One of my favorite sites was the Eiffel tower. This is the tallest building in Paris, and is the symbol of France. When I got close to it, I was so drawn to it, and could not believe how tall it was! I stood under it, and it was massive!

As we took the long elevator ride up the tower,  I wondered how many proposal’s have taken place here?  I thought how cliche  it is and not so special, as so many people have done it.

When you get to the top, I see how romantic it can be, as the whole city beneath you, and you are all alone on top of the world! Well not exactly, there are about thousand other people too. It didn’t matter, as it was a wonderful view with a wonderful person.  We watched the sunset drop behind the city, and shared a kiss. I did see how so many have chosen this spot to propose.

If you  plan to propose…make a trip to Paris, France and do it on the Eiffel Tower. Yeah, many have done it, but now I see why.  So romantic!

She had three different dresses! One for the ceremony, one for the first dance, and one for the reception! All Vera Wang collections, just beautiful!! Which dress is your favorite?

Kim and Kris looked so happy together, congrats!

Southern California has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. One of my favorite beaches is Laguna Beach. It is a great beach city, offering  restaurants with ocean views, unique art galleries, and  place where you relax in the sun.

It also offers many wedding venues, and one of them I want to share is the Montage hotel. This oceanfront resort offers a signature restaurant, a spa for you and your guests to relax before the big day, and 5 star service.  If you want to be in paradise, Montage hotel  is the place to be. You can have your ceremony on expansive lawn that stretches to the bluff top, with panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and lush gardens.

If you want a unforgettable wedding for you and your guests, then check out Montage hotel!

http://www.montagelagunabeachweddings.com

CEREMONY LOCATION

Spring is almost here! My favorite season! Everything is new, the flowers are out, and weather is beautiful!

I love weddings, and I also love fashion! The two together is fabulous!

Check out Vera Wang’s  wedding dress Spring line! I love them.  I am loving what Vera Wang has brought for Spring 2011.  Which one do you love? Check out more at the website below.

http://www.verawang.com/wedding/spring-2011

Here are the ten 2010 wedding trends we will be looking at:

Trend #1: Retro-Chic Wedding – taking elements from other eras and adding a vintage look to the wedding day.

Trend 2: Dinner-Focused Receptions- getting away from buffet dinners, and having sit-down dinner.  Adding elements of family style diner at the table.

Trend 3: Innovative Ceremony Setups- get away from the  chairs and aisle way, add couches, other seating choices, making guests feel comfortable.

Trend 4: Shorter, Tea-Length Dresses

Trend 5: Classic White Wedding Cakes- going back to the classics!

Trend 6: Textural Flower Arrangement- non-tradional vase, using planters, or crate. Or add lace to the flower bouquet.

Trend 7: Turn Table DJs- its all about the turn tables, real ones!

Trend 8: Souped-Up Photo Booths- this trend is getting more popular! adding your own unique background, fabrics, and added accessories.

Trend 9: Themed Engagement Photo Shoots: Like the wedding day, the engagement photo session to reflect you and your theme.  If you are a movie buff, you may take your photos at  Hollywood blvd!

Trend 10: Wedding Videos:  Vintage video shoot, giving it a vintage look! do a black and white footage.

Please share with us your thoughts right here on our blog or follow us on face book!

What to include in the bags?

Something as simple as a water bottle and your favorite cookies or chocolate bars. You can add items such as a local map and city guide, a wedding itinerary, travel items which guests may have forgotten (toothbrush, nail clipper and file, hair brush, hair spray, etc), a list of your favorite local restaurants or shops, and anything else which will make your guest feel at home.

You can also add something which is represents your city or state. For example, for California, you can add a bottle of beach sand, or sea shells.

Delivery of the Welcome Bags:

You can drop off the welcome bags at the hotel where guests are staying. When guests check in, they will be given their welcome bags!

How many Welcome bags do you need?

You need just  1 welcome bag per hotel room, however its a good idea to make extras in case! There may be more than one family or just friends sharing a room.

Have fun!!!

Make sure to book that venue when the trends have been showing as weather being good that time of year. If you do book an outside venue, no matter what time of year, ALWAYS ask for a back up plan. PLAN B! As much as your venue will insist and promise that it will not rain, insist on a back up plan! Its always better to be prepared than have to figure it out the day of.  Here are some tips to think about:

1.  Ask the venue, what options do you have for ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception spaces? Ask for these diagrams in addition to Plan A ones.

2.  If it rains, will there be umbrellas available to guests, if they have to walk outside at anytime of the wedding event?

3. (if you choose to still go ahead and have your event outside), ask if tent can be put in place, and if so, will heaters be available?

4. Always make sure to run through both plans for the rehearsal. This will ensure a smooth ceremony.

5. Ensure that all your vendors know both plans, and provide them with all the details. for example, the photographer will need to know if more light is needed, since the location has changed to inside. They can then be prepared and bring lighting or extra staff as needed.

