Perfect Wedding Show Photos

The Perfect Wedding Show was held on Sunday at International Market Square and was very well attended. Over 670 brides enjoyed the opportunity to meet wedding professionals all in one location kind of like speed dating squared.

I had the opportunity to show off our design techniques by creating four themed tablescapes - Fall - Winter - Spring & Summer. I started with fabulous new linens from La Tavola in Napa Valley and accessorized with Base Plates, China, Silver, Crystal, Votives and numerous other accessories.

Dozens of brides loved our ideas and took photos for future reference. In fact someone loved my ideas so much, they literally stole some of my accessories. Sorry people, I wasn't giving out samples...I guess I should be flattered that they truly loved my ideas, however taking them without asking is just plain wrong. Oh well, I can have replacements made.

Enjoy these photos which pretty much speak for themselves.

Perfect Wedding Show Sunday

I spent the better part of today setting up my booth at the Perfect Wedding Show. Although I'm not finished, I have to say it looks better than I imagined. I can't give away all my secrets but I designed four very different tablescapes, all with seasonal themes.

I tried to go over-the-top on a couple of the tables while creating a toned down eclectic design on the others. I also incorporated antique refurbished chairs thanks to Melissa Stratton who rescues chairs doomed to the junk pile and breathes new life into them by refinishing, repairing and recovering these beauties.

Sadie's Fine Florals and The Late Bloomer each provided gorgeous floral designs and MBellish provided a non-floral albeit stunning eco-chic centerpiece for one of the tablescapes. I can't wait to publish the photos.

If you live in the area and can stop by, say hello to me at booth 122 at International Market Square at 275 Market Street in Minneapolis. The Perfect Wedding Show opens at 11AM and goes until 5PM. After which you will find me tearing everything down, packing it up and returning to my studio long into the night.

Local Resource = Big Savings...

...and it's eco-chic. What could be better than this?




Gosh, I'm getting ahead of myself I better explain - I'm so excited to be working with Mari Bern of MBellish a wonderful company she founded over four years ago {and ahead of the eco-friendly curve I might add} which rents unique, stylish and reusable wedding decor.

She is located in Newport {a St. Paul suburb} however will come to you with her beautiful samples which is an added bonus when you and your wedding planner are selecting linens on the other end of town and having a hard time imagining how everything will coordinate. Mari has a great sense of style and creativity which is why many of her weddings have been featured in Minnesota Bride and The Knot.

Many of these pieces can be stand-alone or MBellish-ed with flowers... they're lovely either way. Two GREEN thumbs up to Mari Bern of MBellish for her contribution to the eco-chic world of weddings and providing less wedding waste.

Trend-setting Save-the-Dates and No Paper Waste

My studio mate Andrew sent me his Save-the-Date for his upcoming wedding in May, 2009. I love this idea for two major reasons...Number One: it's something completely new and as far as I know hasn't been done. If it has I don't think anything else has been as elaborate as this.

Secondly and more importantly no tree was harmed in the development and sending of these Save-the-Dates and an added bonus, no mail carrier was injured making these deliveries. Everything was prepared and sent electronically. I feel that this format has much more impact than just a postcard or magnet. Thanks to Merina Burda and Matt Brue who collaborated together on this exciting innovative project.

Check-out this link for the complete picture: Andrew & Janelle's Wedding. Feel free to contact me at Fete Perfection for more information or to reach Merina or Matt for your own customized save-the-date.

Simple Ideas to Reduce Waste

Since I Do Vow To is generating interest and gathering speed to become the newest hottest resource for trendy wedding ideas, I've decided to get back to my roots, if you will and start posting weekly tips for reducing wedding waste. Technically we are still in the engagement season, however wedding season is fast approaching so I'd love to have dozens of new ideas posted for all to adopt as their own.

The trend I'd love to forever eliminate from the whole wedding scene is to forgo the favor. Admit it...is there a single favor you've ever brought home that really touched your heart or that every time you look at it recall fondly "Liz & Tom's" wedding? I can't - and I've been to hundreds of weddings, professionally and socially.

Honestly, who needs another ornament, bar of soap, golf ball or wine charm? And as much as I love Godiva truffles in beautifully packaged boxes, I don't need 420 additional calories from the two-piece favor pack which by the way, costs $4.75 each. With 200 guests that's a savings of over $950 but money isn't the only reason to do this, although it's a secondary benefit. I hate to think of our lives as depicted in the movie Wall-E, but I also don't think that future is so far-fetched.

Wedding planners of the world, unite and fight against the favor! Brides and grooms, if the idea of a favor is a priority, why not take what would be spent and donate it to a charitable organization near and dear to your heart. I believe your guests will be touched by your generosity and grateful to not bring home another favor that ends up in the trash.

Wedding Waste

I'm going to go out on a limb here and make some unpopular declarations about weddings. I recognize that I am part of an industry that thinks little about all the waste associated with modern day weddings and I want to change that. Now more than ever we need to completely revamp our old ways and embrace the challenge of making those changes.

Last year I had the opportunity to meet Colin Cowie, author of many fabulous wedding and lifestyle books, celebrity planner and designer to the stars, dignitaries and crowned heads around the world. He is a truly gifted designer with a vision most of us can never dream of. He's also a very benevolent contributor and educator to the wedding industry, however I was shocked at his response to my simple question. After viewing a slideshow of one of his recent 2.5 million dollar weddings which really was extraordinary, I asked him what he does with all the stuff.

His response...apologetic as it was..."we throw it all away". He acknowledged his carbon footprint is grossly huge and added that this is the one depressing aspect of his business. I began thinking this is "the" depressing aspect of the wedding industry.

The wedding industry as a whole thrives on trends, change and challenges, therefore I am challenging everyone in this industry to change the way they do business and to make it trendy to reduce wedding waste by 25% starting now.

The newest division of my wedding planning business Fete Perfection, is I Do Vow To. My hope is to create awareness to all the waste and to educate couples as well as the professionals they hire to make a significant impact on the waste problem. Secondly, I would love to see couples passionate about contracting with only wedding professionals who are committed to giving of their time, rather than just money to worthy causes.

I have been meeting with many local wedding professionals to discuss the concept of I Do Vow To and to learn more about their personal missions. I am so pleased to learn how many have been quietly making a difference. My mission is to work with couples with the same sense of responsibility and commitment to making a difference, one wedding at a time.

For now, I Do Vow To is a concept and a blog, but look for details and other ideas in our new website which will be named I Do Vow To coming soon.