Rhonda Patton Weddings & Events

2012 & Beyond: Forecasting for the Modern Bride

I'm a Fashion-forward, FLORALnista' astute with premium fasion and modern floral intelligence.

I invest time studying trends for the sophisticated modern bride. Unfortunatley, Nashville runs about 1.5 years behind as it relates to wedding trends and designs. Modern trends typically begin on the East or West coast before slowly matriculating to the Music City.

My brides are very trendy and understand the need for every detail.  Check out my predictions for the 2012 {and beyond} Modern Bride:

Trending Now--->Modern Bride Color Inventions

Color plays a vital role in this invention - strong, rich saturated colors are essential.

My color Raves for 2012 and beyond....

• Purples make me Plum Crazy!
• Beautiful Blues: Indigo, Royal, Cobalt, Lapis and Teal...are all a thrill!
• Haute Pink is Poppin! (I heart haute pink and metallic gold color combos)
• Jewel Tones are Jammin'
• Red Reeks with Excellence!
• I'm Musing over Metallics!
• Neutral Palettes deserve a round of Applause! (I'm falling in love with the all white weddings too...)

The Fashion is a pre-requistie to the wedding industry and ironically my color raves are are the popular choice.

credit : Marieforum.com

Trending Now---->Modern Bride Element Inventions

Acrylic or Lucite (which are both major players in the event industry), Mirrored or Opague Elements, Upolestered Elements and Blinged (crystal) enchanced elements are all popular choices for the modern bride.

Trending Now---->Modern Bride Flower Inventions

Layering of textures, groupings (of one sort of flower), swaying flowers (flowers sway out of a vase to the left or right versus stems completely submerged into a vase) , flower sculptures and flower contouring are all popular choices for modern brides.

Trending Now---->Modern Bride Candy Station Inventions

Robust candy or dessert stations to include color coordinated sweet treats. Candy bars remain trendy and I predict this trend will be a popular choice for modern brides for 2012 and beyond.

credit : prestonbailey.com

 

The White vs. Ivory Debate: Does it Really Matter?

I tend to have the biggest debate with brides over the color WHITE versus IVORY. Does it really matter?

Yes, it does matter!

The differences between ivory, cream or white is highly significant when it comes to the subject of wedding gowns and flowers.  Ivory should not be viewed upon as another shade of white like eggshell, diamond white, off-white, cream or ecru - whatever that is! In terms of color, WHITE is stark white, pristine and mixes no shades of any other color - like pure white milk. 

Let's examine gowns from one of my favorite bridal gown designers, AMSALE

photo: amsale.com         White Gown

IVORY has a slight tint of yellow or cream. Cream tends toward the warm, off-white tends towards the cool.  Cream tends to be palely yellow with some sand tones.  Off-white tends to use grays and browns as tones. 

photo: amsale.com         Diamond White Gown

Most women love wearing the unsullied color called white for their wedding gown. However, a huge number of women are opting for ivory shades of wedding gowns.

photo: amsale.com         Ivory Gown

As per old wives tale, white is the color for virgin brides but it holds little relevance in today’s world. Whether you want white or ivory is totally a personal choice. The ultimate decision should rest on your skin tone (warm versus cool).  For example, white can show off the paleness of your skin.  However, some brides believe that white can be too austere. Ivory, having a touch of cream can actually be flattering to pale complexions.

                                        white                                              ivory                                                    cream

The better choice for lighter skin tones is an ivory or antique white. Women with medium to dark-toned skin can often pull off a diamond white beautifully.  Bright whites on darker skin tones are stunning!

Side Note:  I've opted to wear white on my wedding day!

In regards to flowers, they are available in white, cream or ivory.  Some flowers work well with all  3 colors, (ie., calla lilies and hydrangeas). Flowers that are available in stark white (roses, gladiolus, carnations, gardenias, paperwhites, stephanotis, stock). 

Your florist can help determine what type and which shade of flower works best. In conclusin, white/cream/ivory does matter and it's important you convey the color or provide a color swatch in advance to your wedding vendors.

