Floral Obsession: Anemonie Wedding Inspiration

One of my absolutely favorite flowers is the anemonie and I wonder why I don't get many brides that want to incorporate this beautiful flower in their wedding decor.  Anemones are so pretty and somehow a little vintage looking, also said to represent anticipation and luck.  Here is my subtle way of changing some of minds....

Photos by:

Clockwise from top left:

Cakes By Confetti Cakes
Anemonie Bouquet
Anemonie Bouquet
Anemonie Invitation Suite
Grooms Boutonniere
Anemonie Centerpiece
Single Tier Cake
Anemonie Centerpieces

Absolutely Fabulous Weddings' 2012 Forecast

After much research, our highly anticipated 2012 Wedding Forecast is ready and I can't wait to share this information with all of you.  The newest wedding trends for the upcoming year range from the look of your wedding to the flowers to the food to the favors....everything.  Let's get started.

CATEGORY # 1:  THE LOOK
Color schemes have got back to the classics.  Right now it's the nudes - oyster greys, champagnes, nudes, pinks, pale gold and creams.  With this said, patterns are getting bolder as colors are getting softer.  Linens are heavier and more textured.

Photo credit:  weddingbycolor.com

Luxe Candelabras in any material are in, so.....out with the chunky pillar candles and in with the tapers.  If you are having your ceremony outdoors, hanging chandeliers make a wildly romantic statement.
    
Photo credits here:  stylemepretty.com


CATEGORY # 2:  THE FLOWERS
The flower of the year is the peony, which that is no surprise here but other fabulous flowers for next year are garden roses, ranunculus and frilly carnations, white mini calla lilies and of course the orchid.
  
Photo credit:  stylemepretty.com


The age of the single centerpiece is over.  2012 will be all about collections of containers, flowers and candles on one single tablescape.
  
 
Photo credit:  foreversacredevents.wordpress, elizabethannedesigns.com, scarletpetal.typepad.com

Natural is still new.  Terrariums, which are glass domed arrangements of pebbles, flowers, succulants and found objects such as birds nests and shells are seen everywhere.
  


Photo credit:  stylemepretty.com

CATEGORY #3:  DRINKS
This years three words are the perfect 3 categories to choosing your bar menu.
ARTISNAL:  Specialty drinks designed for your day are never out but the ingredients seem to be a little more intricate.  For example, ingredients like frothy egg whites, elderflower liquor, and unexpected garnishes such as candied ginger or herbs.  Signature drinks always a sophisticated edge to any reception.
      
Photo credit:  bestbeverage.com, theubpost.com, elegantcreationsevents.blogspot.com

TASTINGS:  Plan tasting station style bars.  For example one could be a tequila station and the other could be a scotch station with different selections of these types of liquors.
  
Photo credit:  destinationweddingmag.com, xiamenwave.com


CUSTOM ICE:  As you may know, the quantity and style of ice can either make or break a cocktail so offer up shaved ice, crushed ice and oversized cubes for different drink varieties.
  

Photo credit:  amountainofcrushedice.com

Wine pairings for dinner.  2012's meal isn't just about what's on your plate, it's also about what's in your glass as well.

Photo credit: robbinmontero.com

Category #4:  CAKE COUTURE
**  Cleaner lines and details and of course sugar flowers never go out of style.
    
Photo credit:  pinkcakebox.com, labellz.wordpress.com

**  Cake silhouette.  Right now, each tier is looking different.  Round tiers with a hexagon shape thrown in there or even five inch layers mixed with two inch layers are popular 2012 trends.
    
Photo credit:  cakecentral.com, thetwistedsifter.wordpress.com, cakefiction.com


Category #5:  FAVORS
When it comes to favors, if they're not edible, don't bother.  Candy tables, breakfast snacks, bagels or donuts in boxes are all sure to be a huge hit.
  
Photo credit:  Absolutely Fabulous Weddings

Happy Planning your 2012 Wedding!

Amy Lythgoe, Lead Planner and Event Designer
Absolutely Fabulous Weddings
561-577-6686
amy@fabulousplanner.com
www.fabulousplanner.com

All Things Rainbow

Rainbows symbolize good fortune, happiness, and hope. So it's no surprise that the ROY G BIV palette has become an increasingly popular way to add a bright, festive touch to weddings. But pulling off a stylish (not cheesy) event that reflects the color spectrum can be tricky—we suggest keeping it casual, crafty, and playful (and avoiding tie-dye at all costs).

