I’m here today to help you avoid making the same mistake as me- Black River Imaging has a modern and creative way to display your photos and share them with your friends and family. Black River Imaging actually fuses your image into metal. The result is a single print large enough for wall mounting or even small enough to use as an ornament. They also come in many shapes so you are not limited to just square or round. Check them out:

If you just got engaged and are planning your engagement session, wedding, or need thank you cards, consider this creative way to display and share your photos- no excuses!

Happy Planning from your Tucson Wedding Blog!

Kelly

This is a great shot of the Michael as he sees Michelle coming down the aisle

The pumpkin escort card are so cute…

Michelle and Michael’s Real Wedding Team:

Ceremony and Reception Site: The Stillwell House and Garden

Photographer: Patrick Grimes Photography

Tuxedos: A Tailor Tuxedo and Bridal

Florist: In Full Bloom Weddings

Cake: Ambrosia of Tucson, Mini’s Cupcakes

Entertainment: Desert DJs

Make-up Artist and Hair Stylist: Ivan’s Studio

Rentals: Pro EM Party Concepts

Hotel Accomodations: The Westin La Paloma Resort

Rehearsal Dinner Site: Piazza Gavi’s

Photobooths made their debut at weddings roughly 10 years ago and they have steadily gained momentum through the years and for good reason. What’s not to love about a Photobooth? They are fun, silly and appeal to all ages not to mention your guests get to take home the photos as momentos of the party. Today, we are talking with Picture Me Photobooth founder and owner Nanette O’Connor who has a passion for her business and wedding guests!

Here is a really sweet picture of Nanette with her children who she explains, “…are instrumental in many aspects of my business. Carley is very creative and artsy so she is mostly behind the scenes and Adam helps with with all my events, setting up and a lot of computer and graphics help.”

(Image Courtesy of Britta Van Vranken Photography)

I had a little Q and A with Nanette so here’s the lowdown!

KG: How did you get into the Photo Booth Business?

NO: In September of 2010,I attended my nieces wedding in Minnesota. She, like so many other Brides had a beautiful wedding, and at her reception was a Photo Booth. Not your old fashion little metal photo booth. This booth would hold up to 12 people. I knew the second I step into that photo booth, that this was what I had been searching for, for the past 10 years. Everything about the booth was perfect. I returned home to Tucson the following day and couldn’t get to the computer fast enough to see how many photo booths were already in Tucson. How many did I find? Zero…I could find photo booths in Phoenix, but nothing like the custom made booth that I had just seen. Then, I remembered that my daughter have a few photo booth strips in her room from various parties that she had attended here in Tucson. After comparing the quality of her photo booth pictures and the ones that I had just brought home from Minnesota, I knew that I just had to do this. Her pictures were blurry and dark. Mine were crystal clear and perfectly exposed. I knew immediately that Tucson needed a photo booth company that was top notch. And talk about fun? The photo booth definitely added so much to the reception There was no stopping me now. After hours of checking everything out. I bought my photo booth (from my new found friends in Minnesota) and have been in business since November of 2010.

KG: How popular are the Prop Boxes?

NO: The prop boxes are very popular, they add an extra fun element to the photo booth experience. People have fun using the props and letting their alter egos fly.

KG: Do you have any photographic experience?

NO: I have no photographic experience. My booth is equipped with state of the art equipment and the booth pretty much runs on it’s own, once I have it all programmed with specifics for the event that I am doing.

KG: What trends are you seeing for Photobooths at Weddings?

NO: I see a growing trend for Photo Booths at Weddings. After months of detailed planning the wedding ceremony is romantic and elegant. The Photo Booth ensures that the reception turns out to be what is most important for that part of the day…Pure Fun!

Here are some samples of the Picture Me Photobooth photos that guests get to take home with them:

Nanette, thanks for your help with this blog post and we are proud to call you a friend of Tucson Bride and Groom Magazine!

Picture Me Photobooth will be at IDo in Tucson this Sunday so go visit the booth and take home some fun pics!

Chatting Soon~Kelly

It makes no sense to schlep your beautiful rehearsal dinner dress, perfect wedding day shoes, or brand new honeymoon threads in a cheapy thin plastic dry cleaner’s garment bag. I can almost guarantee it will rip and your precious clothing will not fare well. Jendarling Bags founder Jen Bennett is an environmentalist at heart so she wanted to create a line of bags that were made from eco-friendly fabrics but still had chic appeal. I think she’s succeeded!

These gorgeous bags are also a perfect bridesmaid gift- they are pretty enough that your gals will want to pack their bridesmaid dresses in them and they’re practical enough that they will get many many years of use out of them too. There are also shoe bags to compliment the garment bag fabrics:

Love these! See a video from Jendarling Bags founder Jen Bennett:

Jendarling from Amy Plemons on Vimeo.

First, there are some basic rules one should follow when choosing gifts:

1. Give a gift that is useful in some way. Pretty things can be useful so I am not ruling out things that are simply nice to look at but if you are giving anything that has your names on it and your wedding date, realize that this will only be good for a weekend or so. Trust me on this.

2. Do not give a picture frame, coasters, or a coffe mug. Lame and boring, even when personalized.

3. Do not give a gift you wouldn’t want. Think about how you would feel if someone gave you a mousepad with their wedding date on it? That’s going right in the trash, right? And what about the crazy idea that someone would use a wine glass that has their name on it AND the word “Bridesmaid”? Are you dooming that friend to bridesmaid status forever? She is not using that glass after the wedding. EVER.

Now that we have covered the basics, let’s talk about what we CAN give our gals who intervene for us when family members have loud opinions on reception music, who settle our nerves when the “did the cake make it?” moment occurs and who dutifully dress and primp exactly how you want them to on your big day without a single pout or sneer.

1. Make up, especially make up she can carry with her the day of the wedding, is always a hit. You might think it’s hard to choose make up for each bridesmaid but if you go somewhat neutral, you will please all the gals. Here are a few options we love:

Carli Windsor, a cosmetics packaging developer, founded Custom Favor Design out of necessity. She wanted to give a gift at her own wedding that was unique and reflected of her style and wedding decor but couldn’t find anything that was up to par. She decided to create her own custom lipgloss compacts that are fully recyclable and contain 3 shades of custom created lip gloss. A bonus to these pretty palettes is that the materials used on the outside of the compact can compliment your unique wedding decor! One more tidbit that I must mention, these are insanely affordable at $16-20 each. Here are just a few of the compacts Carli Windsor’s Custom Favor Designs have created:

See how she takes into account all the various elements of the wedding and then creates a truly custom bridesmaid gift for you? Your girls are sure to love this! If you want to spend a little more on your gal pals, incorporate these custom lipgloss compacts into a “Beauty Bag” gift that includes a customized mirror, a personalized tote bag, a custom aluminum water bottle and maybe even a gift certificate for a post-wedding “thank you for wearing those toe killer shoes” pedicure. Voila!

2. Another gift idea for your girls is to go the jewelry route. I know this isn’t the newest idea on the block but it’s a classic for good reason. I must clarify…we do not suggest that you purchase the same necklace for every girl to wear on the wedding day. Matchy Matchy is not high on the hip scale. A lovely idea is to get each of your girls a necklace and/or bracelet and/or earrings that show that you have been paying attention to them and their style. Give your ultra- feminine friend a sweetly understated pair of earrings like these worn by Michelle Williams on the red carpet:

Give your best rocker friend a stylish cuff like this one from Stella and Dot :

Or this gorgeous Stella and Dot necklace for your classy but modern-edged girlfriend:

3. You can also thank your girls by creating themed bags (or any container) for each- “Pretty Me” for the beauty queen, “Wine Me” for the sophisticated sipper,”Entertain Me” for the hostess, “Feed Me” for the foodie in your life, “Run Away With Me” for the exercise obsessed, etc. If you put the thought into each girl’s bag, the worshipping as the best gift giver ever will commence. Look at these adorable tote and container options:

There are so many pattern options from The MacBeth Collection your head will spin with possibilities.

