Should You Hire A Wedding Planner?

Should you hire a wedding planner?  Wedding planners are the key to having a successful planning experience, because they take the stress away for your wedding day.

Photography: Jayleigh Flood Photo | Wedding Planner & Design: Becky’s Brides |

Chandeliers, Drapery, Lighting, Cold Sparks: On-Site Productions | Venue: Carillon Beach |

Florals: Janet Lewis Jackson |

YOU’RE ENGAGED! Congratulations!

Let’s go back to that moment when you got engaged.  How excited were you? The feelings of butterflies came flowing in and you were on cloud nine.  You showed off your ring to everyone.  You probably couldn’t post it fast enough to all of your social media.

YOU DESERVE TO ENJOY THE ENTIRE WEDDING PROCESS.

Photography: Eric and Jamie Photography | Wedding Planner & Design: Handley Breaux Designs |

Lighting: On-Site Productions | Venue: Shoal Creek Golf & Country Club

The reality is, most people STRESS out way too much when planning a wedding.  There are a lot of questions that you’re going to be asked.   In the end, you may be burnt out on the planning process and just want it to be over.  Why is this?   Most people get stressed out because they try to take it all on by themselves. It doesn’t have to be that way.

Enter your professional wedding planner!  Their entire goal is for you to be stress free throughout the entire process.

Let’s get some facts straight… No offense to your aunt or family friend, but unless they’ve done a ton of weddings, the process will probably become stressful for all of you.  Plus, you really don’t want to burden your family or friends with that responsibility. Even if they offer, we highly suggest against it because of the lack of experience on their part.  Wedding planning is not like planning any other event, it’s YOUR wedding, and you need to leave it to the professionals to make sure everything goes off smoothly.

Wedding planners handle so many things, and it’s their job to make sure your vision is executed properly.

Photography: Davy Whitener Photography | Wedding Planner & Florals: Southern Posies | Drapery & Lighting: On-Site Productions | Tent: EventWorks

Here’s a list of reasons why hiring a wedding planner is one of the best things you can do for your wedding.

A Wedding Planner Knows What They Are Doing…

The professional wedding planner is going to make sure everything happens just like you have visioned.  Even if problems arise, they are well trained and know how to handle it– without you even knowing that there was any sort of problem!   Ask any professional wedding planner, I bet they all have a story or two about things that could have completely messed up the day, but they found a solution without their clients even knowing there was a problem.  This is what you call peace of mind.

A Wedding Planner Knows the Best Vendors…

Believe it or not, the wedding industry is a very tight knit community.  Wedding planners work with vendors they know and trust will do an amazing job for your wedding day.  Your wedding planner isn’t going to suggest someone that they’ve had trouble with in the past.  Wedding planners have a team of go-to vendors they use on a regular basis and will point you in the right direction.

Photography: Rachel & Noah Ray | Wedding Planner & Design: Occasions with Symone Shaw |

Drapery & Lighting: On-Site Productions | Venue: OvenBird | Tent: PRE Event Resources-Birmingham

A Wedding Planner Understands Your Budget…

The wedding planner is going to go over all the numbers with you.  They will give you recommendations based upon your budget on what to spend your money on.   They know what the most important things are to book and what order that you need to do it in.  They will work with your budget and give you realistic expectations of what you can afford.

Your Wedding Vendors Will Love You…

Let’s face it, professionals love working with other professionals.  The wedding planner makes everyone’s life easier and will ensure all your vendors work together great.

Photography: Be Light Photography | Planning + Florals: BKwed | Venue: Pursell Farms |

Lighting & Draping: On-Site Productions

A Wedding Planner Makes The Process Fun…

Your wedding planner treats each wedding like it is their own.  They are going to get to know you throughout the process.  They want what’s best for you and they will make it fun.  Weddings are exciting and fun to be a part of.  Your dream day will be here faster than you know it and we want you to enjoy the planning process every step of the way.

Bottom Line:  Hire A Wedding Planner!

From our professional viewpoint, wedding planners are awesome and the key to a successful event!   They are fun loving people and have your best interest in mind.  Get in touch with your local wedding planner today!  Trust us, you’ll be so glad you hired a wedding planner!

Spotlight: Tented & Outdoor Events

So you’re having an outdoor event, and you’re thinking “where do I begin?”…


Practical Needs

One thing I know we aren’t big fans of when we’re outside are lines for drinks and the bathroom. While we can’t do much for the drink situation, we have several options for the restroom, enter the Potty Palace!

These units are ultra luxurious, with modern vibes and clean interiors. You won’t find these at your neighborhood construction site. We reserve our restrooms for weddings and events. We have a five station and a seven station option! Complete with air conditioning and tunes for those…awkward moments, we would love to help take the load off of this part of your event day 😉. If the event is at your house but maybe you don’t want 200 people using one or two restrooms, the Potty Palace is a perfect fit as well!


Tent Drapery

Tent weddings and events are such a great “venue” option! If you’re wanting a wedding at home, on a blank canvas with an amazing view, or you just need extra space for your day, tents are a great start! With so many options and sizes, you can customize it pretty well. One of our favorite ways to dress up your tent is with drapery. Keep reading to find out some of the ideas that can help get you started.

