NewlyMaid - Shop. Upcycle. Give

In my quest to get back to blogging a regular basis, I stumbled upon this awesome idea on what to do with that used bridesmaids dress you and/or your attendants will probably never wear again.

 
NewlyMaid is a fab site in which you can purchase a new black dress and give a dress to a girl in need + free up some space in your closet.  How can you go wrong with that?  Check out below how it works:

1. Buy yourself a new little black dress. We'll send you a free pre-paid mailer to send us a bridesmaid dress you won't ever wear again.
2. Send them an old bridesmaid dress using your pre-paid mailer. NewlyMaid will donate your dress to charity or recycle it.
3. And if you don't have a dress, no problem! You can purchase a little black dress & NewlyMaid will send a dress or item in your name to their designated charity.  

Now what girl can't use a new little black dress...plus feel good about giving a dress away to someone who really needs it.

Until next time...WEDologize!

WGC Partyscape: Cocktail With Details

I had the most fabulous team of vendors to help me in creating my latest Partyscape for Wedding Guide Chicago which I titled "Cocktails With Details".  The inspiration comes from an increase in the number of cocktail receptions to celebrate a couples wedding nuptials. Rich colors, gorgeous flowers and delicious desserts makes this style of reception over-the-top fabulous! Take a look:

I'd like to personally thank my team of vendors for bringing this vision to life:

Location: Eaglewood Resort & Spa		Photography: Artistic PhotoGraphics		Floral Design: Jane's Blue Iris
Cake: Luscious Layers Bakery		Invitations & Favors: CT-Designs & Calligraphy		Tableware & China: Classic Party Rentals		Linens: Classic Party Rentals
Videography: Wedding Connections

Look for our newest Partyscape coming to Wedding Guide Chicago in December!!!
 
Until next time...WEDologize!

...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)

Wedding Gown Tips

As I've mentioned in numerous blogs, the wedding gown is the main "centerpiece" of the ceremony and sets the tone for much of the wedding day design.  Prior to putting on your fabulous wedding gown for the walk down the aisle, remember the following:

• Bring your wedding day shoes (and undergarments) to your first fitting and every fitting thereafter to avoid an uneven hemline.
• Don't select jewelry that has protruding edges that can tear or snag your gown.
• Once you bring your gown home, make sure to hang it from the loops INSIDE the gown.  The loops are reinforced within the side seams and can carry the weight of the heavy fabric.
• When getting the gown pressed, make sure to use a cleaners that HAND PRESSES wedding gowns.
• Be sure to eat, drink and use the restroom before putting on your wedding gown. 
• When the moment comes to put on your gown, make sure your hands are clean and the persons helping you into the gown have clean hands.

Until next time...WEDologize!

(Some of the tips are from www.DavisImperial.com)

WEDologyEDU - Winter 2013

I'm so excited to announce the last 2013 date for WEDologyEDU (formerly WEDology Experience) is Saturday, November 9th at Flossmoor Country Club!  Yes, you requested another workshop and I listened.  Registration is LIVE and the early-bird pricing has been extended to October 25th.

This intensive one-day workshop will cover the following topics:

• The role of a wedding/event planner and the various hats they wear
• How to turn your passion into a profitable business
• The potential client approach and initial meeting
• Contracts and how to receive compensation
• Who's your ideal client
• Marketing efforts and public relations for your wedding/event business
• Benefits of social media and blogging
• Expanding your wedding/event business offerings

I look forward to meeting, greeting and teaching budding and aspiring wedding and event planners on November 9th!!!  Visit our new business website WEDology toolKIT for more dates and information about our WEBinars, NOTEbooks and MENTORing.

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

I love a GREAT cake, but this wedding cake created by Faye Cahill has an amazing, yet modern spin on the traditional tiered wedding cake!  The black pedestal is genius!!!  WOW!

Until next time...PIN IT and WEDologize

(Photo credit - Faye Cahill)

NYC Bridal Fashion Week

Once again...I was tracking #BridalMarket via social media over a span of 5 days :)  I promised myself that I will be in attendance come October 2014!  Anywho, I wanted to share some of the latest wedding gown trends I discovered for Spring 2014.

• Lace hasn't gone anywhere, but laser cut patterns on wedding gowns are going to become a trend.
• Dramatic headpieces, veils and combs will always be on trend.
• The fabulous Vera Wang debuted coral and pink wedding gowns for the season.
• We are seeing lots of jewels and embellishments on wedding gowns reminiscent of the 1920's.
• The peplum "skirt" is still around although it wasn't one of my favorite trends last year.
• New on the scene are gowns high in the front with a fabulous train the back.

To see tons of pictures of NYC Bridal Week, visit the hashtags #BridalMarket and #BridalFashionWeek to see thousands of photos and fashion show videos on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

Until next time...WEDologize!

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

Loving the sparkle on this reception table!  Sparkly linens, but what my eye is drawn to the most are the sparkly ribbon details on the bottom of the chiavari chair!  PERFECTION!!!

Until next time...PIN IT and WEDologize!

(Photo credit - Wedding Chicks | http://akstudiodesign.com/)