Having been a bride that had 46 guests at her wedding I love the idea of more intimate events. So, when Sara emailed me earlier this year and told me she needed someone to plan her 50 guests event, I was excited!
Plus, Sara was already great to chat with over email so I was very much looking forward to working with her!
The requirements were that it be on the beach or on some type of water and that it offer a space that would be perfect for that # of guests. I had my list of venues that I would be contacting and some others. In my search I found that the Hilton Bentley on 1st and Ocean had recently started putting on weddings again. The space they had was absolutely perfect for the # of guests Sara & Ben would be having. The pool area was perfect for the loungy feel they wanted fro the cocktail hour. Plus, the resort was directly on the beach so we added a check to beach ceremony too.
The colors for the event were a deep turquoise/peacock blue, lime green, chocolate brown and hints of white.
The ceremony took place on the beach and the bride and groom were married under a beautiful ivory oraganza canopy with hanging garlands of white dendrobium orchids.
After the ceremony guests walked back to the hotel where the cocktail hour took place alongside their very SoBe pool area which had all been made private for this event.
Once the cocktail hour was over, the guest were escorted in to the ballroom. The tables were dressed in the dupioni linens in that deep turquoise/peacock blue shade, mahogany chiavari chairs, lime green dupioni cushions and napkins. The napkins sat a top rattan chargers and had the menu tucked in. The beautiful centerpiece created by Gil Sosa consisted of 3 cubical vases. The tallest filled with white hydrangea, green and white dendrobium orchids, bells of Ireland, hanging amaranthus and curly willow branches. The middle vase had a bundle of green dendrobium orchids on top of beige river rocks and the smallest vase a bunch of hydrangea with a green cymbidium orchid. Square votives were also placed on the table to accent.
Ubi's Music & Lighting not only kept the dancefloor PACKED all night but he also provided the customized turquoise uplights that were placed around the room and the pin spots that were placed on the florals.
Toward the end of the night a dessert table was put out with yummy raspberry and pineapple puree desserts that we topped with whipped cream and toasted coconut provided by La Marquise Desserts. Sliders were also put out as part of this late night snack. They were both a hit.
Sara & Ben, I can tell by the fact that neither of sat for more than 5 minutes at a time the entire night that you had a blast! I truly hope that the night exceeded any and all expectation that either of you had for your special day! Sara, it was so great chatting with you on a daily basis over the last 7 months. You made an absolutely stunning bride! Be, it was great to finally meet you. I'm sorry you didn't get your "weinie tots" but I hope you enjoyed the rest of the food! lol
We wish you both nothing but the best in everything you do. May every day of your lives together be even better than the last!
Congrats Mr. & Mrs!!
Monday, December 21, 2009
Priscilla & Ben's Deering Estate affair....
Priscilla & Ben were another out-of-town couple from California. Originally they hired us just for the Day-Of but as the event got closer added our design package so that we could take care of all the aesthetics of the event.
The ceremony & reception both took place at the beautiful Deering Estate in Palmetto Bay. The color they chose were chocolate brown and shade of pink and rose.
Because I, ofcourse, was running around like a chicken without a head I have no pictures to share of the ceremony but to give you an idea...we decided to go all white with some hints of the rose and gold in the petal cones and programs.
After the ceremony & cocktail hour guests were taken in to the court yard for dinner. All the tables were dressed in chocolate dupioni linens, gold chiavari chairs with gold cushions and napkins that that a menu tucked in. The tables were all square and had beautiful arrangements of flowers in different shades of pink with hanging crystals.
The bride and groom and their bridal party sat at a royal table that was placed parallel to the Stone House which provided a beautiful backdrop. The favors were little box with truffle inside, wrapped in a gold damask paper and tied with a rose colored ribbon.
After dinner guests were encouraged back in to the house where lounge furniture and a cocktail hour style area was set up. Hazel R. Photogrpaher played an AMAZING slideshow of the days pictures and then the dancing began.
All in all it was a beautiful evening!
Here are some pictures of the event.
The ceremony & reception both took place at the beautiful Deering Estate in Palmetto Bay. The color they chose were chocolate brown and shade of pink and rose.
Because I, ofcourse, was running around like a chicken without a head I have no pictures to share of the ceremony but to give you an idea...we decided to go all white with some hints of the rose and gold in the petal cones and programs.
After the ceremony & cocktail hour guests were taken in to the court yard for dinner. All the tables were dressed in chocolate dupioni linens, gold chiavari chairs with gold cushions and napkins that that a menu tucked in. The tables were all square and had beautiful arrangements of flowers in different shades of pink with hanging crystals.
The bride and groom and their bridal party sat at a royal table that was placed parallel to the Stone House which provided a beautiful backdrop. The favors were little box with truffle inside, wrapped in a gold damask paper and tied with a rose colored ribbon.
After dinner guests were encouraged back in to the house where lounge furniture and a cocktail hour style area was set up. Hazel R. Photogrpaher played an AMAZING slideshow of the days pictures and then the dancing began.
All in all it was a beautiful evening!
