Georgia Wedding Buzz

Warm Welcome: Southern-themed Welcome Bags

Knot Jenny — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 16:13:00 GMT

Give your out-of-town guests a true taste of Southern hospitality with custom welcome bags highlighting the best that Georgia has to offer.

Grits Bits specializes in affordable and customizable gourmet welcome bags featuring Georgia peanuts, Georgia Peach Jelly Belly beans, peach-shaped chocolates, glass bottles of Classic Coca-Cola and peppermints in a Georgia souvenir tin. However, the real treat are the Grits Bits cheese straw cocktail biscuits and cookies baked with grits. Baked in a variety of flavors including cheddar cheese, Vidalia onion, jalapeno and sweet cream butter cookies, these crispy snacks are sure to be a hit with all your guests, whether they're Southerners or Yankees. And at less than $11 a gift set, you don't have to worry about stretching your budget!

>> Check out more tips on how to make out-of-town guests feel at home

Cast Your Vote for the Dream Wedding Giveaway

Knot Jenny — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 16:02:00 GMT

Six couples from Georgia, Tennessee, Michigan, Virginia, Alabama and Florida have been selected as the finalists for the Jekyll Island Dream Wedding Giveaway. Their essays were chosen from over 600 entrants nationwide, putting them in the running to win a wedding worth more than $74,000 on the lovely Jekyll Island.

The winning couple and their guests will begin with a lavish rehearsal dinner at the Mistletoe cottage catered by Latitude 31 Waterfront Catering and with decor by Tasteful Temptations and Beachview Club Event Rentals and Design. The couple will exchange vows the next day at the historic Faith Chapel. Following the ceremony, the newlyweds will celebrate with their guests at the elegant Jekyll Island Club Hotel's Crane Cottage where they will enjoy cuisine prepared by the renowned chefs of the Jekyll Island Club Hotel.

Head to the Jekyll Island Dream Wedding Giveaway to read about the deserving finalists and cast your vote for your favorite couple. Voting ends at midnight on September 22 so don't wait!

>> 13 must-read tips for planning a destination wedding

Domestic Destination Wedding in Historic Memphis

Knot Jenny — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 14:17:00 GMT

Thinking about getting away for your wedding but intimidated by the high prices and long travel times of a tropical destination wedding? Consider heading to Memphis, Tennessee, for a destination wedding close to home. A quick 40-minute flight from Atlanta, Memphis is home to the luxurious Madison Hotel, a stylish boutique hotel just steps away from downtown's historic Main Street. Enjoy Southern hospitality married with European elegance at the Madison Hotel for your wedding, then your and your guests can hit the town to take in all that Memphis has to offer from the exciting music scene to a visit to Graceland or one of the many museums.

The Madison Hotel offers a gorgeous rooftop terrace with a stunning, panoramic view of the Mississippi River and Hernando de Soto Bridge. After exchanging vows on the terrace, move inside to the ballroom or mezzanine for your reception where you'll enjoy the finest cuisine from their talented chefs.

While the Madison Hotel is a gorgeous venue fit for any bride, it is especially a popular choice for second-time brides looking for a distinctive, upscale venue. The romantic rooftop terrace is perfect for smaller, more intimate affairs made up of close friends. The high-end service and amenities completes the package for the sophisticated bride looking to create an elegant affair in the heart of Memphis.

>> Find more domestic destination wedding ideas

Tybee Wedding Chapel: Cut the Ribbon, Cut the Cake!

Knot Jenny — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 15:31:00 GMT

The Tybee Island Wedding Chapel is delighted to present its grand opening celebration, Cut the Ribbon, Cut the Cake! on Friday, August 12, beginning at 10:30 a.m. At this exclusive event, David Tutera of WE-TV's My Fair Wedding will be cutting the ribbon and the cake. He will then host a press conference inside the chapel, followed by an open house until 4 p.m. showcasing the talents and wares of wedding industry stand-outs in vignettes envisioned by the celebrity wedding planner.

The people of Tybee Island have embraced the Tybee Island Wedding Chapel, which David Tutera calls "a wonderful, important venue full of charm and character," and hold its moving story close to their hearts. Originally built by prized artisans to reflect the look of a turn-of-the-century Baptist chapel for a popular movie, it was slated for demolition after filming wrapped. At the last minute, the new owner Stacye Jarrell, saved the Chapel and lovingly repurposed it as a unique, beautiful wedding venue. The renewed Chapel has elevated Tybee Island to a premiere wedding destination where brides and grooms from across the country come to take their vows.

