Tips for Making the Most of Your Wedding Floral Budget

October 18, 2017 · Leave a Comment

We Used the Same Florals to Create 4 Different Looks

When it comes to a wedding floral budget, most brides have preconceived ideas because they really don’t know what is in season and how much different flowers cost. When doing your research and searching for inspiration, you will likely find that the blooms you love most are either out of season or beyond your floral budget. And if you have peony tastes on a rose budget, that’s okay! This just means it will require some imagination to achieve the look you’re going for while staying within your budget and seasonal restraints.

Our North Georgia vintage venue teamed up with Sarah Bush Designs to show brides how they can achieve various looks within one budget, all while using the same flowers and greenery.

Tips for Making the Most of Your Wedding Floral Budget:

1. Familiarize yourself with similar swaps

Peonies are one of the most sought after flowers, but they are seasonal – much like everything else. Before you write off roses, consider the fact that because they are almost always in season, the price tag won’t be as high. Plus, there are options like the cabbage rose that offer a similar look. Sarah also loves to substitute Juliet roses for peonies, noting, “I recently had a bride who didn’t have the budget for peonies, and we were able to sub in Juliet roses to achieve her vision of soft delicate flowers throughout her bouquet. The prices of roses vary depending on the type and availability throughout the year, but they’re a great flower to start your wedding florals with.

When working with greenery, Sarah says, “I’m almost always able to find eucalyptus and deep greens to design with. I’ll occasionally run through a farmers market and grab kale, rosemary and jasmine. You’d be surprised where some of your wedding florals will come from!”

2. Opt for a few of your favorite blooms, combined with more budget-friendly options

If substituting your favorite flower simply isn’t an option, consider adding in subtle touches of what you really want (like a few peonies) with other staples or budget-friendly flowers so that you can achieve the look you want without blowing your floral budget.

“On of my favorite ways to wow on a budget is by using garlands,” Sarah shares. “Garlands are a little more time consuming, but they make a lovely statement and are a great building block for your wedding. By using a garland as your centerpiece, I’m able to stretch your desired flower further by interlacing it within the garland and having it be more of a focal flower than a flower within an arrangement. I advise all of my brides that garlands will not only wow your guests, but are a great way to save in your budget!”

3. Using neutrals as the base, with pops of color for wow-factor

This shoot was all about adding to the linens and playing up the colors of each tablescape. Think about your color palette and which color you want to really shine. Using a neutral palette to make a certain color pop is a beautiful way to bring a crisp finish to the setting. Below, Sarah elaborates on how she was able to do this.

Using the Same Florals to Create 4 Different Looks:

First, I used a lot of greenery and neutral flowers to accent each table setting. From there, it was picking one flower with a deeper tone to bring out the colors and vibrancy of the setting. For the teal setting, the simple white and ivory neutrals of the hydrangeas allowed some soft blues to shine through and keep the focus on the table. The arrangement didn’t overwhelm the tablescape, but still served as a nice focal point for the eyes.

For the blush setting, it was all about letting the garland do the work and building a blush and jewel tone centerpiece within the garland. This allowed the golden tones of the vintage china to shine through and achieve a very elegant and luxe feel to the design. Using simple spray roses and eucalyptus around the backs of the chairs brought the focus not just to the garland, but to the whole design around the table from front to back.

For the jewel tone setting, an arrangement with asymmetry and neutrals with a deep plum tone made the blues of the table setting really pop against the purple of the linen.

This same arrangement was transferred to a neutral table, and instead of pulling a certain color out of the pallet, it enhanced the crisp tones of the lace and gold silverware.

One last tip! Use the recipe of “thrillers, spillers and fillers.” By using several types of fillers and spillers to create a base and shape for the arrangement, you can bring in a few types of thriller flowers (peonies, orchids, the “wow” flowers) to create a beautiful arrangement with a great deal of variety!

Photography + Florals: Sarah Bush Designs

Linens: Graceful Tables

Vintage China: Vision Expressions

Styling + Props: Twigs and Lace

How To Ensure You Get The Wedding Photos of Your Dreams | Carrie Reagan Photography

September 20, 2017 · Leave a Comment

At our vintage industrial + parlor venue, we know that every bride wants gorgeous wedding photos! And we want them to love every single photo! After the wedding, all the couple is left with (beyond wonderful memories) are their amazing wedding photos. Our dear vendor friend Carrie, of Carrie Reagan Photography, is sharing a few tips to ensure you get the wedding photos of your dreams!

