It All Starts With The Ring!

Brandy Here...

For those of you shopping around for an engagement ring it ultimately comes down to your personal style and individual fit; however, when faced with the daunting row upon row of fluorescently highlighted diamonds in display cases it's easy to get lost in the beauty of them all. Which one do you choose? Often, the perfect styles you imagined fitting so elegantly are quickly forgotten. Just in case you are like me, and need a new starting point here are the most currently sought after rings:

Vintage inspired rings will always be popular. These "intricate, exquisite" rings are a melding of modern day diamond cutting techniques with the forever classic Audrey Hepburn look to get the perfect sparkle and unique style only found in the silver-age inspired classics.

If you find most rings a bit too flashy, an Eternity band style engagement ring is most likely for you. These bands symbolize the "eternal nature of marriage" by articulating the ethereal band with numerous smaller cut diamonds rather than a large center stone.

Cushioned-shaped halo engagement rings are increasing in popularity, but if the right angles of the typical princess cut are a little too sharp for your finger try a round diamond instead. Round diamonds reflect the most light for a "maximum brilliance" where as the rounded corners tend to make the finger look slender.

Hopefully this will serve as a new starting point to those readers finding all of the usual styles a bit to ordinary, and want to find a new look setting themselves apart from all of the repeating muted types you may find in the display case.

The 4 Hottest Trends in Engagement Rings Right Now!

Top 3 Bridal Fashion Trends - 2013

If you want to stay on top of the trends, your wedding dress should be top priority!  Are you curious about the top trends in Bridal Fashion for 2013?  Well we are here to help!  Check out our TOP 3 TRENDS below:

#1 Layers & Ruffles
Layers and ruffles are always a nice touch to get that over the top yet elegant look to any bridal gown.  Whether creating volume or emphasizing the sleek bodice, its always a nice touch! Vera Wang is an expert in this trend, these dresses are amazing!

#2 Covered Neck Lines
We are seeing a lot of the Spring Fashion with beautiful lace or tulle covered necklines.  Surprisingly enough, we think it can even help accentuate your beautiful face! Here are some of the amazingly beautiful Monique Lhuillier gowns showcasing this trend.  

#3 Long Sleeve Dresses
Although this may seem like a trend from at least 20 years ago, it is definitely making its way back.  Long sleeves are a nice and traditional alternative to all of those strapless and capped sleeve dresses.  Plus, who wouldn't want beading and lace covering their body? One word...elegance. 

Check out these outstanding gowns below showcasing this trend.

Monique Lhuillier

 Douglas Hannant (not so sure about the mask, but the gown is gorgeous!) :)

Douglas Hannant

Of course there are millions of dresses to choose from when your big day comes around and every dress looks different on each person.  Why not try on all of the trends and see which fits you best!?

Good luck and we hope you find the dress of your dreams!

"Learning From The Experts"

Its that time of the week again when we all look to a little bit of advice!  Do you think your wedding food is important?  Do you think it leaves a lasting impression?  Well why don't we hear from someone who knows A LOT about it!

Thank you to Marianne Moore for her contribution this week.  She has been in the wedding and culinary industry for over 20 years!  She has been the Director of Catering for five of more of the biggest venues in St. Louis and she has always done the most amazing job.  She is currently the Chef & Manager of the School of Cooking Culinary Event Center at Dierbergs Markets. PS - you should DEFINIELY take a class!

For many wedding guests, the reception menu is one of the most memorable parts of the experience, so choosing the right food is at the top of the list for couples as they start their planning journey.  There are so many choices, where to start?

As you begin your overall reception and menu planning, take time to have some honest discussions with your fiancée and family regarding the budget and overall vision.   Do you envision a formal plated sit-down dinner, or a bit more interactive family style meal? Would you prefer buffet style or food stations?  How about casual cocktail reception?

There is no right or wrong answer. It all depends on the overall style of your wedding.  Some think that a buffet dinner is way too casual for a wedding reception. Others think that a formal sit down dinner is too stuffy and keeps guests at their seats too long.  Keep in mind that if your vision is a formal wedding reception, then a buffet style meal might look out of place. On the other hand, if you're having an informal celebration, a cocktail reception might be your best option.

