Remembering the Details

Planned By Us: Rustic Elegance

2011-07-06T07:46:00.000-07:00

I have to admit, this trend might be one of my favorites in the wedding world right now. I am LOVING the barn meets elegant wedding feel- with the rich wood tones, fresh green nature in the background, and homemade feeling to the decor. Ali and Jared tied the knot in June, and we had the privilege of planning their wedding. Enjoy these gorgeous photos, taken by Erica of City Lights Studio.

Ceremony at Spring Lake Winery in Lockport, NY.

Reception at Becker Farms and Vizcarra Winery in Gasport, NY.

A Blogging Hiatus: I'm back!

2011-05-31T05:25:00.001-07:00

Well as you've noticed, we've been on a little blogging hiatus. But I have a good reason I swear! On April 25th, my husband Eric and I welcomed our new baby girl Evelyn Clara into the world. :) So I've been quite busy since then recovering and settling in to motherhood. She is a wonderful baby, very good-natured and independent already. And the sleep deprivation is getting better and better every week as she sleeps longer and longer (never in my life did I think I'd be so happy to sleep 4 hours in a row!).
I'm getting back into the swing of things now, so my blogging frequency should pick up again in the next few weeks. We have a really fun wedding this weekend- very backyard elegance with pies instead of wedding cake and strawberry centerpieces- so I'm looking forward to that. Hope all is well and welcome to summertime!

(Want to see more photos of baby Evie? The lovely Lindsay DeDario did her newborn shoot, and she blogged about it here. Check it out!)

Kate Spade Wedding Boutique? Yes Please!!

2011-04-25T12:30:00.000-07:00

Kate Spade is a favorite designer of mine, with her crisp lines and use of bright colors. If you're looking for a preppy clean look for your wedding day (and a short dress!) check out Wedding Belles, Kate Spades new bridal collection. She also offers bridesmaids dresses, and tons of cute, colorful shoes and accessories.

Row Row Row Your Boat

2011-04-23T06:33:00.000-07:00

I've been seeing a lot of gorgeous wedding images featuring boats lately, and I'm kind of in love. :) Plus, we have a fall wedding this year with a "lagoon" theme that we're considering using a boat as part of the decor, so I love to find more inspiration photos. From canoes to row boats to sail boats, if boating is part of your life then why not incorporate it into your wedding photos?

Bridal Shower Photo Decor

2011-04-20T21:00:00.000-07:00

I thought this was a really cute idea for decor at a bridal shower (or, if executed correctly, a wedding). Photos of the couple are attached to ribbons, mixed with flower pomanders hanging on a window. This decor could be hung anywhere in your event space, and could be done horizontally as well. The little bags holding flowers along the windowsill are adorable as well!

Facebook Friends

2011-04-19T16:57:00.000-07:00

Do you follow us on Facebook? You should!! We post various cool wedding links, tips, tricks, and inspiration throughout the week- little things that don't always make it on the blog. Just today I found the coolest "rustic circus"-themed wedding that I posted on our Facebook page!!

Make sure you "Like" Forget Me Knot Details on Facebook!

Jewel Tone Inspiration

2011-04-11T07:08:00.000-07:00

Here's an inspiration board for a fall wedding of ours- the color scheme is a background of navy blue with beautiful jewel tones as accents. It's very elegant and luxurious- love it!

The Royal Wedding: Wedding Day Timeline

2011-04-07T12:48:00.000-07:00

Creating a detailed timeline for the day of the wedding is one of the many jobs that brides enlist their wedding planners to take care of- and it's one of my favorite jobs to do. :) And enforcing the timeline- well Julie and I have gotten pretty good at that too!!
This video outlines the wedding day timeline for William and Kate's wedding- what a long day they have planned! Their planners must be starting the day at like 3 am, that's one stressful workday. Stay tuned for a post on how to create your own wedding day timeline.

The Royal Wedding: Wedding Website

2011-04-04T17:55:00.000-07:00

Did you know that Prince Willian and Kate have a wedding website? They are so with the times. ;) Check out OfficialRoyalWedding2011.org to see the latest details about the upcoming wedding. Want to know where the procession will be driving? How the orchestra is preparing for the ceremony? Who's designing the wedding cake? All of this and more can be found on their official website.

Us common folk can have the privilege of having a wedding website as well! There are many sites out there that offer to host an official website for you and your betrothed for free, where you can share wedding details like the ceremony and reception locations, registry info, and directions. Some of these sites include:

http://www.ewedding.com/

http://www.theknot.com/ (a personal favorite)

http://www.mywedding.com/

http://www.weddingwire.com/

Celebrity Wedding Gowns

2011-03-31T08:20:00.000-07:00

I have to say, I'm kind of dying to see photos from Reese Witherspoon's wedding!! They are keeping everything super private right now, but I hope that they release photos eventually- she is too cute and I can't help but love her. :) Plus, she starred in one of my favorite movie weddings from Sweet Home Alabama:One detail they have released is that she walked down the aisle in a custom-designed Monique Lhuillier pale pink gown. Love it!! A lot of sites and bloggers are making a big deal about her not wearing white, but the colored-wedding dress trend has been gaining steam for at least five years now, so I don't know what everyone's getting all worked up about. Besides- we all know she has been married before, so I feel like her not wearing white should be even less of a surprise. Kudos to her for going the non-traditional (but I bet still gorgeous) route.
In other celebrity wedding gown news, Jessica Simpson has said that she's going to be a part of designing her own wedding dress for her upcoming nuptials to Eric Johnson. I so want her to succeed and be happy now, you know what I mean? Yes, she's made mistakes, but I feel like it's time for her to really be herself and settled. Anyway, they haven't set a date yet, but it makes sense that she would want to help design her gown, since she's been successful in the fashion world already. I hope she goes a little more out of the box than her dress when she married Nick Lachey- their wedding was beautiful, but in a very traditional way. Can't wait to see what she comes up with!
And of course, we're all dying to see Kate Middleton's choice for the big Royal Wedding. I'll probably (god, I hope so) have my baby girl by then, so I fully intend to snuggle all day on the couch with her watching the proceedings. :) Again, the details are being very heavily guarded, but at least we can be sure that we'll get our fill of everything eventually!
Got any favorite celebrity brides/weddings? We'll be talking about "movie weddings" next (inspired by Sweet Home Alabama)!

The Steven Birnbaum Collection- My New Favorite!!

2011-03-02T05:53:00.000-08:00

While sitting in the ob/gyn office yesterday, I was flipping through a Brides magazine from a couple months ago. I saw an ad for the Steven Birnbaum Collection- which I'd never seen or heard of before- and I fell in love. :) These dresses are right up my alley!! Clean tailored lines, crisp details, feminine without being frilly. And who wouldn't want pockets in a wedding dress?

Here's the line description, nabbed from his website:

"The Steven Birnbaum Collection is a modern blend of clean lines and simple sophistication. Paying homage to creative genius of Yves Saint Laurent, this season's collection is inspired by the classic styling of the tuxedo..."

Love!! He takes American sportswear, and translates it into gorgeous wedding gowns- I love how they have a hint of vintage 50's in them, but are still very wearable now. Okay, enough of my blabbering- on to the photos!

This is the Kristen- the one I fell in love with in the magazine. LOVE the belt detail, as well as the sheer top with short sleeves.

The Maggie- yay for pockets!

The Callie- how gorgeous is that lace?? And it's lace without being overly fluffy and girly. And again- love the belt in a big way. And the cut of the skirt- eek!

Another fun thing about his collection is that he offers many shorter dresses- this is the Audrey.

Oh if only I could have another wedding (to my husband of course!), I would definitely get one of these dresses. And since they range in price from $970-$2700, I could actually afford one! Tell us about your favorite wedding designer- or your dream dress!

The Royal Wedding: Hat Fashion

2011-02-23T19:09:00.000-08:00

With the approaching Royal Wedding, more and more details are coming out about the plans. I for one am very excited to watch this wedding happen- they look like such a sweet couple, and Kate definitely has fantastic style so I can't wait to see what she chooses!
It was suggested by our friend Lindsay DeDario that we share our thoughts on the wedding plans, and while doing some research I found some interesting info on the dress code for the royal wedding. So I'm going to go on a little fashion tangent that's not exactly important to the wedding plans, but I still think is interesting.

Why don't we wear hats anymore?? Hats are SO fun, such a unique way to take a usual outfit and make it your own. The British have maintained the hat-wearing tradition, and I applaud this. As part of the dress code for Kate and Will's wedding is "a morning coat" which translates for women to a dress (often with matching coat) that is in between formal and business wear. AND some glorious hats. :)

Kate is a big fan of hats, this one above was designed specifically for her by milliner Phillip Treacy. She has also commissioned him to design custom hats for some of her guests- how fun!

This hat above is a typical Kate hat- she wears many of her hats tilted to the right side. And this outfit has been praised all over for the gorgeous blue brocade coat- so pretty for a morning wedding ceremony!

Birdcages were all the rage last year, and they are still going strong as brides still love the vintage look. Here is a little pillbox hat with some interest added by changing the shape- and a gorgeous little birdcage veil.

This feather-y hat is a little more out there than the rest, but it's still so fun!! I can totally imagine this on a bride with a subtle bird theme throughout her wedding day.

We'll be discussing more of the royal wedding plans and our take on the fashion and decor as we get closer. Tell us- are you a hat person?

Meet the Planner: Liane

2011-02-21T17:11:00.001-08:00

As I talked about in this post, connecting with your wedding vendors on a personal level is important when you're going to spending a lot of time with them. So, I thought it would be good to let you all get a peek into our lives outside of the wedding world. And we'll start with me (Liane) since I do most of the blogging anyway. Julie says I'm the tech saavy one, and she's the artsy one- it's so true!

I'm 25 years old, and I've been married to my wonderful husband Eric for 4 and half years. Yes- I was a baby bride! ;) Getting married at 20 wasn't something I expected, but when you meet the perfect guy for you at age 17, and he's five years older and got his life together- well, it was hard to wait. And I've never regretted that decision- I still finished college and did all sorts of fun things, I just did them with Eric!

