You may have noticed that we’ve been a bit quiet lately...

Hello!

Big apologies if you have reached out to us and haven’t heard back! I promise we are not ignoring you. The Pretty Swell Parties team has a had a lot of changes over the last year or so, and we are on a bit of hiatus from taking on new events and weddings for now.

My family is currently spending some time out of the country while my husband’s job has led us to an ex-pat stint in Mexico City. So far it has been an awesome experience for all of us, and so inspiring for me to be in a country full of color, art, and spirit!

I certainly do miss all of our wonderful clients and industry colleagues, and look forward to reconnecting upon our return to Atlanta!

Happy Friday,

Melissa

fullsizeoutput_9387.jpeg


Stephanie & Robby's Georgian Terrace WeddinG Featured in Southern Bride Magazine

Its hard to believe its been a whole year since Stephanie and Robby's magical wedding at the Georgian Terrace Hotel!  What better way to celebrate a first anniversary than with a beautiful spread in a magazine? 

Southern Bride Magazine Winter-Spring 2016.jpg
 

Vendor Credits:

Wedding Coordination: Gina Livingston of Pretty Swell Parties

Photography:  Matt Yung Photography

Floral Design: Bloomin' Bouquets 

Ceremony & Reception Venue and Catering: The Georgian Terrace Hotel

Bride & Groom's cake: The Frosted Pumpkin

Invitations & Paper: Blush Paperie

Rentals and Linens: I Do Linens

Makeup: Jessica Miller

Wedding Wire Couples' Choice Award Winners for 2016!

We are so thankful for all of the wonderful reviews from our clients over the past year that helped us win this honor! 

Photo by: Michelle Landreau 

Photo by: Michelle Landreau

 

Pretty Swell Parties Reviews
 

ABOUT THE COUPLES’ CHOICE AWARDS

The WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Awards® 2016 recognizes the top 5% of local Wedding Professionals from the WeddingWire Network throughout the United States and abroad that demonstrate excellence in quality, service, responsiveness and professionalism. 

Ali & Andrew at the Piedmont Driving Club

Now that our 2015 wedding season has come to a close, we are starting to reflect on all of the wonderful couples we've gotten to know this year.  We are feeling so thankful for all of our lovely clients and the incredible weddings we've had a chance to be a part of!

On that note, we give you Ali & Andrew's highlight film from the ever talented videographer, Paul Wages.

 

A little description of the day from Paul:  

Allison and Andrew started off their wedding day at a charming little church, full of smiles and loving glances. It was a full house, but there was a delightful feeling of intimacy between the couple and their guests. From there, folks travelled to the gorgeous Piedmont Driving Club for the reception, where the live band rocked everybody so good that folks stayed to shake it down ’til long after the cows came home. 

Thank you to Ali & Andrew for having us as part of your amazing wedding! 

 

Vendor Credits: 

Venue & Catering: Piedmont Driving Club

Floral design: Amy Osaba Events

Videography: Wages Films

Band: Party on the Moon Band

Photography: Caroline Petters Photography

Wedding Coordination & Rehearsal Dinner Planning: Gina Livingston of Pretty Swell Parties

 

 

Wedding Inspiration: A Ballerina Bride at the Georgian Terrace Hotel

Here at Pretty Swell Parties, we are total wedding magazine junkies! So, you can imagine how excited we were to find ourselves featured in the latest issue of Southern Bride! 

Pretty Swell Parties featured in Southern Bride Magazine

Today we are sharing some of the  photos from this wedding inspiration shoot  -- including some that didn't make it into the magazine! We are thankful to have collaborated with so many amazing wedding vendors to make this happen. See the vendor credits below for more info, and click here to read more about the inspiration behind the design. 

Melissa Bloomfield Favorites-0017.jpg

Vendor Credits: 

Planning & Coordination: Gina Livingston for Pretty Swell Parties

Photography: Tin Can Photography

Floral & Event Design: Juli Vaughn Designs

Cake: Miss Mamie's

Bridal dress: Adore Bridal Boutique

Invitations & Paper Goods: Foglio Press

Jewelry: Mickey Lynn Jewelry

Menswear:  The Modern Gent

Linens: Nuage Designs, Inc.

Hair & Makeup:  Raney O'Keefe

Venue: The Georgian Terrace 

Caitlin & Brian at the Ansley Golf Club



Caitlin and Brian chose to get married at the Ansley Golf Club, where Caitlin has spent many childhood summers swimming and eating chicken fingers by the pool (which they served as a late night snack for their guests!).

With a background in architecture, Caitlin chose a very structured and architectural dress. As you can see, it was absolutely stunning. 




