Each year weddings get more trend-specific. But as the trends increase, the sizes of the weddings are decreasing. Doing more doesn’t necessarily mean spending more or inviting more. Wedding guest lists are being trimmed as carefully as the details are planned out. Here are some ways to create a fabulous 2013 celebration.

You can’t plan a 2013 wedding and not talk texture! It’s growing year after year and it’s bigger than ever. We have seen it in bridal bouquets that have a varying selection of flowers and uncommon greeneries to bridal gowns with appliques, rosettes and flowers that pop right off the fabric. Cakes are mimicking these fabrics with ruffled layers and large sugar petals cascading down. Modern patterns like chevron and polka dot are some of the most popular. They are gracing the papers of invitation suites and adding an extra punch to tablescape linens. We are seeing a hint of pattern on bridal gowns under traditional overlays like lace and they are also giving groom’s ties a playful look.

Color gives even the most traditional affair an added punch. Bridesmaids dresses are bright and festive. We are still seeing a trend toward variable design in each maid’s attire from gradual shades of ombre dresses to the same fabric in countless styles. The bride’s bouquet has strayed from all white and now includes a multitude of hues and colors. But probably the most noticeable color change this year is the blush-colored wedding gown. Bright white is a thing of the past as brides are choosing softer hues for their skin tones.

Kate Middleton’s lace-style gown still reigns, but with a new twist.

“We are seeing a different take on lace with the Guipure pattern. It’s a larger pattern and less traditional,” said Stacy Fork of The Gown Shop Ann Arbor.

Another trend, according to Fork is the horsehair-trimmed bridal veil.

“The stretch nylon that now adorns some of the most modern and romantic veils has been a top pick,” Fork said. “It definitely gives that extra wow factor to a veil versus just the standard tulle.”

Grooms are taking an active role in the planning. Not only are they attending meetings and playing a role in the decisions, they are adding in details of their own. From groom’s cakes and dessert bars to special signature beers and menu selections, grooms are finding their voice.

Vintage is not necessarily decorating with antiques and it’s often confused with shabby chic. Vintage is a style all its own and the vintage trend in 2013 is the roaring ’20s. Popular shows like “Downton Abbey” and movie “The Great Gatsby”

provide inspiration for wedding style and theme.

“Our clients are enamored with ‘nostalgic vibes’ that are unique to them,” said Heather Zeller, owner of La Boutique Nostalgie. “Shimmering candlelight, garden roses and hydrangeas, lace, birdcage veils and chandeliers in equal measure are popular, key elements in completing the vintage vision.”

One of the hottest wedding trends this year has gone to the birds — literally! The bird theme surfaced in 2012 and is taking flight in 2013. Birds are being seen on wedding invitations, on the top of cakes and they are bringing little accents like nests and twigs to centerpieces. Feathered accessories will also be popular on veils, purses and bridal sashes.

Incorporating yummy goodness you can only find street side will be the icing on the cake for your wedding guests with a food truck! “Late night snacks” or “afterthoughts” have been a hit of weddings for years with selections like mini-sliders, homemade doughnuts and pizza.

But for that crowd that parties hard and gets hungry, why not treat them to their favorite guilty pleasure with gourmet hot dog truck or ice cream truck?

Brittany Craig is the principal event designer and coordinator for Crowning Celebrations. She specializes in weddings and social celebrations. Follow her at www.crowningcelebrations.com.

Tags: Brittany Craig, Crowing Celebrations, Eventista, Here comes The Guide

This entry was posted on Wednesday, January 16th, 2013 at 9:26 pm and is filed under Brides and Weddings, Here Comes the Guide: Winter 2013, Special Section, Star.
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It used to be that you graduated from school, married a nice chap or lady, settled into a home, worked the 9 to 5 and raised a happy family. Mom and Dad threw you a nice soiree of a wedding reception and afterward you started playing house. It sounds so easy! Well, things have changed and so have the order in which we do them.

