TRENDSPOTTER: Furry Friends Ready for the Aisle

 Pets in a wedding?  Sounds complicated or just strange.  However, more and more couples are looking to incorporate their fury friend into their ceremony.


Why not have your dog as the ring bearer?  May take sme training, but will amaze your guests. You'll also have pictures that you'll cherish for a lifetime.          

If you need some help with the training, there are some companies like the Wedding Dog  http://www.theweddingdog.com/

Keeping your cool on your wedding day

It's Friday and there will be many weddings this weekend so before you take that walk down the aisle, here are some tips for keeping your cool...even in a heatwave!

1. Be sure to get a good night sleep. You don’t want to be tired on your wedding day. You have a lot of celebrating to do.

2. Eat a nutritious breakfast. It will provide a wonderful start to your wedding day, but make sure you are still eating throughout the day. Your body needs to have a good amount of nutrition.

3. Set aside time to be by yourself, even if for just 5 minutes. You need to just go in a separate room were no one else is in and sit down and relax for a few minutes.

4. Finally let go! Don’t worry about the details. There are other people around you who are willing to help out.

5. Play that one song that gets you in a good mood and relaxed -play it while you are getting ready. Laughing and having a good time with your girlfriends will create less stress for you.

6. Have ONE glass of champagne. It’s your wedding day and you should celebrate before you walk down that aisle. One glass won’t do any harm, but make sure it’s only one.

7. Don’t wear a watch. There is no need for you to know the time. People will inform you that it is almost time for the ceremony.

8. Turn off your cell phone. No one needs to contact you and if they do, they can speak to your maid of honor.

9. Sneak away somewhere together during the reception where you can watch everyone. You two just got married it’s the next chapter in your life, so just soak in the wonderful moments.

10. Smile! The big day is finally here, you’re getting MARRIED to your best friend and the love of your life. Feel that rush of excitement when you wake up that morning.

TRENDSPOTTER: Dare we say...Rise of Groomzilla

Though none of our clients fall into this category, we have heard the term Bridezilla used frequently.  Always used to affectionately refer to a bride stressed from wedding planning.  I ask you, who wouldn't get a little stressed trying to plan the party of their life for 100, 200 or more!

Well, now it's no longer about the bride.  Grooms are stealing the limelight and the term Groomzilla is growing like wild fire!  Why is this happening?  Well, we've seen more and more grooms take an active role in the planning process.  They actually care about flowers and what color the linens will be and asking questions like "is the fabric bengaline or taffeta?"  We are shocked and impressed that they would know the difference!

Hence, with the increased involvement they have urned the right of passage and the term Groomzilla has emerged.  Check out this great segment Good Morning America did on Groomzillas.

 I think we'll hear a lot more on this growing trend. 

Click here to watch Rise of Groomzilla

Hot Summer Wedding Trends For 2011

Summer is here and we've seen a lot of fun and fabulous trends starting to emerge!

Trend 1: Color Theme

                When people think of summer they think of bright colors, such as orange, pink, teal, and purple. Make sure you aren’t doing too many colors because then your wedding day may look like a carnival. You want to stick with no more than two primary colors. For example you can do a natural color with a bright pink which will make the pink pop.  

Trend 2: Personalized Theme

                Is there a special memory you'd like to incorporate into the wedding?  For example, maybe on your first date you went apple picking.  To incorporate the special memory, give apple seeds as favors or have your actual wedding at an apple orchard.

Trend 3: Beyond Wedding Cakes

                Why do that boring old white wedding cake?  Instead of a cake do a tower of cupcakes or petite desserts.  Dessert bars are all the rage - cookie bar, ice cream sundae bar or pie bar - your guests will love the variety.  Add a candy bar and you've got all areas covered.  Don't forget the goody bags so guests can take some home!

 

 Trend 4: Bright Colors = Bright Wedding Accessories

                It's all about color, so why not the shoes?  Add a little color and sparkle that gives a fun, unexpected element. 

Trend 5: Eco-Friendly Favors

                We are all thinking about the environment these days, so why not use your wedding to give back.  Some fun favors are local herb in a tint can or a jar of honey. Something guests will use rather than tossing into that “everything” drawer.  Selecting a charity you feel passionate about is also a great way to give back.

