Celebrity Wedding :: Ivanka Trump & Jared Kushner

You may or may not have already seen their wedding photos, but I just had to share these anyways! Ivanka Trump married Jared Kushner this past October 2009 in a breathtaking autumn affair designed by none other than Preston Bailey himself.

I've always been a fan of Ivanka and respect her greatly for being a savvy business woman; therefore, I naturally couldn't help but gush over her gorgeous wedding photos! Ivanka wore a custom designed Vera Wang wedding gown inspired by Grace Kelly. She topped off her look with jewels from her very own jewelry line, the Ivanka Trump Collection.

For more inside details regarding the planning of Ivanka's wedding, check out her interview with Brides.com

Photos courtesy of InStyle Weddings.

Get Married Unveils Top 10 Bridal Trends for 2010

The following is a look at the top 10 bridal trends for 2010 as determined by Get Married’s editorial and production teams as well as leading industry experts:

1. Non-linear aisle: Brides are personalizing the procession by altering the traditional aisle with a circle or a triangular double aisle, enabling the couple to enter from multiple spots with a central meeting point. Stephanie Davis, Get Married magazine editor-in-chief and new bride, wedded lake-side on a circular dock from which she and her groom entered. “Our family no longer has two sides, so everyone sat together and, as an added bonus, there wasn’t a bad seat in the house!”

2. Comfort foods with a kick: Chef Wolfgang Puck believes that comfort foods have become more popular in the current economy. Think burgers, pizza, ribs, pot pie, and risotto—but comfort does not have to mean pedestrian. “Upgrade ingredients and prepare them with great expertise. Serve hors d’oeuvres like Kobe burgers, wild mushroom risotto, smoked salmon pizzas, slow-braised short ribs or a simple chicken pot pie with lobster,” advises Puck.

3. Gifting techie gadgetry: Registries and wedding gifts have increasingly become more high tech. Brides want electronic recipe finders, books and charging plates, and matching his-and-hers PDA cases—all examples of great gadgets for the couple as well as thank-you gifts for parents and the wedding party.

4. Texture-inspired invitations: Top bridal designer Monique Lhuillier shares inspirations and details from her various collections: “A lot of fabric details from the dresses translate into the invitations. We use techniques of embossing to mimic textures and incorporate the same colors from the gowns into the invitations.” Look for details you would see on the runway on your wedding invitations.

5. Old, new, borrowed and cobalt blue: From hints of blue in bridal fashion to saturated color throughout the wedding décor, “blues will be the most requested color in 2010,” according to Shane Murray of The Wedding Report. Bright cobalt blue is a hot hue for 2010, offering fresh, bold and atmospheric twist on the bluesy tradition.

6. Wear-again bridesmaid dresses: The urban legend of wearing a bridesmaids dress by choice after the wedding is a reality with the new silhouettes that mirror what is happening on the runway. Gorgeous and glamorous dresses with drop waists, bubble skirts and ruffles add an additional sense of style for bridesmaids to wear—and wear again.

7. Three-dimensional save-the-dates: Inform your friends and family of your wedding day with a twist. Three-dimensional elements on the save-the-dates, like a paper umbrella (signifying a destination wedding), adds character, humor and relevance.

8. Old Hollywood glam, for men!: A return to Cary Grant’s sense of style is making a comeback this year for grooms, looking charming and dapper in a white tuxedo with black-rimmed lapels. This cool old-school look brings back the sharp-looking vest and nostalgic pocket watch.

9. Blogger brides abound: Now more than ever, Get Married is seeing brides enjoy sharing snippets of surprises, ideas and images throughout their wedding planning experience. Personal blogs offer a space for brides to share, gather inspirations and explore. Check out Get Married’s robust and newly-skinned wedding blog.

10. Personalized plus: From the décor designs and inspirational invites to a great gifts and super-fab favors, Get Married is observing brides’ aspiration for distinctly personalized wedding details. Designing invitations, save-the-dates and thank-you cards and adding monograms to guest books, aisle runners and gifts (like cosmetic and travel bags) offers a hint of personal bridal style. An assortment of personalized décor, invitations, gifts and favors are available at www.shop.getmarried.com.

Photo & content courtesy of Get Married.

