On the Calendar

Saw this video advertising for the Jay's Bridal show in September and we could not wait to share. We will be there and cannot wait to meet all the up-and-coming brides!

September 27, 2009

Phillips Center

12:00PM-5:00PM

Betsy's Bloomers: The Blog

Apparently one of our other favorite florists, The Plant Shoppe, also recently started a blog. We love her real wedding flower inspiration and real wedding flower board.

How can you resist that kind of floral inspiration? Love it!

Unforgettable Events: The Blog

Excited to announce that one of our favorite florist and design specialists, Dan Hathcock, now has a blog for his business, Unforgettable Events.

Now you can keep up-to-date on his most recent projects and stunning work! 

Not to mention all the floral inspiration! Gorgeous, right?

Inspiration Sweetness

We were tickled when Krystal from the K Gallery e-mailed us this board from Table 6 Productions. I would have never thought to make a board full of little flower girl cuteness, but isn't it adorable?

Check out their blog for sources and lots more inspiration!

New Kind of Wedding Dance

Alright, so you have probably all already seen this, but in case you haven't...

How shocked would your guests be if you did this at your ceremony!? This is seriously mixing things up. Love it!

Dance Me, Daddy Giveaway

Thrilled to announce that we have three copies of the beautiful, hardcover book "Dance Me, Daddy" to give away to our readers. This book, written by Cindy Morgan, is based on the Point of Grace song "King of the World" -- which, by the way, would make a perfect father-daughter dance for any close daddy and his little girl on her wedding day. And, truly, we think this would make a perfect gift for him too (on your wedding day or any other day you want to honor him).

So, to enter, all you have to do is leave a comment on this post explaining who you would give it to and why by Wednesday, July 29th at 11:59EST. And, three randomly selected entrants will be given copies of this beautiful hardcover. 

Happy entering!

Wedding Feet

It probably won't surprise you to hear one of our favorite things about weddings: the shoes. You know and love and all that. But, in all seriousness, we know many a bride who has stressed over her shoe situation just as much (if not more!) than the dress. 

So when Jenny from Wedding Feet e-mailed us about her site and blog, we were absolutely tickled. Essentially, Wedding Feet is a collection of some of the cutest bridal shoes from around the web. The site not only has her fabulous blog, but also a discussion board entitled "Shoe Gossip" where participants can post questions with photos (like "which shoes match better with this dress?") and the like. 

Honestly, we think it's a pretty brilliant idea. And, what bride wouldn't love a go-to shoe resource? Not to mention, Jenny's fabulous taste shines in some of the beauties she has posted. Check it out!

We Love Letterpress

It's no secret: here at MasterPiece Weddings we are huge fans of letterpress. So, when the folks of Erickson Design and Lambert Letterpress sent over this recent job we could not help but swoon over it. And, of course, we thought you, dear readers, would enjoy it too.

Look at that detailing! And those brass brads? Gorgeous!

Loving that the RSVP address is letterpressed. Wow.

And the whole suite. Stunning, isn't it?

Major kudos to the folks at Erickson Design and Lambert Letterpress for another fabulous job.

To Love a Video

Recently we saw this wedding video by Brett Culp and fell in love. There is something about a wedding video that is so much more tangible than photographs. Let me not confuse you; photographs are amazing. I cannot emphasize that enough. But, actually seeing yourself walk down the aisle or speak your vows again? Few things compare.

And, we are in love with Brett Culp's work. Doesn't he do a fabulous job capturing the emotion in this?

What do you guys think? Did you have a wedding videographer? Do you regret not getting one?

Favorite Venue: Black Diamond

Last week we had the privilege of visiting the beautiful Black Diamond Ranch in Lecanto, Florida. The Black Diamond Ranch is part golf course and part resort and would make a lovely wedding location for any bride who should be so lucky. 

Upon entrance, the venue has a very warm, comfortable feel that is still very upscale and elegant. With the stone flooring and giant fireplaces it feels very much like a cozy lodge. But, make no mistake, the Black Diamond Ranch has breathtaking views and, upon closer look, the great room seems almost as though it was designed for weddings.

Our photos:

Photos from their website:

Gorgeous, right? The great room can seat up to 300 and couples have the choice of getting married on that grassy spot (first photo of mine) near the lodge or down by the fabulous rock quarry (last photo of theirs). Seriously beautiful.

For more information and photos be sure to visit their website at www.blackdiamondranch.com.

