A new company to TN, Jackson National Life Insurance is a welcomed addition to Williamson County and I was so excited to have been selected to handle their first TN office Christmas Party.

This pair is the quintessential college couple. Meeting at Old Miss, Ethan was Quarterback and Lana was cheering on the sidelines! Lana is a Mississippi girl and Ethan's family resides in TN. They came to me through Ethan's father originally...(Steve Flatt, also minister for their wedding) when I was hired to do a surprise party for Patsi Flatt, Ethan's Mother. I now have Steve and Patsi's daughter's wedding in March and really look forward to keeping in touch with this sweet family.

Lana's parents were out of town so you could see the panic in their faces when they first arrived for the wedding festivities. Having not been involved in the planning process, Mrs. Barrentine was nervous things were "all taken care of". Of course, with my amazing side kick, Joanne and all of my favorite vendors....every thing was completely flawless that evening and the guests had a ball! I think Mrs. Barrentine approved and could let her heart settle. This is quite common for my company lately...out of town parents of the Bride. They had planned their other daughter's wedding with out help and the stress was over whelming for them. I was honored to help Lana AND her family be able to relax and enjoy the day!

Ethan was diligent with the budget and Lana was amazingly trusting of my suggestions and designs. It is usually harder for a client to relinquish control of the design, but Lana was ready for it. Her work was very demanding, they were going to be moving, and she was clear about what she wanted. She then released Premier W.E.D. to make that happen!

I always feel a sense of disappointment when I know I won't see my clients anymore...this was certainly true of this couple. However, I get to be with them in March as Rachel Flatt takes her vows! Kristin Vanzant did a fantastic job catching the spirit of this sweet couple. I get the pleasure of working with her again in March as well! Enjoy the pictures Kristin has shared and I hope to have more details of this Thanksgiving wedding for you later!

Wedding Ceremony: Hillsboro Church of Christ

Mary (who is finishing medical school) and Terrance (who is an IT guy) first met when a mutual family member was born 14 years ago. Mary had a huge crush on Terrance, but he didnt know it. To her surprise he asked Mary on a date 4 years ago. She still doesn't know what prompted it or how long he had been thinking about it, but she quickly said yes. They were engaged on
Nov 29, 2009. Mary was thrilled to wake up to breakfast cooking since sone of her favorite things is eating. She came downstairs to flowers on the table and card. Mary said she knew there was something was going on, but Terrance played it cool at first and told her it was all in appreciation of her. They ate the wonderful breakfast Terrance had cooked, they talked about nothing in particular and then Terrance asked Mary to read the card he had laid out for her. While Mary was reading the card, Terrance got on one knee, had the ring in his hand and was asking her for her hand in marriage. Mary was so hysterical she can't remember anything he said. The rest is history and will be so fun to watch it play out in Oct. when they are married! Their ceremony will be held at Terrance's church, The Church of St. John and their reception will follow for family and friends at the beautiful Noah Liff Opera Center.

Mary and Terrance chose the fabulous Divine Images for the wedding photography company and Leslie was kind enough to share their engagement photos with us. This gives a beautiful glimpse into Mary and Terrance's personalities and I can't wait to see the wedding pictures! Congratulations to this sweet couple!

Wedding favors are often an after thought for a lot of wedding couples. You can be overwhelmed with ideas or blocked of thoughts of how to incorporate your wedding into such a small item! Cost is another major factor keeping couples from providing that extra treat for their guests. Here are some new ideas for 2011, cost efficient options, and also some of my favorite favors no matter the theme! Keep in mind that all favors should be personable, useful, and/or tasteful. If this can't be accomplished in a way that you are satisfied then don't offer them. There is nothing worse than a tacky favor! As fond of your new initial as you may be, no one really cares to drink out of one wine glass at home that has your initial on it, or a coffee mug for that matter! I have also seen homemade muffins get turned away because of their packaging alone! If you go to the trouble of making something, make sure your guests will want to accept them. If they can't tell what is under the purple cellophane and they got squished by family members who piled them into a basket, most people will decline to take one no matter how delicious they may taste. Presentation is everything!

Make them yourself- A common trend these days is DIY. Either option is very personable and rewarding, but it can also be time consuming. Brides today are working full time, some have children from a previous marriage or some are trying to wrap up school so the idea of spending several nights a week on favors isn't realistic. That's where Etsy comes in handy! This site is fabulous for all items hand made! Also consider if you don't make the favors by hand you can certainly package them by hand!

You said your nuptials, ate your wedding cake, toasted your glasses and partied all night with your friends and family. Now it's time to get away and relax. If you're looking to do nothing but sit on the beach and watch the waves, then there are plenty of places to go. The Hawaiian islands are a popular destination and according to Conde Nast Traveler, Ko'a Kea Hotel & Resort on the island of Kauai is a must-visit.
If you are looking for a destination that requires a passport, Europe is home to several hip hotels. La Reserve Ramatuelle in France is a few minutes from the legendary village of Saint-Tropez and overlooks the Mediterranean.

If you have a tighter budget than what France may afford you, London has several hip hotels if your wallet has already been stretched by your wedding.


But if you're short on time and need to stay close to home, take a trip to Louisville and stay at the 21c Museum Hotel. Rated the No. 1 hotel in America in 2009, the 90-room boutique hotel has a contemporary art museum nestled in its lobby and an award-winning restaurant that features modern American food with Tuscan influences.


If you want to head up to the northeast, you must stay at Boston's hottest new boutique hotel located in the heart of the city. Ames, A Morgans Original Hotel, is a contemporary hotel with character and a little funkiness.

How about a little Jazz...Loft 523 in New Orleans is a urban oasis in the Big Easy. The boutique hotel doesn't even have a street sign and it opened with out the usual Fan Fare of the city. The lobby is small in comparison to the enormous rooms. The Penthouse One has it's own private terrace and small pool. Very urban and clean in design, I have personally stayed at this property and loved that it was atop one of the hippest local watering holes and is the first hotel in New Orleans to offer wireless internet access. For those traveling with their beloved....pet, that is, it is welcoming to your furry friends! Looking for a particularly romantic place? Head to the majestic hills of Jade Mountain in St. Lucia. Voted as one of the world's top 5 hotels by Travel & Leisure, the island's most exclusive resort has 28 open-air suites with either infinity pools or private Jacuzzis.

If you want to go on a wild safari, then Bushmans Kloof/Wilderness Reserve & Wellness Retreat in South Africa is the place for you. Rated No. 1 hotel in the world by Travel & Leisure in 2009, the full service hideaway focuses on wellness.