A Little Green Activity

I decided to write yet another blog on green events not because I'm an environment conscious junkie, but rather because more and more clients are becoming educated on the simple ways to recycle without compromising their style and wallet.

We're all about creating one of a kind events and invitations, but if we can reusing things intelligently, ultimately wasting less, so where's the harm?

We hold the idea that being environmentally friendly doesn’t mean refusing the things we love and want, but rather designing, developing and using products in more informed, eco-friendly ways.

While in the planning stages of your event, big or small, special or corporate, consider the following ideas to show your guests your passion for the environment:

-        Have all of the elements of your event in one location so as to minimize the amount of driving for guests

-        find a local non-for-profit organization that will welcome the leftovers from your event rather then throwing it to waste

-        -consider (for weddings) rather then a registry with items you may not necessarily need, give your guests teh options to donate to your favorite organization in your name.

Your event invitation can set the tone for your environmentally friendly wedding. Today there are many options for 100% recycled, partially recycled or completely tree free papers which Over the Top Events can provide. Consider all the following where you can use recycled paper:

• engagement announcements
• save the date cards
• shower invitations
• shower thank you notes
• wedding invitations
• ceremony programs
• place cards
• menu cards
• wedding announcements
• thank you notes

 Your wedding flowers can be a place where you can make conscientious decisions which can have big eco consequences. Choosing a florist where organically grown, in-season, local flowers are used can be a much better earth friendly choice.

One thing that I try and have my clients participate in, is to donate the flowers to a local hospital or senior citizen center or send them home with your guests.

A great addition to the eco-friendly favors on the tables is to pull the "green" theme into your centerpieces. Table decor can take the form of small perenials or baby bushes that can later by planted by your guests. If you are looking for a vessel for the center of your table to hold sea shells or colorful rocks, consider vases made from recycled glass or a bamboo bowl, due to renewable tendencies.

The Green World Project
Favors 4 Wedding
The I Do Foundation's Favors for Charity program
Tender Seed Company

Love the earth,

J

 photos courtesy of weddingobsession, dreamgreenweddings,thecakelist

A little Vintage

Vintage weddings are as popular as they ever were. The fashion world looks back for inspiration, and now the wedding world is following suit! If you’re planning a vintage wedding and you’re looking for ideas you’ve come to the right place.

Every bride can look fabulous with a vintage wedding dress. Every wedding venue can be decorated in vintage styles – and some of the top wedding venues are stately cottages and castles with a sense of history and beauty which perfectly suits a vintage wedding day.

Decorate tables with crystals and pearls or hire vintage crockery – use peonies, roses or wildflowers for an eclectic look!

Everyone wants to please their friends and family when planning a wedding. Parents, friends, bridesmaids and wedding suppliers will all want to get involved if they can, and vintage weddings are great crowd pleasers!

Every wedding magazine is full of vintage inspiration, and vintage wedding ideas are all over the internet – so you can’t go wrong hunting for inspiration for your vintage wedding day. Top celebs are incorporating the vintage style into their weddings, with everyone opting for classic lace, pearls and vintage accessories it’s a trend that is set to last and last!

The vintage wedding theme is easy to adapt to your own wedding budget. Whether you’re having an elaborate celebration or an intimate wedding at home, you can use vintage elements to create beautiful wedding decor – either source it online, buy antiques or make your own vintage inspired accessories.

I love quirky vintage wedding website www.weddingspinster.com. It’s full of vintage photos and information that might help brides- and grooms-to-be plan unique, vintage-inspired weddings.

chat soon,

J

Beach Weddings and ideas

With winter quickly approaching and the layers being added, many couples are beginning to plan their winter destination wedding.  When planning a beach wedding, people may think there are numerous things to consider, sometimes more so than a traditional wedding. It can get overwhelming and tricky to come up with destination beach wedding ideas.  People usually give their attention and priority to the following things:

Beach Wedding Idea

1. Beach wedding invitation – A great way to get your guests in the mood for travel is to add a beach theme to your invitations.

2. Beach wedding dress – The fabric, length and style make finding the perfect dress for a beach wedding confusing. More casual dresses with lighter fabrics, which are easier to pack become the best option for beach brides.