Leg Drapery

Leg Drapes are a fantastic option when it comes to dressing up the legs of your tent or structure. We recommend a lighter weight fabric if you’re looking to have leg drapes with any amount of swag. It creates that classic look, no matter how wide. We can also use a variety of materials for leg drapes like linen, polyester, knit, & more! If you’re looking for a more clean look, single wrap leg drapery is also an option. See some beautiful examples of the impact that leg drapery can have below!

Photos: Davy Whitener Photography | Colorbox Photography | On-Site Productions | On-Site Productions | On-Site Productions | On-Site Productions | On-Site Productions | Anna Godwin Photography | Rachel & Noah Ray | Rachel & Noah Ray

Hardware Draping

A great option for enhancing your tent structure is hardware draping. This can include various levels of covering items such as covering only the main support beams to covering every exposed part of the tent. This also includes tent liners which cover the main roof of the tent. The options with fabric and color are pretty limitless. You would just want to make sure your tent is up several days prior to your event for any kind of draping in the ceiling.

Entry Draping

Your entrance is one of the first impressions that your guests will experience for your wedding or event. Why not make it a W-o-W moment?

If you have multiple entrances to your tent or outdoor area, one of our favorite designs is to make each entry beautiful yet keeping the main entrance the focal point. Florals, cuffs, and any addition like feathers can be a fun way to dress up the tieback. Check out some fun inspiration below!


Tent & Outdoor Lighting

You may not realize how much impact lighting has on your event…until there’s not enough! Tent and Outdoor Events are always in need of lighting. Most of the time, you can always turn it down as the party ramps up, but you wouldn’t want your guests to not be able to see to walk, dance, or simply move around your space. A confident lighting design will not only accentuate your event, but it is also a very real practical need for your guests (and you too!). There are plenty of different ways to light your event, and the all vary depending on the tone and sometimes theme of your event. Chandeliers, string lighting, uplighting, and pin spot lighting are just a few examples of lighting that can take your event to the next level!

Chandelier Lighting

We always say that classic designs are “classics” for a reason! Whether you are looking for a more traditional chandelier or a different style, we have you covered! Looking to mix and match? We can do that too!

We offer multiples of the various types of crystal chandeliers, as well as iron, wood, and more! Our largest chandelier spans a full 7 feet tall and 5 tiers. Our most popular sizes range between 3 feet and 5 feet tall.

String Lighting

There’s something about string lighting that can create a little bit of magic at your event! We carry several sizes such as mini, cafe, Edison, and large Christmas style lights for those holiday parties. Whether you chose to hang them in parallel lines, zig zag, or freeform, they’re sure to be a hit!

Uplighting, Pin Spots, and more

Specialty lighting may not seem an important line item in the grand scheme of your event, but a well rounded lighting plan ties your event together! Uplighting provides ambient light around a tent while pin spots highlight florals and cakes that need to be shown in all of their beauty! Specialty lighting like pattern gobos, custom monograms, and even cold sparks can bring that extra flare to your day!

Outdoor and tented events take some planning, but if you have the right pieces in place, you can have a great event! We always recommend a wedding planner or event planner. Their experience in these types of events can make all the difference! Also, always remember your power and parking situation. If you’re having a band with lighting and/or catering, you’re almost always going to need extra power. Your caterers and parking areas need light too if your time will go into dusk and beyond. Just a few tips that might help your next event be a success!

Elegant Romance: Madison & Cal

Madison and Cal met in college through the same circle of friends. She may have had a crush on him back then, but they never dated. Eventually, Madison would end up in Nashville and they lost touch. Obviously, that’s not the end of their story though!

How did you meet?

Cal and I met in college, at the University of Alabama, and we both ended up moving to Birmingham after undergrad.  We would hang out with groups of friends but I traveled a lot with my job at the time.  I moved to Nashville to help open a store for the company I was working for.  Once I got back from Nashville in August of 2018, Cal asked me on a date.  We were engaged five months later and married six months after that!

How did he propose?

Cal planned to propose at Moss Rock on a Saturday, but plans changed because of the weather.  His mom called me on Friday morning, and asked if I would come look at something for an event she was planning at Events at Haven.  Cal and I had dinner reservations at Hot and Hot that night, so I thought we would just swing by Haven before.  Little did I know, Cal had my sister set up a backdrop with roses and string lights and he proposed!

What advice would you give brides and grooms that are planning a wedding?

I would tell them to make a list and start with what is important to the least important. Don’t let anyone sway your decision because it is all about y’all and your future marriage.  At the end of the day, the goal is to be married and no matter what, you will be!

Madison and Cal, you two are such a sweet couple and we enjoyed being a part of your beautiful wedding day!  Happy {early} anniversary and cheers to many more!

