Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Wednesday Wedding Tips - 9 Tips for a Great Wedding Slide Show

Today's tips come from Brides a la mode member, The Music Place, featuring DJ Sticky Boots


Did you know that nearly 80% of all wedding guests are bored out of their minds while watching a wedding slide show? Perhaps you’ve been to a wedding reception where the slide show went on and on and on and on……


The Music Place has compiled 9 proven tips that will help enhance your wedding photo montage. Here they are listed below in no particular order.

1. Keep it Short: The ideal length of a slide show should be no longer than 3 songs or 8 minutes in length. During this time you can generally show 75-100 different pictures. Most guests will have an attention span of 5 minutes top. Anything longer than 8 minutes should be presented as presentation. Longer slide shows will work better if you keep them running in the background. Placing a small plasma screen or digital photo frame by the bar generally works best.

2. Audience: Be sure to know who your intended audience will be. Since you’ll be showing your presentation at a wedding reception it would be a good idea to include pictures of your guests and not just images of you and your husband or wife.

3. Choose Quality Images: When projecting images with a projector you’ll want to make sure you have good quality images. Older images that have to be scanned should be scanned at the highest resolution possible. Anything less and you’ll loose a good chunk of the quality during projection.

4. Trigger a Response: Each photo in your slide show should try to trigger an emotional response. Whether it’s a photo of the groom’s funny haircut in 8thgrade or a photo of a grandmother who is no longer with us, they image should each make your guests happy, laugh or tear up. Now that doesn’t mean each picture has to be a tear-jerker but they should try to invoke an emotion response.

5. Chronological Order: Avoid too much artistic depth or complicated narrative structures. Chronological from birth to present generally works best.

6. Avoid Descriptions: Try to avoid using a lot of text. Dates and places are ok, but ditch the goofy captions. Captions will cause your guests to read and they may miss the actual image you’re trying to present.

7. Add Video Clips: Do you have any home videos sitting around? If possible, try to add a few 15-20 second clips into the show. It’s a great way to spice up your presentation and your guests will also enjoy it.

8. Add Motion: If you’re using PowerPoint to develop your slide show you probably won’t be able to do this, but adding subtle motion to your image can add depth and character to the image. It also brings focus to the important things in the photo. A movie editing program like Sony Vegas or Animoto can do these things for you.

9. TEST! This is definitely the most important tip. Do you remember the days when your math teacher used to struggle with the overhead projector? Don’t create a moment like that at your wedding reception! Be sure to have everything setup and tested before any of your guests arrive.

The Music Place offers the exclusive TextLive Video System to help enhance the traditional photo montage.

TextLive can be used to show your photo/video montage along with real-time text messages from your guests with their congratulations, song requests, advice, and more. After the reception you'll receive the transcript of the messages as a keepsake and be able to text all your participating guests with a thank you message.

Package Includes:

 Set-up / Tear-down and monitoring throughout the event

 state-of-the-art digital projector

 texting software

 laptop

 FREE custom design of the display with your picture(s) and color(s)

Available with any wedding package or as a stand-alone option without entertainment. Call The Music Place at 574.533.3992 or visit MusicPlaceDJ.com for more information.  Mention Brides a la mode when you call and The Music Place will take $100 of this package!

Friday, May 21, 2010

Friday Fun Find - How Puzzling!

Looking for a fun favor for your bridal shower or wedding?

 How about a custom-made crossword puzzle!
{Photo Courtesy of Martha Stewart Weddings}


There are several on-line sites that let you generate your own puzzle; you type in the words and clues and the site will generate a crossword puzzle for you.  I used this site to create a generic wedding puzzle.  For your wedding, you could include clues specific to the couple -- favorite places, unique facts, schools, etc.

Want to see what a do-it-yourself crossword looks like?  Click here to download the puzzle I created.

Enjoy!