3. Beach wedding destination – You must consider the place where the ceremony will take place. You may choose an island you have always dreamed of. Do not forget to consider the marriage license prerequisites for the country.

4. Beach wedding favors – It is necessary to thank your friends and family for sharing your special day with beach them favors.

5. Beach wedding gifts- It is a good idea to thank your bridal party with ocean theme gifts that they can use to remember the occasion.

6. Beach wedding décor – You should consider how you will decorate the reception area. You should work hard whether you will keep it simple or you will add touches of the ocean and beach to keep the theme going.

Beach Theme Wedding Ideas

They are of course the more important issues to address, but there are many others that will sneak in. In addition to your dress you will have to consider what type of beach wedding shoes you will wear. You also need to think about how you will style your hair. Beach wedding hairstyles can be loose and free or tide up as to keep the elements from taking control of it.

The type of music you will play is something else to keep in mind for your reception. You should decide whether you will hire a local band or you will play beach wedding music. Design of your cake also needs your attention. There are many wonderful cake designers who can incorporate beach themes into their designs.

chat soon,

J

With Halloween around the corner, and many decorations already up around the neighbourhood, here are some DIY ideas:

Add some spider web to your Halloween decorations and haunt, you can find it at most stores selling Halloween products. Just attach to something and pull it out all over! There's a new product called "Cob Webs in a Can" that lets you add light layers of spider web effects to your Halloween decorations and props.

Put up a Halloween tree in your home this year! It really adds a festive mood and looks beautiful!

Try out some creepy Halloween cloth! Used in commercial haunted attractions for years, distressed, tattered, torn and shredded looking cloth can make your home look deserted and dilapidated. You can find it at most mass retailers during Halloween season.

Transform your front door into extremely spooky portals of doom with door frame facades and trim! You can find a variety of them both online and in Halloween stores.

Scarecrows have also become a source for wonderfully scary Halloween decorations! Make a couple for your front porch, yard haunt or to sit inside your home for decoration.

Create a lighted jack-o-lantern walk-way to your front porch! It's easy to do, all you need are some plastic jack-o-lanterns and some battery powered candles.

Use mini ears of Indian corn, mini pumpkins and gourds to embellish your Halloween party table. They make excellent arrangements for an autumn table as well.

If you live out of the way, build a giant Halloween beacon to draw trick or treaters to your house. Its easy to make using a large plastic jack-o-lantern, some ABS pipe and a few assorted attachment pieces. This light really stands out!

You can find all kinds of Halloween flags and banner during the Halloween season. Hang one or two up around your house to show your Halloween spirit!

Make some Halloween wreaths to hang on your front door and around the inside of your house. They are simple to make and fun to do!

Add artificial ravens and crows to the tops of tombstones, in the trees, anywhere they can sit and stare at your visitors. You can find them at most arts and crafts stores, department type stores, just about everywhere!

Decorate your vehicle for Halloween! Hang a wreath or decoration on the front grill, have a Halloween slogan license plate holder made, make an antenna ball out of a little pumpkin!

Chat soon,

J

The accessories

The category of bridal accessories includes so many objects for which a bride can apply for and they depend on the tastes and of what you’re expected to look like in the big day! If some days ago we took into account only a part of the bridal accessories, today we’re going to mention about bridal accessories in general!

First of all in this section of “bridal accessories” there’s always the veil, which can have diverse shapes and formats…. There are the modern ones, made shorter and with ruffled details on. It’s also the long bridal veil that can cover your face and made with really interesting embroidery on its surface….

There’s a big range of accessories and you can be sure that you’re not going to look bad at all with them on! Another thing is that you’re able to renounce to it, the bridal veil isn’t a necessary accessory, but the bridal shoes are….

The bridal shoes can be found in several models and tones. With such a pair on you’re able to look really fine and in the same time let’s add that they can be comfortable or with a really high heel. It depends on your wish. You’re the bride, you make the rules!

As for the bridal shoes, make sure that the pair for which you apply for is really comfortable or that you switch them with another pair, in case you find them relatively uncomfortable! 

Besides the classical white tone for the wedding shoes, there’s also the option in which you can apply for a pair of metallic bridal shoes as well as ones colored in a really bright tone!

We’ve got this aspect figured out; let’s continue with the bridal jewelry. When it comes to this part, the situation stays in this way: you can apply for bridal jewelry sets, or for separate jewelry. The bridal jewelry sets may contain: a tiara, a necklace and a pair of earrings, all blending perfectly together. There’s also the option for bridal jewelry sets in which you can find a pair of earrings, a necklace, a bracelet or even without a bracelet.

Similar to the bridal tiara is the bridal headband for which you can apply for and if you want to, you can attach a thin and gorgeous looking veil or you can leave it in this way. There’s also the bridal comb that was recently mentioned, as well as the bridal cockade. All these bridal accessories are great to take into account.

And last but not least, is another bridal accessory that we consider it would be a really nice idea to take into account – the bridal purse, which isn’t obligatory as well! You decide whether you want one or not!

Chat soon,

J

Just got ENGAGED!!!

Just got engaged? First off, congratulations! Second: these are the 10 things you should do next…

1. Share the good news with family and friends

This is a happy time and the great news must be shared with loved ones, preferably in a creative and fun way! Create a digital postcard with a photograph of the engagement ring or of the bride and groom and email it to all your family and friends announcing your engagement! Share the good news on Facebook, Twitter or other social media and keep your account up to date with all the next steps.

2. Plan an engagement party

Whether it’s a lunch, dinner or an all out engagement party, plan something special to announce and celebrate your engagement with close family and friends. Don’t forget to let them know that a fabulous wedding awaits them…

3. Choose the wedding date

In order to choose the perfect wedding date decide if you want a Spring, Summer, Fall or Winter wedding. Is there a special date on which you would love to have your wedding? Don’t forget to check the calendar so that you know exactly what day of the week you’re talking about when you decide to choose the wedding date.

4. Determine a budget

How much can you afford to spend on your wedding? What is your dream wedding? Can your budget cover it? What can stay and what must go?

5. Put together the guest list

Many decisions go into putting together the guest list: how many guests does your budget permit? Who do you invite? Who don’t you invite? Do you invite colleagues from work or just close family and friends? Do you want an intimate wedding or a traditional wedding with hundreds of guests?

6. Choose the place where the ceremony is going to be held

The place where the wedding ceremony is going to be held should be in agreement with the guest list, as well as the venue for the reception. If you expect 200 guests, then maybe getting married in a small chapel is not the best idea.

7. Choose the venue for the reception

Many popular venues, like hotels and other wedding appropriate spaces, require reservations a year or more in advanced, especially during wedding season.

8. Book an engagement shoot

It’s the perfect time to book an engagement shoot and document your love in a beautiful engagement album that will be a wonderful memory of this precious time in your lives. Since you have to hire a photographer for the wedding, look for one that also does engagement shoots – this is also a great way to get to know the photographer before the wedding and vice-versa. Make sure you get some very romantic shots and have fun doing it!

9. Decide if you’re going to hire a wedding planner

Idealizing, organizing and coordinating a wedding can be a full time job and stressful at times. So, if DIY is not a concept that applies to you, hire a wedding planner who will navigate all the pre-wedding organization like a pro. The result? Less hassles and unnecessary worrying for the bride and groom.

10. Choose the wedding dress

The wedding dress is one of the star pieces of the big day and requires a lot of idealizing and research, preferably in advanced, so you have time to check out all your options before making a decision. You don’t have to buy the dress immediately after the wedding proposal, but it is a good idea to start window shopping, magazine and online browsing… so the dream can start to become reality…

A Few Tips to help out the wedding wallet!

The most important thing to do first is to define your priorities. There are many things that you may consider indispensable for your wedding, and others that just may not be that important to you. Value those aspects that will make your wedding memorable and forget about those that you consider dispensable. The trick is to adjust the available budget to your priorities.

1.      Have the wedding during the week or during the Winter months, all costs relating to the reception site and services are cheaper.

