Karen's Chronicles

Wedding & Party Planning

Welcome to my blog celebrating all the things I love. I will be writing about the things that inspire me, discussing fashion and style tips, taking you from the runway to real life. With party planning tips for all occasions. Keeping you in the know with the latest trends in food, décor and lifestyle. And, time and again about the balance of being running a successful business and being a great Mom to my two boys who are 12 and 6. I’m excited to begin this blogging journey and hope to hear your feedback to learn about things you want to see.

5 Tips To Make Sure Your Holiday Party Is Flawless

 1. Plan the theme of your party before sending out invitations. Might seem like a no-brainer right? But you want to make sure that you have the ability to set the stage for whatever theme you choose. The last thing you want to happen is to send out invitations to guests about a "Winter Wonderland" themed party, only to relaize you don't know where to get or how to make any decor for this theme.      2. Define the "goal" of the party... Read More
Posted by Karen Kaforey at Tuesday, December 6, 2016

The Father and Daughter Dance

Almost every wedding has a father-daughter dance that evokes so many different emotions you just want to cry. It's a really special time of the night, but picking a song can be tough. Here are some of our favorite father-daughter songs with lyrical snippets: 1. Isn't She Lovely - Stevie Wonder "We have been heaven blessed, I can't believe what God has done, Through us he's given life to one, But isn't she lovely made from love" 2. Because You Loved Me - Celi... Read More
Posted by Karen Kaforey at Friday, November 11, 2016

5 Reasons to Hire a Professional Event Planner for your Corporate Event

1.) Smart Spending: One of the most useful services that event planners offer is the ability to manage your budget for you. The job of an event planner is to guide your decisions to stay within your budget so that you don't have to worry about this essential aspect of your event. Searching for vendors,venues and decorations is much easier with an established budget and experienced planner by your side.        2.) Save company resources and time: Yo... Read More
at Tuesday, November 1, 2016

The Perfect Halloween-Inspired Cocktail!

How adorable is this Mr.Hyde Halloween inspired drink from @HGTV? To recreate this for your Halloween party see the ingredients below: 8 ounces vodka 4 ounces parfait amour liqueur 1 ounce blackberry liqueur 2 ounces tarragon simple syrup (recipe follows) 1 ounce fresh lemon juice 1 ounce lavender syrup, available at most liquor stores 4 lavender sprigs 8 blackberries dry ice (optional) Note: Always observe dry ice safety measures: Never touch... Read More
at Thursday, October 27, 2016

Our Favorite Wedding Fails of All Time!

Our Favorite Wedding Fails of All Time! We've picked out our top 10 favorite wedding fail GIFs - we hope you enjoy them as much as we did! 1. Move, dress!     2. Wait a minute, need to get my teeth back..   3. Confetti guns can be dangerous too.   4. When ya gotta go, ya gotta go.     5. "I'm over this, here's your ring back!"     6. "I didn't see that big moving thing"....     7. This foot... Read More
Posted by Karen Kaforey at Wednesday, October 26, 2016

Flashback Friday!

We're still day dreaming about these stunning Erin Cole dresses!    #FlashbackFriday   Designer: erin cole couture bridal Location: The London Hotel, NYC Photo: Signature Events, Karen Kaforey   Read More
Posted by Karen Kaforey at Friday, October 21, 2016

#WeddingWednesday

It's #WeddingWednesday! And we're dreaming in black and white ⚫️⚪️#SignatureEventsNashville #weddings#blackandwhite #weddingday #dreams#fall #nashville #weddingplanning #bride#married  #marriedlife   Read More
Posted by Karen Kaforey at Thursday, October 20, 2016

We are live from New York Bridal Market!

Friday through Monday we will be in New York City for the Bridal Market!   Make sure to keep up with our travels on all social meida accounts! We will be posting live from: Reem Acra Vera Wang Isabelle Armstrong Rivini Monique L'Hullier Marchesa Amsale Erin Cole Toni Fed Watters Bridesmaids Gali Couture Pier 94 Martha Stewart   You wont want to miss this!   Check out some of our designer'... Read More
Posted by Karen Kaforey at Thursday, October 6, 2016

Happy #FloralFriday!

