Monogrammed Bride!

Monogrammed Bride!

To all those who have an obsession with monograms and a preppy side to them, check these cool ideas out!



The oversized button down shirt: Classy. 

You can either go through a website that offers monograms shirts or give your favorite fiancé’s shirt to someone to monogram.  Monogram the pocket and personalize the sleeves with dates and sayings.




 
Bridesmaids gifts:







Make monogrammed shirts and bags for your bridesmaids! This is a wonderful way to personalize their gifts instead of getting something plain and simple.
 
Headbands for the bridesmaids are also a cute way to personalize a gift. We women use headbands whether it be at the gym or working around the house to keep the sweat from falling to our faces. This is cute for any bridesmaid.




On the vail!

Who would have thought to monogram an elegant veil?! Besides adding more bling to your wedding outfit, this personalization is a great idea






Necklace:

Wear your NEW initials around your neck. An essential monogrammed necklace is in need for those brides that love to monogram. It’s such a cute way to show off your new initials as you marry the man of your life and puts a special memory into the necklace as the day you first wore it.


I love the idea of personalization in a wedding. There are many unique ideas to incorporate initials of the bride and groom throughout the reception and wedding, from decorations on the tables to the wedding cake. The bride has many wonderful ways to show off her new initials in her wedding and even give monogrammed gifts to the bridesmaids.

Xoxo,
Michelle

Finding the Perfect Suit for Her

Finding the Perfect Suit for Her

Wedding Fashions for the Classiest Ladies

Photo Rights to www.equallywed.com

One of the biggest controversies in politics lately is whether or not to legalize gay marriage. States all over the country are supporting marriage equality by doing so.  As this continues, more and more lesbian couples are able to happily get married and have a wedding. There are many different scenarios you can expect while approaching a lesbian wedding. There are three possibilities: two brides, two “grooms”, or a bride and a “groom”. When looking for wedding attire it could be as simple are finding two bridal gowns or as difficult as finding two suits for women. According to the Gay Wedding Institute, “58% of lesbian brides have at least one partner in a suit or tuxedo.  Most have men’s suits altered for their female body or pay thousands for a custom piece. “

Photo Credit to www.people.com

Brides know exactly where to start their hunt for “the dress”, but what about women who want to shop for a tux for their special day? Lesbian “grooms” should not have to settle for wearing a men’s tux that does not fit correctly for the mere fact that it is the only kind available to them. Christina from East Side Bride said, “You're not going to be able to walk into the Men’s Warehouse and buy a suit off the rack. Because of the extra curves, the pants might fit but the jacket that goes with it may not. Also, the size pants that might fit your hips might be extra long in crotch, and the waist might need to be taken in.”

 Currently, there is a rapidly emerging market for customized women’s suits. The first company to enter this market was Fourteen. They started creating custom suits especially for lesbian weddings. They offer different styles and vest options as well. Fourteen’s custom suits have smaller armholes, shorter arm length, smaller torso measurements, and bust room is added where needed without sacrificing the style or design. Not only are these designs attracting lesbians who are about to say, “I do,” but they are also a big deal for prom season. Since teenagers are finally comfortable expressing their desire to be in same-sex relationships, there are in fact lesbian and gay couples going to high school proms together.

By : Miranda Weidemier

Icy Blue Winter Wedding Cakes

Icy Blue Winter Wedding Cakes

Ice blue is a wonderful alternative to white for a winter wedding cake. It is still quite easy to create a frosty feeling, and the color is such a nice addition to a winter or snowflake theme wedding. Learn how to design an ice blue wedding cake for your own winter wedding reception.

An icy blue wedding cake is decorated with piped  snowflakes and frosted  pine cones. Image via Pinterest.

This cake is fabulous. Piped snowflakes decorate the blue frosting, while sprays of frosted pine cones add dimension and texture. This wedding cake design would be just as pretty for a rustic wedding as for a traditional “Winter Wonderland” theme. Love it!

Brilliant red cardinals pop against the blue cake – beautiful! Credit: Brooklyn Cake.

