Friendsgiving | Decor and recipes to gather with friends.

A few weeks ago I had the best time collabrating with some of Tampa's best food and lifestyle bloggers to create a friendsgiving inspiration shoot. On behalf of Set Rentals & Design I supplied our farm table, driftwood chargers, gold flatware and gold salt and pepper shakers but left with some amazing recipes and even better, some new friendships. Our hope was to inspire others to get together with friends and family and enjoy each other over some delicious food. I will say it as pretty amazing to see each person bring a dish and it all came together so beautifully. I hope this inspires you all to invite some friends over and make some memories together.  I will provide links to each blogger who partcipated so you can get to know them and gain an awesome recipe. Trust me you will want to try these dishes and follow along on their blogs! 

First Course:Cheese Plate with Figs and Honey by Casa de Crews 

Cranberry and Goat Cheese Crostini by Casa de Crews

Second Course:Harvest Kale Salad by Supper for a Steal

Entree:Turkey with Dressing by Out of the Weeds

Brussels Sprouts with Pancetta Caesar Salad by An Appealing Plan by Krayl Funch

Spinach Gratin by Casa de Crews

Dessert: No Bake Pumpkin Pie by Happily Audrey

Bundt Cake with a Cream Cheese Drizzle by Melissa Creates

Pear Sangria by The Flair Exchange 

Concept, design, styling: Casa de Crews | Photography: Caroline & Evan Photography | Venue: Creating Loafing | Farm table, gold flatware, driftwood chargers, gold s&p shakers: Set Rentals & Design | Vintage chair rental: The Reserve Vintage Rentals | Florals:  Belle Fleur | Invitations and menu: Tiny Prints | Fringe and bar cart : The Flair Exchange

September Wrap Up

Hi friends! I have decided to start a new series to share what I have been working on for the month. While I prepared this post it actually was so helpful to be able to reflect on the previous month. I was so lucky to be a small or big part of several weddings and one event this month. It is such an honor to play a little part in your special days so thank you!

I started the month by finishing up the design book for Tiara & Ike and their June wedding. I loved designing this wedding and I can't wait to see it all come together. 

I got to work on something totally out of the normal for me which is always exciting. I painted a large monogram canvas for a wedding. It was a challenge but I enjoyed it. 

My favorite thing about making chalkboards for weddings is that I almost never remake the same chalkboard and I always have to think outside the box. These were all created for Shea Hopely and she created what she wanted me to make. the first sign will be framed in gold and will serve as the seating chart sign. There will be small potted succelents with the guest's name and table assignment on it, I love that concept! Thye next sign is actually a large oval that will serve as a welcome sign over an existing sign at the resort where Tiffany and Stephen are getting married. Then, I made a cake table chalkboard backdrop, my favorite. This will also be framed in gold and not pictures are the cake flavors with arrows pointing to the cake. It is going to so darling.

So there you have it, September! 

St. Augustine, Florida Wedding Designer

I have spent a lot of time in the last year really fine tuning my wedding design process. I have thought about what questions help my clients best communicate their vision to me so I can make it happen. I have thought about what the best way to present these ideas to my clients so they have a better idea of what I will be creating for them. I have thought about how I will present a specific design guide that outlines these ideas so they can share them wih their vendor team and in doing that will help them understand our vision. It is a top goal of mine to gather ideas from my clients so I truly create meaningful details and an event that represents and celebrates their personalities. It feels great to be able to do that.

Here is my most recent design inspiration I gathered for a wedding I am styling next summer in St. Augustine. I was the first vendor they hired so I was able to help them find a venue that speaks to their unique style and design aesthetic they are trying to achieve. They chose the Villa Blanca room, a gorgeous, classic, white and modern space in the heart of downtown St. Augustine.  They wanted a classic and modern wedding but with lots of fun details. 

top left: via Stephanie W Photography top middle: via Style Me Pretty top right: via Style Me Pretty middle left: via SEED Invites on Etsy middle middle: via PrettyLilPart on Etsy  bottom left: via Style Me Pretty bottom middle: via Cali Rose bottom right: via Southern Weddings

