Whether you’re getting ready to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, or simply love the color green as much as we do, we thought we’d kick off the weekend by sharing some beautiful green wedding inspirations.

Left - Sunroom Dress by BHLDN ~ Right - Dimensionality peep-toes by BHLDN

Left - Chocolate Mint Cupcakes via Tastespotting.com ~ Right - Alison Bouquet by Karen Wise

Blissfully,
Raquel

One of the best pieces of advice I have for newly engaged couples is to work together to determine a realistic budget prior to diving into the wedding planning process. I understand how easy it can be to get carried away with excitement from all the pretty pictures in magazines and on blogs, but setting budget parameters up front will prevent you from disappointment and having to reel in your expectations.

Although talking about money may not seem like a priority (or much fun) at this point it will save you headaches down the road. Regardless of who is paying for your wedding – be it your parents, soon-to-be in-laws, or you and your fiancé, it is key that the two of you come to an understanding of what is most important to you both for your special day.

If you aren’t sure where to begin with setting a budget or determining how much a wedding will cost in your area I’ve put together the following guidelines to help get you started with the process.

This example is based on an overall wedding budget of $50,000, but can easily be adapted for your own event:
Reception (food, drink, etc.)…………….40% = $20,000
Flowers/Decor…………………………….10% = $5,000
Attire……………………………………….10% = $5,000
Wedding Planner/Coordinator…………..10% = $5,000
Music/Entertainment……………………..10% = $5,000
Photography/Videography……………….10% = $5,000
Favors/Bridal Party Gifts……………………3% = $1,500
Ceremony……………………………………2% = $1,000
Wedding rings……………………………….2% = $1,000
Stationery…………………………………….2% = $1,000
Transportation……………………………….1% = $500

Some key things to keep in mind before you run off to do some number crunching of your own:

1) The percentage distributions listed above are simply guidelines. If you’d like to allot more in one category just be sure to redistribute your percentages so your total always adds up to 100%.

2) Planning one of the happiest days of your life should not result in debt – it’s not worth starting your marriage off with any unnecessary stress.

3) Working up your budget prior to setting any vendor meetings or appointments will save you time and help the professionals you hire give the best advice to help your money go farther.

4) Be flexible. As you proceed with the planning process keep close track of your expenditures. You may surprise yourself and spend less in any given category. Those savings could be applied to other areas of more importance or you could get started on saving a little nest egg for you and your spouse.

And most importantly, don’t forget to have fun! There are many creative ways to personalize your wedding, and no matter what your budget may be, having the most memorable celebration of your life is achievable.

Blissfully,
Raquel

We could hardly wait to share these luxe evening dresses from Romona Keveza’s Spring 2012 collection with each of you. And just in time for Valentine’s Day! From stunning keyhole backs to seductive one-shoulder necklines, these cocktail dresses made of luxurious lace are sure to cause some heads to turn. From sleek, sexy up-dos, to simple satin belts and shoes, it doesn’t take much to finish off these sexy and sensual looks.

Romona Keveza 2012 Collection

Romona Keveza 2012 Collection

Romona Keveza 2012 Collecton

Imagine, if you will, an entire group of bridesmaids wearing one of these gorgeous numbers while they stand beside some handsome groomsmen dressed to the nines. Now that would make for one high fashion bridal party that we’d love to see for ourselves!

To indulge in more of this Spring 2012 collection by Romona Keveza simply click here.

Blissfully,
Raquel

This breathtaking image captured by the lovely and talented Elizabeth Messina speaks to my heart and soul. Doesn’t it just make your heart flutter?!

As a wedding planner, who also happens to be a hopeless romantic, one of my biggest goals with all of our couples is to make the planning process an effortless and enjoyable experience. As a result, couples can focus on this memorable time in their lives rather than getting bogged down with wedding details.

Being that this is the just the beginning of the “month of love”, I thought I’d share this image as a reminder to those of you currently planning your wedding to keep the love and passion you share for each other in focus.

Blissfully,
Raquel

J. Crew Bridal Store - Madison Ave, NYC photo credit: frank oudeman

As promised earlier this week, we thought our readers would find it helpful to have a checklist handy as they prepare to go shopping to find “the one” – their wedding gown, that is.

The first time you go shopping for your gown is a very special day that you’ll want to document and remember for a lifetime. Just keep in mind that some bridal salons do not allow you to take pictures in the gowns prior to purchasing. Regardless, you can still get some memorable shots of yourself along with your family and friends that may have joined you on the special journey.

