Best Wedding Sites

Don't forget to enter the latest giveaway . . .

2012-01-21T16:48:46Z

Hoping everyone's Saturday is off to a great start. We woke up to snow here so our daughter is super excited to go out and play this afternoon in it. I'll be taking the weekend to rest and get better. After being sick for over a week, it's nice to feel a bit better after a dose of antibiotics are in me. I'll be looking forward to getting back into our regular routine next week and being able to get caught up on emails and work. What do you have planned for this weekend?

PS: Don't forget to enter and win in this week's giveaway. Enter to win a custom love song from Song Bouquet. Contest ends on Monday January 23rd, 2012 at 11:59pm EST.

A Winter Themed Bridal Shower Shoot with Glitter and Sequins

2012-01-20T15:00:46Z

Happy Friday!!!! It's time to celebrate - we've made it to the weekend. And, for me . . . it's my hubby's birthday so we'll likely be having pizza and staying in-front of the fireplace as we are all {hubby, myself and daughter} still trying to get over being sick this past week. Moving onto the inspiration for today . . . we are ending the Wedding Vendor Challenge week with a photo shoot for a bridal shower for 4 including a tablescape and dessert display. Shafoone of Making Your Event Special and Pretty Pear Bride used two shades of blue with an accent of silver. For the main table Shafonne used a light blue table cloth with a silver sequin overlay. For the centerpiece she used a silver and blue Christmas tree with a blue and silver wrapping paper accent. She even used the same wrapping paper for the placemats. I love the idea of carrying the tree theme into a winter event that is past the holiday. Makes the winter party fun and festive. Each guest received a white chocolate star lollipop, silver star and blue accent tree at their place setting.

For the dessert table Shafonne used the same wrapping paper for the cupcake tower and the cupcakes were adorned with blue and silver ornaments to add a pop of the blue and silver color.

And, since Pretty Pear Bride provides "Bridal Inspiration for the Plus Size Bride", Shafonne wanted to incorporate a model wearing an Alfred Angelo gown into a few of the photos from the shoot.

Vendor Credits:
Styling, Coordinating and Linens: Shafonne Myers of Making Your Event Special and Pretty Pear Bride
Photography: Brannan Blasack Photography
Chocolates: The Frosted Petticoat
Venue: Historic Mankin Mansion
Model: Kelly Bolan
Wedding Gown: Alfred Angelo

Friday Favor of the Day : Flat Bottom Gusset Cellophane Bags

2012-01-20T12:30:45Z

These Clear Flat Bottom Gusset Cellophane Bags from The Wedding Outlet are great for favors or candy buffets. Pack home-made or store bought treats for any occasion; Weddings, Sweet Sixteens, Quinerenas, even Bat Mitzvahs. Plan to insert a personalized liner card like the Old Time Candy Insert to give your treats a polished presentation your guests will truly appreciate (inserts, ribbon and candy sold separately). Each package contains 100 cellophane bags only.

The Wedding Outlet is a sponsor of Best Wedding Sites

A Shimmery Nighttime Photo Shoot w/ the City Skyline & an Ombre Cake

2012-01-19T12:20:45Z

Happy Thursday. Today is the 2nd day of Wedding Vendor Challenges for January. Like yesterday, the colors for this month are a wintry ice blue with silver for that touch of sparkle. Today's challenge is from Colleen of Bellissimo Weddings & Events {who you may remember from helping with my daughter's Strawberry Shortcake Birthday Party}. Colleen chose Taste in Albany, NY as the venue for this shoot because of their beautiful penthouse suite that overlooks downtown Albany. Taste is an amazing location for a wedding and reception. Andrea of Photos by AMU did an amazing job of capturing the city view along with the table and desserts.

The linens used were a light blue crinkle taffeta overlay with Taste's white underlay and a light blue chair tie with a glittery blue swirl design.

Duo Design Studio created all of the paper products that were used for the menu, favors and cupcake table. The shimmery paper is the perfect finishing touch.

Coccadotts made the gorgeous cake and cupcakes and really tied all of the colors and shimmer together with the ombre look. I'm loving the cake, how about you?

