Props for All!

Thinking about renting a Photo Booth for your wedding or event? You're not alone! Photo booth's have become one of the most popular rental items for entertainment.

Image courtesy of Jabez Photography

While they can certainly be entertaining and provide for some awesome candid shots, the optional props are almost always reminiscent of a Halloween party. Instead, why not try some more unique items. Here are a few super cute things I found on Etsy!

Bow ties for the boys and pearls for the girls!



Chalkboard Props

____ & ____

Why We LOVE Bridal Shows

Bridal shows are so much fun for us... it's a great way to meet new brides and we just love to see how creative vendors can get with their booths. Take a look at our most recent booth at Your Wedding TV's bridal show on 1.30.11 at the Hilton Carillon Park!



The whole gang! Thanks to Lacey, Rachael, Carly & Andi!

Plan your wedding with Style!

Lacey, one of our brides and one of my best friends helped out for the day!

Monograms & Engraving

Lately, I've been all about monograms. Wine glasses, aprons and even vinyl stickers for your car... you can a put a personal touch on anything! So why shouldn't Brides' have some of the fun? Check out this super cute engraved perfume bottle I saw while on a girl's trip to Disney World modeled by one of our very own brides. It would make a wonderful gift for the bride, or even for the bridesmaids!






Disney World seem a little out of reach? Don't worry! Nordstroms at International Mall here in Tampa provides this complimentary service.

The Perfect Bridesmaid Gift

Brides are always trying to find the "perfect" gift for their bridesmaids... something super cute, practical, and somewhat wedding related. The solution? Pashminas! They're my absolute favorite accessory and go with everything (including semi-formal attire). This nation wide store offers them in tons of colors and at the affordable price of $10. Buy extra, you'll want to keep a few for yourself!

Love this idea.... get them embroidered for a personal and preppy touch!

Your Inner Bride

Every bride has a look they have in mind for their long walk down the aisle. Whether it be soft and romantic or fun and quirky, The Knot has created this super cool tool brides can use to create their, "inner bride". With customizable settings such as eye color, hair style and of course bridal gown and accessories, the options are endless!

Even though I'm not engaged I couldn't resist logging on and creating an avatar of my own! This is what I came up with...

Baubles

Engagements are fabulous! Think about it... not only do most girls hear those special words, "Will you marry me?" and hear a laundry list of why their guy loves them, but you actually get to walk away with a beautiful (and hopefully just your style) diamond ring. What could be better!? Here are some style I love and think will look stunning on any bride to be and some tips (hint, hint boys!) on where to buy:

1.) David Yurman. Who isn't in love with their chunky settings and cable design? Bet you didn't know they have a bridal line... love!



2.) Etsy. Homemade goodness. Etsy is one of the reasons I don't get enough sleep... girls if you don't already shop Etsy then I'm sorry ahead of time for any late nights you may have :)



3.) Sams Club. I LOVE a good deal... and Sam's Club has fab rings at fab prices.



4.) Blue Nile. Custom is always a good idea for any girl that has a unique style and is far from ordinary. Here you can choose the setting, the stone, and voila!



I would love to see pictures of your engagement rings and hear how he popped the question. Not engaged yet? No problem! Girls always know what they want when it comes to diamonds... send me a picture of your dream engagement ring to Heather@stylishtraditions.com.

Football Season & Fall Weddings

Image Credit: http://anitagoodenphotography.com

Every year since my days of planning sorority functions I come across the same situation... keeping the guys interested in the event (and away from the hotel bar) 0n game day. I understand that not all brides are aware of sporting event schedules... believe me, I'm usually more interested in what cute outfit I found to match the colors than the actual game... but there are a few things to consider when planning your Autumn wedding.

1.) Did you and/or your fiance attend a big football school? Chances are if you're UF, Aburn, LSU, Alabama, or UGA Alum you're going to have to check the football schedule in advance, plain and simple. These big football schools have big football fans and those fans are most likely your guests! FYI- game days are top priority in the South and some might even find it offensive to plan a wedding on FL/GA weekend

2.) Are your friends and family members NFL fanatics? Plan accordingly! Even though most games aren't until 1pm on Sunday if their traveling from out of town it may become an issue.

3.) If you can't beat them, join them! Set up a flat screen tv near the center of the action at your reception. It may seem crazy but it beats half of your guests on their phones the whole time getting score updates!

Again, these are just some tips to consider and please note that these are situations I have come across as I live in the Southeast. All the Canadian brides out there can adjust to content to hockey season :)

Turn your pictures into something FABULOUS!