Here are some pictures of the event.
Jackie & David's beautiful Biltmore wedding...
Well I can't take credit for very much on this one because I came in to the mix about two weeks before the event. Jackie was a bride who is originally from Miami but is living in NY. She felt like she needed some extra help tying up all the loose ends and that what we did!
The wedding took place at the beautiful Biltmore hotel. Now my friend Mrs. Jackie Ohh is always gushing about this venue and I was very excited to finally get to work there. The Biltmore definitely did not disappoint. The staff there is absolutely wonderful and beyond capable. It made my job that much easier.
The event was stunning. Dalismer provided all the amazing florals for the event and Heatwave kept the dance floor placed all night.
Jackie & David, it was such a pleasure meeting both of you and your families. You were truly wonderful. We wish you both a lifetime of happiness!
Enjoy the pictures!
The wedding took place at the beautiful Biltmore hotel. Now my friend Mrs. Jackie Ohh is always gushing about this venue and I was very excited to finally get to work there. The Biltmore definitely did not disappoint. The staff there is absolutely wonderful and beyond capable. It made my job that much easier.
The event was stunning. Dalismer provided all the amazing florals for the event and Heatwave kept the dance floor placed all night.
Jackie & David, it was such a pleasure meeting both of you and your families. You were truly wonderful. We wish you both a lifetime of happiness!
Enjoy the pictures!
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Joet & Ralph....Take 2
Well after much begging Carmen submitted to my request and posted some amazing pictures of last Sunday's beauitful event for Joet & Ralph.
Thank you my friend, you did a beautiful job with the pictures.....AS USUAL!
Thank you my friend, you did a beautiful job with the pictures.....AS USUAL!
Monday, November 2, 2009
Joet & Ralph.....Yay!
Wow. Where to begin? I've been looking forward to writing this entry since early this year when the planning began. I was totally honored to have Joet & Ralph trust me to plan this most special day in their lives. It's not often that a bride lets you have free reign to create something so important.
Joet was an easy bride to "get". She told me that she could put the whole event in my hands and never know anything and know she would totally love everything in the end. That's an awesome working relationship.
Once the location and date was nailed down (which was the hardest part, lol) , the only request was that it be different. So that's what we did. The ceremony and location both took place at the Douglas Entrance in Coral Gables. I've done several events there that all followed a common theme. Round tables, elegant and something that compliments the historic building. All stunning, all very fitting in that location.
But, Joet is not that kind of girl Lol
She wanted something Modern, glamorous and something that was not common for that room. She wanted people to walk in and know hands down they'd never seen anything like it.
I had my hands full.
Once the location and date was nailed down (which was the hardest part, lol) , the only request was that it be different. So that's what we did. The ceremony and location both took place at the Douglas Entrance in Coral Gables. I've done several events there that all followed a common theme. Round tables, elegant and something that compliments the historic building. All stunning, all very fitting in that location.
But, Joet is not that kind of girl Lol
She wanted something Modern, glamorous and something that was not common for that room. She wanted people to walk in and know hands down they'd never seen anything like it.
I had my hands full.
For the ceremony and cocktail hour we went all white with hints of silver and purple.
The bride and groom were married by the fountain and their "altar" has 2 large displays of white flowers. Tall cylinder vases or purple vendela orchids lined the aisle. The cocktail hour was all white.
The lounge the bride really wanted was setup with a white leather serpentine sofa, ottomans and coffee table. Purple and pale blue silk pillows were used to accent.
The sign-ing table was decked in a silver satin linen and adorned with an amazing white flower display in different white vases.
For the reception we came up with a pale, muted color palette
a big deciding factor was this cake the the bride fell in love with. We also brought in a little of the cocktail hour color (the purple) in to the reception to add a pop of color.
The layout at Douglas was done with all square and rectangular tables and received confused looks from all the vendors who walked in and said "Oh, this is different". Mission accomplished!
In the 4 corners of the room we put 24ft Royal tables. In between, a combination of four 60" squares and a 72" square.
For the head table we used a rectangular table and sat the bride and groom and the 6 members of the bridal party.
The tables were draped in an Ivory Fortuny linen, silver chiavari chairs, and silver beaded glass chargers satin ivory napkins. Each place setting had a custom made menu created by myself, tucked inside the napkin along with the favor, a cupcake in a box with custom label created to compliment the menu. A purple vendela orchid was also placed at each setting fro an extra touch.
Gil Sosa and his team of 10 created some amazing florals for the event. The Royal tables were accented with 2 large displays of calla lilies, hydrangea, purple dendrobium orchid, purple vendela orchids, curly willows branches and crystals. Additional vases of purple vendela orchids, green cymbidiums and small arrangements of mixed coordinating flowers were used in these tables as well.The 60" squares had a combination of 4 different vases containing all the different flowers that were used through out the event. The two 72" tables on each side of the room had an amazing display of casablanca lilies, calla lilies, hydrangea, purple dendrobium orchid, purple vendela orchids, white phalenopsis orchids, curly branches, silver wire swirls, 2-4ft crsytal strands and stood 10ft on top of the table. They were stunning!
