TIPsy Tuesday: Preview Before You Commit

In these times when you have information at your fingertips, David's Bridal has launched a revolutionary way to dress your bridal party even before you get to the store. They have developed a site called Dress Your Wedding, where you can virtually dress your entire entourage so you can see what it will look like on your wedding day.

With Dress Your Wedding, you can literally choose what your entourage looks down to figure and size, while trying on the myriad of gowns that is available in their stores. You can mix and match, change colors, and personalize the look so that you can see how everything works together. It's a way to preview your entire entourage's wedding attire before you commit to one look.

What's great about this site is that you can also email the looks to your friends and family and get their opinions on the entire look. It saves time and energy because you don't have to schedule people to get to the stores to try things on. You can basically do it all on the computer. The only downside is that you will have to go in and have the dresses fitted. As much as we would like to think that what you see is what you get, when trying things on in person, you won't necessarily feel the same way. At least when you do go in, you will have an idea of what you want and adjustments can be made more readily, since you will have the basic theme down.

Go ahead, play with the computer, and see what you can create. The Dress Your Wedding is very user friendly and easy to use. Additionally they give you some recommendations so all you have to do is personalize it to your liking.

Of course there is nothing like actually seeing it in person and feeling the fabric. But if you have maids in four corners of the world, this just might be the solution you are looking for.

-Percy

Photo from David's Bridal

Favorite Things from The Shop @ PSE: Bridal Jewelry

The Shop @ Percy Sales Events has so many great things for brides, grooms and the entire wedding party. While shopping for some wedding jewelry for a bride, I found these two great items, at great prices!

First is the Felina Cubic Zirconia Earrings that are absolutely stunning. "At just about an inch long these cubic zirconia and pearl earrings are an elegantly understated way to accessorize. Each pierced earring has a silver setting and measures 7/8" long." These beautiful earrings are available at The Shop @ Percy Sales Events for $38/pair.

The other must have is the blinged out Juliana Pearl and Crystal Bracelet. This bracelet is "dramatic enough to be your only accessory, this bracelet also pairs beautifully with a simple pair of pearl and crystal earrings. The inside is set with an invisible, no-pinch elastic band so it's easy to slip on and comfortable to wear all night. Made with faux pearls and crystals in a silver setting." The wrist bling is available at The Shop @ Percy Sales Events for $58.

Both would be great gifts for the bridesmaid or for your own bridal jewelry on your special day. Make sure to see what else The Shop @ Percy Sales Events has for you!

Happy Shopping.

-Percy









Photos from The Shop @ Percy Sales Events

Trend Thursdays: Learn Something from Past Brides and Grooms

Yesterday on both my Facebook and Twitter status, I asked my friends and followers this one question: " I am wondering - for you married folks, what do you remember most of your wedding? For those getting married - what are you looking forward to the most?

I asked this questions so that I can post it on my blog. I think it is a great way for future brides and grooms to see what experiences, details, that the past brides and grooms remembered most. I will try to add more to this list as people respond, but I would love to have my readers add their own in the comments also!

Here's some of the highlighted responses so far:

"I remember the ceremony and having fun with our friends and family the most at our wedding. We don't even remember what flavor cake we had. Of course great wedding photography helps you remember your day!" -Lilia, San Francisco

"Dancing our last dance at the reception as people surrounded us with sparklers under a perfect Santa Barbara Sky." - Sarah, Camarillo, CA

"Having a great time with friends and family." - Future Bride, Jessica, San Marino, CA

"All the wonderful guests! Never have I had so many people I love dearly in one place at one time!" - Carla, Santa Barbara, CA

"My favorite memory was after my brother did his toast, he invited everyone (170 people) to join us in our first dance (rather than dancing alone). We were in tears seeing the whole place slow dancing to Etta James' At Last followed by everyone dancing to Holiday by Madonna. I wish I had a video of it." - Ross, Ojai, CA

