Inspiration | A Little Fall Romance....

Loving the colors, softness, and warmth of Kim's inspiration board this week...

Sources: Red Peonies | Jenny Yoo Bridesmaid | Alvina Valenta style AV9211 | Lapel Tuxedo by Ralph Lauren | Red Mercury candle holders | Admiral Necklace by Stella and Dot | White ranunculus boutonnieres

~Happy Fall, and Happy Halloween!

Xo,

The Revamped Costume Party

I stumbled across this beautiful table and party theme while perusing the lovely blog Camille Styles
It's quirky and perfectly fun for the holiday season. Every year there's the traditional Halloween parties with full costumes, ghost and goblin decor, and finger food (really, cookies that look like chopped off fingers!) While those are always fun I thought this was a different yet still festive way to celebrate. Pick a theme, I'm loving this one inspired by Alfred Hitchcock's "The Birds" play it up with fun details like this adorable bird perch, and have your friends dress in costume to fit the theme. The rest of the images can be found here. Those vintage outfits, little bird cookies, caramel apples...looks like it made for quite the soiree! Now it has me wanting to plan one of my own. So instead of sitting around waiting for those trick or treaters to knock on your door, get your friends together and get festive!

Beauty | Bold lips for Fall

Image

Bold color on lips is in this Fall, in a big way...and I have to say I like it! It may seem a little intimidating for those of us off the runway but I decided to take my chances and brave the Sephora lipstick section. I ended up purchasing a deep shade much like this one and then another more coral shade. I felt a little different at first wearing such a bold lip but I received quite a few compliments and by the end of the day was assuredly strutting around like a glamorous lipstick-wearing woman. Paired with a basic lined eye, this look is quick and easy but looks polished and put together. I dare you to go purchase a new hue if you don't already own a nice rich one. Don't play it safe, give this look and try and be bold!:)

Press: Ashley + Brian's Tablerock Wedding Featured On With This Ring

We were so excited to se our private residence Tablerock wedding featured on With This Ring  yesterday:

Remember this fun couple? Photo by Ampersand Studios

Head on over for the full feature, and for more photos check here. 

~Happy planning!

Xo,

Last Minute Halloween + Our Newsletter Launch!

After many months of planning and preparing, we're thrilled to finally present Volume 1 of
Soiree Unveiled, our newsletter. Our vision for the newsletter, and the name, was to "lift the veil" off the ins and outs of party planning, lifestyle, weddings, and more, and simply serves as an extension of our blog.

This issue, coming to you a week and a half before Halloween, can hopefully be inspiration for your gathering this weekend, more fall decor, and if you're planning an October wedding for next year.

The newsletter will be continually changing with the seasons- some months will be packed with wedding tips and advice, others with party planning tips, and still others with just ramblings about the goings-on at Soiree. So don't miss out- Until we have the signup link active on our blog and website, please send us an email at contact@weddingsbysoiree.com with the subject line
"Newsletter Signup" to be added to our list. Thanks in advance for your support and happy planning!

Xo,

The Details | Tiffany and Eric

This week we thought we'd start your Monday off with more detail shots of our Pretty In Pink (affectionately dubbed by Yours Truly) Shore Lodge wedding. For all of those brides currently planning a wedding at McCall's gorgeous resort hotel, this wedding is living proof that you can bring pink into the space successfully. The key here was to choose one grounding color that married in with the room- in the case it was the champagne color.

Tiffany fancied a shabby chic look with lots of pinks and crystal; we also brought in some woodsy elements (curly willow and the like) to also marry in with the space. Without further adieu, enjoy!

As always, do take a peek at Tana's blog for additional photos from the day.

