There were some absolutely gorgeous looks at the 2012 Grammy’s last night.  While there were some fashion faux pas, the real winner for me was the hair and makeup that stole the show.  The looks were perfect for a special event or wedding!

I completely fell in love with Rihanna’s red carpet look!  It was very subtle but added a sun-kissed glow with emphasis around those gorgeous eyes.  The softly tousled hair rounded out her look.  FABULOUS!

 The retro looks from Adele, Nicki Minaj and Katy Perry were stunning! Liquid liner in broad strokes with wings made their eyes POP and gave a great showcase for colorful lips.  I was extremely enamored with Adele’s performance makeup.  A definite must for the ultra glam lover.

Carrie Underwood always knocks it out of the park.  The loose ponytail brings so much attention to vivid eyes played up with definition from liner and eyelashes.  The soft hues on her cheeks and lips give showcase her beautiful skin as well.

While Fergie’s dress was a complete train wreck a la Michael Meyer’s Halloween series, her makeup played up well for those ladies who enjoy a more natural look for their faces.  Sans vivid color, you can see more of her  features such as her eye color and stellar bone structure.  Unfortunately, it just wasn’t enough to detract from that hideous dress.

Add another for winged liner!  Melanie Fiona looks like a bronze goddess with her defined eyes, deliciously contoured cheekbones and pulled back hair. I adore everything about this look!

I am a complete sucker for the smoky eye look.  The blunt cut of the bangs ( which still seem to be a hit in 2012) add to the edginess of the metallic dress.  Add in the soft grey hues around the eyes and nude lip, it’s the perfect look for a night out.

While I wasn’t a fan of Taraji P. Henson’s dress, I did adore her hair and makeup. The pink shimmery shades played off the iridescent shades in her dress and  really set off her beautiful complexion. The windswept hair is what got me– a completely  effortless look that screamed classic, glam and sexy.  What’s best about it is that it can be done with short or long hair styles.

Who had your favorite look of the night?

We would be remiss if we did not acknowledge the sudden and tragic passing of music legend, Whitney Houston.  Her talented voice and acting ability garnered her many die hard fans who fell in love with everything about her– breaking the mold for many of the ladies we’ve mentioned above. Our prayers go out to her family and friends in this very difficult time. 

Rest in peace, Whitney
1963-2012 

Circular seating offers a new dimension to outdoor weddings that you couldn’t create with an indoor wedding ceremony.  With an ornate canopy,  the seating arrangement lends itself as additional decor to the area.

This is so simple, but very timeless  The mere draping of the long thick fabric upgrades the tree from just a background piece to a beautiful, incorporation of nature.  This is perfect for couples looking for a rustic wedding or a classic natural look.

This is proof that you can have a glamorous outdoor wedding.  I love the natural branch arch that is glommed up with a chandelier in the center.  The large, lush arrangements in the urns add color, while the greenery adds a fullness and garden feel to the ceremony area.

This is is just divine.  Aside from the heavily petaled aisle, the gorgeous canopy is comprised of strung florals.  With a small chandelier in the center with complementary floral design and a table for the unity ceremony, not much else is needed for this gorgeous ceremony centerpiece.

This may be one of my absolute favorites.  It takes an existing structure and builds upon it– changing its look by adding sheer drapery, with florals wrapped around the pillar as opposed to traditional arrangements on a structure or in an urn.  The chandeliers add a beautiful and elegant touch to the ceremony area.

If your wedding is in a destination where it features some great cultural landmarks, use them as the backdrop for your wedding ceremony.  This could be trees, ruins, beaches, buildings, structures, etc.  Don’t feel confined– the possibilities are endless!

This is a great example of two inspiration ideas:  suspended decor and adding a touch of whimsical elements.  The colorful, ruffled pom poms are hung from an overhead structure, while the urn topiaries and arch greenery add a sweet touch of garden femininity.

Movie Night

Taking in the Local Flair

Dinner and a Show

Museum/Art Gallery Visit

Clubbing/Concert

Which look is your favorite?  What are your plans for Valentine’s Day?

I am so in love with IdoJour!

IdoJour is an online wedding boutique of curated finds for the glamour loving bride in mind.  Full of stylish accents, apparel and more handpicked from co-founders and sisters, Rosanna Casper and Vanessa Maffia.  Their choices are amazing– ranging from jewelry, clothing and other great accessories for your events during your wedding weekend.  The items are so reminiscent of Old Hollywood and add a touch of timeless glamour.

Here are our favorites:

Shrugs

Hair accessories

Bridal purses and clutches

Also, be sure to check out their IdoJour Explore– a blog of great ideas and details and take a minute to enter their “Show Us Your Rings” Giveaway!

