Bridal Emergency Kit

Brides have so many things to think about the day of their wedding, I mean its one of the most important days in your life! I wanted to share a portion of my list to help you create a Bridal Emergency Kit for the day of your wedding. However, if you have hired a wedding planner, we will bring our "All things Bridal Emergency Kit" with us the day of the ceremony, so you won't have to worry about a thing!

• Ivory Ribbon (for emergency bouquet repair)
• Earring backs
• Extra lipstick
• Shout wipes
• Bobby Pins
• Lint brush/roller
• Baby powder (for spills on white dresses)
• Visine
• Toothbrush & toothpaste
• Hairspray
• Fashion Tape
• Water
• Plain Crackers
• Clear Nail Polish
• Contact Solution
• Tums/any antacids
• Dryer sheets (for static cling)
• Super Glue
• Feminine Products
• Vaseline (for your teeth...so you can smile with ease!)
• Portable flashlight
• Drinking straws (so that you won't mess up your lipstick)
• Baby Wipes (they work miracles)

I hope this gets you started in creating a Bridal Emergency Kit, the list can go on & on!!

Belk Bridal Registry Workshop

Happy Monday!

Belk at Providence Marketplace in Mt. Juliet will be conducting a Bridal Registry Workshop on October 11th.

During this workshop you can learn how to create the perfect Wedding Registry for everything that you want & need! By attending this workshop on October 11th, it will also enter you into their drawing for great prizes!

The prize possibilities are:

• 1 bride will win a Biltmore Honeymoon Trip (3 days/2 nights) a $2,500 value
• 5 brides will win a $1,000 Belk Gift Card
• 1 bride will win a 18" Akoya Saltwater 7-7.5mm pearl strand necklace!

The Wait is Over!!!!

Whose watching Desperate Housewives tonight.......Meeeeee!!!!

The 4th Finger??

Have you ever wondered why the wedding band is worn on the 4th finger? I received this interesting video via email, & wanted to share!!! Not sure how true it is, but still interesting none the less!!

Try it out! It realy works!

Have a good weekend!

09' Wedding Trend Prediction by Mindy Weiss

I had the pleasure of attending the discussion & book signing with Mindy Weiss, the Wedding Diva and the author of The Wedding Book at Davis Kidd in Green Hills last Wednesday It really was great, to have her one-on-one attention to ask questions but to also listen to her great stories, she was so funny! I invited an upcoming bride to join me, because she is all about having a fab wedding!

Mindy discussed some of the Wedding Trends for 2009 and some of her tips and ideas, here they are:

Invitations: The trend will be a lot of recycled paper, people are "Going Green" or being "Eco Chic", very simple clean designs and letter press printing will still be very popular.

Food: The food trend is comfort food. Something simple and appealing to all taste buds with familiar flavors and recipes that we all grew up on. She had a recent wedding where they served a sweet potatoe french fries & they were a huge hit! Mindy is all about making it personal to the couple and adding that special touch to your event, no matter what it is, music or food.

Flowers: We will be seeing a lot of low centerpieces, keeping a intimate, cozy and warm feel throughout the room. We will also be seeing more deep purple shades of flowers, brides are more bold with their color palettes like jewel tones & metallics are still current, although ivory and white will never go out of style.

Music: We all know the typical classical ceremony music, but we are now seeing and will be seeing more personalized music selection either from a movie soundtrack like Rudy the movie for the processional and recessional. Also gospel choirs really add some flavor to your wedding ceremony, especially after saying your vows! During the cocktail hour, it is important to have music. The ipod is a great option in creating personal playlist. A lot of her clients are doing this. For the reception music, although in the past, having a DJ was not the preferred choice of music like a live band was, especially those horrible MC type DJ's ("Let's give it up for the salad" OMG, LOL), however she says with the options and variety a DJ can offer it is definitely something more welcoming at todays weddings. She advised giving the DJ a nice script to follow, to avoid any MC mishaps, I am all over that!! As far as music type, 80's music all the way...great dancing music to keep the party going!

Cocktail Hour: Make sure to keep the cocktail hour at an hour, no more, no less. There is nothing worse than a dragged out cocktail hour. Have music going, silence is never a good thing, this is where an Ipod station would come in handy! A great idea that she suggested, especially if you are on a budget, is to have a "soft bar" and offer wine, beer, champagne and sodas. She advises to stay away from the "signature drink" and staying with classic drinks like a classic martini or cosmo instead of a "Bridetini".

