One of the best things about the Tweet-à-Tête series is that it gives us all an opportunity to get to know each other a little better. Often behind the mask of Twitter handles and Facebook pages it is easy to forget that there are actual people behind those words. It is these posts that make all of us feel like we are truly part of community. This duo was even more special because they have discovered that they each have so much in common including the untimely death of one of their parents. It brings us such great joy to know that members are connecting and finding support in one another. Several other members who have done Tweet-à-Tête’s already have found similar bonds with their partners, many of whom they didn’t know very well before they got together to do the interview. Today, it is my honor and pleasure to introduce you to Layla Mayville of Simply Savannah Events and Allie Carswell of Honey Bee Invites.

Allie

Layla

What makes you laugh?
Layla: My pets do the funniest things and always keep me entertained. Plus British humor, anything Will Ferrell, Bill Murray, Steve Martin, or Robin Williams.

Allie: Modern Family…need I say more?

What do you find enjoyable?

Layla: Reading a good book in bed or outside by the pool, going to a coffee shop and hanging out with friends, and road trips with my hubby travelling to new places.

Allie: I love being outside more than anything… biking, picnicking, running, camping, etc. But on days when it’s too chilly or hot (I live in the South people) you can find me painting or crafting. Basically, if it involves a hot glue gun, I’m there.

What’s your current obsessions?

Layla: Pinterest- love it!! I have over 600 pins and love finding fun inspirational ideas on there for weddings, DIY, flowers, or home decorating. I’m also obsessed with everything Keep Calm and Carry On!

Allie: Oh! I am going to have to copy you (Layla) on this one. Pinterest is to-die-for. Seriously.

How would you describe your style?

Layla: fresh, natural, eco-friendly, with a contemporary flair, and vintage twist

Allie: Oh we’re so similar… I would describe my style as natural, simple, cottage-y, and sometimes vintage-y.

When did you start your business?

Layla: Last year I began to research and develop my business niche and then started full force this past April. I feel so honored to be welcomed into the TWIPS community and the Savannah area vendors; everyone is extremely helpful and supportive!

Allie: I started in December of 2009, and it’s been evolving ever since. We’ve got exciting things coming in 2011!

Something readers would be surprised to learn about you?

Layla: I used to be a figure skater. I started when I was 9 year old and continued to skate and compete until I was in college, so I actually was pretty good, but no Michelle Kwan. We actually have ice skating in Savannah once a year when Disney on Ice comes to town and then public can skate for about a month in December! One of my favorite times of the year!!

Allie: That I am obsessed with Taylor Swift. T. Swift as I like to call her. People can hate on me allll day long, but I am still going to go to every concert, belt out every song that comes on the radio, and try to steal her gorgeous wavy look. What can I say, T. Swift is my girl! The photo below is from a recent concert.

 My favorite moment or part of a wedding is….

Layla: One of my favorite most sentimental parts of all weddings is the father daughter dance; also my favorite part of the planning is seeing the end result. After months of developing an idea and creating what the client envisions, then seeing everything come together is exhilarating and satisfying. I still get teary looking at photos or watching videos of weddings – I’m such a hopeless romantic.

Allie: Hands down, the first look. Whether you decide to do it before the ceremony or have the moment as you walk down the aisle. I love the faces of the bride and the groom, the sincerity in their eyes, and the love that you can clearly see beaming out of their smiles.

What was your wedding like?

Layla: With a deployment date set for fall 2009, Chris and I quickly planned our intimate local wedding before he left for Iraq. Our ceremony was at a historic square and the reception was held where we had our first date. When we found out that his deployment date was moved up we realized that we should probably plan our wedding sooner than planned. We did not want to wait a year to plan our wedding especially with Chris being in Iraq, nor did we have a big budget, so instead of doing a court house ceremony we planned an intimate gathering of friends and family. It was a perfect intimate wedding that was surprisingly planned in less than a month!

Allie: I’m not married….yet! May 4^th, 2012 is the BIG day!

If you could change one thing about your wedding (looking back), what would it have been?

Layla: My father actually wasn’t able to attend my wedding, I was not able to have a father daughter dance, and he never even got to meet my husband because he passed away suddenly back in 2007. It was a traumatic life altering event for me and my family, but has made me a stronger person. I love the quote I found on ruffles and tweed blog that says “things fall apart so that other things can fall together”. My life has been such a crazy journey ever since he passed away, but with the support of amazing friends, family and my husband I feel like I have direction and enormous encouragement. I was inspired by Allie’s post about her mother on her blog, that I dedicated one of my post to my dad, which you can see here.

