Blade's Blogging

We love Anne from Blade for her uncanny ability to create a distinct voice through design. At the Wedding Party she used a palette she'd never used before, yellow, buttercup and deep navy blue with touches of silvery gray. In the navy, gold and yellow Henry room, it worked perfectly. It was fresh, elegant and distinctive in this formal dining room. Kudos to Anne and congratulations on her new blog, too. Check it out for inspiration.

Love the buttercup dupioni cloths with deep navy runners.

Square plates and banquet shape make the display more modern.

Silver brunia somehow tied the "seriousness" of the room into the design.

The very formal Henry Room at the New York Palace (perfect for a rehearsal dinner).

February... Oh My!

And do you know what that means....

In 18 days, I'll see my dream, literally a wake up and know that you were being lead to do this, dream, come true!

In 18 days, some of the most talented bakers from North Carolina to the Florida Keys and everywhere inbetween will be showing off their works for this amazing cause!

In 18 days, I'll get to meet Kerry Vincent!!!!!!!

In 18 days, we'll be working our butts off and have {hopefully} hundreds of people tasting tons of cake!!!

In 18 days... 18 days!!!!

February... Oh My!

And do you know what that means....

In 18 days, I'll see my dream, literally a wake up and know that you were being lead to do this, dream, come true!

In 18 days, some of the most talented bakers from North Carolina to the Florida Keys and everywhere inbetween will be showing off their works for this amazing cause!

In 18 days, I'll get to meet Kerry Vincent!!!!!!!

In 18 days, we'll be working our butts off and have {hopefully} hundreds of people tasting tons of cake!!!

In 18 days... 18 days!!!!

Flavor of the Month

At the Wedding Party on Saturday we had lots of great bakers and sweet makers, but Amy Atlas was the only one with a sweet buffet. It included a crystal wedding cake adorned with sugar snowflakes, opalescent barber poles, billowy marshmallows and fondant snowflake petit fours. The talented Karen Mordechai photographed the lavender loveliness, and this collage is the result.

I think lavender and white make a surprisingly fresh, wintery combination.

Seating Schmeating!

Soooo, do you do this?

 

 

 

 

Or this?

 

 

 

Why? What's the difference? Does it matter?

 

First you have to ask yourself a series of questions, and the answers will help you determine which to do, if at all.

• Are you serving a plated meal with various selections for your guests to choose from?


• If so, you might steer clear of the seating chart, because you'll need to distinqish their selections some how to the servers or catering staff.


• Do you have limited seating, or the exact number of tables you'll need for your guests?


• If so, you'll need to consider some kind of table chart or seating cards, because you're guests will usually leave a seat or two open at their tables and that can't happen if you are limited.


•  Are you only reserving a few tables for your guests?


• For instance, it's open seating, but you want to make sure your parents and grandparents sit closest to you - then you'll need to have a few reserved signs at those tables in advance.

These are by all means NOT all of the reasons, but it should give you some help while you are determing where and how you'll seat your guests.



seating chart



place cards

Seating Schmeating!

Soooo, do you do this?

 

 

 

 

Or this?

 

 

 

Why? What's the difference? Does it matter?

 

First you have to ask yourself a series of questions, and the answers will help you determine which to do, if at all.

• Are you serving a plated meal with various selections for your guests to choose from?


• If so, you might steer clear of the seating chart, because you'll need to distinqish their selections some how to the servers or catering staff.


• Do you have limited seating, or the exact number of tables you'll need for your guests?


• If so, you'll need to consider some kind of table chart or seating cards, because you're guests will usually leave a seat or two open at their tables and that can't happen if you are limited.


•  Are you only reserving a few tables for your guests?


• For instance, it's open seating, but you want to make sure your parents and grandparents sit closest to you - then you'll need to have a few reserved signs at those tables in advance.

These are by all means NOT all of the reasons, but it should give you some help while you are determing where and how you'll seat your guests.



seating chart



place cards

Wedding Party Fashion Show Highlights

Mark Ingram Bridal Atelier, Temperley London and Gabriella New York Bridal Salon all contributed to making our fashion show for the Wedding Party a huge success. Here are a few shots of our favorite styles from the catwalk...