Communicate with your photographer.

While every photographer has their own style, the ultimate goal is to beautifully capture your wedding day and get all the shots that you envisioned! Don’t be afraid to tell your photographer if there’s a special shot or idea that you want. After all, this is all for you to remember your special day! If you’re on Pinterest (and who isn’t?), share your wedding board with your photographer. Even if you don’t have a “must take” photo list of images, this will help give your photographer insight into your wedding style!

Details, Details, Details.

You’ve spent months planning and preparing every little detail of this day. You put thought into every little decision, from your shoes to the invitation. So why not have beautiful photos of these details? Finishing touches like writing your vows on pretty card stock instead of on crumpled notebook paper really makes a difference. Another quick tip, make sure simple things like clothing and shoe boxes aren’t scattered over the dressing room for the getting ready photos.

First look photos.

Whether you are a traditional or modern bride, first look photos are always a great idea. It’s no longer considered bad luck to see each other before you walk down the aisle, and there are pretty big perks that go with it. It gives you a chance to have a private moment before the ceremony that can ease your nerves. Plus, it gives you more time for your wedding photos, allowing you to enjoy your ceremony and reception and ensuring you get all the photos you want!

Pre-ceremony photos.

If you decide to not do first look photos, know that the bulk of your styled photos can be taken before the ceremony. Aside from the getting ready photos, it’s nice to get as many photos as time allows before your ceremony. You will be thankful you did! Taking photos of bridesmaids, groomsmen, and any family portraits before the ceremony leave you more time to actually enjoy the day you’ve spent so much time planning for. Make sure to plan your time accordingly. Leave yourself some time for touch-ups before the ceremony.

Short on time?

If your photography contract doesn’t include coverage for your entire day, make sure you make the most of it. Chances are your photographer will be there for at least a portion of your reception. Speak to your coordinator or DJ and have all the main events of your reception scheduled within the first hour. While most couples go into the first dance after they are announced at the reception, you can follow this with special dances, toasts and cake cutting. This way you + your guests are free to party the night away without strict timelines. It’s also not uncommon to do a photo send-off well before the night is over. It’s a great way to get the most out of your wedding photographer and capture all the big moments from your day.

As a North Georgia venue, the beautiful scenery always makes for some amazing photo opportunities. We cannot get enough of gorgeous wedding photos, and we love to see couples swooning over the photos from their special day! Photographers, do you have any tips for getting the wedding photos of your dreams?

All photos by Carrie Reagan Photography

To the Mother of the Bride | Cherishing Each Step

June 28, 2017 · Leave a Comment

Mother of Bride. It isn’t a coincidence that the acronym for these three words is MOB.

I think it is safe to assume that at least one time during your daughter’s wedding planning, a MOB scene will develop. That’s where you, your “bride,” and possibly the bridesmaids will come to tears over certain details. Planning a wedding is time consuming and can be stressful. Here at The Corner District, we understand that there will be differences in opinions on various wedding details. But even moreso, we believe that a wedding should be a time where a mother + daughter are able to cherish a sweet and exciting journey.

To the mother of the bride,

Be there for your daughter in this process. Help her when she needs it and love + support her unconditionally. But remember, this is her and her fiancee’s wedding. Even when you have differing ideas or opinions, make sure to cherish each step, making this sweet time as memorable as possible.

It’s important to remember that even if you are paying for the dress, it is still her dress. Your daughter will fall in love with her dream dress once in a lifetime, and having your support behind her will mean the world to her.

It doesn’t matter if you are paying for the food, it is their food. The couple works hard to make decisions that will fulfill their wedding vision. Little details from signature drinks to unique food stations like popcorn bars, your daughter will be making decisions to help her dream day come alive.

Sure, your saged advice is seasoned with experience and can be helpful, but that doesn’t mean it’s timeless. Mothers, things have changed since we planned our weddings. Let your daughter take the reins and just enjoy getting to be a part of the her day. Be supportive and helpful, but let things happen on her timeline. When she needs your help, you will know it.

