Designs by Cornelia, LLC Weddings & Events

Your First Catering Appointment

2011-11-11T13:28:00.000-05:00

Great Tip for Bridesmaids

2011-10-25T10:03:00.000-04:00

On the wedding day, have each bridesmaid (and bride) bring their items in a box with their name on it. After they are finished getting ready in the designated dressing room, they can put all their items back in their own box. That way, whoever is designated to clean up the dressing room, can just pack the boxes in their car without trying to figure out whose stuff is whose.

Source: Sewfordough.wordpress.com

Cleverlyinspired: Wine bottles=Christmas display

2011-10-09T10:28:00.000-04:00

Cleverlyinspired: Wine bottles=Christmas display: The story of 3 wine bottles.....that just wanted to be pretty.... Ahhh...aren't they pretty now.....here's what I did.... I gathered 3 bot...

2012 Luxury Wedding Trend - Ivory and Cream Weddings

2011-09-20T08:19:00.000-04:00

Classic Wedding by jumpergirl featuring pearl earrings

Sue Wong short dress
$398 - nordstrom.com

Seychelles peep toe pumps
$100 - nordstrom.com

Tasha bow necklace
$158 - nordstrom.com

Majorica pearl earrings
$95 - nordstrom.com

Wedding Coordinator Fee

2011-08-19T10:00:00.001-04:00

A lot of hours go into planning and coordinating a wedding, so take the amount a coordinator has charged you, divide that by the amount of hours you think it would take to plan and coordinate a wedding (typically 150 hours or more) and decide if you yourself would work your job at that hourly rate. Many people do not consider this, but it will allow you to appreciate your planner all the more when you think from that perspective.

Happy Planning!!!

Bridesmaid Clutch

2011-08-17T10:00:00.002-04:00

Matching clutches for bridesmaids are an awesome way to add a bit of flair to the bridesmaids attire, serves as a great gift for the bridemaids, and is a great way for them to carry around their touch up lip gloss on the day of the wedding.

I found all of these fantastic clutches on Etsy.com and saw that you can actually buy the clutches in sets at a very affordable price.

Tipping Your Wedding Hair Stylist and Make-Up Artist

2011-07-15T10:00:00.001-04:00

Absolute Love Photography

from theknot.com

This is one area where a gratuity is definitely expected. Tip between 15 - 20 percent just as you would in a hair salon, and consider giving a little extra if there's a crisis, like one of your bridesmaids has a meltdown over her updo and it requires a redo at the last minute.

Protocol: Expected

The Standard: 15 - 25 percent, depending upon the quality of service

When to Tip: At the end of your service

Tipping Your Wedding Coordinator

2011-07-13T10:00:00.001-04:00

From the Knot.com

Wedding planners won't likely expect anything; however, if yours did a great job you can always offer a token of your appreciation. (Note: Non-monetary thank-yous like professional photos of the wedding for the planner's portfolio can go a long way too.) Approximately 50 percent of couples do tip their planners -- typically those with more opulent weddings.

Protocol: Optional

The $tandard: Up to $500, or a nice gift

When to Tip: The bride should hand off the envelope at the end of the reception, or, she should send a thank-you note with photos or a check after the honeymoon.

Tipping Your Wedding Reception Band or DJ

2011-07-11T10:00:00.001-04:00

From theKnot.com

Whether you hire a 12-piece swing band or a DJ, tipping musicians is completely optional. (Depending on the quality of the job and how willing they were to follow your ideal playlist!) And don't forget about any sound technicians they bring with them.

Protocol: Optional, yet preferred

The Standard: $20 - $25 per musician; $50 - $150 for DJs

When to Tip: At the end of the reception, by the best man or wedding coordinator.

Tipping for Transportation on your Big Day

2011-07-08T10:00:00.001-04:00

Absolute Love Photography

From the knot.com

Be sure to first check your contract, as gratuity is usually included. If it isn't, plan to tip provided they show up on time and don't get lost!

Protocol: Expected

The Standard: 15 - 20 percent of the total bill

When to Tip: At the end of the night or after the last ride. If you used a separate company for the guest buses, designate a bus captain to hand the driver a tip, otherwise, this duty falls to the best man.

Rent the Runway

2011-07-01T10:00:00.002-04:00

So you remember when in Sex and the City you heard Jennifer Hudson saying that you could actually rent designer goods... and you thought "where from and how and sign me up"!

Well ladies it's true...Rent the Runway is the place to go to rent designer goods at affordable prices. No longer do you have to struggle to find that perfect dress to wear to your next gala, wedding, or big shindig. You can simply browse the site, pick out your dress and accessories and they will send it to you for a rental price that is only a fraction of the cost of the retail value. Rent the Runway will even go so far as to send you an additional size just in case the size you choose is not quite the right fit. You can't lose!!!

Hiring a Wedding DJ - Tips from DJ Carl

2011-06-29T10:00:00.001-04:00

Please note: A DJ that does well at parties may not be the right choice for a wedding.

