Teal and Gold, "Oh, so nice" Together

I got this inspiration board from the Fall 2008 Martha Stewart Wedding Showcase and was blown away by the splendor and grandious of the color pallette.

I really think that the teal and gold combination are very chic and "Victorian".

The cake and the monograms are perfect touches that reiterate the chicness of the colors together.

It is a great combination!!!

Happy Planning,
Shafonne

December Wedding Planning Workshop

What does your wedding color mean?

Ever wondered why you chose the color that you did for your wedding?

Colors play a huge part in the wedding planning process, invitations, linens, bridesmaids dresses, etc. Colors can speak volumes about a couple's style and personality. They can symbolize a wide and crazy couple with bold and wide colors or it can be a reflection of a cool, calm and collected couple with soft and subtle colors. Whatever your personality is it can be illustrated by colors.
Below you’ll learn the meaning of common colors and the psychology associated with them.

• Red - Red is stimulating and exciting. This color adds drama and draws attention to itself. Red is often used in restaurants or dining room as it is said to stimulate the appetite. Use red as one of your wedding colors if you would like to increase enthusiasm, stimulate the energy of the crowd, or evoke a sense of protection from anxiety or stress.
  
• Orange - Orange is a dichotomous color - most people either love it or hate it. Innately though, orange adds warmth and brings a sense of fun wherever it shows up. Like red, orange is said to stimulate the appetite. It also helps encourage socialization - which is great at the reception!
  
• Yellow - Yellow adds cheer and happiness to any occasion. It brings with it a sense of optimism and lightness. Choose yellow if you would like to encourage communication or would like a color that is mentally stimulating at your wedding.
  
• Green - Green is the favorite color of many, second only to blue. The most abundant color in the natural world, green evokes a sense of calm and relaxation. Green is also said to help alleviate depression and anxiety. Use green in your wedding color palate if you want to exude harmony and peace on your day.
  
• Blue - As stated above, blue is the most popular "favorite color" of all of the colors. Blue is typically seen as a calming, serene color. Think of water and how it can produce feelings of tranquility - blue is associated with this feeling. Blue also stands for trustworthiness and commitment. Compared to red, orange and yellow, blue is a cool color and if chosen, will add to the ambience of your wedding if chosen.
  
• Purple - The combination of red and blue, purple is both uplifting and calming. It is often associated with spirituality, creativity, and royalty. Use purple in your wedding palate to bring the feeling of romance, enchantment and whimsy to your day.
  
• Pink - The combination of red and white, pink is the color of sweetness and love. Pink will induce feelings of caring, tenderness, love and acceptance. It also encourages relaxation and contentment.
  
• White - White symbolizes purity, clarity, and new beginnings—making it perfectly clear that it is tradition for brides to wear white gowns.
  
• Black - Black is the color of sophistication and mystery. This color brings with it the feeling of potential and possibility. Black is perfect for formal evening weddings since it transcends time with its classic style.
  
• Brown - Brown is the color of earth and symbolizes stability and the natural world. Brown makes us feel grounded and connected to nature. When used in conjunction with brighter colors, it serves as an anchor making the palette more balanced.

Hopefully this has helped to find your perfect wedding color or to explain why you chose the wedding color you have.

Thanks Nicole at My Wedding for the color information.

Happy Planning,
Shafonne Myers

Happy Turkey Day!!!

Yes, it is here. Turkey Day!!! The one day of the year where you can eat and eat and no one says anything. Now, I have to say. I have started to tame myself, just because I am watching my figure lately. :)

But it is also a time for everyone to reflect and think about what they are thankful for. And I must say that I am Thankful for:

1. My Family (My lovely and supportive husband and my cute and adorable daughter as well as my dogs: Prince and Princess.)

2. My Business (I love that I can do what I have always wanted to do even though sometimes I wonder why I do it!)

3. To Be Alive (Some people don't realize how precious life is and how quickly it can be taken away from us.)

So take a moment to think about what YOU are thankful for and feel free to share it with our friends and family by adding it to the comments.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!

Shafonne

Save Money: Do your own Make-Up and Hair

Photography by Beautiful Union Portraits

If you are looking for a way to cut wedding costs, cutting a little here and a little there can sure add up to big savings. Choosing to fix your own hair and makeup is a viable option. Make sure to take the following precautionary measures if you’re feeling unsure about your own cosmetology skills.

