Sunday, December 13, 2009

Wedding #4 Moments

Colors Blue Silver White






The Setting
Host your wedding at Your Home Church On a New Years Eve.

The Ceremony
For a personal touch, ask a clergy member who's close to your family to officiate at your ceremony.

The Reception Decor
For the big countdown to the New Year, guests made good use of the New Year’s Eve party favors: top hats, masks, tiaras, and noisemakers.
Your Fellowship Hall should have plenty of tables. Rent Table Linens and Silver Chairs from a local party rental supply. At each place setting, place a small champagne glass filled with a Gel Wax Candle to mimic the look of champagne. Little Bags of Silver Almonds are placed at each table tied with blue ribbons, along with a celophane bag filled with confetti and topped with a noisemaker.
Blue and Silver: Precious Favors Create wish tree's from Champagne Buckets and fill them full of ice. Place a bottle of Honey Meade, Champagne, or Sparkling Cider (Depending on your church's restrictions) in each bucket. Leave cards at your guests places to write wishes on and attach them to your tree. Collect the wishes later and create wall art with them for your new nest.  Cards from Table Topics (found at Broadway Paper) will await guests at each cocktail table, encouraging them to get chatting. Collect New Years Hats, Blowers, Tiara's and Noisemakers in Blue and Silver and place them around the reception area. Guests can take them as souvenirs or wear them throughout the party.
Tabletop
Let there be light: String white twinkle lights all throughout the party for an instant, festive feel! Dress up tables and food & drink areas with a generous amount of tea lights.

Countdown Champagne Toast: Use number stickers to decorate special champagne flutes for the midnight toast, then line them up on the bar in "countdown" rows for a fun pre-toast display: 9, 8, 7, 6....

Create mini "3-2-1 countdown candle arrangements" displayed in glass vases throughout the party.



Use festive metallic gift wrap or other decorative paper to dress up all sorts of surfaces - from decorative side tables to appetizer & dessert buffets.

Starburst Shimmer: Glittery or metallic ornaments shaped like starbursts or abstract snowflakes are perfect for New Year's Eve celebrations! Hang them from the ceiling or scatter them on table surfaces.


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The Food
Once the ceremony is over, your iPod can immediately get the party started. The upbeat tunes, along with passed champagne, will lure the 50 guests out of their ceremony chairs and into the reception area. Throughout the evening, offer a buffet of
hors d'oeuvres from sugar and spice catering. Because the wedding will take place later in the day (read: after dinner), a fantastic array of chocolates from Christopher Elbow will be the perfect edible for this sophisticated venue.
Votive candles hung from frosted silver branches, which stemmed from large floral base of garden roses, cabbage roses, hypericum berries, and clusters of round, silver ornaments.
The Photography
Of course you won't skimp on photography (the pictures are all that'll be left at the end of the night!). Since the ceremony and reception will be in the same place without a break in between, you'll only need five hours of shooting, and JimbobPphotography can provide that. After the wedding, you'll get a disc of high-resolution images so you can make your own prints.
The Attire
Head to etsy to find a funky headpiece with wide netting that you can wear as a blusher. Add a custom comb to give your look a little extra glam.





The Formalwear
To up the formality of your cocktail reception, have your groom sport a navy blue tux. He can rent one, as well as shoes and all the trimmings, from Men's Wearhouse.
The Bouquets and Boutonnieres
Forget the traditional bridal bouquet. A cute clutch from Nordstrom.com will suit this fashion-forward scene much better. The maid of honor can carry a clutch too, but make sure it's slightly different to let you shine. The men can skip the boutonnieres and get silk handkerchiefs from Men's Wearhouse to tuck into their breast pockets. And instead of corsages, buy sparkly brooches for your moms from etsy. They can double as thank-you gifts.
The Hair & Makeup
Your favorite stylist can create an elegant updo that'll complement your blusher-and-comb combo. Just be sure to schedule a trial run first. Before the wedding, head to Macy's or Sephora for a makeup consultation and pick up a Benefit Kit with all the day-of essentials.
The Stationery
The ultra-chic venue calls for custom invites with major personality. Whether it's a high-impact invite on dark card stock with light lettering or a fashionable damask print in bright colors, myjeanm will create invitations that show off your style and set the tone for your sleek event.


