Well it seems that there is great wedding news flying around these days; many in the special event industry are giving back to their communities. A non-profit company, called “Wish Upon a Wedding” is busy trying to make dreams happen for many in need!

Couples planning to be married can bid for wedding-related auction items online starting in October or at a Blissful Wishes Balls Nationwide in November, with all proceeds benefiting,  Wish Upon a Wedding.  This new organization is the world's first non-profit that provides weddings for individuals facing life-threatening illness.

Wish Upon a Wedding is currently seeking donated products or services in 46 cities, ranging from wedding gowns to tuxedos, invitations to cakes, and limousine services to honeymoons.

If you are wedding vendor, It only takes a moment to register and make a difference in someone's life at: https://www.biddingforgood.com/auction/AuctionHome.action?auctionId=115386483

Be sure to add your item to the correct category (city), and don’t forget to include your company logo and URL.  What a great advertising opportunity~ and you'll be making a positive difference in someone's life who truly deserves it!

“Bid Your Wish for Wedded Bliss” online auctions are a great chance for businesses to showcase their business while doing something good for someone special!  Tickets for the Blissful Wishes Balls across the country will go on sale on August 15th at: www.wishuponawedding.eventbrite.com

  
The Event Lady thinks this is a neat project and a much needed wedding organization that can add some joy to some of us less fortunate. "It is after all better to give than to receive."

So go on Wedding Professionals is time to give, and couples who qualify, it is time to Bid!!!!

 

Selecting a wedding band is one of the most important decisions you will make as you take the first steps into wedded bliss. Future brides and grooms spend hours selecting the perfect choice to reflect their love and commitment in this traditional form of jewelry, while expressing their personality and lifestyle in their final choice. After all... this is a special piece of jewelry you will wear for a lifetime, so it has to be just perfect!

Celebrity Diamond Guy and CEO of MyJewelryBox.com, David Mamane, keeps A-listers in-the-know, and now thanks to the following tips you can be too when it comes to selecting the right wedding bands. For added shopping knowledge, his website offers an extensive collection of wedding rings for any taste and budget, as well as an informative page on Education for Your Jewelry Purchase Experience.  

Some Tips from David Mamane of My Jewelry Box:

1. Choose a band that matches the material of your engagement ring, if her engagement ring is platinum; purchase her a platinum wedding band. Re-visiting the same store that the engagement ring was purchased from is always a good idea. The three most popular wedding bands are yellow gold, white gold and platinum. White gold is popular because it coordinates with both silver and gold and is less expensive than platinum. Yellow gold is traditional, but be sure to look into the karats. Nine karat does not look as nice and will not hold up as well as 18 karat, but more karats means a bigger price tag.

2. Shop together; this ensures that everyone gets what they want

3. Choose a style that compliments your fingers and hand. If you have a larger finger, a thick band will look more attractive than a thin band, while skinny fingers tend to look better with a small, simple, band.

4. Take into consideration what you do for a living; if you work in construction, you want a wedding band that will withstand how much abuse it will take.

Below are some beautiful wedding design images from My Jewelry Box for our readers to review right here on The Event Lady's Blog:

 "Modern times have brought about many changes in weddings while striving for individuality and creativity, but there is one descriptive word that has stood the test of time and that is "Romance."

The old but beautiful tradition of the Wedding Day Gift is sometimes forgotten by some or just simply overlooked. This custom of the bridal couple exchanging a special present on their wedding day is another personal way to add romance to your special event; it dates back to Victorian times. The act of presenting a gift to each other is of course symbolic in nature, and very individual to each and every couple. Today I found a place on the web offering some gift ideas that caught my romantic eye!

You may find precious gifts for your loved ones at a company called Charmed Circle. They offer jewelry designs by Gina Cartwright, an artist with a new twist on the art of gift-giving. Her creations are fresh and modern, yet reflect sentiment and capture the personality of the gift-giver, and most important, the essence of the recipient. Her inspiration for designing credited to her childhood and the memories of her mother's jewelry. Today, her crafts are meticulously designed with fine metals and precious stones, and have even been featured in O Magazine, and sold in fine stores like Neiman Marcus. Their prices... reasonable, considering their uniqueness.

