I am beyond excited to share this exciting news with you - I am featured in the current issue of Bridal Guide Magazine on pages 61-64 {which is on newsstands until Mar 20th, 2012} along with a HUGE team of amazing talents including Kismis Ink Photography who's stunning photos bring this winter inspired shoot to life. This pomegranate winter wedding photo shoot graces the Party Planner pages of Bridal Guide with a 3 page spread that was photographed in Tampa, Florida. For this shoot where pomegranates, orchids and pinecones take center stage, I created all the paper goods including . . . invitation, dessert tags, place cards, and dessert toppers. All of the paper goods are available for purchase in my etsy shop, Wedding Girl. Please be sure to pick up your copy of the Mar/Apr issue of Bridal Guide Magazine to see the full scoop on this pomegranate inspired winter wedding. Be sure to watch the video at the end of the post - you will love it!!!

From Mariana of Kismis Ink Photography . . . The pomegranate was a big inspiration due to the symbolism of plentiful and fruitful, fullness and sweetness. A feeling we feel that brides should have in their weddings.

The color palette for this seasonal fête was sparkling gold, rich red and snow white with the inspiring jumping-off point being the ripe, ruby-red pomegranate color. This fruit is in peak season during the fall and winter months so it was just perfect for this shoot. The gorgeous reds found both inside and outside the fruit established the color scheme for everything . . . from the invitaton suite to the table decor to the bride's bouquet and the wedding cake itself.

Lauren of Every Last Detail styled the centerpiece and introduced pine cones as a way to give the shoot a more rustic feel alongside the elegant red and gold elements. By combining the pine cones with the pomegranates, Lauren was able to create a unique nonfloral centerpiece for the table. 

Desserts included petite pastries, buttercream petit fours topped with sliced almonds and raspberry pomegranate Napoleons.

Vendor Credits:
Photography + Co-Designer: Kismis Ink Photography
Co-Designer + Invitation and Paper Goods: Wedding Girl on etsy
Event Designer + Bouquet: MMD Events
Centerpiece, Table Number, Mr & Mrs chair decor + chalkboard sign: Every Last Detail
Cinema and Video: Bryan of Tampa Wonderworks Films
Dress Store: The White Closet Co. {Mikaella Gown and Enzoani Shawl}
Cake Designer: Cakes by Nomeda
Heirlooms and extras: Gracylu Originals
Linens, Coverings + Chandelier: Kate Ryan Linens
Equipment Rentals: Signature Events By Design
Makeup Artist: Michele Renee Hair and Makeup Artist Group
Model: Marlene
Jewelry: Edera Jewelry{Aiglentine Bracelet, worn as both a necklace and bracelet. Consists of real silver threads, red silk ribbon ties, freshwater pearls, vintage rhinestones and quartz crystals}

I have to give a special shout-out to Diane and Mary at Bridal Guide Magazine who are always such a pleasure to work with. I am beyond honored to have been able to work with you both directly on the magazine feature in last issue and this one in the current issue. Thank you for all the hard work you and your team did to put this gorgeous spread together.

And, to finish off this amazing shoot, is a beautiful video from Bryan of Tampa Wonderworks Films. There's nothing better than seeing the model from this shoot in action and close-ups of all the stunning details. Enjoy!!!

Today's wedding of Shana and David was photographed by Brett of Birdsong Photography. There was a beautiful dock that provided a great photo opportunity for the couple after the ceremony. And, there was even lights hanging over the outdoor area where the couple danced at night. The wedding, held at Cabana Blue, even has an in-house bakery which provided the beautiful cake for dessert. The night ended with a grand exit of the bride and groom in a vintage car. I'm in love with every part of this wedding - especially the shots of the couple after their first look!!!!

Vendors:
Photographer: Brett of Birdsong Photography
Florals: Brian of Myrtie Blue Floral Design
Venue: Cabana Blue
Music: Gulf Talent Services
Vintage Car for Exit: A Bride's Ride

Today's gorgeous real wedding was designed by UNIQUE Event Design for Threasa & Justin in St. Petersburg, FL. Their fall themed wedding featured gerber daises throughout the event as the bride is a big fan of the flower. The bridesmaids wore mocha and pumpkin colored dresses and carried multi-colored bouquets. Threasa & Justin's wedding ceremony took place in Hollis Gardens, overlooking Lake Mirror. Afterwards, guests were greeted by a table of escort cards and wine cork holders upon entering the Magnolia Building. There was even a crystal wish tree where the guests wrote their well wishes on cards and then hung them from the tree. I'm loving these colors together - the perfect fall wedding.

The guest tables featured warm tones, mahogany chavari chairs, and rustic arrangements. Each guest was treated to a leaf wine bottle cork. The table numbers were cut from wood by the groom himself.

The sweetheart table was positioned in front of the fireplace - so romantic. There was a "D" made of sticks mounted on the wall, for the couple's last name. UNIQUE Event Design added touches of Fall throughout the Magnolia Building with candles, berries, branches, etc.

The cake was on the stage and sat atop a bed of branches. The void space was filled in with bunches of branches and hanging votives.

For the first dance, the bride & groom began a typical slow dance then went into an "Evolution of Dance!"

