I heart Cupcakes!

Okay, who doesn't really enjoy a cupcake every once in a while... One of my favorite blogs recently posted about a very chic cupcake stand...

So I hate to do this, but I am going to... did you know that Martha Stewart is running a Cutest Cupcake Contest? Well, I went ahead and entered... check them out and if you like mine, would you rate it and comment...

Tomorrow more beautiful weddings!

** Update, since you won't leave me alone, and I've received tons of emails telling me that these aren't cupcakes... let me tell you that THEY ARE CUPCAKES- seriously!!!

You take your favorite cupcake recipe (box or from scratch) bake them in regular cup cake tins... then when cool- use your favorite icing.. once iced... then take mini marshmallows and rip them in half and stick them to the icing... then take some yellow food coloring and water, and brush onto the tops of the cup cakes...

If you want the tubs... then print out on regular paper red and blue stripes, then a label that says Pop Corn... cut to size and tape behind... you are done and done!

So there, they are cupcakes for real!

The Vue!

{click the image to enlarge}

When I was visiting my favorite blogs last week, I came across this amazing wedding photographed by Vue Photography I was completely inspired to stop working on whatever I was doing and create this board.

I absolutely feel that this is the perfect example of photography capturing the mood of the wedding wedding with a great sense of humor that brides and grooms can have, and just plain ole' good fun. I just think it totally rocks!

Thank you, Vue Photography, for capturing truly amazing moments!

I've been blogged!

Along with some of my favorite blogs, I've been rated a 9.5!

Enjoy!

Have a great weekend! And we'll be back to fabulous posting on Monday!

Enjoy the changes and we have some new links on the right as well!

Take some time and check them out!

Under Construction

Please excuse our dust... we'll be back shortly with our regularlly scheduled fabulous posting.

To-go Cups!

Packing for your honeymoon or a long trip? Packing your bra's sometimes can be difficult -they get smooshed or mis-shappen... what about this new product I came across....

You remember the "bro" from Sienfeld's well now I'd like to introduce you to the bra(g). It's a fun way to pack your bra's so they don't get crushed while you travel.

What do you think, ingenious, or are you un-DD-cided?

Do the Bustle....

Why is it that the most common mishap is a broken bustle? Either the bustle doesn't stay up, or a button breaks off, or a guest steps on the back and it tears off.

Keep in mind the loop underneath the dress is NOT a bustle, this is just there to hang the dress on a hanger... it's not really there for you to hold the back of your dress all night. Sorry!

I know it happens to the best of us - I've found that the most likely candidate to stay up is a french bustle with double knots tied underneath- and trust me, I've seen all kinds of bustles, some with over 50 pin ups and sometimes up to 70 all numbered!

If a bustle does come down, I've found that diaper pins work best on keeping the dress pinned up. It's a must in my wedding bag!

And if you don't know what a bustle is or why it's used - a bustle is what you do to the back of the gown, so that it becomes a floor length gown, no matter how long that beautiful train is. You basically can pin up, pull under or hook around.

Ummm, well I know, but, I uh...

So, I went out for drinks with a photographer that I truly admire, and I work with quite a bit. I asked her if having a Wedding Consultant at her weddings helped her weddings go more smoothly. And she adamantly agreed that they do. And then I asked her what she thought I did - and she really couldn't answer. She knew that I made her weddings go much more smoothly, the timing was better, brides weren't late - but couldn't quite answer what I do.

I think this is a more common issue than we know. I actually scheduled a first appointment with her as if she was a bride, I'll let you know how it goes - I am actually excited for it!

Do you think that other vendors know that Wedding Consultants help them tremendously, but don't actually know how much we do? I was thinking of starting an education campaign for vendors in our area - You are great at what you do, and so I am.... sort of thing. Maybe not that brash...

Maybe it's just me, but I don't think the vendors really know what we do... am I off base completely?

What do YOU do?

In a recent client meeting, joining us in the office were myself, the bride and her mother, along with my new intern. It started off as a very normal meeting, we were talking about her wedding, and after I offered a few suggestions on florists, then the brides mom asked "Well, what do you actually DO then?"

