Southern Bride Magazine

BluOrchid Photography

smeyers — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 18:16:44 +0000

www.BluOrchidPhoto.com

WEDDING COLLECTIONS
In order to offer only the best service to my clients and ensure the utmost quality in our AMAZING albums and finished portraits, I only allow myself to be commissioned for 26 weddings per year. Our collections include a CD with shared copyright release (Digital Negatives), Engagement Session, Family session for Bride and Family session for Groom, Reception cards, and 1 Photographer and an Associate. Most of the studio’s clients rank photography as one of the highest priorities with their wedding and invest between 20-40% of their wedding budget on photography.

901-832-4111

www.BluOrchidPhoto.com

Tara Kettell & Casey Smith – Huntsville, Alabama

Brian — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 18:32:04 +0000

The First Encounter:
Tara Kettell and Casey Smith were co-workers and friends when Tara began teaching fifth grade at the elementary school where Casey was the P.E. teacher. It wasn’t until the Spring semester that the romance between them began to bloom. “I remember one specific day when Casey came in my classroom to help me unpack some computers. Something was different. I had butterflies in my stomach!” Tara recalls, “I wasn’t looking for it, it just happened.” Shortly after that, they started dating. One summer afternoon, when they were both out of school, Tara was cleaning and Casey was out running errands. When Casey came home there was something unusually exuberant in his spirit. Although Tara was slightly suspicious she did not think much more of it. Later that evening when they got home from dinner, there were candles lit and scattered rose petals. Tara caught her breath as Casey knelt down and asked her to be his wife. Of course, she said yes!
In Preparation:
The wedding planning began with a guest list of nearly six hundred in Huntsville, Alabama, the bride’s hometown. Tara commented, “my mom was such a great help; she’s very good with planning.” The couple wanted to have everything in a central location. Thus, the Catholic church
downtown and the nearby Roundhouse were the perfect pairing for the ceremony and reception sites. Tara knew exactly what she was looking for, she dreamt of having a fairy-tale wedding and the dress to match. Although she sampled over 40 dresses, the first one she tried on was the one. It was an Alvina Valenta with slight gathers on an A-line skirt and a sweep train. “I knew it was the dress for me from the moment I
put it on! I fell in love with it!” Tara says. Pink peonies and green hydrangeas decorated the church and looked lovely in centerpieces adorning the ivory and green table linens at the reception. The butterflies that hung alongside Chinese lanterns at the reception were meaningful. Tara
inherited a butterfly ring that had been passed down from her grandmother to her mother then to her. The heirloom gave her the inspiration for her wedding theme.
The Big Day:
Tara reminisces about how special it was for her to see Casey for the first time on their wedding day. “We met before the wedding began and the photographer was able to capture emotions that were just between the two of us. We had a private talk and got rid of all our butterflies.”
The whole day was filled with personal touches. Tara’s uncle married them, while friends and family read sentiments during the ceremony. A trumpeter played “Trumpet Voluntary,” as she walked down the aisle. “It was so beautiful, it gave me chills.” Tara recalls. At the reception, a friend sang Rascal Flatts “Like I Am” for the newlyweds’ first dance. The five-foot cake that stood in the middle of the dance floor had to be moved so the dancing could begin! Their parents surprised the couple and their guests by arranging for Big Al, the mascot for the University of Alabama, to be at the reception. All the guests had shakers and really enjoyed the surprise. At the end of the reception Casey picked up his bride and ran to their get-away car through the crowd of guests celebrating with colored sparklers.
The Retreat:
The honeymooners waited three weeks to leave on their honeymoon to the Royal Resort in Riviera Maya, Mexico; and when they got there, it was everything they’d hoped for. The all-inclusive resort provided them with a large ocean front room along with champagne and cake to greet them when they arrived. The resort pampered them with 24-hour room service, a variety of restaurants and excellent nightly shows. Although it was no laughing matter at the time, Casey lost the camera that held over 450 priceless photos of the couple on their honeymoon. “We never found the camera but it will always be something I remember for years to come; and at least we have each other.” Tara says. Luckily,
a couple they had met and spent some time with on their trip had gotten some great shots of them!
One Tip:
“Keep everything in a binder or organize on a webpage and stay on top of it! You’ll be glad you did in the end!” Tara Smith

