Real Weddings: Ashley and BJ

In honor of Ashley and BJ's one year anniversary, which took place a few weeks ago, we have decided to use them as the couple of choice for our #RealWeddings post. We hope Ashley and BJ continue to enjoy married life and we will continue to enjoy these fabulous photos taken by Shelby Street Photography.

Vendors:

• Epitome Bartending
• Prime Time Party Rental
• The Flowerman
• Vertigo Catering
• Afterhours Entertainment DJ

Friday Find: Must Reads for the Newly Engaged

When two out of three in your office are engaged there is a lot of wedding talk happening. Especially when you already work in the world of weddings! Our staff put together some of our top picks for newly engaged couples to help you not only get started on your wedding planning but also to make sure you start your marriage off on the right foot. Check out our list below!

• The 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman
  
  
  
   

• The Knot Complete Guide To Weddings

• Emily Post's Wedding Etiquette

• The Knot Book of Wedding Lists

• Williams-Sonoma Bride & Groom Cookbook

• 101 Conversation Starters for Couples by Gary Chapman

And just for the groom because we would never leave him out...

• The Groom's Instruction Manual: How to Survive and Possibly Even Enjoy the Most Bewildering Ceremony Known to Man (Owner's and Instruction Manual)

• The Knot Guide for the Groom

What are some of your favorite wedding and marriage books? 

Real Weddings; Allison & Rob

One of the many things that makes The Center so special is we are able to be the venue for both the ceremony and the reception, meaning, we get to take part in the entire day! We love following the bride as she gets ready to walk down the aisle to when she departs with her new husband at the end of the night. By being there each step of the way, we feel as if we share a certain bond with the couple as we celebrate with them for the whole day.

Allison and Robert were one of these couples. We rejoiced as they exchanged rings and danced (behind the scenes, of course) as DJ Toad started the party. Their wedding was filled with gorgeous flowers and white draping that would make any guest stare in awe. Take a look at how they were able to turn The Center's blank canvas into their very own work of art.

Click Here to Watch Allison & Robert's Wedding Highlight Video

Vendors:
John Hinger, Quince & Quinn
Goodwin Lighting
DJ Toad
Cake Rack Bakery
Eat Well Celebrations and Feasts
Fyrefly Photography
True Artists Studios

Friday Find: Olivia Palermo's Wedding

It's official! Olivia Palermo and German model, Johannes Huebl finally tied the knot after over 6 years of dating! As expected, this couple put a unique twist on their nuptials...

Notice something a little different? Palermo ditched the traditional wedding dress in favor of three Carolina Herrera separates: a cream cashmere sweater, white shorts, and a sheer satin and silk tulle skirt. Wondering about her something blue? Don't worry! She was sure to tie in the same Manolo Blahnik pumps that Carrie Bradshaw married in at her civil ceremony for the Sex and the City movie, providing the necessary "something blue" for her big day.

Only a handful of family members and a couple friends attended the quiet ceremony in a Bedford, New York park. Later, they met in New York City for a party to celebrate becoming husband and wife. Of course, this was only "part one" of the Palermo/Huebl wedding. Rumor has it the couple is planning a second celebration later this year in St. Bart's, where Johannes proposed.

Real Weddings; Cecilia & Ryan

One of our very first weddings to kick off the 2014 wedding season at The Center was Cecilia & Ryan's. We had the honor of being the venue for this beautiful couple's reception.

Cecilia and Ryan were able to make this day their very own by focusing on the details. Their caterer, Happy Valley Dim Sum & Asian Cuisine, flew in from Atlanta to serve delicious traditional cuisine, while engagement photos of Cecilia and Ryan were displayed throughout The Center, making it a truly personal environment. Not to mention, all of their wedding pictures turned out adorable!! and we mean ah-dora-ble! They were captured by Thomas Nguyen Photography.

And if you thought it couldn't get any more precious, it can. Take a look at their video montage created by Studio 213.





Some other vendors that helped make this magical day come to life:

• Sonic Sounds DJ
• Atmospheric Productions DJ and Lighting
• The Secret Garden

We wish Cecilia and Ryan a long and happy marriage!

Friday Find: The Knot Dream Wedding 2014

We aren't sure about you but we have really enjoyed watching The Knot Dream Wedding unfold over the last few weeks. This year The Knot selected Rebekah Gregory and Pete DiMartino as their 2014 Dream Wedding couple. These two truly deserved the wedding of their dreams after all the obstacles they have overcome, including being injured during the Boston Marathon bombing. Their love story is amazing!

 

Aren't they just the cutest?! Over a period of seven weeks the theme and details of Rebekah and Pete's wedding were revealed to them. All details were voted on by the public using The Knots website. We loved seeing what choices won each week! See all the details here.

 

Go ahead and grab your tissues. Their wedding highlight video by Tweed Weddings + Lee Brice's song "I Don't Dance" will definitely cause you to shed a tear!

 

 

 

If you're like us and just can't get enough, click here to see some of the photos from their wedding. Gorgeous!

 

Friday Find

We have been obsessing over past bachelorette Desiree Hartsock's engagement party all week! Her party was overflowing with elegance, with a dash of rustic charm.  As our treat to you, we decided to put together a couple of our favorite pieces from the night! You're welcome, reality TV lovers!

 

 

 

How awesome would these vintage furniture pieces look in The Center?? It would really bring our ballroom to life! We have our fingers crossed that Des will choose The Center for her reception (After much time spent stalking her blog, we discovered her parent's live in Ohio, so it could happen!)

This extravagant event was put on by Capstory. See the rest of the pictures by visiting Desiree Hartsock's blog!

Added Note* Desiree favorited the tweet we posted about this! No, I am currently not screenshotting it and sending it to all my friends. ;)

Pictures credited to Desiree Hartock's blog and Carla Ten Eyck Photography.