Sample Sale at Ida's Custom Veils--new information!!

Ladies grab your purses! Ida's Custom Veils is having an unheard of SAMPLE SALE! Here's the scoop...... We've received one note from Ida's so I want to make sure we're clear....

• The sale runs from tomorrow (6/25) through Sunday. The stores hours are 11-7 p.m. Thursday, 9-5 Friday and Saturday and Noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday. (p.s. they're usually not open on Sundays!!)

• The samples include gowns from designers such as Pronovias, San Patrick, Paloma Blanca, Mikaella and Jasmine.

• Bring your money! If you fall in love with a gown, you must purchase it. They will not hold sample gowns.

• Bonus goodness! If you decide to SPECIAL ORDER a gown (meaning you like the sample, but will not be purchasing it) your SPECIAL ORDER dress will be $100 off and you will receive a free monogram for your dress. How sweet is that?

• When shopping for a dress, wear comfortable clothing and take a trusted friend. It's fun, but it can be a little overwhelming!! So relax, and enjoy the moment!
  

Contact Ida's and make your appointment today!

Ida's Custom Veils, 7311 W. 97th Street, Overland Park, KS

913-648-6090

Happy Shopping!!

Dressing your men--simply stylish with color!

Why should the ladies get to have all the fun? I love seeing a man all dressed up and I especially love to see a guy take his style to the next level. We decided to have a little fun with the color GREEN and see how funky the fellas can get!

The most obvious way to make a color splash is with a necktie. We found these super cool neckties online and think that both ties would make a distinguished statement. Here, we suggest that the groom sport the patterned tie and the groomsmen keep the tone with the solid necktie.

Now if the guys are dressing sans neckties, opt for a shirt that brings in the flavor. Check out Thomas Pink for custom shirt options to put your own spin for one of a kind threads.

Cuff links will give your man's shirt a polished and tailored look.


These green class cufflinks look like a piece of emerald jewelry! They would certainly reflect his beaming wedding day smile!

These knot cufflinks by Brooks Brothers are a sure bet for the refined finish!

Now we can't stop at the waist, he can take the color just a little further.

His feet will have never looked so cute!!! (is it okay to reference cute and feet in regard to a man?????) I dunno....these socks are cute, that's all that matters! It's just enough color to peek out from his tuxedo trousers.

Here is the coup de grâce! GREEN CHUCK TAYLORS!!! I love it! Converse offers the ability to make customized Chucks, so you can put your own twist on the fellas' footwear.

What do you think about the mean green accents? What color would you like to see your man and the groomsmen take to the next level on wedding day?

Dancing with your Father - Happy Father's day!!

In honor of Father's Day, here are a few songs to consider for your special moment with your father- the Father's dance with the Bride.


Here are a few of my favorites:



There goes my life, Kenny Chesney



My Girl, The Temptations



I loved her first, Heartland



Isn't she lovely, Stevie Wonder



Butterfly kisses, Bob Carlisle



For those of you whose fathers have gone before us, this is the perfect song to share with an honored family member:

Dance with my father, Luther Vandross

If none of these songs work, think back to your childhood. For inspiration, think about what songs reminds you Dad: his favorite hanging out in the backyard music, the songs you sang while riding in the car on vacation or the song he always hums off-key. For me, every time I hear a song by Donna Summer, it makes me think about dancing in the living room with my Dad doing some fierce disco moves!!! (Happy Father's day Dad!!!)

What song are you planning to use for your Father of the Bride dance?

Out on the town: Wedding Hive's roaring 20s show

I stopped by the Roaring 20s Wedding Open house hosted by members of the Wedding Hive. The event was held at the Terrace on Grand, a new venue in downtown Kansas City. The room was transformed with candles and pearls along with crystals hanging from the ceiling! (excuse my camera 101 skill level!!)








Check out the sign in book! The candles illuminated the area with a warm romantic glow!

The vendors were even sporting vintage wear. I especially loved Andre from Californo's; he had on a RED tuxedo ensemble complete with a ruffled shirt!

Janay A. Bridal Gowns, a Wedding Hive founding member, presented a fashion show. Her collection featured loads of one-of-a-kind artistry. Janay utilizes vintage and organic fabrics as the basis for her handmade creations.



Following the fashion show, I checked out the rooftop deck. This prized space is included in the rental cost at the Terrace. Ceremonies can be held here (for an additional fee).
You have an uninterrupted 360 degree view of Kansas City. You can see the Sprint Center, downtown, the Performing Arts Center and south toward the Plaza!


