Wedding Planner | Vail Valley | Beaver Creek | Aspen

Weddings provide a unique platform for entrepreneurs to exert extra creativity. Their exquisite ideas and products can help enhance a wedding by adding vital emphasis to every minute details. One such company is Bourbon Barrel Rehab.

The concept of B.B.R. is taking authentic vintage oak barrels and turning them into a form of wedding memorabilia. Owner Liz Davis and her partner, Jeff, were first inspired to start their business while visiting a distillery in Kentucky. They were taken aback by the rustic nature of the barrels and the innate authentic aesthetic.

Liz tells how her first items were made as simple gifts for friends who “got married on a farm in Kentucky, and the next thing we knew Kentucky Bride Magazine featured us in their Spring 2012 issue… everything exploded from there”. It is no wonder that B.B.R. has found such success given their integration of monograms, guest messages, and elegant yet natural appeal.

Liz’s favorite piece is the guest book. She notes how it allows “the signatures of guests sharing in the couple’s wedding day to be put on display and remembered for a lifetime”. B.B.R. also ensures that each “guest book” is finished with a velvet backing so that it is safe to hang on walls in the couple’s home.

B.B.R. pieces are not just limited to guest books. Some couples use the barrels as a base for their wedding cake, others use strips of the barrels to write directions for their guests (reception this way, etc.) or meaningful quotes. There is much room for creativity when it comes to this Bourbon Barrels Rehab and it serves as a beautiful adornment to any wedding.

Please visit http://www.bourbonbarrelrehab.com/ for more information.

Bouquets are an integral part of the overall aesthetic of your wedding. But, knowing what to expect in terms of price and expectations can be tricky. Take heed to these points of advice and ensure that neither your satisfaction, nor your bank account will be jeopardized.

1. Do Your Homework

Like many other components of your wedding day, the price for bouquets will be contingent on a multitude of factors. It is your duty to educate yourself on what these factors might include, as not all of them are readily apparent.  Consider aspects like: the transportation costs for flowers not in season, the level of experience of your florist, the cost of added accessories (ribbons, rhinestones, etc). Even the cost of the florist’s supplies (buckets, wire, vases) will come into play when the price of your bouquets come to fruition.

2. Communicate With Your Florist

In order to bring to light some of the “hidden” costs for bouquets, be sure to have a thorough conversation with your florist. Often times, cost becomes a pain-point for brides and florists alike because expectations are never fully articulated. Brides have a grandiose idea of what is possible, while a simple conversation with their florist can help put into perspective what is reasonable.

3. Prioritize

If peonies are your heart’s desire, but your wedding is in August (the tail-end of peonies’ season), consider using “filler” flowers to balance out the price. Some suggestions for filler flowers are: baby’s breath, spray roses, and trachelium. Or, be prepared to compromise and stay flexible with your vision.

Because bouquet prices will be unique in terms of location, design, and season, an exact spectrum for budget suggestions is impossible. But, the “norm” for bouquet prices typically falls as follows:

Bride’s bouquet: $250-500

One Bridesmaid bouquet: $75-250

Photo Credit: http://visual.ly/types-bouquet

            Sometimes, demanding and difficult do not go hand in hand.  We have created a nomenclature for the bride who barks out instructions and doles out tedious tasks to anyone who will listen; we call her “Bridezilla”. But, there is a bride who stands at the other end of the spectrum. Timid in her expectations and even shier in her requests, she seeks to interrupt no one in anticipation of her big day. Here is a secret: for bridesmaids, family, and especially Maids of Honor… this type of bride is just as bad as Bridezilla, just less obvious. Let us elaborate.

Society can take some fault for the modern bride’s reliance on apathy. With shows like “Say Yes to the Dress” and movies like “Bridesmaids”, brides are painted as self-consumed, narrow-minded royal pains. There is some benefit to being aware that your behavior as a bride can impact those around you, but the biggest mistake you can make is to let this concept dictate your behavior in its entirety.

Like many other facets of life, communication in wedding planning is key. Do not be afraid to voice your opinion. If you want a low-key bachelorette party complete with a sleepover and popcorn as opposed to a night on the town, say so! Speak up and clue your bridesmaids into your vision. So long as you communicate your ideas with respect, your loved ones will be grateful.

Keep in mind that they have one central goal: your satisfaction. Everyone whom you called upon to participate in your wedding takes on that role because they care about you. You can easily alleviate some of the innate frustration that wedding planning brings by simply voicing your opinions.

Photo Credit: http://lafflerphotography.com/blog/

It is your big day. The cathedral doors splay open and your audience gasps at your immaculate veil, your breathtaking dress, and your unique bouquet. Many brides underestimate the power of a gorgeous bouquet, but it is an integral part of the perfect polished look (not to mention a sign of “hope” for that lucky wedding guest who takes it home). Do not overlook the power of a magnificent floral arrangement.

