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Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Bridal Sample Sale!


If you are looking to purchase a bridal gown and get a great deal, check out this sample sale.

Floor stock SAMPLE GOWNS will be on sale at

BRIDAL ACCENTS COUTURE

Saturday, December 5th from 10AM to 4PM

30% to 90% off!

DOORS OPEN AT 10AM SHARP!

NO APPOINTMENTS WILL BE TAKEN, SO BE SURE TO COME EARLY FOR THE BEST SELECTION

Also included in the sample sale are veils, prom dresses, formalwear, bridal/bridesmaid shoes, purses, gloves, garters, guest books, flower girl dresses, tiaras, jewelry, and more


BRIDAL ACCENTS COUTURE
"Because every bride deserves a couture experience"
4401 County Road 42 West in Savage
Phone: (952) 846-4496 ext 2
Fax: (952) 846-4268
www.bridalaccentscouture.com

Facebook: bridal accents
Twitter: @bridal_accents

Thursday, November 12, 2009

DIY Wedding Flowers

Many brides get a big dose of sticker shock when they go to the florist for their wedding flowers. On average, a bride will spend between $2000 and $4000 on bouquets, boutonnieres and centerpieces for her wedding.

The reason floral budgets tend to be in the thousands is because many times shipments of flowers come from South America or Europe, and then there is the labor involved in creating fantastic arrangements and bouquets. Add in the cost of set up and delivery and you can see how things can get a bit spendy, especially if you are ordering out of season flowers or expensive flowers such as Calla Lilies or Hydrangea.

Most brides decide to hire a florist because they don't want to do the labor intensive process of creating boutonnieres and bouquets. As a planner that has planned weddings for a wide variety of budgets I have actually created centerpieces, bouquets and boutonnieres. In general, it takes 30 minutes to an hour per bouquet, 20 minutes per boutonniere, and 1 to 2 hours per centerpiece. So, pretty much 8 to 10 hours of floral labor depending on the size of the bridal party and how many tables are at the reception. You can see why many brides decide the cost is worth it. Below are some pictures of bouquets and arrangements I have created.

Alas, sometimes it simply isn't in the budget and yet decor is an essential element in a wedding. So for all the DIY brides that can wrangle up some girlfriends to create your wedding flowers here is a quick "how to."

First, buy your flowers on Thursday if you have a Saturday wedding, Wednesday if you are having a Friday wedding. Check out your local Lunds/Byerly's, Farmer's Market or Sam's Club. I personally love all three because they usually have fantastic pre-made bouquets that can be tweaked to look like expensive wedding flowers.


First, take apart the pre-made bouquet and place the stem in a bowl of water with flower food in it. Cut the stem under the water with a pair of gardening shears. This is so there is a fresh cut which will make the flower last longer. If you cut it under water air bubbles will not infiltrate the stem causing them to wilt.

After all of the stems have had a fresh cut take out any that are damaged or bruised. Pick only the nicest flowers and start grouping in small bundles of three or four flowers. Tape with florist tape. Now that this part is completed you can start to assemble the bouquet.

Take the mini bouquets and start grouping them together until you have an arrangement that you like. Wire the bouquet together with florist wire, or use florist tape. (I like using the tape.)

Finally, use a wide ribbon and pearl head pins to finish. Pin the ribbon into place at the bottom of the bouquet. Wrap the ribbon overlapping each time until you reach the top of the bouquet and then pin. I always like to add pearl head pins in a line up the bouquet for extra security and because it looks pretty.

Boutonnieres are generally a snap. Take a nice smaller flower and some greenery and secure them together with florist tape. Tie a bow (if you wish)right underneath the flower head and viola, you have a boutonniere! Pin on the guys using a pearl head pin.

Arrangements are a bit more tricky. I like to use two or three pre-made bouquets. You can either use florist foam for opaque vases (which I love because you have so much more control over the placement of the flowers) or clear rubber bands if you are using a glass vase. Go through the cutting of the stems, only vary the height.

First, place the best flowers into the vase. You can use the numbering method if you wish so that each arrangement has the same look or you can just eye ball it. I prefer the latter because I think it gives a bit more creative license. Once you have the most beautiful flowers in, start adding the greenery until the arrangement looks full. If you are using florist foam, you are done! If you are not using foam, take the finished arrangement out of the vase and put on clear rubber bands so that the arrangement stays together while it is being handled.

