What's Happening in Weddings with WedChick

Military Wedding of a Lifetime Contest!

2009-07-06T20:19:00.004-04:00

A Belle Soiree Weddings & Events is so excited to announce that we will be spending the next several months putting together a very special contest for our military men and women. It has always been a dream of mine to gather the best of the best in the wedding industry and throw a wedding of a lifetime for special people. This year, we'll be throwing a wedding for one lucky active military couple.

More details will be forthcoming, so please be sure to follow us on twitter for the latest information and make sure you become a follower of our blog. You won't want to miss this amazing journey.

What we do know is that the winners must be willing to have their wedding in the Central Florida area, at least one spouse must be active military, both bride and groom must be 21 years of age or older, and have a financial need.

We are also in need of terrific vendors to donate their services to a worthwhile cause such as this. If you are a Central Florida based DJ, Florist, Cake Artist, Videographer, etc., please drop us a line at Shannon@aBelleSoiree.com. Vendors will be involved in the selection process of the winning couple. If you are a vendor NOT located in the Central Florida area but would like to donate your services such as: custom aisle runner, favors, handmade jewelry, etc., please also use the above e-mail address to contact A Belle Soiree Weddings & Events.

Thank you to all of our faithful military men and women helping to make this country a better and safer place to live!

Follow us on Twitter!

2009-05-13T02:03:00.000-04:00

A Belle Soiree has joined the latest craze to sweep the internet...TWITTER!

Please follow us on our adventures in the bridal world by going to http://www.twitter.com/abellesoiree

Ciao!

Bridal Gown of the Day

2009-03-19T00:17:00.003-04:00

Bridal Gown of the Day

Justin Alexander Couture
Style #9508
Available in Rose or Ivory

Visit their website at http://www.justinalexanderbridal.com

Beautiful Ceremony Music

2009-03-18T23:46:00.002-04:00

Searching for some perfect music for your ceremony? Search no further! One favorite group of mine is The O'Neill Brothers. They have an amazing collection of ceremony music CD's, including one specifically for beach weddings.

You can listen to their music on their website at http://www.pianobrothers.com

A Very Lilly Wedding

2009-01-12T20:22:00.006-05:00

One color palette I dream of seeing in one of my weddings is something Lilly Pulitzer inspired. The famous Palm Beach designer combines bold and fresh colors with a love for all things preppy. Below is an splash I compiled with some ideas that remind me of this fabulous lady. Perfect for beach weddings with a little sophistication!

And it that weren't enough inspiration, take a peek at the 50th Anniversary of Lilly Pulitzer!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTpE4RveEMQ

Bridal Gown of the Day

2009-01-12T20:04:00.003-05:00

Lazaro

Style # LZ3904

Ivory silk organza strapless ball gown, beaded and embroidered bodice, dropped waist,

full gathered skirt, chapel train.

Available in: Ivory, White

To find the closest boutique to you carrying the Lazaro Bridal Collection, click here

Bride Wars

2009-01-09T21:06:00.004-05:00

Bride Wars is in theatres today!

Grab the girls and head to the theatres to see the new movie "Bride Wars" starring Anne Hathaway and Kate Hudson! For more information on the movie, visit the really cute website they have set-up at http://www.bridewars.com/

Here's a bit about the movie:

Anne Hathaway and Kate Hudson go head-to-head in Bride Wars, a romantic comedy that follows two best-friend brides who find they've scheduled their wedding dates on the same day. 13 Going on 30's Gary Winick directs the 20th Century Fox production. - Jeremy Wheeler, All Movie Guide

Word is the gowns were designed by Vera Wang, but I haven't seen a direct confirmation although she does have a large ad for the movie on her website. You can enter to win a really fabulous package from them including bridesmaids dresses, china, & linens!

Enter here: http://www.verawangonweddings.com/contest/contest-entry.aspx

Let me know how it is girls!

Dress of the Day - Carrie Bradshaw anyone?

2009-01-08T16:46:00.003-05:00

Bridal Gown of the Day
by Sarah Danielle
Style # 5564

This style looks all too similar to the style worn by Carrie Bradshaw in the Sex & the City movie, released in 2008. This dress is STUNNING in person and is great for the high couture bride, looking to spend little. The dress retails for about $1125.

For information on locating a Sarah Danielle bridal salon near you, visit
http://sarah-danielle-bridalwear.com/us_en/collection.php?linenum=0&totlines=-1

Happy 2009!

2009-01-08T16:40:00.003-05:00

We here at "What's Happening in Weddings" want to wish everyone a joyous and prosperous New Year! It's a time for new beginnings and if you're a 2009 bride, we hope you'll make us a part of your big celebration!

As always, if you have a specific question you'd like answered, please feel free to drop us an e-mail at Shannon@aBelleSoiree.com.

Congratulations!

What to do about tattoos?

2008-11-13T12:55:00.002-05:00

You're inked, and you're engaged. What to do about hiding your tattoo?

Many brides are often concerned about their tattoos when searching for the right wedding gown. You can still have the beautiful skin showing gown you've wanted and hide the tattoo.

Many make-up artists are now offering "tattoo camouflage," a service in which they apply a makeup type product over the tattoo to conceal it before a special event.

