Dreams by Design Events

Pick of the Week - August 8, 2011 (& Special Congratulations!)

2011-08-08T13:42:00.000-07:00

A special congratulations goes out to Mr. & Mrs. Erik Dibble! My husband and I traveled to Wellsville, New York at the end of last month to participate in the wedding ceremony (my husband was the Best Man) and celebrate with their friends and family. Jamie did a great job personalizing her wedding and it certainly paid off! It was a beautiful ceremony and reception! Here's my favorite photo from their big day...

As for the Pick of the Week it's inspired from the Dibble wedding! At the end of the reception the happy couple had their guests meet outside to release floating wish lanterns. The pictures, however, aren't from their reception since I got a little caught up in how much fun and how beautiful it was to take pictures. There are plenty of websites that sell the lanterns where you can choose your shape, size and colors. To make it even more personal you could even have your guests write their wishes on the lanterns before releasing them.

Happy Planning,

Kristen

Pick of the Week - July 25, 2011

2011-07-26T05:39:00.000-07:00

So on the heels of traveling by car to a wedding in New York followed immediately by a much needed vacation in North Carolina I completely forgot to post a Pick of the Week yesterday! Never fear though, I awoke this morning and realized that I had forgotten and here I am at 8:30 with my pick!

This week's pick is a little different. It's not a particular idea or item, but a wedding gown designer. I have truly fallen in love with some of Martina Liana's wedding dresses in the past few weeks. They are elegant, contemporary, and just gorgeous. Prices range from $1500 to $3000 according to certain shops. Please note though that before you ever fall head over heals in love with a dress that you know the price and you stick to your budget! Here are my three favorite, however, the gown with the purple sash...you MUST see the back of it! I was unable to save the photo but you can see it on the website http://www.martinaliana.com/.

Pick of the Week - July 18, 2011

2011-07-18T08:13:00.000-07:00

Anyone who knows me knows that there are few things I can do or talk about without finding humor in the situation or conversation. While at times I'm brimming with sarcasm other times it's just a comment here or there or a silly expression inserted into a conversation that brings a smile to my face and a giggle to others. However, depending on your style, weddings are typically a formal event...full of etiquette and glamour leaving little room to display your sense of humor. Sometimes though, a girl (and her fiancé) just want to have fun. Save the dates are a great way to avoid the formality early on and show your hilarious sense of humor! The save the date below is by far one of my favorite save the dates...to date! These save the dates can be found at Minted for $190 for 100 (the price per piece will go up or down depending on how many you order).

Happy Planning,

Kristen

Pick of the Week - July 11, 2011

2011-07-11T12:14:00.000-07:00

This past Sunday was my husband and I's 1st anniversary! We had a great mini get-away in Clearwater Beach and came home Sunday night to do the age old tradition of tasting the top layer of our wedding cake. Friends and family alike warned us to "just have a bite and then have a backup dessert ready to go". So we did.

I took our cake out of the freezer on Friday and was a little weary as I took off all the saran wrap the bakery had put on it the night of the wedding. Because my husband and I were married in Ohio, the cake traveled 15 hours in a car the day after. I just wasn't sure it was going to be worth thawing out. I honestly think the way the baker had wrapped the cake saved it because when we took a bite last night, it was actually...still really good! However, we didn't feel the need to have another piece....

So, in honor of beautiful, delicious wedding cakes and the fabulous bakers who create them I've picked a few of favorite wedding cakes. Enjoy!

A Twitterpated Bride!

2011-07-07T07:23:00.000-07:00

Check out the story from the Tampa Bay Times about my newest Dreams by Design Bride, Yolanda. She's taken to Twitter to help with her wedding.

Happy 4th of July! Pick of the Week - July 4, 2011

2011-07-04T11:13:00.000-07:00

I couldn't ask for a better holiday to have for a Pick of the Week! What a great day to reflect on all the amazing freedoms we have as Americans and the men and women who serve our country every day to protect us.

However, you can't deny that we tend to spend this holiday celebrating with pool parties, cookouts, and amazing displays of fireworks. With that in mind, I'm posting my top 3 of both decor and deliciousness 4th of July ideas. These some of the most creative and simple ideas to give your holiday get together a bit of uniqueness and style!

Decor -

Delicious Goodies! -

Twitterpated!

2011-06-29T16:59:00.000-07:00

Dreams by Design Event has joined the world of Twitter! Find me @DreambyDesignE

Pick of the Week - June 27, 2011

2011-06-27T13:30:00.000-07:00

The summer months are officially here as of June 21st and what a better way to celebrate an event than with the colors, smells, and fruits of the season! Fruit can be a great way to add a pop of color to your centerpieces while keeping the decor within your budget. Lemons, limes, and oranges are the most popular as you can see, but certainly are beautiful! These centerpieces can be simple or elaborate, for home or for your wedding, but either way will add so much for your guests to admire during your event!

Happy Planning,

Kristen

Meeting the Men of J. Monroe Studios

2011-06-22T16:42:00.000-07:00

Last week I was able to sit down with Josh and John, the boys from J. Monroe Studios, and talk wedding photography. These guys are the nicest and most down to earth photographers I think I have ever met. They are not only incredibly professional but the level of work was outstanding. The albums they brought with were so absolutely gorgeous, they are to die for. They were kind enough to allow me to use one of my favorite images and if you haven't checked them out yet, you must! Find them at http://www.jmonroestudios.com/ and on Facebook as well.

Pick of the Week - June 20, 2011

2011-06-20T17:58:00.000-07:00

Just think, you're finally husband and wife, Mr. and Mrs. and it's time to leave your ceremony in a stylish, memorable way. This is going to be the scene for your first photos as Mr. and Mrs. Hubby and you want to make it special. When leaving your ceremony there are a variety of options to making it special, from the traditional bubbles to controversial rice, but these great "flower petal confetti" cones really can add lots of color and beauty to that special moment. Just imagine being showered with flower petals as you exit the ceremony and the gorgeous pictures that would follow!!

These would be super easy to make using scrapbook paper that fits your theme and colors, petals from the florist, and a crafty little sayings (more or less directions for your guests) such as this one typed onto a color coordinating piece of cardstock...

"When the newlyweds walk your way...toss the petals and shout hooray!"

Happy Planning,

Kristen

Pick of the Week - June 13, 2011

2011-06-13T16:17:00.000-07:00

Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue...

