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.

Use of Banquet Tables for Guest Seating

I absolutely love the look of using banquet tables for guest seating as opposed to round tables. Not only is the idea unique, but it also gives the event a more intimate feel. Guests are closer to one another, which ultimately initiates conversation. This table setup also allows for more decorative items such as table runners and height alternating centerpieces {as shown above}. Check with your reception venue to see if this setup is possible for your event!

Photo courtesy of InStyle Weddings.

The Importance of a Hair/Makeup Trial Run

Patty Bell of On Location Hair and Makeup {one of my favorite makeup artists here in Pittsburgh} recently blogged about the importance of hair and makeup trial runs, and today I wanted to share this post with all of you.

On movie sets it is called a screen test, an actor never goes on the big screen without trying different makeup looks for that character...same thing in the wedding world, it is called a "trial run", both are extremely important when it comes to you looking your very best as you star in the biggest production of your life...your wedding day!

On this one day in your life, you get one shot (hopefully) to look the best you ever did, and this is not the day to experiment with new hairstyles, or makeup colors that you have never worn before. This is the day you want to look like you...only a touch more glamorous!

Here are a few tips that every bride should think of when hiring a professional makeup artist:

• Remember that you are interviewing the makeup artist, and hair stylist as well. You two will be working together very closely & it is very important that your personalities get along, especially the day of your wedding.

• Most artists charge for trial runs, so make sure that fee is discussed ahead of time...after all, their time is valuable. Plan on at least 90 minutes.

• Your artist should be prompt, professional & very calming to be around.

• Never hire someone without seeing their work. Ask to see a portfolio or photos of their work, and ask how long they have been in business.

• Experienced artists know the importance of working fast, following a schedule & being cordial to other vendors involved.

• Ask for testimonials of former clients.

• Get a trial run at least 3-4 months before your wedding.

• Make sure you are done tanning when you go in for your makeup trial.

• Mention any & all product allergies at your trial run, and if you are on any medications.

• Bring along your current makeup so we can see what routine you are used to doing. It is okay to use your own products!

• Never feel pressured into trying new colors or buying anything...this is your day!

• Be open to new suggestions to enhance your features for your photos, sometimes your every day makeup, and colors, do not work well for photography.

• Bring along "tear sheets" of some makeup looks that you like.

• Make sure you have a waterproof mascara!

• Do not get a facial close to your wedding date. Some facials are meant to draw out impurities in the skin which can cause breakouts.

• Make sure your artist takes photos of your new look and writes down all the colors they used on you, so they can duplicate that exact look on your wedding day, so there will be no surprises!

• Coordinate your makeup and hair time with your wedding planner- you never want your hairstyle or makeup application to be rushed the day of your wedding. Plan on at least an hour for both.

• Check your finished application in 3 way mirrors, and outdoor lighting. You want to make sure you look good in all angles,and lighting!

• Think about adding individual eyelashes or a strip lash for an elegant look. I've seen eyelashes make women look 10 years younger!

• It is very nice to see the entire bridal party perfectly made up for your bridal photos, and don't forget the mothers of the bride & groom...it is their big day, too!

• If you do like the artist & agree to hire them, ask for a contract, and discuss what it will take to reserve their services for you, many require a deposit, and some are non refundable.

• And finally....makeup can always wash off, so if they don't get it right the first time, they try again, until YOU are happy...that's why it is called a trial! You try different looks until you get that picture perfect look that is just right for you!

Remember...wedding photos last a lifetime, and you want to make sure that the money invested in professional makeup artists & hairstyling is money well spent.