Happy 2009

As 2008 ends, we look forward to another amazing year ahead. I have to say that 2008 was a terrific year for us at Simply Perfect Weddings. We had the privilege of working with some amazing couples, got a chance to meet new vendors around the Pittsburgh area, and made some great friends along the way! There are some big things happening for '09 and we can't wait to share our new and improved changes with all of you.

Here is to another happy, healthy, and successful year ahead!

Happy 2009!!! :)

Engagement Photo Session :: Kelly & Phil

I've been meaning to start a new blog series featuring our client's and their engagement photo sessions for awhile now and since i just received these beautiful photos from Kelly & Phil's session, I thought now would be a perfect time to start! Kelly & Phil are getting married this summer at The Pennsylvanian and trust me when I tell you that their wedding is going to be absolutely breathtaking! Kelly & Phil have some amazing vendors, including their photographer, Pamela Marie. Pamela is a relatively new photographer to the Pittsburgh area (but definitely not new to the industry...before establishing her business here, she was a professional photographer in Los Angeles). Pamela is extremely talented and I'm lucky enough to have the opportunity to work with her on two of my '09 weddings. For more information about Pamela Marie Photography, check out her website and blog.

Photos courtesy of Pamela Marie Photography.

Closed for the Holidays

Our office will be closed from now until Sunday, December 28th so that we may spend time with our families during the holidays. We will re-open on Monday, December 29th. Please be patient as we will return all emails and phone calls promptly on Monday. From all of us at Simply Perfect Weddings, we wish you and your family a very happy holiday season!

Photo above is a winter inspired wedding cake and is courtesy of The Knot.

Donating Your Wedding Gown

If you're looking for a way to give back this holiday season, why not donate your wedding gown to a great cause?! After all, most women have their gowns preserved and then the gown is boxed up for the next 30+ years only to be taken out once, maybe twice in their lifetime. So, unless your planning on having a 'Trash the Dress' photo session or passing your gown down to a relative or future generation, then do you really need to hang on to your gown forever?! Probably not! Brides Against Breast Cancer is a charity that helps grant wishes to women suffering from terminal breast cancer. Your gown is sold to another bride-to-be and the proceeds from that sale, go directly to the women and their families. For instructions on how to donate your gown, click here. Your donation, including shipping costs is 100% tax-deductible.

Winter Wonderland Design Inspiration

Planning a winter wedding and need some design + color inspiration? Check out this gorgeous winter themed inspiration board courtesy of Snippet and Ink.

For a larger version of this inspiration board, click on the above image.

Etsy - All Things Handmade

Ok, so you're probably asking yourself "What exactly is Etsy?"...well, I'm here to tell you all about this great website! Etsy is an online store where you can buy and sell all things that are handmade. Everything from holiday decor to items for your wedding...you name it, and chances are you'll probably find it on Etsy. If you haven't come across this great website already, then you're in for a real treat!

Photo above is courtesy of Etsy and is a personalized monogram isle runner - $60.00

Winter Wedding Welcome Bags

I am a big fan of using guest welcome bags as opposed to the traditional wedding favors and recently worked with a client on composing her winter welcome bags - here's what we included in them:

Hot chocolate mix
Custom coffee mug
Gingerbread cookies
Granola Bars
Caramel candies
White snowflake candles
Snowflake Christmas ornament
Vanilla scented hand lotion
Chapstick
Mints

In addition to these goodies, we included a wedding weekend schedule, directions to and from the ceremony and reception, and postcards that showcased beautiful views of downtown Pittsburgh.

Photo courtesy of Brides.com

Gingerbread Snowflakes

With the holidays right around the corner, there's no better time of the year than right now to start your holiday baking. Serve these adorable and delicious snowflake gingerbread cookies at your winter wedding or bridal shower. Recipe courtesy of Martha Stewart.

{This recipe makes 16 cookies}

Ingredients

6 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for work surface
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
1 cup packed dark-brown sugar
4 teaspoons ground ginger
4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cloves
1 teaspoon finely ground pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons coarse salt
2 large eggs
1 cup unsulfured molasses
Icing - Fine sanding sugar, for sprinkling

Directions

Sift together flour, baking soda, and baking powder into a large bowl. Set aside.

Put butter and brown sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment; mix on medium speed until fluffy. Mix in spices and salt, then eggs and molasses. Reduce speed to low. Add flour mixture; mix until just combined. Divide dough into thirds; wrap each in plastic. Refrigerate until cold, about 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Roll out dough on a lightly floured work surface to a 1/4-inch thick. Cut into snowflakes with a 7- inch snowflake-shape cookie cutter. Space 2 inches apart on baking sheets lined with parchment paper, and refrigerate until firm, about 15 minutes.

Bake cookies until crisp but not dark, 12 to 14 minutes. Let cool on sheets on wire racks.

Put icing in a pastry bag fitted with a small plain round tip (such as Ateco #7). Pipe designs on snowflakes; immediately sprinkle with sanding sugar. Let stand 5 minutes; tap off excess sugar. Let icing set completely at room temperature, about 1 hour. Store cookies between layers of parchment in an airtight container at room temperature up to 5 days.

Enjoy!

Photo courtesy of Martha Stewart.

Bride-to-be Gift Idea

How cute is this locket bracelet from Red Envelope?! Any men out there reading this blog - take a hint and purchase this bracelet for your bride-to-be. This locket holds up to four photos and can be engraved with her initials. Fill this with photos from your engagement session and she's sure to remember this gift forever!

Not Your Average Dollie

Lace is all the rage this fall/winter season, so why not include it in your wedding day decor?! These inexpensive rectangular dollies can be made into beautiful (not to mention creative) candle centerpieces at your reception. Use tea lights or votives inside the dollies for a romantic glow!

Photo courtesy of Martha Stewart.