{ritzy bee blog}

introducing vintage wednesdays

Do you ever wonder where people get inspiration for vintage decor items that can be used for weddings, events & even for your own home? Inspired by some of our recent weddings, we thought it would be fun to partner with our friend Kate Headley to talk about and show items in the coming weeks anyone can find and incorporate with a little creativity...and very little cash!

Searching for these items is relatively easy once you get your mind in gear...all it takes is some patience and an eye to find that fun item...

{Photo credit: Kate Headley}

We spotted this older bicycle for just a few dollars at a flea local market...all it needs is a little basket on the front and it can be used for some fun wedding or engagement photo shots...

 

{Photo board credits: Green Wedding Shoes blog}

From flea markets and thrift stores...to antique shops...there is always something "new" waiting. We also personally love how finding thrifted items can also be green too - buying something previously used is always a bonus!

cheat sheet

There are so many things to figure out when wedding planning and we thought we would post a link to a few places that give some great information on figuring out the nitty-gritty details!

{the tent}

{photo via The BonBon Blog}

We love this post over at the DIY Bride blog on determining what size a tent needs to be to hold everything and what size dance floor too!

{the drinks}

{photo via Brides.com}

Although most couples have their caterer supply the beverages, many others purchase their own alcohol and wonder what quantities to purchase. We posted awhile back this drink calculator that can help!

{the tables + tablecloths}

{Photo via Meg Smith Photography}

Many couples we work with get confused on the size of tablecloths they need to order to cover the different size tables they have. Here is a great guide to easily figure out what you need!

plated perfection

As a lover of details...we love how much the right food presentation can add to the look of your big day!

You don't have to be working with the most expensive caterers to achieve this either! When you begin having discussions and interviewing catering companies, be sure to ask how they plate food and what displays will look like. If you have ideas and want to tie it into the look of your event, be sure to discuss these expectations up front so you can work together to achieve your desired look!

{Photo credits: 1+4+5 Martha Stewart Weddings, 2 Brides.com, 3 Elizabeth Messina, 6 Country Living}

budget friendly details

We thought we would share some of the images and budget friendly details featured yesterday on the Fox 5 morning news show. Ritzy Bee Events, RSVP Catering and Daily Candy DC took part in this fun segment on ways to save with weddings.

We love small touches like this tin of pistachios set on a table as part of the table decor! Laura Hooper Calligraphy created the cute sign.

Having a "wow" floral decor piece does not have to cost you tons...this fabulous carnation ball was done by Holly Chapple Flowers. We placed it on top of a tall upside down vase to give it height. We also added a cylinder of candy on the inside to tie it into the favor table. Small muslin bags by Simplesong Design.

 

Creating centerpieces with unique things can save money on decor! We took these antique books, wrapped them in raffia and placed some bird bookends with them for something simple and inexpensive. 

 

Erin from Daily Candy DC talked about some great ways to save with dresses & accessories. This beautiful ensemble costs less than $800 - including the dress & bracelet from J. Crew and the hair piece by Feather Brain.

If you want to see the broadcast you can click here to Fox 5 or watch the two segments below!

recession proof your reception

With the average wedding in America costing over $30,000 most couples can not believe how quickly the costs add up. In these economic times, here are some tips to help you have a budget friendly wedding reception without sacrificing any style...

{Prioritize}

When you have a budget, it is essential to focus on a few excellent ideas you can execute well than to try to accomplish too much and spread yourself thin financially. If your pictures are most important to you and you want a well-known photographer who might be expensive, think about saving in areas such as buying your wedding dress. Everyone will think you look beautiful on your wedding day no matter what, and there may be areas where an extra thousand dollars will make a bigger difference.

{Pick a low-cost venue}

Look at private homes {even your own!}, parks, museums, farms and other lower cost alternatives. These sites can save you thousands of dollars and might even offer more flexibility than a more traditional venue. Often the right outside venue will also cut down on the amount of decorations you need by providing beautiful scenery and {free} decor.

 

{Photo credit: Brides.com}

{Do it yourself...but do not over do it}

So you think you're crafty? DIY only if it will save money AND look good! Too many projects will leave you feeling stressed out and overwhelmed. Select a few things you know you can create and accomplish well so you do not end up with projects that look too unfinished.

 

{Photo credit: Leigh Miller}

{Bring in the little details}

The details of your reception like centerpieces do not have to cost you a fortune...get flowers that are in season and have your florist create smaller pieces. Use things you already own or visit flea & antique markets to find fun items like vintage linens, table settings and other decor pieces. Remember repeating your color scheme and style throughout your wedding with these little details will result in a pulled together look.

{Splurge selectively}

Spending extra on a few key areas will focus your guest's attention and they probably will not notice other things are missing. For instance, if you want to have a calligrapher address your invitations to help set the tone for your wedding, it will be well worth the extra money.

