Tricia Huddas & Co Real Savannah Wedding: Emily and Justin

Emily and Justin were married this past July at the Telfair Museum of Arts Academy Building - WOW is all I can say! Emily was such a joy to work with. She is Southern to the core, polite and had a very specific vision for her wedding. We spent hours picking the perfect linens, discussing the exact layout to fit her vision and putting the finishing touches on the overall day. Well, those hours paid off in an absolutely stunning wedding that took my breath away.

Emily and Justin have been together for 8 years - a perfect couple who share a strong faith and love for their families. It is always so special to be a part of such an important day - and when you end with results like this - it is just an extra reward!!

AND Check out the dress - Vera Wang!! Stunning!! Thank you Ashley Brokop for sharing these images!




A clean, simple color palette and classic flowers from Garden on the Square complimented the space brilliantly, and that amazing cake was done by the one and only Minette Rushing of Savannah Custom Cakes!

Congratulations Emily and Justin - thank you for allowing me to share in your wedding day!

Happy St. Patrick's Day - A Lucky, Green Wedding

St. Patrick's Day is a BIG DEAL in Savannah. And everyone jumps on the bandwagon of this festive, cultural celebration (it must be the booze). But there are some people who take their heritage pretty seriously, and a wedding is the perfect time to celebrate that heritage - national holiday or not. Here are some pretty, literal gems of green-spiration for the Irish ladies out there.

Happy St. Patrick's Day, everyone!

Lucky Shamrock Bouquet and Boutonniere, Green Wedding Cake from Real Simple, Bridesmaids radiant in green, Moss and vintage milk glass, Guinness on the menu, And of course, Bagpipes

Tea-Length Wedding Dress Crush

My husband and I were sitting side-by-side on my couch a few days ago as I was rummaging through my google reader. A few short wedding dresses caught my eye and I remarked to my husband that if we ever get married again (we not I...that's very important in such a conversation), I would wear a short dress. After all, we both agree that my legs are one of my better features, and I would be well-served to keep them exposed.

The conversation however, took a turn to discuss whether it would really be right in the church where we were married. Not a question of appropriateness...just looking out-of-place. My conclusion was - well, it would depend on the dress.

Lo and behold, I stumbled upon this photoshoot on the Daria Bishop Photography blog and the dress neatly fit itself right into my scenario. Isn't it sweet?

The Josephine dress by Stephanie James Couture is, I guess, not really short - it's tea-length. I'm normally not a fan of this length, but I can't imagine this dress another way. It's traditional and un-traditional all at once.

Take a look at Stephanie James' blog for pictures of some of the cutest brides I've ever see together on one blog. I honestly just have a crush on these tea-length dresses!

The Charm of Classic Wedding Stationery

I think that a lot of brides actually become overwhelmed with all of the ideas and options presented to them by wedding web sites and blogs. I know that I would! How do you decide what you want for your wedding when you like so many different styles, colors, motifs, printing methods....it can be a bear.

On Saturday I had the pleasure of sitting down with a June bride and her mother to look at stationery for her Savannah wedding. She knew what she wanted as soon as she saw it in the first book we looked through, and I just love it. A classic invitation will never go out of style and I think think that this White Dots Invitation by William Arthur is so perfect. Beautiful script keeps it traditional, and the dotted embossed border adds interest and some fun.

Do you think that the classic is too easily confused with boring? I do. But don't be confused about this bride - her thank you notes are crimson.

Tricia Huddas & Co. Real Savannah Wedding: Toni and Brent, Part 2

Toni and Brent were married at Wesley Monumental Church on Calhoun Square in Savannah. It was a beautiful November day, and the bride could not have looked more stunning.

I will let you in on a little secret – this is actually Toni’s second dress! She picked out a dress that she was going to wear to the ceremony and planned to change into a second dress for the reception – but once she found this second dress she decided that it was the one and her first dress was history! So, if you think you couldn't possibly find one dress that would be everything you want, allow yourself to be surprised.

The new Mr. and Mrs. exited the church under a traditional military Sabor Arch. I love little touches like this – it is always fun and the men chosen for the team always appreciate what a true honor it is.

Photography by Donna Von Bruening of DVB Photography!

Tricia Huddas & Co. Real Savannah Wedding: Roya and JB, Part 4

Roya and JB's wedding reception was one for the books! From the moment the band, Squat, started playing, the guests were dancing! I think that the Pink House was a little worried that the guests would never sit down – I finally just told them to start serving the food, and the guests would eat when they were hungry!

