So Chic Events~Cleverly Stylish~

Wedding Websites Worth Checking Out

noreply@blogger.com (Shelby O'Connell) — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 13:00:00 +0000

I love surfing the web and coming across websites that are just super cool for one reason or another and being able to share them with all of you makes it fun. In my opinion the following 5 websites fit into this super cool category.

Use Your Words Decorative Lettering creates vinyl lettering that can be easily applied and easily removed. When I first saw their blog I loved what they had done for weddings! This is a great, inexpensive way to ad a personalized and elegant touch to your day either on the linens, the dance floor, a window behind the head table or pretty much anywhere else you can think of. Actually their designs are so versatile they can really be used for anything, just look at some samples of their work and you'll see what I mean.

HCC Custom Wedding Garters are another great find! Whether you plan on tossing your garter, keeping it as a memento or getting two so you can do both, you really need to check out this site. If you're looking for something that you love and that really suits your personality, this is the place for you. Whatever your thing may be you're sure to find it here, as there is just such a vast range of themes. I was amazed at just how many there were.
The next two websites are actually geared towards the groom. After all, they're getting married too and perhaps they have questions of their own. But I'm sure they'd rather hear from other grooms versus go on a site that's dominated mostly by brides so here are a couple of safe havens for them. The Plunge and Groom Groove are two great sites that have a variety of information for the groom being sure to cover pretty much any question they may have. From picking out the ring and proposing all the way up to the wedding day itself, the answers to all their questions are here.

Lastly, and this is actually more for after the wedding, Frame the Date is a great way to turn a memorable date into a work of art. You simply choose your frame, your numbers and add your images and that's it! Very simple and so creative, it's sure to look amazing in your new home together. These are also a great idea for babies or any other memorable occasion such as an anniversary or a graduation.

Add a Unique Touch with Carved Pumpkins

noreply@blogger.com (Shelby O'Connell) — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 13:00:00 +0000

If you're looking to add a unique touch to your Fall wedding, baby shower or other event, carved pumpkins are a great way to do so. Whether they're carved with your names, a monogram or a design, they make a great additon to any event. They make a beautiful touch for the card table, the bar area, the entryway, or anywhere else you think it would look amazing. Below are just a few of the ones I've done and I'm always willing to try something new and play around with different fonts and styles. If this is something you're interested in having at your wedding or event, give me a call or send me an email, I'd love to talk to you!

Back to Reality & Some Exciting News!

noreply@blogger.com (Shelby O'Connell) — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 13:00:00 +0000

I'm getting back into the swing of things after a very relaxing, much needed and amazing family vacation to York Beach, Maine. Every year we rent a cottage overlooking the ocean and within walking distance to downtown, the beach and the zoo. This year was probably the most enjoyable one yet, perhaps because both of our families came up for a few days or simply because the older I get the more I realize how important it is to take time to unwind, just enjoy family and soak up these moments as much as I can. It was also the first year that I did the absolute bare minimum where work is concerned, I actually let myself have a vacation.

We did so much while we were up there, we shopped, went to the beach, the zoo, Fun-o-rama, mini golfing, bowling, a Red Sox game, walked around downtown and got ice cream at Brown's (if you haven't had it and you're ever at York Beach, you must get it! It's near the Nubble Lighthouse, between Short Sands & Long Sands Beach). Overall the weather was great, there was only one day where we had a few showers but they were over quickly and didn't stop us from doing anything.

It has been a really wonderful Summer and as sad as I am that it's coming to an end I am looking forward to Fall, the cooler weather and all that it brings - sweaters, boots, the changing leaves, apple & pumpkin picking and so much more. It also means school is starting back up, however this year it's not just the boys that are going back to school, I am as well! That's my exciting news. This Summer I decided it was time for me to embark on a new journey, one that I've been wanting to do for awhile but the timing just wasn't right. Well now it is. I'm going back to school for graphic design which is something that has been an interest of mine for quite some time. I love the versatility that graphic design brings to everything and I'm really looking forward to using it in many of the custom designs I already offer which will provide a much broader spectrum of options. I can't wait to offer some great new features, and as I go along and learn I'm sure I'll be playing around and sharing bits and pieces so stay tuned!

