A Tearful Ceremony at Carl House

BB Webb’s Wedding Wisdom.

In the final of three parts of Monika’s story, we share the personal touching moments at the Carl House wedding of our very own Monika Williams, who all of our Carl House brides know as the person who helps them make the decision to book Carl House for their weddings. 

Wedding Memories Shared Every Day of the Week

Chapter Three: The Tearful Ceremony

Monika and Kenny were childhood sweethearts, growing up in Lawrenceville.

The Father of the Bride, walks his little girl Monika down the aisle

Kenny was in the military stationed overseas during the wedding planning, so while most of the decisions were left to Monika, he was very interested in the groom’s room.  And Carl House’s large groom’s room–complete with comfortable furniture and hidden TV—fit the bill, giving the groomsmen a great space for hanging out prior to the ceremony. 

The Bride in the Bridal Suite, While the Groom relaxed Nearby

“Having a place to relax with the guys prior to the ceremony really set him at ease, as did the wedding planner,” says Monika about the advantages of having an in-house person to help with the planning and with the bridal party on the day of the event. “The attention to detail by everyone at Carl House, the wedding planner, and the fact that virtually everything is included, ensured that there were no surprises.”

            Monika describes her husband Kenny as a “manly, military type of guy.” But all that changed during the beautiful Carl House garden ceremony.

“During the ceremony, he started tearing up,” she recalls with a smile.  “He had all of the bridesmaids crying.  It was such a sweet moment.”

My thanks to Monika for all of her hard work and for letting me share her story.   -BB

Share your thoughts about this story or your wedding memories :  monika@carlhouse.com or share them directly on our new facebook page. Facebook.com/CarlHouseFans

BB Speaks & Monika Says! Here Come the Brides!

The Carl House Crew Are Out and About in Atlanta at a variety of Bridal Shows Through February…leading up to THEIR Bridal Event February 27th HELD AT CARL HOUSE!!

For more information on how you and a friend can attend at no cost, email us at info@carlhouse.com

We encourage you to visit one of the upcoming below listed…

Georgia Bridal Shows to hear
Owner BB Webb
and
Former Carl House Bride, (now Carl House Bridal Sales person),
Monika Williams

talk about all things weddings, including…
*current trends in the industry
*how to save on cost without sacrificing quality
*planning the wedding you envision
*securing reliable, quality vendors for your event!

photo: liana.tv

Meet other members of the Carl House Team…
Who, what, where and when:

Sunday January 23, 12-5pm: GA Bridal Show: Duluth/Kandice and Monika will tend the booth, BB & Monika will speak at 3:25pm

Sunday January 30, 12:30-4pm: GA Bridal Show: Athens/Monika and BB will tend the booth and speak at 2:30pm

Sunday January 30, 12-5pm: Bridal Extravaganza/In-house Carl House Florist, Kimberly Coates and Wedding Director Kandice Dudding will tend the booth

Sunday February 20, 12-5pm: Perfect Wedding Guide/Kandice and Monika will tend the booth.

Sunday February 27, 1-3pm: Carl House Bridal Event! Meet the entire Carl House team, taste Executive Chef Derek Smith’s Culinary Delights and meet some of the BEST vendors in the industry!

Call 770-586-0095 or info@carlhouse.com for more details.

It’s time to stop a moment and breathe…

Photo: Artstar Photography

I must admit….we’ve been going at a furious pace at Carl House for well over a year….in quite a different way from the past. We’ve taken some broad steps and have been working in earnest to fill this vision I have been developing in my head for Carl House over the years…..of not just who we are as a company, (what we might do for the clientele we serve, the community where we live), but who we are BECOMING!!

And all that takes some mighty work and ferociously eats up healthy brain cells, in a GOOD way. And with that, I’m reminded that spring is just around the corner and the many, many weddings we are in the process of planning as the weather becomes again temperate and the flowers in my garden, beautiful beyond compare. (Grateful am I)!!

Spring is just around the corner!

So, our vision is manifest in our new Carl House website and within the team who now graces my lovely home. Today I completed some new video montages on YouTube, featuring my friend Lee Davis’ amazing music and some terrific photography by the many wonderful photographic artists who grace our halls weekend after weekend.

We’re putting the finishing touches on some terrific vendor packages which we’re now offering….our goal, to offer up some of the best vendor services and vendors,

…who I prefer to call ‘Event Partner’, the latter reminding me of the days when I performed children’s shows, juggled fire and told stories, in the company of folks like the fellow who was an organ grinder with a monkey….he referred to himself as a ‘vendor’. But I digress!

