Fashion Fever: Men’s Warehouse

Fashion Fever by Demi Bourous

Everyone knows on the day of the wedding all eyes are on the bride! But hey, what about the guy waiting for her at the end of the aisle?!  After all, he is half the reason why everyone gathers on such a momentous day. Standing next to a well dressed man will just maximize the brides’ beauty. But the question is where do you go to find a tuxedo for your personal James Bond? This is no 007 matter; solve the problem by checking out Men’s Wearhouse.

Men’s Wearhouse has suits and tuxedos for any occasion. Color, size or style, you name it, they have it. Men’s Wearhouse carries an array of brands from Michael Kors to Calvin Klein. This summer they purchased Joseph Abbound, their mens- wear designer clothing brand. This was a great buy for Men’s Wearhouse but it’s even better for all you men out there. While there are more great options to choose from, it also makes it a little bit harder for you to decide on a look.

The good news is, you can find these designer suits at a reasonable price, if your man wants to keep his tux.  Most men don’t want to purchase a tuxedo, so there is always the option to rent. Renting a tuxedo from Men’s Wearhouse is so simple; just go to their website under the rentals and select your preference from there. You even have the option to build a rental tux. This is completely controlled by you and you may even have fun doing it. Yes, ladies I did say fun, even your fiance will enjoy himself! In the build a tux you are able to customize the male figure from head to toe. You pick everything from his coat, shirt, shoes, tie, vest;  everything down to his accessories! It is interactive, affordable, and so much better than dragging him to a million stores. Enjoy the comfort of shopping with your man in your own home!

Trendy Wednesday: All in the Invite

Trendy Wednesday by Jenna Paniccia

The second your wedding invitations hit the mail, your wedding has officially begun! Wedding invitations set the mood for what your guests will be experiencing on your big day. It’s a way to show off the ambiance and excitement that your wedding will be filled with.

There is so much to consider when choosing wedding invitations. All the little details can make a huge impact on something so quaint.

When considering the style of your invitations I think it’s best to design around your wedding colors versus your wedding theme. Invitations are planned out early in the wedding process. Most brides find a color palette that they love and stick with it; but when it comes to design of the wedding, theme changes are endless. Also, keep your personalities in mind. Do you want your wedding to be traditional and classic, or is your wedding going to be eccentric? Your answer to this question says a lot about the look and feel of your wedding invitations.

Planning the invitations can be a little stressful, and the less stress the better! Looking through invitations and finding details from a few that you love and then applying those details to your own invitations helps make the process run more smoothly. When you have a visual of something you really like it’s easier to come up with an overall concept.

Make sure to shop around before choosing a vendor! Invitations can get a little pricey, so it’s easy to go over-board. Really think about if you want to send a save the date, if you need to include directions for the venue, whether you’ll have a seated dinner with entrée options or a buffet style event… all of these questions can change the price of the overall outcome. Make sure the stationer you pick really understands what you are looking for before sending your design to print! Requesting a sample is always best to make sure you love the invitation as much as you love your dress.

Keep in mind that your invitation is like the pictures from your wedding. Ten years from now, you’ll want to look back and have fond memories of the whole process. Make sure you love every aspect that goes into the design and be proud to drop them in the mail. Have fun with it, be creative, and keep the invitations true to you.

Photo credit: ruffhouseart.com, vponsale.com, onewed.com, weddinginvitationscards.com, ohsobeautifulpaper.com, mostweddingflowerideas.com

Makeover Mondays: Naturally Radiant

Makeover Mondays are a new segment written by makeup artist Laurie Starkey

Every bride wants to have that flawless radiant glow on her wedding day. A great makeup artist is key to achieving your desired look on your big day, however a flawless makeup application actually begins with great skin. Although it will take some time and patience, below are some of my simple tips to help you achieve gorgeous radiant skin.

