5 Ways To Be A Great Wedding Guest

Since we are in the "thick" of wedding season, and most of you probably have at a least 1 wedding to attend in the near future, I thought it would be helpful to share some wedding tips for the guests.  These are just a few items that will help keep you in good graces with the bride and groom!

1.  Be sure to RSVP.

Although this may sound very simple, many guests assume that they are accounted for because they receive an invite.  This is far from true and your RSVP, in a timely manner, is very much needed.  Prior to the wedding day, the couple/wedding planner has to provide a final guest count to the venue and caterer, amongst other vendors, and this is why your timely RSVP is necessary.

2.  The Plus One.

Please refrain from bringing "plus ones" that were not included in your RSVP.  As mentioned above having an accurate guest count is crucial to many areas of wedding planning.  Not to mention if the bride and groom have chosen to do assigned seating for the reception, it's important that everyone is assigned a seat.

3.  Observe the dress code.

Wedding invitations are typically mailed out two months before the wedding day.  If a dress code (ex. semi-formal, black tie, black tie optional) is given, please plan and dress accordingly.

4.  Arrive to the ceremony on time.

No one likes to enter a wedding ceremony late, so please be cognizant of the time.  A good thing to know is that most planners (including myself) will start seating guests 30 minutes before ceremony time, so come a little early to avoid the rush and allow for possible traffic (Hello Atlanta!) and bathroom stops.

5.  Follow the leader.

When the ceremony is over the bridal party will remain and take pictures, and the guests will be directed to the "cocktail hour" space, or to a second venue. And then of course into the reception.  Either way, please be sure to follow the directions of the wedding planner and his/her staff.  Venues only allow so many hours per wedding, and that is why we try hard to keep the wedding day on schedule.

Of course the list could go on, but I think I hit the most important points.  Keep my tips in mind at the next wedding you attend.  The wedding planner will love you for it!  

Be sure to visit www.ravenj.com or email us at raven@ravenj.com if you are in need of a planner for your next event.

Raven J.

Big Fake Wedding Atlanta Recap (Part 2)

It's a beautiful Monday and today we're sharing images of the 2nd table design we produced for the Big Fake Wedding Atlanta.  This design was by far the most popular of the two amongst the brides and grooms we spoke to.  Take a look below and decide for yourself.

Table 11-Polka Dots and Stripes   

So, I think this design was my favorite too.  Polka dots and stripes are so classy, and I decided to add the yellow linen for a pop of unexpected color!  

And let's not forget the cute little cotton candy favors we gave out to brides who stopped by our booth.  The cotton candy was such a hit and tasted VERY good too.

To say I enjoyed myself at the Big Fake Wedding is an understatement.  I enjoyed speaking with the brides and look forward to working with several of them soon.

To add to the excitement, the entire event is featured on the Ruffled blog.

Thank you to the following vendors for contributing to the success of our table designs!

Photography: Andre Brown Photography

JD3 Photography

For the Love of Juneau

Linens: I Do Linens

Stationery: Jenkins Rose Modern Paper

Dinnerware: The Head Table

Floral: Chelsea Floral Designs

Chiavari Chairs: Sweet Seats

Happy Planning!

Raven J.

www.ravenj.com

Big Fake Wedding Atlanta Recap (Part 1)

I had the amazing opportunity to be a participating vendor in the 10th Big Fake Wedding Atlanta.  As the name states, The Big Fake Wedding is a bridal show alternative with a fake wedding ceremony, after party, and of course amazing wedding professionals.  Brides and grooms alike get to witness a beautiful ceremony and reception and see the wedding pros in action.

In addition to having a vendor booth, I had the opportunity to design two of the guest tables and I have the pics to show below!  The theme for the show and the table designs was "Party City" to celebrate the 10th Atlanta Big Fake Wedding.

Table 5-Sequins Galore

Thank you to the following photographers for beautifully capturing our designs:

Andre Brown Photography

JD3 Photography

For the Love of Juneau

Stay tuned for part two of our recap and more of our table designs!  