….connecting you with service providers in the industry through convenient and cost effective package for our brides and grooms. Kimberly Coates, our new General Manager and Debbie Rossiter, in Operations…

if you’ve not yet Debbie, you MUST, she had the BEST laugh I’ve ever, hands down, EVER heard!

they’re working with our team on our upcoming Bridal Event, (February 27th) where we’ll present our creme de la creme of event vendor partners and of course serve up Chef Derek’s fine, culinary delights.

But tonight….after what has been an intense heads down week (house office bound with the weather), it’s time to sit back, take a breath, look at the good work that has been accomplished and the fine people who join me in delivering up what we love, love, love to do….extraordinary memorable events to our clients.

I’m one lucky woman to get to do what I do.

And there is SO much more to come.

Frank Gibson Photography....quite a ring!!

Please share your thoughts regarding our new website, please….and remember that next Monday is our final RSVP date for our January 21st Wine Pairing Dinner and if you are interested in our Bridal Event on Feb. 27th, do let us know soon. Bride and guest attend at no cost, and friends thereafter join us for a mere $15 admission…..food, fun (always) and music….and did I mention…..friends.

We’re eager to meet you to hear the vision you have for your wedding, eager to share the ways we might assist you in realizing just that! Thanks for letting us be part of your solution for the wedding event of your dreams.

Love to all our Carl House Brides and Carl House ‘Brides (and Grooms) to Be’!

Warmly,

BB Webb

The Reason Photography and A Georgia Wedding Indeed!

Wow….talk about an awesome wedding, creative, fresh, meaningful and SUPER fun!

Carl House is delighted to have been the featured venue in the popular wedding blog, ‘Style Me Pretty‘, highlighting the creative and BEAUTIFUL wedding of Kelly and Marc!

We’ve highlighted a few photos and commentary below, but visit their site and description of one of the prettiest events we’ve seen at Carl House! (and there have been SO man)! The photography all by The Reason Photography. Terrific in EVERYWAY…. as were all the folks contributing to this spectacular wedding.

This was such a joyfilled event, great people, beautiful decor with everything planned so carefully by Kelly and Marc. Enjoy the photos and sites mentioned above….we certainly did!


A short section from Kelly, a most lovely bride,

‘From the start, Marc and I wanted a wedding that truly felt like us- fun, exciting, eclectic and a little different from the norm. Every little detail had a meaning behind it, making the day all the more special for both of us. We fell in love with the Carl House from the start. We loved the big backyard, the rustic, vintage feel of the decor and the brick wall backdrop where we’d say our vows- mostly, we loved how it felt like home. We wanted our guests to feel completely at ease to let loose and dance like crazy. The planning process was really a joint project. Marc was involved from day one- he built the wishing tree for our guests to sign when they first arrived at the wedding and handpicked the groomsmen’s outfits….’





Exquisite work, exquisite couple and grand fun at Carl House!

Lucky us.

Photography: The Reason / Event Planning and Flowers : Denise Myers of TruSo Weddings / Ceremony and Reception Location: The Carl House / Dress: Casablanca / Wedding Shoes: Vince Camuto / Veil and Hair Flower: Twigs and Honey / Bridesmaid Dresses: J. Crew / Bridesmaid Shoes: Vince Camuto / DJ: Ken Myers / Cake: Sugar Kneads / Food: Carl House

Back by Popular Demand

For those of you watching your spending plan, Carl House is bringing back our most popular specials:

* Specials from $7500 for up to 100 people available Friday night, Saturday day and Sunday

  • * And $6500 for up to 75 people on Sundays!

ALL specials include a 3 hour wine and beer package OR chocolate fountain, 2 passed hors d’oeuvres and full buffet!

Please visit our website  www.carlhouse.com or call the office at  770-586-0095 to schedule a tour.

photo by Kristi Odum

Bridal Brunch Buzz Goes as Far As Britain!!

….Well, if it didn’t, it SHOULD have!!!

FIRST of all…. thank you to Ms. Cyndi from Coverups– we work closely with this fabulous company– table linens made Carl House pop!  Just look at the pinks and lavenders.  It’s official, I want to get married all over again!!