Vendor Team:

Photography: Tana Photography
Venue: Shore Lodge, McCall
Planning & Design: Soiree
Flowers: Boise At Its Best
Linens, Fabric: Bliss Events
Drum Shades: Soiree

Sunday Soiree | Pumpkin Spice Latte

My favorite seasonal coffee drink of  has to be the pumpkin spice latte. Of course I have to be every baristas worst nightmare and order it with "half the amount of pumpkin, three shots of espresso, half skim milk half soy milk, and light whip cream".....half skim half soy? I'm sure they think I've dreamed this up just to make their lives more complicated but really, give it a try sometime it's delicious! But when I ran across not only this lovely image from dailynibbles.com, but a whole recipe for making this delectable beverage at home I was intrigued. This version will save you cash, undoubtedly some calories, and sometimes I'll admit it, I am just too lazy to leave my house on a Sunday, even for the hard task of getting a morning latte. You can find the full recipe here along with pretty pictures detailing each step. If you end up giving it a try shoot us a comment and let us know how it turned out, or better yet, post a picture of your own lovely mug to our facebook wall!

DIY Beauty Mask

Lately, in my er..disposition, I've noticed that I seem to be in puberty again. Not only are things changing, but I'm breaking out like an adolescent teenager. My combination complexion, normally fairly tame and sans drama is now tainted with landmines near daily. So I've been on the lookout for some home remedies free of harsh chemicals and the like and one of my favorites is this super simple, 3 ingredient lovely- all at the ready in the pantry.

Honey, nutmeg, and cinnamon are all you need- it really can't be any simpler than that.

HONEY CINNAMON FACE MASK

INGREDIENTS

1 Tbsp honey
1 tsp cinnamon powder
1 tsp nutmeg powder

DIRECTIONS

Mix all ingredients together in a bowl, then apply the mask to clean skin. Let it sit for approximately 20 minutes, then wash off with lukewarm water, gently rinsing in circular motions. Moisturize as usual and apply weekly. Because cinnamon brings blood to the surface of the skin, sensitive skin types should take precaution when attempting this recipe.

Head over to Beautylish to read the whole article, and do let us know if you try it out! And as always- especially if you're a bride, plan on ending your beauty adventures no later than 1 week prior to your wedding just in case you have an adverse reaction. 

~Happy beautifying!

Xo,

Inspiration | Gold, Denim, Wheat, Taupe

Kelly's inspiration board this week features a less common color palette for fall weddings, including this lovely cornflower-meets-denim shade. And I say gold makes everything better...

Sources: Yummy fall treats | Gold pumpkin place card | Trumpet style dress | Fall invitation | Gold wedding cake 
~Happy Planning!

Xo,

Trending | Mad For Leopard

I've found lately that I have a certain affinity for all things animal. Especially those in the leopard department when paired with red.

Currently needing those Gap flats, and I don't mind adding a little print here and there to your wedding day either with some glam accessories- what do you think?

To Buy: Gap ballet Flats | Jessica Simpson leopard skinny belt | Leopard bridal shoes | Tiffany & Co leopard print bag

~Xo,

Pretty In Pink | Tiffany and Eric's Shore Lodge Wedding

Today one of our favorite gals, Tana Photography, is featuring our pink July wedding at Shore Lodge in McCall. If you like pink we know you'll be inspired! Head on over to view more of this gorgeous couple and we'll be back in a few days with more of the details for you.

~Happy Planning!

Sunday Soiree | Sunday Brunch

Photo Courtesy of Daily Candy

With the beginning of Fall I think everyone’s minds start to wander to cozy settings, comforting meals, and warm drinks. Instead of barbeques and picnics I’m craving indoor get-togethers, big sweaters, and pumpkin spice candles.

When I saw this image from Daily Candy I instantly pictured a lazy Sunday morning with friends, holding a mug of strong coffee, nibbling on sweet and savory bites and perhaps sipping a mimosa. Sounds lovely right? Bring Sunday Brunch home this week and invite some friends over for a morning of leisure. Keep it simple with breakfast basics like the ones shown here or get fancy and whip up something like this from Design Crush or this from Celebrations at Home. Either way you’re set for a great time with good friends. Happy Sunday Soiree Brunch-ing! 

