There is nothing more to say about the expansion of greatness!!!!!

The Mall at Millenia

The Louis Vuitton Experience!

There is something so magical about Disney!  I am blessed to be so close to such a magical place and to share this with destination brides.  Joining us this week are Suzanne and Elliot and they are just the sweetest couple from Alabama........  Here is the sneak peak Tab just sent over and you can see that we all had a great time!

It was a bit warm until the sun went down.  Then it was time to celebrate with some amazing Anna Cakes cake!  Tell me this isnt just stunning (and sooooo delicious!) And perfectly matched to her decor.
And I love stepping in and pretending that I have an OUNCE of photography skills (of which I like to think i do...... but these girls do look pretty amazing if I do say so myself.)
So there is your sneek peak for the day!  So much more to come............
Thanks to:
Tab McCausland:  Photography
Anna Cakes:  Gorgeous Cake/cupcakes
Officient:  Reverend Kevin Knox (thank you for sharing your birthday with us!)
DJ/Entertainment : Jay with Liquid Entertainment

They’re baaaack! Yes, the Fab Four (and I don’t mean the Beatles) Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte and Miranda hit the big screen tomorrow in Sex and the City 2 for more girl talk, glamour and glitz. Expect intrigue, drama, romance and of course, a wedding!
Yes, two characters (and for those of you who don’t know who they are there will be no spoiler alert here) will tie the knot at a grand affair in Connecticut. Naturally, this wedding scene boasts an amazing cake and we have a sneak peek of this show-stopping masterpiece created by Ron Ben-Israel. Ron’s gorgeous cakes have been featured in Bridal Guide numerous times  Here’s his 6-foot, 4-inch tall, five-layer Sex and the City 2 dazzling creation:

Yep, this baby took 50 hours to create and a staff of nine people to pull it all together. Even the cake stand was custom designed. Just take a look at the detail and sparkle of the chandelier-style Swarovski crystals:
There were approximately 4,100 Swarovski crystals used and they were all hand strung (no wonder it took 50 hours!). Ron said that his inspiration was a combination of things: a dress designed by Bob Mackie and worn by Mitzi Gaynor in her 1970s variety show and Klimt’s painting “The Kiss.” So, you may be wondering, how many guests would this cake serve? Answer: 485. And what would it cost? Answer: $32,000. OK, one can dream and it is for Sex and the City 2after all where over-the-top glamour and fabulousness is the norm. Have a great time at the movies and be sure to look for Ron’s cake in its starring role!

http://www.bridalguide.com/community/blogs/from-dianes-desk/takes-the-cake/

There's one thing that I definitely know in life and that is you can always buy something cheaper - telephone service, flights, cars, office supplies, SEO optimization, wedding gowns, pharmaceuticals, wedding flowers, catering....wedding & event planners.  You name it and I'll betcha there's somebody out there that can give it to you cheaper...  I think that the question that people miss is:  But Will It Be What I Want?

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courtesy of http://sparkliatti.com/

What could be more elegant than some sparkly vintage bling to dress up your big-day style? This signed vintage Trifari necklace (worth $600) is perfect for a bride or bridesmaid, and they are giving it away to one lucky winner!

Trifari is one of the world's most famous and sought-after vintage costume jewelry makers, and this necklace is a great example of their exquisite, timeless designs. It's made of incredibly sparkly rhinestones that will light up your face (* Vintage rhinestones are much different than modern ones, and these stones look just like real diamonds)! The necklace is 16" long, and can be lengthened by a jeweler if necessary. This piece is an absolute treasure for vintage jewelry lovers, and will wow your guests with its beautiful sparkle and stunning vintage style.

Ready to Enter to Win? Here's how...

1. Leave a comment here and tell us why you'd love to wear this very special Trifari necklace.

2. Become  a Recycled Bride member to win. If you're not already a member, sign up here- it's completely free and only takes a minute.


3. Become a "fan"  of The D-Tales on Facebook.

Winner chosen at random on Monday, June 21st, at 5pm.

Follow your heart!

Ask me anything

At this point, you are probably planning a wedding after the summer months.  That means cool evening temperatures and if your guests are anything like me, they get chilly during an outdoor event.  Here is an awesome way to give favors to guests AND give them a little something special to stay warm.

Try pashmina shawls that match your decor. Place them over the chairs and they are a great addition to your decor AND serve double purpose........... plus at just $4.95 each, they are a STEAL!! Check it out.................

