Archives for 2009

December 31, 2009 by Mandy Maxwell

Don’t Wait, This Wedding Detail Should Not Be Overlooked

Probably the most forgotten of all wedding planning details is alteration. You can imagine how stressful it is when dress rehearsal rolls around and the best man’s tuxedo sleeves are up to his elbows! This is where The Cleanery comes in. (Hopefully long before your dress rehearsal of course.)

Murphy’s Law is always hovering over big days like weddings, graduations, and other big events. You never know when someone’s zipper is going to burst, or someone forgot about their Christmas pounds and now their tux is too small. These are every day projects for The Cleanery team – even on leather and suede!

Leather, suede and fur are their biggest specialties. They offer repairs, restoration, and even weatherproofing on your garments. Weatherproofing leather and suede is a life-savor to prevent stains or just to keep your garment from streaking in the rain. The Cleanery is located in Edmonton, AB, but offers a mail-in service for those of you who don’t have these options in your area.

Once the wedding is over The Cleanery becomes more important than ever. Preserving your wedding gown for years to come is one of their specialties. Handcrafted wooden keepsake boxes are available for storing your wedding dress.

Want more advice on where to find party and wedding vendors? Find vendors and other party and wedding planning tips at www.WeddingAndPartyNetwork.com.

December 30, 2009 by Leigh Morrisett

Wedding Dress Traditional Colors

Wedding dresses have been worn by brides in some form or fashion since weddings began. But why is white the color most often chosen in western weddings? Why do others cultures use red for wedding dresses? Both are interesting questions. To learn more about the color tradition of wedding dresses, we can start with our western culture and move around the globe.

Western Culture Prefers White Wedding Dresses

White wedding dress became fashionable when Queen Victoria wed in 1840. White wedding dresses were reserved for the elite, as they couldn’t be worn again or washed. Less fortunate brides would wear white but then dye them another color or forgo a wedding dress — marrying in everyday clothes. As time went on, the white wedding dress became the symbol for virginity and/or purity. Christian cultures have perpetuated the tradition.

Eastern Cultures Prefer Red Wedding Dresses

Red, Silver, White and Gold Play A Large Part in Asian Wedding Dresses.
Red or brightly colored shades of red are common in Asian (China, Japan, Vietnam, etc.) weddings dresses. In China, wedding dresses are embroidered with dragon and phoenix symbols on red fabric with silver, white and gold threading. The phoenix and dragon are symbols of male and female. In Japan, the bride wears a traditional white Kimono, but then changes into a red one (symbolizing good luck) after the wedding ceremony.

Red, Gold and White Are Wedding Dress Color Choices For Indian Brides
With a heavy Hindu base, bridal attire in Indian is usually some shade of red. In fact, the prominent colors for Hindu brides are a combination of red, gold and white. However, bridal attire can vary by the region.

Gold Is The Delight Of Egyptian Brides
Egyptian bride wear gold or gold embellished wedding dresses. The dresses tend to be white linen with gold threading. On certain occasions, the dress is embellished with silver thread.

Every cultural has a rich and deep symbolism related to color. Wedding dress color takes it que from these long standing traditions. As the world’s cultures met so do their customs and traditions. In our western culture, we are seeing brides mix color styles from other cultures into their wedding dress selections. It is truly a global world in which we live. Brides today have the flexibility to add color to their white wedding dress. So think outside of the traditional white wedding dress.

Wedding and Party Network, your number one wedding planning resource has a few examples of colorful wedding dresses below.

December 29, 2009 by Celebration Advisor

Need Flowers For, Well, ANY Event in Red Deer, Alberta?

When you’re laying out the plans for your wedding flowers, don’t you want someone around that you can trust? Of course you do! Take it from other brides in Red Deer, Alberta. There is no better resource than the florists at Grower Direct Red Deer.

Event Flowers for Red Deer, Alberta If for no other reason, think about the sheer volume of work that it takes to plan and coordinate your wedding flowers.

