donisi-ellis wedding: the movie!

our friends over at full frame digital cinema did an SDE (same day edit) video for emily & lucas's wedding a few weeks back. we'll post pics and details from the event soon, but watch the video for a teaser! we were so impressed with this short film- they shot up until the cake cutting was complete, and then edited their footage into a 5 minute hollywood-worthy movie (in under two hours!) we then played it on a big screen on stage at war memorial near the end of the reception for all the guests to enjoy. please be sure to visit their website to learn more about these talented guys!

(isn't this song just perfect??)

Emily + Lucas :: SDE from Jeffrey Holland :: FFDC on Vimeo.

inspiration photo shoot

a few months ago, we collaborated with michael howard of michael howard photography on an "inspiration" photo shoot at the pinnacle tower downtown. it was such a fun and different shoot, and we're really proud of how it turned out!

the inspiration came from a collage called acapulco one by san francisco graphic and fine artist rex ray...if you're not familiar with his stuff you must check him out! the collage is a very 1960's inspired mesh of oranges, greens, yellow, blue and white in oval shapes. we were also very inspired by the le parker meridian hotel in palm springs designed by jonathan adler, and our goal was to bring a bit of that feel onto the pinnacle rooftop garden!

our models were so great and really embodied the spirit of the shoot....many many thanks to the lovely ladies of the bride room for lending us their fabulous amsale dress! (bridesmaid dress is from belk's!)

the pinnacle rooftop garden is such a cool space...modern without feeling cold. we loved the pop of this orange bench against the metal railing.

very unique trellises on the rooftop....and the various plantings for groundcover, including lots of sedum, were just too cool

somehow this space accomplishes modern and rustic at the same time?!

our escort cards reflected the oval theme as seen in the rex ray collage...we even incorporated a ribbon with an oval pattern

our friend ginger english did a great job with the calligraphy!

one of our favorite shots...we hung white lanterns from the wood pergola for a makeshift "light fixture."

and our table arrangements included low white ceramic vessels in the style of jonathan adler filled with belles of ireland and mums in bright greens

we repeated the oval shapes with the handmade napkin rings, and brought a little bamboo in with vintage flatware from the 60's

the bridal bouquet was inspired by one giant daisy...which we accomplished by making the center out of craspedia and orchids, and then did layer upon layer of calla lillies circling around

we loved how the bridesmaid bouquet turned out!

and you definitely need a fun pair of shoes with this wedding!

thanks so much to everyone involved on this shoot. we had a blast!

photography: Michael Howard

decor: Big Events Wedding

location: Pinnacle Tower

dress: Amsale Dress by the Bride Room

earrings provided by the The Bride Room

hair: Abbie Addotta

makeup: Shannon Wright

decor rentals: Music City Tents and Premiere Event
calligraphy: Ginger English

Carey + Mark: The Details

We got to do some really fun things for Carey and Mark's wedding back in April. Tent weddings are always a great neutral backdrop for us to come up with design ideas. We draped the inside ceiling of the tent with shades of yellow fabric, and Martha came up with a great new way to hang the lanterns...we loved the way it turned out:

As guests entered the tent, they were presented with two tantalizing treats: Pashminas to keep the ladies warm-

-and flip flops to ease their aching feet! Aching, and muddy feet (refer to earlier post on weather)

Here is one of our beautiful mirrored bars in action. They looked so cool on the grass, and with our new acrylic lamps with linen shades...

Here was Carey and Mark's version of a photo booth....a custom made backdrop that guests piled in front of to pose for hilarious shots.

And as dinner was served, we whisked away the bride and groom for their own private dinner in the house.

Carey's aunt and uncle's house was just so beautiful and elegant....we loved the way the tent flowed right inside.

Guests grabbed one of these paper cones filled with confetti to say their goodbyes to the happy couple!

And, as the couple exited over the bridge at the end of the driveway and were showered with confetti and flower petals, Pat Patrick Band's horn section played them out to 'When the Saints Go Marching In."

Carey + Mark's wonderful rainy day

Carey and Mark were married at First Presbyterian Church on April 24th. We had all diligently checked the weather forecast that week, and it was hard to tell exactly what would happen. What we did know was, this was going to be an outdoor, tented reception in Carey's aunt & uncle's backyard, so we figured, if it rained a bit, we would deal with it. Until this:
We set up the whole tent, all the flowers, linens, decor, etc. during the rain on Saturday morning. It was raining pretty hard, and we had to do a few things that were definitely out of our normal process (ciphering hoses to make drainage systems, creating makeshift platforms to get around mud puddles starting to form in the tent, etc). But through all of that, it ended up fabulous, and just before the ceremony was set to begin, it stopped raining and the sun came out! We all breathed a sigh of relief. Still a bit of rain in the area, but looked like it was going to miss us! Fingers crossed.



And then, the guests made their way from the ceremony to the reception, and the skies literally OPENED UP. We're not talking sprinkles, this was a full-on downpour. We kept the tent and its contents in order, but the worst part was that this was the time all guests were exiting their shuttles and walking up. They were all soaked! We grabbed umbrellas and towels and tried to dry everyone off as best as we could. You had to give this group credit though- they were so willing to brave the rain to be at Carey and Mark's wedding. They have a GREAT group of family and friends, that is to be sure! And if anything, the weather made it that much more of a fun and memorable event.

And of course, as soon as everyone arrived, the rain stopped...

More to come on Carey + Mark's special day!

Carey + Mark sneak peek

You may have already seen some pictures from Carey and Mark's wedding feature in Nfocus this month, but if not, here's a sneak peak of one of our favorite elements from their wedding back on April 24th. As guests entered the tent, they were greeted by this table overflowing with spring flowers (tulips were even sprouting out around the base!) On the table was an offering of color coordinated pashminas for the ladies, which were quickly snapped up!

Stay tuned for more from this memorable wedding...even though it was one week before the flood, we had plenty of rain to contend with!!

We can't wait for....

....the Swan Ball Patrons Party this Friday night! It's being held at an amazingly gorgeous house, designed by the venerable McAlpine, Booth & Ferrier. What a pleasure it has been to plan this party with Peter Fleming from MBF- he is a very talented designer and we are so excited to design an event in such a wonderful space.

LOVING the selections Martha made for the arrangements! Many shades of green and white with touches of rusty orange and pink, and lots of modern shapes and textures...

A little Dusty Miller and cockscomb to spice things up!

Lion's tail is so fun :)

And you can never have too many peonies...


The great thing about the party hosts' house is that they already have fantastic vessels that we can't wait to use for our flowers- check out all the mercury glass!


Lots of glass vessels in unusual shapes


Stone urn= perfect for favors

These have a great story- Peter found these antique urns in a yucky pink color- he had the inspired idea to paint them white and use them on the entry table. They are beautiful and are screaming for one of our cascading arrangements!

We'll update you later with pics from the party so you can see how it all turns out!

Bridesmaids

We loved the bridesmaid dresses our bride Anne picked for her girls- the iridescent chocolate brown was so rich and beautiful against the color scheme of peach, light pink, and robin's egg blue. And, after admiring the girls' adorable gold ruffled heels, we were stunned to find out that they were from.....Payless! Who would have thought it??!?