Bling it out with Shimmer M&M's

Personalized M&M's has done it again with the new addition of their Shimmer M&M's. These personalized candies would add a little bling to your interactive reception candy bar, or just in a simple organza drawstring favor bag.

Choose form 25 colors, customize a message or upload your photo to make your wedding or bridal shower an event to remember!

The 3 shimmer colors in the Shimmer Collection are: Golden, Platinum & Pearl.

Real Opulent Wedding: Rich in historic tradition

Its very seldom that I share real weddings on my blog because I use the Opulent Planning blog as a source of great wedding finds & inspiration however I could not help but share a few pictures from Christa & Kevin's wedding.

Christa & Kevin were married at the historic Fisk University Chapel which was Kevin's alma mater. The vision for the day was simple elegance but also capture the essence of Fisk University's historic tradition.

The wedding was very symbolic & filled with new family traditions that incorporated a planting unity ceremony.

Congrats Christa & Kevin!

Planting unity ceremony

Source: Photography courtesy of Vando Rogers

Friday Funny - The best wedding 1st dance!!

Its all about the Robot in this wedding first dance, Enjoy!!

Wedding Neckwear for the Groomsmen with Flair

Groomsmen look so distinguished in a custom fitted suit or tux. However its always great to allow your groomsmen to display a little bit of their own personality and you can achieve this by their neckwear in your wedding color palette. Whether he is a necktie, ascot or bow tie gentleman, let go & let their personality flow with custom wedding neckwear.

Neckties:

Bow ties:

Ascots for the distinguished gentleman:

Ringer Bearer neckwear:

Wordless Wednesday - "Under the Cherry Moon"

Giving back in lieu of gifts

Engaged couples are giving back more & more every year to charitable causes that are near and dear to their heart. For many brides your wedding is truly the one day that you indulge, so why not share the love with those that are less fortunate.

If giving back is something that interest you, simply add an extra card to your invitations letting your guest know that in lieu of gifts please donate to specific charities. There are many organizations like Habitat for Humanity, Brides against Breast Cancer. Local Nashville charities could include Ronald McDonald House, Make A Wish Foundation, The Oasis Center. All of the great charities would be very happy to receive any form of donation!

Many local charities will also accept food donations, so your remaining reception food does not go to waste work with your caterer and non profit organization & they would be more than happy to accomodate your donation request.

If you happen to be a eco chic bride and want to calculate your carbon offset, look to websites such as the Carbon Fund. Wedding Wire has partnered with Carbon Fund to create a great tool for your wedding website! Simply use the carbon calculator to determine the level of carbon dioxide your wedding events will emit into the atmosphere and allow your guest the opportunity to make a donation that helps our environment!!

Your philanthropic attitude will create a unique statement of awareness with your guest & its a gift that keeps on giving!!

Eventology 2009 - Recap

As a wedding planner, I make it a point to stay on top of trends, blogs, reading glossies & business related books that ultimately help to effectively run a business. I had the pleasure of attending Eventology 2009 which was held in Indianapolis & it was everything that I had hoped for and so much more!

Eventology is an intimate, collaborative and intensive business conference designed especially for wedding planners brought to you by K Sherrie and Company. This conference was a real-life, applicable marketing and business information to use to enhance your wedding planning business.

The fabulous speakers:

• Liene Stevens - Leverage your brand to reach today's bride. Marketing in the post modern-world.
• Saundra Hadley - How to close the deal: Sales methods for the wedding industry.
• Terrica Skaggs - Turn brides into fans: Nurturing your relationships with clients.

The speakers were all thought provoking and I came back to Nashville with so many great ideas and ways to continue to nurture my relationships with brides!!

My top 10 take aways:

1. The Crayon {or its scent} reminds me to dream big.
2. Everyone lives by selling something.....
3. Be in the know ----> be the expert.
4. Turn their interest into desire.
5. 30 Day Service Timelines to Clients are a must!
6. Don't forget to share personal stories with clients...its a must.
7. Be yourself ---->know your brand & get comfortable in your own skin.
8. My light bulb moment.....
9. "You can change the direction you're going in you know where you are going" - Liene Stevens
10. Never under estimate the influence of the Sock Batt & a $17 martini!!