Vendor Friends:

Photographer: Elizabeth Ann Photography | Venue: Events at Haven | Day of Planner: Help Me Wed | Bridal Gown: Bella’s | Bridesmaids’ Gowns: Azazie | Cakes: Cake by Sharlisa | Caterer: Happy Catering | Lighting & Draping Rentals: On-Site Productions | Furniture/ Accessory Rentals: PropHouse | Florals: Help Me Wed | Groom & Groomsmen Attire: Mr. Burch | Hair & Make-up: Amber Kennedy with assistance from Beth Jett | Invitations & Stationary: Elora Collective, Natalie Layton {Bride’s Sister did the calligraphy} | Linens: Decor to Adore | Entertainment: Block Party Experience | Videographer: Blake Hudson Film

Organic Fall Wedding: Ashley & Pierson

Ashley and Pierson are such a beautiful and happy couple.  They met in high school when they were fifteen and now they’re married! They got married last November at The Barn at Shady Lane and it was a stunning wedding.  From the muted color palette with a pop of color on the flowers, to the dress, to the greenery chandelier installation, it truly was a fairytale.

Ashley and her mom are a creative duo.  They created the stunning faux greenery chandeliers and her mom upholstered the sofa and two chairs they put on the back patio!  No detail was left unturned and the results created a show stopper wedding.  Just look at the spectacular photos from Eric & Jamie Photography and see for yourself!

 

How did he propose?

We had been planning to eat at 360 Grill in Florence for some time (our favorite thing to do together is try food and restaurants new to us) and one weekend Pierson made reservations for us to have a nice dinner. On the way to the restaurant, which was about a 2-3 hour drive for us, he mentioned wanting to stop by the river across from the restaurant because it was very pretty and he wanted to get a selfie.

Side note: we have ALWAYS taken pictures with each other every where we go since we started dating in high school. We love to look back on all the memories we have made together…so that being said, this was not an odd request. Pierson forgot his selfie stick (still not sure if this was on purpose or not, ha!) so he had to prop the phone up on the hood of his truck and just so happened to have the Bluetooth remote in hand to snap pics.

I turned to look at the water and heard Pierson say “I love you Ashley” so I turned around and was on one knee and then preceded to say he wanted to spend the rest of our lives together and popped the question!!! Of course I said YES with joyful tears in my eyes and we had the most beautiful and most memorable dinner at 360 Grill afterwards.

 

Also, can we talk about that Shady Lane ceiling swag!?  This was the first time we did that design with the ceiling drape at The Barn at Shady Lane and it was a design that everyone is loving on Instagram!

What advice would you give brides and grooms that are planning a wedding?

Do not stress about the small details! Focus on the bigger picture of your inspiration for the perfect wedding day. On the day of, take everything in!! Make a point to take the time out of your busy agenda that day and soak it all up. Also – choose vendors that genuinely care for you and your spouse! It makes the wedding process so much more enjoyable knowing you can rely whole heartedly on your precious vendors that truly care about your special day!

The Creative Vendor Team:

Photographer: Eric & Jamie Photography | Venue: The Barn at Shady Lane | Bridal Gown: Bella’s Bridal | Bridesmaids Gowns: Show Me Your Mumu | Cake: Cakes by Kim | Caterer: Firehouse Grill | Lighting & Draping Rentals: On-Site Productions | Florals: Dorothy Willingham | Groom & Groomsmen Attire: The Black Tux | Hair: Emma Salas | Make-up: Casey Troulias at Bera Beauty | Invitations/ Stationary: Gracefully Made Art | DJ: On-Site Productions | Videographer: Seabrook Media

Ashley and Pierson, we loved working with y’all and we wish you a lifetime of happiness together!

Industrial Spring Wedding: Emily & Ryan

Emily and Ryan have a modern day love story.  An app brought them together: one day they swiped right and the rest is history.  We provided several services for Emily, so we got to know her very well during the planning process.  Their industrial style Spring wedding at the historic B&A Warehouse was stunning.  A. Williams Photography captured their day beautifully and we enjoyed looking back to this happy day!

How did you meet?

Bumble!

How did he propose?

He picked out a new outfit for me (a romper pants suit that I LOVE!) and then we had dinner at my favorite restaurant.  He proposed during after-dinner drinks at a local speak-easy.  It was so special and so perfect!

What advice would you give brides and grooms that are planning a wedding?

Enjoy every moment of it because you will miss the planning process when it is over!  Take in all the little moments of your wedding day.  Enjoy not only the sights, but the sounds, the smells, all the details that make the day memorable and special.  Take in all the senses of that day!  It is truly unforgettable to be surrounded by you and your new husband’s closest family and friends all in one place.

Emily and Ryan, you were a joy to work with!  We enjoyed being a part of your gorgeous day and wish you a lifetime of love and happiness together!

Wedding Vendors:

Photographer: A. Williams Photography | Venue, Linens & Catering: B&A Warehouse | Wedding Planner: Lindsey Mahram | Bridal Gown: Diane’s Formal Affair | Bridesmaid Gowns: Bella Bridesmaids | Cake: Pam Barnett | Entertainment, Lighting & Draping: On-Site Productions | Florals: Main Street Florist | Groom & Groomsmen Attire: Belk | Hair & Make-up: Lauren Welcher | Invitations & Stationary: The Print Shop | Videographer: Haint Blue Productions

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