Friday Fun Finds - BeDazzle My BonBons

Check out these glittery bonbons from BeDazzle My BonBons! Although they look like they are wrapped in foil, they are actually covered in an edible glitter. With all of these colors, you can easily find bonbons to go with your wedding color scheme! They would make darling favors, or could you imagine how pretty they would look on a candy buffet? Especially if you paired them with these adorable "Dazzle Pops":

And I absolutely love their slogans:

"You Eat the Entire Ball....Glitter and All"

“You Eat the Entire Pop….Even the Glitter on Top!”

A little sparkle for your wedding that you can eat! How PERFECT is that?

Vendor Spotlight: Cathy Dietz Photography & Video

Welcome to the first installment of "Vendor Spotlight" here at The Perfect Wedding Solutions blog! In the coming weeks, I'll be posing questions to some of the Michiana area's finest photographers, bakers, caterers, venues, and more to help you navigate the often-confusing process of planning your wedding.

Today, I'm thrilled to introduce Cathy Dietz Photography to you. Here are her answers to my questions:

What inspired you to start your business?

As I’m writing this I am preparing to have my own “headshot” done today. I am trying not approach the session with the same feeling of dread that I see clients come to me with over and over again. Yikes! I have this idea about how I’d like to see me, but I’ve learned over the years, to get that across in a photograph takes more than a slick studio and a great camera.

What inspired me to start my business? Basically, it’s because I found that when I would photograph a person, I had a knack for setting people at ease. The result would be authentic images , not the standard stiff, posed ones we’ve all seen too many of. Once people started offering to pay me I thought “hey, maybe I’m onto something”.

How would you describe your photography style?

Hmmmm… it’s hard for me to describe my style exactly. I guess I would say “Artistic Portraiture”. Most of my sessions and events include what you could classify as traditional and candid images. The difference with my photographs is what I do with them in post-production. This is where the “art” of my photography comes in. Each image goes through a special retouching process to make it the most beautiful it can be. Sometimes I need to take out something distracting in the background or I might decide to turn and image black and white. It takes a little more time, but the results are always worth it.

What advice would you give brides who are looking for a photographer?

• Think about what you want to have in your hands after all is said and done. Do you want an album, enlargements, color images, black & white images, etc… Different photographers are going to have different skills in all these areas. Once you know what you want you’ll have good questions to ask a potential photographer.
• Your photographer is going to be with you ALL day. If after you meet with a prospective photographer your personalities don’t click, move on. It is VERY important you feel comfortable with whoever you choose… it will show in the images.
• Ask about the equipment the photographer uses. Are they using a professional SLR and do they have “fast” lenses that will work in situations where flash is not permitted. One of my biggest pet-peeves is photographers who only use a standard “on-camera” flash. This results in images where the background is completely dark. The photographer needs to have additional lighting in these situations.
• Of course, make sure you see examples of weddings the photographer has done, and get references.
• I had one bride last year who had been not only practicing her dancing ahead of time but had also been practicing her posing. We had to continually break her of this throughout her wedding day. Don’t practice posing! Relax and enjoy your special day. If you do this your photographs will be stunning!

What new trends do you see in wedding photography for 2009? I think in 2009 you will see more wedding photographers offer “high art” images, be it from a creative setting or from digital enhancement. Digital photography has come a long way. Just about anything you can imagine creating artistically can be done. In my home I prefer to have art that I have some connection with, whether it is something a friend has painted or a photograph from a place I have visited. What better way to start off your new life than with a piece of art from your special day.

Who inspires you most on a daily basis?
I have a luscious cocoon of family and friends that keep me inspired! I keep in close touch with them. The more I am part of their everyday experiences, the better I am at connecting with my subjects. This year I am also taking a cue from famous photographer Annie Leibovitz. She published a book, “A Photographer’s Life”, that is made up of candid photographs of her family from 1990 through 2005. I am making a point of taking more pictures of my own family. It reminds me that there is so much beauty in the ordinary.

Visit Cathy Dietz's website for more examples of her beautiful photography and email cathy@cathydietz.com for more info.

Picture perfect pictures of your wedding. How PERFECT is that?

Friday Fun Finds - Hats!

I absolutely love hats at weddings, so today's Friday Fun Find is all about hats!

