Doughnut "Cake"
We'd seen doughnut towers before, but we hadn't seen one done this well until we received this photo from Caroline and Stowe Heartridge-Beam’s wedding. Credit goes to the groom, who drafted the design and then created a small prototype of the display before it was assembled at the reception. How he did it: Instead of piling doughnuts on top of each other in a topsy-turvy pyramid, he used a five-tier cake stand as a platform. Around the bottom two tiers, doughnuts were placed side to side. On the third and fourth tiers, doughnut "sandwiches" were positioned perpendicularly to doughnuts placed flat. Because the top tier was smaller, the doughnuts were cut in half and stacked in a flower-petal shape, with a mini doughnut spire protruding from the center. Bravo!
Rehearsal Dinner Comfort
For this special meal that's dedicated to bringing two families together, South City Kitchen (two area locations), southcitykitchen.com, provides a proper introduction to Southern culture and hospitality. It's all about Southern comfort at this warm and inviting eatery where good ol' low-country cooking is the speciality. Dishes such as buttermilk fried chicken, smoked beef brisket, and chicken and dumplings are served next to favorite sides like collared greens, grits and mashed potatoes. Plates start at $14; private dining is available.
Made in Your Shade
You want their jewelry to match your wedding's color scheme. They want something beautiful that they will wear again (really). Well, you and your bridesmaids are in luck: The gals at Turq Jewelry have a beautiful collection of handmade necklaces and earrings made of semiprecious stones that are grouped in wedding-ready color palettes. Turq's designers, Lee Lesley and Katherine Mulford, can even create a custom ensemble. Bonus: You'll get a 10 to 15 percent discount if you buy three or more of the same necklace.
Southern Charm
This four-tier wedding cake by Caryn Nash of Cake Design by Caryn Nash, 404-788-7637, carynscakes.com, was designed for Allison Creamer and Chris Miller's wedding. "Because Allison and Chris were both raised in the South, they wanted to incorporate elements reminiscent of Southern living," says Nash. "Their wedding theme was 'simple Southern elegance,' so the cake naturally followed suit—no frills, bells or whistles." Sugarpaste cherry blossoms looked stunning against the cake’s clean lines. (Real cherry blossoms bloom in Atlanta in late March.) A vanilla Swiss meringue buttercream covered the cake. Inside were white, chocolate and applesauce cake layers with cream cheese and caramel filling. The bride wanted to incorporate a single color—navy—to match the bridesmaid dresses. Nash used it sparingly, with navy icing at the base of each layer. The grass surrounding the bottom tier gave the cake a summery feel. Have your florist prepare a platform edged in wheatgrass for the same effect.
Hot Wheels
For their beach wedding in Tybee Island, Erika Slavenski and Brian LaFleur were limited in their getaway-car options, so they planned to simply leave the reception in their own car. "But just before we were about to leave, Brian surprised me with the motorcycle instead," says Erika. The custom-built 1997 Triumph Thunderbird motorcycle and sidecar were a perfect fit—the groom loves bikes, and the bride loves to have fun. Check out Atlanta’s EagleRider, 404-675-2990, eaglerider.com, where you can rent motorcycles by the day.
Spa Shindigs
The perfect alternative to stuffy bridal showers and tasteless bachelorette parties: Sparty!, 646-736-1777, spa-party.com. The event company devoted to private spa shindigs will come to you—whether it be at your home, hotel or rented event space. The Sparty! staff will bring everything you need for a full-service pampering session, including customized spa treatments, goody bags and robes. And did we mention they bring the cocktails, too? This is also a great option for wedding-day bridesmaid luncheons, especially when a favorite local spa can't provide a private party space. All-inclusive events start at $1,125.
Clever Cocktails
We asked Kate Sasnett, an event designer for Soiree Catering & Events, 404-467-1699, soireeatlanta.com, to come up with a clever drinks menu. The cocktails below can be served in highball glasses and offered throughout the reception.
Something Old: "1940s Georgia Julep"
Three parts whiskey, one part powdered sugar and four mint leaves over crushed ice.
Something New: "Georgia Peach"
One part Southern Comfort, two parts peach schnapps, two parts orange juice and a dash of grenadine.
Something Borrowed: "Alabama Slammer"
Two parts Southern Comfort, one part gin, one part Amaretto and a splash of orange juice to taste.
Something Blue: "Georgia Blue"
One part wild strawberry-infused vodka, one part Blue Curacao, two parts Sprite and a dash of lime juice.
Lash Out
One of the golden rules of makeup application is to play up your strongest feature. For many brides, it's all about the eyes, which means having eyelashes with maximum impact. Ditch the old-school false lashes that come on a strip and choose something more lightweight and long-lasting. Head to Makeup by Alicia, 404-840-4301, makeupbyalicia.com, for individually applied eyelash extensions that look perfectly natural. You can specify how many you want and where you want them placed. The painless procedure takes about three hours, and, with some maintenance, the lashes can last up to two months, so you will look stunning in your honeymoon photos, too.