Spaweek.com and Weddingchannel.com have teamed up for the ultimate bridal giveaway - one lucky couple will receive the bridal package of their dreams! During the months of May and June, visitors to Spaweek.com can enter in the Wed Like a Celeb Sweepstakes for the chance to win a designer wedding gown, plus a 6-day honeymoon at the St. Regis Bora Bora Resort! The VIP honeymoon package also includes round trip airfare provided by Air Tahiti Nui and Thaiti Tourism from L.A. to Thaiti, round trip airport transfers to and from the resort, complimentary daily breakfast, one 50 minute couples massage at the resort's spa Miri Miri, one dinner for two at Lagoon Restaurant by Jean-Georges and much more! Visit the Spaweek.com website to enter today!

Thanks to Weddings unveiled for the great information

I am a total saver of memories! I have sweet letters all the way back to Jr High, and yes, i am a Yearbook scanner to this day (they are right next to my computer :-)  In fact, i have a birthday ritual (that NOW takes me a LONG time, lol) that involves the pulling out of boxes and going through the special people and moments in my life.  So i just fell in love with this idea........

Ask your guests to bring a small, non-perishable item to the ceremony that represents their life today. Those objects made up one part of your time capsule. Think about the Items and the possibility.  I had to chuckle when i read about what was brought by the best man- a hammer (because there’s nothing that can’t be fixed with a hammer!).
You could also ask them for:

* 2010 resolutions
* Favorite memories of the two of you
* Predictions for the next 10 years
* Their favorite things today

Flash forward to your one year anniversary...... Your wedding video, your cake topper, and a ceremony of opening the Time Capsule for the first time.  LOVE this one!!!

http://bridetide.blogspot.com/2010/05/worlds-worst-wedding-dj.html

The Greenhouse Effect

Photographer Kristen Weaver sent us this stunning styled inspirational photo shoot entitled The Greenhouse Effect. A selection of fantastic Orlando, FL wedding professionals collaborated to style and produce this green wedding photo shoot, featuring spectacular details in a palette of earthy greens and browns combined with crisp white, as styled by April Dorsey of The D-Tales. Photographed on locaction at a hydroponic greenhouse on the roof of the Roper Garden Building, Lee Forrest Design used carnivorous plants in the florals in addition to moss, orchids, artichokes and kale. Don't miss the cascading artichoke bouquet, the moss carpet or the million tabletop details, including jeweled tarantulas, porcelain cabbages, green glassware, bamboo-inspired china and wrought-iron flatware. We love the cake with airbrushed metallic detailing, accented by an artichoke, braided palm leaves and wiring created by Anna Cakes. To see more of The Greenhouse Effect, visit the Kristen Weaver blog for more images and a behind the scenes video shot by Cinematique Films.

Credits:
Photography: Kristen Weaver. Retouching: Jennifer Scarola. Styling: Melanie Pace. Coordination: April Dorsey, The D-Tales. Florist: Lee Forrest Design. Cake: Anna Cakes. Videography: Cinematique Films. Hair and Makeup: Jillian Caro. Shoes: Jimmy Choo and Christian Louboutin. Gowns: Vera Wang, Monique Lhuillier, Melissa Sweet, Vineyard and Reverie by Melissa Sweet. courtesy of The Collection Bridal -Winter Park




http://weddingsunveiledblog.blogspot.com/2010/05/greenhouse-effect.html

Excellent Advice to hear when planning your wedding and selecting entertainment!

DJ Carl on Hiring a DJ from Bruce Reynolds Treasured Moments on Vimeo.

Brides seeking wedding planning assistance generally fall into two categories:
Full Service Planner (”I’m overwhelmed, I don’t know where to start, I need all the help I can get!”) and
Day Of Coordinator (”I’m a hands-on kind of gal, I’ve got lots of help, I just need a little assistance along the way“). With the onslaught of wedding planning blogs, magazines, TV shows and books along with the downturn in the economy, more and more Day Of Brides are surfacing. Being a crafty, creative, practical, “hands-on” type myself, I can totally appreciate the Day Of Bride. But with this continuing emergence of the DIY wedding, there seems to be a bit of confusion about what “Day Of Coordination” actually means….

A Day Of wedding package means that the Bride is responsible for doing the majority of her own planning. In order for your Planner to do her job (and do it WELL), she needs to know every detail you have planned. No detail is too small here. If your Aunt Becky suddenly decides to sing a solo during the ceremony, the Planner needs to know. If you are considering including a sand ceremony with your vows or want to surprise your new Scottish family with a special bagpipe performance in the middle of dinner, the Planner needs to know that, too! A good Planner will be asking LOTS of questions about your planning, maybe even asking you to fill out some forms, but sometimes details can fall through the cracks. Communication is key.

There is actually no such thing as a “DAY Of” anything. Any reputable planner will tell you that she starts coordinating the final details of your wedding at least a month out. There are vendors to contact, coordination of deliveries, set-up, strike (that’s industry speak for break-down), confirming final payments, going over every little detail with a fine tooth comb to ensure nothing has been overlooked (and trust me when I say it happens…all the time!).

