Embellishing Rachael's Day

Rachael and I met in Sunday School a few years back when I lived in the Atlanta area. She is one of the sweetest people I know; kind, generous and caring, too. But my favorite Rachael trivia is that she has a parakeet (I think it is a parakeet) named Sophie who hangs out on Rachael's shoulder.

I am thrilled and honored to create Rachael's veil. Rachael has given her direction and left a little room for creative freedom, so the rest is up to me.

Congratulations, Rachael, and thank you for letting me Embellish Your Day!!

I don't have a picture of just the two of us, so here's a group shot. Rachael is the second one from the right (yes, the beautiful one!!).

My Tabs

I've added new tabs so you can view My Brides and My Veils without having to dig through old blog posts.

The My Brides tab has the professional photos of the brides I know personally who have worn one of my creations.

And the My Veils tab has the photos from the photo shoot conducted by the lovely and uber-talented Inga Finch from Inga Finch Photography.

My Brides

I always struggle with the post that follows a wedding. I enjoy so much posting pictures from the Big Days that I hate to bump wedding pictures down the page with my ramblings!

Which means that I need a way to continually update without bumping wedding pictures. Therefore, as soon as I have a website, there will be a tab titled "My Brides!" That way, I can showcase each of my lovely brides continually. I shall also add a tab to this blog.

"My Brides" coming soon ...

Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Posey!!

Yesterday, I had the privilege of watching Siara Parrish walk down the aisle in one of my wedding veils! I became best friends with her older sister in eighth grade and pretty much know their entire family. Such GREAT people! And this was a PERFECT wedding!

Thank you, Siara, for letting me Embellish Your Day!! I wish you and Jack all the best as you embark on this new adventure as Mrs. Jack Posey. xoxo

And here are a few pictures from Siara's big, windy day ...

Our Big Day

Over the last week or so, we've been getting ready for Thanksgiving. For the first time in 30 years, the Gregory family is gathering the way they used to back in the day. In other words, we have 90 loved ones coming to our house Thanksgiving Day. We are SUPER excited!

Unfortunately, this means Embellish has temporarily been moved to a closet. The house feels strangely empty without her. But as soon as Friday embraces us, Embellish will be returned to her former glory in the dining room! And I'll be right there with her, guns blazing!

Shop Proposals

This wedding veil photo shoot has really lit a fire under me! Professional photos mean a professional website. And since I will have a central place to drive consumers, I've got my guns blazing.

It's time to expand: I plan to propose to a shop in Nashville! And then propose to a shop in Roanoke shortly thereafter! Man, things happen when guns are blazing.

Have I been watching too many westerns??

A Yummy Sneak Peak: Embellish Photo Shoot

How do you describe a dream come true when a year ago you didn't even know it was a dream you had?? Yesterday, Embellish Veils & Accessories had its very FIRST photo shoot, which I'm still replaying in my head. I am beyond thankful to everyone who helped make this photo shoot a success!

We were on location at Vocelles; The Bridal Shoppe, whose dresses were perfect for the occasion. Inga Finch Photography supplied Miss Inga Finch herself. A Country Rose Florist & Gifts created 7 exquisite bouquets. And the Aveda Institute Tallahassee transformed two beautiful girls into stunning models.

But there were more than just two. The models are all near and dear to me which will make these photos mean that much more! Amity Gay, Ashlie Parrish and Laura Beth Croley are childhood friends, Kim Jones was my personal trainer (she could be yours too!) and Vonna Hall works at Vocelles.

When Inga showed me some of the pics on her camera, the Embellish dream materialized right before my eyes. So as you can imagine, I cannot wait to get my hands on these ridiculously YUMMY photos of some of my favorite people!!

For now, here's a sneak peak of our day ...

Cold Feet

Tonight my mind wanders as I continue to organize all the easily forgotten details for my first wedding veil photo shoot this Sunday! Unfortunately, my day started with a case of cold feet. All of a sudden it hit me that Sunday is approaching uncharacteristically quickly. I had all the symptoms: I became nervous, began to perspire and asked myself all the "what ifs".