Listen to Orlando based celebrity DJ Carl discuss 5 points you should consider when choosing a wedding DJ.

Absolutely Gorgeous Brides

2011-06-27T10:00:00.002-04:00

Recently I had the opportunity to chat with the owner of Absolutely Gorgeous Brides, Ms. Lena G.

Ten years ago Lena was laid off from her job as a marketing manager for PBS and NPR. After being laid off she decided to pursue her passion and become a make-up artist. Lena has worked for some of the top names in the industry and now works for herself doing photo shoots, productions and weddings. When asked what she loves about weddings, Lena replied that she loved that her brides thought of her as more than a stylist and make-up artist.

Absolutely Gorgeous Brides is a mobile spa, professional makeup and hairstyling company that caters to your every need during your special bridal journey. Your wedding is truly one of the most remembered days of your life and Absolutely Gorgeous Brides wants to make sure they do everything they can to make you look as radiant as you feel.

Allow Absolutely Gorgeous Brides to customize a bridal package for you and your bridesmaids. They are truly committed to making you look and feel fabulous. Just like a movie set or fashion shoot, Absolutely Gorgeous Brides can work on-location on your wedding day to create your unforgettable bridal look. Get gorgeous hair, flawless makeup and red carpet treatment - it's your day to shine!

Their private Studio is located at: 2431 Aloma Avenue Suite 277 Winter Park FL 32792 You can visit them on the web at http://lgcdinc.com Call :407.218.0505 Email: lena@lgcdinc.com

Stay Organized!!!

2011-06-24T10:00:00.000-04:00

A wedding has many details, so couples must stay organized when planning their wedding...An organized Bride is a happy Bride!!!

Give yourself time to complete your tasks and be sure to keep a checklist of all of your duties and be sure to check them off as you go along.

If you find yourself overwhelmed with your many duties, don't be afraid to ask your fiance, bridesmaids, or wedding planner for help.

But remember, never bite off more than you can chew, sometimes it is more cost effective to have things professionally done rather than stressing and spending countless hours working on a project.

LatinDestinations.com - Honeymoon Ideas

2011-06-22T10:00:00.002-04:00


Arenal Volcano outside of the Arenal Nayara Hotel and Gardens

I recently had the opportunity to have dinner with one of my former couples while dining in New York City and they were gushing over the details of their recent honeymoon. I was in awe as I looked at the pictures from their Costa Rican love fest and was even more amazed when I learned of the great deal they received for their vacay.

They went to latindestinations.com and booked their 8 day honeymoon, which included airfare and ranges from $800 -$1,800 per person. Most trips included accommodations in three different cities and allowed you to choose which hotel you preferred to stay in.

Most of these properties are not all inclusive, but if you are sociable people the locals are more than willing to tell you where the tastiest and most affordable eating-places are.

P.S. I am a huge advocate of taking a honeymoon once a year…let’s keep the love brewing!!!

Private Balcony with Jacuzzi attached to your suite.

Ideas for the Groom When Making a Speech at Your Wedding

2011-03-09T10:00:00.001-05:00

Groom
• Appropriate story about how he met his bride
• What this day means to you
• Thank your bridal party
• Mention how wonderful the bride looks
• Mention/ thank the bride’s family, or tell a story that relates to them (first meeting?)
• Thank all parties involved in the wedding
• Mention/ thank your family
• Mention any members of the audience that are special or have traveled a large distance
• Thank the venue for the dinner
• Thank the MC for keeping the night rolling

Creative Ceremony Ideas

2011-01-14T10:00:00.001-05:00

If you would like to add special touches to your wedding ceremony, try one or two of the below listed ideas:
1. The mother and father walk the bride down the aisle.
2. The bride walks down the aisle solo, or perhaps even dad can meet the bride midway down the aisle.
3. Have the groom escort his mother to her seat.
4. Allow a family member or friend to do a special reading or solo.
5. Have a rose ceremony - The bride and groom exchange two red roses symbolizing the giving and receiving of their love for each other throughout their marriage.
6. Hand out roses to the mothers during the rose ceremony.
7. Have a family member deliver the final blessing.
8. Include a prayer of thanks to the families.
9. Have a single flower given out to each female guest as they are seated for the ceremony.
10. Jumping of the Broom
11. For the big kiss, have the wedding party hold up score cards to rate the kiss.
12. Do a tasting ceremony - The bride and groom will taste four different flavors, something sweet, sour, bitter, and salty. These different flavors will represent the sweet, salty, bitter and sour times the couple will go through during their marriage. Guests usually get a kick out of the funny faces made by the couple as they taste the different elements.
13. Include some of your engagement photos in your wedding program. Happy Planning!!!