 

Behind the Scenes: Our Inventory!

My name is Rhonda Patton and I'm addicted to glass and unique decorative elements! I will purchase a lot of vases before I purchase a new handbag for myself - seriously!

Our inventory is comprised of a plethora of items from lucite, glass, chrome, ceramic, wood and porcelain - in every shape, size and color. The warehouse is covered wall to wall.

I recently found these uniquely shaped sea blue glass vases in Texas for .50 each.....SOLD! 

 
I bought the entire lot! I like to have an array of unique pieces to offer my clients.  All glassware/decorative elements are included as rental items.

Here are a few other snap shots from my warehouse (on a good day).

 

Thankfully, I have an OCD group of team members who help me keep everything organized. We have an ample amount of apothecary jars for a candy/popcorn station to rent to our clients. We recently purchased 45" tall (adjustable) candle holders.  They make a great platform for a guest centerpieces. As a designer, I love transitional pieces! We are excited about our 2012 inventory which will include many more transitional pieces.  I've been told a visit to my warehouse it like a visit to a craft/hobby store and I concur.

Stay tune as we provide more updates regarding our 2012 inventory.

Look Good, Smell Good: Top 5 Fragrances for Brides

Like Kim Kardashian, I'm a perfumista! I'm also a floralista and love floral fragrances.  Not only should you look good on your wedding day, but you should also smell good!

My top 5 fragrances for Brides......

1. LoveStruck (by Vera Wang) 

Commentary & Pic     sephora.com

Lovestruck from Vera Wang.....a modern twist on Romeo and Juliet, it's all about Vera's interpretation of being madly in love. The fragrance is a sparkling floral. Like an addictive crush, there's an instant attraction to its mouthwatering notes of pink guava and mandarin. With a sweet caress, a delicate bouquet of tuberose and lotus blossom follows. Behind it all are precious woods and a sheer musk, a lasting trail that brings warmth and comfort to this irresistible fragrance.

The bottle design is beautiful!

2. Rose The One (by Dolce & Gabbana)

Commentary & Pic     sephora.com

Rose the One.....this tribute to female beauty signals contemporary elegance embodied by a woman with an instinctively classic sense of style. Her essence is a soft, rosy floral designed around a bouquet that evokes precious, delicate sensuality. Petal by petal, the scent reveals a timeless rose blend that channels the heritage of the consummate Italian fashion brand.

3.  CoCo Mademoiselle (by Chanel)

Commentary & Pic     sephora.com

Mademoiselle.....sexy, fresh Oriental fragrance recalls the irrepressible spirit of the young Coco Chanel. An elegant, luxurious spray closest in strength and character to the parfum form.

4.  Flowerbomb (by Viktor & Rolf)

Commentary & Pic     sephora.com 

This floral explosion releases a profusion of flowers that has the poer to make everything seem more positive. Magically evocative notes immediately awaken your deepest senses, giving you the impression of living life in your own secret garden, away from reality. Sambac Jasmine, Centifolia Rose, Cattleya Orchid, and Ballerina Freesia bloom on a base of Patchouli.

5. Wonderstruck (by Taylor Swift)

Commentary & Pic     sephora.com

Taylor's personal life experiences inspired this fragrance. Just like her creative approach to songwriting, every element is authentic, embracing all that is special about Taylor. Wonderstruck is an awe-inspiring feeling. It could be a connection with someone or a rush you get when you experience something magical. Wonderstruck is also a lyric in the song "Enchanted" on Taylor's album, Speak Now. In this fragrance, a charming and sparkling surprise of vibrant fruits kisses a bouquet of soft petals and a touch of sweet indulgence.  A perfectly charmed deep purple bottle holds this enchanting fragrance. The iridescent rainbow finish, never before used in the fragrance industry, gives the bottle a magical glow. The Moravian star, dove, and birdcage charms that adorn the bottle were hand-picked by Taylor to evoke her unique style and whimsical flair.

All 5 fragrances grace my vanity. As a bride, you can't go wrong with any of these top 5 fragrances for your special day.

