The Finishing Touch — Weddings, Events, Design, Paperie

Asking a family member or friend to be in your wedding party is an important decision and is quite an honor! This is a great time to express just how special they are to you in their own way – so why not get a little creative? (201) Bride recently posted some of our creative ideas on Bergen.com that will be sure to have your bridal party saying, ‘I do!’.

Wine and Dine Em!:

Invite your girls out for dinner and drinks to catch up and fill them in on your latest wedding plans. During the meal, raise a toast and say a few kind words about each of them before asking the ultimate question. Coordinate with the restaurant to bring out a round of celebratory champagne – and dessert of course.

Video Proposal:

Create a video or slideshow featuring stories, pictures and other memories explaining how and why each of your bridesmaids are special to you. Include a little proposal at the end asking them to be a part of your big day – and be sure to have tissues on hand! Check out this video proposal from Absolute Media Productions, where our very own bride-to-be Stephanie chose a Sex and the City theme to ‘pop the question’ to her bridesmaids. It is Fab-u-lous!

Will You Be My Bridesmaids? from Damon Dietz on Vimeo.

Mail It:

What girl doesn’t love a good greeting card? Mail out a beautiful note or custom greeting card to your bridal party to request their presence on your big day. Be sure to include a sentimental note to express how important they are to you and why you want them there. Add a little extra twist by sending an RSVP card inside with a ‘Check Yes or No’ option – but we can pretty much guarantee they will all be yeses!

For the Guys:

Most men tend to not be as emotional or sentimental when it comes to inviting their half of the bridal party – but that doesn’t mean it’s not important! If your guy is looking for a unique way to ask his groomsmen, why not suggest holding a poker night or having a guy’s night out. Guys love humor so sending out a funny card to invite their groomsmen is always a great way to go.

Check out some of our other creative ways to invite your bridal party by reading the full article on Bergen.com!

One of the latest trends for Spring and Summer weddings is posing with some picture perfect parasols! These beautiful pieces can create unique and memorable photo ops at any location. Not only do they provide fabulous photos, but can be a great addition to offer to your guests. If you are having an outdoor affair where the sun may be a factor, consider having one available for each  guest to use -these make for a great favor or keepsake!

Looking for an eye catching color to provide some contrast with your bridal party? Talk with your planner about coordinating your parasol selections so they will be sure to complement your color scheme. For 2012, some of the hottest colors are pastels such as lilac and celedon as well as bright and vivid hues like electric pink and of course, Pantone’s color of the year tangerine tango. Check out some of our favorite shades that can be found on Cultural Intrigue.

We love the addition of parasols at weddings and events as they certainly add a very special touch! This great shot was taken by our good friends at The Studio Photographers at Mallard Island Yacht Club – how much fun is that?!

Brooch bouquets are all the rage and we love that we are seeing more and more all the time!

This winter, many brides heading down the aisle will be carrying these personal and stylish bouquets.

Check out these brooch bouquets that we adore for winter weddings!

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This brooch bouquet captures the winter with white, silver and a dash of blue. We love the handle wrapped and tied with beautiful beading.

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This classic all white bouquet features floral brooches mixed with snowflake pins for an elegant yet subtle winter theme.

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Deep red, black and white is a stunning color palette for a winter affair. Check out this brooch bouquet that incorporates real red roses, feathers and silver pendants.

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Also donning feathers, this beautiful bouquet has a crisp wintry look that would compliment any wedding gown during the season. This bouquet combines feathers, pendants, pearls and crystals with the handle wrapped in a satin bow.

Looking for color at your winter wedding? This royal purple is an amazing choice for a bride looking to stand out on her day. Incorporating shades of purple complimented with silver and black, this bouquet is one to surely be remembered.

One of the easiest ‘to-do’s’ to check off our list was inviting our bridal party. Since our engagement, Greg and I had no doubt in our minds who we would invite to stand beside us on our big day. The big question was, how would I ask them? I wanted to do something special to let each of them know just how important they are to me and how they have impacted my life. After some brainstorming, I decided to create a video that featured some photos and memories and incorporate a ‘proposal’ to my bridesmaids!

With a little help (ok a LOT of help!) from our good friend Damon of Absolute Media Productions, we decided to create a fun six minute video that would build some laughs and bring a few tears to my gals eyes. Damon wanted to incorporate my personality and style throughout the video as I discussed each bridesmaid, so we decided to go with a ‘Sex and the City‘ theme and drew up a storyboard. In just one day, we shot all of the scenes, recorded all audio and in what was sure the fastest turnaround time ever, by the next day Damon had created an amazing film that I couldn’t wait to share with my ladies!

I invited the girls over for dinner on a Sunday afternoon and prepared some hors d’oeuvres and martinis (of course!) for them to enjoy while I prepared our main dish. Once seated for dinner, and yes there were placecards, we all enjoyed catching up and chatting over some homemade risotto.

