Today we end our “Personalize Your Wedding” series with some wise words on aisle runners. Do you dream of walking down the aisle on a beautiful white aisle runner laden with petals? Or does your vision of your aisle walk include an artistically inspired and designed runner? Either way, there are several options available for you to select from, many of them available for customization to suit your particular wedding day theme or motif.
But before you rush out to purchase or order an aisle runner, there are a few things to consider. First, does your ceremony venue permit aisle runners? Many churches, especially those with bare floors such as marble or tile, prohibit them due to liability issues related to injuries as the result of a trip or fall. You will want to check with your pastor or priest regarding the church’s specific rules for aisle runners. Some outdoor venues also prohibit runners for the very same reason. Many of the problems associated with runners are related to cheap, poorly made products manufactured with gauze, rice paper, or plastic that doesn’t lie flat and creates creases and folds which can contribute to accidents. They also tend to rip immediately after being walked upon. These runners are usually found in discount and craft superstores. Expect to get what you pay for if you purchase these types of runners.
Crystallized Monogram
There are companies, however, that manufacture and design beautiful well made runners that will last beyond the wedding day. The Original Runner Company is one that we proudly recommend to our clients. Their runners are made from a cotton polyester blend fabric and are backed by an industry exclusive non-slip foam backing which allows the runner to lie flat on practically any surface. The runners have a nice weight as well which is desirable in windy situations at outdoor weddings. The Original Aisle Runner Company has a variety of colors to choose from as well as a variety of lengths. If you desire a particular design on your runner, you can select from a standard design or provide your own graphics. All designs are hand drawn or hand painted. After the wedding is over, you can have the runner cleaned for reuse or have it made into an heirloom for display in your home.
Custom Graphic for Uniquely Yours clients, Rachel & Brandon
Photo Courtesy of Mike & Ann Visual Storytellers
Custom Border, Graphic, Monogram Design
Other products available for customization through The Original Runner Company include banners, ring pillows, chuppah covers, flags, and table runners. Visit their website at www.originalrunners.com for more ideas and inspiration.
Images Source (unless otherwise noted): Original Runner Company
Today we continue with our blog series, Personalize Your Wedding. A monogram is a graphic motif that combines two or more letters to form one symbol. Historically, monograms have been used by royalty to signify their lineage and connections. They have been also used by master craftsmen as a signature to identify their work. Today we use monograms to identify clothing, towels, luggage and more. In the wedding world, monograms are a fantastic way to personalize your wedding. Proper etiquette follows that a bride’s or groom’s initials used as a individual monogram are appropriate for products and stationery used prior to the marriage. A couple’s “married monogram”, however, should not be used until the reception. That said, there are a variety of creative and fun ways to showcase a monogram, whether it be your personal initials or your marriage monogram, throughout the wedding day. A wonderful source for beautifully crafted, custom products which may be monogrammed is Filigree Monograms Designs. The online store carries a diverse assortment of items perfect for wedding day decor and personal gift giving. The planners at Uniquely Yours have some personal favorites including the following:
Wedding Table Runner – Great for cake table, gift table, sweets buffet
Dupioni Silk Tote Bags
Bouquet Ribbon
Want to see more? Go to www.filigreemonograms.com for inspiration and more ideas for using your monogram.
Images Source: Filigree Monograms Designs
It is easy to become overwhelmed with all the product offerings available for your wedding, and purchase more than you need. But if you are smart with your design process, you can make smart decisions regarding the products you choose for your day. Build a cohesive design starting with your save the dates and work through your reception. Whether you are inspired by a particular color, theme, or motif try to find creative ways to weave your inspirational piece throughout your day to create a custom look that will be unique to you. Creating a custom look will require bringing in some custom pieces. One of our favorite sources for custom products for weddings and other special occasions is For Your Party. The celebration experts at For Your Party offer a variety of fun and trendy products in their online store. And unlike online favor warehouses, all their products can be customized with their user-friendly design interface or you may upload your own graphic design. They even feature a variety of designs from top stationery design firms such as Hello Lucky!, Delphine, and Cid Pear. Here are a few of our favorites all suitable for showers, rehearsal dinners, welcome bags, and receptions:
Coasters
Matches (available in a variety of containers)
Napkins (we love the idea of the signature drink cocktail napkin)
Invitations (available at their sister site www.beforeyourparty.com)
Stir Sticks
Bags (great for candy buffets)
Tags (attach to gifts or favors)
Want to see more? Visit the For Your Party website at www.foryourparty.com for more products and design suggestions.