Flashes of brilliant red cardinals flying against the bare winter trees is one of my favorite sights in wintertime. Perhaps then, it is no wonder that this blue wedding cake with red cardinals is one of my fall time favorite winter cakes. The little cardinals perch on their white branches with red berries in recreation of a classic winter scene. And oh my, are those cardinals glittery? Sheer perfection!

This Wedgewood blue wedding cake was inspired by a classic Jasperware pattern. Image via Brides.

Winter does not have to mean an obviously seasonal theme. Just as you can plan a winter ceremony with white flowers instead of red roses, you can definitely have a seasonally appropriate cake without incorporating snowflakes. A great example of that is this lovely Wedgewood blue ombre wedding cake. The design is inspired by a classic Jasperware pattern, and I adore how each tier has its own unique delicate texture and pattern. Like crystal bridal necklaces or elegant black tie attire, some wedding designs are perfect at any time of the year.

Royal icing frost details are piped onto a square blue wedding cake. Image via Cake Central.

If you like just a hint of sparkle in your wedding accessories and details, you will enjoy this pretty blue cake. Square tiers are decorated with Royal icing piped in a frost design. A dusting of edible glitter drifts softly down the tiers, enhancing the icy twinkle, while tiny crystals sparkle from within the frost motif. A neat thing about this particular cake is that the frost motif is quite seasonal, but also fairly subtle. From a distance, it looks like a classic scroll or swag motif; it is only upon closer inspection that it becomes clear that the design is indeed a wintery one. It is a nice option for the bride who wants a wedding cake which is wintery, but not in such an obvious fashion.

 Arent they fabulous!!!???

xoxo

Katherine

Winter Wedding Inspiration

Winter weddings are magical and that is Fact, not fiction!

People tend to think of winter weddings as cold and wet but the truth of the matter is that a winter wedding creates the perfect conditions to make your wedding day enchantingly special and one of a kind.

Since I believe in the fantastic feeling that is a winter wonderland wedding, I searched around and came to a fellow bloggers inspiration boards that will turn a non believer into a life long advocate for a inter wedding. So lets start this off with a flurry of glitter and snow!

There's nothing more romantic than candlelight and can you imagine how wonderful your wedding photos are going to look with a reception room adorned with little flickering flames. I am loving the arch of sparklers too!

Winter weddings should have succulents in the floral displays and bouquets. They look heavenly with the perfect shade of minty green and snow!!!

The ultimate accessory for the winter bride is a cozy wrap to keep the chill off her shoulders. Add a dash of elegance with a faux fur stole and muff.

When choosing your cake for a winter wedding you may wish to stick to traditional and to be honest, I would too.  There's something to be said for the effortless, chic, understated plain white iced cake; just decorate it with flowers matching your bouquet. I wouldn't go for anything brightly colored simply because it would clash with the winter wedding theme - if you are having a theme that is. I love all of these cakes for their simplicity.

How would you style a winter wedding?

xoxo

Katherine

Wellness Wednesday

Hello Everyone!  And Welcome to my first of many more to come….. Wellness Wednesday!!!!

First a little bit about me…. I just joined Paisley Events as an Event Coordinator! I come with lots of experience and a great fashion background from my many years of pageantry! I live in CT and would love to speak with you about any special event you may be planning or just to share tips and advice on how to prepare for a special time in your life! I look forward to sharing my thoughts, experience, and of course great tips with you on a weekly basis!

So as most Brides do…. They get engaged…. Excited… Spread the News…. And then…. Panic!!!

“I’m Engaged … Now what?!!?” Let’s talk about the thoughts most brides have at this very moment….  I know from experience and from speaking with many close friends that have gone through this process, they think…. My hair, makeup, nails, skin, dress, and almost all think…. Diet!!! Sure the perfect hair style is key, the makeup must be done to perfection along with the nails, and dress shopping can take forever until you find “the one”.  But has anyone ever really taken the time to think about themselves and what’s truly best for them? 

