Bridal Fascinations By My Wedding Concierge

Google+ for the Wedding Industry – Marketing to Brides

admin — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 21:53:34 +0000

I’ve been playing with Google+ for about a week now and sending invites to wedding vendors who want in on this new social media platform. I’ve been asked many times on twitter and facebook whether I think that it’s necessary to join yet ANOTHER social media site. As little time as I have to devote to yet another platform, I think that google+ is one that we need to pay attention to. Do I think that it’s going to overtake facebook? I don’t think so. I think that it will however, divide early adopters vs. late adopters. Like they say, the early bird gets the worm. Get in there. Learn how to use it, and learn how to use it to market to your brides. It has a lot of buzz right now and the ability to communicate to your own group via circles and not have to include all of your other brides/friends/vendors in the conversation is a huge plus in my book.

I see the ability for you, as a vendor, to have conversations with individual brides in her own circle that doesn’t include spamming all your friends. You can upload photos to her circle and she can reply to the same conversations in complete privacy. Everything is more visual and all in one place. I also find that the user interface was also very well thought out and easy to use. With Facebook fan pages, Google has been rumored to have coming soon, brand pages. That’s another reason to jump onboard now so you’re familiar with how the whole system works.

And one more thing about the advantage of Google+ over facebook? Bye bye Farmville and Mafia Wars!!!

If you already have a google+ account, an easy way to create a vanity account is: visit: gplus.to enter a username, add your google account number and voila, it’s done!

Mine is: http://gplus.to/wedding if you want to connect with me.

If you would like an invite to google+, please leave a comment here and I’ll email you one right away!

Elie Saab Couture Paris Fall Winter 2011

admin — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 08:10:50 +0000

Straight off the runway, here are some of my favorite Elie Saab Couture gowns! This is their Fall/Winter 2011 collection and it’s absolutely delicious. Enjoy! Which one is your favorite?

Photo Credit: GoRunway.com

Ombre Wedding Trend in Gowns, Cakes, Bouquets, and Invitations

admin — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 07:43:47 +0000

What is ombre you ask? It’s one of the hottest trends to hit the wedding industry this year and we’re seeing it in everything from wedding gowns to wedding cakes. Ombre is the gradual change from a light color to dark color of usually the same color palette. Take a look at all the different ways ombre has been incorporated into weddings. Are you going to incorporate ombre into your wedding?

Photo Credits:
Flowers & Cake: Martha Stewart Weddings
Gown: Claire Pettibone
Invitations: Brides Magazine

Custom Couture Wedding Cookies and Favors by Rolling Pin Productions – Sponsored Post

admin — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 19:50:51 +0000

If you want a truly unique and custom wedding favor, you’ll definitely want to know about this custom cookie company that produces the most tasty and pretty cookies I have ever seen! Rolling Pin Productions was recognized by Bride’s Magazine as one of the Top 50 Wedding Websites You Can’t Live Without and had this to say about them, ‘A yummy idea: Send guests home with individually wrapped cookies customized to your party theme from Rolling Pin Productions.’ They make their own cookie cutters to your specifications and can decorate the cookies with the utmost attention to detail. They are almost too beautiful to eat and your guests will be absolutely delighted with such a delicious and beautiful favor. You can also follow them on twitter: @flutebake

Have a wonderful and safe 4th of July everyone!!

Independence Day Wedding Inspiration Board – Red, White, and Aqua

admin — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 18:34:48 +0000

Here’s a pretty take on red, white, and blue – I softened it up a bit with aqua instead of navy blue for Independence Day. This inspiration board was created in just 5 minutes using our soon to launch “Desire” Inspiration Board Creator app for the iPhone and iPad!

Photo Credits:
Chair, cake, favors, bouquet, and tablescape courtesy of Martha Stewart Weddings
Bridal Party: Goodlight Photography
Shoes: Amanda Wilcher Photographers

July 4th Patriotic Wedding – Red White and Fabulous!

admin — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 09:01:34 +0000

I came across this lovely 4th of July wedding the other day and had to feature it even though it’s over a year old. It’s theme was Red, White, and Fabulous and it really is. The elements are classic and can easily stand the test of time. The details are gorgeous – I love how the whole reception was white and pops of blue and red were incorporated throughout. The wedding was designed by my friend Isabella from Florabella and photographed by the talented Liz Banfield

Same Sex Weddings in New York Legalized

admin — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 06:37:33 +0000

Congratulations to all my gay wedding friends in New York!!! You now have the right to marry your loved ones legally and I’m thrilled for you all! Governor Andrew Cuomo made same-sex marriages legal in New York today and weddings can start taking place in New York in 30 days. I also wanted to point out how forward thinking My Wedding Concierge is. Not only were we the first ones to come out with wedding iPhone apps over 2 years ago, our Inspiration Engine iPhone App is also the only ones that show up in the iTunes store when you do a search for “gay wedding planning,” “gay wedding planner,” “Same sex wedding planning,” “gay wedding blogs,” “gay inspiration boards,” “gay wedding ideas,” “gay wedding inspiration,” and “same-sex wedding planner.”