Acknowledgements and Special Thanks from the Kettell/Smith Wedding
Wedding Photographer:
Allison Jansen Photography
Huntsville, AL
256.683.4411
www.allisonjansenphotography.com

Ceremony Site:
Saint Mary of the
Visitation Catholic Church
Huntsville, AL
256.536.6349

Reception Site:
Historic Huntsville Depot
Roundhouse
Huntsville, AL
256.564.8106
www.earlyworks.com

Rehearsal Dinner Location:
Embassy Suites Hotel-
Catered by Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse
Huntsville, AL
256.539.7373
www.ruthschris.com

Reception Caterer:
Cyn Shea’s Complete Catering, Inc.
Huntsville, AL
256.882.2837
www.cynsheas.com

Wedding Cake:
Couture Cakes
Huntsville, AL
256.534.6718

Invitations/Programs/Reception Cards/Menus:
Blush Paperie
407.702.4365
www.blushpaperie.com

Florist:
In Bloom Floral Design Studio
Huntsville, AL
256.533.3050/256.519.8898

Décor/Rentals:
Mullins Special Occasions
Huntsville, AL
256.534.5701
www.mullinsrentals.com

Entertainment & Lighting:
Metropolitan DJ Service
Hampton Cove, AL
256.533.6065
www.metropolitandiskjockey.com

Makeup:
D’nani Makeup Studio, LLC
Huntsville, AL
256.489.7798

Guest Accommodations:
Embassy Suites
Huntsville, AL
256.539.7373
www.embassysuiteshuntsville.com

Honeymoon Location:
The Royal Cancun & Playa Del Carmen

Wedding/Engagement Ring:
Sanders Jewelry
Homewood, AL
205.414.8477

Wedding Gown:
Bridals By Lori
Atlanta, GA
404.252.8767
www.bridalsbylori.com

Bridesmaid’s Gowns:
The Something Blue Shoppe
Hartselle, AL
256.773.4956
www.thesomethingblueshop.com

Groom & Groomsmen Attire:
Tuxedo Inn
Gadsden, AL
256.547.5947

Videographer:
Cutting Edge Video Productions
Hartselle, AL
256.797.0320

Trumpeter:
Werner Smock
Huntsville, AL
256.498.2885

Organist:
Marcia Connell
Huntsville, AL
256.881.4781

The bride and groom and/or third party supplied all vendor information to Southern Bride. Southern Bride
cannot take responsibility for misinformation that was provided. This is not a paid advertisement but simply
a courtesy to share as a resource to Southern Bride readers.

Mia Heaston & Dexter Benoit – Memphis, Tennessee

Brian — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 18:13:36 +0000

The First Encounter:
Mia grew up in Covington, Tennessee, and moved to Chicago, Illinois soon after graduating from the University of Memphis. At a networking event after work one day, she couldn’t help but notice the cute guy standing next to her at the bar. “His suit looked great, his teeth were perfect and he was taller than me in heels,” she says. They exchanged business cards, and within five days, had already gone out four times. The couple had been dating for more than two years when Dex asked Mia if she could get off work a little early for a wine tasting at The Tasting Room, where the couple had gone on their first date. “As Dex and I were getting settled at the restaurant, I noticed there were three bottles of wine on the table and each bottle had a customized label,” Mia says. “The first bottle read ‘Looking for Love,’ the second bottle ‘My One and Only Love,’ and the third bottle ‘You for Me.’” After the couple was finished eating, Dex took Mia’s hand and walked her to the huge window in the corner. He told her to close her eyes and when she opened them, there was another bottle of wine in front of her labeled, ‘Spend My Life.’ Dex got down on one knee and proposed. “I almost dropped the bottle of wine, but luckily he grabbed it before it hit the floor,” Mia says.

In Preparation:
Mia knew she wanted to get married in her home state of Tennessee, so after Dex proposed, she started planning a June wedding in Memphis. The couple knew that planning a wedding from 700 miles away would be a challenge, but with the help of wedding planners Jaime Newsom and Michelle Hope from Social Butterflies, they made it happen. The first step for Mia was finding the perfect wedding gown. She spent weeks trying on dozens of dresses, but when she put on the silk Kenneth Pool gown, she knew it was the dress for her. “It had a sweetheart neckline, a beaded dropped torso, embroidered silk duchess satin tails and hundreds of Swarovski crystals,” she says. “It was truly a one of a kind and was the epitome of a dream wedding gown.” Mia also found a gown designed by Tony Bowles to wear at the reception.