Today’s couples are getting married older and choosing to climb the corporate ladder before marriage. And saying “I do” is no longer just on their parents’ tab. Couples are contributing to the wedding and simultaneously house-hunting for the first time. So budgets are tight and spending is down from prerecession averages to an average wedding cost of $26,989. Here are some ways to keep yourself sane and your wedding budget-friendly.

The first is obvious — set a budget and lock it in. This will be one of the hardest parts of planning a wedding. It’s like being on a diet. You cannot cheat or you will only be cheating yourselves. The budget will help you make decisions because it will either fit your budget or not.

More brides are wearing in-season pre-owned wedding dresses than ever before. Brides are putting their gowns on the market as soon as the week after their wedding to make a return profit. But whether choosing a gently used gown or a new one off the rack, be very conscious of the alterations. A simple hem can cost $200 and taking it in, moving the zipper or altering the bodice can be as much as $500. So make sure there is really a savings to be had.

Get all your costs itemized. Simple charges like cake cutting and corkage fees can add up. Event the “all inclusive” deals have hidden costs.

One-stop shopping at vendors that supply a multitude of services does not always save you money. Often you will find yourself giving in on what you really want and spending more to make up for it. Ask for a price breakdown from caterers and facilities that supply tents, tables, linens, etc., in addition to food. Know exactly what you are paying for and make sure you can’t do better.

Set limits on DIY (do it yourself) projects. The best way is to create a sample to see how much time and cost it really takes to get it done. Don’t be afraid to ask for help from friends and family. Most importantly, don’t feel like you have to do one. DIY is trendy but it’s not for everyone. Use your talents wisely.

Small and intimate weddings under one roof have many advantages. Large groups require more spending: more food and drink, more tables, more centerpieces, more space, etc. Smaller receptions allow couples to interact more with their guests, often making that DIY project useless because the time spent with people has a greater impact than some craft you made. Having your ceremony and reception at the same location omits added transportation costs and can save you fees on churches and ceremony locations. Additionally it saves on décor and entertainment. The flowers used in your ceremony are easily transferred to your reception with no added delivery costs and your musicians can go right from your recessional music into lively cocktail tunes.

And what kind of wedding professional would I be if I didn’t tell you that hiring a wedding coordinator does, in fact, save you money? Yes, there is a cost for our services. But our expertise and exclusive cost-saving relationships with other professionals makes up for it.

There is no greater savings than the stress-relief and peace of mind that a professional wedding coordinator offers. Being smart with your money starts with hiring one.

Brittany Craig is the principal event designer and coordinator for Crowning Celebrations. She specializes in weddings and social celebrations. Follow her at www.crowningcelebrations.com.

Tags: Brittany Craig, Budget, Crowing Celebrations, Eventista, Wedding

This entry was posted on Wednesday, January 16th, 2013 at 9:19 pm and is filed under Brides and Weddings, Here Comes the Guide: Winter 2013, Special Section, Star.
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There has been a fury in royal weddings over the past year, with William and Kate’s April nuptials taking the cake. From last June, when Swedish Crown Princess Victoria wed Daniel Westling, to last weekend’s celebration of Monaco’s Prince Albert II to Charlene Wittstock, royal weddings are setting new trends.

Every girl wants to get married in style. And when you are a Princess, or about to become one, the dress you choose will go down in history. If you recall, Princess Grace and Princess Diana’s dresses are iconic and set the fashion for their day. Today’s Princesses have had a few things in common; from their sleek satin fabrics, to crystal embellishments and lace details, look for these trends in Fall 2011 and Spring 2012 bridal lines.

Following tradition and respect, neither of the Princesses chose strapless for their ceremonies. Both Princesses Charlene and Victoria had off the shoulder, rounded necklines, and Princess Catherine chose a high, v-neck lace bodice and sleeves.

