Amanda and David were married on July 10, 2010.  Following a beautiful ceremony at Samford University’s Reid Chapel, guests were invited to celebrate with the couple, high atop Red Mountain, at Vulcan Park and Museum.  All the flowers and decor was created by Dorothy McDaniel to follow Amanda’s traditional, Southern vision.

I was excited to finally work with Jim Little Photography.  He did a fantastic job capturing a truly lovely day.  Check out some of his beautiful work!

During the reception, guests were free to wander through the Vulcan Park Museum as they enjoyed their dinner catered by Five Star Event Catering.  Guests were raving about the excellent service and delicious food.  In addition to the catering, Amanda also chose to have Five Star Event Catering design her wedding cakes.

Guests danced the night away to 3rd Generation, a fabulous mo-town band from Montgomery.  At the end of the evening, the bride and groom went to the top of Vulcan to toss the bouquet and garter.

As Amanda and David departed the reception through a shower of rose petals, James Coats of Coats Classic Cars was there with Helen, a 1954 Rolls Royce, to take them to Ross Bridge Resort.  Congratulations Amanda and David!  Thank you again to all the vendors for doing such a wonderful job!

So you want to “Pop the question” to the love of your life? And…you are searching online to find advice…well, you have come to the right place! Up until this point, the most important day in your life might have been when you walked across the stage at your college graduation, or maybe when you defeated the PS3 game, Halo, or maybe even when you became the proud owner of a 69’ Mustang. Well none of that will compare to what you are about to do. That being said, here are the ultimate guidelines for the “Do’s” to proposing!

Be Certain

The ONLY answer you should or want to here is “YES”….This is not an instance when you don’t want to be unsure of the answer you are expecting to receive. This could turn out to be upsetting and humiliating for both of you and that is no way to end the evening or continue the relationship. Avoid the awkward situation by wading the waters and casually discussing the future of your relationship. (But…don’t wait until just before you want to propose!)

The Element of Surprise

She should in no way be expecting or anticipating this! This is part of the game! You want to sweep her off her feet and take her by surprise. SO…keep it quite! No one needs to know what or when you will do it. Don’t facebook or twitter it, tell family and friends, or leave receipts laying around. If she gets suspicious, throw her off or even lie (this is the only time I condone this!)

Talk With Her Parents

Remember, we are in the South…it is always a good idea to talk with her parents about your intentions.  Asking for their blessing is not only nice to have, it is a form of respect.

Be Unique

You don’t want to be a copy cat! You want this to be a moment that you both remember forever! The more thought you put into it, the more it will mean to her.   After all this is one of the stories that you will be asked and tell more than any other in your lifetime together! Make it count. if you are stuck and just don’t know what to do, that is OK because some wedding planners offer services where they will help you plan this momentous occasion with you!

Make it Personal

When you think of how to ask your girlfriend make them feel like the whole affair was designed around them! Have her favorite flowers, food or wine with you, invite her family to join you as it is happening, bring her to a spot that means the most to the both of you, cook her special meal…you get the picture! And most importantly add more to the “Will you marry me?” Start the proposal off by telling her why you want to marry her or what you love most about her and then ask the ever so important question.

Practice.Practice.Practice.

More than likely you are going to be so nervous! You need to think about what you want to say, write it down, practice in front of a mirror, use a tape recorder, say it to a friend…whatever you can do to make you feel more confident in asking. These words should flow right out of your mouth without hesitation! Practice does make perfect!

Get on your Knee

Every little girl has dreamt about this day. She has seen it in movies, read about it in books and heard many stories all of which include, YOU getting down on one knee and proposing to her. While this might seem corny or even petty to you, this is something that means the world to her!

Ask the Question

Getting on your knee and showing her a ring doesn’t imply that you want to marry her and it shouldn’t be a given when you do so. You need to ask her “THE” question.  These words are indicating you are ready to take the next step in your relationship and you want her to be your wife. She shouldn’t have to assume anything and hearing it from you are words that will linger in her head and heart for the rest of her life.

Pictures are a Must

You want to be sure you have memories of this amazing moment in your life! Aside from your wedding and children’s birth, this will be a one of the most important memories that you will share with friends and family for years!  Arrange to bring your camera and hand it someone to take a picture, have friends and family join you right after, or have a professional photographer there to capture it all! Whatever you do, get pictures!

This post is dedicated to teaching you how to prepare for every emergency on your wedding day.  Luckily, when you hire M. Elizabeth Events, we carry all of these items, plus many more, in our wedding day emergency kit.

