Wedding Blogs by Wedding Professionals
October 31, 2008
Compiling Your Guest List
Inviting everyone you have ever met to celebrate your exchanging of vows may be your dream wedding -- but realistically your guest list will most likely have to be pared down.
Who you invite and don't invite can potentially cause hurt feelings, so consider a few helpful hints when making your list.
First, use your budget to determine the number of guests you'll be able to accomodate.
Then, you and your fiance should each make a list of who must be invited to the wedding. After you have combined your lists, consider who, if anyone needs to be cut.
Here are a few tips on cutting the guest list:
Make categories, i.e. aunts and uncles or work associates. If you need to cut numbers, cut entire categories. For instance, all second cousins or work associates with whom you've never socialized would be on the B list and only added if there is room for the whole group.
You do not need to invite everyone who has invited your parents in the past.
Remember: if you invite someone to a shower or engagement party, they must also be invited to the wedding.
Your wedding should be a time of celebration and joy with those who are closest to you and your fiancée. While you don't want to cause any hurt feelings, your wedding is really about you as a couple starting your lives together and whoever you want to share that with should be invited.
Our quality wedding photography will catch the formal and candid moments of the wedding so your wedding day and your guests will be remembered for the rest of your life.
Please check out our website at www.northwest-wedding-photos.com Then call (253)875-9949 or email us for an appointment at dana@northwest-wedding-photos.com
We want to be your wedding photographers!
Thanks!
Dana Kehr
A Brides Club Preferred Photographer
Posted by NORTHWEST WEDDING PHOTOS on October 31, 2008 at 11:19 AM
October 30, 2008
Choosing the Men's Wedding Attire
With all the excitement finding the wedding gown, it can be easy to overlook finding the right attire for the men in the wedding party. When you're searching for the perfect attire for them, consider the following hints on buying a tux.
If you are planning on the groom and groomsmen wearing tuxedos, start shopping early. It may take awhile for the alterations and fittings. Sign a contract with the rental store with specifics. Be sure to include: designer, style, and style number, color, pick up dates, total cost, refund policy; and date everything must be returned.
Another thing to think about, a tuxedo may not be appropriate for your ceremony; typically men do not wear tuxedos in weddings that begin before 6 p.m. Also, the men's attire should add to the overall theme of the wedding.
Don't forget the fit. The groom and groomsmen should be able to move comfortably throughout the evening.
Please check out our website at: www.northwest-wedding-photos.com . Then call or email us for an appointment at dana@northwest-wedding-photos.com or (253)875-9949.
We want to be your wedding photographers!
Thanks!
Dana Kehr
A Brides Club Preferred Photographer
Posted by NORTHWEST WEDDING PHOTOS on October 30, 2008 at 09:22 AM
October 29, 2008
$100.00 off Accessories
Save $100.00 on your accessories when you purchase your dress here on your first visit. Not good with any other offers. Expires 12-20-08
Posted by ELEGANT BRIDE,THE on October 29, 2008 at 02:12 PM
Choosing a Choice Caterer
Everybody has been to a catered event that three days later all they remember about the evening was the cold chicken that was served. No bride wants that event to be her wedding.
References from friends and other wedding vendors are a great way to start your search for a caterer.
Establish what amount you would like to spend per person attending. Once you have narrowed your search and given the caterer your budget, they will establish a menu and you'll attend a tasting. Pay attention to the presentation, taste, and temperature. If anything doesn't suit you, ask your caterer to make adjustments.
As always, get everything you discuss with the caterer in writing. You'll want to include beverages, furniture rental, linens and an estimate on the rates for servers, bartenders and cleanup crew. You won't want any surprises when the invoice comes.
Choosing the right caterer can ensure that your reception is remembered for the right reasons - not cold chicken.
And, when you are thinking about the memories you'll want of your special day - we hope you'll think about letting us create them with you.
We offer high quality wedding images at an affordable price. Please check out our website at: www.northwest-wedding-photos.com - then call us for an appointment at (253)875-9949.
Thanks!
Dana Kehr
A Brides Club Preferred Photographer
Posted by NORTHWEST WEDDING PHOTOS on October 29, 2008 at 08:31 AM
October 28, 2008
A Few Thoughts on Flowers
From the bouquet to the centerpieces, flowers add a wonderful touch to any wedding day. Your florist will have many ideas on how to use flowers to add to the ambience of your wedding. Looking online and through wedding magazines for flower ideas can also inspire you.
When you are ordering your wedding flowers, keep in mind that many brides choose to have a smaller bouquet to toss rather than the one they walked down the aisle with. If you decide to have a toss bouquet, ask a bridesmaid to be responsible for retrieving the extra bouquet when you’re ready for the toss.
Another flower tip:
Flowers that are in season and locally grown will be easier on your budget.
And, speaking of budgets. Let us know what you are planning for your wedding photography and we can custom-make a photo and print package that will best meet your budget. Call us today!
Hope to hear from you soon. We want to be your wedding photographers.
Dana Kehr
A Brides Club Preferred Photographer
Our website is at: www.northwest-wedding-photos.com You can call us directly at: (253)875-9949 or e-mail us at: dana@northwest-wedding-photos.com We would love to work with you.
Posted by NORTHWEST WEDDING PHOTOS on October 28, 2008 at 11:11 AM
October 27, 2008
The Perfect Wedding Gown: Fabric Types
Most brides won't be lucky enough to walk into a bridal gown shop and find their dream gown waiting for them on the first mannequin they see. Searching for the perfect wedding dress takes time, hard work, and patience. While you search for the perfect dress, a little bit of knowledge about your fabric options will go a long way in making finding your dress easier:
Brocade features interwoven, raised designs, characterized by a satin weave background, using one or more fillings to create the motif or artwork within the fabric.
