Before you started planning a wedding, there were probably tons of things you never needed to know about.  What should a great caterer provide? What does a DJ really do? How is wedding cake different than other cake?  It's a lot to try and become an "expert" in very quickly.
Today, we are going to talk some about Wedding Florists. This one probably intimidates me the most to talk to you about because we get to work with so many AMAZING florists, and they know way more than me.  But, hey, florist friends feel free to add in the comments!!

There are a couple categories of florists that I'll focus on.  Floral Shops and Studio Florists

Floral Shops
These are the storefronts you can walk into to order flowers for all kinds of occasions - birthday flowers, funeral arrangements, valentines bouquets, get well flowers and wedding flowers.  Some of the perks of working with a floral shop is they can handle smaller orders more easily.  They have large amounts of flowers coming in that they use for all the types of orders mentioned above.  So, if you want to just do a bouquet or two, they can usually work with you at a good price point.  Some floral shops have a large wedding team and they can do multiple weddings in a day - that way you have a better chance of booking your dream floral team.

Studio Florists
These florists often focus on weddings.  They do not have a storefront, but rather work in rented studio space or have studio space at their home.  Since they specialize in weddings, you can get more unique designs.  They also order the flowers specifically for your wedding, which means you have more control over what goes into your overall floral package.  They often keep smaller design teams to ensure high quality, so book them quickly!

What about DIY?
My first question to you would be, what is your goal in choosing DIY?  Save money? You love the idea of creating the flowers yourself?
If it's saving money, I would recommend you really look into what the total cost will be.  There are websites that advertise wholesale flowers to the public - but their pricing is not wholesale.  You are spending just as much on the flowers (if not more) than you would pay a florist for their materials. So then it comes down to design cost and time.  Flowers need to be put together no earlier than a day before the wedding and then kept in a cooler (with no fruit in it!).  Otherwise, you need to put them together on the day of the wedding. (When you also need to have hair and makeup done, photos and so much more).  There is also the issue of transporting them to the venue (spilled flowers in your car are not an added stress you want on your wedding day) and the time to set them out on the tables.
If you really love the idea of creating the flowers yourself and you  know what you can handle, then look carefully into where you can get flowers.  As I mentioned the "wholesale websites" are not really a great deal.  Instead, look into local flower farms or Farmers Markets for locally grown flowers.  Keep your plan simple on what you are creating, when you are putting the flowers together and who is placing them for you on your wedding day.
To be completely transparent, I did a lot of my own wedding flowers along with the help of family.  I am extremely laid back on a lot of things.  I didn't have a professional do my hair and makeup, we were hanging out in shorts and t-shirts that morning putting together flowers and I kept it simple.  We had a connection to a real wholesale flower shop so the flowers were affordable.  And, one of my family members had worked as a florist for a while and she put together the bouquets for me.
DIY can work, just make sure you are honest with yourself on what you can handle.

Where do the flowers come from?
This is another question that a lot of couples don't even know to ask (or why it matters).  Flowers are grown all over the world in different climates, seasons and methods.  The great thing about that is it gives you access to flowers that might be out of season locally - like peonies that grown in Alaska for a large portion of the year.  However, those come with a higher cost due to shipping.  Flowers that are shipped in also have a shorter life span (they've already spent some time in shipping since they were fresh cut).
Locally grown and US grown flowers is another great option.  Locally grown flowers can give you blooms that aren't able to ship - they are just too fragile.  They also tend to have more scent to them than ones that are shipped.
US grown can be shipped, but at a much shorter distance so they tend to last a little longer.

And, if you choose our farm for your wedding venue, you may even have some flowers that are grown at our farm!  You can't get much more local than that!

​- Becky

You're planning your wedding - yay!  And now you need to hire a Dj - or do you?  Can't you just play a Spotify list on your phone?

More than just Music
A good wedding DJ does more than just play music.  They provide a sound system fit for the venue, microphones as needed for the ceremony and act as MC to keep the events flowing smoothly.  They work closely with the coordinator to let guests know when it's time to be seated for dinner, they announce when it's time for cake cutting, bouquet toss and other items that guests don't want to miss. And they can read the crowd to know when a little extra help is needed to get the guests out on the dance floor (we've seen our favorite DJ's out leading the crowd in dancing!)

