Thank you for a Opulent Year!!!

There has been so many wonderful things happening here at Bridal Opulence in 2008!

Here is a quick recap of the Opulent Happenings.....Our year in review!

We encouraged you to Give Big!

Launched Opulent Favors & Gifts, April 2008

Honored to be one of the Event Planners for the ABG + SATC Movie Premiere Party = A Girls Night Out Party

Our blog is now listed in Alltop - Wedding Resources & Delight Blogs

Embraced our Tech Chic status & joined Twitter! If you are not following our updates....you are really missing out on learning more about me & also other wedding industry professionals! Follow me on Twitter!!

The start of our Weekly Reader Series!

Encouraged you to not forget about the Groom-To-Be....Visit The Den Sports Spa in Franklin

Partnered with The Refuge Center for Domestic Violence & The Tennessee Titans for their annual Legends of the Flame Event.

Our search for a trendy hotel for a Chic engagement soiree, Check out Hotel Indigo Downtown Nashville!

Exciting Vendor Spotlights!!!

We are now a Preferred Vendor on Wedding Chicks for Tennessee!!

2009 brings about another exciting change, we have a new toll free telephone & fascimile number to make it easier for our clients to reach us both inside & outside of the Metro Nashville area!

☎1.866.440.8223

Looking forward to a Opulent 2009!!

Happy New Year!!!

Right on Target

Target has done it again! Go International is their signature shop of merchandise by well known designers!

Now available Thakoon for Target, Thakoon {pronounced\ta-koon\ } Panichgul is the designer who dressed Michelle Obama. Target makes it possible to get one of Michelle’s favorite designers for a lot less!

Although I am not big on floral prints, here are a few of my faves!

Another great Freebie!!!

Head on over to Vintage Glam for another exciting Freebie download!! Who does not love Damask??

Wrap Around Label Water Bottle Labels

Luxe + Organic = Tweeple {Twitter+People} Spotlight

It is so exciting to be able to do my first Tweeple Spotlight!

I must admit, I was really apprehensive about Twitter when Ashley of Ashleys Bride Guide told me about it. Please believe I went through all 5 stages of twitter acceptance.  However, I have since incorporated it into my day! Learning the different applications & scheduling tweets makes it very easy to network and connect with other great pros in the wedding industry as well as other savvy business Tweeple! I mean if the Today Show & Whole Foods Twitters why can't you?

What are Tweeple Spotlights you ask? Simply interesting people that I follow or that follow me that I want to share more about the great things they have to offer.

Our first Tweeple Spotlight features none other than Organica Deluxe, luxury organic gifts for that oh so eco-chic bride!  These luxe gifts make great attendant gifts, baby shower gifts, you name it & there is something for that Eco Chic person on your list!

Opulent Readers, I introduce Organica Deluxe....

Organica Deluxe opened its virtual doors and is committed to setting the standard for eco-friendly luxury gifts. The online boutique features gorgeously green gifts and products exquisitely packaged in a responsible manner promoting a sustainable economy. Although in its infancy, this unique company has already attracted the attention of celebrities and the NY fashion industry, most notably as Purveyor of Flowers for the Organic and Fair-made Sustainable Fashion Exhibition at NYC Fashion Week in September '08.

Organica Deluxe gift boxes contain eco-friendly products including organic food and wine, Veriflora flowers, organic spa from France and organic baby items. The gift boxes range from $35-$410 and the site makes it easy for eco-savvy shoppers to find the perfect gift, categorizing by Occasion, Price, Recipient and Item.

Equal care and attention is placed on product packaging. Organica Deluxe utilizes the unusual practice of single box delivery for most of their gift packages, serving to reduce paper consumption by more than 50% and eliminating thousands of pounds of additional landfill waste every year.

The beautiful aqua boxes contain tissue wrapping paper made from 75% post consumer recycled paper and completely biodegradable cornstarch peanuts. Organica Deluxe also purchases carbon credits to help offset the transportation of each gift sent. Beyond the company's core principles of sustainability, fair trade and support of eco-oriented product production, the Organica Deluxe team links support for an important cause to one of their gift boxes, donating a percentage of proceeds on all sales of that package to a chosen charity.

