Be Our Guest!!

Escort cards and wedding favors are always a tough decision for every bride and groom. There are a variety of choices but there is the sense of urgency to be unique. A few escort cards and wedding favors have stood out this past year from love note books to topiaries. Escort cards and favors are typically chosen to revolve around the theme of the wedding such as eco-friendly, fairytale, or beach to name a few.

The love note booklets are absolutely stunning. These booklets are mostly given as wedding favors and can come in a variety of colors. They are extremely romantic and add an elegant touch to any wedding. The love note booklets would be perfect for a formal, elegant, fairytale wedding.


Photo Credit: Style Me Pretty (www.stylemepretty.com)

Photo Credit: Grapevine Couture Paperie & Invitation Design Studio (www.grapevineweddings.com)

The eco-friendly topiaries are adorable and perfect for adding an earthy tone. The topiaries can work for both the escort cards and wedding favors. They are extremely unique and a perfect home decor for any guest attending the wedding.


Photo Credit: Creative Wedding Favors (www.creativeweddingfavors.com)

Candles and picture frames are very traditional but they can be transformed into a creative and unique addition to a wedding. For instance, if a candle was the escort card with a beautiful love note booklets attached as the guests’ wedding favor—it would be a sophisticated and elegant representation of the wedding. Candles can also be paired with a delicate box of personalized chocolate and candies. Picture frames come in a variety of colors and sizes which can give an escort table height and depth. Some couples have photo booths which can be incorporated with picture frames either as the escort card or wedding favor.


Photo Credit: Lux Candles (www.luxcandles.com)

There is also the traditional box of chocolates or other assorted candies that can be uniquely decorated with a theme from the wedding or the bride and groom monogram.

Happy Planning!

Happy Planning!!

When it comes to planning a wedding there are a lot of things to consider. From venues for the ceremony and reception to entertainment, but there is one thing that can help even the most organized bride—The wedding planner’s checklist! In most cases it take 10-12 months to plan a wedding.

Around 12 months the main concerns are choosing the wedding date, style or formality of the wedding, the location for the ceremony and reception, deciding the budget, and hiring a wedding coordinator if needed. The budget is extremely important to set within the first month of planning because it is what helps the bride and groom narrow down vendor selections depending on the expenses necessary. Choosing the style or formality of the wedding can be difficult—it can either be very formal with black tie or semi-formal with cocktail attire. Depending on the wedding style decision, the ceremony and reception sites may change based on the formality of the wedding. For instance, if it is a semi-formal wedding the bride and groom may not have their ceremony in a church or the reception may be at their home. While a formal wedding would be placed in a church and the reception would be at an upscale hotel, ballroom, or club. Wedding coordinators can be an excellent investment for people who do not want to be stressed with the details of the wedding on the actual wedding day. A wedding coordinator typically takes care of everything from invitations to day of preparations, which can create a stress free day for the bride and groom.

Eight months before the wedding the bride and groom should focus on the entertainment such as caterers, band or DJ, photographer and videographer, and wedding officiant. Other than entertainment the bride should focus on finding her dress, which is the most exciting part for every bride!! She will also need to pick out the bridesmaids dresses. The bride and groom will also need to start compiling names and addresses for the guest list at this time. It is important to start compiling a guest list even though invitations are not sent until 3 months before the wedding. This saves the bride and groom a lot of time when it gets closer to the wedding.

Five months before the wedding the groom should pick out the tuxedos for his groomsmen and himself. Shop for wedding band, choose the wedding cake, and begin preparations for the honeymoon are all arrangements that need to be made within the final months of the engagement.

After finalizing on all the details of the wedding, the bride and groom must not forget the most important part—The Marriage License! And other than that its time to sit back and allow them to enjoy their big day!!

Woohoo Holidays!!!

This year’s 2010 winter weddings will be embellished with extravagant flowers and eye-catching colors. Instead of using the traditional winter wedding colors such as red, white and pink; this season will be bold and bright with the use of aqua, purple, yellow, orange, and jewel tones. Many brides are opting to decorate with a winter wonderland theme incorporating a variety of blues with silver and white. Yellow and bright turquoise are being seen as a fashionable winter color trend to brighten up any winter wedding day.

Flowers that are popular this coming season will include blooming branches, amaryllis, anemones, peonies, narcissus, tulips, jasmine, and calla lilies. Jasmine is popular during the winter months because of their elegant and romantic scent. Blooming branches add a very elegant and wintry feel to any decor. They are very popular when decorating for a elegant and romantic fairytale wedding.

