Hidden Venue Treasure: The Place on the Lake

Hi everyone! I am so sorry it's been so long since I blogged, since I've been writing for the store blog, One Couture Bride, I've been finding it harder to keep up with my daily posts but I'm definitely going to make more of an effort to post on this blog =D

Yesterday I represented Castle Couture at the Elegant Bridal Showcase. We were one of many vendors which included photographers, DJs, limos, florists, etc. It was like bridal heaven! But what I really wanted to talk about today was the place the showcase was held. The Place on the Lake is located in East Brunswick, NJ. It's pretty easy to get to if you're coming from the Turnpike or Rt. 18. I hadn't even heard of it until last night but when I walked in I was absolutely blown away by the natural beauty and breathtaking scenes that it offered.

I took a bunch of pictures on my phone but I don't even think these give it justice. The ceremony site is stunning, the couple say their vows on a platform overlooking the lake. Imagine a spring wedding, it would be unreal gorgeous! Below is a link to their Facebook page so you can get more information:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Place-on-the-Lake-Farrington-Manor/175932095805252

I didn't see too much of the inside but the ballroom we were in was beautiful! Great space and open windows which brings in amazing light. I would say it's definitely a hidden treasure in the Central Jersey area! I would love to have seen more of the inside because if it were to rain or thunder on your wedding day you couldn't use the amazing garden areas, so you have to love it all!

The ceremony site! Behind the platform is the lake which is so stunning!

Amazing water features throughout the entire property.

View from the deck where you can have cocktail hour.

WEDDING CAKE WEDNESDAY: ROSE OMBRE CAKE

WEDDING CAKE WEDNESDAY: ROSE OMBRE CAKE

I adore this cake! The sugar roses look like they can be real and I love how they're painted in a pink ombre design making it trendy, unique and absolutely beautiful!

Ceremony Sunday: Groom's Reaction

CEREMONY SUNDAY: GROOM'S REACTIONS

Anyone who has ever seen 27 Dresses will appreciate this! Before of during the ceremony have your photographer take a picture of the groom the first time he sees the bride, it is such a magical and joyful moment filled with pure love!

Wedding Cake Wednesday: Disney Themed Wedding Cake

Still very much on the Disney high! Obsessed with this Disney cake!

Reception Decor: Unique Centerpieces

I love the idea of designing a centerpiece that is unique and different. This picture here is absolutely stunning and can definitely be done on a budget! These glasses can probably be found at AC Moore or a store like it and then a florist can help design a whimsical and magical creation!

Bridesmaid Monday: Different Style Gowns

Happy Monday everyone!

When you are picking out your bridesmaids' dresses it can often be a challenge because no two bodies are exactly alike. What looks good on one person might not look good on another or it might look good on everybody except one and it can easily turn into a pickle.

A hot trend that's been big for awhile now is choosing the color and fabric but allowing your bridesmaids to choose the neckline that flatters them best. The same color and fabric keeps the entire look cohesive but allowing your bridesmaids to look and feel comfortable and express their personality will make your wedding even more special!

Wedding Cake Wednesday

Wedding Cake Wednesday:

I saw this on Pinterest this morning and thought it was so helpful! It shows how many servings you can get for different styles of cake. It's great to know when you're planning a wedding!

RECEPTION DECOR: CLEAR TENT WITH LIGHTS

BRIDAL STYLE SATURDAY (ON MONDAY): CURLY UP-DO

BRIDAL STYLE SATURDAY (ON MONDAY): CURLY UP-DO

Super pretty and very romantic!

Celebrity Bride of the Week: Priscilla Chan

Happy Fourth of July!! This week's celebrity bride is Priscilla Chan!

Priscilla Chan married Mark Zuckerburg in an ultra-secret wedding in May of 2012. Her choice of wedding attire: a Claire Pettibone nature inspired gown featuring a lazer cut lace illusion neckline. She looks every bit the blushing bride and her look is classic, timeless and effortlessly elegant. What's really exciting is that this gown was not custom designed for her, this gown is part of Pettibone's retail collection which Chan bought at a bridal salon in Denver. Since her wedding, salons all over the world have gotten this gown calling it "The Chan Effect." If this gown speaks to you it is definitely obtainable!

