Saturday, May 31, 2008

The Luxe Life

Ladies are you looking for a fabulous gift for you or your bridesmaids? Shop ‘til you drop at The Luxe Life Shopping and Beauty Event next Thursday, July 5th from 5pm to 9pm. Pick-up a new handbag or great piece of jewelry from over 30 designers at a discount price. Feeling the need for a bit of pampering? This is the event is for you with free mini-beauty treatments from companies such as Benefit Cosmetics and Trilogy Spa. In addition, you can have a consultation with celebrity fashion stylist Laurie Graham and her team of stylists, but get there early, this is first come first serve! This is the ultimate event for all ladies who love the most sought-after designers and the spa life all rolled into one!

Location: The Olympic Collection, Versailles Room
11301 W. Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90064

To purchase tickets, visit: http://www.luxelifeevents.com/ or contact 310.857.6367 or info@luxelifeevents.com

Thursday, May 29, 2008

Fab Foods

Photo by: Red Loft Studios.
Just a little food for thought. Don't forget how important the menu planning is for your event. Whether you opt for a sushi bar or a table-side salad service, make sure your guests eat up good and a good time will be had by all. Check out some yummy inspirations from some of our favorite photogs and designers.

Top photos: Eventful, Bottom Photo: Robert Evans Studios.
Top Left: Eventful, Top Right: Wolfgang Puck Catering, Bottom Left: Red Loft Studios, Bottom Right: Eventful.

Top Row & Middle Left: Isabel Lawrence Photographers, Middle Right & Bottom Row: Robert Evans Studios.

Sunday, May 25, 2008

Baskets of Goodies

Whether you do it yourself or out source to the pros, when you have a out of town guests, don't forget to say thanks for the long journey and expense (like over Memorial Day weekend weddings.) Check out a few of our favorite decadent boxes of goodies...get creative and your guests will thank you in the end.

Top photo by Robert Evans Studios.
Bottom photos, baskets by Ooh Ahh Event Design.

Friday, May 23, 2008

Sample Sale Time!!

That's right ladies - but this isn't an ordinary sample sale. This is an insane bridal mecca for all things fashionably fabulous (with some beauty and pampering tossed in too.)

Encore Bridal, known for new and nearly new couture at amazing prices, is blowing out their current inventory on Saturday, June 14th from 10am to 6pm.

This swanky shopping day is taking place at the Belamar Hotel in Manhattan Beach. Located at 3501 Sepulveda Blvd.

Prices will be discounted an additional 10-30% from the already affordable online prices. And new inventory will be debuted at the event, so be first in line to take a look at the possibilities.

In addition, get makeup tips and mini trials by makeup artists, skin and beauty tips from skin experts, and complimentary hair consultations from top stylists.

Sign up to win over $1000 in raffle prizes and more!

Bring the gals, shop til you drop, and run away with a fabulous Monique, Vera, Oscar, or other designer gown at a fraction of the price.

Attendance is free, to register for an appointment, please click here. Hope to see you there!

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Friday Night - Lights, Camera, Action

Are you getting married or part of a bridal party? Are you an event professional in the Los Angeles area? Are you a big Bill Rancic fan (remember his Apprentice win?!?!) A&E is taping a tv show hosted by Bill Rancic and they want you to be a part!

A positive reality show based on building an event business is hosting an on-camera open house for one of it's featured businesses.

The details:

When - Friday, May 23rd at 5pm

Where - Berry Elegance
12265 Ventura Blvd.
Suite 105
Studio City, CA 91604

The Dress - California Casual

Why - to be on tv, to get a taste of some complimentary yummy wedding goodies and desserts, and to get out on the town on a Friday evening with fellow brides-to-be and top of the line event professionals.

RSVP - Call The Bridal Bar at 310-858-0119 or email us at info@bridalbar.com and give us your name and number of guests. RSVP not required, but recommended.

Guests are welcome!

Hope to see you there!

Monday, May 19, 2008

Engage 08 - You won't want to miss this!

One of our favorite industry gurus has designed an event for the industry elite. Sorry brides, this is for event professionals only...

If you've got the time (and the cash) to get to Florida for some fun in the sun and fun with your fellow event professionals, then come visit Engage 08, hosted by Rebecca Grinnals. This one-day event is a high impact wedding business symposium for those with the desire to build your business.

Taking place on June 3rd in Celebration, Florida, you will get an intimate look at the business models and minds of speakers like the famed Preston Bailey! If you can make it, this event will not disappoint!

I too will be speaking at the event on behalf of Get Married. If you make it, be sure to stop by and say hi! We can't wait!!

Friday, May 16, 2008

Princess Brides

Kirstie Kelly for Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings is next up for fashion. Her couture line is stunning, but her newest collection for Disney (the more affordable option) is absolutely magical! This market the gals and gowns were depicted in scenes from each of the fairy tales. Our favorite would have to be Jasmine or Gisele (the newest princess.) Feel like fairy tale royalty in these sophisticated not-too-disney wedding dresses (and hot little number of a bridesmaid dress.) Can you guess which dress is which princess?For more fashion week coverage, check out the pages of GetMarried.com...

