ADIOS 2009...CHEERS 2010

Photo: Aga Images

Wow...2010 already! It's snowing again in NYC- yeah! So be careful out there and be sure to ring in the new year tonight with the ones you love. My wish for all of you is that the new year brings much love and success! Words can not express how excited I am for all of the upcoming 2010 weddings! Big hugs to all my family, friends and brides...and GROOMS...can't forget the grooms!

LETTERPRESS PERFECTION!

Photos: East Six

Anyone who knows me knows that I'm madly in love with winter weddings. No other season can even come close to matching the romance, the environment, and the magic of the season in NYC. There is something so incredible about the buzz in the city during winter....that jolt of energy that pulses through me even though it's freezing outside. The twinkling lights, the snow, "The" tree, ice skating, fireplaces, hot chocolates....I can list a million reasons why to have a winter wedding! At the top of my personal list is the the energy surrounding the holiday season/NYE...it can not be beat! That is exactly why I chose to get married one week after the new year...to continue and stretch out the holiday season as long as I could!!

I am simply dying, DYING, over these perfect winter wedding invitations by East Six. I mean seriously, could they get any yummier? They scream winter without being over done!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Photo found here

Okay, so the photo above might be a little outdated...it's from Bergdorf's 2008 holiday window last year, but I still love it so much! Especially since it's so wedding inspired! Great inspiration for all those winter weddings out there. I also remember trying on that exact Oscar De La Renta gown for my own wedding.

Anyway...Wishing you and yours a wonderful holiday season!!!

SUPER CUTE FOR 2010

Photos: Parrot Design Studio

UPDATE: Looks like the calendar sold out today! Click here for another super cute letterpress calendar!

I've been in love with Parrot Design Studio ever since I learned about their fabulous Press & Post! In short, it's a monthly delivery service of one letterpress card complete with an envelope and vintage postage. SIGH! Parrot Design Studio has a great blog that is always loaded with giveaways. I also want just about everything in their Esty shop. Especially these ridiculously cute letterpress 2010 calendars!

WINTER NYC PROPOSAL

Photos: Aga Images

I'm absolutely in love with grooms-to-be that hire awesome photographers to take "proposal pics". Proposals are such incredible moments, so it's only fitting to want to capture images of it. While blog stalking, I noticed my friends over at Aga Images have been doing a lot of them lately...and to perfection of course! They even throw in an impromptu couples sessions afterwards. Here in NYC we have over 10 inches of snow and these images totally warm my heart and get me amped for the holidays!

BEYOND OBSESSED

Photos: Luxe Paperie

Luxe Paperie is just about the most awesome site out there for ready made letterpress goods. Visit the site to swoon till your hearts content. I love that a bunch of my favorites are all in one spot. Wiley Valentine, Elum and Hello! Lucky...just to name a few! After looking thru this site you'll never visit a Hallmark again!

THE ONE...THE ONLY!!!

Photos: found here

Vera Wang is holding her annual bridal and bridesmaid sample sale this Saturday, December 12th (9am-5pm). The dresses will be marked 25-75% off regular retail prices, one-of-a-kind samples and a limited quantity of overstock from previous collections. GOOD LUCK!

The New Yorker Hotel

481 Eighth Avenue

New, York

212.575.6400

EYE CANDY

Photos: Cathy Waterman

I love my solitaire engagement ring and eternity wedding band because it allows me to stack all different kinds of fun rings together. I'm pretty obsessed with all of Cathy Waterman's baubles...aren't you? I especially love the idea of mixing metals...white gold, yellow gold, rose gold, oh my!

HAPPY TURKEY DAY WITH FLOWER SCHOOL

Photos: Saipua

I have so much to be thankful for this year, my loving husband (who puts up with me day and night), my adorable pup, family & friends, everyone I work with and all my wonderful brides that seriously become a part of my family! So much so that I'm even taking a calligraphy class with one of my brides next weekend...we are both totally obsessed with calligraphy!

