UPTOWN MEETS DOWNTOWN

Photos: Danny Weiss

I'm so lucky to be surrounded by the greatest talent the NYC area has to offer! This shoot was the brainchild and made possible by Photographer Danny Weiss, I helped with the logistics, the gathering of vendors (aka talent), etc. I could sing Danny's praise endlessly for the beautiful images that he captures on wedding days...but ladies (and gents) if you're getting married you should totally meet with Danny and I can almost guarantee you'll hire him on the spot! Danny is a super fun guy to be around...exactly what you want on your wedding day!!

The rest of the crew was stellar as well...Annlum Red / Anna Zhu is the sweetest person and also specializes in made to order Bridesmaid dresses, I still can't get over that she made this wedding dress from scratch in a matter of a couple weeks! Imagine what she can do with your wedding dress. I have been a huge fan of Denise Fasanello Floral Design for some time now and I was so excited to get her on board. I find her work to be so organic, inspiring and original. Our "bride" looked smashing thanks to Sally Duvall (makeup) and Stacy Pitt (hair). These two ladies are NYC favorites in the wedding world and for good reason. You'd be hard pressed to find a more laid back & talented duo. Another favorite of mine, Holly of Artikal, made the cage veil and (bow) horse hair cocktail piece. I'm obsessed with calligraphy and Anna Beckman's tangled script was exactly what this shoot needed...something fun! Last but certainly not least, Red Carpet Boutique in downtown Millburn, NJ for accessories. Ray from Timeless Films is putting together a video from the shoot, so I'll be sharing that soon.

Alrighty that's about it. I hope that you will enjoy the images!

ROCK 'N ROLL BRIDE FEATURE!

Photo: Rock 'n Roll Bride

Click HERE to check out our feature on Rock 'n Roll bride today!! Last month I teamed up with Photographer Danny Weiss to help him coordinate a photo shoot on a rare Sunday that we all found ourselves free. The idea behind the shoot was simple...Uptown girl meets downtown guy, falls in love and gets married on a whim. The POV of the camera is the groom, and his new bride is flirting with him in front of the camera. This shoot would not have been possible without all the amazing vendors involved:

Danny Weiss for photography

Annlum Red / Anna Zhu for the couture wedding gown

Denise Fasanello Floral Design for the bouquet

Sally Duvall for makeup

Stacy Pitt for hair

Artikal for bridal hats & veils

Red Carpet Boutique in downtown Millburn, NJ for accessories

Anna Beckman for calligraphy

Timeless Films for video (which we will be sharing at a later date)

ALSO a huge thank you is in store to my friend Christian for lending us his motorcycle jacket for the shoot...AND...my real bride Tracy who jumped in as our "bride" for the shoot when our model bride had a modeling conflict and a busted hip. Tracy you are a treasure and I can't wait to see you in your real bridal gorgeousness in July!!

Will be blogging more pictures this week but head over to Rock 'n Roll bride to check out the feature today!

ONLINE DESIGN TOOL

Photo: BBJ Linen

Such a great tool ladies. BBJ Linen has developed an online tool to design your wedding day table...try it out. It's really fun and I love using it myself to propose linen ideas to my brides. ENJOY!

DISCOUNT!! PERFECT BRIDESMAID GIFT

Photo Credit: Max & Chloe

One of my past brides is the owner of the super stylish Max & Chloe jewelry website. I can literally spend hours on the site...and I have. I was even lucky enough to receive these gifts from her (thanks again)!! Recently Max & Chloe blogged about the perfect bridesmaid gift, personalized/monogrammed necklaces and I couldn't agree more. See the entire personalized collection here. They also have the most beautiful bridal jewelry and tons of choices for bridesmaid gifts.

This week they are offering a 25% off discount site wide

Use promo code DAILYCANDY25 at checkout

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!!

FABRIC LOVE

Photos: Bird and Banner

I'm on an invitation kick so naturally I want to showcase a favorite designer of mine, Bird and Banner. I'm totally obsessed with the invitations above. I love the unexpected touches they add to all their pieces. My heart skipped a beat when I saw these business cards of a favorite blog of mine...and I just about died the first time I saw these.

I can totally see you DIY brides out there whipping something like this up!!

LETTERPRESS(ISH) FOR LESS

Photo Credit: Click on Pics

I've always had a serious love affair with letterpress, but let's face it, it's not in everyones budget...and that's OK! I'm actually a huge believer that when choosing your paper products, the actual paper is first and foremost...printing method second. If you choose a nice heavy/luxe paper your golden.

Lately I've been coveting custom embossers. Embossers are an inexpensive way to personalize all of your wedding day paper. The best part is that you will have the embosser forever!! You can emboss everything from your save the dates, invites, napkins, the list goes on. Neiman Marcus has the sweetest butterfly embosser that would make for a lovely shower gift or springtime wedding.

Check out WG Press and all their samples and you too will want a custom embosser stat!! Other great sites are Paper Source, Ballard, Horchow and even Williams and Sonoma (why not put it on your registry).

WEDDING WITH A VIEW

Photo found here

I am forever in love with wedding venues that have a view. I just learned about The New York Academy of Sciences new event space located at 7 World Trade Center. I can't wait to learn more about it, visit it, and maybe even host an event there! The views are stunning. If this looks as cool to you as it does to me, check out their "wedding pack", the space, the photo gallery, and the uber cool green factor!!

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!!

SNEAK PEAK

Photo Credit: Danny Weiss

Here's a sneak peak at the photo shoot I was telling you about. More to come, including all the vendors involved. For now...visit Danny's blog for eye candy overload!

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!

WHERE FOR ART THOU?

Photo found here

Most weddings involve an element of drama, but hopefully not a tragedy at the end! This might seem clique to some, but romantic to most...why not go all out and base your day on Romeo and Juliet? "Juliet's Balcony" is said to be located on the second floor of the 14th century Casa Di Giulietta in Verona, Italy. Who wouldn't be tempted by the idea of a kiss on that balcony?

The dream is now becoming a reality. By contacting Verona's Tourist Board couples are now able to rent the infamous balcony and acquire exclusive use of the house, but the ceremony must be performed inside the house. Last I heard the rental fee was $1,000 Euros and an additional $300 Euros for non-Europeans.

I find it surprising that I haven't seen any Romeo and Juliet themed e-pics on the web. I'm personally not a fan of themed shoots, but with so many out there these days...this is bound to come up and hopefully it won't be cheesy! Do I hear a fire escape calling your name a la West Side Story??

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!

WHIMSICAL DELIGHT

Photo Credit: Meredith Davenport of Christian Oth Studio

I seriously could gush endlessly about all my couples. Since I run a small boutique agency, I make sure to work with the best couples ever. I am very lucky that all of my brides (and grooms!) are so incredibly stylish and outright awesome!

Today I want to share with you a few pictures from Heidi and Allan's wedding at Angel Orensanz Foundation. I was jumping for joy when they hired me because Angel Orensanz is within blocks of my old apartment that I called home for so long. I'm not kidding you when I say I miss these two everyday! They were such a fun and laid back couple, and Heidi should seriously consider a career change into event design! Whenever your ready Heidi!!

I was also really amped to get to work with Melanie at Melrosa on the flowers. I had my eye on her designs ever since I saw these pictures of the flowers she did for a photographer I worked with back in June '09.

This was also the first time I would have the pleasure of working with Meredith Davenport of Christian Oth Studio. All of her photographs of the day take my breathe away! Also a HUGE shout out to Meredith's assistant for the day, Brian DeMello (who along with Meredith ROCKED it out)!!

I know I will get to see Heidi and Allan again soon because they just told me the good news...they are expecting!! Congrats again to Heidi and Allan on your wedding and the baby! I can never thank you enough for trusting me with your big day. LOVE you both!

A few more pictures of this beautiful wedding are on my Bespoke Affairs' Facebook Page (which I'm trying to get better at updating...promise).

HOW FUN!

Photo Credit: Brian Dorsey

Balloons for e-pics are so 2009...check out these adorable bubble e-pics on Brian Dorsey's Blog!!

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!

BE MINE!!

Photo Credit: Ceci New York

With Valentine's Day just around the corner, this sweeter than candy invitation "sweet" has me longing to design a Valentine's Day fete! Ceci New York is endlessly blowing me away, and these invites are at the top of my list! Have a great weekend y'all.

BABY'S BREATH

Last picture is for my Winter Chic Bride Jaime, WINK!

Photo Credit: Click on Photo

Okay, so the baby's breath thing isn't a completely new idea...but...I think that I've managed to find some blog posts over time that no one else has really blogged about, at least around our neck of the woods. Using an inexpensive bloom like baby's breath in bulk gives a huge impact...don't you think?? So ethereal! I literally have a whole file of images just like these, from modern to elegant to classic...email me if you want to see more!

Our friends over at Sedona Bride emailed us the three middle pictures...and well...those three pictures don't even scratch the surface of how beautifully they capture that wedding! I am endlessly in love with Sedona's Brides images and blog!!

For more baby's breath inspiration, Click here, click here and click here to see some events that used baby's breath magically!

OH! Be sure to click here to see baby's breath at its best!

COUTURE DRESSES...JUST FOR YOU

Photos found on Annlum Red's Site

One of my favorite things to do in my spare time is to be creative and I'm so lucky to be surrounded by so many awesome people in this industry!! I don't want to give away too many of the details, but in late February/early March I will be sharing an incredible inspirational photo shoot with all of you. One of my all time favorites is the brainchild of all of this...photographer extraordinaire Danny Weiss! So many incredible NYC vendors are working hard to put this shoot together, but I wanted to share a glimpse into one of them. Anna Zhu from Annlum Red. Anna is making the gown couture for the shoot. Yesterday we had a muslin fitting of the gown with our model...and well...I'm blown away! Ladies you need to run and meet with Anna in her midtown studio to create the wedding gown of your dreams! She also specializes in itty bitty's, mother of the bride, and bridesmaid dresses. When I saw the last picture, which is one of her designs/creations, I nearly fell off my chair! Anna painstakingly put this gown of over 3,000 hand made petals together in less than a month! OH...did I mention how sweet she is?!

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!