lili's corner - keeping weddings personal

Getting the Most Out Of A Bridal Show

2012-01-26T15:40:00.000-08:00

Bridal shows are a magnet for newly-engaged couples.

It's the first taste of your new life adventure.

Everyone there is excited for you; eager to help you put together the wedding of your dreams.

There are lots of vendors in one place; all putting their best work on display.

Choice, choice, and more choice.

The logical place to start, right?

Yes and no.

Don't get me wrong. Bridal shows are great – no doubt about it.

A world of information.

What's new, what's trendy, and what's available in your area.

But … you do not want to come away from a show with names and faces blurring in your mind, thirty pieces of paper stuffed into a bag, and the feeling of being overwhelmed even before you've started the hardcore planning.

I see that a lot at shows.

Brides and grooms walking in a daze from one booth to another.

Their eyes glazing over as they try to take it all in.

So how do you avoid that?

Know what you can afford to spend.

Before you go anywhere near a bridal show, you need to know what your wedding budget is.

This may involve uncomfortable discussions with contributing family members (a discussion for another time), but the bottom line is .. the bottom line is important!

You need to know what your spending limits are at the outset.

So that you won't realise something you like is beyond your means once you've already set your heart on it, and, more importantly, so that you do not incur debt.

Praez Occasions

Do your homework.

Take the time to find out who the vendors are going be at any given show - and run some internet searches.

There are very few vendors without a website these days, and plenty of them have blogs as well.

Check those same vendors out on Facebook. If they have a business page they should have recent material which you can look at.

Follow their tweets.

Read their testimonials.

Look online for reviews.

See if other wedding professionals are recommending them.

You can get a real sense of what a vendor can do – and then relate to it or not.

This will help you to do a lot more than just window shop at a show.

Picture This of CT

Don't be afraid of consultations.

You've done your research and you're standing in front of a vendor's booth admiring his or her handiwork. But there are other couples around you – all wanting a few moments of that vendor's time.

Don't shy away from the offer of a consultation if you like the vendor's work. You need to be sure that this vendor is a good match for your personality and vision – and you can't always get a feel for someone in five minutes. Just as they can't get a feel for you. The relationship with vendors is a two way street. They need to be as comfortable with you as you are with them – and there's really no other way to do that than to sit somewhere quietly and learn more about one another.

Bridal shows are a resource for brides and grooms. So don't just wader around the booths. Go prepared. You'll walk away with something tangible if you do!

Happy planning!

Share the dress

2011-11-02T14:53:00.000-07:00

The fabulous Carisa Lockery (of CR Socials) and I put our heads together recently - and decided to hold a joint contest.

Ever wonder what kind of necklace goes best with the neckline of your wedding dress?

Or whether you should forego a necklace completely?

Well here's your chance to find out ... and win a $75 gift certificate from lili lutu and $75 towards a Day-Of-Coordination package from CR Socials.

$75 will get you a really nice piece of jewelry - and shipping is on me.

Entering couldn't be easier.

Like lili's wedding corner on Facebook, and then upload a photo of your wedding dress - or dream wedding dress - to the page.

I'll leave a comment telling you which kind of necklace would pair well with the dress and that will be that.
You'll be entered into the contest.

If you feel uncomfortable posting a photo of your dress (or of you in it), don't worry. Just like the page and leave a post saying that you've sent me the photo in a private message (at lili lutu). That way I will be the only person seeing the dress and you can still enter the contest.

The winner will be chosen via random.org

That will take care of Round One.

A second contest - hosted by Carisa - will follow next week.

Photos will be accepted till 1300 EST on Saturday, November 5th, 2011.

That's 11/05/11 at 4pm EST.

Good luck!

Happy Valentine's Day Drawing

2011-02-14T08:45:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentine's Day everyone.

Lets celebrate with an open heart necklace!

The drawing is being held in my online store, and will end at 2330 EST tonight, February 14th. The winner will be announced on Facebook on the 15th, as well as in a comment here on the blog.

Good luck!

CT Bridal Event - a recap

2010-11-08T12:46:00.000-08:00

Bridal shows rock!

There's really no other way to put it.

Over the past year and a half or so I've participated in several as a vendor, and I've loved each and every one. But I have to say that being able to participate both as a vendor and as a blogger is simply awesome.

For the past four years, Kia Martinson-Wenzel of ESTOccasions has organized the CT Bridal Event. So far it's always been Fall affair - but, based on the popularity of the event, that is set to change. A Spring show is being added in 2011, and can I just say ... I think it's a splendid idea!

Yesterday's event was held at UConn's Alumni Center in Storrs, CT. In a reception hall filled with the most wonderful natural light streaming in from countless windows and a really great staircase. Talk about making a grand entrance coming down these stairs!

Alumni Center

Julie Sweeney (below) oversees events at the Alumni Center.

Julie Sweeney

Networking has taken me in exciting directions over the past several months - and I am happy to report that yesterday's vendors were among the most interesting I've ever met.

Tiff's Wicked Cakes

Must say I was extremely glad that my children were gone by the time Tiffany Flanagan arrived with the Groom cake featured above. I suspect that despite the sign, they would have had a hard time staying away from those whiskers! I had a hard time myself, truth be told.

Creative Cookies by Jennifer

I spent a fair amount of my time familiarizing myself with the products on offer but, alas, my photo-taking skills need serious honing. I can't give all of the vendors present pictorial representation in this blogpost, but you should get an idea. I'll be showcasing many of them in more details as the weeks roll by, too.

Mary Kay

I was thrilled to discover that the people behind Chocolate Covered Affair not only have plans to open up retail space, but they are planning to offer gluten-free treats. We'll be catching up with them very soon!

HGK Designs

As I traveled between the various rooms and displays, something jumped out at me. There was a sense of camaraderie between strangers that is not easy to come by at shows. Kudos to Kia here - because she clearly knows her vendors. It certainly made the whole experience that much more pleasurable!

London and Hartmann Photography

AIS Audio Media Solutions

UConn Department of Dining Services

Cam Fogg

Now while the rest of us were manning our tables downstairs, the ladies from Love Me Two Times were upstairs ...

... attending to brides-to-be at a wonderful trunk show.

There were dresses, shoes .. and bling!

Love Me Two Times

Pre-loved designer dresses at absolutely fantastic prices! Imagine getting your bridal gown for $49 or $99!

Sandi from Love Me Two Times with brides

And because I know you are all dying to know just who the Soon-To-Be Mrs. Turner really is, I'll end with a photo of her .. in her prospective wedding veil.

Meet ... Ashley.

Soon-To-Be Mrs. Turner

Invitation Week: Praez Occasions

2010-11-03T08:18:00.000-07:00

Cake by JCakes

Last year I was a rookie in the industry. Although I'd made jewelry for weddings, I hadn't spent much time in the presence of other wedding professionals.

That changed in early December 2009 - when I was invited to a networking event by Connecticut Perfect Wedding Guide.

It's no understatement to say that the course of my life changed that night.

I caught the bug.

