Teaser Tuesday

What an amazing weekend! On Friday we told you we were headed to the shore for Annemarie and Jimmy's wedding and it was all that we expected and more! The weather was unreal for November and they were able to have their reveal meeting right on the beach in front of their bridal party. After some photos on the beach, everyone headed over to Abbie Holmes Estate where they had their beautiful sunset ceremony, performed by Andy Mahaney. Guests enjoyed delicious food and drinks at cocktail hour and Jason from Synergetic Sounds got the party started when everyone headed to the reception space. Annemarie saw this post on our blog and decided she wanted to have us design her menus to look just like them! They turned out great and guests loved seeing something different from a standard menu card. A huge thank you to Jennifer Childress Photography for sending us these incredible images! You don't want to miss the full blog post for all of the eye candy, so keep your eye on the blog!

Must Have Monday

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Aren't these pretty?? I think they would be great for not only a bride but for a group of bridesmaids that are looking for some glittery shoes to complete their looks! I stumbled across these on my search for shoes for the New Year's Eve Event that we have coming up. Now, I'm not an all-year-round glitter shoe person but something about the holidays and especially New Year's Eve screams glitter!! With a price tag of $675, this girl was back to square one. The other night while lying in bed and exploring Pinterest, I came across this pin:
I'm quite the crafty DIY person, so this is right up my alley! I plan on trying this tutorial on an older pair of shoes that I don't wear anymore. I'll share the results if I end up doing it. I think that this looks easy enough that even a beginner in crafts and DIY would be able to it. So if you've been trying to think of how to add sparkle to your wedding day ensemble or even for your bridesmaids or even for a night out, look away from breaking your budget on expensive shoes and try this out. And share pictures with us!!

-Lisa

Featured Bride Friday

Today's featured bride is one of our own coordinators, Annemarie! She is getting married tomorrow to Jimmy, a friend of Erin's since kindergarten. We love Annemarie (and Jimmy!) so much and are beyond thrilled to be coordinating their wedding with a FABULOUS group of vendors. We'll be back on Tuesday with some teasers from their awesome wedding but for now, read on below to get to know Annemarie and Jimmy and the plans for their big day!

Names of Bride & Groom: Annemarie and Jimmy

Wedding Date: November 26th

Ceremony and Reception Location: Abbie Holmes Estate

How did you and your fiance meet?: He was a bouncer at a college bar, I was trying to get into the bar and I got in- about a year before I should have ;) We saw each other around campus periodically and always said hi. On a random Thursday night (about 2 years after we first met) he came to my sorority house and we began talking. About a month after that night we were officially boyfriend and girlfriend.

Tell us about the proposal: Jimmy contacted our family and friends and organized a surprise dinner. I was told we were going to dinner to celebrate what would have been his grandfather's 92nd birthday. When we arrived to the restaurant he ran in front of me and then showed me to the banquet room. I was a little confused as to why we would be in a banquet room but didn't think much more of it. Jimmy opened the door to the room and while I was looking around the room seeing family and friends (people who would not have been celebrating his grandfather's birthday) he was already down on one knee. By the time my eyes made it back around the room, I was in shock and he asked me to marry him in front of all our family and friends. It was the most amazing night and so special because we were able to celebrate with everyone right away! We even went back to his mom's house with our immediate family and close friends and continued celebrating into the night and next morning. Our families organized a beautiful breakfast to help continue celebrating.

What is the overall theme of your wedding?: To have a party! The decor will be black and white with hints of purple. Centerpieces will be orchids and lots of candles. We wanted simple but classy. 

What has been your favorite part of planning?: Being able to work with the best in the industry. 

What has been your favorite part of the planning?: Picking the venue and the food (we are both foodies).

What are you looking forward to most on the wedding day?: Jimmy to see me for the first time in my dress and our first dance together. 

What is your fiance most looking forward to on the wedding day?: To see the excitement on all of our guests' faces.

