Baltimore Museum of Industry Bridal Show

Come see us at the Baltimore Museum of Industry Bridal Show on January 10 between 5:30 - 8:30 PM.  Admission is free!

Seriously, I find that the week night bridal shows are some of the best ones to attend.  With free admission and a great glimpse of the city at night, you really can't say no! 

Thanksgiving's Finest

Happy Thanksgiving to all...enjoy this special time with family and friends. Make that extra special time if you're attending a wedding themed around the holiday.

knopfsfinest.com

withthisfavor.com


shabbychicblonde.com


knopfsfinest.com

Winter Bridal Bouquets

Take a look at these lovely winter inspired bridal bouquets from Martha Stewart:

mauve and white flowers and brown pine cones...rustic and sweet at the same time


red berries and amaryllis blossoms...bold color of the season


lilies of the valley, mini calla lilies, sterling silver beads and ribbon...winter elegance


simple white carnations...blend beautifully with the snow


gold beaded florets, Gloriosa lilies and velvet-like cockscomb...earthy


Vendela roses and lilies of the valley...classic Victorian look

"A dream is a wish your heart makes..."

For those girls who have always dreamed of their fairytale wedding, check out this new line of Disney inspired Alfred Angelo wedding gowns for 2012...it's time to be a princess for a day!

2012 Wedding Trends

I feel like it is so hard sometimes to just live in the moment - there are ads everyone nowadays for the next holiday, or the next season...so much so that we don't even have enough time to enjoy the present. But for those of you who want to get ahead though, never fear! Bridal trends for the coming year are already in full swing. So if you want to be one step ahead, now is the time! Take a look at these stunning designer pieces from Brides.com:


http://www.brides.com/wedding-dresses-style/wedding-dresses/2011/05/wedding-dress-trends-bridal-market-spring-2012#slide=1

Boo! (Part 2)

Well readers...I guess it's time to admit that I love Halloween and I know so many others do too! So I thought we needed to see a few more creative pieces to go along with this fun holiday. I think these spooktacular pictures speak for themselves - enjoy!

http://www.squidoo.com/the-perfect-halloween-wedding

Spooky, yet sophisticated

Halloween is right around the corner...why not get into the spirit of a day totally dedicated to dressing up? Here are some tips for planning a spooky, sophisticated spectacle!

*Choose an old Gothic church for the ceremony to create an eerie and ornate vibe from the get-go!

www.dipity.com

*For invitations and decorations at the reception site, choose a recurring motif of pumpkins, black cats or if you're really daring, skulls and crossbones! Although this play-on-words is creepy enough...

www.photocardchef.com

*Decorate with dramatic candleabras as a certain topic of conversation. Use orange and black candles as part of the reception table centerpieces.

www.amazon.com

*For flower arrangements, try orange hawkweed, orange roses, orange poppies or orange freesias.

www.dealrocker.com

*Music will be key in creating a creepy environment as your guests enter the reception...make sure the DJ has "Thriller" by Michael Jackson (a Halloween classic), as well as "The Monster Mash" and The Nightmare Before Christmas soundtrack

www.amazon.com

idea inspiration from
http://www.weddingphotousa.com/wedding_articles/halloweenwedding-theme-ideas.htm

DIY Wedding Favors

It's no secret that a wedding budget can get out of control, and quickly. Here are some ideas I found to help ease the money flowing out of your bank account, as well as some fun activities that you and your bridesmaids can spend a day putting together!

a delicious and simple treat to organize for a large crowd
weddingbee.com

a keepsake ring pillow - very classy
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pick your favorite recipe to share
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a decadent truffel in a simple, understated box
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personalized jelly jars - a fun play on words!
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and don't forget the kids!
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Winter Season Inspiration

To continue preparing for the winter season, check out these great winter themed decorating ideas from TheKnot.com!

Check this out!

I found an article in the local newspaper and had to share this good find! The Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Hotel is celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2012. To help couples join in on the celebration and enjoy this beautiful location which has so much to offer, the hotel is offering a $10,000 total wedding cost if you book on the 10th of any month throughout 2012. What a great deal! A "destination wedding," yet not asking too much out-of-pocket expense for traveling. It is truly a gorgeous property, with breathtaking views of the water from all guest suites, as well as a golf course, tennis court, sand volleyball area, gazebo and an inlet to the Choptank River with a variety of water sport activities. There is so much to do your guests may never want to leave!

Sound too good to be true? (It isn't.) Contact them today!

Christina & Rob - sneak peak

Here is a sneak peak at Christina & Rob's bridal party.  

They were such a fun group!

More to come later from Wendy Hickok...