Images Source: For Your Party
At Uniquely Yours, we believe your wedding should be a reflection of you – your tastes, your sense of style, and your personalities. Part of the fun in planning your wedding will be infusing the details of the day with your own personal touches. This week we bring you a series on products and resources you can use to personalize your wedding.
Image Source: Pamela’s Parasols
The cold weather we have been experiencing as of late has us dreaming of beautiful spring days that roll into the warm beautiful summers that Florida is famous for. One of our favorite resources for spring and summer weddings is Pamela’s Parasols. Pamela’s Parasols offers a variety of custom painted parasols perfect for your wedding. Whether you are getting married on the beach or having a unique outdoor engagement/bridal shoot, you can find a color and style to match your personal wedding design. The professionals at Pamela’s parasols can custom match your wedding colors, add a beautiful monogram, or embellish your parasol with diamonds, feathers, or pearls.
Image Source: Pamela’s Parasols
They can even attach your favorite posies. We think you will agree, a parasol can be that perfect extra something needed to complete your attire or that of your bridesmaids.
Image Source: Pamela’s Parasols
Note: This particular model has been discontinued, but more floral embellished styles are coming along with a veiled line.
Pamela’s also carries a line of parasols sized just for your flower girls or junior attendants. Want to offer your guests a useful and beautiful memento from your wedding? Offering all the ladies attending your outdoor wedding a lovely parasol would be a most thoughtful gesture.
Image Source: Pamela’s Parasols
You can see more of the custom options available to you at www.pamelasparasols.com. What are you doing to personalize the details of your day?
Today we bring you more of our favorite images from Lauren and John’s wedding on Merritt Island. These images reflect some of the details and location highlights after the ceremony. Lauren and John, we could not be more happy for you. Concept Photography did a wonderful job capturing all the fun and romance of the day.
Yesterday, we posted the first part of Lauren and John’s beautiful Merritt Island wedding planned by Uniquely Yours and creatively captured by Concept Photography. Today we bring you more of our favorite images, this time from the ceremony and immediately afterward. Enjoy!
Pretty Maids All In A Row
Pretty Sisters
Mossy Initials
Handsome Groom Awaiting…
Lauren and her dad
Ringing the church bells, a Georgianna wedding tradition
Beautiful, happy couple. This is why we do what we do!
Lauren and John’s wedding was one of the most memorable weddings we planned in 2009. Lauren and her mom, Karen, were so much fun to work with throughout the planning process. It truly was a pleasure working with both of them to bring Lauren’s wedding vision to life. The wedding took place on Merritt Island at the historic Georgianna Methodist Church, which is Lauren’s home church. And the reception took place at the oceanfront Tides Club at Patrick Air Force Base. John is in the Air Force, so the venue was a fitting location for the reception. The incredibly talented photography duo Sara and Jason Martin of Concept Photography documented all the joy and excitement of the day. Lauren and John looked absolutely stunning. Narrowing down our favorite photos from the wedding prov
ed to be a bit of a challenge, so this posting will be the first of a three part series on Lauren and John’s wedding.
Getting Ready
Loved the variety of ring shots that Jason and Sara put together.
Sassy wedding party. They were a lot of fun!
Beautiful dress details…
Beautiful bride, Lauren
Historic Georgianna United Methodist – an island original
Flowers by acclaimed designer, Link Johnston, Eau Gallie Florist
You can almost hear the church tell its history while sitting in those pews.
Anticipation…
Tomorrow’s post will feature photographs from Lauren and John’s ceremony.
Oh black bridal shoes, how I love you. Black wedding shoes you say? Why, yes! They are a must have for the “classic” bride and a definite fit for the bride who is all “rock-n-roll”. What color are your wedding shoes and what do they say about you?
