BABY, Baby, baby

Baby’s breath is making a resurgence in the event industry.  It can be so delicate yet very powerful.  Over the past year about half of my clients have requested baby’s breath for their arrangements.  So I had to get up close and personal with what florist call Gypsophila.

There are over 100 species in the family.  Its botanical name means "lover of chalk", which is accurate in describing the type of soil in which this plant grows.

I love a full look with the baby’s breath, so I recommend getting stems that have very full florets.  Baby’s breath can go a very long way and can be used for many different events. 

BABY SHOWERS

Created by Erika's Elegance for Tylra's Baby Shower

WEDDINGS

Created by Erika's Elegance for January 2013 Wedding

Created by Erika's Elegance for July 2013 Wedding

NETWORKING EVENTS

ABC-OC May Networking Meeting
Floral Occasions and Whitney Rose Florals

You’ve Got the Look

The perfect gown, is a MUST for your perfect day.  Purchasing your gown is one of the most important decision you’ll make. 

Several months ago we showed various gown types from the classic princess gown to the sleeker mermaid fit.  Although the gown type is important, picking the right gown is also about the right material, the right color, the right embellishments and the right head piece.  This should be a fun experience for you and those who join you. 

There are so many types of fabrics for gowns.  The most popular and my absolute favorite is silk.  Some other great fabrics are satin, taffeta, chiffon and organza.

Sareh Nouri's Sophie Gown Silk Organza
Spring 2013 Collection
Sareh Nouri Trunk Show at Mon Amie in Costa Mesa

There are so many colors to choose from.  Although you have a lot of brides still choosing the traditional white, there has been an increase in ivory, blush (as the new white) champagne, gold and for the bolder bride, Vera Wang’s collections in black and even red are definitely show stoppers.

  

Vera Wang Katarina - Spring 2013 Collection

Vera Wang June Fall 2012 Collection

                        
Embellishments can range from crystals (of course my favorite), lace, and even flowers.  Any of these elements can give your gown a totally different feel.

Sareh Nouri's Soraya Gown Crystal Bodice
Spring 2013 Collection
Sareh Nouri Trunk Show at Mon Amie in Costa Mesa

And lastly, you have to have the right head piece, whether it is a long or short veil, with or without blusher, a hat, a flower, fancy hair pins/barrettes or even no head wear.

The key is to try on various types of gowns until you find the right one that feels good for you.  Little did I know when I got married 5 years ago I would be walking down the aisle in a strapless, princess gown.  I was so not the princess type.  I tried on every other type and then the bridal attendant said “try this one.” Voila! I was in love. 

I always tell my brides, when you find the right gown, it is a feeling you've never had before.  I can often tell by their movement in the dress and the look in their eyes.

Happy Dress Shopping!

Top 3 Must Haves for your Wedding

Results are in….you have spoken.  So what are the top 3 items that our viewers voted for?  I’m so excited we have a tie for the #1 and #3 spots which allows me to talk about 5 of my favorite must haves for a wedding.

#3 - “Fun, Lively Reception” and “Awesome Photographer/Videographer” 

There is nothing more thrilling than seeing the couple and their family and friends partying and having fun until the last song is played.  As a planner, it is my goal to help you create an event where your guests will want to dance the night away. In addition, it is important to have all of your memories captured so that you can go back and relive those memories for years to come.

#2 - “Beautiful Décor”

Beautiful décor can change the atmosphere of a room for your wedding or event day.  You want to determine your vision and theme and pull in those elements that will give you the “WOW” factor.  We at Erika’s Elegance love to use flowers, fancy linens, and a little bit of bling to create the wow factor for our clients.

Bat Mitzvah with Hollywood Rentals

#1 “Great Music” and “Delicious Food”

In order to keep your reception lively, you MUST HAVE great music.  It is important to work closely with your DJ and/or Band to ensure they have the music that you want to create the ambiance needed for your special day.  There are so many great songs that can be played to get your guest up and partying ‘til the break of dawn J

Lastly, delicious food is a must have.  I’m sure we all have been to an event or two and the food wasn’t top on your list.  Although your guests are coming to celebrate with you, you want to create an experience for both you and them that leaves a lasting impression.  You have put so much work into planning you want to make sure that food is par excellent.  Many chefs will work with you to create just the perfect combination.  That’s what the taste testing is for.

There was so much great feedback on the top 3 must haves.  It was so exciting to read all of the results.  No matter your top 3 the winning equation is always:

BRIDE and GROOM + FAMILY and FRIENDS + LOVE = A FABULOUS EVENT

Holiday Weddings: The Good, The Bad, and The Beautiful

Happy Labor Day!  Are you thinking about planning your wedding around a special holiday? Do you think the holiday will take all eyes off you?

Let me reassure you that nothing can take away from YOUR special day.  When I planned my wedding during Labor Day weekend, that was the farthest thing from my mind.

Over the next few Mondays we’ll share some ideas on how to incorporate the holiday theme into your florals, ceremony and reception, stationary, and even photos.

