Real Weddings: Great Gatsby in Fourth Ward

We just received the pictures from our 09.21.13 wedding at Historic Fourth Ward Park (Atlanta) of Jess + Charles and we are so excited. Here’s why, what you can’t see in these pictures is the enormous amount of rain that came down that day. I’m not taking about a sprinkle here and a drizzle there, it literally rain “Cats and Dogs” the entire day.  The ceremony and reception were both held outside in the park, where everything got soaked. Hair was wet, clothes soaked down to the core but my staff remained professional and well poised.  I have to give a HUGE Thank You to my “Dream Team” that did an amazing job on this wedding. The bride and groom were extremely pleased. Awesome job Lauren, Kay and Stephanie…I couldn’t ask for a better TEAM!!!Venue: Historic Fourth Ward Park
Day of Coordinator: Z. Curlett Events
Live Sax: Mike Jones
Photo: Amanda Greene Photography
Floral & Décor: Elite Design
DJ: Spontaneous Entertainment
Programs: Cherish Paperie

 

The Proposal: Erica + Stenio

The day was October 25th, 2013; we’d just embarked on a day of fun and adventure in Montego Bay, Jamaica, visiting the beautiful island courtesy of my college friend’s destination wedding. We started our morning with an early morning breakfast and then we decided to try our hand at some water sports. First, we did a little kayaking, but under Stenio’s (mis)direction, we would have been vacationing with his family in Haiti if I’d let him continue to guide us. So, I managed to get us back on track and back to shore safely, where we then took up some water tubing and wind surfing.

After our morning of fun, we had worked up an appetite and decided to venture off the resort to the city of Montego Bay to find some authentic Jamaican food. Stenio hired us a cab driver to show us around for a few hours, and we found a small, Jamaican, family-owned place for lunch. While eating and taking in the wonder that is Jamaica, Stenio asked me, ”Would you marry me?” Though I knew he was joking, as he’s asked me the same question numerous times before, I told him yes, as I’ve told him numerous times before, and then he said we were married. I told him that I didn’t have a ring, so he made a ring out of our used straw wrapper, placed it on my ring finger, and we continued on with our day. Of course, that ring fell off.

Our driver continued our island tour, taking us through the hills to see the mansions and the slums. He also took us to an old hotel that sat atop a mountain, overlooking Montego Bay. The view was breath-taking, with the sun setting over the island. In my mind, I thought, “this would be a beautiful spot for a proposal…”

On the way back to the resort, our driver stopped so that we could do a little shopping and visit Margaritaville. While shopping, Stenio became very quiet and reserved, but I figured he was just worn out from our busy day, so I ignored him. It was a quiet ride back to the hotel and a silent walk to our room.

Before we got dressed for dinner, I decided I wanted to go sit on the beach right outside of our room for a bit, but Stenio insisted that we needed to talk. I told him I’d be back after I went to the beach, but he was adamant that I needed to come to the room right then!

When I walked into the room, Stenio was sitting on the bed. He looked up at me and asked me if I wanted to marry him. Assuming he was carrying over our conversation from lunch, I started to answer, but he continued, telling me that he loved me, and that I’d made a huge impact in his life since the day he met me. He told me that he had wanted to do “this” at our beachfront dinner scheduled for later that night, but he wanted it just to be the two of us. He didn’t want anyone else around because he wanted the moment to be about us, as our relationship was going to be between us. Catching on that he was indeed proposing, when he asked me to marry him again, he reached in his pocket and pulled out a beautiful engagement ring. Of course I said, “YES!”

Gabrail + Melissa: “A Celebration of Love”

Married: 04.26.13
Venue: Old Courthouse on the Square
City: Decatur, GA
Theme: “All Things Atlanta”
Coordinator: Z. Curlett Events http://www.zcurlettevents.com
Video Credit: White Dress Media

Decades of Love: Lorenzo & Robyn Thomas – April 2, 2014

Lorenzo & Robyn Thomas (Established 1994) TWO Decades of Marriage

 

Let me introduce to you Mr. & Mrs. Thomas.  They are on their second DECADE of Love and was very eager to share their story, Here goes!

Married: June 12, 1994

State of Residence: Alabama

Q: If you could choose something that represents or symbolizes your relationship, what would that be? I would say a “Phoenix”.  A Phoenix symbolizes renewal, heavenly life, the exceptional man and certain aspects of Christian Life.  Which I can say represents us. 