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Wednesday Wedding Tips - 5 Catering Trends for your reception

Today's tips come from Carrie Rogers, owner of Chic Eats Catering

Wedding receptions are often a sit-down meal with a portioned entrĂ©e, starch and vegetable beside it. Or a buffet with a carving station and an array of salads and sides. But ideas in what a wedding reception "should be" are changing.  Today's brides and grooms are more involved in the menu planning than ever thanks in large part to information available on the internet and TV networks like the Style Channel and the Food Network.
Here are the 5 top reception food trends I am seeing:


1. Multicultural – Bringing together diverse histories, ethnic backgrounds, & travels.


2. Swanky Cocktail Receptions – this type of reception includes action stations, tapas selection (small plates) & butler passed appetizers. A cocktail reception is not a new idea, but it has come back into focus a little more because of the economy.


3. Miniature Foods – Mini cheeseburgers, mini chili dogs, mini cones of seasoned French fries, & soup shooters served in shot glasses , mini ice cream cones or shakes“are quite the rage right now” All of the food is recognizable with a twist, but makes it fun and exciting for wedding guests.


4. Healthier Eating & Organic – Keeping the food as local as possible – offering your guests lighter and healthier options.


5. Comfort Food – Creating comfort foods, with a chic twist. Items like macaroni and cheese but made with gruyere and fontina cheese w/truffle oil, baked ziti w/sundried tomatoes and pancetta, mini meatloafs, wasabi mashed potatoes. Your guests will clean their plates.


Just as with all of the other elements of a customized wedding, reception menus reflect the bride and groom’s personal style and that is what Chic Eats Catering likes to capture. We will discuss the menu trends that excite and entice the modern bride & groom but also realize that it’s no news that everyone is trying to save money. Keeping the budget in mind at all times is not a new trend but is always be reinvented because of the economy.
For more information on planning your wedding reception food, contact Carrie at chiceatscatering@aol.com.

Saturday, May 15, 2010

Saturday Spotlight - Arlene's Wedding Cakes



Brides a la mode is thrilled to have Arlene's Wedding Cakes as one of our Preferred Wedding Professionals!  If you're not familiar with Arlene, you should be! 

Arlene Hargis and her daughter, Beth Squires make some pretty amazing cakes and wedding treats in their Niles, Michigan bakery.  Check out some of their cake designs by visiting their website

Arlene's also offers a fairly new trend in wedding cakes - the "Dummy" Cake.  As Arlene says, you can  "Have your cake and eat it, too!" Dummy cakes provide the look of Fondant with a sheet cake to give you the taste of buttercream!

With a "Dummy Cake" you can save on cutting fees, delivery and setup charges;  dummy cakes can be picked up days or weeks before the wedding and sheet cakes can be picked up two days before the wedding.

Give Arlene a call at at (269) 683-3761 or email bake4u@aol.com for more info!

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Friday Fun Find - Flip Flops to Flip Over

Are you looking for a fun sandal to wear at your beach wedding?  Or maybe something for you and your bridal party to change into for dancing at the reception.  Check out these darling sandals from Oka b

This style, called "the Madison" comes with 4 interchangeable ribbons, including "just married" and"i do".  How FUN!

If you'd like something a little more "formal" in a flip flop, then rhinestone or pearl studded  might be for you:



Or, if you're looking for something a bit sweet and romantic, try "the Juliet", with a beautiful rose:


Best of all, Michiana brides, these sandals are available just a few doors down from Brides a la mode at Verandah Shoes  -- be sure to stop at Brides a la mode first for your 15% discount coupon!

Sandals not your style?  Maybe you're looking for a more traditional wedding shoe or something a bit funky to show off your style,  be sure to check out Verandah's wide selection of shoes for your wedding, your honeymoon or "just because".

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Wednesday Wedding Tips - Six Tips for a Heavenly Honeymoon!

