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

Downloadable Templates from Martha Stewart

    Martha just thinks of everything.  Those details that brides stress about toward the end of wedding planning just got simpler with the download-able templates from Martha Stewart.  They all tie in to the same theme and are by far the cheapest way to wrap up your last minute to-dos like menu and escort cards or wedding ceremony programs.  The design goes with any type of wedding and certainly do not scream "I made this myself!".  To customize them more, hand calligraphy the escort and menu cards and print them in your wedding colors.  Click images below for template downloads and instructions.

Friday Frenzy!

    This week went by so fast it makes my head spin.  We are on track to purchase our first home, which, if you remember from my post last Friday, needs a ton of renovations.  We are playing the waiting game and hopefully should know more about our potential purchase next week. 
    Tuesday night, I attended a fun cocktail party hosted by Abby Liga of Liga Photography and Amy Morelli of 2U Collection.  Their party was a hit, with yummy hors d'ouevres from Citrus and amazing gift bags! 

Above left: With Amy Morelli and Abby Liga
Above right: With Susan Southerland, Tracy Marini, and Michele Butler--the women who help make the planning world go 'round!

    Now for a few of my favorite things.  This third week of Friday Frenzy, I fully expect someone to leave me a comment about the things you love that simply made your week!

Mexican tile - It may not be feasible to turn my whole new home into a Mediterranean villa, but maybe just the back patio?

Coral and pearl - This combination says "I'm classy with an edge!"  A handmade bracelet I made from strands of freshwater pearls and real coral beads is available here on Etsy.

Lists - Lists of any sort, really.  Top 10 lists, To Do Lists, Grocery Lists, Packing Lists...I rarely stick to them completely, but just checking something off a list feels good!

Champagne Fridays - (or Tuesday, Wednesday...) Popping a bottle of bubbly during the workday on occasion can be the most fun of your week.  Try it on your own sometime, or stop into the E-Events office and we'll show you how it's done.

Have a great weekend, all!

One-of-a-Kind Vintage Wedding Gowns

   

    What goes around always comes back around...These vintage designer wedding gowns are proof that the saying is true for bridal fashion.  Today's top designers mimic the look of yesteryear's fashion eras, but nothing compares to an actual vintage gown straight out of the 1950s.  The Vintage Wedding Dress Company in Bloomsbury, London is where you will find a hand-picked selection of gowns dating back to the 1920's, all still relevant in today's current bridal trends.  Stylist Charlie Brear chooses gowns from London, Paris and around the world, discovering enviable pieces "for brides who would love to wear something completely original but don't have the time, the energy or the faintest idea where to start."  At any given time, The Vintage Wedding Dress Company stocks at least 50 gowns, priced from £1,000-£4,000+ for rare, collectible gowns.  Visiting London?  Book your appointment with Charlie online.

Friday Frenzy!

     This week was more hectic than most, but for a few really great reasons.  For one, all of my clients are at crucial stages of their wedding planning. Some are finding venues and getting dates secured, others are rolling right along on their plans, booking other vendors like caterers, bands, and photographers.  Those appointments keep me busy but are always fun, nonetheless! 

    Secondly, we put an offer on a home this week, and today is the expiration date on our offer.  I am on the edge of my seat waiting for a good response!  The home-buying stage for newlyweds is such an emotional roller coaster, I tell you.  The high hopes and big disappointments are draining!  The house we're trying to buy now is a huge project, too.  It needs a ton of remodeling, but I think we can be roasting marshmallows by the fireplace by Christmas, and that would just make my year.
    Let's wrap up this busy week by remembering the simple things that make us happy.  Here are some of mine!

Crossword Puzzles in the Sunday newspaper - I wish I could say that I spend lazy afternoons working on crosswords, however that would not be true.  I'd feel like I was wasting my day.  Therefore, I save the big weekly crossword for evenings, and work on them before bed.  I've completely finished a few of them and it's a great feeling of accomplishment!

