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I’m dealing with a head cold right now, so I thought I would share my online comfort.  Flickr Photostreams.

The Pretty Organized Pool

The Kate Black

XenonB

Art By Chrysti

Oltremare

Leili

Enjoy!

A.

I love the idea of incorporating song lyrics into your event.

{Ceci New York}

A few ways to make your evening musical:

1) Include a song lyric on your invitation set, as seen on many Ceci New York materials.  It could be your first dance song, “your song”, or any lyric that embodies the spirit of you as a couple.

{Read the rest of this entry…}

An often overlooked and hidden cost in wedding planning is the subject of tipping and gratuities. Though seemingly small amounts when broken down individually, these costs can add up quickly and need to be budgeted in at the beginning of your planning process. Here are some simple rules of thumb when it comes to wedding gratuity etiquette:

1) Don’t assume the service charge on your catering bill includes the gratuity. This almost always comes as a shock to brides, but the 22% service charge that you’re already paying on top of your food cost often doesn’t include the tips for the wait staff or the folks in the kitchen. Ask your venue or caterer specifically if it includes the gratuity for your service providers so that you aren’t caught in a sticky etiquette situation on your wedding day.

{Read the rest of this entry…}

Some bling always dresses up an outfit and your wedding gown is no different.  I love these sparkly bags to add some hip to your classic.

Top row: Purse Page, John Lewis, In Style via Style Hive
Bottom row: Clara’s Handbag Boutique, Butler & Wilson, Model Bride

Top left = my favorite.  Top right = totally fun and offbeat (and $38!)

E.

I’m often asked what defines a Blue Orchid Designs event, and the reality is that it is not a certain technique or design flair. As a professional wedding designer, my job is to help my clients define their style and then produce the best possible version of their vision. This results in each wedding being completely different. There is one common thread, however, that is shared by every event we produce and that is that they are guest-centric.

{Read the rest of this entry…}

Inspired by the picture in the top left…

{Sources: The Inspired Room, Brides.com, White Aisle,
Nordstrom, The Knot, The Bride’s Cafe, Paper Source, Havana Journal}

Enjoy!

A.

Hello readers,

Our Weddings Plus is giving away a few Sandisk thumb drives and a free wedding website!  Head over and comment by May 2nd to win.

A.

Heather at One Love Photo recently posted this amazing gown - perfect for pink week (continued)!

{Read the rest of this entry…}

As you can see, pink week isn’t going away just yet.  Inspired by a few of the pink pictures from this weekend and by this board, I decided to try my hand at a new color scheme for me - raspberry and chartreuse.

Top row: Vue Photography, Jules Bianchi Photography, Domino mag via Orange Beautiful
Middle row: Brooke Schwab Photography, Cococello Design, Marie Labbancz
Bottom row: Desire to Inspire, Susan Bordelon via The Bride’s Cafe, Inkylivie’s Etsy

I’m kind of digging it!

E.

Budgets are a funny thing. They are practical and boring, yet so important to the wedding planning process. On the other hand, they can be intimidating and uncomfortable, especially if you come from a family that does not discuss financial matters. The truth is that, no matter the size, weddings are expensive and costs add up quickly - after all, when was the last time you took 60 people out to a nice dinner and footed the bill? Setting up a budget at the beginning of the planning process will help you spend and allocate your wedding dollars wisely. Here are some tips to help you stay in your budget and still have a wedding you’ll love:

Communicate Honestly and Accurately
Knowing your real budget is crucial to your wedding vendors. A good florist, a good planner, a good designer will all be able to work within your monetary parameters, so be sure to give them an accurate number when you meet with them. This may seem like a no-brainer, but you may be surprised at the number of couples who inflate their budget or dance around the subject because they are embarrassed to talk about.

{Read the rest of this entry…}