I was actually caught off guard (although come to find out I didn't show it) - and I went on to explain what I actually do. Which doesn't included making the bouquets (unless one breaks and it needs fixing), I don't actually bake a cake, I don't cook the food.... and so on and so forth.

It turned out to be a great meeting, we talked about the brides vision, and I pulled up Style Me Pretty on our office 52" TV screen, showed her what I felt her inspiration might be taking her, and she agreed. In the end her mother was sliding over her credit card before I had finished discussing my packages. Like I said, it was a great meeting.

Her wedding was last weekend, and the brides mother came up to me with tears glistening in her eyes and said "I asked you what you do, and well, I figured it out, you do everything!" and gave me a big gushing hug, it was truly a beautiful moment.

What do you do? ....will be continued....

A Florist by Any Other Name

We were driving to the middle of no where for Easter Dinner yesterday. Passing many a florists, some of them I've worked with and some of them, I've never heard of.

I don't claim to know every florist in the known and unknown universe, I don't claim that title. But I do know every Wedding Florist in probably a 50+ square mile radius.

What is the difference you ask me... well a florist that sends FTD deliveries all day, and designs birthday and funeral arrangements doesn't necessarily do wedding flowers. Some do, but not all.

There are some florists that focus on weddings, and 90% of all of their business is weddings. It is extremely important to know who does weddings, knows weddings, knows facilities, and knows and understand weddings.

Not all florists are created equally. Make sure to get referrals from your venues, make sure there isn't a list of who and who isn't allowed to work there. Talk to your other vendors there are probably one or two that you hear over and over and over again. Make a point to take note of who's name(s) come up repeatedly.

And make sure to note that all florists are not created equally.

Bridesmaid Pledge

You've gone and done it! You've asked your closest friends and family to be in your wedding party. But what if your best girl friend since 3rd grade gains 20 pounds in-between you asking her to be your bridesmaid and the wedding, do you sue her? Do you fire her? Do you publicly flog her?

Take a peek at a Bridesmaid Contract - here are some highlights:

• I won't gain more than 7 pounds before your wedding
• I won't get drunk at your wedding
• I won't get pregnant before your wedding
• I won't bring an inappropriate date to the wedding
• I won't hit on the best man

Yeah, it's good stuff...

{click to enlarge}

The Irish Car Crash

I am working on a great post for today, but I wanted to share one of my funnest experiences in Ireland.

Back story.... we were driving around Ireland through The Burren area, it's so beautiful! Really incredibly spectacular! And as we saw things we stopped to take pictures:

We kept driving the most extraordinary coastal roads. On the way back the girls had to use the potty, and we found this adorable Pub to stop, which by the way, the boys called it a Potty and a Pint stop:

While we were there I started a conversation with the Pub owner John Vaughn about a story I had heard about a drink that contains some Guinness and you put in a shot of something-er-ather. John continued to tell me about a man from Nevada that visited his pub for a wedding - and taught them how to do a "Car Crash" and apparently it's become quite the thing at his Pub. The man from Nevada's name was John Vaughn and the Pub owner's name in Ireland is John Vaughn, and the Pub Owner's father's name is John Vaughn (not to confuse matters) -

So the Irish son John Vaughn (pictured above with me and Tux), explains that this is a drink that is about 3/4 of a pint of Guinness and you drop in a 1/2 shot of Jameson and a 1/2 shot of Bailey's and chug, chug, chug.

My friends ordered dessert, and I ordered me a "Car Crash" - by the way if you are ever at Vaughns in The Burren you must try the Bread and Butter Pudding! Oh My Gosh!!!

Anyway, back to "The Car Crash"- John Vaughn didn't think I could do it, so there was definitely some pressure.

So with out further ado... Melissa and "the Car Crash":

The Glass after the Crash....

Me after the Crash....

During the trip, I continually drank about um-teen many Crashes... Thank you John Vaughn from Nevada for bringing the "Crash" to The Burren!

Hump Day Recipe!

So you are having company over, maybe an invitation stuffing party, or your bridesmaids are coming over for Pizza and you wanted to make a nice little snack. How about Pretzel Turtles? So easy and so delicious! This can be your super fast way to impress - Rolo Pretzel Turtles.

