Tracy Sloan Events the Blog

Bridal Luxury

2010-01-15T07:00:00.000-05:00

Witness bridal luxury at its best! Make sure you get your ticket for "A Bride for All Seasons" hosted by the Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta and The Atlantan Brides magazine.

Click here for larger view

Peace and Blessings, Tracy

Tracy Sloan Events has arrived!

2010-01-13T07:00:00.000-05:00

After serveral months of praying and planning, Tracy Sloan Events is finally here! While TLS Elite events was birthed out of love, it didn't truly represent me. Either people would confuse the company with Elite Events, which is not a bad thing, or they would call it TLC (thinking about the cable channel, I guess). Nevertheless, it was time for a change. I spent many sleepless nights trying to think of a unique name for my company, then one day out of the blue it hit me. I have always thought of myself as a unique unrepeatable force in the universe and there's no one else like me, so why not name the company after me, I thought. Thus Tracy Sloan Events emerged.

I would like to especially thank T-evenire for our logo. She really captured the classic and sophisticated feel I was looking for - THANKS TERAS!!

Check out our new website. I absolutely love it! If you are following us on Twitter, we are now TSloanEvents . If you are not, we would love to "tweet you". Also, we had to create a new Facebook fan page, so please become a fan.

I would love to hear from you. Email me at tracysloanevents@gmail.com and tell me what you think.

Peace and Blessings,

Tracy

What's Your Favorite Celebration?

2010-01-06T07:00:00.000-05:00

How would you like to win the complete collection of Preston Bailey's books (Celebrations, Inspirations, Fantasy Weddings, and Design for Entertaining)? Sounds good? All you have to do is go to Preston's blog , and enter his Celebrations Contest by sharing your favorite celebration and what made it so special. You might just be one of two winners to win his collection worth $250. Now that's cool, especially if you are a fan like myself!

If you don't have a favorite celebration, then you can always purchase Preston's new book on Amazon.

Peace and Blessings,
Tracy

A New Year - A New Start!

2010-01-01T12:56:00.008-05:00

Wow! It's a brand new year and for me, a new start. It was exactly a year ago today I started blogging. I wasn't so sure I was going to like it, but I have to admit I have grown to like it a lot. While I think my blog is a work in progress, I hope and trust you have found it to be inspiring as well as educational and a little bit entertaining - as that was and still is my goal. This year I am committed to blogging more consistently. You will see new and fresh material as well as new segments, and of course I will continue to talk about fashion, wedding trends, and spotlight vendors and venues.

Also TLS Elite Events will soon end its run and a new and improved, more savvy wedding planning company will emerge. I will keep you posted! In the meantime, I wish you a wonderful and prosperous year and I pray that you have ALL the desires of your heart. Stay encouraged!

Peace and Blessings,
Tracy

Hot Runway Trends

2009-12-29T07:00:00.004-05:00

I have to admit I had not heard of this particular runway trend, but learned more about it from reading a review in Brides Atlanta magazine. The trend I am referring to is wedding gowns with a "Peplum" design. A peplum is an exaggerated flounce at the waist of a gown. It is flirty but sophisticated and the design presents a modern twist on the classic ruffle.

Below are three designer gowns with a peplum design treatment.

The first dress is by Angel Sanchez; the second dress is part of the Reverie collection by Melissa Sweet, and the third dress {and my favorite} is from Oscar De La Renta's Spring 2010 Bridal Collection.

Peace and Blessings,
Tracy

A New Take On Carnations

2009-12-14T07:00:00.003-05:00

Carnations are not just used for fillers any more. Depending on how you use them, they can leave a lasting impression. For instance, in the picture below, a series of matching dense arrangements were placed at a reception welcome table to create a chic and modern look.

In the design below, a geometric center piece was made by closely placing cherry red carnations in a shallow wooden bowl without the use of any greenery or filler flowers {I love the way the red pops in contrast to the black and white}.

Here carnations are used to create pomanders {love these}. You can used these pomanders to decorate pews, hang them from the ceiling, on doors, you name it. Let your imagination be your guide.

Interesting facts about carnations:

Carnations can be packed tightly together without the petals bruising or falling off.
Each stem averages about one dollar.
Carnations are grown all over the globe - Europe, Kenya, India, Australia, China, South America and the United States and they are available year-round.
Carnations come in more than 10,000 shades and varieties.
Once a carnation has reached its full bloom, it will remain fresh and fragrant for about three weeks if kept properly hydrated.

Peace and Blessings,
Tracy

Source: Instyle Weddings

Eye Candy

2009-12-08T07:00:00.002-05:00

I absolutely love everything about this photo-shoot from the modern, chic style of the bride to the exact poses, and oh...did I mention I love the motorcycle - one day I'm going to get me one and it's going to be hot pink, but that's another blog at some other time :)

These photos were taken by the talented Jeff Scott-Bey of Scott-Bey Studios. To see more of Jeff's work, visit his website.

Peace and Blessings,
Tracy

Wednesday Wedding Tip

2009-11-18T07:00:00.003-05:00

Break in those shoes...

Photo credit: Scottbey Studios

Brides, keep your feet happy by breaking in your shoes before the wedding and try cushion inserts. There is nothing more unflattering than seeing a beautiful bride walking around without shoes because her feet hurt - so not cute.

Peace and Blessings,
Tracy

Art Deco Theme Wedding

2009-11-12T07:00:00.006-05:00

I love all things glamorous and elegant and I think an art deco theme wedding can be both glamorous and elegant as well as stylish, and would be an ideal theme for any couple who wants to have a stylish and sophisticated wedding. Another thing I like about having an art deco wedding is that you won't see it at every wedding. Because I found the art deco period to be so inspiring, I decided to put together an inspiration board to display my take on an art deco theme wedding.

The wedding cake - Perfect Wedding Day

Bracelet - Lang Antiques

Invitations - Flickr

Bridal Bouquet - Ever After Florals

Ring - Lang Antiques

Decor Image - InStyle Weddings

Wedding Dress - Jenny Packam

Necklace - Art Deco Jewellery

Headpiece Image - Archi Bald Photography

Shoe - The Wedding Shop

Limo - Lebaron Wedding Cars

The look - It's swanky. The wedding dress should be slinky, elegant and very refined. It usually has both slim lines and sheen characteristics of the Art Deco era and it should be paired with the perfect accessories.

If the look is done right, the sophisticated and elegant flair of art deco design will create an unforgettable wedding.

Peace and Blessings,
Tracy

Something Old, Something New, Something Sparkling

2009-11-10T07:00:00.006-05:00

On October 25th, Ivanka Trump married Jared Kushner, publisher of the New York Observer, in a private ceremony at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey. Ivanka wore a custom Vera Wang gown and thousands of dollars of diamonds from her own fine-jewelry collection.

She wore these platinum mixed-cut clustered diamond earrings worth $130,000.

And this platinum diamond hairpiece to accent her veil worth $45,000. And she also wore an art deco link platinum diamond bracelet worth $90,000.

Talk about "something sparkling". You know what they say....diamonds are a girl's best friend!

Peace and Blessings,
Tracy

Source: People Magazine

Inspired By Flowers

2009-11-09T07:00:00.007-05:00

On Nov. 4th, TLC debuted a new series called Flowers Uncut with Jeff Leatham. Jeff is a premiere floral designer who has been creating a sensation with his floral designs since he began working with flowers at the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills in 1995. Jeff served as artistic director of the Four Seasons Hotel George V in Paris and he was voted best hotel florist in Europe for three consecutive years. Now he has his sights on being just as successful in New York.

Jeff's work is a combination of his love for flowers and his passion for design.

