Wedded Luxe

How to Hire a Photographer

2012-02-07T09:00:00.000-05:00

I was meeting with one of my clients and she said "I feel like everyone with a camera is a photographer these days, I'm going to need some help here". So here I am with help for her and for all the brides out there with this issue. The market is saturated with wedding photographers or photographers period. It can be overwhelming trying to find a photographer when there are so many to choose from. Here are some tips on how to pick the right one for you.

1) Start with a recommended photographer
If you have hired a wedding planner, then we will have many recommendations for you so you don't have to worry. If you have not hired a wedding planner, most likely the recommendations you will receive will come from vendors you already hired. Most venues have a list of vendors they like to work with and they will be happy to give you the recommendations. You can also ask other vendors you have hired or you can ask a former bride you may know. You start with recommendations because these photographers can be trusted. The referral comes from a trusted source that has worked with the photographer, seen their work or has used them for their own wedding.

2) Look at their work
After you have comb through these recommendation or photographers you've found yourself, you should look at their work. Almost everyone has blog or facebook page and their most recent work will be located there. After you've done some preliminary screening, you have to meet them in person!! You want to meet this person who will be with on your wedding day for about 10 hours to make sure there is some kind of chemistry. If you are comfortable with them, you will be comfortable in front of the camera and then you will have great pictures!!!

3) Hire a professional

Everyone has to start somewhere. I too once had my first wedding so this is a tough one for me because someone gave me a chance. However, they took a chance on someone that has been studying, researching, learning and practicing within the wedding industry for some time before I opened my own business. I had a portfolio and letters of recommendations for those who have mentored me. This is what you are looking for in a photographer. They should have worked with another photographer as an assistant and have proof of their work. You should also ask to see a sample album. The finish product is the most important element. No one cares about beautiful pictures if you don't have beautiful album to display them.

Celebrate Your Culture.... Food Trucks

2012-02-02T09:00:00.029-05:00

Food is one of the easiest ways to infuse your culture on your wedding day. One of my favorite trends is the to-go snack for weddings. Surprise your guests with a familiar treat with a to-go treat from your culture.

In Trinidad, one of the favorite after party meals is "bake and shark". This a shark fillet in a golden brown friend pastry with lettuce, tomato and any condiment your heart desires. I like mine with pepper sauce aka hot sauce, tamarind sauce, lettuce and tomato.

You can hire a vendor to serve your guests on the way out. Your to-go treat can be sweet or savory. Whatever you choose, I'm sure your guests will appreciate a snack for the ride home after they have been dancing the night away!!

Live.Laugh.Love….. Luxuriate!

Deniesha Joseph
DJoseph@weddedluxe.com
www.weddedluxe.com
718.938.4713

Pantone's Color of the Year 2012 - Tangerine Tango in the Spring

2012-01-31T09:00:00.006-05:00

Today's inspiration board features Pantone's color of the year Tangerine Tango for a Spring wedding. Tangerine flowers with green and white accents will give your wedding a beautiful spring time feel.

Photo Credits: 1), 3), 4), 5) & 6) The Knot; 2) Martha Stewart's Wedding

Live.Laugh.Love….. Luxuriate!

Deniesha Joseph

DJoseph@weddedluxe.com
www.weddedluxe.com
718.938.4713

Another Reason To Hire A Wedding Planner

2012-01-26T09:00:00.002-05:00

I recently heard a wedding planning story that made me very sad and I had to share it so this doesn't happen to other brides. A friend of friend got married this past September and something went wrong the day before her wedding. Since her mother was practically her wedding planner, only they knew the intricate details of the wedding. The day before the wedding, the chair sashes were stuck upstate because of flooding and couldn’t be delivered. The only solution was for mother and daughter to drive an hour and half to go get them the day before her wedding. Now I think you know where I’m going with this story. HIRE A WEDDING PLANNER BRIDES!

Her mother enjoyed the wedding planning process and I completely understand not hiring a full service wedding planner in that case. However, planning a wedding for over 200 people is a lot work. The last 8 weeks are the busiest and a helping hand can be a life saver. If she had a planner, they could have a) picked up the sashes for them, b) found another vendor with the same or similar sashes or c) found a way for them to be delivered.

Wedding planning packages come in all shapes and sizes. If you choose not to have a full service wedding planner, you should consider partial planning or what I like to call the final touch package. A partial wedding planning package will give you guidance and support through out the planning process but it will allow you to be hands on. A final detail package will give you support and guidance during those last weeks of planning. Both options will give you a planner to manage your wedding day and save your sanity.

Now of course I would love to help you plan your wedding so if you would like to see how I can help you with your wedding plans, please feel free to contact me for a free consultation. If you choose another planner, I'm slightly hurt but what's important to me is your happiness so please look into hiring a planner!!

Live.Laugh.Love….. Luxuriate!

Deniesha Joseph

DJoseph@weddedluxe.com
www.weddedluxe.com
718.938.4713

Guest Blogger - Alison Friedman of The Wedding Yentas

2012-01-24T09:00:00.004-05:00

Today we have a special guest blogger Alison Friedman from The Wedding Yentas. I came across The Wedding Yentas in my search for finding information on multicultural weddings. Since the blog is all about Celebrating Your Culture whatever it maybe, I thought the best way to give my Jewish Brides some advice is to find the best of the best!!

The Wedding Yentas posts fresh, daily blogs covering everything from Real Jewish Weddings, explanations of traditions, DIY ideas, the latest wedding trends, and giveaways! You can also find a growing Vendor Directory filled with elite wedding professionals who can help make your day absolutely perfect! Alison Friedman owns and operates The Wedding Yentas and is a wannabe Carrie Bradshaw of all things wedding! Alison began planning her wedding at the age of 5 with the help of her Barbie and Ken dolls.

Now, if you’re planning a Jewish wedding, you’re likely trying to fill your special day with family, tradition, and love. It’s no secret. These elements are the foundation of every Jewish wedding and it’s up to you to find ways to personalize the ceremony and reception. Modern, mainstream weddings can include many Jewish traditions and secular ideas to create one beautiful event. The Wedding Yentas is here to whisper ideas in your head and you can go on and take the credit later!

Before the wedding day, you will select and purchase a ketubah, the Jewish marriage contract. While its text has been on the ketubahs of married couples for generations and generations, the artwork surrounding the written promise can be a reflection of you as a unique couple. From modern borders with simple artwork to watercolor pieces with colors to match your home décor, there are so many options to help you express yourself as a couple.

Have time alone. In Hebrew, this alone time is called yichud, and back in the day, this would be when the just-married couple would, well, make the marriage official. If you know what I mean. Bow chicka bow bow. This does not mean you need to schlep your lingerie to your wedding venue and get it on. Instead, use this time alone to reflect on all that’s just happened like, you know, you just got married – !!!! – and have some privacy as you get to know your partner as your new husband or wife. Also, make sure there’s something to nosh on wherever you choose to enjoy your yichud and consider it your first meal together as a married couple. You will probably not have a chance to eat much later on anyway, so it’s good for the soul and the tummy.

At your reception, display a photo collection of important weddings in your family. This is a great way to tip your hat to the loved ones who hold a special place in your heart, especially if they are models of love and marriage for you and your partner. Plus, it’s neat to see vintage weddings of grandparents and the styles of your parents’ 1970s weddings are just downright cool. This photo gallery doesn’t have to be a centerpiece at your reception, but can have its own special place to glow and attract visitors. Just think, one day your photo can join those cherished ones at the wedding of your children. Goosebumps, right?

Everyone knows that a Jewish wedding reception is festive and fun. The horah dance also involves the newlyweds being lifted up in chairs as the wedding guests surround them and cheer. It’s a fun moment for everyone, and you can ask your favorite strong men to do the honor of lifting you both as everyone celebrates your new marriage from down on the floor. If you’re looking for more ways to honor people outside of your bridal party, you may also consider asking a loved one to say the Ha-Motzi, the prayer over the challah. Also, you’ll need two witnesses to sign your ketubah. The signers can be anyone who’s Jewish and not a blood relative of the bride and groom. These are all jobs that don’t feel like work and are special ways to let certain people know you care about them.

Thanks Alison for some great tips on planning a modern day Jewish wedding. For more ideas to make your wedding a reflection of you two, swing by The Wedding Yentas for fresh material, real Jewish weddings, photo spreads, posts by real brides, and fun giveaways! Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter because it’s always a good time dishing with a Yenta!

Live.Laugh.Love….. Luxuriate!

Deniesha Joseph

DJoseph@weddedluxe.com
www.weddedluxe.com
718.938.4713

2012 Wedding Trends - Celebrity Weddings Influences the Masses

2012-01-19T09:00:00.011-05:00

2011 was the year for big celebrity weddings that we all got to witness. Sherri Sheperd's sweet nuptials, Niecy Nash's dream wedding, Kim K's television extravaganza and of course The Royal Wedding. I predict this will influence weddings for the 2012 and 2013 wedding seasons. Brides will bring lots of opulence, luxury and over the top aspects to their weddings.

Dresses & Dress Codes

All of these brides have one thing in common; multiple dresses. For their ceremony, they had beautiful, more traditional gowns and then they changed into a sexy and sassy dresse to enjoy their reception. Kim had 3 dress to be exact!! Most brides wont go that far but many b will purchase a second dress for their reception.
Tip: Give your second dress the same grand entrance as your ceremony dress. Have your entrance announced, have a first or second dance with your husband and this will be the signal to your guests that the party has started!

Something that's sexy, fun and made for partying. The bridesmaids dresses will be turned up a notch as well. Kim's and Kate's all white bridal party was a hit. Niecy's purple bridesmaids dresses were stunning and each bridesmaid had a different version. Letting your bridesmaids' personal style shine will be a hit. I also see having the guests participate with their wedding day attire will be a trend that catches some tractions. Kim's black and white wedding was beautiful for the photo ops!

Decor

Celebrity's have a bigger wedding budget than most of us so we got to see flowers in abundance, spectacular lighting and special touches. These over the top weddings will be a source of inspiration for many brides. Large scale centerpieces never go out of style and they will be bigger with lots of sparkle. More attentition to the ceremony decor will be paid. We can also expect small details that go a long way.
Tip: Don't let the celebrity price tag scare you away from having the over the top decor for your wedding. Show your inspiration to your wedding planner, designer and/or florist. It is our job to take the look and make yours. This includes making it happen at a budget that works for you. I get these request all the time and I always make it work!

Large Weddings

Kim had 400 guests and the world got to witness the royal wedding. 200 plus guests lists will be happening this year. The rule will be the more the merrier!!! A wedding with a big party is always fun so why no celebrate with as many people as your check book allows you too!!
Tip: Remember the more people you invite, the more you will spend on everything!! This is one more plate with the caterer, another favor, another program and it may mean additional centerpieces. So feel free to invite as many as you want but keep your budget in the back of your mind.

Bouquets

I stand corrected, there are two things these brides have in common. They all carried white bouquets. Different flowers but the traditional white bouquet will be requested by many brides this coming season.
Tip: I love a white bouquet and this is just my opinion on this, the bigger the better!! Love white flowers in abundance!!

Whatever influences you, just remember to make it your own!! It's nice to have inspiration but it even better when your wedding reflects who you are as a couple.

Live.Laugh.Love….. Luxuriate!

Deniesha Joseph

DJoseph@weddedluxe.com
www.weddedluxe.com
718.938.4713

James & Tonya - Caribbean Royalty Wedding

2012-01-17T09:00:00.003-05:00

This summer I had the pleasure of planning a spectacular wedding for a really great couple. James & Tonya are smart, funny and a little bit of everything you would want in friends. Both are doctors and they were taking their boards while planning their wedding, talk about stressful but they were able to pull through it and have a wedding that no one will ever forget.

As you will see, it rained like crazy the day of their wedding which was really disappointing because the grounds at Oheka are so beautiful but even with the rain the grounds looked amazing. It started with a breathtaking venue, Oheka Castle and a wedding day concept that fit their personality perfectly, Caribbean Royalty. Both the bride's and groom's family are from Jamaica and they wanted to celebrate that. There were also many personal touches that they incorporated to keep their wedding personal and grand at the same time. The dance group that the bride is apart of did a spectacular performance to introduce the bride and groom. It set the high energy for the evening and got the guests involved. The performance was so good, the bride couldn't help but join in herself. Another personal touch were the pink ribbons and wrist bands in honor of the groom's mother. All the guests received one and they all wore them. We also left an empty seat in front of the aisle of the ceremony where the groom placed a bouquet for her. It was a great way to remember her without making it a sad occasion.

All in all this wedding was a great time. The guests danced the night away, the speeches were moving, the ceremony was so beautiful, I was brought to tears. Just take a look and see for yourself!! Thanks to Kiss the Bride Films for the wonderful highlight video!

Tonya & James from Kiss The Bride Films on Vimeo.

No wedding is complete without a great vendor team! Thank you to all the vendors who helped make this day so special. To see more details from the wedding day, check out the Wedded Luxe Portfolio on the Facebook fan page!

