AMA - Red Carpet looks more WTF than OMG.

I love award shows and seeing all the glamor and gowns and bling and fabulousness. But it seems last night's AMA (American Music Awards) were more about trying to out do Gaga's outfits (she wasn't even there) - which can't be done or trying too hard to make a statement - whatever statement they were trying to make. I thought most of the outfits were a big fail and quite disappointing. Here's a look at the parade of HORRIFIC outfits that came down the red carpet last night. Just seemed like an off year.

(Mike Nelson / EPA)
I get it, less is more, but it was a just a bit off Rhi Rhi. Maybe you should have taken a cue from Hallie Berry's 2002 Oscar Gown by Elie Saab - the same designer that did this number. Your asymmetrical green draped dress by Elie would have made a better impact on the red carpet.

(Chris Pizzello, Associated Press)
Ke$ha, maybe you should replace the $ with a ¢ because this entire look likes like one HEFTY mess. It looks like a PR garbage bag challenge and you oddly are reminding me of the female version of Syndrome on The Incredibles. I hope this was not the junk junk you were talking about that boys wanted to touch.

(Danny Moloshok / Reuters)
Miley Miley Miley - maybe we should just change your name to Charmin because it looks like you forgot to check your behind before you left the restroom in this Marchesa gown. I think chopping off the train would have made this couture look much better.

(Chris Pizzello, Associated Press)
Willow - you've got my hair whipping but fire your stylist now. This concoction that they assembled is a hot mess and has me shaking my head NO NO NO. Overworked couture on a preteen just looks odd and the fit not too flattering...if you were older people would be saying what's up with the CT.

(Danny Moloshok / Reuters)
Nicki Minaj there is so many things wrong with this. Let's just say, maybe you should get your money back from the metal yard - they'll buy back by the pound. Manish Arora the designer of this number just did too much - way too much. If he wanted his couture to be recognized in The States maybe he should of put her in one of his other and absolutely stunning colored frocks. Plus wasn't the skeleton thing already done by Lady Gaga last year on stage? A rehash of his (Manish Arora) carousel dress that Katy Perry wore to the European Music Awards would have been a welcomed site too.

Regardless of the train wrecks - and there were more of those than just the ones above, a few of the celebs were right on the mark. Here are three of my favorites from the evening.

(Chris Pizzello, Associated Press)
Katy Perry is a teenage dream in this pale pink confection by Badgley Mischka. Simple, classy, dreamy.

(Danny Moloshok / Reuters)
Kelly Osbourne in Dior - absolutely beautiful. She looks old Hollywood fabulous, thinking Bridgette Bardot - sexy but classy.

(Chris Pizzello / Associated Press)
Taylor loving the bangs and this bang up dress by Collette Dinigan. You sure know how to light the way!

So that is my recap for this years AMA Red Carpet looks. Quite disappointing year - lets hope the couture for the awards season are better than these frocks.

Destination Weddings - The New "IT" Thing

Destination weddings have been around forever, but more and more couples are finding that these weddings are more attainable and affordable than having one in their hometown. Regardless if it's an international destination or a different state, the couples dollars are stretched further by taking their nuptials elsewhere.

One of the main reasons for this is that in some international destinations, their dollars go further and they are able to get more bang for the buck. Additionally, they are able trim their guests list to family and friends who are a part of the couple's lives, rather than including extended guests who the couple may not know personally, without feeling guilty of not inviting mom's co-workers or their fourth cousin twice removed.

I'm finding that many couples are entertaining this idea more and more, especially when they see how the over-the-top "platinum" weddings can translate to an enjoyable mini vacation for their guests. Additionally, couples on a budget are also finding that they are able to get a more unique wedding options when they look at destinations abroad or in another state. Plus the options of destinations for weddings are endless!

I believe that this trend will be more increasingly popular as couples try to find new ways to say I Do, while making it a truly memorable experience for their guests.

Some hot areas to have a destination wedding:

Riviera Maya, Mexico
San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
Prague, Czech Republic
Sicily, Italy
Quebec City, Canada
St. Lucia
St. John
Tortolla
The Bahamas
Puerto Rico
Miami, Florida
Napa Valley, California
Santa Barbara, California
New Orleans, Louisiana

Destination weddings are an experience on it's own. Working with a Destination Wedding specialists like, Percy Sales Events, will make the experience seamless and will help in making sure that you and your guests enjoy every moment of your wedding experience.

If you are looking for a wedding that will truly wow your guests, don't rule out how a destination wedding can work within your budget. You just might be surprised!

Secret Gripes About Weddings

I recently read an article by Meredith Bodgas on MSN Lifestyle titled Wedding Guests' Secret Gripes, which I believe first appeared on The Knot, and I thought...wow what an excellent and candid way of telling brides-to-be exactly what their potential guests may be thinking. I thought the article was wonderful and have posted the list of gripes Meredith wrote about here:

"Your Timing Stinks
Huge time gaps between the ceremony and the reception — the ones where the ceremony starts at noon, but the party isn't until 7 p.m. — are annoying because you're often leaving us in the middle of nowhere with absolutely nothing to do. We don't want to kill time at a restaurant because we're hoping you'll feed us well at your reception. And there's only so much lingering we can do at a coffee shop or a bookstore ... in our dressy clothes! We'd much rather head straight to the party after the "I dos."

