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Cheree Berry Wedding Invitations – Colorful & Creative

The newest trend in wedding invitations is lively and fun. More and more couples choose fresh shades for their invites to make them less stiff. More quirky invitations are likely to get a lot of praise, particularly from friends who are soon to be wed. A marriage ceremony really is an occasion to celebrate and the feel of the invitation must say so.

Exactly how does a wedding invitation become more vivid and exciting? The color palette selected for the marriage invitations has a big influence. While it’s still suggested to design it according to the shades of the wedding party, it’s always nice to employ bright colors.

Deep jewel tones are the latest trend on the runway and the same goes for marriage invitations. There are many delicious purples, glossy emeralds, fiery pinks and oranges and exciting blues. Gone are the years of being understated with pastels as a theme.

Many couples still choose unpretentious designs despite the vivacious colors selected. Minimalism and simplicity will in no way go out of fashion. Stylish lace patterns are still employed as an accent even for these tasteful wedding invitations.

Having uncomplicated patterns, the paper ought to have additional flourishes such as embossed monograms. The main paper should also feature textures apart from the imprinted detailing as it complements the expensive impression that most invitations are looking to to communicate. Having a monogram is still endorsed but in place of the initial, it ought to include the full names.

Shown here are invitations from our StrictlyWeddings.com partner, Cheree Berry Paper. Whimsical designs, unexpected details, touches of gold foil, and vibrant colors are just a few of the things you can expect. You can also expect personalized service and unique, unforgettable stationery – the kind of stationery that stays on the fridge for good because it’s just too fun to toss out.

New Trends in Wedding Photography

The stiff group portraits that were the standard in wedding photography for generations have become the exception rather than the norm. Here’s a little inspiration for your wedding photographs.

Wedding photography taken in unusual places is one of the hottest rising trends in weddings. Many of these pictures are taken as engagement photos before the wedding, but they are nothing like the posed studio shots of old. Urban backgrounds are particularly popular, ranging from black and white photos set against a towering city skyline to gritty scenes in front of graffitied brick walls. For couples who do not live in a city, popular backgrounds include seasides, natural locations, and even places like carnivals and zoos. These settings are also gaining popularity for day-of-wedding photography; the contrast between the wild setting and the bride in her exquisite bridal gown, veil, and wedding jewelry makes for an interesting juxtaposition which gives the pictures an edgy quality.

Another trend in wedding photography is to make pictures a part of the event itself, rather than just something to look over weeks later. The rise in digital photography has made this possible. For instance, you might have the photographer use the photos he took during the wedding ceremony and cocktail hour to project as a slideshow onto a wall during the reception. Digital photo booths are finding popularity instead of traditional wedding favors. The guests can go into the booth and have their pictures taken as an instant keepsake of the day. Some of the photo booths will even have a monitor on the outside which will show all of the pictures taken during the reception as a slideshow for everyone to enjoy. An added bonus is that the newlyweds can get a copy of all of their guests’s pictures burned on a disc for them to have as a souvenir.

Pictured here: Gina Cristine Photography out of Chicago shared these photos of friends of hers. Carolyn and Pat knew each other in high school and re-met at the Chicago South Side Irish Parade. Their first date was bike riding at the spot were these engagement photos were taken. Pat asked Carolyn to marry him in front of Chicago’s Buckingham fountain and they celebrate with drinks and chocolate covered strawberries at The Drake Hotel in Chicago.

What to do with leftover wine

Most retailers will take back unopened bottles of the wines they sell to you as long as the labels and cork area haven’t been damaged or stained. Some will take back only full cases of the same wine; if your retailer requires full cases, keep those nine bottles of Merlot and enjoy them on ensuing anniversaries, or give them to friends and family as mementos or hostess gifts. For best results, store bottles horizontally in a dark space and at a consistent (cool) temperature. A bottle of opened bubbly may last another day or two in the fridge, but no longer.

An old-fashioned trend still holds value in 2010

We agree that having the ability to research and find beautiful honeymoon options online is a great resource. Yet, by thinking we have everything at our fingertips, we have forgotten the benefits that a travel agent offers, especially when you’re planning a “big event” such as your honeymoon.

With a good travel agent, you have someone who is privy to all the latest offers and deals, plus you can let them do all the hard work while you’re focused on all those other wedding details. A travel agent can be a wonderful money-saving resource. They work in the industry, and not only get amazing deals to pass along to you, but they can easily customize a romantic trip, no matter what your budget. Choose an agent that specializes in the area you want to go, and of course, specializes in honeymoons.

BTW…budgeting for your honeymoon is something you need to work into your overall wedding plan from the very beginning. Meeting with a travel agent can help you generate a realistic budget of what you can afford as well as an idea of what it affords you.!

A honeymoon registry is great for those looking to save. Some travel agencies and websites offer a registry service where guests can contribute to a honeymoon fund and travel expenses in lieu of wedding gifts. Guests can also pick a specific perk to give, like a spa treatment or romantic dinner away so they don’t just feel like they are giving you money.

It’s also not a bad idea to set up a honeymoon savings account that is debted from your paycheck (if your employer has auto-deposit). Try setting aside at least $100 or more from each paycheck and deposit into this special honeymoon account. (Have your groom do it as well, then you have double the money saved). This way you’re assured that the money is put aside (we always have such good intentions to do it ourselves!) and you have a nice little nest egg to help pay for that honeymoon when the big event finally occurs.

Pictured here are several destinations that you can read more about under our Wedding Destinations and Honeymoon categories.

From top to bottom: Jade Mountain, St. Lucia; Auberge du Soleil, and St. Regis Bali Resort

Elizabeth Fillmore 2010 Bridal Collection: Beautiful Wedding Gowns, Inspiring Designs

We were so excited to receive these wonderful photos from the 2010 Elizabeth Fillmore Bridal Collection yesterday. All jewelry shown is by Meridith Griffin exclusively for Elizabeth Fillmore Bridal. There’s nothing more to say except “wow” these bridal gowns are exquisite!

Elizabeth Fillmore Bridal Gowns can be found in Dallas at Warren Barron Bridal.

Kehoe Designs: Cultures Unite at this wedding celebration

A wedding celebration with the ultimate unity of cultures! This traditional Indian bride and Western groom from Chicago desired aspects of both customs be taken into account. The festive Sangeet (see definition below) held at The Ritz Carlton transported guests into another world, incorporating rich pinks and violets into entertainment canopies, organic hanging fixtures and exciting centerpieces to finish the look. At the ceremony, gorgeous rouge orchids draped the golden Mondap, while mirrored balustrades and lush floral accented the aisle. The formal reception held at The Drake Hotel, showcased traditional crystal centerpieces filled with yellow and lavender floral atop coordinating patterned table linens provided by BBJ Linens. This beautiful weekend celebration harmoniously fused two cultures in every detail.

Sangeet: It’s a Hindi word, meaning music. In the wedding context, you can refer to it as the bachelorette party!  It’s a time for the female members of the marriage party to get together, have fun, dance, sing and basically have a good time.  Sangeet usually takes place the day before the wedding.  The new trend, of course, is to have professional singers, DJs and live music for Sangeet these days.

Floral and Decor, Kehoe Designs, Chicago

Photographer: Phil Farber, Photo Images, Inc

Event planner: Sabrina Hans Events

A Wedding Planner: How do you know if you need one?

You’ve got the right guy, the engagement ring, and the dress – so what’s next?  Nowadays, planning your wedding can be easier than ever. There are many web-based resources that can help you from narrowing down vendor choices to creating your color pallet. You figure you can do this on your own. But, as you start digging into the planning process, reality slowly starts to set in. You’re over budget, your vendor appointments are over lapsed, the guest list continues to grow and, the entire planning process becomes less fun. No matter which category you fall into, this may be a good time to enlist professional help – a wedding planner.

Why a wedding planner? Besides having the planning skills of a Fairy Godmother to turn your vision into reality, the most obvious reason of hiring a wedding planner is the ability for you to sleep at night and focus on what is important – the both of you. If you are having a long engagement, a small wedding, or you think you will fully enjoy the planning process, chances are you may not be interested in hiring one. But, you may still be interested in hiring the services of a professional, just to take care of the small details on your wedding day.