Flowers & Decor - Wedded Luxe
Venue - Oheke Castle
Lighting - C & C Special Event Productions
DJ - DJ Kaos The Main Event
Stationary - Ijorere The Invitation
Save the Dates - LePenn Designs
Photographer - Lilian Hader
Video - Kiss The Bride Films
Rentals - Ruth Fischl High End Rental

Celebrate Your Culture Through......Traditions

2012-01-12T09:00:00.012-05:00

Almost everyone can relate to the traditions that are expected at weddings no matter what your background is. Some couples love to keep the tradition going while others hate them and think they are cheesy or just outdated. Did you see the movie Jumping The Broom? The happy couple had the same issue. They didn't want to jump the broom or do the electric slide at their wedding. This left some family members disappointed because they look forward to these traditions. I completely understand because I have one of my own. My family's tradition for wedding is what we call black cake. See my previous post on putting a twist on it. I don't really care for it and I think putting a small piece a cake in a box isn't the best favor choice. As much as I may dislike this tradition, there are people in my family and some friends that still love this keepsake. When faced with this dilemma, I suggest you add a modern twist to an old favorite. This will help you keep the tradition alive and keep you happy at the same time. So whether your traditions are jumping the broom, the money dance or any kind of dances, try to make it your own.

Live.Laugh.Love….. Luxuriate!

Deniesha Joseph

DJoseph@weddedluxe.com
www.weddedluxe.com
718.938.4713

Pantone's Color of the Year 2012

2012-01-10T09:00:00.003-05:00

Pantone's 2012 color of the year is Tangerine Tango!! I love tangerine so I'm pretty excited about this choice. What I love most is, tangerine is a great color to coordinate with many colors. It can be your main color or an accent color and it can work during any season of choice. Today's inspiration boards pears Pantone's color of the year for 2010 which was Honeysuckle and 2009's color of the year, turquoise! Enjoy!!

Live.Laugh.Love….. Luxuriate!

Deniesha Joseph

DJoseph@weddedluxe.com
www.weddedluxe.com
718.938.4713

Revisiting Wedding Planning Advice

2012-01-05T09:00:00.004-05:00

Every January I start the blog off with practical wedding planning advice for the newly engaged. To continue with this tradition, I wanted to share some past postings for the newly engaged couples of 2012! I hope you find these post very helpful and if you have a question, feel free to shoot me an email and I'll be happy to answer!!

Wedding Planning Myth Busting

The First Steps of Wedding Planning

5 Common Wedding Planning Mistakes

How To Keep Your Sanity

Live.Laugh.Love….. Luxuriate!

Deniesha Joseph

DJoseph@weddedluxe.com
www.weddedluxe.com
718.938.4713

A Wedding is a Wedding is a Wedding!!

2012-01-03T09:00:00.003-05:00

All photos courtesy of The Knot

Congratulations to all the newly engaged couples out there. This is an exciting time and it’s a lot of fun. Every season brings new couples, with new ideas and they all want AN UNFORGETTABLE WEDDING. Every time I meet with a new bride, I hear the same thing, “I want my wedding to be different”. I use to smile and tell them their wedding will be different but for 2012, I’m taking a new approach.

The truth is a wedding is a wedding is a wedding! If a planner promises you that your wedding will be like no other, please don’t take it literally. Whatever you are thinking has been done before. Monograms, lighting, candy bars, skydiving, nude, underwater, in a zoo, you name it, it’s been done!! Even these couples that try to be anti wedding can’t help but fall into a category as well. But this doesn’t mean your wedding won’t be different. What makes your wedding unique and special is that it’s your wedding.

So how do you plan a wedding that is different, you start with figuring out what you want. From colors, to food, to music to flowers, take the time to figure out your wedding day style. Read blogs, buy magazines and get all the inspiration you need. Whatever you do, just remember to stick to your vision and don’t get caught up in the latest trends unless it's an element that adds to your overall style. Once you figured out your wedding day vision, stop looking! Too many elements will cloud your vision and before you know it you will have a rustic, elegant, chic, modern, masquerade with a touch of old Hollywood wedding!

You maybe wondering "what kind of advice is this". Trust me, I'm saving a lot of time and saving your sanity. It is easy to get caught up in the details, loose focus and stress yourself out trying to have a wedding that is different from the rest. If you remember to stay true to yourself, this will eliminate the added stress that goes into planning your wedding.

Live.Laugh.Love….. Luxuriate!

Deniesha Joseph

DJoseph@weddedluxe.com
www.weddedluxe.com
718.938.4713

The Baby Shower

2011-10-24T09:00:00.001-04:00

I truly miss blogging!! However, I don’t have the focus to blog and it’s been hard to except the fact that my life is different now that I am pregnant. With this being my first child, I really wanted to take in every glorious moment of my pregnancy and I must say I’ve been very lucky with my experience. As much as I appreciate this experience and I am in love with my baby girl that’s not arrived yet, I also love being a wedding planner and designer. The work has not stopped but the blogging has and that’s part of my job as well. I will resume blogging after the baby arrives for sure and I promise to find the balance just like so many other wonderful mothers have done before me.

I am 38 weeks pregnant and I could go into labor any day now but before I do I wanted to share my baby shower with you. It was AMAZING!! It was everything I wanted and so much more. We didn’t want a traditional shower at all. We really wanted to have a cocktail party that included all of our friends and family but the purpose is to celebrate our baby girl and boy did we celebrate. There was food and cocktails and games and music and so much love in the room! There was even a delicious signature drink made by my sister that everyone loved!! They nicked named it Pink Vegas!! I didn't get at the opportunity to have any of course but everyone loved it. Although the shower was our vision, my mother, sister and the rest of my family all executed it perfectly! And of course no event is complete without a great vendor team!! Here are some images taken by the talented Chad Pennington of So Be It Art Photography whom also took our maternity pictures which lead to the best baby shower invitations EVER that were designed by LePenn Designs!!

DJ + Cliff Sneek Peek from Chad Pennington on Vimeo.

Flower Designs - Wedded Luxe Wedding Planning & Designs

Venue - Jelani Lounge

Photography - SoBeItArt Photography

Invitations & Stationary - LePenn Designs

Ballons - Ballons & Tings

Cake & Cake Pops - BCakeNY

Desserts - Tonnie's Minis

Cotton Candy Lollipops - Candy Girl Cotton Candy

I'm Back ..... If only for a Moment!

2011-08-15T12:24:00.001-04:00

So it’s been a long time since I blogged anything or even read a blog. I’ll explain why….

On March 10, 2011 my life changed as I know it. Home alone while my Mr. Wonderful was away enjoying Trinidad Carnival, something occurred to me. Something wasn’t right and I couldn’t put my finger on it. All the emails were answered, bills paid, garbage taken out and the house was spotless. However I felt like I’m forgetting to do something. I moved on with my day and during a casual lunch with a girlfriend she tells me what’s missing in my life which leads the something new in my life. On that day, I found out that I was an expecting mother!! First reaction, shock (I know how could I be), happiness and fear. In one minute I realize my life as I know will never be the same hence is why I was shock, happy and scared all in one. It’s incredible to me how fast I felt the impact of being a mother. I was busting from the seams with excitement but we agreed not to tell anyone until after the 1^st trimester was over.

Life went on as usual around my house and then boom! Fatigue kicked into gear. I could not stay awake for more than 5 hours without taking a nap and I was in bed every night by 9pm. This was my one and only pregnancy symptom so I feel very lucky. I’ll take a long nap any day over morning sickness any day. I would normally stay up until midnight on most nights, blogging, working or just watching television but this small baby wouldn’t have it. I gave in, listened to my body and got the rest I needed. I used my time to focus on my clients, my health and my Mr. Wonderful. Now time has passed and as busy as I have been I feel like my old self again. I still need more rest than I ever did in the past but I won’t doze off in the middle of a conversation any more.

So here I am 28 weeks pregnant and feeling great!! I've been skeptical about talking about it through social media because I'm a little superstitious but I'm too excited not to talk about it. So just this past Sunday, I had my biggest wedding of the year and it was great to end my wedding season with a bang. Now I am ready to focus on getting ready for my baby GIRL!! Yes it’s a girl!! Who Runs The World!! LOL, my new catch phrase. I did take some time to take maternity pictures with one of my favorite photographers Chad Pennington and now we are starting plan the baby shower which is only 6 weeks away. So in the next couple of weeks I’ll be catching up, sharing the details and getting back to what I love to do…. Writing about weddings!!!!

Here’s a couple of shots of the progress of the baby bump!!!

All Dressed up for the ball - 17 Weeks

Girls Trip to Essence Music Festival - 22 Weeks

Babymoon in Cancun!! 24 weeks

Matertnity Pictures in Propect Park - 26 Weeks

Photo Op!! - By Shira Weinberger Photography

2011-03-25T08:00:00.001-04:00

This is my Favorite Photo for March taken by Shari of Shira Weinberger Photography. What I love is the couple looks like they are performing on stage with just the two of them. What a great moment to capture. Those couple of minutes when it’s just the two of them and they can take it all in. Great shot Shari!!

Live.Laugh.Love….. Luxuriate!

Deniesha Joseph

DJoseph@weddedluxe.com
www.weddedluxe.com
718.938.4713

Carnival Wedding Inspiration Board

2011-03-23T08:00:00.000-04:00

So early this month in Trinidad & Tobago was their annual carnival which I missed. My entire family and my Mr. Wonderful were there and I was here in the cold. So to release some of bent up frustration here is T&T Carnival inspired inspiration board. It’s all about color, lively music and loving life. When you are parading through the streets with a festive costume with your friends, all your problems disappear, all is right in the world, it’s Utopia and isn’t that what your wedding should feel like!!

Live.Laugh.Love….. Luxuriate!

Deniesha Joseph

DJoseph@weddedluxe.com
www.weddedluxe.com
718.938.4713

Planning Tip - Choosing Vendors

2011-03-21T08:00:00.002-04:00

Many couples spend hours trying to find the perfect vendors for their wedding. The right photographer, the right DJ, the right florist and the list goes on. The process can consume a lot of your free time. When you are suppose to be enjoying your engagement, your are now surfing the Internet, flipping through magazines and attending many meetings just to pick the perfect vendor team. Well let me save you some time with these tips.

1) There are thousands of wedding photographers, florist, DJ's, band, musician and so on. You can't meet them all so don't try. You will only confuse yourself and make choosing your vendors all the more difficult. You should express your vision clearly to your wedding planner and let them choose the best vendors for you. Your wedding planner will be able to select the vendors that best fit your style, personality and budget. They will show you options that best fit you.

2) If you have not hired a wedding planner, ask for recommendations. Wedding vendors travel in packs. Your venue knows photographers, your stationer knows a calligrapher and your DJ knows a lighting company. These are their colleagues that they have worked with and they trust so you should trust their opinion as well.

3) If you're not the first of your friends and family to get married, ask them about the wedding vendors they hired for their wedding. These are real brides with experience and they can tell you their personal experience with the vendors they used. You can trust them because if a bride is left unhappy with a vendor they will be sure to let you know but if they were happy, they love to share their news. Be careful with these recommendations because the right vendor for them isn't necessarily the right one for you.

Live.Laugh.Love….. Luxuriate!

Deniesha Joseph

DJoseph@weddedluxe.com www.weddedluxe.com
718.938.4713

Guest Blogger - Danielle Cococcia of Crystal Blue Weddings

2011-02-25T08:00:00.000-05:00

Last week Danielle gave great tips on how to choose your vendors for your destination wedding. This week she's talking about reflecting your personal style even when you have a destination wedding. You know I am a BIG believer in being you and showing your personality during wedding so I love this post! Thanks again Danielle!! Don't forget to check out Danielle's blog for great destination wedding advice, real Cayman Island weddings and inspiration!!

Photo courtesy of Rebecca Davidson

Just because you are getting married outside your hometown does not mean your wedding cannot be a reflection of your style. For example, if you are getting married on the beach, the décor does not need to be all sand, starfish and seashells. Here are a few tips to keep in mind…

1. First things first. Create an inspiration board (or book) to bring the vision in your head to paper. This will help you focus on what design aspects you are thinking about and looking for.
2. Talk to the designer you have hired at your destination. Look at photos of weddings they’ve designed before to find out what they can do. If there are items you are dying for but they don’t have, source them from somewhere else and ask if they will store them for you so you can ship them ahead of time.
3. Choosing a color palate. Again, if you’re getting married in the Caribbean, your color scheme does not need to be tropical, bright colors (unless you want it to be!!). Go with what you love.

4. DIY. As with any wedding, destination or otherwise, take comfort in these three lovely letters. Look to your family members or bridesmaids to help you prepare and carry these items to your destination location.

5. Remember that your wedding style does not start and end with décor. Think about it when choosing your dress, menu, favors and all of the rest.

Photo courtesy of Better Angel

Every aspect of your wedding speaks to your style…you may have to think outside the box to get what you want, but regardless of your chosen destination, one way or another, it can be done!

Live.Laugh.Love….. Luxuriate!!
Deniesha JosephDJoseph@weddedluxe.com
http://www.weddedluxe.com/
718.938.4713

Guest Blogger - Danielle Cococcia of Crystal Blue Weddings

2011-02-18T08:00:00.001-05:00

Today we have a guest blogger Danielle Cococcia of Crystal Blue Weddings. Danielle is the voice behind one of my favorite blogs Crystal Blue Weddings. Danielle showcases real weddings, vendors and advice from the Cayman Islands. Today she is giving us her expertise on how to hire wedding vendors for your destination.

Photo Credit: Aaron Rebarchek Photography

Having a destination wedding—where do you start? If you’re not familiar with the destination, it’s tough to know who is who, who is good and who will help you create your day.

