2018 is slowly, but surely, coming to a close.  Can you believe that 2019 is just a few weeks away?  I’m so excited to see what the new year has in store!

Pantone recently announced that the 2019 Color of the Year is… *drumroll please*… Living Coral!

“Vibrant, yet mellow PANTONE 16-1546 Living Coral embraces us with warmth and nourishment to provide comfort and buoyancy in our continually shifting environment.”

I’ve had an opportunity to work with this gorgeous color a few times!  Here’s a peek at some of my past projects and events featuring the 2019 Color of the Year:

Lauren’s Bridesmaids’ Dresses: James Willis Photography | Garden Glam Cake, Peach & Platinum Bouquet and Place Setting: Ben Q Photography

Paired with complementing colors, Living Coral would create an ambiance filled with high energy, radiance, and joy!  This color definitely gives me beach vibes!  I can’t wait to see how this impacts the wedding and event world next year!  Stay tuned!

XOXO

I’m truly thankful for my background as an elementary school teacher!  Many of the skills I used in the classroom (organization, patience, creativity, etc) carry over into the wedding planning industry!  This includes what I like to call Wedding Word Etiquette.

Today I’d like to shed a bit of light on the difference between altar and alter.  Although these homophones sound the same, they have different meanings and spellings.  Please note the following:

AltAr: a place/table in the church where gifts and sacrifices are offered up to God

AltEr: change or cause to change in character or composition

In the wedding world, the altAr is the place where the bride and groom exchange vows and get married.  Here’s a peek at Olamide and Okem at the altar during their wedding ceremony at Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration in Dallas!

(Photo: Tru Identity Designs)

The word altEr could refer to a menu change or change in wedding plans.

Congrats!  You made it through today’s grammar lesson!  Stay tuned!  I’ll be back with more Wedding Word Etiquette!

XOXO

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Happy Thursday!  We are already in the 3rd week of 2018!  Can you believe it?  Pantone, known world-wide as the standard language of color communication, recently announced Ultra Violet as the Color of the Year 2018!

“A dramatically provocative and thoughtful purple shade, PANTONE 18-3838 Ultra Violet communicates originality, ingenuity, and visionary thinking that points us toward the future.”

The Ebony Peoples Events & Design bride has been loving shades of Ultra Violet for years!  It’s definitely one of the most popular colors selected during the design process!  Here’s a peek:

Charlene’s Shoes: Izehi Photography | Olamide’s Bouquet: Tru Identity Designs | Courtney’s Bridesmaid’s: Jackson Wedding Studios | Halisi’s Napkin: Izehi Photography

2018 is going to be a great year!  I’m excited to see how Ultra Violet impacts the wedding and event industry!  Stay tuned!

XOXO

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Happy Tuesday!  It’s officially Engagement Season!  This is the time between Thanksgiving and Valentine’s Day when over 50% of proposals take place!  As the excitement rises and wedding planning begins, it’s important that couples understand wedding lingo and word etiquette!  As a former elementary school teacher, this is near and dear to my heart!

Today I’d like to share the difference between stationAry and stationEry!  These words are homophones which means that they have the same pronunciation but different meanings, spellings, and origins!

StationAry: not moving or changing

StationEry: writing paper and other office materials

In the wedding world, we are often discussing stationEry which includes save-the-dates, invitations, ceremony programs, menu cards, and other day-of paper goods.

(Design: The Bee’s Knees | Photo: Ben Q Photography)

When we use the word stationAry, we are often referring to vehicles, people posing for a photo, or a centerpiece on a table.

I hope you enjoyed today’s grammar lesson!  I’ll be back soon with more wedding word etiquette!  Stay tuned!

XOXO

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It’s officially autumn wedding season!  October will be here in just a few days and it’s one of the most popular wedding months here in the South!  In addition, engagement season is quickly approaching!  (Guys love to pop the question between Thanksgiving and Valentine’s Day!)  Now is a great time to review details for wedding guest attire!

Have you receive a wedding invitation or checked out a wedding website and had no idea what to wear based off the suggested dress code?  Are you planning your wedding and want to ensure that your guests adhere to a certain style?  The Black Tux, an online tuxedo rental company that offers a well-curated selection of stylish, modern formalwear, recently shared The Wedding Guest Style Guide with my team!  This detailed (and awesome) tool will definitely point you in the right direction!  Check it out:

Now that you have the wedding dress code lingo under your belt, here are a few guest etiquette tips to take into consideration as your plan your attire for wedding day:

1. DO adhere to the couple’s dress code request!
2. DON’T wear white (unless you’re asked to)!  White (off-white and ivory too) is usually reserved for the bride.  You don’t want to be labeled “that girl” for the night…
3. DO dress for the venue, location, and season!  (Please note that your stilettos will sink into the grass at a garden wedding!)
4. DON’T wear the wedding colors.  This should be reserved for the wedding party and immediate family.
5. DO wear something that you’ll be comfortable in!  You want to be able to move freely when you hear your favorite song!  (This means that you may need to bring an extra pair of dancing shoes!)
6. DON’T wear inappropriate attire!  Be respectful of the couple, their family, and other guests.  Sexy, dramatic, and edgy looks should be reserved for other occasions.
7. DO coordinate your attire with your date!  You and your honey will surely turn heads in complementing colors and patterns!
8. When in doubt, DON’T underdress… In my opinion, it’s always better to be over than under!

The Black Tux offers a wide variety of high quality tuxedo, suit, and accessory rentals for the groom, groomsmen, guests, and all the other important men in your life!  Ladies, if you too are interested in renting a bit of luxury from some of the top designers around for your next wedding celebration, be sure to check out Rent the Runway!

Will you be attending a wedding soon?  If so, what will you be wearing?  I’d love to know!

