After "YES," Before "I DO" and Everything In Between

One of my favorite wedding planner blogs,  Tidbits on Weddings by Socialites , featured a really interesting post today.  Kelly McWilliams, the blog's author and extraordinarily talented destination wedding planner, mentioned a few thoughts on the difficulty of being a wedding planner and operating a planning/consulting business...and I don't think I could have expressed it any better (thanks Kelly). I love planning weddings and events, but this is SERIOUS business folks ... not a hobby, not a past-time, not a part-time job.  And if you're interested in hiring a planner, make sure he/she shares the sentiments above and below.  Here's an excerpt from Kelly's blog to consider, especially those who tend to doubt the value of having an experienced and dedicated wedding planner/consultant or persons interested in building a career in wedding planning themselves.  Also, having planned your own wedding and done a good ...

Planning a NJ wedding from out-of-town and need the inside scoop on the Garden State?  Looking for tips on how to better handle your meddling FMIL (Future Mother In-Law) during your wedding planning process?  Not sure what style or color shoe will go best with your wedding gown?  Can't decide between two or three or five color schemes and would like an objective opinion? Ask Rashana ! As founder and managing director of The Bridal Party LLC , I have lots of knowledge to share as well as a few tricks up my sleeve.  So brides, it doesn't matter what your question is and you may be as open as you wish.  I'd love to help and answer any wedding/event related questions you may have!  Just  email your question and we'll anonymously post here at After "Yes," Before "I Do" and Everything In Between .

Last night, the 60th Annual Emmy Awards aired and of course, all eyes were on the fashions on the red carpet. Some stayed in line with tradition, but there were plenty trend-setters as well. The one-shoulder look definitely seemed to be a popular choice. Here are a few cues from the red carpet for brides: (click on bridal fashions to enlarge ... my favorite, as always, is the Oscar de la Renta at the end) America Ferrera (Inspired options for brides from the following collections: Amsale, The Cotton Bride) Nicollette Sheridan (Inspired options for brides from the following collections: Oleg Cassini by David's Bridal, Edgardo Bonilla) Eva Longoria-Parker (Inspired options for brides from the following collections: Angel Sanchez, Amsale) Heidi Klum (Inspired options for brides from the following collections: Badgely Mischka, Vera Wang) Christina Applegate (Inspired options for brides from the following collections: Amsale, Oscar de la Renta)

Enter for a chance to win a free Classico wedding photography package from Bella Pictures ! The free wedding package will include one Bella Certified Photographer, unlimited photographs, digital negatives and online proofing. You will also receive a 30-page 10" x 10" flush mount album as well as three 8" x 10" prints and three 5" x 7" prints. When you're planning the wedding of your dreams, every little bit (of help) counts. Enter Today !

Plans for my Chocolate Twist bride are coming along really well. I can't wait to share details and photos, but for now, here's a tiny teaser. More to come in a couple months...

Abdominoplasty, calf augmentation, collagen injections, liposuction...yes, all huge trends among celebs and even us regular people too. Let's face it, in this day and age you must be willing to adjust and update yourself, right?  Well, guess who'll be adding to those revampment statistics, sort of .  Instead, we're tearing it all down and starting fresh. Stay tuned for The Bridal Party 's website redesign...courtesy of none other than  OnyxCode !

Today, I've decided to profile and share a recent interview I conducted with a talented up-and-coming photographer, who also happens to be one of my childhood friends. He started out as a graphic designer and has studied photography in order to add it to his répertoire yielding work that is so inspiring. Also, his dedication to excellence truly admirable. Those of us in the wedding business know how important it is for service providers to be committed, skilled and honest. After all, we're handling people's once in a lifetimes ...and as veteran wedding planner Linyette Richardson-Hall would say, "there are no do- over's ." Introducing Chad Pennington, founder and lead photographer of so.b.it.art photography ! How/Why Did You Decide To Offer Photography As A Service? I've always loved photography as an art. I started out with graphic design and through that I got a feel for a great many arts, but always had certain images in my mind and ideas of phot...

