News & Events

There is a lot going on in the wedding world these days! So, here is a quick recap to catch you up on all the news. First of all, my lovely friend Ami of Elizabeth Anne Designs has launched a new design of her blog! Not only is it beautiful, she has also updated the Vendor Guide and several of her archives. Congrats, Ami!

For those of you lucky enough to be in the Los Angeles area, there is a Monique Lhuillier sample sale tomorrow! If you buy a dress be sure to let me know so I can live vicariously through you :)

The Knot has teamed up with Philosophy to create an adorable new bridal beauty package called "tying the knot." They're also hosting a "Wedding Day Hope" contest where you can win a variety of great prizes. Check it out!

Stone Blue Productions is in the midst of a holiday giveaway, where $2,800 worth of goodies will be gifted to lucky winners. Go to their blog to check it out:

Jimmy Choo and Elton John AIDS Foundation have launched a photo competition to support the launch of Project PEP, a charity collection that donates 25% of sales to the Simelela Rape Centre in South Africa. The money goes towards providing the HIV-preventative treatment PEP (which must be taken within 72 hours of exposure to HIV) and counselling to victims of rape in South Africa, which has the highest count of rape in the world. The theme of the competition is "Your Shoes and 72" and the winner will be invited to spend a day of luxury and the Jimmy Choo HQ and choose 7 pairs of shoes and 2 handbags to keep. Plus over 100 exclusive Jimmy Choo prizes will also be awarded. The contest ends on the 7th so get creative quick!
Photographer Paula Leme is hosting a great contest for free wedding coverage next year, and is even giving a 15% discount to everyone who participates! Read the details below and on Paula's blog.

Sponsor Spotlight: Photo Card Creations

I am excited to welcome another new sponsor this month - Photo Card Creations! Photo Card Creations was started by Allison Thomas, a bride who couldn’t find nice wedding photo thank you cards for herself. So she decided to create her ‘own’ photo thank you cards & to create a custom photo card company that would cater to brides just like herself – those looking for something trendy, hip & unique! You can find a variety of invitations, save the dates, thank you cards, and now even holiday options. Their prices are unbelievably reasonable, so definitely head over to their site to see all the adorable options!

Bellina Bridal Boutique

I came across Bellina Bridal Boutique this weekend and couldn't wait to share these beautiful dresses with you. They are a mixture of custom creations and vintage finds, and all of them are really reasonably priced. I think the top left dress is my favorite but they are all so gorgeous. Which one do you like?

Vintage Country Engagement Session by New Day Photography

Let me share with you the engagement session of Kathrin and Charlie. These beautiful images were taken by the very talented photographer Cristina Navarro from New Day Photography . I found them at her blog and I couldn't resist to post them. They are a perfect example of the beautiful local scenery this area has to offer (I believe it is Mesilla, New Mexico) to bring the Vintage Country Theme alive. Don't you love them? Edited by Jacqueline Garcia

Gorgeous Edible Centerpiece for a Very Berry Holiday

When Liz Nardo from The Baddish Group sent me this Holiday Craft by Tish Boyle, I fell in love with it. It is as delicious as it is beautiful. I am definitely going to make it myself for Christmas Dinner, I am sure my family and friends will be amazed. Edited by Jacqueline Garcia

"This year take a fresh new approach to holiday crafts and make them edible!  This Very Berry Holiday Tree created by cookbook author Tish Boyle is the ideal holiday 'must do' that let's you get your craft on and save money too – in under an hour."

"So forget the fresh flowers, this simple project is sure to delight everyone on who sets eyes on your table.  And, once you experience the taste of Driscoll's you will want to make sure that these berry bright trees are a signature hostess gift in your own party repertoire."

Driscoll’s Very Berry Holiday Tree

Makes one table centerpiece

Special equipment:

1 floral foam or green styrofoam cone (measuring 4-5 inches in diameter at the base and 12 inches high)

1 box of toothpicks

Supplies:

4 one pound containers of fresh Driscoll strawberries

1 bunch fresh mint

1 slice from a carambola fruit (also known as star fruit)*

*Note: If you can’t find a carambola, you can use a 1-inch star-shaped cookie cutter to cut out a star shape from a mango slice instead.