Our own Kristen Carnie modeling an Amsale Little White Dress, Ally

Coren Moore, Rose, at the Wedding Library

Badgley Mischka, at the Wedding Library

Temperley London, Long Jean

Temperley London, Honeysuckle Lace

Gabriella New York Bridal Salon

Gabriella New York Bridal Salon

Mark Ingram Bridal Atelier, Oscar de la Renta

Mark Ingram Bridal Atelier, Oscar de la Renta

Mark Ingram Bridal Atelier, Lela Rose

Mark Ingram Bridal Atelier, Monique Lhuillier

Wedding Library Bridesmaids (assortment)
All photography courtesy of Stacey Ilyse Photography, at the Wedding Library

Drink it Up!

Brides are looking for ways to cut back, but don't want to look stingie or cheap while doing so - so do you NEED to have an open bar at your wedding, I mean a full-all-out open bar?



Why not just do beer and wine, do 3 different kinds of beer, and a White and Red wine - and one signature drink... that will limit what your guests can drink - and your can even come up with a fun name for your drink. You can color coordinate your drink to your colors, come up with a theme....or pre mix the drink so that your bar tender doesn't have to mix it individually.



We've also have done His and Her's for cocktails as well. So it'd be two signature drinks instead of just one...more variety and still super fun!



Photo Source

Drink it Up!

Brides are looking for ways to cut back, but don't want to look stingie or cheap while doing so - so do you NEED to have an open bar at your wedding, I mean a full-all-out open bar?



Why not just do beer and wine, do 3 different kinds of beer, and a White and Red wine - and one signature drink... that will limit what your guests can drink - and your can even come up with a fun name for your drink. You can color coordinate your drink to your colors, come up with a theme....or pre mix the drink so that your bar tender doesn't have to mix it individually.



We've also have done His and Her's for cocktails as well. So it'd be two signature drinks instead of just one...more variety and still super fun!



Photo Source

Classic Bride, Classic Bouquet

This image is from a beautiful wedding we planned in June at the Harvard Club. The bride wore a gorgeous Vera Wang gown and carried this perfectly classic bouquet by Artfool. This image is featured in our Guide for the Classic NYC Bride issue and in our Wedding Party marketing material. The warm, evocative and romantic photo is classic Karen Hill.

To Blush!

To Blusher or Not to Blusher - that is the question.



When I was at the Bridal Salon last weekend, I noticed that brides didn't know what certain terms meant...one being - a blusher.

The Blusher is the piece of the veil that you typically wear in front of your face, to keep evil spirits away. At least that is what they used to think it was for.

Now it's used as a tradition. You don't have to wear one, or a veil at all for that matter. But it's definately an option.

Most bride's take off the veil for the reception it gives you some fun flexibility with your hair too, up for the ceremony - down for the party!

To Blush!

To Blusher or Not to Blusher - that is the question.



When I was at the Bridal Salon last weekend, I noticed that brides didn't know what certain terms meant...one being - a blusher.

The Blusher is the piece of the veil that you typically wear in front of your face, to keep evil spirits away. At least that is what they used to think it was for.

Now it's used as a tradition. You don't have to wear one, or a veil at all for that matter. But it's definately an option.

Most bride's take off the veil for the reception it gives you some fun flexibility with your hair too, up for the ceremony - down for the party!

Favorite Winter Wedding

Every once in a while there is a wedding I use as a touchstone for all things beautiful. These images belong to one of those kinds of weddings. Holger Thoss was the photographer, Jennifer was the planner and the venue was the Metropolitan Club. I loved every detail and refer to it often. Here are a few images to get you in the mood for a winter wedding. New York Magazine covered this event a while back.

CECI New York did all of the stationery, including these lovely pinecone escort cards.

The elegant design was thanks to Matthew Robbins of Artfool.

Engage: Something Blue

How I wish I could attend!  I have huge events the weekend/week of this!!! But for those of you more fortunate than myself... Engage:09 Something Blue, sounds amazing!!



The conference line up is priceless - although there is a tuition, and for those who are finding themselves unable to afford the tuition Rebecca and Kathryn are graciously offering a scholarship! The deadline is later this week, so please take a peek!



Engage is an amazing symposium!!! With an incredible line up of speakers, teachers, mentors and educators - what an opportunity!

Engage: Something Blue

How I wish I could attend!  I have huge events the weekend/week of this!!! But for those of you more fortunate than myself... Engage:09 Something Blue, sounds amazing!!