Photos by:

brides.com

Photos by:

brides.com

Etsy Find: Creative Place Card Holders!

One of my favorite things to do is researching new and exciting products for weddings and special events and I came across the most amazing place card holders on etsy.com.  Jennifer at ReservedSeating  specializes in creating customizable place card holders perfect for any event.  Whether you are looking to add place card holders to your wedding reception, dinner party, or baby shower, she will work with you to create the perfect look.

These Ribbon Place Card Holder is handmade with wired double faced satin ribbon finished and accented with double faced satin ribbon.  Each place card holder is approximately 2 inches in height by 1.5 inches in width.  These beautiful place card holders are the perfect way to incorporate your events colors into the table decor!

All Photos Taken From:  ReservedSeating

Photos by:

ReservedSeating

Beautiful Wedding Chair Decor!

Wouldn't everyone agree that details are really what make an event special?  Adding a little something extra to the chairs at your celebration definitely qualifies....


Enjoy!

Reception Question: Escort Cards

Q:  "How do I alphabetize the seating cards for couples who don't share the same last name?  Under his name or hers?"  

A:  I am asked this question by every single bride that I work with and I would like to set the record strait on the proper etiquette on this great planning question:  The easiest solution is to provide a card for each guest.  That would certainly eliminate any difficult decisions.  However, this would mean you'd need almost twice the display space, which could pose a problem if your guest list is large.

A more space saving option:  Use a single seating card for each twosome and follow the form you used when addressing your invitations.  If the couple live together or are married, put the woman's name before the man's (and be sure to alphabetize by her last name).  If an established couple does not share an address, however, each should get an individual card, just as they received their own invitation.  If you sent an invitation with an "and Guest" notation, simply ask for the name of the person your friend is inviting before the wedding and make sure the date gets a separate seating card.  And no, it does not matter whether you are closer to one than the other; you should be consistent in how you alphabetize your cards (which means no playing favorites).

Last, don't worry about whether your guests will have trouble figuring out which name to look under; they'll spot the trend quickly enough once they look at the display.

Wedding Style Watch: HIP & ARTSY

A hip and artsy wedding style means you may be the couple who loves to accessorize, and you drool over pillows with funky designs and city lofts with exposed brick.  Bottom line:  You don't want your wedding to look too wedding-y.

Your Details
-- Let your venue set the tone for your unique wedding style.  Look into renting your favorite restaurant downtown or the atrium of your favorite art museum.

--  Choose an unexpected color palette.  A few ideas:  bright orange, steel gray and white; green and turquoise with pops of yellow; or eggplant and candy apple red.

-- Hire a live band for your cocktail hour and reception.

--  Come up with a statement-making decoration for the reception.  Maybe it's an oversized chalkboard banner with a meaningful movie quote and your names and wedding date.  it could also be a patterned fabric that you thread throughout - from the ceremony aisle to the table linens.

Watch Out For
With all of the fun, unique details, it can be tough to keep the style from looking messy and scattered.  Stick to a color palette of no more than 3 to 4 colors and come up with a design (like your initials, thumbprints, a colorful patterned fabric or even a favorite album cover) to keep the wedding day details looking cohesive.

Photo Credit: http://www.thegirlinthepinkweddingdress.com/

Amy Lythgoe
Absolutely Fabulous Weddings
www.fabulousplanner.com

Florist vs. Floral Designer: What's The Difference

The term "floral designer" may sound like a more pretentious way of saying florist.  But there are differences between the two designations.  A florist generally operates from a storefront, where he sells everyday arrangements in addition to special occasion flowers; a floral designer probably works out of a studio and focuses solely on events.  A florist can make a deliver centerpieces and bouquets, while a floral designer may become involved with lighting and helping you choose rental linens, furniture and other decorative pieces to create your reception's overall mood, in addition to crafting unique centerpieces and bouquets for the big day.

Photo Source:  http://lotushaus.typepad.com/lotushaus/globaflora/

Creative Escort Card Displays

My favorite escort card is one that is functional and doesn't get thrown away. Here are a few fabulous escort card displays that are not anything what your guests will be expecting.