Flipping out on your wedding day is not cool. You look ungrateful and crazy. It doesn’t matter how awesome and calm you have been up until the big day, but if you loose it on the wedding day…you’ll be remembered as a bridezilla.  Remember to take deep breaths and be prepared for little mishaps with a well stocked “bridal first aid kit.”

Holy bananas! Some one spilled something on my dress.
No fear, Tide pens are here! These things are genius. I have used them on cotton, silk, wool, polyester, etc. They always work. Tap the pen on the mark and buff away. You can use a soft white washcloth, to dab away and dry faster. If it’s a big spill try the Shout wipes.  Problem solved. Always have a stain remover pen/wipe.

Yikes! I am sweating like a blonde in a spelling bee.
Okay, bad joke… I got it off a joke site… my go-to sweat joke might be a little colorful for some of you. Onwards. If you know that you are a sweater invest in some Certain Dri roll on deodorant. You put it on at night after you shower, it’s tingly and burns a little, but you won’t sweat that’s for sure. If your gown has sleeves and you are worried about sweat coming through your beautiful silk gown, invest in Hollywood’s Behind the Seams Pretty Underarm Protection. They are little half moon pads that attach to the inside of your sleeve catching all the yummy stain inducing moisture.

What was I thinking? These shoes are killing me!
Foot Petals to the rescue. It’s always great to get the comfy pads for the ball of your feet. I like the cushioned ones over the rubbery gripped ones. If your feet get sweaty the rubber ones really don’t stop you from sliding forward in your shoes, which hurts. If your shoes pinch your heels, use the heavenly heelz. If the straps of your shoes are killing you, pick up the strappy strips. Better to just grab a pack of each, just in case! These things are awesome. There are other brands, but Foot Petals are my favorite. There are cushions for everything. It’s best to wear you shoes beforehand and deck them out with petals before the wedding day, but if not, have them just in case. Band-Aid’s blister block stick is great to use with the foot petals, it really does keep your shoes from rubbing. It works, I swear!

I have a zit! Are you kidding me!?
OK. breathe. This isn’t the end of the world. While you are getting your hair done, mix a crushed up non-coated aspirin and redness reducing eye drops to make a paste. Apply the paste on the offending zit. It should dry it up while reducing swelling and redness. Before you put your makeup on, wash skin and remove paste. To help cover it, definitely use a moisturizer and primer before you put on your make up. DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT add tons of concealer. Apply your makeup to your face the same as you would if you had no offending mark. Before you go to add powder to finish, take a super creamy concealer the same color as your skin, if you go lighter, you are going to draw even more attention to it. With a tiny brush, dab the zit with a very small amount of the concealer. Dab with powder for staying power. Then forget all about it.

HELLO!! I never realized how my tatas hang out of my gown when I move!!!
Two words. FASHION TAPE. This double sided tape by Hollywood is genius. Your ladies will stay nicely in your gown. It’s also nice if straps aren’t staying put, etc. This stuff rocks.

OH NO, I have a run in my hose—- Oh wait, it’s not the 80’s. Don’t wear pantyhose please!

Until we meet again, remember what the boy scout’s say…Always be prepared!

Lauren and Frank were married on July 24, 2010.  The ceremony took place at Covenant Presbyterian Church, the church the bride grew up attending with her family.  Immediately following the ceremony, guests were invited to continue the celebration with a reception at The Club.  Lauren’s favorite color is purple, which she chose to pair with apple green and silver throughout the ceremony and reception decor.  Thank you to David Robertson, Jr. of Robertson Photography in Montgomery, for sharing these beautiful photos with us.

Lauren’s beautiful Badgley Mischka wedding gown was purchased from Carolyn and Cathy Kelly at The White Room Bridal Salon in Cahaba Heights.  Lauren loved the color and style of these fun bridesmaid’s dresses from Alfred Angelo!

The florals were done by Andy Hopper of KG Designs.  He did a fantastic job bringing Lauren’s vision to life.  I’d like to say a huge thank-you to the staff at The Club for making sure everything continued to run smoothly throughout the evening.

The delicious and beautiful cakes were made by Diane Olexa of Olexa’s Cafe in Mountain Brook.  The Undergrounders kept everyone dancing for many hours!  As the sun began to set of the buildings of downtown Birmingham, the terrace at The Club began to glow thanks to Andy Tolar of Design Productions.  As we planned Lauren’s wedding, we made sure her favorite color (purple) was carried through into every last detail, including adding specialty lighting into the fountain to tint the water purple.  It was beautiful!

