NATIONAL STATIONERY SHOW: Is Your Groom A Forgetful Gentleman?

The National Stationery Show 2011 was so fabulous. It was wall-to-wall paper. I love paper. As an invitation designer, you have to love paper. So I was in a happy, happy place. Row upon row of fabulous invitations and fab cards to choose from for all of life's special events.

But lo and behold, there was one such company, that was just for the guys. So of course, I had to investigate further. Enter, Forgetful Gentleman. A company started by college pals, Nate and Scott who initially created these gorgeous cigar-turned-gift boxes for themselves and their friends who just cannot seem to remember life's important dates. The two also firmly believed that in this age of text messages, that the written word was dying (So do we!). As with most entrepreneurs, the two realized that these cigars boxes containing this fabulous correspondence system could be marketable. They were right.


Their Elephant Cards are a complete correspondence system that can be used to ensure these special life events do pass you by. To help you to remember, the Correspondence System includes access to personalized email and SMS event reminders through their online calendar management system. So when that day is approaching, he will receive an email and text message to remind him. The cards are called "Elephant Cards" because Nate and Scott believe that "men can sometimes be a little slow to action and need some prodding in the right direction..."


These sets are very masculine, modern and classy. Just how we like our men. There are two lines, letterpress and classic linen. Each cigar box contains the following:

• 12 letterpress or linen cards/envelopes (3 Thank You, 3 Happy Birthday, 2 Thinking of You, 2 Blank Correspondence Cards, 1 Congratulations and 1 Love You).


• Access to online personal event reminder system with customizable email and text message reminders.


• Matching envelopes with postage included with 4.


• Copy of A Forgetful Gentleman's Guide to Articulate Writing.


• 100% cotton paper from the same 15th c. Italian paper mill that produced Napoleon's wedding invitations and Picasso's art paper.

Such a wonderful gift for your guy or his groomsmen. Visit Forgetful Gentleman for more information or to purchase one of their correspondence systems.

WEDDING SHOES: 5 Pairs of Wedding Shoes Under $100 @Piperlime

Budget-conscious brides, need a break? Here are five fab pairs of wedding shoes under $100. All are available at Piperlime.com.

DV by Dolce Vita, $49.50


Nina Shoes, $99.95


Caparros, $99.00


Lauren by RL, 69.99


Steve Madden, $$89.00

WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHERS: Vika Photography

This is simply amazing. The yellow in this umbrella is so piercing. Photograph by Vika Photography.

VINTAGE WEDDING DRESSES: Fab Vintage Dresses at Vintageous

I adore vintage dresses and I go crazy over fabulous vintage wedding dresses. Here are a few options from Vintageous.

WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHERS: Two Ring Studios

What a gorgeous bridal portrait. Photography taken by Two Ring Studios.

SPORTS BRIDES - WIN THE MLB FANFEST WEDDING DURING ALL STAR WEEK

MLB LAUNCHES CONTEST TO FIND COUPLE FOR FIRST-EVER ALL-STAR FANFEST WEDDING


For the first time, as a part of 2011 MLB All-Star Week in Phoenix, Arizona, Major League Baseball will host a wedding at All-Star FanFest. Couples are invited to share their stories at allstargame.com/fanfestwedding for a chance to win the All-Star FanFest Wedding, which will be held Tuesday July 12 at 11:00 a.m. Arizona time at the Phoenix Convention Center, site of MLB All-Star FanFest.

The winning couple will receive a wedding package which includes a ceremony on the Diamond at All-Star FanFest, a catered reception for 50 guests by Aventura Catering, a wedding ring package from Molina Fine Jewelers worth no more than $15,000 that will include either an engagement ring or two wedding bands, a wedding dress by Uptown Bridal, roundtrip airfare and two tickets to the 82nd MLB All-Star Game.

The lucky couple will also receive items from Major League Baseball partners including a $500 MasterCard® prepaid gift card, beverages for the reception provided by Budweiser, hotel stay provided by InterContinental Hotels Group, and a $500 Newlywed Lawn & Garden Kit donated by Scotts featuring a wide array of Scotts Miracle-Gro products.

