A Flower Tip

I wanted to share a little tip with you, the bride or the florist. Wouldn't it look much better if the stem of your boutonnieres were wrapped in black or coordinating ribbon instead of green floral tape?

The black will blend nicely with the tux. I even had a client that had copper wire wrapped around the black ribbon for something more contemporary.


Now doesn't this look better - go ahead mention it to your florist, you'll thank me when you get your pictures back.

Looky Looky!

I received the cutest tshirt in the mail today!
Its from The Pink Book website - They list Elegant Engagements in their directory as a preferred vendor!

The back of the shirt has this adorable vow on it:
All brides should read and take note.

i do....
I promise to remember that the most important part of the day is not my designer wedding dress or my Jimmy Choo shoes. I promise to understand when my dad starts to act like George Banks from Father of the Bride. I promise to listen to my mother's ideas...and admit she might even have a few good ones. I promise to write my thank you notes withine two months of receiving a gift. I promise to be patient with my F.M.I.L. I promise to stay calm when my groom does not know the difference between out colors, blush and bashful. I promise to get cute bridesmaid dresses that really can be worn again. I promise to blog about every last wedding detail, because I am a Pink Bride.

A Very Meaningful Ceremony

Sunday I was able to witness the most beautiful ceremony, very meaningful and full of love. It was my first Russian Orthodox Wedding. It took place at St. Nicholas in Washington, DC. There was no formal processional, the bride walked in the door with her dad and met the priest and her groom. At the back of the church they lit candles and exchanged rings onto the right hand. They then followed the priest up the center where they participated in the crown ceremony. The bridal party took turns holding the crowns over the couples head. Following tradition the guests stood on the sides and watched. This was so intimate and special.

Kim wore a beautiful Scarlett O'Hara inspired gown.


The intimate reception took place at Lightfoot Restaurant, Photography by Mandi (check out her blog for sneak pics), DJ by Erin and Flowers by Holly Chapple.

A Beach Wedding

Well Sort of....My bride and groom really really wanted to get married on the beach but it just wasn't working out so they decided on an outdoor ceremony at the Hilton Garden Inn with a tropical reception in the ballroom.
The room glowed in aqua - the lines were beautiful. Handmade centerpieces consisted of glass containers with candles and shells. Everyone received a Hershey's bar but the best part was the 6 tier cake from Charm City - Ace of Cakes.
Beautiful fondant painted with palm trees and water.







Congratulations Kelly and Duke - it was a pleasure working with you.

To the rescue!

Well I survived my weddings this past weekend - I will post details and pics later this week so check back!

I just wanted to mention something that happened and how a wedding planner can be very helpful on your wedding day. We are always ready...

I get a call Sunday around noon from a bridesmaid - they are short one bout for the brides stepfather. Can I help?

Of course!

I go buy a dozen roses, get my emergency kit out, cut, wire and make a beautiful white rose bout with the stems wrapped in ribbon.

Voila!

That is what we are there for - to handle last minute changes, mini crisises and or snaffos!

Chocolate

As you may know I love Wonderful Graffiti.

They have just come out with a new chocolate line of accessories for your wedding.
Everything from banners, coasters, hanging place cards, bottle wraps and tented place cards. I could go on - You have to check it out.

They are chocolate brown with polka dots and would look amazing with sage green or blue linens.

You can start off with the invitation, have a beautiful banner at your ceremony, bottle wrappers at the reception and finish it off with favor suckers as the guests leave.

For an additional charge other colors are available.

Fly Away

I am sure when you were booking your honeymoon you shopped around for the best airfare, the best direct routes etc. I remember when my husband was booking our trip to Hawaii he mapped out the best layover options to and from and for the best price.

Well what if you book your trip using the airlines online website and realize the next week or month the fare has gone down? Airlines little secret - you can get a refund for the difference.

Your Amazing Personal Travel Assistant lets you tag a trip. You then get alerts if and when the prices drop. You can do this before or after you book your trip. Just forward your flight confirmation to flights@yapta.com and you will get notification if you are eligible for a refund or voucher.

Birthdays!

How many of you can keep up with all your friends and family birthdays? I know its tough but I really try to remember the special day and send a card - yep a real card in the mail. If for some reason I forget the person definitely gets a phone call.

I have noticed recently that with all this technology and instant gratification we are craving, people are forgetting that personal touch. How hard is it to send a card or pick up the phone and call a friend?

Please don't send a text message to your best friend of 25 years that says 'Happy Bday'

So now you want to know how I keep track of these special days - I use Birthday Alarm.
It's this great site that sends an email to your friends and family, they respond with their birthday and then 3 days before the birthday you get an email alarm reminding you.

Amazing - it works wonders and all your friends and family will be happy you remembered -Don't forget that personal touch - they are your nearest and dearest.

Dog Days of Summer

Do you think my dog is spoiled?
Malcolm - our beagle hanging out Saturday afternoon.....

Best Party Sangria!

I hosted Book Club at my house last night and made the most awesome Sangria!

(well my guests liked it anyway, I obviously couldn't drink any)

Here is the recipe:
Ingredients:

• 1 Bottle of red wine (I used Cabernet Sauvignon)
• 1 Lemon cut into wedges
• 1 Orange cut into wedges
• 1 Lime cut into wedges
• 1 Apple cut in cubes
  
• 2 Tbsp sugar
• Splash of orange juice
• 2 Shots of gin
• 1 Cup of sliced strawberries or raspberries (may use thawed or frozen)
• 4 Cups ginger ale

Preparation:

Pour wine in the pitcher and squeeze the juice wedges from the lemon, orange and lime into the wine. Toss in the fruit wedges (leaving out seeds if possible) then add sugar, orange juice and gin. Chill overnight. Add ginger ale, berries and ice just before serving. If you'd like to serve right away, use chilled red wine and serve over lots of ice. However, remember that the best Sangrias are chilled around 24 hours in the frig. - allowing the flavors to really marinate into each other.

A little Pizazz!

I came across this adorable website with matching stationary. Carrot and Stick Press
Beautiful fold over notes - perfect for bridal shower thank yous!




Or what about escort/name cards?


They will also make custom maps and invitations for you.
check them out!

Love July

I just love July!

There are a few reasons:
My whole life I have been spending a week of it at Myrtle Beach with my family
4th of July holiday
it's my birthday month and 3 of my best friends birthdays are also in July!

I also love the sun, sand and frozen daiquiris - July is a perfect month to enjoy all those things.
So where are you vacationing this year?

You Top The Cake

I have noticed more and more couples are starting to use bride and groom cake toppers. Not the flimsy plastic ones your mom used or the gazebo with birds on it. A few years ago they were showing off their hobbies and being fun on a grooms cake but now I am seeing a switch to the wedding cake itself.

Something more stylish and more personal.

Like this from You Top The Cake
Very personal - you can add in dogs, kids or a theme.


Hand Sculpted & Hand Painted Figurine made to Look Like YOU !!

and the most expensive and very quirky from PatchNYC



or this company will add in a sport or hobby Custom Toppers

thanks to bff bridal, brides for some links.

Dial Directions

FYI a helpful tip for your out of town guests.

Post your wedding or event on www.dialdirections.com and when guests dial 347-directions (328-4667) they will get turn by turn driving directions texted to their cell phones.

Cost is free except for the cost of receiving text messages.

Put this on your wedding website and in the hotel out of town gift bags.