New Feature - NY's Finest Video Blogging Series

Welcome to another installment of NY's Finest Video Blogging Series!! It's suppose to be once a month but when you get an opportunity like the one I received you jump on it!!
On Tuesday, I was invited to attend the launch party of my new favorite online magazine

Eco-Beautiful Weddings. This party was filled with great wedding industry professionals, great music and great food. Most importantly, it was filled with ways to go green. Kudos to the creators of the magazine, Katie Martin, Michelle Slaughter and Robin Fisher. Also to Xochitl Gonzalez of Always A Bridesmaid for putting such a fabulously green event together.

I hope you enjoy the 2nd installment. I look foward to bringing you so much more of New York's Finest Wedding Vendors & Events. Check out the video here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fzxC-Wnpec

Check out my previous post for more information on the magazine and the blog!!
http://weddedluxe.blogspot.com/search/label/Green%20Weddings

Destination Weddings

Photo Credit: Style Me Pretty

I was on vacation last week spending time with my family in St. Lucia. As I mentioned, almost everything I do ends up relating to weddings in some way. Hey, I’m a wedding planner, it’s in my blood so it’s only right to discuss Destination Weddings.


I was recently chatting with a friend of mind and she was telling me about her trip to St. Lucia. She was there for her friend’s wedding and didn’t get a chance to enjoy the island because the entire time they were there, they were preparing for the wedding. If you are having a destination wedding, do not rule out a wedding planner. You want to enjoy the entire wedding experience. That’s the point of a destination wedding. You shouldn’t have to worry about these last minute details, let the professionals handle that while you sip tropical drinks by the pool and spend time with your guest that have traveled to be there for you.

Tip: When searching for a destination, search for resorts that have wedding planners on hand. Find out what services they will provide. Remember they work for the resort, not for you so putting your favors together may not be apart of their job description.

Tip: Many wedding planners work exclusively on Destination Weddings, you can find one that has experience with the resort of choice or they can recommend one for you. Most wedding planners (good ones) will and can plan a wedding any where in the world so seek help from a planner in your hometown. I know I would be happy to help!! (shameless plug)

Tip: Arrive at least 2 to 3 days before your wedding to finalize meeting with your vendors. You should also give yourself an extra day to handle your vendor meetings before your guest arrive. Usually, you have to be in the country 2 – 3 business days in order to obtain your marriage license.

For more helpful tips, check out a post I did last year on planning a Destination Wedding!

Happy Planning,

Deniesha Joseph
Wedded Luxe - Luxury Wedding Planning & Couture Designs
http://www.weddedluxe.com/
718.938.4713

Wedding Shoes - Beach Wedding

I'm in St.Lucia right now but before I left I was looking for some sandals in the middle of winter and I found these beauties!! If you are planning a beach wedding and you will be getting married on the sand, keep your shoe selection in mind. Walking with heels is virtually in possible and if you are not a-sand-between-your-toes kind of girl, then you make like these sandals I found at Steve Madden. They are flat but very stylish. The best part is they are called “Bride” and they are $89.95!!

Happy Planning,


Deniesha Joseph
Wedded Luxe
Luxury Wedding Planning & Couture Designs
718.938.4713

Wedding Flowers – Carnations

I know when some brides hear the word carnations they cringe at the thought but you should reconsider carnations for your wedding. I’m not talking about the ones from your local grocery store that you pass on the way home. I’m talking about quality, fresh picked carnations that when they bloom are just delightful and so feminine. Carnations are an inexpensive flower that goes a long way. So when you are considering your wedding flowers, consider carnations. Here is some carnations inspiration.

Photo Credit: Brides.com

Photo Credit: Project Weddings

Photo Credit: Project Weddings

Photo Credit: Style Me Pretty

Photo Credit: Southern Wedding Magazine

Tips on how to use carnations:
Carnations can be combined with other blooms to add fullness without taking you over budget.

Budget Tip:
Try using carnations in place of peonies. Peonies can run from $5.00 to $7.00 a stem versus the carnation that is a fraction of the price.

Décor Tip:
You can have an arrangement of all carnations for a full and luxurious centerpiece. Or you can use them as accents for some floral designs that may use a lot of flowers.