The conference line up is priceless - although there is a tuition, and for those who are finding themselves unable to afford the tuition Rebecca and Kathryn are graciously offering a scholarship! The deadline is later this week, so please take a peek!



Engage is an amazing symposium!!! With an incredible line up of speakers, teachers, mentors and educators - what an opportunity!

Wedding Party Photo Tour

I'm all a little exhausted from our Wedding Party so I took a little honeymoon yesterday. But I'm back with a few photos from the event. Click the image below. More re-cap is sure to come. Hope you all had fun!

Be Our Guest!

We are delighted to partner with The Glazier Group to discuss one of the most difficult parts of planning a wedding -- finding your venue. Along with acclaimed wedding expert Cheryl Kahn-Brocco we will explore ways to make it a simpler and more enjoyable experience for you. This is the first of many wonderful events and activities that Wedding Library Card holders have first access to.

Email weddings@bullfrogandbaum.com for reservations to this complimentary champagne luncheon now. There really is such a thing as a free lunch!

The Science of Events

I probably should be posting this on Be A Planner, but since that is on a break until after Let's Eat Cake! I am going to post it here, for all the world to seeeeee!



I am so excited to be attending Eventology! I've been in this business for over 14 years, and you are never too knowledgable to stop educating yourself. Things change, the way to market yourself changes, the way you do business changes. You are never tooooo good at what you do, and the moment you think you are... well, you should consider doing something else.



So, in April, I will be headed to Indianapolis for Eventology! In case you haven't heard about it, here's a quick blip, but check out the website for more information....

*****************

Three highly successful and renowned wedding planners will be discussing their insight and perspective on how to create and cultivate a prosperous wedding business.





Chat with Saundra Hadley of planning. . .forever events on How to Close the Deal: Sales Methods for the Wedding Industry.



Discuss how to Turn Brides into Fans: Nurturing Your Relationships with Clients with Terrica Skaggs of Fabuluxe, Inc. and iWed: International Network of Wedding Designers.



Lastly, learn how to Leverage Your Brand to Reach Today's Bride: Marketing in a Post-Modern World with Liene Stevens of Blue Orchid Designs and The Smart Planner.



You do not want to miss this educational and networking workshop! Gain expertise and insight on running a successful wedding business, as the reality is if you're not running a profitable business, it's just one big expensive hobby.

The Science of Events

I probably should be posting this on Be A Planner, but since that is on a break until after Let's Eat Cake! I am going to post it here, for all the world to seeeeee!



I am so excited to be attending Eventology! I've been in this business for over 14 years, and you are never too knowledgable to stop educating yourself. Things change, the way to market yourself changes, the way you do business changes. You are never tooooo good at what you do, and the moment you think you are... well, you should consider doing something else.



So, in April, I will be headed to Indianapolis for Eventology! In case you haven't heard about it, here's a quick blip, but check out the website for more information....

*****************

Three highly successful and renowned wedding planners will be discussing their insight and perspective on how to create and cultivate a prosperous wedding business.





Chat with Saundra Hadley of planning. . .forever events on How to Close the Deal: Sales Methods for the Wedding Industry.



Discuss how to Turn Brides into Fans: Nurturing Your Relationships with Clients with Terrica Skaggs of Fabuluxe, Inc. and iWed: International Network of Wedding Designers.



Lastly, learn how to Leverage Your Brand to Reach Today's Bride: Marketing in a Post-Modern World with Liene Stevens of Blue Orchid Designs and The Smart Planner.



You do not want to miss this educational and networking workshop! Gain expertise and insight on running a successful wedding business, as the reality is if you're not running a profitable business, it's just one big expensive hobby.

The Gifts Keep Coming!!

Our Wedding Party participants heard that we're having a raffle. And so they've outdone themselves with magnificent goodies for our guests.

Adorn Brides brings true red carpet elegance to your wedding with a $400 Gift Certificate towards a rental of the finest bridal jewelry available.

Exhale Spa, (The secret to Kelly Rippa’s fabulous body) offers a 10 pack of Core Fusion Session or Yoga Classes with a value of $280.

Four Season’s Maui for Valerie Wilson Travel / Travel Siblings is offering a 2 night stay with full breakfast and taxes included. (Priceless!)

Tejani is providing a pair of the best selling earrings in their collection. (A perfect accessory for any black tie event!) $220 retail value.

Feeling lucky? Join us on Saturday...

