Georgia Watson Events Inc. ~ Weddings by Georgia

We Need Your Support ~ 2012 Spotlight Awards!!

2012-01-04T19:00:00.002-05:00

Friends, family, supporters, industry peers, past clients, current clients...
WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT!!

This is the first time that Weddings by Georgia/Georgia Watson Events has been up for a Spotlight Award for EVENT PLANNER of the YEAR. We have been named ONE of FIVE finalists in the NATION for 2012! This award is extremely prestigious and it is a huge honor for us to be a finalist. However, we would love to be named THE Event Planner of the Year!!

This award is chosen partially by popular vote, so with YOUR help we can continuing striving towards winning this amazing award. We would greatly appreciate your support during the voting period. Please take a moment to click the following link:
http://www.event-solutions.com/spotlight/voting/index.php

It's very simple and it takes less than a minute to complete. After you click the above link, just enter your email address and you will be taken to a page that lists the award categories. You will find us listed under EVENT PLANNER of the YEAR.
Voting closes on January 31, 2012, so if you think we are deserving of this award, please take a moment to vote TODAY.

As always, thanks to all for your support throughout the years!

Brooches...the NEW flower? ~ Brooch Bouquets ~ Custom Designed Bouquet Service

2011-12-18T12:38:00.000-05:00

Are you...

...planning a vintage themed wedding and looking for that PERFECT bouquet to execute your theme?

...looking for a way to honor loved ones that could not be there for your special day?

...tired of seeing a bouquet full of roses and looking for a unique bouquet?

...searching for a bouquet that will stay beautiful FOREVER?

If you answered "YES" to any of the above questions,

Weddings by Georgia has just the thing you have been searching for!!

Ladies, how many of us played dress-up when we were little? Do you remember looking through Grandma's jewelry box and seeing those gaudy, jeweled pins? Most of us probably grabbed the pearls or clip-on earrings instead...

Back then, you probably didn't realize what a beautiful creation those pins could one day be used to create for your special day!!

Presenting...The Brooch Bouquet!

Brooch bouquets make a beautiful addition to any wedding, whether you are having a vintage theme or not. Brooch bouquets come in many different sizes, colors, textures, themes...you can use senitmental brooches that belonged to your grandmother, antique brooches can be found in flea markets and antique stores, and you can even find brooches in your favorite boutique. They can be shiny and jeweled or they can be matte-finsihed enamel...or even a combination of both!!

A black and white themed Brooch Bouquet!

A monochromatic Brooch Bouquet

A soft, whimsical Brooch Bouquet

A Gorgeous Brooch Bouqet with a pop of color!

A beautiful jeweled Brooch Bouquet

Like the idea of incorporating brooches into your bridal bouquet...brooches can also be mixed with othere other materials such as feathers or satin/fabric flowers!

Brooch Bouquet with feather and satin details

Brooch Bouquet with lace details and fabric flowers

Weddings by Georiga has always been known for their wedding coordinating services and their unique sense of event styling. Well, you can now come to Weddings by Georgia for your CUSTOM brooch bouquets too!

Peacock-themed Brooch Bouquet

A recent Weddings by Georgia custom Brooch Bouquet featured
at a recent Hindu/Christian Wedding in Tampa

A beautiful Weddings by Georgia creation featured at a
recent vintage-themed wedding at the Avila Country Club.

Not only are these bouquets unique and fabulous, but they can also be used to honor loved ones. You can use brooches that belonged to your loved ones or you can add a small frame.

A Weddings by Georgia creation with memorial frame

So, are you interested in having a bridal bouquet that will stay beautiful for years to come??

-- No hanging, drying, flattening or preserving neccessary!!

Weddings by Georgia offers a brooch bouquet option for every style, color scheme, and price point! Contact us to find out more about our beautiful bouquets...

Give the gift of wedding planning ~ unique Christmas gifts for engaged couples

2011-12-08T16:50:00.001-05:00

Did you know that you can give the gift of wedding planning? If you have a friend/family member that is engaged or will be engaged after this holiday season, there is no better way to say "I really care about you!" than giving a certificate that entitles them to any level of planning for their wedding!!

Wedding Planning Gifts ~ Gifts for your engaged friends

Buy a Brainstorming Session, Basic Planning, Full Planning, or any amount of $ to apply to their package choice. I give a beautiful card that explains their gift. Call us or email us to Give the Gift of Wedding Planning!

A Hindu and Christian Wedding ~ Wedding Planning for Combination Hindu and American Wedding

2011-12-06T15:20:00.001-05:00

I had one of my most favorite experiences this past fall with Suzy and Rohith. They hired me for full wedding planning starting with booking their venue. They had their eyes set on The Don CeSar in St. Pete, my second home away from home. The couple lived out of state and led very busy, very successful lives. It was crucial that I was able to find the perfect vendors that suited their style as well as their personalities {which I LOVED}.

This dress was STUNNING on her.

Although they did not want all of the traditional elements of the Hindu Ceremony, it was important for them and their families to make sure they covered the customs that stood for their beliefs, their backgrounds, and the requests of their parents. You will see from the photos below that we executed all of these things quite well. The Christian Ceremony, held in the courtyard, was traditional in the sense that they carried through the ceremonial "giving of the bride", declaration, vow exchange, ring exchange, and pronouncement.

Georgia with the couple

The reception was American, held in the Grand Ballroom of The Don CeSar...and was a TOTAL SUCCESS. The bride wanted something elegant, refined...along the lines of all WHITE, IVORY, SILVER, GOLD..with a tint of color. And that is what we created. The guests were most likely expecting decor of bold color, similar to the Hindu Ceremony. So we surprised them! Alternating tables of gold and silver, with long and round seating, gave the ballroom another blast of personality.

Everytime I looked I saw the groom and the bride they were completely absorbing in the magic around them.....The room was AMAZING. Everything was just AMAZING. Thank you to the team of vendors that I brought together on this one...couldn't have done it without everyone's professionalism and sheer talent!!!

The team of vendors that I give kudos to..
The Don CeSar Hotel, of course..(Quinn and Courtney)
Georgia Watson Events Inc.- Coordination
Aaron Lockwood Studios- Photography
Roberto DeBourg - The Flatts - Entertainment
Ian Prosser- Botanica International
Tampa Lights - Lighting
Alessi Bakery - Cake
Linny Correa with Studio Cara and team- Makeup
Julissa with Beauty Brought Out - Hair
PKS Rentals- Chairs
Connie Duglin Linen
Delite Entertainment - Steel Pan Drummer
Doug Decker - Grant Hemond and Assoc. - DJ
Hill Video

Sad part of all of this..its another couple that I met and LOVED, and now they are gone, back to their own realities. I miss them already....

Dana and James get married! Don CeSar Courtyard Wedding ~ Don CeSar South Terrace Reception

2011-11-02T14:50:00.000-04:00

Dana and James tied the knot this summer at one of my favorites, The Loews Don CeSar Hotel in St. Pete. This was a second marriage for both of them, so it was important to plan for a day that was intimate and all about what they prioritized. Enjoying beautiful surroundings, dining with great food and drinks, surrounded by the people they loved, and making memories to last forever - that was the focus, and that is what they achieved. I loved the process with them, and was delighted to be a part of it.

Dana loved pink, black, white, with the classic look of damask and romance. I loved how the reception room turned out, because so many ladies are afraid of linens that are colorful, "busy", or they think it will be "too" much. Dana wanted what she wanted and trusted in my suggestions.... and with pink lighting, candlelight, tall centerpieces, a wedding cake to die for, and all tables covered in black and white "tuxedo"...the room was AMAZING.

They were joined in marriage in the courtyard of the hotel, then moved into the South Terrace for cocktails, dinner, and dancing. It was a night of great fun for the whole wedding party and family. Thanks to the vendors that made another one so very happy!

Georgia Watson Events - coordination and personalization of details
Aaron Lockwood Photography - photo
Doug Decker/Grant Hemond- dj and mc
Northside Florist- floral, reception, ceremony decor
Alessi Bakery- cake
Pastor Tom Greene - officiant
GetMyPicture - photo booth
Connie Duglin - linens
Makeup & Hair- Colours by Linny

Kyleen and Tony get married ~ Avila Country Club Tampa Weddings

2011-11-02T14:16:00.000-04:00

There are very few times when I am speechless. But on this day, I was. I had the honor and the privledge of assisting Kyleen plan her wedding, to an amazing man I might add. This couple had so much love between them, so much spirituality, and so much happiness, that the entire group that surrounded them (even the vendors) felt that they meant to be together and something bigger than life brought them there.

Avila Country Club in Tampa was the setting for this ceremony and reception. The colors of bronze, copper, ivory, and golds were used to compliment the look she was going for. She chose to have us make a bridal bouquet for her, made of brooches. Some brooches were old family heirlooms, some were new, and some were borrowed. The vintage look was carried over onto the dining tables, ceremony backdrop, and the smallest details.

GWE Inc. now offers custom brooch bouquets

this little man had enough

ceremony performed by brides father

Thank you to this amazing team to nailed it once again.
Georgia Watson Events Inc - coordination, brooch bouquet, and personalized details
Ryan Joseph Photographs - photo
Voila Cinematic - video
Northside Florist - ceremony decor pieces
Doug Decker/Grant Hemond - dj and mc
and of course Avila Country Club.

Dresses & Styling for Mother of the Bride and Mother of the Groom

2011-10-19T15:49:00.001-04:00

Q. What's the dress-buying protocol for moms?

A. It's customary for the mother of the bride to purchase her dress first. Her choice is meant to subtly dictate what the mother of the groom will wear. Since the Mother of the Bride needs to pay closer attention to her choice, she will go first. Most would advise the MOB/MOG to avoid dresses in the white, ivory, and champagne color family.

Q. When the mother of the bride buys her dress, is it her duty to then politely "inform" the groom's mother? What happens?

A. Old-school wedding etiquette says "yes." She is expected to notify the mother of the groom (presumably to prevent overdressing, clashing colors, and other fashion faux pas.) And while it's certainly good form, it's not a requirement, especially if you're worried about seeming pushy or bossy.

Q. What do I look for?

A. When you're the Mother of the Bride, you want to stand out and feel special, without upstaging your daughter. A 2-piece ensemble has a great style and sheen. Take off the jacket to look young and vibrant on the dance floor. This outfit would also be appropriate for the Mother of the Groom, or for a wedding guest to wear to a formal wedding.

