EVENTistas, LLC

A Chocolate /Latte & Chocolate/Pink Drink Menu

2010-03-01T19:45:00.000-08:00

With back to back weddings coming up for Kevion & Antoinette and Angie & Okwui I had been working on a drink menu design for their weddings. They both have chocolate as a base color so I used the same menu and just changed the accent colors for each couple:

Kevion & Antoinette's

Angie & Okuwi's

Wedding Shopping with Clients

2010-02-28T18:50:00.000-08:00

One of the things that I do with clients is go shopping with them for supplies for their wedding and for the hand made designs they have ordered from me. The advantage of shopping clients gives me a chance to get to know them better and to make additinal suggestions on the design and decor of their wedding. Two of my favorite places to shop with my clients are AC Moore and Walmart. With only a month left until their BIG DAY, I recently went shopping with Kevion & Antoinette and we got a lot accomplished. We bought all of their jars for their Candy Bar, the centerpieces for their cocktail hour, tulling for the church and the supplies I needed to design their aisle runner, pew cones and their unity candle.

Angie & Okwui's Table Numbers

2010-02-15T16:44:00.000-08:00

As I have been gearing up for Angie and Okwui's Puerto Rican & Nigerian Wedding, they asked me to come up with a design idea for their Table Numbers. I decided design table numbers that incorporate both of their heritages. I designed the numbers using Spanish and Yoruba one of the languages spoken in Nigeria. I can't believe how fast time is flying! There are only 2 months left until their BIG DAy!

Our Last Wedding of 2009

2010-01-15T16:40:00.000-08:00

Our Last Wedding of 2009 was Sandra & Andrew's Hatian-American Celebration. Some of the Highlights of their event were a dove release at the ceremony, Cold Stone Ice Cream at the Reception, the awesome Untouchable Band from the Bronx rocked the crowed and the Bride's brother arranged for a surprise guests appearance at the Reception from R&B singer Slim of the singing group 112. As Promised here are some photos from their Wedding Day:

Date: Saturday November 28, 2009

Ceremony Venue: Holy Spirit Roman Catholic Church Union, New Jersey

Reception Venue: Solar do Minho Roselle Park, New Jersey

The Theme: Celebration

The Color Scheme: Gold & Ivory

Photographer: A&C Photography

Florist: English Country Gardenss

Cake: Solar do Minho

Caterer: Solar do Minho

Band: Untouchable

DJ: DJ Nix in da Mix

Ice Cream: Cold Stone

Doves: Kaila's Love Doves

Hatian Food: B&B Bakery

The Ceremony

The Doves

The Happy Couple

Cocktail Hour

The Reception

The Details

The Untouchable Band

The Cake

Slim from 112

A Job Well Done

Happy New Year

2010-01-01T16:40:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year from EVENTistas!

Countdown to Sandra & Andrew's Wedding Celebration!

2009-11-24T16:46:00.000-08:00

So the Countdown is on for Sandra and Andrew's Wedding Celebration Thanksgiving Weekend. We have been working with this couple for over 6 months and we are really excited about their upcoming BIG DAY! Here is a preview of the Specialty Drink Menu I designed for their Reception:

Stay Tuned for a RECAP, HIGHLIGHTS and PHOTOS of their Wedding Day...

Kevion & Antoinette's Monograms

2009-11-21T18:14:00.001-08:00

Here are a few monograms I designed for our clients Kevion and Antoinette's upcoming wedding ENJOY:

Angie & Okuwie's Inspiration Board

2009-11-21T05:53:00.000-08:00

Our clients Angie and Okuwie are getting married in North Jersey in April 2010 and I recently create a pink and chocolate Inspiration Board for their upcoming wedding.

Stay tuned for more posts about this couple as we continue to plan their wedding...

Throwback Thursday: Mariska Hargitay & Peter Hermann

2009-11-12T07:56:00.000-08:00

This week's Throwback Thursday features the wedding of one of my favorite actresses Mariska Hargitay. Her wedding was absolutely gorgeous and below are the details.

The Couple: "Law and Order: SVU" star Mariska Hargitay and actor Peter Hermann

Date: August 28, 2004

Location: The couple said "I do" at the Unitarian Historical Chapel in Santa Barbara, California.

The Ceremony: Former Mr. Universe Mickey Hargitay took his daughter by the arm for a walk down the aisle past two hundred invited guests, including Jodie Foster and then couple Chad Lowe and Hillary Swank and of course her SVU co-star Christopher Meloni. Beneath the glow of a round stained glass window, the couple exchanged platinum wedding bands in a ceremony which concluded with a choir singing the joyous Diana Ross and The Supremes hit, "Ain't No Mountain High Enough."

The Dress: Pink was the signature color of the bride's
mother, the late screen siren Jayne Mansfield, and on her wedding day the actress kept the memory of the 1950's blonde bombshell alive by donning a Carolina Herrera creation in a subtle shade of the hue. The strapless gown with a deep sweetheart neckline contained a wealth of sentimental secrets, including the groom's initials and the wedding date elaborately embroidered inside the lining, and a locket containing the smiling portraits of Mansfield and the bride's grandmother tucked into the folds of the dress, so the bride's family could be close to her in spirit.

Highlights: Children were chosen as bridesmaid's, and the angelic assemblage preceded the thespian into the chapel wearing headpieces composed of pink and white roses tied together with a ribbon, and sleeveless light pink dresses with bows on the back.

The Reception: The smooth sound of soul classics wafted in the air on the private estate, where attendees dined on Alaskan halibut with tomato-basil relish and slices of a six-tiered chocolate and vanilla wedding cake.

Sandra & Andrew's Monograms

2009-11-04T10:53:00.000-08:00

Here are some monograms I created for Sandra & Andrew's upcoming wedding:

Monogram 1

Monogram 2

Monogram 3

They decided to go with Monogram 3. Stay tuned for more details about their upcoming wedding.

Tasty Tuesdays: The Popcorn Bar

2009-11-03T17:51:00.000-08:00

Want a unique alternative for a fun and economic favor at your wedding? Why not try a Popcorn Bar. With a little imgaination you can create a great Popcorn Bar for your guests that comes in all different types of flavors. With so many people doing Candy Bars at their wedding receptions these days, this is a unique idea!

Of course Popcorn comes in so may different flaovrs from trasitional butter, to cheeses to the sweet taste of caramel. Here are some cool recipes from Recipe Tips to create some unique Popcorn flavors for your Popcorn Bar:

Chile Popcorn

16 cups popped corn
3 small dried red Chile peppers
7 tablespoon margarine
1/4 tablespoon garlic salt
Peanuts (optional)

If popcorn is cold, heat in oven. Over low heat, melt margarine. Add Chile peppers to margarine and cook for 5 minutes. Remove Chile's and pour butter over heated popcorn. Season with garlic salt, add peanuts if desired.

Game Day Popcorn

16 cups popped corn
2 cups sharp Cheddar cheese (shredded)
¼ cup butter
3 teaspoons lemon pepper
1/4 teaspoons Cayenne pepper
3 teaspoons Chile powder
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon paprika
Peanuts (optional)
Granola (optional)

In a large bowl, combine popcorn, peanuts (optional), granola (optional), and shredded cheese. On medium heat, melt butter. Add spices to melted butter and stir well. Pour butter and spice mixture over popcorn mixture and toss.

Garlic-Cheese Popcorn

½ cup butter
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon Cheddar cheese flavored salt
½ teaspoon garlic powder
12 cups popped corn (hot)

Over low heat, melt butter. Add seasonings and pour over hot popped corn. Best when served warm.

Italian Style Corn

½ cup oil (preferably olive oil)
2-8 oz. packages of Italian dressing
2 tablespoons of lemon juice (optional)
16 cups of popped corn

Bring oil to a boil in small sauce pan. Add lemon juice and Italian dressing packets, stirring constantly. Pour over popcorn and toss. Best when served warm.

Kevion & Antoinette's Inspiration Board

2009-10-26T17:44:00.000-07:00

Our clients Kevion & Antoinette are getting married in New York in March 2010. We are really exctied to be working with them and I created this inspiration board to help develop their color scheme of Chocolate and Latte. They want a very elegant and classy wedding and I am currently designing monograms for their big day.

Sandra & Andrew's Wedding Invitations

2009-10-24T05:52:00.000-07:00

When Sandra & Andrew approached me about desiging their wedding invitations, I was thrilled to take on the challenge. They wanted soemthing simple yet elegant to go with their wedding color scheme of gold, beige and cream. Here is what I came us with and once again my husband cut and printed the invitation ensemble:

As always we changed certain information to protect our client's privacy.

My One Year Wedding Anniversary!

2009-10-11T07:28:00.000-07:00

Being an Event Planner, I love planning weddings and events and seeing the love my clients have for one another. Well my husband has been very supportive of EVENTistas and has helped me with tons of projects for my clients so this post is dedicated to him!

WOW how time flies! Today is our One Year Wedding Anniversary! We are going out to celebrate and I can't believe we have been together for 5 years! I thank God for allowing us to see our One Year Anniversary and pray that we celebrate many, many more! I truly love my DH more than words can express and I am so excited to be TTC a baby with him! Here are some pictures from our Destination Wedding and Honeymoon in Jamaica courtesy of Studio by Carmen Photography in Miami, Florida:

Throwback Thursday: Seneca Simmons and Elton Brand's "Rustic Elegance" Wedding

2009-10-08T17:52:00.000-07:00

This Throwback Thursday features the wedding of Seneca and Elton. Elton is a player for the NBA's Los Angeles Clippers They are truly a beautiful couple and their wedding was simply breathtaking. The wedding took place at the Biltmore Estate located in North Carolina and naturally so, since they met at Duke University during their undergrad years. The beautiful and stunning Rustic Themed event was designed by Lisa Vorce of Oh, How Charming! The beautiful photography is courtesy of Elizabeth Messina.

Tasty Tuesdays: Wedding Cheescakes

2009-10-06T18:39:00.000-07:00

Want something different and unique as the sweet focal point at your Wedding Reception? Well then, try a Wedding Cheesecake. Wedding Cheescakes can made with whipped icing and custom designed to any shape, theme or idea you have in mind. Not only that, if you hav eever been to the Cheesecake Factory Restaurant you know that Cheescakes come in a huge variety of flavors and filling.

Wedding Cheesecake from Heavenly Cheescakes:

Singer Toni Braxton's infamous Tiffany Box Wedding Cheesecake:

Kecia & Greg Fall in Love!

2009-10-05T07:00:00.000-07:00

I met Kecia through her bridesmaids over a year ago when they came to my booth at the Ebony Weddings Bridal Show in North Jersey. For the past year we worked with Kecia and Greg to bring alive their Fall in Love Wedding Theme. I would like to give a special thanks to my New Associate Onica who did a FAB job with me the Day of the Wedding. Professional Pictures COMING SOON....

Ceremony Venue: Faith Fellowship Ministries Sayreville, New Jersey

Reception Venue: The Bethwood Totowa, New Jersey

Date: Saturday September 19, 2009

The Theme: Fall in Love

The Color Scheme: Cranberry, Butterscotch & Orange

Photographer: Erik Guzowski

Design & Decor: EVENTistas

Cake: The Bethwood

Caterer: The Bethwood

DJ: DJ Vander

Transportation: Entertainment Express

Kecia Arriving at the Ceremony

The Ceremony Programs I Designed for Them and They Were Cut and Printed by my Husband

The Unity & Memorial Candles that I Designed for Them

The New Mr. & Mrs.

The Reception

The Wish Bowl we Created for the Reception

The Memorial Set-Up at the Reception

The Tablescapes we Designed

The Drink Menu I Designed for Them

The Lounge

The Newlyweds

The Fall Themed Candy Bar we Set Up

The Wedding Cake

Me & Kecia

A Job Well Done: Me & Onica

Sandra & Andrew's Inspiration Board

2009-09-23T12:21:00.000-07:00

Our clients Sandra and Andrew were referred to us by a previous client, so I immediately went to work creating an inspiration board for their wedding that we will be coordinating in November. Their color scheme is champagne and gold and they want their wedding to be an elegant and romantic celebration. Stay tuned, as we will be working a a logo for this couple as well as designing their wedding invitation...

Count Down to Kecia & Greg's Big Day!

2009-09-13T07:45:00.000-07:00

We have been extremely busy finalizing the plans for Kecia & Greg's upcoming Wedding on September 19, 2009. We have planned their wedding for the past 7 months and we will be coordinating their rehearsal and wedding. We will be back with tons of Non-Pro PICS of all of the projects we designed for their wedding and pictures of the ceremony & reception.

