I’m going to break this down in the simplest way- bridal fairs come in various forms from small and intimate to large and comprehensive. You can actually meet, chat with and hire vendors for your wedding all in one location. Will you find everyone you need for your wedding? Probably not but you will get to introduce yourself to several vendors you may not have intended to meet with and you will find that you like them. In other words, keep an open mind and talk to many vendors.

One bridal fair to check out is the upcoming Sedona Bridal Fair hosted by the Sedona Wedding Professionals Association

The fair offers professional wedding vendors all in one location including wedding planners, officiates, photographers, cake designers, caterers, wedding venues, musicians and disc jockeys, hair and make up artists, transportation companies, and much more. You can register here!

Bridal Fair Need to Know’s:

- Wear something comfortable (walking shoes, comfy pants) and be well- rested. This is fun but it’s also tiring.

- Bring a friend, mom, aunt, fiance, etc. for support but don’t be disappointed if you carry on long after they tire out. P.S. Chocolate on the spot or the promise of dinner out is a great motivator!

- Bring a tote bag to carry your goodies with straps long enough to put on your shoulder. Even better, bring a backpack. You will probably get a bag at the show but it will be cumbersome and possibly not sturdy enough.

- Keep an open mind and talk to as many vendors as you can; don’t hire at the show if you’re not ready, but feel free to hire a vendor at the show if you are (after carefully reading the contract of course)!

- Bring pre-printed address labels that include your name, email, phone #, email address and wedding date. You’ll look like a rookie if you show up without them!

Happy Planning from your Arizona Wedding Blog,

Kelly

The 2012 Sedona Wedding Bootcamp, on February 18th,  promises to be even bigger and better. Since it was so fabulous last year, I’m not sure how they will pull this off but if anyone can do it, it’s the Sedona Wedding Studio crew.

Here’s a blurb from their website about what to expect: Brides will quickly discover that this is no ordinary wedding show. No typical booths here. Brides will stroll among gorgeously designed table settings, get creative ideas, sample great cuisine, taste sensational cakes, meet Sedona’s top experts, attend informative mini-seminars, take venue tours, win valuable prizes, and enjoy numerous displays and demonstrations… all in one fabulous day.

Oh, and they are featuring an “Inspiration Pavilion”. AND they are taking attendees by shuttle to visit wedding locations in Sedona. AND there will be samples of food and sweets galore. AND there are giveaways to boot! Can you tell I’m excited? I seriously want to go incognito as a bride.

Don’t miss this opportunity to canoodle with Sedona’s talented wedding vendors. To register, click here.

Want to earn a free ticket? Well…all right! We’ve partnered with the Sedona Wedding Bootcamp to offer free tickets to 3 people who leave a comment on this blog post telling us which Sedona Wedding Bootcamp sponsor you can’t wait to chat with. Three comments will be chosen randomly on February 3rd- you will receive an email notifying you that your comment was randomly chosen along with instructions telling you how to claim your free ticket.

Happy Planning from your Arizona Wedding Blog!

Kelly

You need to call and make your appointment NOW to visit Destiny’s Bride this weekend (480-368-8868). This couture bridal gown shop (real couture, not fake couture) is hosting their Bridal White Weekend and you don’t want to miss it. Destiny’s Bride carries dresses from Monique Lhullier, Anne Barge, Lazaro and more.

All bridal dresses paid in full will be 10% off, plus you will receive $100 toward any accessories such as veils, shoes, and jewelry- that’s a fabulous deal!

Call 480-368-8868 to make your appointment.

Bridal U, which is happening September 18 at the Talking Stick Resort, is NOT a show. It’s the most fun kind of “class” you will ever register for! And the credits? You earn a tote bag and wedding journal just for showing up (none of my college classes were THAT easy!), you will be registered for a Minimoon or Staycation and there will be signature wedding drink samples. Enough said, right? Well, there’s more…

So what do you need to do? Just go online to register, mark the date in your calendar and show up! Don’t you feel smarter already?

