THE BRIDE'S CAFE

Ashley & Aaron - Part II

As promised.......the stunning images from Ashley & Aaron's beautiful reception.  I really love everything about this wedding guys and all the details are just so perfect.  Truly a beautiful wedding story.  Thanks again to the amazing photography of Meg Smith and the incredible decor by Ariella Chezar and her fabulous team!!!!!  Enjoy!!!!!!!

"The First Dance"!!!!!

WOW, sooooooo beautiful!!!!!!  The flowers, the linens, the chairs, the tent.......all so perfect!!!!

Ariella the flowers are truly breathtaking!!!!!  Love the vibrant colors!!!!!!!!

All the little details are so charming!!!!!!

I love the "cans" Ariella used for vases, perfect details!!!!!!

Thanks Meg, the images are incredible.......such a beautiful wedding and a special thanks to Ashley and Aaron!!!!!!!

Real Wedding: Ashley & Aaron

Guys, it's "Color Palette Thursday" and I am so excited to share with you some of the most beautiful images of the fabulous wedding of Ashley & Aaron.  The vibrant and delicious shades of oranges, reds, corals and yellows.....are so amazingly captured by the oh-so-incredibly talented photography of Meg Smith.  The wedding took place at Mayacamas Ranch in Calistoga, CA...... and I really don't have to tell you the designer behind the oh-so-beautiful and amazing floral and decor......one look  and you will know........it's Ariella Chezar!  I am featuring the wedding today in two parts, the first being the ceremony and please come back later to see the beautiful images from the reception.  Enjoy!!!!!!!

Such a charming invite!!!!!!

Our beautiful couple, Ashley & Aaron!

I love Ashley's dress, so elegant!!!

Ariella designed the perfect bridal bouquet for Ashley and I love the ribbons!!!!

Simply beautiful!!!!!  Don't you love all the ribbon details and oh-so-perfect with the dresses!

The colors are so vibrant, so happy, so stunning!!!!!!

A lovely setting for the ceremony!!!

Having a photo booth at your wedding can be so much fun....something you may want to consider when planning!!!!

How cute, they both wore sandals!!!!!

What a beautiful ceremony and Meg truly captured all the fun everyone was having.  Truly a beautiful wedding story.   Meg, thank you soooo much for sharing your beautiful images with us today!!!!!! Check back later guys for Part II..... the reception!!!!!!!

Delightful Details

Guys, you are going to absolutely loooooove today's feature!  You know I am all about the "details" for your big day.  Even the smallest detail can add so much fun and charm and truly make your day very special.  Well I have the perfect details for you all......and it's appropriately called..... Delightful Details.  Delightful Details  is a charming signage company owned by the incredible duo of two beautiful ladies, Karen and Meredith.......and get this, Karen is the mother-in-law to Meredith.  How cool is that?!!!!!!!  Please visit their site to learn more about their 0h-so-charming company and to see more images of their beautiful detailed work.  Enjoy!!!!!!!

I love these signs, how charming they will be at your wedding!!!! I can't wait to purchase these for my events!!!

The font on "This Way to the Wedding" sign is called "Whimsical"!  Love It!!!!!!!

The font on the "Reception" sign is called the "Amour"!

These are great, and yes, what a Delightful Detail to add such wonderful charm to your ceremony or reception!!!!!!

Abby Ross Wedding Photography

As promised, the second half of the "mother-daughter-duo, Abby Ross.  Abby is truly an amazing photographer and I looooove her work!  Please visit her site to see more of her beautiful weddings.  Below are beautiful wedding images that Abby has shared with us and yes, Abby will be back at the cafe as well.......Enjoy!!!!!!!

Abby, what a fun shot of the bride!!!!!

Getting a little help from the girls!!!!!!

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, the colors of the bouquets and the wrap is so beautiful!!!!

The florals are simply stunning!!!!!!!

Such a beautiful and elegant wedding.  Thanks for sharing such beautiful images with us today Abby, simply gorgeous!!!!!!!!