July Recap

noreply@blogger.com (Shelby O'Connell) — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 15:58:00 +0000

I realize I'm way behind here, but the important thing is that I am in fact "here".

Last month, on probably the hottest, most humid day of the month, I coordinated a wedding at the Roger Williams Park Casino in Providence Rhode Island. Since I live in a town where we have a pretty great zoo, I've never actually been to the Roger Williams Zoo therefore didn't even know about this great venue. It's always nice to discover something new!

The ceremony took place in the bandstand behind the casino and overlooking a great pond with ducks swimming along. Luckily by the time guests were being seating for the ceremony, the sun was behind the trees leaving the bandstand mostly shaded. After a lovely ceremony, the guests headed into the Casino where the cocktail hour was being held on the main floor. Once inside the door they were greeted by a great summer drink, a Mojito, at the signature cocktail station. I'm sure the guests found it rather refreshing given how hot it was. While the guests enjoyed the hors d'oeuvres and cocktails, the wedding party took photos around the scenic park grounds. So they didn't miss out on the deliciousness that their guests were receiving, I brought a plate full of appetizers out to the bride, groom and their wedding party to enjoy.

Once the cocktail hour was over, the guests moved upstairs to the main ballroom for the reception where they enjoyed dinner and music. I really loved the architecture of the Casino. If you're big into architecture and relatively close to Rhode Island, be sure to check out this venue for an upcoming event. Here are a couple pictures of the Casino which I found on the website for the city of Providence:

Also in July was the annual cookout for my Dad's business which was under the pavilion at the Myriad Ballroom. The patriotic theme was great and everything tied together nicely. For the tables I made runners by sewing red and navy bandanas and alternating the colors on each table. The centerpieces were simple, white and red carnations, blueberries as a filler for the blue and a yellow ribbon around the vase to tie in the "Support the Troops" portion of the theme. The candy bar was a huge hit with the little kids, big kids and adults alike. Everything was in red, white and blue and the scoops had yellow ribbons around the handles. The candy bar included salt water taffy, twizzlers, jelly bellies, m & m's, gummy sharks, swedish fish, gummy stars and a couple different mints. Guests were able to fill up small, clear acrylic take out boxes with whatever they chose.

Usually my mother and I make a large assortment of finger pastries and desserts but this year we opted to keep it more simple making brownies and cupcakes and instead having a "make your own sundae" station instead. This too was a hit with everyone and much easier for Mom and I. In between the meal and dessert guests enjoyed a ride on the lake in the pontoon boat, courtesy of a family friend.

The best part of the day was that Jake was able to make it. I posted before about Jake and how he influenced the "Support the Troops" part of our theme. Fortunately he was able to stay in town, attend the cookout and talk with everyone before leaving the following morning. We were all happy he was able to make it.

One Busy Month

noreply@blogger.com (Shelby O'Connell) — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 01:23:00 +0000

July has been one busy month and I have to say I'm a little relieved it's over, I need a break! Well what I really need is to get back to my normal, every day activities like blog reading, getting on twitter and posting here! I'm almost afraid to look at google reader and see just how many blogs I have to catch up on. This week alone has been a bit of a whirlwind which has kept me from getting on here. My older son needs minor surgery tomorrow so my mind has been with him and not many other places. But once things settle down with him which is supposed to be early next week I can get back on track. I have lots to share! There was a wedding I coordinated at the Roger Williams Casino in Providence Rhode Island, my dad's company cookout and all sorts of other goodies! I'm thinking I may try to bring my laptop and see if there's a slight chance I can get online @ the hospital while I wait, maybe I can catch up on all my blogs!

Beautiful Summer Wedding

noreply@blogger.com (Shelby O'Connell) — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 15:16:00 +0000

Saturday I coordinated a beautiful outdoor wedding reception at a private home in Hopkinton. The yard of this home was gorgeous complete with a school house inspired barn, a quaint pond, a pool and covered pergola. The first time I met this couple I fell in love with them, they were so sweet and just an all around great couple. I knew the bride would be stunning and she was, her dress was beautiful and she was glowing.

When I arrived on Saturday to get everything set up I noticed this great swing hanging from this enormously fabulous tree in the side yard. My first thought was JoAnn had to sit on that swing for a picture, it was too perfect to miss. Everything went very well, the slight breeze while it felt amazing did cause a little issue blowing the linens around but in the end everything looked just as the bride wanted.

