Wedding Day Nails

Who said your wedding day nails had to be basic and boring? Many brides are deciding to forgo the usual french nails and are selecting designs that define their style and personality.

Source: Wendy Laurel (couple) and cutepolish (nails)

 Source: Nailspedia

Source: theyallhateus

Source: Pinterest

Source: Pinterest

Credit: Mako Wanibe

Be YOU, Be ORIGINAL and plan accordingly...

Real Wedding: Melissa & David's ~Welcome & Farewell~ Wedding

 

Date: September 8, 2012
Guest Count: 260

Colors: Black, Yellow and White 

Bridal Party Entrance: "Forever"- Chris Brown

First Dance: "All Is Said And Done"- Beyonce & Marc Nelson

Mother/Son Dance: "When A Woman Loves"- R. Kelly

Father/ Daughter Dance: "Used to Be My Girl"- O'Jays

Melissa & David's wedding was truly an unforgettable celebration of love, commitment and culture! Melissa was joined by her Guyanese, Indian and Canadian family & friends; David was represented by his Haitian family & friends. Both families did a remarkable job welcoming their new family member. However, David's family also expressed a little sadness because he'll be leaving South Florida and moving to Canada to start his new life with Melissa. He is loved and will truly be missed!

Our favorite parts of the wedding day:

• Seeing David's beautiful smile as Melissa walked down the aisle.
• Heartfelt speeches and words of encouragement given by the families, especially David's nieces and nephews. "We're going to miss you Uncle David." Awww.
• Melissa wrote a beautiful letter to David (in Creole) and she read it to him during the reception. He was totally surprised and delighted! We were thankful his best man was standing by her side to translate. The letter was soooo beautiful and touching. 
• The celebration. From the first song "Zouk La Se Sel Medikaman Nou Ni" to the last song, the dance floor stayed pack 100+.

We wish David and Melissa a lifetime of happiness. May they continue to put Jehovah first in their lives. Congratulations you two! Smooches.

Rehearsal Dinner: BB Kings Restaurant & Blues Club, West Palm Beach
Ceremony Venue: Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses
Reception Venue: Embassy Suites West Palm Beach- Central
Orchestration, Design & Decor: Orchestrated Occasions
Linen & Chair Covers: Top Notch Linens
Makeup Artist: Nosworthy Creations
Hair: Candy Koerner
Photography: Ron Wood Photography
Cake: Creative Cake Factory
Cocktail Hour & Dinner Entertainment: Cocobean
DJ: Jean Dorestant
Bridal Party Transportation: A1A Limo
Guest Transportation: Midnight Sun Tours

Happy Planning...

Wedding Cake Tasting 101

The cake tasting is the sweetest part of planning your wedding. :-) However, there are a few things you need to review to prepare yourself.

Information the pastry chef will need: 
1. Your Cake Budget
2. Guest Count
3. Description of your wedding style/theme
4. Location of your reception (indoors or outdoors)

What to bring: 
Pictures or drawings of your top 2 favorite designs
Cake topper (if using one)

Decisions you'll make:
1. Flavor- Cake & Filling (make sure you consider your guests when making this decision)
2. Cake Shape
3. Fondant or Buttercream

Before arriving:

1. Remember to eat something before arriving because everything tastes good when you're hungry.

2. Review the company's website. If there's a specific flavor you'd like to taste call and let the pastry chef know in advance.

Things to do during the tasting:
1. Review the pastry chef's portfolio
2. Drink water between samples to cleanse your palette
3. Sample chocolate and richer cakes last
4. ENJOY!!

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Happy Planning...

 

NATURAL HAIR BRIDES

This past Saturday I spent the afternoon at an event with some “CURLfriends”.  It was National Natural Hair Meetup Day and the meetup I attended was hosted by Naturals in the Sun.  These ladies did an awesome job ORCHESTRATING this event.  There were techniques shared, a product swap, vendor displays, free samples and giveaways.  I was one of the many giveaway winners!  I won a couple hair care products from one of the sponsors, karen's body beautiful. 

As a seasoned cosmetologist and second time (by choice) naturalista, I found this event to be very informative.  I was even inspired NOT to relax these coils. Between networking events, meetings, industry conferences, schedules, timelines, phone calls, emails, designing, orchestrating etc., I was very close to applying "creamy crack" to these strands. I don't have time to condition, read blogs, moisturize, watch YouTube videos, mix, concoct, read labels, twist, steam, blowout, air dry or braid. LOL. Don't judge me,  I'm just keeping it 100! :-)

Anyway, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to showcase some of the beautiful styles available to natural hair brides.  I searched the web and these are some of my favorites:

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Dedicating this video to all my CURLfriends! 

