Twirl Talk Friends…we are calling you into action one more time!!  You successfully helped us win Best Wedding Vendor Blog and now we are now trying to win BEST OVERALL WEDDING BLOG!

Please take a few more minutes and vote for us again:  http://weddings.weddingchannel.com/wedding-planning-ideas/bridal-blog-awards/articles/bridal-blog-awards-winners.aspx

Voting ends July 23, so you have 1 more day to vote!  Thank you for your support!!

-The Twirl Girls

“It has been said that we need just three things in life: Something to do, Something to look forward to And someone to love.” -Anonymous

It truly was a day full of love for Brock and Nikki! The two were married at the always beautiful Gainey Ranch Golf Club in Scottsdale!

Filled with happiness and joy, the Bride looked phenomenal in her gown while her bridesmaid’s completed the party with their stunning Jim Hjelm Occasions bridesmaid dresses (style JH5806)! I am absolutely in love with their color scheme! How cute and classy do they look?

I absolutely love the back of the dresses too! So cute!

All the beautiful pictures were captured by To Have and To Hold Photography!

Surely, this was a day to remember and we are so glad that Brock and Nikki were able to share it with us! We were so happy to be apart of your big day and congratulate you both on finding each other

Mo

What I’ve seen that works best is when brides stick to a different shade of the same color, or different colors but still on the same side of the color wheel.   Most designers set up their swatch cards in this sort of  fashion.  Which is a good place to start.

Some examples we have seen are one bride had her girl’s all wear different shades of blue, from light to medium to dark.  Another choose all different pale colors.  And my recent favorite picked three dresses in shades of blue/green.    She choose the beautiful Amsale dress style G426C shown below in the colors hydrangea, pacific, and ocean.  She is going to keep the bouquets in a simple cream wrapped with twine.  I can’t wait to see her pictures.  It is going to look amazing.

-Jenni

Join them on Wednesday, June 2 from 6:30 – 8:30 pm to learn all about planning your dream wedding with details on budget, rentals, flowers, catering and photography!

You can RSVP to info@simplylovestudio.com! Don’t miss out on this great opportunity to learn from the best of the best professionals in Central Kentucky.

Simply Love Studio

The event began with a mystery text instructing the bride to go home and look in her closet.  There she found a little black dress, hot pink accessories, and instructions to await her transportation that would arrive at 5:30pm.

From there, she was welcomed to the SATC-themed bash by her bridesmaids and their accommodating hubbies, who dressed in tuxedo tees and served food and drink at the party.

• Guests’ stiletto’ed invite asked them to don the apparel of their favorite SATC character and a “costume contest” was later held, with the bride acting as judge.
• Upon arrival, guests were instructed to select name tags indicating which SATC-character they most identified with: Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte and Miranda
• Hot pink and black were the colors of the evening
• Flirtinis and cosmopolitans were the signature cocktails of the evening, served in hot pink martini glasses

• Table centerpieces were comprised of black feathers, hot pink hydrangeas, and “diamonds”
• A pink-and-black New York City skyline cake was baked using the Magnolia Bakery recipe and was adorned with a Manolo Blahnik and pearl necklace

• The Sex & the City Movie soundtrack was playing throughout the evening
• Guests received copies of the Sex & the City Movie DVD as prizes for the night’s various games
• The bride received a SATC-themed gift from her bridesmaids, which included a gift bag for each character… each filled with character-appropriate lingerie (think conservative and classy for Charlotte; leopard print for Samantha)

 Photos courtesy of brides cousin, Katyln Wolfgang

What an amazing group of friends Meagan has – I think Carrie, Samantha, Miranda, and Charlotte would approve!

-Keri

Being an eco-friendly photographer takes a bit more than going digital, now today’s norm in wedding photography.  Originally from the East Coast, I am an earthy crunchy photographer, putting a fresh spin on the ordinary West Coast landscape. Using the natural environment for lovely images often takes the photographer and bride on an adventure to find that ultimate spot where art and beauty merge into one.

Angelina Rose Photography is dedicated and committed to preserving and protecting the environment. The staff encourage brides to offset their wedding carbon footprint by providing an alternative route while personalizing their wedding day to be as unique as the individuals involved. That route begins when you decide to work with us.
When you book a wedding with Angelina Rose Photography, 10% of your initial deposit is donated to the Nature Conservancy to preserve Coral Reefs from around the world.

It was only natural to intertwine my earth-friendly lifestyle with my business etiquette and make a conscientious decision to put forth the effort in reducing, reusing, and recycling as much as possible. From the albums to the final packaging, we fuse creativity with simplicity while remaining elegantly chic.

