ALE:: WEDDING VIDEO MONTAGE

Yeah! I finished my video. I have been working tirelessly on this video for a while now. I wasn't planning on it having its debut just yet, but a nice lady named Christina asked to see some of my work. **wink, wink** I will take this opportunity to announce that two of my brides seen in the video, Krystal and Jamila, will be featured in the Summer 2008 edition of MidSouth Southern Bride magazine. I am so proud of my team and they work they do to make a wedding day come together. The fact that our brides are being featured is a nod to them as well as our wonderful vendors. Job well done to all. Thank you for making my job a pleasure.

Photo Credits: CC Photography; BuchananWheeler; Starlight; Studio J

As always, everyone, tell me what you think. Do I need more edits?

MEET BROOKE:: THE INTERN

I am super excited to announce the newest member of the Andria Lewis Events family. **insert drumroll** Brooke Empting!

Brooke is an upcoming sophomore at the University of Tennessee. Yes, that's right, I have Vols fan on my hands. And what a joy. I really am looking forward to having Brooke learn all she can from us this summer. I can already tell that she is a hard worker, which, we know, is trait number one in wedding planning. Brooke is very smart and has already dipped her toe into the planning pool at UT and with family bridal luncheons. I won't tell everything about her here. She will introduce herself within the next few weeks. She is working on something super special for you all this summer. We know you will enjoy it!

Please, everyone, come by and welcome Brooke!

OFF TO SUNNY SOUTH FLORIDA!

I know, aren't you jealous?! Andria Lewis Events will be out of the office beginning Tuesday, May 6, 2008. The Planners will return to the office Tuesday, May 13, 2008. If you would like to schedule a consultation, send an email to consult {at} andrialewisevents {dot} com with your preferred date and time. You will receive a response to your request as soon as we return.

I will bring back pictures of my time in Fort Lauderdale and Miami. Have a great week everyone!

THE NEW ME!

Well, not really a new me. Just new pictures of me! I, Andria Lewis, had head shots taken by one of Memphis' great wedding photographers! I was so excited to work with him I can't tell you! Mondonico Williams of Studio Aesthetic is so patient and makes you feel like a SUPASTAR! He kept saying, "Perfect!", when I would pose. I knew he was just trying to keep me going, but I bought into it anyway!

Mondonico has a wonderful art gallery type studio inside Oak Court Mall. It is located on the lower level near the Dillard's Women's Store. When you walk in, don't be surprised if you here music pumping from the viewing room. It gets you excited and ready for your shoot even before you begin. They were so thoughtful as to design their studio with a changing room. I am uber excited to have Studio Aesthetic as one of my preferred photogs. Personality means a lot to me, and Mondonico is so easy-going and professional. And he is always thinking ahead to what's new and fresh. Visit his website or his blog to see some of the work they do and to get their contact information. You should call today and make an appointment to discuss them being your wedding photographers and to visit the studio.  Trust me, these guys will not be affordable for very long!

And can I tell you about the SUPER, AWESOME, WONDERFUL KAREN McCRARY MAKEUP ARTIST EXTRAORDINAIRE?! Can't you tell how much I love working with Karen? Karen came to my house very early in the morning to do my makeup for my photo shoot. And I am more than grateful for that. I am also grateful for the eyelashes I got to wear that day! That was SO much fun! I recommend Karen to all my brides. She makes them feel like royalty on their wedding day. And her work?! Perfecto! Karen is a licensed aesthetician as well as a professional makeup artist. Email her today at knmc425 {at} gmail {dot} com for rate information and to make an appointment.

Now, enough chit-chat...here are some of the photos from MY session!

Do you have a fav?

WEDDING COLORS: GREEN, YELLOW AND ORANGE

The wonderful thing about your wedding is that it is...YOUR WEDDING! No matter if it is a beautiful day in May or a brisk afternoon in November, you can have the wedding colors you want. Specifically, you can have the colors I am talking about here today. There are few colors that do not translate across the seasons. I will address those in a future post. But, for now, I give you the bright, cheery colors of green, yellow and orange!

Photo Credits: Top Row - Dress and Shoes, J Crew; All flowers, Janie Medley; 

Middle Row - Dress, J Crew; Shoes, Jessica Simpson; Bottom Row - Dress, Aria, Shoes, Vince Camuto

First off, let's acknowledge the fact that the best option to display your wedding colors is your wedding party! The bridesmaids' dresses will give your guests an immediate look into your theme. It may also give them a hint of what to expect at the reception. 

• For the first look, I have made yellow the dominate color in your palatte. I am not a fan of matchy-matchy anything, so I suggest you pair this yellow dress with a pair of orange pumps. Why do you have to go to the special occassion section of the shoe store or the online store that you are searching through? Look for shoes in the regular shoe department. You might think that your girls will never again wear these uniquely colored shoes, that it takes a certain personality to pull them off. Well, let me remind you that every woman looks good in a pair of jeans, a blouse and a hot pair of shoes! Really, the possibility of your girls being able to wear these shoes again are endless! Okay, now on to the flowers. Yellow dress, orange shoes, orange and green flowers! You have all three of these bold colors in your wedding without overdoing it. The simple design of this bouquet brings in the green without overpowering your main colors.
• The second dress, a really cute orange number, can be worn at a wedding that takes place from 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. That means, this is a viable choice for most brides. Nice, simple, cotton. It doesn't get any better than that. Again, a fun pair of shoes with a dress that does not have a lot of brocade or other designs to it. Of course, it is easier to pair a yellow dress with yellow dress or an orange dress with orange shoes, or metallic; but, isn't that a little expected? With the wedding industry growing as it is, with blogs and websites and wedding shows, it is so easy to end up having the wedding your first cousin had the previous year because we are all exposed to the same ideas. If you want to have a point of difference in your wedding, do it with shoes! Let's be honest. Most men will not remember what colors were in the wedding, where the wedding took place or even who got married! The talk about the wedding will come from other women, right? And what do women like? WE LIKE SHOES! See where I'm going with this? Again, I have tied the three colors in with a simple, monochromatic bouquet. For this wedding, at the reception, you could have pretty green linen on the tables with oranges in bowls as centerpieces. Carry your color scheme or wedding theme throughout. Just mix it up a little bit so that your guests are not seeing the same color all day. By the same token, don't give them too much to look at or you will make them dizzy. It's a delicate balance that can be done. Work closely with your wedding planner and florist to make this happen.
• Green as the main color is probably the most obvious choice with this color palette. To bring in all your colors, I would suggest pairing this dress with a cute pair of green slingbacks and a yellow bouquet. You can bring in the orange with wide, double-faced satin ribbon wrapped around your bouquet. For the reception, orange linen and yellow floral centerpieces with wooden chivari chairs. Perfection!

Let me know what you think about today's colors!

IN THE PLANS:

WEDDING COLORS: PURPLE AND BLUE