The Real Reason We Get Married

After falling madly in love with images from this Edward Scissorhands inspired wedding on Rock ‘n Roll Bride last week, I took the time to read the blog post.

The bride Karri’s quote just totally touched my heart and when we’re in the midst of all this wedding planning, sometimes it’s a good reminder of why we celebrate the beauty of weddings. Here’s her quote:

“Not all wedding days are perfect but It didn’t even matter that my cake’s fondant was imploding or that my hair literally actually weighed 10 lbs, or that my boobs almost fell out of my dress, I was marrying the man I loved. And this man will always be the Edward to my Bella, the Harry to my Ginny and the Ian to my Karri.”

Check out the blog post on Karri and Ian’s wedding on Rock ‘n Roll Bride for those images you won’t want to miss!

signature14 The Real Reason We Get Married

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website * Email: juliet@greenorchidevents.com

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Vendor Spotlight: Allyson Stagg of Las Vegas Style Sirens

Ally Vendor Spotlight: Allyson Stagg of Las Vegas Style Sirens

Name: Allyson Stagg

Location: Las Vegas, Nevada

Company Name: The Las Vegas Style Sirens LLC

Number of Years in Business: 1!!!

Website: www.LVStyleSirens.com

Blog: www.LVStyleSirens.Blogspot.com

Twitter: @LVStyleSirens

How did you get started in makeup/hair?

I was majoring in Musical Theater and it required me to take a stage makeup class. I fell in love with it the first day.  I knew that was what I wanted to do. That was the one class I never missed!

What did you do prior to this?

I worked at the Stratosphere as a Marilyn Monroe impersonator.

How do you describe your makeup style?

For me personally, it is very vintage/retro/pin-up. I LOVE soft eye makeup with a bold lip. However, I am always willing to try something new! As far as my clients go, it really just depends on the woman. From the second I first see her, I already have two makeup looks in mind that I would like to do on her. Then once I start talking to her and get to know more about her and her personality, I make adjustments in my mind to fit her comfort zone, wants and needs.

If you didn’t do makeup/hair for a living what would you be doing instead?

I would want to be on Broadway for sure! That was always my dream as a little girl. I would also love to be an attorney.

What are some of your hobbies?

I love ballroom dancing (especially Salsa!), making my own custom hair accessories, being a mommy, going to school (I’m studying Business Law and Marketing… huge adjustment from Musical Theater :) , cooking, baking, and finding new hobbies. I am such a busy body. I love to learn new things. I have a new hobby every week!

What is the craziest wedding experience you’ve ever had?

One of the first weddings I ever did make up for was quite a different experience. It was for a couple who flew into town from a small town in the Midwest. When I first arrived to do the brides makeup, I asked for the style and theme of the wedding. She proceeded to tell me it was a “Vegas Style” wedding complete with Elvis and all. Then I asked if I could see her dress for some inspiration. She took out her dress and it was hand tie dyed by her and her mother. I was certainly in shock. What was funny was she actually wanted really natural makeup. That was the first and last time (so far) I have ever seen a bride in a tie dyed dress.

What is the best wedding experience you’ve ever had?

We had a couple fly in from Australia a few months back to elope herein Las Vegas. We were in contact with them several months before they came out, and when they got here we just adored them! We had so much fun with them on their wedding day and we wanted to spend more time getting to know them. We took them around Las Vegas, had dinner with them, and showed them some cool things about Sin City. After they left, we stayed in good contact with them. A couple of weeks ago, I received an email from my blushing bride that her groom had passed away in a car accident a few days earlier. They were only married a few months. I was heartbroken. Although this was hard news to hear, I was so happy that we got to be part of their wedding and share that special time with them. That couple will always have a special place in my heart.

What is your inspiration?

Makeup is such a personal form of art. I seem to find my inspiration in the most random things. A pattern on an umbrella or the color scheme on a book cover might strike a mood or image that I use as inspiration in my work. I also look to other makeup artists for inspiration. I love to learn new techniques and ideas from all of the talented artists out there that share the same passion for makeup as I do.

Name an exotic location you’d like to visit soon.

Tokyo, Rome, and Spain are at the top of my list!

Why do your clients choose you over some of your competitors?

In the beauty industry, it is all about a personal connection and trust that is built between the client and artist. You have to have a connection with your makeup artist and hair stylist because they are literally going to be in your face all day long! You also need to believe in their skill and knowledge of the service that they are providing. If they are styling your hair, you need to be sure that they can accomplish the style that you are looking for in a timely manner, place any veils, hairpieces, or flowers securely, and that they will have the ability to make your hair style last all day. As far as a makeup artist, you need to be sure that you have someone that is knowledgeable in the wear time and the product that they are using. You want someone who is familiar with different skin types, contouring and highlighting, lighting in photographs and video, and any special requests you might have such as airbrush makeup or tattoo covering. My staff is very talented, knowledgeable, friendly, and professional. We always welcome questions, comments and concerns!