Happy Planning and visit our website below if you are in need of event planning assistance.

Raven J.

www.ravenj.com

Day in the life: Atlanta Wedding Makeup Artist Samantha Reese

I'm having a blast with the new "Day in the Life" series and I hope you guys are enjoying it too.  Today I'm featuring a very talented make-up artist.  I cannot stress how important it is for the bride, bridesmaids and mothers to have their make-up professionally done for the wedding day.  It makes a world of a difference in the wedding pictures!

Name: Samantha Reese

Company Name: Samantha Reese, Make-Up Artist

Website: www.samanthareese.com

Why did you choose a career as a professional make-up artist?

 I've always been fascinated with beauty, makeup in particular, from the time I was a little girl. It was always something that I had an affinity for. When most little girls were playing with Barbies, I was playing around in my mom's makeup bag, and trying to re-create the looks in Sophisticate's Black Hair magazine (it was usually a fail, but fun nonetheless). That love for makeup grew and grew as I got older, and I eventually parlayed that into a career.

How would you describe your wedding make-up style?

Definitely 'Natural Glam', which can be bumped up or dialed down, depending on my bride. 

What are some of your favorite make-up brands to use for wedding make-up?

I'm all over the place with the brands I use, since I feel different brands have different products that I love. Some of the brands that are staples in my kit are Makeup Forever, Nars, MAC, Urban Decay, Lorac, and Kevyn Aucoin.

Do you offer a bridal trial session?  If so, what can the bride expect from this experience and how should she prepare?

They are mandatory for all of my bridal clients. In my opinion, the wedding day is not the place to "figure out" how the bride wants to look, what colors to use, etc. I want that time to be completely void from stress, so making sure that I am equipped with everything that I need to recreate the look from the trial is one of my ways of keeping things running smoothly.

What to expect:  Before the trial, I'll ask for any photos (Pinterest is a great place to search) that illustrate what type of look you envision for your wedding day, so that when we meet, I have a starting point to work from. I'll replicate the look, then from there, I'll tweak the look in any way you'd like, until you are completely happy. I'll take photos and write down all of the products I used to create the look. Once that is settled, I'll ask her about her bridal party, and how she'd like them to look, if she has a specific look or guidelines for their makeup. If she does, I'll create a cohesive look for her bridal party, based on her direction, and my aesthetic.

How do you choose make-up colors (lips, shadows, etc.) for each bride?

It's all based on her personality and level of comfort with wearing makeup. I've had brides that wanted a barely there, "more polished version" of themselves, as well as ones that wanted full-on Glamazon. For the most part, I stick to neutral colors on the eyes and cheeks, with a gentle pop of color on the lip, unless my bride specifically wants something bright or smoky.

Should brides and their bridal party do anything to prep their skin before the wedding day?

Absolutely! Excess hair removal, GENTLE exfoliation, and your skin and body hydrated, can totally make the application process go smoother (no pun intended). It's always best to remember that the better your skin looks, the better your makeup will look.

What advice would you give to a bride searching for a make-up artist?

If you can help it, do not wait until the last minute! While I've had plenty of 11th hour brides, I always prefer to have a comfortable timeline to get to know my brides and schedule their trial(s). 

What do you enjoy most about doing wedding make-up?

Everything! It's such an honor to be such a major part of my bride's special day. Bridal makeup is some of the most gorgeous makeup to me, and I just love helping my brides see the beauty that I see in them, in themselves.

Since I’m a lipstick fanatic myself, I have to ask, what’s your favorite lipstick at the moment?

Definitely Ruby Woo by MAC. It's a classic Old Hollywood, matte red. Whether you're headed to a board meeting, the mall, or a black-tie wedding, it's always appropriate, and looks beautiful on every complexion.

I love Ruby Woo as well!  It's a staple in my makeup bag.  Special thanks to Samantha for shedding light on wedding day make-up.  Ladies be sure to visit www.samanthareese.com to see Samantha's portfolio and email her at samanthareesemakeup@gmail.com to inquire about her services.

Happy Planning!