Is your Planner creating a detailed Itinerary for you, your wedding party and all your vendors? She should be. And that too, takes time. Scheduling all the “major players”, letting everyone know where to be and at what time. Contact names, cell numbers and emergency backup contacts can’t be gathered on the “Day Of”. It all takes TIME.

Trust me…you do NOT want a Planner who is just going to show up on your wedding day and make sure everyone is doing what they are supposed to be doing, when they are supposed to be doing it. Because what if they DON’T? What would she do then? And how would she even know? By then, it’s too late.

Price is important here, too. A smart, budget savvy Bride will get some references and call more than one or two Planners before making her decision. She also knows that pricing should not be the deciding factor when hiring any wedding professional. A good general rule of thumb is to “throw out” the highest and lowest priced Day Of Coordinators and focus on the one(s) in the middle. Coordinating your Day Of package could take upwards of 30 hours, so consider the time and cost associated with that. A ridiculously low price quote and my guess is that the Planner is not doing all she is supposed to be doing.

One more thing; more and more vendors (photographers, caterers, florists, rental companies) are telling me that they are “this close” to not taking weddings if the Bride doesn’t have a Planner. They are being paid for a service that most likely does NOT include lining up the wedding party before the ceremony, coordinating the dances or showing you how to cut your cake. Will they help you if you need it? Of course they will, because they are professionals who love Brides, weddings and helping you have the day you’ve always dreamed of. But given the choice, they’d much rather be able to focus on doing what you hired them to do, because they are good at what they do!

If you decide to go for a Day Of Coordination package, be sure you are asking the important questions of potential planners:

* When do you officially start coordinating my wedding?
* Are you willing to look over all my contracts to be sure I am getting what I am expecting?
* Will you be contacting all my vendors?
* What kinds of details will you be asking them for?
* Will you create an itinerary/timeline for me, my wedding party and my vendors?
* Will you be present for and coordinate the details of the rehearsal?
* Do you bring an emergency kit with you on wedding day?
* Will you personally take responsibility for personal items like the cake knife/server, toasting glasses, etc and make sure they get back to us at the end of the night?
* Will you stay until the VERY end of the reception, after we are gone, to be sure any last minute issues are taken care of?

Don’t be misled into thinking that a Day Of Coordinator will (or should) show up on your Wedding Day, magic wand in hand with nary a thought for the details prior to her arrival.

If you are paying more than several hundred dollars for a reputable Day Of Wedding planner, chances are you WILL get what you are paying for and you will NOT regret it! Especially when you have the stress free day that allows you and your family, the freedom to host this joyous event.

You know that I LOVE the internet and the information I am able to uncover and pass along.  Well, when I ask "what should I blog about", I mean it, lol.  Hint hint to all my readers on fb and twitter!!!

One of my new twitter friends, suggested that I highlight their website (see I pay attention :-) What a great site for connecting Brides and  Wedding Photogaphers.

If you are a photographer, you MUST sign up for a free listing!
It is extremely easy for vendor listings to get lost in the shuffle on most sites. They tend to be very expensive and involve long-term commitment, and it is not easy for brides to compare the quality and style of your work to other wedding photographers in your area. Many are general wedding sites that do not cater specifically to wedding photographers. SnapKnot is completely focused on wedding photographers and couples seeking wedding photographers, so visitors who contact you via SnapKnot will be qualified leads. You can display your best work in a meaningful visual display, and you aren't burdened by an expensive long-term contract. Upgrade, downgrade or cancel your listing at any time!

If you are a Bride:
Search the site by the city and price point that fits your budget. If you find a wedding photographer who you like, simply click on the name or portfolio image to be taken to their SnapKnot. Here you will find contact information for the wedding photographer.

Now you have heard me say a MILLION times, that you MUST LOVE your photographer.  Their work and portfolio must move you but honestly, their personality is just as important.  Why???  Well considering you will be a bit nervous and stressed on your wedding day, your photographer will be by your side ALL DAY.  A great chemistry will allow you to feel more comfortable with them around and that will result in beautiful pictures!!!

Orlando Style Photoshoot- May 2010 Publication from The D-Tales on Vimeo.