For those of you looking for an "over-the-counter" application, check into using Derma-blend. It has long been known as the perfect make-up for those with facial imperfections, scars, or tattoos. This stuff is AMAZING. You can purchase it online by going to dermablend.com, or at your local JCPenney or Dillards department store!

Bridal Gown of the Day

2008-11-13T12:42:00.004-05:00

Carmela Sutera

Style #429

Carmela is one of my favorite designers! I'm sure I've raved about her before. They use the absolute finest in fabrics and French laces. All of their gowns are made in the United States, something that is very rare these days. While they are at a higher price point, you are paying for suberb quality and attention to detail.

This dress we've nicknamed "Audrey." It's VERY Audrey Hepburn like and so much fun for the willing, fashion forward bride. It's actually a raffia ballgown, with two grosgain ribbons on the bodice and a beautiful bow.

This style is around $4500.00.

Thank you!

2008-11-13T12:35:00.002-05:00

Just wanted to say a BIG thank you to those of you reading and commenting on the blog. It's great to get some feedback and know that their are those of you out there who are checking out "What's Happening in Weddings."

If you would like to see some articles on a particular subject, or if you have a question related to the wedding and events industry, drop us a line by leaving a comment here or email us at Shannon@aBelleSoiree.com

Ciao!

2008-11-06T16:40:00.001-05:00

-Tip #1-

If you're a bride on a budget or you're going for a more simple approach, consider purchasing a bridesmaids dress instead of the traditional gown. They make an abundance of sophisticated, simple, and beautiful dresses in a variety of colors including white and off-white. Theses dresses are great for beach and garden weddings and average about $200. Nobody would ever know!

-Tip #2-

Bridal salons are the busiest on the weekends so take a tip from me, if you want excellent service and devoted attention call ahead and make an appointment at least a few days in advance. So often great bridal salons have to turn away brides because they just can't handle having anyone else in the store. Don't let this be you!

-Tip #3-

Look for a certified wedding & event planner by checking websites like ABC (national) or WPCF (central florida only). In order to be a member of these groups you must take courses, pass exams, attend conferences, meetings, and assist in other weddings.

-Tip #4-

Don't expect to choose all of your vendors or even your wedding planner based on a trip to a local bridal expo. Be sure to collect business cards and take notes based on what has stuck out in your mind about each business booth you've visited. Then, schedule follow-up appointments to review in detail their portfolios and qualifications. This will help you narrow down your selections.

-Tip #5-

Keep in mind when shopping for your gown that many dresses can be modified and altered to your liking. If you prefer something strapless, straps can be removed and vice versa. Train too long? Trains can be modified on most dresses.

-Tip #6-

Please remember that the average time for delivery of a wedding gown is 6 months! Bridal party gowns take between 2 and 3 months so plan accordingly. Remember that while the dress will be ordered as close to your size as possible, alterations will still be neccessary and will require an additional 4-6 weeks time.

-Tip #7-

Have your eye on an amazingly beautiful cake but it's totally out of your price range? Talk with your baker about the possibility of using styrofoam! Bakers now can create the look of that equisite cake you have in mind with only a portion of it being edible. They usually make the bottom layer real cake for your cake-cutting ceremony, but have simple sheet cakes in the kitchen that are cut and served to guests. This eliminates a great deal of the cost and you're guest will never know the difference!

Yucky favor alert!

2008-10-19T21:20:00.004-04:00

*ALERT*

Okay, okay...a bit dramatic I know. But, have you ever tasted one of these things? While these decorated cookies are BEAUTIFUL and whimsical, they taste HORRID! They are hard cookies decorated with hard icing and they can be quite expensive! My suggestion is just to avoid these all together, unless you can work with a local baker to make fresh sugar cookies that will be chewy and delicious!

To favor or not to favor...

2008-10-19T20:50:00.014-04:00

...that is the question!

Ever go to a wedding and you walked away with a little trinket you looked twice at and wondered how much the bride and groom spent on this thing you will never use? Want this to be the same for your wedding? I didn't think so. It's tough to find something useful, but inexpensive. In this article, I'll show you a few ideas for a range of budgets.

Brownie Pops
$3.50 each, less homemade

These are adorable, yummy, and festive mini-brownie pops. These are for sale on the favor site beau-coup.com, but could be made at home to save on cash. You can find round molds at a craft or baking store as well as the chocolate needed to make the coating and the lollipop sticks. These can be decorated with any theme, holiday, or even your monogram! Not an artist/cook? Enlist a close friend or family member who is and make them a special part of your special day!

Personalized mini oil and vinegar bottles
$5 each, less homemade

These are beautiful to look at and also something very useful for your guests. Oil & Vinegar bottles are used for decoration in kitchens but also as yummy dressings for salads and such. Why not incorporate a special recipe of yours and your fiance's own making by infusing them with different herbs and dried vegetables? You can also personalize them by printing labels with yours and your fiance's name as well as your wedding date. These are also for sale on beau-coup, but can also be easily made at home. Just purchase cute glass containers from a craft store or local kitchen supply store. Purchase the oil and vinegar from a warehouse club like Sam's or Costco. Have fun with it and use various shapes and sizes of bottles, unique to each guest!