Tampa Wedding and Event Designer

Hi friends! I can't believe I haven't officially officially made an announcement that we moved back to Tampa. My husband and I both grew up in the area and call it home. After much thought we decided to move back for a better job opportunity for him and to be closer to family. It was in the works for over six months but once my husband got the job offer we kicked things in high gear and prepared to sell our home and start packing. We moved down just a few days ago and we are already feeling so incredibly welcomed. I made an announcement on Instagram where  you can find me being the most social these days (@AmberVeatchDesigns). I had the sweetest comments welcoming me and celebrating with me and I have even had the chance to meet with some very talented vendors in the area. While it was sad to leave such strong friendships It truly feels like home and we are so excited for this new adventure. I am still booking events in north Florida but if you are a bride, groom or socialite needing help designing your next event or your an event vendor please reach out to me and let's meet. I am so excited to meet new people and work together!

Photo by La Bella Imagery Co-Designed by Megan Martin Creative and Amber VeatchDesigns Rentals by Set Rentals & Design

Photo by La Bella Imagery Co-Designed by Megan Martin Creative and Amber VeatchDesigns Rentals by Set Rentals & Design

The next exciting news I have to share is that Set Rentals & Design will also be offering rentals and design in the Tampa area! If you aren't familiar with the other business I co-own with Megan Martin go check out our Facebook or Instagram and email us if you would like a brouchure of our inventory. 

Amber Veatch Design's Design Book

Hi friends! I wanted to show you an example of a design book I created for an AVD Design Session client.  Design books are an important part of the wedding planning process because it really helps to keep a cohesive design and I feel that is so important. It is a guide for you to stick to when you are making decisions and it is a great visual tool for your vendor team to reference so everybody knows that overall style, look and even color palette you are trying to acheive. 

Pancakes and Pajamas Kid's Party

Madilyn is turning 7 on Sunday and I wanted to share her fun party from last year. It was such a fun party to plan because the older Madi gets the more opinionated she gets. She planned this entire party with me and I was pretty impressed. She picked her color palette first because she knows that is typically where I start on my design projects. Her favorite type of food is breakfast so we decided on a pancaked and pajamas theme party. 

Design, styling, flowers, handlettering: Amber Veatch Designs

Photography: West House Photography

Venue: Rivertown

Rentals: Set Rentals & Design

When to Hire a Wedding Designer

I wanted to talk about a question I have been getting a lot of lately. During the wedding planning process, when is the best time to hire me?

The best time to bring me on as your wedding designer is actually before any of the planning starts. Some people book their venue first and that works too. However, you can also book me to help you find the right venue for you. That is such a big part of the design of your wedding after all. During your design meeting we cover a lot. First, we start with several questions to determine the style and mood that you want your wedding to be based on you and your fiancé's personalities. I go through every detail of your wedding including

• color palette selection
• paper goods
• ceremony design
• cocktail hour design
• seating chart
• overall reception design
• personal flowers and decorative flower inspiration
• reception tablescape
• dessert table design
• details (signage, installations, backdrops...etc.)
• favor  
• fashion (bride,groom, bridal party).

Once we meet I prepare a design look book for you to use as a guide throughout the planning process. You will take this with you to your vendor meetings to show all of your vendors the look of your wedding and the inspiration I have prepared for you. This will help you to have a cohesive wedding that all works together to create the look and feel that we want to achieve. During your design meeting I also serve as a sounding board for ideas you have or Pinterest pins you are trying to work through. This is why it is a more successful process if you bring me on in the beginning stages of planning instead of in the middle or end. If you have any questions about my design process or are interested in booking a Design Session with me I would love to chat with you! Click on the let's work together link. I am booking sessions in Jacksonville, Tampa and the surrounding areas.

Photo by Alex Michele Photography

Backyard Pops Promo Shoot-Jacksonville Commercial Photo Stylist

Ashlee McCormick owner of Backyard Pops contacted me to design a photo shoot to promote Backyard Pops. Her goal was to showcase having Backyard Pops cater your next event. I was so excited about this project for several reasons.      

