Slideshow

Welcome!

We are so excited you found our blog! It can be overwhelming trying to maneuver your way through the crazy world of wedding planning and shopping. Think of us as your friendly online wedding planner! Our experience in "The Wedding Biz" will keep you up-to-date with the latest in wedding trends and the resources you need to make your big day spectacular. Your wedding planning should be fun and we hope to bring a smile to your face as we bring you photos, fun articles, prizes and much more. So grab a cup of coffee, sit back, relax and let us share our passion with you!!

Saturday, May 17, 2008

What do you want in your invitations?


I am currently working on my new line of invitations and even though I spend hours developing ideas, I am asking if you are a bride searching for something different but still elegant that expresses your personal style, take a moment and e-mail me what you would like in your invitation designs. Please visit our website and place our blog in your favorites regarding new designs coming soon!

Thursday, May 15, 2008

#2 Trend for Runway Bridal Fashion

Short Hemlines
This season, just about every designer sent a short dress down the runway. If you've got great gams -- and want to show them off on your wedding day -- embrace the newest high-hemline styles.

Saturday, May 10, 2008

Runway Fashion Trends #1



Runway Fashion: Top 10 Wedding Gown Trends
This season, bridal designers showcased wedding gowns with just a dash of uniqueness, but overall they kept the look on the classic side. Here's a peek at the trends from the spring 2008 bridal collections sure to make your wedding dress a standout. More trends to come!

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

Bridal Gown Trends




For spring and summer, flirty, feminine styles are still going strong with simple bows, ribbons, lace and yes, brooches! Every bride wants to be unique in style and attitude so pay attention to detail -- but don't go overboard. Show your personality with a stylish flair and you'll be the talk of the town (in a good way)!

Versatility adds comfort with detachable trains and skirts that allow brides to cut loose after the ceremony. No longer tied down with extra bulk, she can move around freely and dance the night away at the reception. Not only that, she'll feel confident and downright sexy with a raised hemline.

Ruffles and tiers express femininity and can go any length. This trend is fantastic for second marriages and bridesmaid dresses. Soft, silky fabrics in this style add youth and charm -- but they're not exactly innocent either. Also hot for casual weddings, tea-length styles are popular and very appropriate for spring and summer.

Weddings Going Green

My #1 wedding trend for 2008 is the green wedding. It was a wedding trend in 2007, but it's going to be even bigger in 2008. Many couples are realizing that if we don't take care of our planet, who will? Your big day is full of opportunities to make ethical informed decisions as well as many opportunities for waste. If you're an environmentalist, consider using organic flowers in your bouquet, recycled paper in your invitations, local and organic foods at your reception, and even biodegradable plates and forks. Each step can make a difference in this world!

Saturday, April 19, 2008

Bridesmaid's Dresses You Want



If you have been reading my blog for a while I am sure you know that I also own a bridal retail store and at the moment both bridal and prom season have exploded! I will have limited blog entries (as you can already see) for a while (after May 10). But just recently I received the above dresses and I am in love with them! If you are looking for a dress for your bridesmaids that they can wear again then these are them. The parties that have been coming through the store have been loving them. If you have any questions on these gowns or any other Bari Jay bridesmaids please do not hesitate to e-mail me!

Monday, March 24, 2008

Color Yourself Wed




One of my favorite wedding sites, is the theknot.com and today I came across this great article that I wanted to share to hopefully enspire you when selecting your wedding day colors. With an entire color wheel to choose from, how do you find the perfect combo for your wedding?

Set your eyes on your site.When deciding on a palette, play up the prominent colors of your site or setting. For instance, if your wedding is by the sea, the natural choice is blue. And, if you're marrying at a country club with navy and maroon oriental carpets, lime green and hot pink details won't work.
Get inspired by the season.
Let Mother Nature be your guide—they say she never makes a mistake. Pink may work year-round, but light pastels and barely there hues like buff can look washed out in the fall and winter months. In the summer, reserve dark colors like burgundy only for accents.
Do your research.
Become aware of color combinations that you like, whether browsing art galleries or flipping through a stack of home or fashion or interior design magazines for the must-have colors for the new season.
Scout it out.
To choose an exact hue, visit a fabric store or neighborhood paint shop and collect swatches or chips of colors you might want to use. This will help you get specific, so that when you decide on green you'll know if it's lime green, Kelly green, sage green, or forest green.
Choose a dominant hue.
Pick one general color first -- say, blue -- and then start thinking about shades and tints (aqua, robin's egg, navy) or other colors to accent it with.
More tomorrow on this great article!

