BLUSH

BLUSH Vendor Spotlight: ShutterBooth!

2011-03-28T13:07:00.000-04:00

We a b s o l u t e l y adore the folks at ShutterBooth! Art Zelenak & Rachel de Bernardo are so fun and totally make the Charlotte ShutterBooth experience a memorable one. Below are some examples on how to rock out the ShutterBooth experience - special thanks to Rachel and Dennis (of Split Second Sounds) for styling & smiling w/ us - we LOVED it!

These booths come fully outfitted with an array of hats, glasses, masks, boas, & many more unique items! It's the perfect element for any party but especially on trend for brides & grooms to add to their wedding reception - your guests will enjoy it and what's more - they will have a memorable keepsake of the day!

If you are interested in using ShutterBooth for your next event, please call the local Charlotte office at 704.469.8420 or email Art at art@shutterbooth.com .

As you can tell from the photos - we always have a good time w/ ShutterBooth!

BLUSH Vendor Spotlight - Chelish Moore

2011-03-11T15:02:00.000-05:00

Recently we had the pleasure to meet with Chelish Moore, owner of Chelish Moore Flowers, located in Concord, NC. Chelish has been dominating the flower and design industry for over 24 years and has decorated events all over the southeast. She prides herself on creating one of a kind experiences for each of her clients, specializing in wedding and special events from small intimate gathering to large, exuberant events!

“I eat, sleep and breath all things flowers….I love my job!” – Chelish Moore

Many new doors have opened since Chelish opened her new shop in Concord. She has since put on numerous events and social gathering, along with starting her own non-profit organization called the C.D. Moore Foundation which gives a deserving couple a FREE wedding worth more than $20,000. The foundation also provides other services in the community and surrounding areas throughout the year. She has received numerous awards for her work, which we here at Blush believe that she is well deserving of!

You can visit Chelish at her shop at 35 Market St. in Concord, NC. You can also give her a call at 704.782.9883 or shoot her an email at chelish@msn.com

LOVE actually is all around!

2011-02-04T14:12:00.000-05:00

Love should be celebrated, right?!! We believe so and not just on Valentine's Day but all year through. With just a little imagination and effort you can make any dinner any day of the week special. Above are some simple ideas to celebrate a little LOVE in your life - whether with a special friend, a parent/grandparent, or that guy or gal in your life that gives you that "weak in the knees' feeling!

"Whenever i get gloomy with the state of mind of the world, I think about the arrivals gate at Heathrow Airport. General opinion's starting to make out that we live in a world of hatred and greed, but I don't see that. It seems to me that love is everywhere. Often it's not particularly dignified or newsworthy, but it's always there - fathers and sons, mother's and daughters, husbands and wives, boyfriends, girlfriends, old friends. If you look for it, I've got a sneaky feeling you'll find that love actually is all around" from Love Actually

It's a Glamorous New Year's wedding for Mr. & Mrs Kyle Busch!

2011-01-27T21:37:00.003-05:00

NASCAR superstar, Kyle Busch and girlfriend Samantha Sarcinella, married in Chicago on New Year's Eve. The "Hollywood Glam" themed nuptials, as described by Samantha, took place at Holy Name Cathedral in front of 300 plus guests. The gorgeous venue was decorated from Christmas with poinsettias, white twinkle lights, & Christmas trees.

Samantha wore a stunning off-the-shoulder gown with a feathered skirt by Michael Cinco. She added a touch of glam by adding ostrich feathers to her bouquet of Dolce Vita roses.

The reception, planned by Big City Bride, was held at the Chicago Cultural Center.

What a gorgeous night for a gorgeous couple!

Photos: Flynet Pictures

"Engagement" Is In the Air!

2011-01-27T20:17:00.001-05:00

We're seeing so many unique & different engagement rings! The sparkler trends are as fresh, intricate, and as one-of-a-kind as ever. Due to variations of designs and metals, there are so many choices when it comes to choosing the perfect ring. For all of you guys {and girls} out there..if you’re planning on popping “the question” anytime soon be sure to check out these engagement ring trends for 2011!

According to “theknot.com” these are the Top 6 Engagement Ring Trends of 2011!

Colorful Gems

For the bride with an untraditional style, a colored stone is a great option! We have seen it on celebs for years. But recent famous engagements and weddings like those of Kate Middleton, Reese Witherspoon, and Carrie Underwood have shown us that this trend is as fresh as ever. From a canary diamond to a sapphire to rubies, there are so many choices in almost any color you can think of.

Diamonds All Around

A diamond definitely gets lots of character from its surroundings. And this style offers a lot character! Not only do the extra diamonds add a ton of sparkle, but they also give the illusion of a larger center stone. What groom and bride-to-be wouldn’t love that? This trend is a hit among brides and designers alike.