Here are some of the most popular options and the pros and cons…

Sit Down

With a sit-down dinner, guests sit at assigned tables and dinner is served in courses. This is considered the most formal of all event styles.   It is elegant and guests will experience the dish the way the chef intended, with the right amount of sauce and appropriate side items.  Menu items can even be paired with wine selections.   One disadvantage is that guests have a limited number of food choices.  Normally, only 2 – 3 entrée options are offered and your guests have to confirm their choice when they send you their RSVP.

Family Style

Family style is similar to a plated sit-down dinner. Guests are assigned to tables, but instead of individual plates, the food comes on large platters and is placed in the middle of the table. Guests help themselves with the food and decide which items they want and how much. Family style set-up is considered to be less formal, but it provides an opportunity for guests to interact with each other.  This type of service works especially well with larger, square tables and a smaller guest list.

Buffet style

With a buffet style all food items are set on a long buffet table. Guests pick up a plate and serve themselves choosing items they like. Keep in mind that with the buffet style people tend to have larger portions. One of the main disadvantages of the buffet style is that guests might have to wait in line to get their food.

Food Stations

Food stations are a great alternative to buffet style.  They can be placed in different areas of the venue and can be designed with one central or a few different themes - carving station, pasta stations and sushi stations are a few of the more traditional stations.  For more unique stations think Mac and Cheese, Risotto, Mashed Potatoes.  The Chef prepares food in front of the guests, to order providing a great interactive experience.

Cocktail Reception

A Cocktail Reception can be less formal, but can still be chic with creative food presentations and a unique cocktail bar. Hot and cold hors d'oeuvres are butler passed and paired with various signature cocktails to create a one of a kind custom event.   Another great idea is to combine a cocktail party with food stations.  Contrary to popular belief, a casual reception can be just as costly as a formal sit down dinner as it requires a high number of service staff. The price also depends on the ingredients used in your hors d'oeuvres selection.

I can’t stress enough that whatever style of service and menu you choose for your wedding, always keep your budget in mind.  Think about overall tone of your wedding, and don’t be afraid to think outside of the box.  Do you prefer classic and formal, stylish and modern, fun and interactive?  Communication with everyone from your family to your event professionals is key to designing the perfect menu for your wedding and to getting the most from your budget and creating an event that is uniquely you!

Amy Atlas Feature

We are very excited and always honored to be featured on other websites...

One of our previous features was on the Amy Atlas Blog for an adorable 2nd Birthday Party!

Here is a alittle preview.  To see the entire feature, check it out here!

"Learning From The Experts"

This week we get to be educated on "Finding the Light" with photography.  Such an important topic...

Let's hear from Kate at L Photographie!

Let there be light!  Tips to help your photographer put you in the best light possible for your wedding photographs.

        What is the most important ingredient in the recipe for amazing wedding photos (besides you, of course!)?  LIGHT.  Ask any photographer worth their salt and this should be their fast reply.  For every wedding we shoot here at L Photographie, Both Liz and I spend the majority or our spare moments on a busy wedding day examining the light, and deciding how to use it best to make beautiful photos. Boiled down to it’s nuts and bolts, photography is the art of capturing light, so let’s talk a little about light and how you can be in your best light throughout your wedding day. 

         Let’s begin at the beginning… your getting ready location!  Most people haven’t put much thought into where they will get dressed and ready for their big day with regard to light, but all of the beautiful photos that you see of brides details and getting ready that look bright and warm and dreamy have one thing in common, and that thing is windows.  We, as photographers are in love with natural light and will seek out the area with the most window light we can find for you to get dressed in.  If you are in a beautiful hotel room or a big house with vaulted ceilings this is easy… if you are in a church basement or cry room it may not be so easy.  That is the primary reason your wedding planner or photographer may suggest a hotel room for getting ready.  Not only is it clutter free, full of mirrors, and big enough for you and all your girls… it also has windows we can use… big open spaces to hang a gown, pretty tables for jewelry and shoe shots.  Your makeup person will thank you as well… as natural light is also much better for applying makeup than tungsten (regular yellow bulbs) or the dreaded green glow of the fluorescent light! 

