THE BRIDE'S CAFE

Guest Blogger: Kathryn of Snippet & Ink

Hi Guys....tomorrow is my Birthday.....I actually started celebrating yesterday with all of the girlfriends.....and the celebrating continues today...SO....I asked Kathryn of Snippet & Ink to stop by TBC and share a couple of her stunning inspiration boards with you.  Thank you so much Kathryn....your visit is truly a wonderful birthday gift and I am so excited to have you be apart of the celebration!!  Snippet & Ink is one of my favorite sites and I applaud you for all of the gorgeous "eye candy" each day!!

Janie is celebrating her birthday today (Happy Birthday Janie!) and asked me to fill in, and I am thrilled to be guest blogging here at The Bride's Cafe today! Janie and I thought it would be fun if I created two inspiration boards based on her bouquets.

Bouquet #1

 

There is something very classic and formal about this simple white bouquet, so I aimed for that feel in creating this inspiration board. I also pulled the red from the pillow to really complete the look:

Top row: bridesmaids photo by Elizabeth Messina, champagne photo by Marla Aufmuth, red roses photo from Michele M. Waite, estate photo by Fred Egan
Middle row: seating cards photo by Mantas Wright, bouquet by Janie Medley Flora Design, cake photo from Junebug Weddings, invitation by East Six
Bottom row: kissing photo by Jose Villa, white candy buffet from Rebecca Thuss, rose boutonniere from The Knot, ceremony candles via Elizabeth Anne Designs

Here's another inspiration board based on one of Janie's bouquets - how darling is this with the craspedia and monkey tail fern (is that what that's really called or did I make that up?)!

Bouquet #2

I love the colors here, and though craspedia (sometimes called Billy Balls or Billy Buttons) are yellow, they looked almost chartreuse to me. The ferns add another layer of whimsy, and so I tried to include that in the following board:

Top row: bouquet by Janie Medley Flora Design, green candy buffet photo by Meg Smith, bridesmaids photo by Vallentyne Photography, tent from Soiree Charleston
Middle row: outdoor lounge photo by Eleise Theuer, cherry lemonade from Martha Stewart, veil by Leah C, dahlia centerpiece by Ariella Chezar
Bottom row: boutonniere photo by Mi Belle Inc, soda lime plates from Yvonne-Estelle's, apricot cake from Charleston Weddings, calligraphy by Betsy Dunlap

Thank you so much to Janie for inviting me to do some guest blogging at The Bride's Cafe - I'm so flattered to be included among her beautiful posts! If you liked these inspiration boards, you can see more over at my blog, Snippet & Ink!

Susie Coelho's Style Your Dream Wedding

Hi Guys...when I came home from work a couple of weeks ago and found a package waiting for me at my door (don't you love getting packages)....of course I was excited to get inside and open it...Oh My Gosh...inside the box was Susie Coelho's new book...Style Your Dream Wedding....of course I kicked off my shoes...took a seat and begin flipping through the pages...I just kept repeating the phrase..."Oh My Gosh....I LOVE IT....LOVE IT...LOVE IT"!!

The beautiful Susie Coelho....Lifestyle Expert...Best Selling Author and Television Host!

I love the cover shot....taken by the lovely Amy Squires!

Style Your Dream Wedding is the perfect book for any bride who wants to create a stylish and memorable wedding...no matter what the budget.    Susie helps you identify your unique dream wedding style from classic to fanciful, contemporary to countryside, to beach, garden and exotic.    And get this guys....Susie has an exclusive on-line wedding style quiz that will help you find your wedding style...so take a few minutes and head over to her site and find your wedding style!

Style Your Dream Wedding is full of beautiful "eye candy" and loads of inspiration...there is a color palette booklet, a dress silhouette accordion pullout, a CD of wedding music, post cards and more than 600 world-class color photographs taken by some of the best photographers in the business and I am happy to say that several of these oh-so-amazing photographers have been on TBC!  Guys, Style Your Dream Wedding is truly a "must have" to add to your book collection...trust me you will love it!  Oh yeah...I forgot to mention...Susie sent me 2 books...and you know how much I love sharing with the fabulous TBC readers....all you have to do is leave a comment about this post and I will randomly pick a winner to be announced on Wednesday, June 18th.