Reception
Req.
Item
Budget
Actual


$700.00




$1,300.00
(50 x $26.00)




$100.00


SUBTOTAL
$2,100.00  
SUBTOTAL
$2,100.00

Attire + Beauty
Req.
Item
Budget
Actual


$100.00




$69.00




$85.00




$120.00




$100.00




$50.00




$20.00


SUBTOTAL
$544.00  
SUBTOTAL
$544.00

Ceremony
Req.
Item
Budget
Actual


$100.00




$60.00




$300.00


SUBTOTAL
$460.00  
SUBTOTAL
$460.00

Flowers + Décor
Req.
Item
Budget
Actual


$349.00




$739.00




$50.00


SUBTOTAL
$1,138.00  
SUBTOTAL
$1,138.00

Music
Req.
Item
Budget
Actual


$100.00




$360.00


SUBTOTAL
$460.00  
SUBTOTAL
$100.00

Photography + Videography
Req.
Item
Budget
Actual


$995.00


SUBTOTAL
$995.00  
SUBTOTAL
$995.00

Stationery

Req.
Item
Budget
Actual


$193.00
(50 x $3.86)




$100.00


SUBTOTAL
$293.00  
SUBTOTAL
$293.00

Wedding Rings
Req.
Item
Budget
Actual


$60.00




$60.00


SUBTOTAL
$120.00  
SUBTOTAL
$0.00

Transportation + Lodging
Req.
Item
Budget
Actual


$30.00




$200.00


SUBTOTAL
$230.00  
SUBTOTAL
$200.00

Gifts
Req.
Item
Budget
Actual


$60.00




$177.00
(50 x $3.54)




$30.00


SUBTOTAL
$267.00  
SUBTOTAL
$177.00

TOTAL COST OF WEDDING
Budget Total
$6,607.00
Actual Total
$6,007.00
Amount over budget : -$7.00



Starting Another Project

Okay, I know I'm still working on the moments wedding concept. But I saw this really cute christmas card at Barnes and Nobles yesterday.  It was two candy canes hooked together and it said "I'm Hooked On You!" Inspiration for a wedding? I think so.

Now I have two projects to work on. Plus crocheting christmas presents.

Monday, December 7, 2009

So I was looking at a poster I have hanging in my classroom. It has daisies all over it and on the top it says "If I had my life to live over..." and it lists things to think about when you are living your life. The last one is "I would pick more Daisies" which, I LOOOOOOVE Gerber daisies. one of them says, I've had my moments, and if I had to do it all over again, I'd have more of them. In fact, I'd try to have nothing else. Just moments. One after another, instead of living so many years ahead of each day.

The more I thought about it, the more I liked that sentiment. And the more I thought about the sentiment, the more I realized that was the way I felt about my relationship with my current boyfriend. Which made me like him a little bit more today. :)

Then, I started looking up songs about moments. And a lot of songs about moments are about getting married, and then I thought: Why not do a wedding theme based around the idea of  moments and time? Gerber Daisies? Perhaps....we'll see where this leads. But I'm excited about the new project. Diana Krall has a CD called "From this Moment On." I wonder what insight she has.

Sunday, December 6, 2009

Wedding #3 1940's Inspired Morning Wedding



If I were born in another time it would have been the 1940's. This wedding actually takes place in my home town, St. Louis. There is a restaurant there that I'm obsessed with, the reception for this wedding takes place there.


Wedding #3 Black, Pink, Ivory


The Setting

The wedding ceremony can take place at your family's church. Afterward, you and your 75 guests will travel to Cuisine' de Arte in creve couer for a small brunch reception. This wedding, set  in  St. Louis on early on a Saturday morning, It will honor both the city, and the history of you by blending simple traditional elements with jazzy elegant details. Following the ceremony, guests will sit down to a brunch reception, complete with mimosa's and a chocolate buffet.

The Ceremony

Guests will arrive at the church, welcomed pearl Monogram Letter. Guests will gather preceremony in the lobby of the church for self-serve "Thank you for getting up so early on a Saturday" doughnut holes and coffee.When they enter the lobby they will be greeted with milk and donuts from La Mars, along with cups of coffee and orange juice. There will also be an assortment of fresh fruit and fruit dip. This will treat the guests who are not invited to the reception.
 An oversize, framed picture mat with a monogrammed central panel, will await signatures of guests, a contemporary take on the guest book. It will later hold the wedding portrait. A Bulletin Board will be covered in painted canvas with lyrics to a song, a poem, or a scripture significant to the bride and groom. Windows into the church that see into the sanctuary will be covered in black paper, with words representing the marriage singly drawn on in pink and cream script. Cameo Silhouettes of the Bride and Groom, their parents, and their grandparents will be hung from the side of the pews, tied with a bow and Strung from pew to pew with large strings of  pearlsand pink ribbon. Generations not living will have wedding photos framed and hung from pews.   Make your own Unity candles by taking Pink candles, wrapping them in white ribbon, and sticking Black Cameo's in them to hold the ribbon in place. Ask your friends' and families' children to take part in the ceremony as flower girls and ring bearers.
Wedding :  Modern Memories The place of honor: an oversize, framed picture mat with a

