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xxo,
Brenda
Latest
Fashionably Fresh | Rehearsal-Dinner Dress
At Swann Soirées, we constantly seek to include personal touches and find realistic alternatives to create beautiful weddings. We aim for our clients to be excited about their day, every step of the way…to be encouraged to make planning decisions that fit them and be inspired to add elements which will reflect their vision for the celebration. I’ve learned over the last few months as part of the Swann Squad that this ideology carries beyond wedding planning and is applicable to every part of life… such as fashion!
Being a fashion student, I have to stay conscious about what I am wearing, besides, I’m responsible for keeping the Swann Squad up to speed in this area, we all love a good outfit…and shoes, bags, accessories, etc. Not to mention I cannot let our clients put their bridal party in outfits that are priced higher than an average plane ticket! It can be difficult for us to always keep up with trends, especially when there is something new and upcoming every season…but creativity is free and ideas abound, it’s all a matter of patiently finding what fits our style (and wallet!).
Currently, I am totally enamored by Spring 2011 fashion trends. Especially the recent “70’s Glamour” look influencing the fashion world! The lady-like pieces of lace, crochet, macramé, and items such as bell-bottoms and tassels are both marvelous and fun!
I decided to write a blog post that takes one of the newest delicious looks and re-creates it within the limits of an average budget- I am after all a student and simply can’t afford the $2000 Chanel bag pictured below. For my inaugural post, I was inspired by girly street-style that is perfect for a relaxed rehearsal dinner, meeting with clients for a venue walk-through, or simply a day about town! Stay encouraged & be inspired!
xxo!
Intern Jess
Accessorizing for the Wedding Day | Yellow Headpieces
I am getting married in eight days!
As some of you may have noticed by my twitter posts, I am getting married next week!
Like every woman, on my wedding day I want to look stunning. I imagined my perfect look a few weeks ago, inspired by the color palette chosen for my wedding; Yellow and Orange.
I believe that a wedding day is happy and it should brighten up everything around you. I decided on the colors based on a picture of some beautiful Gerbera Daisies I saw in a magazine. It’s no secret I love Gerbera Daisies, some of you probably saw my Charmed by Daisies Inspiration Board post based on the happy flowers right here a few months ago. The picture I saw gave me a feeling I wanted to emanate on my wedding day…I want that day to be joyous, charming and delightful.
My dress, designed and created by our just as delightful studio neighbor, Kit from Fiveloaves TwoFish, has yellow and orange accents…everything is focused around those two colors. When, it came time to accessorizing my look, I wanted the perfect pair of yellow heels but for weeks was unable to find the right shade, height, or style… then unexpectedly, I found really gorgeous pair that weren’t solid yellow but instead covered with orange, pink and a green flowery pattern- completely different from what I wanted at first, but I was smitten with them!
With the shoes bought it was time to find a headpiece. I’ve researched lots of websites for ideas with the intention of finding a piece I can make myself, but it’s so hard to decide or even focus with so many pretty & happy designs! During that hunt I found many wonderful yellow headpieces that I want to share with you today… you’ll see what I ended up with in just about a week!
Have you found your perfect wedding day accessory?
xxo!
Intern Ania
Top (left to right): headpiece 1, headpiece 2,
Bottom (left to right): headpiece 1, headpiece 2, headpiece 3.
FAB Friday: Honeysuckle Inspiration Boards
Everyday there is someone who decides what the new trends for fashion are going to be, but the decision doesn’t come from an original idea or a thought suddenly hatched out nowhere…
In the fashion industry, every trend is decided through prediction based on past trends. In other words, what goes out of style today will more than likely come back around at some point in the future. Color trends cycle exactly the same, and the color forecasters at Pantone decided that Honeysuckle would be the “It” color for 2011.
Last year’s color was Turquoise; the color of tranquil waters in a far away paradise where one could feel immune of debt & ill financial decisions. Who would have thought that the downed economy would influence color trends? Since it did, Honeysuckle was chosen to force society to face their problems rather than hide from them, as 2010’s Turquoise had done. Eager to help boost the economy, Honeysuckle forces society to respond confidently and have courage to face daily challenges…such as shopping!
No more drowning your sorrows in imaginary Turquoise Caribbean waters! In Pantone’s words, Honeysuckle is a “Courageous, Confident, and Vital color…A brave color with nothing everyday about it.” We like it!