And since blame needs to be laid somewhere, I'll credit these two lovely ladies, who were introduced to me by ... my husband! He came along as my guest (handholding at its finest) and did his fair share of networking on my behalf.

You know how people say that the conversation flowed like wine?

It did that night!

Architecture, ceramics, and the Old World (which is where I was headed a few days later) in the space of a few short hours. And we parted with a promise - that I would bring back a piece of the Old World in the form of lace from my homeland.

I am happy to say I kept my promise, and that when we met again in February of 2010 I was given a personal introduction to the world of Praez Occasions.

What a world!

Praez Occasions is a full-service design firm with an unconventional flair for making lasting impressions.

The focus is on helping clients announce their affairs with exceptional quality and sophistication; expressive of their distinct vision, style and persona.

Praez Occasions was birthed in 2004 - as an extension of its mother company Praez Media; to provide couture, bespoke invitations to brides, corporate and individual clients alike.

Rae Boykin and Zeb Powell came from corporate backgrounds in business administration, marketing and accounting, but were disenchanted by the mundane, cookie-cut, customized invitation companies available to them. Thus began a journey, through their innate passion for graphic design, font and paper, to unite their two passions into what is known today as Praez Occasions.

Design for Therez Fleetwood Bridal of Dallas, Texas

Zeb and Rae have this to say about their art.

Inspired by everything around us, we design and hand-craft custom creations that entail rich tones, textures and unique embellishments from around the world.

Authentic Swarovski crystals, beautiful jeweled brooches and pins, imported Thai silk boxes, folios, wraps and pouches.

Save the Date cards, invitations, programs, escort and menu cards are all fabulously handcrafted to the clients' specifications (including use of different languages) and shipped all over the world.

Today's luxury events require a higher level of detail and impeccability than beautiful paper and fonts, Rae says. We answer the call with exquisite options that take your stationery to the next level.

Photo by Dina Rudick for the Boston Globe

They are certainly getting their point across.

Not only are they signature partners of Chad Michael Peters - the renowned floral and event guru from Boston - they have also been featured in several high end publications and websites.


Grace Ormonde


Well Wed


The Ritz-Carlton


Luxurious Weddings

I have to add here that - upon request - Zeb and Rae can also service your event with sustainable specialty papers that are eco-friendly, FSC / SFI certified, and even tree-free.

If you're looking for people you can trust to take your vision and bring it to life, I can't recommend Praez Occasions highly enough. And as you can see - their work truly does speak for itself.

Experience the difference Praez Occasions makes – and see what gorgeous things they can do for your next event!

Visit their website, email them on invitations@praezoccasions.com, follow them on Facebook, or call them, toll-free, on 888.697.7239.

Alternatively you can talk to them on Skype using praezoccasions.

If you are in Connecticut, you can visit them (by appointment) at their studio.

60 Connolly Parkway

Suite 10C

Hamden, CT 06514

This Sunday, November 7th, Zeb and Rae will be at the Perfect Bridal Extravaganza at The Woodwinds in Branford. The first few brides to visit their table will get $100 gift certificate towards their invitations - so make sure you get there first!

Invitation Week - a short historical overview

2010-11-01T06:15:00.000-07:00

The first installment of Cake Week went down so well that I thought I'd go thematic again this week - and talk about the history of wedding invitations.

There's so much to say that it's likely we'll revisit this theme more than once - but lets kick off with a bit of historical perspective, shall we? Lets look at the people and the inventions that shaped the invitation as we know it today.

The Town Crier played a pivotal role in days gone by.

Mostly because people were illiterate.

Anything of importance - including weddings - was announced rather loudly. Consequently this meant that anyone within earshot was invited to the wedding.

This may have worked for the population at large - but the nobility had a rather different view of things.

Religious monks were known for their beautiful work, and it was very fashionable to pay monasteries large sums of money to create hand-drawn and illuminated wedding invitations when sons and daughters of the upper crust were being married off.

These invitations were then delivered by a specially-appointed courier.

As the Middle Ages wore on, changes swept across Europe. Between the birth of printing and the Protestant Reformation, literacy became something to aspire to.

Basic printing did not produce high quality invitations, however. Mainly because the ink was merely stamped on the paper.

By the mid-1600s, metal-plate engraving had been invented. A carving tool allowed words to be engraved in reverse onto a plate - and this gave invitations a more sophisticated look.

Smudging, however, was still an issue.

So a piece of tissue paper was placed over the invitation. This is one of the traditions carried over from the early days; although today the effect is purely decorative and for the most part vellum is used.

Another important milestone of the 1600s was the newspaper - and the tradition of announcing one's upcoming nuptials started gaining popularity.

early newspapers

The next big invention to impact wedding invitation design was lithography.

lithography

Not only was the result crisp, it also eliminated most of the time constraints that metal-engraving had placed on design.

Things remained pretty much unchanged until the end of World War II. People's lifestyle changed fairly dramatically as incomes increased, and the 1950s ushered in a stylized way of looking at and dealing with matters.

Thermography (in this case the use of heat to create raised ink lettering) lent itself beautifully to wedding stationery - and most important, it was within the budget of the average couple.

thermography

Over the past few decades wedding stationery has really taken off. The days of sterile wedding invitations are over - and everywhere you turn people are infusing themselves and their personality into their creations. Suffice it to say that you can truly get anything these days.

On Wednesday we'll be talking to the fabulous ladies of Praez Occasions; a full-service design firm with an unconventional flair for the fine details. Till then I'll leave you with a photo of an invitation I am partial to.

It isn't what you might expect, though. This is not an invitation to a wedding, but an invitation to be in the wedding party.

SDezigns

CT Bridal Event 2010: Vendors (part ii)

2010-10-29T11:45:00.000-07:00

As promised yesterday, here are a few more of the wedding vendors you'll be able to meet at the CT Bridal Event 2010 which is being held on Sunday, November 7th at the UConn Alumni Center.

Tiff's Wicked Cakes

Tiffany Flanagan of Tiff's Wicked Cakes will be there. She works out of Rhode Island and can be contacted through her website, via email, or through Facebook.

London & Hartmann

London & Hartmann Photography will also be there - and these two lovely ladies can be contacted through their website.

Wedding Reports

Chris Bajda will be representing Wedding Reports. They can be reached through their website and through Facebook.

Cookie Creatives

Cookie Creatives will be there - and you can reach Jennifer Burkhardt through her website and Facebook. You can also read her blog and follow her on Twitter.

I will be there too. Representing lili lutu - my handcrafted bridal jewelry company. You can reach me through my website, follow me on Facebook and Twitter, and read this blog.

lili lutu

Erin Kelly Perry will be there for the Chocolate Rose Bake Shop. She can be reached through her website on on Facebook

Chocolate Rose

Lauren LeBlanc will be there for UConfections. She can be reached through her website.

UConfections

On behalf of all the featured vendors, I wish you happy browsing - and look forward to meeting all of you on November 7th!

CT Bridal Event 2010: Vendors (part i)

2010-10-28T14:38:00.000-07:00

Vendors galore ...

