Author: Becky
Accessorize Your Inner Diva!
I just made my first shopping trip to Charming CHARLIE and LOVE it. I love accessories, and Charming CHARLIE has no shortage of choices.
Charming CHARLIE opened a new store at West Towne Mall in Madison about one month ago. This is a store dedicated to jewelry, handbags and shoes. And the prices are easy enough to keep your inner diva happy while allowing you to change your accessories as often as you change your mind.
When you walk in, you can see that the store looks very organized even with the eclectic variety of styles. They keep it easy to shop by organizing everything by color. So, say you find that perfect blue dress that is calling for a great necklace or fun ring: you can find that perfect piece easily by heading to the blue jewelry section. Then you get to browse until you find just the right style.
This store would be a lot of fun for a bride planning her wedding. Just imagine all the ways that she could accessorize those bridesmaids dresses! And how fun would it be for the bride to add splashes of color to her own dress!! Forget being a bridezilla and be a brideDIVA!
Wisconsin Fun Spots
Wisconsin is full of interesting, and sometimes quirky, places. We’ve visited the usually spots, such as the Circus World Museum and the National Mustard Museum. But, I love going to spots that may be a little off the beaten path, too.
Sometimes, a sign can pull you in. The billboard signs around Mineral Point claim that Crazy Frank’s is “selling stuff for peanuts.” How can you pass that up? Chris doesn’t share my need to stop at Crazy Frank’s- he always reminds me that we didn’t bring any peanuts. But those signs intrigued me and I really had to stop to check it out. And the deals are great!
Another billboard that we missed many, many times directs you to a historic Wisconsin spot: Little Norway in Blue Mounds. Little Norway is an early Norwegian settler’s homestead, from the mid 19th century, that is located in the foothills of the Blue Mounds (not far from the Cave of the Mounds). We were given a wonderful tour by the fourth generation owner, Scott, who is a very knowledgeable man who happened to be the great-nephew of the family that has owned the property since the 1920’s. His claims of just being the guy who mows the lawn didn’t fool anyone. We learned the history of the beautiful homestead, as well as many of the antiques in the buildings. We were pretty happy that we made the trip, because the area, in the rolling hills with 6 natural springs, is gorgeous. And, where else can you find troll temporary tattoos?
Local spots in Wisconsin can be quite fun. It’s just a matter of looking for them.
Mariah & Steve | Engagement
I have realized that I don’t post many engagement sessions, though we do them for most couples. It’s a great time for us to get to know our wedding clients a bit better, and have some fun, going to places that we may not get to go to on a wedding day. Here are some recent images from Mariah and Steve’s engagement session. They wanted a barn location, but not living on a farm, it required us to search for the perfect spot. I love the locations that we came up with that day!
Family Session | Madison
Gretchen’s family is so cute! This downtown Madison session was a great backdrop for a contemporary urban look. And I love the father-son portrait- they both have their “tough-guy” look!
Wedding Cake and Dessert Trends
Wedding Cake and Dessert Trends | eleGALA.com
Inspire your imagination with this list of today’s top trends for wedding cakes and desserts…
Much more than a sweet finale to the reception meal, wedding cakes and desserts are a major style statement, and the trends, like all other wedding details, evolve with the times. The wedding cake presents a perfect opportunity for creative brides to play with shape, color, and embellishments. For those of you who need a little inspiration, consult this list of top trends for wedding cakes.
Back to Buttercream
Buttercream was once the traditional frosting for wedding cakes, but sleek cakes came into favor, and rolled fondant became the frosting of choice. Not anymore, thanks to advanced tools and techniques that allow buttercream to look as smooth as fondant, cakes iced in buttercream are again the norm. We love this trend, since buttercream frosting tastes better, has natural ingredients, and costs less than fondant. Now you can literally have your stylishly sleek cake – and eat it, too.
Keeping it Simple
As brides look for creative ways to meet their budgets without sacrificing style, simple cakes are making a comeback. Classic ivory fondant embellished with ribbon or flowers is a gorgeous and safe choice, but many brides are taking things to the next level with contemporary and fun “messy” icing. These cakes have gorgeous texture and a truly modern look while requiring less labor, which will help keep costs down.
Creative Toppers
While unique cake toppers like pinwheels, paper rosettes, and bird nests are adorning contemporary cakes, many couples are going back to the traditional bride and groom but with an interesting twist: completely personalized toppers that bear a likeness to the couple themselves. Etsy artist, Milk Teaoffers a plethora of pre-made toppers to choose from, but will also create a completely customized mini version of you and your honey.
