A Girl Can Dream

One of the fun parts about getting married is imagining what you life will be like in 10, 15, or 30 years. Will you have children? Will you live in your hometown or have moved out of the area? Will you be successful? I'm a firm believer that dreams are healthy. And if you are going to dream, why not dream BIG!

I came across the pictures of this incredible Atlanta house featured in a recent edition of Veranda magazine. And I must admit, it was love at first sight. If I closed my eyes and pictured my dream house, this would be it. In fact, I can see myself curled up with a good book in front of the fire or on the outdoor patio with a grin on my face. Sure it's a lofty dream, but it's not doing anyone any harm. So for now, this girl will keep dreaming...Oh and by the way, it's for sale!

Now That Is What We Call "Making An Entrance"

You may have seen this couple recently featured on various TV shows and also featured in People magazine. When Jill and Kevin planned their unique wedding entrance, they never could have imagined the response they would receive. Their posted You Tube video has now received over 21 million hits and counting. If you haven't seen the video, check it out below.



Message from Kevin and Jill:
We have been through a lot in life, but have come through each experience stronger and more in love with each other. Our experience since we posted the video has been incredible. We would never have expected this response to our wedding entrance in a million years.

We hope to direct this positivity to a good cause. Due to the circumstances surrounding the song in our wedding video, we have chosen the Sheila Wellstone Institute.

Sheila Wellstone was an advocate, organizer, and national champion in the effort to end domestic violence in our communities.

We are so grateful for all the love, kind words, and joy that have been shared with us from around the world. It has moved us deeply and filled our hearts.

If you would like to contact us, email jkweddinginfo@gmail.com

Never stop dancing.

With so much love,

Jill and Kevin

Get Inspired! Natural Beauty

Every once in a while we hear how a bride and groom are having trouble choosing a color scheme for their wedding. To tell you the truth, this always perplexes us. Everywhere we look we find inspiration. In particular, we find endless sources of inspiration in the beautiful surroundings created by nature. Below are some of natures finest performances, as photographed by Ryan Chesla in Costa Rica. Sometimes its so blatant it is almost as if mother nature herself is saying "Hey You! What about this?" Today we've created a board celebrating the wonder and beauty that we so often take for granted. Just look how the colors blend and radiate off of each other. Can anything be more beautiful?

Theme: Natures Guide
Colors: You name it, mother nature has created it

Reinventing The Wheel

There is nothing quite like a classic. And we are not talking cars, we are talking fashion. They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and by the looks of these photographs below, we understand just what "they" mean. From Twiggy to Marilyn, fashion icons are celebrated through the reinvention of classic photographs. Hope you enjoy.

Amazing Event Design by Antony Todd

Every once in a while we come across some of the most spectacular displays of event design and know it would certainly be a crime not to share them with you. From celebrity event designer, Antony Todd, come some of the most unique and truly inspirational event themes we have seen. What we love most is the variety he offers and how imaginative and creative his ideas are. They translate magnificently from conception to execution. Although these are mostly examples of corporate and social events, there is no reason why you as a bride can't be inspired by some of his awesome expressions. Can you choose a favorite? We can't!

Get Inspired! Life Imitates Art, Part Deux

This week, and back by popular demand, we have another color comparison board. From bright yellows to rich reds and midnight blues, the color bursting from these images is truly inspirational.


Top left: Dress: Robert Cavalli
Top Left 2: Cake by Cake Girls
Top Middle Blue Jewelry: Sapphire bead emerald and diamond suite by Giovane

Bottom Left cake: Martha Stewart Lemon + Cake
Ballet Inspiration: Wallcoo "Bit Red"
Blue/Yellow Inspiration: J. Crew
Shoes by: emma
Cray ribbon cake by: Cakegirls

Caribbean Breezes: August ABC Meeting, Seattle

It may have been the sweet concoction of guava and rum created by host Foodz Catering or perhaps it was the island beats coming from the steel drums of Gary Gibson, but the corner of Queen Anne and Thomas, home of Acalia Events & Reception, looked a lot more like the Caribbean than Seattle on Monday night.

The August meeting for the Washington ABC (Association of Bridal Consultants) concluded once again with much success as 60+ members and guests gathered for a time of networking, reconnecting, learning and of course eating. Guests dined on eclectic menu items from Foodz Catering consisting of Hor D Oeuvres of pulled pork with banana ketchup, macadamia nut and brie canapes, watermelon gazpacho, and shrimp ceviche and a mouth-watering dinner of grilled chicken with a kick of jerk.

