jpb designs

The Silver Platter

2012-02-10T15:59:00.000-05:00

picture courtesy of juliejourneys.blogspot.com

So the new trend right now, and one I am ABSOLUTELY loving, is food trucks.I don't know what it is, but there's something just fun about walkingup to a truck and ordering food.

facebook.com/thesilverplatter

I talked Damian, the owner of Baltimore's very popular food truck. It's called The Silver Platter and is so popular that people wait in the rain to get delicious plates of food at very affordable prices.

Here's what Damian had to say about The Silver Platter:

How did you come up with the idea for your foodtruck?
--> We wanted to open a food truck that would offer on par with anice restaurant but served out of a truck at a lower price.

What are the best selling items on your menu?

--> The lobster roll, lobster mac & cheese and the brisket, also thepit beef we cook every day in the truck in our smokers.

Do you have any experience catering weddings?

--> We have been asked to do private parties but not a wedding yet. Ourchef has a catering background and a culinary degree. We would consider awedding and we would offer a full menu.

Since the chef has experience catering, The Silver Platter is an excellentoption if you'd like to add a unique twist to your wedding. While your guests are waiting for you to arrive at the reception area, why not have a food truck there to serve your guests fun finger foods, like potato ribbons and truffle fries? Check out The Silver Platter's facebook for their full menu and more info!

If you like the idea of a food truck, but don't want one to cater the entire evening, consider having a food truck to serve your guests just a few items, like ice cream at the end of the night. Food trucks are versatile and can be incorporated into your wedding any way you'd like!

Music to My Ears

2012-02-09T11:43:00.002-05:00

So the big day has come, and now it's time for you and your husband to take your first dance! Picking the song for this special moment can be tricky though. As with the rest of your wedding, the most important part is that it reflects both of you; it fits your styles and personalities. So with this in mind here are some great suggestions. some are old classics, some are newer songs with an acoustic twist (a great hint in my mind if you have a favorite song that isn't dance appropriate in its original version).

Classic Songs
At Last- Etta James
Everything- Michael Buble
Have I told You Lately- Van Morrison
Days Like This- Van Morrison
The Way You Look Tonight- Frank Sinatra
A Love That Will Last- Renee Olstead
Wonderful Tonight - Eric Clapton
I'll Be- Edwin McCain

Country-esque Songs
I Need you- Tim McGraw
Then- Brad Paisley
Making Memories of Us- Keith Urban
How Do I Live Without you- Leann Rhimes
Me and you- Kenny Chesney
Look At Me- Carrie Underwood
Always and Forever- Shania Twain
Mine (Acoustic)- Taylor Swift

Modern and Original Songs
Love you Till the End- The Pogues
She is Love- Parachute
You and Me- DMB
Lucky- Marc Broussard
Rhythm of Love - Plain White T's
Ray LaMontagne – Hold You In My Arms
Runner Runner – Can’t Hardly Wait
So High- John Legend
First Day of My Life- Bright Eyes
Toploader – Dancing in the Moonlight
Uncle Kracker – Smile

I hope these lovely tunes inspire you to find that perfect song of your own. Let us know what song you'll be dancing to at your wedding!

Adorn Your Hair

2012-02-07T11:03:00.001-05:00

I was watching the Sex and the City movie the other day and I was completely in awe of Carrie Bradshaw’s beautiful blue accessory in her wedding hair…and then I remembered it was a bird.

Regardless, I personally loved the shade of blue and thought it fit SJP’s character perfectly. If you want to accessorize but don't want to do anything as extreme as sticking a bird in your hair, there are many other options. Take a look:


Kim Kardashian wore a diamond studded headpiece as she said her vows to Kris Humphries eonline.com


Pandora from Real Housewives of Beverly Hills complemented her wedding dress with an elegant headband hollywoodlife.com


Khloe Kardashian opted for the more traditional floor length veil when she wed Lamar Odom OK! Weekly You could also employ flowers or feathers. And of course, you can always opt to keep it simple not accessorize at all! No matter what, your hair will be absolutely gorgeous, as long as it reflects your personality. Do you plan on using any accessories on your wedding day?

A Lace Obsession

2012-02-06T19:20:00.001-05:00

For the last five years I've been in love with TLC's show "Say Yes to the Dress". And, ever since I began watching, I've been in awe of every single lace dress that a girl puts on. So in honor of all things dainty and lace, here are some of the most gorgeous gowns I've ever seen from some of the world's best designers.

Sarah Nouri

Style Me Pretty

If you haven't checked out this site yet, hurry on over! You'll faint over how gorgeous these weddings are

Jenny Yoo

Modern Trousseau

Lela Rose

Will you be wearing a lace gown to your wedding? Know any other gorgeous designers who make lace gowns? We'd love to hear from you!

The Big Day!

2012-02-03T10:50:00.001-05:00

Did I ever tell you how much I love the Superbowl? To me, it’s like another holiday on the spring calendar, mainly because it’s filled with good friends, family, and some of my favorite foods. So let this great tradition inspire you, and give your guests football themed welcome bags! Maybe your hubby is a huge Ravens fan, or maybe you met at a football game, or maybe you’re even getting married over Superbowl weekend? Whatever it is, let your guests share in your love for the great game and surprise them with this great way to enjoy the sport.

Give guests a taste of your town with a local Beer

(Boston themed for this weekend)

Give guests one of their favorite gameday treats- nachos! These individual sized Chips and Salsa are perfect, and adorable!

Salsa is available on Etsy, one of my favorite sties these days.

For something sweet...

Fan Gear!

I hope these goodies inspire you all! Enjoy the game! Anyone have any fun plans or other football inspired ideas?

Get Inspired, Get Organized

2012-02-01T22:36:00.000-05:00

In my opinion, a woman in love is a woman inspired. When people are in love, everything around them can inspire creativity and originality, so it's no surprise that engaged women, and even men, have an abundance of wedding ideas. Getting inspired isn't a problem - getting organized is. One of the best ways to get organized is by creating an inspiration board, like the ones seen throughout this post.