Again, Persian elements were pulled into the reception. Roya’s mother, Soraya came to town early that week and spent the week cooking with the Pink House chef to teach him how to cook the Shirin Polo (a Persian Sweet rice) that was served to each guest. She also had special Persian cookies and sweets flown in for the celebration.

I was warned that I was welcome to make a timeline for the night, but the Persians would be on their own timeline – and I am glad they were. Once the reception began, all involved just went with the flow. Even when the band would take a break, the Persian music would begin and dancing would continue un-interrupted.

The young, beautiful Persian women danced for JB as he tried to pay them for the knife to cut the cake - a very fun tradition made even more comical, I believe, by this particular group!

Let’s just hope that JB does not publish the pictures that were taken with his own camera, set up as a photo booth. Because I am pretty sure that most of them are of Christine Hall and myself having fun while the guests were eating! The couple’s personalities and cultures completely merged together during both the ceremony and the reception. Cheers to Roya and JB, and to your beautiful futures!

Tricia Huddas & Co Real Savannah Wedding: Roya and JB, Part 3

Two distinct wedding ceremonies, and a number of unique cultural elements, made Roya and JB's wedding a stand-out. The bride’s mother is Persian, and Roya is very proud of her heritage. She had a traditional Christian wedding ceremony at the Bethesda Home for Boys' Whitefield Chapel, which was performed by her brother, who is a pastor in England. Once the traditional Christian ceremony was over, guests boarded Trolleys to head downtown for the Aghd, a Persian Wedding Ceremony.

Tornado sirens ceased to sound only minutes before guests arrived in Reynolds Square for the Aghd! But even stormy skies could not detract from such a beautiful ceremony, with such beautiful meaning. I encourage you to follow the link above to learn more. Her mother was diligent in her efforts to make sure that I fully understood the Aghd and the meaning. She sent links, articles and pictures so that I would be prepared on the wedding day. But even then, the set-up of the tent, chairs and staging area for the ceremony was delegated to a team of Persian women who came from St. Louis and pored over the layout of the sweets, flowers, platters, mirrors, candles, etc. until everything was in exactly the right place. It is my understanding that they do this for each other when their children get married, and it was absolutely beautiful!

Jackie's Wedding Planning Journey - More Showers!!

This past weekend I took a mini vacation to Bradenton, FL, my home town, for another wedding shower and some quality family time - seeing my family so often has been one of the best perks of the wedding planning journey. My family went above and beyond to make the shower amazing. There were custom napkins with my name and the date of the shower, food galore, amazing cupcakes, and it was just perfect.

My Grandmother gave me a really special gift that I had to share. I am not a cook. I am a baker. Grandma taught me to bake as soon as I was old enough to stand up on my own. She even had a special apron for me that said "Little Helper," with pockets for my baking tools. Well unbeknownst to me, she has kept it after all these years; and she gave it to me with the hope that one day I will have a "little helper" of my own and pass on the baking tradition! I, of course, cried. It was so touching and I just love her so much.

Seriously, how could you not love this woman?!

And here I am, the "Little Helper" all grown up.

Not only was it my bridal shower, but it was also my youngest cousin's dance recital. I started taking dance lessons when I was three and continued up until I went to college, so there is a special place in my heart for a 3 hour long dance recital. I am so excited that she shares my love of dance and I was so happy to be able to make it home for her recital! She danced beautifully and also won a $500 dance scholarship. Here she is on stage after accepting the scholarship.

Wedding Q&A Thursday - Wedding Reception Send-Off

Q: Are formal exits from the reception necessary? Is it tacky if we just stay 'til our guests leave, or do we have to do some grand send-off where people throw something at us as we exit? [Our venue] will not allow you to throw anything like rose petals or lavender so I am stuck on how to exit if I do one. Help!

A: I think it's clear from your tone that you know the answer....right? Just in case - No, of course you don't have to have a formal exit. I think that it's a lovely way to, if you will, complete the circle. I also think it's best to keep it simple. Whether or not you have a coordinator, it can be difficult to smoothly position your tired (maybe intoxicated) guests into some sort of complicated position, hand out props (flower petals, sparklers, etc.) and coordinate a complicated send-off. And, as you mentioned, your venue may put restrictions on where you can have the send-off and what you can and can't toss, pop, or ignite.

Based on your toss restrictions, and the fact that I know that you are staying at the hotel where you reception is - thereby negating a send-off using a car - why not keep it super simple and combine it with another component of your reception, like the bouquet toss?

