V3 Wedding Compendium

NWGA’s Premier Feature Reader / Special Edition t he i nsp i ra ti o n

2018 2018

Wedding Wedding Compendium Compendium

v3 wedding compendium 2018

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traveling in bohemian style

women’s specialty clothing, accessories & gifts 203 east 8th street rome, ga. 30161 706.295.4203

Rome’s Premier Event Venue 706-291-5281 • 301 Tribune St, Rome, GA 30161 events@forumrivercenter.com

4 the A DV I C E 7 the RING

t he i nsp i ra ti o n

8 the DRESS 11 the PL ANNER 12 the CATERER 16 the VENUE 19 the REHEARSAL DINNER 20 the HAIR 23 the MAKE-UP 24 the FLO WERS 27 the CAKE 30 the PHOTOGRAPHER COV E R + CO N T E NTS P HOTO PHOTOGRAPHER

Cameron Flaisch

HAIR & MAKEUP

Stella Blu DRESS

Perfect Dress of Rome

STAF F CEO & FOUNDER

Ian Griffin EDITORIAL MANAGER

Oliver Robbins WRITERS

DeMarcus Daniel Oliver Robbins McKenzie Todd PHOTOGRAPHER

Cameron Flaisch FEATURE DESIGN

Elizabeth Blount Ellie Borromeo AD DESIGN

Elizabeth Blount Ellie Borromeo SALES

Chris Forino Shadae Yancey-Warren Ian Griffin PUBLISHER

V3Publications WWW.V3 MAGAZINE.COM v3 wedding compendium 2018

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t h e advice

Wedding Planning by the Numbers

BY H O L LY LY N C H

Our advice to you is to spend some time with your families to work out a guest list. While working on a guest list is not the most glamorous part of wedding planning, it’s absolutely critical to the planning and budgeting (we’ll get to that in a minute.)

The number of guests you anticipate having at your wedding will determine how large of a venue you need, how many tables and chairs you will want to have (Is everyone sitting down for a meal? Or are you having a cocktail style party?),

H OL LY LY N C H OF T H E S EAS ON EVEN TS

CONGRATULATIONS on your engagement!

This time in your life is exciting, but also very fleeting. So often, we see couples who are so eager to plan their weddings, they forget to enjoy this engagement period. Hopefully, this exciting time only comes around once for you, so enjoy the thrill of having a fiancé for a little while.

When you are ready to start planning, we would like to offer the following list of priorities to help you navigate the wedding planning process.

You will have many people asking you about a date for your wedding. To secure a date, you’ll need to secure a venue. To secure a venue, you’ll need to know how large of a facility you need.

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and how much food and cake your providers need to prepare. The guest count will also be used to calculate any bar and beverage needs, and just how many servers will be required. Your guest list will help you generate three key numbers:

1. How many guests lllcould possibly attend?

This number is less critical, but it should include everyone who is invited (including children).

This is the number that will help you determine what venue to use.

2. How many guests llllwill actually attend?

This is about 70 percent of your guest list, on average. That’s about how many we’re seeing actually attend weddings who are invited. Now, everyone on the list could attend, but usually there’s a group who cannot attend for whatever reason.This is the number you will use in estimating your catering, cake and bar costs.

You will also use this number to determine how much seating you want to have (and therefore how many table linens and table decorations.)

3. How many households?

This is the number of addresses on your guest list. This number is how many invitations you will order. With your guest list, there may be a family of four in your total guest count, but they all live at the same address, so there’s only one invitation to send.

t he adv i ce t he i nsp i ra ti o n Once you have your guest count numbers figured out, now try to work through a budget.

The budget will be determined by what time of day you want to get married (daytime weddings, such as those that begin at 2 or 3 p.m., often end earlier and require less food at the reception.)

The budget will also be determined by the number of guests you expect will attend, and what type of food you’d like to serve (as you know, chicken is cheaper than beef.)

To be realistic, please make sure you include postage, your dress, alterations, gifts for the attendants, all the venue costs, delivery and taxes, plus an adequate amount for food and beverage.

Too often, I have brides and their families who only budget a few dollars per person for food.

With a wedding, I often tell clients they should consider that they’re hosting their guests for a “nice evening out”, so if that includes taking 100 friends out to dinner, to plan accordingly on the budget.

So, now that the boring numbers have been settled, you can get started with the fun stuff of choosing venues, a dress, food, cakes, flowers and a photographer. By having a realistic picture of your wedding, however, the planning will be more organized and you’ll have a better picture of what to expect as you consider all your choices.

Find The Season Events at theseasonevents.com or call to set up a consult at 706.234.2244

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Always & Forever

t h e ins p ira tion

Serving Our Community Since 1948 328 Broad St. Rome, Ga. 30161 • 706-291-7236 • GreenesJewelers.com 6

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t he r i ng

Diamonds are Forever G R E E N E ' S J E W E L E R S • BY D E M A R C U S D A N I E L

WHEN CONSIDERING the purchase of wedding jewelry, or any kind of jewelry for that matter, choose someone that makes you feel welcome and makes you feel at home. At Greene's Jewelers, that is exactly what you get.

Celebrating 70 years of operation in the heart of Downtown Rome, Georgia, Greene's Jewelers has been your hometown jeweler since 1948. Being the oldest continually operating business on Broad Street is not by chance for this 4th generation of jewelry experts.

Family matriarch, Joyce Greene Manning along with daughter Elaine Manning Abercrombie and an experienced staff, strives to provide you with the best possible experience when making one of life's most memorable purchases.

With our American Gem Society (AGS) membership along with our certifications from the AGS and the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), Joyce Manning, Elaine Abercrombie, Tammy Kelley and Crisann Studdard are on site to assist you in choosing the perfect engagement ring for your future spouse.

