Expert Interview: It's Party, I mean... Potty Time!

Ok - I know pottys aren't top of mind when it comes to wedding planning... but I recently met the dynamic and fun owner, Christine, of atlanta watercloset, and she is definitely Atlanta's resident potty expert for portable restrooms for outdoor events.  Sure they're decidedly lower on the totem pole of things you think about when it comes to weddings (flowers... dress... potties?)- but I don't know about you, but I definitely always remember a BAD restroom experience! Christine said that her boutique potties are often the 'hit' of every event with exceptional cleanliness, special touches and an overall clean sweep experience.  Everybody may not try the wasabi encrusted shrimp.... but I'm betting that they'll all take a trip to the potty. :)

Coming from a corporate sales job, she dove into the world of business ownership to provide "high end portapotties" for outdoor special events - everything from Atlanta's famed festival season to brides who want every detail - including the perfect potty!

So if you're having an outdoor wedding or event, Christine was kind enough to give us some expert advice on providing the perfect potty!

What are some special touches you can bring to the bathroom to help your guests feel comfortable? 
Fresh flowers that coordinate with the event, Mrs. Meyers Basil scented soap, high end toilet paper (read:  Charmin or comparable,) air freshener, LED candles.

What is the biggest mistake you see people make in the bathroom arena?
The bathrooms are typically the last thing people think of when dealing with the logistics of planning an outdoor event.  If there aren't enough it will be the one thing your guests will remember about the event...not how great the food was, or flowers or the music.  They'll remember waiting in line to use the bathroom.  Having enough clean, nice restrooms will ensure your guests can focus on having a great time.  We take it one step further and can make them "boutique" with flowers and extra amenities.

What is your favorite (non portable)! potty in Atlanta?
The bathrooms at Rise Sushi Lounge in the Luckie-Marietta district downtown.  The sinks are the coolest in the city and the lighting erases all flaws!

How do you determine the number of restrooms you need per number of guests? 
For a wedding or corporate event/party, the rule of thumb is 2 restrooms for the first 100 people, 1 restroom for 50-75 people thereafter depending on the event and budget.

Thank you, Christine for sharing some great tips!

Winter Weddings!

You know... there's actually quite a lot to be said for a winter wedding.  Since we're down South it's pretty safe to say it won't be snowing but will still have that magnificent winter stillness in the air!  I'm so excited about my upcoming client's January wedding - think elegance and a Winter Wonderland! Barnsley Gardens has their Winter Weddings special and thought I'd share it with you! More Winter Wedding details!

Get Married World's Biggest Wedding - Rings!

I love the 'shopping approach' of Get Married Magazine and their latest "World's Biggest Wedding" in Times Square with all wedding elements voted on by the people! This week is the wedding band by Timeless Designs - what's your fave and where would you cast your vote?!

Atlanta Weddings Party at Loew's Hotel - Atlanta Wedding Planner

The Atlanta Weddings Party event was so fun! We met some great couples, and wanted to share some of  the photos from the event at the Atlanta Loew's Hotel!

Ugly Bridesmaid Dress Pub Crawl

Ok... soooo. Not technically a wedding event. But a great place to check out all the dresses that you're NOT making your ladies in waiting wear, right??

The Deets:

Pull out that ugly bridesmaid dress from the back of your closet and get ready for a good time! Deadwood Saloon and Maid of (Dis)Honor Blane Bachelor, Atlanta author and syndicated advice columnist, are hosting the First Annual Ugly Bridesmaid Dress Bar Crawl on Saturday, September 25.

It's time to show off their ugliest bridesmaid dress and party with your girlfriends in honor of National Singles Week (week of September 20). ...

The evening begins at 7 p.m. at Deadwood Saloon where guests can register for the bar crawl and great prizes. At this time, bar crawlers can also meet Blane Bachelor and get a copy of her new book, On Being a Bachelor: Thoughts on Dating, Mating and Relating (purchase an advance copy at www.askabachelor.com).

We'll have food and drink specials throughout the night to anyone wearing a bridesmaid dress. The bar crawl continues to the following Midtown locations, all of which will offer drink specials throughout the evening to those dressed in bridesmaid attire:

• RA Sushi
• Rí Ra Irish Pub and Restaurant
• Vickery’s
• Front Page News

Those participating in the bar crawl will want to head back to Deadwood by 10 p.m. for prize drawings that include a signed copy of Blane’s book, Deadwood gift certificates and more. From 10 p.m. on, Deadwood will have karaoke and a DJ spinning 80s tunes all night long. The kitchen at Deadwood will also be open late.

First Dance: Q&A with Atlanta Wedding Dance Experts

(photo: courtesy of Firefly Studio)

Your first dance... SUCH a fun way to add personality into your big day! Especially if you're anything like us, a bit mesmerized by the beauty, elegance and inspiration behind great dancers. Kind of like ice skating but seemingly more attainable without the option to bust it on thin ice.

We recently go to know the ladies over at Firefly Studio, which is a dynamic duo of Michelle and Erica. They met via the local Swing Dancing community and also have a co-venture of fun vintage inspired accessories, Forties Forward. They were kind enough to do an expert Q&A with us, which we're excited to share!

What is your all time favorite "first dance" song?

Paul McArtney's "Maybe I'm Amazed". Might not be the "all time fav", but most recent and a lot fun to choreograph!

What is the most unexpected 'first dance' song and why did the couple choose that one?

"Follow Me Into the Dark" by Death Cab for Cutie

It was actually my sister and her husband! I think it was the only thing that could agree upon that had any meaning to them.

What advice do you have for the couple that have two (well... technically 'four'!) left feet?

Give yourselves enough time to practice and listen to your song over and over and over until you almost hate it!

What's the best guidance that you can give when a couple is choosing their first song?

Find something with a beat! :) I know that sounds silly, but in order to get past the "hug and wobble" you have to have a beat to move to. A couple should also try to find a song that has some meaning to them and is appropriate for their wedding day (not about breaking up even if it's a nice song ie: Frank Sinatra's "All of Me").

Have you seen a lot of couples jumping on the choreographed dance bandwagon (a la 'Dancing with the Stars' inspired)?

Initially yes! The brides-to-be seem to want that more and more, but once they get started they usually realize that they need more than just a few lessons to get there!

Thanks so much to Erica for our interview with her. Their team is great, and having a dance instructor work with your wedding party is also a fun party idea as well as a chance to guarantee that they'll be out on the dance floor on your big day!

Do you have your song picked out? Let us know what it is!

Come Visit Us at Atlanta Weddings "The Wedding Party!"