Personalized CD's
Less than $1 a piece

What better way to give your guests a glimpse into your life by giving them an audio mix of your favorite songs as a couple? If your crafty on the computer, you can even step it up a notch by creating a DVD or CD slideshow of favorite pictures of you as a couple, set to a few good songs. Blank CD's & DVD's are so inexpensive now, and you can always find a good sale on them. Cases are also inexpensive and you can print your own labels from the comfort of your home! If you're feeling like you aren't creative enough, you can purchase custom labels from beau-coup.com.

Bridal Gown of the Day

2008-10-19T20:42:00.004-04:00

Maggie Sottero "Aurielle"

One-piece, strapless, full A-line gown with lace-up closure. Grand in design, this style features a scalloped neckline and an asymmetrically draped bodice enriched with floral beaded embellishments. The dramatic back treatment is created by cascading draped bustles caught up with elegant beaded motifs.

http://www.maggiesottero.com

Bridal Gown of the Day

2008-10-16T23:58:00.002-04:00

Oscar de la Renta

Style #10

Spring 2008

Oscar is a personal favorite of mine. This is a stunner that you probably have seen in many magazines. It is an "ivory embroidered strapless gown, framed in powder blue satin organza."

For more information on salons carrying this style near you, please visit

http://www.oscardelarenta.com

Alterations: What do I need to know?

2008-10-16T23:47:00.002-04:00

Q & A on: Alterations

Does the purchase of my bridal gown include alterations?
-Not all salons or stores include alterations. Be sure to check with the store and review your contract. Always ask questions!

What if they include it in the price of my gown?
-While some stores do, it really isn't a good idea. Here's why...Say the dress costs $1500 including alterations. The TRUE cost of the dress could be just $1100. Say you only need a bustle and a hem done to the gown. This may cost you about $250. You've been charged $400 for alterations, when you only needed $250 worth. It's most always best to purchase a gown without them included.

The store I bought my gown from told me to start alterations already. I'm 4 months out from my wedding! Is this right?
-It isn't necessary to begin alterations this early. Your weight may fluxuate in the weeks and months leading up to your big day. Most professionals suggest making appointments 6-8 weeks out from your wedding date.

Haute hair accessories

2008-10-16T23:32:00.005-04:00

One of my personal favorites for fabulous hair jewels and veils is designer, Sara Gabriel. One look at her collection and the following words come to mind: fresh, fabulous, vintage, couture.

Sara is a joy to work with, and during my time at Something Blue, I've had the honor of meeting her and her team from Colorado. Everything is totally custom and even personalized. One of my favorite veils is the one shown below, Grace.

What a fresh and fun concept! To incorporate your monogram into your veil not only makes a great statement but is quite timeless.

Another personal favorite of mine is called Wendy. It's so vintage!

Hard to tell from the sketch, but it's SUCH a stunner!

For more information on Sara's veils and accessories, visit her website at http://www.saragabriel.com

It's Bridal Fashion Week!

2008-10-16T23:23:00.004-04:00

It's that time of year again...time for all the best designers to showcase everything fresh and new for their 2009 collections.

One of our sources mentioned that strapless gowns are few and far between this season. Many are going for a portrait, off-shoulder style neckline. Gowns with more tradition in the front, but sleek and sexy in the back.

These gowns won't start hitting the stores until early next year, and pictures won't be available online for a few weeks.

Check back soon to view some of our favorites from NY Bridal Fashion Week!

Bridal Gown of the Day

2008-10-14T20:49:00.004-04:00

Moet by Matthew Christopher

Sparkling as a flute of champagne, this elegant silk satin organza dress is intoxicating! The strapless empire bodice and full trumpet skirt are adorned with sculptural, multidirectional bias strips. A triple overlay flutters down the modified chapel-length train, completed by covered buttons all down the back. Available in off-white, white.

This dress is absolutely STUNNING in person. Matthew's dresses are so flattering to the female figure. For more information, visit MatthewChristopher.com

Gown of the Day

2008-10-10T20:53:00.004-04:00

After Six

style # 6532
This gown is actually a bridesmaid dress! It's a cost effective way of achieving a bridal gown look for a fraction of the cost. This is a great option for last minute weddings, destination weddings, or for second weddings. Bridesmaid styles most always come in white and/or ivory. The one above is shown in white with an ivory lace panel.

For more information, please visit After Six's website.

Forget table numbers...

2008-10-10T01:22:00.004-04:00

...they're so yesterday! Why not table cakes?

What a cute (and expensive!) idea. I have seen photos of a friends wedding where each table was given a cake that represented the bride and groom in a certain area of their lives. One was decorated with childhood photos of the groom, one the bride, one was themed in a favorite vacation spot of the couple, etc. This can prove to be very costly, however, it's a gorgeous and fun design element while also being a great conversation piece to get people moving around the room.

You may be able to use a dummy cake to offset the costs of mini-cakes at each table. What is a dummy cake you ask? A baker makes your wedding cake with only the bottom layer being edible. You cut into it as you normally would for pictures and such, but your guests feast off of sheet cakes in the back, or in this case...their individual cakes. The rest of the cake looks completely edible and is designed with fondant over styrofoam or other material.

