Put those wonderful engagement photographs to good use.

Pick your favorite and put them on SAVE the DATE magnets.  Not only do they make great tokens, and give everyone the chance to see your significant other, but they increase the response rate to your wedding!  Most brides tend to send out their invitations way too late.  The recommended time line is 8-6 weeks prior, but I always tell my brides to send their invitations 3 months prior.  People are just over whelmed with activites these days, especially during the warmer months.  So if you doing a destination wedding or plan to keep to that 8-6 week timeline than Save the Date cards may be just the thing.  Either way they sure are cute and fun!  Here's a few of my favorites.

Like the idea of the Save the Date Magnet but don't want your mug on someones fridge, then these might suit you better.

If you like the idea of using your engagement photograph, but don't see the need for sending out the save the date announcement, then use them on your invitation.  Here's a few samples

Don't forget your wedding photo's!  You go to all this expense, pick the perfect gown, and guests go out of their way to spend time and shower you with gifts to start your new life, and only a close few ever get an opportunity to see, little lone have a photograph of the most important time in your life.  I have more pictures of kids in grade school than i do of close friends and relatives on their wedding day!  Even with the advent of the internet, I'll bet that not even half of your guests get an email to view your online photographs.  And even if they do, less than half of them will make a purchase. 

A wonderful token of your appreciation and keepsake is the Thank You card with a small photograph.  You can either slide a photograph into the front pocket of the thank you card or have them printed on the actual card.

 Few last words on your Thank You's....

If you're not sending these, sending them promptly, and personalizing them to some extent (even if you're having pre-printed generic thank you notes inside) SHAME on you.    I could go on, but I think that pretty much sums it up.

Are you a Destination Bride?

  Who doesn't want to go the distance?

  Look around there are lots of wonderful locales just like this in and around where you live.  Takes a little more work on your part or that of your wedding planner, but Oh, the wonderful memories and photographs you'll have to cherish them by.  We had the opportunity to work with Dale Pickett of Indianapolis who took the photographs for one of our top Indiana destination locales. 

Location Adams Mill - Front of actual Mill

Makes a great Welcoming point and Reception area for the guest as it sits directly adjacent to the parking lot

It's all in the Details!  We pulled in a lot of wonderful elements that played well with our setting.  Sage green dresses and vests to play off the red barns.  We even pulled out the Red Velvet Wagon for some delight and playful ambiance.  A red berry bouquet for the bride.  Crocheted table runner for the picnic table, topped off with hammered aluminum serverware, containers and aluminum buckets iced down to hold colored bottles of soda.

And Jack Daniels for the Adults!  Lynchburg Limeade of course

And the Bride wore....

A traditional Ivory gown with a natural waist bodice accented with just a touch of champagne lace and small ribbon sash.  Of course the gown must look good on you, but if it can play into and highlight your surrounding, all the more memorable.  Just that small touch of lace in that champagne color lended itself to that rustic feel of the locale with out being too countrified or over-bearing for our bride.  The small berry bouquet in our satin cone bouquet holder added a bit of natural whimsy, and really make a nice natural contrast.

To tie in the brides bouquet to the maids and goomsmen a bit of the berries were added

Since it was a Hot late summer day we opted for no Jackets and Khaki pants.  That being the case, we needed to kick it up a notch with some fun, high contrast, Energy Ties in the matching sage color.

 NRG Tie - Available at Blessed Beginnings in 15 different colors!

Our wedding took place by the Wildcat Creek, with a guitarist strumming soft serenades.

You don't have to loose the all the wonderful elements of the church setting when you do an outdoor wedding.  Bring them with you.  We added a stain glass window with our sage green colors to set in front of our make shift alter.

And our iron, unity candle, cross set, looks breathtaking against the falls.  Just make sure to use globes for your candles to block the breeze.  This item is also available to rent from Blessed Beginnings

On to the Buffet coordinated with our Princess House serverware set in bronze iron display racks.  This server set allowed us to add height, dimension and style to our table.  The iron brought in a natural feel and crystal made it sparkle!

You don't have to sacrifice having a delightful spread when you're opting to go it alone, such as a having a carry in with your family assisting you.  You just have to have a plan, and that means providing them with the coordinated serverware in which they can bring their scruptious food.  If you need assistance with designing your own unique event our Social Coordinating service is here to help!

 The old grape arbor was a dream setting for our dinner.

  Picnic tables draped with table cloths made for a cozy, intimate setting.

