The Club southern elegant wedding for Kelli and Robert

Kelli had been dreaming of this day all of her life and was so excited to get started planning her wedding day the first day we met!  Her color selections were a very distinct and specific teal blue and sunny yellow and together, this color combination was absolutely stunning!

Kelli's precious Aunt Sue did an amazing job making all of the florals for this special day and Andy Tolar of Design Productions LLC made everything just pop with blue up-lighting and elegant draping over the dance floor at the reception held at The Club in Birmingham.  Kelli's gorgeous wedding gown was personally designed by dress designer Heidi Elnora.  Laura Eason did a fabulous job with make up for our bride.  Diane Olexa of Olexa's Cafe made the most delicious bride and groom's cakes and James Coats of Coats Classic Cars drove Kelli and Robert in style with Rolls Royce "Elizabeth" as their transportation for the day.   John and Angela Deaver with Main Street Productions were on site with us all day to put all these precious memories on film and a very special thank you to David Shirk and Arianna Shirk of Unplugged Photography for capturing every moment with these gorgeous images!

A first look at his gorgeous bride for Robert as he waits with anticipation

A fabulous view from the building across the street of our bride, groom and their bridal party in front of Dawson Memorial Baptist Church

A little flower girl dressed in sweet yellow holds a white basket of sunny yellow rose petals with pearl handles to match her sweet little pearl bracelet 

Guests sign the guest book as they enter the church

One of my very favorite moments right before a bride walks down the aisle

One last look from daddy

Two little flower girls float down the aisle... I love their sweet little bare feet!

That's the look the says "we're married!!!"

Coats Classic Cars "Elizabeth" was ready and waiting to take Kelli and Robert to their reception

A first dance together

A dance with daddy to "My Girl"

Arrived at the Tutwiler Hotel with Coats Classic Car's "Elizabeth" 

Thank you to this fabulous team of vendors who made Kelli and Robert's very special day run so smoothly!  I hope you enjoyed these beautiful images from David Shirk of Unplugged Photography 

Blessings!

Anita

Ak Brides - Wedding Planning Services

Ross Bridge Romance and Wedding Day Elegance

The Elegant Ross Bridge Golf Resort and Spa has been host to several romantic weddings in the Birmingham Alabama area and I have had the distinct pleasure in planning and coordinating so many of these weddings and events.  This picturesque venue has also been the site of Birmingham's largest celebrity wedding where Anita Kanellis and AK Brides-Wedding Planning Services had the honor of planning and choreographing this wedding with some of the biggest names in Hollywood, the biggest names in the Music industry as well as some of the top wedding industry professionals in the country.  I have to say I was truly blessed to have had this experience and learned never to doubt my own abilities as a wedding planner and working with members of this entire team, security and staff, I know I can encounter and handle just about anything. 

The resort is so impressive with it's stately appearance

So many photo opportunities in and around the property

Bride Lindey looks gorgeous as she makes her way into the resort after her ceremony.....  This gorgeous image is courtesy of Daniel Taylor Photography in Birmingham Alabama

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Gorgeous bridal gown hangs in the window of one of the hospitality suites at Ross Bridge Golf Resort and Spa......  Thank you to David Shirk of Unplugged photography for this beautiful image

I love this image of bride Amy's Jimmy Cho Shoes with Ross Bridge in the back drop..  Thanks to David Shirk of Unplugged Photography for this great shot

A first look for Christina and Phillip right off the golf course...  Thank you to Frank Carnaggio Photography

Bride Kelly and her groom enjoy a moment on the terrace overlooking the pool....  Thank you Studio G Photography 

Lindey and Marcus strolling on the gorgeous golf course.

Thank you Daniel Taylor Photography

Also on the terrace....Amy and Derrick say "I Do"!    Thank you David Shirk of Unplugged Photography

Every night at sun down you will hear the bag pipes play beautifully over the hill on the property of Ross Bridge, welcoming evening festivities.

A dramatic front foyer to Ross Bridge, beautiful bridesmaids and the bride

Frank Carnaggio Photography

A precious moment on the steps leading down to the Hoover ballroom.

Thank you to Daniel Taylor Photography

One of the many gorgeous wedding cakes displayed through out the years in the Hoover Ballroom

Thank you Shannon Pardo with  Sweet Spot Confections and Frank Carnaggio Photography

A dramatic and absolutely gorgeous cake display in the ballroom for Christina and Phillip.

This beautiful cake was created by Jan O'Donnell of Birmingham Alabama and gorgeously displayed by Andy Hopper of KG Designs

A centerpiece for a seated/plated dinner for Amy and Derrick.

Thank you Carol Riley of Lillies and David Shirk of Unplugged Photography

Between dinner courses, a refreshing Sorbet to cleanse the palet.

Dramatic lighting by Andy Tolar with Design Productions LLC and beautiful linens and centerpieces by KG Designs

Fabulous draping and lighting design by Andy Tolar with Design Productions LLC

Another beautiful design of lighting and draping by Andy Tolar with Design Productions LLC.

Frank Carnaggio Photography

David Shirk of Unplugged Photography

Frank Carnaggio Photography

I have had the honor and pleasure of planning and working many many weddings at the fabulous Ross Bridge Golf Resort and Spa.  This was also the venue of choice for one of my most infamous weddings and the largest celebrity wedding Birmingham has ever seen and been host to!  Superior service, delicious cuisine and luxury accommodations for all brides as well as guests.  This is by far, one of my most favorite properties to plan, choreograph and execute a fabulous wedding day!

