Photo courtesy of Roy Bracamonte (www.roybphotos.com)

Congratulations! You’re engaged!

How many times have you heard it since that fateful day? Your friends and loved ones are cheering at your new status, but you’re probably a little overwhelmed by the daunting task ahead of you. The new year is your opportunity to launch the official planning stages of your engagement. Here is a quick list of the first steps you should take as you start your journey to wedded bliss:

Determine your budget. You can’t start spending until you know your limits. Start with this serious discussion, involving all contributors, so you know what your boundaries are as you shop.

Start your guest list. It’s hard to choose the perfect venue or select a style of event without knowing how many people you need to accommodate. Allow the major decision makers to offer their suggestions and start creating your master list as early as you possibly can.

Choose your favorite dates. Consider the dates that are convenient and significant to both of you, and choose one or more for your celebration. Until you have chosen your venue and determined how much time you need to save and collect funds to pay for the event, stay as flexible as possible. You might even consider visiting your prospective facility one year before your actual wedding date, if time permits, so you can see exactly what you can expect of weather, traffic and other conditions when you wed.

Pick up a magazine or two. Need some inspiration? Go ahead and splurge on the guilty pleasure of many a bride: the bridal magazine. Check out photos online at one of the many available bridal blogs and see what’s up-to-date and en vogue.

Attend a bridal show. The Bridal Fashion Debut is America’s Largest Bridal Show! Meet scores of wedding professionals, see live demonstrations, enter contests and get motivated to start your planning now.

Take these first steps now to ensure the most successful engagement possible, and the very best of wedding days.

With engagement season nearly over, wedding professionals and brides alike are looking to the upcoming months of bridal shows with much anticipation. Couples who invest their time in attending shows like the Bridal Fashion Debut can leave with a lot more than just good information. Show-only specials are often the best bridal deals around, and they are reserved exclusively for attendees. Others can only be accessed if you pre-register, so plan ahead. Here are some ways to get the most out of bridal show specials:

Visit Every Exhibitor 

Bridal shows are educational events. If you pass by a booth because it is busy or you don’t perceive it as a value, you risk missing out on an important service that could make your dreams come true. You also risk skipping over a great offer that could have a positive impact on your budget. Keep an open mind and stop at each exhibit.

Ask for More Information

Some booking specials at bridal shows are advertised and obvious. Others are discretionary and left to the sales managers staffing the booth to use to entice great prospects. It doesn’t hurt to respectfully ask if the exhibitor is offering any booking specials you should know about. You will frequently be pleasantly surprised by the response!

Read the Fine Print

If you find a deal that you’re interested in pursuing, find out what’s in the fine print. Do you have to book on-site at the show? Is there an expiration date or a secret code that you need to hang on to in order to redeem the special? Especially for unwritten deals, what is the name of the contact you need to connect with after the show, and how can he or she be reached? Take a few extra minutes to confirm the restrictions, limitations and requirements to avoid disappointment later.

Exhibitors at bridal shows are motivated to sell. If you keep an open mind as you navigate booths, you’ll maximize your chances to take away the greatest bridal bargains around!

The Bridal Fashion Debut blog interviewed Phoenix-area floral designer, Karen Bever of Boka (pronounced “bouquet”) recently and asked her to share some insight and some fabulous photos with our brides. Here are some tips from Karen, as well as some gorgeous images from her elaborate summer photo shoot:

To ensure you are getting the best value and service, understand what contributes to the cost of wedding flowers. Karen emphasizes to brides that there are a lot of complexities to pricing wedding florals. Most flowers are not native to your market and are shipped in, often internationally. An experienced, professional designer knows which flowers are seasonal and abundant, as well as which ones can be easily obtained locally versus which must be shipped at high cost. She also reminds brides that a wedding bouquet is a hand-crafted, unique piece that requires skilled hands to create.

Save money by choosing flowers in season and grown locally. It also helps to choose a simple design, like one variety of a moderately priced flower in a modestly sized arrangement to trim costs.

Communicate with your floral designer. Whatever your priority is, be it budget, style or color; be sure that you communicate as clearly and cooperatively as possible with your floral designer. Ask candid questions, share your dreams and concerns and trust that you have selected a professional who is there to help you. You’ll enjoy the best results when you have a great relationship with your designer, so work hard to communicate effectively.

Choose your photographer carefully. It may be no surprise that a visual artist gives a lot of weight to the choice of photographer. Remember that the images will long outlast the wedding day. You want timeless, high quality images that capture the spirit of your celebration, so don’t make this decision lightly or unprepared. Study each candidates work, their policies and their reputation. You won’t be sorry.

Karen’s blog is full of great advice for engaged couples – check it out and visit her website today! Thank you for sharing with us Karen!