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at Friday, September 30, 2016

5 Tips for Picking Out Your Dream Gown

Try on everything, even if you think you won’t like it. Most brides tend to have some idea of what they want their wedding dress to look like, which is great. However, this should never stop you from trying on a dress that you think looks interesting or different from what you imagined you would wear. You never know how it will look, or more importantly how you will feel, once you actually give it a chance and try it on! Who knows, it could be the one.        &nb... Read More
at Wednesday, September 14, 2016

Fresh Faces at Signature Events!

We're Getting Non-stop Calls for Holiday and Corporate Events for the Fall and Winter! Reach out so we can tell you about all the services we provide to plan your next Signature Event (Write: staff@signatureeventsnashville.com). The Team: Priscilla and Jillian are seniors at Vanderbilt University studying Human and Organizational Development with a focus in leadership and organizational effectivness. Priscilla is a from Franklin Lakes, New Jersey and Jilllian is from Reading, ... Read More
Posted by Karen Kaforey at Friday, September 9, 2016

Cheers to Love!

The wedding reception is the perfect time for couples to show off their individuality and creativity. In the craze of planning a reception full of delicious food, beautiful décor and unforgettable memories, it can be easy to overlook one vital aspect of the menu: the drinks. The attention to detail is often forgotten when it comes to the presentation and selection of signature cocktails.  First impressions are everything, especially when walking into a wedding reception. Typica... Read More
at Friday, September 9, 2016

Wedding Color Palettes 2016

Romantic Wedding Color Palettes 2016Romance inspiration There is more romance to weddings than a simple "I do." While planning your wedding or event, I find it best to first come up with a color story or overall color theme for the day, and from there, pull looks and décor that are cohesive with it. Pastels blend well together especially when it comes to floral and décor. Some of my favorites for 2016 include light patterns and standout tones that pop against the wedding scenery, or creating... Read More
Posted by Karen Kaforey at Thursday, February 11, 2016

6 Tips for Entertaining this Holiday Season

6 Tips for Entertaining this Holiday Season  1. Get into the holiday spirit! It’s impossible to host an energetic holiday party if you aren’t embracing the holiday magic yourself. As you’re cleaning your house or setting up for the party, light some candles and play classic holiday music. Try the Vanilla Bean Noel Candle from Bath & Body Works to fill your house with the smell of Christmas, and for your listening pleasure, try Michael Buble’s Christmas Album. His dreamy voice enha... Read More
Posted by Karen Kaforey at Friday, December 4, 2015

7 Tips for Hosting Thanksgiving Dinner

7 Tips for Hosting Thanksgiving Dinner As one of America’s favorite holidays, Thanksgiving is the perfect time to gather with family and enjoy festivities that are as memorable as they are delicious. If the honor of hosting this celebration has fallen on your shoulders, then we have some helpful tips for you!  1. Design a menu and make a shopping list. A week before the big day, design your menu and post it on your refrigerator! This way you can easily make a shopping list and prevent f... Read More
Posted by Karen Kaforey at Friday, November 20, 2015

New York Bridal Market Recap | Naeem Khan Fall 2016 Bridal

Naeem Khan Fall 2016 Bridal Collection  For the Fall 2016 Bridal Collection, Naeem Khan channeled a Spanish influence in both his gowns and his runway show. Bright red flowers draped down from the ceiling, and the models donned elaborate floral headpieces and bold oversized earrings. The designer said his main muse was Frida Kahlo, and we think he captured her essence perfectly.   We loved all of the dresses in this collection, but one of the standouts was a hand embroidered long ... Read More
Posted by Karen Kaforey at Thursday, October 29, 2015

