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

L’Opéra at L’Auberge begins with a cocktail reception followed by a lavish dinner and entertainment provided by the lead principal cast members of Arizona Opera’s Nov. 11-20 production of Charles Gounod’s “Faust.”

The dinner menu sounds incredible; dessert is a walnut fig crostata with “Gina’s Homemade Ricotta, Salted Caramel Gelato”. Seriously, this will be a very special evening…I’m thinking this would be a great surprise to some parents as a “Thank You” for all they are doing for your wedding, no? (hint hint!)

Chatting Soon~Kelly

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

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

We know that wedding design and decor continue to be more personalized and customized by the minute. Heck, it’s considered cool now to have your wedding in a kitschy vintage bowling alley (worlds apart from my cousin’s wedding in a Wisconsin bowling alley banquet room), out in a barn or even at Summer Camp. So what is one more way, one more delicious, beautiful, WOW Factor way to personalize your wedding? With a customized, one-of-a-kind, made with you in mind cocktail. No no, not the “Bride and Groom’s Signature Cocktail” idea, but an actual drink that is all yours and dolled up in a way you never thought possible.

Let me show you:

For a special toast, the Golden Nugget Wedding Toast is perfection. This elegant drink features a rim of 24K Edible Gold Flakes with two 3 carat Gold Dust Edible Diamonds resting on the bottom for the final sip.  Are you serious? Gold flakes? Edible Diamonds? Awesome.

Here’s another beverage that I am pretty sure I want to bathe in:

“Toast” is a beverage and garnish that was created to accent and match the warm golden and chocolate brown wedding table decor. Here’s how Dress the Drink describes this libation:  ”TOAST is made with Coffee, Peppermint liqueur, White Chocolate liqueur, Baileys and Vanilla Vodka. The martini glass is rimmed with Dress The Drink Espresso Toasted Coconut Blend and accented with Dress The Drink Edible Sterling Silver Embedded Luscious Leaf on a pick.” Intense, right?

And this, the sweetest sweet I can think of:

This company actually takes the time to make a Mini Cocktail Cupcake for you that compliments the signature cocktails served throughout the evening. They are made even more beautiful with an edible Sweetglazed Viola Swizzle Stick or one or two Edible Sweetglazed Violas topping the cupcake itself. This is full-circle event design! 

Here’s a fun cocktail that your Arizona Luxurious Weddings by Dress the Drink contact, Amy Petrovsky of Sensational Events, had created just for her (Amy thought that the name ‘Embrace’ said it all.):

She explains why she wanted to have a custom cocktail, ”I wanted the experience of knowing how my brides and clients would feel if they had a custom cocktail designed for just them.”  

And hello, look at this pretty thing:

“Petal” is made with vodka, white crème de cacao, lychee liqueur, with a light dash of grenadine. The glass is rimmed with Gourmet Pink Lemonade Crushed Edible Flower and Silver Flakes then garnished with Edible SweetGlazed Rose Petal.  Fancy, right?

And one more I have to share with you simply because the garnish details blow me away:

“Meadow” is made with Vanilla Vodka, White Chocolate and Cinnamon Liqueur Blend. The rim is Dress the Drink’s edible Crush Apple Vanilla Flower Blend accented with edible Crush Apple Vanilla Flower Swizzle Stick. There is nothing they can’t or won’t  do. Nothing.

So let me break this down for you. First, you decide what your wedding colors and theme are. Then you call Dress the Drink and they create a signature cocktail hour drink, a toasting cocktail, a dinner beverage, an after dinner beverage and a cupcake that all match your decor and your personal taste. Easy, right?

And don’t worry, you are in good hands. The people you will be working with to create your signature cocktails are not glorified frat boys; the mixologists at Dress the Drink are scientists and it is their mission to create a drink that is as delicious as it is beautiful.

Now for more great news! Luxurious Wedding Cocktails by Dress the Drink will be at the Phoenix Bridal Show February 20th- look for Amy Petrovsky of Sensational Events. This classy lady can help you with any questions you may have (and I hear there will be samples)!