Take Two

What I love about Inspiration Boards, is that you can tell two people the same exact thing, and they come up with something so different!



This is a colaboration of Maggie and Emily's take on the Persimmon and Blues:

Sources:

Take Two

What I love about Inspiration Boards, is that you can tell two people the same exact thing, and they come up with something so different!



This is a colaboration of Maggie and Emily's take on the Persimmon and Blues:

Sources:

What are the Odds?

One of the amazing parts of the Wedding Library is that I have been lucky enough to work with many of the same vendors and artists who I hired for my own wedding 14 years ago. I've watched them grow, become more glamorous and do amazing things. I see them all loving weddings more than when they first started. Mimi So took on the (challenging) task of designing my engagement ring, and created a beautiful and unique object that I still love and cherish today. Now Mimi is designing for Reese Witherspoon, Cameron Diaz, Courtney Cox, Drew Barrymore and Anne Hathaway. But her amazing attention to detail and interest in brides is stronger than ever.

So I feel very fortunate that Mimi will be sharing her jewelry with you at the Wedding Party on Saturday, and even more grateful that she is making an amazing donation to a lucky raffle prize winner. The odds are much better than Vegas here. Don't forget to go by the Mimi So room and learn about the company yourself!
One pair of custom designed Mimi So “Anzia” Collection dangle earrings, set with the highest quality white diamonds in colorless E,F, VS clarity, and a combined weight of approximately 1.00 carat in 18karat white gold. Retail price =$6,000.00. For one lucky girl, free. Buzz Bonus: Jennifer and I will both be wearing Mimi So at the Wedding Party, so if we're especially sparkly, you know why!

Persimmon and Blues...

We have a wedding coming up in March, and her colors are Persimmon and Blues, we are so excited about this super fun color combo! I have the new Interns and Field Students doing inspriation boards for the colors... what do you think?



This is Erinn's -

Sources: Flowers by Ovandony , Invitations by Lisa Hoffman of Ceci New York , Orange place cards hung on blue ribbon, Orange Box with Ribbon by Matthew Mead, Orange Bridesmaid Dress by Jenny Yoo, Cake, Photography by Nicole Caldwell , Ribboned Programs by White Lilac Inc. , Vintage Pearl Grey Earrings by Carole Tanenbaum , Wedding Dress by Disney Bridal ,Male Suit,  Table Setting

Persimmon and Blues...

We have a wedding coming up in March, and her colors are Persimmon and Blues, we are so excited about this super fun color combo! I have the new Interns and Field Students doing inspriation boards for the colors... what do you think?



This is Erinn's -

Sources: Flowers by Ovandony , Invitations by Lisa Hoffman of Ceci New York , Orange place cards hung on blue ribbon, Orange Box with Ribbon by Matthew Mead, Orange Bridesmaid Dress by Jenny Yoo, Cake, Photography by Nicole Caldwell , Ribboned Programs by White Lilac Inc. , Vintage Pearl Grey Earrings by Carole Tanenbaum , Wedding Dress by Disney Bridal ,Male Suit,  Table Setting

Letterpress, Engraving and Offset Printing

Hmmm. Don't know the difference? Well, you can find out at the Wedding Party with our VIB (very important bride) and guest speaker Lisa Hoffman of CECI New York who will tell you all about these techniques. She'll also describe some of the trends she's setting in alternative printing methods like laser cut design. This couture designer works with the likes of Katherine Heigl, Billy Crystal, Diddy, etc. Stationery lovers, this is an event you won't want to miss.

Sample of Lisa's new laser cut design. Wow.

The Wedding EXPO!

Solutions Bridal Designer House presents the 6th Semi Annual Florida Bridal Expo on Sunday, January 25th, 2009 at The Hilton University of Florida in Gainesville, FL from 12:00-5:00pm.



There will be over 50 wedding vendors at this show. Look for us next to our good friends at Unique Designs!



Huge Prizes will be given away, along with 3 Grand Prizes.



One Lucky Bride will win a WEDDING DAY GIVEAWAY valued up to $17,500. In additon prizes from Bed Bath & Beyond, Macy's and Belk.



For the guys, there will also be a Casino Lounge happening for you.





Tickets are: VIP Tickets are $15 (Advance Only through Solutions 352-367-0070 or online at http://www.solutionsbridal.com/); $5 in Advance; $9 at the Door.