Pictured above is Jeff's work in the lobby of the Four Seasons Hotel in Paris.

The picture below shows Leatham's design for Eva Longoria and Tony Parker's 2007 wedding in Paris.

Leatham's past clients also include Tina Turner, Janet Jackson and President Bill Clinton to name a few.

I love the way Jeff places the flowers at an angle and I absolutely love the bold, modern and oh so chic way in which he does his floral arrangements...such an inspiration! For scheduled programming for Flowers Uncut, visit TLC and click here to find out more about Jeff Leatham.
Peace and Blessings,
Tracy

Think Outside The Box

2009-11-02T07:00:00.002-05:00

The perfect wedding favor deserves the perfect favor box. There's nothing wrong with the commonly used 4x4 box, but why not think outside the box and choose a container that compliments the theme and style of your wedding. Here are a few unique favor boxes from Weddingstar:

Peace and Blessings,
Tracy

A New Take on Traditional Cake Toppers

2009-10-26T07:30:00.001-04:00

Wedding cakes should compliment the overall style and theme of the wedding reception, so if the style of the wedding is traditional, a bride might want to consider using a traditional cake topper - a replica of a bride and groom. Now the traditional bride and groom cake topper has a modern flair and many couples use them to this day. Here are a few traditional cake toppers now with a modern flair.

What a cool way for the couple to add a personal touch that reflects their personality. More of these whimsical cake toppers can be seen on Weddingstar.

Peace and Blessings,
Tracy

American Idol Contestant Ties The Knot

2009-10-08T07:00:00.002-04:00

During my daily search of the world-wide web to feed my wedding fixation, I came across wedding pictures of season one American Idol contestant, Justin Guarini and his lovely bride Reina.

Enjoy the photos taken by Stephen Brown of Looking Glass Photography.

Peace and Blessings,

Tracy

Wednesday Wedding Tip

2009-10-07T07:00:00.001-04:00

What would you do if you received a reply card back with no name filled in? Save yourself a huge headache trying to figure out who the card belongs to by inconspicuously placing a small number on the back of each reply card before enclosing it with the invitation. Use a list to record each guest's name along with the number on the reply card you are enclosing for them, so if someone forgets to fill in their name, a quick glance at your list will tell you precisely who the reply belongs to.

Peace and Blessings,

Tracy

Photo of reply card - Wedding Paper Divas

Luxury Tablescapes

2009-10-06T07:00:00.007-04:00

Last month I attended a Bridal Luxury event hosted by The Atlantan Brides magazine. This event was a bridal show "kicked up" a couple of notches. It included fine foods and drinks, as well as a fashion show with fabulous fashions from Anne Barge, Bella Bridesmaid, Etain, Heidi Elnora (Project Runway's season 2 contestant), J. Andrew's Bridal, Priscilla of Boston and Savvi Formalwear.

While I enjoyed the fashion show, I especially enjoyed the featured tablescapes. They were so inspiring. Enjoy the photos and inspiration boards by TLS Elite Events.

Anything But Basic inspiration team: T-evenire, Carter Elite Studio, Darryl Wiseman Flowers, and Paper Parfait

Contemporary Elegance inspiration team: Blossoms Atlanta, Favor Events, Shari Zellers Photography, and Signatures By Stephanie

Unforgettably Feminine inspiration team: By Your Side Events, Ink and Paint, Jaxon Photography, Nadine Lynn Weddings, and Robert Long Event Design

Eco Chic inspiration team: Ashley Baber Weddings, Chelsea Floral, Luxe Expressions, and Ross Oscar Knight Photography

Traditions Retold inspiration team: Amy Osaba, Lemiga Events, Peachtree Photography, and Verde Paperie

Winter White Panache inspiration team: Eventscapes, Papered Wonders, Peter Doyle Photography, and Traditionally Modern

Peace and Blessings,

Tracy

Vendor Spotlight - Fotographa

2009-10-05T07:30:00.010-04:00

Last month I attended a wedding industry event where I met Hilarye Schoyt, the wonderful photographer taking pictures that night. Hilarye's company, Fotographa (love the name BTW) is a wedding photography boutique. Once I saw the pictures she had taken of the event, I had to see more, so I took out her business card and proceeded to her website and then to her blog. What I saw was pure amazement! They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but the pictures taken by Fotographa speaks volumes - talk about capturing delectable details and just the right light and vibrant colors and real moments. Fotographa knows how to capture the essence of the moment and that is exactly what was done during Tiffinie and Bill's (pictured below) wedding. I loved all the pictures taken of Tiffinie and Bill's wedding, but I have to share a view of my favorites, like this picture of the groom. Look at his eyes. I'm willing to bet he shed that tear when he saw his beautiful bride walk down the aisle.

Love this picture for the same reason as the one above. Look at her eyes. She looks so excited and what bride wouldn't be excited on her wedding day.

I love the details in this photograph, especially how vibrant the colors are.

In this picture, I love the whimsical way it looks as if the lion is guarding the dress.

Well...as you can see, I am now a fan of Fotographa. Click here to see more photos and experience art + photo journalism at its best!

Peace and Blessings,
Tracy

Fashionable Friday

2009-09-25T07:00:00.003-04:00

~The Beegee Bag~

Today's Fashionable Friday feature is the Beegee bag. These bags are so cute and what woman doesn't need a cute little bag to hold a few essential items. Whether your style is chic and modern, vintage, or eclectic, there's a Beegee Bag for you. And for all you soon to be brides out there, these bags would make a nice gift for your bridesmaids.

Click here to purchase your Beegee bag online.

Peace and Blessings,
Tracy

Vendor Spotlight - T-evenire

2009-09-22T07:00:00.000-04:00

I love all things beautifully and wonderfully made, so naturally I adore the invitations, programs, menu cards, etc made by my friend and owner of T-evenire, an event planning and invitation design boutique. I finally had the opportunity to visit T-evenire and fell in love with her work even more. Here are pictures of some of T-evenire's amazing designs.

Peace and Blessings,

Tracy

Vendor Spolight - Villa Christina

2009-09-21T07:30:00.002-04:00

We had the awesome opportunity of attending a wedding industry function at the beautiful Villa Christina. Whether you are dining out, celebrating an occasion, or having a business meeting, Villa Christina has something for everyone. The food is magnificent, the grounds and gardens are lush and beautiful, the two ballrooms are elegant, and the furnishings are chic. I could on, but I'll let you see for yourself. Here are a few pictures I took - enjoy!

Villa Christina serves lunch Monday through Friday from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm and dinner Monday through Saturday from 6:00 pm until 10:00 pm. It is conveniently located just inside the Perimeter at 4000 Summit Boulevard off Ashford Dunwoody Road and I-285.

Peace and Blessings,
Tracy

Wednesday Wedding Tip

2009-09-16T07:30:00.002-04:00

Have Items Do Double Duty and Save Money

Photo by TLS Elite Events, LLC

Menu card hand crafted by T-evenire

To save money on the cost of printed place cards, add guests' names to the favors and set each place or print the names at the top of your menu cards.

Peace and Blessings,
Tracy

Wednesday Wedding Tip:

2009-09-09T07:30:00.003-04:00

Provide directions to the reception

Photo By: Thomas Van Veen, Bethesda, MD

If you are having your ceremony and reception at two different places, put a map of how to get from the ceremony to the reception site on the inside of the program, or print it on the back cover.