Thanks Susie....TBC loves Style Your Dream Wedding....we are so glad that you shared it with us today!!!  Have a great weekend everyone!!

"WEDDING WANDS"

As promised...The "Wedding Wand" story....Guys... the beautiful wedding from yesterday featured the couple leaving the church after the ceremony and their guests were waiving the beautiful colored Wedding Wands in honor of their celebration.....well, I received a few emails about them and I wanted to share the information with you......I was introduced to the "Wedding Wand" by the beautiful Leila Khalil of Be Inspired PR....Leila works with the oh-so-fabulous wedding and event planner, Mary Dann.  Mary was the first guest that I interviewed for TBC...(thanks Mary)....I am excited to share with you that Mary adds whimsy and flair to your celebration with her new collection of Wedding Wands.  Wedding Wands are a creative and exciting way to add flair to your ceremony.  Mary's inspiration for creating Wedding Wands was to give brides and grooms the choice of a fun and interactive accessory that their guests can wave to celebrate their union. 

How cute is this...I love it!

The Ceremony Wands are available in 22 different colors ranging in every shade of the rainbow.  In addition to weddings, Wedding Wands are also appropriate for birthdays, anniversaries or any other celebratory occasion.  For more information, please visit Mary's site. 

What a great idea and totally a fun detail to add to your celebration...thanks Leila for sharing the story with us today and a huge thanks to Mary...so glad you both stopped by the cafe today......have a wonderful weekend everyone!!

Cafe Chat with Michelle Rago

I am so excited about TBC's guest today...the amazing and incredibly talented Event Designer,  Michelle Rago.   I have to tell you guys  when my phone rang a few weeks ago and the caller ID displayed...Michelle Rago....I had to do "My Happy Dance"!  Michelle's events are truly inspiring!!Always beautiful...elegant...sophisticated...clean lines...."magazine worthy"....and always a reflection of her client!  Michelle's book, Signature Weddings, is one of my favorite "go to" sources for inspiration and beautiful "eye candy".  Michelle's work has been featured in countless number of wedding publications and she has made several television appearances...and guys...she is super sweet...such a wonderful lady!!!!  Without further ado....I give you Michelle Rago...Enjoy!

The beautiful Michelle Rago!

Signature Weddings...it is truly a "must have"!

 

TBC:  What inspires you as a designer?

Michelle:  I find inspiration in just about everything - movies, travel, antiquing, books, flea markets, food, buttons...you name it.  I also depend on my clients for inspiration, listening to what excites and inspires them and taping into their creative vision.

TBC:  What is the best part about your job?

Michelle:  There are so many aspects about planning and design that draw me in over and over again.  To be instrumental in the creation and completion of such a special day is always exhilarating. And I have always been carried away by the power of flowers and how they can transform a room.  I would have to say that my first design love was flowers.  One of my guilty pleasures is walking through the flower market with a cup of tea early in the morning and seeing what beautiful flowers have arrived that day.

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

Michelle:  I think that the publication of my book, Signature Weddings would rank close to the top so far.  It helped me further define my planning and philosophy and design technique and for the first time allowed me to see a number of my weddings together as a body of work.

TBC:  What are the floral/decor wedding trends for 2008?

Michelle:  In flowers, I see a throwback to an earlier time, very romantic and glamorous with cascading bridal bouquets, lush garlands and over-sized urns of plumose.  Chinese influences will be prominent, and of course, we are seeing natural elements incorporated into wedding design - lots of wood and linen.  The low centerpiece landscape is in!!

TBC:  What are your favorite color palettes for weddings?

Michelle:  I love to combine crisp white (linens, tablecloths, fitted seat coverings) with chartreuse and coral or pale yellow (flowers, papery, etc.).  The combination is clean, warm, colorful and timeless.

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

Michelle:  I love venues that are either a blank canvas or permit us to build on an existing look and take it to the next level.  I also always prefer to have some aspect of the wedding outdoors.

