Samantha's Graduation Party

This past weekend Jen and I planned a wonderful Gator themed graduation party for Sam. The party was dressed in orange and blue with gator heads all around. The celebration was a success and Sam had a wonderful time.

We wish Sam many blessings as she heads off the University of Florida. GO GATORS!

New Wedding Photo Trends

Want to get creative with your wedding photos? Here are some new trends you might like to try.

1. Be the favors- have your photo imprinted on cookies and leave one at each place setting.

2. Head to the city- engagement cityscape shoots are becoming more & more popular. Use your favorite photo in your save-the-dates or display it near the escort cards.

3. Ditch the formality- ask your photographer to get candids of you & your bridal party. 

4. Rent a photo booth- have guests tape the silly shots next to their messages in the guest book.

5. Book 'em- skip the traditional photo album and create a coffee table book with your wedding photos.

Tip: when archiving your photos and negatives, choose acid-free boxes, negative-sleeves, and binders. This will keep your special photos from yellowing or deteriorating.

Welcome Kendall and Trevor

Welcome Kendall and Trevor to the celebrate! family. We are so very excited to help you plan your dream wedding.

FUN FACTS ABOUT THESE LOVEBIRDS:

worked at the same company and Kendall actually was Trevor's assistant in the beginning

first official date on Feb. 15 2005

bought their first house in June 2008

HUGE sports buffs

Trevor is a Gator and Kendall is a Seminole

love to travel and to eat out at fun restaurants

big wine lovers

THE PROPOSAL (according to Kendall):

I was on my way home from work on a Tuesday evening and Trevor called to say hi and see where I was. I told I would be home in 15 min or so. He said ok, cool and that he would just see me at home and that he was just leaving the office.....which is a 20-25 min drive for him.

So, I'm coming down the main road in the neighborhood and I see someone run across the road in front of my car and I realize that it's Trevor. I remember thinking to myself, "what's he doing? Didn't he just say he was leaving the office"? Needless to say, I was very confused. I rolled down the window and asked him what he was doing and he started up about how he hates his car and how he had to take it to Firestone up the street on his way home and that was why he was walking. He seemed pretty pissed so I didn't ask any questions, I just drove home. We pulled in the driveway and he went to go and get the mail and then we walked up to the front door. I could see something through the glass in the door but couldn't tell what it was.

He opened the door and there were a bunch of lit tea lights shaped in the number 17 (it is my favorite number and it was actually February 17th) There was a bouquet of tulips (fav flower) and a bottle of champagne on the coffee table as well. I knew then what was going on! I started laughing/crying and then he got down on one knee and proposed. I of course said YES and then he tried to put the ring on the wrong hand.....too classic and so HIM!!

Afterwards I found out that I had blown his surprise. He didn't actually have car issues but that he had moved his car down the street so that when I got home, I would think that no one was there. I would then open the door to all of the candles and he would be there down on one knee. However, I came home a different way that night and at the split second he was crossing the road, my car comes right at him....completely blowing his plan. Poor thing...but makes for a cute story though!!

All About Bridesmaids

Make both you & your bridal party happy by following these tips while selecting your bridesmaids.

1. Consider friends with whom you're in touch with regularly, who live close by, and who are team players.

2. Aim for having 6 bridesmaids or less

3. Try to choose your bridesmaids within the first 3 to 6 months and ask everyone at about the same time so no one feels last.

4. Ask each bridesmaid individually and do it with style- maybe give her a "bridesmaid" tank top or an accessory that matches your wedding colors.

5. Be upfront with close friends who were not invited to be bridesmaids. Saying "As a couple, we've decided on a more intimate bridal party" will work.

6. Confront any problems that arise as soon as possible.

7. Say thank you! Treat your bridesmaids to a festive brunch & give each person a thoughtful gift.

Funny Favors

One of our brides sent us this hilarious idea for wedding favors. They are moustaches on-a-stick that would be fun to use for photos and just messing around. Weddings don't always have to be serious, and this is a perfect way to incorporate a little fun.

Wedding Day Hair Styles

When it comes to your hair, there are so many styles to choose from. Here are some celebrity pictures that show some neat ways to achieve a particular style that you may be looking for.

For the romantic bride

For the trendy bride

For the beach-y look

For the glamorous bride

For a soft romantic look

Tips for a Green Wedding

A new trend you might like to try is to have a green wedding. If you'd like to try "going green" on your special day, here are a few ways that you can do so. Enjoy :)

1. Consider the location- try to minimize travel-related emissions by having a wedding in a location where guests do not have to travel too far. 

2. Go local with products and services- incorporate "going local" into your menu, decorations, and flowers. This not only helps to reduce emissions, but it also contributes to your local economy.

3. Reuse, reduce, & recycle- consider this principle when it comes to your wedding dress.

4. Monitor your spending- be creative with what is most important to you when it comes to your wedding. Maybe keep the guest list small or decide not to use party favors.

5. Be practical- with regards to registry, instead of registering for more things, have guests donate to your honeymoon or to a down payment on a house.

Wedding Cakes Around the World

I thought it would be fun to share some different cake traditions that are used throughout the world.  An interesting idea is to have a traditional cake that matches your wedding decor, and then order a grooms cake that reflects your family's heritage. Here are a few examples:

• Great Britain, Ireland, & Scotland: Fruitcakes are the most popular in these countries. They are typically made with dates, prunes, raisins, and orange peel, and even laced with bourbon, brandy, or whiskey. Popular frostings are marzipan, brandy butter, or fondant.
• Caribbean Islands: Fruitcakes are a tradition here as well, however the cake is usually filled with sherry, wine, or rum.
• France: A croquembouche, which is a tall tower of cream-filled pastries coated in caramel and formed into a pyramid shape, is a traditional wedding cake for the French.
• Italy: In many areas, the most popular wedding cake is made from layers of filo pastry, chocolate, vanilla creams, and topped with strawberries.

Wedding Dress Terms: Necklines

Here are some great terms regarding your wedding dress necklines to become familiar with:

High - collar just brushing the chin.

Sabrina - a high, slightly curved neck.

Queen Elizabeth - the high collar stands up in the back and comes to a closed V in the front.

Jewel - fabric encircles the natural neckline.

Square - neckline is shaped like half of a square in the front and may be the same in the back or high and straight.

Sweetheart - the front neckline is shaped like the top half of a heart with the back being higher and straight across from shoulder to shoulder.

Off the Shoulder - the neckline falls below the shoulders and hovers above the bustline (but the dress has sleeves).

Boat (or Bateau or Scoop) - the neckline gently follows the curve of the collarbone almost to the tip of the shoulders in the front and the same in the back.

Queen Anne - the neckline rises high at the nape (back) of the neck, then sculpts low in the front either in a sweetheart shape or to outline a bare yoke.

Beach Themed Invitations

Since my office is in a great beach town, I of course always get requests for beach themed classy wedding invitations. Here are some of my favorites from our Invitation Website: