The Engagement Ring: Does Size Really Matter?

You have stared at it a million times, held it up to the light to watch it sparkle and shine, and maybe even have put that hand out in front of practically everyone just so they can see it and remark upon how beautiful it is. And why shouldn’t you? You should be proud and excited! But have you ever secretly thought to yourself, “If only it was just a little bit bigger”? Well, if you have don’t feel bad, who doesn’t want the biggest diamond ever in their engagement ring? It’s only natural, but since most of us fall in love with people who are not related to the Rockefeller’s it’s important to remember what that ring symbolizes. Take a moment and think about what it means to you. Now you tell me, does size really matter?

Source: Project Wedding

Sneek Peek - Weddings Unveiled Spring 2009

Yippee, the nw Weddings Unveiled mag hits newstands this week! This is definitely one of my favorites in print and the ladies alwsy do such a wonderful job. So take a look at their Sneek Peek and make sure to find your copy! Weddings Unveiled Spring 2009 Wedded Blessings!

Gothic Elegance

Tastes By Patti

Make sure you check this out, it's going to be a great time!

Spring Tasting of Food and Spirits Presented by:

Tastes by Patti, Patron, and The Showroom at RED

DATE: April 1, 2009TIME: 6:00pm - 8:00pm

LOCATION: The Showroom at RED 1195 Menlo Drive NW Atlanta, Georgia 30318. Please join us for an exclusive Spring Tasting at our newest event space - The Showroom at REDEnjoy a variety of hors d'oeuvres and desserts created with the finest rum, vodka, and tequila from The Patron Spirits Company. Kindly reply by Monday March 30, 2009 to hollyfaith@tastesbypatti.com

Brides Against Breast Cancer

Hello! As some of you may remember, I mentioned a wonderful organization Brides Against Breast Cancer in the "The Weddings Over, What to Do with The Gown" I recently received this letter and decided to see if you would be interested in helping out!

Dear Nadine,

Thank you so much for volunteering to work at our gown sale in the past. We really appreciate your support of this wonderful cause.I am writing to you today because we are really in need of volunteers for the 2009 Brides Against Breast Cancer Wedding Gown Sale that is coming up on April 16th, 17th and 18th. I am emailing this to all past volunteers whether you have registered for this year or not - maybe you can help spread the word? We really need help on the following dates and times:

Thursday April 16, 2009 - 11 - 3 SET-UP (time may change depending on truck) Thursday April 16, 2009 - 6 - 10 during Sneak Preview Sale Friday, April 17, 2009 - 9:30 - 8:30 (All Day Sale) Saturday, April 18, 2009 - 8:30 - 1 (Morning sale) Saturday April 18, 2009 - 1 - 4 (BREAKDOWN)

Please help us this year by registering as a volunteer on the following Web page: http://www.atlantabridal.com/gownsale/volunteer_stepone.asp And please feel free to forward this to anyone that you think may be interested in helping out.

Thanks so much!

Lei Lydle Atlanta Brides Against Breast Cancer Chair Founder, AtlantaBridal.com

Vendor Chat: Candice James, Divalicious Designs

This weeks featured vendor is Candice James of Divalicious Designs! Candice is the blog designer responsible for Wedding Stylista's new trendy look. We had the opportunity to pick her brain a little and here's what we learned: How long have you been doing the blog templates?

"I have been doing this since May of 08', about a month after the birth of my daughter. I had been thinking about it for awhile, and decided to just dive in. Divalicious Designs anniversary is coming up really soon!"

Have you seen an increase in people wanting their blogs to be more customised to suit their personality?

"Yes, when I first started I was just trying to get established plus I had limited time with the baby, so I was only offering pre-made templates. In that regard business was doing OK, and I expected that because you need to set up a repertoire of good work and trust with the customers. But once I was finally able to open up to have more time to do customized templates, well that's when I really started get good business."

Have you ever done a bride's blog design?

"No, I haven't, but I have done quite a bit of Wedding Planners, and Photographers who specialize in Weddings. So I definitely have to thank the bridal community."