Chiffon is a delicately sheer fabric with a simple weave. It is lightweight with a soft finish.
Dotted Swiss is a sheer, very lightweight, muslin fabric embellished with raised dots, evenly spaced throughout.
Eyelet Lace is identified with its small, unsymmetrical holes or perforations finished with a buttonhole stitch, often creating a floral pattern.
Faille is a shiny, tightly woven fabric made of silk or rayon and has a crosswise rib effect.
Moire is generally made of a polyester or silk taffeta patterned to glisten like water when seen in defused light.
Point d'esprit is a polyester net with the yarns sewn together in such a way as to create a diamond pattern
Polynet is the netting most often used to make yokes and sleeves. Schiffli embroidery is often found on this net and it is popular to attached beaded and sequined appliqués as well.
Organza is a transparent, simply woven fabric with a reflective, crystal-like appearance.
Satin is an opaque fabric, woven in a satin weave and features a smooth finish.
Italian Satin is a heavier satin fabric, brimming with body, featuring an antique sheen.
Taffeta is a popular wedding fabric, which may be used as either the lining or outer fabric of a gown. It will have either a matte or shiny finish and will be fairly stiff when used for the outer layer.
Tulle is tiny, meshed net of a silk, cotton or synthetic fabric, usually found in layers, covering a full satin skirt.
Searching for the perfect photographer takes many of the same skills as finding the perfect dress. We'd like to make it easy for you, just check out our website at www.northwest-wedding-photos.com. While you're there, take a look at our newly re-priced packages and take a moment to register. Then email us at dana@northwest-wedding-photos.com or call us at (253)875-9949 for an appointment.
We'd love to be your wedding photographers.
Thanks.
Dana Kehr
A Brides Club Preferred Photographer
Posted by NORTHWEST WEDDING PHOTOS on October 27, 2008 at 09:26 AM
October 25, 2008
The Four Cs of a Diamond
Carat weight, color, clarity and cut, otherwise known as the four Cs, are the basics for anyone looking for a diamond. Knowing them will make selecting the engagement ring go smoothly.
Here's some information that may help:
1. Carat Weight
Carat weight is just as it sounds; it is the weight of the diamond. Different shapes may appear larger.
2. Color
The most expensive diamonds are the most translucent. The color is scaled from D to Z. D being the most colorless and Z being the most yellow. Diamonds color can be altered by treatments.
3. Clarity
Inclusions or a diamond's flaws are referred to by their clarity level starting with Flawless as the most expensive to Slightly Included.
4. Cut
The cut is the angles and proportions used to polish a diamond from the rough. The cut's depth, width and uniformity determine brilliance and durability.
Hope to hear from you soon. We want to be your wedding photographers.
Dana Kehr
A Brides Club Preferred Photographer
Check us out at: www.northwest-wedding-photos.com Then give us a call at: (253)875-9949 or e-mail us at: dana@northwest-wedding-photos.com We would love to work with you.
Posted by NORTHWEST WEDDING PHOTOS on October 25, 2008 at 12:12 PM
Information about restoration of wedding gowns
Village East Cleaners and Restoration Lab does all cleaning using museum care process at their local plants and as a member of the Association of Wedding Gown Specialists backs their work with an International Guarantee. Why take a chance, call us.
Click on the following for more information:
Questions to ask about preservation
Preservation
Caring for your gown
Guarantee
What is the Association of Wedding Gown Specialists?
Questions to Ask About
If you want to keep your gown in the family, choose your gown preservation service carefully. As a general rule, avoid a service that promotes vacuum-packaging as the plastic in which the gown is sealed can trap moisture and emit fumes that yellow the gown. One cleaner uses pretty much the same chemicals and solvent as another, but very few cleaners actually do their own work and clean wedding gowns at their locations. Some do not know that shoulder pads, bust pads, and underarm shields should be removed because they are made of materials that can bond to the fabric of your gown and destroy fibers. Others have no idea gowns need special packaging, and some offer no guarantee. You need to ask lots of questions before you make a final decision.
Is the work done locally so you can personally inspect your gown after it is cleaned?
What special precautions are taken to protect delicate trims & decorations?
How does the service guard against latent stains caused by alcohol & other sugar-based stains that do not dissolve during ordinary dry cleaning (these will eventually caramelize into dark brown spots)?
Does the service provide an environmentally safe acid-free container that will not discolor or damage the fabric? Is the tissue and bust form used to stuff the gown acid & lignin free? Both sealed & unsealed plastic containers can trap moisture, and botheven chemically inert plastics such as the one trademarked Coroplastalso set up an electrostatic charge that can permanently set wrinkles in the gown. On the other hand, acid-free boxes of paper board breathe and allow for expansion and contraction of gown fibers subjected to environmental changes in heat and humidity.
As the gown is folded, are the folds buffered with tissue?
Does the service seal the box itself or leave open? Ask why or why not and if the preservation or the guarantee is void if the seal is broken.
Does the service provide a guarantee the dress will not be stained or discolored when the next bride in your family is ready to wear the gown?
Be sure you are comfortable with the answers to all your questions. After all, your wedding gown is the perfect gown for you. You want to give your beautiful gown the care that will keep it perfect for the next bride to wear.