Raven J.

www.ravenj.com 

You're Engaged, Now What? 5 Tips to Start Planning Your Wedding Day

Congratulations if you are one of the millions of couples to have gotten engaged recently!  You've probably been enamored with excitement and are ready to get the planning started. Check out my tips below on how to get your planning off on the right track.


1.    Call Your Immediate Family and Friends
Make the announcement to your closest family and friends. You definitely want them to get the news directly from YOU.  While you're at it, call up your bridal party too. The earlier you ask your friends to be a part of your wedding the better.

2.    Think About Your Wedding Style
If you're like most brides you may already have an idea of the style of wedding you want. If not, start thinking about you and your fiance's individual and collective styles, so that your wedding will be a reflection of both of you. For instance, consider if your style is more traditional, modern, or maybe glamorous. If you choose traditional, maybe you would like to marry in a church. If you consider yourself to be a modern girl, maybe you would consider marrying in a park, or museum just to name a few.

3.    Set a Budget
You and your fiance should have a talk about your wedding budget BEFORE you make any wedding plans. Be sure to bring in all contributors: parents, grandparents and anyone else who is paying for your wedding. Set a figure that is realistic, within your means, and agreed upon by all parties.

 4.    Consider a Planner 
If you are considering hiring a wedding planner, be sure to engage him/her at the BEGINNING of the planning process. This can save you so much time and money, I promise :-). We know the right people and places to connect you to and since we have planned more weddings than you, we can educate you on how to do things the right way! And remember, most planners offer different levels of service, so at the very least hire a planner for day of coordination, so that you can relax on your wedding weekend and not worry about the details. 

5.    Hire the Pros
This will include selecting a ceremony and reception venue, photographer, entertainment, caterer and more. If you choose to work with a wedding planner, he or she will be able to refer you to reputable vendors in each of the categories above, that fit your style and budget. If not, just remember that wedding professionals can get booked very quickly, so contact them as soon as possible.

I hope my tips will be helpful for you.  If you're interested in hiring a wedding planner, email me at raven@ravenj.com to get the conversation started.  Visit the website at www.ravenj.com.

Happy Planning!

Raven J.

Day in the Life: Atlanta Wedding Photographer Goodness Studios Weddings

Hi guys!  I'm back today with another installment of "Day in the Life", featuring my photographer friend Nicole of Goodness Studios Weddings.  Check out our interview below and learn what it's like to work with a professional wedding photographer.

Name:  Nicole Goodness

Company Name:  Goodness Studios Weddings

Website: goodnesstudiosweddings.com

Why did you choose a career in photography? 

Lighting…I’m kind of obsessed with lighting. I also love the idea of being able to capture that one special moment in someone’s life. Whether they realize it at the time or look back at the image 30 years later and think to themselves "that was a defining moment in my life”. 

Describe the photography services that you provide for wedding clients. 

I offer Bridal & Engagement sessions as well as Weddings, of course. We’ll usually spend about 2 hours within the portrait session. My strategy is to find out what they like to do together, what their hobbies and interests are, that way we can tailor the shoot to something they feel at home with and also tell a story about them as a couple. 

What sets Goodness Studios Weddings apart from other wedding photography companies? 

Emotionally, I have a personal obligation to not just document the day as it happens but to “Wow” the Bride and Groom with the images they receive. I want them to feel the way they did on their wedding day when they look at the images years later, to be transported back to those precious moments all over again.  Technically, I have a background in Commercial Photography…meaning I graduated with an editorial/advertising photography degree and I have a very thorough understanding of studio lighting. That’s what I bring to my wedding clients; a mix of emotional awareness and also a technical ability to execute every image.

How would you describe your photography style? 

I would say traditional with a touch of fine art photography. 

What advice would you give to a couple when hiring a wedding photographer? 

Make sure to meet them in person. If you don’t mesh well with their personality but love their work…keep looking for a photographer. You really should feel comfortable around them and at ease because if you don’t it will show in your pictures. Also, know your budget before you start looking for photographers. Try to stick to that when doing your research.  Go to their pricing page first before you look at their work.  Nothing will disappoint you more by going to the Honda dealership to by an Accord and deciding at the last moment to test drive an Acura for fun…you just can’t go back after that. That goes for the wedding dresses too.

