February 04th, 2010

I know I know. It is BEYOND embarassing that it has been so long since I have blogged about ANYTHING. I had a baby...does that give me an excuse...NO!!!

Anyway. I got a call from my FAV videographer here in Knoxville today about a new service he is offering. Cutting edge in Knoxville if you ask me!
Midnight Magic Video are GOOD people to work with and they work hard to give you the best product. This new product is NO exception.

Drum roll please...
Save The Date VIDEOS!!!
Ahhh, I love technology. How many of us have a save the date magnet on our refridgerator for EVERY wedding we've been invited to for the last 3 years or so? I know I do! Wouldn't it be great for YOU to be different?

Now, I did have one concern with this. Every one is on a budget today with the economy the way it is. I know we are! So I am always looking for ways to save money for my clients. Sending a CD in it's jewel case will cost a little more than a magnet. But wait! Technology prevails again! Don-who is always looking to save money for his clients as well-said he already thought of that. He mentioned putting the video on your wedding website and sending an email out with the link. My man Don-the genius! For those of you who would still like to send something out. Small post cards (made on your home computer and sent with a $.27 stamp) could be sent with the link as well. TADA-innovation!

If anyone is interested in more information about this great new service. OR you are just looking for a one-of-a-kind videographer email Don Samples at mmproductions@comcast.net and he'll explain all the details.

Happy Planning,
Rebecca

October 14th, 2008

This past Sunday we had a blast!  Mandy and Nathan were on a budget.  However, they dressed up her parents back yard and made it look amazing!

The ceremony took place at First Farragut United Methodist Church on Kingston Pike and then we moved to Mandy's parents house.  They rented a tent , tables, and chairs from All Occasions Party Rentals.

Flowers for the bouquet were done by a family friend with ties to a wholesale florist here in Knoxville. The flowers for the reception were all silk!  Most of the guests didn't even know they were silk until they actually touched them!  The best thing about silk flowers is that you do not have to worry about the flowers wilting before pictures or your guests have seen the arrangements. I will have pictures of the event up soon.

The family all got together and made finger foods for all the guests.  They did such a great job! And saved a TON OF MONEY!!!  Mandy's mother found a How-To magazine like Southern Living and made a beautiful arrangement of fruit. It looked like it came from a local caterer!  I heard her telling family that it was the easiest thing she had ever done...if she could do it ...anyone could!  I think I am going to try my hand at fruit display for my family Thanksgiving dinner!

Like I said...as soon as I can I will post the pictures so you all can see what all we put together!

Happy Planning!!!

October 02nd, 2008

Hi all! Come check out Franklin Square this weekend! We here at Southern Elegance are the event planners on this project to help support breast cancer awareness!! Com 'on out! Just about EVERY STORE on the square is offering HUGE discounts on their stuff. Even better, people are giving away FREE STUFF. If nothing else. Come out and save some money!! Who doesn't want to save some of that?

I am really excited about this because it is October!! Breast Cancer Awareness MONTH. All month long businesses and community members of Knoxville are doing things to support this. We will have a booth to sign up for Susan G. Komen's Race for the Cure the next weekend October 11th!! If you haven't signed up yet come out and get your name on that list!! It is for a good cause. Our Pink Saturday event is just the first event this month of many.

If anyone has questions about the discounts, FREE STUFF or where Franklin Square is located just call Rebecca! 865.207.7226 We'll be out there all day! There will be PINK balloons everywhere to help guide you to us! Here is the website for more details as well!

http://franklinsq.com/?p=60

September 22nd, 2008

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqMaB849I_E

Oh yes. I did it!!! I TRASHED my dress!!! We went to Worlds Fair Park Friday, September 19th and I got to play in the fountains and the large pond under the Sunsphere! The pictures are beautiful and I highly recommend this photo shoot to all my brides!! I mean...I got to wear my dress again! YAY

I'll post some pictures as soon as I get some from the photographer, www.photographybysabrina.com! You know it has always been a tradition to get your dress cleaned and preserved immediately following your wedding. That is all changing. I see more and more of my brides wanting to wear their dress again. And who wouldn't want to wear it again! Just to put your minds at ease...it is only water!! I took my dress to a cleaners and they are in the process of making it look good as new and putting it in a box. No damage at all to the dress!!! They are such great photos I am so happy I did this! The day of your wedding your dress is the most important part of your day...well...other than getting married to the man of your dreams, of course! If anything were to happen to your dress it would be devastating. However, the food is gone, the reception is over and the thank yous are out (hopefully). Why not take a day, and another photo opportunity, and enjoy being a bride again!

The phrase "Your only going to wear your wedding dress once!" Is no longer true!

For more information about my Trash the Dress experience or how to get in touch with the photographer to set up YOUR photo shoot call me at 865.207.7226 or email me at rebecca@knoxsouthernelegance.com!

~Rebecca Tunnell

September 17th, 2008

Make-up is a tricky thing on the day of your wedding. Your everyday make up just won't cut it when you are smiling for the camera for 8 hours straight! While working with my favorite wedding day make-up artist this past weekend I learned something important! (Call us for her vendor referral-she does AMAZING work!)

Mineral make-up....BIG NO-NO!!

I had no idea! I love my mineral make-up. I have very sensitive skin and it breaks out at the wrong times, every time. So I found this new mineral make-up that really has done wonders for my face. Problem-it produces a nice shine on your face so you look fresh and lovely all day long!

