The Soiree Birthday Wedding Giveaway Finalists

We've laughed, cried, and just drooled over the heartfelt letters of love we've received over the past month. While it was tough to choose, the top three presented here just stuck in our minds. We just loved their stories, and their commitment to each other. But now it's up to you to choose the ultimate winner of the grand prize. Voting begins today, June 29th, and will end at 5:00pm MST July 2nd. On July 3rd, be sure to check back to see the lucky couple! Please vote on your favorite set of lovebirds by using the poll calculator on the right; you'll be able to vote just once on the Soiree Blog and once on the Ashki Photography Blog (bonus!). Good luck to our three couples, and much thanks to our readers for helping to make one couple's wedding planning dreams come true.


Couple #1: Christina and David



I remember the moment I saw him. His deep brown eyes made eye contact with mine and his timid smile struggled to say hello. “Dave,” I remember him telling me as I giggled through a flirtatious introduction. I was an incoming college freshman and this was my first fraternity campout, Dave was the first college boy to catch my eye.
Known as “Ratto” to his fraternity brothers, he and I quickly developed a fun friendship throughout the year. We both dated other people that year, but I couldn’t help but be a little envious of the girls he would date. I realized there was something special about Dave, and for some reason I knew without being romantically involved with him that he needed to be in my life forever. I took the bold move one April night in 2005 and kissed him after a night of hanging out at a fraternity function. Little did I know that kiss would be the first of many, and the only ones I would have for the rest of my life! We’ve been together four years, and finally decided to get married! Everyday we make an effort to make each other laugh. He brings me so much happiness through laughter that I can’t allow myself to go to bed angry. His patience and tolerance is a quality that keeps me from sweating the small stuff in life. Our laid-back personalities keep us grounded and constantly in love with the little things about each other. We are getting married 9/4/2010. We deserve to be the winners because our laughter, love and romance need to be captured in beautiful photographs that will be shared with our family, friends and future children.
We look at Cyndee’s beautiful pictures almost everyday and are thrilled to enter this contest!


Couple #2: Matt and Lindsey



Lindsey and I had been friends since attending high school in Boise together but it wasn’t until we were separated by thousands of miles that we realized we were meant to be together. By a stroke of fate, Lindsey ended up attending college in San Diego, which is where I happened to be stationed in the Marine Corps at the time. We reconnected and began hanging out merely as friends. In the fall of 2006 I was to be deployed to Iraq, so Lindsey and I spent a lot of time together before my departure. We said a tearful goodbye and sent hundreds of emails back and forth throughout my deployment. It didn’t take me long to figure out that she was the one I wanted to be with forever. Lindsey became my strength, my motivation, and my guiding light as I struggled in Iraq. Her emails were so encouraging and heartfelt. We both anxiously awaited my return. My plane touched down at 3am in the midst of a downpour. I didn’t expect Lindsey to be there but as I marched out in front of the crowd our eyes instantaneously locked. When I saw her waiting in the rain, I knew I had found someone special. I love Lindsey more than I ever thought I could love anyone. She is caring, compassionate, and thoughtful. Her smile lights up my day. I truly feel incomplete without her. I hope to win this contest so that I can give back to Lindsey the happiness that she has brought me. She is trying to plan our wedding from across the country as she attends physician assistant school near my duty station in Pensacola, FL. I know she would love nothing more than a wonderful wedding coordinator and beautiful photographs on our special day.



Couple #3- Stephanie and Dax





When I met Dax, I was just getting out of a long term relationship, and I wasn’t ready to jump into another one. He was really cute, and I was attracted to him, but hesitant to start anything. Within a few months, his job as a smokejumper would be taking him away from home for most of the summer fighting wildfires. Instead of dating right away, we developed a friendship and went out, but didn’t have our first real date until just before he was scheduled to leave for fire season. We only saw each other a few times that summer. When he came home in the fall our relationship took off, and our bond grew deeper. The following year I was starting vet school six hours from Boise and we weren’t sure what was in store for the next four years. Instead of pulling us apart like some people had predicted, our bond just grew stronger. He always encourages me, supports me, and is truly my best friend. After three and half years we still do everything together and love spending every minute we have with each other, whether it’s just being outdoors, riding our horses, or fishing. I cannot think of anyone I enjoy spending my time with or love more! It’s been a month now since he proposed, and we have just started the wedding planning. I don’t usually enter contests, but this package would mean the world to us! I love looking at people’s wedding photos, and I have been drooling over Cyndee’s photography for the last six months. I will be trying to plan and coordinate everything myself while finishing my last year of vet school. I cannot think of a better way to help reduce the stress and truly enjoy our big day together!