TBC:  What 3  (okay 4) adjectives describe your style?

Michelle:  Clean, Warm, Lush, Organic!

TBC:  Describe a Michelle Rago Signature Wedding.

Michelle:  A wedding that captures the couple's personality and passion.  A Michelle Rago Signature Wedding would be described as warm, lush, and organic with a bit of whimsy thrown in.  I am presently designing a wedding in Sagaponek where we are framing out the entire interior of the tent in white washed wood from the floor to the peak.  The floor is carpeted in sisal.  The dance floor is hand painted in a wood grain pattern.  The table cloths are the finest white linen.  The chairs have a full linen cover.  The centerpieces are low glass containers with mounds of peonies and as the crowning jewel, the ceiling is rigged with gorgeous hanging beaded shades.  For a bit of whimsy, we have turned the father of the bride's pick-up truck he uses to drive to and from the beach into a lemonade stand.

TBC:  Tell us a little about your personal life...we want to get to know you a little better.

Michelle:  I live in New York City and find the city a continual source of energy and inspiration.  I grew up in Princeton, New Jersey and moved to Manhattan in my late twenties.  I love this city!  I spent summers growing up at the Jersey Shore and still think West Point Island is one of the most special places on the planet. 

I love to travel and will jump on a plane whenever possible.  My mother nicknamed me "wanderlust" at age eight.  My first foray into the world of travel was an attempt at running away on my tricycle at age six to my grandmother's house.  My most recent get-a-way was Harbour Island in the Bahamas.  Learning to balance a busy season and a bit of personal time is an ongoing battle.

I have a beautiful dog, a whippet named Lola.  She is 17 years old and she rules the roost.  She is my sweet little pal and doesn't care so much about weddings.

Now guys...let's check out some of Michelle's beautiful work...

One of my favorites...the pink peonies and green apples...love it!

Simply Stunning!

Michelle, thank you SO much for stopping by the cafe today...we all love your work and it was a pleasure chatting with you.  We look forward to your next visit!  Guys, make sure you visit Michelle's new blog..it's great and you get to see Michelle and her amazing team "behind the scenes"....truly fabulous!

The Wedding Book by Mindy Weiss

I received a lovely email from Jackie at Workman Publishing introducing TBC to Mindy Weiss' s fabulous  new book...appropriately called....THE WEDDING BOOK!  Mindy is one of the most sought after Event Planners in the United States.  Each of Mindy's events are truly unique and always fabulous...no matter how big or small.  Her client list includes some of the top celebrities in the entertainment field and she also does pro bono party planning for charitable organizations.  And now to add to her impressive resume....Mindy has written a wonderful book that you will want to add to your collection. 

Guys, it is a must have!!  The chapters range from "Spreading the News", Creating the Budget", "The Guest List", "The Dress" and "Here Comes the Bride".  It is full of the most inspirational sketches from dress silhouettes, necklines, and trains...to let you know what is perfect for your proportion...to helping you chose the right cake, band, flowers and lighting for your special day.  And for the men...no worries...Mindy has you covered as well!  The book even has a budget planner, contact log and a weekly time-line....a totally complete checklist.

I would love to share my copy with a lucky TBC reader....so all you have to do is leave a comment  letting me know how The Bride's Cafe has helped with your wedding or event planning.  The winner will be announced on Friday, May 16th!

The beautiful Mindy Weiss!

Thanks Jackie for sharing Mindy's wonderful book with us today...I am truly loving it! 

"Lite-Green Wedding Tips"

TBC is going "Green" today....my wonderful friend, Kendall Brown of Eclatante Design sent me some cool ideas for a "Lite-Green Wedding" to share with you.  Kendall is an amazing event designer and I so enjoy talking with her...I always learn something new and interesting...so without further ado...check out these great tips from Kendall!

Kendall:  The trick is to not give up just because you're not doing the whole carbon footprint calculation thing.  It's really not hard to make some easy smaller choices that, in the aggregate, make a big difference.  Sometimes, it just requires a teensy bit of additional planning.

