Fuchsia and Blue Inspiration

Summer wedding mean lots of color! Here is an inspiration board that is bright, fun and whimsical.

Bridal Shower Brunch

The traditional bachelorette party is fun and exciting: A night on the town with your favorite girls, good food, and most likely drinks. Although fun, that kind of party can really limit who you would like to invite. A great idea that is appropriate for all ages is a bridal shower brunch. Brunch allows for you to share your special moment as a bride with all of the females that are important to you. This doesn't mean that you can't have fun! Have the brunch and then allow the males to come at the end for dessert and an Afternoon dance party. Let your creativity take over and have a themed brunch. It may sound childish at first, but a Tuscan affair with a Persecco bar is perfect for brunch or a dinner party or an ode to the classic movie, Pretty in Pink. Here are some great examples of bridal shower brunch done right!

Planning Tips: The Reception Dinner

The reception is a huge portion of the wedding budget, mostly due to the cost of food and beverage. Choosing how to use your money is not as simple as couples imagined when they begin their planning process. The hardest decision may be choosing how to serve the meal to your guests. There are three styles that are most popular: Buffet Style, Seated Dinner and Dinner Stations. There are different reasons to choose each and here are some details and tips to help you decide.

Buffet

Although a buffet has the rep of being the most cost-effective option, that is actually misleading. A buffet gives the guests multiple options to choose from, but the caterer cannot account for the size of the portion each guest will take. Caterers typically make more to accommodate, resulting in a bigger price tag. 

When considering a buffet also remember that a line will be unavoidable unless you have a small guest count. As a planner, lines are my event peeves and aesthetically unappealing. One way to shorten the line is to have a duplicate buffet station with all the same options. You should also make the stations double-sided: guests can form lines on both sides of the buffet and two people can help themselves at once.

Seated Dinner

A seated dinner is an option that eliminates the lines and is more formal. The trade-off is that the guests get a limited choice for their meal. 

An option that is becoming more popular for seated dinners are to have them served family-style. Whether the whole meal or just the sides, it is a compromise to giving the guests some options for their meal and encourages interaction between the guests at their tables.

Dinner Stations

This is one of my favorite options. Dinner stations allow for you to get creative with your food choices, and provides your guests with multiple choices and usually the opportunity to customize their meal options. Have fun with your station choices: Chinese lo mien station, Sushi station, Macaroni station,  Satay/Kabob station and a few carving stations. Have 4-5 different food choices. Make sure to have 2 of each station to avoid lines.

This can be a bit costly, so you may consider doing 3 stations for cocktail hour. 

Fashion Friday: Krikor Jabotian

One year ago I discovered Krikor Jabotian and his designs. Krikor previously worked at Ellie Saab's creative department, but his collections are a true representation of his skill that makes him stand out as a designer.

His AKHTAMAR collection perfectly combines the ethereal beauty and strength described as Princess Tamar: his inspiration. Visit his website to see more of his work.

Chair Decor Galore!

Chair decor is often overlooked at the wedding, but the ideas are limitless. With a little creativity you can transform a chair into a gorgeous piece of your wedding decor. Sashes, ribbons, signs and chair covers come in different material, textures and colors that you can manipulate and mix and match to compliment your wedding vision. Here are some of my favorite looks for chairs for your ceremony and reception:

The First Dance: Choosing a Song

Photography by Kevin Weinstein

By: Amber Cooper (@TheHoneyLife)

For many couples the first dance is where they can finally decompress and take in their newlywed status, if only for a few minutes. After much socializing and picture-taking, to be in the arms of your beloved as your guests quietly look on can be a true "Cinderella"-moment.

Here are 15 of my favorite songs (in no particular order) for The First Dance:

1. "Like a Star" - Corinne Bailey Rae
2. "The Look of Love" - Diana Krall
3. "Spend My Life With You" - Eric Benet
4. "All of Me" - John Legend
5. "The Only Reason" - JP Cooper
6. "Whenever Wherever Whatever" - Maxwell
7. "Our Love is Easy" - Melody Gardot
8. "Unforgettable"-  Nat King Cole
9. "Collide"-  Nayanna Holley
10."Baby It's U"-  Brian McKnight
11."Imposible Vivir Sin Ti" - Buena Vista Social Club
12."If I Never Get To Heaven" - Javier
13."Lovers Rock" - Sade
14."That's Where It's At" - Sam Cooke
15. "So Amazing" - Luther Vandross

As you can see I'm a bit of a classic R&B/jazz-head. If you're more of the country or classic rock-type check out these posts from The Knot!

Wedding Songs: 35 Country-Flavored First Dance Songs
Wedding Songs: 33 Rockin' First Dance Songs

Wedding Websites

In the age of technology, it is no surprise that a newly engaged couple would want to use technology in their wedding planning. The use of a wedding website provides convenience and easy access to information for the couple and their guests.

Provide all wedding logistics on your website: date,  location, wedding registry, and travel information. The wedding website provides access to information for your guests to never lose. Some websites also allow you to put an RSVP option on your page.

But, the wedding website is not only for logistics; It is a chance to share your wedding story! Customize the page to your preference. Include your engagement pictures, as well as the happy times through the years. 

Don't forget to share the information! You don't need all of the details on the page to share it with guests. Start the website and make sure to put the website link on your save the dates or invitations. 

Here are some sources that offer the option to design your FREE personal wedding website: weddingwire.com, mywedding.com, theknot.com

Throw Back Thursday: Welcome Bags

Here was one of my favorite posts I have written so far. Not only are welcome bags a great treat for wedding guests, but they also allow for the couple to add a personal touch to the festivities. These bags can be used to share something with the guests that is personal to the special couple and their wedding day.

Check out the post here for more on the how to create the perfect welcome bag for your special occasion.

Mira Zwillinger Trunk Show

Carine's Bridal Atelier is hosting a Mira Zwillinger Trunk Show starting Thursday! A 3-day events, brides have the opportunity to view a variety of lovely gowns by Mira Zwillinger. Her 2014-2015 collection, influenced by snowflakes, is filled with invisible necklines, chiffon and romantic texture. Receive 10% discount if you purchase during the trunk show.

How to Determine The Size Of The Dancefloor?

In a previous blog post (here) I provide tips on how to choose your perfect venue. One important tip I provide for couples is to remember that your dancefloor will take up some of the space on that special night. Need some help figuring the size of your dancefloor? Here is a chart to help you figure out which dimensions are perfect so your guests can party the night away.

                                                                    50 guests: 12' x 12'

                                                                   100 guests: 12' x 20'

                                                                   150 guests: 14' x 14'
                                                                   200 guests: 16' x 28'
                                                                   300 guests: 26' x 26'

                                                                   400 guests: 30' x 30'

                                                                   550 guests:  36' x 36'

* Remember, approximately half of the guests will be on the dance floor at the time. This chart gives you an approximation of the dimensions needed for dancing. Choose the dimension closest to your guest count.