First things first, research. With everything on the internet these days, it shouldn’t be too hard to find the vendors to start with. Look at their websites, blogs, Facebook pages, tweets and whatever else you can find. Research will at least give you some insight into the who is who and what they can do.

Second, if you can, visit the destination and meet with the vendors. Nothing is as good as a face to face meeting so if it’s in the cards for you, do it. When you meet with them, be prepared. Have a vision for your day and discuss it with them. After all, they are the ones who are going to help you create this vision—you want to be sure you are comfortable with their abilities, click with their personalities and know that they have the means to make your vision come to life. If you can’t meet face to face, at least have a phone call with these people. Trust is very hard to build on emails alone.

Third, and I really see this as a MUST, hire a local wedding planner. Someone you feel you can trust and click with. Someone who has experience planning weddings of your size and complexity. Someone who will be your eyes and ears on the ground and will work with reputable local vendors to pull all of the pieces together and make it happen. When interviewing planners, be sure to completely understand the services they are offering and how they price their services. For example, will they handle the vendor meetings on your behalf? Help you create a working budget? Be present for the duration of your entire wedding and reception? How do they charge for their services?

Next, understand the environment from a pricing and budget point of view. Look at general areas like accommodation and entertainment. Also, look more specifically at areas for your wedding. Flowers, for example. In the Cayman Islands (like in many destinations), wedding flowers need to be brought in from elsewhere. This significantly increases the cost of flowers which may put that bouquet you had your heart set on way over your budget. I’m not saying you can’t have it, it’s just helpful to develop a healthy expectation of costs (which is something your local planner should help you with).

Last, it is likely that you will host more than just the wedding for your guests. You may want to plan an excursion or a welcome party as a way of thanking your guests for making the journey to your wedding. Keep this in mind when performing the steps above!

Thanks Danielle!! Check out Danielle's blog Crystal Blue Weddings

Live.Laugh.Love….. Luxuriate!

Deniesha Joseph

DJoseph@weddedluxe.com
www.weddedluxe.com
718.938.4713

Destination Wedding Planning

2011-02-16T08:00:00.002-05:00

During the month of January we discussed the first steps of wedding planning but that was for those couples that are having weddings in their home town. Now we are going to dedicate some time to destination wedding planning.

The key to planning any wedding is to start off with a good plan. The first steps you take will help the rest of the planning process run smoothly if you start out with a good plan. So now let's talk about the first steps to planning your destination wedding.

Choose a Destination

Choosing the country is easy. Most couples pick their favorite vacation spot or some where they have always wanted to see. What you really need to focus on is where exactly your wedding will take place. Will it be a hotel? A venue? Indoors? Outdoors? Do want to get married in a church? You also need to know their marriage requirements as well. Many countries have different laws and you want to make sure your wedding is legal.

Choose a Date

Timing is everything when it comes to planning a destination wedding. Not only do you have to consider holidays, your schedules but you also have to consider the current weather conditions for your destination. Hurricane season, rainy season, or winter can all play apart in the time of year you choose to get married. Some countries are complete opposite of the weather conditions you may leave in.

Wedding Websites

You should set up a wedding website when planning a destination wedding. This will be the hub of all the information your guests need for their trip. It should include your wedding date, destination, accommodation information, weekend itinerary, point of contact if you are working with a travel agent, travel documents needed and of course some details about you. Your love story, the bridal party and any fun facts.

Save the Dates

You should send your STD out one year before your wedding date. It should include your date of course, the destination of choice and link to your wedding website. Also let your guests know a formal invitation will follow.

Live.Laugh.Love….. Luxuriate!

Deniesha Joseph

DJoseph@weddedluxe.com
www.weddedluxe.com
718.938.4713

Happy Valentine's Day

2011-02-14T08:00:00.003-05:00

Today is the day to get cheesy and celebrate the love you have with your significant other. Today I want you to take the day off from wedding planning and do what ever your heart desires with your fiancee. Just take this time celebrate the reason you are getting married in the first place, your love each other.

Live.Laugh.Love….. Luxuriate!

Deniesha Joseph

DJoseph@weddedluxe.com
www.weddedluxe.com
718.938.4713

Photo Op!! - By Dante Williams Photography

2011-02-11T11:00:00.000-05:00

If I plan a wedding and the bride is doing this at the end of the night, I did my job!! This is my favorite photo for February. This bride clearly enjoyed her wedding to the fullest. Thanks Dante Williams Photography for catching this shot! To see the rest of this wedding check out Dante's Blog.

Live.Laugh.Love….. Luxuriate!

Deniesha Joseph

DJoseph@weddedluxe.com
www.weddedluxe.com
718.938.4713

Inspiration Board - Pantone's Color of the Year

2011-02-09T08:00:00.002-05:00

So we know Honeysuckle is Pantone's color of the year but we have to know how coordinate it. One of my favorite combinations is honeysuckle and tangerine. This is the perfect color palette for a summer wedding.

Photo Credit: TheKnot, & (Center Photos) Southern Brides Magazine,

Live.Laugh.Love….. Luxuriate!

Deniesha Joseph

DJoseph@weddedluxe.com www.weddedluxe.com
718.938.4713

Real Housewives of Atlanta - Cynthia Bailey's Wedding

2011-02-07T08:00:00.002-05:00

So my reality TV obsession has inspired a blog posting once again. I’m sure everyone has seen the wedding of Atlanta Housewife Cynthia Bailey. All my wedding industry colleagues were in a frenzy on twitter the night it aired because we couldn’t believe what a disaster this wedding was turning out to be. The wedding in the end was beautiful but so much went wrong. This is what happens when your wedding starts off with poor planning. Her first mistake was she hired her friend (whose a great stylist) to plan her wedding. If any brides out there are considering letting their friend plan their wedding and they are not planners, I hope after seeing this you reconsider. In the end, Cynthia had a beautiful wedding. She looked gorgeous, her husband looked handsome and the venue was exquisite. I just hope she enjoyed it to the fullest. As a planner, it broke my heart to see her stressed out about wedding planning. A good planner would have helped the couple with their budget and many of the mundane tasks she had to complete herself. Let this be a lesson to all the brides out there planning their wedding. A professional will save you money, time and your sanity.

Live.Laugh.Love….. Luxuriate!

Deniesha Joseph

DJoseph@weddedluxe.com www.weddedluxe.com
718.938.4713

It's My Birthday!!

2011-01-28T08:00:00.004-05:00

Tomorrow is my 30^th birthday and I am surprisingly excited about this "milestone". For weeks my friends and family kept asking me what I am doing to celebrate and I really had no plans and I didn't feel like making any. I'm not depressed or anything it's just when you plan for a living you don't feel like planning for yourself sometimes. Not to mention I just returned from a great vacation so I'm pretty taped out right now. So with no plans and nothing really special to do I decided I would give something on my birthday. One lucky couple will receive 8 hours of planning hours from me!!

During the planning process many brides need advice and not just any advice but professional advice. So what do they do, the take the web for hours on to get the answer to one question. I’ve decided to help one happy couple step away from the web and just ask the planner!! I will be there to help you throughout your entire planning process. This will include vendor recommendations, budget tips, décor inspiration, etiquette advice and whatever you may need during the planning process. Here is how you enter:

In 500 words or less tell me about you, your proposal and your love story. Please be sure to include you and your fiancé’s first and last names, location, contact information, a picture and your tentative wedding date so I can ensure availability. The contest begins today and ends March 1^st. The winner will be announced on March 4^th. Your wedding must be taken place in New York City, Long Island or New Jersey areas during between June 2011 and April 2012. Email your entry to info@weddedluxe.com.

Good Luck to all!!

Pantone's Color of the Year 2010

2011-01-26T08:00:00.003-05:00

Last year, Pantone's color of the year was turquoise and it is still a popular choice for 2011 weddings. I've noticed many brides are searching for the web for turquoise inspiration. So by popular demand, here are the inspiration boards of Pantone's color of the year 2010.

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

Unusual Wedding Venues - Tips on making it work!!

2011-01-24T08:00:00.003-05:00

Photo Credits: New York Wedding Guide Central Park Zoo

Sometimes the venue that's for your wedding breaks all the rules but it's still the perfect setting for your nuptials. A museum, a farm, heck even an aquarium maybe the right place for your wedding. These types of venues are more than welcomed in the world of weddings but your wedding will still need all the elements that make a great venue. You may need to add a kitchen or even bathroom to have your wedding at this unusual venue. You even have to build a reception space from scratch. As a wedding planner, I love these spaces but you should know all that goes into having your wedding there.

Photo Credits: Martha Stewart Weddings Tent Wedding

Catering

Your caterer of choice will need to bring in a make shift kitchen for outdoor venues or venues without full kitchens. They will charge you for the rental of this equipment.

Bathrooms

Port a potties have come a long way so don’t be scared of the idea of renting one for your wedding.

Tables, chairs and linens, Oh my!

Renting all the tables, chairs, linens, china, glassware and flatware is very important. You have to have more than enough for everyone and you have to ensure you have everything you need. Consult with your caterer or wedding planner a list of must haves.

Photo Credits: My Wedding Binder

Dance Floors

An outdoor space will require you to rent a dance floor. A rental company will be able to tell you exactly how big of a floor you will need.

The Elements

You have to keep your guests cool in the summer, warm in the winter and dry all year round. Renting heaters, air conditioners and the right tenting are required when planning an outdoor soiree.

Live.Laugh.Love….. Luxuriate!

Deniesha Joseph

DJoseph@weddedluxe.com
www.weddedluxe.com
718.938.4713

Real Cultural Wedding - Wendy G. Photography

2011-01-21T08:00:00.003-05:00

A new feature on the blog is real cultural weddings from some of the country's best photographers. Today's real wedding from one of my favorite NYC Wedding Photographers, Wendy G.

For more real weddings and awesome portraits, check out Wendy G's blog

Infusing Your Culture Through….. Hors d’oeuvres

2011-01-19T08:00:00.005-05:00

Adding your favorite food to your cocktail hour is a great way to celebrate your culture on your wedding day. Let your guests enjoy some of the culinary delights from your culture or both cultures if you’re blending two families together. No one will ever refuse an empanada!!

Planning Tip:
If your venue doesn’t provide what you are looking for, discuss if it can be done or if you are able to bring outside food in. If you are already bringing outside catering, talk to your caterer of choice about the foods you would like to have. You should know their specialty before you hire them

Live.Laugh.Love….. Luxuriate!

Deniesha Joseph

DJoseph@weddedluxe.com
www.weddedluxe.com
718.938.4713

Wedding Venue - Room Transformation

2011-01-17T08:00:00.020-05:00

Last week we discussed selecting the right venue and what makes it the right venue for you. Well sometimes the right venue is almost perfect but we need to make some changes to make absolutely perfect. It fits everything you need for a great reception but the decor could use some tweaking , this is no reason to change your venue. There are ways to fix this minor set back.

Chair covers or changing out the chairs will dramatically change the room. When you have 150 burgundy chairs in a room it’s a focal point. Cover them with your matching colors or ivory chair covers to give a neutral look. Also consider changing out the chairs if your venue has space to store the other chairs.

Photo Credit: The Cloth Connection

Draping the room with a neutral color will create a whole new color palette to the room. This will cover any fixtures that can’t be removed from the room while providing you with a whole new look to play with.

Photo Credit: Elite Rental

Lighting can do wonders to plain room and hide what you don’t want your guests to see. With the right lighting, you can highlight the pretty things and dim the lights on the not so pretty. Also it can change the color of a room instantly.

The Lighting Guy

Live.Laugh.Love….. Luxuriate!

Deniesha Joseph

DJoseph@weddedluxe.com
www.weddedluxe.com
718.938.4713

Guest Blogger - Brandy Gomez Duplessis

2011-01-14T08:00:00.012-05:00

Today we have a special treat! Brandy Gomez Duplessis, celebrity makeup artist is sharing her great beauty tips with us.

Brandy Gomez-Duplessis is a Celebrity Makeup Artist who currently resides in New York and part time in New Orleans. Brandy is also a L'OREAL Paris Pro Makeup Artist. New York makeup artist has worked with celebrities like; Angela Bassett, Kerry Washington, Kim Kardashian, Jordin Sparks, Anika Noni Rose, Edie Falco, and Kathryn Erbe, to name a few. Brandy is also a high demand celebrity bridal makeup artist in New York, that brides usually book her makeup service 1 year in advance. You can also keep up with Brandy by reading her personal blog "Inside The Life of A Makeup Artist", her fashion blog "Black Tie Stiletto" or follow her glamxurious tweets on twitter.

Brandy take is away!!

One of the many questions that are asked by my brides during their bridal consultations is “How can all my bridesmaids have the same makeup look?” There is no right or wrong answer about makeup looks for bridesmaids. Many traditional brides prefer their bridesmaids to have a uniform look from their dresses, hair, shoes and even makeup. More modern brides allow their bridesmaids to select their own makeup look for the wedding day.

If you’re a bride that opts for all of the bridesmaids to be uniform with their makeup and your bridal party is of different ethnicity's, this can be tricky. Consult with a professional in advance and this will save you a lot of stress and make for happy & glam bridesmaids. I find darker eye shadow colors like; golds, browns, blues, purples and grey’s to be great on all skin tones. Of course you will have to tweak some of the colors a little more as all these shades will compliment each of your bridesmaids from fair, medium, and dark skin uniquely.