 1. I am a huge believer of creating fun, out-of-the-box events that make your guests feel comfortable.

  2. I love Backyard Pops!

3. I love supporting small business owners and this would be a great way to show people just how awesome it is to have Backyard Pops at your wedding or social event (corporate event too)!

I chose a fun color palette for the wedding and kid’s party that made me think of Backyard Pop’s brand. I shopped for all the props and made sure they communicated the look we were trying to achieve. I picked models, made wardrobe suggestions, styled all the props and vignettes, and gave creative direction on set. 

After the kid's party I styled a wedding vignette. I absolutely love the idea of having popsicles at your wedding. You could serve them during cocktail hour and pair them with a signature drink or as a late night snack after dinner. The possibilities are almost endless, really. 

I had the best time working on this. Contact Backyard Pops to cater your next event! If you are interested in working with on commercial styling  for your product or business I would love to talk with you, contact me! 

Photography: Couture Studios

Design, Photo Styling, Creative Direction and Signs: Amber Veatch Designs

Popsicles: Backyard Pops

Wedding Gown: Ivory & Beau

Tassel Garland: The Flair Exchange

Amber Veatch Designs Wedding Design Sessions

I am so excited to share what I have been working on. I have been searching for a way to help brides take their Pinterest boards full of all over the place ideas and create a cohesive design. I have also been trying to find a way to help brides find an affordable option to talk out their vision with a professional and get expert advice so you don't make costly or unforseen mistakes. Introducing Wedding Design Sessions! 

After filling out my design questionnaire we will sit down over coffee, peruse your Pinterest board and talk details. I will get to know who you are as a couple and together all of those ideas swirling around in your head and collecting dust on your Pinterest board.  We will create a cohesive design plan that works best for your budget, venue and personal style. 

You will walk away with a digital design board that will help keep things cohesive in every aspect of your wedding from your stationary to your cake. This a great resource for the rest of your vendor team to reference. I will recommend vendors that I know do the best work and match your aesthetic.  We will go through your wedding from ceremony to send-off and choose the perfect details for you. 

It is great for:

·         The couple who have ideas in a lot of different directions and need help tying it all together. 

·         The bride who still wants to be hands on and plan the wedding. 

·         The bride who wants to bounce around ideas and get a professional perspective or a push in the right direction.

We will get this all done from 10-2 and lunch is on me! Sessions are only $495

Contact me today to book your wedding design session. Booking sessions in Jacksonville, St. Augustine and Tampa!

*A limited amount of online sessions are available for you out- of- towners

All photos were taken by Alex Michele Photography, thanks Alex! 

Giveaway!

What you win:

·         An Amber Veatch Designs Design Session

·         A Southern Weddings Planner

·         A Southern Weddings Magazine V7

·         A Martha Stewart Weddings Magazine

·         A Sharpie pen and post it tabs to keep notes in your magazines

·         A Pinch Provisions Bridal emergency kit

·         A ceramic coffee mug with metallic gold MRS. on it

·         A Starbucks gift card

·         Three EOS lip balms

·         An Essie nail polish in “Bachelorette Bash”

Rules

1.       Like AVD on Facebook

2.       Follow AVD on Instagram

3.       Repost the giveaway photo on Instagram and include @AmberVeatchDesigns and #AVDWeddingDesignSesh

4.       Comment on this post with a link to your wedding Pinterest board and a short response about why you would like to win an AVD wedding design session.

5.       Be a bride who will be getting married in Jacksonville, St. Augustine or Tampa, Florida

*You must complete all steps to be considered. Winner will be chosen at 8PM EST on 2/13/15.

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY

Tin Can Photo Lounge | Jacksonville, Florida Photo Stylist

Hi strangers! Things have been busy around here in the best way. My plan is to catch up on blogging and share the fun projects I have been so lucky to be a part of. First up is a promo styled shoot that I did for Jaime Smith of Couture Studios and now Tin Can Photo Lounge. When Jaime announced her new business venture I was so excited that she would be bringing such an amazing idea to events in the area. I was hooked! You will see why shortly. I styled three different looks to show folks how amazing it would be to have Tin Can at their wedding or social event. It was a lot of work but it was the most fun I've had working with a client. You can read more about the photo lounge here.