Speaking of getting married- I LOVED planning our wedding! But I suppose you probably assumed that right? Planning my own wedding in 2005/6 was my first foray into the wedding world in Western New York, and my mom and I had a blast. I did so much research and really thought out every decision that we made. I am a planner by nature (it's in my genes, ask my mom), and I love to be organized. So I went around with my trusty binder, pulling together all of the details that I wanted included in our big day. And I was so thrilled with the result. My favorite detail of our wedding day? The cake!!! I didn't want to cut it, I wanted to take it home and keep it. :) Here it is!

It was OVAL (for some reason I had to have it oval) with swiss dots, and that fondant made to look like draped fabric- oh I just loved it! And see our monogram up top? Eric designed that himself (he's a mechanical drafter/engineer) on AutoCAD and had it made at the shop where he works. I still have them- someday I swear I'll make a shadowbox with them or something!

So here we are, four and a half years later, and I'm planning weddings with Julie. I had started dabbling in wedding planning after numerous friends asked for help with their own plans, wanting things to be as organized and smooth as my own wedding! Then Julie and I were seated at the same table at a wedding two summers ago, got to talking, and decided to combine forces and plan weddings together.

Outside of the weddings, the other thing that consumes my life right now is being PREGNANT. :) Yes, we are expecting our first child in April- just two months from now! It's a little girl, and her name is Evelyn Clara. We are so excited to be adding to our family, and I will admit that while my daydreaming used to be mostly about gorgeous, no-budget weddings, it now shares space with baby nursery decor and meeting our little girl. In case you're curious, her nursery is ladybug-themed, red, black, and white. And also in case you're curious, here's me- pregnant.

Yes, not quite the same as that awesome headshot photo up top (props to Lindsay DeDario for our photos!), but what do you expect for 7 months pregnant? :) Eric takes a photo of me every week on Mondays, to document my growing belly. You can check them all out on my personal blog, The Baby Roy.

So, those are the highlights for now... stay tuned for more glimpses into the life of me, as well as some posts from my partner Julie- which I will have her write and then I'll post on the blog, because I'm the techy one. ;)

More 2011 Pantone Colors!

2011-02-12T18:47:00.000-08:00

Have I mentioned that I love color? Because I do. :) Pantone released their color of their year, Honeysuckle, a couple months ago, and now with Fashion Week they've come out with their color report for Fall 2011. I find Pantone's color reports to be a great resource for the latest and greatest wedding color trends. I could go through and spell it all out for you, but one of my favorite color palette sites did such a great job, that I'm going to just link up to her. Check out The Perfect Palette's detailed summary of the Fall 2011 Color Report!

Wedding Signage

2011-01-31T07:23:00.000-08:00

Signs can be both practical and beautiful- a creative way to extend the theme of your wedding, while getting the job done of directing your guests. Here's the low-down on ways to use signs for your wedding day.

Outdoor wedding locations often benefit from signs to direct guests where to go. Use them to point your guests towards the ceremony, cocktail hour, reception, and more. Having a rustic, beachy theme? Use driftwood and white paint to evoke the seaside. Simple woodsy charm more your style? Have your stationary company design signs incorporating your wedding flowers or other symbol.
Chalkboards are all the rage on the wedding scene these days- they fit with a variety of wedding themes and locations- from farms to wineries. Use a chalkboard to tell guests which table their sitting at, what the menu is for the evening, or as a fun prop that guests can personalize in a photo booth!
Fancy, personalized signage can add to the elegance and feel of your glamourous wedding. Use signs to let guests know about your signature drink at the bar, or to instruct them to take a favor home at the end of the evening. Signs can designed to fit any theme- I love the one in the lower righthand corner above that looks like an old-style movie poster! It's subtle enough not to be tacky, while still evoking a specific style.
Graphic designers are geniuses these days, with all kinds of technology at their fingertips and all kinds of creativity in their heads. So go crazy with signs- we love them!

(click on the above image for photo credits)

2011 Wedding Trend: Rustic Chic Weddings

2011-01-28T05:44:00.000-08:00

Last year, backyard weddings gained popularity as brides looked to tie the knot at home. This year, the location has expanded, and the feel of a "rustic chic" wedding has been more clearly defined. 2011 brides are looking to evoke the feel of down-home goodness and barnyard fun, while still maintaining an elegant air to their special day. How can you get the rustic backyard feel for your wedding day?

Location: The easiest way to bring a certain feel to your wedding is to reflect it in your ceremony and reception location. Consider local farms with gorgeous barns, wineries that offer their facilities both indoors and out, or old farmhouses that have been turned into bed and breakfasts all may be willing to host your wedding.

Decor: Subtle touches in your decor can reflect the rustic feel- try using chalkboards as your table numbers, or to detail the menu for the evening. Also, clotheslines are a very "barnyard" way to display anything from your placecards, to photos of you and your new hubby. I also like the idea of mixing in photos of other loved ones' wedding days- like parents, grandparents, friends, etc.Photos: How to get the rustic feel in your wedding photos? Let's go back to location. :) When exploring the area around your ceremony and reception location, look for things like abandoned barns, old style wood or metal bridges, farmhouses- even a tractor in a field can make your photos feel more rustic! Using a field as a background can do the job, but adding these extra "props" can really enhance the feel. Just make sure you ask permission first before you use someone's personal property in a photo.

Food: One of the most fun ways to make your wedding rustic chic is through the food you choose to serve. Instead of the standard "steak or chicken" choices, consider homestyle fried chicken, biscuits and gravy, and other home-cooking specialities. Consider using local vendors to provide homemade goods- and serve iced tea and lemonade to cool your guests during the ceremony. And for dessert? One of the biggest trends we've seen for wedding dessert is PIE! Having a buffet of different-flavored pies can definitely remind your guests of being down on the farm- while still being delicious!

(All photos nabbed from the photo galleries over at Style Me Pretty)

Meet the Planners

2011-01-26T18:41:00.001-08:00

Like our new header? :) Well we have our lovely and talented photographer friend Lindsay DeDario to thank for both the photo and the graphic design work- so thanks Lindsay! And as part of a renewed effort to keep up on blogging, I've decided to get a little more personal with our business blog. Nothing too crazy, but I think it's important that readers feel connected to the writer- just like I think it's important for brides to feel connected to their wedding planner. A wedding planner isn't a "behind the scenes" vendor, as maybe a florist or invitation designer might be. A florist is an important part of your special day, and their work is on display for everyone to see- but you don't spend countless hours with them pouring over details until your eyes go blurry. Sure, it's great if you and your florist click personally. But is it a neccessity? Probably not.
However, we feel that it is important that you click with vendors like your photographer or wedding planner(s). Why? Well, you probably WILL spend hours pouring over details with them! Plus you spend your entire wedding day with them by your side. And wouldn't it be more fun if you actually liked them? And wouldn't it be easier to hand the reigns of your big day over to someone you respected and trusted and knew that they just "got" you? We think so too. :) And while a face-to-face meeting can never be replaced, a blog is a little slice of personality, and maybe this blog will help a bride out there get to know us better as she's searching for help to make her wedding day perfect and stress-free. If that's you- hello bride! This is us.

It was bit windy the day we did our photo shoot- made for some fun hair situations. :) Stay tuned for more one-on-one, up close and personal chatter from both myself (Liane) and my partner Julie. And tell us what you think- is it important to "click" personally with your wedding vendors?

Pantone 2011 Color of the Year

2010-12-09T20:04:00.000-08:00

You know how we love color here at Forget Me Knot Details- so I've been waiting anxiously for Pantone to release their Color of the Year!! Last year it was turquoise, a calming aqua shade to help soothe us after a stressful year (so says Pantone). This year they've chosen a vibrant shade of pink to embolden us!! Again, so says Pantone. ;) Anywho, the Color of the Year is.... Honeysuckle!

Here's a link to the full description at the Pantone website- I can't wait to see this flattering shade used in 2011 weddings!!

2011 Wedding Trend: Local is the New Organic

2010-11-30T15:07:00.000-08:00

Being eco-friendly and "organic" came in strong with the year 2010, with brides planting trees in honor of every wedding guest and insisting that the meat at their wedding be from grass-fed animals. For 2011, supporting your local economy is chic!

Going local usually means you're also getting organic products, as you're buying from the farm around the corner instead of around the world. And, using locally made products for things such as favors and decor supports your hometown and adds a sweet, intimate charm to your event.

Some ideas for going local for your Western New York wedding (which can easily be translated to any town you may be getting married in)...

Wine from a local winery in the Niagara region or the Finger Lakes
Chocolate from a local business like Fowlers (we love Truffaloes!)
Local products included in your OOT guest bags- such as Frank's Hot Sauce
Favors produced by a local shop, or even roadside stand (candles, soap, etc.)

2011 Wedding Trend: The New Neutrals

2010-09-15T08:38:00.000-07:00

Yes my wedding-loving friends, that says 2011 trend. Can you believe we're talking about 2011 already?? Well, it's important to be ahead of the curve in the wedding world, and if Fashion Week shows their collections for next year in the fall, then why can't we start talking trends now?

So, having a neutral base color in your wedding color scheme is a pretty common thing. Most brides choose to have a neutral to ground their theme, and then accent (either lightly or heavily) with brighter colors. 2010 was the year of gray. Gray was by far the most popular wedding neutral, with the color combos of gray + yellow and gray + red dominating the wedding scene.

For 2011, brown is the new gray. Which is funny, because gray was the new brown. So I guess brown is making a comeback. In 2008-9 chocolate brown was the IT neutral for weddings, and for 2011 it's coming back strong. But also, mocha, latte, and taupe are coming back with brown, as a lighter, more airy alternative to dark chocolate brown.

This lovely cranberry and latte themed inspiration board was borrowed from The Perfect Palette.

