Merry Christmas Everyone!

2010 Wedding Trends

I wanted to share with you some predictions for 2010 wedding trends by Get Married and The Wedding Report.
Among the top 10 bridal trends for 2010 appealing to recently engaged brides are:

1. Non-linear aisle
2. Comfort foods with a kick
3. Gifting techie gadgetry
4. Texture-inspired invitations
5. Old, new, borrowed and cobalt blue
6. Wear-again bridesmaid dresses
7. Three-dimensional save-the-dates
8. Old Hollywood glam, for men!
9. Blogger brides abound
10. Personalized plus

According to Get Married, the new bridal trends are all about personalization and expressing your unique bridal style.

Here are some trends from The Wedding Report that I love:

1. From the dress to shoes, vintage will be in big demand.
2. June 2010 will be busier than normal. Couples that put off their 2009 June wedding, because of the recession have booked for June 2010.
3. Candy buffets will be very hot.
4.Warm, bright, bold, and vibrate color tones are in for 2010.
5. In vintage style, black and white photography shots will be in higher demand.
6. While it hasn't gone mainstream, video streamed live weddings will continue to gain interest.
7. Tungsten is the hot metal for 2010, couple are looking for both engagement rings and wedding bands in tungsten.

Candy Cane Martini

It is beginning to look a lot like Christmas! Christmas time means corporate events, holiday parties, and family gatherings. If you are looking for a great drink this season, try a candy can martini.


Ingredients:
1/2 oz Peppermint Schnapps
1/2 oz Creme de CaCao
1/2 oz vodka
Ice


Directions:
Shake ingredients well and strain into a martini glass rimmed with crushed candy cane. Then garnish with a candy cane. Enjoy!



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Wedding Gown Styles

Selecting a gown to wear is one of the biggest decisions you will have to make for your special day. Not only do you want to feel beautiful, but all eyes will be on you after all!


Here are a few gown styles to give you some inspiration on the choices that you have to choose from. If romance is your style, then a princess gown like the one above may be for you.

You may prefer a classic A-line like the one above. Unless you prefer a sexy mermaid style seen below.

Or you may want a slinky sheath like the picture below on your special day.

Whatever style you prefer, take your time and select the gown that makes you feel like a queen for the day!

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Ring the Alarm

Ring the alarm, it is almost time for engagement season to start! A lot of men use the holiday season to propose to their girlfriends. So men, whether you choose Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, or Valentines day to propose, here is a little ring inspiration for you.

Chocolate Fondue Heaven!

A couple weeks ago I went to a premier tasting event for Dipp'd-The Fondue Experience. I love love love chocolate so deciding whether or not to attend this event at the Alpharetta Athletic Club was not an option.
This is one of the tables set up with milk chocolate and a milk chocolate flavor creation with whiskey in it. We also enjoyed white chocolate and dark chocolate tables with delicious flavors such as pumpkin with our strawberries, marshmallows, and brownies.
A fondue is a great idea for an intimate dinner or dessert for two or a large group. Talk about delicious!

A Lounge at Your Wedding Reception

Adding a lounge at your wedding reception will be a big hit with your guests. Not only is it a comfortable place for people to congregate, but it is a great focal point if your reception room is a little on the boring side. Your rental company has many different styles to choose from so that you can get the look and feel that you desire.







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Hot Drinks at Your Winter Wedding

It is that time of year again where we have to turn the heat on and bundle up to stay warm. If you are planning a winter wedding, you need to think about keeping your guests warm and toasty. Having a coffee station at your reception is one way to accomplish this task. Have your caterer provide regular and decaffeinated coffee in addition to a wide selection of flavored creamers, milk, sugar, and sugar substitutes. Everyone of your guests likes their coffee a little different, but you want them to each enjoy their cup just the way they like it down to the last drop!



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Family Style Seating

Family style seating at your wedding reception is a big hit at receptions these days. Looking down a long table full of your closest family and friends is so much more inviting than everyone being spread out at smaller tables around the room. You have the option of putting just a couple of tables end to end or connecting several tables to go from one end of the room to the next.


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Harps at your wedding

Are you deciding what kind of music to have at your wedding ceremony? Ever thought about hiring a harpist? A harpist can play traditional or popular music on the harp.

The music that comes from a harp is beautiful and a wonderful addition to any wedding ceremony. It can set a very romantic mood for your guest as soon as they arrive and are being seated. It will get them ready to see your lovely wedding. The music can be more upbeat and keep your guest entertained during a cocktail reception as well.

