We’re hosting our second annual Sweet Tea and Treats informational meeting for potential interns on Sunday, April 20 at 4:00 pm at our Wicker Park offices and we still have a few spots available.

If you’d like to join us to find out more about working with Blush & Bashful, please email us the following items at internships@blushandbashfulevents.com:
1) letter of introduction
2) resume (no event experience necessary)
3) your 2008 weekend availability
The deadline to RSVP is Monday, April 14 at noon.

Check out these gorgeous white details that could be used to add a serious WOW factor to your chic, modern decor. Imagine these vases with just a few stems of your accent color.

These are from West Elm

I love the clean, modern design. How cute do they look with leaves in them? It’s a fun take on the typical fall leaf decor. Leaves are an unexpected element for a spring or summer wedding. I think they look great with the white backdrop.

Happy Planning!

When I was getting married, I searched high and low for a white dress to wear to my rehearsal dinner. I found one, but not until I had wasted more time than I care to admit.

Now that I  am no longer the bride in search of the perfect rehearsal dinner dress, there are white dresses popping up everywhere! I thought I’d share a few in case you hadn’t started your shopping.

Casual (Old Navy, Old Navy, Gap):

Classic (Banana Republic, JCrew):

Fancy (JCrew):

I think this goes without saying, but please, do not, under any circumstances, wear your adorable white rehearsal dinner dress to a friend’s wedding-related event…a shower, bachelorette party, rehearsal dinner, or brunch. You can wear it on your honeymoon!

Happy Shopping!

http://www.bridesagainstbreastcancer.org/index.html

If you are already married, think about donating your gown!

We’ve never done a “special” before and we’re hoping you’ll love it! Here’s the deal. If you contact us to set up an initial consultation with Emilee in March for 2008 Wedding Day Coordination, we’ll give you a “free upgrade.”

Our typical “Level One” Day Chic package starts at $950. This basic package gives you two planning meetings, final vendor confirmations, one hour of rehearsal coordination, and one Associate Level Coordinator for six hours of Wedding Day Coordination. It’s really aimed at clients who are having their ceremony and reception at the same location and just need a little direction to keep things running smoothly.

Our the “Level Two” Day Chic package typically starts at $1150 and includes the following items:

• One Associate-Level Wedding Day Coordinator (EMILEE!)
• An event production team (one to three additional B&B assistants, depending on your event)
• Two 60-minute update meetings
• Final Walkthrough of reception location, when necessary
• Wedding Day Timeline development
• Collection and distribution of essential items for wedding day
• Final vendor confirmations
• Up to two (2) hours rehearsal coordination
• Ten (10) hours of wedding day coverage
• Gift delivery (within 10 miles of reception location

Now, if you book with Emilee in March, the you can have everything in the “Level Two” Day Chic package for $875. Fill out the contact form on our website today, mention the discount, and…hope that you get to her first!

Best wishes,
Meg

Here’s a little peek:

What makes these separates so different from those you’ll find elsewhere is that all of the skirts are adjustable. I think this is amazing because the dresses are custom-made for each bridesmaid AND they are adjustable. That takes care of all of those pricey alterations and worries with pregnant bridesmaids! You really have to see this to believe it, but some of the skirts are made with a drawstring that is concealed by a reversible sash and others are a full wrap skirt. Genius!
There are 80 basic color choices in three fabrics: Silk Shantung, Duppione Silk, and Faille Taffeta Polyester.  You can also choose an embroidered specialty silk. I think it would be fabulous to dress your bridesmaids in their favorite pieces from the separates and the mothers in complimentary tones using an embroidered silk accent. You can tie it all together and take care of gifts for the girls with custom made wraps or purses. How fun!

If you are considering a unique high-end look for your bridesmaids that truly fits the bill of something they can “wear again,” check out Special Occasion Separates from Scarlet Designs.

Here’s my favorite look…

I am obsessed with the skirt. And, if you go to the studio, you can see similar styles with an adorable ruffle on the bottom!

She’s giving away free wedding photography to one lucky couple who is doing their part for the environment by having a green wedding.

Kristina will provide coverage up to 10 hours, travel nationwide, paperless proofs, and online gallery to the lucky couple. She’s an amazing photographer and this is over a $5,000 value! Imagine putting that towards your honeymoon at an eco-friendly resort?!

