Spring time kicks off one of the biggest engagement times of the year, Marked Event is having an Engagement Story Contest! Did he get down on one knee? Did he take you on a special trip, Did you propose to him? Did he involve family and friends? We want ALL of the details! The more details the better.

Who is eligible?

Anyone with an engagement story from 2/14/2010 – 5/14/10.
What do I need to do to enter?1.) Submit a photo of you and your fiancé’ to erika@markedevent.com2.) Submit your engagement story with full details to erika@markedevent.com3.) Engagement story must be at least 250 words.4.) Wedding must take place in 2010 -. Please note – all entries will be posted on the Marked Event blog page.
What does the winner receive?A Custom Designed set of 250 Wedding Invitations that we design to capture the theme of your special day.
What are the rules?*Engagement stories must be from NEWLY engaged couples from 2/14/2010 – 5/14/10*Deadline ends midnight 5/14/2010 – no exceptions*Winner will be announced on our blog on 5/16/2010. *VOTES cast on our blog, by readers. Be sure to send your friends and family here to vote! Good luck to each of you!

Trend 2: Dinner-Focused Receptions
Say good-bye to informal buffet lines and light hors d’oeuvres stations and welcome back the sit-down reception dinner. Think of it as a re-creation of a dinner party in your own home: lots of food and a comfortable setting are both key. To achieve this level of comfort, order starter plates to get guests munching and chatting from the get-go and choose a dinner menu of the meat-and-potatoes variety. Have the meal served family-style so that all the food, wine, and iced tea or lemonade is set in the middle of the table for guests to help themselves, just like they’d do at their own homes. Do it this way and you’ll encourage conversation and create a more intimate atmosphere.

Trend 3: Innovative Ceremony Setups
This year, it’s really all about comfort, so whether your ceremony takes place in a church, at a farm, or in a ballroom, consider adding elements that make your guests feel right at home. Skip the common aisle-down-the-middle arrangement and create a living-room vibe using a mix of couches and chairs, replace all those chairs with hay bales covered with quilts, or even spread blankets on the ground right in front of the altar for the kids. The best part is that anything goes just so long as the details create an intimate feeling.

Trend 4: Shorter, Tea-Length Dresses
From ball gowns to slim, structured sheaths, a shorter-than-floor-length style will make a huge resurgence on ceremony aisles this year. And you don’t have to have a casual wedding to pull it off, either — the key is in the fabric. Find one made with cotton or layers of airy tulle for an outdoor spring or summer wedding, get a silk-satin gown for a more formal wedding, or go for heavy silk with a soft bolero or even an overcoat for a wintertime wedding.

Trend 5: Classic White Wedding Cakes
While dessert tables and candy bars have been popular for the past few years, wedding cakes have made a comeback. But instead of the colorful two-tiered styles we saw in 2009, this year it’s all about the classic white wedding cake. Order a simple, round, three-tiered cake frosted with white buttercream or covered in white fondant and finish it with an antique cake topper (from your parents’ or grandparents’ wedding), a few fresh flowers that match your bouquet, or leave it clear of add-ons for an even simpler look.

Trend 6: Textural Flower Arrangements
The typical tall centerpiece, overflowing with roses and calla lilies, has given way to low, textural arrangements that call to mind a springtime garden, crisp autumn foliage, or a snow-covered evergreen. To throw extra color and texture into the mix, have your bouquets wrapped with lace or patterned fabric, or line your flower-filled vases with birchbark sleeves. As for the centerpiece vases, ask your florist to use small planters, classic pedestals, vintage-inspired vases, or even rustic apple crates.

Trend 7: Turn Table DJs/Specialty Music
Everyone loves a live band, but DJs are resurging in popularity — and we’re not talking about the old iPod-and-speakers setup. We mean skilled turntable DJs who can create a unique mishmash of music tailored to your guests, guaranteeing you a packed dance floor all night long. If it’s in the budget, hire a specialty band that speaks to your relationship or wedding locale (like a jazz trio, bluegrass band, or even funk group) for the cocktail hour.

