We are BACK!

The team here at Keith Watson Events has been hard at work this wedding season, and we apologize for our lack of blog posts! We are on our 8th wedding so far and have had such a blast creating incredible weddings for our fabulous brides. We plan to kick our blog into high gear for our reader and really get some good ideas for weddings and events flowing!

Check out these stunning photos, taken by Agnes Lopez, from one of our past weddings out at Sante Fe River Ranch. We had such a blast creating a french, country-chic feel for this bride, and we fell in love with her oak tree ceremony under clear blue skies and the reception in a clear-top tent overlooking the starry sky and beautiful pastors of the ranch. We highly recommend this outstanding venue to any of our brides :)

Beautiful Ceremony Underneath the Oak

Cocktail Hour Under the Farm Open Barn

Elegant and Romantic Centerpiece Design We LOVED Creating!

Photo Shoot: Lakeside Ranch

We are always on the lookout for new things within the events world, so we were so excited when we were asked to be a part of the introduction of an amazing new event site!

Lakeside Ranch, located in Inverness, FL, just west of Ocala, is a picturesque ranch perfect for any occasion!

Our photo shoot was so much fun, in part because of all the other great vendors we got to be creative with, and party due to the friendly, furry residents we ran into there. Yes, while setting up we did get to play with the horses, mules, and more than reside on the ranch. It took "excuse me, sir" to a whole new level.

We never say no to more helping hands-or hooves!

Never a dull moment on the job!

But after all was said and done, Russell Martin Photography did an amazing job capturing the beauty of the Ranch and we are so excited to be involved in the future events there.

 

 

Such a fun shoot at a fabulous venue!

Be sure to check out Lakeside Ranch on Facebook! 

{Decor & floral: Keith Watson Events} {Photography: Russell Martin Photography} {Gowns: The Grande Event}{Video: Gator Bride Videography}

Fall Wedding: Inspiration Board

Fall is one of the most gorgeous times of year. It is such a perfect time to get married, especially if you are planning on having an outdoor ceremony.

If you are planning a Fall wedding ceremony, get inspired!

[Photo Credit] Top left: Welcome Scene, Joy Ever After; Escort Cards, Martha Stewart; Cake, Planner Weddings; Bouquet, Bridal Snob
Bottom Left: Tablescape, Source Unknown; Cider, Sugar Pie Farm House; Confetti Leaves, Chic Fashion

Help a Bridesmaid Out

It is no secret that 2013 is approaching-and fast. While wedding planning can be crazy enough (which is why we recommend hiring a fabulous planner!), what would be a more perfect bridesmaids gift then an adorable agenda to help them keep track of your planning?!?

Photo Credit: The Wedding Stage Manager

Fill in dates like when they need to order their dresses by, fitting appointments, bridal shower, rehearsal dinners, and of course, the big day!

And really-who doesn't love a Lilly agenda?!?

Baseball Ticket Save the Date

"Take me out to the ballgame, take me out to the crowd, buy me some peanuts and cracker jacks, I don't care if I never get back..." Well, you get the gist.

 In honor of the kickoff of the World Series tonight, we thought we'd share this adorable save the date idea for all you baseball fans out there!

Order on Etsy!

If you or your fiance are big baseball buffs these save the dates are a home run! Which team would grace your save the date ticket???

Fall Wedding: Escort Cards

Fall is such a gorgeous time to get married. The weather is cool, the leaves are changing (well, if you're outside of Florida), and the holidays are drawing near.

How fun are these miniature pumpkins used for escort cards or even table numbers we saw on Project Wedding for your Fall-inspired reception?!?

Photo Credit: Invited Design Studio

These would be great for any Fall festivities you may have planned this season or for your upcoming Thanksgiving dinner! 

Congratulations Sugirtha and Julian!

On a gorgeous day in May Sugirtha and Julian said their "I do's" and became husband and wife. During a traditional Indian wedding, the couple married at the altar at Queen of Peace in Gainesville, Florida.

The bride was a vision in all white.

Photo Credit: Footstone Photography

A groom that can't hide his excitement is the best sight to walk towards down the aisle!