Peace and Blessings,

Tracy

Vintage Wedding Cake Spread

2009-09-08T07:30:00.004-04:00

Instead of one wedding cake, why not have several wedding cakes in different sizes and designs. If having a vintage theme wedding, how cute would it be to top each cake with a different vintage bride and groom topper. Bring the vintage theme out even more by using a collection of different cake stands - the older the better of course. Shop for them at thrift stores or borrow them from family and friends. You can find vintage cake toppers very cheap on ebay or from flea markets and thrift stores as well.

What a fun and unique way to add personality to your event!

Peace and Blessings,
Tracy

Source: Project Wedding

Fashionable Friday

2009-09-04T08:00:00.002-04:00

Cymbeline~Paris

There's not much to say about today's feature except it's Friday and these dresses from the Cymbeline Paris collection are fashionable and fabulous. Enjoy...

Peace and Blessings,
Tracy

An Old Fashion Soda Bar

2009-09-01T08:00:00.000-04:00

While searching the world-wide web, I came across this DIY idea from Project Wedding. I think this idea is absolutely fabulous!

Having a a retro theme wedding or event? How about a vintage theme wedding? Add some fiz to your event with a soda bar.
Old fashioned sodas add a whimsical element to any event and can also be used as part of the decor.

Arrange them according to color, or just purchase the color or flavor that coordinate with your event. Refrigerate them until right before the event then display them on a table or bar for a great effect.

Peace and Blessings,

Tracy

I Do Paper - Grand Opening

2009-08-31T08:00:00.001-04:00

If you take a look to the left of my blog under "wedding inspirations", you will see a button for I Do Originals. Now they have given me more to be "inspired" about - paper! I Do Originals announces the grand opening of I Do Paper, their sister company that offers custom designed programs that reflect the bride and groom's unique style.

Here are a few samples of what I Do Paper will have to offer:

The fan program:

Three panel trifold program:

Square style program:

Booklet program:

To kick off their grand opening, I Do Paper is offering 35% off of your entire order. Just enter IDP35 as the coupon code on the order form. Offer expires September 24, 2009.

Peace and Blessings,
Tracy

The Time Traveler's Wife - The Wedding

2009-08-20T08:00:00.000-04:00

For all you hopeless romantics out there {including myself}, make sure you see The Time Traveler's Wife (in theaters now). The movie is about a time traveler who uncontrollably moves back and forwards through time, and the girl who has been in love with him since he first appeared in her life as a young girl.

Here are a view pictures of the wedding that takes place in the movie.

The wedding dress is by Lea-Ann Belter Bridal

I can't wait to see this movie!

Peace and Blessings,
Tracy

Pictures courtesy of New Line Cinema/Alan Markfield.

Save money on your wedding Cake

2009-08-19T08:00:00.006-04:00

The more elaborate and custom your cake design, the more expensive it will be. If you’ve decided on a highly intricate design, save money by ordering a smaller version of the cake for cutting and offering a sheet cake for serving guests.

Peace and Blessings,
Tracy

2009-08-15T08:00:00.003-04:00

Vendor Spotlight - David Molnar Photography

This past February, I had the awesome opportunity of working with David and Tammy Molnar of David Molnar Photography based out of Nashville, TN. I knew from the minute I met David and Tammy that they were special people. Not only are they the coolest and hippest people I have ever met, they are also really talented. And from the very first glimpse of their photos - I became a fan!

Here are a few pictures from a couple of weddings they recently photographed - enjoy!!

The wedding above was coordinated by Watermark Weddings and took place at the beautiful grand historic mansion at the Atlanta History Center. I definitely {heart} the playful pictures and the pop of color.

The beach is one of my most favorite places to be in the whole wide world, so of course I absolutely love the photographs of the wedding below which took place at a beach in North Carolina.
To see more photos, visit the website of David Molnar Weddings.

Peace and Blessings,
Tracy

Wednesday Wedding Tip

2009-08-12T08:00:00.003-04:00

Photo: Front Door Studios

Want to save money on your reception? Consider having a daytime reception. Serving brunch or lunch is cheaper than serving dinner.

Peace and Blessings, Tracy

Atlanta Wedding Industry Events

2009-08-11T08:00:00.007-04:00

Here are a couple of wedding industry events TLS Elite Events will be attending this month:

Atlanta Wedding Professionals Networking Lunch & Learn

Hosted by Atlanta Occasions Magazine and Atlanta Bride and Groom Planner
Wednesday, August 19, 2009 at The 1420 Room
11:30 am - 1:30 pm

Lunch and Learn Topic: Stephanie Hunt, of iMatrimony, talks about social networking and your business. Having monumental success in special event planning and engineering, her strategy marries the two, making her the innovative Wedding Technista of today. An expert consultant in both fields, Stephanie Hunt has cutting-edge intuition, which identifies the latest hi-tech ideas, emerging trends, new media tools, and out-of-the box alternatives to save time and help wedding professionals leverage their business using technology. Mrs. Hunt, will share her tips on How to Use Social Marketing for your Wedding Business.

THE INSPIRED BRIDE, an interactive bridal event hosted by The Atlantan Brides and StudioWed Atlanta, Sunday, August 23rd, 4:00pm-7:00pm

Hope to see you there!

Peace and Blessings,
Tracy

JLM Couture

2009-08-07T08:00:00.001-04:00

Today's fashionable Friday feature is Jim Hjelm Occasions Bridesmaid Collections which is a part of JLM Couture. The collection consists of stylish bridesmaid dress with superior workmanship and sumptuous fabrics with fashion-forward colors and expert construction and fit.

Here's a sneak peak of the 2009 fall collection:

To see more of these stylish bridesmaid dresses, visit the website (see above).

Peace and Blessings,
Tracy

Brides by Demetrios Trunk Show

2009-08-06T08:00:00.002-04:00

Don't miss Brides by Demetrios Trunk Show.

Peace and Blessings,

Tracy

Wednesday Wedding Tip

2009-08-05T08:00:00.001-04:00

Thinking about having a destination wedding? Stretch your budget by booking on the last week of the off-season.

Peace and Blessings,

Tracy

Silk Flowers vs. Fresh Flowers

2009-08-04T08:00:00.004-04:00

Which is better? Silk or fresh flowers - you decide. Both options have advantages so let's take a look at what each one has to offer.

Top 10 reasons to choose silk flowers:
1. Won't wilt or turn brown. Always look fresh.
2. Extensive variety of colors and styles.
3. Are everlasting and non-seasonal.
4. Lighter to carry than fresh.
5. Less expensive than fresh.
6. Easily transported and no refrigeration.
7. Non-allergenic. (Note: They can be scented).
8. Petals do not drop.
9. Can receive them weeks in advance of the ceremony.
10. Do not attract bees and other insects.

Top 10 reasons to choose fresh flowers:
1. They smell wonderful.
2. Extensive variety of colors and styles.
3. Exquisite detailing missing from silk.
4. More traditional than silk.
5. More options in choosing vendors.
6. Are soft to the touch.
7. Create a more opulent feeling than silk.
8. Available at a variety of pricepoints depending on season.
9. Look wonderful in photographs, even close-up.
10. Can be freeze dried.

Consider what are the most important attributes you want in your flowers, and compare them to the lists above.