Image Source: Laura Ivanova Photography
Image Source: Christian Louboutin
Image Source: Christine Chang Photography
Image Source: Christian Louboutin
Image Source: Photography by Stacey
Image Source: NYShoespy
Image Source: Chelsea Elizabeth Photography
Congratulations to all the newly engaged brides out there who were proposed to over the holidays! Now begins the planning and the search for “the” dress. Central Florida has a number of fine bridal salons you may visit in your quest to find the perfect dress. Please remember, the bridal salons do get quite busy, especially on the weekend, so definitely call to set an appointment ahead of time to ensure personalized attention and service.
Several of the salons have special trunk shows scheduled this month and into February. A trunk show is a special event at the salon during which time either the designer, or representative of the designer, brings their newest line or features their current line at the salon. There is nothing like getting to see a line for the first time and trying on new designs. It is a also great time to learn more about the designer, the collection being featured, and ask specific questions about what alterations can be made to a design. Sometimes the salon will offer additional specials during the showcase. If you decide to attend a trunk show, again please be sure to make an appointment. There can be limited appointments available at some shows, even more so if a particular designer is on site. Here is a sampling of upcoming trunk shows in the Central Florida area.
Priscilla of Boston Orlando
7940 Via Dellagio Way Suite 143 Orlando 32819 407.374.2515
Designer Collection: Melissa Sweet
January 19 – January 25
Designer Collection: Priscilla
January 26 – February 1
Solutions Bridal Designer House
330 W. Fairbanks Avenue Winter Park 32789 407.647.8666
Designer Collection: Rivini
January 29 – February 1
The Collection
301 North Park Avenue Winter Park 32789 407.740.6003
Designer Collection: Kirstie Kelly for Disney Fairytale Weddings
January 29 – January 31
Designer Collection: Justina McCaffrey
February 19 – February 20
This past weekend, we had the pleasure of attending The Wedding Party at the Breakers in Palm Beach. This outstanding show was created and produced by Claudia Hanlin and Jennifer Zabinski’s Wedding Library.
We headed down to Palm Beach with eager anticipation to hear and meet some of the finest wedding professionals in the business. The morning started with champagne and bellinis upon arrival. Guests were then ushered into the beautiful Ponce De Leon Ballroom to hear from top wedding experts Darcy Miller of Martha Stewart Weddings, Donna Newman of Donna Newman Photography, Sylvia Weinstock of Sylvia Weinstock Cakes, fashion designers Mark Badgley and James Mischka, and Kleinfeld Fashion Director Randy Fenoli. Making your wedding uniquely personal was the theme that tied all of the presentations together. Documenting the day was none other than Abby Larson, creator of Style Me Pretty.
Sylvia Weinstock
Our favorite take aways included (and please forgive my amateur photography):
Darcy Miller – Find ways to make your wedding personal, thoughtful, and delicious.
Donna Newman - It is better to have fewer hours in your photography package in order to have a better photographer who will take better pictures. You are not going to regret spending a little more on photography.
Mark Badgley and James Mischka – Your bridesmaids should feel like they are walking the red carpet. Their dresses should be fabulous, delicious – ones that they will want to wear again.
Darcy Miller Interviewing Mark Badgley & James Mischka
Randy Fenoli – Your dress should be all about you and what you want to convey. Dimension and texture are going to be popular. Look for shredding, ruffles, and layers. Finding the dress is like finding the groom; there is always going to be another groom so once you find IT – stop looking!
Randy Fenoli of Kleinfeld
Following the presentation, brides were welcomed to the Gulfstream Room for a VIP Luncheon featuring Breakers Master Sommelier, Virginia Philip. At the same time, the showcases opened in the Venetian Ballroom. There was so much wonderful wedding goodness to take in, we spent the entire allotted time visiting each of the booths. Really, we could have spent the entire day in there…
Outstanding Entertainment To Greet Everyone
Beautiful Designs at the Kleinfeld Display
We loved the Kleinfeld brooch display – tres chic
Fun Favor Ideas
Tablescape by The Wedding Library
Tablescape by The Design Studio
The Design Studio
The Design Studio
The day was capped off with a bridal fashion show sponsored by Kleinfeld and The Wedding Library Bridesmaids. The dresses were both stunning and unique…
What a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon in Palm Beach! We enjoyed every moment, made some wonderful industry connections, and came back with several fresh ideas to share with our clients. Congrats goes out to the team at The Wedding Library for putting together this top notch event.