YES, Carl House’s Summertime Bridal Brunch was a HUGE SUCCESS, thanks to our lovely bride participants and their guests as well as our preferred vendor partners!  We were thrilled that our new Candy Station offering was a hit– I mean who doesn’t love Whoopers and Peanut M&Ms??  And although it was a hot summer day in Georgia, the Carl House Gourmet Coffee Station was a loved as well, with all those sweet mixings, (coconut and carmel being my favorite)…..and of course whipped cream.

Guests enjoyed visiting the wine tasting at the beautiful granite Carl House bar, (I love the look of that bar) and sampled of the second and third-tier wine selections at Carl House.  Several commented that they loved the Rodney Strong Merlot, although Carl House Owner BB Webb prefers  the Oxford Landing Savignon Blanc, which came in as a strong second.

The DJs Andrew Byrd, Ted Crowder, Louie Londono kept the house abuzz with fantastic music throughout the day! And one of my favorite features was the live BAGPIPE music provided by Winter Taylor!  Who knew that bagpipes could rock a room? And the young Darrien Davis on fiddle was a delight as well– passion and talent for SURE!!

Perhaps the biggest hit (TO ME) at THIS Carl House bridal brunch was the FOOD!  The menu was prepared by the incomparable Chef Derek Smith, (Carl House Executive Chef) and executed by Carl House Sous Chef David Hull.  I spoke with several brides who were ‘ga ga’ about the coconut shrmip appetizers, (butler passed mind you) though my favorite (and I did go back for seconds) was the beef brisket which just melted in my mouth–honestly, it was BEYOND yummy.  And I adoree how the shrimp and grits were displayed in pretty martini glasses where you could add fresh scallions or bacon as you pleased!  Sweet potoatos and orzo pasta made it on my ‘yum’ list as well.   And of course, I had to go back to the chocolate fountain with fresh strawberries two or three times.  

Owner BB Webb officiated the event and Cornelia Powell shared her wisdom and thoughts with the crowd, giving away many of her books and CDs. Most guests walked away with one (or more) door prizes, ranging from the beautiful floral arrangements displayed on the tables (compliments of Debbie Garmon Florals, European Floral Design, Perfect Stem, and Truso Weddings), a free hour of limo service (compliments of Diversity Limo), discounts on photo packages from Sarah Eubanks, John Campbell, and Matt Bowman, as well as discounts on DJ services from DJ Louie and Ted Crowder with Atlanta Bands and DJs. Hotel accommodations were also offered by our friends at Courtyard by Marriot and Hampton Inn!

Carl House had goodies to give away as well along with GREAT incentives for booking a wedding by the end of the month– contact our Bridal Sales Consultant Monika Williams (pictured below) for more info.  By the way– the next three brides who come in to tour Carl House will receive a complimentary copy of Cornelia Powell’s CD “Open Your Heart- Meditations for Brides!”

All told, it was a great day at Carl House and fun, fun, fun to visit with great bridal talent, terrific people and brides, brides, brides!

Stay tuned for the next Carl House Bridal Brunch, planned for November 14th!  And no, maybe the people in Great Britain didn’t catch wind of the big day, but with the buzz of those bagpipes, they just MIGHT have!

Diane Burdick, Carl House Event Manager and Bride Wanna-Be!

(see our last blog for a complete list with vendor contact info)!

Shutterkiss Photo Give-Away Revealed!

Several months ago Carl House partnered with Sarah and Bryan Ackerman of Shutterkiss Photography to offer FREE engagement and wedding photos for the next couple who booked with Carl House. The contest winners were Asia and Blake, and the give-away couldn’t have gone to a nicer or sweeter couple!

Asia and Blake were married this June at Carl House, with the wedding photos taken at Carl House (of course) and engagement photos being shot at the Botanical Gardens in Athens, and UGA. Photographer Sarah Ackerman had this to say about the happy couple:

Asia and Blake are two amazing people-we realized that the first time we met them to talk about their wedding! They are both fun-loving and full of life, and they balance each other perfectly- they are perfect for each other! Asia and Blake were so much fun to work with, they were naturals in front of the camera and were up for anything that we asked of them. We couldn’t have asked for anyone any better than these two!  We were very lucky to have been blessed by these amazing people!”

Truly, Asia and Blake were a fun couple to work with on the wedding day! There wasn’t a dry eye in the house at the time of the toast, and when it was time to dance their guests really rocked the house! Carl House sincerely thanks Asia and Blake for selecting use to be their wedding venue!

