Coordinating your theme

My hope with every client is to build a relationship with them. I mean, after all, we do choose to work together on one of the most important days of your life. I enjoy finding out what makes them tick, what their hobbies and passions are, what their favorite colors are. I especially enjoy making friends with my clients and vendors, for me that is one of the best things about this business - the people!

By choosing our Something Blue, concept design package, we choose colors and themes and take design ideas to the next level. We get to work incorporating your theme with your reception location, save the dates, invitations, placecards, table linens, favors and additional decor items so, in the end, we clearly have a complete look that you are happy with.

Take for instance, your love for biking, vibrant pinks and blues. Let us create your storyboard and see what ideas come into play. It's the greatest way to see for yourself how things will look when they all come together.

Call us to today to schedule your inital consultation and let us help you with the creative process.

Storyboard created by The Dressy Group including Pantone Colors, Ann Taylor Dresses, and Nedrebo's Formal Wear

Winter wonderland photos

Are you having a spring or summer wedding? Have you thought of having your engagement photos taken in the winter? I know, I know... its cold outside, the snow is wet and dirty in places. But just think of what a beautiful backdrop clean, white snow is.

 

Aren't these the most romantic photos you have ever seen? Bill and I are having Karrn Frost take our photos next week in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan and I am so excited!

Now to decide what to wear.  Forest green, red, burgandy. Mmm, warm earthy colors that will appear vibrant in your photos. Furry boots are a must have, yes, I know its trendy but oh so fun!

The most important tip I can give you is to have FUN, enjoy yourselves, forget the camera (and the cold) and play like a kid again. Dress warm, wear your hat and mittens and allow the talented photographer to get some great shots of you and your beloved. Build a snowman, make snow angels, hold each other close and tell him that you love him! Enjoy the season and each other.

If your still looking for a talented photographer, check the blog for Links we Love and you'll find several that do fabulous work. Or call us and we'll chat about your needs.

Photos courtesy of the web: #1, Carden Photography. #2, realphotography. #3, Title Nine. #4, Earth snowboots



The TENT: Dress it up with color

Take your drab white tent and dress it up with lights, flowers, garland, and paper lanterns and you've got yourself one beautiful showcase. Easy and cost effective for a do it yourself bride, just need a trustworthy delegate. Or you could hire us to assist with design and decoration set up, which you'll find is included in our Something Borrowed, day of planning package.

This is one of my favorite photos and concept ideas, taking a beautiful collection of flowers and layers of tulle for simple display of elegance. Even if your tent sides don't cooperate for this type of look, you could still get away with this on the inside of the tent with the tulle being draped from one side of the tent to the other.

Add just a little bit of color and lights and here you have a glow that makes your outside venue shine. How romantic and festive for a wedding.

Call us today - 608.234.8304 for your initial consultation and we'll help you plan the wedding of your dreams.




Photo credits: Top: Allegra's Studio. Middle: unknown found at The Knot. Bottom: RossJames Photography.

Using color to coordinate your theme

One of the first questions I ask clients is about colors. What are their favorites, when is the wedding, what types of flowers do they like? I enjoy taking an initial concept and designing around those ideas.

Typically we start with choosing dresses for the attendants. But like the photos suggest, you may begin with flowers. I love the idea of using blue hydrangea's, very summery - plus that could even be your 'something blue'. Note the orange ribbon and cornflower blue in the paper. Tie those together and you make a fashionable statement. Add in the colors of coordinating attendants dresses and you have a complete look. Using the hydrangea's on your invitations, place cards and further in your table decorations is a creative way of bringing your theme full circle.

photos courtesy: The Knot. Left, bottom right: Grand Lubell Photography. Top Right: Andrew McCaul

Photographers..... what a stir

There's something about photos to me that just creates a stir. I am not sure what it is, but the details and valuable memories are something that many times you just can't replace. When I first started planning our wedding, it was the beautiful details and angles that were captured that just wowed me. I kept seeing these remarkable images that were captured from a talented eye.