Winter Inspired Bridal Bouquets

What a beautiful winter morning here in Pittsburgh today! I hope that everyone had a wonderful Christmas! It always amazes me at how quickly the holidays seem to pass. Even though Christmas has come and gone, the new year is still ahead and we couldn't be more excited here at Simply Perfect Weddings! We've got lots in store for 2010!

Today, I wanted to share a few winter inspired bridal bouquets. I love incorporating interesting elements into bouquets, and what better time of year to incorporate them than winter?! There are so many unique things you can add to your winter bouquet...pine cones, berries, crystals, mistletoe, and even Christmas ornaments!

Are you having a winter wedding? What unique elements are you incorporating into your bridal bouquet?! We'd love to hear from you!

{Photo Credits}

Photo # 1 - Charlotte Geary Photography
Photo #2 - Brides.com
Photo #3 - The Knot

Happy New Year Holiday Card Download :: The Wedding Chicks

Love this DIY freebie from The Wedding Chicks! Say "Happy New Year" to all of your family and friends with this adorable holiday greeting card. It's free to download, and printing instructions can be found here.

Photo courtesy of The Wedding Chicks.

2010 Event Assistant Internship

Simply Perfect Weddings is now accepting resumes for our event assistant internship program for the 2010 wedding season!

Details ::

Our 2010 wedding season is currently scheduled to run from April through October (subject to change), and we are looking for two additional interns to assist on actual wedding days. Interns will have the opportunity to assist on 7-10 weddings throughout the 2010 season. Most weddings are scheduled on Saturdays; however, there is an occasional Friday wedding. *Please note that we are located in Pittsburgh, PA*

What You'll Learn ::

You will have the opportunity to receive hands-on experience to see what really goes on behind-the-scenes during the execution of a wedding! Interns will assist with everything from decor setup, vendor deliveries, timeline execution, and much more! This is a non-paid internship for serious individuals looking for real hands-on experience in the wedding and event planning industry.

Who We're Looking For ::

Hardworking individuals who are passionate about weddings! Individuals must be able/willing to work weekends. Hours will vary, but will not be more than 10 - 12 per event. Weddings are one of the happiest days in a couple's life, but they can also be very stressful for families. The staff at Simply Perfect Weddings is here to take that stress away from them; therefore, it's absolutely essential that our assistants are professional, detail-oriented, friendly, and are able to think quick on their feet!

How to Apply ::

Please email your resume to sumer@simplyperfectwedding.net. We will be accepting resume submissions through February 15th, and will begin interviewing candidates in late February. No phone calls, please.

Holiday Closing Schedule

I can hardly believe that the holiday season is underway! With the holidays comes engagement season, and we are already hard at work planning weddings for our awesome 2010 couples. Over the holidays, we'll be taking a short break to rest up for the coming year ahead. Below is our holiday closing schedule:

We will be closing up shop starting tomorrow, Wednesday, December 23rd through Sunday, December 27th. We will reopen on Monday, December 28th, and then close again starting Thursday, December 31st through Sunday, January 3rd.

From our family to yours, we wish each and every one of you a very Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year! We'll see you after the holidays!

Alternative to the Traditional Pittsburgh Cookie Table

If you're like most Pittsburgh brides, you'll probably be incorporating the traditional cookie table into your reception. While I am a fan of this tradition (I mean, who doesn't love cookies?!), what about putting a spin on this tradition instead?! Instead of displaying cookies on platters across a banquet table at your reception, package cookies inside of a bakery box enclosed with keepsake recipe cards. Include 2-3 types of your favorite cookies inside each box with their associated recipes. Each couple {or family} gets their own bakery box to take home at the end of the evening. For an added touch, order bakery boxes in your wedding colors or include your monogram on the outside of the box.

Photo courtesy of Style Me Pretty.

2010 Color of the Year :: Turquoise

Earlier this month Pantone unveiled the 2010 Color of the Year, Turquoise. Pantone describes Turquoise as an "inviting, luminous hue". "Combining the serene qualities of blue and the invigorating aspects of green, Turquoise inspires thoughts of soothing, tropical waters and a comforting escape from the everyday troubles of the world, while at the same time restoring our sense of wellbeing."