I have found a sure fire way to create all of these above needs, perfect hair, skin, nails, and weight loss…… Eating Right!! When you fuel your body with the proper nutrition it will work wonders for you! Starving yourself or crash dieting will only hurt  your body and leave you with less energy to exercise or enjoy the events leading up to your big day. I too have fallen victim to crash dieting before a big event or even starving myself for that swimsuit competition, but there’s a much better way to make a change for good! I am not saying go home throw away everything n your fridge, or pantry and run to the local grocery store. I am saying start educating yourself on a healthy lifestyle and what power fruits and vegetables can do to help you to achieve your own personal perfection. 

After doing a lot of research I have found an amazing nutritionist Kimberly Snyder. I ran out and bought her book ( The Beauty Diet Solution ) the day I found her success  stories on the internet. She focuses on healthy living and combining these amazing good organic ingredients from nature into wonderful meals.  When you read about her or even what fruits and vegetables can do for you … You will be amazed and excited! I am not a vegetarian and I cheat as well with chocolate or a cookie, but I know to fuel my body with goodness on a daily basis. Every morning the first thing I do is make my Glowing Green Smoothie. This smoothie contains the vitamins; minerals, amino acids, and fiber to keep unlock energy in your body and stop you from reaching for that starchy bagel. The fact that these ingredients are blended helps your body to process the benefits right away as opposed to trying to break them down and using your energy. 

You’re probably thinking… Ok but it must be gross! That is the exact opposite…. It’s amazing! My boyfriend that is the king of junk food loves this shake. He now drinks it every morning on his way to the office.  I encourage you all to try this smoothie. You will get past the crazy green color I promise! Give your body a little time to accept this change and you will see amazing results in no time at all. When I started drinking these shakes I noticed a major difference in my body in just 1 week. My face cleared and I did not have any blemishes. I noticed my energy level picked up and I did not feel the normal afternoon nap slump. I also realized this smoothie helped me to stop eating the not so healthy breakfast I would usually reach for.  Below I will give you the easy recipe and directions to follow.  I look forward to hearing what you all thought of this wonderful green smoothie and the results you are experiencing.  I will leave you with one thought quoted by the amazing Kimberly Snyder.  

"If we unlock that energy, our bodies will radiate from the inside out."
And her secrets may surprise you. "A lot of people think they're doing right by eating chicken and brown rice, then fruit for dessert," Snyder says. "But eating fruit after protein is like putting a Ferrari behind a Mack Truck on the highway; it causes a traffic jam." Because protein takes a couple of hours to digest, "the fruit will start to ferment and bloat you out. It's a total waste of digestive energy." Kimberly Snyder

http://www.shape.com/healthy-eating/healthy-recipes/beauty-makeover-detox-smoothie-recipe-drew-barrymores-nutritionist

Kimberly Snyder’s Glowing Green Smoothie

Ingredients
-1 1/2 cups water

-1 head organic romaine lettuce, chopped
-3-4 stalks organic celery

-1/2 head of a large bunch, or 3/4 of a small bunch of spinach
-1 organic apple, cored and chopped
-1 organic pear, cored and chopped
-1 organic banana

-Juice of 1/2 fresh organic lemon

Optional
-1/3 bunch organic cilantro (stems okay)

-1/3 bunch organic parsley (stems okay)

Directions

Add the water and chopped head of romaine to the blender. Starting the blender at low speed, mix until smoothie. Gradually moving to higher speeds, add the celery, apple and pear. Add the cilantro and parsley, if you are choosing to add them. Add the banana and lemon juice last.

The fruit and lemon cut right though the grass taste. Feel free to mix and match different greens and fruits, as these two specific food groups combine well.

http://www.kimberlysnyder.net/

http://lipstickandluxury.com/2012/05/25/the-glowing-green-smoothie-from-the-beauty-detox-solution/

Flop or Fly?

Well, my first “Flop or Fly Friday” kinda flopped with a hubby with 4 broken ribs and two year occupying my time.  But that’s another story for another time.  I hope you will all forgive me and be sure that barring more broken bones or natural catastrophes, I’m back on track!  Onto happier things!

