Well we are finally back on the web and I have to tell you that it has been a LONG and DAUNTING task!! I have had many challenges finding someone that could translate who we are and the personality of AME into something tangible.

I finally found that person. His name is Scotty Bollinger and he is the nicest and hardest working guy. When I met with him to tell him about my struggles and my dreams for our web site he immediately gave me a 10 page questionnaire to fill out that was so detailed about finding out what I wanted, I knew right then I had found the right person.

So many of you have been asking when we were going to be finished, and although I being the person that I am will never stay the same with anything, would like to finally bring you our new, improved, “finished” web site, and would like the opportunity to publically thank Scotty at www.wordcreative.com and recommend his services to everyone.

BTW not many of you know this, but I am a huge RAVE fan and Scotty just happens to be a DJ who loves Rave music too. This was just a neat little surprise we discovered while working together.

It feels GREAT to be back!!!!

Thanks Scotty! J

We are thrilled to offer our clients a new wedding & event design studio where they can now come and look through tons of pictures, books, fabrics, linens, lighting options, props, table top options, invitations and stationary and much, much more while in the most “relaxing” and at the same time “invigorating” atmosphere!!

You can do all of this while drinking a cappuccino and nibbling on tasty snacks.

We are centrally located off of the interstate from the Covington Pike exit as well as the Sycamore View exit. Call for more detailed directions.

We created an atmosphere that allows you to be as “hands on” in the design process as you would like to be.

If you need inspiration or complete direction, you will find it here!

Call us, we’re looking forward to seeing you and can’t wait to help!!

Imagine if you will for a moment with me, the moment you were old enough to start dreaming of the person who would represent your “Ken doll” in your life and of course, you would be “Barbie”.

You imagined in your mind the “princess” dress you would wear with the cathedral train that trailed into the next city block. You imagined your handsome “Ken” awaiting you at the end of the three mile aisle you would glide down while everyone in the whole town admired how lovely and magnificent you looked on the most important and mentally rehearsed day of your life.

Of course you also rehearsed in your mind what style and color bridesmaid’s dresses all of the girls in your third grade class would be wearing, but by no means upstaging you the “star” of the day!

You imagined that as soon as your groom’s eyes fell on his exquisite bride, the heavens would part and golden light would shine from above to spotlight you, angels would sing and the whole room of one thousand of your closest friends and family would adore you.

OK, now imagine with me the sound of a needle screeching across a vinyl record!!

I can only speak for myself, but as a wedding planner and designer, it is my greatest desire to make your childhood dreams and fantasies become tangible for you on your wedding day. In fact, it is my desire to exceed your expectations for the most important day of your life, but here is where that dirty word “reality” comes in and steals the show.

Although we can be the most creative visionaries you will ever meet, we were not present when the earth was formed, therefore disqualifying us in the miracle department. J

Wedding television has been an incredible catalyst for our industry. It has opened doors for creative ideas and wonderful locals, for all kinds of wedding experiences. However, it has also set the bar for what brides want and expect on their wedding day.

There has to be some compromise involved if you don’t have a large or unlimited budget. You can still have an extremely elegant, and upscale wedding experience on a limited budget, but you may have to do it in front of 50-100 choice guests as opposed to the 300 that you want. If I had to make one suggestion to a bride who had a limited budget, but still wanted that “TV” worthy wedding, I would tell her to consider her guest list. For every person that you invite to your wedding it could realistically (There is that ugly word again) raise your overall cost $100-$200 per person. That in solid numbers could mean $10,000 for an extra 50 people. Keep in mind that these numbers include all of your expenses for the wedding, including food, linens, flowers, etc.

Your guest list determines everything. Please do not assume that less people in any way makes your wedding experience any less special or enjoyable. It is sometimes more special and intimate with a small crowd.

Remember that this day is about sentiment, love, expression, union, spirituality and joy. I wish you the warmest congratulations and happy planning! ~

Angela Mazanti

Angela Mazanti Events

www.AngelaMazantiEvents.com

How to Use Lighting to Create “Drama” For Your Next Event:

Choose Your Mood

If you want to create a “Wow Factor” that will make your guests feel as if they have entered an enchanted far away land as soon as they enter the room, then you should look no further than your closest lighting designer.

A well designed and executed lighting plan can change the whole atmosphere in the flip of a switch. If you don’t have the most elaborate looking venue, you can certainly create one by using theatrical lighting.