Square Mini-Cakes
Cupcake towers in lieu of wedding cakes have been around for awhile, but brides are making cupcakes interesting again by playing with shape and size. Brides are stacking square shaped mini-cakes (slightly larger than cupcakes) adorned with flowers or dressed as presents for a completely different take on the cupcake frenzy.
Think Pink
Pink – the perpetual hot color for weddings – had begun to fall out of favor as brides experimented with more non-traditional hues like browns, grays, and even black. But soft pink is back in a big way, and brides are incorporating the blush tones throughout their wedding cake designs. Pink instantly freshens up classic white. Tone down an all-pink cake with real ivory flowers or lace details.
Cupcakes
For years, cupcakes have been replacing traditional tiered cakes and somehow, the tiny confections continue to evolve. From floral embellished towers to intricate icing and creative toppers, cupcakes always seem to both wow and please the wedding guests.
Dessert Tables
Dessert tables are an increasingly popular option that allow you to offer several different types of dessert. Pies, cupcakes, macaroons, rock candy, and M&Ms are often among the color coordinated sweets that dominate the dessert table while a single tiered cake tends to play a central roll for the traditional cake cutting. Often creatively decorated, dessert tables can become a fun, focal point of your wedding décor.
Groom’s Cake
The old Southern tradition of the groom’s cake is shedding its regional trappings and growing in popularity throughout the nation. And no, it doesn’t have to be the iconic red-velvet armadillo fromSteel Magnolias. Today’s groom’s cakes, now just as elaborate as the wedding cake itself, often reflect the groom’s interest in a dramatic and whimsical expression: a deer grooms cake for an avid hunter, shaped like a race car for an diehard Nascar fan, or decked with his favorite sports team logo.
Anna | Newborn Baby
I just LOVE to photograph newborn babies! How can anyone resist a little baby girl, just barely two weeks old and so tiny in your arms? And a sweet hat or headband on a sleeping little one is just adorable, too!
Siblings
I have had the pleasure of photographing Nikole’s family several times over the past few years, and it’s so neat to see the children grow and change. Of course, it’s hard to wrap my head around them growing up when I’m convinced that I, myself, am not getting any older, but that’s another issue!
Bridal Show Advice
Lori and Carla from Vacation Designers are fellow The National Association of Wedding Professionals (NAWP) members and they have some great advice to share about how to get the best out of the bridal show. You can see their whole newsletter here.
Vacation Designer’s Top 6
Ways to keep your sanity at a bridal show
1. Dress for a marathon: wear your sneakers or other comfortable shoes. This is not the place to break in the new Manolos.
2. Plan your route: What do you need to get accomplished at this show? Make a list, bring it with you.
3. Dont’ follow the crowd: You have some serious work to do. The 40 person pile-up in front of you is going nowhere fast. Break away from the crowd and start at the opposite end of the show, where the booths aren’t as crowded… yet. If you don’t need to watch the fashion show, use this time to talk with the vendors you are most interested in
4. Make labels: Other than comfy shoes this is the single most sanity saving tip there is. Unless you enjoy writing your name, adress, phone, email, and wedding date 87 times in one day, you should print up labels ahead of time. You don’t want to miss registering for any prizes!
5. Find your Ohm: Focus. Walking in the door can be overwhelming. It’s easy to trudge through a show with your jaw unhinged, staring at all the gorgeous cakes and dresses. Do your sightseeing AFTER you finish your to-do list.
6. Bring the other decision maker: Is that your fiance? Your mother? If there is an individual who needs to be in on decisions, bring them. Whoever this person is, they should start training those biceps, they also get to carry your bag-o-brochures.
Vacation Designers’ first-hand knowledge of resorts, geography, and culture is indispensible. You can count on their experience and knowledge to guide you through the entire honeymoon planning process. Call them for a free consultation! 608.850.3025 or visit them online at www.vacationdesigners.net They are also on facebook here.
WP&G Summer Bridal Show
It’s once again time for the Wedding Planner & Guide summer bridal show in Madison!
The bridal show will be Wednesday, June 15th, from 4pm-9pm at the Marriott Madison West. Parking is free and hors d’oeuvres will be served. The fashion show is at 7pm. Ticket info can be found on the Wedding Planner & Guide website and can be purchased at the door.
Our booth is near the front door. We would love to have you stop by to see us!
We have been part of the prize package for several years, and will be again this year. We include an engagement session package in the prize package. This year’s package is worth over $8,000! Last year’s winners were Stephanie and David, and in addition to photographing their engagement session from the prize package, we are excited to be photographing their wedding this summer.