Thursday, June 30, 2011

Shannon & Larry Edmonds - Our June Couple -















We would like to congrats Mr & Mrs Larry Edmonds on their union. Mr & Mrs Edmonds reside in Charlotte, NC

We Did it for Science Buying a Costco Wedding Dress

Monday, March 28, 2011, by Lisa Boosin


If you can buy Prada handbags and Cartier watches at Costco, why not your wedding dress? The warehouse store giant recently teamed with with bridal couture designer Kirstie Kelly for a special line of dresses, and Costcos throughout the country have held special trunk shows and events to build some momentum for the new offerings. Naturally, we had to check it out.





On Saturday, we trekked up to the Costco in Van Nuys for the last So. Cal event -- appointments were tight, and it's cash and carry only. However, where else can you buy a Kirstie Kelly wedding dress for starting at $600?





The dresses come in six Kelly "signature" styles, in sizes from 2-24. We tried on two styles, the "modified mermaid" in ruched satin (priced at about $700) and the lace A-line with cathedral train (about $1,000). Both were quite stunning, the fit was pretty good, and what a bargain. Of course, there were add-ons: full service alterations for an additional $450; optional beaded capsleeves for the strapless styles for an additional $160. But considering that similar gowns of these styles at the Kelly salon would run at least $2,000, you're still coming out way ahead.







However, at these prices, you do sacrifice some of the salon-buying experience. There's no fancy, individual dressing room, fresh-cut flowers in the sitting area and no champagne for you and your entourage to sip as you giggle and try on dresses. Instead, you get one attentive salesperson, a narrow community dressing room with little mirrors, and the appointments are limited to 30 minutes.


If you're brave enough to venture out of the dressing room to look at yourself in the 3-way mirror, you're more than welcome, even encouraged, but be warned that you will also probably be in full view of Costco shoppers, gawking at TVs and cameras, carrying 25-pound pans of microwave lasagne and 50-pound bags of Fresh Step kitty litter. Romantic. The pop-up wedding tent is rather small with only a few folding chairs for your accompanying wedding party if you so choose to bring them. We don't recommend coming with more than a couple people -- after all, this isn't exactly Kleinfeld's. But the salespeople are very friendly and helpful and we didn't feel pressured to buy anything. When we hesitated over my choice styles, the saleslady offered to take our photo in the dresses sowe could mull over the choices overnight. One saleslady even suggested buying both dresses and returning the one that didn't work out. Wow - Costco extends its return policy to wedding dresses! What other bridal boutique lets you do that?




So maybe Costco is on to something. If that's not enough, for those one-stop brides, you can also order your flowers and wedding rings at Costco, too. The Costco website for full details and the remaining locations and appointments. (story and photos by Ruth Estrada)
• Kirstie Kelly Signature Bridal [Costco]

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Elegant Wedding Centerpieces

When it comes to designing your big day, there are a number of elegant wedding centerpieces to choose from. There are many factors that may determine the type of centerpiece you choose, such as your budget, however there are generally centerpieces to suit all budgets and wedding themes.

Floral Arrangements: Floral arrangements are one of the most popular kinds of wedding centerpiece. When it comes to elegant wedding centerpieces, nothing can beat fresh flowers. However, if you want to save money there are now more and more options for synthetic flowers available. You can even double up the centerpieces as wedding favors for your guests by keeping plants in pots that can be taken home at the end of the night.

Floating Petals or Candles: Another popular choice is to make use of crystal bowls, filled with water and floating candles and rose petals. If your reception is at night then the candles can help create the perfect ambience. Rose petals are also a fantastic choice due to their strong association with elegance and romance, and the lovely fragrance they’ll add to the table.

Candles: Candles are often used as an accent to the main centerpiece, though can make a great focal point on their own. Use candles that match the color scheme of your wedding, scented if you wish. You can also use elegant candlesticks and holders to vary the kind of display you can create.

Tabletop Water Fountain: Wedding fountains are always guaranteed to spark interest and attention on your big day. Nothing says elegance more than the sight and sound of flowing water. There are a wide range of styles of tabletop fountain available to choose from.

There are a huge number of different types of elegant wedding centerpieces to choose from, these are just some ideas to get you started. Just make sure you decide on your color scheme before you start looking for centerpiece ideas, to make it as smooth and as easy as possible.


By Charissa/Admin

Celebrity Wedding ---Lil Wayne's Ex Toya Carter and Producer Memphitz Marry in Atlanta


Toya Carter, ex-wife of Lil Wayne, got married over the weekend to producer Memphitz at The Atlanta National Golf Club, reports Global Grind.


In attendance was singer Monica, "Real Housewives of Atlanta" star Kandi Burress, and also two of Lil Wayne's baby mamas - singer Nivea and actress Lauren London. There were also performances by Kelly Price and Lloyd. The whole event was filmed for Toya's BET reality series "Toya: A Family Affair."



The official wedding pictures are still under wraps, but according to guests Toya was a vision.

Monica tweeted: @antoniacarter u looked simply stunning. No words.... Beyond Beautiful. Tiny tweeted: Had a wonderful time @ my lil sis @antoniacarter big day! Her & @memphitz looked Amazing! I love them & wish all the best.

Camouflage & wedding gowns, Brides Across America make dreams come true by honoring military brides

On July 11-23rd, The national charitable organization, Brides Across America is teaming up with bridal salons across the nation to provide military brides the opportunity to make their wedding dreams a reality by receiving a free wedding gown.


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PRLog (Press Release) – Jun 08, 2011 – Nationwide, June 7, 2011—In celebration of Independence Day, Brides Across America will honor military brides by saying thank you to our troops by giving away designer wedding gowns. Some of the designers donating gowns are from Jim Hjelm, Watters and Watters, Maggie Sottero, Pronovias, Lazaro, and other prominent designers.