You Picked a Bad Day
We've had weddings on every holiday, from Mother's Day to Super Bowl Sunday (yes, that counts as a holiday). You must realize that we'd rather be with our moms or watching the game instead of going to your wedding on those days. And please don't ruin our holiday weekends. We get it; you can save a bundle if you get hitched on the Sunday before Memorial Day, but maybe we'd like to take our vacations then. If nothing else, please don't get married on some random Tuesday night. That means we have to take off two days from work just to go! Let us use our vacation days for vacations.

You're Boring Us
The ceremony may be the most important part of the day to you, but the reception is what we're really looking forward to. When it takes forever to get dinner served, each speech is 25 minutes long, and you play a string of songs that are all inside jokes with the same group of friends, there isn't much time for getting our groove on. Uh, and if the band's so bad that no one's dancing — including you and your groom — we just think, Why are we even here? Showing us a really good time is the least that you can do to thank us for giving up our free day, traveling, and getting you an expensive gift.

The Food Isn't Great
Why would you bother spending thousands on your flowers if your food is going to taste terrible? We want a delicious meal way more than we want pretty centerpieces. You don't know this, but we actually think of that $200 gift as a contribution to a great meal. If it's not as good as something we'd have at a restaurant, we're going to be disappointed. Even if the food is tasty, don't make us go hungry. We don't need an eight-course meal, but we don't want to have to push through other guests just to get to the tiny hors d'oeuvres you're calling dinner.

You Make Us Pay?!
Treat your guests like guests; don't make us bring our wallets whenever we want a drink! When you have more than 300 guests and a cash bar, we wish that you would've just cut the list and paid for our drinks instead. How exactly are we supposed to feel when we paid for flights, a rental car, a hotel room, and a gift, and then you make us pay at the bar? So not cool.

You Sat Us Here
We want to have fun at your wedding, believe us, but it's pretty tricky when you seat us right in front of giant speakers. We won't be able to talk to anyone at our tables or enjoy our dinner if you're blowing out our eardrums. Before you book your venue, make sure there's enough space for tables without having to make us sit in the DJ's lap. And don't make us suffer in the heat. If you're having a summer wedding, do it somewhere with air conditioning!

Also, if you want to be outdoors, don't make us rough it: Walking around in the mud, swatting bugs, or using porta-potties is even less fun in formal attire. And please give us plenty of places to sit. Cocktail hours are great, but it's pretty tough to balance our plates, drinks, and purses while standing — in heels no less!

You Don't Invite a Plus-One
Nothing reminds us of our dating status like a wedding. No need to rub it in our faces with even more reminders. The garter and bouquet tosses are like saying, "Hey, look at them. They're single!" Could you blame us if we hide in the bathroom as soon as the DJ announces it? And, come on, even if they did honestly predict we'd be the next to marry, do we really want some cheesy guy slipping garters up our legs? Of course, we'd prefer to be invited with a date, but we get why you may not be able to give us that, especially if we'll know lots of other people there. But if everyone we know is making out with their significant other all night, we're going to be pissed that you couldn't include one extra person to make us feel a little more comfortable.

You Put Us to Work
We know we'll have to help out with some tasks when we agree to be in the bridal party, but it's insulting when you consider a task like manning the guest book table an honor. We'd rather just be a regular guest at the wedding than have some silly duty like that. At the very least, give us a heads up if you'll need our help. Don't spring flower girl babysitting duties on us minutes before the reception.

You Don't Say Thank You
It's frustrating when we fly all the way to your wedding and you don't take the time to thank us for making the trip. Even if we haven't come a long way, make an effort to thank us for coming anyway. We know it's hard to talk to every guest at the wedding, but that's why, at the very least, we better get a thank-you card from you when you get back from your honeymoon!"

----------------------------------------------------------

Some of Meredith's insights are pretty harsh and some are pretty much right on target. I asked my friends on Twitter and Facebook what their secret gripes about wedding are and here's a sampling of the responses I received:

"My biggest gripe about weddings is that sometimes people don't know how to loosen up and have a good time. Wedding are about celebration...so let's celebrate!"

"As a guest and photographer, the time gap has always annoyed me. Especially when it's more than an hour and the ceremony and reception are far apart from each other."

"I don't like how the bride's family and friends have to sit on one side and the groom's have to sit on the other!!! Let's mix it up people!!!"

"Not knowing who the other guests are and trying to figure out who is related to who, or not related"

"I want to see the faces of the bride and groom -not their backs - when they say their vows. I'd rather see the back of the person marrying them."

"Who the heck does money dances anymore? I was at wedding a few weeks back and they had a money dance that took 45 minutes!! People were actually yawning and leaving!!"

"The nicest wedding I attended was one in which the bride and groom walked around to all the tables and personally talked to each of the guests. If you can't do it, don't invite so many people."

"One secret gripes is the lack of time to talk with the couple. i understand that everyone wants them, but more face time = good"

"Waiting for the ceremony to start for a long long time. Please start within 15 minutes of your invite time. Some of us get there at least 45 minutes before the ceremony and having to wait two hours for a 15 minute ceremony is absolutely insane."

If you have your own secret gripes about weddings, please post it in the comment section...and yes you an post it anonymously!

-Percy

Photo from Benachi House and Gardens

What's Hot and What's Not

A friend of mine, who is getting married, came by the other day and showed me some stuff she wanted to do for her wedding...I don't know if she was joking or not, but seriously I was scared of her choices. She told me that these were her "inspirations" and wanted me to help her come up with something that was fresh but still had the same feeling. So she challenged me to turn her crazy inspirations pics into something that is well...a little more up-to-date.