The head tables was a little more simple but equally as beautiful.
The cake was set atop glass cubes contain orchids and surrounded with more orchids and ivory roses.
Ubi's Music & Lighting provided the purple up lights that went around the room and the pin spots that accented all the big arrangements, head table and cake. Lighting truly transforms any event so it comes highly recommended from this girl!
Joet was floored when she saw the room. She actually jumped up and down in her 3" fuschia heels :) Nothing could make me feel better!
The night went fabulously. The bride was glowing and the groom could not look more in love. Life is good!
Joet, the past 9 months have been so much fun. I honestly could not have asked for a better bride and I'm so glad that through it all I made a new friend. You are such a sweetheart and beautiful person and I'm honored that you trusted me with such an important day in your life. Alexis and I wish nothing but the best for you and Ralph as you embark on this new adventure may you only grow more in love everyday! Have an amazing time in Mexico. Love you!
A special thanks to all the vendors contributed to this event. Couldn't have done it without you!
and now for the important part!
Monday, October 12, 2009
Erika & Tom
This past Saturday I had the pleasure of working Erika & Tom's wedding and boy was it fun! I laughed so much that day the muscles in my face hurt.
Erika & Tom are a fun, loving couple who after 3 years together decided to get married on October 10, 2009, surrounded by all their family and friends! The ceremony took place at St. Anthony's Catholic Church, followed by a reception at the Signature Grand in Davie.
The ballroom at the Grand was totally transformed in to a beautiful space for the event. Special Event Decorators provided the swag draping that adorned the ceiling and the amazing crystal backdrop for the head table. They also used a combination of LED and standard can up lights strategically placed to accent all the draping.
The white satin crushed linens were provided by the Grand the Chiavari Chairs were provided by Hitched Event rentals.
Gil Sosa provided all the beautiful florals for the event.
Since both the Bride and Groom are diehard Red Sox fans, a grooms cake was ordered to suit and the Bride surprised her new husband with an ice sculpture as well.
Helmets that served as a guest book were used to decorate the table after cocktail hour.
Erika & Tom, thanks so much for allowing us to be a part of your special day! We had THE BEST time :) We wish you both many years of love and happiness! Have fun on your honeymoon!
Erika & Tom are a fun, loving couple who after 3 years together decided to get married on October 10, 2009, surrounded by all their family and friends! The ceremony took place at St. Anthony's Catholic Church, followed by a reception at the Signature Grand in Davie.
The ballroom at the Grand was totally transformed in to a beautiful space for the event. Special Event Decorators provided the swag draping that adorned the ceiling and the amazing crystal backdrop for the head table. They also used a combination of LED and standard can up lights strategically placed to accent all the draping.
The white satin crushed linens were provided by the Grand the Chiavari Chairs were provided by Hitched Event rentals.
Gil Sosa provided all the beautiful florals for the event.
Since both the Bride and Groom are diehard Red Sox fans, a grooms cake was ordered to suit and the Bride surprised her new husband with an ice sculpture as well.
Helmets that served as a guest book were used to decorate the table after cocktail hour.
Erika & Tom, thanks so much for allowing us to be a part of your special day! We had THE BEST time :) We wish you both many years of love and happiness! Have fun on your honeymoon!
Sunday, October 4, 2009
WEDDING DO's and DON'Ts
Here are a few smalls do's and don'ts that can make a BIG difference!
DO TRY TO INVOLVE YOUR FIANCE IN THE PLANNING.
Even though they may not want to be bothered it is a good time to learn more about one another’s likes and dislikes.
DO TRY TO BRING BOTH FAMILIES TOGETHER-invite each others parents over to talk about wedding plans - if they live in separate cities set-up a conference call so everyone can be together to share the excited! …this will help everyone feel as though there’re all involved in making this wedding very special.
DON’T WASTE TIME WORRYING ABOUT PLEASING EVERYONE …try your best, but remember this is your and your fiance's big day.
DO ELIMINATE SOME OF THE LEG WORK BEFORE YOU REGISTER. It is a
good idea to narrow some of the gift choices before you ask your partner to join you for the final decisions.
DO YOUR GIFT REGISTRY WITH YOUR PARTNER. It’s more fun when your
fiancé can share in the excitement of actually receiving gifts you both chose together.
DO REMEMBER TO SELECT FLOWERS THAT WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE TIME OF YOUR WEDDING. You may have a favorite flower you hoped would be in your bouquet but the seasons play an important role when designing your florals.
DON’T ORDER YOUR INVITATIONS TOO EARLY. Four months before your wedding date is ample time. Wedding invitation companies are constantly coming up with new designs. Ask your stationer for the most current catalogues. Always request a proof in case of last minute changes and to correct any errors.
DO ORDER EXTRA THANK YOU NOTES. It is not expensive to increase the thank you note amount at the time of the initial order. These notes will surely come in handy even after all the notes for the wedding have been written.
