Weddings In Arkansas
{1-Love in Focus, Photos by Amy Glaizer | 2-Nick Smalley & Ryan Kelley of Sunset Exposures Photography, Bride & Groom: Courtnie Hall & Billy Maness, Venue: Royal Ridge | 3-Florist: Cabbage Rose, Photography: Melissa McCrotty Photography, Loy & Whitworth wedding}
Love these photos, and those flowers are taking our breath away!! Hope you all enjoy weekend!!
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Any wedding where the couple tries to decrease the impact of their event on the planet is considered a Green Wedding. An eco-chic wedding can be every bit as beautiful as a conventional wedding. There are so many ways to make your wedding green without sacrificing your own personal wedding style. There is a shade of green for everyone and every green choice makes a difference!
A few ways A Southern Tradition can help you go green!
1. Invitations
There is a lot of paper used for weddings: save-the-dates, invitations, RSVP cards, seating programs, menu cards, seating cards, thank you cards, and more. Traditional paper making creates a large amount of waste and is a very energy-intensive process. We are thrilled to offer our gorgeous letterpress line which uses only bamboo paper. Bamboo is a truly sustainable and renewable resource. It’s the fastest growing plant on this planet; it grows without pesticides or fertilizers; and it requires very little water to grow. Bamboo also makes (hands down) the prettiest paper out there.
{above invitations are available at A Southern Tradition}
2. Décor
One of the easiest ways to make your wedding eco-chic is to rent items for your ceremony and reception décor. This eliminates the one-time use items that many brides have when they purchase vases and other items new. A Southern Tradition has a 6,000-square-foot building full of items available for rent. Many of our items look like something you would go out and purchase. The great thing about renting is you don’t have to find a place to store all the items when your wedding is over!
{votives above are available for rent A Southern Tradition}
3. Candles
If you are having the reception at night, try using candles for table lights. This saves on the electric cost, plus it’s way more romantic!
{the candles above are available for rent at A Southern Tradition}
4. Flowers
Many of our clients choose to donate their fresh florals to a church or nursing home after the wedding. This way, more people can enjoy the beautiful arrangements. Also, try to use flowers that are in season, otherwise the flowers will have to be imported.
{log centerpiece above available for rent at A Southern Tradition}
5. Food & Drink
Don’t buy paper products. Rent glass dinnerware.
{the place setting above is available for rent at A Southern Tradition}
{Photo credits: A Southern Tradition & Pinterest}
A Southern Tradition: 501.336.0326
Weddings in Arkansas: How did you get your start as an event stylist/planner?
Jessica Zimmerman: I’ve alway had an eye for details. I’ve always appreciated a great party and the work that goes into pulling off a fabulous event. I graduated college with a communication degree with the hopes of being an event planner. I also knew I wanted to own my own business so I went to work for a small business to learn everything I could about what that entailed. When the opportunity to own my own event planning business became available – I was ready!
Weddings in Arkansas: What do you like most about event planning?
Jessica Zimmerman: I love that no two events are the same. Every client has their own vision and I love making their vision come to life. Because no two jobs are the same, my everyday work is never boring.
Weddings in Arkansas: Tell us about your business, what do you do exactly?
Jessica Zimmerman: We do it all! We have a wedding designer, a wedding coordinator and a floral designer on staff. We offer unique rentals that you won’t find anywhere else.
Weddings in Arkansas: How does A Southern Tradition stand out from the competition?
Jessica Zimmerman: I’ve been told by others that there is no other place in the state like A Southern Tradition. One of the challenges of planning a wedding is working with multiple vendors. At A Southern Tradition we provide unique rentals, fresh floral, one of a kind invitations, a wedding coordinator on staff — my clients really appreciate getting so much through one vendor.
Weddings in Arkansas: So you do floral? What kind of fresh floral?
Jessica Zimmerman: For weddings we do centerpieces, bouquets, boutonnieres, and everything in between.
{photography by Photography by Melisa, bouquet by A Southern Tradition}
Weddings in Arkansas: What kind of invitations do you offer?
Jessica Zimmerman: We are one of two companies in Arkansas that carry Smock and Bella Figura letterpress invitations. We also offer invitations that can be 100% customized to the customers needs and printed in the store.
{invitation available at A Southern Tradition}
Weddings in Arkansas: Do you ever get to attend a party and just enjoy it, or are you always thinking about it from a event designer/planner’s perspective?
Jessica Zimmerman: To be honest, I work so much that I rarely get to attend an event that I am not producing. However, on the rare occassion that I get to attend a party, I can’t help but look at it from an event planner’s view. It’s just in my blood!
Weddings in Arkansas: What makes you the happiest? (Work)
Jessica Zimmerman: From a work stand point, when my clients tell me how much they loved their wedding. They are so appreciative and thankful. My goal is always a happy client. I absolutely love what I do and nothing makes me happier than when my client loves what I do for them.
Weddings in Arkansas: Who or what inspires you?
Jessica Zimmerman: My three greatest passions are planning beautiful events, travel, and food (whether it be cooking it or eating it). But I find most of my inspiration through travel.
Weddings in Arkansas: What are some of the trends we will be seeing in 2013?
Jessica Zimmerman: Right now, I am personally obsessed with monochromatic color palettes and an ombre floral scheme.
{image via pinterest}
Weddings in Arkansas: What is your favorite part of your job?
Jessica Zimmerman: The best thing about owning your own business is getting to choose who is around you everyday. I have the most amazing team. We have so much fun together; we laugh and there is no better feeling than enjoying who you work with everyday.
Weddings in Arkansas: What is your current day-to-day like as owner of A Southern Tradition?
Jessica Zimmerman: My day starts around 5am with work emails and social media. The store is open from 10am-5pm. If I am not at the store, I am on location with clients. I like to be home by 7pm to have dinner with my husband.
Weddings in Arkansas: What are your favorite types of locations for the events you set up?
Jessica Zimmerman: I love anything outdoors! Nature is always a gorgeous setting.
{photography by Melissa McCrotty Photography, floral by A Southern Tradition}
Weddings in Arkansas: When you aren’t working hard at A Southern Tradition, what can we find you doing?
Jessica Zimmerman: Right now my husband and I are building a house, so just about all of my free time is spent on that project. But I love eating at great restaurants and spending time with my husband, Brian and our little dog, Sophie.
Get in touch with Jessica and her talented team!
A Southern Tradition: 501.336.0326