(Top: Venti Oval Tub in Sofia Monaco. Other patterns shown L-R: Spot Swirl Black, Madras Navy and Rococo Lime)

And for the girl who likes a multitasking tote, use these to fill with Bridesmaid goodies now and she can use it for wine/shopping later:

(Insulated Tote from RRPage via Etsy and Reusable Shopping Totes from Lime Tree Gifts via Etsy)

4. Consider outfitting your gals with sweet, sassy, or even modern clutches. This is a gift that your girls can use way past the wedding day. There are tons out there but what you want to think about is size, fabric and color. If you want the clutches to become part of the wedding photos then stay within the same color and size range. If you want your girls to think of you the next time they head out on the town, pick out clutches that make a statement. Here are a two eye-catching options:

(White Ivory Floral Clutch by Cory Renee via Etsy )

 (Nevis Clutch by Stephanie Johnson )

5. And finally, if you are choosing a bridesmaids dress that is on the spendy side, without question, pay for a portion of your girls’ dresses. To ask a friend to be in your wedding is an honor but to ask her to pay several hundred dollars on a brand name frock that she really will only wear once is a little pushy. Enough said.

Chatting Soon~Kelly

Clockwise from top left: (purse) Cory Renee via Etsy; (bouquet) Hollye Schumacher Photography; (lipstick) Bobbi Brown Cosmetics in Honeysuckle; (dress) Dessy/After Six Collections; (cake) Hollye Schumacher Photography; (invitation) Tenuto Photo; (lip palette) Carli Windsor Custom Favors

More pretties in Honeysuckle for a more subdued palette:

Photography courtesy of  (L-R): Patrick Grimes Photography/ Elaine Taylor Fine Flowers, Ted Hewitt Photography)

Take note pink lovers, make-up with a color like honeysuckle needs to be carefully considered. The wrong pink, too much pink, it can all be a mess. Luckily, Martina Neal from Artisan Salon has shared some beauty tips with us that will work with honeysuckle should you choose to use this pretty shade in your wedding.

As glamour blossoms on the aisle, makeup colors are inspired by shades and elements found in nature. Light luminous greens with a hint of mint, pale lemon and soft violets for eye colors as well as washes of muted taupes are paired with the a pop of color on the lips are creating a stunning “new natural” beauty for the 2011 season.

(Laura Mercier Silk Road Eye and Cheek Palette)

(Christian Dior Addict Lipstick in Pink Bustier found at Nordstrom)

I kind of like how the colors Martina suggest all come together:

This glam expert also tell us “Lashes are still here to stay and are a must for every bride to bring out their eyes. If you have never worn them, I suggest you try them at your rehearsal to see what a difference they make and to make sure you feel absolutely comfortable with them. Sculpted, defined eyebrows frame the eyes and finish the look. It’s a “WOW” moment!”

Brides, what can we take from today’s inspiration? You will be seeing lots of pink, you can pair the honeysuckle hue with brighter colors for drama or soft greens for a more natural look and most importantly, watch the makeup!!!  You absolutely need a professional make up artist on your wedding day and Martina is your gal. We will be featuring Martina in her very own “Tucson B&G Friend Spotlight” soon- check back for more advice from her!

Chatting Soon~Kelly

Here are some ideas, little nuggets and inspirations for you to consider on this day of kisses:

Surprise your sweetheart with these charming paper fortune cookies (and notice they are not too super girly so they are great for guys too)! This is an example of very little effort and huge reward brought to you by Deliverance05 on Etsy:

Check out these adorable DIY ideas for Valentines’s Day, brought to you by Design Sponge:

Ummm..have you heard of LoveOpoly? It’s Monopoly but personalized and more fun (or at least it is for me who always got totally creamed by her brother)!