We live in a world of instant gratification.

We can purchase anything we want online, and have them delivered to our door a few days later. While online shopping is convenient, you lose a few things you would get by walking into Greene’s. There is not an FAQ link that can provide the answers that 70 years of family operation can offer.

“Here at Greene’s we understand that you may not know how to pick out an engagement ring. That is why we walk them through the process in choosing a ring that symbolizes so much,” Abercrombie says. “We will always be honest with our clients and make sure the ring is just right. We don’t want your fiancé to sit next to a friend in church or at a ball game and find they both are wearing the same ring.”

When choosing a diamond, it is important to consider the "Four C's" of a diamond: the cut, clarity, color and carat weight. But, Abercrombie notes, "At Greene's we apply a special fifth C, and that C is confidence! We study the stones and mountings so that our clients are confident

in the purchase. We know how important this decision can be when you want to express your love for your future spouse. So, our goal is to make sure they never forget the moment they open the little "Greene" box!"

At Greene's, you can come in any time for advice. And unlike shopping online, it is not all about the price. "We want to make sure you have what is best suited for you, no matter the price.

We would rather make a smaller sale and have you be happy than leave with a larger purchase you may feel uncomfortable about.

Custom jewelry designer, Tammy Kelley has been with Greene's since 1981. In addition to being a Graduate Gemologist, she is an extremely talented artist. Ask for her if you are interested in an extra special custom piece.

Elaine Abercrombie is a Certified Gemologist and a Graduate Gemologist and is available to help in choosing the perfect stones.

"We understand how challenging it can be to make sure your love is overjoyed when they see their ring for the first time. All of our customers are family, and when we see them again as a married couple, we are happy to know we helped to make their day special. At Greene's we don't have customers, we have family!"

Greene's Jewelers offers a variety of products, diamonds and other precious gemstones.

Rings, necklaces, bracelets and earrings, Seiko and Pulsar watches are also offered in all price ranges. They also offer gifts for the wedding party such as, engraved pocket watches for the groomsmen, earrings for the bridesmaids, or a set of hand knotted pearls for the mother of the bride or groom.

Greene's is also a pet friendly store. So, bring your four-legged friend when you visit.

At Greene’s you can stop in any time for repairs, custom redesigns or simply to say hello.

"At Greene's it is our desire and goal to make sure you have what is perfect for you, whether it is an engagement ring or any piece of jewelry," says Manning. "We search for the piece that is best suited for you, no matter what it is. We want you to be happy with your purchase and confident that you made the right choice in choosing Greene's Jewelers."

Visit Greene's at 328 Broad Street in downtown Rome, find Greene’s online at greenesjewelers.com or call ahead for an appointment at 706.291.7236

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t he d ress

The Way You Look P E R F E C T D R E S S O F R O M E • BY D E M A R C U S D A N I E L

THE MAGICAL MOMENT has arrived. You and your father are about to proceed down the aisle, towards the altar. The doors open, you begin your steps, one-two, one-two. You take a quick glimpse right and then left. You see the looks in the direction of well wishers and their eyes say you are more stunning than you had imagined.

You are now close enough to your soulmate to see his proud smile and the tear roll down his cheek and he has just provided the confirmation you were seeking, that you look beautiful. Your father passes you to the groom and beeeeep! Your alarm clock goes off. Today is the day you find the perfect dress for your wedding day.

Alison Smith, owner and operator of Perfect Dress of Rome (2013 Shorter Avenue, Rome) and her team of consultants strive to make the visions of your big day a dream come true.

At Perfect Dress, Smith says, “We’re providing an experience, not just a dress. We’re helping you by offering you the experience you want for your big day. The whole process is about the experience. We want to help the customer and our sincere goal is to not allow them to come in with the attitude of ‘yeah, this is the dress. I’m only going wear it one time anyway’ and then they just proceed to buy the dress.

“Instead, we want them to feel that this is the dress,” Smith continues. “This is the most important dress that they are going to buy and is likely the most important dress that they are going to wear one time.”

This is why Smith and her team advise bridesto-be to schedule a consultation. This ensures 8

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they leave with a dress that is what they have envisioned since they were little girls.

The consultants of Perfect Dress are very knowledgeable, and stay informed about the latest styles and trends. “Familiarity with the dresses ensures customer confidence. We want clients to know that we are professionals and we work to make sure the dress you chose looks on you,” she says.

Popular brands, like Mori Lee and Sweetheart Gowns, are available to try on in store.

Smith starts the consultation by listening and then asking them to choose five dresses matching their particular style. From there, Smith and her team help brides into the chosen dresses, make notes about alterations and offer styles the bride may not be familiar with that fall in lockstep with her vision of a dream gown.

Now, they watch for the moment clients connect to the dress, as this will be an emotional and magical moment. “Most girls have already pictured their wedding dress and what they would look like in it,” Smith smiles. “It is our job to get them in that dress.”

Custom gowns can take 4-6 months to arrive, so getting a consultation scheduled is key for planning. For gentlemen, Smith advises them to come in early as well, but overnight delivery is available for tuxes in case a last minute change is needed.

She advises to "look out for some hurdles" that she has experienced in her eight years of owning Perfect Dress of Rome, such as overcoming the fear, shyness, and self-esteem issues some

ALLISO N SM ITH , OWNER

ladies may have knowing they will be the center of attention. “We provide the pep rally for the wedding. When you leave Perfect Dress of Rome, you will be excited to show the world the dress, and the beauty who is wearing it,” Smith says.

