Give Big!

Giving back is a huge part of my business philosophy.  It is really important to me for many different reasons.  One of which is, I work in weddings, which is really fun and rewarding, but can occasionally feel materialistic and over indulgent.  I have many clients who are looking to give back through their weddings.  They also share my feelings of sadness seeing all of the beautiful flowers going into the garbage at the end of the night.  Floranthropy!  Floranthropy, is a Seattle non-profit company that helps people give flowers from their big event to local charities.  Started by a bride in June 2011 when she donated the flowers from her wedding the the hospital her Mother was a patient at.  She realized that there was a need for this service and began Floranthropy!
The flower arrangements would last a week, if not longer after the wedding if given the chance.  While doing some research for me this week, my assistant Charlotte found this amazing website.  I have not yet used it, but am really excited about it! 
 
Here is some information from their website:

"Floranthropy brings social responsibility to your celebration or event. We pickup and deliver event floral arrangements to re-purpose them in local hospitals, shelters, nursing homes, schools and other facilities. Many hospitals and social service centers do not have donation sites and do not provide pickups. Our donation pickup and delivery service provides you with a one-stop solution for giving green. Recycle and re-purposed your floral arrangements today.  If good karma isn't enough, it’s tax deductible too!

• Donate Wedding & Event Floral Arrangements

• Donate Corporate Event Floral Arrangements

• Donate Bar & Bah-Mitzvah Floral Arrangements

• Fundraisers: Online Donation Drive & Registry (Coming Soon!!)

• Provide Tax Deductible Receipt" 

If you've used it, I would love to hear about your experience, good or bad.  I'm excited about finding a this resource I can share with all of your and my clients.  I look forward to using it and giving back!

Going down the grocery aisle?

Check out yesterday's King 5 News story where I'm featured!


by NATASHA RYAN / KING 5 News
KING5.com
Posted on March 5, 2011 at 12:41 AM

Discount chain Costco is now offering brides a chance at designer dresses.

The store is setting up bridal boutiques right in the middle of its stores. The wedding bliss is temporary but the company is hoping to move the operation on-line by June. The same month Costco will bring the road show to the Northwest.

Six styles from designer Kirstie Kelly are available at one time ranging from $700-1,400. You buy the dress and walk right out of the store with it. Designed for brides on a budget, Costco says it's had amazing feedback.

Wedding planner Wendi Hroncich tells us "the trend is to downsize." A bride-to-be we spoke with says she learned quickly just how expensive weddings are. Chelsea Wilnott says, "I think as soon as you say wedding, price tags start going up."

Hroncich says she understands the concept in theory. "It's your wedding dress, the most important dress you'll ever wear. If you go to a discount store or a Costco for it, it's bad lighting, people with their shopping carts going by you, it's just not the same experience."

Costco customers joked at first but Mary Haltiner told us she thinks the whole thing might just work. "I doubt they'd put it next to the hamburgers but they sell coffins on-line so why not wedding dresses?"

$1,000 off Wedding Planning!!!

YES!!! You read the head line correctly! In the celebration of LOVE, and the upcoming holiday Ethereal Events is offering an AMAZING deal! One Thousand Dollars $1,000 OFF Day of Wedding Coordination! Must book before Valentines Day Feb. 14th 2011!

• Service begins 4 weeks before your wedding day and includes:
• Detailed Timeline & vendor management
• Rehearsal Planning & Direction
• 8 hour of coordination on wedding day
• Tie up all loose ends
• Create a stress free magical day!

Contact us today!
206.920.2658, info@etherealevents.com

Couture Dress For Much Less!

Your wedding dress is a HUGE part of your wedding. It is your signature piece! It tells everyone everything about you and your style. With my clients her engagement ring and dress choice(s) are the foundation of my design. They are the 2 pieces that give me the clearest insight into my Bride's style. The ring she will wear forever, and the dress...It is her persona in the fashion form!

Fabulous fashion on wedding day is a MUST! If a designer dress by Vera Wang, Calvin Klein, Badgley Mischka, Amsalae or Kenneth Poole is at the top of your priority list, but may NOT be in the budget, give the following Bridal Boutiques/web boutiques a try! They have the desired designers with out their price tag!

Bride's Against Breast Cancer:

This amazing organization holds designer dress sales all over the country! The dresses come directly from the designers and donations. Their web site states: "Most gown prices range from $99 to $799*, including hundreds of beautiful new name brand and designer gowns valued up to $8,000. *Exclusive designer and couture gowns valued up to $20,000 are also available at an incredible 25% to 75% savings" All the proceeds from the dress sales go to benefit The Making Memories Foundation! They work to grant wishes for stage 4 breast cancer patients and their families! It's a cause I'm personally very passionate about! They are coming to WA very soon! Here's their schedule:

2011
Olympia, WA: January 30 - New!
Tacoma, WA: February 25-27

If traveling to Olympia or Tacoma is not for you! Have no fear! There are 2 Seattle companies to turn to!

Blue Sky Bridal

Blue Sky Bridal's philosophy is "you don't have to sacrifice style, quality, or your budget to have a beautiful wedding that reflects your values. Blue Sky Bridal offers recycled and reconstructed wedding gowns, organic wedding dresses, and green wedding accessories." Being green and sustaining the environment is at the heart of Blue Sky's mission! Located in the Phinney Ridge Neighborhood, they are a Seattle girls go to location for a fabulous green wedding dress! It's a purchase you'll remember forever! Buying at Blue Sky gives you even more to feel good about!

Belltown Bride

Belltown Bride brings you affordable couture! They "cater to the sophisticated woman who has great taste and style, but appreciates good value. Belltown Bride lets you spend the average and get the extraordinary. Most gowns are priced between $1200 and $2500." Their show room is full of designer samples gowns ready to be taken home for your dream day! Belltown Bride is like attending a coveted designer trunk show everyday! It's worth the trip!

