We made it to the Elite 8!   Eight categories that involve some planning...   Check off the categories as you finish them (Score!) Make your dream team here! Options, options, options - I love options!! Now it's time for you to step it up big! This is not just any event - this is your wedding!  

So lets start with Event Consultants - If you hire one, the rest of this tournament is going to be much easier- it's like having the number one star on your team! We have 5 amazing companies to choose from. Give them a call to see what they can do for you. This can save you time and money - how can this save you money- well this isn't their first big game and they know where to go, who to talk to and what deals are out there for you.  Also they tie everything together so it is the best event that will be unique to you. There are many choices for you on how much help you would like and different charges for these services. This is not only a service for the wealthy- there is something for everyone. Look at each of their pages on BrideAccess, watch their videos and call them to better understand their fantastic services. 

 

_____  EVENT CONSULTANTS

 

  Forevermore Events

  Modern Display

   My Event Rental

   Riehl Events 

 

     The Noteworthy Event

 

Maybe you want to do some things yourself and need some decorations for your event. Some of the event planners also rent out their decorations - see I told you they can help you in many ways! Check out these fabulous options! There are also cool things like linens, water features and almost anything you can dream up!  The possibilities are endless... Kind of like the brackets in March Madness! 

 

_____Decorations & Rentals

  A & M Specialty Linens

  Aquafect

  Arbor Manor Reception Center

  Diamond Rental

  Forevermore Events

  Modern Display

   My Event Rental

   Riehl Events 

  Scenemakers 

  Under a Tuscan Moon

 

 

Beauty, Health and Fitness is something to start on as soon as you are engaged. Start eating right, taking care of your body, exercising and find ideas for hair, nails, make-up, etc. This is the day you want to look your best, so start preparing now. Try new things now instead of a week or two before the big day. Listed below are some experts to help you with this process. This is a hard category to completely check off now, because it is a work in progress until the big day.  We have all kinds of things in this category- massages (yes!), dance classes, hair and make-up, and exercise.  I have done all of these and they are all equally important- now and throughout your life. Have fun with this category!

 

_____  Beauty, Health and Fitness

 

  Bride Queen

   OolaMoola

 Quickstep Dance

 Richelle's Salon and Day Spa

 Treehouse Athletic Club

 

Oh wow! Another thing we need to get started on right away is the wedding announcement. As soon as you know your date you can send out your "Save the Date" cards and if you want a picture on your invitation think about that soon too. This list will give you the best 6 wedding invitation companies for you to consider. All of them do amazing work -  see who you feel fits your style the best. Remember they can help with all of your printed work- favors, name placement cards, thank you's, etc. 

_____ Invitations & Favors

 

 Ann Elizabeth Custom Invitations

  Bliss Design Studio

  Elegant Wedding Announcements

  Jaffa Printing Company

  Mike Bailey Printing

  Yaya Design 

 

This category is a fun one and your decision is going to be totally based on the theme and style you are looking to pull off on your wedding day. It's music and entertainment. It can go anywhere from a string quartet, a band, a DJ, etc. One thing is this piece of your BIG GAME is important. The entertainers we have are all very experienced and will keep the party going at the speed you want it to go. They will be your fun and your clock- one thing you probably didn't realize! They will help remind you that it's the time you wanted to cut the cake, throw the bouquet, have your BIG DANCE, etc. If you want to be totally entertained for the next hour or so - sit and watch many of their video's and hear the music they provide. Think all of this through with the atmosphere and mood you want for your celebration.  It's all good- it's all different! And it's all up to you! 

 

_____  Music & Entertainment

 

   Complete Music Video Photo

   Contemplative Piano by David Tolk

 Festival Sounds

  Joe Muscolino Bands 

 Laughing Gravy Entertainment

  Maywood String Quartet

 Michael Lucarelli

 Network DJs

  Public Opinions Soundstage

  The Groove Merchants

 Wedding DJ Productions

 

Nobody can get married without an officiant, so we better look into this elite group!  Three great officiants that will bring out your best wishes and pronounce you Man and Wife. This is what all of this madness is about anyway, isn't it !? 

 

_____  OFFICIANT

 

  Irene J Bozich

 Minister Lee

  Reverand Leslie Reynolds-Benns

 

Alright are you hanging in there? We have 2 more to go, but they are really fun ones- kind of like free throws!  

Flowers...  This ties in the decorations, your theme and the wedding colors you have chosen. Here are 8 elite floral shops ready to serve you and help you make the best of everything! Since we are talking about free throws, it reminded me of an idea that was given to me when I was married- The florist made my bridal bouquet but when I was ready to throw my bouquet, we traded it for another one that was made- and this was special because it was 24 red roses that were singles, so when I threw it there were 24 girls who got a rose! They loved it and it was a fun surpirse. Lets get on with this madness...

