A Special Offer

This week, I posted a spotlight on Syddesign, a fabulous stationary vendor based out of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Now, Le Jour Parfait and Syddesign have paired up to bring Southwest Michigan brides a very special offer:

For a limited time, book Le Jour Parfait's "Perfect Planning" package and receive a $400 credit toward services from Syddesign.

This offer is valid for the first three brides who book Le Jour Parfait's "Perfect Planning" package. Planning package must be booked between February 1 and February 28, 2009, and the wedding must occur on or before April 30, 2010. Please email Le Jour Parfait for more information or to take advantage of this limited time, special offer.

Two Birds, One Stone

Between centerpieces for each table and place cards and favors for each guest, reception costs can soar. You can combine the décor, however, and save overall. The ideas below are a fabulous way to dress up the reception without causing damage to the wallet.

#1 Favors that double as place cards

These place card favors look great at each place setting, but would also look adorable assembled on an escort table. To cap it off, your guests will feel a tinge of excitement in anticipation of what fun treat they can find inside.

#2 Break away centerpieces that double as favors

Instead of purchasing centerpieces and purchasing favors, why not design your favors as centerpieces? Often times, the centerpieces are given away at the end of the night anyway. One of my favorite ideas is to assemble, in the center of each table, enough bud vases and single stems (of your chosen wedding flower) for the number of guests seated there. Bud vases can be found at many hobby stores for $0.99. With 8 guests seated at a table, pop in 8 single stems and you are bound to save on décor.

Photos by Martha Stewart

Vendor Spotlight... Syddesign

I had the pleasure of meeting an incredible wedding vendor at a recent MWEP (Michigan Wedding and Event Professionals) networking event. Abbey Fowler is the owner of Syddesign, a custom stationary company based out of Grand Rapids, Michigan. She offers custom designs for everything paper and is extremely talented at what she does. Check out some of her amazing work below:

I recently met with Abbey for coffee and had the opportunity to learn about her fabulous business. Here, you can learn more about her as well:

LJP: I understand you support the local community. What do you support?
SD: I have always felt an importance in supporting local businesses, and I think the Grand Rapids community and local business associations have done an amazing job in sending that message. I wish to create a strong connection with other local wedding vendors, so that I can do my part to reference them and promote the idea of buying local. Unfortunately, my most used paper distributor isn't based local, but they are based in a small Wisconsin town, so they are not too far away.

LJP: How did you get into designing wedding invitations?
SD: I have five years experience in Graphic Design for Magazine Publishing, and my last main publications had to do with party goods, gifts & stationery (which i had a long-lasting love for). During the same time, I had designed my own wedding invitations and everything just started to fall into place for me.

LJP: Do you offer products/services other than invitations?
SD: I offer anything paper! I have done wedding programs, menu cards, place cards, table signs, favor tags, shower/bachelorette invitations, thank you cards and even cootie catchers. I also do other stationery like birthday or event invitations, baby announcements, calling cards, etc.

LJP: What is your favorite part about your job?
SD: I love it all! I especially love watching a bride go through her samples. I have yet to have an unhappy bride, so it's a grand sense of accomplishment and excitement when I can make a perfect set of designs for a bride & her big day!

LJP: What is your least favorite part?
SD: Keeping track of finances and accounting is the only part I have a difficult time finding motivation for. Luckily, I have an amazing CPA (Kuipers & Associates) that has helped set me up and continues to help with taxes and all that confusing stuff!

LJP: How long does it take to design the initial samples from the time you and a client first discuss design styles?
SD: This step actually is the longest part of the process. If the bride and groom are in no particular rush, I give myself a 4-5 week deadline from the time I first meet them. I usually order certain paper for each bride's samples individually, so that along with my design time and amount of clients ends up to be about 4 weeks. After that, the process goes pretty quickly though.

LJP: What do you like to do in your spare time?
SD: My husband and I enjoy outdoor sports like rock climbing, kayaking & hiking, and in the winter we try to spend a decent amount of time at the gym. I also do some photography and glass bead making, just as hobbies.

LJP: What can I find in your refrigerator right now?
SD: You can always find many caffeine drinks. I openly admit to my caffeine addiction! I also always have Silk Soymilk, flour tortillas, grapefruit and sharp cheddar cheese.