Bridesmaid Dress of the Day

2008-10-10T01:12:00.003-04:00

Alvina Valenta

Style # AV9847

Visit Alvina Valenta's website for

color information and availability

Bridal Gown of the Day

2008-10-10T01:00:00.005-04:00

Gown of the Day
Adele Wechsler "Natasha"
Natasha is part of Adele's "Eco-Couture" collection, "for the bride who cares about the world in which she lives."

Please visit Adele Wechsler's website for more information.

Questions? Let us help you answer them!

2008-09-21T14:20:00.003-04:00

Is there a question that you can't seem to find and answer for? From etiquette to centerpieces, send us your question to Shannon@aBelleSoiree.com and we'll feature it on a new blog post.

Day-of vs. Complete Coordination

2008-09-21T14:16:00.002-04:00

A Belle Soiree offers both day-of packages as well as complete coordination. So how do you choose which one is right for you?

For the bride who has time on her side, we recommend our day-of packages. This provides little involvement until the actual day of the ceremony. Depending on which package you choose, we can make vendor recommendations, visit the ceremony and reception locations, and provide limited coverage on the day of your event. These packages are our most cost-effective and begin at $650.

If you are a busy bride with a job, kids, or just have a busy lifestyle than our complete coordination is best suited for you. We step in from day one and do it all. We assist in budget planning, interviewing vendors, making recommendations, finding locations, reviewing contracts, allow unlimited meetings, help with design aspects, and so much more. This is offered to brides with a budget of $20,000 or more and begins at $2,000.

For more information contact us at

Shannon@aBelleSoiree.com

Which registry is right for you?

2008-02-20T21:46:00.004-05:00

Registries have gone hi-tech and with the internet, it's easier than ever to spread the word about all of your wedding wants. While it's improper to include registry information with the invitations, having a wedding website and posting the information there is best. You can also spread the word in your bridal shower invitations, but leave the registry out of the wedding invites. We'll highlight many different registries in this post.

Department Stores
You've got your obvious choices that make gift-giving easy for all of your guests. Department stores offer everything from clothing, perfume, linens, dinnerware, hardware, appliances, and more.
Macy's Wedding Registry - Bloomingdales Wedding Registry - Sears Wedding Registry

Neiman Marcus Wedding Registry - JCPenney Wedding Registry - Dillards Wedding Registry

Specialty Stores

For those of you looking for a particular favorite retailer or only interested in items from a specific store, here is the list for you.

Tiffany & Co. Wedding Registry - Bed, Bath, & Beyond Wedding Registry - Crate & Barrel Wedding Registry

Linens & Things Wedding Registry - Williams Sonoma Wedding Registry

Restoration Hardware Wedding Registry - Wal-Mart Wedding Registry - Target Wedding Registry

Waterford Wedding Registry - Amazon.com Wedding Registry - Tupperware Wedding Registry
Mikasa Wedding Registry - Kohl's Wedding Registry - Fortuoff Wedding Registry - Cuisinart Wedding Registry - Cooking.com Wedding Registry - Unica Home Wedding Registry

Honeymoon Funds

The new trend among registries is using a honeymoon fund registry. Here, your guests can contribute money to your honeymoon fund or purchase individual items for you. Guests can purchase a champagne and strawberries reception, pay for a room upgrade, pay for shore excursions, and much more.

The Honeymoon Registry - The Big Day Registry - Honey Fund Registry - Marriott Honeymoon Registry

Donate your bridesmaid dress!

2008-02-19T23:38:00.004-05:00

So we've talked about what to do with the bridal gown, now what about that bridesmaid dress crammed into the back of your closet that you're NEVER going to wear again? There's something for you girls too. It's called The Glass Slipper Project and it is based out of Chicago.

How does it work? There are plenty of girls who dream of their senior and junior proms but never have enough money to afford the perfect dress for them. This is where you come in! With your donation of your bridesmaid dress, you can help a girl make her wishes come true. This is a fabulous project that is always in need of great donations of dresses, garment bags, accessories, and makeup for these deserving girls.

For more information on how you can help, please visit:

http://www.glassslipperproject.org

Thanks for helping others!

-WedChick-

What to do with the dress?

2008-02-19T23:13:00.006-05:00

After the wedding...what to do with the dress???
You've spent so much time and not to mention money, getting the dress of your dreams. The big day has finally passed and now you're stuck with a gorgeous gown hanging in your closet. Gone are the days of saving the dress for your daughter to wear. Let's face it, times change and so does style. By the time your daughter grows up she might have grown out of the possibility of wearing your gown. We'll discuss a few ideas in this article.

Trash the Dress
I know, you're sitting there reading this thinking "What the HECK is she talking about!!!" Many

brides are opting to get the most out of their dress and their pictures by doing what photogs call a "Trash the Dress" shoot. This can be as simple as taking pictures in the ocean or as down and dirty as going mudding on a four wheeler in your couture creation. If you can imagine it, it can be done. It does make for some really fabulous and fun pictures that your friends and family will never stop talking about, but it's not for everyone. Don't fear though...depending on the fabric your gown consists of most can be cleaned even after a trash the dress session is all over with.

