Have you ever read a series of books and while loving the characters, you realize that what keeps you reading is the place? Books about …

Just look at them. THAT, dear reader, is happiness. How did we get there? How do notes, and Pintererst boards and dreams become an event? And who are these two darlings below? Glad you asked.

What makes a wedding amazing?
Let’s rephrase.
What makes a wedding amazing other than resources, planning and a vision?
People and Place.

Picture this: a church wedding, a fabulous reception at a cool, new/historic spot (can we say that? New Historic? Well we did), complete with a change of wedding gowns, flowers, navy colored accents and dancing to a killer band that makes you long for a wedding invitation.

At Premier Party Planners, we love the start-to-finish details of wedding planning. It’s what we do, right?

Elizabeth and Kevin’s early October wedding brought plenty of good luck as unexpected showers started early in the morning at the gorgeous Berry Hill Resort and Conference Center in South Boston, Virginia. Luckily, from the very beginning Elizabeth had her heart set on a white sail cloth tent so the reception setup was able to continue, on schedule despite the rain.

Meredith and Endrit came to us after attending another wedding that Premier Party Planners coordinated and personally, I couldn’t have been happier to dive into another Greek wedding! For those of you who have never attended a traditional Greek Orthodox wedding, it is comprised of multiple rituals, each designed to unite the couple as one.

Kayla stopped by our Premier booth and shared with us a little bit about her fiance Nathan, her love for NC State (go Wolfpack) and her dreams for her future wedding day (in that order too lol.) Right from the beginning, I knew I wanted to be the planner for Kayla and Nathan’s big day, and hoped I would be seeing them again soon.

Both Abby and Patrick had a lot of ideas for their big day, and with the help of a spectacular team of vendors (see links below) their navy and coral wedding dreams came to life at the gorgeous Umstead Pines Country Club.

We started working with Ashley and Jonathan fairly early in the planning process and helped them come up with a design and decor concept that would be elegant, and yet still let the natural beauty of the wood barn shine through.

There is something especially romantic about a historic resort nestled among the trees that just screams wedding destination, making Berry Hill Resort the perfect place for Maggie and Mike’s romantic spring wedding.

Hey everyone!
Tara here.

Hold on to your shorts, people! I am blowing the dust off our blog! I couldn’t think of a better wedding to restart our blog with Meredith and Dave’s super blingy and drop dead gorgeous wedding at The Umstead.

Lauren and Brad were married on a cool, sunshiny day in August (yes, every once in a blue moon this does happen!).

Elizabeth & John were married at The Pavilions at Angus Barn on a beautiful November day last year. It was one of those typical North Carolina “winter” days that really wasn’t winter at all.

Katelyn and Nathaniel were married at the Stockroom on Fayetteville Street in downtown Raleigh.

Right now I feel like a little kid on Christmas morning, just waiting to open her presents…. (*squeal!*) What might I be so excited for, …

As I sit here trying to put into words what was such a beautiful and special day for two people who have become great friends of mine, I realize that it was just over a year ago today that I first met with Jamie & Ethan and started on their wedding journey with them.

Leslie and Alan had to be one of the easiest, laid-back couples I have worked with. ever.

Katie & Zach were married on an abnormally mild July afternoon in one of the most romantic chapel’s in Raleigh – All Saints Chapel.

Right now I feel like a little kid on Christmas morning, just waiting to open her presents….

Sarah and Justin were married on September 29th at the Mordecai Park. It was a beautiful ceremony despite some of the days hiccups.

Amanda and Andrew’s wedding day was filled with so much love and personal details, I could hardly stand myself!

Laura and Adam hands down had the coolest wedding I have ever been a part of.

When I met Samantha and Alex for their initial consultation I just loved watching them interact and discuss their ideas for the wedding day.

Mark and Kelly were married on one of those typical late summer/early fall days we get to have here in good ‘ole NC. The leaves had just started to change, the sun was shinning, with a perfect temperature for outdoor mingling.

Getting to work with Amy & Ben was such a special treat and I was so excited they had me come on board! Their wedding colors were purple (my all-time favorite wedding color), bright green, and ivory. Everything looked amazing!

In honor of Valentine’s Day, I have saved a very special wedding that was only appropriate to post on the most romantic day of the year. 🙂

When I first met with Nicole and Joe, I couldn’t help but notice how in love they were with each other. And not the “get a room” type of love; but the sweet, “this is going to last” type of love.

I cannot begin to tell you how honored and proud I am to announce that Premier Party Planners has won The Knot Best of Wedding 2013 award!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It’s not every day that you get to help plan a 75th semi-surprise birthday party. So when Mr. D approached me about helping him plan his wife’s birthday party, I was elated!