I happened to be on the elliptical (which I like to call the ellipse) so I began to "run" as fast as I could in an actual effort to leave behind my cold feet and "what ifs". Surprisingly, that didn't work. ;)

Therefore, one of the many theme songs for Sunday will be thanks to Jimmy Buffet, who always remains calm under pressure as seen in his popular song: "Come Sunday, It'll Be Alright."

New Style

I am pleased to report that I perfected one of the veils that had not been behaving well. It looks like a good timeout did the trick!

And here is a preview of the latest style ... you like?

Unbridled Determination

I think everyone would agree with me when I say that I utterly despise feeling like a failure. There's a vulnerability associated with it that I would rather not share ... with anyone.

But last night my mom got me thinking. I was frustrated with two different veils that have not behaved very well. One currently has two tiny holes (thanks to my trying to fix it) and a kink. The other I have to take apart and re-do thanks to some buckling of the tulle. While discussing with my mom, she said that she couldn't believe I hadn't completely given up, thrown in the towel, walked away. The more I thought about it, the more I realized that YOU are the reason I have not given up. As Danna Miller once told me when giving tips on a successful half marathon: once you decide to do it, tell everyone you know! Then there's no backing out. :)

Normally, I don't have this much determination. But thanks to you, I have been more determined than ever. And I will perfect these two veils before the photo shoot.

Thanks, Danna, for the advice!! And a big thank you to everyone else for not letting me back out!! xoxo

Flower Girl Gift Idea: Tutus!

It is all about tulle here at Embellish. If it is made out of tulle, resembles tulle, matches tulle or simply would go well with tulle, we'll make it!

Our latest addition would be the perfect gift for any little girl in your life. But for you brides out there, it would be the perfect Flower Girl gift: for playtime or to incorporate into her wedding day outfit, adding a layer of pizazz!

This weekend, I delivered my first tutu to a precious little girl in Nashville. It was a success: it fit perfectly (with no measurements) and this beautiful little baby lady wore it all night. She's a shy little one and would not smile for the camera. But adorable she is and love the tutu she did!

To order a tutu for your little one today, email Carolyn at embellishmyday@gmail.com.

Photos by Kristen England. http://www.kenglandphotography.com/ Note that the pictures above do not do Kristen's work justice as these are the unedited ones off my camera! So be sure to visit her website to see her mad skills!

Veils in the Shoppe!

When I dropped off the wedding veil last week, I took the liberty of snapping a few pics. These are my sample wedding veils hanging in Vocelles; The Bridal Shoppe. I am super stoked that they hang right there with the wedding dresses!!!! Thank you, Vocelles.

Veil Delivery!!

If you haven't read the previous posts about my first veil sold to a bride I've never met, now's the time. The latest post (and most important) was titled "Chills" and posted on August 4.

Today, the story continues as I delivered this precious bride's wedding veil (and FIRST EVER monogrammed item!) to Vocelles; The Bridal Shoppe. Woohooooooooooooooooooo!

Embellish My Ribbon

Ribbon printed with Embellish? What could be better? I plan to use this ribbon in the bow tied to each hanger upon delivery, as a tag on the veil, and anywhere else I can use it! Any ideas??

Waiting is the Hardest Part

I am currently waiting on two items to arrive that I cannot wait to share with you:

1. An embellishment for the packaging of the veils.


2. Samples of Alencon lace. Note: I'll want your input when they come in!

I could just about scream I want these two items so badly!! But in the meantime, I'll finish the first veil sold to a bride I've never met (woohoo!) and then start on a new sample for the stores ... I love this job!

R & R

This past weekend, I went to Seagrove Beach with the family for some much needed R & R. But when one has two part time marketing jobs and is starting up their own wedding veil company, there is no rest for the weary. So, the first bag I packed carried tulle, needle, scissors, thimble and thread!