Trend 8: The photo booth trend is so not going anywhere — it’s just becoming more personalized. If you’d rather not rent one, make one. Create your own backdrop using a piece of patterned fabric, a simple curtain, or even paper streamers. If it’s an outdoor wedding, pin the fabric to an arbor or trellis; otherwise, use a wardrobe frame to secure your fabric. If you’ve rented more of a traditional wedding space, ask your site manager whether they have in-house “pipe and drapes” that you can use (a fancy term for a stand-alone bar with a curtain attached). You could also make a completely custom photo backdrop out of wood, cover it with wallpaper or paint, and then decorate it with fun frames or anything else you can think of. Cut out circles for your guests’ faces, or encourage everyone to get comfortable together on a great couch placed in front of the backdrop. And don’t forget the funny props, like hats, fake mustaches, and glasses!

Trend 9: Themed Engagement Photo Shoots
Just like your dress and reception decor, your engagement photo shoot should be completely “you.” Follow that line of thinking and you’ll understand why couples are coming up with the most creative themed engagement photo shoots, from Mad Men and Breakfast at Tiffany’s to more obscure 1950s backyard barbecue shoots. Not into the theme idea? Tone it down with a couple props, like colorful balloons, umbrellas, or a tandem bicycle.

Trend 10: Wedding Videos (They’re Back!)
While classic cinematic wedding videos are still an in-demand style, couples are also asking their videographers to use motion picture in new and creative ways. A few ideas we love: short wedding Super 8 wedding videos for that grainy, vintage look (which can later have music dubbed in), the one-minute wedding video first created by the Flashdance DJ out of Los Angeles — a fast-motion version of the dance floor throughout the evening, or an ultra-creative save-the-date video.

More 2010 Wedding Trends
Grand Exits 
We’re not saying you should blow the budget on fireworks, but having a formal ceremony or reception exit is not only fun for you and your guests, it’ll make for great photos. Alternatives to bird seed: paper airplanes, ticker tape, sparklers, and eco-confetti.

This article was originally written and posted on The Knot.com

• There are numerous tour operators who will be more than happy to help you plan your wedding.
• You can marry in an exotic location.
• The weather will be perfect, but check the weather forecast just to be on the safe side. 
       

  Church in Tuscany

• You can start your honeymoon straight after your wedding ceremony.

Wedding Abroad – Drawbacks

• You may have fewer guests as they may not be able to get the time off work to join you on your wedding day.
• You may want a church wedding, but the ceremony may not be legally recognised in the UK, so you might have to have compromise and have a civil ceremony followed by a blessing.
• You need to ensure you have all the required documentation before you get married abroad, this will vary depending on the country.
• There may be a minimum residency stay.

 

Getting Married Abroad – Checklist

• Ensure you can marry on your chosen date. Make sure you get this confirmed, in writing, with the celebrate who is to perform the wedding ceremony.
• Check you have a valid 10 year passport.
• Check the weather for your wedding date, ensuring there are no freak changes in weather predicted.
• Take out travel insurance and wedding insurance for all those unforeseen events. Ensure you read the small print so you know exactly what is, and what isn’t, included in the insurance.
• Find out if there is a minimum residence stay before you can get married.
• Ensure you have a list of all the required documents you will need in order to get married in your chosen country.
• Check whether your documents will need to be translated into the countries own spoken language.
• Check if the bride or groom need to deliver the documents to appropriate authorities in person before the wedding day.
• Allow plenty of time to gather all the correct documentation needed to get married abroad.
• Contact your chosen countries embassy in the UK, for further information on getting married abroad.
• If you are using a tour operator and they are offering you a wedding package, ensure you know exactly what is, and what isn’t, included in your package.
• Ensure the wedding ceremony abroad is legally recognised by the UK.
• If you are planning a church wedding abroad, you will need to seek permission from the church authorities where you wish to marry. You may need to allow extra time sa you may be asked to attend pre-nuptial consultations in your chosen country.
• If your wedding is to be preformed in another language, other than English, ensure you have an interpreter present to translate the proceedings.
• If your marriage certificate is written in a foreign language you will need to ensure it is translated on your return to the UK.

source http://www.weddingchaos.co.uk/wedding-abroad/wedding-abroad.asp

http://www.weddingintuscany.info

Recently engaged and married couples are excited about the newest industry trend to create a design that serves as the family trademark. Perhaps you may want to consider creating a design to become your family crest?