Engagement Sessions - Be Your Best Self

2011-01-12T10:00:00.001-05:00

When doing an engagement photo session with your photographer be sure to look your best. I usually recommend that my brides meet with a make-up artist the day of their engagement session to do a trial run for their wedding day make-up. This way she kills two birds with one stone (figure of speech to all my PETA friends), and then her make-up is perfection for her engagement session and she has now had the necessary make-up trial run for her wedding day. Happy Planning!!!

Meet Gia - Designs by Cornelia Intern

2011-01-10T10:00:00.000-05:00

Hi my name is Gia Allmond, I am from Jacksonville, FL and currently, I'm attending the UCF Rosen College for Hospitality Management, majoring in Event Management with two minors in Hospitality Management and Spanish. During my time in high school I greceived the opportunity of a lifetime and worked with the Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce for two years in the Membership Department. Working there really opened my eyes and confirmed how much I love working events. That was when I decided to attend the University of Central Florida. Working with people and events is my passion. There is nothing that I love more than to see or hear the feedback from someone when you've just created and executed an event that was everything that they imagined or even exceeded their expectations. I simply love being able to meet and talk with new people and help them to create their dream event that will stick with them for a lifetime.

Tipping Your Caterer

2011-01-06T10:00:00.000-05:00

I am often asked "How much should I tip the caterer?". Well, it depends on whether the gratuity is already included in your total bill or whether it is left up to your discretion. Be sure to check with your caterer first on this. In the event that the caterer does leave the gratuity to your discretion, you should expect to pay 18 - 20 % of the catering bill evenly dispersed between the supervisor, servers, and bartenders. At least $50-$75 should be given to each person. SN: Be sure to factor in tips and gratuity when putting together your wedding budget.

All New Episodes of My Fair Wedding

2010-12-31T10:18:00.002-05:00

Be sure to tune in this Sunday, January 2nd at 9pm for all new episodes of David Tutera's My Fair Wedding on WE tv. Watch as David takes Bride's outlandish ideas and transforms them into a wedding beyond the Bride's wildest dreams.

What Not to Wear to a Wedding

2010-12-29T10:00:00.001-05:00

One should never under any circumstance wear jeans to a wedding! For gentlemen, if you're invited to an evening reception a tux, suit, or even dress pants with shirt and tie is in order. For ladies, cocktail dresses and evening wear (suits and gowns) are perfect choices. If you have a specific question about what is acceptable, feel free to leave a post for an immediate response.

How Much Does A Wedding Really Cost?

2010-12-27T10:00:00.001-05:00

So really how much does a wedding cost? When meeting with new clients, I like to ask them how much they think the wedding they have envisioned will actually cost them? Here is what you can expect to pay for 150 guests: Venue: $3,000+ Food: $7,000+ Full Bar: $2,000+ Cake: $300+ Linens: $500+ Chivari Chairs: $ 1,000 Favors: $450+ Lighting: $800+ DJ: $800+ Videographer: $1,500+ Photographer: $2,500+ Flowers and Decor: $3,000+ Transportation: $800+ Rings: $800+ Wedding Attire (Gown and Tux): $1,000+ Invitations and Wedding Stationary: $300+ Officiant: $150+ Day of Coordinator: $800+ Total Cost: $26,700 If you want to spend less than this on your wedding, the first order of business is to reduce your guest count. Also, be sure to discuss with your wedding coordinator ways to save money and how to avoid costly wedding planning mistakes.

Alfred Angelo Is Having a Huge Sale

2010-11-09T10:01:00.002-05:00

Pancreatic Cancer Action Network

2010-11-08T10:00:00.000-05:00

In May of this year, I lost my Mother to pancreatic cancer. She was my Rock and my Best Friend. Every day is difficult and a struggle to keep going. I am so Blessed however to have my wedding planning business. My mother was so very proud of me for starting this business and setting off to do what I am truly passionate about. This business and working with my FABULOUS clients keeps me going. Thank you so much for your continual support and I look forward to creating even more fabulous events! In honor of my mother, Paula Blake, for any Bride who donates $50.00 to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, we will take $200 off any of our packages booked between now and November 30, 2010. You can click here to donate. (Proof of donation is required to receive discount)

Lena G - Make-Up Artist

2010-11-02T10:00:00.000-04:00

Learn from a Celebrity Make Up Artist Lena G will help you: • Choose my brushes and understand how to maintain them • Determine your skin type and shade • Select eye shadows learn how to apply them • Chose a foundation that is right for you • Understand how you can effectively use blush • Eyelash application demonstration • And much more Bring your make up kit (including skincare, brushes and eyelashes) 4 hour class Refreshments provided Visit lgcdinc.com to learn about Lena G to see full commercial visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6rn4UCz3rI Next available class: November 5, 2010 6:00 P.M. to 9:30 P.M. REGULAR RATE: 99.00 SPECIAL $50.00

Puff N' Stuff Catering

2010-10-14T10:00:00.001-04:00

Absolute Love Photography

2010-09-24T12:50:00.005-04:00

I must say, I love Brooke Spencer of Absolute Love Photography, she is an amazing wedding and portrait photographer serving Southern California and the Central Florida area. She is fascinated by all styles of photography, whether it be modern, vintage, photojournalism, natural light infused or traditional with a creative twist.