There is sultry lounge area and amazing sound system! Don't you want your cocktail reception here?? I didn't want to leave!!!


I was glad that I snuck upstairs after the fashion show. The models came upstairs for a mini photoshoot.



This dress was my fav! It is so whimsical, flirty and fun. I especially loved the peek-a-boo netting around the hemline. The model carried a bouquet featuring bright colors and large black feathers made by Ornamental Petal.

Check out these "simply stylish" details: a fringe belt, chocolate brown velvet hat and breathtaking black satin corset and floral details.

Congrats to the Wedding Hive gang on a successful event. Did any of you stop by?

Open house at 2000 Grand

Last weekend, I had the opportunity to visit 2000 Grand, the event space above The Cashew in the Crossroads district during their open house. They had a great turnout, especially since it was First Fridays in the Crossroads district.

2000 Grand has these huge garage doors around 3/4 of the space which open giving you an unobstructed view of Crossroads into downtown. This is an amazing venue for a wedding reception. Our September 2010 clients have selected 2000 Grand for their wedding reception. The second floor is also available for events too!

This is the perfect venue for summer and fall. Can't you just picture your guests hanging out enjoying cocktails with these views?



During the open house, I got to catch up with Sharon from the Gown Gallery. Look for their move downtown to occur in the near future.

I also met Katrina from Papermill Designs. As it turns out, my husband used to work with her. It really is a small world!!

Papermill's designs are artistic, sophisticated and original. They offer letterpress printing and the invitations were exquisite! I especially loved their business card! It was a coaster with the quote "Eat, drink and be married!" Just too cute!!Check out their blog!

Simply Stylish-- Dressing your mom or future mother-in-law

As you may have noted, our motto at KiSS Events is "Keep it Simply Stylish." We believe that every detail of the wedding should reflect your simple style, whether it be full of bling, romantic and frilly or understated classic. Your wedding style, when placed in all the details, will give your wedding a cohesive look.

Of course your wedding gown ties into your wedding style, and your bridesmaids will carry the vision one step further. The next layer of style is brought by the Mothers of the Bride and Groom. Before you get started on dressing those lovely ladies, here are a few tips to think about BEFORE you head to the dress shop.

1. The Mothers' dresses should carry the same style as the other members of your wedding party. If your bridesmaids are wearing tea length dresses, the Mothers may wear tea length or floor length dresses. If the bridesmaid dresses are floor length, then the Mothers dresses should be also. Don't inch that hem up to tea length!

2. The color of the Mothers' dresses don't have to be the same shade as the bridesmaids dresses. The dresses should be in the same color palette or in a complimentary shade of the wedding colors. The Mother of the Bride and Groom do not have to choose a dress in the same color.

3. Does your wedding VIP list include multiple Mothers, such as stepmothers? Make sure that you have each Mother in their own distinct shade within your wedding palette. Again, be certain to discuss with each Mother the color of dress she should focus on and if possible, provide her with a swatch of fabric to reference. Another easy way to see which colors compliment your palette is to visit your local paint department and pick up some paint chips so that you can distribute color assignments accordingly.

4. The Mothers should avoid colors such as ivory, white or anything flashy such as red sequins!!

5. Encourage the Mothers to start shopping early! Quite ofen moms approach your wedding much like they've done your whole life....they spend so much time taking care of you that they don't have leave much time for themselves. Please encourage the Mothers to get started and allow themselves plenty of time to ponder dress options.

What are your concerns with dressing your mom?

17 things to consider BEFORE hiring a wedding photographer

Guest blog post by Chris Cummins. Chris is the owner and chief photographer of Glow Imagery, a Kansas City wedding photography studio specializing in documentary wedding photography and contemporary portraits. In his spare time Chris loves reading, cooking and giving belly rubs to his beagle, Opal.

The wedding date is set! Already, the excitement is building for your big day. You want awesome wedding pictures. But the challenge feels daunting. You know your family shutterbug Uncle Ned is not who you had in mind. Chances are you have never hired a photographer before. So where do you start? You know you want to interview the candidates, but what do you ask them? Here are 17 great questions to ask photographers before booking.

