Kedai: Smile ~ Snap ~ Share

Last year when I attended a networking event for NJ Wedding Professional I got the experience the awesome photo sharing technology of Kedai. Here is how it works:

Most of your wedding guests' will bring their own digital cameras to your wedding and take just as many pictures as your professional photographer, I know my guests' did. Kedai is a medium to share all of these pictures the day of the wedding. Check it out!

What is Kedai?

Kedai is a small computerized device that allows guests to share their digital photos at your event.

How do guests share their photos?

Guests insert their cameras' memory cards into Kedai's device and follow a few simple instructions displayed on the touchscreen.

What if my guests do not want to share all images on their cameras?

The Kedai console only accesses photos taken at your event. In addition, your guests will have the opportunity to select shots for removal. Kedai has carefully developed these procedures in order to protect users' privacy and comfort in sharing.

 Does Kedai require an attendant?

No. Kedai can be shipped to you and set up by a member of your party. Most guests do not require assistance in uploading their photos. However, if you would prefer the convenience of having an attendant, one is included in two of our packages.

You may order here on the web.

Wedding Veil: Something Old

I LOVE this bride's veil! Paired with the simple, unadorned, J.Crew inspired gown the intricate detailing of the veil really POPS! Shoot by http://www.joeelariophotography.com/

The veil was worn by the bride's mother and late aunt.

Beautiful!!

 

Macaroon's

My girl, Natasha, over at Fete Fantastic is gaga for macaroon cookies, so this post is for you lady!

I received my weekly Etsy Finds e-newsletter today and the title was International Weddings. Highlighted under the "French Kiss" were the macaroon treats of Etsy merchant Lemonadestandnyc. Here is their shop announcement:

We offer feel good treats that taste good, but also do good. A portion of the profits from each sale is donated to Alex's Lemonade Stand, a nonprofit organization dedicated to battling pediatric cancer. Every purchase is a good deed.

Macaroons are sooooooooooooo good and the perfect treat for your guests!

almonds, powdered sugar, eggs, chocolate, vanilla, coffee, sugar, condensed milk, heavy cream, butter, honey, cinnamon, pistachio   

Pumpkin Spice, Maple with maple macarons, & Caramel Apple with cinnamon macarons: Limited Edition

2 x each flavor for 28 macaroons total!$39.00 + $9.50 (Shipping)

Fall French Macaroon Cookies 9 pack $13.50 + $6.00 (Shipping)~ 3 of each flavors

  The following macaroon flavors are available:
Vanilla Ganache
Nutella Ganache
Chocolate Macaroons with Bittersweet Chocolate Ganache
Coffee Buttercream
Caramel Fleur de Sel
Dulce de Leche
Cinnamon Pistachio
Honey Buttercream with Honey Macaroons
Orange Buttercream
Matcha Buttercream
Milk Chocolate and Passion Fruit Ganache

Linen Lounge: Chic for Less

Back in August I got an email from Resource One, Inc. presenting their new line of linens. This new line includes fun and very trendy designs. Visit them on the web here.

CALL US 818-654-0045 MONDAY THRU FRIDAY 9AM - 5PM PST info@linen-lounge.com

RESOURCE ONE  INC.
is proud to present

Linen Lounge
Chic for Less

This NEW boutique style rental collection will provide clients with trendy and stylish linens at a great price
$25 - $45

The items I am most impressed with are the organza chivari chair backs. Check them out below.

 

Inside Weddings Jewelry Box

I purchased the FALL 2009 Inside Weddings magazine and I was so entralled with the "Jewelry Box" article that I had to share. The article is titled "A Personal Touch: Gorgeous jewelry the bride can customize". So let's take a look at my favorite pieces-- I may have to add one to my Christmas list.

    

Monogrammed ring in 22K gold, $2,950 (narrow band) or $3,510 (wide band) by Cathy Waterman. Available at Etcetera Birmingham, AL (205.871.6747) or at select Barneys New York stores, barneys.com.

Locket with diamond detail in 18K gold that holds the talisman of your choice (28" chain included), $5,000 by Wendy Brandes; www.wendybrandes.com

    Initial ring in 18K gold featuring a script-style initial of diamonds set inside a crescent silhouette frame, $2,390 by TACORI; tacori.com.

 Heritage Collection zodiac pendant in 18K gold with diamond accents from $3,450 (chain sold separately) by Chad Allison; chadallison.com, 877.947.7844.

"Musical Symbol" wedding band customized with musical notes from the song of your choice, $1,310 - 2,430 (depending on size, width, and choice of metal) by Krikawa Jewelry Designs; krikawa.com, 888.KRIKAWA.

Large "Calendar Key" pendant in 14K gold with diamond detail, $1,595 by Not Just Any Old Day; notjustanyoldday.com, 818.359.5948. ---This is my FAV!! I'm putting it on my list.