Village East Cleaners and Restoration Lab does all cleaning at their local plants and as a member of the Association of Wedding Gown Specialists backs their work with an International Guarantee. Why take a chance, call us.
Posted by VILLAGE EAST CLEANERS on October 25, 2008 at 11:59 AM
October 24, 2008
Easy Gift Registering
Registering for gifts can be fun and hassle-free by following these handy tips:
1. Decide as a couple what you would like on your wish list.
2. Choose the stores you will register at by looking at their return policies and ease of shopping for your guests.
3. Register at department stores, specialty shops, and/or online depending on your preference.
4. Register at least six months before the wedding.
5. Plan on spending at least 2 hours at each store and make an appointment before you go.
6. Don't include registry information with the wedding invitation. Guests can learn where you have registered from your parents and wedding attendants.
7. The registry can be active for up to a year after the ceremony.
Finally, don't forget to send a gracious thank-you note for the kind gifts.
Some of our brides like to include some of the smaller wedding prints or mini-wedding albums along with their thank you notes to the wedding party. If you'd like to think about that, let us know and we can work it into our tailor-made proposal for your wedding day coverage.
We want to be your wedding photographers. Please let us know how we can help.
Dana Kehr
A Brides Club Preferred Photographer
Check us out at: www.northwest-wedding-photos.com Then give us a call at: (253)875-9949 or e-mail us at: dana@northwest-wedding-photos.com We would love to work with you.
Posted by NORTHWEST WEDDING PHOTOS on October 24, 2008 at 09:45 AM
October 23, 2008
JAZZ UNLIMITED BAND --- FREE - CONSULTANT SERVICES
Hi There:
Best Wishes from the Jazz Unlimited Band. We want to thank the many Brides, Grooms and Wedding Planners that have called us to discuss Live Music for weddings in 2009 and 2010. We are always happy to help you with your musical plans for your wedding ceremony, cocktail hour and reception and to provide special song lists at no charge so that you can make the best musical choices.
We are happy to discuss Wedding Themes and to have just the right music to make these special Themes a musical success and to answer any of your questions.
Many of you wanted to discuss the size of band, location and size of venue that would be best for your wedding. We also discussed costs and how to save you money and still have Live Music (that is so important) to make your wedding day a musical success.
If you are planning a wedding or a special party, please feel free to call me at anytime. There is no obligation or charge for our consulting services. We have performed for over a hundred weddings and let our experience help you with the right musical choices that will make your wedding a musical success, and at the same time Save you Money.
Please call to discuss your wedding plans or I would be happy to meet you in person (at no charge) to discuss your wedding requirements.
Best Wishes from the Jazz Unlimited Band
Duane M. Wright
(206) 930-9998
duane.janw@verizon.net
jazzunlimitedband.com
Posted by JAZZ UNLIMITED BAND on October 23, 2008 at 12:34 PM
October 22, 2008
Creating the Perfect Reception Centerpiece
Your reception centerpieces have the ability to pull the room together and give each table a focal point. And, depending on how creative your centerpieces are, they can also be a talking point.
Determining your centerpiece selection for your wedding reception involves many variables. If your room is large, your centerpiece can also be on the larger side and vice versa. And, if your centerpiece is thin, it can be tall. But if your centerpiece is wide, it should be short enough for the guest to see each other around the table.
When you make your centerpiece selection you will also want to take into account your wedding budget. If you have a smaller budget, a great way to make your dollar stretch is to have your centerpiece double as your wedding favor.
The most popular wedding centerpiece is a flower arrangement. But if you are looking for a few unique centerpiece ideas, mix and match the following ideas to create a centerpiece that is all your own:
· Photos of the Bride and Groom
· Floating candles
· Gift boxes
· Hat boxes
· Oversized martini or wine glasses
· Footed pedestal bowls
· Gel beads
· Vase gems
· Cranberries
· Cherries
· Popcorn kernels
· Coffee Beans
· Table runners
· Bamboo mats
Your centerpieces can enhance the overall theme of your wedding.
We like to do a pre-wedding engagement photo session. So, if you would like photos of you and the groom to use as your centerpieces – we’ll be happy to provide just what you need.
Did I mention, the engagement session and a large, matted and framed print - are yours for FREE if you schedule your wedding coverage with us?
Hope to hear from you soon. We want to be your wedding photographers.
Dana Kehr
A Brides Club Preferred Photographer
Give us a call at: (253)875-9949 or e-mail us at: dana@northwest-wedding-photos.com or check out our website: www.northwest-wedding-photos.com
Posted by NORTHWEST WEDDING PHOTOS on October 22, 2008 at 09:34 AM
October 21, 2008
Setting the Mood: Lighting on your Wedding Day
Many elements work together to create the ambiance at a wedding reception. One of those elements is the lighting. Harsh or too dim lighting can affect the overall "feel" of the reception. Luckily, many options are available in lighting to enhance your wedding reception.
Party rental companies rent a variety of lighting fixtures for any type of reception. If you are having an outdoor reception, pathway lights or net lighting for low bushes can add a touch of elegance to the lighting scheme. Also available are tiki torches for a more casual event or ornate chandeliers to illuminate inside a tent.
For an indoor reception, lights can be put on a dimmer and lightened or brightened throughout the evening as the events unfold. Another popular lighting option is pin spots. These focused beams of straight light can be used to intersect and highlight a specific focal point, for example the top of the wedding cake.
Consult a lighting professional for your wedding and reception. They will be best able to design and execute a lighting plan safely. They should also be able to discuss alternating light palates and give advice on what color tones will be most flattering for your specific event. Gold and amber tones are typically the most flattering but pink tones can add warmth to the area.