Throwback Thursday: Holly Robinson Peete & Rodney Peete

2009-09-03T07:34:00.000-07:00

Holly Robinson Peete & Rodney Peete's Hollywood Marriage has stood the test of time. 14 years, four kids and one 10 year vow reewal later they are still happily married:

Date: June 10, 1995

Place: The Brentwood Estate of Les Moonves in Los Angeles, California

Highlights: She was escorted down the aisle by her mom and her dad and Rev. Jesse Jackson officiated. R&B Singer James Ingram serenaded the couple with his song "Find 100 Ways" and the USC Marching Band played at the Reception

Vow Renewal: June 22, 2005 at The Wynn Las Vegas, Nevada

Tasty Tuesdays: The Intermezzo

2009-08-23T17:38:00.000-07:00

The word Intermezzo comes from Italy and is used to cleanse the palate between courses. Intermezzos are small, light and refreshing and that is wy Sorbets are the most popular Intermezzos at weddings and events. Sorbets are a frozen dessert made with ice and sweetened fruit juice or a fruit puree. Sorbets come in all types of flavors like Lemon, Rasberry, Pineapple, Apple, Lime & Mango.

Khalilah & George's PRO Wedding PICS!

2009-08-21T07:40:00.000-07:00

Here are some Professional Wedding Pictures from Khalilah & George's Vineyard of love themed Wedding that we planned/coordinated June 27,2009. I just loved working with Lil' she is truly a sweetheart and I miss seeing her on a regular basis already, but she is someone I will definitely keep in touch with. The teaser photos are courtesy of Tackeff photography and Lil' and George's wedding will be featured on our website!. ENJOY:

How cute is this PIC of Lil' snapping a photo of George?

My Favorite Teaser PIC:

Our One Year Anniversary!

2009-08-19T10:00:00.000-07:00

Well this month marks our ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY! A year ago we officially became EVENTistas, LLC and we have been growing an making strides as a small business. Over this year we have planned and coordinated some FAB weddings and designed everything from invitations to cake toppers for clients all over the country. As a company we hope to continue to grow and we would like to give a big THANK YOU to all of our past and present clients.

Ashton's Swarvorski Cake Topper

2009-08-18T09:52:00.000-07:00

I designed this Swarvorski Topper for Ashton's wedding in Vegas. It is reprensentative of all the bling and fab that you Viva in Las Vegas!

Melissa and Rodney's Mango & Azalea Elegance!

2009-08-17T08:52:00.000-07:00

I met Melissa over a year and a half ago while I was planning my own wedding and between now and then we have established more than a client/planner relationship, we have become friends. We worked hard to bring to life her primary color scheme theme of Mango and Azalea and her secondary theme of Diamonds, playing on the groom's cool last name. I truly enjoyed planning and coordinating this wedding and I even got to co-MC during the Reception with her DJ. The ceremony was absolutely breathtaking and my husband I were able to design and print many items for her wedding and reception. One unique thing about the ceremony was that the had a Steel Pan player. Melissa had her hairstylist and make-up artist style her hair one way for the ceremony and a different way for the reception. My favorite part of the Reception was their grand entrance to the James Bond 007/Kanye West Re-make of "Diamonds are Forever." Congratulations Melissa and Rodney and we wish you nothing but a lifetime of joy and happiness. Professional Pictures COMING SOON....

Venue: The North Ritz Club Syosset, New York

Date: Friday August 14, 2009

The Theme: Mango & Azalea Elegance; Diamonds

The Color Scheme: Mango & Azalea

Photographer: Dana Lee Jones

Photographer: Al's Photography

Photographer: Strafford Photography

Videographer: Halo Productions

Florist: Pedestals

Cake: Cakes by Jay

Caterer: The North Ritz Club

DJ: Big Bob

Steel Pans: Sesame Flyer

Hair & Make-Up: Cocoamane

Transportation: Camelot

I re-designed Melissa's logo in Photoshop so she could have these wall/window stickers made

The Petal Cones I made for Melissa by hand featuring the original logo I designed for them in Photoshop; and the Ceremony Programs I helped her re-design and they were printed by my husband

The Memorial Candle set I handmade for Melissa & Rodney

The Sand Ceremony

The Aisle Runner that I hand painted for the couple

More Ceremony Pictures

The Newlywed Couple

The Cocktail Hour

The Diamond name display that I made for them

The Table Numbers I re-designed in Photoshop with the gorgeous high/low centerpieces by Pedestals; TheTable Numbers were all movies they had seen toegether from 1999-2009

The Place Cards and Guest Book

The Wine Stopper Favors Display with the Thank You Tags I designed for them in Photoshop and were cut and printed by my husband

The Drink Menu I designed for them

The FAB Ceiling Swag done by Pedestals

The Gobo based on the original logo I designed for them in Photoshop

The Cake by Jay

The Midnight Snack Labels I designed for Melissa and Rodney set up at the Viennese Hour

Throwback Thursdays: Shawn Stockman & Sharhonda Jones "True Blue" Wedding

2009-08-13T09:32:00.000-07:00

Boyz II Men singer Shawn Stockman met Sharhonda Jones in 1993 at the Billboard Music Awards and ironicallly at the time Shawn was dating someone else. When she strated working for Boyz II Men in 1994 it was strictly professional but she loved Shawn's personality and prayed to God to find somebody like him. Well, God decided to bless her with the real thing! Shawn proposed to Sharhonda in 1999 after a visit to Michael Jackson's Neveland Ranch where they watched Runaway Bride.

Date: September 1, 2001

Place: The Wyndham Hotel Toledo, Ohio

Theme: Periwinkle Blue

Highlights: Sharhonda's mother walked her down the aisle to the Boyz II Men Ballad I Do. Celebrity planner and my inspiration Diann Valentine transfored the Whyndam into an elegant blue oasis. The dance floor was a plexiglass fish tank with blue water of course and goldfish. A blue carpet was put down on the ballroom floor. DJ Biz Markie kept everyone dancing and R&B singer Joe sang for the bride and groom.

Tasty Tuesdays: The Midnight Snack

2009-08-11T09:53:00.001-07:00

One of the latest and cutest wedding trends that is becoming increasingly popular is the Midnight Snack. Just what is a Midnight Snack you ask? It's a little treat that can range from sweets to mini burgers that you give your guests towards the end of the night after they have been having a great time dancing and most likely have "the munchies".

If you have the budget for it, the Midnight Snack will most definitely add a special touch to your wedding and your guests will appreciate it. Here are the Midnight Snack labels I designed in Photoshop for Melissa's wedding this Friday. These labels will be put on boxes and utilized during the Vieneese hour:

Countdown to Melissa & Rodney's BIG DAY!

2009-08-10T09:53:00.000-07:00

Our clients Melissa and Rodney are getting married this Friday!!!! We have been working together for over a year and in this time I can truly say Melissa has become more than a client, she has become a friend. This is going to be a FAB Wedding and I am so honored to be their Planner/Coordinator/Designer and I have truly enjoyed working with them over this past year. I will have lots of PICS to post next week so STAY TUNED...

Kecia & Greg's Fall Logo & Invitations

2009-08-03T09:52:00.000-07:00

Our clients Kecia and Greg are getting married in North Jersey this September and together we came up with the theme Fall In Love. In addition to planning and coordinating their wedding, they approached me about designing a logo for them and an invitation set that would highlight their fall theme. Once again I worked with my dear husband on this project.

The Logo

The Invite

The Reception Card

The RSVP Card

Once again information has been changed to protect our clients.

Maryam & Monsor's PRO Wedding PICS!

2009-08-01T12:52:00.000-07:00

Here are some Professional Wedding Pictures from Maryam and Monsour's Muslim Wedding that we coordinated back at the beginning of June. The photos are courtesy of the very talented Tunji Sarumi. If you are looking for a Wedding Photographer I would highly recommend Tunji. ENJOY:

And my absolute FAVORITE:

Designs for Melissa's Rehearsal Dinner

2009-07-28T09:15:00.000-07:00

Our client Melissa approched me about designing a logo, invitation and menu and matching place cards for her elaborate Rehearsal Dinner that would be taking place in Brooklyn. I worked with my husband on this project and we are thrilled with the way things turned out. My husband printed everything on white card stock and cut them to specification. The black background here is so you can see the white image of the designs as they would look after being cut. As always information has been changed to protect our clients:

The Logo

The Rehearsal Dinner Invitation

The Menu

The Matching Place Cards had a black chandelier with gold accents.

Tanisha and Juan's Jamaican Wedding PICS!

2009-07-24T08:14:00.000-07:00

I met Tanisha at a Bridal show in North Jersey about 2 months before her wedding and she hired me to design several items for her destination wedding in Jamaica. I was more than thriled to work with her because I also got married in Jamaica and I have a special place in my heart for destination weddings:

The Wedding Gazebo

The Guests

The Aisle Runner I designed

The Program Fans I designed that were cut and printed by my wonderful Husband

The Memorial Candle Set I designed for her

The ADORABLE Bride & Groom

Tanisha and Juan, we wish you nothing but a lifetime of JOY and HAPPINESS!

What We Have Been Up To...

2009-07-18T07:46:00.000-07:00

June and July have been EXTREMELY busy for EVENTistas! Not only have we been planning and preparing for our weddings this summer, but we also designed various handmade items for clients all over the country. Here is a look at some of what we have been up to:

Memorial Candles

Swarvorski Crystal Cake Topper

Candy Table Letters

Cake Toppers with Faux Crystals

Petal Cones

Venue Spotlight: The North Ritz Club

2009-07-11T13:54:00.000-07:00

Nestled in Syosset, New York (Long Island) is the beautiful and elegant North Ritz Club (NRC). I had an opportunity to visit this gorgeous site when I was doing a walk-through with my clients in preparation for their wedding. I am so excited to be able to coordinate a wedding at the NRC, and during my walk-through I was able to get some great pictures:

The Elegant Foyer

The Regal Staircase

The Elegant Room Where Our Client's Cocktail Hour Will Be

The Lush Outdoor Gardens Where The Ceremony will Take Place

The Massive, Modern and Elegant Ballroom

If you are looking for a venue for your Wedding or Social Event, definitely check out The NRC. They have lovely grounds, a great menu and they are located only 40 minutes from Manhattan.

Khalilah and George's Vineyard of Love!

2009-07-04T09:58:00.000-07:00

I met Khalilah at a Bridal Show in North Jersey last year and we immediately clicked! Since then, we have been working with them for over 6 months to make their Wedding Day vision of "A Vineyard of Love" a reality. Both Khalilah aka Lil and George are wonderful human beings and their WEDDING DAY was simply gorgeous with tons of family and friends. After working with them to plan and prepare for their BIG DAY they felt more like good firends than clients when I was actually there coordinating the day of. Khalilah and George from the bottom of my hear I wish you nothing but a lifetime of joy and happiness. continue to cherish each other as you always have and enjoy your honeymoon!

Venue: The Westwood Garwood, New Jersey

Date: Saturday June 27, 2009

The Theme: A Vineyard of Love

The Color Scheme: Purple & Gold

Photographer: Steven Tackeff Photography

Florist: Lodi Florists

Cake: The Westwood

Caterer: The Westwood

DJ: Glass Stones Entertainment aka DJ G-Stone and DJ Ty Adams

Hotel: Hotel Indigo Blue

Transportation: D&G Limos

The Petal Cones I Created for Them

The Unity Candle Set Up

The Aisle Runner I Designed for Them

The Adorable Fan Programs

Khalilah Looking Stunning Before Her Grand Entrance into the Ceremony

Khalilah and George Exchanging Vows in their Vineyard of Love

The Unique Picture Frame Set Up For the Guests to Sign at Cocktail Hour

The Place Card Table

The Tablescape With the Table Numbers My Husband and I Designed

The Sweetheart/Head Table

The Wedding Cake

The Favor Table with Wine of Course

Me and the Happy Couple

The New Mr. & Mrs!

Have a Happy 4th of July

2009-07-03T07:02:00.000-07:00

EVENTistas would like to wish everyone a Happy Independence Day Weekend!

Kalilah & George's Vineyard of Love Items

2009-06-29T17:44:00.000-07:00

For our clients Khalilah and George's wedding in North Jersey this past saturday, my husband and I designed and printed several different items from the invitations to their aisle runner. We will have NON-PRO Pics of their BEAUTIFUL Wedding Day coming soon ;)

The Vineyard Themed Invitation and RSVP Card

The Vineyard of Love Table Numbers

Their Logo

Guest Picture Frame Sign

Drink Menu inspired by Eliana Baucicault of By Your Side Events

Aisle Runner

Petal Cones

Maryam & Monsour's Muslim and Nigerian Wedding!