To get a special Buy One Get One Free link from us: visit our Facebook page (Phoenix Bride and Groom Magazine), “Like” us or leave us a message/comment on the page. We will email a link to you for the BOGO deal and one lucky registrant will get their fee reimbursed by Bridal U the day of the event!

Have fun! Kelly

In case you haven’t been there, Sedona Wedding Studio is a charming place where you can meet all the vendors you would want to meet for your wedding. You can browse samples of vendors’ work, schedule meetings with vendors and be inspired by the sites and smells. OH, the smells! Sedona Cake Couture is in the space adjacent to the studio and there is always something that you just have to try. Look at this irresistable sweets case:

Guests of the bootcamp received invaluable advice from professionals such as Liz Margin, make up artist; Dana DeLuz, Dance Instructor; Andrea Carusetta-Blount, cake artist; coordinators Margaret Van Damme, Judi Bloomfield and Karen Lynn; Bobby Russell, DJ; Katrina and Andrew, photographers and co-founders of Sedona Wedding Studio; and Ken and Jim, floral designers and co-founders of Sedona Wedding Studio.

They also set up some cute vignettes throughout the space for wedding inspiration:

The macarons were a big hit:

I am pretty sure Sedona Wedding Studio is going to host another Bridal Bootcamp in the future and if you didn’t go, I urge you to do so. They are the nicest people around, the bootcamp is intimate and personal, Sedona is gorgeous, and every single Sedona Wedding Studio vendor travels, especially to Phoenix.

Here are a few tips that I think would be helpful to anyone planning their wedding, brought to you by the members of Sedona Wedding Studio:

Liz Margin Makeup: stay away from blue undertones since red/pink on the eyes can make you look tired; avoid super bright lips

Dana DeLuz Dance Studio: practice your wedding dance in different surroundings so that the wedding floor surroundings don’t throw you off

Sedona Cake Couture: add crunch to your cake! Use pralines, coconut, etc. for texture

Van Damme Weddings: define your style by gathering materials, pictures, etc. then see what color palette emerges. Once you determine the colors, don’t change! Huge trends: grey suits/dresses, 40′s inspired details, shades of blue, honeysuckle, Hollywood Glam

Sedona Wedding Planner: seek a variety of venue options and determine your priorities.The Forest Service properties are beautiful but you cannot bring anything onto them, including chairs; B&B’s are great for intimate weddings; Resorts offer guest convenience; Private Properties are beautiful but may have noise curfews; Vineyards are great, etc.

Events by Showstoppers: Be open to suggestions about flowers since the time of year determines what looks best; have an idea of what you want and the style you are looking for but be open to the designer’s professional opinions- they are not necessarily trying to get you to spend more money, but they do want the floral to be the best it can be.

Sedona Sounds: Make sure your DJ is professional and practices the pronunciations of names well before the wedding day. Bobby Russell actually tapes the way you pronounce names and practices them!

Sedona Bride Photographers: it’s best to have 2 photographers; consult with your photographer before sending out the invites- time/lighting are important factors; if possible, choose  a prep area with lots of natural light; candles and up- lighting are really important; meet wiht the photographer- do not base your decision on website alone.

And my tip, that I humbly offered to the bootcampers: listen to your gut. If you meet with a vendor and you just don’t feel like you are connecting well, don’t hire them. They may not be connecting with you either. Often, the best weddings are not those where the most money was spent but those that are made up of a team of vendors who really get you and your style.

I will be sure to keep you posted on the next Sedona Wedding Studio Bridal Bootcamp- those who did attend had a blast!

The food was catered by  Heartline Cafe and it was delicious!

Chatting Soon~Kelly

But first, if we met at the Phoenix Bridal Show last Sunday, I am so glad you stopped by and chatted with me. Seeing each of you so excited to meet vendors was a treat and made the day fly by!