Vendors:
Wedding Coordination: UNIQUE Event Design
Bartending: Spunky Spirits
Cake: El Panque y La Rosca Bakery
Catering: Affordable Catering
Florist: Tyler Floral Shoppe
Hotel Accommodations: Hyatt Place Lakeland
Linens: Connie Duglin
Makeup: Mirabella's Signature Salon & Spa
DJ: Marc Burgess Productions
Officiant: Eileen Holzschuh
Photography: Tina Bass Photography
Rentals: First Class Rentals of Tampa Bay
Transportation: Eddie Godfrey Limo
Tuxedo Rental: Nathan's Mens Store
Venue: Hollis Gardens & The Magnolia Building 

Today we continue featuring modern spring themed photo shoots from the Wedding Vendor Challenge for March. I asked vendors across the US and Canada to team up and create an intimate tablescape for two with a dessert display. I supplied a color palette for all vendors to work with and for this shoot it was green with accent colors of brown, cream and pale yellow. It could be St. Patrick's Day related, although this wasn't a requirement, so you'll be seeing a bit of both this week. I also asked each team to provide at least one DIY design. For today - the 3rd Wedding Vendor Challenge for March is from Stephanie A Smith Photography in Florida with the beautiful paper goods being designed by Kate Eileen Emmert Custom Paper Goods . . .

Stephanie has always loved eco-minded options and writes . . . "I'm so glad that the wedding industry has begun to embrace and recognize alternative options for weddings that are much friendlier for the environment. Because I am a photographer I use nature as my backdrop, so anything I can do to preserve the beauty of the earth I will."

I love how Stephanie and her florist incorporated wildflowers and herbs - including wheat grass with the napkin ties, broccoli into the bouquet and lavender on top of the cupcakes.

The white chairs were salvaged from Stephanie's neighbors trash pile and were then spray painted bright white and given sod seat cushions. Seating was for the bride, groom, flower pup and ring barker - so cute.

Tree stump chargers were placed under antique milk glass plates and the menu cards, cupcake name tags, and seat name tags were all made with burlap and natural hemp twine. The cupcakes were made by Stephanie herself and after the shoot she was able to share them with her neighbors.

I love hearing Stephanie's goal of this shoot . . . "I think the goal of this shoot was to show how eco-alternative can not only be better for the environment but just as stylish and modern as any wedding decor."

DIY Download : Kate is here to share with us the how to for re-creating the bride, groom, flower pup and ring barker signs. Simply print out the pdf after downloading via this link from Scribd and follow Kate's directions that are included on the pdf. {the download link is directly underneath the item title in the right column once on Scribd}.

A huge thank you to Stephanie and Kate for joining us in the 2nd Wedding Vendor Challenge this week with a beautifully eco-friendly tablescape for spring. Please stay tuned all week as I have more wonderful designs and ideas coming your way.

Photographer: Stephanie A Smith Photography
Floral Designer: FH Weddings & Events
Reception Venue: Pass-a-grille
Invitation Designer: Kate Eileen Emmert Custom Paper Goods 

Today's Real Wedding of Kaara and Chris in Florida is such a terrific color palette - black, white and apple green, for a modern traditional style. And, don't you just LOVE the brides apple green peep toe heels? The bridesmaids black dresses were contrasted with all white carnation bouquets. The ceremony was held at Kaara's childhood church and was all black and white. The wedding was wonderfully coordinated by UNIQUE Event Design and photographed by Robert McClory Photography.

The bouquet had ivory roses and green ivy to signify the brides sorority.

Since the bride and groom met at Applebees, they worked in a limo stop at Applebees between the ceremony & reception for a fun little photo session.

In the Cocktail Hour, touches of green were added with fuji mums strategically placed throughout an all black & white layout. For the reception, all of the guest linens were green with a black & white damask runner, with black chaircovers. Each placesetting had a black napkin with a black & white cookie favor. The bride and groom chose to do black & white cookies to represent how "ying" and "yang" they are (Chris is a city boy and Kaara is a country girl). Black lacquer cubes of white hydrangea with loops of green beargrass and floating candles adorned each guest table. Instead of table numbers, each table was named a significant location to the bride & groom.

The sweetheart table had an all black & white damask linen, lined with rectangular vases of white hygrangea, bear grass, and floating candles. Staci of UNIQUE Event Design says the florals were the perfect place to incorporate the modern touches that the bride was seeking.

The cake {which overlooked the diamond-shaped dance floor} was raised on a stand that was filled with green apples and sat atop a black eyelash pintuck linen with a trio of crystal candleholders hung above it. The cake was a modern design of vertical and horizontal lines with a green floral design. The whole setup was backed by a line of white drape with amber lighting. I'm loving the look of this - so nice to see a pretty backdrop behind a cake.

Wedding Vendors:
Design & Coordination: UNIQUE Event Design
Lighting, Decor, & Rentals: MMD Events
Bartending, Catering, Reception Venue, & Hotel Accommodations: Crowne Plaza Tampa East
Cake: It's Icing on the Cake
Favors: Sarah's Sweets
Florist: FH Weddings
Hair & Makeup: Michele Renee Hair & Makeup Group
Ceremony Venue: New Berean Baptist Church
DJ: Complete Music
Photography: Robert McClory Photography
Linens: Connie Duglin
Transportation: Ambassador Limousine & Sedan, Inc.
Tuxedos: MW Tux
Videography: Tampa Wonderworks