2.      Limit your guest list to your closest friends and family; forget your cousin’s cousins!

3.      Do-it-yourself and make some or all of your own wedding essentials: invitations, wedding ring holder, wedding favors…

4.      Visit wedding fairs and exhibitions, where you may be able to find vendors offering great discounts.

5.      Don’t buy the groom’s suit or the bride’s dress at a bridal shop, look at other options or go for models from past collections.

6.      If you’re extremely disorganized, hiring a wedding planner may help you save a lot of money, seeing as a wedding planner will already have a list of vendor contacts, as well as discounts that may fit your budget.

7.      If you can have the reception at home instead of renting a location, the costs become much lower.

8.      Having a less formal reception, such as a brunch or buffet, instead of a formal seated meal, are less expensive options.

9.      Keep your floral arrangements simple and based on flowers that are in season.

10.    Ask family and friends with special talents to help you out with the wedding preparations: an aunt that makes great desserts, a cousin who is a DJ…

11.    Define your budget for the wedding and stick to it!

How to make the GRAND entrance

As tradition has it, after cocktail hour and once guests have been seated for lunch or dinner, the newlyweds make their grand entrance. Walking into the reception hall, hand in hand, to the sound of a great song and the applause of the guests is pretty common in most weddings. And while there is nothing wrong with this type of entrance, why not make it extra special? Here are 6 great ideas.

1. Dim the lights

If possible, meaning if the venue is properly equipped, make a Hollywood entrance under one beaming spotlight. Before the newlyweds enter the reception area, have someone dim the lights and, as the bride and groom walk, have a spotlight that gets brighter and brighter shining only on them. Don’t forget to choose a wonderful song for the occasion and have the spotlight follow you until you reach your seats, where you can seal that glamorous Hollywood entrance with a kiss.

2. Introduce your parents

Following your entrance into the reception hall and once at your seats, take a moment to introduce your parents to all the guests, thank them for all their help and support and, of course, make sure you let them know how much you love them. Besides being a great way to show your appreciation, you’ll definitely hit a chord with the guests and, as you know, the more emotional the wedding, the more special it becomes.

3. Use a theme

Together with a group of friends, plan a surprise for all the guests who are going to see you walk through the reception door. Be inspired by a specific theme and get all dressed up for a 1970s disco night or recreate the scene from a musical, for example. This requires rehearsing everything prior to the wedding, so that on the big day everything runs smoothly once you burst through the wedding reception door singing and dancing in all your glory.

4. Let the bridesmaids and groomsmen shine

If you decide to have bridesmaids and groomsmen at your wedding, than use them for a fun and creative entrance. Let them lead the way for the newlyweds with a short choreography danced to the sound of a great song; the bride and groom can enter and finish the dance. Great fun and totally unforgettable! Don’t forget to thank the bridesmaids and groomsmen for their moves and participation!

5. Ask the DJ or a friend to read a short introduction

Create a romantic entrance, with a touch of suspense. Prepare a short biography of your own personal love story (no more than 3 minutes) and before you enter the reception, dim the lights and have someone read it (preferably without being seen), accompanied by some background music. At the end, the newlyweds make their grand entrance to the sound of happy applause.

6. Paparazzi effect

Before you make your grand entrance, ask the DJ to instruct the guests to pick up the disposable cameras (preferably with flash) previously set up on all tables and to photograph your entrance just as if you were a celebrity couple in the eyes of the paparazzi. As soon as you walk into the reception area, you’ll have a ton of flashes illuminating your entrance.

Chat soon,

J

Tips for an wonderful outdoor wedding

With summer pretty much here, so many of my couples are opting for an outdoor wedding.  As I'm finalizing many of the details, I thought I would share some tips and tricks

If the outdoor is a garden rich with flowers choose those flower decorations that compliment the Flower decorations also add beauty to the outdoor weddings but there should be proper selection of flowers that match the outdoors. The cables should be out of reach of children and well insulated. Do not mix too many lights and see that apt lighting is there and not too much.

Lights bring in mood as well as serenity to the occasion. Several lights are used, strings or personalized wedding lanterns or even making hand made lamp shades and hanging them at desired places can really bring in the elegance to the outdoor wedding event. Lighting is another lovely decoration for an outdoor wedding.

