Thursday, July 19, 2007

Head to Toe. You've Got Nail.!



First question: You’re getting married?
Next question immediately following: Can I see your ring?

Most people tend to look down at your left hand as soon as you say you are engaged. A well manicured hand is needed to show off your beautiful rock and all that sparkles! The best option is to go with a neutral soft pink nail color. We have picked two dynamite options. First, is to go with a simple and clear yet shiny “stardust” by Revlon. Or if you want to take a splurge, go for the luxury of the beautiful “pink satin” by Chanel Le Vernis. Being engaged is a great excuse for getting regular manicures so be sure to take advantage of it!!! We recommend going to Exhale Spa and getting a Fusion Manicure or taking your significant other to The Crescent Spa and enjoying a relaxing afternoon with a “Duet Package”, which includes two aromatherapy massages, two pedicures, two manicures, two lunches and gratuities….now that sounds like a great day! Enjoy!!

Thursday, July 5, 2007

Head to Toe. Glowing from the inside out!

Every bride dreams of a flawless complexion with glowing skin, highlighted cheek bones and angelic eyes on her wedding day. Not only do you want this to happen, you want it to last the whole day long. Here at the AK headquarters we have interviewed one of our favorite make up artists, Mayra Rams-Sanabria and have come up with a list of her favorite, long lasting wedding day products.

Primer: Trish McEvoy “Even Skin Primer”...Use before foundation and
makeup longevity will be assured!

Powder: Chanel “Double Perfection” and also Chanel “Loose”…the first
for coverage, the latter for setting foundation.

Mascara: LancĂ´me “L'Extreme Mascara”… use waterproof formula for weddings or for any event where tears might be a problem.

Eyeliner: Bobbie Brown “Long Wear Gel Eyeliner”… I like to use
Chanel #4 brush to apply this liner.

Lip Gloss: Chanel “Glossimers”… superior shine and beautiful colors.

Faux Eyelashes: Revlon #507 or Shu Uemura #501… they look real!

Lash Curler: Shu Uemura …the spring system and the curvature are
the best.

Brushes: Trish McEvoy's … good tools make a big difference in
getting outstanding results.

Moisturizers: La Mer Cream for dry skin and La Mer Oil Controlling
Moisturizer for oily skin.

Mayra also gave us great advice on skin:

“Keep in mind not to start a new skin care regime before a big event to avoid adverse skin reactions. Wear sun protection everyday. I love Neutrogena's Ultra Sheer Dry Touch Sun block. For the face, Clinique's CX Protective Face SPF 40 is awesome. Do invest in an artfully arched brow complimented by a simple but finished face, gently catty eyeliner and a well drawn mouth. Always classic and pretty. Don't pack on eye concealer. Besides making the eye area look old, it will draw attention to the area you are trying to disguise.”

If you book Mayra for your wedding day, she will go with you to the makeup counter and show you how to apply the makeup for everyday use. Check out her fabulous faces at http://myfabulousfaces.com/ or you can reach her at 972.618.0221.

Thinking about your complexion you should use a good moisturizer a couple weeks out to make sure your skin is replenished and glowing.

If you are looking for a good bridal gift we found a primping and pampering kit by Philosophy called “Here comes the Bride”. It comes complete with facial cleanser, shampoo and conditioner, foot cream, daily moisturizer and “time on your hands” lotion.

As always….have fun!!!

Thursday, June 28, 2007

From Head to Toe: The Unveiling



We are starting a new series of advice and tips for the complete bride From Head to Toe: Let’s start with the top!

The Unveiling.

Picking out a wedding veil can be a challenging decision. Do you want it to be long, short, with lace or jewels? A veil does not necessarily have to match the dress, but should correspond so the two fabrics will not fight for the spotlight. It is your big day, not the big veil day. Many brides take their veil off during the reception because it tends to get in the way. We had a bride a few years ago who had a cathedral length veil for the ceremony (see picture above) but wanted a short veil for the reception. We took scissors to her custom veil for the reception, which made a fun statement. She felt comfortable to dance the night away while enjoying her shorter veil.

If you are the bride who wants to wear your veil to the ceremony and then make a different statement for the reception, there are a few fun options. You can wear two thin, gold Grecian headbands to complete your goddess look and add a pop of sparkle to your night. Another option would be to add a small, petite flower from your bouquet since you don’t get to carry it all night. There is also the traditional jewel encrusted antique hair comb that can be worn alone and with the veil.

Remember it is very important to bring the veil or any hair accessories to your hair appointment because it can change your hair do completely. Your wedding day is the one time you can wear a veil, so have fun!!!

Thursday, June 14, 2007

Let Them All Eat Cake!!!


The cake is a centerpiece of the reception that resembles beauty and tradition. It also says a lot about your personal style. Guests always search the party to take a glimpse at the wonderful masterpiece you have chosen for your special day. The cake is also sought after and patiently waited upon for the sweet taste everyone desires. These days, a cake can come in many shapes and sizes with many varieties to distinguish a difference from every wedding. Some of the top trends in wedding cakes today include layers of moist cake with swirling patterns of fondant. Non-traditional couples are also taking on the look of artistic cakes to represent something that is important to them. We had a fun bride and groom a few weeks ago that loved tennis so the groom’s cake was made to look like a tennis court, with shoes and tennis balls. The cake shown above was for a client who love to play golf, hence the golfballs on the top, but still wanted it to be traditional and show their classic elegance.

