Georgian Terrace Wedding

Caroline and Jamie Sturm were my first long distance couple. They were working in Beijing but wanted to have their wedding in Atlanta (Caroline's home town). We worked over emails and phone calls across the time zones to plan the details of their January 19,2013 wedding. I only met them one month before the big day when they came back to US for the holidays and to prepare for the wedding. Somehow I wish we could have met earlier because they were such a fun couple to work with!

Caroline and Jamie wanted to incorporate two important wedding traditions that honor Caroline's Chinese American Heritage:

(1) Bridesmaid Challenge (Traditionally called "Opening Door Ceremony")

The bridesmaids normally have tasks for the groom and groomsmen to perform before they will open the door for the groom to see his bride.  In this case, the guys had to go through a waxing session!

(2) Tea Ceremony

This is for the bride and groom to present tea to the bride's parents and grandparents as a way to honor the elders and for the bride to formally say goodbye to the family before the wedding. The elders provided red packets containing money as gifts for the couple after they drank the tea.

For the traditional church ceremony at Atlanta Chinese Christian Church Northwest (Caroline's parent's home church), the couple chose to have a foot washing ceremony. It was a touching moment when they took turn washing each others' feet to show their commitment and sacrifice for each other in the marriage.

Caroline was escorted by her Dad into the sanctuary at the beginning of the ceremony.

Foot Washing Ceremony - Jamie did it first!

Now it is Caroline's turn.

I was very glad to be able to secure a group of fabulous vendors for Caroline's wedding. The church decoration and bouquets for the bridal party by Cathy Brim from Bloom Floral Design were amazing. The photographs by Christopher Helm Photography were stunning. I also love the makeup and hair design by Nia Tran!

Pew Decoration

Altar Decoration

Bride's portrait

The bridesmaids chose different dresses with blush/pink tone.

During the reception at the historic Georgian Terrace Hotel in Midtown Atlanta, I also had the honor to work together with their great catering sales manager, Ms. Hannah Bradley. Check out some photos of this gorgeous venue below. The staircase and the rooftop provided really pretty photo backgrounds.

Below are some photos of the ballroom before reception begins with all the different centerpiece designs by Bloom Floral Design) :

The wedding cake was provided by Frosted Pumpkin

Finally, I was super happy that the talented 5 members Band of Gold led by band leader Kris Bayne was able to keep the dance floor full all night (and even had an impromptu jam session with one of the guests who played the saxophone!).

Grand Entrance to the reception. I love Caroline's cheongsam (Chinese Traditional Dress). It was the same one that her Mother wore during her own wedding years ago. What a great family tradition!

Jamie's grandfather said the prayer before dinner.

A guest played saxophone with the band

Caroline and Jamie dancing

Jamie's brother Brady was having a great time on the dance floor!

I love this photo between Caroline and her sister Virginia dancing together!

 
Besides the group of vendors, Caroline and Jamie's families were also involved in the wedding. All the paper products such as menu cards, place cards, invitations,and wedding programs were designed by Caroline's Sister Virgia Shou! The favors were home made bourbon balls (Jamie's from Kentucky) packaged by Jamie's grandparents!

As a planner, I felt bad having to ask the band to play the last song for the crowd (who very much could still go on for a few more hours on the dance floor). However, someone's got to keep the time and make sure the event does not run over time!

At the end, the couple left the reception with a sparkler exit which was a hit among the guests despite the cold winter night. My guess is they are warm from all the love, laughter, and dancing from the great wedding celebration!

Caroline and Jamie had returned to Beijing but I feel like now I have a friend in Beijing! It was such a fun time working with you two and I wish both of you nothing but the best in your marriage.

Peacthree Road Luthern Church and La Grotta Ravinia Wedding

Today I would like to share some photos from the wedding for Amy Wang and Chun Pang. The lovely couple got married at Peachtree Road Lutheran Church and had their reception at La Grotta Ravinia inside the Crowne Plaza Hotel Perimeter.

When we first visited Peachtree Road Lutheran Church together, Amy liked the huge organ a lot. We also thought it was a perfect size ceremony venue for Amy's 100 people guest list. Even though it has a maximum capacity of 200 people, the church actually looked and felt a lot more intimate.

