Who says being a bride means you have to give up your sense of style?

The lovely and talented Anne Chertoff has teamed up with Russell + Hazel to create a modern and stylish wedding organizer.  You can choose from a variety of patterns and colors and not one carries even a hint of tulle or lace (thank goodness).


Here's some of what is included:

- Signature Binder
- 12 Section tabs with pockets
- Planning notebook
- Organized adhesive note set
- Sheet protectors
- 2 business card pages
- 10 8-1/2 x 11" pages
- 5 Multi Format pages (holds 11 x 17" or 8-1/2 x 11")
- Free, downloadable PDF templates for the set

Anne switched companies recently and is now the senior editor at Brides.com and as such, she has moved her blog, From "I Will" to "I Do", back to its original location on blogger. Hers is one of my favorite wedding planning blogs because she is practical, witty and her advice is always on point.

Be sure to pick up one of her wedding planning binders from Russell + Hazel in order to keep all your to-dos in one place and be sure to subscribe to her blog so that you can tune in to her good advice while you're engaged!



{photos via Russell + Hazel}

As a wedding designer, I do not get inspired by photos of past weddings.   This is why you will rarely find an inspiration board made up of wedding photos on the Blue Orchid Designs blog.  They just don't do it for me and they aren't a part of how I do my work.   I pull my inspiration for wedding design from music, art, interior design, and a variety of other details that make up this journey called life. 


That said, I recently stumbled across this wedding purely by chance.  I was researching on a topic completely unrelated to weddings when it landed on my screen.  I think the reason I am so drawn to this wedding is because my grandmother had a tea and breakfast set that exactly matched the blue porcelain of these vases (she is also the person I inherited my entertaining and design genes from).  I have to admit, while looking at the photos, I felt myself relax and some of the day's stress melt away.  And that is an effect that I believe good art should have.  Art should always evoke emotion.  And a good wedding designer should always design with an intent to evoke emotion through the wedding celebration.  


There is just something about this wedding by Carolyne Roehm that made me stop and say "wow".  It is not over the top or dripping with extravagance, and perhaps that's why I like it. The design is graceful with an ability to not take itself too seriously; traits that also remind me of my grandmother.  Its simple sensibility and attention to the tiniest details make it appear effortless and joyful - two things that I believe should make up any wedding's vibe, regardless of the aesthetic or budget. 

Click here to view more photos and details of this lovely wedding and click here to read Carolyne's magazine, Carolyne Roehm Style.



{all photos via Carolyne Roehm}

If there is one element that can make or break your wedding decor aesthetic, it is the chairs you choose. A beautifully dressed table gets lost in your reception if it is surrounded by ten ugly chairs that stick out like a sore thumb. Fortunately, there are a variety of seating options and solutions available on the rental market. Here are four of the more common ones:


Chiavari chairs (pronounced shih-vahr-ee) are a popular option for wedding reception seating. It's important to remember that Chiavari chairs are an upgrade and are not typically included with your venue's wedding package. If the photos the venue gives you feature Chiavari chairs, be sure to ask if those are their standard chairs or if you will have to pay more in order to have them. Chiavaris run about $8-$15 a piece depending on your market and will be pricier if you are required to contract them through your venue. So, if you have your heart set on this pretty and classic option, be sure to budget at least an extra $80-$150 per table of 10 or an extra $800-$1500 per 100 guests.



Ghost chairs are sleek, contemporary and perfect for a modern event. These are becoming more popular, and more and more rental companies are adding them to their inventories yet they are still not quite mainstream.  Depending on where you are located, you may still need to pay extra for shipping if your local rental companies don't yet carry them. The Louis Ghost Chairs average around $50 per chair, so for these lovelies be sure to budget about $5000 per 100 guests.



The wooden (or resin) padded folding chairs are a popular option for outdoor ceremonies and are usually the most economical at about $2.25-$4 per chair, or $225-$400 per 100 guests. They can be dressed up with a chair tie or ribbon to better fit your overall design concept and they come in a variety of colors. Depending on the formality of your event, these chairs may be a bit too casual for a four-course meal in a ballroom and could end up distracting from your aesthetic instead of contributing to it.