Inspiration Board: Erinn's Wedding

So, one of the interns here on the MasterPiece Weddings staff, Erinn, from Behind the Knot, is getting married next December 2010. So, of course it is only natural that we immediately began working on an inspiration board as soon as her colors were chosen.

Her wedding will be a combination of slate gray, marine blue, and bright green. It's such a clean, JCrew kind of look. I think I would have been scared to go with three very different colors but I absolutely adore the way they look together. I just know that Erinn is going to have the most beautiful coordinated wedding. I cannot wait to help her pull the details together!

{bridal party, shoes, earrings, bride, cake, couple, venue, bout}

Isn't it beautiful? Thanks so much Ashley for another gorgeous board. I love how you were able to incorporate many ideas that Erinn has discussed (including a photo of her!). This one is truly stunning -- I think she will love it!

So what do you guys think? Gorgeous, no?

Wedding Thriller

In light of recent events, this video seemed ironically appropriate. Major kudos to these groomsmen for those dance moves! I am seriously impressed.

I love too how the dance kind of starts out of no where. It doesn't seem like anyone had any clue that was about to happen.

So, what do you think? Great to lighten the mood or not so much for a wedding reception?

Why do we Mix?

(Melissa, Amanda, Stewart and Amanda2)

I had a bride ask me recently why do we as planners go to wedding vendor mixers... well, honestly, that's a good question. The first thing that comes to mind is that we really do like each other! The vendors that is, and when we see each other at your wedding, although we are having a great time working your wedding, it is just that for us. Work.

(Melissa and Leigh)

So getting together at a mixer for is a great time to catch up personally, "So how are the kids?" and its a great time for us to find new vendors "Hey, I brought my friend who just opened a new Photobooth business in town!" and it's a great time for us to be reminded about vendors we haven't worked with in a while.

Recently a local photographer, threw a fantastical vendor mixer at his house, TJM Studios. It had a super swenk NY NY theme, and there was a new caterer (Embers Catering) there who took care of all of our food and beverage needs! Another great reason for a mixer! New vendors to let new clients know about! Photos Taken by: TJM Studios

Creative Paper

You know, being in the wedding and event business, we see a lot of wedding paper. Between save-the-dates, invitations, and programs, we are privileged to see oodles of different designs, styles, tastes, and ideas for each one of our clients.

So, when we see something that is especially fun and creative, we get really excited to get our hands on it. Check out some of our favorites as of late...

Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

What are you doing creative with your wedding paper? 

Be a Planner Launch

We are thrilled and excited to announce the official re-launch of our sister site, Be a Planner. As you may have noticed, the logo and site itself recently received a huge overhaul, and we have all kinds of goodies in store for the future of the blog.

Be a Planner will be your one-stop-shop for advice on being in the wedding planning business, planning tips and tricks, and the best planner finds to make Be a Planner a top resource for event professionals. Think of Be a Planner as the place to go for everything planning-related if you are new to the business, starting out in business, branching out into event planning, or a seasoned Professional. We promise to deliver educational information in a format that is easy to understand and we will offer real life advice. So, if you are a planner, are thinking of becoming a planner, or have ever wanted to be a planner make sure you bookmark us!

Friday Fun: Twitter

Though it says it was posted by me (Amanda), this post is actually written by Melissa:

This is only being posted for your enjoyment. For those of you who don’t follow me on Twitter (WeddingPlanner1) you are missing out. Back in April I hit my head pretty hard, during a site visit at an amazing hotel… well not only did it leave a nice “goose egg” it started to give me some nasty side effects so, I was forced to go to the emergency room.

My husband was concerned that there could be permanent damage. And my symptoms were getting worse, so, with me kicking and screaming he took me to the emergency room. Fortunately for you, my tweets were apparently pretty comical.

And Saundra at Planning Forever has now dubbed me Thor. (Thanks Saun!)

So back my popular demand, and to give you a chuckle this Friday, here is my play by play at the ER. And I promise you, NONE of this is made up, it’s all based on my actual 8 hour ordeal in the ER wafting room. Don’t worry I am fine now.

April 21st: (the day after I hit my head)

9:21AM- Feels like I have been run over by a Mac truck! And have one day’s worth of work to catch up on- which = a week’s worth (why is that?)

1:53PM - Is at the ER- stupid bump on the head is making me sick to my stomach. Dizzy and blurring my vision- fun times ahead!

2:24PM - Triaged- CAT scan ordered, waiting again! Isn't this fun!

3:22PM - CAT scan check! That was super fun! Now hurry up and wait again!

3:43PM - Why are ER waiting rooms so darned cold! I swear I could freeze to death in here before I see a doctor!