A couple of my favorite pieces are shown on this Blog today:  the “Time Capsule” charm where one can include a personal note. A perfect wedding day gift for those spirits that breathe romance on a daily basis!

The “Love Letters” necklace is a wonderful piece where you can write out a special phrase, your initials, symbols or numbers (marking the date of the wedding event).

My favorite little piece is the caged blue- bird charm; this is a whimsical creation carrying the traditional something-blue effect, and inspiring the symbolic meaning of a trapped heart in love.

You may visit Charmed-Circle.com to view the complete collection of charms, bracelets, cufflinks, key chains and necklaces, all of which make lovely Wedding Day Gifts, and Attendants' Gifts for your bridesmaids or groomsmen.

Just about any occasion is well recognized with a special present from this jewelry collection. You may also find them on Facebook.

“Charmed Circle… “You’ve been Blogged by The Event Lady!”


 

"Double Wedding" is premiering on Lifetime Movie Network on June 20, and we're giving away prizes to celebrate! One lucky grand-prize winner will receive the fabulous “Spring Street” wedding dress designed by Season 6 "Project Runway" contestant Carol Hannah Whitfield! The first-place prize is Carol Hannah's coveted "Twinkle Cuff." (Photos below)

To enter, go to:

http://www.mylifetime.com/movies/double-wedding/dress-giveaway

This Sweepstakes begins on June 14, 2010 at 12:00:00PM Eastern Time (ET) and ends on July 12, 2010 at 11:59:59PM (ET).

 

Dress Description:
Perfect for a nontraditional wedding or a reception dress that you can really dance in! Fantastic with a birdcage veil and shoes in your favorite color!

100% Silk Devore Satin in vines. Devore satin is a satin that has a patterned burned out, making the spaces in between the design sheer.

Fitted and fully boned bodice with sweetheart neckline acts as corset and provides support. Skirt gathered at waist with multiple layers of tulle in the underskirt. Bodice lined in duchess satin, skirt lined in charmeuse. Low scooped back.

Shown in natural white.

There are so many pretty quinceañera gowns to chooose from in today's market, a miriad of colors to pick from and fabrics with details galore. Therefore, I have decided to start a gown of the month selection tradition here on The Event Lady's blog. This post is the first "The Event Lady's Gown Selection Feature" on our website. We will post our June Wedding Gown selection along with the Quinceañera gown selection, side by side.

Established designers from the quince and bridal industry, and innovative and creative couture designers enter this competitive glamour world and strive to bring the latest trends and catch our Brides, and Sweet Fifteen and Sweet Sixteen consumers. The Quince Parties are, and will always be for some, the first time to shine on the dance floor with your very own ballroom gown! The Wedding Day is definitely the long awaited biggest dream for most women.

After helping produce the first Miss Florida Quince Pageant with Somos Magazine, it is only natural that as The Event Lady, I would pick a quince selection from our event sponsor, House of Wu and their Quinceañera Collection.

I chose this particular gown today, because the color really caught my eye. The burnt orange with golds and hints of red within it's two tone hues, and it's delicate rosettes were an absolute stunning look for any quinceañera, in my opinion of course! This ballroom gown selection is from their Spring 2010 Collection. Our Miss Florida Quince contestants modeled the House of Wu Fall 2010 Collection, and Wow! Let me tell you it gets even better! So I will definitely keep you posted on this quince designer. You may visit them at: www.HouseofWu.com

Enjoy my First Gown Selections for the Month below!

The Event Lady's Quince Gown Selection for the Month of June

Gown in Crystal Organza, available in Burnt Orange/Bright Orange, Bright Aqua/Green Ice, Daffodil/Bright Orange, White/White, Ivory/Ivory.

and now... The Event Lady's Bridal Gown Selection of the Month of June

This wedding gown is also by House of Wu from their Christina Wu Spring 2010 Collection.

A true bridal dream with all the elegance and pomp and circumstance  your wedding day should inspire!