Cool, Classic Invites
Striking a balance between tradition and modernity can be a daunting task, especially if your mother and grandmother insist you order ecru invitations simply because "it's the thing to do." It’s time to compromise! So why not select a classic-looking invitation and spice it up with an eye-catching detail such as a whimsical icon or stylish monogram? The ladies at Paper Dolls Design, 404-992-3655, paperdollsdesign.com, have several options that will please both "camps." Their 2006 core wedding collection of 26 invites was inspired by the much more expensive custom work that owners Gia Graham and Angela Moland Barnes created for clients. "The collection is classic enough for grandma," says Graham, "but hip enough for the bride." Choose from 18 ink colors and eight fonts for an invite that’s as modern and fresh as it is classic and appropriate. Invites are grouped into four different price ranges, which start at $272.50 for 25 sets.
Girl Scout Cookies
Have wait staff serve these can't-miss favorites on passed trays (along with tiny shot glasses of milk) as an on-the-way-out supplementary dessert. Lisa Crowder of Storybook Wedding Consulting, 678-873-3637, stbkweddings.com, who gave us this great idea, suggests ordering boxes of Thin Mints and Samoas, which most people like best. As for quantities, allow two to three cookies per guest. Plan ahead: The Northwest Georgia council begins their cookie sales on January 19, 2007, and will continue through February 4. The cookies cost $3.50 per box and are delivered in early March. (You can freeze them if your wedding is taking place later in the year.) Visit girlscoutsnwga.org to locate a troop near you.
New Ring Option
Palladium, a metal in the platinum family, is starting to appear in wedding bands. It's almost indistinguishable from platinum, and has the same durability and strength. Palladium also doesn't yellow over time as white gold can, and at about $350 per ounce, is more affordable than platinum, which costs about $1,100 per ounce. Another bonus: It’s lightweight. Rings available at Jared The Gallery of Jewelry, 770-393-4599, jared.com.
Local-Flavor Favors
Guests love edible favors, and locals and out-of-towners alike will appreciate treats that nod to Georgia's gustatory specialties. We'd give bottles of classic, low-country barbecue sauce made by Williamson Bros., the Marietta-based restaurant famous for its Southern-style barbecue. And with the proper presentation, the sauce will fit right in at wedding receptions held in backyards and ballrooms alike. Formal: You can dress up this down-home condiment with satin ribbon. A favor company like Jean M, myjeanm.com, will print you and your fiancé's names and wedding date on it. Casual: Keep the look country-chic and package the bottle in a burlap pouch. You can purchase the material at any arts and crafts store like Michael’s, 800-642-4235, michaels.com, along with some twine and gingham tags.
Wedding Wishes
In addition to having guests sign a guest book, many couples are also asking them to write wedding-day wishes on pieces of paper, which will later be pasted into a scrapbook. For a recent client, Lichen Frank of Lichen Frank Design, 404-551-2783, lichenfrank.com, took this idea one step further, and crafted a second note box for "first anniversary wishes." "The couple planned to stow this box away and read the messages one year later," she explains. Both boxes were placed near the guest book table, along with colorful note cards, also designed by Frank.
Motown Music
The sounds of Stevie Wonder, The Jackson 5 and The Temptations are taking wedding playlists by storm, leaving guests of all ages no choice but to get down on the dance floor. "Just about everybody loves Motown," says Chuck Cape of The Neons, 770-419-2323, theneons.com, an Atlanta-based band that specializes in Motown hits. "Everything from Marvin Gaye to Earth, Wind & Fire can get a crowd excited"—especially when the band encourages them to sing and dance along, as The Neons have been known to do.
The Kids Are Alright
If you're inviting children to your reception, keep them entertained, so they, and the adults around them, can enjoy the party.
Clowns: Sassy Frass and Sunshine dress up in zany bow ties and cummerbunds for their captivating performances. Balloon sculptures and face painting are also offered. Sassy Frass and Sunshine, 770-363-0049, atlantaclowns.com.
Magic: For a thrilling magic show, call on Magic Debbie. Her performances feature kid-friendly humor, and classic tricks such as mind reading and making objects disappear. Magic Debbie, 770-973-6820, magicdebbie.com.
Paradise Hotel
Out-of-towners will love the fresh feel of the Hotel Indigo, an oasis in the heart of midtown Atlanta. The goal of the hotel’s design was to bring the outdoors inside, so it features cool tones and nature-inspired decor that changes with the seasons. Each of the 140 guest rooms is reminiscent of a tropical paradise (but without the cheesy tiki torches and mini umbrellas). So, after a steamy outdoor wedding, your guests can retire to this resort-like retreat complete with the amenities they expect, such as a fitness facility and 24-hour business center. When a couple reserves a block of rooms in advance, their wedding guests are eligible for discounts. Rooms start at $135 per night.
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