2009-06-28T19:07:00.000-07:00

When Maryam and her sister Rikayat approached me 2 weeks before their wedding to come in and COORDINATE the day of, I happily accepted. I was excited because for one it was a Muslim and Nigerian Wedding and second they were anticipating over 500 guests. Since their wedding was so large and had so many Muslim and Nigerian traditions, I created an extremely detailied timeline for their BIG DAY. Maryam and Monsour we want to thank you for letting EVENTistas be a part of one of the most special moments of your life. Here are some NON-PROFESSIONAL Pictures from their day. We promise PROFESSIONAL Pictures are coming soon...

Venue: Pines Manor Edison, New Jersey

Date: Sunday June 14, 2009

The Theme: M&M

The Color Scheme: Burgundy & Gold

Photographer: Tunji Sarumi

Florist: Brandywinde Floral Design

Cake: Bake and More

Caterer: Lena C

Video: Tunde

Hotel: Crown Plaza Hotel

Transportation: DJ Limo Service

Lighting: Visions Recovery Inc.

Ice Sculpture: Ice Sculpture Designs, LLC

Tanisha and Juan's Destination Wedding

2009-06-26T18:26:00.000-07:00

I met Tanisha at a Bridal Show in North Jersey and she immediately hired us to design several items for her Destination Wedding June 13, 2009 at the beautiful Rosehall Resort in Montego Bay, Jamaica, West Indies. Here is what we designed for her:

Fan Programs

Hand Painted Aisle Runner

Petal Cones and a Memorial Candle Set (Sorry No PIC ;\)

Welcome Box Labels

Congratulations Tanisha and Juan and we wish you a lifetime of joy and happiness!

RIP Michael

2009-06-25T18:29:00.001-07:00

Michael Joseph Jackson was hands down the entertainer of our generation. I can remeber growing up and watchin re-runs of the Jackson 5 cartoon and listening and dancing to Michael and all of the Jacksons. Have you ever been to a wedding reception that did not play at least one Michael Jackson song? My husband and I were both truly devestated tonight and our hearts go out to the Jackson family at this difficult time.

Kecia & Greg's Inspiration Board

2009-06-25T12:36:00.000-07:00

I designed this Inspiration Board for Kecia & Greg's upcoming Wedding in September. Together we came up with the theme Fall in Love and I happy to be planning and coordinating their Big Day!

Countdown to Khalilah & George's BIG DAY!

2009-06-23T13:38:00.000-07:00

Our clients Khalilah and George are getting married this Saturday in North Jersey and we are so EXCITED! We have been working with this wonderful couple for about 6 months and all of our hard work together and planning will come together with their Vineyard of Love Theme. We designed several items for their wedding that I PROMISE to post soon, June has just been sooo busy! Here are a few photos from their recent engagement session with FAB photographer Steven Tackeff:

About Us

2009-06-22T23:43:00.000-07:00

More Posts of Recent Weddings we have Planned/coordinated and Projects Coming Soon!

Not Easily Broken

2009-05-12T05:34:00.000-07:00

You're Married. The Honeymoon is over. So, after all of that planning, how do you build a solid marriage and make it work? So many of us get caught up in the planning of a wedding that we don't think about the marriage, and that it takes a lot of WORK!

This past Saturday I had the pleasure of viewing the film Not Easily Broken, which was directed by Bill Duke and based on the novel Not Easily Broken by Bishop T.D. Jakes. Bishop Jakes, pastor of the Potter's House in Dallas Texas, and lead male actor in the film Morris Chesnut served as Executive Producers and I would highly recommend that all married couples go see this film. The film also stars Taraji P. Henson, Eddie Cibrian, Jenifer Lewis, Wood Harris, Kevin Hart, Niecy Nash, Maeve Quinlan, Cannon Jay and a great supporting cast.

This heartwarming film really focuses on the ups and downs of marriage and the challenges it takes to sustain it. Although the film focuses on marriage from a Christian perspective, I believe that all married couples can get something out of this film. When I left the theater I had tears of joys in my eyes and it made me reflect on marriage and the importance of working at it no matter what obstacles come up. Communication, Mutual Respect, Trust, Love & Honesty are the keys to making a marriage work.

Here is a brief SYNOPSIS of the film and please go see it, you won't regret it!

Dave and Clarice Johnson are in their second decade of marriage. Dave’s dreams of major league baseball success were dashed by an injury in college, leading him to a steady but unfulfilling career as the head of a small construction firm. Clarice is basking in the glow of real estate stardom, creating a life that revolves around her rise to the top. She has become blind to Dave’s needs, the most important being his desire to become a father and start a family with her. They face a total disruption in their lives when a car crash seriously injures Clarice, whose meddling mother, Mary, blames Dave for her daughter’s leg injuries and derailed career. Help comes in the form of kind-hearted physical therapist and single mom Julie Sawyer, whose son Bryson is coached by Dave and his pals Brock and Tree in Little League baseball. Though Clarice is helped by Julie’s care, she becomes concerned that her constant criticism of Dave has pushed her husband away--possibly into the arms of the empathetic Julie. Soon Dave and Clarice must face a married couple’s most serious questions: are we really meant to be together, and if we are, how do we fight to keep what we have built as man and wife?

EVENTistas, LLC Recession Special

2009-03-08T19:14:00.001-07:00

Melissa & Rodney's Save The Dates

2009-03-07T15:04:00.000-08:00

With only 8 months left until their BIG DAY and with the clock steady ticking, our clients Melissa and Rodney wanted to send out Save The Dates to their family and friends to give them enough notice about their upcoming nuptuials. Save The Dates are a great because they give people a Sneak Peek into the style and theme of your wedding; while at the same time giving them time to plan ahead and clear their schedules in advance so they can share in your special day. I designed these Save The Dates for them using their color scheme of Chocolate, Mango and Azalea. The photos used in the Save the Dates are courtesy of Super FAB photographer Dana Lee Jones:

Want Save the Dates for your next event? Click HERE to go to our SHOP.

Khalilah and George's Inspiration Board

2009-02-16T18:24:00.000-08:00

For Khalilah and George's Wedding in June in North Jersey we have decided to come up with a Vineyard of Love Theme. We will be designing several items for their wedding, but in the meantime here is their Inspiration Board that I created:

Happy Inaguration Day 2009!

2009-01-20T06:08:00.000-08:00

I am so excited that today is one of the most historical moments of my lifetime. In a few moments I will join the ranks of many and have my eyes glued to the big screen as Barack Obama is sworn in as the 44th President of the United States. The theme for this Inauguration Day is A New Birth of Freedom in honor of the 200th Anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's birth.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. would be proud to know that his dream has become a reality! Below is a schedule of some events for today's Inauguration and some photos taken by the Associated Press this morning:

Schedule of Inaugural Events

January 18

Time Event
8:00 AM Gates open to general public for the We Are One Inaugural Celebration. The Reflecting Pool area, JFK Hockey Fields and Constitution Gardens are open to the public. Space will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
12:00 Children's Inaugural Ball Noon-5 PM
2:30 PM We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial: A public celebration, free to the public.
The entire show will be broadcast live and for free on HBO and HBO.com. (Even though it is shown on HBO, anyone -- subscriber or not -- will be able to watch. Check your local cable/satellite listings for the channel in your area. The celebration will be rebroadcast at 7PM ET/PT and 11:30 PM ET/PT.

Musical performers scheduled for the event include Beyonce, Mary J. Blige, Bono, Garth Brooks, Sheryl Crow, Renee Fleming, Josh Groban, Herbie Hancock, Heather Headley, John Legend, Jennifer Nettles, John Mellencamp, Usher Raymond IV, Shakira, Bruce Springsteen, James Taylor, will.i.am, and Stevie Wonder. Among those reading historical passages will be Jamie Foxx, Martin Luther King III, Queen Latifah and Denzel Washington. The Rt. Reverend V. Gene Robinson will give the invocation. Rob Mathes will be the music director and arranger for the backing band, which will support all of the artists. Additional performers will be announced as they are confirmed.

7:00 PM The "We Are One" inaugural celebration will be rebroadcast on HBO to all cable and satellite subscriber as an open feed -- you do not need to subscribe to HBO to watch this special event.

January 19 — Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Time Event
Day President-elect Obama and Vice President-elect Biden will participate in service activities to commemorate Dr. King.
8:00 PM "We Are The Future Concert" Kids' Inauguration Concert at the Verizon Center in downtown Washington, DC. Though it is free and open to the public, tickets are required. The concert will be show on The Disney Channel from 8:00 - 9:30 p.m. ET/PT and will be simulcast on Radio Disney.

January 20 — Inauguration Day

Time Event
8:00 AM Gates open for ticketed attendees -- if you have tickets, it will be wise to arrive very early as crowds will be huge and security heavy.
10:00 AM Preliminary festivities begin, including music by The United States Marine Band, The San Francisco Boys Chorus, and the San Francisco Girls Chorus.
11:00 AM Live internet broadcast of the inauguration begins at the Presidential Inaugural Committee web site. See the where to watch page for more information.
11:30 AM If you have tickets to the Inauguration ceremony, you must have passed through security by this time.
•Call to Order and Welcoming Remarks: Senator Dianne Feinstein
•Invocation: Dr. Rick Warren
•Aretha Franklin will sing
•Vice President-elect Joe Biden will be sworn into office
•Music composed by John Williams and performed by Itzhak Perlman, Yo-Yo Ma, Gabriela Montero, and Anthony McGill.

12:00 Noon As specified by the U.S. Constitution (20th Amendment), presidential terms of office begin and end at 12:00 noon on January 20. Barack Obama will take the oath of office, which is this simple, 35-word, statement:
I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.
12:05 PM (approx) President Barack Obama will give his inaugural address, speaking to the nation and world for the first time as President of the United States. Miss the address? Watch it on CNN or read it at the inaugural committee site.
His address was followed by:

•Poem: Elizabeth Alexander
•Benediction: The Reverend Dr. Joseph E. Lowery
•The National Anthem: The United States Navy Band "Sea Chanters"

1:00 PM (approx) Inaugural Luncheon. For details on the menu and invited guests, see the news release.
2:30 PM (approx) Parade down Pennsylvania Avenue from the Capitol to the White House. If you have tickets, you need to be in your seats by 1:00 PM. There is open seating along Pennsylvania Avenue. For information on how to get to the parade route, for people with and without tickets, see the Inaugural Committee's parade information page.
Evening There are many inaugural balls held around Washington, DC. Some will be hosted by President Obama, others are just parties.
Balls Hosted by President Obama
For details, see the press release.

•Youth Inaugural Ball - Young Americans aged 18-35
•Obama Home States Inaugural Ball - Illinois and Hawaii invited guests
•Biden Home States Inaugural Ball - Delaware and Pennsylvania invited guests
•Eastern Inaugural Ball - CT, ME, MA, NH, RI, VT, PR, and USVI invited guests
•Mid-Atlantic Inaugural Ball - MD, VA, DC, NY, NJ, and WV invited guests
•Midwest Inaugural Ball - KS, IN, IA, MI, MN, ND, NE, OH, SD, WI, and MO invited guests
•Southern Inaugural Ball - AL, AR, FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, NC, SC, TN, and TX invited guests
•Western Inaugural Ball - AK, CA, ID, MT, OR, WA, WY, AZ, CO, NV, NM, UT, OK, GUAM/AS invited guests
•Neighborhood Inaugural Ball, hosted by President Obama (New 1/5)
Washington Convention Center. Low Cost and open to public.
•Commander-in-Chief's Ball, hosted by President Obama (New 1/1)
For men and women in uniform only.

Unofficial Balls

•All American Ball
•Blue Diamond Ball
•Change Has Come Inaugural Gala
•"The Dream Come True" Inauguration Gala (7:30 PM EST – 1:30 AM)
•Hawaii State Society Inaugural Ball
•The Hill Ball
•Hip Hop Inaugural Ball
•Inaugural Purple Ball
•Link Live Inaugural Gal
•MTV Be the Change Inaugural Ball
•People's Inaugural Ball (7:00 PM)
•State Society of Arizona Inaugural Ball
•Unity Ball

January 21

Time Event
8:30 AM National Prayer Service, led by The Rev. Sharon Watkins, at the National Cathedral. This non-denominational service will include prayers, readings and hymns delivered by religious leaders of a variety of faiths. This is an invitation-only event.