Music is an art
There is a BIG difference in what a qualified wedding DJ provides vs. running a Spotify list. Let's start with the ceremony.  A DJ has the ability to start and stop songs at certain points so you have your favorite part of the song playing as you walk down the aisle.  They can also smoothly transition between songs with no downtime.  Waiting to walk down the aisle is often one of the most nerve wracking parts of wedding day and waiting for your cousin's boyfriend to get the right song to play just adds to the nerves.
It's not just music for ceremony and dancing, you don't realize how important background music during dinner is until it's absolutely silent.  Background music adds to the overall atmosphere and keeps conversation flowing.
Ok, raise your hand if you've ever been busting moves to your favorite music on the radio or Pandora only to have your groove interrupted by commercials? (it's ok, no one's looking, you can admit it) You want the music to keep flowing and blend smoothly during dancing.  It keeps guests on the dancefloor and having a good time.

What will it cost?
A qualified wedding DJ (you want to make sure they have experience with weddings so they understand the flow of the day) can range from $650 to $1200+ in the Atlanta area. If you get quotes from someone who is lower, make sure you ask plenty of questions on the equipment they provide, how many weddings they have done, do they have all the music downloaded or do they require a wifi connection to download as they go.
You can find some of our favorite DJ's listed on our Vendors page.

​- Becky

Cake is perhaps one of my favorite wedding foods - especially GOOD wedding cake! (And, yes, I said perhaps - blame it on my love of Jane Austen books)
We'll start with some info on the traditional wedding cake and then talk about other options (because, yes, you can do something besides the traditional cake!)

The Top Tier
Traditionally, the top tier is saved for the couple's 1 year anniversary.  You do need to wrap it really well to freeze it and enjoy it at your one year anniversary.  Your baker should be able to give you instructions on this or Google is always your friend.
If you go this route, make sure you have enough servings on the other tiers to serve your guests.  Also let the caterer or whoever is cutting your cake know to save the top.
Some bakers are switching to provide a separate anniversary cake so there is no chance of the top tier accidentally being served. You can also ask your baker for a "credit" to come back in a year and get a fresh cake from them

What about cake flavor?
Well, the best news is wedding cake no longer is just one flavor - there are tons of options! The flavors available will depend on the cake baker/artist you hire.  We've had some amazing flavors and it's hard to pick a favorite. Lemon and blueberry, Marble with maple frosting, chocolate with peanut butter frosting, cookie butter cake (think Biscotti in cake form) - so many delicious flavors! 
Some cake artists will allow you to do a different flavor on each tier - you'll just need to check with your chosen baker.

Pretty Cake
You want your cake to be delicious AND pretty - that's not too much to ask, right?  Nope - not at all.  There are lots of amazing bakers that make delicious and beautiful cakes.  Each baker will have their own style, so make sure you look at their work. But great cake artists love a challenge, too - so don't be afraid to send them inspiration that you don't see on their website.
Current trends lean toward buttercream icing instead of fondant.  If you have ever had fondant, you are probably thrilled with that trend!  Fondant can make an extremely smooth cake and is used to create figures but buttercream icing has it beat in taste!
Cake decorations can range from fresh flowers, edible sugar flowers, buttercream "painted" designs and so much more.  If you are planning on fresh flowers, those typically come from your florist so make sure you connect the two vendors.

Cake Cutting
This piece can be tricky depending on your venue or caterer.  Your cake baker will deliver the cake to your venue, but they do not stay to cut it.  You need to make sure your caterer, coordinator or venue staff are lined up for that job.  Check to see if there is a separate fee for cake cutting or if it's included.  You do need someone who knows how to cut a wedding cake correctly to get the right amount of servings out of it.  (See, who knew there was a special way to cut cake?)

It doesn't have to be Cake!
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Catering is typically the biggest wedding expense after the venue. It makes sense - you are serving dinner (usually) to 100+ of your closest friends and family.  Even if you took them all to Chick-fil-a, you would have a big bill!
Let's talk about the different options for catering.
Appetizers
After the ceremony, you, your new spouse and family are wrapped up in pictures.  This can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 1 hour depending on the number of pictures, how large your family is (and how well everyone follows directions!)  Your guests are mingling at this time, waiting for dinner and sometimes wondering what they are supposed to be doing.
The bar usually opens up at this time, so it's a great time to offer them so food also. It can be as simple as cheese and crackers or an elaborately curated appetizer.  Whatever you choose, it's a good idea to have something to keep your guests happy until dinner time.

Late Night Snacks
Some trends are totally worth it - like late night snacks!  After your guests have been dancing and drinking for a while, loading them up on some snacks before you send them off is a great idea!  We've seen fried apple pies, cookies, donuts, bbq sliders - so many options.  Your caterer is a valuable resource with this as they can estimate how many guests may still be there at the end and want a late night snack - you don't usually need to plan for your full guest count on this one.