TRENDSPOTTER: Vintage!

Is it due to the Royal Wedding or is everyone just loving everything vintage these days?  In our opinion this trend has been coming on strong for awhile and is now taking off.  From glassware to wedding veils, everywhere we turn we arethe old classic style.  It's not just attire or decor, we've seen a vintage style emerge in photos, video and music. 

If you'reon the guest list for any of these spectacular events, expect to see colored depression glass, floral china plates with scalloped edges, ornate flatware and lots of lace.  A tea course incorpoarting sterling silver pots and an eclectic mix of cups is the rage showcasing finger sandwiches and mini desserts.  Bird cages and mason jars are easily transformed into antiqued centerpieces.  A lot of the antique decor bring on a sense of nostalgia and creates an 'at home' feel.

What we love about vintage is it doesn't have to match; try different pieces together and you'll be amazed at the looks you can create.  And who knows who has once used these gorgeous patterns in the past.

Here are some inspirations for incorparitng that vintage feel into your next party! 

If you are interested in renting vintage items, check some of our favorite resources!

Be Our Guest Party Rental 

New England Vintage Rentals 

Fancy That! Unique Party Rentals

Sneak Peak; Table Designs for A Royal Affair

With the Royal Wedding almost a month away, we've been thinking about what the event will look like.  We know the china will have shades of blue gray tone with silver and gold accents.  We expect the table setting to be formal,  but modern and more simplisitc than we've seen in the past.

Thank you to Be Our Guest for helping us put this "Royal" table setting together.  We are so thrilled to see all the vintage pieces you've brought in.

Our window presents three different place settings to show you how to add a formal, royal flaire to your event.  Maybe you're planning a brunch with the girls to watch the festivities?  Get inspired.

A more classic pattern that also allows you to incorporate a modern twist to your table.

 A more traditional place setting with some vintage lace added to the napkin to add formal look.

We also have presented ideas for what might be on the Royal dinner menu to celebrate Kate and William's nuptials.  A modern dinner reception with some English favorites.

TRENDSPOTTER: Lavender and Wintergreen for Spring weddings

We're looking for a little spring amongst this winter wonderland!  If you're planning a spring wedding and want to incorporate bright and fun spring colors look no further than the bold and fun palette of Lavender and Wintergreen .

 A nice accent to the lavender and wintergreen is a light gray, an extemely popular  color this season.  It can give the table setting a more modern feel without sacrificing elegance.  

We love personal accents like the simple lavender bow on the back of the ceremony chairs with the guest's names.  Pass sparkling water and champagne as guests arrive and they will feel welcome and refreshed.

We love fresh, lively bouquets for spring that incorporate a mix of freesia, peonies and hydrangea that add a vibrant pop of color!

Hope this inspires you with thoughts of warmer weather, melting snow and flowers springing from the ground!

Don't forget about the flower girls!

 

We're loving the fashions from the Golden Globes - our prediction is lots of emerald green at weddings in 2011-2012 !  The gowns of the GG obviously influence wedding fashion and not just the bride's gown. The flower girl will also get attention and while it isn't first on your check list, it is still a detail that can't be forgotten! 

There are gorgeous dresses from the new 2011 collection from Katina Katoo that are truly inspiring.  All the dresses are made to order and the color combinations are perfect for any wedding color palate.  Most of the dresses come with sashes and flowers so you can customize your wedding even more by choosing your dress and sash color.  The dresses truly do not compare to any of the frilly dresses you find in your typical department store. 

Katina Katoo offers all styles of dresses from a straight A line silk dupioni dress to a ballerina style taffeta and tulle dress.  Whether your flower girl is 3 years old or 13, there are sizes and styles for the fashionista who will be your flower girl. 

 

Here are some of our favorites

 

 

TRENDSPOTTER: When are evites appropriate

Ok, snow storm is over now everyone is back to work!  Maybe now you are ready to ditch the hybernation and host a fabulous winter party!

