It’s really a joy to get to introduce y’all to a new set of Blue Ribbon Vendors each month, because I just know any one of them would be a joy to you if you choose to work together! This time around, we’re introducing you to a few of them through their answers to some of our favorite BRV interview questions. Click through to their listings to find out more about them!
Name: Alyssa Arlene Events
Where you call home: Small town Louisiana
Why you do what you do: I want to work hard to prepare for your wedding day so you can work hard to prepare for your life together.
Name: Ashlee Virginia Events
Where you call home: Virginia, but we are constantly in South Carolina and Florida!
How I got into weddings: I founded AVE in 2009 after working as a wedding planner at a well-known Virginia venue. One of the blessings of being in the DC area is that you have access to every type of venue imaginable, and I wanted to design events at all of them! I took a leap of faith and have been blessed with wonderful brides and grooms that believe in me.
Name: Hannah Mayo Photography
Where you call home: Palm Beach, Florida
Best piece of advice for brides and grooms? Remember that this is about your love, first and foremost. Infuse the day with your personalities but make sure it all comes down to building a future together with your soul mate.
Name: Kate Foley Designs
Where you call home: Ft. Worth
How I got into weddings: After studying flowers and interior design in college, my best friend asked me to be a bridesmaid and design the flowers for her wedding. I fell in love with wedding flower designs and 15 years later, I still love what I do!
Name: Krystal Kast Photographers
Where you call home: Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Dream travel destination? Corsica, France, or a cycling trip around Sicily
Name: Legacy Farms
Where you call home: Tennessee
Favorite thing about weddings in the South? How sugar-sweet the guests are! There aren’t many weddings in which hearts aren’t being blessed and cornbread isn’t part of the bread basket.
Name: Llorente Design
Where you call home: Miami, Florida
Favorite part of a wedding day? The bride and groom’s first dance. I always cry.
Name: O.Henry Hotel
Where you call home: Greensboro, North Carolina
Things you’d write home to your Momma about: O.Henry Hotel was hand-selected to be a member of the “Southern Living” Hotel Collection and is also a AAA four diamond hotel.
Name: Poppy Lane Design
Where you call home: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Favorite part of a wedding day? The happiest moment is the bride’s face when she sees her bouquet for the first time. To us, it’s equal to the groom seeing her for the first time.
Name: Rachel May Photography
Where you call home: Madison County, Virginia
Favorite thing about weddings in the South? The sweet Southern hospitality. The care and love of every detail for each guest. I also love the tradition and how each family treasures them; it’s not done as a routine but as a gift passed down.
Check out all of our favorite vendors in the Blue Ribbon Vendor Directory! I also wanted to mention that we’re working particularly hard to expand some of our areas of slim pickings – namely, Kentucky, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and West Virginia. If you would like to recommend someone (or nominate yourself!) for any of these states, please email emily at southernweddings.com!
Yay!! So honored to be a part of the SW family! <3