One of my favorite Southern California Bridal Salons is having an amazing sale. Winnie Couture is offering a limited sale. Run to the Beverly Hills store. It’s so gorgeous there. White and pink, with chandeliers everywhere. You’ll feel like a princess, receive the best in customer service and save on your dream gown.

Did you get the latest copy of Ceremony Magazine - Orange County? You must! Our friend Marianne Lozano Photography was featured for her photo shoot Glam Gowns. Marianne asked me for assistance in coordinating the shoot. We assisted with gowns and the timeline of the day. It was so much fun helping these beautiful models into these gowns. Jobyna’s Bridal provided these one of a kind pieces of art. They were all Ines Di Santo originals. I got goosebumps when I unwrapped the bags and saw each one. The fabric, the beading, the craftmanship. Ahhhh…heaven for a wedding planner.

These creative shots were taken at The Ebell Club of Los Angeles. Marianne chose the theatre to showcase her work. We think it was brilliant. Beautiful models, luscious gowns, amazing photographer…….well of course Ceremony Magazine had to feature it. Marianne..thanks for including us in this beautiful feature.

As we usher in the new year, many of us are thinking about our resolutions. Many brides have resolved to lose weight before their wedding. I came across in interesting article, titled “The Incredible Shrinking Bride”.  Read More. You bet it caught my eye. It’s all about the lengths brides will go to look “perfect” on their wedding day. Unrealistic diets, botox injections, teeth whitening and even artificial tanning.

As a woman, I believe we should always want to look our best. It’s understandable that you want to get in shape and be as beautiful as possible for your wedding day. But at what cost? Is it healthy mentally or physically to try to loose 20 pounds in a month? Should you risk damage to your skin by ariticial tanning beds? How much money will you spend to change the appearance of your teeth? Ask yourself why? Why would you go to these lengths for your wedding day? Then ask yourself are you preparing yourself for a wedding or a marriage?

Remember the day your fiance proposed? You were deliriously happy. To him, you were the most beautiful woman in the world, and he chose you exactly as you are. He loves YOU and wants to spend the rest of his life with the woman you see in the mirror today.

I’m not saying you shouldn’t strive to be healthier and look your very best. You should. We all should. Make realistic goals and don’t overshadow the time leading up to your wedding by being ill from starving yourself. Most importantly remember you’re planning for a future, not just a day.

October’s Couture Bride Workshop was a wild success. We had a full house of Brides to Be, and even one Groom! There was magic in the air, as Wedding Jeannie, Alina Pizzano and Mary Lallande of Jay’s Catering shared an interactive and open forum with our attendees. Featured Guest Mary Lallande, Venue Concierge of Jay’s Catering provided valuable information, sample proposals and her joy and love for all things food. In typical Jay’s Catering style, Mary created a visual feast of scrumptious treats, including Jay’s own Designer Candy Apples, a gourmet fruit and cheese tray, and yummy Coconut Vanilla cupcakes with Bavarian Cream Filling, accompanied with a refreshing lemonade.

 Jay’s Catering is consistently voted Orange County’s #1 caterer. Mary is a pivotal reason for that. Her blog titled “Food For Thought” is read by  wedding industry professionals nationwide. She was recently recognized by LA Style Unveiled as a Social Media Maven you should follow on twitter. I’m a dedicated follower of her tweets.

(I love this shot of Veronica and I polishing off our presentation)

Our October Brides learned the “insider” secrets to “simplified” wedding planning, the value in a custom wedding gown, and experienced the joy of creating a menu that reflects their personality as a couple.

Thank you to the wonderful brides who attended. We do this for YOU! We hope our advice is helpful to you in your wedding planning adventure. Of course, thanks goes to Alina Pizzano for sharing her beautiful salon with all of us. And finally, Mary Lallande….thank you for all of your generosity, talent and expertise. You are simply the best.