Check out a few pictures of our whirlwind 2 day networking & education!

Loved meeting new planners & industry professionals, many I talk to daily on Twitter & i-Wed so it was nice to see them in person! Looking forward to next year!!

See more amazing photos from the Official Eventology 2009 Photographer - JK Photography!

Friday Funny - Weddings

Enjoy!!

Perfect Southern Design Venue - O'More College of Design

Nashville brides really do have a variety of venues to choose from when planning a wedding. When I was contacted by a upcoming bride last year, I immediately became excited by her non traditional venue selection. O'More College of Design is nestled in the heart of downtown Franklin and oozes with southern charm.

Founded in 1970, the College is located in the historic district of Franklin, Tennessee. O'More is patterned after Le College Feminin in Paris, France, where our late founder, Mrs. Eloise Pitts O'More, studied in the early 1920s. The Abbey Leix Mansion (ca. 1866), an Italianate-style home which serves as the College's administration building, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The campus is situated on seven park-like acres, two blocks from the heart of charming downtown Franklin. Nestled in between historic homes and centuries-old trees, the setting itself fosters creativity.

Source

Looking forward to adding our very southern & elegant touches to such a unique Nashville wedding venue!

Signature Drink - Cherry Bomb Shot

Signature drinks for weddings bring extra flavor to your event! While researching a signature cocktail for a upcoming June event, this one fits the description that I have been charged to find! "We want energy & color"

The Cherry Bomb Shot is sure to bring the added energy!

• 1 oz of Cherry Vodka
• 3 oz of Red Bull Energy Drink
• A splash of Grenadine Syrup

To mix:

Pour vodka and Red Bull energy drink into a martini glass. Add grenadine slowly to ensure it sinks to the bottom, this will create a funky layered effect!!

Embellish those Wedding Shoes

Brides are really getting creative when it comes to showing their personality with their shoes. More photographers are capturing unique pictures with bridal shoes.

I was recently blog surfing & discovered Chelsea from Oh My Deer designs great embellished additions that will definitely add flava to simple stiletto shoe!

If you are a bride, are you making a statement with your shoes for your big day? If so, what makes them unique?

Friday Funny - Grooms First Dance

I love this one!! The 1st groomsman on the right side has all the moves!!!

Enjoy!

The Paper Soiree

I ♥ all things paper, so when I received the invite to attend the Paper Soiree hosted by Stationer-Kimberly Washington, I became very excited!

The goal & format of the Paper Soiree is to educate on all aspects of stationery and to stay informed about the latest paper trends. The amazing theme was "Reviving the art of the handwritten note" & there were so many great thank you cards & invitations! Kim is able to do custom printing for blank cards as well!

Upon my arrival at the soiree I was immediately welcomed by so many guest, that also had the same passion for all things paper! The signature cocktail for the evening which had a uber chic name....Papertini{cute huh?} & it was pretty tasty!!

Kim has a great studio & so many amazing bridal and baby shower invites, wedding invitations and so much more!! Paper Kuts Studio is available for consults & please tell Kim that Latrice of Bridal Opulence referred ya!!

Take a peak at the amazing pics that I was able to capture:

Amazing soiree & I can't wait to receive my custom order of thank you cards!!!

Check out Brocade Design Arts - Nashville

I had the pleasure of attending the uber chic open house of Brocade Design Arts brand new studio, located in the Arcade in downtown Nashville!

I know that today was suppose to be a "Wordless Wednesday" but I just could not help but send out a quick shout out on such a successful event! Also please disregard the chick in the yellow shirt sending a Tweet! {I was simply trying to get the word out!}

Check of the Brocade Design Arts Blog for all the fabulous details!!!

Nashville Brides, the space is amazing & having done a design consult in the new space, its really cool to be able to pull fresh stems to build the look that you want to achieve for your wedding day!!

Congrats Hillary!!!!

Wordless Wednesday - Thinking outside the box - Opulent Favors