This month I stumbled upon two awesome favor ideas and just couldn't decide which was better, so our F l AVORs of the Month for September 2008 (which happen to be right in line with the fast-approaching change of the seasons) are ... Marzipan Chocolate Pumpkins from Martine's Chocolates Each of these tasty candies are handmade. They are hollow chocolate enhanced with food coloring. Too cute! For a perfect presentation, place them into clear boxes and affix a personalized tag with the couple's names and/or monogram. Available flavors include Milk Chocolate, Dark Chocolate and White Chocolate. 3-Way Photoframe Paperweights from Latest Buy This is definitely not your average paperweight. It's like, out-of-the-box thinking, but totally in-the-box ! Each crystal cube holds three photos and the invisible mirrors inside allow you to see all three photos at three different angles. Simply tie ribbons in your wedding colors around each and voilà! = a multi-dimensional and...

Your After "Yes," Before "I Do" & Everything In Between blog archive reminder has arrived! Take a look back at what we were discussing this week one year ago. Goodbye Monograms ... Hello WEDDING LOGOS! (unique way of personalizing your event) ... just thought I'd share! (favorite planning & idea sites) Hot Palettes for Fall 2007 (teal, black-and-white, paprika)  (wedding cake by Sugar-Couture )

Yesterday I received a few snapshots of my clients Keisha & Keith 's new baby boy, Jacob Aidan.  Isn't he a cutie?!  Jacob was born July 1st and made 10 weeks yesterday.  Keisha, just having finished maternity leave, is now back working but still basking in blessing of motherhood and is in complete awe of her little "Jakey." Also, the proud Mommy and Daddy are gearing up to celebrate their 1st wedding anniversary on October 20th.  Boy, time sure does fly!  So happy for them.

Today, I finally got to feast my eyes on my June 15th couple's photos!  The photographer, Airlangga Wattimena did a magnificient job and like most event planners who anxiously await snapshots of their work, I felt like a child on Christmas Day. Soon after I first met Shirley, I tagged her my Fairy Tale Flutter bride because she requested the sweetest theme of butterflies and fairies.  I first put together an  inspiration board  and the ideas continued to flow from there.  To adhere to her theme tastefully we constructed a garden theme and developed a cohesive ambiance throughout.  For example, crystal butterflies were strewn through her bouquet of apricot and ivory roses and delicate paper butterflies were positioned along the ceremonial arch as well as in all floral arrangements and centerpieces.  The bride wore a gorgeous lace sheath with a custom mantilla. ...

Williams-Sonoma 's schedule of Autumn cooking classes has been released!  These are perfect opportunities to learn new culinary techniques to surprise your fiance/hubby with during the holiday season.  Classes include demonstrations and samples of featured dishes, as well as printed recipes to take home with you.  Space is limited, so make your reservation right away.  Each class is $55. The following schedule is for Bridgewater Commons , New Jersey (908.707.9222).  If you're interested in classes in other locations, call your local Williams-Sonoma store for information. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16 - Gastropub Cooking A culinary trend that began in London in the 1990s, gastropub cuisine has won over diners with innovative, well-executed dishes rooted in traditional pub fare, with influences from other European cuisines. On the menu: Mesclun, Arugula, and Fennel with Prosciutto and Pear Vinaigrette, Aubergine and Tomato Stacks, Roasted Chicken...

One of my closest friends was married via civil service wedding this past July (the happy family are pictured above). For many civil services are becoming more and more appealing because of their convenience, low cost and of course lack of stress. Brides and grooms who practice different religions and/or are from varying cultural backgrounds find civil service weddings to be a better option as well. But, whether you're being married at a City Hall or at a church, obtaining the marriage license is the first essential step. So, how does one go about applying for a marriage license in New Jersey? Location Applications for a New Jersey marriage license must be acquired at the municipal office in the bride's town. If the bride is not a resident of New Jersey, the couple may apply at the municipal office of the groom's town. If both are non-residents they can apply at the municipal office of the town where the ceremony will take place. Cost The application fee is $28.00. ...