Directions:

1. Wash the strawberries and blot them dry with paper towels. Pull off the green stem from each strawberry. Reserve a perfect strawberry for the top of the ‘tree’.

2. Push a toothpick halfway into the side of the cone, about 1/2 inch from the bottom edge. Secure a strawberry to the toothpick, piercing it through the stem end. Secure another strawberry right next to the first one. Continue securing strawberries to the cone in circular rows up to its top, covering the cone completely. Secure the reserved strawberry to the top of the tree.

3. Remove some mint leaves from the bunch of mint and tuck them between the berries, placing them at about 3-inch intervals.

4. Secure the star-shaped carambola or mango slice to the top of the cone using a toothpick.


About Tish Boyle 

Tish Boyle is editor in chief of Chocolatier and Pastry Art & Design magazines. A graduate of Smith College and La Varenne Ecole de Cuisine in Paris, she has been a caterer, pastry chef, and food stylist. She is the author of The Good Cookie and Diner Desserts, and coauthor of Simply Sensational Desserts (IACP Award Winner), Chocolate Passion, and the Grand Finales series of books.

Guest Post: Heather Levine of The Knot

I am really excited to welcome Heather Levine to the blog today, for a guest post on the latest and greatest wedding gown fashions. Heather observed all the newest gowns from a front row seat at fashion week, and she was gracious enough to write up her five favorite trends for all of you! So without further ado, Heather's five favorite trends (examples of each trend can be found above):

1) Rosettes
These bold blooms weren’t the only flowers to pop up on the bridal runways: I also spotted smaller varieties, like cherry blossoms, and even some cascading petal details. But here’s the reason rosettes are so highly ranked: Their larger-than-life size makes a normally romantic flower feel more, well, fresh. Gown: Melissa Sweet.

2) Retro Style
I’m addicted to Mad Men (but still catching up, just started the Season 2 DVD, so no spoilers, please)! When I saw these tulle, natural-waist numbers paired with sheer wristlet gloves, I instantly fell in love. Gown: Tara Keely by Edric Woo.

3) 3-D Embroidery
Over the years, some of my favorite gowns have had that old-world allure, or looked, you know, vintage. But they all had one thing in common: a slim, sheath-like silhouette. Finally, this season I saw intricate tulle-embroidered ball gowns and A-line skirts that offer that same antique appeal. Gown: Christos.

4) Bold Straps
The asymmetrical strap is nothing new, but this year bridal designers really took risks making each strap -- and more importantly, each dress -- a unique work of art. Gown: Claire Pettibone.

5) Black Accents
No, I’m not Twilight-obsessed, but I do think there’s nothing more elegant than a white gown adorned with this gothic hue. Gown: Vera Wang.

Thank you, Heather! What do you all think? Do you love any of the trends or will you be using them in your own wedding? Discuss!

Heather Levine is the Fashion Editor of TheKnot.com, the #1 wedding website. As fashion editor, Heather is responsible for producing and styling the stories most coveted by brides – fashion and beauty – for TheKnot.com and The Knot Weddings magazine, as well as acting as host for fashion segments on The Knot TV, the site’s 24-7 streaming video channel. Heather also serves as in-house stylist for The Knot that includes editorial styling for media and special appearances.

*Photos: Clark+Walker Studio, Courtesy of TheKnot.com

Carol Hannah's Etsy Store

Do you watch Project Runway? Its by far one of my favorite shows and this past season, Carol Hannah was one of my favorite designers. I thought she deserved to win regardless, but after that poor girl suffered through fashion week, she deserved a medal! So last week I was really excited when I was browsing through my reader and came upon a post on Lucky Me, with a link to Carol Hannah's Etsy Store. Her designs are so down to earth and wearable, I just love everything she creates. And if that weren't enough, she also has a preview of her wedding collection! Absolutely adorable bridesmaid options and gorgeous bridal gowns. I can't wait to see the entire line! (P.S. She also has a blog, which is completely charming)