THE BRIDE'S CAFE

December 12, 2008

"TBC + Ritzy Bee"

Happy Friday Guys...okay...now I know it's early in the morning for some of you...but you need to go and grab your favorite snack and get ready for the debut of....Janie and Maria on the "big screen"......okay maybe not the big screen but we had a blast filming this.....I got together with my beautiful friend Maria Cooke of Ritzy Bee....the talented and oh-so-hilarious photographer, Keith Cephus and the amazingly talented videographer William Gaff of humanstory......Maria and I designed a beautiful tablescape and I had the guys record us in action....OMG...we had so much fun but each time Maria and I see the video we can't help but crack up at ourselves.....we hope you enjoy it and hopefully will get to "know us" a little bit more....Enjoy!!!

Okay now here's my "Academy Award" speech....."I want to thank EVERYONE who made this possible...you all ROCK and I couldn't have done it without you...a special thanks to Maria.....Keith....and William.....not only are you all super talented but I had such a wonderful time hanging out with guys and William...thank you for making us feel so at ease and for putting together such a great video......and thanks to the staff at Maggiano's and a special thanks to Kelly...she treated Maria and I to dinner after the shoot!

Have a fun weekend everyone and please leave a comment and let us know how much you loved the video...you did love it...right!...xoxox

Dec 12, 2008 2:00:00 AM | Cafe Chat

December 11, 2008

Katie & Nick: "The Day After"

Welcome back to the "Day After" shot with Katie & Nick. If you are just joining us make sure you check out Part I....the beautiful images of their wedding....you are so going to love it! Tracy Turpen is the amazing photography behind all the gorgeous images and she captured their story so beautifully. I love "Day After" photo shoots...it really lets the couple express themselves and have some fun....let's check out Katie & Nick at their "Day After"....Enjoy!

Katie & Nick....such a cute couple!

How cute is Katie's dress!!!

Thank you SO much Tracy for sharing all the beautiful images with us today...we look forward to your next visit at TBC and to Katie & Nick....what a beautiful wedding...the details were all so perfect...you did a great job.....we wish you a lifetime filled with happiness!

Dec 11, 2008 11:00:00 AM | Weddings

Real "Homemade"Wedding: Katie & Nick

I have to share with you all that I am very blessed and honored to have so many wonderful and AMAZING photographers share their work with me and the beautiful TBC readers....I could never pick a favorite...I can honestly say that each wedding is totally unique and has a style all of its own....and today's featured wedding...Katie & Nick is just that....UNIQUE!! I am excited to introduce you to the ever-so-talented photographer...Tracy Turpen...I love Tracy's work and you will too!

This is Tracy's first visit to TBC and she is sharing Katie & Nick's beautiful wedding with us today...their wedding was totally "homemade"...you're going to love it...let's begin with Part 1 of our 2-Part feature...Enjoy!

Our featured couple...Katie & Nick!

I am loving Katie's bouquet...it's made of crepe paper...all the flowers in the wedding were made of crepe paper.....bouquets.....boutonnieres....and centerpieces......how fun is that!

Katie & Nick also made the invitations and the save-the-date cards!

How fun is this...check out the centerpieces...all crepe paper floral decor!

And check out all of the homemade cakes........

....with a crepe paper flower cake topper...too cute!

Notice the "crepe paper flower ring on the young lady serving the cake AND the aprons are also homemade...don't you just love this!

Kate & Nick's wedding was held at The Gallery in Houston, TX.....a gorgeous venue!

Tracy, thank you SO much for stopping by the cafe today....Katie & Nick's wedding is so sweet...we love it!!.......check back later guys for Part II...the day after shoot!

Dec 11, 2008 2:00:00 AM | Weddings

December 10, 2008

All Things Lovely

Hi Guys....Please stop by the gorgeous site....All Things Lovely...created by the beautiful and oh-so-sweet Kristen...I'm so honored...she featured JMFlora Design today...thanks SO much Kristen...so sweet of you!

Dec 10, 2008 6:30:00 PM | Cafe Chat

Alyssa & Marty: Part II

Welcome back to Part II of Alyssa & Marty's beautiful wedding...the ceremony and reception details....their beautiful wedding was held at the gorgeous venue.....Estancia La Jolla Hotel.....such an elegant and charming location. Jennifer Dery captured their beautiful celebration and is sharing it with us today....if you are just joining us, make sure you check out Part I...... AND....check out Jennifer's wonderful blog to see more of her gorgeous work...Enjoy!

The amazing talentbehind the gorgeous florals is Annette Gomez and the ladies at Ever After Events are the amazing planners.....FABULOUS JOB LADIES!!

Jennifer..thanks for stopping by the cafe today and sharing all the gorgeous images with us...we look forward to your next visit and thanks to Alyssa & Marty...your wedding is simply beautiful and TBC wishes you a lifetime filled with happiness!

Dec 10, 2008 11:00:00 AM | Weddings

Real Wedding: Alyssa & Marty

I'm excited to share with you the beautiful wedding of Aylssa & Marty. Their wedding is filled with beauty....charm...and elegance and I am happy to have the amazingly talented Jennifer Dery back at the cafe to share all the beautiful images with us today. Jennifer's work is simply gorgeous...always "magazine worthy" and she is a sweetheart....Aylssa & Marty's wedding is featured in two parts today...let's get started with Part I...Enjoy!

Meet Alyssa & Marty...our style couple!