Embellished details sparkled on Princesses Catherine and Charlene’s gowns. Both showed embroidery depicting flowers, with shamrocks for Princess Catherine. Princess Catherine’s dress featured a lace appliqués on the bodice, skirt and veil, while Princess Charlene’s embroidery, adorned with teardrop pearls and Swarovski crystals, gradually increased down the front of her gown to the trim and center of her train.

Princess Victoria’s satin dress was simpler and did not include embroidery on the front, but that only highlighted her heirlooms: a lace veil and beautiful Cameo gold crown, both which were worn by her mother, Queen Silvia. The veil dates back to the 1962 wedding of her grandmother Queen Sofia of Spain.

Princess Charlene also wore “something borrowed” with a 19th century diamond hair piece on loan from her sister-in-law, Princess Caroline of Hanover. The sophisticated and intricate accessory was nestled in a low bun, offset underneath her right ear. Princess Catherine “borrowed” a diamond sparkler, too, with a 1936 Cartier ‘Halo’ tiara, given to Queen Elizabeth on her 18th birthday from her mother.

All three Princesses carried tiered flowering bouquets, breaking the trend of the more rounded shape. The tiered shape is more flattering to the silhouette of the wedding gown and its delicate details. While Princess Victoria’s was more abundant, Princesses Charlene and Catherine were more petit and delicate.

In all the glory and the grandeur of the day, these three Princesses featured sleek fabrics with streamlined silhouettes to allow graceful, intimate details to shine through. As you choose your wedding day attire, remember that less can be more. Let your love radiate, not your attire.

Brittany Craig is the principal event designer and coordinator for Crowning Celebrations. She specializes in weddings and social celebrations. Follow her Eventista blog at http://www.crowningcelebrations.blogspot.com.

Tags: Brittany Craig, Eventista, weddings

This entry was posted on Friday, July 15th, 2011 at 10:34 am and is filed under Arts and Life, Eventista.
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The Gown Shop, a chic and classy bridal gown boutique has opened in Ann Arbor. Former Perrysburg resident, Stacy Fork, is bringing her passion for the finding the perfect dress to northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan brides.

The salon is a chic, modern boutique highlighted by it’s pink and black décor. It’s the perfect color pallet for the subject of honor, a.k.a. the bride, to stand out in her bridal white.

In the midst of receiving all the new Spring 2011 lines, I was able to ask Ms. Fork a few questions about her fabulous new boutique.

Toledo Free Press: What inspired you to open a Bridal Gown Store?

Stacy Fork: My inspiration comes from years of loving fashion and growing up loving all things with frills & sparkles!  As a young girl and teenager, I danced for a Toledo dance company. My passion has transitioned into helping women finding their dream gown in the last ‘dress rehearsal’ before one of the most special days of their life.

TPF: What advice do you give brides when choosing a dress?

SF: If a dress is telling you “Y.E.S!” I have three things I want all brides to remember during their appointments: (1) The dress has to be ‘You’. While this is a very special day of your life, this is no time to be in a costume. (2) ‘Expense’ – it is always important to know your budget before heading to your first appointment. (Also) know what you feel comfortable spending and if need be, where you can cut corners.  (3) The last bit of advice is to pick the best ‘silhouette’ for your body, which sometimes takes trying on a few before you find “the one!”

TPF:What bridal lines are you carrying?

SF: The Gown Shop is starting with a collection of four different designers from across the country: Modern Trousseau, Amy Kuschel, Carol-Hannah and Fancy NY. The Gown Shop’s range begins at $1000 with the nontraditional gowns, short or tea length styles, and can reach up to $4500 with the more traditional silhouettes.

TFP: What should brides bring to an appointment?

SF: When it comes to wardrobe, it is best to wear nude undergarments on the day of your appointment. If one feels more comfortable wearing a body shaper, more power to you! Remember an associate will be in the fitting room with you to assist you into the gowns, so leave the flowered granny panties and neon pink bra at home for the day.

Only a few of your closest family & friends, those who respect your vision for your big day look!

TFP: What is your most favorite trend for 2011?

