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

Are you a sparkle-and-shine bride who loves lots of bling?  Are you a fan of old Hollywood glamour, channeling Audrey Hepburn or Dorothy Dandridge, who's in love with everything "antique-y?"  Are you an outside-the-box, new-age bride who is focused having a non-traditional wedding?  Or are you a little bit of ALL of the above.  Well, there is a ton of inspiration out there for whatever style wedding you're interested in having.  Check out a few of the ideas we've compiled via Pinterest : BRIDAL BLING   VINTAGE VOWS   MOD MARRIAGE - - - - - - - - - - by Rashana Anderson Founder & Managing Director, THE BRIDAL PARTY LLC

We shared snapshots of our Isle To Aisle wedding back in September but, to our delight, professional photos became available today! We'd worked with this couple for over a year prior to their big day, via satellite (since they reside in the Washington, D.C. / Northern Virginia area).  We partnered on each and every detail of their wedding, from selecting the venue, to incorporating their African and Caribbean heritages, to the intricate design of their wedding cake; and it all came together on September 3rd at Dolce Basking Ridge .  The ceremony and cocktail hour took place within the venue's handsome courtyard as guests were treated to the soothing sounds of a jazz duo.  The outdoor festivities were followed by a posh reception which featured signature cocktails, photo booth and a surprise African dance troupe performance.  The dance-floor was rarely empty ... guests continuously raved about how much fun they were having. The chosen color scheme was a phe...

In wedding planning, selecting a theme can be quite involved and sometimes pretty cumbersome.  Just remember, you don't have to build an event around a "Vintage Chic" or "Romantic Candlelight" theme ... actually, color all by itself goes a long way. Now, I'm sure you've already thought of laying the foundation of your colored theme by means of the bridesmaid dresses, linens and flowers.  Just don't forget the bar.  YES, that's right, the traditionally color-free zone where over half of your guests will spend most of their time during your wedding reception.  Think: Decorative Drinkware!  Bring color to your signature drinks and even those commonplace glasses of Pinot Noir.  It's totally fine to include your color scheme at the bar and most reputable party rental companies offer a wide range of options. Check out some of our favs: Classy Twist The Marais collection features a single hand-blown frosted stripe twirled around the glass ...

If you're tying the knot this year and haven't already chosen your wedding color scheme or you're looking for the perfect accent hue, remember to reference Pantone's "color of the year," which is TANGERINE TANGO .    An orange with loads of depth, 2012's signature color is both sophisticated and seductive.  Take a look at a few of our favorite ways to incorporate TANGERINE TANGO into your wedding:   (photos courtesy of flickr, The Visual Vamp , Best Dress Shop , Invitations by Ajalon and Just Cake )  - - - - - - - - by Rashana Anderson Founder & Managing Director, THE BRIDAL PARTY

Lots of brides and grooms decide to tie the knot around the Independence Day holiday.  Why?  There's always lots of celebrating already going on, the weather is usually beautiful AND you get to take advantage of free fireworks! If you're planning a wedding or party this upcoming July 4th weekend, consider infusing a little red-white-and-blue into your shindig.  And make sure Crate & Barrel is on your "must shop at" list.  They have a really fabulous selection of elegant and festive accessories. 4th of July Cupcake Papers Blue Gingham and Red Gingham and Blue and Red Striped Ramekins 4th of July Pinwheel Picks Red, White & Blue Nonpareils - - - - - - - - - - - by Rashana Anderson Founder & Managing Director, THE BRIDAL PARTY