What do you enjoy most about photographing weddings?

The FUN! Every wedding is different, every couple is different but the amount of fun everyone has is the same. It’s electric to be around that many people happy and in love. 

When you're not working with brides, what do you do for fun?

I love to cook. I have an especially delicious Cheesecake recipe that is award winning, 1st place at the Atlanta BBQ Festival in 2013! But I truly love to make anything, I find it helps to center me after a long day. Allrecipes.com is probably one of my favorite websites. 

I had a fun time speaking with Nicole.  She loves to laugh and has a great personality to go along with her photography skills.  Be sure to check out her portfolio at goodnesstudiosweddings.com and follow her on  Facebook  at www.facebook.com/Goodness.Studios.Weddings .

Happy Planning!

Raven J.

www.ravenj.com

Day in the Life: Atlanta Wedding Videographer Eric Blanks Media

Happy Wedding Wednesday!  I'm excited to bring a new series to the blog titled "Day in the Life".  In this spotlight I will feature Q&A from select Atlanta wedding professionals.   For brides and grooms this should provide excellent insight into what to expect when hiring wedding professionals.

Name: Eric Blanks

Company: Eric Blanks Media

Website:  ericblanksmedia.com

Why did you choose a career in videography?

Both my father and brother had a huge influence in my choice of becoming a

videographer. I've been around cameras (both video and film) my entire life

so it was only a matter of time. I can recall seeing my first cinematic

wedding online and thought to myself..."Wow, that was awesome. I would

love to create something so visually stunning, heart-felt and moving!"

Describe your typical wedding videography client experience.

Most(~80%) of my inquires come from online and the remaining from a phone

call. I typically try to help all potential clients, even if they don't

book with me. After I inform a couple of my package prices, if they want

to move forward I set up a face-to-face meeting before any contracts are

signed or money is exchanged. If a couple lives out of town I typically

schedule a video chat consultation.  My consultations typically last from

30 minutes to an hour. At the consultation meetings I typically don't

discuss contracts unless the couple asks first. The last thing I want for a

couple is to feel pressured.

After a couple decides they want to proceed usually a deposit is sent in

with the contract(snail mail, or electronic).  Once the contract and

payment are received I block off that date from my calendar.  I usually

stay in contact with the couple up into the wedding day. Typically the

wedding planner would send me a schedule a few days out in which I may ask

to insert a few items into the schedule if necessary(i.e. vow prep

writing or toast prep writing).

What sets Eric Blanks Media apart from other wedding videography companies?

We produce true cinematic films. A lot of companies say they are cinematic

but you don't hear any sound from the actual ceremony, reception, etc. I

purchase cinematic music that sometimes takes me days to find the perfect

score. I also have the necessary equipment to produce a cinematic

film (slider, dolly, drone, audio equip, etc).

Speaking of the drone,  tell us more about this feature.

The first time I saw a drone video I knew I had to purchase one.

Even though I never saw it in a wedding film(I'm sure people have used it

prior to my knowledge), I knew that it would separate me from other

videographers. The drone I use has it own stabilizing system so the shots

are flawless! I try to open all of my films with an aerial shot.

How would you describe your video recording style?  

Simple yet effective. I let my equipment work for me. It's mostly about angles and

proper lighting and a good mix of camera movement.

What advice would you give to a couple when searching for a wedding videographer?

DSLR cameras provide a better cinematic experience than a

traditional camcorder.  Make sure that the videographer uses stabilizing

equipment. My pet peeve is shaky footage.

What do you enjoy most about filming weddings? 

 Seeing the excitement of couples and being able to capture those moments.

  
Thank you Eric for allowing me to interview you and helping me to kick off this new series!
Go to http://ericblanksmedia.com/portfolio/videos/ to check out Eric's video portfolio and tell him I sent you!

Happy Planning!

Raven J.

www.ravenj.com