Here are some quick tips we hope you’ll find useful:

Create a look book.


Look through bridal resources, both online and print magazines, and print out or save images of dresses that you’d love to try on. Giving your bridal consultant input on your likes and dislikes will help them guide you in the right direction.

Determine your budget.


This could be one of the most important decisions you’ll make while planning your wedding. Prior to trying on any gowns, it is key that you have a budget you (or whomever is paying) feel comfortable with. This will not only help your bridal consultant, but the last thing you want to do is find your “dream gown” that is completely out of your budget. Why even put yourself through that torture? Your shopping experience will be much more enjoyable if you have your budget set ahead of time. And don’t forget to account for alterations, too.

Keep your wedding location in mind.

More often than not, brides tend to go shopping for their dress after they’ve selected their venue(s). The style of your gown should complement the setting where your wedding will take place. If you’re having a destination wedding with a beach ceremony, a full ball gown with cathedral length train might look out of place. Keep in mind that although the dress for your ceremony may be more formal and reserved, you could change into something short and sassy for your reception. There are even bridal gown designers offering gorgeous dresses that convert from full skirts to shorter styles…but I digress!


VIPs only.


Finding the perfect gown doesn’t have to be overwhelming, but having half a dozen friends and family with varying opinions doesn’t help. The best people to invite on your dress shopping excursion are those that will be able to separate their own tastes from yours. We recommend asking no more than 3 close family members or friends to go with you. And even if mom and dad are offering to purchase your gown, that does not mean you must feel obliged to make a selection based on their preference. Ultimately finding your gown should be a cause for celebration that will leave all parties involved excited about the big day.


Be prepared.


Bringing your own undergarments (i.e. strapless bra and shapewear) will make your experience that much more comfortable. Although some bridal salons offer strapless bras, there is no guarantee it will fit properly. You’ll also want to either wear or bring a comfortable pair of shoes to give yourself the complete look when trying on gowns. 


Go in with an open mind.


Trust us when we say that trying on a gown you wouldn’t typically wear or think you like can make a world of difference. You may think the only silhouette you are interested in is a ball gown, but you may be pleasantly surprised to find out that a drop-waist strapless gown is most flattering for your body type and makes you feel absolutely gorgeous.


Be selective.

During your first visit to a bridal salon, we recommend you try on between 6 to 8 gowns. It is easy to get excited and begin to try on everything available to you, but the more you try the more they’ll all begin to run together. Take your time in each gown. Are you comfortable? Is the dress highlighting your best features or overshadowing your natural beauty? Sit. Dance. Spin around, even! Share your likes and dislikes with your consultant and do your best to imagine yourself on your wedding day. 


Relax and enjoy yourself!


How often do you get to try on breathtaking bridal gowns and prepare for your wedding day?! If for some reason you begin to feel overwhelmed while shopping you may want to take a break before continuing to shop. After all, the look on your loved ones face as you walk down the aisle will be priceless as you begin your life together joined as one, regardless of what you’re wearing. Try your best to never lose sight of that.



Have more tips you’d like to share with other brides trying to find their wedding gown? We’d love to hear about them in our comments section. 


Blissfully,
Raquel

We are giddy with excitement to hear of all the engagements that have taken place around the world these past few months. One of the first things brides-to-be are determined to find is “the one”…their wedding gown, that is.

In looking through some of our favorite designers’ runway shows, the 2012 Romona Keveza collection took our breath away. From classic elegance to short and sassy, brides are sure to find a dress that speaks to their soul.

As described by the designer herself “This collection is about whispering elegance rather than shouting opulence. It is all about refined luxury.” – Romona Keveza

2012 Couture Collection - sheerly stunning

2012 Couture Collection - playful petals

2012 Couture Collection - criss-cross neckline

2012 Couture Collection - fitted bodice

2012 Couture Collection - short and sweet

Keep in mind that these are just a few of our recent favorites to not only help get your creative juices flowing, but also show you what a beautiful variety of gowns you have to choose from. Later this week we’ll share some quick tips to help you prepare to find that perfect gown!

Blissfully,
Raquel

Being that many couples are getting engaged this time of year (congrats!), we wanted to share some of our favorite save-the-dates. We love all of the creative options available to couples who want to give their friends and family advance notice of their upcoming nuptials.

Keep in mind that save-date-dates can be fun, casual, and laid back. The sky is the limit! Save-the-dates do not necessarily have to set the tone for the wedding itself and are a great way to show your individuality and true colors. Here are some unique examples we found around the web and just had to share with our readers.