It's no secret that I love weddings and all the talented people that make a wedding come together. One of the most important vendors (in my opinion) that you will hire is your florist! There are so many creative forces out there! I was reminded the other day (by one of my new brides- silly excited about her day!) how much I love the work of Saipua and Nicolette Camille. I've been wanting to attend their Little Flower School! I'd love to try and learn how to put together one of their lovely arrangements so that I can have beautiful fresh flowers in my home at all times...that are anything but ordinary!! This WILL be my next class...any takers?

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!

YORKIE LOVE!!

Photo: Chelsea Nicole

Sorry for the lack of posts this week. My computer suddenly went kaput. All is better now and I'm back up and running. I also promise to share pictures soon of some late summer and fall weddings I worked on...as soon as I get the images from the photographers.

In the meantime I thought I'd share a picture of a very special lunch date I recently had with my one of my favorite west coasters.

I LOVE MY JOB!

GIVEAWAY!! FREE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY!!

Photo: Aga Images

It's no secret...Aga and Marcin from Aga Images are just about two of my favorite people. They are both the crazy talented photographers behind my own wedding day (self loved wedding pic above!)

Every year they have an insanely cool contest...they give away their services to one deserving couple. How cool is that? How cool are they?! If you have never heard of Aga Images you need to visit their blog, it's full of so much eye candy. Their photographs are pieces of art, every single one of them!

Read all the rules and enter here!! AND notice Kim and Tim in the contest pic! LOVE IT!

CALLING ALL PA BRIDES!!

Photo: Duet Letterpress

My brides definitely spoil me! My beautiful bride Heidi and her equally beautiful mother in law Galina just sent me and my assistant the most generous gift baskets! The basket was filled with candles, lotions, shampoos, conditioners, shower gels, and massage oils...AND...a gift card for a massage, facial AND a spa pedicure!! As if that wasn't enough...I will receive a luxury gift item while at the spa. Seriously way to generous!

Galina is the co-owner of David J Witchell Salon and Spa. It's a renowned 14 thousand square foot salon and spa located in the heart of Historic Newton Pennsylvania. From the looks of the website and all the reviews online, David J Witchell is "The" place to go! Galina sent her team to NYC for Heidi's wedding and they blew me away!

So to all the PA girls out there that might be reading this...check out David J Witchell Salon and Spa! Thank you Heidi & Galina!!!

LOVE THIS LINK!

Photo: Chelsea Nicole

UPDATE!!! CHELSEA NICOLE IS OFFERING FREE TRAVEL FOR ALL 2010 NYC WEDDINGS! I HEART CHELSEA (AND JAYSE-HER ASSISTANT/BOYFRIEND) IN A BIG WAY!

Click here and check out this awesome link of one of my past couples. My tinie tiny pics on my blog can't do the images justice...so I decided to just link the post!! I'm in love with their TTD session, I'm in love with the photographer Chelsea Nicole, and I'm totally obsessed with the images that came out of this perfect union! Smooches to everyone in front and behind the camera! Here's the link again in case you didn't check it out the first time I said it. HA! HA!

WOWY! I'M A LUCKY GIRL!

Photo: DL1961 Jeans

You might be thinking, what do jeans have to do with wedding and events?? Well, I just came home to the best package ever...5 pairs of DL1961 Jeans...in just about every wash and cut! I swear I must have done something really good in my past life to be so lucky!

Heidi, my bride for this Saturday at Angel Orensanz, works in the denim industry and gifted me with all these jeans. I could never thank her enough...that was way too generous! I don't think I'll have to buy jeans for a VERY long time now!

Words can not express how excited I am for Heidi's wedding. It is going to be magical, whimsical and elegant (Melanie's words- the crazy talented florist for the event)! I am going to be so sad when the wedding is over. Heidi has been such a pleasure to get to know and I'm beyond honored to share in the celebration.

TOO DELICIOUS

Photo: Bakerella

I absolutely fall madly in love with everything that Bakerella posts to her blog! Her blog is so inspirational, fun and definitely sweet! Wouldn't these pops be darling favors for a wedding shower? Click here to find out how to make your own. Wanna see something just so darn cute? Click here.

