Inviting

Decorating a Tent? Or an Outdoor Space?

noreply@blogger.com (LaVerte) — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 01:21:00 +0000

Recently a reader emailed me with a question about how to decorate an outdoor tent, and I wanted to share some ideas and photos that inspired me.

The first idea is not shown in a tent, but can easily be done for an outdoor tent wedding.
Paper lanterns can be purchased online or at party stores across the country in a wide variety of shades, shapes and sizes. This picture shows traditional white spheres that are about 36 inches in diameter.

Another way to light or decorate a space is by bringing in chandeliers (rentals or ones you find at flea markets, etc). This is a great way to add a variety of "feels" to an event, from formal to vintage to modern

I love the vibe this image from La Cour in Atlanta gives off, it seems as if it is vintage without trying to hard. It also shows the third way to decorate, which is with tiny lights.

Chattanooga Bridal Show

noreply@blogger.com (LaVerte) — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 23:33:00 +0000

image from J.Crew

Over the weekend, on Sunday, Premier Bride hosted its Semi-Annual Chattanooga Bridal Show. Premier Bride is a national bridal magazine and online planning site where you can find local vendor information. This was the first time the Chattanooga show has been in January and July, previously it has been help in January and August. This is a great change for Premier Bride and for Chattanooga, and it will keep getting bigger and better every year.

One of the reasons why the Bridal Show is such a great planning tool is because you have any where between 90-150 vendors at your fingertips. It is a useful time to "window shop" and get a good impression of a potential vendor and what they are all about. Some people fall in love instantly and book a place, while others will talk and agree to set up an official appointment later. The Chattanooga Bridal Show also hosts a fashion show to give you an idea of some of the trends in Bridal wear.

In this year's program, the Top 10 Wedding Tips were included, as decided by Chattanooga Premier Bride. The condensed version is:
1. What is your "bridal style?"
2. Be sure to research the marriage liscense
3. Track the gifts received and thank you notes sent.
4.Pair up your OOT (out of town) guest with someone in town to help out.
5. Know your postage. Take your invitation to the post office
6. Make sure your ring is insured
7. Hire a videographer, even if you dont have it edited until later.
8. Talk to your friends so that you are a happy bachelorette and everyone is on the same page.
9. Do not get a facial the week of, unless you are a regular.
10. Keep in mind prom season when you are reserving your limo!

Be sure to check out www.ChattanoogaPremierBride.com and www.Chattanooga-BridalShow.com for complete vendor lists!

Oh, its summertime..

noreply@blogger.com (LaVerte) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 02:29:00 +0000

Hello All! I am sorry that I neglected you last week, things were busier than I thought they would be while I was in California. But I am back with a full palate of ideas and a refreshed mind. I wanted to start off July with a reminder of my past post's contest and let you know of another photography contest that is going on.

Don't forget to get your Love Story submissions in to Daisy Moffatt Photography by July 12th! Hopefully one of my readers will be the winner!

In case you haven't noticed, I wanted to mention that I have added another Daily Inspiration - classic bride. She has a wonderful blog that focuses around planning her upcoming wedding, and the posts and pictures are always something to take your breath away. Check out her site for a photography package contest in conjunction with Look Photography Look Photography is amazing at capturing details and would definitely be someone to consider if you were able to pay for traveling cost. They describe themselves as a "Husband and wife team that specializes in documentary, artistic wedding photography. Available for travel worldwide. 614.657.8831 - 937.390.3353, - look@lookphotography.net" Keep your eye on these guys, they have an amazing eye for detail.

I will leave you with pictures of the resort in California where I stayed. Wonderful staff at the Renaissance Esmeralda Resort and Spa made my visit very relaxing, and the area of Indian Wells is defiantely breathtaking. With golf course, three pools and many restaurants, this resort would be a great place for a wedding or a honeymoon.

Contest anyone?

noreply@blogger.com (LaVerte) — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 16:03:00 +0000

Recently, a friend of mine used Daisy Moffatt Photography to capture all the exquisite details on her wedding day. Intrigued by Daisy's style, I have been frequenting her blog and come across a contest that might be of interest to you! Here is just a snippet, I have the link at the bottom of this post so you can read all about it on her blog.

Daisy Moffatt Photography is giving away one free love shoot for a couple. This contest ends July 12th and all you have to do is send in your love story. You don't have to be engaged or married to enter this contest, just express how you met and fell in love - simple, right?? You can email her your story at daisy@daisymphotography.com Be sure to include you name, phone number, email and your love story!