I'm convinced that banquet chair designers and carpet designers are in a conspiracy to make every hotel ballroom as tacky as possible. Banquet chairs are most likely the standard that come with your venue's package, yet they probably won't be the ones in the brochure's photos!



If you are using banquet chairs, you can opt to use chair covers to dress them up. Chair covers can range from $4-$15+, or $400-$1500 per 100 guests, with the average falling around $8-$10 each. Chair covers are also deceptively time consuming to install, so be prepared for a higher fee if you are hiring someone to shimmy the taut cover onto each chair and then tie each bow for you. I'd recommend comparing costs because once everything is added up you may find it is more economical to use Chiavari chairs.




{photo credits: Chiavari Chair, Ghost Chair, Padded Folding Chair, Banquet Chair, Chair Covers}

This recipe is a twist on the classic Sangria, and a refreshing treat to offer your guests. With a combination of just wine and juices, it is also less potent than the original versions and perfect for an afternoon bridal shower.

White Sangria

1/2 pound seedless green grapes, stems removed
1 - 2 Red Delicious apples, cored and thinly sliced
3 cups fruity white wine
1 cup apple juice
1 cup pineapple juice
2 cups ice cubes

In a pitcher combine grapes, apples, and white wine. Let sit for 1 to 2 hours. Pour in the apple and pineapple juices. Add the ice cubes and serve. Makes 4 servings.

Enjoy!



{recipe via Food Network, photo via Cooking Light}

Today's featured reader is none other than Megan, a close friend and former roommate of mine.  Since we don't see each other as often as we'd like anymore, she reads the Blue Orchid Designs blog to stay somewhat in the loop on my life.  She was gracious enough to agree to let you all meet her and I didn't even have to threaten to share all her embarrassing moments with the world.  What a nice gal I am. I mean she is. Okay, here's Meg . . .

Name: Megan

Location: Arizona

Blog or Website: none

What do you do for a living?
Regulatory compliance consulting and freelance writing. {Liene's note: Meg's being modest, so I'll brag for her - she's actually written an entire book and I know because I lived with her at the time and saw all the countless nights she spent working into the wee hours of the morning to make the publisher's deadlines.}

What is your favorite way to spend a Sunday?
If I am able, I will sleep in, make myself a latte while the husband cooks breakfast, lounge about the house doing absolutely nothing productive, and then attend the evening service at church.

What is your dream vacation spot?
Maui! I've been to dozens of countries and nearly every continent, but Maui is the only place I long to be. I lived there on and off before I got married (including one interesting summer with Liene), and was fortunate enough to have my wedding on the best beach in the world (Keawakapu, if you're curious).

What beauty item could you not live without?
Heavy duty body lotion - a must in a desert climate.

What two people (past or present) would you have as guests at a dinner party and why?
Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca - 16th century Spanish explorer. He was one of four survivors of a disastrous expedition to Florida, and subsequently spent years living as a healer among the American Indians. He showed them an appreciation and love that was extraordinary for his time. I would love to hear more about his travels, his philosophies, and the (now extinct) culture of those American Indians he encountered.

Jean-François de Galaup, comte de La Pérouse - 18th century French naval officer and explorer. La Pérouse was another man who was ahead of his time. During his scientific expedition around the Pacific, he showed great respect to the Pacific islanders - and was also the first European to set foot on Maui. His ship disappeared after leaving Australia, and I would love to hear his story of what happened.

What is the best piece of advice you've ever received? 
From my parents: "pay off your credit card every month" and a variety of other smart financial advice. Staying out of debt has allowed me to save money for my favorite pastime: travel.  For wedding advice, it was "make sure you have fun." I would encourage every bride-to-be to calm down and just take it easy. Better yet, hire Liene!

What are your three favorite blogs besides blueorchidblog.com?
For an outsider's view of American politics: Justin Webb's America on the BBC. For tree-hugging DIY tips: Mother Earth News and/or the Phoenix Permaculture Guild. And for faith in modern culture: bethinking.org and/or Relevant magazine.