Real Wedding: Meredith and Rodney

For my 25th Birthday party I asked all my guests' to wear red--to match the decor and have a cohesive look. In line with this thinking photographer, Jeremy Harwell, captured the all white wedding of Meredith and Rodney. The couple hosted their wedding at their home--and what an amazing home they have! All the guests wore white to honor the happy couple.

Their vendors:

Event Design, Catering & Florist- A Legendary Event 

Dress- Pricilla of Boston 

Hair- Mika, The Moore Agency & Makeup- Chanel, The Moore Agency.

Here is Jeremy's Bio:

Jeremy Harwell began his award winning career in photography over 15 years ago.

He started his own free-lance business in 1992 working as a photojournalist for several newspapers, covering news events as well as professional sports. He recently spent 8 years at Ralph Lauren, where he was the Creative Director for the  New York stores as well as shooting fashion and interiors. In 2003 Jeremy and family moved to Georgia to live the simple life and start a studio in Senoia.

Jeremy is passionate about lifestyle and editorial photography that is natural and reveals the beauty of the inner person.

Harwell Photography continues to provide clients with fresh, artistic photographic excellence.

Jeremy has won numerous awards including Wedding and Portrait Photographers International Accolades of Excellence. He has also been published in Bride and Modern Brides magazine.

Jeremy is a member of WPPI and Modern Photographers.

Meredith's shoes were killer!!

    

 Love the rhinestone banding on the cake!!

Rhinestone Banding 101

Two weeks or so ago I got a call from a bride in California who saw the Henderson wedding cake and was inspired to add a little BLING to her cake. This post is dedicated to brides wanting the 411 on adding some SHINE to their cake.

First, the correct term for the rhinestone/crystal trim is "rhinestone banding". If you wish to use it to decorate your cake you first need to calculate how much to purchase. It is sold by the yard. Being a math teacher it was easy to calculate the correct yardage once I knew the circumference (distance around a circle) of each layer of cake. So here is the formula:

You take the diameter of the cake layer and multiply it by pi (or 3.14). Here is an example:

Cake Layer 1: 8" (diameter)  x 3.14 = 25.12" 

Cake Layer 2: 12"(diameter) x 3.14 = 37.68"

Cake Layer 3:14"(diameter) x 3.14 = 43.96"

____________________________________

Total:       106.76 / 36 = 2.965 ~ 3 yards

Why divide by 36? Because there are 36" in 1 yard ;-)

I get my banding from a small shop in Manhattan's garment district, but Ebay merchant, Peterhql sells it on the web here. Remember to purchase FLAT backed stones and not pointed!

 Hope this helps. . .here are a few blinged out wedding cakes.

   

Black and White Tabletop Inspiration

The Hostess with the Mostess shared pictures from the 2009 Special Events Conference's Wedding Luncheon. The theme was black and white. Sixteen designers participated to create a tabletop design around the theme. If black and white is your thing you'll love this!

           

 For more click here.

New Promo Material has arrived!!

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Chaya of CR Design Studio!! She is the greatest stationery designer around. She has create invitations, menu cards, escort cards, and now my new promo pocket fold. I have changed my logo.

2010 Version of my logo-- On back of pocketfold 

I asked Chaya to design a pocket fold with 3 inserts: The Process, What We Offer, and About Opulent Creations. I plan to add a few embellishments and they will be fabulous!!  With our bridal soiree in February, I am revamping the look and feel of my brand. I am taking it from economy to LUXURY. Stay tuned for more . . .

Video of the Henderson Wedding

Remember the Henderson wedding? Well Andrew Bowser of Monachetti has posted their reception today. Yeah! I viewed it like 3 times already. Enjoy!

Chenise and E.J. from Monachetti on Vimeo.

Video shot and edited for monachetti.com by Andrew Bowser. 

Overlay Translucent Wedding Invitations

Cicy over at I Luv Weddingsblog mentioned this invitation design on the African American Knot board, so I decided to take a look. And I must say, I'm in love. The creative design uses two sheets of transparent paper, like a vellum, but I'm convinced they use a heavy acrylic type material for a more rigid invite. So one side of the invitation has to be placed over the other side to correctly read the information. Pretty cool.

Images by Breno Pineschi

   

Original Source here.

Mr. & Mrs. Smith Real Wedding

Good Thursday morning folks!! I have a real treat for you! As I stalk Facebook and other social media platforms for Real Weddings, I came across the wedding teaser pictures of Chinara and Terron Smith's wedding in Baltimore. I would describe the wedding as classic elegance. From Chinara's elaborate chignon hair do to the bridesmaids' black and white stranded pearl necklaces, everything was uber classy.

Chinara was breathtakingly beautiful and her beau was very dashing in his white dinner jacket. They are truly a handsome couple! You could feel the love by just looking at their pictures. I just love it!