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Dinner Party Reception, Part 2

Think about using other everyday pieces in surprising ways. Enlist a small, bowl-shape vase for a job as a candleholder, and fill in the extra space with seashells or pinecones. Serving bowls make sensational centerpieces; fill these with fresh fruit, flowers, vibrantly colored vegetables, even pinecones. Have extra shot glasses? Use 'em as bud vases or votive glass holders!

I say dress it up as much as you can! Nobody has to know that you didn't break the bank on the beverages you serve. Pour your favorite bottle of red or white into a simple glass decanter; not only will this bring out the aroma and flavor of the wine (or let it breathe, for you oenophiles out there) it looks elegant (and hides the fact that your bottle may be from the bargain basement).
When it comes to wedding receptions or dinner parties, color reigns. Provide glamour and depth to white china with a vibrant charger, the large plate that goes underneath the dinner plate. It's a formal touch but one that's guaranteed to make an impression. You can also give your color palette a kick with bright placemats; go ahead and use them over the tablecloth (I dare you)!

I always suggest to give traditional a twist and to have fun. Think place cards are positively passe? Think again. Place cards can make guests feel welcome and a special part of the evening at intimate and casual gatherings alike. But don't stop there: Think about your napkins, too. I love the idea of folding napkins into squares and placing one at the center of each setting or between the salad and dinner plates. Consider using tree ornaments or even Mardi Gras beads as napkin rings. It's the details that will keep guests gushing about your get-together all year long.

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Dinner Party Reception







You definitely can have fun with your tables when creating a dinner party for your reception. Lets start with everyone can use a little help setting the table. Ever wonder how those seemingly perfect brides or hostesses make it all come together, and everything just kind of works? Stop thinking you could never do that. Setting a great table is a cinch, and I've got just the tips and tricks to inspire you to pull off your own dinner party with ease.
Who doesn’t love crystal when it is done right, so get creative with it. Who says all glasses in a place setting have to be the same? Have fun mixing and matching tinted crystal with clear. Hunt for flea market finds, like vintage glasses, to add character your contemporary table. Or take glasses intended for one thing and repurpose them entirely

Allow your flowers to say it all! Whether it's a single bloom placed on each napkin or a big vase brimming with a seasonal bouquet, flowers are an instant and easy way to give flair to your table. You don't need to spend a fortune; inexpensive blooms such as daisies or dahlias will generate instant panache. Keep things monochromatic for maximum impact. Or get creative with one of my favorite tricks: Buy a floral foam sphere at a local craft store, soak it in water, and pin individual blooms over the entire surface. Then rest your flower ball in a martini glass for a cutting-edge display.
Think about using other everyday pieces in surprising ways. Enlist a small, bowl-shape vase for a job as a candleholder, and fill in the extra space with seashells or pinecones. Serving bowls make sensational centerpieces; fill these with fresh fruit, flowers, vibrantly colored vegetables, even pinecones. Have extra shot glasses? Use 'em as bud vases or votive glass holders!

Monday, March 17, 2008

More Signature Cocktails

Spring is a refreshing time to get out there and show the world who you love!

French "75" Champagne Cocktail
8 ounces gin
8 ounces orange liqueur, such as Cointreau or triple sec
1 lime, juiced
4 dashes orange bitters
8 sugar cubes
1 bottle Champagne, chilled
Pour gin, orange liqueur, lime juice, and bitters into a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake well to blend. Put a sugar cube into a Champagne flute. Strain about 2 ounces of the gin mixture into the glass. Carefully top it off with Champagne.
Here are just a few of many cocktails that reflect where you are!
Manhattan
2 oz. rye whiskey
1 oz. sweet vermouth
1 dash Angostura bitters
maraschino cherry
Stir liquid ingredients with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with cherry.
Chapel Hill
1 1/2 oz. bourbon
1/2 oz. triple sec
1/2 oz. lemon juicetwist of lemon peel
Shake liquid ingredients with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass or old-fashioned glass over ice cubes. Garnish with lemon peel.
Americano (for anywhere in the U.S.!)
2 oz. sweet vermouth
2 oz. Campari chilled club sodatwist of lemon or orange peel
Pour vermouth and Campari over ice cubes in a highball. Fill with soda and garnish.
And finally before the night is over, sit down with your new spouse for a special love potion. Love Cocktail
2 oz. sloe gin
2 dashes raspberry syrup
2 dashes lemon juice
1 egg white
Shake ingredients vigorously with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.And again remember -- everything in moderation. Cheers!

