Curious as to what 2013 will bring for wedding trends? While reading through this list from The Knot, I challenge you to think outside the box and come up with a creative way to incorporate them. One  that is a unique reflection of you and your tastes. Don’t incorporate a trend because it’s hot. Incorporate it because it’s YOU.

1. Out with the cocktail tables, in with the lounges – Couples are opting for reception lounges more so than having a bunch of cocktail tables sprinkled around. I say, combine them both! Pair a banquette with low cocktail tables and ottomans going around it. It’s just so practical to have a place to put your drink down! Linens are  also a fun way to bring in pops of colors so why leave them out?

2. Out with the prerecorded cocktail hour music, in with the specialty musicians – We all love to hear Frank, James and Michael during cocktail hour, but having it played in it’s original form is a little predictable. Instead, hire specialty musicians such as a pianist or jazz ensemble with Sinatra-era vocals to entertain during cocktail hour.

Rat Pack is Back, courtesy of East Coast Entertainment

3. Loosely tasseled hair is all the  beauty rage for 2013 – There is something subtly sexy yet classically elegant about loosely curled tresses framing your face and cascading down your back side. Your hubby-to-be’s heart will be jumping out of his chest when he sees you. There is something to be said about a bride who looks polished, but not too perfect.

Bridal Guide

4. “Dinner Party Chic” – Think Great Gatsby, Marilyn Monroe, 1920’s and 1950’s. It’s all in the lighting and table details! Hang chandeliers over your guest tables to create an intimate feel. Wow your guests with details when they take their seat at the table. Dress it up with glamorous glassware, chargers, gold flatware, foiled menu cards and low, lush florals. Mercury glass is still huge, but find it in other colors besides silver.

Pinterest

5. Out with rustic, in with chic backyard wedding – It’s all about the juxtaposition! If you’re getting married on a ranch, create an elegant setting. Use sheer pipe and drape to encase the reception area or dinner tables. Use luxurious linens and embellishments throughout. Then pull in a touch of rustic to bring it all together…just a touch though. For example, create your menu cards out of a beautiful card stock-thin piece of wood. Have a calligrapher write your menu and then have it made into a custom stamp to place on the sheets of wood.

Pinterest

6. Have your accessories popping with color – Bold shoes and clutches paired with statement-making bright hued jewelry is a fun way to add a sense of style to your traditional, elegant bridal look. If bold, geometric shaped necklaces are not your thing, consider a multi strand of pearls intertwined with a strand of gemstones.

Pinterest

xoxo

Jen
——–
Embellished Events
Phone: (843) 757-7762
Email: Hello@EmbellishedWeddings.com

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This weekend, I watched two of the sweetest and most talented people I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with tie the knot. Lindsey and Chris started “going out” in the 8th grade and have been together ever since. In January, one month before their wedding day, they celebrated 10 years of being together!! Both Lindsey and Chris graduated from Savannah College of Art and Design and never ceased to amaze me with their unique ideas and eye for design.

Lindsey studied Fashion Design and is currently a designer for the ladies’ Merona brand at Target! She is also in the process of building her own fashion brand called Lindsey Hopkins Collection. Here is a dress from her collection that she wore for her rehearsal dinner on Friday:

Last year, Lindsey Hopkins Collection was featured at New York Fashion Week in the Elle Fashion Next show. She won a grant from Maybelline and was also featured in Elle Magazine twice! Last fall, she showed off her new collection at Minnesota’s Fashion Week. If you want to see more of Lindsey’s work, check her out here: Website :: Facebook :: Twitter

Here are my top three favorites from her latest collection:

Chris studied photography and hired his professor at SCAD, Greg Ceo, to document their wedding day. Chris currently works for an art printing company and hopes to one day branch out on his own. Chris also helps Lindsey with building her fashion line brand.