Wedding Cake Wednesday: Starry Night Cake

Definitely not your average wedding cake! This untraditional navy blue cake features hundreds of tiny pearls set to look like a beautiful starry night! Absolutely beautiful!

Reception Decor: Tall Centerpieces

When designing your reception decor, think about the interactions between your guests, especially while everyone is eating and sitting at their tables. Tall centerpieces like the picture shown below offer guests a chance to see each other and have conversations making it a very sociable and friendly atmosphere.

Bridesmaid Monday: How Many Bridesmaids to Have

Happy Monday everyone! A big decision you have to make as a bride is choosing who to ask to be in your bridal party. You've probably got a ton of girlfriends, family members, co-workers that you would like to ask and it's definitely difficult to bring it down to a handful of people. So how many should you ask?

Think about the affair you're having. Is it an intimate destination wedding? A large cathedral wedding? Your guest list really determines the number of your bridal party, you don't want a disproportionate amount of people on the altar to the rest of the wedding guests.

If you're having between 30-50 people, having a maid of honor and one bridesmaid is definitely the best way to go. Between 50-120 people consider 3-4 bridesmaids. 180 is the average number for wedding guests so for an average wedding think about having 4-6 bridesmaids. A larger wedding with over 200 people means between 7-10 is appropriate. But try to stay under 10, a large bridal party will without a doubt overwhelm you.

Check out next Monday's post for more bridesmaid tips!

Bridal Style Saturday : Floral Crowns

Forgot about bridal style Saturday, better late than never tho ;)

Flower crowns in lieu of a headpiece what do you think of this?

Ceremony Sunday - How to Work with Your Church for your Wedding Decorations

Dave loves to tell me this story of when he worked at his church there was a wedding being set up for the next day. The wedding coordinator and her team wanted to tape flower arrangements to the side of the pew to make the aisle very beautiful for the procession. Unfortunately the church did not allow for flowers to be taped on the pew because it could cause damage to them, the wedding planner had not checked ahead and was now in a bind.

Before this happens to you ask your priest/pastor/reverend what their policies are if there are any regarding decorating the church for the wedding. Some churches are more flexible than others and most are always willing to work with you to make your day perfect.

If your church isn't okay with flowers/candles being attached to the pew a great alternative is to have flowers and lanterns lining the aisle (shown below). It creates a very romantic look and still gives the church a special wedding touch for your day.

CELEBRITY BRIDE OF THE WEEK: PRINCESS MADELEINE OF SWEDEN

CELEBRITY BRIDE OF THE WEEK: PRINCESS MADELEINE OF SWEDEN

Princess Madeleine of Sweden married British/American banker Chris O'Neill is a lavish ceremony on June 8, 2013. Her custom designed Valentino gown was made from pleated silk organza with appliquéd ivory-coloured Chantilly lace.

Her 16 foot long veil was held in place the Modern Fringe tiara she's worn several times and adorned with orange blossoms.

This was the most recent royal wedding and because I'm royally obsessed I watched the entire thing on a Swedish live reel just to be able to watch it haha! But since her husband speaks primarily English so the ceremony was half in English and half was in Swedish. Even though I only understood half of what was going on it was definitely one of my favorite royal weddings ever!

Wedding Cake Wednesday

WEDDING CAKE WEDNESDAY:

Ask your coordinator or whoever is arranging things the day of your wedding to take some fresh flowers from your decorations and add them to the cake. This will give a cohesive look to the cake and tie everything together nicely.

Flying Lessons!!!

Since Dave and I started dating in 2011 life has definitely been an amazing adventure. He always inspires me to be the best person I can be and to follow my dreams and passions. I would say a lot of this blog is him pushing me to do what I love most and never look back.

Something that Dave in return is very passionate about is flying. So when an opportunity arose for us to actually get to fly a plane, you can imagine we both were super excited. He was able to get vouchers off of Amazon for flying lessons in the Greenwood Lake Airport in West Milford, NJ so basically he and I could both learn how to fly a plane, ahahahahahahaha!

This past Saturday we finally did it! I was crazy nervous all day mostly because I was afraid of getting sick since the plane would be so small. Once we got there though I was really excited and eager to try it. Dave got to fly first, I was so unbelievably proud of him, achieving his dream and getting a chance to do something he's always wanted to do! And he did an incredible job, definitely a natural pilot!

When it was my turn I got nervous all over again but the instructor was so nice and made me feel at ease and comfortable. In my book, we're all still alive so that means I did a good job hahaha!

I'll always remember that experience and cherish it forever. To me it really symbolizes our relationship. We try new things together, take risks together and push each other to follow our passions and dreams. I couldn't ask for a more amazing man to share my life with, I can't wait to see what other crazy things we get ourselves into!

Reception Decor

OMG I have been so bad at keeping up the blog and FB page the past few days! But it ends now haha, I'm finally getting into a groove with my work schedule and will make sure I dedicate the time to post something at least once a day. And it's Tuesday which means fun reception decorations!

This wedding reception is a perfect example of how to have an absolutely beautiful reception without breaking the bank! The center pieces are made from baby's breath, a relatively inexpensive flower. The tables and chairs can be easily rented at a reasonable cost. My favorite part is the lighting. Often professional lighting fixtures can cost thousands of dollars but a much simpler (and cheaper) method is to hang strings of christmas lights around the venue, creating a very romantic and rustic atmosphere.

Be sure to look out for more posts and tips on the blog and FB page 

CELEBRITY BRIDE OF THE WEEK:AYLSSA MILANO

Alyssa Milano married Hollywood agent, David Bugliari on August 1, 2009 in a country-chic ceremony. Milano said of her wedding gown which was personally designed by Vera Wang, "it was the most beautiful piece of art I've ever seen." I couldn't agree more, this dress is super fabulous and I'm beyond obsessed with her headpiece and hair too!

All About Castle Couture

So as promised this post is all about the bridal salon I work at! Castle Couture is located on Route 9 South in Marlboro, it's an excellent location for people looking for high quality fashion without the hustle and bussle of traveling to NYC. When you walk in for the first time it can definitely be overwhelming, you are literally surrounded by hundreds of beautiful gowns, I said on my first day it was like walking in heaven.

The salon is very modern, clean, elegant and you feel like you're in some posh New York store. Pictures are below! What's truly remarkable is the number of top designers that they carry, I'll also provide a link to their website so you can see the just how many choices you have to select from. There really is no other salon in New Jersey that can match it.

According to popular bridal website, TheKnot.com, the average cost of a wedding gown is around $1100. Castle Couture easily caters to that budget or any budget for that matter while at the same time treating you like a princess that you deserve.

And if you're not looking for a bridal gown, that's okay too! Castle Couture also offers an enormous amount of evening wear, mother of the bride or groom gowns and prom and pageant wear as well! There is also a diamond store for any type of jewelry that you may be interested in, it really has everything!

Castle Couture's Website

NEW JOB!!!!

Hi everyone!!! I am so excited to finally say that I'm officially off of the job market! Some of you may already know that I recently graduated college and the road to finding a first job was not easy.

I started the search in late April and focused mainly on the PR industry, looking for any entry-level positions that were available. My main resource was LinkedIn, it provided me with great access to companies I had never heard of before, it was really easy to navigate and most importantly it gave me the ability to connect to professionals in the industry.

By the time I graduated I had already been on a couple of interviews but they all fell short and when I was done with school I was left with no job waiting for me. A lot of people said to me it was a great opportunity to enjoy my time off and relax but I knew in my heart I had no chance of relaxing if I didn't have a job on the horizon. But that's not to say I was sitting around just waiting for a job to fall in my lap. I was lucky to have a least an interview or two a week, all related PR or marketing but it just wasn't working out and I was getting really frustrated. Even my go to resource LinkedIn didn't have anything new to offer which made it scarier. I kept thinking there was no way I would find work by the end of the summer.

I decided that I needed a new strategy. As much as I loved PR and obtained a degree in it, my main passion has been for a long time bridal (if this blog wasn't an indication enough LOL). I started looking into anything bridal/wedding related and needed to expand my resources as well. I made profiles on Monster and Indeed and was thrilled to actually find jobs that I could apply for.

One job in particular caught my eye, a bridal salon that is close to my house was looking for a Bridal Consultant. The salon is called Castle Couture, it is absolutely beautiful and I knew that was the place for me. I applied for the position and before I knew it I got the job! Since I had background in PR and social media marketing, I will definitely be helping with that but I'm also now a Bridal Consultant in training, shadowing other consultants and meeting brides and their families who are excited to find their wedding gown and plan their special day.

Yesterday was my first day and I felt as if I was walking in heaven. I can't describe the amount of happiness and joy I feel to not only be working but to be doing it in an industry I love and doing what I love. Something I always say is if you follow your passion then success with follow you. When I finally applied that concept to my job hunt I found the right job for me in the right place for me. All of the frustration and disappointment that comes with graduating, looking for a job, and not getting a job was worth it in the end. And even though it was only a four week period, it really felt like an eternity.

Now I am so excited to start a new chapter in my life and share it with all of you! Keep a lookout for a full post on Castle Couture and why it is really a treasure to any bride in the Central/Northern part of New Jersey.

RECEPTION DECOR

RECEPTION DECOR: Feather Centerpieces

Not really into the idea of having flowers in your wedding decor? Feathers as wedding centerpieces can be a great alternative! They're non-traditional, fun, whimsical and can add a touch of character to your wedding!

Bridesmaid Monday

IT'S BRIDESMAID MONDAY!

Grey/Silver bridesmaids gowns can actually be a great contrast in your wedding color scheme! Whether you imagine having red or yellow in your wedding, grey can really make those colors pop while also being very easy on the eyes!

Happy Father's Day

In honor of Father's Day here's a great wedding tip! Before you leave for the ceremony take a picture of your dad when he first sees you as a bride. It's incredibly special, sentimental and a great memory to look back on. Happy Father's Day to all the great dads out there!!

BRIDAL STYLE SATURDAY

BRIDAL STYLE SATURDAY: ILLUSION NECKLINES

CELEBRITY BRIDE OF THE WEEK: KATE MOSS

CELEBRITY BRIDE OF THE WEEK: KATE MOSS

Kate Moss married Jamie Hince on July 1, 2011 in an opulent ceremony that boasted romance to the max! Her custom John Galliano designed gown was effortlessly simple but had symbolism in the beadwork "of a mythical phoenix” says the designer. I am also obsessed with her Juliet style veil!

WEDDING CAKE WEDNESDAY

Vintage Lace Wedding Cake: You can custom design the lace pattern on the cake to match your dress!

Check out the link for amazing wedding updos!

InStyle Weddings: Amazing Wedding Updos From Every Angle

RECEPTION DECOR

RECEPTION DECOR: Black and White and Bling

Creative Ways to Ask Your Bridesmaids

From LaurenConrad.com

5 Creative Ways To Ask Your Bridesmaids:

Ask with a card. Create a custom card that proposes the question. (If you want to keep it easy, check out BHLDN—they have a nice assortment of “Will You Be My Bridesmaid” cards.) Along with the card, you can also present each of girl with a small piece of jewelry from one of your favorite jewelry designers; every bauble can be different to reflect each maid’s personal style. Asking with a card is a simple and sweet way to pop the question.  

Surprise adventure. Whether it’s asking your maids out to brunch and surprising them by popping the question or doing a day at the spa, taking your girls for an unexpected outing and asking them all at once is a great way to invite them to be a part of your big day.

Provide a prep kit. If you consider yourself a crafty gal, this might just be the perfect idea for you: Put together a “bridesmaid emergency kit” for each of your girls. Fill each kit with all the necessities they will need to not only get you down the aisle in one piece (blister bandages, fashion tape, eye drops), but also some items to help them maintain their peace of mind (aspirin, gum, a mini bottle of bubbly). Then present each of your girls with the kit and ask them to be your bridesmaid!

Say it with something sweet. Who doesn’t like an excuse to indulge in a yummy cupcake? When I spotted this DIY on how to make ombré cupcakes in a jar on Marry This, I just knew I had to share the idea… Invite your girls out to brunch and place a cake jar at each of their place settings…once they sit down and realize what’s in front of them they will be pleasantly surprised!

Hang it out. Order personalized hangers (you can find dozens of them on Etsy) for each of your would-be maids. Add a special touch by attaching a handwritten note to each hanger upon delivering it to your girls. The best part? All of your maids can hang their bridesmaids dresses from the hangers on the day of the wedding…can you say cute photo op!?