Saturday, March 15, 2008

Signature Cocktail

Beautifully classic yet very modern! These crystal-studded martini glasses are simply stunning. Destined to add instant style to an engagement party, a bridal shower or at the wedding reception. 8 3/4" H, 6 oz., Pkg. ct. 2 glasses $49.98

Want to serve something splashier than wine and beer at your reception? Forget the fuzzy navel, I've got festive, tasty cocktail ideas to match an assortment of seasons, cultures, and locations. Here's is a list of libations to make your wedding wet bar warm and wondrous. (Feel free to pass these recipes on to your bartender.)
Sip some holiday cheer during the winter holidays! These drinks will keep your guests warm and fuzzy throughout the party.
Nutcracker
2 oz. vodka
2 oz. Kahlua
2 oz. Irish cream
2 oz. Amaretto
Shake ingredients together and strain into highball glass.
While the leaves are turning vibrant colors spice up your big day with cider! Cider Cup
1 pt. chilled apple cider
2 oz. brandy
2 oz. triple sec or Cointreau
6 oz. chilled club soda4 tsp. sugarsliced fresh fruit mint sprigs
Mix first five ingredients in a pitcher with ice cubes. Garnish with fruit slices and mint. Serve in chilled punch cups or wineglasses. (serves 2-3)
For the summertime, drinking is easy. Nothing cools you down like a chilled cocktail.
Bellini Cocktail
4 tablespoons white peach puree
1 bottle Prosecco or Champagne, chilled (use sparkling juice or seltzer for a non-alcoholic cocktail)
Place 1 tablespoon white peach puree into the bottom of a Champagne flute. Fill the glass with Prosecco or Champagne.
Spring is a refreshing time to get out there and show the world who you love!
French "75" Champagne Cocktail
8 ounces gin
8 ounces orange liqueur, such as Cointreau or triple sec
1 lime, juiced
4 dashes orange bitters 8 sugar cubes
1 bottle Champagne, chilled
Pour gin, orange liqueur, lime juice, and bitters into a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake well to blend. Put a sugar cube into a Champagne flute. Strain about 2 ounces of the gin mixture into the glass. Carefully top it off with Champagne.
And remember -- everything in moderation. Cheers!

Friday, March 14, 2008

New Favor Ideas at Wedding Tulle

These are a few of my new favorite favors for this year! Take a moment and visit Wedding Tulle to view all that we have to offer to the uncommon bride.

Organic Green 2 Piece Woven Favor Boxes

Fill these Organic Green Woven Boxes with a small token of appreciation for your guests. A beautiful addition to your reception tables.

2 3/8 x 2 x 1 3/4" H, $1.28/item, Pkg. ct. 6 for $7.68



Miniature "Good Luck" Wooden Elephants
Include a symbol of power and strength, long life, patience and wisdom, energy and good fortune on your wedding day with this good luck wooden elephant. Revered in many cultures the elephant is an exotic favor to give to your guests.
3 x 1 x 2 1/4" H$3.50/itemPkg. ct. 4 for $13.98



Butterflies have such amazing presence and are loved by the world over. It will give such colour and beauty to your gorgeous day and they can be kept after your wedding day. What a lovely memento in your home to keep that precious day alive in your hearts and minds.Butterflies are hand made approx 2x3cm and 4x4cm.

Thursday, March 13, 2008

Laura Hooper, A Lucky Orchid Wedding







Just recently I came across Laura Hooper with A Lucky Orchid Wedding and she is amazing! If you are thinking about having your invitations and other details done by a artist, I highly recommend Laura. Below are a few great suggestions from Laura blog.

"Find someone you like and book them as soon as possible. Many calligraphers book up months in advance, making rush jobs expensive or nearly impossible.

Remember to factor hand calligraphy into your stationery budget so you don't have to scrimp on quality. It's true when they say you get what you pay for!

Read your calligrapher’s ordering instructions carefully and ask questions. They should have their policies clearly listed on their website, or should provide you with some sort of literature explaining how orders should be presented. If your calligrapher asks for your guest list to be in Word format, do not send it in Excel or in any other format. If you are doing inner envelopes, be sure to provide a list for those, too. You calligrapher should not have to determine how to write each inner envelope based on the outer.

