Pretty Southern

Author: kat

First Looks of a Southern Wedding

I know that “first looks” are more of a trend than a tradition and today I want to know what your thoughts are. The idea of the first look is that some time right before the ceremony the bride and groom get to share a quite moment together (usually only the photographer is present) before they take the big walk down the aisle. I know some people are completely opposed to having any contact or seeing each other at all before the actual events begin, but for us it seemed like the right choice to have that little moment together.

My husband and I, and our families for that matter, never even thought about trying to avoid each other before the ceremony. It wouldn’t have made any sense, after all of the months of hard work we had put in together planning and creating for our wedding, all those hours sifting through those wedding veils and dresses, only to leave one person stuck doing all of the work and set up that day while the other stayed hidden somewhere. So that morning we got up early, packed our car and headed to the venue. We worked all morning until it was time for me to run across the street for my hair and makeup appointments. I guess that is when the “hiding” began. He left to get ready with his groomsmen and I returned to the venue to get ready with my girls. Between the weather and the hectic morning schedule I was all nerves that hour before the ceremony began and the only possible thing that could have calmed me down at that moment was him.

So about 10 minutes before the ceremony began our best wedding photographers in melbourne brought him upstairs to where I was getting ready, hid him around the corner, and had me head around for a first look. It gave us a chance to see each other before the BIG moment and it was incredibly reassuring to see that we were both calm, excited, and ready to take that walk. You are surrounded by so many people while getting ready that day, people that are excited, stressed, anxious, helpful, and hyper, but the one person you are thinking about is hidden away from you all day. Taking that moment together RIGHT before you have to stand in front of a huge crowd brings you back to the moment and reminds you of what this day is all about- you and them.

This moment for us was brief but I remember feeling giddy and surprisingly calm. Even peaceful. I knew no matter how crazy that morning was, he would be the one thing that would bring me back down to earth. This trend may become a tradition, maybe not. Either way, I’d love to know what you’re thoughts on a first look moment between the bride and groom. I hope more weddings try out new trends like this! And if you are looking for the perfect wedding ballrooms, you might want to click on the link to learn more!

Thank you so much for letting me share some of our special day with you!

All photos by Joey and Jessica Seawell of Veil and Bow. Need photographers for your special events? Look online for experts who provide photography Cary, NC.

[author] [author_image timthumb=’on’]https://prettysouthern.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/KatHeadShot.jpg[/author_image] [author_info]Kat Kraszeski-Jackson is an art teacher, artist, and diy crafter living in Greensboro, NC. She loves sharing her favorite artists, projects, and creative inspiration here on Pretty Southern.[/author_info] [/author]

July 8, 2011
Details of a Southern Wedding

Happy Wednesday! I had so much fun sharing some of the fashion from our April wedding with you yesterday that I wanted to share some more of the details today. These are some of the things that we made, searched for, or put together to create the vision for our wedding. First of all, no color was left out. I decided early on that it would just be foolish to try to limit myself (an art teacher) to a small color palette. We anchored everything with a cool gray undertone and then just let the rest of the colors shine in all of their glory!

The first decoration I knew we would have in our wedding were tons of garlands and flags because these are some of the items that I sell in my shop and absolutely love creating. I sewed tons of paper circle garlands to hang behind dessert table and various other places around the venue. My next garland venture was hand-cutting, dying, and sewing the square fabric garlands that would hang behind us at the ceremony. I wanted these to be light and airy and I love how the sunlight made them almost glow that afternoon.

A dear friend of ours made all of our desserts, cupcakes and various cheesecakes, and I made tons of mini flags for both. Our guests loved the desserts so much that we didn’t even have time for an official cake cutting!

We carried the woodland theme through our tables with wooden birdhouses that we painted in various blues and yellows. These rested on top of tree trunks that my dad and husband cut out on his family’s farm land. We topped these with white ceramic birds, tiny bud vases, and made confetti to scatter around the tables.

A lot of work went into all of these details but I hope the overall feeling was simple and playful, like us and the loved ones who helped us pull it all off!

