MERRY CHRISTMAS from Celebrations by Design!

Celebrations by Design would like to extend a very Merry Christmas to our

clients, vendors, and friends!

Happy Anniversary Tavar & Kemekia!!

Today marks the 1 year anniversary of yet another of my favorite couples! They were a joy to work with and I wish them all the BEST!!!

Congratulations Tavar & Kemekia!

Happy 1st Anniversary Daren & Lovette!

I can't believe it's been a year since these two said "I DO!"

I had a great time working with this couple and I wish them all the love and happiness their

hearts and hands can hold!! :-)

CONGRATULATION DAREN & LOVE!

Kimberly & Irvin - CBD Couple of the Week!

Check back with us for details of their wedding!

Photos courtesy of Shanna Mahoney Photography

A Celebration of Love - Robert & Tamika

Tamika and Robert were a joy to work with! I introduced Tamika & Robert to you a few months ago by sharing a few of their engagement photos. These two love birds exchanged their marriage vows at the Frist Center for the Visual Arts. A "Modern Chic Cocktail" brunch reception was the plan for these two and they accomplished this by having their reception at The Place Martini Bar. The color palette for the couple's soiree included black, white, and green. Black and white damask was incorporated into their wedding design as well! All of these elements together gave the wedding a classic old Hollywood Glamour feel.

Bride's bouquet by Melanie with A Village of Flowers!

Tamika's dress was amazing! She looked fabulous!


Tamika and Robert decided to see each other before the ceremony. Robert tried to play it off, but it was hard for him not to turn around and see what was coming! ;-)

"Wedding Royalty" Mr. & Mrs. Hudson! ;-)

Reggie with "At Your Service Chauffeuring" added a glamorous get-a-way!
Dulce Desserts did a wonderful job incorporating the damask print on the cake!

I call this picture "After it all..."

Here are the vendors that helped make Rober & Tamika's day fabulous!

Tamika & Robert’s "Glam Squad!"

Planner - Toni Smith - Celebrations by Design
Catering - Down South Delights
Videography - Focal Point Cinematic Weddings
Ace Photography - Ace Photography
Cake - Dulce Desserts

Florist - A Village of Flowers
Photo Booth - Snap Happy Photo Booth Rent

Car Service - At Your Service Chauffeuring

I hope you enjoyed this sneak peak of Robert & Tamika's wedding! They were a great couple to work with and I wish them all the best!

Elegance Bridal Gala is TONIGHT!!! Don't miss it!

April & Terrell - CBD's Couple of the Week

I have had the great pleasure of working with April the past few months and we have had a great time talking and preparing for her and Terrell’s bid day!

I like to share my clients love stories and proposals because I’m a hopeless romantic and love when there’s some creativity shown as well as their love for each other.

Here it is…the love story and proposal of April & Terrell…

Our Love Story

One night while hanging out at my sister’s job, I struck up a conversation with an insightful bartender named Kriss. Later that night Kriss called my sister and asked for my number. I was a little upset behind this request because I knew that Kriss had a girlfriend and thought he was trying to pull a fast one! ;-) But as it turned out, he wanted to my number for a friend of his. Well, I got ready to give him my “I-don’t-do-blind-dates” spiel, but decided to give him my number anyway. What the heck- I was new in town and hey, it was a free meal! Lol! Anyway, that was on a Wednesday and Terrell called me that Friday afternoon. Of course I had to play hard-to-get, so I called him back on Saturday. He was about to leave town, but promised to call me the next day when he arrived back in Nashville.

The next day he called and Terrell and I talked, and talked, and talked all day that Sunday. We talked from afternoon until around 9 p.m., took a break to eat, and then talked well into the early hours. Although I did not know him at all, I felt as if I had known Terrell for years. Talking to him felt so natural and I wanted to tell him everything about me. No secrets, pretensions, or guards- just me as I am. We went on our first date the following Friday at the Firefly Grille in Green Hills, which is where he proposed to me last November.


The Proposal

Now, I should have realized something was up on the night he asked me to marry him. Terrell was not eating his food, looking nervous, and just acting “off”. After dinner, he told me that he’d ordered dessert, which was strange because we NEVER ate dessert when we went out… plus he hardly ate his dinner. The waiter brought over the dessert and said “Would you like me to cut this Miss?” I said “Sure”, without looking at him, and kept talking to Terrell. Then the waiter asks me again, so I said “Sure” again…but this time I looked up at him. That’s when I noticed that he was looking back and forth from me to the cake gesturing for me to look at this ‘special’ dessert. So I did, and noticed it had some writing on it. As I looked at the cake to see what was so special about this dessert I started to read the words on the cake slowly. Hmmm…Will… you… marry… me—WILL YOU MARRY ME?!?!?!? “OF COURSE!!” I started crying and then Terrell got on one knee and asked me to be his wife. Naturally I said “YES!!!” …and the rest is to be continued until 07/31/09!

