Kate and Rob Tie the Knot

Posted on March 26, 2013 by Stacy McCain Event Planning

Welcome back for part two of our blog post dedicated to Kate and Rob tying the knot. If you missed our last post of their rehearsal dinner at The CIA at Greystone, check it out here.

For Kate and Rob, Beaulieu Garden served as the perfect setting for them to exchange vows, becoming man and wife amongst their loved ones. With the sun shining bright, their ceremony took place in the Sunken Garden. After sneaking away for a private moment in the surrounding vineyards, they celebrated with delicious food and wine below the terrace and then danced the night away under the stars.

The florals for this wedding were a perfect combination of modern and romantic. We were particularly fond of the bright color palette they chose for their bridesmaids’ bouquets and the long stem tulip bouquet Radeff Design Studios designed for the bride herself. Chandeliers combined with green and pastel colored floral arrangements created a picturesque setting for dinner and toasts. Additionally, freestanding ivy-adorned topiaries and orbs flanked pathways and aisles, luring guests towards the terrace and fireplace lounge. Kate and Rob most definitely tied the knot in style!

Photo by Michelle Pattee

Photography: Michelle Pattee / Planning & Coordination: Stacy McCain Event Planning / Venue: Beaulieu Garden / Caterer: Paula Le Duc Fine Catering / Flowers: Radeff Design Studios / Videographer: David Waldorf / Band: Blacklist Band / Cocktail Music: Eloquence String Quartet / Cake: Perfect Endings / Rentals: Wine Country Party Rentals / Lighting/Sound: Got Light. / Print Pieces: Ceci New York

Kate and Rob ( prepare to ) Tie the Knot

Posted on March 21, 2013 by Stacy McCain Event Planning

Here’s a little teaser for a Real Wedding we will be posting on our blog next Tuesday. These photos are from Kate and Rob’s intimate rehearsal dinner, which took place on a warm June evening at The CIA at Greystone. Please enjoy, and stay tuned for photos from their wedding at Beaulieu Garden in a few days!

Photo by Michelle Pattee

Photo by Michelle Pattee

Photo by Michelle Pattee

Photo by Michelle Pattee

Questions for Stacy: Wedding Day Shot List

Posted on March 14, 2013 by Stacy McCain Event Planning

Question:

Hi Stacy. My wedding day is fast approaching! The photographer I’ve hired has asked me for a ‘shot list’: a list of photographs I definitely want to see captured before and during the ceremony and reception. Do you have a list of recommended shots I can pass along to my photographer?

Answer:

When composing this list, it’s important for you to focus on posed photographs only ( for example, a photo featuring you and all your bridesmaids. See below. ) so that you and your photographer are on the same page. Having said that, the photographers that we most commonly work with are truly creative artists whom we’ve entrusted to tell the story of your wedding day. We feel that providing them with a highly structured and agressive shot list might interrupt the creative process so that they’re unable to capture the special candid moments that take place throughout the day. Therefore, we suggest you create a short list of your ‘must-have’ posed shots, and that you have a conversation with your photographer to describe how you’re hoping your wedding day story will be depicted. Then relax, enjoy the day, and allow the photographers to do the job they’ve been hired to do!

Cheers,

Stacy

Photo Credit: Kate Webber

Click here to read more entries from our helpful Questions for Stacy series!

Creative Direction and Styling at Joy Thigpen’s Workshop in Atlanta, GA

Posted on March 8, 2013 by Stacy McCain Event Planning

Nestled in the woods, just outside of Atlanta at the cozy Serenbe, I joined Joy Thigpen in a two-day workshop exploring creative direction and styling.

Here are some photos of the gorgeous setting:

Some highlights from the workshop included exercises exploring topics such as role definition, and goal exploration, branding, and submissions. We also discussed photography and styling, photo shoots versus styled shoots, and overall creative direction for weddings. One of my personal highlights was trying my hand at styling my own floral arrangement!

Here are some photos from that afternoon:

After Joy made it look so effortless, it’s my turn to take create…

In a sense, I feel that the workshop confirmed the fact I know more about this industry than I give myself credit for. To have that feeling validated by another well respected person in the industry was very fulfilling. As the days and months go by, I’m excited to see what tools I’ll find myself using from this experience. In hindsight, there are two main points I came away with as a result of taking this workshop:

At the workshop, we took time to define the roles of a planner, creative director and stylist. I found applicable qualities within myself, my business and what I offer clients in each of these categories. This allowed me to see that I am more than just a ‘planner’, and that I need to do a better job communicating this to future clients.

A new goal of mine is to voice my strengths and capabilities with more intention and pride.

Second, it was helpful for me to take some time to consider and review the first steps I take when I am getting to know a new client. It’s so important to me that my events be true reflections of my clients. In the past, I have sometimes felt I was having a difficult time finding the tools to learn more about my clients in an effort to successfully tell their storie. As a result of this workshop, I feel that I have gained a beautiful insight and am excited to see what future events and projects come our way!

Below is a photo of the arrangement that I created that was photographed by the talented Rylee Hitchner. Thanks for the beautiful image Rylee! And to Joy, thank you for the wonderful opportunity and fond memories.

Photo By: Rylee Hitchner