Summer Wedding Celebration

When I was first contacted by Bethany for her August wedding I was happy for many reasons.  For one we went to school together as kids and it had been years since I'd seen her and another, I knew I'd have the opportunity to work with the J & L Catering team once again.  The little details that Bethany & Andy incorporated into their wedding were wonderful, they truly captured what a wedding should be about - the bride & groom and their life together.  That's exactly what their day was about. 

They were surrounded by friends and loved ones not only from Massachusetts but also from England and Africa (where they met).  I could've sat and talked to the ring bearer all day long as I loved listening to his accent, it was truly awesome.  One of my favorite elements of this wedding were the favors for the guests.  The favors were photos that Bethany had taken on her travels around the world, placed in simple glass frames.  On the back of each one she wrote the location and date as well as the name of the person receiving it.  Not only were they beautiful but I don't think you can really get more personal than that.

Here are some photos from their wedding day, courtesy of Ericson Photography.

The bride enjoys a moment with her mother & sister

The ring bearer pillow was made with a blanket from Africa

The beautiful cocktail tables -

I loved how the red & yellow popped against the black & white damask!

The happy couple

African themed animals were used instead of traditional numbers. 

This was my favorite.

I was honored to be a part of such an amazing day. Best wishes to Bethany & Andy for a beautiful life together!  Special thanks to Candi & Steve of Ericson Photography for the gorgeous images!  It was great working with you!

Layers of Ruffles and Loving It!

I'm finally doing something I've missed...browsing bridal magazines! I have been so busy trying to get back on track after my son's surgery last fall that many things I enjoyed doing fell to the very bottom of my priority list. Now that I'm finally seeing the light on the other side of the tunnel (I think), I'm getting back into enjoying the simple things that make me happy.

So browsing some recent issues of some of my favorites I noticed ruffles everywhere. Here are some gowns that caught my eye.

All photos courtesy of The Knot. Top Row - all gowns by Jim Hjelm. Bottom Left - Demetrios, Bottom Center - Simone Carvalli, Bottom Right - Winnie Chlomin.

Tuck It Away...in The Racktrap

I can't tell you how many times I've coordinated a wedding and the bride or her bridesmaids debated where to tuck tissues just in case they felt tears coming on. Heck even the times I've been a bridesmaid I had this same debate. Well now there is an actual place to put those tissues! Lo and behold...The Racktrap. It slips conveniently and comfortably inside your bra to hold small essentials. There's also a few different designs - the fashion threepack which is lace in black, white and nude, the original gold and then the new sports version which is sweatproof. So whether you need a little hiding place for a special occasion or a workout, well here you go!

Gorgeous Bold & Bright Inspiration!

I love reading CNI Designs blog because they put together some fantastic inspiration boards. They never cease to amaze me and more often than not I absolutely LOVE what they put together. I love that they pair various colors that most people wouldn't even consider putting together. I love risk takers :) I love that they will put multiple bold colors on the same palette. It's awesome. CNI Designs, keep it up!

Isn't this board that they designed fabulous?! LOVE IT!

Fabulous Friday Find

Cookies! I looooove cookies! That being said I have mad love for these cookies. They're absolutely fabulous, hence the title - Fabulous Friday Find. This is just one of the very many reasons why I love My Kate Parker Wedding because without it, I have no idea how long it would've taken for me to stumble upon Cookie Creatives by Jennifer. If you're not familiar with My Kate Parker Wedding, it's an amazing resource for couples, you must check it out!

Okay back to the cookies...so I stumbled upon these and instantly wanted to find a reason to buy some (I think I've found several). They're perfect favors for any occasion and they'd be super cute as an addition to your welcome bags for your out of town guests! Especially these ones:

But these ones are so adorable too!

You really need to check out the website so you can browse the photo gallery to see all of the amazing cookies Jennifer creates. They are nothing short of fantastic.

Spotlight on :: Steve Kimball Photography

Steve has been photographing weddings for 5 years and has built a solid reputation for his personal service. Enthusiasm, passion, sense of humor, and a knowledge of both the technical and artistic aspects of photography make Steve a great choice to capture what are sure to be your most treasured memories. A well trained associate photographer is always included as part of your photography team. Steve personally edits your images and designs your album. Whether you prefer a traditional matted album, a modern coffee table compositional book or a combination of both, Steve has the knowledge and expertise to design an heirloom album that you will treasure forever. Come meet him at the Wayside Bridal Show and view his sample albums. I'm sure you will be impressed with the quality of his work.

To visit Steve's website click here.