Looking for a videographer / cinematographer can be a very challenging task during your wedding. I am a HUGE fan of videography, as this is the only way I have to cherish family members who are no longer with us today. The fun and their words still move me 19 years later, something that is missing from my photos. The following tips can help ensure a much smoother process and reduce your stress significantly.
1) View the creators work. You should fall in love the their work. It may take a lot of your time to visit the various videographer / cinematographer websites, but you will be glad you did. You also want to create a list of your top 3 choices because your 1st choice may not have any dates available and you will find yourself having to start all over . You’ll save yourself a lot of time by doing this.
2) Contract. The more details in your contract the better. This protects both parties and provides concrete information and guidelines for what to expect and not to expect. . Here are a few things to make sure are in your contract:

1. Video Package –  Make sure this is specified. Does it include a certain amount of DVDs? Are you restricted to a number of footage hours? Does it include the unedited footage & the edited footage? Are there categories on the DVD, if so what? Will the video be High Definition (HD) and/or blue ray?
2. Delivery Date –  Be sure the contract includes a completion date and/or date for expected delivery.
3. Deposit –  Does the videographer / cinematographer require a deposit? Most likely they will. The important part about this section is not to pay in full. Definitely provide a deposit, but definitely DO NOT pay in full. I made this very mistake.  Paying them in full and not having a set date, leaves you with no video and no recourse.

3) Responsiveness. This is probably the most important item. The videographer / cinematographer level of responsiveness to you prior to hiring is a good indication of how they will be after you have hired them. If you find it takes them a while to get back to you, it could create a lot of unnecessary stress for you during and after the wedding.  If you are willing to sacrifice waiting a very long time and poor communication for excellent work, just remember, it will cause you a lot of stress and grief.
4) Popularity. A popular videographer / cinematographer can be a good and bad thing. The good thing is people like their work because it’s probably really good work. The bad thing is they may be in high demand. It may be difficult to obtain a date from them and obtain your products on time. Also their clientele may include “important people”,  so you may get bumped continuously and put to the bottom of their priority list as  This process is supposed to leave you feeling important and happy, not unimportant and lost.

Adapted from Get Married

Credits to http://azzurablog.com

Put it in writing
Choose a gift you can engrave so that your parents can be reminded of your day long afterwards. A sterling-silver cake server, a set of crystal wine glasses or champagne flutes or a vase, engraved with your wedding date, makes an elegant and practical thank-you.
Treat them like royalty.
Make sure all your parents arrive in style at the wedding. If you and your Dad are arriving by limousine, order a second limousine for your Mom and in-laws-to-be.
Tell them they’re still your guiding lights
If you’re planning to light a unity candle during your wedding ceremony, you’ll have a parent from either side helping to light the candle. Make that moment special by giving each set of parents a candle, a candle holder and an engraved lighter on the night before the ceremony.
Remind them of their own wedding
Decorate the table where you will be signing the registry with your parents’ own wedding day photos set into new photo frames engraved with their wedding dates. Give them the framed photos after the wedding ceremony.
Celebrate your heritage
Make copies of wedding portraits from both sides of your family and both sides of your groom’s family, going back as many generations as you can. Then make two sets of “family tree” photo collages, each “rooted” with a photo of the two of you. Frame the two collages. Then display them on a table near where the receiving line will start. Place your guest book there, too. Give the framed trees to your parents towards the end of the night.
Make their place cards extra special
Mark your parents’ places at the wedding reception with a silver picture frame, engraved with the wedding date. Have each parent’s name written in calligraphy and inserted into the frame. After the wedding, fill the frames with your wedding photo.
Toast them with style
Write a toast together that the two of you can deliver, saluting your parents’ help during the wedding planning. Have the toast hand written by a calligrapher and framed.
Thank them colorfully
Order a bouquet of flowers that matches the colors and style of your bridal bouquet and have it delivered to your parents’ homes the morning after the wedding.


Courtesy of Get Married

Check out this amazing give-away on Hot pink Bride!!!   A gold necklace and earring set called the “Freda” from Robyn Rhodes.  

There are Four ways to win…
Just married, been married or getting married ANYONE can win!  The winner will be randomly selected Tuesday, May 11th. Good Luck ALL!!

Yes you really do get what you pay for when you hire a wedding DJ, those on a small budget please be careful! PAINFUL!!!

 You know those days when you just get so incredibly excited that you want to jump out of your skin?  Well that happened when I got a call from The Amazingly talented photographer,  Kristen Weaver...... asking me if i wanted to do the coordinating for a fashion shoot to be published in Orlando Style Magazine!  Are you kidding me???????  Hell Yeah!
I then learn that I will be working with some of the most amazing people in the business.. the bar is set high and we get to "RUN" with our ideas. So exciting to have creative freedom like this and use MY OWN IDEAS. The fun part of working on this team is that we all had little direction together and showed up with the same concept.  Look at these two photos and see how Lee and I were TOTALLY in sync here! Now when I say that Lee's talent FLOORS me, i am tempering my excitement when I highlight the following:

AND
 Really cohesive and well meshed concept!!!  Lee, I think you are just AMAZING and just the BEST to collaborate with!

There is so much more to see.......... and I wont steal any more thunder from Kristen's blog.  Go check it out and share our pride in joy!

Orlando Style Photoshoot- May 2010


Thanks to: