Alfred Sung Bridal Trunk Show

Alfred Sung Bridal Trunk Show March 6-8, 2009Canada's top fashion designer Alfred Sung created an exquisitely crafted signature bridal collection comprised of gowns ranging in silhouettes from classic elegance to sumptuously romantic. www.alfredsungbridals.comOur friendly and professional Bellissima Bridal team will help you find the gown of your dreams so you look bellissima on your day.

Space is limited, make your appointment now! (305) 476-1500 or email us at bellissimabridal@bellsouth.net.

Bellissima Bridal Designs371 Miracle MileCoral Gables, FL 33134www.bellissimabridal.net.

Happy Shopping!

Favors have you stumped

I think favors are a nice touch but I have to be honest they need to be unique and something that the guests will really like or would be part of your story. What I am saying is don't do a favor for your guests just because your best friend did. Or that you feel you have to. You really don't have to. It is nice touch but again it needs to be something about you.
So to inspire you to think of something that is unique check out www.KateAspen.com for some ideas. It well truly help you.

Armida and Eric's Winter Wonderland Wedding

On the 17^th of January, a very chilly day here in Gainesville, Armida and her very excited wedding party woke up to get pampered with hair and makeup by All About Hair while they waited for the big day to begin! The pre-wedding laughs that the girls shared were truly a special moment to witness.

At 5:30pm, Eric and Armida tied the knot at the Baughman Center with a beautiful ceremony that mixed American and Filipino culture. The couple participated in a coin, veil, and cord ceremony. For the coin ceremony, Eric dropped 13 coins into Armida’s hands, representing abundance and success in the couple’s life. Next a veil was placed jointly around Eric and Armida’s shoulders, which represented the bride and groom’s faithful and everlasting love, and also the uniting of two families. Finally, a cord was placed over Eric and Armida’s heads to figuratively tie the couple together in everlasting love and friendship. The traditions were new to us here at A’vie and provided a great learning experience that I hope we will be able to be a part of in the future! The couple was lucky to have Jimmy Ho Photography on the scene to capture this special day forever.

The reception was held at the Florida Museum of Natural History, where Celebration’s Catering decorated the room beautifully and served a delicious buffet of prime rib, turkey, and other tasty items. I cannot thank Celebration’s enough for all of their hard work to keep the guests happy and clean up at the close of the reception. The guests danced the night away to music provided by Jay’s Entertainment and enjoyed delicious cake provided by Ms. Debbie’s Sugar Art. Also, the entire event would not have been the same without gorgeous bouquets, boutonnieres, and flower arrangements by the Plant Shoppe Florist.

All in all, the wedding and reception went very smoothly and the couple started their new life together in the best way possible, through a celebration with their closest family and friends. ~Christy

Be Chic NOT Cheap

It is always a challenge to create a wedding on a tight budget. I will tell you myself you can do it. It takes creativity. Don't give up and be cheap to make it happen.

A few things NOT to do for your wedding

• Emailing your thank-you notes
• Renting less rental items than you really need
• Decorating with crepe paper
• Using your friend to DJ and he is using a home system
• Using silk flowers.
• Skimping on staff tips

Hope these tips are helpful.

RUFF Decision

Have you ever thought about having your 'best friend' in your wedding. Well, I am sure you have but I am talking about your FOUR Legged Best Friend. We have had several have their dogs in their wedding. Typically they are the flower dogs or Bearer of Rings.

If you decide to go with having a dog involved in your ceremony. Please consider doing a few things to help the day go so much smoother.

~Confirm that your venue allows animals at the site
~Take him to obedience class
~They need to attend the Rehearsal
~Pick out an outfit that will keep him/her cool and comfortable or a nice ribbon around their neck
~Pick out a container/box that they will wear to carry the rings in
~Plan to have someone bring them about 45 minutes before the ceremony
~If you want them to be there for beforehand pictures make plans for the group photo
~Have a rewards bag along with fresh water with the attendant for the dog
~Have someone take him/her home after the ceremony so they can calm down. It will be a lot on them.

Wait until you see what your guests will do.

Eventology 2009

As many of you know I enjoy working way too much. (Am I Right?) I have a hard time taking time off to do something other than work....WELL. I am off to Eventology in April. I am super excited to be able to go. In all the years of planning events I rarely get a chance to go to something and just soak it up. Well I am heading to Indianapolis to do just that.

Eventology 2009 is just for wedding planners in mind. To help them come together to enhance their business. If you have some time and want to check out their web site you can go to www.eventology2009.com

Guest Book Display

So let's go a little bit on the wild side of life and have our guests write notes to the Bride and Groom. Then they can be displayed on a creative board for all to read. This is a neat alternative to writing in a guestbook that never is looked at again. You can use fun papers and pens to make it match your wedding. Remember that doing it this way in case you get a guests that writes something you don't want to see over and over again you could...just misplace it. I will never tell. :)

Kiddie Tables

As you start looking at your guests list sometimes you start seeing trend that you have a lot of little people. Now I am not talking about 'short/petite' people. I am talking about those other ones...children. Why don't we give them something to entertainment themselves so we know that they are going to have fun too.
Here are a few things to spice things up for them and give you and their parents an event to remember.

• galvanized pals filled with sidewalk chalk, crayons, coloring pencils
• pal filled with ice cold 'old fashioned' coke
• special snacks for them...trail mix, mini cookies,
• basket filled with travel games
• basket filled with art and craft items
• container filled with stickers

They want to have FUN too! Let's help them do that. We will all have a better event because of it.