Something blue....something blue....something blue....

Coming up short on ideas for that special "something blue"? Often this traditional phrase is one of the smaller details that brides can so easily forget. Something old, new, and borrowed tend to be fairly easy to gather but depending on your wedding colors or themes finding something blue might be rather difficult. Here are some of my favorite "something blue" ideas that can be as obvious or discreet as you'd like....

This is by far my favorite option...have your wedding date or new monogram stitched in blue thread into the inside of your wedding dress.

Of course, if you're colors are a fabulous shade of blue you could always add a pop of color to your day-of ensemble by sporting a beautiful pair of blue pumps as you walk down the all important aisle.

This is another one of my favorites, but I also tend to be quite the sentimental type. The bride would forfeit her white pumps for some time but each of the bridesmaids, parents, etc. would write their blessings for the bride on her big day.

Use your bouquet. You can wrap your bouquet in a piece of blue silk or ribbon and attach a super cute accessory or to avoid using too much blue, attach a charm that contains a blue stone.

A more discreet way to include the "something blue" would simply be to wear an adorable blue garter under the dress. Love the big, blue bow!

And of course, you can't let your wedding day lingerie go under utilized! Use your backside as a way to advertise your new name and still incorporate that blue you've been looking for!

Happy Planning,

Kristen

Pick of the Week - June 6, 2011

2011-06-06T14:24:00.000-07:00

Who knew Bob Marley could one day be inspiration for a wedding reading?! I found this quote by the famous singer and was drawn to its potential as a non-secular wedding reading. There are an enormous amount of great readings from poems, to music lyrics and movie quotes, to stories that can really personalize your wedding. For example, for all the childrens' story book lovers, check out passages from Winnie the Pooh or The Velveteen Rabbit for great heartfelt ideas.

However, regardless of where you're having your ceremony, always double check with your officiant to make sure that a non-secular reading is allowed as some require strictly secular passages.

Happy Planning,

Kristen

"Only once in your life, I truly believe, you find someone who can completely turn your world around. You tell them things that you’ve never shared with another soul and they absorb everything you say and actually want to hear more. You share hopes for the future, dreams that will never come true, goals that were never achieved and the many disappointments life has thrown at you. When something wonderful happens, you can’t wait to tell them about it, knowing they will share in your excitement. They are not embarrassed to cry with you when you are hurting or laugh with you when you make a fool of yourself. Never do they hurt your feelings or make you feel like you are not good enough, but rather they build you up and show you the things about yourself that make you special and even beautiful. There is never any pressure, jealousy or competition but only a quiet calmness when they are around. You can be yourself and not worry about what they will think of you because they love you for who you are. The things that seem insignificant to most people such as a note, song or walk become invaluable treasures kept safe in your heart to cherish forever. Memories of your childhood come back and are so clear and vivid it’s like being young again. Colours seem brighter and more brilliant. Laughter seems part of daily life where before it was infrequent or didn’t exist at all. A phone call or two during the day helps to get you through a long day’s work and always brings a smile to your face. In their presence, there’s no need for continuous conversation, but you find you’re quite content in just having them nearby. Things that never interested you before become fascinating because you know they are important to this person who is so special to you. You think of this person on every occasion and in everything you do. Simple things bring them to mind like a pale blue sky, gentle wind or even a storm cloud on the horizon. You open your heart knowing that there’s a chance it may be broken one day and in opening your heart, you experience a love and joy that you never dreamed possible. You find that being vulnerable is the only way to allow your heart to feel true pleasure that’s so real it scares you. You find strength in knowing you have a true friend and possibly a soul mate who will remain loyal to the end. Life seems completely different, exciting and worthwhile. Your only hope and security is in knowing that they are a part of your life."

- Bob Marley

Pick of the Week - May 30, 2011

2011-05-30T13:19:00.000-07:00

I went home during this fabulously long weekend to surprise my dad for his birthday. My husband and I had a great time with my parents between hitting up the local dog friendly tiki bar and playing a round of golf (note: I didn't say an amazing round of golf...I'm not very good). When we finished golfing my mom realized we didn't have time to bake my father a cake before more family arrived. Secretly this was perfectly fine with me since I'm not a huge fan of cake anyways. I'm not really a fan of sweets in general unless it's chocolate. However, I LOVE ice cream! Especially once summer rolls around.

Originally my husband and I wanted to have an ice cream cake at our reception but the reception venue assistant had said she'd never had a wedding with an ice cream cake. We immediately rethought the idea fearing it could be a potentially hazardous mess. So, we purchased a traditional wedding cake instead. Later, I found this idea of an ice cream sundae bar and kicked myself for not finding it sooner. Pick your favorite flavors, toppings, and dishes and let your guests design their own dessert! Talk about dream desserts by design! Check out the pictures below and let your imagination go wild.

Happy Planning,

Kristen

Pick of the Week - May 23, 2011

2011-05-23T14:08:00.000-07:00

While perusing on Pinterest I've seen so many great ideas! I'm really drawn to wedding ideas that are not only creative, able to be personalized, and practical, but can be done on a budget as well. Below are a few examples of a thumbprint guest book. Unlike many guests books, this one you can proudly display in your home after the wedding. I only wish I had seen this version of a guest book when I was getting married! A thumbprint guest books allow you to choose your picture and what information you would like displayed (and in what format). Your guests press their finger into a washable stamp pad (most likely in your wedding colors) and place their own unique fingerprint on the picture (make sure you keep some wet wipes near by!). They then write their name near it. This creates a great piece of art for your home that is also memento from your big day!

Awkward Wedding Photos!

2011-05-18T17:40:00.000-07:00

Having a long day? Need to cheer up? Love a good old fashioned awkward wedding photos? I know I do! I just couldn't get enough of them! Here's a few of my favorite but make sure to check out the website for more! Happy planning!

Pick of the Week - May 16th, 2011

2011-05-16T07:06:00.000-07:00

I find myself online and on the computer all the time. I'm either looking up new information, completing classes, or just playing around. This past week I bumped into a website that I would soon find myself addicted to.

Pinterest is a website that allows you to create virtual pinboards (corkboards if you will). You can easily set up individual boards based on your own themes. For example, I have 18 different boards, some for work while others are for fun or my own personal liking. You can also follow people you think have great pins so you can keep up to date with the styles you love. I love it because it's such a great way to connect everything you love in one place and keep it organized at the same time. If you're looking for ideas it's certainly the place to go for whatever event you're planning. Once you sign up just search by name to find your friends that are also on the site.