Thanks, Meg!


{If you'd like to be featured on Meet the Readers, leave a comment and let us know!  And if you're new here, you can meet other fun readers who have been featured here previously by clicking here.}

Hi Liene,

I stumbled upon and have been reading your site since I first got engaged. It's fantastic, and you do a wonderful job writing about your experience and inspiring us "lay people." Keep up the good work!

I'm planning a rather large (200+) wedding for next October in West Palm Beach, FL. I live in Chicago, IL. My family is in the West Palm area, but I was planning on hiring a wedding coordinator for day-of and as-needed vendor help. So my question is, is it best to hire a coordinator/planner who is local to the area, in West Palm Beach or Palm Beach? Or can I use someone who's from the tri-county area, or even import a savvy planner like yourself from way out of the way?

Thanks,
Lisa


Hi Lisa,

Great question!

Destination weddings are an entirely different animal than planning a wedding in one's own area, and not all wedding planners are created equal, so if you were to hire a non-local wedding consultant, you'd want to be sure that they can actually plan destination weddings. At Blue Orchid Designs, we do plan quite a few destination weddings outside of our local areas, so importing us for your wedding would not be a problem since we are experienced at planning from afar and can coordinate all the extra logistics with that. I will tell you however, that hiring us just for day-of coordination for a destination wedding in Florida would probably not be your most economical option.

That said, you would probably get the most bang for your wedding buck by hiring an experienced planner for day-of coordination in the area you are getting married in. Since they are local, you would not have to pay travel fees on top of their coordination fees.

A professional wedding planner will also know the dish on everything behind the scenes that you will not find online or from previous brides, so I am a huge proponent of hiring one even just for vendor recommendations (many will offer this service a la carte). With the exception of catering and cosmetology, the wedding industry is largely unregulated. Because of this, vendors run the gamut from being exceptional to well below sub-par. A good wedding consultant can help you find professional vendors who will mesh with your personality, steer you away from ones who will spend the entire wedding day hitting on your bridesmaids instead of doing their job, and give you the peace of mind that you are hiring people who won't flake on you.

Day-of wedding coordination services entails quite a bit more than just showing up on your wedding day and keeping people on schedule, so the planner's fee should take that into account. Pricing will vary depending on the market, but definitely keep your radar up for the difference between "a good value" and "too cheap". Budget now for a good day-of coordinator and then set that money aside (I recommend putting it in an ING account so it is at least working for you during the next few months) so that you have it on hand when it comes time to hire your day-of coordinator and you aren't tempted to spend it on a second pair of must-have dancing shoes.

Even if you are doing the bulk of the planning, having a professional there on your wedding day to tie up the loose ends means that you and your friends and family can relax and enjoy your day. Being relaxed definitely shows through in your photos and wedding video and makes them a million times better as well. Your guests will also take their cues from you, so if you are enjoying yourself and having fun, they will follow suit. Having a good planner with you on your wedding day is worth every penny.

Ami Elizabeth and Rebekah Anne, the creative minds behind Elizabeth Anne Designs, launched The Library yesterday, a complimentary resource for brides that includes a collection of wedding professionals from around the globe, including yours truly.

I am pretty choosy about what I attach my name to, and I have turned down invitations to be listed in other directories for various reasons.  The Library is free for vendors, but I was more than happy to support the work Ami and Rebekah are doing with a sponsored listing because I believe these two women are top notch.  These ladies have raised the bar by creating the best and most helpful directory of wedding professionals that is currently online, and they are continually adding to it.

Okay, enough of my gush fest, here's what Ami and Rebekah have to say about their labor of love:

"We are incredibly excited to announce our new project, The Elizabeth Anne Designs Library. After months of development and research, we are launching a new resource for brides. The Library is filled with hundreds of useful links, from photographers to shops to stationers. Our goal is a simple, comprehensive list of vendors. The Library will help every bride, no matter her location, find the vendors and inspiration she needs for a beautiful event."

