Posts Tagged ‘wedding’

{Inspiration} Italian Masquerade Wedding

Wednesday, March 2nd, 2011

I have always been intrigued by the season of Carnival, and with the celebrations already underway in some areas, I was inspired to create this board from this photo of a Soffito ceiling mural and Venetian chandelier.

I created a palette of soft whites, gold, pale pink, yellow, and blue.  Add texture through the use of feather plumes and luxurious table linens.  Ghost chairs offer a fun and whimsy twist on this ultra elegant setting.  A historic mansion or grand ballroom with wrought iron staircases and crystal fixtures would be a fitting location; enhance the atmosphere and ambiance by hiring a lighting specialist to incorporate pink, yellow, or blue lighting.

Encourage guests to don venetian masks adding to the festive spirit, or provide them.  Costumed jesters or acrobatics would provide fitting entertainment for your cocktail hour.

{Credits: bouquet, signature drink, venetian masks, tablescape, St. Pucchi gown, centerpiece, cake, chandelier, ladies, Laduree storefront, shoes, centerpiece, decor}

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Posted in Inspiration Boards, Weddings | No Comments »

Addressing an Invitation

Friday, February 25th, 2011

We are heading into Wedding Season here at Belleza e Luce and with that comes the many events associated with weddings: bridal showers, bridesmaid luncheons, rehearsal dinners, day-after brunches, and of course the wedding itself.  As you prepare your guest lists for your celebrations, keep in mind the following  invitation envelope etiquette.

Couples
Outer Envelope Inner Envelope
Married Couples Mr. and Mrs. David Smith Mr. and Mrs. Smith (or less formal: Michelle and David)
Married Couples, woman kept maiden name Ms. Michelle Taylor and Mr. David Smith Ms. Taylor and Mr. Smith
Unmarried couples living or not living together (mail to the person you know best if the couple does not live together) Ms. (or Miss) Rebecca Jones

Mr. Robert Smith

 Ms. (or Miss) Jones

Mr. Smith
Two women or men over age 18 living together, address alphabetically or by the person you know best Mr. Benjamin Adams

Mr. James Roberts

 Mr. Adams

Mr. Roberts
Children
Outer Envelope Inner Envelope
Child under 18 Do not include on outer envelope, if you do not have an inner envelope, then add “and family” on the second line of address Mr. and Mrs. Smith

Leah

2 or more children – written in order of birth, oldest first

Mr. and Mrs. Smith

Leah, Joseph, and Michael
Children over 18

receive their own invitation

 Miss Barbara Taylor

or

Mr. Thomas Smith

 Miss Taylor

If allowing the invitee to bring a guest:

Mr. Thomas Smith and Guest
Single Guests
Outer Envelope Inner Envelope
Unmarried Male Mr. David Smith Mr. Smith and Guest
Unmarried Female Ms. or Miss Rebecca Jones Ms. or Miss Jones and Guest
Widowed Female* Mrs. Nicole Taylor Mrs. Taylor and Guest
Divorced Female, *

kept married name

 Ms. Jessica Roberts Ms. Roberts and Guest
Divorced Female, *

maiden name

 Ms. Amanda Thomas

Ms. Thomas and Guest
Special Titles
Outer Envelope Inner Envelope
Doctor, Male Dr. and Mrs. David Smith Dr. and Mrs. Smith
Clergy Reverend and Mrs. John Taylor Reverend and Mrs. Taylor
Officer, Male

(retired or active)

 Commander and Mrs. James Roberts Commander and Mrs. Roberts
Judge The Honorable and Mrs. Thomas James Judge and Mrs. James
Female with any special titles Dr. Emily Taylor and Mr. John Taylor

Dr. Taylor and Mr. Taylor

* It is always considerate to inquire with the female relative or friend how she prefers to be addressed in these circumstances or if you are unsure of her last name status.  In the event that you feel awkward speaking directly to this person, ask someone else who would know the answer; it will be appreciated that you care enough to make sure your guest is addressed appropriately.

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Posted in Etiquette, Weddings | No Comments »

Chanel Inspired Baby Shower Invitations

Wednesday, August 25th, 2010

Things have been wonderfully busy at Belleza e Luce!  I have 3 personal parties that I am prepping for in addition to those of my fabulous clients.