Q. What about color?

A. Color is KEY. Think about this way…there will be a large family group photo. The bride and groom will be center, with the wedding party on both sides, all of which will be fashionable and coordinating. The fathers will be in suits or tuxes, so having the moms be in a color that CLASHES would be a HUGE mistake. The moms should pick a coordinating color and style that suits the “whole” look. Moms should NEVER shop for her gown without thinking of the whole picture. Navy, charcoal, pewter, copper, bronze, gold are examples of hues that are great for coordinating. You don’t want to match the bridesmaids, but an off-shoot of that color is perfect.

Q. What about Style?

A. Style is everything; the wedding is about image, so certainly the dress should be too. If at all possible, once you know the color, select a gown that is an expression of the event. Don’t wear a ball gown if the event doesn’t call for that..and even more, don’t wear short and sexy, deep cut necks, or deep cut backs, when the venue and event calls for a more conservative elegance. A jacketless dress could work in the right setting.

Q. Does the Mother of the Bride have to get dressed up for the wedding, even if fancy isn't her style?

A. If it's an evening wedding, you're going to have to dress up more than usual. You don't want to stick out or appear disrespectful. But this doesn't mean you have to sport sequins and satin or velvet and rhinestones. There are many frill-free formal looks out there. Stick to your guns and you'll find an outfit (pants are okay!) that's unembellished, easy, and elegant -- perfect for your casual style.

Q. Can a young-looking MOB/MOG wear a strapless ball gown -- is there such a thing as looking too young or sexy?

A. On one level we think you deserve to wear a fabulously sexy dress, but on another, we're wondering how the bride will feel. If she's supportive, go for it -- you're both going to sizzle! But if your daughter seems concerned about you turning heads, not acting her/your age, and otherwise upstaging her, let her be selfish. It's her day, not yours. Besides, you're not limited to "frumpy" or overly conservative attire at all. It's quite possible to be glamorous without ruffling any feathers.

Gone are the stodgy old ideas about how a Mother of the Bride should dress.

Here are the Top 5 trends in Mother of the Bride Dresses that give us hope!

1) Bright Colors: It used to be that Mother of the Bride dresses only came in four colors: blah, boring, beige, and blech. Pastels and navy blue are only part of the selection nowadays! Finally, the industry is starting to show a spectrum of different colors, from spring greens to royal purples. Whether you love bold jewel tones or lean towards rich earth tones, there will be something out there for you. Since more saturated colors are better for aging, pale skin tones, liven up your look by choosing a color with some pizzazz!

2) Bolero Jackets: You may be sick of those boring Mother of the Bride jacket dresses, but the good news is there’s finally a fresh new take on them! Designers have addressed the Bolero jackets have style and need for a removable jacket to cover the arms that is also very fashionable. The bolero jacket, with different sleeve lengths, is in. It’s elegant and practical. Take it off when you’re hot, and you will still have a great dress underneath. Wear it to cover up during the ceremony – no one will guess you’re trying to cover those wobbly chicken wings under your arms!

3) Tiered Dresses and Skirts: Tiered skirts are showing up in stores this season and are especially appropriate for formal wear for the over-40 set. They’re modern and feminine and can be very flattering if they are not too frilly. Try one before you buy, and make sure it suits your body. With all that extra material, this Mother of the Bride style is not for everyone!

4) New Lengths: Say goodbye to floor length when it come to Mother of the Bride Dresses. Plenty of different hemlines are popping up, mainly due to the huge variety of different wedding styles and venues these days. We’re seeing plenty of cocktail-length, knee-length, and handkerchief hems, as well as hi-lo dress lengths. (High in the front, long in the back). At the knee, or slightly above the knee is as high as you want to go. Remember: All these new hemlines give you one more reason to wear some fabulous, head-turning shoes!

5) “Green”Fabrics ( no, we don’t mean color!): Environmentally responsible weddings are all the rage. Couples are using recycled materials for invitations and donating to charity instead of offering plastic, land-fill bound favors to their guests. The “green” theme even reaches all the way down to wedding attire. You may have to explore specialty stores, but organic cotton and silk dresses are growing in popularity. The best part about them is because the dresses are made with natural fibers, they are more comfortable and breathable. When you’re outside at an August wedding, you’ll appreciate why this is so necessary!

Emina and Anthony get married! A Don Vicente Inn Wedding ~ Historic Ybor City Wedding

2011-10-19T14:31:00.000-04:00

Talk about stunning! That was Emina and Anthony, a super delightful couple that hired me to offer referrals, do some minor planning, and pull the whole thing together for them. The day was just about perfect. A day focused on good food, good drinks, clever ideas, family and making memories. Emina - you were incredibly beautiful and so loved by your new hubby.

Seeing each other for the first time.

goldfish and rings - why not?

the wedding party.

the groom - getting his groove on.

gotta love the socks

Dad seeing his daughter for the first time on wedding day

The Don Vicente Inn

Add caption

details make the difference

here comes the bride

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the hair was perfect

Thank you to another great team of professionals.
Georgia Watson Events - Coordination
The Don Vicente Inn - Venue
Jason Angelini- Photography
Delite Entertainment/Harpist - Eladio Linarte - DJ

A Look Inside...

2011-09-30T12:25:00.000-04:00

Our Spotlight Film is now complete and we are so thrilled to share this with everyone. Step inside to see the wedding world that is such a huge love of Georgia Watson Events Inc.

Spotlight Film on Georgia Watson Events Inc. from Georgia Watson on Vimeo.

produced by Voila Cinematic

Kristy and Clynt Get Married! Wedding at The Ritz Carlton, Naples, Florida

2011-09-15T13:59:00.001-04:00

Love. Love. Love. The three best words to describe what we felt that day!

And PINK. PINK. and PINK. the best three words to describe our inspiration!

Kristy lives in Tampa and wanted to find a venue that was 5 star. After much searching, she decided on The Ritz Carlton, Naples Resort. She was planning a small and simple wedding and reception, but also wanted all the components of a large wedding, coupled with the sophistication that only a wedding at The Ritz could bring. We started working with only a few months of planning ahead of us...and off we went, full steam, plugging away, and finding a group of vendors that would fit their personalities. She wanted fun, professional, reliable, and SUPERB at what they do. Thank you to this team of pros that made this weekend just as beautiful as they are! Congratulations Kristy and Clynt!!! I enjoyed every minute of it!!


The Beach House close to the water where the reception was held. PERFECT.

Thank you to the team....I had a blast with all of you!

Georgia Watson Events - Coordinating

Aaron Lockwood - Photography

The Ritz Carlton, Naples - Wedding Ceremony and Reception Venue, Floral, Cake

Jeff Staples - DJ

HOT PINK shoes to make any groom SWEAT.

Kristy needs to be on a Magazine Cover.

Floral provided by The Destination Services at The Ritz.

The first time Clynt saw Kristy - what a genuine reaction!

In the rose garden.

A wonderfully FUN group...it came very easy for them.

The Father of the Bride with the man of the hour.

A custom sign, created by Weddings by Georgia....our in house style guru can do anything!

Violinist for the ceremony.

they did it!!!

WOW.

Floral by The Ritz.....breathtaking!

Seating in a CROSS formation.

Cupcakes featured at The Cupcake Bar.

The LOUNGE.

Beach House by the water.

The pink shoes match the pink lounge.

The Happy Couple.

Talah & McClain Get Married! The Reniassance Vinoy, St. Pete, Florida Wedding

2011-09-15T13:29:00.000-04:00

Where Navy and Hot Pink meet Gold and Ivory...

a stunning and simply elegant wedding!

The Vinoy Grand Ballroom ~ fashioned in navy and hot pink.

Another fabulous wedding at The Vinoy! This time, with a hip, savvy, and beautiful couple with a loving and fabulous family supporting them.

The day was complete with a group of amazing vendors.

Georgia Watson Events ~ Coordinating

Aaron Lockwood ~ Photography

The Renaissance Vinoy ~ Reception Venue

Linny Correa~ Makeup

La Vie En Rose~ Floral

Brothership Band ~ Entertainment

Connie Duglin ~ Linens

Talah chose navy and hot pink as her primary colors, trying to incorporate her colors and wedding monogram into everything she could to keep consistency and flow to all the details.

The hot pink bridal shoes!

The wedding monogram was carried through in many details.

The save the date napkin!

The stunning and smart bride.

A ride on the trolley!

Beautifully captured.

The CAKE....by the pastry chefs at The Vinoy. The logo used on the cake.

Floral by La Vie En Rose..awesome.

Georgia with the brides parents....LOVE THEM!

The placeboard created by Georgia..notice the monogram and coloring used here.

Dad and his daughter.


The bar napkin and drink stirrers.

The Brothership Band!

Georgia traying up McDonalds burgers for a late night snack.

Sparkler Exit.

Joy and Tom Get Married! St. Pete Yacht Club Wedding ~ St. Pete Wedding

2011-09-09T15:42:00.004-04:00

Another fabulous experience with Joy and Tom, a pure delightful couple! Joy enlisted me to help her with just about everything. She chose her venue, not because of the existing decor, but because of its connection to her family and the convenience of it. We had our work cut for us, in effort to achieve the look we were going for. We used uplighting, draping, tall centerpieces, covered the dance floor with a colored vinyl, separated large spaces to bring the warm and cozy feel back.....!!!!

Joy chose dark burgundy/wine, deep reds, golds, eggplant, and other gem tones. Her style was fairly contemporary, and open to many different ways to set the space. After months of planning, and choosing the perfect team for her weekend...this is how it all came together. Luv luv luv all of it!!

The team that made this all happen: Georgia Watson Events Inc, Phillip Lloyd Photography, Botanica Florist, Doug Decker with Grant Hemond, Alessi Bakery, IM Events, Voila Cinematic Films,

Inspiration Board #2 ~ Summer Seersucker

2011-07-25T19:07:00.000-04:00

Summertime just SCREAMS bright colors. Plus, it's Monday and I figured all of our days could use a little brightening!! So kick off your week in style with this Summer Seersucker Blue and Orange Inspiration Board!!

Just looking at this inspiration board will make you think of Caribbean Blue Waters, Tropical Islands, Sandy Beaches, and those Fruity Drinks with the cute little umbrellas!!

Use these bright and bold colors to create a clean, modern wedding...perfect for summertime!! Throw in touches of seersucker in the bridal party attire and little details such as the napkins or printed materials.


Blues, Oranges, and a Touch of Seersucker!

