Will You Lounge?

Having a lounge area at your wedding has become all the rage these days. Wouldn't it be great if you could extend your reception just a little. Think about your space - can you make a lounge area near the bar for guests to hang around during the reception, open up an adjoining room or pre function space as an after reception option to keep the party going for a few more hours.

You want to keep your guests wowed throughout the whole event, keep things changing; so opening up a lounge at the end of the reception really keeps the party moving. It can be a place to go a little wilder with decor, not totally different but a spiced up a little. Make it inviting with lots of cocktail tables, pillows and candles. Set up some cool furniture, add lighting, a DJ; serve some comfort late night food like mini burgers, bite size fried mac and cheese, flavored french fries or maybe set up a ice cream bar.

You don't have to spend a lot more money on this. Check to see if the hotel has some extra furniture you could use, throw around floor pillows. If you are outside use wicker or wrought iron furniture. Just add some color, a limited bar and some music - Voila - your guests will have a blast!

American Furniture Rental
American Furniture Rental
Cort Events

Favorite Centerpiece

This is my new Favorite Centerpiece Idea:


What do you think?

'Therapy' Candle Contest & Giveaway!

CONTEST!
Aromatherapy Interventions sent me this awesome soy candle to try out. It's called Wedded Bliss. They have an entire line of 'therapy' candles.

Aromatherapy Interventions is a line of pure burning soy blend candles. Yet, it’s not just another candle line. Nor is it just one more floral aromatherapy brand. It’s true aromacology, the science of scent, applied to the modern mind. Inspired by all types, moods and occasions, Aromatherapy Interventions Soy Candles are a very smart gift; a personal expression of friendship that’s entertaining, insightful and unique.

After burning it, I fell in love and want to share it with YOU - by doing a contest.

So check out Aromatherapy Interventions website - look over the different candle options/scents and let me know via a comment here or email what scent or therapy you like and who you might give it to. Are there any ideas you want me to share with the company? I will pick a random comment # Friday Feb 12 and that person will receive a Wedded Bliss Candle and the comment with the most creative answer will get a candle of their choice. FREE

I am sure there is one for everyone.
Therapy is good isn't it?

BravoBride

Kuddos goes out to Linnyette Richardson-Hall of Premier Event Management for letting me know about BravoBride.

This is a great resource for Newlyweds to sell some of their wedding items they no longer need and for Brides and Grooms to pick up items they need for their big event (and save money). Its a marketplace full of all types of wedding items - books, gowns, earrings, ring bearer pillow and favors etc. (There are even engagement rings on there!)
A portion of the proceeds go to American Heart Association's Go Red for Women Campaign.

I think this is a great idea - there are so many couples that have left over planning books, favors or a bride that wants to sell her wedding gown. Why not let other couples take advantage and save some money.

I just listed some brown paper gift bags on there - perfect for out of towners hotel bags - lets see what happens.

Offering New Stylish Invitations

Carlson Craft is carrying a new line of very pretty invitations; Check out Chloe B. I can help you get these or any other Carlson Craft Invite at a discount.

I know times are rough right now but you are still planning your wedding and trying to make your dollar go further.

Invites with quality paper are important - some online dealers offer a lower quality. Remember you get what you pay for usually.

so Check out Carlson Crafts line of affordable and great looking invites.

Up or Down

How will you wear your hair on your wedding day?
all up, some down, sleek and sexy or curly and flirty?

Here are some pictures to get you thinking!




brides.com


brides.com


Check out Hair Comes the Bride for more inspiration

Straight from the Runway

The latest Bridal Gown Fashions from Priscilla of Boston
I just love these dresses - so classy. There is every neckline and style you could imagine - to fit every body type and budget.






Priscilla of Boston also has a new line of Reception dresses - change it up for dancing!


check out the awesome red shoes:

Changing Your Name

While visiting my family over the holidays the topic of taking your husbands name came up (I hopefully have 2 cousins on their way to the engagement road).

They had asked what I thought and what I did with my middle name. It was a not an issue for me to take my husbands name, I never thought twice. Although Tomasulo is a lot harder then Sellers! I just wanted to change my name - made it feel more like creating a family. I am more on the traditional side but I did make my maiden name my middle name though.

