Your Wedding Advice - StrictlyWeddings.com Blog

Engagement Photos – Sweet and Simple

We found the sweet love presented in these engagement photos from The Girl in the White Dress so special. In the original post it talks about a relationship that was just meant to be. One in which two people with opposite personalities overcame that challenge and built a solid love based on romance, intimacy and a joy in each others company.

New York’s Hottest DJ

Founded by Jason Fioto in 2004, Generation Events, a StrictlyWeddings.com New York partner, has quickly become one of the most in-demand event design companies in NYC. Specializing in DJs and live entertainment, this full-service production company customizes each event for the client, from planning the details to crafting a playlist, taking guests from the cocktail hour to the dance floor! Generation Events brings passion, style, and vision to your wedding reception.

Generation Events has its finger on the pulse of the NYC scene thanks in part to founder Jason Fioto’s nightclub pedigree and a roster of skilled professional DJs and entertainers. Jason has created the ultimate mixes for top celebrities, including Kelsey Grammer’s wedding, Louis Vuitton’s holiday party, premiere parties for FX TV shows, plus NYC club experience including “Marquee” and “1Oak” along with “Tao in Vegas”.

Merging a tasteful edge with traditional elegance through the combination of talent and personality, is where they excel. So if you’re a blushing bride interested in hiring a dynamic team to jumpstart the entertainment & design at your wedding, look no further than Generation Events!

Texas’ Hill Country Weddings – Boot Ranch

So many of you have enjoyed the amazing weddings that Austin photographer Jennifer Lindberg has shared with StrictlyWeddings.com. This very intimate (family-only) wedding is as elegant and lovely as any of our more grand weddings and Jenn’s talents shine through in showcasing the love and joy of this new family.

The wedding theme and decor is the magnificent Texas Hill Country (why mess with Mother Nature?). The location is Boot Ranch, a development located near Fredericksburg, Texas (another one of our Texas treasures). Even though a private development, Boot Ranch appears to host events for those outside its private community and could be the perfect setting for your wedding.

Floral design by Maggie Gillespie Designs

Wedding Inspiration are you a Purple or Pink Bride?

Shades of Sentiment

Brides, are you staying on top of the latest styles for your wedding? ‘Ombre’, a graduated color tone, is making a subtle trend and elegant statement. Try this new look on your wedding invitations, cake or even add a little transitional flare to your wedding dress for a bit of whimsy.

Pretty in Pink

For that girly girl, add the perfect amount of femininity to your wedding day… with a pop of pink peonies, place cards and polish. Then presto the blushing bride is the perfect centerpiece to her wedding day.

Wedding Hair Accessories by Twigs & Honey

One of our favorite websites to go to to view unique and unusual wedding veils and wedding hair accessories is Twigs & Honey. There is always a romantic and nostalgic feel to her designs. And with some of the wedding gowns we’re seeing for 2012 that are blush or ivory, these would be exquisite.

Twigs & Honey ® pieces are made with attention to detail and an interest in fine craftsmanship. Since the first styles were released, the designs have included handmade and hand dyed or painted silk flowers, hand sewn embellishments and other intricate detailing. The Twigs & Honey line features hair adornments, headbands, birdcage veils, traditional veils, bridal jewelry, belts, boutonnieres, ring pillows, hats, shrugs, bouquets, corsages, everyday jewelry, fragrance and more! The line uses fine silks, feathers, laces, and vintage bits that result in completely unique adornments.

They can be found in various boutiques and bridal salons in the U.S. plus you can purchase online.

Photographs by Elizabeth Messina.

Couture Bridal Designer Lazaro’s 2012 Spring Bridal Collection: Glamorous Vintage

Wow! Luxury wedding gown designers are creating more and more luscious, romantic, glorious wedding gowns. These photos from couture bridal gown designer Lazaro’s 2012 Spring Collection are jaw-dropping awesomeness. (We’re gushing!)

About this collection:

Lazaro blends ultra-glamorous vintage details, stunning floral embellishments and signature hand-beading and embroidery in his latest collection. Lazaro’s hallmark craftsmanship, combined with sumptuous fabrics and perfectly cut silhouettes, give every gown an haute couture feel.