Wouldn't this beautiful cabbage rose hat look gorgeous at an outdoor garden party wedding? I found this beauty at Amy Jo Tatum's Etsy store.

Or this beautiful rolled pillbox from Erica Koesler? Wouldn't it look lovely at an afternoon wedding held at a historic location or even at the Clerk's office? Very classy!

And don't forget your wedding party, wouldn't these designs from MaggieMae be adorable?

Gorgeous hats for your wedding. How PERFECT is that?

Favors in One Word. Chocolate

Favors are such a hot topic for brides in the planning process. I speak with lots of brides who want to give their guests something to thank them for coming, but they don't want to burden them with a tchotchke that they feel they'd have to keep.

In my opinion, the best wedding favors are either donations to a charity or something edible.

I absolutely love these wedding favors from my favorite Indiana-based chocolatier, DeBrand Chocolates based in Fort Wayne. Not only are these some of the best chocolates I've tasted, DeBrand is the chocolatier of choice for none other than Donald Trump and sold exclusively at Trump Tower and enjoyed by guests at the Trump hotels.

DeBrand offers several options for all kinds of budgets at their Wedding Chocolates site.

These milk chocolate coins come in gold or silver and are only 50 cents each with a $75 set up for your customized imprint. There is a 500 piece minimum, but for just over $300, you can provide your guests with a personalized favor that is delicious! Two of these packaged together & tied with a ribbon & a note card thanking your guests would be "PERFECT".

These individual truffles look like miniature wedding cakes and are available in milk, dark and white chocolates and can be coordinated with a rosette and ribbon in your choice of color. At $3.50 each, these wedding cake truffles make a favor your guests will remember for a long time.

Delicious chocolate favors. How PERFECT is that?

Weekly Wedding Tips: To DIY or Not to DIY. That is the Question

We are hearing a lot these days about how to save money by "Doing it Yourself" (DIY), but before you rush out to the nearest craft store, ask yourself these questions:

Do I have a budget? & What is important to me? The best way to start thinking about DIY projects for your wedding is to look at your budget and the things that are important to you. If you have your heart set on a Vera Wang gown or a certain kind of flower, you will need budget your money first for those items and then look at ways to DIY in other areas.

Am I crafty? This may seem like an obvious question, but seriously, if you don't have a crafty bone in your body, you might be setting yourself up for frustration and disappointment. Martha can make things look SO easy, but if you don't have the "craft gene", you may want to rethink making your own favors, invites and the like. (photo courtesy of Flickr.com)

Are my friends/family crafty? Often, family and friends will rush to volunteer to make things for your wedding, from your dress to the pictures, cake or decor and favors. While this can be a fantastic way to save money, unless you know that Aunt Ethel is a very talented baker, accepting her offer to bake your wedding cake might result in a lopsided homemade box cake when you were picturing a 4 layer Sylvia Weinstock creation. (This picture is courtesy of CakeWrecks, where you can see more cakes gone horribly wrong!)

Do I have time to work on these projects? Do my friends/family have time (and do they want to?) There is a lot of work involved in putting a wedding together, even if you aren't going the DIY route. So, before you decide to make a lot of things on your own, make sure that you have the time to invest, and always plan on the project taking twice as long as you expect. Here's a quote from Wai Sze who was a DIY Bride "My DIY projects did not go as smoothly as I had planned. Even though I triple checked the invitations and programs, I still found typos. It not only drained my energy, it also wasted ink and paper."

And remember that nothing can create a "bridezilla" faster than forcing friends and family to work on a craft project (invites, decor, programs, etc.) when they just aren't into it. We all have friends who either don't have time or just don't like doing this kind of thing, so make sure to check on the availability of your "helpers" before signing them up to help!

DIY-ing can certainly save money and make your wedding more personal as long as you think things through and don't have unrealistic expectations. Your wedding planner is a great resource to talk with about your ideas; they can help guide you in the right direction.

Doing it yourself and doing it right, how PERFECT is that?

Friday Finds - Its all about the shoes

Today's "Friday Finds" is inspired by some of the gorgeous shoes I found at BlissBridalShoes.com

Shoes are such an important part of your big day. Of course you want them to be beautiful, but comfort is a big part of a PERFECT wedding shoe. Who wants to get their wedding pictures back and see everyone wincing because their feet hurt?