This design has a Strapless Fortunie pleated neckline and tiered Side underlay. Flower Pick-up skirt. Pleated Torso. Lace-up back. Cathedral Train.

 Happy Special Event Gown Shopping!

Lladro is ready for Summer with these two romantic new love pieces for your consideration:

Summer Crush and The Thrill of Love.


Take a peek right here on The Event Lady's Blog and decide which one is right for you, and your long awaited wedding event.

Ask your Florida local gift retailer about these two wonderful detailed works of art from
a lifetime master.... LLADRO; always a classic.

Before turning her jewelry designing into a full-time business in 2003, Alicia Van Fleteren worked more than a decade in the San Francisco financial services industry. This experience taught her the value in cultivating solid, honest relationships with her clients, and she brings this sense of trust and authenticity to her jewelry business, too. Her loyal following of customers appreciate Van Fleteren’s high-quality designs, creativity and ability to construct pieces that simply make the wearer feel good in them.

Finely wrought from an eclectic variety of high-quality materials --precious and semi-precious gemstones, silver, gold and pearls -- the hand-beaded jewelry is beautifully distinct and durably crafted.
Alicia Van Fleteren pieces are priced so any budget can afford well-made, high-quality jewelry. Special collections of Alicia Van Fleteren jewelry are sold in select boutiques and on line at www.AliciaVF.com

Personalized dinnerware designer Jessica Rust of Jessica Rust Designs is thrilled to introduce her personalized trademark tableware in an artistic new hue – blue!

 
 
With the success of her signature Birch Tree design, which helped to launch www.rustdesigns.com, it’s only fitting that Jessica Rust Designs unveiled the first glimpse of her tinted tabletop with the Birch Tree collection.  


 
Now, her bridal registry/gift product assortment has expanded the azure alternative to the Birds on a Wire and Love Birds collections.  These stunning styles exude a vibrancy and vitality characteristic of any blushing bride, a masterfully memorable way to commemorate the special day.  Her pieces may be personalized with a phrase of your choice (whether it be initials, a date, etc. – perfect for a wedding gift!), and are exclusively available at www.rustdesigns.com   
 

Her products span from a platter to dessert plates and mugs to a serving bowl, with prices ranging from $55.00 to $175.00.  Best of all, Jessica Rust Designs dinnerware is both dishwasher and microwave safe. 

The experts at InvitationBox.com have every bride-to-be completely covered from Save-the-Date to Thank You cards and everything in between!

With a fabulous selection of invitation colors, themes, textures and cuts there’s truly no need to look anywhere else. They make it super convenient to order your dream wedding invitation from the comfort of your home -- so you have more time to run around town for your dress, shoes, jewelry, etc.! 

Styles include pockets, sliders, traditional, destination, elegant floral, sleek and modern, bold and classic borders and so much more. 


You can get all your wedding essentials in one place:

Wedding Invitations
Response cards, direction cards, & place cards
Engagement Party Invitations
Save the Date Cards
Bridal Shower Invitations
Bachelorette Party Invitations
Rehearsal Dinner Invites, etc.

They also have a line called InvitationBox Green in which all the items are 100% sustainable and eco-friendly.

Really cute stuff for beach or tropical themed weddings, in particular!

Well Known Keepsake Retailer Helps Brides Brand Weddings, Designs Custom Wedding Logos. 

Wedding logos are the latest trend in the world of bridal bliss, offering couples a unique way to brand their weddings. With the newest service from Things Remembered, it’s easier and more affordable than ever for brides to have a custom logo designed just for their special day.

The leading personalized gift retailer is now creating custom logos brides can use on virtually everything associated with their wedding. Each custom design builds in the couple’s names or monogram against contemporary, classic or casual styles. Couples receive a digital copy of the logo (jpg, eps and PDF versions) that can be used on websites, programs, invitations, seating cards, toasting flutes, cake servers, photo albums and other wedding staples.