90's Throwback Celebrity Spotlight: Notorious B.I.G. & Faith Evans

2009-01-17T13:58:00.000-08:00

The film Notorious came out in theaters yesterday and it really shed some light on the marriage between 1990's Hip Hop Royal Couple Christoper "Notorious B.I.G" Wallace and Faith Evans. Although their marriage had a lot of ups and downs, they had a genuine love and attraction for one another.

The Notorious B.I.G was arguably one of the greatest rappers of all time and Faith is a platinum selling R&B singer/songwriter in her own right. Unfortunately Christopher was gunned down in Los Angeles, California March 9, 1997 at the age of 24. However, Christopher and Faith have a son from their union, Christopher Jr. who is now 12 years old.

Here is one of the pictures from the photo shoot used on the original VIBE Magazine cover from October 1995 featuring Christopher and Faith. The cover was labeled BIG WHEELS: Rollin' with the NOTORIOUS B.I.G. and Faith.

Below it is the 2009 Re-make of the cover for VIBE'S 15th Anniversary Fashion Issue featuring lead actors from the film Jamal Woolard and Antonique Smith.

Rochelle's Bling Table Numbers!

2009-01-17T06:05:00.000-08:00

Our client Rochelle is having an elegant wedding on the West Coast incorporating the colors of apple green, pink and silver. For her wedding she is infusing chandeliers and crystals for a classic yet elegant theme. I designed these Bling Table Numbers for her to use as a focal point on the tablescapes at her wedding reception.

Have a great MLK Holiday everyone...

Guest Blogger: The Anti~Diva

2009-01-16T05:50:00.000-08:00

Please welcome our Guest Blogger the Anti~Diva. She is a New York City passion, products, and perks guru who will be stopping by from time to time to spread a little of her insight. According to the Anti~Diva: “Being a Diva should never be stereotypical !!” So, without further adieu please welcome our Guest Blogger:

I DEW

Every girl dreams of looking absolutely stunning on their wedding day. However, before the dress, the make-up, before the hair can be done, you need the perfect palette. Say “I Dew” to healthy, glowing, smooth and dewy skin with just a few simple steps and products.

The Beautiful Skin Workout
In my never ending search to find the perfect product for beautiful skin, I learned that achieving creamy and flawless skin is easy and doesn’t need to cost you “an arm & an a leg”. In my travels I came across the best product ever for healthy skin – KNOWLEDGE ! Check out the book, “The Beautiful Skin Workout” by Michelle Copeland, M.D., D.M.D. I promise you it is the best $15.00 you will ever spend on your body.

The rules are simple:

Follow the Ten Commandments of Creamy Skin,

Eliminate lifestyle habits that prevent you from looking your best,

Identify everyday products that are ineffective or outright harmful to skin,

Master the five exercises: Cleanse, Ex foliate, Activate, Moisture, and Protect, and

Design a custom program based on your skin type.

What exactly are the Ten Commandments of Creamy Skin? Now, what kind of Anti~Diva would I be if I left you totally in the dark.

Ten Commandments of Creamy Skin

Thou shalt wear sun protection.

Thou shalt clean your face at least once a day.

Thou shalt not subject yourself to extremes, whether excessive UV exposure, binge drinking, and eating, or wildly fluctuating water temperatures.

Thou shalt treat your body’s skin as well as you do your face.

Thou shalt learn how to ex foliate properly and do it religiously.

Thou shalt eat a healthy balanced diet – and drink a lot of water.

Thou shalt slather on such antioxidants, as vitamins E and C or green tea every day.

Thou shalt not be afraid of pigment-reducing creams; use them daily.

Thou shalt make anti aging creams and serums your new best friends and apply them at least once a day.

Thou shalt not smoke.

This book promises to take you from Alligator skin to Creamy skin in just 8 weeks. I have a classroom fully of raging hormone teenagers that can attest to improving their skin by following only some of the commandments, some of the time ! Imagine if they actually stuck to the plan.

My regimen for healthy skin:

Drink at least 2 gallons of water daily.

Remove make-up with Clinique’s “Take the day off Cleansing Balm” make-up remover.

Cleanse (various cleansers, depending on the area & what my skin needs) However, I never wash my face with bar soap – too harsh !

Moisturize with Clinique’s “Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion” twice per day.

Moisturize the body using Soft and Beautiful Skin Body Butter Cream (winter) and Body Oil Gel (summer).

Use UV protection ( usually SPF 30 or 45)

Ex foliate bi-weekly

See your dermatologist.

Finally, the one sure way to say “ I Dew” ….DO NOT HAVE A FACIAL IMMEDIATELY PRIOR TO THE BIG DAY !!!

Mwah ~ TTFN,

The A.D.

Plus Size Boudoir Photography

2009-01-15T05:42:00.000-08:00

In a society where advertisers, fashion designers and others have perpetuated the idea that a size 0-8 should be the ideal size for most American women, the reality is that the average American woman is a size 12-14. Ironically, size 12 and up in society is considered Plus Size or Full Figured. Now enter a recent popular trend in bridal related photography entitled BOUDOIR. Picture tasteful lingere (or NOT ;) and alluring poses captured by a photographer to immortalize your beauty and sex appeal for decades to come.

Who wouldn't want to be a Hollywood Pin Up Girl for a day?

Rita Hayworth

Dorothy Dandridge

Lena Horne

Many engaged/married women want to take Boudoir pictures for their fiancee'/husband and or themselves. The one thing I have noticed from chatting with many women is that they have to be in tip top shape or get down to a certain size in order to take these types of photographs.

As a full figured woman I feel that beauty comes in all shapes and sizes and would encourage women no matter what size to embrace their inner and outer beauty. If you are worried about what you perceive to be your flaws being captured on camera a good photographer can minimize those flaws by using certain light and angles. Here are some Tips for Photographing Plus Size Models by author John G. Blair who wrote the book Digital Boudoir Photography: A Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Fabulous Images of Any Woman

-decide on features that you want to emphasize and those that you want to de-emphasize
-choose costumes and outfits (or even fabric) with that in mind
-think of some locations that will be private enough and not have a cluttered background
-use poses that are stretching rather than ones that "bunch" you up
-as others have said, don't be afraid to experiment
-curving poses are generally more flattering that stiff ones
-think of how the lighting will work with the location, costume, and time of day
-have fun with it

Sneak Peek: Robin and Sonya's Bling Petal Cones

2009-01-13T05:38:00.000-08:00

Recently we have been thrilled to work on petal cone projects for two of our clients. They each have a different color scheme and theme, and each of their petal cones will enhance their ceremony.

Robin is using a color theme, Rosewood, Mahogany & Silver and I designed her monogram using those colors in Photshop:

Sonya's theme is Tiffany Blue, Silver and Black & White Damask:

Now your guest will be able to shower you ladies with petals after I DO!

2009-01-07T10:50:00.000-08:00

2009 is here and that means new hot color trends for the wedding and event season will be making their premiere! In 2008 Chocolate Brown with Pink or Turquoise was all the rave as well as soft greens, and purples.

This year however the color trends promise to be more exotic, with bold splashes of color. Want to keep up with the FASHIONistas? Then check out these hot wedding color combos!

Turquoise & Yellow

Photo Credits: Wedding Wire Blog, Marjorie Skouras Designs, Cameo Stationery, Nine West, Martha Stewart Weddings, Project Wedding, Corbis, Martha Stewart Weddings, Wed Favors

Lavender & Orange

Photo Credits: Project Wedding, Project Wedding, Wedding Paper Divas, Candy Briar, Project Wedding, Studio Floral, Ideal Favors, Martha Stewart Weddings, Ideal Favors

Turquoise & Green

Photo Credits: The Knot, Papel Vio, Project Wedding, Nordstrom, The Knot, Nisibio, Elegant Favors, Nine West

Pinks will also be a trend this season but instead of pastel pinks the focus will be on hot luminous pinks that are bold and vibrant. For the Big Day add a splash of these color combos in the decor and accent pieces to make them go POP, but try and keep yourself and the bridal party understated and classic like a gorgeous white or ivory bridal gown. Then you can go for the WOW factor with your color at the Reception.

Wedding Color Trends for 2009

2009-01-07T05:27:00.000-08:00

2009 is here and that means new hot color trends for the wedding and event season will be making their premiere! In 2008 Chocolate Brown with Pink or Turquoise was all the rave as well as soft greens, and purples.

This year however the color trends promise to be more exotic, with bold splashes of color. Want to keep up with the FASHIONistas? Then check out these hot wedding color combos!

Turquoise & Yellow

Photo Credits: Wedding Wire Blog, Marjorie Skouras Designs, Cameo Stationery, Nine West, Martha Stewart Weddings, Project Wedding, Corbis, Martha Stewart Weddings, Wed Favors

Lavender & Orange

Photo Credits: Project Wedding, Project Wedding, Wedding Paper Divas, Candy Briar, Project Wedding, Studio Floral, Ideal Favors, Martha Stewart Weddings, Ideal Favors

Turquoise & Green

Photo Credits: The Knot, Papel Vio, Project Wedding, Nordstrom, The Knot, Nisibio, Elegant Favors, Nine West

Pinks will also be a trend this season but instead of pastel pinks the focus will be on hot luminous pinks that are bold and vibrant. For the Big Day add a splash of these color combos in the decor and accent pieces to make them go POP, but try and keep yourself and the bridal party understated and classic like a gorgeous white or ivory bridal gown. Then you can go for the WOW factor with your color at the Reception.

Sonya's Aisle Runner!

2009-01-05T10:39:00.000-08:00

Our client Sonya is a very organized bride who knows exactly what she wants! Her tiffany blue, silver and black wedding with hints of damask scheduled for summer 2009 is going to be stunning. This is the second of several items we are designing for Sonya's wedding and it is exciting to see Sonya's vision come to life project by project.

Sonya it has been a pleasure working with you thus far and we can't wait to get started on your next project!

Happy New Year!

2009-01-04T10:14:00.000-08:00

We would like to wish a Happy New Year to everyone and give a BIG CONGRATULATIONS to all of those newly engaged couples! 2008 was great for EVENTistas as a budding company and 2009 promises to be our year of growth. We have a new WEBSITE, we are in the process of re-designing our BLOG, and we will be offering several new items in our ETSY SHOP.

We are already planning several events in 2009 and we can't wait to share all of the FAB details with you. We are also excited to be hitting the bridal trade show circuit starting in January so stay tuned...

Merry Christmas from EVENTistas!

2008-12-24T15:02:00.000-08:00

EVENTistas would like to wish all of our clients, blog readers, fellow industry professionals, family and friends a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS! In light of the Holidays, EVENTistas will be closed Thursday December 25 and Friday December 26, 2008. We will resume our regular business hours on Saturday December 27, 2008.

2008-12-22T15:06:00.000-08:00

The Ladies at Southern Weddings Magazine have a great blog that every bride-to-be and event planner should check out! Their blog is an extension of their Southern Weddings Print Magazine that will be on newstands in January 2009. The blog has been an inspirational resource to brides and wedding industry professionals all across the country and and showcases some of the most gorgeous weddings in the South. The magazine also features brides and grooms from the South who have decided to have a destination wedding. Below are some FAB Real Weddings you can check out on the Southern Weddings Blog

Southern Weddings Blog features all things dainty and pretty about weddings. They have daily resources for brides and vendors, real weddings and even giveaways. Once a day, I make my way to their blog for my daily dish of wedding insipration and you should too!

Our Website Launch!!!!!!

2008-12-15T15:07:00.000-08:00

The holidays are one of the greatest times of the year and with that being said, we are launching our official company website this week! The site has truly been a labour of love for me as I have been working on the site since August. I want to thank my FAB Photographers Carmen and Favio Perez of Studio by Carmen in Miami, Florida for the beautiful pictures that are featured on the site. Here is the link to our site and it is now LIVE: EVENTistas the SiteHere is a SNEAK PEEK of the site and I can't wait to hear what you guys think ;)

Wedding Customs: The Garter Toss

2008-12-04T15:24:00.000-08:00

The tradition of removing the garter dates back to the 14th Century in France. When the groom removed the garter he was, in essence demonstrating to everyone, that the bride was relinquishing her status as a virgin. Back then, it was also traditional for the male wedding guests to accompany the newlywed couple to their bed chamber, after the ceremony. Sources say in following this practice guests some guests attempted to disrobe the new bride or "take liberties" with her. In order to keep the other men at bay, the groom would toss the bride's garter as a means of distraction. In American culture the Garter Toss has become a fun harmless tradtion and serves as a post nuptuial ritual between the groom and his bride and the groom and his single friends.I had my garters for my wedding made by The Garter Maker and I love how they turned out! We did the Bouguet and the Garter Toss at my reception and below are some steps for tossing the garter:

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GAlvMDx0aI4/SQCutJrXGOI/AAAAAAAADRY/Nwwps-HsYyM/s1600/006.jpg

Step 1: Set up a specific time in your order of events at the reception to toss the garterStep 2: Select a song to toss the garter toStep 3: Have the bride sit down in a chair and the groom will remove the garter from the bride's right legStep 4: Have the DJ gather all of the single men and choose another song for the actual tossStep 5: The winner of the garter toss then puts the garter on the leg of the woman who won the bouquet toss

Tis the Season to Holiday Party!

