Cake Wrecks the Book

I'm not sure about this one.
Because let's face it, a part of the Cake Wrecks Blog &

now this book is making fun of someones wedding cake.

After all, what's not beautiful to one Bride

may certainly be beautiful to another.
And yes, I'm even guilty of posting about a Cake Wreck which,

by the way after feeling so bad about what I did,

I decided to take it down.
Anyway, I can't deny that the next time I'm in a bookstore

I'll probably take a look...like watching a train wreck maybe?
Just posting this is making me feel guilty...again.
You be the judge - I'd love to know what you think...

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Southall Eden Farm for Tennessee Brides

Southall Eden Farm is a breath of fresh country air!
Shannon O'Kelley, owner of Southall Eden Paperie,

has branched out with a beautiful way to give

Middle Tennessee brides a fabulous venue for their special day.
This past Tuesday night Nashville area

Wedding Vendors had a wonderful time

munching on delicious appetizers while enjoying

the picturesque background of fields, barns & rolling Tennessee hills.
Especially loved those Asparagus sandwiches from Unique Flavors Cafe & Catering & the mouth-watering cakes from Dulce Deserts!

Thanks again Shannon for sharing Southall Eden Farm!

Shannon O'Kelley owner, Southall Eden Farm & Paperie

Southall Eden Paperie

Unique Flavors Cafe & Catering

Juanita Lane of Dulce desserts

Dawn (Premier W.E.D.), Ashley (Ashleys Bride Guide), me, Amy (Swizzle Parties)


Southall Eden Farm

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Ashleys Bride Guide - Blog Camp

Most of my Sunday afternoons & evenings

are spent anticipating a ballgame or watching 'Mad Men'.

But the last two Sundays were spent in a room at

Aloft of Cool Springs listening to the very qualified

Ashley King Carter of Ashleys Bride Guide

give a workshop on the dos & don'ts of blogging.

So continue to expect posts on everything from wedding shots,

vendor spotlights,the latest wedding fashions,

the newest trends in wedding colors

& whatever else catches my eye.

Only now I'll be blogging with echoes of Ashley whispering in my ear!

But the most impressive thing to come out of Sunday was that

Bella Weddings & Events joined Twitter.

Yes! After much wailing & gnashing of teeth,

I have been dragged into the world of Twitter.

So follow me - it's less painful than you think !!!

Thanks Ashley for such a fun & informative time. You're the best!

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Association of Bridal Consultants Seminar

Last month I attended a ABC (Association of Bridal Consultants)

seminar & luncheon on
'Expanding Horizons - From Rehearsal to Reception'
along with other Wedding Coordinators & Vendors
at the Nashville Airport Embassy Suites.
As always, Bela Weddings & Events

is staying on top of all things wedding!

Because there's always something to learn.

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Nashville Summer Wedding

Wanted to post some before & after shots of a beautiful wedding reception held at the Vanderbilt Student Life Center

last Saturday evening.

jd & amie of simply exquisite event designs & me

Below is prove that 'it takes a village' (village of vendors)

to pull off a wedding. And it all starts with a blank canvas.

Like this...

and this...

Next the 'accessories' are added...

Then we start pulling it all together...

Many, many hours later after vendors have worked their magic

with the help & under the watchful eye of

wedding coordinators & assistants,

finally everything is ready for the Bride & Groom!

Great job Amie & thanks for our very own corner table!

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The Knot Lunch

It's a late post but early last month the Knot hosted a
meet & greet lunch for all Knot vendors & prospective ones.
It was held at Cabana & was incredibly delicious!
Thanks again to everyone at the Knot & Cabana!


me & Amie Williams greeting wedding vendors

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Laissez les Bons Temps Rouler !!!

June in New Orleans is like no other place.
Oppressively hot but enticingly intoxicating.
Here's my take on my weekend & Jennifer & Philip's Wedding...

~On Friday, a bridesmaid luncheon was held at

Ralph's on the Park, given by Jennifer's Aunts.

Ralph's on the Park is in a renovated historic building

overlooking the City Park.

A resturant of the famous Brennan family

so there's no doubt the food is excellent.

The bar was set up outside on the balcony

which gave a perfect view of the City Park entrance

& the Spanish moss covered oak trees beyond.

We were served Mimosas, Bloody Marys, or wine before lunch.

Lunch was Seafood Gumbo (of course), Shrimp Remoulade Salad

& a sinful Chocolate Cake with Brandied Cherries,

Fudge Sauce & Double Cream!