This is my hot and not list for my dear friend...which I may have to rethink after seeing her choices. Her choices are the NOT pics and mine of course are the HOT pics. Here we go...

First the head piece. My friend wants to wear bling...

I realize that every bride wants to be a princess on her wedding day. But really gals...the tiara, especially ones that's only fit for royalty, is a little passe...it's very 2007. For an up-to-date look that still gives your up do a little flair, try some hair adornments that are placed towards the back or side of the hair for a fresh updated look.

Now the dress...she wanted to stand out...

Okay ladies, I also realize that pick me up skirts is another princess concept and the colored dresses was the sign of being the "un-bride" or "unique bride." But...do you really want to see those pictures 5, 10, 15+ years from now and think..."who in the hell thought this was a good idea?" Pick me up skirts are fabulous, but you really don't need that extra bling on the skirt. Next the color RED...okay I know "rebel bride" but it just screams...really cheap. Instead try for a hint or subtle color in blush, pale pink, champagne or for you bolder brides a faint sea foam. Trust me if you want to make an impact choose something subtle with just one or two unique details...people will scream WOW rather than OMG.

The shoes or can I say glass slipper...

Again, I get the Cinderella syndrome, but when it comes to shoes, do you really want your feet sweating inside plastic on your wedding day? It's not comfortable and when you get back to your suite that night, the feet may be a little too funky for the groom. Instead of taking the glass slipper literally, go for a shoe that hints that it's a glass slipper but still wearable and more comfortable. Unless you plan to leave it on a staircase during the evening, most people won't even see them anyway.

The multi-colored bouquet...

I love the use of colors in a bouquet...but only if it's done correctly. It could turn a joyous full burst of color to one big hot mess. When choosing a multi color bouquet, plan on going more with less. Choose interesting flowers with bold colors but keep the styling simple...all the other dodads and things popping out of the bouquet are not necessary. You want it to be pleasing to the eye and not an eye sore.

The cake...did she seriously say she wanted to have a satellite wedding cake (multi-tiered mess)...

The satellite cake was very popular in the 1970s and though it's not at all modern or pleasing to the eye...some people still like to have this set up. In modernizing and making this cake wreck concept go away...one can do multiple, small, multi-tiered cakes in the same color palette with different designs, it gives a throwback to the satellite concept without having to go there. Additionally, it will lend a beautiful visual to your dessert bar.

Hopefully my friend sees the difference between what she thought she wants and what I know she wants. There's a fine line between hot and not, but when it comes down to it...remember the saying, "Less is more!"

Stay cool!

-Percy

Photo Credits: "Not" photos from various websites on the Internet, "Hot" photos from Brides.com except for "Hot" Shoes which was from Zappos.com

Cake Love: Just the Frosting by Jennifer Tan

Okay folks, you all know that I love everything sweet and especially love my cakes. Well there's a new player in town (San Francisco Bay Area) and you need to RUN not walk...RUN to her and have your cake made by this incredible artist/baker! Jennifer Tan started Just the Frosting from her kitchen and continues to do her artistry as a side business. I told her she needs to lose the day job and do this full time.

The picture of the Ni Hao, Kai Lan birthday cake was for my niece's 1st Birthday in June. It was absolutely beautiful and out of this world delicious. Her fondant work is incredible and very detail oriented...she even covered the top part of the cardboard base in fondant...which is unheard of. The cake was a tasty banana nut confection with cream cheese filling. Mmmm I am craving it now! The Kai Lan topper was made out of gum paste.

Seriously folks, if you want a wow cake that's pleasing to the eye and mouth at your next wedding, birthday, or other celebration contact Jennifer Tan. Trust me...it's more than Just the Frosting that is going to make her and her cakes a household name! You won't regret it and you will fall in love with her cakes too!

-Percy

Photo from Just the Frosting

Wedding Gown Designer to Watch: Rosa Clará

Rosa Clará is the designer to watch and I would not be surprised if she was the go to wedding gown designer in the next couple of years. I'm in total awe after seeing some of this designer's gowns.

Rosa Clará has been in business since 1995. Her designs are known in Latin countries and on the European circuit but have not quite made an impact here in the US. She currently has some gowns being sold exclusively at Kleinfeld Bridal in NYC and some select styles can be found at premiere bridal boutiques throughout the US. A list of local retailers can be found on the Rosa Clará Website. Rosa Clará is based in Barcelona, Spain.

Rosa Clará designs are absolutely modern, gorgeous, and it transcends time. She states that her '09 collection is, "Inspired by two trends: One, simple lines with close fitting gowns. And the other, spectacular volume." All I can say is that her gowns are like none I have seen in recent years. You also need to check out the Rosa Clará '08 line and you will notice that things she was putting out last year are now being presented by other designers this year. She is definitely "wedding" fashion forward.

It seems as if she has taken aspects from different cultures and made them her own. You will see gorgeous draping on Grecian Gowns, Kimono inspired wedding dresses, Modern Princess Gowns and of course...an ode to Barcelona, Spanish influenced gowns.

Additionally, many of her pieces can morph into a second look by adding or removing lace jackets that she has designed to go with certain gowns.

Here's a sampling of the gowns I love.

Style #213 Languido - Organza dress with beading and a Chantilly lace jacket with hemstitch decoration. A lovely dress with two looks. When you take off the full-length lace jacket, you are left with a stunning strapless gown, perfect for the reception.