Martha Stewart Weddings

About 15 minutes before your reception is set to end (or earlier if you're tired) have the band leader or DJ announce that the bride and groom have asked all of their guests to join them on the dance floor. Once the guests are gathered, thank everyone for coming and then have the MC bring all of the single ladies to the center for the bouquet toss. You and your husband (yay!) can then turn so your backs are to the ladies (and hopefully your fronts are facing the exit). Throw. Go! Everyone will be there, paying attention, but you won't have to go around hugging everyone good-bye and finding yourself stuck on long, drawn-out goodbyes. (It's not that you don't appreciate everyone enough for a personal good-bye, but you are tired!)

I think that, back-in-the-day, the bouquet toss was actually a part of the send-off. So it's simple and it makes sense! If your wedding reception venue has some sort of staircase or balcony, that would be just perfect...

Jackie's Wedding Planning Journey - Choosing wedding vows

This past week I have been working on getting my wedding ceremony together, making programs, and finalizing details. We are getting married at First Presbyterian Church in Savannah, where I am a member. Here's a picture of First Presbyterian from 98 Productions' blog. Pretty, right?

In preparation for a meeting with the minister who is conducting our ceremony, Rev. Andy Meeker, Matt and I sat down to review the mock ceremony and variety of vows, charges, prayers, and so on, that we can choose from. Who knew there were so many options for a Presbyterian ceremony?! I know that people write their own vows, or make changes here and there to the traditional set, but I figured there was one standard set that most people use. I was so wrong.

But I'm glad there were so many because Matt and I had a lot of fun reading over them and almost practicing by reading them to each other as we culled through the options. Discussing the differences in each set of vows and which suited us both the best was a true bonding experience - I even shed a tear or two.

How did you go about choosing your vows? Did you stick with traditional, write your own, or something in between?

Pre-Ceremony Photographs

It's a point of debate between wedding professionals, and the subject of much thought by most brides - whether or not to see the groom for pictures before the ceremony. I can argue for either - that the look on the groom's face when the bride enters the ceremony is priceless if it's the first time he's seen her, or that the moment can be captured before the ceremony, without losing any of the emotion, when time for photographs after the ceremony is limited. Savannah wedding Photographer Nichole Barrali shared images of one of our Mansion on Forsyth Park weddings with me. I really love the way she set up Annette and Marc's first meeting, captured the intimate moment beautifully, and then took them for pictures on their own for a while before including the bridal party.

Jackie's Wedding Planning Journey - Choosing Bridesmaids

Once Matt proposed, I knew the toughest decision I would have to make was deciding who my Bridesmaids would be. I have a large group of friends from college, along with friends from high school and new friends here in Savannah. At first, I wanted to have everyone be a bridesmaid - a la 27 dresses. In total that would have been 9 Bridesmaids, 2 Junior Bridesmaids and a Flower Girl - 12 girls total! I know friends who have had up to 12 in their wedding party and I am not turned off by the big number. Alas, a bridal party of 12 was just something that my budget could not handle. 12 bouquets, 12 gifts, wedding day transportation for 12...it starts to add up.

I read magazine after magazine trying to figure out how to handle the situation - methods for narrowing down, scripts for breaking the bad news, etc. No outside answer seemed to satisfy me. But after thinking it through on my own, and discussing it with close friends, I finally came up with a plan:

My Maid of Honor was always a given, Jessica, my best friend and sorority sister from college. My best friend here in Savannah just happened to get married last year making it easy for me to make her my Matron of Honor. My best friend from High School, Kristin, and another sorority sister, Courtney, are the girls that I would consider my two closest college friends. With them as bridesmaids I had narrowed it down to 4 maids (plus the little gals).

From there things got tricky. I still had 5 close sorority sisters/high school friends left that I felt I could not choose between, so I decided not to choose at all - leave it at 4 and be done with it. Problem solved, right?...Wrong! The guilt set in about 2 months after I had bought the bridesmaids' dresses. They were not giving me any grief, of course, but I was not happy to be leaving them as pure guests on my wedding day. They are my closest friends, whether there are two or five of them. Still knowing that I could not afford to have that many bridesmaids, I had to figure out some way to recognize them at the wedding and let them know how much they meant to me.

I decided to forget tradition that says "you're a bridesmaid or not a bridesmaid" and created "The Honorary Bridesmaid." It may even be a cooler position than bridesmaid because you get to pick your own dress and shoes and you get to sit for most of the ceremony! Each of my Honorary Bridesmaids will process down the aisle before the wedding party, carrying a single flower, be listed in the program, and sit in the front of the church with my immediate family. It may seem a small part to play, but it means a lot to me to recognize each girl that has meant that much to me.