My bride, Domini, wanted her girls to all wear grey eye shadow on the day of the wedding, so I selected one of my favorite shade in grey; L’OREAL HIP Cream Eye Shadow Paint in Steely. What I love about the cream shadow paint is that it’s long wearing, creamy, and bendable. It does not crease, even on oily eye lids, and it’s an eye shadow color that can be worn on all skin tones. I just lined the eyes with L’OREAL HIP cream black eyeliner and finished the lips with a nude lip color. Try the Cream Shadow Paints in different shades, either way you’ll be sure to have a stunning group of ladies that will help make your special day GLAMXURIOUS.

CREDITS:

Written by: Brandy Gomez-Duplessis

Photographer by Oscar Rajo

Makeup by New York Celebrity Bridal Makeup ArtistBrandy Gomez-Duplessis

Picture courtesy of L'OREAL Paris

Inspiration Board - Pantone's Color of the Year

2011-01-12T08:00:00.003-05:00

Pantone announced the color of the year is Honey Suckle. This announcement always causes a buzz in the bridal industry. We look forward to seeing how it all translates into the wonderful world of weddings. So here’s my contribution to wedding inspiration.

All Photos Courtesy of The Knot

Live.Laugh.Love….. Luxuriate!

Deniesha Joseph

DJoseph@weddedluxe.com
www.weddedluxe.com
718.938.4713

First Steps of Wedding Planning - Selecting A Venue

2011-01-10T08:00:00.004-05:00

One of the first choices you will make during the wedding planning process is selecting a venue. There are some key questions you should ask yourself when you go venue hunting.

Does this venue fit my wedding style, mood and theme?

Your venue should fit the mood you’re trying to create for your wedding. The space should compliment your vision not distract and confuse it. If you choose a venue that doesn't fit the vision, you are running the risk of spending more money to transform the venue to match your vision.

Does this venue fit into my price range?

Before you visit a venue you should know your budget and how much of that budget will go towards your reception which is about 50% of your overall budget. Don't visit a venue that is twice your budget. It will only upset you when you see it and it is perfect and you can't have it. It's not worth the risk. However don't select a venue solely based on price. If it is cheap, it is cheap for a reason. Like my mother always says good things aren't cheap and cheap things are not good.

Can this venue accommodate the number of guests I'm inviting?

The venue should accommodate your large or intimate wedding. You don't want your guests to be crammed in a room with no space to move nor do you want the room to swallow them. The venue should fit your number of guests comfortably. Also some venues have a minimum so make sure you will meet their requirement.

Your answer should be yes to all these questions before you sign on the dotted line. If any of them are a no then you should have a solution in place to accommodate your needs. If you’re spending too much money to make it work, then consider another venue that makes sense for your wedding.

Live.Laugh.Love….. Luxuriate!

Deniesha Joseph

DJoseph@weddedluxe.com www.weddedluxe.com
718.938.4713

5 Common Wedding Planning Mistakes

2011-01-07T09:00:00.010-05:00

This week has been all about the side of wedding planning we don’t really like to talk about. The ugly side we try to ignore but we must address so we can avoid these mishaps. I’m ending this week with common wedding planning mistakes to avoid. Next week I’ll go back to all the pretty little things!

Over Budget:
This happens very often to a lot of couples. You start planning, you book the venue, hire vendors and before you know it you’re 10k over budget. How did you get there? One possibility is you probably didn’t set a realistic budget to begin with and two you selected vendors that weren’t in your price range. You must have a realistic and definite number on what you are comfortable with and you also need to know how much your dream wedding will cost you. If you are planning for 200 guests, please don’t expect to spend 15k, that is not realistic. You either have to up the budget or cut the guest list. Also give yourself a price range not just a number. You should have a little wiggle room for mishaps or some extras you decide to throw in.

Keep Your Theme In Mind:
Every aspect of your wedding will help add to your overall theme/feel of your wedding day. It's easy to get overwhelmed by all the great ideas out there for your to choose from but all of them are not for your wedding. I know they tell you that you can have it all but truth be told you can't! You can have a lot but make sure it all fits within your vision. Your personal style will always shine through if you stay true to yourself and not the latest trends.

Wasting Money:
I know I told you not to go over budget but you should never choose a venue or vendor solely based on price. You found a venue that’s half the price than all the others you’ve looked at but you know what it probably looks it. Now you will have to spend that extra money sprucing up the place to your likings. Spend wisely and get the best bang for your buck. It will save you a lot of time and sanity if you do.

Forgetting Your Guests:
It’s your day we all know this but you are hosting a party for your friends and family so you need to keep them in mind. You will have everything you want just remember what your guests like in the process. So if you have a family that loves to party, eat and drink, then you should have a rocking DJ and/or band, a great menu with an open bar to boot! You will not enjoy your wedding if your guests are bored to tears.

Loosing Focus:

Your wedding is about the new life you are about to start. It’s not about the flowers, the cake or the dress. It’s about you, your fiancée, the love you have for each other and the love of your family and friends. If you don’t lose sight of the bigger picture, you will enjoy your wedding planning process a lot more, trust me. When something doesn’t go according to plan just remember what the day is all about it. This will make finding a solution to the situation will be easy.

Live.Laugh.Love….. Luxuriate!

Deniesha Joseph

DJoseph@weddedluxe.com
www.weddedluxe.com
718.938.4713

Wedding Planning Myth Busting

2011-01-05T09:00:00.009-05:00

Everyone knows what a wedding is and all it entails but do you know what it really takes to plan a wedding? I bet your answer is yes but there are some myths that I come across every now and again that I would like clear up for all my newly engaged couples out there.

Myth #1 - Destination Weddings Are So Much Easier
A destination wedding for a group of people still requires planning. If you are eloping this statement does not apply to you. I'm talking to the couples out there that are inviting at least 20 of their friends and family to a location outside of their home town and will require some level of traveling. You will have to put in some work with coordinating a destination wedding. Yes it maybe a tad bit easier but it's not free of any planning, decision making or organization on your part.

Myth #2 - I Saw It On Show Once
I love reality television as much as the next person. I watch most wedding related shows but keep in mind these people are on television. So when that planner secures a couple a great venue for a knock out price it's all for television. The vendor is aware of the free marketing they will receive by doing their colleague/buddy a huge favor for the cameras. We all can call in a favor but free or half the price is not reality. Also keep in mind that some shows pay for the couples dream wedding. The services are usually donated by the vendors in exchange for the advertising they will receive. Use the show for inspiration for your wedding, you may even find a vendor you like but don't be surprised at the price tag that comes with it.

Myth #3 - I Can Do Everything Myself
www.absolutelynot.com and www.youhavelostyourmind.net!! You can not plan the biggest party of your life all by yourself. A wedding is not just a party where you invite your guests, have food, drinks and music. That is just half the battle. A wedding is full of well orchestrated details that all come together to create the wedding you have always dreamed of. You will need guidance and assistance. I will not go into my spiel on why you should hire a wedding planner just yet. However I will tell you that if you want something done right ask for help not do it yourself.

Myth #4 - My Friends Don't Mind Helping Out
I recently read on another blog, my friends at Always A Bridesmaid about this same issue and I had to address it because I could not agree more. Your friends absolutely don't mind stuffing envelops and assembling favors but they do mind being your wedding planner/bridesmaid/florist/caterer on the day of your wedding. Don't go too far with the DIY projects that require a lot of assistance from your friends and family. Your friends want to be supportive not be your wedding planner.

Myth #5 – DOC Coordination is just the Day of My Wedding
Day of coordination really doesn’t exist. I’m sure where the phrase came from but it’s misleading. No good coordinator will swoop in the day before your wedding and start working at least no planners I know. You need at least the last month before your wedding with your coordinator so they ensure your wedding to do list is taken cared of. They also need to get to know more about you and your wedding. For this reason my equivalent to this package is called Final Touches because that’s what it is. We come in and help during those final weeks of wedding planning. Do you really want a stranger to just show up or do you want someone who completely understands you, your wedding and the vision?

Live.Laugh.Love….. Luxuriate!

Deniesha Joseph

DJoseph@weddedluxe.com www.weddedluxe.com
718.938.4713

First Steps To Planning Your Wedding

2011-01-03T09:00:00.029-05:00

I usually start off the New Year with a list of the first steps you should take when planning your wedding. This year, I've decided to take a different approach. Your very first step in wedding planning is......

STOP! DROP! & ROLL!

Let me explain!

STOP: Stop and take it all in. You're excited, your family is excited, your friends, your coworkers even the lady that does your manicure is happy to hear your good news. So enjoy this moment of sharing the good news with the people who love you. This maybe a once in a lifetime moment for you and your fiancée so enjoy it to the fullest.

DROP: Drop the wedding wedding magazines you just purchased, step away from the television, close the binder your BFF gave you as a gift and don't surf the web for hours (but please continue to read this blogpost). There is a lot of inspiration and wedding planning advice out there. Your friends and family also have some advice to share with you but before you start looking at anything, you should make some solid decisions. Just you and your fiancée.

ROLL: Roll with this happy feeling for a little while. Just be giddy for a moment. Be the girl that gazes are ring on a crowded subway when everyone else is upset that there are delays but you can't help but smile. I am not saying that there will be no happy times during the planning process, there will be plenty of them but there will also be stress, busy schedules, debates over the right shade of white and countless hours of you going over every little detail of your wedding. The planning process is so much fun, but this feeling of "I'm so in love I just want scream" is priceless! I want you to enjoy it to the fullest!!

Live.Laugh.Love….. Luxuriate!

Deniesha Joseph

DJoseph@weddedluxe.com
www.weddedluxe.com
718.938.4713

2011 – Coming To A Blog Near You!!

2010-12-16T08:00:00.016-05:00

Photo Credit: Life's Little Mysteries

I am looking forward to the New Year and all that is to come. I always get giddy this time of the year. I love all the new exciting couples and the fresh love they bring to the wedding industry. I will be going on my annual Christmas break vacation from blogging so I can spend my Christmas with my mother and I’m so excited. While it may be a vacation I will working on projects for New Year.

2011 will begin with the annual blog postings of "The First Steps of Wedding Planning". All the information you need to start your wedding planning on the right foot. From budgets to picking the right venue or even just where to start. This will be your helping hand as you start the planning process.

Events, Events & Events!! Get ready because I am taking it to the streets in 2011!! First event I have in store for you is the Venue Bus Tour! This tour will take you to NYC’s best venues and provide you with planning information along the way. More information coming soon so stay tuned for details. Also, I’m getting ready for a GNO (Girls Night Out) Event. Bring your besties and come have some fun. It’s all about the fabulous cocktails, fashion and fun, all while getting wedding planning tips! No boys allowed!! I will also make appearances at bridal expos so look out for that.

Throughout the year, I hope to continue to bring you more planning advice, inspiration and help you keep your sanity while planning your wedding. I'll be working hard behind the blog and I can't wait to see you in the New Year! Wishing you a Happy Holiday!!

Live.Laugh.Love….. Luxuriate!

Deniesha Joseph

DJoseph@weddedluxe.com
www.weddedluxe.com
718.938.4713

The Year In Review

2010-12-14T08:00:00.013-05:00

When the year is coming to an end, I tend to take a look back at all the wonderful things that took place. So I decided t take a look at all the wonderful things that took place on the blog this year. Let’s take a look shall we!

1) The 2010 patone’s color of the year was turquoise and the inspiration board was a big hit amongst my readers. I’m looking forward to 2011 color honeysuckle. Inspiration boards coming soon.

2) I attended two great events and did a vlog (video blog) post on it. Thanks YouTube for freeze framing at the wrong times.

3) The blog got a makeover!! See above!!

(Design by the fabulous LePenn Designs)

http://weddedluxe.blogspot.com/2009/12/new-year-new-look.html

4) I had an Aha Moment and found my true self as a wedding planner.

http://weddedluxe.blogspot.com/2010/06/allow-me-to-re-introduce-myself.html

5) The favorite wedding post of all with over 2,000 page views and over 100 visitors is The Fall Has Arrived Inspiration boards.

http://weddedluxe.blogspot.com/2010/09/fall-has-arrived.html

Live.Laugh.Love….. Luxuriate!

Deniesha Joseph

DJoseph@weddedluxe.com

http://www.weddedluxe.com/

718.938.4713

Vendor Profile - Kiss the Bride

2010-12-06T08:00:00.002-05:00

I have a confession to make. I was not a fan of the wedding video for a long time. The photo montage, the guest’s messages and the length of the video just turned me off completely. Now I am in love with the wedding videos that are being created today because they are not videos they are cinematography.

Now enter Kiss the Bride! Kiss the Bride is a boutique cinematography company that creates wedding documentaries that are stylish and modern. Their editing style captures all the special moments that you want to remember. You could feel the love and emotion just from a quick glimpse into the happy couple’s wedding day. Leslie, one of the owners of Kiss the Bride

How long have you've been filming weddings?

4 years. We launched our company Kiss The Bride Films in November of last year!

When did you start the cinematography style of shooting?
Our background is in fine art films. We've both made films that have shown in festivals all over the world, including Sundance.

How long is the final edited video?
We offer two final produces. A documentary film and a highlight film. Our documentary is usually anywhere from 45 min- to an hour. Our Hight light is three to five minutes in length.

How do you decide what to include in the final cut?
We include everything that we feel accurately tells the story of our clients wedding day.

