DIY We Love: Bubble Chandelier

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Join us in a new installment where we scout out some of the most amazing do-it-yourself projects from the blogosphere. Check back each week for our latest high-style finds at a super low price, so you can save your wedding funds for the stuff that really matters to you...

The editors at BG have been obsessing over this bubble chandelier ever since we saw a picture of one last week on 100 Layer Cake. So we did a little research and found out that Gail and Alison Rubke, the mother-daughter owners of Faire Frou Frou, a luxury lingerie boutique in California, are the masterminds behind this creative decoration. Instead of paying $3,000-$7,000 on a chandelier to illuminate their store, Gail and Alison decided to create their own unique chandelier and are now sharing this fun DIY project with crafty gals everywhere. We think it's a great idea for brides on a budget looking to dress up their wedding venue with something eye-catching and whimsical. We've provided their step-by-step instructions below so now you can grab a friend and make one for your big day!

Sample Sale Alert! Diamond Rings at Michael C. Fina

Let's take a quick questionnaire: Have you had The Big M. Talk with your SO but are still waiting anxiously for them to propose? Searching for that shiny once-in-a-lifetime engagement ring or wedding band? Looking to swap out an heirloom setting for something that's more "you?"  Do you live in NYC?

If you answered A, B, or C + D, you've come to the right place. Head to Michael C. Fina on August 3rd and 4th from 11 am - 8 pm for their Third Annual Sample Sale! This swanky 5th Avenue establishment just celebrated its 75th Anniversary, and is every diamond girl's dream—all of their sample designer engagement rings and wedding bands will be up to 70% off.  One draw: The sale items will be featured in-store only and it is for items that are in stock—nothing can be ordered.  

BG brides have the option of buying a brand-new rock or resetting a stone they already own, depending on whether the jeweler can fit it into the desired sample. However, there are setting fees involved depending on the size of the center stone. All purchases will be shipped to customers as well.

Photo courtesy of Michael C. Fina

 

— Stefania Sainato

Steals & Deals: New York Celebrates Same-Sex Marriage

Here in New York, hundreds of same-sex couples celebrated their long-awaited weddings yesterday as the law came into effect. In honor, here are some vendors offering special deals:

For the Reception

barclay new york

                                         Photo Credit: InterContinental New York Barclay

The InterContinental New York Barclay's "Worth the Wait" (aww!) package includes: One-hour cocktail reception with passed hors d'oeuvres, four-course sit-down dinner, champagne toast, open bar, rainbow wedding cake, a reception serenade by New York's famous Stonewall Chorale, and a complimentary specialty suite for two nights. Packages start at $175/person (40 guest minimum), and a percentage of the wedding cost will be donated to GMHC, which provides HIV/AIDS prevention, care, and advocacy (intercontinentalnybarclay.com)

danfords wedding

Friday Obsession: Stunning Wedding Invitation by Ceci New York

reshma shetty ceci new yorkIt's not often that we get to see a TV star's wedding invitation, so we were extremely psyched to see the invitation that Ceci Johnson, of Ceci New York, designed for Reshma Shetty (actress on "Royal Pains") featured in this week's CeciStyle Magazine. We couldn't wait to share it with you!

Reshma, who is of Indian descent, wanted her wedding (and invitations) to reflect that strong culture. The peacock is the national bird of India, making it the perfect focal point of the stationery. Ceci also incorporated the lotus flower, which symbolizes purity of heart and mind; it also represents long life, health, honor, and good luck. Such a perfect fit for a wedding day!

And we are definitely swooning over her wedding pictures. Such an amazing venue, and the décor is absolutely jaw-dropping.

Check out the incredible stationery below:

reshma shetty ceci new york stationery

10 Dos and Don'ts of Booking Your Venue

Venue-hunting? Before you sign the contract, here are some factors you should consider!

1. DON'T rule out venues automatically. 
It's tough to guesstimate how much a potential venue is going to set you back based on the photos alone. Give yourself free reign to visit any and all wedding locations that pique your interest — whether they're must-sees or just maybes — if you have the time and aren't getting hitched in 6 months or less. When we walked into The Palazzo Room at The Venetian, a venue in Garfield, NJ, my now-husband Jason nearly passed out when he saw the sky-high ceilings and glittering chandeliers. But when we started to comparison-shop and crunched some numbers, we realized it matched up with many other venues in price. In fact, it offered more food options and amenities than the others.

The Venetian: The venue we ended up booking!

 

Steal-Worthy Idea: Photo Table Numbers

We've seen a lot of weddings lately that incorporate photos into the table number cards — typically showing the bride and/or groom at the same age as the number of the table or incorporating photos from the engagement session.

Here's a creative idea that takes it up a notch: Have a photo shoot with your fiancé holding up a sign with each number! Alison and Brian, pictured below, did a different fun pose for each of their 17 tables while holding up the number on a chalkboard.

You can work this into your engagement session so that you don't have to book (and pay for) an extra shoot. Or just have a talented friend or family member take the photos. Alison's sister Jill snapped the great photos below one afternoon in her backyard and a nearby park. The couple had a few ideas in mind before heading out, but most of the poses were improvised while shooting.  "Brian wanted some to be funny, so we made sure to just have fun with it and act as natural as possible," said Alison.

Then, print out your photos and glue onto card stock. Don't be surprised if you catch your guests roaming around the room to check out all of the pictures!

photo table number

 

—Kristen O'Gorman Klein

Fun Idea for Your Favorite Wedding Photo

You'll probably take more pictures on your wedding day than you will on any other day of your life. And with any luck, you're going to have dozens that you love. Here's a great way to make your favorite photo an instant focal point of any room—turn it into a custom piece of art!

AllPopArt.com doesn't just print your photo on canvas—their artists add brushstrokes that transform your photograph into a one-of-a-kind painting.

Check out how this great moment was converted:

all pop art print

 

Another option: Turn your photo into a LichStyle comic-style print!

all pop art comic
 
Or try this adorable idea: Create a canvas scrapbook using your invitation and a few of your favorite photos.
all pop art scrapbook
 
 
Prices start at $149, and prints are available in a variety of sizes.
 
—Kristen O'Gorman Klein

You'll Never Guess What These Flowers Are Made From

We took a quick poll of our dear Facebook and Twitter followers the other day asking: Are fake flowers a do or a don't? 60% of you said they are a do!

But we have a feeling the naysayers didn't have these in mind... One of our Facebook fans recommended Keepsake Blossoms (thanks Becca!), and now we're totally obsessed. These gorgeous flowers below are made entirely out of clay.

keepsake blossoms

 

 

Isn't the attention to detail here just incredible? As you can imagine, it's a time-consuming process—making just one flower can take seven days. So if you're planning on ordering bouquets, centerpieces, or even all of your wedding flower needs, it's recommended that you place your order at least a month and preferably up to six months in advance.

The best part: The cost for a bridal bouquet isn't much more than you'd pay for a floral bouquet—prices start at $300 and depend on the kinds of flowers, colors, size of the arrangement, and complexity. But it's well worth the cost, since it also gives you a beautiful keepsake after the big day. Also available: Hair flowers for around $25 and hairpieces for $50.

What do you think: Would you consider using clay flowers?

—Kristen O'Gorman Klein

Pages

Subscribe to BridalGuide RSS