Host of NBC’s “The Marriage Ref” Tom Papa will join WE tv’s “My Fair Wedding” celebrity wedding planner David Tutera, MLB All-Star Ambassador Luis Gonzalez and Jenni Croft Badolato from ABC’s “The Bachelor” to assist Major League Baseball in selecting the winning couple.

Couples can get more information and enter the contest by going to All-Star FanFest Wedding and submitting a short video explaining why they should win the All-Star FanFest Wedding. Eligible entries will be reviewed and judged by Major League Baseball and the celebrity judging panel based on criteria including the couple’s connection to Major League Baseball and the creativity and quality of their online submission. The online contest entry period for the All-Star FanFest Wedding closes Wednesday, June 1.

Esteemed and highly sought-after Scottsdale wedding planner, Charlee Geisler of Signature Events has been selected by MLB to coordinate the big day. Additional services donated by local Phoenix businesses for the wedding include:

· Angelic Grove – Wedding and event décor



· Eyes 2 See Photography – Wedding photography



· Serendipity Video – Wedding videographer



· Classic Party Rental – Specialized party supplies and rentals



· F/X Entertainment – Ceremony and reception music



· Celebrations in Paper – Invitations and wedding program



· Cheryl Roberts with Steven Paul Salon – Hair and make-up



· Julia Baker Confections – Wedding cake



· Men’s Wearhouse – Tuxedos



Coming to Phoenix for the first time in its history, Major League Baseball All-Star FanFest will serve as the launch for MLB All-Star Week, which will culminate with the 82nd Midsummer Classic on Tuesday, July 12 at Chase Field. The five-day event provides an unrivaled experience for fans of all ages and among its attractions are an exhibit from the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, batting cages, clinics from Major League legends, free autograph sessions with former D-backs and MLB legends, memorabilia, and much more.

WEDDING RECEPTIONS: Eco-Friendly Decor For Your Wedding Reception

I adore this beautiful eco-friendly burlap rag wreath by The Simple Standard. It is so elegant and so perfect for your ceremony or reception site.

WEDDING CAKES: Iced with Sylvia Weinstock

The Queen of Wedding Cakes is coming to a cable box near you. WeTV premieres the “ICED with Sylvia Weinstock” special on Sunday, May 29 at 9:00 PM ET/PT.

“Iced with Sylvia Weinstock” goes behind the scenes into the world of the wedding industry’s top cake designer, as two bakeries are given the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to compete for a three-day mentorship with Sylvia Weinstock. The one-hour special, produced by Al Roker Entertainment, and airing exclusively on WE tv, will offer viewers a peek inside Sylvia’s successful business.

“Iced with Sylvia Weinstock” will air as part of WE tv’s Sunday night wedding line-up, home to wedding shows such as "Bridezillas" and "Amazing Wedding Cakes".

DC BRIDAL EVENT: Brides & Bubbles with Tami Sawyer Events

Tami Sawyer Events Presents BRIDES & BUBBLES

A Wedding Showcase for the Modern Day Bride and Groom

Tami Sawyer Events brings style, class and professionalism to weddings, class reunions, and milestone birthday parties – and offers unique ideas and planning for any special event or occasion. To highlight the vast array of event planning concepts and services available to engaged couples, this cutting edge firm will present Brides & Bubbles on Sunday, June 12, 2011, starting at 1:00 p.m. and ending at 5:00 p.m. Brides & Bubbles will be held at the posh LaMont Bishop Galleries located at 1314 9th Street, NW.
Tami Sawyer, event coordinator extraordinaire and firm owner states, “This pop-up wedding showcase will provide the savvy and modern-day bride and groom a number of sophisticated options designed to deliver an extraordinary and memorable wedding day.” Brides & Bubbles will also feature wedding fashion trends for the current season.

During the showcase, brides will have an opportunity to meet with a cadre of top event vendors from the Washington, DC area – all while sipping on a glass of complimentary champagne. Not to be left out, the grooms can opt to enjoy cigar rolling and whiskey tasting in the gentlemen’s lounge. Each guest will receive a swag bag filled with fun and useful gifts targeted to the bride and groom. All members of the wedding party – from the mother-of-the-bride to the ring bearer – are welcome to attend.