Nancy Cohn Wedding Photography

Today I give to you the beautiful and elegant images of the photography of Nancy Cohn.  Nancy is an incredible photographer and her work can be seen in the pages of numerous wedding publications.  Her work has taken her to some of the most romantic places and when I spoke with her last week, she had just arrived in Paris.......now how fabulous is that!!!!!!!!!  Nancy's daughter Abby Ross is also an amazing photographer and I am happy to say that her work will be featured at TBC later today, so come back to see the other half of the "mother-daughter-duo"........I give you the lovely images of Nancy.......Enjoy!!!!!!!

I love this shot.......simply elegant and truly magazine worthy!!!!!!

What a gorgeous bouquet and Nancy has truly captured all the details of the florals!!!!!

So charming, lovely photo Nancy!!!!!!!!

What a happy bride, looks like a beautiful day for a wedding!!!!!!

I love this photo, it is truly one to keep for all times!!!!

Thanks Nancy for sharing your beautiful images with us today.  Nancy will be back at the cafe with a beautiful wedding that took place at The Breakers in Palm Beach, Florida in a few weeks, but come back later and see what Ms. Abby Ross will share with us!!!!!!!

Ariella Chezar

Happy Monday Guys and what a wonderful way to open the cafe today!!!!!  I am soooooo happy to have not only one of my favorite floral designers but she is also a beautiful and an oh-so-sweet lady that has truly been an inspiration to me.......Ariella Chezar.  When I started my floral business three years ago, I contacted Ariella for a little advice in getting started.  When I received an e-mail response back from her, I was soooooo excited.....Ariella, I printed that e-mail and I still have it!!! Guys, she is truly "good people" and I'm so happy to have her here today!! 

I have been waiting to feature Ariella's interview since I launched the cafe but she's been a little busy.......being a new mom to her beautiful baby boy!!!!  Ariella's work is simply BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!! and can be seen in countless wedding publications and hopefully you all own a copy of her wonderful book, Flowers for the Table.  So let's get started.......Enjoy!!!!!!!!

Ariella and "Moses the cat"!

TBC:  What inspires you as a designer?

Ariella:  More than anything I am inspired by nature, both wild and cultivated.

TBC:  What is the best part about about your job?

Ariella:  I have been blessed with scores of wonderful, creative clients who have provided me many opportunities to explore visions.  I love that.....stepping into someone else's mind for a few months, discovering what they find beautiful or inspiring, and then turning their vision into a reality.  Another best part, of course, is that I get to work with flowers.  What could be better?!!!!!!!

TBC:  What has been the highlight of your career to date?

Ariella:  Whenever I do a wedding on location, I try to draw as much as possible from what is locally available.  Two years ago I did a wedding on the Big Island of Hawaii. A week before the wedding we chose the majority of our flowers at various orchid and tropical flower farms.  Additionally, we brought crates of incredible tropical fruit at the Hilo farmers market.  It was pretty much as good as it gets.  Everything was so fresh, so delicious and so beautiful.

TBC:  In my opinion, I feel that a wedding without beautiful flowers is just like a blank canvas and if a bride's budget just doesn't allow for them to have the flowers that they dream of, what advice would you give them.

Ariella:  If you are set on a specific flower, organize your wedding around the time that flower is in season.  This will insure that even if you can't have lots of flowers, the ones that you do will be at their peak and as such, you won't necessarily need as many. I also think you can do  a lot with fabric, whether linens or runners, to create warmth and impact with color.  In this way, you don't necessarily need as many flowers to give you that color punch.

TBC:  What are your favorite color combinations to use for weddings?

Ariella:  It totally depends on the location and the bride.  I love orange and white.  I love green, orange and white, I love pink and grey, peach and grey, I love yellow combined with multiple shades of yellow, and I will eternally be in love with green.  I'm not crazy about pale pink and green or pale pink with lavender.  They are just a bit too sweet for me.  I love how you can make pink really sophisticated when you combine it with darker colors.

TBC:  What type of venues are the most fun to design for?

Ariella:  I prefer classic, old estates or outdoor settings with beautiful landscapes.

TBC:  What should a bride look for when choosing her floral designer?

Ariella:  She should choose someone who listens to her, someone she feels comfortable with and of course, someone whose work she loves.

TBC:  Ariella, please share some fun details about your home life.  .