Don't forget to check out her website and blog. You can view her post about the contest here.

Update!

noreply@blogger.com (LaVerte) — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 14:06:00 +0000

I hope you guys have been enjoying Inviting thus far. I am still tweaking the look of the site, so over the next couple of weeks I will be making a few more small changes (like the new logo! So excited that Melissa Peirano was nice enough to help bring my vision to life). Next week I will be out of town, but don't worry, there will actually be two posts while I am away. Monday will be a question from a reader, and the extra posting is about a contest!

Thanks for stopping by!

Inviting meets Hanover Gallery

noreply@blogger.com (LaVerte) — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 17:33:00 +0000

Recently I sat down and chatted with Hanover Gallery co-owner and artist Melissa Peirano to ask her a few questions about the gallery and an amazing unique service they offer.

LaVerte: Tell us a little about Hanover Gallery and where it is located.
Melissa Peirano: My mother and I opened Hanover Gallery (part of the Shops at Riverview, behind the old Green Life) last summer (2007) to fill a niche in our community. We currently rep 15 artist, half local, half regional. The artwork ranges in style from folk to contemperary with prices from about $40-$4,000. We tried to create a happy, fun environment where anyone, whether a new or seasoned art collector, would feel welcome.

L: I have been hearing about possible being able to register? What a great idea, tell me more!
MP: We decided to offer a bridal, and well any time, gift registry. I already owned a home when I got married and would have loved to get a big piece of artwork, rather than more sheets and towels. If you love it all and cant decide, suggest gift certificates. The art in the Gallery changes all the time. You'll know when the perfect piece comes in! Also, you dont have to be a bride to start a "wish list", we'll keep suggestions for friends or spouses for all those gift giving occasions.

L: How would you suggest picking a piece to buy?
MP: Buy what you love...You might grow tired of a piece you buy for an investment, or even to match an existing piece, but if you love it now, chances are you'll love it forever!

Thanks Melissa for sharing with us this wonderful art gallery with an amazing service! I recommend Hanover Gallery to anyone any everyone!

What does Publix have to do with it?

noreply@blogger.com (LaVerte) — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 15:00:00 +0000

images from Publix.com

Chattanooga is introducing some wonderful new grocery stores in the area. What, you wonder, does this have to do with my upcoming event or wedding in the near future?

If you haven't stopped by the Publix in East Brainerd yet, you are missing out on some great things. The food is good, but the desserts are better. They have a wide array of fresh baked goods, and the cakes are amazing. The Publix staff is very knowledgeable and can help you create a delicious wedding cake or grooms. The website explains "Our cakes can be customized to accommodate the number of guests you need to serve. We can add or remove tiers, or adjust sizes. Our decorators will be happy to merge our designs to create the wedding cake of your dreams. Please place your order with the Publix Bakery at least four (4) weeks in advance to allow time to procure your favorite ornament along with any other special requirements for the cake of your dreams."

Publix is a great vendor that is often overlooked. Many "knotties" from Georgia rave about the Pubix SuperMarkets in the Atlanta area, and have used the stores for their wedding cake, grooms cake or cupcakes instead of a single cake. These knotties cite the budget-friendly price and great taste as the reason for choosing a grocery store over a cake shop. Take a look at some of the creations they have displayed on the website!

images from Publix.com

Even if these few cakes are not the "look" that you are after, I believe it shows that Publix can do just about anything when it comes to traditional or updated traditional cakes.

J.Crew Coupon Codes

noreply@blogger.com (LaVerte) — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 14:27:00 +0000

Happy Thursday everyone!

In case you haven't checked out J.crew Aficionada yet, you should before Sunday. She has published a new J.Crew Free Shipping code and this time it is for a minimum of $100 purchase. Since they have taken away the Free Ship with no minimum, this is the lowest they have afforded yet! I'll be talking later on about J.Crew and its wedding apparel, but wanted to give you the heads up on the great savings through the weekend.

Real Simple - Weddings

noreply@blogger.com (LaVerte) — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 15:00:00 +0000

Last night I was reading some of my daily inspirations and came across a fabulous new-to-me blog: a $10,000 wedding. Typical me just had to read all of her previous posts, and what do you know, she had posted back in January about the first ever Real Simple Wedding Edition magazine. I love Real Simple, but am trying REALLY hard to only buy magazines when necessary-and as I am not married or engaged, it doesn't quite fit into the budget-since its $12.95. Her quick post led me to Darci over at With This Ring, where she has been ever so nice to do a review of the special edition. She also has links to all the amazing Wedding Planning Lists that you will ever need, all published in the Real Simple Weddings magazine.