And don't think you have to do every single thing on this list - anything you do is a good choice!  Plus, there are lots of  other little things you can do that aren't on this list.

It has become abundantly clear to me there is a huge amount of waste associated with weddings.  Here's one example:  A couple of weeks ago, we did a wedding filled with gorgeous stems of lush cherry blossoms - we had them everywhere.  They were expensive but were fresh and stunning!  The next day the bride's mom went back to the venue to pick up some items we stored there overnight and she saw those beautiful branches sticking out of the trashcans.  It just sent a horrible message.

Those occurrences have inspired Eclatante to come up with a strategy to eliminate the waste of beautiful flowers who have a lot left to give!  We are teaming up with different charity organizations in the Philadelphia area to have volunteers come in and rearrange flowers in their own vases and take them to hospitals and retirement homes or anywhere else where there are people who would really appreciate having beautiful flowers around them.  It's a great thing to do and it doesn't cost a thing!

So, really, it comes down to anything you can do to minimize waste.  I've put together a little list of ideas to cut down on the amount of waste at a wedding:

• Substitute some disposable decor with live plants, then give them away to your guests or to charities.
• Substitute some of your decor with beautiful, colorful food.

• Suggest to your guests that they take candles home with them.  If not taken home, they will be thrown away.
• Consider donations instead of guest favors - better yet, as a favor, plant a tree; there are organizations that do that (and tell them so on their seating card).
• Look for a reception site that has a recycling plan.
• Send response postcards instead of response cards that require envelopes (you'll reduce the cost of postage, too!)

• Using herbs or flowers as seating cards.
• Recycle those Styrofoam peanuts you'll get in your huge  presents by taking them to your local UPS store.
• Send a one-page front and back save-the-date card that directs people to a website where they can get all the information you would have sent on multiple cards.
• Set up a donation plan for leftover food and beverages.

Here are some ideas to cut down on carbon emissions:

• Offer locally brewed beer.
• See if you can use a caterer that will provide some food choices made up of locally grown ingredients.
• Hold the ceremony and reception in the same location.

• Have your wedding outside.

• If  many of your guests are driving to your wedding are from the same vicinity, direct them to a parking lot near their homes, then shuttle them to your wedding or offer carpool information on your website.
• Shuttle guests from hotels and back.
• Shop on-line as much as possible for your attendant gifts, accessories, etc.

Here are some proactive steps:

• Offer your guests cocktail napkins made from recycled paper with energy saving tips written on them.
• Ask your decorator to use soy base candles rather than candles made of petroleum based wax.
• Ask your floral designer about using locally grown flowers or even using flowers from growers who do not use harmful pesticides.
• Register with an organization that will direct a percentage of your registry sales to the non-profit of your choice.  Check out IDoFoundation for more information.  It doesn't add to the cost of the gift and the money goes to the organization of your choice.
• Ask your make-up artist to use mineral-based makeup.
• Consider using farm tables and cotton or other natural fiber table runners that won't need to be dry cleaned.
• Here's a really fun one - environmentally sound honeymoons! Check out REI Adventures... it's a great source of Eco-friendly and exciting honeymoon destinations.

Thanks Kendall for stopping by the cafe and sharing these wonderful "green tips" with us today and perfect timing.....in celebration of Earth Day...let's keep the celebration going! 

Get Inspired with Preston Bailey

Guys.....I couldn't sleep last night because I was so excited about TBC's featured guest.......Preston Bailey!!  I must tell you that since I launched TBC, so many of my dreams have come true....I have gotten to interview so many of the amazingly talented and wonderful people in the wedding industry and Preston Bailey is truly at the top of  "My Dreams Come True Interview List"! 

We all have seen Preston's transformation of a room into literally a work of art!!  Preston's "Signature Events" have been featured in all of the top wedding publications and his television appearances include Oprah, Martha Stewart and his own show, Preston Bailey...Mr. Fabulous on the Oxygen network.  Preston has written 3 wonderful books and yes, I have all 3 and one is autographed by the man himself.....(thanks again Preston...I have it on display for everyone to see!)  Guys, please check out Preston's site and his wonderful journal...both full of beautiful eye candy and loads of inspiration....without further ado...I give you....Preston Bailey....Enjoy!