Amaryllis and anemones are star-like flowers that come in a variety of reds, pinks and white. They are very delicate and elegant flowers that create a romantic setting.

Peonies are simply beautiful. These flowers can make a statement all by themselves. They are perfect for a winter wedding especially in all white. Peonies also come in a variety of reds, pinks and white.

Tulips are going to be seen a lot this season with the trend of bold and bright colors. Tulips and calla lilies come in a variety of colors and are perfect for boutiques. For instance, tulips and calla lilies both come in a variety of purples which can add a beautiful twist to a traditional winter wedding.

A Night to Remember!

Wedding invitation trends for 2010 range from traditional to modern/contemporary. Invitation themes include Eco-Chic, Art Deco, Tribal Prints, Damask and Lattice Patterns, and rich color combinations with jewel tones. Invitations are beginning to reflect the bride and groom’s fashionable, instead of formal, personalities.

The Eco-Chic theme is nature-inspired with decorations of tree silhouettes, hummingbirds, nightingales, and mockingbirds. This theme also represents the ever-so popular tradition of incorporating love birds into the wedding decor. Eco-Chic will complement the outstanding “go green” movement.

Letterpress wedding invitations have really hit the mainstream and are becoming the norm in 2009 and 2010. Letterpress offers a unique and modern look to any invitation. It is the reverse process of engraving, which gives the invitations a completely different look and a touch of sophistication.

Art deco is perfect for the modern and trendy couple. The designs vary with contrasting colors and patterns inspired by the 1970s. Monogramming is very popular within the art deco theme as an addition of personal nostalgia. Monogramming can be done in a variety of ways--they can represent the bride and grooms first initial and save the change of last name until the reception where they have officially been announced as husband and wife.

Tribal prints and damask patterns are growing in popularity for upscale weddings. The classic damask patterns are modern and sophisticated themes for any wedding invitation. Other than black and white, other 2010 color combinations will include purple and grey, grey and turquoise, blue and black, or jewel tones. The damask pattern can represent a vintage feel and in comparison to the damask pattern many brides are having invitation made personally to match their gowns, floral, or decor of the wedding. For instance, the invitation covered in lace if the brides gown is an all lace gown which expresses that the wedding will have a more formal appearance.

Invitation designers are making bold, strikingly beautiful invitations with a variety of color, stripes, jewel tones, and different sizes. Bold colors are being used to contrast with a white font to really make the invitation pop. The colors being used can reflect the colors of the wedding in most cases. Couples have been making the invitations with pouches, pockets and different colors. For example, the main invitation will be one color, the font and ribbon will be another color, and the envelope will be a third color. Stripes and jewel tones can be incorporated into an invitation for a very formal and modern look. Embellishing the invitation with small rhinestones, tiny pearl-toned beads, or miniature Swarovski crystals can make a low-key invitation into a fashion statement.

Accessorize with Attitude.

Today’s brides have a multitude of veil choices, including the option to not wear a veil at all. Combinations of vintage and modern chic wedding accessories are making a statement in this season’s fashion trends. The infamous, vintage birdcage veil from the 1950s has been making an appearance to add a shabby chic flare to any bridal couture. While some brides prefer to accessorize with fresh flowers, feathers, or bold brooches to add a modern, clean look to a simple bun hairstyle. The decision to wear a veil or no veil must revolve around the dress because the accessory of your choice should complement the dress. For instance, if the dress is more intricate the bride should accessorize with a more traditional accessory such a finger-tip or cathedral veil. If the dress is simple the bride can really go all out and accessorize with more trendy accessories. So have fun with the wedding day accessories but like any accessory it must complement and accent your style.

Traditional Veils:

• Blusher: A short, single layer of veiling that is worn over the face before the ceremony. This style is extermely popular in many cultures because the veil is a symbol of possession.
• Flyaway: A multi-layered veil that hangs right above the shoulders. This veil is considered less formal so it is typically worn for destination or casual weddings.
• Finger Tip: Most popular length this day and age! And the name says it all-- the veil extends to the fingertips. Looks beautiful with long gowns!
• Cathedral: The veil of all veils! Perfect for the bride that wants to feel like royalty... for instance Priness Diana wore a cathedral veil in her wedding. This style falls 3 1/2 yards from the headpiece!

Non-Traditional Veils/ Accessories:

• Birdcage Veil: This style is coming back and it looks great! This is the perfect veil for a bride that wants to add some funk to her wardrobe.
• Freah Flower
• Bold Brooch or Pin
• Feathers: This accessory trend was displayed in “Sex and the City: The Movie” as a replacement of a veil

Katherine Heigl fashioned a vintage birdcage veil during her wedding nuptials to hubby, Josh Kelley.