Courtesy of blushingbrideblog.com A Purple, Pink, and Gold Inspiration Board

A Fruit Themed Board

An inspiration board (you may have heard of them as wedding boards or mood boards) can give you a visual as to how all your ideas will look together. Not only will it help you, but it will also help your vendors provide products that will mesh flawlessly with the theme and colors you have in mind.

A Peacock Board

Although there are plenty of sites you can use to create inspiration boards on your own, like at the Wedding Wire website or by Shardi at http://www.blushingbrideblog.com/, it wouldn't hurt to have a professional, like Jenny of jpb designs, to help you finesse and perfect your board, leading to the wedding of your dreams.

A Tented Affair

2012-01-30T09:31:00.001-05:00

This unseasonably warm weather in January has made think that springtime is just around the corner. Thank goodness! I want to be outside, take a nice walk, and enjoy the sun. But this weather did inspire me to post about one of the biggest debates many brides have when planning a spring/summer wedding: to tent or not to tent? Most people think a tented wedding becomes super expensive, super quickly. And, in fairness, they can be right. But, with some research and some planning, a tented wedding can be the most beautiful affair.

Let’s start by talking about types of tents. There are three typical coverage options when it comes to big tops, if you will. Check out this helpful diagram from New York Weddings:

CENTURY TENT
Steer clear if using super-long tables. Everywhere there’s a peak, there’s a pole.

FRAME TENT
Smallest and least attractive. Outdoor venues tend to supply Frames.

STRUCTURE TENT
High-end. Aluminum I-beams, instead of poles, ensure an open party space.

When choosing a tent, it is important to think about the venue, number of guests, desired layout, and cost. Most of the best tent companies are incredibly supportive and will work with you to determine exactly what you need and want to fit your unique wedding style.

One of the best aspects of a tented wedding is that it is literally a blank canvas on which to display your design elements. Whatever your style, a tent can accommodate. Who wouldn’t want their reception to look like these?

Skyline Tent Company

WeParty.com

Skyline Tent Company

Capers Catering Blog

Sperry Tents

This is my absolute favorite!

Tented weddings have been some of the most gorgeous and elegant affairs I’ve ever seen. Definitely check out some of these local vendors, whose expertise and support will help you throughout the whole design process

Skyline Tent Company

Sperry Tents

Sugarplum Tent Company

Are any of you planning on tenting your wedding? Tell us all about it!

1st Birthday Party

2012-01-27T07:16:00.001-05:00

In addition to enjoying all wedding details and organizing just about everything -- yes, this is why I love coordinating wedding -- I absolutely LOVE planning my children's birthday parties! Love it! Scouring pinterest, digging through the clearance section at Michaels, I try to match the theme closest to the likes of my children.

This one year old's birthday theme: Raspberries & Roses.

I knew I wanted pink and just had to have roses, and so the planning began!

Because I enjoy a good DIY party, I did all the decor myself.

To begin with, I found a paper rose tutorial online where I needed to swirl paper to make a flower. When I tried this, it looked awful. Absolutely awful. So, I tried a little pink felt flower instead.
Much better!

These felt flowers ended up on branches in a mason jar as a centerpiece, on a yarn wreath for the front door, and on the birthday girl's headband.

To match those cute little roses, I splurged when I bought a pink petticoat/tutu from My Little Stinky on etsy and found a tank/sweater twin set from Target.

Our food and drink were centered around the raspberry theme -- we enjoyed raspberry bellinis and salad with raspberry dressing among many other delicious items on the brunch menu.

I designed all the printables through Microsoft Publisher.

And...I even made her happy birthday banner that hung over the fireplace along with her big R.

We made a smash cake for the birthday girl and white cupcakes with homemade buttercream frosting for the guests.

I found the cake bunting in the Michaels clearance bin for under $1!

Above the cake table hung the birthday girl's picture banner. Each month on the date of her birthday, I took a picture of her with the appropriate corresponding number in the picture. It was neat to see how much she has grown over the year.

The birthday girl had a blast!
To send off our guests with something thematically memorable, we made some homemade raspberry jam in these mason jars with R & R labels for Raspberries & Roses.

We cannot believe our little girl is already one! The brunch was a perfect way to celebrate!
And now on to planning our young man's birthday for this summer -- he wants a tractor party, so I'll be looking for ways to make it original. Any advice?

2012-01-26T21:19:00.000-05:00

Is anyone else completely addicted to Pinterest like I am? It is such a think tank for brides, maids, mothers, etc. Check out some of the inspiration we found...

You can find these images and many more on the pinterest site. Be sure to follow jpb designs to find out latest inspiration! http://pinterest.com/jpbdesigns/

BMI Wrap-up

2012-01-21T06:46:00.000-05:00

Thanks again to everyone who stopped by the Baltimore Museum of Industry bridal show. Here are a few shots from the evening...

Thanks to Kevin from Video Masterpiece -- Wedding Videography and Photography for the images.

This is me at jpb designs, an event planning company! I talked to so many fun brides that night!

Below is Judy from Flowers by Judy

Below is a great display from Melanie at Chef's Expressions! Yum!

And, here we have the lovely girls from Absolutely Perfect Catering...

Of course, the night wouldn't be complete without Rissa & Nathaniel (the man in the black hat), the suave husband/wife team from Balance Photography.

What a fun night!

Thank You

2012-01-10T21:47:00.000-05:00

Thanks to all the brides, grooms, moms, and everyone else who came out to the Baltimore Museum of Industry tonight to talk about wedding day coordination. I met so many great people and am looking forward to catching up with you all to talk more about how we can make your wedding day great!

Lauren & Dan: a cheerleading love story

2012-01-09T07:20:00.000-05:00

Lauren and Dan met as Ravens cheerleaders. Too cute.

Dan, a Notre Dame alum, bleeds the fighting Irish while Lauren, a Maryland alum, loves her terps.

Despite their love for different colleges, they are a wonderful match...and I cannot wait to share these beautiful pictures with you. Thank you Artful Weddings for sharing the images with us!

Before heading to the church, Dan and the guys (groomsmen and male family members) met up at the Quintessential Gentleman, a unique, upscale barbershop in Baltimore. It is a really cool place for the guys to hang out while the girls are getting their hair and nails done either on the wedding day or the day before. Definitely check it out.