Personally, I've always been a fan of this versatile color, and love how easily it can be paired with both warm and cool undertones. What are your thoughts on the color? Will you incorporate Turquoise into your wedding color palette?

To see the official press release, and learn more about Pantone click here.

DIY :: Holiday Card Display

Even though this post is completely unrelated to weddings, I still wanted to share this creative holiday card display! After browsing through my favorite blogs in my Google reader, I stumbled upon this great idea thanks to Swanky Tables {original content courtesy of Canadian House and Home}. The holidays are my favorite time of year, and one of the things I love most about Christmas, is opening our mailbox to find greeting cards from friends and family! I always have every intention of displaying the cards we receive in some sort of 'cute and creative' way, but it never ends up working out that way. However, I'm thinking about giving this DIY project a whirl this holiday season.

Here's a simple how-to guide for putting together your own holiday card display:

Paint a vintage frame white, fit it with bulletin board and then use spray adhesive to affix pretty wrapping on top of the cork. {After the holidays, the board can be used for mail and shopping lists.}

Photo courtesy of Canadian House and Home.

Real Weddings 2009 :: Kelsey & PJ 11.21.09

Kelsey & PJ tied the knot on November 21, 2009; however, the pictures shown above aren't from their actual wedding...they are actually from their pre-wedding photo shoot taken just 2 days before their big day! Kelsey & PJ got dressed in full wedding attire, rented a vintage Rolls Royce, and off they went for a photo excursion all over Pittsburgh! The photos turned out so great that I just had to share them with all of you! The photographers for this shoot {and their actual wedding} were Elizabeth and John Craig, owners of Craig Photography here in Pittsburgh. I'll be sharing photos of Kelsey & PJ's actual wedding day in the coming weeks, but until then, I hope you enjoy these photos as much as I do.

For more information about Craig Photography, check out their website and blog.

Photos courtesy of Craig Photography.

Southern Weddings Magazine :: Volume II

Last week my much anticipated copy of Southern Weddings Magazine arrived in my mailbox! I was beyond thrilled to receive this magazine just in time for our 6+ hour drive into NYC for Thanksgiving weekend {just ask my husband - I read the magazine in the car at night with the reading light on!} I've read the magazine cover to cover, and must say that I am blown away by this issue! Spending nearly 10 years in North Carolina, it's no wonder why I love all things Southern. The magazine features great planning advice, color palettes + design ideas, and absolutely stunning photography! In my opinion, this magazine is a must read for all brides!

To get your copy of Southern Weddings Magazine, click here.

Photo courtesy of Southern Weddings Magazine.

Paloma's Nest :: Custom Ring Bearer Bowls

Aren't these ring bearer bowls just the cutest thing?! I recently discovered Paloma's Nest in the latest issue of Southern Weddings Magazine, and instantly fell in love with these custom ring bearer bowls! Infact, Paloma's Nest is home to the Original Ring Bearer Bowl! Paloma's Nest is based out of Austin, TX; however, they ship worldwide. Click here to check out their fabulous collection via their Etsy shop. Each piece in their collection is customized specifically for you, and is designed to become a handcrafted modern heirloom. For more information about Paloma's Nest, you can check out their website here.

Photo courtesy of Paloma's Nest.

...and that's a wrap on our 2009 wedding season!

Wow...where do I even begin?! Our 2009 wedding season was truly an amazing year! I never imagined that I would have the pleasure to work with such remarkable couples and extremely talented wedding vendors. I honestly could not have asked for a better 2009 season, and can only hope that 2010 is equally as amazing!

To ALL of my 2009 couples - thank you for allowing me to be apart of such an important day in your lives. Each one of you has touched my heart, and has taught me something about love + marriage. I wish each and every one of you a happy, healthy, & successful future!

To the wonderful vendors I've had the privilege of working with - You guys rock! It truly amazes me to see how much talent the wedding industry has in Pittsburgh. Thank you for providing such a high caliber of service - we need more people in the world like you!

To my husband - words cannot even express what your love + support mean to me. Thank you for giving up so many of your weekends to help grow this business. All of this would not be possible without you. I love you, and am so blessed to have you in my life.

