Food for Thought | Quotes and Sayings that make you smile

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Sometimes its hard to smile when everything is going wrong, so this quote should do the trick ;)
"If you don't smile, if you are not positive, it doesn't matter just be sexy!"
I LOVE how you can wear that on your heel!

xo

Black Diamond Chocolates! | Thursday Trend Day

I know! Heres's the scoop, AZATURE, a Los Angeles-based jewelry designer known for his Black Diamond jewelry and celebrity clientele (Scarlett Johansson, Beyonce, Zoe Saldana, Fergie and Rihanna), has just launched a line of decadent Black-Diamond pralines (azaturechocolates.com), the perfect gift for an anniversary, a birthday or a bridal party.

The Belgian chocolate diamonds are hand painted and come in a crocodile embossed jewel box made in Paris ($18, online) that are far less expensive than the real thing. The pralines, made of rare "Wild Treasure" cocoa found exclusively in the Bolivian Amazon and handcrafted in Belgium, come in seven rich flavors including Champagne, Macchiato, Chair and Poire William.

What began as a thank you gift for clients became so popular that it burgeoned into an entirely new venture for the designer. 

Awesome, right?!!

xo

Real New York Wedding Engagement in Brooklyn

Jenine & Tom met me at Pebble Beach in DUMBO at sunrise for the morning of our shoot. What perfect light and a perfect morning! The session took them over the Brooklyn Bridge and up to Bryant Park in midtown.

Thanks to Corey Torpie Photography for the beautiful photo shoot!

xo

Tuesday Shoe Day | Valentino Wedding Shoes

Photography by John-Paul Teutonico

Happy Tuesday Shoe Day everybody! Today's post is a sneak peak into next weeks real wedding!
LOVE these Valentino wedding shoes!

xo

Meet Our Newest WPP Intern Erin!

It is my distinct pleasure to introduce you all to our newest intern, Erin McKee. Erin comes to us from SUNY Oneonta and HVCC and is looking forward to learning all about the wedding planning business over the coming months. If her last name sounds a bit familiar to you then you are a true WPP blog stalker and you win two bonus points (j/k on the bonus points part). But seriously, Erin's older brother Ryan was one of my grooms from two years ago so, after Ryan and his wife Tonya, Erin officially becomes the third McKee to grace the pages of this blog!

We are so excited to have Erin on board and all of you early 2012 couples can look forward to having her assistance on your big day. Welcome Erin!!

New York Real Wedding | Boho Chic Wedding in New York

This wedding was elegant and unique in its simplicity and modern feel mixed with timeless tradition. Kelley got ready at home with her parents and walked alone from her Manhattan loft (except for the photographer) to pick up flowers from the local bodega and then hailed a cab to the beautiful St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral at 2nd avenue and East 34th street. The St. Vartan Cathedral is the first cathedral of the Armenian Apostolic Church to be built in North America. It is a beautiful construction with unique features distinct to Armenian Architecture. The ceremony was the same one that the Armenian church has performed for over 1000 years, where the donning of capes and crowns, the burning of sage, and traditional songs sung by a small choir set it apart from most modern Christian ceremonies. It was attended by a select group of friends and family who celebrated after in the wine cellar of the 21 club, a famous New York establishment and former prohibition-era speakeasy that has been around since 1922.

Details:
Photography by Samantha Gore
Wedding Dress by BHLDN

xo

Introducing Food For Thought Fridays | Quotes that make you smile

Although wedding planning should be fun and enjoyable we all know that it also can be quite stressful, scary, hard and all the above at times. SO... a week ago I compiled some of my favorite sayings and quotes that made me smile and I got such a great response I thought why not make it a Friday thing every once in awhile. We all need to take a break and breathe, smile, and thank goodness are lives are blessed not to be as bad as some of those on reality tv ;) Right?

Have a great weekend ladies!

xo

 Amirra "Wing tips"

Messenger style bags with flap made from

deconstructed, recycled, vintage, men's

wing tip shoes

(available at ShuzyQ in Anchorage AK)

Sasha "Sport"

Sasha bag with addition of color on pockets

and flattened hand formed copper rings

11" x 7" x 4.5"

VIVA LOVES!!

We know, we know. Blog posts have been few and far between lately but with good reason. Spring is here and the season is full of fabulous weddings so Viva has been in full planning mode. We are however so very humbled by the outpouring of "please give us more posts" emails we've received and will do our best to give you what you want.

With that, here we go!

