Profile: Sally Foster, Urbanistelex.com
Sally Foster
www.urbanistelex.com
Photographed by Angela Anderson – www.angela-photo.com
Just as her website states – “Sally Foster is Central Kentucky’s Urbaniste (French for “town planner”, and in this case, your wedding planner extraordinaire).” She brings her penchant for detail along with her love of….Weddings! Her marriage, no pun, of the two are nothing short of a match made in Heaven!
HMS caught up with Sally to find out more about what she loves most about weddings – specific details and much more! Enjoy! and you can keep up with Sally’s fabulous haute wedding articles via HMS as her articles are frequently posted!
Or of course visit - www.urbanistelex.com !
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What type of wedding venue is your favorite – farm, hotel etc. and why?
I am a sucker for a traditional church wedding. For me, it honors the sacredness of the ceremony and the vows exchanged. For a reception venue, I look for versatile functionality. Having a more informal, fluid space for a cocktail hour and options for outdoor and indoor seating is ideal. You end up having lots of settings for the different components of your reception and guests can choose among a variety of spaces while they enjoy the celebration. A great example of this locally is the Hilary J. Boone Center with a distinguished library and bar, a beautiful outdoor courtyard, and a sophisticated dining room with reception lobby.
Hautest destination wedding venue / location
This is a tough one! If you are able to go all out on a destination, I’d recommend Paris, like Eva Longoria and Tony Parker. There is nothing like getting married in the most romantic city on the planet and the sophisticated style of the location just can’t be beat. On a bit of a more realistic note, I would suggest something like the Biltmore in Asheville, NC. First of all, it is a southern destination (which I am always a fan of) which offers outright gorgeous scenery. There are numerous indoor and outdoor facilities to choose from which all have a regal air to them (like this one and this one ). There is much for guests to do and see on the estate grounds and in the area. Secondly, it is close enough that lots of family and friends can still come and join in on the festivities. I like the idea of a small, intimate destination wedding, but having all of your favorite people around you on your wedding day means so much.
Favorite celebrity wedding
Hands down, it has got to be Princess Diana’s wedding. I was six years old and remember waking up early in the morning to watch the coverage of the royal event. I was in awe of all the grandeur and pomp and circumstance of the occasion. Everything from her couture gown, the adoring public, and the ornate Buckingham Palace fascinated me. I have always been a big Princess Diana fan and believe that her wedding sparked my early passion for weddings.
Most desirable wedding gown designer
I wish Victoria Beckham designed wedding gowns. She is one of my style icons and I’d be curious to see what they would look like! As you might expect, I have to mention Vera Wang and Monique Lhuillier for consistently incredible and stunning designs. A newer favorite of mine is Johanna Johnson. Her current collection is inspired by the 1920’s and 30’s and is MAJOR eye candy!
Table centerpieces you recommend most
Centerpieces are just one of the many opportunities brides have to display the unique design elements of their wedding. One of my favorite parts of wedding planning is helping develop the common threads of design among the attire, flowers, invitations, programs, table settings, centerpieces, favors, etc. My main recommendations for centerpieces focus on adding color, anchoring the table, and having some variety –meaning use a few different kinds of centerpieces that still have a common thread between them. A current trend is using vases of twig-like branches with dainty crystals handing from them. I love this choice because it contrasts a rustic look with elegance and shimmer.
Your recommended wedding colors – best for photos, looks best on most people etc…
The choice of a color palette is very personal. I don’t recommend one in particular. Here’s what I do recommend. It is best to have contrast in the choice of colors and it can be fun to choose three to four colors for maximum texture options and variety. I like unexpected color choices. It helps make a wedding unique and memorable. Examples are pewter gray and lemon or emerald green and aqua pink and gold. The season during which the wedding takes place can help direct the choice of colors. Florists can also be very helpful in recommending unique color choices.
Favorite time of year for wedding
My personal favorite is fall. My wedding was in October and the weather could not have been more perfect. Fall colors are so rich and earthy. Lots of great options to choose from!
Explain what you love most about working with weddings
I get to help make the most important day of someone’s life go smoothly. It is extremely rewarding. You can’t get much happier people to be around than a bride, groom, and their family and friends on their wedding day. It is such a joyous occasion. Sending brides down the aisle never gets old! I get chills and teary eyes every time! I also love the design elements of planning. When I was little, I cut out wallpaper samples and glued them to blueprints of houses I drew. I’d gather all my mom’s flower arrangements and nick-knacks and make my sister come to my ‘studio’ to pick out items for her ‘house’. I’ve always had a creative side and love working with colors and design details.
Favorite wedding photo of all time – upload one / what did you love most about your own wedding
My favorite wedding photo has to be one of my own! I love it because it captures a candid moment where we both are so happy. We were in the midst of our first dance and everyone was gathered around watching us, but it looks like we are in our own world just enjoying the day.