The event will take place nationwide on July 11 through July 23rd. Brides will be serviced on a first-come, first-serve basis. Brides are encouraged to come early and secure their place in line, as there is a limited supply. The gowns to be donated are valued between $500 and $4,000 and range from sizes 4-20. Each store will have a select number of gowns, sizes and designers.

In order to qualify, brides or their fiancé must be on active duty in the military, either currently deployed or deployed within the last five years to Iraq, Afghanistan, Bahrain, Libya or Japan. Identification and deployment papers must be presented at the event to qualify.
For military brides who are interested in more information on how to qualify, dates and locations contact Brides Across America at info@bridesacrossamerica.com or visit www.bridesacrossamerica.com.

About Brides Across America
Brides Across America, a Massachusetts based charitable organization focuses on providing free wedding gowns to those military brides that have not been able to have their dream wedding. Brides Across America is connecting with bridal salons across the nation to help spread the military spirit. Since 2007, Brides Across America and its partners have given away more than 6000 wedding gowns nationwide.

Without organizations like Brides Across America, many military brides would not have the chance to have a wedding. Due to deployment, timing and economic circumstances many military brides get cheated out of having there dream wedding. Heidi Janson, founder of Brides Across America makes that dream into a reality and all for free! “It’s time we give back, but most of all say thank you”! , states Heidi. For more information, visit www.bridesacrossamerica.com

Saturday, June 25, 2011

Real Weddings: Jessica & Sal


When 19-year-old Jessica Miller arrived for work at Victoria's Secret during the height of the holiday season, she certainly wasn't looking for love. The only thing on her mind that day was staying cool through a hectic shift. Love, it turns out, found her.

Salvatore Pugliese was immediately impressed after meeting Jessica through a friend of his who worked with her. One evening, after Jessica got off shift, they weathered the crowd and enjoyed their first date: ice cream at Friendly's.



Five years later, the couple was still inseparable. Jessica had come to appreciate Sal's passion for underground hip-hop, even though she prefers Top 40 hits. Sal is a big fan of ESPN and CNN, while Jessica prefers reality TV. Sal, however, enjoys Jessica's love of watching sports in person.



On their fifth anniversary, Jessica received roses at work. When she arrived home to their apartment, Sal asked her to close her eyes. When she opened them, she saw he had gotten down on one knee to ask her to marry him. "I immediately started crying," Jessica says, "and jumped on him and crossed my legs around him. I knew he had the ring, but I was still surprised."





Jessica's wedding vision was for something simple and clean, yet elegant and classic. Thanks to an internship with a special events firm that held a wedding show at the State Room, she knew that spot would be the perfect place for her big day.

After attending a bridal show with a friend, Jessica stopped at David's Bridal while weddings were fresh on her mind. While waiting for a dressing room, Jessica and her friend scoured the floor. She picked up a dress and piled it in her arms. "I didn't like in on the hanger, but something about it being off-white and all lace appealed to me," she says. "Like I've been told while shopping, it may look different on than on a hanger."



She finally entered the dressing room. "I was right. Slipping into it, I just knew. And people stopping me on a busy day to tell me 'You'd be crazy if you didn't buy that dress' sealed the deal."


Today, Jessica misses planning their wedding, even -- surprisingly -- the stressful moments. She remembers going back and forth with Sal about whether or not to see each other before the wedding. For months she held onto the idea of waiting and secretly hoping she'd get a few tears out of Sal.

Their final decision, however, was to see each other before the ceremony and get most of their photos taken then. "We were happy with that decision. We got to spend more time with our guests and also felt more relaxed the whole day," she says.




They were able to be present, for instance, for part of the cocktail hour, which was important to them. "How many times does a couple have all of their favorite people in one room there to support their love?" Jessica says.

Jessica and Sal like to eat -- some of their favorite date nights revolved around staying in and Sal cooking Jessica's favorite meal: hamburgers with sauteed mushrooms and onions. They vowed no one would leave their wedding hungry. "We have been to weddings where we've stopped for pizza on the way home (because) we were so hungry," Jessica says.




Of the many memorable moments, Jessica remembers the father-daughter dance with special tenderness. Her father chose the song. They started out with a typical slow song and then broke out their dance moves to Mary J. Blige's "Family Affair." Their guests erupted with laughter and applause while joining in.




The couple spent the day after the wedding packing for their honeymoon to Cancun, where they stayed in a second-floor suite, complete with a private rooftop terrace and pool. It was their perfect ending to a perfect day.



Jessica and Sal decided to see each other before the ceremony so they could get their photos done then. "We got to spend more time with our guests and also felt more relaxed the whole day," says Jessica of their decision. "How many times does a couple have all of their favorite people in one room there to support their love?" (Photo by Linda Conley)

Read more: http://www.timesunion.com/default/article/Real-Weddings-Jessica-Sal-1384498.php#ixzz1NZvA2eNm

WHO WHERE WHEN

BRIDE: Jessica (Miller) Pugliese, 26, Convention Sales Assistant for the Albany County Convention and Visitors Bureau

GROOM: Sal Pugliese, 29, Network Data Specialist II for Empire Blue Cross

THE WEDDING DAY: October 30, 2010 at The State Room in downtown Albany.

They had a photobooth with props -- it was a hit!

THE HONEYMOON: Excellence Resort Playa Mujeres in Cancun, Mexico, 7 days.