Reception: Whatever you do, make it personal and fun. It's your one and only BIG day, so make they best of it! A popular trend at the reception is "after party food" like grilled cheese sandwiches, sliders (yes...White Castle or Krystal burgers) french fries, or warm chocolate chip cookies and milk served in shot glasses...YUMO! (I really like that) She also places a tray of chocolates on every table, no matter what event. It is an inexpensive touch and the guests always seem to love it. Who does not love chocolate? The Chameleon Chair will be huge for 2009 Wedding Trends

Lighting: Gobos and lightning are not only used to cover up an ugly wall in your venue, but also give the room a beautiful ambiance and hue that fills the room with warmth and coziness. It is a beautiful accent to the overal decor and feel of the room, and if it fits into your budget, go for it! We all know the typical monogram gobos, but now many lighting companies make gobos in beautiful floral patterns like cherry blossoms or roses and it looks fabulous on any wall and gives the room that extra touch of fabulosity!

Favors: Mindy is not a huge fan of favors, she opts for "donations" on behalf of the guest or couple to the organization of your choice. She also loves the little personalized m&m's with the picture on them.

Cake: There are some brides in LA may choose not to have a cake, she ensures EVERY couple has a cake. It makes for a beautiful focal point at the reception and is a must in her book, besides the fact that it is delicious! She loves the idea of a grooms cake, although it is not as popular in LA as it is a southern tradition. She loves the personal aspect it gives to the grooms hobby or personality. Make it fun!

Video: Another MUST in her book. Although she will not bring it up everytime she speaks to her clients, but she will make sure they book this at least by the week prior to the wedding.

I hope you have enjoyed learning a little more about the upcoming 2009 Wedding Trends, but please pick up Mindy's new book "The Wedding Book" it really is a planners & new brides dream!!!

Business & Bridal Expo

See Bridal Opulence & OpulentFAVORS.com at the Bridal Expo at Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Saturday October 4, 2008 from 10-3pm at the Mt. Zion Antioch Location, 2261 Murfreesboro Road, Nashville Tennessee

This is my inspiration board for the Bridal Expo!

Color: Red & Tiffany Blue

Accents: feathers, candles, mock table menu, table numbers & a beta fish in the centerpiece for the WOW factor!

Custom Bridal Jewelry Designs

I met this wonderful custom jewelry designer while online & she has a fabulous Etsy shoppe! You guys know how much I {heart} etsy!

I would like to introduce Designs by Danusia!

What is your jewelry design process? While I strive to make every part of my work is fresh, different and heartfelt - I'd love to tell you a bit about the custom work I do for bridal parties, because as far as I know - the approach is really one-of-a-kind.

What specific information do you get from brides to create your custom jewelry designs? I start by working very closely with the bride, to find out about the personalities of the members of her bridal party, as well as about the special relationship that the bride has with each of the women in her bridal party. From there, everything is built completely custom - the stones and shapes are chosen to specifically reflect that individual and what she means to the bride.

What supplies do you enjoy working with on your designs?

I typically choose to work with vintage supplies - which makes for designs that are both somewhat eco-friendly as well as limited , since the number of pieces of a design that I can make is decided by the quantities I have available of a particular component.

How do you work with "budget brides" since custom work always vary in prices? Given the completely custom and time-consuming nature of creating pieces like this - it becomes very challenging to find quality materials when working with a budget of less than about $50-75 per person. At that point, I would recommend doing the same design for each person - these still include a note, but the note is personalized to the bridal party rather than each individual.

Other circumstances where doing one design for the entire bridal party might be a better option include: bride doesn't feel confident that she knows each bridesmaid well enough to make a personalized choice (often the case with future sisters-in-law); bridesmaids are all similar ages and have similar tastes, and bride is concerned that bridesmaids may like each other's piece better than their own.

What other special touches do you bride brides in creating your custom designs? I write accompanying letters, from a bridal party collection to describe their custom piece & the significance of the stones that are selected.

Take a peek at an example of a custom design bridesmaid bracelet!

The Bridal necklace collection is wonderful & very unique, if you are looking for simple or dramatic she creates varying styles! These however are my favorites!