Lauren, who had her hair and make-up team come to her, got dressed and ready with all of the important ladies on her wedding day.

The DIY broach bouquet, which Lauren DIY'd, was beautifully done with small elements from Baltimore -- like a little crab -- and contained feathers to maintain the art deco theme.

Friday, November 11 ended up as a beautiful day.

The sights at Corpus Christi Church didn't hurt, either!

Stunning church.

And, a stunning bride.

The trolley drove the bridal party around town for pictures and then to the American Visionary Art Museum for such a fun reception.

When Lauren and I sat down to create her wedding day itinerary, she expressed the desire to show value to her grandparents' marriage. See, they have been married for 68 years. Yes, you read that right: 68! And, of course, they were just the cutest people I've ever seen. We came up with this --

So, in true cheerleading style, we introduced the bridal party. Since they were also all cheerleaders, the guys lifted the girls up on their shoulders and then formed a "tunnel". From the opposite direction and from behind a curtain, both sets of parents, followed by the grandparents, dance through the tunnel as the band leader announced the number of years they had been married.

Then, upon the announcement of the bride and groom, they danced their way through the tunnel, which was surrounded by all the guests, as they began their choreographed first dance.

It was really cute! And, such a great way to honor years of marriage!

The night was such a success! Lauren & Dan, thank you for sharing it with jpb designs.

Vendors:
Ceremony location: Corpus Christi Church
Reception location: American Visionary Art Museum
Caterer: The Classic Catering People
Florist: Crimson & Clover
Photographer: Anne Sachs, Artful Weddings
Band: The Don Eaton Band
Productions: Mike Blondell, Accents on Events
Trolley: American Limosines
Hair: Jenn Reem
Make-up: Jami Funk
Day of Event Coordinator: jpb designs

Get your Groupon...

2012-01-09T06:46:00.000-05:00

For those of you interested in dancing lessons for your first dance or otherwise, I saw that Groupon is offering a sale on Arthur Murray Dane Studio Lessons. Hurry up and head over there!

The price looks quite reasonable.

Head over to Groupon to check it out:

http://www.groupon.com/deals/arthur-murray-baltimore?c=all&p=9

Baltimore Museum of Industry Bridal Show

2011-12-30T15:28:00.000-05:00

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!

Happy New Year

2011-12-29T15:47:00.000-05:00

Preparing for an in-home party for the New Year like I am? Try these great free printables from the TomKat Studio blog, one of my favorites daily reads!

http://www.thetomkatstudio.com/2012-new-years-eve-party-printable-collection-free-printables/

I can't wait to see how I can incorporate these black, white, and gray printables into our NYEve decor!

Have a fun and safe holiday!

Let me know how you intend to use these... can't wait to hear!

Happy Trails to You

2011-12-04T17:53:00.002-05:00

Hi readers! This will be my final blog post for JPB Designs. Having the opportunity to work with Jenny over the last few months has been a wonderful experience. I have enjoyed exploring creative ideas to share with all of you, as well as getting to help out behind the scenes with Jenny and her great selection of vendors. There is so much work that goes into the wedding process, but when it all comes together...there's nothing better. Happy Holidays everyone!

A thing of beauty is a joy forever:
Its loveliness increases; it will never
Pass into nothingness; but still will keep
A bower quiet for us, and a sleep
Full of sweet dreams.
~John Keats

Pretty little things to dream of :)

2011-11-29T21:45:00.008-05:00

Just a collection of photos that are beautiful ideas for a wedding, each unique in their own way, (like I said, Pinterest is the place for the creativity!). Sometimes it's just nice to find pictures that make you smile. :)

bouquet of berries and foliage

simple and elegant centerpieces

a bouquet completely made out of brooches

the perfect accessory for a beach wedding

DIY outdoor wedding decor

elegant pearls compliment a winter wedding

Thanksgiving's Finest

2011-11-23T18:34:00.012-05:00

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

2011-11-21T20:40:00.008-05:00

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

Staying connected

2011-11-16T21:59:00.006-05:00

Life is busy, no doubt about it. And with ever-changing technology, people like to be connected to their most important things in life at all times. This of course includes wedding planning, because who doesn't want to multitask when possible?

Not to worry - there's an app for that! The Knot.com and Apple have worked together to create a tool accessible on both the iPhone and iPad, which includes a budgeting tool, top registry picks and even a guest list manager. This is really neat, and so convenient to have on-the-go at all times to prepare for your appointments!

Click on the link below for more details!

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/the-knot-introduces-ultimate-wedding-planner-app-for-the-apple-iphone-and-ipad-2011-10-05

Let's get ready to rumble!

2011-11-13T17:49:00.010-05:00

Avid football fans will be delighted to see these fun ideas for carrying their love for the sport of football into the love of their special day!

blinkcalligraphy.com

nflfootballstadiums.com

vvlevents.com

weddingo.co.uk

vvlevents.com

weddingpaperdivas.com

sportsthemedweddings.com

Veteran's Day Wedding Special

2011-11-10T20:43:00.001-05:00

A beautiful gesture for those who serve us each and every day...

Sweet Tooth

2011-11-08T21:54:00.014-05:00

For those who just can't get enough of never-before-seen, creative wedding ideas, Pinterest.com is the place to be. Pinterest is a forum for people to post photos and/or create photo boards with themes and ideas that interest them. It is easy to search the website and "like" or "repin" photos you too enjoy, so it is easy to find them later on.

I guess as I work on getting rid of some leftover Halloween candy I have sweet treats on the brain ;)...check out these really whimsical wedding cake ideas!

I am fascinated by the winding staircase design wrapping

around this cake - what a talented artist!

This couple chose to utilize cake pops centered around a cake stand, a combination of a candy bar with the feel of a traditional wedding cake - fun!

This cake has a lot of intricate and delicate detailing to each layer...very vintage looking!

Mini-cake balls around a tiered platter - so cute!

This cake takes the timeless tradition of inscribing lovers' initials on a tree into an edible element for all to share!

Looking for a ceremony musician?