Catering is more than just the menu options.  You want a caterer that has done weddings before so they understand the flow.  They should have all the equipment and staff needed to get the food there and keep it hot, keep buffet filled or serve plated meals, clean tables and more.
When you are comparing costs, make sure you understand if tax and service fee is included in the initial price.  If not, that adds 20% - 30%.  Most of our preferred caterers fall in the $30 - $55/person price range.  That includes non-alcoholic drinks, tax and service fee.  It adds up quickly when you have 100 - 200 guests, but it matches up with what you would pay at a good restaurant.  And you want good food for your wedding!
Check out our Vendors page for some of our preferred caterers!
-Becky

We are excited to share this guest post from Stems Atlanta!
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Getting married is an exciting time.There is so much to plan and so many fun thing to do. From dress shopping to popping the question to your bridesmaids to picking a wedding date, the list goes on and on. Undoubtedly, you have waited for this moment a long time and are ready to dive in to this thing called marriage. But first, let’s get prepared for the biggest party of your life! It’s so important that you not only have an amazing celebration, but that you also understand how to plan an amazing celebration. Today, I will be sharing 5 tips and tricks to having a successful floral consultation from start to finish.

Ready? Let’s dive in…
#1 The first thing you need to do is your homework.
​Research florists in the area of your venue or ones that would be willing to travel to your destination. Pick a few that not only service your area, but also fit within your budget. Many wedding websites and florist websites will give you a good guideline to florist minimums and package pricing

#2 Decide on your budget
​Before you determine your floral budget, it’s a good idea to figure out your overall wedding budget. You can best do this by asking newly married friends.  Find a friend or two who just got married and who had a similar style wedding to yours (ballroom, reception hall, wedding barn, etc.) Ask they what their overall budget was and you can expect yours to probably fall within $2-3,000 of that. Your floral budget will comprise about 10% of your overall budget and if you are adding in draping, lighting, furniture rentals, etc., it may be closer to 12%

#3 Pinterest it up!
​Designers need to get inside your head. When I meet with clients my number one goal is to get to know them and their wedding vision. We talk about their partner, about how they met and what kind of wedding they foresee themselves having. Have you heard the saying, “A picture is worth a thousand words”? Well, nothing is more true in design. If you are able to show images of what you like and designs that fit your aesthetic, a designer can quickly interpret that to fit the needs of your budget.
#4 Determine your areas of impact
​Areas of impact are where you focus you decor budget for drama. Some clients have an amazing ceremony installation that they choose to spend a good bit of their floral budget on. For others, it is the estate table at the reception or the lush and full bridal bouquet. Pick 1-2 areas of impact and tell your designer that those are where you want to focus your budget.

#5 Don’t wait.
​If you know you love the designer and they agree to the price-point you want to stay within, put down a deposit for your wedding day. I can’t tell you how many times I have done a consultation and the client does not respond to the proposal within the allotted time, thus opening up my calendar for that day. When they call to book weeks down the road, their date has been reserved by someone else. While many florists can accommodate multiple events in one day, the larger events require more staff and may cause that date to become blocked off and unavailable.
I hope these tips have been helpful to you in your planning journey and I hope to walk this journey with you, too!
~Heather
www.stemsatlanta.com 

Wedding invitations - where do you even start?  In general, we don't send paper invitations or even mail to people much anymore.  So now that you are faced with sending paper invitations to a huge list of guests for your wedding, it can be overwhelming.  We've pulled together a few tips to hopefully take some of the stress off of you!

Save the Dates are Great
These allow guests to start planning in advance to be at your wedding.  Save the Dates go out three to four months before your wedding.  Include the names of the couple and wedding date.  If you have a website for more information, feel free to add that on!  This is just to put a placeholder on their calendar, so you don't need all the details listed.
Invitation Timing
Invitations should go out six to eight weeks before the wedding.  This gives guests plenty of time to plan for travel, accommodations, etc.  Ask for RSVPs about a month before the wedding so you can give final counts to the venue, caterer, cake, etc.  And be prepared that not everyone will RSVP, so you will have to follow up.

Who is Invited
The names on the invitation let guests know exactly who is invited.  Mr. & Mrs. Smith is just the adults, not the three children.  Mr. & Mrs. Smith and Family includes everyone.  Miss Jane Doe is just Jane - no date.  Miss Jane Doe and Guest means she can bring a plus one.

Dress Code
Dress code details can be included in the lower right-hand corner of the invitation or on the RSVP card.  Stick to standard types such as "Black Tie", "Cocktail Attire" or "Casual Attire".  Your guests will always appreciate knowing the dress code!
Spell It Out
Make sure you spell out everything on the address - Road, Street, etc.  Abbreviations are fine for Mr. and Mrs. but they shouldn't be used in the address.

