Sunday, November 30, 2008

Contest Alert

The Brides Cafe is hosting the The Ultimate Wedding Giveaway for brides getting married in the Richmond, VA/Tidewater/DC/MD area between the months of April and December 2009. Visit them for full details!

Saturday, November 29, 2008

10 Tips to Glamorize Your Wedding

The best wedding planners have visions, just like any designer and can picture the whole event down to tiny details. If you’re a fan of My Fair Wedding you may have seen David helping the Irish bride who was thinking green. That’s a pretty common reaction, think Irish think green right? Not David, he thought Waterford! It’s that kind of thinking that turns a wedding into a memorable and glamorous one.

Here is a list of 10 things you do to kick your wedding up a notch.

1. Dress up the tables – This may seem odd to emphasize but table linens play a major role in shaping a room’s appearance. They offer some of the most prominent colors and textures at a wedding. For the most dramatic choose tablecloths in a shimmery fabric that reflect light. Chooses bronzes, silvers and other metallics for a special glow, the reflecting candlelight is amazing. Most venues have basic table linens; you can use overlays if your budget is limited and still make the space amazing.

2. Go for dramatic lighting – Everyone and everything looks more glamorous in low lighting. Use candles liberally and arrange for the venue to dim the lights to enhance the effect. If candles alone can provide enough light for your space that will create a truly unique and intimate ambience that will be unforgettable – what’s more romantic then a candle lit room? Use drip free candelabras, pillars, votives, and any other kind of candle you can imagine. Think of the candles as being part of your color palette.

3. Pump up your post vows look – A-list actresses, socialites and over the top brides have all been known to change into an entirely different gown for the reception. If 2 gowns are more than your budget can handle you can still make a show stopping 2nd entrance by altering your look for the reception. If you wear all white for your ceremony consider incorporating you wedding colors into your attire with a bright sash or even a special made underlay skirt for your dress in a matching color. Even changing accessories and hair adornments can greatly alter your appearance and create a memorable look.

4. Consider all white wedding attire – Black tie is the last word in traditional men’s formalwear, but you can set your groom and his men apart by dressing them in white jackets which is often done in elegant summer weddings. Something else that has been done and stood out was dressing your bridesmaid’s in white also. There’s a shade of white that flatters everyone and your all white attire will create a knockout effect in photos. If you want to make sure that you stand out add a colored sash to their dresses or put them in ivory and you where white or vice versa.

5. Nix the cookie cutter stationery – Utilizing stationery with boilerplate formality is a safe and traditional choice but it doesn’t offer any wow factor anymore. But be aware of the line between being creative and looking home spun. Subtly incorporate key elements of the event’s design scheme into the invitations and all your wedding stationery. Shop around and look at what’s available and think of how you can personalize it. Many different embellishments and other items are available now to further personalize, just don’t overdo it.

6. Try a tent – You see it everywhere now, celebrity wedding planners agree that a tented reception offers the most potential for a glam gathering. It’s a blank slate to start with so no worries about colors of the rug or wallpaper not matching your colors. Ceremonies in rented mansions with glamorous outdoor receptions are really hot right now. And another plus to it – look at what you save on transportation costs! This set up also gives you the opportunity for a cocktail hour before guests enter the tent.

7. Play sultry music – When you trying to set sophisticated mood music can present a dilemma. On one hand you want your guests to dance and have a great time but on the other hand seeing Great Uncle Wally get down to YMCA isn’t exactly the most romantic thought you’ve ever had. Although big bands are always a parent pleaser, a Latin American or Brazilian band is much sexier.

8. Keep the menu minimal – Rather than overwhelming your guests with a mass quantity of culinary options, go for a few high quality choices. Try to select a menu tailored to the season or the setting. For dessert pass on the fondue fountain in favor of rich, bite size chocolates and petit fours served at each table along side the cake.