Over the next two days I thought it would be fun to do a virtual walkthrough with some of the vendors - so that those of you attending the show will have an idea about some of the wedding professionals you can expect to meet on Sunday, November 7th.

A Favor For All Occasions

A Favor For All Occasions can be found on their website and on Facebook.

Kim Bova Photography

Kim Bova can be reached through her website or on Facebook.

DL Video Productions specializes in Cinematic Wedding Films and can be contacted through their website. They are located in Massacheussetts.

Lia Sophia

Denise Moore Fleming represents Lia Sophia Jewelry. She can be contacted through her website or through Facebook.

Tiffany Hall

Tiffany Hall of Tiffany Hall Beauty can be reached through her website.

Love Me Two Times will holding the Bridal Gown Trunk Show. Be sure to check them out. You can reach Cam Fogg through the store's website or on Facebook.

Love Me Two Times

Jessica Enos does the design work for EstoPrints. Budget-friendly one-of-a-kind work. The company can be reached through their website, via email, or through Facebook.

EstoPrints

Heather Henry is the owner of HGK Designs. She can be reached through her website or through Facebook. You can also follow her on Twitter.

HGK Designs

Looking for candles? Look no further than Candles By Laura LLC. Laura can be reached through her website or on Facebook.

Candles By Laura LLC

CT Bridal Event 2010: UConn Alumni Center

2010-10-27T10:22:00.000-07:00

UConn Alumni Center

Today I thought I'd give you a sneak peek at the UConn Alumni Center in Storrs, CT - where the 4th Annual CT Bridal Event is going to be held on November 7th, 2010.

CT Bridal Event

"This is our 3rd year at this location," Kia Martinson-Wenzel of ESTOccasions explains. "We keep coming back to it because of the amazing space. It also gives clients the chance to have their ceremony there if they want. They also have a great cocktail space. But most important, it's open to everyone - not just UConn alumni. It gives couples the freedoms to really create a wedding, not just a wedding package, because they have control over everything. You bring in your own caterer and linens, so you really won't be having a cookie cutter wedding."

Melissa Wilson Photography

The Alumni Center's Great Hall, with its distinctive staircase and charming layout, is a stylish and sophisticated site.

UConn Alumni Center

It's the perfect location for your wedding, shower, reception or other special event. Whether you’re new to the area or have fond memories of the campus you know and love, you are invited to discover what the Center has to offer.

A complimentary consultation and facility tour is available upon request.

To request a consultation contact Julie Sweeney, Alumni Center Manager at 860.486.1828 or 888.822.5861 or by email at Julie.Sweeney@uconn.edu.

CT Tuesdays: Kia Martinson-Wenzel

2010-10-26T08:52:00.000-07:00

Today we're catching up with Kia Martinson-Wenzel - the woman behind ESTOccasions, and the organizer of the CT Bridal Event.

Although I haven't had the pleasure of meeting Kia in person ... yet ... it became very clear to me during our phone, email, and Facebook interactions that she loves what she does.

So with that in mind, I think there's no better person to talk about Kia than Kia herself.

ESTO comes from the fact that my parents are both Estonian and that Estonian is my first language. Besides that, ESTO is a large celebration held by Estonians every 4 years in different parts of the world. So it's always been a way to inject a little bit of me into everything I do.

I made ESTO an acronym - and it stands for Events, Special Themes and Occasions.

We are a full-service planning & design company for weddings. I’ve been in business for over 6 years and I love what I do. I simply just love to create and pull together any type of event and work with the size and budget. Creating a stylish wedding, while mixing in tradition and the couple's wishes, is always a wonderful challenge. I make a point to listen to my clients, make sure they know they are being listened to, and that their wedding represents them and their story.

Vineyard

I’ve also made a point to show that wedding planners are affordable.

The amount I can save couples might seem to be a little here and there; but when you pull it all together, it is extra money to spend on something they may want. I enjoy finding a cost-effective way to give my clients what they are looking for. Finding creative ways to design a wedding is one of my passions. I am always looking at products and trying to create something personal for each client.

Wickham Park

While there are parts of my job that are a lot of fun, it also takes organization, thinking quickly and handling the pressure. No matter what is going on, I work to be on top of everything and make it all work out. A lot of elements need to work together to make a wedding successful and that is my passion.

Boca Beach

From large scale wedding to small, intimate ones, I make it all work.

I’ve been a wife for the last fourteen years, and spent eight of them as an Army Wife.

I feel this has made me a good planner.

I handle change well, I’m quick on my feet, and the one thing the Army loves is paperwork! I have two young boys, aged 11 and 4, and they are another reason I love what I do. I have the chance to spend time with them while running a business.

I work throughout the state, RI, MA and NYC.

Four years ago I thought why can’t we have bridal shows that are affordable for vendors and give brides a relaxed setting to really connect with them?

As a result the CT Bridal Event was born.

Some of the larger scale expos are great, but I’ve gone through them with my own brides and they hate it by the end. After seeing 12 photographers and 7 cake decorators they are lost and overwhelmed. This is why we only have 4 wedding professionals from each category, and allow CT vendors in first.

CT Bridal Event 2009

To pull together a large scale show is a bit different than a wedding for sure - since you never know who is really coming.

I have about 35 or so vendors to keep happy, I need to make the space work to display everyone in the best possible light, and still represent and work on my own business.

Three years ago I added in a bridal gown trunk show - as a way for brides to shop for dresses at a friendly cost. It's been a great success.

Trunk Show

Due to the success of our last three shows, we've added our first Spring bridal show for 2011.

I'm very excited over this because the goal has always been to showcase the very best talent for our engaged couples. Plus I love showing off the hottest trends, color combos and give couples a chance to explore their wedding needs in one setting.

The CT Bridal Event is open to all engaged couples!

See you on November 7th!

CT Bridal Event

2010-10-25T03:45:00.000-07:00

I'm back.

A week earlier than expected.

Which is a good thing really - because I now have a whole week to dedicate to the CT Bridal Event.

CT Bridal Event 2009

The details are as follows:

Date: Sunday, November 7th 2010

Time: 12pm - 4pm

Venue: UConn Alumni Center @ 2384 Alumni Drive in Storrs, CT

CT Bridal Event 2010

Now in its 4th year, this unique bridal event is organized by Kia Martinson-Wenzel of ESTOccasions.

I will be showcasing Kia in Tuesday's blogpost.

Wednesday we'll be taking a look at the UConn Alumni Center.

Thursday and Friday will be dedicated to the vendors - to give you an idea of what (and who) you can expect to see at the event.

Certainly make it a point to attend the Trunk Show from Love Me Two Times!

Tickets are $10 if you buy them at the door, and $7 if you register in advance online.

If you buy 3 tickets, a 4th one is free!

Also, if you register ahead of time you will also get an extra chance to win a prize.

You can check out the details on the official website as well as on Facebook.

Looking forward to meeting you all there!

Cake Week Giveaway

2010-10-08T18:20:00.000-07:00

Congratulations Downtown!