You can line the walks with torches of citronella or tiki torches by sticking them to ground and they really add a ton of elegance as well as descend romantic touch to the place. Believe us, it's a great fun to make arches and you have ample choice to design your arch to match the theme.

You can go for a readily available arch or make one involving the kids and people at home. If you have a wedding theme planned, see that the arch design goes along with it. A lovely arch is a big one to decorate an outdoor wedding.

Outdoor weddings are not uncommon and remember outdoor wedding decorations are an easy task because the nature gives itself three-quarters of the decoration to the event and all you need is to just fine tune it with some add-ons.

Decorating for an outdoor wedding reception gives you a chance to realize a beautiful wedding fantasy. A fabulous outdoor venue makes the perfect backdrop which can be dressed easily with some carefully chosen furniture and accessories. Among the first things to consider with your outdoor wedding ideas are practical concerns to make sure that your guests are well looked after.

Chat soon,

J

Wedding Gifts- solving the question

Each time an invitation arrives in the mail, wedding guests face a common and sometimes frustrating dilemma: What should I buy the couple, and how much should I spend? Depending on the couple, where they live and their culture, giving cash is either considered apropos or gauche. And then there's always the quandary over the registry, especially when the only two options left are a $200 waffle maker and a $5 garlic press. After all, there's a fine line between breaking the bank to buy a generous gift and looking like a cheapskate.

Second Marriage

When it comes to second weddings, friends and relatives are not required to buy you a gift if they bought you one the first time, however most likely they will want to do so. It is acceptable to register for a second wedding.

If you so choose, here are some polite ways to say no gifts please.

Small Weddings

If you send a wedding announcement, rather than a wedding invitation, for a small wedding and not inviting many out-of-town friends and relatives, it is clearly implied that gifts are not necessary.

Gifts for your Guests

It’s common for brides and grooms to show their appreciation for their guests’ participation in your wedding ceremony by giving favors. Favors can consist of anything from a miniature box of chocolates to handmade keepsakes bearing the couple's name and wedding date.

Attendants’ Gifts

The bride and groom traditionally select special gifts to present to members of the wedding party in thanks for their special role in the event. Any amount you choose to spend is acceptable. You may consider gifts of higher value for your maid of honor and best man.

How Much is too Much? Or too Little?

There are no specific price guidelines for gifts. Gifts are based on what the guest believes the receiver would like, what they want to give and the amount the gift-giver can afford. There is no average amount that a guest needs to spend on a wedding or shower gift. Really, as the saying goes, it’s the thought that counts.

Chat soon,

J

How to Choose Wedding Accessories

Every girl sees her wedding day as a perfect and unique moment in her life. The dress is probably the most important item that reflects the femininity and the beauty of a bride. Even though you may have the dress of your dreams, in order to complete the outfit you need to pick out the right accessories, like the veil, shoes, jewelry or gloves. Accessories add elegance whether you are choosing a classic style, a more romantic, bohemian one, or a glamorous and sophisticated one.

The big day is here. Besides the wedding gown you have carefully chosen, the accessories must also match. Shoes, jewelry or handbag, everything should be in perfect harmony.

Lingerie
Before choosing your lingerie, you should take into consideration a few important things. First of all, you should pick the items that flatter you the most. Be realistic and analyze your best features, and especially your flaws. Choose items that hide flaws and emphasize your qualities. Also, make sure you try on the items before buying them. And no go for a model just because it looks good in the picture, and think if it matches to your personality and style.

Therefore, if you are more the innocent type, choose simple, white or warm colored items. On the other hand, if you are into the provocative and sexy style, go for strong colors such as red. If you like to play, you can mix different styles and colors. As for the fabric, silk, lace and satin are the best options.

Shoes
Choosing the right pair of shoes for your marriage is not an easy thing to do as it means time, good taste, and other key elements such as the wedding gown, or the place of the wedding. And, we shouldn't forget that the most important thing is that you feel comfortable wearing them.