When creating your design you should consider something that allows you to grow as your family grows. Be selective when choosing your design since you are creating a foundation that will be used as you see fit during the rest of your life. If you can’t create the design yourself work with a designer who will take the time to determine what is special and unique to you and your family. Make sure you choose fonts and colors that you feel will be a good fit now and in the future. Using the same fonts and colors will create consistency and instant recognition each time you use your design.

When should you use your design? Start as early as possible. For the recently engaged couple create consistency and incredible detail throughout your wedding by using your design for the complete wedding stationery set including: Save the Dates, Shower Announcements, Complete Wedding Stationary Set, Matching Decorations, Gifts and Favors.  Once married use the design on everything from matching Return Address Labels, Family Announcements, Reunions, Holiday Cards, Thank You Notes, Stationery and much more. The opportunities are endless! Choose a design that truly is a fit for you and your family that can be built upon through the years.

We love creating designs for couples. Here are a few of our favorite designs that we developed to help couples create their own unique Mark for Life.

For a classic look and feel The Ashton's chose a brocade pattern with a simple Monogram.

This monogram is simple and could easily be adjusted as a family grows. Kara and Hal's initials create an elegant and tasteful MARK that will stand the test of time.

The Bradford's wanted to put a twist on the traditional monogram. The loved the simplicity of a single Letter representing their last name but wanted to add the framed box displaying their last name and wedding date

The Corinos wanted a MARK that would always remind them of their brisk autumn day when they were married.

If you know the Robertson Family then you know they are avid beach goers. I can’t imagine a better MARK to set the stage for their new life together.

Kelly and Alexander Reynolds said their I Do's in the mountains of Oregon with Kelly's Daughter Bella. The three pine trees represent the strength of their newly formed family of three!

The Smith's had been childhood Sweethearts that tied the knot in 2007 after knowing one another for 30 years!

So what is important to you in creating a Mark for Life? If you need help or direction don’t hesitate please send your contact information to Marked Event at info@markedevent.com for a free consultation.

 

I would like to introduce you to Pink Initiative. They are a collection of wedding industry professionals and private donors dedicated to funding awareness, outreach, education and research for breast cancer.

As a daughter and sister of breast cancer survivors I am thrilled to be part of Pink Initiative.

If you are a wedding professional and would like to get involved, please click here to join in their efforts.

The general public may make donations by following the donation link below.

Thank you so much for your support!

http://www.pinkinitiative.org

What You Can Find at Busybeelifestyle.com!

Do you need a terrific birthday party plan? The perfect gift for a special occasion?  Fun ways to welcome Spring?  Tips for creating curb appeal? A fabulous playlist for a special celebration?  Easy ways to incorporate fashion trends or update  your wardrobe?  Clever ways to use your dishwasher or laundry baskets?

How We Help You Save Time!

In recognition of today’s busy moms, Busy Bee Lifestyle takes the legwork out of adding special touches to life’s everyday celebrations.  We provide clever and up-to-date ideas and having done the research for you, provide links to the websites and products we love.

http://www.busybeelifestyle.com/

Mimosa would pair nicely with Kelly Green for a Spring Wedding or a deep Red for an Autumn event.

Other unexpected combinations might be: Mimosa with Hot Pink, Mimosa with Chocolate Brown, or even Mimosa with Dark Grey.

Mimosa Embodies Hopefulness and Reassurance in a Climate of Change

CARLSTADT, N.J., Dec. 3, 2008 - Pantone, an X-Rite company (NASDAQ: XRIT), and the global authority on color and provider of professional color standards for the design industries, today announced PANTONE® 14-0848 Mimosa, a warm, engaging yellow, as the color of the year for 2009. In a time of economic uncertainty and political change, optimism is paramount and no other color expresses hope and reassurance more than yellow.

