WeddingWire Charlotte Community

Last week we posted about the sweetest WeddingWire event, held at Sugar Creek Brewing Company. With Serafina’s Custom Design Cakes and Catering at the helm, guests were treated to a dazzling display of delectable desserts! A.J. West Photography was there to capture the awesome afternoon, and as promised, we wanted to share some of Angela’s amazing photos! 

The marshmallow pops would be such a great addition to a dessert display, and naked cakes are definitely very “in” right now! And is this not the most gorgeous 3D cake ever? We’re gushing over here...

Of course, we had to share some action shots of the cookie decorating! We love the idea of offering edible favors to guests. After all, who doesn’t love a late night snack after a wedding?

Another HUGE thank you to Lisa and Maddy of Serafina’s for sharing their incredible desserts and vast knowledge with us, and to local brides-to-be Brittany and Meghan for hosting the event! Check out the dream team below:

Thank you Angela with A.J. West Photography for the awesome images!

At our most recent event in Charlotte, the WeddingWire Community gathered for a sweet afternoon at Sugar Creek Brewing Company! Local WW brides, Meghan and Brittany, hosted the event, while Serafina’s Custom Design Cakes and Catering shared the ins and outs of wedding desserts. They also answered cake questions and covered hot topics, including:  

Current trends: 

Edible favors 

Metallic cakes 

Floral-inspired shabby chic cakes 

Mailing cookie thank-yous to guests post-wedding

Cost-saving tips:

Sugar flowers are labor-intensive, so hand-painted flowers can be more affordable. 

Square cakes often feed more people than round cakes.

Serafina’s also brought an impressive dessert display with samples like cake pops, tarts, marshmallow pops, candied cherries, and more! Guests even got to create edible favors by decorating cookies. Check out some of Meghan’s photos from the event (pro photos from AJ West Photography to come!):

Thank you to Brittany & Meghan for hosting such a fun event, and to Serafina’s, AJ West Photography, and Sugar Creek Brewing for being such incredible event partners! 

Join us on Sunday for an informative and sweet afternoon with Serafina’s Custom Design Cakes & Catering and AJ West Photography! There’s still time to RSVP and learn the ins and outs of wedding cakes and desserts, while enjoying some sweet treats yourself!

What: WeddingWire CLT’s Delectable Desserts Workshop

When: Sunday, June 14, 3:30-5:30pm

Where: Sugar Creek Brewing Company, 215 Southside Dr. Charlotte, NC 28217

If you have a hard time concentrating on your groom as you walk down the aisle because you’re distracted by your flowers, then we’re gonna guess that those blooms are anything but ordinary. For Britta T., this couldn’t be more true. Seeing the floral arbor of her dreams come to life on her wedding day took her breath away (and we bet the groom loved it, too ;)). It’s pretty clear from her rave review that Britta couldn’t have been more impressed with how Chelish Moore Flowers turned her floral fantasy into a reality:

“There are not enough complimentary adjectives in the English language to describe my experience with Chelish Moore Flowers and how she made my dream wedding into a reality. I found pictures of a bouquet, arbor, & centerpieces that I would like to replicated and she exceeded every expectation I had. She created this AMAZING arbor for me from SCRATCH - it was absolutely breathtaking.” Britta T., married 4.10.15

Sounds like perfection, Britta! There’s nothing better than watching your vision come to life on the happiest of days – congratulations on your recent nuptials! To read Britta’s full review, head over to WeddingWire.

And take a peek at some of the stunning creations from Chelish Moore Flowers

Creative, gorgeous, stunning – just three of the adjectives that first come to mind upon seeing these images. Now excuse us while we pick our jaws up off the floor...

Do you have your own vendor dream team? Show them some love by writing your own reviews. Then, drop us a line ([email protected]) for a chance to be featured on the blog!

We love signature drinks at weddings (or any event, for that matter!)... like this Apple Pie craft cocktail from our Charlotte Community Kickoff event! And yes, it was as delicious as it sounds. TGIF!

We all want our wedding to be the best day ever. A beautiful, personal, love-filled day devoid of any stress, right? Well, when Carolyn L.’s special day arrived, she knew it would be seamless because of the perfect planning from Kat with Best Day Ever Studios. Carolyn’s complete confidence in her planner is oh-so-evident from her gushing review:

“I feel like crying every time I think about how incredible Kat is, and what a fantastic job she did. She is truly the most lovely person!... she coordinated two walk throughs, as well as the rehearsal, and arranged for all of the vendors to arrive by a particular time. She did such an incredible job that the morning of the wedding I said to my bridesmaids ‘OMG nothing is going wrong...the only thing that could go wrong now is my fiancé not showing up!’ LOL don't worry, he did, but that just goes to show that I knew that EVERYTHING else was handled.” – Carolyn L., married 3.28.15

Congratulations, Carolyn! We’re so thrilled that your big day was so perfect, stress-free, and filled with joy! Thank you for sharing your wedding planning experience with us! To read Carolyn’s full review, head on over to WeddingWire. 

And while you’re at it, take a peek at some of Best Day Ever Studio’s stunning styling:

Do you have a vendor dream team of your own? Show them some love by writing your own reviews. Then, drop us a line ([email protected]) for a chance to be featured on the blog!

Loving this #howweplan snapshot from Meghan C! This gorgeous arrangement was created during our Fresh Florals workshop with Pink Petunia Designs.

Last Thursday, the WeddingWire Charlotte community gathered at The LALA Girl Make-up Bar & Beauty Lounge for an evening filled with all things wedding hair and makeup. Brides, moms, MOHs, and besties learned the ins and outs of bridal beauty in a setting that was made for this affair – the salon is gorgeous!

While we mixed, mingled, and chatted big day beauty, we enjoyed a dazzling array of spectacular sweets from Cakes & Bakes. The irresistible white chocolate raspberry, chocolate fudge, lemon, and red velvet cupcakes, and vanilla bean and coconut cake pops had us sneaking back for seconds (and thirds...). Not to mention, they made the perfect pairing for our beauty-filled bash! See for yourself, with these awesome images from All Bliss Photography:

We kicked off the event by sharing a few photos of real brides to get the hair and makeup ideas flowing (if you’re looking for mane ideas yourself, check out WeddingWire’s SpringBook). Then, LALA's owner Nicole shared super helpful wedding beauty advice. Some of our favorite top tips include:

Book your hair and makeup team as early as possible! Once you have your date set, add your bridal beauty vendors to your big day dream team. You don’t want your first choice to book up on your date!

Let your venue’s vibe and your wedding attire help inform your beauty choices. Your gown, your colors, and the ambience of your venue can greatly influence the look you choose for your big day, so discuss these elements with your stylist.

Share your day-to-day beauty routine with your makeup artist, as this paints a picture of your personal style. Whether you’re someone who emphasizes your eyes on a daily basis, loves a pop of color on your lips, or rarely wears any makeup at all, let your makeup artist know! These details help to create a look that fits who you are as a bride. 

Bring photos of your favorite hair and makeup ideas with you to your trial. Providing images of what you love (and what you don’t – equally important!) helps ensure that you and your makeup artist are on the same page. After all, each person’s version of “dramatic” or “natural” is different, so be as clear and descriptive as possible when discussing your desired wedding day look.

Finally, be vocal at your trial. If you don’t love what’s happening, tell your makeup artist or stylist so that they can make adjustments. And if there’s something you’re especially loving, let them know that, too. Don’t feel bad about vocalizing your thoughts – that’s what a trial is for! Trust us, your makeup artist wants you to leave your trial just as thrilled about your bridal beauty and looking forward to the big day as you do.  

Not only did The LALA Girl team share super helpful tips and answer everyone’s wedding hair and makeup questions, but they also pampered guests with mini makeovers! Some gals tried out airbrush for the first time, others experimented with a bright lip, and the beauty lounge was overflowing with gorgeousness! A huge thank you to the super talented LALA Girl team for such an incredible evening. 

Check out some of the attendees getting glammed up:

Pro-tip: not only does The LALA Girl offer wedding day beauty, but they also offer makeup and blowouts for any event – or just because. Hello bridal shower, engagement party, or date night!

Thank you so much to our photographer extraordinaire, Marylou of All Bliss Photography, for the stunning shots! Now we can relive the pretty party anytime we want! 

We had such a fantastic time and can’t wait until our next WeddingWire Charlotte event. In the meantime, we’d love to see your planning photos – just download the free Wedsocial App and join using code “wwcommunityclt″. 

If you’re anything like I was when I was engaged, your phone’s likely filled with photos of your venue, invitation samples, wedding craft projects, decor ideas… and the list goes on. Every time I received a wedding-related package in the mail or completed a gold glittery DIY, I took a photo and sent it to my MOH. I just couldn’t help myself! I loved the excitement of the planning process, and I loved sharing my progress.

From taste-testing champagne to framing the signature cocktail menu, I documented it all. Here are a few of my iPhone snaps:

Sound familiar? Before we get to the real weddings, we go through the real wedding planning. We make countless decisions that culminate in a Big Day that is uniquely ours, so why not share this love-filled journey with other engaged couples? After all, you never know who you might inspire or where your next planning ideas will come from!

As you meet with vendors, shop for decor, register for gifts, or attend events, share your photos with us and the WeddingWire Charlotte community via the WedSocial app – it’s free!

All you have to do is:

Download WedSocial via the App Store or in Google Play

Click “join a wedding”

Enter code: wwcommunityclt

Upload your photos and share away!

Your images could be featured on our blog or WeddingWire’s Instagram (#howweplan)!

Check out these #howweplan photos for inspiration:

Lace, tulle, mermaid, ballgown... the possibilities are endless when it comes to the wedding dress! And since this is one of the most (if not THE most) meaningful dresses you’ll ever don, it’s important to feel confident and gorgeous in your selection. Today’s featured review comes from a bride-to-be who had a lovely time searching for her dream dress:

“I absolutely loved my experience with Classic Bride and Formals, particularly with Kristy. My best friend and I both were shopping for wedding dresses, but she was only in town on a Sunday. They are closed on Sundays but Kristy opened the shop up just for us. We felt like royalty... I recommend this shop to anyone! The designers they get are stunning and the prices are very reasonable.” – Jackie A., will be married on 4.18.15 

We’re so glad you said yes, Jackie! And this weekend you’ll say “I Do” – so many congratulations and warmest wishes for a lifetime of happiness. 