-Such a great resource, and for those planning a wedding, $12.95 is a good price for a planning book. Here are a few of my favorite lists:

Links to all the worksheets
Wedding Photo Checklist
What to ask your Planner
Download able Wedding Budget Worksheet
Wedding Party Contact Sheet

Lists are a good way to stay on track and stay organized without forgetting anything. Has anyone purchased this magazine, or found any of these lists helpful???

Great Photo-opt for Bridesmaids

noreply@blogger.com (LaVerte) — Tue, 27 May 2008 19:55:00 +0000

I wanted to share with you the cutest picture from a friend of mine mother's wedding! I am a sucker for half planned/half candid pictures and this picture makes me want to give spa wraps as a bridesmaids gift one day.
I'm a nerd, I know.

On the morning of the wedding, how wonderful is it to sit around with your friends as all the preparations begin. Spa wraps are great because they are comfortable and wont mess up hair and makeup when it comes time to put on the dress. Her mom had the monogram match the ice blue that shows up throughout the day, and the spa wraps were presented in cute blue canvas totes with monograms as well. You can kind of see the tote in the lower right of the photo. Is this something you would do for your bridesmaids?????

I'll be back on a regular schedule next week, so come back on Monday for more.

Happy Memorial Day!

noreply@blogger.com (LaVerte) — Mon, 26 May 2008 19:12:00 +0000

I hope everyone is having a safe and happy Memorial Day! I will be back tomorrow with a new post. Enjoy the sunshine :)

Whitestone

noreply@blogger.com (LaVerte) — Mon, 19 May 2008 18:29:00 +0000

Photo courtesy of Whitstone Inn

On Tuesday, I had the privilege of attending a wedding professionals meeting at Whitestone Inn, a 360 acre location in Kingston, TN. Vendors from Knoxville, Cleveland and Chattanooga all met at this fabulous venue for a scrumptious lunch for a chance to network and walk to grounds.

Because it is nestled in between the folds of mountains with views of Watts Barr Lake, Whitestone Inn is a charming backdrop for a perfect southern wedding. Whether you are interested in an outdoor garden feel or an elegant church service with a tented reception, Whitestone has the perfect setting for your big day. Southern Living Magazine has even said "The Whitestone Country Inn pampers guests with an idyllic rural setting done in high fashion." This venue has an excellent span of wedding services including both indoor and outdoor ceremony and reception locations, a minister on site, wedding coordinator on site (who I heard is great and also willing to work with outside planners -a plus!), florist, videographer and plenty more. You can even have a dove release if you want!

Not only is Whitestone a fantastic place for a wedding, but it is a Bed & Breakfast, a Conference Facility , as well as the site for 2 developments - The Point and The Sanctuary. Head to their website to find out everything you need to know about this outstanding location.

What you and Jenna Bush have in common

noreply@blogger.com (LaVerte) — Mon, 12 May 2008 13:21:00 +0000

When you are first engaged and planning your wedding, people tend to immediately expect you to know:

When is it
Where is it going to be
If they are invited

There is a lot of pressure to know all the answers. Not only do you feel that you need to know the answers, but that the answers are going to be "right" for the person who is asking. Grandmother expects you to have a large church wedding with a reception in the great hall, your college friends are expecting a huge blow out bash, or your parents think you should just elope and use the money on a home. While opinions are good to have, the only thing that matters is what you and your soon to be care about.

Take the newly wed Jenna Bush for example. If anyone knows about pressure, it's her. With her dad being the President of our country, everyone-the media especially-wanted a huge black tie event at the White House. Good for her for taking in the moment, evaluating the situation, and saying no. Jenna's wedding at her family's ranch in Texas was perfect.

Follow Jenna Bush's lead and find what you really want. You only do this once, right?

White House photos by Shealah Craighead

Welcome to Inviting!

noreply@blogger.com (LaVerte) — Sat, 03 May 2008 19:01:00 +0000

My goal for this blog is to create an online resource for Chattanooga area brides (or any host/hostess) where everything event related can be found.

Too much time is wasted trying to find reviews and information regarding venues, caterers, florists, etc when trying to plan an event. Since these are all things I love and enjoy researching, I thought I would put it all together in one place! Additionally, I will be talking about etiquette, ideas on how to lower costs, trends, styles and so much more. Thanks for stopping by and I will be posting again soon!