[author] [author_image timthumb=’on’]https://prettysouthern.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/KatHeadShot.jpg[/author_image] [author_info]Kat Kraszeski-Jackson is an art teacher, artist, and diy crafter living in Greensboro, NC. She loves sharing her favorite artists, projects, and creative inspiration here on Pretty Southern.[/author_info] [/author]

July 6, 2011
Fashion of a Southern Wedding

My husband and I got married in April on a day that started out with gray skies and tornado warnings. We had spent so many months planning, creating, and pulling together all of the details for our wedding and were terrified that the day might literally be a wash. But half an hour before the ceremony was to start, after a morning of me running around like a crazy person, the skies cleared and we got married on the rooftop of a historical downtown building in our hometown of Greensboro, NC. Surrounded by friends and loved ones, our hearts were so full of joy and excitement and our amazing photographers, Joey and Jessica Seawell, did an incredible job capturing all of details and moments of our big day.

We are diy, craft, and design lovers to the fullest extent and knew that we wanted our personal touch on as much of the wedding as possible and this week I want to share some of the details and work that went into our “woodland modern” themed wedding that truly was a labor of love. I am going to start with the fashion because it was one of the most fun things to work on. I had an idea in my head for a long time of the dress I wanted to wear on my wedding day. Though I did not have any specific style or designer in mind, I knew that they finished product had to reflect my enormous love of color. I ended up finding a simple silhouette at Davids Bridal and with the help of my mom and my friend Allison, of NosillaV Vintage, we created exactly what I had in mind. My jewelry was from Macy’s and my mom altered it to have a grey ribbon that matched my feather hair clip from Aldo.

If you are looking to incorporate some color into your jewelry collection, consider having blue diamond ring in Australia to create natural blue diamond rings for you. Blue diamonds are extremely rare and get their color due to the presence of the mineral boron when they are formed. This means there are a very limited number of places where you can source blue diamonds, with most coming from Australia or South Africa, so check them out!

We have really wonderful friends and siblings that made up our wedding party and they are just as unique and creative as us so we wanted their personalities to shine through as well. With this in mind we simply chose a grey color palette for the party and asked them to pick what they would feel their best in. The girls got their dresses from various stores including J.Crew, Banana Republic, Ann Taylor, Macys, and Calvin Klein. We got our shoes from the Lela Rose line for Payless and had them all custom dyed in different shades- this was probably my favorite detail of all! My mom and I created the jewelry and hair accessories for all of the bridesmaids.

The boys all wore Kenneth Cole pants and shirts and added their own accessories. The groom also wore a Perry Ellis vest and his grandfathers pocket watch. I really loved how everyone’s looks came together in a way that was especially their own but had a cohesive feel. I think it is great for couples to think out of the box on wedding attire, make their own changes to store bought items, and let the personalities of their wedding party really shine. We think they looked great!!

Tomorrow I will be sharing some of the handmade elements we designed and crafted for our wedding!

[author] [author_image timthumb=’on’]https://prettysouthern.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/KatHeadShot.jpg[/author_image] [author_info]Kat Kraszeski-Jackson is an art teacher, artist, and diy crafter living in Greensboro, NC. She loves sharing her favorite artists, projects, and creative inspiration here on Pretty Southern.[/author_info] [/author]

July 5, 2011
Southern City Weekend Getaway Guide: Charleston, SC

Today I am excited to introduce a new Pretty Southern Series, The Weekend Getaway Guide! In this guide we will introduce you to some of the South’s most charming cities and teach you how to get the most out of a weekend visit. We’ll include our favorite spots to eat, hang out, stay and shop.

Back in May my husband and I had the pleasure of going to Charleston, SC for our honeymoon. We wanted a place that we would be able to drive to and stay in affordably but still feel like we had gotten away from home. Here are my tips for getting the most out of the city:

coffee at hope+union

1. Rent! There are plenty of fancy (ie expensive!) hotels around Charleston. My advise is to rent a cute house or apartment right in the heart of downtown. Using a site like homeaway.com or vrbo.com you can find plenty of cheaper alternatives to a hotel that offer more space and character. We rented a carriage house that was original to the city architecture and was located right behind an awesome bakery.
2. Bike! Charleston is super easy to get around, most of downtown and it’s hot spots are in a few flat, easy-biking square miles so you MUST either bring your bike or rent a vintage cruiser when you get there.