SF: A lot of the gowns carried in the shop are slightly more simple in the design aesthetics, therefore my favorite thing to really make a gown your own is to jazz it up with an awesome accessory piece. My personal favorites: bedazzled belts, antique broaches and over-the-top jewelry!

TFP: Other than dresses, what other items are you caring?’

SF: The Gown Shop carries accessories for your big day. The best place to find fabulous 100% silk shoes that can be dyed any color of the rainbow is at The Gown Shop by Benjamin Adams. The shop also has veiling & headpiece designs by Sara Gabriel and jewelry by Haute Bride.

TFP: What’s the favorite thing about helping brides find their gown?

SF: Honestly, the pure excitement and joy of styling a woman’s dream wedding look. When they have that “Y.E.S!” moment – it’s pure bliss for me too! I become attached to my clients and their happiness is really what matters most to me.

The Gown Shop is located at 122 S. Main Street, Ann Arbor.  Call 724.834.GOWN or visit www.thegownshopannarbor.com for more info.

Brittany Craig is the principal event designer and coordinator for Crowning Celebrations. She specializes in weddings and social celebrations. Follow her Eventista blog at www.crowningcelebrations.blogspot.com.

Tags: Brittany Craig, Eventista, weddings

This entry was posted on Monday, February 14th, 2011 at 2:16 pm and is filed under Arts and Life, Eventista.
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When it comes to the top trends of 2011, there are two words you need to know: “Understated Sophistication.”

Color creates ambience and mood and illustrates a couple’s style. As designer John Saladino said, “The most important thing about color is that it cannot be isolated … Every color is only ever seen in juxtaposition with other ones.”

The 2011 color of the year is honeysuckle. It’s a very uplifting color and perfect for 2011 when we are seeing more detail come back into the design spotlight.

But this reddish pink tone is not alone. 2011 brides are pairing colors with a palette of three to four vintage, earthy and sun-washed hues to create their signature look. In the spring and into summer we will see honeysuckle paired with bright blue, navy paired with light pinks and washed pink paired with white and off white.

Late summer into fall we’ll see shades of yellow and green, vintage green with soft pinks and black with pink. These colors will carry into winter as pink will be paired with gold.

Outdoor weddings were big in 2010 and will continue to rise in 2011.

Since destination weddings are out and couples are returning to the comforts of their backyard or family cottage, the party doesn’t have to end. There’s no time limit like there would be on a rented ballroom. Guests can enjoy entertainment into the morning with yummy goodies to satisfy their palette.

And speaking of yummy goodies, cupcake “cakes” are out. Donuts and childhood comfort sweets are in.

We are also saying goodbye to the espresso or cappuccino stations. In are herbal and black tea stations in a variety of herbs, served with natural sugars. Couples are creating their signature tea blend and serving it with their monogram on the tea tag.

As the saying goes, a bride has to have something borrowed, blue, old and new. This year’s something old is trended with Victorian and vintage inspired accessories. Vintage jewelry, pearls and rhinestones are not just worn on the fingers or wrist, but added as accessories to the waistline, dress pick-ups and hair styles.

Making a return from last year are the jeweled-tones, with navy being the most popular. Metallic accessories like gold or silver shoes have been popular for bridesmaids since 2006. We are continuing to see metallic on the feet, but also with over-the-top jewelry, hair accessories, belts and broaches on the bride, bridesmaids and mother-of-the-bride gowns.

And speaking of gowns, the big ball gown is back. When I think of a big ball gown, I think of Princess Diana’s wedding to Prince Charles. Wonder if her future daughter-in-law will follow this year’s trend?

Famous women like Princess Diana were the inspiration for Carolina Herrera’s 2011 spring bridal line. Herrera designed gowns based on famous women of history. Just another way vintage is revived.

In bridal gowns we are seeing the influence of ballet and the movie “Black Swan.” Dresses, even long ones, have tulle skirts and tight bodices.