Last Saturday we had the pleasure of working for Jennifer and Ian. This picture is a teaser of another blog post to come. It’s honestly one of the most incredible images of a bride that I personally have ever seen. And I see alot! Thank you to Cherie Steinberg of CherieFoto for getting this image to me within two days. She was so excited about it that she sent it this morning. If you love it, see Cherie’s work at www.cheriefoto.com

I’m using this photo to showcase my newest bargain. Jennifer was a very smart bride. Her wedding was gorgeous and had so many unique touches. She was able to provide her guests with a photo booth, an interactive scrap booking experience, an art wall where guests could paint on a canvas. The canvas will be a permanent piece of art they will have forever. How was she able to do all this without breaking the bank?

Instead of spending thousands of dollars on her gown, she purchased a very affordable gown at David’s Bridal. She then took the gown to a trusted seamstress who added beading, appliques, pleating and rouching. It was magnificent. The seamstress took the one point, hook and eye bustle, and created a unique 18 point bustle that made the back of her gown look like cotton candy.

In my opinion, Jennifer is a trend setter. She thought outside of the box and found a way to have a custom couture gown without breaking the bank. What did she do with the money she saved? Upgraded her menu….and treated her guests to one amazing meal. Now that’s what I call a smart bride.

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. My life has never been personally touched by Breast Cancer, but by other forms of cancer. In the past I’ve done my part and walked 5 times in the 3-Day Breast Cancer Walk. Over the last few years, wedding planning took all my time, and I feel badly that I’m not taking action. How could I “marry” giving of myself and weddings? BRIDES AGAINST BREAST CANCER.

What is Brides Against Breast Cancer? It’s a non-profit organization that provides women suffering the effects of breast cancer, precious time with their loved ones, when insurance is exhausted. How do they do this? Through the donation and sale of used wedding gowns. This amazing group of individuals, many volunteers, take this “show on the road” throught the country. Sales of gowns are held in major cities throught out the country. Want to know where you can buy a beautiful designer gown at a fraction of the cost of a salon? Visit their Gown Sale Calendar.

“But Jeannie”, you say, “I’ve already bought my gown, how can I help”. There are many ways. Once your wedding day has passed, you can donate your gown! Simply send it to the Making Memories Breast Cancer Foundation. No only are you helping in the fight for breast cancer, you are being “green”. By recycling wedding gowns, instead of manufacturing new ones, we lesson our carbon footprint on the earth. Now that’s a cool thing to do. And…..it’s a tax deductable donation!!!!! You can also donate your time to a local event,  or have a Pink Envelope Bridal Shower.

Another way to make a difference, is at your reception. Instead of a favor, provide your guests with a donation on their behalf. After all, how many gel candles or soaps do people really need? Visit the Pink Envelope Project to learn more.

I’ve decided to make a vow right here on my blog (for all to see). I’m going to call Brides Against Breast Cancer today and donate my time to the next local gown sale. I hope to see you there. Stop by and say hi! Let’s do something together to make a difference.

Join Inside Weddings Magazine, Bloomingdales, and Wedding Planner Mary Dann for a “Pre-Wedding” Wedding Party. You can choose your registry items, enjoy the latest bridal fashions, enjoy cocktails and yummy hors d’oeuvres, take home a beautiful goodie bag and enter for your chance to win a three day stay in Hawaii. Isn’t it fun to be a bride?

Introducing Alexis and Kate Lyman. This dymanic “sister” duo are the talent behing Echo Parque, a luxury brand of hair accessories. Alexis and Kate were on hand at our Couture Bride Workshop, showing off their extensive collection. Our brides as well as our presenters were in love with all the “hair bling”. The girls use feathers, netting, cloth flowers, beads, appliques, and so much more. We all fell in love with their headbands, clips, combs and even hats. We fell in love with them too! Not only are they talented, but they are fun, lively and passionate about what they are doing. That’s a winning combination.

Echo Parque can custom design a hair clip or head band to match your bridesmaids gowns. What a great idea. What girl wouldn’t love to wear this for a wedding and then again out for coffee or dinner? Check out the full collection available on Etsy. www.echoparque.etsy.com, or call Alexis and Kate at 323.378.8812.

Alexis and Kate…..thank you for taking part of our workshop. We loved having you there and hope you will be back with more of your lovely works of art.

As a bride-to-be, you’ve seen Get Married online, and on Lifetime Television. Now they launch the all new Get Married Magazine. Want a free copy? Of course you do! I do! Simply click on http://www.getmarried.com/registration/ and wait for your copy.