Now on to the big news:

For the very first time ever, Major League Baseball is getting in on the wedding game in a big way! They are holding a contest where the prize is a ceremony and reception at the All-Star FanFest at the Phoenix Convention Center on Tuesday, July 12. Couples submit their stories (in video format) online by June 1 and the winning couple will be chosen by All-Star Ambassador (and the D-Back’s favorite former player) Luis Gonzalez, Celebrity Wedding Planner David Tutera and Jenni Croft Badolato from ABC’s “The Bachelor”.

You are never going to believe the amazing line-up of wedding vendors that are donating their services to the wedding! Wedding Coordination by Charlee Geisler of Signature Events- a veritable wedding rockstar here in the valley- along with:

Angelic Grove – Floral décor and arrangements :: Eyes 2 See Photography – Wedding photography :: Serendipity Video – Wedding videographer :: Classic Party Rental – Specialized party supplies and rentals :: F/X Entertainment – Ceremony and reception music :: Celebrations in Paper – Invitations and wedding program :: Cheryl Roberts with Steven Paul Salon – Hair and make-up :: Julia Baker Confections – Wedding cake :: Men’s Wearhouse – Tuxedos

(Image Courtesy of Eyes2See Photography)

They are also giving away some fantastic loot: a catered reception for 50 guests by Aventura Catering, a wedding ring package from Molina Fine Jewelers, a wedding dress by Uptown Bridal, roundtrip airfare and tickets to the 82nd MLB All-Star Game. The lucky couple will also receive items from Major League Baseball partners including a $500 MasterCard gift card, beverages for the reception provided by Anheuser-Busch, hotel stay provided by InterContinental Hotels Group, and a $500 Newlywed Lawn & Garden Kit donated by Scotts featuring a wide array of Scotts Miracle-Gro products.

As Phoenix Bride and Groom Editor Stephanie Gandy-Riley says, “My two favorite things have come together: Wedding Diamonds and Baseball Diamonds”!

As if that wasn’t enough, the other news is that  the Bridal Fashion Debut is coming up on June 12 from 9-3! This show features many of the Valley’s premiere wedding vendors and we are proud to be participants. We are also launching our next issue there so if you want to see it early, come visit us!

And finally, Crate and Barrel’s Wedding Parties series is starting June 5- they will be at Kierland Commons June 14 from 6-8 PM. You will enjoy drinks and food along with expert registry help at one of the BEST places to register for your wedding. Click here to register for your Wedding Party!

Phew- That’s some pretty hefty stuff to get on your calendar!

Chatting Soon~ Kelly

Imagine being one of the 1.3 million children and youth who experience homelessness each year in America?

Imagine being among the 1 in 50 American children who are homeless?

Imagine if no one cared?

Luckily, there are people that care. Brides, Vendors, People with Charitable Hearts, you are invited to an evening unlike any other.  Brides Give Back is simple, really. It goes like this: Vendors Donate, Couples Bid, Save The Family Foundation of Arizona receives much needed support.

Save the Family Foundation is a local charity which aids homeless families by providing homes, rebuilding families, and supporting self-sufficiency. That’s certainly a cause you can feel good about. Sign up to attend this event here.

What is available at the silent and live auctions? Golf packages, salon services, wedding photography, event planning and much more. You will save money but the end result is much bigger than that- your donations will go towards families who really need some help.

This is your community and this is a way to make it better.

See you there! Kelly

The members of the Sedona Wedding Studio are hosting a lovely gathering for engaged couples to mingle with others planning their weddings. If you are newly engaged and are still searching for your venue and other wedding vendors, Sedona is an option you should not overlook.

As an attendee of the Bridal Bootcamp and Wedding Soiree, you will have the opportunity to sample tasty treats and explore the latest in bridal beauty,  floral and decor. You will also get to chit chat one- on- one with the exclusive vendors from the Sedona Wedding Studio. I’ll bet you have questions and they definitely have answers!