Thursday, May 15, 2008

How to Get the Most From Your Photographer Part Two, by Isabel Lawrence Photographers

Part two from Isabel Lawrence Photographers, how to maximize your photographer on your wedding day...Photographers don't always love surprises so communicate and no surprises will be left un-shot. If you know your ailing grandmother is going to stand and give a speech during the reception, chances are, if your photographer is paying attention, they’ll catch that moment. But if there has never been mention of this event, that just may be when they finally take two minutes to use the restroom, so let them know in advance when at all possible. Also look for teams of two, with two strong photographers watching over your event, when one breaks, many times the other can stay and shoot for those just-in-case moments.This brings me to another reception topic...guests with the ubiquitous cell phone/point and shoot cameras. There was a day, not so long ago when photographers could capture lively, fun and unobstructed reaction shots of guests. Whether it was during the couples’ first dance or a particularly spirited cake cutting, family and friends used to be present and participatory. With today's modern and instant technologies, more often than not, guests' faces are either half hidden behind their little cameras or half the night is being spent hunched over the LCD screen looking at the day’s catch rather than actually being a part of the event. I don’t know if there is a tactful way of asking your guests to leave their cameras at home but if there is, you’ll hear a collective “Hurrah” from us wedding photographers everywhere. And your end product will be more seamless, more flawless, and more perfect without those pesky little point and shoots popping up in the background.Since we are on the subject of receptions another key way to keep your photographer happy (and everyone knows a happy photographer is a productive, creative genius) is to make dinner available to them. I’m not talking about a fancy four-course number but a warm meal goes a long way to ensuring that your shooter has enough energy to get through the night. Like all your event professionals, those on-site will need to eat, so don't forget to plan accordingly. Keep in mind that the best time for the photographer to sit down and eat is when your guests are eating (little action is missed.) Sometimes a catering manager will opt to serve vendors at the end of the meal. This is not optimal for your event coverage as once your guests have finished eating, all the fun happens and you will want your photographer there to capture it. So, at some point during the planning stage, convey this message to your caterer, and your photographer will be full of energy to capture all those upcoming wonderful moments.I hope my insights and handful of observations will help us all provide the best service and experience for all couples out there. Let me conclude with this thought, think of your photographer as a prized member of your wedding team. They has been entrusted to document one of the most special days of your life. If their advice is heeded and they are treated like a member of your family, you will be richly rewarded for many many years to come.

Thanks Isabel Lawrence for sharing your expertise with us!

Monday, May 12, 2008

Jenna Bush and Henry Hager

Congratulations to Jenna Bush and Henry Hager for their not-so White House wedding this past weekend. The couple got married on the family ranch in Crawford, Texas - overlooking the lake at sunset.

We are just loving their organic style, their down-to-earth vibe, and natural event. Check out the released photos (for those of you who haven't already seen them...)She looked stunning in that Oscar De La Renta gown!!
Photo credit: Shealah Craighead / The White House

Saturday, May 10, 2008

At the bar...

Today we thought we would share with you a recent arrangement that dressed up The Bridal Bar. Eddie from Tic Tock worked his magic for us as usual and we just love this three-piece centerpiece perfect for a bride who thinks outside of the box. Individually or as one, these three pieces really pop! Thanks Eddie!

Thursday, May 08, 2008

Real Wedding Inspiration

Today we wanted to highlight some real wedding details from the amazingly talented Linda Pittelli at Eventful. Her weddings are truly magnificent and here are a few to treat you to. To start, the photo above was from a recent wedding she designed and planned at the uber-swanky, and world-famous Maralogo Estate in Florida (Donald Trump's modest home that he too wed in.) And below are more favorites, not too bad either :)Love how she installed panels and lighting into the fountain at the Richard Nixon Library!

Tuesday, May 06, 2008

Kenneth Pool, talk about a glam wedding!

Kenneth Pool is next up on our fashion wrap. Designed by Project Runway's Austin Scarlett is the designer for this absolutely glamorous line. Love the sparkle! Check out our favorites from the collection...For more fashion week coverage, check out the pages of GetMarried.com, we love, love, love their photos - thanks for letting us share them!

Friday, May 02, 2008

Beautiful Bride, Beautiful Details

Taking a look back through old photos we came across the beautiful wedding of Traci and Troy Arnsten. One of The Bridal Bar's first and favorite couples. Traci and Troy founded Voluspa Candles together back in 1999 and their shared love of fragrance soon became more. As their company grew, so did their bond until they said "I Do" in 2004 at the Montage Resort and Spa with their gorgeous daughter, Anis looking on from her grandma's arms. Okay, enough with the love story and back to the wedding (hard not to get sappy when talking about how amazing Traci and Troy are.)

Traci enlisted the invaluable help of Lisa Vorce from Oh, How Charming! to design and execute this romantic wedding with lots of absolutely fabulous details.From the ribbon sash on her dress to the ribbon on her bouquet, no detail was forgotten. Everything was perfect!The tables had either high or low centerpieces with a pink and chocolate color scheme carried over from the cliff side ceremony. The table numbers and menus coordinated perfectly with the chocolate brown ceramic VOLUSPA candle favor with matching tag.The dance floor was a seamless chocolate brown (a must-have for Traci.) And instead of a cake, chocolate cupcakes embellished with rose buds served as dessert. Traci and Troy are going strong so congrats to not only the perfect wedding but to what seems to be a pretty perfect marriage!

Photos by Aaron Delesie Photographers, Inc.

Thursday, May 01, 2008

More Fashion Fun

Up next on our fashion re-cap is Amsale. After this season she's one of our favs for our brides. Love, love, love the pale pink/champagne high-low skirted gown with train. Her dresses are so feminine but not too over the top. Enjoy!Thanks again to the gang at Get Married for sharing photos from their fashion pages! Check 'em out for more!