A Q&A session with a panel of industry professionals will help you in your decision making process as you learn the art of planning your own wedding!
Purchase tickets at The Art of Planning Your Own Wedding.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Calling all NYC Brides!
You are cordially invited to attend an exclusive, informational wedding planning event in The Oak Room at The Plaza on June 14th.
A Q&A session with a panel of industry professionals will help you in your decision making process as you learn the art of planning your own wedding!
Purchase tickets at The Art of Planning Your Own Wedding.
A Q&A session with a panel of industry professionals will help you in your decision making process as you learn the art of planning your own wedding!
Purchase tickets at The Art of Planning Your Own Wedding.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Color Inspiration -- NEUTRAL
A neutral toned wedding can be a very elegant affair. In this case, don't stick with just one shade of beige. Select multiple complimenting colors that will create visual interest instead of just blending in with the walls...
Some of the things that inspired me were:
Perrier Jouet - no one will argue with such a wonderful champagne! Don't the flowers say "wedding perfect" to you?
The invitation - it is Bella Figura Cartoccio letterpress. I LOVE letterpress. I love the designs on Bella Figura's website. This one seemed perfect for the neutral wedding.
The bridesmaid dress is from Amsale. I love Amsale's style. Simple and chic.
The infamous Jimmy Choo Grant satin peep-toe pump in Nude. I purchased them in the bridal version - but I am so in love, I had to use them again! If you decide to go with these, buy them several months in advance and wear them around your place when your fiance isn't home - I promise, your legs and feet will thank you for breaking them in!
The wedding gown is designed by Ines DiSanto. I actually had the pleasure of trying on this gown while she was at the bridal salon. Due to my proportions, she made some quick alterations and sketched me a dress. It was so beautiful - ultimately not THE dress, but it was a close second.
I love the champagne bubbles on the cake - a little whimsy brings some excitement to a classic wedding. To continue the champagne theme, the table numbers are set up on corks - so simple, yet so clever!
Some of the things that inspired me were:
Perrier Jouet - no one will argue with such a wonderful champagne! Don't the flowers say "wedding perfect" to you?
The invitation - it is Bella Figura Cartoccio letterpress. I LOVE letterpress. I love the designs on Bella Figura's website. This one seemed perfect for the neutral wedding.
The bridesmaid dress is from Amsale. I love Amsale's style. Simple and chic.
The infamous Jimmy Choo Grant satin peep-toe pump in Nude. I purchased them in the bridal version - but I am so in love, I had to use them again! If you decide to go with these, buy them several months in advance and wear them around your place when your fiance isn't home - I promise, your legs and feet will thank you for breaking them in!
The wedding gown is designed by Ines DiSanto. I actually had the pleasure of trying on this gown while she was at the bridal salon. Due to my proportions, she made some quick alterations and sketched me a dress. It was so beautiful - ultimately not THE dress, but it was a close second.
I love the champagne bubbles on the cake - a little whimsy brings some excitement to a classic wedding. To continue the champagne theme, the table numbers are set up on corks - so simple, yet so clever!
Monday, May 18, 2009
Helpful Wedding Planning Tools
Because you don't want to do this all alone!
As soon as I became engaged, I began the search for the oh-so-important wedding binder. Should I create my own? Do these pre-made binders have enough folders and notes? I searched all over, worried that I would end up with multiple binders because I didn't know what I needed. Thankfully, Mama Bliss sent me a gift one day. The Martha Stewart Keepsake Wedding Planner. Who better than Martha? It gives me places to keep my color coded post its and page markers, pens, cards, contracts, tear sheets and even gives helpful advice throughout the sections. It was a relief to receive this as a gift - then I could just move on with the planning!
In addition to planning the wedding, I have also planned our engagement party and rehearsal dinner. My future mother-in-law, while so very lovely, is sometimes too busy to concentrate her energy on the wedding. While I, of course, don't have extra free time, I took on the planning to know that they would get done. While we planned invitations for the engagement party and I began thinking of wording for wedding invitations and addressing envelopes for save-the-dates, I wasn't sure where to start. I turned to the experts and Crane & Co. and picked up The Wedding Blue Book. It gives you every answer to your every question and I rarely leave home without it. It usually sits beside me on my desk at work for anytime I have a question!
My other go-to wedding book is Emily Post's Wedding Etiquette book. It has helped me figure out some sticky situations, relating to one of my previous etiquette posts about mother of the bride/groom wedding attire. My mom helped lift the pressure off me there!
I like having the books to reference at any time during my wedding planning. However, you can find many of the answers to your questions, suggestions and recommendations online at Martha Stewart Weddings, Brides.com, WeddingChannel.com, and The Knot.
Lots of things to think about! Thank goodness we have experts to help us along the way!
As soon as I became engaged, I began the search for the oh-so-important wedding binder. Should I create my own? Do these pre-made binders have enough folders and notes? I searched all over, worried that I would end up with multiple binders because I didn't know what I needed. Thankfully, Mama Bliss sent me a gift one day. The Martha Stewart Keepsake Wedding Planner. Who better than Martha? It gives me places to keep my color coded post its and page markers, pens, cards, contracts, tear sheets and even gives helpful advice throughout the sections. It was a relief to receive this as a gift - then I could just move on with the planning!