(all photos courtesy Shutterkiss Photography)

Something Borrowed, Something Blue….Introducing Cornelia Powell

Author and Public Speaker, Cornelia Powell will be the featured guest speaker at Carl House’s semi-annual Bridal Brunch , taking place on July 25th, where she will also sign copies of her best-selling book “Bride’s Ritual Guide: Look Inside to Find Yourself.”

In addition to being a beloved friend of Carl House owner BB Webb, Cornelia has worked with thousands of brides over the past two decades in her top bridal boutique in Buckhead. Cornelia specializes in the traditions and folklore surrounding weddings, and speaks to the heart of a woman’s soul regardless every stage of life.

“The Bride’s Ritual Guide” is written with the Bride-to-be in mind, and discusses the folklore and legends surrounding weddings. In addition to penning books, Ms. Powell also posts to several blogs as well as an online bridal magazine “Weddings of Grace

The following is taken (with permission) from Ms. Powell’s “Letters to a Bride” blog titled “All You Hold Dear”:

“Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, and a sixpence for your shoe.”….

This familiar rhyme has connected and inspired and touched generations of brides to put attention on little details that are dear to women the world over. Bringing women together to borrow a keepsake to wear, or share an old-fashion notion, or hear a story about a wedding from long ago. Feminine exchanges of the heart.

Yes, the “something old, something new” folkloric ritual may inspire things for you to wear or carry on your wedding day. But the main point of participating in rituals — including this quaint little rhyme — is how they take you closer to the true expression of your heart, opening the way to make a lasting (and possibly healing) connection with family members and friends.”

Celebrating One Year Anniversary at Carl House

One of our couples made arrangements to have a private dinner and celebrate their first wedding anniversary at Carl House.  It was a quaint evening for the couple and an honor for us to celebrate with them their anniversary. 

Congratulations from Carl House

Choosing the Right Venue for YOU!

The look, feel and ‘attitude’ of a venue should appeal to YOU. A benchmark of stately, Southern graciousness is Carl House.  Built in 1903, Carl House was the centerpiece and home to the owner of a large and thriving ornamental plant nursery.  Its original Southern garden plan has been restored with the addition of an exquisite gazebo where many of the best and most beautiful wedding ceremonies and receptions in the South have been held.

This authentic piece of Georgia history sits on four manicured acres, surrounded by over 30 acres of pastoral beauty.  Carl House exudes a Southern plantation atmosphere with all the amenities of a luxury estate: 30’ high tin ceilinged ballroom, tall stately windows which look out to lush, colorful gardens, gorgeous woodwork, marble and granite throughout.

The lavish interiors, including 10 working fireplaces, have been painstakingly restored to recreate the look and feel of the original house.  The dramatic ballroom and third floor were new additions though look as though they have been there forever.

Once you’ve found the venue which ‘feels’ right to you, with a team who fits who YOU are, consider the points below to help assess its value with your vision. 

1. Cost and Use

What does the facility fee include and do you have exclusive use of the venue? Does the fee include use of tables, chairs, linens, flatware, stemware, and house centerpieces?  One venue price might seem more desirable than another until you add up all the ‘add ons’.  Consider the overall value of the venue when assessing the estate fee, gardens, architecture, décor as well.

2. Needs and Vision

Does the location work to satisfy all that is important to you and your vision for your very important event?  Is the venue spacious enough to accommodate all your guests?  Consider parking, seating, does it have an outdoor ceremony options with a rain plan,  bride and groom changing rooms, in-house catering?

3. Date and Time

There are many popular dates for weddings and most venues have peak and off peak times with varying costs for different times. Secure your date early to assure date availability and consider times other than Saturday evening to watch costs while at the same time getting the wedding you envision!  Venues often offer more cost effective options for events booked just a few months before your event.

 4. Food and Beverages

Your venue should provide you with a variety of diverse options.  Consider if you would prefer a buffet or seated service, ‘butler’ passed hors d’oeuvres and a choice of non-alcoholic, alcoholic beverages or specialty drinks!

5. Support

Does the venue have an in-house wedding director and do you feel a synergy with the team?  How many servers are allocated per guest?  One server to 20 guests is a good ratio.  During your planning you will have many questions. It is a great feeling to know that you have a professional to ask for advice and guidance. 

To learn more about choosing a venue and Carl House,  visit www.carlhouse.com

or call 770-586-0095.