I've done this a few times now for my clients, and although it is a bit more work for me, if I can save them some money in this area so we can put that money into an open bar or great appetizers it is well worth it!



Photo Credits: Wonderful Day Weddings, Lucas Allen from Real Simple Weddings

Saturday, November 7, 2009

Vendor Spotlight - Chow Girls

I love Chow Girls Catering. Absolutely love them. I had the great pleasure of working with Heidi and Amy at one of my more offbeat weddings. They provided the Catering for a couple of my clients that insisted on having their wedding reception at Nina's Cafe in St. Paul.

Nina's is situated on Western Avenue in a lovely brownstone building, and they make a wicked Chai! Inside, it has a very retro feel, with a hodge podge of mid century furniture, and beautiful artwork adorning the walls. However, when asked if I could pull off an intimate wedding reception there for about 75 guests, I was a little hesitant. After reworking the floor plan, bringing in a lot of rental items and hiring Chow Girls, this fete was perfection!

Chow Girls did an excellent job with their catering, and their serving. When they arrived they set up their buffet station and table settings after I put on the table linens and put out the centerpieces. It was nice that they worked so quickly and skillfully and did not need a ton of direction from me.

The menu was scrumptious to say the least! Chicken Satay, killer crab cakes, and quiche were passed hors d'oeurves and later they offered a buffet. It was divine. (Yes, I snuck a nibble or two!)


I have to say, their food is delicious, their service is great and the menu is spectacular! It has been a couple of years now, and I'm still raving about them. I hope that I get to work with them again in the near future.

Photo Credits: Wonderful Day Weddings, Chow Girls Website, Cafeapolis Website

Upcoming Trunk Shows

November has a few promising trunk shows coming up! Check these out if you are looking for your gown.

The 3rd Annual Bridesmaid’s Event by Bridal Accents Couture
November 12-14
Bridal Accents Couture
4401 County Road 42 West
Savage, MN


Dual Trunk Show! by Mestad’s
November 13-15
Mestad’s
1171 6th Street NW
Rochester, MN 55901
800-294-2440


Mori Lee Bridal Gown Trunk Show by Heartstrings Bridal
November 20th-30th
Heartstrings Bridal
1605 Mainstreet
Hopkins, MN 55343
952.932.9090 Phone

Lela Rose Trunk Show
Dec 10, 2009 5:00 PM - 5:00 PM
(4 day event)
L'atelier Couture
493 Selby Avenue
Saint Paul, MN 55105

http://www.lelarose.com


A new addition to our boutique, Lela Rose has quickly risen to a favorite of all brides! Offering 10% off all Lela Rose special order bridal gowns.

Thursday, November 5, 2009

MN Bride Magazine "Best of 2009" Awards

Every year I look forward to going to the "Best of 2009" awards hosted by MN Bride magazine. They throw a pretty swanky affair, and honor the best of the best in the wedding industry. In years to come, I hope that I can at least be nominated. However, I feel a bit funny about asking my clients if they would nominate me. I guess I'll just have to get over that.

This year, the event was held at The Varsity Theater in Dinkytown. This space is truly one of the cooler venues for those couples that have an edge. I really think having a reception here would be sublime.

The event schematic for the awards ceremony was red and black, but done in a funky, modern way. There was also event prop furniture brought in that was really loungey and wonderful. The appetizers were fantastic, there were passed hors d'oeurves and also a heavy appetizers station. Later in the evening they had delectable desserts passed around.

It was a great evening, and I was pleased that one of the vendors I work with Synergy Band won "Best Entertainer of 2009." They absolutely deserve it and I hope to work with them again. They are a the top of my list for live music!

Photo Credits: Scott Haraldson

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

International Special Events Society hosting Sasha Souza!

I'm so excited! The Mpls-St. Paul chapter of the International Special Events Society is having a program with one of the top wedding planners in the industry as a speaker. Her name is Sasha Souza and she is simply amazing, not to mention a world renowned wedding planner.

Her event design is breathtaking,and she's dealt with her fair share of logistical nightmares. I think I have a thing or two I could learn from this lady! She has been named one of the "Top 25 Trendsetters" by Modern Bride Magazine and also holds the highest honor of Master Bridal Consultant from the Association of Bridal Consultants. Although I don't belong to ABC, I have a lot of respect for them because they are one of the top bridal consulting associations. I chose to become certified with Weddings Beautiful Worldwide which is an international consultant association and a sister company of Brides magazine.