In just 10 minutes, you can satisfy your sweet-tooth and your need for salty'ness all in one bite! It's the most glorious thing, a scrumptious bite of chocolate clinging on to a salty crunchy pretzel, then to be topped off with a toasted crunch satisfying pecan and oozing with warm caramel - what could be better?

Rolo Pretzel Turtles

Rolo chocolate candiesMini pretzels Nuts - toasted pecans/almonds/hazelnuts/walnuts
Preheat your oven to 350

1. Upwrap your Rolos. Place pretzels on baking sheet. Top with a Rolo.
2. Bake in oven for 3-5 minutes, until the chocolate just begins to melt. The Rolo should be soft but not completely melted.
3. Remove from oven, place on cooling rack and immediately squish the chocolate with a nut. Watch the caramel oooze out.

IMPORTANT: Eat as many as you can while they are still warm. Go ahead, I give you permission to stuff yourselves with sugar.

Enjoy!

{Pictures and Recipe from Steamy Kitchen}

Destination Ireland - Cliffs of Mohr

What a beautiful place to have a wedding!!! The first thing I thought when we arrived here - was I need to plan a wedding HERE! I mean look at these views!!!

The Cliffs of Mohr are located in County Clare, there is an on-site cafe that is available for catering, and I think I had the best quiche I've ever had in life there! And the stew was amazing!!!

Some things to keep in mind:

• This is a public site, so make sure you know the rules when planning an event here.


• It is super windy here, so beware - no tents!!! It would act like a huge kite- YIKES!


• The weather is slightly unpredictable, we started our day a bit misty, but then it was beautiful, then it started to rain...


• Definitely plan in the summer, it can cold other times of the year

Here are some other pictures of the Cliffs of Mohr - simply amazing!

It's windy! Forget about good hair days! And it's cold, look at how people are dressed - remember we went in the winter, it was between 30-40 degrees (0-10 C)

Destination Ireland

If you are considering getting married in Ireland there are a few things to keep in mind. On the left you'll see an amazing 16th Century Castle Tower. This is the castle that we stayed in on our trip to Ireland.

As a Wedding Consultant and seeing what feels like a bazillion reception sites. I couldn't help but think that this castle photographs really well, but isn't as perfect as it might seem for a wedding reception. Unless you are planning on less than 30 guests - in that case it's perfect.




With that said here are some things to consider first, before planning a destination wedding:

• Always have a site visit to the location before planning your wedding there based on photographs alone
• Ask how they've set up the venue in the past, what works - what doesn't


• Consider the exchange rate, currently the Euro is far surpassing the dollar so for every Euro you spend you are actually spending $1.57 - YIKES!


• Take a look at the local vendors you'll be using, try their food, ask how many staff members they'll be using.


• Know what your menu will entail, in Ireland, a BBQ is very different than what we think a BBQ is

Knowing the price of the Euro is so high, you might consider bringing in your own photographer from the US, because if the photographer in Ireland costs 1700E that's really $2669 - and this way your photographer is close to you.

Happy St. Patty's Day!!! Drink a Guinness!

Waterford - How it's Made...

Do you ever wonder where your champagne flutes came from, or your fine wine goblets or that amazing water pitcher that you never use? Well, while in Ireland my husband I visited the Waterford Factory in Waterford, Ireland. What an amazing experience!

Here are some video's to help give you a better understanding of really just how handmade these products truly are. It's seriously incredible!

This is how they hand make the handle for their water pitchers, such an art! I just can't believe they do it with out a mold, it's all done by eye!

Here is me helping finish off a Beautiful Water Pitcher! What an experience!

Top 5 of the Week

I feel like this week just flew by! Between getting over the jet lag, the 5 hour time difference from Ireland to Florida, then to throw day light savings time into there, I am all off.

But thanks to Rhonda at Our Wedding Plus for putting this week into perspective for us all. Take a peek over at Our Wedding Plus for Rhonda's Top 5 of the Week. She scours the web world of blogging for her Top 5 bloggity blog posts in the world of weddings.