Sneak Peek: 4th of July Wedding

2010-07-24T12:02:00.001-07:00

Phew- July was a whirlwind of a month!!! It was filled to the brim with weddings galore- so stayed tuned for loads of photos! Not all of them were weddings we planned, but we want to share photos from them all so you can get design/decor ideas, and just drool over the wedding gorgeousness. But first, some photos from a wedding we DID indeed plan, Christina and Wyatt's 4th of July Weekend Wedding Extravaganza! Check out the fantastic photographer Lindsay DeDario's blog for a sneak peek of her images. Soon, we'll be posting a full rundown of all of the details we created for Christina and Wyatt, complete with more lovely photos from Lindsay. Enjoy!

Planned by Us: Christina's Bridal Shower

2010-06-23T12:57:00.000-07:00

Well it certainly is wedding season isn't it? We've got a string of lovely events coming up, and we're so excited! For now, please enjoy photos from the shower we helped coordinate and design for our 4th of July weekend bride-to-be Christina. The hostesses, mother of the bride Anne and maid of honor Stephanie, chose Rick's on Main in East Aurora and we designed the decor, favors, and setup. Enjoy!

The lovely bride-to-be Christina is in white with her maid of honor and sister Stephanie. Notice the white lantern in the window in the background- we put those in all of the windows!

Favors were little terracotta pots with alysum that Julie and I planted the night before. We also glued ribbon and bows and thank you tags to them. Cupcakes and stand provided by Zilly Cakes on Elmwood.

These centerpieces turned out so cute! And they were really fun to make. :)

The mother of the bride made beautiful baskets to raffle off as prizes for the guests, so we wrote numbers on the bottom of the pots and the bride picked the winners out of a bowl. Here she is showing off the favors! Photos courtesy of Christina's cousin, Taras Muzychko (website under construction).

Enjoy the last weekend in June (can you believe it's over already?)!!!

Ask a Planner: Questions for Photographers

2010-06-17T04:51:00.000-07:00

A bride recently came to us and asked for advice on what to ask photographers when you're trying to choose one for your wedding day. So, I thought I'd take this opportunity to share my answers with all of you!

First of all, before interviewing potential photographers, it's important to know the style that you want your wedding photography to be. There are SO many photographers out there these days, and they all specialize in different styles. The two basics are traditional vs. photo-journalism, but there are varying degrees within these two categories. Traditional style wedding photography is more of the posed, formal shots with bride, groom, and wedding party, using elegant and scenic backgrounds. Photographers who use a photo-journalistic style strive to "tell a story" with their photos, so they include more candid, unposed shots and usually take a lot more pictures. As I said, there is a lot of variety within these two basic styles. The best way to figure out what you want is to look at wedding photos! Check out the galleries on the Knot, Style Me Pretty, Project Wedding, etc. and save photos that you like. When you put these all together, you can start to see what style you want your wedding day photographed in.

Once you've pinpointed style, start interviewing photographers who say they specialize in this. Often, photographers bring assistants to weddings to take photos as well- then one photographer can take the posed shots while the other focuses on details and candid shots. This is a great way to get a mix of styles, if that's what you want. Ask if the photographer uses an assistant, and if it's included in the package or if you have to pay extra.

When looking at the packages a photographer offers, make sure you ask exactly what is included in them. Is there an hour limit for how long they'll be with you on the wedding day? Do you get any prints or a book included with the package price? Is an engagement session or bridal portrait session included in your package? Do you have personal usage rights* to the wedding photos? This last question is a big one!! Some photographers retain the rights to your photos, so that you receive 4x6 prints or low-quality jpegs on a disc and if you want more prints you have to purchase them through the photographer- or you can pay an extra fee to purchase your high resolution photos from the photographer. If you do so, then you can print your images whenever you want. Other photographers give you your photos as part of the original package. Make sure you understand whether or not you will be receiving a disc of your photos that you can print from or not.

The photos are the biggest thing you'll have left of your wedding day, make sure that you get what you want with your photographer! Any other suggestions on what to ask a photographer- let us know in the comments section!

(photo credits 1,2,3)

*"Personal usage rights" is different than outright owning the copyright on your photos. Photographers usually don't sell the rights to their photos to any couple, because then this couple could profit off of the photos without giving any credit or compensation to the photographer. So instead, photographers protect their work, and offer couples personal usage rights, meaning they can have the high res photos to print and reprint for years to come, but cannot sell these images to anyone. Thank you to Lindsay DeDario, a photographer friend of mine here in Buffalo, NY, for further explaining the terminology to me!

Testing Testing... 1 2 3

2010-06-11T05:09:00.000-07:00

Just trying out some new looks on the blog- I want to be able to display photos bigger and better so I needed a new template. So, enjoy the test photo collage of Southern Belle/Country brides and tell me what you think of this background and design!

Colors We Love: Pool Blue and Pink

2010-05-28T05:11:00.000-07:00

It's summer!! Well, not officially yet, but with temps in the 80's in Western New York, that's good enough for me to call it summer. :) Let's bask in the bright colors that brides often choose to celebrate their wedding day in the summer sun- an alternative to one of my fav color combos of navy and fuschia, pool blue and pink is summery, fresh, and fun! (click for a larger view and photo credits)

Anemone Love

2010-05-22T06:14:00.000-07:00

I'm kind of in love with anemones right now. They are very graphic flowers, with their stunning black center, and I've been on a 60's mod kick lately, so these flowers just speak to me. So, let's look at some pretty photos and learn more about the anemone.

Anemone comes from the Greek and it means "daughter of the wind." In the wedding world, anemones symbolize anticipation. They come in a wide variety of colors, including white, red, blue, and pink, and you can also find anemones with yellow centers rather than black.

Anemones are in season from January-May and August-December, so they are perfect for all wedding seasons beside summer. They are especially popular for winter weddings, when they are most available.

Tell us- what flower is a must-have at your wedding? Do you love anemones as much as I do? (photo credits 1, 2, 3, 4)

Ask a Planner: How to be a Good Bridesmaid

2010-05-13T04:47:00.000-07:00

(image courtesy of A Stylish Soiree)

This is, of course, a loaded topic. For the most part, I think friends of the bride agree wholeheartedly to being a bridesmaid with the best of intentions. They love their friend, want to be a part of her wedding, and who doesn't like to dress up pretty and be a part of the show? :)

The thing is, when you agree to be a bridesmaid, you agree to more than just wearing a nice dress and smiling for photos. Bridesmaids have a duty to be there for the bride throughout the planning process, to assist when needed, and to (within reason) do as they are told by the bride. The Knot has some great resources for bridesmaids, detailing what their duties are and how to deal with various wedding situations. I particularly like this quote from the list of bridesmaid duties: "Be a trooper, no matter how stressful the ordeal becomes. Try not to complain about the bridesmaid dress -- even if the color is horrendous. Be gracious and tactful."

I've been a bridesmaid/maid of honor three times, and I'll be doing it a fourth time this July. Also, as a wedding planner, I have worked with countless wedding parties, both large and small, with all sorts of bridesmaids. The bottom line for bridesmaids is- you do what makes the bride happy. If she wants you to attend all four of her bridal showers, you do your very best to attend them all. If she wants you to throw one of them, you throw her a shower. If she asks that you wear an olive green gown, you wear it. And if she wants everyone to dye a pair of shoes the perfect shade of pink- you DO IT! If you're not up to following instructions from your friend the bride, then you shouldn't have said yes. 95% of the time, what she's asking of you isn't unreasonable. It's her day, it ought to go her way. When you get married, you can tell her what color shoes to buy.

P.S. For bridesmaids dealing with the 5% of brides who turn into bridezillas and make numerous unreasonable requests- check out this helpful article, again from the Knot.

P.P.S. Got any crazy bridesmaid-related stories?? Please share in the comments!

Buffalo Brides Magazine "Dress Dilemma"

2010-05-06T04:57:00.000-07:00

Julie and I were consulted for a recent article in the local Buffalo Brides magazine- it's all about choosing bridesmaids' dresses! There are a lot of challenging aspects in making this decision, click here read the article to find out some tips and suggestions. Happy Thursday!