Tips for Styling Your Own Hair

• Go to a Salon First - Schedule a hair appointment one or two months before your wedding date with a trusted stylist. Have her teach you how to duplicate the hairdo. Be sure to pay close attention and take notes!
  
  
• Practice, Practice, Practice! - At least one per week up to the wedding, practice styling your hair for the big day.
  
  
• Enlist the Help of a Friend. - If possible bring a friend to the salon and have her pay close attention to the styling techniques as well. Your friend can assist you in your hair-styling adventure on your wedding day.
  
  
• Have a Backup Plan - Just in case the hairdo doesn’t do, have a tried and true hairstyle you can fall back on. You know your hair better than anyone. Choose a style that always works and looks fabulous.
  
  
• Stay the Same - In the last month leading up to your wedding, it’s best not to get a haircut. Don’t take any unnecessary risks this close to the date or let impulse take over—you may regret it later.
  
  
• Simple is Good - Try not to veer too far from your everyday style. Attempting a hairstyle that sways too far from your usual look will feel unnatural and possibly uncomfortable to you. Also, try not to attempt something too technical. Go for an easy up-do or a elegant way to wear your hair down.

Tips for Applying Your Own Makeup

• Get a Makeover First - Venture to your local department store and enjoy a free makeover at one of the many makeup counters. When you find what you like, pay close attention to their methods so you can duplicate it later.
  
  
• Buy Quality Cosmetics - Buy all of the same cosmetics that were used in your makeover. Make sure they are good, long lasting products. Don’t forget the waterproof mascara.
  
  
• Practice, Practice, Practice! - The only way to improve your makeup artistry is to practice regularly. Once you get in the groove, you’ll have no problem on the actual day of your wedding.
  
  
• Enlist the Help of a Friend - Do you have a friend whose makeup always looks flawless. Ask her for help. Invite her over prior to the wedding to help you during one of your practice runs. She can lend her expertise on the day of the wedding as well.
  
  
• Take Your Time - Give yourself plenty of time on the day of the wedding. This way, in case you do make a mistake you’ll have plenty of time to get it right.
  
  
• Use a Little More Than Usual, But Not Too Much - You’ll want to wear a little more makeup than usual for the sake of your wedding photos, but you don’t want to look unnatural or unlike yourself.

Avoid Common Mistakes

• Avoid using too much foundation and looking like your makeup is "caked" on. Also, pay close attention that your foundation is the same shade as your skin.
  
  
• Avoid using too much blush or applying blush in a streak along your cheekbone.
  
  
• If you are using lip liner be sure to use liner that matches your lipstick. Avoid using dark lip liner-it will give you that vampire-ish look. Not good for wedding photos. Unless, of course, you’re getting married on Halloween.
  
  
• Avoid too much concealer under the eye. Also make sure your concealer isn’t too light. This will show up very well in photos if it doesn’t match your skin tone.

Thanks to Nicole at My Wedding for this great post.

Cutting Your Wedding Cakes: Do's and Don't

I found an article today that I thought was very informative and well written in regards to the traditional cutting of your wedding cake. The article was found on WeddingCakeCreations.com

Weddings are heavy with tradition and symbolism and cutting the wedding cake is certainly among the most significant acts that the married couple will do at the reception hall. It is a moment that symbolizes so many things including the couple’s fertility, the first act performed together and the beginning of their new life. It is a sentimental moment that is also very festive and merry. In order to make sure that the cutting of the wedding cake goes off without a hitch, here are a few tips for you to follow:

Dos:

1. Make sure that the timing is appropriate. If you are hosting a brunch or tea, cut the cake just after the guests have gone through the receiving line. If you are throwing a lunch or supper reception then cut the cake after supper and just before the desserts are served.
2. Make sure to get everyone’s attention by either having your MC announce the event or by replaying the first dance song. Then have someone from the bridal party – typically the best man make a toast to the couple.
3. Cut the cake with the groom’s right hand gently holding the bride’s right hand – and make sure to slice through the bottom layer!
4. Feed one another from the slice you cut. Typically the groom will first feed the bride and then the bride will feed the groom.
5. Make sure that the bride serves the groom’s parents a piece of cake and that the groom serves the bride’s parents a piece of cake.
6. Designate a friend or someone from the catering staff to cut and serve the rest of the cake to your guests.
7. Make sure that the photographer and videographer are aware of the event before cutting the wedding cake.
8. Try to use a special silver cake knife – either an heirloom or one that you purchase especially for the occasion.