If possible, obtain samples of the artist’s work. Keep in mind that with hand-lettering, mistakes will happen but your calligrapher should be willing to correct them immediately. I check all my envelopes myself but I am human and sometimes I miss small things. However, I try to get corrections out within 2 business days of getting notice about them.

Stay in contact with your calligrapher. It can be difficult to send your envelopes across the country to someone you have never met, and they should be understanding of this fact.

Keep in mind that calligraphy is an art form and all the work is done by hand. Though you have expectations of when you need to send out your invitations, calligraphers can encounter numerous problems with the textures of different papers and inks, which can extend their turnaround time.

Try to check the work within 48 hours of receiving it. Often times I get corrections 2 weeks to a month after an order is completed.

Send yourself an invitation. I hear that this simple gesture makes you feel like the wedding is "really happening" and it also gives you an idea of when your guests will start getting their invites in the mail as well. It makes a great keepsake, too!

Let your calligrapher know they did a fantastic job!"

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Extraordinary Invites, by Instyle


I love the spring 2008 issue of Instyle Weddings! Jeanine Edwards, who covered, the smartest ideas in wedding stationery did an excellent spread on the this years stationery trends (even though she did not showcase any of Wedding Tulle designs!). If you are struggling with how to express your style with your invitations, get inspired with reading this article. I am a believer in using color and design to showcase your personality. This is very easy to achieve and by working with myself through Wedding Tulle. I am confident that through a consultation over the phone my staff of designers, including myself can create the perfect combination and balance between elegance and charm. Take a moment to review our current selection of invitations on Wedding Tulle. If you don't see what you are looking for, simply e-mail me and we will create it!

Monday, March 10, 2008

Managing Guest List, Part 2

Because food is usually one of the largest costs associated with a wedding, and because catering costs are determined on a per-person basis, keeping your guest list small is a major money saver. Depending on what you serve, the per-person cost can range anywhere from $10 to $200; more in large cities for elaborate affairs. If you like, start by making as big a list as you can, I refer to this as the fantasy list. Then get ready to wield the pen as hatchet and whack that list into shape, cutting ruthlessly until you are within budget.

Also dependent on your guest list is your choice of wedding/reception venue. If you have your heart set on a small country inn but plan to invite 200 people, you can see the problem it presents. So figure out which is more important to you: more guests or a specific venue. If you choose more people, find a venue that will comfortably accommodate them. If venue is most important, find out how many folks your space will hold and invite accordingly.

If the issue at hand is the potentially hurt feelings of the uninvited, remember that remote cousins often feel as indifferent toward you as you do toward them, and may be happy not to come. The same goes for distant friends. A wedding is not an excuse to round up every lost intimate friend you have known since you were 10, focus on people who matter now.

As for friends-in-law you wish you'd never met, start with this crucial connubial ground rule: You two are separate people with different tastes. You don't have to like each other's friends, but hey, letting them share some champagne with you on your big day is not going to hurt anyone.
Take this task slow, take deep breathes and keep an open mind. In the end, you and your husband will look out during your reception and see what matters. Family and friends.

Friday, March 7, 2008

Managing Your Guest List

It is a dreadful task but it is one of those that must be mastered before the festivities can begin. It is very common for your sweetie to have a friend you can't stand. Or you have relatives your sweetie considers extraneous, and your mother is making it very clear she expects an old-fashioned wedding; that is, with all her friends on the list. Not to worry: Brides and grooms and their parents have been battling this one out forever, and no marriage has been forestalled by it yet

If you're running into conflicts, consider who's paying for it. Because the bride's parents traditionally paid for the wedding, they usually determined the number of guests and told the groom's parents how many people they were allowed to invite. Now that couples are as likely as not to be paying for their own weddings, at least in part, they often primarily decide how many people to invite and divide that number between their two families, or by three; the bride's parents, the groom's parents, and the couple. If you go traditional and the parents of the bride are footing the bill, then you should take their wishes into account and try to compromise. At a large wedding, a few extra people won't make a bit of difference. But if your goal is intimacy, stick to your guns no matter what unholy pressures your family unleash, especially if you're paying. More to come next week on guest lists!