TBC:  Describe a "Preston Bailey Signature Event".

Preston:  A "Preston Bailey Signature Event" is inspiring and transforming; combining exuberant and harmonious color palettes, sensuous textures, shapes that are both architectural and organic, and modern adaptations of traditional elements to excite the senses in profound ways.  Inspired by the simple beauty of the natural world.  I am known for taking small, simple elements and changing and reshaping them and repeating them on many layers to create grand and dramatic statements.

TBC:  What are the 3 adjectives that describe your style?

Preston:  Dramatic...Vibrant....Timeless!

TBC:  What do you consider the most memorable event that you have created to date?

Preston:  I would have to say it was Oprah's 50th birthday bash!  I mean when is Oprah not a dream client.  She was so amazing to work for and the love you could feel in that room was unreal.

TBC:  Who or what do you attribute your success?

Preston:  Joan Rivers!  She is my angel...she introduced me to everyone and really got the word out there.  We rely on word-of-mouth and Joan sure knows how to make that happen.  Also, after I did Melissa's wedding, the press really grabbed a hold of it and that is what made my business take off.

TBC:  Please talk about the current trends of the wedding industry involving design.

Preston:  Right now everything has to do with sparkle!  Dripping crystals everywhere!  I actually just designed an event where we hung crystals from the entire ceiling....it was raining sparkles!  It was so amazing in both daylight and evening.  If you can do this somewhere in the design of your wedding  - you should!

TBC:  What are you doing to change or influence the trends in the floral industry?

Preston:  Taking more risks!  Breaking the rules!  I love it when I see people using flowers in a non-traditional but still elegant way.  I know that sounds like a tall order and that is why it doesn't always come across, but you have to go for it!

Preston's latest book...he has another fabulous book due out this year!

I am happy to say that this event took place in VA....Preston totally transformed his client's estate into a beautiful vision of autumn!

WOW!!!!!  Truly AMAZING!!!

One of my favorites...at the Four Seasons in Manhattan....I love all the peonies scattered in the pool....simply breathtaking! 

The beautiful reception of Donald & Melania at the Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida!

Thanks Preston...it was truly an honor to have you stop by the "cafe" today.  You are an inspiration to us all and I can't wait to see what's next!  Okay, somebody pinch me...I just interviewed Preston Bailey!!

A Charming Collaboration

The Bride's Cafe truly gives me the opportunity to showcase amazingly talented people in the wedding industry....today I am excited to share with you two ladies that are truly "The Dynamic Duo"...the amazing Lisa Vorce of Oh How Charming! and the wonderful and talented  Mindy Rice of Mindy Rice Floral Designs .  Lisa and Mindy have created some of the most STUNNING  and publicized events and I am happy to have them stop by the cafe today to share some of their wonderful collaborations to truly inspire you! 

Okay Guys....now how awesome is this...you meet with your event producer (Lisa)....next you both meet with floral designer (Mindy)...Mindy actually grabs a pen and paper and sketches out the vision for your special day that you and Lisa have discussed.....guys when I saw the sketches that Lisa sent to me I truly wanted to go and take some art lessons....(like I can fit that into my schedule).......so let's check out the "visions" that Lisa and Mindy came up with.......Enjoy!

   

These sketches are great....it really gives the client a vision of what's to come!

And now let's check out a charming wedding that Lisa and Mindy collaborated on!

Mindy's work is simply beautiful...her florals are always picture perfect!

How gorgeous is this...I love the garden look and feel to this design!

 

Thanks ladies for stopping by today.......a wonderful way to end a beautiful week at the "cafe"!  Have a great weekend everyone!

Every Picture Tells a Story

Hi Guys... today's feature is all about "INSPIRATION"!   I had the opportunity to speak with Kendall Brown, owner of Eclatante Event Design in Philadelphia, PA.  Kendall's events are truly amazing and you can always see the "bride's style" in each event.  Kendall will take us through 3 different weddings she designed and show you how to incorporate "your style" in "your big day".  Let's see what fabulous stories Kendall has to share with us..........Enjoy!

