Mr. DeMille Wants to Know: Are You Ready for Your Wedding Close-Up?

photo courtesy of jessikafeltz.com

While weddings take months to plan, it feels like the actual day itself can go by in an instant. Making the following analogy ideal… Planning a wedding is to the actual day as Michael Phelps’ training is to the Olympics.

Phelps trained day in and day out for years in order to jump in the pool, swim less than a minute and take home the gold… 8 times. It’s madness, I tell you! Complete madness!

And while your wedding day might not garner you the same fame as eight Olympic gold medals did Sir Phelps, it’s still one you’ll hopefully want to remember forever. But how do you remember something forever when it’s done in a flash?

In pictures, of course!

If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a schmillion times… Your wedding photos are hands down some of the most important – if not the most important – keepsake you’ll have from your day. So, it’s important to make them count!

Recently, theknot.com put out a list of the 50 (New!) Must Have Wedding Photos for Your Album, and I’m dying to know what you think (or what you would add!)! While I consider several of the items to be a bit of “Pete and Repeat” and slightly unorganized, I do think it’s crucial to get as many ideas as possible; hence why i even put a few more of my personal suggestions at the end as well! Whoop, whoop! So, without further adieu, here they are (with a couple examples from our big day courtesy of the ahhhhmazing Jessika and Jimmy Feltz!!):

1. A Really Good Kissing Shot

2. The Guys Getting Ready (see also #21, #41, #43 and #50)

Ohhh to be a dude on the wedding day. (photo courtesy of jessikafeltz.com)

3. Your Bouquet (see also #10, #14 and #49)

4. The Reception Tables

5. Your Shoes (see also #25)

Granted, this is merely the heel of my shoes... but I love this shot! (photo courtesy of jessikafeltz.com)

6. You — In Action

7. Your Favors

8. Your Wedding Party Kids — Junior Brides, Ring Bearers, Flower Girls, etc.

Haha! Yessss! (photo courtesy of jessikafeltz.com)

9. The Wedding Cake

10. Bridesmaid’s Bouquets (see also #3, #14 and #49)

11. The Ceremony — Pulled Back

Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church (photo courtesy of jessikafeltz.com)

12. Your Dress

13. Your Hairstyle

14. His Boutonniere (see also #3, #10 and #49)

15. Candid Shots of Your Bridesmaids

Love love love these ladies! (photos courtesy of jessikafeltz.com)

16. The Ceremony — From a New Angle

17. Your Wedding Party –Bridesmaids, Groomsmen, Ushers, Miniature Attendents, etc.

18. Your Guests

Might I suggest doing a Photo Booth? The pics WILL be epic. (photo courtesy of jessikafeltz.com)

19. The Scene (see also #32)

20. The Reception — Pulled Back

21. Getting Ready with Your Mom (see also #2, #41, #43 and #50)

22. A “New Angle” Photo (see also #46)

23. The Ceremony Details

Part of the Four String Quartet (photo courtesy of jessikafeltz.com)

24. Your Jewelry

25. His Shoes (see also #5)

26. A Sign of the Times Shot — Twitter, iPad, Facebook, etc.

27. Your First Dance

28. A Posed & Composed Couple’s Shot

From our editorial / aeroplane shoot :) (photo courtesy of jessikafeltz.com)

29. The Escort Cards

30. A First Look Photo

31. A Silhouette Shot

Feel free to include the groom too, hehe! (photos courtesy of jessikafeltz.com)

32. A Scene Setter (see also #19)

33. A “Magic Hour” Photo — reference term of photographers for right before sunset or right after sunrise when the light is best

34. The Wedding Dog

35. The Little Odds & Ends

One of our reception decorations standing proud. (photo courtesy of jessikafeltz.com)

36. The Getaway Car

37. A Dramatic Couple’s Shot

Again, from our editorial / aeroplane shoot! (photo courtesy of jessikafeltz.com)

38. A Funky Backdrop Couple’s Shot

39. A Movie-esque Old Hollywood Shot — Black & White

40. The Lighting

From inside one one of the trees :) (photo courtesy of jessikafeltz.com)

41. Your Bridesmaids Before the Ceremony (see also #2, #21, #43 and #50)

Grouped together outside the church! (photo courtesy of jessikafeltz.com)