Today's tips come from Brides a la mode member, Brooklyn Fell of All About Honeymoons & Destination Weddings:


{Zoetry al Paraiso Resort & Spa~ 5-star adult-only resort in Riviera Maya and Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. VERY nice! These are some of the beach bed palapas on their private beach. All rooms are decorated completely different from the owner's travels all over the world...also draws many celebrities to these properties. Very intimate and secluded, amazing food and wine cellar. Very upscale. }

1.   Plan early and plan ahead for your honeymoon!
One of the worst pieces of advice I read in modern bridal magazines is the proposed time-line for planning your honeymoon...most say to begin planning your trip of a lifetime 4-6 months out from your wedding date. WRONG!!!
Think about it. If you need to plan your wedding day and all the details involved at least a year or more out (which is just one day and a few hours of your life!), then why in the world would you not begin planning your honeymoon and all the details involved with travel...which averages 6 nights and 7 days!?!? It makes no logical sense. By the time you start thinking about your honeymoon, your budget has been eaten up by deposits to wedding vendors, and you don't have much left over.
My advice is to begin planning your honeymoon one year in advance, 9 months in advance at the latest. Flights are released approximately 11 months prior to a departure date, and waiting until the last minute does not gaurantee a good deal, but rather the bottom-of-the-barrel flight times, basically, what is left over from all the other travelers who beat you to the punch.

Resorts, coveted room categories, and excursions also sell out...so do not delay!
Your honeymoon is the first adventure you will embark on together as husband and wife, and making it everything you've always dreamed of is possible with ample planning time.

{One of the lovely garden gazebo's at Sandals Grande Ocho Rios Resort in Jamaica. Soooo pretty! Huge property, adult-only. Sandals is a great value!}

2) Make sure you set aside enough money out of your wedding budget for a spectacular honeymoon!
Travel is not cheap. The misleading advertisements you see on tv and the internet are not what the bottom line is. A good, realistic budget for an entire week in the Caribbean or Mexico (the two biggest hot-spots for honeymooners), at a quality all-inclusive resort, round-trip flights from the Midwest, a good room category, 1-2 excursions to fully experience the destination, taxes, gratuities, transfers, and trip insurance will cost you approximately $3,000-4,000. Depending on what matters most to you, this price will fluctuate. Set this money aside and promise yourselves you will not spend it on anything except your honeymoon! Your wedding day will fly by, filled with wonderful memories for sure, but your honeymoon will last for days and days...and the memories you make on your trip of a lifetime will be exceptional and worth every penny you invested. No one ever regrets spending a couple hundred dollars more to receive something of real value...but they do regret not spending it if their trip was below par in expectation!

{One of the wedding gazebos offered at the El Dorado Royale Resort & Spa in Riviera Maya, Mexico. Just a gorgeous, romantic, breathtaking location! Adult-only property that we send couple to all the time....amazing place. Love it. Top notch.}

3) Get your passports...now!
You can get a passport photo taken at any CVS Pharmacy for less than $10. Then grab your fiance's hand, your photos, and your birth certificates and journey into the downtown post office together, where you'll find a passport office. You'll also need your social security number. Applications for passports cost approximately $100 each, and are valid for 10 years. Make sure, brides-to-be, that you apply for your passport in your maiden name. This name must match exactly what is on your valid driver's license, and since you most likely will be whisked away to a tropical paradise right after becoming a brand new "Mrs.", you won't have time to change your name and all your travel bookings will be in your maiden name. Passport, booking names, and all spellings must match exactly...or you aren't going anywhere! Do not delay in applying as passports take a few weeks up to a few months to process, depending on the season.

{This is the Garden Wedding Gazebo, at night, set up for a real wedding we witnessed in December at the Melia Caribe Tropical Resort & Spa in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. Had a couple elope in this very gazebo this January. Just gorgeous!}

 4) Go somewhere neither of you have ever been before!
Nowadays, many couples live together and also have taken vacations together. There are many times when clients tell us, "We want to go here because we've been there and had so much fun and just loved it!" That's wonderful, and we are so happy that you found a fantastic destination together...but this is your honeymoon, not an annual vacation. It's completely different. Let us recommend some amazing destinations you've never been to and open your minds to experiencing somewhere new. The memories you will create together in a new locale on this trip of a lifetime will never compare to anywhere you've ever been together before. The feeling of a honeymoon is entirely different than any other vacation...it's all about the two of you, beginning your lives together, romance, adventure, being alone, exploring a new destination and culture, and just letting it soak in that you are now your own family unit...a brand new husband and wife team!