In addition to planning the wedding, I have also planned our engagement party and rehearsal dinner. My future mother-in-law, while so very lovely, is sometimes too busy to concentrate her energy on the wedding. While I, of course, don't have extra free time, I took on the planning to know that they would get done. While we planned invitations for the engagement party and I began thinking of wording for wedding invitations and addressing envelopes for save-the-dates, I wasn't sure where to start. I turned to the experts and Crane & Co. and picked up The Wedding Blue Book. It gives you every answer to your every question and I rarely leave home without it. It usually sits beside me on my desk at work for anytime I have a question!
My other go-to wedding book is Emily Post's Wedding Etiquette book. It has helped me figure out some sticky situations, relating to one of my previous etiquette posts about mother of the bride/groom wedding attire. My mom helped lift the pressure off me there!
I like having the books to reference at any time during my wedding planning. However, you can find many of the answers to your questions, suggestions and recommendations online at Martha Stewart Weddings, Brides.com, WeddingChannel.com, and The Knot.
Lots of things to think about! Thank goodness we have experts to help us along the way!
Friday, May 8, 2009
A nice day for Green Wedding...
Let's be honest – one of the last thing most brides think of (if at all) when they are meeting with caterers, stationers, florists and various other vendors is "how is my wedding going to affect the environment?" Brides-to-be have a “To Do” list a mile long and the environmental impact of the tulips being shipped from Holland hasn't quite crossed her mind yet...
There are an estimated 6,200 weddings a day in the US alone, each one releasing an average of 14.5 tons of carbon dioxide. That is more than the average person's annual carbon footprint! Add all of it up and that is nearly 90,000 tons of CO2 EACH DAY in the name of love.
I have been researching different ideas and methods to be more environmentally conscious while planning my own wedding. I will share with you some “green” wedding tips to bring into planning your event to reduce your carbon footprint. Being Green has come a long way in the past few years – you can now have a totally eco-friendly wedding from your invitations to your sweet send-off without having to compromise your design.
Today’s Green Wedding Tip:
Invitations
I selected a cotton paper from Crane & Co for my letter-press invitations (Crane's Lettra Letterpress 220lb). Crane & Co. cotton papers are made with recovered tree-free fibers, the processing the papers go through is also environmentally friendly. Read more on Crane's website.
While working with my wonderful stationer, we were able to save on the impact of shipping and use the computer instead. After the initial samples were sent so I could see the different papers and colors, updates and changes were made to the design via PDFs over email. I could look at everything on the computer screen instead of having her print and ship each adjustment.
While selecting your papers, use cotton, bamboo or 100% recycled stock to preserve the trees. You can select a soy-based ink for your eco-friendly printing - in the past the printing industry has used petroleum-based inks, which have two primary environmental downsides. First, they are made using a non-renewable resource (petroleum). Second, petroleum-based inks release Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) that reduce indoor air quality and can have negative short- and long-term health effects.
You may also choose to reduce your impact by bucking formal tradition and combining information on to a single card (this also saves the extra envelopes). If you are inviting everyone to your ceremony and reception, add the reception information at the bottom of the invitation instead of including the separate card. And, if you don’t mind a casual form of response, add a phone number, email address or website (many sites like WeddingChannel.com can now accept RSVPs) for your guests to reply. You will save the energy is takes to transport so many cards back to you.
Remember, little things add up!!
**Stay tuned for more details about my wedding invitations!!!
There are an estimated 6,200 weddings a day in the US alone, each one releasing an average of 14.5 tons of carbon dioxide. That is more than the average person's annual carbon footprint! Add all of it up and that is nearly 90,000 tons of CO2 EACH DAY in the name of love.
I have been researching different ideas and methods to be more environmentally conscious while planning my own wedding. I will share with you some “green” wedding tips to bring into planning your event to reduce your carbon footprint. Being Green has come a long way in the past few years – you can now have a totally eco-friendly wedding from your invitations to your sweet send-off without having to compromise your design.
Today’s Green Wedding Tip:
Invitations
I selected a cotton paper from Crane & Co for my letter-press invitations (Crane's Lettra Letterpress 220lb). Crane & Co. cotton papers are made with recovered tree-free fibers, the processing the papers go through is also environmentally friendly. Read more on Crane's website.
While working with my wonderful stationer, we were able to save on the impact of shipping and use the computer instead. After the initial samples were sent so I could see the different papers and colors, updates and changes were made to the design via PDFs over email. I could look at everything on the computer screen instead of having her print and ship each adjustment.
While selecting your papers, use cotton, bamboo or 100% recycled stock to preserve the trees. You can select a soy-based ink for your eco-friendly printing - in the past the printing industry has used petroleum-based inks, which have two primary environmental downsides. First, they are made using a non-renewable resource (petroleum). Second, petroleum-based inks release Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) that reduce indoor air quality and can have negative short- and long-term health effects.