Brooke's youthfulness and sweet demeanor lends to her ability to develop a comfortable atmosphere for her brides and for often being regarded as a "breath of fresh air".

She loves connecting with her clients to gather their thoughts and to help them further develop their vision. Above all, she loves to capture an everlasting look so the photos will be cherished always, with timeless beauty.

Below are photos taken by Brooke of a vintage chic wedding with lots of DIY and special added touches.

You can learn more about Brooke's awesome work at http://absolutelovephotography.com/.

To Do's Before Your Big Day

2010-09-22T10:00:00.003-04:00

1) Book a spa appointment for a relaxing massage, manicure and pedicure

2) Visit your hair dresser for any last minute touch ups to your color or cut

3) Have a make up trial run and purchase the lipstick or lipgloss you’ll be using

4) Plan out all your outfits and your fiance's outfits for around the wedding

5) Make a list of any outstanding payments and write checks. Assign these envelopes to your wedding planner to hand out. (Don't forget about the tips)

6) Write a special note to your fiancé to be delivered the morning of the wedding

7) Practice walking in your wedding shoes

8) Take really good care of your skin and drink plenty of water.

9) Write your vows and write a list of people you should thank in your speech

10) Remember to relax and enjoy the experience!

Guest Etiquette

2010-09-20T10:00:00.001-04:00

Many of you are probably receiving wedding invitations left and right. Well there are a few things you should know before deciding to RSVP to attend a wedding. 1. Only RSVP if you know for a fact that you will be in attendance for the wedding. Couples pay anwhere between $40 and $120 per guest for food and beverage alone, not including the cost of each place setting (chair rental, linens, centerpieces, menu and place cards, chargers, etc.). Don't allow your friends to waste their money. If 10 guests do not show at $100 per person, that is $1,000 wasted. 2. RSVP before the deadline. The deadline date on the RSVP card is not the date for you to place the card in the mail. Do return your RSVP card well in advance, so that your friends can give their vendors accurate numbers of guests in attendance. 3. If you do not attend the wedding, be sure to send a gift to the couple. Registry information is located on their wedding website. If you have any doubts, gift cards are always well received. So, let's all do our part and be FABULOUS wedding guests!!!

Insure Your Wedding Ring

2010-09-15T10:00:00.001-04:00

Don't forget to add your new sparkle to your homeowner's or renter's insurance policy. In the event you lose your new ring or it is stolen, it is a good idea to make sure it is insured. You can do this by adding a "rider" to your renter's or homeowner's policy. The cost of this insurance annually is far less than what it would cost to replace the ring in the event it is stolen .

Great Tip from Aylee Bits!

2010-09-10T10:00:00.000-04:00

When planning your wedding, create a separate email account from your personal e-mail account, if you’re planning to sign up or register for wedding-related stuff online, enter contests, attend bridal shows, etc. This allows you to avoid spam clogging your personal email. Great advice from Aylee Bits!

Guest List Etiquette Advice

2010-09-08T10:00:00.001-04:00

From the wedding etiquette guru herself, Peggy Post, states that when creating the guest list for your wedding, do note that partners of invited guest must be included in wedding invitations. This includes couples who are married, engaged, or living together regardless of whether or not you or any other member of your wedding party knows them.

Guest Seating

2010-09-03T10:00:00.000-04:00

A feature that I love on WeddingWire.com is the guests seating feature. This free online program allows for you to design the layout of your wedding reception and decide where each of your guests will sit. It is one of the best programs that I have found and it makes planning your guest seating a breeze!

Unique Card Box

2010-09-01T10:00:00.000-04:00

Absolutely cute card boes from Wedding Main Street.http://www.theweddingmainst.com/default.aspx

Gap Between Ceremony and Reception

2010-08-30T10:00:00.000-04:00

I recently ran into a planning situation where a Bride wanted to have her ceremony at 3pm but not start her cocktail hour at the reception site until 6pm. Knowing that the ceremony was going to last no more than an hour, I was left to determine what the guests would do for an hour and a half. Well to be absolutely honest, it is normal to have this break since many churches do not allow the Bride to have a Ceremony later than 4pm. The key is to make sure that your guests are aware of this break. The time to advise your guests of this would not be the day of the wedding, but ahead of time on your invitations. If you have out of town guests attending the wedding, you might consider arranging some sort of entertainment for those guests in function space at the selected reception venue. A great idea would be to have caricature artists, henna tattoo artist, fortune tellers, dancers, or any other form of exciting entertainment. If the break will last for two hours or more, I would suggest providing your guests with an "out of towner" kit prior to their arrival that gives them information about a variety of activities they can do in the area.

