Fabulous Frock Friday

Well, looky here. It is Fabulous Frock Friday and we don't have a fabulous dress to show you, but rather some amazing birdcage veils from Castle Bride. I admit that I am mildly obsessed with birdcage veils {as in, I would have my wedding all over again just so I could wear one}. They always look so timeless and romantic.... Hurry over to the Southern Weddings blog to enter for your chance to win one of these pretty little things {contest ends Tuesday} and have a great weekend!

A Kindergarten Wedding

As I posted about the Bold Seduction dinner, I came across these images on the 6 of Four blog and it was tooooooo cute not to share. Apparently, every year a local kindergarten class has a mock wedding as they work their way through the alphabet and come to the letter "M" for marriage. They learn the value and importance of the commitment of marriage and then draw names for the students that will be the bride and groom, the wedding party, the officiant, etc. On the day of the wedding, each child brings in a picture of their parents on their wedding day. Enjoy!



Up next: back to ABW real weddings with Sarah and Todd, but first Fabulous Frock Friday tomorrow!

Bold Seduction

Each year Bold American Catering treats Atlanta's Wedding Planners to a wonderful sensory experience. Last year, they wowed us with a luncheon that took us through the 4 seasons. This year, they out did themselves again with a seductive dinner at King Plow. Steve Bales- the design + decor genius over at Bold- created an estate table that was over 40 feet long with a mirrored top, black linens, tons of candles, glass candle holders and chargers. The entire room was draped in black velvet fabric for a very dramatic look. A jazz band played in the background, but in a unique new way: each member of the quartet was placed on an individual pedestal that was lit with a spot light. After a multi-course meal {each course incorporated cherries and/or chocolate} complete with white glove service, we were escorted to Studio 887 {formally Food Studio- now a perfect space for rehearsal dinners, small wedding receptions and after parties} for an elaborate dessert reception. We were sent home with a lovely favor of Jake's Ice Cream- in a special flavor made just for the event. Amazing. Thanks for including us, Bold!! I can't wait for next year! Thank you to Chris and Katie of 6 of Four Creations for these gorgeous images! See the slideshow and all the details here.

The NotWedding Final Sneak Peek

The NotWedding is here! I am looking forward to seeing all of you on Sunday at the W Buckhead. Here is the final design board from our stylist extraordinaire, Joy Thigpen, and her inspiration behind the board.

"This look makes me think of Palm Beach and California combined. I was inspired by the modern look and lines of the W Hotel Buckhead, and wanted a look that would work nicely with the venue. I'd consider this wedding to be modern and summery."

The FreeWedding Finalists

After hundreds of applications {yes, we really read through them ALL}, we have narrowed it down to- not three, not five- but EIGHT finalists to win the FreeWedding on May 31st.


We encourage you to fall in love with these couples as we have, and then vote for the one you love most on The NotWedding Blog. Voting will end on Sunday April 5, and we will announce the winner at The NotWedding on Sunday.




Nicki & Roni
In arguably the nation's most fast-paced city, it's not only unlikely that two strangers will cross paths twice in a day and finally stop for a conversation, it's virtually impossible that two completely unconnected New Yorkers will meet and marry. Roni and I are one in 8 million. We met eyes on the streets of Manhattan, regrettably went our separate ways, and found each other an hour later at the post office, picking up packages. Had it not been for an elderly woman asking Roni where to find a bathroom (and myself stepping in and suggesting a Starbucks), Roni would never have won me over the uber-smooth line, "Speaking of Starbucks, want to grab a coffee?" Two and a half years later, he proposed at the same post office, and here we are, telling our serendipitous story to become an inspirational backdrop to a once-in-a-lifetime wedding.


Leah & George


Chef george + Leah the designer + 12 hour work shifts = A hardworking easy going couple who cherishes every moment we get to spend with each other. We understand and appreciate how much heart and soul goes into planning events and would be absolutely grateful if for once in our lives we had the chance to give up full control (take a day off) and experience what it is like being on the other side. We don't let a day pass without telling each other how madly in love we are with one another.