Floral, Decor, and Cake- The Knot

Invitations- DK Designs

Attire- Gator Bride and Weddingbee

Are you feeling these Summertime Blues?

Do you have an idea, but not sure how to execute it?
Contact Weddings by Georgia for a chance to have your idea
featured as the next inspiration board!

Inspiration Board #1 ~ Pretty Peacock

2011-07-21T15:08:00.000-04:00

There is something rich and regal about the colors of a peacock plume. Navy, cobalt, turquoise, greens, purples, and platinum.....SWOON-worthy!! And this color scheme is HOT, HOT, HOT! That being said, this popular color scheme deserves the Weddings by Georgia touch!

Can't decide which direction you want to take your color scheme? The true beauty of this inspiration board is that vibrant and rich can meet light and whimsical! Bring pops of turquoise, navy, cobalt, and purple into the details such as shoes, jewelry, flowers, cake, and lighting. Compliment these bright hues with subdued lavenders, greens, grays, and platinum in the linens, floral decor, and bridal party fashion! The key to successfully executing the Pretty Peacock theme is making sure the peacock feather is not directly expressed, but more implied. Subtly bring in the elements and colors of the peacock feather, don't coat your ballroom in them!


Rich Navy, Luxurious Purples, Glamorous Greens, Vibrant Turquoise!

Linens and Chair Covers- Wildflower Linens

Blue Flower Hair Clip- Weddingbee

Flowers- Project Wedding

Clutch- Etsy

Cake- Pink Cake Box

Shoes- Weddingbee

Are you inspired??

Do you have an idea, but not sure how to execute it?
Contact Weddings by Georgia for a chance to have your idea
featured as the next inspiration board!

Ceremony Aisle Style~ Revisited!

2011-07-18T19:39:00.001-04:00

I was inspired to revisit this topic after reading a recent article from The Knot, entitled "4 Ways to Style Your Aisle."

Loyal followers, you may remember the original entry back from 2010. For our newbies, here you go...
Ceremony Aisle POWER

Here are Weddings By Georgia's 5 Ways to Create Ceremony Aisle Style!

1.) Aisle Runner Alternatives-- So you are not interested in your ushers rolling out the paper runner before you make your way down the aisle? Don't want traditional monogrammed fabric runner, but not sure what else to do? Nor do you want your flower girls throwing petals? Well, that makes us HAPPY...we LOVE throwing in some creativity and uniqueness! Blow your guests away with these beautiful and unique aisles...

2.) Non-Floral Touches-- add a unique touch by thinking OUTSIDE the box! Tired of seeing the SAME aisle arrangements? WE ARE TOO! Try shells, paper, fabric, lighting/candles, feathers, wooden letters...the possibilities are endless!!!

Lighting and candles can totally enhance the look and mood of your ceremony!

Who knew tissue paper could be used for more than just wrapping presents?

Love these painted initials!

Lanterns add a great pop of color!

Going vintage?
Lace, fabric, and brooches make for a unique aisle arrangement!

Seashells in a vase. Great on the beach and great for the budget!

3.) Pomanders-- a new spin on an old idea! Think pomanders are boring and outdated? THINK AGAIN! Pomanders can be a great way to add some pizazz! Think bigger, smaller, an assortment of sizes, an assortment of colors! Even an assortment of materials to match your theme...add sticks and go rustic! Tired of seeing them hanging from chairs?? Have your flower girl carry one!!

These giant pink pomanders add a pop of color!

Tiny green pomanders look great hanging from this ceremony arch!

An assortment of different sized pomanders placed down the aisle

Add some rope to a classic carnation pomander for a nautical themed wedding!

Sticks topped with flowers look great on the beach or at a rustic themed wedding

Getting married in December? Have your flower girl carry this eye-catcher!

4.) Re-usables-- Want to enhance your aisle, but worried about your budget? These ideas are beautiful and budget friendly! Look for ceremony decor that is already in a vase and can be quickly and easily transported to your reception area!

These would look beautiful as centerpieces on a feasting table!

Re-use something like to enhance a cake table!

Mason jar arrangements can easily be reused at rustic wedding!

Enhance your sign-in table by reusing these arrangements!


Re-using should be quick and simple. Keep this in mind especially if rehanging is required! (Remember, you only have cocktail HOUR to get this done!)

5.) Signage-- this last way to style your aisle creates a great photo op, and can also serve a purpose! Use signs to compliment your theme, while also telling your guests where to go or what's coming up next!

Great for a beach or nautical theme in Florida!

Can be used in a vintage or rustic wedding
to tell your guests where to go!

Let your guests know its time to stand!

Signs can be incorporated into your theme
and used throughout your wedding

Were you two a couple of class clowns?
Use a sign to bring your personalities out
and add some of that humor to your day!

Do you want to incorporate one of these ideas into your ceremony?

Contract us here at Weddings by Georgia
to learn how to create and personalize your aisle style!

Vintage Florida Romance ~ An Example of How to Perfectly Execute Your Theme

2011-07-13T16:54:00.001-04:00

Are you ready to be inspired? Check out this fabulous vintage concept designed and styled by Georgia Watson of Weddings by Georgia! This shoot was chosen to be featured in the latest copy of Tampa Bay Weddings Magazine!

A Vintage-Inspired Table Setting
designed by Georgia Watson

Concept/Design, Specialty Linens and Chair Sleeves, and Coordination-
Georgia Watson, Weddings by Georgia

Venue- Tessa Shiver, The Don Vicente Historic Inn

Photography- Michael Schuhmann, Photography by Michael

Floral Design, Chargers, Candles, and Table Decor-
Ian Prosser, Botanica International Design Studio

Wedding Cake and Cupcakes- Melissa Maggiore, Alessi Bakery

Invitations, Table Numbers, Place Cards, Menu Cards-
Soosie Lazenby, URBANcoast

Bridal Gown and Accessories- Vicky Anglo, Anglo Couture

Beauty Services- Linny Correa, Colours by Linny

"Bride"- Crystal Romano

With the help of her amazing team of vendors, Georgia really captured the essence of a true vintage theme. From the location down to the smallest of details, Georgia created a story by not only establishing her vintage theme, but totally and completely committing to it. It was shot at the historic, Don Vicente Inn in Ybor City. The vintage (yet still modern and stylish) color board consisted primarily of golds and aquas, but also includes little pops of ivories, light pinks and light greens.

You can see how the gold, aqua, ivory, pink,
and green come together perfectly!

The cake table displays different shades of the
primary colors-- gold and aqua

A beautiful favor that you guests will definitely enjoy!

A vintage-inspired gown from Anglo Couture

Botanica created the soft and feminine floral elements,
consisting of pink, green, and ivory

Cocktail Tables
(Notice that it compliments the reception area)

You will also notice Georgia's attention to detail with all of the carefully placed brooches that can be seen on the invitations, escort cards, table numbers, cake, and the bride's sash.

Gorgeous, brooch-adorned invitations, tables numbers,
and place cards from URBANcoast

Intricate cake design and a vintage brooch!

Bridal accessories from Anglo Couture

Can you envision the Vintage Florida Romance theme at your wedding? Contact Weddings by Georgia to have a custom Inspiration Board designed just for you!

Does your event tell a story?

Is a little rain on your wedding day REALLY the worst that could happen?

2011-07-10T13:48:00.001-04:00

Here in Florida, beach and other outdoor weddings happen everyday. From the time you pick your wedding date, throughout the planning process, and up until the day of...what is the ONE thing that all couples planning an outdoor wedding dread?? RAIN, of course!

Well, is a little rain REALLY the thing we should be dreading?


A beautiful overcast wedding ceremony photographed by Michael Schuhmann

After looking at that picture, you may begin to wonder!

During the spring and summer months, you are almost guaranteed to see an afternoon shower here in the great state of Florida. And unfortunately, weather is one thing that is out of our control (even if you have the greatest of wedding planners!) So should you be fretting and stressing over a little afternoon shower? Think of all the other things that you could be planning and perfecting. For example, making sure you remembered an umbrella...

Another gorgeous photo by Michael Schuhmann

A beautiful rainy day photo by Phillip Lloyd

...and maybe some brightly colored rain boots, just in case! Instead of praying to the rain gods to hold off on the rain, think of all the ways you can take advantage of a little rain. Clouds can create some beautiful images!

Photo by Limelight

Photographers love the opportunity to take advantage of softer light and beautiful clouds! Take this quote from Ryan Joseph for example...

"I love the 'atypical' wedding day weather. It adds a little texture to the work that I do. I know it sounds odd, but I get a bit stale shooting in the bright Florida sunshine time and time again."

Rainy Day Photo by Ryan Joseph

Dark Skies Captured by Ryan Joseph

A Cloudy Beach Photo by Ryan Joseph

The Calm After the Storm from Ryan Joseph's Perspective

So when planning your outdoor wedding, stop stressing about the weather, resist the urge to check the weather report 2 weeks before your wedding and everyday there after...and enjoy your planning process! Spend the time putting together details that reflect you and your significant other. And maybe pack that umbrella and those rain boots, just in case!

Photo courtesy of The Weddingbee

Julie & Andrew Get Married! ~ A Passionate Pink and Purple Wedding in St Petersburg

2011-07-06T23:15:00.002-04:00

Julie and Andrew got married on a beautiful Saturday in May. Julie is a beautiful, bright, young lady with a contagious smile. Andrew is loving, supportive man, who you can clearly see adores his bride! They said their vows at the First United Methodist Church in St Pete and were transported by a horse-drawn trolley to continue their celebration at a local Bay area yacht club.

Julie and Andrew didn't get distracted or caught up by all the little details of planning a wedding. You could easily see that the most important thing to them was sharing their big day with the ones they loved! And after listening to the special toasts and watching surprise dedications, it was obvious that this couple is loved and adored by all!! Julie and Andrew are a fun-loving selfless couple who were an absolute pleasure to work with!

Thanks to all the great vendors helped make their wedding dreams come true!!

The beautiful bride at First United Methodist

Julie and Andrew surrounded by those they love!

Pretty in Pink!

Blinged out Bridesmaids!

What a fun way to transport your wedding party!

A stunning purple bouquet with feather details! Thanks Botanica!

Wait a minute...Seeing double?

Julie's Maid of Honor did a great job! We love when special moments like these are captured!

An awesome FSU-themed grooms cake!

We love it when the bride and groom have fun with their cake cutting!

A special surprise dance for the bride!