Organica Deluxe Corporate Gift program has the perfect eco-friendly luxury gift for all corporate needs including holiday and will create a custom package tailored to meet each client's specifications.

I have a few favorites I would like to share with you:

BIG FUN RUSSIAN CUT ROSES WITH ORGANIC CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES

8-SIDED MEDIUM PLATTER HANDMADE LEATHER ALBUM (AQUA)

AMALIA MEDIUM PITCHER

Go Luxe, Go Green, Go Organica Deluxe

The best things in life are FREE!!!

Gotta love those Wedding Chicks - Jocey & Amy, for providing us with great freebie downloads! I was surfing the web on Friday night for Stationery finds and ran across this great freebie! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! I have a September Bride that is going to ♥ the Robin Egg Blue & Espresso brown labels!

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Click here to download!

Thanks Jocey & Amy!!!

Blog Award!!!

I feel so special to have received this award from Erika at E-Events Wedding & Event Planning!

The award reads, "This blog invests and believes in proximity - nearness in space, time, and relationships. These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind of bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in prizes or self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers! Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly written text into the body of their award."

Thanks Erika, its been great connecting with you in the blogging world! I know our connection will continue to grow in the coming year!

*Networking & connecting with others in the industry was a goal of mine for 2008 & I have surpassed that with connecting with the great list of Wedding Professionals listed below!* Thx Chicas!

I will pass this award on to:

LePenn Designs

E-vents Wedding & Event Planning

By Your Events {BYSE}

Andria Lewis Events

K Sherrie+Company Planning Atelier

Ashleys Bride Guide

SJB Weddings & Events

Brocade Design Arts

It's the most wonderful time of the year!!

Its hard to believe that Christmas was yesterday, and we are quickly approaching a New Year! The day after Christmas for most people is simply a great day for shopping to catch those great after Christmas sales on clothes & Christmas decoration! Well as a bride & especially during this time when the economy is not the greatest, is the perfect opportunity for a "Recessionista Bride" to capitalize on after Christmas specials for decor & other great box gift sets that could be used for your wedding & bridal party gifts.

In my former life, I had an extensive merchandising & retail management background, so this time of year I am at my peak of catching items for the next season or gifts for the coming year! I definitely would deem myself a savvy shopper and planner because I really do plan ahead & look toward the coming year! I was the "Queen" of text messaging my friends about great after the holiday deals!

As a "Recessionista Bride" on a budget or maybe not even on a tight budget, but wanting those extra whimsical items & wow factors for your decor, the day after Christmas sales are the best! Combining the chic decor items found at stores like Pier 1, Target, Old Time Pottery Z-Gallerie, and other great stores with a little creativity & imagination you are sure to snag some great items for the Low!

Box gift sets {My favorite}....call me the master of making 1 box set into at least 2 great gifts. For example, I have my eye on these great wine glasses {Set of 4} at Pier 1, not very holiday looking but uber chic but in the store system they are considered "Holiday or Seasonal". My thought is to break up the set of 4 glasses into sets of 2, combine some great cheese and a reasonable price bottle of wine & that makes for a very nice gift basket for a housewarming, bridal shower, etc. Let your creativity run wild, but look for sets or multiples.

Also those holiday gift sets like the stainless steel mugs, flask gift sets, or pocket knives....Great for Groomsmen gifts & at 50+% off the marked price, you can get them customized at your local monogram or engraving shop for a personalized & unique gift. Who has to know when there were purchased?? {I sure won't tell} With a little creativity you are sure to the deemed a Recessionista Bride with great taste!!

Here's my list of items that you can look for over the next 15 days from retailers slashing prices that are sure to fit in perfect with your wedding day or shower concept:

• Candles regular & LED candles
• White christmas lights
• Hurricane candle holders
• Vase fillers
• Wine glass or martini glass sets
• Holiday gift sets
• Charger plates
• Dried floral
• Clear ornaments
• Candle holders/Lanterns
• Place card holders
• Clear plastic plates, cups & utensils {Great for showers}
• "Not so holiday" looking paper napkins & plates {Great for showers}
• Decorative Ribbon & Bows {great pew markers}
• Box gift sets....think Groomsmen gifts
• Gift bags {not the holiday design}
• Home decor...the possibilities are endless

Call me if you need a shopping buddy...I am always down for a shopping trip!!!