She always has something that I didn't find that week, and it can open our eyes to brand spanking new blogs that we haven't had the chance to see yet. And it doesn't hurt that this week she included our post on Marriage Contracts.

Happy Friday!

Tux Montage

{Click on Image to Enlarge}

This is some of what Tux got into while in Ireland -

• Botox is done at every Pharmacy, so we've got BoTux
• At The Waterford Factory, Tux went across the Do Not Cross Line - Bad Tux!
• Malted Tux - He played in the Malt Sea at The Guinness Storehouse
• Whiskey Tux - He had to try them all :)
• I'm King of the World... well that explains itself :)
• And well.... he was thirsty

And my favorite.... The Vice Roy of Ireland... that's Sir Tux to you....

Marriage Contract

In the Jewish faith there is a marriage contract called a Ketubah, that defines the relationship in terms of commitment and financial aspects. Many couples today prefer o write their own contract reflecting their own joint perspective of their commitment, one to the other: The word Ketubah literally means "that which is written". It is a contract that a man makes with a woman, obligating the chatan (groom) to serve, cherish, sustain, and support the kallah (the bride) in truth.

This contract is separate from the marriage license and it is a very intimate ceremony that takes place prior to the wedding ceremony.

The contract itself has come a long way from plain old parchment. Check out Daniel Sroka's incredibly artistic work at Modern Ketubah - they are simply remarkable. So beautiful, something to definitely be cherished and framed, forever!

Destination Castle

This is not the castle we stayed in, but this castle was almost right across the street to us. It's actually a hotel/Castle- Dromoland Castle. They have a full service spa, full service caterering facility, and yes I took time out of my vacation to meet with their catering manager- Patricia, who was just lovely.

She showed me the ballrooms, the guest rooms, the spa - we had tea and scones with jam and clotted cream in The Gallery next to the fire place.

It was an absolutely fantastic experience. If you are looking to get married in County Claire, Ireland - this is certainly your place! Here are some more photographs:

This is the ballroom - there is also a "pre-function" area that is a downstairs area that is just magnificent.

These are my scones and tea, with clotted cream (yum- by the way!!!) with jam:One of the guest rooms:

If you are getting married in Ireland or just visiting this amazing country-side, please take some time to visit this amazing location, it's truly something to behold.

Tux in Ireland

So, now that I've had 1/2 of a chance to go through 1/2 of the photographs from Ireland I wanted to share some more of Tux's Crazy Ireland Adventure with you.

Tux window shopping in Dublin:

Tux at The Cliffs of Mohr, check out that sign in the background it says "Dangerous Cliff Edge":Tux at one of the many pub stops at "The Biddy Early" it's the oldest Pub Brewery in Ireland:

Tux wanted a snack....:Tux made a friend with our Suit of Armour in the Castle (did I mention we stayed in an amazing castle!!!) Behind our castle there was a farm with horses and sheep's... Tux made friends:
And went for a horse back ride:He had to take some time to play in the wild Daffodils that grew wild everywhere!!!

Beautiful Board!

While I was away I had my girls work on some Inspiration Boards for our clients, and this one is beautiful! It's a black, red and white themed event - so romantic and sophisticated!

More fun images from Ireland coming up soon!

Update Number 2!

As I sit in the drive of the castle I am reflecting on the fun we have had this week! I can't believe we leave tomorrow! The week has flown by, we have seen so much and have squeezed so much into our short time in this amazingly wonderful country - they have welcomed us with such open arms.

Here are a few more pictures to hold you over until I get a proper Internet connection:

This is me and Tux at The Brazen Head in Dublin, it's the oldest pub in Dublin, and has some amazing Fish and Chips! The Bar owner was so nice to invite me and Tux behind the bar for a photo opp!

Tux drank his first Guinness!Tux after his first Guinness!

Tux at Locke's Distillery in Killbeggen, Tux didn't drink allll of these, but we sure sampled each one (hiccup...)

John and I after our first 36 hour day.... we were at The Porter House in Dublin - what a fun happening place! If you make it there you must try the Galway Hooker! (it's a beer)

We are having such a fun time, and I have so many fun images to share with you! Can't wait to get back in our own time zone though!