I know some people are concerned about their professional lives and if they have been 'Karen Somers' forever it would be weird to drop the 'Somers.' Well you don't have to drop it completely.

I was Meredith Sellers for over 30 years so dropping Sellers didn't seem right either so I dropped Ann and became Meredith Sellers Tomasulo. I think years ago this was the more Southern thing to do (surprise surprise). Ann wasn't as important to me as Sellers was/is.

Professionally in the wedding business people knew me as Meredith Sellers so I just added Tomasulo to the end then after about a year I stopped including Sellers in my correspondence and business cards. Easy transition.

This is entirely a personal choice and I know some people really fret over it. Just do what is right for you and your new family.

What do you plan to do?

Just Start Moving

Like most people I have a new years resolution to loose a little weight - it the baby weight and I know it will come off if I just stop eating the cookies! I know I can't eat like I did when I was pregnant - then there was the holidays but now I have no excuse.
I came across a few ways to include exercise in my day to day routine so I thought I would pass it on to any of you that are trying to trim down - for that wedding dress, honeymoon or just because you want to firm up.

1-Take your dog for a walk (with or without baby in stroller)
2-Switch out your office chair for an exercise ball
3-Park further away from the office or mall then take the stairs
4-Do calf raises while cooking
5-Take up swing dancing, or maybe take first dance lessons for the big day
6-Practice squats up and down the hallway at home
7-and in my case lift baby above head for some arm exercises!

and here are a few low calorie snacks:

1-applesauce or chocolate pudding
2-whole grain crackers with laughing cow cheese
3-fresh veggies with nonfat ranch dip
4-handful of almonds and an apple
5-100 calorie popcorn

New Dress Trend

After the Golden Globes last night I noticed a definite dress trend.

The one arm/over the shoulder dress. I bet this will start showing up in bridesmaid dresses. Its great for any body style and would look great short or long.

Any readers doing this?

Inspiration

Do you need a little inspiration to jumpstart your planning for 2009?
turn to Colin Cowie of course-


Video
Even though some of his ideas are quite lavish you can tailor them to fit your style and budget. Using a wedding planner can help you get the bang for your buck so to say. Their contacts and experience can help you get the look you are going for.

Resolutions

So everyone makes resolutions - big ones that we never seem to stick to longer then February.
Here are some ideas - courtesy of Real Simple.
Start small then tackle the weight loss or marathon.

1-Clean a junk drawer
2-Take photos of items and valuables in your home for insurance purposes
3-Try out a new recipe
4-Replace old photos in your frames with new updated ones
5-Send your friends a hand written note, it will really surprise them

Year in Review

Here is a small recap of 2008 and Hello to 2009!

I am so blessed to have had an amazing year - especially with the birth of my son and with very successful beautiful weddings in Washington, DC, Virginia and Philadelphia. In 2008 I was named to the 'Knot Best of Weddings' for the second year in a row, planned my first baby shower and enjoyed an inspiring trip to The Special Event Conference in Atlanta.

Thank you brides and grooms of 08 - it was so fun working with you, planning your wedding and watching your face light up as you were a guest at your own wedding!

Thank you also to my wedding professionals for being so great and helping to make my clients day wonderful. Planning a wedding is not as easy as it looks, it takes a great team to implement the wedding plans.

Colin Cowie's New Book

1001 Ideas for Every Moment of Your Celebration $26.40 With limitless options, it can be hard for a bride and groom to know where to begin. Comprehensive and clearly organized into chapters covering all of the celebration—from bouquets to cakes and food, invitations to dresses and reception décor—Colin Cowie Wedding Chic will quickly become the go-to resource for every wedding. From the first task of determining the overall mood you want to capture to the final, last-moment preparations, Colin Cowie provides expert advice, unique ideas, and inspiring photographs of more than 1,001 gorgeous details. Colin Cowie Wedding Chic is the ultimate guide to choosing the elements that will turn a special day into an event to remember forever. Where to Buy? Amazon Borders Barnes & Noble

I can't wait to get my copy!

HAPPY NEW YEAR