There are reception centerpieces and head table decorations. There are pew markers, altar flowers, flowers to complement the unity candle, and flowers for the sign-in table.

That’s just the decorations! Throw in the wedding bouquet, bridesmaids bouquets, groom’s and groomsmen’s boutonnieres, mother-of-the-bride corsage, and flower girl bouquet…you get the idea.

Grower Direct Red Deer is an experienced flower shop in Red Deer, Alberta, Canada that is ready to help you have the best wedding flowers possible. They take the burden of planning and coordinating off of your hands. They do everything from pre-wedding consultations to creation and setup. From the first day of planning to the afterward cleanup, you have nothing to worry about. Grower Direct Red Deer creates the flowers that you want and then works with you to create a beautiful wedding.

Grower Direct Red Deer, with two locations in Red Deer, also does amazing event work. Parties, receptions, galas—you name it, you’ve got it! Grower Direct Red Deer runs the gammut between retirement parties, birthday parties, wedding ceremonies and receptions, anniversary dinners, formal galas, corporate events, et al. From one end of the spectrum to the other, you’ll find the same quality that has made Grower Direct stand out.

The best part is that you won’t necessarily find ONE particular design style at Grower Direct. They tailor each event to your desires, your personality and your needs. You never sacrifice quality and you STILL get what you want. How can it be better than that? Visit Grower Direct Red Deer or Grower Direct Red Deer North. There are a few more secret perks that they have for you that only a friendly visit with Joanne and Jaquie will reveal.

December 25, 2009 by Mandy Maxwell

Timeless Photography’s Secret To Artistic Wedding Photos

Romantic Wedding Photography Photography is not a job to Lon Crook of Timeless Photography — it’s a way of life. He’s been passionate about taking pictures since he bought his first 35mm camera.

During the past 25 years, his passion and talent have grown, shaping the artistry in which he captures every bride.

Without a doubt, brides in Williamsville Illinois receive more than just wedding photos when they choose Timeless Photography; they receive an array of masterpieces.

Quality is the most important element to Lon because he wants every photo to be your favorite. His dedication to producing the perfect wedding photos is so strong that he only shoots a limited number of sessions each year. This allows him to take the time to work one-on-one with the bride. He devotes his full attention to the bride and fulfilling her desires for a unique wedding album. This kind of wedding photographer is a rare find, and the results are out of this world.

With Timeless Photography you get:

No Picture Limits
No Time Limits
No Post-Production Fees
Copyright-released High Resolution Pictures on DVD’s
Complete Wedding Coverage including the Rehearsal
Low Cost Professional Printing

The last thing you want to worry with on your wedding day is your wedding pictures. There’s to much to enjoy! Lon takes this burden off of the bride’s shoulders. You always know that you are in very capable and trustworthy hands. You don’t have to worry about whether or not your wedding photographer will be there to capture every detail. Just like every other enamored guest at your wedding, you command his undivided attention as well.

December 23, 2009 by Mandy Maxwell

Unlimited Possibilities In Lafayette LA!

Unlimited floral possibilities! That’s what every bride wants to hear when planning her wedding, an

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d that is exactly what A Flower Loft delivers. Going through their gallery you will see the vast amounts of flower arrangements — perfect for wedding inspiration! The fantastically creative ladies at A Flower Loft have a real passion for wedding flowers. Your wedding is their number one priority. They will see to it that you get your flowers, your colors and your way.

A Flower Loft’s personalized service can accommodate a wedding reception of 300 or just a quite dinner for two. Speaking of romance, no romantic setting should be complete without a gorgeous floral arrangement. Providing flowers is only one way A Flower Loft can help you with romance. Don’t forget to check out their gift baskets! There is a Dinner For Two basket that will make your night even more amorous. Feeling a bit more frisky? Try the Chocolate Lover’s Treat themed basket instead.

The themed gift basket’s at A Flower Loft really are superb. The Cozy Christmas basket is the perfect hostess gift for any seasonal party you attend! Then there is the favorite of all: Cajun Flavor – a spicy gift basket complete with all things local. Being from Lafayette, Louisiana these ladies know the best of the best local flavors to include. This gift basket is perfect for the stuck-at-college-kids who need a little taste of home this Christmas.