Intricately Raised Settings

Ring settings are really upping the ante this year! Elaborate and intricate designs are all the rage. There’s nothing like a precision-cut mold or a delicately draped bow to accentuate the center stone.

Twisted Bands

Designers put a little twist in their rings this year. From a diamond adorned swirling band to a more streamline metal twist, we are enamored by this trends smooth move.

Vintage Glamour

The vintage engagement ring is rich with history, but it is definitely not a tired idea! Kat Von D’s ring from Jessie James shows off just how gorgeous a vintage ring can be.

Eco-Friendly Rings

This trend shows that its hip to have more than just a green thumb. Consider the option of having your finger sparkle with conflict-free diamonds and recycled gold settings.

One Enchanted Evening {October 16, 2010}

2011-01-27T19:40:00.001-05:00

Rustic Elegance & Romance

BLUSH couple Mary & Scott Rodesiler were married on a gorgeous day this past October. For mid-October they had a stunningly beautiful day, you simply could not have asked for better weather! The ceremony and reception were held at North Harbor Club right off of lovely Lake Norman. Both Mary & Scott enjoy boating most weekends so they chose the perfect location to hold their nuptials.

The said their vows on the pier just before sunset. It was such an amazing view to take in , the ideal setting, warm & romantic. After the “I do’s” the guests enjoyed the couple’s signature drink – a red berry cosmopolitan complete with a blackberry & raspberry garnish while listening to the sounds of Charlotte Strings for a chic cocktail hour.

Later, dinner was served in an intimate setting under a tent lined w/ twinkling lights and gorgeous black iron chandeliers. Their reception tables were infused with silver candlesticks and illuminating candlelight, glass cut vases in shades of blue, elegant black iron candelabras, all amongst the richness of deep red roses.

It was a pleasure to help create such a magical day for them and wish them many years of happiness together.

Vendor Love:
La Patisserie {cake}
Willow Branch {bouquets, boutonnieres, & cake flowers}
Allison Phillips {photographer}
Melonbelly {acoustic band}
Charlotte Strings {string trio for ceremony & cocktail hour}
Cooke Rentals {linens, chairs, & chargers}
Classic Party Rental {tent & twinkle lights}
Platinum Limousines {limo service}
Karl Moyer {officiant}
Lake Norman Cottage {bridal luncheon venue}
Sabi {rehearsal dinner venue}

White by Vera Wang {David's Bridal}

2011-01-20T10:46:00.002-05:00

We have some exciting news to share…in a few short weeks White by Vera Wang will debut in select David’s Bridal stores nationwide. Reasonably priced between $600 and $1,400, the collection will range from styles like the ultra-fitted mermaid to the classic ball gown. The collection showcases a hot trend for 2011: COLOR! Including a feminine blush tone….our signature color…how lovely! The esteemed designer maintains the distinctive Vera look even though the price tags are much lower than her regular bridal line - which ranges $3,000- $25,000.

By offering White by Vera Wang, David’s Bridal hopes to revamp its image and become the first stop on a soon-to-be bride’s hunt to find the perfect dress! The line will expand in summer 2011 to offer bridesmaids dresses and bridal shoes.

In Charlotte, you can view the collection sometime next month (February 2011) at their Northlake location:

David’s Bridal
9717 Northlake Center Parkway
Charlotte, NC 28216
Phone: 704.567.6980

Hours: Monday – Friday 11am-9pm
Saturday – 10am-7pm
Sunday – 12pm – 6pm

We enjoy being a GIRL!

2011-01-17T12:05:00.001-05:00

It's award season again! We have such a fun time watching the fashion on all the red carpet events that take place this time of the year. Partly it comes from our love of fashion & design and it's great to witness all of the trends initiating for the year ahead...BUT mostly it's just a fantastic excuse to grab a glass of wine and have some fun girl talk!

First up, the Golden Globes...we saw a lot of trends on the red carpet last night. Blush tones, shades of green, long sleeves, dramatic backs, & the return of the french twist!

Blush tones - the color of pink is going to be a popular choice for weddings this year. We can definitely visualize these shades on bridesmaids dresses splendid for weddings illuminating romance & femininity!

Showcasing the lovely blush tones: Lea Michele wearing Oscar De La Renta, Claire Danes wearing a silk gown from Calvin Klein Collection, Emma Stone wearing another gown from the Calvin Klein Collection, and Julianne Moore wearing a Lanvin dress w/ a gold Bulgari choker.

Another shade that may find it's way into wedding palettes of 2011 - Green!

Wearing the gorgeous gowns of green: Mila Kunis in Vera Wang, Catherine Zeta Jones wearing Monique Lhuiller, Elizabeth Moss in Donna Karan, & Angelina Jolie wearing a glittering Versace gown.