Shrimp and Grits

A great southern style dish for your wedding reception is shrimp and grits. It is a very tasty combo. Comfort food is a wonderful name for food that everyone knows, loves, and is comfortable with. Serving it in a martini glass makes it even more stylish and allows your guests to mingle while enjoying every bite. I enjoyed every bite of mine at an ISES event earlier this year.

How Important Is A Rain Plan?

Planning an outdoor wedding for next spring or summer? It is very important that you don't forget to plan for rain. They say that rain on your wedding day is good luck. But honestly, who wants it to rain on their wedding day?

Is it your dream wedding to get married outside with nature as your background decor? An outdoor wedding is a dream for so many brides, especially in the south. But the fact of the matter is a gray sky, soggy ground, or an all out rain storm can put a damper on the day that you have dreamed of your entire life!

I can't begin to tell you how important a rain plan is. It is your Plan B in case Plan A is not on option. If you are planning to have the ceremony or your cocktail reception outside, remember to ask your wedding venue, "What if it rains?" Do they have space for you to move inside or do you need to be proactive and rent a tent for the day "just in case"?

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Ways to Cut Wedding Costs (Tip #2)

I wanted to share with you another great way to save money on your wedding during the recession. But this is a great tip to use no mater what the economy is doing. Think about having your wedding on an off peak day! Saturday is the standard wedding day for most people so naturally it is the most expensive day to rent space for a wedding. However wedding venues do offer discounts if you choose to have your wedding on a Friday or Sunday though. You could save some money, be a little creative at the same time, and still have the wedding of your dreams!

What is a Groom's Cake?

In the south, we do things a little different. We have a tradition called the groom's cake. Everyone knows that almost everything involved in a wedding is about the bride. But we don't want to forget about your better half though.

The groom's cake is all about the groom and his interests. If he loves football, then have a football cake. If he is in the Air Force, then have an Air Force cake. It is all about him. Of course, having an excuse to have another cake never hurt anyone!

Congratulations Zoe and Tino

My team and I traveled to Athens, Georgia for this one, but it was so worth it! It is official. Zoe and Tino are now husband and wife. As usual, I was the first person to greet our couple, congratulate them, and welcome them into the world of holy matrimony.



It was a special ceremony complete with the bride's father giving her away and officiating the ceremony. Not to mention the church was full of guests that absolutely loved the choir's selections.

We rushed them off from the church to their reception so that they could enjoy their first meal as husband and wife in a private room. Before it was time to make their BIG entrance.

I must admit having your wedding reception at an art museum is a wonderful and creative idea. Guests were able to walk around and enjoy the exhibits, sit down and eat dinner while watching a slide show of the newlyweds, enjoy the candy buffet we set up in the lounge area, and order drinks from the bar.

So down the grand staircase they went where they were greeted by African musicians and dancers. We all had a great time watching them dance their first dance. Then it was time for everyone else to join it.

Congratulations Zoe and Tino! You make a lovely couple and you have a great group of family and friends. Who could ask for anything more?

Gobo or go home!

I know the saying is "Go big or go home", but I just love gobos! What could be better than having your name up in lights? It is an unforgettable sight to have you and your new spouse's name up on a wall or even in the middle of your dance floor announcing to everyone who you are. It is a wonderful focal point at your wedding reception. Your lighting company can design a custom gobo monogram to fit your style. The sky is the limit. So gobo or go home!

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Going Green Tip

Many Eco-friendly brides are concerned about ways to go green for their wedding and reception. One simple yet very important thing to remember is to make sure that your reception venue and caterer agree to recycle all bottles and cans from the food and beverages consumed on your big day. Make sure recycling bins are available and clearly marked for your guests as well.

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If You Like Pina Colada....

I was talking to one of my brides who just returned from her honeymoon. She said it was hard coming back to reality after drinking out of coconuts! In honor of that, this month signature drink is a Pina Colada. Serve it at your next party or at your wedding reception.


Ingredients:

1 1/2 ounces of light rum
3 ounces pineapple juice
3 ounces coconut cream
crushed ice
fresh fruit to garnish


Directions:

Pour all ingredients in a blender, pour into a coconut, garnish with fruit, and enjoy!

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Engagement Session Part 2

Photos courtesy of Morgan Cogswell

Engagement Session Part 1

Your engagement session is a wonderful time to have a lot of fun with your soon-to-be. A time to let your personalities and creativity show. It is also a great way to spend time working with your wedding photographer before your actual wedding day.

Picture You Studios

Chair Covers for Your Wedding Reception

One thing that is important not to forget about the look and feel of your wedding reception is the chairs. If your venue has unattractive chairs, a good option is to cover them with chair covers.


Chair covers come in an endless variety of colors and styles. Take your time and choose ones that match your personality and wedding style.