THE PARTICULARS

WEDDING & RECEPTION: The State Room, 142 State Street, Albany, 518-432-7773 , www.thestateroomalbany.com

PHOTOGRAPHY: Linda Conley, 518-445-0106 , www.lindaconley.com

WEDDING ATTIRE: David's Bridal, 1440 Central Avenue, Albany, 518-437-1223 , www.davidsbridal.com

HAIR & MAKE-UP: Lipstick n Lashes, 76 Front Street, Ballston Spa, 518-316-1819

JEWELER: Hannoush Jeweler, 1417 Central Avenue, Albany, 518-435-0318 , www.hannoush.com

FLOWERS: Ambiance, 116 Everett Road, Albany, 518-446-9900 , www.ambianceflorals.com

MUSIC: Fernando, DJ Piano Man, 683 New Loudon Road, Latham, 518-489-4000 , www.pianomandj.com

INVITATIONS: Magnet Street, www.magnetstreet.com

TRANSPORTATION: Albany Trolleys, P.O. Box 446, Albany, 518-462-3825 , www.albanyaquaducks.com

HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS: Crowne Plaza, State And Lodge Streets, Albany, 518-432-6611 , www.cpalbany.com

REHEARSAL DINNER: Franklin's Tower, 414 Broadway, Albany, 518-431-1920 , www.franklinstower.com


Photos by Linda Conley
By Audrey Mangini/VOW
TimesUnion.com

Friday, June 24, 2011

Cupcake Boxes: Unique Special event Favors to Remember

Some people give minor consideration to arranging or trying to think up of different party favors. A well thought about party souvenir is a wonderful and brilliant way of expressing gratitude to anyone’s guests. Have a very unique and memorable form of expressing thank you to your invitees by giving them a little but quite precious souvenir of the occasion. They don’t need to be expensive. There are several things to make a choice from for party giveaways like perfumed candles, decorative photo frames, however most kids and adults alike would be thrilled to receive a delicious treat and I should say it’s the best choice after all. It should be more special if you can present something you’ve made yourself such as cupcakes in different flavors and decorations. Cupcakes in lovely and fancy looking cupcake boxes are ideal for party favors and would definitely win over your invited guests a lot more. Plus these packages can still be useful for other purposes.

Should you be considering to host a baby shower party, realize that arranging a shower party for the expectant mother must be given as much importance and careful consideration just like you typically would to any other kinds of special event or get together. There are some things that a host or hostess should certainly take into account in order to make a party a memorable one. Since having a new addition to the family does not happen everyday, make sure that you prepare the best food, drinks, party materials and favors, since these issues would either make or break a party.

Since most functions have a buffet setting, you may have a magnificently designed cake as a centerpiece or perhaps you can choose to have a cupcake tower. You can also have the cupcakes you plan to give to your guests inside their boxes and display them surrounding the cake. Make certain you pick out bright tones to make your buffet or cake table a lot more appealing. Depending upon the venue where you plan to host the party, make sure that you have the right arrangements. It’s going to be much easier if you possibly can come up with a theme and color motif. In this way, you may have little difficulty settling on the colors of the cake, party supplies, decors and cupcake boxes.

You can try to visit websites of cupcake boxes manufacturers to check out the numerous colors and designs they may have. It could be advisable to place your purchases ahead particularly if you are intending to have it custom made like should you have a particular design that you want followed, including the sizing you’d like to have for your cupcakes. Simple yet charming things like selfmade cupcakes will be more than enough to make your friends and relatives feel completely special as a result making your celebration a truly remarkable one.

If you like this article on cupcake boxes you will find many more enticing thoughts at http://www.cakeboxco.com


Author: suebarry
Posted by Hutbuzznews.net


New York Presents “The Wedding Affair”
Produced by: AtUrBest Special Events & iPower Global Solutions
The Bridal Event of the Year! April 21-22, 2012


Take advantage of this unprecedented opportunity to reach out personally to the many brides and grooms in the Gastonia area as well as the surrounding counties. Bridal shows are a fantastic way to come face-to-face with brides who are ready to book your services.

You can choose to be a part of our Premier VIP Red Carpet or pick from the standard Vendor booths. Whatever your choice, register today, as space is limited and assignments are made on a first-come, first-served basis.

Post –show access to database of registered brides’ names, addresses,emails. Listing in showcase program with address, web site and email. Sponsorship information is available.




For more information email us at: www.nytheweddingaffair.com

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Don’t Be THAT Guy At Your Own Wedding


By Guest Blogger: Simon Daykin

My last guest post dealt with THAT guy at your wedding. I received quite the response so I thought I’d go one more mile down the road and address how you, the groom, can avoid being THAT guy at your own wedding. Trust me, it happens. There are plenty of reasons for this occurrence. They range from nerves, lack of eating, mixing boozes to good old hard partying and lack of control. I’ll hit a few here, the usual suspects but I can’t get into some of the deeper, crazier reasons, because that’s between you and your shrink! You DO NOT want to look like this guy at your own wedding…do you??? Of course you don’t!

Eat It! Just Eat It!

Each one of us has joked, at one point or another about getting a good base before a night of drinking. Well as far as I’m concerned, there is truth to that. Food in the belly makes sure the alcohol takes longer to get into your blood stream. Making the wine make its way through a 16oz steak will help you. But this is not just a night…oh no…this is a FULL DAY! So make sure you eat, eat whenever possible, whatever possible. Eat a good, solid, manly man breakfast, then eat lunch, solid proteins and the like. From the ceremony to the cocktails there is a long time…so I suggest bringing food along. I’m not saying that you pull out a hero sandwich just before you say “I do”. But have the photographer bring along some food for the photo shoot or stick a sandwich in your pocket. Keep the food coming whenever you can and try not to get hungry.

Go To Bed Early…And SLEEP

This is not directed at your wedding night…oh no…this is directed at the night BEFORE your wedding night. Never make this night your stag night! There is no reason to go out and get all “Jersey Shored” the night before your wedding. You’ll only regret it later.