The food was catered by J & L Catering who I absolutely adore to work with. They're food tastes phenomenal but they're also just a total blast to be around. The guests were pleased with the buffet menu which included chicken, steak tips, baked potatoes and a seafood station consisting of a traditional New England Clambake of lobster, steamers, mussels and corn on the cob. I actually heard one guest say "Did they just walk by with an entire lobster?! Awesome!"

Since this was a backyard wedding the couple wanted signs that clearly indicated where things were such as parking, the ladies room and the men's room. They wanted something nice, not just a paper sign, so I got the supplies needed and made these signs for them. They came out very nice and the bride loved them.

Weddings are a lot of work, no one will argue with that, but when you have clients as wonderful as these ones were it just makes all the work that much more fulfilling. The weather was perfect on Saturday, something we were all a little worried about given the recent weather trend. I don't have any doubt that JoAnn & Rick will have a wonderful life together, I wish them all the happiness they deserve. I can't wait to see the pictures that the photographer took, they're sure to be amazing!

Creative Overload

noreply@blogger.com (Shelby O'Connell) — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 19:24:00 +0000

Anyone creative will probably know exactly what I mean by creative overload which is what I'm having today. The annual company cookout for one of my dad's companies is in a couple weeks and while I've been playing with a few ideas here and there, today I have been online pricing out things and deciding where to buy stuff. I have had a creative brainstorm for the past 5 hours and now have it all plotted out. The wheels started turning in my head and they just kept on going. I'm so excited to do this but really need to get moving because I have a lot to do in the next couple weeks!

We're doing a patriotic theme this year which my mom loves, she's very into patriotic themes, it's even how she has her pool area decorated. Over the past few years I've been able to get her to branch out onto other themes and we had a lot of fun doing it. A couple years ago we did a luau and went all out with the tropical decor. Our employees even got into it with their attire, donning Hawaiian shirts, sandals and straw hats. Last year was the 40th anniversary of dad's other company and we used that as our theme, concentrating on the company colors and elements of the business. I had a lot of projects for it including a moss dump truck and a tractor and loader made out of flowers, among other things. If you're interested in seeing last years pictures, click here.

In addition to it being a patriotic theme we're also incorporating "support the troops" into it. I mentioned this to my mom and my specific reason behind it and she was all for it, which I knew she would be. One of our employees has been in North Carolina for training since May and will be deployed to Iraq in August. I give him and all of our other troops a lot of credit for doing what they do. They risk their lives every day for our country, that's both noble and brave. I wanted to honor him by doing this so in a way it will feel as if he's with us, I know we'll all be thinking of him. Hopefully his deployment will go by as quickly as possible and he'll be coming home to his family and friends. Until then, he'll be in our thoughts. God bless him and the rest of our troops.

Flashback to the 1940's

noreply@blogger.com (Shelby O'Connell) — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 15:23:00 +0000

I came across this fantastic wedding on the Offbeat Bride Blog last night, it is truly amazing. Everything about this wedding was personalized, it was all about them, as it should be. The location was an art deco movie theater, totally cool! All of the bridesmaids were from different locations so to make it easier on the bride and them they were able to choose their own dresses with a couple stipulations, they had to be black and they had to be bought from one of two stores selected by the bride. You must click on the bridal party link within the post to see a picture of the bride and her girls, they look fabulous!

The bride and groom looked spectacular, I love the picture of them on the street, they just look so classy. My other favorite picture is definitely the flower girl and ring boy in their retro attire, it's just too cute for words! Andre & Chrissy, you did a marvelous job on your 1940s Art Deco Glamour Wedding! And Offbeat Bride, thank you for showcasing this absolutely awesome wedding, I probably wouldn't have seen it otherwise.

Dreary Day Pick Me Up

noreply@blogger.com (Shelby O'Connell) — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 20:33:00 +0000

I hope everyone had a fabulous 4th of July weekend! Mine was absolutely wonderful, the weather was great and we had parties and cookouts every day. It was so much fun to spend quality time with great friends and family.