One way to make your cake different is to design something with an unusual flavor rather than normal white wedding cake...although we always love Mexican vanilla cake! For example, a couple could choose red velvet cake with layers of thick cream cheese icing. A custom in the South is to have a groom’s cake but to do something a little different “down South” you could always combine the bride and groom’s cake into one large cake. You can change the color from a normal traditional wedding cake to include colors of the wedding or make it black and white.

Some brides would like to explore different options for their cake. One idea is to have different levels of pies to resemble the towering of a cake. Other ideas are cakes made of cupcakes or mini-cheesecakes. You can also do a smaller cake and include a dessert bar with your favorite items.

The most important thing to remember when choosing your wedding cake: TAKE YOUR GROOM WITH YOU TO ENJOY THE ‘TASTING’ BECAUSE IT IS ONE OF THE THINGS THEY ENJOY MOST ABOUT PLANNING THE WEDDING. HAPPY TASTING!!!

When should the Invitations go out?



Planning Detail. Invitations

“How far in advance should I send my invitations out?” is a common question we get from our clients whether they are throwing an intimate dinner party or a lavish wedding. So, we have come up with some guidelines, with the help of a few other experts, to help you decide when to send out invitations. Of course every situation is different, but the list below should give you an idea of how long before you can send out those darling invites.

Formal Dinner Party Four Weeks
Cocktail Party Two to Four Weeks
Luncheon or Tea Two Weeks
Save the Date Three to Seven Months
Wedding Six to Eight Weeks
Bridal or Baby Shower Two to Three Weeks

picture from http://www.barillaus.com/images/SinglePlace1_3224115_big.jpg.

Thursday, May 31, 2007

Trend Five- Graceful Cultural Infusion



Blending two different cultures into one family can be a hard task, but planning a wedding that reflects both sides can make it a distinctive and irreplaceable experience. Family traditions hold a great deal of importance and a wedding that is multicultural will need to celebrate both sides and not spotlight one over the other.

Guests can get a sneak peek at what is to come by the invitation. One idea is to print the invitation in the two native tongues. This will let the guests know the important details of the time, place, bride and groom’s name, but will also show that this event will celebrate the merging of two different cultures.

While some families handle this situation by letting one side plan the ceremony and the other plan the reception, many couples like to merge both. In return this lets the families feel like they have a say in the planning. A way to merge cultures for the ceremony is by using the traditions of both in the program, during the ceremony and using a mix of music that is special to both sides of the family.

There are many easy ways to combine the two cultures at the reception. One of the most popular ways is to mix the menu of the reception cuisine. For example, if a Hispanic family is marrying into a Chinese family an idea is to serve Empanada appetizers with personalized chopsticks. Another common idea is to intermix the different types of music played throughout the night. Not only will this bring together the two styles of music, but it will also keep the entertainment level high and exciting. It is also fun to have a signature drink at the beginning of the reception that is influenced by one of the cultures. An example of this would be to serve Sangria with a cute colorful flag serving as the stir for the drink. Incorporating cultural influences into the favors for the guests is also a great way to showcase the various cultures gracefully. At midnight the guests could be offered cultural specific cookies or snacks like the picture above of the ‘Mexican Wedding Cake’ cookies. If it is an Asian theme you are incorporating, a ‘take-out’ box filled with the couple’s favorite cookies and then closed with a sticker that contains a wish for the guests is cute and tasteful.

We feel the most important aspect when incorporating various cultures is to do it gracefully and with taste. You don’t want your guests to leave the wedding feeling like it was a “theme” wedding. However, you do want your guests to understand the importance of the background of the bride and groom and that it was recognized. Remember there is a graceful balance.

Tuesday, May 22, 2007

Trend Four. Unique Lace




Lace is everywhere. You see it in magazines, at red carpet events and in wedding dresses. Lace isn’t just for your grandmother’s dolly anymore. There are so many beautiful wedding dresses that have unique lace touches to full lace dresses. Brides are now looking for more extravagant embellishments, including romantic lace and detailed beading. As we have been visiting bridal shops around Dallas, which we love to do, we have seen the best designers using lace in their creations. Lace gives that special touch of femininity and innocence.

While in New York looking at the 2007 collections from various designers, we fell in love with how Caroline DeVillo incorporated unique lace into her gowns. Caroline’s gowns are sold at Blush Couture Co. www.blushcouture.com. The dress posted above also is sold at Blush Couture Co. The designer is Bellissima Couture and the dress style is Brigitte.

One easy way to add a touch of lace to your look without adding it to your gown is to pair the dress with a simple, whimsical lace caplet. This way the look can be transformed throughout the night with one small change. Another example of how to add lace to your attire is to wear a beaded ivory mini for the reception gown. This will add a touch of elegance, but in a fun, exciting glamorous way.