During the meal, attendees heard from guest speaker Relaena Sindelar of Sindelar Communications and Marketing who reminded us all about the importance and relevance of online social networking through Facebook, My Space, Twitter, Linked In and other media outlets. Members were also introduced to the local representative for Sandals Resorts, a partner of ABC.

During a somber moment, members took time to remember Sean Patrick O'Reilly, a prominent and influential member of the wedding industry, who recently passed away.

The evening concluded with the announcement of the raffle winners who took home prizes donated by B&E and the Puget Sound Wedding Resource Guide, Three Chicks Catering, Foodz Catering, Me Me & Co, and the Columbia Tower Club.

Announcements:

• The September 21st ABC meeting will be held at the Woodland Park Zoo
• Invitations for future meetings will be sent from Pingg, a new online invitation service
• Bring a guest to the next meeting and earn a free raffle ticket
• Be sure to check out ABC's social networking sites on Facebook and Twitter
• Sign up to receive the ABC e-newsletter on the official website
• Stay tuned for information on the upcoming "Best Wedding" competition through ABC

We Think You'll Love...

We think you'll love this new concept from Our Story Is A Song. How many couples actually have a song they can call their very own? Sure we've seen the couples on TV and movies sigh at the sound of their love song playing on the radio, but how many of us real couples actually remember the first song we danced to, or the song playing when we shared our first kiss? Chances are, not too many.

So that is why we love this idea from Our Story Is A Song. Our Story is a Song is an amazing way to help make the most significant day of your life stand out and capture memories by telling the REAL story of you as a couple. A song lasts forever and your unique story is such an important part of your life and wedding day.

You’ve put so much thought into making sure that just the right details reflect who you are into everything from the perfect wedding gown to the color of the paper for the guest placement cards to the ice sculpture that will be beautiful for a few hours, then is gone forever. So why would you choose a song for your day that doesn’t hold forever your story-and never melts away?

Here is how it works:

First, fill out the questionnaire in the “Begin Here” section and choose a song template that best describes you and fits your taste.

Accept the copyright legal information if you agree.

Make your $250 prepayment on the billing page.

Next, you will receive a first draft of the lyrics for your approval in 10-14 business days. At this time, you will need to pay the balance of $1,250 to begin the recording process.

Once you have approved the first draft of the lyrics and payed your balance, we will capture your story in song form and final vocals will be recorded to the track.

You will then receive both male and female versions in 3 different keys to fit different vocal ranges, and the tracks without vocals in both keys (that’s a total of nine audio tracks for your purchase). A lead music sheet will be included in all keys as well. All songs will be extended so you will have lots of extra time, if you need it for the wedding service, the wedding video or the reception.

This has to be one of the most unique ideas we've ever heard of. Kudos to Our Story for such a novel idea!

Junior Mints? Check. Popcorn? Check. Kleenex? Check!

Amidst all the hustle and bustle of planning a wedding, its easy to neglect your girlfriends. So if you need some good old fashioned, never-go-out-of-style, girl time, here's a summer flick opening this weekend that we recommend getting the ladies together for. Just don't forget the tissues.

The film is based on the best-selling novel by Audrey Niffenegger. Clare (played by Rachel McAdams) has been in love with Henry (Eric Bana) her entire life. She believes they are destined to be together, even though she never knows when they will be separated: Henry is a time traveler-cursed with a rare genetic anomaly that causes him to live his life on a shifting timeline, skipping back and forth through his lifespan with no control. Despite the fact that Henry's travels force them apart with no warning, Clare desperately tries to build a life with her one true love.


We read the book and loved it and are crossing our fingers that the movie version will be just as heart-wrenching. See you at the movies!

Something To Really Smile About . . .

We rarely write about our personal lives on this blog, but there comes a time when you just need to toot your own horn once in a while. At B&E, we are much more than co-workers, we are a family. Beyond what we do in the office, we care about each other's lives, and support each other through the highs and lows of everyday life. Today I am happy to report one of those highs.

Alexis Pellegrini, who has worked for B&E for seven years, and her husband Peter, recently turned their 8 year dream into a reality. Peter, an orthodontist, opened his first solo practice in Everett, WA on August 3rd. We've watched the two of them stay focused as Peter trekked through four years of dental school at the University of Washington, and three more years for his orthodontic residency at Oregon Health Science University.

Now they begin a new chapter as business owners of a beautiful practice in Everett. Alexis, of course, remains a part of our B&E team, and it has been great to see how the skills she has learned working with us have been able to help develop Dr. Pellegrini's web and marketing materials.

