Given it’s the time of year when there are so many newly engaged couples scouring the internet for wedding planning tips and inspiration, allow me to help explain one question that may come up during your research: “what is the difference between a Wedding Planner and a Wedding Designer?”

A Wedding Planner’s main responsibility is the overall logistics and planning of your wedding. From budget creation to timeline development (and much more), they focus on the details of the plan and ensuring the day is a success. As lead Wedding Designer for AMBER HOUSLEY Style, I design weddings for couples who place importance on creating a detailed and one-of-a-kind experience for their guests.

To give you more specific examples: your Wedding Planner may tell you where to be and when, help you get dressed and send you all down the aisle on time. Whereas, as Wedding Designer, I’ll be working in conjunction with the florist to make sure the reception room table florals are exactly as we imagined, my team will have the escort cards are perfectly lined up, the coordinated menu cards in their places, and the amazing guest favors, that we custom designed specifically for you, are in the best highlighted spot possible.

 (Where the guest sees this above…below is really the Wedding Design work that went into this amazing-ness…)

 Based on your own preferences and tastes, I will create the overall wedding concept and “look” that brings cohesiveness and the “wow” factor for your event. You can imagine I am the interior decorator – helping guide you on the look and feel from the colors on the wall to the place settings on the table.

I work in conjunction with planners, florists, lighting, catering, rental companies and photographers to create the look and feel of the event. While planners make sure that all the vendors are in order and arrived on time, my job is to ensure the flowers match the linens and that I’ve dreamed up little personal details to surprise and delight you and your guests.

I don’t just refer you to others, but I’m able to design your stationery and every little detail from scratch for a truly personal and cohesive experience. If I don’t produce it myself, I’m able to refer you to trusted professionals I’ve used in the past to execute your big ideas and make your vision a reality. Of course, my ultimate goal is always to make your wedding completely unique to the story of the both of you!

Usually, I start working with clients in the beginning stages of your wedding planning process. After some fun and lively conversations, I’m able to create a “look book” that will guide you through every design decision as you meet with further vendors. I will provide you with a road map full of resources and inspirational projects you can create yourself or allow me to create for you!

I enjoy working with both wedding planners and also with those who are handling the logistical planning themselves. You’ll be in good hands given my 5+ years in wedding and event planning, and I’m still an active member of the Association of Bridal Consultants. I’ll be able to provide you with some answers and opinions based on my wedding planning experience in the past. However, while some wedding planners may offer both traditional wedding planning and wedding design services, I pride myself on specializing and focusing on what I love and do best: wedding design and styling.

We are already well underway in designing and styling some amazing weddings for 2012! You can look at a few beautiful ones from 2011 in the wedding gallery. Stay tuned for more in this series where I show some of my favorite past weddings as they went from design inspiration to reality!

All you bride-to-be’s, I hope to see you this Sunday at Houston Station from 2-5pm to experience the StudioWed Inspired Bride event! My happy charming self will be there to show off some lovely designed tables and some of my favorite stationery suites.

There are going to be so many other wonderful StudioWed friends of mines showing off their best work as well. It is going to be a real treat for you and a totally different experience than the traditional bridal shows.

Hope to see you there!

Today is the launch of the Southern Weddings Magazine Blue Ribbon Vendor Directory  and I’m so thrilled to be the the first wedding stylist and designer from Tennessee included in the launch! Southern Weddings is one of my favorite magazines, and I’m so honored they extended the invitation for me to join this top notch guide for Southern brides.

You can check out my featured portfolio here or start searching now for some of the best wedding vendors in the South.

Last month, as I was prepping for a Chili Cook-off contest (which I came home with the prize wining trophy!), I decided I needed a festive Fall flower arrangement for my tasting table. I ran to Publix (where I can always find great flowers!) and picked up some fresh florals in their 3 for $10 section. Sunflowers were a natural choice since they always pair well with red and white checkered flag table cloths. I also chose some cheerful yellow spider mums since they have great texture and make a good filler.

I then went into the backyard to cut a few late-season but pretty-as-ever dahlias. This was my first year growing this variety of reddish-orange with yellow tip dahlias, and they did not disappoint! I’ll share soon how easy it is to grow my beloved dahlia flowers, but just know they are incredibly easy and plentiful to grow. I was really surprised at how long the season lasted in my yard this year.

With the sunflowers and dahlias mixed together, I thought it would be fun to stick in a few faux fall leaves (again from Publix). After I put the arrangement together, I realized what a great Thanksgiving table centerpiece this would make! That is when the impromptu photo session on my small kitchen nook table began…I call it: “Sweet and Simple Thanksgiving Tablescape for Small Spaces”.

I have so much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving! Warm wishes to you and your family this holiday weekend!

Last night’s unbelievable launch party can only be followed up by one hugely exciting piece of news…

So, SO EXCITED to be featured in my beloved Southern Living Magazine for its December 2011 issue! I styled and designed the table and decor and the super cute Christmas Brunch paper goods. Mary Alice Sublett of A Delightful Day contributed with planning and Hillary Yeager provided unbelievably gorgeous florals. My long-time scrapbooking industry friend, Jenni Bowlin, let us use her wonderful house for the shoot and also provided lots of vintage items from her personal collection as well as pieces from her scrapbooking lines. Such great team-work  and I’m thrilled with the outcome!

Still coming down from the high that was last night where I toasted the new Amber Housley brand with 50+ of my closest friends and family. So many people to thank for helping out and I can’t wait to feature them all in an upcoming post. Here’s a sneak peak at the night with a few shabby iPhone images. Fabulous photos by Kristyn Hogan to come with a full recap!

Feeling so happy and blessed for the people in my life! Going to rest up this weekend to start preparing for all the fun holidays that are ahead! Happy Weekend!