BRIDE'S CHOICE AWARD 2011

I am thrilled to announce that Bespoke Affairs has been selected to receive the prestigious annual Wedding Wire Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2011 for Wedding Planners!

Recognition for the Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2011 is determined by recent reviews and extensive surveys from over 750,000 Wedding Wire newlyweds. Our past clients are among those that shared their experiences on Wedding Wire, the largest wedding review site in the nation.

Bespoke Affairs now stands among the top five percent of wedding professionals in the Wedding Wire community, representing quality and service excellence within the wedding industry. Awards were given to the top wedding professionals across 20 service categories, from wedding venues to wedding photographers, and were based on the overall professional achievements throughout the past year.

I can not thank all my couples enough for your continued support and referrals. You all mean the world to me and I am so happy to be a part of such a big moment in your lives.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Photo: Turn Loose the Art

Oh man...I have been such a bad blogger. BAD. My New Years resolution is to try to get better at it, what's yours? I have all these things I want to blog about, but I never seem to find the time...sometimes there is just not enough hours in the day!

Above is an image from a wedding I'll share next week. Wishing you and yours the best year yet!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Image found here

As many of my brides know (and now you do too), my husband, Winston and I have moved to idyllic Westfield, New Jersey...hence my blog-cation of sorts as I move and begin remolding our vintage colonial. Best part...my brides that live in NJ will now be able to meet with me at my NJ location!

NJ gets a bad rap with all of these reality shows on television. The reality is that there are so many sensational event venues that make crossing the Hudson well worth the trip. In honor of my move...starting next week, I am going to *try* and blog once a week about fun and exciting venues all over NJ.

I am really looking forward to Halloween this weekend and seeing all of the neighborhood kiddie's decked out in their costumes. Have a safe and fun Halloween everyone!

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!

Photos: Twig & Thistle

I remember bookmarking the above festive downloads last year...and never getting around to using them. Leave it to Twig & Thistle to always come up with the cutest stuff. Happy 4th of July everyone!!

GETAWAY CARS

Photos: Click on pictures for credits

With Father's Day this weekend, I'm missing my father who is a classic car aficionado and retired to Florida. So in honor of all the fathers out there I wanted to get you thinking about creative wedding day transportation. While limos are convenient...renting a classic automobile for you and your sweetie is so much cooler. For my own Manhattan wedding I rented a classic checker cab from Peter at Film Cars. Peter was hands down one of my favorite vendors. The car totally set the mood, he played things like Sinatra, people were applauding while we drove by, and my father had a blast chatting with Peter about all of their cars.

This picture is great for inspiration too. Wishing my dad and yours a Happy Father's Day!!

BEE (spoke) KIDZ

Photo: BEE (spoke) KIDZ

I love itty bitty's (my sister has 3) and I'm always dreaming up fabulous themed birthday parties for them and all of their friends. So I decided to make it official and launch a new division of Bespoke Affairs. Allow me to introduce my new venture...BEE (spoke) KIDZ. I plan on fully launching in the fall when the craziness of the spring/summer wedding season is over. In the meantime feel free to contact me at BEEspokeKIDZ@gmail.com for more information.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

Photo: Giddyspinster

I wanted to wish all mothers out there a very special Mother's Day this weekend. The above is a picture of the gift I sent my own mom (she lives in Florida). I love Giddyspinster's Etsy Shop! When I saw this up-cycled stiletto that had been turned into a planter I had to order one for my mom, stat. My mom is a constant source of inspiration for me...my mother is just about the spunkiest person I know and she has such a fun, modern, avant-garde/abstract interior design aesthetic. If you visited my childhood home, and especially their home now, you'd know exactly what I mean. I also get my crazy obsession with Yorkie's from my mother...she has two cuties, Zsa Zsa GaBow and Nico. I love you and miss you mom!

Photo: Poppies & Posies Events

Next up, my Mother in law. I am constantly telling her everyday to give up her job as being in charge of the volunteers at a hospital and become a florist (I kid, she loves what she does). When my mother in law and her family came to the states from Italy they were horticulturalist. I love hearing all her stories and seeing the amazing arrangements she whips up using the plants and flowers in her garden (and growing in her garage!). She adores Poppies & Posies Events aesthetic, so I've ordered something from them for her. Picture to follow Monday, but above you can see one of their amazing arrangements.

MY NIECES & NEPHEW

Photos: Aga Images

Okay so this post is not exactly "event" or "wedding" related, but it does feature a couple of my favorite things...my nieces and nephew and the awesome photography duo at Aga Images. Click here to see the pictures in all of their glory on Aga's blog.