#1 Water: Believe it or not, water is my number one go-to beauty remedy. I recommend 8-10 glasses of water a day. Not only will the water replenish your skin and give you a supple hydrated appearance, it will also flush all the toxins out of your body. Remember, your skin is a reflection of what’s going on inside your body, so you want to rid of all the harmful toxins. To boost your water detoxification, add two capfuls of Bragg’s apple cider vinegar to your water 3 times daily.

#2 Exfoliation: Naturally we all accumulate dead skin cells on our face, and all over our body for that matter. Exfoliating can reveal healthy glowing skin under those dead cells. One of my favorite store bought exfoliators is the Burt’s Bees Deep Pore Scrub. You can find it in virtually any drug store and it’s 100% natural! Or, if you are a do-it-yourself’er like me, you can concoct a simple scrub with honey, lemon and sugar. It’s simple, natural and really does the trick! I recommend a scrub 1-2 times a week.

#3 Treat stubborn pimples: If you are dealing with a stubborn pimple or feel the dreaded onset of one, I recommend tea tree oil. Tea tree oil contains natural antibacterial properties which makes it a great alternative to harsh chemicals found in most acne treatments. If will effectively treat the pimple, without the dryness and irritation.

#4 Increase your fruit and veggie intake: As women on the go, it can be tricky getting all the nutrients and vitamins found naturally in fruits and vegetables. However, these foods are essential to fighting free radicals, improving your complexion and contributing to your overall health and well being! If you are not a fan of sitting down to a big green leafy salad, you might consider juicing. It’s a great way to pack tons of fruits and veggies into your diet with a quick convenient drink!

#5 Spare your pockets: As a makeup artist I’ve tried pretty much every potion, lotion and serum around. If you are anything like me, you are obsessed with trying all the new, so-called life changing beauty products on the market! Now, don’t get me wrong, there are some great products out on the market. However, as someone who has tried virtually everything under the sun, I am here to tell you the your natural glow begins on the inside. Planning a wedding can be a stressful time, so take time to give yourself a break once and a while. Drink plenty of water, make healthier food choices and enjoy this time before you say your “I-do’s” You will surely be radiating on your big day!

Manic Monday: Physical Release

Manic Monday: Alyssa Aiola

If you feel like you are alone when it comes to wedding stress we are here to tell you your not, in fact it’s expected.  Between planning, organizing and maybe even the entire aspect of getting married you have a lot to be over whelmed by. A simple easy way to channel all this pent up anxiety can be through something as simple and old school as exercise.  Exercise is proven to relieve all types of stress and there are so many different types and forms that you are bound to find something perfect for  you. Engaging in moderate exercise for as little as 30 minutes a day can improve your mood dramatically statistics show and an added bonus is you will tone up for the big day! Here are a few different forms of exercise that maybe you never even considered would help ease wedding day stress that are not only good for your body but also mental health.

• Yoga: Many people think that yoga is just stretching. But while stretching is certainly involved, yoga is really about creating balance in the body through developing both strength and flexibility. This is done through the performance of poses or postures, each of which has specific physical benefits.

• Hot Yoga: Hot yoga is a vigorous form of yoga performed in a studio that is heated to 105 F (40 C) and has a humidity of 40 percent. The formal name for hot yoga is Bikram. Bikram yoga is a 90-minute program that consists of a series of 26 postures. The postures require lengthy, forceful and well-controlled contractions of all major muscle groups. The demanding nature of the poses and the heat are designed to raise your heart rate and tire your muscles.

• Restorative Yoga: While many forms of yoga offer a relaxing element to their practice, some poses and postures may require a lot of effort to maintain or get into—not exactly something you need to stress over if you’re burned out. Instead of moving from pose to pose, you’ll hold restful positions for a longer period of time, giving your body the opportunity to truly let go and releas

• NIA: which stands for Neuromuscular Integrative Action, is a blend of martial arts, dance, and healing arts. Done barefoot, this workout features a flowing blend of movement that combines deep breathing exercises with moves like kicks and turns to keep your heart rate elevated, your mind relaxed, and your body moving.