Gorgeous...Gorgeous Bouquet....Annette Gomez designed all of the beautiful florals!

I am loving these dresses!

Neat shot Jen!

The bouquets are just perfect...loving the roses...perfect for the dresses!

Thanks so much Jennifer for sharing the beautiful images with us today....we love it when you stop by the cafe....AND Guys...make sure you come back for Part II...the reception..trust me....you don't want to miss it!

Dec 10, 2008 2:00:00 AM | Weddings

December 09, 2008

"A Few of My Favorite Things"

On my way home from work yesterday, I stopped by Panera to grab a quick bite to eat.....sitting across from me were three very pretty young ladies with tons of bridal magazines and their laptops...it was apparent that someone was newly engaged and planning their wedding. I couldn't help but listen to their conversation..all so happy and truly having a great time...and then it happened...I could see The Bride's Cafe on the computer screen! How exciting...you know I wanted to get up and do the "happy dance"...they had such lovely things to say about the "cafe"...I waited a few minutes and I went over and introduced myself and gave them all a business card...they were all so tickled and they asked me to join them...they wanted to know what were my favorite things about weddings...SO...here are "A Few of My Favorite Things"....let me know what's yours.....and thanks to my three new friends for the inspiration for today's feature...xoxoxo

"Shorter Length Bridal Dresses" (image courtesy of Melissa Jill)

"Wearing sexy shoes on your wedding day"! (image courtesy of Laura Novak)

"Guys wearing cool socks"! (image courtesy of Mi Belle Inc)

"Carnations....I love them clustered together"(image courtesy of Kate Headley)......AND...

"Baby's Breath"! (image courtesy of Leigh Miller)

"Beautiful Ribbon"! (image courtesy of Meg Smith)

"Chic hair pieces and veils"! (image courtesy of Anna Kuperberg)

"Photo Booths"! (image courtesy of Meg Smith)

"Fun foods and desserts"! (images courtesy of Sherman Chu)

(image courtesy of Isabel Lawrence)

"Bicycles....I love them"! (image courtesy of Kate Headley)

"Candy Stations"! (image courtesy of Stephanie Williams)

"Black and White images...I love the vintage feel to them"! (image courtesy of Elizabeth Messina)

Dec 9, 2008 2:00:00 AM | Inspiration

December 08, 2008

JMFlora Design

Happy Monday Guys...I have a surprise for you today...a few beautiful JMFlora Design lovelies!Frequently I receive emails from the wonderful TBC readers asking me to showcase more of my work and starting in January with the launch of the new blog site...i promise you that I will!! Saturday I had the pleasure of working with Maria of Ritzy Bee on one of her corporate events and I asked Kate Headley if she could stop by while I was setting up and take a few pics....AND....this would be the perfect opportunity for Maria and I to meet Kate....and let me tell you...not only is Kate an amazing photographer...she is such a sweetheart and in true "Kate Style"....when I got home on Saturday night and opened up my email...you guessed it...she had sent me the images...thanks Kate!!

Maria told me for this event her color palettes were whites and greens......even though it was a holiday party, she didn't want it to have the "holiday look and feel"....but she wanted the florals to make a "wintry and elegant" feel....with that in mind...these are the florals that I used throughout the arrangements.........White Hydrangea, White/Green Super Parrot Tulips, gorgeous white Amaryllis, White Ranunculus, White/Green Helleborus, China Berries and the most beautiful and crisp Seeded Eucalyptus.....the key to creating beautiful arrangements...always have fresh florals!!

I purchased the birch wrap around the containers at the local Pottery Barn here in Richmond! I love the look and feel it gives to the arrangement!

These would also be gorgeous for a "Winter White" theme wedding!

These were on the buffet tables...in addition to the florals, I added in a few "holiday elements"!

Thanks Maria...it was great seeing you and I'm so glad everyone loved the arrangements and thanks Kate for the beautiful images...I'll see you in a couple of weeks!!

Dec 8, 2008 2:00:00 AM | Flowers & Decor

December 05, 2008

Real Greek Wedding: Joanna & Panayiotis

I am excited to share with you the beautiful wedding of Joanna & Panayiotis.....I received the sweetest email from Joanna and I have to share it with you...

"My name is Joanna and I live in beautiful Greece. I've been reading TBC from the moment that my husband (Panayiotis) proposed to me. It has helped me a lot to imagine and organize our unique wedding. From the beginning, I wanted my wedding to be as simple as possible but also sophisticated...elegant...and romantic. I wanted it to be something out of the ordinary. I don't know if we succeeded, but the thing is that we had a great time during the preparation and all of our guests enjoyed themselves!"

Isn't she a sweetheart....let's check out Joanna & Panayiotis' special day...Enjoy!

Meet Joanna & Panayiotis!

Our beautiful Joanna and what a beautiful smile!

Joanna's dress is gorgeous...check out the details!

Panayiotis...the handsome groom!

After the ceremony, they held the reception in her parent's garden!

Thank you SO much Joanna & Panayiotis for sharing your beautiful celebration with us...your wedding was filled with beauty and love from your family and friends...we wish you a lifetime filled with love and joy!

Dec 5, 2008 2:00:00 AM | Weddings

December 04, 2008

Shoe Style - Part II

Welcome back to Part II of our "shopping trip"...if you are just joining us.....please check out Part I of our "Shoe Style" feature...I hope you are in the mood for shopping...of course you are...we ALWAYS are...let me know what pair is a "must have" for you...have fun guys!