Everyone raised their Champagne glasses to Jennifer

before heading off to our hotels to get ready for the weekend.

Let the good times roll !!!
Jennifer's Bridesmaid's luncheon menu...

balcony overlooking City Park...

Jennifer & her lovely Bridesmaids...

Jennifer & Philip were married at

St. Charles Avenue Presbyterian Church.

The church was perfectly decorated with white lilies,

Jackson vine & the largest white roses I've ever seen in my life.

The historic church was beautiful & the wedding party

looked straight out of Vogue magazine.

large white lilies, roses & Jackson vine...

the wedding party...

the handsome Best Man...

~The wedding reception was held at the New Orleans Country Club.
Stunning. Old South. Grand.

Just some of the words that come to mind.
The women were dazzling in their gowns

& the men were handsome in their white dinner jackets.

Was that Blanche DuBois I saw disapearing into a room?

Maybe not but I'm sure I saw Tennessee Williams

with a Bourbon in one hand,

a cigar in the other & dressed in an all white tux.

But then I do tend to hallucinate in hot weather!

newlyweds Sarah & Aaron Smith

Matron of Honor & Best Man

~The 10 piece band was phenomenal.

The 3 lovely ladies as the background singers

were elegant in their sequined gowns

& the 3 singers in front had voices like butter.

Classic Motown sound w/a little Cajun thrown in for spice.

~An open bar was in each of the 4 enormous rooms.

Anything & everything you would want to chase away the heat.

Want it mixed? You got it.

Want it straight? You got it.

Want it domestic? Want it imported? You got it.

Want wine? Want champagne? You got it.

And with the sharply dressed Bartenders at your beck and call.

~In 2 of the largest rooms was the food.
In 1 room was an enormous poached salmon

& smoked salmon with all the extras.

Chilled steamed asparagus with Parmesan lemon butter.

Then extra extra extra large gulf shrimp. All beautifully displayed.
Next room was a mashed potato bar & a deep fried burrito bar.

Huge silver platters of fresh mozzarella cheese & tomatoes

with drizzles of basil olive oil, quiches & other delicious tiny things.

~The Bride's cake was magnificent.

A vanilla cake with an almond flavored icing.

Again, giant white Roses & Hydrangeas between the layers.

As a last jab to his Ole Miss graduate brother,

the Groom who's an LSU graduate,

had his cake made into a replica of Tiger Stadium

with the fantasy score - LSU 53 - Ole Miss 3 -

PLEASE! AS IF!

Bride's Cake Charm Pulls...

the Groom's cake...

~The Groom was handsome & enjoyed himself enormously.

The Bride was lovely beyond words.

A classically beautiful blonde in a classically beautiful gown.

She wore a cathedral length lace veil -

an heirloom passed down

through multiple generations on her father's side -

as well as the pearl choker she wore.

Jennifer & Philip left in a classic car that belongs to Jennifer's father.

Congratulations Jennifer & Philip

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A Murfreesboro Wedding

How much do I love Emily Humphries?

So much that I'd soak in a Tennessee sauna for hours for her.
And that's exactly what it felt like last Saturday.
Jacqui & RJ were married at Jacqui's home on the outskirts of
Murfreesboro on a near-record-breaking hot day.
The humidity was incredible. The heat was unbelievable.

But the wedding was beautiful.
I assisted Emily with this wedding of 250+ guests (my best guess).
The line up for the seating compares to fans entering Titan Stadium.
Seriously. That's what it looked like.
And in between the guests was Lady, the family dog,
running around with obvious wedding excitement.
Like a game she ran in & out of legs &

slipped from hands reaching out to
grab her to take her back in the house.
Finally, she took refuge under the deck within ear shot of the activities
but away from the dreaded confines of the house.
At the time I remember thinking that I wish I was Lady.
Maybe if I ran around barking would someone

tie me up inside the house under a fan?
Funny what a heat stroke will do to your brain -
makes you hallucinate & think crazy thoughts!!!
The ceremony was touching as Jacqui & her father
approached in a horse drawn carriage.
Later drinks were served then seating

under the tent for dinner & dancing.
Hours later, I slipped around to the cake &

had not 1, not 2, but 3 slices.
Mercy me. Those gals at the Bake Shoppe sure can bake!!!
Love you Em.
Rain or shine. Hot or cold.
I'll help you in any kind of weather.
Now that's true love folks!!!


even the frogs tried to keep cool...


bridesmaids waiting their turn...


my friend Lady...


and me with my other friend Emily...

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