DO CHOOSE A SONG FOR YOUR FIRST DANCE THAT IS MEANINGFUL TO BOTH OF YOU. This will make your first dance together as Mr. and Mrs. very special.
DO MAKE ONE OF YOUR FIRST DECISIONS HOW FORMAL YOU WANT YOUR WEDDING TO BE. This will help with later decisions such as décor, menu planning and attire.
DO MAKE A GUEST LIST FOR YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER AND VIDEOGRAPHER. This list will enable your photographer and videographer not to leave out specific guest when taking pictures and interviewing for video.
DON’T CHOOSE YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER AND OR VIDEOGRAPHER BASED ON THEIR WORK ALONE. It’s important that you feel comfortable with his/hers personality- a friendly relationship will make for better end results.
DON’T FORGET “SOMETHING OLD.” Allow your families enough time to find something meaningful for this age old tradition. Maybe an old lace handkerchief or a memorable item from their own wedding.
DON’T FORGET TO TEST YOUR BOUQUET FLOWERS FOR COLOR FASTNESS.
Some deep colored flowers bleed, and can stain a wedding dress.
DO TAKE ENOUGH TIME TO PACK FOR YOUR HONEYMOON.
With all the excited of the wedding day, this can be overlooked and important items may be left out of your suitcase.
DON’T TRY ANY NEW COSMETICS OR FACIAL PRODUCTS WITHIN A WEEK OF YOUR WEDDING.
DO HAVE SURPRISES WAITING ON THE CHAIRS AT THE END OF THE AISLE FOR THE CHILDREN IN THE WEDDING. This will make it fun and enticing to get down the aisle for the younger children.
DON’T EVER FORCE A CHILD DOWN THE AISLE. If there is no way of convincing your flower girl or ring bearer to walk down the aisle just give up. There is nothing worse then a screaming child right before the bride walks out.
DO INCLUDE YOUR PARTNER WHEN GOING OUT TO TASTE WEDDING
CAKES. Not only is it fun, come the big event you may be so excited you won’t remember how delicious it was.
DO PRACTICE YOUR FIRST DANCE. Make a room in the house romantic by
dimming the lights, and lighting some candles. When the magical moment arrives at the
wedding you’ll remember the romantic time spent practicing together.
DO MAKE SURE THAT YOUR AISLE WILL BE WIDE ENOUGH TO ACCOMMODATE YOUR WEDDING GOWN. A lot of today’s gowns are designed with very full skirts. You don’t want to be caught on anything down the aisle that could have been moved earlier.
DON’T LET ANY UNEXPECTED PROBLEMS RUIN YOU’RE DAY. Stay calm, each problem has a solution. Your calmness will spread to others and everything will work out.
DO TAKE YOUR VEIL OR HEADPIECE TO YOUR HAIRDRESSER. It is always advisable to have a practice run before the big day. Make sure you take your Polaroid and take pictures of the front and back of your new do. Even your hairdresser can get so excited that they may forget what the two of you created.
DON’T FORGET TO TELL YOUR MAKE-UP ARTIST IF YOU ARE WEARING YOUR HAIR UP OR DOWN. It will make a difference. Always have a trial make-up run. You want your guests to be able to recognize you on your big day.
DO GO WITH YOUR FUTURE HUSBAND TO CHOOSE HIS TUXEDO. He may not know that there are specific tuxedos for day and for evening. It’s more important that the groom gets the right one for him and then choose a coordinating one for his
groomsmen.
DON’T ORDER YOUR WEDDING GOWN A SIZE SMALLER IF YOU ARE PLANNING TO LOSE WEIGHT. Order your current size. Your dress can always be taken in.
DO PRACTICE YOUR WEDDING VOWS. If you are planning on writing your own vows it is a good idea to try and memorize them. There is nothing more romantic than being able to look into the eyes of your loved one instead of a piece of paper.
DO CHOOSE YOUR WEDDING PARTY GIFTS EARLY. This will give you time to creatively wrap them and to write each member of the wedding party a personal
note.
DO PRACTICE WALKING AROUND IN YOUR WEDDING SHOES. If your shoes are feeling tight but looking great it is a good idea to have a comfy pair waiting
under your chair at the reception.
DO BE PREPARED WITH AN EMERGENCY WEDDING KIT. Bring an extra pair of stockings, safety pins, breath mints, bottled water, aspirin, nail file, nail polish for unexpected chip and tissues.
DO HAVE FAMILY MEMBER OR BRIDESMAID GO WITH YOU ON YOUR LAST FITTING. This is the time to learn how to bustle the back of your dress. You’ll need an extra pair of hands for this task. Have your helper practice a few times so it can be done quickly at the reception.
DON’T FORGET TO TAKE OFF YOUR WATCH. On the day of your wedding…
Time Stands Still.
DO GO LISTEN TO YOUR BAND OR D.J. Before you hire them make sure they know and can play your favorite songs.
DO TAKE ALL YOUR BRIDESMAIDS INTO CONSIDERATION WHEN CHOOSING THEIR DRESS. You may not find one dress that will make everyone look great but try to choose a style that compliments a thin or overweight woman.
