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

Today's post is #600 since our debut  on August 20, 2007 (yay) ... and along with that, The Bridal Party has a NEW look on the web! To better serve prospective clients, our all new innovative website features a modern and clean design, user-friendly navigation and the latest in media tools ... plus a ton of gorgeous event photos right at your finger tips. We love it ... and hope you will too   ♥ www.RashanaAnderson.com

I recently came across an adorable wedding invitation infographic from Val Marie Paper via Every Last Detail that so very sweetly sums up everything you need to know about preparing wedding invitations.  You'll want to save, pin , tweet and print this one.   And be sure to keep it handy for non-wedding events as well.   Always remember, the invitation is 100% reflective of the celebration to come ... attention must/should be paid. - - - - - - - - - - by Rash a na Anderson Founder & Managing Director, THE BRIDAL PARTY LLC

Awesome News Everyone!! Due to popular demand, I'll be teaching the Wedding Planning Certificate course again at Union County College this Fall, and I couldn't be more excited!  If you're interested in entering the wedding industry as a planner / consultant or if you already have lots of experience but would like to add certification to your list of qualifications, this is the class for you. Register today and/or share this opportunity with any family-member or friend who has a passion for wedding planning.  Visit the Union County College Continuing Education Department or simply call (908) 709-7600 option 3 to sign up.    HURRY, classes begin on September 18th ! - - - - - - - - - - by Rashana Anderson Founder & Managing Director, THE BRIDAL PARTY LLC

Etsy is an online marketplace for independent, creative businesses, offering millions of unique handmade and vintage items from sellers in more than 150 countries and their first-ever weddings event is taking place Saturday, April 28, in New York City!  The "To Have and To Hold" affair will feature one-of-a-kind items and inspiration from some of the most unique Etsy vendors - an event to absolutely add to your to-do list if you're getting married soon.  We LOVE Etsy and quite often support many of its vendors in planning our events, and what's great is you're always sure to find handmade and vintage pieces that fit your personality and budget.  This extra special event will feature dresses, accessories, decor, paper goods and more, so register today ! - - - - - - - - - - - by Rashana Anderson Founder & Managing Director, THE BRIDAL PARTY LLC

It's no secret Pinterest is making its mark in the world of weddings and events.  So, if you're not pinning, you certainly should be.  Or, if you don't have the time, just let us crafty-creative types do all of the work while you sit back and watch (wink). Be sure to follow me and The Bridal Party LLC on Pinterest today!  We've collected an awesome starting lineup of 4 Wedding Boards comprised of 268 pins, and counting.  Here's a sampling of some of the frills and yummies we've compiled so far: HAPPY PIN-ING! - - - - - - - - - - by Rashana Anderson Founder & Managing Director, THE BRIDAL PARTY

As in fashion (sans the reality show, Project Runway), also for weddings one day you're in ... and the next day you're out .  WeddingChannel.com , the number-one wedding and gift registry website, has created a list of wedding details not to skip during wedding planning this year.  Some of Hollywood’s top A-listers like Katie Holmes, Ben Affleck, Jennifer Aniston, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Katherine Heigl, Jim Carrey and Billy Joel, gave an insider’s look at what’s in (and out) for 2012.  Take a look: Wedding Dress In: Coy coverage Out: Dare-to-bare necklines Although designers have been creating dresses with sleeves for years, Kate Middleton has brought the trend mainstream. Don’t consider long sleeves your only option. Think: capelets, illusion sleeves, sheer backs and even a bolero for a demure wedding day look that’s all your own. “Every bride wants a gown and wedding that is uniquely ‘theirs,’” says Randy Fenoli, star of TLC’s Say Ye...

November 26 is a big day for everyone at THE BRIDAL PARTY LLC .  Why?  It’s the 2nd annual Small Business Saturday®, when people across the country come out and shop to support their favorite local businesses!  And as an extremely proud small wedding planning business in the great state of New Jersey, we are thrilled to spread the word and rally support.   Plus, in honor of all the wonderful small businesses we adore working with, we're offering an extra special promotion of  50% OFF to all prospective clients who submit inquiries on Small Business Saturday® and decide to invite our participation in their upcoming weddings and events. We are excited to offer such an exclusive offer in support of Small Business Saturday® and hope, overall, you're sure to frequent your favorite local, non-chain businesses on this special day.  Show them your appreciation and support your local economy ... they deserve it! - - - - - - - - by Rashana Anderson Fo...