The submissions begin now and end by 10 pm (CST) on February 10th, 2008. The online poll will begin no later than 10 am the next morning and voting will last until 11 pm (CST) on February 13th. The winner will be announced on Valentine’s Day.

The winners will be a couple whose wedding plans make the “least impact on the environment and the most impact on the community on their wedding day…Three couples who have implemented the most things they can for planning their wedding will be then subject to a poll on this blog and you the viewers will be the final judges.”

Mail or email your submissions to Kristina. Include the plans already made or ideas to implement, a 5×7 photo of the couple sized to 300 dpi, and wedding date (must be no later than 12/31/2009), any other information helpful in making final selections.
Mailing address is PO Box 5212, Oak Brook IL 60522
Email is info@vraiphoto.com

Here’s a sample of Kristina’s work with my October 27th couple…Gorgeous!

This is the Twinkle Ballet Flat in Platinum Gold Glitter…Who says that your left hand has to have all of the fun?

This style is called the Clea Printed-Fabric Ballet Flat. It’s perfect for the non-traditional bride wearing a more casual wedding dress. It’s especially great if you were inspired by the Martha Stewart Weddings Spring 2007 issue with the gorgeous marigold and pewter color palette.

And…here are a few shoe tips that you’ve probably heard a million times…

• Regardless of whether you wear an adorable ballet flat or a chic stiletto on your wedding day, make sure that your feet are properly supported and comfy! No matter how cute those shoes are, you’ll be upset if you are wincing in pain in all of your photos.
• Buy your wedding day shoes well in advance. You need them for wedding gown alterations anyway. Break them in by wearing them around the house with socks. And, no…it doesn’t cause bad luck if your fiance sees your wedding shoes!

Anyway, the movie is about a girl, Jane, who has been a bridesmaid in 27 weddings. She focuses on planning weddings and making memories for all of her friends, but never does the same for herself. Then, Jane falls in love with her sister’s fiance and starts planning their wedding…I know exactly where this is going! It sounds just like “The Wedding Planner.” YAY!

Here’s the website: www.27dressesthemovie.com

Have fun!
Meg

P.S. No, unfortunately we don’t wear ear pieces and have an emergency kit under our suit-jacket like JLo in “The Wedding Planner.” It seems that at every wedding, some well-meaning guest or tipsy groomsman makes a reference to those things!

You can check out BFF Bridal and sign up for the newsletter at www.bffbridal.com.

EVER AFTER

It’s the start of a brand-new year, and everyone’s resolving to do more of this and less of that. So we asked couples who have been married from mere months to many decades to dish out their expert advice on what it takes to be happily hitched . . .

. . . In Your First Year of Marriage: He says: “Don’t say you don’t care when it comes to choosing photos for the wedding album.” She says: “Have a plan for writing the thank-you notes.”
-Julie & Craig Stolzberg, married August 11, 2007

. . . In Your Seventh Year of Marriage: He says: “Keep up the small but romantic things you did for each other in the beginning.” She says: “Accept that your way isn’t the only way.”
-Cindy & Jack Manelli, married March 24, 2001

. . . In Your Tenth Year of Marriage: He says: “Always put the marriage first . . . even before the kids. The kids will understand and be better for it anyway. Also, buy her a handbag or shoes at least once a year.” She says: “Do your own things as well as spend quality time together. Be a united front for your kids; remember to do nice things for each other; and always try to compromise.”
-Nicole & Jacob Capps, married July 4, 1998

. . . In Your Twenty-Eighth Year of Marriage: He says: “Humor. You have to laugh WITH each other and AT each other.” She says: “Fight when you’re angry. Scream, yell, throw things. Then move on. No festering is allowed.”
-Tammie & John Collins, married December 20, 1980

. . . In Your Forty-Second Year of Marriage: He says: “Mutual respect and consideration. Also: understand the little things that either please or irritate your partner, and remember to act accordingly.” She says: “Work hard, play hard, and every few years make it a point to take on new activities together.”
-Pam & Glen Hait, married January 15, 1966

. . . In Your Fiftieth Year of Marriage: He says: “It takes a strong faith, commitment to each other, and a special love for your children.” She says: “Faith, support and commitment.”
-Dorothy & Joe D’Autorio, married May 31, 1958

. . . In Your Fifty-Fifth Year of Marriage: He says: “My formula is Communication + Respect = Love.” She says: “Continued love and respect.”
-Freida & Joe Sokol, married June 17, 1953

www.bffbridal.com