How did you get started?
My first live painting experience with an audience was an experiment, really. I had made plans to participate in an art festival in Huntington Beach, CA. In preparation for the event, I was trying to think of ways to entice visitors to enter my tent and take a look at the artwork. A friend suggested I do a “demonstration,” basically meaning that I create a painting live on-site at the festival. Though I was nervous, I decided to give it a try and it did seem to attract people, both adults and children. Only a few weeks later the church I attended in Costa Mesa, CA asked me to paint live during an 8-week sermon series about the Beatitudes. It was a stretch of faith to be placed in front of several hundred people to create art and impact their spiritual formation. During this time I really became empassioned about live painting because so many of the congregation expressed how meaningful it was to witness the art creation in conjunction with the sermon teaching, making the message clear, understandable, and symbolic. After the stint painting live at church, I decided to offer my services to the public by painting live at a variety of special events.

What’s your favorite part about what you do?
There always comes a moment when creating a painting that the artwork seems to come alive. It’s hard to describe the feeling of satisfaction and assurance that gives to the artist, but it’s similar to trying a new recipe for the first time and it turns out to be delicious. I also enjoy working with each couple to envision the heirloom painting they want to commemorate their wedding day.

Do you have a favorite event painting?
Yes, the painting titled “Love is in the Air, Anna & Raymond” is one of my favorite live portrait paintings for weddings. The vibrancy of the hot air balloons, colorful Southwest sunset, and happy couple made for a great painting composition and really showed the emotions.

Brides:  Contact Arlissa for a special special discount of $250 off live events in the Atlanta and Northern GA areas beginning July 20!

If a bride has a parent that has passed away, how can she honor them at the wedding? Any creative ideas that you can share?

I’ve had this very situation come up and there are a couple of different ways – but one of the most poignant is to leave their chair/seat open at the ceremony with a rose placed on the seat. A message could be placed in the ceremony program indicating the reason for the rose.  In conjunction with this, a “memory candle” could be placed at the ceremony (or even the reception). If used at the ceremony, then the “In Memory” description would be placed in the ceremony program.  If used at the reception, it could be placed by the guest book with a framed photo of the deceased parent and a message indicating that the candle is burning in memory of…
Janice P. Blackmon
Janice Blackmon Events

Missing a loved one on your special day can be difficult but there are many ways to keep them close and honor them during your wedding celebration. If you have lost your grandmother or mother, you might consider carrying their picture in a locket attached to your bouquet or having your bouquet wrapped in a fragment of their wedding gown. A piece of jewelry passed down through the generations could be used to honor them as well as signify your “something old.” If a grandfather or father has passed before your wedding, you may honor them by wearing a military ribbon or award they were granted on the inside hem of your gown, just be sure it is secure. If the loved one’s wedding band is available and your groom is willing, what better way to celebrate the love shared by another generation than by gifting his ring to your new husband? If there are not any mementos available from your loved ones who have passed, why not have “rose bearers” who place roses in memory of the deceased on the alter before your ceremony?  Such a touching tribute to those you love.
Candice Gurr
Signature Weddings by Candice

Everyone who has ever lost a loved one knows how hard it is to not be able to share their special day together, but they are there in Spirit and there are many ways to recognize them. Here are a few of my favorites:

• Wear a piece of their jewelry or wrap it around the bridal bouquet
• Have their initials sew into a hankie or on the wedding dress
• Place a photo of the lost one on their chair (see photo)
• Carry a bouquet with one single blossom that sticks out from the others, perhaps one yellow rose in a white bouquet for a lost friend
• Choose a bouquet made of their favorite flowers or compose of their favorite colors
• Play a song that reminds you of them
• Light a candle at the alter or placed by the entrance in their honor
• Recite their favorite scriptures or poem during the ceremony
• Place beside the programs a photo and a note explaining the significance of your loved one and what you share (see photo)

A bride should never have to walk down the aisle alone, so if she has lost her father then have her mother, brothers or his brother escort her instead; however, she may enter the chapel alone and meet her escort at the beginning of the aisle before they walk down together.
My condolences to all brides and grooms as they weigh the options and miss their parent.
Elizabeth Stephenson
Table 6 Productions

Wedding planner and Bridal Extravaganza of Atlanta contributor, Candice Gurr, knows how to organize and execute a flawless event. From initial concepts and designing to final details and execution, she’s had plenty of experience putting together perfect weddings. The owner and principle planner of Signature Weddings by Candice is sharing her tips with Be A Bride!

Planning your dream wedding can seem a bit overwhelming without a great support team and a tried and true plan. But fear not! When you break it down, you are really only completing four steps:

Design:  During your design time, you will set your budget and decide what type of venue you desire. Keep in mind all those great floral, lighting and drape ideas you have been pinning to your Pinterest boards when thinking of venues!

