Hot of the Press - Ashley & Steve

Photographer Stephanie Chesson sent these pics of the couple just married in July!  They are definitely all smiles (they didn't stop smiling the entire time)!  Can't wait for the rest of the pics.  Check out the gorgeous bouquet (roses, tuberrose, stephanotis & crystals) and bout (stephanotis) from Pam Bailey with Flowers from the Cellar!

Megan and Ben Cross the Finish Line!

Megan and Ben met while running a race - Megan must have flashed her bright smile as she tore past Ben!  We couldn't stop smiling as we planned their wedding - because they were so much fun to work with.  We definitely knew their wedding would be a blast - from being introduced to Chariots of Fire, to a choreographed dance from the bride & bridesmaids, even a "dance-off" contest between wedding guests- everyone was entertained!  We had fun with the decor too, check out the gorgeous pictures from our friends Andy & Stephanie at Indigo!

Megan's bouquet was a combination of phalaenopsis orchids and hydrangea - with a little "bling" mixed in for fun - thanks to Shelly at Elizabeth House for being so great to work with - and for doing amazing things with flowers!

Downtown Charlotte has such great spots for photos - 

in unlikely spots - like Latta Arcade!

Ah, wedded bliss - even in 100 degree heat!

Pics from the reception at The Atrium.  

Everything was black, white, and fuschia and totally modern!

We created lounge areas around the dance floor, 

so if guests tired from dancing, they could still be part of the action.  

It definitely kept the party going!

Some detail shots - flowers and linens from the sweetheart table 

and the cake from Cheesecake, Etc. 

Megan's Margarita (and there was a Ben's Brew) - 

thanks to One Catering by Harpers for an excellent presentation.

Cheers!  So glad they "ran" into each other - 

(sorry, couldn't help it, they met while running a race, remember)!  Congrats!

Beth and Matthew Video Preview!

This super sweet couple was married on May 9 - check out the preview for their wedding video and see how gorgeous their wedding was!

http://vimeo.com/5103872

Thanks to Rick @ Carolina Video Productions!

iCelebrate Nathan's Bar Mitzvah

For Nathan's Bar Mitzvah, we worked with his mom Janice to create an iPod theme, also tying i the sports and other activities that Nathan loves! 

We draped the entire ballroom at Carmel Country Club with white fabric and 

uplit it with lights that changed from blue to green.  

Thanks to Scott Brown Media for the draping and lighting expertise!

This custom gobo was projected onto the ceiling over the dance floor. 

The adults were given their seat assignments via "iTunes" gift cards.  

Each table was named: iTennis, iGolf, iCamp, etc. 

Each table then had a corresponding ice sculpture from Ice Sensations 

that showed off Nathan's hobbies.

Thanks to Elaine at First Impressions Party Linen for 

the table cloths, chair covers, chair ties and napkins!

Nathan's candlelighting had glass cylinders with glowing blue cubes and floating candles.

Not the best pic, but there was a lounge area overlooking the dancefloor 

with black sofas and loveseats, as well as ottomons for the teens to hang out.

On the patio, a flip book booth from Your Event Source allowed guests to create their own books that showed them goofing off in a series of frames.  There was also a basketball shootout to test adults and kids skills to ensure everyone had a great time, on or off the dance floor!

City Chic - Nicky & Kris

Nicky and Kris were married in April with a ceremony at St. Mary's Chapel and reception at Bentley's on 27, and we miss working with them already!

Nicky and her girls get ready for the wedding 

in their suite at the Charlotte Marriott Center City.

Professional photos by Dan Klutz!

Guests wished the couple well by signing an engagement picture of Nicky & Kris.

These are the non-professional pics (meaning Jen took them) - but you can see the romantic candlelight and coral roses that decorated the reception tables - by Crawford & Co.

The Sweetheart Table.

Amber Hurricane Candles with coral petals.

The "gift box" cake by Jill DelMastro!

A parting pic by Dan.

Laurie & Luke's Perfect Fall Day in Concord

Luke and Laurie got married in perhaps one of the cutest small town weddings we've seen.  

For two attorneys who live and work in historic downtown Concord, it was only appropriate to get married on Main Street!

It was a perfect day in November and the First Presbyterian Church welcomed guests as they walked hand in hand to the church.  (Yes this really happened - we at Soiree Charlotte got worried when there were few cars just before the ceremony - turns out everyone lived close and walked in the beautiful weather! It was an adorable site for us city slickers!)

Thanks to Brian Salmon Photography for these shots that really captured the mood of the day!

Laurie's ensemble was perfect, down to the last detail.  Gown from Impressions Bridal.

Laurie saw the lead pic on our website and wanted to re-create it.  She asked if people would stop in the road for her.  A bride in her wedding gown - of course they stopped!

Deep hues or red and orange literally set the tone for the wedding.  

Flowers from Party Blooms!

The Noel Friedline Quartet infused jazz into the reception and ensured the reception at Embassy Suites Concord oozed with sophistication.

Gorgeous and tasty from Cheesecake, Etc.

Best Wishes to a Fantastic couple!!!

Jackie and Stu - The Reception

The ballroom at the luxurious Ballantyne Resort radiated with light as the final preparations for guests were made. A special thank you to wedding photographer Christopher Record for the images contained in this blog.

The walls of the entire ballroom were swathed in chocolate velvet and the ceiling draped in ivory voile by Sha Sha Harnick of Charleston. Silver rimmed glassware and china were rented from Party Reflections and chivari chairs came from Classic Party Rentals. First Impressions provided linens in ivory satin, ivory button-tuck and ivory damask. Our utmost gratitude to Kelly Randazzo with Ballantyne Resort and her co-worker Sarah for treating everyone like royalty.

Chloe B by Crane menus, seating cards and programs unified the sophisticated look.

The master of cake design Jill DelMastro created this perfection in fondant. A replica of the lace found on Jackie's dress adorned the cake, as well as a trail of individually hand painted sugar flowers. And when the silver standby cake riser simply would not do for this work of art, Jill handmade a dark wood plateau.

We named the signature cocktail the Fogalino - a combination of the couple's last names. Each glass carried a tag with the name of the martini. During the cocktail hour, Francis Nazzaro sang classic Frank Sinatra songs as guests enjoyed a seafood and pasta bar, in anticipation of the festivities in the ballroom upstairs.

The ladies and gentlemen of the bridal party got the celebration started Miami style.


Jackie, with a new colored sash around her waist, danced with her husband to the tune Unchained Melody.



A blessing from the Reverend (aka the groom's dad.)


A lit first course of shrimp cocktail was served to the head table in unison by 22 of Ballantyne's white gloved staff.


Grandma proved she was young at heart as she started the group in the traditional Italian dance, the Tarantella.



After dinner, Atlanta's 80s band Breakfast Club shook everyone all night long. They could not have been more fun or friendly! DJ Chuck Broncato kept the party going when the band took breaks and spinned tunes for the after party that went until 2am.


In honor of the song, they wore their sunglasses at night.


The host of the evening proudly served his guests cigars and single malt scotch.

As the sparklers burned, Jackie and Stu made their exit by way of golf cart. Afterall, they met when Jackie ran her golf cart into Stu's at Ballantyne Country Club years ago.

Off to Half Moon Bay in Jamaica, but first an evening in the Presidential Suite at Ballantyne Resort!