1. Are you full-time? When did you start shooting full-time?

The truth is most wedding photography operations are very fly by night. The photographers are doing their photography on a part-time basis with negligible photography experience. Do you believe your once-in-a-lifetime event should be on-the-job training for your photographer? I didn't think so. A full-time photographer has already made the considerable life-long investment of their energy, time and money to create a valued and trusted service. Your wedding memories deserve your photographer's 100 percent commitment not a 20 percent commitment.

2. Why do you like to photograph weddings?

This question helps you to gauge who your photographer is as a person and artist. Take stock of the person's passion and energy. Does he/she seem enthusiastic or kind of flat? People who love what they do have a tendency to be very good at what they do and working with them is always more enjoyable and fun.

Also, knowing a little about what makes the person tick is a good way to feel out what kind of a personality "fit" you may share with the photographer. After all, you will be spending an entire day with your photographer, so do what you can to be sure the person you pick will be genuinely excited to be there and pleasant throughout that day.

3. Will you be the actual photographer to shoot our wedding? If not, who?

It's not uncommon for photographers and larger studios to have a network of shooters. If you learn the person you are talking to will not be the shooter then insist you talk to the person who will and also insist you see their personal portfolio.

4. What kind of input can we have on the shots? i.e. subject matter, shotlists and ideas from other wedding shots we liked?

A formals/posed groupings worksheet is sometimes necessary when planning when and how to get that part of your wedding completed and done in time. Lots of communication is key here. When working with a good wedding photographer, it is important when capturing the unique qualities and moments of your wedding to keep it open-ended for your photographer. A good photographer cannot produce every photo you can think of, but he/she can produce photos you never dreamed of.

5. (For self-described photojournalists) How much of your candid-looking work is posing and setting-up of shots or do you get shots as they happen without posing or reenactment?

"Wedding photojournalist" has become a buzzword which has lost its specific meaning with its surge in popularity among photographers. Often, the term "photojournalist" means candid-looking when used by photographers and studios to describe their own work. Often these photographers will set up and reenact a few things during your wedding day but rely heavily upon traditional portraiture for a lot of your photos... there is nothing wrong with this approach if you are comfortable with that. However a true wedding photojournalist has the talent and ability to anticipate, observe and "see" moments as they happen without the need to interfere with the natural flow of your wedding day.

6. Are the digital files available on CD/DVD? If so, are they high resolution?

This is a popular request by couples. The discs can vary widely in price. Also ask if there are any discounts applied to the CD/DVD after a certain time has passed from the wedding. For example, the photographer may offer the discs at half-price two years after the wedding.

7. What kind of improvements do you make to the files on the CD/DVD?

It is nice to have your pictures in hand to keep safe and make whatever prints you like. Keep in mind all digital images on the disc should be toned, adjusted and worked a little to make an adequate print. You should have some guarantee of the quality of pictures on the disc.

8. Do you have a list of references with contact info?

This is a rarely asked but very effective question. A real live person who has worked with a photographer will give you valuable, objective information.

9. Who do you carry liability insurance with?

Businesses that adhere to professional practices will deliver professional service and results to you. Chances are slim you will ever have to worry about insurance coverage. But accidents can and do happen. Would you let a roofing company put a new roof on your home that did not have liability insurance? How about a mechanic working on your car? I hope not.

10. What is the delivery time for the various products you offer?

It really shouldn't take half a year to receive an album, your proofs or any other products. Try to be timely with any input your photographer requires as far as albums, edits to help this process along.

11. With the albums, how does the design and picture selection process work? Are there any fees for changes we would like prior to the album's production?

You should have some input into important keepsakes of your wedding like an album. Some photographers charge extra for a certain number of changes to the albums they design for you prior to the printing and binding of any album. Make sure such fees are all clearly stated. Beware of time deadlines too, they are necessary to preventing production bottlenecks.

12. When will the proofs be ready? Is there a time limit for the online proofing galleries?

If working with a digital photographer, online proofing (when you first get to see your photos online) should be completed within a couple of weeks of your event. The time period of online availability for those galleries varies among photographers. Some post them for three months, others post for a full year. Check with your photographer.

13. What happens if the photographer is ill? What about back-up equipment?

Any successful, established professional studio should have a network of shooters available for emergency help. You should have a written assurance the substitute photographer will be a competent professional.

14. Should our event last longer than scheduled? Will the photographer stay, are there extra charges?

Most weddings will not exceed a six to eight hour time commitment from your photographer. If you think you will need more time, find out how your photographer handles extra hours.

15. What associations do you belong to?

Another useful way to gauge a photographer's qualifications and professional commitment.