Style #248 Lua - Beaded bodice with a silk brocade skirt and train. This dress reminds me of a modern Kimono. The train detail is so wonderful with its multiple tiers. The dress is so simple yet so stunning.


Style #159 Lyla - Halter dress with floral neck embellishment and embroidered flowers on a full skirt. The ultimate playful princess dress. I love the embroidery on the skirt; it gives the gown a little spunk, but keeps it elegant at the same time. Cinderella would have been proud to wear this gown.


Brides...you need to check out the Rosa Clará line, there are so many wonderful gowns to discover on her site. Additionally she also a second line that is more affordable called Two by Rosa Clará and a link to her Complements line of veils, tops, shoes, and headdresses (used by Karl Lagerfeld in Chanel's Pre-Fall 2009 Collection Fashion Show).

I hope you will love this designer as much as I do. I can't wait to see what she has in store for us in coming years.

Jo Vull Rosa Clará!

-Percy

Photos from Rosa Clará

Trend Thursdays: What's Hot in Bridal Gowns

Every bridal season we are wowed by the designs that are created by fabulous designers. There's always a handful of trends that is a must have for that year. In the past we have seen colored ribbon sashes, Swarovski crystal embellishments, the mermaid dress phenomenon, and even colored wedding gowns. So what's the must have look this year?

Here's my trend alert for the remainder of the 2009 bridal season, which will carry over to the early part of 2010.

1) Empire (ŏm-pîr') Waist

from left to right: Vera Wang, Priscilla of Boston, Jenny Packham, Alvina Valenta

2) Flower Power

from left to right: Carolina Herrera, Angel Sanchez, Anne Barge, Jim Hjelm

3) Over the Top Bows

from left to right: Amsale, Oscar de la Renta, Vera Wang, Vineyard Collection

4) Sleeves

from left to right: Le Spose di Gio, Manuel Mota for Pronovias, Monique Lhuillier, Reva Mivasagar

I hope you all like my trend report. Regardless of the trends, always pick the gown that you feel the prettiest and happiest in. I have heard from many brides that you will know the right one for you. Happy dress shopping!

-Percy

Photos from Brides.com and top shop photo from Morrirom's Photo Stream on Flickr

Love is Love, Period. The Best Love Songs Ever Written.

In celebration of the 18,000 same-sex couples who legally got married in California between 6/16/08 at 5:01pm and 11/5/08 12:00pm, and to the thousands of other couples who love but are denied the right to marry...I have compiled a list of the best love songs ever written. This list was made by asking my monthly question to my friends on Facebook and Twitter.

Happy Anniversary to the same-sex couples, like myself, who legally got married on this date last year (06/17/08), the first day GLBT couples could legally get married in California. Here's to hoping that marriage equality will be restored in the future to California...and throughout this nation.

Now, the 100 best love songs ever written (according to me and my friends and in no particular order):

1. One in a Million You - Larry Graham
2. I Could Fall in Love - Selena
3. I'm Yours - Jason Mraz
4. You're My First, My Last, My Everything - Barry White
   
5. I Don't Want To Miss A Thing - Aerosmith
6. Always and Forever - Heatwave
7. You Are So Beautiful - Joe Cocker
8. The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face - Roberta Flack
   
9. Hero - Enrique Inglesias
10. At Last - Etta James
11. Something - The Beatles
12. Have You Ever - Brandy
13. Baby, Baby - Amy Grant
14. Someone To Watch Over Me - Michael Feinstein
15. How Do I Live - LeAnn Rimes
    
16. Baby I Love Your Way - Peter Frampton
17. All I Want is You - U2
18. By Your Side - Sade
19. Maybe I'm Amazed - Paul McCartney
    
20. Everything - Michael Buble
21. When You Say You Love Me - Josh Groban
22. All My Life - K.C. and JoJo
23. When I Fall in Love - Nat King Cole
24. Your Song - Elton John
25. My Love - Justin Timberlake
    
26. Nothing Compares 2 U - Sinead O'Connor
27. I'll Be - Edwin McCain
28. Amazed - Lone Star
29. Leather and Lace - Stevie Nicks
    
30. Body and Soul - Tony Bennett
31. Ikaw (Translated from Tagalog, You) - Regine Velasquez
32. Back at One - Brian McKnight
33. What A Wonderful World - Louis Armstrong
34. Wonderful Together - Eric Clapton
35. Have I Told You Lately - Rod Stewart
36. Open Arms - Journey
37. Just the Way You Are - Billy Joel
38. I Melt With You - Modern English
    
39. Crazy For You - Madonna
40. Come What May - Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor
41. Lovin' You - Minnie Ripperton
    
42. Your Body is Wonderland - John Mayer
43. Fields of Gold - Sting/Eva Casssidy
44. Unforgettable - Nat King Cole
45. Why - Annie Lennox
    
46. Time and Tide - Basia
47. Always - Atlantic Starr
    
48. If - Bread
    
49. Wind Beneath My Wings - Bette Midler
50. My Heart Will Go On - Celine Dion
    
51. Truly Madly Deeply - Savage Gardens
52. The Greatest Love of All - Whitney Houston
53. Faithfully - Journey
54. Hallelujah - Jeff Buckley
55. I Do (Cherish You) - 98 Degrees
56. Endless Love - Diana Ross and Lionel Richie
57. Everything I Do - Bryan Adams
58. Sweet Love - Anita Baker
    