Now today...well it's been a long one. The rain has returned and we've been having thunderstorms all day long. Needless to say having the boys stuck in the house (again) I didn't get much done today, and my very lengthy "to do" list didn't get much attention which means tomorrow will be a busy one. I needed a little bit of a pick me up to lift my spirits on this dreary day so I did some quote searching and found a few. I thought it'd be nice to share. They all touched me in a different way, perhaps they'll do the same for you.

"Ability is what you're capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it." ~ Lou Holtz

"One of the things I learned the hard way was that it doesn't pay to get discouraged. Keeping busy and making optimism a way of life can restore your faith in yourself." ~ Lucille Ball

And here is the last one:

What is Life?

Life is an Adventure...Dare it

Life is a Beauty...Praise it

Life is a Challenge...Meet it

Life is a Duty...Perform it

Life is a Love...Enjoy it

Life is a Tragedy...Face it

Life is a Struggle...Fight it

Life is a Promise...Fulfill it

Life is a Game...Play it

Life is a Gift...Accept it

Life is a Journey...Complete it

Life is a Mystery...Unfold it

Life is a Goal...Achieve it

Life is an Opportunity...Take it

Life is a Puzzle...Solve it

Life is a Song...Sing it

Life is a Sorrow...Overcome it

Life is a Spirit...Realize it

~ Anonymous

Welcome Your Guests

noreply@blogger.com (Shelby O'Connell) — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 11:00:00 +0000

Everyone invited to your wedding is special in each of your lives for one reason or another. When you add small touches to your day for the comfort of your guests it really makes them feel great. It shows them just how special they truly are to you. Kate Parker Weddings has some fantastically awesome products that will truly make your guests feel welcome.

For your Out of Town Guests, welcome them with a custom welcome basket designed by Kate Parker Weddings.
Baskets are personalized based on your wedding location and are filled with water, snacks and information pertaining to your wedding. After a long day of traveling, your guests will surely be happy to discover this basket when they arrive. The basket pictured here is the Miami basket which I chose simply because it was bright and cheery and makes me think of sunshine which us New Englanders are deeply wishing for these days. Click here to go to the Welcome Baskets page. I also want to mention a recent post on the Kate Parker Weddings blog about assembling these baskets. It's great to see the work that goes into each basket. You can read the post here.

If you're having a beach or backyard wedding, consider having a variety of flip flops (in your color scheme of course) to offer your guests. Often dress shoes end up killing your feet within a couple hours so these would be a wonderful treat. Not to mention you save yourself and the heels of your shoes from sinking in the sand on the beach or grass in the backyard. To view the Flip Flop Valets, click here.

Lastly, children at weddings can often get rather bored, unless they love to dance and are showing up all the guests with their best dance moves. A great way to entertain the littlest guests is with the selection of Kids Tables offered at Kate Parker Weddings. You have a choice of Beach, Craft, Circus or Candy themes, all of which I'm sure would be a hit with kids and parents alike. After all, the busier the children are, the more apt their parents are to relax and have fun. Pictured here is a view of the Candy table, check out the other kids tables by clicking here.

Have Your Cake and Eat it Too!

noreply@blogger.com (Shelby O'Connell) — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 11:00:00 +0000

A focal point at your wedding reception is your wedding cake, but for anyone that is already married or couple's that have done their research, they know they can also come with a hefty price tag based on the amount of flavors, layers and intricate details. For example, my cake was almost $1,000. It was huge, 5 layers, 2 flavors, lots of scrollwork and strategically placed leaves. Now had I known then what I know now as a planner, I would've done things a bit differently. Don't get me wrong, I loved my cake, but like I said, it was huge! There are options to have your beautiful cake and also not break the bank, which is what this post is about. The first is have a smaller version of your dream cake and sheet cakes made by the same baker in the kitchen. If you don't want to go that route, then how about option two, keep reading for details!

I have recently discovered Fun Cakes Rental, which allows you to have your gorgeous cake but also save some money. The concept is simple; these cakes are actually made of foam and covered with fondant with the look and feel of a real cake. There is also a compartment to place a small portion of edible cake for the cake cutting ritual. Very clever right? This means none of your guests will know that it's not real unless you tell them of course. Once the cake cutting ceremony is over, the display cake is taken into the kitchen and the guests are served regular sheet cakes from the baker of their choice. It's really a win win situation. You get a gorgeous cake to display and the cake of your choice of flavor, filling and icing to serve your guests. Wow them with sight and taste; it's truly the best of both worlds.

Fun Cakes Rental offers many pre-designed cakes to choose from but if you don't see one you love you also have the option to design your own. Here are just a couple of the cakes they have in their gallery. Aren't they fabulous?!

Easy Recipes for the Holiday Weekend!

noreply@blogger.com (Shelby O'Connell) — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 18:36:00 +0000

Since the upcoming weekend is 4th of July weekend I thought it would be nice to share some great recipes! The first one I posted last year but it's so good and always gets great reviews so I thought I'd share it again. It's simple, it's light, it's fabulous. I also posted a couple quick & easy appetizer recipes last year, to see that post click here. If you're looking for more dessert ideas that are also patriotic check out this post from the Hostess with the Mostess blog. They not only look delicious but also very pretty!

Fruit Trifle

1 Angel Food Cake (pre-made from the store works great)
2 (small) boxes instant Vanilla pudding
3 1/2 cups Skim Milk
1 large container Cool Whip Free
Fresh Fruit (I use strawberries (1 - 2 pkgs), blueberries (1 pkg) & bananas (2) but you can use whatever you wish!)

Mix milk & pudding and set aside. In a trifle bowl layer cake, pudding, fruit & cool whip. Repeat until gone.

When I do this I usually do individual layers for each fruit but if you wanted to mix them together first and have 3 layers of mixed fruit that works too! As far as the milk, I know some people hate skim milk, and I don't blame them, I'm not a fan either! If you're in New England and you haven't tried either Garelick Farms Over the Moon Fat Free Milk or Hood Simply Smart Fat Free Milk then I say give it a shot. Both taste great and do not taste like skim to me at all (and to several others that have tried it).

Trust me when I say that no one will know that this is a low-fat dessert. My father who always knows when something is substituted can't tell and he really likes this! Fooling him is never easy!

Enjoy!

Have a Safe & Happy 4th!

An Inviting Love Story

noreply@blogger.com (Shelby O'Connell) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 14:32:00 +0000

I love when couples really break away from the norm and do something completely different than everyone else. When I came across this totally fun and unique invitation on the Love, Unique blog I just had to share it, it was too cool not to. I've actually seen it on a couple blogs but there's was the first that I saw it. What a great way to share your story with your guests. So I'll ask the same thing that Love, Unique did...would you consider using something this unique?

Be sure to also check out their website, their work is absolutely stunning!

Some Recent Favorites

noreply@blogger.com (Shelby O'Connell) — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 16:17:00 +0000

Browsing through bridal magazines I've come across some beautiful dresses that really caught my eye. I thought I'd share them with you today. All photos are from the knot. If you see something you like you can click on each picture to be taken directly to the designers website.

Have a fabulous Monday!

Fun Friday

noreply@blogger.com (Shelby O'Connell) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 14:47:00 +0000

I woke up this morning and couldn't believe my eyes, I saw the sun! It has been so long since we've had decent weather and to see the sun put me in a fabulous mood, which is rare for me in the morning. So since it's Friday (yay the weekend!) and the sun is shining, I thought it was a perfect day to share some really fabulously fun pictures.

Last week during my Internet travels I came across probably the funnest wedding I've ever seen. It was a Carnival theme wedding and it was so unbelievably cool. You really need to check out these fantastic pictures from Jamie Hammond Photography, what an amazing job! The first part of the pictures can be found here and the second part can be found here.

Enjoy, and have a great weekend!

Thursday Thoughts

noreply@blogger.com (Shelby O'Connell) — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 18:17:00 +0000

I had a less than stellar morning today. From the minute I got up I was faced with many obstacles that would ultimately detour my plans for today. Of course I thought to myself "If this is how my day is starting I can only imagine how the rest will be." But I knew I had a lot to accomplish today and I didn't want to let the entire day go down the toilet. I dealt with all the obstacles and got back on track and here I am (finally) writing a new blog post. Since today didn't go as planned, and I know we all have days like that, I thought I would simply post a motivational quote. It's always good for the soul to read something and then ponder over it.