Use this night to have a great dinner, either with your Bride to be, your family or all your guests. When they start to drink it all up, you make your exit. They may rib you, but they will understand. In all honesty, I would have a quiet dinner with your Bride to be, and your families. Keep it an early night. And if it’s all family, no one will try to pour shots down your throat. Head to bed early, go over your vows and your speech to make sure all your I’s are crossed and your T’s be dotted, then go to sleep. You’ll need your rest for the coming day. Trust me on this, falling asleep, or even WORSE…passing out at your wedding is not on!


Consumption

Usually there will be some booze at the wedding, and mostly there will be a lot of the stuff. Doesn’t mean you have to drink it all though. Remember to pace oneself…patience is a virtue. So be patient boys. If you want to drink, then have a drink…no need to go double fisted. Remember you need to be able to last the night and “then some”. Yes I do mean the wedding night. If you drink away your “performance” then I can’t help you. But I can help you before this happens. So slow down, and not only will you be able to give a ROCKSTAR performance on your wedding night but you’ll look better in all your photos and you won’t be tossing back you dinner on your guests or slurring your speech. The speech you spent so long working on. There is plenty of time to have a few too many…your wedding day is not one of these times!


Simon’s Gutsy Groom Advice

Most, if not all of the guys I know love to head out and “tie one on”…myself included. But let’s be honest here. Your wedding is not the time to do this. You have asked a bunch of your closest friends and family to join you in a celebration with your families and your future wife. So you need to be a part of that celebration.

I’m not saying you don’t drink…I would never say that! But what I am saying is put yourself in the best position to handle your booze fellas, book your stag a few weeks out. That gives you plenty of time to recover. If you have out of town pals coming in, set up a pub night a few days (if possible)before the wedding to hoist pints with them. Don’t do it the night before. Never do it the night before!

Drinking is a slippery slope, you feel good one minute, then you’re all over the floor the next. You need to be on your feet, shaking hands, taking pictures and being a great guy, you need to be on your “A” game. It’s just one day, you can do it. Be cool!

You got questions? I got your answers! Feel free to drop me a line if you want to, I’m here to help you guys. My email is simon@gutsygroom.com and you have access to me. So I suggest you use that. I can also hook you guys up with the best wedding planner in the biz…you need a great planner, I got one, I also come in the package so all your questions during the planning process you may have…I’ll be there to help you out. You can check out our work at www.fireflyoccasions.com and book your free consultation by emailing us at info@fireflyoccasions.com. That is all for this time boys…
Guest Blogger Profile: Simon Daykin of GutsyGroom.com

Statistics say that about a third of you grooms out there and are going to attend some sort of bridal show or expo. As a planner & event designer, I attend this event twice a year, so I’m going to impart some tips to you on how to survive this day, keep your bride happy and make it out alive.




Comfort And Style

The trick is to mesh the two. You need to walk around all day, stand on concrete and look good while doing it. You wouldn’t wear track pants to go buy a new car, so why slum it for the Bridal Show? Project a high end image and high end vendors will be drawn to you. This is simple attraction. Vendors interview you just as much as you interview them, so put on a nice shirt, good pair of jeans and a kick ass pair of COMFORTABLE shoes. I’m not saying show up in a 3 piece suit, but dammit man, LOOK GOOD! I started going to this event in a T-shirt and jeans years ago, now that I plan 6 figure weddings, I dress the part.

Versatile Clothing Is Good

A dress shirt is good, as I find that they seem to blast the A/C, but when all those people get into that space…man it gets hot. I get cranky when I overheat so I always make sure I can change my body temp quickly and whenever possible, without having to carry anything. So with a dress shirt, you can roll up the sleeves, let off some steam and this will keep you in a better mood and not overheated all day.

Sure you can take a sweater off, but then you have to carry it.

I also recommend, that if you bring a coat, leave it in the car. It’s not that far from the car park to the doors, and you DO NOT want to be carrying around a coat all day. With Calgary you never know what the weather will be like, but trust me, if your fiancĂ© brings a coat, odds are you’ll be carrying it around when she gets hot. So leave yours in the car so you won’t be carrying around two. And avoid the coat check (if there is such a thing) as that’s just another line you’ll have to wait in.

Happy Feet Ain’t Just For The Penguins

ALWAYS make sure you have a comfy pair of shoes on. You’ll be walking around all day and standing while you chat to vendors or your fiancĂ© does. The floors in the Round Up Center are concrete. Being on concrete for hours on end takes a toll on the feet. And after the feet go, the legs follow and then it’s all downhill from there. I usually wear a pair of sneakers or the shoes I picked up at the Bridal Centre (patent leather sneakers) I’m not saying head out and buy new shoes for the show, go through the closet and see what you have. But make sure they have a nice, comfy sole on them. Cushioning will get you through the day and save the pain in your legs when you hit hour 4. This is a big venue and you’ll be doing A LOT of walking.

Hydration Is Key

So I know that the show is on a Sunday and Saturday nights are a great party night. But this is only ONE day out of countless weekends you’ll have in your life. Do yourself AND your fiancĂ© a favor and don’t go out and get sloshed on Saturday night. Trust me on this, you’ll pay for it tenfold the next day.

So no hangovers OK guys!?!!

That being said, the recycled air will dry you out almost as fast. I suggest bringing a large water bottle, sure they sell water and but there is that whole line thing again. Bring Vitamin water, Powerade, whatever gets you through. I strongly suggest passing on your Red Bull type drinks as they induce a rather nasty crash after a couple of hours. (And if you leave that coat in the car, carrying a water bottle around isn’t that bad.) If you do need a “pick me up” type drink I suggest those little 5 hour energy drinks they sell at the gas station. I use these on long road trips and I can say they work, and have little to no crash at the end. I think they may include a bottle of water in your “welcome Package”…but you’ll go through that in no time flat. And remember to eat as well…the burgers are actually quite good.