Now, if you'll excuse me...I have more pinning to do. Happy Planning!

Bridesmaid (the movie) is out today!

2011-05-13T13:30:00.000-07:00

I don't know about you, but I'm definitely not a "girly" movie kinda girl. I have a few cult classics, Dirty Dancing, Pretty Woman, etc. but girly movies just aren't my thing. BUT, I will be going to see Bridesmaid! It's in theaters as of today! I can't wait! Check out the trailer...

Pick of the Week - May 9th, 2011

2011-05-09T16:55:00.000-07:00

Depending on where you're at in your wedding planning, things may be starting to pile up quickly. Sometimes it's really easy to overlook items that you would've never thought about -like what photos you'd really like to have in your wedding collection. I caught a glimpse of this great photo hunt idea that will help to capture some of the most precious moments at your special event.

Creating a photo hunt is a great, easy to do, DIY project. Start by creating a list of fun shots you really want such as "cutest older couple", "something sparkly", "an artistic picture of your meal", or "holding hands". Add them to an I Spy photo list for your guests. You could even add the list to the back of your table numbers to keep the table decor and cost contained. Then ask your guests to use their cameras or supply each dinner table with a disposable camera to capture each of these moments. It's a great way to let your guests young and old have some fun while making sure you get some great shots you really want!

Pick of the Week - May 2, 2011

2011-05-02T10:49:00.000-07:00

Having a baby? Want to know what the gender of your baby is going to be? Want to make it a surprise for not only yourself, but friends and family too? Have a gender reveal cake at your next baby shower!

18 years ago today my nephew, David, was born. (Happy birthday, David Cody!) I remember all the anticipation building up while we waited to find out the gender of my sister's little bundle of joy.

So how does this work? Once you attend that all important appointment where the doctor can finally and decisively tell you the gender of your baby....don't let them tell you! Instead, have the doctor write down the gender of the baby, place it in an envelope, and seal it up tight! Take the envelope to your favorite baker and ask them to create the inside of the cake to correspond with the gender of your baby, that is blue for a boy or pink for a girl. The outside of the cake should be gender neutral.

When the timing is right and you're surrounded by people you love, you can cut into the cake and reveal the good news! Below are some different ways that people have decorated their reveal cake. Happy planning!

So Excited!!

2011-05-01T17:17:00.000-07:00

Couldn't be more excited! I am officially signing up for a free pole dancing class at Impulse Pole Dance & Exotic Fitness: Classes & Pole Parties on May 14th!!! Even bought a cute pair of shorts to get my pole dance on! :)

Looking for some fun loving friends to join me! Any takers?!

Bridal Meet & Greet Event!

2011-04-29T18:12:00.000-07:00

Calling all brides! I'm announcing a FREE Bridal Meet & Greet on June 11th from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.! It will be at Panera Bread, located at 2285 Ulmerton Road, Saint Petersburg, FL 33762.

This is a great opportunity to get a jump start on your planning! The meet & greet will include yummy treats, some helpful tools and advice for both the new bride and the bride that's just months or weeks away, as well as the opportunity to meet other local brides. Please RSVP! For more information check the Dreams by Design Events website (www.dreams-by-design.com). Happy planning!!

Royal Wedding F.A.Q's....All in One Place!

2011-04-29T14:05:00.000-07:00

I wasn't able to watch all of the Royal Wedding this morning as I had to go to work, but I was lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the new Duchess in her amazingly beautiful gown! Disheartened I couldn't watch the entire ceremony, I raced home at watch CNN Live replay the events at 3! I was blown away by the rich tradition and beauty of the entire ceremony. Much like many others I had so many questions that came to mind as I watched. A quick peek around the web and I found many of my answers. Many of the answers were found of varying articles on Yahoo. I've added them to the blog so if you had the same questions, you could easily spot the answers!

Isn't it bad etiquette for the bridesmaid to wear white?

I thought the dress was incredibly gorgeous, but I did notice it was white. According to Yahoo, "Etiquette experts consider it bad form for anyone but the bride to wear white on the wedding day. Not the Middletons. Kate's sister Pippa wore a white maid of honor dress on the world's biggest stage. Like Kate's wedding dress, Pippa's gown was designed by Sarah Burton at Alexander McQueen. The gown featured short sleeves, a low-cut neckline, and was form-fitting. Immediately following Pippa's appearance at Westminster Abbey, web searches soared. A blog from the "Today" show explains that a white dress for non-brides isn't as rare as it used to be."

Who was that adorable little girl frowning and covering her ears on the balcony during the big kiss?

That's Prince William's goddaughter, 3-year-old Grace van Cutsem, who was one of the official bridesmaids (there are no "flower girl" roles in traditional British weddings, so children are often included as bridesmaids or pages). She is the daughter of Lady Rose Astor and Hugh van Cutsem, and great-great-great-granddaughter of William Waldorf Astor, a New York-born lawyer and politician who later became a member of the British Aristocracy. (The Waldorf Hotel was one of his pet projects.) Little Grace was also pouting for part of the carriage ride; apparently, the crowd of adoring fans got a little too noisy.

What did Prince Harry say to William?

As Middleton walked slowly down the aisle, William -- visibly nervous -- gazed stoically ahead, avoiding the urge to sneak a glimpse of his future wife. Not Harry. The flame-haired best man peered backward at his sister-in-law, informing his brother: "Right, she's here now." Flashing a roguish grin, he added: "Wait 'til you see her." Cue swoons from lovestruck Harry Hunters.

Are there usually trees in Westminster Abbey?

Kate loves the outdoors and, according to the Daily Mail, she ordered more than four tons of foliage to create an English country garden setting inside Westminster Abbey, including pyramid-shaped ornamental Hornbeams to frame the choir and a "living avenue" of 20-foot-tall, 15-year-old English Field Maples through which guests walked to their seats. The cost? About 50,000 pounds, or $83,335.

What music did Kate walk in to? It didn't sound like the wedding march.

The princess walked down the aisle to "I Was Glad" by Sir Charles Hubert Hastings Parry, who composed it for the coronation of Prince William's great-great-great grandfather Edward VII in 1902.