I chose to start this series of posts today because five years ago this season I had my wedding Labor Day weekend and married the love of my life. I still get Goosebumps thinking about our wonderful day. Go #teambowers!

So what is the good and bad of having a holiday wedding?

THE GOOD
· More guests may attend due to time off from work
· More travel allotted for your guests
· Venue may already be decorated for the holiday
· Sunday wedding may be less expensive

THE BAD
· Pricing may be a little more for vendors/venues, as well as, hotel and airfare
· Guests may have planned vacations or family reunions
· Businesses may be closed
· Heavier traffic both air and highways

Holiday weddings have pros and cons but the key is good planning. Once you've decided your date you may want to contact those guests that must be at your wedding to ensure they don’t have any plans. You will then want to send out save the date cards 6-8 months prior to event so your guest can properly plan.

THE BEAUTIFUL

Overall holiday weddings can be a wonderful and joyous experience.  I sure did have a blast at mine and have had several clients voice the same because of having many more family and friends present because it was during the holiday....which is a beautiful thing.  

Where Did That Come From?

Ever wonder where the saying something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue came from?

I found that this tradition stems from an old English rhyme:

 “something old, something new, 

something borrowed, something blue 

and a silver sixpence in her shoe.”

The objects from the poem represent good luck charms for the bride which are added to her wedding attire and are often provided to the bride by her mom, sister, aunt, or anyone that may be close to her. The thought is that if a bride carries all of these items, her marriage will be happy.

Old represents continuity with the bride’s family and the past, new offers optimism for the bride’s future, borrowed represents borrowed happiness, it is usually an item borrowed from a happily married friend or family member whose fortune in marriage is to carry over to the new bride, and blue stands for purity, love and fidelity. A sixpence in your shoe, which is often left out in today’s culture, is a wish for good fortune and prosperity. It primarily remains a British custom.

So want ideas on incorporating these into your wedding day attire?

• Something Old: Many brides have gotten out of the tradition of wearing their mother’s bridal gown. However, this can still be incorporated into your attire. You can have some of the lace and beading added to your gown. You can also make a hanky that can be carried if you need it. Something old can also be a piece of heirloom jewelry that your mom, grandmother or aunt may want to pass down. The possibilities are endless with this category.
• Something New: This can also be used in jewelry, who doesn't like a nice bracelet, earrings or statement necklace.
• Something Borrowed: Mother or grandmother not quite ready to pass down the heirloom jewelry, why not ask them to let you borrow it?
• Something Blue: The easiest way to pull this element in is by getting a blue garter belt. Definitely a safe measure, but remember the wedding is about you and your character and personality. Be adventurous….why not some blue shoes like the ones pictured by Badgley Mischka? Blue headpiece? Or even blue undies :). 

I have had brides ask, what if you don't have something from each category?

Relax...although joining in the fun of finding something for each category adds to your wedding excitement, you won't be hassled by the wedding fairy if you miss one, two or all of the elements.

I love to join in the fun with my brides to pull elements in from each of the categories, but we know that true happiness comes from the heart and the items should be a symbolism of family support and love in your marriage…

I love thinking out of the box and could spend countless hours thinking about items in each category. We would love helping you come up with some awesome ideas. Contact us at erikaselegance@sbcglobal.net. 

Brides Against Breast Cancer Whittier Event

Supporting the Cause

Brides Against Breast Cancer's Nationwide Gown Sale landed at the Radisson Whittier this weekend.  We had such a wonderful time.  There were great vendors, over 100 volunteers and lots and lots of brides.  This was the first show that I did in my new role as the LA City Coordinator and it was truly remarkable.  Everyone worked together well and it really felt like a family.

Brides Waiting for Gown Unveiling

My Booth for Erika's Elegance

Vendor Friar's Tux

The PartyLite Gals

The Radisson Whittier Team

Brides Saying "Yes to the Dress"

The event sold 21 gowns raising enough money to provide 90 hours of free support to those impacted by breast cancer.  Thanks to Amy Paulishak BABC's SVP for joining us this weekend. 

If you didn't see us in Whittier, we will be going to Agoura Hills next.  Can't wait!!!

Erika

Brides Against Breast Cancer

Come out to support!

The Details

What makes the ring, the ring.  The Four C's: cut, color, clarity and carat are the criteria by which diamonds are graded.  This system was developed by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and adopted by the entire industry.  Your goal is to find a ring that you like, within your budget and that balances the Four C's.

Cut: Represents 50% of the price of a diamond.  Most diamonds are cut round with a full 58 facets - which are like little mirrors that let light enter the surface and creates a sparkle for the viewer.

Color: The most common diamond color is yellow.  Most diamonds have a slight hint of yellow and the diamond color is based on the amount of yellow present in a diamond.  Diamond color is graded according to the GIA Grading Scale which ranges from D-Z. It is extremely difficult to see the color differences with diamonds.

Clarity: The clarity scale ranges from Flawless to Imperfect; it reprints the natural blemished and inclusions within the diamond.

Carat: It is the weight of the diamond.  The more a diamond weighs, the rarer the diamond, hence the more expensive it will be.