Homemade ice cream sundaes - Forget going out for ice cream, I prefer making a big bowl at home, full of vanilla bean with hot fudge and cookies smooshed inside!

Real live photo prints - In this age of digitals, it's nice to hold a picture in your hand every once in awhile and really get a good look, away from the computer screen.

Water bottles with straws - I drink so much more water daily when I have a straw to do it with.  I picked up this one at Target recently and have totally upped my intake.

Efficiency - Lately I feel like I'm faced with a lot of inefficiency, and while I'm generally really laid back, I still like jobs to get done without wasting time or energy.  No unnecessary steps, just using the most direct way to a job done.

Close families - The family I grew up in is big and extended, but close nonetheless.  The family I married into this year is, too, but with different dynamics altogether.  I love them both and feel so blessed to be a member that unites the two groups.  I, for one, have no in-law complaints and think it's so much fun to start blending in as a part of a new family.  The differences between our respective families has sparked conversation on how Sam and I want to raise our own family one day, and the tie that binds is the real, close, family part.

Have a great weekend, all!  See you next week!

Bridal Attire: Shrugs and Shawls

    In today's bridal fashion, you can pretty much count on bare shoulders and a low neckline on your wedding gown.  For chilly fall or winter evenings, a luxurious shrug will keep you cozy so goosebumps will be the last thing on your mind.  It's not necessary to match your outerwear perfectly to your wedding gown, so feel free to pick something in a pale pink, gray, even black or red!  Stick to the overall style of your wedding and you'll look just fine.  For your upcoming wedding, this transition time into fall fashion is when you'll find the best selection.

Bridal Twin Flowers Shrug, Etsy.com, $55



Custom shrugs available by Holly Stalder on Etsy.com, $140



Nimli cashmere pashminas, perfect for brides or bridesmaids, $29 sale!



Garnette Avenue feather shrug, $1000

Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi Wedding Video

    This week Ellen showed a video of her wedding to Portia de Rossi on her talk show.  This is the video she featured, showing the couple preparing for the wedding together at their home, then celebrating with their closest friends and family.  Ellen's reaction to seeing Portia for the first time in her wedding gown is priceless.  Still shots of the evening are also included--their photographer did an amazing job!  All over the internet I see "grab a tissue before watching!".  They are completely right.  It is really that sweet.  And if you love the song being played as much as me, I'll make it easy for you.  It's called "Today", by Joshua Radin, and it's available on iTunes.

Morning Rituals

    We all have morning rituals-an order we must move in to start our day off right.  Some are simple, some more complex.  I require coffee before everything else in my life.  In fact, this morning I'm sure I annoyingly whined from the bed for my husband to make it and refused to get up until I smelled it.  Next I head straight to my computer to check and respond to e-mails.  Sometimes I turn on iTunes and wake up to the sound of A Fine Frenzy, or really get pepped with Panic at the Disco.  The next part is really fun.  I check the following bridal blogs to see what everyone is talking about that morning. 

The Bride's Cafe
Polka Dot Bride
Blush
It's a Jaime Thing
Weddex
**non bridal blog** Gala Darling

This step, of course, completely distracts me and by the time I check the clock again I'm in a hurry to be somewhere or get some serious work done.  I'd love to know what your rituals are-- do you have blogs that are as essential as brushing your teeth, too? 

Erin Cole Trunk Show starting 9/12

  

     Erin Cole's one-of-a-kind bridal accessories will be featured at Solutions Bridal of Winter Park, FL from September 12th-14th.  The newest collection of hand made jewelry, veils, tiaras, hair pins, and other pretties will be available at a discounted rate.  I wore Erin Cole earrings, hair pins, and veil at my own wedding and have re-worn those earrings time and again.  I can't say the same for the veil, but who can?  
    During trunk shows, appointments are highly recommended.  Having worked at Solutions for quite some time, I can tell you that the trunk shows are packed, so be sure to call ahead.  An accessories appointment will last about 30 minutes, and you'll be set up with the best bridal consultants in the country (ok...this is a little subjective but seriously- they are so talented).

