It’s time for another question answered by Wedding Industry Experts! The question this week was “What is the most unexpected thing that has happened on the day of a client’s wedding?”

Read their answers on the Wedding Industry Experts website!

Yet another BEAUTIFUL couple was blogged about! Jenifer and Jonathan private home wedding, featured on The Wedding Wire Blog, is giving Tennessee a name in the wedding industry!

Matt Andrews has been awesome about getting his work published! Sara and Kyle’s wedding was published again!! This time in Aphrodite’s Wedding Blog!

Every week, Wedding Industry Experts asks planning professionals a question about their business techniques and strategies. It is an excellent way of educating both the public and those interested in starting a career in the event industry. This week’s question was “What do you do to prepare for a first meeting with a client?” Check out my response, as well as many other professionals here!!

Check out these beautiful pictures by Matt Andrews featured in Rock the Aisle AND Ashley’s Bride Guide! I’m so glad Chef’s Market got recognized for their delicious food!!

A few weeks ago, I was given the honor of going to beautiful Italy! I was wined and dined by Portofino’s finest hotels and restaurants, while learning more and more about European destination weddings!

The Destination Wedding Conference was made possible by Cinza and Alice with Sposiamo Vi. Their aim was to show the unique personalities of each venue, allowing the planners’ imaginations to run wild. By visiting the venues and meeting the vendors, planners could develop accurate recommendations for future destination brides.

Properties:

Marina di Loano- Not your typical boating marina, this port also has the Bfly club with luxurious amenities and a variety of beautiful locations to hold a wedding. Whether by the cabana lined beach or in the yacht club, you do not need a membership to take advantage of these outstanding venues. Clean lines and furnishings provide guests a relaxing resort-like experience.

Castello Il Palagio- A medieval castle dating back to 1200, this historic house can be rented for any kind of event. Situated amongst the endless vineyards and olive groves of the Chianti region, the villa is an Italian escape. The beautiful scenery serves as the dream background for romantic wedding events and photographs. Imagine telling all of your friends you were married in an Italian castle!

Signora del Vento- How would you like to get married on the open sea? Here is your chance! This magnificent ship has the finest chef and most spacious accommodation on the Mediterranean. It even offers water sports off the stern platform, for those looking for a little extra fun. For being detached from land, it has everything you could want.

Hotels:

Villa Cimbrone- With the entire property being stunningly beautiful, this hotel is suitable for any kind of wedding. What was once a 12th century residence has been transformed into a hotel for those wanting a taste of the buildings heritage. The well perserved hotel allows guests to imagine a life living in an Italian villa.

La Canzone del Mare- Located on Capri Island, this hotel has breathtaking views overlooking the ocean. Built back in the 1800s by an Italian opera writer, the hotel’s history has become a well known aspect of the island. The staff will make you feel like royalty as they wine and dine you through your wedding.

Excelsior Palace Hotel- Though I travelled around to the different venues, the conference was held in this hotel. Overlooking the Portofino coastline, the view was stunning! I would often sit by the pool on my breaks, enjoying the cloudless blue skies and sunlight. It was great to have such a comfortable place to come back to in the evenings.

Loano 2 Village- If you look for a hotel with lots of adventure and fun things to do, this is the one for you! Situated by 2 rivieras, there is everything from caves to Aquariums near by. With a kid friendly environment, it is perfect for an active wedding party of all ages.

Esplanade Hotel Resort & Spa- Located on the shore of Lake Maggiore, this Mediterranean inspired hotel places emphasis on relaxation and the environment. With a tranquil spa, views overlooking the beautiful water and mountains, and environmentally friendly architecture, the hotel would serve as a wonderful accommodation for your guests!

La Cervara- This hotel is quintessential Italy! With a perfectly sculpted landscape, overflowing with blooming flowers and endless greenery, and tiled arced doorways, the hotel is a stunning image of Italy. The history leads all the way back to 1361 when the building was used as a monastery. In an effort to preserve their background, the surroundings are an irresistible backdrop for a wedding.

Ca’Sagredo Hotel- Looking to get married in Venice? This hotel is a perfect mix of Venetian elegance and sophistication. Imagine traveling to your hotel by gondola and getting the first glimpse of your muraled reception. If you want an elaborate, romantic Italian wedding, this is the place for you!