Now that you know a little about Lindsey and Chris, I’m sure you’re dying to see all of the details from their wedding day! Here is a sneak peek I took with my phone, but this isn’t going to do justice for what Greg Ceo has coming our way. He had a team of 3 to capture every little detail of Chris and Lindsey’s wedding day!

xoxo
Jen
——–
Embellished Events
Phone: (843) 757-7762
Email: Hello@EmbellishedWeddings.com

Hilton Head Island, SC Wedding Planner
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Spring brings with it beautiful blooms and blushing brides galore, which makes it one of my favorite times of year! Give me pastels, seersucker, gingham and sandals and I’m one happy girl.

While shopping online other day, I came across this adorable pair of pumps and was immediately inspired by the beautiful swirls of watercolor pastels.

Alice + Olivia Watercolor Pump $298 from Neiman Marcus

As a little girl, I loved painting with watercolor! It was so easy to do and mistakes were nearly impossible to make. It also required very little cleanup and was an inexpensive way to exercise my creativity.

Watercolor details can be adapted into any spring wedding color palette so grab a glass of wine and your maid of honor for a fun night of painting everything from table numbers and drink signs to place cards and menus. Even a simple streak will make a big impact!

Watercolor Food Signs

Table Labeling

Watercolor Table Details

Add some pizazz to plain white lanterns

Have a map for your wedding hand drawn and painted in watercolor. Then make copies and include one in each of your invitation suites! Love this sweet detail! Etsy

Splash of Watercolor Stationery

Looking for the perfect wedding gift for your daughter, sister, soon-to-be-wife, etc.? How about a watercolor painting of her wedding dress? She’ll have it forever hanging in her home to be reminded of that sweet day. Etsy

xoxo
Jen
——–
Embellished Events
Phone: (843) 757-7762
Email: Hello@EmbellishedWeddings.com

Hilton Head Island, SC Wedding Planner
Savannah, GA Wedding Planner
Beaufort, SC Wedding Planner
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A lot of people ask me where I find my inspirations. Many will assume I’ll say, like everyone else, Pinterest. Yes, that may be partially true, but you won’t find me stalking the “Weddings” category for my design inspirations. My wheels really get turning with great interior design elements in the home, art, fabric and even fashion. Here are some that have caught my eye lately…

Chain Curtain – would look lovely behind a chic lounge in a loft-style venue.

Color Palette – I’m loving the mix of peaches, coral, poppy, green and gold!

Again, Color Palette – Mint green is very on-trend for 2013…LOVE it!!! What a beautiful spring color palette in the piece of art!

Loving the navy and white stripes with peach!

Very chic…black and white with pops of emerald green or any other jewel-toned color

Don’t be afraid to have fun with your colors! The possibilities are endless and you can make anything look elegant!

{ 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6}

xoxo
Jen
——–
Embellished Events
Phone: (843) 757-7762
Email: Info@EmbellishedWeddings.com

Hilton Head Island, SC Wedding Planner
Savannah, GA Wedding Planner
Beaufort, SC Wedding Planner
Charleston, SC Wedding Planner

One of the first questions I ask my clients during the design process is, “What kind of environment are you looking to create for your guests?” and the response I hear a lot includes: unpretentious, relaxed , social and welcoming. A great way to create this atmosphere is to incorporate lounge areas into their designs. It can be as simple as having two sofas facing each other or as posh as having multiple tufted banquettes with custom sewn pillows, several ottomans and accent pieces and all surrounding an over the top floral arrangement that stands 4′ high. The concept works within most budget ranges because you could spend anywhere from $300 to $3,000.

Here are some of my ideas for creating lounges:

Staging is Key –  There are many ways to arrange the furniture for your lounge and it really depends on the number of pieces you have. Make sure it is easily accessible from all angles and faces the crowd. To get some ideas on furniture arrangements, take a look at the pictures below. There is a wide variety for you to consider.

Provide Seating for 6+ – Make sure your lounge area can accommodate at least 6 people so that it keeps a warm, social and inviting space.

