Tickled Pink Brides - Orlando, Florida's Premier Wedding Planner

Behind the Scenes on a Styled Shoot

While styled photo shoots are a lot of work for everyone involved and take real effort and planning, boy are they fun on set!  Yesterday we took part in a shoot for the Every Last Detail blog and while they will be the first to debut all the photos, I wanted to at least share some Instagram sneak peeks and a teaser!  

Fitting our model, Rachel in a stunning "polka dot" gown and elaborate beaded belt.

Getting silly on set.  Real life engaged couple Rachel and Chris modeled for us and were perfectly relaxed and up for anything.

Total stunner by Kristen Weaver.  I, for one, can barely wait to see the rest of these images!

And these are {most of} the fine folks that made it happen.  Lee Forrest and Jaimz with Lee Forrest Design contributed floral and decor, Lindsey at Lulu Makeup made our model even more gorgeous, Kristen Weaver photographer extraordinaire, Samm and Alex of Imprint Cinema shot behind the scenes footage and were the brains behind the whole concept, Sarah with AFR Furniture Rental contributed an amazing mix of rental furniture, and Megan at Malindy Elene Bridal Couture drove gowns and accessories over from Tampa to get our model looking just right. 

Stay tuned for the full assortment of photos coming soon!

 

Studio 222 Photography's BIG Promotion

Some of our favorite and most talented photog friends, Becka and Nate of Studio 222 Photography, are offering a big discount right now that will only last for a few more days!  When you book Studio 222 for your 2013 wedding photography by Sept. 30 you'll receive a discount of $444.  New bookings that take place during the month of October will receive a $222 discount.  If you're still on the market for a wedding photographer, I highly recommend speaking to Becka and Nate about capturing your big day.  They offer an intimate story-telling experience with a unique style.  Contact them now!  You'll be glad you did!

How about this wedding day beauty look?

Recently an engaged friend asked me about what color her nails should be painted for her wedding.  I supposed that the classic choice would be a French manicure or a very pale pink, but I advised to choose what makes her happy and the look that she loves!  My mom wore bright red nail polish at her own wedding and when I saw those pictures as an adult I thought "Wow... she had pizzazz!" 

What color nails will you have or did you have on your wedding day?  Would you try something like this?

A Luxury Experience at Solutions Bridal Orlando

I wanted to share the new commercial video for Orlando wedding gown salon Solutions Bridal.  This is more than a "bridal shop".  The service brides receive is top notch, the salon's aesthetic is magnificent, the stylists are creative and knowledgable, and the gowns can't be beat.  Take a look and you'll see what I mean!

 

Solutions Bridal Store Commercial from FilmScape Productions on Vimeo.

Bohemian Wedding Inspiration

How I love boho-chic styling for both everyday fashion and weddings too!  It's a fairly rare bride that wants to attempt the Bohemian look, but when they do the wedding is a showstopper and, let's be honest, the details get Pinned and published.  Try it with lush flowers, a mix of colors, an easy breezy dress, and barely-done hair.  The wedding itself should feel comfortable and relaxed...the opposite of formal or stuffy.  While even the Bohemian style wedding needs plenty of planning and well executed details, it's all about the fuss-free and natural vibe! 

More ideas on creating the perfect "Bohemian" wedding:

* By all means, don't make your bridesmaids wear the same dress!  Choose a color scheme and let them choose anything they want.  You'll be surprised by how perfectly offbeat this can look.

* Order bridesmaid bouquets that are all different from each other in some way, or have a bouquet making party and let your girls create their own unique arrangements

* Use an eclectic mix of mismatched seating like benches, poufs and chaise lounges

* Keep the color scheme more monochromatic with soft neutrals OR choose an array of bolder jewel-toned colors like peacock blue, eggplant, teal, mustard yellow, and deep red

* Get really laid back and walk barefoot down your grassy outdoor aisle, or nix the heels and wear jeweled or metallic flat sandals

* Offer young girls a floral wreath to wear in their hair so that they, too, can feel like princesses

* Use what you already have!  Decorate tables with items you and your family own like grandma's china, favorite books, antlers, dried leaves from the maple tree out back, lace or beaded table cloths...you get the idea

* Allow guests to try a variety of foods from a tapas-style menu.  This works well for heavy hors d'ouevres or stationed dinner receptions and you can choose your favorite, more ethnic or eclectic foods.  The farm-to-table trend is also perfect at your Bohemian-chic event.  Use menus to describe the various foods your guests will be trying.

                                      

 

Stella & Dot Jewelry for your Wedding and Summer Sale!

Add some sparkle to your wardrobe this summer! Stella & Dot is offering up to 40% off select summer styles during their Summer It List Sale! Below are some of our favorite pieces . . . 

The Bamboleo Necklace is a medley of pink dyed jade and turquoise that are loosely braided with antiqued chains to create a bold, colorful statement. The rich texture of this necklace makes it an easy accessory for a summer dress or pair it with a casual shirt and jeans. 

