Winter Wedding Wednesday - Ring Pillows

In the last few years, ring pillows seemed to have gained a bad reputation. Seriously, how much satin and synthetic fabric can a wedding really have? But we are here to tell you that they are making a comeback! Sit down, we have even bigger news...

There is no rule that says that the ring pillow has to be purchased from a wedding store or website. If you spot an adorable pillow at a home store or vintage boutique, feel free to use it! With a little ribbon and a thick sewing needle, you can transform any pillow into a wedding day delight! Pictured above are some of our favorite winter pillows from Crate and Barrel. So slip on your creative hat, and head to the seasonal winter section of your favorite store - these pillows will be wedding keepsakes you will actually want to keep!

Winter Wedding Wednesday - Let is Snow

Let it snow, let it snow, let is snow! (Sorry, now you will have the song stuck in your head, too!) We love winter weddings because we get to incorporate snowflakes! As with any theme, the key is to not overdo it, but with a few subtle touches, guests will watch you say "I Do" in your very own Winter Wonderland!

Here are some of our favorite snowflake ideas:


Snowflakes on the Table - All of you DM Events fans know that we strongly believe in incorporating your theme into your stationary, especially your menu cards. But think bigger! You can rent linen with shimmering snowflakes sewn into the fabric - nothing says wedding chic like seasonal linen! Note - for a cost effective alternative, rent a white shimmer or organza linen and sprinkle snowflake confetti over it - this DYI project will save you about half the price! (for confetti check out partycelebration.com)

Snowflakes on your Cake - Instead of having your baker sculpt flowers, ask for snowflakes! this is a gorgeous, simple way to dress up your winter wedding cake. If you have a dedicated spot at your wedding to showcase your cake, hang snowflake ornaments in the area - it is a dramatic look and makes for a great photo op! Note - having your baker sculpt snowflakes can be pricy so for a cost effective alternative, you can purchase 4" or 6" snowflake confetti from chicoparty.com to cover your cake. This will free up some extra money to buy yummy fillings!

Snowflake Rice - Ok, so not many people are throwing rice these days, but rather than rose petals, or bubbles, why not toss snowflakes? This is another perfect way to make use of confetti. This is a great project for DIY brides - you need a small wax paper bag and some ribbon and stickers. If you are in NYC, this will be one-stop-shopping for you - check out Paper Presentation in Chelsea. (We are warning you to leave a lot of extra time to wander around the store since it is DIY heaven!)

Groom of the Year

For the second year, Brides.com is hosting their annual Groom of the Year contest! One lucky guy will win:

• A $1000 gift card from Macy's
• An Unlimited Luxury honeymoon from Secrets Resorts
• A 40" flat screen HDTV and Blu-Ray DVD player
• Six iPod Nanos for you and your groomsmen

Get your guy to fill out a short questionnaire about what makes him the best "husband material" and Brides.com will choose 16 players to face off in Matrimony Madness - a bracket-style competition where America's votes determine the winner.

Click here to enter.

The Knot - featuring Sarah & Eric's chic barn wedding!

We knew right after meeting with Sarah and Eric, their wedding was going to be anything but ordinary. This Brooklyn-based couple’s wedding was filled with lots of great details from purple roosters to mango mojitos! But our favorite detail was honoring their passion for travel by replacing table numbers with destinations. A picture of the couple at each destination was framed in rustic wooden frames and the destination name was written in black marker to create the illusion the names were branded into the wood. We had tables from Alaska to Argentina - and everywhere in between!

To check out Sarah & Eric wedding in Middleton, CT, click the link below and look for their album:

http://wedding.theknot.com/real-weddings.aspx

Winter Wedding Wednesdays

At the suggestion of our fans, we proclaim Wednesdays to be Winter Wedding Wednesdays on our blog! Each week we will be bringing you ideas for how to incorporate the winter season into your wedding. There are lots of fun elements to winter - wool fabrics, amaryllis in bloom, snowflakes, pine cones, the list goes on! The key to winter weddings, as in any theme, is not to go overboard!