Take It All In

This type of event can be very overwhelming, so take your time. If you find a vendor you like, get all their contact info, make a note on it so you don’t forget what it was you liked about them and keep it somewhere safe. There is so much info passed out at these things that the good stuff can get lost in the shuffle. If you can make an appointment with the vendor on the spot for a later date, do so. Take the time to talk to the vendor and get a feel for them and the services they offer. If you take an interest in stuff instead of hanging back and moping, the day will go by faster, your fiancĂ© will love you for it and you’ll be able to get some of your ideas incorporated in your special day as well.


Simon’s Gutsy Groom Advice

While this may not be the greatest day ever…it doesn’t have to be the worst. Follow the simple steps listed above and it’ll go smoothly. If your fiancĂ© brings other people, ie: her mother, maid of honor, any bridesmaids…anyone really. Listen to what they have to say, add your opinion, but NEVER get into a fight with any of them. You can discuss all the info you gather when you get home with the only person who really matters…YOUR WIFE TO BE. It means a lot to your bride to have you involved so suck it up and go in with your head held high and the best of intentions. You may actually have a great time.

A New Way for Grooms to “Pap” the Question

Your marriage proposal story is one that you and your future wife will tell for years to come. But to truly capture the occasion, why not have a professional photograph or film it, so you’ll never forget a single detail and can also share it with family and friends? Headed by veteran photographer — and former paparazzo — James Ambler, New York City-based Pap The Question helps grooms really wow their future fiancĂ©es and take their proposals a step further by preserving the special moment forever.



Today, we’ve asked James to tell us a bit more about his company and its services for grooms who are ready to “pap” the question.

What types of services do you offer for capturing groom’s proposals?

We offer three packages — all of which can be tailored to individual needs — that include 1.5 hours of photography. With the Paparazzi Proposal package ($450), we talk with the client beforehand to discuss the location and details, take some candid shots of the couple walking along prior to the proposal, and then capture the moment he drops to one knee, asks the question and her reaction. We then upload the pictures to our site, so that the couple can view them and share them on Facebook with friends and family. We also send the client a CD of the pictures. Our second package ($600) is the same as the Paparazzi Proposal package, with the addition of video footage of the proposal. Our third, elite package ($750) includes photos and video, as well as hidden camera footage. Dropped off the day before, the guy wears this hidden camera in his shirt pocket to record audio as well as video of him putting the ring on her finger. We then edit the audio and video footage together so that you can see the full proposal unfold.

We also offer full consultancy for our clients on customized packages, planning the day, suggestions on location, venue, and bad weather alternatives, as well as an additional posed engagement photography session that can be shot later on. In addition, we work with Brilliant Event Planning, a proposal planning service in NYC that can help guys with ideas or suggestions. We’ve also teamed up with Tea and Sympathy in NY, which can provide a traditional English picnic at your location.

How did you come up with the business idea for “Pap The Question”?
I came up with the idea after I got engaged two years ago and friends asked if we had any pictures of the day. We didn’t, but it planted a seed in my mind. After checking into engagement photography in NYC, I identified a gap in the market in this area. With my experience as a paparazzi photographer, I thought it was the perfect opportunity to offer this service to guys to really take their proposals to the next level.


How do you plan the process with grooms?

We map out the day with the groom so that he knows exactly where he should be, and to determine the best position for us to capture the action. If possible, we like to visit the location prior to the proposal day to get familiar with the area. On the day of, we position ourselves, take some preliminary shots of the couple together, capture the engagement and reaction, as well as get some after shots.

Will the bride-to-be notice that you’re there?

We make sure to stay as far away and hidden as possible, but it depends on the location. We did an engagement recently on Brooklyn Bridge and had to be fairly close to the couple because there were so many people, but with locations like that there are usually hundreds of tourists with cameras anyway, so we can blend in. In Central Park, we can stay 300 to 400 feet away, so you won’t see us.

How soon will the groom receive the photos or video of the proposal?

After we’ve completed the shoot, we’ll edit and send the photos that day. If the client chooses to use the hidden camera option, we have to wait to get it back, but typically edit the video the next day. The pictures are then posted online as quickly as possible, so that the happy couple can share it with friends and family or on Facebook.

What’s the best proposal or reaction you’ve captured to date?

I think the best engagement so far was Matt and Vicky’s. He said some really cool things and the video and photos looked really fantastic. Her reaction was also great. Matt ended up telling her about us being there, which made her laugh, so we did some set up shots afterward. Every engagement is different in its own unique way, which is what makes it so much fun to photograph.

What if things go awry or, God forbid, she says “no”?

If it’s very crowded and we need to be closer so we don’t miss the shot, there’s an increased risk of being spotted. But that hasn’t happened to date, and we plan to keep it that way. If things do go awry and she says no, we offer 75% of the money back and a beer if they want it!

Pap The Question is a New York City-based paparazzi proposal photography company that specializes in capturing marriage proposals in photos and on film. You can connect with them further by following on Twitter and liking on Facebook.




pap the question is a sponsor of the man registry’s groomsadvice blog

Have you considered hiring a photographer to capture the memories from your marriage proposal? Drop us a message in the comments section below telling us what type of shots you would want and how you would keep the whole thing a secret from the future Mrs.

Saturday, June 18, 2011

Unique Wedding Ideas - Make Your Wedding Day One to Remember

Your wedding day is probably the most important day of your life and in order to make it truly memorable you will need to incorporate some Unique Wedding Ideas into your planning. Of course every couple who are going to get married are totally unique, but by incorporating your own unique wedding ideas it will ensure that your special day stays in your memory and that of your family and friends for a long, long time.

