Day #1 - Head Table Decor

Head table decor can be the simplest and least expensive decor in your wedding floral budget.  Why not re-purpose your bridal bouquet and bridesmaids bouquets???  Add a few glass vases + some floating candles along with the bouquets and watch this main table come to life.  I mean think about it, what are you going to do with the bouquets after all the wedding photos anyway :)  This will also work perfectly should you decide on a sweetheart table.  You'll thank me later when you see the savings.

Until next time...WEDologize!

Photo credit - www.rushphotovideo.com

...I Found It, You Pin It...Friday

The bar is probably the second most used space outside of the dance floor during the wedding reception.  How amazing are these GORGEOUS vases of delphiniums framing this light-up bar?!?!?!  OMG!  Just stunning in various shades of purples and lavenders.  WOW FACTOR indeed!!!

Until next time...PIN IT and WEDologize!

(Photo credit - www.eventinedesign.com)

...I Found it, You Pin It...Friday!

I'm in love with the color grey...more so than black.  So when I stumbled upon this gorgeous place setting, the elegance just made my jaw drop!  A smokey grey charger... with a beautiful shantung fabric napkin... on top of the detailed wedding menu... with an ivory peony perched on top is just perfect!

 
Until next time...PIN IT and WEDologize!

(photo credit - Inside Weddings | Elizabeth Solano)

Not Your Standard Ceremony Aisle

When marrying in the church, typically you have a center aisle in which the entire wedding party will walk down in addition to all of your wedding guests.  But should you decide to host your ceremony in a non-traditional location, take a peek at some of the fabulous ways to create the aisle for your grand entrance:

The ceremony aisle in the round so that there isn't a bad seat in the house!

Use patterned lighting to create an aisle "runner".

Use a thick layer of rose petals to create a carpet down the center aisle.

Omit the traditional seating and create a curved wedding aisle.

Until next time...WEDologize!

(photo credits:  In the round -  Landlock Bride | http://www.jaclynmariephoto.com; Lighting - Fantasy Sound; Petal carpet - Style Me Pretty; Curved aisle - Wedding Obsession)

CSW: Pops of Color

Much of your wedding design and decor is based on the color palette you select early on in the wedding planning process.  Chicago Style Weddings invited me to give some advice on choosing your wedding color scheme.  Take a look:

Desiree' Moore Dent of Dejanae Events agrees and has seen grey paired "especially with hues of yellow, green, and blue."  Dent also has seen purple and teal, "giving [Pantone's 2012 Color of the Year, Tangerine Tango] a run for it's money!"

You can view the entire article and others in Chicago Style Weddings eMagazine at http://www.chicagostyleweddings.com/emagazine.aspx.

Until next time...WEDologize!

CSW: Wedding Splurges That Are Worth It

There are some details of wedding planning that you don't want to skip.  I completely understand the need to stay on task and within your budget when deciding on details for your ceremony and reception.  Chicago Style Weddings invited me to give some advice on splurges to make in creating your fabulous wedding day.  Take a look:

"Don't leave the cake table naked, " says Desiree' Moore Dent of Dejanae Events. "Dress it up with elaborate linens, candles, flowers and a cake stand -- because the wedding cake is the focal point of the reception."

Why is lighting so important? "It can truly transform almost any ceremony or reception space, " says Dent.

You can view the entire article and others in Chicago Style Weddings eMagazine at http://www.chicagostyleweddings.com/emagazine.aspx.

Until next time...WEDologize!

...I Found It, You Pin It...Friday!

All I can say when I see this photograph is AMAZING-NESS!!!  Can you imagine the gorgeous bride walking down that black aisle runner flanked by red rose petals?!?!  OMG and her groom is standing their watching his beautiful wife-to-be until she makes it to stand right next to him under that JAW-DROPPING and BEAUTIFUL canopy!!!  My heart just skipped a beat!

Until next time...WEDologize!

(photo credit - WedLuxe)

Tulle Rules!