6.  no matter if you have your wedding inside or outside, its your wedding day, ENJOY IT!!!!!

6.

However it does not mean it has to be all stress and no fun.  Let me tell you some things you can do:

1. Make a massage appointment!: This is  something you can do as a couple or if you are the bride, can do with your girlfriends. The day before the wedding is a good time to go, so you can relax and enjoy some pampering, you earned it! Some spa places offer lunch to be provided to you, so you can make a day of it too! Go in the morning, relax in the hot jacuzzi, take a mist shower, enjoy the steam room, and then get your spa treatment. You can then have lunch and relax. This is a perfect way to relax your mind, body and soul. Make an appointment today!

2. Eat well!: The day before and the day of, ensure you eat a good meal. This is not the time to try something new at the Mexican restaurant. You want to eat light, healthy, and wholesome. The last thing you need to worry about is to get sick. You want to enjoy your day to the fullest! Some brides, (due to nerves and having so much to do the day of), forget to eat the day of the wedding. This is not a good time to starve yourself. Make sure to have breakfast and lunch, and then at the wedding, you  eat dinner. If you are getting married at a hotel and getting ready there, this is easily arranged by the hotel. You can order room service and have it delivered to you, no worries! If you are getting ready somewhere else, just have someone like your maid of honor or bridesmaid to pick up lunch for you. The main thing is to just make time to eat, so that way you can plenty of energy to party with your guests! Also drink lots of water and keep yourself hydrated. (especially during summer months). Eat up!

3. Get some Z’s: A good night’s sleep is key. They say that a good night’s sleep really affects your mental and physical outcome of the next day. This might seem logical, however many couples do not get a good night sleep the night before their big day. They are either up working on last minute details, or partying (which really should wait untl your big day), or just nerves not allowing sleep. Go to bed at a decent time and get your full 8 hours of sleep. Most brides start their day as early as 7am! yikes! What might help is to spend the night with your girlfriends and or sister/family members. This way you are not alone and the nerves can calm down by being with those who care for you. It also makes it a fun night to be together!

4. Take a deep breath:  Before you walk down that aisle, give yourself a few minutes to relax and take a few breaths. Deep breath in, and out, and repeat. I know it seems the obvious thing to do, but believe me, it helps!

Remember to relax, eat and sleep well!! Now go on and have a fabulous wedding day!!

Photo booth: You can rent a classic or digital photo booth. The classic prints out the photos, and this can be momentos for your guests or be used to create a memory book with guest messages to the newly married couple. This can also take the place of the guest book, so there are photos and messages included. The digital photo booth gives the couple all the images on a CD.

Candy Station: You want to add some sweet fun to the wedding reception? You can have various glass containers of different sizes and shapes filled with your favorite candy treats. The candies can reflect your wedding theme or your favorites as a couple. For example if the colors of your wedding is reds and browns, you can have all candy that are red. (red vines, red tamales, red gummy bears, etc) Its another way to also add decor and color to your wedding reception.  You can have little bags which guests can fill up and then eat throughout the reception. Its a great way to have guests interact and eat at the same time!

Fondue Station: Who can say no to chocolate?? For those chocolate lovers, its the best way to incorporate chocolate in a fun and interactive way! You can rent the fondue fountain and choose what type of fruits, cookies, pretzels, or cheese you would like to have dipped in. This can also go along with your theme or color of your wedding. This is a great dessert addition to the wedding cake. If you have kids at the wedding, this is a fun thing to for them too!

Look for more reception tips coming soon!

When you choosing your photographer here are some tips:

1. Make sure they are a wedding photographer and not just any photographer. Wedding photography is different than any other day photography. There are key elements which are captured on the wedding day and you want to make sure you have these!

2. Ask for samples of their wedding photography. Photographers are like artists, and so they do not take photos the same way. Each one has their own unique photography skills which sets them apart. You want to look at their photography style and see if you like it. Is it too artsy for you? do you want a simple photo? Do you want it to be a “wow factor” photo? do you want it to be artsy? Do they do black and white?Is the whole wedding captured? or only part of it? what is their style?

3.What do you get for your money? Typically photographers have packages which are based on the number of hours, number of photographers, and number of photo albums. You will need to find out when you like the photographer to be there, what moments do you want captured. Some brides want every moment, from the minute they wake up that day until the last guest leaves the reception. So think about this and then you can decide how many hours you need them there that day. Do not need to pay for hours which you may not care to capture.   You want to just make sure you ask for the negatives, or photos on a CD. This way you can make copies of the photos and create your own album. I would suggest purchasing one wedding album for yourselves, as you would want a professional wedding album of memories. Its always a nice little gift to yourself!

4. Personality!! This is the most important in my opinion. When you meet with the photographer, pay close attention to their demeanor and how they act towards you. Are they friendly? are they too pushy? do they let you talk about your ideas and what YOU want, and not what THEY want? Basically you need to ensure you get along with the photographer as they will spend most of the day with you. If you do not like them, then move on!

Lets have a picture perfect day!!