42. You and Your Dad

43. Getting Ready Photo of You (see also #2, #21, #41 and #50)

44. A Before the Ceremony Toast

45. Your Glamour Shot

46. An Artistic Angled Shot (see also #22)

47. A Stolen Moment Away

Just the two of us! (photos courtesy of jessikafeltz.com)

48. Your Fashion Shot

Hiiiiiiiiit it! (photo courtesy of jessikafeltz.com)

49. The Boutonnieres (see also #1, #10 and #14)

50. A Before the Ceremony Shot (see also any # that becomes before the ceremony, hehe!)

I would also like to offer few more shots you could benefit from… ’cause goodness KNOWS I did!

• Cake Cutting
• Other “Special” Dances (ie. father/daughter, mother/son etc.)
• Speeches & Toasts
• Bouquet Toss
• Garter Toss
• The FOOD! (Dead sere, these were some of my faves!)
• Bridal Exit from Church
• Wedding Party Entrance to Reception
• Grandparents
• Guest Book

10 Tips for a Fabulous “Love Birds” Themed Wedding

photo courtesy of Google Images

Because I’m a true lover of all things historical – I know. My cool points just went up about 12 degrees, haha! – I love love love where the concept of “love birds” comes from. Born centuries ago, the phrase first started making its way onto the scene when it was believed that birds began mating on February 14^th each year. This being the ultimate holiday of love, the two circumstances happened into one lovely little expression that has now become a commonplace endearment today.

The romance of this sentiment has inevitably translated into the world of weddings and has become a highly adaptable and trendy theme. So, if you’re a sucker for love birds, here is your guide to creating the perfect, “Watch the Birdy!” themed wedding of your dreams.

#1. Feathers. One of the most stunning aspects of any bird and not to mention one of the hottest wedding trends today is feathers! Feathers are the perfect touch of glamour and romance for any wedding day celebration and are easily incorporated into most of your details. Simply sneak these trendy tufts everywhere you can: boutonnieres, bridal hairpieces, bouquets, centerpieces, etc. Even your dress can bird fur inspired! The list could go on and on, so get creative!

photos courtesy of austinweddingblog.com, thesweetestoccasion.com and atticsunglasses.com

#2. Card Holder. Transform a beautiful vintage birdcage into a convenient wedding card holder. Guests will marvel at your resourcefulness, and this station is sure to complement the rest of your wedding seamlessly.

photos courtesy of marilynskeepsakes.com

#3. Dove Release. Create a striking ceremony finale by featuring a couple of real life love birds with a dove release. These stunning white flyers symbolize peace, love, and good fortune, making them a popular wedding favorite.

photo courtesy of virginiadoves.com

#4. Place Cards. Greet each guest at their respective place settings with a nest-and-eggs place card. Simply nestle a few sugar-coated almonds into some decorative moss, stick the place card inside and voila – a magical place setting that doubles as a sweet treat.

photos courtesy of exoticexcess.com and southernliving.com

#5. Bird Houses. No bird-themed bash would be complete without a few fowl-friendly abodes. These miniature dwellings can float from the reception hall’s rafters, but can also be utilized as centerpieces, table numbers or a wish “jars”.

photos courtesy of joeelariophotography.com

#6. The Send-Off. Go green by providing some traditional bird seed for your guests to celebrate the send-off. The seed is easily accessible and affordable and will complement your theme flawlessly. Plus, it provides a tasty treat for the actual birds hovering nearby.

photos courtesy of babyshowerhosting.com, manolobrides.com and heidiryder.net

#7. Beverages. As couples imagine more and more creative ways to keep refreshments cold and refreshing (bathtub coolers, canoe coolers, etc.), why not think like the birds? Get a few big-basined bird baths, fill with ice, and let cocktail hour begin.

photos courtesy of alyssajulblog.com and plowhearth.com

#8. Cake Topper. A simple detail, but important none-the-less. The latest cake topper favorites include classic and modern porcelain birds, or quirky and whimsical fabric birds. Either way, tailor your love bird cake topper to complement your theme and your personality as a couple.

