Rhonda Patton Weddings & Events

Random Things...

Happy Friday!  This blog post is regarding "random things" to include updates, reminders, etc.

New Baby Boy

First off, a big congratulations to Brandon & Amber Housley on their new baby boy!  Amber is the owner of Sweet Life Designs and creative director for A Delightful Day Event Planning.  Babies are such a blessing!!!!

Available Dates...

We have very limited dates for 2009 and have begin booking for 2010 and 2011!

Calling All Planners...

I have a host of brides who are seeking planners/day of planners.  I highly, highly recommend brides to hire a planner.  Also, in my conversation with an event venue manager who is also seeking really good day of planners to refer to their clients.  I advise brides to review my "stylish vendor" section {to the left} which includes planners I have worked with directly.  I also recommend they visit ABG.

Florist Referrals...

I am referring brides and planners to other reputable florist if I am booked.  I never thought I would have to comprise a list of other florist, but I do have one available!!!

Random Q & A's - Random Questions I receive... Answers I give...

Are you participating in any bridal shows this year?  Maybe, if I can find the time.  My blog audience will be the first to know if I do!!!

Do you feel any effects from the sluggish economy?  At first I was a little skeptical of the wedding industry in today's economy but brides are smarter than ever!!!  I haven't really felt the decline.  I am finding that brides ultimately "want what they want" and they are finding creative ways to flex their budgets. The wedding industry has been noted as a "recession proof" industry.  

Do you design for weddings on Fridays or Sundays?  Yes, actually Friday and Sunday weddings are very popular!  I am finding that venues may be less expensive for Friday or Sunday weddings!

Do you know Joe or Jane the "wedding vendor" and what do you think about their services?  I get ask this question several times a day.  Brides & parents are asking if I know Joe or Jane the wedding vendor.  I give kudos and credit where kudos and credit is due.  If I have not worked with that particular vendor, it is unfair for me to comment.  It is also unfair for me to rate their services.  My advise is to do your own research and not be to quick to make assumptions based on what the "grapevine" tells you. 

Can I buy my own flowers and you put them together?  Unfortunately, I only work and design with the flowers I purchase. 

Do you provide a breakdown of the cost, for example...how much is each stem, ribbon, floral tape, pins, etc, for a bouquet? Unfortunately, I do not provide a breakdown of each individual item that the bouquet is comprised of.

My quiet thoughts:  "If I did, I would omit the three most important things:  time, craft and ingenuity"

"Do you go to McDonald's and ask them for the individual cost of the bun, ketchup, pickle, cheese and let's not forget the burger?"  LOL {I'm being sarcastic} Please note: these are my quiet thoughts!

Do you rent vases, etc?  I only rent vases if I am hired to be the designer. 

Do you have/rent linens?  Unfortunately, I do not rent linens.  There are an array of rental companies in Nashville to utilize for linens.

 

Enjoy your weekend!!! 

 

The Tone of Titanium...

 

TITANIUM SETS THE TONE

Inspiration boards are popping up all of the place!!!  A planner sent this one over to me and WOW!

This titanium inspiration board in one of the most unique boards ever!  So many people shy away from gray because gray can be complicated.  However, I gravitate toward it because it's so different if done correctly it exudes E.L.E.G.A.N.C.E...

...i adore the cupcakes

Interior Room from Sarah Kaye {photo by Polly }, Pure Elegance Wedding Invitation from Decadent Designson etsy.com, Silver Brooch with Pearl Vintage Glass from Diane Fergurson on 1000markets.com, Black Poppy Cupcakes from Just Cupcakes' flickr gallery {Not Just a Piece of Cake blog}, Grey Suit from Brides.com, Mother of the Bride Dress from Brides.com, Wedding Gown from Brides.com, Bouquet from Martha Stewart Weddings, Vintage Black Glass Striped Sterling Cufflinks from Anne Holman Jewelry Design on etsy.com

Blue in Reveu: 2008 Wedding Recap

Re-Invention of Blue

Brides are "re-inventing" Tiffany Blue (or now....better known as Robin's Egg Blue)!  I love the fact that this bride used nuances of blue and did not overshadow her entire wedding with this bright blue color.  Her primary colors of black and white with subliminal shades of blue were an excellent choice for this outdoor wedding at the beautiful Governor's Mansion in Brentwood, TN.

For more wow, she infused a black and white damask weave pattern.  Damask, once restricted to formal rooms has yet paved its way from home decor into the wedding industry.  Not only are brides selecting color palettes but they are also incorporating color patterns.  Selecting the right pattern is an effective way to counterbalance your color palette. 

COLOR & PATTERN INSPIRATION:

                      

                                           

Each guest received a blue fan!

 

 

The cake was stunning!  It was one of the neatest cake I've seen comprised of 4 shades of blue that faded into each tier making one tier slightly lighter than the next.

I am not sure who the cake designer was but I want to make sure I give credit where credit is due.  If you are the designer of this cake please contact me!

The bride carried an array of white mini calla lilies. The groom wore a black tux with a blue underlying vest and tie with a mini calla lily as the boutonniere.

 

 

The bride's attendants wore black T-length dresses and carried calla lilies wrapped in a blue midori ribbon.