Check out these gorgeous gowns from Classic Bride & Formals:

Stunning! Now excuse us while we go daydream about pretty white dresses...

Read Jackie’s full review of Classic Bride & Formals on WeddingWire. And while you’re at it, leave some love for your own vendor dream team... let us know and you could be featured on our blog!

Thursday, April 30: 6-8pm

Roses, ranunculus, anemones, oh my!

Brides-to-be, MOHs, friends, and family joined us at Amelie’s French Bakery on Sunday for an afternoon filled with beautiful blossoms and flowery fun. Greg and Penny, of Pink Petunia Designs, led us in a floral workshop that included a lively q&a, bridesmaid dresses, bouquet creation, bites, and bubbly! To say we had fun while upping our floral knowledge would be an understatement. We learned the ins and outs of wedding flowers, shared unique bouquet ideas, and had a blast in the process! 

To show the impact flowers can have on attire (and vice versa), local boutique Poffie Girls lent us bridesmaid dresses in two popular colors – navy and blush. As Penny created bouquets on the spot, she used the dresses to demonstrate color pairings and discuss bouquet design. Talk about super helpful!  

Attendees came armed with questions, and Pink Petunia left no question unanswered! Some of the top takeaways include:

Your bridal bouquet will be the single most photographed floral design at the wedding, so spend a little extra to make it exactly what you want. This doesn’t mean you have to increase your floral budget; just take a little out of your other arrangements (think $10ish each... they’ll still be beautiful, promise!).

Seasonality greatly impacts the cost of flowers. Ok, this might not be news to you, but did you know there’s a window of time each July/August when Alaska is the only place you can purchase peonies? The ONLY place... meaning everyone from all over the world is buying from Alaska... meaning $$$$.

While the timeline for contacting a florist varies depending on venue, desired wedding design, etc., the earlier the better so your date doesn’t get booked.

Adding unique elements to your bouquet is a great way to show your personality. Succulents are popping up a lot, and one of Sunday’s brides is even using kale!

Following Pink Petunia’s presentation, it was time to get hands-on! After choosing their favorite stems from an array of fresh flowers, attendees each created their own tussy mussy. A tussy mussy, often known as a mini bouquet or a mother’s bouquet, is a small, hand-held bouquet that originated in Victorian times. The final creations definitely reflected each guest’s style, ranging from whimsical and bohemian to traditional and round. Hand-tied with ribbon, each tussy mussy was equally stunning and impressive. 

Not only did every guest head home with her own floral creation, but seven lucky winners left with one of Pink Petunia’s stunning arrangements! Unexpected floral decor seems like a great excuse for an impromptu dinner party, if you ask me.

Thank you so much to Greg and Penny from Pink Petunia Designs for broadening our floral knowledge and showing us so many diverse wedding options!

Spring is here and we couldn’t be more excited! We can’t wait to learn the ins and outs of wedding flowers from Pink Petunia Designs at our fresh florals workshop this weekend. Hope you guys are ready to create something beautiful!

It’s Monday, and you know what that means... time to shine the spotlight on the latest and greatest in the Queen City! 

Today’s review comes to us from Kristin R., who sings the praises of her wedding day caterer for wowing all of her guests. We don’t blame her – delectable bites are key to an awesome party in our opinion!

“Elizabeth and the La-tea-da’s staff made sure people were still raving about the food at our wedding when we went back to work a week later. (I had more than one person ask for the roasted corn dip recipe.) Elizabeth took the time to sit down with us and send countless emails back and forth to make sure she understood our wants, needs, and vision...” – Kristin R., married 11.15.14

To read Kristin’s full review of La-tea-Da’s Catering, head over to WeddingWire and see for yourself what other couples are saying about this Couples’ Choice Award winning caterer!

Congrats, Kristin! And cheers to a lifetime of happiness and mouthwatering meals!

On Tuesday, the WeddingWire Charlotte community came together for an evening of eats, drinks, and "I Do" inspiration at Napa on Providence! 

Our second event in the Queen City highlighted the latest in wedding trends and led to lively conversation and lots of laughs. Attendees swapped planning stories, shared honeymoon ideas, and took home tips from Olive Paper, Heidi Crowder Wedding Design, and Erin Kranz Photography.

In case you missed it, some of the most popular big day ideas we discussed included First Looks, blue men's attire, sideswept updos, and late-night snacks (donuts, anyone??). One of the biggest take-aways from the event was how to create a cohesive wedding day feel: The venue can help shape the vibe of your big day, so let your location help inform the style of your celebration.

Looking forward to seeing all you Queen City engaged couples and wedding party supporters this evening. There's still time to check out all the deets and RSVP here!