Friday's Fantastic Finds~Dessy Twist Wrap Dress

The Dessy Group is now offering Twist Wrap Bridesmaid Dresses.

This convertible yet elegant dress can be worn in multiple ways.  The Twist wrap dress is a chance to design your own dress. If you are a bride and wanting your bridesmaids to be able to wear their dress again, then this is the one to choose.  Every time they will decide to wear this dress, they will think it’s brand new because the design possibilities are endless!

If you desire as a bride to have your bridesmaids’ express their individuality yet want some uniformity, this dress is still a GREAT idea. You would still have the same length, color, and fabric.  It’s GENIUS, and they will love you for it.

The twist dress is made of a flattering matte jersey (which is stretchy, light, and forgiving fabric, in other words fabulous on any body type). YEA!!!! It’s available in cocktail length or full length styles and in a multitude of colors. The price range for this dress is $140-200

The Twist dress can be wrapped in countless ways from demure to daring. From a classic Grecian column to a sexy strapless style, get many looks from the same dress.

Enjoy the view!



Image Credit:  Dessy



Image Credit:  The Wedding Chicks

Happy Planning

De’Vonda J. Manning

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10 Secrets to a Perfect Wedding

1.  Get Your Guest List in Check

Having to narrow down your guest list can be a daunting task, but since your major wedding planning decisions are dependent on the number of guest you have, it’s a good idea to get a grip on your list as soon as possible.  Try not inviting too many people, so even if your venue and budget can accommodate more people, keep the guest count to an intimate size that way everyone will significant.  One of the biggest complaints from wedding guest is that they didn't get enough time with the couple. Think about it, your guest took off work, traveled, paid money to stay in a hotel, and dressed up to be a part of your day- so understand that they might want to spend at least part of the night hanging out with you.

PLEASE NOTE:  “It’s the people, not the centerpieces, or favors, that will determine whether everyone had a great time”.

2.  Hype It Up

Create some buzz about your wedding. Offer your guest a taste of what’s to come by creating excitement and anticipation.  Start out 12mos away with a unique save the also mentions that you will have wedding website.  On the website include things like details on the surrounding celebrations (rehearsal dinner, bridal shower), fun facts about the couple, share your love story, and add photos of the two of you (like your engagement photos). Also try making your wedding website interactive by throwing in a poll that let guest choose the cake flavor, the first-dance song, or what the main entree` should be. 

Great “FREE” wedding website vendors: theKnot, Wedding Window, Wedding Wire, mywedding, Wedsite, Project Wedding,  ewedding & The Wedding Channel

3.  Spruce Up the Menu

A lot of couples when trying to come up with their reception menu prefer to stay on the safe side of things and choose a food that most people eat, like chicken.  Not unless chicken is your absolute favorite as a couple, I say serve something a little more interesting.  Instead of chicken, offer pork tenderloin with a glaze, beef tips, rack of lamb, or T-bone steak. Maybe even a Cornish hen. To bring some fun and exciting to the menu have an interactive dessert bar. These are guaranteed crowd-pleasers.  Two options we love:  build your own sundae or candy apple station.

4.  Send Guest Home with a Snack

Receptions can last a long time.  After a lovely and delicious dinner you’re now up dancing the night away.  When that happens, you typically start building an appetite again, so why not send you guest home with a snack.  I say don’t send your guest home hungry.  A special send-off treat is the perfect way to leave a lasting impression and to show your guest how much you care.  Great ideas:  the ever popular candy bar. Let your guest stuff a goody bag or box with sweet treats.  A box of popcorn, a pair of cupcakes, or have a food cart serving up sliders, hot dogs or deep-dish slices.

5. Provide Alternate Forms of Entertainment

Not every guest will come to your wedding ready to dance the night away, so offer other activities to add another dimension to your reception.  What you don’t want are guest sitting around being bored, so let’s keep the wallflowers busy.  You can offer a photo booth, professional dancers, or even sketch artists.