First, I styled a children's birthday party. I wanted it to be fresh and lots of fun because that's what Tin Can is all about! Jaime had her photo clients come model for us and oh my word were these kids the cutest!

Next, I styled a fiesta with friends. I used a lot of items from Set Rentals and the group we photographed was so fun! I wanted to incorporate a Southwest style so I planted some cacti and succulents and bright colors with the fringe that we hung. 

Lastly, I designed a wedding tablescape that was laid back but still sophisticated. There really isn't much that Tin Can isn't good for. It would be a blast at any event!

If you have a business that you would love to showcase through a styled shoot I would love to work with you on creating images that best represent your business. Email me, let's chat!

Photography: Couture Studios | Design and Photo Styling: Amber Veatch Designs | Florals: Amber Veatch Designs | Farm table and Rentals: Set Rentals and Design | Cake  | Videographer: Visual Power Cinema

Recent Work-Hand Lettering Projects

I want to share a round up of my recent work. I have had a lot of custom orders for hand lettering. This is not something that I advertise and if I am being totally honest not something I was sure I could pull off but it has become my favorite thing to create. I have always loved writing and as embarassing as it is to admit I think it all started with my favorite show as a child, Ghost Writer. In the show the "ghost" writes clues and has the best penmanship. I think I was convinced that if I kept practicing I could write the clues for the show. Embarassing fact #2: One of the jobs I wanted to do when I grew up was write the specials on business windows. Seriously guys, I am so lucky to be doing what I love. As a kid, I never thought all those silly things I loved to do for fun would bring me to this creative business. I hope you enjoy some of my hand lettering work.

This little sign was for a baby shower. 

This was the dinner menu for a wedding

This seating chart was a lot of fun to make. It was framed and styled by Shea Hopely

This was for a first birthday party in the park.

This was for Jenn & Joe's Nocatee wedding. We created a very fun cocktail hour on the lawn. I can't wait to show more from this wedding!
Photo by Liliop Photography.

I created this custom photobooth backdrop for Mike & Nikki's Casa Monica wedding. It was great to work with Prop's Photobooths

I love this concept that Shea Hopely designed and produced. I hand lettered the "All because two people fell in love" sign that topped wedding photos of the couple's family. They also had a few wedding gowns that the women in the family wore. It was so precious. 

I enjoyed making this sign for a shop in St, Augustine, 

Featured Work: Jacksonville Magazine, Setting the Scene

I was so honored to be asked by Shea Hopely of Shea Hopely Flowers Inc. to participate in a styled photo shoot for Jacksonville Magazine. You can see the featured post here in their online magazine or pick up your own copy in Publix. Shea was asked to create a tablescape and I love what she designed. Shea wanted me to hand letter and draw a sign for the sweatheart table and signs for the bride and groom's chairs. She had Megan Martin create the paper goods and I am so in love with how they came out. The location is one of my favorite venues and spots in Jacksonville, The Cummer Museum and Gardens. I loved styling it with Shea and Megan and I love the beautiful images by Agnes Lopez. This was the first feature for Set Rentals where you will see our wood chargers and gold flatware. This was also my first feature in print and my sweet daughter Madilyn was pretty excited to see my work in a magazine too. 

Set Event Rentals

If you haven't heard yet, my dear friend Megan Martin and I have joined forces and started a tabletop rental, design and styling business, Set Event Rentals. We are in the process of finalizing our inventory and will be officially launching soon. We are excited to finally offer stylish items to Jacksonville and beyond. We will offer farm tables, chargers, gold flatware, colored goblets, unique elements, custom paper goods and more. If there are items you are searching for please let us know because it may be something that we would love to add to our inventory if we don't already have it. Be sure to follow us on instagram at @set_rentals and on facebook at facebook.com/seteventrentals

What is it that you do? Jacksonville, FL Wedding and Event Designer

My job description

Let's face it, what I do isn't easy to understand. I spend a lot of time explaining to people what services I offer because it's not a traditional job. I am ok with that. I hope to give you a better idea. 