We were thrilled to have been invited to cover the red carpet at one of Bridal Fashion Week's most anticipated events, The Knot's 2nd Annual Industry Gala , held at The New York Public Library on October 17th.  Capping off this season's Bridal Market, the who's who of all things weddings ... socialites, designers, event planners and other industry players ... gathered to party the night away and celebrate at what many consider to be the Oscars of the wedding world.  After being shown our place on the red carpet, we were just so excited to be a part of it all! Along with Carley Roney, co-founder and Editor-in-Chief of The Knot, many other top personalities opened the event by walking the red carpet and providing interviews to the press and bloggers (including yours truly ) such as celebrity event designer Diann Valentine, TLC’s “Say Yes to the Dress” star Randy Fenoli, and bridal designers Amsale, Pnina Tornai, and Yumi Katsura.  (Monique Lhuill...

Per Business Wire , 'TheKnot.com, a global media and technology leader announced the launch of its first all-inclusive wedding planning application for the iPhone and iPad today, The Knot Ultimate Wedding Planner , now available in the Apple App Store. Couples can now create and update their wedding to-do list, track wedding budget expenses, browse thousands of wedding dresses and bookmark inspirational photos of cakes, wedding décor and more – all while on the go. This first-of-its-kind wedding app is complimentary through February 29, 2012, due to a launch partnership with The Registry at Bloomingdale’s.' Features of The Knot Ultimate Wedding Planner App for the iPhone and iPad include: Ultimate Wedding Checklist. Not sure when to book the photographer or order the cake? Keep organized with a checklist that tells you exactly when to complete each wedding task. Wedding Budg...

We announced earlier this week that an LWPI certified wedding- and event-planner course is starting soon at Union County College and the instructor is our Founder & Managing Director, Rashana Anderson.  So many of our friends, family and supporters have congratulated Rashana on this spectacular opportunity, but it's also a wonderful opportunity for all of you out there in New Jersey who dream of entering the wedding/event planning business yourselves.   The hands-on program covers everything a wedding and event planner needs to know, including contracts, etiquette, flowers, music, day of services, marketing, industry business practices and application.   The program will provide students with all of the tools necessary to become a professional wedding and event planner. Students will also have the opportunity to participate at real local weddings and events for additional hands-on experience and graduates will receive an internationally recognized ce...

Awesome news New Jersey!  An LWPI certified wedding- and event-planner course is starting soon at Union County College and the instructor is none other than our own Rashana Anderson, Founder & Managing Director of THE BRIDAL PARTY LLC . We couldn't be more thrilled!! As many of our readers and clients know, Rashana (a Professional Bridal Consultant™) is a wedding singer-turned-wedding planner with over 11 years of experience in the wedding industry as well as in marketing, film/television and project management.  She built and established her business from the ground up in 2007 and has been successfully helping brides, grooms and their families create tremendously memorable events ever since.  Now, in partnering with The Wedding Planning Institute, a division of Lovegevity founded with the sole purpose of providing aspiring wedding planners with the best possible education, Rashana will share her experiences and knowledge with aspiring wedding/event plan...

I mentioned a couple of months ago, when we debuted our Blue to the Bone inspiration board, that while I'm a LOVER of bold color (the bolder, the better), this wedding season I've favored more delicate palettes.  It's true.  As television personality Wendy Williams would say, "I've gone all soft and pink" ... or should we say peach !  Peach tends to get a bum rap, perhaps due to its popularity throughout the 70s and 80s.  But everyone knows even the strangest of trends return eventually.  Yet to ensure it's set apart from any pre-21st century wedding remnants, we've paired it with gray.  What'dya think? PEACHY KEEN Credits (top, left to right): Peach Wedding Gown - Vera Wang ; Miniature "Present" Cake - Beau-Coup ; Pearl Silver Necklace - Daria Imports ; Peach Candles; Peach, Gray Bouquet; Peach Chanel Shoes (photo courtesy of Elizabeth Messina Photography ); Peach and Gray Bridesmaid Dress - Jim Hjelm ; Handmade Wedding Invitation - Mo...

Dear Rashana, I just got engaged and I am super excited!  I want to do this right, so I know hiring a wedding planner is important from the start.  I want a 'David Tutera wedding' and I'm confident you can help us achieve this.  Our budget is $11k.  That's doable, right? - Engaged & Excited *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * Dear Engaged & Excited and the thousands of other newly engaged out there, First, thank you for your confidence in THE BRIDAL PARTY to pull off a 'David Tutera wedding.'  What a compliment!  And yes, it is definitely doable to have a beautifully memorable wedding within a budget of $11k.  HOWEVER, your "My Fair Wedding" dreams may need to be ... let's say ... tweaked. Just as brides and grooms have different tastes when it comes to venues, flowers and entertainment, there are also many levels of spending that fluctuate from couple to couple.  One of the most common of que...

