Client Shine: Monique + Fester

Here are a few teasers from A Dream Soiree clients, Monique & Fester, who were married in a gorgeous garden-style wedding in early June.

It was a beautiful wedding & I can't wait to share the rest of the details, vendors & secrets!

Sweet Dreams,

A Dream Soiree

Photog Love: Elton Anderson

Can I let y'all in on little secret? I love/adore/admire photographer Elton Anderson & while it could simply be because he's SO amazingly awesome at what he does...it has a LOT to do with the fact that we went to college together. Whodathunk that the guy who used to sit in the radio station (where I worked) would be this amazing world-renowned photographer?

So, yes...I'm a little biased. He IS amazing but my love for him goes beyond pretty pictures and models. I'm just proud of him period.

So, in honor of my admiration to this wonderful photographer (who, by the way, travels worldwide- he just returned from an African wedding this summer), here's one of his most talked about E-pics, ever!

Enjoy!

Visit Elton's website HERE

Visit Elton's blog HERE

Sweet Dreams,
A Dream Soiree

Wedding Picture Wednesday!

{ Photo courtesy of Studio Heart Photography}

Simply gorgeous.

Sweet Dreams,
A Dream Soiree

Client Shine Teaser: Hartley + Erin

You know what I love more than cake/candy/love/weddings? A sweet "how-I-met-the-one-I-love" story. Meet A Dream Soiree clients, Hartley + Erin, a sweet couple in Gainesville, Florida, who are tying the knot in October 2010.

When Erin & I first "met" (online of course!) we immediately hit it off; it wasn't until our first telephone consultation that we had a chance to speak and feel each other out (because isn't that what you're really doing?). During our call, Erin explained to me that her brother owns a restaurant in their city (score!), her brother is catering the wedding (score x2!) and that she and Hartley had met-and fallen in love-while working at her brothers' restaurant (cue "awwww!" track!).

I'm so excited about working with Erin and Hartley for their big day! I think everyone is going to fall in utter love with Erin's vision!

Here's a glimpse into their gorgeous engagement pictures! Yes, there's more to come...patience young grasshoppas! :)

{ Picture courtesy of Kate White Photography}

Congrats, Erin & Hartley!

Sweet Dreams,

A Dream Soiree

Wedding Picture Wednesday: Decor

A bride dreams about the walk down the aisle.
The decor, the lighting and the feel.
It's something about this picture that just takes my breath away. It could be the how the light is perfectly hitting the bride and her father or it could just be the beauty of the shot overall.

Either way, enjoy!

{Photography by Elton Anderson}

Sweet Dreams,

A Dream Soiree

New Blog Look: Whadya Think?

Finally, I'm able to show off A Dream Soiree's new blog look.

So whadya think? Pretty snazzy, huh?

Take a look around, get familiar with us, tell a friend or two and feel free to comment {in no particular order}!

Special thanks to my FABULOUS blog designer How Joyful!

Sweet Dreams,

Real Wedding: Blue & Yellow

Here's a gorgeous blue & yellow Texas wedding. Can I just...*swoon*?

I love pops of unusual or vibrant colors. This wedding is giving me the kind of wedding-fever dreams are made of! :)

Enjoy!

{Pictures courtesy of Kathryn Krueger}

Sweet Dreams,

A Dream Soiree

Happy Fourth of July from A Dream Soiree!

Happy Fourth of July from A Dream Soiree!

What a better way to celebrate the fourth other than showcasing a gorgeous Fourth of July wedding?

Sweet Dreams,

A Dream Soiree

ETSY Find: Bow Programs

Often times, programs are an after-thought that gets addressed the week before {or *gasp* of} the big day.

I'm all for DIY-ing programs, especially if your vision is fairly simple, but if you've waited until the last minute and are DIY-pooped, ETSY should be your BFF. Seriously. I found these cute "bow" wedding programs on ETSY and I was immediately intrigued.

So compact. So different. So simple.

The programs are bent into the shape of a bow and held together with a sturdy band. Inside is a four (4) panel program, explaining your ceremony. On the back of the panels, you're able to customize it to include a new address, a memorial tribute or even a "thank you" mention.

I'm always a fan of simple elegance and this definitely is all that and more!

See the bow programs here.

Sweet Dreams,

A Dream Soiree

Client Shine: Daniel + Nicole

I'm thankful for each and every client who places their dream day in my hands. Believe it or not, each time I meet a new couple I get butterflies; not because I'm unsure of my talents or my vision, but because I'm aware of the magnitude of my possible role in their wedding. That being said, when I fall in love with a couple-and their wedding vision-I fall hard! :)

Meet A Dream Soiree clients Daniel + Nicole, a ridiculously adorable couple who are planning a beach-themed Spring 2011 wedding.