As the girls finished up, I snuck out to set up the movie and invited them to watch a special presentation. They had no idea what to expect and their reaction was priceless. There were many, many laughs and way more tears than I expected and when the big question was asked they all said yes! Check out the video here:

Back in the dining room, I reset the table with little cards at each setting asking ‘Will You be my Bridesmaid?’ along with a small info sheet sharing some of the wedding details we have so far. Since I now had six beautiful bridesmaids, we had to celebrate by having some dessert! A big thank you to Paula from Cake Fiction who created beautiful (and delicious!) custom mini-cakes for each of the girls that had their initial along with two rings on top.

It was such an amazing night and it meant so much to have all of my girls together for one special evening. I am so lucky to have them along for the journey and to have them by my side on our big day on January 12, 2013!

 A Huge THANK YOU again to the fabulous Damon Dietz of Absolute Media Productions and Paula Tosonotti of Cake Fiction!

With the new year just around the corner, engaged couples everywhere are looking for the latest trends to make their wedding stand out in 2012. From Victorian fashion, towering tiered cakes to bold themed weddings, we take a look at some of the exciting new trends you will find all through the next year!

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Colors:
For 2012, there will be quite a variety of colors seen throughout. With tangerine tango announced as Pantone’s color of the year for 2012, this will be seen on tablescapes and bridesmaids everywhere! Bold, dramatic colors such as red and black will make a comeback and be seen accompanied with lace accents and overlays. Pastels will be making an appearance through the spring with yellow, sage and lilac taking the lead. Neutral colors such as beige tones and cool blues will also be found for a more natural and organic vibe.

Tangerine Tango

Black/Red Victorian

Pastels

Bridal Fashion:
2012 is year of the lace! Victorian styled gowns are all the rage for 2012. High necklines, long sleeves, full skirts and lots of lace will be seen on many brides heading down the aisle. With Kate Middleton’s gown as inspiration, this trend will be around well through the next year. All black wedding gowns are also making their move into everyday bridal fashion. Always pushing the envelope, fashion designer Vera Wang debuted her line of black wedding gowns this Fall which have caught the attention of many brides to be.

Florals:
Simple bouquets that are classic and elegant will be found often next year. Small pairings of roses, peonies and hydrangeas in blush, ivory and white will be found in the hands of brides and bridesmaids alike. Bouquets will be adorned with pearls, lace and feathers. Custom brooch bouquets are also on the rise which is great for brides of any budget.

Themes:
Themed weddings are making a strong comeback. From old Hollywood Glitz & Glamour to Vintage Big Top Circus, bold themes will be common among couples saying ‘I Do’ in 2012. Themes will be carried throughout the wedding with decor, florals and custom invitations and stationery. Going with their theme, couples will be bringing in additional entertainment along with their DJ or band such as acrobats, magicians, specialty singers/dancers and more.

Cakes/Favors:
Dessert is going to be a main focus in 2012. Wedding cakes will be tiered higher then ever before but the styles will become more minimalist. White cakes with hand painted designs full of color will be seen and many couples will incorporate patterns from their invitations and stationery. Flavors will also be taking it to the next level! 2011 was the year of red velvet but the new year will bring in more exotic flavors such as passion fruit, mango rum and pomegranate. With edible favors still trending, couples are opting for late night snack bars and coffee to go stations with cupcakes, cookies, pastries and more. Guests better be ready to eat when they head to a wedding in 2012!

Honeymoon/Registry:
Couples in 2012 are looking for adventure! Heading to an exotic location such as Thailand or embarking on a safari in Africa has been replacing the all inclusive beach honeymoon trend. In order to experience the most during their trip, couples have created registries that allow guests to contribute towards excursions, meals, and outings during their honeymoon. Online registries such as Cloud 9 Living offer an easy to use website and encourages couples to create memories that will last a lifetime.

The look of freshly fallen snow…the smell of the crisp, cool air…the coziness of a toasty warm fire..the feeling of family and friends bundled up and gathered together..

There are so many reasons why The Finishing Touch loves a winter wedding!

Check out this short video featuring some of our favorite past winter weddings that we adore!

When attending an outdoor wedding or event, you never know what type of terrain you may encounter. Whether it’s grass, gravel, cobblestones etc., it could be a challenge to tackle in heels as any heel lover can attest to. You want to dress up – but you don’t wanna sink in – so what do you do? Well, TFT fell in love with the solution and we’ve found our ‘SoleMate‘!