59. Suddenly - Billy Ocean
60. Inna Godda Divida - Iron Butterfly
61. You've Got A Friend - Carole King/James Taylor
62. Breathe - Faith Hill
63. Wahine 'Ilikea - Dennis Kamakahi
64. I Wanna Grown Old With You - Adam Sandler
65. We've Only Just Begun - The Carpenters
66. Power of Two - Indigo Girls
67. More Than Words - Extreme
68. Fly Me to the Moon - Frank Sinatra
69. Time in a Bottle - Jim Croce
70. Because You Loved Me - Celine Dion
71. When I Think of You - Janet Jackson
    
72. Bridge Over Troubled Water - Simon and Garfunkel
73. The Closer I Get To You - Roberta Flack and Donnie Hathaway
    
74. Love Song - The Cure
    
75. Wicked Games - Chris Isaak
76. I Honestly Love You - Olivia Newton John
    
77. Beautiful - James Blunt
78. Unchained Melody - The Righteous Brothers
79. Save The Best For Last - Vanessa Williams
80. I Will Always Love You - Dolly Parton/Whitney Houston
    
81. Now and Forever - Richard Marx
82. Here and Now - Luther Vandross
83. Always on my Mind - Elvis Presley/Willie Nelson
    
84. (I've Had) The Time of My Life - Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes
85. You Are The Sunshine of My Life - Stevie Wonder
86. Vision of Love - Mariah Carey
87. On Bended Knee - Boyz II Men
88. Chasing Cars - Snow Patrol
    
89. No One - Alicia Keys
90. Lucky - Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillat
91. In My Life - The Beatles
    
92. Let's Stay Together - Al Green
93. Hey There Delilah - The Plain White T's
94. Angel of Mine - Monica
95. Get Here - Oleta Adams
96. Never Tear Us Apart - INXS
97. Come Away With Me - Norah Jones
98. Head Over Heels - Tears for Fears
99. Kissing A Fool - George Michael
100. All Out of Love - Air Supply
     

Just like these songs about love, we all have our own love story, and no one's love is better than the other. Love is Love and we should all be lucky to experience it (and marry as two consenting adults if we so chose)...it's definitely the greatest thing of all.

If I've forgotten your favorite love song, please add them in the comments.

-Percy

Photo of John Lewis and Stuart Gaffney by Bella Pictures taken on 06/17/08, San Francisco, California

Photo of Ross and Percy by Cesar Juarez taken on 06/17/08, Santa Barbara, California

Wacky Wednesday: My New TV Guilty Pleasure

I realize that this has absolutely nothing to do with weddings or events, but I have to say that since it's Wacky Wednesdays, I have to give props to a pilot TV show I watched last night, Glee on Fox. I have to say that I think this is going to be my new favorite show...my new guilty pleasure.

Glee is a mix between the original Fame TV show meets High School Musical. The characters all seem really interesting and I think it's going to make for good TV. I hope they don't cheese it up too much. The storyline was really interesting, the musical numbers were wonderful, and the characters are great. For me it was the triple crown of TV viewing last night. As another friend put it, "It's shear genius!" and I have to agree.

The premise is a high school music teacher torn between doing what he loves and making more money to support his wife and the lifestyle she thinks they should have. Than there's the other teacher who is secretly in love with the music teacher. The football stud turned Glee Club geek, after the music teacher basically fabricated a story to get him to sing in the group after he heard him singing in the shower of the boys locker room. Finally, you have your Glee Club geeks who are just a great group of of folks with awesome voices. I can't wait for the season to start.

If you missed the pilot, you can watch it in full here. Favorite line from the show last night, "I'm Beyonce, I ain't no Kelly Rowlands standing in the background."

Hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

-Percy

Photo from Fox

Inspiration Mondays: Lego

Lately my Inspiration Mondays have been inspired by my son...today is no different. This evening we were playing with my Lego blocks that are almost 30 years old. I finally took it out of storage and gave it to him. These multi-colored blocks are my muse for today and I thought I would do a wedding based on Lego. Actually, I have had a Lego inspired wedding cake done for a client and those photos are part of this board as well.

Here are my elements in making a fun and quirky Lego themed wedding...or even party. Click on inspiration board to enlarge (clockwise from top left):

Wedding Gown: Melissa Sweet; Necklace: Coloroot; Invitations: My Gatsby; Sandals: Fendi; Cake: Christine Dahl; Flower Centerpiece: Fan Pop; Candy Favors: Gumball.com; LED Lanterns: Geek Alert; Cake Topper: Lego; Lounge Furniture: No Made Design; Bridesmaid Gown: Priscilla of Boston; Rings: Hardware Sphere

I hope this inspiration board stacks up to your Lego wedding expectations.

-Percy

Photos from above mentioned sites, except for cake and cake topper photos by Percy Sales

Inspiration Monday: Gumballs

I was inspired by gumballs today, because my son loves them. Every time we walk into a store that he thinks may have a gumball machine in it...he starts chanting, "Can I have a quarter?" I don't know what attracts people to these multicolored phenomenon's, but who can deny that the gumball has been part of all of our childhoods. So...in celebration and in respect of the mighty gumball, I have come up with an inspiration board fitting of these chewable sensations.