This week, we are focusing on great dessert ideas with a nod to winter. If you love snowflakes but don't think that the paper cutouts you made in second grade will coordinate with the style of your venue, check out these snowflake cookies. If you love the look of pine cones but don't want them as a centerpiece, consider adding them to your cake - it is the perfect winter accent. And of course, winter is about snuggling up and staying warm, so serve your guests a cappuccino (don't skimp on foam!) with a mini donut. As we always say, your guests will appreciate the small details!

Weddings are Supposed to be Fun!

We were reverently inspired by one of our new couples - during our first meeting the bride said to us, "Listen, I want to marry him and I want to throw a big party with friends and family and just have a blast. I am not picky about colors, flowers, any of it. I just want to throw the most fun wedding anyone has ever been to!"

As you might imagine, this is a planner's dream (we secretly store up ideas that clients of this nature will let us do!) But hearing her speak, we were moved by how much she was looking forward to actually enjoying her big day.

She did have one "twist." She had cut out a picture containing the one thing she absolutely had to have... And how could we resist! If your signature drink contains these candy garnishes (customizable in colors and flavor by Papabubble) your wedding is sure to be a blast!

Threads You'll Love

There has been a lot of buzz lately about Thread Design so we want to take this opportunity to officially profess our love for them. Time and again, we remind brides that bridesmaid dresses are not supposed to be hideous - we are constantly confused as to how people got this impression! Well, with dresses in every color, style, and fabric under the sun, you can find the perfect dress for your gals from the comfort of your home (what did we do before the internet?)

And if you know DM Events, (and we like to think you do!) you know that we love just about any dress with pockets! Some of our favorites are pictured below but be sure to check out all of their collections.

To top it off, this company is owned by two gals - and for reasons we are sure you can figure out, we love that!!!

Holiday Wrapping/Rapping

We have long been fans of Kate's Paperie but now there is yet another reason to celebrate this paper product mecca - Alton DuLaney! Alton is the wrapper/rapper at Kate's. What does that mean, you ask? Well, it means that he can wrap just about any gift (of any size and shape - seriously!) and do it all with a bit of a show... Bring your holiday gifts into Kate's, select your paper (there are hundreds to choose from!), and enjoy the show!

Check out the video on the Daily Candy!

Winter Bouquets

Although we are still 2 weeks away from the official start of winter, it is cold enough outside today that we have decided to get a jumpstart on featuring some of our favorite winter wedding ideas. We are sad to see autumn go (all you diehard DM fans know it is our favorite season!) but there are some great options avialble to make your special day a winter wonderland.

Many brides with winter wedding dates think their only option is to have a snow themed wedding filled with red roses and poinsettias. We are here to tell you that this is not true! Not true at all! Check out this bouquet recently featured on Martha Stewart! Stay tuned for more winter wedding ideas throughout the season!

Personalize your Stamps

You spend so many hours painstakingly selecting just the right stationary - the paper, the color, the text... you slip it into a gorgeous envelope with the custom liner you selected... and slap an American Flag stamp... and you're done! Wait... something doesn't sound right here...

We all know how important stationary is to a wedding - it is the first glimpse your guests have of what's in store! So take an extra minute and pick a stamp that makes a statement.

Check out out these gorgeous options from Artistic Postage. Not only do we LOVE their designs, but you can also create your own custom stamp with a photo or your monogram. Have fun!

Wedding Games

Looking for ideas to spice up your after-wedding brunch? Try creating a personalized game to entertain guests. Nothing says Sunday Wedding Brunch like a crossword puzzle about your love story! With websites like Variety Games, creating your own games has never been so easy!

Don't forget to provide pencils - which we would like to point out, are the same color as mimosas. Coincidence? We think not!
As we always say, guests will appreciate the details!

Dressing Up Dessert

With cupcakes being very en vogue these days (and a personal favorite of DM Events) we love the idea of dressing up your cupcakes! After all, you get a cute outfit for the day – shouldn't they, too?

Check out some cute ways to dress your dessert from CupCakeSwirl.com, PlasticContainerCity.com and Etsy.com

Thanks for Joining Us!

Thank you to everyone who joined us for last night's bridal event! We hope that you had a great time! If you are interested in more information about any of the vendors we paired with, please see below

Remember that DM Events is offering all brides a 15% discount if they book before the end of the year!