Best wedding day memory?
For us the best wedding memories are when we work for kind hearted people. Most of our clients are so wonderful and it is such a pleasure for us to be with them on such a special day.

Here a sample of their wonderful work. I swear I tear up every time!

Allison + Ryan from Kiss The Bride Films on Vimeo.

Live.Laugh.Love….. Luxuriate!

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

Groomsmen Attire

2010-12-02T08:00:00.000-05:00

Bridesmaids usually have the opportunity to wear a dress that shows their personal style but the groomsmen are stuck in the same suit. I saw this picture and I thought this was such a great idea. Each groomsman wore a different tie that matches the color scheme of the wedding. This is a great way to let your groomsmen’s personal style shine as well.

Photo Credit: Kaye English Photography

Live.Laugh.Love….. Luxuriate!

Deniesha Joseph

DJoseph@weddedluxe.com www.weddedluxe.com
718.938.4713

New Year’s Eve Wedding – Inspiration Board

2010-11-30T08:00:00.000-05:00

New Year's Eve is by far my favorite holiday. I love any holiday that allows me to wear a LBD and some really haute shoes! A New Year’s Eve wedding is the time to pull out all the bells and whistles. This day is always associated with dressing up, champagne and a rocking good time. So if you are planning a New Year’s Eve bash, be ready to give your guests the best New Year's Eve they ever had. This inspiration board is inspired by my idea of New Year’s Eve! Enjoy!!

Theme: New Year's Eve Black Tie
Colors: Black, White & Red

Photo Credits: 1 &2 ) Project Weddings 3) The Knot 4) Project Wedding 5) The Knot 6) MarthaStewartWeddings 7) Project Weddings 8) The Knot

Live.Laugh.Love….. Luxuriate!

Deniesha Joseph

Wedded Luxe
DJoseph@weddedluxe.com
www.weddedluxe.com
718.938.4713

Giving Thanks

2010-11-23T08:00:00.000-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I just wanted to take this time to give thanks to my readers and supporters out there. Whenever I write a blog entry I think to myself, will this help someone? I hope that have helped or inspired many of you planning weddings for yourself or other wedding professionals.

It’s a blessing to do what you love and I thank everyone for giving me the opportunity to be a part of such a joyous occasions. I am thankful for all the other wedding professionals I met and had the opportunity work with this year.

I hope everyone takes the day to put the wedding planning aside and enjoy this day with your family and friends, unless of course your wedding is this weekend, lol!

Live.Laugh.Love….. Luxuriate!

Deniesha Joseph

DJoseph@weddedluxe.com www.weddedluxe.com
718.938.4713

Winter Wedding Flowers

2010-11-18T08:00:00.021-05:00

Photo Credit: Project Weddings

Winter Weddings have one small obstacle and that’s wedding flowers. The only reason this becomes an issue are brides use pictures of weddings for inspiration not knowing the flowers of choice are not in season during the winter. You can still have the flowers you've always wanted but it will cost you more to do so or you work with the flowers that are in season. This very small conflict will not ruin your wedding day vision, it will only create a sidetrack to something unexpectedly beautiful.

Photo Credit: The Knot

Some flowers can be found all year round so you will find roses, lilies, gerber daisies and carnations to name a few. Flowers that in season are amaryllis, casablanca lilies, narcissus, anemones and chrysanthemums.

Photo Credit: Big Apple Florist

Just remember, don’t panic there is a solution to your flower vision. An experienced florist and/or event designer will have many options that fit into your wedding day vision.

Photo Credit: Wedding Aces

Live.Laugh.Love….. Luxuriate!

Deniesha Joseph

DJoseph@weddedluxe.com
www.weddedluxe.com
718.938.4713

Chinese Wedding Traditions - The Tea Ceremony

2010-11-16T08:00:00.005-05:00

The tea ceremony is a tradition of the Chinese culture. Here’s a brief history lesson on the traditions and significants of the ceremony.

The Tea Ceremony is an official ritual to introduce the newlyweds to each other's family, and it's a way for newlyweds to show respect and appreciation to their parents. The newlyweds kneel in front of their parents, serving tea to both sides of parents, as well as elder close relatives. Parents give their words of blessing and gifts to the newlyweds. During the tea presentation, a "Good Luck Woman" would say auspicious phrases to bless the newlyweds and the parents. Those who receive the tea usually give the bride gifts such as jewelry of “Li Shi” money wrapped in red envelopes.

Couples are still keeping this tradition alive on their wedding day. To embrace tradition and also some of your own modern ways, host the tea ceremony the day after the wedding just like a post wedding day brunch. I love keeping traditions alive in the family. One way to pass down the tradition to your next generation is by keeping the tea set that is usually gifted by the bride’s parents and hand it down to your children.

Live.Laugh.Love….. Luxuriate!

Deniesha Joseph

DJoseph@weddedluxe.com www.weddedluxe.com
718.938.4713

Inspiration Board - Silver Bells

2010-11-09T08:00:00.003-05:00

Winter is approaching very fast. I can feel the chill in the air every morning. This also means the holidays are coming even faster. For me, Christmas is one of my favorite holidays and I think there is something very special about a Christmas wedding. The holidays brings everyone together and what better way to celebrate your new life together than a Christmas inspired wedding.

Theme: Silver Bells
Colors: White & Silver

Live.Laugh.Love….. Luxuriate!

Deniesha Joseph

DJoseph@weddedluxe.com
www.weddedluxe.com
718.938.4713

The Workout Plan - Getting Fit for the Big Day

2010-11-04T08:00:00.005-04:00

In less than 90 days I’ll be turning 30. I’ve been keeping a countdown since my 29^th birthday because I’ve had some things I wanted to make sure I accomplished before the big 30. On the top of the list is to lose weight and I have not lost a pound. Correction, I lost 6 but I’m pretty sure I gained it all back because I haven’t see the inside of my gym for over a month. So with less than 90 days left I’m determine to drop a size (hopefully two) by my birthday.

When I hit the 90 day mark, I thought of all the brides out there that try to lose weight, shape up and tone up for their wedding. I have yet to work with a bride who didn’t say I want to lose some weight before the wedding, no matter what size they were, even the size 2 brides. It’s nerve wrecking to look at the calendar each day and count down until your bid day. In my case, the big day is my birthday. So instead of the pressure of the countdown, why don’t we all just take it day by day, do the best we can and if we fall off the wagon just hop back on tomorrow. If all fails, just remember SPANX is your friend!!

I’ll be checking in from time to time with my road to slimming down. I hope you share your stories as well.

Happy Planning,

Deniesha Joseph

DJoseph@weddedluxe.com www.weddedluxe.com
718.938.4713

Venue Profile – Midtown Loft & Terrace

2010-11-02T08:00:00.003-04:00

I recently re-visited one of my favorite loft spaces in NYC last weekend. I was showing this space to my clients, for their upcoming nuptials, and they loved it just as much I did. Midtown Loft & Terrace is conveniently located on Fifth Avenue in the heart of midtown. The space is 5,000 sq feet with windows on four sides of the loft with beautiful hardwood floors. The Terrace has a perfect view of the NYC skyline and the most famous NYC landmark, the Empire State Building.

Now I’ve been here before so you may be wondering why the post, well I’ll tell you! I received great news that there will be a retractable glass enclosure beginning 2011. This will allow events all year round with the same great view. Take a look here:

Midtown Loft & Terrace is a great venue for a wedding. It’s blank canvas so you can make it whatever you want. It allows for ceremony, cocktail and reception to be held all in one venue for an affordable price. If you are looking for a venue, make an appointment to visit the Midtown Loft & Terrace.

Happy Planning,

Deniesha Joseph

DJoseph@weddedluxe.com www.weddedluxe.com
718.938.4713

A Wedded Luxe Wedding Feature

2010-10-28T08:00:00.002-04:00

I'm so happy to announce that Shirley & William's wedding was featured on Para ti Novia this week. To see the full post please check out their blog here: http://paratinovia.com/real-wedding-shirley-william-in-nyc

Para to Novia is a great blog for the Latina bride. Lots of inspiration and ideas on how to celebrate your culture with your wedding.

Happy Planning,

Deniesha Joseph

DJoseph@weddedluxe.com
http://www.weddedluxe.com/
718.938.4713

Photo Op!!

2010-10-26T08:00:00.001-04:00

Sometimes I come across photos from wedding photographers and it leaves me speechless because it’s so gorgeous. I love this picture! The bride taking a moment to herself before she walk down the aisle. It’s so natural and not rehearsed.

This photo is courtesy of one of my favorite photographers Vanessa Joy. Check out Vanessa's blog to see more great shots.

Happy Planning,

Deniesha Joseph
DJoseph@weddedluxe.com
http://www.weddedluxe.com/
718.938.4713

Wedding Etiquette - Wedding Favors

2010-10-21T07:00:00.000-04:00

Staying on topic of favors, I thought I’d address a common question I get asked by couples all the time; how many favors should I order or how do we give them to our guests. This all depends on the favor you give and here is how to make the decision. By the way, that's a favor display at a Wedded Luxe past wedding. The favors doubled as escort cards. When it comes to favors, presentation goes a long way!

1) If it’s edible, you should give one to each guests. You can’t expect a couple to share a slice of cake.

2) If it’s a souvenir or some kind of keepsake, you should give one per household or per couple. If the couple doesn't live together, be sure to give each their own.

3) If you are giving a favor that will double as a escort card then you should give one per household or per couple. An easy rule of thumb is it should be given the same way you address your invitations.

You see, it's that simple. I hope this helps those faced with the challenge of purchasing favors for their upcoming wedding.

Happy Planning,

Deniesha Joseph
DJoseph@weddedluxe.com
http://www.weddedluxe.com/
718.938.4713

Fall Wedding Favors - Apple Season

2010-10-19T08:00:00.004-04:00

Fall in NYC means apple season which means apple picking which means lots of apple treats. If you are looking for a wedding favor for your fall wedding, an apple treat will be a great way to incorporate the fall season into your wedding. My two favorite are apple treats are apple pies and candied apples. You can’t go wrong with either!!

Individual candies apples with personalized wrapping to match your wedding

Mini apple pies with your monogram placed in an old fashion bakers box.

Happy Planning,

Deniesha Joseph
DJoseph@weddedluxe.com
http://www.weddedluxe.com/
718.938.4713

The Wedding Budget

2010-10-14T08:00:00.003-04:00

I recently met one of the sweetest brides ever! She had a lot of great ideas for her wedding but there was one problem, the BUDGET. I’m very budget conscience when it comes to planning a wedding. I’m a drill sergeant to my clients on this topic because before you know it, you have blown the budget due to bad choices. With this bride, she started planning her wedding and she did a lot of research. When it came to the budget she totally ignored the advice she found online. In particular she used one of my favorite tools, the budget estimator. The budget estimator gives you an estimate based on where you live and the type of wedding you want which they decipher by asking you a series of questions. For the wedding she wants, the estimator told her she would spend anywhere between 37,000 to 67,000. She didn’t believe it even after I told her that estimate is pretty accurate. Don’t get me wrong, there are ways to save but you have to know how to use your funds and here’s how:

1) Determine a budget. I can’t stress this enough, you must set a budget before you start planning. If you go in blindly, you risk the chance of spending way more than you ever intended to spend. Talk about it with your fiancée and anyone who is financially contributing to your wedding.

2) Use a budget estimator or something like it to help you allocate your funds. These are just estimates but be clear you will spend 45% -50% of your budget on the reception. The other categories like photography, décor, etc you can prioritize and decide where you want to spend more or less.

3) Hire a wedding planner!! I know what you are thinking, “I’m spending more money not saving”. That’s an incorrect statement. Hiring a planner will help you find the right vendors that fit within your budget. Also a planner will help you allocate your funds and use them wisely.

These three tips will help you save in the long run. Before you start planning, commit to any vendors or a venue, you should follow these three tips. Your wedding may cost more than you think it will cost so before you go out there, take my advice. Here's some more budget tips from a previous posting. http://weddedluxe.blogspot.com/2008/12/ask-planner.html

Happy Planning,

Deniesha Joseph
DJoseph@weddedluxe.com
http://www.weddedluxe.com/
718.938.4713

Infusing Your Culture Through….. Cocktails

2010-10-12T08:00:00.012-04:00

Signature drinks are becoming a staple at weddings these days. This is an idea I love and highly encourage couples to serve to one or three at their wedding. Take this trend and celebrate your culture by serving a customary cocktail. Today’s cocktail is Lassi.

Lassi is a popular and traditional Punjabi yogurt-based drink of India and Pakistan. It is made by blending yogurt with water or milk and Indian spices. Traditional lassi is sometimes flavored with ground roasted cumin. Sweet lassi, blended with sugar or fruits instead of spices, is also very popular. The picture below is a mango infused Lassi. Thank you Wikipedia!

Photo Credits: IndianWeddingSite.com

Happy Planning,

Deniesha Joseph
DJoseph@weddedluxe.com
http://www.weddedluxe.com/
718.938.4713

Simple Grace – Inspiration Board

2010-10-07T08:00:00.002-04:00

Lately I’ve been really into old things, well vintage things. I was looking through old family photos and it seems liked my grandparents put on their Sunday best every day of the week to do just about anything. We don’t dress up anymore or make anything a big deal, except weddings, this may be why I love weddings so much. Everyone dresses up and it’s a really BIG deal. This inspired an inspiration board which I like to call “Simple Grace”. Inspired by vintage and the simple elegance of a different time.