SoleMates High Heeler^® has been designed to attach to stilettos of many shapes and sizes to prevent the heel from sinking into grass or becoming stuck in cracks! The addition of a SoleMates High Heeler^® increases the area at the base of the heel which reduces the pressure and prevents the struggle on ‘rough’ terrain! It is super easy to use as it just slips right over the heel and won’t damage the shoe – and they are super discreet! They offer them in 3 sizes – classic, narrow and wide – and they come in clear, black, silver or gold. These are great gifts for any heel lover!

Now that the holidays are fast approaching, SoleMates is offering a fabulous Holiday Gift Set with their ‘Deck the Heels’ collection! This is the perfect stocking stuffer for the shoe lover in your life. Be sure to check them out and get your pair!

With the new year just around the corner, we wanted to take a look at some fresh shoe trends!

We are loving the fabulous new styles designers in 2012 have to offer – check out some of these amazing new designs hitting the ‘aisles’ next year!

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Bling is still in! Brides love having that glitzy pop and its a great way to incorporate their ‘something blue’ into their wardrobe.  Oscar de la Renta‘s jeweled slingback heel and Miu Miu’s Glitter T-strap platform are perfect for the ultra glam Bride.

This modern design from Pronovias can be customized in any color you wish – whether it’s a deep, dramatic red or neutral nude tone this fabulous shoe would look stunning down the aisle. Another reason we love it? It’s the ‘Candice’ shoe!

With Victorian styled dresses come Victorian styled shoes! These vintage Victorian styles are usually embellished with lace and embroidery and often feature a soft, low heel. These booties from Rachel Simpson and Prada‘s leather peep toe pump really capture this look.

Brides looking to be extra comfortable on their feet throughout the day may opt for no heel at all! We love these dusty pink ballet flats from Badgley Mishka and jewel adorned flats from Oscar de la Renta.

And for Brides who are wanting to be sky high on their wedding day with some killer high heels, check out this stunners from Alexander McQueen and Valentino! Both of these stilettos are bold and daring, but can definitely be worn again!

What’s your bridal shoe style? Bold and edgy? Classic and comfortable? Tell us your thoughts!

Bridal Fashion week starts this weekend and what better way to kick it off then with an exclusive sneak peek at some of the Spring 2012 collections! Check out this video featuring some of our faves from Vera, Oscar, Carolina and more!

We had such a blast planning this ‘Baby Gone Wild’ baby shower! When we heard the news that our past client Nicole was expecting, we couldn’t wait to plan her an amazing shower. For the decor, we used fun animal prints in lavender and sage to incorporate the colors of the baby’s nursery.

The rooms were decorated with multi-layered pillar candles, lanterns, tea lights, and votives. Ivy vines, floor plants and other greenery added to the jungle ambiance of the shower along with bronze statuettes of wild animals such as giraffes, elephants, cheetahs and more which were spread about the room. Custom animal print stationery and signage was created by the design team at TFT and used throughout the event.

The tables were adorned with candles, ivy and river rock accents atop chocolate brown linens provided by Party Rental LTD. The beautiful centerpieces, designed by Petals Premier, incorporated stunning purple vanda orchids with lily grass placed in pyramid shaped vases.

As guests arrived, they were asked to write their well wishes for baby and any words of advice for the new Mom-to-Be. These were then placed in a scrapbook to be kept in the baby’s nursery. Everyone then settled in and awaited Nicole’s arrival.

The Mommy-to-Be was beyond surprised upon entering that it brought her to tears – happy tears of course! Our good friend David Toth of David Toth Photography was on hand to capture her reaction as well as all of the details and events of the day. After greeting everyone, Nicole and her thirty guests sat down to enjoy lunch that everyone in attendance contributed to making. The two signature drinks, Passion Fruit Punch and Forest Green Tea were a big hit and enjoyed by all. Some of Nicole’s friends purchased a special ‘Baby Bump’ glass for her that was super cute – so cute in fact she used it right then and there!

After lunch, it was time for ‘Baby Gone Wild’ trivia! We created a custom trivia game that featured categories such as celebrity baby names, baby facts, and name that nursery rhyme. Once trivia was complete, it was onto presents! There were so many amazing gifts for the new baby girl – from a rocking horse to handmade blankets to clothes, clothes, clothes..well she will certainly be a little fashionista!

Once Nicole opened all of the beautiful presents, it was time for dessert. The two tiered custom cake was designed by the oh so fab Sabrina of A Cake Dream. She did an amazing job capturing the design of the shower and incorporating it into a confectionery delight! The cookie favors, also designed by A Cake Dream, matched the cake design perfectly and featured different sayings such as ‘Born to Be Wild’ and ‘Baby Gone Wild’.

We had so much fun planning this event for Nicole. Everyone in attendance had such a great time and we were so happy to be a part of this special day.

Soon after, Nicole and her husband Chris welcomed their beautiful baby girl Quinn Olivia – we wish the new happy family all the best!