The Royal Anniversary!

It was a year ago today that the world woke up bright and early to watch one of the most beloved royal young couple get married. Some of us watched it as we got ready for work, and some of us watched it with our little own princess' in the making! We want to wish Prince William and Kate a happy anniversary!

Click here to take a look back at The Royal Wedding.

XOXO,
Aelicia & Rachael

Work of AART Event: Raffaele's First Communion

Our client was throwing her son a First Communion at Fernandes Steak House in Newark, NJ and the theme was candy...YUMM!! She hired us to help set up the centerpieces and candy buffet and then man the candy station when it was time for dessert (just another way our Illusionism package can help you!). It was a fun party with amazing food and fun treats for everyone from the 3 foot tall gumball filled centerpiece (and yes I said 3 feet tall!), the ballon twisting of not just ordinary balloon animals, we're talking about a life size balloon baby, down to the photo booth! But let's face it, as fun as all that is, you really want to see the candy buffet. The buffet that has your favorite candy....the buffet that had over 15 candies!!!

So take a look at some pictures and enjoy. 

Our mouth's still water when we look at them! If you are thinking about adding a candy buffet to your party, contact us!

XOXO,

Aelicia & Rachael 

Tips on Tuesday: Best Man Duties

We haven't done a Tips on Tuesday in a while so when I came across this article, I thought it was perfect! We always talk about the bride and how to perfect the wedding of their dreams but what about the men? Being asked to be a Best Man is a big deal, but then what? So this is for all the men out there today. Finally the focus is on you lol!

This article I found on wedding.autopilot gave a few tips for you and can be very helpful especially if this is the first time you've ever been asked to hold such an honor in the bride and groom's wedding party. It isn't overwhelming information, just a couple things from before the big day, because yes there is something you can do besides plan the Bachelor party, to the reception. Believe me you'll get to enjoy the night. You'll just also be the "Best Man Ever" that day!

XOXO,
Aelicia & Rachael

AART Event Planning wishes Rachael Lukas a Happy Anniversary!

So today is a very special day. It is the 6 year Wedding Anniversary of our very own Rachael Lukas!! And as a Happy Anniversary from us, we wanted to share a few details from that special day.

When Rachael got married this time of year, she was lucky since it was right after Easter. Her church was already decorated still and that saved her some money in decor. Plus, since Rachael and my brother in law are really allergic to flowers, Rachael made all of the silk flower arrangements, from the boutineers to the bouquets to the centerpieces, so the Easter arrangements in the church not only saved her money, but also a lot of time trying to create any altar pieces!

If you have been a fan of our Facebook Page and have followed are blog (which you all should be lol!) then you know that Rachael is the designer and creative mind in our company and pretty much everything you see in our design department AART Designs, has been made by her. So it isn't surprising for me to tell you that Rachael had designed a lot of great pieces that can be seen through out her wedding.

Rachael made all of the programs, her unity candle, the bouquets and boutineers even her centerpieces.

But my favorite were the Ribbon wands she made for the ceremony that were placed in a basket with a note that read: "It's time to cheer for the new Mr. & Mrs. Wave this wand and send them your wishes!" as well as her photo card box. It is special details like this that make any event memorable. And you know that we are all about those special details!

Take a look at the beautiful couple on one of the happiest days of their lives.

And now we fast forward 6 years where Rachael and Martin are still as in love as they were on their wedding day and have two amazing little boys! Plus lets not forget she co-founded AART Event Planning with me and together we strive to make it a huge success! 

Happy Anniversary to my sister and brother in law! May life fill you with many more blessings.

XOXO,

Aelicia 

Wedding Dates to Avoid in 2012 and 2013

So as I was researching some topics to talk about today, I came across this article from The Knot about wedding dates you should avoid and found it interesting and wanted to share with all of you. Here are some dates they feel you should avoid.

Holiday Weekends

Presidents' Weekend (Always a Monday)

February 20, 2012

February 18, 2013

Independence Day

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Thursday, July 4, 2013

Thanksgiving (Always a Thursday)

November 22, 2012

November 28, 2013

Religious and Cultural Holidays

Hanukkah (begins at sunset)

Saturday, December 10, 2012 until nightfall on Sunday, December 16, 2012

Wednesday, November 27, 2013 until nightfall on Thursday, December 5, 2013

Christmas

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Wednesday, December 25, 2013

Super Bowl Sunday

Quirky Dates

10/11/12 falls on a Thursday

12/12/12 falls on a Wednesday

11/12/13 falls on a Tuesday

Check out the full article Wedding Planning: Wedding Dates to Avoid in 2012 and 2013 to see the rest of the dates The Knot chose. Do you agree? Leave us a comment on your thoughts!