Not only will the mag be gorgeous and glossy, it will be interactive. Yup, there’s an app for that! Why? Because let’s face it, we’re all on the go these days. Using Microsoft Tags, you’ll be able to read featured articles right on your Blackberry or IPhone.

Hosted by celebrity event designer Colin Cowie, Get Married’s TV show is a daily half-hour television series airing at 7:30 am ET/PT on Lifetime Television, the leader in women’s television and one of the top-rated basic cable television networks. Video segments from the show are available online 24/7 at GetMarried.com, along with articles, image galleries, bridal blogs and shop. For more information, please visit www.GetMarried.com, and to participate in online dialogues, visit www.BloggerBrides.com

Since we’re on the topic, tune into Get Married TV on September 3rd. Wedding Jeannie will be featured on “My Favorite Wedding”. It’s the wedding of Michelle and Jeremy. They had a vintage yet modern wedding at The Ebell of Long Beach almost one year ago. Tune in to find out why it was my favorite.

David’s Bridal is having an amazing giveaway. Each month they will give one lucky bride either a bridal gown or 5 bridesmaids dresses! Register here to be the next winner! If you win, you could take the money you would have spent on your gown and use it towards upgraded linens, add another entree to your menu, or put it towards your honeymoon!

The latest fall collection at David’s Bridal is filled with beautiful new gowns. I love the elegance of the Oleg Cassini line as well as the playfulness and chic look of the Galina gowns. Galina offers a more casual look that would be perfect for a beach or destination wedding. And don’t forget those flower girl dresses. David’s offers the largest collection of flower girl dresses anywhere. With so many choices, you’ll find the perfect match for your own sweet flower girl.

Good luck on winning your dream gown!

Wedding Jeannie in conjunction with Alina Pizzano Couture Bridal, is proud to announce our monthly Wedding Workshops. Do you need advice on planning the perfect wedding? Alina Pizzano is a custom couture designer that will share her secrets to choosing the perfect gown for your figure and budget. The Wedding Jeannie team of Jeannie Ward and Veronica Medrano will give you insider tips on how to design and plan a magical wedding that is everything you’ve wished for. Imagine the finest wedding vendors in Southern California presenting you with their knowledge, in the luxury of Alina’s glittering salon.

The workshops are held the 3rd Thursday of every month, at Alina Pizzano’s salon in Pasadena. Each month a premier wedding professional, will educate you in saving time and money when choosing your vendors. We are excited for you to meet Brian Alexander of Brian Alexander Photo, on August 20th. Future speakers will focus on catering, invitations & calligraphy, videography, floral design, specialty linens, music, wedding cakes, and more. Our years of experience have allowed us to line up a dream team of vendors to bring to you. Can’t make it to the first one, simply check back to my blog to find out who will be featured the following month.

Our workshops will be small, intimate and personalized. Since we only accept a limited amount of brides each month, the focus is on you. You will have one on one time with each Alina, myself and our guest speaker. This means our workshops are filling up quickly. RSVP right away in order to be included in this exclusive opportunity. We look forward to meeting you and sharing our experience and expertise.

You chose Jayann and Perry as the winners of the KTLA, I Do Redo. Now, you get to choose the gown Jayann will wear. View today’s segment below to see the three stunning choices. Vote for your favorite at www.ktla.com/wedding I have a favorite, but I’m not telling. I’ll just wait and see what the public decides.

Wedding Jeannie was on hand to discuss the progress of the plans of this wedding so far. Jayann and Perry are making great progess toward their Friday wedding. Together we’ve helped them put together their wedding website, compile the guest list, work on their ceremony vows and choose their musical selections.

Watch tomorrow when we introduce Jacks and Bellas. They will present the floral arrangement you can vote for your favorite.

Thank you to Scott, Jennifer and Suzanne of Mon Amie Bridal Salon. You rolled out the red carpet for Jayann and made her feel like a princess. I’m so appreciative of everything you’ve done to make this contest so special for the winner. We can’t wait to see her walk down the aisle in a Mon Amie Gown.