 

After they were pronounced man and wife Sugirtha was surrounded by friends and family who helped her transform into a vision in white into her ornate traditional Indian attire for the reception. 

Approximately 80 guests attended a colorful reception at Plantation Hall in Haile Plantation to celebrate with Sugirtha and Juilan!

     

The bride and groom sat in a custom designed mandap to share their first moments as husband and wife together and it also created a gorgeous backdrop for their cake cutting.

We are so excited to share in Sugirtha and Julian's special day and wish them all the best of luck as Mr. & Mrs. Manohar!

Decor & Coordination: Keith Watson Events

Cake: Dream Day Cakes

Photography: Footstone Photography

Fun Favor Friday: Coozies

Thank god it's Friday! We are ready for another exciting weekend here at Keith Watson Events and hope you all have something fun planned to relax after this week!

The weekends are prime time for getting together with friends and almost always reserved for times to get married. This favor is the perfect finishing touch to any party or wedding! How great are these personalized coozies?!?

Order yours at Belle Styles!

Photo Credit: Quite Contrary

Photo Credit: Bippity Boppity Boo

We love the personal touch these add to any event and they're a favor that your guests can use over and over again that will always remind them of the memories they made with you on your special day!

How fun are these favors for your next get together?!?

S'more Lovin'

Some things come together to create perfect harmony- chocolate, marshmallows, and graham crackers are one such combination. No Fall season, bonfire, or camping experience is complete without the ooey, sticky, goodness of a freshly roasted s'more. With that in mind, these favors are the perfect take away for your guests for your wedding or party this Fall.

Photo Credit: Hostess with the Mostess

How many pieces of chocolate do you add to your s'mores- one,two, or go crazy with three??

Love is Brewing: Coffee Favors

There are few things more warming than the smell of fresh brewed coffee in the mornings. It makes waking up early Monday morning for work a little more bearable, it makes snuggling up on the couch to read your book a little more cozy, and it makes catching up with old friends a little warmer.

These coffee bean favors are such a great idea for your caffeine addicted friends or to help keep the memories of your special day awake in all of your guests!

Photo Credit: Eventful Occassions

Photo Credit: Wedding Chicks

Are these favors your cup of coffee?

First Day of Fall: Confetti Leaves

As tomorrow is the first day of Fall, we figured we'd leave you with a little Autumn inspiration for the weekend!

One of the best parts about Fall is the changing of the leaves and the hues of yellows, oranges, and reds have become a staple of any Autumn celebration.

If you're thinking about having your wedding in the Fall, how amazing would this make for an exit rather than rose petals or rice?!?

Photo Credit: Green Wedding Shoes

What do you think of these for a grand exit???

10 Rules to a Happy Marriage

Whether you're dating, engaged, or happily married, it never hurts to get some healthy advice to remind you to appreciate the relationship you have. We love these 10 rules for a healthy marriage to keep both parties sane and smiling!

Photo Credit: Southern Weddings Magazine

If you follow these rules we don't think there's any risk that you won't be celebrating a happy anniversary in the future! What is some of the best lessons you've learned in your relationships??

The Missing Piece of the Puzzle

When you find "the one," you have found the person with whom you are going to spend the rest of your life with-you can't imagine life without them. You go together like peanut butter and jelly, like popcorn and a movie, like s'mores and a campfire. Whatever it is that relates to your relationship, you know you two are the perfect fit.

With that in mind, how adorable is this puzzle piece cake topper???

Photo Credit: Lover.ly

Does this piece everything together for your wedding??

Hire a Wedding Planner

So I may be a little biased, but in my professional opinion, it is a huge mistake not hiring a planning for the day of your wedding. Sure your best friend volunteered to do it, but don't you want her in the pictures? You don't want to be searching for your mom because she's left to find out why the caterer hasn't arrived yet. And, worst case scenario, if disaster strikes, you don't want to be the person trying to handle it! 

The only things you should have to do on your wedding day are get married and live happily ever!

Sunglass Wedding Favors

One of the biggest challenges with summer weddings is undeniably the sun. Will it be too hot? Where will we find shade? Will the shadows ruin our photos?