Our app also ranks #1 and #2 for the term “same sex weddings” and “gay weddings,” “same sex wedding” and “gay wedding.”

Congratulations again! This is a major victory for you all and now we just wait for the next 44 states to follow suit. Have a wonderful weekend!

Photo courtesy of: Katje Hempel Photography

My Wedding Concierge Inspiration Board Creator App – Desire Preview

admin — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 01:36:31 +0000

We are getting ready to launch our Inspiration Board creator app for the iPhone and iPad! Get ready to be able to create inspiration boards in just a few minutes! No longer will you need to know how to use Photoshop or Illustrator. Make inspiration boards just like the professional bloggers! I just reread what I typed…and it sounds like an infomercial. But whatever…you’re going to love it. We’re looking to submit to Apple next week and vendors, if you want to get your photos on, let me know and we can make that happen! Would love to hear your feedback on this new app and how we can improve on it!

Paris Engagement Photography Session

admin — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 19:40:10 +0000

When I came across this GORGEOUS engagement shoot in Paris, I knew that I had to drop everything and find the photographer that had shot it. Juggling a million things at any given time, a shoot has to be this gorgeous for me to want to chase it. To my surprise, this shoot hadn’t been picked up before and the photographers have never been published on a blog before. I think I found myself a gem! Zabrina from Jeza Photography has been wonderful to work with – I’m looking forward to seeing and featuring more shoots from them!

Paris by Day

Paris by Night

Social Media Integration – Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter, and Tumblr

admin — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 09:25:09 +0000

Social Media Integration

We just launched our social media integration suite of tools tonight! We’ve made it incredibly easy for you to post any of the images found in our Image Concierge onto your social media accounts. If you go to our Image Concierge and do a search for any wedding related images, as long as you’re logged into your twitter, facebook, tumblr, or pinterest accounts, you can simply click the icon button below the photo to post the photo directly to those sites! With the facebook icon, you can also send your friends a quick note with the photo attached. I would love to hear if you like this new feature or how we can improve upon it! If you need a pinterest invite, please leave a comment here with your email address and I’ll send you one right away!

Food Truck Wedding

admin — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 04:24:35 +0000

Food Trucks at Engage11

Food trucks are quite popular right now – I follow a few here in San Diego on twitter or facebook and if they’re fairly close by and I’m hungry, I’ll go and find them. The food is absolutely delish, cheap, and fast – well, only if you’re one of the first ones in line! Brides and grooms are incorporating food trucks into their wedding plans. Personally, I like them at rehearsal dinners and after parties. I’m still a traditionalist and like the sit down dinners for the wedding reception. But, because they are completely self contained (they travel and cook in the same vehicle), you can cut costs by using a food truck vs. a catering company. There are food trucks for just about every set of tastebuds – from cupcakes to organic, farm to truck to In N Out. Bon Appetit!

Photos courtesy of Mel Barlow

The above inspiration board was created with our soon to launch Inspiration Board Creator App in under 3 minutes!

Summer Bridal Shower Brunch

admin — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 09:29:14 +0000

I love this bridal shower. It is so stylish and the house is beyond beautiful. I wish I had a room in my house that could pull off a bright fuchsia room with orange beams! The talented team at Evantine Design designed it and Peter Callahan catered the lovely little bites of food. If you love his mini bites, go pre-order his book on Amazon – I’m going to let my good friend Melissa Paul tell the story of this gorgeous shower!

Peter Callahan designed a light and fresh summer menu for the party balancing his signature miniature passed hors d’oeuvres with beverage bars and food stations. Guests enjoyed a “help-yourself” beverage bar that included a choice of watermelon and mint, Meyer lemonade, sparkling water with verbena, and white peach iced tea. Classic American favorites were cleverly presented on starkly modern trays, including breakfast favorites like scrambled eggs and bacon, smoked salmon on bagels, blueberry pancakes and strawberry smoothies; as well as tongue-in-cheek savory bites like fish tacos paired with mini Patron sippers, “potted” chicken salad in edible potato pots and zucchini frites in paper cones.

A summer lunch buffet offered a variety of light salads and savories: grilled lemon chicken, whole cold poached salmon with cucumber dill sauce, grilled herb oil ficelle slices, grilled summer vegetables, shaved fresh corn with olive oil and butter, heirloom tomato salad, and a grilled peach, feta and arugula salad.