• Tai Chi: An ancient martial arts form originally developed in China, Tai Chi is a flowing, meditative series of movements designed to connect the mind and body and foster a sense of calm and serenity. But don’t be fooled by its peaceful nature—tai chi will keep you constantly in motion, engage your entire body, and offer a great mental challenge to stay present and in the moment.

• Kick Boxing: Combines elements of boxing, martial arts, and aerobics to provide overall physical conditioning and toning. Did we mention it is probably one of the best stress relievers if you just want to punch something, and no not your photographer!!!

• Koga: This unique form of exercise takes the best of yoga and kickboxing and combines them! Koga combines the mind-body mindset of yoga with the intense isometric and plyometric movements of boxing into one workout. Proponents of Koga say it increases your flexibility as well as burns fat and tones muscles.

let us know what forms of exercise has helped you cope with your wedding stress by commenting on our blog, writing on our facebook or tweeting to us!!

Its All In The Details: Water Colors

Its All In The Details: Alyssa Aiola

Remember when you were little and you thought you were creating art masterpieces by blending all your watercolor paints together, well now you can be one! One of the biggest wedding trends and themes for Summer 2013 is the use of watercolors throughout your wedding. This theme is not only fun but it also is extremely feminine and romantic if you properly balance out the use of pastel shades with the soft texture of handmade brush stores. This trend is popping up everywhere from invitations, escort cards, backdrops, decor and even cakes. If your husband feels the theme might be to feminine, a great way to balance out the pastels is with a shade of navy blue.  Here are a few of our favorite wedding details sharing the wedding theme of water colors, let us know what you think!

Photo Cred from top left to right: OnceWed.com, Oncewed.com, Stylemepretty, Oncewed.com, Bellabloom floral design, Martha Stewart Wedding Design, Jose Villa Photographym, Artizia, Wedding Paper Divas.

Manic Monday: Keep Calm at the Kids’ Table

Manic Monday by Corine Brosseau

Though it isn’t always everyone’s cup of tea, sometimes a wedding is simply a lot more special when the treasures children in your life take part, be it your own children, a godchild, or perhaps your nieces and nephews. While this will surely result in lots of aww-worthy photos, it can be stressful for you and simply boring for the kids if you don’t provide some type of entertainment for them.

There are plenty of fun activities you can provide your younger wedding day guests to make sure that they’re having fun and not getting into mischief. One of my personal favorites is a good old scavenger hunt for the little ones. Provide a disposable camera – or an instant print Polaroid – to each kid and give them a list of things to find at the party. You may want to include things like someone doing the robot, a slice of wedding cake, or the bride’s bouquet. This will keep the kids busy for quite some time and they can all compare pictures at the end.

Of course, another easy option is to provide crayons and coloring books for the little ones. You can find personalized coloring books online that prompt the kids to decorate a picture of a wedding cake or recount a treasured memory they had with the bride and groom. At the end of the wedding, have each kid hand in their memories to include them in a guest book or wedding day photo album.

To keep the event even more stress free, keep in mind the following when making plans for littler guests:

– Have an age limit. If you don’t want to hear crying throughout the night, make sure you tell your guests to keep the infants and younger toddlers at home.

– Have some kid-friendly bites available. Let’s face it, most kids are downright picky when it comes to eating. Here’s where chicken fingers and mozzarella sticks come in handy!

– Check with your venue to see if they offer a babysitter or kid’s room for the evening so that your guests don’t have to leave them at home.

– Make sure the kids feel like part of the party. Encourage them to dance and have fun – things like the Macarena are perfect for this.

How did you include kids in your big day? Let us know on Facebook!!

Its All In the Details: Modern and Vintage Themed Weddings!

