Katie & Ben

This adorable couple got married this August at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Brandon, Mississippi. Here are some of the highlights from the evening. The images were captured by David Legg Photography. Thanks so much David for allowing us to share these pictures with our followers.

Katie and her bridesmaids.
St. Paul's Sanctuary looked picturesque that evening.

The bridal cake was created by Iris Smith.

Iris also created this groom's table with chocolate cupcakes.

The floral and catering was crafted by Wendy Putt & Fresh Cut.

Katie was serenaded by her sorority sisters.

The couple left amid falling white confetti through a sea of guests.

Congratulations Katie & Ben!!!

Preston Bailey in Birmingham

Preston Bailey in Birmingham, Alabama. This past September, Preston Bailey, event planner and floral designer to the stars, ( Donald Trump, Katie & Tom, Liza Minnelli, and Melissa Rivers) to name a few) visited Birmingham and I was lucky enough to be a part of it.

He gave amazing tips and told of hilarious stories with his star clients. The flowers were all inspired by his signature style.

His set including flowers dripping from wooden frames and 6-10 foot structures. How beautiful would the above scene be for a ceremony. I can picture the bride and groom standing in front of the officiant under the floral frame. What a stunning picture that would make!

This table scape was made from vibrant oranges and pinks. The pattern of over sized polka dots added a contemporary, preppy feel. It may not translate in the photograph, but the table is square and sits higher than a typical table. The chairs are also higher than a typical chivari chair and makes the guests feel as if they are sitting more "bar height." I loved the innovation!

Just classic! You can't ever go wrong with a mass of cream roses and chunky pillar candles! Notice how the event lighting makes the arrangement look like it's a glow. Lighting makes ALL the difference!

Again, a more contemporary black, silver and white overlay with over sized polka dots!

Again, just a classic Preston Bailey table scape. I LOVE the lighting!

Here's a close-up of the glass vase. He has strung glass beads and roses and submersed them under the water to add more conversation to this already stunning arrangement.

These pictures were taken during Preston's slide show of past events. This was a Cinderella inspired carriage he made from flowers for the ceremony backdrop.

Without the story... you can't appreciate the magnitude of what this picture shows. Before Preston put his magical touch on this event space, it was just an empty warehouse. The bride wanted her guests to experience walking through a church door. So he created this entrance, inside the warehouse. This was a 3-D backdrop that hung from the ceiling. Unreal!!!

Preston created these outdoor whimsical trees from ribbon, thousands and thousands of ribbon cuttings. When someone asked him if there was a specific type of ribbon he suggested, he responded... "the cheapest I could find!"

You can visit Preston's website and blog below and see more about his fabulous stylings at:

http://www.prestonbailey.blogspot.com/ and
http://www.prestonbailey.blogspot.com/

Ann & JJ: Watch Shanna Lumpkin on Wedding Central airing on December 21

I can't thank Anne & JJ, their families, wedding party, and vendors enough for allowing the WE Network to capture such an unforgettable event. Also, a special thank you to all of the vendors who made this wedding possible.

Church - Oxford-University United Methodist Church http://ouumc.org/

Reception - Oxford University Club http://www.oxforduniversityclub.net/

Florist - Oxford Floral http://www.oxfordfloral.com/

Photography - Scott Burton Photography http://www.scottburtonphotography.com/

Videography - Micha Ginn, Micah Ginn Videography
Band - Class Reunion
Cake Baker - Vienna Desserts http://www.viennadesserts.com/

Ceremony Musicians -
Robert Riggs, cello
Yan Mao, violin
Susan Gaston, cello
Charlie Miles, trumpet
Vocalist - Mrs. Jennifer Jernigan Gross

Additional Musicians - Ole Miss Dixie Land Band

Cookie Favors - Emileigh's Baking and Catering Company http://www.emileighs.com/

Bridal and Bridal Party portrait location - The Colonel's Quarters http://www.thecolonelsquarters.com/

Transportation - Oxford Double Decker Bus http://www.oxfordms.net/about/doubledecker.htm

Below I have posted some of the beautiful pictures from the event

captured by Scott Burton Photography.

Mrs. Anne Jernigan - the beautiful bride!

The bridesmaids practicing for the all important bouquet toss!

Anne and her bridesmaids getting ready at The Colonel's Quarters.

The groom and his guys.

The breathtaking five tier creation by Vienna Desserts.

JJ's officially joined the club!

CONGRATS!!!!!

Amy & Ben: Watch Shanna Lumpkin on Wedding Central airing on December 14

I can't thank Amy & Ben, their families, wedding party, and vendors enough for allowing the WE Network to capture such an unforgettable event. Also, a very special thank you to all of the vendors who made this wedding possible.

Church - Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle www.jacksondiosecese.org/parish/46.html

Reception - Providence Hill Farm http://www.providencehillfarm.com/

Catering - VIP Catering http://www.vipgrandevents.com/

Florist - Garden District http://www.gardendistrictmemphis.com/

Photography - Kevin Beasley Photography http://www.kevinbeasley.com/

Videography - Flux Motion Video

Band - The House Rockers http://www.thehouserockers.net/

Cake Designer - The Cake Diva http://www.thecakediva.net/

Ceremony Musicians - Jimmy Scoggins - organist, James Jenkins - trumpet, Joel Andrus - viola, Bonnie McCoy - violin, Melissa Hause - violin, Bridgeet Olugbula - cello

Bagpipers - JB Griffith http://www.southernpiper.com/
and Tim Gordon http://www.turas-trimh-alba.com/

Transportation - classic car Melba Williams

Soloist - D. Stephen Brouillette, Jr.