BAD FOR WEDDING PICTURES. The flash off your photographers camera actually reflects off your face! I had no idea!

Tip: Find a matte finish powder just for the day of the wedding. Try it out when you take your engagement and bridal pictures to make sure it is the right color and finish for you on your day.

I did not know that was something I should be telling my brides, but I am telling them now! What I like to do as part of ANY package you purchase with Southern Elegance is to meet with the bride, and anyone else who would like to join, and go over all last minute things. This is now on my list of "Tid-Bits to Share" (That is the name of my list. I thought it was cute!)

If you would like to have a wedding planner go over last minute details with you to make sure you have not missed anything call us! We have a huge list of things most brides NEVER think about. You may need the reminder-you may not, but it doesn't hurt to be reminded...just in case...

Have a good night! I am ready for this weekend! I did not book a wedding on such a momentous weekend for Tennessee Football! UT hosts Florida!!!! GO VOLS!

~Rebecca, Owner and Event and Wedding Planner

Congratulations, YOU CAN!!! You have saved money everywhere. You made your centerpieces by going to Hobby Lobby and JoAnn Fabric more times than you can count! Great! Your floral budget is minimal at best, but surprisingly silk flowers look great on your homemade table scape. You had your friend from college who was a graphic design major created your simple, yet totally sophisticated invitations that your guest are going to love! If there was a way to save, you did it.

All that work and no play? Shouldn't you be able to enjoy your day despite all your do-it-yourself projects?

That is what we at Southern Elegance specialize in, and what we love best. Our most memorable weddings are the days that a bride can see all her hard work come to fruition and proudly show off! We feel that those weddings are also in the most need of a coordinator to pull it all together on that day, but at the same time have the least amount of money to spend. 

With the economy the way it is today and with the uncertainty of the months to come, brides do not have the budgets they used to, and quite frankly we do not blame them! A bride and her fiance' must think about their futures together and starting out with thousands of dollars in debt just is not a smart thing. Save that money! We have seen some thrifty brides these past few months and we think it is great!

How we like to help these brides are to offer low prices for great work! You make the centerpiece and we'll transport them and put them together! Rental companies don't do that! Your florist won't do that! We will also stay to clean up the mess! It has been a long several months. Maybe even a years for some brides and their family members. Let us pack up and clean up and we'll deliver everything to family while your on your honeymoon!

Call 865.207.7226 for a free consultation today. Find out all the extras we do to make your day just that much better. If you book by October 31st for your 2009 wedding receive $100 off ANY package! Just mention this blog!

August 29th, 2008

As I was winding down my evening I was watching our local nightly news. When Robin Wilhoit on WBIR Channel 10 says the line, “A restroom fit for a wedding” I stopped everything. WHAT IS SHE TALKING ABOUT…So I had to wait through the commercial break (the longest one ever).

Apparently at the Hermitage Hotel in Nashville was voted this years nicest bathroom. Who has time for this?? But I digress...A quote from the press release says “The important message here is restroom hygiene matters - for good health and good business," said Keith Hartman, Cintas director of marketing.  "Cintas is proud to honor The Hermitage Hotel, and we congratulate all of our participants this year."

Yes I am a FIRM believer in clean bathrooms but to win an award is quite the accomplishment. Also, I read that people have actually gotten married in these bathrooms. They had footage of the bathroom. It is nice, but really....

I do have some positive thoughts on bathrooms. When you are thinking about those extra touches to add to your wedding do not forget your bathrooms! How nice is it to go into a bathroom and find it smells clean and fresh. There are mints on the counter and pleasant smelling soap instead of the dial soap off brand that dries your hands so bad you might as well washed them with "Goo-Gone". Also, how many times have you gone to the bathroom and found that Mother Nature has paid you a visit and you have NOTHING. Why not have a small basket of the essentials? Wouldn't it be a nice touch to have Listerine mouth wash in the bathrooms with individual cups so after your Maid of Honor has a few drinks she still has the minty fresh breath to talk to the cute bartender and ask him to join her for the after party?

This is just something to think about when trying to add that extra special touch to make your day stand out above all other weddings we go to each year! For more ideas to make your day special call us for a free consultation. We offer a wide range of packages that fit any budget. However, if you feel you have everything under control but you would like some budget friendly ideas to spice things up; we do offer consultations by the hour.

HAPPY PLANNING!

August 07th, 2008

Welcome to our site. Many of you have visited the site before and are probably thinking...this is new! You are correct. We finally decided we would connect with our clients in another way as well as give them advice to help them plan their day. Please feel free to comment on what we write and suggest topics you would like us to write about. After all, we are here to help you. With our years of experience we will give you tricks and tips to help you get through the planning process. Planning is fun if you do it right. When brides, grooms, and mothers get stressed out we find it is because they did not have all the resources available to them to make life easier. The stories we will tell will be of brides we have worked with and we feel they have a story that could help others.

The first topic we will cover is wedding hair. We have a lot of advice and a few stories to tell. However, if you would like us to touch on something specific please let us know. We will make sure to cover your questions in the blog!

To all of our summer brides: We had a lot of fun this summer! Congrats to all of you; thank you for allowing Southern Elegance into your lives and to share your special day.

To all of our wedding vendor friends: We hope that all of you have had as much success as we have this wedding season! It is such a joy to work with all of you...and truly you make our lives easier.