Want more advice on where to find party and wedding vendors? Find vendors and other party and wedding planning tips at www.WeddingAndPartyNetwork.com.

December 22, 2009 by Celebration Advisor

Which Wedding Planner Is Right For You?

He popped the question, and you said yes. Now you get to plan the wedding of your dreams. You have ideas for the kind of wedding you want, but aren’t quite sure where to start.

Along with the excitement about your wedding comes a lot of questions:

Where to have the ceremony? The reception? Which flowers are in-season? Who pays for the flowers, the reception, the honeymoon? How do you arrange seating to deal with sticky family situations? Suddenly, you find yourself in a panic with more questions than answers. Who do you turn to for help?

Take a deep breath and relax. Planning your wedding doesn’t have to be overwhelming or stressful. You can actually enjoy the process and have a stress-free wedding day. Hiring a wedding planner will make all the difference when it comes to pulling all the pieces together to make your wedding day dreams a reality.

What Is A Wedding Planner?

A wedding planner is a professional who assists the bride and groom in planning their wedding and executing those plans. They are also referred to as wedding consultants and event coordinators. In reality, they do much more than just provide a professional service.

They know the latest trends in weddings, what works and what doesn’t, and how to come up with contingency plans for emergencies. They are a combination of mom, cheerleader, therapist, and best friend—always knowing the right thing to say and do at the right time. Hiring a wedding planner can mean the difference between a stressed-out, frazzled, anxious bride and a calm, relaxed bride who truly enjoys her wedding day.

Wedding planners generally offer different types of services or packages:

1) Day-of-Service/Day-of-Wedding Planner/Day-Of-Coordinator

2) Consulting/A La Carte/ Getting Started/Month-Of-Direction

3) Full-Service Planning

What A Day-Of-Service Planner Does

Day-Of-Service Planners will typically help the couple with a wedding day timeline; confirm vendors (photographer, videographer, florist, caterer, etc.); and follow the timeline from start to finish on the wedding day. The Day-Of-Wedding Planner coordinates the wedding day activities only. The bride and groom are responsible for making all the arrangements, but the day-of-service wedding planner will make sure everything happens as planned.

What A Wedding Consultant Does

Wedding Consultants will offer recommendations for venues and vendors, offer advice on colors and style, provide etiquette advice, and help the couple stay on track with their timeline. However they will not do the legwork or handle small details.

On the wedding day the wedding consultant will interact with vendors and ensure that the day goes as planned. A consultant is the perfect choice for the “hands-on” bride, who really doesn’t want to relinquish control of the wedding day plans. The wedding consultant is an invaluable resource for the bride who doesn’t have time to research all the details herself, but wants to make the arrangements and do the planning herself.

In fact, wedding consultants offer services like A La Carte, Getting Started and Month-Of-Direction. With the A La Carte Service, a bride can hire a consultant who will assist them with wedding dress selection, venue, cake, or color selection only. A consultant’s expertise and experience will make the bride’s job easier and go much more smoothly.

What A Full Service Wedding Planner Does

Full-Service Wedding Planners help determine the wedding style and colors, choose invitations, find venues for the ceremony and reception, recommend vendors and screen contracts, and accompany the couple to food and cake tastings.

Some will even send invitations and track RSVP’s. On the wedding day, the planner is there from start to finish: troubleshooting, handling last-minute details and keeping the event on schedule.

Problems invariably arise on the day of the wedding, and having a wedding planner to handle these problems instead of the bride is a great service.

A good wedding planner will know the bride well enough to anticipate how she would handle sticky situations and will represent the bride and groom well.

Why Do I Need a Wedding Planner?

Many brides want to be in control of every detail of their wedding day. They feel the only way to ensure success is if they handle it all themselves. But, in reality, a bride needs to just “be the bride” on her wedding day.