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Gazpacho

If you are looking for a great hors d' oeuvres to serve at your wedding cocktail reception to tide your guest over until dinner, why not think about gazpacho? Gazpacho is a tasty cold soup with raw chopped tomatoes, onions, and, peppers, and herbs. It is a great dish served by itself, but feel free to add shrimp or lobster to it if you'd like.

Photo courtesy of find.myrecipes.com

The Marriage Proposal

Your Champagne Wishes Events, LLC wanted to share with everyone the very unique proposal of Tino to Zoe. We thought what better way to share that story than in the words of the bride-to-be herself? So here is our guest blogger, Zoe.

Tino proposed to me in the most creative, clever, thoughtful, loving and surprising way. I had planned to go to the Georgia Museum of Art (GMA) to see an exhibit of exotic and artistic rings. My best friends Milly and Alanna (accomplice A & B) had planned to accompany me.

We got to the museum and began wandering around the displays admiring the assortment of unique rings. As we walked I noticed a woman taking pictures as we browsed. I thought to myself, I don’t think it’s permissible to take pictures here. As if she had read my mind, the young woman explained that she worked for the museum and was photographing patrons. Seeing her GMA badge, I was satisfied with that explanation and continued enjoying the exhibit. Never one to be camera shy, I was excited at the possibility of appearing in some GMA publication.

As we neared the end of the exhibit, Milly called my attention to one final ring on display. As I walked toward the ring I admired its beauty and brilliance and thought to myself, this is the best one here! I immediately wanted to know more about this phenomenal artist. I looked at the artist information card to discover that the artist was T.L. Johnson. That was more than enough to pique my curiosity and I eagerly read on. The next line had the current day’s date (August 31, 2008) followed by the name of this exquisite piece…The Johnson Engagement Ring! At that moment it all became clear and I began screaming dropping everything in my hands.

Perfectly cued, Tino comes from around the corner looking handsome as ever. He removes the ring from the display, gets down on one knee, professes his love for me, and asks me to be his wife. I utter a gentle yes.

After a proper embrace and kiss to my new fiance, my thoughts immediately go to wanting to share this happy news with my mom. I call her and as if right out of a commercial, the call drops after I scream “Mommy I’m engaged”. Frustrated and annoyed with my wireless provider. I desperately try to call again. No sooner than I can dial her speed dial number, my mother appears holding a vase full of roses. I then go into full effect water works as I’m congratulated by my mom.

Special thanks to Jenny Williams and all of the wonderful folks at the GMA for the role they played in making our memorable moment truly special and unique. I am very much in love and looking forward to marrying my prince charming. I can’t wait to be Mrs. Zoe Johnson!

Photos courtesy of Jenny Williams

Atlanta Occasions Launch Party

Last night, I attended Atlanta Occasions launch party. A great group of not just wedding, but event professionals where there to celebrate the new luxe guide to planning wedding, corporate, and social events.

Heather Vreeland, Publisher & Editor-In-Chief, took a special moment to thank everyone for attending the party and showing her so much support in the process.

I loved the way the room was divided up with sheer at The Foundry at Puritan Mill. I haven't been back since I did a wedding there in September.

The extra long bar and of course the complimentary drinks were a big hit. I admit that I enjoyed my favorite......champagne of course.

The flowers and the illuminated tables were beautiful. As you can see by the empty glasses on table, a good time was had by all.

1st Blogiversary

Wow! I can not believe that it has been a year since I first began writing this blog. Time flies when you are having fun. I have shared new trends, wonderful signature drink recipes, new wedding magazines, some of my visits to local venues, the conferences and workshops that I attended, and shared all things wedding with you including new television shows and movies. Your Champagne Wishes Events, LLC even had an exciting contest for our readers. I hope that you have enjoyed it as much as I have, but don't worry, I have only just begun! So keep reading.

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Atlanta Occasions Magazine

Atlanta Occasions is an online resource for weddings, corporate, and social events. Now they are having a launch party to celebrate their new magazine which hits news stands this summer. Your Champagne Wishes Events, LLC is delighted to be invited to the celebration on July 30TH. We can't wait to attend! I will be sure to tell you all about it.

Happy Birthday ISES!

Last week I attended the Atlanta Chapter of ISES 20TH birthday celebration at Hotel Palomar. It was wonderful to see 19 of the 20 presidents in attendance. I have been a member long enough to see three of them in action.

We rolled out the delicious birthday cake and watched the first president and the current Atlanta chapter president blow out the candles to call an end to the awards, dinner, and dessert celebration downstairs. Then it was time to head up to the rooftop for the rest of the night.

I absolutely love the hotel's fire pits and cabanas!