2011-11-07T13:24:00.000-05:00

Vendor Spotlight

Over the years, I have had the pleasure of working with Chris Dunn of Classical Guitar Ceremonies. I have found Chris, as well as the musicians who work for him, to be dependable, talented, kind, and intelligent. Although he is based out of the Maryland area, as you can see from his website, his company extends to DC, NY, PA, FL, and even CA. So, if you are in one of these locations and interested in a musician for your wedding ceremony, cocktail hour, or even part of your reception, definitely take a look at Chris's website.
www.classicalguitarceremonies.com

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

2011-11-02T21:06:00.003-04:00

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

2011-10-31T22:16:00.004-04:00

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)

2011-10-26T22:08:00.009-04:00

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

2011-10-23T21:23:00.012-04:00

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

2011-10-19T21:10:00.009-04:00

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
weddingbee.com

pick your favorite recipe to share
weddingbee.com

a decadent truffel in a simple, understated box
weddingbee.com

personalized jelly jars - a fun play on words!
weddingbee.com

and don't forget the kids!
weddingbee.com

Winter Season Inspiration

2011-10-17T18:22:00.004-04:00

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

Check this out!

2011-10-12T22:04:00.006-04:00

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

2011-10-11T07:19:00.002-04:00

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

2011-10-08T07:38:00.010-04:00

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

2011-10-04T20:54:00.005-04:00

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

2011-10-03T14:21:00.000-04:00

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

2011-10-01T17:50:00.017-04:00

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

2011-09-29T15:10:00.001-04:00

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

Put a little love in your heart!

2011-09-27T20:56:00.009-04:00

What a beautiful way to say "I love you"

featured in the book Wedding Days by Alexia Alexiadoy

~Meringue boxes with strawberries & chantilly~

prep time: 1 hour
baking time: 1 hour & 30 minutes + several hours for drying

For the meringues: 1 recipe meringue mixture
4 egg whites, few drops of lemon juice, 1 cup fine sugar, 1/4 tsp vanilla essence
1. Beat the egg whites with a few drops of lemon juice with an electric mixer, until thick and fluffy. While beating, gradually add half the sugar. Lower the mixer speed. Add the remaining sugar and vanilla and beat for 1 second, just a couple of turns.
2. Draw two 8-inch circles on two sheets of non-stick paper. Spread the paper on two oven grids. Place the meringue mixture in a piping bag with a large nozzle and use to cover the circles on the paper, making spirals from the center outward.
3. Bake the meringues at 180 degrees F for 2 hours, in a fan over. Turn off the heat and let the meringue layers cool inside the oven.

For the filling:
-1 pound ready-made whipped cream (Chantilly)
-1 pound fresh strawberries cleaned and sliced
-strawberry sauce for serving:
4 cups strawberries, 1 1/2 cups sugar, 4 tsps corn-starch, 4 tsps lemon juice, 4 tsps Cognac
*Mix the strawberries, sugar, corn-starch and lemon juice in a large saucepan. Simmer slowly and stir periodically, until the mixture sets and a glossy transparent sauce forms. Remove from the heat. Add and stir in the Cognac.

1. Cut out two pieces of non-stick paper the size of the oven grid. Draw 20 2x2 inch squares on each piece of paper. Spread the paper over the oven grids.
2. Put the meringue mixture in a piping bag and using a small nozzle pipe horizontal and vertical lines to cover the surface of the squares forming lace-type patterns. If you wish, use a larger nozzle and after forming the perimeter of the square draw a small heart in the center of the square. Fill the entire surface of 6 squares of meringue to use as the bases of the boxes.
3. Bake the meringues in a conveyor oven at 200 degrees F for 1 hour & 30 minutes. Switch off the oven and cool the meringues in the oven. Store the meringues in airtight boxes, in a dry place. In dry weather, they will keep for several weeks.

To assemble: Place the compact squares on serving plates and pipe a large rosette of whipped cream over them. Stick the four sides of the box on the cream and fill the boxes with more cream. Garnish with some strawberry slices and serve with spoonfuls of strawberry sauce.

"A picture is worth a thousand words"

2011-09-22T22:49:00.012-04:00

I love photographs...especially candid photos. Photos are timeless and express so many different emotions. There are so many cute and creative ways to create a new environment for capturing your favorite moments of the day. It's time to think outside the box to make your pictures unique (...no pun intended)! :)

www.createlovegrow.com

www.makeupshanna.wordpress.com

http://amysallows.com

thedesigngrove.com

www.stacyable.com

"After all, men can't wear dresses"

2011-09-20T16:43:00.011-04:00

www.wedding-place.com

I am in the bridal party for a friend's wedding next summer and

Jenny sent me this amazing website for my personal use, but I also want to share it with you all!

www.weddingway.com is a new way to make "bridesmaid dress shopping social & simple". This system of shopping, comparing, sharing and tracking makes it very efficient for bridesmaids to keep track of their orders, especially helpful if bridesmaids are not all located in one particular area.

First, bridesmaids are invited to utilize the website. Once they have accepted the invitation, they can upload a photo to be listed among the other girls. There are several different styles of dresses that can work for the same color swatch, a unique trend wedding attendees are seeing more and more of. From here, bridesmaids can "drag-and-drop" their favorite dresses to compare side-by-side. Bridesmaids can then rank their favorite dresses and ultimately make an order and track shipping.

This website is fun to use, and makes an open platform for communication where everyone in the bridal party can easily be involved.

Neat!

http://www.simplyjubileeblog.com

Rustic Inspiration Board

2011-09-19T14:05:00.000-04:00

After a recent conversation at the Historic Londontowne & Gardens, I created an inspiration board from rustic elements as well as pale blues and yellows. I would love to see water incorporated into the design as well since this venue is right on the water. What other elements would you involve?

You can easily find all the pictures on my pinterest site: http://pinterest.com/jpbdesigns/

centerpiece: stylemepretty.com

escort cards: weddings.theknot.com

invitation: etsy.com

aps: 100layercake.com

cake: 100layercake.com

blue plates: marthastewartweddings.com

yellow linens: stylemepretty.com

table/chairs: stylemepretty.com

stumps/candles: none

Write something worth reading...