Clockwise from top left (click on above photo to enlarge): Invitations: Invitations by Nature; Bubble Wedding Gown: Christos; Floral Balls: The Velvet Garden; Candy Bar: Inspiration from Amy Atlas Events; Tiffany Bubbles Ring: Tiffany & Co.; Printed Silk Chiffon Whitney Long Dress: J. Crew; Turquoise Three-Strand Chunky Necklace: Blue Earth Jewelry; Polka Dot Tower Wedding Cake: Sugar, Oklahoma; Carnival Midway Vendor for the Cocktail Reception or After Party: Inspiration Photo from David's Digits on Flickr; Balenciaga Lego Shoes: Balenciaga; Mini Classic Gumball Dispenser used for Escort Cards or Favors: Estilo Weddings; Balloon Drop: Inspired by Gifts & Decorative Accessories Photo.

I hope this inspiration board gets you chewing on some great vibrant ideas too!

-Percy

Photos from above mentioned sites. Center Bubblegum maching photo by Michael Weinberg Photography.

Fantastic Friday: My Hot Spots for 2009

Last year I did a blog on my Hot Destinations for 2008, so in keeping with tradition, I am releasing My Hot Spots for 2009. With the economy tanking, and resorts and destinations losing out on much-needed tourist dollars...more places and airlines are lowering their prices. These discounts are meant to attract not only tourists and honeymooners but also those individuals who may want to have a destination wedding, where their guests can use the experience as a vacation also...giving them that two for one punch. So now is a good time to consider going out of town.

At any rate, here's my Top 5 Hot Destination List for 2009:

1. Sitges, Spain: Sitges is a wonderful seaside town southwest of Barcelona in the Catalonia region of Spain. This wonderful town is known for its beaches, nightspots, and historical sites. It has become a miniature Ibiza. Sitges touts 17 beaches, four-star hotels, delectable gastronomy, culture, and something for everyone. Easy access by plane or train from several European destinations. A nice car drive from Barcelona.
   
   
2. Mendocino, California: Mendocino is small town in Northern California. Located on the Pacific Ocean, this artist colony is a hidden gem that has become more and more popular in the last several years. The town remains quaint and offers amenities to house your wedding guests in great bed and breakfasts as well as boutique hotels. Additionally, it's a perfect location for a honeymoon, where you just want to leave everything behind. Mendocino is a 4-hour drive north from San Francisco.
   
   
3. Boracay, Philippines: A resort town on the island of Panay in the Philippines, which is located about 200 miles south of Manila. It's an untapped beach resort that has been gaining notoriety and followers. A hidden gem that is a favorite beach getaway for Eastern Europeans as well as those from Asia. Boracay boasts an average temperature of 77 degrees to 90 degrees year round. You will fall in love with its white sand beaches, resort accommodations, and the Filipino hospitality. Direct flights from Manila.
   
   
4. Victoria, Canada: The capital city of British Columbia is found on the southern tip of Vancouver Island and lives in the shadow of its more landlocked famous city, Vancouver. Nevertheless, this romantic waterfront city is the gem of British Columbia. The Mediterranean climate of Victoria makes it the perfect North American location for a honeymoon or destination wedding. Additionally, Victoria and Vancouver Island offers so much, from hiking trails, to 5-star restaurants and resorts, and history invite visitors to discover it. The picture perfect Inner Harbor and Empress Hotel would be the perfect background to any wedding. Boat access from Vancouver.
   
   
5. New York City, New York: Who can deny the "city that never sleeps" as one of the all time best hot spots in the world. I♥NY! NYC has so much to offer not only for destination weddings, but for honeymooners as well. The city has so much to do, so much to see, and it appeals to all age groups. From the serenity of Central Park to the hustle and bustle of Times Square, the city has something to offer everyone. The big plus, it's easy to access from anywhere in the world.

I hope that this helps you in narrowing down your honeymoon or destination wedding locations. The world has so much to offer go and discover it and just maybe, these locations helped you look outside of the travel box.

-Percy

Photos from Wikipedia

TIPsy Tuesday: What Would I Change About My Wedding?

Every month, I am going to be featuring a question to people on both my Facebook and Twitter accounts that relates to weddings or events. Once I have gathered some answers, I will post it on my blog.

April's question is, "What is the one thing you would change about your wedding day?"

Here are some of the responses I received:

I would do away with the dog-n-pony show and make the wedding smaller and more intimate. I would save the money to feed distant relatives who we'll never see again and use it on more high end touches for a smaller group such as an extra romantic location/flowers/food/photos, that would bring more joy to the couple themselves than to just "show off" and "please" the crowd." - Kelly, Fremont, CA

Not invited so many people to the reception. The best thing we did was only inviting close family to our wedding ceremony, that was about 20 people. Our reception was about 100 people that took place right after our ceremony. Having less people at the ceremony made the moment very special to us. - Salvador, Dublin, CA

As a wedding planner, I should have hired a day of coordinator, so I didn't have to worry about managing vendors, set-up, and clean-up myself...allowing me to enjoy more. Don't get me wrong I had a blast at my wedding, it would have been nice to not have to worry about all the "day of" details myself. The other thing I would have done differently is taken the time to eat. I did not even get to eat my wedding meal because we were talking to so many people, we had 170 guests, and I never got to eat our delicious food, maybe I got two bites. Eating is one thing that I make sure happens for for all my clients. I would have also hired a videographer, because I hardly remembered the evening, except for how fun it was. - Percy, Ojai, CA