Nicole reminds me a lot of myself: she's very hands-on and involved but realizes the necessity to actually enjoy her big day & not spend it stressing!

Well, today I received a beautiful gift in the mail: A Save the Date for Daniel + Nicole's wedding. I won't do {too much} talking...I'll let the Save the Date do all the talking!

All pictures courtesy of Shannon Nicole Smith.

Be sure to check out Nicole's fabulous blog here.

Daniel + Nicole- I'm {beyond} excited about your big day and look forward to working with you to make your Dream day a reality!

Sweet Dreams,

A Dream Soiree

Wedding Picture Wednesday: Emotion

{Picture courtesy of Style Me Pretty}

Can you imagine the excitement, the emotion, that both the bride & the groom are feeling in these pictures? My heart flutters a little bit thinking about how excited they both must've been during those moments.

Simply priceless.

Sweet Dreams,

A Dream Soiree

New Wedding Trends!

As a bride, I'm sure you're overwhelmed with wedding trends, right?

Well...allow me to overwhelm you just a little bit more with a new list of wedding trends, courtesy of The Knot. I'm all for stepping outside of the box and making your wedding completely yours, so I appreciate these unique trends!

Video Save The Dates

How cool is this? A Lego Save The Date?! Awesome!

Paint Can Decor

Imagine a New York City-themed wedding decorated with these gorgeous cans!

Simply stunning.

Custom Illustrated Invites

Confession: I *swoon* for unique wedding invites. This trend is one I'm sure is here to stay!

To check out more of the list, visit The Knot

Sweet Dreams,

A Dream Soiree

Wedding Picture Wednesday: Giddy!

I'm privileged today to showcase my newly-wedded blogger sister, Amanda and her :husband: Danny!

Once you take a look at their pictures, it'll be clear why they're being featured as today's

"Wedding Picture Wednesday"!
(*I know, I know...it's more than one picture! But I couldn't pick just one favorite! Sue me! :p)

Enjoy!

And the love in their faces here is priceless!

Sweet Dreams,

A Dream Soiree

The Ring Bearer Book: Genius

Martha Stewart Weddings does it again!

One of my favorite moments of planning is when I ask a bride at the rehearsal,

"So, who's going to have the rings on the walk down the aisle?"

Generally, the groom shrugs it off and say "The Ring bearer, of course!", while the bride looks on in horror!

See, as much faith as we have in the little helper, few couples trust their wedding bands being tied with a thin piece of ribbon affixed to a silky pillow. If you're looking for a way to still allow your ring bearer to bring the actual bands down the aisle, this is just for you! :)

Enter the Ring Bearer Book!

The rings sit safely inside of the book. How genius, right?

The best part? It can totally be a D-I-Y project!

You'll need:

Journal book

Mega Oval Craft Punch

Glue

Paintbrush

Binder Clips

Ribbon

Here's how:

With a craft punch, cut through pages a couple at a time to create a 1/2-inch-deep hole. (Align holes by including a previously punched page each time.) Paint sides of pages with glue; use binder clips to hold together as they dry so they become one solid piece. With craft glue, adhere a length of ribbon to center of punched-out hole.

The finished result? A cutie-patootie ring bearer book!

Sweet Dreams,

A Dream Soiree

Achieving Your Dream Beach Arch "WOW"!

One of my fabulous clients, who is having a beach wedding, recently posted on her blog about having to decide between a fabric draped bamboo arch or a hanging-shell arch. Whew! What a choice to make, right? Both are absolutely stunning, especially for a beach wedding!

Here are a few beautiful shots of each.

Fabric:

Shells:

I may be completely over-the-top, but I love the combination of BOTH (as displayed in the last picture)! How chic!

A lot of Brides may be scared off from doing this as a DIY project, but it is possible!

For the fabric, you can always go to places like JoAnn's or other fabric stores and purchase a similar fabric and hang it yourself. Another (read: cheaper) route? Ikea. Yes...Ikea. Ikea sells a pair of sheer curtains, that can be tied or sewn together and then draped from the arch, at an unbelievable price of $4.99 (for a pack of 2)! What a steal!

Here are the Ikea "LILL" curtains in action!

And there's a website named Shop Wild Things that sells everything from hanging capiz shells, to hanging crystals. They definitely take the award for affordability!

And the capiz shells in action:

They have a faux capiz hanging shells and the authentic capiz hanging shells. They are currently sold out of the authentic capiz hanging shells.

Now beach brides have an affordable way to achieve their dream Beach Arch that will leave all of their guests saying: "Wow"!

Sweet Dreams,

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