Most weddings these days are much, much more than just a ceremony and then a reception with cake, punch and mints; no today’s savvy couples want “drama”!

We can use our artistic design to translate the emotions each couple comes to us with.  Whether you’re planning a romantic evening or a sultry affair, it’s important that you communicate to your planner or lighting team the exact look and vibe you want. To change the energy in the room during the night, we can employ a system called intelligent lighting: You can create customized assortments of light or light palettes that alternate throughout the night. Options include an “excitement” palette of reds and oranges, to energize your guests, or a calming “in-between-courses” palette of blues and purples, which can soothe guests and facilitate conversation.

Use Flattering Hues

Golden and amber tones allow you and your guests to look their best. Warm colors, such as gold, flatter everyone and highlight decor beautifully. Shades of pink are also complimentary. You can use these shades to color an entire space and invoke a sense of warmth and comfort.

Light to Enhance

To highlight centerpieces and food displays, we employ a technique called pin spotting, in which a tightly focused light makes decorative touches shine. Gobo lights—a special projector with an etched metal template (the gobo)—can be used to wash the walls with the lines of your favorite poem or to shine a pretty pattern such as the couples monogram on the dance floor.

Gorgeous light isn’t relegated to reception space only. Hallways and courtyards can, and should, be embellished. If your party is a subdued one, you may choose to illuminate these areas to complement your reception lighting and decor. If you opt for a funkier vibe, however, you can change the colors and moods of each area.

A wonderfully lit space is sure to create a desirable ambience and enhance your reception decor. When your guests walk into a room that is lit properly, they will not only look good, but feel great too.”

~Angela Mazanti

Angela Mazanti Events is a full service event design firm, fully equipped and staffed to “Illuminate” your next event.~

www.angelamazantievents.com

(901) 690-2738 

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Meet the new LOVE OF MY LIFE!!!

This is my first grandson “Hayden Isaiah”.

He is such a joy and precious addition to our family.

This wedding was super special because these were dear friends of ours. Katie is the daughter of one of my best friends and pastors.

Katie wanted a very glamorous wedding. She wanted to use Black, Ivory and touches of deep red. The moms and bridesmaids were gorgeous in black.

Katie’s bouquet was done in deep red roses in a teardrop cascade.

Her bridesmaids carried clusters of ivory roses.

We wanted to do something very unique and beautiful for this couple’s ceremony since this aspect of the wedding was a very special and spiritual component to the whole day.

We used a custom backdrop that we built that stood 12 feet tall and 8 feet wide. We covered it with ivory Dupioni silk and stretched ivory satin ribbon across to create a harlequin pattern. We installed 7 shelves to put flowers and floating candles on.

The moms entered to “Somewhere over the Rainbow” and the bridesmaids entered to “Going to the Chapel”. The recessional was “This Will Be”.

The reception was in the church gymnasium. That is always a very challenging environment to make beautiful, but I think we did it and did it well!

I met with Vanessa and her dad Steve one very rainy day at his home. Vanessa was a student at the University of Missouri. Her fiancé David was in the Navy and stationed out of town.

Vanessa needed the help of a planner and designer because her school schedule was so hectic and I don’t think Steve was ready to take on that role. J

They decided on the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art for the ceremony and reception location. They let me know right off the bat that this was a big Italian family and they wanted good Italian food. Chef Wally Jo created the most incredible eggplant parmesan I’ve ever had!

Vanessa chose turquoise and light lime green as her color palette. It was beautiful! We repeated those colors in the Rotunda with turquoise floor length pin tuck linens. We used large cube vases with green LED lights in them and white stock arrangements.

In the Brushmark we used glass cubes with blue marbles and LED lights.

In the tent we used turquoise and lime green lanterns and hung strips of white fabric to bounce light patterns from. We washed the tent with beautiful soft shades of lime and turquoise. The tables had lime green pin tuck linens and turquoise cube vases with white tulip arrangements. We used clear votives and glued turquoise ribbon around them.

Vanessa looked like an angel in her gown and her bird’s nest veil. The way these two interacted all night long, it was no secret that they were meant to be together.

The couple departed as guests showered them with turquoise feathers.

It was a “Sweet” night!

Adrienne called me from Virginia and told me that she needed help planning and designing her wedding that would take place in Memphis. She grew up in Memphis but after graduating Medical school she traveled to different places and recently settled in Virginia to begin a fellowship program. Her fiancé Ryan was preparing to take the Bar and they had no time to plan this wedding.