We have seen a huge upswing in the use of electronic invites, though the traditional invitation is necessary for larger more formal events.  There are so many options now and you can even create your ow whether it's a girls get together, Superbowl or Winter is Almost Over party - whatever excuse you can find to have a party.  As long as guests have email, it can be fun, classy and simple. 

All of the different sites offer different features.  Some are free, some have limits on the amount of invitations you can send out, and some show the invitation in the email where others you need to click on a link.  Most also offer an option for RSVP which can help organize your attendee list.  Whatever kind of service you are looking for, it's out there!  Here are some of our favorites.

Paperless Post

eVite

Pingg

Punchbowl



Check out some of our favorite invitations!

Bottomline, hard copy invite should still be used, but don't be afraid to to explore online evites for fun, informal parties!

Sneak Peak! Bloomingdale's Registry

We hope 2011 is off to a great start for everyone!  We're busy planning winter events and other fun projects - updates to follow (wait tell you see the office redesign we are doing)!

We are lucky to have the opportunity to design and decorate the two tables in the Bloomingdale's Registry at Chestnut Hill.  The tables showcase Blolomingdales product and give couple ideas for designing their table and home.  Picking out housewares that you are going to use for the next10-15 years can be somewhat overwhelming, but the staff at the Registry is amazing to work with and really simplifies the process. 

We chose two completely different designs for the tables. One design features glitzy black and silver and is more appropriate for a Saturday night dinner party (think champagne and chocolate).  The other table has different shades of green and is more French Country/Sunday brunch inspired.

We are so lucky to be working with John LaRoche of BlueGuava on the flowers - we can't wait to see them!! 

 

Our favorite trendspotter of the year (and last): Ring in the New Year with these amazing libations

The topic today is cocktails, cocktails, cocktails!   Prepare for your New Year's Eve festivities with a fun, festive signature drink.  Here are a few of our favorites.  What's yours??

Peppermint Mojito

1 oz 10 Cane Rum

1/2 oz Simple Syrup (to taste, really)

Squeeze fresh lime juice

Club Soda

Mint

Crushed Peppermint for garnish

The Merry Berry Cosmo

2 oz Lotus Vodka

1 oz Berry Liqueur (like Chambord)

1 oz Cranberry Juice

½ oz Grenadine

½ oz Simple Syrup

Pomegrante Champagne

4 oz champagne

1 oz pomegranate juice

1 teaspoon of cassis

Southern Belle

1 oz. PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur

1 oz. Super Premium Gin

1 oz. Grapefruit Juice

Splash of Club Soda

Tropical Storm

1 3/4 ounces cranberry juice

1 3/4 ounces feshly squeezed orange juice

1 3/4 ounces pineapple juice

1 ounce sour mix

1 oange slice, for garnish

1 maraschino cherry, for garnish

Enjoy!

From all of us at SD Events have a fabulous 2011:
celebrate new beginnings. cherish fond memories. embrace the challenges ahead.

Top 10 Reasons Why You Need A Wedding Planner!

With engagement season upon we thought it was time to think about why hiring a wedding planner might be the right decision for you and how it can help you through one of the most exciting and stressful times.





10. Minimizes Fighting
A planner they can be the third party involved in the event to help resolve any family issues or those tricky situations with the bridal party. They can take all of the differences and help create one cohesive design for the wedding. This can take a lot of stress and fighting away from the couple and their families, which always make everything run smoother!

9. Saves Time
Having a wedding planner saves you time! We know the professionals in the industry and have done the homework to help determine who is the right fit for you. The added benefit vs. using recommendations from friends and families is a good planner has an extensive database of professionals.

8. Matchmakers
There are many different people you need to think of when planning a wedding. Bands, DJ’s, florists, photographers, make-up artists, hair stylist, videographers, caterers, rental companies, officiants/rabbis and bakers are just a few of the people you will need to work with for your one special day. Your planner should be your guardian angel matchmaker and conduct extensive research, ask the right questions to ensure they are right for your event.


7. Save Money
Yes, we may obtain discounts for vendors or get them to throw in “extras” but where a planner really saves money is filtering through all the “stuff” to direct you to those elements that are going to have the biggest impact for the cost. There are some things that just aren’t necessary.