Vendor Credits:
Location and Chivari Chairs: Taste
Event Planner, Linens and Centerpiece: Bellissimo Weddings & Events
Photographer: Andrea of Photos by AMU
Stationery: Duo Design Studio
Cake & Cupcakes: Coccadotts
Siver chargers with rhinestone edge and candle holders: Michael's Crafts

A Wintry Glitz and Glam Photo Shoot with a Giant Snowflake Ornament

2012-01-18T12:20:42Z

Super excited for today as it's now time for the Wedding Vendor Challenges for January. The colors for this month are a wintry ice blue with silver for that touch of sparkle. Today's challenge is from Madeline’s Weddings & Events in Canada. Wait until you see the GIANT snowflake ornament!!!! I love it!!!! And, to tie this entire shoot together was the amazing lighting and the blue wall washes.

This month I left it open to the vendor team if they wanted to provide a tablescape for either a wedding or bridal shower. Madeline and her team chose to do a wedding reception tablescape for 6 guests and included their crystal backdrop which is full of glitz and glam.

Don't you just love the stationery, complete with snowflakes? Madeline's team designed place cards, menus, a table number and even wrappers for the favors.

For the reception tables, white pinched floor length linens were used and topped with a satin, royal blue table runner. Silver chair covers were also used along with matching satin silver napkins.

The centerpiece is definitely one of my favorite elements - a giant silver snowflake ornament on top of a cylinder vase. For an extra touch of sparkle, a few crystals were added around the base of the centerpiece too. As much as I love florals, I do love seeing the unique non-floral centerpieces that keep popping up lately.

And, of course no Madeline wedding is complete without her signature drinks and dessert bar. For this shoot, the signature drinks featured were a ‘Sparkletini’ and ‘Blue Ice’. The dessert bar had tons of yummy treats, including sugar cookies, brownies, cupcakes, biscotti and much more. The sweet display is completed with the dessert bar sign, "love is sweet" letters and matching dessert tags too.

And, lastly, here is the dessert table with the spotlighting on it - how fun is this for a night time event?

Vendor Credits:
Linens & Design, Dessert Table, Stationery, and Spotlighting – Madeline’s Weddings & Events
Photographer – Michelle Zerr Photography
Cakettes & imperial cookies – Cake-ology

Giveaway : Win a custom love song from Song Bouquet

2012-01-17T13:00:41Z

Happy Tuesday. We're excited to have Song Bouquet joining us this week with their wonderfully unique custom love songs. This week, one lucky reader will win either the Tier 1 and Tier 2 package from Song Bouquet, their choice {up to $200 value}. And, not only could this special song be created for a wedding, but it would be perfect for Valentine's Day too. Or, just anytime you want to express your love and affection for that special person in your life. With Tier 1, you choose a song and then Song Bouquet will customize the lyrics for you and you get your song right away. With Tier 2, you choose a song and then tell Song Bouquet about your loved one and their favorite musical styles. Song Bouquet will then create the perfect lyrics and vocals for you. One song idea is . . . instead of dancing to Etta James ‘At Last,’ couples can create their own ‘At Last’ with lyrics about them.

To enter the contest, please leave me a comment with your wedding date and your favorite love song. The contest runs thru Monday January 23rd, with a winner being selected on Tuesday January 24th. Please be sure to leave your email address on the comment form so I can email you if you're the lucky winner {it will not be published}. PS: don't forget to share this post with all your engaged friends.

Contest prize: a custom love song from Song Bouquet {valued up to $200}
Contest Deadline: Monday January 23rd, 2012 at 11:59pm EST
Contest Question to Answer: What's your favorite love song?
{PS: don't forget to include your wedding date to be eligible to win}

Would you like FIVE additional entries into the giveaway?

For Entry Number 2: Simply follow Song Bouquet on twitter and then come back here to leave a 2nd comment letting me know you're now following Song Bouquet on twitter.

