by Nikki.Mitchell on March 17, 2010
Of the Top 10 Wedding Trends featured recently on The Knot, I must say my favorite is revival of the “dinner focused reception”. If you’re like me and enjoy hosting dinner parties for friends and family at home, try creating that same warm, intimate atmosphere at your wedding reception or rehearsal dinner. Fill the table with family style dishes, festive drinks, votive candles and sweet floral arrangements to make your guests feel at home and encourage flowing conversation and lasting memories. With fewer catering staff required for a family style dinner, this could also be an economical way to make your evening unique.
Photograhy Credits: dinner party courtesy of The Knot CA/VA weddings, Cava Sangria courtesy of Bobby Flay for Food TV, Lemon Pasta with Roasted Shrimp courtesy Ina Garten for Food Network Magazine, Green and Red Tomato Salad courtesy of Robert Irvine for Food Network
by Melissa Porter on March 16, 2010
We were absolutely honored to help Erin and Adam plan their special day at the North Carolina Arboretum! It just so happens that this was the first-ever wedding planned and executed on the beautiful grounds of the arboretum! Please enjoy this video link to Erin and Adam’s wedding courtesy of Magic Hour Media.
To view the video, click on the photo below by Jesse Kitt Photography.

by Melissa Porter on March 9, 2010
Ashley and Jonathon were married on a chilly winter day at the beautiful Lake Junaluska Chapel near Asheville, NC. It was a destination wedding for all of their guests so even though the temperatures were frigid their guests stayed warm with a holiday weekend full of activities. Thank you to Blossoms at Biltmore Park for such gorgeous flowers! A special thanks to Angela Stott for these stunning bridal portraits and wedding day photos. Angela’s vision and creativity really shine through in these photos!
Congratulations Ashley and Jonathan! We wish you a lifetime of happiness!










by Nikki.Mitchell on March 4, 2010
With all the snow and cold weather we’ve been enjoying here in the mountains of Western North Carolina, we couldn’t help but get inspired by the thought of a sun filled wedding day. Yellow takes on an upbeat, modern twist mixed with a classic black and white palette. Imagine an afternoon wedding at the Biltmore Estate or the glow of a sunset wedding outside at Homewood. Add fun personal touches like cupcakes, specialty cocktails and tasty guest favors to make your special day unique. With the expert planning, creativity and local knowledge, the ladies at Asheville Event Co can take your inspiration for the perfect wedding and turn it into a dream come true.
Images in this inspiration board were created on www.dessy.com and come mostly from a gorgeous wedding in Long Beach. Featured in this inspiration board are photographs by: Jihan Abdalla http://www.jihanabdalla.com/weddings/; Green Apple Photo http://www.greenapplephoto.com ; Edyta Szyszlo Photography http://www.edytaszyszlo.com ; Carol MacGregor http://www.happygatherings.com
by Melissa Porter on March 2, 2010
Jamie and Bryan’s wedding at Claxton Farm was so full of spectacular details! Jamie was a DIY bride from the beginning and it was so much fun to collaborative with her, her mom Helene and Bryan to create this vintage-inspired wedding of their dreams. Jamie gathered a lot of inspiration from Style Me Pretty, as well as Martha Stewart when planning all of the personal touches.

Jamie found mis-matched china from flea markets, yard sales and antique stores and incorporated the dinner plates and salad plates into every place setting for her nearly 100 guests. Vintage tea cups, sugar bowls and gravy boats served as vessels for some of the floral decor on the tables. And as always, Stacey from the Bloom Room’s floral designs were amazing. All of the linen runners and napkins were hand-sewn by a friend of the family. Love birds became an understated theme throughout the celebration and were used in their table setting and on top of the cake. An antique bird cage served as a place card holder, while bird nest lanterns were hung from the rafters in the barn.

The color palette of melon, sunshine yellow, granite gray and slate blue complimented the vintage theme. Flip flops in every size (including toddler’s for her nephews) were waiting on the dance floor in baskets. Every sign was hand-stamped by the bride from their hand-made guest book to the “Hitching Post” sign to the signpointing to the “Hoe Down.” Miss Pickle’s Press’s tags adorned the late-night smore’s by the fire, the local, home-made peach butter for guest favors and the stir-sticks for their signature cocktail, a Peach Smash.

Yellow parasols shaded the sun from the guests and the ceremony and made a fun prop for family photos. The programs fans were hand-made by Jamie out of vintage style paper. The children’s table featured butcher block paper, vintage toys and candy and an authentic “I Spy” game. The lounge area was accented by hay-bale couches, chairs and coffee tables, accented by custom fabric runners and wood stumps for end tables.
Thank you so much for allowing us to be part of your special day! Congratulations Jamie and Bryan!