Couple's engagement photos are courtesy of Derek W. Lee Photography!

Too cute! Looking forward to their wedding this week!

Check back with us for details from their wedding!

R.I.P Michael Jackson...You will live on in us forever!

The world has suffered a great loss today with the passing of Michael Jackson.

He was an icon and will never be forgotten!

His music has made us laugh, cry, and dance like there's no tomorrow.

You will be missed Michael...but NEVER forgotten!

Pictures courtesy of http://www.allmichaeljackson.com/

So...you think you can DANCE!?

Wedding dances have taken a life of their own! …and I so glad they did! I love when the new Mr. & Mrs. decide to display their rhythmic talents by making their first dances unforgettable!

I’ve added videos from YouTube to the side bar of the blog to show examples of how newlyweds, families, and wedding party are kicking their receptions off with a bang!

While planning the details of your wedding, don’t hesitate to have FUN with it! You do it in the car, the shower, anywhere the beat hits you! You are the best dancer you know during those time…so why not share your skills with the rest of us! This is a great addition to your reception and your gets will love it!

D.I.Y. Project - Teardrop Luminaries

I found this D.I.Y project on The Wedding Cabaret (via Candletech). This will be a great addition to anyone's reception or event!

What You’ll Need:

High Melt Parrafin Wax

Water Balloons

Double Boiler

Cookie Sheet

Instructions:


1. Fill a water balloon with tepid water.

2. Melt your wax. Optimum working temperature for this project is 180 degrees Fahrenheit. Try to maintain this temperature for your wax while working by keeping it on a double boiler.

3. Slowly dip your balloon into the wax to just below the water level in the balloon. Warning: Do not dip the balloon into the wax past the water level. This could cause the balloon to pop.

4. Hold the balloon in the wax for a few seconds, and then slowly lift it out of the wax. Dip the balloon a few more times, allowing some time between dips to let the wax cool.

5. While it is still quite warm, carefully set the balloon down onto a piece of paper or a cookie sheet, making sure it is level. This will create a flat bottom for the luminary.

6. Dip your balloon a few more times until it is the desired thickness. A good target thickness is 1/4 to 1/2 of an inch.

7. Set the balloon on the paper or cookie sheet again and let it cool.

8. When the wax is completely cooled, hold the balloon over a sink or bucket, facing away from you. Carefully pop the balloon with a skewer or knife and let the water drain out. Throw away the balloon shards.

9. To level the top of the luminary, heat a cookie sheet on the stove and place the luminary top-down onto the hot sheet and carefully melt the edges until it is level.

10. Place a tea light or votive candle inside the luminary and burn on a candle holder in a dark area.


Sounds easy! Can't wait to try this one out!

D.I.Y Wedding Projects! Friend or Foe?

In today's economy more bride's are challenging themselves by taking on D.I.Y wedding projects to help cut some of the costs of their big day. I myslef love D.I.Y projects and I know the ups and downs of them and if you are not 'crafty' some of them can be overwhelming. This week I will introduce some D.I.Y wedding projects that I've found online and take the challenge of making them myself and share the ups and downs with you! In addition to some of the projects, I will also find 'inspiration' photos and try to make them D.I.Y projects!

The first project that I would like to share with you was found on "Do It Yourself Weddings". This project was submitted by Brandi, a "Do It Yourself Weddings" readers.

"Cheap Glamorous Centerpiece"

1) Spray paint the bottom of a clay pot black, or whatever color you choose. Once dry paint the top rim a difference color.

2) Collect branches to put in your pots. I just cut branches from a tree in our yard and used one large branch per pot.

3) Fill the pot with rocks to help secure the tree branch.

4) Create the toilet paper ornaments by cutting a swatch that will cover the toilet paper roll. Don't worry about getting all the way to the top and bottom because your accessories will cover it up. Once you have glued the fabric to the roll, punch two small holes in the top of the roll, one of each side and then thread wire or string through the holes as a way to hang it. Finally, glue beads to the bottom and add a small boa to the top - or whatever trimming accessories you choose. (fringe, ribbon, etc)
5) Collect gems with holes in the top to hang from the branches. You can find gems at Michaels and other craft or bead stores. Then thread with clear string or wire and hang from the branches.

