world. Here are some tidbits from around the web that may help you along your wedding planning journey.

iPhone apps: Eric Hegwer reviews 16 suggested wedding planning iPhone apps here. Of those 16, these are our faves:

Bride Guide (4.99) if you only need one app that can handle it all, this is the one. Tons of features including a countdown timer, to-do lists, budget calculator, and tons of informative articles that will take you from I will to I do.

Gotta Etsy (.99) Take one part incredible handmade stuff, one part internet store, and sprinkle with a ton of creativity. Etsy is the on-line source for all things handmade – and there are a ton of different wedding related items from custom letterpress invitations and save the date cards, to ring holders and more.

Nike Training Club (free) Train like an athlete with the NikeWomen Training Club. Create a personalized training program you can access anytime. Customize your workouts, invite your friends, and watch training videos. This exercise app focuses on the five areas of athleticism: cardio, core, strength, balance, and flexibility.

Yoga Trainer lite (free) – This is the free version – but there is also a paid version – Learn Yoga at your own pace. From beginner to advanced levels. Customize the sequences, and step by step pose instructions.

WeatherBug (free) I prefer this app to the standard iPhone weather application because it offers so much more – vidoe forecasts, radar maps, current humidity, and more.

Sunrise Sunset (.99) Easy to use little application that will display the sunrise, sunset, dawn, solar noon, and dusk (civil twilight end). Use the built in GPS or enter your own custom location. {This is useful when considering a photo timeline for the day of your wedding. Will there be enough light outdoors post ceremony for those "must have" shots?}

Amazon Mobile (free) As everyone knows, Amazon.com is the most comprehensive on-line shopping site on the internet. By using some of the advanced features, you can create a wish list and share it with your friends. It’s just like a bridal registry. Family and friends can even order gifts right from your wish list, and send them to you with a gift card.

iBridal Gown (3.99) Designed by a bridal salon owner, this app will help you in your search for the perfect wedding gown. As you visit bridal salons you enter info about the different dresses you love. Your favorite dresses are stored in an easy to use list, where you can view details, pictures, and even directions back to the store with your perfect dress.

theKnot wedding 911 (free) Designed by the editors at the Knot magazine and the Knot.com this free iPhone app is your on-the-go source for expert wedding advice. You can even post questions and get instant answers from other brides-to-be.

iTunes (included with your iPhone) – download songs, and create playlists of your favorite wedding songs. Of course this is no substitution for a professional DJ or a live band, but it does provide some great music for getting ready, or so you can share ideas with your DJ.

Maps (included with your iPhone) – There are some powerful features to the built in map program – When you are visiting a venue, use the drop a pin feature to note the location then add it to your contacts. You can get directions from your hotel to the venue, and reception and send them to friends so they don’t get lost, too. Even check traffic patterns so you don’t get stuck.

Contacts (included with your iPhone) Stay organized with all your vendors. Names, addresses (and links to maps) websites, and notes are all just a few taps away. Create groups to take it to the next level .

Banking Apps from Bank of America, Chase, Citibank Paypal to help you keep track of your finances and stay on budget.

Google Wedding Docs:

Style Me Pretty and Google recently unveiled an incredible new wedding planning resource that is absolutely free through Google Docs. This wedding dream team {Style Me Pretty, Jessica Claire, Nancy Liu Chin, Michelle Rago + more} created 20 individual Google Docs templates, "geared exclusively towards the bride, groom and their adventures in planning a wedding. With these little gems you can not only keep track of your guest list and your budget, you can literally plan your entire wedding in one, uber-organized little place…from booking your photographer to managing and collecting your addresses. Oh, and because these documents live online, you can share them with your bridal party, you can access them from work, you can even edit them using your smartphone. It’s wedding planning genius filtered through Google’s smart, simple approach." {via Style Me Pretty} Click the picture below for a short video about how these templates came to be and even better, how they can simplify and organize your wedding planning.

Priscilla of Boston and HP's TouchSmart Screens: (via geeksugar)

This new partnership should make choosing a bridal gown and bridesmaids dresses much easier.