It is unrealistic for a bride to think she can be getting pictures made and overseeing the caterer, so being able to entrust someone else with the minutiae of the day is essential. Many brides have full-time jobs, as well as full lives. Planning and carrying out all the details of a wedding can seem like a job in itself. That’s why you need help from a professional wedding planner.

What Does a Wedding Planner Cost?

Costs vary by region. According to The Wedding Report, the average costs for a single wedding are as follows:

A La Carte $851
Day-Of-Services/Day-Of-Coordinator $699
For Getting Started $649
Full-Service $1,940
Month-Of-Direction $995

These costs are just a guideline. In some areas, the minimum for a Day-Of-Wedding Planner can be as high as $1,500 and $5,000 for a Full-service wedding planner.

How Do I Find A Great Wedding Planner?

• Talk to friends and relatives who have recently gotten married. Even if they didn’t use a wedding planner, they may have heard recommendations for top-notch wedding planners.

• Talk to vendors (photographers, bridal salons or caterers) who frequently work with wedding planners. Set up meetings with wedding planners to see who best suits your needs, budget and personality. Ask lots of questions and ask for references. Always call the references to see what other brides have experienced working with particular planners.

• Start looking for a wedding planner as early as possible. Many weddings are booked months or years in advance.

Wedding planners aren’t just for Hollywood celebrities. They aren’t just for big-budget weddings. They are accessible and affordable for every bride. Their professionalism, knowledge of the wedding industry, advice on getting the most for your money and can-do attitude will contribute to the most memorable day of your life.

WeddingandPartyNetwork.com is your convenient resource for wedding planning.

A special thanks to J & R GUARINO PHOTOGRAPHY in Brick, NJ for the use of their wedding ring photo.

A special thanks to The American Wedding in Peru, IN for the use of their wedding invitations photo.

December 21, 2009 by Celebration Advisor

Which Tampa Florist Has YOU Covered?

As I sit here and ponder all of the people that I could hire to do my Christmas decorations next year, I’m throwing out all options but one. For sure, for positive, most definitely, the florist I would choose if I were near Tampa, Florida is undoubtedly Apple Blossoms Floral Design.

To be honest, it’s not just the holiday flowers and decorations that impress people about Apple Blossoms Floral Design. Scott Darhower knows the floral business in and out. Whether it’s wrapping lights around 20 foot trees at a college campus or decorating a house with flowers, the man has a gift.

In fact, he and his entire team are courteous, fun, creative, and have a knack for decorating. If you’re ever throwing a party or planning a wedding in Tampa, stop in this flower shop first.

Apple Blossoms Floral Design is also on Facebook. Through those updates, it’s easy to keep up-to-date on the latest “WOW!” inspiring designs by Scott and his team. From weddings to parties and everything in between, Apple Blossoms’ creativity opens up a whole new level of amazement. You’ll discover decorations you didn’t even know a florist could do. For that, Scott and the talented florists at Apple Blossoms Floral Design have earned their high renown in the Tampa area.

Come on. How many people do you know that can put together ALL of the flowers for a series of weddings, decorate multiple homes for the holidays, create flower arrangements for everyday occasions and STILL wake up with a cheery, chipper attitude that is contagious? Even on a bad day (which are rare for Apple Blossoms), the entire team of fabulous florists at this flower shop are always ready to greet you with a smile and a host of ideas for whatever you need.

If you’re searching for Tampa florists, stop looking. Call Apple Blossoms Floral Design and prepare to be dazzled.

Dont’ forget to check out Apple Blossoms Floral Designs on Facebook, the Apple Blossoms Floral Design Myspace page, and their WPN photo gallery of some of Apple Blossom’s creative designs.

December 18, 2009 by Celebration Advisor

Bedias Texas Event Planners Can Breath A Sigh Of Relief

Planning an event near Bedias, Texas? Have we found the perfect vendor for you! Sparkling Creations by Sharon Newton is like something out of a dream. Sharon does it all! Flowers, cakes, formal wear, decorations… Everything that ties together the theme of your event can be created specifically for YOU by Sparkling Creations by Sharon Newton.