First, we came across this sweet video that depicts one couple’s love story via Brooklyn Bride. Videos are a great option for couples looking for an eco-friendly way to share their exciting news.

Lori and Eric’s Save the Date from Lori Hoffman on Vimeo.

We were thrilled to find these customizable kitchen towels that are both practical, and a perfect save-the-date for a couple that loves to cook together via Wedding Chicks.

Dish Towel Save-the-Date

And take a look at the adorable packaging that is available to ship these lovelies!

Here’s another great idea via Martha Stewart Weddings that is sure to blow your guests away!

You guessed it! This save-the-date requires a little work on your guests’ part, but once inflated reveals your wedding info. A bright, cheery balloon is sure to make everyone on your invite list smile!

Save-the-Dates are a great way to share your wedding info and let guests know to mark their calendars well in advance. Whether most of your friends and family are local or coming from far and away, these practical ideas are very memorable for those you hold dear to your heart. And if you’re wondering when you should send out save-the-dates, we recommend anywhere between 4 to 6 months prior to your wedding.

Enjoy your planning!

Blissfully,
Raquel

I admit, I absolutely LOVE award shows! I still have hopes of one day being able to attend one myself and admire the celebrities as they make their way down the red carpet. In case you missed them, both the CMA Awards and Latin Grammys took place in the past week or so. Among all the gorgeous gowns and fashion inspiration, there was one color that was a clear standout among the rest. Gorgeous, glistening, gold. Here are just a few of the stunning gowns that made an appearance.

Carrie Underwood - 2011 CMA Awards

Shakira - 2011 Latin Grammys

Shaila Durcal - 2011 Latin Grammys

So how do these dresses relate to bridal fashion? Well, if you have yet to find a wedding gown that has the perfect combination of glamour and elegance for you, we have some beauties to share that are sure to get your wheels turning. Here are some breathtaking gold wedding gowns that are just a sneak peek of the possibilities for brides to consider.

BHLDN Fairy Song Gown

Sue Wong Fall 2012

Badgley Mischka Fall 2012

Jenny Packham Fall 2012

We are thrilled to see that bridal gown designers are mixing things up a bit and offering brides some non-traditional colors to consider. After all, it is most important that your dress be a true representation of you and your personal style.

Blissfully,
Raquel

With so many options for wedding stationery out there, we wanted to highlight some unique finds that are sure to pique your guests’ interest and set the tone for your special day.

These beauties by Night Owl Paper Goods are Eco-friendly and printed on sustainably-harvested birch wood. You read that right, they are printed on wood. How cool is that?! Night Owl Paper Goods also create beautiful menus, thank you cards, table numbers, and more.

Flowering Dogwood Invitation

Deco Rosette Invitation

Next, are these gorgeous hand-painted invitations by Rifle Paper Co. This stationery features Anna Bond’s whimsical designs which often include hand-painted illustrations and lettering to compose a style that feels both nostalgic and timeless.

Handpainted Floral Invitation

Handpainted Floral Invitation Suite

And last, but not least, feast your eyes on this charming shabby chic invitation created by Chocolate Butterbean. Believe it or not, this piece of art is actually letter-pressed onto extra thick chipboard which goes to show that you can print (or press) on just about any material.

Letter-presssed Invitation

The possibilities are endless, and if you’re looking for something a bit different and non-traditional we hope we’ve inspired you to select invitations that truly represent your true essence.

Blissfully,
Raquel

Ever notice how colors can really affect your mood? Well orange is one that we feel will truly make your heart smile – which is just the reason you may want to consider this beautiful hue for your wedding or special event. We love how it can exude the bright sun rays of Summer, and yet at the same time the warm, glowing colors of Fall.

Your floral designer will be able to provide you with many options available in this gorgeous color, some of which include rananculus, roses, tulips, orchids and even lilies.

A unique way to maintain a color scheme, while incorporating many types of flowers into your event, is to have each bouquet or centerpiece highlight the natural beauty of one particular bloom. This will carry the color throughout your event, while giving each arrangement a character all its own.

To get you started, here are some lovely arrangements we found simply breathtaking. We hope you enjoy them as much as we do!

Summer Bouquet by 40 Petals

Modern Orange and Yellow Bouquet by Karen Tran

Mixed Orange Bouquet by Janie Medley

Apricot Bouquet by Karen Tran

Rananculus and Dusty Miller Bouquet by Janie Medley

Rananculus Centerpieces by Janie Medley

Blissfully,

Raquel