Minareto Grand Hotel- This hotel is true to its name, grand! On the coast of Siracusa, Italy, the hotel pays close attention to detail, both on site and with their guests. Welcoming guests through art and history, the hotel guarantees comfort and a glorious Italian experience.

Villa Principe Leopoldo Hotel & Spa- The conference also included vendors from other European countries. This hotel is located in Lugano, Switzerland, amongst the unbelievable mountains. The hotel prides themselves in providing trailer-made events, suitable to the clients’ needs. The building is perfectly positioned to allow sun to stream through each and every room. One walk on the terrace and you will fall in love with Switzerland and the hotel!

Daios Cove- Demetrius, the owner of the resort, showed me first hand their one of a kind customer service. Located in Crete, his hotel is an upscale experience from decor to food. With childcare center, parents are free to enjoy the state of the art spa in peace. The infinity pool offers the spacious rooms an undistracted view of the water below. The site also has a number of different size villas available for the more private guest looking for an escape.

LifeClass Hotel and Spa- Situated on coastal Slovenia, this hotel is bringing tourism to the small central European country. As the center of the town, this hotel is known for it’s Portus Congress Centre where numerous groups meet annually. The hotel not only provides a high quality experience for adults, but also appeals to children with a pool, care center, and on-site playground.

Restaurants:

Manuelina- Whenever you tell people you are going to Italy, the first thing they tell you is to eat as much as possible, because you will not find food that good anywhere in the states! We went to this restaurant one evening and I finally understood what everyone was talking about. Having been in business since the 1800s, when grandmother Manuelina first began serving Cheese Focaccia, this fun loving family has been sharing their family recipes for years.

Entertainment:

Djwedding- After dancing the night away at the welcome party, we found out that the dj was more than just spinning turn tables. The organization has swept the wedding industry by providing a diverse crew of various backgrounds. They are a one stop shop for couples, offering everything from photographers to  jazz quartets, new idea in the market.

Photography:

Emotions Mago di Oz- Federico Valenzano, an Italian photographer, makes a point to capture the personal elements of a wedding. Mixing a classic journalistic approach and staged romantic still shots, he works with the couple to provide a unique documentation of their special day.

Sandro Ariu Photography- Sandro Ariu aims to tell the story of your wedding with his camera. He captures the natural sincerity of the event through emotion and attention to detail. With two photographers at each event, the images portray many different perspectives. His quality has even been recognized through various national awards.

Floral Design:

Rattiflora- This florist can create anything from flowers! Whether softening a ceremony area with overflowing blooms, tightly packing a bridal bouquet, or forming an intricate design out of flower heads, these florist can make your floral fantasies a reality.

I had the BEST time, visiting lots of amazing places and meeting many new friends!

Thanks to Riccardo Lavezzo for capturing the fun we had in his fabulous documentation!

Just imagine, YOU could be my next destination bride to get married in Italy!

A week before every wedding, I send out a timeline to the wedding party, letting them know the weekends schedule and giving them my contact in case of need. Most of the time, I don’t get a response back, but every now and then there is a request. This was one of the best responses I received! Needless to say, this best man really knew how to take care of the groom

“Hey Angela,

Here is the  rough “out line”  of the week of the 16th of April.

I wish we could go take pictures in our Tux with horse. Make it very KING Arthur (or KING ROGER and his Horse men!) HA!!

Feel free to add.

Tuesday:

Boys arrive

Pick up Best Man from the Airport

Check into Cottage

Me and Groom work out

Lunch

Pick up Groomsman 1 from airport

Groomsman 2 arrives by car

Groomsman 3 arrives by Car.

Boys go to dinner to celebrate (Restaurant ??)

Wednesday:

Boys workout at the box with Groom

Tux fitting

Lunch

Grocery store (By stuff for Poker Night)

Liquor Store

Poker Night at the Cottage (include Bride’s Brother and Dad if you want too or

what ever else. They just have to bring something to add to the pot.)

Thursday:

Work out

Lunch or Lunch at the Cottage

Nap

Sight See or Do something unusual

Dinner at the cottage or out to a Restaurant.

CLUB (Dance Club)

Friday:

Check out of Cottage

Pick Up Tux and last minute wedding stuff.