Allie: I haven’t even had my wedding yet, but I know exactly what this will be… wishing my mom was there. Unfortunately, Layla and I have losing a parent in common. It’s actually sort of how we “bonded”. Knowing the loss of a parent is something nobody can relate to, unless you’ve been through it. Earlier this year I lost the most beautiful person I’ve ever known, my mother. I still can’t really talk about it a lot with out the tears pouring out… but I can say that I am thankful to have met and connected with Layla, even if it’s because of this painful experience we share. I honored my mom this past Mothers Day with a blog post , it was the most difficult thing I’ve ever had to write, but it makes me happy to know that it touched and inspired Layla to honor dad.

How or where did you get engaged?

Layla: Chris and I planned a weekend getaway at Elizabeth Pointe Lodge a bed and breakfast on the beach in Amelia Island, Florida. Our room had a big whirlpool tub for two and huge king size bed. Very romantic. We made reservations at a fancy French restaurant downtown for later in the evening. The weather was cloudy and a little drizzly, but it didn’t stop us from enjoying the beach. With our large umbrella for two, we walked down to the waterline. We spent the time walking along the shore collecting sea shells and sand. I’ve been collecting sand from every beach I’ve been too and a few shells to go into a small glass container. There are about twelve containers sitting on my windowsill in my living room. Each of them is labeled with the beaches they are from. We strolled hand in hand walking along the wet sand. Dinner was amazing! Chris said he wanted to save room for dessert since he planned on ordering room service back at our hotel room. When we got back to our room I immediately thought we should order dessert, but he wanted to go for a walk on the beach again. I refused since it was getting chilly and still drizzling. Little did I know he had something else planned. Instead, I got my way, and we ordered dessert. After room service delivered our chocolate brownie and pecan pie, Chris stopped me from digging in to eat. He held my hands and told me how much he loved me and wanted to spend the rest of his life with me. He took out the ring from his pocket and said, “Will you marry me?” “YES!” I said, “Of course I will!” He told me that he had called my brother to talk to him about proposing to me and they talked for awhile over the phone. My brother is seven and a half years younger than me, but Chris was surprises by how mature he was. I had no idea they had talked, in fact, I even had talked to my brother after they had spoken, but he gave no signs. Chris wanted me to call my brother and tell him the exciting news since he was waiting for my response. I called him right away and told him everything. We rejoiced and celebrated by eating our dessert and took a romantic bubble bath by candlelight.

Allie: Oh, I have a good beach story too! We’re so alike, Layla.

Justin and I took a trip to the Bahamas last September and the trip was especially awesome for me because I experienced so many firsts… I drove a boat, ate fish that I caught, sailed in the moonlight, snorkeled on the third largest coral reef in the world, speared lobster, and discovered a message in a bottle (pretty common among the things that wash on shore from the Atlantic ocean). The message in the bottle was a beautiful love note to “my dearest love”. The words were so touching I couldn’t help shed a tear. The letter ended with one very powerful statement “….the only girl I’ll ever ask.” As I turned around to call Justin over to read the letter, I found him on one knee with a ring in his hand…

And that was that! We’re engaged and I could not be happier. I feel so lucky to get to spend the rest of my life with such a thoughtful, loving man.

How do you take your coffee?

Layla: I love lattes with caramel, but in the Fall I switch to pumpkin-yum!

Allie: With skim milk and sugar. Nothing tastes better to me than coffee with a big pour of skim milk in it. Yummo!

Do you have any pets?

Layla: Yes! I have always had pets throughout my life. Right now we have a dog and 3 cats who were all adopted. Missy is a mutt, not sure what she is, then we have Ty a.k.a. Fat Cat and Ty-Ty, Willow a.k.a. Old Man since he is about 18 yrs old, and then Sassy a.k.a. Princess, Wittle Kitty, and Sassafrass.

Allie: Well, Layla definitely out did me on this one…kidding. I have one dog named Bentley.  He is the most handsome dog ever (but what mom wouldn’t say that about their child). And even though he’s 70lbs, I take him everywhere with me. He is my little  big sidekick.

Feature Image courtesy of Sweet Designs A Blog by Amy Atlas, Design by Jeanna Hayes Studio

Layla Mayville is the talent behind of Simply Savannah Events in Savannah, Georgia and Allie Carswell is the talent behind Honey Bee Invites.