I remember when I announced my engagement the two questions that were asked were: “Did you pick a date? “ and “What are your colors?”  It’s such a simple and important part of wedding, yet it can be tough for some of us to decide from the many options out there.  Now that we’ve taken a look into how color has made its way into a white wedding, what do you think?  How will you be incorporating color or not into your wedding?  Does the idea flop or fly in 2013? 

My prediction-

Colors still “fly!” Color is not going anywhere anytime soon… at least when it comes to décor and bridemaids.  It has become a way to inject personality into the couple’s big day.  Brights or pastels, muted or jewel tones, what’s important is that color doesn’t overshadow the couple.  It should enhance everything from the bride’s dress, to the venue, to the overall feeling or theme of the day.  Here are a couple of my favorite ways that bright brides have incorporated color into their big day. 

Now when it comes to the brides, I’m a little apprehensive.  While I consider myself a non-taditional bride because I went about it in an unorthodox fashion, there is just something about a white(ish) dress that symbolic of a wedding. 

Over the years, the traditional “pure” white of wedding gown has been adapted into ivories or diamond whites to meet changing social practices.  The late 80’s and 90’s introduced bits of color in sashes, trains and subtle details which remain today.  As the social trends continue to change so will the gowns; but the change will be much more subtle. 

My prediction:  Colored bridal gowns will “flop” for first weddings.   (Sorry Vera, black is going to be a bust- it’s just a little too much still.) Champagnes, golds, and silvers are an easy and acceptible transition.  Where the pinks and light blues and will be seen sporadically.  They are beautiful and different, but this is will be the trend that dates the fashion of the times. 

I do see the trend entering the market but only ever so slightly.  I can see the trend being big in alternative-type weddings like more intimate weddings and second weddings, or as a second dress.  Here are some of my favoite inspirations that I can see taking off:

TTFN

Rachel

For the Groom: Boutonnieres without the Botanicals

For the Groom:Boutonnieres without the Botanicals

Whether or not we think we are big on flowers, we are never more aware until we sit down with our florist and go over all of the flowers involved in a wedding! This may be the cause for the not so hidden "eye roll" that the more manly men of our grooms tend to give during the many vendor meetings or wedding negotiations that are necessary for planning a wedding. Gentlemen…I know what you’re thinking.  “It’s bad enough that I have to wear a pink tie and a tailcoat…but now I have to don a flowery boutonniere?  Seriously??!!”  But there is good news! Upon some recent research for a groom I have the pleasure of working with next year, I stumbled upon the most interesting of wedding vendors! 

Fritts Rosenow Bespoke Boutonnieres is a company based out of California who specializes in the design of one of a kind "groom approved" boutonnieres! They have been featured in Modern Bride and other well known publications for the very boutonnieres the modern groom now seeks. You can purchase any of their in stock items or ask them to create one for you based on your style. Some past grooms have gone with sci-fi, golf, and car inspired pins. 

So in conclusion gentlemen, you may be one to settle on the color palette chosen by your bride to be and the florist, or maybe she would be welcoming to the idea of a one of a kind creation that will allow you to have a bit more personality on your big day! All you have to do is ask ;-)

designs by Fritts Rosenow Bespoke Boutonnieres

Happy Planning!

xoxo

Katherine

Proper Attire

This week I decided to do a post not only relevant to those of you planning a wedding, but also for those readers out there who have ever been invited to an event and not known or completely understood, the required dress code.

We all know those words “black tie” or “black tie optional” can be extremely daunting. What should you wear? What will everyone else be wearing? And of course, everyone’s greatest fear – not wanting to look out of place. Well do not worry! You can sleep soundly tonight. I have compiled an extensive list of all the different types of dress codes so that you can be prepared for an event of any type, regardless of the dress code.

White Tie

Probably the least likely to appear, however nonetheless important, are the words “White Tie”. As the most official dress code of them all, White Tie is often used for events such as Charity Balls, Royal Events, Nobel Prize Award Ceremonies, State Dinners, Debutante Balls and Academy Awards Ceremonies.