Peace and Blessings,
Tracy

DIY Picnic

2009-07-13T08:00:00.000-04:00

Whether it's your wedding reception, bridal shower, baby shower, birthday, etc., what better way to celebrate summer than with a picnic. Of course if you have it catered, most caterers will be happy to package the food how you ask. But if you are the do-it-yourself type, here are the supplies you will need to create this picnic lunch:

Supplies:
1. Full sheets of label paper, purchased for $5 at Office Supply Store

2. Colored Tissue Paper, purchased for $2
3. White Food Bags from Paper Mart, the cost is only $.10 each!
4. Gable Boxes from Paper Mart at $.45 Each
5. Ribbon from Paper Mart for $3
6. Labels for lunch box from Office Depot

Step 1: Design Most of the work is done in this step. These designs were made on Adobe Illustrator using different royalty-free images. You can go to websites like istockphoto.com or your local library or bookstore for designs to reference. If you have a designer or a friend that is a designer it is great to have someone with expertise help but Adobe also offers 30-day free trials of their software so if you really wanted to do it yourself and learn the software program, that is an option too. Although they aren't as detailed there are other programs like Microsoft Paint that can get the job done.

Step 2: Print The labels were printed on label shapes but for the larger label on the gable box, print the design on a full sheet of label paper and then cut them out with exacto knifes. The paper bags can be fed directly through your laser or inkjet printer just like you would print an envelope.

Step 3: Assemble If you are having your caterer help, make sure they understand your vision. It's always good to have one assembled beforehand so they understand what you want. If you are doing it yourself, call your friends and family and have a get together a week or two before the big day so you can apply labels. The day before, the food can all be assembled and refrigerated.

Step 4: Sit back and relax! Watch the guests as they enjoy all the extra special touches.

Of course the colors can be changed to coordinate with your event.

Peace and Blessings,
Tracy

Source: Project Wedding

Grand Opening Soiree - The Bridal Bar

2009-07-11T10:00:00.002-04:00

Don't miss this fabulous event!

Peace and Blessings,
Tracy

Venue Spotlight - Dolce Hotel and Resort

2009-07-10T11:12:00.011-04:00

Instead of the Fashionable Friday Feature, I will be featuring Dolce Atlanta Hotel. Stay tuned next Friday for another fantastic fashionable find...

I had the pleasure of attending a wedding production at the fabulous Dolce Atlanta Hotel and Resort. Dolce is located on 40 beautiful acres in Peachtree City. There are a variety of indoor and outdoor event spaces for gatherings of all sizes. The hotel recently underwent a $8.3 million renovation which provided 233 brand new guestrooms and a $6000 square foot ballroom. The facility is stunning and ready for your wedding reception or rehearsal dinner.

Take a look...

Corridor outside of the ballroom...nice space to have cocktail hour.

The grand ballroom.

Outdoor wedding space.

For more information about Dolce Hotel and Resort, visit their website at http://www.dolce-atlanta-peachtree-hotel.com.

Peace and Blessings,

Tracy

Jenny Lee Bridal Collection

2009-07-03T12:00:00.017-04:00

Today's Fashionable Friday feature is the bridal collection of Jenny Lee, the founder and creative director of Jenny Lee, Inc. Jenny believes in true femininity in its purest form. Each gown is handcrafted from the first stitch to the last and made to flatter and accentuate the female silhouette.

Here's a look at a few of her beautiful and sophisticated gowns:

These gowns remind me of Old Hollywood Glamour. To see more of Jenny Lee's bridal collection, visit her website.

Peace and Blessings,
Tracy

Photos courtesy of Jenny Lee Bridal.

Do-It-Yourself Style Weddings

2009-07-01T10:00:00.004-04:00

To all the do-it-yourself brides out there, make sure you pick up the Summer 2009 issue of Martha Stewart Weddings. This issue contains 25 plus projects to make your big day special. For those brides that are not the do-it-yourself type, I'm sure you will be inspired by the splashes of color, glamourous gowns, summer pleasures, etc.

Peace and Blessings,
Tracy

New Wedding Show Premieres on TNT

2009-06-16T10:59:00.002-04:00

If you're like me, you love everything wedding related, so make sure you watch "Wedding Day" tonight on TNT at 8:00 pm EST. "Wedding Day" is TNT's new reality series. Couples who have spent their lives giving to others will be surprised with the wedding of their dreams with the help of family, friends, and celebrity wedding planners.

Join me on twitter to discuss the show.

Peace and Blessings,

Tracy

Atlanta's Wedding Industry Events

2009-06-15T10:00:00.000-04:00

As a wedding planning professional, I am constantly networking and learning as much as I can to ensure I stay abreast of the latest trends and information in the wedding industry. Here are a few events I have lined up for the remainder of June:

June 17, 2009, Atlanta Wedding Professionals Monthly Luncheon at Hotel Palomar.

At the luncheon, Jack Oglive of Techwood Consulting, an Atlanta Internet Marketing firm will be teaching how to utilize the power of google, yahoo, MSN and other search engines with Search Engine Optimization techniques.

June 25, 2009, Lunch and Look at the Loft at Castleberry Hill.

At this event, I will be touring the venue, sampling delicious cuisine and viewing all the wonderful event possibilities. The Loft at Castleberry Hill is a contemporary event space available for corporate events, weddings and social soirees.

Also on June 25, 2009, I will be attending a Summer Social hosted by StudioWed.

At this event, we will be celebrating the release of the Weddings Unveiled Summer 2009 issue where you can find tons of ideas and inspirations for weddings.

June 28, 2009, A Toast…To Us! Brunch for Wedding Planners and Event Coordinators.

This is a networking event and motivational seminar hosted by Memory Makers Event Coordinators. The speakers will be Natalie Bradley of Natalie Bradley Events and Bride Attraction and Samantha Goldberg of Whose Weddings Is It Anyway.

If you’re going to be at any of these events, please let me know so I can say, "hi".

Peace and Blessings,
Tracy

What's a Girl to Wear?

2009-06-12T12:15:00.003-04:00

It’s summertime and we all know what that means… weddings. Not only do brides- to- be have to concern themselves with choosing the perfect wedding dress, but what to wear to all the special occasions before and after the wedding. So with all the events surrounding your special day, what’s a girl to wear? Here are some fabulous outfits that I like: For the engagement dinner with family and friends, wear an outfit that is classy and feminine.

Make this skirt classy - #158 by **lena** featuring Jimmy Choo shoes For the bridal shower, wear something comfortable:

Cute by Funky Gal on Polyvore.com For the bachelorette party, wear something fun and flirty like this ensemble:

Summer nights by arya aka bea featuring Juicy Couture bags And for the rehearsal dinner, consider this cute and sexy outfit:

RED FANTASTY by rluvsg featuring Christian Louboutin shoes

These are outfits that I like. When you’re considering what to wear for your special occasions look for items that look good on you and makes you feel FABULOUS! Peace and Blessings, Tracy

Atlanta Botanical Garden - Venue Spotlight

2009-05-26T14:54:00.008-04:00

Last week, I attended an Atlanta Wedding Professionals' luncheon hosted by Atlanta Occasions Magazine and Atlanta Bride and Groom Planner at the Atlanta Botanical Garden. At the luncheon, I was afforded the opportunity to hear BB Webb, owner of the award winning event venue, Carl House talk about her journey building Carl House and her plans to create global awareness of her business.

After listening to such a thought-provoking speech, I took a tour of the Atlanta Botanical Garden and the art exhibit (Moore in America) there at the time...such a beautiful place. If you're looking for a place to create a memorable experience at what is considered an urban oasis, then make sure you visit the Atlanta Botanical Garden. The Garden offers a variety of rental options, both indoor and out, for weddings/commitment ceremonies and receptions.

Enjoy the pictures...