2008-12-01T15:27:00.000-08:00

December is here, which means that invitations have been rolling in for holiday parties, dinners, lunches and gatherings. This time of year is always nice to gather with friends and family to reminisce and remember good times and to be with the people we most cherish. If you are planning on attempting your own soiree this holiday season here are a few ideas for you to make your event extra special!
If you celebrate Christmas:Turn the tables on the standard red and green color scheme and go all white! Using a momochromatic scheme will aloow you to give the feeling of frosty snowfall indoors without the temperature drop. Add hints and splashes reds, greens and silvers or if you want a little more fun add in pinks, yellows, golds and muted or bright blues. For added fun have your guests dress in all white as well and have a man-made snowfall for right after dessert and just before coffee!

If you celebrate Hanukkah:
Grab the potato pancakes and add some spice to them! Mix up up the latkes by using sweet potatoes, svaory veggies like zuchinni and squash to make these wonderful treats. Incorprate the number 8 into your party such as having 8 dishes or course if you want to go all out for the night. If you want to have more than a few spirits at your event vodka cocktails and hypnotic will stay with the traditional blue and white color pallate.

If you celebrate Kwanaza:
Kick of this holiday right with a countdwon from Christmas into Kwanzaa before the 7 day celebration begins. Another way to clebrate would be to invite family and friends over for a lavish dinner party and share stories, memories and maybe even a slide show or two of great times. If you want to change the mood have an array of candles set up to offer a warm inviting glow to the place. For a togetherness party such as this family style dishes are reccommended instead of individually plated fare.

Kay's Baby Shower Samples!

2008-11-30T16:22:00.000-08:00

Babies, babies and more babies! We have gotten quite a few request for Baby shower Invies lately and I love designing them. There is nothing more precious than awaiting the arrival of a pink or blue little bundle of joy. Our client Kay comes from a very large family and a few months ago I designed Pink and Choclate Baby Shower Invites for her sister Wislyna.

This time around, I am designing Baby Shower Invites for her brother Elton and his fiance' Joanne who are expecting a blue bundle of joy, yes it is a boy! Once again I get to work with my husband on this project and Kay I hope you love the samples!

Sonya and Llewyn's Bling Cake Topper!

2008-11-29T16:25:00.000-08:00

Our client Sonya is a sweetheart and is planning an uber FAB tiffany blue, silver and black wedding in the Queen City of Charlotte, North Carolina. This modern and chic wedding will take place in the summer of 2009 and her theme will also feature crystals and some hints of black and white damask! One of several items that Sonya contracted us to do for her was a Swarvorski Crystal Cake Topper. For her topper, I wanted to use all of the colors in her color scheme and I love how the black makes her topper go POP:

Sonya has this uber FAB Blog where she writes about her wedding planning experince. You click here to visit her Bridal Bliss Blog.

Sonya thank you for letting us be a part of your special day and I know your theme is going to be spectacular!

Kaycee's Memorial Candle Samples

2008-11-28T16:30:00.000-08:00

Memorial Candles are a great way to honor loved ones who are not at your wedding physically but are there in spirit. One of the items that we make in our Etsy Shop that is dear to my heart are our Memorial Candle Sets. I made these for my own wedding because my parents who were married for 30 years are both deceased and I wanted to create a way for their presence to be at the ceremony.

Our client Kaycee wanted me to design some Memorial Candle sheets on vellum for her, so she can honor her many loved ones during her wedding ceremony. This is the first draft utilizing various fonts that I created for her, so she can decide what she likes. Kaycee I can't wait to hear your feedback!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

2008-11-27T16:33:00.000-08:00

EVENTistas will be be closed today and tomorrow to celebrate this fabulously delicious holiday with family and friends! We hope that you are stopping to take the time to do the same.

We will return to our regular operating hours on Saturday November 29th! Happy Turkey Day!

Getting Down to the Business of Business Cards!

2008-11-24T16:35:00.000-08:00

Business Cards are a great networking tool that can help propel you and you wedding and/or event based business to new heights. Whether you are an event planner, photographer, graphic designer, or other vendor that caters to weddings and events; a great business card is a must have to develop long lasting relationships in the event and wedding planning industry.

Although horizontal business cards have always been the traditional standard, vertical business cards are the newest eye catching trend in the world of comany networking. Here are 5 reasons that all companies should have a business card:

1. Business cards can travel where resumes and portfolios can't. If you happen to be at an event or out on the street, you can always have business cards handy, but you may not always have a huge portfolio or resume with you to showcase your work.

2. Your business card is like your mini resume. It has your job title and all of your contact information in one compact place that is easy for potential clients to hold onto.

3. Business Cards have flexibility, not only can you pass them out but you can give them to other people to pass out as well, which helps spread the word about the particular service you offer.

4. Business Cards are a low-cost marketing tool!

5. Business Cards are very easy to make in programs like Microsoft Publisher or with online print companies likeVistaprint that utilize pre-made templates or templates you can custom design.

I designed our new company business cards in Photoshop and I decided to go with a vertical design:

Front

Back

With the right business card, you will be well on your way to developing long lasting relationships no matter what industry you are in!

Thank You's & How To's

2008-11-23T18:10:00.000-08:00

Ok so you've planned and planned; said your I DO's and even tossed the bouquet before heading off into the sunset with your love......now that you are back from your whirlwind ride its time to open all of those wedding gifts and thank your guests! The problem is how should you write them, where should you start and what should you do if you don't like something! First relax. This can be a very overwhelming task for a new couple because it is time consuming and you want to make sure you send your thank yous out in a timely manner. Here are some frequently asked questions to help you get started.

*Card by Papyrus

What should I write in my thank you notes to my guests?
A standard thank you note will consist of you thanking the person for sharing in your special day and attending your wedding. You also want to include the specific item that they gifted to you in the note so they know that you received it, a special anecdote can also make it more personable.

Example: Steve is looking forward to me making mom's famous casserole in the beautiful dish you sent us!

How soon should I send thank yous out to my guests?
Proper etiquette states that you send thank you notes out within 2 weeks of returning from your honeymoon. However given the fact that you have to get back to work and life duties and may have an extended amount of things to open, my suggestion is to send thing out within 30 days of returning. Your guests know that you are very busy and have other priorities but they do appreciate and deserve a thank you card in a timely manner for taking the time to attend your wedding. Also this is a good way for you to open your gifts sooner than later. It isn't necessarily a good idea to wait until the one year mark almost to acknowledge someone got you a gift either. If you received gifts in advance you should send these thank you notes out immediately and the same rule applies for gifts that arrive after the wedding.

A few of my guests didn't send or give me a gift do they get a thank you card?
In cases like this don't be upset that someone did not send a gift. It is never ok to point this out to them because you may not know the circumstances of the situation. For some people they didn't have tome to send one before so they may have to send one after the wedding. Another reason could be that they couldn't afford to purchase a proper gift so they showed their love by attending the event. On the other hand if they did send you a gift and it was not received then they would inquire if you received it within a few weeks of returning from your honeymoon, or at least they should.

I absolutely hate the item my friend got us, how do I get rid of it without hurting her feelings?
You may not like the gnomes of many nations gift set that your aunt Sylvia sent to you but you still need to thank her for the gesture and for taking the time to get you something. It's true you may not like all of the gifts you receive but you do have to send them a note and never tell them that you are less than pleased with their selection. Thank the guests for the item and that you will think of them when you look at it or that you appreciate the item and make no mention of your distaste for it. In some cases, guests will include gift receipts with their purchases in case the style or item is not of the couples taste and it is fine to exchange it but thank them for the gift they initially sent.

Example: Aunt Sylvia thank you so much for the Gnomes of Many Nations that you sent to us, we truly appreciate you sending us such a unique gift!

BAD Example: Aunt Sylvia thank you for the gift you sent to us, it wasn't our taste so we did exchange it and are very happy with the crystal candle sticks we purchased instead!

Someone gave us a beautiful gift but there was no card, help!
If this happens there are two things that likely come of it. The person who gave you a gift will inquire whether or not you received it after a few weeks because they didn't get a thank you card for it or they will assume that you hated it and just didn't bother to send one back. Ok so the last part isn't quite true but so that doesn't happen make every effort to find out who the mystery gift is from. You can enlist a few family members to get the word out or if you have a wedding website established you can put out an APB to say "Someone sent us a lovely tea set but the card must have gotten away from it and we want to thank them properly for it. If this was you please let us know!"

Can't I just email all of my guests and tell them thank you for coming instead of sending letters?
Absolutely not! This is one task that you should never cut corners on! Your guests took the time and effort to choose a gift for you and attend your wedding, the least you can do is thank them in writing for their efforts and participation. A handwritten note that is personalized for each gift should be done. Always remember to make the note more about them and not about you. You want them to know that they and their generous gift was very much appreciated. Never send a pre-printed card either, this shows that you didn't put much effort into thanking your guests and it will show with a standardized message. To make sure that you aren't holding of until your funds bounce back, make this apart of your wedding budget from the beginning. If you have already mapped out how much you want to spend on each line item don't forget to add those in too, along with the postage to send. One last tip is to chose nice stationary to send your notes on, computer paper or notebook paper will never do.

* Cards by Wedding Paper Divas

This can be a time consuming project so don;t be discouraged or frustrated if you haven't finished them in one afternoon. It may take a few days and writing them by hand can give you a cramp! Enlist your new hubby or wife to help with the writing so that you can complete them without sever hand lumbago. Don't forget to include your new return address on the envelopes so that your family and friends know where to find you!

Ari's Sweet 17: A Pretty in Pink Affair

2008-11-20T18:21:00.000-08:00

When you are young, stylish and adore the color pink what better way to celebrate your birthday than with a fabulous party fit for a princess! When Ariana and her dad came to us with her pristine and chic spin of the show 'My Super Sweet 16' we were thrilled to take on the task. After hearing what this young diva wanted and envisioned for her special day I created this inspiration board to give her an idea of what her event would be like. From her VIP squad to the deluxe candy bar to the pink carpet we are sure that Ariana will be crowned the princess of pink when this event is over!

Getting Luxe With Lavender

2008-11-15T18:52:00.000-08:00

Creating new spaces for fall and winter often bring warm, rich tones and palettes out. If you are looking for a new look for your abode and want to mix things up a bit a great color to work with this season is lavender. Already deep plums, royal purples and violets are exploding on the fashion scene as the new it color for the rest of the year so why not incorporate this regal and sophisticated hue into your home as well.

Lavender brings a certain je ne sais quoi to a room when it is used so I encourage you to go the distance! When applying the color to your walls used a more muted tone to let your furniture and accent pieces in the room stand out in bold complimentary colors. A monochromatic look is another wonderful way to display this color. I would suggest using prints with a monochromatic scheme so that the patterns rather than the color is broken up. Another way is to use a juicer lavender color in the room and cross it with rich dark tones in the furniture such as mahogany and cherry.

If for some reason you aren't quite ready to turn your house upside down with the lavender approach you can always start small by bringing in the calming scent of lavender. It has been used for so long as a relaxing agent but also has a long list of other great uses for it. Don't worry if the lavender bug doesn't bite you, there's always 10 million other shades to be crazy about!

Celebrity Spotlight: Malinda Williams & Derrick "D-Nice" Jones

2008-11-10T14:52:00.000-08:00

Our Celebrity Spotlight of this month is the beautiful actress Malinda Williams, 32, of the hit HBO Series Soulfood and her handsome new husband DJ/photographer/rapper Derrick "D-Nice" Jones, 38, originally a solo artists with Boggie Down Productions. We think that it is wonderful that these two lovebirds have known each other since they were 18! They make a beautiful couple and had a gorgeous wedding!

Date: August 23, 2008

Place: The Mezzanine Newark, New Jersey

Theme: Vintage Mod

Colors: Mocha and Chocolate

Highlights: It was a family affair as Malinda's son Omikaye and Derrick's daughter Ashli joined in the celebration along with Malinda's TV sisters Vanessa L. Williams and Nicole Ari Parker from Soulfood.