The Big Day:
The couple was married at Second Baptist Church in Memphis. For her bridesmaids, Mia chose floor-length fit to flare strapless Jim Hjelm dresses. She gave each of them custom made, cushion cut earrings and drop necklaces. The groom and the groomsmen wore traditional Kenneth Cole tuxedos and Dex gave each groomsmen monogrammed, sterling silver flasks and lighter sets. Dex surprised Mia with a custom-designed ring from a Chicago jeweler. Since Dex and his family are from the Caribbean, the couple wanted to include elements of his heritage. “We decided to have an outdoor Caribbean cocktail hour with a steel band to welcome his family from Trinidad, Aruba, Jamaica, and Grenada before the reception,” Mia says. The reception was held at the Esplanade in Cordova. Guests enjoyed live music by DJ Mark Baker and made party favor photos in a classic photobooth. A beautiful ice sculpture complemented the reception décor. The couple also “jumped the broom,” an African American tradition that symbolizes a new beginning for the newlywed couple.

The Retreat:
The couple honeymooned at Taveuni Palms in Matei, Taveuni in the Fiji Islands. They enjoyed spa services, went kayaking and horseback riding, and snorkeled. “We enjoyed complete relaxation in our luxurious and secluded villa,” Mia says. “It was the best vacation ever!”

One Tip:
“Being stressed while planning you wedding is expected. Being stressed on your wedding day is unacceptable. Don’t let anyone steal your joy on your special day. Have as much fun as humanly possible and don’t sweat the small stuff.”

Acknowledgements and Special Thanks from the Heaston/Benoit Wedding
Ceremony Site:
Second Baptist Church
Memphis, TN
www.2ndmemphis.org

Wedding Photographer:
Ramblin’ Rose Photography
Kim Miller
Bartlett, TN
901.230.8872
www.ramblinrosephotography.com

Florist:
L & J Productions
Memphis, TN
901.763.2205

Reception Site:
The Esplanade
Cordova, TN
901.753.3333
www.esplanadememphis.com

Wedding Cake & Groom’s Cake:
Cakes by Mom and Me
West Memphis, AR
870.735.4646
www.cakesbymomandme.com

Rehearsal Dinner:
The Balinese Ballroom
Memphis, TN
901.522.1144
www.balineseballroom.com

Transportation:
Cline Tours
Memphis, TN
901.767.3441
www.clinetours.com

Wedding Planner:
Social Butterflies
Jaime Newsom & Michelle Hope
Memphis, TN
901.828.9321
www.sb-events.com

Favors:
The Classic Photobooth
Atlanta, GA
877.45.BOOTH
404.441.5590
www.theclassicphotobooth.com

Wedding Gown:
Priscilla of Boston Custom
Kenneth Pool Platinum
Collection Gown
630.833.5000
www.priscillaofboston.com

Bridesmaid Gowns:
Jim Hjelm Gowns
Eva’s Bridal Salon
708.422.5599
www.evasbridalofoaklawn.com

Tuxedo:
Men’s Wearhouse
Memphis, TN
901.372.9558

String Trio for Wedding Ceremony:
Beth Luscombe String Trio
Memphis, TN
901.377.7805
www.ramentertainment.com

Videographer:
Creation Studios
Donny Granger
Memphis, TN
901.283.3902
www.creationstudiosgallery.com

Live Sax and DJ Services:
DJ Mark Baker
Memphis, TN
901.650.2579
www.markbakersax.com

Reception Décor Rentals:
Classic Party Rentals
Memphis, TN
901.366.0670
www.classicpartyrentals.com

Groom’s Cigar Bar:
Wrapture Cigars
Nashville, TN
615.586.2784
www.wrapturecigars.com

Ice Sculpture:
Premier Ice
Memphis, TN
901.870.5582
www.premiericesculptures.com

Wedding Transportation for the Bride & Groom:
Limo Express
Memphis, TN
901.566.5594
www.limoexpressinc.com

Guest Accommodations:
The Westin Hotel
Memphis, TN
901.334.5900
www.westin.com/bealestreet

Wedding & Engagement Ring:
M. Geller
Chicago, IL
312.984.1041
www.mgellerdiamonds.com

Mother of the Bride Attire:
David’s Bridal
Memphis, TN
901.377.1786
www.davidsbridal.com

Honeymoon Location:
Taveuni Palms
Matei, Taveuni, Fiji
1.888.DIVE.FIJI
www.taveunipalms.com

The bride and groom and/or third party supplied all vendor information to Southern Bride. Southern Bride
cannot take responsibility for misinformation that was provided. This is not a paid advertisement but simply
a courtesy to share as a resource to Southern Bride readers.