DO REMEMBER TO HOLD YOUR BOUQUET LOW AND WITH STRAIGHT ARMS. This allows for your waist to show and in turn look very shapely in the pictures.
(This is also a good tip for bridesmaids)
DO JOT DOWN SONGS YOU LIKE TO LISTEN TO ON THE RADIO. Keep a pad in your car or bag. Traffic is a great time to remember oldies and present hits.
Make sure you make an extensive list for your band or D.J.
DO ASK YOUR FLORIST FOR A SAMPLE CENTERPIECE. Your vision and the
florist could be totally different.
DO ORDER A FEW EXTRA BOUTONNIERES. Sometimes the groomsmen will take
off their jacket while they wait for the ceremony to begin and crush the flower.
DO PLAN YOUR HONEYMOON EARLY. This will guarantee good prices, good seats on an airline and preferred rooms at hotels.
DO ASK YOUR OFFICIANT WHAT HIS SCHEDULE FOR THE CEREMONY WILL BE. Ask him/her what to expect and the length of time.
DON’T FORGET TO GET YOUR MARRIAGE LICENSE. You can get your license as early as 2 months. Often couples wait to the last minute….
DON’T FORGET TO GIVE YOUR GROOM A LITTLE EXTRA ATTENTION.
Often the bride is the center of attention. Send him love notes or even roses! Let him know you are counting the days until you are husband and wife.
DON’T FORGET WATERPROOF MASCARA. Test the mascara first so there are no reactions.
DO MAKE SURE YOUR UNDERGARMENTS ARE AS COMFORTABLE AS YOUR WEDDING DRESS. Nothing worse that a fidgety bride.
DON’T TRY A NEW FRAGRANCE JUST FOR THE BIG DAY. Some scents are ultra sensitive to sweat glands. This can make the fragrance become stronger. You don’t want to experience any headaches—and you want your groom to smell the familiar scent of his bride.
DON’T BE SHY TO SUGGEST THAT THE “MOTHERS” OF THE BRIDE AND GROOMS DRESS COMPLIMENTS THE COLORS OF THE WEDDING PARTY. It’s a good idea that they each talk to one another to coordinate what they are wearing.
DON’T LEAVE ANYTHING TO THE WEEK OF THE WEDDING. This week should be devoted to pampering yourself. Nothing is better than an organized bride who can relax days before her big moment. Last minute changes will not seem so drastic if
that is all you have to deal with.
DON’T WORRY ABOUT BIZARRE DREAMS BEFORE THE WEDDING.
Everyone has them and they never come true
DO TRY TO INVOLVE YOUR FIANCE IN THE PLANNING.
Even though they may not want to be bothered it is a good time to learn more about one another’s likes and dislikes.
DO TRY TO BRING BOTH FAMILIES TOGETHER-invite each others parents over to talk about wedding plans - if they live in separate cities set-up a conference call so everyone can be together to share the excited! …this will help everyone feel as though there’re all involved in making this wedding very special.
DON’T WASTE TIME WORRYING ABOUT PLEASING EVERYONE …try your best, but remember this is your and your fiance's big day.
DO ELIMINATE SOME OF THE LEG WORK BEFORE YOU REGISTER. It is a
good idea to narrow some of the gift choices before you ask your partner to join you for the final decisions.
DO YOUR GIFT REGISTRY WITH YOUR PARTNER. It’s more fun when your
fiancé can share in the excitement of actually receiving gifts you both chose together.
DO REMEMBER TO SELECT FLOWERS THAT WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE TIME OF YOUR WEDDING. You may have a favorite flower you hoped would be in your bouquet but the seasons play an important role when designing your florals.
DON’T ORDER YOUR INVITATIONS TOO EARLY. Four months before your wedding date is ample time. Wedding invitation companies are constantly coming up with new designs. Ask your stationer for the most current catalogues. Always request a proof in case of last minute changes and to correct any errors.
DO ORDER EXTRA THANK YOU NOTES. It is not expensive to increase the thank you note amount at the time of the initial order. These notes will surely come in handy even after all the notes for the wedding have been written.
DO CHOOSE A SONG FOR YOUR FIRST DANCE THAT IS MEANINGFUL TO BOTH OF YOU. This will make your first dance together as Mr. and Mrs. very special.
DO MAKE ONE OF YOUR FIRST DECISIONS HOW FORMAL YOU WANT YOUR WEDDING TO BE. This will help with later decisions such as décor, menu planning and attire.
DO MAKE A GUEST LIST FOR YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER AND VIDEOGRAPHER. This list will enable your photographer and videographer not to leave out specific guest when taking pictures and interviewing for video.
DON’T CHOOSE YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER AND OR VIDEOGRAPHER BASED ON THEIR WORK ALONE. It’s important that you feel comfortable with his/hers personality- a friendly relationship will make for better end results.
DON’T FORGET “SOMETHING OLD.” Allow your families enough time to find something meaningful for this age old tradition. Maybe an old lace handkerchief or a memorable item from their own wedding.