On Amy's December 1 wedding day, the church actually put out its Christmas decoration one week earlier and it was a very nice white and gold decoration which went well with Amy's favorite color: red, which she chose as the color of her bouquet.

Before the ceremony, Amy and Chun also did some portraits at nearby Oglethorpe University. It was a lovely spot for photos and Chris Helm captured some amazing images of the couple!

The ceremony was followed by a lunch reception at La Grotta Ravinia, an Italian restaurant located inside the Crowne Plaza Hotel Perimeter. We worked with Danny Salinas, the manager at La Grotta Ranivia to customize a menu consisting of a dual appetizer plate and a dual entree of chicken and salmon. 

One of the great features of the restaurant is the huge windows that overlook the garden outside. Amy changed from her wedding gown to her red reception dress and the couple took more pictures together in the garden prior to the start of the reception.

Amy and Chun both like crafting a lot. As a result, Amy chose to make her own centerpieces and table numbers. The tables were also named with different characteristics of love. Later on during the reception, we devised a game that involved asking the guests to write a creative blessing involving their table names for the newly wed. Amy and Chun then had to choose the table who presented the most creative blessings with the use of their table names. Since Amy used to lead a lot of the games at her church fellowship when she was in charge of activity planning, incorporating wedding games was just another way that we used to personalize her wedding.


Working with Amy and Chun throughout their wedding planning process was a lot of fun and I also loved coordinating the wedding day! Congratulations to Amy and Chun! May you have a wonderful marriage. I am very honored that you chose me to be your wedding planner and coordinator.

All photos by Christopher Helm Photography

 

Wedding Planning Question: What will a wedding coordinator do for me?

Recently someone told me her fiancé thought they do not need a timeline established for their wedding because “it is just a celebration!”. She was obviously horrified at his idea. I told her even the simplest wedding that I had coordinated which involved 20+ guests plus vendors had a timeline established to inform everyone when all the events were supposed to be taking place. Of course every wedding is a celebration but it is also an event that is orchestrated and not an impromptu get together for friends and families.


Today I would like to talk about what a wedding coordinator does so that engaged couples will have a better understanding of how a wedding coordinator can be helpful.

Question of the day: What will a wedding coordinator do for me?

(1) Logistical Planning/Creation of Wedding Day Timeline

Establish timeline of the wedding day is just one of the many tasks that a wedding coordinator will do. This is an important task because with an experienced coordinator, there is better estimate of how long each task is really going to take. For example, people often forget to account for extra travel time in between locations or how long it really takes for the ladies to get ready before the wedding.

Whether I am hired as a planner or as a coordinator, I always work with my clients to make sure that their established timeline for the day is realistic and executable. While logistical planning is not always fun, it makes the day go so much easier when everyone knows where and when they are supposed to show up and what exactly will happen when they show up.

(2) Vendor and Helpers coordination

As a coordinator, I reconfirm the details of each vendor booking for my client. I also make sure I talk in advance to any friends and families who are helping out at the wedding so everyone knows the exact task that they are supposed to be doing, whether it is ushering, manning the guest book table, or greeting the guests.

If there are last minute changes on wedding day, I am the one making the calls and making sure things are taken care of. For example, I have received phone calls about addition or reduction of headcount on the morning of the wedding day so I was the one making last minute adjustment on the seating chart while the bride is getting ready at the salon.

(3) Conduct the rehearsal and direct the actual ceremony

I must admit that one of the reasons I got started as a wedding coordinator was because of the chaotic situation that I was placed in as a wedding pianist whenever there were weddings without a coordinator or worst, someone who was put there to be a coordinator but actually had no clue what needs to happen.

One time a sister of the bride who acted as a “coordinator” decided that she will send the bridesmaids down the aisle even though the groom and groomsmen had not even entered the sanctuary yet. It put a lot of stress on me as the musician when the order of the processional was suddenly switched. I did somehow managed to continue playing as if nothing was wrong until the groom and groomsmen had entered ( I thanked the pastor for deciding to march in on his own with the gus) before I switched the music to the bridal march for the entrance of the bride (I was determined to play anything but the bridal march until the guys got in because I sure did not want the bride to reach an altar with no groom waiting for her!) . After that incident, I decided that I will be the one conducting the rehearsal if there is not a coordinator and I am to be the pianist.

