2008’s Most Requested Wedding Song

This song is turning out to be the most requested song for the weddings I’m doing this year. Never by Jaheim is a moving ballad about one person’s discovery of that one true love and how finding that “one” has changed all the perceptions of what a person said that they would never do.

~ I don’t typically do videos on a blog but the words to this song are so powerful that I just had to share ~

Top 5 Wedding Cake Trends

Trend 1: Black & White
A black-and-white Parisian wallpaper pattern is so stylish when designed on a round cake.

Tip: Your cake should blend with the wedding decor, so use the pattern in other places like the place cards or cocktail napkins.

Cake by Truli Confectionary Arts, Philadelphia

Trend 2: Flower-free Designs
Arts and crafts goes chic as sewing-inspired elements are everywhere. Think exposed stitching on invites and fondant vintage buttons on a white-on-white cake.

Tip: When talking to your vendors, keep the look wedding-worthy by using keywords like heirloom rather than handicraft.

Cake by Truli Confectionary Arts, Philadelphia

Trend 3: New Shapes
Cakes are scaling new heights — this skinny square cake is offset by a delicate floral pattern for a stunning combination.

Tip: You’ll get less cake per tier because of its slender sides, so this is the perfect shape for a smaller, more intimate affair.

Cake by Truli Confectionary Arts, Philadelphia

Trend 4: Coordinating Cakes
Match your masterpiece with mini cakes in the reverse color scheme — this stylish color combo of robin’s egg blue with chocolate-brown accents is flipped for added interest.

Tip: Package the mini cakes into individual favor boxes for guests to enjoy as a midnight snack.

Cakes by Gail Watson Custom Cakes, New York

Trend 5: Haute Chocolate
You can kiss vanilla goodbye. From a marzipan and dark chocolate truffle cake to designer chocolate favors, give chocolate a moment in the spotlight.

Tip: If you’re scared the flavor might be too rich for your guests, serve cake with a small bowls of fruit.

Cake by Ellen Baumwoll for Bijoux Doux Specialty Cakes, New York

© 2008 The Knot.com

I’m in love…..

I have always loved this location…..my sister got married at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum back in 1991 and I have been in love ever since….

~Now you can see why I’m so in love…hope this inspires you~

Fire Your Wedding Planner

Okay, here is my rant for the day…..

 I keep coming across all these sites and books written by individuals spouting off about how you can save thousands of your hard earned dollars by cutting out the added expense of a wedding/event planner and its driving me crazy (not really…but it sounded good for dramatic effect…LOL).

Let me start by saying this, as a event professional I feel that it is not a luxury but rather a necessity to have a wedding/event planner. The reasoning behind my feeling is not because I work in the field but I have seen (first hand) people trying to juggle their event and enjoy the day’s festivities all at the same time and it never works out. Its hard to do it all, see it all, tend to your guests, tend to vendors, AND enjoy yourself. More times than not the host (ie. bride) ends up just wishing the day were over.

I always tell potential clients that is not my job to sell them on why they need me but rather to sell them on how I can implement their vision and make their event as stress-less for them as possible.

Look at it this way….

if you were being sued would you represent yourself??

if you were sick would you perform your own surgery??

if your transmission fell out would you pick it up and put it back in??

The same ideaology should apply to your event…..

Most people are creative but lack the time necessary to plan out ever single detail of their event themselves, from countless e-mails and phone calls withvendors to site visits to basic service inquiries. We as event professionals provide a service plain & simple.

Don’t get me wrong there are alot of ways a person can save on their event…..

1. hire a day of coordinator and plan the event yourself that way the cost is less and the coordinator is just on hand the day of your event to ensure that everything goes according to your specifications.

2. have your event during an “off” season (Sept. - Apr.)

3. if flowers are a must plan accordingly, shop wholesale and make your own floral arrangements (if possible)

4. do your own decorating

5. having your event during the day 10am - 3pm (always cheaper)

6. don’t serve alcohol

7. hold your event on Sun. - Thur. (Fri. & Sat. are always the most expensive)

Just these few tips alone can save you big $$$. It’s all about what your willing to do and what your overall vision is for your event.

~ Stepping off soapbox….now back to your regularly scheduled program ~

**cartoons found on Favor Ideas**

Plus Size Wedding Gown Designs

As a society we are becoming more open to the realization that the world is no longer a size 2. In an effort to meet the needs of the “average sized” bride, designers are making a real effort to design for today’s bride…..

Happy Planning

Decor`

Make an impression with your choice of room design…..your event can incorporate your personal style and be as dynamic & as memorable as you are. Of course color is big but so is the laid back, lounge feel…..

Lets get inspired!!!!!

