Wedding Planning

1. Make your mark

   With years of wedding planning beneath her belt, Janice Blackmon of Watermark Weddings, watermarkweddings.com, knows better than to trust the biggest day of a bride's life to a single person. Instead, Watermark delivers with a team approach, so that every contingency (sickness, traffic, weather) can be met with aplomb.

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   October 16, 2007 7:51 PM

2. By Land and by Sea

   I knew I'd met a real Girl Friday when Sea Land Events wedding planner Chasity Stodghill told me of a last-minute-save. When a car fire consumed the bride's vintage getaway car just before it arrived, Chasity was able to flip through her black book and replace it at the last minute with a limo.... read more

   October 22, 2007 10:29 AM

3. Back to school

   Some of us learn best in an actual learning environment, mmmkay? If the thought of sitting at a desk and taking notes gets you all stirred up, it's time to sign up for two classes taught at Evening at Emory.

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   November 2, 2007 10:43 AM

4. A storied affair: Storybook Wedding Consulting

   Planning a wedding is definitely easier if you have help. But how do you pick the right planner for you? Personality and references count for a lot, but there's always that little something extra to set your mind at rest. And for Atlanta gals, we have an accredited Professional Bridal Consultant in our midst: Jennifer Lackey, of Storybook Wedding Consulting.

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   November 9, 2007 10:27 AM

5. Wedding planning (with watertight contracts)

   Some event planners help you find your own style, and some help you get through the logistics (the best do both, of course). And if you grab hold of Kelly Charles-Collins of K-Nicole, 770-476-9865, you get a planner who is also an attorney, ready and willing to help you negotiate your vendor contracts with confidence.

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   November 16, 2007 10:00 AM

6. Got a fusion wedding? Call Ribha!

   In an age where everything is global, there's still something special in the blending of two families from east and west into one. For wedding planner Rita Patel of Ribha Events, navigating the ceremonies and rituals of a cross-cultural wedding has become second nature.

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   November 20, 2007 10:00 AM

7. Uniquely you: planning with Ashley Baber

   Let's say you want something a little bit different for your own wedding. An 80s-lounge cocktail hour? An ethnic twist on something traditional? Ashley Baber is the one you want. To plan, that is.

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   November 30, 2007 12:12 PM

8. Playing Gooseberry

   To keep your wedding from becoming a crazy-making, three-ring circus, call Gooseberry Events. The wedding planners specialize in posh events from small to incredibly complex.

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   December 7, 2007 10:00 AM

9. Buy in to Tulipomania

   If you're wondering how to coordinate a bridal theme that includes you and your groom but doesn't skimp on budget or taste, contact Tulip. In addition to fabulous florals, their team will help you with an over-arching event design plan.

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   December 12, 2007 10:06 AM

10. Putting the "E" in event planning

    We know the term "wedding planner" can cover a whole range of bridal handlers with event-wrangling experience. But Stephanie Hunt of Matrimony, Inc is the only one we know who comes to the profession with an engineering degree. Don't worry—you won't be swamped by geek-speak, and she can round up florists and lighting designers with the best of them. But the tech she provides in addition to the usual advice and styling know-how is what sets her apart.

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    December 14, 2007 10:01 AM

11. Planning for a lasting marriage

    Sometimes planning the wedding gets so involved that the marriage itself gets lost in the craziness of dates, invites and vendor coordination. Want your one special day to lead to a forever-union with your sweetie? You may want to enlist the help of wedding planner Rhonda Allen, of New Beginnings Weddings.

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    December 21, 2007 10:00 AM

12. No room at the inn?

    Caught the urge to house your entire wedding party at your place during the few days before your wedding? Fight it.

    Suggest tourist-friendly, downtown digs at the Ellis .... read more

    January 8, 2008 10:00 AM

13. Here comes the flower girl

    I tried not to giggle when Karen Briggs told me that the bulk of her childhood wardrobe came from a scrap collection that her siblings referred to as "The Rag Bag."

    What Briggs is serious about, though, is Chickadees, (her newly launched dress line for little girls.

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    January 15, 2008 11:11 AM

14. One stop shop

    Katriesa Raines got so fed up with the ins and outs of planning her own wedding that she skipped town (contracted venue, caterer, and all) to elope. But it wasn't all for naught. The designer behind timeless, 50s inspired local dress label Olive, was inspired to open Paisley Umbrella (2971 North Fulton Drive, 404-274-5432) - a one-stop shop salon where it's possible to plan dozens of tiny details bridal under one roof.

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    January 17, 2008 10:00 AM

15. The bells are ringing, part two

    Still with me? Great. Here's the second half of Sugar Sweet Event planner Nicky Graham's top 10 wedding etiquette rules rundown:

    6. If you're inviting a wide range of guests, tier your registry to fit different budgets. You may have Tiffany's tastes, but register for great, non-designer items at mid-level department stores, too.

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    January 22, 2008 11:00 AM

16. Gloriously Gloriosa

    Gotta love the fact that everyone from the butcher to the baker to the wedding cake maker is jumping on the "green" bandwagon. What's even more delightful? When local event planning firms like Gloriosa pull it off with such organic style and elegance.