Which vendor has been your favorite to work with?: They are all our favorites because we have the dream team!!! Proud to Plan, Paper by Proud, Jennifer Childress Photography, Synergetic Sounds, Manic Botanic, OC Cake Studio, Andy Mahany (officiant) and our beautiful venue- Abbie Holmes Estate.

What is your biggest worry about the wedding day?: Making sure we take time to enjoy ourselves. 

What makes your wedding unique from all the others?: We have made it a point to focus on our family and friends in every aspect of the wedding. Friends and family have been invited to stay for the weekend in houses rented in Sea Isle City. Our moms will be included in our ceremony. Dinner will be served family style. Because it is during a holiday weekend, we are able to spend Thanksgiving with family and friends we normally wouldn't see. 

Give three words to describe what you imagine you'll feel like the day AFTER the wedding: Best. Party. Ever.

Where will you be spending your honeymoon?: Bora Bora for Christmas and New Years. 

Below is a picture of their invitation we created for Annemarie and Jimmy! We love the simple black pocketfold and the subtle pop of color with the purple belly band. We can't wait for this weekend!!

Signature Cocktails

Signature cocktails are a great way to enhance your wedding celebration and make it more festive for your guests. Couples typically select between one and three signature drinks and serve them in a variety of ways. They can help your cocktail hour flow more smoothly and tie in your wedding style and details together. Here are several things to take into consideration when you're choosing a signature cocktail:

Flavor Preferences- Think about the type of beverages you enjoy. What liquors do you gravitate towards? Clear, dark, sweet, strong? Websites like Spiritdrinks.com allow you to find cocktails by searching for your favorite liquors and mixers. Make a list with your fiance of your top contenders and see which options would be the most practical. Look to classic favorites or current trends for inspiration.
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Your Guests- Once you've selected some options you like, decide what would be well-received by your guests. Even though you can't please everyone, it's good to consider cocktails with flavors that tend to be universally enjoyed. You can also opt to serve move than one cocktail in order to please a wider range of tastes. Having a lot of children or non-drinkers at your wedding? Include a non alcoholic option. There's no rule that a signature drink has to be alcoholic. Specialty punches, iced teas and lemonades are all great options.
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Budget- For many couples, signature cocktails are extras tacked on to an already full bar menu, but there are ways to make them more cost effective. For starters, you can limit them to the cocktail hour. Guests will still have ample time to enjoy your drink of choice, but you won't have to worry about them running up a high bar bill for the rest of the night. Instead of selecting a fancy cocktail at an extra cost, you can offer a "Bride and Groom's Choice" by simply selecting a mixed drink, wine or beer that's already included in your bar package and highlighting it for your guests. This will make the options seem more personalized without costing more. You can also use signature cocktails as a way to keep costs down. Opt to offer beer, wine and signature drinks only instead of hosting a more pricey full bar. 
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Color- You probably worked hard on choosing the perfect color scheme for your wedding day. Why not take it a step further and select a drink that matches your palette? The beauty of signature cocktails is that you can find one in pretty much any color. Visit The Knot's Signature Cocktail Finder to help you select the perfect shade. 
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Personal Significance- Is there a drink that has a special significance in your relationship? Something you drank on your first date or the night you got engaged? Or something that's always served at family gatherings or reflects your heritage? The Negroni and the Saketini are good examples of how cocktails can incorporate your culture. Choosing a drink that's personal to you will really add a special touch. 
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Season- The time of year you're getting married can provide a great basis for inspiration. Choose beverages that highlight the flavors of the season. Light and refreshing drinks like Pink Grapefruit Mojitos are perfect for summer, while richer flavors like Apple Pie Cocktails will delight your guests during the fall. 
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Location- Is the city you grew up in or the site of your wedding famous for a specific drink? Why not show it off at your reception. How about a cocktail that's representative of your honeymoon destination? Philadelphia brides can serve local wines, beers or drinks like this Limoncello-Gin cocktail made with Philadelphia's own Bluecoat Gin. 
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Theme- Signature cocktails can definitely be used to enhance the theme or look of your wedding. From elegant to kitschy, there's something to match every style. I love the idea of a Cotton Candy Martini at a carnival wedding or a S'more Martini at a cozy rustic affair. 
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Names- Names can be a really fun aspect of signature cocktails. You can choose something clever, funny or personal. There are several cocktails out there with names that are perfect for a wedding, like the Blushing Bride or Golden Groom. You can also rename a drink to be reflective of you and your fiance. Incorporate your new last name or a moniker that's personal to you both. 
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Presentation- One of the best ways to impress your guests with a signature cocktail is through its presentation. Choose a great vessel for your beverage. You don't have to be limited by traditional stemware. One extremely popular trend is serving your cocktails in mason jars. Another great way to dress up any cocktail is with a garnish. Try colorful fruits, bright sugar rims, candy or even flowers that match your reception arrangements. Add a whimsical touch with striped straws, stirrers or cute flags. These embellishments are guaranteed to impress.
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Service- Services is another important part of the presentation and experience. Discuss your options with your caterer. Will your drinks be served at the main bar or a specialty station? Hand passed cocktails or a display near the entrance are a quick way to get drinks into your guests' hands right away and avoid long lines at the bar.
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Signage- Once you've chosen and named your cocktail, make sure you add some signage to tell guests about it. It will draw attention to the effort you put into your signature drink choice and make it easier for guests to order. If you're looking for something beyond a simple sign, try printing the drink name and recipe on cocktail napkins or coasters. You can even attach the recipe to a small bottle of liquor and present it to guests as a favor.
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However you choose to incorporate them into your wedding day, signature cocktails are the perfect way to celebrate!