DON’T FORGET TO TEST YOUR BOUQUET FLOWERS FOR COLOR FASTNESS.
Some deep colored flowers bleed, and can stain a wedding dress.
DO TAKE ENOUGH TIME TO PACK FOR YOUR HONEYMOON.
With all the excited of the wedding day, this can be overlooked and important items may be left out of your suitcase.
DON’T TRY ANY NEW COSMETICS OR FACIAL PRODUCTS WITHIN A WEEK OF YOUR WEDDING.
DO HAVE SURPRISES WAITING ON THE CHAIRS AT THE END OF THE AISLE FOR THE CHILDREN IN THE WEDDING. This will make it fun and enticing to get down the aisle for the younger children.
DON’T EVER FORCE A CHILD DOWN THE AISLE. If there is no way of convincing your flower girl or ring bearer to walk down the aisle just give up. There is nothing worse then a screaming child right before the bride walks out.
DO INCLUDE YOUR PARTNER WHEN GOING OUT TO TASTE WEDDING
CAKES. Not only is it fun, come the big event you may be so excited you won’t remember how delicious it was.
DO PRACTICE YOUR FIRST DANCE. Make a room in the house romantic by
dimming the lights, and lighting some candles. When the magical moment arrives at the
wedding you’ll remember the romantic time spent practicing together.
DO MAKE SURE THAT YOUR AISLE WILL BE WIDE ENOUGH TO ACCOMMODATE YOUR WEDDING GOWN. A lot of today’s gowns are designed with very full skirts. You don’t want to be caught on anything down the aisle that could have been moved earlier.
DON’T LET ANY UNEXPECTED PROBLEMS RUIN YOU’RE DAY. Stay calm, each problem has a solution. Your calmness will spread to others and everything will work out.
DO TAKE YOUR VEIL OR HEADPIECE TO YOUR HAIRDRESSER. It is always advisable to have a practice run before the big day. Make sure you take your Polaroid and take pictures of the front and back of your new do. Even your hairdresser can get so excited that they may forget what the two of you created.
DON’T FORGET TO TELL YOUR MAKE-UP ARTIST IF YOU ARE WEARING YOUR HAIR UP OR DOWN. It will make a difference. Always have a trial make-up run. You want your guests to be able to recognize you on your big day.
DO GO WITH YOUR FUTURE HUSBAND TO CHOOSE HIS TUXEDO. He may not know that there are specific tuxedos for day and for evening. It’s more important that the groom gets the right one for him and then choose a coordinating one for his
groomsmen.
DON’T ORDER YOUR WEDDING GOWN A SIZE SMALLER IF YOU ARE PLANNING TO LOSE WEIGHT. Order your current size. Your dress can always be taken in.
DO PRACTICE YOUR WEDDING VOWS. If you are planning on writing your own vows it is a good idea to try and memorize them. There is nothing more romantic than being able to look into the eyes of your loved one instead of a piece of paper.
DO CHOOSE YOUR WEDDING PARTY GIFTS EARLY. This will give you time to creatively wrap them and to write each member of the wedding party a personal
note.
DO PRACTICE WALKING AROUND IN YOUR WEDDING SHOES. If your shoes are feeling tight but looking great it is a good idea to have a comfy pair waiting
under your chair at the reception.
DO BE PREPARED WITH AN EMERGENCY WEDDING KIT. Bring an extra pair of stockings, safety pins, breath mints, bottled water, aspirin, nail file, nail polish for unexpected chip and tissues.
DO HAVE FAMILY MEMBER OR BRIDESMAID GO WITH YOU ON YOUR LAST FITTING. This is the time to learn how to bustle the back of your dress. You’ll need an extra pair of hands for this task. Have your helper practice a few times so it can be done quickly at the reception.
DON’T FORGET TO TAKE OFF YOUR WATCH. On the day of your wedding…
Time Stands Still.
DO GO LISTEN TO YOUR BAND OR D.J. Before you hire them make sure they know and can play your favorite songs.
DO TAKE ALL YOUR BRIDESMAIDS INTO CONSIDERATION WHEN CHOOSING THEIR DRESS. You may not find one dress that will make everyone look great but try to choose a style that compliments a thin or overweight woman.
DO REMEMBER TO HOLD YOUR BOUQUET LOW AND WITH STRAIGHT ARMS. This allows for your waist to show and in turn look very shapely in the pictures.
(This is also a good tip for bridesmaids)
DO JOT DOWN SONGS YOU LIKE TO LISTEN TO ON THE RADIO. Keep a pad in your car or bag. Traffic is a great time to remember oldies and present hits.
Make sure you make an extensive list for your band or D.J.
DO ASK YOUR FLORIST FOR A SAMPLE CENTERPIECE. Your vision and the
florist could be totally different.
DO ORDER A FEW EXTRA BOUTONNIERES. Sometimes the groomsmen will take
off their jacket while they wait for the ceremony to begin and crush the flower.