HOW to HANDLE the LAST DAYS...

2008-11-07T18:32:00.000-08:00

So, your BIG DAY is almost here. You are in double-digits and have 99 days or less to go until your wedding. When it gets down to cruch time, many bride-to-be's become fantic, stressed out, and can even turn into Bridezilla. Here are some great tips to handle the LAST DAYS leading up until your wedding:

1. If you have not done so, consider hiring a wedding coordinator for the day of. They can help you stay stress free and avoid any poetential pitfalls that could occur on the big day. You will be able to breathe a sigh of relief and focus on your soon-to-be husband, family and friends.

2. Start an exerecise regiment like bellydance, yoga or even walking. It will help you relax, release tension and help your overall health and well being.

3. Enjoy lucnch or dinner with your bridesmaids and pamper your self with a spa treatment, manicure and pedicure before the big day!

4. Plan something fun for just you and your finace' not related to the wedding. Planning a wedding can lead to stress for both of you, and doing an activity not related to the wedding will give you an opportunity to focus on one another.

5. In the weeks leading up to the wedding, practice relaxation and breathing techniques. You will be surprised how much inhaling and exhaling can help calm you down!

Rock Your Vote With a Party!

2008-11-03T18:40:00.000-08:00

This years presidential election has been a neck and neck race ever since the candidates declared they were running. This is the most historical and costly election in the history of the race and we know that all of our friends want to share in the story making with a fabulous to-do. Though we are not telling who we are pulling the lever for we will share some great ideas for you to have a candidate approved event!
Send out invitations that look like ballots or voting cards to your guests. You can use caricatures of both candidates on the invitations.

Serve red and blue cocktails and drinks for your guests and have a purple drink for those that are undecided, independent or who just don't want to tell which side they're on.

Serve dishes that can't be disputed as un-American such as hot dogs, hamburgers, chips and cheeses. You can also bring out the colored flair with strawberry and blueberry parfaits or firecracker popsicles.

For some tongue-in-cheek gestures you can play board games with an economic twist such as Are You Smarter than the President? Candidate Feud or just some good ok betting on who takes which states with Let's Make An Electoral Deal! Political Pictionary or Wheel of Fortune can be crowd pleasers as well.

Make sure to keep the party antics and heavy conversation light throughout the night. The last thing you want to do is insult your guests or have everyone miss the hour by hour action because of a comment gone wrong.

Though we are coming off the heels of Halloween you could stretch the costume aspect a few days and have people arrive as their favorite or most hated candidate. Hey someone may as Uncle Sam, a voting ballot, and elephant or a donkey!

Don't forget to include your kids and younger relatives in this party night. They may not be able to vote but this is a great learning tool for them and a chance for them to get a first hand look at what the last 21 months or ad campaigns, slogans and debates have come down too. Whatever you do this November 4th, please don't forget to vote! Despite some ill reports that were released all parties vote on the same day. Good Luck, get out and vote and happy partying!

Bernadette's Baby Shower Invites!

2008-11-01T18:46:00.000-07:00

I was truly honored when our client Bernadette approached me about designing baby shower invites for her new grandson. Her son Tremell and his significant other Chiffon are the proud parents of a baby boy also named Tremell! Her colors are blue and chocolate so I wanted to create something fun. These are the first drafts for Bernadette and once I recieve her feedback the invites will be finalized tomorrow. Congrats again on your beautiful grandson Bernadette, and I look forward to hearing what you think!

Saying I Do With a Boo!

2008-10-31T18:10:00.000-07:00

If you are the type of person that loves scary movies, all things horror and even candy corn you should consider having a Hallowedding. Halloween themed and inspired weddings allow all sorts of unique ideas to come out. If you are considering giving your guests something that they will never forget this is a perfect holiday to do that. First don't automatically think that a Halloween theme means going goth. Goth-inspiration is only one way that this kitchy theme can be done, you can change it to be more retro and have a fell of returning to your childhood or you can go for Halloween glamour and take a chic an sophisticated approach. Here are some ways to pull off a spook-tacular event that everyone will be happy to celebrate about.

Location

The location for a wedding like this is very important because it can easily set the tone for the event. Choose an old Victorian style church complete with gargoyles watching overhead or a Gothic style mansion for your setting. For something a little more extreme a graveyard could be an ideal place, just make sure its ok to be there before walking over someones final resting place.

Decor
Of course the obvious choice of orange and black will jump to most peoples mind right away but also consider other dark romantic colors such as blood rose red, midnight blue or neon green for something fun. Something that would also be a great idea and not many people would think of is choosing the colors of candy corn - white, gold and orange still say Halloween just on a sweeter scale.

Other suggestions would be to have your table names at the reception be of classic horror movies, incorporate a string quartet to play old classics during the wedding and reception, use heavy and solid fabrics to give a plush, regal and dark feel while having pillar candles set up everywhere. Spider webs, cauldrons, brooms and pumpkins can fill corners and dazzle on tables for added fun.

Food, Cake and Concoctions
Creating food dishes that are not only festive but a little odd will make the event that more interesting. Dishes like pumpkin or tomato soup, artichoke hearts and beets, green eggs and ham or spaghetti with meatballs are all great choices. You may also want to see if you can change the color of some of your dishes so that they are a little spookier by sight and not taste. Don't forget to incorporate special cocktails for the event such as a hot spiced cider or a pomegranate martini with some dry ice for a smoky brew feel. The secret to the cake is actually the layer flavors for this event. Going against traditional flavors will open up your choices for pumpkin spice, pistachio and creme de banana. The classic choice for your cake filling would be red velvet because the color and taste are simply divine to use.

Attire
For the bride go all out and don a black gown or long sleek dress with a rich accent color. The groom can get all decked out in a top hat and tails for a Phantom of the Opera feel. As far as your guests are concerned ask them to dress in costumes to attend the wedding and that they can't get in unless they do. You can also ask your guests to dress in all black or only wear a small choice of colors to the wedding so that they are not only keeping with your ghostly theme but the bride will be a stand out in her all white gown.

DJ Tunes to Spin
Music is always important when it comes to getting down and making sure your guests have a great time but here are few tunes not to leave out of the play list

Thriller - Michael Jackson

The Monster Mash - Bobby Pickett
I Put A Spell on You - Nina Simone

Purple People Eater - Sheb Wooley

Addams Groove - M.C. Hammer
The Time Warp - Rocky Horror Soundtrack

The theme songs from the Twilight Zone, X-Files, Jaws and the Poltergeist

No matter what you plan on doing for this festive day make it a special one, after all the day is about you and your special someone. Your guests will be amazed at the details and ways this theme can play out from beginning to end, This is the perfect occasion to have small surprises and unexpected turns through the evening...from fortune tellers, to a haunted house, an organ player or even a actors dressed as mummies and witches to mingle with your guests...the possibilities are endless for a fabulous Hallowedding!

Studio by Carmen Destination Wedding Giveaway!

2008-10-25T18:49:00.000-07:00

My FAB wedding photographers Carmen and Favio from Studio by Carmen in Miami, Florida recently photographed our Destination Wedding in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, West Indies on October 11, 2008. After shooting my wedding, Carmen and Favio decided that they are going to give away one FREE Destination Wedding Package to a lucky couple getting married in a destination location from June through December 2009! Carmen and Favio are so talented and this is an awsome deal for one lucky couple! You need to write a letter to Carmen about you and your fiancee' and the passion you feel towards one another and why you chose a destination wedding. You can read the complete contest rules here and the winners will be announced on Christmas Day! Here are some pictures from my wedding shot by Carmen & Favio:

EVENTistas First Real Wedding!

2008-10-21T13:35:00.000-07:00

Our first Wedding ever was my own Destination Wedding in Ocho Rios, Jamaica. Knowing that I wanted to launch EVENTistas, LLC I decided to plan my entire Destination Wedding and coordinate it on the day of the wedding. Our ceremony and reception was held at the beautiful and tropical location The Ruins. The reception was held just inside the glowing waterfalls where our guests dined and partied the night away!

Set to begin in the late afternoon our guests arrived in their requested color palette of cream, white and beige. The ceremony took place in front of a beautiful waterfall surrounded by tropical and exotic plants from the island.
Before the big day arrived I stepped into the role of Wedding Planner as I went around the island securing and tying up last minute details before the BIG DAY. From travel, to the cake, to hair and makeup I covered a lot of territory on the beautiful island.

Once it was time for me to step into the role of the bride to get ready my bridesmaids joined me to assist me getting dressed and down to the car that would take her down the aisle to the man of my dreams!At the reception the MC introduced the bridal party and us as the new Mr. and Mrs. to the guests. I surprised my groom with the intro song from the Monday Night Football theme.

Here is a sneak peek of our ceremony and reception! The cake table, favor table and candy buffet were covered in crystals ,candles and sheer turquoise fabric. Each table has special customed letters and words that were hand crystallized to match the theme. Photography is courtesy of the FAB Carmen and Favio Perez of Studio by Carmen!

Carrie Bradshaw: Wedded in Westwood

2008-10-01T19:01:00.000-07:00

If you are a fan of the show Sex and the City as we are then you have ridden the long roller coaster ride that was Carrie and Big. In the newly released on DVD movie, we catch up with Ms. Bradshaw and her closest cronies as they prepare to say goodbye to the last single girl and shuffle her off into wedded bliss. For you fashionistas the Vogue shoot montage left your tongue wagging from bridal confections and creations by Lanvin, Dior, Carolina Herrera. The climactic appearance of the Vivianne Westwood gown sent our love for satin into overdrive! Before you run to re-watch the extended version of the film let's see what Carrie bridal ensemble was really made of....being such a fashion forward gal she had two ensembles.

Down the Aisle Take 1
Hailing from the Fall 2007 Wake up, Cave Girl! collection by Vivianne Westwood. The dress features and ivory silk-satin corset and ivory silk Radzimir taffeta skirt. Since this is a custom piece its starting cost is $18,000.

Accessoriezed with an elbow length veil and blue bird, Ms. Bradshaw's ensemble is completed with these Extreme Gladiator Platform's by Dior. Retailing at about $990 without the custom crystals added.

Down the Aisle Take 2

Ms. Bradshaw's "dress by no one" may not be available at any designer store but the vintage creation surely drew in buzz for its chic, spohisticated style and detail. If you are searching for a suit to say your I Do's in then you may want to try finding a pattern for this look and having a seamstress make your own version of the dress. Of course to reall feel like Carrie did you must not forget the signature blue satin Manolo Bhlanik pumps that she wore with it.

These beauties were custom made my Manolo for the movie and now retail from $885 at a store near you. These are the first shoes that were made specifically for Carrie's character although she has been a fan of the shoemaker for years.

B is for Baby Shower!

2008-09-30T10:47:00.000-07:00

I love Babies! They are such amazing bundles of joy and truly are a blessing. Although taking care of a baby can be a lot of work, I believe that the benefit of watching these little amazing human beings grow and develop into something special is truly rewarding.

When our client Kay approached us about designing invites for a Baby Shower she was throwing, it was definitely a no brainer! The color scheme of the Baby Shower is Chocolate and Pink, and this is a very large shower that Kay is hosting for the expectant parents at a catering venue in Brooklyn. Below are two samples that I created for Kay in Photoshop:

My super FAB husband-to-be Darren will be doing the cutting and printing for this project, so that Kay can roll these invites up and put them into these baby bottles.

How adorable is that!

How Much Is It??

2008-09-28T16:50:00.000-07:00

Ah yes! That pertinent question that always seems to cause red faces, stressed nerves, and eventually empty pockets. Setting and creating a budget for your event or wedding can be a difficult thing. If you are like me you have an amount that you'd like the event to cost but if you go over budget oh well and if it comes in under budget, kudos to you!

When we initially sit down with clients to discuss their budget we often have to give them harsh realitites of how much things will actually cost them in the end. It seems that while they are throwing out ideas and fantasizing about their day they are completly shutting out the fact that they have to pay for all of the glamour and probably have a bill or two to pay on the side. What many clients don't remember is that once you make the budget, you have to stick with it until the actual event. When it gets nearer to the date many couples come up short with funds and that is the time when the largest and most important aspects you can't skimp on need to be paid (i.e. the final venue payment, transportation, flowers, etc.).

Before you dive into purchasing things and committing to every cute and spectacular idea you see, take a moment to write out all of the things you may need for the event. Once you have made the list estimate how much you want to spend on each line item. Don't forget to do your research on prices in your area or in the area that your event is being held. Always remember to include shipping, tax and gratuity where needed, most people leave these things out and get stressed when they go over budget due to miscalculations.

