Happy Thanksgiving! and.......

I'd like to thank all the wonderful brides that entered! I really wish I could have picked all of you!
In the spirit of the holidays two winners were picked for the day-of package and all other brides that entered will still receive something!






Michelle Vega and Andrew Bolooki
August 1, 2009

Katie Stern and Cody Clark
April 11, 2009

Also, any other brides that entered will receive a $50 credit toward a Day-Of package upon booking!






Omaira Romero & Jason Dauta




May you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your families!

Gobble Gobble! xoxo

Photographer Love

Amy DeYoung

I had the pleasure of working with Amy for Mari & Pete's Wedding. We had a really good time. Lots of laughs and in between she took some amazing pictures of my bride and groom. You know there is dedication there because while Amy, Ubi and myself were eating dinner......she had food in her mouth and she was still snapping away LOL.

I thought Amy definitely deserved some blog love. She just posted some pictures in her blog from Mari & Pete's beautiful day. So I'd like to share them with you!

Amy is based out of San Antonio, TX but is available for travel!















The next day while Amy was lounging on the beach....the newlyweds showed up to enjoy some sun before checking out. Any was able to snap this pic using her iPhone

Must-Have Photo List

Before the big day you will meet with your photographer to discuss what you want from them on the big day. Most photographers will ask for a "must-have photo list". This leaves a lot of brides unsure as to what exactly should be on this list.
While it's a great idea to give your photographer a list of shots you want taken (you don't want him to miss your grandparents, friends who traveled far to attend or that special shot of you and your mom), you shouldn't feel required to write down every last one. After all, you want the photographer to be creative and comfortable capturing special, spontaneous moments. That said, here's a list of traditional and nontraditional shots of importance. Choose the ones you want, add any others you can think of and hand the list to your photographer. Voila -- you're all set!


Bride, groom and wedding party getting ready

Bride and groom, separately, just before the ceremony

Bride and groom when they first see each other

Outdoor shot (if possible) of bride and groom together before or after ceremony (preferably walking across a lawn or city street, for instance)

Bride and groom with her immediate family

Bride and groom with his immediate family

Bride with parents/stepparents or with each parent separately

Groom with parents/stepparents or with each parent separately

Bride with her grandparents

Groom with his grandparents

Bride with her honor attendants

Groom with his groomsmen

Bride with her maid/matron of honor

Groom with his best man

Bride with flower girls

Groom with ring bearers

Bride with her siblings

Groom with his siblings

Groomsmen affixing their boutonnieres (this usually requires some struggling)

Bride and groom with his attendants

Bride and groom with her attendants

Bride with her bouquet

Bride showing off special details of her gown or other attire (such as the train or bows on her shoes)

Usher escorting guests to seats

Bride arriving at seat, especially if she is arriving by special transportation (horse-drawn carriage, limousine, etc.)

Groom walking down aisle or close-up shot of him at place at altar, before the processional

Each member of processional, during their walk

Bride walking down aisle

Bride kissing her parents upon arriving at altar

Bride and groom at altar (if photography is allowed during ceremony)

Bride and groom lighting unity candle

Parents lighting unity candle

Bride and groom exchanging rings

Close-up of bride and groom as they say their vows

Special religious or ethnic customs during ceremony

Groom lifting bride's blusher

Kiss at end of ceremony

Bride and groom during recessional

Bride and groom holding hands, showing off their wedding rings

Bride's attendants as they help bustle her train

Bride and groom entering reception area

First dance (and the dip, if there is one)

Toasts

Table shots

Bride and groom sharing private moment during the celebration

Parents dancing together

Members of wedding party dancing together

Mother-son dance

Father-daughter dance

Bride tossing her bouquet and person catching it

Single women huddled together on dance floor before bouquet toss

Groom tossing garter and person catching it

Garter ritual (man sliding garter up woman's leg)

Single men huddled together on dance floor before garter toss

Bride and groom spontaneously hugging parents/best friends/siblings during celebration (ask your photographer to keep an eye out for these special moments)

Bride and groom cutting and feeding each other wedding cake

Any children who happen to fall asleep at the reception

Candid, wide-angle shot of celebration in full force (if possible, have your photographer take a picture of the reception from above)

Guests throwing petals or blowing bubbles at bride and groom

Close-ups of food table (if buffet), ring pillow, cake and any other special items (Kiddush cups, seating cards, favors, invitation, etc.)

Ceremony and reception sites, inside and outside

A posed snapshot of everyone you can fit into the frame at the very end of the evening, all waving good-bye.





(photo credit Miguel Irias)

Glamour on a Budget

Tips for a Glamorous Wedding on a Budget


1. A monochromatic color scheme ups the glam quotient. Try a bold, bright hue like red to make a major statement.

2. Don't have the budget for full-on chair covers? Weave wide grosgrain ribbon through the backs of reception chairs for a softer, polished look.

3. All it takes is one standout glass to make a specialty cocktail, well, special. Ditto the glassware on the reception tables. Choose a rental company with lots of options, and add a colored glass to each place setting as an easy way to bring depth to your tablescape.