Donate It

Making Memories has a program entitled "Brides Against Breast Cancer." Throughout the year, donates dresses make their way across the nation and are put on sale for local brides in the area. All monies received from the sale of the gowns goes towards preventing and treating breast cancer. If you're interested in donating your gown to this amazing, worthwhile cause or even donating a few hours of your time to volunteer, please visit their website by clicking here:
Brides Against Breast Cancer-Making Memories

Preserve It
Even after reading our other suggestions, you still would like to preserve your gown...we understand! Just make sure you leave the preservation to trusted, certified professionals. We've heard stories of girls who opened their gowns years later to find nothing. This in fact happened to tv show host Leeza Gibbons! Did the dress disinegrate or did it never actually make it into the box? Who knows. One thing is for sure, you do not want this happening to you. Simply leaving it to hang in it's garment bag will destroy the dress due to harmful gases the bag emits. Talk with the bridal shop where you purchased the gown to find out if they have someone they work with directly.

Ciao for now!

-WedChick-

Why hire a wedding consultant?

2008-01-29T23:08:00.003-05:00

You've seen it done on television and you wonder if it's something worthwhile that you can afford? The choice to hire a wedding consultant is one that should be a part of your planning process from day one. In this article, I'll explain the benefits and things you should consider when choosing to hire someone to help you on your dream day.

There are so many out there, how do you choose the right one? Wedding consultants are special people with a love for the romance and intimacy of the celebration of one of the biggest days in someones life. They sometimes hold special certifications and memberships through organizations such as the Association of Bridal Consultants (ABC), that require a certain level of proficiency. Most will offer complimentary consultations to learn more about you and to tell you about their company and their services. You should meet with a few consultants and pick the one you felt the greatest bond with.

Wedding Consultants spend a great deal of time networking and establishing strong relationships with quality vendors in your area. By doing this, they can attest to the finished products and ensure you not only great work but at a great price. Some consultants have special pricing worked out with vendors and pass the savings onto you.

Consultants help you in meeting with vendors, establishing a budget, creating timelines and schedules, payment of vendors, choosing a location, handling out of town guests, reviewing contracts, and most importantly they are there with you on your special day.

Some girls can handle most of the details themselves but are looking for someone to take control on the day of their wedding. This is often called day-of management. Most consultants will offer this service and may include it in a package. This is cost effective for the bride who needs minimal help. For brides needing help throughout the entire process, full coordination services is the best way to go. Full coordinating can cost you anywhere between 10%-15% of your total budget.

In short, it's best to leave the planning up to the professionals. What happens if your photographer quits the day before the wedding? Trust me, I've seen it happen. What if your cake gets demolished during delivery? All these things a consultant will know how to handle without causing you extra stress and worry on your big day.

Check the web for local bridal professional organizations that will refer you to qualified consultants. It helps to also stop into a bridal shop, cake baker, photographer, etc. to find out if they have reccommendations as well. Often times these vendors have worked with these consultants and can tell you first-hand just how they are.

Good luck and happy planning!
-WedChick-

The Best Wedding Reception Ever!

2008-01-13T22:39:00.000-05:00

For those of you looking to make your reception a memorable party (who isn't?), I have a fantastic book for you! It's called The Best Wedding Reception Ever written by Merry Weddings, Inc. It has amazing ratings on Amazon.com and is written by a first class DJ/Entertainment company based out of California. The author Peter Merry, has been featured on many state morning tv shows and is a highly respected entertainer.

Sometimes brides can get so caught up in the perfect flowers, delicious meals, and scrumptious cake without thinking about the importance of the reception. Your reception should be a party, a grand celebration in honor of your new life with your new husband! This book gives you excellent ideas on how to get the party started with game ideas and more. It's really a must have for every bride. For more information on The Best Wedding Reception Ever, please visit their website at:
http://www.thebestweddingreceptionever.com/ Don't forget to check out their super fun blog as well. To purchase the book through Amazon, click below.

Wedding Webbies: Party Supplies & Furniture Rentals

2008-01-12T22:35:00.001-05:00

Hi everyone! For this weeks edition of the Wedding Webbies we feature three websites chosen by party planner guru David Tutera. We have two websites carrying an outstanding selection of party supplies for every occasion including prom, mardi gras, baby showers, and more. If you have chosen a theme for your wedding, this is a great place to garner some ideas or make a few purchases to get you going. The other site offers modern furniture rentals. Let's get started!

#1 Mod Prop
Modprop.com offers a super fun selection of entertaining and interesting furniture rentals. They are located on Madison Avenue in New York and feature pieces such as chaise lounges, rugs, bars, and much more. They even have a section featuring classic cars!

#2 Shindigz
This is your one stop shop for your upcoming bash or special event. These guys have everything covered. They have over 38,000 supplies ranging from balloons, curtains, wall graphics, cardboard cutouts, arches, photo stand ins, and more. There isn't anything they don't have!

#3 Bulk Party Supplies
This site offers up to a 70% discount on items in their store. Their wedding collection includes aisle runners, buttons, koozies, and more. You do have to buy in bulk which can save you if you're purchasing an item being used for your bridal party or your entire guest list.

Many thanks to David Tutera who you can visit at http://www.davidtutera.com/

Wedding Webbies #3 - Music -

2008-01-05T22:10:00.000-05:00

For this edition of Wedding Webbies we'll focus on music for your ceremony & reception.

