Disney Fairytale Wedding's Bridal Showcase 2013

Well, there is so much to tell that I'm having a hard to find a place to start. This past weekend I took a trip down to Orlando, FL for Disney's Fairytale Wedding annual bridal showcase. And it was spectacular! It was held at the Convention Center at Disney's Contemporary Resort. After checking in at the registration desk I was directed to this entryway.

This completely set the tone for the kind of day I was about to have. After entering, the first thing you see is this rather impressive cake table flanked by gorgeous Alfred Angelo dresses.

 

As I got closer I saw that the beautifully designed cake was surrounded by about 2 dozen whimsical themed cupcakes. They had a treasure chest, sand castle, cup of coffee, Sorcerer Mickey hat, and even an R2-D2 for all those Star Wars fans out there.

After oogling at the amazingly detailed dresses and cupcakes I headed for the vendors that were lined up around the perimeter of the room. First stop, cake designers! There were 3 different cast members working at that station. The first was creating chocolate roses by rolling out small ovals of colored chocolate and layering them. The second was airbrushing sugar flowers with basic food coloring. And the third was painting white chocolate figurines with melted colored chocolate.

Then... the best part.... Cake Samples! They had 5 different types. Yellow Cake with Strawberry Mousse, Yellow Cake with Watermelon Mousse, Yellow Cake with White Chocolate Orange Mousse with Diced Candied Orange Peel, Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Hazelnut Crunch Mousse, and last but not least Chocolate Cake with White Chocolate Mint Mousse with Dark Chocolate Shavings.

All of them looked tasty but I went for the chocolate mint. It was delicious!

Now, of course, there is more to dessert than just cake. They also had offerings of chocolate and strawberries, Chocolate and mint layered dessert shots with an Oreo, White chocolate and Dark chocolate push up pops layered with raspberry filling, and  chocolate rounds with fillings of banana, coconut, and hazelnut.

Am I making you hungry yet??

Now, in-between each station there were some really creative cakes. Here are a few of my favorites:

At the end of this row of vendors they also had a booth for Alfred Angelo and an area for consultations from the Disney Fairytale Wedding's team. But at the very end they had this....

Cinderella's Royal Carriage...Love it!

They also had some lovely tablescapes:

Along the back wall they had the Sephora team hard at work doing make-up and nails while promoting their new "Jasmine Collection."

Then.....wait for it......more food!!! This time from some of Disney Catering Company's culinary artists. The options included: Pork chops served with Gratin, Shrimp appetizer, Char grilled sea scallops, and Poached pear and smoked Gouda salad. And to drink they had 2 signature drinks: "Something Blue" (with coconut rum) and "Something Almost Blue" (coconut drink non-alcoholic)

 

 

Believe it or not the booths continued down the row with representatives from Disney's Vero Beach and Hilton Head Resorts, Disney Golf vacations, The Disney Photography Studio, and Disney Fairytale Honeymoon's. The room was PACKED! But the best part had yet to come. At 1:00pm David Tutara was set to be the guest speaker!  We made sure to claim our seats early on and it was a good thing too because by 12:00pm just about every seat in the place had been saved by a convention bag, purse, or jacket.
David spoke and answered questions for about an hour. He was fantastic! He only spoke a short time about himself and his background and really focused on interacting with the people who had come to see him. He listened to all the women (and the one guy) who asked him questions or who were having problems and answered them honestly and really tried to help. Even though I don't currently have event planning challenges to speak of, I really enjoyed listening to his advice and insights. And some of his candid responses were very entertaining. I was a bit disappointed when he didn't stick around to sign autographs or take pictures but he is a very busy man so I understand.

Overall, it was an amazing experience and would absolutely recommend going to anyone who is even considering a Disney wedding. I would also recommend going to any wedding planner so they can become familiar with the Disney product. I am definitely going to try to go again next year!