Grooms are staying within the theme of sophistication with the return of the bow tie and custom cufflinks. Instead of renting the common wedding tux, grooms are treating their groomsmen to custom ties and vests for a signature look. These make great gifts.

Beautiful fabrics are not just for the dress. We are seeing luxurious fabrics on the table from ruffles to custom designs and flourishing trims. With luxurious tablecloths come soft, simple flowers and clean-lined table settings with chic modern glassware. This creates a balanced tablescape.

Still, we will continue to see simple and chic with a lot of DIY (do-it-yourself) projects to create the personal, one-of-a-kind touch.

Another item brides are keeping simple and understated in 2011 is the menu. Instead of heavy gourmet foods, brides and grooms are choosing childhood favorites like mac ‘n’ cheese to complement their filet mignon.

Take a seat. Props aren’t just for fun engagement and couple sessions. Brides and grooms are posed on chic couches with plush fabrics for a more relaxed, comfortable look. This was popular in the ’70s, which makes this trend a bit vintage.

Got royal fever? This year’s brides anxiously await the wedding of Kate Middleton and Prince William, but we won’t see those trends take full effect until the fall/winter season and then boom in 2012. With so many details unknown and the constant parallels of Kate’s simple, chic style and Diana’s lavish, opulent gown, there’s no telling what we will see. Whichever style Kate chooses will certainly take off with dress manufacturers copying the dress overnight.

The 2011 theme of “Understated Sophistication” allows today’s bride to have the platinum look without breaking the bank. Over the top opulence is passé. With DIY touches, and simple luxuries, brides are creating a classic look they are sure to look back and enjoy years to come.

Brittany Craig is the principal event designer and coordinator for Crowning Celebrations. She specializes in weddings and social celebrations. Follow her Eventista blog at www.crowningcelebrations.blogspot.com.

Tags: Brittany Criag, Crowning Celebrations, Eventista

This entry was posted on Wednesday, January 19th, 2011 at 5:59 pm and is filed under Eventista, Here Comes the Guide: WInter 2011, Star.
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Black Friday isn’t just for holiday gift-giving sales. Oh, no! It can bring on a totally different meaning if you are a bride-to-be.Deals are to be had and I’ve got some that will take the cake.

If you snooze, you lose on some great deals at Ragazza in Perrysburg. Shop classic styles with a hip twist. The shop has dresses and gowns perfect for bridal showers and wedding celebrations. Take advantage of summer clearance items for tropical honeymoons and 2011 summer weddings. Doors open at 6 a.m. with 30 percent off. If you get there at 7 a.m. you will receive 20 percent and after 8 a.m., 10 percent off. So don’t be late!

Grand Lubell Photography

Run, run Rudolph! The first 30 people through the doors at Fiddle Stix Boutique at Levis Commons will receive a free Vera Bradley tote valued at $48. Check out the retired Vera Bradley styles to receive 25 percent off totes and bags, perfect for bridesmaids’ gifts.

The tulle will be flying as thousands of gowns go on sale at Gallippo’s Bridal and Formal in Toledo. From bridal gowns to formal attire, to shoes, accessories and veils, everything in the store will be 25-80 percent off. “Nothing will be held back,” Yvonne Gallippo said. This great sale includes new 2011 styles.

To accessorize your wedding day look, head over to Puttin’ On the Glitz in Perrysburg, where everything is 20 percent off and more. Tailor your look with tiaras and custom-designed Swarovski crystal jewelry. There is a lot to see and shop. “It’s pretty much anything you would need for your ceremony or reception,” said Kelly Heuss. You’ll find crystal monogrammed cake toppers and servers, toasting flutes, guest books and unity candles — all on sale. A selection of invitations for showers, rehearsal dinners and weddings will also be on sale.

Starting Black Friday through Dec. 1, you can enjoy two great offers from Grand Lubell Photography. Take $500 off its Creative License Photography package which includes all-day coverage with one photographer and digital negatives. Or take $500 off its famous Photoboothlive, an interactive media that allows you to snap 15 friends at the click of a remote.