It's not a secret that Viva loves outdoor weddings and what Viva really loves are ways to make each outdoor wedding unique. Here's what we think is a simply fabulous idea for the bride's great reveal at an ourdoor ceremony.

This bride found matching doors at a secondhand furniture shop and restored them with cream-colored paint. The ushers held them upright and together at the start of the ceremony aisle. Just before she walked down the aisle with her father the doors were pulled apart.

Viva loves!!

Photo Credits: Sean Walker Photography

VIVA'S BOOK CLUB - SWEET DESIGNS BY AMY ATLAS

We don't usually do two Book Club posts so close together but this just couldn't wait!

Amy Atlas, also known as “The Sweets Stylist,” is internationally recognized for creating the stylized dessert bar trend that so many MOHs are setting up at their best friend's bridal shower and so many brides are including in their wedding.

We've all dropped our jaws in utter amazement of the images on Amy's website and stalked Amy's blog anxiously awaiting her next post.

Now, after two long years working on this labor of love, Amy is about to release her first book and while it won't be in stores for another month (April 24th 2012) we just couldn't wait to tell you about it!

Sweet Designs has 15 chapters filled with recipes for irresistible treats, affordable DIY craft projects and features never seen before dessert tables, each inspired by themes her clients most often request: a favorite color, design, flavor, destination, passion, or holiday.

Mark your calendar folks. It's only a month away!!

HAPPY ST. PATTY'S DAY!!

Photo Credits: Brent Foster Photography

New York Wedding Engagement | City Photo Shoot

Loving this engagement photo shoot taken by Casey Connell Photography!

Here's what Casey says about that lovely day, "Danielle is a designer with Ralph Lauren and came armed with inspiration boards to our first meeting so we just knew she was going to be an amazing bride! Mike is a Wall Street guy and definitely keeps Danielle grounded. These two live in Queens with their two adorable cats. Their wedding will be at a historic home in upstate New York where Danielle is from so they wanted their engagement session to reflect where they are and where they are going. We visited 4 burroughs and had an absolute blast. Danielle is a fashion genius and had every outfit rolled to perfection in a regular sized handbag...with coordinating shoes. I have no idea how she did it. But one thing that was clear is these two have made a beautiful life for themselves in the big city and even surrounded by people they only have eyes for each other."

xo

Our New Office

Just last month we moved our office to a beautiful new space in Delmar. Here we have a comfortable meeting space the is easy to get to from anywhere in the area. Office hours are by appointment only but if you have anything to pop into the mail for us please send it to:

48 Hudson Ave
Delmar, NY 12054

Happy Spring and Happy Tuesday Shoe Day | Plus meet Lela today at The Empire Hotel

Kamila Harris Photography

It's Spring! And it sure feels like it here in the NYC. I'm just loving this weather!
Love these Jimmy Choos image from a wedding we recently featured and thought it was so pretty that it needed it's own post :)

Photos by Trent Bailey

I also, wanted to remind everyone to come join me at the Empire Hotel for Bridal Speed dating!
I will be participating and ready to answer your questions at Fallon Cater Weddings presents Bridal Speed Dating! Meet other vendors and hear their tips on how to have the perfect wedding.

From the Florist to the Stationer, we have you covered.  Bring your binder or post-its and we will get you on the right path.

Each Bride-to-be will also walk away with a customized Jump Start Wedding Kit from Fallon Carter Weddings.
To register click here.

See you there!

xo

Romantic Real Wedding in Italy

I love this destination wedding in Italy photographed beautifully by Andrea and Marcus Photography.
Moscha & Nikos decided to do a secret elopement In Venice last December. Moscha is an amazing wedding planner herself and so they started planning a fun & relaxed wedding weekend at 5 star Hotel Ca`Sagredo in Venice. Besides amazing details throughout the day venice was just stunning that time of the year - very moody and romantic!

Details:
Wedding Planner: Andrea Naar Alba & Stella and Moscha
Wedding Bouquet: Emici Bridal

xo

Happy St. Patrick's Day! | Mint Green Wedding Inspiration featuring Lela New York's couture wedding invitations

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Here in NYC St. Patty's Day is kind of a big deal :) So tomorrow being St. Patricks Day, I thought it would be fun to create a wedding inspiration board using green and the popular Mint color! I'm just loving Mint in weddings and think it can be used in a retro look or a clean modern look it can go either way. Check out Lela New York's Luxury Wedding Invitations too. Well as always, enjoy! And have a great weekend!

xo

"Amirra Sandals"

The flap on this bag is made

from a pair of deconstructed

vintage sandals

13.5" x 13.5" x 4"

Meet Lela at The Bridal Speed Dating Event at The Empire Hotel

Lela will be participating and ready to answer your questions at Fallon Cater Weddings presents Bridal Speed Dating! Meet other vendors and hear their tips on how to have the perfect wedding.