Fall Fashions

  

Today's topic is one of my favorite things: Fall Fashion. I love the layering, funky styling, eclectic pieces and whimsy that seems to accompany this season. All of these outfits came straight from the "like" department of my Pinterest page, it seems every time I log in there is a new look I need to try out before the weather turns too cold for ballet flats or sheer tights. I love how the classic denim shirt gets a fall makeover by being paired with dark wide legged pants and a mini skirt gets some added warmth with the addition of tights and an oversized sweater. Fall is a great time to mix and match and have some fun putting together unexpected pieces!
Outfits from left to right: 1. , 2., 3., 4., 5.
October image source here.

Inspiration Sneak Peek | Pretty Fall Metallics

We recently finished a fall style shoot with an amazing group of vendors, and this one was so different than any other we've done to date so far. We'll be sharing all of the amazing photos soon, but until then, a little teaser to whet your whistle:

The shoot was inspired by oyster pink, plum purple, and mixed metals- much like the makeup palettes you'll see in department stores this year (in fact, that's a Bobbi Brown fall eye shadow palette right there). What do you think? Would you be inspired to design a wedding or fall party around these colors and concepts?

Sources: Gorgeous Bling Dress | Orchid New York Linen by La Tavola |
Bobbi Brown Desert Twilight Eye Palette | Silver baby's breath centerpiece

You can also take a gander at my metallics Pinterest Board for more ideas. Happy planning!

Vintage Pink | Beige | Crimson

Kelly's inspiration board this week is all about years past with a lovely color combination...

Sources: Vintage inspired bouquet | Cage Veil | Ranjana Khan Necklace |
DIY lace envelopes

~Happy Planning!

Savvy Creative

This post was inspired by two things- one was this post, which I thought was a necessary reminder to the whole "the grass is greener" mentality, and also a question I received recently.

Like the post above, I too get so many questions and comments like "your job must be SO fun" and "how neat you get to play with pretty things all day!". And I do love my job and I do love what I get to play with most days. But mixed in with all of that there are budgets, proposals, numbers, negotiation, employees, schedules, invoices, taxes, and more lists and timelines than I'd like to admit. So it's a good thing, that from the outsider's perspective, it looks like everything came together effortlessly and magically unfolded before their very eyes. That means we did a great job at curtaining off the not so pretty!

Behind the scenes

As a business owner, not only am I in charge of the integrity of a client's event, but I'm also in charge of running the business. So, I have to admit it saddens me when I see someone "jump in" to become a wedding planner because they possess some creativity. It saddens me, because even though I took measures to educate myself before hanging my shingle, looking back, I essentially leaped into business because I saw a void in our marketplace and wanted so badly to fill it. But I knew nothing of the other side to running a successful business, a creative one or not. I can also say I'm happy when I see someone with the courage and tenacity to make a real go of it because no matter what owning a business and all that comes with it is no easy feat and should be celebrated. On that note, a few tips I've learned along the way:

- Accept that there are some things you'll have to do yourself, especially in the beginning. Know that there will be trials, tribulations, things that worked, and things that failed miserably. Accept that some things will need to change as you grow and evolve.

It's not always easy...just try to have fun with it.

- But keep the things that are working and work to keep them effective- You may have to tweak them as your team grows or create more systems, and that's ok.

One thing that will never change: having my Venti iced coffee on wedding days. A tradition for almost 7 years now!

- Outsource what you can, especially those items you're not good at. Accept that not everyone (or many) possess the ability to be efficient with both sides of the brain. Your work and home life will be much less stressful once you identify these qualities and eliminate those that suck your time away. 

Give me color swatches and linen samples any day..

So, do tell...what business and creative-related questions do you have or are you facing? I consider business networking one of the best forms of therapy, er, help there is. I fully believe in having business coaches and mentors, and connecting with other business owners on much of the same problems you might be facing. I'd love to be able to address those questions here- so do feel free to post a comment with your question, or if you have any tips and tricks of your own that you've discovered please leave those as well! 

Xo,