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a southern tradition: going green

May 1, 2013 by weddingsar

We are so happy to have Jessica Zimmerman, owner of  A Southern Tradition in Conway, on the blog. We’ve got a great Q&A for you today. Stay tuned in the coming months as Jessica shares her wedding planning behind-the-scenes tips, trends and inspirations. So happy to have you, Jessica!

 

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

Website:  A Southern Tradition
Blog:  Blog | A Southern Tradition
Facebook:  A Southern Tradition
Pinterest:  asouthtradition
Twitter: @asouthtradition

 

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: a southern tradition, arkansas wedding planner, arkansas wedding vendor, go green wedding planning, green weddings, jessica zimmerman, wedding florist, wedding ideas

a southern tradition: set your own trend

March 19, 2013 by weddingsar

We are so happy to have Jessica Zimmerman, owner of  A Southern Tradition in Conway, on the blog. We’ve got a great Q&A for you today. Stay tuned in the coming months as Jessica shares her wedding planning behind-the-scenes tips, trends and inspirations. So happy to have you, Jessica!
 

I always tell my clients the most important thing about their wedding is to throw all the so-called “trends” out the door and set their own trend.

One of the biggest “trends” right now in the wedding industry is DIY (do it yourself), but what if you’re not crafty?   What if you love a traditional, elegant wedding with no trace of a glue gun ever being used?

No matter what is on trend, at the end of your wedding, you want your guests to say, “that was so them!”

Your wedding should really reflect who you are as a couple.  The best weddings I’ve attended have been the ones that looked and felt like the couple.  Here are a few examples:

I am currently working with a client who met her fiancé when they both worked as camp counselors.  They are still very involved in the camp today.  After meeting with the couple I learned the groom doesn’t like cake.  I suggested he not have a groom’s cake.  Why serve cake if you don’t like it?  I came up with the idea to do a really elegant play on a concession stand to reflect their love of camp.  With a beautifully draped tent, personalized napkins, snacks like candy bars (something the groom loves) and mozzarella sticks (something the bride loves), coca cola in a glass bottle – this will be a super unique and fun way to reflect who they are as a couple.  Plus, as a guest, who wouldn’t love a little personalized bag of mozzarella sticks?

One of my very dear friend’s wedding was one of my all-time favorites.  The man she married is Irish – the wedding and the reception was such a beautiful blend of the two of them.  While it was elegant and sophisticated in decor, Irish music played in the background, guests wore fancy hats and Guiness was the beverage of choice.

Another client I am currently working with is putting all of her emphasis on fun!  She wants her wedding to be a festive, relaxed, outdoor event. I presented the idea of an upscale carnival wedding complete with games, corn dogs, pop corn bar, photo booth and decor with lots of bright colors.  She loved it and we are in the beginning stages of planning what I’m sure will be such a memorable evening for the couple and their guests.

I had a client appointment this past weekend who is all about elegance!  All the inspiration photos she pulled for me were images from Princess Diana’s wedding.  I expect we will produce a wedding full of decadent fabrics, lace details, cascading bouquets, complete with a very formal reception.

{all images via Pinterest}

 

Rather than following the trends that may not reflect you as a couple, I hope this inspires you to look at your interests, hobbies and passions as your guide when planning your wedding.  And if you need a little help – you can always call me!

 

A Southern Tradition: 501.336.0326

Website:  A Southern Tradition
Blog:  Blog | A Southern Tradition
Facebook:  A Southern Tradition
Pinterest:  asouthtradition
Twitter: @asouthtradition

 

Filed Under: Uncategorized, Wedding Vendors Tagged With: a southern tradition, arkansas wedding event planner, arkansas wedding planner, jessica zimmerman, wedding tips and ideas, weddings in arkansas blog, weddings in arkansas guest blogger

get to know: a southern tradition

February 7, 2013 by weddingsar

We are so happy to have Jessica Zimmerman, owner of  A Southern Tradition in Conway, on the blog. We’ve got a great Q&A for you today. Stay tuned in the coming months as Jessica shares her wedding planning behind-the-scenes tips, trends and inspirations. So happy to have you, Jessica!  
 

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

Website:  A Southern Tradition
Blog:  Blog | A Southern Tradition
Facebook:  A Southern Tradition
Pinterest:  asouthtradition
Twitter: @asouthtradition

 

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: a southern tradition, arkansas wedding vendor, jessica zimmerman, wedding florals, wedding invitations, wedding rentals, Weddings in Arkansas, weddings in arkansas blog

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