The “It” color of 2011 can be described as an orange sherbet shade of pink, retro, and uplifting, much like a color you would have seen grandma wear in the 1950’s. It was used as a splash of wall color for home décor (accent wall anyone?) as well as in appliances… after all the 50’s was the era that made being a domestic goddess trendy and cool with it’s technological advances such as microwaves and Tupperware, in none other than Honeysuckle pink!
You will see Honeysuckle used for fashion, cosmetics, wedding apparel, paint, home interiors, packaging and even a visa card! We highly recommend all trend-setting brides to hop on the bandwagon of a Honeysuckle-hued wedding as it takes over the world…don’t know about you, but we are perfectly fine living in a pink world…
xxo!
Intern Jess & Brenda
Tuesday Shoesday!
Nothing makes a girl feel better than shoes. Well that’s debatable I suppose, but while I spent over a week in bed trying to figure out how it is I am not immune to every strain of the Flu (oh right, I never got a flu shot!) I also spent a lot of time dreaming of among other things, shoes! Laugh at my misfortune, it’s ok… most of the time the stuff I dream up in my head doesn’t actually exist, BUT here my friends is a pair of shoes I dreamed about (literally) that does exist. They are Michael Kors Mesh Booties, every girl should have a pair! Including me… I guess it’s too late to ask Santa for then but maybe Cupid? Can we write him letters??
xxo!
Brenda
Happy Holidays!
Merry Navidad!
2010 has been an incredible year! It’s got a few more days left too… I just know it will be magnificent! In a whirlwind, 2011 will be here- I don’t want it to get here without saying a few things to all of you:
Thank you to our amazing family, friends, and supporters for your faith and confidence in Swann Soirées. We are who we are and where we are because of YOU! A very special Thank You & Shout Out to our military & their families; We love, appreciate, and believe in you, not a single day goes by that we aren’t proud of you and your sacrifice.
May the spirit of gratitude and grace of humility find us in good health all through the holidays and new year!
xxo!
The Swann Squad: Brenda, Megan, Sherry, and Interns Ania & Jess
Swann Soirées Studio Open House
You are all invited to come check out the new Swann Soirées Boutique Studio!
Brenda will host a casual open house on Sunday, December 19th from 1-7pm.
Come check out the new digs, enjoy some chocolates from our rad neighbors, ChiChocolat, and if you’re feeling merry, you can also drop off a toy for the Toys for Tots foundation. No formal RSVP required, all are welcome; friends, fans, colleagues, former & current clients. Looking forward to seeing you!
2690 Historic Decatur Road, Suite 209
Download directions here.
All images courtesy of LA VIDA CREATIONS. Betsy & Jeff ROCK!
Giggle & Mingle 2010 SUCCESS!!
Upon awakening every morning, I have a routine that includes taking deep breaths, updating facebook, stretching, and counting my lucky stars… occasionally I check twitter too...all before getting out of bed.
The counting lucky stars part is so that no matter what the day holds for me, I will remember that I woke up being able to count the many positive elements in my life… because I have been blessed with that option, I have to find ways to pass it on to others. I am not sure where I get the crazy motivation to take on some of the challenges… like baking 300 cookies for a family day benefitting TFT...or asking all of my friends, family, clients, and strangers to not only help me bake those cookies, but to come eat, drink, be merry, AND bring me toys… but I tell you what… I KNOW I will forever wake-up counting lucky stars and being grateful for this little borrowed life of mine. I live everyday hoping to give as much back as I am getting from it.
For those of you who don’t know, last year I started Giggle & Mingle, which is a Toy Drive disguised as a party for anyone and everyone who wants to help Swann Soirées support the Toys for Tots Foundation, be it colleagues, clients, neighbors, friends, all of the above. For the cover charge of a new, unwrapped toy, you got cheap eats, good drinks (like the $1 Brenda’s, an exclusive cocktail only found at the PL Sports Grill & Pub), and the chance to hang out with not only awesome peeps, but with some pretty dapper men & women in uniform too. This year’s Giggle & Mingle was an absolute hit! We collected over 255 toys in ONE night! Good ones too! Nothing beats the thought of a kid opening up a big ol’ Buzz Lightyear action figure or a talking Storm Trooper mask on Christmas morning. Makes my heart melt! This year we had many of our clients join us… it brought tears to my heart seeing our newly-wed couples AND their bridal parties showing so much support with their presence (and presents!). Adding something nice to all the sugar & spice, is having a team of five, which means that many more beautiful faces to host everyone that came out! The Swann Squad (Megan, Sherry, Interns Ania & Jess) were absolutely essential to the success of the night. It was so incredible I am getting goose bumps typing it out…
The giggling was aplenty and the mingling was heavy… there’s was tons of fabulous door prizes too, among them dinner at The Pearl Hotel, gift cards to Target, iTunes, and Best Buy, music by Mike Thomas of Higher Level Sound, and the always-a-hit photobooth by After the Engagement. Special Shout-Out goes out to Victoria from Theory Weddings & Events for designing the Giggle & Mingle 2010 invite.