Wedding Coordination- Weddings By Georgia, Georgia Watson and Jessica Judy
Floral- Botanica International Design Studio, Ian Prosser, for the beautiful purple bouquets!
Photography- Victor's Photojournalism, Victor Junco
Entertainment- Felix the DJ

Congratulations to the Happy Couple!!!

Should you offer "Assigned Seating" or "Open Seating"? What are the pros and cons to both?

2011-06-22T15:38:00.000-04:00

Think back to a time when you walked into the wedding reception you attended, you didn’t recognize a face in the crowd, you had nowhere to sit, no one to talk to … you felt invisible, annoyed, and thought you will be leaving early. If you are planning a formal reception, and you don't have a seating chart, you will make your guests feel this too.

I have always been an advocate of assigned seating and any event or dinner reception. Whether it is for a group of 40 or 400, “Assigned Seating” certainly has more pros than cons verses the alternative of “Open Seating”.

Consider these:

Assigned Seating offers a level of formality.
Maintains control over the seating portion of the timeline, and you can ensure the vendors of an accurate start time.
Offers your guests a feeling of security, knowing where they are seated at all times, and does not have the moments of stress of finding the perfect seat that open seating often does.
You will more than likely eliminate your guests from moving tables and chairs to create their own “spaces”.
You have control. Complete control of who sits with whom. For example, if you have a group of 12 family members who need to be together, well... Perfect! We will put a 72 inch round table or large enough feasting table to accommodate those 12 guests. (Don’t let the venue tell YOU that you can only put X amount of people at each table. This holds you prisoner to their layouts and rules. You tell them that you need them to accommodate the table assignments with the right size tables).

I have seen open seating turn into small disasters. There may be a couple attending that does not know any of your other guests, and with open seating that couple may end up at a table alone or with a very small group. This then isolates them from the rest of the group. I have seen groups of family and friends move chairs from one table to another to accommodate another 2 or 3 people to cram into their table, which then leaves another table stripped of its chairs and place settings. Let’s imagine for a minute how that looks in a formal ballroom….

Open seating often creates these further issues:

Guests have to wander around looking for a place to sit and this can delay your event getting started on time. And if by chance there are not 3 seats together for that family, the catering manager and coordinator will have to take a few moments to make this happen for them.
Your guests may end up at a table with people they do not know and don’t have much in common with OR even worse, be forced to sit with people that you know will not make great dining companions.
It makes it easier for couples to get split up if tables start to fill up and there are only single seats left scattered throughout the room.
Elderly guests may end up sitting where they can’t hear or see anything. They may even end up sitting too close to a speaker, or too far from the dance floor.
What if your friend who flew 300 miles to be at your wedding walks in and has to ask strangers if they’ll “please” let her sit with them?

So when is it a good idea to use open seating?

Open Seating is perfect if you are creating an informal dinner/cocktail reception. This is when you don’t necessarily offer a seat for every guest, at all times. Use this as a checklist to determine if your event is a good candidate for open seating.

Are you having action stations that are open throughout different parts of the evening?
And the guests can choose when and what they eat?
Are you skipping formalities such as toasts, speeches, parent dances?
Are you serving all food items that can be easily enjoyed by hand, on a small plate, and standing up?

If you answered YES, and you also feel that your guest list would enjoy this type of party, than this could be something to consider. However, if you are serving food that can only be enjoyed by sitting down, use of multiple plates (using a fork and knife) then this set up is NOT for you.

I know making a plan for seating.. is alot of work. I know that it is tedious and takes more time than you have. But, in the end, you have made the right decision. I promise. Let your fiance' help, organize yourself, start early, and view this as an ongoing task thru the wedding planning.

You want to consider your guests at all times, when making these types of decisions. You don’t want any of your guests to leave your party because of reasons of feeling uncomfortable, can’t relax, get off their feet, etc. My best advice is to talk this over with your wedding planner and listen to her suggestions. Sometimes letting your friends and family make these decisions for you leads you in the wrong direction.

Jessica and Andy get married ~ A Vintage meets Savvy Wedding at The Don CeSar Beach Resort

2011-06-14T15:48:00.003-04:00

Jessica and Andy- what can I say??!! It was "all in the cards" and the "stars were aligned" when we met at our first consultation. Jessica, the put together, sophisticated young lady with her beloved, down-home, hard-working, loving man...made for a couple that fit together like a puzzle. I directed them on a path that lead to a wonderful ceremony and reception at The Don CeSar with some of the best vendors that built her team.

Jessica has a great eye for style and used this skill to create her own details. She did not want to purchase ordinary items that most couples do, but instead, she searched the web, walked antique shops and flea markets, all to compile the tiny details to create a storyboard of her ideas. Below, you will read a blurb of her own words describing her experience...

Thank you to these wonderful vendors:
The Don CeSar - Venue
Georgia Watson - Coordination
Ryan Joseph- Photographer

Roberto DeBourg and The Flats- THE BAND!
Eladio Linarte - DJ

Floral Design - Botanica International
Hair and Makeup - Elena Joseph
Uplighting and Cocktail Tables- IM Events
Invitations, Linens, Chiavari Chairs through Georgia Watson

From the beginning, there were 4 things that I knew I wanted for my wedding day.

Those things were…

a beautiful location

an awesome photographer to capture special moments and little details

a planner to pull everything together and keep me in line

and the color green!

Well I was fortunate enough to be able to book a beautiful location, The Don CeSar, an amazing photographer, Mr Ryan Joseph, the wedding goddess, Georgia Watson, and I found a way to incorporate my favorite color green into what I thought was a gorgeous color theme.

From there, I began to build everything else to complete my theme! I added the colors brown and orange to my look. Unlike most things I my life, I didn’t change my mind 50 times!! I picked my colors carefully, after reviewing looks of pictures, and stuck with them!

Next, I played around with different themes such as tropical, nautical, and beachy. After looking at pictures, I thought those were too predictable for a gal like me. (I was selected as “most unique” in high school, afterall!) After looking through about a billion pictures both online and in magazines, a decided on what I like to call “vintage-chic with a modern flair” theme.

I fell in love with brooch bouquets and decided I would put my skills to the test and try to make my own! After a few weeks of collecting brooches, I began “construction.” A few days later and a few blistered fingers, I succeeded!! (by the way, I like to think that Miranda Lambert’s “vintage-chic” bouquet was inspired by mine!)

When my big day finally arrived, and I looked around my ballroom for the first time and some all of my little details (and shed a few tears) I truly felt as if my wedding day reflected who I am!

Since my bouquet was pretty unique, I decided to build the rest of my floral/décor items around it. Just about everything else had some type of brooch, rhinestone, or jewel somehow incorporated. I spent countless hours designing, creating, and embellishing until I felt like everything had a little touch of“Jessica.” Meanwhile, I must have sent Georgia a million emails to make sure I was creating a cohesive them (thanks Georgia!!)

I truly enjoyed every moment of my planning process and was a little bummed when I realized it was all over. However, an amazing opportunity presented itself, and I am now able to share my passion with other brides!! If you are interested to find out more, email me at Jessica@weddingsbygeorgia.com

The Details....the amazing Jessica Larson!

Jennifer and Brandan Married at The Sandpearl Resort on Clearwater Beach

2011-05-05T23:16:00.001-04:00

Another Destination Wedding for a promising couple! Jennifer found me early in the process and I had the honor and the privilege to provide full coordinating services. Jennifer not only knew what she wanted, had excellent taste, and she had the ability to make smart decisions…the smoothness of the wedding certainly was the proof. The fine details included a quartet, DJ and a band. With a margarita bar, and a candy favors from Dylan's Candybar.

She loved monochromatic ivories and whites. We covered the dance floor with a beige vinyl, embellished the tables with champagnes, ivories and creams thanks to Connie Duglin linens, while the ENTIRE ballroom was draped with all white, highlighted with amber . As the evening partied on, the colors changed with the mood of the room. (One of my favorites little things to do). This wedding was beautifully captured by John Unrue…Thank you John!!!

The pictures speak more than words for this beautiful occasion.

Elegant wedding dress

Jimmy Choo's


Lovely bride opening a gift on her wedding day

The Bride and her Bridesmaids

Flowers from Botanica Florist

Father of the bride takes a first look

The groom is a big Philly's fan


Gorgeous veil

The flowers were breathtaking

Each centerpiece, each bouquet had grace and elegance

Arrangement on the table for the seating cards

Chiavari Chairs from Black Tie Rental

Ballroom of the SandPearl Resort

Bride and Groom had a practice dance in the decorated ballroom

The guests enjoyed drinks from the Margarita bar

The GORGEOUS & DELICIOUS Cake from Chantilly Cakes

The room changing colors with the mood!

The quartet from Via Musica


Fantastic wedding, fantastic couple!

Best of luck on a happy journey together.....

Another successful wedding, with many thanks given to the following vendors:

The Sandpearl Resort: www.sandpearl.com

Coordination- Georgia Watson Events Inc.: www.weddingsbygeorgia.com

Photography – John Unrue Photo: www.unruephoto.com

Video- Tampa Photo: www.tampaphoto.com

Wedding Party Floral/Reception Floral/Ceremony Design – Botanica International: www.botanicaflorist.com

Linens – Connie Duglin Linen: www.connieduglinlinen.com

Ballroom Drape/ Lighting/ and Floor Covering – IM Events: www.IMevents.biz

Band- Elite Show Band: www.eliteshowband.com

DJ- Jeff Staples: www.jeffstaples.com

Cake – Chantilly: www.chantillycakes.com

Chiavari Chairs – Black Tie Rental: www.blacktierental.com

Quartet- Via Musica: www.viamusica.com

Officiant- Pastor David Bamberry

Airbrush vs. Regular Makeup Application ~ What brides need to know about airbrush techniques.

2011-04-28T11:21:00.001-04:00

Photograph by Limelight Photography

I received this article from a good friend and colleague Linny Correa, who is a fantastic professional makeup artist. This is info every bride needs to know.

What is airbrush makeup and how does it differ from regular makeup? Do you recommend airbrush makeup applications?
For about a decade now, airbrush makeup has been a much talked about item. This technique has been around for a few decades, however its popularity and hype grew quickly soon after the introduction of Photoshop software.

What is the connection between Photoshop and an airbrush pump machine you might ask?
The common denominator between these two items is the word “airbrush.” There is a lot of misunderstanding regarding which “airbrushing techniques” are responsible for the amazing, awesome photos in today’s media and magazines. Most people, who do not know much about computer and visual software technology, may not know that what they see in print these days is the work of two different makeup artists: the first artist, who did the fabulous job on the actual makeup and the second artist (Photoshop artist), also known as the airbrush artist. The airbrush artist’s work is to bring the photo to a higher level.