Best illustrated by the abundant flowers of the Mimosa tree and the sparkle of the brilliantly hued cocktail, the 2009 color of the year represents the hopeful and radiant characteristics associated with the color yellow. Mimosa is a versatile shade that coordinates with any other color, has appeal for men and women, and translates to both fashion and interiors. Look for women’s accessories, home furnishings, active sportswear and men’s ties and shirts in this vibrant hue.

Mimosa is also one of the 3,000 colors available in Pantone’s line of superior-quality, eco-friendly paint. PANTONE Paints combine the accuracy of PANTONE Colors with the beauty of high-performance Dutch paints. Perfect for the kitchen or family room, painting a wall in Mimosa will add warmth and cheerfulness to any room, especially during the winter months. Mimosa also creates the illusion of being connected to the outside, making small rooms feel open and inviting.

“The color yellow exemplifies the warmth and nurturing quality of the sun, properties we as humans are naturally drawn to for reassurance,” explains Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®. “Mimosa also speaks to enlightenment, as it is a hue that sparks imagination and innovation.”

http://www.pantone.com/pages/pantone/pantone.aspx?pg=20634&ca=10

Marked Event would like to congratulate Angie for writing the winning blog comment on Marked Events Holiday Giveaway Shopping Spree blog.  However she is M.I.A. Where are you Angie?

Angie, on November 30th, 2008 at 5:05 pm Said:

Your 2008 Holiday Photo Cards are very festive! I love the pastel color ones especially! It gets me in the mood for Christmas! Bring on Santa and his reindeer! I love the smiling children on the cards!

You have done a great job, but if I were to add one, it would go something like this:

A Christmas scene with Santa and his sleigh flying overhead. He is making a turn and his sleigh tips slightly, spilling out a treasure chest of brightly wrapped gifts! They are falling from the sky mixed with lovely snowflakes or Christmas tree ornaments! Children are below holding up their arms toward the sky, their faces a glow with joy!

Merry Christmas!

Her winning comment entitles her to receive a free $75 shopping spree to spend on her favorite Marked Event Holiday Photo Card Design for 2008 or 2009.

Please help us find Angie so she can redeem her winnings.

When Emma was asked how she wanted to celebrate her second birthday, two words came from her mouth. Puple Buttfly, or Purple Butterflies to us adults.

Enough said! We were going to center her special day around the color purple and the beauty of butterflies.

For the invitations Emma’s mother wanted to capture the lively spirit that Emma portrays. She is a charismatic, insightful little gal so she wanted her invitations to scream “Come celebrate with me! I know how to have fun at a party!” 

The invitations displayed multiple variations of the color purple accompanied by chocolate brown. We used her actual silhouette to bring Emma’s personality to life. 

Emma’s mom wanted to continue the theme so she had us create a cute paper bag with Emma’s Butterfly Silhouette design. It contained goodies for each of Emma’s guests. One of the items that was a huge hit at the party was a plastic container of bubbles, with Emma’s Butterfly Silhouette design.

The guests then enjoyed a delicious one of a kind cake from Kelly Kakes served on chinet white plates with purple napkins both with Emma’s silhouette design.

Emma is so precious, it was a pleasure to help her celebrate her special day.

So what do you think of our newest cutest customer?

The cake was created by: Kelly Kakes

Emma’s photo was taken by:Zoomwork photography, Marisu Wehrenberg

We did! We began searching for a unique theme for our wedding.

What a challenge!

First, we wanted the perfect design to set the theme for our wedding. Next we had to find a printer to incorporate our design into our announcements and invitations. Lastly, the trickiest part was incorporating our design into our Favors, Decorations and Gifts. Since each vendor had there own limitations it was a true test of our patience. We are happy to say things turned out great!

About a year later Marked Event was born to simplify this process. It’s a simple concept. Choose one of our stock designs and create a unique theme for your event, or sign up for our Free Design offer and we will create a design specifically for you. Next, attach your design to each of our quality products including: Announcements, Invitations, Favors, Decorations, Gifts and more.

It is an easy way to create a Unique Theme for your event.