2011-09-15T21:00:00.009-04:00

For some unique inspiration, here are some clever substitutes for the traditional guest book:

(from www.marthastewartweddings.com)

presenting guests with thought-provoking questions about
the couple's future while they are enjoying dinner

for a vintage-themed occasion, allow guests to really
take their time thinking of a good message

writing thoughtful notes on doves: symbols of love, happiness and harmony

mail your good wishes away!

tied with ribbon - very regal, indeed

The Meaning of Flowers

2011-09-13T20:48:00.014-04:00

"Some flowers spoke with strong and powerful voices, which proclaimed in accents trumpet-tongued, 'I am beautiful, and I rule.' Others murmured in tones scarcely audible, but exquisitely soft and sweet, 'I am little, and I am beloved.'" ~George Sand (Armandine A.L. Dupin) 1804-76

Flowers are a very important aspect of a wedding. They bring great sentiment and often require a great deal of planning. Here is some interesting history about the meaning of flowers to help create even more meaning for your special day, based from the book
Wedding Flowers by Wendy Thomson & Joanne Hornsby.

Spring Weddings: symbolism of rebirth and new beginnings

examples of spring flowers:
- carnation: unrequited love
- lilac: first emotions of love
- mimosa: secret love
- poppy: consolation

~lilac bouquet~
www.lilacsbloom.com

Summer Weddings: abundance of joy

examples of summer flowers:
- bluebell: constancy
- lily-of-the-valley: return of happiness
- sunflower: splendid

- tuberose: dangerous pleasures

~tuberose bouquet~
www.weddings.theknot.com

Fall Weddings: warmth and strength

examples of fall flowers:
- dahlia: pomp
- gardenia: refined
- chrysanthemum: "remember me"
- belladonna: pride, silence

~gardenia bouquet~
www.bouquetweddingflowers.com

Winter Weddings: passion, intensity

examples of winter flowers:

- amaryllis: splendid beauty

- heather: good luck
- tulip: declaration of hopeless love
- ivy: fidelity

~tulips bouquet~
www.flower-arrangement-advisor.com

Now, that's clever!

2011-09-08T19:08:00.010-04:00

Over the holiday weekend, I picked up a book entitled
Instant Weddings: From "Will You?" to "I Do!" in Four Months or Less
by Jennifer L. Shawne

After reading through it, some interesting tips stood out to me...ideas I might not have thought of, but ideas that make so much sense. Here are some budget saving tips and extra-creative additions to enhance the greatness of your day:

*don't use the "wicked W word" when shopping for items for your big day:
By using catchphrases such as "I'm looking for a fabulous dress." or "I'm hoping to book a place for a private party," money can be saved from vendors who automatically increase prices for weddings before they even get to hear about what a couple is looking for.

*switch up the typical concept of bar refreshments:
Offer "his & her" cocktails, sangria or mimosas.
Furthermore, shopping at big liquor stores ensures a bigger back stock and
possibly better deals when buying in bulk.

*include more than the "need-to-know" information on a wedding website:
If a couple is expecting several guests from out of town, it may be fun to include a section on their website with recommended locations, such as a restaurant, park or other date area that has an important meaning. If guests are coming into town early, it could be a special chance to share in the story of your lives together.

*stretching out your budget for flower arrangements:
In the event that a wedding venue has more than one event in a day, why not call and discuss the notion of sharing flowers? A small, but possibly significant way to reduce the price of decorating.

*"kill two birds":
There is a lot of stress involved in planning a wedding, but it is important to not let stress get in the way of the big day. Try multitasking: have dinner at a location you are considering for your rehearsal dinner or spend an afternoon wine tasting with friends for your reception. Too many times couples get caught up in separating wedding planning from their daily lives. Times are tough, so make life easier on yourself.

www.pocketculture.com

Lobster Boil - Labor Day

2011-09-05T21:18:00.000-04:00

Although I typically post about weddings, I have to show you this great party my family went to this afternoon. A lobster boil! It was so much fun!

We were bummed about the impending rain, but everyone had a great time anyway!

complete with instructions and all...

"I wanna put on my boogie shoes!"

2011-09-05T19:21:00.012-04:00

A wedding doesn't have to take place on the beach to be comfortable - it's a guarantee that any female will want to remove her heels at some point in the evening so she can really get her groove on! Providing baskets of an alternative to stilettos will be very appreciated!

www.signaturestylebydesign.com
simple and inexpensive

www.weddingwire.com

www.diy.weddingbee.com
guests can shop for the perfect fit!

www.weddingbellebridal.com
monogrammed sandals could also be a great souvenir for bridesmaids

"All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt..."

2011-09-01T20:27:00.019-04:00

The moment the bride and groom jointly cut the wedding cake is always a crowd pleaser. Once the photographer captures the moment, everyone knows the beautiful display of dessert will be taken away and then sliced for everyone to enjoy. Everyone loves sweets, so this tradition can never be a bad thing.

But what about adding to this tradition and expanding the menu a little bit? As someone who has quite a sweet tooth, I think the new found trend of serving candy alongside, or as a substitute for cake is a great idea. Kids will certainly grasp the concept, and placing goody bags alongside the treats will allow your guests to take a little something with them. Furthermore, all of the creativity couples put into the design of their cake can still be utilized in a table scape to display other dessert items.

Life is sweet, indeed.

www.ourweddingplus.com

www.thedior.net
This couple chose a carnival-like, old-fashioned style - I can see this at an outdoor wedding too.

kaitlynjames.blog
Labels help guests get their hands on the yummy goodies even faster!

www.smartbrideboutique.com

www.beau-coup.com
goody bags for the car ride home

Hello Readers!

2011-09-01T20:16:00.002-04:00

Hello everyone! My name is Meredith Downes and I am in interning at JPB Designs this fall! Not only will I be posting ideas and trends related to the wedding world, I will also be an assistant to Jenny at scheduled weddings throughout this fall. Throughout high school and college I was involved in event planning organizations, and what girl doesn't love to talk and dream about weddings? I am excited to get started...enjoy reading! :)

Decor Applies to Ceilings, Too!

2011-08-31T13:57:00.000-04:00

As silly as it sounds, yes, we are even giving due attention to the ceilings of wedding venues. Think about it -- how many different weddings have you been to where the venue is decorated with big, Chinese lanterns? Fun. Sometimes elegant. And definitely have a presence..... but, are they overdone?