Peace and Blessings

Tracy

Planning Weddings and Being Disappointed

2009-05-25T17:18:00.001-04:00

Receiving emails and phone calls from potential clients wanting information about your services is a major part of the business of planning weddings. Once you receive one of these much anticipated emails or phone calls, you get excited because you know you have the qualities it takes to seal the deal. You schedule an appointment and prepare to meet your next client. You go over in your head your famous sales pitch that you know cannot and will not fail. Finally, it's meeting day. You're on time for the meeting, you're looking your best, you have your sales pitch memorized and you have a contract ready to be signed. Then the unthinkable happens - your soon to be client, that you're so excited about meeting, pulls a "no show". For a second you think...what just happened - did I get stood up? It couldn't have happened, because after all, you're good at what you do. You're detail oriented, you're organized, you're flexible, creative and the list goes on. But are you thick-skinned? Can you really deal with disappointment? If you can't, then you're in the wrong business. Of course its human nature to feel disappointed at times, but it's how you deal with those disappointments that makes the difference. So next time you experience disappointment, because you will -take a deep breath, dust your shoulders off and keep on keeping on. You know why? Because the phone will ring again and another email will come.

Peace and Blessings,
Tracy

A Wedding Planner's Worth

2009-05-18T21:49:00.004-04:00

While sitting in the hair salon this past weekend, I overheard the conversation of two young ladies - one apparently getting married. While they talked, I took out a card, waited until the timing was right and politely interrupted. I gave the young lady my card and asked if she had a wedding planner. After saying no, she asked me how much did I charge. Before answering the question, I remembered a quote from Laura Molettiere of Cameo Event - "instead of letting a potential client ask how much your services cost, lead the conversation into how much your services are worth" - so I did just that. I explained what my services would be worth to her and why it is very important to hire a wedding planner. Even though I didn't directly answer her question, I do believe she was satisfied with my answer. When she left the salon, she told me she would definitely give me a call. I guess only time will tell.

Peace and Blessings,
Tracy

Wedding Photos of the New Jersey Housewives

2009-05-16T20:16:00.009-04:00

May 12, 2009, was the premiere of the Real Housewives of New Jersey. Housewives and sisters, Dina and Caroline married brothers who run The Brownstone, a popular wedding catering hall in Patterson, NJ. Below are wedding photos of Dina and Caroline, both married at The Brownstone and Theresa, a third New Jersey housewife.

Dina married Tommy Manzo
Caroline married Albert Manzo

Teresa married Joe Giudice at Bascilica Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Newark, NJ and the reception was held at Nanina's in the Park also in New Jersey.

Watch more of the Real Housewives of New Jersey on Bravo, Tuesday nights at 10:00 p.m. (EST).

Peace and Blessings

Tracy

Photo credit: Bravo

Source: Brides.com

My Pursuit of Greatness

2009-05-04T21:42:00.005-04:00

Every Monday, I will share with you my personal journey to greatness and becoming one of the greatest wedding/event planners in Atlanta and beyond. There are many great wedding planners in Atlanta, but there's certainly room enough for me, so watch out world - here I come! If you want to get on this train to greatness, hop on board and hold on - I'm headed straight to the top. Along the way, I hope to inspire other aspiring event planners. I'll start today's blog sharing a little about myself.

What inspires me? I'm inspired by love. I love everything about it - how it makes me feel and how it makes others feel, and I especially love how it heals. This is one of the reasons why I love weddings! I love the anticipation the bride has as she walks down the isle to marry the one she’s going to spend the rest of her life with. I love when the vows are exchanged and the bride or groom starts to cry because the words mean so much…and often times I shed a tear or two myself, because I’m sentimental like that.

Interesting facts about me (in no particular order):

1) I love the smell of freshly cut grass.
2) I've never had a broken heart.
3) I don't believe in love at first sight, but I did know I would marry my husband the first time I laid eyes on him.
4) I love to sing and dance, but not good enough to make any money.
5) I'm shy, but try to act like I'm not.
6) In another life, I would like to be an attorney.
7) If I could be like someone else, I would be like Kimora Lee Simmons.
8) I would also like to be an interior decorator.
9) I would also like to be a real estate agent.
10) I am originally from Atlanta and have not, nor want to live anywhere else.
11) I am a Grady baby and proud of it.
12) I'm a hopeless romantic.
13) I'm not easily bothered by things I have no control over.
14) I'm a handy woman - I once put up a ceiling fan by myself. My neck hurt for days.
15) I would love to jump out of an airplane.
16) I would like to go to the moon.
17) I drive fast, but slow down when others are in the car with me.
18) I've never had any broken bones, but I have had stitches in my head.
19) I'm a reality show junkie.
20) My most favorite thing in the world is my laptop.

I hope I have given you some insight into my life. Until next Monday...

Peace and Blessings,
Tracy

Project Runway Winner Goes Bridal

2009-04-30T15:33:00.010-04:00

I am a huge reality show junkie and Project Runway is one of my favorite reality shows. Christian Sieriano, the fourth and fiercest winner of Project Runway got his start working as a freelance bridal designer in New York City, so I guess it was no surprise to him when Brides.com asked Christian to design wedding gowns for four engaged celebrities: Uma Thurman, Rachel Bilson, Amy Adams and Zooey Deschanel.

Here are the four dresses:

Zoey Deschanel

Amy Adams

Rachel Bilson

Uma Thurman

Peace and Blessings,

Tracy

Source: Brides.com

Pretty in Pink

2009-04-29T22:51:00.002-04:00

I adore the color pink - every shade from pale pink to hot fuchsia! It happens to be my favorite color. For you brides-to-be out there who share my admiration for pink, check out these pink inspired weddings:

wedding in pink by miss Z featuring Chloé day dresses

Ale Wedding by gabry-soul featuring Jimmy Choo shoes

Peace and Blessings,
Tracy

Fashionable or Flop

2009-04-24T11:09:00.013-04:00

For today's Fashionable Friday feature, lets take a look at celebrity style. To me, fashion is what you make of it - that is what makes us unique. However, some people have an eye for fashion and some do not. Here are a few fashionistas I think nailed it and the others...well, I just don't know what they were thinking.

These ladies got it right and are always on top of their game:

Now these ladies, need to rethink their outfits:

It's all about how you see it. You may not see it the way I do, but that's cool to. Remember, no matter what you do...look good, but live better.

Peace and Blessings,

Tracy

Source: www.people.com

The Role of a Wedding Planner

2009-04-20T22:53:00.010-04:00

As a wedding planner, I come across two types of brides-to-be:

1) The one who thinks she does not need a wedding planner because her friends and family can take care of everything, and
2) The one who does not have a clue as to what a wedding planner does.

Well...I could list all the things that wedding planners do, but that would make this blog too long, so I'll just tell you in a nutshell what it is that wedding planners do. We provide soon-to-be married couples with a peace of mind, and that my dear is...priceless!

bride by suleckr on Polyvore.com

Peace and Blessings,
Tracy

Christian Louboutin

2009-04-17T00:04:00.002-04:00

Todays fashion feature is Christian Louboutin. If you're on faceback, then you probably know about the different quizzes facebook offers. I took the "what type of shoe defines you?" quiz, and the result was Christian Louboutin. I thought I was a Manolo Blahnik type of woman myself, but I guess I was wrong. As a Christian Louboutin shoe, I am described as "sexy and slinky with an edge and an aire of mystery. People around me recognizes me immediately, but don't know much about me and that's the way I like it; to keep them guessing." I have never heard of Christian Louboutin, but this is somewhat true, so I decided to dig deeper to find out just what type of fashion Christian Louboutin designs.

I like this outfit...

She's Got Her Own... by Brickhouse1982 (NEW CONTEST) featuring Rick Owens tops

And how cute would this be for a second wedding, or the mother of the bride...

wedding day by carleen30 featuring Ylang|23 necklaces

Peace and Blessings,
Tracy

Cozy Country Night Wedding

2009-04-16T11:55:00.004-04:00

How romantic and different would it be to have a cozy country night wedding with nature as your venue. Just imagine the lighting - the warm glow from the moon and the sparkle from the stars...simply breathtaking.

