Saturday, October 29, 2011
In honor of Halloween...
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Flower Girl Tutus
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Postrio
Friday, October 21, 2011
Ceremony Seating
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Wedding Hairstyles: We love braids.
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Alternatives to the Bouquet/Garter Toss
- Cake Charm Pull: This activity is actually a Victorian tradition. Purchase small cake charms. After attaching a ribbon on each, have your baker insert them in between the layers of the cake with the ribbons extending beyond the edge of the cake. At the wedding have your bride’s maids pull the charms out (you could purchase more and have all of the female guests pull one). The charms work like fortunes; a baby carriage for a future bun in the oven, a ring for a coming engagement, a plane for travel, a four-leaf clover for good luck, etc.
- Breakaway Bouquet: Make your single ladies think that you’re going to be throwing one whole bouquet, and instead untie the bundle so that each single lady can have one flower. You could also add to this idea and tie fortunes to each stem. You can also have all of the women come out for this activity, instead of singling out the unmarried women.
- Wish Come True Bouquet Toss: Invite all of the women out onto the dance floor. Have them all make a wish, then toss the bouquet. Whoever catches it will have their wish come true.
- Anniversary Bouquet Dance: Have all of the married couples come out on the dance floor. Slowly have your DJ “eliminate” couples until the longest marriage is the last dancing. For example, “If you’ve been married for less than a week, leave the dance floor.” “If you’ve been married less than a year, your dance is over!” etc. The longest married couple will win the bouquet.
- Honor True Love: If your longest married couple isn’t in dancing shape (often the longest married couple are the oldest couple). Simply have the married couples stand at their tables, and in a similar manner to the anniversary bouquet dance (eliminating the couples in increments), find the couple at your wedding that has been married the longest and give them the bouquet.
- Spin-the-bride: This alternative reminded me of spin the bottle. Instead of the bride tossing the bouquet, have her wear a blindfold, while the women circle around her. She’ll hold out the bouquet and spin (once or twice, don’t get dizzy!) and whoever she is pointing to when she stops gets the bouquet.
- Dedicate the Bouquet & Garter: Instead of tossing the items, dedicate the bouquet to someone very special to you (a sister, mother, aunt, etc.). You can also choose to dedicate your bouquet to your next friend to be married. Have your groom dedicate the garter to his “wing-man” that he obviously won’t be needing anymore!
While researching the topic, I found that recently a lot of couples are choosing to forgo the garter toss all-together. Because of this, there weren’t a lot of garter toss alternatives. Depending on how many single men you have at your wedding, it might not even be missed. If you feel uncomfortable with your man going under your dress in front of your guests, make it more tasteful by sliding your garter down to your upper calf before your new husband goes to retrieve it.
Photo Source: weddingaccessories.net, birchtreephotographyblog.com, iamstaggered.com
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
The Eiffel Tower Restaurant
Last week we had the pleasure of meeting Annie Kang-Drachen, CPCE, at the Eiffel Tower Restaurant at the Paris Hotel. Over Chef Jean Joho's delicious French classics we took in breathtaking views 110 feet above the Las Vegas Strip and discussed ceremonies and receptions at the luxurious venue.
Getting ready to pop the question? The Eiffel Tower Restaurant has a unique proposal package. For just $500, you and your significant other will be guaranteed a window table with one of the best views in the house. The package also includes a 5-course meal from Chef Joho's seasonal tasting menu, a bottle of champagne, a dozen roses, and a professional photo in an Eiffel Tower Restaurant keepsake folder. For an additional $50, you can have the ring delivered in a unique Eiffel Tower jewelry box on a plate with rose pedals.
Several areas are available for receptions. The Cocktail Lounge is an intimate semi-private space with astounding views of the Las Vegas strip. It is ideal for a small reception of up to 16 guests. The Salon Prive is a completely glass enclosed private room. Decorated with elegant red carpet and velvet chairs, along with a mahogany wood ceiling, this room creates an enchanting setting for a reception of up to 30 guests. Available for private or semi-private receptions is the Left Bank. Its an elevated extension of the main dining room offering spectacular views of the romantic Bellagio Fountains, as well as several hotels on Las Vegas Boulevard. The Left Bank can seat up to 60 guests. The dining room is also available for smaller groups or a complete buy out, which can seat up to 250 guests. With floor to ceiling glass windows the restaurant provides one-of-a-kind views. All of the areas have a food and beverage minimum, as well as set up fees.
Monday, October 3, 2011
Gimme Some Sugar!
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Missy and Vishesh
NASHVILLE
This couple first met at a local Nashville eatery when mutual friends convinced them to come out for a drink. They hit it off immediately, laughing and talking the night away. The rest is history.
LAS VEGAS
For as long as Missy could remember, she wanted to have a destination wedding. Her and Vishesh began looking at beach towns from the Atlantic to the Pacific, but they couldn’t find a location that had everything they wanted. After several months of surveying different resorts, which gave Missy a nice tan, they decided to look for other exciting wedding destinations that didn’t involve sand. It didn’t take them long to choose Las Vegas.
Not only did Las Vegas meet their number one priority—an easy destination for their guests to get to and from—it also offered hundreds of entertainment options for pre- and post-wedding events. “The experience and atmosphere that Las Vegas provides is a nice representation of our personalities and love for each other.” –Missy
When the engaged couple began looking for a Las Vegas venue, it was important that it portrayed a high level of sophistication and class. Missy didn’t want to see lots of neon lights in the background of any of her day-of events. The couple also had a few more requirements. Because outside catering is rarely an option at most hotels, Missy and Vishesh wanted to find a venue where the food would be stellar and their guests could have an amazing dining experience. After several site visits and tastings, the M Resort was a clear choice for the couple’s wedding and reception. “The décor and level of service provided by the property are second to none. We couldn’t have asked for more in those areas.” Additionally, the menu and food at their cocktail hour and reception garnered a number of compliments.
DÉCOR
Many people close to Missy would say that the motto during the planning of their wedding was “Give me lamps or give me death.” That may have been slightly overdramatic, but the bride-to-be was determined to have the tall lamps for two reasons.
THE CEREMONY
When asked what her favorite part of the ceremony was, Missy couldn’t pick just one. “There are two parts.” One was the Ashirwad—the blessing from the parents, which is a tradition in Indian weddings. “It was a private moment that we were able to share with our parents and I can repeat back exactly what each of them said to us.” *Author’s note: I have to admit that I got goosebumps typing that quote.
Her second favorite part was when they turned around to face their audience. “My arm shot up in the air like a cheerleader,” after their dear friend and officiant, Ravyn Miller, pronounced them Mr. and Mrs. Vishesh Chachra.
“I can’t have just one favorite thing as you can see, and our reception is no different.” One of Missy’s favorite things about their reception was something she hadn’t planned for. At dinner her father gave a speech. Vishesh still gets choked up when they think about her dad’s toughing words that night. “I am one lucky girl to have not one, but two ‘Supermans’ in my life.”