“Couples want every last detail of their wedding to be a unique reflection of their personalities and their love, and the wedding logo adds the perfect finishing touch,” said Amy Myers, Things Remembered vice president of creative services. “For years, couples have been asking us to incorporate their names and monograms into all their special things, and we’re happy to help make their special day even more memorable with this new, personalized offering.”

Custom wedding logo creation is free with a Things Remembered purchase of $150 or more. It’s then $12.00 per product to have the logo engraved. Shoppers spending less than $150 can have a logo designed for $50.

To begin the design process, the couple need only visit their local Things Remembered store or call Things Remembered customer service at 866-902-4438. They will receive their custom logo within seven days. Rush design services also are available.

Things Remembered, based in Highland Heights, Ohio, is the nation’s leading chain of personalized gift stores, with more than 600 stores in 47 states. For more information about Things Remembered or for store locations, call 800-274-7367 or log on to www.thingsremembered.com.

Martini & Rossi Asti Spumante, is the perfect sparkling wine to serve at wedding, or any special social event.  For bridal celebrations it offers a versatile addition to your wedding liquor selection. It’s slightly sweet taste pairs well with wedding cake and it can also be served throughout the entire reception.

Martini & Rossi produces the cutest Asti Mini in a bright blue color that is a great “something blue” at weddings. It can be offered as a single-serve drink during the cocktail hour, be used as a favor with the bride and groom’s name tied around the neck, or even as a unique place card during the reception.

Asti is also a great ingredient for wedding cocktails, here are a few suggestions which are fun for the cocktail hour and their names make them perfect for any wedding celebration. Quince celebrations can enjoy these as well. Just change the title a bit or change the word Bride to Quinceañera, and Voila!

The Blushing Bride
1 part pink lemonade
1 part MARTINI & ROSSI® Asti
Grenadine
Pour pink lemonade and MARTINI & ROSSI® Asti in champagne class. Top with grenandine.

I-Dew! I-Dew!
MARTINI & ROSSI® Asti
1 part melon liqueur
2 parts chilled lemonade

Pour melon liqueur and chilled lemonade into a martini cocktail glass. Top with chilled MARTINI & ROSSI® Asti. Garnish with a honeydew melon ball skewered on a pick.

The Ever After Asti Kir
4 parts chilled MARTINI & ROSSI® Asti
1 part crème de cassis
Pour crème de cassis into a 6-oz. flute and top with chilled MARTINI & ROSSI® Asti.

Ooooh sounds refreshing and delicious!!!Check your local liquor store for special oredering and allow time!

 Happy Event Planning! 

When it comes to planning your special event, it’s a jungle out there! Luckily, Jungle Island offers several options in one convenient location, along with a highly trained, personable event staff that specializes in helping you create a uniquely customized event that you will remember for years. When you choose Jungle Island for your important occasion, you’ll join the Source Awards, Avon, the NFL Commissioner’s Super Bowl Party, 175-plus yearly wedding parties and a slew of others who have turned their special events into incredible experiences on Jungle Island.

For Florida weddings or quinceañera events, there are many spaces to choose from. The most popular is their Treetop Ballroom, which overlooks the Port of Miami and the city’s spectacular skyline. The ballroom itself is a 15,000 sq. ft., flexible meeting space that can accommodate 1,000 people for dinners and 2,000 people for receptions. For smaller events, this ballroom can be divided into three separate spaces that hold as few as approximately 200 guests. In addition, the Arboretum, which faces the water and yacht club, is available for lunches and dinners for about 100 guests. Another option is the Royal Palm Veranda overlooking the Jungle and skyline of Miami, which can hold nearly 700 people for a reception and 350 for a banquet.

For a tropical, yet festive environment, you can consider their open-air venue options, including the Sable Palm Plaza, which features tropical foliage, lighted palm trees and stately stone flooring.

The beautiful beach front area or the flamingo-dotted lakeside offer guests either a relaxed waterside reception area or a picturesque romantic backdrop.  Lastly, and quite possibly the most romantic selection is the Lovers’ Perch, nestled between cascading waterfalls and overlooking the meandering jungle stream. Jungle Island has quickly become one of the top choices among wedding and quince planners.