Ayesha & Zachary

We are madly in love with one another and someday want to be just like our grandparents old, weird, and still in love. We are lovers of all things natural, impromptu travel, and sometimes disagree on movie night picks. We would love the free wedding because we want to plan a big marriage and not a big wedding. Plus we are both trying our hands at our own local community based sustainable businesses so we no longer have the cushion of the 9-5 but we do have our dreams and each other.

Kathryn & John


John and I are the absolute best fit for one another that I could ever imagine. He inspires me to free myself of all of the unnecessary, and just be in a world, in love. Five and a half years later, and a breath hasn't breathed past today...

Nicole & Jason


We are college sweethearts who were lucky enough to find each other four years ago, and we can't wait to celebrate the amazing love and support we have for each other at our wedding. Although this past year has been the most exciting yet, it has also been very stressful with trying to plan a wedding, buying a fixer-upper home, working full time, and now especially due to some family financial issues; therefore, Jason and I could really use the help and support of this amazing opportunity to be able to focus again on what has made life so good: being together!

Christiana & Israel

My fiancee and I seriously *heart* each other - we have for the past nine years of our lives. However, behind all the love is a grueling medical school study schedule and a growing mound of student loans to go with it. Without this free wedding, it'll be another decade before the dotted line we sign on is a marriage license instead of yet another promissory note!

Kirby & David

He's my rascal and I'm his square... but he rounds my corners and makes me a little bit cooler! David first called to ask me out the same day my little brother called to tell me he had cancer. I didn't call David back, but he left another message of support and somehow fell into our lives at a very difficult and emotional time. We fell in love hard despite family illness, the rigors of medical school, and eventually the stresses of designing and building the most environmentally friendly green home we could create. Our life is so wonderful together, and my brother is doing much better, but with me in school, the turn of the economy and a 40% drop in David's salary, we can hardly afford to keep this house, let alone have a wedding. With your vote, we might get both!!

Kaitlyn & Samuel


Single California creative doula and mom to 2 year old Jonah, meets Philadelphia traveling tour manager, Sam and he falls in love with both of them. Words to describe us? Adventurous, generous, organic, compassionate, creative, down-to earth, and distinctive. While Sam establishes himself in a new state, we are living in a tiny apartment so a sponsored wedding would free up some cash to give Jonah a bedroom, a yard to play in and for us to relish in the newlywed life!

UPDATE: Congratulations to the FreeWedding winners: Kaitlyn & Samuel!

Ashley Baber Weddings on The Wedding Planning Audiocast Podcast

I am excited to report that our podcast with The Wedding Planning Audiocast is up and available {for free!} on itunes! It was so fun to chat with the host Ralph Mucci not only about Southern Weddings, but also about ways to effectively budget for your wedding.

The NotWedding Inspiration Boards: Sneak Peek II

The NotWedding is this Sunday! Here is another sneak peek at 2 of the 5 design boards that our stylist Joy Thigpen has created. See Joy's thoughts on each board below and stay tuned for one more beautiful board to come!

"I wanted this look to be the most formal of the bunch. It's formal, yet not stuffy- I would call it elegant and playful. I like the idea of mixing lace and suit material for the tabletops, and the fake mustaches add a fun touch. This board aims to mix masculine and feminine elements in a classic and cohesive way."

"This look is the for the budget-minded and those who are wanting to invest money into a few items of the day. I imagine that the splurge of this wedding would be on the dress. You could compensate for that expense with homemade and DIY items, such as the pictures in upside down jars. This wedding evokes thoughts of barbecue and a pie table instead of a cake."

Splurge vs. Save

You decide..... {We love both of them!}

Badgley Mischka: $215 from Perfect Details

RSVP: $89 from Zappos

Custom Wedding Art

Amanda from our Virginia office sent me this adorable custom art work that was created for Ashley + Patrick's wedding in October. Ashley + Patrick live in San Francisco, but will be having their wedding on a farm, so Angilina Douglas created a Save-the-Date that reflects the best of both worlds. Cute!

Still looking for your wedding gown?

If so, you may just find the designer gown of your dreams at a fraction of the cost all while benefiting an amazing charity at the annual Brides Against Breast Cancer gown sale here in Atlanta April 16-18. AtlantaBridal.com is the sponsor of this annual event. Find out more information about the sale here.