Wednesday, December 12, 2012

REAL WEDDINGS: JULIE AND KWEKU

When Julie first called me she was in a total panic.  She and her fiancee were getting married in a month, at his parents summer home on the lake, in a small {very small} town in Wisconsin with a lot of tradition incorporated into their day.  All of the wedding vendors {and there were a lot of them}were coming from far away and there were so many details that there was an overabundance of coordination and planning to make sure nothing was forgotten.  I was leaving for a 2 week vacation, but by the sound of her voice I knew she really needed somebody to help her, if only for relief. 

Julie and Kweku had a beautiful wedding day.  The week prior was full of high humidity, very hot days.  Luckily, Julie hired professional companies to set up the tent, tables, chairs and linens.  By the time Saturday came along, she was feeling much more relaxed, Kweku was in a super excited mood and the heat had subsided. 

There were a few hiccups throughout the course of the day, but nothing Julie and Kweku knew about and nothing that wasn't easily remedied.  Here is a look at their beautiful wedding day.







 















 
 
Credits:   Week-of Coordination - Signature Events by Shelly/ Photography - Gravidee Design and Photography/ Rentals and Lighting -JK Rentals, Inc/ Linens and China - Karls Rentals/ DJ - Midwest Sound/ Limos - Bladers, RS Limo/ Bakery - Manderfields/ Indian food - Darbar/ Ghanian food - Baaba Yarney/ Flowers - Sterling Gardens/ / Videography - Sheepshead Studios

Monday, December 3, 2012

Tip Of The Week: Prioritizing

Photography by Heather Kessler Photography
You and your fiancee have your collection of ideas and inspiration, you know what each of you wants so now it's time to start putting these things in order and making your fantasies a reality!

The first thing you'll want to make sure of is that you don't lose any of these ideas.  Create a binder to keep notes, all your fun ideas and, later, all of your vendor contact information and contracts, timelines and other important paperwork.  Everything should be readily available to you.  Not only will this help you mentally, it will also keep you organized which will help you to feel cool, calm and collected.

This is also the step where you will prioritize all of your ideas to prepare to act upon them.  This is necessary to make sure you, and your wedding dreams, don't get lost in the whirlwind of wedding planning.  Prioritizing the fruits of your brainstorming session can be simplified into three categories: non-negotiable, negotiable, and neutral.

Non-negotiable:  These are the things that you WILL NOT change...no matter what!  This is the areas for the "must haves" only.  Example:  your great-grandmother's knife and server set that has been used in your great-grandmother's, grandmother's and mother's wedding.  This is non-negotiable!!

Negotiable:  This is for the things that you want but are willing to forgo.  Example:  you really want to have Cold Stone creamery available to serve with your cake.  You realize this may be quite expensive and are willing to give it up if it means you can have the ice sculpture for your shrimp appetizers.
 
 
 
Neutral:  Here are the things that you are more impartial to.  You would like to have these items, but won't miss them if you don't.  Example:  You really don't care what wines are served at dinner...


Make sure to come back next week for the most fun part of wedding planning - BUDGETING!!  (yeah, I was kidding about the "fun" part...)

How did you start out prioritizing?  Leave a comment for more suggestions. 

Friday, November 30, 2012

Fashion Friday: LACE

There is just something about a Lace Wedding Gown that makes one's heart flutter - I could look at them all day!  Lace resonates romance, love and all things marriage!  So, as I struggled to make my choices, here are some of my Pinterest Picks. 


A vintage gown {1800's} from Brussels - found in the Brooklyn Museum



Elie Saab Collection




 
 
 
Do you have a favorite gown?  How about a favorite material?  What are you going to wear as you walk down the aisle?  Leave a comment and tell us your pick!!


Thursday, November 29, 2012

Theme Thursday's Featured Wedding

LOVE LOVE LOVE this wedding!!  Lauren Brooks Photography did such a fantastic job capturing the elements of the celebration...I could just sit here and look at this all day!  And, Andrew of The Perfect Occasion...WOW!!  You are an inspiration! 

Make sure to check out the different bridesmaid bouquets.  They are all gorgeous and what a great idea!

Also, LOVE the kayak!!

Enjoy...







Monday, November 5, 2012

Tip Of The Week: Brainstorming

Oh My Gosh!!  He asked!!  You said YES and you've already told all of your family and friends.  Now what.  When I start working with a bride and groom the very first thing I do is to ask them what they want their wedding outcome to be.  It is extremely important for you and your fiancee {no family, friends or coworkers} to sit with each other and envision your perfect day.  Write down all of the things you've dreamed of or anything you've seen that really inspired you.  Also, write down your favorite colors, styles of music, or anything artistic that speaks to you.  Dream big and write it all down...BRAINSTORM!  

Start by asking yourself the most important question of all: What emotions do I want my guests to have on my wedding day?  How do I want them to remember everything after they've left?

If you answered with words like joy, faith, serenity, you might discover that you want a more intimate celebration. If your thoughts were more toward excitement and energy, you might lean towards a more lively party.

Discuss other weddings you've been to and think of what you've seen that you both liked - and what you know you will NOT do at your wedding! 

When you feel as though you cannot come up with anything more and you are happy with the collection of ideas and inspiration, it is time to start putting them in order and make this wedding happen your way! 

Come back next week for the beginning of prioritizing and organizing.

Friday, November 2, 2012

Color Crush of the Week : Gold

Next week I will be bringing you inspirational image upon inspirational image of all things GOLD!!  Here's a little preview into what will start your Monday off...


How fun is this!  Dressing up your gold Chivari Chairs is not an element to be missed. You don't need to go all out with a chair back cover, but check out the chair pad...fun, right!

See you next week!

Fashion Friday: Ruffled Trends



 
One of the best parts of my job is finding all of these gorgeous gowns to bring you some inspiration for dressing yourself for your wedding day.  I've been watching the shows from Bridal Market week in New York for the past couple of weeks and one of the biggest trends I've noticed is ruffles!  I am absolutely LOVING all of the flowing ruffled gowns!!  Whether it is a form-fitting mermaid or A-line, or a full ball-gown, they are all gorgeous!!  Here are some of my favorites for you to drool over.  Do you have a favorite?  Let me know.  This gown is by Justin Alexander.

Watters

Watters

Watters

Watters

Pronovias

Pronovias

Pronovias

Maggie Sottero

Badgley Mischka

Maggie Sottero

Maggie Sottero

San Patrick
 
San Patrick

Watch for what I'll be crushing on next week!!  I'll give you a hint...It's another big trend I noticed. :)
Happy Friday everyone!