The degree to which you want a planner to be involved, coordination services can range anywhere from full production to day of, and anything else in between. Depending on your needs, this will dictate the price you will pay. Planners can charge for their services in several different ways. Some charge a flat rate, some by a percentage of your budget (usually 10% to 15%), and some by the hour. But, you may find the prices of a wedding coordinator to be reasonable when it comes to maintaining your sanity on your wedding day.

Hiring a professional wedding planner can be one of your best wedding decisions.

Visit our Wedding Planner’s partner pages for Dallas and Chicago.

From top to bottom – Dallas Wedding Planners: Nina Nichols Austin Weddings, Jordan Payne Events, Holly Tripp Event Design, Chicago Wedding Planners: So Stacy, Lola Event Productions, Bliss Weddings & Events

Including Family Heirlooms in Your Wedding

Weddings are very sentimental for most women, and they are full of tradition. A wonderful way to make your wedding even more meaningful is to include family heirlooms. These unique pieces handed down through your family provide a special connection to your family heritage.

Even the most modern bride can find a way to include a family heirloom in her wedding. The item can be almost anything, from pearl bridal jewelry, to a lace handkerchief, to a pair of toasting glasses. Often the item is something that your parents or grandparents used in their wedding, but it does not have to be.

Mixing the old and the new is a great way to add a personal touch to your wedding. For instance, perhaps you would like to wear your grandmother’s strand of pearls on your wedding day – update them by combining the classic style with modern crystal and pearl bridal jewelry, such as a fabulous pair of drop earrings. Often brides who wear their mother’s wedding gown will do something similar, such as having the vintage dress recut to a more modern silhouette.

A very special thing that the bride or groom can do is to present a family heirloom to their future spouse as a wedding gift. The bride could give her husband-to-be her father’s silver pocketwatch, or the groom could make a gift of a piece of family jewelry. It is a wonderful way to show loved one that you are happy to have him or her as part of your family.

Your ceremony is the perfect place to feature a special family momento. Some brides are fortunate enough to have an antique silver bouquet holder. Others will have a personal item, such as a grandparent’s rosary interwoven with the flowers of the bride’s bouquet. Cherished family candleholders would be a wonderful touch for the unity candle.

Use your imagination when seeking family heirlooms to use in your wedding. They do not even have to be objects; anything that reminds you of your family could work. What about using your grandmother’s favorite recipe or dancing to your parents’ wedding song? Be creative in your choices. Including special family traditions in your wedding will make it even more beautiful and memorable.

Reception Music – Band or DJ?

When you have the band-versus-dj discussion, you need to think about what each has to offer before signing a contract. A great dj is better than a mediocre band any day, but a live band has wonderful energy that you can’t get from recorded music. You decide which fits your party (and budget) better.

Reasons to book a DJ:

• He’s affordable (dj prices start at about $500 for five hours; bands are often a minimum of $3,000)
• Will play any song you want
• Can work in small spaces without a lot of equipment
• Keeps music going during the entire party with no lull
• Is trained to choreograph the reception and make announcements

Reasons to book a band:

• They make a more dramatic presentation, with musicians, vocalists, and all those instruments
• Have unique personalities
• Their infectious energy can get people on the dance floor
• Guests who don’t dance will still enjoy watching the show
• Live music is more emotional, which is what the day is all about

Visit our Dallas entertainment partners

Unexpected Venues – The Schaufele-Evens Wedding

Is it possible to find a reception site in Dallas for 500 this isn’t a typical venue? Not that there is anything wrong with country clubs, hotels and museums, of course, ….but what if the bride and groom want someplace different for their celebration?

This was the dilemma for Dallas natives Anne Schaufele and Cole Evens when they began their wedding plans. But with a little help from their moms, Lee Schaufele and Janet Evans, the happy couple were quick to find the perfect answer: The Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center!