Shave/Hair Cuts..etc (Grooming Day)

Lunch at Groom’s place

Chill

Rehearsal and Rehearsal Dinner

Saturday:

Breakfast at Groom’s

Mimosa’s at the House

Are you getting married in 2012? Imagine having your wedding on top of a Mayan Temple!

Romantic Travel Belize, Destination Bride, and NICH are giving 11 special couples the opportunity of a lifetime! By going to 2012weddingsbelize.com, couples can enter to for a chance to be married on top of a Mayan temple on the historic date of 12-12-12!

Sarah Houser is a bright spirited, hard working individual, and is optimistic about making her dreams come true! A graduate of Elon University in Strategic Communications, Sarah gained a diverse background through her experiences exuding with the music industry, photography, and nonprofit organizations. Having studied abroad numerous times, she values cultural knowledge and understanding. Sarah holds personal emphasis on positivity, organization, and communication; all traits she finds obligatory to professionalism. When an opportunity arose in Nashville to gain first hand experience into the wedding and special event industry, Sarah left North Carolina to start a life in Tennessee. The experience has fueled her passion for event planning, causing a deeper desire to learn and succeed. She is excited to see where this path could take her.

Guess who is engaged?! Kelly and Roger!

Check out the rest of their shoot by McLellan Style!

Congratulations, you two! Can’t wait for the wedding!

There is a new venue in town! Built out of the old CAO Cigar headquarters, OZ provides a blank slate, allowing your creativity run wild! Doubling as an installation art exhibit, the clean lines of the building offer a modern, contemporary atmosphere. Even though only opening recently, the venue has already had three very successful events. With a 15,000 square foot warehouse, the room can be divided and sculpted to suit any number of guests. Whether for corporate functions, fundraisers,weddings or other events, OZ is the Nashville’s newest hidden treasure!

Imagine your perfect honeymoon… Basking in the warmth of the sun as you look out into an endless, clear blue ocean; or hours of adventure, discovering new cultures and exploring the open terrain! How about a place that has BOTH!? Look no further.

Welcome to BALI! Though Indonesia is not typically known as a honeymoon destination, Four Seasons Hotel and Resort in Jimbaran Bay is putting Bali on the map! With everything from a cooking school to an art gallery, the resort mixes culture and class, providing a relaxing and enriching experience to all guests!

The Winter Wonderland wedding was featured in People Magazine!

Photography by SB Childs

Diana and Mike first met when going to school at Vanderbilt. With Nashville holding such a deep place in their hearts, it was a logical location for their wedding. Guests came from all over country, being that the brides family was from California and the groom played for the the New York Mets. The ceremony was held at Benton Chapel at Vanderbilt with a reception to follow at the Country Music Hall of Fame. Chef’s Market provided a delicious dessert spread, while Village of Flowers flooded the room with flowers. Custom branded boxes were created by Front Porch Props for table decor. The guests danced the night away to the Blue Tones.

This woman is a God send, and is the only person I have met who could pull off what she does.

Responsiveness: Regardless of what she has going on, she’s always accessible. She worked hard to make sure I knew she was there for me when I needed her.

Professionalism: Angela has the perfect balance of establishing a professional and personal relationship with you. I felt like she was someone who would go to bat for me and would do anything she could to make the day amazing. And it was MORE than amazing. It was perfect. People commented all night on how they would watch her, and that she was so on top of her game the entire night. I never had any doubt of this, and it was nice to see that my guests recognized the hard work she was putting into the party. I actually cried at the end of the night because I was just overcome with gratitude.

Value:  I was one of those brides who really thought that I could do this on my own. I WAS WRONG. SHE WAS WORTH EVERY PENNY. One thing we regret the most was not having her just do the whole thing. It really would have been worth it. Also, when you work with Angela, you have access to the most amazing vendors in the entire world. They are amazing, and will make your day perfect. Yes, you are able to work with them without Angela, however you will never get the same result. It is evident to me that they are all close friends, and with it comes great communication on their part. Angela brings it all together. The value of her product is priceless.

Flexibility: I changed things right up until the day of. Angela had absolutely no problem with this. She was so amazing. Literally, I would ask her if something was possible, and she’d always be able to make it happen. Wow, I just can’t say enough. Really.

I saved Quality of Service for last because I feel like all of the other things tie into that.  Absolutely the best wedding planner in the world. I mean it. Angela, I cannot thank you enough for what you did for us. Zach, myself and our parents spent the entire day today talking about how amazing it was, and what a privilage it was to have you as our wedding planner. We all cannot thank you enough. We will keep trying though!