16. Why should we hire you?

Again, this question is similar in spirit to Question 3. Your photographer's answer should communicate some excitement about the privilege to shoot your wedding.

17. May we see your second photographer's entire shoot from a wedding?

Wedding photography studios often promote themselves as two shooter "teams." They are often a husband and wife duo. They are usually not the 2-for-1 benefit they advertise. For the most part they are maybe one decent photographer and a person who is nothing more than a camera holder with very little qualifications or experience. Have you seen an entire take of both photographers? Insist on seeing the second photographers entire shoot.

Finding and hiring a photographer can be a big job and a little mysterious. The right questions can help you and your future spouse find the best photographer for you. Congratulations on your engagement!

Article written by Chris Cummins, a Kansas City wedding photographer.

Transportation Part II- Guest Parking

With the revitalization of many urban areas, a host of new ceremony and reception venues have developed giving brides some fantastic options. The beauty of original hardwood floors, tin ceilings and rooftop views captivate the bride and groom and before you know it, their checkbook is out and the contract signed. Unfortunately, with many urban destinations, the facility may not have a dedicated or exclusive parking lot.

When your guests arrive to your wedding, they too will be captivated and swoon over the sheer beauty and unique qualities of your venue. That's exactly the response you and Groomie were going for, correct? Well, KiSS Events doesn't want anything to interrupt their swooning!

For many guests, your wedding may be a venture into a part of town they rarely travel and for out of town guests this is uncharted territory. The frustration of one way signs may be a little stressful and add to that the stress of finding a parking space and your guests will be overly anxious for the bar to open at the reception. Please don't think of adding a parking ticket to the mix!

We HIGHLY RECOMMEND that you include a map and/or directions within your invitation; however, it may not be the most helpful. When compiling directions and maps, make sure to spell them out with enough detail so that everyone arrives on time and in the right mindset for your joyous occasion. To help those of you in the Kansas City area, here is a link to a downtown map including details about the traffic flow of each street and available parking lots. If your guests are staying in the downtown area, here is a link to a map laying out all the neighborhoods of downtown that they may take a little time to visi during their stay in Kansas City.

Make sure to remind your guests to read the parking directional signs if they decide to park on the street. FYI, urrently metered on street parking is free on the evenings and weekends.

Happy traveling!

Wedding day transportation....get me to the church on time!!

Arranging wedding day
transportation seems simple enough, right? Well, hitching a ride isn't always as simple as it seems. Here are a few tips to consider while finalizing your schedule and transportation needs.

1. Count your hours!


Your transportation company will schedule a vehicle for you for a certain number of hours or trips. Please keep in mind that you cannot split the hours of service. For example, let's say you purchased a 3 hour block of time. You decide to have the car pick you and the groom up from your respective locations and drive you to the ceremony site beginning at noon (2 hours) and then later drive you all to the honeymoon suite after the reception (1 hour) at midnight. Your plan would be considered 12 hours of service because you started at noon and ended at midnight. So, think about where you will want to be transported and calculate the number of hours between the first pick up and the last drop off. Don't forget to add in time for pictures if you're doing shots throughout the city either before or after the ceremony.

2. Ask about fees!


In addition to the hourly cost of renting the limo, town car, trolley, etc., many companies add in additional fees. These fees include a fuel surcharge and tips. Make sure to ask what those costs are and add them into your final tally.

3. Allow extra room in the limo!

A 14 passenger limo is best for 11-12 people for a wedding. You and your dress account for 2 people! You also want the bridesmaids to have a little room so they won't wrinkle up their dresses. Also keep in mind that everyone has to get in and out of the car and moving around a small space with lots of dresses can be a little tricky! You may want to consider renting a trolley because it will be easier to manuever in dresses and a wedding gown.

4. Communicate with your wedding party about transportation arrangement!

I have heard stories about wedding parties taking 20 minutes after the wedding to figure out who should be riding in the limo, who isn't, etc. This is precious time!! If you are providing transportation for your entire wedding party to and/or from a venue, please let them know early. Your party may need to coordinate with their spouses, significant others, family members, etc. to arrange their own transportation.

If you are not providing transportation for the wedding party, make sure they not only have directions to the reception venue, but also have instructions on what to do when they arrive. Do you want them to be a part of the big introduction or would you like them standing by the head table when you all make your entrance as "Mr. and Mrs.?"

Whatever you do, make sure everyone has a ride home at the end of the night!

5. If you're not renting a limo, trolley, etc., make sure whatever transportation you're in will be roomy enough for you, your dress and veil. Brides often forget that a veil can get caught or snagged on something quite easily so make sure your chariot isn't filled with hidden dangers!

6. Have fun and enjoy the ride!

What to wear!!! 4 little white dresses!

The wedding day is coming for you summer brides and for the fall ladies, you are likely preparing to be fawned over at your upcoming bridal shower. Well, I think it's a shame that you're saving wearing white for one big day. Why not wear a crisp white dress to your bridal shower soiree or to the wedding rehearsal? You can add a punch of color (maybe even one of your wedding colors) with stylish sandals, a cute handbag or some celebrity-worthy jewelry (costume of course!!). We've scoured the area and put together a list of some fab little white dresses befitting for the guest of honor!!

Don't forget, you'll need a sexy little number for outings on the honeymoon! These dresses will certainly fit the bill....

For you modern fashionistas...X marks the spot! This dress is found at Hemline, a local boutique on the Plaza. It's just $102!!

Check out this romantic number found at Lane Bryant for $69.50!!

For the classic girl, JCrew delivers with an embossed cotton dress for $98....I'll take one of those! BTW it comes in 8 fab colors!!

For those of you who need a little bling, Jessica McClintock serves up this silvery brocade certain to make sure ALL eyes are on you!! Scoop it up now while it's on sale for $117 (reduced from $195!!)

Happy Shopping!!!

Florist alert!! A company has gone out of business!!

We all know that these are tough economic times. Every day we are bombared with information about job cuts, companies filing for bankruptcy and the dismal stock market. This economy has affected us all in some way and not usually for the best. Well, we are not certain the basis for closing, but a local florist has shuttered its doors.

An alert in yesterday's Kansas City Business Journal indicated that a local florist, named a "Rose for You" located on Johnson Drive in Shawnee, has gone out of business. Johnson County prosecutors are interested in hearing from brides who contracted with them for upcoming weddings. Read the story here.

If this company is someone you've arranged to do business with, please let us know. We'd be happy to provide you with some vendor referrals and suggestions on how to proceed.

Best of luck!

Inspiration---Rehearsal Dinner ideas (aka the skating story!)

I am writing this post while laughing out loud! Okay, before we get to the inspiration, you must suffer through one of my stories, the springboard for the inspiration if you will.

A few years ago, while in law school, I was always the classmate who veered the topic of conversation off of the subject matter of property law, torts or the evils of our research papers. I think it was my third year of law school (it's the last year of law school and so "senioritis" had set in...you recall that feeling from high school and college, right?) and we were having another one of our "let's not talk about law talks" while out at one of our many happy hours where we mused about our lives. Some song came on that immediately reminded me of a "couples' skate" song from my childhood school skating parties, so I asked my classmates how many of them liked skating parties. During this conversation, I told them that I always wanted a birthday skating party and by the time the night was over, we all agreed to go skating because we hadn't been in years! Mind you, I had passed the age of 30 a couple of years earlier and probably had no business hitting the rink!!!

So, one week later, we're at the rink and I am ready to roll!! It's a Friday night, but there are a few kids to contend with and I am frankly a little nervous. I started wondering if I should do this... the kids are wizzing by me just a little too quickly. So, I put my skate out there and told myself to "just do it"! After a few songs, I am moving, cruising, bobbing my head to the music, thinking I've still got it, 30+ looks good on skates....

Then, it happened. I was going around a curve and not sure what happened...but what I do know is that I did a graceful belly flop to the ground. OUCH...OH LORD!! WHAT WAS I THINKING?? I AM OVER 30, THESE BONES MAY NOT HEAL!!!! Then, some kid's dad asked me if I was okay as he coasted on by. Seriously, he looked older than me, which made me feel even worse. Needless to say, I got up and decided to enjoy the rest of the nite on the wall!! Oh yeah, my ribs hurt for the next week!!!! I should also mention that no one else fell down.....just me, the mastermind behind this whole outing.

Well, what conjured up this story you may ask? I drove past that fateful skating rink last night and happened to be talking to one of my friends and just started laughing so hard. She was, of course, confused, because neither of us said anything funny. Well, I told her the infamous skating story and confessed that I'd always wanted a birthday skating party, to which she replied "You can do that, tell your hubby! It won't be hard to organize that effort, that can be done tomorrow!!" Our conversation continued and I asked her what type of party she always wanted, to which she replied a pool party and a Worlds of Fun (a local amusement park) party.