Unique weddings are not only great fun, but also give the couple a means of revealing their own personalities and beliefs in the way that they plan their wedding. As marriage is such a big and serious commitment, you will want to make the great day as unforgettable as possible when starting out on this great adventure together. There are now so many novel ways and settings for getting married, that the only boundary is your imagination!

All weddings take a lot of organizing in order to ensure that the day itself goes smoothly, and making the arrangements which incorporate your unique wedding ideas will be no different. With slipshod preparations the magic and essence of the day will be completely spoiled, so first of all you need to make a list of all of your ideas, however bizarre they may seem at first.

Think of things that are important to you as a couple. The list could include interests that you have in common, such as dancing, music, films, food, books...I'm sure that you get the idea. Another possible source of research for your unique wedding ideas could be where and how you first met, where you went on your first date, what you ate on your first meal together.

I am sure that once you put your minds to it you will be able to come up with loads of unique wedding ideas, here are a few to get your creative juices working..

- A wedding ceremony conducted on a beach by moonlight, you could also have your wedding party on the beach afterwards. How romantic is that?

- If you are both daredevils, what about a skydiving wedding? If you go for this the bride would need to have a serious talk with her dressmaker of course!

- If you have met through a sub-aqua club, you might like to consider an underwater wedding. Believe it or not, there are organizers who will arrange this for you

- If you are both keen dancers, why not have your wedding in a discotheque.

- Get married in a hot air balloon with your family and friends in the balloon with you.

- Something a little less exotic would be a period wedding theme, you could, for example base your wedding plans on Colonial America, Elizabethan or Victorian England or the roaring 20's.

- I recently heard about a couple who got married in a roller coaster!

- A themed wedding, for example a fairy tale theme, as Sleeping Beauty you can marry your own Prince Charming; Peter Pan and Wendy, Robin Hood and Maid Marian ... there is a wealth of material that you could come up with here. You may even be able to persuade your guests to come in costume as well! Other theme ideas include Western, Rock 'n' Roll, James Bond, or even a Star Trek theme.

- You could also make your wedding ceremony a little bit out of the ordinary by choosing a unique time for it to start. For example, if you remember when your prospective husband proposed to you, say at 2:12, you could aim to start your ceremony at that time. Or you could use the date, March 20th would give you a start time of 3:20.

- For many couples their ideal wedding day will be a traditional church wedding, with the bride in a stunning white gown and the bridegroom in a suit, and of course there is absolutely nothing wrong with that as they will stamp their own ideas and personalities on the occasion to make it unique to them. However, there are increasing numbers of couples who are opting for more exotic ways of "tying the knot", so give your imagination free rein and see what you can come up with.

When you actually get to the stage of putting your unique wedding ideas into practice don't lose sight of what the day is really all about, and that is a public expression and celebration of your love and a commitment to spend the rest of your lives together.

For many couples their ideal wedding day will be a traditional church wedding, with the bride in a stunning white gown and the bridegroom in a suit, and of course there is absolutely nothing wrong with that as they will stamp their own ideas and personalities on the occasion to make it unique to them. However, there are increasing numbers of couples who are opting for more exotic ways with which to celebrate their big day, so give your imagination free rein and see what you can come up with.

If you are intending to invite elderly or infirm relatives to your wedding, you will need to consider how they will cope if you choose any wedding ideas that could be difficult for them physically.

Apart from that proviso, it's your wedding day so make the most of it by using your unique wedding ideas to create a day that you and your guests will remember forever!

Items For Sale - Wedding Dresses

If you are looking for used wedding gowns Bravo Bride has several that you might like to look at: www.BravoBride.com

Title: Impression Couture Bridal‏ -- Gown - $499.00






Selling Price: $499.00
Retail Price: $1200.00
Item Number: 40389

Designer: Other
Mfg Style #:Bridal Impressions Year Purchased: 2011
Dress Condition: New With Tags

Details: Silhouette: A-Line Neckline: Sweetheart
Dress Color: White
Seller is Original Owner: No
Seller Has Receipt Showing Original Price: No

Description:
This is another stunning gown from Bridal Impressions! It is a A-line and sweetheart neckline and a lovely train. It also has lovely beadwork. In White/White I have size 18 available. If you have any questions please feel free to e-mail me at ladypom_2006@hotmail.com
Thanks for looking and have a great day!
Marcie Svare RMalways Bridal Shoppe

Location: MN
Will Ship To: United States Shipping cost $28
Terms of Sale: All sales are final, no refunds
Accepted Payment Methods: PayPal



MyBridalStuff.com - Bridal Gowns -
Dineh's Collection Style # Larissa Bridal Gown $200.00
Size 16: City: www.NotJustBridla.com
Willing to Ship? Yes
Listed June 9, 2011 6:48 am
Expires 111 days, 2 hours









Brand New. Never worn. Original tags. Ready to ship. Accepting paypal and credit cards. To purchase securely visit www.NotJustBridal.com


Why do women sell their wedding dresses?

Because they realize the can turn a preowned or used wedding dress into cash, free up some closet space and share it with another happy bride. A used wedding dress in good condition that is less than 2 /12 years old is worth 50% of the price paid.










Check out PreOwnedWeddingDresses.com

The list Designer Pre Owned Wedding Dresses -
Look at Casablanca #1901 - $500






Asking : $500 USD 54% Off Paid: $1,100 USD Save: $600 USD
Designer: Casablanca Style: #1901 Listing Number: 32342
Condition: Sample Purchased in: 2008
Color:Diamond White Label Size: 8 Street Size:6
Bust:36 Waist:27 Hips:38 Height w/shoes:
Silhouette: Trumpet (Fit-and-Flare) Neckline: Other
Waistline: Dropped Waist
Sleeve Style: Capped Sleeve
Dress Length: Floor Length
Seller Is: Salon
Original Owner:yes
Has Receipt: no

Dress Details 1901
This sexy and alluring soft sweetheart gown features exquistie beading on cap sleeves and the illusion netting on the back of the bodice. Swarovski crystals delicately line the back with dazzling beaded designs throughout the trumpet shaped skirt and cathedral train.

Dress Alterations
Veil / Headpiece Description
Preservation Method
Location California, United States

Friday, June 17, 2011

Wedding Extravaganza

When

Jul 17 2011 , 1230-430 pm

Where

801 Front Avenue
Columbus, Georgia

Cost $5
Website http://www.WeddingsOfGeorgia.com
Contact info@WeddingsOfGeorgia.com

If a wedding is in your near future, Wedding Extravaganza is the place for you to be! With loads of vendors at The Columbus Trade and Convention Center, you'll find everything you need to plan the wedding of your dreams! See a spectacular fashion show and aisle upon aisle of exhibits by the area's leading wedding professionals. From Entertainment to Fashions, Receptions to Honeymoons, you'll find it at WeddingsofGeorgia.com's Wedding Extravaganza! Many exhibitors will be offering demonstrations, samples and money-saving show specials. Plus, you will have the chance to WIN Great Gifts and Prizes. And best of all--our show is only $5!

Sunday, June 12, 2011

Latest Wedding Dresses 2011


Anyone wants to look fashionable and when it appears to girls that look to be something very outstanding. It is also good that fashion is synonymous to girls. Indian as well as Pakistani girls fashionable lehanga choli. Wedding bridal lehanga are available in a huge range varying from traditional Lehangas to contemporary Lehangas, from designer Lehangas Cholis.





Indian and Pakistani bridal Lehangas dresses are very popular when it comes to wear on wedding function. In subcontinent the Lehenga choli has been most successfully replaced the wedding saree and suits. Every bride wants to look best on her wedding day. It is the most demanded outfit for this day. In bridal lehenga the bride look like a queen on her wedding day. Bridal Lehengas are also available in different style with different works according to the body type of the bride. The brides are lucky to pick and wear the Lehanga for wedding and pre wedding days. Wedding Lehangas comes in wide ranges of silk such as tie &die work, zari embroidery dapka work, salma or naquashi work aari work and gota kinari work etc.

Indian wedding ceremony most girls preferably the Gharara Choli which is also known as Lehanga Choli and Chaniya Choli. Bridal lehanga is a long skirt and is worn with long or short, and the choli which is stitched and fitted blouse .Dupatta is compulsory definitely embellishes the beauty. Dupatta comes up in a different beautiful color shades. The latest draping style is to wrap it round the arms to give a unique look Mirror work, Zari, Gota, Meenakari, Kundan and Resham work looks simply fabulous.







Friday, June 10, 2011

Mark Ingram: A Man Who’s Mastered the Bridal Gown

By ROBIN FINN

(New York Times) — A clotheshorse ever since he could toddle, Mark Ingram ultimately selected an item of clothing he will never wear himself — the wedding gown — as the focal point of his business, the Mark Ingram Bridal Atelier, in Midtown. Mr. Ingram, 52, opened his couture bridal shop in 2002 after accumulating 20 years of experience in the clothing industry. He lives in Hamilton Heights.

Dressing up: My grandparents lived in Harlem, and from the time I was a toddler, I remember spending weekends with them and going up and down Fifth Avenue window-shopping. They loved to dress me. On Saturdays I’d go to fittings at Best & Company and B. Altman.

Business first: I grew up in the Bronx and Mount Vernon; I attended the High School of Music and Art, and then I went to N.Y.U. My parents sort of pushed me toward business and marketing.



Mark Ingram, right, with Eilecia Bovard, a bride-to-be.

A clotheshorse ever since he could toddle, Mark Ingram ultimately selected an item of clothing he will never wear himself — the wedding gown — as the focal point of his business, the Mark Ingram Bridal Atelier, in Midtown. Mr. Ingram, 52, opened his couture bridal shop in 2002 after accumulating 20 years of experience in the clothing industry. He lives in Hamilton Heights.




Bonwit’s beats I.B.M.: After college I was offered a job by I.B.M. for a whopping $35,000 a year, a windfall at the time, but I saw myself getting into fashion, so I took a job with Bonwit Teller as an assistant buyer trainee in sportswear. I was recruited by Bergdorf Goodman in 1982 to be an assistant buyer in the couture department.


Mr. Ingram cut a path through the couture industry in New York City before opening his own shop in 2002.

Bonwit’s beats I.B.M.: After college I was offered a job by I.B.M. for a whopping $35,000 a year, a windfall at the time, but I saw myself getting into fashion, so I took a job with Bonwit Teller as an assistant buyer trainee in sportswear. I was recruited by Bergdorf Goodman in 1982 to be an assistant buyer in the couture department. But I realized I didn’t want to be a buyer because there was such excessive bottom line pressure, so in 1984 I went to Eagle’s Eye, a sportswear firm, and managed their New York showroom for six years. In my soul I was always a preppie.

Going couture: I got tired of being a preppie, and in 1990 I went to work for Carmelo Pomodoro, one of the rising young designers of the time, as his sales manager. But he died of AIDS in 1992; it was devastating. The company closed, and from 1992 to 1996 I did a bunch of little jobs. I worked part time at Barneys, part time for Eagle’s Eye helping design a men’s line, and for two years I did hats.

Finding a niche: In 1996 Amsale, the titan of couture bridal wear, hired me as sales director, and all these pieces of my past came together in one dream job. After four years I accepted an offer from Wearkstatt, my competitor, to be their retail director and run a destination shop in SoHo. Then, after one year, they closed it in 2001. But the owners encouraged me to open my own store.