However you decide to illuminate your event, we would like to be there to capture the beautiful, complimentary tones of your wedding.
One of the things we find helpful as your photographer is to do a walk-thru of your venue with you PRIOR to the wedding day itself. Gives us a good idea about where certain parts of the ceremony will take place, the equipment we'll need, photo ideas, etc. Also, at that time, we'd love to hear about your lighting for the event so we can plan accordingly.
Hope to hear from you soon. We want to be your wedding photographers.
Dana Kehr
A Brides Club Preferred Photographer
Check us out at: www.northwest-wedding-photos.com Then give us a call at: (253)875-9949 or e-mail us at: dana@northwest-wedding-photos.com We would love to work with you.
Posted by NORTHWEST WEDDING PHOTOS on October 21, 2008 at 10:42 AM
October 20, 2008
Hawaii Weddings and Events new blog!
You asked for it, and we've created it!
Check out Hawaii Weddings and Events new blog at
http://www.hawaiiweddingsandevents.blogspot.com/
We're looking forward to sharing experiences from our amazing, fun and stress-free celebrations!
Posted by HAWAII WEDDINGS AND EVENTS on October 20, 2008 at 02:11 PM
Thornewood castle
I walked through the wooden doors and brick exterior and entered a world of elegance and beauty. The owner Deanna was a charming woman who takes care of all the details of the great house from décor to touring the grounds. She even took the time to show us some albums of wedding previously held in this spectacular space.
Beautiful is truly an understatement as I was overwhelmed with the collective mosaic of elegance and refinement that this venue represents. It was like stepping into another time and place, understandably why Hollywood movie makers have used this location in several movies, from the acclaimed mini-series brought to you from the mind of master story teller Stephen King for Rose Red, and a cameo appearance in the movie There Will Be Blood.
The main lobby was covered with hard wood floors, walls draped with European tapestries, and paintings, with historic stain glassed windows looking out to the water front below. The grounds were lush and decorated with authentic statues and fountains and even a comical oversized chess board in the lawn.
If there is any place that feels like you are royalty, this is it, and the money for the rental is worth every penny for a wedding and reception that will in my opinion be priceless.
www.thornewoodcastle.com
Posted by FREE PHOTOGRAPHY SERENITEA CATERING on October 20, 2008 at 12:44 PM
Wedding Day Clean Up
Cleaning up after the reception will definitely be the last thing on your mind on your big day. Plan ahead so that when you and your new husband leave the event, the clean up will be taken care of in your absence.
Check your venue contract to determine what is included in your price. If clean-up isn't included, you'll want to appoint a responsible friend or family member to make certain the venue is left in excellent condition so that you'll receive your full refund from the cleaning deposit.
Your go-to person should have detailed instructions on what needs to be done and where items need to be placed. Ask friends or family members beforehand to be on the clean-up crew and let them know who the foreman is so they will be prepared and ready to work.
Items that may need to be cleaned up:
· Remove decorations
· Prepare all rental items for pick up or return
· Dismantle tables and chairs
· Remove linens and centerpieces
· Clean kitchen and take care of any leftovers
· Clean restrooms
· Empty trash
· Turn out lights and lock doors
Your venue will have a complete list included with the contract. Consider having your clean-up crew foreman complete a walk-through be the wedding day so she will know everything that needs to be done and where items need to be returned to.
Also, make the clean-up go smoothly by providing containers to store any items that need to be removed in, i.e. Tupperware for leftovers and boxes for centerpieces.
You'll be able to relax and enjoy your honeymoon knowing that your reception site is in good hands. You'll also be able to relax knowing that your wedding photos have captured the memorable moments of your day, when you book with Northwest Wedding Photos.
Please check us out at www.northwest-wedding-photos.com, then call us at (253)875-9949 or email us at dana@northwest-wedding-photos.com While you're at our site, please take a moment to register. You can download our FREE Bride's Planning Guide and read even more helpful wedding planning blogs.
We'd like to be your wedding photographers.
Thanks.
Dana Kehr
A Brides Club Preferred Photographer
P.S. Please contact us today to reserve your wedding date dana@northwest-wedding-photos.com
Posted by NORTHWEST WEDDING PHOTOS on October 20, 2008 at 10:02 AM
October 16, 2008
Top Wedding Trends for 2008
Top Wedding Trends for 2008
Print this page
Its going to be a great year to get married. Here, the most creative new ideas in food, flowers, décor, music, invitations, favors and more.
by Rachel Griffiths
Dazzling Décor
Pattern will pop up everywhere this year, according to Francesca Abbracciamento, of New Yorks Francesca Events. Theres an emphasis on interesting ones, reinvented in a romantic way, she says. A graphic floral design, for example, may be embossed on save-the-dates, engraved on menu cards and even used as a decal painted on the dance floor.
The color you wont be seeing in 2008 is green. Check last years celadon off your list, says Abbracciamento. The newest colors are dove gray and plum, says Jung Lee of New Yorks Fete.
Think in vignettes, says Lee, author of Fete, the Wedding Experience (Stewart, Tabori and Chang). Im doing one wedding whose story is an outdoor dinner party given by a Russian czar. Another one was inspired by the lavish look of Marie Antoinette and Versailles.
Home weddings are popular. Im seeing lots of weddings take place in homes offered to the couple by friends or family, says Abbracciamento. Theres something special about that because things come together in a flawless, natural way.