For the full album of all the pictures I took at the Bridal Showcase please visit my Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/somethingbluesignatureevents

Bridal Fashion Spring 2013

Great news! Andrea has found her wedding dress! She was on a trip down to Florida to visit her maid of honor Jessica and they found "THE ONE." I can't give out any details just in case Jason decides to take a peek around the blog. So it will have to be a surprise for everyone. But, in the spirit of finding the perfect dress, I thought this would be a great opportunity to check out some of the wedding dress trends for the Spring!

1. Color. Color is looking like it will remain in the forefront of wedding fashion trends this year. White is losing its grip on bridal dresses. Vera Wang has been experimenting with colorful wedding dresses for years, and this spring her red wedding gowns, first launched last fall, are still on top. Soft pinks and blues are also captivating brides-to-be, who are choosing their favorite color, or a color that best suits their skin tone. Not everyone looks fantastic in white so this trend is working to the advantage of many brides. It also adds a sense of uniqueness and memorability to the wedding in general.

2. Lace. The comeback of lace in wedding gowns can be attributed to one major fashion icon. When the Duchess of Cambridge married Prince William, she reminded brides worldwide of the beautiful elegance of lace. Almost two years later, her gown continues to influence wedding gown styles, as lace remains one of the top choices for bridal gowns. Designers have been incorporating a “nouveau lace” in which the art is in the patterns of lace, from delicate, small lace patterning to larger, more graphic florals. The result gives their gown creations a classic, vintage touch with a modern design.

3. Peplums. The basic definition of a peplum is a short flared ruffle that is typically attached to the waist of a jacket or blouse. Wedding dress designers have incorporated this classic feature into their fashion for this season. Peplum are a look from another era, ultra feminine and perfect for the most feminine bridal gowns. The peplum skirt extends from the waist over the hips to create a classic couture effect. The peplum can also be manipulated to create a draped effect or a softer; more structured look straight out of glamorous 1930s Hollywood.

4. Portrait Backs   A portrait back wedding dress can offer a little extra surprise, particularly when the bride is walking down the aisle and her wedding guests get their first glimpse. This season, the back of the wedding dress is just as important as the front. Designers have softened the focus on bare skin with sheer panels of tulle, re-worked lace, and keyhole closings. While the emphasis is still on the bride from reverse, it's with more romance than seduction that she holds our attention.

Looks like we have another great bridal fashion season on our hands. I'm looking forward to the bridal showcases I'm going to in Orlando, FL and Charleston, SC in February! So, Now that Andrea has found her perfect dress, that is one more thing we can cross off our to-do list. Stay up to date with the planning of Andrea and Jason's wedding under the "Current Projects" tab!

"I'm really not a cake person....."

I've run into more than a few people who just do not like cake. (And sometimes sweets in general) Which can make choosing a wedding cake (or wedding dessert) difficult. The tradition of wedding cakes have been present at wedding ceremonies for centuries. They were not always the focus of the event and often came in different forms, like pies or bread. The modern wedding cake as we know it now originated at the wedding of Prince Leopold, Duke of Albany, in 1882. Today, there are many creative substitutions for traditional wedding cake. Here we will weigh in the options

The Tiered Cupcakes
For someone who likes cake but wants to be a bit non-traditional the wedding cupcakes are a good option. They are easy to serve and very customizable. There's something so whimsically childlike about unwrapping a cupcake. And that's what people both love and hate about wedding cupcakes – are they fun and familiar or too casual and unsophisticated? If you're having a formal wedding, you may want to stick with a grand and formal wedding cake. If your wedding guests are traditional people, they might think cupcakes are too casual, or worse, cheap. But if you're having a relaxed reception where fun is the primary goal, tell everyone to be a kid again and grab a cupcake.

Now for the hard core, absolutely hate (or are allergic to) cake, people there are plenty of other option that are just as tasty.

Dessert Shots

Petite Parfaits (dessert shots) are a sleek and stylish desert option. Parfaits by definition include multiple layers, for pleasing contrasts in flavor and texture.The flavor possibilities can range from fudge and caramel to no-bake cheesecake and key lime pie. Only a few bites big, they're just enough to satisfy everyone's sweet tooth.