T.L.C. for Bridezillas: Bridezillas most definitely do exist at every price range, though we don’t get the kind of bad behavior you see on reality shows. The final fitting is when the bridezilla aspect is most likely to rear its ugly head. She owns the gown; it’s been sculpted to her body; but what if she’s gained or lost weight? The bride is counting beads and looking in mirrors and seeing things no one else sees.

The price tag: Our dresses range from $4,000 to $20,000. The average customer probably spends about $7,000. I love all our gowns because I select them. Then if they don’t sell, I hate them!

The royal wedding: It does pique interest, but does it affect business? No, not really. There aren’t that many princes out there.

Surrogate father of the bride: A black man in bridal is kind of an oddity, and being a man in the wedding business is like being a rooster in a henhouse. I don’t know how the dynamic came about, but customers seem to respect a man’s opinion. I guess they look to me for fatherly advice. I prefer the role of big brother, but the irony is, with most brides, I’m old enough to be their father.


Article Posted by The New York Times
April 14, 2011, on page A22.


Experience Necessary
An Eye That Brides Rely On
Suzanne DeChillo/The New York Times

Parent Gifts for Your Wedding

With all the planning you’ve been doing, have you remembered to get something extra special for the people who gave you life and brought you into this world? It is a wonderful idea to give your parents a special thank you gift on the eve of your nuptials.
With so many things to plan and so many decisions to make constantly, it’s no wonder that some things can be easily overlooked or pushed aside for more pressing issues. Whether you just can’t think of a good gift or if the thought hasn’t yet crossed your mind, here are some gift ideas for all budgets.

Shopping on a Shoestring Budget

When cost-conscious doesn’t begin to describe your situation, fret not. Countless meaningful gifts are out there, and many of them are just not as costly as you would think.

Here are a few options for the lower end of the wedding budget:


Memories… Make a scrapbook or photo album with pictures of you and your future spouse together, in addition to pictures of you with your parents and siblings. Make an album for each set of parents and rest assured that they will cherish your thoughtful compilation.
Special days… For around $20, you can custom-design a calendar to include a dozen of your favorite photos and special dates that are meaningful to you and your families. Create a custom photo calendar so you are on your parents’ minds all year long!

Managing a Mediocre Amount

When you’ve got a little bit of cash to spare but still need to keep an eye on the price tag, smart shopping comes in very handy. Consider your options and select something that suits your parents well.


A Crystal Clear Message… Envision a few lines of your own special text engraved next to a beautiful photo you select. This lovely keepsake is one they’ll treasure always.
Cheers to you… Select beautiful and classy stemware for your parents so they have a unique reminder of your wedding day that they can enjoy using again and again. If you wish, have their names engraved on the glasses, or simply, “Mom” and “Dad”.

Price Is Not an Issue

If you could get anything in the world for your parents, what would it be? A cruise? A new car? To keep things down-to-earth and still much tied into the emotion of your special day, here are a few options that could really make a big “thank you” statement.


Bed and Breakfast… Rather than spoil your parents with many gifts or an exotic trip, present them with a thoughtful escape from the norm. A night’s stay or weekend away at a nice bed and breakfast can bring relaxation into their hectic lives.
Wine Club… As a romantic idea for a thank you gift to your parents, give them a membership to a wine club. The monthly bottles of wine will give them something to look forward to as well as a nifty conversation piece.

To come up with the most appropriate thank you gift for your parents, consider all the factors in terms of price, when you need the item in hand, and what your parents specifically like and enjoy. Base your gift on their personal interests or on special memories you share.

No matter what, remember to thank your parents personally for all they’ve done to raise you and to help you prepare for the biggest day of your life.


By Kathryn M. D’Imperio

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

PS Bridal Online Offers Plus Size Wedding Gowns

If you are a plus size young lady and you are looking for online bridal gowns try PS Bridal. They Specialize in Full Figured Brides. They offer on line designer gowns and accessories for all sizes. They specialize in sizes 16- 32. What I like about them is they will beat any competitor's price.



A Little About PS Bridal Online:

elcome to the only on-line bridal store catering to the plus-size bride. Our gowns are all st quality and many of our styles can be seen in major bridal publications and stores across America.

PS Bridal was designed with you in mind. Having over 4 decades of experience in the bridal industry the owners of PS Bridal realized the need for an accommodating discount bridal store dedicated to serve the full figured bride to be.

Until now, trying to purchase a dress for larger than a size 16, required the bride to try on a selection of size 10 or 12 dresses while working with pushy bridal salespeople.

PS Bridal carries stock in many Plus Size Wedding Gowns shown enabling us to ship your selection to you within 3 - 5 days of purchase if available. (Some gowns out of stock may take longer to receive. A service representative will contact you with shipping information should your gown not be in stock.) Please note that Bridesmaids, Mothers, Prom, and Flowergirls dresses are not stocked unless noted on our site. Our 5-day satisfaction guarantee is your assurance that if for any reason with in 5 days of receiving your size 16 or up wedding dress you are not satisfied with it, you may return it for a refund, or exchange it for size providing we receive it back in new condition. (See our return policy)

PSBridal.com is happy to announce we are now offering misses size formal wear and lingerie. We now carry sizes 0 and up for anyone looking for discount bridal gowns, discount bridesmaids dresses, and even discount mother of the bride dresses. Please see our catalog for our designs.

If you are looking for a particular gown that you do not see on our site. Please contact us as we can get many nationally advertised dresses for you at extremely discounted prices. Some of these manufacturers include Mori Lee, Bonny, Alfred Angelo, Forever Yours, Davinci, Emme Bridal, Jacqueline Bridals, Casablanca, Venus, Jordan, Impressions, etc..

1029 Chapel Hill Rd. Burlington, NC 27215
1-866-PLS-BRID - Fax # (336)228-9667

Email: gowns@plussizebridal.com