The Chanel-inspired baby shower invitations for my sister turned out beautifully!  I was so pleased with the final outcome after many revisions.  I am a such a perfectionist, and spent many hours creating the design, reworking the colors, and finally assembling them.  Until yesterday when we finally had rain (this summer we’ve had no rain, I mean none – the grass is more like hay, the deer ate my garden), our deck had pink pixie dust scattered about it.

Without further adieu, here are the invitations …


The suite consists of 3 pieces fastened together with a pewter brad nestled inside a black box lined with pink glitter and sealed with a wrap-around mailing label using the same scrollwork  as the invitation.  The invitation displayed a signature quote of the famous Coco Chanel:

a girl should be two things: classy and fabulous

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Posted in Baby Shower, invitations, Weddings | No Comments »

{Inspiration Board} Classy & Fabulous Baby Shower

Friday, July 30th, 2010

Since the day my sister announced she was pregnant, I have been brainstorming and planning her baby shower.  While waiting to find out whether she was having a boy or girl, I probably planned out 7 different themes/concepts – some of which I shared with you in previous posts.  Now that we know it is a girl whom they are naming Faith, the real shower planning has begun (as well as shopping!)

My mother and I looked at 14 different venues ranging from a swank Manhattan styled venue, to a ballroom with views of the river, to a Tuscan styled restaurant, to a revamped church turned restaurant.  All were perfect in one form or another for various events or styled parties, but were either too small for our guest list, date unavailable, or just didn’t fit the concept of the event I was aiming for.  Finally, we decided on a venue with beautiful waterfall gardens which is perfect for the classy & fabulous Chanel inspired soiree we are planning.  Keep your fingers crossed that the weather is cooperative!

Currently in production are the invitations, which I will share with you upon completion.  For now, I thought I would share my inspiration for the overall concept of the event.

Influenced by two quotes by the famous Coco Chanel:

“A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous.”

“Fashion fades, only style remains the same.”

{sources: gentleman, cake, parfume, tablescape, napkin, floral, escort cards, bookplate, parfume, black & white flowers, centerpiece, gift wrap, dessert, shoes, martini, lampshades}

Afterall, shouldn’t a new baby be welcomed in style?

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Posted in Girl, Inspiration Boards, Weddings | 1 Comment »

Visit Belleza e Luce!

Friday, July 16th, 2010

My sincerest apologies for the lack of posts lately.  It has been a tough few weeks around here.  On July 4th my Dee Dad was rushed to the ER because he could not move from the waist down.  This was caused due to numerous issues including an allergic reaction to medication, a fall in May, and other medication levels a bit wonky.  He required 6 pints of blood to raise his iron levels and was in the hospital for 9 days.  He is now in a rehabilitation facility regaining his strength and getting the hang of walking again.

To add to the stress of when a loved one is sick and hospitalized, last Friday we received a phone call bright and early.  It was my father’s physician stating that he had fallen, cut his head and was being taken to the ER.  It turns out he blacked out during a portion of his physical and hit his head on a wall causing a 9 inch gash from his forehead to the crown of his head.  My mother lost count on the number of stitches and staples but it is at least 50.  He is home from work and the kids are making sure he gets better.

Whew!  I hope all the injury/illness/accident wave has ended around here.

In better news …

Belleza e Luce is open!  We are adding new products and items everyday so if you have seen something in our Etsy shop and it isn’t on the website, contact us to place an order.  Do not fear – our Etsy shop will remain open!

Of course, you know we love custom orders.  Some fun project we are currently working on include 2 whimsical wedding invitation suites, a mad scientist themed party, and a beach bucket invitation.

A few exciting services we are offering include Party Inspiration Boards and a Customized Children’s Party How-to Guide.  Adult Party Guides will be available soon or just send us an email to get started now!

If you are planning an event and would like Belleza e Luce to orchestrate all the details, be sure to visit our Event Planning Page and Events Gallery for more information.

AND …

If you are in the Monmouth County New Jersey area between July 21 – 25, be sure to stop by the Monmouth County Fair and say hello to us!  Belleza e Luce has a reserved spot where we will be showcasing previous custom invitations and event as well as selling some of our partyware and some fun girly stuff perfect for parties including tutus and hairbows (a little crafty hobby of mine when I’m not planning events or designing paperie).  For further information, times, and schedule of events, please visit the official fair site.

{Source}

See you at the fair!

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Posted in Grand Opening | No Comments »

{New Products} Weddings

Monday, July 12th, 2010

We are very excited to share with you 3 new designs in our Wedding Collection.  They were created as Save-the-Dates but would be wonderful as invitations as well!