Our Way of Saying Thank You

So Chic Events was mentioned in a real life wedding article in the Winter 2010 issue of Bride & Groom Magazine for a wedding that we assisted with last summer. You may view this issue by clicking here, and the article is on pages 22 & 23. The article which is told from the bride's view is great but I also wanted to share the view from a vendor.

Last summer, several members of New England Wedding Professionals, decided we wanted to do something in order to give back and say thanks to the men and women who risk their lives for our freedom, we wanted to give a dream wedding to a military couple. A few weeks after this was discussed, New England Wedding Professionals was contacted by bride-to-be Sarah and she told us how her and her fiance were getting married before he was deployed on his third tour of duty in the Middle East. We didn't expect to be contacted so quickly after making this decision as a group, but it did and the planning was underway!

Terri Altergott of Something Borrowed Something New Events, who is both a friend and colleague of mine, took the lead in planning this wedding while I donated the invitations as well as helping Terri coordinate the ceremony on the wedding day. Sarah and I had some common ground that we discovered during the planning process...we share a love for Harleys. She wanted to surprise Dave by having his Harley restored to road condition in time for the wedding and have someone bring it there that day so they could take pictures on it. I thought that was so great that she wanted to do this for him but since he had already been on two tours of duty in the Middle East his motorcycle just hasn't had the attention it needed and unfortunately there wasn't enough time to get it ready. So Terri and I put our heads together and managed to still get them a Harley for picture opportunities, we even let Sarah's mom in on the secret so she could bring Sarah's boots to the wedding!

My husband did us a huge favor and rode his down to Rehobeth because he knew how special this was to me. Since we wanted this to be a total surprise and didn't want the ceremony interrupted by the motorcycle, I had him park a couple miles away until I could give him the thumbs up that it was okay to arrive. Once the beautiful sunset ceremony overlooking the golf course was over, I called him and let him know the coast was clear. In the meantime, Terri led Sarah, Dave, their families and wedding party to the front of the country club.

I could hear him approaching so we directed their attention to the entrance and the minute the Harley was in view, Sarah knew what we had done and cried out of both joy and appreciation. Jim Abrams of Shooting Star Photography has previously taken fabulous shots of a bride & groom on a motorcycle so it being his area of expertise, I turned the reigns over to him and just let him direct Terri and I as to what he needed from us. He got some great shots of them and their smiles said it all.

So many wonderful vendors, many of which are members of New England Wedding Professionals, donated their time and services to this wedding. The ceremony was donated by Hillside Country Club, photography by Shooting Star Photography and Artistic Expressions, hair and make-up from Special Event Beauty, flowers from Herbert Berg Florist, cake from Bella Cakes, DJ services from Ra-Mu and the Crew, videography from Video Excellence, gift baskets from Bravo Baskets by Nikki, memory box from Simply Done, honeymoon at Five Bridge Inn, wedding accessories from MA Wedding Guide, ceremony by Justice of the Peace Linda Frizado and a custom designed wedding dress made especially for Sarah by Fee Bain of Emazanti Creations.

This was an amazing experience and one I'm so proud to be a part of. Best wishes to Sarah and Dave for a happy and healthy life together! And a special thanks to Dave for serving our country!

Expo was a Success!

The expo went great, as well as I hoped it would. I spent hours setting up on Saturday and put the finishing touches on everything Sunday morning. Now that I have some pictures of my table and the candy buffet I'm ready to write about the show.

As some of you know I was supposed to be a part of the show at the Hynes Convention Center which was also supposed to be last weekend, however it was a scam. I was beyond upset by this not only because I was duped and out money but also because I was really excited to decorate my booth for that show. I had put a lot of time and energy into it and when I realized it wouldn't happen I was pretty bummed out. I wanted to create that booth! So after the shock of the situation wore off I decided I'd work it into my show by incorporating a candy buffet w/ the decor I already had planned out. I had to act quick as this was only a week before my show and I didn't have much time to pull it all together so I ordered up a bunch of candy and nearly choked on the shipping cost (but in the end it was worth it).

My ultimate goal was for the candy buffet to be the first thing the guests saw and for them to say "wow". I wanted them to enjoy it as much as I did creating it and I wanted it to be a little thank you from me to them. I really love how it came out...and I'm pretty sure everyone else did too. So below are pictures of the candy buffet and also the table for So Chic Events. I'll be posting all of the pictures from the expo on the website within a couple weeks.

Special thanks to the following vendors for their help with the fashion show - Bridals By Rochelle for providing the dresses and models, 77 Blossom Shop & Mendon Greenhouse for the flowers, Salon Colour for the hair and make-up and DJ Ron Auger for providing the music. I'd also like to thank Shooting Star Photography & Morin's Studio for taking pictures of the expo. I really appreciate ALL your help! I'm so lucky to have such amazing vendors!