What's your favorite thing about doing this?

"For me this is really fun, and it's something I really enjoy doing. I love trying new things, I really love trying to give the customers what they want while still putting some of my Divalicious into it. and my absolute favorite thins (as you can see I have many) is the customers reactions. I want them to have something they can be proud of, a design that will have them going back to look at it, over and over, and even tell their friends about it. It is not about the money at all, because as soon as I am not enjoying it anymore, I will probably give it a rest."

Thank you Candice!

The Bridesmaid Gowns: Who Should Choose Them?

When deciding what the bridesmaids are going to wear who should have the final say? Some will say the bride, and others may say the bridesmaids. This can be a tough question, but here’s a suggestion. Everyone knows that this day is all about the bride. This is her dream day and everything should be done to her specifications. With that being said, if you are the bride I would like to suggest that maybe including your bridesmaids in the decision making process could make everyone’s lives just a little bit easier. You could go and pick out two or three dresses and then let the party decide as a group. Now if you are a bridesmaid, it’s important that you remember that at the end of the day it’s the bride’s decision and you should be supportive and accepting of her decision.

Sit Down or Buffet Style Dinner?

When designing your wedding the time will come when you have to decide if your guests will be treated to a sit down or a buffet style dinner. Now the honest truth is that your family and friends probably won’t care which you choose, as long as the food is edible that is. Now, before we go further let’s understand that whichever way you decide to go isgreat. The sit down style offers a more organized & formal way of serving your guests. I am sure you know how it goes, everyone is served at the same time, then the dishes are taken away, etc Now this style may be a little more costly because there is a need for wait staff to actual serve each table. buffet or the popular food stations is a more relaxed way to serve your guests. This gives your guests a little more choices since they get to see what’s on the menu and decide from there. It also gives them a chance to go up and get more if they want so you are ensuring that each of them has had enough to eat and are ready for some of the great wedding cake! Remember, you can’t go wrong with this decision, so relax and enjoy the food!

A few ideas...

Katrina & Andrew's fab dessert table!

Catering: Affairs to Remember

Photo: Liana Lehman

Nadine Lynn Weddings is Proud to Feature: Stylish Stems Floral Design Class

Heather Oliver of Stylish Stems is offering a fun Floral Design Class on Sunday, April 19th. If you have ever wanted to know how they make those beautiful flower arrangements this is your chance! Come about and learn how to make a rose boutonniere, a rose corsage, a tied rose bouquet, and a small centerpiece. This can also be a great way to spend some time with the important women in your life. Ask your mother, sister, future mother-in-law, and sister-in-law, and don't forget the ladies in your bridal party! Fresh flowers and all supplies will be provided. You keep each arrangement you make. A minimum of four participants is necessary. there is a maximum of ten participants. The cost is eighty dollars per person. Contact Heather at sales@stylishstems.com

Shoes, Shoes, Shoes!

Need I say more? Who doesn't love shoes? They have a pair for everything. Now obviously we are going to talk about the shoes you are going to wear on your wedding day. Will they be open toe or closed? High heel, no heel, medium heal? Will they be plain or decorated with gems, and beads? Ladies, before you decide please let me remind you, you will be spending the better part of your wedding day on your feet. And let’s not forget that the honeymoon soon follows, so you really want to make sure that you won’t spend it with blisters on those tootsies! You don’t have to sacrifice your style for comfort. Put in the time to find that perfect shoe, you know the one that you want to show off to everyone, but will also provide the appropriate cushiness to protect you from those dreaded blisters. It does exist! Now if you’re really having a difficult time with this, consider finding the comfortable shoe first and then you can have it dyed to the color you want!

J Crew

Online Bridal Store - Global

My Glass Slipper

Coloriffics - Carmen (my personal fav!!)

Etiquette 101: Check Out a Wonderful New Book by Anna Post

If you or someone you know is planning a wedding, you absolutely must check out Anna Post’s new book “Do I Have to Wear White?” You will find the answers to all of your wedding etiquette questions! Click the our title to check it out!