Although you might be anxious to run out and buy your MOB dress, let the bride pick her venue and her dress first. Colors, flowers and overall decor will change several times throughout the process. Part of the fun of planning a wedding is taking each of these steps one at a time and cherishing the journey.

It will be over way too fast, so make sure it is a pleasant experience and include only those that will make it so. No need to invite the entire wedding party and groom’s family to join in wedding dress shopping. They aren’t buying or wearing the gown so do we really care what they think? Maybe, but try to include them in something less stressful, like a reveal after the purchase of the gown.

So many “traditional” aspects of the planning process are now passe and for a good reason. Each task, when checked off the list, should be done with a smile and a sense of one step closer to an amazing day that isn’t about the “show” but about the love and commitment that is signified with the wedding. After all, that is what we are here for.

Sincerely,

A 2x mother-of-the-bride + wedding professional

Mothers of the bride, what was your favorite part about helping with your daughter’s wedding? What tips do you have for a new MOB? We’d love to hear!

Understanding Florist Pricing + Unexpected Costs | A Delicate Petal

May 31, 2017 · Leave a Comment

At our vintage wedding venue, we know that the florals you choose for your wedding day will be one of most important details for fulfilling your wedding vision! From the centerpieces to the bouquets, your floral arrangements can tie your wedding together and express your unique style as a couple. To make sure you choose your dream flowers, it is important to ask your florist lots of questions, especially about florist pricing.

One important question for brides and their families to ask for is a pricing lists from their floral vendors. However, they often grow frustrated with the lack of information provided, not realizing that each flower costs a completely different price. Today, our dear friend Melissa at A Delicate Petal is sharing how to better understand florist pricing!

Photo: Carrie Reagan Photography

Understanding Florist Pricing + Unexpected Costs with A Delicate Petal

At A Delicate Petal, we pride ourselves on flexibility with our ‘packages!’ Each couple’s wedding is completely their own! Due to our specialized design for each bride, we do not offer a price list. A Delicate Petal works hard to build our bride’s DREAM wedding- including all of the different flowers she could ever dream of!

When considering a florist, make sure you look into how much they require as a deposit and what extra ‘fees’ they have. Florists can charge fees for everything from cancellation costs to breakdown labor. Make sure to ask about pricing for things like editing quotes, rental fees, and delivery costs. Here at A Delicate Petal, we’re pretty straight forward. It’s $100 to hold your date and time. The only other ‘fees’ that we charge are vase rental and delivery. No catches!

Many brides try to save money by decorating with smaller floral arrangements displayed in water décor, such as floating candles. However, submerged florals can often be labor intensive and require water being transported during the wedding. Florists sometimes charge fees for these services. Another unexpected cost can come from small, bud vases. These arrangements often take extra planning and organizing and can raise costs.

Sometimes brides will also choose many small décor pieces to display on a table, especially a longer farm table. Again, these types of florals can add up due to the extra planning required and vase rentals.

Brides, as you start looking for your which flowers and floral vendors to use, make sure to consider all the costs your florist might charge. Thinking about the possible unexpected costs can help you save money and get your dream flowers without blowing your budget!

Brides, what unexpected costs did you see from florists? We’d love to hear!

A Short Wedding Dress Might Just Be the Perfect Dress For You | Carrie’s Bridal Collection

April 26, 2017 · Leave a Comment

First comes love, then comes the ring, then comes your first thought after… the dress. The venue + setting of your wedding can affect the style of dress you may choose; however, your personal style should shine through above all. One new trend that we love seeing is a short wedding dress.

Whereas in the past, long, traditional wedding dresses were expected, more and more brides are getting creative with their dress choices and showing off their own personality + style! If you’re thinking about going short, our friend Carrie of Carrie’s Bridal Collection is here to share five reasons why you should ABSOLUTELY do that!

Photo: Kelly Anne Photography

Comfort. First and foremost, a short wedding dress is going to be an ease to wear. No heavy all-day gown, no train to carry around, no bustle to fasten. Having a short dress helps relieve the stress of making sure all these characteristics of a long dress don’t make the bride uncomfortable throughout the night. This style is for the bride who wants to enjoy the day and easily dance the night away.