 

{Photo credit: Laura Hooper Calligraphy}

{Be flexible}

You will be surprised find what areas you can save in if you are flexible during your planning. Consider dates and times that might not be as popular for weddings. A Saturday or Sunday early afternoon wedding might give you a lot of leverage with venues and vendors. Having a wedding brunch versus dinner will also result in significant savings. Keeping an open mind during the planning process will help take the burden of budget stress away!

hitched wedding dress shopping tips {part 2}

3.  Choose your shopping companions wisely. In the early stages of the shopping process, think about what kind of shopping experience is best for you. Consider shopping with someone in your life who will be able to help you tease out your own reactions to the gowns, or consider shopping alone. Try to create a shopping experience where you will be most comfortable making a decision. Do you normally like making decisions on your own, or taking a poll of other people’s opinions? Evaluating what makes you comfortable will help you decide whether to shop in a more intimate setting, or with an entourage of lovely ladies. 

{Judd Waddell tiered organza gown available at Hitched. Photo credit: juddwaddell.com}

{Modern Trousseau Gizelle gown available at Hitched. Photo credit: moderntrousseau.com}

4.  Don’t be afraid: to like something that’s not in your comfort zone. Don’t be afraid to make a decision when you feel like you’ve found “the one.”  Don’t be afraid if you don’t have that crying, “a-ha!” moment that you’ve heard about (for many brides, it’s more of a logistical, narrowing-down process).  Don’t be afraid to ask questions, because changes can almost always be made to custom ordered gowns. Don’t be afraid to stand up for the gown that makes YOU feel spectacular, even if it’s not your mom’s absolute favorite. Don’t forget—everyone’s going to think you look beautiful in whatever you choose.

{Suzanne Ermann gown, select styles available at Hitched. Photo credit: suzanne-ermann.com}

5. Focus on the big picture. Shopping for a custom ordered gown often requires a fair bit of imagination, since the sample sizes rarely fit perfectly. Do your best to look past the clips and elastic, and remember that when YOUR dress comes in, it will be tailored to fit you, and won’t have been tried on by other brides-to-be (which can often lead to wrinkled or faded fabric).  Also, think about what the finished product will look like in your photos, at the location you’ve chosen, with the flowers that you’re considering, and standing next to your groom. Of course, his heart will melt regardless of what you’re wearing, but sometimes when you’re down to 2 or 3 dresses, picturing him standing next to you will help make the decision clear.

{Hitched gowns. Photo credit: Logan Martin Photography}

Hitched is located at 1523 Wisconsin Ave. NW in historic Georgetown. To make an appointment with us, please call 202-333-6162, or send an email to info@hitchedsalon.com. To see our complete list of designers and upcoming events, please visit us online at hitchedsalon.com.

Thank you SO much to Leigh Ann & the Hitched staff for this very helpful advice today...happy dress shopping ladies!

hitched wedding dress shopping tips {part 1}

Does the thought of wedding dress shopping have you feeling overwhelmed? We are thrilled for a {very} special guest post today with some fantastic wedding dress shopping advice from our good friend Leigh Ann at Hitched in Georgetown. We love Hitched since they carry so many fabulous dress lines and designs...they are the best in the business for helping brides to get hitched {and stitched}!

Hello, fabulous {ritzy bee} readers! As a huge fan of Maria’s blog and creative event planning skills and advice, I was thrilled when she asked me to guest blog. At Hitched, we see all types of brides, so it was hard to pinpoint my “Top 5” gown shopping tips—but here goes!

1.  Start early. It’s a good idea to order your gown 6-9 months before the wedding in order to avoid those dreaded rush fees, so starting the process about a year out from the big day (or sooner) is wise. As soon as you’ve secured the location and have an idea of the overall vibe of your wedding, the dress is the next step! However, if you’re working with a shorter time frame, don’t fret—at Hitched, for example, we carry many designers who are able to turn things around quickly if need be. A quick turnaround doesn’t mean you can’t have the dress of your dreams!

Keep in mind that deciding on your gown will also help set the tone for the other visual elements (flowers, bridesmaid dresses, etc.). Of course, take your time shopping, and continue to do so until you feel confident that you’ve found “the dress,” but once you have—pull the trigger! You don’t want to risk the gown of your dreams being discontinued, which can happen without warning.

{Amsale gown, available at Hitched. Photo credit: Amsale.com}

2. Know yourself, but trust the experts. It’s helpful to start the shopping process with some sort of idea of what you’re looking for. If you want, you can bring in a couple of magazine cutouts, or simply describe to the bridal consultant some visual elements that you’d like to find in a gown. Staying true to your personal style will help steer her in the right direction, but be open to trying some things that she suggests for you as well. Remember that the dresses you’ve seen on models may or may not be a great match for you.  The consultant should be able to steer you towards things that will be flattering on your shape, giving you more options of potential dresses to love.