XOXO

It’s Tasty Tuesday!  Last week I stated a 2 part series on edible wedding favors.  As you plan your wedding, you want to make sure that you select a favor that is useful and enjoyable for your guests!  Edible treats are always a big hit!  They often give your guests something to snack on after they’ve danced the night away at your reception.  Here’s a peek at part II of the series:

1. Milk and Cookies

2. Hot Cocoa

3. Coke and Peanuts

4. State Sugar Cookies

5. Organic Green Tea

6. Cotton Candy

7. Push-Up Pop

8. Caramel Apples

9. Soft Pretzels with Mustard Sauce

10. Honey

In case you missed it last week, be sure to check out Edible Wedding Favors: Part I.  What will you select as favors for your guests?  I’d love to know!

XOXO

It’s Tasty Tuesday!  Are you in the process of planning your wedding celebration?  If so, selecting wedding favors can be a very interesting task – to say the least!  My sweet brides put so much thought and energy into selecting favors for their guests.  Some have considered candles, matchbooks, cute little plants, personalized CDs, and the list goes on… You want to make sure that you select a favor that your guests will love and enjoy – not one that will be left on the table at the end of the night.  Edible wedding favors are often great choices!  After all, everyone loves a yummy treat!  Here are a few ideas:

1. Krispy Kreme Doughnuts

2. Sweetie Pies

3. French Macarons

4. Breath Mints

5. Popcorn

6. Colored Margarita Salt

7. Jam

8. Champagne

9. Coffee

10. Cupcakes in a Jar

Be sure to check back next week for Part II!  What will you select as a favor for guests at your wedding?  I’d love to know!

XOXO

It’s Wedding Wednesday!  As you plan your wedding celebration, be sure to take time with your soon-to-be Mr. (or Mrs.) to create a music list.  Keep in mind that the songs that you select will be create an ambiance for some of the most importation moments of your life!  Here’s a list of songs that you’ll need for your BIG day:

Ceremony:

Danyel & Darnell, Ben Q. Photography

– Prelude Music (while guests are being seated)

– Processional (as the wedding party enters the ceremony)

– Bride’s Grand Entrance

– Ceremony Music (unity candle, The Lord’s Prayer, solo, etc)

– Recessional (as the wedding party exits the ceremony)

Cocktail Hour:

– Will you hire a pianist or string quartet?  Will your DJ play soft jazz?  This list should include light, feel-good music!  This is the perfect time to play music that you love but can’t quite dance to.  Cocktail hour music will be the backdrop to great conversation, light hors d’oeuvres, and signature cocktails!

Reception:

Adriana & Jonathan, Ben Q. Photography

– Grand Entrance (as the wedding party and newlyweds enter her the reception)

– First Dance

– Father-Daughter Dance

– Mother-Son Dance

– Dance Floor Opener (to get guests up and moving)

– Cake Cutting

– Bouquet Toss

– Garter Removal/Garter Toss (Yes, these activities call for 2 separate songs!)

– Last Song

As you map out your wedding day music list, note the song title and the artist.  (Keep in mind that some songs have several versions.)  Your DJ and wedding planner should be able to offer a bit of guidance as your search for the perfect songs!  Be sure to consider your favorite artists, crowd pleasers, must-play lists, and (if necessary) do not play lists!

In addition to your wedding day, be sure to consider music for other wedding-related festivities including the Engagement Party, Bridal Shower, Bachelor/Bachelorette Party, Rehearsal Dinner, and Post-Wedding Day Brunch.

What’s on your wedding day must-play music list?  I’d love to know!

XOXO

I can’t get enough Kate Spade New York!  I absolutely adore all of the pink hues, touches of sparkle, and girly details!  As a lover of all things wedding, I am head over heels for Kate Spade’s bridal collection!  The collection includes super cute wedding accessories, gifts for bridesmaids, honeymoon must-haves, and so much more!  Here’s a peek at a few of my favorites:

1. Charm Heels | 2. Wedding Belles Francis | 3. Marry Me iPhone 5 Case | 4. Wedding Belles Travel Passport Holder | 5. Crystal Gardens Chandelier Earrings | 6. Wedding Belles License Plate Clutch | 7. Maid of Honor Idiom Bangle | 8. Say Yes “Mrs” Studs

I can’t wait to add a few of these items to my collection!  Kate Spade New York is hosting a surprise sale today called The Wedding Edition!  Click here to take advantage of the sale that ends tonight!

Which Kate Spade bridal accessory is your favorite?  I’d love to know!

XOXO

If you’re preparing to send out holiday cards, gather addresses for save-the-dates, or write thank you cards, I have the perfect Fab Find for you!  Postable is a website that allows you to easily fill up your address book complete your family and friends’ addresses and contact info.  Once you’ve collected addresses, Postable makes writing and mailing cards to people an easy task!

The Address Book

Your friends can add their info into your address book directly.  The address book is free, private, and secure!  You can export your address to Outlook, Apple Address, Book, Gmail, (etc), and even print mailing labels!

The Cards

There is a collection of cute and creative thank you cards, holiday cards, and everyday cards for you to choose from.  All of the cards are printed on 100% cotton (tree-free) paper or 100% recycled paper.  The cost of each card is only $2.00 plus the stamp!

The Writing Desk

Postable offers the easiest way to write and mail cards!  You can write to people using realistic handwriting fonts, vintage typewriter funs, and a host of others!

Printing & Mailing

When you’re done writing, Postable will print the cards, tuck them into an envelope, hand stamp them with a first class stamp, and drop them in the mail!

Postable is a lifesaver!  Will you use this Fab Find with your holiday or wedding mail?  I’d love to know!

XOXO

P.S. Use code “holiday13” to save 20% off your order!