Tulle has made its comeback, but in my opinion it never left.  You'll still see tulle used in veils, wedding gowns and ceremony aisle draping, but I've found some fun and playful ways to add tulle to your wedding day and not break the bank.  Let me know what you think.

Tulle used as chair ties to create a wedding veil affect

Tulle used as napkin ties with a small embellishment added

Flower girl wand created from tulle

Tulle used as an illusion wrap to enhance this beautiful invitation

 

Tulle pom-poms used as wall decor

Until next time...WEDologize!

(photo credit - napkin rings; chair ties; invitation; wall decor; flower girl wand)

Wedding Paper Cone Infatuation

The scrapbooker is coming out in this blog because I love a paper cone!  I'm actually seeing them everywhere for ceremonies, receptions and events.  And what I love most is it's a D.I.Y. project that you can't really mess up :)  Plus, if you need an unique, yet inexpensive idea for decor or to display food items, you can't go wrong with a paper cone.  Check out some of the fun ideas below:

Lovely idea for an outdoor wedding or event!
Paper cones + fresh flowers = make GREAT tree decorations

Create decor idea using paper cones and hydrangea
on the ends of the chairs or pews

Have your guests toss rose petals as you walk down the aisle as husband and wife

Make paper cones from the music sheets of your favorite songs...then add popcorn

Late night snack? Serve the French fries in these cute holders.

Should you like the ideas above and want to try and make some paper cones yourself, I've added a very simple template below.  All you need are scissors, glue, and some fun card stock or paper.

Until next time...WEDologize!

Photo credits: hydrangea cones; rose petal cones; french fries; birch cones; popcorn cones)

...I Found It, You Pin It...Friday!

Imagine this.  Your guests arrive to the ceremony location, are greeted by a smiling hostess and usher who lead you down a walkway to the actual ceremony site.  But wait...the journey to the ceremony site is so breathtaking that you have to stop and take it all in.  The columns are stunning and reek elegance!  Can you imagine what the actual wedding ceremony looked like?!?! WOW FACTOR!!!

Until next time...PIN IT and WEDologize!

(photo credit: WedLuxe)

The Sequin Comeback

Yes I said it! Everyone is all about the Bling craze and I know that to be true because our most popular blog posts to this day are about Bling. But remember the sequin? That small, flat, shiny disk that when clustered together makes an powerful statement. Check out some of these ideas using sequins.

This sequin-infused Ines Di Santo gown
would make an AWESOME reception gown

Add the WOW factor to your cocktail or reception
with these gorgeous sequin linens and overlays

Consider wrapping the bouquet handle with
sequins for that ultimate POP of elegance

Add a few or a strand of sequins to your wedding invitation.
Imagine the guests positive response to that lovely detail!

LOVE the idea of adding sequin chair "covers"
to the primary reception chairs

Imagine the ohs and ahs of seeing this wedding cake displayed at the reception.
The sugar sequins are amazing!!!

Until next time...WEDologize!

(photo credits: cake - www.cocoadotts.com; chair - www.karentran.com; bouquet - www.bellethemagazine.com; invite - www.dogwoodblossomstationery.com; linens - www.weddingobsession.com)

...I Found It, You Pin It...Friday!

Now I'll tell anyone that I love a grand lounge area at a wedding or event, but today's pic isn't about that at all.  Focus your attention to the ceiling...YEP...White Umbrellas and Twinkle Lights!!!  I'm 100% in love with the idea of adding ceiling dimension with these two unconventional elements!  Enjoy April 27th Pin It Pic :)

Until next time...PIN IT and WEDologize!

(photo credit - http://www.whitelilacinc.blogspot.com/2011/11/epic-b-day_07.html)

Unrolling That Spool of Ribbon (Day#30)

As I was coming up with some design ideas for one of my clients, I came across a pretty unique idea for using ribbon. Typically when thinking of a wedding or event, ribbon enters into the scenario to decorate programs or used as an embellishment to favor boxes/bags. But the "shabby chic" bride has come up with some pretty unique ideas of using ribbon for decorative purposes.  Check them out!

