Spring Wedding - Green Inspiration Board

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/
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Wedding Favors - Caribbean Style

In case you are just tuning into the blog, I’ve mentioned that my family is from the Caribbean. If you’ve ever been to a Caribbean wedding or if you will be attending one the traditional wedding favor is a slice of what we call “Black Cake” which is our version of fruit cake. It’s made with minced currants, prunes and raisons. The fruits are minced and soaked in wine or rum for at least a month. Then when it is ready they are mixed in with cake batter. The end result is a rich, delicious cake in a beautiful black color. Hence why we call it “Black Cake”.

The cake is usually iced, cut and given in a box with the wedding date and the couples’ name. Now I love traditions and I’m all for infusing your culture into your wedding but sometimes the traditions needs to be modernized and here is how to do so.

I always love edible favors for weddings favors so we’ve already started on a good foot. But instead of simply slicing a whole cake, consider making them into individual cakes for your guest to enjoy. It can be something as simple as your monogram with your wedding day. Remember presentation is everything. Finding a beautiful cake box will go a long way than the traditional white box with gold or silver writing.

Happy Planning,

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

New Feature - NY's Finest Video Blogging Series

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

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

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

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

Destination Weddings

Photo Credit: Style Me Pretty

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


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

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

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

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

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

Happy Planning,

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

Wedding Shoes - Beach Wedding

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

Happy Planning,


Deniesha Joseph
Wedded Luxe
Luxury Wedding Planning & Couture Designs
718.938.4713

Wedding Flowers – Carnations

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

Photo Credit: Brides.com

Photo Credit: Project Weddings

Photo Credit: Project Weddings

Photo Credit: Style Me Pretty

Photo Credit: Southern Wedding Magazine

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

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

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

Happy Planning,

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

Wedding Planning - A Show Stopping Event

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

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

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

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

Photo Credits: StyleMePretty

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

Photo Credits: Project Weddings

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

PhotoCredits: TheKnot

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

LelaNewYork

Happy Planning,

Deniesha Joseph

Wedded Luxe - Luxury Planning & Couture Designs

http://www.weddedluxe.com/

718.938.4713