Happy Planning,

Deniesha Joseph
DJoseph@weddedluxe.com
http://www.weddedluxe.com/
718.938.4713

Jewish Wedding Traditions

2010-10-05T08:00:00.004-04:00

I was raised Catholic but I must admit the Jewish wedding ceremony is one of my favorites. I love that the bride and groom are escorted down the aisle by their parents. I think the groom’s parents are also giving away their child and it should be honored just as the bride. But my favorite aspect of a Jewish ceremony is chuppah, symbolizing God’s presence, shelter and protection. Before I knew what the chuppah represented, I fell in love with the design of it. Chuppah can range from simple to over the top glamorous. Customize it to fit within your wedding color pallette, keep traditional or personal. Here are a couple I love!!

Elegance & Lush

Feminie and Opulent

Traditional & Organic

Traditional & Elegant

Colorful & Bold

Tropical & Modern

Happy Planning,

Deniesha Joseph
DJoseph@weddedluxe.com
http://www.weddedluxe.com/
718.938.4713

Get Married Giveaway

2010-09-29T09:13:00.007-04:00

Be the first couple ever to get married in Times Square on New Years Eve!! Get Married is giving away a free wedding in one of the most famous locations in NYC on the everyone's favorite night of the year. To enter this amazing contest click here: and good luck!!

Happy Planning,

Deniesha Joseph
DJoseph@weddedluxe.com
http://www.weddedluxe.com/
718.938.4713

Fall Has Arrived

2010-09-23T08:00:00.001-04:00

Fall has officially started as of 11:00 pm yesterday here in NYC. Although it feels like a beautiful summer day, fall is here. To celebrate the change of the season, I wanted to share some past fall inspiration boards I've created with you.

This is what I would like to call a soft side of fall. Warm colors and soft tones with a romantic glow.

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

Purple was the new black in 2010. This is a new way to have a fall wedding instead of the traditional color schemes of orange, yellow and brown.

Photo Credits: 1)Purple Ring Pillow TheKnot, 2) Purple Clutch - Brides.com, 3) Purple Chair Cover - TheKnot, 4) Purple Bridesmaid Dress - TheKnot, 5) Purple Carnation Centerpiece - Jubilee Events, 6) Bouquet - SnippetandInk 6) Purple Shoes - TheKnot

Mustard yellow is a traditional fall color. It's classic and you can't go wrong with it. But this inspiration board mixes the traditional with some modern elements.

Photo Credits from left to right 1)ProjectWeddings.com, 2) TheKnot.com, 3)Brides.com 4)MarthaStewartWeddings, 5) TheKnot.com, 6) TheKnot.com

Happy Planning,

Deniesha Joseph
DJoseph@weddedluxe.com
http://www.weddedluxe.com/
718.938.4713

Meet The Planner

2010-09-21T20:58:00.000-04:00

I made a promise to let my personal side out a little more on the blog this year and I don’t think I’ve done a good job at keeping my promise. So today, I’m going to play a little game called .......

“10 Random Things You Didn’t Know About Me”!

New Years Eve 2008. Lost 20 lbs, Got over a ex and I was feeling great. Can't you tell?! LOL

1) I’m not the least bit athletic. Step class is a challenge for me.

2) I love to dance, sing, listen to music or anything related to music.

3) Sunkist is my all time favorite drink. I would drink it every day if I could.

4) I’ve been on a diet since I was 10! Hence why I don’t drink Sunkist every day.

5) TV is my favorite past time.

6) White shirts are my wardrobe staple.

7) I love the beach even though I get the worse heat rashes. I won’t give it up.

8) I have the same birthday as my idol, mentor and aunt-in-my-head… OPRAH!! January 29th

9) My first job was an internship at Lehman Brothers. I knew then that a 9-5 jobs wasn’t for me.

10) I was senior class president of my high school.

Happy Planning,

Deniesha Joseph,
DJoseph@weddedluxe.com
http://www.weddedluxe.com/
718.938.4713

A Wedded Luxe Wedding Feature

2010-09-14T08:00:00.000-04:00

Congratulation to former clients Sarah & Stephen who were featured in Engaged 101 Magazine. Also to Vanessa Joy Photography for the beautiful images. To view more details from this happy couple's wedding see the orginal post here.

Happy Planning,

Deniesha Joseph
DJoseph@weddedluxe.com
http://www.weddedluxe.com/
718.938.4713

Choosing The Right Centerpiece

2010-08-17T08:00:00.021-04:00

When you are choosing your centerpiece there is one important factor that goes overlooked and that’s the shape of the table. Your centerpiece should complement the shape of your table and create the right flow. Not all centerpieces are made for every shape table. Here’s a guide on picking the right centerpiece for your tables.

Round Tables – very versatile and most centerpieces go well on round tables. High or low centerpieces can be used. You also have the option to use multiple vases, containers and candles in different heights and sizes.

Square Tables – like round tables, square tables are very versatile. Square tables are also a great choice of a modern tablescape design.

Rectangle or Oblong Tables – the best centerpiece for these shapes is a tablescape design the goes across the length of the table. Utilize the entire table instead of just the center. You can have a main centerpiece that is the largest and add small vases along the length of the table, vases with different heights or a monochromatic look of vases all in the same size.

Happy Planning,

Deniesha Joseph
DJoseph@weddedluxe.com
http://www.weddedluxe.com/
718.938.4713

Wedding Etiquette - Dealing with your Bridesmaids

2010-08-12T08:00:00.002-04:00

Planning your wedding is very exciting. It’s a great time to but it can get stressful when you have so much to do for the wedding as well as your everyday life. It’s a natural reaction to reach out to your trusty bridesmaids/friends for help but remember they still have lives of their own as well. For me two of my best friends are mothers, one is starting grad school and she manages a bank, another just relocated to New York while she builds her business and the other is a newlywed living in bliss. Just like my friends, I’m sure your friends have their own obligations. Keep this is consideration when you call on your friends to help you with your pre-wedding planning activities. It’s your day and they want to be there for you but you don’t want to ruin a friendship because they couldn’t do what you asked. Here are some helpful tips on how to get help and keep your friends.

1) Plan in advice. Whatever the task give your friends enough notice to plan accordingly. They have a schedule and they may need to plan in advance to be there for you.

2) If you friend isn’t a planner don’t expect miracles. She will not become Martha Stewart just because you are getting married. Give your nonplanning friend a task that she will be good at and enjoy.

3) Remember to say thank you. They listen to you debate over 20 shades of pink, they’ve tied bows and showed up whenever you needed them. Show your gratitude. Thank you goes a long way.

4) Last but not least, don’t sweat the small stuff. You are going through a world wind of emotions so you may over react at times. Just keep things in prospective. You are marrying the love of your life and that’s all that matters right now.

Happy Planning,

Deniesha Joseph
DJoseph@weddedluxe.com
http://www.weddedluxe.com/
718.938.4713

Infusing Your Culture Through….. The Rehearsal Dinner

2010-08-10T08:00:00.000-04:00

Many couples these days are infusing not one but two cultures at their wedding. One way to squeeze it all in is by hosting a rehearsal dinner that introduces one side of the family to the other side’s cultures and traditions. So treat your new family to an authentic (insert your culture here) dinner that will show them how you celebrate special occasions.

Happy Planning,

Deniesha Joseph
DJoseph@weddedluxe.com
http://www.weddedluxe.com/
718.938.4713

Things I'm Loving!!

2010-08-03T08:00:00.003-04:00

Like all the brides out there, I too read wedding magazines, read blogs and watch all the television shows for weddings. I get excited every time I come across something new in the wedding world. This past weekend I caught up on some reading so I thought I’d take this time to share with you some things I love.

I read this informative and helpful blog post from SweetChic Events about why your catering manager is not wedding coordinator. For brides out there that believe they don’t need a wedding planner or at the very least a day of coordinator, you should read this post. I’ve experienced this first hand so I completely agree. My bride left her escort cards with the venue manager because she was told they would take care of it, which they would have done if she alphabetized them. Once he realize they weren’t he got frustrated and he was going to lay them out without alphabetizing it. He was too busy to do this an hour before the wedding started. If I wasn’t there to complete the task, it could have lead to the guests searching for their names in a disorderly fashion.

Another blog post I’m loving right now is NYC Wed Planner by Anderson Green Events. Lisa has been featuring a series on how to hire a wedding planner for the past couple of weeks. This advice can be applied to hiring all your vendors. I must read for couples in the beginning of their planning process.

In the August issue of Brides there are some out the box wedding favors for those struggling on what to give their guests. One of my favorites is the pancake and waffle mixture for a brunch wedding. I’m bias because breakfast is my favorite meal of the day. Also there was a great quote that I trully believe "The right ribbon can take a favor to a whole new level". Presentation is everything!!

This is going to be a one-of-a-kind and intimate event (by appointment), giving brides the rare opportunity to work with a designer in person to collaborate on her gown. Join Michelle Rahn at the Caryle Hotel for the Pop Up Bridal Event on August 27th - 28th when she debuts her new collection.

Happy Planning,
Deniesha Joseph
DJoseph@weddedluxe.com
http://www.weddedluxe.com/
718.938.4713

Fall Wedding Inspiration - Pink, Brown & Mauve

2010-07-29T09:00:00.002-04:00

I know we are in the middle of one of the hottest summers ever but I keep counting down the days until the fall. Not that I’m wishing for cooler weather but I am wishing for fall weddings. I love the change from bright colors to warm tones and I look forward to the fall wedding season. Here’s the first of many inspiration boards.

Colors: Pink, Burgandy, Brown & Mauve

Mood: Elegance & Comfort

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

Happy Planning,

Deniesha Joseph
DJoseph@weddedluxe.com
http://www.weddedluxe.com/
718.938.4713

Infusing Your Culture Through …….. Music

2010-07-26T09:00:00.001-04:00

Every culture has its own genre of music. There are many ways to showcase the music of your culture at your wedding. Here are few pointers on how to entertain and let your culture shine.

1) Hire a DJ and/or Band that specializes in your cultures music for the reception. Be sure they can also incorporate other genres of music they you would like to party to as well. This is very important if you are having a mix of different cultures at your wedding.

2) Hire a specialty musician for your ceremony. If you culture has an instrument they are known for, have a musician play the music during your ceremony. If there is no special instrument, you can find a musician to play the traditional music for wedding ceremonies of your culture.

3) Hire a specialty musician and/or band for the cocktail hour. While your guests enjoy cocktails and hor d’oeurves, some mood music from your culture will go well as the background music.

Kleinfeld - Now for men and women

2010-07-22T09:00:00.003-04:00

For anyone who doesn't know, Kleinfeld now offers stylish wedding fashion for the groom. Take advantage of this new collection every Saturday in July and receive 20% off.

Of course the didn't forget about the ladies!! It's time for the annual blow out sale. This is a great chance to get a fabulous dress for a steal!!

Happy Planning & Shopping!!

Deniesha Joseph

DJoseph@weddedluxe.com
http://www.weddedluxe.com/
718.938.4713

Real Wedding – Caribbean Elegance

2010-07-19T20:51:00.000-04:00

Last year August I had the pleasure of planning a wedding for a wonderful couple and 400 of their closest friends and family! I am so excited to finally get my hands on some photos. I’ll share more details in an upcoming post but for now here is a glimpse into the overall theme of the wedding and how it all came together.
The happy couple wanted their culture to shine throughout the wedding. The bride’s side was Belizean and the groom’s side was Jamaican. The food was the biggest and most important element of their wedding. They wanted to enjoy the delicacies of their culture, so we put together a menu of traditional foods from both cultures. It was delicious is all I could say!!
The design of this wedding had to cover two very important things. First incorporate the theme of Caribbean Elegance and second, transform the venue to fit the color scheme of ivory, gold and orange. We started with the floral design of orange, yellow, ivory roses mixed with lilies and leaves. The end result was a perfect blend of bright Caribbean colors mixed with the bride’s preference of for traditional flowers. The venue’s décor was all burgundy so to camouflage some of this we covered all the chairs with ivory chair covers and gold sashes. This simple change of the chairs gave the venue a new look that worked perfect with the wedding theme.
This was wedding a perfect example how to incorporate your culture through simple and subtle ways. There are many ways to accomplish this and you can find the best way that fits your style and your culture.

Happy Planning,

Deniesha Joseph
DJoseph@weddedluxe.com
http://www.weddedluxe.com/
718.938.4713

Infusing Your Culture Through Cake!!

2010-07-15T08:10:00.000-04:00

Photo Credit: http://www.perfectweddingday.com/

Having your culture shine at your wedding can be done in many different ways. If you don’t want to go over the top with aspects of your culture, use subtle details to let your culture shine through. This post is dedicated to CAKES, my favorite part of a wedding.
Almost every culture has a signature cake or dessert. By serving this sweet treat, you are doing two things at once; 1) serving a delicious desert and 2) infusing your background in a way that is not obvious. Now you can do this through the flavor of cake/desert or by decorating the cake with symbols of your culture.