That's the quick and easy version of wedding invitation etiquette!  If you work with a custom designer, they can help you with wording. Larger companies like Minted make it easy also with standard wording you can customize with your details.
One additional tip, consider a calligrapher or other professional to address all the invitations - your hands will thank you!
​- Becky

Does the image of an intimate backyard dinner with string lights, garden style centerpieces, good food and great conversation make you smile?  Us too! 
We are giving you tons of ideas to bring that elegant but laid back backyard dinner party vibe to your wedding.

Bring on the String Lights
You can't beat the warmth and atmosphere that string lights bring to an evening party.  They provide just enough glow as the evening begins and create a canopy overhead.

Add a Lounge Area
Bring the comforts of home outside with some soft seating for your guests.  Add a couple sofas and chairs, a rug and a few side tables to hold their drinks.  Perfect for cocktail hour and for guests to rest their feet from dancing.
Think More when it comes to Dessert
Choose a few different desserts instead of one traditional tiered cake.  Add a mix of cakes, pies, cookies - whatever your heart desires!  Your guests will love the selection.

Add Color and Pattern to Tables
Consider unique table linens for cocktail tables, guest book table, etc.  It will add a pop of color and elegance to the display.

Drape Some Greenery
Add greenery to porch posts or walls behind a head table.  This will continue the greenery of the landscape on the built elements.

Lawn Games are always Great
Whether is Giant Jenga, Cornhole, ring toss or more.  This keeps your guests entertained and adds to the fun.

Small Details Make a Big Impact
Think place settings, garden inspired centerpieces, and more.  Great table scapes encourage your guests to linger and enjoy conversation.

Add Comforts of Home
​Blankets for chilly evenings or paper fans for warm days will help your guests enjoy the weather outside.
Serve Seasonal Fare
Think home grown and farm to table with appetizers, cocktails and more.  Early spring?  Consider strawberries in a salad.  Moving into summer think blueberry lemonade or berry gazpacho.  Fall is a great time for sweet potatoes and apples.

The guest list.  It drives so many parts of the wedding - including the venue choice and budget.  But it can also be VERY stressful.  We love these tips from The Knot for managing your guest list.

1, Make a plan on how you are dividing up the list
You will quickly find out in wedding planning it's not just your day!  Your parents and your fiance's parents have also been looking forward to this day and celebrating you with people important to them.  A good way to divide up the list is 50% of the guest chosen by you and your fiance, 25% chosen by your parents and 25% chosen by your fiance's parents.  This can shift and often will - especially if you or your fiance have a big family.  Talk through this early on so everyone is on the same page.

2. Dream big and then narrow it down
Start off listing everyone you would love to invite - don't worry about budget or venue size now.  This gives you a master list if you decide to add on guests later.  From there, determine what you can realistically fit based on budget and venue.  Narrow down your official list to this size and start sending invitations.

3. Create guest list rules
Determine a few guide lines for guests who don't make the list.  Haven't talked to them in more than 3 years?  Probably not.  Neither of you have ever met them or heard of them? Nope  Don't think you will still be talking to them in a year (or after you leave your current school/job/etc)?  Uh uh.  Figure out what makes sense for you and your families and use these rules.
4. Make and A-list and a B-list
This helps you make the most of your guest count.  Send out the A-list invites and ask for RSVPs early.  If you have several that can't make it, then you can send out your B-list invites.  Make sure these have a later RSVP date so they don't realize they were on the B-list!

5. Fill out names on the RSVP cards
If you want to make sure your guests don't add to your list on their own, go ahead and prefill the names on the RSVP cards.  This will cut down on adding children, plus one's, etc. and help you stick to your guest count.
For more tips and the full article, check it out on The Knot here.

Is the venue a blank slate where you bring in all the elements or do they include decor?  The answer to this question will impact your budget and your wedding style.
Does the venue include any draping or specialty lighting?  These elements can be the most costly and time intensive to add, so if they have them available (and it's part of your wedding vision) it can save big for you.  Our venue includes draping at the doors and outdoor porches along with plenty of draping string lights!

What about table decor and settings?  Does the venue have a decor closet or inventory you can access?  Do they include place settings or does the caterer?  Access to a decor inventory can save you big time!  All those little lanterns, votives, etc. can add up quickly.  Plus, if they are already at the venue, you don't have to bring them in, take them out and figure out what to do with them after the wedding.

Our packages include place settings with porcelain plates, flatware, glassware and cloth napkins.  It sets an elegant backdrop for dinner.

Come for a tour and see more of our decor inventory to start dreaming about your wedding!
- Becky