6. Creative Designs
One of the biggest assets a planner can offer is design assistance. Use our knowledge of colors, décor to create the exact look you want.


5. Advice
While you may have been dreaming of your wedding day since you were a little girl, you may not have dreamt of everything! Today’s weddings are so much more than just tossing the bouquet and cutting the cake. Couples have thought of so many exciting forms of entertainment to have at a wedding. Wedding planners will give advice on what to do and what not to do. They have most likely seen it all and if what you want to do hasn’t gone over all that well at a wedding in the past they will be sure to let you know! They also might offer advice on how to make your wedding different in ways you never thought of!


4. Timing
The timeline is the most important tool for the day. This will keep you on track and one time. A planner knows what flows well and what works to give guests the best experience.


3. Budgeting
As we all know planning a wedding is very expensive and we understand everyone has a budget. It’s important to know what are the important items are to you – flowers, food, entertainment? This is where you may want to spend a little more.


2. No Stress!
A critical component of a planners services is taking a way the stress that comes with planning such an important event. It’s not just about the day, but the entire planning process. It should be fun and enjoyable.


1. Enjoy your day!
You don’t spend thousands of dollars and hundreds of hours of planning a wedding for no reason. You want it to be a fun and memorable experience that you will never forget. While a wedding may take an average of 200 hours to plan, the actual day only lasts between 10 and 12 hours. From the second you wake up and start getting your hair and make-up done until you are waving goodbye to all of your guest at your reception you should be having fun! It is a day filled with laughter, tears, and full of emotion and you should experience it all with no worries!

TRENDSPOTTER: Extra Extra, its at Weddings!

Everyone wants to set the bar high and add a WOW factor at their wedding!  We've seen many extras that put a twist on the traditional wedding.  Popular extras you've probably seen are candy bars, desert and ice cream bars, to-go boxes filled with late night snacks.

Why not add a clown or magician for the kids (okay or adults).  A belly dancer can liven up a cocktail hour, caricature artists adds humour or dance lessons are a great way to get everyone out of their seats.

Your guests will definitely leave your wedding saying what a memorable affair!

TRENDSPOTTER: Purple & Silver

As event planners, we are often asked what the hot colors are for the season.  Much of this comes from what you see in home and clothing stores.   So all of you starting to plan those 2011 events, you are poised to see a lot of purple and silver in all different shades.
The color purple  has soothing qualities and is said to balance the mind and bring out compassion, beauty, luxury and spirituality.  The sensitivity of purples is balanced by the cool irodescence of silver.  Silver represents prestige and adds a sharp edge.

Whether purple and silver make you feel good or not, we know it is going to make a huge presence in the 2011 Wedding Season!  Stay tuned for all sorts of seasonal shades of our new hott combo, silver and purple!

TRENDSPOTTER: Brand Your Wedding Early

There are a lot of ways to "brand" your big day and we think it's a must to put that unique, personal stamp on your day.

One idea we love is creating a logo or motif that symbolizes the festivities. It could be your initials or a cool, funky design. This can then be weaved throughout the wedding - save-the-dates, invitations, programs, menu cards, welcome booklets, to-go boxes - the options are limitless.  It's key to incorporate the design early in the planning process to give guests a glimpse into the vibe and vision of the wedding and put all the elements in a nice "package".

We've also had many clients carry this motif into their marriage, using it for thank you or holiday cards and other types of stationary!

Here are some recent fun and unique creations we've used.

TRENDSPOTTER: Video Invites are the hot trend

We've had a busy summer and gearing up for the fall, but it's been too long since we've posted our Trendspotter...so here it is!

Video invites you say?  Is this proper etiquette?  Yes, though we strongly suggest doing it as a mailing vs. an evite type of format.  Though, the eco-friendly paperless is gaining acceptance, it's still nice to provide guests with hard copies of the information and details.

Many are opting for a coordinated package of a custom labeled DVD with matching paper invitations and RSVP cards while others are going "green" and sending out their videos via email or social media devices.  Whichever you choose, work with a great cinematagrapher to add that "wow" factor that will set the tone for your event.  Don't be afraid to get creative and truly show your personality and style!  The video invite enables a new level of creativity not captured with the paper invite.  It's a fun, fresh twist that will be sure to make your event that much more unique and special.  Have fun.

