Saturday, January 9, 2010

We've Moved Our Blog!


Hey gang -- thank you for following us on Blogger!

But, we've now moved the blog over to:

http://blog.realweddingsmag.com/


Please check us out there for more tips, trends and inspiration from the folks at Real Weddings Magazine!


Thanks!






Looking for local Sacramento wedding vendors?


Build your dream team at Real Weddings Magazine's Resource Guide. Click here to get started!

Thursday, January 7, 2010

Dazzling Dresses

Hello Real Weddings Magazine Brides!

Here’s another amazing dress we plucked right off the runway. With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, we were inspired by the dramatic dose of romantic red in this particular style.



From Alfred Angelo, this satin with re-embroidered lace design is accented with metallics, crystal beading, sequins and rhinestones. Optional elements include a modestly piece and spaghetti straps. The dress is available in white or ivory and the trim comes in 55 colors to match your theme or personal style!

Find this and other Alfred Angelo dresses at their boutique in Roseville at 1208 Galleria Boulevard. 916-797-1919, http://www.alfredangelo.com/.

About Alfred Angelo
The family-owned Alfred Angelo is the world’s leading maker of wedding gowns and bridesmaid dresses. For 75 years, they have been dressing brides and the members of their wedding party in elegant and affordable gowns by premier designer Michael Shettel.

Blog Post by Always a Bridesmaid Columnist Darren Elms.




Visit Real Weddings Magazine * Visit Style Media Group * Contact Real Weddings Magazine




Looking for local Sacramento wedding vendors? Build your dream team at Real Weddings Magazine's Resource Guide. Click here to get started!

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Inspiration Board: Presenting Esther Leung and Abe Lo




The Couple: Esther Leung & Abe Lo

Wedding Date: August 8, 2009

Photography by: Lexigraphics Photography

Tell us a little about you and your beloved:
It all started at Sts. Peter and Paul School in San Francisco, where we met in fifth grade. Placed in a group together, we became friends. However, we lost touch in high school but reunited in college. We have been together ever since.

What was the most amazing part of your day?
In Chinese culture, the groom and his groomsmen would arrive at the bride's house to pick up the bride and the bridesmaids before the ceremony. To enter the house, the groom and groomsmen must complete a variety of task determined by the bridesmaids. One of my favorite tasks was when they had to sing and dance to one of my childhood's favorite songs.

What else would you like to share about your big day?
Walking down the aisle felt like a dream, I was surrounded by flowers, and I could not see any other faces but my husband's. My day began and ended with the biggest smile on my face.






















































































































Ceremony: San Francisco City Hall

Reception Venue: Marriott

Photographer: Lexigraphics Photography

Cake: Copenhegan, Designed by our Florist, Mints Design

Flowers: Mints Design

Favors: homemade chocolate with toffee

Wedding Dress: From Forget-Me-Knots

Bridesmaid Dresses: BCBG

Hair: Rene Belle from Didi Salon

Makeup: Jacque Berg

Invitations: Honey & Bloom

DJ/Entertainment: Impact Sounds

Honeymoon location: Paris, France

Any other vendor you'd like to call out? Concept Designer: Gloria Wong Designs

First Dance Song: "You Are My Lady" by Freddie Jackson


Want more Real Weddings? We're serving them up for you at http://www.realweddingsmag.com/!

Photos courtesy of Lexigraphics Photography.

About Lexigraphics (in their own words)
From where we sit, you are one-of-a kind, and our aim in photographing your wedding will be to produce images that are as unique as you are. It's all about you; we are there for you, to capture your memories, to record your dreams for you to enjoy for years to come.

As for us, we bring many years of experience to your wedding. We started Lexigraphics eight years ago, but Christie and I have been married for many more. You are not just "having a wedding," you are getting married. Our aim is simple: to capture all the joy and happiness of this most important day. We like to say we photograph every wedding as if it was our own daughter's wedding, because we do, whether you purchase our smallest package or our largest one.

To find out more about Lexigraphics, visit Lexigraphics Photography on the web and don't miss Lexigraphics' Blog!