The love these two have for each other, and their excitement about getting married was wonderful to witness. This might be the very best first look I've ever seen: 







They also included many personal touches throughout the day, including family photos, a custom monogram to tie everything together. 




There were many parts of the day that were totally classic, but with their own unique twist. For example, their ceremony was traditional, but the bride walked down the aisle with her father to the Indiana Jones theme song.



They did a flawless waltz as their first dance song...




but then chose to sabre champagne, instead of cutting a cake!




Thank you to Caitlin and Brian for having us as part of your wedding!


Wedding Coordination: Pretty Swell Parties

Photography: Anne Almasy

Venue & Catering : Ansley Golf Club 

Floral Design: Darryl Wiseman Flowers

Band: Mo' Sol



Carly & Evan's Wedding at The Cator Woolford Gardens

When I think back to Carly & Evan's wedding last Spring, there is one word that comes to mind: FUN. 

These two, and their friends,  really know how to have a good time. they didn't let anything stand in their way – not a rainy wedding day in the garden,  and not even the bride completely losing her voice! 









Instead of traditional table numbers, Carly created these using pages from Pride & Prejudice. And every table also included a stack of books, along table runners hand sewn by Carly's mom.








It would be nearly impossible to find a wedding detail more fun than these cocktail napkins. Make sure you read each one!





On their way in to the reception, every guest was treated to a pair of wayfarer sunglasses, but nobody looked better in them than the bride and groom! 



Congrats to Carly & Evan! May the rest of your lives be just as fun as your wedding day!

Wedding Planning: Pretty Swell Parties

Photography: Morning Light by Michelle Landreau

Florals: Flowers by Yona

DJ: Black Tie Events

Catering: Endive 

Venue: Cator Woolford Gardens




Melanie & Justin's Wedding at King Plow Arts Center

Today we are sharing photos from Melanie & Justin's vibrant spring wedding at the King Plow Arts Center.   Melanie did an amazing job of pulling together elements that reflect both her own amazing style (check out her shoes below!) and meaningful family details. 





Did you catch the second pair of shoes for Melanie? Who wouldn't love sparkly sneakers? 








After learning about the venue's history as a factory, Melanie's family made the connection that her grandfather had worked there when he was young. To tie this detail into the evening, Melanie and Justin provided all of their guests with work punch cards so they could "clock in" to the reception using a vintage time stamper provided by Krista with Blue Eyed Yonder (who I think can now confidently say that she can find literally any vintage touch you are looking for!).





Thanks to Melanie & Justin! We loved being a part of your day!

Wedding Coordination: Pretty Swell Parties



Catering and Floral Design: Bold American Events


Vintage Details: Blue Eyed Yonder

Introducing Nicole!


If you've been involved in any of our weddings over the past year, its very likely that you've already met Nicole. On any given wedding day, you'll find her running behind the scenes to make sure everything feels perfect for the bride, groom, and all of their guests.  She is always thinking one step ahead to make sure our clients are well taken care of, and all crises are averted. And now, I'm so excited to announce that Nicole is available to coordinate a limited number of weddings for 2015 and beyond!

We could not ask for a better coordinator to be part of our team.  She is thoughtful, creative, and organized, and she knows the wedding industry from all sides.

In addition to working with us coordinating weddings, Nicole also works for a wedding favor company, so she already has great relationships within the Atlanta wedding industry. She also  recently planned her own wedding and has a great understanding of the bride's point of view.  (Click here to see her incredible wedding photos!)




Here's a little bit more about this sweet gal:

Born and raised in Atlanta, Nicole Bernath has always had a knack for southern hospitality. Whether inviting friends over for brunch, or coordinating a surprise birthday bash, she loves handling the little details involved in bringing people together to celebrate.

She has worked in the wedding industry for the past two years, providing her social media savvy to a favor manufacturer. When planning her own wedding for May of 2014, it would be no surprise that her love of planning extended to weddings as well. She brings her passion for creating truly unique celebrations to the Pretty Swell Parties team. 

When not coordinating details for the next Pretty Swell Parties event, Nicole can be found baking something sweet in her kitchen, crafting, hosting friends, or spending time with her husband Daniel and dog, Addison.     


Welcome, Nicole!


Heather & Andrew Part II: Details



In our last blog post, we showed you Heather and Andrew’s wedding at Chateau Elan. Today, it’s the incredible details this bride created for her wedding. 

The biggest tip to walk away with here is that Heather did it totally right: she DIY’d the things she knew she could take on and do well, and out-sourced those things that she felt were more outside her scope. What she ended up with was a Pinterest worthy, travel-themed wedding that was perfect in every way. 

On to the photos!









While they were getting ready, Heather set up a mimosa bar for her bridesmaids.



They seem pretty happy about it, don't you think? 


