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

Alternatives to Floral Bouquets

Who says the only thing you can carry on your wedding day is flowers?  There are many reasons why brides have gotten creative in their bouquets... maybe you don't love the look of flowers, maybe you have allergies, maybe fresh flowers aren't in your budget or maybe you just want to think outside the box!  No matter the reason, there are tons of ways to get crafty.

This FAB wedding bouquet is made of antique brooches!  What a sweet way to add a touch of whimsy to your wedding.  Gather up some of your grandmother's costume jewelry and make something similar... sentimental details on your wedding day always look great!

I love, love, love this alternative, too!  There is no better touch to a vintage inspired wedding than real or faux wheat.  I can just see this used under an oak tree with a big southern home in the background or on the beach to blend with the serene colors of the ocean.

Speaking of beach weddings, this shell bouquet is to die for!  What a great idea for the bride to carry or the flower girls to drop shells instead of flowers.  Too cute!

These feathers create such a soft effect.  With feather accessories being such a huge trend these days, what a great way to tie them into your entire look.

Here is a great example of a combo of all elements! I love the ribbon and brooches incorporated here.  This bouquet. is perfect if you have one heirloom piece that you want to incorporate into your ensemble.

 

Each of these bouquets can be precisely personalized to your wedding day and memories!  And, depending on your crafting-ability, could be a DIY project!  Don't be afraid to think outside the box...

 

Goin' To The Chapel!

So many engagements happen during the holidays and New Years celebrations!  Yahoo! (And a big congrats if you're one of the lucky gals!)  Now that we're all back into the swing of things it's time to plan, plan plan!  But where to start?  There are so many aspects to a wedding it can seem overwhelming at first but we are here to help.  Start with the simplest of questions that will really get the ball rolling...

The first question: When do you want to get married?  This may seem easy but the date can change everything.  If you're thinking a fall wedding, is it this fall or are you willing to wait until the next fall?   If possible, give yourself plenty of time to plan but not so much time that you second guess and re-plan the whole the big day.  Your date determines how quickly, or slowly you make decisions on decor, the dress and more!

Fall and Spring floral arrangements...even the colors can change with your date!

The next question is how much are you willing to spend?  This could be one of the hardest and more touchy of the aspects of planning.  A wedding planner can help divide your total wedding budget into perfect proportions by prioritizing what is important to you and keeping you on track.  The insider's tip?  No more than half should go towards the venue (including food and beverage)...

 ...Which leads us to the next question!  Where to have the big day?  Your hometown, his hometown, close to home or destination.  Options really are endless.  Remember that popular dates get snagged up quick (like 11.11.11 or New Years Eve or any holiday weekend), so prioritize accordingly!

A quaint Scottish wedding venue and The Grand Bohemian Orlando...talk about different wedding styles!

Now onto the gown!  Many gowns will take around 6 months to make so be sure to start looking early ladies...though I'm sure I don't have to twist your arm too much to try on wedding gowns!  Your dress can really set the tone for your wedding.  A lace, vintage, slim-fit gown is going to be a totally different feel than an all-beaded ballgown so knowing what you're wearing will help you envision the rest of the event.

As these aspects are marked off the list, things will really start to fall into place!  For the rest of the wedding day details just remember to prioritize those things you love.  Start by listing your top three wedding priorities.  Is wedding photography a priority?  Then make sure to check those out first to make sure you can book your favorite.  Are flowers most important to you?  Then do the same here!  

It can be hard to keep every detail in order, but that is what we are here for!  We love helping you all on your most important day and can't wait to meet all you fabulous 2011 brides!

 

XOXO - 

The Ladies of Tickled Pink Brides 

 

Abby & Kyle's Winter Park Wedding, Featured in The Knot

Last April we coordinated a wedding at Casa Feliz in Winter Park, FL that was over a year in the making.  Abby hired me 14 months from her wedding, which made the planning process leisurely and left plenty of down time for vacations and a little maternity leave for me over the summer.  From our very first meeting, Abby knew that we needed to incorporate the color orange into our color scheme since her groom is color blind and this was the one color that was true and vivid for him.  She also knew that they would be happy with a daytime affair with their closest friends and family in a sunny, springtime reception.  This wedding was such a pleasure to plan because of the family's easy-going attitudes, incredible stories they shared, and the rare chance for me to work on a daytime event, which has a very different look and feel than an after-dark reception.

Abby and Kyle's wedding is currently featured in The Knot Florida magazine, and we are oh-so-proud!  What a deserving couple (and deserving wedding, might I add) to be published!  Thanks to Orlando-based photographer Abby Liga of Liga Photography for sharing the images.

To see more photos, visit Real Weddings on The Knot

Wedzu.com ... The Online Bridal Hot Spot!

If Etsy.com was your number 1 site on your "Favorites" or "Bookmarks" then get ready to swoon like crazy over Wedzu.com!  I thank my lucky stars that I came across this gem the other night while Googling galore.  This site has every cute, crafty, creative element for your wedding!  Everything from invitations, jewelry, flower girl accessories and dresses, bridal gowns (yes! gowns! and they're so chic!), bath and beauty products and even sweet edible confections!  It really is a one stop shop for handmade beauty.  There are products for the "J.Crew-esque" bride, traditional bride, trendy bride and the indie-bride.  It's extremely easy to navigate and with prices that will make you smile, there is no reason to not check it out immediately!  It was practically impossible to pick out some of my favorite things to put below but I did manage.  After you give them a look, flee right on over to Wedzu!  It is so necessary :)

The "To Have and To Hold" Ring Bearer Bowl

This darling clutch comes in tons of color options.  What an adorable gift for your bridesmaids! Love!