Happy Planning,

Deniesha Joseph
Wedded Luxe - Luxury Wedding Planning & Couture Designs
http://www.weddedluxe.com/
718.938.4713

Wedding Planning - A Show Stopping Event

One cold Friday night I was seeking inspiration for the blog. When it didn’t come I decided to watch TV and one of my favorite movies of all time came on “The Conte of Monte Cristo” and I found my inspiration. It’s about a man who was sentence to life in jail for a crime he didn’t commit and then he escapes, finds treasure and makes a plan to seek revenge on the people who have ruined his life. (insert evil laugh here) I know your thinking what does this have to do with weddings but wait let me explain.

There’s a part of the move when he host an extravagant event to introduce himself to the people of his new city. He delivers these beautiful invitations with gold calligraphy writing. All the guests waiting on a beautiful manicured lawn while enjoying cocktails then the conte made his grand entrance with fireworks, a hot air balloon and acrobatic dancers.

The point of the story is the event was a well thought out and entertaining. By no means am I suggesting for anyone to arrive in a hot air balloon. Just keep these factors in mind when you are planning your wedding. The guests were entertained from start and I’m going to assume finish since they don’t show the whole party. That should be your goal when you are planning your wedding. You want your guest to walk away feeling like I just had the best time ever and you don’t need a lot to make this happen. Just keep your guests in mind and have a well thought out plan. Yes it is your day but you are inviting your closest friends and family to share this day with you.

Tips:
Food: People love good food so be sure to choose a catering hall or caterer with a great menu and an excellent reputation for tasty treats. Also try something different from the standard chicken, beef or fish. Mix it up with food stations serving different kinds of cuisines.

Photo Credits: StyleMePretty

Beverages: If your budget allows for it, have the open bar with premium liquor. If you are watching your dollars, serve wine, beer, soft drinks and 2 or 3 specialty drinks. The specialty drinks will take the focus away from the no open bar issue.

Photo Credits: Project Weddings

Entertainment:. Add an element of surprise. Your guests are expecting a DJ or a band. Give them some more entertainment with a professional dance group, a marching band or a photo booth equipped with props.

PhotoCredits: TheKnot

Invitations: Your invitation is the start to a great wedding. It’s the introduction to your wedding day and the experience your guest will receive. Leave your guest wanting more with beautiful stationary. A good invitation will heighten the anticipation to your big day.

LelaNewYork

Happy Planning,

Deniesha Joseph

Wedded Luxe - Luxury Planning & Couture Designs

http://www.weddedluxe.com/

718.938.4713

Valentine's Day Wedding Inspiration

The holidays are over but there is one more left, Valentine’s Day!! Valentine’s Day is a day of love and romance. It’s one of the most popular days for engagements and of course weddings. A Valentine’s Day wedding is great because you automatically have a theme and color scheme. Red is the color of love and represents the holiday perfectly. Of course don’t forget the-oh -so feminine pink which is sweet and pretty. But don’t make your wedding all about Valentine’s Day; it should still represent you as a couple. Your wedding doesn’t have to be dripping with hearts and cupids. There are subtle ways to make the day romantic, about love and not the typical Valentine’s Day décor. Here is some inspiration for all my Valentine’s Day Brides.

Colors: Red & Black
Theme: Sexy & Bold

Photo Credits Left to Right: 1) TheKnot, 2) Project Weddings, 3) TheKnot 4) TheKnot, 5) TheKnot, 6) TheKnot

Colors: Pink & Gold
Theme: Romantic & Soft

Photo Credits Left to Right: 1) Project Wedding, 2) Brides.com 3,4 & 5) Project Wedding

Happy Planning,
Deniesha Joseph
Wedded Luxe Wedding Planning & Design Services
Luxury Wedding Planning & Couture Designs
http://www.weddedluxe.com/
718.938.4713

New Feature - NY's Finest Video Blogging Series

On Saturday, January 9th I had the pleasure to be a part of a great event called The Wedding Crashers. It was a wedding expo that featured local vendors and their great services at The Bell House. This is a wedding expo I hope becomes an annual event because it was fantastic. There are many wedding shows throughout the year but this event is sure to be a must to attend. It was not your typical expo. You really had a chance to speak with the vendors, gain a lot of information and have fun while doing so. I was there because well one I love Brooklyn vendors! And two I was filming my first installment of my “vlogging” video blogging. Once a month I will feature a New York Wedding related vendor or venues. Giving you up close and personal tips for your wedding plans. Here is the first one and there will be many more to come. It’s only going to get bigger and better!! To take a look, click on the link below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=miPeALTQncE