Ask a Planner: Bridal Showers

2010-05-04T04:49:00.000-07:00

The month of May is filled to the brim with wedding showers here at Forget Me Knot Details, so I thought I'd put together a little "Frequently Asked Questions" about bridal showers from the pros.
Who should throw the bridal shower(s)?
First of all, it definitely should not be the bride. I'm not one to stick to every rule of etiquette and tradition out there, but this is a rule that was made for a reason. It's tacky to essentially throw yourself a party to get presents. ;) As for who should throw it, some people say the mother of the bride shouldn't throw it either, but I'm flexible on this one. Sometime moms or moms-in-laws really want to, and sometimes they have to when no one else is stepping up the plate (which shouldn't happen, but sometimes it does). Many brides ask their bridesmaids to throw at least one of her showers, and this is a reasonable request of her friends. Other people on the shower-throwing list: aunts, grandmothers, close friends of the family, or any friend who offers.
How many showers should I have?
This answer depends on two things: the size of your guest list, and the financial means of those throwing the shower. It might be a huge burden on your two bridesmaids to throw a shower for 120 women, since not only will they have to feed that many, but probably rent a location. If it's a large guest list, it's usually a good idea to split it into 2 or 3 smaller showers if possible. This way, people feel like they spend more time with the bride, and they don't have to watch you open 120 presents all at once. ;)
Who should be invited to the showers?
The general rule for this is: every woman on your guest list. But, this is not always expected. Many brides chose to exclude out-of-town guests that they know won't make the trip, perhaps telling them about the shower but letting them know it's okay that they can't come. Other people who may not make the shower list: girlfriends/significant others that you're inviting for the male guests' sake, but you don't really know her. Other than that, you should be inviting most of your female guests to a shower.
What should take place at my shower?
The basic outline for a shower is as follows: guests arrive and mingle, guests eat (and perhaps play games), guests watch bride open presents, guests leave. Outside of this- have fun and do what you want! :) If you don't want to play games, then don't. If you want to play 10 games, have at it! Guests can be fed a meal, or just hors d'oerves/desserts (just make sure your time matches up with this). Showers can have themes, or not. Sit down and talk with your hostesses and let them know what you'd like- even if they're surprising you with the details, at least tell them your expectations. The shower should be a reflection of you, the bride.
Should I place registry info cards in my invitations?
Another age-old etiquette question!! Many many wedding etiquette experts will tell you definitely not, that people ought to ask the hostesses where you are registered if they wish. However, practically every store with a registry gives you those cute little cards stating "the bride and groom are registered at xyz store." I say, it depends on your friends and family. Think back to showers you've attended in the past- did they include a registry card in their invite? I know within my own circle of friends, it is expected to have registry info in the shower invite- because everyone does it, it's not considered bad taste. I'm not sure if this is regional or not, but most brides in the WNY area I've worked with include registry info as well. I mean really- the whole point of a shower is to buy gifts for the bride, so registry info goes hand in hand with that. So- take the etiquette advice for what it's worth, and do what you think is best within your circle of ladies. However, please do NOT put registry info in your wedding invite- this is still tacky. ;)
While opening presents, should I announce to my guests who they are from?
One last sticky situation for our brides-to-be at showers, and I'm going to go against the grain on this one. Again, this may be regional (I'd love to know what people do outside of WNY so let me know if you know!), but I've been to many showers where the guests do this, and some where they don't. In my personal opinion, I think it's best NOT to tell everyone who the gifts are from as you're opening them. This may put your guests on the spot in front of everyone, make people self-conscious about what they got you, or start to compare their gift to everyone elses. The economy is rough these days, and not everyone can buy you that $300 set of pots and pans. So, be kind to your guests, appreciate everything you receive, and thank people with heartfelt thank you cards in the mail- not by announcing what they purchased for you in front of everyone.

Got any other questions about bridal showers- or anything wedding-related? We'd love to hear from you! Drop a question into the comments, or shoot us an email at forgetmeknotdetails@gmail.com.

Carolina Herrera's Latest Bridal Collection

2010-04-20T05:22:00.000-07:00

Style Me Pretty has been doing a fantastic review of the Bridal Fashion Week, and I am just eating up their fashion galleries! Check out Carolina Herrera's collection- the hats and headpieces are outrageous and amazing!! Also, I love the ruffles, and the few subtly patterned dresses- I would love to see that become a new trend! Below is my favorite dress from the collection (love the sleeves and the collar!), check out the gallery and tell me which is yours!

New Wedding Dress Trend?

2010-04-17T10:59:00.000-07:00

I've been noticing around the wedding blog world a new style in wedding dresses popping up- I'm wondering if perhaps it will be a new trend! Brides are always looking for a way to make their dress memorable. Short dresses are certainly making a come back, but these hemlines allow you to have the flirty short look, while not sacrificing a gorgeous train and/or length in the back. I'm not sure how I feel about it yet... tell me what you think of the new asymmetrical wedding gown hems!

Ask a Planner: Budget Wedding Planning 101

2010-04-06T04:59:00.000-07:00

This is probably one of the biggest wedding topics discussed by wedding professionals everywhere. And as a wedding planner, saving money while planning a wedding is a MUST if we're going to be worth our salt! I could probably write about a million posts about various ways to save money- and maybe I will. :)

But to begin, let's talk about where to get fantastic deals online using online classifieds. Brides sharing their wedding accessories is becoming a really popular way to clean out their closets, go green, and make some cash. I mean really- what DOES one do with 5 pounds of green glass beads after they've graced your reception tables for an evening? Rather than putting them out at the next garage sale hoping for the best, brides are posting these items on websites where YOU, the saving-savvy bride, can come along and find just what you need at a reduced price! Whether it's vases, picture frames, or custom-wrapped votive candle holders, you can find pretty much anything you might need being sold used. You could even find the perfect wedding gown- but that's a story for another post. ;)

Here are some of the very useful wedding classifieds online:

Ruffled Blog: Free Wedding Classifieds

WeddingBee Classifieds

The Nest: Trash to Treasure Board (also check out your local Knot message board, as many brides post items for sale there as well)

Project Wedding Classified + Deals

WeddingWire Forums

Stay tuned for our discussion of budget wedding planning with local vendors!

Newly Engaged & Adorable

2010-04-02T05:42:00.000-07:00

That's Valerie MetreJean- and she's an incredibly inspiring entrepreneur to boot!! She not only runs this fun blog The Wedding Shoebox, featuring wedding inspiration from wedding professionals, but she also designs adorable invitations AND is a wedding planner in Louisiana. All while currently planning her own wedding!! Anyway, I'm loving a recent post of hers about what to remember when you're first engaged- check it out!

2010 Wedding Trend: Gray is the New Brown

2010-03-20T06:26:00.000-07:00

I don't know if you noticed, but the last decade of wedding colors was dominated by brown. When choosing wedding colors, many brides go with a neutral (black, brown, navy, gray, cream, etc.) as a base, and then accent with their favorite shades. The early 2000's saw a lot of brown weddings- brown/blue, brown/green, and brown/pink were the most popular combinations. Well, 2010 brides are aiming to set themselves apart- and we're seeing SO many going with gray as a base for their wedding palette!

Gray is a modern choice for wedding color schemes, but with a soft feel that goes well with a lot of the vintage-style weddings we're seeing recently. It give a more muted feel than black, so it works well with pastels such as yellow and peach. It also works well to help control a bright color, such as apple green or fushia. Grays are fast becoming a popular choice for tuxedos, as grooms are straying from the traditional black as well. Tell us what you think of the gray trend! And do you spell it grAy or grEy? An age old question. ;)

Photo credits: 1,2, and 3

Real Wedding: Fun, Sporty Wedding by Steve Morse

2010-03-15T16:49:00.000-07:00

Today we're featuring a real Buffalo wedding with a very sporty bride and groom! Mike and Lisa's wedding day was captured by the talented photographer Steve Morse- and we love the fun feel of this wedding! Through some coveted connections at HSBC Arena, Steve was able to photograph the wedding party right on the ice where the Buffalo Sabres play- of all the unique places we have in Buffalo for wedding photos, this is one of the best!! We are also loving the photo of the groomsmen laying around the flag on the golf course- the color contrast is amazing. Check out Steve's photos below, and be sure to visit his website to view more of his very cool work.

The Bridal Veil 102

2010-03-09T05:59:00.000-08:00

It's been awhile, but let's return to our veil discussion shall we? In my first post on veils, I discussed the various lengths and styles available to brides. Now let's talk about the various elements that go into a bride choosing a type and length of veil.

There a few factors brides should consider when choosing a veil, such as you face shape, body shape, hairstyle, and wedding location.

Face Shape

A veil will frame your face, so taking into consideration your face shape is important. For a square face, it is preferable to have a veil that is at least shoulder length, since usually a square face is wider than it is long and it may be desirable to add length to the face. You also might consider having some volume on the top of the head. Circular and cascading veil styles can also help soften the lines of a square face.

A bride with a round face would generally want to avoid veils with a lot of volume at the sides of the head, since this will make her face look wide. Choose veils that are long and cascading, as this will make the face appear slimmer.

An oval face is slightly longer than it is wide, and is usually well-balanced, so this bride can be free to experiment with various veil styles. However, it would be wise to avoid extremes in volume or width, so as to maintain your proportions.

Those with a rectangular face would look best in veils that have width around the face, and should avoid height on top of their head so as not to add to the length of their face.

Body Shape

Brides with large busts can benefit from a veil that is fingertip length or longer, because length in the veil can help elongate the upper body.

Pear-shaped women tend to look best in veils that end at the shoulder, elbow, or waist level. These lengths draw attention to your small waist, rather then the width of your hips.

Tall women can typically carry off longer veils, especially cathedral length, but shorter women tend to suit veils that are waist height or above.

Please keep in mind that these are just general guidelines based on advice from professionals. But ultimately- you should wear what YOU want. It is your wedding day, and a wedding planner will be the first one to tell you that you should do what you want because it's all about you!! :)

Also, please check out my veil styleboard featured over on Bride Chic, and the gorgeous veils made be Amy-Jo Tatum! Stay tuned for The Bridal Veil 103 where we'll discuss how your chosen hairstyle and wedding location can effect your veil choice.

Ask a Planner: Rehearsal Tips

2010-02-27T07:27:00.000-08:00

The age old saying "practice makes perfect" is why most brides and grooms have a rehearsal of their ceremony in the few days leading up to their wedding. You only get to do this once, so you want it to go smoothly! Also, big wedding parties are quite popular, and to organize a large number of people is easier when you've rehearsed the ceremony. Here are a few tips when organizing and carrying out a rehearsal.

1. First and foremost, it is SO important to put someone in charge ahead of time to run the rehearsal. It can be a family member not in the wedding party, a friend, or a wedding planner- but remember, you can't be running the show! The bridal party and parents will be rehearsing themselves, so someone else needs to be directing.

2. Once you've chosen someone to direct your rehearsal, sit down with them and tell them exactly how you want it to go. It's frustrating for everyone if you're making major decisions about who walks when, where to stand, etc. during the rehearsal- so decide how you want things beforehand. It's okay to change things if you don't like the way it looks, but have a plan.

3. Make sure that everyone involved knows who is in charge. Make an announcement and introduce them, and let everyone know that they will be listening to the direction of this person. A wedding planner can be invaluable in rounding up bridal parties, getting people to focus and listen, and knowing how things should run. They are the pros after all!