Your shoes shouldn't necessarily match the dress, but the other accessories instead, like the flowers from the bouquet, or other items. Event though pumps remain the classic type of shoes that work great for every wedding dress style, you can also go for sandals, ballet flats for a retro look, or boots for a winter wedding. As for the color of the shoes, you can choose white and match them with your dress, or you can play with contrasts.

 

Hair accessories
On your wedding day everything is possible. If in the past a veil was an essential item for a bride, nowadays you can choose a tiara or flowers for your hair depending on other elements such as your dress.

Everything is allowed as long as you shine. If your dress has a few flowers on it, you can put flowers into your hair too. On the other hand, if your dress is more elegant and sophisticated, or it is too embroidered, a tiara would make you look like a princess. Anyway, if you are going for a tiara, you should make sure it flatters your shape.  If you are bolder, you can choose a hat in the same color with your dress, or one in a more edgy and contrasting color. You can also choose a mantilla veil.

Handbag and gloves
Every bride needs a handbag. Choose it based on your dress. If your dress is rather classic, your handbag should have a square shape. If your dress is more extravagant go for a round shaped handbag with embellishments. A clutch can also work. For a plus of elegance, gloves are the key element.

Chat soon, 

J 

Pretty Accessories

Just like with a favorite outfit, the right accessories can turn an average wedding into a truly memorable event. From bridal jewelry to the ring pillow, the cake topper to silverware, accessories enhance every aspect of your ceremony. Each accessory can either shine all on its own or effectively highlight the wedding's theme.

Look beyond usual accessories to create a memorable bridal ensemble. Satin or lace gloves look striking and enhance the formality of your dress; opera-length gloves tend to look glamorous while wrist-length gloves are subtle and delicate. Shawls, wraps and capes are especially elegant during late fall or winter ceremonies. When used, a bridal cape usually takes the place of the veil, but a lightweight shawl or wrap in complementary colors can be layered beneath a veil.

There are so many options to go with we anted to share some of our top picks.

This couture alternative to fresh floral allows your everlasting, custom feather wedding bouquet can be shipped anywhere in the world gorgeous feather bouquets for the bride and her attendants, but also a one-of-a-kind, custom made selection of garters, ring pillows, boutonnieres and corsages. Here are a few of our favorites:

www.emplume.com

www.amandarosefloral.com

Pretty headpieces for your lovely head

There are several alternatives to the traditional veil, one being A Posh Veil is all about style! Each piece is made to complement any style sense and personality. Their aim is to ensure that when you wear a Posh Veil you feel both glamorous and beautiful. The pieces are fun and fresh; making a flattering statement.

www.poshveils.com

Chat soon,

Beach Weddings

When planning a beach wedding, people may think there are numerous things to consider, sometimes more so than a traditional wedding. It can get overwhelming and tricky to come up with destination beach wedding ideas.  People usually give their attention and priority to the following things:

Beach Wedding Idea

1. Beach wedding invitation – A great way to get your guests in the mood for travel is to add a beach theme to your invitations.

2. Beach wedding dress – The fabric, length and style make finding the perfect dress for a beach wedding confusing. More casual dresses with lighter fabrics, which are easier to pack become the best option for beach brides.

3. Beach wedding destination – You must consider the place where the ceremony will take place. You may choose an island you have always dreamed of. Do not forget to consider the marriage license prerequisites for the country.

4. Beach wedding favors – It is necessary to thank your friends and family for sharing your special day with beach them favors.

5. Beach wedding gifts- It is a good idea to thank your bridal party with ocean theme gifts that they can use to remember the occasion.

6. Beach wedding décor – You should consider how you will decorate the reception area. You should work hard whether you will keep it simple or you will add touches of the ocean and beach to keep the theme going.

Beach Theme Wedding Ideas

They are of course the more important issues to address, but there are many others that will sneak in. In addition to your dress you will have to consider what type of beach wedding shoes you will wear. You also need to think about how you will style your hair. Beach wedding hairstyles can be loose and free or tide up as to keep the elements from taking control of it.

The type of music you will play is something else to keep in mind for your reception. You should decide whether you will hire a local band or you will play beach wedding music. Design of your cake also needs your attention. There are many wonderful cake designers who can incorporate beach themes into their designs.

Chat soon,

J