{Remember to vote for your favorite by using the voting tool on the right panel of the blog, and feel free to leave us a comment telling us you participated...just don't reveal your pick!}





Soiree Birthday Giveaway Contest Ends Tonight!

The Wedding Day Giveaway contest ends tonight at 12 pm MST, so get your letters in! Monday morning we'll post the top 2-3 entries for you, our readers, to vote on. Then the winners of the grand prize of a full Day of Coordination package and a lovely engagement session and custom signature matte with Ashki Photography, will be announced first thing on July 3rd. Total winnings amount to approximately $1200.00 in value- so don't miss out! Miss the memo? Check out the entry rules and details here. Happy planning and good luck!

~Brandi

Real Wedding: Charlie and Tawna, A Sneak Peek

Charlie and Tawna were married last Saturday at Tawna's family home in Nampa. We were so worried that the summer storm every weather channel was calling for would rudely make her appearance, but much to our excitement the day turned out to be absolutely gorgeous.

Soiree was the Day of Coordinator for the couple's event, and when their package started we still had a blank canvas to work with- theme, centerpieces, and even colors were still yet to be determined. Tawna gave me full discretion over the centerpieces, aisle, and altar decor, and it was a blast shopping for what we determined to be our "Rustic Modern" theme of the wedding.

Drawing from Tawna's base colors- Clover and Chocolate, we added a pop of orange and peach with poppies and gerbera daisies..the look was stunning against all the grass on the property, and added a sunny, summery feel.

To bring in our chocolate and to also decorate on a budget we bought curly willow for the centerpieces and bulk coffee beans to fill the vases and the hanging votive holders for the aisle. All night long the guests were caught smelling the centerpieces- the entire tent smelled delicious ;)

Image and video hosting by TinyPic

A cluster of poppies to mark the beginning of the aisle.

Image and video hosting by TinyPic

Each hanging votive was filled with coffee beans and had a single poppy inside, and for a little bit of whimsy we created "bouquets" of gerbera daisies at the base of each shepherd's hook.

Image and video hosting by TinyPic

Image and video hosting by TinyPic

The cocktail tables lined up on the front patio, over looking the city. Told you it was a beautiful day!

Image and video hosting by TinyPic

A single poppy wired on to a piece of curly willow created a simple, stunning centerpiece for the cocktail tables.

Image and video hosting by TinyPic

A close up of one of the curly willow centerpieces as set up in the tent began.

The bride's father was ordained for the ceremony, and that coupled with beautiful weather, gorgeous details, and good company, it truly was a wedding to remember. Congratulations Charlie and Tawna!

{Side note: All photos courtesy of Soiree, and we never claimed to be good photographers ;) }


Soiree Birthday Giveaway: 1 Week To Go!

It's the one week count down for Soiree's Birthday Wedding Giveaway. Contest deadline is Midnight on June 27th, 2009. Then stay tuned to read 2-3 of our top heartfelt letters of love from our entering couples. You'll get the final vote on the couple that receives the prize.



You can read all about the contest details and rules here.



- Happy planning!

Nordstrom Makeup For 1.00

Nordstrom is buying out the entire line of ELF (Eyes, Lips, Face) brand cosmetics, and will need to re-brand everything with Nordstrom's logo so they are offering almost everything at 1.00. If you are a girl, you must go now. Eye liners, brushes, custom lip combos, mineral make up and even bath and body. Kits go for well below retail value; anything from 4.00- 40.00. Just go to the ELF website and start shopping!

Here's how you save even more: at checkout, there is a space for the coupon code: CAROLINA..enter it to save another 50% off your order (up to $15.00). You'll still have to pay shipping and handling, but this coupon all but zeros it out.

With all the savings, your dream wedding look is all but a click away...

Happy planning, and happy shopping too!

Guests To Honor With A Flower

It can be so confusing when ordering flowers, and trying to make sure you don't offend anyone by not providing a flower. A general guide when to corsages and boutonnieres for your guests is as follows:

* Immediate Family: The "immediate" stops at about your grandparents- so your parents, siblings, and grandparents. Sometimes, if you're particularly close to an aunt or uncle, it's nice to honor them as well. Remember that any spouse of an honored guest also gets a flower.

* Readers or speakers: Anyone that has a part in the ceremony needs a flower.

* Officiant: Although some will choose not to wear their flower due to their robe, it's still good etiquette to offer them one.