In thinking about this, I decided to check out some alternatives to those big paper lanterns. Here are some different options I found. Do you have any other ideas that you've seen done well?

http://www.stylemepretty.com/gallery/gallery/4766

http://thingsrbetterwithaparrott.typepad.com/homegrown_wedding/page/9/

http://www.stylemepretty.com/

http://www.rocknrollbride.com/page/4/

http://postcardsandpretties.blogspot.com/2011/07/real-wedding-dawn-rennie-urban-wedding.html

http://www.100layercake.com/blog/

http://www.snippetandink.com/

Wendy

2011-08-29T20:32:00.002-04:00

No, I'm not talking about those great little hamburgers. :)

Instead, I want to introduce you to Wendy Hickok from Wendy Hickok Photography.

I had the pleasure of meeting her a few weeks ago while we both met with Christina and Rob, who will be married this Saturday at the Londontown and Gardens in Annapolis. Christina was so right when she told me I had to meet Wendy, a great photographer and such a funny person! The four of us had a great time when we met up for drinks to work out the nitty gritty details for the big wedding day. Please take the time to check out Wendy's blog. The latest one specifically features a wedding at Londontown and Gardens, where we'll be with Christina and Rob this weekend.

Check it out: Wendy's blog

Operation: Wedding Cake

2011-08-22T13:33:00.000-04:00

If you haven't seen this already, you have to check out this video. Truly -- this is about love!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53-6dPB1hkg

Shout Out

2011-08-20T17:11:00.003-04:00

Check out Up Dos for I Dos recent post about our bride Marissa! http://updosforidos.blogspot.com/

Pink & Gray Inspiration

2011-07-31T22:20:00.002-04:00

After meeting the lovely Amanda & Jimmy today, I was inspired to put together a pink and gray inspiration wedding board. They are all set to marry in July of next year at the American Visionary Art Museum. Congrats, Amanda & Jimmy!

(All picture references can be found on www.pinterest.com: jpbdeisgns - Follow us!)

With a ceremony in the sculpture barn, I think they can make the brick and atmosphere feel very inviting, warm, and romantic with adding drapery to the entrance and lighting candles along the center aisle.

I'd love to see the cocktail hour, dinner, and an after party in three separate locations. The venue has plenty of room for this, so it is do-able. A cocktail hour is a great place for a photobooth. I love the dangling picture frames. How cute!

Then, I'd love to see the loft space upstairs invite guests to a dinner with long, rectangle tables. I can envision these adorned with beautiful pink centerpieces as pictured above.

After dinner, I see the drapes opening to a lounge, well-equipped with a fully-staffed bar, dance floor, and a band. To end the evening, each guest would get a milkshake and fries to take for the ride back to the hotel.

But -- the bride and groom would first whisk away in a vintage, pink car.

I'd love to see the elements here combined to create a romantic and fun evening for this young, fun, lively couple and their guests!

What other ideas do you have for a classy, fun pink and gray themed wedding?

Chris & Cherie's Wedding Photos

2011-07-30T15:08:00.000-04:00

Earlier, I gave you a bit of a sneak peek at Chris and Cherie's wedding, but here you have it -- more pictures from Toni Skotcher. The pictures are a great representation of the actual couple and wedding day: laid back, simple, and sweet.

Thank you, Cherie and Chris! We are sure those smiles will last forever!

Vendors

Venue: Historic Oakland

Caterer: Absolutely Perfect Catering

Florist: Wessels

Photographer: Toni Skotcher Photography

Erica & Tommy's wedding featured online!

2011-07-30T14:47:00.001-04:00

Check it out. This is awesome. Erica & Tommy, who I love eternally, are featured on the Capitol Romance blog. Have you not been to this site, it has a lot of goodies. Here is one great image I saw where the couple used DIY (I think) branches.

www.capitolromance.com

So, be sure to not only check out the posting about Erica & Tommy's wedding jpb designs did but also get a glimpse of the blog -- and add them to your favs.

http://www.capitolromance.com/2011/07/05/real-capitol-wedding-erica-tommy/

Enjoy!

Color Palette

2011-07-21T19:43:00.000-04:00

Have you ever had a picture where you were absolutely in love with the color combination? Pictures are a great way to find inspiration for your wedding color palette. Check out this great site that will extract the colors combined within a picture of your choice. It's really cool!

http://bighugelabs.com/colors.php

I first discovered it when I was on www.wedsmack.favorideas.com researching some art deco themed weddings. They showed these great earrings (below) and the colors that were extracted from the picture of the earrings.

Let me know if you try it and what you think!

Birthday Party

2011-07-20T13:50:00.002-04:00

Although I specialize in weddings, I know all you brides would enjoy a glimpse at the party I have been planning for my little one. At Easter, my cousin gave my son a children's book called Peedie, which is about a little gosling. He soon became obsessed with the book and with all "ducks"! From there, the duck theme started. I designed the invitations, which I unfortunately don't have a picture of, but they were about our little gosling growing up. Here are some other pictures from the party. Enjoy!

a welcome sign explaining the theme of the party along with the book

favors -- sweedish fish inside tins

signage for lemonade punch

my fav -- the cake topper!

I bought the fondant topper on Etsy from scrltphnx, who designed this just for me.
I think she did an amazing job!

with the help from my mom, we made duck pops

It was a lot of fun! Now, I'm busy brainstorming ideas for my little girl's first birthday party in January.

Keep checking back.

I have a lot more great posts to come -- about color design and past weddings, too!

Bridal Luncheon

2011-07-13T13:08:00.009-04:00

I promised I would talk about the first months of planning my sister's wedding, so here we go!
My sister has been in the process of figuring out which vendors to use as well as figuring out all the details. Being the maid of honor, I figured I would give her a little something to become more excited than stressed. Even though the wedding is a year away, I decided to throw her a Bridal Luncheon. I got a list of her favorite foods and took some ideas that she wanted for the wedding that she didn't end up using (like colors and playfulness). She originally wanted a fun, red themed wedding but eventually veered away from that. So, I took her idea and am using it at the luncheon!
I am going to decorate with red and white polka dot linens and bright colored center pieces. Also, I am going to make red champagne.
Here are a few of the inspirational pictures I've used...