4. Usually, three dry runs should do it. The first is just winging it, seeing how everything looks so you can tweak if need be. The second time will have your adjustments, and the third is to cement the details and make sure everyone knows their cue. Some bridal parties have got in down in two runs, some need twenty! But honestly, people are probably hungry for your rehearsal dinner, so as long as things look good, try not to insist on running through it too many times. 5. Kids in the bridal procession need to be prepped for what they'll be doing. Rehearsals are great for them, but this shouldn't be the first time they're practicing. Mom and Dad should be going over walking down the aisle with little ones so that they're prepared and excited. And, your rehearsal director should probably bring candy for bribing purposes. :)

6. Make sure you're music is set and ready to go beforehand- music glitches take up precious time and are frustrating! Whether it's a guy pushing play on the sound system, or a string quartet playing live, make sure they know their cues, and make sure your bridal party listens for their cues in the music. Again, a director and/or planner can be helpful in letting people know when it's time to head down the aisle.

Got any other tips for a smooth rehearsal? Please share!

(Photo credits: 1,2,3,4,5,6)

Winter Wonderland Wedding

2010-02-23T07:06:00.000-08:00

It's a busy week at Forget Me Knot Details- we have a gorgeous wedding this Saturday at Salvatore's Italian Gardens and we are prepping and getting ready. Steve and Janel are having a beautiful "winter wonderland" wedding, with crisp white and plenty of sparkle! Here's a little inspiration board so you can see where we're going with the decor (Julie made the most amazing Escort Card Tree that we will be sure to show photos of and talk about soon!). Photos of the event to come as soon as we get our hands on them. Hope you're having a good last week of February- spring is coming I promise!!

Best Dress EVER

2010-02-19T06:22:00.000-08:00

So remember when I directed you to this shoot on Style Me Pretty, a vintage travel chic themed wedding that I thought was gorgeous? Well they've featured it again today, with photos taken by the students at Jessica Claire's workshop, and I am still in L.O.V.E. with this dress. I just think it is sooo unique and amazing!!! And check it out- it's actually a corset and a skirt! It's from Joan Shum Bridal and she has all of these bridal corsets and skirts that you can mix and match and they are all pretty fantastic. The ones used for this shoot are Lady of the Valley corset with the Love of the Mist skirt. The closest place to here that you can get them is NYC, but I would drive there for this- I love it!!

Buffalo Winter Engagement Session

2010-02-17T17:45:00.000-08:00

Here is a lovely winter engagement session that showcases that winters in Buffalo aren't so bad!! :) Check out how our friend Chris Kijowski captured the love and happiness of Kristina and Jason as they traveled throughout the northtowns (these photos were taken in North Tonawanda, Lockport, Olcott, Wilson, and Sanborn, NY). I love them all, especially the ones of the bridge in North Tonawanda!! Enjoy!

New Featured Wedding on Our Site!

2010-02-17T07:46:00.000-08:00

So I finally got around to featuring a different wedding on our website- the previous one was my baby sister's wedding and I just didn't want to part with it! :) But, here's a lovely fall soiree we did back in November for your viewing pleasure. It was the most eco-friendly wedding we've ever done, with biodegradable everything and silverware made out of potato starch! Robin's committment to being green taught us a lot about the options that are available today. Enjoy!

Martha Stewart Flower Centerpieces

2010-02-12T12:58:00.000-08:00

Check out this adorable idea for a unique centerpiece from Martha Stewart- it incorporates flowers, but in a completely unexpected way. I love it!

Vintage Lovely

2010-02-12T11:53:00.000-08:00

Things are getting pretty busy around here- you can tell it's engagement season!! Congrats to all of the newly engaged brides-to-be out there, and I hope that you're enjoying this time in your life and not getting too stressed. I find that when I'm feeling overwhelmed with my to-do lists (aka, now) it helps to look at pretty pictures of things I like. :) For me, one of those things is vintage-themed weddings. So, here's a pretty inspiration board with some vintage lovely to enjoy. Let's all take deep breaths and de-stress shall we?

As always, click image for photo credits!

2010 Wedding Trend: White Bridesmaid Dresses

2010-02-09T05:33:00.000-08:00

A new trend for weddings this coming year is to dress your bridesmaids in white or ivory. In the past this has been taboo, with the understanding that no one but the bride should be wearing white on her wedding day. But our new generation of brides is changing wedding traditions everyday- and we love that! Many brides like the clean look of white or ivory- and often they pair these dresses with a colored sash to bring in their other chosen hues. Here's some inspiration for a bride looking to dress her girls to match the bride. (Click image for credits)

Colors We Love: Navy and Apple Green

2010-02-08T05:11:00.000-08:00

Navy seems to be a really popular color with our brides here in WNY this year- we already have three weddings coming up with navy blue as one of their colors! We have a navy and teal "peacock feather" wedding, a navy and white nautical, and a navy, platinum, and cream "bling" wedding.
For a navy and white nautical wedding, I think a splash of apple green is the perfect, unexpected color to take typical to fantastic. Any splash of a bright color will do, but my favorite right now is apple green. :) Here's a pretty navy and apple green color board, although not necessarily nautical, it shows the color combination quite well. I used the Dessy Styleboard for this one.

NonPareil Magazine has launched!

2010-02-02T07:08:00.000-08:00

Looking for DIY instructions, great free downloads and templates, and gorgeous wedding inspiration? Check out this new online wedding mag, Nonpareil Magazine. This is a gorgeous compliation of fresh, talented vendors who provide readers with diy projects, tutorials, templates, downloads, and tons of pretty pictures to get your wedding creative juices flowing. :) Check out their premier issue now!

(Image courtesy of The Inspired Bride, one of the editors of Nonpareil)

Colors We Love: Navy and Fuschia

2010-01-29T17:19:00.000-08:00

Or as Pantone likes to call it "Tutti Frutti." Although I don't know many brides who'd walk around saying "my wedding colors are navy blue and tutti frutti." ;) Anyway, I thought I'd try out the new inspiration board maker over at Dessy, since they've teamed up with my favorite people in the WORLD Pantone and made wedding color heaven for me. :) I don't know if I've mentioned it, but I LOVE wedding color schemes. To me, choosing your colors is one of the most important decisions, and I daydream about colors for weddings daily. So, let me know what you think of this type of style board, compared to the ones from Style Me Pretty.
In my own little opinion, SMP's is much easier to use, but Dessy's has more options as far as layout, overlapping photos, etc. They seem to still have a few glitches to work out with regards to posting boards directly to blogs as well, but I'm sure they are working them out. To view this larger on their site, click here (and feel free to favorite it!). I'll probably utilize both to fulfill my wedding color obsessions.

On to the actual colors- navy blue paired with bright, fun, summery colors is a favorite of mine right now, so stay tuned for nay paired with a few more summery tones. Fuschia is a great choice for any girl who likes pink, but wants to stay away from the Barbie or Pepto Bismol categories. A deeper shade of pink is more flattering and more sophisticated. How do you feel about pink? I find it's kind of a love it or hate it color for weddings!

Ask A Planner: How To Pin a Boutonniere

2010-01-27T15:27:00.000-08:00

Ever had a wedding-related question that you felt embarassed to ask? Did you feel like it was something you ought know the answer to already? Odds are, about 1,000 other people are wondering the same thing you are! We're going to start featuring commonly-asked questions in the wedding industry here on Remembering the Details. Anything goes: how-tos, etiquette, definitions of wedding terms- whatever you want to know. Got a question you're dying to know the answer to? Email us at forgetmeknotdetails@gmail.com and ask away!

Today, here are some tips and tricks to pinning a boutonniere on your handsome groom- or any of the other men in your wedding party. First of all, men's boutonnieres belong on the left lapel of the jacket, about 4 inches from the tip of his shoulder. Most boutonnieres look best at a slight angle away from the man's face. Hold your bout in place with one hand, and stick your pin into the fabric at the bottom right corner of the stem. Weave the pin back out of the fabric, exposing about 1 inch of the pin, and lay this 1 inch on top of your stem at an angle. Stick the tip of the pin back into the fabric, making sure that the stem is tightly held down. Weave the pin out of the fabric one more time, making sure that it's not sticking out. You can leave the tip of the pin behind the lapel if desired, but be careful that it won't be stabbing through to his skin- we don't want any bleeding grooms!

A little wedding planner trick for you- we keep extra earrings backs (the little clear plastic ones) in our emergency kit, and these are great to stick on the end of pins if the groom is worried about hurting someone. We also often have Sticky Wax with us if we are securing candles in their holders, and something like this can do the trick as well.

Hope this was helpful, and please email us your wedding questions!

Vintage Photo Shoot from SMP

2010-01-26T09:31:00.000-08:00

Oh my lord- I DIE over this Jessica Claire wedding shoot. :) Yes, that's a little dramatic, but it is SO beautiful!! Style Me Pretty always finds the most gorgeous shoots to feature, please please please go look at this Vintage Chic wedding shoot, with touches of nautical. I love the top of the dress, the sleeves are amazing! I wish there was a close-up shot of the chandelier made from a boat's steering wheel in the tree, it is absolutely perfect for a wedding we have this summer!! While I'm looking for that... click here for the loveliness.

Non-Traditional Wedding Musings

2010-01-25T14:08:00.001-08:00

Just read this blog post from Princess Lasertron and wanted to share it. I appreciate her down-to-earth, non-weddingy approach to weddings. (Yes, I've decided "non-weddingy" is a word). Although I myself love big and small weddings alike, I really love how weddings are becoming more and more about what the BRIDE wants, rather than what tradition dictates. Go check out Princess Lastertron- her felt bouquets rock my socks off and her insights are thought-provoking. :)

Unique Photo Location: Train Cars

2010-01-25T13:12:00.000-08:00

Trains are one of my favorite backgrounds for wedding photos, for a few different reasons. I love the vintage charm of a wedding party posing around the back of a caboose. I love the rusty backdrop of an old boxcar to contrast the beauty of a bride. And, many abandoned train cars provide some cool graffiti if you're interested in incorporating a modern edge to some of your photos. Now, my all time FAVORITE photo location for weddings is actually train tracks- but that's getting it's own post later. :) For now, enjoy a couple lovely wedding shots taken around trains.
(Photo credits: Top photo taken in Jamestown, NY by Elisha Orin, bottom three at the Orchard Park Train Depot by Sarah Morgan)

2010 Wedding Trend: Cupcakes

2010-01-21T05:35:00.001-08:00

This trend began midway through 2009, but it is still going strong in the wedding world, and I love it! With the rise of sweets tables, serving dessert to seated guests has become a thing of the past and portable desserts are in high demand. What better way to package your delicious choices for cake than to turn them into cupcakes? Cupcake style can range from whimsical and cute to elegant and classy, depending on flavors, decorations, and display. Cupcakes are the perfect way to incorporate your wedding colors and theme into a bite size treat. They can be all the same, or decorated in a dozen different patterns. Most all bakeries offer cupcakes as a cake alternative- if you're looking for a unique sweet treat, consider the cupcake at your wedding!

