Southern Bridal Shower Inspiration

Since I recently invested in a fancy camera, I wanted to set a scene to practice my skills. Using my dining room table, and items from my inventory (vintage plates, mauve linen napkins, and brass candlesticks), I set the scene for a playful, yet elegant, bridal shower.  Although I was tempted to use a plain white tablecloth, I chose an ikat linen, which really provided another dimension to the table setting.  

Picking up flowers at a grocery store is always a little challenging, being limited to what they have in stock. For this photo shoot, I went to Whole Foods, and picked out varying hues of pink and peach, balanced with some white. I hope you enjoy the photos! 

Wedding Planning: Where to Spend, Where to Save

In any given city, including New Orleans, you can expect to spend a minimum amount for certain vendor categories, while other categories are more flexible. I've compiled a list of my recommended splurges, and also the more flexible categories, where you can save.  

View fullsize

Spend

1. Photography

Your wedding lasts a day. The photos last forever. Sounds cliché, but it’s true.  As memories fade, those photographs are what’s left of the day, and having an amazing photographer makes a huge difference.  No matter what your wedding actually looks like, it can appear in the photos either sub-par or completely amazing. 

2. Flowers & Design

Flowers are a huge part of wedding design, setting the tone for the entire wedding.  How many photos have you seen of mismatched blush bridesmaids’ dresses lately? It’s those bouquets that lend personality to each wedding party.  All those pictures on Pinterest? It’s the design, styling, (and of course photography) that makes them pin-worthy. 

3. Band

Moving away momentarily from the look of your wedding, the actual party is all about a great band. The pros will have your guests on the dance floor all night long. Luckily, in New Orleans, we aren’t lacking for great music! 

Save

1. Wedding Cakes

Wedding cakes can be costly, but there are ways to save. One option is to simplify the design, and go for a plain or naked cake that can be decorated with flowers, berries, or other natural elements by your florist or planner for a simple look that's totally in style right now. Fancy fondant designs and sugar flowers can add up quickly.

Another option is to reduce the size of the cake and either serve another dessert alongside, or have your caterer serve guests from a sheet cake in the back.  A huge plus to using a smaller cake is that you can use a smaller cake stand, such as a pedestal. Smaller cake stands are really elegant, and the cake table itself can be styled to have the presence and drama of a larger cake.  

2. Transportation

Limos or charter bus transportation can take a large chunk out of your budget. You could avoid chartering guests around by picking a venue where it's not necessary (a second line from the church to the reception, perhaps?) However, if you do need those services, you can benefit from putting the work in and getting quotes from multiple companies, or hiring a planner who knows the vendors and can find you the best deal.  Prices vary greatly for charter bus transportation companies, as well as limousine services, so don't settle on the first, second, or even third quote you get.  However, still do your homework and make sure the reviews look kosher.

3. Invitations & Signage

Invitations, save-the-dates, signage, programs, etc., being relatively small and easy to ship, can be sourced from around the country.  While there are some great local shops, you can also find numerous options online, which opens up the market for a wide range of price points.  

New Orleans Vendor Spotlight: D play

I get questions all the time about ceremony music-what instruments should I pick, how many do I need, what goes together? Although I’m a HUGE music fan, and know what I like, I can’t speak very intelligently on what instruments work together, and why.  So, I turned to the experts (and while I was at it, I also got the need-to-know on second lines).

This is the first blogpost in my new wedding planning series: New Orleans Vendor Spotlight.  Featured today is John Hozey of D Play, a full service wedding band in New Orleans. I’ve heard these guys rock a reception, but what you may not know is that they also offer ceremony music and second lines. You can view their website here. 

Ceremony Music Breakdown

To start off, I asked John his favorite ceremony combo.  His response: “An upright bass, piano, and acoustic guitar.”  However, he admits that music is subjective, so his choice is based strictly on what he likes to hear.  He often asks couples whether they want a more “traditional” (i.e. Canon in D, Ode to Joy, etc.), or “contemporary” sound.  Traditional songs work great with a string quartet or trio, typically including a violin, cello, or upright bass, viola, or a classical guitar.  Contemporary song choices lend themselves more towards piano and guitar, sounding great and easily playing songs that weren’t written hundreds of years ago.  An acoustic guitar and/or piano matches well with just about any instrument, including a violin and/or cello.

I also asked John if any one instrument works nicely alone.  “Acoustic guitar, harp, or piano go well by themselves.”  He explained that when looking for a solo instrument, you want an instrument that typically plays chords along with the melody, to make sure the sound is full. 

Lastly, I asked him if anything doesn’t work. “Any time you get great musicians, they can make it sound good. Even If you wanted a tribal ceremony and hire just a hand drum! We’ve done that before. Polynesian style!”

New Orleans Second Lines

I started with the basics, asking John what makes up the foundation of your traditional New Orleans second line.  “It’s so loose but really, you need a sousaphone (tuba), bass drum, snare drum, and trumpet. You can replace the trumpet really with a sax or trombone, but that is the most prevalent in New Orleans second lines.”  As far as add-ons? Go with another trumpet, trombone or sax. 

Is it possible to get a traditional sound with only a four-piece? John prefers more than a four piece- D Play offers a six-piece for their second line.  “The sound I hear from second lines from a melodic perspective is how the horns work together.  They tend to play both with and around each other. So unique.  This can’t happen with one lead horn.” 

Of course, if you want to go all out, add on your dancing man or Indian. “The possibilities are endless. It depends on how involved you want it. Some people want the real deal and a straight up party in the streets!”

Thanks to D Play for helping out with these questions! Stay tuned for more from my New Orleans Vendor Spotlight series!