Think about how cute your Bridal Shower was with all your family and friends.... or even your highly anticipated (and super fun) Bachelorette party with your girls. Hundreds of pictures were probably taken at every wedding related event and all we know what to do with pictures is upload them to Facebook!

Why not try creating your own one of a kind video set to your own music instead? I was recently introduced to Animoto, a great tool that turns pictures into a slide show video at the touch of a button.

Check out our YouTube channel, StylishTraditions where we recently uploaded the 1st video we made on Animoto! PS- Stay tuned for more to come on YouTube!

Tip Top Shape

Getting in shape for the day of your wedding isn't new to brides. Most girls try it all to look their best on the big day and it can be a stressful time. Plan ahead and start early when your goal is to drop a size or two. There are plenty of bridal boot camps, pilates regimens and fitness classes to attend and be sure to follow a healthy diet with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables!

It's a Breeze Diet Clinic is a great way to jump start your weight loss with their specialty diet that's loaded with protein. Also, an amazing fitness class to try is Body Attack at Lifestyle Family Fitness. One of my best friends, Kelli Pace teaches the cardio intense class on Tuesday's and Thursday's at the Swann Ave. location. Let me know if you plan on going, I try to go once a week!

Blog Love

One of my FAVORITE blogs ever is Hostess with the Mostess. A must-read blog for wedding planners and party planners in my opinion. They consistently has the cutest ideas on there! Check out these Smitten Sticks for brides planning on having a photo booth at the wedding.

My favorite detail about the blog is the stations, dessert tables and candy bars they're always showcasing. There is one for every occasion! Having a brunch reception? Do a breakfast pastry bar with mini french toast sticks, warm cinnamon buns and coffee cake. Love ice cream like me? At your bridal shower give out ice cream scoops as favor and have an ice cream topping bar. Yum!

Abu Dhadi Wedding

Like every girl in America, I was so excited to see Sex and the City 2 and this weekend my girlfriends and I all went and indulged. Let me just say, I LOVE this movie! The fact that it was in Abu Dhabi brought the richness and opulence of the Middle East to the already over the top fabulous group of girls.

The entire time I was watching I couldn't help but think, how cool would it be to plan an Arabic wedding?! Rich, colorful fabrics, belly dancers and macaroons we're all I could think about... Seriously:

Weddings in the Deep Blue Sea

Bon Voyage! For my birthday this year Crafton surprised me with a week long cruise on Royal Caribbean's Liberty of the Seas. It was truly amazing. There was rock climbing, ice skating, and even weddings! We saw two brides boarding the ship after their St. Maarten beach wedding with family, attendants and flower girls following behind. Talk about all inclusive... a wedding and honeymoon in one!

Would any of you brides consider having your wedding on a Cruise?

	Yes, but only if my maid of honor was on board!
	No way, too much of a financial commitment for my guests

Show results

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Days left to vote: 6

MIA but now I'm BACK!

Okay.... so it's been a while since I've last blogged. A very, very long while! But since I've been MIA I've been busy blogging for Solutions Bridal, busy preparing for an upcoming wedding at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel in Orlando, and not so busy on vacation to the Caribbean Islands!

Take a look at some of the great shots we got while on vacation:


While blogging for Solutions Bridal I came about some exciting news about their Orlando Grand Opening. "Lucky in Love" is the theme as they open the new store near the Millenia Mall at 4194 Conroy Rd. Suite 103. From May 21- Sunday 23rd Solutions will be hosting a Kenneth Pool trunk show featuring new collections and hard to find gowns.

Take a look at Real Housewife Bethenny Frankel's gown she wore at her recent wedding. PS- It's Kenneth Pool!

Inspiration

I'm ALWAYS on wedding blogs reading about what brides are up to around the country. Some I read for informative content, some just because they have super cute pictures. This blog in particular I couldn't pass on sharing: Inspired by This is written by two sisters who own a PR firm in LA for people in the wedding biz. I love this blog! Not only are they on top of current trends and recognize the importance of hiring a wedding planner, but they provide helpful tips every Tuesday for wedding professionals. Here is a tip for every bride... read on!

DIY

Believe me, I'm all about the DIY wedding trend. Table numbers, favors and menu cards are wonderful projects you can create yourself and have a great time making. However trying to create an entire do it yourself wedding? That's just a bad idea all the way around. You want to enjoy your wedding and with the help of a coordinator the entire planning process. Here are some great DIY projects to try...


Programs

Confetti Containers

Guest Book