To anyone who is thinking of hiring this amazing woman, don’t think about it for one more second. Just do it. You will never regret it.

Planning a wedding?  This class if for you!
Sunday, October 2, 2011

Regardless of where you are in your planning process, this 1-day educational seminar will provide you with the essential information to assist you in this sometimes daunting process. Bring your planner, mother, father, maid of honor, or even fiancé. Get answers to your questions from experts in the industry.  Vendors welcome.

The comprehensive overview will include live and interactive topics, such as:  Budget, Cake Design, Logistics, Lighting, Time line  and so much more!

Speakers Include:

*Blake Chaffin: Lighting Professional, Owner-Nashville Event Lighting

*Jay Qualls: Celebrity Cake Designer & Reality TV Star, Owner-Maples Wedding Cakes & Jay Qualls Holdings

*Angela Young Proffitt: Wedding & Event Planner, Owner-Elegant Wedding by Angela & Events by AP

For more information visit EliteEventEducators.com

Registration open now: October 2, 2011
Email: Connect@AngelaProffitt.com

This wedding video clip was filmed at Jumby Bay; a 300-acre private Caribbean island, nestled two miles off the coast of Antigua. It served as the perfect backdrop for photographer, Joe Buissink, and the bride and groom: beautiful, private, intimate and relaxing.  The song featured, “Say I Do” was written and sung by the groom, Kyle Jacobs, for his bride, specifically for their wedding day.  It is one of the sweetest songs I have ever heard!   The exclusive resort is a naturalist’s haven noted for its lush landscape, stately palm trees and three superb white sand beaches.  It really is a secluded hideaway accessible only by boat!  I would recommend any of the Rosewood resorts for weddings, honeymoons or even just a vacation.  The customer service was incredible and the food was amazing.  This is one destination wedding I will always treasure.

It was awesome visiting Condos Hotels in Playa Del Carmen; located in the famous Riviera Maya in a charming international Mexican beach town with its breathtaking turquoise Caribbean Sea.  The town has all you need:  sandy beaches, multicultural restaurants, bars, boutiques and much more.  I loved the boutique style condos:

El Taj is the newest most luxurious beach side condo style hotel in Playa Del Carmen with a Bali and Tahitian theme.
Villas Sacbe is the original boutique condo hotels Playa Del Carmen within a tropical courtyard oasis.
Maya Villa allows guests to immerse themselves in a combination of modern luxury and Mayan Magic at this exquisite Playa Del Carmen hotel condo.
Porto Playa is a vacation resort offering Mediterranean influence with superior amenities like no other Playa Del Carmen hotel condo.

Whatever your style may be, they have the perfect spot for you!

Congratulations Bria!

I am so proud of Bria Woods! She is the first high school student to intern with Elegant Weddings by Angela, and she is graduating! Big Picture High School is a unique school in Nashville. The students here are very career orientated and not only go to school, but also participate in an internship. The small class sizes allow the students to get an intimate education experience, allowing for a more personalized learning processes. We cannot wait to see her transition into such a bright future!

“Where there is Love there is Healing. Stay in the Love”.  What a perfect catch-phrase for a center that provides drug and alcohol addiction treatment for women.  Safe Harbor House is located in southern California where it provides an atmosphere of love and acceptance, which allows each individual client to break through the barriers of their addiction. Their purpose is to provide a safe and encouraging environment that allows women to focus on issues like shame, self-loathing, body distortion, codependency, self-esteem, and relationships. This healing process gives women their lives back, allowing them to live healthy, fulfilled lives. Safe Harbor has helped thousands of women transform their lives to a life with purpose and joy!

Castleton Farms is situated on 108 acres of rolling hillside with lovely mountain views.  The Manor offers 4 beautifully, decorated guest rooms, 2 parlors and the family great room all of which is at the disposal of their guest use during their events. Scattered about the property you can find pavilions, sculptures and flowers, which emit a feeling of grandeur that all Castleton’s guest enjoy. The gardens are lit at night with white party lights that make it feel as if you are dancing amongst the stars.  Located just outside of Knoxville, Tennessee (about two and a half hours from Nashville) Castleton Farms provides a beautiful backdrop of any special event!