Haven’t you noticed that the photos are unrealistically gorgeous?
The skin looks flawless, almost porcelain like, with a glow and smoothness that you never experienced before. The lip gloss in these photos is so glossy and vivid that it appears unreal; the eye shadow is so smooth and lively that it almost brings tears of excitement to your eyes.

Does such beauty exist beyond the print?
What you see is a computer-enhanced or airbrushed Photoshop photo. But please, do not give the credit to the airbrush pump machine, since it has nothing or very little to do with it. Trust me, I have been in the industry for the past 16 years and what I know best are makeup arts and modern techniques.

Then what is airbrush makeup and what is it good for?
Airbrush makeup is also referred to as the technique of pumping liquid foundation on the skin. Just like your hairspray, a pump helps to spray the product on the skin. The airbrush pump has been around for a long time. I have used them on film and in media shots in the past. I use them for their speed and as a fast way of working on large numbers of background “talent” (extras) who have to be ready in a relatively short time span. Airbrushing offers speed, but with less precision – it won’t matter since the extras are shot from a distance. I also use them for the art of body painting. I did a catalog shoot for a popular ladies lingerie ad. I did the entire body with stencils and an airbrush machine. It was fast and simple. So, if you know how and for what purpose to use the airbrush pump, it will serve you well. However, I see that now a day, many makeup artists are desperately after an airbrush class or a machine.

FACTS:
1- Airbrush makeup is not meant for small surfaces and delicate work such as the face. It produces a caked-on look base.
2- Airbrush makeup looks good from far or in print, however it does not work well at real-life events (wedding, evening functions, etc…) since it does not look good under natural/daylight.
3-Airbrush makeup is simply a thick layer of makeup on the face, which may be suitable for someone who is use to wearing lots of makeup, or someone who needs a heavy coverage; for example, someone with scars or acne. *****Just an FYI, you can use the correct makeup products for extra coverage in layers , and it lasts all day.
4- Airbrush foundation products are not trusted on all skin types; there are reports of skin rash and discomfort, such as itchiness. Airbrush makeup dries quickly after pumping and feels very heavy on the skin.
5- It also cracks over facial lines and wrinkles; thus emphasizing any imperfections.

So then why is everyone asking for it?
The answer is because they haven’t tried it yet. Many airbrush pump machine companies made millions of dollars in mass producing the pumps and selling them to makeup artists around the world. Their business and marketing plans created a huge misunderstanding for all of us in the search for beauty. *****Buzz word!

Should I get an airbrush pump if I am a makeup artist?
Yes, you should if you are an “active” media artist. It may come in handy from time to time. However, for weddings and special events, I do not recommend using it. What if your clients ask for it? You tell them your opinion about it; go ahead and use it if they insist. Airbrushing is another tool to improve and enhance your ways of applying makeup if you know how and when to use it; however, do not believe for a minute that what you see on the cover of a Glamour magazine or on a Victoria’s Secret’ poster is the work of an airbrush pump. Knowledge is power!

Maid of Honor Speeches ~ MOH Toasts ~ How to give the perfect toast

2011-04-25T16:48:00.001-04:00

I have seen hundreds of speeches in 14 years. Yes, hundreds. So it would be safe to say that I can be considered “expert” in this topic.

One of the biggest mistakes I see women make as the Maid/Matron of Honor is making the reception speech too long. Women often have the tendency to whip out the ol’ two pager and then babble on and never stop talking – (sorry to mention that, I am a woman myself so I can speak for us;) …hints to why most of the reception speeches are made by men. So the best thing you can do for your speech is to write a very sweet, personalized, short maid of honor speech.

First let me explain that there is a difference between a toast and a speech. If your speech is long, a summary of your lives, with nothing left out, you need to give this at the rehearsal dinner. If you want to give a toast, stand up and express your love, and your true feelings quickly and then TOAST with a glass, then keep it for wedding night.

The Maid of Honor speech is not typically a speech for entertaining, so it is a good idea to write a short speech to avoid humiliating yourself especially if you don’t consider yourself a good confident public speaker. Have the speech come from your heart coupled with your own sense of humor and you will be able to pull off quite a decent MOH speech for sure.

Here are a few tips for making the perfect Maid of Honor Speech.

Keep your speech between 1 to 2 minutes (never go longer than 3 minutes!) Don’t think that you will be the exception to this rule, and everyone will want to hang on to your every word. This won’t happen. Trust me. Reality is, most guests will start tuning you out at 2 minutes. It may be inconsiderate, but it happens.
Don’t drink before you give the toast.
If you are giving only a toast instead of a speech keep it under one minute.
Follow the traditional format of maid of honor speeches. (acknowledge the groom as well).
Read a few MOH speeches to get an idea of what to include.
Don’t state the obvious. (i.e. Saying how much you love your sister (everybody knows this), or how beautiful she is 2-3 times)
Read your final draft out loud to yourself until you no longer make mistakes.
Time yourself.
Read it in front of your family or the bridesmaids and make sure it will not embarrass or offend anyone, also ask them if they feel it is a good length.
On the wedding day bring note cards with key points of your speech so you do not forget anything.
Do not read your speech from your phone. TACKY.
Do not read your speech from long sheets of paper.
Don’t forget to ask everyone to lift their glass and TOAST the couple.

The BEST MOH speech I have ever witnessed at one of my weddings was one where the MOH really thought this through. See the link..http://www.youtube.com/user/TheGeorgiawatson#p/a/u/1/uX9Y6OhkH1s

Lee and Scott were married at The Renaissance Vinoy Resort

2011-04-21T16:22:00.000-04:00

Lee and Scott were married in the spring at The Renaissance Vinoy Resort on The Esplanade and the reception was held in the amazing Grand Ballroom. This modern wedding was spectacular, to say the least, with outside the box details that Georgia Watson coordinated from start to finish. The bride was "stoked" with ideas and concepts that were brought to life. Lee looked gorgeous on her wedding day and chose the hot and sexy colors of Red and Platinum which were so fun to work with. The bridesmaids wore red and men tied in the color with custom ties.

The deep red dance floor with monogrammed initials added the "wow" factor and enhanced the space of the ballroom. To add more personality to the space, square and round tables were used along with three different centerpieces.The up lightning, patterned on the walls and ceiling tied the entire feel together. The ballroom's feel and look really took our breath away. This was one of my favorite brides to work with and was so genuinely excited throughout the entire planning of the wedding. No detail was left unturned and the planning process was almost as fun as the actual wedding!

Thank you Aaron Lockwood who captured the evening through the camera's eyes.

Candles lined the aisle with rose petals sprinkled accents

Gorgeous Day Gorgeous Couple exchanging vows

Flower girls wore red and white dresses

Elegant satin white heels

2 tone red rose bouquet

The ballroom was extraordinary from the table setting to the lighting, everything was PERFECT!

One of the lush red rose centerpieces

Check out this dance floor! Red dance floor with their initials in the center. Amazing.

Congratualtions to Lee and Scott, we wish them a lifetime of color and vibrancy just like their wedding day!

We want to thank our vendors:

Full Coordination, Event Concept & Execution~ Georgia Watson Events

Photography~Aaron Lockwood www.aaronlockwoodphotography.com/

Floral, Drape & Lighting~ConceptBAIT www.conceptbait.com/

SEXY dance floor~IM EVENTS www.imevents.biz/

Music~DJ Jeff Staples jeffstaples.com/

Cake~Alessi Bakery

The Renaissance Vinoy~Jennifer Links, Senior Catering Manager

Nicole and Blake were Married at The Sacred Heart Church ~ Reception at The Don Vicente Inn

2011-04-19T16:49:00.003-04:00

Nicole and Blake were married at The Sacred Heart Church with cocktails and Reception at The Don Vicente Historic Inn, Ybor City. The wedding had an incredible vintage feel and the bride was radiant in soft colors of ivory. The bride and groom chose to think outside the box with an informal cocktail style setting where guests could mingle and lounge as they please. Food was served in an Action Station Style setting which allowed the guests to eat, drink and enjoy the evening. Thank you LimeLight Photographers, Michael and Rebecca for capturing the evening.


Historic Don Vicente de Ybor

Creative way to hang your wedding dress!

Bride chose gorgeous ivory tones to set the mood

First Family photo


Beautiful Bride Nicole


The delicious and elegant cake by Alessi Bakery

The couple chose a "first private look" before the ceremony. Refer to blog post FIRST LOOK VS CEREMONY FIRST LOOK and read about the intimate way couples choose to have a private moment before the hustle and bustle.

The bride had specific ideas and was very involved in every aspect of her big day. She leaned on Georgia to bring it all home and bring her ideas to reality, a reality that will be remembered for a lifetime. Cheers to the happy couple!

Thank you to:

Photography~Limelight photography http://www.stepintothelimelight.com/

Floral~by Botanica International Florist http://www.botanicaflorist.com/

Cake~Alessi Bakery

Music~DeLeon Band http://www.deleonentertainment.com/

Table and Linens arranged by Georgia Watson

"Want to have a wedding like this one? Georgia is here to coordinate it for you" From linens to cake, she can do it all!

Calendar for a Cause Charity Event - 2011

2011-04-07T16:49:00.001-04:00

What a FANTASTIC first year event! Woosh! I loved it, I really did. The turnout, the money rasied (over $17K!!!), the food, the children and their families, the local support..all of it! And get ready for next year..we are in the works. Thank you to Michael Schuhmann for photos..

In case you didnt know, this event is put on by ME and other AMAZING event industry professionals, with all money rasied going to The Childrens Cancer Center. See our official site: http://www.calendarforacause.blogspot.com/ for info on the committee and our cause.

Shauna & Greg get married at The Sandpearl ~ Clearwater Beach Wedding

2011-03-21T18:48:00.000-04:00

First let me say that I am feeling so incredibly blessed lately. Not only do I think I have found my perfect career, but I find the perfect clients (or they find me :))

Shauna and Greg were AWESOME! Greg was smart, appreciated the details, was involved with the important parts...and LOVED his woman! Shauna, who is in my "best of " list for her sweetness, her taste, and her enthusiasm. I had the honor of performing the ceremony as well, something that makes my heart smile.

Shauna and Greg married on the Gulf Lawn at The Sandpearl, cocktailed on the lawn, and then moved into the Hunter Ballroom for the formal reception. Shauna used a combination of purple hues, silver, and ivory.

