Handley Breaux Designs | Kentucky Derby Themed Party

The first Saturday of May is upon us. That means one thing--- The Kentucky Derby!  Growing up, I would watch my parents and their friends dress up in their best attire (hats included), eat hot browns, and drink mint juleps. (Mostly drink mint juleps...) Now that I'm older, I have grown to appreciate this tradition and look forward to drinking out of those beautiful cups each year. Today, I share with you my tips to throw the perfectly themed Kentucky Derby party. 

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Handley Breaux Designs | Tropical Honeymoon

Happy Monday everyone! Spring is here and the weather could not be more beautiful! Today, we share with you the inaugural blog post from our summer intern Margy. Margy will be making guest blog appearances over the next few months. We hope you give her a warm welcome! We are so excited to have her!

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Handley Breaux Designs | Engagement Session : Vanna & Bryan

Sunsets, sailboats, and seafood. These are all ingredients for one of the most picturesque proposals I've ever seen! I have had the pleasure of getting to know Vanna & Bryan planning their upcoming August wedding, and fell in love with them from the beginning. I personally have an attachment to Charleston, South Carolina because I went to school there my freshman year of college. Every time I visit, I surprise myself with how I can become even more enamored with its beauty and charm. In honor of today being National Proposal Day, we are sharing Vanna & Bryan's proposal photos as well as their engagement session with Jett Walker Photography. Enjoy!

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Handley Breaux Designs | Engagement Session: Rachel & Scott

When you know you know, right? Rachel & Scott's whirlwind romance is straight out of a story book. While I've known Scott for a while, it has been such a pleasure getting to know Rachel while planning her wedding. I can say that this couple is surely one of the sweetest you'll ever meet, and their love will stand the test of time. 

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Maritime Themed Photo Shoot by Handley Breaux Designs

This maritime themed photo shoot is a collection of images that we hope ignites everyone’s ability to believe in the fairy tale. On a day to day basis, I see so many wedding images and hear so many ideas. The idea for this shoot came to me one day when one of my girlfriends asked me simply, “if you were to have your dream wedding, what would it be?” Thoughts of a huge antique sailboat and a flowing dress immediately flooded my mind…and this is how our beautiful photo shoot came to be.

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Handley Breaux Designs | Engagement Session: Emily & Rustin

Emily and Rustin are the kind of couple you just want to hang out with --- laid back, fun loving, and completely in love with each other. Every bit of their engagement session with Anna Howard Studios in Atlanta is absolutely dreamy. The rolling fields and picturesque scenery....take me there now! Their love story is just as picture perfect...

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Handley Breaux Designs | Engagement Session : Kaitlyn & Johnny

Kaitlyn and Johnny are seriously too cute for words! We have had the most fun together planning their October wedding at Windwood Equestrian. They met with Mo Davis of Arden Photography this past fall to take their engagement photos, and MAN are they gorgeous! Their wedding photos are sure to be just as stunning. Keep reading for more of Kaitlyn and Johnny's love story...

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Handley Breaux Designs | Get Healthy in the New Year!

The Holiday Season has come and gone and we are now forced return to the grind of normal daily life. Now if any of you are like me, you've been wearing elastic waist banded pants AKA leggings AKA not real pants for the majority of the past couple of months. Sadly my friends, it is no longer socially acceptable to sport my favorite leggings and oversized sweater in public any longer.

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Handley Breaux Designs Launch Party

Well..Handley Breaux Designs officially launched on November 5, and it was a magical night! Debuting my newly born company to my friends, family, and industry colleagues was one of the most nerve-wracking things I have ever done. You know, you could do the same thing every day of your life as far as business goes, but slap your name onto it and it takes a whole new meaning. Some days I wake up and I'm all like "wait...I really started a company?!" But I did! And I've been pinching myself every day since. 

When I decided to host a launch party, I knew that I could count on my group of close friends and my mom to show up. I was hopeful that I would get a good turn out of industry friends as well, but I never expected such incredible attendance! Music played, drinks flowed, and photos were taken as 150 people who came to show their support mixed and mingled. {Insert "Kevin from Home Alone" face here}. Although my toast may have been brief, the appreciation that I expressed and the "thank you" given out was truly sincere. 