(all images courtesy The Knot)

As Seen In: Bride Chic

2010-01-19T12:41:00.000-08:00

Check out our inspiration board of lovely bridal hairpieces featured on Bride Chic, and read Amy Jo's informative post about types of hairpieces and what they go with. Enjoy!

Unique Photo Location: Bridges

2010-01-17T14:07:00.000-08:00

For our next installment of unique photo locations, we'll look at bridges. Old wooden bridges can give a really cute, antique feel to your wedding photos, but they're not the only option. Any bridge in your local park can make for sweet engagement or wedding photos. Both of the below photos, by our friend Christopher Kijowski, are taken on different bridges over the Niagara River. They are fairly plain concrete bridges, but in the first, the rushing water below makes for a thrilling backdrop, and in the second, the utilitarion look of the concrete and metal is an interesting contrast to the beauty of the bride Sarah. Check out your local parks and roads for a fun bridge to take photos on. (A little secret: the first photo is from my own wedding, and that "bridge" we're on is in Yates Park in Orchard Park- and it's over a drainage ditch!! Looks pretty anyway, don't it? ;) )

Colors We Love: Pink and Gray

2010-01-15T07:20:00.000-08:00

Life has gotten in the way of blogging this week- I started a new part time job, it's peak engagement season so we have lots of meetings, we were published in a local magazine (yay! more on that to come), and we've been networking up a storm. So forgive the light posting as of late. I'll be back in full swing soon! For now, check out this pretty color combo of pink and gray. I like to say "pink and pewter" because it sound's prettier. ;)

2010 Wedding Trend: Backyard Wedding

2010-01-10T06:59:00.000-08:00

Another trend we're seeing for the new year is brides planning their weddings closer to home- like in the backyard. :) Or in the backyard of a friend with more room if need be. Cozy backyard weddings are becoming more popular as many brides are looking for a more intimate affair, and also a way to cut costs. While having your wedding at home may actually be more expensive than you think if you chose to rent everything, there are ways to have a fabulous wedding at home and still stay in the budget.

Many backyard weddings take on a rustic or shabby chic vibe, using mismatched furniture, servingware, etc. in an eclectic way. The best way to evoke a cozy, intimate feel for your wedding at home is to pull furniture outside! Couches, chairs, even things like bookcases can be used for seating and display of things like food and your cake. Instead of renting folding chairs and tables, see if you can round up a bunch of vintage-looking chairs from friends and family. Mismatching on purpose can look great- just check out this Backyard Chic Editorial Shoot by Lisa Lefkowitz over on Style Me Pretty.
For decor, use things such as lanterns, mason jars, wooden crates, and anything comfortable and homey. Also, don't forget to let nature do it's work- don't overdo it with flowers and greenery because you're already outside! Chalkboards are a cute idea to direct guests to the wedding site, or let them know what's on the menu this evening.
Speaking of food, try using local vendors, caterers, and grocers, you'll most likely save money doing this and stick with your hometown theme. If you're feeling really brave, have guests or family members do the cooking!
Setup for this type of wedding can be substantial, so definitely get some help the day of to pull it off without a hitch. This is what day-of wedding coordinators are for- so you and your family can enjoy the day and not have to lift a finger! And as I always say for my WNY brides, always have a backup plan when you're planning an outdoor event- you never know what the weather will bring. Have a great Sunday!

Wedding Photo Booths Redefined

2010-01-09T17:48:00.001-08:00

Being in the wedding business, you meet all sorts of innovative, creative people. For instance, check out photographer Thomas Marlow. Not only does he take brillant photos, but he offers a really cool service to brides all over the country (that means us too Western New Yorkers!).
Photo booths are making a comeback this year at wedding receptions, and Tom has taken this fun concept a step further. He helps couples custom-design a large, modular photo booth unique to every wedding. In his own words: "Every background is different and none are repeated. I have a consultation with the bride and groom and ask them a number of questions about their life together and things that inspire them. I show them art books, design books, architectural books, as well as find out their favorite movies from a visual standpoint and various other things like the color palette of their wedding, does it have a theme, etc. This information in-turn provides me inspiration to come up with a design. The design is fleshed out in a 3D modeling software and the production of the set-design begins." Check out these amazing photobooth sets!

Your guests hold a remote trigger for the camera, having complete control over the photo-taking process. There is also an LCD moniter right there so everyone can see their photos as they are taken. Tom makes the photos available for purchase on his website, or you can have unlimited 4x6's right at your reception for an additional fee. This is SUCH a fun, cool idea- check out Tom's website to contact him!

The Bridal Veil 101

2010-01-08T14:32:00.000-08:00

The bridal veil is slowly fading in popularity, but many brides are still choosing to adorn their hair with this lovely tradition. Also, different types of veils- rather than the lengthy cathedral- are becoming the more popular choice. Here's a little veil 101.

Short Veil: Lightweight and comfortable, the shorter veil is a fun option that often adds a vintage touch to any gown. These vary in length from the popular birdcage or visor veil that simply sweeps across part of the face, to a shoulder length veil. They work well with dresses that have bust, waist, or lower back detailing that you don’t want to be covered. However, they can sometimes be too informal for traditional, classic wedding gowns.
Elbow-length Veil: Easy to wear at about 25 inches long, elbow-length veils are designed to complement just about any gown style, specifically romantic ball gown styles, because they end where the fullness of the skirts begins. These veils offer a modern twist on a timeless tradition.
Waist Length Veil: this veil is just slightly longer then an elbow length veil at approximately 30 inches. They suit most dress styles that do not feature a train.
Fingertip Veil: This glamorous style is the most popular veil length. It extends to the fingertips to create an elongated silhouette. It is usually shaped like a teardrop or cape. The sheer effect coordinates easily with most gowns, from simple to elaborate.
Floor Length Veil: Often referred to as a ballet length veil, they just brush the floor at around 72 inches. They are well suited to full length gowns that do not have a train.
Chapel/Cathedral Length Veil: The most dramatic and popular veil, the Cathedral length cascades to the floor in true fairytale fashion. This style creates an elongated silhouette and complements all bridal gown styles, from an elaborate ball gown to a modern sheath. Chapel length is slightly shorter than Cathedral, measuring about 90 inches rather than the 120 inches of a Cathedral- some cathedral veils can extend up to nine feet along the ground! These veils are the most formal, but more and more are being paired with chic, sheath dresses for a modern take on this formality.
Blusher Veil: To add a hint of formality to a longer veil, a lightweight tulle blusher is traditionally worn over the bride's face during the ceremony. It is customary for the groom or the father of the bride to flip it back behind her head, revealing the bride's face. The blusher is typically removed for the reception.

Tips drawn from David's Bridal and Wedding-Veil.com. Stay tuned for The Bridal Veil 102- tips on how to choose a veil based on your face shape, body shape, and hairstyle!

Unique Photo Location: Child's Play

2010-01-08T13:53:00.000-08:00

Over the next couple of weeks, we'll be featuring fun and fresh photo ideas for your engagement and/or wedding photos. We're going off the beaten path!

Check out these adorable engagement photos of Megan & Rob (they just look like the happiest couple ever to me! You'll see them again later on). Christopher Kijowski utilizes a large structure outside of a school in Niagara Falls, NY for cute, happy photos. Investigate your local schools and playgrounds for fun statues or play structures that you can use in your pictures.

Wedding Photos in Buffalo, NY

2010-01-06T18:13:00.000-08:00

For our local Western New York brides, we wanted to talk a little about choosing a location to take your wedding photos. But obviously, the general principles can apply to any city where you may be getting married- so please don't tune out if you're not from around here! :)

When Buffalo brides are getting married, where do many turn for a wedding photo location? Yes, I'm sure we're all thinking it- the Albright Knox Art Gallery. And yes, it is regal and grand-looking, the columns make for great architectural interest, and it's tradition for our region. But, what if you didn't want to have your wedding photos taken at the gallery? What are your other options?

For a little advice on choosing a location, we turned to Buffalo wedding photographer Christopher Kijowski. He tells us that in order to help couples choose a location for engagement or wedding photos he "interviews the couple to get a feel for their personality including their likes and dislikes... Once I get a feeling for the couple's likes/dislikes I'll make recommendations and remind them several times we are not locked in to just one location." Chris recommends that a couple choose a place that makes them comfortable and reflects their personalities.

Chris tells us that photos for your engagement or wedding can be taken just about anywhere- a playground, a local park, schools- he has even gotten access to old closed buildings in downtown Niagara Falls and Buffalo! Don't forget about landmarks such as Niagara Falls, and the (nice)beaches along Lake Erie.

In short, Chris says any location can be turned into a fun photo session. "I've done photos with a couple walking around downtown where we have focused on the local architecture. The weather changed and we ducked into a parking garage where we were able to fire off some shots before being nicely asked to leave as we were trespassing." And they all turn out beautifully- the couple makes the photo!

Stay tuned over the next couple of weeks as I feature various locations in the Western New York area that are unique and fabulous choices for you engagement and wedding photos!

