As I'm digging myself out of email hell (you wouldn't believe how many unread emails I have - mostly junk), I came across an email that I normally wouldn't have opened. As a matter of fact, I opened it to find the "unsubscribe" link. Then, something told me to go to the website to see if they have anything new and, more importantly, improved.
Usually, when brides tell me they are ordering wedding items from
Oriental Trading, the hair stands up on my arms. Not because they don't have any good stuff, but because buying too many items from their site will make your wedding look like a cheap birthday party instead of the "simple but elegant" wedding you had in mind.
I was pleasantly surprised when I saw this picture at Oriental Trading.
These are
marble-look fluted pillars. They are made of cardboard and come in sets of 2 in the 3 sizes shown here. What I like about this picture, is that it shows you how to pull this off without looking cheesy. This is a pretty way to decorate the entrance to your reception... especially for your formal introductions. It could also serve as the backdrop for your ceremony if your venue doesn't already offer a picturesque setting.
As always, remember that DIY stands for "do it yourself" not "do it BY yourself". Find someone, other than your wedding party or parents, to deliver and assemble your projects on the day of the wedding.
Muchos SmoochesAlways Fabulous Events... for fabulous people

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We are truly pleased to announce that
Always Fabulous Events was chosen to partner with
Beau-coup.com who specializes in unique wedding favors, party favors and personalized gifts for all of lifes special occasions. We have selected our favorite products, the ones that we believe will make your next event memorable and we're excited to share them with you.
Just click here to check out our
personal party favor picks we are sure you will find some of your own too!
If your wedding is coming up soon or you just want to say "thank you" to some very special people, here are some new and popular bridal party gifts trending now for you to consider:
And, be sure to use a coupon code when you purchase:
Free Shipping on orders over $59 @ Beau-coup.com (code:FREESHIP)Save 15% NO MINIMUM ORDER @ Beau-coup.com (code:BEAU15) - valid 04/27/2012 thru 04/30/2012
Happy Shopping!Always Fabulous Events... for fabulous people

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Your little one is not so little anymore…in fact he or she is all grown up and graduating. Whether they are finishing high school or college, you can announce their graduation (and party too if you want) in style with
Tiny Prints’ Graduation Announcements and Graduation Invitations.
Why should you choose
Tiny Prints for your graduation cards?
Well first, every card is reviewed by their professional team of designers and etiquette experts.
Secondly, you can customize your cards front to back with photos and text…for FREE!
Third, no one has more selection than Tiny Prints with over 1,000 graduation designs. New for this year they even have designs including their
Greek Collection for sororities.
These announcements and invitations are second-to-none. Classy, stylish, and eye-catching to say the least.
Need them fast? If you’re like me and doing this a little last minute, they can even get them to you in 2 days with Super Rush Delivery for not much more.
So share the excitement with custom college graduation announcements from Tiny Prints! Find the perfect design from their stylish selection of cards that feature the class year, school colors, with your own text and pictures.
Be prepared though—once everyone receives these cards the demand to display that new diploma is sure to skyrocket!
Shop Tiny Prints Graduation Announcements and InvitationsAlways Fabulous Events... for fabulous people

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Photo from
Real Simple
As a little girl, you ran through the field behind your grandmother's country home. You picked flowers there and chased bunnies. You may have even climbed a tree. As a teenager, you sat under that tree, read romantic novels, and daydreamed about falling in love and getting married in Grandmom's field.
Now that you are an adult and have found the love of your life, you want to make your dream a reality. But there are a lot of details that need to be considered in order to pull this off.
I'm pretty sure Grandmom's field doesn't come with tables, chairs, or even electricity. You have to rent EVERYTHING!
- Start with a budget (How much money can you afford to spend for your wedding?)
- Determine how many people you are going to invite
- Then look for an off-premise caterer. You will need to know what they can provide and what they will need for you to provide. For example, they may need you to provide a separate tent to cook under. They may be able to provide all serveware, flatware, and glassware.
- Contact a tent company to reserve all of the tents you need. They will want to know some of the details about your wedding like the number of guests, if you are having a dance floor, and if you are having a live band or DJ.
- Contact a party rental company to get tables, chairs, linens, and any of the necessary items your caterer and tenting company may not provide.
- You will also need electric power generators and restroom facilities.
And then you can plan all of the usual suspects: flowers, entertainment, invitations, transportation, etc.
Happy Planning & Muchos Smooches
Always Fabulous Events... for fabulous people

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On March 31, 2012, Always Fabulous Events took over The Brossman Center @ Lutheran Theological Seminary of Philadelphia along with other local wedding industry experts to whip a few brides' MINDS into shape as they plan their weddings.
The event space welcomed spring with apple green & hot pink linens, flowers, and lighting. Each registered guest received a swag bag full of goodies and a personalized wedding resource guide.
As the hostess and event planner, I opened the event with information about planning the wedding budget. This included tips about having the initial conversations with everyone planning to make financial contributions to the wedding fund, how to set up a realistic budget, and the next steps to plan the wedding after the spending limits and priorities have been established. Then each wedding professional took a turn discussing their specific area of expertise.
We learned a lot, had a few laughs, and ate amazingly delicious cake.
We couldn't have done any of this without the support of our fabulous presenters and sponsors:
Venue: Rita Faison of
The Brossman Center @ LTSP
Lighting: Gene Durbano of
DJs Available Sound & Light
Cake: Rafael Logrono of
Rafael Logrono Cake Design
Filmography: Darrell Aubert of
Aubert Films
Photography: Sarah Wimberley of
FlickFoto
Invitations: Christina Carnevale of
Paper Rock Scissors
Dance: Lynn MacKerell of
Siti Dance Studio
Honeymoon Planning: Mattie Johnson of
C'est Chic Vacations
Music: DJ 007 of
Untouchable Entertainment Group
Linens: Gala Cloths
Flowers: Kremp Florist
And special thanks to all of our registered guests for coming out and being a fun group to work with. We look forward to doing another event like this later in the year. If you are interested in participating as a bride/groom, presenter, or sponsor, please email us at
info@alwaysfabulousevents.com.Always Fabulous Events... for fabulous people

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