Will You Be My Bridesmaid?

2008-09-24T16:53:00.000-07:00

When it comes to a bride choosing her special ladies in waiting it is often an easy task. You may be a bride that can rattle off 5 names at the drop of a hat. Other brides are not so lucky, debating and deliberating over who these special picks will be. Some worry that family members feelings will be hurt and friends will see how "unimportant" they are, which isn't true. A bride must remember a few things when making a big decision like this.

Card by cafepress.com

1. How many people do you want in your bridal party and is this number flexible? You have to see how many attendants you an afford to have in your wedding and make sure the groom can match that number.
2. Have you promised a spot to someone before making your final decision? Sometimes in the excitement of taking about weddings, brides want all of their girlfriends to be their bridesmaids until they make out the list and want to import a few family members as well.
3. Will the people you are choosing be reliable and supportive of your wedding? This is an important question because you need your bridesmaids to assist you when you need them to, show for fittings and meetings and support you and you future husband in making your day special.
4. Will your bridesmaids be accommodating but also know when to give an opinion? You will want your bridesmaids to wear a dress of your choosing so to help the process be as painless a possible you will want to have maids that are accommodating to your requests, as long as they are outlandish. It's also good to have maids that will give you opinions on things and be able to give them with tact and compassion.
5. Make sure that your special girls are available to be your bridesmaid. This not only includes the actual day of the wedding but also let them know that they will have fittings, rehearsals, showers and monetary obligations that they will be agreeing to.So what's the big deal about choosing your bridesmaids?
6. If you wind up choosing a mismatched group of people they may not get along or work well together, leaving you to hear about the arguments and catty comments. This is a special time for you as a bride and should be a happy occasion so really consider personalities, personal situations, and lifestyles when choosing your bridesmaids.

A Sex & The City Bridal Shower!

2008-09-20T10:53:00.000-07:00

This Saturday I had the of attending my bridal shower that I initally started planning but then my bridesmaids took it over. I started coordinating a pink and black shower and based on my inital planning my bridesmaids decided to play in the pink and black with a Sex and The City theme. Being a lover of New York City, a label lover and having fabulous friends it was only fitting to have theme be Sex and the City. The shower was an intimate affair of my closest friends and family. Keeping this event under wraps from me wasn't an easy task but it definitely paid off in the end....

The Invitation:

Landra's Bridal Shower
You are cordially invited to the bridal shower of Landra V. To celebrate friendship, fun and fabulousness we ask that you dress your SATC best and join us for this once in a lifetime event besides what's a party in New York without a little Sex!
September 20th, 2008

The Decor: Stilettos and pearls donned the bar area to pay homage to Ms. Bradshaw and her style. Martini glasses with candies, photos of the fearsome foursome and favorite quotes rounded out the decor of the location to put the guests in the mood. The guests dined on chinese food which was favorite of Carrie and Miranda while the specialty drink of the day were of course pink cosmos!

The Favors:
Wanting to keep with the theme of the shower, the favors were a little bit of a questions at first for my bridesmaids. I had made a suggestion that I would like for my guests to have something that was either edible or a gift that they could really use. Once that was said there was only one thing left for my bridesmaid to do..have 'Smith Jarrod' give of the rock every girl would want...no not that kind! Diamond ring key chains fit the bill along with a special thank you from the absolute hunk himself.

Celebrity Spotlight: Ray Allen & Shannon Walker Williams

2008-09-14T14:55:00.000-07:00

The Celebrity Spotlight of this month is Boston Celtics shooting guard Ray Allen, 33, and his longtime girlfriend and mother of his three children Shannon Walker Williams,32, who was in the film Girl Fight. It is wonderful that these two have been dating for so long and have remained commited to one another for 10 years, because often times the NBA can make long-term relationships difficult. They chose a serene waterfront setting for their nuptials and had a simply stunning wedding!

Date: August 16, 2008
Place: A private estate on Martha's Vineyard
Theme: Beach Elegance
Colors: Ivory, Purple, Blue
Highlights: Ray propsed to Shannon with Brian McKnight's hit song Never Felt This Way About Loving and Brian McKnight sung the same song at the wedding as Shannon walked down the aisle. The aisle was covered in rose petals and both Ray and Shannon were barefoot.

Wedding Bell Blues

2008-09-12T12:36:00.000-07:00

A frazzled bride is very easy to find especially if it is the month of her wedding! Last minute changes, non responsive guests, family fiascoes and paying the final deposits to almost every vendor you have recruited can be a hassle, heartache and make you break the bank. If you are a bride and you have hit the point of no return on the stress meter here are a few ways that you can decompress without your fiancee and friends thinking you should be committed.

Sleep Tight

Create a firm stop time when all wedding talk ceases for the day. This will allow you to step away from the details that can be a pain and keep you up all hours of the night. A suggestion would be to stop at least 2 hours before your bedtime so that you can unwind, breathe and calm yourself for some much needed sleep. Many times when stress is piled on sleep is the first thing that is avoided. Try some calming tunes like jazz or a babbling brook to help you unwind and slip into dreamland.

From time to time we all feel that if we want something done right we need to do it ourselves, but in the case of impending nuptials and a rapidly depleting time schedule we could be our own worst enemy. Many brides find that within weeks of their big day the to-do list that they have gets longer rather than shorter. This is a good time to enlist your arsenal of bridesmaids. Yes they did commit to being your bridesmaid and support you through this special time so why not include them on a few tasks to complete too. Simple things such as picking up the guestbook or grabbing the flower girls shoes from the store shouldn't put them out too much.

Hitting the gym for some cardio, taking a kickboxing class or even running can take the edge of and reduce your stress level. In addition to kicking stresses but you can also get yours into shape for the big day while you're at it. Working out releases endorphins and boost your mood, it is also a great way to leave some of that aggression behind before facing families or fiancees.

Even though he is your soon to be husband don't forget that he is the cutie pie you swooned over before he put the ring on your finger. Don't forget to spend time with your soon-to-be by having a date night or do an activity that is totally non-wedding related. Make these times with your finacee completely void of wedding talk and just enjoy each others company. Another way to de-stress call your friends (throw in some that have nothing to do with your wedding too) and go out, it would be fabulous to get a group of friends together for dinner and a movie, shopping and brunch, or drinks and Sex and the City DVD's.

Watch or Walk: 27 Dresses vs. My Best Friend's Wedding?

2008-09-10T12:39:00.000-07:00

One bridesmaids closet has an overflowing number of no so favorable frocks while the other has no intention of letting her friend walk down the aisle without a declaration. Jane and Julianne are caught in the details of a wedding that is not their own and they take us for a long ride on the way to love, real life and letting go so....which does it for you? What would you Watch or Walk away from?

We Have Been Added to Best Wedding Blogs!

2008-09-07T12:42:00.000-07:00

We are pleased to announce that this weekend we have been added to Best Wedding Blogs. Best Wedding Blogs was started by Northern California Wedding Industry Professional Stacie Tamaki, and features some of the best blogs from Wedding Industry Professionals in Northern California and across the country. We feel truly honored that Stacie has chosen to feature our blog in the National Blog section and you can rest assure that we will continue to blog our hearts out. Thank You Stacie!

Watch or Walk: Bridezillas vs. Platinum Weddings

2008-09-03T12:46:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the Watch or Walk files where you tell us what your time and attention is geared to. First up is WE TVs hit shows Bridezillas going up against their network glam goddess program Platinum Weddings. Bridezillas gives us the gritty look at planning a wedding with all the unwanted opinions, nosy in laws, and tyrannical brides thrown it. Platinum Weddings is the

luxurious story of a couple with an endless amount of money to throw at every wish and whim for their big day.....so do you Watch it or Walk on by it?

VS.

Wedding Customs Part II

2008-09-02T12:48:00.000-07:00

We are back with the second edition of wedding customs where we finally getting to the bottom of those "traditions" and how they came to be in American culture. We do some without asking why such as having the brides family always being seated on the left side or tossing the bouquet; but others we know not why but do them just the same. Let's find out a little more about them...

Take Home Trinkets

Wedding favors have been around for thousands of years with many cultures participating in this practice. Favors are intended to be a token or appreciation for your guests in appreciation for them sharing your big day. Many cultures give five pieces of candy, such as almonds, to represent the wedding wishes: health, wealth, happiness, long life and fertility. Favors were originally given in the form of sugar because it was very expensive and something only the very wealthy could afford. This showed that it was an exclusive item to receive on any special occasion.

You Have A Gift Mr. and Mrs.

Often times the bride and groom to be will have special gifts delivered to their beloveds before the ceremony as a somewhat grand gesture of their love and appreciation for them. This originated with Welsh and Pennsylvania Dutch couples who would craft special handmade gifts for their loved ones to be used in their home together. Couples today continue this tradition by writing special notes and poems or purchasing something sentimental and special to their their soon to be something they have always wanted.

Sign on the Dotted Line

When celebs and high profile people get hitched they often times sign a prenuptial agreement, however, long ago it was called flouncing! Flouncing was a gathering of the brides and grooms friends to get to know one another and was legally binding. If after this point either party wanted to get out of the impending marriage the other half was entitled to half of all of their property and possessions.

Arroz con no Pollo

Throwing rice at the happy couple is something that everyone does but most people probably don't know the meaning behind it. Rice being tossed at the couple means that the attendants wish then prosperity, fertility and life long happiness.

Riddle Me This
Here are a few old sayings from the bridal world, maybe you've heard them before...

Marry in white, you will do all rightMarry in blue, your man will be trueMarry in brown, you will live in townMarry in green, you should be ashamed to be seenMarry in red, wish yourself deadMarry in black, better turn backMarry in yellow, not marrying the right fellowMarry in gray, sadness will come your wayMarry on Monday for wealth,Tuesday for health,Wednesday the very best day of all,Thursday you will soon be counting your losses,Friday your crosses,and if married on Saturday, you will have no luck at all!

Other superstitions in the wedding world consisted of things such as the bride had to cook the first meal for her and the groom to eat after their weeding or else it was considered bad luck, an old frying pan or broom could not be used in the new couples house and these items would have to be purchased new for their home, which is why family and friends provide new items to the couple to put in their new house today. Whether you believe in these traditions and wives tails or think they are a bunch of hooey its always nice to have a reference of where they come from and why they are there int he first place.

Did You Know?

2008-08-30T19:20:00.000-07:00

You can bring nature and a more earthy feel into your home by changing just the accessories and a few decor points in your home! Our homes are our own personal signatures we establish in life, each one as unique as our voices and penmanship. In this day in age being green is a concept that has a large following and will most likely be here to stay so why not bring that green nature feeling inside for awhile? How can you bring something so vast as nature into your home you ask? It's not very difficult at all and can be easy enough for even the most low maintenance person that wants to connect a little further with mother earth.

Outdoor Elements

Bringing in some scenic elements such as a waterfall or setting up stones or shells in glass vases around to give the feel of a natural setting is a good way to start. Setting up a small area for plants either hanging or potted can give the feel of outdoors. Another way is to have fake branches in a tall floor vase displayed in a rooms corner or a whole fake tree can give you that indoor garden appeal.

Our New Logo!

2008-08-26T16:22:00.000-07:00

Hi blog world! After two months of toying with ideas for our logo, and debating on whether or not we would design it or have someone else do it, we can finally say our new company logo is done and we designed it all by ourselves!

The logo design logo has the the concept of the dual women becasue there will always be at least two of us at any wedding or event and that vision was expanded on as I created the actual logo in Photoshop.

Now we are so excited to show our logo off to the world! It has been a true labor of love, so without further adieu...

Client Praise!

2008-08-23T16:46:00.000-07:00

Here is what one of our recent clients, who purchased one of our products from our Etsy shop had to say.

"I received the cones promptly. I absolutely love the pewcones. I am looking forward to using them in my wedding :). "

Thanks! - Brianne

Let Them Eat Cake

2008-08-22T16:50:00.000-07:00

Why does it cost so much for a wedding cake if its only made with flour and water?? Truth be told it has nothing to do with the rising gas prices or the cost of eggs and milk nowadays. The reason why couples wind up spending between $250 and up for their cake of choice is because of your guests. That's right! Cakes are charged by the serving typically at a $6-$7 per piece.