When to Mail Your Invitations

2010-08-27T10:00:00.000-04:00

Carlson Crafts Designs by Cornelia, LLC is a dealer of Carlson Crafts Wedding Invitations

I am constantly asked this question..."When should I mail out my wedding invitations?" The answer is 6-8 weeks prior to your wedding day. I have had some brides who know that they have guests who wait forever to respond to invites, so they ask about mailing out the invites a bit earlier than 6-8 weeks. My advice is, "A procrastinator is, and will always be a procrastinator", so no matter when you mail out your invitations, there will be a few individuals who will wait until the last minute to respond. So be sure to make a list with all of your invitees telephone numbers, so that you can call them to request an answer if you still have not heard from them prior to your cut off date. There is nothing worse than having a guest show up who did not RSVP and whom you did not account for.

Wedding Favor Ideas

2010-08-25T10:00:00.000-04:00

Coming up with creative ideas for wedding favors can sometimes be a tad overwhelming because there are so many choices out there and then you want also make sure that your guests will actually appreciate the gift. Some of my favorite ideas for wedding day favors are: 1. The Knot wedding magazine had a fabulous idea to name each of your tables after a popular drink or wine and then provide a package of that cocktail mix or bottle of wine at that table for each of the guests. 2. For outdoor ceremonies, provide your guests with fans to coordinate with your wedding colors. You can find these fans at a very affordable price at www.blissweddingsmarket.com. I love the idea of tagging the fans with a favor tag that features your monogram and even your wedding date using a coordinating ribbon. Your guests will be thanking you for this. 3. Another great idea is to stuff a lottery ticket in cute envelopes that match your wedding theme with a little message like "Lucky in Love". 4. Candy or Popcorn Buffet with take out boxes for guests to fill. 5. A smorgasbord of all of your favorite packaged deserts, like Little Debbie snacks. This would be really fun for your guests and you can create a really fun display for your guests to come up and choose their all time favorite treat and perhaps pair it with an individual sized carton of milk.

Funny and Fabulous Girlfriend Advice

2010-08-23T22:52:00.004-04:00

So I was explaining to a girlfriend the qualities of my ideal man; I said he would be a chef that can give excellent massages. Her response, was simply, "Just marry a rich guy who can buy you dinner and pay for you to get massages." Now that's what I call advice! Why didn't I think of that! Smiles! Have an awesome day!

The Bouquet/ Garter Toss

2010-08-23T10:00:00.001-04:00

From the cutting of the cake to the garter toss, how did these traditions begin and what is the meaning behind them? During the 14th Century, it was thought that by having a piece of the Bride and Groom's clothing, it would bring them good luck. Guests would tear off pieces of the Bride's dress, but apparently this custom did not last, and it became customary for the Bride to throw her garter to the male guests. The males would become rowdy and impatient and they would try to remove the garter ahead of time. Therefore, the custom changed and the groom would toss the garter and the Bride would toss the bouquet.

At the wedding reception, the Bride will toss her throw away bouquet to the single women at the wedding. Whoever catches the bouquet is thought to be the next to marry. Next is the garter toss. Both garters are worn on the right leg just above the knee. The groom is to remove the throw away garter either with his teeth or hands, and will throw this to the single men at the reception. The man who catches the bouquet is thought to be the next to marry. The single lady that catches the bouquet is to take a seat in the middle of the dance floor. The gentlemen who caught the garter will then place the garter on the leg of the single lady.

What Do Your Wedding Colors Mean

2010-08-20T10:00:00.000-04:00

Reds = Excitement, Powerful, Stimulating Pinks = Sweet, Happy, Youthful, Romantic Oranges = Friendly, Tangy, Energizing Yellows = Sunny, Warm, Cheerful Browns = Rich, Earthy, Durable Blues = Cool, Serene, Quiet Greens = Nature, Harmony, Freshness Purples = Regal, Sensual, Elegant Choose your wedding colors based on what feeling you would like to evoke for your wedding. A big trend for this year is to choose monochromatic colors for your wedding day decor.

Meet Chante and Kenny

2010-08-18T12:00:00.000-04:00

Kenny and Chante' officially met at track practice in the spring of 2001, but the fairy tale started later that month at the state competitions for FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) where the unlikely pair would become inseparable. Right away, Kenny realized he struck gold. With Chante's superb genetics, Kenny knew he had found the mother of his future professional athletes. On the other hand, Chante' realized she had found a gem of her own. It was rare to find intelligence, athletic ability, and a gorgeous smile all in one neatly wrapped package. After countless hours on the phone and shooting stars, it was finally time for Kenny to venture off to college, leaving Chante' behind to finish her senior year of high school. She had no idea how difficult it would be to see her "knight" leave for UCF. The tears continued until he drove off to begin a new chapter in his life. As promised, Kenny came home every weekend to see Chante', and she traveled to see him whenever he couldn't make it home.