In traditional Lazaro style, his latest collection channels old-fashion glamour with vintage-inspired beading, romantic cap sleeves, scalloped sweetheart necklines, lovely tiered pleated tulle trains and lace appliqués. Lazaro introduces sparkle net charmeuse this season, combining it with embroidered Chantilly lace and hand-crafted, ornate beading.

This season, Lazaro has returned to incorporating color into the bridal collection. “I was very inspired to bring color back into bridal this year,” Lazaro says. “I included soft shades of Sherbert, Blush and Antique in fabrics like silk satin, silk organza and tulle.” Lazaro’s use of color adds some dramatic flair to masterpieces such as his floral hand-embroidered organza over tulle gown, complete with a tulle train with cascading petals. “This is my favorite gown because the vibrant colored embroidery really makes a statement,” Lazaro says.

Sources: Belle the Magazine and jlmcouture.com

New Featured Wedding – Wild Horses and Westies

Got your attention? Great! We wanted to because sometimes our featured weddings do not always get the attention they deserve. Truly, StrictlyWeddings.com showcases some of the most amazing weddings – better than many found in the multitude of bridal blogs today.

Photographer Jennifer Lindberg provided us with this gorgeous featured wedding. The bride’s wedding gown – to die for. What’s with the Wild Horses and Westies? Read on and find out for yourself.

Kindred Spirits – Kevin & Courtney

Photographer Andy Marcus, a StrictlyWeddings.com’s New York partner, shared one of his fabulous weddings with us and we’re thrilled to share Courtney and Kevin’s special day with you as well.

Kevin and Courtney met at Villanova University during their freshman year of college. They were in the same core humanities course and spent time together during a field trip and became fast friends. The summer following freshman year, they began dating, traveling across the country between Dallas and Connecticut to see each other and spent countless hours on the phone.

Her proposal arrived at sunset while the couple were walking on the beach in Bridgehampton. Both sets of parents were waiting at Courtney’s family’s beach house with champagne to celebrate when they returned. They were engaged in August 2009 and had a 22 month engagement (necessary as Courtney and her mom acted as the wedding planners).

The wedding ceremony was held at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, which had always been a special place for Courtney’s family as it’s where they would attend midnight mass on Chrismas Eve. “It always seemed magical,” says Courtney. The President of Villanova, Reverend Father Peter, married the couple and did a very touching homily. At the end of the ceremony, he called the parents up to sing the song ‘May the Road Rise to Meet you.’ “Our parents placed their hands on our backs. This is a Villanova tradition,” explains Courtney.

Floral Designer Dejaun Stroud and Courtney chose bright vibrant centerpieces and bouquets to contrast the navy bridesmaids dresses by Amsale and navy tableclothes. They included opulent displays of lilies, roses, hydrangeas, peonies, and eremurus in varied shades of coral.

The reception was held at the Mandarin. They fell in love the first time they entered the ballroom and knew it was the perfect place for the reception. Courtney and Kevin had their guests tour the city in New York on double decker tour buses before the cocktail hour for a real “classic” feel.

The couple honeymooned at the One & Only Reethi Rah Resort in the Maldives and stopped off at Dubai on the way back to the U.S. Avid travelers, Kevin and Courtney felt the exotic destination was appropriate.

Wedding Receptions | Candlelight and Centerpieces from Simple to Sublime

We’ve seen some amazing wedding reception photos over the years. It never fails to amaze us how candlelight transforms a large space into something romantic and intimate.

Below are examples from our StrictlyWeddings.com partners and others. These centerpieces are turned into statements and works of art – from over the top to simple elegance. Marvelous ideas for our fabulous brides.

Photography: www.insideweddings.com, Nancy Aidee Photography, Edmonson Weddings, DFW Events, Kehoe Designs

Wedding Themes: Beaches and Nautical touches

We probably have lots of brides who are dreaming about a wedding in warming climates right now! You will find Laguna Beach’s Surf & Sand Resort’s scenic oceanfront views, tranquil fountains, unique ballrooms and exquisite cuisine make it the perfect setting for the day you’ve been dreaming of!

Photographs from Grey Likes Weddings

Imagine walking down the aisle on a sunny terrace overlooking the ocean, or holding your ceremony right on the sand in Laguna Beach. Then celebrate with friends and family in an elegant ballroom with immaculate decor and deliciously creative cuisine.