As a wedding photographer, I see the details that go in to a wedding from floor runners, to table clothes, floral arrangements, and party favors. A lot of it goes into the trash bin at the end of the night.

Being eco-friendly is cost efficient. It requires a bit of research and family involvement, but no more than you would normally have to do to plan a wedding.  It brings out more creativity and participation on the bride and groom’s part and just a bit of personalization makes ones wedding all the more unique.
Who needs a huge white cake when you could have many small cakes and intermingle them with cupcakes!

Often times, less is more and more is less. Simplicity is best!

- Angela Simpson

Owner, Angelina Rose Photography

We’ll have special offers during the trunk show on the entire new collection – don’t miss this event!  Call 480.221.1222 or email info@twirlscottsdale.com  for your appointment, as the weekeend will fill up quickly. 

Here is a preview – the new collection by Priscilla of Boston and Melissa Sweet look absolutely fabulous!

I ate lots of jelly beans while working on my To-Do list!

The most important advice my best friend gave me is to enjoy the moment!  Take the time to enjoy your last few days as an “engaged” couple…you will never be that again after the big day.  We are also going to take some time to have dinner with each of our parents again to convey our thankfulness for their support and love throughout this time.  My parents have been truly wonderful and I will never be able to repay them for all they have done.  I want to be able to celebrate with them and celebrate!

A few other things that are topping my list:

• Final guest count and walk through with our location, The Carrick House
•  Send final table number and follow up with florist
• Timeline finalization with coordinator
• Order rehearsal dinner food
• Shop for bridal luncheon hostess gifts – Peggy’s Gifts and Accessories has super cute gifts and is a neighbor of Twirl, conveniently!
• Get the program approved by minister and send to print!
• Finalize bridesmaid gifts
• Confirm honeymoon reservations
• Make sure your hubby-to-be has all his attire taken care of:)
• Send out a note or email to all your bridesmaids with the itinerary of Friday and Saturday with hair appointment times and what time they need to be at the location for photos, etc.  PS – make sure your groom does the same for his guys!

There are a few fun things I am planning as well!  This week my Matron of Honor, Nancy, and I are going to Happy Hour to go over everything to make sure I am not forgetting anything!  It will also be fun to relax and take a moment to breathe. 

Relax!

 Next Monday I am getting a massage before I start getting everything together for the honeymoon!  There is certainly a lot take care of, but just keep a list going and ask for help if you feel overwhelmed.  This is a time you should be joyous and not stressed.  Enjoy the moment.

Happy Planning!

-Ty

Engagement pictures can serve a few different purposes.  They can make a cute save-the-date card, can be used for engagement announcements in the newspaper, could be great gifts for Christmas or Mother’s Day depending on the time of year, and give you a good opportunity to work with your photographer before your big day.  Getting used to the style of the photographer will be key for your wedding day pictures.  The more comfortable you are the better pictures they can capture!

Historic Gratz Park

One other idea my best friend used (and I am stealing) is to use your engagement pictures to make a unique guest book for the wedding.  Let’s be honest, how many people will get out a book of just names signed?  But a book of your engagement pictures with room for guests to leave a message is a keepsake you can always treasure! 

More urban shots

Now, on to the setting for our pictures.  Our wonderful photographer, In Retrospect Photography, met us in the historic downtown area of Lexington called Gratz Park.  We walked around and used several backdrops of old homes and spring flowers and even wandered into a parking garage for a more “urban feel”.  Even though urban is a stretch for Lexington:)   We wore colors that complemented one another, but weren’t too matchy.  Cailyn told us to be comfortable and we didn’t want to be pulling and tugging at something we weren’t comfortable in.  I chose a cute, casual sundress for the first outfit.  The second outfit I changed into a little black dress…still casual, but a little more dressy.  I love dresses, have I ever mentioned that??

One of my faves!

We told Cailyn we only had one request for a photo.  Brandon and I are both fanatical University of Kentucky basketball fans.  Since one of our first times hanging out we watched the SEC Basketball Tournament we wanted to tie that in somehow.  We requested to take one picture at Rupp Arena where the old basketball floor is displayed.  I know, we are dorks.  It was fun though and totally represented our relationship and something we love to do together!

On the old Rupp Arena floor

The best tip I can give for engagement pictures is to just enjoy the time and be comfortable so the love you share can reflect in the pictures.  Enjoy your engaged time together!  It flies by…trust me!!

Happy Planning!

-Ty