5) Consider the All-Inclusive Resort experience, especially Adult-Only!

If you've never been to a quality, high-end, adult-only all-inclusive resort in an exotic international destination....your honeymoon is the perfect trip to do this. You will be blown away by the choices we give you, and your options are endless. There is nothing quite like being pampered and waited on by your private Butler or Concierge, eating as much you want anytime you want at your choice of several restaurants, drinking to your hearts content at the swim-up bar, enjoying daily and nightly entertainment, having many water-sport activities to choose from and more....and all the while your wallet was locked up in your suite safe! There are many benefits from not having to deal with any families, crying babies, screaming toddlers, and teenagers requesting blaring hip-hop music at the pool all day as well. At an adult-only property, it's all about romance, intimacy, and quality service with staff members who understand that you are there to escape the reality of everyday life.

{Stunning, lovely wedding gazebo at Sandals Grande Ocho Rios, Jamaica. Once you step inside the gazebo, you are overlooking a cliff and nothing but ocean.....it's really awesome. I have a large destination wedding group getting married in this very gazebo this December! So pretty and romantic.}


6) If planning a wedding in your hometown is stressing you out....ELOPE!
About half of our clients come to us, stressed out to the max once they realize what wedding planning is all about. So many brides have broken down and cried with us as they tell us their horror stories and how they just wish they could have "scrapped the entire thing, gotten away and done something else!"

YOU CAN!

It seems that our society today puts so much emphasis on planning the wedding day, that we have lost our way in remembering what the heck the day is all about in the end.

It's about YOU and YOUR MAN, period.

It's about the amazing moment when you say your vows and commit to loving, cherishing, and taking care of each other for the rest of your lives. It's about all the years that follow where you learn how to fight, resolves your issues, start a family, and grow together, while continuing to love and cherish each other for better or for worse.

Unfortunately, it seems that too many details tend to get in the way of this simple fact, and the "wedding day" starts to become about impressing and pleasing everyone else but you!

This amazing commitment is just as legal, and perhaps even more meaningful when the bride and groom get back to basics, scrap their plans to please everyone else, and book a wedding far far away! Eloping is by far the most romantic and wonderful thing you could ever do, and you can still invite family and friends so as not to offend anyone. However, the feeling of a destination wedding is far less about "the wedding day details", and way more about "love and loved ones".

Every single wedding we've helped plan has been incredibly special, filled with love and de-stressed brides. I've yet to meet a mother or father of the betrothed couple who didn't approve once the idea was laid out on the table. In fact, quite the opposite occurred. Every single parent was overjoyed and very supportive (much to the relief of the bride and groom). Making this announcement to your parents is the first step to de-stressing! Don't be afraid to do it...you'll never regret it.

And, it always helps when they understand it will cost them thousands less to host a destination wedding! ;-)
We are All About Honeymoons &  Destination Weddings, a full service travel agency located in South Bend, Indiana. We specialize in creating the ultimate luxury travel package for you, and go to great lengths to make sure every last detail is taken care of for you! We do not charge service fees, and will be there for you from the beginning planning stages to when you return home from your honeymoon or wedding. We will help you with any guests you may wish to invite for your destination wedding, and will set you up with your on-site wedding coordinator. We are here if anything goes wrong on your trip and will do whatever we can to make it right.

We are the only experts in romance based travel you will ever need to call!

...may the honeymoon never end!