Hey everyone, sorry to be away but the last few days are a blur! So much to do and so little time, I am sure we all feel that way almost everyday - right!?! Well to help get all those thoughts together in one spot to plan your big day, I really love Karen Bussen's Simple Stunning Wedding Organizer. Actually, I love all her books! She just has a wonderful way of expressing great ideas in truly elegant, spunky and sophisticated ways that really are pretty attainable. " Simple Stunning Wedding Organizer is a tote-friendly binder that walks you through the process of planning your big day (and your budget). It’s filled with checklists, a customizable calendar, and plenty of notes pages, plus pockets to keep swatches, contracts and business cards at your fingertips." Check it out today and also check out her website featuring her entire wedding book series here: http://karenbussen.com/spicy.html And of course the blog here: http://karenbussen.blogspot.com/ Take care and Happy Planning!

The Art of Edible Favors

I love favors, the wonderful little trinkets, the take-ways and the thank you gems that we provide for all of your guests to take home with them after the festivities are all over. Now, by no means is a favor a necessity for your wedding to be a success, so please don’t ever feel obligated to provide them, especially if you are on a budget. However, if you have decided to go with them, then I am excited to share my opinion with you! Go with edible favors, they are the absolute best! Not only are they a wonderfully functional take-ways, they are also a great late night snack for all of your out-of-town guests who are staying in hotels. What’s more, They are far less likely to be left behind by your quests, let’s fess up lady’s…we love our sweets! Some tasty treat ideas are truffles, caramel apples, chocolate covered oreos, petits-fours, and mini wedding cakes. So start thinking about which tasty favor you would like to send your guests home with, they’ll definitely find them delicious!

Source of Photos: ProjectWedding.com

Mini Brownie Pops-Beau Coup Favors

Caramel Apples-Beau Coup Favors

Choco CD - getmarried.com

Oreos - getmarried.com

petits fours-beau coup favors

Rice Krispy Treats-Beau Coup Favors

Muse: Summer Flirtation

Lighting With Impact

Let’s talk lights!! I know you’ve read about it and probably want some used on your special day. Specialty lights can be used to add ambiance to your reception, as well as your pictures and videos. It is very important that you do your homework to decide if this is something you want to include in your design plans. There are so many ways to use them and spaces that hold the most impact. This is one of those areas where guessing just won’t cut it, so make sure that you get a professional to help you figure out the best bang for whatever your budget may be. Neutral colors go a long way in accenting any design concept, but also show nicely in your pictures and videos. Think about the feeling you want to evoke and light away.

Source for Photos: ProjectWedding.com

Lawry's Prime Rib Bev Hills

A Formal Affair

PW-Got Light?

PW-Got Light? Blue

PW-Romantic Light

Lighthouse Pier Sixty

Tree Lighting

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The Right Splash of Color

Are you afraid that your favorite color may be to bold to incorporate in the design plans of your wedding? Well let’s talk about it. Colors, colors, and more colors, there are just so many to choose from and we know you want your wedding day to be perfect. So the question becomes what will be the color theme for your big day? The truth is you can have any color you want. That’s right I said you can have any color you want. Anything goes. However, you will need to make sure you use them the right way. A good use of bold colors can really create the elegant event you are looking for, while generating a great energy that lays the ground work for the fun reception the happy couple would like to share with their guests. A splash of color here, a splash of color there, will lead to a great wedding bash for all!

Source for Photos: ProjectWedding.com

Augie Chang Photograhphy

Sundance Photography

Gerbera Daisies & Tulips are a favorite for bold simplicity

Marizette paperie

And don't forget about the first impression~invites set the stage

Nancy Liu Chin~Pink Beauty

Cute & Sweet~a great chair embellishment

Photography by Mandi

Don't forget the cake~a perfect chance to show some splash

Nancy Liu Chin~Purple Palace

I love this combination of dark saturate against such a light bright setting