The first morning, we got up early, all went out to the balcony and I began sewing ribbon onto the edge of a veil. I was quite relaxed, apparently TOO relaxed. As the next time I picked up the veil, I was shocked to see that I had been sewing the wrong side and would have to start over!!

Needless to say, from then on out I kept the veil in a safe place and focused on the beach ...

I Do

Today, I meet a new member of Embellish's "wedding party": cording. This is probably not the official term, but it is the term I will affectionately use! Without the help of Merriam or Webster, the idea is to attach beads or a decorative cord to a fabric through the use of a sewing machine. So far, all of Embellish's attachments have been done by hand, but I have a bride who has specifically requested cording. So cording it shall be.

You should know that the customized wedding veils are my favorite to create. My friends have challenged me to push the envelope and expand my knowledge quite rapidly! So, when this business becomes a success, I only have you to thank!

And thank you, I do.

Lesson # 1,753,687

This particular lesson started with my mom deciding it was time for me to learn how to monogram. You see, all the pretty monograms you've seen thus far have been my mom's labor of love!

Let's just say that after numerous attempts (including TWO ruined veils), I have one monogrammed wedding veil sitting on the dining room table. Lesson learned: the needle size is very important!! When one changes the needle size to monogram a canvas tote, one must remember to change the needle size back when monogramming tulle. Thank you, mother. ;)

But don't worry, folks, there is still much love left in this heart for tulle ... and monograms!!

Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Lee!

As expected, Brenna was absolutely gorgeous on her Big Day! And Nick didn't look too shabby either. ;) A beautiful wedding, a fabulous couple, a packed church and a veil by Embellish. Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Lee!

Close-up of the lace:

2nd Time's a Charm

Tomorrow, my (ahem, Embellish's) second wedding veil goes down the wedding aisle!! You've met my friend Brenna a handful of times on my blog and it's her Big Day tomorrow. Woohoooooooooooooooooo!

This might be my favorite part of this business: literally watching my dream become a reality as the bride emerges in one of my wedding veils.

Now the only question is: what am I going to wear??

Show Me Your Good Side

I know, I know, all your sides are your good sides!! Which is VERY good news for me. I almost cannot wait to have professional pics taken of my veils in order to get them on an actual website! Can you believe my day job is in advertising and it is taking me this long to get a website?? I should be ashamed.

But I want to do this right. Which means: I need some time to design and make a few more wedding veils.

With a handful of photographer friends, I will be spreading the love. To start, the ridiculously talented Inga Finch www.ingafinchphotography.com will be capturing the essence of Embellish. Stay tuned for pics and a website early October!

Cue the Wedding Bells

This past Saturday, the first Embellish veil made its way down the aisle. With the help from a STUNNING bride, of course! Here are just a few pics from Lindsay's Big Day!! I didn't carry my camera around, so I only got pics in the 'upper room'.

Love At First Sight

This Saturday, my friend Lindsay, who you met in the post on July 17, will walk down the aisle in MY custom-made wedding veil! Words can hardly describe how special this ceremony will be as my dear friend is the first to walk down the aisle in an Embellish Wedding Veil. Secretly, I hope the wedding guests, specifically those yet to be married, fall in love at first sight and enquire about my handy work! Since I cannot wait to reveal pics from Lindsay's Big Day, keep your eyes peeled for a post come Sunday or Monday.

You've seen a pic of Lindsay and me from our first week of college, 2001, so here is a pic from my last day of college. All the best to you, Lindz!

The Perfect Flower Girl Gift

Some of you may be wondering what the "& accessories" includes. While that is still largely TBD (to be designed), we will soon be offering tutus! The perfect gift for that little flower girl of yours! It could be pink for play time and ballet class or white to put over the dress. How cute would it be to tie the white tutu OVER the flower girl's dress to add a little pizazz?

Tutus are coming soon!

Chills

Remember how excited I was when I sold my first wedding veil to a bride I've never met? Well, it gets better ... I found out that this bride-to-be has no middle name, and therefore, has never had anything monogrammed! Not a single thing, which just won't do in the South.