Sweet on You by Philosophy is just the right scent for the day:

And what better way to start off your morning coffee routine than with a bit of subtle decor to give a quiet nod to the day ahead (Paper Heart Garland from PaperPolaroid on Etsy):

And lovebirds, remember to just love your honey in the best way you know how. All the rest will fall into place…

Enjoy and kisses! Kelly

Vahan Jewelry has inspired celebrities such as Katy Perry, Lo Bosworth, Jessalyn Gilsig (of the fantastic “Glee”) and Lucy Hale of Pretty Little Liars to amp up their style power with Vahan Stacking Bracelets. Look at how beautifully the bracelets compliment their dresses:

My favorite look- Ms. Lo Bosworth:

Now, can you see your best girls topping off their bridesmaids dresses with these beauties? They are also perfect as an accessory to your own dazzling wedding gown. You and glamour should definitely get to know each other!

Here are a few more photos to drool over…

You know, I am always looking out for you busy brides and if you go with the Vahan Jewelers Stacking Bracelets, you are not only able to check off a to-do (bridesmaids gifts) on your massive list but you can also be sure to earn Best Bride status in the hearts of your girls!

Chatting Soon~Kelly

Jaynie has been a busy lady- she just opened her new store Mini’s Cupcakes- and I feel the irresistable desire to take a car trip! Jaynie says, “When the space became available, I knew it would be a better fit for us. We wanted to find a new place that inspires an enriching experience and continues to bring a yummy joy to the community…We are thrilled our customers are enthusiastic about the move and have pleged to follow our shop to its new space.”

My fav is Lemon Drop (pictured above) but I am totally intrigued by the Pineapple Upside Down and the Pistachio Raspberry!

I had to find out the Tucson Bride and Groom Team’s weaknesses:

Fran, our esteemed publisher, goes traditional with Chocolate with Buttercream and a bit adventurous with the Strawberries and Champagne (although she makes it clear that she would not turn down any of them!!)

Jennifer, our beloved Marketing and Sales gal, prefers Pineapple Upside Down, Chocolate Ganache, Carrot, and Strawberries and Champagne ( I asked for her favorite but she couldn’t narrow it down!)

Stephanie, our invaluable Editor, simply cannot choose. She’s spontaneous and decides when she sees them; whichever one is prettiest is her pick!

There is only one problem. What about the perfect way to display your Mini’s? Check out the Cupcake Tower- these are versatile, customizable and re-usable! They are handcrafted, come with matching non-permanent ribbon and you can choose square or round, 2, 3, 4 or 5 tiers!

Cupcakes, meet your throne!

It’s a little bit wrong how much I want a cupcake right now- I hear the treadmill yelling at me! (Speaking of cupcakes, do you know about Bella Cupcake Couture?)

Chatting Soon~Kelly

Thanks to Amanda Rockafellow for her delightful and tempting images of Mini’s new store and cupcakes!

Here’s what you need to know: Mini’s is located at 7051 North Oracle Rd.  Tucson, AZ, call  299-2605 for more information.

They drop your name into the right lap, they slip you a hard to get phone number or they tip you off to a new opportunity. So brides, how does this relate to you?

Well, as an inhabitant of the wedding world, you have to shop A LOT. You have decisions to make and people to thank, not to mention the gifts you must bestow on your guys and gals come wedding time. Sometimes having an inside track is a handy tool to keep in your back pocket.

One such tool is One King’s Lane. This is a site where you sign up for access to “The world’s top home decor brands and designers at up to 70% off retail.”  What’s cool about the site is that the deals change on a rotating basis. You just need to slip online every once in a while and peruse but if you like something you see, act quickly because items do sell out. Here are some of today’s items:

Sure, you can’t complete your gift registry here because the products change often but you can check it out for great deals, unique gift ideas and top notch designers. Stephanie turns to One King’s Lane when she needs to buy a gift for those people who seem to have it all. She wisely advises “While you might not ‘need’ any of the beautiful treasures at One Kings Lane, you will want them all.”

No go find your next treasure!

Chatting Soon~Kelly