What is the best piece of advice you can offer a bride and groom on their wedding day?

Don’t forget to eat!!!

Don’t stress out if every little detail doesn’t go just as you planned. No one else will notice except you. I promise. This day is far too important to let the fact that your napkins were folded into squares instead of triangles ruin it!

As far as your beauty needs go, if it is at all possible, you should have a hair and makeup trial done. This will make your wedding day go by so smooth! If you meet with your hair stylist and makeup artist beforehand, you will have plenty of time to make sure you connect with them, and that they can accomplish the look that you want. This will be one less thing you need to worry to about on your wedding day because you will already know exactly what you are going to look like. This also gives you an opportunity to wear the hair style and makeup all day to see if it will last. If it doesn’t you can either look into a trial with another company, or you can talk to your artist to discuss the problem that you had so that they are sure to fix it on your wedding day.

You should also be sure to listen to all of your wedding professionals. Most of them have been doing this for a very long time and are extremely knowledgeable. Trust their opinion, but be sure to do your own research so that you are well informed and know the right questions to ask when you hire them in the first place.

Anything else interesting you’d like to share?

I am so blessed to be able to do what I love for a living and work with so many amazing wedding professionals here in Las Vegas. We are so lucky to have met all of the talented people and artists that we have and we look forward to meeting so many more!!

Juliet’s notes: Be sure to check out their most recent work featured in Style Me Pretty’s “From Inspiration to Reality” shoot.  Coordinated by the fabulous Tracey Kumer-Moore of Your Las Vegas Wedding Concierge. Photos by Chelsea Nicole. And a team of other wonderful professionals.

logo16 Vendor Spotlight: Allyson Stagg of Las Vegas Style Sirens

Photo credit for Allyson’s photo: Jessi Alexis Photography

signature14 Vendor Spotlight: Allyson Stagg of Las Vegas Style Sirens

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website * Email: juliet@greenorchidevents.com

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Wish Upon a Wedding

I’m happy to blog about Wish Upon a Wedding today – the first nonprofit wedding wish granting organization which launched in January of 2010.  Read about their first recipient here.

wish upon a wedding Wish Upon a Wedding

Wish Upon A Wedding was founded in San Francisco, CA, in January of 2010, by a group of wedding and business entrepreneurs and is America’s FIRST nonprofit wedding wish granting organization, producing weddings and civil union ceremonies at destinations across the United States for individuals facing terminal illness, regardless of sexual orientation.

Chapters:
Wish Upon A Wedding is now boasting twenty chapters nationwide, headed by some of the industry’s most renowned leaders with plans to expand to over 40 chapters worldwide.

Presidents:
Sasha Souza, National President & SF Bay Area President
Kevin Covey, LA/Orange County
Stella Inserra, New York
Ivy Robinson, The Carolinas
Eliana Baucicault, Atlanta
Mary Alice Sublett, Tennessee
Mark Kingsdorf, Philadelphia
Saundra Hadley, Indianapolis
Heather Hamilton Sims, Houston
Shelby Tuck Horton, DC
Elisa Delgardio, Orlando
Ali Phillips, Chicago
Daniela Isabella Ferdico Fagét, Seattle

For more information on how to form additional chapters and how they grant wishes, please visit their website.

signature14 Wish Upon a Wedding

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website * Email: juliet@greenorchidevents.com

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Real Las Vegas Wedding: Amber and Bill, Part I

Amber and Bill are a super cool couple who won our annual Wedding Day Coordination Contest!  I’m excited to show you their photos which will be broken up in three days because there were so many to choose from!

Amber and Bill cruising the Las Vegas Strip during their engagement session with Chelsea Nicole.

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Isn’t this vintage style ring beautiful?

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Fun bridal group photos inside Guardian Angel Cathedral.

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Love this!

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Check back tomorrow for more fun photos from their wild, crazy, and beautiful wedding reception at Red Rock Resort!

signature14 Real Las Vegas Wedding: Amber and Bill, Part I

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website * Email: juliet@greenorchidevents.com

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Unique Valentine’s Dates in Las Vegas

Valentine’s Day is almost here! Time to make those dinner reservations and think of something to do with your loved one. This is a great day to get down on one knee , confess your love, and propose.  With these unique dates she will not even know a proposal is coming! Now is your chance to think outside the box and wow your Valentine.

wedding ring rose 300x196 Unique Valentines Dates in Las Vegas

Cloud Nine Balloon Rides

Cloud Nine Balloon Rides is a definite way to sweep your love off their feet. You will see the bright lights of Las Vegas as you soar up 500 feet in a circular gondola. Day and night rides are both available.

