Our most Southern sales gal Bethany nailed this party on the cover of Southern Living Weddings! Bethany’s cell # starts with 229 – who all knows where that’s from!?

Rain, Mist, or Mud… We Cater!

Tonight marks the 19th anniversary of The Nature Conservancy’s Hoochie on the Coochie, one of the year’s most anticipated events!  The gala raises money for the Atlanta based Nature Conservancy, whose motto is to “Protect Nature.  Preserve Life.”  Last year it raised more than $3 Million!

Despite today’s dreary weather, Epting Events and Adam Evans of The Optimist are happy to provide a gourmet menu for such an exciting event.  Adam Evans, a long time friend of Ashley Epting’s, and the rest of the Epting crew will be shucking oysters and auctioning off an elegant 5 course period dinner (to be held at the Historic Donald Epting House on the Hill) to raise money at tonight’s event!

Rain, shine, sleet, or snow, where others won’t, we will go!  With food in hand and house in tow, Epting Events will rock the show!

Georgia Chamber’s Red Carpet Tour

Epting Events & Center Stage Catering is proud to help host the dinner for the Georgia Chamber’s 54th Annual Red Carpet Tour  at the Classic Center!  On Friday, April 12, Athens will welcome business leaders from around the world as part of a statewide tour showing off Georgia’s flourishing business economy.

“ Since its inception in 1959, the Red Carpet Tour® has generated more than $3.2 billion in revenue for the state, and over 15,000 jobs have been created through the expansion or growth of Tour guest companies.”

- The Georgia Chamber

The event takes place in several different locations around the state, including a traditional day at The Masters Tournament before coming to Athens.

“As new members to the Georgia Chamber, we are excited to participate by cooking an incredible meal and sharing our love of southern hospitality.” – Ashley Epting

 

Here are some menu highlights:

Driving Through “Thunder Road” – Atlanta Film Festival

Atlanta Film Festival – Thunder Road Screening:

Date: Thursday, March 15, 2013

Time: Gates open at 6:30, screening at 8:45

Location: Starlight Six Drive-In Theater

Admission: $10

Tonight, the Atlanta Film Festival and Starlight Six Drive-In Theater will screen Thunder Road to honor the film’s 55th Anniversary. Guests will travel back in time as they mingle through Starlight Six with antique cars parked in the lot and the retro film playing on the drive-in screen.This event is sponsored by Stella Artois, which will be served at the bar tonight.

Be sure to arrive when the gates open at 6:30 to enjoy a cookout hosted by Adam Evans of The Optimist, named Esquire Magazine’s 2012 Best New Restaurant of the Year.

You can create your own custom pizza from Your Pie, and then wash it down with some moonshine from Dawsonville Moonshine. The Starlight Six concession stand will be open for your favorite traditional movie theater treats, too.

The movie starts at 8:45, but be sure to get there before to enjoy all the food and drink offerings. Admission is $10.

Epting Events is excited to be partnering with Atlanta Film Festival to throw some great parties. Be sure to check the website for more AFF happenings.

Introducing Our New Venue Finder

Finding the perfect venue for your next celebration  just got easier with Epting Events’ new venue finder! We’ve compiled data on over 75 of our favorite venues so you can easily search for what you’re looking for.

Venue Finder Homepage

You’ll find venues across six different Southeastern states, ranging from different themes, capacities, and event types — plus much more! It’s easy to use, and allows you to select your venue to your exact specifications. Just make your selections in the left-hand column, and the venue finder will filter the options according to your selections. You can also use the search option to find venues that you know you’re interested in.

Once you reach a venue’s page, you’ll find contact information, photos, specifications, descriptions, and a map. You also have the option of sharing the venue on Twitter or Facebook. If you have any additional questions, click on the question mark in the Quick Contact box to send us an inquiry.

Venue Finder – The Hill

We are constantly updating our data and adding more venues to the site, so be sure to check back occasionally.

Feel free to comment with feedback on the venue finder! We are always open to learning how we can make things easier for you as you plan your event!

Happy planning!

Top 10 Southern Wedding Trends of 2013

Here at Epting Events, we are very busy with preparing for spring wedding season. This year, brides are really showcasing their personalities with fun color palettes, unique design options, and much more. Take a look at what we think are the top 10 Southern wedding trends of 2013!