Its All in the Details: By Alyssa Aiola

This past weekend Private Receptions participated in a bridal trade show on board one of the Horn Blower Cruises where we got to exhibit two beautiful yet different wedding design themes! The event was called The Journey of Love, which was sponsored by Lover.ly and allowed prospecting brides to mix and mingle with the industry’s top vendors. We were given the great opportunity to showcase our work by using 8 different tables and transforming them into a modern design and transitioning the look into a vintage design. The premise of this idea is to show what different themes can be used incorporating the same color palate of navy blue and forest green.  This also allows brides to get a better sense of the type of overall style they are planning for their wedding as well as what we can do as far as accommodating your vision.  With the event being a super success we figured we might as well share with you all of our pictures as well as wedding details that helped bring both the modern prep design and vintage design to life!!

*For this event we used the following vendors to bring our vision to life for both looks: Cakes by Sugar Flower Cake Shop, Paper Goods By Christina Dasaro, Flowers by Quatre Coeur and Table linens by Cloth Connection.

 MODERN DESIGN TABLES:

For our modern design we wanted to create a look that was full of clean lines and sharp edges. The mantra for designing a modern wedding should always remain the same “ Less Is More”.  When having a modern themed wedding it is important to take into consideration the lighting around the space since you want the room to feel more open and less cluttered.

• Flowers: In order to achieve the modern look two flowers automatically came to our mind. In this case we used both Orchids and Succulents across the tables. The beautiful thing about using these flowers is they are more then just florals, they are part of your over all design!
• Paper Goods: This is your chance to individualize your wedding and use the modern theme to your advantage! Using clean lines with geometric shapes you can transform your invitation into a work of art. Take a look at what we did with our escort cards, rsvp cards and invitations!! When it comes to modern design FONT changes everything as well.  A standards modern font we can recommend is Helvetica.
• Cake: When ever any wedding has a specific theme it is important to carry the same idea into the cake. Here we geometric squares along with our color pattern to enhance our theme!

VINTAGE DESIGN TABLE:

The major difference between a modern design to a vintage design is it is much less structured and much more romantic. The idea of a vintage wedding uses any soft color palates from the past like champagne, golds, roses with the use of a bold color like our navy blue or green. You want the over all feel of the room to be warm and elegant.

• Flowers:  For our vintage feel, flower arrangements we used a variety of soft colors roses to keep the romantic feel. A great option you can do to incorporate your theme more is add pearls to the florals!
• Paper Goods: One of my personal favorite parts of our display was our vintage escort card’s, which are so easy to make! We simply spray painted vintage keys and placed them over the escort cards so guests could “unlock” the way to their table. Simple, Easy and DIY!
• Cake: our vintage cake is breathtakingly beautiful and much less structured then our modern design. With a floral frosting design embossing the entire front the vintage feel can be seen from a distance!

We hope you liked both of our vintage and modern designs at this weeks bridal show! Please let us know what you thought of our pictures by writing on our blog, facebook, twitter or instagram!

Fashion Fever: Wardrobe for Wedding Season!

Fashion Fever by Alyssa Aiola

As Summer is fast approaching and wedding season is in full swing, it is crucial to have the perfect wedding attire all ready in your closet.  And whether you’re on the guest list for beachside, backyard or black tie ceremonies this summer, you’re likely wondering exactly what you should wear to those nuptials. I mean lets face it, just because it isn’t your big day doesn’t mean you cant look glamorous too! Dressing for a Summer wedding allows for a lot more fun, especially if it is an afternoon wedding!! Lets also keep in mind that just because it is a Summer wedding doesn’t mean you can show up in t-shirts and shorts by any means, even if it is a backyard wedding.  Also if you find that you have way to many weddings to attend over the next 3 months you could save some money by renting a dress! Rent the Runway has an incredible selection of designer dresses to choose from at any length for any type of occasion!  Here are a few simple do’s and don’ts when picking out the perfect wedding attire for a Summer wedding as well as a few great wardrobe picks:

From left to right clockwise; Cache, Badgley Mischka from Rent The Runway, J Crew, J Crew, Allison Paris from Rent The Runway, Express, Express, J Crew