Cozy Country Night Wedding by Cotton Tail featuring Miu Miu heels & wedges

Peace and Blessings,
Tracy

Wednesday Wind Down

2009-04-15T16:41:00.006-04:00

It's that time again! Every year for the past 10 years, Atlanta has been entertaining music lovers with its FREE concert series. The concert is held every Wednesday, April through September in Centennial Park from 5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. What a wonderful way to end a stressful day of work.

Today's performance features the group Candi Ray and vocalist April Showers.

Peace and Blessings,
Tracy

Chocolate Brown

2009-04-14T12:27:00.015-04:00

Chocolate Brown has become the new neutral, especially for weddings. However, unlike most neutrals, chocolate brown is warm and inviting. And the good thing about chocolate brown is that depending on what color your pair it with, it can be used for spring, summer or fall weddings. Here it is paired with pink, which happens to be one of my favorite colors... Source: Favoridea

Peace and Blessings,

Tracy

Fashionable Friday

2009-04-10T14:45:00.014-04:00

This week's fashion feature is House of Dereon Dress Collection.

The House of Dereon was launched by Tina and Beyonce Knowles. Tina describes House of Dereon as couture with kick and soul. The clothing line was inspired by Tina's mother - the late Agnez Dereon. She was a skilled seamstress and dressmaker who made beautiful custom clothing for private clients.

Here are some of the dresses in the collection:

To all you fashion-forward brides out there, consider having your bridesmaids wear a dress from House of Dereon and give your wedding a couture style with kick and soul.

In Atlanta, you can find these beautiful dresses at:

Neiman Marcus

3393 Peachtree Road, NE

Atlanta, GA 30326

Peace and Blessings,

Tracy

Source: House of Dereon; Bloomingdales; Missxpose

Brides Against Breast Cancer Gown Sale

2009-04-07T22:55:00.011-04:00

To all you brides-to-be out there, don't miss the Brides Against Breast Cancer Gown Sale. It's a wonderful opportunity to buy an incredible dress at an affordable price and help make someone else's dreams come true.

Location:

The Defoor Centre
1710 Defoor Avenue NW
Atlanta, GA 30318

Dates and Times:
4/16/09; 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Sneak preview event

4/17/09; 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Free and open to public

4/18/09; 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Free and open to public

And while you're there on April 17th, make sure you find me and say, "hi". I am proud to say I will be volunteering at this wonderful event.

For more information, visit Atlanta Bridal.

Peace and Blessings,
Tracy

Fashionable Friday

2009-04-03T21:43:00.020-04:00

Hi everyone out there in the wonderful world of blogs. I would like to introduce to you Fashionable Fridays. Every Friday, I will post blogs about fashion. I happen to like fashion, so I decided to share my sense of fashion with the world. Here's the first of many....

I love purses (handbags, pocketbooks or whatever you like to call them) like most women do and I happen to like designer purses, but there's no shame in my game...I will carry a knock-off in a minute and not think a thing about it. For you fashionistas out there who will not carry a knock- off and especially my recessionista fashionistas, check this concept out. It's called, "borrow my handbag". Go to the website (click on the link) and browse their collection of designer handbags. Choose a bag you like...use a credit card to enter your billing information, then in 3-5 days you will receive your designer handbag. Keep the the bag for as long as you like and return it when you're finish carrying it, or if you absolutely love it...buy it! What you're doing is renting the bag. You can rent by the week, month, or year. The price range from $30 a week to $99 per month depending on the bag. Here are some of the bags you can borrow:

Prada

Louis Vuitton

Coach

Christion Dior

Look good, but live better

Tracy

Bliss Wedding Magazine Dress Show

2009-04-01T22:46:00.009-04:00

Don't miss the upcoming dress show hosted by Bliss Wedding Magazine. And while you there, may sure your stop by and say, "hi". I will be sharing a booth with Temeka Ringer of Ringer Photograhy.

Peace and Blessings,

Tracy

Weddings and Pets - Do They Go together?

2009-03-30T20:32:00.017-04:00

Jennifer Hudson has set a date for her nuptials with David Otunga. However, the couple is keeping their wedding date to themselves. Jennifer says she wants a classy, traditional wedding. But one thing she wants to do that is not so traditional is have her dogs in the wedding. I have gone to lots of weddings in my life time, but never have I seen dogs in a wedding, but apparently it has been done. Check out a few Atlantans who have had their furry friends in their weddings. Photo of Jennifer and David courtesy of Associated Press

Source: AJC Pets,

Peace and Blessings,

Tracy

Beautiful Garden Wedding

2009-03-28T16:40:00.051-04:00

I recently received the photos from the wedding I coordinated last month. This wedding was really fun to plan. I worked mostly with the mother of the bride who was an absolute delight. The vendors were all really cool, professional people who did their jobs well. The photographers, David and his wife Tammy, of David Molnar Photography did an exceptional job on the photos. They totally captured the essence and feel of the wedding. Take a glimpse at Lauren and Blake's wedding at the beautiful Dunaway Gardens in Newnan, GA.

In the picture above, take a look at the three people standing far off near the tent. I'm the one on the left. The other two guys were ushers.

The food was done by Kimble's Event by Design.

The cupcakes were made by Polka Dot Pastries and the groom's cake was made by Sweet Sensations

From looking at the pictures, it hard to believe that it rained all day the day before through the morning of the wedding day and then snowed the Sunday following the wedding.

There are so many more wonderful photos. If you want to see more, send me a comment and I will post more pictures.

Peace and Blessings,

Tracy

Custom Illustrated Keepsakes

2009-03-20T21:55:00.010-04:00

While surfing the net, I came across this website called Etsy. At Etsy, you can commission a keepsake of the most beautiful dress you'll probably ever wear - your wedding dress. But it's not limited to just your wedding dress. Have a favorite dress that you absolutely love? Well...you can also have an illustration done of yourself in that dress as well.

Below is an illustration of Alicia Keys in a dress she wore to the Grammys:

The illustrations will fit a standard 8"x 10" picture frame, but if you desire another size, just let them now. For more information, click on the Esty link above.

Peace and Blessings,

Tracy

Oprah Interviews the First Lady

2009-03-17T12:31:00.011-04:00

I am a huge fan of Ms. Oprah Winfrey. However, I have to admit that I am not a subscriber of her magazine. But because I am absolutely inspired by Ms. O and our First Lady, Mrs. Michelle Obama, I had to pick up a copy of the April edition. Check it out. Finally someone worthy enough to share the cover....

Blogging Bootcamp Atlanta

2009-03-15T20:44:00.015-04:00

I was going to wait until a later date to blog about this, but I'm so excited, I can't hold it any longer! Liene Stevens of Blue Orchid Designs and The Smart Planner is bringing her Blogging Bootcamp to Atlanta.

When: May 6, 2009
Where: The Bridal Bar Atlanta

Topics covered will include:
*How to discover and leverage your blogging voice
*How to maximize your blogging ROI*How to develop killer content - consistently
*Hot to set short term and long term goals for your blog
*How to effectively analyze your stats and blog traffic
*How to increase your readership and keep them coming back for more
*Specific strategies and techniques to use your blog to improve your main website's SEO or "findability" on Google
*How to promote your brand through your blog's design and content
*Maintaining professional boundaries while still being personable
*And more!