"The newest Priscilla of Boston store in San Jose, California, is boasting an army of HP TouchSmart screens along with a specialty application that when paired, bring their entire collection to your fingertips — allowing you to narrow down your gown choices by price, silhouette, and fabric, while still letting you browse through hundreds of dresses and check out runway videos with just a swipe of your finger.

One of the best ways Priscilla of Boston is utilizing this technology is for the bridesmaids — bringing in a group of picky gals can wreak havoc on an appointment if they can't agree on the cut and color of their dresses. But the TouchSmart screens let the entire group browse and choose colors, while seeing the transformation take place in front of their eyes. Hear more about the application, and see it in action when you read more."

Priscilla's General Manager of Merchandizing describes the addition of the TouchSmart screens as the "perfect marriage of style and technology." Check out the app and HP TouchSmart screen in action below!

Perfectly Neutral

I have come to realize that I, personally, have a relatively neutral palette. I wear a lot of black, white and brown, some grey and the occasional muted blue or pink. My home is full of the same tones. There is something peaceful and calming about these tones to me. So this board from Snippet and Ink has to be one my all time faves. I also love the rustic, outdoor elements. Wishing you a wonderful weekend- it is supposed to be gorgeous here in Atlanta!

Toni & Matt

Toni and Matt were married at Peachtree Christian Church just a couple of weeks ago on March 13th. Their wedding was full of fun yellow, black and white details.

Toni looked amazing in a stunning Monique Lhuillier gown- I couldn't take my eyes off of that gown! The girls looked perfectly put together in J.Crew dresses {that they actually can wear again}, stella & dot necklaces and black heels of their choice.

When guests entered the reception at King Plow Art Gallery, there was a gorgeous display of black manzanita branches adorned with black and white paper flowers and yellow ribbons- two "Wishing Trees" where guests were to sign in and hang their well wishes for the newlyweds.

There was a fun lounge area for guests to relax, chat and rest their feet from dancing!

The Tip-Tops put on a great show and guests danced the night away...

On their way out of the party, guests were invited to enjoy the candy bar with lots of different yellow and white candy and grab a sparkler for the couple's exit.

Thank you to Kate and Matt of Altmix Photography for these fabulous photos and being delightful to work with. Steve Bales of Bold American did the lovely decor. Congratulations, Toni & Matt!

News you can use: Anthropologie to Debut Wedding Gowns

You have probably noticed the is a major trend in "Anthropologie Inspired" weddings and photo shoots: one part shabby-chic, one part vintage inspired, usually with a splash of DIY- all magical, charming and unique. Here are some snippets from a few of our favorites from around the web...

Photo Credit: Simply Bloom. See the wedding here.

Photo Credit: Christine Farah Photography. Shoot created by: Sugar and Fluff and Platinum Weddings by Kerrie. See all of the images here.

Photo Credit: Stephanie Fay. Wedding seen here on Style Me Pretty.

Photo credit: Schnack Studios. Shoot created by: Design: Joyful Weddings & Events and Adorations Botanical Artistry. See all of the images here.

Well, Anthropologie has caught on to this trend. The brand’s parent company, Urban Outfitters Inc., announced that it will launch a bridal collection featuring heirloom wedding gowns, bridesmaid dresses, accessories and gifts designed with Anthropologie’s distinctively ethereal, feminine feel.

The still-unnamed bridal concept launches in Spring 2011 as a Web site, through which brides-to-be can schedule local fittings, before branching into stores. “We have found that many brides-to-be are inspired by our aesthetic,” Anthropologie co-president Wendy B. McDevitt said in a statement. Wedding gowns will retail from $750 to $5000, with occasion and bridesmaid dresses starting at $200. Content and Photo Credit

Fabulous Frock Friday

Those of you that know me personally know that I wear all black-- a lot. Like pretty much every day and absolutely at every wedding. Well, this stunning photo shoot from Once Wed features a black wedding gown and I am in love.