Spotlight on:: Salon Colour

Have you thought about you color, style and condition of your hair so you can look your best on your BIG day? After all, it's your day, leave them breathless! Salon Colour is a place where anyone can feel welcome, get pampered, and above all, know they'll be completely taken care of.

Salon Colour is rooted in a warm environment with a staff of personable highly trained specialists. Their stylists have been trained all over the country in color, special occasion hair and the newest Keratin Smoothing System. Whether you and your wedding party would like to come to the salon or be in the comfort of your own home or hotel room, Salon Colour can provide for those needs.

Salon Colour is proud to have a licensed esthetician and professional make-up artist who knows what it takes to get healthy, radiant skin and maintain a beautiful appearance. She has created stunning looks for brides, photo shoots and special occasions.

Salon Colour would love to meet you on Sunday, March 7 at the Bridal Expo

Spotlight on::Shooting Star Photography

Jim Abrams of Shooting Star Photography has been shooting weddings for 17 years and has been fascinated with cameras, lighting and shooting photos in general, for a little over 20 years.

From the start, Jim has enjoyed working with each couple trying to find their unique tastes for wedding photography. Based on this info he does his best to capture images on their wedding day that will be special to them. This was the case with the couple pictured here. This couple loved their motorcycle and he thought that should be part of their album. It also happens to be one of my favorite shots of Jim's.

Other couples may have a love for hockey, baseball, football or even just a location that is significant to them. If possible, these interests will be captured on their wedding day. Some couples just want an album that simply shows their love for each other, for others incorporating elements that are special to them is what they focus on for their album memories.

Shooting Star Photography is located in Franklin and will travel just about anywhere in New England. Most weddings during the season are all over New England which keeps the shooting very interesting and gives the opportunity to discover new locations.

Having worked with Jim not only for my own wedding but on several others I know he is a dedicated professional. I've seen him first hand do whatever it takes to get the best shots.

Spotlight on:: Salon Vicaro

Celebrating 11 years in business, Salon Vicaro strives to give their clients a fabulous experience at their salon. Between the warm and cozy atmosphere and their experienced and friendly staff, they strive to take pride in their work. The stylists at Salon Vicaro are up to date with the newest color trends and cutting techniques, while still understanding and appreciating the need for classic styles.

They are known as one of the area's top hair salons for special occasion hair and have received both #1 Salon and Honorable Mention in the Readers Choice Awards. Their stylists are available by appointment and walk ins are always welcome.

Please be sure to visit the girls from Salon Vicaro at this weekend's bridal expo! They look forward to meeting you.

National Raise Awareness Week!

Monday, March 1st marked the official start of "National Raise Awareness Week" for Wish Upon a Wedding. The purpose of Wish Upon a Wedding is to produce weddings and civil union ceremonies at destinations across the USA for terminally ill individuals, regardless of sexual orientation. The organization has 20 chapters across the nation and they're definitely ready to make dreams come true.

For more information about this organization, please visit their website by clicking here.

Spotlight on :: The Pouting Room

This post is going to be a different type of Spotlight.  Since I wrote a detailed blog post about The Pouting Room awhile back I thought it was just as easy to give you a link to that post instead of basically rewriting it.  So, that being said, please click here to read all about The Pouting Room!  And make sure to stop by and visit Stefanie this weekend at the bridal expo!

Spotlight on :: Ron Auger Productions

DJ Ron Auger knows that great music makes a great wedding.  With over 20 years of experience, he's sure to make your wedding a blast! The key to his business is personal attention to each of his clients, making sure to customize their event they way they want it.  From the moment you enter as husband and wife, to the cake cutting, to the final dance, he guides you through the process of music selections.

When it's time to get the party started, Ron knows how to play an eclectic mix that makes each event fantastic for all guests.  Ron will work with you to create a musical experience that will have everyone saying "Wow, what a wedding", and ultimately that is what every bride and groom wants.

You may contact Ron at 508.889.9635 or by emailing him at djron@djronauger.com

Spotlight on :: The Frost Collection

Be sure to visit The Frost Collection booth at the So Chic Bridal Expo!  The Frost Collection offers a wide array of papers, colors, and printing options to present your personality, or create a look that defines your moment perfectly.  Get inspired and express yourself! 

The Frost Collection was recently awarded the 2010 Wedding Guide Bride's Choice Award for Wedding Invitations.  The Frost Collection is among the top five percent of all vendors in the WeddingWire Community, which includes over 100,000 wedding professionals across the US and Canada.  Awards were given to winners across 19 different service categories, from wedding venues to wedding photographers.