As each season passes I learn more and more, and am SO excited for what 2010 + beyond will bring for us! I've got tons of inspiration + new ideas flowing through my head, and can't wait to share them with our 2010 couples. Over the next few weeks, we'll be back to our regular blog posts and will be featuring more of our awesome 2009 wedding photos! Until then, Happy Thanksgiving & let the Holiday season begin!

DIY Save-the-Date Stickers

I just adore these simple, yet creative DIY save-the-date stickers courtesy of Martha Stewart Weddings. These stickers are the perfect way to ensure that your guests remember your BIG day! All guests have to do is simply peel and stick to their calendar.

5 simple steps on how to make your own save-the-date stickers at home:

1. Buy 1-inch round labels from an office-supply store, and follow the manufacturer's instructions to download and customize the template.
2. Print labels with your date using a laser printer.
3. Cut each sheet into rows of labels.
4. Laser print note cards with a message to "save the date."
5. Affix a row of labels to each note card with a glue stick.

Content & photo courtesy of Martha Stewart Weddings.

How to Stock the Bar

I'm currently in the middle of helping several of my 2010 clients calculate their estimated alcohol needs for their wedding receptions. This is a huge task in itself, as every crowd is different; however, I recently stumbled upon this very helpful article from The Knot and wanted to share. Below are some excerpts from the article.

Drink Up

How much liquor will you need for 100 guests? Talk to your bartender; in the meantime, here are some averages:

• Beer: 5 to 6 cases
• Whiskey: 1 liter
• Bourbon: 1 liter
• Gin: 2 to 3 liters
• Scotch: 2 liters
• Light rum: 1 liter
• Vodka: 5 liters
• Tequila: 1 liter
• Champagne: 1 to 1 1/2 cases
• Red wine: 2 cases
• White wine: 3 1/2 cases
• Dry vermouth: 1 bottle
• Sweet vermouth: 1 bottle

{Knot Note: Ask if your beverage catering service will take back any unused alcohol.}

The Open Bar

An open bar is the most gracious approach -- no guest should pay for anything at the wedding -- but it's also the most expensive. Guests can order any drink on the planet, and you'll have to pick up the hefty tab when the party's done. Because there’s no limit, people may drink like guppies. Know anyone who tends to imbibe too much? Tell the bartender in advance.

The Limited Bar

You offer a selection of drinks -- beer, wine, and mixed vodka drinks, for example -- and set specific consumption times, such as the cocktail hour, the toasts, and an hour after dinner. Consider hiring waiters to pass drinks on trays rather than letting guests go up to the bar. You'll have to pay for the waiters, but you'll probably save money on alcohol, and fewer guests will go overboard. If you limit the amount of time the bar is open, make sure the waiters circulate during dinner to refill glasses of water and soda.

The Cash Bar

Don't have a cash bar without a great reason (there really isn't one). After all, you don't invite people to your house for dinner and then charge them for the butter. Trust us on this one. It's not a good cost-cutting solution and is way too controversial.

A Dry House

If you, your families, and most of your guests don't drink alcohol, skip it. Serve sparkling water, soda, and nonalcoholic mixed drinks instead. If you want some bubbly for toasting, go for some token champagne or sparkling cider.

Resources: Leslie Lamb, beverage catering director of Gordon's Fine Wines & Liquors, Waltham, MA

Content courtesy of The Knot.

iPhone Application :: BRIDES Dressing Room

BRIDES Magazine recently launched a new iPhone and iPod Touch application: BRIDES Dressing Room. I downloaded this app on my iPhone this past weekend and absolutely love it! This is a great tool for the professional bride who is on the go, allowing you to sort through gowns by designer, price, and even silhouette. Not only does the application allow you to sort through hundreds of photos, but it even allows you to search local retailers for specific gowns.

Description from Brides.com: Planning a wedding on the go just got a whole lot easier. Browse through hundreds of wedding gowns and bridesmaids dresses, search for a retailer near you, and even schedule an appointment! It's available for download from the App Store.