Invitation Inspiration

Running low on inspiration? Here are some cute and clever ideas to make unique invitations (yourself!) that will stand out and be something your guests can treasure.

having a destination wedding? - print faux boarding passes to get guests in the traveling spirit

include a map indicating all of the special and favorite spots of you and your hubby-to-be

shhhh it's top secret! - the special agents attending your wedding need a briefing of all wedding activities, and don't forget that fingerprint test!

planning on an outdoor affair? - incorporate your natural surroundings from the get go

provide a keepsake before guests even arrive at the wedding - a handerkerchief with all of the details

*ideas and photos from Real Simple magazine

Winter Wedding Dos

www.weddingphotogallery.com

The thought of getting dressed up in the wintertime seems daunting at first: it's cold, dreary and damp...so sometimes it's hard to feel your most glamorous.

Never fear! Here are some helpful tips to get you out of those winter blues and feeling beautiful for a special occasion!

www.bestweddingdecor.info

If the wedding reception is taking place at a local country club or hotel ballroom, knee-length or tea-length is certainly still appropriate in the winter season. Adding a fur shawl or cashmere wrap will look sophisticated over a dress or suit but will also keep you warm!

www.sheknows.com/beauty-and-style/what-t0-wear-to-a-winter wedding

As far as color selection for winter weddings, try chocolate brown, deep plum or a rich burgundy. The thought of having to leave your beautiful pair of stilettos in your closet may be sad, but you'll be thankful later when you don't slip on icy ground or sink into damp ground. A wedge or pump heel won't let you down. And lastly, your hair will work best in a up do: that way, you won't have to worry about any pesky "fly aways" in the event of snowy weather.

www.sheknows.com/beauty-and-style/what-t0-wear-to-a-winter wedding

There is a growing popularity in winter weddings, to involve the holidays, a time when families and friends are naturally getting together. Now you know how to be prepared!

Casey & Bryce's AVAM video clip

Check out Casey & Bryce's wedding day at the American Visionary Art Museum... this is a great clip that includes all the great details from their day!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PhuPRB-xcys

Anniversary Dance

I think the idea of having an anniversary dance is a beautiful celebration of the essence of marriage.  It is also a great way to get all married couples involved to celebrate the commitment of marriage.

The DJ calls off years of marriage, beginning with less than one year, which should be a moment for the newlywed couple only. The DJ can then choose increments to announce:  two, five, ten, twenty, etc...until the longest married couple can take the floor, most likely a set of grandparents.  The bride can then choose to give her bouquet to her grandmother or husband's grandmother as a token of appreciation and acknowledgment for a lasting commitment.

This is a wonderful way to celebrate with your loved ones.



www.dance-n-sound.com

Casey & Bryce: a modern love story

One week prior to the day he was to be married, Bryce could be found in Afghanistan fighting for his country.  What a story!  The first time I met Casey and Bryce was shortly after Valentine's Day, when he returned to the United States for a brief stint and surprised Casey for the romantic weekend.  That was when I was told that he would be overseas until right before the wedding.  

Casey said, either way, we'd have a party.

Party is what we had -- fortunately, celebrating the marriage of Casey & Bryce. 

To any bride-to-be, the rest of these pictures will be some wonderful eye candy.  Thanks so much to the creative eye of Erin Farrell of Erin Farrell Photography and her assistant Erin.  Although they are from DE, do give them a call.  It is worth having them travel down to Baltimore for pictures like these!  Thanks, ladies!

Casey and her mom love antique shopping -- and were in awe of the broach bouquet.  For months, they shopped ebay for 100s of broaches for Casey's bouquet and special ones as gifts for the bridesmaids. 

 

Casey even added one to her pearl necklace to tie all the details together.  

Perfectly matching the couple's vibrant personality, the colors and flowers really stood out!

As a special surprise, the mother of the bride found an old suitcase while antiquing and posted a map of the honeymoon spot with special "scrapbooking" details.  It made a great card holder!

 Dress change!

The night ended with a table of colorful Izze pop and a man dancing while popping popcorn.  

Needless to say, absolutely everyone enjoyed the party.

Oh, and I almost forgot -- the groom's twin brother just had a baby a few days before the wedding.  

So, because he couldn't attend, 

we arranged for him to do his best man speech and toast from a computer over Skype.  

Thanks to all of the great vendors for helping make such a great night for Casey & Bryce:

ceremony & reception:  American Visionary Art Museum

 officiant:  Matt Hoh, friend of the couple

caterer:  Absolutely Perfect Catering

baker:  Sugarbakers

florist:  Willow Oak Flowers

photographer:  Erin Farrell Photography

photobooth:  party picturebooth

cocktail music:  Bobby Stevens

dj:  Premier DJ Services

lighting:  event dynamics

transportation:  All Stretched Out

beauty:  Up Dos for I Dos