Wedding Etiquette

I was reading one of my favorite wedding blogs last week, The Bridal Guide by Marcy Miller and I came across some great advice about the gap between the ceremony and the reception.  Many couples worry about what their guest will do during the gap.  Will they skip the ceremony all together or will people get bored during this time?  This is a legitimate concern but sometimes it is an unavoidable situation.  Here is some good advice and some reassuring words for those out there that struggling with this dilemma.  Just click on the link http://ow.ly/16fiji

Happy Planning,

Deniesha Joseph
Wedded Luxe
Luxury Wedding Planning & Couture Designs
DJoseph@weddedluxe.com
718.938.4713

Wedding Colors for 2010 – Turquoise

For the 2010 wedding seasons, we will see a lot of bright, vibrant colors. One of the most popular colors is Turquoise!! Which was also named color of the year by Patone. This bold shade of blue will add a dramatic and unexpected touch to your color palette. You can add subtle touches or let it shine as the main focus.  Here are some great combos that are sure to popular this year.

Colors: Turquoise & White
Accent Colors: Gray

Photo Credits: 1) Vases TheKnot 2) Vintage Car StyleMePretty 3) Flower Girl Dress MyKateParkerWedding 4 ) Shoes Project Wedding 5) Cocktails TheKnot

Colors:  Turquoise & Orange

Accent Colors:  Ivory and Gold

Photo Credits: Top from left to right 1) Project Wedding, 2) The Knot, 3) Project Wedding, 4) Merriment Designs

Colors: Turquoise & Purple

Accent Colors: Blush, Mauve or Silver

Photo Credits Top from left to right 1) CeCi New York, All other from The Knot

Color: Turquoise & Yellow
Accent Colors: White or Ivory

Photo Credits Top from left to right 1) Project Wedding, 2) MelBarlow.com (snippet & ink) 3) The Knot, 4 & 5) Project Weddings

Happy Planning,

Deniesha Joseph
Wedded Luxe
http://www.weddedluxe.com/
718.938.4713

Planning Your Wedding - The First Step

It’s engagement season!! All the newly engaged couples are still in wedding planning bliss and excited about planning their big day. As fun as planning a wedding is there are some fundamentals to remember. Last year I posted these tips and they are still valuable this year and I've added some additional helpful information.  These are your building blocks for starting your wedding planning process.

Nine Months and Earlier

1) Choose the type of wedding you want: This will set the tone of your wedding. All of your decision will be based off of this choice. Do you want a traditional, contemporary or theme wedding? It’s important to know what you want before you start your purchasing items and booking vendors. You want to make sure all the elements of your wedding have a cohesive look and feeling.
Tip: Sit with your fiance and both of you write three words that describes your wedding day vision then share it.  This exercise will express both of your visions and you can use these key words when you are visiting your vendors. Most vendors will ask you the same question and now you have clear answers.

2) Choose a wedding date: This is an easy one and it goes without saying but choosing a date can be a little more calculated than you think. It may be a date of sentimental value, the date that fits your busy life style or if you’re budget conscience it will be the date that gives you the best bang for your buck.
Tip: Try to stay away from Holiday weekends.  Your guest may have vacations planned and if you have guests coming from out of town it can be costly.  Also keep in mind that Fridays and Sundays are cheaper.

3) Determine a budget: Very important!! Your budget has an effect on all of your wedding plans. No matter how big or small your budget is, it’s important to know how much you would like to spend. You don’t want to start booking anything without knowing your budget because you may choose one element that will take you over budget before you get a chance to book any of the others.
Tip: There are many budget worksheets available online and they are useful. However, keep in mind this is just a base.  You may spend more or less in for each category.  To decide where you may save some money and where you may spend a little more, list the categories of the wedding that are the most important to the least.  This will prioritize your budget for you.