A dessert “mosaic” was placed in the living room for guests to sample at will with bite-sized brownies, key lime pies, summer berry tarts, “peanut butter & jelly” cookies, and sugared donuts. White square platters lined with various colorfully-patterned papers were placed precisely on the table for a clean, modern presentation. In the center of the six foot glass coffee table a collection of tomato red vases filled with single stems of white snapdragons provided a modern floral display.

[Photos: David Mielcarek]

My Wedding Concierge is a Tastemaker on Pinterest!

admin — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 16:37:57 +0000

Have you discovered Pinterest yet? It’s a great little place for finding inspiration and organizing photos by categories. I got sucked in a few months ago – like I needed another thing to take up my precious time – and I must say, it’s beyond addicting. I make it easy on myself, I pin only from My Wedding Concierge’s Image Engine – it’s easy to find gorgeous photos that I love and to show the world what I love.

I’m so honored that Pinterest took notice of my boards and has us listed as one of their Tastemakers!

If you’d like to join my addiction and would like an invitation, leave a comment below with your email address and I’ll get an invite sent over right away!

My Wedding Concierge is Featured in Entrepreneur Magazine + Giveaway!!

admin — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 09:25:03 +0000

I am absolutely thrilled to announce that My Wedding Concierge, has been featured in Entrepreneur Magazine’s Summer Start Up Guide!!! It is already available on newsstands and will be for the next 4 months! Truly, it is an entrepreneur’s dream come true to be profiled in the largest business magazine in the world. A huge thank you to Amy Cosper, Editor in Chief of Entrepreneur Magazine for believing in us and thank you to ALL of you who have supported us over the last 2 years! We wouldn’t be where we are without you. Last but not least, thank you to my wonderful genius of a husband who works tirelessly behind the scenes to develop the most cutting edge technology the wedding industry has ever seen.

Entrepreneur Magazine Summer Start Up Guide 2011

To celebrate, we must have a GIVEAWAY!!! We will be giving away 5 copies of the magazine, 5 My Wedding Concierge totebags, and 5 $10 iTunes Gift Cards!

To enter:

1. Like us on facebook:
2. Click Like on our Entrepreneur Magazine article
3. Leave a comment on this blog!

Style Me Pretty is Being Featured on CBS Sunday Morning

admin — Sun, 12 Jun 2011 07:33:46 +0000

Photo courtesy of Style ME Pretty

One of my favorite wedding blogs, run by the uber stylish, Abby Larson is being featured by CBS Sunday Morning! CBS is featuring Style Me Pretty on the influence of bloggers on the media and publications. I’m loving how the media is really viewing the wedding industry as a way to reach a younger and more influential crowd. I for one, am loving this shift, as it brings even more awareness into a $72 Billion dollar industry and hopefully shows how wedding blogs are influencing today’s brides. Make sure you tune in!

Here are your local showtimes.

Engage11 – Coffee Break Inspiration Board – Perfect for Wedding Brunch

admin — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 17:03:55 +0000

We were treated to a wonderful coffee break during the general session at Engage!11. The Grand Del Mar put on a beautiful display of coffee flavored cupcakes, miniature tiramisu, Starbucks Frappucinos, and Krispy Kreme donuts complete with vintage signage and flowers in vintage coffee cans. Perfect for bridal showers and post wedding brunches, it’s a great way to caffeinate!

And this pretty inspiration board was created with our new inspiration board creator app – done in under 2 minutes! You’ll be seeing a lot more inspiration boards from me now….now that I can get them done perfectly, and in under 5 minutes! Look for the app in a few weeks!

Coffee and Dessert Bar at The Grand Del Mar

Engage11 – Strawberry Dessert Buffet Inspiration Board

admin — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 16:33:01 +0000

The food. Oh the food. It was all so very impressive. The Grand Del Mar outdid themselves when it came to displays of food! I must admit, I’m not surrounded by gorgeous displays of food every weekend as many of my wedding planner friends are, but this was all just so pretty. Too pretty to eat! We came out on break to a gorgeous strawberry dessert buffet of big juicy strawberries dipped in nerds, shot glasses with strawberry smoothies, red licorice, strawberry soda, linzer cookies, strawberry truffles, strawberry infused water, granola with strawberries, and much much more. Perfect for a bridal shower or wedding brunch, this is easy to set up and just so pretty! Enjoy! All photos courtesy of Mel & Co.