Laura Lemmons & Ryan Stephens – Memphis, Tennessee

Brian — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 18:12:50 +0000

The First Encounter:
Laura and Ryan met at a club softball game in college. “Ryan was playing softball and Andy; a friend of mine, was holding Ryan’s keys for him,” Laura says. “I needed to borrow a car to drive back to the dorm to pick up a friend and Andy handed me Ryan’s keys.” Laura thought it was funny that Ryan’s 1993 brown Toyota Corolla was named “the trout.” When she got into the car, “The Joker” by the Steve Miller Band came on and she immediately thought that she and Ryan could be good friends. “After the softball game, I introduced myself to him and commented on his choice of music,” she says. “We have been friends ever since.”
In Preparation:
Laura and Ryan wanted a small, personal wedding that was different from any other wedding they had seen. They also wanted to focus on making the event enjoyable for their family and friends. The couple chose fall colors for their color scheme, but Laura left the details of her wedding to her florist and wedding planner. “I know the florist and the decorator/planner very well and I just told them to make it unique and be creative,” Laura says. “I trusted their creativity and talent and knew that they knew me and my style. We were pretty laid back with the menu as well.” “The only detail I cared about for my invitations was that they were made from recycled material,” she says. “I saw an ad for Oblation Papers and Press in a magazine, found out that they used recycled paper, and went with a simple green leaf invitation for them.” Laura let her bridesmaids choose their own dresses, in a green color. The groomsmen wore tan suits with green ties. Laura’s mother recommended FrozenZen for the wedding photographer. “Throughout the whole planning process, I told people that I had no expectations or visions of my wedding day, because when it comes I will be surprised and love it all without having pictures in my head of what I think it should look like,” Laura says. “That was the best feeling of all.”
The Big Day:
Some of the highlights of the day for Laura include seeing her grandfather with the biggest smile on his face, praying with her bridesmaids, mother and grandmother before the ceremony, walking into the ceremony room and seeing the room decorated beautifully, and seeing Ryan’s face when he turned around to look at her for the first time that day. Laura and her mother wore her great-grandmother’s jewelry and Laura held her great-grandmother’s hankie around her bouquet. The couple was married by their college microbiology teacher. “He is one of the sweetest men I have ever met in my life,” Laura says. All four of Laura’s grandparents were at the wedding, as well as lots of family and friends.
At the reception, Laura and Ryan danced the night away with family and friends to the big folk/bluegrass band called the Shake ‘Em Ups from Austin, Texas. The couple decided to have mini pies and favorite family desserts instead of a wedding cake. Laura says other brides told her she might not remember a lot about her big day, so she made a point to live in every moment and make mental pictures of the people, the decorations, the food, the weather, the music, and how she felt about it all. “Until I have kids, I think that my wedding day will be the most vivid memory I have,” she says.
The Retreat:
“After a year of a long distance engagement and working 12 hours days, it was so nice to be alone and have no schedule for a week,” Laura says. The day after their wedding, the couple headed for St. Lucia and Sandals Halcyon Beach St. Lucia an all-inclusive resort. “We laid on the beach until the sun went down, we ate whenever we wanted to, we slept in and had breakfast in bed brought to us on Christmas morning, we zip-lined through the rainforest, we swam in the ocean, and we were together with no one else,” Laura says.
One Tip:
“Keep it simple, be creative, and make it personal to you and your mate!”