From the Florist to the Stationer, we have you covered.  Bring your binder or post-its and we will get you on the right path.

Each Bride-to-be will also walk away with a customized Jump Start Wedding Kit from Fallon Carter Weddings.

And guess what?!?! The first 15 registers will be entered to win a Boudoir Photo Shoot from Oh! Boudoir.


Hope to see you there!

xo

Tangerine Tango & Hot Pink Wedding Inspiration Boards featuring New York Invitations by Lela New York

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Many of you know that Pantone, the world's top color system used by designers, announced that it was the year of Tangerine Tango! And I love it! It's tangerine with a kick and a bit more bright and saturated with color. So today I thought it would be fun to combine this amazing color with hot pink in today's inspiration boards. Check out Lela New York's invitations using this amazing color combo! How about the Sharon Wee Wedding Cake, Kate Spade Bag and the Halston Heritage Dress, so pretty?! I can so see this color combo in weddings, it just makes you happy and smile :)

Enjoy!

Romeo Wedding - October 8, 2011

Tori and John were married on October 8, 2011 in Schroon Lake, NY. Their ceremony and reception were held at the bed and breakfast of Silver Spruce Inn where they were able to have their friends and family enjoy a relaxing weekend all on the same property. This wedding was a particularly special one for me because I had actually met the bride two years prior when her sister Crystal hired me to plan her wedding (blog stalkers you will remember Crystal and Ben at Union Gables back in 2009). Not only had I met Tori two years ago but I had the ridiculously weird run in with her on Columbus Day weekend of 2010 when I was in Lake George having a day trip/love fest with my family and at dinner noticed a familiar looking girl sitting at the table next to me. Turns out that girl was Tori and she was with John at dinner and he was an hour away from proposing marriage to her. Tori literally contacted me the next day to help her with her wedding and when we put two and two together and realized I was literally there at the place of their engagement it was way too much for either of us to handle!

But aside for the karmic serendipitous crossing... Tori and John are such amazing people and their wedding showed the true inner personality that this couple shares. This is a no nonsense couple, one who is not about impressing others but about welcoming friends into their world. A couple who steers clear of getting wrapped up in the tv wedding hoopla and keeps true to their values of family and love and togetherness. Tori and John could teach lessons on how to plan a wedding and come under budget, yet their event showed no lack of luster and the full impact was on what was important. Tori and John are ones who remember what means something to them and what will last in the end - after the glitter has settled and the dust has cleared it's really about the love of two people and the commitment they have to one another that is most important. This is what they love about each other. And what I really love about them.

I also love the fact that when I came to their home for a final planning meeting they fed me a whole delicious dinner! "We are Italian, in our home you will eat." No objections here!

Tori and John brought me on for day-of wedding coordination and I was overjoyed to be a part of their big day. Like I mentioned earlier, not only did I happen to be in the same restaurant as this couple minutes before he proposed, but I was the wedding planner for Tori's older sister two years ago for her wedding in Saratoga. I was beyond honored when Tori called me less than 24 hours from being proposed to and said, "I don't know where I'm getting married and I don't know on what day, but I know I want you to be there to coordinate it." The words humbled and blessed don't even begin to describe how I felt then. Then and now.

Helping me on Tori and John's big day was a list of professional and their own personal help. First off I want to thank Jason Bryer for photographing their wedding and supplying me with these images. Thank you so much for everything you did! Also thank you to Crystal Riley of Central Market Florists in Queensbury for making their beautiful bouquets and boutonnieres, Total Events for supplying the tent and rentals, and Upstate Transit for their transportation assistance. This wedding consisted of a lot of personal friends of the couple who provided services for them, including Tom and his team who were their friends and caterers, John's cousin Amy for officiating the ceremony, their friends Greg and Tim for DJing and emceeing the event.

I first met Tori and John two years ago never knowing that I would one day be overseeing their most special day. Thank you so much for choosing me as your wedding coordinator and allowing me the opportunity to come back to enjoy this special day with you and your families. I hope to see you again in future Meyer/Romeo weddings!!