New York Bridal Market Recap | Oscar de la Renta Fall 2016 Bridal Collection

Oscar de la Renta Fall 2016 Bridal Collection Illustrating an obvious French influence, the Oscar de la Renta Fall 2016 Bridal Collection epitomized couture fashion. Designer Peter Copping created a luxurious yet classic series of gowns fit for royalty. The French influence was evident with the corded pansy lace and silk organza halter neck tie back blouse shown on two dresses in the collection.  One was a strapless silk faille ball gown with a pleat skirt detail, and the other was a st... Read More
Posted by Karen Kaforey at Wednesday, October 28, 2015

New York Bridal Market Recap: Rivini Fall 2016 Bridal Collection

Rivini Fall 2016 Bridal Collection  The Rivini Runway show was an icy affair inspired by the coating of the first frost. Designer Rita Vinieris showcased glistening gowns coated with shimmering delicate overlays. When we viewed the collection for a second time at our private writing appointment in New York City, we were captivated by the intricate overlays and capelettes, which exuded the frosty elegance that the designer achieved with this collection.  Another unique icy feature ... Read More
Posted by Karen Kaforey at Tuesday, October 27, 2015

Styling Your Perfect Fall or Winter Wedding

Karen Kaforey, owner of Signature Events, has just released her second video on styling your perfect wedding! This video we explore all the perfect colors for fall and winter! Check out Signature Events' channel here and subscribe for endless tips and tricks for everything you need to know about planning your dream wedding! If you're thinking about having a fall or winter wedding, this video is a perfect place to start! See some of our favorite fall and winter wedding inspirations below! For ... Read More
Posted by Karen Kaforey at Tuesday, October 27, 2015

New York Bridal Market Recap | Vera Wang Fall 2016 Bridal Collection

Vera Wang Fall 2016 Bridal Collection  Vera Wang pulled out another edgy, avant-garde series of dresses for her Fall 2016 Bridal Collection. We love how Vera played with the contrast of sharp lines and oversized bows to create an innovative romantic look. Another fresh feature that we admire is the double covered buttons that adorn many of the gowns in this collection.  At our private writing appointment at Vera Wang in New York City, one of the most unique gowns we saw was a li... Read More
Posted by Karen Kaforey at Friday, October 23, 2015

New York Bridal Market Recap | Carolina Herrera Fall 2016 Bridal Collection

Carolina Herrera Fall 2016 Bridal Collection  The Signature Events Team recently returned from New York Bridal Fashion Week, and we are excited to recap each breathtaking collection we got to see firsthand while there. As always, Carolina Herrera delivered beauty and elegance with her Fall 2016 Bridal Collection. The collection also offered hints of sensuality and subtle mystery achieved through elements of transparency and illusion. A gorgeous standout from the collection is an A-line g... Read More
Posted by Karen Kaforey at Thursday, October 22, 2015

Styling Your Perfect Summer or Spring Wedding

Karen Kaforey, owner of Signature Events, has just released a new video on styling your perfect summer and spring wedding! This is the first video in a two-part series; her video on styling your fall and winter weddings is coming soon! Check out our channel here and subscribe for more helpful tips and tricks for everything you need to know about planning your perfect wedding!  These videos are a great place to start if you are in the beginning stages of your planning process! Check out ... Read More
Posted by Karen Kaforey at Wednesday, October 21, 2015

6 Tips to Whip you into Shape for your Wedding Day

Of the 2.3 million American weddings that occur every year, 80% of brides will try to change their eating and exercise habits to prepare for the big day! (Brides.com) So, if you’re looking to amp up your fitness routine and alter your diet, you’re in good company, and you’re not going to do it alone. We are here to help you with the best tips for whipping yourself into shape before your special day! 1. First, focus on the healthiest YOU not the skinniest YOU. It’s tempting to pressure yo... Read More
Posted by Karen Kaforey at Tuesday, October 20, 2015

Martha Stewart Weddings: Providing Inspiration for 20 Plus Years!