Go for a sweeping vision. Abbracciamento says, One wedding had white vases, in a million different shapes and sizes. Another had three-foot-high candelabra with lampshadesgigantic and gorgeous. And yet another had long tables for 200 guests, with suede runners and boxes of succulents.
elegant tables
Long, elegant tables are popular. Here, tall glass vases are filled with branches, sprays of delicate flowers and dramatic greenery. Photography: Meredith Davenport of Christian Oth Studios.
Still hotlong tables that give that old-fashioned banquet feeling. They create instant drama, Lee adds. Abbracciamento prefers square and rectangular shapes.
Bar décor has changed. It might be plexiglass lit from within. It should be architectural and modern, Abbracciamento asserts.
The after-dinner lounge is bigger than ever, according to Abbracciamento. Its all about comfy, oversize furniture arranged around the dance floor. The fabrics should be plush velvet, and the ambience sleek and sophisticated.
Perfect Notes
WHAT'S IN
Hybrid bands: For a groom who loved Latin music, and a bride who loved klezmerJewish or Eastern European musicwe formed a klezmer/bossa nova ensemble, says Manhattan wedding designer Karen Bussen.
Dueling DJs: If you want a club atmosphere and youre doing an after- party, this can be great fun.
Salsa: Not many people know all the old-fashioned ballroom steps, but a lot know how to salsa, reports Bussen.
WHAT'S OUT
Classical music played at cocktail hours. Im hearing lots more hot jazz instead, says Bussen. Couples nowadays seem to want something more unusual for their music.
Hiring a band just because you think you have to have one. Couples think that a band is the only way to go. Not so! If you prefer, hire a DJ instead.
Split sets The format used to be dancing, eating, more dancing, more eating, according to Bussen. Now many couples are opting to have soft music while they eat, and then kicking up their heels after dinner with live music or a lounge with a DJ.
Cake Walk
dotted cake
A sleek look is achieved with fondant icing accented with chocolate dots and set off by strategically placed vibrant blooms. Photography: Belathee.
Height: Wedding cakes are heading straight to the stratosphere, according to Lisa Kincaid of Fleur de Lisa in Sonoma County, CA. The silhouette is tall and slender, she says. Karen Bussen agrees. I recently did a seven-tier white fondant cake with red sugar lilies between the layers. We put it up on a pedestal.
Pattern: Its not always about having flowers on the cake, says Bussen. There are all these wonderful appliqués; you can do something that looks like the design on a dress, or a woodcut print. There may not be a flower in sight!
Color: Monochromatic cakeslast years major trendare still going strong. But for some brides, the seasons may define color. For example, Kincaid says that a fall cake will be done in autumn colors, like reds, browns and oranges.
Taste: According to Kincaid, the latest trend is to pick a different flavor for each tier of the cake. One cake I did had a caramel-apple tier, a raspberry-zinger tier and a lemon-poppy tier with cream cheese filling. Always hot? Chocolate, in a million and one variations. I have
a café au lait cake with devils food filling. I also do Italian meringue- espresso and chocolate-truffle cream fillings, Kincaid says.
tone-on-tone cake
Cakes in one muted color are popular, with subtle tone-on-tone touches. Photography: Lisa Marie Kincaid of Fleur de Lisa, fleurdelisacakes.com.
Toppers: Some people are now choosing the retro look of bride and groom figures as cake toppers, says Bussen. I think its very sweet!
How Inviting
1. The new look is a twist on tradition, says Julie Walker of Carrot & Stick Press in Oakland. She likes formal invitations printed in eye-popping colors like blues and reds.
2. Brooklyn invitation designer Bryn Smith reports, People are embracing their own style. One couple is really into Latin American culture. They love the art of Mexican paper cutting, so I used it for their invites. Couples are taking risks, using bold colors and going out there. They want invitations that will get guests excited.
3. Were doing custom maps for the invitations, Walker says. Couples give us all the landmarks they want included, and we put together an artistic map that complements the invitation.
4. Smith is seeing a trend toward playful wording on invites, save-the-dates, and programs. Instead of reception to follow, one couple had Whistle-wetting and rug-cutting to follow.
5. Letterpress is back, Smith asserts. It has such a unique, handmade quality. Shes also seeing more silkscreen invites.
6. Invites are becoming more environmentally friendly. People are interested in soy inks, recycled paper and wasting less paper, says Smith. Instead of an envelope, one couple chose to have an invitation card that folded in half with a wafer seal, and directed guests to RSVP online.
Fab Florals
The favorite flowers for 2008? Champagne mums and poppies, says floral designer Ariella Chezar, based in the Massachusetts Berkshires. The green of choice? Ferns.
Chezar uses citrus fruits, peaches, cherries and blueberry bushes in arrangements. To me, fruit evokes the lush, bountiful feeling of a Dutch still life, she says.
Unusual centerpiece vases and vessels are moving center stage, says Matthew Robbins of Manhattans Artfool event-design company. Were using items that are outside the boxreally eclectic groupings of vintage containers or teapots or creamers or wooden boxes you line and put flowers in. We did one table with Chinese tea tins in different sizes with wonderful flowers. It made a huge visual statement.
Chezars suggestions for different looks: For a tropical feel, arrange banana leaves on a mantelpiece, with an orchid peeking out of a coconut. Go modern with balls of carnations floating in the pool and table arrangements of grasses and branches. For an organic ambiance, try a lush, loose, garden-y look, with the natural shape of the branch or vine guiding the arrangement.
