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!!

Spring Fling: Lucious garden rehearsal dinner

Summer has arrived and with the beautiful weather, we wanted to share a little snippet of a fabulous rehearsal dinner we recently had the pleasure of coordinating!  The pastel pinks, yellows, purples, oranges, and greens make this reception pop! Enjoy this bit of spring as we move into the steamy, sultry summer.

TRENDSPOTTER: Boudoir Photography - what's all the hype?

Following a great feature from one of our marketing partners, Beantownbride, we thought we'd dive more into this this trend of Bridal Boudoir photography.  What is it and why is it so hot??  Companies like Sublime Boudoir have made a name helping women find their inner and outer beauty.  While it's a great surprise for the groom, it is also a way for a woman to find comfort within her own skin.  Boudoir doesn't mean nudity (unless you want to go that route) or something most would consider void of class.  Jut the opposite, it can be done tastefully, show your sassy side and create something you'll treasure.

Most shoots are done in gorgeous lacy lingerie that might incorporate stylish props such as your favorite red velvet couch.  It can also be seductive and secretive, leaving much to the imagination.  If you're not one for the lacy lingerie, maybe a cute sports t-shirt and boy shorts is more your style.  Whatever the setting, it should highlight your attitude and personality and create a comfortable environment.  This will help you forget about the camera and obtain those candid, priceless images.   

While it is has become extremely popular, these sessions are private and not for everyone, but is a great way to be playful and build confidence and a better body image.  It's also a great way to have some fun and break away from wedding planning!

So - go get dolled up for your special man and make him imagine the amazing nights with you to come!

Forty1°North - AMAZING

Just in time for the weekend, we are showing a sneak peak of this fabulous new hotel before it opens to the public (goes live this weekend)!  We are jut just in awe and so excited to share details!  On the lower end of busy Thames Street, this gorgeous marina resort offers all the ammenities and vibe of a chic Manhattan boutique hotel.  Guests are greeted with a gorgeous grand stairs leading up the the entrance, there is a magnificent circular bar over looking the harbor.  When you make your reservation, the hotel provides a provisioning list so everything you require (that special bottle of champagne or certain brand of vodka) is sure to be in your room upon arrival.  Each room offers an  iPad and iTouch with preloaded music.

With this attention to detail and service, of course the event space doesn't dissapoint.  The outdoor gallery area is perfect for rehearsal dinners, small weddings and can even be set-up with a fantastic lounge area - so cool and crisp!  It's the perfect atmosphere to celebrate in Newport, whatever the occasion.

Stay tuned for more as this venue is sure to be one of the favorites among visitors who expect perfection.

Latin Festival Event

We had a wonderful time coordinating the Latin Festival event at the Fireplace Restaurant! The music was great, the dancers and singers were fantastic, and a ton of people showed up even though the weather was a little dismal. 

And of course it's no surprise the food was amazing - chicken tacos, chips, margaritas - yum!  We want to thank everyone for coming out and hope to see you all next year.  We've ggot some great ideas to make it even better...stay tuned.

Check out these great photos from Jessica Leibowitz - amazing!

TRENDSPOTTER: Get Into Paisley

What's emerging as the next trend in design?  We say it's paisley, paisley, paisely.  This drop motif which originated in India is making its mark in 2010.  And why not, it's the symbol of life and eternity! 

There are a lot of options for incorporating the paisley print into your event - linens, napkins, guest books, shoes - almost anything you can think of which is a designers dream.  Even if you don't like bold, a paisley napkin can be subtle, but add color and interest.  We saw it last night at the ISES event reaffirming what we already knew.  Paisley prints, whether soft or bold are fun and playful  - especially for a rehearsal dinner, bridal shower, fundraiser or outdoor wedding.

Get inspired by the fabulous and versatile print!  We have...

TRENDSPOTTER: The Four C's: Cut, Clarity, Color, and Carats

 We're still basking in the glory of our wonderful couple from last weekend...definitely planning withdrawal, but at least we have the amazing Fireplace Latin Festival and Lupus Foundation gala to keep us busy!!  We hope to see many of you there.

This week we are talking bling, bling, bling; it's all about the ring, the first step in matrony bliss..  First, did you know there are many customs surrounding the wedding ring?  In the United States, the wedding ring is worn on the left ring finger, in Russia on the right, in Europe the name of the spouse and date of the wedding are engraved on the inside. Whatever the culture, a ring on such a finger indicates an engagement and all the excitement that comes with it. Although one may think that a ring is simple, so much variety goes into it that the possibilities are limitless when it comes to style.

The trend in rings today is an antique, more classic look that is timeless. Yellow diamonds are also seeing a lot of buzz, especially for someone who wants to make a statement and venture from the norm.  They are a gorgeous alternative.

So after you've selected the style, what else is there to think about...well we've all heard of the four Cs and they are critical to selecting the perfect ring for you.
Cut: Cut involves the proportions of the diamond as opposed to its shape (Marquise, Pear, Princess, etc.) A correctly cut stone has light dispersed as it enters back through the diamond's top facets. When a stone is cut too shallow or deep the light that enters at the top escapes through the bottom and does not allow the maximum beauty of the diamond to be realized.
Color: The best color for a diamond is no color at all.
Clarity: The clarity of a diamond is determined by the amount and location of flaws. Flaws make a diamond worth significantly less.
Carat: This is the weight of your diamond. Easy to calculate and also important in determining the worth of your diamond; however, two diamonds of equal carat may not be worth the same due to their differences in cut, clarity, and color.

Salut to your engagement!

Creating a Color Pallette for Your Event

As wedding season heads into full swing, we thought it's the perfect opportunity to talk about how to pick colors for your event - whether it's a wedding, Bar/Bat Mitzvah, fundraiser or social event.  For some it's an overwhelming task - blues, pinks, yellows, jewel tones...so many options. 

When it comes to weddings, white and ivory have been classic choices since the beginning of time, but color rules the wedding landscape these days and creates endless possibilities.

 So where do you get inspiration?  Consider how your home is decorated and incorporate elements of this style and ambience into your wedding.  It will give people a sense of who you are and your unique style.  What a better way to make the event stand out!

Us the places you shop as inspiration.  What are the popular colors for clothes, home goods and towels.  All these can provide inspiration. 

A theme can also inspire colors, whether it's a vintage style with lace and bold colors like turquiouse and yellow or a beach theme that emphasizes the sunshine, ocean blues, and sand colors.

Feminine and romantic, pink is also a favorite color. Depending on your style, you can create a soft feel with ivory and shades of pale pinks or go bold with brighter, deeper pinks.

However you get your inspiration,  make sure to choose from the heart. What sparks the romance in your life?

Our advice: stick to what you know, embrace it, and be yourself!

Destination Weddings - A Great Way to Celebrate

A great way to celebrate your wedding day is by going to your dream destination and exchanging your vows in a very romantic and unique way! Many couples celebrate their wedding in an exotic, tropical locale, while others prefer a more urban, famous-city escape! Whether you want to celebrate on an island in the Caribbean or in the most romantic city in the world (Paris!!), or if your desire is a more exciting music and dancing-driven wedding with the Samba, Mambo, and Calypso, I must admit that any desire you may have in mind can come true!

Why have a destination wedding? Often, when looking at a guest list, many people will have to travel from far away states or countries to attend a wedding. A destination wedding allows them to travel somewhere exotic and fabulous, where they can also enjoy a relaxing vacation; as opposed to asking guests to book a flight and hotel in a less exciting hometown. Some couples choose a location because it allows them to make that place special to each of them.  It will also create unforgettable memories for your guests. Cheers!