Happy Planning,

Deniesha Joseph
DJoseph@weddedluxe.com
http://www.weddedluxe.com/
http://twitter.com/Wedded_Luxe
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Wedded-Luxe/164768235325?ref=ts
718.938.4713

The Wedding Budget

2010-07-13T08:00:00.002-04:00

I thought I would address the wedding budget as a follow up to the first steps to planning your wedding. Setting a budget is the most important decision you can make when planning your wedding. Most people don’t know how much a wedding cost until they start planning a wedding. If you are one of those people, you should research how much the average wedding cost in your city. You can use this helpful website: Cost of Wedding to start your research. Now that you know how much the average wedding cost in your area, you should determine where in that range you are comfortable with or if the range is too high or low for your budget.

Now that you have set your budget, here are some helpful tips on how to use your budget wisely.
1) Your reception will be 50% -60% of your overall budget no matter the venue you choose. Research the venues that fall within your budget and maybe some venues that are little bit higher. I recommend this because if you spend $10.00 more per person for a venue that has the right décor, in the end you will spend less time and money on making the cheaper venue fit your wedding.

2) Prioritize what’s most important to you and your fiance. Write a list of the things that are most important to you. The items at the top of the list are the items you have a little wiggle room. Meaning you can go over budget just a little to have exactly what you want. But remember you will have spend less on items on the bottom of the list to balance the budget.

3) Estimate higher than you want to spend. It’s always better to start high than low. If your budget is 25K, budget 27K. This extra $2,000.00 will give you some room for incidentals, a small detail that you didn’t initial plan on or just extra cash you can use for your honeymoon if you end up no needing it at all. Call it the emergency fund. Break the glass in case of emergencies only!!

For more helpful advice on the wedding budget, click here for a previous blog post. It’s an oldie but goodie!!

Happy Planning,

Deniesha Joseph
DJoseph@weddedluxe.com
http://www.weddedluxe.com/
http://twitter.com/Wedded_Luxe
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Wedded-Luxe/164768235325?ref=ts
718.938.4713

First Steps to Planning Your Wedding

2010-07-01T09:00:00.003-04:00

As I mentioned early this week my BFF was recenty engaged. This also made me remember that people get engaged all year round, not just during what us pros would call engagement season. This is November thru Valentine's Day. So for those couples out there that go against the grain here are some pointers for the first steps of planning your wedding.

http://weddedluxe.blogspot.com/2010/01/planning-your-wedding-first-step.html

Backyard Weddings

2010-06-29T09:00:00.002-04:00

Photo Credit: Project Wedding

Recently one of my BFF’s got engaged and I’m super excited of course. Naturally she reached out to me for some planning advice. She had a great idea to have her wedding in her soon to be MIL’s backyard because she assumed it would cheaper and easier. This is a big misconception; cheaper maybe but definitely not easier. When planning a wedding at home here are things to consider:
Space
You need to know if you have enough space to accommodate your guests. Weddings at home are usually smaller. Having more than 100 guests is highly unlikely unless you live on a ranch, farm of have acres of land. If you are having your ceremony at home as well, you need to make sure you have the room to accommodate both.

Weather
If you are planning a wedding at home, is probably during the summer which means a lot of sun and there’s always a chance of showers. I highly recommend a tent if it rains or not. Sitting in the sun for hours isn’t exactly the most comfortable situation for you or your guests. Also if it rains, you already have your Plan B in place.
Rentals
You will have to rent everything including a bathroom!! Chairs, tables, linens, glasses, flatware, and anything else you don’t have at home will need to be rented. This can add up faster than you think. You will also have to a dance floor installed and lighting. This can be handled by the same company you rent your tent from.

The Grounds
You need to prepare the grounds way before the wedding. This includes maintaining the lawn and planting flowers. You have to plant flowers early so they can be in full bloom by the time your wedding day arrives. Seek the help of a professional landscaper at least 6 months before your wedding so they can advise you on what flowers to plant and how to care for your garden throughout the year.
Vendors
Have your vendors of choice meet with you at your home so they can access the grounds and be well prepared. They need to know what they need in order to serve you. Before you sign on the dotted line make sure this is a situation they are familiar with or at the very least can deliver exactly what you are asking fo
Seek Help
Having a wedding at home doesn’t mean home made. You will need the professional help of a wedding planner throughout the wedding planning process and for the day of your wedding. There are many details that go into planning a wedding and a wedding at home is no different. If anything, you will need more help than the average wedding. You don’t want to miss any of these details and a wedding planner will think of things you may have not considered.
Having a wedding at home is very personal and intimate. It can be done and executed beautifully if planned correctly. So don’t be discourage, just make sure your home of choice can accommodate your wedding vision.

Happy Planning,

Deniesha Joseph

DJoseph@weddedluxe.com
http://www.weddedluxe.com/
http://twitter.com/Wedded_Luxe
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Wedded-Luxe/164768235325?ref=ts
718.938.4713

Inspiration Board – Yellow, White and Gray

2010-06-24T09:00:00.010-04:00

I believe that almost allcolors can used during any season, as long as you choose the right shade. Yellow works well for Spring, Summer and a darker yellow for Fall weddings. I would not suggest yellow for a Winter Wedding in NYC. I've yet to see that really work but I'm always open to new experiences.

This inspiration board was inspired by the Summer Season since the first day of summer was Monday. I thought I'd celebrate my favorite season with this happy color. I hope you like it!!

Colors: Yellow: White and Slate Gray
Inspiration: An Elegant Summer Soirée

Photo Credits: 1) TheKnot, 2) StyleMePretty, 3) TheKnot, 4) MarthaStewartWeddings, 5) TheKnot, 6) SouthernWeddingMagazine

Happy Planning,

Deniesha Joseph
DJoseph@weddedluxe.com
http://www.weddedluxe.com/
http://twitter.com/Wedded_Luxe
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Wedded-Luxe/164768235325?ref=ts
718.938.4713

Wedding Favor Alternatives

2010-06-22T09:00:00.003-04:00

Lately I’ve come in contact with many brides that don’t want to have favors for their wedding. The most common comments I hear is “There isn’t anything out there that I like”, “there’s nothing original” or “the choices are not something they feel their guests won't like”. I must confess I completely understand. My rule of thumb is something edible or useable. I lean towards edible, preferably a dessert but enough about me. Here are my suggestions to the anti favor brides.

Venetian Hour
Many venues and/or caterers offer a Venetian hour after dinner. It’s a display of delicious deserts of all kinds for your guests to indulge in. Cookies, cakes, sundae bars, you name it, it’s there. You can also ask you favorite bakery to create some miniature desserts. These can be decorated to coordinate with your wedding colors. You can use this extra special surprise and make it even better my providing your guests with take home containers so they can enjoy their desserts when they get home.

Photo Credits: The Sweetest Occasion

Photo Booths
Photo Booths have become a big hit in the last couple of years. Photographers have stepped it up by providing backdrops and fun props for your guests to take pictures with. Your guests can get a little silly and take some memorable shots they will have as a great memory of day they attended your wedding.

Photo Credt: TheKnot

Photo Credit: ShootBooth

The best part of both these ideas is it gets your guests involved. It’s not just a pretty box they take home; it becomes an experience they will talk about long after the wedding is over.

Happy Planning,

Deniesha Joseph
DJoseph@weddedluxe.com
http://www.weddedluxe.com/
http://twitter.com/Wedded_Luxe
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Wedded-Luxe/164768235325?ref=ts
718.938.4713

Ceremony Traditions from Dominican Republic and Columbia

2010-06-17T09:00:00.006-04:00

My last clients were from Hispanic backgrounds (Dominican and Columbian) and it inspired me to write about wedding traditions from both countries. Today I’ll focus on ceremony traditions. Most Hispanic countries have Christian faith. Most wedding ceremonies take place in the couples’ house of worship. Here in NYC, many couples are choosing to have their ceremony and reception in the same location. Just because your ceremony doesn’t take place in your house of worship, doesn’t mean you can’t have the traditions that are important to you.

Dominican Wedding Ceremony
Every Dominican bride becomes the recipient of 13 coins, ceremoniously passed to her on a silver tray. A child starts the hand-off, transferring the tray to the priest, the groom and then the bride to symbolize their commitment to care for each other and share equally. You can find these coins online. Here is a treasure chest with the coins included. To personalize it, have it engraved with your monogram and wedding date.

Photo Courtesy: J McKinley

Columbian Wedding Ceremony
There is a traditional custom in Colombian Christian weddings. After the ring ceremony, the groom and the bride each has to light a candle. Each lighted candle represents the life of each one. After that, they light another candle together and put out the first candle of each one, leaving only the one that they lit as a couple. This bright candle means that now they are the same body and they are going to share every moment of their lives. This is also known as the unity candle ceremony and there are many options out there today so you can customize your candles.

Photo Courtesy: Etsy

Tip:
To ensure you have the right space and setup to perform your ceremony traditions, consultant with the venue manager, your officiant and if you have a wedding planner/coordinator ask their opinion as well. The venue manager will be able to tell you how much space you need at the altar and what the best setup will be for the altar you need. They should know best what the venue can accommodate. You officiant can run you through the all the steps of your ceremony so you know what to expect and how to prepare for it. Last but not least, your wedding planner/coordinator will be there for rehearsal and to ensure your ceremony is setup the correct way.

Real Wedding - Shirley & William Salsa Love

2010-06-15T09:00:00.004-04:00

For the past 18 months I’ve been working with a fantastic couple Shirley and William. I was contacted by the groom in September 2008. I was very surprised by the email came from the groom but now that I know the happy couple better, I completely understand. This couple worked together throughout the entire wedding process. William and I had our first conversation via telephone. He gave some background information about them. He let me know that they live in Boston but they want to get married here in NYC. We met and the rest is history!

The Couple
Shirley and William are the most interesting couple I’ve ever worked with. What makes them so interesting is their range of interest. William is an engineer and he’s currently finishing his PhD at MIT. Shirley is a Harvard graduate and will be attending Harvard business school in August. Nerds you say, absolutely not, ok just a little. But these two intellectuals love snowboarding, rock climbing, traveling and William is a professional salsa dancer! You have to love it. I told every vendor we selected about this because it really is a big part of their lives. And I wanted to brag a little, I thought it was so cool. These two are such a sweet couple and they work well together throughout the wedding process. William was cool and laid back but he was there for support whenever needed. Shirley was very hands on and detailed throughout the wedding process. She told me what she wanted and she let me be the planner and find it for her.

The Vision
From the very beginning they knew the type of wedding they wanted. It had to fun, modern, simple, elegant and colorful. Shirley showed me a picture that Colon Cowie did in South Africa for his niece and that was the source of inspiration for the wedding. She loved the colors, the tablescape and the overall theme fit what she wanted exactly. So from there we made it all about Shirley and William. One of the most important elements of the wedding was finding the perfect venue. They wanted a modern loft that they can make their own with a great view of NYC. Studio450 was a no brainer. They fell in love with the space immediately. What was also important part of their vision is their background. Shirley’s family is Columbian and William’s family is Dominican. We incorporated their cultures with the menu, the cake, music and they said their wedding vows in Spanish. Didn’t understand a word but I was moved!! Shirley took on her own stationary suite and she rocked it out! The invitations, programs, escort cards and favors came out amazing!!

The Wedding Day
The ceremony was set in pink and white. My favorite was the clear Lucite pedestals to set the altar. It added the modern feel that the couple wanted for their wedding. After the ceremony the guests enjoyed cocktails and passed hor’douevers on the roof top terrace while a guitarist serenaded them. While they enjoyed the gorgeous view, my staff and I were transforming the room for the reception. The table linens were raspberry with mango dinner napkins. We used orange and pink roses in a row of frosted vases of different heights and sizes along the middle of the table. Then as the sun set, the lighting changed from amber, to orange to pink. For the first dance, the guests were treated to a choreographed salsa dance by the happy couple. Shirley change in to a short and sassy dress and the groom change into his pink kicks to get the party started.

My Favorite Moments
One of my favorite parts of the wedding was the ceremony. The natural light of the sun, the Spanish guitarist, the violinist, and the pink and white colors made the space feel so romantic. It fit the energy of the couples’ relationship completely. The couples’ first dance was absolutely spectacular! They chose to do something that fit their personality instead of a traditional love song. The choreographed sance was great. Shirley’s second dress was amazing, William’s pink sneakers were super funky and they looked great out there on the dance floor. I cued the lighting team to change the lights during the dance and it was perfect. It added to the excitement.

William & Shirley, it was an absolute pleasure to work with you. You are an amazing couple and I wish you a long lasting loving marriage!!

Vendors
No wedding is complete without a great vendor team. Thank you to you all for your hard work and support through out the planning process and on the wedding day!

Venue: Studio450
Caterer: Con Sazon
Cake: Renita Prince
DJ: Hernan Choque
Hair & Makeup: Stylista
Rentals: Classic Party Rentals
Lighting: C & C Lighting and Special Events Productions
Ceremony Music: Classical Guitar Ceremonies

Happy Planning,

Deniesha Joseph
DJoseph@weddedluxe.com
http://www.weddedluxe.com/
http://twitter.com/Wedded_Luxe
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Wedded-Luxe/164768235325?ref=ts
718.938.4713

Allow Me To Re-Introduce Myself!!

2010-06-13T19:49:00.001-04:00

So sorry for the absence I have taken from blogging. I had to take some time to regroup and recharge my batteries. During this time away, I’ve come to realize some things. Here is how it all started.

As my faithful followers all know, I’ve changed the name of company and redesigned everything. This was a huge undertaking and I was very excited to do it. However, it didn’t all go as I imagined. I thought with the new name, website, blog and logo, things would change dramatically for me. Instead what happen was things stayed the same. It put me in a serious slump but I kept pushing through. Then I went to a great conference back in April called Eventology. I totally got my mojo back but only for a moment. I learned so much and I met so many wonderful people but then I slightly lost the mojo again.