Lastly, we are smitten with the looks of Dianna Agron & Eva Longoria for Bridal. Dianna's hair & make up is so divine and Eva's dress is bridal vogue at it's best complete with a cut out lace back...we ADORE!

Dianna Agron wearing J.Mendel & Eva Longoria dress by Zac Posen

What were your favorite fashion looks from the Golden Globes this year?

BLUSH Star Struck {Vintage Hollywood Style}

2011-01-09T18:42:00.002-05:00

We couldn't be more excited for all the newly engaged ... 2011 is sure to see some sensational weddings! After a recent vacation trip to Hollywood/Los Angeles we couldn't help to be inspired (and hopefully inspire others) with an old Hollywood touch of glamour for all of you 2011 Brides. Below, we take 3 well known celebrities who will soon tie the knot. We've given them their classic star twin & we think the results are GLAMOROUS...which starlet is your favorite?

REESE WITHERSPOON - photo credits: www.debeers.com - Asscher Cut diamond ring
www.justinalexanderbridal.com - "grace"dress
NATALIE PORTMAN - photo credit: www.i-weddingdresses.com
KATE MIDDLETON - www.jlmcouture.com - LAZARO dress style LZ3111

We're Dreaming of a WHITE Christmas...

2010-12-13T12:08:00.000-05:00

We feel inspired for winter decorating! Winter comes with a lot of charm & sparkle…and so many fun elements to infuse in your Christmas décor! Whether it’s trimming the tree, sprucing up the mantle, or making merry your front door you can’t go wrong with an all white theme!

Merry Christmas…& may all your “decorating” be White! :)

Above photos selected from Good Housekeeping, Food Netowork, The white Company, Colin Cowie.

2010-11-15T09:51:00.000-05:00

Fall is always such a festive time of year…it really kicks the Holiday season off with parties galore. One of the best ways to show your loved ones & friends how much they mean to you is hosting a party of appreciation! The Holidays are a time to celebrate and to give back to others in your life….& what better way to do that than throwing a fantastic dinner party! Here are some simple yet perfect accompaniments for any Holiday event this year:

{Maple Leaf Cocktail}

• 1 1/2 ounces bourbon (I used Maker’s Mark)

• 1/2 ounce pure maple syrup

• 1/2 ounce fresh lemon juice

Place all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a cocktail glass.

{Pumpkin Pie Cocktail}

• 1 part kahlua

• 1 part spiced pumpkin pie filling

• 2 parts coconut rum

• 4 parts cold milk

• 6 ice cubes

• Garnish with cinnamon

Put everything but the cinnamon in a blender. Mix on high. Serve in graham cracker crust highball glasses and sprinkle the top with cinnamon.

{Mini Pumpkin Cakes}

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup butter, softened

• 1 (8-oz.) package cream cheese, softened

• 2 cups sugar

• 2 large eggs

• 1 1/2 cups canned pumpkin

• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 3 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• Vanilla Glaze

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 350°. Beat butter and cream cheese at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Gradually add sugar, beating until light and fluffy. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating just until blended after each addition. Stir in pumpkin and vanilla.

2. Combine flour and next 4 ingredients; gradually add to butter mixture, beating at low speed just until blended. Spoon batter into 2 lightly greased pumpkin-shaped muffin pans, filling three-fourths full.

3. Bake at 350° for 24 to 26 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire racks 5 minutes. Remove from pans to wire racks, and cool completely (about 30 minutes).

4. Cut rounded tops off muffins to make them flat. Invert top muffins onto bottom muffins, forming pumpkins. Drizzle Caramel-Rum Glaze over pumpkins. Decorate with Caramel Stems, Leaves, and Vines, if desired.

We wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving!

BLUSH Vendor Spotlight

2010-09-24T10:26:00.000-04:00

Vendor Spotlight: Haines Barksdale - For Goodness Cakes

So far in 2010 in we have had the distinct pleasure of working with some very talented wedding vendors. Haines Barksdale from the wedding cake company For Goodness Cakes to us seems like the perfect ingredient to the wedding cake industry! Her love of baking, eating sweets, and arts and crafts (painting, making jewelry, drawing, and pottery) have spiraled her into the wedding cake world as she tells us “making cakes seemed to be the perfect combination of my favorite things to do!”

Haines Barksdale is particularly known for her smart and delicious technique with butter cream making it look “as smooth and sleek as rolled fondant icing”, “a way to have both a beautiful look and a delicious taste”. She is also known for her extremely detailed piping and explains she sometimes will mimic a tiny lace design on a wedding gown into icing on a cake and will create handmade gumpaste flowers, painted in detail with what is called edible "petal dust".

How long does it take her to make one of her fabulous creations? “Many, many hours!” she exclaims. For Goodness Cake's prices generally range from $4 -$9 per serving, and the average is around $5 per serving. Brides should book their cake at least 6 months in advance for enough time, and at least 9 months if getting married in a popular wedding month such as October and May.