Wow! I am so behind in my blogging! Apologies to my blogger friends! Melissa & Effi’s wedding was held at the uber-cool Bay 7 at the American Tobacco District in Durham.

When I met Jenna I knew that her wedding was going to be special. She had been so meticulous about each detail and was so excited about her big day, I just couldn’t wait to get started!

Tiffany and Rocky were one of my “funnest” couples to work with. From the very first meeting, I knew that I was going to enjoy working with them on all the creative elements and ideas they had for their big day.

For anyone who has been flowing our blog and/or me in general, knows that Jimmy and I (finally) tied the knot back in May. The whole “Wedding Planner planning her own wedding” thing was very interesting.

Jennifer and Brad were married on a cloudy Sunday afternoon in downtown Raleigh. Most people think cloudy days make for dreary pictures, but it’s actually the opposite!

So in retrospect, this entry probably would have been better suited for the beginning of Spring (aka the beginning of Wedding Season). However, it’s never too late for a quick little lesson in wedding guest etiquette. 🙂

Amanda and Nate’s story begins a little differently than most of my other brides. When Amanda reached out to Premier it was because she had already been burned by another “professional” planner and was desperate to get her wedding plans back on track.

The dreaded “B” word. Budget… Not surprisingly, talks over the wedding budget can be one of the most stressful aspects of planning a wedding for most couples.

Holly & Kris’ wedding was by far one of the most romantic weddings that just oozed sweet southern charm and true love!

What’s more fun that the State Fair?! Popcorn, candy apples, funnel cakes, fried Twinkies… the list is endless. And this is exactly what Cassidy and Derrick where thinking of when they started planning their wedding!

As I start this blog, I can’t help but remember my first meeting with Melissa, her mother, and her adorable little sister Sydney. he meeting with Melissa and her family couldn’t have been more perfect. I left Panera excited and ready to start planning Melissa & Mark’s big day!

When I met Mallory way back last year for her consultation, I was sooo excited to be working with her! She seemed like such a cool, down to earth, fun bride. Little did I know her wedding would be one I would remember for a looong time to come!

Stephanie and Chuck’s wedding was so sweet and special right from the start. They were so candid with how they met (on Match.com!), their admiring love story, and of course, the romantic way Chuck proposed to Stephanie…

Okay, I know I say this every time, but honestly, I really am sooo excited to post the pictures from Jennifer’s wedding! Jen and I started working together exactly one year ago yesterday. Oh, how time flys!!!

When I met Stephanie for the first time, I was so excited for her wedding day! The thought of all her homemade goodies, the BBQ, the home-brewed beer, the dancing, and all the other details…(I really could go on and on), I just couldn’t wait.

I am sooooooo excited to post this blog!! I have been waiting paitently for these pictures to come and they’re finally here!!

Kristi and I first met back in Januray when she booked Premier for her wedding day coverage. I couldn’t wait for her day to finally get here! Kristi & Bryan were such a fun couple to work with!

As I’ve mentioned before, Fall is a very busy time of year for weddings/events. Our state bleeds Carolina-blue skies all season long and we are lucky enough to enjoy beautiful fall weather.

This totally sums up my wedding this past weekend 🙂 

Jessica & Gerry were our Labor Day weekend couple. They were so much fun to work with and I was really looking forward to all the great details Jessica had worked into the wedding and reception!! (wait till you see her shoes!!)

Wow! What a crazy month September has turned out to be! (and October is quickly following!) Shew! I am not complaining though! I LIVE for wedding season!!

Our fabulous German photographers of CHARMEDWedd graciously sent me some tid-bits from the uber-cool Swiss wedding we did a few weeks back. I am so excited to share them with you! So without further adieu, please enjoy!

We made it! We’re back! Back in the good ‘ole US of A. What an awesome experience. I still can’t even believe I was there in Switzerland gazing up at the Swiss Alps. Thouse mountians are incredible…

For those who hadn’t heard, Premier Party Planners is going international! Yup, that’s right – our international destination wedding is about a week away! We are so excited for this trip!

So as you all may know, my parents came up this past weekend with the goal of purchasing my wedding dress.

Technically, I’ve been dress shopping three times now. The first time, me and my future sisters’-in-law, went to Traditions by Anna…

Right now I feel like a little kid on Christmas morning, just waiting to open her presents…. (*squeal!*) What might I be so excited for, you ask?… I am finally able to post the link to our 70’s styled wedding photo shoot!!

Let me start of by saying that I LOVE weddings, I LOVE wedding planning, I LOVE my brides, I LOVE my job!

So it’s official… I’ve been roped in… asked to take a side… What side might that be? The biggest debate in the wedding industry – cake or cupcakes?!