Photos by: specialevents.com & www.elizabethannedesigns.com/blog

- Amy Lythgoe
Absolutely Fabulous Weddings

Creative Custom Wedding Card Boxes

One of my favorite suggestions to offer up to couples while working with them on planning their wedding is to give your guests a beautiful place to drop off their cards and gifts at your reception. Custom card boxes are a great way to bring in your wedding theme to match your style and decor. Here are some fabulous options for you to consider for your special day...

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Sparkler Reception Off's

We cant talk about an amazing end to a wonderful wedding day without talking about a sparkler send off.  Wedding sparklers can turn a typical wedding departure into an extraordinary moment that you and your guests will cherish forever.  This is such a simple and inexpensive way to add that extra flare to bring your wedding day to a close.

Photos by:

WedTown Manager, Rita Tatem, takes a look at some wedding guest pet peeves to be aware of when planning your big day.

You’ve heard it so many times that you really believe it - “It’s the bride’s day!”  But let’s face it - your guests are just that - guests - and there are some universal, unspoken wedding rules to keep in mind to keep your guests content. 

Big gaps of time
If your wedding ceremony is late morning or early afternoon and you are having an evening reception (say, cocktail hour starting at 6 pm and dinner at 7 pm), you should definitely provide your guests with some ideas of what to do in between both events.  Once you have your ceremony and reception venues settled, you can check out what’s around those areas for activities on the day of your wedding.  This information can be provided in your invitations and on your wedding website.  For my wedding, we included brochures of area museums and activities that our out of town guests could check out in our welcome bags.  It was very well received and those who made a weekend out of coming to Boston really appreciated it.  Of course, you may just have friends and family who would rather just hang out at a local bar between events to get the party started early. 

Food
Your guests need to be treated well since they are there for you and that means no skimping on necessities.   For example, if your wedding budget is $30,000, $20,000 of it shouldn’t go right to your gown. Food is by far, the most important expenditure of your wedding.  In fact, 50% to 60% of your wedding budget should go toward the reception.  If you are planning a simple cocktail reception only, you should still plan on having food there for your guests.  No one wants their guests to be drinking for a few hours without any food.  Work with your venue to have a proper selection of hors dourest that fit within your budget.  If you are planning a cocktail hour with a dinner reception following, the amount of food is still crucial.  As long as you provide an accurate number of guests to your venue, they can suggest the types and quantities of food to fit your budget. 

No Alcohol
Whether you and the groom are non-drinkers or you think it would be best to skip offering alcohol to save costs, think again.  Your guests will be disgruntled the entire evening if they can’t enjoy a few drinks at a celebratory event.  If you are afraid of your wedding turning into a frat party because your friends like to enjoy drinks a little too much, just give your venue a heads up so they can make sure the bartenders can keep an eye out and know when to give the last drink to someone.  If the host of the wedding can afford it, you should absolutely have an open bar.  Those two little words are music to guests’ ears.  It’s just another gesture to make your guests feel appreciated and let’s face it, if you are having an adult dinner party at your house, you aren’t going to make your guests pay for drinks, are you?  If an open bar is not an option, a cash bar is a must.  But at the end of the day, the option of should definately be considered.
            
Music
Having relaxing dinner music is very nice.  But, once those plates are cleared, your band or DJ better be ready to switch the tunes.  Number 4 on the Guest Gripe list poor music selections for after dinner.  It’s called a reception for a reason.  People want to have the option to dance (and not just slow dances).  Work with your band or DJ to make sure there is music appropriate for all the age groups represented at your wedding. 

The Bouquet Toss
I hate to burst anyone’s bubble, but who ever catches the bouquet does NOT get married next.  I have caught the bouquet many times in my younger years and I didn’t marry until much later. Keep in mind that the bouquet toss is optional.  I did, just for the photo op.  If you decide not to do a bouquet toss, people may not even notice.  It’s a tradition that isn’t used that much anymore.  And think about the last time you even saw a garter toss.  Grooms trying to be funny pulling a pair of granny panties out from under a bride’s dress has seen its day, and well, it’s just not that funny anymore.  If you decide to do a bouquet toss, PLEASE do not force anyone to participate.  Single girls who want to join will (there will be some that will literally jump at the chance).  After the age of 25 or 30, some guests may not want to be forced to the middle of the dance floor to have a “single” label on their forehead for the rest of the night. 