Right now the collection is categorized alphabetically by area of expertise, but a quick {ctrl+f} search can highlight the professionals in your specific location. While you're over there, be sure to bookmark their blog so you can spend some time there soaking up all the information they have archived. Rebekah and Ami have truly built a comprehensive wedding resource for today's brides, full of inspiration and practical, real-wedding tested advice. I wrote a series of guest articles for them earlier this year that are exclusive to their site, so be sure to check those out as well.

Whether you're planning to have a simple engagement party at your cousin's home or a girls' night in with some of your favorite friends, chocolate covered strawberries are a hit with almost any group.  Luckily they're pretty easy to make, too (even I can make these, and my culinary skills are seriously lacking).  Package a few in a cute box tied up with some pretty ribbon and voila!  You have an instant hostess gift, and a sweet break from the standard bottle of wine.

Chocolate Covered Strawberries

You'll need:
* 6 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
* 3 ounces white chocolate, chopped
* 1 pound strawberries with stems (about 20), washed and dried very well

Put the semisweet and white chocolates into two separate heatproof medium bowls. Fill two medium saucepans with a couple inches of water and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Turn off the heat; set the bowls of chocolate over the water to melt. Stir until smooth. (Alternatively, melt the chocolates in a microwave at half power, for 1 minute, stir and then heat for another minute or until melted.)

Once the chocolates are melted and smooth, remove from the heat. Line a sheet pan with parchment or waxed paper. Holding the strawberry by the stem, dip the fruit into the dark chocolate, lift and twist slightly, letting any excess chocolate fall back into the bowl. Set strawberries on the parchment paper. Repeat with the rest of the strawberries. Dip a fork in the white chocolate and drizzle the white chocolate over the dipped strawberries.

Set the strawberries aside until the chocolate sets, about 30 minutes.

Yum!



{recipe from the Food Network, photo via Sabellachan's flickr}

Congratulations to Abbie, who said "I'm torn between the bird lovers and the float + celebrate save-the-dates. All of them are so pretty. What a great giveaway! Thanks!" for being the fourth commenter and winning the Blue Orchid Giveaway sponsored by Minted!


Abbie, email us at info{at}blueorchidweddings.com to claim your set of save the date cards from
Minted!

For everyone else - if you're not yet subscribed to our blog, be sure to to sign up (in a reader or via email) so that you don't miss out on our future giveaways! And be sure to check out all the gorgeous wedding invitations and save the date cards and other stationery items over at Minted. There are too many beautiful options to choose from, and I love that they carry lines from independent designers.

Name: Sharon

Location: Greeley, Colorado - soon to be Bloomington, Indiana

Blog or Website: freckleddiva.blogspot.com

What do you do for a living?
This Fall I'll start as a Masters student in voice performance at Indiana University 

What is your favorite way to spend a Sunday? 
Mmm . . . drinking a pot of french-press coffee with my husband, yoga, taking our kitties Django & Debussy to the park, riding bikes around the neighborhood, a dip in the pool, the night at home making dinner together, red wine, chocolate sorbet . . . is that too much to hope for on a Sunday? I think not.

What is your dream vacation spot? 
Spending a month or so at a cottage in the south of France would be divine. No TV, fresh foods, local wine, listening to children speak français - my kind of dream.

What beauty item could you not live without? 
It may seem silly, but Eyeshadow Primer Potion by Urban Decay; I don't sweep on shadow without it.

What two people (past or present) would you have as guests at a dinner party and why?
Renée Fleming - perhaps my favorite singer of all time. I'd love her thoughts on creating roles and perspective on the craft.

W.A. Mozart (age 26 or so) - we're both music nerds and ridiculously goofy. I think we'd get along.

What is the best piece of advice you've ever received?
It's really amazing how some advice sticks. Sometimes it's out of nowhere and proves to be just what I've needed, and sometimes it's the 20th time I've told something to someone else and realize it's what I need to listen to myself. Truly, the best advice for me has been to do something if I love it and to go forward with confidence and belief in myself that I can do anything I put my mind to. When you are a singer, you need constant reminders either from yourself or from others that you are worth it and have what it takes. Slowly, I'm able to hear this and know I can do what I love!