6) Glue orchids randomly on the branches and finally, cover the top of the pot with flowers or moss to cover the rocks.

Ok! Now off to work I go! Check back with us for Celebrations by Design's version of this D.I.Y project!

Personalize It!

In my quest to find different and unique elements in wedding design I came across Blair of JoiedeVie Jewelry on etsy.com! Blair's work is impeccable and she's very passionate about her work and it shows! Her last project for me was using a gocco to add my clients monogram on napkins for their reception. I love personalization and this was another way for me to add another special touch to their reception!

Here are a few examples of her work...

Blair also designs custom wedding stationary using the gocco as well!

Happy Memorial Day!

Take some time today to reflect on the reason why we celebrate today. Millions of soldiers have risked their lives so that we can maintain our freedom and liberty.

Celebrate yourselves, our soldiers, and life!

Have a blessed holiday!

F.A.D.D.S. Party Bus has done it again!!

Friends Against Drunk Drivers
F.A.D.D.S. Party Bus has done it again!!
The NEW Party Bus for 2009!!
“The Skyscraper!”

This is a British double decker with an open top. Party Up stairs or down. The Skyscraper Party Bus is complete with seating for up to 25 passengers. The Skyscraper Party Bus offers: State of the art lighting, special effects and 2 D.J. booths; one upstairs and one downstairs.

Be seen cruising downtown Nashville on the upper deck.
This bus is sure to turn some heads!
Dance the night away in style and get sober transportation home.

About F.A.D.D.S Entertainment
F.A.D.D.S. (Friends Against Drunk Drivers), is owned and operated by David Heimbach and partner Scot Dunlap. The buses are rented by the hour for all kinds of events. David has been in business for over 10 years and has had steady growth. The Skyscraper Party Bus is the 9th Party Bus to be added to the fleet!

The company started with the purpose of providing safe and entertaining transportation for adults who are celebrating different events. It has grown to include school events, birthday parties, parades, and various other venues.

If you would like to see pictures of the Skyscraper Party Bus or find out more about other party buses, check them out on the web.

http://www.nashvillepartybus.com/

615-754-2221 or 615-478-4991

Find YOUR style!

Today on http://www.ashleysbrideguide.com/ you will find me as the ‘Guest Blogger’ for today on ABG! My topic today is about “Finding your style and have fun with it!” Yes, you can have fun while planning your wedding! The more you make it about you, the things you like to do, and the things that you love…it get’s better by the minute!

I introduced Tamika Bryant & Robert Hudson the to ABG family because they are a great example of having a great time while planning for their big day! Their wedding date is

set for July 11th, 2009.

I asked Tamika to tell me a little about themselves and now I’m going to share that with you! I’m also including shots from the engagement session with Ace Photography! (http://www.acephotography.com/) Great job Ace! ;-)

Our Love Story…
Robert and I met almost a decade ago at a clothing store he owned. My college roommate worked for him and I would occasionally stop by to visit her. He and I became fast friends and kept in touch through mutual friends. I eventually moved back to my hometown of Atlanta and we kept in touch less frequently. It wasn't until several years had passed, that while visiting Atlanta on business, we reconnected over dinner. Sparks flew instantly! It was at that precise moment that we realized we were more than friends!

The Proposal…
On a beautiful Saturday evening, Robert took me to different places in Nashville with special meaning to us. A fabulous restaurant on a marina that we have enjoyed since we met; a parking garage with the most perfect views of the downtown skyline; the location of our first kiss, and our favorite place to have a cocktail! It wasn't until the night concluded that he pulled the car over, swung open my car door and got down on one knee.

Did you not just put your hand over your heart and sigh!

I totally did! ;-)

Aren't they too cute together! And they look like they are having a great time!

Here’s an inspiration board with pictures that inspired the bride in her wedding planning…

These are a few centerpiece ideas that I thought would look great at their reception...

Check back with us for the pics and details of thier wedding! I'm looking forward to it! :-)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!!!

Today is one of the most special days of the year…MY BIRTHDAY!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!!

Bride's aren't the only Diva's on their wedding day!

Wedding fashions have evolved so much over the years that the possibilities are beginning to be endless! It was not that long ago that the choices of wedding attire was very minimal, but just as the times change...so does fashion! One area of wedding fashion that I'm happy to see evolve is the mother of the bride fashions. They have really come a long way and why not look the best for your daughters wedding! You will have your spotlight moment at the ceremony and all eyes definitely be on you!

Here are a few examples of mother of the bride fashions that I think make a definite statement!

The following pictures were found on http://www.theknot.com/!