        After the bride and groom are ready to roll, the next lighting scenario we see is usually the ceremony.  Many times you have your heart set on a particular church or venue and we do the best we can with the light available.  Sometimes it is a little and sometimes a lot.  Big booming Catholic churches are gorgeous but often offer little light with the exception of colored stained glass and many modern churches are lit with stage lighting, or can lights that shine downward (hello dark circles!!) or fluorescent lighting, so we as photographers are constantly challenged.  In most cases flash is not allowed during the ceremony, so you may see us using flash during the processional and recessional and then putting them away during the ceremony itself.  As a side note, it is important to note that many churches and venues have strict restrictions on where a photographer can and cannot stand or walk, so all of this information, combined with the available light will determine the quality of images your photographer can capture of your “I do’s”.  If we are banished to the balcony, for example, close up shots that show your expressions are not in the cards. 

        Following the ceremony (depending of course, on your individual timeline) are the family group photos.  These are usually done with flash of some sort at the altar, unless you prefer them outside.  Outside clearly wins for lighting, but all photographers should come equipped with flash knowing that most couples want some traditional photos inside the church or venue of the ceremony. 

        Next we can talk about the fun part, the portraits of you and your bridal party!  The light plays a huge role here since you, your coordinator, and your photographer have the power to choose the time of day these photos will be taken, and their location(s).  The prettiest light of the day is in the few hours before sunset, so if you can time it out to land in that range you are golden (literally, the sunset light is golden and glowy and awesome!) If you decide to stray outside that time, some concessions will have to be made.  Without exception, high noon is the worst time for photos on a sunny day… there is no direction we can face you that you will not be shadowy and squinting (and nobody wants that!), so we head for shade.  This means that locations without shade available (such as outside Busch Stadium or the Arch, for example) do not work well at these times.  These are all things to discuss with your photographer and wedding planner when setting up the timeline, and also when choosing locations for photos on your wedding day… I am just trying to plant the seed here that light is important!  This can be controlled by adjusting the schedule, possibly adding a “first look” and doing some photos pre-ceremony for a late wedding, or limiting the number of locations so you have time to make it to that perfect spot!

        The reception, in most cases, is happening after sunset, so we employ flash once again to capture these moments.  Don’t worry! There are still a few things you can do to improve the look and feel of these images.  You can control the light in the space with lighting.  Your planner can help you choose from a variety of things like up-lighting for walls, pin spotting flower arrangements and tables, and candles etc…  All of these will all add light and visual interest to the room.  They also add a wonderful ambience for you and your guests! 

       So there you have it!  A look at your wedding day in terms of light and some thoughts from a photographer’s perspective on how to get yourself into the best light possible to get photos you and your family will love for years to come!  Happy Planning!

"Learning From The Experts"

"Learning From The Experts" - How to find the Perfect Bridal Salon?

Lets hear from the Editor of St. Louis Bride Magazine:

Before a bride invests the better part of the year finding, fitting and outfitting the perfect wedding gown, she should first take a little time to shop around for the perfect bridal shop. After all, the staff at the bridal salon is going to play a key part in the bride’s overall happiness in the months leading up to the big day.

Here, the experts suggest a few things to look for when finding the bridal salon that’s right for her.

Even when a bride is “just looking,” it is always best for her to call ahead and arrange an appointment with the salon, so that she can receive the most attentive customer service.
Don’t just size up the merchandise. Are the fitting rooms well appointed? Is the lighting suitable for inspecting the details of a dress? Do the floor samples seem to be worn out?

Try to find a friend there. A Bride should feel the consultant she works with it not only going to be her advocate in the purchasing and tailoring of a gown, but is also going to give her kid, honest opinions during the entire process.

Don’t’ be afraid to ask any questions. A bridal consultant’s main job is to make the bride happy.

Check out the other people in the store. Do the other clients appear to be happy? Do they seem to be having a good experience?

Trunk ShowsFor a list of upcoming events and trunk shows, please visit http://www.bridestl.com/events.html

Nancy Slade is the editor of Saint Louis Bride Magazine.

St Louis Wedding Consultants Couple of the Week! Katy & Craig

This is one of our most favorite couples ever!  Their wedding was AMAZING and made us feel like we were in a tropical paradise! These wonderful pictures were produced by none other than L Photographie!

"Learning from the Experts"

Ever have questions about different florists or just flowers in general?  Maybe this will help answer some of your questions...let's here from the ladies of Sisters Floral Design Studio!