You may also choose to reduce your impact by bucking formal tradition and combining information on to a single card (this also saves the extra envelopes). If you are inviting everyone to your ceremony and reception, add the reception information at the bottom of the invitation instead of including the separate card. And, if you don’t mind a casual form of response, add a phone number, email address or website (many sites like WeddingChannel.com can now accept RSVPs) for your guests to reply. You will save the energy is takes to transport so many cards back to you.
Remember, little things add up!!
**Stay tuned for more details about my wedding invitations!!!
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Etiquette Question
And Guest???
Q. How do I handle addressing my invited guests who are not on the list with a “plus one”? What if they ask me if they can bring a date?
A. This is a sensitive subject. In an ideal world, we would extend an "And Guest" to all of the single guests invited. Unfortuntely, it is not always possible. In many cases, the guest list is the hardest part of planning a wedding. Each guest has a reason for being on the list. As a guide, if a guest is in a relationship, he or she should absolutely be extended a guest invite. If your invited guest is single – it is not required to include a guest.
In my experience planning my various wedding-related events, I have run into a few issues with guests wanting to include a plus one. I sometimes need to step back and wonder how these guests thought it was appropriate to call the host of a party to ask if they could bring someone OR invite a guest prior to the invitation even being sent. Thankfully, the wedding party can take control during these awkward situations and lift the pressure off the bride and groom.
When you are managing a list of hundreds of people, it is hard to imagine including so many extras that you do not know.
Just remember, if you let one single guest bring a guest, you have to extend the privilege to all of your single guests. The wedding party is an exception – it is appropriate to include a guest for all single members of your wedding party regardless of what you are doing otherwise.
Good luck!!
Q. How do I handle addressing my invited guests who are not on the list with a “plus one”? What if they ask me if they can bring a date?
A. This is a sensitive subject. In an ideal world, we would extend an "And Guest" to all of the single guests invited. Unfortuntely, it is not always possible. In many cases, the guest list is the hardest part of planning a wedding. Each guest has a reason for being on the list. As a guide, if a guest is in a relationship, he or she should absolutely be extended a guest invite. If your invited guest is single – it is not required to include a guest.
In my experience planning my various wedding-related events, I have run into a few issues with guests wanting to include a plus one. I sometimes need to step back and wonder how these guests thought it was appropriate to call the host of a party to ask if they could bring someone OR invite a guest prior to the invitation even being sent. Thankfully, the wedding party can take control during these awkward situations and lift the pressure off the bride and groom.
When you are managing a list of hundreds of people, it is hard to imagine including so many extras that you do not know.
Just remember, if you let one single guest bring a guest, you have to extend the privilege to all of your single guests. The wedding party is an exception – it is appropriate to include a guest for all single members of your wedding party regardless of what you are doing otherwise.
Good luck!!
Monday, April 27, 2009
Color Inspiration -- WHITE
I love white weddings! Which is, of course, why I decided to have a white wedding myself...
White wedding details are timeless - classic, and you can personalize your event with unique touches to make it all your own. You may want small color accents here and there, such as a shade of green, which can highlight flower buds and leaves. Or as I have shown below - bring in metallic accents in silver and gold for a traditional feel using silver trays, gold chairs and metallic ribbons.
When you design a monochromatic event, it gives you an opportunity to pay extra attention to textures. You can create a look using linens to completely change the aura of a room. I love the lacy details throughout the pictures below. The china coordinates with the place cards and with the candles, the mirrors and the wine favors. By the way - I love the wine with custom labels as a gift. Take yours one step further and make the wine yourself! You and your hubby-to-be can spend some quality time together learning all about the wine making process from crushing to bottling at Make Your Own Wine. If time and budget allow, it is such a romantic treat for the bride and groom to create a wine to give to their guests at the wedding.
I can predict multiple White inspiration boards in the future! :) But here are just a few to start you off! I love the yummy meringues - my favorite cookie! Hand them out to the guests as a favor or at the end of the night, or slip them in the welcome bags for an added treat!!
White wedding details are timeless - classic, and you can personalize your event with unique touches to make it all your own. You may want small color accents here and there, such as a shade of green, which can highlight flower buds and leaves. Or as I have shown below - bring in metallic accents in silver and gold for a traditional feel using silver trays, gold chairs and metallic ribbons.
When you design a monochromatic event, it gives you an opportunity to pay extra attention to textures. You can create a look using linens to completely change the aura of a room. I love the lacy details throughout the pictures below. The china coordinates with the place cards and with the candles, the mirrors and the wine favors. By the way - I love the wine with custom labels as a gift. Take yours one step further and make the wine yourself! You and your hubby-to-be can spend some quality time together learning all about the wine making process from crushing to bottling at Make Your Own Wine. If time and budget allow, it is such a romantic treat for the bride and groom to create a wine to give to their guests at the wedding.
I can predict multiple White inspiration boards in the future! :) But here are just a few to start you off! I love the yummy meringues - my favorite cookie! Hand them out to the guests as a favor or at the end of the night, or slip them in the welcome bags for an added treat!!
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