Why didn't Prince William watch his bride walk down the aisle?

Tradition. The groom is the last person to see the bride, and can only do so after she has completed the long walk down the aisle and is at his side. Since the aisle at Westminster Abbey is about 300-feet long, he had at least a four-minute wait at the altar.

What did Prince William whisper to Kate?

According to some lip readers, he told her that she looked beautiful”and then looked at his father-in-law-to-be and quipped, "We were supposed to have just a small family affair."

Where did the bride and groom go in the middle of the ceremony?

They went to the Shrine of Saint Edward the Confessor, a room inside the Abbey, to sign the wedding registers.

Why was Prince William wearing red?

Prince William holds an honorary rank of Colonel of the Irish Guards, and he opted to wear an Irish Guard's officer uniform instead of his Royal Air Force uniform. He also wore his Garter sash and star, Royal Air Force "wings," and Golden Jubilee medal.

Was the bride's dress inspired by Grace Kelly's?

It seems that way; in fact, Kate's dress looks very much like the one worn by the American actress when she wed Prince Rainier III of Monaco in April 1956. Both Kate's gown and that of Serene Highness the Princess of Monaco had long sleeves, a cinched waist, a figure-hugging bodice, short veils, medium-length trains, and lots of delicate lace.

What was in the bride's bouquet?

According to the official royal wedding website, the bouquet was a shield-shaped collection of Myrtle, Lily-of-the-Valley, Sweet William, Ivy, and Hyacinth. The Myrtle sprigs were from plants grown from the Myrtle used in the wedding bouquets of Queen Victoria in 1845 and Queen Elizabeth in 1947.

Any hidden messages?

Each bridesmaid had her name and the date of the wedding hand-embroidered into the lining of her dress. The bride and groom could not customize their vows, but they did write their own prayer, which was read by Richard Chartres, the Bishop of London, during the ceremony (download a copy of the program here). It was: "God our Father, we thank you for our families; for the love that we share and for the joy of our marriage. In the busyness of each day keep our eyes fixed on what is real and important in life and help us to be generous with our time and love and energy. Strengthened by our union help us to serve and comfort those who suffer. We ask this in the Spirit of Jesus Christ. Amen." And of course, each of those flowers in the bride's bouquet had a special meaning: Lily-of-the-Valley represents the return of happiness, Sweet William stands for gallantry, Hyacinth is for the constancy of love, Myrtle symbolizes marriage and love, and Ivy is for fidelity, marriage, wedded love, friendship, and affection.

Who were the women in those hats?!

The women in the blue hat is Princess Eugenie and her sister Princess Beatrice is to her right. Princess Eugenie is the younger daughter of Prince Andrew, Duke of York, and Sarah, Duchess of York. Princess Eugenie is known throughout the Royal Family as the "Royal Familly's Bad Girl". Princess Beatrice is the eldest daughter and believe it or not, has thought about starting her own clothing line.

What are the full names of the newlyweds?

Prince Williams of Wales got another set of titles in time for the wedding, according to an announcement on the official royal wedding website. His full name is now His Royal Highness Prince William Arthur Philip Louis, Duke of Cambridge, Early of Strathearn, Baron Carrickfergus, Royal Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, Master of Arts. (According to the official website of the British Monarchy, those who have the title of HRH Prince or Princess do not need to use a last name, though theirs is Mountbatten-Windsor.) As his wife, the former Miss Catherine Elizabeth Middleton is now Her Royal Highness, The Duchess of Cambridge, but most people will probably call her Princess Catherine or Princess Kate (unofficially, of course).

Was Kate wearing Princess Diana's tiara?

No. Diana wore the Spencer Tiara, a family heirloom of ornate, stylized flowers decorated with diamonds in silver settings. The halo-style tiara that Kate wore was Cartier creation belonging to the Queen. King George bought it for the Queen Mother in 1936; the Queen Mother gave it to the Queen on her 18th birthday.

What about her earrings?

The bride's earrings were designed by Robinson Pelham, according to the official royal wedding website. They are diamond-set stylized oak leaves that frame a dangling diamond-set drop and pave-set diamond acorn. The earrings, which are a wedding gift to Kate from her parents, were made to match the tiara lent to her by the Queen, and were inspired by the Middleton family's new coat of arms.

Why did the Middleton family get a new coat of arms?

What happened to their old one? They didn't have a coat of arms before, because they weren't members of the British aristocracy. The new coat of arms features three oak-leaf-and-acorn sprigs representing the three Middleton children—Catherine (Kate), Philippa (Pippa), and James. A golden chevron honors Carole Middleton, whose maiden name was Goldsmith, and two thinner, white chevrons represent the mountains and stand for the family's love of the outdoors.

Who got to be on the balcony at Buckingham Palace with the royal newlyweds?

The bride and groom took center stage, of course, but also appearing before the public were the Queen and Prince Philip, Prince Charles and his wife Camilla (Duchess of Cornwall), Carole and Richard Middleton, the couple's siblings (Pippa and James Middleton and Prince Harry), the pages (Tom Pettifer and William Lowther-Pinkerton), and the bridesmaids (Eliza Lopez, Grace van Cutsem, The Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor, and the Honourable Margarita Armstrong-Jones. Yes, even some children have titles in England.)

The Royal Wedding!

2011-04-27T12:19:00.000-07:00

Blimey! The Royal Wedding is right around the corner! This Friday, on just about every news channel under the sun, the Royal Wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton will be on at 4. a.m. Eastern Time. The ceremony itself however won't begin until 6:00 a.m. I don't know about everyone else, but I have to leave my house by 6:30 to get to work so I won't be able to watch much. I'm going to have to watch it live while I'm at work. If you're like me make sure you check out major news networks for live internet coverage. News stations like CNN will have live coverage all day both on TV and on the web. The CNN website for the Royal Wedding is really well done and explains everything you need to know about the wedding. I've posted a poll to the right as well! Vote now if you're getting up extra early this Friday to watch the Royal Wedding too or if you're going to be sleeping in!