Perfect Dress of Rome offers attire for the entire wedding party, as well as for other formal events like proms. You will find varying colors and styles of tuxedos, bridesmaids and groomsmen wear, flower girl dresses and ring bearer suits, ball gowns and men’s formal wear. The store has grown every year and continues to expand with new dresses and newest and up-to-date styles.

Perfect Dress takes walk-ins at anytime, but to get the most out of your experience Smith suggests making an appointment. One-on-one time can be allotted for brides to have a personal consultant help make their experience all they have imagined. Personalized service is what all of their clients deserve and they want to offer each bride the chance to soak it all in.

Seeing that familiar smile on faces after years of helping others find the perfect dress is what drives Smith and her team to continue their passion.

“It’s all about seeing that smile,” Smith says, “That makes it all worth it to me.”

Visit Perfect Dress of Rome at 2013 Shorter Ave find them on Facebook @PerfectDressofRome or call ahead for an appointment at 706.234.5532

t he i nsp i ra ti o n

PERFECT DRESS OF ROME Let us help you turn your dreams into a reality Designer Gowns • Bridesmaid & Flower Girl Dresses • Tuxedo Rentals Veils, Jewelry & Accessories • Gown Preservation 2013 Shorter Avenue • (706) 234-5532 • Appointments Recommended • v3 wedding compendium 2018

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Yes

SHE SAID

WE BROUGHT IT TO LIFE

Texture Photo

CATERING

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PLANNING

(706) 234-2244 • www.theseasonevents.com

DESIGN

t he i nsp i ra ti o n t he pl anner

Planning Makes Perfect T H E S E A S O N E V E N T S • BY M C K E N Z I E T O D D

ONE OF THE MOST ANTICIPATED events for couples in love is their wedding day. It is hard to argue that starting a family, announcing a lifelong commitment and love to your partner and joining two families is not worthy of celebration and all of the pomp and circumstance that comes along with the big day.

Many brides and grooms underestimate what it takes to design, plan and coordinate a wedding, and hiring a wedding planner is never in their budget. Truth is, wedding planners and coordinators are no longer just for couples with unlimited budgets; they have become indispensable today to many couples who find their services well worth the expense.

Holly Lynch, co-owner and founder of The Season Events (300 Glenn Milner Blvd., Rome), emphasizes that weddings are a time to be present and allow family, friends, loved ones and more importantly, yourselves, time to enjoy the big day.

Lynch is no stranger to nuptials as she has helped to plan over 340 weddings, which averages out to around 40 per year. And by the looks of her schedule, she is looking to grow that number exponentially in the near future.

There are several steps that Lynch and The Season Events offer to brides before diving into the overall planning of their wedding, and they can handle as little or as much as requested.

Wedding planning packages include wedding weekend coordination, complete wedding planning or an all-inclusive package.

“First of all, it’s so important that brides work to create a timeline in order to sort out the steps of the wedding into manageable tasks.

Be sure to set your budget and keep expenses within reason, and then we can meet and connect,” says Lynch.

For the wedding weekend coordination package, the family will have essentially done most of the planning, and Lynch and The Season Events simply assists throughout the wedding weekend.

Couples choosing the complete wedding planning package, Lynch and staff recommends and sources venues, bands, DJ’s, bakeries, florists and photographers, as well as assists with all etiquette questions. They also help to develop a customized timeline and budget for all wedding details and create a personalized design for your reception to include florals, linens and specialty

décor. The Season Events also provides a full catering menu with Catering Director, Ray Harris.

The all-inclusive package will be offered to couples who really want to focus on enjoying the day, leaving all of the details in the hands of the professionals. The Season Events works with most of the outdoor venues here in Floyd County to offer a great option for brides who are visiting from out of town or who don’t want to be heavily involved in all of the minutia. Lynch calls the all-inclusive package the “best of the best,” with a pre-negotiated price point.

“The last person who hugged me was a very excited newlywed and her mom who just had the best day ever with her family, so wedding planning is so much more fulfilling. Weddings just bring out a lot of joy and a lot of excitement, so while it is—from a work perspective, very tiring—it’s also extremely rewarding,” beams Lynch.

Holly’s favorite part of overseeing and managing The Season Events is getting to know all of the families she works with on a daily basis.

“You become really attached because everyone’s personalities are so different, and weddings bring out so many unique traits in them,” smiles Lynch.

“For a bride, it is a collision of all of her worlds—work, family, college, high school—and all of her years of development that come crashing in to this one event, so we enjoy the people so much. We are also very family oriented here at The Season Events, so when a family invites us into their lives, we envelope them as if they are a part of us through her experience,” says Lynch. “It is sort of sad when they are done, and the wedding is over, but we still enjoy it.”

Find The Season Events at theseasonevents.com or call to set up a consult at 706.234.2244

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t he cat e r ing

Cater to You

T H E S E A S O N E V E N T S • BY M C K E N Z I E T O D D

WHERE HOLLY LYNCH AND HER TEAM at The Season Events handle all of the details and the nitty-gritty of wedding planning, Ray Harris, Director of Catering, handles the delicious part… the food.

Harris (A.K.A. the food genius) started cooking around 28 years ago. “I pretty much learned to cook by staying at home with my two boys for several years. Throughout those years, I slowly discovered my love for cooking,” Harris explains.

This expert of everything food related catered his first wedding reception in 1989.

“About four years ago, Holly and I decided to combine efforts and create The Season Events, Planning and Catering. Up until now, it has just been trial and error for almost three decades, but I believe I have finally found my niche,” smiles Harris.

Lynch says that there was always a plan for The Season Events to add the catering component to their already existing options. “I met Ray while attending an event he was catering,

R AY H A R R I S , D I R E C TO R O F C AT ERIN G

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and I was planning. When we joined forces; it just became a very natural fit. It’s also very easy for our couples to have this one-stop-shop for wedding planning,” says Lynch.