This event would not be possible without the generous support of By Your Side Events, Christine Gallagher Photography and The Bridal Bar. To find out more information and to sign up for the bootcamp, go to http://bloggingbootcampatlanta.eventbrite.com/

I'm looking forward to becoming a better blogger. LOOK OUT WORLD!!! Stay tuned for updates.

Peace and Blessings,
Tracy

God's Knot

2009-03-14T19:45:00.015-04:00

Have you ever heard of God's Knot? Well...I have to admit I had not until my former clients chose to have a God's Knot ceremony in their wedding last month rather than lighting of the Unity Candle. Being the inquisitive person that I am, I googled "God's Knot" to find out more about it. The ceremony consists of the bride and groom braiding the three strands. In doing so, the couple demonstrates they have chosen to allow God to be the center of their marriage and they (God, the bride and the groom) are woven together as one.

The Gold Strand - represents God at the center of the marriage

The Purple Strand - represents the Groom

The White Strand - represents the Bride

Pictured above are my former clients tying God's Knot during rehearsal

Source: God's Knot

Peace and Blessings,

Tracy

Running of the Brides

2009-03-08T18:18:00.004-04:00

Get ready, set, go! For all you brides-to-be out there, get your running shoes out. Filene's Basement in Atlanta will be having their world-famous sale on designer and brand name wedding gowns, better known as "Running of the Brides". The sale will take place Friday, March 20, 2009 from 8 am until 9 pm. Filene's Basement is located at 3535 Peachtree Road, Atlanta, GA 30236.

Budget-friendly Bouquets

2009-03-07T14:33:00.012-05:00

To all my BSBs (Budget-Savvy Brides). Here's a tip on saving hundreds of dollars on flowers for your wedding. Besides choosing flowers that are in season and do not have to be imported, consider buying your flowers from Sams Club, and making the bouquets yourself. While shopping at Sams, I came across these fresh flowers:

$5.88 per bundle (10 stems)

$14.72 per bundle

$19.72 per bundle (25 stems)

Arrange these flowers any way you like, wrap the stems with satin ribbon, add any other embellishments to your liking, and there you have it - a nice inexpensive bouquet. If making bouquets is not your forte, email me at tlseliteevents@comast.net or call me at (404) 368-0273, and I will make all the bouquets and centerpieces for your wedding for a price that fits your budget. Peace and Blessings, Tracy

First Came Rain, Then Sun, Then Snow...

2009-03-01T19:30:00.028-05:00

When planning an outdoor wedding in February in Georgia, you just never know what the weather is going to be like. For instance. I had rehearsal this past Friday and it rain all day, so we went to plan "B", which was to have the wedding under the tent where the reception was to be held. Take a look. I watched the news Friday night and first thing Saturday morning. 100% chance of rain according to the weather report. Oh well...I thought. We have a good solid plan together, so I wasn't worried, but still hopeful that maybe God would lighten up a little. I arrived at the venue 3 1/2 hours early, rain still pouring, and not even a hint of sun in site. The wedding must go on, so I pressed on, hoping and praying the sun would come out, because I knew my bride had always dreamed of having a garden wedding. As I ran around making sure all the vendors arrived and were set up, I barely realized the dark clouds started to clear and the rain had stopped until an employee of the venue said they were going to set up outside instead of the tent. PRAISE THE LORD!!! I said to myself. Back to plan "A", but not really...we didn't have time to set up a prop that was a major part of the wedding, so we went to plan "C". A plan the pastor and I came up with about 45 minutes before the wedding. We didn't have time to practice so the wedding party had to visualize what they were to do. The wedding started 10 minutes late and that was only because the bride's parents wanted to give a few more guests time to arrive. It was like the gates of Heaven opened up and poured us out a blessing. The wedding was absolutely beautiful, and my bride got her dream garden wedding. Then I wake up today and WOW! It's snowing! That's Georgia in February - you never know what the weather may be like. Stay tuned for professional pictures of the wedding. Peace and Blessings, Tracy

It's My Birthday!

2009-03-01T17:38:00.005-05:00

Today I am again thankful that God allowed me to live to see another birthday, and to share it with my two boys and husband (not pictured of course) made me appreciate it even more. Peace and Blessings, Tracy

Vendor Spotlight - Cakes by LaMeeka

2009-02-23T21:36:00.056-05:00

On my hunt for wonderful vendors to work with, I had the pleasure of meeting LaMeeka Edwards, pastry chef and cake artisan of Cakes by LaMeeka. LaMeeka's cakes are custom designed and taste as good as they look. See below. LaMeeka's speciality is the "Pillow Cake", a multi-layered cake in which layers resemble satin pillows. Visit her website to see more of her custom designed cakes. LaMeeka has baked cakes for couples featured in the latest issue of Southern Wedding Magazine, TLC's The Wedding Story, and Bridezilla. She bakes cakes for all types of occasions and if you don't have a special occasion, but have a craving for something sweet to eat, head on down to the Bakery Shop in Forest Park, GA.

OMG! I Feel the LOVE

2009-02-15T00:16:00.026-05:00

I was reading my favorite blogs like I do every night once everyone in my house has gone to bed and to my surprise, I discoved that Deniesha of Couture Events by D tagged me!! I think when you get tagged you're supposed to tell something about yourself and tag your favorite ten blogs. Here goes... I AM…truly blessed and grateful I WANT…to lose some weight I HAVE…a wonderful husband and two handsome, loveable little boys I KEEP...my mouth closed when I need to I WISH I COULD…quit my day job and run my business full-time I HATE…people who complain all the time (I don't hate the people, just the complaining) I FEAR…the LORD I HEAR…what I need to hear I DON'T THINK…about stuff I have no control over I REGRET…not starting my business sooner I LOVE…weddings, beautiful things, and travelling I AM NOT…easily bothered I DANCE…every chance I get. I SING...because I'm happy and because I love to sing I NEVER…say never, or try not to I RARELY…read for entertainment anymore I CRY WHEN I WATCH…anything sentimental I AM NOT ALWAYS…focused like I need to be I HATE THAT…I can't design my own website (I probably could, If I really tried) I'M CONFUSED ABOUT… much of nothing I NEED…more time to work on my business and exercise I SHOULD…exercise more I am returning the blog love to the following: 1) Couture Events by D 2) 4 The Stylish and Sexy 3) Always Fabulous Events 4) The Smart Planner 5) Destination Wedding Photographers 6) Lemiga 7) Affairs with Elegance 8) Destination...Soiree 9) Southern Wedding Magazine 10) Wedding Soiree Peace and Blessings! Tracy

Happy Valentine's Day

2009-02-14T08:28:00.006-05:00

With Valentine's Day being on a Saturday this year, you now what that means? Yes...weddings. So I'm sure there are many romantics saying, "I do" today. Afterall, today is the most romantic day of the year! Take at look at this Valentine's Day theme wedding.

Source: Favorideas

These shoes are made for walking

2009-02-12T23:43:00.022-05:00

There's nothing like a cute pair of high heel shoes, especially on your wedding day. Those cute shoes, however, must be comfortable. Because let me tell you - it's hard to be cute when your feet hurt :( and you want to be cute for your wedding pictures. Try a wedge heel. They are cute and comfortable without sacrificing style. Here are a few wedge heels I found on BridalPeople.

