My New Book _ Our Wedding Planner

Today I have some big news to share with you for this is a project I have been working on! You might not know that I have been super busy during these covid times...sort of making use of quiet time that I would not normally have...and today I am giving you a peek at what has been keeping me busy ! 

 

I am wearing my heart on my sleeve for it is so exciting to finally get to share my book and its' beautiful cover with you !

This beautiful cover and all of the images are from my friend Lori Sparkman, who has been thrilling me with her photography skills for over 10 years, and she has shot some beautiful photos all over the world! 

God's timing is amazing, isn't it? Sometimes He says "Be still and know"...which is hard for me for I just don't have patience...   But in the still and quiet of the past year, God knew my heart as  I have been working on a some really fun projects and today I am sharing all the details and the very first look at  Our Wedding Planner ! 

I have been blessed with the task of helping brides to plan their own weddings and enjoyed every minute of it. A wedding, your own wedding has been the dream of most little girls even before they met their prince charming. And to some, all of the planning, decisions,  choices can quickly become overwhelming to push beyond your own creative boundaries. It takes a lot of time and energy to plan the perfect wedding for no two weddings are quite the same. 

So here is where I step in...the sights, the sounds, the smells and tastes of planning a wedding are all shared in easy to follow guidelines. From years of experience in helping brides to plan their dream wedding, I pour my heart out with knowledgeable text, suggestions, advice and beautiful creative ideas to help you feel calm, stress-free  every step of the way. 

This simple and detailed planner will make the job of planning your wedding so much easier and much more enjoyable. It will allow you to take those duties, contracts, timelines and business cards, off your desk and help you to create a well-organized go-to source that is uniquely tailored to you, your vision and your smoothly run wedding. 

Here are some pages from the book....

A peak inside the book takes you from discovering your style

 to changing your name on your drivers license! 

I wanted the book to inspire all sorts of different venues, color palettes and styles. 

If you know of someone special who is getting engaged, 

what a wonderful engagement gift to get them off and running.

or, 
The book is shipping June 1st, and I can't wait until

 you can hold it and start planning your own wedding. 

My heart is so full and I just want to say "thank you" to all of the brides 

and their families that have passed through our gates

 for I could not have written this book with out you. 

You can purchase Our Wedding Planner HERE 

or from your favorite local bookseller.

You’ll find me on Instagram here:  Alda's Magnolia Hill 

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Spring Bridal Portrait Season

Spring is just the perfect time for Bridal Portraits. 

I feel so blessed to walk out my back door and 

see all of God's handiwork...

which here at Magnolia Hill, Spring is a time for portraits! 

Ornate benches are ideal for a day of spring day's dreaming. 

The spring lake is so pretty and it is no secret 

we love to work with great photographers.

 Actual wedding days are so jam packed, 

that it is a calming feeling to get a portrait 

in your dress with no one around.

 It is a perfect time to try hair and makeup for the big day.

For a portrait session wear comfortable shoes 

as there may be lots of walking. 

Most of the time, the shoes

 do not show in the portrait.

Our historic dogwood tree

 is always in bloom by Easter. 

Look high up in the treetops too, for there 

is the wild purple wisteria that blooms 

profusely in the tree tops.

Perfect for a bridal portrait...

Looking closely, each petal cluster

 is shaped like a cross with two longer petals 

and two shorter ones.

 A crown of thorns is in the center

 and "blood stained" tips with

 nail scars on each petal.

The dogwood is seen from afar 

even with azaleas showing off their colors. 

Spring was quite cool this year and 

we burned our wood burning 

outdoor patio stove for warmth.

The Red Bud trees seemed to bloom early this year.

 They frame a bridal portrait session nicely.

The days getting longer, most portrait sessions

 are late afternoon and early evening 

after the sun goes down.

Gathering the spirit of Spring's soft beauty, 

I picked some wisteria and dogwood for the table

 and placed it in a vintage crock, as it smelled so delightful.  

From across the lake, as if from another era,

 the dogwood

 and the wisteria are blooming

 with a timeless point of view.

Covered in wisteria blooms, 

the dock on the water creates

 a cozy room draped with the dripping blooms

 pouring over the rails. 