Wedding Inspiration from Wedding Planners

2010-01-04T11:47:00.000-08:00

How many times have you been browsing wedding photos somewhere and thought "I wish I had thought of that when I was getting married!" I know it's happened to me quite a bit- people in the wedding industry get more and more creative each year! Well, here's a little site that allows us wedding professionals to pretend it's OUR day and show off what we think makes a gorgeous wedding. And if you're a bride- who better to get inspiration from than a bunch of experienced, fun, and inspiring wedding planners?? :) Check out The Wedding Shoebox- I'll let you know when I make my submission to be on the site!

Colors We Love: Aqua and Red

2010-01-02T11:53:00.001-08:00

Now, just because I went on a little rant about how red, black, and white are overdone (in my ever-so-humble opinion), doesn't mean I don't like the color red. Actually, people always tell me I look great in red. :) And, I think it's a great choice for weddings because of it's romantic overtones, and the fact that it does look great on a lot of skintones.
So, just to show you that red and I aren't on the outs- here's a pretty little color board full of gorgeous red with an unexpected color partner- aqua! A lighter version of teal (which is one my fav colors right now), aqua is great for bright, summer days and it makes everyone smile and think of swimming pools. :) It's great compliment for a deep red, and works well with a variety of wedding day themes. Enjoy!

The Story Line

2010-01-02T11:50:00.000-08:00

Check out this great DIY for a guest book alternative from Project Wedding. Use cardstock and color-coordinated pens and encourage your guests to write down memories of you from the past, or well wishes for the future. Then hang them on a clothesline with cute wooden pins for display at the reception. Click here for the details!

2010 Wedding Trend: Hairpieces

2009-12-31T16:22:00.000-08:00

Another huge trend hitting the wedding scene in the last few months, and it's bound to pick up speed in the new year, is unique and creative hairpieces. Gone are the days of the typical tiara accompanied by a traditional veil. Today brides are showing their personality through their hairdos and what they choose to put in them.

A very popular choice is feathers (honestly, feathers could have its own post as a 2010 Trend- they are SO popular right now!). Whether white or colored, fluffy or flat, feathers are all over brides heads right now. Some evoke elegance and royalty, while others have more of a vintage feel.

Flowers of course have always been on the wedding scene, but more and more brides are wearing them in their hair, and many are choosing to forego a veil altogether and just have blooms.

Another huge trend when it comes to a bride's head is that of the birdcage veil. Traditional veils are seen less and less, but birdcage veils are all over right now! Accompanied by a small hat, flower, feathers, or on their own- birdcage veils are a sweet, retro way to adorn the bride's hair.

Headbands are another hairpiece trend that we're seeing in everyday fashion, and it's transfering to the aisle. Do we have Blair Waldorf to thank for this? I think so- although she's not wearing headbands in college, we're still dying over them. :)

Tell us, what have you chosen to wear in your hair for your wedding day, and why?

Comfy Vintage

2009-12-31T08:06:00.000-08:00

Please go over to Ruffled (she's posted her best of 2009, and this wedding is one of them) right now and look at this adorable wedding. I think I want to be friends with these two- they're so darn cute!! And their wedding seemed so comfortable and homey, while still being gorgeous and vintage. Go check it out!

Unique Centerpiece Ideas: Decorate With Food

2009-12-31T07:35:00.000-08:00

Flowers are a HUGE expense when planning a wedding. And while most every bride doesn't want to give up carrying a bouquet down the aisle, there are other ways to cut costs in the floral department.
Floral centerpieces are becoming less and less common, and not just because it helps the budget. Centerpieces at your reception are an opportunity to show off your creativity and sense of style. They can be a sneak-peek into your decorating skills, or showcase something meaningful to you and your new husband. They also can be an excellent way to subtly carry out a theme you've chosen for your wedding day. And there are so many different options for centerpieces that can include less or even no flowers at all. Today, we'll talk about using food (mostly fruit) in your centerpiece arrangements.

Starting at the top left corner, fruit can be used simply as decoration on the table, to accompany a floral centerpiece. When doing this, your centerpiece can be smaller in scale. Also, fruit can be scattered within a floral centerpiece, and it doesn't just have to be apples! Apples, lemons, and limes are the most popular fruit used in wedding centerpieces, but here we see grapes used in a creative way to accompany apples and flowers.
The fruit you use doesn't have to remain whole- the top right corner shows us lemons sliced open and lined up against the outside of a vase for a really unique look. Again, the flowers can be minimal when you make the vase the focal point. This technique works well with limes and oranges as well- just keep in mind that you'll have a citrus smell coming from these vases!
Fruit placed in the bottom of a vase can be just for show if you still want to spend the money on floral centerpieces. It's a great way to do something unique and fun, rather than just water and stems showing. The fruit can also be incorporated into the arrangement, as we see with the oranges hanging from the bottom of the pink and white flowers.
Next to the oranges, we see a really unique idea for food in your centerpieces. Here the bride has used brown paper as a runner down the table, and on it scattered various fruits and veggies, such as pomegranates and mushrooms. Hearty, curly-leaved lettuce makes a great filler in this sort of idea, and just make sure whatever you use is really fresh, and remember that some veggies could wilt. It would be good to do a test-run on this idea at home to make sure the items you choose will stand up to the day.
In the bottom right hand corner, we see a centerpiece design using no flowers at all- just fruit enclosed in upside-down vases with candles on top. I love this, especially if you're doing long tables for your guests rather than the traditional round.
The other one I want to talk about is in the left column with all of the green. We see limes and apples here, but also leafy greens used for decoration- so creative!! Again, you might want to do a test drive of this to make sure it won't wilt throughout the length of your event, but by chosing hearty veggies, this is a really creative use of food in your decor.
I hope this has been helpful as you're thinking about centerpiece and decor options for your wedding day. Tell me, what are you using for centerpieces?

Hollywood Glamour

2009-12-30T12:14:00.000-08:00

I swear, I wish I had thought of this when I was getting married. Although, when I was getting married, I didn't have quite the love of vintage that I do now. But anyway, if you love Old Hollywood glamour- get married in a theater. Take your photos at a theater. Host your reception at a theater. Do something at a theater!! Observe...

Now that's perfection, right? (Image credit goes to Cathy and David Photographers, check out this whole wedding because it's amazing). There's something about the old-style theaters that evokes magic in photos. The lights of the marquee, the plush red velvet seats, the ornate gold trim... it's so dramatic and glamourous! Observe again...

See what I mean!?! Theater = instant drama (you'll recognize this from my favorite wedding ever by Justin and Mary Marantz). And it doesn't have to be this big and crazy gorgeous. Any sort of theater with a stage and cool lighting, and a pretty lobby will do. Because I think it's not just about the backdrop here. Being in the theater makes you feel like a star. It puts you in a mood of classy elegance and makes you feel all fancy right? Okay, one more shot...

See, it doesn't even have to be for your wedding- it could be your engagement photos too (photo credit to Studio Foto, most dramaticly awesome engagement photo shoot ever). And if you're in the Western New York area- check out Shea's in downtown Buffalo. Obviously, it's perfect. :)

Colors We Love: Chartreuse and Orange

2009-12-29T16:38:00.000-08:00

Okay okay, I know I'm being fancy by calling green "chartreuse." But I do this because, orange and green is tough color combo to pull off, and in my opinion the chartreuse shade of green is the best way to do it. However, I'd really just like to put it out there that orange doesn't have to be just for Halloween weddings. Or paired with brown for fall. Orange can be an elegant wedding color and it can be executed beautifully!! Check out the collage below (made using Style Circle's Inspiration Board Builder) for some ideas on how to pair orange and green for a classy, warm weather affair.

Martha Inspiration

2009-12-28T07:17:00.000-08:00

Outdoor weddings are quickly becoming an obsession of mine- despite the fact that they are seriously a risk in the unpredictable climate of Western New York. Check out this adorable little DIY project for lighting an outdoor ceremony and/or reception from Martha Stewart!

Colors We Love: Teal and Apple Green

2009-12-28T06:26:00.000-08:00

I have to say, one of my all-time favorite parts of planning a wedding is choosing the color scheme. There are so many gorgeous, unique, classy color combinations to choose from- it makes me want to get married over and over so I can use them all! Without the bills of course. :)

Anyway, I thought it would be fun to feature some of my favorite, unique color schemes for weddings here, and to find out what you like and what you don't. When I say "unique," this comes from a special soap box I have about wedding color schemes. First, I'll admit to you that I am pretty matchy-matchy in life. I like things to coordinate. Not overly-so, I mean I'm not crazy about it, but I do like things to match. And when it comes to planning a wedding, I feel that choosing a color scheme and going with it helps you tremendously in the planning process. If you have a color scheme, you can look at dauntingly huge book full of invitations and say "our colors are navy blue and yellow, so I'm only looking at invites that match that." It makes your choosing process SO much easier when you narrow down colors! Not having a color scheme is fine, but it seriously makes the decision process for everything that much harder.

On to part two of my soap box (if you're still reading, thanks for humoring me). Maybe this is just geographical in nature and no one in your area is using this color scheme... but if I see one more red, black, and white wedding I think I'll scream. And if you're reading this and your color scheme is red, black, and white, please forgive me!! It's just, I'm only 23 and I swear I've seen like 15 red, black, and white weddings in my lifetime!!! WHY!?!?! I like red and black together as much as the next girl, I wear those colors quite frequently, but honestly, there are a million colors in the rainbow. I love to see fresh, new color combos for weddings. That's all about that. :) Let's get down to business!

If I had to pick, teal and apple green would be my favoritest color scheme. That is, for right now. It's bound to change. :) But it'll definitely stay on the list of favorites. I love it because it's unexpected, but it totally works! It's elegant and fun at the same time, it's fresh for spring and summer, and pairing it with black here makes it totally classy.