enjoying a beer at A.C.'s

3. Eat! There are SO many delicious restaurants of all types around this city. Some of our favorites included Thai at Basils, amazing modern cuisine at critically-acclaimed FIG, beers and nachos on the patio of gas-station turned cantina, Fuel, and burgers at AC’s. Start each day with pastries, muffins, or croissants from WildFlour Pastry and coffee in the soothing atmosphere of Hope&Union.

folly beach

4. Visit! There are so many things to do around the city including visiting the world-famous open markets, taking in the colors on Rainbow Row, or walking by the river at the Battery. In addition to these I recommend taking a drive out to laid-back Folly Beach where you can lay out, walk the pier, and then get a beer and the most delicious guacamole at Taco Boy.

5. Explore! After hitting the tourist sites you should talk to the locals to find the lesser-known attractions that will really make your trip. Drive out to James Island to visit and photograph the glorious Angel Oak Tree. It is over 1500 years old and is massive! Stop and explore some side roads as well. On a tip from a local barista we discovered a locally-loved seafood restaurant and an abandoned bar, the Sophisticate, all down a dirt road on the way to Folly Beach. Charleston is also home to the famous Fort Sumter but we went to explore the tunnels and cannons of the lesser-known (and tour-guide free) Fort Moultrie.

an abandoned bar

6. Drink! After a long day of biking and exploring you will be ready for an evening libation and Charleston has lots of great bars. We really enjoyed the quiet atmosphere of the Gin Joint, a pre-prohibition style speak-easy; and the mod-60s atmosphere of the hip Belmont. Make sure you try their homemade tonic water! If you are looking for a relaxing glass of wine, visit Bin 152. The French owner of this tiny café will put together a wine and cheese pairing that is sure to please your palette.

The Angel Oak

The Southern charm and old-world style of Charleston, paired with it’s great eateries, shops, and beaches; make it the perfect destination for a weekend getaway in our beautiful south.

**All photographs taken by my husband and I on my Fujifilm Instax 210.

[author] [author_image timthumb=’on’]https://prettysouthern.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/KatHeadShot.jpg[/author_image] [author_info]Kat Kraszeski-Jackson is an art teacher, artist, and diy crafter living in Greensboro, NC. She loves sharing her favorite artists, projects, and creative inspiration here on Pretty Southern.[/author_info] [/author]

July 1, 2011
Talking Music & Art with NC artist Kat Lamp!

Born and raised in North Carolina, Southern artist Kat Lamp combines classic illustration and drawing with a modern, playful, graphic style in her signature work. Whether designing gig posters for Southern bands, displaying her work in local galleries and coffee shops, or decorating a wall of a nearby Children’s Museum; award-winning artist and illustrator Kat Lamp has a style that is uniquely her own- yet beautifully fits whatever project she is working on. I had the pleasure of getting to know a little bit more about the inspiration, influence, and drive behind this lovely lady.

Tell us a little bit about your background.

I was born and raised in North Carolina and have been drawing ever since I could pick up a pencil. My grandma has been probably been one of my biggest artistic influences. She took art classes at her local community college when she was 50. Before that, she was a professional seamstress for a few decades. Grandma’s main source of inspiration is the Outer Banks, and she has her paintings in galleries up and down the NC coast.

How would you describe your overall style? Tell us about the work you are currently creating.

My style could maybe be described as Pop-Cartoonism meets All-Over-the-Placeism. I’m currently in school learning graphic design, so lately I haven’t been able to paint as much as I’d like. Right now, I’ve been selling prints of my paintings & have been fortunate to work on some exciting graphic design gigs. If you’re searching for professionals who offer services like professional custom website design, you can easily find them online.

What media do you work in?

Most of my paintings are on scrap wood from a furniture factory dumpster & I’ve also been experimenting with painting on vinyl records that are too scratched to play.

How did you get into the arts and how has your upbringing in the South influence your work?

Getting into the arts just seemed natural for me. I’ve often switched back and forth between spending large chunks of time playing music or making art. My grandma taught me how to paint in acrylics and oils one summer when I was 7. She is the most patient & gentle woman I know- she carefully taught me how to mix colors, use different brush techniques, AND clean everything up! That being said, I learned early on that I didn’t have the patience for oil painting, and I’ve avoided it ever since. I still hear her cute Southern drawl in my head instructing me sometimes while I’m painting.