DO PLAN YOUR HONEYMOON EARLY. This will guarantee good prices, good seats on an airline and preferred rooms at hotels.
DO ASK YOUR OFFICIANT WHAT HIS SCHEDULE FOR THE CEREMONY WILL BE. Ask him/her what to expect and the length of time.
DON’T FORGET TO GET YOUR MARRIAGE LICENSE. You can get your license as early as 2 months. Often couples wait to the last minute….
DON’T FORGET TO GIVE YOUR GROOM A LITTLE EXTRA ATTENTION.
Often the bride is the center of attention. Send him love notes or even roses! Let him know you are counting the days until you are husband and wife.
DON’T FORGET WATERPROOF MASCARA. Test the mascara first so there are no reactions.
DO MAKE SURE YOUR UNDERGARMENTS ARE AS COMFORTABLE AS YOUR WEDDING DRESS. Nothing worse that a fidgety bride.
DON’T TRY A NEW FRAGRANCE JUST FOR THE BIG DAY. Some scents are ultra sensitive to sweat glands. This can make the fragrance become stronger. You don’t want to experience any headaches—and you want your groom to smell the familiar scent of his bride.
DON’T BE SHY TO SUGGEST THAT THE “MOTHERS” OF THE BRIDE AND GROOMS DRESS COMPLIMENTS THE COLORS OF THE WEDDING PARTY. It’s a good idea that they each talk to one another to coordinate what they are wearing.
DON’T LEAVE ANYTHING TO THE WEEK OF THE WEDDING. This week should be devoted to pampering yourself. Nothing is better than an organized bride who can relax days before her big moment. Last minute changes will not seem so drastic if
that is all you have to deal with.
DON’T WORRY ABOUT BIZARRE DREAMS BEFORE THE WEDDING.
Everyone has them and they never come true
Must-Have Photos 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.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Michele & David...Take 2
I previously posted about Michele & David's wedding here.
They were married at the beautiful South Beach Marriott on June 6th.
Well, thanks to the amazing Carmen of Studio by Carmen, I now have some professional pictures of the event.
Enjoy!
"his" table provide by Us. There was also a "hers" Candy buffet.
They were married at the beautiful South Beach Marriott on June 6th.
Well, thanks to the amazing Carmen of Studio by Carmen, I now have some professional pictures of the event.
Enjoy!
"his" table provide by Us. There was also a "hers" Candy buffet.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Bridal Shower Invitation + A Good Cause = One Fabulous Hostess!
If you're hosting a Bridal Shwoer anytime soon check out these lovely invitations by Invitation Consultants.
These invitations were designed by the creative geniuses over at Invitation Consultants in support of the Pink Initiavtive.
Pink Initiative is a collection of wedding industry professionals and private donors dedicated to funding awareness, outreach, education and research for breast cancer.
Profits from the sale of these invitations are donated to the Pink Initiative.
Behind the cost of Weddings.....
Yuck.
Money.
The subject no one wants to talk about but we all have to deal with, especially when it comes to weddings. And it's no secret that weddings are expensive - even an intimate, backyard ceremony with a handful of guests can stretch the wallet fairly quickly. I wanted to get into the reasoning behind some of the common pricetags and help put some of the sticker shock at ease.
But it's just some pretty paper: Invitations
A good rule of thumb when budgeting for invitations is this: a decent (read: nice quality, but not necessarily elaborate) invitation should cost around the same price as a greeting card. While we may buy greeting cards here and there as the occasion calls for it, you normally don't purchase 150+ greeting cards all at the same time. If you want a custom invitation, you can expect to pay more because you are compensating the artist for her designs, proofs, revisions and edits, assembly and general labor.
All you're doing is pushing a button: Photography & Videography
If all you want from your wedding are pictures that look like snapshots your slightly inebriated Uncle Frank took, then there are plenty of moonlighting hobbyists-who-call-themselves-professionals to choose from. If you want art and photographs that will capture the emotion of the day, then realistically you need to expect to pay more. Photography can easily be one of the most spendy parts of the wedding and for good reason - when all is said and done, that is what you will have left (well, that and your spouse of course!). I have met many, many married women who regret going cheap with their photography. Also, the final product usually doesn't come out of the camera ready to go - a lot of behind-the-scenes editing and design goes into producing great photos. If you're having video, you can count on hours of editing, including finding the right moments to splice things in, cueing the appropriate music to match, etc.
So you're like JLo in that movie: Wedding Planners
No, I'm not like JLo and wow, did she make my job look easy! Hollywood has a knack for doing that though, don't they? The biggest thing you are paying the planner for is her time - the average wedding takes more than 250 hours to plan and there are only 52 weekends in a year. Both of these facts limit how much we can take on and commit to. It may seem like you are paying the planner for one day, but in reality 250 hours translates into more than six 40-hour work weeks. And that's just for your normal, run-of-the-mill wedding. If you want something unique and special, even more time is involved.