 


Fruit Desserts

These are a deceptively simple dessert choice guaranteed to wow your wedding guests. From a sweet berry cream delight to the tasty fruit tart, these desserts could be the answer to your dessert dilemma. The beauty of these desserts lies in their simplicity.You could also provide your guests a dipping station or fondue fountain for fruits like strawberries, pineapples, rasberries, banannas, and apples. Guests can choose to dip their favorite fruit in dark or white chocolate sauce, whipped cream, and sugar.

              

Ice Cream Sundae Bar

Ice cream sundaes are a lot of fun and a great alternative to cake. Most ice cream sundaes are really about the toppings, so you don’t necessarily need to have a huge variety of ice cream flavors on hand. You would do just fine to have only chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry. The flavors could either be presented in large bowls with scoops, or you might find it neater to have pre-scooped dishes set out from which guests can choose. Just be sure that you keep the ice cream nice and cold so that it does not get soupy before everyone gets a chance to get their dessert. Decorate your ice cream sundae bar to coordinate with the rest of your wedding reception decor. If you are having a country style wedding, set up the station on an old wooden table decorated with handmade fabric bunting flags. For a more formal wedding, use elegant crystal bowls to hold toppings. If your style is retro chic, create an ice cream sundae bar with the vibe of a 1950′s soda fountain, complete with a server dressed like a soda jerk.

 

Dessert table

One of the best ways to satisfy everyone (if you have a lot of picky eaters) it to have a dessert table. If you are trying to save money while planning your wedding reception, consider having one of these. A dessert bar could potentially replace having a full size wedding cake. (you can have a smaller one to cut or none at all)  Wedding sweets to stock your dessert bar cost much less than having full size wedding cake plus the cake cutting fee. This buffet would include sweets such as cupcakes, chocolates, fruits, cake pops, and candy. They could be arranged in a pleasingly aesthetic way to incorporate the wedding decor and colors. 

 

A Change Will Do You Good......

Happy New Year everyone!! Some of you may notice that my blog has had a complete make over! The most obvious change being that my company has a new name. Something Blue Signature Events! Everything from Lasting Memories By Design is still here. So don't panic if you bookmarked your favorite pictures from the Inspirations page. It is still there... promise. Our Pinterest and Facebook pages have been updated as well. Our new Facebook URL is http://www.facebook.com/SomethinBlueSignatureEvents and I finally added a "Follow me on Pinterest" button on the blog!  You have no idea how long I have been trying to figure that one out. lol Some more design changes may happen along the way but the major turn overs are complete. What a way to start the new year! I want to thank you all for your continuing interest and support. Special shout out to my Pinterest followers. You guys are awesome! 
2013 is already looking like a very exciting year. I am going to the Bridal Showcase at Walt Disney World in Febuary. David Tutera is going to be the guest speaker. I'm VERY excited about that! Of course, we have the Maroun/Spiskey wedding in October. And hopefully, very soon, I will have an announcement of a location change! So be sure to subscribe or check back for updates, planning insights, and great inspirations for your next event! Until then, I wish all of you a great 2013!

Party like it's 1999

Happy Holidays Everyone!

I hope you are having a fantastic holiday season so far. With the end of the year fastly approaching I thought it appropriate to do a post on New Year's Eve parties! Personally, my family has a New Year's Eve tradition of getting together with some family friends of ours and having a rather low key affair. We all make some food and bring it to share. Football is on the TV. (mainly for the guys) A game of old fashion charades is always a possibility. And LOTS and LOTS of fireworks in the driveway and/or street. (We are talking at least an hour's worth.) But mainly, it's just about being together with good friends to start a new year.

But having an all out bash is a great way to start the new year off with a bang! The most obvious place to start is deciding how big you want your party to be and whom to invite. If you want to invite everyone you know (PLUS their guests) make sure you will have the space, food, and champagne to accommodate all of them. You might want to add an extra 15-20 people to your your guest count (for large parties) for last minute additions. You want to make sure your invitations are sent out far before the big night. The simple reason being that most of the partiers make their New Year's Eve plans well in advance. The invitations can stand apart on their own, but it would be well to relate them with your dominant party theme. (If you have one) Like, for a party with a clock-theme you can send out invitations shaped like clocks in round boxes bearing the name of the invitee and an image of a clock on top.