XOXO,

Aelicia & Rachael

Spring/Summer 2012 Wedding Hair Trends

Spring is here, even though it feels like Summer outside! And with the Bridal Market that just happened over the weekend, we wanted to share some Wedding Hair Trends for the season.

Chignons

This is a great classic wedding look. A chignon goes perfect with any style wedding dress and gives a romantic look for a Spring wedding.

*Photo courtesy of hollywoodhairstyle.blogspot.com

Retro

We know that vintage weddings are a big trend right now and a retro glam hairstyle pulls it altogether perfectly.

*Photo courtesy of hairsthebling.com

Fishtail Braids

Probably the biggest Spring/Summer hair trend right now are fishtail braids. This is a look for a bride who doesn't just want a traditional wedding. She's fun and flirty and this look is perfect for her!

*Photo courtesy of styleofbaileys.blogspot.com

We love these styles, the fishtail braid now being my favorite and a must for me to practice doing! Have any pictures of your wedding day hairstyle? We'd love to see them!

XOXO,

Aelicia & Rachael

Work of AART Event: Teresa's Baby Shower

What is not to love about babies. They are so cute and those tiny little clothes! That's why we always have a great time designing and planning a baby shower.

Teresa's mother and sister in law hired us and new from the beginning that they didn't want the traditional themed baby shower. They wanted elegant and sophisticated. Think bridal shower with a baby twist : )

The invitation started it all. Rachael designed an invite with a light pink damask, since 1) Teresa new she is having a girl and 2) you know how much we love damask! Accented with a light green ribbon and beautiful pearl embellishment, the invitation was just elegantly gorgeous!

The event was held at Varka Restaurant in Ramsey and boy did the food smell delicious at 11am! With the standard white restaurant linens, we went with a white orchid plant in a pink vase. The vase added a great color choice to the table and the pearl embellishment on it went perfectly with the invitation. With a couple added orchids next to it and the table looked stunning. And for another added touch, we accented Teresa's chair with a white chair cover, pink sash and a couple orchids.

As we put the guests gifts in one corner, they were able to put their wishing well gifts in a wicker baby carriage that was anchored next to the beautiful cake. How adorable is that baby under a blanket on top!

When the party was over, each guest walked away with adorable "World's Gratest Mom" cheese grater from Best Baby Shower.com. How cute are they!

We hope Teresa enjoyed her shower and cannot wait to see her little princess when she arrives : )

XOXO,

Aelicia & Rachael

Work of AART Event: Lidia's 1st Birthday!!

We had such an amazing time planning our client's daughter Lidia's first birthday! Since Lidia was born close to Easter, a Spring/Easter theme was a given. Rachael designed an amazing invitation that started it all. Elegant swirls with pastel eggs hanging from them and a picture of the birthday girl on the other side for guests to keep!

The party was held at the Italian-American Club in Clifton and let me tell you the space is a great size for a wedding! The room is large, it has a full kitchen, a stage and it's own side room with a bar. As guests walked up the stairs, there was a table set up with Lidia's newborn and 12 month photo along with some bunny ears for the boys and girls. The tables had white, pink and purple linens and the centerpieces were branches with hanging eggs and pictures of the birthday girl created by our very own design department AART Designs.

Once dinner was out, guests were greeted by the Easter Bunny and all the kids were able to take pictures with him with their very own bunny ears. Following pictures, the Easter Bunny walked around with the kids and helped them find eggs during the egg hunt. Following the egg hunt, Lisa from Parties for Peanuts, Inc provided face painting and balloon animals for all the kids which was a huge hit!

Then it was time for the best part, dessert! We had provided a candy buffet, the beautiful Happy Birthday Banner and the amazing matching 12 month photo banner that went behind the buffet. Our good friend Tippy Woodard from Hey Sweet Cakes created the AMAZING bunny cake. The bunny in the basket looked so real we just wanted to snuggle with it! And the birthday girl had a fun time with the bunny as her smash cake. Guests were also treated with cake and egg pops and bunny and carrot cookies from our friend Valerie Cerciello. Yum! We love how the swirls on the cake pops and the eggs on the actual cake all matched and went together with the swirls on the invitation! There was also a juice stand for the kids, a cotton candy machine and snow cones! Just another way that small details are everything : )

When the party was over, the kids not only went home with a goodie bag of candy, but also a customized color book made by us!

We had so much fun planning and designing this special first birthday and we hope that Lidia, and her mommy and daddy, had as much fun as we did!

Special Thanks to the Vendors that helped make this event even more special:

Venue: Italian-American Club

Catering: Friend of client

Rentals: Hallak Cleaners

Entertainment: Parties for Peanuts, Inc

Cake: Hey Sweet Cakes

Cake Pops/Cookies: Valerie Cerciello

XOXO,

Aelicia & Rachael