* Any other guests you want to visually honor: Close family friend, a cousin that can be considered your best friend.

Finally, a nice tip for corsages: I always prefer a wrist corsage or a small bouquet for your honored lady guests; the traditional pinned corsages are so heavy, and often need to be pinned on to a bra strap to prevent them from drooping. Many women wear silk and other delicate fabrics and tend to cringe when we have to place two large floral pins into them.

- Happy planning!

Budget Your Wedding: 30 Ways To Cut Costs, Part II

{A continuation of our post last week, and the second half of 30 ways to cut costs, not corners}

16. Lose the disposable cameras. You'll end up with a giant film development bill, and only a few photos that you can (or will even want) to use.

17. Hit the after holiday sales. Plan to buy items like twinkle lights, discounted candies, candles, and even clearanced items like bowls and jars.

18. Choose flowers in season. You may love that exotic orchid, but if you'll need to get it from Timbuctu for your November wedding, you'll pay. Instead, arrive at your florist appointment armed with pictures of styles and arrangements you like, and let your florist suggest something similar or comparable.

19. Spend your money where your decorations will be seen the most and for the longest amount of time - your reception.

20. Choose a frosting other than fondant for your cake design. Instead, choose buttercream- you'll pay at least a few dollars less per slice. True, fondant works well for a pristine, smooth look, but most experienced pastry chefs can get a buttercream frosting thisclose to being as smooth. Bonus: it tastes better too!

21. Choose fresh flowers over sugar or gum paste flowers on your cake. You'll pay for the labor and time each hand-crafted flower will take.

22. Don't save the top tier- eat it! You'll get more slices out of your cake this way, saving you money in the long run. Besides, most pastry chefs will offer a great deal on a small cake for your 1 year anniversary.

23. Consider a smaller display cake, then sheet or undecorated (still frosted) cakes for slicing and eating. Keep the undecorated sweet fare in the back, and your guests will be none the wiser!

24. Skip the champagne toast. Weddings see more champagne wasted than any other event, and it can often be one of the main culprits for a sky-high bar bill. Instead, keep a chilled bottle of your favorite bubbly for the guests of honor, and let your guests "grab a drink" of their choice for toast time.

25. Offer only beer and wine. If you want some hard alcohol, consider offering just a signature drink- much cheaper than offering a full bar.

26. If you must have a full bar, consider having it open only for a period of time, such as the cocktail hour. Then host beer and wine only.

27. Don't assume hors d'oeuvres will always be cheaper than a plated meal. Your caterer will have to account for more pieces per person, plus about 10% overage for those "second timers", and will often equal more food than a plated meal will call for. Be sure to weigh out both options.

29. If you'll be having an hors d'oeuvres style meal, be sure to pick items that will give you the most bank for your buck. Choosing heavier items such as meat, finger sandwiches, and/or pasta salad will fill your guests up and stretch your dollar further than a green salad will.

30. Oftentimes if you purchase your gown at a particular bridal shop, you can get a 10-15% discount on any other orders you may have. This can apply to tux rentals, bridesmaid dresses, accessories for you, etc. Be sure to ask your consultant.

Happy Planning!

Creatively Presenting Your Appetizers

In charge of the party plans? Undoubtedly the food and drink will be the center of attention, so why not present your appetizers in unique ways? Bridal showers, dinner parties, and cocktail receptions can all benefit from these creative and inexpensive ideas:



Wowing your guests doesn't have to mean hours slaving in the kitchen, creating delicate hors d'oeuvres with painstaking details. Instead, present them in interesting, not-so-ordinary ways.

Image and video hosting by TinyPic


Instead of the usual dip in a bowl for everyone to take, why not put your hummus or other spread in individual cups?

Even your pantry items can make an interesting display, like these dried beans:


Image and video hosting by TinyPic



You don't need fancy serveware or the latest tray to pleasantly surprise your guests at your party. Instead, stock up on white dishes (you can dress them up or dress them down all day!) and get creative with every day items you already have.

Happy Planning!


{Photo Sources}


#1- Brides.com


#2- Brides.com via the Hostess Blog


#3- Country Living


Great Gift Wrapping Ideas

Whether you're heading out to a birthday party, bridal or baby shower, or even just looking for a great way to display your favor boxes you've been pouring over, if you're like me, you like to dress up the packages in unique ways. Here are some great sites for creating really unique gifts:

Image and video hosting by TinyPic

Image and video hosting by TinyPic

Image and video hosting by TinyPic

Image and video hosting by TinyPic

Paper Source has always been my all-time favorite for clever trimmings, uncommon details and extremely elegant papers and styles. They even have specialty papers large enough for you to use them in a variety of ways- from using them as wrapping paper to filling a picture frame for a fun decorating idea.