Madame Tussauds

You can add some humor to your date by taking photos with an abundance of celebrity wax figures in Madame Tussauds Wax Museum located inside The Venetian Resort. A few of these wax figures are interactive as well. Who knows? You might even see a real celebrity there!

Red Square

Red Square is a romantic and intimate restaurant with a Russian setting. It is located inside of Mandalay Bay and known for the large headless statue of Lenin in the front. Red Square offers a fun tour inside of their Vodka Locker and frozen ice bar  featuring over 100 different Vodkas. Don’t worry about being cold because they have plenty of Russian Coats and hats for you to wear as you enter the locker.

Mount Charleston

It is rare that we see a pile of snow in Las Vegas, so take a trip to Mount Charleston to enjoy the snow covered mountains. The drive has amazing scenery as you travel up to The Lodge. They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner and offer log cabins for an overnight stay.

Ethel’s Chocolate Factory and Cactus Garden

This date is perfect for chocolate lovers. Ethel’s has a 3 acre Cactus Garden and they are transforming it to become a “Lover’s Lane” event. You and your valentine can walk  and enjoy the lit up garden as it leads to a gazebo, perfect for a photo to capture the night. Once you are done with the magical tour you can go indulge yourself with a variety of chocolates.

Rhumbar

Nestled inside of The Mirage, Rhumbar is a fun atmosphere with delicious drinks. Throughout the month of February they are offering a great and hilarious special. You get to cuddle on their outside patio with a Rhumbar embroidered Snuggie (yes I said Snuggie) and drink their S’mooches and S’mores cocktail which consists of  cayenne pepper infused hot cocoa mix, vanilla Schnapps and, of course, rum, garnished with a marshmallow, graham cracker triangle and hot fudge.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

angelicasignature2 Unique Valentines Dates in Las Vegas

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website * Email: angelica@greenorchidevents.com

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Carolina Herrera Bridal Opens New Store in CityCenter Las Vegas

A few weeks ago, we met with Carolina Herrera Bridal Specialist Jennifer Kaan at the brand new Carolina Herrera boutique at CityCenter.  I’m happy that Las Vegas now has a bridal boutique right on the Las Vegas strip!

The new Las Vegas Caroline Herrera boutique features the entire Carolina Herrera bridal collection as well as exclusive one-of-a-kind bridal gowns only available in the Carolina Herrera boutique.   They also offer a full line of accessories including veils, headpieces, and shoes.

Carolina Herrera is located close to the new Mandarin Oriental hotel inside CityCenter. Las Vegas is the 5th flagship store in the United States. Other stores are located on Madison Avenue in New York, on Melrose Place in Los Angeles, Highland Park Village in Dallas, Texas, and Bal Harbour Shops in Bal Harbour, Florida.

And finally, you’ll be treated to wonderful service through private appointments with your professional bridal specialist.

Carolina Herrera
The Crystals at City Center
3750 Las Vegas Boulevard South, Suite 180
Las Vegas, NV 89109
tel. 702.597.1662

I hope you enjoy your wedding dress shopping experience!

signature14 Carolina Herrera Bridal Opens New Store in CityCenter Las Vegas

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website * Email: juliet@greenorchidevents.com

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Mocktails at the Wedding Bar

People tend to get very excited when they hear the words “Open Bar” at a wedding. There are many though who can not or choose not to take advantage of that.  Mocktails are a great substitute for a guest and it still makes them feel like a participant. A Mocktail is a drink that resembles a cocktail, but contains no alcohol. They can be just as pretty and colorful as a regular cocktail. These are great not only for weddings but also for baby showers, bridal showers, sweet 16’s, etc. Here are some recipes created by Martha Stewart that might be a fun alternative for your next event.

Watermelon Cooler

ft latesum04msk13 l Mocktails at the Wedding Bar

3 cups cubed, seeded watermelon

1 1/2 cups strawberries

3 Tablespoons fresh lime juice

1 cup ice cubes

sugar to taste

Put watermelon, strawberries, lime juice, ice, and sugar if desired into the pitcher of a blender, and blend for 15 seconds on high speed. (Always put the top on the container before processing.) Stop machine, and stir ingredients with a long wooden spoon. Blend for 15 seconds more on high speed.

Pink Grapefruit Mockeritas
bever 01371 l Mocktails at the Wedding Bar

2 Tablespoons colored sanding sugar, or regular granulated sugar if you don’t have the former

1 lime

6 teaspoons grenadine

1 1/2 cup pink grapefruit juice

Place sanding sugar on a plate or shallow dish or plate. Slice 6 thin rounds from the center of the lime, set aside.