CEREMONY SUNDAY

A great way to decorate your ceremony is to make an elaborate floral design down the aisle. This technique suits an outside wedding perfectly! Might not be ideal though if you wanted to have flower girls!

BRIDAL STYLE SATURDAY:

BLUSH WEDDING GOWN

(By Vera Wang available at David's Bridal)

CELEBRITY BRIDE OF THE WEEK: GWEN STEFANI

Nowadays blush wedding gowns are a huge trend in bridal. But back in 2002 when pop superstar Gwen Stefani married Gavin Rossdale she made the ultimate statement with her John Galliano gown but having the bottom completely pink.

Since then celebrity brides like Reese Witherspoon, Anne Hathaway and Jessica Biel have married in blush or added pink to their wedding gowns as well!

Dare to be different and true to your style when picking your wedding gown!

WEDDING CAKE WEDNESDAY:

GOLD AND LACE EMBROIDERED WEDDING CAKE, VERY REGAL AND GLAMOROUS!

RECEPTION DECOR:

An all white color palette can be clean, elegant and the epitome of bridal! The centerpieces are made up of roses, orchids, and hydrangeas with hanging crystals giving the decor a full blown romantic feel!

BRIDESMAID MONDAY

BRIDESMAID MONDAY: MUST HAVE PHOTO

All the bridesmaids' looks when you walk out in your dress!

CEREMONY SUNDAY

Ceremony Sunday: petals and lanterns lining the aisle

CELEBRITY BRIDE OF THE WEEK: JENNA DEWAN-TATUM

Jenna Dewan-Tatum married the sexiest man alive in July 2009. Her custom made Reem Acra gown perfectly complimented the fairy themed wedding which was designed by celebrity wedding planner, Mindy Weiss. And now they're about to have a baby =D

WEDDING CAKE WEDNESDAY:

Thank you Becky for finding this website!

This design, by Lisa Marie Kincaid, started with a simple vine—and grew from there! Fondant cake with sugar-paste clematis, dark chocolate vine and sugar balls.

Click here to see more beautiful wedding cakes: http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/1ChUmk/www.brides.com/wedding-ideas/wedding-cakes/editorial-pick/2008/01/the-50-most-beautiful-wedding-cakes?fb_action_ids=10200303858342634&fb_action_types=stumbleupon%3Ashare

RECEPTION DECOR:

Cherry blossoms utilized in the reception space can make a room feel like an enchanted garden! If the arrangements are tall like they are in the picture, it can also fill the space very easily.

BRIDESMAID MONDAY

This strapless chiffon bridesmaids gown offers that perfect touch of floral to compliment a spring or summer wedding!

CEREMONY SUNDAY:

Shout out to my friend Alexa for giving me this idea of Ceremony Sunday! Each Sunday I'll try and find a cool picture of a ceremony site or decor, hope you like it!

This chapel in the woods is in Arkansas! I'm not sure if you would ever want to get married in Arkansas but at least you know it's an option lol!

CELEBRITY BRIDE OF THE WEEK: KHLOE KARDASHIAN ODOM

Anyone else who is a die hard Kardashian fan can agree that Khloe and Lamar's relationship is the epitome of a whirlwind romance. Within a month of just meeting each other they were walking down the aisle! T This lavish wedding was put together in only 9 days by the bride’s mother, Kris. The bride and her bridesmaids wore gowns by Vera Wang, a friend of the family.

Wedding Cake Wednesday:

Just the right amount of purple 

RECEPTION DECOR:

Hey guys! Sorry I've skipped the last few days, it's been a crazy with graduation and moving out!

Anyways I saw this reception decor and thought it was the epitome of romance with the soft color palette and candlelight

Celebrity Bride of the Week

CELEBRITY BRIDE OF THE WEEK: MONICA GELLER FROM FRIENDS

Okay so I'm not sure if a TV character is an actual "celebrity" but we're gonna go with it for this week!

Today is actually the 12th anniversary of when Monica Geller married Chandler Bing in one of my favorite TV weddings ever! Her wedding gown was so classic and pretty!