Ease of Travel. Traveling with your short wedding dress after the wedding or trying to find arrangements to have someone hold onto your dress can be such a hassle. This is often an unexpected inconvenience that many brides do not prepare for prior to the honeymoon. Short dresses are easy to travel with as they can fit into normal luggage or garment bags. They are a breeze when transporting to your venue or destination wedding.

Less Expensive. Shorter gowns will be naturally less expensive than longer gowns. So, this will save money and may allow for more detail! Alterations, under garments, and detailing are small fees that can add up quickly. A less expensive dress will help ensure that there’s money in the budget to make sure that all aspects of the dress are perfect for you!

Better Shoes. With a long gown, shoes are rarely seen. Think about the stunning shoes you can pair with your short wedding dress. And with the money you save on the dress itself, your shoes can really pop. This small touch can add so much personality to your wedding + make for some adorable photos!

Versatility + wearability. Short dresses can be worn in a variety of venues. Ranging from Church to City Hall, a beach to a garden. Because short dresses are so versatile, brides can make them as dressy or casual as they want to fit their wedding vision—it’s completely up to them! Accessories from shoes to jewelry to headpieces not only add a personal touch, but also help set the tone for the wedding style. When dressed down, they are the perfect dress to wear again. We love the idea of dressing it down with a blazer for an anniversary photo shoot.

There are many decisions you will make on your wedding planning journey. Stay true to yourself and wear something you love! Your dress may be short on length, but it doesn’t have to be short on style! We traditionally think that wedding dresses should be long, but some of our style icons of today even wore short wedding dresses and they were fabulous!

Brides, did you wear a short dress for your wedding? We’d love to hear why you chose it!

Four Unexpected Vendor Costs + How To Avoid Them

February 22, 2017 · Leave a Comment

Small, unexpected vendor costs from the cake-cutting fee to extra edits can add up quickly and set you over your budget. At our North Georgia vintage venue, we love when our brides get creative with our industrial space. Each vendor helps bring your wedding vision to life so it’s so important to make sure you get the details from them so you can stay within your budget. We’re sharing 4 unexpected vendor costs below!

Photo Credit: Kelly Anne Photography

Unexpected Vendor Costs + How To Avoid Them

The caterer. As an incentive for brides to order their cake in-house, some venues will charge unexpected vendor costs, such as a cake cutting fee. These charges can range anywhere from $1.25 to $1.75 per slice. This fee essentially covers the cost for the venue to cut and serve your guests. Check to see if the venue has a preferred vendor list to help reduce this cost. Brides can also get creative with their dessert choices, such as pie bars + cupcakes, to avoid the cake cutting fee. At our blank canvas venue, we include the cake in the package– that way our couples get special pricing right off the bat!

Often, venues will require a minimum of foods + beverages to host your event in their space. If these costs are not accounted for, you won’t be able to accurately create a budget and it could set you over your catering budget. To avoid this, make sure you talk with your venue to see if there is any food + beverage minimums or any other catering fees they might charge.

The bridal store. After falling in love with the dress of your dreams that falls right in your budget, you may be surprised when you end up spending more than the price tag lists. Often times, with the dress price comes alteration fees + the cost of undergarments. These fees can add up and put you over your budget if you don’t account for them when making your budget. You can avoid these fees by buying a dress with built-in garments or off-the-rack.

The photographer. Another place couples can find unexpected wedding costs are from their photographer. Make sure to ask those you’re considering as photographer if they charge any extra fees for editing additional images, receiving all photos, or getting them in multiple formats. It’s important to account for these costs when looking at your budget for photography.

Don’t forget about the venue!

The venue. Always ask to see the venue’s preferred vendor list, even if you already have an idea of which vendors you would like to use. Not only is it great to consider preferred vendors because they already have relationships with the venue, but unexpected cost can arise if the venue charges a fee for not using a preferred vendor from their list. At The Corner District, we love to help the budget-savvy bride, that’s why we don’t have any fees for not using our preferred vendors.

At The Corner District, one of our favorite parts of the wedding planning process at our North Georgia wedding venue is getting to help our couples pick the perfect vendors to bring their vision to life! Because of the relationship with our preferred vendors, we have negotiated lower costs for some packages. We have negotiated packages with vendors including DJ, some florals, and catering.

Brides, did you face any other unexpected costs, and how did you avoid or deal with them? We’d love to hear from you!