Adriana

Every Girl's Dream

2011-07-02T12:17:00.009-04:00

Finding the perfect dress can be fun but stressful. My older sister is getting married next July, and she is in the process of finding a summer gown that is "traditional with a twist". Our first adventure was to Bridals By Elena in Severna Park, MD. Great place! Many brides go into the shop thinking they know what they want to wear, but it may turn out that if they try on a different type of dress then they envisioned, it could look great! Keep your options open and think light for the summer, especially if it is outdoors. Also, just because it is summer does not mean you have to go with the beach look! From my experience yesterday, these are some of the summer styles that are up for grabs -Adriana

Bouquets, Bouquets, Bouquets

2011-06-23T14:25:00.007-04:00

So often you will go to a wedding and see the same traditional, white rose bouquets. What about adding something a little different? If a bride wants to stay traditional with the whites and creams but put her own touch into her bouquet, I love the idea of replacing the roses with a white Orchid or a more defined Ranunculus. Adding a tall flower may also add some volume to make her bouquet pop a little more as shown below. If the bride wants to be a little more simple but still different, a cream Ranunculus bouquet is a great idea. As for the brides maids bouquets, they should be a bit smaller and more colorful if the brides bouquet is mainly white. Let last picture shown is a cute way to link the maids and bride together by using the same type of flower, but different size and colors.

Adriana

Marissa & Pat's wedding

2011-06-15T14:07:00.001-04:00

I'm not even sure how to start describing and blogging about Marissa and Pat's wedding. Early on in the wedding planning process, I learned that Marissa is strong but laid back, trendy but unique... and I learned Pat is a stand up comic. (You can sense their great vibe in the pictures below.) Their wedding and reception were a perfect blend of the two of them. And, I, someone who absolutely loves putting tons of details into wedding and receptions, loved all of the small, thoughtful details Marissa and Pat incorporated into their wedding.

Photo props can really be so much fun!

Marissa and Pat, thank you so much for inviting jpb designs to be a part of your special day!

Clearly, you have found true love!

Vendors

Ceremony & Reception: American Visionary Art Museum

Caterer: Azafran

Flowers: Crimson & Clover

Photographer: Balance Photography

Baker: Patisserie Poupon

Transportation: ZBest

Photobooth: Five Star Amusements

Lighting: Perkins Productions

Bridal Hair & Makeup: Up Dos for I Dos

Pop of color? I think so

2011-06-14T22:07:00.010-04:00

Color schemes for the Summer can often be thought of as repetitive. Couples lean towards bright colors or blue hues, but if too many bright colors are used it could end up looking like a kids party rather then a wedding. Think sophistication and pops of brights instead of combining too many bright colors at once! A trend this Summer is a more rustic, earthy look. For example, ivory or white linens, and a gold or bamboo plate with a green napkin gives an earthy feel to the reception. For the pop of color, red and white flowers would be a great touch as shown below. Matching your maids in the same red, and a cute accent like a red tea cup shows that you put a lot of thought into the decorations, but it does not look too organized!

Adriana

Hey Readers!

2011-06-12T14:05:00.003-04:00

Dear Readers,

I'm Adriana a JPB Designs assistant for the Summer of 2011. I will be helping out with blog posts, you may also see me at our weddings this Summer! I am studying Event Management and am excited to work with Jenny. I will be posting blogs about current trends, fashion, and my sister's adventure through planning her wedding! Keep an eye out for posts!

Adriana

Chris & Cherie's Wedding!

2011-06-04T14:21:00.004-04:00

Chris & Cherie's Memorial Day weekend wedding was super fun and simple. It was extremely stress-free for the wedding party, the guests, and us! They incorporated different shades of pink and gray throughout the venue as well as on some of their own personal touches.

One detail I really enjoyed was their table numbers. They used different numbers of days in their relationship that were significant to them. For example, one table number represented the number of days Chris is older than Cherie! :) It really made guests feel like they understood part of the couple's history. Also, their bunny cake toppers were adorable. (You'll have to see them when we can post more pictures.)

Check out a "sneak preview" of their wedding photo's on Toni Skotcher's blog. She did an awesome job!

http://toniskotcher.wordpress.com/2011/05/31/chris-cherie-sneak-peek/

Check back later for more pictures of Chris and Cherie's wedding day.

Cake! Yum!

2011-05-30T15:23:00.000-04:00

If you haven't checked out Bakerella's blog, you will have to head over there at http://www.bakerella.com/. She is adorable and all of her little treats are just so cute.

]

Since I've been planning my son's second birthday party, I had to practice making cake pops this past weekend. Without giving too much away about the theme of the party, I can tell you that I made these adorable little ducks.

Honestly, they were pretty easy to make... and so much fun! Just two more months to prepare for the rest of the details. I'm anxious to share them with you after the party!

Have you been baking anything special lately?

Great Wedding

2011-05-30T15:18:00.000-04:00

With a modern pink and gray motif, Cherie and Chris had a beautiful wedding this past weekend at the Historic Oakland. I'm excited to get word about the pictures from Toni in New York, who traveled all the way down to shoot the wedding for us. I'll keep you posted!

Sneak Peak...

2011-05-17T21:28:00.000-04:00

Last weekend I had the privilege of kicking off the wedding season by working as Marissa & Pat's day of event planner. Not only was I able to coordinate and set up all of their decor, but I also was hired to do a little extra in terms of the space layout in the AVAM barn. All in all, the wedding was so much fun! I think the guests had an absolute blast! Of course, I don't have the professional photos to post quite yet, but I do have some shots of great decor to give you a taste of what this wedding was like.....

Enjoy!

With a wide array of frames and albums, the favor table was complete with all kinds of goodies for certain guests and other types of favors for everyone -- like the "mixed" cd below and the fans.

The fans are inscribed with the WWM/PW: What Would Marissa/Pat Want?

This is a special reminder to guests that it was their special day.

These bags are too cute, too. Following a lemon/lime theme, the couple stuffed the bags with all kinds of Baltimore goodies for their out of town guests and distributed them at the hotel.