The Royal Wedding

What we loved:  Being the most anticipated wedding of the year, there was so much to be excited about!  The pomp and circumstance, tradition, new designers and trends– Kate managed to bring forth her own personality in a very public wedding that was laden with time honored traditions.  Her gown was absolutely amazing.  It breathed new life into the wedding gown industry, being a bridal throwback of the beautiful Grace Kelly’s wedding dress.  The long sleeves and beautiful lines were gorgeous and flattering.  Not to be outdone, her sister Pippa’s dress was equally divine– also appearing as a throwback to sleek bias cut Old Hollywood gowns in white!   Everything about the wedding was beautiful and brought forth the return of glamour.

What we want to see in 2012: More glamour, please! Having been quite through with the overdone with the rustic, vintage trend, I am SO happy to see more classic, ornate details in 2012.

Bella and Edward :: Twilight

What we love: The ethereal, garden feel of this wedding was amazing! As a wedding planner, I sat in the movie theater absolutely giddy for all the wrong reasons.  While most of the tweens, teens and their moms were swooning over Edward Cullen in a tuxedo, I was losing my mind over the ferns, petal aisle and curtains and guests sitting on logs!  Even Bella’s victorian-esque gown was divine with its detailed lace scrollwork on the back and wrists.

What we want to see in 2012:  More florals and non-traditional decor for outdoor weddings!  It adds to the experience and  if it is the same place as your reception can always be repurposed.  Even if it is at a local park, garden, or residence– make the space your own.

The Kim Kardashian Wedding

What we loved: This is probably the most notorious wedding of the decade– from its (un)predictable demise to its over the top price tag, Kim Kardashian definitely made headlines with her wedding.  Nevertheless, it was absolutely beautiful.  Taking a cue from Kate, Kim had the ultimate “all white party” her sisters and mother adorned in white gowns, who also carried white bouquets down the aisle.

What we want to see in 2012:

The Hangover 2

What we loved: First, this movie was just absolutely hilarious.  But the wedding scene!? Ah-mazing. From the gorgeous outdoor ceremony by the water with gorgeous florals EVERYWHERE to the open air receptions with live music to the beautiful lantern send off– there were so many great wedding inspirations here.

What we want to see in 2012:  More open air weddings! Love the feel of the ceremony and reception being out in the open– be it surrounded by twinkling lights, tiki torches or uplighting, it is absolutely divine!

Once Upon A Time

What we loved:  This is one of the few times I’ve seen elements of “bringing the outside in” and actually liked it.  I also loved the the chuppah being in the middle of the room with guests standing around to join in.  We’ve done standing only ceremonies and they were just as intimate, if not more, than traditional ceremonies.

What we want to see in 2012:  One of the things I love about this show (and yes, I am a huge fan), is the opulence and detail in the clothing and jewelry.  I am hoping we see more of this in fashion this year.  Feathers, layers, ruffles, jewels– all of it! Give me more!

What have been some of your favorites?  What would you like to see in 2012?

When America’s sweetheart, Anne Hathaway, announced that she was engaged, everyone became enthralled with what she would wear as she went down the aisle.  Once again, we’ have some of the best of the best bridal houses came up with some delicious ideas as to what they think she would choose for her wedding dress:

Claire Pettibone:
Claire Pettibone specializes in ethereal dresses with a playful, vintage look; truly for a bohemian girl who wants to stand apart from the crowd. Claire’s romantic and ultra feminine line incorporates jeweled eyelet lace, silk floral appliqués and detailed European trimmings.

The Claire Pettibone 2012 “Beau Monde” collection is inspired by a languid summer in the French countryside. This juxtaposition of gilded refinement and relaxed country living adds a touch of Parisian luxury with a modern sensibility. Lots of lace, elegant sleeves, illusion necklines, and as always, Pettibone’s signature stunning back details are found in this homage to the decadence of 18th century France…ooh la la!

Designer Kelly Dooley’s sketch for Anne Hathaway:

Angel Rivera:
Angel Rivera is known for intricately detailed gowns that are accentuated with the richest silks, delicate lace and intricate beading. Through studying at Parsons and working with brides-to-be at Kleinfelds, Angel acquired a keen eye for fit and proportion. His couture creations exude sophistication by dramatic sweeping silhouettes while flattering the female figure. Angel Rivera’s opulent designs perfectly combine fashion forward notions with traditional timeless beauty.

Junko Yoshioka:
Inspired by the cultural movement of the renaissance, Junko Yoshioka bridges the past and present with her fabrics, construction & detailing; masterfully utilizing dimensional laser cut silks, antiqued ombre matelasses and embroidered laces to create a collection of modern grace and timeless beauty.