The bandstand is a new focal point for flowers, says Robbins. We build two huge, gorgeous arrangements with branches and really large blooms and light them dramatically to frame the band.
Sweet-tart citrus greenery is everywhere. Ive been decorating bars and doorways with citrus garlands, using limes, kumquats and limequats, which all smell so nice, too, says Sasha Souza of Sasha Souza Events in San Francisco.
Greener Than Ever
In 2007 brides in the know were going green. But according to Los Angeles-based eco-consultant and event planner Audrey Sarn, that trend shows no signs of fading. Eco-conscious caterers know whats in season and whats local, she says. And there are special plates made out of sugarcane, bamboo or reeds that are biodegradable. They work really well if youre doing a casual rehearsal barbecue. Brides are finding that flowers that can be replanted after the wedding are ideal for centerpieces. Purple hydrangea is simple and beautiful. Wheatgrass looks amazing down the center of a table. As for favors, There are always the saplings you can give people to plant, but there are lots of other products out there that make a difference. For instance, you can put favors in a Feedbag, a bag developed by Lauren Bush; the proceeds from sales go to the UN World Food program.
Take a Bite
Im seeing a move back to the purity of ingredients, say Olivier Cheng of New Yorks Olivier Cheng Catering & Events. For the cocktail hour he might serve up tiny pieces of wagyu (densely marbled) beef sprinkled with fleur de sel, or sea scallops with little bits of ruby-red grapefruit.
His and hers stations are huge for the cocktail hour, says Souza. If the bride likes sushi and the groom prefers down-home pulled-pork biscuits, well do dueling stations.
Im seeing more main courses served family style, Cheng reports. Hell prepare platters of a meat, a fish and all the sides and let guests pass them. It encourages people to socialize.
The late-night snack is super important, according to Lauri Dorman of San Franciscos Paula Le Duc Fine Catering. She likes to pop gourmet popcornsthink t ruffled popcorn or sesame Szechuan popcorn. People are dancing and can smell the popcorn. We serve it to them in little brown paper cups.
Cheng is seeing more after-dinner cheese boards, with three artisanal cheeses beautifully presented.
cheesecake bites
Bites of cheese cake covered with chocolate make a delightful after-dinner treat. Photography: Paula Leduc Fine Catering.
Another trend is tray-passed sweets: We do fabulous cheesecake lollipopssticks of cheesecake covered with chocolate. Or, as a surprise, we pass ice cream sandwiches, says Dorman. Then while guests are waiting for their cars afterward, We serve warm chocolate chip cookies and milk shots, or mini root beer floats.
Cheers!
Wine is a focus at weddings, Abbracciamento says. Couples and parents have collections of wine that theyre serving in decanters. Pairing wines with foods is becoming more popular as well.
The dark drinks are definitely back, says Dorman. Bourbon, whiskey and scotch are the spirits of choice, with scotch bars cropping up at receptions.
summer wedding cocktail
Its all about really awesome, bar-quality signature drinks, according to Cheng. We did a six-flavor bellini bar, with peach, pomegranate and other fruit purées.
Its stylish to dress up your drinkslavender or rose petals pretty up just about anything.
Do Favors
IN
Working with a charity and making donations, says Bussen.
Presentation: Favors are all about the packaging! says Tara Guérard, of Soiree Charleston in South Carolina. We have done glossy boxes with custom stickers. Each held an old-school Coke bottle, a personalized bottle opener and monogrammed paper cocktail napkins. It was a huge hit.
Personalization: Favors are very personal, says Bussen. For a couple who met in the music industry, she created an arbor and hung 250 individual windchimes with the guests names on them.
OUT
* Tulle-wrapped candy, especially Jordan almonds, says Guérard.
* Little vases and picture frames are losing their appeal.
* Inscribing couples names on a favor. If you want to put your name or date on guest favors, put it on a label or something that can be removed, Bussen advises.
Posted by FREE PHOTOGRAPHY SERENITEA CATERING on October 16, 2008 at 03:36 PM
Award winning designers announced!
And the winners are!
The National Bridal market was held in Chicago on Oct 2 to the 7th. The prestigious DEBI awards were presented at the black tie affair on Monday night. All five of our designers were nominated and three won. Pronovias was nominated for the better Bridal group. Maggie Sottero designs, Casablanca bridal and Mori Lee were all nominated for the moderate price point in bridal gowns, with the winner Casablanca. Mori Lee also won for Quinceaera and Maggie Sottero won for their Flirt prom dresses.
We were very excited to be sitting at the Maggie Sottero table and spoke to their designers Midgley and Sabrina Toy. Great Fun.
With regards to Casablanca were are pleased to announce that for the second year in a row we received the Gold award from them. They work with over 1500 retailers all over the world but only 25 achieve the gold standard.
So come here to see the BEST in the industry all in one store!!!
Irina and Steve invite you to call us soon and preview the stunning Fall collections.