-Laura

Lauren and Ed's Wedding

Lauren and Ed were married in the beginning of August at the stunning Saint Thomas of Villanova Church. Lauren and her bridesmaids started the day by getting their hair done by Meghan from Hair by Meghan and having their makeup done by Emily from Cheekadee. They all looked fabulous! After their traditional Catholic ceremony, guests headed over to RiverCrest Golf Club. Eventions handled the lighting for the ballroom and it looked spectacular! We created their save the dates, ceremony programs, place cards, menus, table numbers and other various reception signs. Their fresh color scheme of green, yellow and white was complimented perfectly by the bouquets and centerpieces created by Petals Lane. Guests partied the night away to the music provided by Janis Nowlan Band and TLJ Studios was on hand to capture of the fun! A big thank you to Barton Paul Photography for sending us these beautiful images!

Congratulations Lauren and Ed!

Teaser Tuesday

We're so excited for the last few weddings we have planned for 2011! Lisa and Chris were married this past Saturday and you can read on below to find out how their wedding day was and as usual, a couple great teaser pics!

Lisa and Chris' wedding couldn't have been more perfect!! It was a lovely autumn day and the sun was shining bright when they took their vows at St. Philip Neri Church. A quick photo session followed before the guests danced the night away at the Downtown Club. Thanks to Jordan Hayman Photography and Martin's Video for being a fun crew to work with! Jordan- these teasers are great, can't wait to see the rest! And thanks to Renaissance Band for keeping the dance floor packed all night! It was a flawless day with Lisa and Chris' fun family and friends!!

Must Have Monday

Today's Must Have is a great hairstyle! It is definitely something that you may not think of right away; the venue, photographer and dress seem to trump the little details at the beginning. But once those things are set in place you should put some thought into your wedding day hairstyle. Do you want a super sleek look? Simple and chic or casual and ethereal? Up? Down? If you don't have a hair stylist in mind, ask your friends that have recently been married or have been in weddings, or your wedding planner, for recommendations. Try googling for images of hair styles or even look at wedding photographers websites for inspirations! Here are a few that I found on Style Me Pretty's Pinterest page. Whatever style you choose, be sure to have a trial (or 2!) to see exactly what it will look like on you!
-Lisa