As Lauren and Frank left, guests showered them with handfuls of wonderfully-scented lavender!  The bride and groom were whisked away to Ross Bridge Resort in a 1956 Cadillac Sixty-Special, courtesy of Coats Classic Cars.  Thank you to Lauren and Frank for letting us share in your special day!  Congratulations and Best Wishes as you start your life together!

On Sunday, August 7, over 250 brides came to Soho’s Rosewood Hall for the Soho Bridal Show, put on by Perfect Wedding Guide and Engaged, A Wedding Library. Brides had the opportunity to visit four different rooms, each with different themes: Fabulous, Fantasy, Fresh, and Flirty.  I was placed in the FABULOUS room (where else would we fit?), where the decor was designed by Andy Hopper of KG Designs. For our room, Andy chose a fabulous pink palette.  Personally, I was thrilled.  I’m a pink girl to the core.  Once again, a huge thank you to Jonathon Davis for the beautiful photos.

The catering team at Kathy G was responsible for providing the food and beverage stations for the room.  Brides couldn’t get enough!  It not only was displayed beautifully, it tasted delicious!

Now, drum roll please…the M. Elizabeth Events booth!  Chef David Bromley created a fabulous ice sculpture of my logo that served as the backdrop to my booth.  Girls, if you are looking for a cost effective way to make a statement at your wedding, then consider an ice sculpture!

For those brides-to-be out there that don’t know, Engaged, A Wedding Library is a free wedding planning boutique designed for the Birmingham bride.  Engaged works with over 100 Birmingham wedding professionals. Conveniently located on Oxmoor Road in the heart of Homewood, Engaged’s librarian can assist you in finding anything from the perfect wedding venue to the perfect wedding gown.  Go by and see the girls at Engaged today to get a jump start on your wedding planning!

A long-time friend of mine is getting married tomorrow to her high school sweetheart.  In late July, several friends got together and hosted her bridal tea, a sweet and old-fashioned way to honor and celebrate the bride-to-be.  Andy Hopper with KG Designs created the vibrant and fun floral arrangements for the tea.  Thank you to Jonathon Davis for the beautiful photographs!

Natalie Andrews with Kathy G helped me come up with a fabulous menu, perfectly suited for a Sunday afternoon bridal tea.  Our delicious menu consisted of chicken salad in phyllo cups topped with shaved toasted almonds, pimento cheese finger sandwiches, vidalia onion and gruyere tartlets, mini BLTs with roma tomatoes, arugula, and apple-smoked bacon topped with remoulade, watermelon squares with balsamic drizzle, and goat cheese logs with sundried tomato and basil pesto drizzle…all perfect items for a hot summer day.  For dessert, guests enjoyed chocolate cake pops, edible shortbread spoons with raspberry mouse, and lemon mousse.

Brides, if you are looking for someone to help you create that perfect bridal tea or bridesmaid’s luncheon, call Kathy G.  Their food is delicious, and they are easy and fun to work with!  They can cater any party or occasion…large or small.  Congratulations, Kimberly!  Check back with us in a few weeks to see pictures from Kimberly’s beautiful wedding by Birmingham photographer, Stephen DeVries

Kim and Andrew were married on May 22, 2010 in Gadsden, Alabama.  It was a beautiful day for a wedding as you can see by the lovely photos taken by the very talented Meg and Charles Baisden, with Meg Baisden Photography.  Kim envisioned an outdoor ceremony, and she picked a gorgeous location…Silver Lakes, a Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail.  Kim purchased her beautiful Amsale gown from The White Room Bridal Salon in Cahaba Heights.  Her bridesmaids wore a beautiful Priscilla of Boston dress from Bella Bridesmaid.  Andy Hopper with KG Designs was responsible for all the beautiful floral decor at the ceremony and reception.

After Kim and Andrew became husband and wife, these high school sweethearts headed to Gadsden Country Club to celebrate with their guests.  Kathy Mezrano of Kathy G worked with the Country Club to style all the food.  Andy Tolar with Design Productions transformed the ballroom with romantic lighting that matched Kim’s color palette.

The beautiful cakes were designed by Barb Sullivan of Barb’s Cakes in Birmingham.  Every detail, down to the favors and the signature cocktail was created to match the color palette.  I love working with a bride that loves the details as much as I do!

Thank you Kim and Andrew for letting us celebrate with you during your special day!  It was a beautiful celebration!