THANK YOU ALL so very much for coming out, donating toys, bringing your friends, and most of all for being my lucky stars.
Below is the uber fun highlights video put together by Luke McCain Videography. You can also visit the photobooth gallery and our on the scene coverage by BlueWave Photo.
much love to all of you!
xxo,
Brenda
Herb Infused Wedding Inspiration Board
Although my favorite holiday, Thanksgiving, has looked over its shoulder and said “I’ll see ya next year,” the images and smells of my sage butter roasted turkey, thyme andouille sausage stuffing, rosemary red potatoes, and lavender pound cake are still lingering in my mind…and definitely on my waist. When you’re a foodie, like me, there was no denying what I’ll be sharing on our Inspire Me Monday blog post: An herb-infused wedding!
There’s so many fun, creative ways to put together a herb themed wedding! The scent of rosemary, sage, basil, mint, thyme, and lavender can invigorate the senses visually and aromatically. As the board suggests, bundles of herbs can serve as a name or place card holder. For favors, the options are limitless! You can concoct a salt and herb rub or seasoning. If you’d like a sweeter approach, get a little gourmet by marinating herbs such as rosemary or thyme in honey and include a food or drink recipe that incorporates your personalized gift. Herbs are a beautiful and surprising addition to floral arrangements as well; centerpieces, boutonnieres, bouquets, and even ceremony decor.
During my wedding planning, at the consultation with the florist, we discussed how I LOVE herbs and wanted a natural look to the arrangements and bouquets. I shared with her how I envisioned the dinner napkins to have fresh sprigs of rosemary tied-on with colorful plaid ribbon….the ribbon complimented the flannel shirts worn by the groomsmen. Our venue was surrounded by pine trees that hovered over a beautifully manicured garden area. I wanted my flowers to embrace the allure of our natural setting; therefore, elaborate floral decor was unnecessary. The florist did an amazing job with my requests! There were sprigs of sage, mint, thyme, and lavender accenting the gorgeous bouquets, and at the ceremony, bundles of herbs wrapped in twine designated family seating.
Foodie or not, flirt with all sorts of herb inspired ideas for your wedding…it can make for a tantalizing experience for your guests!
Happy Wedding Planning and HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
xxo!
Sherry
P.S. – Remember that these ideas are not only inspiration for your wedding but for your everyday occasions too. At my 30th birthday luncheon, I baked a bag of lavender shortbread cookies for all of the guests to enjoy. They were yum yum!
Sources:
Mint Bout | Herb Centerpiece | Peach & Rosemary Sprtizer, Herb Infused Honey, Herb Place Card, Rosemary Sea Salt Favor
Thursday Details: Inspired by Ring Pillows
Since becoming part of the Swann Squad and in planning my own wedding, I’ve come to realize that there are many more details to decide on that I originally thought, one of them being the Ring Bearer’s pillow.
Who would have thought it wasn’t as easy as finding a small, pretty, and plush pillow?
While a traditional ring pillow is beautiful, there might be something else that better fits your personality or color palette. As I was researching the options I found a so many choices! Ring bearer pillows have really become a sweet accent that can enhance the tone of your wedding… elegant, modern, chic, and from the traditional to the very unique. Like these botanical flower ring cushions and holders that look like they’re from a fairytale:
Adding a bit of personalization, you can use something like this vintage inspired doily “pillow” decorated with paper flowers, I liked this one, it’s very romantic! For an autumn wedding, why not to use a small white pumpkin, and better yet, how about a toy, like the truck (pictured) or even a doll or bear to entice the ring bearer to participate!
What sort of ring pillow do you plan on using for your wedding?
xxo!
Bride-to-be Intern Ania
SOURCES
Traditional Pillows (top) Left | Right | Center – Botanical Holders – Doily | Pumpkin | Truck
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