Look for the details when choosing your ring.

Erika

Favoring Friday - Photo Booths

A great party favor is for your guests to be able to leave with candid photos from the event.  I just did a graduation party and per the client, "the photo booth was a big hit, I'm glad we got it".

I have seen clients and their guests have hours and hours of fun with a photo booth.  It is key to have a great photo booth company who brings wonderful props and great personality to the party.  Your vendor can create a custom template that will tie in with your overall theme.  Pictures are printed on the spot and some vendors have the technology where you can email or upload the pictures to your guests' Facebook and/or email accounts.  How exciting, and you, as the client, will get a copy of all of the images.

I have used the photo booth several times and can say it has always been a hit.

Erika

The Perfect Ring For Her

Marquise brings the big bang. Due to the shape, it will appear larger than a solitaire with the same carat weight.  This style was originally commissioned in the 18th century by King Louis XV to emulate the smile of his mistress the Marchioness Madame de Pompadour.

Choose the Marquise for her.

Erika

Honoring Those That Can't Be With You

Many of our couples have very special loved ones who have passed and they hold a very special place in their hearts.  More often than not, they want to make them apart of their special day. What is the best way to have them remembered as a part of the ceremony, while still keeping the mood light?

I too have had this scenario at my wedding.  My husband's father whom he adored, and my grandmother and son whom I adored was no longer with us. So we used candles to honor them:

Purchase candles and get a ribbon with your color scheme, wrap it around the candle and add the name tag with the honored person's name.  The candles can be lit prior to the ceremony or can be lit as a part of the ceremony.

For one of my brides who's mother passed, I used a picture of her mother and slid it into her bouquet.  That way, her mother was still able to symbolically walk down the aisle with her.

The passing of a loved one is a sensitive subject, but there are many ways to honor them.

Erika

Making Your Wedding Memorable

You've dreamt about your wedding for months.  You've been busy planning every detail.  When I consult with my couples, my question is, "What do you want from your wedding day?"  Some say an awesome band, great food and awesome decor . . . . But I want my guests to walk away from my wedding saying that there was something about my day that was different.  So I put my thinking cap and begin to think of making their day most memorable.  Here are some ideas:

1. Just Dance: You can put a song name on the back of the table number and when that son he plays, everyone from that table has to get up and dance.  How fun would that be? And it ensures that everybody gets up at least for one song.

2. Food Truck: After the guests have danced and parties, have a food truck outside as they leave to get a snack for the road.

3. Converse For the Groomsmen:  How cool? It would show up really nicely in a photo.

4. Greeters at the Door: Often times guest come and they do not know which direction to go.  Designate someone who is not in your wedding to be your greeter; have them make friendly conversation with your guests.  This will make them feel very comfortable.

Wedding or Event Favors

Flip Books - This is a new alternative to the traditional photo booth.  The process is simple and takes just a few minutes.  The vendor brings in a booth at your event and takes a short video - with or without props - of your guests making faces, dancing and just having plain 'ole fun.  The guests review the clip, approve it and a flip book is created on the spot.

Most vendors can make about 50 books per hour.  This is a wonderful keepsake that your guests will have.  The cover can be customized to fit your event.

Erika

Save the Date!

Wedding Ring Styles For Her

The Pear cut diamond resembles a tear drop and combines the Oval and Marquis diamond shapes.  This style was give to Elizabeth Taylor by husband Richard Burton.  This will definitely give you a wow-factor.

Erika

Bridal Shoes

My brides often ask what kind of shoes should they wear, "Should I wear white or off white?" Or, "Can I wear color?"  My thoughts are wear what fits your personality.  If it is the traditional white/off-white go for it...if color is what you need, then go for that too.  The sky is the limit; you can chose from sparkles to feathers.

These are some of my favorite wedding day shoes. Good luck with finding the perfect shoe for your day!

Erika

Wedding Ring Styles For Her - Asscher

The Asscher cut is often referred to as a square Emerald which has an art-deco feel from the 1920's and 30's.  This style was created at the turn of the 20th century.

Pick the perfect ring for her.

Erika

Wedding Budget Breakdown

Brides often ask me how much should be spent on each wedding category.  As I always tell them, "We'll start with a template, but you can adjust the budget according to your wants and needs."  Here is the template that I am referring to; it will give you an estimated breakdown of how much you should be spending on what in order for your plans to run smoothly.

Category	Percent Breakdown
Venue/Rentals/Caterer	45%
Flowers	10%
Photography	10%
Planner	10%
Entertainment	8%
Lighting	5%
Hair and Makeup	4%
Stationery	3%
Transportation	2%
Videographer	2%
Officiant	1%

Hope this helps!

Erika

An Engagement Ring For Her

The Emerald Cut offers glamor, grace and charm; it is timeless and elegant. I think this will be my next ring...hint hint to my hubby :)

When I think of the emerald cut I think of Grace Kelly and Jackie Onassis.  The rectangular cut - which has a relatively larger open top, flat surface, and fewer facets - highlights the clarity of the diamond more than any other shaper.

Choose the Emerald Cut for her.

Erika