The Frost Collection is also online, offering bridal shower invitations, thank you notes and other items.

Spotlight on :: 77 Blossom Shop

77 Blossom Shop opened in June of 2006. Joyce Maffeo, the owner of 77 Blossom Shop, has over 25 years experience prior to opening her own shop. In 2008, they were awarded first prize in the wedding show competition at the Spring Garden and Patio show at the DCU center. Look for their display at this year's show.

Although the 77 Blossom Shop has a great day to day floral business, their wedding business has shown the most growth over the last couple years. Brides are very happy with their personal touch, attention to detail and affordable prices and it's because of this that they often recommend them to family and friends. In addition to being recommended by previous clients, they're also on the preferred vendor list of many local wedding venues including Crystal Lake Golf Club and Blissful Meadows Golf Club.

77 Blossom Shop offers custom wedding designs along with a complete wedding package designed with beautiful roses for less than $400 for a party of eight! They also offer a free, no obligation consultation and are currently booking weddings for Spring, Summer and Autumn. If you mention this blog post you'll receive a free add when you book your wedding order.

77 Blossom Shop is located at 77 South Main Street in Uxbridge Massachusetts. They can be reached at 508.278.7737.

Spotlight on :: Bonardi's Formalwear

Bonardi's Formalwear has been dressing men for special occasions since 1923.  They have grown to be the largest provider of tuxedos in Central Massachusetts, known for their friendly staff and huge selection.  They continue to offer fashions for formal and informal occasions and their tuxedo line offers basic attire to very luxurious, all at budget friendly prices.  For 2010, they have added an extensive suit rental line in several colors and fabrics.  Bonardi's also offers a free rental for the groom with four other rentals. 

If you have out of state groomsmen, Bonardi's can still take care of them as well.  All of their tuxedos are in stock and custom fitting is done on site.  This will guarantee a perfect, comfortable fit for your entire wedding party.  With their attention to detail and great service, Bonardi's takes the worry out of getting dressed on your wedding day.

Please visit their website, or one of their convenient locations in Milford, Worcester, Framingham, Auburn and Sturbridge.  Stop by and meet them at the Myriad Ballroom during our bridal expo.

Spotlight on :: The Honorable Susan Green

Susan Green has been a Justice of the Peace for over 25 years performing ceremonies for many couples.  During this time, she's helped many clients design a ceremony that reflects their feelings and hopes.  Susan's approach to creating the perfect ceremony involves meeting with each couple to listen to their ideas and how they would like their day to feel, and in turn offering many samples to review and choose from.  Each couple has the ultimate say in their ceremony content.  Ceremonies can be large or small, long or short, complex or simple and may occur in a variety of settings.  Knowing every couple is unique, she happily incorporates their ideas so that their day is a reflection of their wishes.

Susan thoroughly enjoys her job and looks forward to meeting with you and beginning the process together.  Please feel free to email her by clicking here or calling her at 508.429.7770.

Spotlight on :: Morin's Studio of Photography

Morin's Studio of Photography, located in Milford, has been photographing area bridal couples since 1922.  Most people are surprised to learn that Morin's has three in-house, full time photographers with over 85 years of combined wedding experience!  Sue Morin Schoenberg, Morin's wedding consultant, will answer all of the questions that you have regarding their wedding services.  From your free engagement photo, the type of wedding coverage you need, your pricing options, album design choices, parent albums, canvas wraps, folios, and photo thank you cards, Morin's can meet all your photographic needs in a fair and competitive manner.  They have their own professional lab and print all of their portraits and wedding images in house.  Personalized service is always a priority. 

Weddings are filled with emotion and treasured memories and you can trust Morin's to record your wedding day and deliver a beautiful, finished album to you in a timely and professional manner.  They look forward to hearing from you for a free, no obligation wedding consult. 

Spotlight on :: Specialty Wedding Cakes

This next vendor I can truly attest to how amazingly wonderful she is. I've had the honor of having Heather's cake on more than one occasion and they're simply divine, mouthwatering and fabulously delicious! That being said, here's some information on Heather & Specialty Wedding Cakes!

Heather LaPlante, owner of Specialty Wedding Cakes, has been designing wedding cakes for over 10 years. Recently, Specialty Wedding Cakes has earned the award for "The Knot Best of Boston Cake Baker for 2009" so her brides are speaking out about how much they love her! Attention to detail, focus on freshness & quality and highest regard for client satisfaction has made her business successful. Years of instruction and practice of sugar art, as well as teaching, have provided the ability to create a beautiful, delicious and memorable wedding cake for your special day. Together, you will design the cake of your dreams! Contact Heather for a free consultation and cake tasting.