Those who want to pursue a career in the music industry may find more information online about organizations like Save The Music foundation that may help them continue studying music.

On finding support and inspiration in the South.

I find inspiration all around me, all the time. Friends, bad jokes, good music, animals, pop culture, everything outside, boring things, non-boring things… anything, really. That might be why my style is kind of all over the place. I’ve been really lucky to have opportunities to work with such incredible local musicians such as The Avett Brothers, Filthybird, and Lee Wallace. I love the synergism that happens when mixing music and art. It’s magical.

I wouldn’t be able to do what I do without the support of our strong arts community here in the Triad. It feels like one big giant, extended creative family- everyone helps each other out in so many ways. I love the strong connection between the music and art scenes. I first started really getting my work out in public back in 2002-ish when I would make gig posters for some bands I played in at the time. It’s been pretty much non-stop ever since.

What does it mean to you to be a Southerner in the 21st century?

Sweet tea and biscuits everywhere!!

See more of Kat’s work and buy copies of her gig posters at http://www.katlamp.bigcartel.com/

[author] [author_image timthumb=’on’]https://prettysouthern.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/KatHeadShot.jpg[/author_image] [author_info]Kat Kraszeski-Jackson is an art teacher, artist, and diy crafter living in Greensboro, NC. She loves sharing her favorite artists, projects, and creative inspiration here on Pretty Southern.[/author_info] [/author]

June 30, 2011
Craft Time: A d.i.y. confetti card!
I love sending and receiving real mail. Not just on birthdays, but any occasion I can send someone some sweet snail mail I love the chance to put a smile on someone’s face. Today’s d.i.y. craft tutorial will give you just that chance when you create and send someone this adorable, homemade confetti card.

I have seen fancy confetti filled cards at boutiques and online stores before but I wanted to recreate this idea in a tutorial that could easily (and cheaply) be done with items you can find at home. Below you will find step-by-step instructions on how to make this one-of-a-kind creation AND a free printable template of the “hooray” card I designed just for Pretty Southern readers. You can print it right at home, in any of three color schemes, and use it for your confetti card today. I think that deserves a HOORAY!

First of all, materials. These are all items you should easily be able to find at home or at your local craft or party shop. You will need to collect:

supplies
1. A card for the base of the project, you can use an blank greeting card you have already or print the free template I have included here.
2. Scissors.
3. Confetti- you can make your fromscrap paper using a hole punch or simply buy a bag.
4. A cutting board to cut your card on, or simply cut with scissors and a ruler
5. Tape and a glue stick
6. Parchment paper for the “pocket” you will create to hold the confetti. I used this because I already had it at home from baking and it has a nice translucent quality that allows the confetti colors to show through. You could also use tissue paper, vellum, or regular paper.
Now on to creating your card:

1b. cutting your card

1a. print card templates
1. Print and cut out your card. I have included printable templates in blue, gold, and grey. These can be printed at home on a heavy 8.5″x11″ paper or cardstock. Then cut your card out to a standard card size- 8″ high by 5.5″ wide and fold at the 4″ mark. There are cutting guides on the template to make this super easy!
  parchment paper pocket
2. Next you will create the pocket that will hold the confetti on theinside of your card. I cut my piece of parchment paper to 3″x7″ and then folded slightly off-center (horizontally) to leave a little space at the top for a flap to fold over and close. The end pocket was 3×3 with a top flap of 1″.
3. Fold and glue the back of your pocket to the inside of your card. Then put a little glue up each edge to hold the front and back of the pocket together. Make sure you leave a little extra at the top for a flap to hold the confetti in.
  3. adding pocket to card
4. Fill the pocket with confetti.
5. Tape the pocket closed and add a personal note to your recipient.
6. You are finished! Send this little gem off to someone special!
  4. fill with confetti
I hope you enjoyed this crafting lesson and I will be back here posting more d.i.y. tutorials for you to keep your creativity flowing!

Print your free hooray cards from one of these files:HooraycardgrayTemplate, Hoo raycardgoldTemplate, HooraycardblueTemplate.

**project and templates copyright katjackson 2011 and should only be reproduced for personal use.
June 23, 2011