Strawberry Dessert Table

Engage!11 – Luxury Wedding Summit at The Grand Del Mar

admin — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 09:06:10 +0000

This past week, I was lucky enough to attend Engage!11 at The Grand Del Mar. My mind is still trying to digest every single conversation held, every gorgeous detail, and all of the advice given from the impressive line of speakers. Every time Rebecca and Kathryn hosts one of these conferences, everyone always claims that it is life changing and how it shifts their business into high gear. IT REALLY DOES! My first Engage conference, I felt, set forth new friendships and connections. This second time around, it has helped me set forth partnerships, ones that would not have been possible without the amazing group of attendees that they are able to attract. A further testament to how powerful this conference is, Engage11 :: The Grand Del Mar sold out in just two tweets. I was the first one to sign up, afraid that I would miss out on attending this magical conference just 3 miles from home.

Here are some gorgeous photos from the first day! All of the following inspiration boards were created using our new iPhone/iPad Inspiration Board creator app and took less than 6 minutes to create the boards! We hope to have it available in the next few weeks! All photos courtesy of Mel Barlow & Co.

engage!11 Registration Details

engage!11 Cocktail Party at The Grand Del Mar

Just Launched – The Wedding Tribune – Wedding Blog Newspaper

admin — Wed, 11 May 2011 17:16:57 +0000

We are so excited to announce the launch of The Wedding Tribune! Updated every 30 minutes, we will showcase all of the latest blog posts in a visually stunning manner. The Wedding Tribune allows you to read up on your favorite blogs and discover new gems along the way! Read by category or by breaking news, we’ll be adding additional categories throughout the week as well as social media integration. Keep your eye out for some AMAZING iPhone and iPad apps coming out later next month! Powered by our popular My Wedding Concierge search engine, you can now view posts in near real time. Or, if you prefer to search via relevance, you can still do that via My Wedding Concierge’s website and apps. The choice is yours!

Wedding Vendors: There are limited number of sponsorship opportunities available on The Wedding Tribune or to find out how to get your blog articles up on the site, contact us today for more information! advertising@my-wedding-concierge.com

Disney Cruise Line – Destination Wedding and Honeymoon

admin — Mon, 09 May 2011 22:52:19 +0000

I have always loved Disney – all things Disney in fact. I’ve been to Disneyland countless times and have had an annual pass for as long as I can remember. I’ve even been to Disney World a few times even though it’s on the other side of the US. Our wedding cake topper was even Mickey and Minnie in wedding attire even though the wedding itself wasn’t Disney themed. Now that we have two children of our own, we’ve gone on to cruising on the Disney Cruise Line. It’s always been a magical time, but this last trip our most amazing one to date. Nearly two years ago, I knew that they were bringing the Disney Wonder out to Los Angeles and saw a nice itinerary from Los Angeles to Vancouver for 7 days/6 nights. My travel agent also informed me that their Royal Suite was still available and if I wanted it, I would have to let them know right away. I jumped on the chance and invited my parents to come along for the week as I’ve heard of some people waiting 5 years for this room to become available.

“The Concierge Royal Suite with Verandah is a sprawling 1,029 square-foot stateroom decked from floor to ceiling in palatial splendor. An unparalleled combination of luxury, personal attention and sophistication come together in our most spacious quarters—featuring 2 glamorous bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, an expansive media library, pantry, wet bar and dining salon. The rich decor incorporates fine art, vintage Disney hallmarks, custom fittings and fine wood furnishings. With enough room to sleep 7 with ease, a Concierge Royal Suite with a 40 foot Verandah magically transforms your cruise adventure into a fairytale fantasy.”

Perfect for Honeymooners, this palatial suite has a wonderful Concierge team that will works tirelessly to make your trip a real fairytale. Weddings can happen in several locations on the ship and is taken care of via the team at Disney Fairy Tale Weddings & Honeymoons. They will work together with you to create the destination wedding and honeymoon of your dreams. Private dining is available in your suite where they will set up your dinner table complete with tablecloth and silverware. The Royal Suite is also the only suite where you are permitted to order from Palo, their exclusive adult only gourmet restaurant.

Aboard the ship, there are plenty of activities and entertainment geared towards adults. Their spa is a wonderful oasis of relaxation – try a couple’s massage, or if you itinerary includes a stop by Castaway Cay, Disney’s private island in the Bahamas, enjoy an open air massage on the beach in one of their cabanas!

Once you board, you will meet with your personal Concierge team who will take care of your every need. If you can imagine it, they will try and make it happen! We had asked about a bridge tour and were told that due to security reasons, they were not allowed to do them. The next morning, we got a personal invitation from the Captain’s assistant for a tour the next day!

It was by chance that the Royal Wedding – the wedding of the century would also be on while we were on the trip. We had a great time watching it in the middle of the night with other Royal Wedding watchers – where else would we be able to watch the Royal Wedding surrounded by princesses?!

All in all, we had a grand time and can’t wait to cruise with Disney again – Disney outdid themselves in the level of service that they provide and I highly recommend them to any Disney fan looking for a fun and relaxing honeymoon!