So, when this bride was picking out her wedding veil, she decided that she just had to have it monogrammed. Her first ever monogram!! And I get to do that for her ... how special is that?! I literally got chills when the bridal shop told me the story! Chills.

As this story proves, for the hundred millionth time, weddings are so very special on so many levels. And I just love being a part of that!

Ideas into Tulle

Tonight I'm feeling optimistic. Optimistic from the past and optimistic about the future. As noted in my description, my first line of wedding veils is quite traditional. But I'm excited to start experimenting and see what develops for my next line.

Question is how well my ideas will translate into tulle. But the only way to tell, is to create. So let the games begin!

Lessons Learned

I promised to share my sucessful walks down the aisle of design or my stumbles. Well, as could be expected, there has been a bit of both. I've shared the successes with you: I have wedding veils hanging in TWO bridal shops, am working with 5 brides, and have sold 1 veil through the Tallahassee bridal shop.

What I have not shared with you are the stumbles. That changes tonight. No one likes to share the stumbles (as they feel like failures at times), but luckily mine have been bearable, though terribly frustrating.

Let's see, there was the wedding veil that was ruined after it was finished. Lesson learned: beware the HOT iron and ALWAYS test a scrap piece of tulle! Then there was the veil that was started 3 times because I just didn't like the look I was getting. Lesson learned: begin well in advance of the due date! Oh, and the veil where the lace edging was abandoned (after it was sewn around the entire veil!). Lesson learned: one must consider the shape of the veil, the length of the veil, the extremeness of the curves, and the shape of the lace. Side note: since this veil, I have found a lace edging that is simply GORGEOUS!

For those of you who know me, you know that I love "silver linings" or more appropriately: lessons learned. If you have to go through an unpleasant experience, you might as well learn from it so you never go through it again. And now you know my wedding veil lessons learned.

It's Official!

Today Embellish is official! As much as I've LOVED making wedding veils for my friends, there's something special about the first sale to a bride I've never met. Yes, sir, a bride chose my craftsmanship for one of the most important days of her life!

It's a veil that I designed the shape and my mom designed the details. Collaboration at its best! In the words of my grandma when I told her the good news: "I'm on my way!"

With a few tweaks, here is a detail of the veil she chose:

Embellishing Lindsay's Day

Lindsay was my college roommate both freshman and sophomore year. She is a woman after God's own heart. And so is her man! I cannot wait to celebrate their love and commitment come mid-August! I wish them all the best as they start their new life together.

Lindsay's dress is ABSOLUTELY beautiful!! I am very honored (and super excited!) to be making her wedding veil. Thank you, Lindsay, for letting me Embellish Your Day! XOXO

Here's a picture of us from the first week of college in 2001!

Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue

Something Old: My grandmother's sewing machine. Okay, well, it's not all that old, but she did buy it a few years back and has passed it on to me. So sweet! I use the machine for the gathering at the comb, while the wedding veils' embellishments are hand-sewn. Here's a pic of "Maw-Maw's" sewing machine:


Something New: Lots of things. :)

Something Borrowed: My mother's embroidery machine.

Something Blue: Embellish's logo.

Final Fitting

So far, my favorite part of designing wedding veils is the interaction with the brides (and the sneak peaks of their gowns). To date, I've met with two brides in person (seeing them in their gorgeous gowns!!) and I've met with two brides via email (getting to see pictures of their gorgeous gowns!!).

Today was one of those days. Brenna (whom you met in my post on June 8) invited me to accompany her besties to the final fitting! What a great group of ladies, it was such fun! Her wedding veil is SO close to being done, I just have one minor change to make.

I cannot wait to start posting the pics of these brides from their BIG DAYS!!

Embellishing Nance's Day

Today marks the first day that a wedding veil has left the shop on its way to the bride!! It won't be delivered for a while, but it is in route! Nance, a friend of my sister's from Nashville, has given me the opportunity to Embellish Her Day.