They are just going to die tomorrow anyway: Flowers
Even flowers from the grocery store can be pricy - that is just the nature of a live element. When purchasing flowers, you are paying for so many things - the grower's cut (planting, growing, watering, feeding, harvesting), the packaging and shipping of them in a manner that they will not wilt or die on the way to your location, and then the florist's fees (design, watering, prepping them with special concoctions that prolong their lifespan, arranging, delivering, etc). Yes, a lot goes into those pretty bouquets.
It's just some fancy chicken: Food
Hands down, food is usually the most expensive item on the budget, and again quantity plays a big role. A nice dinner for two can sometimes be a splurge and when you're feeding 150+ mouths - well, I'll let you do the math. It is also important to look at quality when you are choosing your menu, and quality costs more, just like it does in every other part of life.
There are lots of areas of weddings that I didn't cover here, but I wanted to give a quick overview of some of them. The time-tested adage "you get what you pay for" has been proven over and over again with weddings. You don't need to break the bank on your wedding or try to keep up with the Joneses - but it is important to go into the wedding planning process with an understanding of where your money is going so that you can best prioritize its use.
Thanks Blue!
Money.
The subject no one wants to talk about but we all have to deal with, especially when it comes to weddings. And it's no secret that weddings are expensive - even an intimate, backyard ceremony with a handful of guests can stretch the wallet fairly quickly. I wanted to get into the reasoning behind some of the common pricetags and help put some of the sticker shock at ease.
But it's just some pretty paper: Invitations
A good rule of thumb when budgeting for invitations is this: a decent (read: nice quality, but not necessarily elaborate) invitation should cost around the same price as a greeting card. While we may buy greeting cards here and there as the occasion calls for it, you normally don't purchase 150+ greeting cards all at the same time. If you want a custom invitation, you can expect to pay more because you are compensating the artist for her designs, proofs, revisions and edits, assembly and general labor.
All you're doing is pushing a button: Photography & Videography
If all you want from your wedding are pictures that look like snapshots your slightly inebriated Uncle Frank took, then there are plenty of moonlighting hobbyists-who-call-themselves-professionals to choose from. If you want art and photographs that will capture the emotion of the day, then realistically you need to expect to pay more. Photography can easily be one of the most spendy parts of the wedding and for good reason - when all is said and done, that is what you will have left (well, that and your spouse of course!). I have met many, many married women who regret going cheap with their photography. Also, the final product usually doesn't come out of the camera ready to go - a lot of behind-the-scenes editing and design goes into producing great photos. If you're having video, you can count on hours of editing, including finding the right moments to splice things in, cueing the appropriate music to match, etc.
So you're like JLo in that movie: Wedding Planners
No, I'm not like JLo and wow, did she make my job look easy! Hollywood has a knack for doing that though, don't they? The biggest thing you are paying the planner for is her time - the average wedding takes more than 250 hours to plan and there are only 52 weekends in a year. Both of these facts limit how much we can take on and commit to. It may seem like you are paying the planner for one day, but in reality 250 hours translates into more than six 40-hour work weeks. And that's just for your normal, run-of-the-mill wedding. If you want something unique and special, even more time is involved.
They are just going to die tomorrow anyway: Flowers
Even flowers from the grocery store can be pricy - that is just the nature of a live element. When purchasing flowers, you are paying for so many things - the grower's cut (planting, growing, watering, feeding, harvesting), the packaging and shipping of them in a manner that they will not wilt or die on the way to your location, and then the florist's fees (design, watering, prepping them with special concoctions that prolong their lifespan, arranging, delivering, etc). Yes, a lot goes into those pretty bouquets.
It's just some fancy chicken: Food
Hands down, food is usually the most expensive item on the budget, and again quantity plays a big role. A nice dinner for two can sometimes be a splurge and when you're feeding 150+ mouths - well, I'll let you do the math. It is also important to look at quality when you are choosing your menu, and quality costs more, just like it does in every other part of life.
There are lots of areas of weddings that I didn't cover here, but I wanted to give a quick overview of some of them. The time-tested adage "you get what you pay for" has been proven over and over again with weddings. You don't need to break the bank on your wedding or try to keep up with the Joneses - but it is important to go into the wedding planning process with an understanding of where your money is going so that you can best prioritize its use.
Thanks Blue!
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
20% OFF @ OhMyBride.com!
Listen up ladies! Here is a FABULOUS new offer for all Fabulous Fêtes Blog readers being offered by OhMyBride.com!
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Christina & Carlos...Take 2!
I recently posted about Christina and Carlos's wedding Here....
I didn't have as many pictures as I wanted because I accidentally deleted half of them. Anyway, I had the pleasure of working with my dear friend Carmen of Studio by Carmen for this events and she recently posted some pictures of the event that I wanted to share on here.
The pictures came out amazing. I'll also be updating my website gallery with them as well.
I didn't have as many pictures as I wanted because I accidentally deleted half of them. Anyway, I had the pleasure of working with my dear friend Carmen of Studio by Carmen for this events and she recently posted some pictures of the event that I wanted to share on here.
The pictures came out amazing. I'll also be updating my website gallery with them as well.
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