Happy Holidays...

The Holiday Engagement



California Christmas Party here via Green Wedding Shoes, photography by Leo Patrone

 

Winter Wedding inspiration via Style Me Pretty here, photography by West Park Photography

 

by The Brides Café here Photography by Katelyn James Photography.

 

Photo by Erin Jean via Style Me Pretty here

 

 

Let it snow, Let it snow, Let it snow

A little Something Blue

A pop of bold color!

Warm up your guest with a cup of cocoa....

(Designstoremember.com)

(my-dream-wedding-ideas.com)

{A Toast to the New Mr & Mrs...}

A reception toast, whether it be emotional, humorous, or just simply BAD, is a time for some reminiscing, thanking guest and wishing happiness to the newlyweds.  Below are some tips for the "toastee"

-According to the Emily Post Insistute, a toast should be short and to the point-not drone on in a way that takes attention from the couple and bores guest.

-Write down your speech and practice beforehand.

-Funny childhood stories, a time when the person was there for you, or a tasteful college incident will all work.

-If your completely unsure as to what you should say, Check out the vast amount of wedding toast websites available or check out a book at the library that might have info like this in it.  There is even professional wedding speechwriters if your wanting to go down that route.

-It's going to make you nervous, but throwing back a few drinks is never the way to go to alleviate pre-toast jitters.  You never know what might be said that's going to be regretted or not remembered later.

- Never use profanities, your sure to offend somebody.

-It doesn't need to be formal, poems, favorite songs, raps...all can make a speech creativily interesting. Inlist your DJ to help you when you "que" the music. 

-Although traditionally the best man then the maid of honor toast, there is no particular order you must follow and sometimes the Father of the Bride or other guest of honor may have prepared something special.

-Both the bride and groom might want to write their own toasts to give thanks to friends and family.

-Having the bride and groom toast each other adds a romantic touch to the occassion. 

(http://www.weddingguidechicago.com/)

Some of my favorite wedding speeches :)

Bridesmaids

Wedding Crashers

Michael Scott

The Wedding Singer

{UpLighting}

Ever wonder how those swanky looking weddings in the bridal magazines somehow came about, even though they were being held in venues that still had the busy burgundy carpet throughout or the blah brick walls and panel dividers?  One word... Uplighting!  It's amazing what color can add to a sash, bridesmaid dress, and oh yes even the walls of your venue.  Now available from Marien Mae Bridal Boutique & Events and  Guys on the Radio - you can have that extra something that was missing. 



{It's November}

I seriously can not believe it's November already.
 Summer and early fall went so fast.
It seems November can be a very tricky month to bring together a wedding.  There is such unpredictability with the weather, families are usually making travel plans, and it seems that Christmas decor is placed out in the stores sooner and sooner every year.  I always question myself, if I should leave my pumpkins and fall foilege decor up in the house because I can't decide if pumpkins represent Halloween or if they are simply a part of fall.  So, as I was doing my own little searching- I thought I'd share with you some inspirational ideas for if you do find yourself planning a November wedding and your looking for ways to incorporate color, decor, and design.



 

Wedding Planners Tip: Many times, local reception sites and other vendors lower their costs because it is getting into the slower season of the wedding industry. This is the perfect opportunity for you to take advantage and either save a little bit of money or add-on that sweets table you were wanting.

{Jim Hjelm Trunk show at Marien Mae Bridal Boutique}

A Trunk Show is a wonderful way for Brides to view, try on and find their perfect gown. 

 Get ready to find "The Dress" at Marien Mae Bridal Boutique.

For Two days - the top {Twenty} gowns from JIM HJELM will be in our store!

Appointments for this event are 90 min (if you need more time, you got it)

There will be special pricing given during the trunk show, 

so you won't want to miss this opportunity!

Appointments Encouraged ~ Walk-Ins Welcomed

Appetizers and Beverages will be provided!

{The look...The feel...of Invitations}

You might be thinking- I'm going to have to place my invitation order online, but I highly recommend you and your groom making an in-store consultation with Kristin from
Happily Ever After Invitations. Sit down with some albums that you'll be able to touch , see and hold the samples of.  Become familiar with a few of the popular printing methods.  There's offset printing, where letters are inked flat on the paper- its a very budget-friendly option.  Then you have letterpress and engraving, where the ink is actually pressed into the paper.  Finally, there is thermography, which is more of an embossing on the paper which gives it a raised effect.  Talk with Invitation designers and wedding planners to decide which method works best for your design, paper stock, etc.

The invitations are just a piece of the stationary puzzle.  If you really want to pull everything together, make sure to ask about coordinating ceremony programs, escort cards, menu cards and than-you cards.

 

All Products in Photos by Happily Ever After Invitations

{Rain or Shine...it's picture time}

One of the biggest concerns couples always have when planning their wedding is the questions "what if it rains?"  Well, there's always going to be what if's and truth be told it MIGHT just rain on your wedding day- and if it does, go into it prepared and get ready for your photographer to capture some awsome images due to the rain.