Brooklyn Fell

President & Romance Travel Planner
All About Honeymoons & Destination Weddings ~ South Bend, IN
574.210.5153
Brooklyn@allabouthoneymoons.com

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Wednesday Wedding Tips - Choosing your photographer

Today's tips come from Kaity Fuja at OMG Photography

There are a ton of things to think about when planning a wedding and no doubt, your photographer is one of those things. In almost any wedding magazine you can find a list of questions to ask your potential photographer, so I'm going to keep it simple. Here are three things you should definitely be thinking about when meeting with your potential photographer.

1. What is your budget?
This is the most basic thing you need to think about before contacting photographers. There are a ton of photographers out there... each with their own style and pricing list. With the economy the way it is, it's important that any couple getting married really think about how much they want to spend and then stick with it! Knowing how much you want to spend will also prevent you from 'falling in love' with a photographer that is out of your price range resulting in you being disappointed (or overspending) later.

2. Once you have an idea of how much you want to spend, start thinking about what you want.
Do you want an album? Prints? Digital files? How long do you want your photographer to be there on the day of the ceremony? Do you want them to be there while you're getting ready until the last guest leaves? Because photographers can vary so drastically in price, what they offer can vary just as much. You don't need to know it all and your photographer should be more than willing to sit down with you to figure out these details, but having a vague idea of what you want from your photographer is a very good place to start.


3. Are you comfortable with you photographer?
This is the MOST important thing to think about when hiring a photographer. This is the one vendor that you will be spending the majority of your day with... you definitely want to get a long with them and feel as though you can be yourself! One of the best ways to test out the client/ photographer relationship is by doing an engagement session. This way you can see their style and really get a sense of how you and your partner will interact with your photographer on the big day. If an engagement session is out of the budget or you are opting to not take engagement photos, then ask to grab a coffee with your potential photog or at the very least talk with your photographer on the phone.   Just be sure that you feel comfortable with them!

3.5
Okay, I know I said I'd stick with three tips, but as Carrie Bradshaw of Sex and the City once said, "sometimes a girl just needs a half". I've already told you that photographers vary in price and the services they offer... but they can also vary dramatically in their style of photography. Traditional, posed, editorial, photojournalistic... these are just a handful of styles you will run into when looking at photographers. Once you've found a photographer with a portfolio you like, make sure you ask to look at a sample wedding, beginning to end, to make sure that their style matches what you are looking for. After all... this IS one part of your wedding that will last forever.

Saturday, April 24, 2010

Saturday Spotlight - GabGlam, onsite makeup for your wedding day

Today, our spotlight is on:



Lighten your wedding day preparation by having Gabrielle Thompson, owner of GabGlam come to you. It’s a luxury that the whole bridal party remembers and enjoys. It ensures flawless, timeless glamour and photographs. Even the most natural beauty can benefit from this red-carpet perfection that lasts throughout the night. The final, professional touch as you prepare for pictures and relax. Whether you are at the church, hotel, salon or home, Gabrielle brings all the essentials to you.

With 16 years experience, Gabrielle has developed a loyal clientele, and an extensive resume. As a cosmetics manager for a major department store and makeup studio over the past decade, she has worked with thousands of faces.

Just a few examples of Gabrielle's work.



For more pictures and info, visit GabGlam's Facebook page!

Contact Gabrielle by calling 574-315-217 or email agabriellet77@yahoo.com for more information. If you're in Michiana, stop by her studio, BFF ( Beauty, Fun & Fringe), at the BeeHive Salon at 706 E Jefferson,  South Bend.

Friday, April 23, 2010

Thursday, April 22, 2010

What I'm loving today.....you don't want to miss this!

BIG news from two of my favorites in the wedding inudustry; the ultimate wedding blog Style Me Pretty and the fabulous Michelle Rago!


These two wedding style icons have teamed up to present:

Brides will be able to collaborate online with Michelle to design the wedding of their dreams-- how cool is that?   In just a few steps, you can have Michelle take your vision and give you a blueprint so that you can implement you dream wedding.  