Photos courtesy of Arizona Lewis Photography

Many couples select the autumn months for their wedding celebration, and it’s easy to see why. Weather patterns change, and a palette of gorgeous colors offers great options for bridal party attire, ceremony style, table décor and seasonal themes.

Fashion

Image: www.classicdigitalphotography.com

Fall is a friend to bridal fashion. Ivory gowns for brides perfectly complement hues that range from bronze, deep red, hunter green and vibrant yellow to more subtle pewter, creamy butter and gold tones. Have some fun with your fall attire – choose a flattering brown or bronze gown and accent with a deeply jewel-toned or metallic shoe, wrap or sash.

Flowers

Popular fall flowers can be sleek and contemporary like calla lilies, available in white, fiery orange and a deep, almost black-purple shade. Or, choose something fun and seasonal, like one of the many varieties of chrysanthemums. Brides on limited budgets can even use potted mums as great accent pieces for a rustic outdoor ceremony and then transfer them to their own home gardens. Of course, “traditional” wedding flowers like roses and hydrangea are available in a slew of fall-perfect shades too.

Décor & Theme

Image: www.classicaldigitalphotography.com

The autumn possibilities for ceremony and reception décor are endless as well. Incorporate texture by entwining an altar area with grapevine, or wind it through food stations and specialty tables. The fruits of the season can be used in vases or clustered on mantles and around the bases of centerpieces. Use whole pomegranates, pears, and apples in a variety of colors. Gourds and pumpkins can be used on guest tables and to highlight guest book or gift stations. You can even insert a toothpick in a small pie pumpkin or apple and use it as a place card at each guest seat.

Fall can stand alone as a theme, but you can also creatively incorporate it into a motif. “Falling for you” and “A Perfect Pear (Pair)” are two of the most popular autumn wedding themes. What kind of fun ways can you imagine to make your wedding a harvest-season masterpiece?

We would like to offer special thanks to Jen Colvin of Ever After Florals for her contributions to this piece.

By:  Christy Boyer

Bridal Fashion Debut’s “biggest and best” bridal show and expo was held last weekend, January 8 – 9, at the Phoenix Convention Center, and what a fantastic show!  The convention center was buzzing with 600 wedding professionals and vendors, thousands of attendees, new trends and fashions, and lots and lots of excited bride-to-be’s. I’ve never seen so many happy faces and gorgeous engagement rings in one place!  What could be better than gigantic show rooms filled with bridal and wedding galore – basically anything and everything you could ever want related to planning your wedding.

Whether you were casually wandering and gathering ideas, or were there for some serious power shopping, there was something for everyone, and every type of wedding – from cakes to flowers to favors to DJs to caterers to honeymoon packages.  And, one of my favorite events of the weekend was the fashion show.

What a fun way to learn more about the latest and greatest in bridal fashion! The show kicked off with performances by Dance with Chad dancers, including examples of romantic first dances (Which, by the way, is a fantastic bonding experience for you and your groom.  Take a breather from wedding planning, sign up for some basic dance lessons and learn how to dance well together for your wedding.)

SKM Entertainment emceed the event and made it fun for the audience, inviting brides up to the stage for some high energy dance contests – the audience loved it and cheered for their favorite bride (hello…easy way to win some great prizes!).  Plus, the audience got to participate in some funky dancing too.  We all learned some quick ways to include guests at your reception and encourage people to dance (easy-to-follow “line” dances with two to three simple moves to a great beat are usually best).

Peter Merry, a nationally-known DJ, entertainer and author of “The Best Wedding Reception…Ever!” made an appearance and offered some great tips of how to pump up your wedding reception and find the best DJ and entertainment company to fit your wedding needs (Whether you’re looking for low-key or PARTY!  Remember, always ask to see video footage from actual weddings to see how the DJ interacts with guests and carries themselves).

And finally, the models starting strutting down the runway in beautiful wedding gowns, showcasing the latest fashions from Arizona’s Bridal Warehouse, Azteca Wedding Plaza, Brides Two Be, Group USA, Only the Best Bridal Couture, and Mariee.  White, ivory, off-white, crème, silk, beading, cap sleeves (they’re back in style), bows, flattering ribbon sashes, layers, and flowers flattered the runway – so much to take in.  My personal favorite?  A gorgeous dress with a detachable skirt (pretty cool!)!

And stay tuned for bridal show favorite finds in our upcoming blogs…

By:  Christy Boyer

With Bridal Fashion Debut’s biggest and best bridal show and expo coming up this weekend, January 8 – 9, at the Phoenix Convention Center, I started thinking about how to make the most out of your bridal show experience.  You’ll have the opportunity to meet 600 of the Valley’s top wedding professionals.  There will be multiple rooms filled with booths, samples, displays, flyers, bridal fashion – whew!  It can more than a little overwhelming, especially if you’re just starting to gather ideas for your wedding.  So take a look at these tips and tricks to have a fun and successful time at the bridal show!