I would have probably spent less on the things that didn't matter as much and more on the things that do - and what's important is different for every bride/groom. For me, it was the location/venue for the ceremony, reception area, and the photographer. In retrospect, I feel like we did most everything we wanted to do within our budget, but I think that spending less and saving the money for the stuff that counts...like putting a down payment on a house and getting our new life started together might have been a better investment! A big party is a good way to get you in debt. - Clarissa, San Diego, CA

We got married at the Justice o' the Peace in New York City. Just the two of us and one witness. I think people need to focus on who they want at their wedding and not how much they want to spend. Any time I hear about someones wedding, it's always they should have made it smaller, not bigger. Have a small wedding and get a great photographer and videographer. You will see more of your wedding in the photos and videos than you ever will at the event. They will last a lifetime. - Darrin, Pollock Pines, CA

Who I married! - Lynnette, San Francsico, CA

Make it smaller and less "traditional" (no cake which i don't like, typical music, etc...) - Jules, Wilsonville, OR

It would have been less traditional, and I would have not worried so much about the food and spending lots of money on top shelf alcohol. - Lilia, San Francisco, CA

I wouldn't have changed anything. We decided that the whole goal was to wake up single, and go to bed married. That took a ton of pressure off, and we didn't "sweat the small stuff" as it were. If anything, I wished the day had lasted longer! It was magical. - Kristin, Santa Barbara, CA

I'm actually pretty happy with how ours turned out. It was exactly what we wanted, where we wanted, and it was just a big party—fun for us and for the guests. I do wish I got more of my dinner though. And I heard the dessert that was served before the cake was amazing (never got it). - Maureen, Santa Clarita, CA

Not a thing. Maybe that Bret didn't get so sunburned. Other than that not a thing. Everything people say, "don't spend so much, don't invite a zillion people, etc." well we did that. It works. We didn't even hire a photographer and we have the most beautiful and candid wedding pictures I've ever seen. - Carl, Santa Barbara, CA

Our wedding was very low budget - I wouldn't change that, we were poor at the time. But we couldn't afford a photographer so I'd change that. - Nancy, Ft. Worth, TX

This may sound odd, but adding a dancefloor. - Tim, San Francisco, CA

First I wish i hadn't, secondly, I wish I had more cake, expensive cake for just one bite! - Angela, Monterey, CA

Don't ask me why, but we chose not to hire a videographer for our wedding. We had a beautiful garden wedding in Cambria, and our ceremony had sweet moments that I wish were captured on film. - Kathy, Dallas, TX

I wouldn't change a thing, except for hire a videographer. I should have listened to my wedding planners suggestion on that. - Leslie, Englewood, NJ

I hope this helps couples who are in the midst of planning your own great event. If you are married and have anything else to add, please make a comment. Your suggestions and thoughts are appreciated and a great way to advise others.

-Percy

Photo from Cake Wrecks, hopefully that cake is one thing that bride would have done differently.

Inspiration Monday: Hello Kitty

I've been seeing a lot of blogs about Hello Kitty weddings lately and I thought wow...there are some people who literally take the Hello Kitty theme to heart. So as I pondered...what would I do if a bride insists on designing a wedding around the theme of Hello Kitty? I thought about it all day and came up with the above inspiration board (click board to enlarge).

I am inspired by Hello Kitty's simplicity and versatility. I am inspired by the color pink...all shades of it. I am inspired by the quirkiness that fans of the cartoon icon seem to possess. I'm inspired by Japan. So in designing my Hello Kitty inspiration board, I have mixed the classic with the wild and have added a touch of the famous pink.

My inspirations (top left and clockwise): Wedding Gown: Alvina Valenta; Pink Dyed Crinoline (for under the gown): couturesantrash (ETSY); Flowers: fleuretica; Bridesmaid Gown: Jenny Yoo; Bracelet for bridesmaids gifts: Sanrio; Cotton Candy Bar: Martha Stewart; Chandelier: GSPN Crystals; Ceremony Site: One Source Weddings; Shoes: Stuart Weitzman; Centerpiece: InStyle Weddings; Wedding Cake: Simply Cakes; Ring: Gumuchian

I hope this inspires the little girl in you.

-Percy

Photos from above mentioned sites

Fantastic Fridays: Gown Sketches

If you were wondering, Friday's are generally for guest bloggers, but I haven't been able to secure any guest bloggers lately, so I am going to flip flop between Guest Blogger Fridays and Fantastic Fridays. Fantastic Fridays will showcase something truly fantastic. It can be celebrity wedding news, political items I feel passionate about, or something I came across that I think is truly FANTASTIC!

Today happens to be a Fantastic Friday and I am featuring something really cool I came across reading one of my magazines this month...Bridal Gown Sketches. Sure Princess Diana and other celebrity brides have had their gowns sketched by the designer or artist as a keepsake piece, but now you can too. So what that you bought your gown at David's Bridal or on the Internet at some online wedding gown store. Now you can get the same couture treatment that celebrity brides get when designing their gowns.

One fantastic sketch artist that I discovered through the magazine is Jennifer Angilello who owns All About the Dress. Her stylized rendition of the bride and gown are fantastic. Jennifer's portraits run about $425, according to InStyle Weddings Magazine, and from the looks of her portfolio it's well worth it. If you are looking for a less pricey version you may want to visit Dreamlines where sketches run at the $100 rate and is shipped from France.