You are the winner of the custom portrait by wedding illustrator Rosemary Fanti.

Rosemary Fanti

Please email me your address and contact information at lililutu {@} gmail {dot} com by Wednesday, October 13th and I will pass it on to Rosemary. She will take it from there and ask you to send in a photo after your July 2011 wedding.

Today's giveaway comes to us courtesy of Frostings of Ridgefield.

Two dozen lovebites in your choice of flavour.

There is a change to the rules for this one, however.

Due to the nature of the prize, this giveaway is only open to brides who are willing to travel to Ridgefield to pick up the lovebites in person. It doesn't matter if you're out of state (Ridgefield pretty much borders New York, for example) - just be sure you are willing to drive before you enter the contest.

It's a great opportunity for those of you getting married to sample Frostings' exquisite work - and talk to the bakers in person.

To enter please leave a comment.

Good luck!

The proof of the pudding is in the eating

2010-10-07T11:22:00.000-07:00

Cake Expectations

We'll be talking about cake tasting today - but before we start I'll share some news.

lili's corner has been named one of Weddzilla's 2010 Blog Gurus.

I'd like to extend heartfelt thanks to all the people who believed in the blog and voted for it.

I couldn't have done it without you, and really am very grateful for all the support and words of encouragement.

Now lets talk about cake and lets start with the joint effort aspect of it all.

Over the past several decades brides have taken responsibility for the cake. But things have changed. These days most grooms are very involved in the wedding process - so start by scheduling an appointment which is convenient for both of you. Lots of bakeries hold their tastings at the weekend for just that reason.

You will cut the cake together, so you really should choose the cake together too.

Here are a few things to keep in mind:

There is no reason to limit yourself to one baker - but be aware that you need to be honest about the fact that you are looking around.

Cake tastings are not typically free (unless you have already made your decision or the baker is a family friend) - so work the cost into your budget. In the grand scheme of things it's a wise investment.

Cake Expectations

Let the baker know in advance if there are certain flavours you and your groom do not like.

It's okay to give the baker free rein if you want to try something different, but you will need to let them know if you have food allergies of any kind. It's perfectly acceptable to ask for a list of ingredients.

Consider your guests.

If there is an unusual flavour on offer that you like but are not sure will appeal to the people attending your wedding, consider having a multi-layer cake or putting that flavour in the groom's cake.

Some cakes need to set over a day or two if they are elaborately decorated. Make sure you ask how the inside will hold up. You don't want to serve a cake which looks spectacular on the outside but turns out to be dry on the inside.

The golden rule: do not go to a cake tasting on an empty stomach.

The reason for this is simple. When you are hungry the body is susceptible to cravings. Things you would not ordinarily like may taste good if you are famished - so be sure to eat a small meal before you go.

Feedback is important to a baker's craft. Don't be embarrassed to ask for time alone with your groom before giving it; and when you do give it remember that a little tact goes a long way.

It's really important to remember that there are differences in the way bakers handle a tasting.

Today I've asked Natalie Johnson of A World of Cakes to share the way she goes about one.

Natalie Johnson

When a bride comes to me with a wedding cake inquiry (either through phone or by email), we talk about the theme of her wedding, her personal style, and the number of guests. We discuss an initial design and concept of the cake, so that I can give her a ballpark estimate of the cost.

If she feels that is within her budget we schedule a tasting - which typically lasts one hour.

6 inch cake

I offer one complimentary 6 inch cake, and then charge $10 for each additional 6 inch cake/filling combination. I prefer to offer a complete cake so that the couple can get a sense of how cake, filling, and icing will blend together. For example, they may not like buttercream icing with lemon curd filling - but they won't know this until they taste them together.

During the tasting I offer water to cleanse the palate inbetween the different cakes. It gives a clean refreshing break from all the sweet tastes.

A World of Cakes

We take time to discuss design ideas that I have prepared ahead of time, as well as ones that the couple have brought. If the booking goes forward we use all of those ideas to create a personalized wedding cake.

Don't be afraid to share your own ideas.

Nobody knows your taste better than you!

Natalie will be back in a few weeks to talk about other cake-related matters.

She is based in Chappaqua, NY and can be reached through her website or her Facebook page.

When in Rome ...

2010-10-06T09:10:00.000-07:00

Talking to Letizia Grella made me feel homesick in the most wonderful of ways.

Now as you may or may not know, I live in Connecticut but hail originally from the island of Malta.

In geographical terms that put me a stone's throw away from Italy, growing up.

So not only did I get to flex my Italian with Letizia (although I should say that her English is impeccable), but I also got to connect with someone I didn't know in a way that is quintessentially European.

It was a wonderful feeling - and made me happy about blogging in more ways than I can articulate.

Some people are born with a gift - and today I'd like to share Letizia's with you.

I was ecstatic to learn in the course of our conversation that she'd spent a few of her formative years in Connecticut - before moving on to summer internships in an old-fashioned bakery in New York.

Which is where her passion for sugar art and decorating cakes was born.

And what a passion!

A passion you can see in each and every one of her creations.

In fact as I was preparing to write this post, the same thought kept running through my mind in an endless cycle.

I really don't need to say very much - because the cakes speak for themselves.

But of course I can't do that - because the photos show you Letizia's creative side but don't necessarily give you insight into the woman herself.

So lets start with her motto:

Troppo belle per farle a fette ... troppo buone per non mangiarle!

Which translates loosely into:

Too beautiful to slice ... too good to pass up!

One look at her cakes and you know it's the truth!

Nothing can look this good and not taste exquisite - because each cake is clearly a labour of love.

It also helps you to appreciate the name of her bakery.

One of the nicest things about Letizia, though, is that she is more than willing to share her talent with others.

Her workshops are becoming increasingly popular - and attracting women (and men) from all over Italy.

This doesn't mean that she's resting on her laurels, however.

She continues to further her own education by taking classes in the United Kingdom and the United States.

In fact, here are a few photos from a recent master class with Colette Peters in New York.

Another exciting project on Letizia's horizon is the publication of her first book by Gribaudo Editori.

A step-by-step guide to thirty cakes - to be released at the end of October 2010.

When the talk everntually turned back to wedding cakes, her advice to brides was straightforward.

Don't exaggerate.

There is no need to put all of the elements from your wedding into the cake.

Picking one or two details and replicating them will make for a stunning cake.

So when in Rome ... be sure to drop in for a slice of cake.

If you're lucky she'll be working on something absolutely fabulous like these cake toppers!

Letizia can be reached through her website or through her Facebook page - and I really encourage you to check out the rest of her stunning work.

Connecticut Tuesday: JCakes

2010-10-05T05:50:00.000-07:00

The format for today's post will be slightly different.

Alas, following my encounter with the nefarious concrete patio, all attempts to get together with Hope Looney - in person and on the phone - fell flat.

So this week I am passing the baton on to her - and as you read about her journey and the way she does things, you might well decide that ordering a cake for your upcoming nuptials from JCakes is on the cards for you.

I give you Hope ... in her own words.

I've been baking since I was four years old.