The early bird gets the…best spot in the house! Arrive early to check-in, grab your nametag and get the most visible seat at the bridal fashion show, which begins at 9 a.m. I would sit where you have a great view of the runway that’s also close to an exit door.  Once the fashion show is over, everyone spills out into the show rooms and starts their booth hopping experience.

Bring a buddy. Invite your mom, your mother-in-law to be, best friend, maid of honor, or bridesmaid(s) to share this event with you.  They’ll help you stay focused.  Plus, it will be a lot more fun with company, especially with the people that know you and your preferences/style the best!

Carry a pen with you. You’ll potentially be stopping by hundreds of booths and will be given lots of business cards or flyers.  Make notes immediately after you speak with someone directly on their card or flyer.  What you like, don’t like, or if something specific stands out.  That way you’ll have the business’ contact name and notes when you go home and start making decisions of who to call for more information.  You can also carry a notepad with you, if you have room in your purse, or plug them directly into your phone.

Bring your camera (your phone works too). This is a great way to commemorate your experience, and also take pictures of booths that may have some really cool displays or interesting ideas.  It will help you remember when you’re calling them back to talk about your day and what you want.

Go into the show with some specifics in mind. Still need a bakery?  A florist? A DJ?  Have fun visiting all of the booths (and sampling…the best part!)  But, also study the map of booths you’re given and scout out where you want to go based on what you still need for your wedding.  It will help you stay organized.

Have a few questions in mind to ask vendors that you like. Why not take advantage of your time in their booth and start narrowing down who may be the best fit for your wedding?

Enter all drawings available. Well, someone has to win the prizes.  Might as well be you!

Remember to have fun, enjoy the moment, and take advantage of having all of those fabulous wedding professionals in one place!

We’ll See You There!

January 8 – 9, 2011, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Phoenix Convention Center
33 S. 3rd Street
Phoenix, AZ 85004

http://arizonabridalshow.com/#content=shows.html

Picture from Bridal Fashion Debut Site

By:  Christy Boyer

Whether you’re throwing a bridal shower, helping to plan one or are simply the guest of honor, the cake can be the most beautiful (and delicious!) centerpiece at the event.  An opportunity to let the bride (and grooms!) personality shine through.  So indulge a little and choose a cake that will impress your guests and wow the bride.  And use this as an opportunity to experiment with flavors, styles and cake designs.

So how do you go about picking the type of cake you want?  Start with your theme.  Will it be formal or causal?  Girls only or a couples’ get-together?  An afternoon gathering with finger foods and salad samplers or an evening cocktail party?  For example, take a look at this Tiffany’s engagement ring cake, designed by Elegant Cake Creations, which could be a perfect centerpiece for your bridal shower if you’re throwing a more formal party.

Lori Mefford of Elegant Cake Creations makes it her mission to design these classic, elegant cakes that showcase the individuality of the couple getting married. Although bridal showers are typically for “the girls,” she also likes to make the extra effort to include the groom.  After all, we’re celebrating the couple’s commitment to each other, right?  So, she likes to get to know the bride and groom and simply marry their interests in the form of cake designs.  This makes for special, customized cakes that everyone will remember – especially the bride.

Check out this fabulous design – the bride loves fashion and her honey is a military man.  Look at the attention to detail on those shoes!

Then, there’s the question of whether to serve a full cake or the ever so trendy cupcakes. Lori explains that it’s really a matter of preference – both can work for a shower atmosphere.  Just keep in mind that cupcakes usually indicate a more casual party, although they can be made to be just as beautiful. This is because she treats each cupcake individually, and as a miniature work of art.  What a lovely (and yummy!) way to add a lot of different elements to the sweet treat at your party!

And remember to keep your timeline in mind.  Shower cakes typically take between one – two weeks, so try and book as soon as possible to make the most of your cake experience. So have fun, be creative and enjoy!

Pictures provided by Elegant Cake Creations

By:  Christy Boyer

The traditional flower bouquet toss.  I think we all have a similar image in mind – Beyonce’s “Single Ladies” playing in the background while a big crowd of unmarried young women all jump for the bride’s beautiful flower bouquet, perpetuating the idea that one lucky girl is “next in line to get married.”  While this tradition can be a fun, entertaining activity to have at your reception, I’m finding more and more brides opt out of it, citing that they do not want to put their unmarried friends on the spot or draw attention to their single “status.”  Especially if there are only a handful of woman who are considered single.  Who wants to be up there with only one or two other lovely ladies?