Bravo Bride

Bravo Bride is a Seattle based company giving you access to Bride's all over the country! With this user friendly website you have access to resources you never would have dreamed about! Vera Wang for sale in Connecticut, or Jimmy Choos in Florida! "Bravo Bride has thousands of options for you to choose from. Discover amazing bargains on designer wedding items from all over the country." The wedding dresses for sale on their site are of the highest quality, from leading designers. You have to check it out!

Don't worry Bride's maids! Stay tuned for next week's post when I share how you can save some major $$$ on couture bride's maid fashion!

Top Photo: Amsale Collection

Bottom Photo: Kenneth Pool

Want to see more...

I know everyone loves an amazing wedding and Kristi and Tim's was just that! I blogged about it right before Christmas! Check it out here! If you want to see more, the amazing florist Christiane Zweifler of Flora Nova Designs also blogged about it too! I love working with her! She brings a fresh perspective to every wedding we do together and it is always beautiful!!! Enjoy!

Happy New Year! It's time to get the planning started!

You got engaged over the holidays! Yippee! Congratulations! Finally you get to start planning your dream day! This is such a fun and exciting time in your life! I'm here to help you avoid making the "I've never done this before" wedding planning errors!

The first mistake that most Bride's make is going straight to buying their wedding dress before thinking about any of the wedding details. Some of the things that will play a role in deciding the PERFECT dress for your are: location, style, season, formality of wedding, etc. I KNOW wedding dress shopping is something you've been dreaming about for a long time! It is magical! But please listen to me when I say find your venue and set your date first!!! If you find a dress that is perfect for an outdoor summer wedding, but the venue you choose is only available in fall or winter then you have a problem! Creating a cohesive wedding design takes all the parts and pieces into account. The dress being a huge factor in the total design!

The second mistake couples make is not having a clear idea of what the other wants. It is so important that you talk to one another about your wedding wish list and if you want to include your families! If your groom wants you to take the planning and run with it, that's great! But it is sooo important that you both know where you stand and how the planning is going to be executed! Having open communication and a plan is the key to being able to enjoy this wonderful time!

There are many more mistakes that can be made, but if you follow my suggestions, hopefully you won't fall into any of them!

Here are my first 3 steps in planning your wedding!

1. Set a realistic budget with all parties contributing and make a priority list. The priority list is a huge factor in how much of the budget you are willing to spend each service/item. I know there are many online budget helpers that tell you how much of the total budget should be spent on what...BUT they don't know you or what you want for YOUR wedding! They are trying to please EVERYONE! Take them with a grain of salt if you do use one. Set the budget percentages based on your needs and desires, not what they tell you! If having a huge, fun party is your top priority then the music (DJ or Band) and bar (wine & beer or premium liquor) will be at the top of your list! If you want a tranquil stress free day where you can enjoy every-one's company and not worry about a thing then having a wedding planner should be at the top of the list. Your priority list should dictate how you divide up and spend your budget. Spend more on the things that matter most and save on or do the DIY for the things that are near the bottom!


2. Find your venue and set the date! The venue and date of your wedding are the foundation that you build on. You can't hire any of your vendors until you have a date set in stone! And usually the venue you chose availability will help you narrow down and select your wedding date. If you already have a date before selecting a venue the selection of vendors can take place, but venue/location should be the first thing you find!


3. You have a budget, priority list, date and venue...NOW go find your dress and all other vendors! All the must needed basics are in place and now is the fun part begins! Build your wedding around your vision and make sure that your dress makes you feel more beautiful then you've ever felt! Here are just a few other vendors that should be selected right away:

• Wedding Coordinator
• Photographer
• Catering
• Florist
• Bride's maids dresses
• The list goes on and on!

Good Luck! I'm so excited for all of you on this incredible journey! If you have suggestions for the newly engaged ladies I'd love to hear them! How did you find success planning your wedding?

Check the blog out next week for info and ideas on where to buy your DREAM dress for less!

A Toast to the New Year!

"Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right." ~Oprah Winfrey

As we ring in 2011 I'm reminded of all the blessings in my life and business! I'm not really one for resolutions, but this year I'm going to make a concise effort to write down all the small and big accomplishments and happiness 2011 brings! Most of which comes from my clients and family! 2011 is my 5th full season in this business, and I love it more with each new day and new client! I feel so lucky to be doing I job I adore! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you to all my clients who have touched my life for the better!

Happy New Year!

Real Wedding Friday! Kristi & Tim Kabeary

Krisit & Tim are an amazing couple I had the pleasure of working with in 2010! Kristi is a bride that brings ethereal to mind! Gorgeous, kind, thoughtful, and fun are just a few words to describe her and Tim! They were an amazing couple to work with and so deeply in love! You can see the joy and love in both of their eyes in every stunning photo Azzura took on wedding day!

My Christmas wish this year is a season full of couple's like these two in 2011! I wish you all a wonderful, safe and blissfull holdiay season! Merry Christmas!

I hope you enjoy the breathtaking couple and photos! I love my job!

Real Wedding Friday! Jessica & Tyler Rose

I had the pleasure of working with Jessica on her and Tyler's August 27th, 2010 wedding! Her theme was very sweet and sentimental! With the impending new last name of Rose, she went wild with was roses! It was the perfect fit for this delicate and beautiful Bride! The ceremony was of course held in the Rose Garden at the Woodland Park Zoo & the reception at spectacular Restaurant 67 in the Edgewater Hotel! Jessica is an incredible sweet bride who I feel very lucky to have worked with! The incredible photos below are by the fantastic Tasha Owen! I hope you enjoy!