Pick of the Week - April 25th, 2011

2011-04-25T06:04:00.000-07:00

"Hope for the best but prepare for the worst!" My father's famous catch phrase for every big event of my lifetime. He couldn't be more right....expect the unexpected couldn't be truer than on your wedding day! This video from Yahoo! lists some things that you should carry with you on your big day. To be honest, the over zealous worrier in me came out and I carried about 3 times as many things and probably only used 2 items (nothing serious...just a straw and some mouthwash!), but you never know what you'll need or when you'll need it! I strongly recommend an "emergency kit" if you're a bride-to-be! I've attached a link of the video but also pictures of my own kit and a pretty common list of suggestions. I purchased most of my kit at Target (the travel section) and Bath and Body Works (mini perfumes and lotions). You do not need to buy everything on the list. You know yourself best so some things you may not need. I ended up tweaking my kit the next day and using it for my honeymoon which was perfect. I supply a wedding kit for all my brides so no need to worry if you're a Dream Girl! Happy Planning!

Tampons
Panty liners
Advil & tylenol (some people have asprin allergies)
Deodorant
Hair spray
Baby powder
Comb
Bobbie pins, rubber bands, hair clips
Small pack of tissues
Lotion
Seam glue, nail glue, super glue
Tide to go stick, shout wipes
Lip gloss
Eye glasses kit
Eye drops, contact solution
Wet wipes
Nail kit (clippers, file, cuticle pusher, etc)
Clear nail polish
Sewing kit
Tweezers
Band-aids or Nu Skin
Flexible clear first-aid tape
Velcro circles or double sided tape
Q-tips cotton swaps
Safety pins
Toothpicks, floss, mouthwash
Mini mirror
Oil-absorbing matte tissues
Hand sanitizer
Twist-ties
Listerine breath strips, tic-tacs breath mints, gum, altoids
Cotton swabs
Straws
Rubber one-size-fits-all earring backs
White chalk (for masking stains on your wedding dress!)
Duct Tape
Sample sized perfume
Krazy glue

Some of my Favorites!

2011-04-19T16:41:00.000-07:00

Here are some of my favorite pictures from Saturday's golf outing. Barry University hosted their 1st Annual Golf Outing & Silent Auction at Cove Cay Country Club in Clearwater. It was a great event with a great turnout. All together the students raised over $5,500 for the charity, The Shade Tree. It was such a success and lots of fun. I'm so glad I was able to help!

The Barry University Physician Assistant Program Class of 2012

The class donated all the leftover food to a shelter!

A great looking back swing!

The early morning registration table full of great treats and eats!

Just two of the tables filled with the great silent auction prizes!

Some of the golfers ready to go!

The golfers and guests enjoying a great lunch and auction.

Congratulations again to the Barry University Physician Assistant Program for a successful golf outing and silent auction! Can't wait til next year!

Such an Inspiration!

2011-04-19T13:04:00.000-07:00

I saw this story on Yahoo and just had to share it. Jennifer Darmon suffered a spinal cord injury in a car accident and was determined to walk down the aisle. Her story is incredibly inspirational and worth watching!

Click here to watch the video of her story.

Pick of the Week - April 18th, 2011 (& good news)

2011-04-18T17:31:00.000-07:00

So...

...the Barry University Physician Assistant Program's 1st Annual Charity Golf Outing & Silent Auction was a huge success! The students raised over $5,500 for The Shade Tree! I couldn't be happier for the Class of 2012 for the hard work and the amazing job they did! I'll be posting pictures later this week!

Now, for the Pick of the Week I've decided to stick with the upcoming Sunday holiday, Easter. There are some really creative ways to decorate for Easter these days, from table runner egg weights to eggshell votives (of course one of my favorites!). One thing my mother always had at our meals, formal or informal were cloth napkins. They were always folded the same way and just the other day I saw the most adorable way to fold your napkins for Easter dinner. Check out the bunny below!

For directions on how to fold your cloth napkins check out Martha Stewart's website where she features these cute little bunnies and lots of other creative Easter decorations! Happy Easter!

Golf Outing This Saturday!!!

2011-04-13T17:27:00.000-07:00

This weekend is the Barry University Physician Assistant Programs' 1st Annual Golf Outing and Silent Auction at Cove Cay Golf Course in Clearwater, Florida at 8 am. The event promises to be challenging, exciting and truly enjoyable. This event will be a four-person scramble and will feature many opportunities for golfers. There will be prizes for the winning team, an opportunity for closest to the pin and longest drive, as well as 3 hole-in-one competitions!! The cost to play is $75 per individual and limited to the first 72 players. The cost includes coffee and pastries when you sign in, your greens fee, a cart, a gift bag, lunch after the round and free admission to the silent auction. After playing golf and enjoying lunch there will be a silent auction with a wide variety of gifts donated from local companies and organizations in the Tampa Bay and Pinellas County area. If you are not golfing but would like to come to the silent auction tickets are just $20 and include lunch. The prizes available are absolutely amazing and just some of the opportunities include signed memorabilia(sports and movie), Tampa Bay Rays tickets, massages, dinner and movie packages, salsa dancing lessons, and an authentic fireman's helmet! We can still squeeze in golfers and if you can't come and golf make sure you make it out there to the silent auction. Don't miss out!

**Please contact me for information to register for the tournament or to sponsor a hole or donate to the silent auction!*

The Votes are In!

2011-04-12T17:09:00.000-07:00

Well the votes from the blog are in! The crowd has spoken! Ivanka Trump took a last minute lead for the most beautiful celebrity dress...just barely beating out Jessica Simpson and Jenna Bush! Christina Aguilera however had no competition and won the most hideous celebrity dress by a landslide! Thanks so much for voting!

Pick of the Week - April 11, 2011

2011-04-11T14:04:00.000-07:00

So I was lucky enough to win a radio contest this past week which allowed me to bring a friend to the Sirata Beach Resort in St. Pete Beach for an all girls slumber party. Needless to say it was a ton of fun! We were treated to a goodie bag chock full of fun things, dinner at dusk by the Gulf of Mexico, free drinks all night long, a manicure, competing in a little race, dancing, and what ended up inspiring my pick of the week....pole dancing lessons!

My friend and I had set up camp right next to the table and pole. We were definitely interested. After watching the guests try it out my friend took a spin on the pole with some helpful pointers from Sarah, the owner of Impulse Studio. Success! Later on in the festivities Sarah led the lovely ladies to the dance floor for a lesson from her exotic fitness class! It was a riot! She's amazing and makes the class so easy and fun! We couldn't quit laughing at ourselves while getting in a workout!