So while trying to find my mojo I did a lot of thinking and research and I’ve found it once again. So like the title reads, allow me to reintroduce myself:

I am Deniesha Joseph, the planner and designer of Wedded Luxe. I love planning and designing weddings for couples. All couples yes but every couple may not be for me. The couple that works best with me usually is just like me. First or second generation of immigrant family that now lives in NYC. The couple loves their culture but they grew up here so they love being a New Yorker. That is me! First generation of a Caribbean Family but I am a New York to the core. My roots are very important to me but being born and raised in New York is a big part of who I am.

Now I love working with an array of couples but I think the best results will always come from a planner that really understands their clients and can relate to their clients’ needs. Without trying, almost all of my clients had the same common factor. Whether they were from the same background as me or totally different, we could relate and the result was a wedding day they will never forget, nor have I!!

Now I know you may be wondering what does this have to do with weddings. Well it is simple, if I don’t know who I am then I don’t know who my clients are and I can’t be the best I can be for my clients. Being the best for I can be for each client, every blog post or floral arrangement is the most important thing to me. Providing luxury service to my clients without the luxury price tag is what I stand for. If I’m not my best then I’m not providing luxury service.

Deniesha Joseph,
Wedded Luxe - Luxury Wedding Planning & Couture Designs
DJoseph@weddedluxe.com
http://www.weddedluxe.com/
http://twitter.com/Wedded_Luxe
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Wedded-Luxe/164768235325?ref=ts
718.938.4713

NYC Chic Wedding Inspiration

2010-04-30T09:00:00.005-04:00

One early Monday morning I was flying into LaGuardia Airport. I usually don’t fly in and out of LGA so I’ve never seen the view from a plane. In the morning when the sun has just risen, NYC is breathtakingly beautiful. I was in awe by the skyline, Central Park and the river. This inspired an inspiration board of course.

This bride loves a cocktail, fashion and the color black. She loves the tradition of wedding but doesn't want a tradtional wedding. She is modern, fun of and of course CHIC!! I hope you enjoy!!

Photo Credits: 1) The Knot, 2) The Bride's Cafe, 3,4 & 6) TheKnot, 5) Perfect Details

Deniesha Joseph,
Wedded Luxe - Luxury Wedding Planning & Couture Designs
DJoseph@weddedluxe.com
http://www.weddedluxe.com/
http://twitter.com/Wedded_Luxe
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Wedded-Luxe/164768235325?ref=ts
718.938.4713

How To Keep Your Sanity

2010-04-28T09:00:00.002-04:00

See the picture below? Don’t you want to feel as happy as this bride looks on your wedding day and throughout your wedding planning process? Well here are some tips to help keep you happy and smiling from the engagement to the wedding.

Photo Courtesy of SnippetandInk

Set A Budget: This is my number one rule. It is very important to have a conversation with all parties involved with the finances of your wedding. You may have one number in mind and your fiancé may have another. Sit down together and set a realistic budget that will accommodate both of your wedding day vision. You don’t want to start booking vendors to only find out someone has been spending way more than the other had in mind. This will lead to added stress and arguments that could have been avoided.

It’s Not Just Your Day: I know you’ve always hear it’s the bride’s day but the truth is it’s your day, your fiancé’s day, your parents, your bridal party’s’ and your guests’. Keep them in mind when making some of your wedding day decisions. The best way to have a wedding everyone will remember (in a good way) is to keep your guests in mind. The best parties are from the heart and planned with love. Inconveniencing your guest just so you can have what you want does not make a great party. No I'm not suggesting you compromise your dream dress but I am suggesting that you feed your guest a great meal with lots of drinks!!

Stop Looking: Once you’ve made up your mind on your wedding day vision, stop looking around at other ideas. Stay focused on your vision because you will drive yourself crazy with all the ideas that are out there. If you stray away from your vision, you will end up with a lot of ideas which translates to an inconsistent wedding vision.

Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff: Something may go wrong during the planning process and/or on your wedding day. Please don’t stress over it. Find a solution and move on. The bigger picture is you’ve found the love of your life and you are getting married. And this will not change if you don’t have the right shade of yellow.

SOS: I am a wedding planner so of course I will advise you to seek help with planning your wedding. Please understand it’s not because I am trying to book another client (but I won’t turn you away) it’s because I know what it takes to plan a wedding. No matter how big or small your wedding is, a helping hand will help you keep your sanity. You work, your life is changing, your mother is calling and you have life. Now you are going to add in research to find the right vendors, venue, décor, entertainment and so much more. Invest in a professional wedding planner. A professional! Not your girlfriend that just got married. She’s good for recommendations on the vendors that she used but maybe that was good for her not for you.

Happy Planning,

Deniesha Joseph

Wedded Luxe - Luxury Wedding Planning & Couture Designs
DJoseph@weddedluxe.com
http://www.weddedluxe.com/
http://twitter.com/Wedded_Luxe
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Wedded-Luxe/164768235325?ref=ts
718.938.4713

Vera Wang Comes to David’s Bridal

2010-04-26T09:00:00.002-04:00

Wearing a Vera Wang gown for your wedding is no longer a dream, it’s becoming a reality. Vera Wang and David’s Bridal have teamed up to bring you Vera’s style at an affordable price. This collection will be available in the spring 2011. This collection will consist of bridal gowns and accessories and will later expand into bridesmaids as well. This is great news for bridal fashion. My favorite thing is it's luxury service not the luxury price tag.

Happy Planning,

Deniesha Joseph
Wedded Luxe - Luxury Wedding Planning & Couture Designs
DJoseph@weddedluxe.com
http://www.weddedluxe.com/
http://twitter.com/Wedded_Luxe
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Wedded-Luxe/164768235325?ref=ts
718.938.4713

Favorite Photo for 2009 Contest

2010-04-23T06:00:00.001-04:00

One of favorite photographers Vanessa Joy is having a contest for her favorite photos of 2009 and my former clients Sarah & Stephen were nominated. The photo was an idea that Sarah thought of and Vanessa executed oh so perfectly. Sarah purchased umbrellas in her wedding colors and had her bridal party hold them up for the photos. Not only was it fun but it was practical as well. It rained on the wedding day.

Please help Sarah Stephen win a free vacation by voting here: http://vanessajoyphotography.blogspot.com/2010/04/favorite-photo-of-2009-contest.html

Happy Planning,

Deniesha Joseph

Wedded Luxe - Luxury Wedding Planning & Couture Designs
DJoseph@weddedluxe.com
http://www.weddedluxe.com/
http://twitter.com/Wedded_Luxe
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Wedded-Luxe/164768235325?ref=ts
718.938.4713

Engagement Session

2010-04-20T09:00:00.003-04:00

My wonderul client's Shirley and William had their engagement session recently and I had to share it. They went around New York City locations and captured some great shots in Times Square, The Brooklyn Bridge and Central Park. Here are some of my favorites courtesy of VESA Wedding Photographers. To see more visit their Facebook Fan Page.

Wedding Party at Bloomingdales

2010-04-16T08:00:00.001-04:00

Doing your wedding registry is one of the fun parts of wedding planning and this event will kick the fun up a couple of knotches!!

Deniesha Joseph,

Wedded Luxe - Luxury Wedding Planning & Couture Designs
DJoseph@weddedluxe.com
http://www.weddedluxe.com/
http://twitter.com/Wedded_Luxe
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Wedded-Luxe/164768235325?ref=ts
718.938.4713

The 7 Biggest Fattest Wedding Complaints

2010-04-06T01:08:00.002-04:00

I saw this article on Yahoo so thought I should share it with all the couples out there planning their big day. I hope you find this helpful. if you had no plans on doing anything on the list, then you're on the right track. Kudos!!

http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/food/the-7-biggest-fattest-wedding-complaints-1156802/

Spring Ahead Special - Discount Wedding Planning Services

2010-03-16T08:00:00.001-04:00

Spring is right around the corner and to celebrate, Wedded Luxe has a special offer for you. You can receive $200.00 off of any planning package. This special offer is available to couples getting married during the spring season only upon availability (March 20th thru June 21st). You must book by April 15th. To secure your date, there is a 50% deposit due upon signing your contract. For more information on the packages we offer, please visit our website.

Happy Planning,

Deniesha Joseph

Wedded Luxe - Luxury Wedding Planning & Couture Designs
DJoseph@weddedluxe.com
http://www.weddedluxe.com/
http://twitter.com/Wedded_Luxe
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Wedded-Luxe/164768235325?ref=ts
718.938.4713

Ceremony Ritual - Ring Warming

2010-03-11T09:00:00.002-05:00

My job as a wedding blogger and wedding planner is to share great information I find. When I read this blog, I just had to share this with you. If I ever tie the knot, this will definetly be apart of my ceremony.

Looking for a way to pesonalize your wedding ceremony or step away from other traditions? Well I think you will love this idea, Ring Warming Ceremony posted by Interfaith Minister by the name of Dawn. During a ring warming, the couple’s wedding rings are passed among their guests, who are asked to say a prayer or make a wish for the couple over the rings while holding them. Read her post for helpful advice and more how to have a ring warming ceremony for your wedding.

Deniesha Joseph,

Wedded Luxe - Luxury Wedding Planning & Couture Designs
DJoseph@weddedluxe.com
http://www.weddedluxe.com/
http://twitter.com/Wedded_Luxe
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Wedded-Luxe/164768235325?ref=ts
718.938.4713

Ask The Planner

2010-03-09T09:00:00.000-05:00

Here's a question that I received as a comment for my post on Destination Weddings.

Q: Thanks soooo much for doing this post. I have been thinking loooong & hard about this option!

D, I've decided that I want to have a destination wedding with a really grand reception/party for all my family & friends when I get back. Now of course pricing can be high no matter what you do (depending on how BIG you do things) however I was looking at this option as a way to save $$. Do you think this is a smart plan or is this just as expensive (generally speaking) as a traditional church wedding/reception? Keep in mind that I plan on having approx. 25-30 ppl at the destination.

A: A destination wedding will definitely cut the cost of your wedding. Like you said, the cost can still get high depending on the choices you make but generally speaking it can cut cost. If your only reason for having a destination wedding is to cut cost than it would defeat the purpose if you come home and have a grand reception. If you want to have a reception/party when you return for those who couldn’t make it there are ways to do it without it being too pricey.

1) Instead of the tradition wedding reception, host a cocktail party. Serve heavy hor’douvers instead of a 3 course meal. Have a lounge style seating with couches and high ball tables. Have simple but elegant décor. This will decrease the cost of servers, food and floral.

2) If you leaning towards the summer months, you can host a barbeque and still make it look like a wedding celebration. It can casual but still elegant.

3) Remember, you already had a wedding so keep in mind that some of the traditions elements that add to the cost can be eliminated. So as exciting as it may be, resist the urge to hire a photographer, videographer, expensive invitations and so on. Keep it simple, remember you are already married. This party will be an extended celebration

Deniesha Joseph,
Wedded Luxe - Luxury Wedding Planning & Couture Designs
DJoseph@weddedluxe.com
http://www.weddedluxe.com/
http://twitter.com/Wedded_Luxe
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Wedded-Luxe/164768235325?ref=ts
718.938.4713

Another Satified Customer

2010-03-04T08:00:00.000-05:00

I love all my clients and every time I work with a couple, I feel like family. This was especially true when I worked with Teasha & Nigel for their August 2009 wedding of 400 guest. Teasha was one of the sweetest brides I've even met and her family made me feel so welcomed. Thanks Teasha for your heartfelf words!!

Read Teasha's review on Wedding Wire

Reception Décor – Table Numbers

2010-03-02T08:00:00.002-05:00

Small touches at your wedding make a big difference. Instead using the black and white stand a reception venue will supply you; use these silver numbers that can be inserted into your centerpiece. This small detail will give your table a wow factor your guests will be sure to talk about.

You can find these table numbers at The Wedding Outlet.

Deniesha Joseph,

Wedded Luxe - Luxury Wedding Planning & Couture Designs
DJoseph@weddedluxe.com
http://www.weddedluxe.blogspot.com/
http://twitter.com/Wedded_Luxe
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Wedded-Luxe/164768235325?ref=ts
718.938.4713

Spring Wedding - Green Inspiration Board

2010-02-18T08:00:00.002-05:00

It’s cold outside but if you are planning a spring wedding, now is the time to start finalizing your wedding day décor. One of my favorite colors for a spring wedding is green. Green always reminds me of fresh flowers and sunshine. I hope you enjoy it.

Colors: green, beige, yellow, and a touch of cocoa brown.
Inspiration: Elegant, Spring, Garden

Photo Credits:from left to right 1) Centerpiece Theknot 2) Bride's Bouquet StyleMePretty 3) Seating Card Project Weddings 4) Chivari Chair TheKnot 5) Ring BearerTheBridesCafe 6) Groom Syle Me Pretty 7) Escort Card Table Project Wedding

Deniesha Joseph,
Wedded Luxe - Luxury Wedding Planning & Couture Designs
DJoseph@weddedluxe.com
http://www.weddedluxe.blogspot.com/
http://twitter.com/Wedded_Luxe
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Wedded-Luxe/164768235325?ref=ts
718.938.4713