It’s our pleasure 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: Allison Barnes of Allison Barnes Events
Category: Event Planning and Design
Where you call home: Fairfax, VA
Favorite thing about weddings in the South? The soft and natural feel to them. They can be simple and elegant at the same time. The South has the best food and the most fun :)
Name: Amanda Rose of Amanda Day Rose
Category: Floral Design
Where you call home: Richmond, Virginia
Favorite thing about weddings in the South? The family celebrations, the traditions, the timelessness! Southern weddings are chock full of sweet details that have been passed down through the years, and I love that Southern traditions and values never go out of style!
Name: Adam Gilbert and Austin Stinson of Blueberry Creative
Category: Photography
Where you call home: Wilmington, NC
Favorite part of a wedding day? We love those moments when the bride is almost ready and she’s getting into her dress and putting on various jewelry. The “family element” makes those moments so great. There’s generally a lot of emotion in the room, which gives us so much to work with as story tellers.
Name: Meredith Speer of Bristol Lane
Category: Floral Design
Where you call home: Austin, TX
How I got into weddings: I minored in Horticulture in college as a creative outlet. Once I started classes, I realized floral design combined my love of art, flowers, and business. My family and friends encouraged me to design and a few short months after graduation the Lord blessed me with the opportunity to start a business!
Name: Matthew Pittman of Elements Catering
Category: Catering
Where you call home: Columbia, Mississippi
Best piece of advice you can give to brides and grooms? Take time to relax and enjoy the entire process. I know, at times, it can be stressful, but find that one thing that relaxes you and do it. This is a once in a lifetime experience and you want to enjoy it as much as you can.
Name: Amy Parman of Homestead Manor
Category: Venue
Where you call home: Thompson’s Station, Tennessee
Favorite thing about weddings in the South? The true warmth of hospitality and community. Southerners really know how to plan a party, set a table, throw open the doors, and embrace their loved ones.
Name: Levi Varner of PartyBox Photo Booth
Category: Rentals
Where you call home: Greenville, NC
Best piece of advice you can give to brides and grooms? Make sure that your guests are entertained. Not everyone is a dancer, so it’s great to offer something away from the dance floor.
Name: Stephanie Scholl of Stephanie Scholl Events
Category: Event Planning and Design
Where you call home: Raleigh, NC
Favorite thing about weddings in the South? I think Southern weddings are unique in the sense that there is such a profound focus on meaningful wedding days that ultimately lead to strong, lasting marriages. I adore all of the personalized, meaningful, unique touches that honor the couple, their traditions and culture, and the family and friends that celebrate love alongside them. The beauty of the South amazes me every day, and so many elements of a wedding pull from that inspiration. Southern weddings radiate joy, are steeped in tradition, tell beautiful love stories, and have, at their core, a desire to cultivate a marriage stronger than a Southern oak tree.
Name: Jamie Curley of Tanglewood Plantation
Category: Venue
Where you call home: Washington, DC
Best piece of advice you can give to brides and grooms? The best piece of advice I can give is to just try as hard as you can to enjoy every second of your wedding day, because the entire day passes in a second! Try to take one minute to enjoy your mother and father, try to take one minute to really look into each other eyes, and try to take a bite of your dinner!
Name: Whitney Neal of Whitney Neal Photography
Category: Photography
Where you call home: Louisville, KY
Favorite part of a wedding day? My favorite part of the wedding day is that surreal and powerful moment right before the bride walks down the aisle, and she and her father lock hands and eyes. It’s as if nothing else exists while they watch their life together flash before them.
Check out all of our favorite vendors in the Blue Ribbon Vendor Directory! If you would like to recommend someone (or nominate yourself!), send me an email!
Southern Weddings reserves the right to delete comments which contain profanity or personal attacks or seek to promote a business unrelated to the post. And remember: a good attitude is like kudzu – it spreads. We love hearing your kind thoughts!