We also wanted to know, what would her perfect wedding cake look like? Taste like? She says, “Impossible to pick a "perfect" design...I love so many different styles. A recent trend is different height tiers and black and white has been a very popular color combination. My most popular cake flavor is almond, but my personal favorites are chocolate chip and carrot.” Sounds delicious!

What advice does she have for brides unsure about their wedding cake design? She tells us, “Think about the style that your wedding encompasses, from the invitation to the gown, to the food and the reception location. There might be a pattern on your gown that inspires a design for the cake, or maybe you have a piece of china that you love and we can incorporate that look onto the cake. Or look at pictures and narrow it down to no more than 5 of your favorites...we can find a way to use all of those ideas to create the perfect design.”

We love your work Haines & you made one our June Bride's extremely happy & pleased with her Wedding Cake & Cupcakes...& for that we can't thank you enough! If you want to book Haines Barksdale as your wedding cake specialist her company For Goodness Cakes is located in Charlotte, NC and you can see more of her cake designs at her website : www.forgoodnesscakes.blogspot .

BLUSH Brides Buzz - HOT 2010 Wedding Trend

2010-09-20T16:28:00.000-04:00

ALL WHITE WEDDING PARTIES!

Long gone are the days of donning white to a wedding the biggest fashion faux pas a woman could ever make.

All white wedding parties are definitely what’s hot!

We think this picture-perfect look is perfectly un-traditional for any daring bridal party.

In order to stand out from your bridesmaids as the bride try accenting your look with bold accessories and a different hair style; after all you are the bride!

If all white isn’t exactly your thing try a twist on the look and opt for your bridesmaids to wear champagne colored dresses. Absolutely lovely!

Celebrity Style Inspired!

2010-08-01T18:25:00.000-04:00

For brides to be it's completely normal to look at current Celebrity Brides to get style inspired for your big day. Here are three of our favorites so far in 2010:

Chelsea Clinton was married just this past weekend, July 31st. She makes a gorgeous bride of classic elegance. Wearing a gown designed by Vera Wang, she looks simply divine!

Carrie Underwood is your modern day fairy tale princess bride in her Monique Lhullier chantilly lace gown. Married on July 10th at the Ritz-Carlton Lodge in Greensboro, GA...doesn't she look like your quintessential blushing bride?!

Bethenny Frankel is vision of refined beauty! Married on March 28, 2010 at the luxurious Four Seasons Restaurant in New York, New York. Wearing a dress by Amsale she embodies grace & gentility....we think she's absolutely stunning!

Brooch Beautiful!

2010-07-15T13:08:00.000-04:00

I love the look of anything vintage...jewelry especially & if it sparkles then all the more reason for me to adore it! One of the trends that we love right now is the "brooch" accessorizing many classic details & offering just the right amount of charm that is irresistible! Below are some sensational ideas that you can add to your wedding day glam!

* {bouquet photo credit to Kate Ashbrook}

BLUSH Couple ~ Emily & Justin

2010-07-15T13:04:00.000-04:00

A huge BLUSH welcome to Emily & Justin! We are delighted to be working with Emily & Justin for their September 17th, 2011 wedding! We're excited to start pulling together all the fine details of their big day. Emily has a vision of whites, greens, & hints of browns to give a very earthy, clean, simplistic feel to her event. We know it's going to be just fabulous!

Cheyenne & Geoff of "The Shultzes Photography" will be photographing their wedding as well as their engagement session this spring! We can't wait to see these shots as we know they will be FANTASTIC! We'll be sure to blog on their engagement session...until then...Congrats to Emily & Justin on their Engagement!

xo Tonya & Irene

Rustic Elegance & Romance

2010-07-15T12:31:00.001-04:00

We've created the above inspiration board for our design concept for an upcoming BLUSH wedding. We're so in love w/ the rich red & deep blue hues mixed in with warm candle light illuminating everywhere. Luckily for us this wedding will take place right off the water so with the natural elements mixed in it is sure to be breath taking! Stay tuned for more photo's coming in late October of this brilliantly stylish wedding event.
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BLUSH Hot Tip for 2010 & 2011 weddings...lanterns are all the rage! You'll be seeing more & more weddings use this decorative piece for a glowing & romantic theme.

BLUSH Thank You's!

2010-06-15T14:10:00.003-04:00

We would like to extend a HUGE thank you to all of the vendors we worked with for this past weekend’s events!