Carolyn Roem has been long regarded as a pioneer in her gift wrapping ideas and stylish accoutrements she offers to help your every day box become extraordinary. And with her "fin de serie" (End of Season) sales, you can't go wrong with the price. Check out some of her books for even more great ideas.

Image and video hosting by TinyPic

Image and video hosting by TinyPic


{Photos}
#1-4: Paper Source
#5-6: Carolyn Roem

Don't Forget: The Soiree Birthday Giveaway!

Just a friendly reminder to get your entry letters in. Yes, we have a few weeks left in the contest. But we are not procrastinators, we are planners, so we are reminding you ;-)



Happy Planning!

Budget Your Wedding: 30 Ways To Cut Costs, Part 1

{Note: This is actually an excerpt from a list I put together back in 2006 on budget-friendly tips. }

Maintaining your budget while planning your wedding is no easy task. Giving and taking is the name of the game here, and prioritizing the aspects of your wedding that are most important to you is the first step. From there, unless you have an unlimited amount of money, you have to find ways to save on other aspects of the event. Here are some tips to help you stay on track, without cutting corners!

1. Plan your wedding during the “off season” months- November through March. Many venues and vendors will have significantly lower rental rates during these months.

2. Hold your ceremony and reception all in one location- you’ll save on everything from site fees, transportation, and décor costs, just to name a few.

3. While you’re at it, plan to wed on a day other than Friday and Saturday. Sundays through Thursdays almost always have lower rental rates associated with them.

4. Really want your wedding on a Saturday? Try having an early ceremony and brunch reception. Or even just an early afternoon reception…sometimes venues will even offer a different rental rate for Saturday “day” and Saturday “night”.

5. Choose invitation styles that are not oversized or square. These types will cost you more in postage. Also keep in mind that ribbons, bows, charms, and wax seals may end up costing you more in postage as well…if they increase the weight of the mailing and/or cause more work for the postal machine or postal worker, you'll pay more.

6. Rule to live by: always bring a full (invitation, reply card, enclosures) envelope to the post office to be weighed.

7. Do you really need Save The Dates? Are you getting married on a holiday, holiday weekend (Labor Day Weekend, Memorial Weekend), or having a Destination Wedding? If not, consider cutting these out of your budget. If you just mail out your invitations 2 months before, you will be providing your guests plenty of notice.

8. If you will have Save The Dates, try using a post card format. No envelopes!

9. Try to order all of your paper products at once-envelopes, Thank You cards, Enclosure cards, invites, etc.: you’ll save more than if you were to order them all separately.

10. Order about 25% more envelopes than you think you’ll need. It will cost you considerably more if you have to go back and order just a pack of envelopes.

11. If you’re having a more casual wedding, consider looking at bridesmaid dresses! Most will come in white or ivory, and many designs available now could easily pass for a wedding gown.

12. Don't forget to look at discount websites and sample sales. Though you may not have the biggest selection of designers and collections to choose from, and if you're in the mood to dig, they can save you beaucoup bucks.

13. In a budget quandry? Trim your guest list ( sorry, lovelies- it's still true!).

14. A general rule of thumb: the more labor-intensive the menu or item, the more expensive it will be (Example: those individual ramekin hors d'oeurves).


15. Seafood can be heavy in cost; consider adding seafood “touches” to your menu items. For instance, have crab-stuffed mushrooms, or add a lobster bisque for topping. Fancy and elegant? Yes. Nightmare bill at the end? Nope!

Check back next week for part 2!

Happy Planning!

Simple DIY Centerpiece Ideas

When it comes to weddings, sometimes less is more. A simple centerpiece can be much more visually stunning than an elaborate one, and bonus if it's simple enough to do it yourself! Here are five beautiful centerpiece ideas:

Who knew a tin can could be so stunning? Simply wrap in the fabric of your choice (these have crimped fabric, which can be done with craft tools), arrange your flowers and sit back and be showered with praise.

Image and video hosting by TinyPic

Shunning of the carnation is over- when bunched together they have a beautiful billowy effect.

Image and video hosting by TinyPic

I have a love of wheatgrass- and it's super simple to grow. All you need is seed packets and 2-4 weeks of time.

Image and video hosting by TinyPic

You don't need to have flowers on your tables to have a gorgeous centerpiece. Feel free to dream outside of the box with unusual elements such as this one. This centerpiece would be lovely at a mod, swanky party.