Brides out there, not only is Aga crazy talented (how will I ever choose which of these pictures to hang on my wall!!??) but she is also so sweet to be around.

DIY ENVELOPE

Photo Credit: Map Envelope

I love DIY...so when I came across Map Envelope I fell in love fast...especially since they are free!! These would be really cute for save the dates or RSVP cards. Leave it to Etsy to have an AMAZING option (just type in map envelope for so many more)! These are also pretty rad. The hubby and I are house hunting and I totally plan on using these printable envelopes for our moving announcements...well this week anyway.

CAST YOUR VOTE!

Photo Credit: Unusually Fine Photography

September 2010 is shaping up to be a very special month for me...2 outstanding weddings on the Brooklyn waterfront AND the wedding of a cousin! September will end with a bang with the wedding of Regina and Nikolai. Regina and Nikolai are totally sweet and have the hippest ideas, which I can't wait to share with you after the wedding. The wedding will be chock full of DIY, which you all know I love. The ceremony will be held in the Library Room at the Brooklyn Historic Society and the reception is at Bubby's in Dumbo.

ANYWAY...Regina and Nikolai are finalist in a free wedding photography contest held by the fabulous photographers at Unusually Fine. Regina and Nikolai (click here to learn a little about them) are so deserving of this, so if you have time, click here to cast your vote!

Thanks Y'all!!

NEW WEBSITE

Photo: Bespoke Affairs

If you found your way to the blog...then you already realized that Bespoke Affairs FINALLY has a new website! Nothing fancy and still needs a lot of work...but it's a start. Have a great weekend!!

VINTAGE VOGUE

Photos found here

As an event designer I am forever inspired by the world around me...whether it's by flipping through the pages of Elle Decor or just walking around NYC getting ideas from the local sites and sounds. When I'm designing an event it is paramount for me to get to know the client(s) so that I can pull inspiration from their daily life in order to make the event truly bespoke. Because lets face it, at the end of the day it's not about how much money you spend, but that the day reflects who you are and speaks volumes to your guests. I find myself inspired the most by couples that really want their guests to "know a little more about them". For example, I love it when a couple tells me about their favorite restaurant, memorable vacation spots or even if they give me a swatch of their favorite fabric...that always gets the creative juices flowing!

Today I thought I'd share with you some of my favorite images (that I fall in love with over and over again). I consider myself a bit of a throwback, so naturally I'm in love with everything vintage and Vogue. I especially love Jean Patchett, pictured in the first three images. Happy Tuesday!

LACK OF POSTS

Hey Y'all...if anyone is out there reading this...sorry for the lack of posts lately. I've been a very busy bee, which is a good thing! I'm gearing up for an inspirational photo shoot this weekend, and working with lots of wonderful brides for 2010 (and 2011)! I've also finally pulled the trigger on an official website! It's nothing fancy but will get the job done. It's clean and modern, but most importantly is filled with beautiful images (thanks to all the photographers and couples I've worked with). Promise to be back soon with some big changes!

PHOTO SHOOT PLEASE!

Photos found here

It's been awhile since I have visited Roosevelt Island...something about it has always creeped me out (a bit). Even before I ever became a "wedding planner", I was oddly drawn to Renwick Ruins and the idea of doing a photo shoot there. I won't go into a history lesson because I'm bound to mess things up, so in short, Renwick Ruins is the crumbling facade of a former Smallpox Hospital on RI, which was designed by the same guy responsible for Saint Patrick's Cathedral, so you know at one point it was impressive.

How awesome would it be to do a inspirational photo shoot there with Manhattan's skyline in the distance...reminding us all of Roosevelt Island's erie past!

Any photographers out there want to jump the fence and risk getting arrested? Well...I don't want to get arrested!!

What's gotten over me?? I promise to blog soon about past & upcoming weddings. I've been a bit bogged down with "paper work" and research...which is a GOOD things! It means, many beautiful weddings coming up for 2010!

GHOST CHAIRS

Photos found here

Every bride at some point PINES after one thing or another. With some brides it's paper, with others it's flowers. When I was a bride it was hands down ghost chairs. I tired to find a way to fit them into my budget...but...my venue came equipped with chiavari chairs so I just couldn't justify the high price tag. Whenever I replan my own wedding in my head ghost chairs are involved (YES! I have issues, and YES! this "so-called wedding" is budget-less). Check out what Taylor Creative INC is doing now to reinvent the already fabulous chairs!

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!

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!!!

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!

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!!!