"Instead of a guest sign-in book, we gave every guest a card and asked them to write something to us. We read the cards a year later on our one year anniversary - it was amazing! Some had written about our wedding, some about relationships, some had advice - all were heartfelt and it reading them was like being transported right back to the wedding." - Kristin, Santa Barbara, CA

"I remember at one point looking around the reception room and seeing all of our favorite people - friends and family - all in one place...celebrating us! I also remember our video/photo montage set to music that we played during the reception. we got a lot of laughs out of that since they included photos of many of the same people who were in the... Read More reception. I also remember the Friday night before the wedding meeting up at a local bar with our guests who were in from out of town as well as the Sunday brunch we hosted the day after the wedding. We made a whole weekend out of our wedding! It was a mini-destination wedding...we married in Carmel, CA. " - Clarissa, San Diego, CA

"Everyone we love being with us. And watching to see how my Mexican family and his English family will understand each others accents!" - Future Bride Elizabeth, Anaheim, CA

"I remember almost all of my wedding. I made it a point to step back several times & take it all in! I mostly remember the last dance, after the room cleared and everyone was outside waiting for us to leave." - Gloria, Torrance, CA

"The earthquake, I kid you not." - Lisa, Dallas, TX

"When we had our first dance to the Style Council's "You're the Best Thing!" -Jill, Seattle, WA

"I remember the the moment I walked into the church to a piano playing "From This Moment" and saw how full the church was just for us. Also when my husband saw me for the first time. That was definitely a memorable moment." - Rhonda, Union City, CA

"I remember when we lit our unity candle right before our vows and turned around and started to past our flames to everyone in the church, everyone had their own candle. Then the church lights were dimmed and we said our vows in candlelight. It was the most romantic and intimate moment ever, even with tons of guests there." -Percy, Ojai, CA

I hope you will look at what these past brides and grooms remembers the most and what future couples are hoping for. Remember the day goes by fast, so take a moment to enjoy your day and just to take it all in.

-Percy

Photo by Gloria Plunkett Photography

Wacky Wednesdays: Stinkerpants Invitations and Save the Date Cards

I came across Stinkerpants invitations by fluke...actually by blog surfing and automatically fell in love with Sara's designs. These unique invitations, save the date cards, what ever you want them to be cards are all hand drawn by this incredible artists and style-maker. I have not seen anything this unique in a long time and can't wait to use her talents for a bride and groom! I am even thinking I might have her do my family holiday cards this year!

Stinkerpants Designs does everything from scratch. There's no "templates" used and it's truly a custom piece. If you are looking for a quirky and unique way to announce your wedding, invite people to your nuptials, or even tell them to save the date, than look no further...Stinkerpants Designs will definitely deliver that and more.

I love the colorfulness and the sheer joy that these invitations convey. Say goodbye to stuffy boxed invitations and say hello to modern cool! For more information and a gallery of her other designs, please visit Stinkerpants Designs.

-Percy

Photo from Stinkerpants Designs

Busy Busy Busy and Sick

Sorry for the lack of blog this week. I have been extremely busy with upcoming weddings/events and being sick all at the same time. I will resume my regular blogging next week. In the mean time I hope you all stay healthy and well! Have a great weekend.

-Percy

Photo from Tales from a Traveling Librarian

Wacky Wednesdays: WE TV Ugliest Bridesmaid Dress Contest

Your BFF's Wedding is finally over and even though you smiled and gushed at how wonderful your bridesmaid gown was, deep down you knew it was the most hideous thing next to your taffeta prom dress. Well don't despair. The UGLY BRIDESMAID DRESS may just win you $5000!

You heard it right bridesmaids this is your chance to take away the humiliation by getting paid.

Visit WETV and show them why your bridesmaid dress is worthy of the prize.

Here's how it works:

1) Just click on the Register button
2) Fill out the registration form and
3) Upload a picture of you wearing your dress. (Your photo's size must be between .005 MB (50 KB) and 1 MB (1,000 KB), and must be formatted as a JPEG) Non-commercial photos only, please.

After you have done that, spread the word to your friends, family and the world and have them rate your dress against all the other timeless, ugly gowns that is on the site. You think your dress has what it takes to win, enter today at WETV!

Good Luck!

-Percy

Contest logo from WETV

TIPsy Tuesday: Tips for Having a Good Life

I received this today in an email and thought it was a pretty interesting list. So I thought I would share it with you, since it is TIPsy Tuesday.

What would you add to the list of "tips for a good life?" It is broken down to categories.

Health:

1. Drink plenty of water.
2. Eat breakfast like a Queen, lunch like a princess and dinner like a beggar.
3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.
4. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy.
5. Make time to practice meditation, yoga, and prayer.
6. Play more games.
7. Read more books than you did in 2008.
8. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.
9. Sleep for 7 hours.
10. Take a 10-30 minutes walk every day. And while you walk, smile.

Personality:

11. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
12. Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
13. Don't over do. Keep your limits.
14. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
15. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.
16. Dream more while you are awake.
17. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
18. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner of his/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others or remove negative people from your lives.
20. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
21. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
22. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
23. Smile and laugh more.
24. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

Society:

25. Call your family often.
26. Each day give something good to others.
27. Forgive everyone for everything.
28. Spend time with people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6.
29. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
30. What other people think of you is none of your business.
31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

Life:

32. Do the right thing!
33. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
34. Faith and Love heals everything.
35. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
36. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
37. The best is yet to come.
38. When you awake alive in the morning, say thank you.
39. Your Inner most is always happy. So, be happy.

Last but not the least:

40. Pay it Forward. When something good happens to you, do something good for someone else.

I hope you enjoy these tips.

-Percy

Photo from Gloria Plunkett

Inspiration Mondays: Boracay, Philippines

I was reading a magazine recently and there was this photo of Anne Hathaway at the Oscars wearing a beautiful gown by Armani Privé. As I looked closer at the gown, especially at the bottom of it, I noticed how the larger sequence he used almost looked like capiz shells, which automatically reminded me of one of my favorite places on earth, Boracay, Philippines.

I'm kind of amazed that I have not done an inspiration board on my home county until today. So here it is my Philippine Island, specifically, Boracay inspiration board. I was going to use a Monique Lhuillier gown for this board, because she is a Filipina, but decided to highlight other designers this time around.

I am inspired by the white sand beaches of Boracay, off the northwest tip of the island of Panay in the Western Visayas region of the Philippines. It is one of the country's most popular tourist destination. It has been a long time destination for Europeans but most Americans probably have not heard of this magical place. I see it as being one of the top destination wedding locations in the coming years.

I am also inspired by capiz shells, pina cloth, tropical blooms, mouth watering cakes with island flavors such as ube and macapuno, and rich colors of the region. Turquoise waters, beautiful sunsets, and perfect weather round out my inspiration.

My Inspirations:
Location: Boracay
Wedding Gown: Armani Privé
Bridesmaid Gown: Priscilla of Boston
Cake: Goldilocks
Bouquet: Your Image Botanical Designs
Barong Tagalog: Barong Filipino Designs
Capiz Shell Chandelier: Exomod

I hope you too will be inspired by the Philippines and the beaches of Boracay!

-Percy

Photos as listed above. Anne Hathaway photo from Photo Agency, sunset Boracay photo Jose de Luna, Boracay Beach with Chairs by Roger Alcantara

Favorite Things from The Shop @ PSE: Bridesmaid's Shawls

As I was looking at The Shop @ Percy Sales Events for bridesmaid's gifts for a client, I came across these wonderful shawls that has the look and feel of real pashmina, without the price. These Bridesmaid's Shawl at The Shop @ Percy Sales Events come in array of luscious colors and are priced to move at $18.00 each. It's the perfect gift to your maids and they will be able to use it again and again!

Find these and other great bridesmaid's gifts at The Shop @ Percy Sales Events.

Have fun shopping!