Next, I have the three D's. Decorations, Dancing, and Dinner.

Decorations

Fantastic decorations go a long way to create the right ambiance and make your party a memorable one. Good decor is a prime requirement for any party, and a New Year's Eve party is no different. For New Year's Eve parties, I like to encourage theming them. It's always great fun and gives your guests a chance to be creative.When decorating for your party, think of your theme and stick to it. While it is nice and completely appropriate to simply string up a few random balloons and throw out some confetti on the table, it is a little more festive to maintain a constant fun theme around the area you will be hosting the party in. It can also be adorned with New Year's greetings, banners, and streamers. Light up the outdoors and indoors of your house to add that extra sparkle to the celebrations.

                                      Dancing

Parties without music tend to be somewhat dull. Great music can set the tone of the evening and and keep the energy up! Never forget to arrange for a good sound system. Playing music will make no difference if no one can hear it. Make sure to choose an amazing playlist prior to the party. Remember that the musical selections should depend not only on your taste but the general taste and age of your guests. It is a good idea to try and get a friend to DJ for you, or you can always hire a professional if you are ready to spend the extra bucks to truly make it a "Rockin' New Year's Eve." If you are having you party at your house make sure you create a space as a designated dance floor. Having great dance music with nowhere for people to dance can really hinder the party atmosphere.

Dinner

While a sit-down dinner would be truly elegant, for a party like this when guests will be mingling all night long, whip up an array of finger foods and appetizers or get it catered.  Instead of putting all the food on one table, station them at different spots around the room and be sure they stay filled. For the midnight toast, do not forget to have chilled champagne and cider (for guests who do not drink alcohol) available. In addition, have different beverages, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic available for your guests.
*A great host who is serving alcohol at a party will be sure that all guests have a way to get home that evening. Be sure to have room available at your home for any guests who may need to spend the night. Make sure that there are designated drivers for all guests, so that everybody can get home safely. Also, many taxi services offer free transportation in New Year's Eve, so be sure to call around.

This should give you a little guidance on how to make your New Year's Eve party a total success. In the mean time, I wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy, and safe new year!

Having your wedding on holiday 101

Tis the season for holidays! Coincidental, it may be the day you want for your wedding. Having a wedding on a holiday, national or religious, is a bit tricky but not impossible or unheard of. But there is LOTS to consider. Here are some pluses and minuses to having your wedding be on a holiday. The first (and most obvious) plus is that you will never forget your anniversary! You could.... but you'd have to try REALLY hard. Next, the majority of your guests may already have the day off. So no time off requests needed. Lastly, you are essentially killing two birds with one stone. By having a reception there is no need for the 4th of July barbecue, New Years Eve bash, or whatever celebration you would typically have for what holiday you chose.

There can be, of course, some logistical complications. Going over details and planning ahead is crucial.  Although your guests may already have the day off they may already have plans as well. It may be hard for them to choose your wedding over Easter dinner with their entire family at their grandmother's house. There may also be increased costs in many areas. Florist prices are at some of their highest on Valentines Day. So those red roses you want are going to cost you. Vendors may have to pay their employees overtime or "holiday pay" to work on a holiday. Which translates into YOU paying them more than you normally would for their services. Hotel prices and airfare are always higher on or around holidays. So you will have to pay extra attention to your budget when planning a holiday wedding.