I snagged this gorgeous inspiration board from The Perfect Palette- go check her out! She makes custom color inspiration boards for any requests, and she does it for free. Gotta love that. :) If you want to try your hand at making some color inspiration boards, you can use a variety of computer programs, or go to Style Me Pretty's Style Circle Inspiration Board maker- it's wonderfully easy to use and they turn out gorgeous. Tell me, what's your color scheme? Is there a color combo that makes you cringe? Are you rebel and not sticking to a color scheme? Tell me your color stories!! I promise I'm off my soap box now. ;)

2010 Wedding Trend: Eco-Friendly

2009-12-27T14:11:00.000-08:00

2010 is just around the corner, so let's talk about what's big in the wedding world shall we? Eco-friendly, or "green" weddings, is a big deal right now, and we think that saving the earth is a fantastic cause to incorporate in your wedding day! Now of course, there are a million different ways to be eco-friendly when planning your wedding, and being green means different things to everyone. So let's start small, and work our way to full-on, tree-hugging goodness. :)

Small ways to save the earth while planning your wedding...

Choose invitations made from 100% recycled paper

Donate to a charity in honor of your guests as a favor (use a service such as the I Do Foundation)

The Arbor Day Foundation allows you to give trees as favors- love this!!

Choose a florist who uses organically grown, in-season, local flowers

Reuse items you already have for decor, such as votive holders, vases, etc. Borrow things if you can!

Shop Etsy for favors, fashion, and more to support small business owners

Taking it a step further...

Consider using a catering company that uses only local sources for their ingredients and/or certified sustainable resources for fish and chicken

Have people RSVP by email or phone, saving paper by cutting out RSVP cards

Purchase a "once-worn" or vintage wedding dress, rather than buying new

Choose rings made from recycled gold, or silver because it is less harmful to those mining it

Cut your guest list

And the tree-hugging goodness...

Use completely biodegradable, compostable plates, silverware, cups, etc. made of things like potato and corn starch (check out worldcentric.org)

Search for transportation that is more environmentally-friendly, such as those that run on clean fuel (CNG)

Choose a gown made from organic cotton, peace silk, or hemp- check out gown designer Wai-Ching

Use beeswax or soy-based candles rather than paraffin, a petroleum-based product

Plan an ecotourism honeymoon

Do one, do them all- it's totally up to you!

Holiday Proposals

2009-12-25T19:57:00.001-08:00

Did you know that 19% of couples get engaged in the month of December? Christmas Day is the MOST popular day for proposals (followed by Valentine's Day and New Year's Eve, in case you were curious).
So, if you got engaged today- congratulations!! As we gear up for the new year, and the flood of new brides-to-be from December 25th to February 14th, I hope that your dreams for love are coming true. And I know that planning a wedding is what most girls dream of from a young age, so make sure that you have fun! Enjoy being engaged, enjoy this time together as you plan your special day, and don't get too stressed and swept up in the "planning" stage. Remember that it's all about you and your husband-to-be!!
And if you're considering a wedding planner.... shameless plug ahead.... give us a call. ;)

Sweet Treats

2009-12-22T06:48:00.001-08:00

Dessert Buffets are one of my favorite wedding trends from the last couple years, and they are still going strong. Who sticks with just cake these days when you can have candy and other sweets too! Designing your dessert/candy buffet can be as simple as placing all of your goodies in matching containers and letting your guests have at it- or you can use this space to really take a fun spin on your wedding theme and decor. For some sweet inspiration, check out these AMAZING sweets tables designed by Amy Atlas, a NYC event planner who specializes in tablescapes of the sugary sort.

I think this is one of my favorites of hers- I love the feather detail on the top of the cookies! (Photo collage courtesy of Style Me Pretty)

To see more inspiring gorgeousness, check out Amy Atlas' photo gallery here.

Free Resources: Wedding Mapper

2009-12-20T19:16:00.001-08:00

We love free wedding resources online, and here's a great one! Wedding Mapper allows you to customize a map of your wedding area, including adorable icons for locations such as your ceremony, reception, hotels, and even points of interest for out of town guest who'll be staying in the area for more than a day. Check out their site for this and a few other great free resources.

Pom Pom Love

2009-12-17T20:29:00.000-08:00

An adorably cute alternative to the tissue paper pom poms (which we love, they can just be tempermental), check out these fabric pom poms featured over at Once Wed. Pompoms + Paper Lanterns = LOVE!!

In the Mood for Martha

2009-12-17T10:11:00.000-08:00

Like any good wedding planner, we love us some Martha Stewart. Her wedding DIY's (albeit occasionally complicated) are always amazing and so well-done. Since cupcakes are a really popular substitute to wedding cakes these days, check out these cute Lace Cupcake Towers!

The Great Outdoors

2009-12-16T06:27:00.000-08:00

Having an outdoor wedding in the Western New York area is a gamble, I'm not gonna lie. Not only do we have the normal risks of rain and wind popping up, but we've been known to have freak snowstorms as late as May and as early as October. But for many brides, the feel of tying the knot under the open sky is worth the risk. If this is you, read on for Forget Me Knot Details' tips for outdoor weddings. (All photos taken by myself- hence the non-professional quality- at an outdoor wedding we coordinated back in October at Rochester's Ellison Park).

Get to know your location. This is key no matter your set-up. Do you want to have the sun setting behind you as you say I do? Visit your location at sunset to figure out the best placement for the alter, guest chairs, etc. Will you be marrying during the day? Where is the shade from surrounding trees- can you use it to your advantage so no one melts? If you are putting up a tent, make sure you map out exactly where you'd like it placed, and consider things like the ground texture and location of surrounding bushes and trees (we have brought hedge trimmers to outdoor weddings and had to trim a bush so it wasn't jutting into the tent!). When you host your wedding outdoors, you have so much natural beauty surrounding you- make sure you're using it all to your advantage!

Make your guests comfortable. Yes we know, this is YOUR day. And we agree. However, your guests are a key part of your wedding day, and we know that you want them to enjoy the day (and go tell everyone what an amazing wedding you had). So when marrying out of doors, think of them. Where will the sun be during your ceremony- will they be squinting the entire time, or melting under the heat? Is there a possibility of bugs plaguing your guests? Think ahead and provide citronella candles, and maybe even mild bug spray (we recommend Avon's Skin So Soft). If you choose to host your wedding out of doors in a chillier month, think about providing blankets for your guests. And if you have a tent for your ceremony/reception in the cooler months- please don't forget a heater! We know it might be in the 60's during the day, but the temps drop pretty quick in September and October around these parts. Your guests' comfort will allow them to have the best time at your wedding!

Incorporate natural details. You've chosen to tie the knot in the best location Mother Nature has to offer- outside! Don't overthink your decor. Use natural elements like branches and flowers, but do it thoughtfully. We highly recommend candles- candlelight is gorgeous outside, so go crazy with candles! We're also loving simple paper lanterns, like the kind used in these wedding photos. They look really sweet tied into trees, and are the perfect way to subtly light the space once it gets dark.

Have a back-up plan. I know I know- what's the point of a back-up plan if your DREAM is to get married outdoors?? But I promise, on the off chance that it does rain/snow/sleet/who knows what else- you will thank me for saying you need a back-up plan. And I don't just mean "we'll just move everything under the tent" kind of plan. Really think it out. As hard as it is, envision what your wedding will be like in your back-up location, down to all of the details that are important to you. Will chairs and tables have to be moved? What about the dance floor? Where will you have the ceremony inside the tent? Make sure you have your plan B all laid out, just in case you need to use it. And, just a tiny plug, outdoor weddings where the back-up plan needs to be used- best time ever to have a wedding planner! ;) We can do all of the rearranging and make it still look fabulous, while you don't have a care in the world. Changing things at the last minute and making them look amazing- it's what we do.

Vintage Weddings

2009-12-15T16:59:00.001-08:00

I follow quite a few wedding blogs, so as to keep up with what's in right now, as well as what is up and coming in the wedding world. And let me tell you- vintage is IN right now!! And I know, most brides don't want to do what's "trendy" exactly, but this is one trend that will never go out of style. And there are so many ways that you can interpret the word VINTAGE- you can truly make it your own.

I don't know if it's the economic recession, or just the general turmoil that so many families are experiencing this last year, but many brides are looking back to the way things were when planning their wedding. Looking to a time when things were simpler, looking to a time of comfort and safety. We see the photos of our grandparents' weddings, and we want that warm feeling to be reflected in the most special day of our lives.

There are many ways you can incorporate a vintage feel in your wedding without seeming costume-y. Many brides are purchasing modern bridal gowns, and then having them altered to be tea length, or adding details like lace or sleeves to give them a vintage feel. We're inspired by the fashion of Mad Men when it comes to bridesmaid dresses- a simple sheath dress flatters most every figure and gives a timeless feel to your bridal party.

You can also include vintage items in your wedding details, such as vintage vases for your centerpieces (purchases on the cheap at local antique shops, thrift stores- even Goodwill!). A cute idea is to use vintage clip art or advertisements for your table numbers- or find a great vintage book to use as your guestbook.

There are countless ways to infuse some vintage in your special day- tell us if you're loving the vintage trend! Are you planning any great vintage details for your special day?

(All photos credit of Justin & Mary Marantz- they are incredible!! I sincerely wish that they were local)

Welcome to Our Blog!

2009-12-15T16:42:00.000-08:00

Welcome to Remembering the Details, the official blog of Forget Me Knot Details! Here we will share with you our journey into the business of weddings, as well as what inspires us as we plan dream days for our brides.
At first, we'll be featuring mostly DIY projects and resources from wedding sites that we find helpful. Also, we'd like to share with brides unique ideas for the Buffalo and Western New York area (since that's where we live and work) as we come across them. And of course, we LOVE drooling over photos of gorgeous weddings- so we'll definitely be sharing lots of beautiful weddings from all over the country!
We'd love to hear what YOU'D like to see here, so please feel free to comment and contribute! Also, if you've got a cool idea for wedding decor, fashion, etc. or you've had a great engagment or wedding photo shoot, and you'd like to be featured on Remembering the Details, drop us a line! And finally, we'll eventually be featuring vendors for the WNY area, so if you're a vendor and would like to featured please contact us. Thanks for joining us!