So check out Designs by Danusia for custom bridal jewelry for yourself or your Maids!!!

Her Etsy.com shoppe is Designs by Danusia & you can convo her on etsy or send an email to:

designs.by.danusia@gmail.com

Solemates

I attended the Mindy Weiss book signing on Wednesday at Davis Kidd in Green Hills. It was a great seminar but honestly the attendance was low?!? However, with a very minimal audience, we were able to get her one on one attention for Q & A which was great! Mindy was so cool & down to earth & a real class act!! Over the next few posts I will share trends & online finds that we discussed during the book signing.

Solemates:

Discreet and easy to use, the SoleMates High Heeler™ attaches easily to most stiletto and kitten heels. By increasing the surface area on the base of the heel, it reduces the pressure on this area and prevents the heel from sinking into grass or falling into cracks! The patented design of the SoleMates High Heeler™ is mechanically engineered to fit snugly on most heels and yet the flexible material grips securely without damaging the heel or compromising the aesthetics of the shoe.

Great for outdoor weddings & events!!!

Its finally here!

I attended my first 1154 Lill Studio home party a few weeks ago & my custom bag finally arrived on Friday!!

The bag style is the Bridget, the exterior-Black tie paisley, interior-Spring Sprigs, Interior Zipper-Carrot Cake!! My thought was to go for something that I could dress up or dress down with alot of flavor since its reversible.

Isn't it sassy!!!

Macy Weaver is the Lill Rep for Nashville

email: nashvillelill@comast.net

Lill also has a great bridal collection that make great gifts for your bridesmaids!!!

Beauty Confessions

Ok, I must confess....Huuuhhhhh, I LOVE beauty products!! I share this love with one of my good friends who we will refer to as "CS"! In my former life I worked as a Management Executive for Target Corporation for about 7 years. Over those 7 years, of course working for the mega retail giant, I have tried all kinds of products, brands & styles.

Well I fell in love with a particular makeup line, that really shocked me by the quality. I am a MAC girl for foundation, lip liners & lip glass & Bobbi Brown for blush & eyes...HOWEVER E.L.F is playing a huge 3rd for additional products. My good friend "CS" is aware of my "product obsession" and gave me a mega gift pack of E.L.F lip glosses! They are wonderful, considering I eat my lip gloss off in a matter of hours but this lip gloss has lots of shine & it comes in about 8 different shades!! (Fab!!!)

My name is Latrice and I am a E.L.F wet gloss lash & brow clear mascara addict.

I dropped into my neighborhood Target store to pick up a few items & I always pick up this item no matter what in case I ever run low. To my surprise Target had updated their cosmetics department with all these higer end cosmetic lines BUT there was no E.L.F? I literally was in panic mode, I saw a team member close by & I asked "hey what happened to the E.L.F. line?" She broke the news that they were no longer carrying the product due to all the new cosmetic lines. A surge of emotion came over me, I was heart broken and really kinda ticked off! I mean I use to get that information 1st hand & now it was gone & I was at the end of my last tube.

This is the product that I can't live without...

Wet Gloss Lash & Brow Clear Mascara its $1.00 & it really does tame your brows in between brow threading appointments. This is my great Lip gloss gift set $8.00 & has great shine!! Good news, I stopped by the neighborhood Target tonight.....& its back!!!! I purchased 4 tubes just to be on the safe side.......I feel so much better making that confession! ;-)

Custom Bridal Headpieces

I {Heart} Etsy

I log on to etsy at least several times a week, its getting to be very addicting because of all the unique finds that are just waiting to be purchased!! I had been researching birdcage veils for a bride, however found this unique shoppe on etsy, Oh my deer!

Chelsea the owner & designer of these ubber unique head pieces & boutonnieres that really would add a personal touch to any wedding!! I mean who does not like ribbons, lace, flowers & feathers? They all go so well together & Chelsea makes everything pop with flair! Oh, the most important piece of information that I am leaving out......{shricking in a HIGH pitch}...she is based right here in Nashville. There really are some talented people in Nashville, Tennessee!!!

Take a peek at some of my favorites! Boutonnieres: So classy & edgy

Custom Head Pieces: Fab!!!

Chelsea of "Oh my deer" does mostly custom bridal pieces so check out her etsy shoppe & her wonderful blog! Her hubby Tec Petaja is a fabulous wedding photographer! The creativity just oozes in their house!!!