6.  Know Your Budget, Respect Your Budget, Stick to Your Budget

Until the two of you have sat down together and have thoroughly worked your budget, do not spend a dime or book a service.  This is where a lot of couples go wrong and they hardly ever recover from it. They fall in love with a venue and book it right away, only to find they have skimp on everything else, including necessities.

7.  Don’t Cut the Wrong Corners

Sure you have an uncle who would love to take your wedding photos or videotape your wedding, but will you be happy with the output?  My advice: "Always hire professional, licensed vendors. You will save yourself a lot of stress by hiring a well-qualified people, whose work you can count on".

8.  Hire Help for Your Big Day

If you decide to not hire a wedding planner to handle the bulk of the planning for your wedding, then I implore you to at least hire someone for the “day of”. While planning their own wedding a lot of brides becomes planners at heart and begin to believe they have everything under control, but trust me the best stress reliever is to have someone professional there, taking care of things that can and will come up.

9.  Personalize

Special touches are always so memorable.  Try these tips for personalizing your wedding:

On the door of the church and/or reception venue your initials, opt for a cake topper that says something about you like a monogram, ice sculpture with your monogram, honor your relatives with a gallery of photos of all married couples, wow the reception crowd with a choreographed routine, write your own vows, bottle your own wedding-day wine complete with a romantic custom labels or don’t number your reception tables, instead name them after your favorite date places, travel destinations, movies, songs, and the like.

Or create a signature drink or drinks and name them after yourselves. The color of your drink can coordinate with your wedding colors.

10. Have a BLAST!!
Too many brides wish they’d spent less time worrying about the details and more time having fun and just enjoying the day.  My advice is to be in the moment and soak it all in.  Believe me when I say the day will go by so quickly, and you’re really going to want to be there emotionally. Enjoy your guests who are there to celebrate your day with you.

“I hope these 10 tips/secrets help you along with your wedding planning and making your day that much more special and hopefully Simply Lavish!”

Image Credit:  Wedding Menu, Candy Apple Station, Candy Buffet, Photo Booth,
Monogram Church Doors Letters, Monogram Cake  Topper, Monogram Ice Sculpture

Happy Planning

De’Vonda J. Manning

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MUSIC MONDAY~Whitney Houston Tribute, 1963-2012

By now you have learned that over the weekend, Whitney Houston died at the age of 48.  On this Music Monday edition, I decided to pay tribute to our fallen song bird. Over the years she gave us so many beautiful love songs and were a stapel at so many weddings.  To pay tribute to Whitney and honor such an amazing talent, I've added some of my favorite love songs.   










Whitney~ You are singing with the angels now. May your soul rest in peace.



Happy Planning

DeVonda

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Are You Ready For Some Football??!!

Super Bowl 2012 is upon us and it has come down between the New York Giants and the New England Patriots. So have you decided on what to plan for Super Bowl Sunday? Well if you haven't then you have come to the right place. Here are a few hosting tips for having a fantabulous Super Bowl Party.

1. Start with your seating area.

Make sure you have plenty of it. You first need to remove all unwanted furniture and bring in additional chairs and couches if needed. Oversized pillows on the floor is also a great idea.  Position your TV (hopefully a large one) in a central location so there is a great angle for everyone. No one is going to want to miss a minute of the game nor those commercials.

 

2.  Food...Food...& More Food

It's time to be creative.  There a so many ideas to play with to bring a football theme to the food.  There as so many possibilites. Take a look at some...

Image Credit: Luxe Finds

Image Credit: Hostess Blog

Image Credit:  Southern Living

Image Credit: Suzy Home Faker

Image Credit:  Luxe Find

Image Credit:  Karas Party Ideas

Image Credit:  NJ

Image Credit:  Lajolla Mom

3. Wear Jerseys or Team Colors

To really set the mood for the festivities, invite your guest to wear their favorite team jerseys. If they don't own a football jersey then encourage them to wear their favorite team colors or of the team they would like to win. Since you hosting why not wear a referee uniform to really set the mood.

Are you throwing or attending a Super Bowl this year?

Happy Planning

DeVonda

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