Photos by Waldorf Photographic Art

These two lovebirds celebrate their love for each other by renewing their vows every year. And now, they want to help a couple in need showcase their love and give them the wedding of their dreams that was derailed by a natural disaster. If you were a victim of the Tennessee flood or a First Responder who had to give up your wedding plans, Heidi and Seal want to talk to you!

So, if you and your special someone fall into this category, please contact Jaclyn at Jaclyn.Lenz@RRStaff.com! The deadline is March 13th so get your story in to the casting department today!

We are especially excited about the new venue Legacy Farms located in Lebanon, Tennessee.  Being from Mt. Juliet, it is always a pleasure to display and plan events that are close to home, and Legacy Farms provides that feeling.  This comfortable, intimate, and all encompassing venue provides several individual options, ranging from the remarkable manor to the courtyard and event center.  This new venue is sure to be blossoming for the spring!  Visit their website to browse their beautiful options as well as pictures extracted from their blog.

There are many different styles when it comes to choosing a wedding videographer. Be sure to do your research online as most videographers have samples readily available on their websites and blogs. This will ensure that you and your videographer share the same vision for the style and feel of the final product. Our blog post yesterday featured a unique proposal from Marcel Chagnon, who is also a talented artist when it comes to capturing video himself! Click here to view a recent wedding he captured at the Governor’s Club in Brentwood, Tennessee.

Photography by Myrick Studios

As Gina walked down the aisle at Scarritt Bennett, the whole room looked on in awe. When guests walked into the Hutton Hotel, they were again in awe. With floral design by Reveal Event Style and purple lighting by Nashville Event Lighting, the room was just as they had imagined. The beautiful cake, by The Bake Shop, added that extra touch of detail to the evening.

If you’re looking for top-notch service with breathtaking backdrops, Jumby Bay is the destination for you! Our new favorite romantic honeymoon location is second to none, the recent site of Kellie Pickler and Kyle Jacob’s intimate wedding ceremony, captured by Joe Buissink (Check out People.com). Here is a little excerpt about heaven:

“Set on a 300-acre private Caribbean island, Jumby Bay, A Rosewood Resort casts a spell of serene enchantment. Nestled two miles off the coast of Antigua, the exclusive resort is a naturalist’s haven noted for its lush landscape, stately palm trees and three superb, white sand beaches. A secluded hideaway accessible only by boat, the luxury resort is known worldwide for providing discerning travelers with world-class service and distinguished amenities.”

WeddingWire, the nation’s leading wedding technology company, is thrilled to announce Elegant Weddings by Angela has been selected to receive the prestigious annual WeddingWire Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2011 for wedding planning!

Recognition for the Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2011 is determined by recent reviews and extensive surveys from over 750,000 WeddingWire newlyweds. Our past clients are among those that shared their experiences on WeddingWire, the largest wedding review site in the nation.

Elegant Weddings stands among the top five percent of wedding professionals in the WeddingWire community, representing quality and service excellence within the wedding industry. Awards were given to the top wedding professionals across 20 service categories, from wedding venues to wedding photographers, and were based on the overall professional achievements throughout the past year.

“WeddingWire is honored to celebrate the success of the top-rated wedding professionals within the WeddingWire community,” said Timothy Chi, WeddingWire’s Chief Executive Officer. “With the annual Bride’s Choice Awards™ program, WeddingWire has the unique opportunity to recognize the best wedding professionals across the US and Canada. We applaud Angela and her team for their professionalism and dedication to enhancing the wedding planning experience last year.”

We are happy to announce that Elegant Weddings is among the very best wedding planners within the WeddingWire Network, which includes leading wedding planning sites WeddingWire, Martha Stewart Weddings, Project Wedding and Weddingbee. We would like to thank our past clients for nominating us to receive the Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2011.

At Elegant Weddings, we love creating something that is going to wow your guests and are we constantly finding new ways to keep them guessing. In the Spring 2011 Enchanted Brides magazine, the article –  ”Unveiling Your Vision,” is a behind the scenes view of how we worked with this bride and groom to transform their venue into something no one had ever seen before.

Images captured by Kevin Wimpy Photography.

Check out one of our feature weddings, “Southern Bride, Modern Twist,” in the 2011 Spring Enchanted Brides Magazine! Beautiful pictures captured by Lesli and Bill Emmetts of Divine Images.