 

_____  FLOWERS 

 

   Best Buds Floral & Gifts 

 

   Bloomers Flowers & Decor

 

    Brown Floral 

 

  Flower Patch

 

  Flowers on Main

  Flowers Squared

  Scenemakers 

  Tri-Fecta Design

Tuxedos - you may have to take your man out of the game for a few seconds and ask him what he likes and tie it in with your colors, etc. Great options are found at these two tuxedo shops - you will find more choices than you have ever dreamed of. What uniform is he going to wear? Make sure your man shows up looking like a million bucks! 

 

_____ TUXEDOS

  Clarks Tuxedos

  Jim's Formal Wear 

 

That should give you some things to talk and think about until tomorrow!!  Go team!  Final Four Coming SOON! 

 

Friday's Fitness Tip is brought to us by Treehouse Althletic Club: 

 

Four Things to Complete Your Wedding Day Bridal Style by Taylor Made Wedding Events

Every bride wants to look fantastically gorgeous on their wedding day and almost every bride, has a budget. Often, brides feel it’s a no brainer to cut out hiring a professional to do her hair and makeup, skimp out on wearing jewelry (other than the ring) or create their own bouquet or not have one, especially for bridal photos. 

The mentality is “I’ve been doing my own make up since I was 12, I can do it on my wedding day, and save money” With so many brides opting to take this route, as a planner, I felt it my responsibility to share what I see as a result of brides doing their own hair and makeup on a wedding day and offer four things to compliment and complete your wedding day bridal style. 

Thank you to Bloomers and Lauren James Bridal and others listed below. 

Here are two “before” photos of two brides.  This is them without makeup, hair done, or jewelry.  

Here is a photo of how the brides have done their own hair and makeup on their wedding day. They look great but notice how the look feels plain and incomplete because the makeup is everyday styled, as with the hair and there are no jewelry accents.  

Now we are going to use the professionals...

 

 

Here are those same two brides with professionally done hair, makeup and jewelry additions. What a difference!  

     

As you can see, the difference is huge! Both brides are beautiful but with the magic of a professional, and a few accessories, they change from gorgeous girl to super model bride! 

So with those photos in mind, (and you should always keep your photos in mind because they will remain after the day is done and over)here are the four things to help you look your very best on your big day.

1. Hire a professional to do your hair. A professional hair stylist knows how to keep your hair looking great, and staying in place for your wedding day and bridal photos.  They also can suggest styles that work best for your face shape and hair texture, something that maybe you hadn’t considered.  Whenever I have my hair professionally styled, I always feel like such a rock star, and I can never pull off that style when I try on my own, so another great reason to hire a pro is their work induces a confidence that you may not have otherwise on your big day.  You want to look spectacular and you want to know it! 

1. Hire a professional makeup artist.  This professional can bring out your best features; hide minor flaws and having you walking out the door looking like a super model!  Many makeup artists offer color and test run consults to show you how you would look on your special day. Makeup artists also take into consideration if your wedding is outdoors or inside. Makeup for outdoors sometimes needs to be a bit darker so your features don’t get lost in the sun and in photos.  A professional also uses makeup such as primer, which allows your make up to last all day and night long, without having to re-apply. A professional also doesn’t cake on the makeup… you leave feeling as though your face is make-up free but you look prettier than ever.  

1. Find the perfect jewelry.  Simple but lovely jewelry can complete your bridal look without going over the top.  Depending on your dress neckline, you may not need a necklace but earrings and a bracelet are just right to complete you look. Or maybe a simple statement necklace is the way to go.  Always take into consideration that you do not have to be covered in jewelry or have super dramatic makeup to look great. Some jewelry stores have employees who are fantastic at helping you find just what you are looking for. You can go in with a photo of you in your dress and they’ll be able to help you decide which jewelry to use (necklace, earrings, bracelets, hair pieces, etc...) and find jewelry pieces that will compliment your skin tone and wedding colors.

1. Don’t forget the bouquet! Colorful flowers can add that perfect pop of color that brings out your eyes or the faint green in your hand picked jewelry.  Hire a professional florist to do your bouquet and for your bridals, be sure to have a bouquet that is the same size as the one you will have on your special day. You don’t want to remember how the Costco flowers you put together died halfway through your photos and wedding or how you had a small bouquet in photos but your actual wedding day bouquet was twice the size. Your bridals bouquet that is most photographed and ten years down the road, you will remember this bouquet. 

I’ve worked with too many brides, where we’ve focused on creating a fantastic wedding only to have the bride arrive not looking her best or having bridal photos she doesn’t like because she looks plain. My job as a planner is to help you along your wedding planning process and part of that includes helping everything look perfect, including you! So I hope you are inspired and happy planning! --Taylor

Concept & Coordination- Taylor Made Wedding and Events

Flowers- Bloomers

Photography- Photo Love Stories

Makeup- Christine Hansen of Beauty N Brows Studio

Hair Styling- Michelle Orton of Legends Salon

Dresses provided by- Lauren James Bridal

Jewelry provided by- JK Jewelers

Models- Merrick Barry and Baylee Hogan