4:20PM - Dear lady in night gown and no shoes, why are you screaming and cursing? You are disrupting the man puking blood and can't breathe lady!

4:48PM - No shoes lady just left screaming to no one- thank you for the sh*tty medical care- fun times!

5:00PM - More fun times at the ER- tattoo all over lady decided to do stand up not so comedy for the whole waiting room- seriously where am I?

5:11PM - Is still waiting at the ER- no shoes and night gown lady is back, and bleeding prom dress girl joined the party!

6:08PM - Seriously! 6 hours in the ER waiting room- is this normal? Puking blood man, bleeding Prom dress girl, and no shoes girl and I are now BFFs!

6:23PM - Just joining the ER waiting room party- 1 ton man, missing 2 fingers man, and boy with 7 missing teeth holding a bloody napkin to his mouth!

6:26PM - A big huge ER welcome to can't breathe crying hysterical girl and black dress blue shoes lady! I swear you can't make this stuff up!

6:54PM - Dear Mom of crying hysterical not sick kid- please leave the ER waiting room, bleeding man and no shoes lady are looking at you funny!

7:14PM - ER waiting room welcoming committee welcomes crying bloody nose boy! I was thinking of faking a seizure- but God knows what is on this floor!! Ewww!

7:30PM - 
New Chinese Water torture - ER waiting room with migraine, dizzy, sick stomach. Fun times!

7:33PM - Oh yes, please kid who's not sick, keep dropping you big ass book on the floor, and your sister singing Hannah Montana, she sucks!

8:00PM - My name was called- now waiting for a doctor while sitting on a bed. 8:20PM - Official diagnosis - big ole concussion!


All THAT for some lousy drugs- and a massive headache!

Then I went home put some frozen corn on my head, and worked on the lap top… until Karry at UY Events yelled at me, and then I went to bed.

I hope you enjoyed my story… it is pretty funny looking back, I swear, I was waiting for those Candid Camera peeps to pop out from around the corner!

Inspiration Board: Winter Wonderland

Another beauty. Mmmm... doesn't this one just make you crave winter? 

Thanks Ashley!

{boots, invitation, kiss, couple, cake, rings, bouquet, bride}

So what do you think? 

Are you ready to ditch your bathing suit and flip-flops for this romantic getaway?

Better than a Bouquet

When it comes to what you carry down the aisle, who says you have to conform to the standard of pretty blooms in a pretty bouquet? Why not mix it up a bit? And with the unlimited realm of creativity reaching weddings today, your options are anything but limited...

Paper Flowers

Wood Flowers

Button Bouquet

Leather Bouquet

Clay Flowers

Crystal Bouquet

Felt Bouquet

Beaded Bouquet

Seashell Bouquet

Crocheted Bouquet

(Source Unknown)

Or if you want to carry something other than a bouquet... consider these options: fur muff, parasol, candle, rosary, bible, fan, lantern, clutch.

So what about you, what are you carrying down the aisle?

Additional Sources:

Source 1

Source 2

My Wedding

A few weeks ago I showed you actual pictures from my wedding that were taken my our "photographer" - really pitiful. You all were so sweet in offering suggestions for us to re-take our pictures, maybe one day! Maybe...

What I failed to mention is that prior to our wedding a local photographer had asked us to model for a class, if John and I would wear our wedding clothes. Now, John and I are NOT models by any stretch of ANY imagination. But I had faith that Powers Photography wouldn't do me wrong.

Plus, there was this super cool new thing that they were doing called Photojournalistic where John and I didn't even have to do anything... (remember this was 1998)

Here's a snippit of what they did for us, that John and I are so unbelievably grateful for!

What do you think, way betterer, right?

Good Graffiti

Why does the word "graffiti" have to have a negative connotation to it? Sure, we love the personalization of gobo lights. But, this takes things a step further. We were smitten when we were sent the link to Wonderful Graffiti.

So what is it, you ask? Wonderful Graffiti makes their graffiti of "very thin pieces of matte vinyl that look 'printed' when applied to most smooth surfaces." The design arrives to you on one sheet of transfer paper and all you have to do is tape it up where you want the design to go, burnish it down, and peel the transfer paper away.

According to Wonderful Graffiti only the letters and graphic elements will be left. And the best part? Wonderful Graffiti is designed to be removed quickly without harming underlying surfaces. So, you could even put it up in your reception hall or ceremony location. Doors, walls, tables, floors... you name it!

According to the Wonderful Graffiti website, "it's so easy, even a nervous groom can do it." Love it!