Where most brides find the combination of planning and catering very helpful, Lynch and Harris realize that it is not always an option for everyone. “A bride and groom working with The Season Events, can choose to have Ray cater and not use us as the planner, or they can hire us as their planner, and not use Ray. We give you options,” says Lynch.

Harris and Lynch can work with any budget, and Lynch says it is easiest for families to let them take care of the huge parts of the planning experience. “90 percent of the time, it is a team effort and it makes the experience for the couple much more cohesive because they have so many great team members taking care of them,” says Lynch.

“I like to bring my brides and grooms in and we talk about what their vision is for their

wedding. After I get an idea about what food they might want that would complement their venue, dress, décor, etc. we construct a menu and bring the couple back to have their items made for the tasting,” says Harris.

From full dinner buffets to hors d’oeuvres and dessert, Harris and his team separate the menu between small bites, bigger bites, salads, entrées, comfort food, desserts and more. The set menu is just the starting point, however, as they provide anything.

“I am often surprised at some of the things my brides request of us, but that’s what makes my job so much fun. You never know what to expect,” laughs Harris.

For example, Harris had a customer whorequested conch fritters, so Harris and his team set out to find the freshest conch that could be found in Rome, Georgia. His team also has had Halibut shipped from Alaska for a client.

“If there is a hoop that you need us to jump through, we will usually try to find a way to get through that hoop. We do some really custom food for people.

“Whether it’s from Ray’s team, my team, our bartenders to even our bus drivers, everybody has the same attitude of ‘whatever I need to do to please you,’” Lynch continues, “and it’s nice that even after 11 years in this business that we still feel that way.”

Find The Season Events at theseasonevents.com or call to set up a consult at 706.234.2244

Flavors CREATING

TO CELEBRATE

(706) 234-2244 • www.theseasonevents.com

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Northwest Georgia’s Premier Furniture And Home Decor Store Specializing In: • Farmhouse • Industrial Design Furniture 3144 Martha Berry Hwy Rome, GA 30165 706.233.1769

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436 Broad Street

•Laser Hair Removal •Quick & Effective •For Woman and Men 106 Broad Street, Suite A • Rome, Ga • 706.290.3979

traveling in bohemian style

women’s specialty clothing, accessories & gifts 203 east 8th street rome, ga. 30161 706.295.4203

t he venu e

AL L P H OTO S : C A M E RON FL AIS C H PHOTOGRAPHY

Remember the Time

C H R I S T O P H E R B R O W N I N G PAV I L I O N AT OA K H I L L • BY M C K E N Z I E T O D D

CHOOSING A VENUE is the first and most important decision every couple will make when planning the details of their wedding. More than any other factor, like your dress, your band and your food, the ceremony and reception venue help set the overall tone for your dream wedding. It's the first thing your guests see when they arrive, and it's what they're going to be immersed in for the time they're celebrating with you.

Venues also determine most everything else on the planning list. For example, the date, location, color scheme, flowers and countless other elements of design depend on the overall composition of the venue a couple chooses.

It is easy to become overwhelmed with the amount of venue choices around you, as venues 16

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come in all shapes and sizes. But, what is most important in a bride and groom’s search for the perfect venue is to know there is a venue out there to fit the style you’ve always dreamed of.

Oak Hill and the Martha Berry Museum (2277 Martha Berry Hwy NW, Mount Berry) recognizes this and works to conform their property and the 100 acres of rolling landscape into the style a couple can adore for years to come.

The Oak Hill Estate, which includes a historic house and gardens, served as the childhood home for Martha Berry, founder of the Berry schools and later, Berry College. Built in a Greek-revival style of architecture during the 1880’s, the house is surrounded by five gardens with plenty of greenery to accommodate any bride’s taste.

“The design of the gardens ranges from a formal garden to a terraced, sunken garden that is separated by shrubs and walls. All of our gardens have classical statuary, fountains, ponds and sundials, which our brides love. The options they are given when choosing to book with Oak Hill are endless, which is my favorite part of our venue,” says Casee Gilbert, Director of Hospitality and Events Services at Berry College.

The historic gardens surrounding the Oak Hill house, in addition to the entrance and rear of the estate, serve as part of the many options a bride and groom can choose from when booking with Oak Hill. The newly constructed Christopher Browning Pavilion, a stunning 5,760-square-foot building, is a highly functional addition that show-

cases exposed juniper beams and full-lite exterior wooden doors. Additionally, the space includes a full catering kitchen and the ability to be used as an open-air pavilion or closed air conditioned space.

“Over the years, Oak Hill has been home to a variety of events and experiences for the college community, as well as the Greater Rome community. Because of the vast number of events we host, the need for a covered option for special events like weddings at Oak Hill was conceived,” explains Alice Stevens, Education and Public Service Manager at Oak Hill.

The Pavilion can be used for ceremonies or wedding receptions and provides multiple set-up options. “When you rent the space, the rental includes tables, chairs and a facility coordinator,” continues Stevens, “And the space is fully equipped with A/V and Wi-Fi accessibility and can be temperature controlled for year-round events.”

One important aspect of the Pavilion is that it is offered as a weather contingency option for groups who are still interested in hosting their events outdoors on the grounds. With this addition, Oak Hill and the Martha Berry Museum can meet the needs of any and all couples who are looking for an outdoor wedding, without the weather ruining their vows.

t he venutehe i nsp i ra ti o n

“As far as packages go, there are multiple that groups can choose from, which include the Pavilion rental, Oak Hill grounds and Pavilion rental, Pavilion rental and chapel rental on the main campus and more. Also, our spaces at Oak Hill require no affiliation, as we look forward to meeting the varying needs of our guests,” shares Gilbert.