Look Good....Smell Good

Jennifer and Armand featured in MUNALUCHI MAGAZINE

To all the brides  who crave culture, Munaluchi Bride Magazine is the perfect fix! Preston Bailey, one of my fave designers is on the front cover!

Jennifer and Armand's wedding was published in the 2011 Fall/Winter issue and is currently on newsstands now!  I picked up a few copies at Barnes and Noble while visiting in Cheasapeake, VA.  I had a blast designing for this wedding and it was a pleasure to see this wedding come to fruition. I look forward to having more weddings published in Munaluchi soon :)

Check out the pre-wedding prep, or see more eye candy from the event design and decor and the beautiful bespoke bouquets.

The design team included some of Nashville's finest:

Photography | Kristyn Hogan

Reception Venue | Country Music Hall of Fame

Paper Goods | Sweet Life Designs

Wedding Planner | Amber Housley

Event Floral Designer | ME!

Bride’s Dress | The Bride Room (Priscilla of Boston)

Bride’s Shoes | Christian Louboutin

Groom’s Suit | J. Michaels

Videography | FocalPoint Cinematic

Cake | Maples Wedding Cakes

Lighting | Nashville Event Lighting

DJ | Robert Luke

Wishing Jennifer and Armand the best of luck!

Real Wedding: Jennifer & Armad - The Event Design & Decor

As an event floral designer, TWA is imperative. Total Wedding  Ambiance is seldom forgotten and will ultimately receive a thumbs up or thumbs down. 

Hiring a compentent event floral designer is equivalent to hiring an interior designer for your wedding (as you would for your home).  Our scope of services go beyond "flowers" and expand into unique element selection, fabric/linen selection, assistance with spacing, lay-out and lighting, decorative accessories, etc.

Your wedding should reflect your individual style and personality. I was highly impressed with Jennifer and Armand's color palette seletion of sunkist orange paired with fuschia pinks and various shades of blue.  I'm not sure if the average couple would have the audacity to run with a bold trio but Jennifer and Armand are stylish trendsetters . Their event design and decor by far superseeded elegance.

 We created 6 focal points/ WOW Factors / Conversation Pieces:

1. Wedding Entrance (Outdoor) - Oversized Cursive "J" and "A" letters completeley comprised of fushia pink and orange carnations.

 

2. Wedding Ceremony Vestibule Focal Point:  4 ft tall floral design in a uniquely shaped glass vessel comprised of gold branches, orchids, hydranges, calla lilies and bells of ireland.

 
 

3. Wedding Ceremony Focal Point:  60 ft aisle with a dense border of pink and orange rose petals created a pathway to a 10 ft tall Chuppah accessorized with crystals and orchid blooms.

 

 

 
 
 

4. Wedding Pre-Reception / Cocktail Focal Point:  The chandailer concept comprised of topsy-turvy mango calla lilies and clear swirly hanging candleholders.

  

 
 

5. Wedding Reception: The Candy Bar

 
 
 

6. Wedding Reception:  Design Repetition/Tall Pomander Designs

 

 
 
 

Real Wedding: Jennifer & Armand - The Bespoke Bouquets

I love photogrpahers who capture endless details!  I have so many beautiful pictures from Kristyn Hogan Photogrpahy, I've decided to publish Jennifer and Armand's wedding in multiple journals. First, the wedding prep blog which provided a glimpse of the behind the scenes. 

Today, I would like to highlight the bespoke bouquets I created for Jennifer and her attendants.

 
  

Jennifer's bouquet was rounded with hydrangeas and accented with roses, dendrobium orchids, mini calla lilies and gloriosa lilies.  The cuff of the stem was dressed in gold swarovski crystal strands. 

 
 

The bride's attendents carried an array of roses, mini calla lilies, dendrobium orchids and gloriosa lilies.

 

 

They guys wore mango orange calla lily bouts.

 
The junior bridesmaids carried orange rose pomanders.

Stay tuned for more details!

 

 

Perfect Wedding Guide Bridal Show: Come See Us Glam!

 
"Come See us Glam" at the Perfect Wedding Guide Bridal show!

We are excited to be the 2011 floral sponsor!

 

Real Wedding: Jennifer and Armand - Pre Wedding Prep

This blog is dedicated to the design and preparatory phase of Jennifer and Armand's fabulous wedding.

It takes blood, sweat and tears to produce a wedding.... (a beautiful wedding that is)!!! The preparatory phase consisted of intense planning and brainstorming sessions, copious note-taking, design and re-designing, sketching and key element selection. We emphasized the importance of cohesiveness and design repetition.

Before I publish the professional wedding pictures from Jennifer & Armand's wedding, I first want to provide a sneak peak of the behind the scenes task and some of the design sketches.

Sketching is instrumental in the design process.  The great thing about sketching is just that... it's a sketch, so it doesn't have to be perfect. 

I redacted rough sketches of Jennifer and Armand's design concepts.  Here are few examples:

Sketch 1 - Focal Point of the Room / Design Repetition to create a Continuous Flow of Repeated Designs.

 

Sketch 1 - After Execution

 

 

Sketch 2 - Guest Centerpiece Design / Drama and Height / Candlescaping

Sketch 2 - After Execution

 

 

Sketch 3- Terrace Chandelier Design

 

 Sketch 3 - After Execution

 

The prepatory phase included custom painting of votive candleholders and flower tinting.

 
We custom painted 450 votive candles holders and transformed them into a frosted gold.

 
Soaked over 50 Oasis Balls for the centerpieces.

 
We made over 40 blue centerpiece designs with blue acrylics

 

We ordered over 2,000 orange and fuschia pink roses. The reception flowers were enormous and arrived on a 18- wheeler cooler truck to help maintain temp control until we could enter the venue for execution.

 

We bagged over 200,000 rose petals to border the 60 ft wedding aisle which completedly filled (6) 30 Gallon trash bags.

 
The Chuppah - My staff worked diligently to execute the 8 foot wide and 10 foot tall chuppah design. We accented the chuppah with  a canopy and back drop of beautiful crystal strands and indiviudally hand glued blue and orange dendrobium orchid blooms. We layered in hanging votives for candlelight. We sprinkled all 200k rose petals to create a dense border for the aisle and we continued the flow of rose petals into the alter area and covered the base of the chuppah.

 
 The Candy Bar - Jennifer and Armand provided me with a list of their favorite candies.  Upon candy delivery a few days before the wedding, my staff pre-executed the layout of the candy station on a 8ft rectangle.  We moved, elevated, adjusted, swapped and switched glass vases and apothecary jars until we created the perfect aesthetic design for the candy bar.  Once we got it just right, we labeled and packed the jars and took a picture for reference.  This pre-execution process made the day of execution much easier!  Candy bar execution is about overall aesthetic appeal and of course, good candies too! 

 This is only a snipet of the behind the scenes task that took place. 

4 cargo vans, 1- 18 ft trailer and 15 staff later........ we created one of the most beautiful weddings ever! Stay tune to hear about the talented vendors, all the details and to see how it all came to fruition!!

 

 

 

Real Wedding: Shayla & Ro

 
Say hello to Shayla and Romario (Ro for short)....such a cute and classy couple to work with! We traveled to Cordova, TN to produce this flawless Fabulosity themed wedding for Shayla and Ro captured by Townsend Photographers at the beautiful Esplanade.

   
 
 

 

We tweeted this wedding execution. Pics below are from @rhondapatton twitter acct.

Now What's fab? #fabthis

A venue with animal print carpet made the perfect aisle runner...

 

Mod furniture, a glamorous chandalier and a mounted plasma for the cocktail hour.....

 

 
....and a fabulous foyer focal point

Now back to the pro pics.

 
Chic centerpieces comprised of mounds of baby's breath (gypsophila) supported with a chrome platform accented with crystal candleholders. #morefab

 

 
Congrats Shayla & Ro! See more details from the photographer's blog.