Q: What is your definition of LOVE as it relates to your marriage? Love is being able to love someone through the good, the bad and the ugly.  It is not giving up on him or her and loving without giving it a second thought

Q: What makes your LOVE last after all of these years? Our LOVE has lasted the test of time because we still look at each other the same way we did when we first met in 1993.  We still sneak away for secret kisses and are constantly giving each other romantic glances and winks from across the room

Q: If you were asked to counsel a newly married or recently engaged couple, what (3) things would you express to them (in making LOVE last? (1) Your marriage should ALWAYS include God, each other and no one else (2) Learn to enjoy the simple things in life, it will help especially during the tougher times (3) Always find things to laugh about.  Laughter is good for the soul.  You don’t have to always be so serious about everything.

Q: Do you AGREE or DISAGREE with the following statement “After a period of time in every marriage, the “New Love” feeling fades? (Please explain your answer) I agree, just like anything new after a while you begin to loose interest…But this is when you have to try new things to keep it SPICY and regenerate that flame!

Decades of Love: Tracy & Stephanie Jenkins – April 1, 2014

I would like to introduce to you Mr. & Mrs. Tracy Jenkins.  I met Tracy when we were both stationed overseas in the military in 1992, so it is with great pleasure that the “Jenkins” are the FIRST couple that I highlight in the “Decades of Love” campaign

Married: 07.07.2000 (21 years)

State of Residence: Georgia

Q: If you could choose something that represents or symbolizes your relationship, what would that be? Having a “Open-End Heart”

Q: What is your definition of LOVE as it relates to your marriage? There’s not just one thing.  But when someone else is willing to put self aside to make sure their significant other s happy, that’s love.

Q: What makes your LOVE last after all of these years? Communication and Compromise is the key

Q: If you were asked to counsel a newly married or recently engaged couple, what (3) things would you express to them (in making LOVE last)? (1) Communication, talk to each other often (2) Set time aside for each other, don’t get too busy with other things (3) Compromise on things when possible

Q: Do you AGREE or DISAGREE with the following statement “After a period of time in every marriage, the NEW LOVE feeling fades” (Please explain your answer) Disagree.  If it fades, you’ve stopped paying attention to your mate.  I find new things to love about my husband all of the time.  That “new” information causes me to fall in love with him again and again and again.

Tracy & Stephanie Jenkins (Established 2000) ONE Decade of Marriage

 

Decades of LOVE in Marriage: Nationwide Campaign

As a professional wedding planner I am surrounded by love on a daily basis.  I myself have been married for 21 years to the most amazing husband, father, best friend and confidant.  Young couples sometimes ask me what my secret is to staying married.  This campaign was designed by a fellow wedding planner by the name of Ms. Athena DeVonne of Coalese Creations (Dallas, TX) as a way to put MARRIAGE on the fore front of society. 

When you turn on the television, one of the first things that you encounter is reality shows discussing: who is divorcing who, who has a girlfriend or boyfriend on the side and who is separating.  No more do we want this to be the “IN” thing to talk about.  We want to discuss what it takes to experience longevity in your marriage.  We want to see what others did to stay married for a decade or longer.

Myself along with dozens of other wedding planners have joined together on this campaign.  For the next (30) days we will each post/highlight a different story of a couple who has been married at least a DECADE.  If you yourself or you know someone who has shared a decade of love in marriage I would love to share your story in the goal of touching the lives and hearts of newly engaged and newly wed couples.  As well as to anyone just needing to hear … love is strong and exists! 

Here is what you have to do:

1. Email us in the subject line include “Decades of Love“

2. Once received we will email you the questionnaire to fill out and return to us along with a picture of your sweetie

3. We will then give you confirmation of what day your story will be on our BLOG as well as Facebook Business Page. As an added incentive to participate Z. Curlett Events is giving the couple that receives the most LIKES a $50.00 Visa Gift Card

I challenge you all to make a difference in the marriage of all of newly married and recently engaged couples…Let’s show them that marriage does in fact WORK!!!!!

 

Happy Groom + Happy Bride = Happy Planner

There is absolutely nothing like having a happy couple on the wedding day.   With so many last minute details and running around, the day of the wedding can be quite stressful (to say the least).  It puts the biggest smile on my face when I see that the bride and groom are both “Stress Free, Worry Free and Pressure Free”.

I had the biggest chuckle when I received these pictures from our photographer, Chelsea Patricia…She captured a silly moment from our September 2013 groom, shortly before the ceremony.  I love it when a groom is relaxed and laid back with not a care in the world (makes a planners job just that much easier) LOL

Photo Cred {Chelsea Patricia Photography}

Z. Curlett Events

The Great Debate Continues: First Look or Not

According to tradition, it is considered bad luck for the bride to be seen by the groom before the ceremony.  In days when marriages were arranged they rarely saw one another as “dating” was not a custom.