We wish them many years of success!

Learn more about Dr. Pellegrini at www.everettbraces.com

Penny Pickett Simmons
General Manager at B&E

Get Inspired! When Life Imitates Art

You've heard it said a million times...life always imitates art. These colorful and distinctly different evening gowns below prove just that. If the trends for 2010 are showcasing anything in particular, its color. In fact, the bolder and more intense, the better. Any true fashionista knows that clothes are another form of art, and by the looks of the following examples, we know you'll agree.

When planning your wedding, take time to find inspiration for color schemes, design and themes through the unique expressions of artists, painters, sculptors, and impressionists. Art is the full expression of life, so what better inspiration for your wedding than to steal a piece of the magic already laid out for you?


Top Left Gown: Gold, Elie Saab-Brazillian Beach Yellow
Red Dress: Shot informal day dress influenced from India
Electric Blue: Pamela Rolland
Minty Dress: N/A
Dark Plum Fushia Gown: (Electrika Color Palette)

Blushing With Gold . . .

Escorted with gold, pink moves far away from the often related to female persona. Now we have an edgy metal weight binding his strength of style on it's side. Pink and gold are one of the oldest and strongest coordinates to blend femininity and masculinity. It only takes a touch to set the balance in your attire (top left John Galliano), venue, table arrangements, or accessories. Some of the most traditional cultures such as those in Japan or India have used this combination for centuries. Gilt a cake (I Dream of Cakes), band your favors or your fingers (pink gold), or display your china or floral with the lavish embellishment of gold and you just set the mood of the occasion for bride and groom.

We Think You'll Love...

We think you'll love this great little gadget called the Canditto. Finally, here is a new alternative to disposable cameras. Simply plug your Canditto into an electrical outlet and you're ready to start collecting all the photos your guests have taken. All your guests need to do is insert their digital cameras' memory cards, and it will automatically and instantly copy the photos they’ve taken in the last 8 hours. At the end of your celebration, remove the two identical thumb drives. Keep one for yourself and keep the other as a backup, or an instant gift to your new in-laws.

You can rent a Canditto online for $450, which we admit is high in price. But the convenience of being able to collect your friends pictures is certainly a bonus. These pictures will hold you over while you wait on the professional images from your photographer. And every bride knows just how fun it is to remember all the fabulous details while honeymooning with your new spouse.

Get Inspired! Butterfly Kisses

There is simply something magical about seeing a beautiful butterfly fluttering before you. We choose to believe that a butterfly signifies good luck and we aren't the only ones who believe this. The Mandarin Chinese word for butterfly is "hu-tieh". "Tieh" means "70 years", therefore butterflies have become a symbol for a long life. In this culture butterflies have also become representative of young men in love. In the Japanese culture butterflies are thought to be representative of young maidens and marital bliss. Many Japanese families use the butterfly in the family crest design. So if you are sentimental and perhaps a tad superstitious (and goodness knows most brides are) we recommend incorporating the butterfly into your wedding theme. And whether or not a butterfly can bring you good luck and marital bliss is still up in the air, but it certainly can't hurt!

Theme: Butterfly Kisses
Colors: Bright Pastels of Green, Pink, Blue and Purple


Top Row: Butterfly cake from The Occasional Cake; Butterfly wedding invitation from Wedding Stationary; Butterfly wedding dress via Bridalwave TV
Second Row: Gift boxes from Swallowtail Farms; Butterfly crystal decoration from Hot Ref; Butterfly wedding cake topper from Butterfly-Bazaar
Third Row: Butterfly favor box from Bridal People; Wedding invitation from My Personal Artist; Butterfly cake from Pink Cake Box
Bottom Row: Butterfly wedding gown via Monterey Wedding; Butterfly candle holders from Hot Ref; Namecards via Oh So Beautiful; Bouquet via Wedding Bee Boards

The Look of Love

This is for all of you who want to move it up a notch on love. Why stop with a wedding? What about your surroundings? We just thought these were too fun, so to inspire the love you have here you go. One of the most interesting of these is the left column middle positions - the Giovannetti love swivel chair. It also is available in red on red. Another is the beautiful "The Heartbreaker Chair by Tonon" top right photo is another stunning style. In the middle is some shower creativity from Colacril called "Musa". The "Edda Eme" love sink at center bottom would spice up any kitchen or bar area. Gruppo Tressa's custom bathtub is an egg shape of love and fun graphics. The irridescent mosaic tile wall is highlighted with the inset of hearts along one side. This is all fun and mean to be just that, so what are your thoughts? Our love to you......