Archives: October 2009

A Couple’s Journey Captured on Film

Posted by Amy Ruocco, CEO of WeddingWindow.com on October 23, 2009

Using a Creative Engagement Photo-shoot to Add to Your Wedding Experience

Jennifer and Kevin are a couple who spent most of their relationship on opposite sides of the country; Jennifer in LA and Kevin in NY. Fortunately, however, Kevin is a pilot, so making travel arrangements came a bit easier for him.

Photo Credit: Caroline Tran

When their photographer, Caroline Tran was conceptualizing their engagement photo-shoot, it occurred to her that an airport would be the perfect location to capture their… journey together. Kevin, being a pilot, was able to arrange for them to shoot at the Santa Monica Airport.

Photo Credit: Caroline Tran

Photo Credit: Caroline Tran

Caroline shared with Jennifer her vision of including folded paper airplanes, who took the idea a step further by incorporating vintage maps in the design.

Photo Credit: Caroline Tran

Caroline’s vision of capturing the couple under a sky of the little paper airplanes wasn’t realized — the little planes just wouldn’t cooperate. However, as luck would have it though, the couple (and Caroline) ended up loving the airplanes strewn all over the ground. Lesson learned… being flexible can sometimes lead to a better solution in the end.

Photo Credit: Caroline Tran

Thinking of little ways to incorporate aspects of your relationship into your wedding experience will make it more special for you and for your guests. Jennifer and Kevin were fortunate to be able to work with Caroline, who had a vision and was able to help them include an undeniable aspect of their relationship in their engagement photos. Years from now, they will look at these photos in a different way, because they do more than just capture Jennifer and Kevin’s image — they tell a story.

Filed under: Our Team, Photography

October 23, 2009 by Amy Ruocco, CEO of WeddingWindow.com

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’Tis the Season for Winter Wedding Ideas

Posted by Caron Cooper on October 22, 2009

Winter Wedding Ideas from Color to Ambiance

Being from Florida, I don’t often get the opportunity to attend a “winter” wedding. But as we approach the winter wedding season, I am sure there are many brides out there looking for winter wedding ideas!

To me, winter screams lots of whites, creams, metallic and cool colors. Things that sparkle! A great wintry combination is silver and white. I love this inspiration board by The Finer Things. It triggers ideas for a “winter” wedding in the north or the south.

Photo credit: The Finer Things

If you are getting married in the north, take advantage of the snowy backdrop. (Remember when Phoebe got married on “Friends?” The snowy street with the gorgeous dresses—an excellent inspiration!)

Pine cones and penguins can be cute cake toppers for a winter-themed affair.

Photo credit: www.caroncooper.com

Combining silver with creams and cool colors creates a winter wonderland, complete with an angelic princess and her handsome prince.

Photo credit: www.caroncooper.com

Gold can be a breathtaking choice to convey a holiday theme. Incorporate beads and glitter to maximize the sparkle effect.

Photo credit: www.caroncooper.com

Or have a “Marry” Christmas! Use warm, rich tones of reds, greens and browns. Accentuate with holiday gifts, bows, ornaments, bells, cinnamon, berries, mistletoe and holly.

Winter Wedding - Tastefully Entertaining

Photo credit: Tastefully Entertaining

Photo credit: www.caroncooper.com

If you are getting married Christmas 2010, save money by planning ahead and taking advantage of the after-Christmas sales this year.

Filed under: Our Brides & Grooms, Theme & Color Inspiration

October 22, 2009 by Caron Cooper

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Bridal Registry Anxiety?

Posted by Robyn Johnson on October 22, 2009

The Overwhelming Wedding Bridal Registry

I experienced serious bridal registry anxiety…Why? Because, I was moving into a new home with my husband and I had no idea what we actually needed, I was concerned about the guests and what stores would be readily accessible to them (considering that a good portion of our guests were traveling from out of state) and I didn’t know of a good store that offered great customer service to their brides and grooms (they typically just hand you a scanning gun and send you on your way!).

Photo credit: weddinggiftsdirect.com

Bridal Consultants to the Rescue!

Well, my fears vanished when I walked into Macy’s – Bellevue Square!!! The Bridal Consultant (yes, they have dedicated bridal consultants for their bridal registry) greeted me immediately upon entering the department and offered me a seat and an espresso…I was sold! She helped me plan out our registry, research comparable items, and locate items in the store. I could not have asked for a better experience.

Not only was the initial experience a pleasure, but the return/exchange process was even better! We had a number of gifts that, unfortunately, were duplicated and I had to return them to Macy’s. I had a trunk full and I dreaded bringing all those gifts back! I politely asked a sales associate how I could return a lot of gifts and they instructed me to pull around to will call and they would take care of everything…that statement could not have been more true! A gentleman met me at my car, piled all the gifts in a cart and escorted me and the gifts directly to the bridal registry department. The Bridal Consultant took care of everything! She offered me a water and a seat in a small, but nice back office while she made all the returns…no standing in line with angry customers breathing down your back! It was wonderful!!!

So, if you are experiencing Bridal Registry Anxiety, please consider registering at Macy’s or a similar store with dedicated consultants! The entire experience is at the top of my “Best”.

Happy Shopping!