4. Give out-of-town guests a little goodnight treat by arranging for hotel staff to leave a small token on their pillows each night of their stay.

5. Take a cue from the silver screen with dramatic black-and-white photography. Black-and-white shots make everything -- and everyone -- appear more chic.

For even more inspiration, see the Spring 2008 issue of Martha Stewart Weddings, where the following ideas appeared.

6. Bring on the bubbly! After all, nothing says festive like Champagne. And it can serve a dual purpose, too: A vintage wine bucket with a bottle of the French fizz can make an inexpensive centerpiece, and a tower of coupe glasses lends drama.

7. Let balloons rise to the occasion as a simple yet stylish way to fill a big space. The secret to a grown-up look? A simple color palette. Attach them to ribbons to make garlands for the ceiling.

8. What could be sweeter than confections that sparkle? Dim the lights, then fire up the night by topping cakes and other desserts with sparklers.

9. If you have the budget, do away with the deejay and opt instead for a live band to give your party a spontaneity that can't be bought with canned music.

10. Bid farewell in style with a candlelit path leading from the reception site. It lends just the right amount of romance, and simple glass containers holding candles are affordable as well as safe.

Fabulous Fêtes Anniversary Giveaway.....Last Call!!

I have extended the entry submission date till Friday, November 21, 2008. I've had some brides that emailed me that wanted to enter but have not yet written their entry. So I've decided to give them a chance to! :)

For details on the contest please go here >> Fabulous Fêtes Anniversary Giveaway

Winners will still be announced on November 27, 2008


Good Luck!!

Mari & Peter.......from the mountains to the beach!

Mari and Pete were originally from Miami, till business took them to Denver. When Pete proposed they decided South Beach would be the spot for their destination wedding. So with a few trips and lots and los of emails their Fabulous day went perfectly.
They chose The National hotel in South Beach as their venue. I'd like to add on a personal note that I absolutely love this hotel. The outside space is perfect for November wedding the breeze off the beach is amazing. I'd also like to acknowledge that Jamie and the staff there are awesome and always accommodating. Let's not even get started on the food. YUM!
November 9th was a beautiful day for an outdoor wedding. The bride looking absolutely stunning in her Vera Wang gown.



After saying their I Do's in the sand under a beautiful chuppah the couple and their guests headed over to the hotel which was right behind the beach.
The cocktail hour took place at the terrace right off the lobby.







After some drinks and laughs guests were directed toward "Zee Pool" area where the reception would take place.

The Mr. & Mrs. waiting for their introduction!



The square tables were dressing in a brown peau de soie linen, ivory napkin, mahogany chiavari chair with a pistachio colored cushion. The simple and beautiful floral arrangements created by Petunia Flowers were multiple vases filled with tulips, orchids, and hydrangea. Each place setting was accent with a mini green orchid. The sweet heart table was draped and skirted with the same brown peau de soie linen and had a brown overlay embroidered with green swirls and leaves.















The cake was a yummy 3 tiered confection with chocolate bands around each tier and orchids made of sugar for accent. The table was dress in an ivory peau de soie linen with a green leaf overlay.






Here are a couple of more pictures

They danced the horrah


The bride had a little fun being bad lol


Mari & Pete, I hope your having an amazing time in Maui. Thank you for letting me be a part of your beautiful day. May you both have many wonderful years together!


Credits:
Venue: The National, Photographer: Amy DeYoung, Cake: Ana Paz Cakes, DJ: Ubi's Music Productions, Ubi, Linens & Chairs, AB Cover Designers, Florist: Petunia Flowers

Johanna & Javier.....Romeo y Julieta

The reason behind the title of my post is the fact that the bride and groom....mostly the groom are huge fans of cigars. This wedding totally let you know that!
I met Johanna over a year ago when she had first started planning her wedding. There was a different venue and colors :) It's been a long road for her I know but the end result was a beautiful day that definitely embodied everything that that this couple loves.




We guests arrived at the Miami Rowing Club they first made their way on to the deck that it attached to the ballroom and overlooks the water. A cigar roller was set up and people did not wait to get the party started. Normally guests are always awaiting getting in to the ballroom, not this crowd. They were having a great time.
The place cards were attached to little bottle of red wine. They looked adorable.







The ballroom was lit with red uplights that truly gave it a romantic feel. The tables were dressed in ivory linens with a gold embroidered overlay and had one of two centerpieces.
The first was a low centerpiece of mixed flowers. The second a trumpet vase filled with cymbidium orchids and topped with a red lamp shade. All the tables were name after cigars.









The cake was lovely and very yummy!





The 12 ft candy buffet was a hit. The table had jars and cigar boxes all filled with different types of candy. We had to refill it 3 times!







Johanna aka ILUVJAVI :), it's been a great ride and I'm glad it ended with a perfect night for you and your hunnie. I wish you both nothing but the happiest of year together. I'm sure that party will never end!
Javier, it was so nice finally meeting you! I was nice to finally meet the "JAVI" in the name after almost two years of talking about you LOL. I know the two of you will be very happy for a very long time.
Have fun in Vegas next month! and for the rest of your lives!