Sade + Brian | Marriott Singer Island Resort and Spa January 22, 2012

Enjoy this beach wedding at the Marriott Singer Island Resort and Spa.  We couldn’t ask for a perfect day for these beautiful couple.
Sade wanted to have a beach theme wedding allthe way, from her flowers to her decor.

 

VENDOR LOVE:

Photography: Stephanie Hickerty of Emindee Images  www.emindeeimages.com
Floral and Event Design : Gerilyn Gianna Event and Floral Design www.gerilyngianna.com
Venue: Marriott Singer Island Resort and Spa
Event Planner: Gerilyn Gianna Event and Floral Design

 

Sade loves lilies. So for her bouquet we’ve used orange and white asiatic lilies.

The bridesmaids bouquet were made with orange asiatic lilies and blue delphinium.

White spray roses with blue delphinium for mother’s corsages.

Perfect day for a beach wedding. A simple bamboo chuppah for the ceremony.

White starfish decorated the ailse.

Orange orchids with birtch branches decorate the placecard table.

 

5 Reasons to hire a Wedding Event Planner January 14, 2012

The Gerilyn Gianna Design wedding team is often asked if we recommend hiring a planner to help coordinate your wedding – this is an important decision, so we have compiled a list with the top five reasons hiring a wedding or event planner is a great choice…

1. Professional Pros: Planning a wedding or event can be a full time job.  From researching vendors, taking care of the details, and coming up with creative ideas to make your celebration amazing, a planner will save you hours of legwork. A professional keeps you updated, makes detailed itineraries for all involved, including other vendors, and assures you that everything will happen on time and on schedule. They will flawlessly execute your event. For those with the thought that “time is money”, this is essential as you can be off using your time in more valuable ways.

2. Expert advice: Your planner channels your tastes, taking into consideration your style and personality. They make sure that your event day surpasses all expectations and turn your dreams into a reality, and can offer etiquette and ideas along the way.  It’s always good to have an expert on your side.  Honestly, you would have an expert in your life for any other major decision right?

3. Vendor Loyalty: Great planners have built outstanding relationships with vendors in all categories. In turn, vendors want to work with these planners because they know the event is going to run smoothly.  You are assured to get the best prices from the finest, most reliable vendors who love working with your planner. Bottom line, pick a good planner, and you will have a great team behind them.

4. Just In Case: A planner is educated in handling situations that involve any unforeseen circumstances relating to your event day with grace and ease. Their goal is to go above and beyond and to devise solutions to make your day perfect, no matter what it takes.  And most of the time, they do this with out you even knowing the problem.  And trust us, problems will come.

5. In the Know: A savvy (experienced) planner with keep up with all the latest industry trends and stay ahead of the curve. They have the ability to suggest out of the box ideas that will add personalization and a wow factor to your event.
A few closing thoughts.  I’m going to be honest about my personal situation.  When I got married, I was already an established event planner and florist.  But when I was looking at venues, I was over whelmed with the sales people saying they were the planners and they would “take care of it” for me.  So, to my mistake, when we choose a hotel (4 star on the ocean in Palm Beach) and they said they would take care of planning my wedding with me, I didn’t hire a planner of my own.  Biggest mistake of my wedding.  Let’s say this, not only did they not help us plan it and tried to sell all their services to us, but on the wedding day, the “planner” was no where to be found.  As a matter of fact, she was selling another couple on the hotel during my wedding.  Bottom line is this, be aware of sales professionals from venues call themselves event planners.  They are not.  A true wedding event planner encompasses all five from the list above.

My recommendation:  Hire a planner.  If you can’t afford it, hire one just for the day of the wedding and you plan it.  At least they can run it for you.
What is your thought on this? I’d love to hear your comments???

10 Beauty Tips Every Bride Should Know January 6, 2012

You’re Engaged!!!! — That means it’s time to step up your daily beauty routine. 

We’ve talked to the pros at The Knot, and we’re arming you with the tools for looking your  best before, during and after your wedding.

1:  Schedule Weekly Manicures

Face it: As soon as you got engaged, everyone  was asking to see the ring. Keep those nails and hands primed and pretty with  regular weekly manicures. This is your chance to experiment with colors (pretty  mauves and pinks) and get to know your manicurist. When you get your nails done,  look at your nail bed. Shape your nails to match, giving your hands and nails a  balanced and elegant look.

Want to splurge? Shellac manicures use UV  technology for a harder and smoother finished nail. They’re a bit pricier but  can last up to twice as long as a traditional manicure!

 

2:     Whiten Your Teeth

You want pearly whites for all those beautiful  pictures you’ll be posing for (but we also know how crucial coffee is right now  with all the planning). Most toothpastes have whitening ingredients in them, but  for faster results, choose a special whitening one. White strips are also a  great option.

Want to splurge? Get your teeth professionally  whitened. However, makeup artist Sonia Kashuk says, “Don’t go overboard.  Anything that looks too artificial becomes too prominent in a picture.” Get a  professional whitening six months out so your teeth aren’t too brilliant the  day-of. Beware, though: Teeth whitening wears down your enamel, making your  teeth more sensitive to hot and cold, so don’t overdo it!