Elite members of the special event trade will design vignette motifs conceptualized by David Tutera to reflect the spirit of the Chapel, including: Lowcountry Chapel, Classic Chapel, Coastal Chapel, Picnic Posh and Unexpected Highlights of the Changing Seasons on Tybee. My Fair Wedding's David Tutera will review the vignettes with their creators and give a press conference regarding the charms the Tybee Island Wedding Chapel offers. He will also be on hand to meet and mingle, a great time for any members of the media, as well as his fans to say hello.

If you haven't been for a visit, Tybee Island, Georgia, is a lovely and eclectic island that is a truly inspirational destination. The Chapel reflects that spirit, a treasure amongst the live oak trees and Spanish moss. Tybee Island, awarded the title "Healthiest Beach in the US" by Health Magazine, has been prominently featured in national media. Arrangements will be made to accommodate a limited number of the media on the island, and interested parties should please contact Toren Anderson.

Not Your Typical Bridal Show

Knot Jenny — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 16:07:00 GMT

Founded in 2008 by photographer Callie Murray, The NotWedding is your chance to see amazing wedding inspiration and meet an array of vendors at a faux wedding where you can see them all in action. Complete with a sit-down dinner, a ceremony and a dance-party reception, The NotWedding has become an exciting alternative to the typical bridal show. The hand-selected vendors perform their services as they would at a real wedding, and the “wedding guests” (you!) get to listen to great music, view creative decor ideas and check out gorgeous wedding stationery, all while enjoying a night of great food, dancing and surprises.

This year's event will be hosted on Thursday, July 21, at Ambient + Studio in Atlanta. Doors open at 5:45 pm and the ceremony begins promptly at 6:30 pm. Tickets include the catered dinner, drinks, dessert and entertainment for all. Buy your tickets now at The NotWedding and get ready for a night of inspiration and surprises.

> Just engaged? Do these 10 things first!

Gorgeous Honeymoon in your own Backyard

Knot Jenny — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 13:20:00 GMT

Looking forward to the honeymoon but not so thrilled about the price of airfare these days? You don't have to spend a fortune or travel a thousand miles for a beautiful honeymoon. Whether you head towards the beach, the city or the mountains, there are tons of ideal honeymoon spots in your very own backyard.

For a romantic mountain escape, take a short jaunt to The Red Horse Inn in Landrum, South Carolina. Located in horse country, this AAA Four Diamond bed and breakfast offers panoramic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and utter tranquility for your honeymoon. With wineries, trails that skirt more than 50 waterfalls, breathtaking scenery, covered bridges, golf courses and more just miles away, you can explore the mountains or simply relax and enjoy the serenity. Just 20 minutes from Greenville-Spartanburg International and 30 minutes from downtown Greenville, The Red Horse Inn has a lot to offer for your relaxing honeymoon.

> More ideas for honeymoons in the US and Canada

Dream Wedding Giveaway

Knot Jenny — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 20:32:00 GMT

Dreaming of an amazing wedding on a gorgeous island? Here's your chance--enter to win an amazing wedding on scenic Jekyll Island when you submit your essay to The Jekyll Island Dream Wedding Giveaway, Presented with The Knot. All you have to do is write 250 words or less explaining why you would like to get married on Jekyll Island and you could win a Jekyll Island Club era-inspired wedding package valued at over $74,000.

Five finalists will be selected and their essays posted online for the public to vote on September 9 through September 22, 2011. The grand prize winner will be announced on October 3, 2011 and will have their choice of available dates in February and March 2012. From a planning weekend on Jekyll Island where you'll stay in a luxe suite, tour the island locations, meet the participating Dream Wedding Partners to discuss details and have engagement photos taken, to the big day complete with a string trio at the ceremony, gorgeous wedding flowers and a four-piece band, the perks just keep coming. Head to JekyllDreamWedding.com/entertowin to complete the official entry form before August 31, 2011, and you could be the big winner!

> View more Savannah/Coastal Area wedding venues

A Little Southern Hospitality

Knot Jenny — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 16:18:00 GMT

Show your guests some local love with a welcome basket highlighting some of the great things about Georgia. I love this welcome basket by Esther JuLee (spotted on their Facebook page), which includes a Georgia peach (a must have!), a map of Atlanta, Georgia peanuts, a bottle of Classic Coke, a voucher for a free Chik-fil-a sandwich and more iconic items from the South. Take a look around your area for local products and information on local attractions to include in the basket to truly give your out-of-town guests a taste of Georgia!

> 10 more simple ways to wow your guests