Rub lime wedges around the rim of 6 martini glasses. Dip each rim in the sugar to coat.

Pour 1 teaspoon of grenadine into the bottom of each glass. Place grapefruit juice and 2 cups of ice cubes in the blender. Process on high speed until ice is crushed. Pour frozen mixture into glasses and stir to combine with syrup. Garnish with reserved lemon slices and serve immediately.

Citrus Mint Splash

citrus splash 300x300 Mocktails at the Wedding Bar

1 cup fresh lemon juice

1 cup fresh orange juice

2 cups sugar

1 1/2 cups water

10 sprigs mint

32 ounces ginger ale

water

Place first 5 ingredients in a saucepan and stir until sugar dissolves. Cover, remove from heat and steep until cool Cover and refrigerate. To serve, fill glasses or a pitcher with equal amounts fruit juice, ginger ale and water. Add ice and serve.

Cheers!

angelicasignature2 Mocktails at the Wedding Bar

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website * Email: angelica@greenorchidevents.com

Source: Martha Stewart

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Valentine’s Day Weddings in Las Vegas

Valentine’s Day is one of the two most popular days to get married in Las Vegas – with New Year’s Eve being the other day.  Whether you choose a little wedding chapel, drive through wedding, or a  5 star/5 diamond resort, Las Vegas has it all!

The Venetian is offering a Suite-Heart Special for Valentine’s Day. Click here for complete package details.

Bellagio is offering a wedding package just for Valentine’s day.

Here’s a list of other romantic Las Vegas locations to tie the knot at on Valentine’s Day:

The Ritz Carlton, Lake Las Vegas – Yes, you can actually get married on a white sand beach in Las Vegas (maybe not on Valentine’s Day but it’s an option during springtime)!

Loews Lake Las Vegas – serene resort with views of the lake

Wynn Las Vegas – get married inside one of their luxurious salons or outside on the lovely Primrose Court

Green Orchid Events is also running a promotion for Valentine’s Day. Please see below for details.

valentines day4 Valentines Day Weddings in Las Vegas

signature14 Valentines Day Weddings in Las Vegas

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website * Email: juliet@greenorchidevents.com

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How Do I Choose My Bridal Party?

The wedding planner hears it all. Besides actually planning the wedding, we sometimes become the shoulder to cry on for brides.  Choosing a bridal party can be a very difficult task for most brides.  Just remember, it is your day and the final decision is up to you.  As a former bride with eight bridesmaids I can really relate. The worst is when I hear a bride say:

“I’m thinking of canceling my bridal shower. I don’t care anymore because my maid of honor isn’t doing anything!”

“I had to plan my own bachelorette party because nobody in my bridal party wanted to plan it.”

It’s important that bridesmaids be made aware that they actually have a role in this wedding. There is more to being a bridesmaid than putting on a pretty dress on the wedding day, standing by you during the ceremony, and being in all of the bridal party photos. This is a job!

Here are some tips to make your wedding planning a little bit easier by asking people to be in your bridal party with ease.

1.  When thinking of a bridesmaid ask yourself,  “Can they financially afford to be a bridesmaid?” There are a lot of costs that go into being a bridesmaid such as the bridesmaid dress, hair, makeup, bridal shower, bachelorette party, wedding gift, etc.

2. Great people to ask would be friends you have known for a long time or a family member that you are close with.

3. Make sure each person is reliable, responsible, and trustworthy.

4. You are allowed to have as little or as many bridesmaids as you want, but you don’t want half of your wedding guests standing up with you during the ceremony! The most common rule is 2-3 bridesmaids for a small wedding, 3-4 for a mid sized wedding, and 5 or more for a large wedding. Of course, this all depends on your religion, culture, and preference.

5. Do not ask someone just because you do not want to hurt their feelings. If they are a true friend or family member, they will understand if they are not asked. You can always incorporate them in other elements of the wedding.

angelicasignature2 How Do I Choose My Bridal Party?

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website * Email: angelica@greenorchidevents.com


Bridesmaid Gifts at The Knot Wedding Shop

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Twitter Finds and Other Interesting Blog Posts

This blog post made quite the noise this past Monday on Twitter.  It’s an article written by Scott Bourne on part time or new photographers undercutting the market. He goes into why it’s harmful to the industry as a whole and why it cheats both the photographer and the client. It’s a great read and translates to all aspects of the wedding industry and many other industries as well.  It’s great for the bride-to-be to gain a little insight on why we need to charge what we charge as wedding professionals.

Financial Questions To Ask Before The Wedding

What is “Day Of” Coordination (DOC) and what is the difference between “Day of” and “Month of” Coordination?

Why does wedding cake cost what it does?

signature14 Twitter Finds and Other Interesting Blog Posts

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website * Email: juliet@greenorchidevents.com

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