Christina Makowsky:

With a design degree from FIT, and 28 years dressing the most elegant VIP women (as the owner of successful luxury boutique chain, Georgina)  Christina Makowsky became inspired to design her OWN luxury brand. The Christina Makowsky LUXURY brand mantra encompasses integrity and exclusivity, therefore garments are never mass produced and are created and marketed in limited quantities. In addition to designing her own luxury collection,

Christina Makowsky is known for her timeless fashion pieces. She provides the highest quality pieces, made from the finest fabrics, with enduring workmanship and with impeccable attention to every detail.

Ines Di Santo:
The INES DI SANTO Collection is known for marrying a sculpted, polished bodices with sumptuously layered skirts and romantic detailing. The effect has garnered the brand an eager client base of discerning and celebrity brides. Her well-recognized designs are carried at luxury retailers such as Bergdorf Goodman and Neiman Marcus.

With each gown as unique as the personalities they were inspired by, Ines’ latest collection ranges from modern glamour to classic elegance. Applying today’s trends along with her signature touches, Ines adds embellishment to luxurious fabrics and delicate treatments like pleating and ruching to dramatic silhouettes. Using unique textured fabrics and sexy slits befitting the red carpet, runway or aisle, Ines’ Spring/Summer 2012 collection is award-worthy.

I also love this sweet empire waist gown that is ultra ingenue and feminine from TeKay designs:

Which is your favorite?  What would you wear down the aisle?

If you haven’t visited us in a while, you’ll see we have a brand new look!  We decided to ditch the our cookie cutter look and get something completely custom.  We told our fabulous designer, Sunil we only wanted three things: modern, feminine and something to get our future clients excited about their wedding process.  Needless to say, we feel like he knocked it out of the park.

We felt like this was the perfect look to kick off 2012, as we engage with new clients who are looking  for a one of a kind wedding experience here in St. Simons Island, Jekyll Island and the surrounding areas.  That being said we didn’t stop there– we did a revamp of our service collections, company wide correspondence and forms.  Additionally, what’s new this year– you can schedule your phone or video consultations with us online, guaranteeing priority and reservation.

We love our new look and hope you do, too!

Who Doesn’t Love Free Stuff? Munaluchi Bridal has got a super cool giveaway for all of you brides-to-be.  Perhaps you’ve picked your wedding date, and wedding colors…or maybe you haven’t even gotten that far.  No matter what stage of planning you’re in, one of the important items you will have to consider are  your wedding invitations.  Your wedding invitations and save-the-dates are often times the first impression your guests will have of what to expect on your wedding day, so they need to be a hit.   Munaluchi has teamed up with IJORERE Invitations to offer one lucky winner the ultimate prize – 50 (4 piece) Invitation Suites (1 per couple or household) from the Aduni Collection (shipping not included).  That equals up to 100 invitees!   This is so exciting because if you are the winner, your invitations are sure to make a lasting impression.

Giveaway Rules

• One winner will receive 50 (4 piece) invitation suites ~1 per couple or per household = 100+ invitees.
• 4 piece includes: The Invitation (from Aduni Collection), Invitation envelope, Response card and corresponding envelope.
• Ultimate IJORERE Giveaway begins December 19th through December 31st Midnight EST
• Applies only within the U.S. Postage NOT Included.

Winner will be notified via email provided. If winner does not respond within 48 hours, another will be selected.

Are you  a fan of the sweet dessert wine, Moscato?  If so, you are going to love Esti Exclusiv’s Rose Moscato.  We had the opportunity to try this out with a get together at our home and it was a hit with everyone!  Even my husband who isn’t a fan of sparkling wines adored it.  While it is crisp, its sweet, yet smooth undertones and fruity aroma are very enjoyable.  We are die hard Moscato fans in our house— and have had some hit and misses, but this is definitely a hit and has earned itself a permanent spot in our home for entertaining.  I do believe you’ll enjoy this silky, rich Muscat wine, too! 

Your first choice will be if you want to do your send off after your ceremony or after your reception.  Traditional weddings of yesteryear opted for post ceremony where the couple would run through happy guests tossing birdseed.  I personally favor doing the send off after the wedding, as it seems to make more sense:  what’s the point of sending you off when your guests will see you after cocktail hour?

However, if you choose to do your send off after your ceremony, there are some great options that capitalize on two things that are great for wedding ceremonies:  daylight and open air:

Balloons

Rose Petals

Bubbles

Ribbon Wands

These are all beautiful, festive and fun!  Night time send offs add a flair of their own with even greater potential:

I can remember watching Tangled with my children at the movie theater and seeing the birthday scene with the lanterns, thinking, that would make an awesome send off for a wedding!

I thought it was absolutely stunning and romantic—the perfect ending for a wonderful night! But there are more options for the evening, too:

Sparklers

Fireworks

What great ways are you ending the night with your wedding?