Fortunately, there are different types of bouquets to choose from. One FPW favorite is the cascading bouquet. While “cascading” might give rise to images of a tasteless 1980’s wedding, cascading bouquets can actually be an elegant alternative for modern brides. This option is a go-to for European weddings, as it adds just the right amount of romantic drama.  They are spectacular if you are looking to add a little spunk to a simple dress. This can have a unique effect with almost any flower; from orchids to calla lilies, cascading bouquets are sure to make a statement.

While cascading bouquets are a great election for some otherwise modest looks, round bouquets stand in stark contrast for that bride who seeks more of an accent than a centerpiece. Round bouquets can be equally as elegant, but the secret to perfection lies in the size.  Brides first need to determine how large or how small they want their bouquet. A good gauge for this is first to decide the size of the bridesmaids’ bouquets. What proportion will provide the appropriate emphasis in relation to their dress? From there, you can set a standard for what your own bouquet should look like.

Regardless of your selection, always keep in mind the overall “theme” of the wedding. Bouquets should always compliment the style of the bride and her bridesmaids. Make sure that the arrangement you choose is appropriate for the style of dress.

Photo Credit:

http://eventsofsantabarbara.blogspot.jp/2010_08_01_archive.html

stylemepretty.com

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Here is an uncomfortable truth: letting friends “help out” with vendor responsibilities the day of your wedding is a bad idea. Even the savviest bride can be blinded by the benefits of these offers (after all, your friends feel more included in your big day and you save some cash). But, while the pros are glaring, the cons are often camouflaged. Speaking from experience, a bride owes it to herself, her wedding, and her friendships to think long and hard before letting friends pitch in.

The most important takeaway is that, there is no such thing as a vendor/guest. These are mutually exclusive roles. Period. Holding a camera in one hand and a glass of Veuve Cliquot in the other might seem plausible at first, but inevitably the pictures… and the good time, will suffer. A vital point that should stay in the forefront of a bride’s mind in every wedding decision she makes, is that a wedding day can never be re-lived. So if your cousin misses how your face looked when you walked down the aisle because she was triple checking whether she had enough memory on her Nikon, that organic and truly magical moment can never be recovered for her.

You could be thinking, but there are wedding contributions far less demanding than photography! What about making the centerpieces? Or DJing? Unfortunately the answer is no, and definitely not. A cardinal rule of business is not to do it with friends. This translates to weddings because your wedding planning process is, in essence, a series of business-like decisions (there are finances to be dealt with, agreements to be made, deadlines to met, etc.). Voluntarily intermingling friends and family members into this process makes tough decisions and tough conversations much harder. Telling DJ John Doe that his sound system is inadequate is a lot less painstaking than telling your best friend.

Do not underestimate the stress that the planning process can bring. Do yourself a favor and alleviate some of the tension by hiring professionals to do the heavy lifting. There will be plenty of opportunities for eager friends to assist you without putting your big day, or your relationship, in jeopardy.

A wedding day is idealized because it affords a woman a unique opportunity to express her views on love, life, and of course, fashion. Bridal fashion trends have become increasingly more creative throughout the years, and this season does not disappoint. From the conservative to the, she wore what? FPW catches you up on the freshest new looks.

A great place to start when considering how to make your look stand out is accessories. While there are satin belts to be worn and feather headpieces to be donned, this year proves to encourage some truly remarkable items.

In her Spring 2014 collection, Reem Acra debuts a parasol that doubles as a veil. Parasols are a fabulous idea for those inclement and unpredictable Spring mountain weddings; but, Acra makes an unparalleled statement by combining the traditional concept of a veil with the less mainstreamed option of a parasol.

Given the buzz surrounding the new Great Gatsby picture, designers have revisited flapper-infused inspiration for their latest concepts. Artist Efrat Davidsohn preys on the timeless elegance of pearls in her more recent creations. She reveals a breathtaking shoulder epaulette that serves as an alternative to the traditional cap sleeves. The way the string of pearls drapes around the shoulder gives a romantic and ornate feel to the simplest of gowns.

In line with 1920’s inspiration and alternatives to traditional means, bridal masks are gaining footing in the world of fashion. If “bridal mask” brought images of gooey clay to mind, allow me to elaborate. A bridal mask is the concept of a traditional blusher, revamped. It takes just a portion of the netted fabric and attaches it directly to the face over the eyes.  Some brides opt to incorporate crystals or feathers to add even more drama to the already bold accessory.

Another concept rising to the surface for Spring is the idea of a sheer overlay. The overlay typically covers the lower half of the gown, giving the dress even more movement. The advantage of an overlay option is that the dress gains fluidity without sacrificing substance, as the heavier material is still visible.

Brides have stunning options to choose from this season. From daring accessories to ode-to-an-era originality, the possibilities for fashion-forward brides are endless.

Photo Credit:

http://www.glamour.com/about/reem-acra