As well as accessories, hairstyles can also add a fashion statement to a bride’s overall look. Wedding day hairstyles have been seen in a variety of ways over the past years revolving around the traditional half-up, half-down, up dos, or loose ringlets to straightened hair. But this season braids, coils, and messy tousled waves have been seen to add a trendy flare to the wedding day hairstyle.

Jenna Bush wore a braid updo during her wedding in May.

Party Time!

Now this week we are going to focus more on the “celebration” aspect of the big wedding weekend...The reception! We all know the ceremonies are very important and they can either be traditional or non-traditional but the reception is actually where a couple can add their personality into the decor and really represent what their relationship is all about. Being a Fort Worth native, born and raised, I have seen my fare share of prime locations for a reception or rehearsal dinner.

The first place that comes to mind is Joe T. Garcia’s Mexican Restaurant. It is located on the northside of Fort Worth, 2201 N. Commerce Street. Joe T. Garcia’s is extremely well-known for the amazing atmosphere and decor. The outside patio is beautifully landscaped with greenery, floral, and rustic mexican colors. Los Portales is the main outdoor patio which is where most of the spring and fall events take place It is the perfect reception location for spring or fall weddings. Joe T.’s can accommodate for 200-300 guests so it is great for larger wedding parties. They are famous for their margaritas and the two item menu of beef or chicken fajitas and the enchilada family-style dinner. The enchilada family-style dinner includes two cheese enchiladas, two beef tacos, two cheese nachos, guacamole, rice and beans for only $14.95. So if the couple is considering a festive, relaxed reception Joe T. Garcia’s Mexican Restaurant is the one for them!!

Here's a quick look at the beautiful landscape of Joe T. Garcia's outside patio, Los Portales:

For a more elegant and traditional reception I would consider The Fort Worth Club, The Ashton Depot, and The Botanical Gardens. All of these venues can be transformed with lavish decor such as floral, lighting, and linens. The Ashton Depot has been renovated over the past couple years and is located by the train stations in downtown Fort Worth. The Ashton Depot’s layout includes a large banquet room with chandelier lighting, and an outside patio decorated with romantic lighting that overlooks the railroad station. The atmosphere of this venue expresses a classic and romantic fairytale depiction of 1950s love. So if the couple wants a classic reception any of these locations are sure to satisfy the urge of sophistication.

Until next time!!!

Wedding Fashion ALERTS!

Say goodbye to the traditional full-length wedding gowns and say hello to short and sassy bridal couture. In up coming seasons short dresses will not only be seen as destination wedding dresses but brides will begin wearing this fashionable style for receptions and formal weddings. Almost every bridal designer has sent a short dress down the runway this season including Oscar de la Renta and Vera Wang.

Another trend that has been seen coming down the runways is colored wedding gowns. Designers are beginning to drift away from the traditional white, ivory, or crème gowns and adding a bold, sophistication of color such as green, red, gold, lilac, or pink wedding gowns. Designers feel that color gives each dress a sense of originality and glamour.

Over the past year, we have also seen many brides jazzing up their wedding day accessories with colorful heels. Many brides are incorporating their shoe color to compliment the colors of their wedding. This trend is becoming more and more popular, and is being featured with many dresses on the designer bridal runways. This trend began to become very popular after Sarah Jessica Parker wore blue Manolo Blahnik pumps during her wedding day bliss in “Sex and the City: The Movie.”

“Something Blue” Satin Pumps from “Sex and the City: The Movie” (www.manoloblahnik.com)

Coming back from the past, lace is making its way back into fashion. Everyone used to go for simple elegance with clean lines, but lace is being incorporated into multiple wedding accessories. We can see it on gowns, invitations, and even cakes! The sophistication of lace will be sure to make the bride feel like royalty. It has a unique texture which is another growing trend in the fashion world. Textures tend to add a lot of character to any type of couture. But the best thing about lace is that it's adaptable to both a traditional and modern feel - so it doesn't look like a 1950s wedding dress. If the theme seems too busy or overly feminine, add just a trim of lace to the decor. It's all about the details!

Here are a few ways to incorporate lace into the wedding:

• Cake--Line the cake with lace, instead of the usual satin ribbon.
• Veil
• Bouquet--Wrap lace ribbon or trimming around your bouquet.
• Table runners
• Invitations, save the dates, place cards
• Garter
• Decor: vases, candles