"Our lives are not determined by what happens to us but by how we react to what happens, not by what life brings to us, but by the attitude we bring to life. A positive attitude causes a chain reaction of positive thoughts, events, and outcomes. It is a catalysts, a spark that creates extraordinary results." ~ Anonymous

Be Inspired!

noreply@blogger.com (Shelby O'Connell) — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 13:00:00 +0000

Planning your wedding can be so exciting! You see something that catches your eye in a magazine or online so you clip it and you save it in the folder you've dedicated to your wedding planning. But sometimes brides have all these ideas in a folder or stuck in their head and they have a hard time pulling all of them together. Maybe you're at the opposite end of the spectrum and simply don't have the slightest idea where to start. Well regardless of which bride you are, I have some great news for you! Whether you've got it all together or you're stressing on what color to choose, you'll get some amazing inspiration from the inspiration boards on Magnet Street Weddings. These boards are absolutely marvelous! Browse through them and see what catches your eye, perhaps you'll build off the ideas you already had or you'll gain a fresh perspective to create your own inspiration board. Want to share it once you're done? Perfect! I'd love to see it, as I'm sure other brides would too. Upload it to the Internet and post the link in the comments section of this post, or if you want some input but don't want to share it with the world, email it to me at info{at}sochicevents.com. Best of luck!

Behind the Cost & Behind the Scenes

noreply@blogger.com (Shelby O'Connell) — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 14:59:00 +0000

As I was catching up on some blogs that I follow regularly, I came across a few posts within the same blog that I think provide great information for brides and grooms. The first topic has to do with the costs associated with weddings and what is truly behind those costs. I know some couples look at a vendor's fee and can't possibly understand it. What they may not know is that the total fee doesn't go into that vendor's pocket. That fee includes the time they spend on your wedding and overhead costs associated with running a business. Liene Stevens of Blue Orchid Designs wrote the post, Behind the Cost of Weddings Revisited a couple weeks back and it really sheds some insight on the pricing of weddings and wedding vendors. The original post, Behind the Cost of Weddings, which was written nearly 2 years ago is also well worth the read since it breaks it down to specific vendors.

The second topic also has 2 posts to it. I came across this one by reading one post and it had a link to another one, etc etc. They have to do with kickbacks and commissions in the wedding industry which is something that brides and grooms should be made aware of. I became aware of it after attending a networking event for the Knot and meeting some new vendors. We were discussing our businesses and talking about different venues and vendors we've worked with. One vendor informed me that some venues will actually charge vendors to be on their preferred vendor list, as he experienced this himself. He called a venue to ask to be put on their list and they said sure for a certain amount of money. They didn't meet him or look at his work, they knew nothing about him. So basically the vendor is paying for advertising really, they're not being put on a list because that venue thinks their work is amazing. This also means the cost to you will end up being more since the fee that vendors pay a venue will probably come back to you as a markup with that vendor.

I was so happy when I came across Liene's post about this because this is a sticky topic and I've been trying to decide how to write it without stirring the pot too much within the local wedding industry. Obviously if a vendor/venue practices this then they won't be too happy to read this type of post, but for those who don't practice it, it probably feels like a breath of fresh air to see someone put this out in the open. Since Liene did such a wonderful job with it, it's simply easier to just point you that way. I will also say the comments to those posts are equally interesting and well worth the read. So here is the post I came across first, Wedding Vendor Hiring Guide: Kickbacks & Commissions and here is the post where Liene originally discussed this issue, Kickbacks, Commissions and Dirty Wedding Secrets.

I hope this post provides you with some truly important information.

What Not to Do While Planning Your Wedding

noreply@blogger.com (Shelby O'Connell) — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 13:00:00 +0000

I thought a great way to start the week would be with some excellent advice. Last week, Terrica of Fabuluxe Inc. wrote a great post on her Cocktails & Details Blog. This post was written perfectly and it's a must see for all brides. Check out the 20 Things to Never Do When Planning Your Wedding. It has some wonderful advice and great tips from one very successful planner, well worth the read.

Hope you have a fabulous week!

First Dance - Friday Funny

noreply@blogger.com (Shelby O'Connell) — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 18:31:00 +0000

It's Friday, the weekend is finally here, thankfully. I don't know where you live but it's been raining here in Massachusetts pretty much all week and if you add to that 2 little boys being cooped up in the house, to say I needed a little comic relief is an understatement. I just came across this on Earth Friendly Weddings blog and had to share it. There were 2 other videos of a couples first dance, but this was my favorite. Thank you Jennifer at Earth Friendly Weddings for giving me the laugh I desperately needed!