Ariella:  I have a wonderful fiance, a beautiful eleven week old little boy, four cats and a dog.  It's quite a party these days!!!!

Simply STUNNING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I love Ariella's beautiful floral detail, and her selection of ribbon is always so beautiful and truly completes her design!!!!

Love the vibrant color of the tree peonies!

Oh-So-Charming!!!!!!  What a romantic bouquet!!!!!

Love, Love, Love these centerpieces.  Note Ariella's use of fresh fruit and veggies, wonderful textures and I love her use of vines!!!!

Simply elegant!!!!  I love the vintage vases for the flowers and the candles are perfect!!!!

The oh-so-beautiful images are courtesy of Victor Schrager, Meg Smith and Ariella Chezar!

Ariella, thanks so much for stopping by the cafe and spending a little time with us and "congrats" on being a new mommy!!!!!  No worries,  Ariella will be back soon for another cafe visit!!!

Sylvia Weinstock Cakes

I am so happy to have as our guest today, The Queen of Cakes, Sylvia Weinstock.  I had the chance to speak with Ms. Weinstock a few weeks ago, and guys, she is oh-so-sweet and a most charming and gracious lady!!!  We all know what beautiful cakes she creates and I'm sure all brides dream about having a Sylvia Weinstock cake at their wedding.  I'm so honored to have her stop by the cafe and spend a little time with us.  So without further ado........I give you......Sylvia Weinstock!!!!!!!  Enjoy!!!!!

TBC:  What inspires you as a designer?

Ms. Sylvia: Everything inspires me, be it a vase, a motif, a carving of a chair, jewelry, etc.  Design is all around us.

TBC:  What is the best part about your job?

Ms. Sylvia:  I love meeting my clients and creating their cakes.  Their joy and appreciation is a great reward.  Upon meeting a bride, we take into account her budget, decor, menu, elements of her gown, season of the year, indoor/outdoor event, etc.

TBC:  What should a bride look for when choosing her cake designer?

Ms. Sylvia:  Remember, you get what you pay for.  Be sure to taste the cake at the baker's shop, see what you will get!  Check over the design you want.  Book your cake with a Board of Health recognized shop.  Plan ahead and check with the baker as to their preferred time-line.

WOW........Simply elegant and soooo beautiful!!!!!!

Ms. Sylvia, thanks so much for stopping by the cafe  and sharing some great expert advice with us!!!!!!

Blush Tones Color Palette

Hi Guys, it's "Color Palette Thursday"!  Today's color palette are the soft and romantic blush tones.  I received the beautiful images below from one of my favorite photographers and friend, Elizabeth Messina.  I truly fell in love with the colors of this wedding and I thought it would be a perfect fit for this feature.  Thanks Elizabeth for sharing the couple's wedding story with us!  Enjoy!!!!!! 

P.S. This feature is also dedicated to my brides Kelly and Molley.......they both are having the most beautiful and romantic "pink" theme weddings....oh yeah, Kelly and Molley will be featured at the cafe!!!!!!!

The beautiful rose bout sets the tone of what's to come.......... and the bride is just simply beautiful!

Don't you just love how lush this bouquet is and oh-so-romantic!!!

The garden roses and peonies truly give the bouquet such a romantic look and feel!  I love the color combinations!!!!

Just so romantic and oh-so-charming!!!!

I love the lighting in this shot..such a stunning photo!  Thanks for the beautiful images Elizabeth!!!!!!!

"Magazine Worthy Photos"

I think all brides would love for their wedding to be published in one of the bridal magazines....how exciting that would be and so much fun!!!!  So if you guys are wondering how certain weddings make the pages of these wonderful publications.....I'm here to help!  I posed the question to the oh-so-fabulous photographer Marie Labbancz and she so graciously have given us some great tips!  Guys, this is an awesome feature so go grab another cup of mocha and find out what it takes to get the "magazine worthy photos" on your big day!!!!!!

Marie:  First off, all weddings are beautiful in their own special way.  It's not about how beautiful the wedding is or how handsome the couple.  It's not about how large the budget!  I have seen modest budget weddings featured nationally and very high budget weddings passed over.  It's more the uniqueness of the wedding that the editors are looking for.