What a Professional Wedding Florist Can Offer Their Clients-

These days, there are so many resources out there for brides planning their weddings.  The various looks and different types of elements to choose from are both astounding and overwhelming.  In the sometimes uncertain process of choosing a style, one thing is for sure, you want your entire day to have one consistent look and feeling.  You want it to convey your overall personality and emotions of the day.  This is where a wedding florist can help.

Wedding florists are designers that specialize in wedding flowers.  It is their main focus and something that they take great pains in perfecting.  A specialized design team like we have at Sisters Floral Design Studio can come up with many ways to incorporate your own personal touches within the larger scheme of the flowers.  Professionals can help guide you in choosing elements that will give you that consistent look you want from personal flowers to ceremony décor and into the celebration at the reception.  A design team can take away the overwhelming feelings that sometimes come with choosing flowers from what seems like an unending garden of choices.  They can suggest blooms based on your likes and dislikes, the season and color palette of your wedding, and the budget you have laid out for each flower element.  Flowers are a great medium for accentuating a certain idea or theme or for creating the main focus of the event.  The guidance that can come from meeting with a wedding florist can really help set the tone for the rest of the event.

With so many DIY websites and “just-picked” flower looks, it can be easy to think, “I could probably do the flowers myself.  I just want something simple.”  Here are a few things to think about when considering DIY flowers for your wedding day:  1) The logistics.  They are the last thing that most people think about, but the first thing that needs to be considered.  If you do your own flowers and have a source to purchase them, where will they be stored while they hydrate?  Do you have coolers with controlled temperatures to house them after they are arranged?  Do you have the materials, tools, containers, work area, etc. to assemble them?  How and who will deliver them?  What can be logistical issues for a DIYer are all things that professionals are equipped to handle every day.  2) The design.  Consider how important that overall look you have been dreaming of is to you.  Is it worth having someone with training and experience suggest ideas for what may work best to achieve it?  Do you want floral designs in your wedding pictures that look professionally executed and that evoke the emotions of the day?  Professional floral designers specialize in all these aspects.  3) The hassle.  Do you want to be tied to processing flowers and making bouquets the last few days before your wedding?  Do you want to be worrying about you or your family members setting up and delivering flower arrangements the day of your wedding?  A full-service wedding florist takes care of all of these things.  It is part of the service they provide and they are top-notch at making sure each flower detail is fulfilled.

So, how do you go about selecting a professional wedding florist?  Use all the resources at your disposal.  Magazines, websites and blogs featuring local vendors will display first-hand accounts of a florist’s work.  Often times, you may have a friend or relative who recently got married.  Ask who they used and if they were happy with their flowers.  If you are hiring a wedding coordinator, they can also give you suggestions.  Once you have a florist in mind, call and make an appointment to meet with them.  Go to your appointment prepared with inspiration images and a budget for flowers in mind.  Flower budgets are based on your overall wedding budget and should be 8-10% of the whole budget.  Be open to the design team’s suggestions.  The pictures you selected as inspiration should be used as just that- inspiration.  Often times, blooms in a picture may not be the best choice due to availability or color selection.  Let the professionals design a piece for you that will mimic but not copy exactly the picture you love.  It gives the designers the freedom to what they do best!

When you find the right wedding florist, all the elements from your wedding will come together.  You will know it’s the right fit when you start to feel your thoughts and ideas taking shape.  As professional wedding florists, we have a wonderful occupation.  We get the opportunity to work with brides and grooms on one of the most important, emotional and joyous days of their lives.  It is an opportunity that we take very seriously and are so proud to be chosen to take part in.  Best wishes to all those planning weddings! 

St. Louis Wedding Consultants Couple of the Week! Amazing Indian Wedding!

Jaya & Avi!

Don't these pictures capture great moments!  Only the best from Charo Photo!  Just a beautiful and fun couple!

Joanna's 1st Bday Party - Just a little late posting :)

Ok, I know this is a wedding blog but I can't help myself! I wanted to revisit my daughter's first birthday party because I had so much fun with her party! When it came to the details I tried not to forget one little thing! The theme was pink and I'm pretty sure I took it to the extreme.  Obviously my family posts come way late...considering she is now TWO! :) Better late than never!

Desserts & Food: ME - ALL HOMEMADE!
Florals: Sisters Flowers
Amazing Photos: L Photographie
Linens: My Grandmother!