Let us know your thoughts on the growing trend.

TRENDSPOTTER: Photo Booths

     It's Tuesday and who doesn't need a little papa razzi action!  Silly face, kissing face, happy face, and sad face are  just a few of the many different poses inside of a photo booth.  The concept of photo booths brings back memories of childhood, movie theaters, and malls.  Everyone has at least one memory of when they were younger going into a photo booth with either a best friend or a boyfriend/girlfriend.  Within minutes a strip of pictures prints out and you have successfully captured all of your different emotions in one photo!  They are great keepsakes that form memories of certain events, people and places.
    
 While the photo booth has been done and by itself not unique, we are taking it a step further to add some twists to this old standard.  Project some of the images onto a wall in a lounge or cocktail area for guests to enjoy.  Complemented with  backdrop of soft lighting or patterns, you are also adding an element of decor that will creat the perfect atmosphere for your guests to celebrate.  Making something old and borrowed, new and fresh.

   

TRENDSPOTTER: Bridal Shower

The bridal shower should celebrate and accentuate the bride's personality. It doesn't have to be boring or unimaginative.  We know every bride is different, so let their individuality be your inspiration! Here are some ideas that will help get you thinking out-of-the-box.

A Naughty or Nice Shower

The bride is really into fun and games. Every guest must bring one naughty gift (for the bride's honeymoon)and one nice (normal) bridal shower gift. As party favors, you may get some naughty and nice small gifts and have each guest pick one.

A Stock the Bar Shower
Ask guests to bring their favorite alcoholic beverages and/or mixers to help the bride stock her bar. For a stress-free, mess-free time, consider holding this shower at the bride’s favorite bar or restaurant. For party favors, guests might receive cocktail shakers, monogrammed cocktail glasses or wine glasses.
Our advice - bring a home-made vodka infusion!

A Room to Room Shower
The newlyweds are gonna need help with every room in their home or apartment, so why limit the gift list to the bedroom or kitchen? Assign guests a specific room of the house. Each guest should bring a gift for their specific room.

Whatever your theme or ideas have fun with it and enjoy your time with the gals (and guys)!

TRENDSPOTTER: The Latest in Bridal Bouquets

Bouquets are a big part of any wedding and the perfect way to bring out your personal style. The latest trend is to adorn the Bride's bouquet with something personal – an heirloom handkerchief, a family brooch or monogrammed ribbon - to dress up the stems and blooms. If your looking to add natural or beach elements, starfish, feathers, or small pieces of curly willow can make a dramatic impact.


Lilies, Dahlias, peonies, ranunculus, hydrangeas, tulips and orchids represent some of the most elegant and popular flowers for bouquets. Many are opting for a tight bouquet vs. the cascade, though a modern version of the traditional cascade is emerging as a sophisticated alternative.

 

Of course you also want to consider the environment when thinking about your flowers. If this is at the top of your list, be sure to work with a floral designer that works with environmentally friendly products and has connections with local growers. You'll be surprised what's available!
Whatever your style or favorite flower, work with your floral designer to create with significance. Think beyond just a bouquet of mere flowers - it can be so much more!

TRENDSPOTTER: Unusual Centerpieces

We have compiled a short list of amazing centerpiece ideas just for you! Glance through and see for yourself! (What we love is how versatile these are - you can use at your wedding, at an event, or at a dinner party!!)

The latest rage for centerpieces is submerging flowers in clear, cylindrical vases. Coiling decorative silver wire around a white orchid amd sliding it into a vase will help anchor the flower and keep it from floating to the top. Simplified elegance!

A gorgeous ring of roses, woven with lemon grasses and trailing hypericum berries makes a striking presentation for a bridal table.  This option can be used to cater to any color palette, which is why we love it so much! Make it bright or make it mellow.

We definitely love the idea of upside-down glasses - great for an outdoor garden party! Put a flower at the bottom and place a pretty candle on top. Whether you are a wine expert or a martini fanatic, this is a wonderful , bright idea for settings at every table. The best part is that you can choose any color palette you dream up.

Get Inspired today with centerpieces!!