The lifting of the veil at the end of the ceremony symbolizes male dominance.  If the bride takes the initiative in lifting it, thereby presenting herself to him, she is showing more independence. 

In some Middle Eastern and Asian cultures, the veil was worn to hide the brides face completely from the groom who had never seen her. Only after they were married would the groom be allowed the lift the veil to see his new wife’s face.”

In the earliest times, some brides were even kidnapped — barely one step removed from the caveman bonking his chosen fiance over the head with a club. Marriage by purchase was quite common, where the bride was exchanged for land, political alliance, social status and/or currency. These negotiations were carried out by the parents of the bride and groom, with the “happy couple” having no say in the matter whatsoever. Indeed, the Anglo-Saxon word “wedd” meant the groom would vow to marry the woman – and that the bartered goods and/or currency would go directly to the bride’s father. Often the groom’s family informed him that he was to marry…but very rarely let him see the bride. After all, if the groom didn’t like the bride’s looks, he might not agree to the marriage. With this in mind, the father of the bride gave the bride away to the groom who then lifted the veil to see his wife of all eternity for the first time. 

In short, the wedding was little more than the purchase of a bride for breeding purposes. Not a particularly liberated point of view, but this tradition, like many other quirky wedding customs, is remembered and still symbolized today.

My personal opinion: I love the idea of the “First Look” it lends the opportunity for the bride and groom to share a few moments of intimate time prior to the start of the event.  Once the event begins until they are walking to the limo at the end of the night, there is NO ALONE time…Cameras flashing, Guests hugging and Toast after Toast after Toast (giggles) I recommend “The First Look” to my clients but ultimately leave the decision to them.  I feel it is my obligation to provide each couple with both the Pros & Cons of having the first look and then stepping back to leave the decision up to them

Z. Curlett Events

Engagement Session (Lewis + Giles)

 

 

 

There is nothing more beautiful than “Young Love” It puts a instant smile on my face to see two people genuinely in love with life and each other.  When Lawonna and Brandon met several years ago they would have never imagined that they would one day be getting married. Please enjoy their engagement session that was taken in the beautiful city of Little Rock, Arkansas.  The wedding theme is “Love & Basketball” to incorporate both L + B LOVE for each other and for the game of basketball

Z. Curlett Events

Wedding Wednesday: Vendor Spotlight – Samantha Reese Makeup

Z. Curlett Events is starting a new series each Wednesday to feature a different vendor that we work with or hope to work with in 2014.  To start things off our FIRST vendor is none other than: Samantha Reese – Makeup and Hair.  Let’s meet Samantha and find out what this vendor is doing in and around Atlanta

1.  How long have you been in business Samantha?

— Believe it or not, just (2) short years

2. Tell us what we should know about Samantha.

— Well, I was born in Florida, raised in Michigan, and lived in Los Angeles for 7 years, before moving to Atlanta in 2012. I’ve ALWAYS had an affinity for hair and makeup, and harbored a mild obsession for weddings! I have over 10 years experience doing hair and makeup, but I officially decided to become a full time professional makeup artist in 2012

3. What makes you different from other Makeup Artists in the Atlanta area?

— I think I differ from a lot of other bridal makeup artists, and most definitely in this market, is my versatility. I can do everything from the very clean, “barely there” makeup to full on “Glamazon” bridal makeup.

4. Why should brides hire Samantha Reese?

— Because your wedding day, and how you look walking down the aisle and in those photos that you will one day show to your grandchildren, is just as important to me, as it is to you.

5. What services do you offer to brides? Do you have a specialty?

— I love hair styling and Makeup for all special occasions, Bridal consultations, and private makeup lessons. I also have an extensive background in film/tv, runway/print and other special occasions.

6. Who is your ideal client?

— Someone who is excited about the experience, open to and trusting of me and my creativity.

7.  Do you travel or are all of your clients in and around Atlanta?

— No,  we will absolutely travel!

8. How can brides reach you?

— I can be reached by either Email: SReese6@gmail.com or by Phone: (310) 597-6825.  Give me a call to discuss your special day.

9.  Are you on Social Media?  Can you share with the Brides how they can see your work?

— Facebook: Samantha Reese Makeup Artistry

— Instagram: @SamIam_mua

— Website: http://www.SamanthaReese.com

10. Thank you Samantha for taking the time to talk to us!  We look forward to a great working relationship with you.  Your work is amazing and I can’t wait to introduce you to my Brides.

— You’re welcome and I’m excited to work with you too!

Photography Credit {John English Photography & Julie Anne Neil}

Z. Curlett Events