Today we will be featuring one of the most amazing resources that brides have at their fingertips: Martha Stewart Weddings! Martha Stewart Weddings has been providing brides and wedding dreamers with inspiration for over 20 years! At the October 2014 Bridal Market the Martha Stewart team rang in their successful 20 years with an amazing party to celebrate all the awe-inspiring work they've done! It was such a pleasure to celebrate with the amazingly talented Martha Stewart Team and all their... Read More
Posted by Karen Kaforey at Wednesday, October 7, 2015

Predators Hockey Themed Birthday Party

When throwing a Nashville Predators Hockey themed birthday party for a 6 year old, you need to be creative! There's something very special when you see the faces of little ones celebrating a birthday, so when I started planning Preston's 6th Birthday I knew it would have to be top notch! I wanted to make sure that all of his favorite things were included and he was very vocal about what he wanted and even what he didn't want!  I hope you love these photos as much as Preston loved his ... Read More
Posted by Karen Kaforey at Friday, October 2, 2015

Wedding Wednesday | Kayla & Benjamin

Wedding Wednesday   -Kayla & Benjamin-    After 11 years together, Kayla and Benjamin finally tied the knot on a beautiful Saturday, September 12, 2015 in Nashville, Tennessee. Kayla and Benjamin's beautiful, heartwarming ceremony took place at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center and was followed by a reception at Bridgestone Arena's private club overlooking downtown Nashville.  The only thing as precious as Kayla and Benjamin's love story was the adorable flowe... Read More
Posted by Karen Kaforey at Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Check out Signature Events, Karen Kaforey on YouTube

Signature Events is excited to bring you our first video blog series! Our goal is to keep you informed and up-to-date on the latest tips, advice, and trends related to wedding and event planning. We want these videos to be a way for you to easily access our wealth of knowledge and expertise. Signature Events owner, Karen Kaforey, loves to help others turn their dream events into a reality. She does this by listening carefully to your vision and making sure that your event captures the essenc... Read More
Posted by Karen Kaforey at Wednesday, September 16, 2015

6 Ways to Include your Favorite Fellas in your Wedding

1. Ask the Best Man to throw a party for your wedding party! This is a great opportunity for the entire wedding party to get to know one another so that they will be a cohesive group of friends by the day of the wedding. If the Best Man needs some help planning a fun get together, the Maid of Honor would make a great co-host. 2. Surprise the groomsmen with exciting gifts! A great way to keep your groomsmen happy is to get them a thoughtful groomsman gift that they will be ecstatic ... Read More
Posted by Karen Kaforey at Friday, September 11, 2015

4 Ways to Include your Furry Friends in your Wedding

1. Engagement Announcement  Typically, the first thing a couple does once they are engaged is share the exciting news with the most important people in their lives.  If telling your pet is your first priority, you may want to consider utilizing their adorable faces in your engagement announcement. If your pet was already incorporated in the proposal, then you can go ahead and snap some cute engagement photos since the most important family member is present.  2. Save the Date ... Read More
Posted by Karen Kaforey at Saturday, September 5, 2015

5 Fall Parties You Should be Planning Now

  1.    Oktoberfest Beer Party  You don’t have to be in Munich to enjoy this fantastic tradition. Even though the Germans have been celebrating Oktoberfest since the early 19th century, it’s not too late to start your own annual celebration! Have each guest bring a different, preferably fall-themed beer. Give each guest a sample of each beer as well as a tasting sheet to fill out. Then, let the fun begin! Some great local breweries in Nashville to check out are Yazoo Brewi... Read More
Posted by Karen Kaforey at Thursday, September 3, 2015

Wedding Wednesday: Kimberly and Kenneth

WEDDING WEDNESDAY -Kimberly & Kenneth- Kimberly and Kenneth had such a magical Monday on June 1! This adoring couple titled their wedding day #TheBestMondayEver and rightfully so.  This joyous day began with the bridal party prepping at the Schermerhorn Symphony. The 'first look' the shared at the base of the symphony stairs is nothing less than magical. They shared a precious moment reading their heartfelt letters written to each other before joining the whole bridal party for gro... Read More
Posted by Karen Kaforey at Thursday, September 3, 2015