For displaying escort cards

Ribbon wands to swing as the newlyweds depart the ceremony

Backdrop for dinner or even photographs

Chair decor

Until next time...WEDologize!

(photo credits: www.marthastewart.com; www.perfectpaletteblog.com; www.wanelo.com; www.thewhitelibrary.com; www.stylemepretty.com)

Renting That "WOW Factor" For Wedding Day

When creating your budget, one of the main ticket items should be the overall look you are going for on wedding day.  Several brides have told me, "I don't like flowers." OK and that's fine, but there are many other items to consider when designing the "WOW Factor" for your ceremony and reception.  Check out the simplified list below and decide what is important to you.

photo 1

• Lush linens to grace the guest reception tables.  This is a wonderful way to create the "WOW Factor" with using color and textures to make the space pop.
• Comfortable seating provided for guests.  I recently wrote a blog on the different styles of chairs that can be rented for both the ceremony and reception.  Some come in different woods, while you can add a punch of color based on the cushion selected.  But don't forget the rental of lounge furniture that can be placed throughout the space to really add that "WOW Factor."
• Lighting to enhance a space.  You can really create the "WOW Factor" by using up lights, a gobo with your monogram, twinkle lights or specialty lighting to make the reception venue sparkle.
• The dance floor is where your guests will be the longest.  Consider renting one if the space doesn't provided one or you don't like it.  Can you imagine being twirled around by your groom on a seamless white dance floor?  Now that's officially "WOW Factor"!
• How about renting some party extras like a photo booth, concession machines, a cigar roller...you name it.  Your guests will certainly feel the "WOW Factor" when you go a little over the top with the activities they can enjoy during your wedding reception.

photo 2

Until next time...WEDologize!

Place My Plate on This Mat, Please

I'm always talking about selecting linens to enhance the reception space and making sure the napkin in not in the water glass ;)  But what about the plates that's already pre-set on the guest tables?  Adding a place mat is the answer and another way to personalize your wedding reception, and a direct hit for knowing where the meal will be positioned.  Take a look at some of these fun ideas to spice up your reception tables.

Created from a large dollie, this place mat also doubles as a "place card"

How about this whimsical place mat drawn on Kraft paper
and also serving as a place card

What a fun place mat that can be created from card stock, as seen here,
or sewn from fabric

Love the of idea of using mirrors, textured place mats and
even banana leaves to make you guest's experience even more exciting

Until next time...WEDologize!

(photo credits - www.marthastewart.com; www.theknot.com; www.thedemoiselle.com; www.zgallarie.com)

Back Your Chair Up

Those small little details go a long way when you are see the final wedding album and edited DVD.  Many shots are taken of the bride and groom while at their table...standing by their chair hugging close family and friends, eating, conversing with bridal party members.  Consider dressing up not only the sweetheart or head table with lush linens, but add those ever so perfect touches to the chairs you'll be seated in...at least for some of the night.

Until next time...WEDologize!


(photo credits: www.exceptionalbride.com; www.projectwedding.com;  www.dashweddings.com; www.stylemepretty.com; www.etsy.com)

It's Written In Chalk

In spite of my paper fetish, I do like the idea of chalkboards to convey some of the wedding day events.  Now I might not consider using chalkboards at a black tie affair, but think about these options for your semi-formal or informal wedding style.

Have a chalkboard on or near the bar listing the beverages available

Use the chalkboard to showcase the goodies available on your dessert bar

The chalkboard is GREAT to translate directions
so that guests don't take the wrong route

Chalkboard cab replace the standard escort cards

In place of menu cards, use the chalkboard to convey the reception meal

In place of wedding programs, list the key players
on a chalkboard just outside of the ceremony location

Until next time...WEDologize!

(Photo Credits: www.weddingwindow.com; www.theknot.com; www.indygettinghitched.com; www.etsy.com; www.100layercake.com)