The First Dance
Some guests enjoy looking forward to the first dance (maybe your immediate family and the photographer).  But with so many slow dances that consist of the bride and groom merely swaying back and forth like a scene from a school dance from The Wonder Years, don’t be surprised if you see a few yawns on guests’ faces when you look at your wedding proofs.  Want your guests’ attention?  Choose a fun song and maybe get a few dance lessons in ahead of time.  My husband and I chose to do a tango, mostly to try and do something different and to keep our guests’ attention.  It ended up being hilarious since we both kept tripping on my dress, but it made for a room full of laughter for a few minutes and that was priceless.

With all these points, it’s important to treat your guests like you would want to be treated — and everyone will have a great time!

Source:  http://www.wedthemagazine.com/wedblog/2011/3/23/wedding-guest-gripes-guest-blog-by-wedtown-rita.html

5 Fabulous Custom Cake Toppers

Here are 5 cake toppers we are loving right now, all are within your reach found on www.etsy.com



Why not have a cake topper made in your likeness?
http://www.etsy.com/shop/manisculpts?ref=seller_info


Calla Lilies are such elegant, modern flowers. Here they are in gumpaste/fondant ready to put on your wedding cake or birthday cake. These are perfect for anyone that loves calla lilies and they are available in any color you wish.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/sweetpetalbakery?ref=seller_info


Custom Robert Indiana replica cake topper available in any color.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/BlueButterflyDesign?ref=seller_info


Every petal and leaf on this creation is sculpted and placed by hand. Each cake topper is a one of a kind, original work of art.  http://www.etsy.com/shop/SweetPixiePie?ref=seller_info


All the seashells and sea life you might have found on that lazy afternoon wandering down the beach - ready to adorn your wedding cake. It's topped off by a lovely, dancing sugar starfish celebrating your special day!  http://www.etsy.com/shop/ShellScapes?ref=seller_info

ENJOY......

Mixing The Shapes

Who says you have to pick one table type and stick to it?  It's common for guests to sit at rounds, while the bridal party is on display at a rectangular table.  You can opt to have banquet tables, rounds or squares for your guest seating too.

PROS -
*  The mixed look instantly adds texture to your space and doesn't increase costs much, if at all.
*  You don't need to assign seating: guests can choose tables that work best for their group - a couple who doesn't know anyone else can go for a small round and your coworkers can sit at a large table.
*  If your venue is small but your guest list is large, a custom seating plan is the way to go.  You can fit small tables into nooks or corners and line long walls with banquet tables.

CONS -
*  Unless you have a great eye, you'll probably need to enlist a pro to help with the floor plan so the reception looks stylish, not messy.
*  If you offer small tables that seat four or fewer people, you may need to hire more servers or choose to have food stations or a buffet.
*  The more kinds of tables and linens you have to rent, the more likely it is that there will be a mistake or miscommunication.

13 Creative Ways To Use Your Engagement Photos

As a wedding planner I see so many beautiful engagement photo session photos and I always wonder why Brides don't take full advantage of having those fabulous photos and opt to use them throughout their wedding.  Here are some creative things I love to see done with engagement photos.

1. Save The Dates

Photo:  http://www.etsy.com/listing/57680860/photo-save-the-date
By Ivey Shelton @ The Inspired Note - www.theinspirednote.com

2. Guest Table Numbers

Photo:  www.stlwed.com

3. Wedding Website

Photo:  http://www.weddingrockstars.com/tag/wedding-website/

4.  Envelope Seals

www.magnetstreet.com

5. Frame an engagement photo as art near your gift table or entrance to your reception.

Photo:  www.elizabethannedesigns.com

6. Custom Candy Wrappers

Photo:  http://designed-n-wrapped.com/11.html

7.  Custom Candy

Photo:  www.candyweddingfavors.org

8. Custom Water or Wine Bottle Labels

Photo:  www.personalwine.com

9. Wedding Reception Slideshow

Photo:  www.lusterstudios.com

10. Canvas Prints For Your Home

Photo:  By Tonya Laker @ Palm Beach Photography, Inc - www.palmbeachphotography.net

11. Custom Photo Guest Sign In Book

Photo:  www.charlottegeary.com

12.  Custom Wedding Invitation Stamps

Photo:  http://www.zazzle.com

13. Frame and mat an engagement photo so your guests can sign it.

Photo: http://www.weddingbedazzle.com

Article By Amy Lythgoe, Absolutely Fabulous Weddings