Friends On The Move

A giant pat on the back to dear friend Ivonne dela Vega. You know you are getting noticed when your gowns show up at the Oscars! Gloria Estefan and Mary Hart were both spotted wearing Ivonne dela Vega gowns last night on the red carpet. Hart wore the most gorgeous strapless gownstrapless lace and taffeta gown. in a stunning iridescent teal, embellished with a cascade of roses handmade in the same fabric. Estefan was beautiful in a black

Ivonne’s star just keeps on rising. I can’t wait to see what she has created for her fall bridal collection. See you in New York Ivonne.

Also getting some well deserved recognition is Amanda Jaron of AJaron Designs. Amanda has created a new line in sterling that has been picked up by HSN both on TV and online. Her collection can be seen on Friday March 2 at 1 am, 1 pm and 10 pm or anytime online. Don’t miss her tassel bracelets. They are just too much fun!

Finally, A Fun Shower Idea

I ran across this idea over at the Wedding Bee, how about a cooking class for a bridal shower. This one is at Hipcooks in LA but I don’t see why you couldn’t do it anywhere. If there is a cookware store that does cooking classes where you are give them a call. Let them know what you have in mind and see if you can buy out a class. Make sure it a fun and easy one that will leave you time to open presents. So much more grown up than making wedding gowns out of toilet paper.

I'll bet there are a million different classes that would be fun. Use your imagination.

Photo courtesy of Hipcooks

Be Inspired

I recently ran across a blog called Style Me Pretty. If you are looking for inspiration on how to style your wedding this is the place. I have added it to my blogroll so you can check it regularly.

What I love are her “Inspiration Boards”. With a few simple photos or ideas as a leaping off point she styles a complete wedding. Just read through her work and you are inspired on ways to take the little details you love and spin them into a magical whole.

She also has a passion for all things beautiful and all things wedding. Her blog is a collection of eye candy to inspire your own magic.

Why You NEED A Consultant

This is so sad. I can not begin to tell you how badly I feel for this bride.

I spoke with one of my florist friends today and this is the story as she related it to me.

She is doing the flowers for the wedding of a lovely young woman who is marring the son of an old family friend. It is quite the large wedding with over 800 guests invited of which nearly 500 are expected to attend. It is being held at one of the premier hotels in the area. It is scheduled for early June, one of the busiest times of the year. The décor is extensive with draping and a full on cocktail lounge being brought in. A very hot band out of Atlanta has been booked…

As a part of finalizing the details my florist friend asked what time the venue would be available to start decorating. The bride responded that the planner at the hotel had told her she had it all day. My friend suggested she check on that since the hotel had had a turn over in staff. Long story short… the new hotel staffer told her there was a conference scheduled for that day and they could have the room at 6 PM!!!!!!!!!!

OH MY!!! With an 8PM reception that leaves a scant 2 hours to transform this room. In most circumstances that would be a stretch but doable. Not this wedding. Draping, furniture for a lounge, place settings for 500; heck, the band’s contract states they require 6 hours to set up!

I have no idea what this poor thing is going to do. At this late date there is no way she could find a new venue even if she wanted to move her wedding. I will tell you, had she had an event/wedding planner this would have never happened. Even if this girl had already booked all her vendors it is the planner’s job to stay on top of just this kind of thing. She would have communicated with the hotel the amount of set up involved in this wedding. Oh my.

If you are planning a wedding for a hundred at a local hotel or your church maybe you really can do it yourself. Please, please, if you are planning something this big, hire help.