Congratulations to our friend Alina Pizzano. Her salon has grown and expanded into a larger, and may I say “stunning” new location. Yesterday we had the pleasure of being a sponsor for her Grand Opening. The photos of the salon should leave you wanting more. If you are looking for a custom made couture “one of a kind” bridal gown, visit Alina. She is extremely talented and takes the time to give you the ultimate in personal service. She’s located at 235 East Colorado Blvd., in Pasadena. Visit her website at www.AlinaPizzano.com

We’re so happy for you Alina. Much success in the new location.

Russell Fowler Studios was on hand to capture the memories of the Your Wedding Day Spring Launch Party. Wedding Jeannie worked so hard on creating the amazing Marie Antoinette Gone Moderne room, and now you can see how truly eye popping it was. Here is what Russell Fowler himself had to say about it:

Did I say “PARTY”??? YES, YWD put on a fun fest party for everyone involved with their magazine. Thea Lignos, Cathryn VanBreene, John Hargrove, Kate Bolson, and the core planning committee, Melissa Allen of The Ebell of Los Angeles, Nikki Khan of Exquisite Events, Jeannie Ward of Wedding Jeannie, Michael  Willms of Entertainment Design Events….thank you for treating us 820 plus in attendance including 401 plus wedding industry vendors to such a fantastic evening of “well needed” Good Times!

Visit Your Wedding Day Now!

Shot by: Russell Fowler and Ian McHenry

Edited by: Joey Sinko and Russell Fowler

 (c) 2009 YourWeddingDay.com, Cheriefoto

WEDDING JEANNIE PRESENTS “MARIE ANTOINETTE GONE MODERNE” 

On April 22nd, Wedding Jeannie was given the honor of being a part of planning the Your Wedding Day Magazine’s Spring 2009 Release Party, attended by over 600 of the best wedding and event professionals in Southern California. Editor, Thea Lignos and her amazing team chose the legendary Ebell Club of Los Angeles to host this spectacular event. The Ebell has many beautiful rooms to choose from, each one more glorious than the next. So what was Thea to do? Allow three designers to create the room of their dreams! Pinch me! I kept waiting to wake up from this dream.

These amazing photos were provided by Cherie Steinberg Cote’ of CherieFoto. She and her partner Hedley Jones lent their talents to photographing this entire event. Besides being colleagues in the industry, they are also my dear friends. I’m so happy they were there to represent each one of us and our visions.

(c) 2009 YourWeddingDay.com, Cheriefoto

The other two designers chosen were Michael Willms, of Entertainment Design Events, and Nikki Khan of Exquisite Events. The icing on the cake is that we all would have the pleasure of working at The Ebell with Melissa Allen, Director of Catering and Special Events. In the industry, she is by far the best venue manager this coordinator has ever known.

My room was to be a Marie Antoinette Gone Modern theme. No one can imagine my delight when I conjured up the idea and it was embraced and supported by the magazine. Some of the elements incorporated were modern yet nostalgic furnishings by Fete Accompli, visually stunning florals by Eddie of Tic-Tock Couture Florals, lighting by G2 Audio and Lighting, a Marie Antoinette inspired cake and scrumptious desserts by the “oh so talented” Cake Divas, and designer linens by Wildflower Linens. The experience was complete with the elegant sounds of piano, played by Fern Barishman and stunning models provided by The Studio Agency. They were draped in luxurious couture gowns by the one and only Monique Lhuillier. |
(c) 2009 YourWeddingDay.com, Cheriefoto 

Michael Willms created a Cuban Nostalgic Garden where guests entered this amazing party, as well as Le Discoteque, a 70’s inspired disco for everyone’s dancing pleasure. Nikki Khan created a Sensory Bollywood Lounge where guests could sip tea and partake in henna tatoos. She also had a beautiful Veranda with a sumptuous tented lounge where we all were able to try hookah. Please visit their websites http://www.entertainmentdesignevents.com/ and http://www.exquisevents.com for details about their amazing spaces. You can also visit Melissa Allen’s blog to see more at www.ebelllosangeles.wordpress.com

More pictures and details of this event will be featured in the Fall issue of Your Wedding Day Magazine. As soon as it hits the newsstands, I suggest you pick up a copy. Thank you to Melissa Allen of The Ebell and everyone at Your Wedding Day Magazine for this amazing opportunity. I was so proud to be a part of it.