Even though the Meyerson just celebrated its twenty year anniversary, the magnificent I. M. Pei creation has been the scene of very few receptions. As the home of the renowned Dallas Symphony Orchestra, the building is in constant use. So unless a couple is willing to hold their event at an off hour or is lucky enough to snag a date during the orchestra’s summer hiatus, it is next to impossible to book. Happily the orchestra is on vacation during the month of August.

Anne and Cole were thrilled by the Meyerson’s impressive open space and elegant style, but they did have a few concerns.  Was there too much room? Was the contemporary architecture a little cold?

“Anne was afraid the lobby was so cavernous that guests would be lost. And though she loved the modern design, stark minimalism isn’t her style,” recalls Dallas Wedding Consultant, Nina Nichols Austin, who helped Anne and Cole with their plans, “Our biggest challenges were how to effectively utilize the space while introducing soft, romantic décor elements that would reflect Anne’s taste.”

The Meyerson’s dramatic marble stairway was the couple’s favorite feature and it quickly became the centerpiece for their celebration. The landing would be a perfect stage for their large show band, the SoulSations, and the large expanse of marble around the base of the stairs would be perfect for dancing.

“Once we decided to build the party around the stairs, everything else quickly fell into place,” says Austin. “We arranged sophisticated lounge seating groups with day beds, ghost chairs, coffee tables and animal print rugs on either side of the dance floor and blocked one end of the space with a long, walk-up bar surrounded by stand-up cocktail tables and sleek bar chairs. Floor-to-ceiling organza drapes blocked one end of function area to define the party and create a convenient staging room for Culinair International, who provided the catering.”

The Meyerson’s dramatic proportions include a ceiling which soars over forty feet, therefore it was essential to select décor that would not be dwarfed. The florist adjusted their designs accordingly, filling the giant urns that adorned four large buffet stations with leafy green maple branches and creating towering table arrangements of exotic blooms that softened the massive marble, glass and stainless steel structure. The soft summer palette of silvery greens and watery blue, including Carolina Blue, Cole’s Alma Marta,  champagne and latte was achieved with clean but  abundant bouquets dominated by pale blue and white hydrangeas, Dendrobium orchids and Casa Blanca lilies accented with spray Majolika spray roses, delicate maiden hair fern, scented geranium foliage and silvery dusty miller,

Guests were comfortably ensconced in chic seating areas or clustered at more conventional tables. Communal, bar-height tables were the preferred perch for those wanting to catch their breath after a lengthy turn on the dance floor.

To complete the effect, Switch highlighted the Meyerson’s dramatic edifice with spectacular lighting. Thousands of votive candles floating in glass cylinders filled with water produced a warm, luminous glow, while striking shafts of light, alternating between green, blue and magenta throughout the evening, illuminate the immense structure.

Just as the magnitude of I. M. Pei’s magnificent symphony hall dictated the scale of the décor, its minimalistic, contemporary design influenced everything from the attire to the menu. Anne selected a polished Vera Wang designed gown from Warren-Barron which featured asymmetrical layers of silk organza fashioned in a lean, trumpet -shaped silhouette. Her attendants were dressed in matt silvery blue silk from Bridal Collections by Stella. Cole and his attendants wore Carolina Blue silk ties with their traditional black formal attire from Mister Tuxedos in Snider Plaza.

Anne and Cole wanted recognizable but stylish “comfort” food, notable not only for its flavor but the flare with which it was presented.  Perennial favorites like Pepper Crusted Strip Loins, Wedge Salads, Mashed Potatoes and Mac N Cheese were augmented by special delights like Seared Ahi Tuna garnished with Wonton Chip served in white JB Price china spoons, coconut fried shrimp, and market fresh Cerviche with avocado, lime and cilantro served in bright green martini glasses. Late in the evening guests were treated to miniature sliders and fries garnished with dill pickles.

The Bride’s cake, a simple but elegant butter cream confection made by Krisia, dominated the Meyerson entrance and was flanked by the scrumptious Grooms cake of sinful chocolate topped with a replica of the North Caroline dome, artfully rendered by Dallas Affairs.

The bride and groom made their escape in a shower of rose petals as guests relished the final moments of this unforgettable evening.

Photography courtesy of Scott Hagar Photography.

Dallas Wedding Consultant, Nina Nichols Austin