Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Chalkboard Hearts

                                                             image provided by etsy

Chalkboards are in right now for weddings and these heart chalkboards are adorable! They're perfect for gift tags, table numbers or wedding favors.

You can purchase these on Etsy or Folksy.

These are a cute and simple way to make your mark on your Big Day.




Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Photobooth: Say Cheese!

                                                           image provided by stylemepretty


I worked a wedding on Saturday and the hit of the night was the photobooth set up in the cocktail area. Guests could take as many photos as they wanted-while using props and hats to create funny pictures. This kept guests entertained throughout cocktail hour and the rest of the night as the photos printed instantly and in sets of two so more than one person could take a copy home. It was a fun and interactive way to make memories for the Big Day.

If your budget does not allow for a fancy photobooth, as these can be expensive, set up a digital camera or a Polaroid on a tripod and face it toward a blank wall.  Decorate the wall with fabric, streamers, or paint to create a fun backdrop. Provide guests with a table full or basket of props such as hats, boas, sunglasses, wigs, mustaches, etc to play with. If you know your guests are more the traditional type, ditch the props and go with a simple picture frame that guests can poke their heads into. 

                                                      image provided by mebophoto


In addition to guests taking photos, the couple had a table set up with scrapbooks and decorative stickers and pens to leave them well wishes. Instead of having a traditional guestbook, this is how the couple new who had attended. This is fun and creative for both guests and newlyweds. 

                                                           image provided by theknot

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Online Wedding Dresses

I have recently become obsessed with buying clothes on e-bay. It is my new guilty pleasure. Not only are the clothes cheap but you can get never worn or new clothes that may not be available in stores. This, of course, includes bridal gowns and bridesmaids dresses. YES. Brides can shop online and find great deals when it comes to their dress for their big day.


Vera Wang, Monique Lhuillier,  David's Bridal- e-bay has them all for reasonable prices. Whether you are free to spend or are on a specific budget, e-bay gowns can fit any bride's needs. And they aren't the only ones. Web sites such as SimplyBridal and Wedding Wire offer brides wedding gowns at decent prices- some at $50 to $100 off. Ann Taylor and Alfred Angelo are just some of the names that can be found on Wedding Wire when looking at gowns.


But what if it doesn't fit? Brides who aren't comfortable looking online without physically trying on gowns no longer have to worry about that. BRIDES.com has created a virtual world where soon-to-be-brides can try on dozens of gowns-without even leaving their homes! The site’s newest attraction even lets brides upload a picture of themselves so they see exactly how they look in each gown. In addition, users can link directly to salons where they can make online appointments or buy a gown. So you can find a dress online and try it on in store! 


So brides-be daring and discover the world of online wedding gowns. You never know what you'll find! 



Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Groom's Survival Kit

image provided by classpuppylove


A lot of event and wedding planners tell their brides to bring a "survival kit" for the day of (or bring them one themselves) but what about the GROOM?


While the females need things such as bobby pins and safety pins, the males are more about desires than needs. Here is a list of things that the grooms can put in their survival kit for the day of...


a pair of dress socks, “to keep cold feet away” or in case socks don’t come with the tux rental.


a small bottle of alcohol, “to calm nerves”. Make sure it's small so no one gets wasted before, and buy enough for all the groomsmen to enjoy!


mints or gum, “to ensure a fresh kiss”. Can also bring a toothbrush and mouthwash for after snacking or drinking and before walking down the isle. 


mini sewing kit, "to keep things tight". You never know if something will come lose or break, such as a button, so having a mini sewing kit on hand is a perfect solution.


mini water bottles, "to ensure hydration". No one wants to be thirsty walking down the isle or dehydrated for the rest of the day/night.


snacks, "to keep from hunger". Mini bags of crackers, chips or nuts will keep a groom and his men satisfied until dinner is served.


bandages, to "cover up the boo boo". No one wants to be bleeding on their big day, so bandages are a dire thing to have in any emergency kit in case there's an accident.


pain reliever, "to ensure the head is clear." Nervous jitters can cause headaches and no bride wants their man in pain. Whether it's Tylenol, Advil or Midol, pain reliever is a necessity for the big day.

Chalkboards-At Weddings?

Chalkboards remind me of elementary school, before white boards were invented, however, they are making a comeback in a different way-and different place. Chalkboards are now used in weddings....

 Whether it is listing the menu....

image provided by lovelybride

Or as a message board...
image provided by stylemepretty


You can even label drinks for cocktail hour...

 image provided by laurenconrad


Or table numbers...
image provided by beau-coup


Whatever the use, chalkboards are easy to find and use for any event. If you want to make your chalkboards yourself, Martha Stewart even has a recipe:

What you need…
  • flat-finish latex paint in any color
  • unsanded tile grout
  • paint stirrer
  • paint roller or sponge paintbrush
  • 150-grit sandpaper
  • sponge
For further instructions, go to Martha Stewart.com 

Saturday, September 10, 2011

Elegant Celeb-Inspired Wedding Make-Up


Taylor Swift (seen above) has donned this look throughout the years and it seems to be a trend with other celebs this year as well. This simple yet elegant make-up is perfect for a date or a wedding. Both bridesmaids and the bride herself, can pull of this look-just differ the two by the color palette.


To achieve this look you will need:
black mascara
liquid black eyeliner
brown or goldish eye shadows
brown eyeliner


First brush on your desired eye shadow color from the lash line to the crease. Bridesmaids can don a more simple, light brownish color (see below) while brides can go with a more goldish color for their eyes to stand out. (see below)
Next, apply liquid black eyeliner to the top eyes and on the bottom lash line, apply a brown eyeliner. To finish, use several coats of black mascara. And you are done! You have a very glamorous look that will look great on any bride and her bridesmaids. 


image provided by becomegorgeous 





image provided by keikolynn 

Thursday, September 1, 2011

David's Bridal and Kim Kardashian's Dresses

As previously mentioned, Vera Wang has teamed up with bridal boutique David's Bridal to offer Vera's normally pricey bridal gowns for a reasonable price that any bride could afford. Now that Kim Kardashian's wedding is over, Vera and David's Bridal have recreated two of her three gowns that Vera designed. The two dresses-the ballgown Kim wore down the aisle and the ruffled mermaid gown worn at the reception—are being offered at the boutique for just $1,600 each. This is a steal, as the dresses originally cost $30,000. Although they are not the EXACT dresses that Kim donned on her wedding day, they are very close. 


The dresses will be available at David’s Bridal stores in February.