Thank you to all my vendors whose work is shown here, including Frank Carnaggio Photography, David Shirk of Unplugged Photography, Kelly and Daniel Taylor of Daniel Taylor Photography, Studio G photography, Carol Riley of Lillies, Andy Hopper of KG Designs, Jan O'Donnell, Sweet Spot Confections and Andy Tolar of Design Productions LLC, 

Rave reviews from AK Brides - Wedding Planning Services for being an outstanding venue for our brides and their families!  Thank you for taking a tour of Ross Bridge Golf Resort and Spa with me!

Blessings,

Anita

AK Brides - Wedding Planning Services

The Sonnet House Southern Wedding Day Dreams

There are so many fabulous wedding venues I have had the pleasure of working with over the years as a wedding planner and so many brides come to me with visions of their wedding days but really no idea of where or how to begin their wedding planning, let alone the location they would like their wedding dreams to unfold.  So I thought I would feature a few venues in blog posts to give brides some ideas when planning their weddings.  The first venue that came to my mind was The Sonnet House located in Leeds Alabama!  Owners Jared Heaton and Corey Hults have created the perfect venue for real Southern hospitality!  The following images feature some of my AK Brides and their weddings at the beautiful Sonnet House!

The front of The Sonnet House showing off it's wrap around porch and high A frame rooftop.  Thank you to Barry Altmark Photography for this gorgeous image.

The beautiful bridal suite is a cozy haven for our brides and her bridesmaids to come in and relax, have their hair and make up done and chit chat about the coming events of the day before getting dressed.  Here is a perfect image of bride Jennifer's wedding gown from Bella Couture Bridal Shop in Mt. Laurel Alabama as it hangs gracefully from the front window of the bridal suite.  Thank you to David Shirk of Unplugged Photography for capturing this gorgeous image.

Bride Jennifer puts on her wedding gown as her bridesmaids look on with excitement!  David Shirk of Unplugged Photography

The courtyard at The Sonnet House has been used for several different purposes including the entrance for your guests to walk through before moving to the ceremony site.  This beautiful tree in the courtyard has been adorned with lanterns, different types of lighting and ribbons holding kissing balls like in this image from David Shirk of Unplugged Photography.  Beautiful florals by Carol Riley of Lillies

Sweet tea and lemonade displayed in the courtyard in front of this rustic green gate and the Southern touch of mason jars waiting to be filled to the rim!  Thank you to David Shirk of Unplugged Photography and also to Chef Bob of Chef Bob.com for this beautiful Southern display

Brides have a choice of several locations for their wedding ceremony.  Among the most popular choice is the gorgeous mantle with it's long walkway and natural green landscape......

The chapel also is a beautiful setting for a wedding ceremony..... so intimate and charming

Bride Kimberly is beaming as she walks with her new husband..  Thank you David Boyd of David Boyd Photography and Carol Riley of Lillies for the beautiful florals this day

Right after the ceremony as guests mingle in the courtyard the fabulous staff at The Sonnet House does a "flip" where they bring out the guest tables, chairs and as the wedding planner, I will place all the centerpieces and candles on the tables to ensure the reception is ready to receive the guests and the party can begin!   The decor from the ceremony site can remain as a beautiful backdrop and as the sun sets, lighting on the mantle area will glow in the distance...  This beautiful image was shot by David Boyd of David Boyd Photography 

A first dance for our bride and groom on a warm Southern Alabama evening...  David Shirk of Unplugged Photography

Guests in the distance as bride and groom Erica and Chad take a minute by themselves to reflect on the day.....  magnificent lighting over the patio area creates our dance floor as guests dance the night away!

Beautiful lighting designed by Andy Tolar of Design Productions LLC.  Thank you David Shirk of Unplugged Photography

A spectacular view from the dance floor of our bride and groom on the steps of The Sonnet House, thank you to David Shirk of Unplugged Photography

Guests dancing the night away to a great band " A Town A List" by Music Garden and our lighting design was created by Andy Tolar of Design Productions LLC

More ideas for wedding receptions at The Sonnet House.  As Marina and Carl's wedding planner, AK Brides, together with the lighting design team at Design Productions LLC created a "tent of lights" with guest seating family style.  This invited guests to feel right at home at long dining tables with a seated meal served family style.  Catering by Kathy G & Company served guests fresh salad, hearty pieces of breads, grilled lamb chops roasted new potatoes and fresh vegetables followed by pastries, fruits and cheeses.  A fabulous mediterranean meal!  Thank you Barry Altmark Photography

An overhead view of our "canopy of lights"

Elegant bride's cake in the front living room of The Sonnet House created by Jan Moon of  Dreamcakes Bakery  Thank you to David Boyd of David Boyd Photography

A gorgeous Southern style cake complete atop a tree stump created by Shannon Pardo of Sweet Spot Confections  -   Unplugged Photography

Once the ceremony site earlier in the day, becomes a beautiful back drop of lush greenery, florals and candles all aglow with some lighting....  Thank you to David Shirk of Unplugged Photography..  Beautiful florals by Carol Riley of Lillies

Absolutely gorgeous image of AK Bride Jennifer and groom Jason right outside the back of The Sonnet House.  This magnificent tree is a favorite as well as the old barn on the right.  So beautiful!  Thank you David Shirk of Unplugged Photography!

Thank you for visiting The Sonnet House with me!  This is a beautiful location for your wedding day filled with Southern comfort and hospitality.  I have been thrilled to plan many weddings at this venue and look forward to helping my AK Brides plan many more weddings in this gorgeous home.  Thank you Jared and Cory for opening your doors to our brides and their families and thank you to all the vendors we get to work with to make wedding day dreams a reality!

Blessings,

Anita

AK Brides - Wedding Planning Services