My grandmother was a fan of Julia Child, and baked French bread every Sunday morning. She trained me in the art of French cooking and pastry as a youngster. I also took classes in cake decorating in middle school and making cakes as a teenager.

After getting a degree in Business Administration and Spanish at Chapman University in Orange, Ca (and doing a lot of international travel), I attended Norwalk Community College and immersed myself in Baking and Pastry Arts classes.

It was a ball!

When my instructor told me I had the soul of a pastry chef, I knew I was doing the right thing.

Running a cake shop became a dream when I was still in college.

My room mate and I contemplated what types of jobs would fit out personalities, would make us happy, and not be boring.

We also discussed the fact that there were no quality high-end cake shops where she grew up in Hermosa Beach, California.

So we bridged those two ideas into the dream for a cake shop on the beach where we could work together and fill a need for a gourmet cake shop in an affluent community where lots of demand existed.

Charlie, my room mate, bought a Kitchen Aid mixer - and we started baking in our college apartment. We tried tons of recipes and tried to perfect out buttercream. We had lots of failed attempts but lots of laughs and fun. Now I realize that North Branford, CT is not on the Pacific Ocean - but there is still hope of one day expanding to the beach and working with my best friend.

JCakes has grown into a full scale bakery.

But my goal is still the same.

To bake cakes that taste as good as they look.

I also take pride in building relationships with my customers.

It is so rewarding to help them celebrate emotional events.

Knowing that I've contributed to their special day because I personalized their cakes means a lot to me.

When someone cries when I show them their cake, it means I've made their day a little bit more special.

I pride myself on providing a memorable cake experience.

Things should end on a high note, with a wedding cake that leaves a positive lasting impression with your guests.

You wedding cake will be talked about the next day - and for the next few years too!

This is because our most popular wedding cake is a super moist golden layer cake, filled with white chocolate mousse and fresh mixed berries.

It is frosted with our signature vanilla French buttercream. Our brides love this crowd pleaser because it is very light and appeals to a large group of people.

Our customers rave about the uniqueness of our product. The look and taste is what makes up stand apart. Every cake is made to order and decorated with fresh flowers.

People rave about the taste - and here are three reasons why:

CAKE - using only the finest ingredients JCakes begins with a freshly baked moist cake that is never frozen. Never dry or dense, its light and fluffy texture leaves you feeling satisfied without feeling too full.

FILLING - the cake is then filled with homemade fillings (nothing comes pre-made from a tub). All fruit fillings comprise fresh fruit (not the gelatinous pre-made stuff). From our most popular chocolate mousse and mixed berry fillings, to a non-traditional Oreo mousse, we can accommodate any taste bud.

FROSTING - finally frosted with your choice of flavored buttercream or rich chocolate ganache, our buttercream is a true French style merengue-based buttercream which is not overly sweet. It is extremely light and creamy using European-style butter. This means no shortening!

The newest trend is the cupcake tower in the place of a wedding cake.

There are several reasons why cupcakes may be more advantageous than a traditional wedding cake.

Ease of service - your caterer/facility does not have to cut and serve the cake. Your guests walk up at their leisure for their dessert whenever they are ready.

Variety - a cupcake tower can offer different flavours, and your guests can choose which kind they prefer.

Convenience - if people are too full for dessert, you can offer gift boxes to take their cupcakes home and enjoy later.

lili wanted to know if I had any advice for brides - and here it is.

Choose a cake that tastes good!

in the end, people will remember how the cake tasted more than how it looked.

Also, ask your venue or caterer to serve the cake at an appropriate time before everyone gets up to dance.

Many people miss out on the cake because they are having fun on the dance floor - which of course they should be. The cake-cutting ceremony can be done at the beginning of the night or inbetween courses. That will leave time to slice the cake in the back and have it ready after the dinner course.

Another option is to have the cake served buffet-style with ice cream, where people can come up and select their cake.

Here at JCakes we schedule tastings on Saturdays and Sundays.

9am till 12 Noon.

Appointments typically last half an hour.

We recommend planning and booking your wedding cake at least six months in advance in order to secure your date.

You can call Hope on 203.488.2800

She can also be reached through her website or her Facebook page.

Cake Week ... Revisited

2010-10-04T15:30:00.000-07:00

Due to an unfortunate encounter with a concrete patio last Tuesday night, cake week had to be cut short.

So lets try this again, shall we?

Since it would be silly to start mid-week, I think I'll move on to the next cake-related item I wanted to talk about.

Lots of money is spent on the wedding cake - and it is one of the things guests remember most.

In days gone by anything to do with the cake was considered the bride's responsibility.

She cut it up and served it. You'll remember that we spoke last week of guests rooting for crumbs at one point in history, and of guests being given a piece of cake to take home in another.

Over time that tradition has evolved.

One of the reasons for that is that the number of guests at wedding has grown considerably. This is turn necessitated larger cakes - which impacted the distribution process. Also, multi-tiered cakes (at least those of my parents' generation) sported a lot of hard icing (needed to support the cakes weight and all those pillars).

Hard icing meant the cake was harder to cut - and so the groom's help was enlisted.

Nowadays, though, the groom is no longer perceived as just helping.

The cake cutting ceremony has become the first joint task that the couple perform.

After the cake cutting ceremony, the couple proceed to feed one other from the first slice.

Lovely piece of symbolism, n;est-ce pas?

The mutual commitment of bride and groom to provide for one another.

For myself, I love watching wedding cakes cut with swords.

So in my next life I'm marrying someone in the military.

Or someone with links to Thailand!

Connecticut Tuesday: Frostings of Ridgefield

2010-09-28T09:11:00.000-07:00

They say you should never assume anything.

But every now and then an assumption leads to something fun.

Case in point ...

I attended a wedding cake contest a few weeks ago. While there, I ran across exceptionally delicious offerings from Frostings - a cupcake company based in Ridgefield, CT.

It never occurred to me to ask whether the gorgeous young women behind the table were the owners as well as the bakers.

Fast forward to the receipt of an email a few days later.

An email from Niro Feliciano - the company CEO. Thanking me for the photos I'd posted on FB, and for my interest.

A psychotherapist by profession, I discovered as I read on.

I was intrigued.

I will confess I spent an inordinate amount of time trying to figure out what Niro could possibly be short for in Italian - as I determined that he had to be of Italian origin with a name like that.

Skip to several emails and several weeks later and I am invited to a Fall Flavour testing.

I arrive - and not only is he not Italian, he's not even a he.

It's a woman - and she's originally from ... Sri Lanka!

With a science background and 22 years experience in baking.

Needless to say, we had a good laugh.

As things settled down, we talked about the science aspect for a bit.

"It really is a science," Niro explained as she showed me around the test kitchen they are using until her cupcakery opens in Ridgefield.

"Vary a recipe by one quarter cup of a different type of flour and you get a different cupcake. It took me a year to finalize the base recipes and the signature piping we use."

The we directed my attention to Beth Hardy - a graduate of the Culinary Institue of America - who is responsible for the day to day baking.