photos courtesy of marilynskeepsakes.com and thisnext.com

#9. Tweet. Even with all the above ideas, there is still plenty of room for imagination. Fill your reception venue with plenty of bird inspired décor, such as: Paper bird pendants, fabric birds perched on branches, signs that read “Love Tweet Love” and “Love Birds” or miniature birdcages filled with candles.

photos courtesy of boards.weddingbee.com, debbiemumm.com and modernepr.com

#10. Favors. Don’t send your guests back to their nests empty-handed. Make sure you end the night with take-home treats that pay homage to the love bird theme. Bags of sugar-coated almonds will act as delicious, candied robin’s eggs. Or go a little greener with ornament-style birdseed that guests can treat to their backyard friends. And don’t even get me started on love bird themed jewelry for bridesmaids! Talk about trendy and unique!

photo courtesy of weddingchicks.com

No matter what you choose, there’s no denying the chic appeal of a love bird themed wedding! It’s understated elegance allows you to go as simple or outlandish as you like, while still maintaining the underlying theme of love, peace, and hope. For more great love bird wedding ideas, check out Marilyn’s Keepsakes.

It’s Easy to *Fall in Love* with Wedding Gloves

Audrey Hepburn did it in Funny Face…

photo courtesy of lilpaisley.typepad.com

Jackie “O” wore ’em when she made her way down the aisle to JFK…

photo courtesy of life.com

Even the eptiome of princess standards, Cinderella, kept it classy in her over the elbow accessories…

photo courtesy of bangthemisfit.blogspot.com

No matter who you are, what your personal preference or style is, there is simply something undeniable about the classic nature wedding gloves bring to a bridal look.  Whether their long, luxurious and crisply polished with satin buttons or short, lacey and decorated with delicate details, bridal gloves can be a chic way to dress up your big day. 

They can be kept true to form in white or ivory, inspired by Old Hollywood glamour and vintage velour or even taken to the next level and modernized with color, fingerless shape or Avant Garde appearance.  As always, the decision is left to the bridal beauty rockin’ ’em, but one this is for certain… bridal gloves have got classic style and vintage glam covered!  Take a gander below and see what I mean :)

photos courtesy of i-weddingdresses.com, shoponline2011.com, wedding-dress-gown.com, bridalshoesuk.co.uk, atfirstswoon.com and brides.com

Fingers Crossed for Round 2: Nick Lachey + Vanessa Minnillo are Engaged!

The happy couple ringing in the New Year in New York. (people.com)

Whoop, whoop!  Looks like the former Mr. Simpson (ya snooze, ya lose Jess!) and his long time lady friend, Vanessa Minnillo are finally making it official, and this wh@cked out wedding crasher is as pleased as punch!  I mean, y’all already know I love me some hot celebrity gossip, but there is nothing better when the famed whispers heard ’round the water cooler become factual news… especially when it is centered around reports this sweet!

According to people.com, Lachey, 36, and Minnillo, 29, became the latest on a long list of sexy celebs gearing up to take “the plunge” when late Thursday afternoon near a beach in California, Lachey got down on one knee and romantically requested for Minnillo be his wife.  **Swoon City**

I mean, will you just get a load of these two lovies??  Too freakin’ cute, right? (story cont’d below…)

Taking a carriage ride in New York's Central Park on Valentine's Day 2010. (people.com)

The engagement ring – according to a people.com source – is a Bader & Garrin Asscher-cut diamond flanked with trapezoid trinkets, and while I have a tendency to get twisted around with ring shapes, sizes and designers, as jewelry was never my thing – gasp!, I have no doubt that it’s b.e.a.uuuutiful because they are so beautiful!

As a girl who openly supported “Team Nick” through the post J. Simp years, I have to admit my bias in seeing that my boy was still open to and has since found love again, which is precisely why I’d like to wish Lachinnillo – ha, don’t act like you’re not impressed – all the best!

And cheers to many, MANY years of life, love, happiness and (fingers crossed X2) babies!!!  Helloooo???  Don’t even front like their children wouldn’t be all kinds of beautiful!  Heck, with the DNA combination those two will provide, they would be doing the world a disservice by not procreating.  Their kids will probably come out glowing with wings!