Kenny's first year of college sailed by, and it was finally time for Chante'to start her first semester at UCF. Throughout college, nothing could keep them apart except for the basketball court between their apartments. Three years later the two graduated and moved into their first apartment together. It wasn't the traditional method, but it worked. On their eighth anniversary, Kenny proposed on a private island in Key West. A cloudy sky allowed the sun to peek through long enough for Kenny to get down on one knee and pop the question. It was music to her ears, twice! Yes, she made him do it twice to ensure she would never forget that moment! Chante', the hopeless romantic, had finally found her prince charming. And Kenny had finally found his perfect 10!

This amazingly cute couple will be married on November 20th at the fabulous

Heaven Event Center.

All photos courtesy of Absolute Love Photography!

DIY vs. The Professionals

2010-08-16T10:00:00.001-04:00

The popularity of Do It Yourself wedding planning is rising and brides are flocking to their local craft stores to create their own fantasy wedding. Many of thse Brides find themselves disappointed when they are unable to bring their vision to fruition without it looking cheesy and cheap. Beware of letting this happen to you! Part of the beauty of leaving the work of pulling your vision together to the professionals, is it allows for you to enjoy your fiance and the time spent with family and friends. The week of your wedding is not one where you should be worried about timelines, creating floral arrangements and bouquets, etc. Your wedding planning experience should never feel like work unless you are a professional wedding planner.

Storing Your Top Tier for Your First Anniversary

2010-08-13T10:00:00.000-04:00

Tres Belle Cakes

• Remove decorations or anything that could break • Don’t let it rest on cardboard because it will then taste like cardboard

Tres Belle Cakes

• Put cake in freezer as is for 20 minutes so that it won’t stick to the plastic wrap then take it out and completely cover it in plastic wrap (airtight) • Wrap in 2 layers of heavy duty aluminum foil to protect from freezer burn

Tres Belle Cakes

• Defrost the cake 1 day before serving in your fridge • After 2 hours remove the wrapping and continue to defrost

Tres Belle Cakes

• Let it rest at room temperature before serving • You can have a new layer of icing added to make it look pretty again

Tres Belle Cakes

All photos courtesy of Tres Belle Cakes - an awesome wedding and speciality cake baker in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Your Wedding Cake (and non-cake) Options

2010-08-11T10:00:00.000-04:00

Why not be different and veer away from the traditional by offering your guests a non cake dessert option at your wedding such as: • Cupcakes

Sweet by Holly

• Chocolate mousse • Petit fours • Dessert buffet

Clo by Clau

• Chocolate fountain • Chocolate bar- hot chocolate, chocolate covered coffee beans, chocolate sticks, everything chocolate • Crocumbroche- traditional French pastry formed into a ball and structured into a cone with spun sugar over top • Individual mini cakes for each person Who Will Eat Your Cake? • Serve at desert • Midnight buffet • Boxes to take home

How to Save Money When Purchasing Your Wedding Cake

2010-08-09T10:00:00.000-04:00

• You can opt for a smaller wedding cake and purchase a sheet cake as a less expensive option to serve all your wedding guests. • Your cake doesn’t have to be real, just one slice does. If you’re not serving your wedding cake to your guests then have a Styrofoam cake decorated and have one piece be real or a cake behind the fake cake to do the traditional cake cutting. • If you’re not serving your wedding cake for dessert you do not need to order one slice per person because if you’re serving it at the end of the night, not everyone will eat it • Most venues do charge a cake cutting fee/ plating fee to serve a cake not made by their catering staff • Use cardboard circles stacked together to give your cake the desired height you want, or you can purchase a cake stand from companies such as Raise the Cake. www.raisethecake.com

Raise the Cake

• Decorate the dummy cake just like a real cake • Want more servings then make your base larger or add mini wedding cakes which makes the cake table look extravagant

Free Wedding Website

2010-08-05T12:00:00.001-04:00

I highly recommend that Brides create a wedding website. This allows for you to be able to keep your guests informed on the happenings for your wedding weekend. Create your website prior to sending out your Save the Dates so you can include the web address on the Save the Date. You can upload pictures of you and your sweetie and give tell the story of your relationship, how you knew that he was the one, and the engagement. This is also a great place to display some of your fantastic engagement shots! Additionally, there are features that allow your guests to RSVP and to see your bridal registry (as that information is to never be included in your wedding invites). And the best thing about it...It's free. Go to http://www.weddingwire.com/wedding-websites.html to see over a 100 beautiful layouts.

Bridesmaids Dresses for Under $100 at JCPenny

2010-08-03T12:00:00.002-04:00

The financial responsibility of being a bridesmaid is not a cheap one, that is why it is so important to consider your bridesmaids wallets when choosing their attire for your big day. The always affordable JCPenny has fabulous dresses all less than $50 that serve as great Bridesmaids dresses. This first look with dress and necklace comes in a variety of sizes and will work perfectly for an evening wedding. This entire look came in less than $100. This little number again is less than $50 and comes in a variety of colors and sizes to accommodate your bridesmaids. Additionally, your girls can go online to order their dresses. Last but not least is this Jones Wear teal wrap dress. Perfect for a variety of sizes and can you believe the necklace and dress together are less than $100.