I had the pleasure of having my 25th wedding anniversary at Jungle Island and was very pleased with the results. So now.... with all this wild info at hand!

Have a Junglerrific Day... as they say at "The Jungle," and...

Happy Event Planning!

Press Release Info and Pictures Courtesy of www.jungleisland.com

Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue! Well that certainly is how the traditional wedding good luck rhyme goes...

But today, there is nothing traditional about how a bride can wear that blue charm! How about a bridal tattoo in a pale blue ink color to replace that old hankie or blue garter?

If you are into this new form of art, then I invite you to visit a website called I Do Tattoos, this company features many different bridal, temporary tattoo designs for you to choose from. You can order your tattoo right on-line. 

My Florida quinceañeras, this information can apply to you as well. These tattoos are not just for brides... if your quince party theme decor or ballroom gown colors are in the blue family, this might be a perfect little touch to add to your accessory list as well. Why not wear beautiful body art and express yourself? 

This clever idea even has it's own lovely keepsake box to match. Who knows... twenty years down the line, you might get a laugh or two over this fun fashion trend!

Happy Event Planning!
"The Event Lady"

Do you remember the song that went,  "And I Did it My Way!

Well, now "You Can Stamp it Your Way" with "Perfect Postage."

I found this neat wedding site on Twitter, and absolutely loved it! What a pretty way to place that individual final stamp, (and I mean that literally)  on all your social event invitations.

Your Wedding, Quince, Anniversary, Birthday invitation, even your RSVP's can be accented with these stamps. Just about any special event can be uniquely stamped with a creative flair.

Hey... I have been thinking, these might be a nice way to promote your business image too. 

My Florida readers you can now custom design your wedding or quinceañera stamps with your very own photo, your B-day month, a matching theme design, your name, your nationality... well you get the picture right?

The possibilities are endless! 

Here are some more designs but visit their site for many more ideas... they have other cool personalized stuff there as well.

Happy Event Planning,

"The Event Lady" 

Yes, a wedding paradise day in Cape Coral, Florida!

The Wedding Professionals of SW Florida, a bridal association formed by local, professional vendors is proud to announce their very first Paradise Wedding and Event Expo to take place on Sunday, January 31, 2010, from noon to 4:00 PM in the afternoon. The location for this special event will be the ballroom of La Venezia, a private party venue, located at 4646 SW 10th Place.

This experienced group of service providers to the party industry has created a bridal showcase, to benefit The Nations Association Charities; a well known area fundraising group that helps the community and focuses on our youth. Admission to the show is $5.00 per person or 5 cans of food, part of these proceeds will benefit Nations.

This expo will provide a Super Grand Prize to a lucky bride or groom in the audience, Raffle tickets will be sold on site, to win a custom wedding package with a value of over $5,000. Please note: the winner must be present to win!

Besides the main raffle, there will be drawings for many prizes during the afternoon by many vendors, a beautiful fashion show, make-overs, hairstyling, flowers, quince planning sessions, jewelry and much, much more. This group is focusing not only on the wedding market, but welcomes the quinceañeras of the area as well. These two events are so similar in their planning needs, that they are happy to invite the Hispanic community to take part on this SW Florida event. Latino novias and quince girls... come on down!

The Hispanic Media will be present; Telemundo Channel 43, weekday television show host from "En Casa con Martin Ycaza" will be the master of ceremonies. Yours truly, will co-host as Mistress of Ceremonies, and together; we are truly looking forward to a great turnout.

All the wedding vendors that form part of this event, who have contributed to it's production, can be found on the group's website. Please visit, The Wedding Professionals of SW Florida's website here for their individual information.

Hope to see you there!

Happy Event Planning!

"The Event Lady"

Fort Myers, Florida is home to a very distinct and elegant location in which to hold your wedding ceremony, bridal reception, or both.

The Edison Ford Winter Estates Mansion is truly a landmark which encompasses beautiful grounds, accompanied by a charming, historic structure which will create an ambiance of romance for your wedding or quince event.