Photo & content courtesy of Brides.com

Say Farewell with Sparklers

I'm all for big dramatic farewells at the end of a reception, especially when it creates the perfect photo opportunity like sparklers can! Sparklers are one of my favorite ways for couples to make their grand exit at the end of the night. We've all seen the throwing of rice, birdseed, bubbles, and confetti, so why not change it up a bit?! If you're thinking of using sparklers for your grand exit, it's important to check with the venue ahead of time to find out what their policy is for sparklers. Additionally, I also suggest telling your photographer ahead of time as well. This is definitely a photo you wont want to miss out on!

Photo courtesy of The Knot.

Wedding Gowns with Pockets

The title of this post may have you a bit confused, but you read correctly, wedding gowns are being made with pockets! This trend was actually introduced by J. Crew a few years back, but has recently been making it's way to the rest of the bridal gown market. At first I wasn't keen on the idea, but then I thought about it and asked myself, why not have pockets in a wedding gown?! There is something about the look of pockets on a wedding gown that is cleverly stylish. Pockets are also the perfect place to store your much needed wedding day necessities, like lip gloss or tissues. While pockets may not be for every bride, they just might be the perfect thing for another bride.

What do you think? Would you purchase a wedding gown with pockets?

Photo courtesy of The Knot.

DIY Door Monograms

I love these quick & easy DIY Door Monograms courtesy of Martha Stewart Weddings. They instantly add a splash of color to any doorway and are fairly inexpensive to make. Materials can be purchased at your local craft store, such as Michael's or Joann Fabrics. For instructions on how to make these for your wedding, read below.

"Personalize the entrance to the ceremony or reception in an instant with store-bought wooden initials. To display, loop wide satin ribbon around each letter. Knot ribbon at least one foot above letter, leaving ends long enough to create a bow (for letters that aren't easily looped, hot-glue ribbon to letter's back, and tie into a knot); hang on an over-the-door hanger. Tie ribbon ends into a bow and trim with pinking shears. Attach self-adhesive felt pads to backs of letters to protect door."

Photo & content courtesy of Martha Stewart Weddings.

New TV Show :: Wedded to Perfection

Incase you haven't heard, TLC recently debuted a new wedding television show, 'Wedded to Perfection'. 'Wedded to Perfection' {my new obsession, by the way!} follows the owners & husband-wife team of Fête, a NYC event planning and design firm. The show gives viewers an inside look of what it takes to plan some of the most high-end weddings in NYC. Trust me when I tell you that the weddings Fête designs and plans for their clients are absolutely A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! Incase you missed Friday's debut episode, check out a sneak peek of the show here. 'Wedded to Perfection' airs Friday evenings at 10 p.m. ET.

Donating your Flowers

Today's post was inspired by a recent post that I read on the fabulous Elizabeth Anne Designs blog. I absolutely love it when my brides choose to donate their flowers to a local nursing home or hospital. It's such a small thing that one can do to brighten someone's day. As a wedding planner, I've unfortunately thrown away far too many beautiful flower arrangements at the end of the night. With many guests traveling from out of town, and the bride & groom leaving the next morning for their honeymoon, it's often times very difficult to find ways to enjoy the flowers after the reception. If this situation applies to you, I encourage you to find a local organization to donate your centerpieces to. Nursing homes, hospitals, churches, or local charities will all be very appreciative of your donation! Whichever route you choose, be sure to call that organization ahead of time to find out what their process is for accepting donations.

Photo courtesy of InStyle Weddings.

Inviting the President to your Wedding

You may or may not have known that you can actually invite the President to your wedding nuptials. If you send the Obamas a wedding invitation, you will receive a lovely note of congratulations in return! Wedding invitations may be mailed to the following address:

The Honorable Barack and Mrs. Obama
The White House
Greetings Office, Room 39
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, D.C. 20500

Be sure to include your married names and new address when mailing the invitation. Also, you must be United States citizens. Allow 6 weeks to receive your response.

Sasha Souza to Release Wedding Design Book

Celebrity wedding planner, Sasha Souza is set to release her 1st wedding design book this winter! The book, Signature Sasha: Magnificent Weddings by Design, is a stunning, hard cover wedding design book featuring beautiful photography of all aspects of wedding design including never before seen Sasha Souza Events real weddings. Retail price is $50 {plus tax}, and the best news is that every book ordered through their website will come signed to the purchaser! Check out the official website for more details regarding the book and Sasha Souza Events.