Saturday we kicked off a fabulous party…LUAU style! What a fun event for our vivacious fun couple Scott & Ashley! We couldn’t have done it without:

Classic Party Rentals {Raleigh}

Three Men & Pig Catering

Sunday we had the pleasure of working with FABULOUS vendors for Kim & Mike’s Wedding! {Don’t they make a gorgeous couple!}

Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens {Gail...we appreciated you allowing us early access to the bridal rooms!}

Creative Solutions

Best Impressions {Donald…thanks for coming equipped w/ an excellent & attentive staff!}

The Place for Flowers {Taylor…the flowers & arrangements were gorgeous! Great work as always!}

For Goodness Cakes {Haines…your cake was divine! We over heard plenty of guests rave over the cake & cupcakes.}

Tara Mauldin Photography {Tara…you rock!}

Rev. Heather Casselberry {grace under pressure…the ceremony was lovely despite the rain making it necessary to move it inside!}

Wedding Strings of Charlotte {Sakira…beautiful job!}

Cody Hare/DJ {Cody…thanks for working it out all night!}

Lindsey Regan Thorne/Hair & Make Up {the bride & bm’s looked AMAZING!}

Photo’s of both events to be posted soon!

CUPCAKE CRAVE!

2010-06-07T13:16:00.003-04:00

When it comes to party planning…cupcakes are always a hit! They’re a perfect adornment to any party or event. The best part is that they can taste as good as they look & sometimes even better!

We’re happy to share a cupcake recipe we adore that calls for pink champagne….How DELIGHTFUL!

We’ve affectionately dubbed these, “BLUSH cupcakes”, Enjoy!

Cupcakes:

2 cups plus 2 tbsp all purpose flour

1 tbsp nonfat milk powder

1 tbsp baking powder

½ tsp salt

½ cup unsalted butter

¼ cup vegetable oil

1 ½ cups granulated sugar

5 large egg whites

1 tsp vanilla

4 to 5 drops pink food coloring

1 cup champagne

Preheat to 350 degrees. Mix the following ingredients in a large bowl: flour, milk powder, baking powder, & salt. Combine butter, oil, & granulated sugar separately in another bowl, whisk together preferably w/ an electric mixer. Beat until light & fluffy in texture and color. Add egg whites, vanilla, & pink food coloring and mix well. Slowly add flour mixture & then champagne. Mix well & divide evenly among muffin cups. Bake for 19-21 minutes or until toothpick into center of cupcake comes out clean.

Pink Champagne Frosting:

½ cup butter or margarine, softened

4 cups powdered sugar

¼ cup champagne

1 tsp vanilla

4 to 5 drops pink food coloring

Garnish

Pink sugar crystals and/or edible pink pearls

In medium bowl, beat frosting ingredients w/ electric mixer at medium speed until smooth. Frost cupcakes and sprinkle w/ crystals and pearls.

DELICIOUS & Oh So PRETTY!!!

Welcome Irene Reinhard to BLUSH wedding & events!

2010-05-04T06:55:00.002-04:00

We are happy to announce Irene Reinhard as new Co-Owner/Designer of BLUSH wedding & events! Irene Reinhard’s background in Fashion and Interior design brings a wealth of knowledge, creativity and styling experience to BLUSH. Her career in event planning began over 10 years ago while still in college where many of her friends relied on her help to plan their weddings. This coupled with her wedding gown designs led to a magical marriage of design and planning which parlayed into many fashion shows in the Richmond, Virginia area throughout her time at VCU design school. She then moved to NYC where she showcased her designs during New York’s Fashion Week as well as many Hollywood Red Carpet Events. She has designed and managed multiple interior and exterior projects in the Lake Norman and Charlotte, NC areas. She is known for her attention to detail, expertise in design & fit, as well as her creativity to personalizing events for her clients. We are thrilled to offer her impressive repertoire as part of the BLUSH wedding & events experience!

We have SPRING FEVER!

2010-03-16T13:26:00.000-04:00

With the beautiful weather we were gifted with this week it has definitely brought to mind some fabulous ideas for throwing Spring-time parties! There isn’t a more pleasant time of the year to have an outdoor dinner party, luncheon, or shower event. We were inspired with these creative yet simple touches that add so much spring time charm and beauty to any gathering…we hope you are too!

***above pictures courtesy of www.countryliving.com

We ADORE Jennifer Behr!

2010-03-09T10:32:00.002-05:00

We absolutely love Jennifer Behr’s collection of hair accessories! They are great alternatives for the bride hating the thought of wearing a veil but also a fantastic accessory to don post ceremony. We’ve posted some of our favorite styles but feel free to visit http://www.jenniferbehr.com/ to see more!

Top: Double Crystal Scallop Headwrap - Retail: $262

Middle: Chloe - Retail: $375

Bottom: Overlapping Crystal Twist - Retail: $188

OSCARS 2010....thinking Bridal!

2010-03-08T09:16:00.001-05:00

It’s fun to see all the glamorous gowns at award shows….a lot of wedding/bridal styles are being influenced by the gowns worn to these events. The Oscars 2010 were no exception! So we picked our top three for wedding designers to recreate for bridal...imagine these in shades of white!

