- by Brittiny,
Wedding planner and bride-to-be
We have decided on our cake. Yummy! I cannot wait to go to our tastings. I am thinking of a strawberry cake with a whipped strawberry filling, a chocolate with chocolate ganache layer and a regular vanilla layer for my fiance and the kiddies. We will probably do a rolled fondant topping and I, of course, will do the topper. I will be borrowing the cake plate from my mom or grandmom or M's mom because I love the idea of making it more like an heirloom piece.
Also, I am cleaning out my current inventory and making room for more exciting products. As such, I'm offering a 25% discount on my cake toppers. Regular prices for our single monogram toppers are $90-200. But, for a limited time, sale prices are $72-160 for a single monogram topper (font and crystal choices determine pricing). There are 18 different font choices to choose from. For you DIY brides, purchase the toppers without crystals to put your own spin on them. Just email me at amourtoujoursevents@gmail.com for more information.
Let Them Eat Cake: Tastings & Toppers
"Pick-A-Shape" Favor Tags
A Wedception: Your Dream in Green?
- by Carol King,
Guest blogger & wedding planner
This whole green thing started for me when I saw a polar bear drown on a television special. Watching those bears struggling to find places to perch, hunt and eat was an eye opener for me – a wedding planner. Determined to be a part of the solution, I asked all of my clients of they would consider having a green themed wedding. One couple said yes. I introduce to you Bridget Woods and Les Beckford. 
On Friday August 6, 2010, Bridget and Les will marry at the beautiful Callanwolde Fine Arts Center (seen top left). Callanwolde is a majestic 27,000 Gothic- Tudor- style mansion discreetly situated off Briarcliff Road in Atlanta GA. When I first met this amazing couple, I knew that true love still reigns. The camaraderie between them makes you, pardon the pun, green with envy. After several discussions, we decided that our goal was to educate brides of color about the green theme and that it can be fabulous. Since this endeavor meant scrapping most of their original plans – two venues, etc, I decided to invite earth friendly companies to sponsor their wedding. I am pleased to say that I have secured the services of some very talented vendors and yes, there is room for more of you to join us.
When asked about reducing their impact on the environment, most brides typically shrug and say “I hadn’t even thought about it.” My mother used to say that “when people know better, they will do better.” Well, I am counting on that being true. Here’s what we know for sure:
1) Weddings create a huge impact on the environment. Particularly when guests utilize air travel, hosting in two venues, importing flowers and meat.
2) Wedceptions are the way to go. Hosting a wedception allows your guest the added bonus of having to travel less. Most weddings require air travel, taxis, hotels, rental cars, and a lot of time wasted searching for venues that are always way out in the boondocks. Whereas a wedception allows you to walk up the isle between your comfortably seated guest and everybody gets to stay put. After the ceremony, your guest can mingle for a lively cocktail hour instead of navigating highways in a city known for confusing street signs. And here’s another huge perk – wedceptions are cheaper! If you host in two separate locations, your photography and DJ fees are higher. Decorating one venue is much more practical than two.
If you have never dreamed of a Green Wedding I encourage you to do so. Believe me when I tell you that incorporating natural beauty your decorating theme has amazing effect. Might I suggest table numbers nestled in soft beds of real moss. Visualize real flowers and fresh food from local growers. Natural lighting illuminating the graceful folds of the satiny chair covers. Imagine each guest walking way with a live seedling that will add to the earth instead of taking away. Smell the soy-based candles lightly scenting the room in orange and vanilla. Smile while the digital film captures that most significant day the two of you will share together. Green can be glamorous. Eco can be elegant. And being earth friendly does not have to mean having to compromise on style. 
Carol will be giving us more eco-friendly tips and keeping us updated on Bridget and Les’s wedding plans. Feel free to visit her on the web at CMarieEventsandRentals.
Earth Day 2010: Greener Nuptials
It was just a matter of time before eco-friendly wedding elements caught on. Now we're seeing lots of brides-to-be incorporating green accessories into their wedding plans. My Wedding Workbook reports that close to 30% of engaged couples now seek out environmentally-conscious goods and services for their weddings. There is also an increase in the number of conflict-free/blood-free/eco-friendly engagement rings being purchased. In honor of Earth Day, we're dropping off a few more ideas.
Bridal gown from Sanni Bridal
Earth-friendly Invitations on recycled paper from Wedding Paper Divas
Eco-Runners from Customized Wedding Creations
Blue Topaz Emerald Ring by One Garnet Girl
Personalized Jute Totes from American Bridal
Here are a few more very simple ideas from Eliza Fig
Eliza's Eco Friendly Wedding Tips
* Buy a used or vintage gown or one of 100% silk or cotton
* Serve an organic menu with locally grown produce and free-range meat
* Use organic, pesticide-free flowers in your bouquet
* Use plates and forks that are rewashed, not tossed
* Invite fewer guests to limit materials
* Give your wedding gifts as donations to favorite charities
* Choose recycled or 100% cotton paper for invitations to placecards. Or minimize the amount of virgin paper used and select papers that are processed chlorine-free
Wordless Wednesday: A Photo Essay
Photographer: Tony Smith, Chicago, Illinois.
Models: Tracee Monroe, Amanda Furdge, Cmari Nicole Carson
Gown Designer: Kimberly Coy
Hair and Makeup: by Jill Alise and Melvina Cox.
Photographs courtesy of "Love Lace". Tony Smith, Chicago, Illinois. (312 217-1110)
Balloons: Yay? Or Nay?
We've found that just about anything can be worked into wedding decor. But, surprisingly, many people in the last few years have built up strong feeling about (of all things!) balloons. Overseas brides-to-be still love them and About.com just had a nice article on decorating with balloons. But, we are just now starting to see more American weddings using balloons as part of the vintage/traditional revival.
What do you think? Can wedding day balloons be used in a way that won't make you remember your high school prom? 
Photo by Jonathan Ong 
From Wedding Balloons in Edinburgh
From Wedding Balloons in Edinburgh
From Roseville Balloons
Courtesy of Essence Magazine
From Linton Studios
Courtesy of SumethingBlue
By Balloons Away
Top Photo courtesy of Roseville Balloons.
The AAB Weekly Reader
We have a lot of brilliant friends in the blogosphere, so we thought it would be a great idea to share some of their fabulous posts with you. Here's a look at what caught our eyes this week:
Black and Married with Kids asks, Do You Know How To Fight?
Were you surprised at the price of getting married. Get Married can relate in the article, Wedding Costs: Sticker Shock and Awe
Single ladies sometimes wonder why they've never been a bride. Chic... Personal... Fun wonders why she's Never a Bridesmaid.
Trying to get your hair ready for the big day? Naturally Leslie explores the question, Do Protective Hairstyles mean, "Unattractive" Hairstyles?
Opulent Creations has some of the cutest photos of sleeping babies you've. ever. seen.
Preston Bailey wants you to ask yourself if you're wasting time with "crazy makers".
Oh! And don't forget to pop over and wish Broom Jumping Bride a Happy First Anniversary.
Have a fabulous weekend!!! :)
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Wordless Wednesday: Chioma & Seun
Falls Church, Virginia
Chioma & Seun
Courtesy of photographer Fola Adewole. Thanks, Fola!