Sweet! By Good Golly Miss Holly | Orlando Desserts | Custom Cupcakes | Tart Frozen Yogurt

2010-04-19T16:02:00.001-04:00

One afternoon back in July of 2008 while surfing through FACEBOOK, I noticed there was a new bakery, Sweet!, specializing in cupcakes opening in Waterford Lakes Shopping Center. Now I had heard of the cupcake craze spreading in LA and New York and have always been jealous of Bridgette from the “Girls Next Door” whenever she got a cupcake from her local bakery, but now it was my chance to jump into the cupcake craze. So on July 4th during the grand opening of SWEET! By Good Golly Miss Holly, I had a chance to try out these delicious bits of heaven, and let me tell you, I have been hooked ever since. My favorite is the Boston Cream, I cannot even make it out of the parking lot without taking a bite of my take home treat. These cupcakes are a big hit for parties and weddings and are competitive in price with the per person costs of a wedding cake. The Sweet! website offers a myriad of pictures showcasing the variety of set-ups that can be done with cupcakes, and their cupcake towers create an awesome focal point for any event! This place is an absolute delight and I cannot wait to see owner, Hollis, open up shop throughout the state of Florida…so I can have a cupcake wherever I go!

Orlando Knot Party

2010-04-15T22:44:00.010-04:00

This past Tuesday I had the honor of attending the Knot annual party for Orlando held at the beautiful Waldorf Astoria of Orlando.

I had the chance to mix and mingle with some of my colleagues in the wedding industry and we had a blast! The first half of the event was in one of the stunning ballrooms of the hotel. Flourish Productions and Raining Roses provided fabulous floral arrangements that brought life to the space as well as the mood setting lighting provided by Kaleidoscope Event Lighting. We were treated to acrobatic dancers who hang from the gorgeous ceilings, a live band, and plenty of yummy cocktails. There was living art throughthout the party which was tons of fun. I look forward to the opportunity to design and coordinate an event at this stunning venue! Thanks 'The Knot' for such an exciting evening!

Why Hire a Wedding Planner

2010-03-03T22:29:00.007-05:00

Recently, while reading the Spring 2010 issue of Gulf Coast Bride, I came across a fantastic article about the importance of hiring a wedding planner. In the article "What you need to know...Why You Should Hire a Wedding Coordinator" by Joanna Banks-Morgan, Hannah Bryant-Brown of HBB photography, shared a story about a couple who tried to do everything on their own without hiring a coordinator:

"...we were hired to photograph a wedding held at a private condo in Destin, FL. We arrived two hours before the ceremony in order to capture the "getting ready" shots and the bridal portraits. In our pre-wedding meetings, these were the photos the bride loved the most because of the photojournalistic-style we had. When we got there, the bride was in her curlers down on the beach trying to get the chairs and altar set. In the meantime, her bridesmaids were doing their hair and the groomsmen were watching a football game. Because our bride was lugging chairs around on the beach, there wasn't much to photograph. The ceremony started 45 minutes late. On top of this, the minister had to officiate another wedding and was running late, so by the time we got to the family portraits, the sun had set. Not only did she miss her favorite "getting ready" shots, but also, because of the tardiness, she missed her sunset portraits".

As stated by Gwyne Owens of Gwyne Mark photography in the article, "the biggest reason we think couples need a coordinator is for the TIMELINE." Not only do wedding coordinators develop a timeline for your event, but they make sure that you stick to that timeline. Overtime charges can quickly add up and before you know it, you are spending the money you had saved for your honeymoon. A wedding coordinator should be considered as an investment, an investment that ensures your special once in a lifetime moment goes just as you envisioned.

Wedding Proposal

2010-02-24T09:25:00.019-05:00

Recently, we had the pleasure of assisting a young man by the name of Curtis wanting to propose to his girlfriend. He was really nervous and excited to do the proposal, and we were honored when he sought out our help.

He started the day, by leaving his girlfriend, Zakia, with a special note telling her how much he loved her and that he had hired a hair and make-up artist, Lena G, to come to their home to do her hair and make-up to prepare her for their special date later that evening. Our Groom-to-Be told his love that he would be back that afternoon to pick her up for their date... Instead, a chauffeured car arrived to take her to the Big Date. The driver greeted Zakia with a dozen roses and drove her to Circa Restaurant in Winter Park, Florida.

At the restaurant we reserved the famous "Sexy Booth" for the couple and decorated it with purple flowers and floating candles, a favorite of the Soon-to-be-Bride, since purple is the color chosen for her and Curtis' first child.