We all scream for Ice Cream...

I am a huge fan of ice cream, sherbert, push ups....ok I guess you get the picture. I am working with a friend on a cute end of the summer bash and she giving out ice cream as the favor. However we are in a "pickle" as to what ice cream favor to give out? I love edible, she loves a beauty product. In my researching over the past few days, I have come up with these two contenders.....

My Favorite:

Dippin Dots Ice Cream Packs! I love going to the mall and seeing that kiosk in the center of the mall. Its like I am a kid again! I was pleasantly surprised to know that you can purchase Dippin Dots by the pack! Genius idea!!!

My friends choice:

The Popsicle soap: Reminiscent of popsicles loved by everyone, these soap versions smell divinely like the real thing & come complete with an ice-cream stick. They are made with beautiful bow detailing and even come with a bite mark to show how deliciously irresistible they are!

Decisions, decisions......

Upcoming Event...Mindy Weiss...Davis Kidd

I frequent the local bookstore scene & over this weekend you could have spotted me at Borders on West End or Davis Kidd in Green Hills. Well while at Davis Kidd I got a piece of information that is simply AMAZING!

Mindy Weiss the Goddess of Wedding Planning will be at Davis Kidd in Green Hills on Wednesday September 17, 2008 @ 6:30pm, discussing & signing "The Wedding Book". This is a gem of information considering she is all things wedding planning!

What is "The Wedding Book":

"The Wedding Book" covers everything, in a voice filled with understanding: announcing the engagement, and what to do when someone isn't happy about the news; creating a budget; the pros and cons of destination weddings. Drawing up the guest list; planning the ceremony (and how to personalize your vows); menus to inspire; contracts and wedding insurance. Shopping for the dress, six great hairstyles, tuxedo vs. dinner jacket, the etiquette of invitations. Style tips for flowers, the tabletop, linens; a cake that says "you"; the crucial "Sixty Days Until I Do"; rehearsal dinner strategies; plus freezing the cake and preserving the bouquet. Today the average cost of a wedding is $25,000--at $19.95, "The Wedding Book" is the smartest investment a bride-to-be could make.

Hope to see you there!!!!

In Memory September 11....

Where were you on this day?

Be still my heart

Just a quick note:

I would deem myself to be an "Accessory & Shoe Connoisseur", I mean what women does not love a great pair of shoes or just that perfect neckace? I ran across this fab little number while surfing for end of the season sales online & my heart skipped a beat!

J.Crew has the latest in Wedding & Party Fashion. This great shoe would look amazing at your wedding or you could rock it with jeans for a night out!

Say hello to Lulu!!!

Get your feet wet??

I have consulted with several up coming brides on incorporating a feet washing ceremony into their wedding. I love the idea because of the symbolism that is shows.

There is a strong biblical reference that originates from John 13:1-17, where Jesus washed the feet of his disciples. Feet washing is an image of love grounded in self-giving service, humbleness & serving one another, your family & community.

The ceremony is incorporated into the traditional wedding ceremony but it involves the officiant, the bride & groom, a bowl & pitcher.

I have seen a foot washing ceremony once at a wedding, & I understand the symbolism and looking forward to incorporating this rite of passage for upcoming weddings!!

Photo credit: flickr & urbanseed

I just had to wet my whistle...

Ok, so I've been on this old school music kick lately both in the house and in the car, hence the title of this post (this was a older song by Midnight Star) You really would be surprised at what was on my ipod playlist. {ok, so I am rambling}

Well I stopped by the neighborhood beverage store for a wine to pair with a chicken dish I was creating for the dinner. I looked up at the counter and there was this ultra chic pink bottle of "something", I could not tell from afar but was so excited see what the tre chic bottle was all about!