Posted by ELEGANT BRIDE,THE on October 16, 2008 at 12:22 PM
October 10, 2008
Wedding menu choices
Wedding Menu
Seasonal fruit and Devonshire cream
Loganberry and honey tea sandwiches
Biscotti in your choice of dark or white chocolate
Macaroons and chocolate ganache
Sliced Italian meats
Cubed assorted cheeses
Seasonal vegetables with an array of dips
Salmon pâté and caviar
Salmon lox and cream cheese
Prosciutto wrapped figs and goat cheese
Bacon wrapped date and almonds
Roast beef wrapped asparagus
Meatballs in a Thai chili sauce
Asian dumplings in a peanut cilantro sauce
Coconut shrimp and mango chutney
Spanakopita stuffed spinach and feta triangle
Caprese salad mozzarella tomato and fresh basil
Caramelized Gorgonzola and onions
Vegetables grilled on skewers
Marinated olives, peppers, artichoke hearts, and roasted bell peppers
Freshly made guacamole served with black bean and corn enchiladas
Chicken marsalas and baby red potatoes
Cuban paella vegetarian or traditional seafood
Chicken Drambuie
Stuffed cabbage rolls
Salmon fillet served with lemon
Corned beef in Guiness
Spanish rice
Risotto with porcini mushrooms
...with so many choices, call us and we can create the perfect menu for your perfect day
Posted by FREE PHOTOGRAPHY SERENITEA CATERING on October 10, 2008 at 10:41 PM
October 7, 2008
Thornewood Castle weddings
Thank you so much for both the pictures and the food/drinks. The food was fantastic and everyone raved about it and how nice and helpful you and your staff were. Gee, those appetizers sure looked good ;) They were a huge hit! You definitely have a talent! We would definitely recommend you again and would be happy to write a review for you.
Thanks again!
Bob & Bonnie Nims
Bonnie and Bob became man and wife at the historic Thornewood castle nestled in the town of Tillicum, Washington. They had the most beautiful and enchanting wedding with a horse drawn carriage, bag piper, and a wonderful princess and peacock theme. We enjoyed providing the food for their event!
Posted by FREE PHOTOGRAPHY SERENITEA CATERING on October 7, 2008 at 07:57 PM
October 3, 2008
Fall-Themed Weddings
Fall has arrived and is absolutely splendid here in Minnesota. Brimming with the colors of autumn foliage, the fall is a wonderful time of year for a wedding. Go ahead, marry the rustic with the chic for a combination of casual elegance that is so familiar this time of year.
Infuse the warm, rich tones of deep browns, golds, and reds throughout your entire wedding.
Celebrate the beauty of the season in your area. Barns and apple orchards make lovely venues with the potential for stunning backdrops to show off the fall colors.
Corn stalks, mums, pumpkins and the sweet aromas of hot apple cider and spices to fill the air...
Don't forget your wraps, it could be chilly. I love fall weddings! Endless possibilities...
That said, grab a cup of hot chocolate, sit down and browse www.MagnetStreetWeddings.com for all things wedding stationery. Whether you are looking for a sassy Save the Date or an Invitation collection to do more than set the tone, we've got you covered.
And, stay ahead of the busy holiday season and order your holiday cards now. BridesClub members, enjoy 10% discount off your online purchase. Enter promotional code: WCTBC10 at checkout. Offer expires October 31, 2008.
Essentially Yours Invitations, Layered style
Coordinating Collection includes~ Save the date magnet, linen Invitation, Carrier Card and Vellum overlay. Also featured are the Table Number and Place Cards, personalized wedding Favor Notepad, envelope with return address seal and linen Thank You Card.
style code: 962
Posted by MAGNETSTREETWEDDINGS.COM on October 3, 2008 at 01:41 PM
October 1, 2008
An interesting article on the guest's expectations
You Guest It: Guests Reveal The Best and Worst Wedding Practices
by Mia Bolaris-Forget (Staff Writer NYCityWeddings)
Youve worked very hard to make sure you host the most unforgettable , perfect event, just as you (and your family) have always dreamed of. Youre sure youve thought of everything and taken everything into careful consideration. Experts urge you to think again. Have you taken your guests and what THEY want into consideration? After all, experts are quick to point out and remind you (that despite what you may have been lead to believe) YOUR Big Day is NOT all about YOU.
With hundreds of your closest friends, family and colleagues all taking time out of their busy schedule and hundreds of dollars out of their bank accounts to help you celebrate your special union of love, they many not expect to be the guests of honor, but you can almost count on each expecting to be an honored guest.
We all know or should realize by now that no matter how much you spend on your gown, his tux, the flowers, centerpieces and all the other little details (that are oh, so important to YOU), among the most important details for your guests is the food and the entertainment. But recent research has revealed a few other areas of annoyance include the following:
1. Long Receiving Lines: Guests admit that while they are eager to congratulate the happy couple, large weddings leave many standing and waiting for an uncomfortable amount of time. This, according to testimony, proved to be most frustrating to the more distant friends and relatives who were generally seated at the back of the church and were stuck at the end of the line with no room or way to make a clean and quick exit.
2. Off-Night , Evening Affairs: Everyone WANTS a nighttime event (especially on a Saturday night), and everyone realizes that prime time weekend weddings are the most expensive and that the quickest, easiest way for the couple to save some money is by choosing an off-night for their celebration. Weeknights and Friday and Sunday evenings are becoming popular alternatives to costly Saturday night affairs, but regardless of the festivities and fare, leaving many guests with a bad taste in their mouth. Guests biggest complaint was that, unlike the couple (and perhaps their immediate family who may have been able to take the next day off from work), they are required to meet both their professional and personal obligations the next day. Not to mention, that many are not from the immediate area and are faced not only with a long day and night, but a long drive or hurried flight home. Guests expressed dreading late starts and having to leave the reception before it's over and still not being home early enough to get enough rest for the next day.
3. Lengthy Gaps Between Ceremony And Reception: Part of the previous problem guests associated with weddings was that the former could probably be (partially) avoided if there wasnt such a huge gap between the ceremony and reception. Guests are reluctant about loitering in the catering hall lobby in anticipation of the cocktail hour. Others noted that they didnt know what to do or where to go, especially when the gap was longer than an hour or the reception hall was in close proximity to the ceremony location. Furthermore, queries revealed that this was especially frustrating for guests who had a long drive home and for out of town guests.