Women: - Evening Gowns (ankle or floor length) should be worn

-       Shoes should match the gown

-       Jewelry should be appropriate (all your fancy diamonds are the perfect choice!)

-       Clutch bag

-       Gloves are optional but should be either white or coordinated to gown and should be Opera length

Men: - Black Tailcoat with matching trousers with a single stripe of satin or braid

-       White Vest and Shirt with piqué wing-collared with stiff front

-       White bowtie

-       Gloves should be white or gray

-       Studs and Cufflinks should both be white

-       Finally black dress socks and patent shoes

Black Tie

Usually used for an evening event after 6:00pm. Although Black tie is less formal than White Tie, it is more formal than informal or Business Casual. Events that would call for such dress could range from a particularly fancy wedding or event to other formal social gatherings or galas.

Women: - Dresses vary from Short Cocktail length to long, and elegant Evening Gowns (can vary in color)

-       Shoes should match your dress

-       Jewelry should match/ compliment the dress/ outfit

-       Purse should be minimal – Clutch or small bag would suffice

Men: - Black tuxedo jacket with matching trousers

-       Formal white pique or pleated front shirt

-       Black bow tie

-       Black cummerbund to match tie or a waistcoat

-       Suspenders are optional

-       Black patent leather shoes and black dress socks

-       White pocket handkerchief

Black Tie Optional

When an invitation says “Black Tie Optional” it means that the host of the event is giving their guests the option of wearing a tuxedo or a dark suit and tie. Although the invitation does say “optional” it is usually a clue as to the formality of the event.

Women: -Dresses vary from Short Cocktail length to long, and elegant Evening Gowns (can vary in color)

-       Shoes should match your dress

-       Jewelry should match/ compliment the dress/ outfit

-       Purse should be minimal – Clutch or small bag would suffice

Men: - A tuxedo

OR

-       Dark Suit with a white shirt and a conservative dark color tie

Creative Black Tie

Although not commonly used, “Creative Black Tie” is another way of saying “Black Tie Optional”. By phrasing it “Creative Black Tie” it allows for trendy interpretations for the classic formal wear.

Women: - Dresses vary from Short Cocktail length to long, and elegant Evening Gowns (can vary in color)

-       Shoes should match your dress

-       Jewelry should match/ compliment the dress/ outfit

-       Purse should be minimal – Clutch or small bag would suffice

-       Don’t be afraid to get Creative!

Men: - Tuxedo combined with color

-       Black shirt, colorful bowtie and cummerbund

-       Any other creative yet formal combination you can think of

Semiformal

As you can probably tell from the title, Semiformal means that the event is less formal than all of the other, previous examples. It means that the dress is more casual and laid back. However, this does not mean that you can pull out your blue jeans and old t-shirt.

Women: - Cocktail dresses

-       Matching appropriate shoes

-       Jewelry should match/ compliment your outfit

-       Purse should again be minimal

Men: - Dark business suit

-       Optional matching vest

-       White shirt

-       Conservative tie

Dressy Casual/ Business Casual

One of the most casual types of events one can attend. Again however, this does not mean that jeans are acceptable.

Women: - Nice Cocktail length dress or Sundress

-       Matching appropriate shoes

-       Purse should be small

Men: - Seasonal sport coat or blazer

-       Slacks or khakis

-       Open-collared shirt

Beach Casual

As you can most likely infer from the title, it usually applies when there is a beach somehow involved. Everyone knows beach weddings or events held near the water are usually casual and laid back. The beach is meant to be relaxing and therefore the style is representative of that same feeling.

Women: - Sundresses in light or bright colors

-       Sandals

-       Minimal Jewelry

-       Purse should be small

Men: - Khakis or Shorts (cargo or Bermuda)

-       Knit or Polo shirt

-       Optional Sports Jacket or sweater

I hope this helps and clears up any confusion you might have! Remember though that if you have any questions it is best to contact the host or hostess and ask what kind of attire is expected so there are not any awkward situations once you arrive. What do you think of all these different styles?

xox Lauren