Destination Wedding

Destination Wedding Essentials Before you decide to say "I do" to a Destination Wedding consider the details that go with planning from afar. Are you already dreaming of the perfect tropical location or are you seeing yourself  surrounded by majestic mountains? If having a stunning backdrop for your wedding is the most important detail for you then keep reading as we share with you our  Destination Wedding Essentials Wedding DecorPicking a unique location for your wedding gives yo... Read More
Posted by Karen Kaforey at Tuesday, July 14, 2015

Tip Tuesday

Once you have found your dream dress the next step is to find the perfect shoes to complete your bridal look.  This week we have seven tips for you to consider when shoe shopping.  Don’t be Afraid to Rock Them: It is important to find shoes that fit your personality and make you happy.  After all, you’re the one walking down the aisle in them so you better feel like a million bucks and then some!     Bigger Isn’t Always Better: While you may see a pair of 7 inc... Read More
Posted by Karen Kaforey at Tuesday, July 14, 2015

Blackberry Farms Wedding

BLACKBERRY FARMS WEDDING -Lindsey & Sheldon- Wedding Kickoff | Blackberry Farms This breathtaking weekend wedding was held at Blackberry Farms nestled against the Great Smoky Mountains.   Beginning festivities kicked off Friday with a charming outdoor welcome dinner. Bluegrass music filled the air as guests played lawn games before dinner which featured a menu honoring classic Southern dishes and flavors. The moment the Wedding began all eyes were on the couple as they exchanged vo... Read More
Posted by Karen Kaforey at Thursday, July 9, 2015

Wedding Wednesday

Wedding invites are the first impressions that guests have of your special day, they set the tone for the style of your wedding!  There are many different designs to go with but we have selected a handful to give you an idea of your options.  Whether you are going for classic, watercolor, or rustic; we have the latest trends for you to look at.  We have also provided a Stationary Wedding Essentials Checklist that you can use for your special day.  You do not need all of th... Read More
Posted by Karen Kaforey at Wednesday, July 8, 2015

Wedding Apps for Couples

The hottest trend for gathering photos from your guests is creating your own personal wedding app.  Yes that’s right ladies, an app just for your wedding! This modern, innovative way of collecting weddings photos is much more convenient than using a hashtag.  With an app you can easily have all your guests load every single photo and video from your wedding day.  Wedding Apps for Couples      Here are some of our select picks for you!     CEREMONY T... Read More
Posted by Karen Kaforey at Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Holiday Baking Made Easy

Holiday Baking can be super easy. Here are some easy ideas you can do at home tonight! If you have kids, let them help; a messy kitchen is one full of memories. Happy Baking. Karen   Read More
Posted by Karen Kaforey at Tuesday, December 2, 2014

CAROLINA HERRERA Trunk Show December 5th & 6th

Exclusive Trunk Show this weekend at b. Hughes Bridal. Carolina Herrera Bridal 2015 collection, preview 2 days only with a private showing starting Thursday, December 4th. Spaces are limited so if you newly engaged and if you haven't found your dream dress make sure you come to this event!  Read More
Posted by Karen Kaforey at Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Why you need a Wedding Planner

Why Every Bride Needs Her Own Wedding Planner While being engaged and planning a wedding can be some of the most exciting and long-awaited experiences in any girl’s life, they also bring with them quite a bit of work. And unless you’re one of the most organized, well-connected, and experienced wedding planners in the business, chances are you might feel a little overwhelmed throughout the process of planning your wedding. Most books and online sources will give you a list that will include at... Read More
Posted by Karen Kaforey at Saturday, November 23, 2013

Bridal Fashion Finds

Bridal Fashion Finds Now that you’re engaged, it’s time to find the perfect bridal look for your big day! You’ve probably scanned through hundreds of dresses, whether in a boutique, on a designer’s website, or on a seemingly endless number of bridal blogs. But what about the other little touches that complete your look and showcase your personal style?? We think accessories can be just as important as the gown! Check out some of our favorite bridal fashion finds below, and don’t worry, dres... Read More
Posted by Karen Kaforey at Saturday, November 23, 2013