While I’m a traditionalist at heart, I also can easily see why this beloved toss is many times tossed out.  So here are some alternate ideas to consider when trying to include and incorporate your guests in the reception festivities:

• Invite all the ladies in attendance to partake in the toss!  It’s always more fun to have a big crowd participating anyways.
• Give your bouquet to the couple who’s been married the longest.  What a sweet way to acknowledge their marriage and make them feel special.
• Let your flower girl have it – what little girl doesn’t love flowers, especially ones that the bride gave her?
• Make an appreciative gesture and give it to your parents or grandparents or any special relative or family friend that may have gone above and beyond during your engagement or wedding planning. Who made this day possible for you?  Give them a hug and say thank you!
• Get creative and have your DJ or MC play a game with your guests, and the “winner” gets your bouquet – ideas include who’s traveled the furthest or even who sent in their RSVP first.
• Don’t want to toss your flowers?  Many brides keep their bouquets as a special memento or have them made into a beautiful keepsake. So ask you florist to make an additional “toss” bouquet for your reception.  Problem solved!

Look at your guest list and evaluate whether this tradition is a good fit for your reception.  Remember to have fun and plan what is most important to you and your groom, whether it be traditional or even a little non-traditional.

Photo provided by Drew Brashler Photography

By: Christy Boyer

In the mood for something special?  Try this fabulous cocktail:

Candy Cane Swirl Martini
(Created by Shake It Up Bartending)

Cranberry juice
Lemon lime soda
Grenadine
Peppermint Schnapps
Raspberry vodka
Crushed candy cane to rim the glass

Yummy and festive!  Got your attention?

What’s better than toasting the bride and groom with your love, support and well wishes?  Toasting them with a delicious drink!  Selecting beverage options for your guests is a big decision, including both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks you plan to provide.  If you decide to serve alcohol, you also have to choose what combination to offer: an open bar, a cash-service bar, champagne for toasts, beer and wine, just beer, wine with dinner – you get the idea.  There are many options to think, especially when determining what type of reception you want to have.

And here’s another – offering your guests a signature drink.  This is a fantastic way to serve a fun, and perhaps even themed drink, while watching your pennies.  Eric Kelchlin of Shake It Up Bartending explains that this is quickly becoming a popular option among brides. It gets your guests excited to try something new and typically inspires the rest of the group to try it as well and get in on the fun. For the bride and groom, a short list of signature drinks – combined with beer and wine – helps to simplify the bar and save money (as opposed to having to stock an entire bar).

Plus, signature drinks give a special and personal touch to the wedding reception atmosphere. You can get creative and give the signature drinks fun or themed names, print out the drink names, and put them in a cute frame on the bar. You can name the drink(s) something fun, witty, romantic or even funny. And, this leaves lots of room for yummy, drink concoctions!

Talk to your bartending service for more ideas on signature cocktails or ways to personalize your wedding reception bar experience.  And remember, your bar service can be as elaborate or simple as you like.  So think about what fits your needs, get creative and consider some tasty signature drinks for your guests.

Picture from Shake It Up Bartending

By:  Christy Boyer

One of the most important accessories you will wear on your wedding day is your veil. A beautiful piece that will complement your gown and add just the right touch to complete your bridal look.  And there are so many styles and options to choose from – cathedral length, tiered, bubble, bird cage, head pieces…oh my!

So how do you pick the perfect veil?

Julie Smerecky of Veils by Jules gave me the skinny on how to choose wisely.  First, start by examining your wedding gown.  If your dress is an intricate pattern of lace, beads, and tulle, you may want to go simple and elegant with your veil.  If your gown has clean, sleek, simple lines, you may want your veil to make more of a statement.  That’s easy enough!

Next, consider what works best for you and your needs, not necessarily what is the latest trendy option.  Want a removable “blusher?” (in veil “talk” this means a short veil used to cover your face that is then pulled back or removed during the ceremony). No problem, that’s what Velcro is for!  Want several tier lengths incorporated?  Or your tiara taken into consideration?  Of course!  Remember that veils can be custom made for you, so you may want to take advantage of this option.

At Veils by Jules, they make it pretty easy.  Describe your ideal veil or even send over a picture – they can design exactly what you want.  They don’t use “cookie-cutter” patterns because every bride wants something a little different and a little extra special.  And, what’s better than getting exactly what you want?

Take a look at these pictures and see for yourself.  These images are great samples – so take a peek and see what you may want to show off on your wedding day.  Your veil can be as minimal or elaborate as you want!

The “bubble” veil creates a dramatic effect; this is a great choice to pair with a sleek, elegant wedding gown.

The “bird cage” is a fun, chic way to add a little pizzazz to your bridal look – you can easily incorporate feathers, pearls, flowers, delicate netting – whatever you want!

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Pictures provided by Veils by Jules