Survey - Wedding Vendor's Websites

2009-02-12T23:11:00.008-05:00

I promise, this will only take a minute of your time! If you wouldn't mind, please click on the link below and answer 9 quick, easy questions about different design aspects of wedding vendor's websites. http://www.questionpro.com/akira/TakeSurvey?id=1152739 . We won't record anything about you other than what state or country you are from - we don't even ask for your email address so no spam or anything like that. You will likely see this link on lots of other blogs and sites - this survey is being shared all over the blog-o-sphere so please take the survey only once. If you have additional comments on the subject, please feel free to email me with those and I will share them with the other wedding vendors who are participating! We can't wait to hear what you have to say! If you are a wedding vendor and would like to participate, just copy this post to your blog and email Emilie Duncan the link at emilie {@} emilieduncan {.} com - She will send you the results once we have closed the survey in March

Vendor Spotlight - Kimble's Events by Design

2009-02-10T11:25:00.032-05:00

I had the wonderful opportunity of meeting Shirley Barnes, the General Manager of the Events Division of Kimble's Events by Design. Shirley is a delightful person and I really enjoyed talking with her. Kimble's Events by Design is a premier food service company providing great food to the South Atlanta Metro area as well as Columbus, Georgia and the Auburn, Alabama areas. Shirley and I will get a chance to work together the end of this month on a wedding that I am providing rehearsal and wedding day services for and Kimble's Events by Design is the caterer, of course. Here's a sneak peak into Kimble's Events by Design.

To find out more about Kimble's Events by Design, please visit their website.

Vendor Spotlight - Scott-Bey Studios

2009-02-09T23:11:00.018-05:00

Extraordinary, exquisite, precise, creative, and innovative. These are just a few words that describe the work of Jeffrey Scott-Bey, the photographer and mastermind behind Scott-Bey Studios. I had the pleasure of meeting Jeffrey and got a chance to view some of his work. I see why he's considered a leader in photographic excellence. Jeffrey's photgraphs are the perfect marriage of art and science. Take a look...

At Scott-Bey Studios, "good is not good enough when excellence is possible". Scott-Bey Studios was awarded the 2009 Bride's Choice Award. To see more of Jeffrey's fabulous photos, go to http://www.scottbeystudios.com/

Wedding Venue - Dunaway Gardens

2009-02-03T23:29:00.010-05:00

My first wedding for the 2009 wedding season will be held the end of this month at Dunaway Gardens, a hidden treasure located 30 minutes south of Atlanta. Dunaway Gardens is one of the south's largest natural rock and floral gardens. There are spring-fed pools, stone waterfalls and extensive hand-laid rock paths, walls and staircases throughout the approximately 25 acres. Dunaway Gardens is a beautiful place to have a wedding and reception. To learn more about Dunaway Gardens, visit http://www.dunawaygardens.com/.

Sophisticated Lady

2009-01-31T23:19:00.009-05:00

If sophistication is your style, you might want to check out the Ultra Sophisticates collection by Brides By Demetrios . Here are some of my favorites from that collection.

What's your style?

2009-01-25T21:55:00.013-05:00

Planning a wedding? Not sure what your bridal style is? Go to Brides.com and take their quiz. When you discover your style, there are many pictures of cakes, invitations, flowers, and decor to help make your wedding day an event to remember.

Bling, Bling

2009-01-22T21:53:00.018-05:00

What woman doesn't like bling! Afterall, diamonds are a girl's bestfriend. One of the hottest wedding trends for 2009 is to have a blinged out wedding. Bling is not just for jewelry any longer. Brides are using bling on invitations, cakes, dresses, bouquets, shoes, decorations, you name it. Of course you don't have to use diamonds to have a blinged out wedding - crystals will do just fine. However, please don't forget style and good taste must prevail and everything in moderation. Check out some of the things brides are using bling for. This bouquet is a bit much for me, but some brides may like it.

Images: Decorate my wedding; Toppers with glitz; Wedding Channel

Happy Inauguration Day!

2009-01-20T11:55:00.006-05:00

Photo: Associated Press

What a wonderful day in America! Whenever you feel like you can't go on or you just can't make it through. Remember this day and say to yourself, "YES I CAN!" Congratulations to Barack Obama, the 44th President of the United States of America.

To see more pictures of the inauguration click here: Gallery Barack Obama's Inauguration Day ajc.com

MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND MAY GOD BLESS THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA!

Beware of Scams

2009-01-17T11:29:00.018-05:00

My fellow wedding planners - BEWARE! An old scam has resurfaced. I received an email from Jessica Farrell of the UK stating she needed my help planning her wedding that was to take place in Atlanta. Needless to say, I was really excited and looking forward to the challenge. I recently started my business, so I was not aware of this scam.

My good friend, Randa Khafagy (see picture), who is brilliant at internet research, found out that my soon to be bride from the UK was a fraud - THANK YOU RANDA!!!! Apparently this scam has been going around for a while. Rashanda Anderson, founder of "The Bridal Party" received a similar email and talked about it in her blog, "After YES, Before I DO" dated November 11, 2007.

It's disheartening to know that there are people lirking in the winds trying to take advantage of you. But you know what? No weapon formed against me shall prosper. Below is a copy of the email I received:

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Hello, Compliment of the season to you all !

How are you doing? Thriving!!! My name is Jessica Farrell , from Enfield in middlesex UK (England ). I will be coming to Atlanta , GA after my shopping trip with my Husband David Rodin who's French by nature to start his new work with the Coca-cola Co. in Atlanta , GA and just before then we will be getting married on the 21st of March , 2009. We need a good venue for reception and ceremony / wedding planner to take care of our wedding both reception and ceremony. We require the best for the best memories for we & our children in future and as a matter of fact we have budgeted 30000$ for this special event. Also, we want the ceremony and reception event to take place in a location and we are expecting at most 60 guests on the day of our occassion because most of our families in Europe and our friends in South America will be present for the occassion. Also, we would like you to know the reception and ceremony will be taking place @ 1 location ,the ceremony takes place outdoor ( A garden setting will not be bad ) while the reception takes place indoors, that is why we are contacting you on this . Please let us know if you're able to help.

Sincerely, Jess & David

Hottest Wedding Trends for 2009

2009-01-13T23:00:00.020-05:00

The 2009 wedding season is fastly approaching and with it comes the hottest new wedding trends. According to one of my idols, international celebrity event planner, Colin Cowie, brides should dream big and when it comes to weddings, there are no rules except taste and good style must prevail. Click on the link to watch Colin share more hot trends to make any wedding spectacular: MyFox Atlanta Hottest Wedding Trends for 2009 Colin is the new host of the television show, "Get Married" which tapes here in Atlanta. He also has a new book out called "Wedding Chic - 1001 Ideas for Every Moment of Your Celebration".

Don't Give Up

2009-01-04T13:09:00.004-05:00

OMG! Talking about not giving up. When the idea came to me to do a blog, I thought...ok, that's a good idea, but I have never done a blog before, I don't know HTML (or whatever program I need to know to run a blog), and with so many other blogs out there, what can I do to get and keep people interested. Then it dawned on me...I'm creative and I can do anything I put my mind to. After all, if there's a will - there's got to be a way. So I gathered my thoughts and my laptop and went to work. After several days of research and doing and re-doing, I finally got my blog to look the way I want it to look - at least for now. My initial thoughts were to give up, but I truly think I may have started something wonderful and not giving up is going to pay off in the end.

Looking Foward

2009-01-01T00:21:00.007-05:00

Happy New Year!!! What are you looking forward to this year? Well...I'm looking forward to greatness - I want to be great at everything I do this year. I'm looking forward to growing my business, and meeting and working with new clients. I'm looking forward to learning new things and sharing what I've learned with others. Since starting my business in May 2008, I feel on top of the world. I have released all the fear that kept me from doing something I am passionate about - creating beautiful events for people to enjoy and remember for a life time. And since there is nothing left to hold me back, the only thing I can do now is look forward to all the wonderful things God has in store for me this year. I'm looking forward to living the good life!