What are your three favorite blogs besides blueorchidblog.com?

Wow - well, not necessarily my top three, but some of my favorites would have to be: Zen Habits, Apartment Therapy, and Treehugger.

And, these are all besides Blue Orchid, of course, because I love Liene!

Don't forget - our Blue Orchid Giveaway sponsored by Minted ends tonight! Click here for the details on how you can win a set of save the date cards for yourself or a friend!

Good luck!

Last December we did a series called 30 Days to Plan a Wedding, where we covered all the major points in wedding planning over the course of a month.  If you're new to the Blue Orchid Designs blog, you may have missed this the first time around.  Here's some of what we talked about:

One of the questions I receive quite often is on how to select wedding linens and what some of the different terms mean.

Another area that comes up when choosing your photographer is the question of copyright and usage rights, and Tammie and Chris from Largo Photography were kind enough to explain more about that.

Creating a floor plan for your wedding reception that has enough space for everyone and still allows for good foot traffic flow can be enough to make your head spin if you haven't planned a wedding before.

As you know, planning a wedding is so much more than coming up with a pretty color combination and choosing the best musicians to play at your reception.  The stress of orchestrating all the little details can be enough to make you bite your nails and want to curl up in a ball somewhere and hide.   There's no need for that - we have tons of professional wedding planning advice in the Blue Orchid Designs blog archives to help you out, so grab an iced coffee or some lemonade and spend some time going through them.  Your sanity (and your manicure) will thank you!




{on the calendar}
Don't forget to enter the latest Blue Orchid Giveaway by this Friday for your chance to win a set of photo save the date cards from Minted!

Zucchini?  Check.

Goat cheese?  Check.

Delicious?  Check Check.

If it's possible to be in love with a miniature food item, consider me smitten.  These mini zucchini and goat cheese tarts featured in June's issue of Bon Appetit would be the perfect appetizer to serve at a bridal shower, engagement party, adult birthday party, on a Thursday evening while you gather to watch The Office . . . you name it!  I don't have a crystal ball, but I predict these won't last long once your guests lay their eyes (and their fingers) on them.

Mini Zucchini and Goat Cheese Tarts

* 1 refrigerated pie crust (half of 15-ounce package)
* 2 1/2 pounds 1-inch-diameter zucchini, cut into 1/16- to 1/8-inch-thick rounds {Liene's note: This is a lot of zucchini - you could probably get away with using less}
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil plus additional for drizzling
* 2 teaspoons chopped fresh lemon thyme or regular thyme
* 3 ounces soft fresh goat cheese, room temperature
* 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Line rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Place pie crust on floured work surface. Using 1 1/2- to 1 3/4-inch cookie cutter or biscuit cutter dipped in flour, cut out 24 rounds; transfer to prepared sheet, spacing 1/2 inch apart. Place in freezer until dough is firm, about 30 minutes. {Do ahead: This can be made 1 day ahead. Cover; keep frozen.}

Toss zucchini with 1 teaspoon salt in medium bowl. Let stand 15 minutes. Drain and pat dry. Place zucchini in another medium bowl; toss with 2 tablespoons olive oil and thyme. Sprinkle zucchini with pepper.

Preheat oven to 400°F. Spread goat cheese generously over each frozen dough round. Fold 3 to 4 zucchini slices in half and place in concentric circle atop 1 dough round, creating flower-like pattern. Repeat with remaining zucchini and dough (reserve any remaining zucchini for another use). Sprinkle with Parmesan. Bake until crusts are light golden, about 20 minutes. Transfer to platter. Drizzle lightly with additional olive oil. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Makes 6 servings. 

Don't forget to save me some!



{Recipe and photo via Epicurious.com}

I'm excited that this round of Blue Orchid Giveaways is being sponsored by Minted, one of my favorite online stationery shops!