{Ulla-Maija Anouk gown available at Hitched. Photo credit: Ulla-Maija.com}

{Oscar de la Renta Flower gown available at Hitched. Photo credit: Oscardelarenta.com}

Stay tuned later today for the remainder of Leigh Ann's great wedding dress shopping tips...

weddings + earth

Happy Earth Day! We know many of you out there are now more than ever looking for ways to help stay green while planning your wedding...without sacrificing style and fun. Here are just a few SIMPLE tips to consider when planning your wedding that can help off-set your wedding's impact on Mother Earth.

1. Have your invitations printed on 100% recycled paper and ask for soy based inks. Most invitations & designers offer one or both options.

2. Ask for locally grown, organic ingredients from your caterer. Make sure they both compost and recycle!

3. Skip on unnecessary lighting. Use soy or beeswax candles only.

4. Read the Green Bride's Guide for other ideas on how to plan green!

5. Ask for locally grown flowers, free of pesticides. Use trees or other potted plants that can be replanted.

6. Look and consider wedding vendors that are making a stride at supporting the green movement - and that really mean business.

7. If you don't already, check out the wedding eco-friendly blog Earth Friendly Weddings for great daily ideas & tips on how to add sustainable elements to your wedding planning...and be sure to enter this great contest to win lots of fabulous green things!

 

{Photo credits: 1 Duet Weddings, 2+6 Brides.com, 3 Marie Labbancz via The Bride's Cafe, 4+5 Martha Stewart}

wednesday wedding thoughts...

 

It's officially wedding season around the Ritzy Bee Events hive starting this week...and we can not wait to share some of the weddings we have taking place over the next few months!

Some wedding advice today...

So many brides come to us during planning and are concerned they may not have a specific {theme} that shines through for their wedding and truly fear what the end result will be for their look. With all of the choices and options out there between magazines and blogs, we know it can be downright overwhelming and intimidating with making choices!

 

Our advice: Fear not, there is absolutely no {official} rule your wedding must have a named theme...its really all about making sure the details, colors, style and vibe are cohesive to your venue, the season and most important of all that they represent the two of you! 

So go for that bluegrass band at your vineyard wedding...and besides, we think the goal should be for your guests to always remember something fun and unique from your wedding...happy planning!

{Photo inspiration boards via: Snippet & Ink}

face time with Laura Bateman

Our dear friend and makeup artist Laura Bateman took time out of her busy schedule to stop by and give some planning tips on how to have picture perfect looks on your wedding day!

{rb} Tell us a little bit about your background - how did you get involved in makeup?

LB: I have been obsessed with makeup and skincare products since I was very young...I can remember my little brother always being mad at me for taking so long to get ready back when we shared a bathroom! I started doing my freshman year college roommate's makeup for her sorority events, and that's when I realized that I had a true passion for cosmetics and helping other women be aware of their skin care regime. Later I became a Makeup Artist for Bobbi Brown Cosmetics at a high end department store, which provided me with the training and knowledge necessary to go out on my own as a Freelancer. Today I do makeup for weddings and all sorts of special events in the DC area...and I love every second!

{rb} What tips do you have for a bride-to-be on having a good skin regimen leading up to the wedding?

LB: Drink water, rest, and drink more water. I know the time leading up to the wedding can be a very hectic and stressful time, but your skin truly reflects what's going on inside your body, and any stress or worry will show on your face if you let it! I cannot stress the importance of staying extra-hydrated during this time as well...this will help your complexion glow, and will also get rid of under eye circles.  I also recommend that brides cut out sugar, processed foods, and load up on leafy greens, berries, citrus fruits, fish and green tea in the weeks leading up to the wedding. These essential vitamins and anti-oxidants are a crucial part in good skin care, and your body will thank you, too!

{rb} What styles/looks are you seeing for Spring/Summer weddings this season for brides?

LB: This year it's all about fresh, pretty and feminine makeup; I'm liking lots of pinks and peaches on brides. My philosophy is all about taking an already beautiful woman and simply enhancing her natural features to make her look like herself, with a little more oomph on her big day.

{rb} Any tricks of the trade for brides that help wedding day makeup application go smoothly?

LB: Please ladies, embrace exfoliation! This is an important step in skin care that lots of women forget about. I recommend that you exfoliate your face twice a week for the month leading up to the wedding, this will slough off dead skin cells, aid in the skin cell turnover process, and reveal a beautiful new layer of skin that will glow on your wedding day. It also provides a wonderful canvas for makeup application. With that being said, please do not get a facial the day of the wedding! Your skin needs a few days to "heal", meaning it is possible and normal for your face to be a little red and puffy the day of your facial, and that's not something you want on your wedding day! Also, if you get extractions during your facial, make sure to do that at least 2 weeks prior. 

Thanks Laura for stopping by! Be sure to contact Laura Bateman for all things makeup if you are in the DC area...you will love her & her work!

{Photo credits: Rothwell Photography}