For lack of a better word, I stumbled upon Pearls Events website and blog and was mesmerized by the shots taken by Karrn Frost Photography. Little did I know, several months into the planning process, that I would end up hiring Karrn to do the photography for our wedding. I am so excited and needless to say, that we are hoping for some outside snowy winter engagement photos to be taken during the christmas holiday. If anyone knows me, they know that I really am not that fond of ice, cold, and snow. I love hot weather, sunny beaches and cool drinks. Think lemonade on the front porch in my rocker, reading a really good book. But this year, I am looking forward to being in Michigan for the holidays, being with friends and family and getting our picture taken by Karrn.  And lets hope for SNOW!!!!


courtesy Karrn Frost Photography


I would describe Karrn's style as very artsy, and very non-traditional. Sure she's great at the traditional point and shoot photos but she really gets to the details and heart of her clients. I fell in love with the idea of Lake Michigan as a backdrop many, many, many years ago and thought what area in Michigan has sentimental value for us?  Petoskey, yup it is.... after looking at a few places in Northern Michigan, it turns out Staffords Perry Hotel is THE place. Bill's family has a cottage not far on Burt Lake and he has lots childhood memories of the beaches and sailing. It's such a quaint little village and I often wonder, if you could live anywhere, why would you not choose Petoskey? I can't wait to get up there again and again.

But until then, I have Karrn to thank for being willing to travel the 200+ miles along with another photographer to do our shoot on July 29, 2011. The excitement and love continues to grow!

Photographers.... oh, so many to choose from

Today, we feature my take on photographers. For me, this net can be cast wide open, there are so many styles and differences that each photographer brings to the table. From fashion forward, photo journalistic approaches, to traditional styles where do you begin?

First off, look at the their website and blog. For example, Blue Dandelion Photography shares sneeky peaks of a variety of their photos. When I met with Doug, he told me he does not specifically adhere to timelines. He does this because he learns how his clients feel, maybe they need a break from shooting.... He does more candid, rather than posed shots. Courtney does all the editing, she sees it from her perspective, if Doug did the editing, he'd likely see it from a different perspective. To them, consistency is key and the relationship that is formed with a couple is extremely important to them.

Send an email, make a phone call, see if the photographer responds. mmm, no response? Move on to someone else. Their response time gives you an idea as to how they present themselves professionally. Do you want to work with someone that you repeatedly have to follow-up with?

Get references and call them. Ask questions, what did you like, what didn't you like? Where they on time, how did your photos turn out?

We have many excellent photographers in the greater Madison area. Let us help you with selecting one that is right for you. We'll even go to the appointment with you.

Madison Wedding Planner and Guide GIVEAWAY!

Photo courtesy of WedPlan

I love attending bridal shows. I love seeing the vendors and all the ideas they have for the upcoming season. I'd say love is in the air.... This year, A White Dress Affair will participate in the Madison Winter Bridal Show sponsored by the Wedding Planner and Guide, slated for January 15 and 16, 2011, held at the Alliant Energy Center.

We are so looking forward to joining this fabulous group of vendors and seeing the beautiful gowns and sleek dresses. An extra special treat for one lucky bride and her groom is the giveaway package valued at $10,000+.

The prize package includes a few of the following: Tuxedo rentals from Nedrebo's Formal Wear, a Wedding Cake from Craig's Cake Shop, $1000 gift certicate from The Ultimate Spa & Salon. Custom Wedding Invitations from The Paper Deli, Limousine Package from Gallant Knight Limousine.  PLUS, A White Dress Affair is giving away Day of Planning Services! We'll help you coordinate with all the vendors and we'll help make the introductions if you'd like. And, this is just a small portion of those participating, all I can say is WOW!

Feel free to email or call if you have further questions! Happy planning, we wish you the very best!