Distinction:  This exciting step focuses on the selection of those distinct vendors that will bring your wedding day vision to life. Beginning with your wedding planner, you will be visiting with and then continuing with contracting the vendors that are a perfect fit for you.

Details:  It’s all about the details! This step can be time consuming, but well worth it when you start to see all of your beautiful choices coming together and you get that first glimpse of how magical your wedding day will be.

Distribute:  The final step in your journey is to distribute. Distribute what, you ask? All of the details you have planned with your distinct vendors from design until now. You have hand-picked a phenomenal florist – let them do their portion of the day. The baker bakes cakes on a daily basis and has it well under control. Your caterer could set up food stations in their sleep… Do you see where I am going with this?

You, the bride, have been surrounded by a whirlwind of activity for the last 6 to 9 months while planning what will surely be a glorious day, now sit back, relax and let your wedding planner and their fellow event professionals treat you like the VIP that you are.  After all, you have just planned a wedding in four stress-free steps!

A blue tie:

A blue bow tie:

A blue boutonniere:

A blue pocket square:

Blue shoes:

Blue socks:

Blue shoelaces:

A blue monogram on his shirt:

Or even a little hidden note in blue:

How will your man say “I do” with something blue?

Carrie & Austin
Location: Piedmont Park
Photographer: Brenda Upton Photography
Wedding Date: October 5, 2013

Our Story:

My name is Carrie and in October of this year, I will be marrying the man of my dreams. His name is Austin. Austin and I have gone through a lot the past two years and been together for eight all together. As many of my family and friends know, I am a perfectionist. Even after our journey together, I seem to still struggle with wanting everything to be perfect. This leads us to the day of our engagement shoot at Piedmont Park.

After months of planning the perfect outfits for us and scheduling my makeup and hair appointments, rain was forecasted for the weekend. Austin is an optimist and said that it would be fine. Meanwhile, I was stressing about capturing the perfect pictures.

On the day of the shoot, our photographer texted me as I was finishing up on my hair and said that it will probably rain. We could either play it by ear or wait until the next weekend. I looked at my phone and Austin. Without even saying a word, he knew I was upset. He took the phone and told her that we would meet her. After my makeup was finished and we walked outside, it started pouring. To make matters worse, the pants Austin had packed for the shoot got ruined by our puppy.

As I stressed about finding new pants and getting to the park on time and hoping that the rain would stop long enough for our shoot, Austin made me realize that our life is just like walking in the rain. And there really is nothing like walking in the rain with a broken umbrella attempting a photo shoot!

Needless to say, when we got the photos back, they could not have turned out any better – they were perfect! Our life will never be perfect, but it is the imperfections in our life that make us perfect for each other.

Submit your engagement or wedding photos to be featured on our blog!

We always find fabulous inspiration for wedding day style on Pinterest and we’ve chosen a few of our favorite glittery manicures that are perfect for your big day: 

1. All-over sparkle
2. Ombre glitter
3. One accent nail
4. Shimmery tips

Which would you wear with your wedding ring?

Black and White

Vera Wang, Judd Wadell

All-Over Embellishment and Texture

Reem Acra, Elizabeth Fillmore, Kenneth Pool, Maggie Sottero, Theia

Sleeves

Carolina Herrera, Monique Lhuillier, Theia, Carolina Herrera

Spring is here, love is in the air and wedding season is upon us! 2.5 millions brides will get married this year and they very will might need help. This is your opportunity to be of assistance by becoming a wedding planner. On April 27, the Become a Successfull Wedding Planner seminar series will began on Saturday April 27, from 9:00am-5:00pm at 975 Cobb Place Boulevard in Kennessaw, Georgia. Here you will learn the basics of wedding planning, facilitating the ceremony and reception, building a strong vendor base, and much more to get you started in business.

So whether you want to be the next celebrity wedding planner or just make a little extra money on the side, you don’t want to pass up this opportunity. Help make a bride’s most important day her best day!

All the same color and style…

Angela Wilson Photography

All the same color with different styles…

Gregg Willett Photography

All the same style with different colors…

George Street Photography

A different color for the maid of honor…

George Street Photography

Different styles in the same color palette…

The Decisive Moment Photography

Similar color palettes with different prints, styles and textures…

Sean and Amanda Photography

How will your bridal party coordinate on your wedding day?

The newlyweds’ formal departure has recently become almost as important as the walk down the aisle. With so many options, how will you choose your perfect great escape?

Keep it classic with the traditional rice shower…

The Decisive Moment Photography

 … or go more ecofriendly with bubbles!

Colors of Life Photography

Show off your playful personalities (and wedding colors) with streamers…

Angela Wilson Photography

… or keep it elegant with flower petals.

Jaxon Photography

Float into wedded bliss with a balloon release…

George Street Photography

… or go out with a bang (well, not really) with sparklers!

The Decisive Moment Photography

Make a statement with confetti…

Daniel Taylor Photography

… or literally make a statement with words!

Gregg Willett Photography