-Percy








Photo from The Shop @ Percy Sales Events

Guest Blogger Fridays: DeAnna Cochran Jewelry and The Thoughtful Gallery

DeAnna is one of my greatest friends and confidants. I asked her to do a blog regarding jewelry that gives back and I think it's appropriate for the thoughtful bride and groom. Here's her guest blog...I hope you enjoy it.

- Percy

When it comes to a wedding, there are so many things for the bride and groom to consider. They put their best creative foot forward to create the wedding experience of a lifetime. They consider the perfect venue, colors, flowers, invitations, and food. But sometimes those creative juices run dry when it comes to wedding party gifts.

Over the years, we have experienced our fill of engraved flasks, frames, photo albums, and key chains. While these gifts have the best of intentions...all too often they end up collecting dust on a shelf, tucked away in a drawer, or forever destined to stay in the box...much like the bridesmaid dress we vow we will wear again.

I personally remember the daunting task of choosing wedding party gifts for my own wedding. Shortly before my wedding my (then) fiancé and I took a pre-wedding trip to Como, Italy. As part of that trip we bought very individualized gifts for our wedding party. If a trip to an exotic location is not in your near future there are still great choices for the discerning bride and groom.

The newly launched DeAnna Cochran “boutique” collection is one of those perfect choices. Charitable? Yes. Green? Yes. Thoughtful and personalized? Absolutely. The new “boutique collection gives back to MEND.org (a worthy organization helping parents heal after the loss of a child) and better yet this collection is a way to further limit your footprint on the environment. Designs are hand formed and hand carved one at a time from a “green” high carat metal called metal clay. It is made of reclaimed from x-rays, film negatives, cell phones, computer components, and other recycled metal. The result is fine silver (.999 silver and the purest of silver) with options in 24k gold plate.

From cuff links, to necklaces and bracelets the I can work with the bride and groom personally to put together a special and personalized package perfect for the wedding party. Each piece comes in custom eco-friendly packaging made from natural and recycled materials. Included with each piece is an card regarding the charitable focus of the collection. This is “Jewelry for a Cause”. It is the gift that gives back in more ways that one.

DeAnna Cochran’s “gallery” collection has been recognized by fashion, television, & news publications including NBC, ABC, Lucky Magazine, OK! Magazine Australia , and ON Magazine as well as numerous online publications. Most recently it was awarded “Best in Show” at the Buyers Market of American Craft by Inspired Retailer Magazine (a trade magazine connecting gallery owners and artists focused on social and environmental causes). Her original “gallery” collection is found in prestigious galleries such as the Dallas Museum of Art Museum Store. The new “boutique” collection was launched in October 2008.

Check Out All The Fabulousness at:

DeAnna Cochran Jewelry Boutique Collection
or

DeAnna Cochran Jewelry Website

Photos from DeAnna Cochran Jewelry

1. Initial Necklace in Silver with Gem Stone

2. Initial Bracelet in Gold with Gem Stone

3. Initial Cuff Links in Silver

Trend Thursdays: Heirloom Boutonnieres

Why should the bride be the only one to pass on an heirloom? Now grooms have that opportunity, thanks to these gorgeous boutonnieres by Philadelphia based Amanda Elizabeth Jewelry. I love these flower masterpieces and can't wait to suggest them to my grooms and brides.

Amanda Elizabeth Jewelry has created seven sterling silver creations just for the men in your life or women. It's a perfect reminder of your wedding and can be displayed in a shadow box as a piece of art after the event. These creations run about $475. These are also perfect gifts for the groomsmen or the parents of the couple.

Currently they have the following boutonnieres available on their Website: Lilly, Thistle, Eucalyptus, Sunflower, Carnation, Oak Leaf, and Ripple. All are stunning! The artist can also create these flowers in copper and gold.

Other artists who are doing pieces like this include DeAnna Cochran Jewelry.

A perfect sentiment for the perfect day.

-Percy

Photo from Amanda Elizabeth Jewelry