(4) Check/Check/Check.

I use a checklist to be sure that all the details are taken care of at the ceremony and at the reception. Before the ceremony, I am the one making sure everything needed for the ceremony is set up properly (e.g. unity candle set). If someone is unable to make it to the rehearsal, I go over the details of the ceremony with them when they get to the venue.

I also work with the venue coordinator (if there is one) to be sure that the reception setup has been done according to plan. When something does not go as planned, I try to fix it or make adjustment as quickly as possible without the bride and groom knowing what had gone wrong.

(5) Keep track of time

At first glance, this may seem like it is not really that important, until we are talking dollars that are associated with running overtime at an event, including weddings.

As a coordinator, I actually read all the contracts that the bride gave me (even if she was the one booking the vendors) so I am well aware of any overtime charges at the venue, by the band or musician, and by the photographer/videographer. I try to minimize delays by setting an achievable timeline but sometimes things just happen (unexpected traffic jam, guest of honor getting lost on the way to ceremony/reception etc.). I will make timeline adjustment/modification throughout the day when things do happen and play catch up so that the couple will still be able to end their event on time and not incur additional expenses.

As you can see, the wedding coordinator’s job is not exactly glamorous. I often tell brides who consult with me that they can always choose to plan their own wedding if they want but to try to coordinate everything on their own during the wedding day itself is definitely not something enjoyable. After all, do you really want to be the one calling out the photo session order while you are in your wedding dress and standing next to the groom?

A trip to Senoia, GA

Last week I decided to get away from the hectic life in Atlanta to check into a bed and breakfast for some much needed "slow down and enjoy life" time.

Destination of choice: Senoia, GA.

Honestly, I did not know such a cute little town exists just 1 hour south of Atlanta until I started to research on where to go for a quick getaway. I was so happy when I called and was told that there was still vacancy at the historic Veranda Bed and Breakfast Inn.

Checking into the inn on Friday night, my husband and I were welcomed by Laura Reynolds, one half of the inn keepers (the Inn were owned by the Reynolds). We were given room #4 on the 2nd floor and we immediately fell in love.

Since we were starving, we decided to head out to check out the Southern Ground Social Club This is a new place owned by the country singer Zac Brown to raise fund for building a children's camp. It has a very unique decor but the real treat were the sandwiches! There were only 4 sandwiches listed on the board that was hanging on the wall. You also get to choose one of the 2 sides and then if you want dessert, there is one special for the day. One may think this limited menu will not work but it does not matter because that sandwich I had (in between two pieces of corn bread!) was so delicious that I was left wishing that the portion was bigger!

We also ate desserts at McQuire's and listened to some live music there before heading back to the Inn and called it a night.

Breakfast the next morning at Veranda Inn was a three course meal. When we walked into the dining room, this was how tables were set up:

The food was prepared by Rick Reynolds, the other half of the inn keeper. It was really delicious! (See photo evidence of a happy me):

After breakfast, we took some pictures around the Inn:

There was actually a wedding ceremony set up outside the Inn:

And a rustic barn structure at the back:

We also had a chance to chat with Laura more about the wedding services that Veranda Inn is providing. They charge a site fee to include the use of the facility, including 100 chairs. Outside caterers are allowed but they also provide the catering services. I really enjoyed Rick's cooking based on the breakfast that was served to us and I would definitely recommend checking out more of his cooking if you are planning an event at the inn.

If your guest list is smaller or if you don't need your guests to be in one room together, you may be able to have the reception at the front porch or inside the house but there is space to set up a tent outdoor for larger party as well.

Of course, one benefit of hosting the wedding at the inn is that there are 9 rooms at the inn available for the bridal party or guests who wish to stay overnight before or after the wedding.

There were also some cute churches in Senoia if you want to have an indoor wedding:

If you want to get away and have a wedding outside of Atlanta with a small town/historic vibe, I think Senoia is definitely the place that you should consider.