No matter your guest count, the staff can accommodate up to 300 guests in the gardens.

150-160 guests is the capacity in the Pavilion which is always subject to change based on additional set-up needs. Rehearsal dinners can also be accommodated in the Garden Room seating 30-35 people or up to 160 in the Pavilion.

“All of our events are memorable as we are celebrating milestones, new beginnings and adventures with individuals who have decided Oak Hill is the perfect backdrop for their special event,” says Gilbert, “and because Oak Hill and Berry College offers such a variety of venues to meet the needs of brides and grooms who are looking for a beautiful backdrop for their wedding, our venue is just the right fit.”

Stevens and Gilbert both agree that Oak Hill is the perfect location for couples who are looking for the flexibility to create a day that meets all of their wants and needs. The rich history and staff are happy to help ensure a couple’s vision becomes a reality.

For questions and reservation information, oakhillevents@berry.edu | 706-368-6789

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PRIVATE DINING

CATERED EVENTS

CREATING THE MENU OF YOUR DREAMS IS WHAT WE DO. WE TAKE YOUR VISION AND MAKE IT A REALITY. 413 broad street, rome, ga 30161 lascalaromega.com 706.238.9000 706.238.9011 18

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t he rehear sal di n n e r

Dining with the Stars L A S C A L A • BY O L I V E R R O B B I N S

THE PHOTOGRAPHER IS BOOKED, the venue is secured, the dress fits perfectly and the flowers are scheduled for delivery.

As the wedding party assembles to practice the ceremony, everyone is excited and anticipatory for the big day. With everyone together, what better way to remind your loved ones how important they truly are than setting the table and breaking bread together? Not to mention, the option to dine “al fresco” in one of Downtown Rome’s only rooftop venues. For your rehearsal dinner, Anthony Barba and the La Scala Mediterranean Bistro (413 Broad Street, Rome) family invite you to taste culinary creations that are sure to please with service that is sure to exceed your expectations.

“Here at La Scala, we are a family. We work well together, which carries over to the food and service we provide to our couples,” says Barba who owns Rome’s popular downtown eatery.

“With the addition of our multiple event spaces, we can further lessen the hassle of booking additional services. Our families are happy knowing that we offer all the elements needed to share a beautiful and flawlessly executed meal.”

Barba challenges couples who are considering La Scala for their catering services to find a menu they cannot prepare with the same quality you would find in a fine dining establishment.

“From whole grouper fresh from the coast, to whole pigs, to picnic table cuisine, we have done it all. Logan Littlejohn, our current Executive Chef and I collaborate and truly do, share a common vision. Logan has a uniquely creative mind for food, coupled with years of experience and classical training. His refined approach to preparing our food sets us apart and we haven’t had a family to stump us yet. Recently, we created an entirely gluten-free tasting menu for a bride and groom, including more than 25 items. What we offer will be hard to find in other caterers,” Barba explains.

Choosing the right menu can be a challenge.

La Scala endeavors to make your menu development and tasting, a truly enjoyable experience.

“We can come to your home and prepare a feast in your kitchen. This option works well for wedding parties who want to have a more unique and intimate experience with their chef,” Barba says. “We also offer a menu tasting, as

part of both, our rehearsal dinner and reception services. How it works is after you’ve book our services and paid the deposit we invite the bride and groom and a few family members to dine with us at a time of their choosing. At that point, our kitchen staff prepares and sends a large selection of small plates for them to try.

This is how we get an idea of how to customize your own unique menu and craft that menu to your specific needs.”

An additional benefit of booking La Scala is the many different, on-site, event space options they currently offer. La Scala exclusively manages and handles all catering for The Lewis Loft (Home of Gregg and Diane Lewis) located above the restaurant and accessible from Broad Street. The Loft offers a range of event spaces, including a rooftop deck. Having a team who knows the space and works very well within it can make all the difference.

“We can set this space up however the couple chooses,” says Daniel Carpenter, General Manager for La Scala Mediterranean Bistro, “And we also offer a full bar and service staff. We have a few packages available that will meet almost any budgetary requirements. Unlike other caterers we do provide linens, flatware, china, tables and chairs, and anything else required for the event.

The space is wired for Bluetooth connections, so music can be piped throughout the loft and even out on the rooftop. What’s really nice is the options we offer. We handle everything, from set-up to clean-up, so wedding parties can relax and really soak in the moments they have together.”

La Scala does provide offsite catering, and couples who want to book at their desired location will need to do so ahead of time. “I suggest that as soon as you have a date to let us know.

We need to be sure we can offer the experience we expect to give our clients, so offsite bookings require a little more time for our staff to coordinate,” Barba says.

If you are looking for attention to detail and an event team you can count on Barba and his team of professionals at La Scala, go above and beyond to ensure your rehearsal dinner is well-executed, memorable and stress-free.

Visit La Scala at 413 Broad Street in downtown Rome, find La Scala online at lascalaromega.com or call ahead for an appointment at 706.238.9000

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t he ha ir

Simply Stella S T E L L A B L U • BY O L I V E R R O B B I N S

EVERYONE WANTS TO LOOK THEIR BEST on the day they exchange vows, and it helps to have the extra assurance of seeing your look in advance. For wedding parties who are looking for the personal service of a specialty boutique complimented by the possibilities of a Downtown New York salon, look no further than Salon Stella and Blu Dry Bar (200 Broad Street, Rome).

Owner Tiffany Barnes and Rachael Martin, manager of this popular haven for all-thingspretty, and the Stella Blu staff offer some helpful services for brides-to-be and members of her wedding party that can be used to ease excited nerves and make sure everyone looks perfect in photographs.

“We are unique because we have a full team of master cosmetologists and make-up artists here at Stella Blu who can perfect your look for hair and makeup and record the steps ahead of the date,” Martin explains. “If you can have both of these very important pieces offered in one place it makes replicating the look on the day of the wedding so much easier. The results, then, will be exactly what a bride envisions for one of the most important days of her life.”

This is the reason Martin always recommends calling ahead as soon as you have a date.

Stylists at Stella Blu are in high demand and will often be booked for events many months in advance.

With well over 20 years of experience between the three stylists, Christina Powers, Chrissy Heaven and Laurie Kitchens, clients have many styling options available. From windblown beachy waves to traditional up-dos with braids, no vision is out of the realm of possibilities with these professionals.

Stella Blu offers a variety of options to their clients, including packages for both hair and makeup, as well as onsite services. The packages offered include a consultation to guarantee you get the perfect look you desire. The bride gets her hair done twice, once before the ceremony then again on the day of the wedding. During 20

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the consultation the stylists allow time to record the products, techniques, and methods used so they are able to recreate the exact look. “Our sincere goal is to make sure that you are completely satisfied with the finished look for your big day.” Martin says.

Salon Stella and Blu Dry Bar also extends their services to bridesmaids, flower girls, ring bearers, grooms, mothers, fathers and other members of the wedding party who want a polished look for photographs that will capture lifetime memories. Also, nothing says thank you like a gift basket filled with styling products for your closest friends who helped to make your walk down the aisle special.

“We also follow our clients from consultation to the wedding day. When they come in, they see the same face, the same person who has helped them all along,” Martin smiles. “We want them to feel secure in knowing that they won’t be handed off to another team member and this ensures the look is exactly what we discussed during

the consultation. This is the level of service we want to offer, whether we work offsite or here in our boutique. This is what they deserve, and all of our team members are happy to provide them with the confidence they need to realize just how beautiful they already are.”

Visit Stella Blu at 200 Broad Street in downtown Rome, find them on Facebook @stellablubeauty or call ahead for an appointment at 706.234.7900

Perfect Hair.

Perfect Makeup.

Perfect Day. OPEN Mon - Fri: 10am - 6pm • Sat: 10am - 4pm • Sun: CLOSED 200 Broad Street, Rome, Georgia 30161 • 706-234-7900

CE

IAN

ARCHITECTURE and DESIGN

202 Broad Street, Suite 200, Rome, Georgia 30161

(706) 383 - 1043

Christopher Browning Pavilion at Oak Hill, Photograph by Burton Photography

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www.ceviandesign.com

t he makeu t he p i nsp i ra ti o n

You Oughta be in Pictures S T E L L A B L U • BY O L I V E R R O B B I N S

WHEN CONSIDERING THE AMOUNT of photographs the bride and groom will sit for on the day they say, “I do” it may be a good idea to seek the advice of a professional who knows how your make-up will perform on that big day. Bridal parties are in luck, because there is a boutique staffed with a team of professionals who can provide you with that perfect look. Stella Blu Cosmetics Boutique (200 Broad Street, Rome) prides themselves on pairing small-town service with big-city style, all with the aim of making your wedding day beautiful.

Tiffany Barnes, owner of Stella Blu Cosmetics, has assembled a team who works with products specific to the needs of their clients.

“For pictures, it is important to seek the advice of a professional because products perform differently under the bright lights of professional photography,” explains Rachael Martin, manager for Stella Blu Cosmetics. “We try to apply just the right amount of product. We use brands like Bare Minerals, Becca and Smashbox that are formulated to work well under the lights of professional photography and help you to not look whitewashed, which can happen when the bright lights of flashbulbs are used by professional photographers.”

Martin explains that the sunscreen in some formulas create a whitewashed look

TI F FA NY BA R N E S , OWN ER

when the light reflects off of the subject’s face.

This often causes a pale look in photos or an unwanted shine.

“Our clients can be sure we will not try to sell or use products they don’t need, and that we will offer honest and professional feedback about the look they desire. All of our clients are beautiful and it helps to have someone telling you the truth about when too much is too much, or when more product is needed for a specific look. We offer many brands and price points.

We will always recommend what will work best with the client’s skin type and tone.”

The Stella Blu Team recommends calling ahead to schedule a consultation for your big day.

This is included in the bridal packages offered through the boutique. During the consultation, a make-up artist will work with you to create your desired look from start to finish. You can rest easy knowing the makeup artist that works with you during your consultation will follow you through to the day of the ceremony. They take notes, give advice and try different approaches, all in hopes of getting the perfect application.

“The one-on-one service we offer you will not get in many department stores,” Martin says.

“Everything we do is customized for each one of our clients and we are focused on providing the highest level of service."

Make-up artists at Stella Blu Cosmetics continue to build upon their expertise. They have taken master classes from Mario Dedivanovic, Kim Kardashian’s make-up artist and Nicole Faulkner, another industry leader in make-up art who goes by Lipstick Nick. Staying versed on the latest trends is always important and Stella Blu hopes to use this valuable knowledge while behind the brush.

Aside from makeup application, the team also offers lash application, tanning products, and skin care advice. Skin care is key in making sure your make up looks great on the day you walk down the aisle. The bridal party is also welcome to join the future Mrs., further solidifying that everyone will look great in photos. Services are offered in-store as well as onsite. These options can be discussed at booking.

“We love to share these special memories with the bride and their families. It puts a smile on our faces every time we walk into these doors because we genuinely love our jobs and care about our clients. Our brides can always rest assured that we will be professional, punctual and accommodate all your wedding day needs.”

Visit Stella Blu at 200 Broad Street in downtown Rome, find them on Facebook @stellablubeauty or call ahead for an appointment at 706.234.7900 v3 wedding compendium 2018

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t he f lowers

The Color of Love B U S S E Y ' S F L O R I S T • BY M C K E N Z I E T O D D

TODD B U S S E Y, OWN E R

BESIDES THE WEDDING DRESS, flowers are a key component of any wedding as they can be found everywhere—from bouquets to boutonnieres, to the arbor during the ceremony and centerpieces during the reception.

According to Todd Bussey of Bussey’s Florist & Gifts, flowers are symbolic and have played an important role in weddings throughout history. “Flowers add so much to the ambiance of the day, and they help to tell the couple’s story because they can be designed to reflect their own personal style.”

Bussey’s Florist & Gifts is a family business that was created in 1976 and was originally located in Cedartown, Georgia. As the business grew (the main catalyst being the wedding business) Todd crafted another store in Downtown Rome, adding wedding specialist, Andrea Calhoun, to the team in 2012.

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Between Bussey and Calhoun, they average close to 70 years in the floral business, so as a prospective couple, you can guarantee that your vision will be brought to life without any complications.

“Our hope is that we are creating a custom, unique look that is just theirs,” says Calhoun.

“For both of us, we are seeing second, third and maybe even fourth generations of families we have worked with. Being in a small community, the history and relationships you build with people is kind of special.”

Because Calhoun and Bussey find that every wedding is unique, there are tons of options for clients with an open mind to collaborate and create something exceptional.

“We like to sit down with our brides and get to know them. We ask them questions to

learn what is most important to them on their big day, and then dive into the details,” explains Calhoun. “We use visuals such as pictures of the dresses, color swatches, linen samples, etc., as inspiration to create the perfect look for their wedding.”

Before future clients come in for their consultation, Bussey notes it is important to have a few key items selected before trying to make other decisions. “It is important that our brides and grooms know their color scheme and have selected venues because these factors are going to determine so much of what we do. We suggest couples start collecting images of things they like or don’t like, because it helps us get to know your personal style. We use this as a springboard to create something you will love and cherish forever,” smiles Bussey.

From information shared at the consultation, Calhoun and Bussey then work to put together a customized proposal for their couples.

“One thing we try to be really mindful of in designing a bride’s florals is how things photograph,” says Calhoun, “because that’s how you’re going to remember the day. You’re nervous on the day of your wedding and you may or may not remember a lot of details. Your photographs also tell your family story, so we keep all of that in mind because we aren’t just creating flowers for the day, but we are helping to create your story.”

As far as trends go, Bussey explains that because everything is so individualized, it’s hard to say there is a specific trend in florals. “The one constant we have noticed over the past couple of years, however, has been the use of foliage to create a lush, abundant look. We use several different varieties of foliage combined with eucalyptus and berries, things to create a very textured feel,” explains Bussey. He has also noticed his brides and grooms have been more apt to purchase flowers in bulk from Bussey’s when they want to have a hand in creating a portion of their wedding florals.

Bussey’s can conform to any bride’s budget and vision, no matter the requests. “You don’t know until you ask,” continues Bussey, “so come in and sit down with us. Let us put together a proposal for your dream wedding. We can help you make choices to work within your budget and create beautiful memories of this special day because that is what we are here for, and what we enjoy doing is working with our clients.”

Find Bussey's Florist at busseysflorist.com or call at 706.234.1040

Creating

Beautiful Weddings

ROME LOCATION 250 Broad Street Rome, Georgia 30161 706-234-1040

BUSSEY’S FLORIST & GIFTS WWW.BUSSEYSFLORIST.COM

800-292-0913

CEDARTOWN LOCATION 302 Main Street Cedartown, Georgia 30125 770-748-4055

Celebrating “I Do’s” Since 2007 228 Broad St. Rome, Ga • 706-232-0611 • honeymoonbakery.com 26

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Top Tier Taste H O N E YM O O N B A K E RY • BY O L I V E R R O B B I N S

THERE IS NOTHING that conjures more feelings of sweet, sweet love than a bride and groom, and the day they tie the knot. Well, maybe there is one element of the reception that comes close to rivaling the first dance and that is the first fork full of delectable butter-cream frosting. The wedding cake has become a mainstay for couples and the guests who gather to celebrate their union. Honeymoon Bakery (228 Broad Street, Rome) and their team of dedicated professionals all use the freshest ingredients to ensure your cake tastes as good as it looks and making their clients smile is always in the mix.

With well over 20 years of experience between Kate White (Decorating Manager), Melissa Kroeger (Lead Decorator) and Brenna Horton (Cupcake Decorator) clients can be sure their kitchen is ready to handle just about any request a couple may have. Kevin Dillmon, owner of Honeymoon, also isn’t afraid of getting his hands in the flour and sugar, as he frequently chips in to help his six decorators and six bakers and pastry chefs.

This past June, Honeymoon Bakery celebrated 11 years of making wedding cake dreams come true. With around 200 weddings per year, White says these are just a few of the things keeping their books full. Additionally they offer a wide selection of retail items and can create a dessert bar for your special event.

“We bake all of our cakes from scratch and we can even add customized flavors to them,” White explains. “Flavors like lavender-honey, blueberry and even Earl Grey Tea are flavors we have developed in our kitchen and added to our batters. We also use fresh fruits for fillings and we use real butter cream for our frostings. Butter-cream frostings are less heavy than fondant and we find it to be a better tasting option. If someone wanted a raspberry coulis or an apple filling, we will buy the fresh fruits and make a compote with them. Making everything from scratch is really what allows us to produce a very moist and delicious cake and it also allows us to expand the list of options for our clients.”