If you can’t make it to the bridal show, head on over to Destiny’s Bride- they are your gateway to this amazing new wedding beverage option.

After your signature cocktail is created, I would love to hear about it!

Chatting Soon~Kelly

To see Luxurious Wedding Cocktails in action, watch this video from a Style Me Pretty Photoshoot:

Style Me Pretty – Inspiration to Reality Las Vegas! from Chelsea Nicole on Vimeo.

Here are some ideas, little nuggets and inspirations for you to consider on this day of kisses:

Surprise your sweetheart with these charming  fortune cookies (and notice they are not too super girly so they are great for guys too)! This is an example of very little effort and huge reward brought to you by Deliverance05 on Etsy:

Check out these adorable DIY ideas for Valentines’s Day, brought to you by Design Sponge:

Ummm..have you heard of LoveOpoly? It’s Monopoly but personalized and more fun!

You and your darlin’ are planning a wedding, right? How about taking a planning trip Valentine’s weekend to beautiful Sedona where you can use the chillier weather as an excuse to cuddle all day long AND you can get a little planning in at  the Sedona Bridal Bootcamp and Wedding Soiree? You will be treated to yummy samples, sage advice and insider tips from the Sedona Wedding Studio, which is comprised of Sedona’s top weddding vendors. It’s free but you must register prior to the event- click here for more info!  

Sweet on You by Philosophy is just the right scent for the day:

And what better way to start off your morning coffee routine than with a  bit of subtle  decor to give a quiet nod to the day ahead (Paper Heart Garland from PaperPolaroid on Etsy):

And lovebirds, remember to  just love your honey in the best way you know how. All the rest will fall into place…

Enjoy and kisses! Kelly

November 19th is the deadline for the AZ Spa Girls Spa Giveaway. Entry is simple: send AZ Spa Girls a photo of you or you and your sweetie, have your friends “like”  AZ Spa Girls on Facebook and then have everyone you know vote for your picture on the AZ Spa Girls Facebook page. The photo with the most votes by Nov 19th wins a package worth over $3000!

Definitely Debra is hosting a series of DIY classes- the first class, Design and Paper Selection, starts Nov 13.

Trilogy at Power Ranch  is having an Open House Nov 21, 1-5PM- check it out as a possible ceremony/reception venue!

Be inspired to shake things up a bit with contrasting colors and really beautiful hair pieces:

Don’t shy away from a great pair of shoes…(see more shoes here).

(Image courtesy of Sedona Bride Photographers)

And for the guys…don’t be shy about your superpowers!

(Image courtesy of Kimberly Jarman Photography, cake by Graceful Cake Creations)

Have an awesome weekend! Kelly

AZ Spa Girls has planned an extravagant giveaway for you and as the media sponsor for this fun contest, we are super excited to tell you about it! What goodies can the winner look forward to? Check this out:

-An Ultimate Spa Day ($1,000+ value) from Agave, The Arizona Spa at The Westin Kierland Resort in Scottsdale

-Weight Loss and Energy Packages ($600 value) from La Bella Vita Health and Wellness Center

-Photography Services ($300 value) from Noyan Photography

-Passionné Wedding Services Package ($350 value) from Green Apple Design

-On-Location Beauty Services ($275 value) from Kensington Makeup Artists

-AND  the winner will have her wedding featured in Phoenix Bride & Groom Magazine!

Here’s how to enter the Bridal Bliss Giveaway:

1. Complete the Giveaway Entry Form

2. Email a fun photo of you (or of you and your fiancé) to brides @ azspagirls.com

3. Have your Facebook friends “Like” the Arizona SpaGirls Fan page

4. Tell your Facebook friends to “Like” your photo.

The photo with the most “Likes” by November 19, 2010 will be the Grand Prize Winner! (please visit AZ Spa Girls website for all details and official contest rules)

If all you have to do is email a good picture and get friends to vote on Facebook, then this should be a snap for you. Go get ‘em!

Can’t wait to see who wins~ Kelly