Add Style to Your Aisle

noreply@blogger.com (Shelby O'Connell) — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 13:00:00 +0000

You have spent months planning your wedding, paying attention to little details that make your day unique. On your wedding day all eyes are on you, especially as you're walking down the aisle. This is your moment, the day you feel your most beautiful, the one you've thought of for years. The aisle is the path that leads you to the love of your life and your new life together. After spending all this time making your day come together just right, don't settle for just another ordinary runner, make your entrance truly grand.

Chic Unique Inc. can make your aisle pop with style. The custom made, hand painted cloth aisle runners can be designed with your names, monogram, a special quote or design. To add a bit more pizazz, double faced satin ribbon that coordinates with your color scheme can be added to the edges. This is the perfect way to set the mood, complete your theme and add some elegance to your ceremony. These gorgeous aisle runners are exceptionally chic when you're getting married at a location that doesn't have a true aisle such as at a beach or backyard wedding.

Here is just one of the many beautiful creations by Chic Unique Inc. To see many other samples and get inspiration for your big day, be sure to check out the gallery on their website.

Divine Finds Over at Junebug Weddings!

noreply@blogger.com (Shelby O'Connell) — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 11:00:00 +0000

Yesterday was a great day. My kids spent the afternoon with their uncle which meant I was able to surf the net all day finding some amazing blogs and wedding related websites. I've added a couple new ones to my links list and am sure to be adding more soon.

One of the sites I visited, Junebug Weddings Blog, posted about paper fans and parasols in a large array of colors, they're gorgeous! Not only are they perfect to give your guests for weddings during the hot summer months, they're also a great way to add a unique touch and an additional splash of color to your day. To read the entire post and check out the wonderful supply of fans and parasols, click here.

While you're there check out one of her other posts which happens to be right below it. The newest addition to the Love stamp collection by the USPS which happens to be the King & Queen of Hearts. I love them, they're different, cute, and kinda funky, a nice alternative to the wedding hearts we've seen for so long. Click here to be directed to that specific post.

Thank you Junebug Weddings for posting these 2 fabulous finds!

Fabulous New Things at Rentals Unlimited

noreply@blogger.com (Shelby O'Connell) — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 13:27:00 +0000

Rentals Unlimited has recently launched a new Virtual Tabletop which allows you to play around with various linens, china, flatware, even chairs from the comfort of your home or office. I personally love going to their showrooms, the variety of products that they have makes your options limitless. The wall of linens alone...beautiful, I only wish when I went that I had more time to play! But since I don't have a ton of time to go and play and designing tables is one of my favorite aspects, I played around with the virtual tabletop a bit and it was really cool to actually put things together and visualize what a table could look like. Even with this amazing feature, I still recommend going to a showroom once you've made some decisions so you can actually see it in person and also feel the materials. The virtual tabletop is a great guide allowing you to narrow down some choices, making your final decision a little easier. The only thing I noticed you can't do is add chair sashes and table runners so that's something you may want to experiment with a bit once you are at the showroom.

Another really great addition to Rentals Unlimited is lounge furniture! Lounge furniture is a fabulous way to create a unique cocktail or sitting area at your wedding that will keep your guests talking about for quite some time.

So what are you waiting for? Head on over to Rentals Unlimited to design your table and be inspired by their furniture groupings. Your wedding will be stunning, no doubt about it!

A New Look

noreply@blogger.com (Shelby O'Connell) — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 16:22:00 +0000

This blog has had a mini makeover of sorts! I was bored w/ the old background and needed something different so here it is!

It has been quite some time since I've posted but that's going to change! So stay tuned!

Venezie Bags Giveaway!

noreply@blogger.com (Shelby O'Connell) — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 13:21:00 +0000

Venezie Bags has been featuring some great shops on their blog over the last 10 days during the 10 days of giveaways. Today is the last day and the giveaway is a gift certificate to Venezie Bags! Head on over to the Venezie Bags blog to check out today's fabulous giveaway and enter for a chance to win. If you're not a reader of Venezie Bags blog then you're missing out! Click on the button above to visit Venezie Bags Blog!