It's all in the Details - It's true, it's all about the details!  When you think about it, one of the foremost reasons we love to see real weddings in the magazines is to see all the unique details and ideas.  I have seen magazine photo editors choose a wedding based on one amazing novel detail that they want shared with their readers.

All the photo editors wanted to publish this bride with her short Romona Keveza gown.  The length was so unique and they wanted their readers to see it.

One of the first to wear this popular Monique Lhuillier gown in 2005.  It landed her on the pages of Grace Ormonde!

A balloon release in lieu of a receiving line caught a photo editor's eye!

Antique lace adorning the cake came from the bride's grandparents.  The personal touch made for an interesting story.

I've Never Heard of That Place! - So you found the perfect location.  It's stunning and you have seen it featured in all the magazines.  Photo editors are much less likely to choose a wedding that has been featured in recent past issues.  Last Spring I had an amazing wedding with all the unique details at an amazing location.  Not a single editor picked it up for publication as the venue had been feature several times in magazines over the past year.

A ceremony in a sculptured garden was featured in several magazines.

This couple's wedding was held at a historic farm in Philadelphia.  It was the first wedding held there!

Don't Forget Lighting! - An often overlooked necessity for a picture perfect wedding is lighting.  You may have the most outstanding decor and flowers but if it is not lit properly, it will lose impact.  It's not as expensive as you would think and it can really make all your details "POP"!

A little colored light made this whole tent "POP"!

A splash of color on the walls and ceiling and a touch of light on each centerpiece made this very dark historic venue "POP"!  It was the feature wedding in Philadelphia Weddings Magazine.

Choose a "Magazine Style" Photographer - There are many wonderful and talented wedding photographers available today and all with diverse styles.  From photojournalists, to fine artists, every couple can find a perfect match to their artistic sensibilities.  If you are interested in possible publication of your wedding, it is best to choose a photographer who has had multiple weddings featured in magazines.  I often hear the moans from Event and Floral Designers about an  amazing wedding they had , but could not get it published because the details were not photographed in a "magazine style".  Ask to see some of the photographer's featured magazine weddings.

Bouquet photographed in a "magazine style"!

Henna and jewelry details!

The Submission Process - Most times your event planner or photographer will submit your wedding to the magazines for you.  If you are interested in publication, let them know ahead of time.  Each magazine has their own particular protocol for submission and you are free to submit on your own.  You can contact each specific magazine and find out how they accept submissions.  If you are submitting on your own, it is best to write up a little bio and give information about your theme and details.  An interesting story sometimes helps!

Marie's Philadelphia wedding featured in Elegant Bride Magazine

Marie's beautiful wedding featured in Grace Ormonde

Marie featured in Inside Weddings Magazine!

Of the millions of weddings that take place each year, there is only a limited number of weddings featured in the magazines. What makes for most special weddings is to personalize it as a reflection of you both as a couple.  Whether you are published or not, it will be a day remembered by you, your family and friends for a lifetime!

Marie, this was GREAT!!!  Thank you so much for sharing these valuable tips with us today and guys, no worries, Marie will be back at the cafe soon to share more of her beautiful work!

"TBC's First Give Away"

Before I post today's feature, I want to take this time and thank all of my wonderful readers, my beautiful brides and the amazing talented artist that grace the pages of TBC!!!  When I started the blog almost 3 months ago, I had no idea it would get the wonderful response that it has received.  I truly am thankful for all the emails and the comments.  Yesterday I received my 250th comment from my reader, Rocio.  Rocio, please contact me at janie@jmflora.com to receive in true cafe style, a $25.00 gift certificate to STARBUCKS!

And the celebration continues..............

Last week I featured the wonderful new book by Jung Lee, FETE The Wedding Experience.  As I stated in the article, I pre-ordered my copy and I also received a copy from Jung.  Well, I want to share a copy with one of my wonderful readers!!!!  So all you guys have to do is leave a comment letting me know what you love about The Bride's Cafe that keeps you coming back each day to visit.  You have until January 31st to leave a comment and I will announce the winner on Monday, February 4th!  Thanks Guys and come back later for today's feature!