Thank you to the wonderful vendors that made this day a perfect one for them. Victor Junco for Photo, Voila Cinematic for Video, Jeff Staples for DJ, Northside Florist for Floral, Connie Duglin for Linen, Sandpearl for delicious food and beverage and AMAZING venue. More pictures to follow...

Georgia gets nominated for Social Event Planner of the Year!

2011-03-21T18:33:00.000-04:00

I have been blessed again...this time through BizBash's Reader's Choice Awards. I have been nominated for Social Event Planner of the Year. The popular vote is what is important here. The more votes one receives, the better. The winner of the popular vote will be announced on April 12th...so I need those votes! If you feel I am worthy, I appreciate the click!

Alissa and Mike got married ~ Palma Ceia Country Club Reception ~ Video Highlight

2011-02-03T10:34:00.000-05:00

Thank you to Voila for sharing this amazing highlight of Alissa and Mike's wedding. I had a great time sharing in this experience....always so refreshing when two people are genuinely enjoying their day...
Alissa & Michael from Voila Cinematic on Vimeo.

A Traditional Walk Down the Aisle or a Well-Executed FIRST LOOK?

2011-02-01T12:51:00.002-05:00

The ongoing debate..have a first look or wait to see each other when the bride walks down the aisle? Most industry professionals would agree with me and say, that if executed properly (another reason for a good coordinator) that a "First Look" is emotional, stress releasing, efficient, a memorable event, and a super use of time. See the videos, and read the verbiage below..and you decide.

Anatomy of an Uninterrupted First Look from Voila Cinematic on Vimeo.
Thank you to Voila for this..

Patti and Erick Wedding Day Preview by Jose Ortiz from Jose Ortiz Films on Vimeo.
...at about 1 minute in, you will see their first look..just amazing!

My clients and vendors opinions...

Michael Schuhmann - photographer
For me it's all about TIME & LIGHT. I can only suggest what is going to produce the best results. The b&g take it form there, it's their wedding. If things will be rushed after the ceremony or we wont have any natural light left I will suggest we do something prior. The groom will still be blown away when she walks down the isle, beside Jewish wedding are all like that. There are no retakes...

Cindy Burton Costa Schuhmann - bride
Let me expound on Michael's commentary. We did the first look. After all, he knows best...Well, it was the best decision! I still got to walk down the stairs to an awe-filled groom (TWICE!) he and Bella and I had a very special moment, then we did all of our photos before hand and it was relaxed, beautiful and memorable. Then we only had to do a few family shots after the ceremony. And when I walked down the aisle, it was still emotional, profound and beautiful for us. Only we were able to enjoy it even more because the photos were already done and noone felt rushed or as if something was missing. And my husband got the light he wanted. Our images are gorgeous! (Thank you Ryan and Scalini!!)

Mj Wilson - photographer
Couples never seem to leave enough time to take quality photos, especially of the two of them. We love "First Looks" because it gives the couple time alone, together, before the ceremony. The Groom will still see her walk down the aisle for the "first" time. When couples give us two hours before the ceremony to shoot, they get many more images than they will, trying to cram everything into the hour before the reception starts, when everything is on a deadline. Like Michael said above, at Jewish Weddings the B&G always see each other beforehand. That kind of time always produces great images. This couple had a very emotional "First Look" that also involved their family and friends.

Traci - bride
We did a private first look before the ceremony and I loved it. That first moment when you see each other is amazing and being alone gives you the opportunity to really emote without a room full of people watching you. Just to spend a few moments together before all of the family and all of the guests. All the nerves subsided to make the moments leading up to the ceremony much less stressful. I would absolutely do it again. Plus, the photographs from it are priceless.

Melanie - bride
We also did a private first look, and my husband and I both agree that those moments alone cemented the feeling for the entire rest of the day. We were both emotional, and were able to be so freely without feeling pressured to keep it together or move on because we were holding up the ceremony. It gave us an opportunity to get our nerves under control and relax a little bit before we were standing up in front of our family and friends as well. Many of my favorite photos from the entire day came from that experience, and I wouldn't have had it any other way!

Kelley - bride
I was one of the couples who thought tradition was the way to go...after some guidance and careful thought, I'm really glad we opted to do the private first look. The day rushed by but we knew we got those very special moments together captured in photos. Not to mention it calmed a few nerves and we were both glad to have a few minutes of peace together before the craziness started and time flew by.

Shannon Livingston - photographer
HUGE promoter of the first look!!! I photographed a wedding in Alaska last summer and BEGGED my very traditional bride to do the first look and all of their photos before the ceremony as well. 4 hours before the ceremony no less. It was a little selfish on my part I must say. We had the best time and got some of my all time favorite images. There were no real time restraints and it gave me the ability to be creative instead of trying to cram family photos, bridal party and the couples images in the 30-45 minutes we usually have after the ceremony. The bride and groom were able then to enjoy their cocktail hour, family and friends. At the end of the night she thanked me for pushing the idea as it made their day so much more meaningful and stress free. A sample of their images are in the SPOTLIGHT gallery on my website if you'd like to take a peek. www.shannonlivingston.com

Cathy - bride
We did decide on a first look and still agree it was the best decision for us. We appreciated our private moment, without guests. It allowed us a chance to focus on our day, our love and our marriage without interruptions. It calmed our nerves and the photos were great! He was still amazed when I walked down the lawn...

Erin - bride
We decided to do the first look when we realized it would take away a lot of stress and we could spend our wedding with our friends and family instead of running around getting quick photos. I highly recommend it because you will be more relaxed and the photos will show it.

Ashley and Adam get married! Clearwater Wedding in the Fall

2011-01-31T15:35:00.000-05:00

I had the honor and the enthusiasm to coordinate Ashley and Adam's dream day in the fall of 2010! Ashley and Adam came to me early in their planning with an overflow of excitement and energy. Ashley was ready to dive into details and talk about all of the aspects of what she was dreaming of for her wedding. She is a romantic and loves color (especially pink roses peonies). She appreciates the need to add vibrancy to her event space AND loved all the traditional elements of a reception. After lots of face to face time, emails and phone calls, it all came together so nicely. With a meshing of her loves with what is traditional, we created a wedding filled with pinks (light to dark), black, silver, and of course her favorite dancing shoes!

Ashley and Adam got ready at the Westin Tampa Bay, were married at the Chapel by the Sea and celebrated at The Rusty Pelican. The other amazing vendors included:

Photography - Limelight...Thank you for capturing the room "reveal" with us..this was too fun!
Band ~ DeLeon Entertainment
Cake ~ Chantilly Cakes
Florist ~ Northside Florist
Hair and Makeup ~ Irina Bilka
Photobooth ~ ShutterBooth
Wedding Gown ~ CC's Bridal Boutique

Just Awarded "Bride's Choice Awards" for 2011

2011-01-25T15:02:00.000-05:00

Press Release

Tampa, Florida- January 25, 2011 - WeddingWire, the nation’s leading wedding technology company, is thrilled to announce Georgia Watson Events Inc. has been selected to receive the prestigious annual WeddingWire Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2011 for Wedding Planning!
Recognition for the Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2011 is determined by recent reviews and extensive surveys from over 750,000 WeddingWire newlyweds. Our past clients are among those that shared their experiences on WeddingWire, the largest wedding review site in the nation.

Georgia Watson Events Inc. stands among the top five percent of wedding professionals in the WeddingWire community, representing quality and service excellence within the wedding industry. Awards were given to the top wedding professionals across 20 service categories, from wedding venues to wedding photographers, and were based on the overall professional achievements throughout the past year.

“WeddingWire is honored to celebrate the success of the top-rated wedding professionals within the WeddingWire community,” said Timothy Chi, WeddingWire’s Chief Executive Officer. “With the annual Bride’s Choice Awards™ program, WeddingWire has the unique opportunity to recognize the best wedding professionals across the US and Canada. We applaud Georgia Watson Events for their professionalism and dedication to enhancing the wedding planning experience last year.”

We are happy to announce that Georgia Watson is among the very best Wedding Planners within the WeddingWire Network, which includes leading wedding planning sites WeddingWire, Martha Stewart Weddings, Project Wedding and Weddingbee. We would like to thank our past clients for nominating us to receive the Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2011.

For more information, please visit our WeddingWire Storefront today at Georgia Watson, Wedding Wire page. For more information on the Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2011, please visit www.WeddingWire.com.

My next big focus....a charity event that will touch you, I guaranteee it.

2011-01-21T14:33:00.000-05:00

Pre-Wedding Marriage Compatibility Test ~ Really?

2010-12-29T13:34:00.000-05:00

Have fun and read this list of essential pre-wedding discussions (from Elegala) to have before your wedding day…

Being a bride-to-be is certainly fabulous – a sparkling rock on your left hand, a valid excuse to go overboard on shopping (you need those Manolos for your honeymoon, after all), parties thrown in your honor, blowout arguments with your fiance… Uh, I beg your pardon?

Of course we jest – but there’s a hint of truth here. Remember: The engagement period is more than the time needed to plan a big party; it’s also the trial run for your marriage and future life together. The bottom line? Discuss potential challenges and disagreements now, not after you’ve cut the wedding cake. So while up until now you may have been the couple who never fights, here’s your chance. Find out if your truly compatible with this list of essential pre-wedding fights – er – discussions to have before you say “I do.”

Marriage Compatibility Test – 8 Essential Pre-Wedding Discussions

1) The “Don’t Leave the Toilet Seat Up” Tussle

Now’s the time to address any petty grievances you both may have ignored until now. You’ve heard it a thousand times, and it holds true here – communication is key. We know – blah, blah, blah – but it’s cliche for a reason. You need to clear the air now, because these little gripes, left unsaid, can build up underlying tension over the years – only to bubble over and explode into a completely unrelated future argument. Remember to keep this discussion productive and lighthearted. Nagging or initiating a screaming duel over his pants left on the floor (again) is not going to solve anything.

2) The “You Want Me To Do What?” Melee

Unless a personal maid and assistant is on your bridal registry (a novel idea!), someone’s gonna have to scour the shared bathroom in your new dwelling. You’ll soon find that they key to marital bliss is agreement on whose task is whose. While an itemized chore list is a tad ambitious, lay out expectations in advance and avoid future blowups. You should know each other well enough by this point to divvy tasks accordingly: Common sense dictates that your fiancé who bounced three checks last month should relinquish bill duty, and if your white sheets are now gray, best hand over laundry duty. And while you’re divvying out chores, discuss broader marriage roles. How do you see yourself as a wife? A mother? A professional? How does he see himself?