Right away I sensed Adrienne was the serious type, of course that makes sense considering her profession. Boy did she surprise me. After I asked her what was up with her email name (my lips are sealed J ) I realized she had a fun spunky side and the rest was history.

Adrienne and Ryan made it clear that their tastes were very modern, clean and vibrant.

They chose Raspberry pink, Kiwi green, and Lemon yellow for their color palette. Yellow was Ryan’s late mother’s favorite color.

They chose the Bridges Center downtown as the location for the ceremony and reception. This is definitely not the location for a traditional couple, but it was perfect for Ryan and Adrienne.

We kept the outside decor minimal and clean looking, with a long white runner lined with petals on each side all the way to the steps in the amphitheater style courtyard.

We used tapered ivory pedestals and displayed white flower orbs with green button flowers. We used white fabric panels as a backdrop for the ceremony.

Inside is where the magic really came alive. The ceilings are in excess of 25+ feet tall. There is a rock climbing wall that we used as a backdrop for the couple and their head tables. The room was washed in Raspberry pink lighting. The linens were floor length raspberry pink pin tuck.

The centerpieces were 3 ft. tall glass vases with green apples and curly willow branches that had stock blooms attached as well as green buttons. There were hanging crystals from the branches.

32 feet of head tables were lined with glass cube vases that had simple yellow blooms and LED lights in them. The room was glowing by the time the sun went down.

Did I mention that it was an outdoor ceremony? It rained like Noah’s Ark rain before the ceremony. We went to plan B and set everything up inside, but then the sun came out and thanks to my sweet friend Wade with Wade and company and my incredible assistants Lisa and Danielle, they completely set everything back up outside. So we had a happy bride needless to say.

It was a wonderful night!

I met with Shayla and instantly liked her sweet personality. She was transferred here from Lafayette Louisiana by International Paper Company. Her fiancé Jeremiah was still living back home preparing to come here. She told me how they grew up together and dated in high school, but broke up and went there separate ways. By fate, they ended up meeting again and getting engaged. It sounded just like something you would see on T.V.

Shayla wanted elegant and romantic as the theme for her special day. She chose cream and taupe and apple green as her color palette.

We had imprinted apple green gift bags for the guests with candles and personalized champagne glasses to take home.

For the cocktail hour the guests were served Mimosa’s and fruit smoothies, perfect for a hot summer evening.

Most of the couple’s guests were friends and family from Lafayette, so the mood that night was traditional Cajun! It was a wonderful sight, seeing everyone dance to Cajun music and let loose.

We repeated her color palette throughout. We used ivory satin floor length linens with apple green satin napkins stuffed with a single rose for each guest, on top of silver charger plates. The centerpieces were classic elegance with white and cream roses, white and green orchids and white lilies in silver bowls.

Shayla was stunning in her white strapless gown and Jeremiah was very handsome in his chocolate brown suit.

The couple departed in a beautiful antique Rolls Royce as their guests blew bubbles.

Congratulations Shayla and Jeremiah, it was a beautiful night!

Kelly and Kieth Duggin

Kelly contacted me after we met at a bridal show. Kelly was one of those rare brides who knew exactly what she wanted. I remember being so impressed with her because she worked nights as a nurse at St. Jude and worked part time on top of that to make sure she got the things that were important to her for her big day.

Kelly and Keith chose to have their ceremony and reception at the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art. What can I say; if you know me you know that is one of my favorite venues. The staff there is top notch!

Kelly’s color palette was red and royal purple. Her bridesmaids wore satin full length red dresses that were beautiful!

Kelly was a “vision” in her mermaid style gown.

Charese Feliciano arranged Kelly’s beautiful bouquet with roses, stephanotis, and orchids set in a custom bouquet holder.

We used simple but elegant contemporary themes throughout.

One thing Kelly was adamant about was the tent décor. She wanted it to be over the top with lighting, lanterns, a black and white dance floor and their names and wedding date in lights on the dance floor!

I told her she was in the right place, because we specialize in “Over the Top”!

We washed the tent in red and purple light. We used red globe lanterns to create ambient lighting. Wide strips of white fabric were hung in order to soften the tent and bounce patterns of light from.

Judging by the constant crowd on the dance floor, Kelly and Keith’s wedding was a huge success and their guests had a blast!