"We have several standard flavours, but we also have our seasonal ones," Beth (with the company since she responded to an ad on Craig's List in May) explains. "Today we're working on apple cinammon and looking for cool ways to infuse pumpkin and spice into our products."

Niro explained to me that she spent the last year in Washington DC, and the five years before that in New York City.

"It was really obvious to me that there was a developing niche for cupcakes, and when I came back to Ridgefield I really wanted to create a haven for cupcake obsessees. A place where people can come in and have a cupcake or a lovebite, along with a cup of excellent coffee. A place where they can also drop in to purchase something tasty on their way home. It's going to be a great little place."

I was intrigued by the conecpt of the lovebite - and Niro explained that a friend who works for a luxury brand in NYC came up with the idea of calling the bite-size cakes that. "She was really instrumental in helping with branding, packaging and business card design, as well as the website. It was wonderful to be able to get her help on all of this."

I asked how far the cupcakes have travelled to date, and the answer was ... Toronto.

Personal delivery though.

"We use a lot less sugar in our cupcakes than other companies do, " Beth explained. "And that also makes for softer frosting. We've looked into freezing our products so that we can ship them out, but we want them to taste the way they did when they were baked. So for the moment we're sticking to the neighbouring states where the cupcakes can travel safely in special boxes, and be eaten the same day they were baked."

"It's been really fun learning how people learn about us," Niro told me. "And we've had a lot of business from people who have tasted our cupcakes at an event they've attended. We're hoping to reach a lot more people once the cupcakery opens. Hopefully that will happen before Halloween."

Of course I couldn't resist asking about the connection between therapy and baking - and both ladies smiled.

"It's instant gratification," Beth said. "I love being in the kitchen. Once you have your recipes set, it's a matter of getting in there and making it happen. It doesn't take anything from you, but it gives you a lot. That sense that you're creating something beautiful that is going to bring joy to others. It's a wonderful feeling."

Sounds likes a whole new definition of comfort food to me!

Thank you for a wonderful two hours, ladies. Very much looking forward to covering the grand opening for the blog.

You can learn more about Frostings on their website and their Facebook page. You can also follow them on Twitter.

Connecticut brides ... make sure you keep an eye out for the first of the giveaways on Friday, October 8th, 2010 (date has been edited to reflect the fact that I have to put the blog on hiatus for a few days, following an encounter with a concrete patio).

Frostings is hosting a rather delectable surprise for you.

Have your cake ... and eat it

2010-09-27T06:24:00.000-07:00

www.jacquespastries.com

I've decided that it might be fun to go thematic for a week or two - and in the spirit of that decision I'd like to welcome you to cake week!

Walk with me - and discover something about the history of the wedding cake.

Over the centuries customs have evolved. I think we need to be grateful for that, because it appears that in Roman times the groom would eat part of a barley loaf baked especially for the occasion ... and then break the rest over the bride's head. I am sure I don't need to elaborate about the symbolism of that particular action! The crumbs that landed on the floor, however, represented good luck and fertility for the bride and groom. It was considered good luck for guests to eat those crumbs, and reportedly nubile delicacies scrambled to secure them - and thus ensure betrothals of their own.

In the Middle Ages biscuits or
scones were present.

Guests brought one small cake to the wedding (and for that read the size of a cupcake) with them.

All the offerings were stacked and the couple kissed (or tried to) over the top of the pile.

This was supposed to bring them good luck.

And many children.

Early on in the 17th century, a popular dish called bride's pie became popular. It came in several formats apparently. Sweet bread filling, mince, or in some cases even mutton pie. There are even records of a pie involving lamb's testicles and oysters. But it's main feature was a glass ring. I guess it was very similar to catching the bouquet at today's weddings - because finding the glass ring meant that you would be the next to get married.

Another tradition that sprang up around this time involved sleeping with a piece of cake underneath one's pillow. Brides would give out slices of cake to the unmarried women present, and legend had it that the sleepers would dream of their future spouses that night.

It was, apparently, French bakers who started us on our road to elaborate cakes - by stacking wheat buns and coating them. As sugar became more plentiful in Europe, so did the refinement process. It followed that icing became progressively whiter. Not only did white represent the bride's virginity, but it also symbolised the family's social standing.

A status symbol, if you will. A sign of their affluence.

Which brings us to the multi-layered cakes of the 19th century. They were reserved for royalty (Queen Victoria is seen above) because they were really the only people who could really afford them. Although it should also be said that the first multitiered cakes were real in appearance only. Their upper layers were made of spun sugar, and it wasn't until pillars started to be used (icing was hardened to prevent the pillars from sinking into the bottom layer), that the wedding cake started its journey towards the extravaganzas that we see all around us today.

Of course talk about pillars makes me think of my parents' wedding cake. The one below is not theirs, but I can't think of pillars without thinking of them.

We've come a long way from the use of pillars - and in some

cases a really long way.

I am not sure how I would feel about wearing my wedding cake or having it be a replica of me - but people have clearly done both.

Today's cakes range from elegant and classic ... to whimsical

and fun ... to downright works of art.

The Wedding Cake Shoppe

Everything leads up to the moment when the couple shares a

slice of their future surrounded by people who love them - and

some of the cakes are little short of masterpieces.

In our next installment (a couple of months down the road)

we'll be talking about the Groom's cake, the symbolism of

cake cutting, and the tradition of saving the cake's top layer.

Till then .. enjoy the eye candy!

Two of my favourites.

The Cake Company (top) and Cake Designs by Helen (bottom)

Plus a few more.

From Korea ... with love

2010-09-24T15:59:00.000-07:00

It's that day of the week again - and today we're catching up with our Canadian bride and giving away something utterly fabulous.

Lori has been good enough to share her engagement story and a few details about her wedding with us - and rather than trying to write a post about it, I think I'll just her speak in her own voice.

We've been living in South Korea for the past year - and that is where we got engaged.

To give you a little background, Valentines Day is celebrated in 2 parts in Korea. On February 14th, the girls buy for the guys (typically chocolate or cookies), and then a month later they celebrate White Day. White Day is for the girls, and is now officially my favourite day in the entire year.

That day started extremely early for me.

At 6:30am Wayne flipped on the switch in our bedroom and walked out the front door. When I eventually rolled over in bed, I was faced with a brown piece of paper, a pen, and a riddle that told me I would be travelling to the 3rd baseline. After stumbling around the apartment for a good 20 minutes, I finally made it downstairs and outside and realized that I had absolutely no idea what a baseline was. I will blame this on sleep deprivation and excitement because I have played baseball for most of my life ...but it literally took me 10 minutes of standing in the cold not moving to come to the realization that the clue was leading me to the ball diamond that we walk past at least twice every single day.

Once there I was met with another clue that took me back to our mailbox, then across the street again to some trees, and eventually back to the recycling area of our old apartment. Wayne & I had been watching season after season of Survivor for the past few months (10 seasons in less than 3 months) so we were obsessed. The challenges that he presented me with were sooo perfect - and totally Survivor.

Then came the Bachelor part of the plan!