Minted carries several different lines of fun and chic stationery from creative, independent designers such as Ceci New York, Wiley Valentine, Cat Seto, Prentiss Douthit (quite possibly my personal favorite EVER), Paper + Cup, as well as several others.

For this Giveaway, all you have to do is check out the selection of Save the Date cards over at Minted and then come back here and leave a comment telling us which one is your favorite! The winner will receive a set of free photo save the date cards!

I'll also be guest blogging over on the Minted blog soon, so be sure to check that out as well!

The official rules are below.  Good luck and I can't wait to see which are your faves!



{official giveaway rules}
1) The Blue Orchid Giveaway is open to anyone who knows a bride and wants to gift her or themselves with a set of super cute save-the-date cards. Can anyone say best bridesmaid ever?
2) The giveaway entries will close this Friday, July 18th at 11:59 pm, PST.
3) Limit one entry per person and all entries must be made as comments left on this post only. Comments on other posts or emails will not be considered. The winner will be chosen randomly using a random number generator.

{Photos courtesy Minted}

Name: Angela

Location: Tucson, Arizona

Blog or Website: angeladavidson.blogspot.com

What do you do for a living?
I'm a full-time nursing student and I also color correct pictures for wedding photographers part-time.

What is your favorite way to spend a Sunday?
I would have to start it off with a latte, church and then lunch with my friends. The rest of the afternoon would be spent in yoga class and I would top it off with watching a good movie.

What is your dream vacation spot?
Anywhere I haven't been yet, but my top three would be France, Bali, or Peru.

What beauty item could you not live without?
Bigelow Chapstick from Bath and Body Works - minty and refreshing.

What two people (past or present) would you have as guests at a dinner party and why?
Mother Teresa because she spent her life doing what I would love to do, and Bono, because I would love to hear directly from him why he's dedicated so much of his energy to the One Campaign and fighting AIDS in Africa.

What is the best piece of advice you've ever received?
Love Jesus, love people and stay away from the crocodiles (on a note from my dad when I was traveling in Kenya).

What are your three favorite blogs besides blueorchidblog.com?
Stuff Christians Like, a spinoff of Stuff White People Like, makes me laugh out loud every time I read it.

Kimberly Jarman's blog, I love blog stalking Kim and finding out what new gorgeous pictures she's taken most recently.

And finally, Sarah's Summer Splendor, this is my best friend's blog about her internship so it's great to read so I know what's going on with her.

There are many terms related to weddings that people who are not wrapped up in planning a wedding may not be familiar with.  If you're newly engaged and are afraid to ask what certain things mean at the risk of sounding foolish, don't worry.  I'm going to cover some of those things here on the Blue Orchid Designs blog in the coming weeks so that you don't have to sit in the dark.

First up is the cocktail hour.  The cocktail hour traditionally occurs between the ceremony and reception.  It allows the bride and groom to get some photo time in while allowing the guests to mingle and catch up with friends and family they may not have seen in a while.

For the cocktail hour, beverages and hors d'oeuvres are served.  The drinks can be alcoholic or non, and can be served from a host bar, or simply include two or three cocktail choices that are butler passed (champagne, a signature cocktail, etc).  Hor d'oeuvres can be served at mini food stations or also butler passed.

Seating at a cocktail is a little less formal than the dinner portion of your reception.  It can include a mix of bistro tables that people can stand at, a few tables with seats for some of your older guests, and even some stylish lounge areas created out of banquettes and other furniture either rented or provided by the venue.

The music can be as subtle and elegant as a string quartet or it can set the tone for a crazy fun party with music provided by a club deejay.

As more couples are personalizing their weddings, the timing of the cocktail hour is beginning to be shifted around more and more.  Some people opt to host it first as a way of welcoming their guests.  Some are including a toast to the bride and groom during the actual ceremony itself (champagne is passed as the guests take their seats).  Some are skipping it all together.

The cocktail hour is a fun portion of the wedding, and it can and should be completely flexible.  Don't be afraid to make yours work to fit your vision!





{photo by Critsey Rowe}

Speaking of wedding dresses, I am loving the short dress trend.  And a wedding dress for less than $400? Even better! Perfect to wear for your entire wedding, or even just to change into to dance the night away, these mini-gowns from Nordstrom are chic, feminine and won't break the bank.

{from left to right}
David Meister Strapless Dress; was $406, now $232.90
Donna Ricco Satin and Jacquard Sheath; $148
BCBG Max Azria Strapless Applique Dress; $398

Check out the pockets on the first dress!  I think I am in love.




{Related Features :: Cheat Your Way to Long Legs}
{photos via Nordstrom}

This is from an article in The New Zealand Herald last month:

"Just when you thought weddings couldn't get any more expensive, bridal stores are charging women for the privilege of trying on dresses.

Designers and bridal shop owners say charging for a fitting has become the norm and claim brides are more than happy to pay a "try-on" fee.

Some charge $20 for each dress a bride slips on and others set a flat fee of $60 an hour to stop school girls and "brides without grooms" wasting shop-owners' time.

Some stores include try-ons as part of a $300 consultation fee but most refund the costs if the bride buys the dress.

Bridalwear staff surveyed by the Herald on Sunday said the fee paid for dry cleaning, fixing damage and covering the time staff spent helping women into dresses.

The fee deterred women who weren't serious and ensured sample garments remained pristine."

I don't know about you, but I'm not buying the idea that brides "are more than happy" to pay to try on wedding dresses.  At twenty bucks a pop, I'm thinking that would add up pretty quickly!  What do you think?  Would you be willing to pay just to try on a wedding dress?  Vote below!

Luncheon bridal showers are a staple of American wedding tradition, but in the Summer time, not many people want to be a slave to the kitchen or heat up their home by turning the oven on. This salad includes two of my favorite things - blackberries and raspberries - and is one I make every year for parties and just for myself. The ingredients are fresh and light and including this on your wedding shower menu is sure to be a crowd pleaser:

Perfect Summer Salad

* Enough spinach for how many you are serving. I like to mix it with romaine or whatever other lettuce looks good at the time.
* Sliced strawberries
* 1 package of raspberries
* 1 package of blackberries
* Some fresh blueberries
* Sliced almonds
* Dried cranberries
* A few raisins
* Sliced boiled eggs (about 2)
* Sliced avocado
* Feta cheese crumbles. Feta can be a little too salty for my taste in the Summer, so I prefer to use goat cheese crumbles instead.
* Whatever else sounds delicious

You can make a dressing from scratch, or if you are a normal person and have a life, use the raspberry dressing by Girards. Drizzle the dressing over the top and mix it all together in a salad bowl.

As you can see, this recipe is very scientific.  The amount of ingredients really just depends on how much of each item you want in the salad.  Serve with lemonade or iced tea for a bridal shower with some homemade charm.

Yum!



{photo via Ulterior Epicure's flickr}

Name: Linda

Location: Bellevue, WA (suburb of Seattle)

Blog or Website: Silly Little Mischief

What do you do for a living? 
I work for a social service organization that assists seniors.

What is your favorite way to spend a Sunday? 
Sundays are my lazy day. I like to wake up late, have brunch with my fiance (usually at home), watch a movie, catch up on some reading.

What is your dream vacation spot? 
I'd love to take an African Safari someday.

What beauty item could you not live without? 
Lip balm. I am an addict. It's the only beauty item I use daily.

What two people (past or present) would you have as guests at a dinner party and why? 
My paternal grandma and Oprah.

My grandmother died when I was very young. She's always fascinated me. She sailed with her parents from Russia at very young age. My father and his sisters don't seem to know much about her life in Russia or much before she married my grandfather. I'd love to learn more family history.

Oprah, well because she's Oprah. She went from a small talk show in Chicago to being a world wide conglomeration. I'd love to hear some of the stories she doesn't tell on television.

What is the best piece of advice you've ever received? 
Be true to yourself. My mom gave a card filled with advice right before she became ill. But learning to listen to me has definitely been the best advice.

What are your three favorite blogs besides blueorchidblog.com?

Weddingbee - I love all the different bees and getting to hear about all their planning.