Tickets for Brides & Bubbles can be purchased for in advance of the event for $20.00. Vendor opportunities are still available.

For more information, visit Brides & Bubbles. To purchase tickets, visit Brides and Bubbles Event or contact Tami Sawyer at (240) 408-0375 via email Tami.Sawyer@tamisawyerevents.com

WEDDING DEALS: Get a Deal on JvdF Cufflinks For Your Groom

Looking for something unique and special for your Groom? Select JvdF cufflink styles by Justin von der Fehr as seen on Today Show Steals & Deals are available for 24 hours only at 85% off: retail $395, steal price $59! Available in two styles and choice of 5 stones, JvdF cufflinks are a luxe gift idea for everything from Father's Day to Wedding Day (perfect for the groom and groomsmen). Jvdf pieces are sold at a-list retailers around the world and have been adorned by celebs from Neil Patrick Harris to Kellan Lutz and even on wrists of royalty!


To get the Today Show Steals & Deals special price visit JvdF Sale and enter promo code TODAYCUFFLINK.

BRIDAL ACCESSORIES: ban.do's new bridal collection

I have a little crush on ban.do. Love their new bridal collection. See it for yourself.

WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHERS: Aaron Eye Photography

This is so beautiful... Wedding Photography by Aaron Eye Photography.

WEDDING SHOES ON SALE: Modern Wedding Shoes with a Vintage Feel

These adorable shoes by Pierre Dumas take me straight back to an Audrey Hepburn movie. Available on sale at Piperlime for $39.99. Also available in Silver.

FOR YOUR GROOM: The Rustic Boutonniere by Embee Style

This boutonniere looks like the perfect accessory for your groom's attire at your fab outdoor wedding ceremony. Available at Embee Style.

WEDDING DRESSES: Tara LaTour Spring 2012

Bridal lovelies, you know that I love to bring to you the most unique wedding apparel, bridal accessories and must-haves. This is it. Something amazingly unique, modern, gorgeous and elegant. Enter Tara LaTour. I met this fabulous designer at NY Bridal Market in April. OMG! She was so much fun.

The big fun really began when I got closer to her incredible collection of wedding dresses. Like so few people, every dress is handmade. You read that right, HANDMADE. She puts her blood, sweat, love and tears into every single dress. It shows. I was so blown away by this collection, that I could not pick a favorite dress. I would wear all of her dresses. But you have to say that a blue wedding dress is just the cat's meow!

Her designs are definitely different from anything else out there. She dyes all of the fabric by hand. So your dress can be whatever color. Tara will work with you to make it right. You also gotta love the touch of blue in the Angela dress. Not to mention that there is a story behind every dress in her collection. All of her dresses were inspired by members of her family. She told us the most amazing story about how her grandmother met her grandfather. I was totally teary-eyed.

She also does custom work. So let Tara design something special for you. This Midwest gal has an amazing eye for modern style and bridal fashion. Visit the Tara LaTour web site to see more images of these fabulous dresses and to contact her.http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif

The Kelsey


The Blanche


The Arlene


The Angela


The Amanda with the Judith Bolero

WEDDING DEALS: Persnickety Bride Offers Budget-Friendly Deals To DC-Area Brides

Wedding + Budget = PersnicketyBride.com

Celebrate the joy of getting married with Persnickety Bride’s™ Persnificate™ deals for a budget-friendly wedding. Persnickety Bride™ is different from other deal sites because it specifically targets brides and consumers who are planning a special event. The site offers weekly deals instead of daily deals, which allows brides adequate time to ensure the product or service is right for their wedding.

Combining insider knowledge with a great network of professionals, former on-air beauty expert and professional makeup artist, Bailey Sessoms, has created a place where brides can find cost-effective options from wedding professionals in the Washington, DC area.

Sessoms started Persnickety Bride out of concern for her bridal clients who were overwhelmed by their wedding expenses. She knew that there had to be an economical solution. Her mission is to provide reputable wedding professionals that offer discounts on the products and services a bride needs to make her wedding memorable and affordable.