#1 The O'Neill Brothers
A personal favorite of mine and just about the only artist I recommend to my brides. They have amazingly beautiful piano music and their site allows you to preview each and every track. They currently have three wedding CD's that consist of two traditional CD's as well as a CD specifically for beach weddings! The track listing consists of traditional hymns, famous concertos, and popular music. Their site allows you to download individual tracks for just 99 cents each, download the CD online, or purchase it and have it shipped to you. Be sure to sign up for their e-mail list as they frequently do amazing offers like buy one, get one free and more!
http://www.pianobrothers.com/cart/shopaff.asp?affid=507

#2 Wedding Music Central
This is a really great site that simply lays out each aspect of your wedding you'll need music for and which tracks are commonly used.
http://www.weddingmusiccentral.com/advice_tour.php

#3 Giving You the Rest of My Life
A CD full of Christian artists singing beautiful songs for your ceremony. Certain Churches do not allow secular music to be played, this CD is a great option for those who fall into that category.

Answering your questions!

2007-12-31T19:17:00.000-05:00

Do you have a wedding related question that needs to be answered?

Please send an e-mail to PrncssShan03@aol.com

We'll get back to you right away and feature your question on the blog!

-Wedchick-

Brides Against Breast Cancer

2007-12-31T16:16:00.000-05:00

Brides Against Breast Cancer is a wonderful group created by the folks at Making Memories. Each year they have a wonderful gown sale featuring amazing designer dresses at even more amazing prices. Proceeds from the sale of these gowns goes towards winning the fight against breast cancer.

Volunteers are needed in every city from Seattle to Tampa. Kick-off beings Friday, January 11th in Seattle and runs until October 12th in Port Townsend, WA. Please visit their website for detailed information on the sale and also how to be a volunteer.

http://pepmembers.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=437

The Pink Envelope Project is also in conjunction with Making Memories. This group encourages donations through distribution of Pink Envelopes at your bridal shower, reception, and more. They will even provide you with the envelopes and instruction cards for your guests. Don't miss this oppurtunity to make a difference.

-WedChick-

Bridal Salons - What to expect when finding your dream gown!

2007-12-29T11:47:00.000-05:00

-What You Should Expect From A Bridal Salon-

Many girls find themselves in a whole new world after becoming engaged. There are hundreds of bridal magazines, websites, and of course married friends and family to offer their opinions. As we know times have changed, and what worked for Aunt Edna in the 60's probably isn't going to work for you.

There is a huge difference between the "cookie cutter" bridal stores and full-service bridal salons. I know, I currently work in one. I've seen countless brides come into our salon after visiting a nameless "cookie cutter" complaining about lack of attention and concern for them. Sadly, these consultants are stretched to their limits by expecting to take care of multiple brides at one time. They are also pushed by managers to do whatever it takes to make the sale that day.

When stepping into a bridal salon, you should feel a difference in the air after visiting one of the above. While they may be smaller, they offer one-on-one attention which often requires an appointment but for good reason. A consultant will take the time to listen to your dreams for your gown, review photos with you, and allow you to pull dresses of your choice. They might have some ideas based on what you've said and grab those for you as well. They are educated on gown design, materials, and the designers they carry. More often than not, the designers in bridal salons are open to changes in their gowns. So your dream of having a sweetheart neckline on that v-neck dress can often times be a reality. These dresses are also custom ordered and are not off the rack. Turn-around time for these gowns are between 4-6 months so plan accordingly. Rushes can be added to orders but be prepared to pay a minimum of $200.

Full-service bridal salons also offer in-house alterations, accessories, and much more. Consultants will measure you on the spot after placing an order and review the designers size chart with you to choose the size that best fits your measurements. Some will house your gown until your wedding date at no additional cost as well as press your gown for free. Be sure to ask before buying!

Beware of bridal salons that include alterations in their pricing. Maybe your dress comes in and all you need is a bustle, which may only cost $150. ABC Bridal Salon added $500 to the cost of that dress shown on the tag to include alterations. You just cost yourself $350, which could help you hire a wedding coordinator or increase your floral budget!

Stay tuned for more tips on finding your wedding attire! Please leave comments and questions!

-Wedchick-

Girls night at the movies!

2007-12-27T16:42:00.000-05:00

Brides magazine is offering free screening passes for the upcoming movie "27 Dresses" starring Catherine Heigl.

After walking down the aisle 27 times as a bridesmaid, a young woman wrestles to stand by her sister who's marrying the man she's secretly in love with.

You must be 21 years of age or older (so you can enjoy the yummy cocktails!) and reside in Atlanta, Dallas, or New York. Tickets are limited to the first 250 people. The event takes place on January 10th, 2008. For more information and screening passes please visit http://www.brides.com/promotions/27dresses

Have fun girls and let us know how it is!

-Wedchick-

Wedding Webbies #2

2007-10-24T01:13:00.000-04:00

Wedding Webbies #2

I've fallen behind on blog entries and the Wedding Webbies but here is entry #2 for your viewing pleasure! Drum roll please...