Since tangerine is Pantone's 2012 color of the year, deck your bridesmaids out in the Olivia Bib Necklace or get one for yourself for a shower or engagement party!  It'll spice up everything from a simple strapless dress to a solid white tee.  This necklace is sure to steal the show! 

Stella & Dot's jewelry also adds the perfect touch for your wedding day. Thank your girlfriends for being part of your wedding party by pairing earrings and necklaces for glamorous bridesmaid gifts. Be sure to browse the entire Wedding & Party Featured Shop to find gorgeous accessories for every occasion. Let the sparkle begin. Enjoy! 

Rania Hatoum Grand Opening Event

Recently we were invited to visit the flagship store of the Rania Hatoum Collection in downtown Orlando.  The gowns were magnificent and it was a lovely party and a great chance to chat with the designer and marketing manager Nicole.  The gowns were sleek and sophisticated, with unique cuts, hand beadwork, the finest silk fabrics and beautiful French lace.  Some of my favorites were edgier designs that had interesting mixes of lace and tulle or totally glam dresses that would absolutely shine in the middle of a dance floor!  

Being both Egyptian and Chinese, Rania Hatoum's cultural heritage translates into a brand that is big on detail, luxurious fabrics, elegance, and a style that's all her own.  During private appointments, brides can work with the designer to create customized gowns by changing out beadwork colors, adding custom sashes, changing necklines and adding or removing straps.  The gowns range in price from approximately $2,000-6,000.  Here are some of my favorites!

Real Wedding: Christy + Justin at the Historic Dubsdread Ballroom

Every once in awhile we have the honor of planning more than one wedding for a family.  I was approached last year by bride Christy, whose twin sister's wedding I had planned two years before.  I was so excited to work with this family again and while there was a little deja vu every so often, Christy's wedding was unique and really captured her style and the personalities of both her and Justin.  Early on, Christy sent me a photo she loved of a rustic wedding in a barn.  The wood beams made me think immediately of the Historic Dubsdread Ballroom, and it only took one quick walk through for Christy to decide that it was the perfect place for her wedding reception.  The food was exquisite and dinner included crabcakes that their Maryland family agreed was top notch.

We left just about all song choices up to Justin, whose passion for music was acknowledged with a Baldwin piano groom's cake by The Sugar Suite, complete with wood grain and tiny black and white keys.  Our DJ Rocks kept both groom and guests happy and dancing and the Our Photobooth Rocks photobooth made for some fantastic memories!

Christy's parents surprised everyone, even the bride and groom, with a band of bagpipers that marched up to the reception and played the most beautiful version of Amazing Grace, just like they did at her sister's wedding.  After a grande sparkler exit, the bridal party departed by trolley.  

Thank you, Christy and Justin for choosing Tickled Pink Brides!  I loved every bit of this wedding and was so honored to be a part of it.  Now onto the photos by Binary Flips Photography!

Twins...this is one of my favorite pictures of the day!

Ceremony at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church in Winter Park

Invitation suite by Rifle Paper Co.

Button escort cards hung with tiny clothes pins

Dubsdread Ballroom dressed up with twinkle lights, bamboo chairs by Panache, linen tablecloths by Party Tables and white floral centerpieces by Lee Forrest Design

Floral chandelier that hung over the dance floor

Piano groom's cake by The Sugar Suite

Adorable edible "wooden" cake topper

To see more details from this wedding, visit the feature on the Wedding Chicks blog!

Wedding Showcase at The Historic Dubsdread Ballroom

This week we were lucky enough to mix and mingle with some wonderful brides and grooms at Dubsdread's open house, where couples enjoyed tons of great food and met with various vendors like Lee Forrest Design, Fun Factory Entertainment, wedding filmmakers Imprint Cinema, Party Flavors, and Blades Salon.  We asked brides for three words to describe their dream wedding, and it seems that even more than the latest bridal trends or anything having to do with the look of the wedding, they want to be stress-free, relaxed and to have FUN!  Amen, sisters!  That's what your wedding day should be about.  This is the day you've been working so hard to put together and you should definitely take the time to enjoy it!  

Enter shameless plug here: HIRE A COORDINATOR.  It's the best way to actually be able to enjoy getting ready with your bridesmaids (and give your mom time to get her own makeup done), take lots of time for portraits with your new hubby (and not be double checking the reception set up), and to dance the night away with your closest friends and family.  Have questions?  Inquire today!

The Historic Dubsdread Ballroom, photo by Binary Flips Photography

What's Hot in Cake Design

Textile-Inspired Texture: Textile inspired cakes are huge right now! Buttercream ruffles and fondant frills that mimic wedding gown design seem to be the most popular right now, but we are also seeing a lot of bold, bright prints like this chevron design too.

Painted Flowers: Hand-painted flowers are a way to turn a typical wedding cake into a serious work of art. Designs like these are popping up all over the place!

Ombre Icing: First, it was ombre hair that was the hottest trend, but now its all about ombre wedding cakes. Check out these seriously cool cakes! Cakes really seem to be following fashion trends right now…