9. Choose chic flowers – If glamour is your goal you might not want flower arrangements that look like they were casually picked out of a country meadow. Go for stylish structured centerpieces by “color blocking” with flowers. Picking colors close together in tone actually provides a more glamorous visual impact then contrast filled bouquets.

10. Make a grand exit – Newlyweds often skip a formal send off and dance until the lights come on. Or in the case of my own wedding my new husband loaded up all the left over alcohol and invited everyone back to our place to keep the party going! You’ll close on a more polished note if you buck that trend and leave before the guests do with a festive exit. Have your guests hold sparklers ask you whisk away in a chauffeured Rolls Royce or if you’re on water have a boat pick you up. An elaborate send off lends the party an enchanted and romantic aura. The ideas are endless for exiting in style.


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Friday, November 28, 2008

FREE Bridal Expo Tickets


Dreams to Reality Wedding Shop has teamed up with The Great Bridal Expo and WE TV to provide customers with free tickets to the next Great Bridal Expo in your area!

Anyone who places an order at Dreams to Reality Wedding Shop between now and December 5th will get 2 free tickets for admission. ($14.00 value)

Win BIG with the Great Bridal Expo! Every show features a "Super Sweepstakes" with prizes from every exhibitor. Just visit each booth for your chance to win!

Plus, a few lucky brides-to-be will take home grand prizes, including jewelry, airline tickets, and a dream honeymoon at Sandals, one of the Caribbeans most romantic all-inclusive resorts.

Tour Schedule:

1/3/2009 12:00 NOON OMNI SHOREHAM HOTEL
2500 Calvert St NW
Washington, DC 20008

1/4/2009 12:00 NOON SHERATON PHILADELPHIA CITY CENTER
17th & Race Streets
Philadelphia, PA 19103

1/11/2009 12:00 NOON SHERATON BALTIMORE CITY CENTER
101 W. Fayette Street
Baltimore, MD 21201

1/17/2009 12:00 NOON WESTIN BOSTON COPLEY PLACE
10 Huntington Ave.
Boston, MA 02111

1/19/2009 5:30PM NEW YORK MARRIOTT MARQUIS
1535 Broadway
New York, NY 10036

1/31/2009 12:00 NOON BLAKE HOTEL CHARLOTTE
555 S McDOWELL STREET
CHARLOTTE, NC 28217

2/1/2009 12:00 NOON GRAND HYATT ATLANTA BUCKHEAD
3300 Peachtree Rd NE
Atlanta, GA 30305

2/8/2009 12:00 NOON BROWARD COUNTY CONVENTION CENTER
1950 Eisenhower Blvd
Ft Lauderdale, FL 33316

2/22/2009 12:00 NOON TAMPA CONVENTION CENTER
333 S Franklin Street
Tampa, FL 33602

3/1/2009 12:00 NOON HYATT REGENCY MIAMI
400 S E 2nd Avenue
Miami, FL 33131

3/8/2009 12:00 NOON DENVER MARRIOTT CITY CENTER
1701 California Street
Denver, CO 80202

3/15/2009 12:00 NOON CROWNE PLAZA CHICAGO O'HARE
5440 North River Road
Rosemont, IL 60018

3/22/2009 12:00 NOON FAIRMONT DALLAS
1717 N Akard Street
Dallas, TX 75201

4/1/2009 12:00 NOON PHOENIX CONVENTION CENTER
111 North Third Street
Phoenix, AZ 85004

4/4/2009 12:00 NOON SAN FRANCISCO MARRIOTT BURLINGAME
1800 Bayshore Hwy
Burlingame, CA 94010

4/19/2009 12:00 NOON SHERATON GATEWAY LOS ANGELES
6101 W. Century Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90045

4/26/2009 12:00 NOON ANAHEIM CONVENTION CENTER
800 W Katella Ave
Anaheim, CA 92802

5/3/2009 12:00 NOON FAIRMONT SAN JOSE
170 South Market Street
San Jose, CA 94103

5/8/2009 5:30PM NEW YORK MARRIOTT MARQUIS
1535 Broadway
New York, NY 10036