Our private country house is found inspiration

 for photographers for our house 

was built in 1918 but only three families

 have lived in it previously. It is a house 

people moved to stay. It has always been 

a place that is loved by the families 

who lived here. The house is wonderful, 

but the location is also quite special. 

Life is newness and

 ever changing when you live by the water.

 

Friends meet, where memories live, and where LOVE grows.
Happy Spring to you....

blessings, 

You’ll find me on Instagram here:  Alda's Magnolia Hill 

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Wedding Memories

 

With a shimmer of satin and sweep of organza I just wanted to share one of my favorite weddings of all times here at Magnolia Hill...our precious niece was married here last fall and her pictures are simply stunning. (Thank you Lori Sparkman Photography) 

Named after my mother, her grandmother,  she is the only girl in the family... Of course it was a sentimental family affair and a gathering of only a few special friends. 

We think she found the perfect match...

Look at these smiles....as they walk back up the aisle to begin their happily ever after !

Here is a glimpse of the ceremony, but there were so many 

special details

that went into the day from wearing 

Great Grandmothers necklace to the 

little members of the wedding party.

The littlest ones carried the hundred year old family Bible,

 and the one bursting with smiles and tiny hands, 

carried the "Here Comes the Bride" pennant flag.  

 

My heart was so full seeing my sister walk down the aisle on the arm of her son for he had been in a horrible near fatal motorcycle wreck only weeks before with broken legs and arms...his goal was to walk at the wedding and he did. There was not a dry eye as they walked to their seat for he was truly our miracle walking. 

The "Flower Man"

The family member who brought light hearted ear to ear smiles was our youngest son Samuel,  designated to be the "Flower Man"(who was a first I had seen of this!)...and oh my goodness....he had us in stitches as he leaped down the aisle tossing petals with tremendous gusto and epic determination.  

Tossing a little "happy"

Doves released at the end of the ceremony

No signing of a guest book....instant 

photos of guests were taken and placed in a keepsake book .

The ceremony concluded but dinner and dancing continued with the reception. 

At the end of the day we think our girl found her prince charming

 and they will live Happily Ever After!

You’ll find me on Instagram here:  Alda's Magnolia Hill 

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Before the Ceremony Begins

 Lori Sparkman Photography

Before the ceremony begins,

 the photographer has time to catch 

all the little details of the wedding. 

It is hard to believe that September is just around the corner

and our fall wedding season blossoms in fullness.

  

I have heard from so many of my brides

 that the day was over all too soon ...

over in a flash ...

after all the planning.

 Lori Sparkman Photography

The brides personal bouquet is to be remembered, 

and captured in a lovely photo... just sitting there looking pretty.

I especially love the magnolia leaves 

and fern fronds in this one.

 Lori Sparkman Photography

With roses in her collar, Delilah our sweetheart 

English Suffolk draft horse

 knows it is wedding day 

and she has an important job to do. 

 Lori Sparkman Photography

 Wedding signs are out, 

and this one is most appropriate 

for the day and these times. 

 Lori Sparkman Photography

 Capturing the bride and groom 

in a sweet private moment. 

 Lori Sparkman Photography

 First look ?  

Seems to put a bride at ease 

and I love this romantic 

dash across the lawn.

 Lori Sparkman Photography

 There are never too many pictures

 of just the two of you...

 Lori Sparkman Photography

And with your girls

 Lori Sparkman Photography

A few pictures of a handsome groom

 before the actual ceremony are treasured.

 Lori Sparkman Photography

 Stepping in the carriage...

Time to get in the carriage and go to the altar.

Treasure this sweet moment! 

 Lori Sparkman Photography

Such a beautiful wedding and stunning bride!  

Venue Alda's Magnolia Hill 

Planning Alda's Magnolia Hill 

Florals Alda's Magnolia Hill 

Photography Lori Sparkman Photography

Catering : Vibrant Occasions Catering

Hugs!

Pssst: Did you know Alda's Magnolia Hill  is on Instagram? 

You’ll find me on Instagram here:  Alda's Magnolia Hill 

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