Acknowledgements and Special Thanks from the Lemmons/Stephens Wedding
Ceremony Site:
Hillwood at Davies Plantation
Memphis, TN
901.386.0715
www.daviesmanorplantation.org

Wedding Photographer:
FrozenZen Photograpy
Memphis, TN
901.309.5700
Jackson, TN
731.410.6966
www.frozenzen.com

Florist:
Kathie Ray
Memphis, TN
901.490.3191
www.gatheringsflowers.com

Wedding/Engagement Ring:
Elliott’s Jewelry
Mobile, AL
251.344.0072
www.elliottsjewelry.com

Caterer:
Draper’s Catering
Memphis, TN
901.385.7788
www.draperscatering.com

Musicians / Entertainment:
The Shake Em Ups
Austin, TX
304.685.4160
www.myspace.com/shakeemups

Rehearsal Dinner:
The Butcher Shop
Cordova, TN
901.757.4244
www.thebutchershop.com

Invitations:
The Stovall Collection
Memphis, TN
901.767.8808
www.stovallcollection.com

Wedding Gown:
All About Weddings
Germantown, TN
901.755.1358

Wedding Planner:
Amy Turman
901.826.2042

Tuxedos:
S & K Menswear
Memphis, TN
901.682.1693
www.skmenswear.com

Travel Agent:
Springdale Travel
Mobile, AL
251.476.5095
www.springdaletravel.com

Honeymoon Resort:
Sandals Halcyon Beach St. Lucia
St. Lucia, Caribbean
888.SANDALS
www.sandals.com

The bride and groom and/or third party supplied all vendor information to Southern Bride. Southern Bride
cannot take responsibility for misinformation that was provided. This is not a paid advertisement but
simply a courtesy to share as a resource to Southern Bride readers.

Boardwalk Beach Resort

Brian — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 21:50:24 +0000

9600 South Thomas Drive
Panama City, FL 32408
850-230-4620 / 800-224-GULF
www.boardwalkbeachresort.com

Hotel Monteleone

smeyers — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 21:50:14 +0000

214 Royal Street

New Orleans, LA 70130

504-523-3341

866-338-4684

www.hotelmontelone.com

I Do! I Do! Wedding Planning & Consulting

Brian — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 21:49:42 +0000

Birmingham, AL
205-837-8869
www.idoidoweddingplanning.com

Marriott Grand Hotel Point Clear Resort & Spa

smeyers — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 21:49:36 +0000

One Grand Boulevard

Point Clear, Alabama 36564

251-928-9201

800-544-9933

www.marriottgrand.com

PCH Resorts

Brian — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 21:48:57 +0000

Battle House
Tower 11 North Water Street, 8th Floor
Mobile, AL 36602
251-338-5615
www.pchresorts.com

Springdale Travel

Brian — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 21:47:44 +0000

1087 Downtowner Boulevard, Suite 500
Mobile, AL 36609
251-476-5095 / 800-874-0550
www.springdaletravel.com

Southern Bride Magazine

BluOrchid Photography

Tara Kettell & Casey Smith – Huntsville, Alabama

The bride and groom and/or third party supplied all vendor information to Southern Bride. Southern Bride cannot take responsibility for misinformation that was provided. This is not a paid advertisement but simply a courtesy to share as a resource to Southern Bride readers.

Mia Heaston & Dexter Benoit – Memphis, Tennessee

The bride and groom and/or third party supplied all vendor information to Southern Bride. Southern Bride cannot take responsibility for misinformation that was provided. This is not a paid advertisement but simply a courtesy to share as a resource to Southern Bride readers.

Laura Lemmons & Ryan Stephens – Memphis, Tennessee

The bride and groom and/or third party supplied all vendor information to Southern Bride. Southern Bride cannot take responsibility for misinformation that was provided. This is not a paid advertisement but simply a courtesy to share as a resource to Southern Bride readers.

Boardwalk Beach Resort

Hotel Monteleone

I Do! I Do! Wedding Planning & Consulting

Marriott Grand Hotel Point Clear Resort & Spa

PCH Resorts

Springdale Travel

The bride and groom and/or third party supplied all vendor information to Southern Bride. Southern Bride
cannot take responsibility for misinformation that was provided. This is not a paid advertisement but simply
a courtesy to share as a resource to Southern Bride readers.

The bride and groom and/or third party supplied all vendor information to Southern Bride. Southern Bride
cannot take responsibility for misinformation that was provided. This is not a paid advertisement but simply
a courtesy to share as a resource to Southern Bride readers.

The bride and groom and/or third party supplied all vendor information to Southern Bride. Southern Bride
cannot take responsibility for misinformation that was provided. This is not a paid advertisement but
simply a courtesy to share as a resource to Southern Bride readers.