Check out the details here


Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Wednesday Wedding Tips - 10 Important Questions to ask your DJ

This weeks wedding tips come from Brides a la mode member In-Tune DJ Service
As technology and ways of communicating evolve, "personalization" is removed and decisions are made by not asking questions or even speaking with businesses that you are entrusting with your special day. We encourage all brides (and grooms) to ask the following questions over the phone or in person when researching the best DJ for their wedding (they may find they have a nice website, but no personality or worse yet, no experience.) The below questions will help give you an "apples to apples" comparison and separate the companies from each other.

10 Important Questions To Ask Your Potential DJ

We understand how crucial it is to choose the right D.J. for your special day. Information is the key to that decision, but what kind of questions should you ask?  Questions, such as "Do you take breaks and how many?" while valid, will not distinguish one entertainer from another.  Take the time to ask some extra questions. Be sure about your choices before you make them. Your decision can make or break your entire wedding reception. We've taken the time and assembled the 10 best questions you should ask before hiring your entertainment.

1. Are they available?
Begin your phone call by indicating the date, time, and location of your special event. If they're not available, no sense talking much further!

2. Does the DJ know the proper etiquette for your type of party?
With sufficient experience, a professional DJ will be able to act as your Master of Ceremonies and guide you smoothly through your celebration from start to finish, allowing you to relax and enjoy the party.

With experience comes confidence and knowledge. Many things can happen during an event...some are expected, others are not. The experienced professional has the ability to handle eventualllities that may arise before they become problems and ensures that the evening runs flawlessly.

3. Are you insured?
Responsible business owners will carry liability insurance in order to protect their business as well as their consumers. Also, many venues require proof of liability. Ask for proof of liability insurance. In Tune D.J. Service, Inc. will provide you with their certificate upon request.

4. Will you play requests and discuss music selection ahead of time?
A versatile DJ should listen to your suggestions, provide feedback and play from your desired song list. While requests are always welcomed, we rely on our discretion, experience and your input as to what songs or genres you may not want played. However, we cannot know your preferences without sitting with you in consultation and so this is strongly encouraged.

5. Do you use Professional Equipment?
You are paying money for professional service and your DJ should have state-of-the-art equipment and the knowledge to operate it. Make sure it's professional grade equipment, not home stereo or consumer grade. As professionals, they should have made the investment in quality equipment. Ask them what speakers, and amplifiers they use. Some of the better names in professional audio are: Electro-Voice, Mackie, JVC, QSC, Cerwin Vega, Rane, Behringer, Pioneer, Shure, Samson, Denon, and Crown.

6. Do you provide backup equipment at my event?
Even professional equipment can fail on occasion, so it is important to know whether your DJ has extra components, or hopefully another entire sound system available to them. Any number of circumstances may arise between the time you book your DJ and the date of your event.

Usually, only the top-notch pros invest the extra money to ensure that everything works on your event date. Booking a reliable DJ is a very important decision for the success of your event.

7. How much time do you allow for set-up?
Punctuality is a necessity. Most DJ's arrive at least two hours prior to the start time you've given them. Your D.J. should ideally be set-up and in-place before your first guest walks through the door.

8. Do you provide a written agreement?
Make certain the DJ has a written agreement and that everything you expect of them is in it. If they refuse or only provide verbal assurances, then get up and leave. No one remembers everything agreed upon months later when the actual event takes place. An agreement protects you. Have them list what their overtime charge is in case you decide to run late. You don't want any surprises there. Make sure all correct dates, times, address, phone numbers, and deposits are listed.

The standard deposit for entertainment services is 50%.

9. Will you be suitably dressed for our occasion?
Specify they type of apparel that your Disc Jockey is expected to wear for your occasion. Formal attire or coat and tie are the most popular forms of attire.

10. How much do they charge?
DJ rates vary based on talent, experience, emcee ability, service, coordination, equipment needed, music knowledge, mixing ability and personality. The cheapest price is not always the best deal, especially if you are planning a wedding. As a matter of fact, in hindsight, surveys conclude that nearly 90% of brides would have gladly spent more money on their disc jockey and made it their number one priority.