And check out their online profile on Real Weddings Magazine's Web site and be sure to check out their other featured real weddings from Real Weddings Magazine:

Erin & Tim - from the Winter/Spring 2010 Real Weddings Magazine

Erin & Thomas - from the Winter/Spring 2010 Real Weddings Magazine

Alexandra & Jordan - from the Summer/Fall 2009 Real Weddings Magazine

Kara & Robbie - from the Winter/Spring 2009 Real Weddings Magazine

Phuong & Wa La - Online Exclusive - from the Winter/Spring 2009 Real Weddings Magazine


Visit Real Weddings Magazine * Visit Style Media Group * Contact Real Weddings Magazine

Sunday, January 3, 2010

Platinum Weddings...New Episodes Start Tonight!


Spare No Expense! Platinum Weddings Returns with a new season!

Jewel encrusted wedding bouquet? $500

Professional sitar player? $2,000

45 cascading floral arrangements? $37,000

An opportunity for our readers to get ideas for their weddings without breaking their budget? Priceless

That pretty much sums up the perks of WE tv’s popular reality show Platinum Weddings, airing new episodes starting tonight.

Can we say extravagant? Of course, but these grand affairs are also super entertaining.
I was checking out a repeat from last year on a couple that threw a lavish Indian ceremony and reception. There were some pretty great ideas in there, even if the sum of the parts equaled the down payment on a loft in New York. But price tag aside, there are plenty of reasons to watch, from the beautiful table settings, to the gorgeous locales, to the stunning dresses. Check it out and get inspired!

New episodes at 9 p.m. PST/8 p.m. CST starting tonight, January 3 on WE tv. Check your cable provider for local channel information. You can also visit the Web site for info on the couples and their vendors. http://www.wetv.com/.

Blog Post by Always a Bridesmaid Columnist Darren Elms.

Saturday, January 2, 2010

Hot Trend: Tiffany & Co. Zodiac Charms by Paloma Picasso

As we celebrate 2010, Tiffany & Co. introduces a new collection from favorite jewelry designer Paloma Picasso. Inspired by the animals of the Chinese zodiac, she offers 12 beautiful charms, one for each year cycle of the horoscope.

“The Chinese zodiac is a wonderful birthday tradition,” said the designer. “We all have a curiosity about the zodiac and whether it influences our lives.”

Paloma’s Chinese Zodiac captures the vitality of each animal — and the human personality it represents – the inquisitive monkey, restless tiger, self-assured rooster, quick-witted horse, passionate dragon, resolute ox, sensitive rabbit, sensual snake, determined ram, loyal dog, patient pig and tenacious rat.

Beautifully handcrafted and innately charming, these 18K gold pieces would make delightfully personalized gift for each of your bridesmaids. To figure out her zodiac sign by year, visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_zodiac.

Pictured is the Tiger Charm Pendant, photo courtesy of Tiffany & Co.

Learn more about these and other Paloma Picasso charms at Tiffany & Co. in the Roseville Galleria, 1151 Galleria Boulevard. 916-872-2129. http://www.tiffany.com/.

Blog Post by Always a Bridesmaid Columnist Darren Elms.

Friday, January 1, 2010

Go to Disneyland for Free!


So many of our real weddings couples go to Disneyland on their honeymoons. So we thought you'd love to hear about a promotion that is just starting today!

Beginning January 1, 2010, when you sign up at Disney to volunteer a day of service with a participating organization (and your service is completed and verified) you'll get one day admission to a Walt Disney World® or Disneyland® theme park, FREE!

The goal is to inspire one million people to volunteer a day of service.

Note that volunteer opportunities are handled through HandsOn Network, so you'll want to also visit their Web site for more information on the volunteer organizations included their network.

Sign up at the Give A Day, Get a Disney Day now by clicking here!


Disney Fine Print: You must sign up through the Disney site to volunteer and complete your service at an eligible volunteer opportunity in the fifty US states, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico or Canada to receive a ticket. Ticket quantities for this program are limited. You must be at least 18 to sign up. Children must be at least 6 to participate in the program.

Program begins January 1, 2010 and continues until tickets are distributed or until December 15, 2010, whichever occurs first. You may only sign up a maximum of 8 members of your household.