4 Benefits of a Simply Styled Pop Up Wedding at The Corner District

November 16, 2016 · 1 Comment

At The Corner District’s vintage warehouse and parlor wedding venue, we know that weddings come in all styles and sizes! Every couple and every wedding is different, and we love when we get the opportunity to serve brides and grooms whose Atlanta wedding vision might not fit the traditional wedding scene. That is why we have created the Pop Up Wedding Package at The Corner District! We’re sharing four benefits of the Pop Up Weddings Package at our North Georgia wedding venue.

Photo: Carrie Reagan Photography

Benefits of The Corner District Pop Up Weddings

Intimacy. The Pop Up Wedding Package at our Georgia wedding venue was created to celebrate marriage in its truest, most imitate form! We know that not every bride + groom want a large number of guests at their wedding, and that’s why we like to think of our Pop Up Weddings as a fancy elopement package for our couples. Surrounded by 20 of your closest friends + family, you and your significant other will be able to celebrate your love and marriage in an intimate way with those you feel closest to. Our Pop Up Weddings allow you to have more one-on-one time with your guests + personally thank your friends and family for helping celebrate your special day.
Style. These Pop Up Weddings at our eclectic venue are not just on a smaller, more intimate scale, but these weddings are also styled to fit the individual couple. These weddings are highly styled to capture the essence of the couple + their love. At our blank canvas venue, we highly value creativity! We know that every couple + every love story is unique. We work with you to make sure that your Pop Up Wedding uniquely captures your style. As you decide what the most important elements of your wedding are, we work with you to make sure that your intimate celebration fulfills your wedding vision!
Amazing photos. Just like at every wedding, the bride + groom will want priceless photos to remember their highly styled and intimate Pop Up Wedding! That’s why we have included wedding photography in our Simply Styled Pop Up Wedding Package. Carrie Reagan Photography will spend the day capturing your wedding as it unfolds, preserving the true moments that happen spontaneously. At such an intimate + beautiful celebration, these special and spontaneous moments are sure to happen!
Budget-friendly. Our Simply Styled Pop Up Weddings are perfect for the budget-conscious bride + groom! As a part of your fancy elopement package, we deliver your unique wedding vision in a big way, but on a smaller scale. You decide what the most important aspects of your day are – and we’ll bring the party to you! We are passionate about offering affordable weddings for those who may not have been ordinarily able to afford all the traditional wedding costs.

At our North Georgia wedding venue, we want to create a wedding that celebrates our bride + groom in the way that best fits their wedding vision! Our Simply Styled Pop Up Weddings Package is perfect for brides + grooms looking to uniquely celebrate their special day! Inquire here for more details and pricing information.

Bridal Brunches Now Available at The Corner District

August 5, 2016 · Leave a Comment

Wedding planning can undoubtably be stressful at times. Take a break and spend time with your girls relaxing in style at our North Georgia wedding planning space, Studio 290. Located right next door to The Corner District, this space is perfect for getting ready on your wedding day, taking beautiful portraits with natural light, or for enjoying an intimate event with your bridesmaids leading up to your wedding! Our team of North Georgia wedding vendors would love to treat you during this most special time by helping you host a Bridal Brunch at The Corner District.

Whether your wedding is next month or next year, our bridal brunches are available to all The Corner District’s booked and new brides. Simply contact us to ask about adding the Bridal Brunch option onto your wedding package. We will customize a Bridal Brunch (or lunch) menu for you and your bridesmaids + besties, including heavy appetizers, desserts, drink stations or a signature drink. The result is a highly-styled event (like the above) that reflects your bridal style with decor, props, china and more.

This option is also available for bridal showers, bridesmaids luncheons, and any other intimate bridal events! We have even hosted spa showers for an even more relaxing and luxurious experience. Whatever your vision, we can help bring it to life with a custom Bridal Brunch.

Call 770-862-3537 or email us at info@thecornerdistrict.com for more information and pricing options! We can’t wait to celebrate this most special time with you. Happy wedding planning, friends!