 

Mint Green
This mint green trend is huge in 2013 weddings!  It’s refreshing, delicate, and blends well with almost any other color.  We’re really into this mint, gold and blush palette for a shabby chic look.

From United With Love

Lounge Areas
Having a place for your guests to lounge around in between dances is a great idea and a growing trend for 2013.  They can be incorporated with indoor, outdoor and tent receptions. Not only are lounges a fun way to enhance your wedding’s theme, but they also give your guests a place to relax away from the dance floor and guest tables.

Vintage Lounge via Postcard and Pretties

Mini Menu Items

Having a dessert or an hors d’oeuvre buffet with tons of mini-sized favorites is a fun way to present food to your guests.  Plus they look so darn adorable!

From Weddings by Lilly

Iron Chandeliers

Lighting is always the first step towards creating a unique look for an event, and iron chandeliers can make a huge statement. They provide a rustic vibe, and are sturdy enough to weather outdoor weddings. Hang large ones from your reception tent, or several small ones from a large oak tree.

Epting Events’ Iron Chandeliers

Going Green

We already talked about the color green, so this trend focuses on being eco-friendly! As more people incorporate green efforts into their daily lives, we see couples making these efforts on their wedding day. Some easy green options include sourcing food and flowers locally, utilizing party rental companies and vintage or thrift attire and décor.

Peony Flower

In East Asian culture, the peony represents prosperity and honor, which are two blessings that all couples wish for as they dream of their future together. They are perfect for bold bouquets and centerpieces because of their large size and bright colors.

From Style Me Pretty via Vitae Weddings

DIY

It takes some extra effort to put together DIY projects for your wedding, but you will appreciate each invitation, centerpiece, and wedding favor so much more if you do it yourself! And your guests will love the personal touches that only DIY projects can bring. With sites like Pinterest providing infinite inspiration, it’s easy to find the perfect projects for you.

Eye-Popping Cakes

We all know that the cake is the best part of a wedding, and they’re getting better. Brides are breaking away from the old (but still delicious) cupcake trend, and are showcasing incredible cake masterpieces. Look out for pops of color and fascinating textures like feathers and crystals.

Via Hip Entertainment

Bark

Earthy elements go hand-in-hand with the eco-friendly trend. We continue to see bark-incorporation adding rustic charm to weddings. Use a large, round piece as a cake plateau, or make votives out of small cylinder pieces. You can even wrap vases in flexible pieces of bark, like birch, for a pastoral look.

From Martha Stewart Weddings

Unique Reception Entertainment

Couples are trying harder to think of new ways for their wedding to be a night to remember. For music options, keep an eye out for dueling pianos, strolling mariachi bands, and live disc jockey mixing. Other entertainment options could include photobooths, caricature artists and outdoor games.

Via Captus Photography

 

We can’t wait to see these trends come to life as our busy spring season kicks into high gear. Comment and tell us what trends you are looking to incorporate in your wedding. And of course, let us know of any trends we left out!

Atlanta Film Festival 2013 Tickets ON SALE NOW!

Epting Events is happy to announce our continued involvement in the Atlanta Film Festival!  This year EE has the privilege of planning all of the 2013 ATLFF events and parties.  It is such a joy to be a part of such an important part of Atlanta’s cultural community.

The Atlanta Film Festival is an Academy Award qualifying, international film festival held in Atlanta, Georgia.  Started in 1976 and occurring every spring, the festival shows a diverse range of independent films.  Check out this video to learn a little more about the festival!

Tickets go on sale THIS WEEK and there is a wide range of ticket and pass options!  From All Access passes to individual screening passes, you wont want to miss out on such a special event!

Pass Information

• All Access: $300- Access to all Events, Parties and Screenings.  Priority Seating
• Festival Pass: $200- Access to all Screenings.  (Excludes Opening and Closing Night Films & Parties and any other Premium Ticket Screenings)
• Weekend Pass: $135- Access to all Opening or Closing Weekend Events, Parties, and Screenings.  Priority Seating.

General Admission

• Opening Night Screening and Party: 30 (subject to availability)
• General Screenings: $10
• Closing Night Screening and Party: $30 (subject to availability)
• CINformation Seminar Series: depending on seminar topic and structure, pricing will vary from FREE to $10

For more information about how you can get your tickets visit http://www.atlantafilmfestival.com/2012-fest/tickets/