Flora NY - www.florany.com
Contact Jeff: 212-274-1887

Crave Catering - www.cravecateringny.com
Contact Marco: 718-643-0361

Alex Z Photography - www.alexzphotography.com
Contact Alex: 212-421-5402

Happy Planning!

Inspired by Autumn

By now you must know that DM Events loves autumn... the colors, the weather, and of course the fact that there is nothing more beautiful than autumn in NY!

So when brides come to us and are unsure about their favorite flower, color, or theme, we try to inspire them by the season in which they are getting married! So look around at the colors (burnt reds and oranges), textures (leaves!), and smells (apples, cinnamon, and pumpkin) and see if you can fall in love with an autumn wedding :)

Having trouble visualizing it? Check out these cools ideas for how to add leaves to your special day!

Stationery Personality Profile

Not sure what stationery is the best fit for your special day?

No worries, we understand. It is a very big decision - it is the first introduction guests will have to your wedding and you want to make the right statement. After all, your stationery sets the tone for the rest of the event!

Check out this stationery personality profile from Martha Stewart!

Flower Girls Ring In

Looking for a way to make your flower girls even cuter? Purchase white satin slippers and dye them to match your wedding palette, sew on a few bells and some ribbon and... voilà! Your flower girl will be accompanied by the sweet sound of bells as she prances down the aisle!

Pictured are slippers from Butterfly Kisses Children's Boutique (circuscitykids.com) and bells from Toho Shoji N.Y.

Introducing Erica!

Take a deep breath girls, we would like to introduce you to the cotton cady Erica dress, the bridesmaid dress you can really wear again! This dress is part of Jcrew’s wedding line, which also features bridal gowns and attire for both grooms and groomsmen.

But enough about that, let’s get back to Erica. There is nothing about this dress that says “Yes, I was a bridesmaid and I’m trying to get a second wear out of this hideous dress.” In fact, quite the contrary and the good news is there’s other ones just like it! Erica comes in 13 colors and can be easily paired with a chic brooch or necklace to complete the look, all of which are also available at Jcrew.

Check out Erica and other fabulous dresses at http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Navigation/Wedding.jsp, or for the first time ever at 99 Prince Street in Soho where select styles are available to preview.

Chic Jewelry is a Family Affair!

They say never to go into business with family but they are wrong! It’s a family affair at The Crangi Family Project, a new jewelry boutique located in Manhattan's chic Meatpacking District.

Philip Crangi designed and built the shop which showcases black pressed-tin ceilings, dark velvet walls, and ribbon trim. Custom shelving displays his namesake line (designed with sister and biz partner Courtney) as well as Giles & Brother, a more cost conscious costume collection. Father Crangi is an artist who will showcase sculptures and sister-in-law Sheri manages the store so everyone is in the action!

So if you are looking for that perfect piece of jewelry to accompany the most expensive dress you will ever wear, the Crangi Family has something for you!

The Crangi Family Project, 9 Ninth Avenue (between Little West 12th and 13th Streets) 212-929-0858

Whimsy and Spice

So you may have noticed that here at DM Events, we are really into baked goods! We love mini cupcakes, decadent brownies, and designer petite fours... well we found yet another yummy treat to obsess about - homemade marshmallows.

Brooklyn bakery Whimsy and Spice has some of the most delicious (and interesting!) treats we have tasted in a while, but we are particularly enamored by their marshmallows. Whether your wedding includes a dessert bar or you just want to dress up your coffee, these marshmallows are sure to be a crowd pleaser! Click here to check out Whimsy and Spice.

Destination Wedding Idea

Destination weddings are no longer small affairs for the couple that wants to elope (and bring a few friends!) They are full blown parties with all the details of a state side wedding.

You know that DM Events loves details, so when we spotted these seating cards, we were immediately infatuated! What a great way to incorporate a travel theme! We also love that these seating cards double as a small guest favor. Just write guest's names in calligraphy onto individual cards and tie them onto each chair. As we always say, guests appreciate the subtle details!

Fabric is Important Part II

Just to show you we mean business about this whole fabric thing, we blogging about it again to drive the point home!

Here is another fabulous idea to incorporate fabric into your wedding! As you exit your ceremony, rather than throwing rice or rose petals, have guests wave flags of different patterns and textures. They are easy to place on seats or in holders at the end of the aisle. It makes for a fantastic picture - plus there is no messy clean up!