To all the vendors who helped bring my vision to life, thank you thank you thank you! Y'all killed it! The venue, The Gardens Cafe at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens, was the perfect backdrop for the vibrant orange florals by Andy Hopper with KG Designs. Event Rentals Unlimited provided all rentals. The ambience inspired by the Handley Breaux Designs branding was created with all of the orange lighting done by Andy Tolar of Design Productions.  Kathy G. Mezrano, longtime family friend, of Kathy G. & Co. kept my guests from going hungry with her amazing (as always) food. Gia McCollister of Gia's Cakes made the cake everyone keeps asking about-- still hitting the gym because of this! JAMM Entertainment brought out their new SketchBooth Photo Booth which was SO much fun! Cooper Trent showcased his talents with the music. And last but certainly not least, Kelly Cummings of Spindle Photography photographed the evening. Thanks to Kelly, I can remember this night forever! I am so lucky to have such great friends in the industry! 

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Holly & Folly Seasonal Market at JoJo Home

Its finally starting to feel like Fall in Alabama! Golden leaves, sweaters, pumpkin spice lattes, roaring fires...its the most wonderful time of the year! Of course, once the temperature dips below 70 Alabamians bundle up in and declare it the "coldest day ever." Another perk of the cooler months: holiday parties. Get a head start on your holiday shopping and join Handley Breaux Designs at the Holly & Folly Seasonal Market at JoJo Home. I'm very excited to be a part of this warm and cozy event and to work with some other amazing creative people! HBD will be organizing the event so be sure to stop by and say hi! 

The Seasonal Market will take place on November 13 and 14 from 10 to 4 and a special gathering where you can meet all of the vendors from 6 to 8 on November 13.

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Handley Breaux Designs: An Update

It is a week away from the Handley Breaux Designs Launch Party! I could not be more excited to spend the night celebrating with my closest friends and family as well as my friends in the weddings and events industry. So how has this journey been so far you may ask?  When I decided to start my own company, a lot of thoughts ran through my head. There were a lot of nights spent tossing and turning, contemplating how many different ways I could cook ramen noodles when I went broke, and how in the world I was going to pull this off. I kept repeating to myself one of my favorite bible verses Jeremiah 29:11, "For I know the plans I have for you" declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." But as the sun came up and there was a new day in front of me, my fears subsided...especially when I shared my idea with those I respected and looked up to. Now I don't know if people were simply telling me what I wanted to hear OR if they really believed in me (let's go with the latter), but not one of these people doubted me, questioned me, or told me I should reconsider. The amount of love and support that has surrounded me during this gigantic life move has been astounding and humbling

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I wake up every morning thankful for the opportunity that God has given me. I mean really, how freakin' blessed am I?! I am in an industry that is full of creative beings who spend their days planning the biggest celebrations of people's lives. People actually trust us with their proposals, weddings, anniversaries, milestone birthdays....the list goes on. I have been very fortunate to find the business that makes me incredibly happy, and I have been even more fortunate to be surrounded by such incredible people in this business. 

Now I'll try to step away from the sappy talk (Mom, put down the Kleenex) and talk about how THRILLED I am for the party next week! When I decided to have a launch party -- because duh why wouldn't i?! -- I knew that I wanted it to be an actual party. I wanted everyone that was celebrating with me to have a great time. I wanted it to be a party to announce the business and also show appreciation for everyone who has had a hand in getting me where I am today. That being said, there will be dancing, food and drink, cake, and many more little surprises for my guests. I would like to go ahead and extend a big thank you to the vendors that are helping me with the best night ever! 

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Our Picks from Fall 2015 New York Bridal Week

So now that I have pulled myself away from my Instagram feed, Women's Wear Daily updates, and just overall stalking of Bridal Fashion Week... I can share with you all just a few of my favorites that we should be expecting to hit wedding aisles for Fall 2015. Now you may wonder "Can I pull off a low back?"  "Will my grandmother appreciate that Angelina Jolie slit?" or "Will the aisle have to be six feet wide to fit that ball gown?" BUT there is truly a gown for every bride. This presentation of bridal fashion really grasped my attention. For the past couple of seasons, I have been nodding off at my computer screen clicking next, next, next past solid lace creations. Now don't get me wrong, I love angelic lace dresses as much as the next gal, but living in the Heart of Dixie, I have seen the look a little too much. This season, I found myself gasping, drooling at times, and even bouncing up and down as I saw long sleeved, ballerina inspired, perfectly bejeweled creations float down the runways. Without further ado, I share with you in no particular order my favorites from Bridal Market Fall 2015. 

Ines Di Santo

Ines Di Santo

Reem Acra

Reem Acra

Naeem Khan

Naeem Khan

Monique Lhuillier

Monique Lhuillier

Marchesa

Marchesa

Carolina Herrera

Carolina Herrera

Vera Wang

Vera Wang

Monique Lhuillier

Monique Lhuillier

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