NUVO is a new Sparkling Vodka specifically "for her"

*The world’s first sparkling liqueur *Made with vodka and a small amount of delicate French sparkling wine, this ultra-premium French sparkling liqueur is blended with natural fruit nectar to achieve a harmonious balance. The wine is predominately made up of chardonnay with a touch of pinot noir. It is infused with raspberry, peach and strawberry fruits to reveal a vivacity and elegance that leaves the palate refreshed *NUVO is the must-have accessory for a stylish, sophisticated lifestyle *Housed in an ultra-chic bottle that resembles those originally made for perfume, *NUVO is something that should be displayed *The drink itself is a fun and festive soft pink hue that not only looks stunning in one’s glass but adds to the overall décor and flair of a party *NUVO celebrates the pleasure of people getting together with their friends and sharing beautiful moments *NUVO comes in two sizes: 200ml for $20 and 375ml for $30 *Available at exclusive nightclubs and hotels such as Nikki Beach, The Delano and Pearl in Miami; Room Service, Stereo and The Hudson Hotel in NYC *Best served chilled, over ice, in a champagne glass

Isn't the bottle so chic & doesn't it sound yummy! This would be a great signature cocktail for a small bachelorette party or girls night in!!!

Vendor Spotlight: Jennifer Creed Photographer

I am so excited to do this vendor spotlight, Jennifer Creed is an up & coming photographer in South Central & Eastern Kentucky & we will have the chance to work together on a upcoming October wedding.

She oozes with talent and creativity and I can't wait to see her career take off....well it is already taking off even as a student at Western Kentucky University so actually the sky is the limit!!!

I would like to introduce Jennifer Creed!

1. What inspired you to start your own photography business? Well, my dad owns his own business (in the technology/engineering field) so I think it was kind of in my blood to be a business owner! I love the freedom of it, and photography has always been one of my true passions. Basically, God started opening doors, I listened, and I LOVE where it's going!

2. What is your favorite moment of a wedding shoot? My favorite moment of any wedding is immediately after the ceremony. Everyone does things a little differently, but the love, joy, and energy is always the same! Whether a couple goes off on their own for a few minutes, or stays and celebrates with their bridal party, it's always incredibly sweet!

3. What are the last 5 songs you listened to on your ipod or MP3? Haha this could be embarassing...yay for shuffle on iPod!-"Love Song"-Sara Bareilles-"Firecracker"-Josh Turner-"Bubbly"-Colbie Caillat-"This Side"-Nickel Creek-"When in Rome"-Nickel Creek

4. Where do you find your inspiration? It sounds cheesy, but I really find my main inspiration from the people I'm working with. I love figuring out what makes them who they are, what makes them beautiful from the inside out. I love to bring out the special smiles that maybe everyone doesn't get to see, but that the people who know them best will recognize in a heartbeat. Ah! I love it!

5. Outside of photography, what are some of your favorite things to do? I really love just spending a cozy night in with my husband, watching a movie and eating pizza! My best friend and I have also been known to go over to each others houses to hang out and proceed to sit on our laptops browsing our favorite websites the whole time haha.

6. Name 1 thing that you use daily that you can't live without? My laptop! I have a list of favorite photographer blogs I check pretty much every day, plus Facebook of course haha.

7. Where is your favorite place so far to shoot weddings or events? Hmm...that's a tough one. I would have to say just about anywhere outdoors. There's something about being out in creation that just really makes things come together for me! Especially in the fall :)

8. What qualities should a couple look for in hiring a photographer? Good question! There's so many things. I'll pick 3. ;-) 1. I think it's super important to make sure you mesh well with your photographer. You should feel comfortable with them and really trust them, and even feel like friends! The more comfortable and trusting you are with your photographer, the more relaxed and natural (and beautiful!) you will look in your pictures. 2. Don't settle on style! Every photographer is going to be a little different style-wise. Don't be afraid to look around and find someone who really shows the type of images that speak to you and that you would love to see yourself in. 3. Make sure that who you hire produces consistent work; don't be afraid to ask to see a whole wedding. When you think about it, your pictures are going to be one of the few tangible things left after the wedding day when the cake is eaten and the flowers are wilted. You deserve someone who will work just as hard to capture your special day as you did planning it!

Favorite Images:

(Silhouette) This image was second shot with Clinton Lewis of Clinton Lewis Photojournalism in Bowling Green, Ky. I love having a few private moments with the new couple!

(Bridal)

(Bridal) Don't be afraid to get your dress a little dirty ;-)

(Kiss)

(Shoes) I love details!

(Getting Ready) The energy during getting ready time is so crazy! I love it!

(Dress) I love details!

(Dancing) Looove the intimate moments between the couple at the reception!

For more information about Jennifer Creed, please visit her website & blog!

Contact via email: jenny@jennifercreed.com & she's open to travel!!

or at 859.433.6855