I am yet to meet Nance but I can tell from her emails that she is just precious. I wish her all the best as she plans her Big Day in October. Look for pictures following the ceremony!

Save the Date

In one week, my hand-crafted wedding veils will be hanging in Vocelles - The Bridal Shoppe in Tallahassee. One week! I am so excited to be working with the friendly, sweet ladies there!

Vocelles is all about the experience. Think Atlanta boutique with sweet Southern service. They have a wide price range, so make your appointment today (Mom and Besties invited!!). And while you're there, check out my veils!
http://www.vocellesbridal.com/

The Face of Embellish

Embellish now has a face, bum-buh-da-bum, a logo!

I created the rough design concept and had a good friend in the business execute it. Bunny Byrne, of Frontier Drive Marketing + the Creator of The Townie (yourtownie.com) did a FABULOUS job giving the vision life!

Thank you, thank you, thank you, Bunny Byrne!

Over the Threshold

Today, Embellish was carried over the threshold! In less than 20 minutes, Belles and Beaus in Thomasville, Georgia agreed to carry my line of hand-crafted wedding veils. I am very excited for this opportunity and look forward to working with the ladies there!

But not every business is cut out for monogamy. I am also in discussions with a bridal shop in Tallahassee. Things are looking promising, so if all goes well, I will be carried in Tallahassee this summer!

Let the honeymoon begin!

Hold My Hand

I promised that this blog would chronicle the ups and downs of my walk down the aisle of design. I have been amazed at how much work goes into starting up a business! Hats (or should I say veils??) off to all you business owners out there!

Over the last two months, I have come up with a name, developed the product, photographed the product, started a blog, come up with a price list, garnered a handful of brave souls interested in the product ...

But hold my hand, there's a lot more to be done! I still have to file for LLC, continue discussions with a local bridal shop, finalize the logo, order business cards, and the list goes on. I just hope nothing gets left at the altar ...

Detail Pictures

As a single lady, I am always taking notes of wedding day ideas as they pertain to the cake, the dress, the band, and of course, the groom! But I had no idea how many times I would change my notes for the wedding veil. First, I wanted my sister's veil: hip length with a ribbon edge and monogram. But then I put on a hip length with no edging and it took my breath away: it was so simple, so sweet. And then I tried on a chapel length which made me feel so important, so proper.

So, while I continue to take notes, here are a few detail shots of my veils:

No Edge

Pencil Edge

Ribbon Edge

Lace Edge

Rhinestones

Monogram

Comb Embellishment

Embellishing Brenna's Day

My first commissioned veil is ready to be revealed ... to the bride!

Brenna Hooker, who I've known since middle school, is getting married in August. I am super excited for her as she found a great guy! Congratulations, Brenna, and thank you for your faith in Embellish! I'm super excited to be a part of your Big Day and I can't wait for you to see the veil!

Here we are in September of 1999!

(Sorry, Brenna, I couldn't resist)

Embellish Accepts with Pleasure ...

... your request for more pics!

But first I want to thank y'all for the encouragement I've received since announcing Embellish this past Tuesday. I was quite nervous to share my dream, but your kind words have silenced the doubts. For that, I offer my sincerest of thank yous. Now for some pics:

It's hard to tell in a pic this size, but this

knee-length veil has a monogram in the center:

Elbow length, ribbon border,

with monogram on the right side:

Elbow length with lace border:

Next will be pictures of the veils I haven't shared or close-up details of the ones I have. What do you want to see?

Falling in Love

My love affair with tulle began during my sister's engagement. She tried on dress after dress, but she didn't try on a wedding veil until she found a dress that moved her. Until this point, she was just a pretty girl trying on pretty dresses. But when she put on that wedding veil, she instantaneously became a bride!

That was over a year and a half ago, but my adoration of tulle has not subsided. In fact, it has exploded all over my mother's dining room and it is a gorgeous sight! I have been making wedding veils for over a month now and cannot wait for my first line to debut this summer!