Let me start by saying I am an artist. I always have been. According to my good friend Google, art is:

"The expression or application of human creative skill and imagination, typically in a visual form such as painting or sculpture, producing works to be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power. 

Art isn't just paint on a canvas. I love creating events. I love taking a special moment in time and celebrating it by making it beautiful. For weddings, I love really listening to my couple's love story and creating details that represent them at their wedding. I love making the events that I work fun and inviting by creating beautiful interactive vignettes like a hot chocolate station or a unique photobackdrop. I will write another blog post about my process but this is a big picture idea of what I do. 

I handle the aesthetics of an event. If it has something to do with the way the event looks then I decide what to include. This would include creating an overall concept for the event and how to execute it. It also entails helping you decide what vendors to hire, what elements to incorporate, what color palette to create, what paper goods to choose and the perfect venue to have the event. I work with vendors to create the perfect details or in most cases I create those details myself or with my team just for you. This helps to create an event that is stylish, cohesive and represents the guest of honor. Of course each event is different and may need all of my help or just a little. 

In addition to designing events I absolutely love to style photo shoots too. This could be to help promote your business or a product, to have special, out of the ordinary engagement photos, or provide inspiration for event design. I like to style these because I can really get creative, most of the time the shoots I style don't have as many specifications as an event might have. 

If you have thought about hiring me to design or style please contact me, I would love to help create an event that best represents you. 

Jennifer Blair Photography

Welcome Nikki & Mike!

I am so excited to officially welcome Nikki & Mike to AVD. I have designed their event and I can't wait to style it and see it all come together with the great team of vendors that will be involved. They will be getting married in my favorite city, St. Augustine, Florida at the one and only Casa Monica Hotel. 

Nikki and Mike are absolutely smitten and adorable together. You can tell by their gorgeous engagement photos by one of my favs, West House Photography. You can check out the rest of their photos here.

New Logo

I am so excited to share with you my new brand made by Megan Martin! Let me first say that Megan happens to be one of my favorite people. When we get together we dream and scheme. She is one of the few people that I could talk to about weddings and not get annoyed. What I have always admired the most about her is that she makes it happen. Whatever it is she just does and it's inspiring! Megan, my dear friend went straight to my heart and created the perfect brand for me. She was a joy to work with and I highly reccomend her if you are in the need for a new brand. You can check out more of her gorgeous branding work here and learn more about her brand design here.

My two favorite colors in the whole world are mint green or any shade around that and cobalt blue. They truly make my heart sing and represent me perfectly. You can see my Pinterest board here to get an idea of what I wanted to portray in my brand and you can see Megan's Pinterest board here. When Megan sent me my branding board I squealed and may or may not have been staring at my new logo all day. It's just perfection and I can't thank you enough, Megan! 

Brody is here!

I m sorry I have been quiet around here. We have been enjoying our name baby boy, Brody Parker. He is as sweet as ever and the perfect addition to our family. 

Photography by Robert Max Photography

Featured | Green Garden Wedding Inspiration

I'm so excited to announce that we were featured on the Weddings Unveiled Blog. I had an incredible time designing and styling (along with Ivory and Beau) this wedding inspiration at Sanchez House in St. Augustine. I got to work with some amazing vendors including Andi Mans Photography of Orlando, Ivory and Beau of Savannah, Shea Hopely Flowers, Inc., Sweet N' Flour, Small Bites, Amanda Hopcraft, Simply Bridal, Chirp Paperie, Beachview Event Rentals, Dishie Rentals and that gorgeous farm house table was made by my husband and is available for rent! You can find the full feature here.

Our Wedding

I have had a lot of people ask me about the details of my wedding and I really wanted to take today to share a little bit with you. Today my husband and I celebrate three years of marriage and I would love to share one of the best days of my life. 

Planning this wedding changed my life. We set a date to get married 11/12/10 and I dove head first into wedding planning. I helped friends with their weddings and fell in love with weddings when I was a flower girl for the first time at age 4. I knew I would enjoy the process but I never imagined I would love it this much. I planned the wedding entirely by myself (BEFORE PINTEREST!) and put as much of My husband and I's personality into as possible. 