Fabric is Important!

By now we hope you know the importance of selecting a table linen that accurately reflects the overall design and feel of your wedding.

But don't forget that fabric appears in so many other places on your special day! From the groom's tie, to your shawl, to ribbon textures, the possibilities for incorporating interesting fabrics is endless!

Not sure how to incorporate fabric and texture - calm down it's easy! Pictured here are wedding party gifts in fabric satchels that tie into the outdoor mountain theme of the wedding. Believe us - your guests will appreciate the extra touch.

Remember that truly great decor is achieved in the smallest details!

Upgrade Your Stationary!

So it turns out, there are fabulous vendors out there that we’re still discovering!

Last night during a design meeting with clients, we were introduced to Rifle Paper Co. We promise that their amazing customized illustrations will satisfy all of your wedding stationary needs. To say we are already a bit obsessed would be an understatement!

Check it out: http://rifledesign.com/events/

Ribbons and Bows Galore!

Martha has done it again! Of course we are referring to Martha Stewart and her inspiring ideas for incorporating bows and ribbon (one of our most favorite things!) into your wedding. Whether it is the napkin on a place setting, the boutonniere on Mr. Right, or the ties on your favors, ribbon is a delicate way to add a little more interest to just about anything!!

Check out these great ideas and how-tos. Enjoy!

Cookie Bar

You have heard about Candy Bars (a DM Events favorite) but check out this cookie bar! Realistically any favor that highlights food as a giveaway (rather than a tchotchka) is perfect in our book! Add some cookies and we might just fall in love :)

Not Your Mother's Wedding Album

So the wedding is over and it is time to... get to work! What? How is that possible? When do all the wedding responsibilities end?

After writing an endless sea of thank you cards you still have to get to work on your wedding albums. Albums? Yes, plural :) You will want a comprehensive album for you and your sweetie to look at for years to come but then there is a long line of family members nagging for their own copies. Parents, in-laws, grandparents, overzealous aunts, the list goes on...

What to do... what to do... How about trying something new! Check out Flip Clip books (http://www.flipclips.com/.) Upload a 30 second video clip and choose a cover design and size. That's it! Friends and family will have a great time reliving their favorite moments from your big day!

Flip Clips are all the rage these days and have been featured in Martha Stewart Weddings, InStyle Weddings, and HGTV!

Note - if you are a traditional wedding album type of gal, be sneaky and use some video footage from your bachelorette party to make these special keepsakes as gifts for your bridesmaids!

A Bistro Wedding

Centerpieces are not just for flowers! Check out this great Tuscan-style veggie filled table - it has all the colors of a floral arrangement without the fuss... or expense.

Click here to check out Martha Stewart Weddings for more flowerless centerpiece ideas.

Confessions of Love

Love it, love everything about it!

Check it out!

Tricks - Not Just for Kids!

From time to time, you meet a person that blows your mind… well, it happened to us this week!

Just when we thought we knew all the great talent in New York City, in walks Josh Beckerman with a deck of cards.

Rest assure, these were no typical cards tricks – in fact after a couple of tricks, I said to myself, “No more vino for me - I must be seeing things!”

But wait, the magic is just the beginning of what he has up his sleeve! Beckerman is probably one of the funniest people we have ever encountered. We didn't stop laughing the entire time he was entertaining us and we are sure, without a doubt, that your guests will feel the same way. Set him free in a crowded room and no one will forget the night!

Just make sure he doesn’t steal the show…literally! http://www.joshbeckerman.com/

Make Every Detail Count

When planning an event, we always tell our clients that the details are what counts. It is not the gigantic monogram on the dance floor that people remember but rather the unique details that can be subtly worked into the decor.

Monograms and catch phrases never seem to go out of style but the places where they are used change with trends. So... if your sister had a big gobo, your BFF put her monogram on candles, and your soon-to-be sister-in-law worked her new initials onto every chachka imaginable, what is left for you?

Have no fear! We have a solution: CoffeeStencil.com. This great company allows you to create a custom stencil - it can be a cute phrase, your monogram, a heart, anything! Have your caterers place the stencil over your coffee mugs, sprinkle cocoa on top, remove the stencil, and viola! Serve the mugs to guests at their tables or include them as part of a dessert bar. This is the perfect custom detail to "wow' your guests!

