{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

{Hair Accessories for the littles}

My Daugter Lia get's to be a flower girl next month in my Brother-in-law's wedding!  I love this because I have a *reason* to make my tom - boy little princess into a dainty little flower girl, dress and all! She no longer rips every barrette, headband or bow out that I place in her head.  Not sure if she grew out of it, or accepted the fact that I was going to keep putting them in till she stopped taking them out...either way "mommy won" ;) Now...for the upcoming wedding, she will be wearing a white flower girl dress, but the Bride and I wanted her to have something fun to wear in her hair that she can wear again and again.  Most frilly white flower headbands you see around Easter time, just don't get reused- so I'm talking Yellow with white polka dots, maybe a little bling, and a rosette or flower to top that baby off!  Why not?!? it's going to compliment those ring bearer pillows that are being custom made with yellow and white polka dots.  Hint..Hint..this is a great way to add color to pieces of your ceremony without making it look ridiculous and flashy.  I can't wait to see the final product!
At Marien Mae Bridal Boutique we are thrilled to have awesome designers who have their hair accessories for purchase at the shop, as well as doing custom designs. Check out these fun and noteworthy pieces.  You can't go wrong, so if you don't see anything you like or have an idea in mind and want to create it but NOT really "Create it" you can be a part of the design process, place your custom order and squeal with excitement when those pictures get taken and your little girl looks "oh-so-sweet"!

Photos by McConville Studio

{Wedding Attire for the GUEST}

I been a guest at many of weddings as well as coordinating them, and watch as guest arrive, dance the night away, and send the Bride and Groom off with warm wishes.  Never have I had to witness or experience a wedding disaster or an out-of-line guest...However, some of the attire I have seen is absolutely on my What NOT to Wear to a Wedding list So I thought I'd share...

It is (in my opinion) always going to be inappropriate to wear white to a wedding. No matter how hot the color is "in" any particular season, this trend just won't carry well on the day of someone big wedding if you are the guest.  Please leave the white, ivory, cream, lacy dress for the bride. No matter the texture or fabric, if it is white or remotely a shade of white/ivory etc, let it brighten your closet that evening, not the reception dance floor.

-The same goes for dresses that are too risque . A reception is not a nightclub, some downtown city receptions may give off a nightclub feel, and if you know ahead of time this IS the vibe for the reception, then that's for your to decision to make.  Yet, many times you’ll be going to a place of worship, and it's just not appropriate to wear something that would make your grandma turn her head in shame.  Use it for the bachelorette party ;-)
-Traditionally, black garments use to be considered to be frowned upon as wedding guest attire, However, in the day and age of the LBD (little black dress), I think it’s perfectly fine. Just be sure to accessorize with some fun jewelry pieces.
-Ladies...remember your shoes...your dress shoes and a matching pair of flats to thrown in your purse to relieve your aching feet and allow you not to fall and hurt yourself while moving on the dance floor after cocktail hour and the champagne toast.  Now days, flats are styled all sorts of ways and can be found ANYWHERE!
-If you seem to have many friends getting married in that same year, and you know your going to see a lot of repeat couples at these weddings, try to remember what dress you've worn to the first or second. I'm not pushing that you buy a different dress for ever wedding you ever attend, but be conscious of it, because chances are...someone will notice if you wear the same dress or outfit to three to four weddings in a row. It could be fun to grab a friend outside the "circle" and swap dresses with her for an event.
-Lastly, for you guys...please, please, please don't wear jeans!  I've seen this so many times, and I don't care how laid back the couple seem to be- it is inappropriate to wear jeans to a wedding.  Women, if you see him walking out the door with denim on, yell STOP! Your pictures will look 100% better and you'll blend in as a couple rather than stick out like the guy who just stopped by but wasn't really invited.
Cheers

Here's a great suggestion for attire and accessories for any wedding
Photo from www.kwiat.com/blog

{Old Hollywood Glam}

One of our Brides wanted to have an "Old Hollywood Glam" Themed Wedding Reception, and Last Weekend we delivered just that!  I'll be posting photos and a write up in the Real Weddings Section soon....
First and formost, I love Themed Weddings or any Themed Event for that matter.  I think it's a great way to pull everything together and you don't have to go over the top, because that can sometimes lead to a tacky "what was she trying to do here?" look.  With some creativity...you take an ordinary party and turn it into an extraordinary celebration. 
With that being said, I am still head over heals in love with all the vintage, shabby chic, rustic wedding decor and fashion.  But let's be honest, not every Bride is going to take that route and I'm here to say- "You don't have too!" It's okay to go GLAM, be bold & dramatic and still pull off one amazingly elegant event!

Check out these "Old Hollywood Glam" Photos from Brides who have taken a more "edgy" walk down the aisle.  It's georgeous and timeless in it's own unique way!



 Neysa Ruhl Photography

Cristi Owen Photo

Len Prince Photograph

jessicafreyphotographyblog.com

And my BEAUTIFUL Chi Omega Sorority Sister & Big Sis Shannon looking G.L.A.M.O.R.O.U.S on her Wedding Day! Absolutely Stunning!

Candles...Candles....and more Candles....

You can never have too many candles. Period. Especially when it comes to your wedding reception!  Candles set a mood that sometimes artificial lighting just can't create.  Even more so, if you haven't invested in some "special lighting" or haven't been lucky enough to have a venue that provides it- then candles are a must in my opinion.  It doesn't matter if they are tall or short, big or small- they all work!  I make it a priority to bring candles with me to every single event I either host or coordinate.  Now days, I'm seeing flamless candles everywhere as well and there becoming more and more creative and realistic.  So if your worried that the venue or place your hosting the party isn't going to want real candles, get the fake ones!



Photos from weddingdish.thinklikeabride.com



{Corey Ann Photography}

Photography: Geoffrey Horowitz

{Mini-Cupcakes...Yum}

Heather from WhipperBerry "whipped up" these darling mini-cupcakes and highlighted them on her blog as great gifts for any occassion.  I luv them and only wish I had thought of the idea last year for my daughters 1st birthday.  I made A LOT of mini-cupcakes to go with the pretty decorated bigger cupcakes and we ended up freezing 1/2 of them because we had so many left.   Then the chocolates that were placed inside cute little "martha stewart" favor boxes -we're skipped over and my little boy and his friends tore through them later- taking all the chocolate...

What better way could I have sent guest off with a favor and a dessert from the dessert table? Cupcakes are my favorite, and mini cupcakes are just plain adorable for any event.  I would love to see these as a favor for a wedding!  So many times, guest are up and dancing before the cake arrives at their table and they miss out on some of the BEST food at the reception.  Trust me, if your cake came from Kelseys Kakes- you don't want to miss that part :) But, if you have a delicate little favor jar filled with yummy mini-cupcakes you know you won't go home empty handed missing dessert.  There so easy to make and not that expensive.  One box makes a lot of mini-cupcakes! 



{Save the date}

There are so many neat ways to show off your style and let your guest know when your wedding date is.  Look at the adorable engagement photo here that served as the beautiful couples "save the date"!  There's so many fun ways to send out those SAVE THE DATES and guest sure appreciate them.

Photo by Jill Thomas




If the budget allows, send your guest a special treat as your save the date...It's fun and yummy, just hope your guest write your wedding date down before enjoying the personalized cookie.

Personalized luggage tags are a great way to get your guest packing for your destination wedding, or how about a personalized bottle of sunscreen (order labels for the bottles with your names, date and the location)