Happy Planning...

Cookie Favor Buffet

One of our brides informed us that she's looking forward to having a Cookie Favor Buffet. Yummy! Most guests appreciate edible favors, so I'm sure it'll be a hit. Check out these cute ideas.

Source: Etsy

Source: Mrs. Dumpling

Source: Mrs. Dumpling

Source: Bashful

Source: Martha Stewart

Happy Planning...

Groom Style: Down the Aisle in Sneakers

We love working with couples who aren't afraid to infuse their personality into their wedding day. So when one of our clients mentioned (several times) he wanted to wear Nike Air Force Ones with his tux we liked the idea. A cute and fun way for him to show his sense of style.

Even though his fiancee isn't thrilled about the idea maybe these photos will soften her up a bit. This post is for you Keithon. :)

Photo credit: One Thousand Words Photography

Photo credit: Rhodes Studios

Photo credit: Butterfly Girl

Photo credit: Maxcaven

Photo credit: Shadow Catcher Imagery

Happy Planning...

Consultant Corner: Q&A (R&B Wedding Songs)

Q: My fiance and I like R&B. Do we have to use the traditional wedding march songs for our ceremony?

A: No, of course not. The songs that you select should have special meaning to you and your fiance. Listed below are some of my favorite ceremony songs.

"Golden"- Chrisette Michele




"Forever"- Dave Hollister




"Giving Myself"- Jennifer Hudson




"I Do"- Boyz II Men




"I Was Made to Love You"- Gerald Levert




"Forever"- Jaheim




"Close to You"-BeBe & CeCe Winans (not r&b, but great as a wedding song)




"So High"-John Legend




"Rest of Our Lives"- Jeffrey Osborne




"Dangerously in Love"- Beyonce Knowles



Songs that you will need to select are:

Ceremony Songs
Prelude
Processional
Recessional

Reception Songs
Bridal Party Entrance
Bride & Groom Entrance
1st Dance
Father Daughter Dance
Mother Son Dance
Bouquet Toss
Garter Toss
Cutting of Cake
Last Dance

Pull out a pad & pen and get busy! A time consuming task, but worth it in the end.

Happy Planning...

Premiere of Jumping the Broom 2011

Earlier this week I attended the premiere of Jumping the Broom a movie produced by TD Jakes & Tristar. After only 6 months of courtship Jason proposes to Sabrina and they decide to marry immediately...And they live happily ever after... Hardly that!! How can a man marry a woman who his downhome collard green making sweet potato pie baking mother has never met? Honey child, you just wait and see (in my southern voice).

Even though the movie is a romantic comedy it sheds light on some very serious subjects. The star-studded cast includes Angela Bassett, Paula Patton, Laz Alonso, Loretta Devine, Meagan Good, Tasha Smith, Mike Epps and many more.

If you're a bride-to-be and decide to see the movie be inspired by the rehearsal dinner & wedding day decor. One last thing, can Mrs. Watson (Sabrina's mother) please fire Amy, their ditsy Wedding Planner?! IJS

Happy Planning...

HONEYSUCKLE & PLATINUM WEDDING

Be inspired by Pantone's 2011 Color of the Year-Honeysuckle.



Photo credits: (Aisle) Orchestrated Occasions, (Gown) Vera Wang, (Invitation) Paper Wonders, (Reception Table & Cocktails) Brides.com and (Cake) Maples Wedding Cakes




Happy Planning...

Real Wedding: Shanley & Rebekka

Shanley and Rebekka were a fabulous couple to work with. Rebekka was one of the most organized brides I've worked with. Working in the technology field, she stored all her information on her computer (which she carried everywhere) and in order to have access to her wedding information I had to learn a new computer program (patiently taught by Rebekka herself). :)

On March 7, 2010, at the Fort Lauderdale Museum of Art, Shanley and Rebekka "submitted" themselves to each other in front of 140 friends and family members. Their personally written vows bought many to tears. You could feel the love, care and concern they share for each other. They will forever have a special place in my heart!

Shanley & Rebekka's wedding orchestra included:

Planning & Orchestration- Orchestrated Occasions

Floral Designer- Tropical Elegance

Caterer-Helene Nelson

Photographer- Morewar Photos

Linens- Over the Top

Cake-Cakes By Ena

Videographer- Dexter Matthis

Reception Music- Kaygon

Happy planning...