Because Every Bride Deserves the BEST…

Weddings are expensive (boo!), which is why Marilyn’s Keepsakes la-Louvres helping our brides SAVE (whoo!)…

And today is no different!  With all the final details that go into making your day the BEST day, it’s easy to see how so many brides get the overwhelming itch to call it quits!  Buuuuut, if you do yourselves a favor and pop on over to Our Site… you’ll be up to your eyeballs in all things fabulous and rejuvenated to go another 12 Bridal Rounds!

And after you take advantage of our 20% OFF site wide sale, you’ll TKO any remaining pre-wedding stress and have one less thing to worry about!  Come on… what are you waiting for?  Marilyn’s Keepsakes is calling and it’s time for you to answer :) 

What Happens When Fairytale Florals & Vampire Vixens Collide?: Pure Magic, of Course!

Designer, Lazaro (photo courtesy of jlmcouture.com)

If the saying, “little girls are made of sugar and spice and everything nice” holds true in its nature… then the following wedding dresses are a girl’s dream come true!

Combining the “sugar” of delicate florals and flowing fabrics to the bottom and the “spice” of form-fitting corsets and vamp’ed up couture to the top, designers the world over have discovered just how much opposites do attract when it comes to bridal gown glamour.  By creating the sharp contrast between the two, equally fantastical design trends, wedding gowns based off of this unique pattern give a large dose of once-upon-time whimsy with a supersized side of uber sessy!

My eye can’t help but dance from dress to dress styled with curve-hugging corsets, inspired by the undeniable sensuality of Victorian vixens and blossoming bottoms, paralleled by oversized Springtime blooms.  While neither design element is new to bridal fashion, the combination has become one of 2010’s biggest jaw dropping looks and is showing little to no sign of letting up in 2011! 

And while designers like Monique Lhuillier and Allure Bridals lead the pack for mixing these fashion phenoms, it’s no wonder soooo many others have also dabbled in this DIVA-liscious dress trend!  Look below to see what I mean:

Designer, Allure Couture (photo courtesy of allurebridals.com)

Designer, Allure Couture (photo courtesy of allurebridals.com)

Designer, Allure Bridal (photo courtesy of allurebridals.com)

Designer, Allure Bridal (photo courtesy of allurebridals.com)

Designer, Allure Bridal (photo courtesy of allurebridals.com)

Designer, Illissa by Demetrios (photo courtesy of demetriosbride.com)

Designer, Blue by Demetrios (photo courtesy of demetriosbride.com)

Designer, Ultra Sophisticates by Demetrios (photo courtesy of demetriosbride.com)

Designer, Monique Lhuillier (photo courtesy of moniquelhuillier.com)

Designer, Monique Lhuillier (photo courtesy of moniquelhuillier.com)

Designer, Monique Lhuillier (photo courtesy of moniquelhuillier.com)

Designer, Sposa by St. Pucchi (photo courtesy of stpucchi.com)

Designer, Sposa by St. Pucchi (photo courtesy of stpucchi.com)

Designer, St. Pucchi Couture (photo courtesy of stpucchi.com)

Psssst, Listen 2 This: What Wedding Rumor Do You Believe?

photo courtesy of marieclaire.com

I would like to thank Mrs. McComb – my ahhhmazing Kindergarten teacher – for teaching me one of the greatest sayings ever: Secrets, secrets are no fun.  Secrets, secrets hurt someone.  Haha!  While not all rumors are meant to be secretive or hurtful, one thing is fo’ sho… they all contain a level of ridiculousness that only rumors can implode and people can explode.

And no rumors are more ridiculous than those centered around celebrities.  Partially because of their allure; partially because of their unreachable appeal and unattainable status, celebrities will inevitably fall victim to some of the most outlandish accusations this side of the Mississippi.  Like a game a “Telephone” gone to Hell in a hand basket, celebrity rumors are not only started and contorted by your BF, Ryan Seacrest and every other busy body, but they are also then remolded, sculpted and presented for an entire world to scrutinize.  Awesome.

Recently, E! Online posted the 5 Wackiest Rumors About Katy Perry & Russell Brand’s Wedding, but what I want to know is… A) Which one do you consider the most over the top and B) What Wh@cKed Out rumors – if any – were centered around your big day? 