*Do you have Twitter? Be sure to follow our updates for our series on Common New Years Resolutions!*

Holiday Wishes

From Bridal Opulence Weddings & Events!!

So you don't say....?

I read lots of blogs to stay current on both business & bridal information. One business blog that I get so much savvy information from is Seth Godin.

Today's post came right on time with one of the visions that I see for my Opulent Brand for 2009. However the last paragraph sums up just how I feel in a nutshell!!

"Confidence is often a self-fulfilling prophecy, particularly in marketing or investing. Arrogance, on the other hand, is hard to reward. My favorite combination is the quiet confidence of knowledge, combined with the humility that comes from realizing that you're pretty lucky and that you have no idea at all what's guaranteed to work tomorrow."

Thanks Seth!

New Twitter Series.....New Years Resolutions

I will be starting a New Series on Twitter today! {Most Common & Over rated NY Resolutions}!!

I honestly have not made a NY Resolution since 2007, thanks to The Secret & other self help books! I focus my attention on vision books or boards. I have a vision book for both personal & for my business. You know "where there is no vision the people perish"......

However for the masses that have not been hipped to the Vision board or book, I will give you the most common & most used {New Years Resolutions} in my Twitter Series!!!

What is your New Years Resolution??? Will you stick to it? We {heart comments} so let us know!!

Hello Lover!!!

.....Sounding like Carrie in Sex & the City!! This will be on my vision board for 2009!!

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Nothing like a girl with lil' vision!

Cool like dat'.....

Opulent Planning is pleased to have been added as a wedding resource on Alltop!

This is an "online magazine rack" of popular topics, browsing Alltop makes blog reading very easy! Simply type in a topic and the information & resources are endless! Next time you're searching for wedding inspiration check out out Alltop's fabulous resources.

Wedding Do's & Don'ts

Over the next 2 posts, I will give you my Top 10 Wedding Do's & Don'ts. This is just my own personal list nothing etched in stone, but I do hope it makes your planning process a little easier!

Top 10 Do's for your wedding:

1. Do select your ceremony & reception site at least 9 to 12 months before your wedding.
2. Do check with your ceremony site for additional hidden fees for site rental. {ask me I have recent stories of hidden fees in contracts that are unbelievable}
3. Do consider hiring a wedding planner at least for the Day of the Ceremony. {your sanity is very important, and you will be so happy you did!!}
4. Do take advantage of online planning sites, there's a plethora of knowledge out there. {Check sites like Ashleys Bride Guide, theKnot.com, Wedding Wire, Wedding Bee}
5. When purchasing your gown, be realistic if you plan lose a few pounds before the big day! {Dresses can easily be taken in, but sometimes impossible to let out!} Keep it Real!
6. Do Consider having a receiving line after your ceremony {if time permits} not all guest who attend your ceremony will attend your reception. This gives them time to give you their well wishes!
7. Do find out deadlines for changes in your contract with all your wedding vendors.
8. Do schedule any facial procedures at least 2 weeks before the ceremony. {you will thank me when you see your wedding photos}
9. Do remember to thank your attendants for being apart of your special day!
10. Do remember to take in special moments of your wedding day! {I advise all my brides to pause before taking that first step down the aisle...its a breathtaking moment & to take a few minutes during your reception to take in the moment!}

Do you have any "Wedding Do's" to share? If so leave a comment, we love comments!!

Coming Soon.....Trunk Show

The Bride Room

2209 Bandywood Drive, Suite A

Nashville, Tn  37215

What is an Inspiration board anyway?