Woman2Woman Breast Cancer Foundation's Pink Diamond Ball & Silent Auction

On Saturday, April 10, 2010 Orchestrated Occasions had the privilege of assisting Woman2Woman Breast Cancer Foundation with their signature event of the year-The Pink Diamond Ball & Silent Auction. The event was a Celebration of Life for breast cancer survivors and their families.

Woman2Woman Breast Cancer Foundation was founded by Jacqueline Gray (a breast cancer survivor) in 2007. Their mission is to support women by promoting regular examinations, early detection, and aggressive treatment for those suffering from breast cancer. Woman2Woman and their affiliates strive to provide, breast health awareness through health fairs, classes and workshops. No woman should have to face the consequences of breast cancer as a result of the inability to pay for treatment and medicines. For more information or to become a volunteer call 954-730-7338 or visit Woman2Woman.

Pink Diamond Ball & Silent Auction vendors included:

Venue: Renaissance Plantation Hotel
Event Specialists: Orchestrated Occasions and Things To Do
Mistress of Ceremonies: Tamara Gant
Centerpieces: Things To Do
Linens: Top Notch Linens
Entertainment: 45 Live
Songstress: Anastia
Silent Auction Entertainment: Dillard Jazz Band
Dance Tribute: On Your Toes Dance Academy
Lighting: Party Time DJs
Photographer: Scott Photography
Videographer: IMA Studios Film & Video Production
Favors: Sherri Price

Heartfelt thanks to all the sponsors and volunteers who helped make this event a success!


Happy planning...

Yacht Weddings...Sail Away

Most couples "tie the knot" on land, but some brides and grooms are opting to say "I do" on water.

I recently spoke to Melanie C. and this is what she said about her yacht wedding on Sun Dream Yacht Charters: "The staff was attentive and no one went unnoticed. Everyone had a great time and raved about the food! The Captain performed my ceremony and he was wonderful. When I think what I would have paid at a hotel for the same thing, it was a steal!"

Hosting your wedding on a luxury yacht can be an intimate, fun, exciting and memorable experience for you and your guests.

Happy planning...

2010 COLOR OF THE YEAR

Pantone, the world’s color authority, predicts the color for 2010 is TURQUOISE.

According to Pantone, turquoise is universally flattering, appeals to men and women, pairs nicely with any other color in the spectrum, adds a splash of excitement to neutrals and browns, complements reds and pinks and is especially trend-setting with yellow-greens.

Be Inspired

Photo credit: Donovan Moore, Wedding Paper Divas, Project Wedding, The Knot, and Sugar Chef

Happy Planning

A Letter to Our Guests (Guest Etiquette defined)

Dear Wedding Guest,

Our Wedding Day will be one of the most important days of our lives. We have been planning our wedding for about a year and we are excited that it is quickly approaching. With the assistance of our wedding planner we have chosen a gorgeous venue, phenomenal vendors, a delicious meal and beautiful decor. We are expecting a stress-free, fun and fabulous occasion. You have been carefully selected to be in attendance as we join together in holy matrimony.

Since WE are hosting ($85 per guest + tax, + service charge, + gratuity) this event, there are some reminders we wanted you to keep in mind:

Please do not call asking if you can bring a guest (including children). If their name isn't included on the inner envelope of the invitation they are not invited.

Please arrive to our ceremony on time. You are not a member of the bridal party, we don't want to see you walking down the aisle after the processional.

You are invited to the ceremony & reception. Please do not skip the ceremony, only to attend the reception because the food and drinks are free.

Return your RSVP card even if you are unable to attend. We have applied a stamp to the RSVP envelope, all you have to do is make your selection and place it in the mail.

If we do not receive your RSVP response (by the reply date) your name will not appear on the guest list.

If you RSVP yes, but later find you cannot attend, please notify us immediately.

You are attending a wedding- please dress accordingly.

Yes, there will be an open bar. However, that doesn't mean you are free to get drunk.

Please do not collect more than one wedding favor. We purchased one per guest. Don't be greedy!

During the reception get up, dance, mingle and enjoy yourself. We're spending a ton of money on our celebration. So-CELEBRATE!

Again, we are looking forward to a fabulous occasion and we hope to see you in attendance. Visit our wedding website for more information www.futurebrideandgroom.com

With love,


Future Bride & Groom
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Happy planning...