Invitations by Dragonfly Custom Design

    I just opened the new edition of Bride's Florida magazine right to the page where my friend, Lindsey Luxa of Dragonfly Custom Design, has a feature on unique invitations.  A pro at paper goods, Lindsey has lately expanded her collection to include multiple mediums.  She can etch plexiglass, burn into wood, or customize any creation you can dream up.  Lindsey started designing invitations while planning her own wedding.  "I was frustrated that every other area of my planning seemed to be so personalized but the invites that I was finding did not reflect me," she said.  Her educational and professional background is in graphic design, art directing, prop and set backgrounds, so the transition to a business in customized stationary was a natural move.  "I make the process so personalized and tailored to each bride and try to bring unique and non-traditional materials and approaches to invitation design. I LOVE what I do. LOVE it."

Thanks, Lindsey!  Here are some of her invitation creations.  You can reach Lindsey through her website at www.DragonflyCustomDesign.com.

 

 

 

Friday Frenzy--Things I Love!

     I've been absent from blogging most of this week and it's making me feel quite guilty.  Rather than dwell on it, though, I'll add some pep to the start of your weekend with something fresh and new from Tickled Pink Brides.  Fridays are always such a fun day for me...wrapping up all I can before the start of the weekend, anticipating a couple days off with my honey, usually doing something fun with our friends on Friday nights.  I figure a weekly dose of what's fun in my life might get you excited about the start of your weekend, too.  What simple things make you happy?  Here are a few of mine...

Cupcakes-- I don't care how cliche the cupcake trend has become, I'm forever a fan!  Baking just eases my mind (got it from my mom) and there is nothing more fun than whipping up a batch and frosting like a professional with my Wilton piping bag.  In fact, this Sunday I am planning a trip to Orlando's new Sweet! by Miss Holly cupcake shop to get my fix.

Bikram Yoga-- After all those cupcakes, a girl's got to find a way to detox.  I'm not a die-hard yogi, but I really enjoy a good hot yoga class.  The 105 degree room temperature is so hot that there's no way to think about anything else, so it's easy to stay focused.  After a 90 minute class, I am absolutely invigorated and ready to rock.  It makes you feel like you can conquer anything!

Red nail polish-- Although it's still summer in Florida, I have forgone light pinks and peaches for bright to dark red on both fingers and toes.  It makes me feel a little more put together, and somehow like my whole ensemble is a little more interesting.  Isn't it fun being a girl?

Air purifiers-- This week, I did our sinuses a favor and picked up an air purifier for the bedroom.  We leave it on during the day and that little sucker cleans up dust and allergens, releasing clean, fresh air back into the room.  I swear I am already breathing better and am waking up without my regular summer sinus issues.

Girly books-- Anna Maxted, Cecelia Ahern, and Emily Giffin are some of my favorite authors.  Their books are truly written only for women and are all so true to a girl's feelings and thoughts that you'd think someone was inside your head.  I have literally cried from the laughter that comes from an Anna Maxted book.  Right now I'm reading Emily Giffin's new Love the One You're With.  I'm half way through and definitely recommend it.

Snail mail-- With our increasing shift toward doing everything electronically, it's always a nice surprise to find a little something personal in your mailbox.  Receiving a quick hello from a friend or a hand-written birthday card instead of an Evite is certainly appreciated.  Remember that the next time you throw together a quick e-mail-- Any correspondence is nice, but a thoughtful little card will brighten someone's day if you take the time to do it.

2008's Presidential election-- Whether you're liberal, conservative, independent, or could care less, you have to admit that this is a pretty exciting time to be alive.  Just to see the candidates that are running and the issues they are facing are enough to put me in awe of the inevitable and hopeful changes that are imminent in this country.  One way or another, we're always evolving and being a voter today means you have a chance to be a part of it!

What are you excited about this Friday?  Consider the small things that make you happy, and do something good for yourself this weekend!