Summer Wedding Trends and Tips

Today I have the honor of a guest writer, Carl House's very own Director of Sales, Faye Pressley! Here she will offer trends and tips for planning a summer wedding:

Don't you just love summer? I enjoy the longer days, warm weather, and how lovely it looks when all of the flowers in the gardens at Carl House are in full bloom. This is certainly a wonderful time for weddings! We have noticed an emerging wedding trend in recent months which may come as a bit of a surprise, but is really quite sensible when you ponder it. More and more brides are choosing a summer weeknight wedding!

The long, balmy days and easy pace of summer makes a weeknight wedding a perfect fit. Everyone's looking for a great reason to get together, celebrate, and enjoy the summer evenings, and your wedding is the perfect opportunity! Many people head out of town for long weekends at the lake or in the mountains, and a weeknight wedding will make it convenient for all of your intended guests to attend without compromising their weekend plans. Also, practically speaking, weekday evenings are generally much more readily available at most venues, and different pricing structures exist for events which occur Monday through Thursday evening. You will impress your guests with the highest quality services, amenities and food for your wedding and reception while easily staying within your cost!

Carl House is currently offering a Weeknight Wedding Special. Please call Carl House today at (770) 586-0095 or contact me by email, fpressley@carlhouse.com, to learn more! I look forward to sharing with you all Carl House has to offer!

Carl House Real Wedding: Kenny and Amanda

Kenny and Amanda McClellan were married at Carl House on July 9, 2005. Here is what Amanda had to say about their Carl House experience:

My husband and I are both professional musicians, which means that over the years, we've played at least 200 weddings each. Performing in and seeing that many weddings gave us a very detailed idea of what we wanted for our special day. The Carl House exceeded our expectations in every way!!!

The staff is the nicest staff in the northern Atlanta area, and the most competent. Every detail is carefully planned and executed to make the activities and transitions seamless. My husband and I have seen wedding coordinators foul up the seating of guests, the flow of people before and after the event, even the wedding processional. Our wedding went so smoothly, and I attribute it to the Carl House staff.

The venue is also so beautiful and elegant that it makes the perfect spot for a wedding. Unlike other venues with too many twists and turns to find the bar or food, raised dance floors that invite guests to trip, or seating that doesn't allow a view of the couple, The Carl House offers a well-designed use of space that complimented our event. All of our guests loved the venue and many young ladies vowed to return for their own weddings.

To make sure no one would drive drunk, we told everyone to book a room at the Mall of Georgia Spring Suites. We chartered a bus to pick up people at the hotel and bring them over to The Carl House and it would make hourly trips back. At the end of the night, everone still at the Carl House, including the bride and groom boarded the bus and headed to the Mall of GA O'Charley's that had been booked as a post-reception party from 11am to 2am. The reception continued until 2am, but the party wasn't over... but what should one do at 2am in Buford after last call? Well, everyone walked down the street to Waffle House! People took pictures of the mass of people walking down Buford Highway and then we had a great time eating and goofing around. We all eventually walked to the hotel at 5am to crash. It was a great night!!

My husband and I loved the event and would do it all over again, and we'd make sure to book The Carl House!!!

Special July Offerings!

Carl House is currently offering a Weeknight Wedding Special! Contact Carl House Director of Sales Faye Pressley today to learn more about planning your wedding and reception for up to 70 people on any evening, Monday through Thursday, for a total of $5,000!

Carl House is also excited to introduce our limited time only Winter Wedding Special. Contact Faye Pressley to discuss this fabulous special incentive for weddings booked on available dates in November 2008 through March 2009!

You can contact Faye Pressley via email at fpressley@carlhouse.com or via phone at 770.586.0095.

(Photo by Bowman Photography)

Carl House Press Update

There are many exciting things happening for Carl House in the current wedding media! Truly, there is no greater joy than to be honorably recognized by these respectable magazines, and we are glad that our presence in such magazines make a positive first impression on brides. Here are a few places where Carl House has made an appearance in 2008:

Cover photo for Atlanta Weddings Spring 2008 Issue shot at Carl House:

Contents page photo for Atlanta Weddings Spring 2008 Issue shot in Carl House bridal suite:

Cover photo for Atlanta Weddings Summer 2008 Issue shot in Carl House gardens:

Carl House featured in The Knot Georgia Spring/Summer 2008 Issue as one of the Top 8 Outdoor Reception Sites in the Peach State. Giving Carl House the title of "Grand Affair" , Miles Stiverson wrote: Carl House in Auburn has a lot of options (and a lot of space) for a larger reception. There's a ballroom and beautiful gardens spread across its four acres and enough room for 450 guests. And between the house itself and the background, you'll have lots of photo ops for your album.