This is one of my favorite shoes, it is stylish, with a nice heel, but the thicker sole means standing will be more comfortable and the slide style means no rubbing and blisters!

Bliss Bridal Shoes also has some fun sandals that would make a nice shoe for a beach wedding or to change into for dancing. These sandles would make a very nice gift for your bridesmaids so they can change out of their shoes and really "kick up their heels" (so to speak) at the reception.

Be sure to check out BlissBridalShoes.com for more gorgeous shoes.

Happy feet on your wedding day, how PERFECT is that?

There's no such thing as a free wedding... or IS there?

Michiana (southern Michigan, northern Indiana) area couples - how would you like to be "Married by Michiana"?

What is "Married by Michiana", you ask? Local radio station U93 is providing a wedding for one lucky couple in Michiana. If you are selected, listeners will vote on your invitations, rings, flowers, dress, tux and cake, all provided by area businesses. In addition, you'll receive photography, wedding coorination (by The Perfect Solutions, of course) and a reception for 100 of your closest friends at gorgeous Swan Lake in Plymouth. Your wedding will take place on March 21, 2009.

To be the couple , U93 will need a 93 second video (clever, huh?) posted on YouTube telling them why you should be the couple! After you finish your video, fill out the form on U93's website here and submit the video.

Hurry, though. The DEADLINE is 8am this FRIDAY, JANUARY 16TH

A free wedding -- how PERFECT is that?

Friday Fun Find: Garters, Gators & Ravens (Correction)

CORRECTION! The following garters were found on Etsy but are not by GarterLady as previously stated. Please search Etsy for sports-themed garters. Apologies for any confusion.Today's "Friday Fun Find" is inspired by football

Since one of my favorite teams, the Florida Gators won the NCAA National Championship last night, I thought other Gator fans might like this quirky (yet discreet) way to show their team spirit during their wedding.

Since my favorite team, the Indianapolis Colts are out of this year's NFL playoffs, the next football inspired garter is a tribute to my fellow planner, Linnyette Richardson-Hall, the "Wedding Diva" of the Style channel's "Whose Wedding is it Anyway" fame, who is quite the Ravens fan. Linnyette, this one's for you:

I found several artists who sell sports-themed garters on Etsy, including GarterLady and Garters by Kristi. Search for your favorite team or contact one of the artists who may be able to design something for you.

Letting your team spirit shine at your wedding without being "themey". How PERFECT is that?

Unique Gifts - for your red, white & black wedding

I saw these acrylic diamond rings from Elsewares in the February edition of EveryDay with Rachel Ray and thought they would be a cute favor for a bridal shower, or a fun gift for Valentine's Day.

At $10 each, they're nice little gift; or a group of two or three would make a unique piece of jewelry for your bridesmaids to wear during the ceremony.

How PERFECT is that?

Fairy Tale Weddings in the Winter Wedding Day!

The winter edition of Northern Indiana/SW Michigan's Wedding Day magazine is out and its all about fairy tale weddings. Check out the gorgeous cover, shot by the uber-fabulous Cathy Dietz! You can download the current issue here.

Enjoy!

Monday Musings - How DO you select the right photographer?

I attended a bridal show this weekend and, as I made my way through the booths, I saw a few photographers I had worked with or knew, and quite a few I didn't. That got me thinking..... with all these choices, how does a bride pick a photographer that is right for her wedding?

Bridal shows are a great way to see several photographers' work in one place and do some comparisons, but you can also do online research, talk with other brides and, of course, consult with your wedding planner. Some things to keep in mind:

• Style - do you like the traditional style of photography & wedding shots? or are you looking for something more unique? Look through the photographers' portfolios and see if you like the "feel" of the pictures.
• Budget - know in advance how much you can allocate from your budget for pictures. That way, as you talk with photographers, you will know if they fall into your price range.
• Personality - your photographer will be a very important part of your day. Make sure to talk with the photographer who will be doing the shooting to make sure you "click". For example, if you have your heart set on a certain shot, make sure your photographer is not only willing, but happy to oblige.
• Availability - before you begin serious discussions with photographers, you will need to have your wedding date and venue set so the photographer can advise of their availability for that date.

Choose your photographer carefully because long after your wedding day, your photos will serve as a reminder of the most special day of your life.

How PERFECT is that?