For Entry Number 3: Simply like Song Bouquet on Facebook and then come back here to leave a 3rd comment letting me know you've now liked Song Bouquet on Facebook

For Entry Number 4: Tweet the following . . . "I just entered to win a free custom love song from @weddingsites and @songbouquet - Enter Here http://ht.ly/8vQXz" and then come back to leave me a 4th comment with the link to your tweet and your twitter id

For Entry Number 5: Simply follow Best Wedding Sites on Twitter and then come back here to leave a 5th comment letting me know you're now following @weddingsites on Twitter

For Entry Number 6: Simply like Best Wedding Sites on Facebook and then come back here to leave a 6th comment letting me know you've now liked Best Wedding Sites on Facebook

Winner Announced : pair of Silver CZ TACORI Earrings

2012-01-17T12:30:05Z

It's time for me to announce the winning recipient of the pair of Silver CZ TACORI Earrings from Elizabeth Diamond Company.

The winner is Breanna who wrote: "I love love love the Tacori 46-2ET eternity Band; beautiful band that would go perfectly with my ring :) I can't wait to get married on July 6th, 2013!!"

Congratulations Breanna - I'll be emailing you personally for your mailing address or if you see this before I write, feel free to send me a message. Please note: winner(s) have 48 business hours to reply or another winner will be selected.

For All My Brides and Family of those planning a wedding:
Stay tuned for another giveaway coming up a bit later this morning {here's a hint…it involves some love}

Inspiration Board : a Winter Wedding in Blue and Silver

2012-01-16T15:20:16Z

Winter was definitely in the air this weekend. There was snow on the ground and the high reached about 14 degrees. Brrrrrr. So for today's inspiration board I based it on a snowy winter wedding using the color palette for today's Invitation Challenge {seen here} and this month's wedding vendor challenges which will start on Wednesday. I just love the snowflakes when combined with winter blue and the sparkle of the silver. What is your favorite element from this inspiration board?

Image Credits and Shopping Resources:
bluebell jacket from BHLDN, snowflake cookies from Pink Penguin Cakes, winter decor from Centsational Girl, snowflake high heels from Nora Karen, brooch bouquet from Lionsgate Designs, wedding ring set in london blue and white topaz from Kat Designs NYC, sequined dress from Bloomingdale's, bridal clutch from Nora Karen, snowflake cupcakes from Country Living

Winter Weddings in Blue and Silver . . . an Invitation Suite

2012-01-16T12:20:18Z

Starting Wednesday this week, I will be showcasing the Wedding Vendor Challenges for January and to start off the week I have an invitation challenge that Nicole of Inside the Envelope, Inc. joined in on. I asked her to create an invitation suite based on this months color palette, which was blue and silver. I just think this is a great color palette for any winter themed event, don't you? And, with the glitz of silver, it definitely says "Let's Party!!!!!".

I just LOVE what Nicole came up with and the invitation is actually printed and mounted on a shimmery silver backer.

If you would ilke this invitation design for your wedding, maybe even in different colors, please be sure to contact Nicole of Inside the Envelope, Inc. as I know she would be delighted to work with you.

Don't forget to enter the current giveaway . . . + a question for you

2012-01-14T03:52:24Z

Hope everyone has a terrific weekend ahead of them. Hubby and I will be taking care of our little girl who caught a bad virus and on Sunday my mom and I have an appointment for a little bit of pampering. Her a manicure and myself a pedicure. Hmmm, wonder what color polish I'll choose? What's your favorite polish color at the moment? Do you have a favorite brand? I tend to be a fan of the ones that are free of toluene, formaldehyde, and DBP, such as E.L.F. Cosmetics.

PS: Don't forget to enter and win in this week's giveaway. Enter to win a pair of TACORI Earrings from Elizabeth Diamond Company. Contest ends on Monday January 16th, 2011 at 11:59pm EST.

And, in case you missed any posts this week, here's a round-up . . .
- A Real Canadian Wedding in purple + green with a topsy turvy cake
- The Rules of Engagement Parties : the question’s been popped, now what?
- Wednesday Wedding Accessory : Sea Shell Caketop
- The sweetest of weddings : a real wedding of two friends since high school
- An Illustrated Marriage Proposal Guide from Brilliance
- DIY Favors Supplies : create fabulous favors for your guests
- New + Unique Wedding Cake Toppers : customize hair color of the bride + groom
- Sweet Eye Candy Friday : pink confetti cake