LJP: What was your favorite cartoon as a kid?
SD: Oh, there was so many good ones back then! Muppet Babies would be my all time favorite, but other favorites include Duck Tails, Fraggle Rock, Inspector Gadget, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

If you are interested in hiring Syddesign for your wedding, please note that Abbey is now completely booked for May 2009 and has limited availability left for June 2009. Because all of Abbey's designs are custom, the process takes several weeks. Contact her here for more information about her services.

Spring Wedding

With Spring on the horizon, I decided to highlight soft spring colors this week. The color-flower combination makes for a polished, country atmosphere. A flowy dress pairs perfectly with a springtime wedding.



Dress: Priscilla of Boston
Flower Centerpiece: Country Living
Bouquet: Annie and Company
Tie: Ties.com
Invitation: Gourmet Invitations
Flower & Small Vase: Fresh Floral Art
Cake: Glass Slipper Gourmet
Ring: Amazon
Candle: Sip Living
Tulip Centerpiece: Country Living
Updo: Chris Bickford

Linen-ology

One of my most favorite ways to dress up a reception is by using extravagant linens. Choosing a patterned linen, or a plain linen made of rich, luxurious fabric stands out in a room, setting the stage for an extraordinary event. Fabulous Events, a Waterford, Michigan company, offers a wide array of refined linens. (Photos below from Fabulous Events.)

Not sure what size linens you need? I've created the chart below to help facilitate the process.

Classic Contemporary

I chose chocolate brown and white with red accents as the color scheme for the week. This look incorporates contemporary touches while maintaining a classic feel. The lounge furniture, set in a dim area lit only by hanging lanterns, would create an ambiance that is relaxed and inviting. The splashes of red add vibrance to the muted colors, making a bold statement.



Dress: Jim Hjelm
Lanterns: Pottery Barn
Furniture: Cater Hire
Bouquet: Krislyn Custom Floral Couture
Menu & Fortune Cookie: theknot
Shoes: Nordstrom

Adding Fun to Dessert

Candy and dessert bars are becoming a popular reception addition. A candy bar is a great amenity for guests because they can indulge in their favorite offerings.

Instead of using your wedding colors to dictate the dessert choices, how about offering a fun dessert that consists of several different components? I love the coke float and sundae bar below. The presentation sends me right back to fond memories as a child. The smores bar is presented so elegantly; it makes for a classy touch on a time-honored campfire treat.

Other fun build-your-own dessert bar ideas are strawberry shortcake, banana splits, cookie ice cream sandwiches, and fruit and yogurt parfaits.



Photos by Martha Stewart

Navy and Green

I chose the color scheme for this week in honor of one of my very best friends, Erin, who just recently got engaged. She will be using these colors for her August 8, 2009 wedding in Tampa, Florida. They chose 8/8 because that was the date of their very first date. How cute! I am so looking forward to her big day!



Dress: Jim Hjelm
Linens: Wrapables
Candleholders: Target
Necklace: Million Looks
Vases: Pottery Barn
Bouquet: Brides
Candles: Candles Just Online
Wreath: Small Space Creations
Place cards: My Dream Wedding
Cake: theknot
Shoes: Piperlime
Favors: Favour Company
Invitations: Pearl & Marmalade

Exquisite Tresses

It's only natural to want to look the most fabulously stunning you've ever looked as you walk down the aisle toward your husband-to-be. That said, choosing your hairstyle can seem like a big decision. Fortunately, there are some good resources out there for finding your perfect hairstyle. Below, I've posted a sampling of some of Hollywood's most chic styles. (Tip: click on the photo to see the styles a bit larger.)

Want an idea of what some of them would look like on you before trying them out at the salon? Head over to InStyle, pronto! They currently have a tool that allows each registered member to upload her own photo and swap hairstyles. While the tool doesn't boast reality to write home about, it does give you a good idea of what styles best frame your face and accent your features. How fun!

If you still haven't found a style that strikes your fancy, check back to InStyle often. They frequently post the newest hairstyle trends.

Fit for a Queen

This week's color palette is pink and gray. The vintage look below is reminiscent of Marie Antoinette's palace at Versailles. The indulgent china and antique shoes remind me of the classic Queen of France.

China: Ralph Lauren

Silver Bowl: Replacements

Hair Comb: Naugi

Centerpiece: Martha Stewart
Dress: Dessy

Cake: Truli Confectionary Arts