Bridal Luxury

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.

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Peace and Blessings, Tracy

Tracy Sloan Events has arrived!

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?

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!

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

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

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:

1. Carnations can be packed tightly together without the petals bruising or falling off.
   
2. Each stem averages about one dollar.
   
3. Carnations are grown all over the globe - Europe, Kenya, India, Australia, China, South America and the United States and they are available year-round.
   
4. Carnations come in more than 10,000 shades and varieties.
   
5. 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

~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