ABC Master Wedding Planner

Well, the year has past by in a blink of an eye. I spent most of the last quarter planning weddings and events but also working on my portfolio and conference presentation. The Association of Bridal Conference was held at Sandals Whitehouse in Jamaica. I presented to a panel and I PASSED - now I can officially say that I'm a Master Wedding Planner. This is the highest level of accreditation and I feel blessed, honored and relieved to finally marking this off my 2014 goals.

I've never been to a Sandals resort but all I can say is "I had the time of my life". WOW, they rolled out the red carpet for the Association of Bridal Consultants annual conference. Ceci of New York spoke about branding and how she built a successful brand. Her speech was right on time as I'm busy working on re-branding my company in 2015. 

Love notes on the wedding day!

There is something very sweet about receiving a love note from your spouse to be on the day of the wedding. I've seen tears and laughter when the bride and groom read their cards before they head done the aisle. Here's one of my favorite cards found on etsy.

Truvelle Gowns

Wow is all that I can save about Truvelle - these gowns are girly, sparkly and simply gorgeous. If you are looking for something just a little bit different, this designer is the one for you. I could just see one of my brides rocking this look.

Black Bride Magazine - Gail Johnson Expert Advice

I'm so honored to be part of Black Bride's inaugural magazine launch. The brain child of owner Mary Chatman, Black Bride celebrates brides of color.  Check out my expert advice and wait to be inspired. Order your copy of Black Bride Magazine today!

"Black Bride Magazine has something for every bride. Whether you’re traditional, modern or somewhere in between, we’ve got you covered! This digital issue is your guide to planning one of the most important days of your life. We have collaborated with some of the best wedding vendors and experts to help you turn your wedding dreams into a memorable reality! From engagement to honeymoon, our digital issue is bursting with the latest bridal trends, including expert wedding planning advice, bridal beauty tips, couples fitness ideas, romantic honeymoon getaways and so much more. Be inspired by real couples, real weddings, real love stories and amazing wedding decor, as you peruse the pages of our premier issue. You’ll also find support for beyond the I do’s in the After the Aisle section. Our quarterly magazine is complemented by our annual bridal showcase in Atlanta, our boutique style bridal events nationwide, and our comprehensive wedding website Blackbride.com."

Printed Tablescapes

I've never been one for the norm...that includes tablecloths for weddings and events. Just because it is a wedding doesn't mean it has to be boring. Check out some of my favorites patterns. Bold prints make a BIG statement so pick out a few tables and dress them to the nines.

Angelina Jolie's Wedding Dress

Check out this stunning wedding pixs of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitts' wedding. Really loving the family picture and how all the children were incorporated into the wedding. The dress was simple, understated but elegant designed by Luigi Massi of Versace. The veil was adorned with drawings from her six children. This celebrity couple finally made it down the aisle - congrats!

Wedding Cake - Concept to Reality

It is always fun to see cakes go from concept to a final product. Cakes by Lameeka did such at great job at my wedding last weekend. Not only did this cake look good, the taste and flavors were amazing. My bride did a happy dance when she saw the cake. So, if you are in need of a baker for you special event, check out Cakes by Lameeka.

Gorgeous Wedding - Dorell Wright and Mia Lee

Check out this gorgeous wedding of basketball player Dorell Wright and his longtime girlfriend Mia Lee in a lavish wedding ceremony in Simi Valley, California. You know how I love a man in a navy tuxedo! The bride chose a lace, strapless fitted trumpet gown - now this is how you wear a gown.

Pineapple Cake

I found this cake by Erica O'Brien Cake Design on one of my favorite blogs - The Cake Blog. It is so different, gorgeous and did I mentioned that I love pineapples! The gold pineapple screams elegance. So, check out Erica's blog for more inspiration.

Married - RFK Jr. marries actress Cheryl Hines

The bride wore a white Romona Keveza (Spring 2014) 1950 inspired tea length, strapless dress with a white satin bow dotted with hundreds of white pearl accents. I do like the dress but it probably wouldn't have been my pick, probably someone more fitted since she has a great figure. But, she does look gorgeous. Congrats to the couple!

Personalize Prada Shoes

OMG --- I'm so in love with Prada! Do you want a custom, personalized shoe for the wedding day - well here you go! If I had to splurge on a shoe, this would be it! Choose the color, sole and the heel height. You can even add a monogram. Check out www.prada.com for more information.

What type of bride are you?

What type of bride are you? This is a question that every bride has to answer. For some bride this is very easy and for others it takes time to define your personal style. Are you a girly, girl who loves everything sparkly, shiny and glamorous. Or, are you a more laid back country girl who loves vintage items and thrift shopping. Take stock of the items in your closet - do you gravitate to pastel colors? Being able to determine your style will make the planning process much easy.

Here's my favorite sketch by Brooke Hagel....yep, I'm a girly, girl who loves glam.