My next clue led me up to a path in the woods. After debating for awhile about which path to take (there were 3 and I wasn't completely certain where the clue was directing me) I chose the one on the right and started the trek. Eventually (not quickly enough) I found him. He was standing at the end, and I felt exactly how those girls must feel when they walk down that long path to get to the bachelor, except that I was fairly certain he wasn't going to be sending me home!!

A few weeks later we went to Seoul with a colleague (we teach English) who has a friend who is a professional jeweler to pick out a ring. I thought it would be a lot like Sweet Home Alabama and I would just be surrounded with sparkling jewels and have my pick.

Not completely the case.

It was a lot more back alley; with crowded stores, jam packed with jewelry of all kinds - but we did chose a setting for the stone we had decided on.

We decided to go with an amethyst for a few reasons.

Not on the bottom of the list is that is super, super pretty and purple. But on the more reasonable side, it's extremely expensive to buy diamonds in Korea and I would have had to walk around (and go backpacking) with it for many months.

Uninsured.

Not practical ...and to be honest, I have never loved anything more than my ring. Wayne is set on replacing the stone with a diamond when we get home, but we will see.

It's pretty, it's unique, but most important .. it's totally me.

The next time we catch up with Lori we'll be hearing about the way she chose to ask her bridesmaids if they wanted to be in the bridal party, the reasons she chose her venue, and why she wants to be ....

But moving on ... congratulations Alison. The Aurora bracelet is yours. It will be en route as soon as I have a wrist size and address.

I have to say that today's giveaway is both special and fabulous.

Earlier in the week I wrote a feature on wedding illustrator Rosemary Fanti - and she is graciously offering one bride a portrait.

Valued at $300.

You still need to be a bride to enter this contest, but this week there are additional rules.

* You must be getting married on or before November 30th 2011.
Please write your wedding date in your first comment.

* You can only enter if you are a follower of this blog. I will
   check entries against the list of followers. If you are not yet a
   follower, you have a whole week to become one - so this

is not an exclusory condition by any means. Blogspot is
google-based so there are lots of ways to become a follower.

* You must like lili's wedding corner on Facebook.

* You must like Rosemary's Facebook page - and leave a
comment saying you came from here.

Now the reward for all the liking and following and commenting.

Say that you did all of the above in separate comments, and each one will count as an entry. If you have already done the things required in previous weeks simply say so. Those will be considered valid entries too.

Ways to earn additional entries:

* Blog about this giveaway - and post the link in a comment.

* Post about it on Facebook - and post the link in a comment.

All told you could have 6 chances at winning this portrait from Rosemary.

The contest ends on Thursday, October 7th at 1900 EST - and the winner will be announced here and on Facebook on Friday, October 8th.

Good luck!

Step by Step

2010-09-23T14:50:00.000-07:00

Bridal shows are an opportunity to learn about what's out there in a personal and unique manner. Vendors showcase the best of their work - and their personalities - at a show. So take the time to see their work and determine whether or not your temperaments are compatible.

Wedding Steps brings together some of Fairfield County's best wedding professionals. Below are a few of the vendors that you'll meet if you go to the bridal expo they are hosting this evening at Chatham Manor.

So back to the title.

Step by step.

That's the way you need to plan your wedding.

Think ahead, collect as much information as you can, and most important ... enjoy the run up to your wedding!

Attend the Wedding Steps Bridal Expo tonight.

Aiello Photography

Chatham Manor at 493 Connecticut Avenue in Norwalk, CT.

6 - 8pm

Be one of the first 50 brides and who knows .. you may walk away with a $25,000 wedding!

Effortless Grace

2010-09-22T13:26:00.000-07:00

Two things were clear to me after I talked to Rosemary Fanti.

(a) I want to hire her when I renew my wedding vows.

(b) I want to be her when I grow up.

Now for those of you who know me, (b) is a really big statement .. because I'm very happy with who I am.

But Rosemary is just that kind of person.

Beautiful inside and out from what I've gleaned over the past couple of months of following her work. And she would have to be in order to pull off what she does. Which is capture the fluidity and emotion of life's special moments in a few strokes.

I had the greatest time listening to the story of her life. Hearing how her talent was discovered as she painted on any wall she could find as a small girl; about her studies at the American Academy of Art; and her experiences as an Art Director in New York City.

And make no mistake - she brings all of this into play as she celebrates her love of drawing people.

As we talked about how she came to wedding illustration, she laughed and told me she'd been the 'designated artist' at friends' parties for years. It just needed to be taken to the next level.

The chance to go freelance didn't come her way until she answered an ad on Craig's List for a wedding illustrator, however.

That was in 2005.

After that she placed a quarter page ad in Chicago Social Brides magazine, did a few bridal shows, and worked steadily on building momentum.

She still retains her day job as Creative Director for a firm in Chicago, but looks forward to the day when she can give herself over totally to her art.

So what does having an illustrator at your wedding translate into?

"Your average wedding is at least three hours long," Rosemary explains. "In that period of time I usually manage 10-15 illustrations on archival-quality paper. In either charcoal or pastels. Couple's choice."

"There are so many moments worth capturing," she said. "The bride being made up, the groom waiting for the bride, key moments in the ceremony, the reception, speeches, cutting the cake, the bride and groom in the car. It's complementary to photography in so many ways - and really helps capture the essence of the day."

A really nice element to this kind of art is that the couple in question get instant gratification. The drawings are photographed for Rosemary's records ... but the artwork doesn't doesn't go home with her to be mailed out at a later date.

It stays with the couple.

They can take their memories home instantly - and derive pleasure from them forever.

The incredible (and fun) aspect is that none of it is a literal impression.

Rosemary's background in fashion means she fuses all sorts of elements into her drawings. There's a certain amount of stylization that makes the figures look like fashion sketches, but at the same time everything is totally fluid. "I sit somewhere discreet and watch people as they move around a room. It's all about capturing their true spirit."

"People love that," she explained to me. "You hone in on something unique about that person and maximize on it. And everyone looks incredible. It's as far from a caricature or a cartoon as you can get."

While perusing photos for this feature, these drawings caught my eye.

A wedding with a masquerade theme - where guests were masked and the ceremony began at midnight.

Rosemary told me that she has loved every single event that she has covered - because of her passion for learning about people - but this one was an illustrator's dream.

Although Rosemary will travel wherever she is needed to immortalize your special day, she also offers her couples another wonderful service.

Send in a treasured photo after the wedding and she will make a portrait for you.

Ready to find out more?

You know you are.

Contact Rosemary through her website, her Facebook page, or call her up on 815.341.3340

Tell her I said hi!

Inflatable Cheer

2010-09-21T10:02:00.000-07:00

Balloons are full of magic.

Ask my four year old about them and that will be the first thing out of her mouth.

Ask my seven year old, and he'll quote Winnie the Pooh and tell you that "nobody can be uncheered with a balloon."