A full-service disc jockey company will normally invest 18 to 40 hours for your special event if it may appear that you are only paying for "five hours". Consultations, music, purchasing and editing, preparation, set-up and teardown, education on other business related endeavors add up to the overall success of your special occasion

Did You Know? 
 *72% of all brides say they would have spent more time choosing their reception entertainment.
*Almost 100% say they would have spent more of their budget on the entertainment.
*During wedding planning, Brides say their highest priority is their attire, followed by the reception site and caterer – reception entertainment is among the least of their priorities.
*Within one week after their reception, 78% of Brides say they would have made the entertainment their highest priority.
*When asked, 81% of guests say the thing they remember most about a wedding is the entertainment.
These statistics were published in St. Louis Bride and Groom Magazine. Sources include: Simmons, USA Today, National Bridal Service, The Knot, Brides Magazine

Jim Renner
In-Tune D.J. Service, Inc.
574-258-9484 (home/office)*up-to 10p (EDT,) 7 days a week
http://www.intunedj.com/

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

DIY Tuesday - Earth Day Edition

This Thursday is Earth Day, and in honor of saving our planet, one plastic bottle at a time, I found these adorable DIY  decorations on the iDIY Blog


Aren't these plastic flowers gorgeous?  Look closer:


Yup, they are the bottoms of plastic botttles.  How cool is that?  Can you picture using cascades of these to decorate?  Or, if you're really creative, you could make one of these:


[or you could spend $12,000 for it at Neiman Marcus!)

Wouldn't this look gorgeous in the Brides a la mode studio?  (I think I'll start saving plastic bottles!)

Are you doing a DIY project for your wedding?  Please let me know, I'd love to feature some here on our blog.

Monday, April 19, 2010

Guys a la mode - quirky boutonnieres

Today's post is for the grooms -- well, really for brides dressing their grooms! 

I absolutely LOVE the  Junebug Weddings Blog.  This weekend, while I was catching up on my blog reading, I came across these totally awesome boutonnieres


Like Junebug says,
Wedding boutonnieres are an often overlooked accessory when it comes to a groom's wedding day style, but it's amazing how much personality can be packed into such a tiny little space! Case in point, the Bespoke Boutonnieres by Fritts Rosenow. No traditional flowers here, these boutonnieres are strictly for the playful, the quirky, and the fashion fun-loving. If that sounds like your guy, what could be better?
What do you think?  Would your guy like something a bit different?


Saturday, April 17, 2010

Saturday Spotlight - Katie Whitcomb Photographers




Here's what Katie has to say about her business:

"If a married couple could only salvage one item while fleeing their burning home, most would choose their wedding album. Photos are priceless, celebrating a time in your life where you’ve never been happier, never looked better and are sharing the most precious moments of your life with the people you love most. We don’t take this responsibility lightly.
Our objective is to make you look the best you have ever looked in your life, while telling the story of your dream wedding. Of course you can and should have confidence that we will capture the precious moments on your big day without direction from you. Our style of photography is glamorous andfashionable yet classic and natural at the same time."
Stop by the Brides a la mode studio to see some of Katie's work, check out her blog here.

Friday, April 16, 2010

Friday Fun Find - DIY Candy Favors/Placecards


Isn't this the cutest for a Spring wedding?  Martha Stewart Weddings has all kinds of great DIY projects and this one is one of my favorites!

The directions are very simple: sugar-coated Jordan almonds are used to look like robins' eggs in a delicate faux nest and parchment paper threaded among them acts as a simple place card. The almonds are available from candy stores or online in a range of colors (but I just love the blue!).  The nests can be found at floral-supply or craft stores. Then, simply cut 3/4-inch-wide strips of parchment paper long enough to reach across the nest, and write a name on each strip. Cutting a inverted "V" on the ends of the paper gives it an extra special look!


Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Wednesday Wedding Tips - Your wedding stationery

Today's tips are from Ginny Schumacher at Designs by Ginny



Today's bride has a lot of exciting choices when it comes to invitations. It can be very overwhelming.

My best suggestion to brides is to start with a budget. The biggest mistake I see couples make when setting their budget they don't take into account all the stationery needs and make this part of the budget too small.



Here are things to keep in mind when setting your budget:
  • Save the Date plus postage
  • Invitations plus postage for the reply and outer envelope 
  • Extra cards to send with invitations for a map, directions and accommodations 
  • Programs
  • Menu Cards
  • Place cards
  • Table Numbers
  • Guest Welcome Booklet
  • Labels for favors, or water bottles and other gifts 
  • Thank You Cards

I mention postage because I think that is overlooked until the invitations need to be mailed and it can be sticker shock. The more layers to an invitation and the more weight the higher the cost of postage. If you have a bow or other embellishment and it creates bulk to the envelope that will also cost more. With the rising cost of postage this can add up.

A good start in picking out your invitations is to have a color in mind. Most use the colors that will be used in their wedding. Next decide if your wedding will have a theme or a particular look and choose an invitation that best reflects your special day.

I always encourage couples to make their invitations personal to them, after all it's their special day. The invitation sets the tone for the entire wedding so make sure it makes a great first impression!

Need more info?  Contact Ginny

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

What's inspiring me today.....


Preston Bailey's newest book is FULL of pictures of amazing events, flip through a few pages and I'm sure you will be inspired, too! 

Stop by Brides a la mode Tues-Friday bewtween 11-6 to browse through this book and lots of other wedding inspiration books!

Saturday, April 10, 2010

Saturday Spotlight - PicFlips!

PicFlips!

First, it might help to explain what a flip book is. Think back to the days when you began doodling on the side of your notebook. One page of a ball bouncing...the next of the ball slightly lower on the page....then hitting the ground....the next page bouncing a little higher. This went on for a while until you flipped the pages back and watched the ball bounce up and down via animation.

So, what is PicFlips, you ask? Simply put, PicFlips is a way to bring your parties to life with the newest craze in customized party favors. How? We set up a display in a 10'x10' area at your party or event and invite guests to step behind the camera and make a short video clip. In a minute-and-a-half, we turn the video clip into a personalized flipbook while partygoers watch. It creates a buzz as your guests watch each other make a short video clip and give each other ideas. PicFlips averages 45 flipbooks per hour and is versatile enough to fit into any party setting, from casual to couture. Sure, there are other companies who make flipbooks, but PicFlips differs from the competition because we make the flipbooks right in front of the party guests. No waiting for flipbooks in the mail - it's immediate gratification!

Want PicFlips for your wedding?  Call Shelley at 574-532-5179

Friday, April 9, 2010

Friday Fun Find - Fascinating Fascinators

Fascinators are head coverings, very popular in the 1920s made from lace, feathers, beads, pearls and crystals.  The were worn at occasions such as weddings and other glamorous occasions. Unfortunately, by the 1970’s fascinators had become passe’.

Luckily, in the early 21st century, fascinators made a comeback. A fascinator may be worn instead of a hat to occasions where hats were traditionally worn—such as weddings—or as an evening accessory, when it may be called a cocktail hat. It is generally worn with fairly formal attire.

Carrie Bradshaw made fascinators quite popular in Sex in the City:

 

And even wore a "fascinator style" veil at her failed wedding to Mr. Big


Wearing a fascinator for your wedding can make a real statement if you'd like to add a bit of color or a fun statement to your wedding attire.  Fascinators can be found at most bridal salons (Andrea's Bridal has a GORGEOUS one), but if you are looking for something truly unique and handmade, try Etsy.com.  Here are just a few I found by typing "wedding fascinator" in the search box on Etsy:

                From Etsy seller Damselfly Studio              




From Etsy seller Satanica         

From Etsy Seller Londonxox



As you can see,  fascinators come in many styles -- try one on and let me know what you think!