MADISON AVENUE SOIREE

Fred Marcus Photography

I'm sure you have all seen these pictures about a million times since Monday...but...Ivanka is stunna in her Grace Kelly inspired Vera Wang...what else? Her jaw dropping earrings are her own design and cost an estimated $130,000. From the looks of her gown and bouquet, her first wedding ceremony and reception at Trump National Golf Club appears to have been traditional elegance at its best...designed by the Trump family favorite Preston Bailey. The second reception took place on Wednesday night at The Puck Building (those are the pictures I keep checking the net to see!). Now that Ivanka’s 2 amazing weddings are over, she has decide to help future brides plan their big day. Ivanka will be hosting an upscale and intimate bridal event at her flagship Madison Avenue store. The event will showcase the creme de la creme and hidden gems of everything in bridal beauty, fashion and accessories for 2010.

Ivanka Trump Collection

685 Madison Avenue

NY, NY 10065

212.756.9912

info@ivankatrump.com

November 12 from 5-7 PM

Click here for one of my favorite parts of an NYC wedding!

MARTHA, MARTHA, MARTHA!

Photo: Martha Stewart's Winter 2009 Magazine

Martha Stewart is hosting an hour-long Wedding Show with an audience full of brides-to-be! How fun! Whether you've been engaged for months or just a few days, you can go online and request tickets for her Wedding Show. Click here to request tickets for the show. Tell them about your engagement and explain why you would like to be a member of the Wedding Show audience. Ticket maximum is two for this show, and tickets are for brides-to-be only.

SAMPLE SALE THIS WEEKEND!!!

Photos: Selia Yang

People often ask me what I miss the most about Alphabet City and the East Village, where I lived for nearly a decade. On the top of my list is walking by Selia Yang everyday, and driving by it on the M8 to work. Selia Yang is just about the best bridal designer out there if you ask me. If you haven't had the pleasure of going to one of her boutiques (no shoes allowed)...RUN and make an appointment. Her shop in the East Village houses her samples from previous seasons at discounted prices. Her samples are not the run of the mill sample dresses...they are pristine as if you had ordered the dress just for yourself. Her Tribeca store leaves me speechless. I often daydream about "the one that got away", you see it was between my dress and Selia Yang's 2008 Bordeaux. If 2009's Jeane (pictured above in green) was available when I was getting married, mark my words, that would have been my dress! Selia Yang is also the queen of adornments and bridal corsages at the waist! This post is especially for my friend...who is equally obsessed with Selia's designs...Maybe we should go to her Tribeca Sample Sale this weekend (Saturday & Sunday 12-5pm) just for fun? No appointment necessary! And if any out of towners are reading this...Selia Yang's collection is now available at Saks.

CUSTOM CAKE TOPPERS

Photos: Dandelionland

Have you ever seen anything as fantastically adorable as these cake toppers first spotted on Etsy? These cake toppers can be found in Dandelionland's Shop. The best part is that they can be totally customized...hair, eyes, dress, tux, etc. The artist also specializes in painting birdcage veils onto the brides. These would even be fun placed next to the guest book. Too frigging cute for words...what a playful way to express your fun side on your wedding day!

NYC E-PIC LOVE!

Photos: Scott Andrews

I said it before, I'll say it again...I love all my brides! I'm really excited to share some pictures with you of Tracy and Matt's E-Pics shot by Scott Andrews. Scott is home based in CA and I'm crazy over his images! You should run and check out his blog, and click here for his entire post on Tracy and Matt's E-Pics.

I'm totally bonkers over Tracy and her entire family! The wedding isn't until July, which is good because it means lots of time together to help plan the wedding of their dreams. Their wedding is sure to knock everyone socks off because both Tracy and her mom Lauri are fabulous interior designers. Tracy's mom Lauri Ward revolutionized the interior decorating world in 1981 creating Use What You Have Interiors. I love the company's philosophy...they use what you already have in your home as a solid foundation to create a fresher and updated look.

Tracy is as sweet as sugar and she is happily offering anyone who reads this post 10% off their initial consultation with her...just mention Bespoke Affairs, and ask for Tracy. Check out some of their before and after pics. Once you check out what Tracy does, I know you will pine to have her come to your home!