 

 

The centerpieces were comprised of submerged hydrangeas {which is a wise idea for an outdoor wedding centerpiece} accented with blue mosaic candle holders and votive candles.  I loved this very simplistic but elegant style wedding!

A very special thanks to Krista Lee Photography for these amazing photos!!!!! 

Old Hollywood Glam Bridal Shower

I love bridal showers as much as I love weddings!

It was certainly my pleasure to design for a bridal shower this past weekend.  The bride, an internal medicine physician is attached to her white coat.  She is very conservative and prim and is even having an all white wedding - but her bridal party decided to spruce it up a bit for an old Hollywood glam themed bridal shower.

The Color Palette:

  The Inspiration:

 

The mood:  Fun & Sexy

The tablescape design which also served as the focal point was comprised of a bodice form filled with black ostrich feather plumes accented with red candles and river rocks.  Red plate chargers were accented with custom menu cards and black and white brocade napkins.

   

 

 

 

Rose petals, crystals and feathers accessorized the room.  Each guest received a red bag full of goodies. The food bar consisted of snacks served in over-sized martini glasses.  The cake topper was designed by Cakes by Shara.  The shower was a huge success and the bride was absolutely ecstatic to walk out of her shell into Hollywood Glam!

 

 

 

 

Glamelia: The Glorified Flower

Glamelia:  The Glorified Flower

I  LOVE the glamelia!  Isn't it beautiful!

Source

Glamelia's date back to the 40 & 50's.  Designing a glamelia is old school artistry.  They are handmade from invidividual rose petals {or other flower petals} and crafted to look like one large bloom.  The design can be tedious and time consuming but make for beautiful bouquets or corsages.

 

 

 

 

Bridal portraits regain popularity...

The bridal portrait is one of those time-honored traditions that have regained popularity in recent years. I hope you are considering bridal portraits!  Bridal portraits are a formal picture of the bride in her wedding dress, taken a few months before the wedding with her photographer.

Most brides look the same in their bridal portrait as they will on the day of their wedding.  This gives them an opportunity to play with makeup, hair, jewelry and even their bridal bouquet.  Emily, has been designated as my 2009 bridal poster child because she is a pure beauty full of style and grace. 

Emily selected to use her mock bouquet for the bridal portrait.  This is ideal for both the bride and the florist.  By using the mock bouquet for the bridal portrait, the brides gets to see the bouquet in advance as well as get a feel of size, color, composition and overall look against her wedding dress.

 

 

 

 

A special thanks to Dove Photography for sharing these amazing bridal portraits!!!  Dove Photography is listed under my "stylish vendor" typepad list and is known for capturing the essence of your special day.

 

Purple Panache

INSPIRED...

2009 is starting off with a bang and is now in full swing!  I am so excited to be working with so many new and upcoming wedding planners this year.  I have some very creative brides who are infusing personality with panache to their wedding style!

A special thank to all of the wedding planners who are making our design meetings productive with your unique inspiration boards.  Here's another one of my favorite inspiration boards comprised of peacock feathers and purple....one of the hottest color trends this year!

Hibbitt-Hamlett Wedding Update

Okay...today has flown by and it's Tuesday and I have no blog!  My apologies!  I've received several text messages and facebook messages and know my avid blog readers and stalkers (LOL!) are eagerly awaiting this blog...

I've been battling an ear infection on top of being innodated with consultation request, contract revision, quotes, voice mail/email follow-up's and rental returns.  This weekend was a very exciting and busy weekend!   I have so many people to give kudos too... I don't even know where to begin!  I want to especially thank the wonderful design team {you know who you are} for making my sister's dream a reality!  I want to give a special thanks to all of my assistants for their hard work! 

Since I know the pictures will be fabulous, I've decided to wait on professional pictures which should be available in a few weeks or sooner!  I don't want to leave out any details and with two photographers, all details were captured and so I'll provide a recap in a few weeks with lots and lots of pics as well as a special feature on each vendor - I promise!

Stay tuned!  

   

Out of Pocket...

As most of you know, I am working feverishly designing a very special wedding this weekend.  I can't wait to provide you with a week long recap and vendor spotlights!!!

I will be out of pocket until Tuesday.  Stay tune for all the highlights!!!! 

BTW:  Thanks to everyone for all of the good luck wishes!!!!  See ya on Tuesday!!!

Toodles,

Rhonda Patton

UNITY takes a granular approach ...

L.O.V.E BLOG #2

The "sand ceremony" is a granular approach to unifying families and is one of the most popular trends in today's weddings.  This trend is vastly replacing the traditional unity candle ceremony. Sand ceremonies first began in outdoor {beach/destination} weddings but have now migrated into church weddings.

Sand ceremonies are an unique approach to unity.  Similar to the unity candle, the sand is used to symbolize the uniting of the bride and groom. Their separate lives are symbolized by two vials of sand {different colors}. After the exchange of rings, the bride and groom come together, and pour the two individual vials of sand simultaneously into one vial.

Their flowing together symbolizes the joining of the couple as they share their first experience of unity as husband and wife. The new union is represented by the intertwined pattern of sand created by the couple.

The vial of sand can also be a keepsake of your wedding day!  The ceremony makes for beautiful pictures...

Pictures courtesy of Expressions By Misti

Picture credit Jennifer Jacula Photography