The Bootcamp portion of the event is where you will glean information from said experts such as tips on how to get the most out of your wedding day photography, planning advice from a team of coordinators, ideas for entertaining your guests throughout your wedding weekend and floral and cake design inspiration.

You will also learn how to define your style through details, get menu planning tips from caterers and discuss first dance ideas with a dance instructor. There is no doubt in my mind that heading up to Sedona will be good for your wedding!

Here is a peek at what the vendors of Sedona Wedding Studio are up to:

And it gets even BETTER! One lucky couple will win a Grand Prize of a two night stay at L’Auberge de Sedona, with a $75 resort credit. L’Auberge de Sedona has recently been named to the 2011 Conde Nast Traveler Gold List and the Travel + Leisure 500 Best Hotels in the World.  When experiencing L’Auberge, you’ll see why countless couples choose to have their weddings or honeymoons there. It’s completely gorgeous!

I have to confess, I’m just a teensy weensy bit tempted to show up and pretend to be a bride! Attendance is complimentary but you must register prior to the event- click here for more information and to link to the registration form.

Gals, surprise your guys by planning a romantic “planning trip” in Sedona. You will spend quality time with your love and  mingle with other engaged couples  (bonus!)- it’s Valentine’s weekend perfection!

Hope to see you there~Kelly

First of all, I am certain this will hold true: grey is the new black for men…I think we are right on the money with this guy as seen in our Sedona Surprise Photoshoot styled by Margaret Van Damme of  Van Damme Weddings:

(Photo Courtesy of Sedona Bride)

And have you heard about “Shedding for the Wedding” on the CW? Premiering Feb 23! Teaser: A bridesmaid’s dress headed for the composte bin?

I love the emotion captured in this image from BQ Photography:

For more, go to BQ’s blog post!

New Year’s Eve is the perfect opportunity to host a glamorous wedding and Teresa and Paul are no excepetion. This is one GORGEOUS bride!

New Years Eve At The Royal Palms from Serendipity Videography on Vimeo.

Do you like free stuff? Can you write a haiku? Win a ton of stuff through the Luv is in the Air Giveaway!

If you haven’t heard, this Sunday is Sassi’s Open House- if you are engaged, I beg you to visit this venue. It’s a stunning place to get married!

And finally, Sedona is a gorgeously cooler and red rockier close neighbor of ours and on February 26th, you can head north for the Sedona Bridal Fair! Take a short road trip to Sedona where you will get to meet wedding vendors, enter into raffles and immerse yourself in Wedding Land!

Enjoy your weekend- it’s sure to be busy!

Chatting Soon~ Kelly

-What is “Gourmet Inclusive”? Find out by going to the Azul Fives website! You only have a few days left to book a vacation at the all new Azul Fives resort in Playa del Carmen where they have fabulous deals and discounts available to celebrate their Grand Opening.  

- The Farm at South Mountain is an ethereal venue, perfect for rustic and elegant weddings. They are hosting an Open House on Dec 1 for brides who want to know more about the venue. You will get one-on-one time with the Farm’s representatives and  be able to request a quote for catering (have you seen their delicious menu options? Santa Barbara Catering is amazing!). (see a gorgeous wedding at The Farm here)

- Check out this charming wedding shoot featured on Etsy’s Blog, The Storque. It’s  “A Little Bit Country and a Little Bit Rock ‘n Roll”, 100% cuteness featuring Paloma’s Nest founder Caroline- thanks to her we have the Ring Bearer Bowl! (Read more about Paloma’sNest here)

- And finally, a bit of Winter Wedding inspiration for you: winter cakes from Brides Magazine. Bring on the whites, blues, snowflakes, what have you. In Arizona, we adore winter!

I hope you enjoy your long weekend, whether that means immersing yourself in wedding planning, spending time with your family, decorating for the holidays or even shopping to your heart’s content.

Chatting Soon~ Kelly