I'm working with a Washington, D.C. couple planning an early-September wedding who've chosen to incorporate island flair and culture into the design of their event.  My staff and I have been having so much fun brainstorming and compiling ideas, thus this couple has become our Isle to Aisle bride and groom.  So far, we're having visions of bright pink, purple and orange hues ... steel drummers and African percussionists ... frozen specialty drinks & rum punch ... hanging paper lanterns ... crackling fire pits encircled by plush pillows ... walls drenched in color ... message-in-a-bottle escort cards ... hints of black for "POP."  Oh the possibilities! Here's my first inspiration board for this couple's nuptials. ISLE TO AISLE Credits (top, left to right): Mermaid Style Wedding Gown - Henry Roth ; Black-dress Bridesmaid holding bouquet (photo courtesy of TheKnot); Outdoor Courtyard Ceremony Set - Dolce Basking Ridge ; Multi-colored Paper Lan...

Dear Rashana, My wedding is scheduled for Summer and everything will take place outdoors underneath a tent.  At first I thought planning an outdoor wedding under a tent instead of an indoor wedding at a reception hall would be easier ... but I found out rather quickly, that isn't the case.  Nevertheless, I'm dedicated to having everything outdoors and have begun the process of securing the tent.  We're inviting 175 guests for a sit-down dinner and I've been told I'll need a 30X60 tent.  Honestly, this seems waaaay too big and the 30X30 is closer to my budget.  Am I being duped or will I really need a tent of a larger size? - Tent Chic Bride * * * * * * * * * * Dear Tent Chic Bride, This is an excellent question!  First, you're right in that planning an outdoor event under a tent instead of an indoor banquet hall affair is not necessarily easier.  After all, for an outdoor/tented event, you must provide and account for EVERYTHING ... every chair,...

Virginia wedding planner, Shayna Walker Weddle of Williamsburg Wedding Design is a colleague and mentor in my head (as radio and TV personality Wendy Williams would say).  I follow and admire her blog.  And recently, to my surprise and delight, she posted an awesomely honest article concerning how/why wedding planners determine prices for their services using herself as an example.  This information has long been considered taboo, which is why I love Shayna's article so much and felt compelled to share with you, my readers.  For some strange reason, many brides and grooms actually assume and expect that a wedding planner should only run them $500 for A-to-Z coverage.  Can you say "highway robbery?"  I've even had a few prospective clients tell me about the woman at their church who only charges $300 .  Now, I could easily write several paragraphs about why paying these such prices for wedding planning are big red-flags and that a bride-to-be shoul...

So you've already planned every detail, but on that special day you'd simply like it all to run smoothly without worrying about a thing... Package includes: *Complimentary Consultation Session *1 Site Visit *1 Details Meeting  *On-Site Rehearsal, Ceremony & Reception Direction *Distribution of Final Payments/Gratuities *Unlimited Email & Telephone Communication *Complimentary "Sweets Sideboard" Trust us, peace-of-mind and being able to actually be a guest at your own wedding is worth so much.  Let us handle the last minute details!  Contact us today. (Promotion Expires April 30, 2011) - - - - - - - - - - by Rashana Anderson Founder & Managing Director, THE BRIDAL PARTY

Style Me Pretty has been inspiring brides and wedding planners for years and remains one of the most elite blogs to date.  Honestly, this forum definitely helped me get my creative juices flowing when building the foundation for After YES, Before I Do and Everything in Between .  And just when we all thought it couldn't get any better ... they've unveiled a NEW digital magazine ! Run, don't walk, over to Style Me Pretty and check out '20 of the most swoon-worthy, gush-able, ah-inducing, style-savvy weddings of the year… all together in one pretty package.'  - - - - - - - - - - by Rashana Anderson Founder & Managing Director, THE BRIDAL PARTY

It's a new year, time for innovative ideas, time to leave a few things behind.  And in the case of weddings and events, this also rings true.  For example in 2010, trying too hard and missing the mark when producing green/eco-friendly events got a little "old" ... cupcakes-cupcakes-cupcakes and overly dramatic desert tables, oh my, they have truly run their course ... mermaid-style gowns, glamorous and sexy but hey la hey la - the ballgown's back ! So what are the bridal trends for 2011?   TheKnot.com released their predictions for the top 11 wedding trends for 2011 Tuesday!  Think you'll incorporate any of these fresh ideas into your wedding/event? 1. Prohibition-Era Elegance: So long, Mad Men—the most stylish new show is Boardwalk Empire and brides are noticing. From dusty nudes and lace dresses for the ladies to wing-tip shoes for the men, couples are falling in love with the dapper fashion of the 1920s. And it wouldn’t feel like Prohibition without alc...