Once I was home and finished all the chores I had ignored while having a fun girls night out I kept thinking about how much fun the group lesson and pole dancing were and thought what a great idea for a bachelorette party! Studios like Impulse Studio offer private group parties. In Impulse Studio's case you can sign up for your own 2 hour private party and even bring your own drinks and snacks! Make sure to check out her website for more information. Just think...you could rent a party bus, grab the girls, have a few yummy drinks, and make your way over to a dance studio for a sexy group lessons and have some fun! And if you make plans to do this for your bachelorette party....make sure to give me a call!!

The Bold, the Beautiful, and the Undeniably Ugly! Celebrity Wedding Dress...

2011-04-05T14:06:00.000-07:00

After seeing Reese Witherspoon's pink wedding dress I began looking at some of the most famous celebrity wedding dresses. There are so many beautiful dresses.

So let's hear it ladies (and gents if so inclined...comment on which celebrity you think wore the most beautiful wedding dress and who wore the most hideous dress! I picked 15 very different styles from models, singers, actresses, reality TV stars, and ladies involved in politics but you can suggest your own favorite celebrity wedding dress if you don't see it here! Votes can be placed on your right! Happy voting!

Khole Kardashian

Eva Longoria

Ivanka Trump

Jenna Bush

Kendra Wilkinson

Luisana Loreley Lopilato de la Torre (Michael Buble's Wife )

Gwen Stefani

Reese Witherspoon

Avril Lavigne

Jessica Simpson

Portia de Rossi

Pink

Rebecca Romijn

Star Jones

Christina Aguilera

Pick of the Week - April 4, 2011

2011-04-04T13:29:00.000-07:00

It's hard to believe April's already here. While I'm saddened that I'm unable to do Tampa's April Bridal Expo, I'm hoping to attend the July and October shows.

I posted earlier in the week how I purchased some great wedding books from Borders for some fabulous new ideas or a spin on some old ones. While reading the first book I was overwhelmed with ideas and the budget bride in me took over. One of my major pet peeves is spending a lot of money on one part of the wedding that will be either overlooked or underappreciated. With this in mind I have something to admit....I'm a candle addict. There...I've said it. I think that candles can add such a huge romantic touch to any event, especially a wedding! When I saw a picture while reading similar to this one...

...two things came to mind.

1.) If you have a fireplace at your reception location make the most of it! This is such a great way to make something that's usually overlooked into a great, romantic area to sit and socialize with fellow guests or just create a beautiful focal area.

2.) My inner budget bride immediately thought about using the candles for the ceremony and then have them transported (that's what a great wedding planner and day of coordinator would do for you!) to the reception and have it added to what's already there for more decor. One set of candles that can serve two purposes!

Another great way to use candles and have them serve a dual purpose is to utilize them for not only the obvious purpose of lighting, but either table numbers or escort cards. When the reception lights go down each table number or guest candle will still be glowing. This eliminates the cost of escort cards or table numbers while adding more lighting to your event. There are plenty of DIY (do it yourself) websites out there that can walk you through the process of doing it yourself which allows you to personalize them to the max and there are also businesses out there that also can do it for you. (Of course, you should always check out Etsy!).

What a find!

2011-03-29T12:25:00.000-07:00

I was out with a friend today planning a party when we saw Borders was going out of business. Without hesitation we headed over before heading home. All the books are 40%-60% off. It was a little messy but books were still organized by category and once I found the events section I nearly fell over. There were so many amazing books! My head and heart said to take them all home, but my wallet made me said not so much. I did in the end pick up three great books that I can't wait to dive in to! If you're looking for ideas or even bridal planners head over to the closet Borders that's going out of business!

1. Emily Post's Great Get-Togethers: Casual Gatherings & Elegant Parties at Home

2. Southern Weddings

3. Simply Stunning Weddings

Pick of the Week - March 28, 2011

2011-03-28T07:48:00.000-07:00

So I'm currently helping my husband with a charity golf outing that the Barry University class is hosting. It's coming up in just a few weeks and we're getting ready to start putting together the final details. Something that really stuck out was the golfer gift bags. I love incorporating unique items and in this case, items that are creative enough that it inspires golfers to really notice the time and effort you put into the event and come back next year!

I found these great ball markers on of course, my favorite website Etsy. You can either purchase the Caddyshack hand stamped markers (my personal favorite since I was a caddy growing up and I love the movie) or you can have them personalized. If you're hosting a corporate event you could have your company name stamped on one side and a personal message on the other side.

Boys, these would be great gift ideas for your bachelor party/golf outing too!

And on a side note...we're still taking golfers for the outing! Feel free to contact me for details and registration papers. We'd really love to have you there and it's guaranteed to be a great time!

Pick of the Week - March 21, 2011

2011-03-21T14:13:00.000-07:00

So I'm fascinated.....with fascinators! I just can't get enough of them. They've become increasing popular in the realm of every day life, but when it comes to a bridal hair pieces they are incredibly beautiful and can add a lot of pizazz or whatever you'd like to call it for not a lot of money. This one I found on Etsy for just 69.00. A steal for a modern, unique touch of prettiness!

Pick of the Week - March 14, 2011

2011-03-14T12:14:00.000-07:00

A good friend of ours was in town this week with his fiancee. While the boys were out, us girls were able to talk wedding plans. I truly enjoy being able to hear what brides are up to and what their ideas are. We discussed everything from flowers, to her dress, to lighting. As we continued to talk I began thinking of all those little last minute things one might forget about. For me, it was escort, or seating cards. It completely slipped my mind but I fell in love with so many, especially on Etsy. One of my favorites were the "Cootie Catchers" or "Fortune Tellers". They can serve as escort cards, wedding programs, menus, etc. The list goes on and on as the different, creative ways you could use them! You can make them in your colors, match them to your theme, and fill them with all sorts of fun information for your guests. Below are a few pictures to give you some different ideas.

Pick of the Week - March 7, 2011

2011-03-07T13:55:00.000-08:00

I'll never forget debating with my husband about what song we should dance to for our first dance! We had "our song" but it just wasn't the right fit. There were days of "practicing" in the living room to anywhere between five and ten songs all that had some sort of meaning to us but all to no avail. It took us quite a bit of compromising and lots of practicing to finally narrow down our final decision. Hopefully no bride and groom has to go through such a conundrum like we did! The song "Marry Me" by Train has really caught my attention lately. I keep wondering, "Where was this song when I was getting married?!". If you and your hunny haven't found the perfect song you should certainly check out the music video. It's an amazing song!