Another option is to get the artist in the family to do a rendition of your gown, maybe as their wedding gift to you. This option will definitely have more meaning...as it is someone you know. But what ever route you get, I definitely think getting an artist rendering of your gown, with you in it or not, is definitely a FANTASTIC thing to do as a memento to your wedding day.

Here's sketching you...kid!

-Percy

Sketches from All About the Dress

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

Guest Blogger Fridays: Elizabeth Anne Designs and The EAD Library

I am a fan of Elizabeth Anne Designs. Ami and Rebekah have great ideas on their website/blog. Their site is so fun to explore...both vendors and clients alike will get inspired in creating some lovely events. One of their best features on their site is The EAD Library, a comprehensive one stop shop of vendors nationwide. Check it Out! I hope you enjoy their guest blog. - Percy

Hi, this is Ami Elizabeth and Rebekah Anne from Elizabeth Anne Designs. We are so excited to have been asked to guest blog today about one of our babies, The EAD Library.

The EAD Library is filled with thousands of useful links, from photographers to shops to stationers and our goal is to help every bride and groom, no matter their location, find the vendors and inspiration they need for a beautiful event. The Library is organized into several categories: Photography, Stationery, Planning & Design, Venues, Floral Design, Shops, Beauty, Edibles, Videography, and Miscellaneous. Where applicable, these links are organized by state to help everyone find links quickly and easily!

Links you will find in the Library are not paid listings. Having a link in the Library is completely free - this allows us to present the most comprehensive wedding vendor resource guide possible. We offer vendors the opportunity to expand their listing, giving our readers full contact information as well as images of their work.

Another great feature of the Library is the ability for clients to write reviews of their vendors. It’s a great way for brides and grooms to read real opinions about the vendors they are considering and really helps to build a sense of community on the Library.

We have recently done a full redesign of the Elizabeth Anne Designs website and we are so excited to have a more fully integrated site. It’s easier than ever for brides and grooms to find vendors in the Library!

A big blog hug goes to Laura Hooper for providing all of the illustrations used throughout the EAD site. And another big blog hug goes to Percy for letting us blog here today! We are huge fans of Percy’s work, and of course he is a Library Member!

E. & A.

Photos from Elizabeth Anne Designs

Music to Our Ears (Re-Post...well sort of)

Last September, I posted Music to Our Ears Blog, which included my top five songs in seven categories. The categories are:

Bride and Groom Grand Entrance
First Dance Songs
Father/Daughter Dance
Mother/Son Dance
Cake Cutting
Bouquet Toss
Garter Removal and Toss

To see the names of each of the songs, in the seven categories, please visit the original blog by clicking here.

Since then I have been asked where they can find the songs or if there was a simple place they can hear the songs I suggested. So I have compiled a playlist on Project Playlist and you can access it right here on this blog. Have fun listening to my song choices. I hope it helps in planning the right music for your reception!

The only songs that I could not find was Dionne Warwicks version of 'I wish you love", Sounds of Blackness' "A Place in My Heart" and a full length version of Gloria Estefan's Everlasting Love.

-Percy

Playlist from Project Playlist

Inspiration Mondays: Betsey Johnson's Dining Room

I love anything retro and for this week's inspiration I have taken a cue from Betsey Johnson's dining room. I am inspired by the use of blush pink and canary yellow, 60's modern mixed with traditional pieces. I especially love that it all goes so well together.

My inspiration was taken directly from the dining room. The wedding dress is based on the chairs with it's bubble effect. The bridesmaids dresses are based on the area rug in black and white as well as the seat cushions in a yellow. The necklace, chandelier, and shoes are inspired by the crystals on the sconces of the dining room and the chandelier in the dining room. The brides bouquet is inspired by the dining room centerpiece and the bridesmaids dresses inspired by the round chandelier in the dining room. The cake, charger and the invitations take colors from the room. Finally, the engagement ring ties in the entire inspiration, classic yet funky!

My Inspirations:

Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier
Bridesmaids Dresses: Jenni Kayne
Shoes: Benjamin Adams
Ring: Shibumi Gallery
Necklace: ESWERA jewelry by imaan
Cake: For Heaven's Cakes
Chandeliers: Town and Country Event Rentals
Charger: The Tent Merchant
Invitations: Luxurious Wedding

-Percy

P.S. This inspiration Board was originally submitted to a Coco + Kelley contest.

Photos from above mentioned sites

TIPsy Tuesday: List Making

You think you have it all under control? You know exactly what to focus on? There's no need for a list! Think again. Making lists for any event, especially a wedding is crucial to knowing what you want your outcome to be and the elements that is most important to you.

Here's my tip in making a well focused list for your special day, which I ask all my clients to do:

• From the the onset both the bride and groom should each make a list of what they want as part of their wedding and want they definitely do not want.
• Once you have BOTH made your list, combine the two and see where you agree and where you don't.
• Make an agree list and don't agree list and discuss what from the don't agree list should make it to the agree list.
• Once you have your agree list, now it's time to do a want and need list that would correspond to the elements of the agree list. This will dictate what you you will focus on that will make the most impact on your day and what elements is a wish list if dollars are still available. (e.g. Agree List: Great Music; Need List: DJ, Guitarist; Want List: Live Band, String Quartet, Soloist).
  

Not only will these list help you focus on what you want for your special day, it will also help you focus on your budget and think about the importance of such "wanted things" would really mean.
Additionally, if you are working with a planner, it will give your planner a better sense of what the two of you want.

Have fun creating your lists!

-Percy

Photo form Flickr