An inspiration board {also known as a "story board" or "vision board"} is a collection of images, arranged in a block or collage style, that come together to show the desired look and feel of your upcoming wedding or event. They are typically put together by the bride-to-be or her wedding planner to help pull ideas and thoughts into one place. Pictures are mainly of bridal fashions, decorative tablescapes, color swatches and other wow factors!!

There are great websites that showcase great vision/inspiration boards & also sites the assist in building the boards.

Here is a great list to start with:

• Snippet & Ink - A daily does of bridal inspiration
• The Bride's Cafe - A favorite of mine
• Polyvore - A great site to create boards with online images {Favorite}
• Bridal Canvas - Great site, still trying to learn it!
• Big Huge Labs by Flickr

This is a inspiration board that I created for a upcoming 2009 bride, Enjoy!

Birdcage Veil Fashion

Brides are looking for that one thing that will make them look & feel beautiful on their wedding day! The birdcage veil or what some brides afffectionately call the Sweet Home Alabama veil is that "It Thing". This style veil was worn by Reese Witherspoon in the movie & is making a huge comeback in creating a couture bridal fashion statement. The birdcage veil is vintage inspired and you can make it your own by adding blinged out hair combs or feather combs for an added flair.

There are many options online as well as Etsy.com! Here are a few of my favorites:

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Fabulous Freebie Giveway....The winner is.....

Today was the drawing for our Fabulous Freebie sponsored by Opulent Favors & Gifts. The wonderful freebie was inspired by our Twitter Series {25 Days of Fabulous Freebies} The winners were selected using Random.com {Die Roller}

Congrats goes out to comment #2 Katasha & #3 Reader CDS!!!

Katasha wins the 6 oz. Genuine Pink Leather Flask Gift Set {Engravable 12 characters per line}

Reader #3- CDS wins Business card case set: Case is engravable up to 20 characters(including spaces per line)

Congrats to both readers I will be contacting you both via email.

Follow us on Twitter for more tips & Fabulous Freebies!!

Weekly Reader: Fabulosity...What it is, How to get it

I shared in a previous post about being an avid reader, I read just about anything magazines, books, blogs you name it I probably read it. I am really trying to justify giving myself the Kindle for a Christmas present, but that's a completely different topic...

The past few weeks I have been reading Kimora Lee Simmons book Fabulosity & also Style A to Zoe by Rachel Zoe, these 2 women know fashion & are great business women.

Style A to Zoe is a fashion dictionary and a great guide to finding your personal style. How many times have I met with brides that really are not aware of their personal style? {Ummm, lots} You want your wedding to be a reflection of your personal style and not the fairy tale person that you probably won't recognize in your wedding pictures 20 years from now. So, Style A to Zoe, will help you in figuring out your personal style & also how you can incorporate it into your wedding day as well!!

Kimora Lee Simmons book Fabulosity is a must read. I remember telling a friend I was reading this book and her comment was "does she really have alot of talk about that's not shallow?" My response YES!! I have been pleasantly surprised by the amount of business information that I have learned in Fabulosity! I mean yeah we all know Kimora to be the Queen of Urban Fashion with her Baby Phat line, but she is a mogul, a savy entrepreneur, a great mother & a leader in the fashion industry.

She gives great rules for being Women Warriors, style tips & her Checklist for being one of her employees are basically some of the traits I believe make a great wedding planner:

1. Don't be last minute
2. Don't ever say, "That's not part of my job"
3. Be ultra-organized
4. Be Fabulous
5. Be a gold-medal multitasker
6. Be discreet

As a planner, I believe it is a must to be knowledgeable about many different areas especially fashion because you gain such insightful inspiration in creating a fabulous wedding or event!!

Happy Reading!

Black and White Wedding Theme

The color palette of black and white makes for a very elegant affair. Its mostly used for after 5 weddings {for a elegant feel}, but as a bride add your pops of color to create a wow factor at your wedding & reception. Hope this leads to great inspiration!

Dress:

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Invitations:

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Bouquets:

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Cake: Ring Bearer Pillow: Reception Ideas & tablescapes: Table lamps are great center pieces if mixed with flowers & voltive candles, to create a chic look

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Candelabras give a romantic feel for the evening

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Favors:

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