3) The “When Should We Procreate?” Debate

Don’t even consider walking down that aisle without a game plan for children. Avoid this discussion, and you risk bringing innocent bystanders into a world of dysfunction – namely, yours. Before your wedding day, reach a consensus on when those little feet will start to pitter patter, how many feet will be doing the pattering, and whether they’ll even patter at all.

4) The “Festivus for the Rest of Us” Controversy

If your Christmas tree is his Festivus pole, it’s time to talk religion. Combining two faiths can be tricky. Discuss together your values, and identify what religious traditions are most meaningful for each of you to incorporate into your wedding ceremony and marriage. How will you combine holidays? Raise your children? And even if you share the same religious background, what role will religion play in your life together?

5) The “Not Tonight Dear, I Have a Headache” Tug of War

Sure, things may be spicy now, but your sex life is bound to evolve and change a number of times throughout your marriage. What are your sexual expectations? Are you able to speak openly about sex? Have a frank discussion now, when your relationship is new and confidence is high. Otherwise, you risk establishing a pattern of avoidance and inability to discuss sexual wants and needs – a huge marital red flag.

6) The “Does This Make Me Look Fat?” Confrontation

’Til death do you part… That allows an awful long time for your body to age. And even if you both succeed in fighting off middle-age weight gain, inevitable wrinkles, gray hairs, or hairs in the wrong places will eventually makeover your once-youthful selves. How are you going to deal? What are your expectations for your own and your spouse’s physical upkeep?

7) The “You charged WHAT to the Visa?” Brawl

Financial woes are one of the main stressors in a marriage and a primary cause of divorce. For new couples, the topic of money can be uncomfortable – and certainly unromantic. But how romantic will it be when you’re forced to pawn that rock on your left finger to pay off your groom’s insurmountable gambling debts? Bottom line: Get over yourself, and practice full financial disclosure. What will be your combined income as a newly married couple? Do you have any current debt and how will you manage it together? Is there anything (real estate, travel, college fund) for which you’re willing to take on debt? How will you manage savings? Investments? How and when do you plan to retire? Learn more about planning for a healthy financial future with your fiance.

8) The “Not So All in the Family” Feud

Ah, in laws: the quintessential love/hate relationship. Remember: When you marry the man, you also marry the family. So while it’s not essential to tell your hubby-to-be exactly how you feel about his needling mother, it is important to come to terms with family involvement and what level of closeness is acceptable. If your idea of the perfect Thanksgiving involves skiing in Switzerland and his involves a big sit-down with his extended family in Toledo, it’s best to express these expectations out now, and start crafting a compromise.

Georgia Watson Events just awarded The Knot's Best of Wedding Planners Award for 2011!

2010-12-17T13:59:00.001-05:00

Wonderful news we received today! We have received a wonderful recognition award given by The Knot for their "Best Of" 2011 Awards. As voted on by brides and grooms in every state, these votes/reviews are tallied to come up with the finalists! Thank you to all of our past clients who took the time to write raving reviews. We love you too!

Some Dining Etiquette Tips ~ Tips on Socially Correct Dining ~ How to Properly Eat Soup

2010-12-17T13:55:00.000-05:00

I am amazed time and time again to see how many people really do not know proper etiquette with dining. It may be because this is never taught and most people would either have to be in the profession or teach themsleves. So, it is my duty to give some simple tips.

Do you know how to set a table? Or better yet..do you know what fork and spoon is for what? Well, you do now! Below is the proper way to set a table if you are hosting a FORMAL dinner at your home or even if you are attending one. Just remember that utensils are used from the outside - in. If you are serving fish and beef, the fish fork is placed between the salad fork and the beef fork.

Where do you place your utensils to signify that you are done eating and the servers may clear your plate? Both the fork and the knife get placed "11 and 5" across the plate itself.

What is the proper way to eat soup? Hold the spoon above the soup, gently scoop the soup away from you, rest the spoon on the edge of the back of the bowl to allow for excess to drip off, and then bring the spoon to your mouth. Never scoop soup toward yourself.

Jen and Andy get married on St. Pete Beach ~ The Don CeSar Beach Resort Wedding

2010-10-25T09:04:00.000-04:00

Jen and Andy...another blessing. I had the pleasure of putting together this fabulous day for such a sweet couple. From choosing the linens to the first course, I helped them achieve the day of their dreams.

Jen loved blues and greens, so we found a way to make this happen without an overload to your senses. The vendors involved with this day were: Victor Junco's Photojournalism, Jeff Staples DJ, Northside Florist, Connie Duglin Linens, Alessi Bakery, and IM Events. They were married on the south beach and held their reception in The South Terrace.

A Real Wedding of mine just published in Brides Florida Fall 2010!

2010-10-11T09:59:00.000-04:00

Ally and Jeremy were married earlier this year at The Don CeSar Beach Resort. They were the perfect couple, weather was perfect, the vendors were perfect....nothing could of been any more fabulous! I am so honored to have this wedding featured....and a big Thank You to the vendors that made this happen (all featured in the article)!

New Twists on Old Traditions - The Bride's Bouquet - Can the bride's bouquet be something other than flowers?

2010-10-11T09:34:00.001-04:00

I LOVE THIS TOPIC! If only more brides were a little more willing to step out of the tradition box and venture into choosing details that will really draw attention. I must also express that there is always something so beautiful and stunning about a bride carrying the perfect floral bouquet - these ideas are certainly not for every bride.

The Fall Apple Bouquet

The Autumn Bouquet

The Organic Bouquet

The Jeweled Bouquet

The Cauliflower Bouquet

The Cherry Bouquet

The Silk Floral (done right) Bouquet

The Ceremony Chuppah - Jewish Ceremony - Wedding Altar and Ceremony Decor

2010-10-11T09:23:00.001-04:00

The wedding ceremony chuppah....are they just for Jewish ceremonies? Absolutely not. These monster decor pieces are used in many ethnic wedding services and can be decorated to fit just about any theme, budget, and fit the scenery of many locations. These are just a few ideas that you can play off of to find your perfect altar piece.

If you are not using a chuppah for a Jewish service - many couples don't realize that this decor piece is not necessarily designed to actually stand under. You can have the officiant/pastor stand just under the front and the wedding party will stand in front of it, and then lining up off to the sides. Many times, depending on light, your photographer or videographer would prefer you not to stand under the chuppah. These details should always be covered by your wedding planner.

The Real Scoop on Wedding Thank You Notes ~ Etiquette on Wedding Thank You's ~ When Should They Be Sent?

2010-09-08T08:30:00.002-04:00

There is no way around it. After the big day, after the honeymoon is over, there is still one more wedding-related matter to attend to. It’s time for you to send out thank you cards. Most couples like to procrastinate when it comes to showing their gratitude, but all the experts agree, this is one area where etiquette must not be breached.

It may seem like a daunting task to write a personal note to 150 guests, but if you work together as a couple, the time is sure to pass quickly. Below are some guidelines to get you started.

I would like to set the record straight – you do not have 1 year to send thank you cards! You have 1 month from the wedding. Think about this, you expected their prompt reply with the response card, you should give them the same courtesy of a quick acknowledgement of their gift.
Start right away! Once you start receiving gifts, even if it’s before the wedding, start sending thank you’s.
A thank you note must never be emailed, preprinted or typed. A personalized, handwritten note is expected.
Photographers also offer blank (professionally printed) thank you notes with your engagement shot or wedding photo. You can also get cute cards made with your photo from the wedding night.
The same rule applies to the envelope, it should be hand written, showing your guests they were each special enough for you to take this extra step. I once received a thank you note, that was so sloppy and rushed, it took away the “Ah, how sweet of them” thought that I should have had. I concentrated so much on how terrible the card looked.
“Thank you for your gift” will not cut it. Each gift must be noted and discussed, even if more than one gift was given. “Thank you so much for the generous gift. We are saving this money to do some work on our new home” not only tells the gift giver the gift is appreciated, but it also lets him or her know you look forward to using the gift. If you receive a gift of money, never mention the amount or the words “money,” “cash,” or “check.”
Besides thanking your guests for their gifts, make sure they know how much you appreciate their sharing your wedding day or traveling hundreds of miles to attend. It lets them know they weren’t only invited for their gifts.
Try not to make the card all about you. It’s a good rule not to start the card with the words, “I,” “me,” “my,” “we,” or “our.” This is not the time to brag about honeymoons or house hunting.
The groom can write those cards to people on his guest list, and the bride write those on hers. This will help in the writing process.
Send Thank You cards to: those people who did not attend the wedding but sent a gift, sent a gift for your shower, hosted a special event in your honor, or those guests who performed at your wedding (whether your guest was the also the officiant or your musician). Dont forget those who may of done something special for you on wedding day or during the weekend that really touched your heart.
Thank you cards and gifts to your wedding party and family members are presented the night of the rehearsal…do not wait until after the wedding.

Hope this helps...now get writing!!

Can a bridesmaid carry something other than a bouquet? Alternatives to a bridesmaid bouquet.

2010-09-02T14:41:00.000-04:00

With brides constantly on the hunt for something DIFFERENT yet STYLISH, but keeping with the tradition of the bridesmaids holding "something"...there ARE great alternatives to flower bouquets. With cost sometimes an issue with floral...consider these....

But, when you do OPT to go out of the box, consider your venue, your location, the theme, the weather, the feel, the budget, and the overall consistant design of the event. Some of these ideas are: Fans, Parasols, Balloons (can be cute if done right), windmills, feathers, unique wrist corsages, cut outs, lanterns (great for night wedding), custom purses with little floral pieces, and pomanders.

Poor 'ole Carnations, they get a bad rap.....Let's give them another look, shall we?

2010-08-25T17:40:00.000-04:00

Using carnations for your wedding floral? WHAT??!! You are??!!!

Hopefully you haven't heard this before if in fact you were considering this picked on flower. Carnations have gotten such a bad rap for so long. It just thrills me when I get a bride that is willing to consider this "orphan" stem when trying to lower money output, or when trying to achieve a certain look and have the confidence in her florist to say "Hey! Look at me! I am using carnations in my wedding!!"

Decide for yourself.....