As far as E! Online’s rumors, here’s a breakdown from a segment they like to call So True / So False:

1. Russell thinks Katy is the cat’s pajamas and gifted her with a tigress; while Katy made Brand feel like a Big Shot and gifted him with an elephant.  – SO FALSE!  (While they did have live animals at the wedding, none were presented as gifts to the B&G.)
2. MIA POP staaahhhhs.  While Katy and Russell’s guest list was rumored to have big names, it was Diddy who was the guest of honor and pumped up the volume to the wee hours of the morning! – SO FALSE!  (Diddy was actually @ Pure Nightclub in Las Vegas.)
3. The couple went cuckoo for native culture and had a ceremony fit to be tied for all things Hindu and ditched their customarily Christian backgrounds in order to be hitched. – SO FALSE!  (A rep of the duo confirmed that a “Christian minister and longtime friend of the Hudson family” was the one to help the two say I do.)
4. Katy looked HAWT in haute couture sporting an Elie Saab gown, but details remained under lock ‘n’ key. – SO TRUE! 
5. By the end of the night, people had to “Call the Law and hold the Applause” after Brand’s bodyguards stranded news photographers in the middle of a tiger sanctuary and stirred up enough of a late night ruckus which resulted in public complaints. – ????????  (While no charges were filed against the guards after they apologized, there is still investigating going on for the public complaints.)

For these as well as other whacked out wedding rumors, be sure to view E! Online!

Because They Need A Little Help, Brides Ask, “Will You Be My Bridesmaid?”

It’s so simple and so true, and even though John Lennon and Paul McCartney originally wrote and performed the song, it was Joe Cocker – and his unforgettably raspy voice – that captivated so many more with its brilliance…

Because Lord knows “With A Little Help From My Friends,” I have been able to accomplish great things, and with a little help from their friends, brides the world over have been able to accomplish the same.  For it is the love of a bridesmaid that truly displays the most exemplary, self-giving form of friendship… and that, my dear friends, can’t be substituted, exchanged or refunded for anything else.

Recently, I received a card in the mail, and because giving and receiving personal stationery is one of my life’s simplest pleasures, I ripped into it with great excitement… which only turned into greater excitement when I saw what the card contained.

Inside the hand addressed envelope was a very well executed card which had Kimmi, my beautiful cousin’s, signature style written all over it.  (You may remember Kim from the previous post All Because Two People Fell in Love: The Engagement of Ms. Kimberly Lynn.)  My amazing cousin had taken her time and “with a little help” from her Mac created a fabulous card, covered externally with pictures of her and I and the date “October 15, 2011” and internally with photo ops of her and her love and a hand written note – first asking me to be a bridesmaid; then, giving her explanation of why it would mean so much.

The card was simple and understated – just like my amazing cousin, and it was the perfect way for her to ask.  It absolutely made my day, and because we’ll be spending the next year making sure it’s her day, I’m even more excited that she took the time to do something original.

Of course I said YES – duh! and can’t even wait to be a part of her (no doubt!) unbelievable day!

Here is her brilliant creation:

Outside of Kimmi's card :)

And for more “Will You Be My Bridesmaid?” gifts and ideas, be sure to check out our collection of goodies…

Google’s Gone Gaga for Katy Perry & Russell Brand… and I Like It!

For serious, how can you not love them? (photo courtesy of mtv.com)

Bells will ring!  The (uh uh uh) sun will shine!  (Woah oh oh oh!)  I’ll be his!  And he’ll be mine!  We’ll love until… the end of time!  And we’ll never be lonely any more!  Because…

(They’re allegedly) going to the Chapel (tomorrow!), and (they’re supposedly) get mare-ha-harried!

Ha!  First of all, what do you even know about that remix?  And second of all, who else could I possibly be talking about other than the sultry and often scantily clad Katy Perry and her unruly rocker of a man, Russell Brand!?!  I mean hellllooooo???  You know you’re big time when even CNN can’t resist offering all the latest gossip about your celebrity nuptials!