Waiting in line? Then dial the phone for a great offer from Bartz Viviano by scheduling a consultation before the end of the year with wedding floral designer Ann Strickland. Brides who book their wedding before the end of the year will receive a free bridal bouquet.

As Jane Wurth, owner of Ragazza said, “Men go deer hunting at 6 a.m. Women go shopping.” So while your groom-to-be is out enjoying the hunt, so can his bride. Happy hunting, to all the Black Friday brides!

Brittany Craig is the principal event designer and coordinator for Crowning Celebrations. She specializes in weddings and social celebrations. Follow her Eventista blog at www.crowningcelebrations.blogspot.com.

Tags: Brittany Criag, Eventista, Puttin' on the Glitz

This entry was posted on Monday, November 22nd, 2010 at 6:18 pm and is filed under Arts and Life, Eventista.
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Fall is in bloom! And I am not just talking about the color change. Fall is the season to get married! Over the past 5 years it’s grown dramatically in popularity with its own trends and styles. Here are this season’s top trends:

Designing tablescapes is one of my favorites! This season we are mix-and-matching flower types, heights and containers. Tables are featured with two or three different designs throughout the room, creating dimension and variety. Bright colors are mixed with traditional fall foliage, such as pinks, yellows and reds which pop against dark plum and burgundy. For smaller, more intimate gatherings, we’ve been mixing in different glassware and chargers to compliment the centerpieces. It gives the table a very organic feel.

Rich, lavish and opulent attire are really coming into play this season. From deep hues in bridesmaids’ dresses to feathered and flourishing head pieces and jeweled-tone shoes, attire is embellished! Brides are opting for Mad Men’s scarlet lips and luxurious and full hair styles. Statement jewels are worn on the gown rather than the neck and cocktail rings accent Bride’s fingers.

Fall is a harvest season when families gather around the table and share a meal. A fall wedding is the perfect setting to serve dinner family-style. Choose seasonal selections like butternut squash ravioli and hearty soups instead of salads and pork and turkey instead of chicken.

We are treating the men to something extra special. In addition to the cigar bar, couples are featuring fine whiskies and cognacs. Serving finer libations after dinner is a nice compliment to a hand-rolled cigar and lively entertainment.

Step aside cupcake. The traditional wedding cake with butternut frosting is making its comeback. Also on the rise are baked goods, such as homemade cookie stations with mom’s famous recipes. A fun, small round cake with a hole in the center is also rounding up the top picks. Yep, you guessed it, the donut is back. It makes for a fun, playful food with coffee bars.

Lights, Action! Boost the ambiance of the room with illumination and lighting affects. Instead of initials on the dance floor, add fun patterns and texture on the walls or ceilings with custom globo patters of leaves, and flowers. Warm hues of amber and soft pink are cozy and highlight the season’s natural colors of the foliage and give way to the feeling of early sunsets and warm bonfires.

Brittany Craig is the principal event designer and coordinator for Crowning Celebrations. She specializes in wedding and social celebrations. Follow her Eventista blog at www.crowningcelebrations.blogspot.com.

Tags: Brittany Craig, Eventista, Mad Men

This entry was posted on Friday, October 15th, 2010 at 2:38 pm and is filed under Arts and Life, Eventista.
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Home is where the heart is. Since your heart is in love, why wouldn’t your celebration of love be at home, too?

For many Northwest Ohio born and raised brides and grooms, home is where they return to get married. Not only does it follow tradition that a man marries a woman in her hometown, but it is also economical and less stressful. As a wedding coordinator, and one-time Toledo bride myself, let me give you a little insight on why staying local or returning to your hometown is the best option for your nuptial celebration.

Oh ya, babe, we’ve got it. We are creative, innovative and cutting edge. You have to be in order to be successful in this business. And believe me, we are successful. We can prove it with our many “Real Weddings” featured in The Knot magazine.