The Start of a Beautiful Friendship!

2011-03-06T07:29:00.000-08:00

I'd like to introduce my new partner in crime....Lisa McLeod, a Pampered Chef Consultant! Lisa and I worked together in Gainesville where we both taught children and now we are joining forces again! Lisa is available for Pampered Chef parties (she's absolutely fabulous and has such a great sense of humor!) as well as assisting in setting up a registry for your event. She comes highly recommended by many and I look forward to working with her! Check out her great Pampered Chef website.

Pick of the Week - February 28, 2011

2011-02-28T12:09:00.000-08:00

Looking to personalize your wedding without spending a lot of money while creating a keepsake that will last forever? Check out the pictures below of photo guest books. It's a great way to take your favorite pictures of you and your hunny and incorporate them into your guest book. Then, leave it out for your guests to sign as they enter the reception. It makes a great, personalized guest book that your guests will love looking at as well as a coffee table book you can keep out in the open in your house for as long as you'd like! If you're a fan make sure to check out Shutterfly to start your photo book (they're my personal fav but there are numerous other websites like Snapfish) and you can always find great coupon codes at Retail Me Not. There are only certain markers that don't smear on the page but they're about 1.50 a piece. Shutterfly can direct you to a website where you can order them. Pick colors that match your wedding colors and make it even more personal!

Pick of the Week - February 21, 2011

2011-02-21T13:47:00.000-08:00

The Oscars are just around the corner! The big awards gala is this upcoming Sunday, the 27th at 8 p.m. on ABC. If you're planning an Oscar party one great way to keep your guests entertained is a little award ceremony of your own. Honor your guests by nominating and giving awards for categories like:

Best dressed
Most red-carpet ready
Prediction Winner (person who correctly guessed the winners in each category)
The guest who can give the best impromptu, improvised acceptance speech
Best host jab at an award nominee
Best karaoke performance

You can even purchase your own mock Oscar statues at http://www.hollywoodmegastore.com/ or make your own unique awards for your guests.

And don't forget your snacks either!

Attention Brides! $100,000 Dream Wedding Contest!

2011-02-19T06:27:00.000-08:00

Create a registry at Crate & Barrel and enter to win a $100,000 Dream Wedding! Hurry, you only have until March 31st! Good luck and let me know if you enter the contest so I can vote for you!

Register at Crate and Barrel

Start your contest entry between February 1, 2011 and March 31, 2011 by registering online at crateandbarrel.com. Just click the “Create My Registry” link above.

Complete the Contest Entry Form

After registering at our site, you’ll have the opportunity to link to the contest entry website, where you’ll need to tell us about yourselves:

Upload three photos of you and your fiance.
1. Tell us your love story;
2. Get down to the nitty–gritty and share three important details of your Ultimate Wedding.
3. Describe how you’d design and decorate your dream home.

View entries already submitted

Get out the Vote

Once you’ve created your profile, it’s your job to get as many people to vote for you! Hundred couples will be chosen by the public to move on to the final round - heartfelt declarations, funny stories, and grassroots marketing plans are welcome.

Add to Your Crate and Barrel Registry

To advance to the final round, your wedding registry must have a total value of at least $2,000, and contain at least 50 unique items. With all the great selection of product at Crate and Barrel, this will be easy.

Final Judging

In early June, Yifat Oren and Crate and Barrel reps will crown the winner. Then the fun and planning with Yifat begins.
See the full contest rules and eligibility requirements at ultimateweddingcontest.com

Pick of the Week - February 14, 2011

2011-02-14T13:07:00.000-08:00

First and foremost, Congratulations to all those newly engaged brides-to-be out there!! I wish nothing but the very best for you in your new journey!

In the spirit of Valentine's Day and love being in air, this week's pick is wedding related. However, you could transform this pick to fit your event needs.

This week's pick is a gobo. For those of you who might not know what a gobo is, it's usually a piece of glass or metal that is attached to a lighting device to manipulate an image either on a wall or floor. They are a great way to personalize your event. Below are two pictures, one placed above the cake table, and the other the dance floor. These can be found from around $80 to $140.

Pick of the Week - February 7, 2011

2011-02-07T16:20:00.000-08:00

Well, whether you love it or hate it, Valentine's Day is right around the corner. Married, engaged, dating, or single, there's no reason not to go out and enjoy yourself! I've found some of the most delicious adult beverages for any event you're going to attend this weekend! These tasty beverages are great for singles mixers, couples parties, and even just your average date night with you and your loved one! Drink up and enjoy!

Pomegranate-Raspberry Martini

Ingredients

3 Oz Stirring's Pomegranate Mixer
2 Oz Raspberry Vodka
slice of lime (garnish)

Directions

1. Shake mixer and vodka in a shaker.

2. Strain into a martini glass (rimmed with pomegranate sugar)

3. Garnish with a slice of lime.

Chocolate Martini

Ingredients

Chocolate Martini to add a special flair. If you're looking for a fruity taste, pick a flavored vodka or rum such as citrus or raspberry. For a sweeter taste, use vanilla flavored vodka or rum. To garnish, coat a rim of martini glass, swirl chocolate syrup in a glass or add a few mouth-watering truffles. 2 Oz base spirit (vodka, light rum or brandy)
1/2 Oz chocolate liqueur
1/2 Oz white creme de cacao
Chocolate syrup to coat rim of martini glass

Directions

Coat rim of martini glass with chocolate syrup. Mix all the ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice and strain into a martini glass.

Bubbly Blood Orange Campari Cocktail

Ingredients:

2-3 large blood oranges, juiced, about 1/3 cup juice

1 oz campari

Chilled sparkling wine – choose from prosecco, champagne, cava, brut, etc

Optional garnish – blood orange peel or blood orange slice

Directions:

Pour 1 ½ oz of blood orange juice in each champagne flute.
Add ½ oz of campari.
Top off each drink with sparkling wine, garnish with a slice of blood orange and enjoy.

Pick of the Week - January 31, 2011

2011-01-31T13:19:00.000-08:00

What side of the couch are you on?! Superbowl Sunday is right around the corner and the big game means big parties! Whether you're a Packers fan or a Steelers fan, you're bound to have a good time with good friends watching the game. However, we all know food is certainly the staple of every Superbowl party! So, if you're hosting a Superbowl party make sure to start planning your grocery shopping list now and check out the pictures below for some creative ideas. Enjoy!