4. Not Giving Your Guests What They Paid For: Guests expect weddings (even, casual, laid back affairs) to be classy, elegant, formal , and adhere to a certain protocol. Guests were most bothered by the couples failure to meet these standards and cited some of the following as pet peeves:
· Getting a sneak peak of the bride before her grand entrance
· Bridal party members or Day-Of coordinator tending to last minute details as guests are arriving or seated for the ceremony.
· Brides using their march toward the altar as a photo opportunity.
5. Standing Room Only: While guests enjoy mixing and mingling, especially during the cocktail hour they expressed frustration when not made to feel comfortable with limited seating arrangements. Many noted that they looked forward to sitting down and enjoying both the appetizers and the company while waiting for the bride and groom to arrive&and didnt want to feel like they were standing around in a bar as opposed to attending a wedding reception
6. Smile And Say Cheese : While guests said they remain sympathetic to couples cutting certain corners to save for their future, they also noted that certain things, such as a cash bar (or BYOB for smaller, less formal affairs), are simply cheesy . Having only one choice on the menu was also seen as tacky .
7. Making Your Wedding An Excuse To Party: Guests of all ages expressed their frustration and disappointment with the lack of respect that often replaces the real meaning behind the Big Event . They claim, while its certainly a time of celebration, it is NOT an excuse to forego good judgment and release all your inhibitions. The most egregious offenses were lack of good taste and demeanor (especially during speech giving), and drunkenness, especially by the bridal party, immediate family and by the bride and groom.
8. Negligence: Among the worst offenses guests cited was a lack of respect, negligence and being made to feel that the only reason they were invited was for the gift. They cited the following as extremely hurtful and disrespectful.
· Addressing a serious significant other as And Guest on the invitation, seating card, and thank you note
· Sending a special significant other a separate invitation, place card and thank you note, though youve been a (serious) couple for years, perhaps reside together and plan on attending together.
· Barely being acknowledged at the wedding and/or not being asked to dance (if alone)
· Having a friend, partner or significant other ignored or made to feel unaccepted.
· Being seated at a table where you know no one. Also if you are in the wedding party, being seated with the other members of the entourage and not with your partner, spouse, and/or family.
· Seating your partner, spouse, family far away from you, at a table where they dont know anyone, especially if you are a member of the wedding party and sitting at the dais or with other members of the couples entourage.
9. Making A Big Stink: Many guests say brides and grooms fail to take into account that many more of their friends and family are much more health conscious these days. From what they eat, to what they drink, and what they breath, people are trying to take better care of themselves and take, taking care of themselves very seriously. Offering your guests shots of hard liquor or cigars (especially in an enclosed area) is just poor judgment and potentially offensive. Guests said: they dont have a problem with you handing out cigars as long as you ask your guest to wait until they get outside or indulge in a designated area away from your other guests.
10. Cruel and Unusual Punishment: While many guests say they actually enjoy some of the more cultural, spiritual and ethnic traditions associated with weddings, many express being a bit disappointed and even offended by the couples desire to include some of the more vulgar ones. Among these:
· Smashing cake into each others face
· The whole garter/bouquet toss thing
· Kissing is fine (thats why most clink their glasses, ring bells etc.), but go using that as an excuse to go at it like you need to rent a room is NOT.
· Silly sensationalism such as The Chicken Dance , The Electric Slide and The Macarena.
· Belly Dancers, etc. at weddings (unless its a harpist, violinist, artist or entertainment for the kids) is quite un-necessary, and passé.
11. The Waiting Game: Congratulating the bride and groom is something everyone looks forward to with eager anticipation. Leaving your guests (standing with flower petals and blessings in hand ) to go take pictures or sneaking away (for ahem, a few moments alone) with your beloved is a major No-No.
And while you cant please everyone, you can certainly try . Heres a few things you can keep in mind that revealed would make your task (of pleasing them) effortless and easy
1. Break The Mold: Do adhere to (important) rituals and traditions, but make your wedding unique and different. Offer your guests the unexpected and give them something not only to talk about but (fondly) remember.
2. Allow Your Guest To Get Involved: From bringing a picture of their own wedding to asking them for marital advice or being part of making your guest book, perhaps featuring a personalized page for each guest and their story (about love and marriage), making your guests part of the celebration is what its all about.
3. Keep It Real: Sure you want to be glamorous but this is truly one of the most emotional days of your life. Let your emotions show and tough your audience with your authentic sentimentality. Guests have noted that the more joy and emotion the couple showed the more they were eager to share in and celebrate their love. Also be sure to show sincere gratitude to all those who attend.
4. Make It Worth Their While: Many guests note that they often are out of town guests and have to take time off from work and other obligations to attend your special event. They thoroughly enjoy well organized events including the many amenities of day-of events, a welcoming soiree including food and beverages, and the day-after brunch giving them one more opportunity to wish you well and to be pampered (and well-fed) before heading home.
5. Make It A Family Affair: One of the biggest faux pas guests complain about is not having their children invited to the wedding. They cant help but worry and are often unable to enjoy themselves. Furthermore, they note, that since marriage is an induction into family life, its only appropriate to include children, especially older ones.
Posted by FREE PHOTOGRAPHY SERENITEA CATERING on October 1, 2008 at 10:42 AM