Tomorrow (sound horns!), the 23rd of October, is said to be the big day this celebrity power couple will say “I do” to each other in a VERY private, VERY exclusive ceremony at the Taj Rambagh Palace in Jaipur, India… pause to admire, then resume below…

I know what you're thinking... what a SHANTY! Right? (photo courtesy of houseandgarden.com.au)

This – of course – being the same location they got engaged just this past New Year’s Eve.  Siiiiiiiggghhhhh, how romantic :)  And while details of the event have been kept under lock ‘n’ key, there are a few tid bits that have leaked over time.  One of which being that celebrity wedding planner to the staaahhhhs, Mindy Weiss, will be helping the couple coordinate the big day, which is fitting considering Perry allegedly wanted to channel Gwen Stefani’s bridal chic-ness, whose wedding was also planned by the lovely Ms. Weiss as well. 

photo courtesy of life.com

Another golden nugget of info is that Perry’s best friend, Rihanna, is the obvious choice for maid of honor… and I sincerely suspect Ms. RiRi will easily add some fierce beauty to the guaranteed-to-be-gorgeous wedding album!  I mean, honestly… just look at her!  Do you think Katy and Rihanna ever argue about who’s hotter?  “No, Katy, you’re so much hotter than me!”  “No way, RiRi, you’re the Caribbean Queen and sooo waaay hotter than me!”  I bet they do.

Anyhoot, back to the soon-to-be-wed love birds!  I love both Brand and Perry for a number of obvious and unobvious reasons, but I mainly can’t get enough of these two crazy kids because even with their over the top personalities and celebrity swellings, they’ve both been very consistent about keeping their wedding day an intimate and seemingly “normal” celebration for the two of them.  They truly want it to be a special day to celebrate their love!  Russell was even quoted during a Q&A in New York on the 12th of this month saying:

“We just love each other, and we want to get married in front of our friends and family and keep it very normal.  It ain’t about selling the pictures.  It ain’t about doing no pre-nup.  It’s just a normal thing.” (Russell Brand, via CNN.com)

Ha!  Love love love this!  And even though I totally know they’re being super cautious about keeping secrets… I soooo hope they share at least a few images with the rest of us who were either A) “accidently” left off the guest list or B) couldn’t afford a plane ticket to go!  Haha!

Good luck you two!  On behalf of Marilyn’s Keepsakes and myself, I’d like to wish you both the best of luck and all the happiness in the world!  And cheers to many, MANY years of ahhhh to the mazing!  Lord knows y’all deserve it :)

Divine Destination: You Name the Price, They Do the Work

photo courtesy of hawaiiwedding.net

Brides looking to do destination weddings on a budget have one more reason to cheer… for Paradise Maui Weddings is here!  As the first “name your own price” wedding company, Paradise Maui Weddings is looking to create a once in a lifetime experience for all of their once in a lifetime brides. 

With wedding packages starting as low as $400 and ranging to as high as your budget will allow, there’s really no limit to what you can do with your destination wedding besides the ones set by yourselves.  Their packages include everything from in room hair and makeup professionals, authentic Hawaiian floral bouquet and lei arrangements, professionally edited photos and videos, as well as limousine services, pre-wedding planning, in-cred-i-ble ceremony locations and on-site assistance.

Seems pretty much perfect, right?  It’s no wonder this type of event planning is more appropriate than ever considering the number of destination weddings – even during this economic plummet – have been on the rise for the past few years.  While most couples think of destination weddings as an expensive splurge, it’s not always the case.

In fact, brides and grooms doing the destination scene more often than not report they actually save on overseas excursions!  Because both the guest list, as well as the bottom line details are often cut for destination weddings, the final pricing can be significantly lower than the more traditional, hometown honey “do’s.”  And according to “not-from-around-here” newlyweds it’s easier and more fiscally responsible to travel for nuptials than to stay at home and throw a big friends and family bash.

You know what?  I’ll take their word on it, because Maui seems like a more than ahhhmazing place to set your wedding scene!  So, if any of my beautimous brides-to-be out there are planning on diving head first into one of these destination dreams, don’t forget where you got the idea… and feel free to send said inspiration station an invite!  I love Maui!  Haha :)   

And don’t forget, here at Marilyn’s Keepsakes, we have all the perfect Beach & Destination Wedding Finishing Touches to really make your day a dream come true!