Give a child a balloon and he or she will drag it around the house long after it's stopped serving its purpose. I will say I love doing bridal shows, but dread the weeks that follow; because we are constantly tripping over the balloons that come to live with us (the balloons in the photo are a mere fraction of the number that lived with us for a few weeks in November of last year) and having to resort to making them disappear in the night.

Be that as it may, however, balloons are full of magic.

Colorful and beautiful in their simplicity, they are reminders of happy times. They are also, by nature of their shape, eye-catching. And that is more so today than ever - because there are so many ways to incorporate balloons into décor.

The wedding day is one of the most important days of our life - and we want that day to be memorable. But outfitting a reception hall can be a daunting prospect. Not to mention a costly one.

And that's where today's featured wedding professional comes in.

"You want something you'll remember," Cindy Greenfeld of Party Creations of Connecticut said to me when we talked on the phone a few weeks ago. "Something with personality. We can create décor at any price point. We want to be sure that our services are affordable for you. We are very aware of the challenges of balancing expenses with the need to celebrate joyous milestones. Depend on us to deliver a spectacular event within your budget."

Being a member of the Qualatex Balloon Network means that Cindy is a qualified balloon artist. Promoting the belief that balloons create atmosphere and communicate emotion in a uniquely effective way.

"And they do," she explained. "balloons can transform a room and make it almost a living thing. They can transform the ugliest room into an elegant one, and have become a very popoular way to decorate. Not only do they have the unique ability to fill large areas of space affordably, balloon designs can be downright stylish."

After working in the Pharmaceutical world for over twenty years, Cindy (who has a B.S. in design) went into business for herself. She specializes in creating unique custom balloon décor and deliveries for weddings and other milestone events - with support from her husband Eric and other family members as needed.

She's committed to bringing her clients the newest trends in balloon design by consistently attending educational classes - and by all accounts loves what she does.

"We work with with the highest quality balloons," she says. "They are biodegradable and decompose at the same rate as an oak leaf.

They are made of 100% latex from the bark of rubber trees - which is a natural substance - and can in the most wonderful colors. We also use foil balloons as needed."

Cindy can be reached through her website, or through Facebook. But, honestly, the best way to learn about her and her work is to call her up on 203.740.8233 and set up a consultation.

Hunting For Treasure

2010-09-20T13:45:00.001-07:00

If you've never heard of Bronze Budget Bride, allow me to introduce you to Carlise Shepperd - the wonderful woman behind the website and the Facebook page of the same name.

The website is great; choc-a-bloc with fabulous projects and ideas to help the mini budget bride wedding plan a wedding with platinum style.

Last Easter Carlise held her first WedHunt - and she's all set to do it again.

Only this time it's going to be bigger and better.

She's teamed up with some fantastic wedding pros - and there are some great prizes to be won.

You can see some of them in the pictures below.

Milk Tea by bthanari

The October WedHunt will be similar to an offline treasure hunt.

11 rounds, 11 prizes.

Each round will last 15 minutes.

Numbered pumpkins will be hidden among the magazine articles every 10 minutes, starting at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday October 23rd, 2010. This means that a pumpkin will be posted at 1:00, 1:10, 1:20 and so on .... until all the pumpkins are found.

Each pumpkin will correspond to the prize for that round.

Mary Wibis

Once each pumpkin is hidden, a clues will be posted at the top of the page where it currently says October Wed Hunt is Saturday, October 23rd so RSVP today!

Head Full of Feathers

The clues will lead to an article in the magazine/blog - so if you are familiar with the articles then the pumpkins will be much easier to find.

HCC Garters

Favors by Dorinda

When you find the pumpkin in any round you must leave a comment stating the number on that pumpkin - to indicate that you've found it.

That will also let everyone know that it's been found.

Hand-Crafted Creations

Only one prize will be awarded per person to ensure that more than one bride walks away with a prize. However, if you are the first to find 3 pumpkins throughout the Hunt then you'll get the chance to choose between those three prizes.

Anyone can participate on your behalf but the winners must be a member of Bronze Budget Bride and reside in the USA.

So make sure that all your helpers are signed up before the October Wed Hunt starts since they will not be able to leave a comment even if they are the first to find each prize.

$20 GC from Luly Accessories

Will lili lutu be involved?

She sure will.

I'm sponsoring the mystery prize - valued at $250!!

You will need to RSVP for the event - so be sure to do that as soon as you possibly can.

The Hunt starts at 1/12c and ends at 3:00/2:00, and a list of all the winners and the prizes awarded will be posted on Monday, October 31st.

All winners will be notified via email and at that time the winners will be given all the information necessary to claim their prize. Winners' names and contact information will also be sent to the apposite vendors.

Please keep in mind that prizes needing personalization may take at least 4-6 weeks to be shipped out.

Ten23 Custom Decals

All questions should be addressed to BronzeBudgetBride@live.com before the day of the event - so that Carlise can answer them in a timely manner.

Good luck - and have fun!

Catching up with Tracy and Shane

2010-09-17T11:40:00.000-07:00

I am sure you remember the first couple I showcased a few weeks ago.

Tracy and Shane.

Less than 30 days to the big day now - and over the past few days Tracy has been emailing me with photos - and progress reports.

Here's what she shared:

What can I say? Its been a crazy summer!

Since we last spoke we've gotten all the girls dresses, finalized Shane's side of the bridal, ordered t-shirts for the ladies, and purchased their shoes (one of their gifts from us). We've set up the account at Menswarehouse and most of the guys have had their fittings. Picked up silk flower arrangements and ordered my bouquet with a local florist for pick up on the big day. Invites are out and waiting the last of the RSVPs.

Churchwise we have completed all but our final session with our Bishop. Have some homework left to complete before the final session with wedding ministry. Still need to make programs and centerpiece ideas are just past the brainstorming stage.

My final dress fitting was PERFECT. My dress size has dropped by two since my engagement session - and held. So no alterations were needed.

Yesterday my Maid of Honor and I finalized the reception menu. picked my walk down the aisle song, coordinated the ladies walk down the aisle, made the final decision on favors, and picked out my cake topper.

Here are the dresses (from David's Bridal) that the Junior Bridesmaids (Tracy's younger sisters) and the bridesmaid will wear. The Junior bridesmaids (left) will wear Regency, the bridesmaid (right) will wear black.

The maid of honor's dress is going to be a surprise - but we did get a photo of her.

Now I don't know about the rest of you, but personally I can't wait to see photos of sweet Jaida (Tracy's little girl) ...

... wearing this beautiful number!

Best of luck to you both!

We'll be touching base one last time before the wedding.

And now it's giveaway time.

Congratulations to K on winning last week's contest.

This week's giveaway is a Swarovski pearl and crystal bracelet - which can be customized in white, cream, black, dark blue, mauve, purple, light grey or brown.

Wear it on your wedding day or gift it to one of your attendants in a color that will match her dress.

Value: $35

Rules remain the same.

Brides only, enter by leaving a comment, and remember to say where you are coming from or who sent you.

Contest closes on Thursday, September 23rd 2010 at 1900 EST - and the winner announced here and on Facebook on Friday, September 24th.

Good luck!