There are many avenues for adding lace not only in the dress department. Some trends are extending into other areas including cascading lace table runners, lace heels and bounds of lace for invitations, programs and menus.

If your mother has a lace veil she wore in her wedding, this would be the perfect opportunity to incorporate ‘something old’ into your special day, while incorporating lace. Lace can be added to many areas of your wedding, from a unique detail to an all over style.

Take a look at the fabulous gown collections in Highland Park Village at Warren Barron` or browse online at www.warrenbarron.com. You will see some of the top designers incorporating unique lace into their fabulous gowns.

Send us an email and let us know how you have incorporated lace into your special day.

Thursday, March 22, 2007


Trend No. 3
MIDNIGHT MINI-BITES


Another great way to incorporate things you love into your wedding is having mini versions of your favorite foods served at midnight. Considering by this time dinner has long been over and guests have been dancing the night away, they can work up an appetite. The sky’s the limit when it comes to foods that can be made into mini versions, so think big! To get your brain and tummy going here are some ideas: mini burgers & shakes, mini frozen hot chocolates, mini Philly cheese steaks, mini banana splits….mini anything!

Monday, February 26, 2007

all the shades...


Trend No. 2
Yellow

Yellow is everywhere this spring. From the runway in New York to the flowers used at weddings, yellow is making a huge comeback. Yellow comes in so many beautiful shades from bright yellow to soft, pale yellow. When we think of spring weddings we picture the muted, soft yellow....think butter yellow... As we move into summer the yellow becomes brighter and more vibrant...think tropical flowers, sun and lemonade. Yellow can be incorporated into flowers, bridesmaid's dresses, aisle runners, sashes, signature drinks, bride's cake, favors for your guests, linens, decor...the list goes on!!! We encourage you to be creative with the way you incorporate color into your special day.
**The butter color flowers above were designed by Fete Des Fleur and displayed at the Stephanie Anne Bridal Event.


Thursday, February 22, 2007

What's Hot for Spring

We will be introducing what we feel are the hottest wedding trends for Spring 2007 over the next few weeks. These ideas came from researching various fashion designers, going to the "bridal fashion week" in New York, listening to what our brides were requesting and looking through many magazines!!!
If you are a bride who wants to do something unique and different for your wedding, we recommend incorporating one of these trends into your wedding. It doesn't matter what your wedding style is, you can incorporate these ideas. From traditional to modern events, each idea can be personalized to your style!

TREND NO. 1
UNIQUE AND PERSONALIZED PAPER
Think of everything that passes through your guests hands. From the save the date to the favors you hand out at the end of the evening. The paper products make a difference in the overall feel of your event. The tone of the event is set when your guests receive the save the date. Be as creative as you like with your save the dates. It is a great idea to begin incorporating certain colors, designs, monograms etc. into your paper products from the beginning.
We LOVE CECI New York to take care of all our creative invitation needs! Lisa Hoffman is very talented and easy to work with. She can come up with a theme and bring your event to life with custom designs of the invitations, favors, labels.... check out her website at www.ceciny.com!

Please visit the link below to see the work we recently did with CECI New York. We were asked by D Wedding Magazine to put together "Table Scapes" for their current issue. Of course we relied on Lisa at CECI to design our placecards, menu cards and invitations.
We also wanted to share with you some samples of our past work with CECI New York. The pictures below contain all the "customized paper products" Lisa designed for a fabulous wedding we planned in September. The theme was "Tropical and Fun." You can see the consistency in the designs and colors throughout all the items. I had a guest pull me aside at the wedding and say, "Oh my gosh, the invitations were to die for...it set the mood for the wedding and we knew it was going to be a great event when we held the wedding invitation in our hands."









Guests received an RSVP packet that had luggage tags, guestroom keys and an itinerary of events for the entire wedding weekend. At the ceremony the program was shaped as a fan that continued the tropical theme of the wedding. There were 4 main colors carried througout the event. Everything was color blocked from the bridesmaid's dresses to the flowers, linens, place cards and menus on each table.









Welcome bags were filled with goodies such as monogrammed towels with each guests initials, customized water bottles, a deck of customized playing cards and some of the bride and groom's favorite snacks.
If you want an event to remember....start with the Save the Date and carry out your theme through everything paper product the guests touch.
Happy Planning!

Tuesday, February 20, 2007

For the bride....


...who can't wait to look at the latest D Weddings, Grace Ormonde and INSIDE Weddings... that love to read Bazaar, InStyle, Vogue and W... to the ones who are secretly addicted to US Weekly, E News and People...and each morning they open their email and are welcomed by Daily Candy...these are the readers who will appreciate our stories, ideas, trend reports and unique sites that we will bring you on a weekly basis.
We are inspired by how much you love STYLE and want to create a wedding that bubbles over with unique ideas that will set you apart from "every other wedding we've been to..."

We would love for you to send us your name and email address to info@akeventdesign.com. At various times we will be sending out emails just for our readers regarding special events and fun things to know. We would love to have you on the list.

Enjoy! Happy planning!