Thursday, March 6, 2008

Wedding Favors, Part 2

Favors can start as low as $1 per guest (remember, prices are better when you buy in bulk) but the cost can creep high into double-digits. An economical alternative: If you wish to give more expensive, high-end favors but need to find a way to cut costs, give one gift per couple by placing the favor between their two dinner plates, and tagging it with the couple's names. We're not saying favors aren't worth the price (in fact, we encourage couples to give them), but if you're going to spend a good percentage of your budget on them, make sure they are fun and functional and won't be left behind.As for some suggestions, here a few of my favorite wedding favors:1. Tiny tin pails adorned with a starfish magnet and filled with salt-water taffy, ideal for waterside weddings.2. Hometown goods such as locally baked cookies, maple syrup, oranges, or candies.3. Artfully decorated jars of jam will "Spread the Love" to family and friends.4. Small stacks of postcards asking guests to "Keep in Touch!"5. Frosted snowflake cookies, perfect for winter weddings. 6. Christmas ornaments in ivory, silver, or gold tied with a velvet ribbon.7. Miniature heart-shape, hand-painted boxes with a single delectable truffle tucked inside.8. Tins of mints labeled, "Mint to Be Together."9. A classic like Jordan Almonds packaged in a new way, grouped in mini birds' nests or placed inside artfully decorated pill boxes.10. Caramel apples wrapped in cellophane and personalized leaf-shaped tags are the perfect treat for a Fall wedding.11. Chinese take-out boxes filled with candies and tagged with "Life Is Sweet."12. Glassine bags or tiny terra-cotta pots filled with herbs or flower seeds.13. CDs of the wedding-day music or favorite tunes personally created by the couple.14. Maracas are so festive they are sure to enliven even the liveliest of parties.15. Mini photo albums in fun colors are gifts everyone will use.

Wednesday, March 5, 2008

Wedding Favors 101


Giving guests wedding favors will never be passe. But spending hundreds of dollars on a throwaway gift is. So bestow a lasting impression with a favor that's absolutely fabulous -- and that won't break the bank. Favors can be inspired by the season in which you're marrying, the setting, or even your passions and obsessions. Whether it's a do it yourself gift, such as a jar of homemade jam, tiny potted plants bought at a nursery, or an indulgent treat like chocolate truffles, make sure it's something special and memorable. Finish off your favor by personalizing it with a quote, poem, picture, or a fun favor tag.From pretty brown boxes and clear cellophane bags to tiny tin pails and slim silver canisters, how you wrap up your favors makes as much of an impact as what's inside the package. Visit a neighborhood fabric store for ribbons to match your wedding day colors and personalize the gift with a monogrammed sticker or unique favor label.
Place your token of appreciation at each place setting on each guest's napkin, or set up a table with a framed card that says "Please Take One," "Be Our Guest," or simply "Thank You" for when guests exit the reception. You can instruct the waitstaff to pass the favors on silver trays before the meal or in between courses. Attach favors to the escort cards; this works especially well for small items or for favors that double as escort cards. Or personally hand out favors to guests as they leave the reception. This is a big undertaking, especially tracking down those who might slip out early, so be sure you are up for the task. This method works well when the guest list is small or when the wedding reception takes place at home. More on favors tomorrow....

Tuesday, March 4, 2008

The Many Colors of the Rainbow

Each day I am in my bridal boutique working with brides on fine tuning their wedding details, I am amazed at the lack of embracing color each bride faces. My father is an amazing artist and he taught me the importance of using color and how to balance the harmony within the hues. I encourage brides to search within themselves on what colors truly expressions their personality. When I give them this inner desire within me to bring out a color diva within themselves I often receive a blank confused look. History of weddings has demonstrated that you have two colors and very often the bride becomes so obsessed with having everything be these two colors that somewhere down the line of planning her wedding day she has lost the ability to have fun with color. I encourage you to embrace color combinations you have not seen before at a wedding. A good tool is going to a local paint store and look at paint chips. Often you will have samples of three to four colors that work very well together on one paint chip (Martha Stewart's paint chips demonstrate this the best). I love seeing purple, red and oranges together and you can simply pull this all together by working with your florist and wedding stylist. Think blues, purples and yellows or yellow, orange and fuchsia! Get inspired.

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

French Theme Weddings

Recreate the scene at the Seine by hiring portrait artists to set up easels and paint portraits for your guests during the reception. All the while, have a few strolling musicians playing romantic tunes. For your first dance, why not chose Edith Piaf's bittersweet classic, "La Vie en Rose?" Or how about Gershwin's "An American in Paris?" If you're having a DJ, have him play Piaf, Jacques Brel, and all the great American jazz greats who made their name in France. Favors for all guests? I love the idea of giving away pocket-sized French cookbooks, mini bottles of French wine tagged with a personalized wedding label, or small vials of French perfume or cologne placed on each guests' plate.