Do’s

• Dress for time and place: Afternoon ceremonies tend to be more casual than evening soirees, so first take into account what time the event is taking place. At noon, it’s perfectly appropriate to wear a summer sundress or pastel skirt, while at six, it’s more fitting to wear a satin or chiffon cocktail dress. Many weddings nowadays call for a wardrobe change between a low-key ceremony and fancy reception. Determine how much to dress up or down according to the time and venue of the event.
• Color: The best way to show up to a Summer celebration is in color, especially if the affair is in the afternoon. We love Summer colors like turquoise, melon, strawberry and Kelly green. We recommend both J Crew and Express this season for the perfect colored gown. We even love the idea of a pastel colored floor length gown for a black tie affair, be bold!
• Floral: Wear a floral print if the wedding is taking place in either a backyard or a garden! Be careful with what shoes you select, you don’t want your heels digging into the grass!
• Length: With temperatures scorching we understand why the hemline might come up a little bit more then normal. Make sure your dress is always tasteful and not to short, knee length is perfect!
• LBD: Every girl needs her safety line in the back of the closet. Make sure you ALWAYS have a little black dress on hand since you never know when you might need it. Even though we love the idea of wearing color to a Summer wedding, you really cant go wrong with a black dress, especially at night.

Don’t:

• White: No matter what time of year it is, but more so in the Summer, never wear white! Unless the bride requests her guests to wear white, you definitely do not want to be that girl that everyone is talking about!
• Black: If you are going to an afternoon wedding, don’t wear black. This means it is a lot less formal and thi could be the perfect time to throw in some color.
• Short: Whether we are talking about wearing shorts you would go golfing in or the actual length of your dress being too short, their both unacceptable attire!
• Neckline: You don’t want to get your clubbing attire mixed up with your wedding attire. Avoid plunging and low cut necklines, you can wear them the next weekend when you are going out.

Now that you have an idea of exactly should be in your closet for Wedding Season all you need to do is play up your accessories and shoes! This could be the best part, especially with jewelry because it can give you that little extra pop of color. Share with us your favorite picks to wear this wedding season by writing on our Facebook page, replying to this post or tweeting us!!

Manic Monday: Choosing a Photographer

Manic Monday By Alyssa Aiola

You spend months and maybe even over a year planning your wedding and then within 6-8 hours it is all gone with nothing left to remember it by other then your wedding photographs.  We understand that your photographer could be the most important person you are spending your money on since wedding photographs are cherished keepsakes that are passed down through generations. This passed weekend we attended Bridal Rebellion (a bridal workshop full of vendors and industry related business’s)  where The Lovely Lens lent the audience an interesting point of view on photographers by stating ” Their is no such thing as a wedding photographer, their is only good and bad photography.” This statement really had us thinking and is totally true, you either know how to work with light and your camera or you don’t.  In order to find the right photographer to capture all of the you weddings finest moments we have created a list of key questions you should be asking so you avoid any type of stress or worry or even legal matters.