I can't wait to show you more photos from the reception. I'll let you know when they arrive!

Parental Contributions....

2011-04-17T13:55:00.000-04:00

These days it seems as if the traditional ways of parents contributing to a wedding slowly taking a back stage exit. No longer do the groom's parents simply pay for the rehearsal dinner and the bride's take on the reception. Instead, it seems that many parents are contributing money to the bride and groom for the wedding, in its entirety. Once this happens, if it in fact does, the best advice I can give you is to graciously accept the money, not discuss how much money one parent contributed when talking with another parent, and involve them in portions of the decision making. This makes life a lot simpler. You won't have arguments about specific budgets. You won't have one family feeling left out if they contribute significantly less than another family; they don't need to know. And, best of all, you can include them in parts of the wedding that they are excited about, whether it is the flowers, wedding dress, or even the venue.

Most of all, make sure you enjoy this process with your fiance!

So fun!

2011-04-07T23:48:00.000-04:00

Thanks, brides! Karla and I had a great time meeting all the brides, grooms, and family and friends who came out to the AVAM show tonight. It was such a pleasure to talk with so many great people! Best of luck to you and keep in touch. Let us know how we can help you out with your big day. We hope you had as much fun at the happy hour as we did!

I'm sure we'll see some of you Sunday at the Historic Oakland bridal show. Be sure to stop by our table!

AVAM Bridal Happy Hour

2011-04-07T09:50:00.002-04:00

Just a reminder: Stop by the jpb designs table tonight at the

American Visionary Art Museum's Bridal Happy Hour for a free swag bag!

5:30 - 7:30PM

Hershey Kiss Stickers

2011-04-05T14:06:00.000-04:00

Last weekend, I had the honor of throwing a baby shower for a dear friend. We just had a small girlie get together with desserts and cheeses, the mommy-to-be's favorite foods. Utilizing my entertaining space as best I could, I used a side kitchen counter/bar area for the cheeses and a buffet area for the dessert bar. Since the shower was quite small, for favors I decided to do a very small candy bar. My favorite part of the candy bar were these little hershey kiss stickers I created for the bottoms of the candies. They are all the rage on blogs these day, and I wanted to give it a try. With the right materials, it was easy! In fact, I redesigned my circles and am providing some with my logo on them for the bridal shows this week. Check out some of the pictures from the shower...

Here are the kiss stickers. I used two different designs one "baby" and one "g" for the mom's last initial.

Here is the dessert bar with small frames denoting the different desserts and circles dangling from the mirror as a backdrop.

The small candy bar with goodie bags for guests to take the favors home.

I have to admit: I was eager to have macarons on the dessert table. However, even though I used a cooking scale and was extremely detailed about every step of the process, I didn't feel they turned out as best as possible. Next time I will definitely hit up the local bakery for those instead.

AVAM Bridal Happy Hour

2011-03-23T09:33:00.000-04:00

At jpb designs, we are preparing for two upcoming bridal shows this April. The first is April 7 at the American Visionary Art Museum. You have to join us at this funky museum -- it is seriously so much fun! The Thursday Happy Hour is free, so definitely find time in your schedule to come see us at our table and grab some good food and cocktails.

http://www.avam.org/news-and-events/events/bridal-happy-hour.shtml

The second show is Sunday, April 10 at the Historic Oakland in Columbia, MD. It is yet another great venue, however, completely different than the AVAM. So, it would give you a great opportunity to find your likes and dislikes about venues as well as checking out the different vendors.

For either show, be sure to stop by the jpb designs table for your free swag bag! They won't disappoint!

Mid-Atlantic Green Wedding Showcase

2011-03-08T14:03:00.000-05:00

At the end of February I attended a great event called the Mid-Atlantic Green Wedding Showcase at the University of Maryland. The room at the Samuel Riggs Alumni Center was absolutely beautiful and so mod with all of the decor and effort that the hosts put into for this event. Rissa and Nathaniel of Balance Photography teamed up with a few other vendors to put together this amazing showcase. Although this was its second year running, it was my first opportunity to check it out and support my Balance Photography pals.

All in all, I was super impressed with the modern atmosphere they created. The showcase had a man cave with a wine bar, which served organic wine -- delicious! The white leather couches flanked the catwalk for the eco-friendly runway show. It was simply amazing! Kudos to them.

If you weren't able to attend this year, definitely check it out next year. In the meantime, check out their website at http://www.greenweddingshowcase.com/

The lovely Brittany in front of Balance Photography's table.

Not only is Brit a great photog to work with, but she is also one of my past brides! Her anniversary is coming up here pretty quickly. Happy Anniversary, Brit & Ryan!

Go over to.....

2011-02-27T20:30:00.000-05:00

Check us out at Starlight Registry for a very flattering post Sarah wrote about jpb designs:

http://www.starlightregistry.com/blog.asp

Thanks to Absolutely Perfect for a Fabulous Open House

2011-02-24T21:46:00.001-05:00

I just wanted to post about a special night Absolutely Perfect hosted this evening. Creating an evening of creative drinks, great food, and an especially fun atmosphere, Absolutely Perfect hosted an open house. It was really organized. As I walked in, I had a place to put my coat and then was directed to a greeting table. There, I received a name tag that was already made out for me upon my arrival. (That is a nice touch!) Then, a small group of us were led through the kitchen and to the multiple serving stations. How cool is it to have a whoopie pie station? Yum.

Check out these great pictures from photographer Eric Stocklin of Eric Stocklin Photography LLC

You can learn more about Eric's work at www.ericstocklin.com.

I think it is really important to taste the food before hiring a caterer. This was such a great opportunity for couples and a great night for Absolutely Perfect!

Thanks for the evening!

Bridal Bouquet

2011-02-22T14:17:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I met with a July bride, her fiance, and her mother. It was actually the first time I've met them in person, and they are all so wonderfully nice. It will be fantastic to work with them over the course of the next few months!

I wanted to share something I learned about yesterday. Have you heard of brooch bouquets? I'm fascinated with the idea....

The bride and her mom are scouring ebay and other places for antique pins. The idea is that a florist can put together these pins into a bouquet. Here are some images of ones I've found online.

What do you think?

I love the idea of being able to save it forever.