Our contributing writer today is Amos Gott, and we are thrilled to have him. For a full bio, please see the end of today’s post.
Fun, beautiful bride. Handsome, easy-going groom. Caring, creative parents. Gorgeous family home set in one of the most beautiful neighborhoods in the Bluegrass state. What more could a wedding planner and designer ask for?
(Wedding photography be Ann Wade Parrish Photography, except where noted.)
I LOVE to plan and design weddings. While I also enjoy the diversity of planning corporate, social and non-profit events, it’s the weddings that can often be the most fulfilling and fun. Now it might be that in my nearly twenty years of planning weddings I have never had a bridezilla for a client, but the reason I believe that I enjoy designing weddings most is because they are purely celebrations. It’s all about celebrating the union between two people who are making a commitment to one another and want to spend the occasion with their closest friends and family.
So what makes the perfect wedding? Everybody’s answer is different. But for me, it is conquering the challenge of creating an event that captures the couple. Their style, their look, their dreams… Finding unique elements to incorporate into an otherwise tradition-filled, emotionally-charged, physically exhausting weekend for my client, their family and their friends.
Caitlin and Joe came to me with simple requests, but big expectations. A color scheme of gray and yellow, great food (Caitlin’s father owns several restaurants), and a little “bling.” With my eye on trends, as well as on traditions, here are some highlights from their big day – from just a couple of weeks ago!
The bride and groom chose to take all of their photos before the wedding ceremony, to take advantage of her parent’s beautifully manicured yard. I’ve seen the love in many of the couples I’ve worked with, but the connection between Caitlin and Joe was so obvious.
With the beautiful moments captured, the bride and groom are ready to separate and depart to the church for the ceremony.
The color scheme and look for the evening were introduced at the church with large florals placed behind the altar and positioned in front of a row of Japanese maple trees brought in from a local landscaper to soften the space.
Bridesmaids’ bouquets in yellow and creams were gathered and wrapped with a beautiful 5-inch wide dark gray dupioni silk ribbon. The bridesmaids wore dark gray long gowns.
Instead of solid, more expected ties, we selected a subtle gray and white striped tie for the groomsmen, complimented with a calla lilly and berzilia berry boutonnière.
After leaving their car with the valet, guests entered the reception tents in the bride’s parents’ back yard.
The following three photos are credited to Focal Expressions.
A big color trend right now is yellow and gray. I found this fantastic Ikat linen and knew it was the perfect selection. And Caitlin loved it! Two things are important to my designs – layering and unique elements. The floating candles were complimented by the silver mercury glass votives in various sizes and shapes, all strategically placed around the flowers on the reflective mirror. Very dramatic!
There’s nothing like candlelight! And with such a pale color scheme, the more the better to compliment the tones in the tent. The various heights of candlelight added to the subtle, dramatic look of the space.
As part of my overall table design, I chose a mixture of yellow roses, cream hydrangeas, and yellow stock with a touch of dusty miller to bring in some gray tones for the centerpieces. Since the tables under the tent were on the lawn, I didn’t take risks with tall centerpieces that could have toppled if the tables were bumped or if on uneven ground. Plus, this look is very romantic and has an intimate feel.
With the father of the bride owning several restaurants in Tennessee and Kentucky, there was a big emphasis on the menu. As guests arrived, servers passed hors d’houevres, including muffuletta triangles that were paired with gazpacho soup shots.
The buffet table was anchored by three dramatic candle lamps with gray drum shades. The buffet boasted selections such as goat cheese and spinach stuffed chicken served with a lemon caper sauce, rose petal salmon with hoisin glaze and roasted tomatoes stuffed with squash casserole.
The “Mac & Cheese Bar” was a crowd favorite, offering three different types of mac and cheese with a variety of delectable toppings. (This photo is also credited to Focal Expressions.)
For dessert, Caitlin and Joe cut the wedding cake revealing three different flavors, including raspberry marble, chocolate with dark chocolate chunks and traditional white. Caitlin chose the “D” as her cake topper, which is a popular trend with brides.
A late night snack of jerk chicken tacos and beef sliders came out just in time for hungry guests coming off the dance floor.
Every wedding has what I call their “Royal Family Photos” of everyone lined up in an orderly fashion, posing for the camera.
To everyone’s delight, the family and wedding party surprised guests with a flash mob dance to the Black Eyed Peas’ song “I Gotta Feelin.”
Some guests even joined in!
Caitlin barely missed the crystal chandelier when she tossed her bouquet to an eager and awaiting crowd of single ladies (and yes, that was the song the band played).
As the band’s time came to an end, the crowd of guests just didn’t want to leave! So the bride and groom enjoyed their guests for an additional hour before departing for the first night of the rest of their lives together.
Amos Gott, photographer: Peyton Hoge
About Amos Gott: