It was a beautiful spring afternoon when Jessica and Josh exchanged vows.

The venue was RT Lodge in Maryville Tn, sheer elegance in a natural setting.

I just have to tell you the story of Josh’s unique proposal and how Jessica’s dog Betty came to be the ring bearer. Jessica had been wanting a dog. So, as a surprise gift Josh presented her with a cute little pug puppy. When Jessica took a closer look at the puppy’s collar inscribed was ….

“WILL YOU MARRY ME?”

Blackberry pie for the groom.

Cake by Rosa

CONGRATULATIONS JESSICA AND JOSH!

Thank you for letting Soirée Events be a part of your special day!

Photographer: Drake Photography

Venue: RT Lodge

Floral Designer: Samuel Franklin

While thumbing through the May issue of Coastal Living I ran across an article about a quaint little B&B in Key West, The Mermaid and The Alligator.

Hubby and I just happened to have had a lovely little stay there over the Christmas holidays.

The inn is a beautiful old victorian home, circa 1904, in the heart of the Historical District.

photo via The Mermaid and The Alligator

Upon arrival we were greeted by the official welcoming party Havana and Caya, two beautiful and very friendly flat-coated retrievers.

Innkeepers Dean and Paul had the house decorated in it’s holiday finery!

Our room, the Sunroom, bright and cheery with a balcony overlooking a tropical garden.

photo via The Mermaid and The Alligator

We enjoyed a yummy breakfast each morning on the patio.

After a fun filled day of biking, boating, beaching, shopping or whatever else strikes your fancy unwind with a relaxing massage under the garden canopy.

And when evening rolls around enjoy a glass of wine on the patio before heading out to dinner or night life on the famous Duval Street.

photo via The Mermaid and The Alligator

So whether you’re planning an intimate destination wedding or just a little getaway The Mermaid and The Alligator is definitely the place to “chill” while in Key West!

HAPPY TRAVELING!

Dolores

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Workshop Series With Samuel Franklin

I’ve been attending these workshops and they’re just GREAT! They’re sponsored by Random Acts of Flowers and are held at Samuel Franklin Floral and Home, the beautifully restored old post office building in Clinton Tennessee. The evening begins with wine and cheese and a chance to browse through Sam’s fabulous shop. You’ll get plenty of decorating ideas here! Then down to the workroom for a demonstration by Sam and the chance to create our own arrangement to take home. There are two remaining workshops in the series. On Sept.8 we will be making fall centerpieces and on Nov.3 Sam will demonstrate decorating a holiday mantle. Space is limited and reservations are required. For more information and to make a reservation call Sage at Random Acts of Flowers 865-633-9082. Here are some pictures from the spring and summer workshops. Enjoy!

And my own creation which I took home and enjoyed!

Come join the fun!!!

Picture via www.faqs.org

Wedding season is upon us and I’m busy getting ready for Soiree Events’ first wedding of the season! It’s all so very exciting! One of the things I need to do is to provide a wedding day emergency kit. If you have a coordinator you probably don’t have to worry about the emergency kit because they usually provide you with one. But if not, I wanted to give you a list of things you need to have on hand “just in case.” And oh, grooms have emergencies too. So make sure there is an emergency kit for the guys too! Here Comes the Blob (herecomestheblog.com) had a great article, What To Pack In Your Wedding Day Emergency Kit, that includes a list of everything you guys and gals might need when those little unexpected things happen.

HAPPY PLANNING!

Here is a great article on WHY it is so important to hire a wedding planner. Reasons include that a planner can help you stick to your budget, negotiate better prices for you, and let you focus on the important tasks on your wedding day…not who is letting the caterer in at your facility. It really is a must-read for any bride prior to her wedding.

But before you look at that article, take a look behind the scenes at Marenah’s and Jesse’s wedding at Knoxville Botanical Gardens. The coordinator and vendors get ready for the main event. These pictures include many of the logistics the bride doesn’t have to worry about on her wedding day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stay tuned! The next blog post will feature Marenah + Jesse, The Main Event!

Knoxville Botanical Gardens

All Occasions Party Rental

Abner’s Attic

Kat Furnari Photographer

Bar Bop

Soirée Events

Imagine a white wedding dress with a dyed crinoline underneath. I love it! I just ran across the neatest idea from Sparkle and Hay, one of my favorite wedding blogs. I’m so excited about this idea I just had to share it with you! Add a touch of color by dying your crinoline. I love it, how unexpected and fun! If I were planning my wedding all over again I would absolutely go for this idea! So what do you all think? I would love to hear from you! Visit Sparkle and Hay here.

Photo via www.weddingbycolor.com

Photo Via TwoBirdStone

 

Photo Via The Brass Paperclip Project

Photo Via Style Me Pretty

Just like your save the date, your invitation gives your guests a preview of what’s to come. Are you a traditional couple? Is your style artsy, modern or something completely new and unique? Look at this collection of 50 great invitations from Martha Stewart Weddings. There is something for everyone, and it is also a great starting point to figure out what you and your partner like and don’t like. This is always helpful before you schedule a consultation. Good luck, and happy planning!

I love celebrating Mardi Gras! After a long and dreary winter it reminds me that spring isn’t far off. Olivier is from New Iberia, Louisiana and loves to cook Cajun style. And we love to eat her cooking! We all gather in the kitchen and everyone pitches in. This year for our Fat Tuesday celebration she cooked up a shrimp boil. It was a feast fit for a king!!!   The afternoon began with New Orleans Vodka Freezes followed by a cup of seafood gumbo. The main fare, Olivier’s Shrimp Boil, consisted of shrimp, andouille, new potatoes, green beans and corn on the cob. Dessert was the traditional King Cake. Tradition has it that whoever gets the piece with the baby has to make the cake the next year…that would be Jennifer! I’ll let you in on a little secret, you can buy a King Cake at VG’s bakery in Farragut, which is exactly what I did!                     And of course no Fat Tuesday celebration would be complete without the music of the Neville Brothers!!!   Laissez les bons temps rouler!!!   Inspiration: Entertaining in Style by Mary Carol Garrity

Sugarbuzz Bakers has a new home, 313 North Forest Park Blvd. Connie and husband Don McMahan spent several months renovating the older home that was to become the very charming new home of Sugarbuzz. They did a  beautiful job and I just love Connie’s stenciling handiwork on the walls! You can see it in the pictures. They held their open house and cake tasting last week and oh my goodness! Talk about a sugar buzz!!!

Connie is a very talented cake artist. Whatever design you can imagine she can create! I sampled their Signature cake which is a white cake filled with alternating layers of strawberry buttercream and pistachio buttercream covered with chocolate ganache. This cake can’t be adequately described. It has to be experienced!

Sugarbuzz is open by appointment. If you’re planning a celebration call Connie (865-919-4151) to schedule a consultation or for more information please visit the website www.sugarbuzzbakers.com.

Welcome to our new blog, In The Event! Here you will find inspiration and ideas for planning your wedding or other special events. Please feel free to make comments and ask questions. I hope you will enjoy and visit often.