The Hindu Wedding Mandap ~ "Thinking Outside the Mandap"

2010-08-25T17:22:00.001-04:00

I had a bride recently come to me with pictures of Mandap's that inspired her. Although she was not Indian, (nor her groom)the ideas that were born in her head helped her achieve the vision of what she was looking for. I hope this inspires Indian couples as well as my "non-Indian" couples. The colors, the textures, the lines, the furniture are always so beautiful - I wanted to share this collection of Mandap's that have helped my brides.

What is a Mandap? A Hindu wedding is considered a 4-5 days occasion. After engagement, mehendi, sangeet etc. the d-day arrives. On this day wedding rituals are performed with bride and groom under a mandap (many a times a temporary set up, with roof & pillars and without walls), in front of all the family members, relatives and friends invited. These rituals connect the bride and groom in a very pious and firm bond. A Chuppah to a Jewish Ceremony is equal to a Mandap in a Hindu Ceremony.
That is why ‘Mandap’ is considered the most important place and happens to be the most attractive place of wedding venue. Apart from the traditional way it is now decorated in a trendy manner and is matched with entire wedding theme. Georgia can assist you in creating this very important aspect of the marriage.

Fonts you choose, Type you choose....it tells a STORY.

2010-08-21T11:35:00.003-04:00

If you are a bride reading this - think of your wedding invitaion, think of your wedding website, think about the save-the-dates, the menu cards, the thank you cards, the wedding programs, the welcome bag tags........think about how many elements in your wedding involve choosing a SCRIPT FONT or a TYPE or BLOCK FONT.

If you are not a bride, but a business owner - this goes for all of us too. Great blog advice by Seth Godin.

If you write it down, we're going to judge it.

Not just the words, we're going to judge you even before we read the words. The typography you use, whether it's a handwritten note or a glossy brochure, sends a message.

Some typefaces are judged in a similar way by most people you're addressing (Times Roman in a Word document or Helvetica on a street sign or Myriad Pro on a website) but even when you choose something as simple as a typeface, be prepared for people to misunderstand you.

If you send me a flyer with dated, cheesy or overused type, it's like showing up in a leisure suit for a first date. If your website looks like Geocities or some scammy info marketer, I won't even stay long enough to read it.
Like a wardrobe, I think a few simple guidelines can save amateurs like us a lot of time:

1. Invest some time and money up front to come up with a house style that actually looks the way you want it to, one that tells the story you want to tell. Hire a designer, put in some effort. A headline font, a body font, one or two extras. That's your outfit, just like the four suits you rotate through your closet.

2. "What does this remind you of?" No need to be a pioneer (unless that's the story you want me remember). Find a combination of typefaces that remind your chosen audience of the sort of organization you want to remind them of. Hint: italic wedding invitation fonts in the body of your email remind me of nothing except other people who have wasted my time...

3. Be consistent. Don't change it when you get bored. Don't change it when your staff gets bored. Change it when the accountant and marketing guys tell you it's not working any longer.

How do you express "dress code" on your wedding or event invitations? What is proper, what is a NO-NO?

2010-08-18T15:25:00.001-04:00

Question: Is it proper to tell your guests what to wear on the invitation? Question: What is the difference between White Tie and Black Tie? and everything else?

If you want your guests to dress a certain way to your wedding, I would suggest placing the dress code NOT on the actual invite itself, but on an additional card or insert. The wedding invitation should stand on it's own. All other information should be explained elsewhere. Don't make the mistake of saying "Elegant Attire" or "Come as you are". Be VERY clear. Event invitations are treated a little different. It is OK to place dress code on the invite itself, as long as it is not your focus... Maybe in the bottom corner in smaller font, for example.

On a reception card, you can put "Black Tie Reception immediately following the ceremony".

There is nothing more frustrating than receiving an invitation to a party or wedding and not understanding what is expected in dress OR even worse, trying to understand what "Florida Casual" means? Or "Party Attire"? This can mean many things to many people.

Listed below are the details surrounding "what is what". According to Emily Post, the authority on etiquette everything! OCCASION/ DRESS CODE for MEN & WOMEN

White Tie
•Black tailcoat, matching trousers with a single stripe of satin or braid in the US; two stripes in Europe or the UK •white piqué wing-collared shirt with stiff front •white vest •white bow tie •white or gray gloves •black patent shoes and black dress socks

Ladies:
•Formal (floor length) evening gown

Black Tie
•Black tuxedo jacket and matching trousers, formal (piqué or pleated front) white shirt •black bow tie (silk, shiny satin or twill) •black cummerbund to match tie, or a vest •dressy suspenders to ensure a good fit (optional) •black patent shoes and black dress socks
•no gloves •In summer or on a cruise: white dinner jacket, black tuxedo trousers plus other black tie wardrobe.

Ladies:
•Formal (floor length) evening gown or short, dressy cocktail dress

Black Tie Optional
•Either a tuxedo (see 'Black Tie' above) or •dark suit, white shirt and conservative tie

Ladies:
•Formal (floor length) evening gown or •short, dressy cocktail dress or •dressy separates

Creative Black Tie
•Tuxedo combined with trendy or whimsical items, such as a black shirt or a matching colored or patterned bow tie and cummerbund •black shiny patent or dressy black leather shoes and black socks

Ladies:
•Formal (floor length) evening gown or •short, dressy cocktail dress or dressy separates or •any of the above accessorized with such items as a feather boa, colorful shawl or colorful jewelry

Semiformal
•Dark, business suit (usually worsted wool) •matching vest (optional) •white shirt •conservative tie •dressy leather shoes and dress (dark) socks

Ladies:
•Short afternoon or cocktail dress or •long dressy skirt and top

FestiveAttire
•Seasonal sport coat or blazer in color of choice and slacks •open-collar shirt or •shirt and "festive" or holiday-themed tie

Ladies:
•Short cocktail dress or •long dressy skirt and top or •dressy pants outfit

Dressy Casual
•Seasonal sport coat or blazer and slacks •open-collar shirt

Ladies:
•Street length dress or •skirt and dressy top or •dressy pants outfit

Business Casual
•Seasonal sport coat or blazer with slacks or khakis •open-collar shirt

Ladies:
•Skirt, khakis or slacks •open-collar shirt, knit shirt or sweater (no spaghetti straps or decolleté)

Sport Casual
•Khakis or clean, pressed jeans •plain tee shirt (no slogans), polo shirt or •casual button-down shirt

Ladies:
•Khakis or clean, pressed jeans •plain tee shirt (no slogans), polo shirt or •casual button-down shirt

Beach Casual
•Khakis or shorts (cargo or Bermuda) •knit or polo shirt •sport jacket (optional) or sweater

Ladies:
•Sundress, khakis or shorts (cargo or Bermuda) •open-collar, knit, or polo shirt •lightweight jacket or sweater

Holiday Casual
•Clothing is the same as for 'Business Casual' with some holiday colors or designs.

How to add your own "dabs of spunk" to your wedding look ~ with changing up your shoes, the socks, and the brides bouquet!

2010-08-16T20:36:00.001-04:00

This is ONE of my favorite topics..How to add personality - your personaility - to yourself, your groomsmen, and your bridesmaids. Think about the shoes! Think about the socks! And think about the bouquet!

shoes found at endless.com

Yes, these were the actual shoes worn by the bride!

So many brides are AFRAID of doing what they love, because they think "it's too much." If I hear those three words one more time - I am going to SCREAM! It is NOT too much. When is it too much to show yourself at YOUR wedding. It's your wedding! Do what defines you, do it with confidence, and do it with STYLE. Now, if you are a white and ivory girl (which can be BEAUTIFUL if done right), there is no need to stop reading. Check out http://www.endless.com/ to find the right "fit".

photo by Jerry McGaghey

There are some great sites out there that sell FABULOUS shoes..not just ivory or white "special occasion" shoes, but ones with bling, color, and a voice! Spend some time researching and finding the perfect pair. Then think about the socks that the guys will wear....even better if the socks matched the colors you are using.

A bridal bouquet that isn't made of floral? Yes, you can do that too! No words needed to describe this.

What shoes does a wedding planner wear while she works?

2010-08-12T12:00:00.001-04:00

The on-going pursuit...finding the perfect shoes that WILL NOT KILL my feet, make me bleed, make me limp...BUT that need to be CHIC, great, fantastic, happy...and COMFORTABLE.

When I find that pair/s of shoes - I will announce it! Until then, I suffer. I typically bring about 3-4 pairs of shoes with me on all my wedding days. I go from one pair to the next..usually ending in flip flops while loading up the car.

Thank you Kevin Wilson, Tampa Photo for capturing "what I do for cute shoes"..

I wore this pair of shoes recently..unfortunately they only lasted about 3 hours. Too bad, because I love them!!

Night Wedding at Sacred Heart Church ~ Wedding Reception The Don Vicente, Ybor City

2010-08-12T11:51:00.006-04:00

Talk about a couple that is just as beautiful inside as they are outside! Patti and Erick, a couple that I have predicted to stand the test of time and life....What a great day/night they had!

I was hired to assist the couple because Erick spent time overseas in the Air Force, while Patti worked in Pensacola. Patti was a savvy bride, knew what she liked, but needed help pulling it into one fantastic piece.

Thank you to the vendors that made this happen:
{me} Wedding Planner: Georgia Watson Events Inc.
Photo: Kenzi Shores
Video: JJVideo
Floral: Botanica Florist
Cake: friend of bride, Tara Bonnell
Live Music: Strings Attached
Linens: Linens by the Sea
MakeUp: Michelle Renee
Band: CK Entertainment
Photobooth: Shutterbooth

See the FIRST LOOK of Patti and Erick.....get your tissues.

Patti and Erick Wedding Day Preview by JJvideofilm

The bridesmaids surprised Patti with a special dance that reminded her of their past and times together.

The first dance was choreographed - not a better way to experience that moment that your guests will LOVE!

Celebrating on the way back from the ceremony!

They decided to do a "First Look" which always lends itself to having an emotional experience that does not come with saving it to the ceremony.

They came down those gorgeous stairs upon their introduction.

Alissa and Mike got married ~ Palma Ceia Country Club Reception.

2010-08-03T14:47:00.002-04:00

I am so excited to post this! Alissa, my gorgeous step-sister tied the knot with Mike. The day and night went very smooth (of course it did!)..thanks to all of the pro vendors involved. Victor Junco's Photojournalism, Voila Cinematic, KaBloom Florist, BusStop Band, Jeff Staples DJ, Alessi Bakery, and ME for coordinating. This was the first time that I actually attended a wedding as a family member, after working very close with the bride as the planner. I must say I had a great time!