I'd love to hear about the difficulties that you've had choosing your wedding party and how you chose to overcome them. Is there a whole army of Honorary Bridesmaids out there that I don't know about?

Wedding Q&A Thursday - Pre-Ceremony Pictures

Q: I can't decide whether or not [the groom] and I should see each other for pictures before the ceremony. I like the idea of him seeing me for the first time when I walk down the aisle, but it would make more sense, practically, for us to do group shots before the ceremony? You see more weddings than I do, what do you think?

A: This is one of those questions that a bride and groom need to answer for themselves. We see it done both ways all of the time, and I can't even begin to calculate whether we see it more one way than the other. If I just think about this month's weddings alone it is 50/50.

If there are practical considerations involved, I don't think there is anything wrong with breaking tradition and allowing the bride and groom to each other before the ceremony for pictures. Practical considerations would be things such as timing or location for group pictures, e.g., you want to have a lot of group pictures taken at a location that is different from your ceremony or reception venue, or even multiple locations, and there is not enough time between your ceremony and reception to accomodate the photo session. It may also just be a preference. If you think that you will be happier to have a lot of your formal pictures - whether they are with the whole wedding party or just the two of you - done with before the ceremony, the option should be considered. We always try to schedule some private time for the bride and groom between the ceremony and the reception so that they can be alone, breathe, and take in the fact that they just got married. It is, of course, harder to find that time in an hour or so that is packed with group pictures.

That said, I do think that the moment when the bride and groom see each other for the first time on their wedding day is special. But it doesn't have to happen as the bride is walking down the aisle, in front of all of your guests. Most couples who will see each other before the ceremony arrange a time and place - with or without the wedding photographer present - where they see each other for the first time and share a private moment before all of the formal pictures begin. This can be just as special, if not more special for a couple who prefers the big reveal be something for just them.

With This Ring blogger, Darci, shared pictures of her pre-ceremony encounter with the groom. This one, from Browers Photography, shows that if you put thought into it, the big reveal can be memorable and intimate when done before the ceremony.

So, dear bride, I leave you still with two options to think about. Go with your gut, and if you think that you will regret seeing your groom at all before you walk the white carpet, don't do it...because you can't take it back.

READERS: What do you think, from personal experience or feelings as you are planning a wedding, about the bride and groom seeing one another before the ceremony? Do you have regrets that you didn't do it one way or the other?

Have a question yourself? E-mail us at info@triciahuddas.com.

Guestbooks, continued

Say "Cheese!"
I love it when my brides use a Polaroid guest book. The Polaroid camera is on the guest book table, and guests are instructed to have someone take their picture. The pictures are then secured in a guestbook, where there is also room for name signage (record of attendance: check!) and well wishing. A polaroid guestbook is not only a fun album to look back at over the years, but also a great way to break the ice during cocktail hour. Have an outgoing friend or two walk around and snap the pictures of your guests and their dates, or families and remind them to take it to the guest book to sign!

Adesso Albums offers pre-made polaroid guest books as well as packages including the camera and polaroid film.

Wish Tree
The Wish Tree is another creative guest book solution that is taken from a Dutch tradition. Small paper tags are provided for your guests, who are asked to write a wish for your future and then hang the tag on a small tree. The wish tree becomes a beautiful decorative feature of your wedding for the evening, after which you can preserve the wishes in any way you choose. If you plan on making a wedding scrapbook, you can include the wish cards throughout.

I recently worked with a couple who used ceramic Christmas ornaments instead of paper tags. Guests wrote their wishes using special paint markers and hung them on a small Christmas tree. After the wedding, all of the ornaments were glazed, and will adorn the couple's Christmas tree every year, truly guaranteeing that the hopeful sentiments of their wedding guests will be with them always.

Check out this great Wish Tree from Here Comes the Guide, I am doing a similar one in a few weeks and I will be sure to take some pictures to show you the outcome!

READERS: Are you using a traditional guest book or a new creative guest book solution? Do you know of any other original guest book suggestions or traditions?

Have a question yourself? E-mail us at info@triciahuddas.com.

Wedding Q&A Thursday - Guest Books

Q: I am not into the traditional wedding guest book, I just don’t see myself looking back at a book of names but my mother feels that it is important. What is a more modern and creative guest book idea that I can use that might appeal to both me and my traditional mother.