So, this started a further discussion to which we've asked our other friends. My friend has even posted it on her Facebook page to see what her extended circle has to say. (one person already replied with "a princess party complete with ballgowns and tuxedos"!!! wow!)

Now, I know you're wondering what does this have to do with wedding plans?Often my clients are frustrated because they want to have a unique rehearsal dinner that is fun and relaxed and where they get to enjoy their guests. Since the rehearsal is about the couple, I propose this: think about the parties you always wanted as a child or maybe your favorite party and you're likely to come up with some great ideas and learn a little about each other as well. Now, in my case, I always wanted the skating party, but I am not sure how well that would go over with some family members (my 82 year old grandmother on skates????mmmm, not so much!). But, I could have some Wii stations with skating games, or do some of the traditional skate party activities, like the limbo or for the kiddos, the Hokey Pokey. For my friend's amusement park desires, maybe you could rent some of the amusement park/carnival type games (milk bottles and balls, squirt guns, ring tosses) and have a cotton candy and funnel cake machine to make treats.

Just think about it, you get the party you always wanted and your guests will have a great time. Maybe you can even get your folks to chip in extra so you won't be scarred for life from not having the party you alllllwaaaaays wanted (use your whining voice)!

What type of birthday party did you always want to have? Let's inspire one another!!

Feeling overwhelmed?

Wedding day is quickly approaching for a number of brides. Finalizing details, dress fittings and check writing is enough to send you over the edge. For others, the planning process is getting underway and the decisions and choices that need to be made seem like a very tall mountain. (Who knew there was so much to consider when booking a reception venue is what one of my newest clients just said to me!)

Last week I had one of those overwhelming days. A day when you start thinking of everything that you need to do, still haven't done, and the fact that someone is calling me to add something NEW to my list. So, then I really got cranked up. I started thinking about what I haven't accomplished in my life, what plans I really need to make and stick to, and just had a mini-meltdown.

So, I used my good friend "google" and looked for some quick tips to get my mind settled and back to feeling like I was in control. I came across this article which provided me with some really insightful tips. Check out this post from InMyHeels on feeling overwhelmed.

Brides, please know that we can help with the overwhelmed sensation. We can take over your evergrowing list, provide clarity and give you your freedom. All we want you to do is be glamourous!!!!

Working toward a beautiful marriage!

Wedding planning is difficult, time consuming and stressful. Often, I have to remind brides to take a break from the wedding planning and do something non-wedding related. Go to the movies, watch something other than WE wedding weekend or read Time Magazine instead of the stacks of wedding magazines occupying your nightstand. Your life is more than wedding planning!!

While the wedding you are planning is very important and likely your most life altering event to date, it's also important to prepare for life after "the big day." You are embarking on a journey that will be funny, gut wrenching, stressful and amazing. No matter how well you know your future spouse, you will learn something new after you're married.

Since I am still fairly new to marriage, I am still learning and always looking for ways to improve and ensure that my hubby and I are building a lasting relationship. I had the pleasure of attending a workshop a few weeks ago featuring Dr. Gary Chapman called "Toward a Growing Marriage" that he presents at churches across the country. Dr. Chapman's workshop provided an insightful look at the different aspects of marriage including two key areas: communication and conflict resolution. He has written two books that I highly recommend you and your spouse read- "Toward a Growing Marriage" and "The Five Love Languages". When reading these books I guarantee that you will learn something about yourself that will enhance your marriage.

Let me know if you've read any of Dr. Chapman's book and how they've helped you!

Here's to a beautiful future!!

The perfect ensemble for your Bridal Shower, Rehearsal dinner or post reception party!

When I was getting married, I had the hardest time trying to figure out what to wear to all of those pre-wedding events! I didn't want to be over the top, but then I thought that I should look "just a little better" than everyone, after all I was the bride. I even remember on the day of my first shower which started at 11:30 one fine Saturday morning, I had a change of "wardrobe heart" and was at Macy's when the store opened! I ended up finding some absolutely gorgeous sling-backs that I still get compliments on to this day! I even ran into my high school english teacher, which confirmed to me that my change of heart was the right path to choose!!

So, in an effort to help all of you 2009 brides, who are counting down to all of your pre-wedding festivities, I will be bringing you a variety of different looks to make sure that you are picture perfect!

This ensemble says "bride" to me! This grouping is perfect for the bride who wants to look glamourous, but doesn't want to be too overdone. You could wear this to a casual shower with friends, especially a shower that had a fun theme such as cocktails or lingerie!! If your rehearsal dinner is low key, this simple and elegant group will fit the bill. For those of you planning to hit the town after the wedding reception, you'll still be dolled up, but able to hit the bathroom solo!

To find out more details on the ingredients in this ensemble, click on the box. And yes, those are a killer pair of Jimmy Choos!!! Hey, you're only going to have a bridal shower/rehearsal dinner/post reception party once!!

A $300 wedding gown!!

A WEDDING GOWN under $300??!! Is it cute? Is that possible?

Now here's a dress to love! Take a cue from our First Lady Michelle Obama and see the beautiful wedding styles available at JCrew! This stunning gown retails at $295! No, that's not clearance!!! This elegant gown is simple enough for an intimate church ceremony or breezy enough for a destination wedding seaside. Just add flowers!

Check out their bridesmaids dresses too! Absolutely darling and totally "re-wearable"! Your maids will luv ya!!!

Engaged! workshop-Part I

As a wedding planner, I meet with a number of brides in different stages of the wedding process, some frustrated, some over budget, some at a standstill. A year ago, an idea popped to mind. I saw a need to help couples with the wedding planning process by giving them some tips to consider along with some money saving tips. I didn't want to do another bridal show or open house, but instead have an event that was going to provide brides with some detailed information that would help them with all of the tasks they need to cover during wedding planning. For example, when a buying a CD of images from a photographer, the CD could be anything from a low resolution disc, to a high resolution disc with a limited number of images or disc formatted to only print 4x6 prints. Often couples are disappointed because they thought they were going to receive something else. So, in an effort to help couples in a variety of areas involved in wedding planning, the Engaged! workshop was born!


This relaxing and engaging workshop allowed the brides to have the opportunity to meet one on one with vendors. Each vendor also made a brief presentation to the brides giving them tips and suggestions and fielded questions from the brides. As one bride said, "Thank you for taking the time to put something like this together for those of us currently at a loss."

The Engaged! workshop was held at the uber cool event loft space in the Crossroads District, Third Eye Event space. The signature colors of the event were black, white and hot pink which proved to be such a fun and whimsical palette. The room was transformed with linens provided by Celebration Party Rental and florals by Bella Design Studio. I can't wait to see the pictures of the event taken by Erica May photography!

Above and Beyond Catering provided delicious appetizers and had a chic food display. Carson Swisher Cinematography served as our resident videographer and provided some live feeds during our presentations. Icing on the Cake not only provided the most moist and flavorful cake, Lynne, the owner, demonstrated how to cut a wedding cake. Archiver's Scrapbooking was on hand to show brides, even our non-creative girls, some easy and inexpensive ideas for save the dates, invites and favors. Debbie Jackson Productions provided the music to groove to!

Thank you to all of the vendors who participated!! KiSS Events was elated to plan this event and enjoyed meeting so many brides and grooms to be! I am still giddy with joy to see how an idea came to fruition. Or maybe my giddiness has something to do with the 5 pieces of cake I have had since Saturday.....I dunno????!!! (Thanks Lynne!!!)

Stay tuned for Part II of the post complete with pictures!!!

Stephanie + Neal

Stephanie and Neal are a young and fun couple who are getting married in the fall this year!



I have the pleasure of helping them plan their wedding from start to finish. I cannot wait to see how the vintage theme Stephanie has chosen for the wedding will come together. I know that it will be spectaular.

When Stephanie and I chatted about the Save the Dates and how she wanted them to look, she started with the photo strip idea, i.e. several images laid out to look they're on a film strip. One day, I was surfing the net and came across a cool save the date that I knew Stephanie and Neal would love! It had the picture of a bride and groom, but it also had individual shots taken by a Polaroid! I sent the idea to Stephanie and she loved it! She even commented that the Polaroid images made it kinda vintage too! I chuckled to myself, these cameras were all the rage when I was a child! Okay, I am really dating myself.....

Well, the happy couple just finished their engagement session with Carson Swisher and they will be mailing out their Save the Date postcards with this amazing image. I know their guests will love them! Many thanks to Carson for sharing the image!

As a tip to brides, when sending out save the dates, consider using a postcard like Stephanie. Often, you can order these cheaper than magnets or stationery and postage is less expensive.