The Knot Georgia Fall/Winter 2008 Issue features a NEW ad from Carl House on page 87!

To save the best for last, Carl House was chosen for the second year in a row as The Knot Best of Weddings 2008 Pick! Our description in the magazine reads: This historic Auburn home is "beautiful inside and out" and hosts just one event at a time, allowing your guests full run of the house and "gorgeous" gardens. "They took care of so many small details and made the day seem like a dream come true," raves one bride.

You should come by and see for yourself why Carl House continues to receive the best ratings in Georgia. Give us a call at 770-586-0095 to set up your private tour today!

A Wedding Weekend

The reason I have been MIA from my own blog lately is because on June 14, 2008 my dear older sister officially became Mrs. Ashley Bradford! The occasion was absolutely beautiful and full of joy and laughter. She could not have looked more stunning. Alan, now her husband, could not stop grinning from ear to ear. It was such a memorable experience for my entire family. Although she did not get married at Carl House, several of her vendors did have connections with Carl House.

The ceremony took place at Bethlehem First United Methodist Church, which is only 8-10 minutes away from Carl House. I personally know a bride who had her ceremony at Bethlehem FUMC and then held her reception here at Carl House. The two settings complement each other well and is a great option for brides who do not wish to have their ceremony and reception at the same location. Below is a snapshot of Ashley in front of the church:


Ashley's reception site, The Georgia Club, often receives references from Carl House and we receive references from them as well. Our Director of Sales, Faye Pressley, has worked very closely with The Georgia Club's Clubhouse Manager, Dawn Tibbles. Below is a picture of the wedding party at The Georgia Club's Wedding Pavilion and Event Lawn:

Ashley's florist, Nicole Bishop of Floral Environments, has also decorated the grounds and ballroom of Carl House for our brides. Pictured below is the bride's and bridesmaids' bouquets that Nicole did for my sister's wedding:

Finally, I must give credit where credit is due with Ashley's photographer, Shannon Belletti. She did an amazing job (as you can see from the photos above) and made the whole experience so much fun! She has not photographed a wedding at Carl House yet, but it's inevitable that she will considering Carl House's popularity (The Knot Best of Weddings 2008 Pick!) and Shannon's popularity (voted Best Photographer in Atlanta by Myfoxatlanta.com Hot List). To view the rest of my sister's pictures, click on this link: http://bellettiphotography.com/blog/

As you can see, there are so many facets involved with planning a wedding. At Carl House, we have a knowledgeable Senior Wedding Director, Denise Myers, who can assist you in perfecting every facet of your wedding, should you choose to host your event with us. Give Carl House a call at 770.586.0095 to begin the process of hosting your next extraordinary, memorable event!

Magical Moments at Carl House captured by Bella Pictures

One of Carl House's newest event partners, Bella Pictures, has arranged a video presentation of their work at Carl House for you to view at the location below:

http://www.bellapictures.com/carlhousemontage/

When watching the video, you will notice Bella Pictures photographed a Scottish wedding at Carl House. Coincidentally, I know one of the families involved with that wedding, aptly named the McDaniels. From what I have heard, they were nothing less than pleased with their experience at Carl House. Another important note is if you are planning a wedding with unique traditions, Carl House is equipped with a staff capable to accommodate you in planning anything from a Scottish to a Pakistani wedding.

Call Carl House today to receive more information about hosting any special event in your life!

770.586.0095

Carl House On YouTube

Thanks to PrettyGirl Wedding Media Co., there are three different videos of Carl House on YouTube from an October 2007 wedding and reception. To take a peek at what a Carl House wedding would be like, click on the links below and enjoy!

(Bride/Groom Prep at Carl House)
http://youtube.com/watch?v=hTuWRlSsink

(Jaki & Leo: 3-minute Day)
http://youtube.com/watch?v=yskTGUV7Cmg&feature=related

(Bridal Party Credits)
http://youtube.com/watch?v=wHpG-5rnjis