1. Research: Ask your friends, inquire at bridal shops and with the management of the ceremony and reception sites you have chosen. Also browse bridal websites for information and links to photographers that work in your area.(www.weddingwire.com)
2. Style : In order to receive the exact style of photos that you have in mind you must go though a photographers look book and see their work. Are you looking for more of a traditional style with posed pictures or more candid shots throughout the day, or maybe even more lighthearted and playful shots. You have to see the photographers past work to see if they can match your vision.
3. Examine the Photos: When looking through any photographers look books you must keep in mind and examine the basics of the pictures-such as color, clarity, exposure, graininess and composition. Pay attention to the photographer’s ability to capture the emotion of the day. Does it appear that he has the personality to make his subjects comfortable and happy? Or is she the type of photographer that seemingly takes pictures without much passion.
4. Professionalism: On your wedding day it is important that you feel confident in your photographer in knowing they have done this a lot in the past and have a solid background. Not only should you ask how long have they been a photographer but also how many weddings have they shot. Also ask if they have ever had a wedding at your venue, maybe they are firmiliar with the lighting and space.
5. Budget: Photographer fees, prints, albums, etc. generally come to approximately 12% of the entire wedding budget. This will allow you to quickly discard candidates which you cannot afford.
6. Contract: While you want to make sure you book your photographer for the date of your wedding immediately, make sure you read over the legal details of exactly what you will get before signing the contract. Make sure you are signing for the exact package of photos as well as service you discussed. * Make sure the amount of hours they will be at the wedding/ceremony is written in the contract*
7. Equipment: Although you may not be a professional photographer yourself, you should know what type of camera and equipment your photographer will be using during your event. You may find that you are more particular about it than you think.
8. Package: Create  a custom package with your photographer with every detail in writing. Maybe you only want your photographer to be present for 1-3 hours during the reception or you might want a package that  may include a pre-wedding engagement sessions, rehearsal dinner photographs, bridal portraits and newlywed photos.
9. Quantity of Images: This is another aspect that for liability reasons you should get in writing. Some photographers may provide you with under 100 images to remember your wedding day by. Higher-end photographers often capture thousands of images (generally from 1,000 to 3,000) for you to keep forever.

We hope this list helps you find the perfect photographer for your wedding day and look forward to hearing your feedback! Tell us about your wedding photography experience by either replying to this post, writing on our Facebook wall or tweeting us!!

It’s All In The Details: Sweet Favors!

Its All In The Details by Alyssa Aiola

Lets be honest, most brides will spend anywhere from 2-6 dollars per party favor for each guest only for it to be forgotten about, thrown out or lost in clutter. More and more brides are using the idea of an edible favor since its extremely versatile and you know your guests are going to get some use out of it! When choosing your edible treats it is important to keep in mind your overall theme and also the age bracket of your guests attending. Candy bars are a great idea if you know ahead of time you are going to have a lot of kids attending but maybe then you should pass on the candy apple buffet since it could get messy! Also it is important to think about what you want your gifts to look and taste like, as well as what they’ll represent. Any special traditions practiced by your religion, culture, etc. can also be integrated into your favors in some way. Give your guests a bite to remember with these six adorably delish parting gifts:

• Cupcake in a Jar: More and more brides are using this trendy and yet easy idea as favors for their guests! Pick from any flavor of your wildest dreams and get creative with the label! Under The Table and Dreaming  has 50+ recipes on cakes you can put in a jar from S’mores to cheesecake! Guests will be able to bring home a unique gift that looks too good to eat!

• Candy Apple Buffett: This idea for a candy apple buffet is not only delicious, but so fun and interactive for any age. Providing multiple different apple toppings and a customized box, we love Labels For You , guests will be able to take home their wonderful handmade treats as a token from your wedding!

• S’mores Kit: With summer fast approaching, a great idea would be to give your guest the perfect Summer Night BBQ gift of a DIY S’mores kit! Fancy That  has the perfect clear box which you can then customize and fill with graham crackers, marshmallows and chocolate!

• Candy Bar: Create a table with a list of both “his” and “her” favorite candy and allow guests to pick and choose which sweets to toss in their bags. You can also use Chinese take out box’s as containers that can be stamped with your monogram!

• Late Night Snack Bar: After the wedding cake has been passed and the last song has been played your guests might need one last pick me up before driving home. Creating a late night snack bar allows your guests to pick and choose from whatever sweets they are craving along with a box of milk to wash it down.

• Breakfast in a Bag: How thoughtful would it be to give your guests a bag full of bagels, cream cheese, butter and orange juice so they have breakfast all set for the next morning! This is a great gift especially for weddings that run late into the night! To go along with the next morning theme, you could throw in Advil and even a newspaper!

Let us know what sweet treats you gave out on your wedding night or if you ever received a delicious gift as a favor by writing on our Facebook wall or tweeting us!