What we wanted: We wanted a laid back wedding where we could really celebrate with our closest friends and family . We aren't too big on tradition. In my head I kept imaging a beautifully backyard wedding that was elegant but still fun and not too stiff. But, I didn't think I would really be able to pull off a wedding in a backyard somewhere. When I was about twelve, we visited my aunt and uncle in St. Augustine, Florida and I fell in love with the city. Call me silly but I decided on that trip that one day I would get married there! Fast forward and I ended up moving there to go to college and find the man of my dreams, how convienent. I did a lot of research and found  Llambia's House. It is a National Historic Landmark, a house built in the 1700s and the event space is the gorgeous backyard of the antique home. We looked no further and booked right away. 

I was constantly on wedding websites and blogs and was bombarded by complaining brides and I didn't get it. Yes, planning a wedding is incredibly stressful. There are so many big decisions to make but I just loved every minute of the process. I made as much as I possibly could and when it was all done with the help of my lovely mother-in-law and bridesmaids we ended up making the table linens, table runners, programs, cake topper, cupcake toppers, candy buffet labels, welcome bags, flower girl bouquet, boutonnieres and all the wooden signs. 

Just months before our wedding, in May my mom was diagnosed with brain cancer and given two months to live and she passed away on July 3rd. Our wedding day was the first time that our families were all together and happy since then.  Weddings and marriage hold an even more special place in my heart since our wedding because of it. Before my mom passed away I would call her and tell her the wedding projects I was working on and she was always so amazed with my abillity and creativity. She encouraged me after each conversation to do something with these talents and after our wedding when I started having "wedding planning withdrawl" I decided to persue a career in the wedding industry.  

Being married has been the best experience for me. I still get excited when I spontaneously remember that I get to spend the rest of my life beside Kyle. He is the perfect partner for me and nothing makes me prouder to be his wife. That is my hope for everyone. That I can help you start your forever with your partner by creating an event that truly showcases you as a couple. Getting married is so much to celebrate and that is why I love being a part of this industry.  

Happy anniversary, Kyle!  

Getting ready location: Casa Monica Hotel First look location: Flagler College Wedding Venue: Llambia's House Photography: Jess Cumbie Photography Day of Stylist: Portia Gibbs Catering: Mai Oui Gourmet Flowers, cake, cupcakes: Whole Foods, Jacksonville Groom's Cake: Wendy Schwab Rentals: Taylor Rentals Lighting: St. John's Illuminations Linens: Handmade by mother of the groom Lawn games, signs, programs and event design by the bride and groom. 

This picture is one of the most important ones. I was so nervous that I would get emotional when it was time to put on the dress because I would have my mom to help. Without even asking my maid of honor and two year old daughter hopped up and helped me out. That means more than they will ever know.

I will treasure this picture forever!

These girls will always hold a special place in my heart.

I highly recommend a first look to everyone.

Madilyn practiced being the flower girl for almost a year. At this moment she quit her job and decided to walk me down the aisle. It is one of the best memories of my entire life. 

Kyle is a big fan of the movie Ghostbusters. For his groom's cake I asked an incredibly talented friend, Wendy Schwab to make him a proton pack groom's cake. Needless to say he was blown away. 

Noah Grant's Baby Shower

A few weeks ago I had the honor of throwing my sister-in-law a baby shower. She is due to have a little boy a few weeks after us, yay! I wanted to share the design I came up with for Noah Grant's baby shower. 

We had the shower at Jana's favorite restaurant, Square One Burgers in there private dining room. It was an elegant red and gray room and the restaurant had hints of cow print fabric. So I took that and ran with it.  

I love incorporating some sort sweets table so I decided on a milk and cookies bar. I made labels for the cookies and milk and a banner. I also made a really simple cake topper with washi. I chose the inviations from Etsy and purchased gray envelopes to mail them in. I created a bingo card for guests to fill out and cross off as Jana opened the baby gifts. It was a great time and we can't wait to meet Noah Grant!