Now here are some tips that will help you have successful holiday wedding: First, give your guests as much notice as you can. Send out Save The Date cards ASAP. Family vacations and out of town trips are typically planned far in advance so you should too! Be prepared for for a higher 
Decline than RSVP count. For any given wedding one should expect a 10%-15% Decline rate. For holidays expect this to be higher. One thing you can do is keep the guest list small. Invite the people who are closest to you and that you know will come. Forget your half cousin in Minnesota. Next, You should acknowledge the holiday you are having your wedding on with out going overboard. A few examples: You can use great spring colors and flowers in your fashion and decor without having to bring in the Easter Bunny. Or have a desert bar with candied apples and candy corn instead of having a carved Jack-o-lantern on every table. Use holiday colors strategically. You don't want it to look like the American flag threw up all over your reception space. Use white table cloths with blue napkins and accents of red in your centerpieces. 
Next, be sure to check with the venue you are using to see if they are having a holiday party of their own during the time of the wedding or reception. Some venues, such as country clubs, open there doors to their members for holidays like New Year's Eve. You don't want anyone crashing your party. 

And remember, just because you don't typically celebrate it doesn't mean it's not a holiday. A few good examples are: Cinco de Mayo, Chinese New Year, Columbus Day, President's Day, St. Patrick's Day, and Earth Day. And even though things don't necessarily close on those days. If you are planning to have your wedding in New Orleans on or around Mardi Gras you are going to have transportation and accommodation issues. But you will probably have a great time too! 
So, I hope this was helpful and gave you a good idea of what to expect if you are planning a holiday wedding. But if you are on the fence about the idea consider this: Shouldn't your wedding be a holiday all to itself? It is the celebration of love and commitment you have with your partner. After all, everyone keeps telling you it's your day. So why not make it your own? 

Make "Green" One Of Your Colors

Just because your wedding will have a significant impact on your wallet doesn't mean it has to have a significant impact on the environment. Here are just a few ways the environmentally conscious brides and grooms can incorporate "Green" in their wedding.

In the center of attention
The best way to get the most out of your centerpieces is to allocate them for a variety of uses. Reuse your flowers by transforming ceremony flowers into table decorations at the reception. After the party, donate them to a local hospital or senior citizen center or send them home with your guests. If you do choose to donate them, delegate that responsibility to a groomsmen or friend of the family to take care of the following day.

If you are looking for a vessel for the center of your table to hold flowers, sea shells or colorful rocks, consider vases made from recycled glass or a bamboo bowl, due to renewable tendencies. Recycled Glassworks has some beautiful original bowls created from recycled glass. The colors and patterns are fantastic and will allow you plenty of creativity and color options when it comes to filling the center of the table. For an even more dramatic table, set it off with a reclaimed wood with votive candle holders. All of these can be special ordered in large quantities.
   

If you prefer to leave the centerpieces up to the professionals that ok too. Ask your florist about what earth friendly options they may already have!

Can you do me a Favor?
There is no better way to make a green statement and to encourage others to do the same than to give eco-friendly wedding favors to your wedding guests. Made of earth friendly, natural materials, eco-friendly wedding favors are kind to the planet and safe for the environment.

Now this is one great wedding favor that serves double duty! Not only is it a place card for your guests its a wedding favor they can take home and plant to watch the wildflowers grow.


It has been said that bamboo is luckiest when it is received as a gift, which makes these beautiful Natural Bamboo Coasters a delightful and thoughtful way to thank your guests for sharing in your wedding day.



100% pure beeswax candles are unlike any other candles. They create beautiful ambiance with their warm glow, soft honey scent and air purifying effects that don’t release toxins.



You're invited!
Your wedding announcement or invitation can set the tone for your environmentally friendly wedding. There are many options today for 100% recycled, partially recycled or completely tree free papers from wedding invitation suppliers. Consider all these places for paper on your wedding day:

•engagement announcements
•save the date cards
•wedding invitations
•ceremony programs
•place cards
•menu cards
•thank you notes

A great way to significantly cut down on paper and waste is by creating a personalized wedding website.  Many wedding planning websites such as WeddingWire.com and TheKnot.com offer free wedding website templates for you to use once you register on their site. Along with the environmental benefits, a wedding website is also a great way to keep all your guest informed. You can post hotel recommendations, directions, and entertainment options for out of town guests. You can also have links to your registries.

So, having a little green in your wedding really isn't that hard. All it takes is a bit of extra thought, reasearch, and a few great reasorces!