Something that can WOW your guests when they come into your cocktail hour

So you have been looking for something that would be unique and WOW your guests when they come into your Cocktail Hour of your reception. Well you can always do a Signature Drink but that is typically an alcoholic drink. Not everyone wants an alcoholic drink if they are coming from a wedding ceremony that was held outside. So why don't we really refresh them with some 'Mint Iced Tea'. Now that is REFRESHING! You could even serve it in mason glasses too.

Le Creme of Gainesville Event

I attended an event several days ago that Melissa from Masterpiece Weddings and Giovanni from Unique Designs put together at Sweetwater Branch Inn for Vendor Networking. They did a great job, collecting all of us to be at one place at the same time. It was great to see everyone there.

We as vendors don't get a chance to visit and catch up while working our clients wonderful events. One of the activities that was going on during the event was a photo booth by K-Gallery. Check out Melissa and I as we go head to head or rather fist to fist. Check out our photo shoot.

Krystal from K-Gallery couldn't have said it better. So in her words, 'It's the Consultant heavy weight showdown!!!'

Way to go Melissa and Giovanni!

Reception Details

Have you ever thought about having a 'Shaped Letter' on your Reception Door Entrance. If not you might want to think about it again. It can make your entrance more inviting and peek their curiosity. Go check out a new web site that I stumbled upon at www.sticksandstones.com and create your special 'Shaped Letter' for your reception.

Justina McCaffrey Trunk Show

Justina McCaffrey Trunk Show is coming to Solutions Bridal in Winter Park location February 20-22nd. Call the Winter Park Store to pick out your appointment.

Happy dress shopping!

Lori London Trunk Show

Lori London Trunk Show is coming to Solutions Bridal in Gainesville on February 20th through 22nd. Call to get in appointment with on of Solutions Consultants today.

Enjoy!

Alfred Sung Bridal Trunk Show

AIRE Barcelona Bridal Trunk Shows... will be having a New Couture Collections of top designers on February 20-22, 2009. This modern, feminine, and resoundingly beautiful Spanish collection from leading designer Rosa Clara renews classic trends into contemporary designs with the timeless elegance of haute couture. www.airecollection.es

Space is limited, make your appointment now! (305) 476-1500 or email us at bellissimabridal@bellsouth.net

Bellissima Bridal Designs371 Miracle MileCoral Gables, FL 33134www.bellissimabridal.net.

Have a great time if you get to go.

Happy Dress Shopping!

Solutions Bridal Designer House is having a Bridal Party

Solutions Bridal Designer House in Gainesville is having a Bridal Party on Thursday, February 19th from 10:30am to 9pm. Please call the store at 352-367-0070 and schedule yourself an appointment.

Bridesmaids Gift Ideas

There is much more variety in bridesmaid gift options than ever before. Personalizing gifts with embroidery or monogramming is always a good choice and there are many options of gifts to personalize. A new trend is to get different gifts for each bridesmaid rather than that of the same. If you one of your bridesmaids is gym rat, the embroidered yoga bag or gym duffel bag might be a more functional choice than a more traditional make-up bag. For the pet lover friend, the pet carrier would be a cute choice. If that’s not your style, but you want to break away from the more traditional gift choices such as a “bridesmaid” tank top or baseball cap, a spa pampering kit, or ceramic plate with friendship quote. There are even some sweet edible options. Below is a list of some unique gifts as well as some more traditional ones. For even more ideas you can visit these websites.
References: www.americanbridal.com, (pictures from)http://www.weddingstand.com/, http://www.verabradley.com/
Personal:
~Coin purse and compact with engraved initials
~Embroidered bathrobe, body wrap, or slippers
~Totes, cosmetic bags, toiletry bags or duffle bags with first names or initials embroidered
~Embroidered Yoga bag, gym bag, ladies golf bag, picnic basket, blankets, apron, beach towel, or pet carrier
~Small evening clutch with first letter of name in Swarovski crystals
~Embroidered backpacks and garment bags
~Engraved Flask
~Engraved perfume bottle (could fill with favorite perfume if known)
~Engraved manicure kit
~Glass coasters with etched initials
~Embroidered jewelry roll
~Engraved passport or wallet
~Initial pendant silver or gold necklace
~Embroidered photo book or journal
~Engraved silver credit card case or silver eyeglasses case
~Engraved silver keyrings
~Engraved silver heart bracelets
~Monogrammed travel mug or tumbler
~Monogrammed bars of soap
~Engraved makeup brush bag with brushes
~Embroidered pajama bottoms in different prints
~Custom handbags at 1154lillstudio.com
~Monogrammed glass vase for bridesmaid bouquets
~Personalized laminated wood martini sign (ex: “Kendall’s Martini Lounge”)
~Personalized bridesmaid and jr. bridesmaid picture frames
~Personalized koozie
~Wine or martini glass set with first initial etched
~Personalized charm bracelet

Miscellaneous:
~ “Bridesmaid” tank tops
~Floral sushi kit
~Spa pampering kit (scented lotion, face mask, foot scrub, aromatherapy candle, etc.)
~Bridesmaid’s “survival kit”
~Rhinestone studded baseball cap
~Bridesmaid jewelry box filled with non tarnish cotton for the wedding day
~Ceramic plate with quote

Edible:
~“Will you be my bridesmaid?” cookie cards
~Monogrammed, individually wrapped oreos
~Wedding themed, frosted fortune cookies
~Mini gumball dispenser
~Coffee beans with personalized bag
~Picture brownies with a white chocolate “frame”

So have fun with what you give your Bridesmaids. Be NON Traditional.

Blessings!!! ~Angela