Never fear, we have the perfect solution for your guests to save their eyes from the oh-too-common "squint into the sun" photo! These sunglasses make for great favors and double as super fun photo booth props for guests at your wedding!

Photo Credit: Tip Junkie
 

 

So grab a pair of shades and strike your best pose- GQ, pensive man chewing on end of glasses stance, raised eyebrows-the possibilities are endless! Whatever you do, just "Don't get blinded by all the love!"

Rice Crispy Treat Cake

When choosing a cake for your party, be it a birthday, anniversary, wedding, and more, there are some important decisions to be made. Chocolate, vanilla, ice cream? Butter cream frosting, fondant, and oh, how to decorate....

We love this nontraditional take on the cake!

Photo Credit: Ruffled

An entire cake of rice crispy treats??!? Yes, please!

How do you think guests would enjoy a slice of this gooey snack at your next celebration??

M & Ms

There are several things in life you can't go wrong with. Candy happens to be one of those things. In the vast realm of sweet treats, M & M's will be a timeless classic. Aside from being irresistibly delicious, and c'mon, tell me you can eat just one....they are also a great addition to any wedding or party!

With all of the different customizable options, you can get just the right treat for your next get together or celebration!  

Fun jars and bags make for the perfect favor for guests to walk away with at the end of the party!

M & Ms

They make great favor options for weddings too! Put your faces or your date and get them in your wedding's colors!

M & Ms

And for all you sport's fans out there, make them the perfect snack at your next playoff game party or tailgate!

MLB M & Ms

NBA M & Ms

  

How would you personalize your M & Ms?

Bride Tip! Line for a Song

There are so many things that you have to think about when planning a wedding. For people like us, making sure your guests are having a good time, no, a great time, is high on the priority list.

So....for our bride-tip-Friday....

Photo Credit: Contemporary Bride

Disclaimer: Preview this list before you send it on to your DJ. You distant Aunt Ellen may love folk music but that doesn't mean you'll be able to sit though the banjos yourself and not all your friends may be familiar with the square dance!

What songs are must-have dance songs with your group of friends?? After all...."Girls, just wanna have fu-un. Ohh girls just wanna have fun!" 

Just Kid-ding Around!

Paint, crayons, and toys, oh my! While you may not think these things have any place at your wedding or party, you may want to think again if you anticipate or know you may have kids attending your event.

Creating a separate kids table with plenty of things to keep them occupied will give their parents a break from trying to keep them constantly occupied and keep them away from climbing cabinets or trying to lick the cake-hopefully....

Photo Credit: Soiree Events

Photo Credit: Bridal Buds 

Disclaimer: Providing chocolate or other sugar-based substances may result in uncontrollable hyper activity! Proceed with caution.

What ideas have you or another host used at events to keep kids occupied??

What Not To Wear: To a Wedding

A bride can spend hours upon hours searching for her special dress for her special day, but that doesn't mean as a guest you shouldn't treat yourself to something new as well for the big occasion!

With that in mind, we stumbled upon some tips on TLC Weddings we feel should absolutely be kept in mind when picking out your wedding attire in regards to what you should NOT wear to a wedding. 

First things first: No black. Unless you are mourning the union of the said couple, your little black dress should stay at home. And if you are in mourning, maybe you should too! 

Number Two: Something skimpy. It's not nice to try to upstage the bride on her big day! 

Number Three: Jeans. Even if the invitation says "casual" that doesn't mean you get to wear whatever! 

Number Four: Tiaras and other attention-grabbing "statement pieces." You'd be surprised how many people can't let go of being in the limelight, even for a day. 

Don't be the "Princess" that tries to steal the brides thunder!

Number Five: Pant Suits. This isn't an office meeting-it's a wedding, so dress like it! Nix the briefcase for a cute clutch too. You don't need your planner to sit through dinner. 

The Golden Rule: Save white for the bride! A wedding day is a bride's big day and she should stand out wherever she goes. No one should try to be the reason anyone can find her! 

Photo Credit: Events to a T

What are some of the biggest fashion "don'ts" you've seen at weddings or events you've attended??