Rhonda & Tony - Inspiration Board

2010-02-23T08:30:00.002-05:00

Here is the inspiration board from our January bride and groom... Better late than never!

Top Row: Amy Atlas; Photography by Jessica Claire
2nd Row: Casey Cunningham Photograpy; Justin Marantz
3rd Row: Tracy Turpen Photography, Lisa Thomas, Oh! Events; Cathy & David Photography
4th Row: Cathy & David Photography; Bella Invites, Mimmo & Naz Photography, Cynthia Martyn Events Inc.

Pictures from their wedding will be on our website soon!

Weather Channel: My Wedding Weather Tracker

2010-02-22T16:08:00.001-05:00

The Weather Channel has a site devoted to engaged couples planning a wedding. If you just got engaged and have yet to set a date, the Weather Channel can help! Basically, all you do is type in the zip code of the place you want to get married and voila! They have a whole chart to show you the high’s and lows for each month of the year in that area as well as the coldest month, warmest month, wettest month, driest month, month with the most clear days and month with the most cloudy days! Once you pick a date, it tracks the weather in the area of your wedding up until your wedding day!

It also has other convenient information as well in regards to weather and weddings. For instance, it lists the flowers that are typically available year round, what colors they come in and a little history on the flower. (So if you want peonies, don’t get married during the winter months.)

If you want to have a sunset ceremony outdoors, it will calculate what time you should have the ceremony start in order to do so based on the date and zip code of your wedding.

Check out their website for more information on how they can help you plan a dry, sunny, beautiful wedding day!

http://www.weather.com/activities/events/weddings/?from=breadcrumbs

We're Inspired... BLUSH Pink

2010-02-18T14:01:00.004-05:00

We love the romantic feel of this inspiration board we created for a potential BLUSH bride!

Top Row: Anna Sawin Photography, Cathy & David Photographers
Second Row: Jennifer Davis Photography
Third Row: Q Weddings, Carla Ten Eyck
Fourth Row: Anne Marie Photography, Elum Designs

License to Wed - Presented by Ivy Robinson Weddings & Events

2010-02-09T21:29:00.001-05:00

Not only was Lesley lucky enough to attend the first ever License to Wed Workshop presented by Ivy Robinson Weddings & Events in fall of 2009, she was invited back to attend the second workshop held this past weekend (February 6-7, 2010) to share her portfolio project and take part in some of the training exercises designed for the workshop participants!

Ivy covered everything from how she got into the business of wedding planning, stories about her own experiences, how to obtain clients and how to build a good reputation in the industry. She also had some of her favorite wedding professionals that she’s worked with come in to talk and share their advice and experiences from working with wedding planners. They went over all the do’s and don'ts while everyone devoured delicious cake and food! Here is a list of the amazing vendors from the 2009 workshop who took time to offer their expert knowledge with everyone:

Jessica Helms – Hampton Inn at Phillips Place - hosted License to Wed

Taylor O’Shields – The Place for Flowers

Lisa Hiner – Classic Party Rentals

Andrew King – High Cotton Catering

Gail Buff – Cheesecakes, etc.

Charles Oldham – Lawyer

Richard Israel – Richard Israel Photography

Aubre Vaughn – Chic Impressions

Melissa Lamkin – Fashion/ Bridal Stylist

Kathy Scott Rummage – Bridesmaid Essentials.com

They all offered such good advice and were very encouraging! BLUSH would like to thank all the vendors who came out to speak with the up and coming wedding planners and a special thanks to Ivy & Jenn Grabenstetter for putting together the event (twice)! BLUSH highly suggests attending the next License to Wed Workshop for any wedding planning professionals!

Duke Mansion

2010-02-09T14:24:00.000-05:00

Finally! The Duke Mansion has approval to hold weddings (for 150 guests or less) at their gorgeous site! In celebration of this long awaited approval, the Duke Mansion hosted an event for wedding vendors to experience what the Duke Mansion can offer.

To make it different than the typical industry networking event, the Duke Mansion turned the event into a wedding! They had the bride, the groom, the cake (provided by Cheesecake Etc.), the DJ (Split Second Sound), the bar, the photo booth (ShutterBooth), and beautiful decor (thanks to Todd Crawford with Crawford & Company).

This is a great venue now available to engaged couples to select as their wedding venue!

Here are some pictures from the event...

Beautiful cake provided by Cheesecake Etc.

Everyone enjoying the music provided by Split Second Sound

Tonya enjoying the yummy dessert table

WEBSITE UNDER CONSTRUCTION!

2010-01-12T13:44:00.000-05:00

Hello!