Image and video hosting by TinyPic

Planning a fall wedding? I couldn't get over how pretty these were, and so simple to do. Click here for instructions!

Image and video hosting by TinyPic

Do you have a great DIY wedding idea? Share them with us! Send us an email at blog@weddingsbysoiree.com to have them featured here.

{Photo Credits}

1- Via Elizabeth Anne Designs
2- Via Dreambudgetweddings.com
3-Via DIY.wed-central.com
4- Via favorideas.com
5- via Design Sponge






Easy Cocktail Recipe To Wow Your Guests


Whether you're planning a dinner party, a bridal or baby shower, or a wedding, having a great cocktail recipe to round out the meal is always a plus. I stumbled across this unique recipe...and I'm pretty convinced your guests won't stop talking about it. Your typical lemon drop has nothing on this one!













Kiwifruit Lychee Sparkler

1 Zespri Gold Kiwifruit, peeled, chopped
3 oz vodka
2 oz lychee syrup
4 oz ginger ale

Muddle kiwifruit, vodka, lychee syrup, and ice in cocktail shaker. Shake all ingredients, add ginger ale, and strain into two ice-filled Collins glasses. Garnish with kiwifruit and lychee if desired.

Enjoy!

{Recipe and photo}



Non Traditional Hair Pieces For Brides

If you're looking for the perfect hair accessory to complete your wedding day look, but won't settle for the typical veil, then look no further than Jennifer Behr. The New York designer creates custom head pieces perfect for the modern bride; you'll be sure to turn heads with one of her beauties.

Not in New York? Good thing she allows you to place an order online, and you can even send in ivory or white fabric samples to ensure a perfect match. Be sure to visit the website to view the full collections. Happy planning!

Image and video hosting by TinyPic

Image and video hosting by TinyPic

Image and video hosting by TinyPic

Contest Update: The Winnings Get Better!






Cyndee Wanyonyi of Ashki Photography has generously offered to add an additional prize to the Soiree Birthday Giveaway winnings. Now the lucky couple will not only receive a full day of coordination package, but also a complimentary engagement session and a custom-framed signature matte from Ashki Photography. Total winnings equal approximately $1200.00 in products and services!

Updated contest details are as follows:

* Send an email to blog@weddingsbysoiree with a letter describing your favorite qualities about your relationship and/or your fiance. Tell us a little bit about how you two came to be and why you should be the winners! Please include a picture of you and your fiance.

* Entry letters must be 300 words or less

* Your wedding must take place in 2010 and is subject to our availability. You cannot have already contracted with us
or have a current proposal (sorry, lovelies!), and have not already hired a photographer or wedding coordinator.

* The top 3 entries will be featured here on the Soiree and Ashki Photography blogs and our readers will be able to vote on the final winner.

* Giveaway includes Day of Coordination service and fees only for local Boise and McCall weddings as well as a complimentary Engagement Session with a Custom-Framed signature matted print (a total of $1200 in complimentary services and products).

* Contest entry ends at midnight on June 27th, 2009

* The winner will be announced Friday July 3rd, 2009.

Don't miss out- looking forward to hearing from you!

Real Wedding: Meet Robert and Randi

Newlyweds Robert and Randi were married over Memorial weekend at Boise's Barber Park Event Center. This wedding was so much fun, and so unique to the couple. The ceremony was especially entertaining- Randi was a little nervous and put the ring on the wrong finger- it's okay we still counted them as married ;)

Image and video hosting by TinyPic

Gerber daisies and wildflowers and a color scheme of yellow, brown, with touches of green created the natural look the couple wanted.

Image and video hosting by TinyPic

The couple treated their guests to an Idaho-inspired menu, brought to life by Whatever Works Catering.

Image and video hosting by TinyPic

Randi wore a Maggie Sottero gown and a vintage veil. The couple's Labradoodle, Bear, also made an appearance- all dressed up for the day in his bright yellow collar. Finally, the groomsmen all sported shoes made from all recycled materials, and they looked smashing with the chocolate brown tuxes!

Image and video hosting by TinyPic

Robert was such a great sport- he happily wore the argyle socks I got him- they were a perfect fit for the occasion!

Image and video hosting by TinyPic

Congratulations Randi and Robert- it was a beautiful day and truly reflected you as a couple!

Image and video hosting by TinyPic

All photos by Tana Photography , and a special thanks to her for creating the beautiful color board.

Related Posts with Thumbnails