 And this is where we leave you this fall, dreaming of 2008 summer weddings.

 Stay warm and sleep tight over the winter!  See you in the Spring!

KJ

They're beautiful, sexy, goregous and you're about to spend approxiamately eight hours on your feet!  "Oh, I wear heals all the time"  but are you up running around conducting business?  Or are you like most of us who spend the majority of the time at a desk?  Makes a difference.  I've rarely seen one of my brides keep her shoes on until the end of the evening.  Now I'm not proposing that you have to wear ballet shoes or flats, but make sure your comfortable.  If that means getting something with a more sustainable heal to support your weight through out the long event, then so be it.  You'll be so much happier.  Besides the garter toss, when does any one ever really see your shoes?  Unless you've opted for a hi-low or short gown.

Here are a few options:

We've been so busy!  Our move to 707 Main Street, at the beginning of 2007, was the 1st big undertaking.  Along with 3 bridal shows in January, one of which we conducted the fashion show, has just keep us from having our Grand Opening sooner.  But I think that was for the best, because this next Friday is just going to gorgeous weather, and I know we're all itching to get out and enjoy some beautiful weather!  And Oh Boy, do we have some good stuff in store for you that day and evening.

 We are actually combining our Grand Opening with Image Source Photographic's (next door) Open house to offer Free seminars on how to "Get the best picture possible from your photographer" at 7pm  Plus Blessed Beginnings Social Event Coordinator is doing one on "How to Plan your wedding like a Pro" at 6pm.  And if you've ever been interested in Arbonne skin care there will be seminar at 4pm to "Discover the difference of how Arbonne = REsults".

But that's not all...5pm kicks off our social hour with Appetizers by Laura's Creative Catering, Cakes by Isabella, Ice Sculpture by 222 Ice Carving, Harpist Maren Dahlenburg, Trumpeter Bruce Knepper, and florals by Valley Flowers. 

Just when you think it couldn't get any better...well it does....

Blessed Beginnings Bridal Boutique is offering 15% Everything in the Store!                   Image Sources is holding a silent auction to help benefit "Roberto".  The auction will feature a One hour portrait session which will include a 20 page linen hardcover book for display.  Door Prizes every hour for VIP passes to see the Jeremy Vogt Band @ Knickerbockers later that evening!  And coupons to Spurlocks for 10% off Lunch or Dinner.

If you want to get up early our ribbon cutting with Mayor Tony Roswarski is at 9am.  The blessing will be given by Doug Pruim from Christian Reformed church with a special Dove Release provided by Melco's White Dove Release.

We think we have something for everyone!  So bring your family and friends.  Even if they're not getting married we have great wedding and bridal shower gifts!  Who know's maybe they'll pitch in and buy your dress!

Have a great week!  Look forward to meeting you if you can attend!  KJ

Hello and welcome to

Blessed Beginnings Bridal Blog

where all we do is talk about weddings!

    My name is KJ and I own Blessed Beginnings Bridal Boutique in Lafayette, Indiana, home to Purdue University.  We are situated between Chicago, IL. and Indianapolis, and service 6 surrounding counties.

    Orignally from Valparaiso, Indiana, I made Lafayette my home over 15 years ago after attending Purdue.  I studied as an environmental scientist, but found my true calling as party planner.  Go figure!  Lafayette's Great Race as a benefit for the Villages - a non profit foster care alternative, exemplified my many organizational skills from fundraising, marketing, strategist, to decorating & catering the entire event.  I knew right then that organizing social funtions was my forte and the natural  progression was to enter the world of weddings.  Hence the birth of Blessed Beginnings.

    I live and breath weddings.  Do I have a great job or what!  I love working with all my girls.  I not only help guide them with gowns and tuxedos, invitations and accessories, but vendor recomendations, decorating ideas, wedding day coordination,...and I'm also an officiant.  

   Many of our clients are so please to be able to conduct all their business at one location with one person who understands all their special details and how they interrelate to one another.  Aside from your mother, no one want your wedding to go smoother than I do.

    Check back with me over the course of your engagement, you'll never know what you might pick up.  And of course feel free to email me, I would be happy to personally assist you with any of your wedding details.  

    At Blessed Beginnings we are all about making your wedding dollars work harder for you.  I've assisted many brides throughout the U.S. from Boston to Tuscon, and I'd be honored to assist you as well.

Bye for Now  

KJ