Prepare to be pleased. Bakeries and pastry shops in Bedias are great, but which of them create beautiful flower arrangements, do the decorations for your party, will cater the event, and has tuxedos to make your man look his finest? It’s almost unbelievable how much Sparkling Creations will do to make sure your party or wedding is incredible.

For starters, there’s the matter of cakes. “Sparkling Creations by Sharon Newton” isn’t just a name. It’s a genuine reflection of the MESMERIZING wedding cakes, birthday cakes, party cakes, cupcakes and any other cake that you need. Name the style and flavor that you want and you’ll receive a cake that is absolutely beautiful. They’re almost too gorgeous to eat!

When the “wow” from the cakes wears off, there’s the matter of flowers. The level of attention given to each product of Sparkling Creations makes you wonder when Sharon squeezed in the time to become a genius expert in both flowers and delicious pastries. Sparkling Creations by Sharon Newton also creates flower arrangements that will knock your socks off. They are beautiful, tasteful, elegant and inspiring. Exactly what your table needs!

Add to the flowers and cakes some of Sparkling Creations other specialties and you have a priceless party/wedding vendor. For the best event that Bedias, Texas has ever seen, contact Sparkling Creations by Sharon Newton.

What you see here is just a taste! Visit Sparkling Creations By Sharon Newton for more photos information about Sharon’s helpful work.

Need a wedding vendor like this in your area? Whether shopping for wedding cakes or formal wear, WeddingAndPartyNetwork.com takes the hassle out of wedding planning.

December 17, 2009 by Celebration Advisor

Etiquette Matters: Do I List My Deceased Mom On The Invitation?

I had a friend ask me this a few weeks ago when she was planning her wedding. Her wedding invitations were gorgeous but the script for each was becoming a chore. Her biggest question when asking for my help was “do I still put mom’s name on the invitations?” Her mother has been deceased for a few months.

I wanted to say “no” immediately but I knew that it was a sensitive issue. It’s still a pretty fresh wound for her so I didn’t want to write it off so fast. Instead, I gave her the options that wedding etiquette provides and asked if those would be acceptable.

First, it is not acceptable to put a deceased person’s name on the invitation. Instead, the surviving spouse (if there is one) is noted. This is because the wedding invitations typically list only those who are hosting the wedding. While her mother undoubtedly shared in her joy on the wedding day, she was unable to be with us and therefore could not be listed on the invitations. This did not please my friend so I gave her several other options that did not go against the grain of wedding etiquette.

Ask guests for a charitable contribution in the deceased’s name in lieu of wedding gifts
Include the deceased in a wedding toast, or let the toastmaster know that this would be nice
Choose the deceased’s favorite wedding cake flavor, place a small note beside the cake explaining this
Cutting a piece of cake in honor of the deceased and either eating it later or presenting it to the surviving spouse

There are many other options that make it a sweet, honorable thing to pay tribute to the deceased. I felt especially compelled to find some way to pay tribute to my friend’s mother because she was such a special lady. She raised a great daughter and we both cared deeply for her mother. We knew that we couldn’t include

We wanted to keep a line of distinction between a wedding celebration and a memorial, so we chose to honor my friend’s mother with a wedding cake tribute. The second tier of my friend’s cake was chocolate fudge with vanilla buttercream icing. My friend and her groom (who was also close to her mother) cut a piece together after eating their own piece. They presented it to my friend’s father which was sweet because he had not remarried. Had he, we may have considered something else.

December 17, 2009 by Celebration Advisor

Need Inspiration For Contemporary Christmas Party Decor?

Recently I attended a Christmas party at a coworker’s home. With the host being a graphic designer, I knew I’d be impressed by his modern Christmas decorations. What I didn’t know was just HOW impressive it would be.

Lucky for us all, my gracious host took a few pictures of his decor share with you! Enjoy a glimpse into the winter wonderland that was his contemporary Christmas decor.