We invite everyone to visit us here while our website is under construction. We are anticipating our new website, same url address, to be completed w/in the next month! At this time we are busy with our first BLUSH bride of 2010 whose wedding is this Saturday, January 16th. We will post more information on what else is going on at BLUSH wedding & events soon! If you would like to contact us please feel free to email us at blushweddingandevents@gmail.com and/or call us at 1.866.610.5446.

Wishing all of you a lovely start to 2010!

BLUSH wedding & events
~A Bride’s Dream Team

Rubber Duck Themed Baby Shower!

2009-10-22T14:02:00.010-04:00

Last Saturday, we threw a baby shower for a wonderful friend! Being that the mommy-to-be already has a girl and a boy and has decided to keep the sex of the baby a surprise, we went with a rubber ducky theme and used yellow and brown as the main colors for the party decor.

The cupcakes were from the Polka Dot Bake Shop and were perfect! Not only did they look good and kept with our rubber ducky theme, but they tasted amazing too! Polka Dot Bake Shop was wonderful to work with... they found and ordered the rubbery ducks to top the cupcakes and were kind enough to let me pick them up early!

Our friend Taylor Mathis, from Taylor Mathis Photography, stopped by before the guests arrived to snap some wonderful photos for us! Here are some pictures from the shower and the link to Taylor Mathis' blog to see more....
http://www.taylormathisphotographyblog.com/blush-baby-shower/

BLUSH Rave: Grace on Brevard!

2009-09-10T13:52:00.008-04:00

Last month we visited the wonderful Andrea Hock at the Grace Event Center on Brevard in Uptown Charlotte, NC. First off, we would just like to say that the architecture alone is breath taking! The space by itself, without any decorations was beautiful and so unique! It offers more than the typical four white walled rooms. What used to be the A.M.E. Grace Zion Church is now one of Charlotte’s new premier events venues.

Inside, Andrea gave us a tour of the space as well as told us about all the different set ups that can be accommodated. The space can hold 150 at maximum capacity and can be set up for cocktails, a buffet style dinner or a sit down dinner. Andrea was kind enough to play a slideshow of some pictures from some of the beautiful events already held there, such as a 40th birthday party and several different sized weddings.

An extra feature of the space is that they can provide a tent outside adjacent to the building for a cocktail hour. We think this is so creative and unexpected in a city like Uptown.

We want to give a huge thank you to Andrea for taking time to meet with us and showing us around the Grace Event Center! It is truly a unique and traditional setting for a beautiful event!

GREAT IDEA: Excellent place to hold your Rehearsal Dinner!

Visit: www.graceonbrevard.com for more information.

Lesley & Tonya visiting Grace Event Center....BEAUTIFUL and so unique!

Lesley with Andrea Hock who showed us around the facility. It was a pleasure meeting with you!

Check us out....on the Knot!!

2009-06-11T13:39:00.012-04:00

On June 10th we attended an event hosted by the Knot, and happily mixed and mingled with some of Charlotte's finest wedding professionals! What a great night!

Lesley and Tonya lounging by the DJ booth.

Marjorie and Lesley taking in the swanky scenery!

Tonya and Marjorie showing some excitement....BLUSH wedding & events just won a gift certificate to Austin's Bakery! YUM!!

We really enjoyed reconnecting with some familiar faces and it was a such a pleasure to make new acquaintances. We are looking forward to building new business relationships with some very talented people! We want only the best for our brides!!

BLUSH girls with Brianna Brunecz our Knot rep!

Here we're w/ Todd Crawford of Crawford & Company Florist! We are so impressed with his work! Here are a few samples of his magnificent work:

Thanks to the Knot for a FABULOUS event!! Don't forget to check out our profile under the local vendors...we are showcased under Wedding Planners.

It's all about the dress!!

2009-05-22T13:10:00.002-04:00

So you are finally engaged! The excitement begins and you get to plan the wedding of your dreams. And that means that you need to find the perfect wedding dress! Brides at times can get caught up in the beautiful fantasy they have envisioned for their wedding day but it is helpful to keep in mind that a wedding gown should be an extension of who you are!

Here are some tips that will help you:

 Get some ideas before you head to the bridal shops! This is half of the fun, flipping through bridal magazines. Tear out pages and make a folder of dresses you like…even if it’s just the sleeves on a dress. If you have an idea of what you like and don’t like it will be easier to find similar dresses when you get to the store. This will also help your dress consultant in helping you.

Body Shape
o Think about your body shape and what dresses you already own that flatter your figure best. This will help you in choosing the right cut or fit of your wedding gown. If your figure is pear shape, A-line is probably the most flattering cut for your body as it is fitted in the bodice section of the gown and then gradually flows out away from the body. If your petite, a huge ball gown might not be the best route to go as you may get lost in all the fabric! Something more fitted and with less fabric is ideal.

