WEDDING BLOG

Ellen Black from Lehr and Black Invitationers has created most of the celebrity wedding invitations that we’ve all oohed and ahhed over in the magazines for many, many years. Seeing these works of art in person is such a thrill! During lunch today Ellen spoke to us all about wedding invitations and great tips for having beautiful designs without breaking the bank.

Ellen’s top wedding invitation tips:

– Look for amazing artwork- it’s more important and effective than extras like crystals or fabrics. 

– This year she sees many people moving toward simple, clean designs with beautiful fonts.

– Begin planning at least 9 months before your big day.

– Save the dates are the perfect way to create buzz and share information that shouldn’t be included in the invitation (like directions and registry information). 

Maradee from Carolina Herrera is an expert in wedding fashion- what a fun job getting to work with those gowns! Today she shared with us easy information about dress shapes, dress shopping and finding the perfect wedding dress for you!

Maradee’s top wedding gown shopping tips:

– Keep your dress choice timeless so it won’t look dated when you see your photos 30 years down the road.

– Even if you’ve been told that only one type of dress silhouette will work well for your figure, don’t believe it! try on many different types of dresses to see for yourself, and ask the opinion of the dresser helping you.

– Be sure your veil is properly and securely placed far enough back on your head so that it doesn’t obscure your face or hair.

– You’re not going to be standing still on your wedding day, you’ll be hugging children, dancing and celebrating. Be sure you can move in your dress!

– Don’t have your dress hemmed until you’ve decided for sure and purchased your shoes.

Whether you’re a bride or an event planner, an emergency kit is a necessity for any wedding day, just in case! Mindy’s team put together a quintessential collection of must have items and gave them away to every guest in attendance- so sweet! They’re full of all the essentials like hair pins, feminine products and safety pins, but there were a few thoughtful extras they recommend you add in that I think are simply genius…

– Ear plugs for elderly guests to use once the music gets loud later in the evening.

– Smelling salts and water to keep near the atlar. It can hot up there, and people often lock their knees while standing for long periods of time. Many a bridesmaid and groomsmen have found themselves feeling faint! (Believe me, I’ve seen it!)

– A stain stick to help take care of any accidental spills.

– Earring backs for any ladies who may have lots theirs.

– Medication like asprin or advil with easy to read labels. If anyone asks for this, be sure to show them the label so there is no risk of them taking something they’re alergic to!

– The most important thing you can bring to a wedding? A calm demeanor and a sense of humor!

What a day! Here’s a look at the classroom at The Mark for Events filled with glowing lanterns and a room full of excited students…

The first speaker was Jennifer Rebello from the Four Seasons Los Angeles at Beverly Hills. With many, many years of experience producing spectacular events at this gorgeous hotel, Jennifer has learned a thing or two about what makes a successful wedding. (A fun fact:120 of the 500 staff members at the hotel have been there since they opened 22 years ago! Wow!)

Jennifer’s top wedding planning tips:

– Be sure you don’t go over the suggested room capacity. Receptions get crowded quickly, and most likely more guests will attend your event than you’re expecting!

– A great perk of holding your event at a hotel like the Four Seasons is that all services will be included- catering, labor, parking, decor, restrooms, and all those little extras that will make your event special.

– Always have a food tasting with your caterer so you know your options and love them! And don’t be afraid to ask for special menu items.

The second speaker was Greg Hawkins from Classic Party Rentals, discussing rentals, decor, and the creation of a successful layout for your wedding reception.

Greg’s top wedding planning tips…

– Try using Vector Works (which you can find online) to do a layout of your reception rooms seating and traffic flow, and use Google Maps to see the full property.

– For off-site locations, ask for every hidden cost that might come up for items like generators, extra safety lighting and restroom attendants.

– If youre setting up a large tent and dance floor, be sure that you are able to do this the day before your event, and that you allow ample time for tear down.