Once you let the baker know how many guests will be attending you get into the details, which is where the figures will change even more. A standard wedding cake is 3 tiers and anything above that will cost extra. Additional items such as pearls or flowers (either in between tiers or cascading down the cake) will raise the price depending on the time, size and type of flowers you want. Materials used to make these kinds of items vary from fondant to marzipan to royal icing and can drastically change the cost of cake. Don't be afraid to ask the confectioner how they make these items.

In addition to these extras there is the cake itself. Depending on whether you choose a sponge cake or pound cake or even cheesecake will alter the price as well. Adding liquiers, fruit, ganaches, icings and other filling will also increase your bill. Something else that people don't know is that square cakes cost more than round. This is due to the fact that they used special sized square pans to make these cakes. Covering a square cake takes more time as well due to all of the corners that need to be frosted. Anything that has the baker doing more work than the standard 3 tiers will cost you in the end.
Make sure you do research before you choose a baker and go over exactly what you want with them and how much ti swill total up to be. Don't forget to include tax and delivery charges in that estimate.
Don't go for the gusto if you really don't need too. Sometimes we want bigger to mean better but with wedding cake it means bigger bill. If you don't need a 4 tier cake for your 75 guests, skip it and use the extra funds somewhere else.
There is always the option to skip a cake baker and try your local supermarkets catering department for a cake. It may sound like something you'd never want to do but they may be able to offer you your dream cake at a lesser price. Don't be afraid to find up and coming cake designeres and cateres who's prices will be pocket friendly and can give you a stunning cake ala Sylvia Weinstock! (well maybe not exactly like Sylvia).

To Theme or Not to Theme...

2008-08-19T17:12:00.000-07:00

Being event and wedding planners it is always interesting to see what kinds of themes of feels our clients bring to us. We never know what they are looking for until that first meeting but then after that it's up to us to create an amazing vision to bring their wishes to life. On the other hand there are some clients that don't want a theme, they just want a simple chic party with appropriate colors and they are happy; either way both of these options are just fine with us. We look forward to creating new and interesting visions for our clients whether we've heard the theme before or not there is always a new way to twist it.

Celebrities have always had the means to throw a good party but these came up with a theme and went all out with it!

Ashlee Simpson and Pete Wentz went for an Alice in Wonderland theme wedding

Sean "Diddy" Combs and his Annual White Party in the Hamptons

Nick Cannon and Mariah Carey celebrated with family and friends in a Disneyland extravaganza!

Marissa Jaret Winkoker and Judah Miller wedded in "leyed" back Hawaiian style

As you can see these celebs decided to take their events to the next level making sure that every aspect played into their respective themes. I would like to point out that having a theme isn't always necessary for an event, just as long as you know what you want. Good food, great company and conversation and a wonderful atmosphere are all you need to create a great event.

Destination Wedding Hair & Make-Up: What's a Girl to Do?

2008-08-19T17:04:00.000-07:00

So you are a destination wedding bride. You are marrying the man of your dreams in an exoctic location but wait...what are you supposed to do about your hair and make-up? This is a question that gets asked a lot among destination wedding brides. Destination Wedding photo courtesy of Haskins Photography in Tampa Florida.

Don't worry, because there are plenty of options for destination wedding brides and although you may want to fly in your regular stylists and make-up artists from home the majority of destination brides do not have the budget to do that.

Option One:

If you are having a resort wedding, most of the resorts in the Caribbean, Hawaii and Mexico have made it easy for destination wedding brides. All of these full service resorts have their own salons with hairstylists and make-up artists on the property. Make sure you call ahead to book your appointment before you arrive at the resort.

Option Two:

If you don't want to use the resort's salon, you can always find local hair and make-up artists, which is what we did for Landra's upcoming wedding in Jamaica. Do searches on line and look in the local yelllow pages for your particular destination. In Landra's case the internet and Jamaican Yellow pages were extremely helpful! We found a local stylist that we are using for Landra and her bridal party in Jamaica that does airbrush make-up, lashes, extensions for hair, basically the works! Make sure you book in advance and bring pictures for your stylist of the look you are going for. If possible, arrive to your destination early enough so you can have a trial a day or two before the wedding.

Option Three:

You can always opt to do you hair and make-up yourself or have someone in your bridal party do it. If you are going to do your own make-up have a hair and make-up trial in your home location so that you can purchase the products. For make-up we would higly recommend MAC because they have a huge line of cosmetics in their stores and online and it is very easy to schedule a make-up trial with them in one of their locations.

But what if you want airbrush make-up which is the latest trend but you can't find anyone in your location that does it? Buy your own airbrush kit and do it yourself. You can buy an airbrush kit for a resonable price from Luminess Air, and it even comes with an instructional video.

With a little planning and effort, you can have beautiful hair and make-up for your unique destination wedding no matter where it is!

Wedding Cutoms: Part I

2008-08-17T09:05:00.000-07:00

Have you noticed that there are unspoken rules that are associated to weddings and we never question why it is the way it is. For instance, why does the brides family have to sit on the left side? What is the real reason we toss the garter/bouquet? I have done a little investigating and found some interesting reasons for some of those "that's just the way it is" rules.
What's with the left side?
The bride and her family being positioned on the left side of the church goes back to Medieval times when men wore swords on their right side. In case they needed to draw their sword at any given moment this side would be free to protect hid betrothed.
The Juno Effect?
June is considered the luckiest month to wed because it is names after the Roman goddess Juno who was the goddess of love and marriage. Other stories say that June was popular because this was the brightest month for light and also women could give birth by the following spring and have enough time to recover for the harvest season.
Bachelor Parties and Bridal Showers.
Bridal showers began back when the man would send gifts to the bride to show he was an upstanding gentleman worthy of her affection and also able to provide her by sending livestock, fabrics, land and jewelry. Today they are to shower the couple with gifts to begin their new life together. Bachelor parties date back to ancient Sparta where the groom gathered and feasted with his friends to show his loyalty and friendship to them. It also symbolized saying goodbye to his former life.
The Garter Toss
Though it has always said to show who would be the next to wed it has been said that beginning in the 14th century that it was good luck to have a piece of clothing from the bride. Consequently the bride's dress would be destroyed so the tossing of the garter was a way to distract the guests from her while allowing them to have something of hers.
Here's To The Couple!
A french tradition that has lasted and repeated over and over is the wedding toasts. A piece of bread would be placed in the bottom of a glass that was then filled with wine and then passed around to honored guests. Words of praise and honor would be spoken about the couple and the last guest to receive the cup would eat the toast.
The Classic Custom: Something Old, New, Borrowed and Blue....
The full saying is "‘Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, and a silver sixpence inside your shoe". The 'old' represents the family and friends of the past for the bride. The 'new' is based on the hopes for the future for the new couple. The 'borrowed' should come from an already happily married woman so that her luck can be passed to the bride. The 'blue' is to denote the bride virginity and is the opposite of red. The 'sixpence' denotes wealth (in marriage and money) and financial stability for the couple. Note that the sixpence should be worn in the left shoe for optimal effect!

Our Blog is Featured on Alltop!

2008-08-17T08:58:00.000-07:00

We are so exctied and pleased to announce that over the weekend our blog was selected to be featured on Alltop! Alltop is like a "digital magazine rack" of the top stories from online news websites and blogs. Think of going into a virtual Barnes and Noble and browsing through the magazine section by category.What is really cool about Alltop is that they update stories/feeds from the various blogs they feature every ten minutes. We are featured in the Wedding Section.

Thank you to the staff at Alltop, this is such an honor and we will continue to blog our hearts out!

Celebrity Spotlight: Tia Mowry & Corey Hardrict

2008-08-16T14:57:00.000-07:00

Our Celebrity Spotlight of this month is the beautiful actress Tia Mowrey, 29, of the hit WB Series Sister to Sister and the UPN/CW series The Game fame and her handsome new husband actor Corey Hardrict, 32, of the ABC Family series Lincoln Heights. We think that it is wonderful that these two actors have been dating since 2000 found love in Hollywood, where it can be difficult to sustain a long-term relationships. They make a beautiful couple and had a gorgeous wedding!Date: April 20, 2008Place: Four Seasons Resort the Biltmore Santa Barbara, CaliforniaTheme: Fairytale Butterflies/A Midsummer's Night DreamColors: Pink & PurpleGuests: 170Highlights: Tia's twin Tamera who also starred in Sister to Sister with her served as the maid of honor, and R&B singer Kenny Lattimore sang "For You" as Tia walked down the aisle with her father.

Who Pays For What?

2008-08-13T09:04:00.000-07:00

When planning a big important event like a wedding one of the first things to come to mind is how much is it going to cost and who pays for what? Traditionally in American custom the brides family pays for the event as they are the ones "giving" their daughter away. However, in 2008 grooms and other family members aren't getting off scott free anymore (sorry guys!). The breakdown of this tradition lightens the load from the brides family but also leaves the option open for the couple to completely take the burden from their parents and do it themselves. About 60% of all couples today pay for their own ceremony. Having many relatives pitch in to help the bride and room celebrate their day allows for them to get exactly what they want, right? Not exactly. Usually you would expect your family to help with funds but by doing this some relatives think that entitles them to a say or an opinion about how and what the money should be spent on. This can cause distress to the couple be often both parties never agree on the same vision for their wedding. It is always a good idea to make it clear that the money that is being gifted is to be used at the digression on the couple. If the money is a loan then there needs to be a clear understanding that the money is being used for any aspect of the wedding and will be repaid as soon as possible.Now on to the business of who actually is supposed to pay for what traditionally this is how it went.....

Engagement Party

Cost of the ceremony, including location, music, rentals, and all other expenses

Entire cost of the reception, including location, food, beverage, entertainment, rental items, decorations, and wedding cake

Bride's wedding dress, veil, and accessoriesWedding gift for the couple

Bridesmaids' bouquets

Bridesmaids' luncheon

Photography

Flowers

Groom's FamilyRehearsal dinner

Travel and accommodations for the groom's family

Honeymoon

Wedding gift for bride and groom

More modern tradition dictates this is how it should go........Bride

• Gifts for bridesmaids

• Lodging for bridesmaids

• Couple's personal stationery and thank-you notes

• Wedding programs/guestbookGroom

• Bride's engagement ring

• Marriage license

• Officiant's fee

• Rental or purchase of his formal wear

• Lodging for groomsmen

• Gifts for the groom's attendants

• Boutonnieres for self and groomsmen, as well as flowers for both mothers and grandmothers (it's much more common today for flowers to be paid in one lump sum, usually by the bride's family)

• Bride's bouquet (see above)Bride and Groom

• The wedding bands

• The honeymoon (in very traditional families, this is still considered the groom's expense)

Bride's Family

• Engagement and wedding pictures

• Wedding invitations

• Wedding consultant, if applicable

• Bridal ensemble

• Ceremony fees: rental of synagogue or chapel, chuppah, aisle carpets, or other decorating items

• Flowers: reception, ceremony, bridesmaids' bouquets and fathers' boutonnieres (see Groom for more on wedding flowers)

• Reception: site fees, caterer, food, bar, gratuities, decorations

• Music: ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception

• Bridesmaids' luncheon (a traditional gesture of thanks)

• Transportation for bridal party to ceremony and receptionGroom's Family

• Rehearsal dinner (optional) or any other expense they electBridesmaids

• Bridal shower

• Bridesmaid dress and shoes (flower girl/ring bearer attire is paid for by the child's parents)

• Any traveling expenses

• Bachelorette party (optional) Guests Traveling and lodging expenses (even if you're having a destination wedding, guests pay their own way)

Bucking the TrendsThese are the most common ways that the old guidelines of who-pays-for-what are being adapted to reflect the multi-host wedding that is so popular today:

Groom's Family• All beverage and liquor service• Limousines• Music for the reception• Photography and/or videographyBride and/or Groom• Bride's ensemble• Wedding flowers• All wedding stationery, including invitations, announcements, and thank-you notes*This list was found in Modern Bride MagazineAs you can see many things have changed from the traditional custom of paying and actually there are no rules to who, how and why people are paying for certain things in the wedding. As long as the bride and groom have a beautiful ceremony and don't break the bank too much, it really shouldn't matter who footed the bill.

Joanne and Elton'es Logo Samples

2008-08-12T09:15:00.000-07:00

We're back from Philly and that means back to work for our clients. Here are some first drafts for our clients Joanne and Elton who wanted a logo to use before their wedding on items like their Save the Dates. We created a monogram a few months ago that they will use at their Wedding Reception and we wanted the logo to be a preview of their theme Fall in the Bahamas.

We're Off to the City of Brotherly Love!

2008-08-09T09:16:00.000-07:00

We will be traveling on business to Philadelphia and we will return to our regularly scheduled blogging next week. Have a great weekend!