Silly Sandals

http://www.sillysandals.com/

These have to be the cutest and most creative sandals ever! They have everything from breast cancer awareness (My favorite) to football to hockey and even some for wine enthusiasts! The shoes shown at the left are currently 50% off and are selling for just $12! Pick a few up as gifts for your attendants or slip into a pair after your ceremony!

Love, Me
http://www.shoploveme.com/

Love, Me is a unique bridal boutique created by celebrity wedding planner Mindy Weiss. You can find some really special gifts for attendants, splurge on a few items for yourself, or pick-up a brides emergency kit for your big day!

Spotlight On: Sylvia Weinstock

2007-10-14T15:03:00.001-04:00

Spotlight On: Sylvia Weinstock

One of my favorite parts of a wedding is the ending...the deliciously sweet and stunning wedding cake! One of the most sought after and amazingly talented cake designers in the world is Sylvia Weinstock. Her most recognized item, besides her cake, is her adorable black oversized sunglasses. It is her signature!

She has designed cakes for celebrities like Donald Trump & Melania Knauss, The Saudi Royal Family, and Michael Douglas & Catherine Zeta-Jones. To describe her cakes as amazing doesn't give her any justice. Her beautiful creations consist of delicately hand-made sugar and gum paste flowers that look like they've been plucked out of a royal garden! Mrs. Weinstock even wore them in a hat recently at a friends' wedding.

I've had the pleasure of delighting in one of her creations and it was absolutely fabulous. Now, with all her celeb status you must know the price tags for her savory desserts are quite high. She doesn't only do wedding cakes so a smaller option for a bridal shower, baby shower, or grooms cake is also an option...but be prepared to pay for it!

Sylvia's cakes are treated with world-class care. They are often times hand delivered by Sylvia herself so she can oversee the construction of the cake when it arrives at its destination.

For more information about Sylvia: Sylvia Weinstock Cakes 212.925.6698
273 Church Street
New York, NY 10013
http://www.sylviaweinstock.com/

Sylvia has a book out entitled Sweet Celebrations: The Art of Decorating Beautiful Cakes. To purchase this book please click below:

Wedding Webbies #1

2007-10-07T23:49:00.000-04:00

Each Sunday I'll post a few spectacular websites that offer a range of different ideas and items for your wedding...drum roll please...

Wedding Webbies #1 for October 7th

Wifeville
http://www.wifeville.com/
Adorable website that offers the cutest in tees, hoodies, undies, aprons and more that celebrate your soon to be or already wifehood! With tees that say "The Wife is Right" to "Wonder Wife" you're bound to fall in love with something.

Cake America
http://www.cakeamerica.com/weddingcakes.aspx
Cake America offers an extensive gallery of gourmet wedding cakes for your viewing pleasure! Scroll though to find cakes with floral design or intricate patterns. Print out your favorites and take them to your local baker.

Favor Ideas
http://www.favorideas.com/
Searching for the perfect favor to give to your friends & family? Check out Favor Ideas for items like personalized mint tins, votives, chocolate dipped marshmallows, favor boxes, custom water bottles, and more.

Why Being a Bridesmaid is the Best Gig!

2007-09-30T14:29:00.000-04:00

For all you soon to be bridesmaids, I found this fun article on the Dessy/After 6 website!

Best Gals
Why Being a Bridesmaid is the Best Gig

(BNN) You've just received the call. Your college "sister" is getting married, and she wants you to be a bridesmaid. Quick--are you flabbergasted or flattered?
Let's hope it's the latter. Though it can be a daunting experience to serve such an important role, your friend must really consider you one of her best gal pals, right? So if you think of your duties as a BEST GAL rather than as a servant to the bride, things will go much more smoothly in carrying out your commitment. Here are some surefire tips for being the best "best gal".
Be enthusiastic and supportive. As the bride plans her big day, she'll need plenty of backup, both material and emotional, from those she has honored with bridesmaid status. Don't wait to be asked. Volunteer your assistance with some of the more tedious and time-consuming tasks, such as selecting a venue for the ceremony (especially if it is a logistically challenging "destination wedding" far from home); planning bridal showers and bachelorette parties; and, if need be, even addressing invitations. Since many of today's couples create wedding websites to inform invited guests of the details, you can help gather information to keep communications up to date.

Expect the unexpected and "come to the rescue". No matter how thorough the nuptial planning, there will always be glitches. That's when a bride's best gals can step in and show their true colors. Maybe the fresh peonies the bride wants aren't in season; so . . . suggest a beautiful silk-alternative flower. Has her future mother-in-law requested that non-alcoholic libations also be served at the wedding reception? Maybe you could recommend fresh and fun alcohol-free cocktails that are tasty, colorful, and perhaps even evoke a romantic theme.

Shop for bridesmaids' dresses! Here's where the real fun of being a best gal begins. Although the bride-to-be will have the last word on how the wedding party will look, she will of course want them to play a major role in selecting their dresses, and to be delighted with the choice as well. Thankfully, dress options today are vast and flexible for all personalities and body types. Doing some fashion research on the Internet can help you, as a best gal, with style preferences. At Dessy.com and AfterSixDresses.com, for instance, designer Vivian Diamond's bridesmaid’s dresses are all about soft, feminine, simple silhouettes with draping, layering, or jewel-pin accents. These popular designs, meant to be “wear-again”glamorous evening looks, come in a variety of colors with favorites ranging from claret and shades of pink to aubergine and kiwi. For those who want versatility and flexibility of mixing sizes, colors and patterns, an exciting range of bridesmaids separates and two-piece dresses may be seen on AlfredSung.com Show the bride your taste expertise by recommending a few flattering styles. Once the choice has been made, best gals should help make sure their dresses are ordered far enough in advance to allow time for choosing the perfect shoes and jewelry to wear on the big day.