The cocktail lounge look for a reception or party is really big because it incorporates the client’s personal color scheme as well as a really comfortable feel all around. This type of set up promotes intermingling between guests.

I love the tropical paradise look….this never get old because it can be modified for each individual event.

The lighted table top always leaves me speechless….great for evening events!!!

Color coordinated lighting & backdrops are always nice because you can project whatever images you want to make everything come together and be more personal.

                                                            ~ HAPPY PLANNING~

*photos are for inspirational purposes only and do not represent actual designs created by N’vious Events*

Tip #5

ITALY BEATS OUT HAWAII’S 10 YEAR WINNING STREAK FOR # 1 HONEYMOON DESTINATION

New York, NY, July 9, 2007 - Modern Bride magazine unveils the results of their eleventh annual World’s Best Honeymoons Survey in the August/September issue. The survey was conducted through Virtuoso, a network of 6,000 luxury travel agents who are among the nation’s top travel bookers. Travel experts ranked their overall favorite honeymoon destination, the hotels and resorts with the most luxurious amenities, as well as the destinations that offer the best in categories such as romance, seclusion, affordability, adventure, nightlife, food, and culture.

This Year’s Top 10 Honeymoon Destinations are:

1. Italy - (3rd in ‘06) - the number one honeymoon destination for the first year ever, with vibrant cities, tantalizing cuisine, and a culture that has embraced true love for centuries

2. Hawaii - a top destination for eleven years with its luxurious resorts and sprawling beaches

3. Tahiti - for lovers looking to savor the sights, scents and flavors of a French Polynesian treasure

4. Costa Rica - (26th in ‘04) - exotic rainforests, erupting volcanoes, and wildlife reserves promise an adventure lover’s paradise

5. Mexico - for a blend of rich culture, endless fiestas, and thousands of miles of white sand beaches

6. France - (9th in ‘06) - for exquisite works of art and architecture, decadent desserts, and an amazing countryside

7. Maldives - over 1,000 secluded isles offer out of this world sailing, diving, and swimming in crystal blue waters

8. Anguilla - (34th in ‘03) - where the beauty of the Caribbean meets with posh resorts and eclectic cuisine 9. Fiji - a South Pacific oasis of limestone caves, Asian inspired cuisine, and pristine coral gardens

10. Greece - a convergence of sumptuous food, enchanting island hopping, black sand, and emerald seas

  For more info: www.brides.com/modernbride

What we really do….

I have come across people on numerous occasions who want a explanation as to what a real event/wedding coordinator does….to be pretty brief, we do exactly what you want us to do. Now I am a long winded person by nature so I’ll elaborate a little further without going overboard….

A true professional wedding/event coordinator transcends any currently available certification, designation or correspondence-style education. She (or he!) has established her business legally by obtaining the appropriate local business licenses and permits. She requires a signed contract from her clients, and enforces her contract professionally and legally when necessary. She establishes rates that fairly reflect the value of her services with consideration given to her region and market. She understands the value of her time, as well as the value of her clients’ time. She has obtained experience and education by the best means available to her, and is honest with her potential clients about this experience. She upholds the highest possible standards when operating her business and performing her services. She promotes herself and the industry as a professional, and understands that her impact on this still-young occupation is greater than herself.

She is, above all else, aware that she is performing a paid service for a client who generally sees this as the most important day of their live so far, and treats her role with due reverence.

~definition beautifully stated by Nikki of Special Occasions by Nikki (Natchitoches, LA)~

The Groom’s Cake

The Groom’s Cake

The groom’s cake is a smaller cake that is served at the wedding  reception. Young women (unmarried) will want to take a piece of the groom’s cake home to place under their pillows and the old wives tale says “they will marry whomever they dream of that night.”

Traditionally it was recommended that the  groom’s mother bake the groom’s cake herself.  It can be anything from  fruitcake to chocolate…whatever the groom loves.  You may want to encourage  the bride to wrap small slices of  the groom’s cake in tin foil, wrapped  around with net and tied with a nice bow as a favor to be passed out at the  reception. 

Include a little note with each piece of cake explaining the “old wive’s tale.”

Many people still opt to have a groom’s cake as a symbol of the groom still having a little individualism left. Most times it is done so that the groom has his own “lil piece” of the wedding since most times all the attetion is lavished upon the bride.

With so many strides being made in the field of baking, grooms can now have a cake designed to fit his personality or interests.

~Cakes pictured designed by How Sweet it is Cakes~

I absolutely love these…..

Browsing the net I found this website Toppers with Glitz, where you can obtain very unique, custom designed cake toppers (sparkling with real Swarovski ® Crystals). These toppers can be fashioned in almost any design and they are especially great with momograms.

Enough of my rambling, check out a few.

Also check out the company website.

**all images copyrighted by Toppers With Glitz**