Important Change!

2011-01-29T06:11:00.000-08:00

The website address and my email address have changed!! Make sure to bookmark the new address and share the information with friends!

http://www.dreams-by-design.com/

kristen@dreams-by-design.com

Thanks, everyone!! Have a great weekend!!!

Pick of the Week - January 24, 2011

2011-01-24T16:17:00.000-08:00

This week's pick is inspired by two brides I've been helping out the past few weeks. When you're on a budget it can be difficult to find everything you want, let alone make it personal and meaningful. This pick is a mix of a personalized favor and seating cards. Why not kill two birds with one stone and have it be super cute at the same time?! If you're not a huge fan of soda you could do the same with all sorts of items like hot sauce, honey, etc.!! Pick something that means something to you and your hunny!! Enjoy!

Barry University Physician Assistant Program’s 1st Annual Golf Outing!!

2011-01-19T18:21:00.000-08:00

This April, the Barry University Physician Assistant Program will hold its first annual golf outing and silent auction at Cove Cay Golf Course in Clearwater, Florida at 8 am. The event promises to be challenging, exciting and truly enjoyable. This event will be a four-person scramble and will feature many opportunities for golfers. There will be prizes for the winning teams, as well as, an opportunity for closest to the pin and longest drive. The cost to play is $100 per individual or $360 per foursome and limited to the first 72 players. The cost includes coffee and pastries when you sign in, your greens fee, a cart, a gift bag, and lunch after the round. After playing golf and enjoying lunch there will be a silent auction with a wide variety of gifts donated from local companies and organizations in the Tampa Bay and Pinellas County area.

**Please contact me for information to register for the tournament or to sponsor a hole or donate to the silent auction!**

Free One Year Bridal Guide Magazine Subscription!!

2011-01-19T10:45:00.000-08:00

A great find by a friend of mine back in Gainesville! A FREE one-year subscription to Bridal Guide Magazine, courtesy of WeddingStand.com! Even if your wedding is less than a year away I would always check out this opportunity. Lots of great ideas are always out there!

http://www.weddingstand.com/Bridal-Guide-Subscription-Sign-up

Pick of the Week - January 17, 2011

2011-01-17T15:38:00.000-08:00

This week's Pick of the Week was inspired by the current baby boom surrounding me! Last weekend we went to visit friends in Gainesville and met their beautiful baby boy, Jedediah. Currently as I speak my pledge mom from college is giving birth and my friend and colleague at Boca Ciega is about to have her baby girl soon! So, in honor or the Moms-to-be out there and all the moms in the world...this pick is for you!! These cute little jars contain homemade honey (but there's no rule saying you can't use store bought!). Adorned with a little pink (or blue) ribbon and a cute little label for the Mama to Bee are perfect for any baby shower!

Pick of the Week - January 10, 2010

2011-01-10T13:23:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, Mary (of MC Design - She's a great makeup artist!) and I made the rounds at the Tampa Bridal Show! We had so much fun and were so inspired by so many great ideas and looks. If you're recently engaged I suggest finding a bridal show in your area and checking it out...and make sure you bring your camera!!! This week's pick is specifically for the bride to be...

Pick of the Week - January 3, 2011

2011-01-03T14:05:00.000-08:00

Well, the playoff schedule has been set and most avid football fans are patiently awaiting the Superbowl. So, in honor off the many playoff parties and Superbowl parties to come this month my pick of the week are individual beer tags so that all of your guests can keep their beer to themselves. No more sipping someone else's tasty beverage! Check them out!

Back from Break!

2011-01-02T15:05:00.000-08:00

Well, I hope everyone had a great holiday and an even better start to the new year! My husband and I made it from St. Petersburg to Cincinnati to visit some great friends, then to Cleveland to spend a week with his family, and then back down to Sebastian, Florida to visit my family. Finally, we left this morning for home. A total of 39 hours in the car!!! Amazing!!! I'm just glad we arrived at all of our locations safely and were able to see so many of our friends and family.

We were excited to hear that two of our friends were engaged over the break - congrats to Erik & Jamie and Rick & Michelle!! Also, another set of friends welcomed their first child over break - a healthy baby boy. Congrats to Maree & Jono! What a great start to a new year!

Well, I've made lots of new year's resolutions and I'm hoping to stick to them - one of which is keeping up with this blog!! I'll post a new Pick of the Week tomorrow, so stayed tune.

Pick of the Week - December 20, 2010

2010-12-20T07:59:00.000-08:00

With the holiday season here I based this weeks pick based on my favorite holiday, New Year's Eve. I've got a few pictures that go along with this pick but I've also added instructions and links to the websites for production!

You can always make (or buy) fortune cookies to celebrate the new year. Above are fortune cookies that have been dipped in chocolate and then decorated. The two links below are for a recipe to make fortune cookies as well as a variety of fortune cookie sayings.

Fortune Cookie Recipe from Food Network

Fortune Cookie Sayings

I saw this picture and just fell in love. What a great way to show case your holiday party favors! The homemade fortune cookie is wrapped and then adorned with a gold star.

Last, but not least, if you're not cooking inclined perhaps making them from paper is more your style. These are great because you can customize the paper to fit your guests or just the holiday itself. Follow the link below for a step-by-step tutorial on how to make these.

Paper Fortune Cookie Tutorial

Pick of the Week - Monday, December 13, 2010

2010-12-13T14:09:00.000-08:00

This centerpiece has always been a favorite of mine!

Cream candles can be used with any color floral arrangements and variety in the height of the candles also adds depth and dimension to the setting. A super romantic centerpiece that won't look the same from any direction!

Welcome to Dreams by Design Events!!!

2010-12-12T15:23:00.000-08:00

Well, here I am! Posting my first blog! I'm not going to lie...I've never had a blog before so this is a first. So is starting my own business though! I have just recently started Dreams by Design Events - an event planning service based in St. Petersburg, Florida. I am so excited to get to work on so many different projects. My friends and family have been great in supporting me and I can't wait to get started. I've already been asked to help plan a number of events ranging from school events, to weddings, to golf outings! Well, I plan on updating this blog at least weekly, if not more. Look for picks of the weeks which will include events, locations, wedding ideas, and all sorts of other great event ideas!