Take time to share the memories. One of the most satisfying fringe benefits of being a best gal is sharing with your best-gal pals--the friendships, stories, important events involved in the wedding. A personal keepsake for the bride and the wedding party will be treasured for a lifetime. One perfect memento, for instance, might be a photo diary documenting everything from dress-shopping and bridal showers to festive bachelorette parties and the rehearsal dinner. You can assemble the pictures in a lovely, small album or--utilizing today's digital technology--make, or have made, a CD of the images. Then, with the latter, you can host an informal "welcome back" party when the newlyweds return from their honeymoon, and play a "slide-show" of the images on your TV set. A get-together of this kind will be much appreciated by the bride. It will likewise renew the wedding camaraderie, and allow the wedding party, along with other friends and family to reconnect with the new "Mr. and Mrs."--and the "best gals" to reconnect with each other.

Dessy & After 6 Bridesmaids Collection
http://www.dessy.com/

Chicago Mart, DEBI Awards, & Cake Cutting!

2007-09-27T20:38:00.000-04:00

It's been almost a week so let me get caught up by posting 2 blogs in one!

It's time for Chicago Market & The DEBI'S!
It's that time of the year again! September 29th - October 2nd, all the latest designers and bridal related vendors will take over the Merchandise Mart in Chicago. This is the place for local bridal shops to "shop" designers and take a peek at new collections and upcoming designs. It's also the time for the 2007 DEBI awards. The Distinctive Excellence in the Bridal Industry awards recognizes the best designers in the industry from headpieces, bridal, prom, and more. A good friend of the bridal shop I work at, Matthew Christopher, is up for most innovative designer of the year. GO MATTHEW!

Cake-Cutting Fees
Quick tip, please be sure to check with your location/cake vendor to be aware of any cake cutting fees that may be charged. Some locations charge $1 a slice to cut the cake and serve it to guests. The Ritz Carlton Grande Lakes in Orlando, charges $7 a slice! This can be very costly...imagine a wedding with 100 guests at the Ritz costing you $700 in just cake cutting! WOW! Don't overlook this easy to forget detail.

Matthew Christopher
http://www.matthewchristopher.com/
Ritz Carlton Grande Lakes
http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/Orlando/Default.htm

Free Military Weddings in Vegas!

2007-09-18T15:33:00.000-04:00

Free Military Weddings in Vegas!

If you and your special soldier are heading to Las Vegas to get married or you want to make things official quick before he is deployed...many of the wedding chapels offer free or discounted weddings to service members. Most include use of the chapel, traditional music, silk bouquet and boutonniere, wedding license scroll, and 12 professional photos. Simply reserve the chapel by showing the staff your loved ones deployment papers. If you are not being deployed most offer a 10% discount on other packages!

For more information visit:

http://www.littlechapel.com/

http://www.lvweddingchapels.com/

New Gown Designers Stepping on the Scene

2007-09-12T16:51:00.000-04:00

New Gown Designers Stepping on the Scene

Some surprising new designers are stepping into the bridal market. Disney debuted their Fairy Tale Weddings Collection by Kirstie Kelly in April of this year. With price points between $1,500-$3,000, many girls will be able to afford a princess gown on their special day. They modeled most of the gowns after characters from popular disney series including Ariel, Belle, Snow White, Jasmine, Sleeping Beauty, and of course Cinderella. They also have a line for bridesmaids called Maidens which features surprisingly pretty gowns. No word on the quality yet...

Another stunning entrance is Target! Yep, you heard right. Isaac Mizrahi for Target is now in the bridal market. Their prices range from $89-$159. For the bride who is on a serious budget this might be an option. But, beware that most times you get what you pay for. No word on the quality of these gowns either, although they have a moderate rating from users on the Target website.

For more information on either of these companies please go to:
Disney Bridal
http://www.disneybridal.com/index.html
Isaac Mizrahi for Target Bridal
http://www.target.com/gp/browse.html/602-8952636-1171047?index=tgt-mf-mv&node=347006011&rank=price&x=12&y=14

Ciao!

UPDATE 12/31/07: It appears that you can only purchase Issac Mizrahi for Target bridal gowns online through Target.com!

Tip of the Day

2007-09-12T12:59:00.001-04:00

A typical fee for a wedding and event consultant is 10%-15% of the total budget. Plan on paying your planner at least $1,000 for a $10,000 wedding. It is also customary to include a tip on their services to show your appreciation for their hard work.

Welcome!

2007-09-12T12:52:00.000-04:00

Hi everyone!

Welcome to my new blog...What's Happening in Weddings! I'll be using this blog to update you all on what's happening in the event industry, give you tips and ideas, and answer your questions. I hope it helps you in planning your dream day!

-WedChick-