The Photographer

You can save big bucks by hiring a professional photographer who's building their event portfolio (meaning they might be a fine art photographer or photojournalist primarily but are looking to do more work in events). Because the wedding will be during the day and require four hours of shooting time (10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.), most photographers, will be a bit more flexible on pricing.

The Gown

Look for a vintage or vintage inspired wedding gown. Attach Ostrich feathers for a surprise Hem!

The Formalwear

This will be a casual daytime wedding, so the groom can wear a navy or tan suit that's already in his closet and then splurge on a new shirt. Add a Frank Sinatra Tie and a Fedora. don't forget the Pink Socks!

The Hair & Makeup

Get a blowout on Friday evening at the ultra-affordable V2 Salon on the Lower East Side. Then loosely style your hair in a slightly messy, casual style (think half-up, half-down). A few twirls of the curling iron and spritzes of hairspray should do the trick. Hold it all together with a large flower pin. Check out Lo Boheme on Etsy.com for some gorgeous choices.
For your makeup, make an appointment at one of the makeup counters at Macy's for makeup application. Plan on buying a product (the same powder or lip color would be ideal for touch-ups). You might also want to do a trial a couple of weeks before so you know you'll get the look you want on the day-of.





The Officiant

Ask your clergy member of choice to preside over your outdoor ceremony.

The Ceremony Flowers

The gorgeous park setting (not to mention the colorful umbrellas) means there's no need for ceremony decor. You'll need four boutonnieres for the groom, best man, and two fathers and two flower-embellished paper fans for the bride and maid of honor to carry during the ceremony. Everything will be made by the talented floral designers at Inbetween Greens.

The Ceremony Music

At the start of the ceremony, your guests will gather in a semicircle on Summit Rock, and a lone trumpeter from The Juilliard School will herald the arrival of all the ceremony VIPs at the center of the circle. Then you and your groom can exchange vows.

The Transportation & First Dance

At the end of the ceremony, the trumpeter will lead the two of you, your guests, and the photographer Pied Piper-style down the winding path at the south end of Summit Rock out of Central Park to the subway stop at the American Museum of Natural History. This subway station has wonderful tile mosaics that provide a great backdrop for candid photos. You can also have your first dance right there on the subway platform as you wait for the "C" train to take the party downtown.

The Reception

Your trumpeter can continue to serenade you and your guests on the subway ride and then lead everyone from the Canal Street station to Thalassa Restaurant in Tribeca for the wedding lunch. Schedule your three-course reception meal (including wine, beer, and soft drinks) from 12:30 to 3 p.m.

The Reception Music

For ambience, play a custom mix of tunes on your iPod through the restaurant's sound system. As added entertainment, sprinkle "roast or toast" speeches by your loved ones throughout the reception.

The Reception Decor

For the table decor, wrap square glass vases with a ribbon and set them at each guest's place setting, then float a large flower (think vibrant gladiolas!) in each vase. Add an imprintable sticker, marked with each guest's name, so vases can double as place cards. Gather some crafty friends to help you assemble the vases in the weeks before. The morning of the wedding (early!), have a few friends to deliver the vases to the restaurant, add water, drop a flower into each vase, and arrange them on the tables according to the seating chart.
Consider making accordion-style table name signs out of inexpensive decorative paper from Paper-Source.com. Tables can be named after words that signify your relationship or the theme of the day (think trust, love, faith, joy, fun, luck, and dream). Because you'll only have 75 guests, you can forgo escort cards and encourage guests to mingle as they look for their place cards on the tables.



Wedding :  The Writing on the Wall Writing is everywhere at this bargain-priced fete

The Stationery

One word -- Etsy! A great shop to try for vibrant but modestly priced invitations is Decadent Designs. You can opt for a simple invitation plus a reply card and envelope in your wedding colors.