Erin's Wedding: 7.8.17

My baby sis got married to the very best guy on a beautiful, blue sky day in July. It was perfect in every way and-- I don't say this lightly --the most fun wedding I've ever been to. Hope you enjoy a bit of Katelyn Vines' amazing photography below!

It was so special designing her invitations, programs and welcome bag goodies. My mom and I had the best time planning for out of town friends. I loved the chance to show off Atlanta to those that don't call it home! 

A few favorites: 

Erin's vendor team was a serious dream team. It was SO fun to work with friends and fellow vendors that I've gotten to know in the wedding world in Atlanta. 

Photographer:  Katelyn Vines Photography

Florals: Kimberly Evans 

Hair & Make Up: Jennifer Nieman 

Invitations & Day-Of Paper Goods: Stacey Holbrook Design

Dress: LaRaine's Bridal Boutique

Day-Of Coordinator: Samantha Medlin

Reception Venue & Catering: Georgia Freight Depot

A 60th Wedding Anniversary Celebration

My grandparents, Barbara and Gerry Rosenlund, celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in February. To celebrate, they invited our family to spend a weekend at the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina. They went all out: a black tie dinner was planned in the Champagne Cellar, complete with a wedding cake and toasts from family. 

I had the honor of creating invitations for the event, and had so much fun working in secret with my grandmother, MorMor, to surprise everyone else. I brought the materials for the place cards, and she wrote each one by hand that weekend. 

They weren't the only ones with a few surprises, though. My cousins and I put our heads together and thought about how to best remember the evening. We landed on photography - capturing these memories forever - and knew we had to get our life-long friend, might-as-well-be-family Jodi Grandholm Bodtke involved. Jodi, the mastermind behind Giving Tree Photography, was the photographer at our own wedding, and we knew it would mean so much to MorMor and FarFar to have her there to capture the evening. 

She flew in from Chicago and surprised the group at breakfast on Saturday morning. Her photos, below, speak for themselves: 

MorMor and FarFar's wedding invitation beside the invitation I designed for their 60th Wedding Anniversary weekend. 

It was a weekend that we'll cherish forever, celebrating a love that has truly lasted a lifetime. 

Summerour Studio Styled Shoot

Vendor Team: Bridal Gown: Pronovias Gown from Fabulous Frocks Atlanta

Event Planning & Design: Park Avenue Events

Floral Design: Blooming Hites

Hair and Makeup: Brushworx

Model:Caroline Puri

Photography: Tessa Marie Photography

Stationery: Stacey Holbrook Design

Collections Event Furniture Rentals

Event Rentals Unlimited

Venue: Summerour Studios, Atlanta, GA

Signature Cocktails - Part 1

It's perfect porch weather, and that means that party season is right around the corner. Instead of waiting for someone else to flip open the calendar, circle a date, and get a plan in motion, my challenge for you is to plan something special for the month of May. 

Truth be told, I think a lot of us get intimidated by the idea of hosting:

"does my house have to be perfect? does my house to be clean? do I have to be perfect?! I can't host people... I wouldn't know where to start."

Simple answer: definitely not. People appreciate you because you're you - messy bedroom and dry shampooed hair included. Let's work this month to redefine the idea of "hosting a party" and let's make it less about fancy and more about fun. Don't get me wrong - a full-on day party with invitations, florals and decorations is totally up my alley but we can't forget about the gatherings that are last minute, thrown together by the people you love. 

To help get you started, I've gathered a few of my favorite #girlboss friends and have asked them for their favorite SIMPLE cocktail recipes. Perfect for porch swingin' and warm spring nights, choose one below, call your 6 favorite friends, and pick the date. I promise you'll have a ball.

xo!

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Meet Ashlyn Carter, of Ashlyn Writes.

Lover of words, truth, German Shepard pups, and margaritas (a girl after my own heart, after all) Ashlyn is a calligrapher and copywriter for creatives. She's got tons of free goodies, great advice, and beautiful pictures of her unbelievable handwriting. 

Instagram: @AshlynSCarter

Carter Margarita

1. One part or 2 ounces of tequila. (Get a 100% agave tequila; you can find one for a good price)

2. One part or 2 ounces of Cointreau or another orange-based liquor, like Triple Sec.

3. One part or 2 ounces of lime juice. Opt for "real" lime juice, if you can. You can tell the difference!

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Meet Michelle, of Burke Design & Planning. 

Michelle is crazy about details, fresh florals and a well set table. Her events are beautiful and timeless, and she focuses on the heart of hospitality with each of her events. 

Instagram: @michtburke

Georgia Peach Basil Mojito

Combine Shellback Rum, 360 Vodka, fresh peach puree, minced garden basil, fresh lime juice and soda to taste. Enjoy! 

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Meet Shannon, of Pine + Pen. 

Shannon is a calligraphy guru and works with a friend who creates their custom watercolor designs. Shannon is a connector of people, loves summertime, and has a big heart for the city of Atlanta. 

Instagram: @pineandpendesign

Blackberry Mojito

8 mint leaves
12 blackberries
2 tsp extra fine sugar or agave syrup
ice cubes to your liking
4 oz light rum
2 oz fresh squeezed lime juice
club soda to taste

Directions:
In a cocktail shaker, muddle together mint, blackberries and sugar. Add the ice, rum and lime juice. Cover and shake for 20 seconds. Fill your glass of choice with ice and strain the cocktail into the glass. Top with club soda and garnish with additional mint and blackberries!

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Meet Bryn, of Bryn Harrison Weddings. 

Bryn, a wedding and event planner, loves the small details. Her favorite part of the job is working one-on-one with clients to help them dream up their perfect wedding day.  

Instagram: @brynharrison

The Southern Lady

3 parts Brut Rose

1 part St. Germaine (or your favorite elderflower liquor)

Garnish with a sprig of rosemary

Cristina Leis Calligraphy

I recently discovered Cristina Leis and knew I had to share her with y'all. My favorite thing about her work is her use of other mediums - who needs paper when you can use glass, mirrors, rocks, jewels?! She's super creative and has my mind spinning with new ideas... 

For more information (and to check out her AMAZING cake toppers) : 

Instagram: cristina_leis

Website: cristinaleis.com