Don’ts:

* Although some people like to smash cake into each other’s faces, it is not a very elegant or dignified thing to do. Not only will it ruin the bride’s makeup (which in many cases was applied professionally) but as this is the first act that the couple performs as husband and wife, it does not bode well for a future of wedded bliss – besides, everything you do will be captured on film and video for generations to come.

If there is a sweet table being served at a wedding, it is generally opened with the cutting of the cake. After this tasty ceremony it is time to hit the dance floor and truly enjoy this day on which you begin your new lives together

Pregnant and Getting Married? Show Off the Bump!

I found this great article on Wetv


A generation ago, "pregnant" plus "unmarried" equaled a speedy trip to the justice of the peace.



By Angelique H. Caffrey


A generation ago, "pregnant" plus "unmarried" equaled a speedy trip to the justice of the peace.



Fast forward to the 21st century, where pregnant women around the world are enjoying both their changing bodies and their wedding days. Even elite Hollywood community A-listers like starlets Jennifer Garner and Amanda Peet are members of this growing sorority of brides proudly taking their blossoming bellies down the aisle.



Nevertheless, Jessica Iverson, designer and owner, MaternityBride.com, (and a former pregnant bride herself) intimately understands the frustrations brides with bumps face.



“Brides are becoming more and more open to getting married while pregnant,” she asserts, "[But] honestly, I’ve found the rest of society is slower to warm to the trend. Change doesn’t happen overnight… it’s a process.”



The Big Business of Blooming Bellies

Fortunately for brides with babies on board, a handful of forward-thinking wedding gown designers including Iverson focus on maternity bridal wear. Even some mainstream stores and websites including Pea in the Pod and Mimi Maternity offer elegant, belly-flattering garments in prices from cheap to steep.



Of course, finding maternity bridal dresses isn’t always simple; many bridal shops still offer outdated advice to apprehensive customers with expanding waistlines: “Just buy your gown two sizes larger and everything will be okay.”



For designer Sarah Houston, Toronto, Canada, following that suggestion typically results in an inadequate, uncomfortable experience for the bride.



After years in the fashion industry, Houston launched her signature line of maternity bridal wear in 2006. Her pieces celebrate and pamper mommy bodies with rich fabrics and simple, but elegant, stylings.



Houston points out, “From a business point of view, it makes sense to carry maternity bridal wear. If more stores would recognize the need for it, they would have a lot more brides coming to them.”



The Art of Being Bridally Bumpilicious
The innate sensuality and femininity of the pregnant figure is tough to ignore; consequently, brides with babes inside deserve maternal wear that echoes their blossoming beauty.



And maternity gown designs needn’t be puritanical; Houston’s most popular model is a stretch silk dress. “It’s my number one selling dress,” she avers. “I can’t keep that dress in stock right now! It’s something that’s very clean… It definitely shows the ‘baby bump’!”



Like Houston, Natalie Gladman, director and designer, madeline isaac-james maternity bridal, London, aims to create unique maternity gowns that drip with femininity, making the bride feel like the beautiful woman she is.



“Being pregnant and getting married is in fact a double celebration,” Gladman asserts. “Pregnant brides are proud to show off their love, excitement and joy at experiencing two of the happiest moments in their lives within a few short months of each other. They demand stylish, elegant maternity wedding gowns that fit and flatter the pregnant form, refusing to compromise on their wedding gown just because they’re pregnant.”



Maternity Bridal Wear: Hot and Haute
With the buzz surrounding the emerging maternity bridal gown market, runway couture may not be far behind for the industry.



In fact, in late 2007, Houston displayed her maternity line at the New York bridal show; she expects to be there again in September 2008. And Gladman plans to secure maternity brides’ dresses into mainstream bridal fashion.



Perhaps these innovative designers pave the way for a new round of reality television: America’s Top Pregnant Model. In the meantime, gals planning a wedding followed by a due date soon after should gently pat themselves on the belly… it’s a great time to be sporting a bump!

Happy Planning,

Shafonne