{Not your typical escort card table}

When we go to set up for weddings I just love to see the creative and fun ways that couples have decided to express themselves through their details.  This particular wedding I was able to help set up for and be a guest at.  So I just had to tell the bride how impressed I was with her seating escort cards and when she told me it was the grooms idea...I was even more impressed!!! See...I do think Grooms are participating in the planning process more these days :-)



Jake & Abby Kotecki's escort cards- each name card was a polaroid of the happy couple that was yours to keep which told you where to sit for the evening! LOVED this!



{Captured moments}

I saw this photo and just immediately loved the idea... I feel like the little girl {flower girl} is looking up at the wedding dress in aw and daydreaming of her own wedding and what's to come for her, and the ballon is representing how little and innoccent she still is.  My heart melts- because many of us young brides invision our wedding day from the time we're a little girl.

Photography: Mirelle Carmichael and Cheryl Tivar

{Hire a Videographer}

 So, I really don't enjoy telling couples where to spend their money when it comes to their wedding day.  Especially with the vast differences of personalities and backgrounds we all come from.  But, what I won't hesitate to tell a couple is to Please do yourselve a big favor and hire a videographer.  Does it have to be a professional??? in my opinion, the answer is "Nope!" But, if your in the local area- I know one I can recommend ;-) Ask me!
This is one *service we skipped out on when planning our wedding, and it's such an oh-so-big regret.
I thought to myself " well I invested in really good photographers, so the photos will tell the story", and " I don't plan to drink much so it's not like I won't remember the night" Ahhhhhh..... if only I could go back.  I indeed did have good photographers and I didn't have one too many glasses of wine at the reception, but four years later, here I sit barely able to remember a single thing from one of the most imporatant days of my life.   My uncle actually sent me video footage he took of our wedding ceremony and I am so so so grateful for it, but I don't have anything of our reception.  I want to hear the speeches, watch our first dance, and remember how happy everyone looked all in one big room celebrating "US".  It's a magical moment that I could have had on film, but because I must have wanted something else at the time such as a limo maybe or the "extra favors" I had...I know silly...I had TWO different favors at my wedding.  Either way, I didn't have a videographer and it's the one thing I always hear couples contemplating about. so I'm here to tell you "GO FOR IT" you won't regret it.  It's one of those days you wish you could re-live and that's the closest way you can do just that!

{Summer Wedding Cocktails}

Having a festive Reception? Have a festive cocktail! Here's a couple of my favorites that are especially cool for those hot summer weddings ;)

Cava Sangria



*Makes 4 1/2 cups in 5 min!

8 Large mint leaves

1 (750-milliter) bottle Cava Sparkling wine, chilled

3/4 cup white grape juice, chilled

1/2 cup sliced freash strawberries

1/4 cup orange liqueur

Garnish with fresh sugar cane sticks.

Press mint leaves with back of a woden spoon to release flavors. Stir in sparkling wine and next 3 ingredients. Serve immediately over ice. *Other Sparkling wine or Champaagne may be subsitituted.

Classic Mojito

2 tablespoons sugar

15 fresh mint leaves

1/4 cup white rum

1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lime juice

1/4 cup club soda, chilled

1/2 cup ice

Place sugar and mint in a 2-cup glass measure; crush with a wooden spoon. Add rum and juice; stir until sugar dissolves. Just before serving, stir in club soda. Place ice in an 8-ounce glass; pour mint mixture over ice.

Sparkling Punch

*Makes about 9 cups (from SouthernLiving)

1 (12-oz.) can frozen pink lemonade concentrate, thawed

4 cups white cranberry juice cocktail

1 qt. club soda, chilled

Garnish: fresh mint sprigs

 Stir together lemonade concentrate and cranberry juice cocktail in a large pitcher. Cover and chill at least 1 hour or up to 24 hours. Stir in club soda just before serving. Garnish, if desired.

Champagne Punch: Substitute 1 (750-milliliter) bottle extra-dry Champagne or sparkling wine and 1/4 cup orange liqueur for club soda; proceed with recipe as directed.

{Finding your Color Scheme}

Today it seems, no color is off limits when it comes to Weddings.  I am always "oohing & ahhing" over new colors that just radiate off each other so vividly.  Gone are the days when grey might have been thought of as drab and bright bold colors thought of as tacky.  I love to see the influence of  interior decorating, fashion and history overflow into the world of Weddings.  Brides are finding unique ways to use household items, textures from the past, and grab color inspiration from paint chips...go figure! Check out some of my favorite color schemes below! Grab some inspirations!







Shades of Pink and Gray

Aqua, Chocolate Brown, Latte & Ivory

Yellows and Grays

Peaches and Pinks

Aqua, Orange and White

Fuschia, Light Pink and Navy

Shades of Pink and Chocolate

Orange +Peach+Light Green/Mint and Ivory

Sky Blue, Carmel and Ivory

All Inspiration Boards from "The Perfect Palette" blog