Southern Wedding Style - I love the South and sometimes dream about living there.

Junebug Weddings - probably the first wedding related blog I started reading.

Thanks, Linda!

The oh-so-cute and terribly nice Lisa Konecny from E-events Design in Florida is the planning guru for Down the Aisle with Austin Scarlett!  The affair will take place at the Ritz Carlton in Denver, Colorado next Wednesday, July 9th and you're invited!

They'll be exclusively featuring Austin Scarlett's wedding designs this year, so you're sure to be in for a treat.  He was on the first season of Project Runway and is now the lead designer and creative director for Kenneth Pool. 

Here is your official invitation:

Led by event designer Lisa Konecny, of E-events Design and Kristy Chenell of the Ritz Carlton, “Down the Aisle” will dazzle and delight for its second straight year at The Ritz Carlton’s newest U.S. property, Denver!

Please join us for an evening of fashion, style and inspiration for your journey Down The Aisle - featuring Austin Scarlett, Creative Director of Kenneth Pool and designer from Project Runway's first season. Experience this unique, couture bridal fashion show and attend in your favorite resort casual attire. For more information or to RSVP, please call 888.366.6640.

Wednesday, July 9
6:30 p.m.
The Ritz-Carlton Ballroom
1881 Curtis Street
Denver 80202
*Valet parking is available

And because Lisa is too sweet, if you mention that you learned about the event through Blue Orchid Designs, she'll give you VIP seating!

Here's a glimpse from last year's event, courtesy of Jeffrey Stoner Video:


If you do attend, be sure to send us your recap!

Commenting on our blog should be a little easier now thanks to some changes Google has implemented. If you're on the main page, once you click on the "leave a comment" link, you'll be taken directly to the comment box which will be below the post on its individual page.  Hooray for no more pop-ups or annoying textboxes at the top of the right hand side of the page:


You can still comment under your Blogger log-in, but you can also use your Wordpress or Typepad accounts to leave a comment as well. In addition, you can simply type in your website and name and have your comment link directly back to you - this is my personal favorite and the best option if your blog is hosted on your own domain:


If you do choose the option to leave your website and name, be sure you type in your entire url including the http:// portion, otherwise the link won't generate correctly.

We're still moderating comments, so don't worry if you don't see yours pop up right away. They're approved in batches at different times throughout the day.  To read our comment and blog policies, click here.

How adorably chic are these clutch purses from Janine King Designs? At $28, they make a perfect gift for your bridesmaids. If you're purchasing the jewelry for your 'maids as well, these cuties would be the perfect way to present it. And as a thoughtful bonus, each clutch is lined in order to keep everything protected. The mini-bags also feature two pockets - one for your cell phone and one for the lip gloss that inevitably winds up at the bottom of your purse.

There are tons of patterns to choose from, so check them out at Janine King Designs' Etsy shop.



{photos via Janine King Designs}

As a wedding planner, I've listened to tons of wedding toasts. Some are good and some not so much. Here are some tips to help you give a great toast at the reception:

1. The best wedding toasts, in my opinion, are from the heart. As you're writing, think of things that you really admire about the bride and groom. Why are you friends with them? What character qualities do they have that you would like your children to emulate some day?

2. Don't try too hard to be funny. Use humor where appropriate, but let it come naturally. Keep the inside jokes to a minimum so that the rest of the guests don't feel left out of the loop.

3. Keep it short: 2-3 minutes is best, 5 minutes should be the max. Write your toast so that it has a beginning, middle, and end, just like in middle school. The worst toasts are when the best man or maid of honor ramble on with no end in sight.

4. Exes are off the table. Don't even mention them, even if they were a key part of the funniest memory you share with the groom.

5. Practice makes perfect, or at the very least, it helps calm your nerves. This sounds simple, but write your toast and then practice it in front of the mirror. If speaking in public makes you nervous, don't be afraid to read from your notes. Reading your toast instead of memorizing it doesn't negate anything you've written or make it any less special to the bride and groom.



{photo by Critsey Rowe}