A: That is a great question and one that we get quite often. The wedding tradition of a guest book was a way to document who attended your wedding...same thing at funeral, ugh. There are many more options out there than the traditional white guest book – you can find a book in almost any color, pattern and style to match your wedding and theme, but why stick with the traditional when you can have something much more creative. We have many suggestions that might be suitable to both you and your mother....so many that we will divide it up in separate posts because...sigh...brides these days have pretty sweet and numerous options.

Coffee Table Books
If you are having a destination wedding, the actual location of your wedding holds greater significance. In such a case, using a coffee table book with pictures and sites from the city where you are getting married as your guest book allows you to play on the traditional guest book, while creating something that has a place in your home instead of your storage facility. Choose a book that is heavy on pictures, with ample blank space around the picture margins. Your guests will fill the empty space with warm wishes and sign their names (record of attendance: check; tradition observed: check). Every time that you, or a house guest, pick up the book you will be reminded of the great day that you two spent in Savannah starting your lives together.

For a Savannah destination wedding, this is a great option that you can purchase on the Historic Savannah Foundation web site - it is a beautiful book, and the proceeds of the sale benefit a Savannah non-profit.

If you choose have professional engagement portraits taken, have them published as a coffee table guest book. Many wedding photographers can set this up for you and may even include it as an option in your service package. If you'd like to make a DIY coffee table guest book, using professional engagement portraits or just great pictures of you and your mate, a site like MyPublisher allows you to easily create your own. Be sure, once again, to leave ample empty space in the margins.

Creative guest book options are as boudless as your own creativity. We'll be back with some more options this afternoon.

A Well-Documented Wedding

I am enamored of Jewish Wedding Traditions...little bit o' wasp jealousy over here! They have meaning that translates beyond religion and are, of course, visually memorable as well.

I am always so excited during set-up of a Jewish wedding ceremony when I see the Ketubah, and always stop and wonder at them in the homes of my Jewish friends. It's amazing to me that a document that was once the equivalent of a pre-nuptial agreement has evolved over time to become not only a religious contract (though the Orthodox community still uses the traditional language exclusively) but also of a declaration of hopes and expectations the couple has for their marriage - similar to the vows they take - that can be looked back at throughout their marriage. It can serve as a daily reminder of your wedding, and what your feelings were at the time.

I guess I could watch my wedding video every day, but I'd much rather have a lovely piece of artwork (possibly the first piece you and your other half decide on together as a couple!) hanging in my dining room or foyer as a reminder of my vows.

There are a ton of really beautiful online Ketubah stores. Here are a few lovely Ketubot (love the plural).

Blossom by Ruth Rudin

A Kaleidoscope of Love

Ketubah Tree - I Will Be There

Now looking again at my selections above, I have to laugh a little because if my husband and I were picking these out together, there's NO WAY he'd go for all of the pink...I guess I'm just thinkin' pink today!

Would you use, or have you used, a Ketubah in your non-Jewish wedding ceremony?

'Cause 2 outta 3 ain't bad...

I know that it possibly makes me sound like a bad person, but I'm not the biggest fan of children in weddings. Ugh, I know, I feel mean even saying it. Yes, they look adorable all dressed up, and I know the tradition will not go away, but it's a lot of work for the parents...it's terrifying for many of the children, I could go on and on. That said...

Check out these handsome ringbearers from a wedding we did at the Harper-Fowlkes house! They were pretty much a best-case scenario. They were all buddies, they looked adorable in the outfits that grandma made them, and they weren't afraid of the wedding planners :) When I was chatting with the gentlman in the top right of the picture, before his walk down the aisle, I asked him if he had a girlfriend...and he said "Yes, my Mom." Too cute.

I just had to share that anecdote and this great photo by Teresa of Memories N' More Photography here in Savannah. But I should note that our reluctant little friend who hasn't left the landing yet, in this picture, never did. I guess 2 outta 3 ain' bad...

Local Wedding Traditions - The Second Line

With time off from working on weddings, I had the pleasure of attending a wedding in New Orleans this weekend. I had never been to New Orleans, so we tried to do some touristy things in our spare time. But it's impossible to take in all that you'd like to on a normal trip when you are visiting a town for a wedding. That's why we were so happy when we realized that our friends incorporated so much of New Orleans culture into their wedding! We got to participate in our first Second Line...which was awesome; they served traditional NOLA foods, like Gumbo, at their reception; and they had their reception at a great venue that overlooked Bourbon Street!

It's so important, especially when throwing a destination wedding, to incorporate local traditions into your event - not only for the guests who are traveling to celebrate with you, but also for yourselves! If you are looking at the details of your wedding as it comes together and thinking "this could be happening anywhere," consider local customs that could be incorporated in order to take it to a more personal and relevant level.