The first is our Vintage Silhouette Couple with its nod to the Victorian era.  It is a wonderful choice for a traditional couple who wants a bit of a modern twist on an invitation without getting carried away.


The second is our Butterfly Duo shown in aqua blue and gray.  The colors, of course, can be customized and we are currently working on this style in jeweled tones for a 2011 bride-to-be.


This last invitation features a dainty cherry blossom branch against a pink background with a chocolate brown border.  It is a simple and sweet choice for the bride who loves girlie things and pink!


The new designs are now available at Belleza e Luce!  More new collections will be available later this week!

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Posted in invitations, Party Lines, Weddings | No Comments »

{Congrats!} Nichole & Preston

Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010

This past Saturday, a wonderful client, Nichole and her husband, Preston, renewed their vows.  It was an honor to work with her again and design her fan programs.

Thank you Nichole and I wish you and Preston many more years of happiness!  I cannot wait to see the pictures.

Fan programs are available at Belleza e Luce.

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Posted in Congrats, Programs, Weddings | No Comments »

{Celebrity Weddings} Wedding Cakes

Monday, June 14th, 2010

I am in the mood for cake – devil’s food with chocolate ganache or perhaps red velvet and cream cheese filling … oh well, the closest thing I have to cake on hand are these photos of celebrity wedding cakes. Some elegant, some extravagant, some simple, but I’m sure all delish!

Which is your favorite?

Enjoy!

Avril Lavigne and Deryck Whibley’s wedding cake was created by Perfect Endings. It’s a four-tier, half-vanilla, half-chocolate.

Actor Blair Underwood and his bride Desiree got the Cake Studio to create a six-and-a-half-foot Eiffel Tower Wedding Cake for their reception. “There were lights going up the structure, and in the center section was a replica of the couple dressed in their wedding outfits,” says company owner Linda Goldsheft

Kevin and Danielle Jonas‘s cake.  Festivities held at Oheka Castle.

Marcia Cross & Tom Mahoney

Mariska Hargitay and Peter Hermann:
a 7-foot tower with 6 shimmering tiers of pink and orange, fringed with orange beaded trim, patterned in fondant stripes and flowers with piped vines, accented by a Swarovski Crystal Flower Garden with lilting Butterflies and Dragonflies, and crowned with a custom designed Swarovski Crystal Monogram M & P

Rebecca Romijn & Jerry O’Connell
Instead of the traditional cake, the sweet ending included mini-country apple and red velvet cupcakes

Kaitlin Olson & Rob McElhenney

Roselyn Sánchez & Eric Winter
Sánchez requested her baker’s acclaimed vanilla cake (with layers of cookies and cream filling) instead of her favorite flavor, red velvet.

Tia Mowry & Cory Hardrict

To match her pink rose bouquet, Mowry showcased a four-tier vanilla and red velvet confection decorated with the blooms by Cake Divas

Toni Braxton and Keri Lewis’ wedding cake was designed by Atlanta’s Mark Lotti and was a four-tier creation which looked like a perfect stack of four robin’s-egg-blue Tiffany boxes.


Don’t forget about our Alice in Wonderland BluRay/DVD/Digital CD Giveaway!  Submissions close tomorrow (June 15th) at 11pm Eastern.  Visit here to enter.

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Posted in celebrity, Wedding Cakes, Weddings | 2 Comments »

Walking in a Winter Wonderland …

Thursday, December 17th, 2009
First, let me say that I am not a big fan of snow or even cold weather, but there is certainly something intriguing and magical about waking up on Christmas to find snow.
The likelihood of that happening in this part of NJ, though is slim.  Oh well … enjoy these Winter Wonderland Inspirations!
photo credits: hot cocoa and snowflake marshmallows from Martha Stewart; peppermint ice soap from Elegant Rose Boutique, snowflake ice sculpture and event design by Prego Events, a gorgeous setting for a winter wedding and a beautiful newlywed couple too by my absolute favorite photographer Marie Labbancz, giant tissue party poms give your party a festive mood no matter the theme by Party Poms, a stunning winter centerpiece of hydrangeas, crystals and branches by Petal Pushers Weddings, this elegant hair flower fascinator is by Virginia Geiger Jewels and woud be lovely for a winter white wedding or your holiday cocktail party, snowflake placecards add a touch of whimsy to your tablescape – and let your guests know where to be seated by Timeless Paper, a darling snowflake hair accessory by Handmade by Anne Potter

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Posted in Inspiration Boards | No Comments »