For an added bonus check out there wedding website here.

Here is a list of the couple's vendors:

Roman Grinev Photography
DaVinci Flowers
Holy Matrimony Wedding Planning
Ceremony at New Psalmist Baptist Church
Martin's Caterers

Thank you Chinara for allowing me to share your special day with my readers. God Bless!!

 

       The proud parents' of the bride 

  

Nominate Us!

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Categories

Best Local Blog

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Indian Wedding Inspiration

In today's issue of Eventline the fabulous decor of Indian weddings was highlighted in an article titled, India Inspiration: The Dramatic Beauty of Indian-style Weddings. Get the article from the original source here.

 

The groom and his attendants don traditional sherwanis. Event design by Celebrations; photo by Rebecca Davidson.

Red--the traditional color for weddings--blends with pink, the bride's favorite, in the bamboo mandap. Event design by Celebrations; photo by Rebecca Davidson.

Barabara Wallace Weddings mixes elements from modern-day America with Indian traditions for this wedding--here, an elephant decked out in red and gold carries the bridal couple. Photo by Withers Wanberg Pictures.

Crimson pavilions--built on the resort site--add drama to the Barbara Wallace Weddings event. Photo by Withers Wanberg Pictures.

Plan-It Parties creates a stunning dinner for 700 guests at the National Building Museum in Washington. The complex event involved eight celebrations--divided between the bride's and groom's families--over the course of eight days.

 Plan-It Parties uses orange and pink lighting to create a regal yet festive look.

Fiori Fresco Special Events and Barbara Wallace Weddings meld Hindu and Sikh traditions; here, a multihued rose archway is gilded with tassels. Photo by Lars Wanberg/Withers Wanberg Pictures.

The bride's wedding ensemble inspires the vivid pink, orange and fuchsia palette used for tent swagging and table linen by Fiori Fresco and Barbara Wallace Weddings. Photo by Lars Wanberg/Withers Wanberg Pictures.

Elephants everywhere at this Barbara Wallace Weddings event--even on the weddding cake. Photo by Withers Wanberg Pictures.

No white cakes here; Plan-It Parties designs a brilliant dessert.

 Henna artist Roopa Raman offers her "Henna Bash" mehndi parties--not just for Indian weddings but other special events.

Regal Tent Productions engineers a dramatic mandap.

For Your Party Coupon

$12,000 Wedding

Good Monday Morning! During my daily search on the net for wedding inspirations I arrived upon the blog of Elton Anderson of Elton Anderson Photography, a Miami based photographer. He captured the wedding of a bride named Cora who produced a $12,000 wedding for 200 guests. I know AMAZING!! Cora has a blog dedicated to her wedding planning adventure here. Enjoy the pictures! Looks like they had a blast!

 

        

Real Wedding: Cyn + Les

This real wedding was captured by the uber talented, Angelica Glass. Check out here blog here.

I love the idea of giving handmade soap as wedding favors.

 

DIY Project Resources

Now-a-days many people look for creative ways to complete a project themselves, without the help of an expert. This new trend has resulted in DIY project web sites and kits that instruct you step-by-step on how to complete anything from invitations, centerpieces, and even bouquets. This list is a work in progress of several sites that cater to the DIY person. Please post a comment of any sites you've found helper in your DIY party planning needs.

DIY Photo Albums

Exposures

Art Leather

DIY Scrapbooking, craft supplies, beading

Create for Less

Scrapbook Super Center

Consumer Crafts

DIY Invitations, Paper, Envelopes, Pocket Folders

Paper Source

Vista Print

Discount Cardstock

Cards & Pockets

Envelope Mall

DIY Party Goods- Personalized Napkins, Coasters, Gift Tags, Bags and Boxes, and Matches

For Your Party

DIY Centerpieces-Manzanita and other Decorative Branches

Manzanita Burlworks

Nettleton Hollow

Tower Vases

DIY Candles and Votive Holders

Cudge

Candle4Less

Ikea

US Candle Company

DIY General Party Supply Super Centers

Save on Crafts

G & G Distributors

Jamali Garden

Dollar Tree Direct

DIY Rhinestones, Crystals, Ribbons Buckles & Trim

Decorating Studio

EJoyce

Les'Bon Ribbon

JKM Ribbon & Trims

MJ Trim

Rhinestone Shop

Bouquet Jewels

Real Wedding: Shital & Vimal

If you haven't noticed, I am addicted to Indian weddings. I love the vibrancy and ritual of each celebration. This post is dedicated to the Real Wedding of Shital and Vimal. Their wedding was captured by Virginia Beach, VA celebrity photographer, Keith Cephus. I highjacked the pictures of Shital and Vimal's special day from his blog.

Keith Cephus Photography

 Check out there wedding slideshow here.

Swanky Real Wedding

Check out this Real Wedding by Studio by Carmen  here.