"I'm often asked where my ideas come from.  There really is not one answer to that question.  Sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night with some crazy concept jumping out of my head.  Other times, I'll be going through linen swatch books and everything starts tumbling into place.

But even those things don't happen in a vacuum.  What it really takes is a lot of listening.  My clients are  not just about a color palette or where the wedding is taking place.  While colors and the venue are certainly important in forming the blueprint for a beautiful wedding, what really makes a wedding interesting are the distinctive elements that reflect the personalities, history and other unique characteristics that I learn about the bride and groom and their families along the way. Those details are always memorable because they are, by definition, unique to the couple.

Let me give you a few examples:

One of my favorite couples was married last March.  They'd been together for about seven years and had a great history together.  As I worked with them I got to know more and more about these two wonderful people and their families.

They met and fell in love with New York City.  They both enjoyed Broadway shows; the bride had done some improv comedy work in New York.  They had recently bought a beautiful new home in Center City, PA and love living there; she truly wanted to be a "Rittenhouse Bride".  So, as we worked on pulling together the details, such as the table number, the ceremony music, the dessert (they really didn't want a cake), the location for photos, etc. we had some exceptional stuff to work with.

For instance, the ceremony music from their favorite Broadway shows:

1. The Processional:  A jazzy version of "Tonight" from West Side Story...
2. The Bride's Entrance:  "A Heart Full of Love" from Les Miserables
3. The Recessional:  "Seasons of Love" from Rent

And she became the perfect "Rittenhouse Bride" as she made new friends in Rittenhouse Square on her wedding day......"

The Beautiful "Rittenhouse Bride"

We named each table after something the couple shared!

The desserts were Chocolate Mousse  New York City Apples coated with a bright red candy shell!

(images courtesy of Mike Kehr Photography)

"Another bride was a true "Shoe Diva" and her desserts were perfect for her:  She had chocolate stiletto shells filled with different flavors of mousse..........

The centerpieces also reflected the bride's shoe fetish as well as her love for crystals and hats...see the hat boxes!

Plus this couple shared a love for art, so, of course, they were married in a stunning Philadelphia Art Gallery - The Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts.  Their "table numbers" were reproductions of pieces found in the gallery and the "seating cards" sit on tiny easels."

(images courtesy of Marie Labbancz Photography)

"Another bride who has her own fabulous fashion line wanted a wedding that reflected her own very chic and modern style.  She was also having her wedding in the backyard of her family's home....a warm and anything-but-modern renovated farmhouse.  She found a beautiful green and white rug that formed the basis for a stunning designer wedding that managed to bring together her amazing style and her family's beautiful traditional home......."

(images courtesy of  Barnaby Draper Photography)

Kendall, what a great feature and very inspirational.  Guys, I hope Kendall has helped you with making your day a little more "you" and please visit Kendall's new blog.

Vintage-Rock-Chic Wedding Board

Guys, my second feature today is so very special to me......it is the beautiful inspiration board of someone I call my friend,  she is the amazing photographer of my bouquet designs featured in Ines Del Mar Weddings, and now I am so honored to say that she's my client......that's right, I have the honor of designing the floral for Justine and Gary's wedding this fall.  Justine Ungaro is an awesome photographer and I am so excited about her wedding and in case you didn't know.......she just launched a wonderful blog, called theunbride so we can all follow her journey that leads to her big day.  Justine sent me her oh-so-fabulous inspiration board last night, really almost midnight, and I stayed up to post it for you guys.....Enjoy!!!!!!!!!

   

Justine, I love all things about your board.  Guys, Justine and Gary's wedding is going to have a little bit of "Vintage", mix in a touch of "Rock" and top it off with a lot of "Chic".  I'll design some of the most beautiful and vibrant decor to bring the venue to life! Ohhhhh, this is going to be so much fun!!!!!!  Justine, I can truly see you in that beautiful gown and the "hair do" is perfect for you!  This is so you and Gary!!!!  Get ready DC, it will truly be an event to remember!