This upcoming weekend, January 24, 2010, they open their doors to brides and quinceañeras of SW Florida, by hosting a "Tropical Bridal Fair" showcasing their ample property, plus some of their professional recommended special event vendors. 

I invite you to visit their site by clicking on the image below for further information.

Happy Bridal Show Day!

The Event Lady 

BB Special Events aka Platinum Bride has just released all their upcoming bridal and quince show dates; and I do mention quince as well, because a quinceañera can find all her vendor needs in these wonderful expos, which bring many professionals in the party industry together.

All under one roof; you can see a venue, learn about special event services, preview decorations, and sample wedding cakes!

So my dear readers.. make sure to mark your calendars with the dates below:

The Platinum Bride Bridal Show Calendar

Making wedding day dreams come true in Platinum style !!!

An Extravagant Event of Bridal Glitz & Glamour!!!

Showcasing the hottest trends in fashion, décor, food,
Photography, entertainment and much more!

~ The Alexander Resort Hotel ~
5225 Collins Avenue
Miami Beach, FL 33140
Sunday, February 21st 2010
1pm – 5pm

~ So Cool eVenue ~
2585 NW 21st Terrace
Miami, FL 33142
Sunday, March 21st 2010
1pm - 5pm

~ Crown Plaza Hotel ~
13400 W Sunrise Blvd
Sunrise, FL 33323
Sunday May 23rd 2010
1pm – 5pm

~ Doubletree Oceanfront Resort & Spa Hotel ~
17375 Collins Avenue
Sunny Isles Beach, FL 33160
Sunday, June 13th 2010
1pm – 5pm

~ The Hyatt Regency Pier 66 Resort & Spa ~
2301 S.E. 17th Street
Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA 33316
Sunday July 18, 2010
1pm – 5pm

FURTHER INFO CALL 786-499-5329

I just received information on the production of a Hispanic Television show on a cruise; it is finally here, a Spanish Marriage Reality TV Show.

The producer of this innovative program is Fernando Arau, a famous Latin TV Network host personality, who has independently launched his own TV channel, Show, his own production company, webcasting services, and even wedding and quince special event productions!

Going on this Latino reality couple's cruise could be a fun adventure for just about anybody!

You can get the cruise details right here!

The Event Lady thinks it all sounds very exciting. This Latino Media project sure sounds like a winner!

Keep you posted and happy sailing...

What a busy weekend it was in Southwest Florida!

So many special events, and many more to come.You can tell the Holidays are here; there are parties going on every where!

This past week, Telemundo 43 SW Florida TV Channel, hosted their 2009 Customer Appreciation Party at the ample and well known Vision Night Club, located in the City of Naples.

The guests enjoyed delicious and authentic Mexican catering, prepared by Mr. Chile of Fort Myers, de-stressed while dancing Salsa, Merengue and Bachata all night with popular DJ Cristian, and were treated to a special performance by a local talent, a Puerto Rican born singer by the name of Valerie Morales.

As usual in many of our area events, we enjoyed the presence of a unique personality, who kindly acted as Master of Ceremonies, Mr. Martin Ycaza; the TV host of a daily, local morning program on this Spanish TV Channel, "En Casa con Martin Ycaza."

I was proud to serve as Mistress of Ceremonies with Mr. Ycaza, and share a wonderful evening with many business owners in the area who suport our growing Hispanic Media.

Daniel Navarrete, the station manager and gracious party host stated, "this party is for our customers, just to thank them for their loyal and continued support."

One more time, The Event Lady was proud to decorate and participate in this multi-cultural community, who works very hard on a daily basis combining talent and efforts from all nationalities. 

Happy Holidays to Telemundo 43 SW Florida, and to all their viewers and customers, who can now follow on the web at www.HolaCiudad.com; their brand new Latin web portal!

I am privileged to learn from my Florida brides, and continually reminded of their own creativity.

One of my previous brides, who had her wedding at The Club at The Strand in Naples, Florida, had a fresh approach to the placecard scene... Apples! Yes, apples. I thought this was a fun and different twist on the seating arrangement idea.If you are a crafty bride, here is a picture for you!

Kudos to Apple Placecards!