4 Creative Catering Ideas for your North Georgia Wedding

July 1, 2016 · 3 Comments

We love when brides come to our blank canvas North Georgia wedding venue with a wedding vision in mind that captures their unique style! So much goes into bringing a wedding vision to life, so it’s beautiful when each element of the wedding truly celebrates the bride + groom’s personalities! That even includes the food and how it’s displayed at the wedding reception. Today we’re sharing some of our favorite ways that brides have used unique dishes + displays to complement their wedding vision and make their wedding stand out!

Photo: Kelly Anne Photography | Styling: Twigs and Lace Event Design | As seen on The Celebration Society

Dessert stations: Dessert stations allow for a variety of choices and flavors that your guests are sure to love! Although we absolutely love wedding cakes, not limiting yourself to just one dessert allows you to choose several individual desserts that combine the personalities and style of the bride and groom. Every dessert chosen – from macaroons to cake pops to donuts, helps celebrate the couple! Not only does everyone love a variety of desserts to indulge in, but dessert stations can be decorated to fully encompass your wedding vision. The table itself acts as another décor piece of your wedding!

Photo: Sarah Bush Designs | Styling: Twigs and Lace Event Design

Popcorn bar: Popcorn bars are the perfect way to add salty snacks into the wedding mix at our charming vintage Georgia wedding venue! Your guests will love getting to personalize their food as they add toppings + seasonings to make it just right for them. You can even add chocolate and candy toppings to please your sweet-tooth guests. Popcorn bars are a cute way to get your guests involved with this simple, fun activity!

Photo: Kelly Anne Photography | Food Truck: Scott Boys BBQ

Food trucks: Food trucks are a fun, unique and currently super trendy way to have your wedding food fit your theme! From Mexican to Italian to American, there’s a food truck for every type of cuisine that your guests are sure to devour. They are especially great for brides going for a more casual, laid back party feel! Plus, the variety of food trucks offer meal options that might not be offered by the traditional wedding caterer. Another benefit of food trucks is that they can also be budget friendly for the savings conscious bride.

Photo: Kelly Anne Photography | Styling: Twigs and Lace Event Design | As seen on The Celebration Society

Pie bar: At our rustic + eclectic Atlanta area wedding venue, we love to see pie bars that mix a variety of flavors in such an elegant way! The different types of pies chosen can be used to complement a variety of wedding visions, from a warm traditional feel to an elegant, chic vision. Pie bars are especially good for helping capture wedding visions at holiday weddings! From pumpkin pie to eggnog pie, your guests will love your desserts that will complete your holiday wedding style.

Our favorite part about each of these food displays is that no two will be the same! At our eclectic venue, we value creativity + uniqueness. We think it’s so important that each couple feels that every aspect of their wedding, including the food, helped celebrate them as a one-of-a-kind couple! Weddings are personal and will differ from couple to couple, and that’s what we love about them. We hope these food displays will give you some creative inspiration as you consider how you want to capture your own style for the big day!

Wedding Hydration Stations + Infused Water Recipes

June 3, 2016 · 1 Comment

Summer weddings at The Corner District are perfect for dancing the night away and mingling under a canopy of string lights in and around our antique warehouse. As you and your guests enjoy celebrating your special day, it’s important to stay hydrated during the festivities (especially if alcohol will be served). Make sure to provide for you + your guests so that you have the wedding of your dreams. Hydration stations are perfect for offering your guests easily accessible refreshments and can be elegantly decorated to complement your wedding style at our rustic venue!

Infused waters can spice up not only your hydration stations, but your wedding as well. Your guests will love the flavorful and beautiful fruit combinations! We’re sharing four infused water recipes that are sure to be a hit at your unique and eclectic North Georgia wedding! Each recipe makes one gallon and remember adding ice will increase the volume as it melts during your event.

Berry, Peach + Coconut

1 cup blueberries

1 cup blackberries

2 peaches, pitted and cut into half-inch wedges

6 cups spring or filtered water

2 cups unsweetened coconut water

Raspberry Lemon

2 cups raspberries

8 cups spring or filtered water

1 large lemon, cut into half-inch slices

2 dried Medjool dates

Orange, Strawberry + Mint

1/4 cup fresh mint leaves

1/2 cup strawberries, sliced

1/2 orange, sliced into thin slices

16 ounces spring or filtered water

Brides and grooms – or caterers – do have any tips for hydration stations or did you use them to decorate your own Atlanta outdoor wedding? We would love to hear!

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