White suggests to brides and grooms who are interested in booking with their team to do so as soon as they know they want to use Honeymoon Bakery. Details like the date, re-

ception location, estimated guest count and cake design inspiration can be emailed to the bakery to receive a budget estimate in advance.

This helps to get the process started. “Over half our couples come from out of the Rome area so this process can save valuable time for both parties,” says White.

Finalizing details such as size, flavor, fresh flowers and delivery options can be planned during the consultation or as an ongoing process via email or phone.

Melissa Kroeger, Lead Decorator at Honeymoon Bakery, says that she enjoys a good challenge when it comes to designing cakes.

“We have been asked by more brides to incorporate fresh flowers into our design. This is a trend we are beginning to see more of. We will work with the planner in getting the variety of flowers the couple wants to use on their cake.

We are also seeing flowers paired with textured icings. We can add texture in a variety of ways during application, and when paired with a pretty base, these have turned out to be really beautiful cakes,” says Kroeger.

Kroeger loves to step outside of her comfort zone and the staff works together to overcome unique requests. One such challenge occurred when they were asked to craft a seven-foot alligator.

“We had to decide where we were going to work on a project that big and it ended up being in the window facing the dining room of the bakery,” Kroeger laughs. “When I heard the idea I could not wait to work on it.”

“And we put brown paper in the window so that the couple would be the first to see the cake on their wedding day,” White smiles. “We had to rent a truck just to transport that cake!”

It is important to note that Honeymoon can handle the transport of the cake, offers boxes to help pack up leftovers after dinner and they even leave a box for the top of the cake for the newlyweds.

“We think the success of the cake does not end when we get the finished product out of the oven and iced. We want to make sure it is cut properly, we want to know what type of environment the cake will rest in before it is eaten, and we want all of the details covered. We realize this is a big day and we want our cake to be one of the things the family remembers.”

Find Honeymoon Bakery at honeymoonbakery.com or call at 706.232.0611 v3 wedding compendium 2018

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Dr. Strangelove C A M E R O N F L A I S C H P H O T O G R A P H Y • BY O L I V E R R O B B I N S

he books many of his clients via his Facebook and Instagram reviews.

“When I send them the thumb drive with a personalized engraving on the outside,” he smiles, “I want them to be as happy as I would if it was my wedding. That only comes with the connection we establish early on. Because I try to really get to know them, it drives me to want to deliver a high-quality product. That is what I do for people I consider my friends. My couples are my friends.”

Couples can usually expect a 3-6 week turnaround, and they often have their photos before his set timetable. Flaisch says that he works to get the finished product out to couples as soon as possible, because that is the level of service he has built his business on.

Booking a photographer can be a task, so why not find an artist who fits the mold and is always thinking outside the box.

Contact Cameron at cameronflaischphotography@gmail.com or 706-767-8100, and find him on Instagram @cameron_flaisch_photography and Facebook @CameronFlaischPhotography

C AM E RON FL A I S C H , OWN E R

WHEN THINKING OF THE DAY a couple joins their houses and pledges before their family and friends to spend their life together, capturing the unforgettable moments is paramount. Making sure the person behind the lens is able to deliver quality photos in a timely manner, can accommodate destination weddings and has a sincere appreciation for making your memories unique is normally a checklist that will take a miracle to complete. Northwest Georgia is in luck, because Cameron Flaisch, owner of Cameron Flaisch Photography, has a passport, a tenacious work ethic and an eye for the extraordinary.

Flaisch’s love for taking photographs began when he was a child with a small windup camera.

Seeing what he could create sparked his interest, inspiring him to continue learning more and more about the craft. Soon he was shooting automobiles for online publications, family photos for friends and now he books around 30 to 40 weddings a year. Finding couples who yearn for the unfamiliar setting and are willing to step outside the norm is his niche; however he tries to turn even the most traditional ceremony into something special.

“I like to find couples who are adventurous, because I can really get into the session with them,” Flaisch says. “I try to meet with them and find out what they would like, and then I make suggestions that I think would accentuate their experience. What I have found is that the photos always turn out better if the couple is genuinely 30

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having fun, so I feel that connecting with them both helps them to relax and remember why they fell in love.”

From the driftwood littered-beaches of the Pacific Northwest to the balmy streets of Charleston, S.C., Flaisch does not let any destination be out of his range. With proper notice, he loves the opportunity to shoot in places he has never been and in ways that even the weirdest couples can imagine.

“Even if you are not the adventurous type, I love to see the emotion in the day. That is why I think I have been drawn to shoot weddings.

I try to capture those moments that happen quickly and also while no one is looking. Many times, these rare glimpses into a couple’s most precious memories are the most impactful. So, I make it my goal to turn any couple’s wedding into something they can look at and really see the details of the day,” he explains.

Pro athletes, musicians, “Star Wars” enthusiasts and even traditional couples who want a picture under a waterfall have all sought his eye, leaving no gender, religion or experience out of his consideration. Flaisch says that he has had great feedback from all of his clients and

cameronflaischphotography.com facebook & instagram cameron flaisch photography 706.767.8100 cameronflaischphotography@gmail.com v3 wedding compendium 2018

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t h e ins p ira tion

CAMERON FLAISCH PHOTOGRAPHY

Where

LINDSEY LARUE PHOTOGRAPHY

KATHERINE BIRKBECK PHOTOGRAPHY

Elegance meets History

BURTON PHOTOGRAPHY

Christopher Browning

Pavilion Oak Hill at

oakhillevents@berry.edu | 706-368-6789 | 24 Veterans Memorial Hwy NE, Rome, GA 32

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