Check out all the options: http://www.coffeestencil.com

Falling in love with letterpress all over again!

One of our favorite Letterpress studios, Greenwich Letterpress, has converted to 100% wind energy. That means everything in their studio is printed using wind energy instead of electricity, eliminating carbon emissions. We see more and more of our brides wanting to be mindful of helping the environment, but cautious of doing so because they don’t want to sacrifice the vision of their wedding – this is a perfect solution. Not to mention, Greenwich Letterpress has to die for designs! Check out samples of their work at http://www.greenwichletterpress.com/.

All about the dress!

Our brides search endlessly to find their perfect dress. Bridal salons, sample sales and truck shows – there’s nowhere a bride won't go to find that one special dress! And yet it seems unfair they only get to wear it once and then away it goes into the closet. That’s why we never forget to introduce our brides to the ultimate keepsake, a custom illustration at www.aboutthedress.com.

Check it out!

New and Improved!

As New Yorkers, we are always rushing somewhere, zipping through the day, and looking to cross as much as we can off of our infinite to-do lists. But alas, New York City has made life a little easier for us... well at least the process of obtaining a marriage license! In January of 2009, the city opened a newly renovated Office of the City Clerk, which is home of the Manhattan Marriage Bureau. If you have some free time, stop by 141 Worth Street and check it out!

Some of our client's favorite new features include, "...a new line-management system that tells customers their wait time; fourteen computer kiosks for online application processing; one-stop windows for service instead of multiple windows; credit card processing (replacing the need for money orders)..." For more info, check out the City Clerk's website.

Autumn is Upon Us

Apple picking. Warm cider. Cinnamon muffins. Autumn is upon us!

Although we don’t like to play favorites… autumn is our season of choice!

Martha Stewart has some great fall wedding ideas! Check out them out!

Seating Cards - Not Just for Tables

We have all been there... the cocktail hour ends and we make a mad dash to the seating card table to find a little tent card with our name and table number written in calligraphy. This small folded card is the first introduction we get to the reception.

But who said that you have to put your seating cards on a table? Actually... who said that they have to be tent cards at all?

Be creative! Have fun! Think about the theme of your wedding - one of our recent couples wanted their seating cards to blend in with our design for their chic barn wedding. To accomplish this, we wrapped the front columns of the barn in thin rope and used clothespins to fasten the cards to the rope. Guests loved the authentic, creative touch!

Dancing Feet

You have heard about the second dress, but what about the second pair of shoes? Many of our brides change from traditional bridal gowns into more comfortable white party dresses half way through their reception to they can kick back and party like everyone else.

One of our summer brides took it a step further! She kicked off her heels and changed into ballet flats!

Lisa Chaffee was determined to dance on the night she become Lisa Boyle and her lovely ballet flats (above) helped her do just that!

A Love Affair with Cupcakes

By now, you probably understand the love affair DM Events has with cupcakes... especially mini cupcakes! Well, we have discovered something ever better (We know what you are thinking, "It's not possible!") Let us introduce you to Bite-sized Cupcakes! Don't be fooled by the small size - these little guys are filled with flavor.

The adorable cupcakes below are made by Baked By Melissa (http://www.bakedbymelissa.com/)

Don't forget to order lots and lots more cupcakes than guests - in our experience, most people eat 4-5 cupcakes! But when they are the size of a quarter, you don't have to feel guilty!

Visit the Baked By Melissa store at 529 Broadway and let us know what you think!

Hello Blogosphere!

It's finally happened! We have joined the blogosphere and we're super excited to get started!

Now that we're here, we ask ourselves "What took so long?!" With the busiest season of the year (summer weddings) coming to an end, we're realizing that we have a lot to say!

This summer was saw a lot of new, fresh trends. Dessert bars became champagne bars, the hem on bridesmaid dresses keeps getting shorter, and our favorite trend of all - cupcakes - is alive and well! Lots of our clients ditched the city and headed to vineyards, beaches and barns. Yes, that's right I said barns! Stay tuned for details!

Please always feel free to post a question or comment.
Happy blogging,
Dawn + Melina