Archive for January, 2010
January 15-17 2010
Don’t miss your window of opportunity to try-on gowns in the latest Paloma Blanca Collection!
556-D Ritchie Highway
Park Plaza Shopping Center
Severna Park, Maryland 21146
Happy Shopping!
Let’s find a honeymoon destination! Thank you to Loren Adams of Destinations Reached Travel and Consulting Services for this awesome list!
The top travel destinations according to Frommer’s, Lonely Planet, and Concierge.com
Morocco (Marrakesh)
Italy (Venice)
Burma
Cuba (Havana)
Thailand
Philippines
South Africa
Costa Rica
Brazil (Rio de Janeiro)
Antarctica (Paradise Bay)
Kyrgyzstan
Sri Lanka (Colombo)
India (Kerala)
Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates)
France (Paris)
Antarctica???? Are you kidding me? Okay…I had to look it up because I was so amazed. It looks cold. I love cold, but this place looks very cold.
I could see myself cruising around because It is very beautiful, peaceful, romantic and relaxing.
Just bring a coat!
And maybe a hat and some gloves. You know – just in case you want to take-in the breathtaking views outside your cabin!
Happy honeymooning!
Thursday is the day to present beautiful wedding traditions – not only in Persian weddings – but different customs from all around the world.
I enjoy making a ceremony more unique and personalized by incorporating beautiful traditions in each and every wedding.
So – sit back, relax, and enjoy the beauty and elegant tradition that will unfold before your eyes!
Sofreh Aghd
Persian Mirror1. Mirror (of fate) “Aayeneh-ye Bakht” and two 
Candelabras (representing the bride and groom and brightness in their future) . They symbolize light and fire. The Bride enters the room with her veil. When she sits to the left of her Bridegroom and removes her veil, the first thing he will see in the mirror is his Bride-to-be.
2. A tray of seven multi-colored herbs and spices “Sini-ye Aatel-O-Baatel”- to drive away evil spirits
3. A specially baked and decorated flatbread “Noon-e Sangak” – Prosperity for life.
4. A basket of decorated eggs and a basket of decorated almonds, Walnuts and Hazelnuts for fertility.
5. A basket of pomegranates and/or apples for a joyous future.
6. A cup of rose water extracted from special Persian roses “Gol-e Mohammadi”to make the air sweet
7. A cup of honey to sweeten life. The couple offers the other a dab on their fingertip.
8. Two sugar cones “Kalleh Ghand” made out of hardened sugar to be used during the ceremony. These sugar cones are grinded together above the bride and bridegroom’s head (over the scarf held above their heads) throughout the ceremony to shower them in sugar (symbolizing sweetness and happiness).
9. A needle and seven strands of colored thread to figuratively sew up the mother-in-law’s lips from speaking unpleasant words to the bride!
10. A brazier “Manghal” holding burning coals sprinkled with wild rue “Espand” a popular incense to bring health to the new family.
11. A bowl of gold coins representing wealth and prosperity.
12. A copy of the couple’s Holy Book is placed on the spread. For Christian couples, it would be the Bible, for Zorastians Avesta, For Muslims Qur’an, …. This symbolizes God’s blessing for the couple.
13. A Scarf or Shawl made 
out of Silk or any other fine fabric to be held over the bride and bridegroom’s head throughout the ceremony by various happily married female relatives (mostly bride’s close family members).
14. A bowl made out of crystallized sugar “Kaas-e Nabaat/Shaakh-e Nabaat” to sweeten life for the newly wed.
Photography by Thomas Graves Photography
Happy Planning!
Okay – look at the fabulousness we have for your today! It’s a beautiful engagement shoot by one fabu photographer – and one uber beautiful client. These pictures are so wonderful! I just can’t wait for the wedding.
I love you!
Ho Hum! You guys are so beautiful. I’m so proud!
Photography by Genevieve Leiper of Genevieve Leiper Photography
Happy planning!
I love signature drinks, especially during the summer months. Use something that pulls out your color and style of the wedding. Since I like simple, and I love orange – I chose this delectable Cosmo. So pretty.
Makes 2-five ounce drinks
2 ounces of orange scented Vodka
2 ounces blood-orange juice
2 ounces Cointreau
2 ounces orange juice
2 ounces of red or pink grapefruit juice
Zest of 1 blood orange
Happy Planning!
Check out these babies! I love em!
Palm soy Crystal Wedding pillars. I love decorating with candles (and flowers). What else says romantic wedding other than candles and flowers?
Beautiful!
They come in a variety of romantic scents, and can be ordered in your color of choice. Of course, I posted white, because you know how much I love simple!
The Palm wax comes from sustainable palm trees and is mixed with 100% organic kosher soy wax.
Pair them with these lovely votives, and you are good to go!
Happy Planning!
With a great sense of humor (a definite asset), Thomas uses his extensive background in documentary Photojournalism to create unique images. He excels at being able to let events unfold in front of him – capturing emotions and actions as they happen.
One of the reasons that I love Thomas, besides the fact that his fantastic photojounalistic images are second to none, is the fact that he puts everything out on the table. He will invite you to his office for the first meeting, where he will win you over with his fantastic style, and then offer an all-inclus
ive package that is top in the area. With his package, there is no second guessing. He lays everything out. It’s easy (and you know how much I love simple). The one thing he does do – is to go above and beyond to customize the package for you. If you do not want an inclusion – he is flexible and will work with you to meet all of your needs. He also offers a variety of albums – some of the best – to complete the all-inclusive package!
Thomas is an immense talent. When you look at his work – you feel the emotion. His love for weddings is apparent. His unique approach to weddings (first and foremost based on his extensive past experiences with the best journals in the country) make him my pick for “best of” 2009 in Photojournalism.
When you contact Thomas, Make sure to tell him you read about him here!
Thomas Graves
Thomas Graves Photography
Mydeejay.com is the best DJ service that I have worked with on this side (and the other side) of the Potomac. Mydeejay is the epitome of class. Their sophisticated an unobtrusive style is perfect for the client that expects music that is appropriate for a sophisticated event.
Mydeejay goes above and beyond for their clients – by honoring their clients time, wishes and vision for their wedding. Most importantly, it’s just not rhetoric, it’s the real deal. Mydeejay operates their company with the highest integrity possible, something unmatched by any other DJ company in the area.
With a commitment to green weddings, an unwavering belief that their clients come first, an an an open supporter of LGBT weddings – make them my pick for “best of” 2009 in DJ services.
If you contact mydeejay.com, let them know that you read about them here!
When I think of Randy and Tina’s creations, I think – clean, sophist
icated, creative – all the qualities necessary for a classy wedding. They are the best of the best. In my opinion, their creativity, design and handling abilities are unmatched by anyone. If I give Randy a vague idea of what I want in terms of color and style, I get multiple proposals and sketches of what he can do. Each sketch is better than the other. The color, texture and style of their arrangements are cutting edge. The flowers are always of the highest quality; and the design – always spectacular.
They take the time to understand their clients’ vision; and then, they bring the vision to life in amazing ways. They excel at being able to create the most traditional arrangements to the most unusual arrangements – and everything in between.
I very much enjoy working with Randy and Tina because their passion for flowers is contagious! Did I mention that I love flowers?!
Luckily, they will travel anywhere!
It’s because of all of these qualities, that I name Wicked Willow “best of” 2009 in floral design.
When you contact Wicked Willow, let them know you heard about them here!
Randy Woods
Wicked Willow, LLC
Happy planning!