Photo credit: BridalOpulenceBlog.com

Filed under: Our Brides & Grooms, Planning & Resources

October 22, 2009 by Robyn Johnson

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Compromise, Sometimes the Results Will Make You Smile.

Posted by Bobbi Knar on October 21, 2009

Compromise in A Marriage = SUCCESS!

I’ve recently learned a lesson that I have to share with all of you ladies out there. It’s about compromise in a marriage and learning to live with the little quarks of the person you will now be spending the rest of your life with.

Last October when my now husband, Jonny P, and I were packing up his belongings to move in to our new house, I came across a rather odd find: a small booklet of directions for an electric skillet that he had. I threw it away.

A couple of days later, as we were unpacking, I found the SAME electric skillet directions booklet stuffed in an obscure dresser drawer. The SAME booklet I threw away just days before!

I asked him “why the heck do you feel the need to keep this??” Jonny P stated, “It’s the directions Bobbi, ” and then further clarified with, “It goes with the skillet.”

Photo credit: GoPresto.com

In looking over said skillet booklet, I made three discoveries:
1. It was NOT a warranty.
2. The skillet was $14.95
3. The booklet consisted of 10 pages (English and Spanish) of do and don’ts, precautions, and intense directions on use of the above noted electric skillet.

Completely dumbfounded, I ask Jonny P, “So, this electric skillet that you use 4-5 times per week … have you ever forgotten how to use it?” I clarified my question by immediately asking, “Have you ever been in the middle of using the skillet and stopped to get the directions?”

Jonny P replied with an appropriate, “Whatever Bobbi! You don’t even know!!” He then hissed at me and scampered away into the living room to sulk. I realized this was a habit of his. Saving the directions to appliances is just something he always does.

Yesterday morning, 11 months later, I discovered another booklet. This one was the directions for our toaster. It was stuffed under the muffin tins in a top kitchen cabinet shelf. Rather than throw it away or ask why he had saved this, I smiled and put it back where I found it. I found comfort in the fact that Jonny P cared enough about me to save the directions in case I ever forgot how to use the toaster. He must really like me.

Photo credit: Kitchen.ManualsOnline.com

Sometimes, ladies, the little things he does that you don’t understand … make you love him more.

Another example of this: Last night Jonny P and I decided to have tuna noodle helper. After eating, I took the dog out and asked Jonny P if he could put the leftovers in the fridge.

THIS is what I found in the fridge this morning.

pic-for-blog-224x300

I couldn’t help but smile. I especially like how it took my dear husband more time to rearrange the refrigerator than it would have to put the leftovers in Tupperware. Well done Jonny P. Well done.

Filed under: Fun & Creative Ideas, Our Brides & Grooms

October 21, 2009 by Bobbi Knar

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Add a Little Spice to Your Vanilla

Posted by Leslie Norvell on October 21, 2009

The Unexpected Expense of Wedding Programs and Wedding Veils

There are wedding things that you expect to cost more: invitations, a wedding gown and photos. Then, there are other items included in the wedding that shock me in terms of their value. Two specific items that have stuck me with their sticker shock include wedding veils and wedding programs.

Luckily, I was able to make another plan, save some money and achieve the same effect. Finding these ways led me to look at things differently.

Veils. Are you kidding me!? Such a racket. In the bridal stores, these things cost about $100, and more from there as you add jewels, pearls or other adornments.

Photo credit: library0newbie.wordpress.com

Once you see this, you start to think this is really the only price and suppose that everyone does this. UNTIL, you are strolling through downtown LA (circa 9th and Maple), and you see the same exact wedding veil. I figured it would be less, so I ask the girl the price and I thought I heard her say $27. I asked for clarification, trying to hide the thrill in my eyes …. when she says, “not $27, $17.” Um … pardon me? This perfect bra-strap length, ivory tulle, ribbon trimmed, double layered veil of my dreams is $17? SOLD! The clip is somewhat plain, but with the money I saved, I can hot glue my heart out and still walk away with money in my pocket.

This experience taught me not to take things at face value. Do your homework because it could save you quite a bit of money.

Photo credit: GeoffWhite.com

My other eye-opener was wedding programs for the ceremony. I already had my invitations ordered before I started to consider a program. I looked up a few on-line that I liked, but when I went to price them, the cute ones were about $2 per program. This edges on favor pricing, in my situation. So, I hope you like your program, because it costs more than your favor. Deep in debate of whether or not we even needed programs, I stroll the aisles of office supply stores looking for the perfect pen to write name cards with. During one such trip, I find a completely basic program outline that runs through the printer. It was very plain, but its minor price tag gave me hope. $11 for 50 sheets? It’s a start.

So, I take a favorite engagement picture, visit a little costco.com photo center, print a bunch of wallet size images with coordinating border, and I’m on my way. I use double-sided foam tape to gain a 3-D effect on the program with my little wallet photos. Then, I hole-punched the “spine” of the program and added a bright ribbon. They don’t look absolutely professional, but they look polished and do the job.

Photo credit: YumSugar.com

Remember, by not swallowing prices at first sight, you might be able to save some money. A good start would be to look in unsuspecting aisles of stores. Go online and do some research. Be beautiful, be creative and be cheap!