Weddings in North Carolina » Miscellaneous

Recommendations: Catherine Katz, NC wedding coordinator

admin — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 11:26:15 +0000

First of my daughter Hannah’s reviews of the wedding vendors she chose for her NC wedding…

Catherine Katz, wedding coordinator

Day-of Coordinator: Catherine Katz, Cherished Celebrations. I cannot say enough great things about Catherine Katz. She calls her job “Day Of” coordinating but she actually worked on our wedding for weeks – and when it actually happened, she remembered every tiny detail and took care of EVERYTHING.

She helped us figure out who needed to get paid when. She carried wedding props around (including fragile props and food items that could easily have melted in the 95 degree heat). She moved wedding guests to and fro. She produced a cake knife when we hadn’t even remembered we needed one. She put bride and groom in the right places at the right times.

She quickly won over my mother (this blog’s hostess), who was initially quite suspicious about whether a DOC was worth the money.

Most importantly, Catherine gave us the ability to actually ENJOY our own wedding – she managed everything perfectly. She was friendly and relaxed, which helped us enormously – when you and your family are all in heightened states of emotion, you need someone to keep cool. And most importantly, she gave us peace of mind so that we could just relax, FORGET about the logistics and have a good time!

“Day of” Coordinator: Catherine Katz

admin — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 17:38:12 +0000

This is Catherine Katz of Cherished Celebrations; she is my daughter’s wedding coordinator. We have just met with her once, but the look of relief that broke like sunshine over my daughter’s face as she realized Catherine was going to be able to take care of everything was a miracle to see!

Great wedding photographer in Triangle Area: Elizabeth Larson

admin — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 13:45:05 +0000

My daughter’s photographer got pregnant and realized her due date was around the time of my daughter’s wedding, so she got her fellow professional photographer Elizabeth Larson to take the job. (I took the picture above.)

Elizabeth met us at Duke Gardens in Durham NC recently to do some engagement photos. She said it might take as much as two hours but we were done in 45 minutes and her images are wonderful. You can visit them at her blog: Elizabeth Larson, wedding photographer in NC. I love the choices she made when posting to her blog, here are a couple of samples:

My daughter and her fiance, Elizabeth Larson photographer

My daughter and fiance, photo by Elizabeth Larson

More wedding cakes seen at the Carolina Inn Bridal Fair in Chapel Hill

admin — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 21:59:08 +0000

I had been under the impression that fondant icing is on the way “out” but not at this bridal event! In fact just about every cake I saw was decorated with fondant. These, from Lynn’s Traditions in Raleigh NC, for instance:

Lynn's traditions wedding cakes with fondant icing

And these next two pictures are cakes from Miel Bon Bons in Carrboro:

Wedding Cake from Miel Bon Bons

Here are more cakes from Miel in Carrboro, NC:

Tall tiered fondant wedding cake in NC

Sorry for all the craziness…

admin — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 16:53:12 +0000

My wordpress blogs were hacked, and while I’m trying to put them back together unexpected things are happening. Hopefully soon I’ll have them back together and be able to resume posting.

Interesting idea: $5000 wedding by “Events in a Box.”

admin — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 22:57:51 +0000

I was at a bridal vendors event lately and while I did not meet this vendor, the idea seems interesting:

Chantel Smith, “event coordinator,” is offering a flat-rate $5,000 package which includes:

Her services
A wedding designer
8-hour venue (A Step to Gold in Raleigh, Cambria Suites at RDU, or Duke Tower Hotel in Durham)
Cake and cake designer
Floral centerpieces
Massage therapist
Photographer & portraits
Ceremony minister

Events in a Box, NC.

Wedding gifts and favors: handmade books

admin — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 22:50:09 +0000

Handmade Weekly Planner by theAyBeeCees

Based in Asheboro, this artist makes handmade blank books and address books of various sizes, shapes, and luxury levels. Her books are luxurious to see and hold in your hand, the photo doesn’t do them justice. All different patterns and types of fabric available.

Visit the the Ay Bee Cees at Etsy.

A painter who will paint at your wedding: weddingbrushes.com

admin — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 22:41:36 +0000

by Sharon Michalka of weddingbrushes.com

I watched Sharon Michalka of weddingbrushes.com in action recently. She sat down in a corner with her canvas and paints, and as the event unfolded, it unfolded on her painting as well. It was quite entertaining and she’s a nice person. She’ll do portraits as well, of course.

Warning: her website has automatic music. Look to the right of the screen for a place to turn it off.

New Hope Camp and Conference Center – great, inexpensive venue for weddings

admin — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 13:27:31 +0000

Of the places we considered, Camp New Hope was my preference for my daughter’s wedding next year. It is big, informal, outdoorsy but with nice indoor space, very close to where we live, and inexpensive.

I took these pictures yesterday – it’s late August so everything is kind of burnt up from the sun.

The entrance to Camp New Hope

The guy who runs it is very kind and accommodating. I’ve played a number of weddings there and found the venue very pleasant.

Dogwood Cabin at Camp New Hope

There are two biggish cabins on site which can be rented for the weekend of your wedding, for people who don’t like to drive. The cabins have kitchens so you can settle in and have a vacation weekend!

New Hope Camp pavilion

[caption id="attachment_408" align="alignleft" width="475" caption="New Hope Camp and Conference Center dining hall"][/caption]The dining hall is large, air-conditioned, and L-shaped, so you can have one activity at one end and another at the other. Also, they have chairs and tables so you don’t have to go to the trouble and expense of renting them.

Fleming Lodge at Camp New Hope

Fleming Lodge, which is close by the dining hall, is smaller but nicer: it has a wood floor, I’ve done contradances there. It has a porch where people sometimes put food and/or drink.

Picnic Pavilion at Camp New Hope

There are several pavilions, some larger, some smaller; I’m a mentor with the Blue Ribbon Mentor-Advocate program in Carrboro NC and they sponsor family get-togethers at Camp New Hope, with volleyball on the grass and tons of people in the pavilion for a fried-chicken feast.

Also, having the pavilion means if it rains, or if it’s very hot, there’s shelter for you and your guests.

Field at Camp New Hope

My daughter decided the camp was too rustic for her, but for an informal affair it would be wonderful. The next post will give prices.

Wedding cakes spotted at the Southern Bridal Show & Expo, Raleigh NC August 2009

admin — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 11:05:27 +0000

Ashley Cakes

Cakes from the Raleigh NC Bridal Show

Most Colorful Cake at the bridal show in Raleigh NC August 2009

Most Crooked Cake at the Southern Bridal Show in Raleigh NC