Tent it – a small tent will do…20×20 or so. A clear top will allow guests can enjoy the twinkling stars. A white tent will allow you to have fun with draping and trims!

Lighting – Lighting the lounge is a fun way to set the ambiance and glam up the space. Have fun with it! Hang a single statement making chandelier over the entire space or multiple small chandeliers as a runner over the long coffee table. Not a fan of chandeliers? Use lamps! Dress up a side table or other accent table with a beautiful lamp or two and you’re set! On a budget? Go with candles…lots of them. Nothing is more romantic than the flicker of a candle after all.

Keep it Clean – Don’t crowd the space with too much.

Get Eclectic – Keep your furniture pieces simple, but eclectic. For example, pair a tufted white couch with either a chaise lounge, multiple ottomans, two colorful armchairs chairs, a wooden bench or a combination of these pieces.

Bold Accents – From pillows and flowers to umbrellas and light fixtures, pull in pops of color around your main pieces.

Add a Backdrop – Create a wall behind the lounge by using long strands of crystal beads, pipe and drape in sheer organza fabric or a makeshift gallery wall of eclectic vintage mirrors.

Create Multiple Lounges in One – I love this idea! Start with a 4’x4′ linen covered table with a tall floral arrangement as your center. Then place the back side of 4 sofas or banquettes around it. Then build your lounges by adding more pieces to the four sides. Just be sure to keep all four areas uniform in look.

Build a “Patio” – I adore this idea too! Setup your lounge to look like a “patio” off of your tent space! Elevate it off the ground and have a set of steps leading to it. Lay down sisal rugs or carpet to cover the flooring and string cafe lights above. Then set your lounge up as you wish! One thing you’ll want to make sure you do it create a barrier around the sides so guests do not fall off as the night goes on.

If you have any more ideas for lounges, we would love to hear them in our comments section!

xoxo
Jen
——–
Embellished Events
Phone: (843) 757-7762
Email: Info@EmbellishedWeddings.com

Hilton Head Island, SC Wedding Planner
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Leanne and Greg were married on Saturday, October 20th in Bluffton, SC. As soon as I met the bride and groom to tour them around Hilton Head and Bluffton in search for the perfect wedding venue, I knew they were a special couple with a beautiful vision in mind! Their personalities and love for each other made my time spent with them planning the details and absolute joy.  We spent 8 months planning their special day. From the venue to the flowers and every last detail, it was an absolute honor to share in this experience with them.

Leanne and Greg’s color palette consisted of crimson red, navy and white with silver metallics sprinkled throughout. We had their chiavari chairs, bars and cake table custom painted in a beveled mercury glass color. It was exquisite. The florals, provided by A Floral Affair, consisted of the most beautiful crimson red peonies I’ve ever laid my eyes on. One bloom was all you needed to make a bold statement in everything from Leanne’s bouquet to the centerpieces themselves.

Leanne and Greg were married at St. Andrew’s Chapel in Bluffton with a traditional Catholic mass. After the ceremony, guests were shuttled to Oldfield Plantation for a fun and relaxed reception. Cocktail Hour was quite a treat. They had bluegrass music played live by the Blue Plantation Band while guests sipped specialty cocktails and played lawn games of corn hole and croquet.

After a beautiful mouthwatering plated dinner of Lowcountry fare, guests hit the dance floor and then the party really stated. DJ Jamie Bodie of JLK Events had {every. single. guest.} on the glossy white dance floor. From dancing the irish jig of Notre Dame’s fight song to Gangnum style, this group had the time of their life and the party could have seriously lasted all night.

Enjoy this peek into Leanne and Greg’s  wedding day, courtesy of Concept A Photography.

xoxo
Jen
——–
Embellished Events
Phone: (843) 757-7762
Email: Info@EmbellishedWeddings.com

Hilton Head Island, SC Wedding Planner
Savannah, GA Wedding Planner
Beaufort, SC Wedding Planner
Charleston, SC Wedding Planner