 

This necklace just makes me jump for joy! Throw that bad boy on for your reception to totally change your look.  Or for the super trendy bride, you can totally wear it for the ceremony.  P.S. it's under $100.00! 

Every bride needs some pampering....what's better than creamy goat's milk and chamomile soap?

 Bridal Gowns!  Too good to be true!

  

There is no way this is a paper flower! Its amazing!

 And this is only the beginning...there are so many super fabulous items.  It's a wedding extravaganza! Happy looking!

Real Wedding: Bridget & Christopher at Rosen Shingle Creek

Bridget was one of those clients that I clicked with as friends right off the bat.  We had a lot of laughs and great conversation during the months of planning and I think the Monday after the wedding was a little bittersweet for us both since we no longer NEEDED to call each other about anything.  But you can bet we chatted at least a few times the week after the wedding anyway!  

With a beautiful setting on a clear, sunny day, the ceremony and reception took place at the Shingle Creek Resort.  Tommy Murphy and the Greenery Productions crew brought the vision to life with a bamboo canopy draped with white fabric and plenty of flowers.  Inside, guests entered a peacock-themed cocktail reception on the Butler Balcony that overlooked the elegant dinner reception that was soon to come.  Mark Zauss and the Z Street Band entertained guests upstairs with trumpet and saxophone, then took the stage downstairs, keeping guests on the dance floor even after the lights came on at the end of the night.  Pro One Video and Karla Fountain Photography documented the whole event and were a blast to work with, as usual.  Thank you, Bridget and Chris, for allowing us all to be a part of your wedding day and we wish you years and years of love and laughter!

 

 

More big thank yous:

Simone of Makeover Station for hair and makeup

Chiavari chairs by Orlando Wedding and Party Rentals 

Party Flavors Custom Cakes

A Beautiful Ceremony officiant, Rev. George Geans

Kaleidoscope Event Lighting

Room Service rental furniture

Andrea & Jerome's Vinoy Wedding

I am so in love with the following pictures, I am finding it hard to do anything but stare at them.  Andrea and Jerome's Renaissance Vinoy, St. Petersburg wedding had us oohing and aahing many times throughout the ceremony and reception.  Not only was the entire event lavishly decorated by the FABULOUS Tommy Murphy of Greenery Productions, the bride and groom had so many surprises up their sleeves that even her wedding planners were amazed.  The ceremony incorporated Filipino traditions and sponsors showed their love by walking in the processional and participating in the ceremony.  Butterfly and orchid garlands hung from the arbor where they were married, and those butterflies carried through into the reception where they hung from the chandeliers over the head table and dance floor.  Music by Junction 88 kept guests dancing, and a surprise song performed by the bride and groom had us both laughing and in tears.  This wedding is one I will surely remember forever, and I am so pleased to share the amazing images from Binary Flips Photography.

 

 

Free Tickets to The Wedding Salon, Miami Beach

 

Real Wedding: Abby & Kyle at Casa Feliz, Winter Park, FL

On April 10 I had the honor of coordinating a classic and stylish DAYTIME wedding for bride Abby and groom Kyle at Winter Park's Casa Feliz.  A laid back, easy-going couple, they put emphasis on things they valued and didn't worry about the rest.  A daytime event was perfect for these two, whose priority was to spend as much time as possible with friends and family that had flown from around the world to attend.  The wedding celebration entailed heartfelt toasts and speeches, amazing food by Arthur's Catering, and plenty of time for outdoor portraits with photographer Abby Liga.  There was so much love in the room, between the bride and groom, and especially shown in the toasts that the bride's father and twin sister gave.  There were very few dry eyes as Abby's sister tried to keep composure while telling the story of the twin's adoption as babies and how much it meant to her to be part of the sacred sisterhood that twins share.  As the reception came to a close, surprise bagpipers marched toward the house and awed both guests, bride, and groom as they performed a mix of traditional Scottish music and hymns including "Amazing Grace".  At that point, even our photographer shed tears behind the lens.  It is my absolute pleasure to share these photos capturing the essence of the day.

 

 

 

   

   

 

Big, giant props to Darrin from DJ Fun Factory and to Lee Forrest Design for the gorgeous flowers and decor for the day!

Peacock Inspiration Board

    I've just created my own Inspiration Board using Style Me Pretty's tool for Style Circle members.  What in the world took me so long to jump on the bandwagon?  No longer will I struggle through Photoshop to come up with stylish inspiration for my brides.  Girls, if you have not become a member of the Style Circle and started browsing their i-boards and making your own, you are missing out!  Here is my first creation (so many more to come!) as inspiration for my peacock-loving brides.

Mercury Glass Decor

    One of my favorite current trends for weddings is the use of mercury glass and other metallics for decor.  Mercury glass was one of the first types of "art glass" created, made for display and looks rather than just for function.  Used tastefully on tables, it creates a vintage glam look and can mix well with almost any coordinating wedding colors.  Right now, you can find this look all over the place, making DIY tablescapes easy and affordable!

 Z Gallerie has great pieces on sale, including:

 

Luna Bazaar has a great selection of tabletop decor in mercury silver and gold:

   

  

    For a table that sparkles, use colored shades of mercury glass in varying votives down the length of the table.

As seen in Martha Stewart Weddings 

 

blue votive holders by Wisteria

 Used with whites and creams, mercury glass displays can be chic and elegant without any real color at all.

 From Project Wedding

     Any way you use it, mercury glass works for 2010!