Drawing by Brooke Hagel

Monique Lhuillier Spring 2015 Trunk Show

Mark your calendars! You want to check out the Monique Lhuillier Spring 2015 collection at the Joan Pillow Bridal Salon in Atlanta on July 18 and 19th. Call for a private appointment as appointments are booking up fast! Check out a few of my gowns from the Spring 2015 collection. For more information contact 404-841-6202 - Joan Pillow Bridal Salon, 99 West Paces Ferry Road NW, Atlanta, GA.

Postal Tips for the Modern Bride

The options for postage have come a long way. The post office offers a limited number of stamps (see below), but websites such as Zazzles offers a wider variety of custom stamps.  I have a few pointers:

1. Always weigh your envelopes before you mail them
2. Don't forget to put a stamp on the RSVP cards
3. Always, always ask the post office to hand stamp your envelopes so you don't damage your custom stamps or smear the ink

10 Hidden Costs of Throwing a Wedding

So excited to see my quote on Brides' blog today. Check out all of the valuable tips from wedding pros.10 Hidden Costs Of Throwing a Wedding

Monday, July 7, 2014 by Elizabeth Mitchell

Want to keep your wedding budget in check? Start by checking out this list of the 10 things that could end up costing you a lot more than you anticipated.

1. Cake Cutting Fee
Want a pastry chef that isn't affiliated with your venue to make your cake? "Well, there's a good chance your venue will charge you a few dollars per slice to cut it and plate it," says Tracie Domino, founder of Tracie Domino Events. "If you're having 150 guests this could cost you well over $300."

2. Delivery Charges
Yes, almost everyone has a delivery fee, but you'll want to make sure that their warehouse is in your area, advises Katrina McCullum of Made of Honor Weddings. "A company can have a local office, but deliveries may be out of town and charge twice the amount as another 'local' company. Check to see if they double charge for deliveries over the weekend versus if they dropped off or picked up on a Friday or Monday."

3. Corkage Fee
Why hire a bartender when you can simply bring your own wine? Corkage fees, that's why. "Be careful and ask your venue or caterer if will there be a corkage fee per bottle," recommends McCullum. "Like the cake cutting fee, this can add up quickly if you aren't expecting it."

4. Administrative Fee
According to wedding planner Karen Brown of Karen Brown NY, an extra cost that catches many couples by surprise is the administrative fee, which is usually somewhere around 20 percent, tacked on to the final bill. On top of that, you've also got gratuity and taxes.

5. Coat Check Fee
If you're getting married during the winter months, be sure to budget for a coat check, says Brown. "This can be an additional $300+ and most clients expect that this would be included in the venue cost." However, it's probably not.

6. Transportation Cost
Transportation is another area in which couples are not prepared to spend extra dollars, points out Atlanta-based event planner Gail Johnson of Gail Johnson Weddings and Events. "Couples say, 'I only need a vintage car or limo for one hour'. What they don't know is that most companies have a three or four hour minimum, as well as gratuity, tax and charges if the destination is not within a certain perimeter or area."

7. Power Drop Charge
One of the least obvious costs when planning a wedding is the charge for a power drop, notes Florida-based wedding planner Aviva Samuels of Kiss The Planner. "Most historical spaces and even many hotel ballrooms were not built with enough amperage to power a band, specialty lighting or sometimes even a DJ. If a generator and cables needs to be brought in to add power, this can come with a hefty price tag, especially if it's the type of generator that isn't enormous or makes a lot of noise"

8. Postage Fees
"While just a small cost per piece, postage can really add up with save the dates, invitations and RSVP cards, especially if they are custom," points out Kristin Alexander of Esoteric Events. Remember: The heavier the weight of your paper products the more the postage for them will cost.

9. Seamstress Services
"Once a bride chooses her dream gown, she often forgets that the cost to get it to fit perfectly can be high," explains consumer and money saving expert Andrea Woroch." Generally, brides are looking at $500 for alterations." She suggests searching for a seamstress you trust and not skimping on quality because a botch job can cost you more in the long run, both financially and emotionally, particularly if time is limited.

10. Overtime Charges
You're having a blast with your friends, family and new spouse, so you decide to stay and party a little longer. Sounds great, right? If you're willing to pay the overtime charges it is. "Beware that most vendors and venues have an overtime fee clause," warns Stefany Allongo, founder of The Majestic Vision: Wedding and Event Planning Services. These fees can range depending on the vendor, but could add up quickly when you ask everyone to stay. If you have a feeling that you will want to extend, talk to your vendors ahead of time to negotiate the extension fee and add it to your contract," she recommends.

Cover Girls

Check out the cover girls on some of my favorite magazines. I don't think that would have been the dress that I would have picked out for Ciara, but she looks great needless to say on Brides' cover. Angelina Jolie's black/white Elle magazine cover shows simplicity and sophistication - there is some about a black/white picture that is timeless. Round out saving the best for last - First Lady Michelle rocks the cover of Essence magazine - pretty in a powder blue dress.

Tom Ford Beauty Products

Yes, I'm a sucker for cosmetics...and one of my favorites is Tom Ford. The color combo that are made for woman of color are marvelous! The quality of the products is beyond belief. Okay, so what are my favorites....anything coral or pink for the summer months. Check out the products at your local store of on-line and you won't be disappointed.