In addition to these honors, Sasha Souza has also been on the show "Whose wedding is it anyway?" and has been named as "Designer of the Year" by Event Solutions magazine. Event Solutions magazine and Minnesota Meetings and Events magazine are both wonderful publications and a must have for event planners.

I'm thrilled that Sasha is coming to speak to us at this event. As a wedding planner and a special events planner I really love going to ISES programs because they always have great educational materials done in an entertaining way. Sasha has a book coming out Signature Sasha: Magnificent Weddings by Design and I'm sure I'll be getting a copy! She truly is at the forefront of our industry and I look forward to seeing what elements from her events I can incorporate into the weddings I plan for my clients. To get a copy of her book visit Sasha's website at www.signaturesasha.com.

Of course, I will keep you updated on the program and I'm sure I will be blogging about what a great experience it was.

Photo Credits: Signaturesasha.com

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Cost Effective Design -Using Nature Inspired Centerpieces

In this economy event design has been scaled back dramatically. Gone are the days when a bride and groom decide to spend $200 per table on floral centerpieces. While I agree that centerpieces shouldn't be overlooked, they don't have to be floral.

In fact, there are many ways to cut back on flower costs by using nature inspired centerpieces in your event design. While I wouldn't recommend a bride carry a bundle of twigs down the aisle, I would recommend she incorporate some willow branches into her bouquet. Then she can use the branches as the main component to her table centerpieces, with the flowers being the accent.

I really, really love moss. It is very easy to maintain, it stays fresh the entire evening and you could even grow your own. Using moss as your centerpiece would be absolutely lovely. Large moss balls filling large hurricane vases with candle votives flanking is dramatic yet simple!

It would be easy to make moss balls by using moss, floral foam balls and a glue gun. Be sure the spray the moss with a spray bottle to keep it moist and it should last a very long time! Another idea would be to use a square vase with moss on top of rocs and then willow branches or tall twigs as the "flowers."

Wheat grass is another really cool option. You could also grow this hearty grass for yourself and use it in many different ways throughout your wedding and reception. I'm thinking that tin buckets filled with wheat grass adorning the sides of pews, or a box of wheat grass displaying escort cards would be so cute! Using wheat grass to surround one simple flower like a Gerber daisy, or mums would make an exceptional table centerpiece. This grass is so versatile it looks great in a pail or a beautiful glass vase.

Another fabulous idea is to use wonderful smelling herbs such as Rosemary or Basil as centerpieces and as an accent in your bouquets. It is pretty easy to grow these herbs and they would look great in Terra-cotta pots or wooden boxes.

The Earth supplies so many wonderful natural elements, especially during the holidays. Pine cones or cattails also make really beautiful centerpieces simply by being grouped together in bunches. The same can be said for rocks and simple flowers like mums. If you group one natural element together in a large bunch it really punches up the impact. So go ahead, collect those cattails from the marsh down the street and tie them with raffia! Stick them in cylinder vase and watch your guests oooh and ahhh over their beauty. This would work great for a late summer or autumn wedding!

Finally, don't forget about edible arrangements that can also greatly reduce centerpiece costs. Coffee beans are absolutely beautiful when poured into a great glass vase and topped with a simple flower. Candles surrounded by pears or apples on a beautiful ceramic dish are also heavenly to the eyes. During the fall, hollowed out pumpkins or gourds filled with mums and roses are simple and stunning.

I think that flowers are always the most beautiful part of a wedding (besides the bride), but that doesn't mean that they have to be used in abundance. Little touches of flowers accenting natural materials just might be the best bang you will get for your buck. Plus, centerpieces that are eco friendly and cost effective are the best kind!


Photo Credits: Top inspiration board - Thoughfullysimple.com,projectwedding.com,banquetevent.com,RachelRay.com,keytoyourheart.com, theknot.com, saveoncrafts.com

Middle inspiration board - intimateweddings.com, flowerworks.biz,woodringsfloral.com, bhg.com, theknot.com


Bottom inspiration board - projectwedding.com, thoughtfullysimple.com, banquetevent.com, MarthaStewart.com, theknot.com, thecandledepot.com, ideasthanksgiving.com, potterybarn.com, bhg.com