4) Consolidate a guest list: Before you book a venue, you need to know if the space can accommodate the number of guest you are having or that you will have enough guests to meet the spaces minimum. Also your guest count will go hand and hand with your budget. The more guests you are having, the more money you will probably spend on your wedding.
Tip: You should discuss early on if you will invite children and if you will allow your unmarried friends to bring a guest.  These extra guests can add at least 10 more people to your guest count which quickly adds up to another table which adds another centerpiece which adds 10 more chair covers, and 10 more favors.  You get the picture.

5) Reserve your ceremony and reception site: Once the first four decisions are made, you can move on to site selections. It’s important to book as early as you can because many places go fast. Remember there are only 52 weekends a year!!
Tip: If you have your eyes on 11/11/11, book your venues fast.  Many couples love when their wedding day has a cute ring to it.  Always visit the venue before making a final decision. Do not base your decision on pictures from their website. 

I hope you found these tips helpful. Remember, don’t sweat the small stuff. Everything will be okay!! And if you need help, never hesitate to ask a professional! (shameless plug)

Happy Planning,

Deniesha Joseph
Wedded Luxe Wedding Planning & Design Services
Luxury Wedding Planning & Couture Designs
DJoseph@weddedluxe.com
718.938.4713

2010 Wedding Trends

The engagement season is in full swing and new brides will be surfing the net and reading every wedding magazine available to find inspiration for their wedding. Of course they will all search for the latest wedding trends for 2010. Here are some trends I’m sure will be a part of the 2010 wedding season.


1) Wedding Shoes - From red bottoms to colorful shoes, brides are paying a lot of attention to their feet on their wedding day. Having a show stopping wedding shoe has been a big wedding trend for 2009 and I’m sure this trend will be seen in 2010.

Photo Courtesy of Southern Wedding Magazine

2) Intimate Weddings – many couples are opting for smaller more intimate weddings then the 200+ guests list. This trend is giving couples more room to have everything they want for their wedding without breaking the bank.

3) Eco Friendly Weddings – Watching your carbon foot print has gone from recycling and hybrid cars to weddings. Many couples are being environmentally conscious when it comes to their wedding day. Choosing eco friendly vendors, using invitation made out of recycle paper and even eco friendly wedding gowns. And no, eco friendly does not mean vegan.  For great tips on having an eco-friendly wedding check out  Eco-Beautiful Magazine.

4) Hair Accessories – Tiara’s will always be a part of weddings but many brides are seeking alternatives. From headbands to feathers the options are endless these days. It’s modern and chic and here to stay for 2010.

Photo Courtesy of Sara Gabriel

5) Bridesmaids Dresses – Letting your besties shine with different dresses has been a growing trend for a couple of wedding seasons but in 2009 the trend stepped it up by having your bridal party in different colors as well. Having your girls in complimenting colors or different shades of the same color for a monochromatic look will be a fresh change for bridal party attire.

Photo Courtesy of The Bride's Cafe

6) The Second Dress – Having your LWD (Little White Dress) to change into for your reception has been a big trend but brides are stepping it up a notch and adding some color. Having a second dress to cut a rug in doesn’t have to be white any more.

Photo Courtesy of Brooklyn Bride

7) Ceremony Décor – choosing your aisle style has gone beyond to arrangement at the altar. Brides are adding more flair to their ceremony. Dressing up your pews and custom made aisle runners are just a few ways to jazz up your ceremony space. You can also change your ceremony by changing the layout all together.  Instead of the traditional aisle, you can have your guest in a round formation with you and your groom at the center.

Photo Courtesy of Colin Cowie

8) Early Weddings – Saturday night will always be the fan favorite for weddings but early weddings are gaining tractions. Having an early lunch or for some couple even a brunch wedding is pretty popular. Of course the biggest benefit is you save money!

9) Engagement photos – Many photographers are including engagement photos in their package because of the high demand for it. Couples are displaying them at the reception, using them for save the dates or taken the time to get comfortable behind the camera. Couples are also adding some fun by using props during their session.

Photo Courtesy of Dante Williams Photography

10) Homemade Favors – Giving your guest something a little more personal is great way to say thank you. Preparing your grandma’s famous cookies and sharing the recipe with your guest is a lot more personal then wine stoppers.

Whatever trends you choose just remember the best trend is to be yourself!! Wedding trends are great but nothing is better than you. Find a trend you love and make it your own.

Deniesha Joseph
Wedded Luxe Wedding Planning & Design Services
Luxury Wedding Planning & Couture Designs
718.938.4713