The entire state of Illinois’ wedding professionals are bundled into one resource page on TheKnot.com. But Ohio is the heartland, and not just geographically. Ohio is packed full of wedding professionals, so much that its resource page is divided, with Toledo having its own section. And while not all vendors are listed, they still grace the pages of national publications like The Knot, Grace Ormande’s Wedding Style, Ultimate Bride, and Brides magazines. But I am pleased to say, Toledo has finally put out a guide with top notch Northwest Ohio professionals. And if you are reading this article today, you are holding it.

With social and professional avenues of Internet and print media, we can be inspired and inspire others with creative ideas and trends. Not only are we innovative with our ideas,         but our clients are as well. It’s you, the brides and grooms, who tell us your story and share your love to inspire us to create a one-of-a-kind event. Toledo is not the kind of town that offers a cookie-cutter wedding. There are very few venues in town that will force you into a one-stop-shopping deal. Instead, we refer you to the cream of the crop.

When you hire a local wedding professional, they know you expect a certain level of quality and value. Well-seasoned pros will want a flawless event just as much as you do and wouldn’t steer you to anything less. Therefore ask for professional and client referrals.

Call around to former brides and their mothers and you will quickly notice a network of who’s who in Toledo weddings.

Not only do we know who to refer you to, but we also know where to go. Take your wedding photography for example. If you bring in an “outside” (meaning not from Northwest Ohio) wedding photographer, it will take them some time to get familiar with not just the ceremony and reception venue but also your offsite photo shoots.

It will actually entail more of your time as the client to instruct them on where to go, how to get there and the look you require. Additionally, some venues such as the Toledo Museum of Art require certain qualifications. Because of its investment in fine art and one-of-a-kind valuables, florists and photographers must be pre-approved and provide a certain level of insurance.

If we don’t have it, we can get it. Toledo is a suburb of Detroit and just a drive from Chicago. Specialty products are a truckload away. If we don’t have the goods, we bring them to you without the resale hike paid in larger cities.

As a coordinator, I know that last minute changes and unexpected details arise, but I am confident that my solution is either a local phone call away or a 20-minute drive. If I need extra linen, or notice that a rental was damaged, its replacement is just around the corner.

Just because wedding professionals fees are less than one from a larger metropolis doesn’t mean you are selling yourself short on a great product. Professionals from this area attend the same conferences, learning workshops and use the same equipment as professionals in larger cities.

Aside from hiring local professionals, let’s fast forward to the week of your wedding. Where are you staying? How did you get there? How did your family get there, let alone your guests?

If you get married outside your hometown you are incurring additional expenses in travel and accommodations for not only yourselves, but for your family and guests as well. Money spent here could have been used toward the specialty linens you favored, the imported orchids, or luxurious honeymoon suite.

As they say, bloom where you are planted. Why not let your wedding blossom into a beautiful celebration right here in Northwest Ohio?

Brittany Craig is the principal event designer and coordinator for Crowning Celebrations. She specializes in wedding and social celebrations. Follow her Eventista blog at www.crowningcelebrations.blogspot.com.

Tags: Brittany Craig, Eventista, Here comes The Guide

This entry was posted on Tuesday, August 17th, 2010 at 12:27 pm and is filed under Eventista, Here comes The Guide: Fall 2010, Special Section.
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For some brides, planning their wedding becomes more than a job or hobby, but something of an obsession. They take it on with full force, emotionally and mentally. So after the ‘I Dos’ have been said, the rice has been tossed, the cake cut and the pictures taken, what is she to do?

About one in 10 women are diagnosed with the “post-wedding blues” or post-wedding depression.

“Post-wedding blues is a normal emotional state for brides,” said Toledo clinical psychologist Marina Lung. “This is not due to the marriage itself but rather a feeling of loss of all the excitement, energy and focus in the wedding preparation and planning process. Often, the wedding takes on a life of its own.”