According to WEtv Networks Wedding Report, the average cost of a wedding in 2010 was $24,066, not including the engagement ring and honeymoon. Persnickety Bride's goal is to share with DC-area brides some of the best and unique businesses in the wedding industry. Their vendors are carefully selected and participate by invitation only.

Join Persnickety Bride's already 5,000 subscribers. To receive the weekly deal from Persnickety Bride™ visit their web site.

WEDDING CAKES: Cutesy Custom Monogram Cake Topper

This is too adorable. Not to mention that it is one of the most unique wedding cake toppers that I have seen in awhile. So cute. Available at The Lollipop Workshop.

WEDDING DRESSES: Andie by Andie McGuire 2011

Bridal designer, Andie McGuire has launched her 2011 wedding dress collection. This amazing gown is just a taste of the designer's creativity. This dress, accurately named Josephine, will put you in such a dreamy state of love and romance. I'm totally there. See this wedding dress and her entire collection at her Etsy store.

FOR THE BRIDE: The Perfect Evening Bag

Add a little drama to your wedding day outfit by infusing some color. Not just blue. But add a deep, rich color to your ensemble. Like this beautiful vintage purple clutch with a rhinestone flower for accent. Love it. Available at Emerald Diamond.

WEDDING RINGS: Rony Tennenbaum & Fab Rings for Same Sex Marriages

Fine jewelry designer Rony Tennenbaum specializes in wedding and engagement rings for the gay and lesbian community. All of Rony’s jewelry designs are inspired and informed by his commitment to marriage equality. His signature LVOE Collection embraces his belief that love is love no matter how you spell it. Like us, he believe that everyone has a natural birth right to wed anyone they choose under their personal belief system.

The Traditions collection is very dainty and girly. I love eternity bands. To me, these rings really represent the commitment one makes when getting married. These are fab options from this collection:




The Fusion collection is just that... a blend of very sleek, modern jewelry with clean lines and have that techno feel. Here are some fab options from this collection:



If you want something with a strong design, LVOE collection is your collection. These rings are very bold and are total statement rings. The ring in pink rose is my fav.




Want one? Collections are available at Hudson Grove & Co.

FOR THE BRIDE: The Big A** Flower You Need

This is definitely a big a** flower. Imagine how beautiful it would look attached to a gorgeous silk ribbon and wrapped around your waist. Fabulous. Of course, it's from ban.do. Of course. The Pop Flower at ban.do.

FOR YOUR WEDDING CEREMONY: Modern Ring Pillow at Sophie Momo

This ring pillow is gorg. So modern. So chic. Available at Sophie Momo.

NY BRIDAL MARKET: Sashes at Elle & Jae Bridal

Even though I didn't get a chance to stop in on Elle & Jae Bridal, I did have their information in my Wedding Channel tote bag. So I wanted to know more. I am so sad that I missed the chance to see these gorgeous sashes in person. I love these! I always try to tell my readers that if you cannot afford that dress with all the bling, get a plain dress and dress it up with accessories. Here's the perfect accessory for a plain wedding gown. Wrap one of these fab sashes around your dress and you have a completely new dress. Go for it. See the Elle & Jae Bridal collection on their web site.

NY BRIDAL MARKET: Bea Valdes - Drop Dead Gorgeous Jewelry

A few years ago, I discovered the jewelry of an amazing designer, Bea Valdes and I posted about the Bea Valdes line available at Couture Lab. We also shared her with the readers of our sister site, The Capitol Fashionista, in this post.

I fell hard.

So imagine my surprise to walk into one of the showrooms during Bridal Market to find the Bea Valdes line (her sister is her rep) right in my face. I was moved. It was good to know that her pieces are as incredibly beautiful in person as the jewelry appeared in those lovely photographs. The craftsmanship is extraordinary. I wanted to take home everything. I made sure to tell her sister that I was her number one fan.

Here are some of the pieces that were on display (including a waistcoat that I would love to have in my closet). You can see her entire collection on Couture Lab or on her web site. You will be able to not only view her beautiful jewelry but her amazing evening bags, waistcoats, and belts.