Curtis was so nervous, but Carlos, our server, and the owner of the restaurant were there to give him a "little man to man pep talk"... It was so cute and so romantic! Our awesome Carlos presented the first gift to our soon Bride to Be, which was a beautiful picture frame that encased a copy of Curt and Zakia's ultrasound of their baby girl. After finishing with their entree, Curtis excused himself from the table. Carlos presented Zakia with a card from Curtis and told her that he needed to move the table out of the way. Curt reappeared with a bouquet of flowers and a diamond ring. He got on one knee and asked his beloved to marry him.

She said YES!!!

Best of wishes to Curt and Zakia, you're a beautiful couple!!!

Carribean Peacock

2010-02-18T23:19:00.005-05:00

During a trip to Jamaica last year, I saw a lot of peacocks and was inspired by these beautiful birds. I vowed that at some point in 2010, I would design an event around the peacock. Low and behold the the Pantone color for this year ended up being Turquoise and Brides are in love with this color. As a result there have been a lot of requests for Peacock feathers to be incorporated into wedding designs. YEY!!!! Our November Bride loved the colors of the peacock feather, so we designed this inspiration board for her. The jeweled tones are gorgeous and set the tone for her grand affair!

Carribean Peacock by DesignsbyCornelia

Enjoy!!!

It's All In The Details

2010-02-18T21:54:00.019-05:00

When deciding what is most important for décor at your reception, remember that the table is the main star in the room. First begin with your linens. A textured linen with color is visually inviting and automatically adds character to your table.

The Special Event Show 2010

Resource One, Inc.

Second are your chairs. Whatever you do, do not us e the traditional banquet chairs without chair covers . You will be amazed at the difference a chair cover, wooden folded chairs, or chiavari chairs can make to the overall look of your reception. Currently our favorite chair design are the Chameleon Chairs which we blogged about in a previous post. The Third most important element of your overall design scheme is lighting. Brides are usually apprehensive about this cost, but one they see the difference lighting makes to their event they are amazed and have to have it. Surprisingly, this is a very affordable option to add extra character to your fantasy affair. This includes uplighting, gobo designs, pin spotting and candle light. I personally love candles and believe that candle light is quintessential in creating a romantic ambiance, something I try to incorporate in all my designs.

Fourth, and don't be mad floral designers, but flowers are not the most important element of a tabletop design. I have noticed that many of my Brides are not as interested in floral centerpieces as they once were, but are now more interested in centerpieces that tell a story or relate to the theme of their wedding. Floating candles in tinted water are also very popular.

Designs by Cornelia, LLC

The fifth element to tabletop design are your chargers and glassware. Your napkins and/or menu cards really pop against the chargers and can make quite a difference in the look of your table. It fills space and when we're talking about a 60"-72" tabletop, there is a lot of space to fill.

Special Event Show 2010 Resource One, Inc.

Last but not least, are your accessories: menu cards, favors, napkin rings, and anything related to your theme.

Special Event Show 2010 Sasha Souza Table Top Design

Happy Planning!!!

The Must Have Chair

2010-01-23T20:53:00.008-05:00

This year at the 2010 Special Event Show in New Orleans, I had the pleasure of being present when Chameleon Chair Collection and Wildflower Linens revealed some of their newest chair designs and chair linens.

The Chameleon chairs are metal backed and can either be used as originally designed or you may choose from a variety of chair covers available through Wildflower Linen.

It may not be within the budget to dress every chair at your wedding reception with these luxurious linens, but why not use a pair of the dressed chairs for the sweetheart table for just the Bride and the Groom.

These chairs add the perfect touch of elegance for the Modern Bride and at Designs by Cornelia, LLC, we know these chairs will be a big hit!!!

Wedding Day Hair

2010-01-18T12:06:00.012-05:00

Just as important as your wedding gown is your Wedding Day Hair style. Hair that is pulled back and or loosely pulled up with soft curls adds a touch of sophistication to your Wedding Day look.

Headbands with a simple flower or floral hairpins adds that bit of something extra to complete your look. Your flower can be complimentary to your wedding colors like Carrie from Sex and the City The Movie where she wears the ‘infamous bird” in her hair ;-).

Your Wedding Day Hair style should be very natural and aim to highlight your natural beauty while keeping with your unique style. Below are some looks I absolutely adore. Enjoy!!!

Your Wedding TV Bridal Show

2010-01-12T01:04:00.005-05:00

On Sunday, January 10th, Designs by Cornelia, LLC participated in the Your Wedding TV Bridal Show at the Wyndham Orlando Resort. The cold weather did not keep any of the 700 Brides who attended home. The turnout was AMAZING and the show was tons of fun!

At the Designs by Cornelia, LLC booth we showcased our services in event planning and design as well as the additional services we offer such as custom menu cards, place cards, and candy buffets. The booth was called "Pink Glam" and featured lots of feathers and what we ladies love best...BLING!!!

Thank you to each of our wonderful vendors who assisted us in executing our design: Savoir Faire Media Panache Party Rentals Absolute Love Photography Cloth Connection

Thank you!!!