The joy and excitement of a wedding engagement is contagious and oftentimes brides will find their friends getting married, too. Back-to-back weddings can create an ulterior competition. So when the focus leaves them and is on to the next wedding and the next bride, they are left with a feeling of emptiness.

“Brides have been the star among family and friends for the past year and now it is difficult to adjust to no longer being the focus of attention,” Lung said.

The extinguished spotlight can also leave a bride with more time on her hands than she knows what to do with. In preparation for their wedding, brides often tackle and manage a long list of wedding particulars, fine tuning all the little details. Therefore little time is spent to themselves.

“Brides may feel bored and disappointed in social events because nothing can compare to the emotional high they’ve been on for so long, releasing ‘feel good’ chemicals in their brain called endorphins,” Lung said. “It can take several weeks or months to adjust to lowering these chemicals.”

So what is a bride to do if she is feeling the post-wedding blues? Here are a few suggestions:

Write yourself a note. As you sit down to compose thank you notes for your wedding gifts, think of the gift of marriage. Sure Aunt Sally’s crystal vase is one to cherish, but so is finding the man of your dreams and settling into a life together. So, count up your gifts and be sure to include all the blessings your marriage has bestowed on both of you. When you are feeling low, read your note to remind yourself how fortunate you are.

Pick up the remote. Go to your DVR settings and stop recording all the bridal shows on your to-do list. Next, go to your magazine stack and recycle or donate your wedding magazines. Continue around your house and tidy up wedding paraphernalia and accessories. Most likely, you’ve surrounded yourself with all things wedding. You need to give yourself a little break.

Refocus your energies to something just as productive and satisfying. Take a pottery or cooking class, join a book club or fitness center. Get out there and make new friends and expand your horizons. Better yet, pick something you and your new husband can do together. Start a hobby that the two of you can share throughout your lifetime together.

Like they say, ‘Happy Life, Happy Wife’. So, get out there and enjoy your married life!

Brittany Craig is the principal event designer and coordinator for Crowning Celebrations. She specializes in wedding and social celebrations. Follow her Eventista blog at www.crowningcelebrations.blogspot.com.

Tags: Brittany Craig, Eventista, Here comes The Guide

This entry was posted on Tuesday, August 17th, 2010 at 12:24 pm and is filed under Eventista, Special Section, Star.
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Toledo Free Press Star will give away a special bridal prize package worth more than $14,000.

The package coincides with Filene’s Basement Running of the Brides in Cleveland on Aug. 27. The daylong sale offers brides designer gowns, some worth thousands of dollars, at a fraction of the cost.

Craig

“Given the economy, this is a great deal to get a designer dress for free,” said Brittany Craig, wedding designer and coordinator for Crowning Celebrations. “It’s a good bonding trip for a bride and her bridal party.”

One winner will receive a stay at the Cleveland Marriot East, across from Filene’s Basement, and a gift certificate to purchase a dress at the Running of the Brides. The winner will also receive breakfast for two at the River City Grille in Cleveland.

In addition, the winner will receive free bridal makeup and hair from David Broadway Salon & Spa; a free bridal bouquet from Bumble Floral & Gifts; free bridal consultations from Crowning Celebrations; a free engagement photo session with Decisive Moment Photojournalism; a complimentary $200 cake from Cherry Lane Cakes; and chair covers from Meredith Party Rentals.

The Blarney Bullpen will offer a complimentary location for the Bride’s Choice of a rehearsal dinner, couple’s shower, day-after brunch and present opening or a reception based on the wedding party size.

The winner will also receive a “Wedding Gamesake,” a personalized game that friends and family create for the bride and groom to play.

“These are little luxuries that a bride may skimp on to save money. This package allows the bride to feel pampered and have the wedding day of her dreams,” Craig said.

To enter, visit www.facebook.com/toledofreepress and write 100 words about your wedding proposal.

Tags: Brittany Craig, Eventista, Running of the Brides

This entry was posted on Tuesday, August 10th, 2010 at 9:55 am and is filed under Brides and Weddings, Community, Eventista, Star.
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