Check out her DIY approach to hangers - a little gold paint pen goes a long way! 






Heather had a plated dinner, so her place cards were super important. She asked the winery at Chateau Elan for corks and they were happy to give them to her.

Heather bought her table numbers and cake topper from Etsy – then she spray painted them to match her color scheme.



The gilded cake topper went perfectly with the table numbers that were placed into the centerpieces. All of the florals contained seasonal fruits, including this gorgeous pomegranate, to evoke Dutch still life. 




And over the head table was an incredible floral chandelier with the words "we do" hanging over Heather and Andrew's seats, tying in the gold script in once again.


Each place setting had a packet of s'more ingredients for guests to take on their journey home. 




And now, maybe my favorite detail of all...Since the guests were literally flying in from all over the world, Heather customized a globe so that guests could mark down their hometowns. So cute!





Heather’s details were absolutely the thing that made this wedding feel so put together. From the save-the-dates to the favors and everything in between, we loved this travel-themed wedding so much!!


Wedding Coordination: Pretty Swell Parties

Venue & Catering: Chateau Elan Winery & Resort

Photography: Gene Ho Photography

Band: Emerald Empire

Floral Design & Drapery: Design House of Flowers

Hair & Makeup: Louie Lieberman

Cake: Henri's Bakery

***Photos 11, 12, 13 were taken by us via Instagram


Heather & Andrew's Wedding at Chateau Elan, Part One

What do you get when you have the bride’s family flying in from the Netherlands, the groom’s family  flying in from the U.K. and a bride who meticulously thought of every detail? Heather and Andrew's  fabulous travel-themed wedding at Chateau Elan! 




Meet Heather. 


Isn't the look on her face just priceless? Her flawless makeup and hair are by the ever-talented Louie Lieberman of Lux Studio.

Side note: if you need to buy or sell a house, Heather is your girl!

She and Andrew started their day with a coordinated elevator first look. 


Don't you just love the way these Fall colors pop?




Oh, and did we mention that the groom and groomsmen were actually superheroes masquerading as a wedding party?


Where are the details, you ask? 

 Look out for Heather & Andrew’s Wedding, Part II up on the blog soon. There were so many amazing details in this wedding, we couldn’t fit them all in one post! 

 Here are are a few more photos of this sweet couple for now:













Wedding Coordination: Pretty Swell Parties

Venue & Catering: Chateau Elan Winery & Resort

Photography: Gene Ho Photography

Band: Emerald Empire

Floral Design & Drapery: Design House of Flowers

Hair & Makeup: Louie Lieberman

Cake: Henri's Bakery

Wedding Wire Couples' Choice Awards

This past year was a phenomenal one for us here at Pretty Swell Parties. We feel truly  honored to have been a part of  so many fantastic weddings. We are so thankful for all of the support and referrals we have received from former brides and grooms, and we are especially thankful for the positive feedback that has come our way via good reviews! On that note, we are happy to announce that we've just received the Wedding Wire Couples' Choice Award for 2015!

A little more info from Wedding Wire:


WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards®recipients represent the top five percent of wedding professionals within the WeddingWire Network who demonstrate excellence in quality, service, responsiveness and professionalism.


WeddingWire Pretty Swell Parties Reviews, Best Wedding Planners in Atlanta - 2015 Couples' Choice Award Winner
 
Thank you to Wedding Wire to including us again this year!



Sarah and Jay's Rustic Wedding at the Foundry at Puritan Mill

Sometimes the fairy tales do come true! Meet Sarah and Jay. They met when they were little kids. And though their families and friends always knew they were destined to be together, it took them just a bit longer. Fast forward through their college years to that point when they reconnect, fall in love and get married. That's where we joined the party.

The wedding was truly a fun-filled and very beautiful family affair! Sarah's uncle happens to be the fabulous Al Dellinger of 2000 A.D. floral design. He and his team set the tone for this rustic wedding at The Foundry at Puritan Mill, creating an arbor under which Sarah and Jay said, "I do." This backdrop was perfect for the delicious food stations set up by Zest Atlanta. Can we say biscuit bar? (I can't - I'm too busy drooling over sweet potato biscuits with chicken fried steak.)


























Friday Night Lights! #TexasForever



One detail Sarah and Jay got SO right was to pick the right DJ for the kind of wedding they wanted. Since their wedding was a Sunday afternoon affair, they hired DJ Tod, who did a great job keeping the crowd engaged. 



We ended the day with a pretty ribbon send-off and a happily ever after.


Wedding Coordination:  Pretty Swell Parties

Floral Design: 2000 AD Inc.

Catering: Zest Atlanta




Wedding Cake and Grooms Cake: Confections by Stephanie