3:     Get a Smooth Face

A primer is a great place to start. Use it daily. It  provides a smooth surface for foundation to adhere to all day. Or try a  hydrating facial serum. Apply it daily before your makeup for softer and  smoother skin.

Want to splurge? At least three months out from your  wedding, start planning monthly facials. Facials boost your skin’s health,  meaning it will look clearer and brighter! We’re loving blueberry soy facials –  the antioxidants in the blueberries help firm your skin and naturally exfoliate  at the same time.

 

4:     Eat Healthier

If you can bear it, try staying away from sugar, lots of  sodium and processed foods. These all lead to belly fat and bloating. Instead,  focus on green vegetables, fruit and lots of water — all great for staving off  food cravings and clearing up your skin. Watch out for carbs as well, especially  fried foods (that means no French fries!). Stay away from too much booze –  alcohol makes your skin puffy and dry (not to mention, you crave more snacks and  junk food when you’re buzzed).

Want to splurge? Sign up for meal  plans that deliver healthy meals right to your door every morning like the Zone  (ZoneDiet.com) and The Fresh Diet (TheFreshDiet.com). Or, hire a nutritionist to  get you on the right diet track!

 

5:     Work Out Regularly

We know it’s an obvious one…work out on a regular  basis. “Working out will help tighten and firm your body while also detoxing  your skin,” Kashuk says. A good workout gives you a boost of energy, helps you  lose weight and makes you feel happier (hello, endorphins!). Add weights to your workout routine. That age-old myth  that you’ll bulk up is false! Some simple dumbbells will make all the difference  between toned arms and that little bit of arm fat that’s so hard to shake. Try a  trainer-approved exercise like a seated  dumbbell press.

Want to  splurge? Join a gym. You won’t have the weather to use as an excuse, and  you’ll have all the equipment right there. Plus, working out with other people  is always a huge motivation.  Pick a personal trainer over a  workout video. Your trainer will customize the session to your needs and change  up your workout every time.

 

6:     Have a Day-Of Bag

Whether it’s flyaway hairs or fall-off fake lashes,  you should make sure you have an arsenal of bridal beauty fixers on hand the  day-of; this means being prepared for any scenario. Start adding items as you  begin to work out the details of your wedding, as well as during your makeup  trials. You should have a plan of attack with your makeup artist should they not  be there in a moment of need!

Want to splurge? If you don’t have the  time to pull it all together, you can buy premade kits. Our personal fave is The  Knot Wedding Shop Bridessentials  Survival Kit, complete with hair spray, clear nail polish, deodorant and all  those things you haven’t thought of.

 

7:     Do a Makeup Test Run

Besides your hair trial, you should also schedule  a makeup trial. Have a trial at least three months before the wedding. This is  where you’ll fine-tune your look with your makeup artist so that you know  exactly how you’ll look the day-of.

Want to splurge? Hire your  photographer to take photos of you after you’ve had your makeup done (or  schedule your makeup trial the same day as your engagement photo session). This  run-through will ensure you know how you look in multiple lights for your  wedding photos. If your makeup looks too harsh or too subtle, have your makeup  artist experiment and repeat.

 

8:     Focus on Your Lips

Take care of your lips each night by applying a  generous coat of lip balm or Vaseline. “Gently rub it over your lips in a  circular motion with a wet washcloth,” says makeup artist Mally Roncal. This  will exfoliate and soften your lips at the same time. Go for a glossy lip on  your wedding day. A matte lipstick will look classic but may not hold as long,  and could crack and wear down. Put a gloss over your lipstick to cover up those  imperfections.

Want to splurge? Some salons offer special lip  treatments that focus on exfoliating, moisturizing and energizing your lips!

 

9:     Get Smooth Skin

Have a tough-to-treat spot like dry elbows? A good body  scrub in the shower will get rid of dead skin. Then, moisturize with a good  almond butter or shea butter lotion. Wrap your elbows in a cloth and keep the  moisturizer on for about an hour.

Want to splurge? Get a full-body  scrub at a salon for allover smooth skin. Go for a sugar scrub for a soft and  sweet-smelling finish.

10:     Have a Hair Plan

Work with your hairstylist to map out your hair care  plan of attack. Try an at-home treatment with your favorite conditioner and  mashed-up avocado. The creaminess of the avocado will increase your hair’s  silkiness. Start doing weekly treatments months before your wedding if you can.  For an extra-glossy finish, look for shampoos and conditioners infused with  olive oil. The oil helps tone down frizz and boost shine.

Want to  splurge? Go to your salon and have your stylist give you a customized  conditioning treatment for your hair type. For example, curly hair needs more  moisture than straight hair. Your stylist will treat your hair type accordingly.

 

So lets here from you. What is the most important beauty ritual you just can’t live with out???   Please share in the comments section.  You never know, it could be the one thing that someone else needs to hear!