Below I have posted some of the beautiful pictures from the event
captured by Kevin Beasley Photography.

Amy's beautiful bridal bouquet, designed by The Garden District, Memphis.

The classic get away car parked in front of St. Peter's.

Our bagpipers - JB Griffith and Tim Gordon

Sparklers the guests used for Amy & Ben's exit from the church.

A sparkling send-off!

The table that welcomed the guests to the reception.

CD's for the guests to take as a memento with some of Amy & Ben's favorite songs.

Favors boxes that the guests filled with their choice of sweets from the candy "bar".


The night's signature drink - mint juleps.

A work of sugar art, created by the Cake Diva.

Some of the beautiful flowers to create the reception decor.

At the end of the evening, the guests were treated to warm donuts and ice cold milk.

One of Amy's bridal portrait taken at Providence Hill Farm.

MANY CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Our television debut on WE TV, Wedding Central: The Wedding Planners Airing December 14th and 21st

JACKSON, MS (November 1, 2008) – Local wedding planner, Shanna Lumpkin, will share her Southern charm with the nation this December, as she stars in two episodes of WE television network’s bridal show, Wedding Central: The Wedding Planners. In each one-hour episode, Lumpkin is featured planning the weddings of two high-profile clients, from the pre-wedding preparations to the day-of dramatics.

For both episodes, Lumpkin worked closely with clients, Anne Coleman and Justin “J.J.” Jernigan and Amy Neel and Ben Boteler. For the Coleman-Jernigan wedding which took place on March 29, Lumpkin truly fulfilled her role as director for this high-energy wedding which at times resembled a Broadway production. Ole Miss college sweethearts, Anne and Justin, could not think of a more meaningful place to be wed than in the picturesque town where they met and fell in love, Oxford. With a wedding party of 26, the couple, with family and friends in tow, gathered to parade through the streets of Oxford while 300 guests looked on. Luckily for the couple, Lumpkin’s background in musical theatre helped set the stage for executing their unforgettable and joyous wedding. The Coleman-Jernigan wedding will air on WE on December 21.

Next to walk down the aisle were Amy Neel and Ben Boteler on April 5. Beginning with a storybook engagement in Scotland, the couple’s wedding was every bit as memorable. The evening ceremony was a romantic, traditional service at St. Peter's Catholic Church, followed by a reception at idyllic Providence Hill Farm. Lumpkin was tasked with throwing a high-society fete, combined with comfortable elegance in an nontraditional horse barn for 500 guests. In order to transform the barn into a sophisticated setting, Lumpkin hung shimmering chandeliers and placed hundreds of flowers to give the barn a formal, yet natural aura. Proving her ability to literally stay calm amidst a storm, Lumpkin was pushed to the test when a tornado ripped through town the day before the wedding, leaving her to make sure the highly-anticipated Jackson society wedding went off without a hitch. The Neel-Boteler wedding will air on WE on December 14.

Having had a flare for drama since her youth as a performer, it was no surprise that Lumpkin saw an opportunity to combine her personal passion with her professional aspirations through a career in the exciting wedding industry. Since 2003, Lumpkin’s company has orchestrated over 60 unforgettable weddings with traditional Southern sophistication and unique charm, as she guides brides and grooms to bringing their creative visions to awe-inspiring fruition. As a member of the Association of Bridal Consultants, Lumpkin stays up-to-date on the latest trends in the wedding industry and is always learning and growing professionally from her work with clients. Lumpkin’s weddings have been featured in Mississippi magazine and Southern Bride.

Ok, so I was lazy and just copied the press release, but they explained it so well... why recreate the wheel! Below I have posted some pictures from the filming. It was truly such an exciting experience for everyone involved. Thank you to everyone who made it happen... I couldn't do what I do without my incredible staff who really gives it their all. Also, much gratitude to the vendors who were so patient and understanding to work with. Having a film crew film a meeting certainly puts a new spin on things... and y'all were awesome!

Here's the crew from (Left to Right) Travis (the videographer), me (the wedding planner), Judy (the director), Kevin (sound tech), and Alex (PA).

Amber and Shanna stuffing Amy and Ben's wedding invitations.

A menu tasting hosted by VIP Catering for Amy and Ben's reception.

Susan Smith and her crew with VIP Catering brought their mobile kitchen for the menu tasting.

The morning of Amy and Ben's wedding! We were all a little tired from the hurricane excitement the day before. But we were ready... the show must go on!

Me working in my office. (The cleanest it's ever been by the way... I cannot tell a lie!)

A specialty drink tasting at Oxford University Club with Anne and JJ... they chose mojitos.

Posing at the bar.

Greetings at Oxford Floral to plan the floral details for Anne and JJ.

Welcome... to our blog

I am so thrilled to finally be able to begin my blog ... something I have always wanted to do but never had the time! Things have only gotten busier, so I decided, like anything else, I would make time. Be sure to save us by clicking on the "follow this blog" link on the top right of the screen. I plan to use the blog, among many things, to be able to share new and recent projects. Please let me know you're out there by commenting

and don't hesitate to send over your requests and questions.