Color
o Most people think of wedding gowns as only coming in white or ivory. Truth be told, there are many different shades that wedding gowns come in. Having a beautiful dress is one thing, but making sure the color against your skin tone is flattering can make all the difference in the world. White is best for women with darker (tan) skin tones. If you are fair with pink undertones, ivory is most suitable and flattering as it neutralizes the pink in your skin. For olive skin tones, champagne or diamond white is most lovely.

Fabric
o Another detail that can really make a difference is the fabric of the gown. Some woman think they want a lace dress, but when they go into a bridal boutique, and try on a lace gown… it’s not what they imagined. If you’re adamant about wearing lace but the feedback of an all lace gown is not what you had hoped for, there are plenty of gowns that combine both lace and satin that make a beautiful silhouette. Chiffon and taffeta are other great options for wedding gowns that are a more contemporary than the traditional lace and satin. Don’t be afraid to try gowns in all fabrics as you may surprise yourself!

Self Confidence
o There are so many factors to be considered when wedding dress shopping, but most important is your inner beauty and self confidence. No matter how gorgeous the gown and wonderful the colors looks against your skin or how the dress hugs your curves, it won’t look half as good as it could if you don’t have self confidence! Inner beauty is the most important factor when it comes to looking amazing on the day of your wedding!

 Leave time for the dress to arrive! This is so important…you do not want to be fretting that your dream dress will not arrive in ample time before your big day. You need to leave more than enough time for the dress to be sent out, made, and returned to you. Usually leaving 4 to 6 months for this process is ideal. If you should have less time than that before your wedding, you should consider “off the rack” selections.

 Take 1-2 people with you. More than that will often time over crowd the boutique and you’ll get a vast variety of opinions most likely. I would recommend taking your mom and one friend. This will help also if you and your mom have different tastes in style, you’ll have one other opinion to consider as well as your own.

 Planning to lose weight? Most brides will try to lose weight and look their very best for their wedding day. It’s important to be realistic. Consider the time you have before then and implement healthy eating habits along with three or four days a week of exercise. Remember it’s always easier to take a dress in but nearly impossible to let one out. If you buy a dress in a size expecting to lose weight and then don’t it can truly be a nightmare.

 Don’t forget the accessories! Veil, jewelry, under garments…all need to work with the dress of your choice.

Enjoy every minute of finding your wedding gown. Don’t feel pressured…take your time and let your heart, vision, and that lasting image help lead you to your perfect dream dress!

Happy shopping Brides-to-be!!

BLUSH
A Bride’s dream team!

Springtime...love is in the air!

2009-03-03T12:43:00.004-05:00

With spring around the corner and also one of the most popular times for weddings, we thought it would be a good idea to dish on some of the in season flowers! Tulips, daisies, and peonies are particular favorites when it comes to flowers used for spring weddings.

Tulips come in just about every shade imaginable. This flower is for the bride who appreciates the dainty, classic, and cheerful sophistication that this beautiful flower represents. They are also very economical so they won't break your budget! In general, the tulip symbolizes "the perfect lover" which is why it is a perfect choice for weddings. A trendy idea is a full bouquet of cream color French tulips....cream color tulips mean you will love your partner foever!

Brides who choose daisies for their bridal bouquet are youthful, romantic, and lighthearted. A daisy signifies innocence and freshness, which makes it an ideal flower for a wedding. Daisies look fantastic and gerbers are available in many bright colors as well as patel. It's also the second most popular flower, after the rose, for spring time weddings!

The peony is a favorite among spring brides. Peonies are available in a variety of colors including white, pink, and yellow. They embody romance and prosperity and have been regarded as the symbol of luck, wealth, and happiness. When they are opened up, they are a bigger flower which can help fill up a bouquet or centerpiece for brides on a budget. A bouquet made of just peonies is very romantic. They are the classic choice for the quintessential elegant bride!

There are many options for flowers when planning a spring wedding. A good idea is to walk through a flower shop, or if you have the chance, walk through a flower garden and you can see all the wonderful possibilities in creating your perfect flower arrangement!

Welcome 2009!!

2009-01-05T20:05:00.001-05:00

At the start of this new year we know that there will be a vast number of newly engaged couples beginning the planning process for their upcoming nuptials. We know all too well that in the midst of all the excitement that the engagement time brings, you may not know where to even begin with the planning. That's why a Wedding planner is so essential....to help when the overwhelming excitement causes you to panic at the thought of how you are to execute such an event as your wedding. Your wedding...the event you've only dreamt about since you were a child. Well take a deep breath, sit back and relax....BLUSH is here to help! We are looking forward to the new brides and grooms that we'll meet and the wonderful weddings we will have the pleasure to assist with in this brand new year of 2009. We invite you to visit us often here as we share with you our adventures in wedding planning!