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    January 24, 2008 10:00 AM

17. And a place for everything

    I recently spotted Soraya Jones' reversible placemats and trays at America's Mart and decided to give her a ring. To hear her tell it, Jones' home decor line was born out the need to balance a large-scale mural painting career with running a household that included small children.

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    February 8, 2008 11:00 AM

18. Cute toppers that take the cake

    So let's just say that you and your groom aren't blonde haired, blue-eyed, and three inches tall. It's okay. Most of my friends have had a tough time finding cake toppers resembling them, too.

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    February 12, 2008 11:00 AM

19. A customized memory maker

    It's fun to live in the moment when the cake's being cut and your dress still fits like a glove. It's just as sweet when you can look back over your pics with your hubby by your side. (In sweats.) Call on album designer Jennifer KolbZoomworks photo album services, and you're halfway there.

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    February 13, 2008 11:00 AM

20. Savannah sourcing at The Georgia Bridal Show

    Newly betrothed, start your engines. If you have your heart set on a wedding in Savannah, you'll plan a quick weekend trip for the Georgia Bridal Show Sunday. Unlike a lot of regional and state shows, you can count on previewing top local talent. (Read: People that won't be charging you travel fee to haul tail from Atlanta especially for your wedding.)

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    February 20, 2008 11:00 AM

21. Breathtaking photo opps at Barnsley Gardens

    Quick. What do you get when you cross breathtaking ruins, pastoral views, and a resort getaway in the mountains? A lovely spot called Barnsley Gardens. Whether you're taking pics, planning a ceremony, or seeking a not–too–faraway honeymoon destination (it's about an hour outside of the city, in Adairsville) you'll find it there.

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    February 21, 2008 11:00 AM

22. An exquisite event

    As winter melts into spring, you may start looking at outdoor locations for your ceremony with new eyes. Are you planning a beach or garden wedding? You may want to call on the skills of event planner Angela Hawkinson of An Exquisite Event.

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    March 28, 2008 2:43 PM

23. Soiree by Natalie

    

    Some fabulous wedding planners feel the siren call of a smaller town. Are you an Athens girl who wants a chic wedding that runs like clockwork? An Atlanta bride who's jaded by intown planners? Call Athens-based Natalie Bradley of Soiree by Natalie.

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    March 31, 2008 10:06 AM

24. Entertain your youngest guests with Wedding Belles Etc

    

    Weddings are family events. And families mean children. Your sister's kids, your friends' kids, and possibly your own kids. We love kids! But how do you keep the little ankle-biters happy (and away from your cupcake tower)? You make a beeline for the services of Wedding Belles, Etc.

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    April 16, 2008 8:24 AM

25. Plan your wedding or be a wedding planner with Susan Graham

    

    Calling all brides to be and aspiring wedding planners—Susan Graham of Bella Sera and Susan Graham Events is holding classes in planning your own wedding or starting a new career as a bona fide planner yourself.

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    April 30, 2008 10:02 AM

26. Get organized with a CEO bag!

    

    I'm always on the lookout for tools to keep myself orderly and organized. Wish I'd had this to help me plan my own wedding: the CEO Wedding Bag. By the way, that's C for Chic, E for Elegant, and O for organized!

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    June 4, 2008 9:16 AM

27. Peachtree Weddings and Events

    

    Most of us work hard, and wedding planning can be a huge energy-buster. If you're a career-minded gal with little time to plan your own wedding, you're going to need someone to help you do the heavy lifting. The girl to keep you on track? Nicole Fantz of Peachtree Weddings and Events.

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    June 11, 2008 10:48 AM

28. Amy Osaba Event Floral and Design

    

    Imagine working with someone on your wedding designs who gets you so completely, you can actually tell her to do her thing and check back on the day of, knowing that she'll blow you away with the final result. Pipe dream? Not if you land Amy Osaba to whip your wedding flowers (and more, since she's also an event designer) into shape.

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    June 30, 2008 3:15 PM

29. Tasting and Design Event at The Grande in Kennesaw

    

    It's easy to center bridal events on the Buckhead and Midtown circuits, but we know brides get married all over our fair city. Kennesaw brides, here's one for you: a tasting and design show at The Grande.

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    July 7, 2008 3:58 PM

30. Historic elegance at the Garrett-Bullock House in Columbus

    

    Every city, town and village in Georgia has its own special homes, once the mansions (or just big houses) of the town's rich and famous, that are now hosting happy weddings each weekend. One option for Columbus brides is the Garrett Bullock House, an 1881 Queen Anne Victorian with all-inclusive wedding packages for a variety of weddings.

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    July 21, 2008 10:07 AM

31. Great ideas to involve your MIL on your big day...

    

    Brides take center stage with their grooms. The Mother of the Bride (at least in all fairytales) helps with the dress and, well, everything else. Father of the Bride (at least in the eponymous movie and umpteen commercials played for yuks) pays for everything. What about the groom's family? Here are several ways to involve those who are about to become your nearest and dearest, from the mouths of those who know—Atlanta wedding planners.

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    July 30, 2008 10:21 AM

32. More fun ideas to involve your in-laws!

    

    You knew we had more! Here, several more ideas on involving your respective families, especially your mother-in-law, on your big day.

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    July 30, 2008 5:32 PM