AART Event Planning: New Year New Packages!!

We are very excited to share with all of you our newest package....Futurism!! It is our Proposal Package that we have been working hard on creating and we are so happy to be offering our clients a package that starts from the very beginning!

Stay tuned for additional packages and even more exciting features!

XOXO,

Aelicia & Rachael

"Work of AART" Real Wedding: Marisa & Rob

Last week one of my dearest friends married the love of her life and I had the privilage of being apart of the wedding as well as helping design her menu cards and candy buffet. So since I was in the wedding, I actually took off from my normal wedding working duties and enjoyed myself. And that means I don't have all the best pictures to show off. But I hope you enjoy what I do have and look out for professional pictures soon!

Marisa had a very beautiful wedding and gorgeous weather to match! How adorable are the two pumpkins painted with the words "I DO" on them! A great fall touch to this fall themed wedding. And how can anyone forget about the family pet. The family dog in her little white dress was just too cute for words!

Look at that dress! So beautiful and amazing beading and crystals on the bodice, bottom of the skirt and train. And that cathedral length veil....simply stunning!

Here is a look of Marisa's bridal party, one picture with her "sisters" and the other with her newly extended family (doesn't the first girl on the left in the first picture look familiar? LOL). She chose Bill Levkoff dresses in a cranberry color with an ivory sash. Perfect for her fall color scheme.

Marisa's sister in law served as one of her Matron's of Honors. She wore a different dress in a slightly darker hue to accommodate that beautiful baby bump.

Following the ceremony which was held at Our Lady of the Assumption in Wood-Ridge, New Jersey, guests went to enjoy cocktail hour at The Valley Regency in Clifton, New Jersey. The exquisite ballroom was set up for her 180 guests and the lighting throughout the room set the romantic room. Following the couple's first dance as husband and wife to the Bon Jovi song "All About Loving You", came the parent dances. The most heart warming dance was the groom's dance with his sister to Celine Dion's "Because You Loved Me". I can say there was not a dry eye in the house and I was no exception!

Next it was on to dinner, drinks and dancing and boy did everyone have a great time....especially with a special guest, well actually 2, for the night (their band consisted of the Queen of Freestyle Judy Torres and the brides uncle is famous for his Elvis impersonation!). Topped off with the wedding cake and our candy buffet display and it was the perfect end to a great wedding.

The best part of our jobs is seeing the love and happiness between two people and being allowed to be apart of it. It's even more special when you ahve seen that love grow and grow throughout the years. We are so happy for you Marisa and Rob and we wish you a lifetime of happiness!

XOXO,

Aelicia & Rachael

Friday's Featured Business: Ambiance Video

Wow can you believe that it is Friday already! This week just flew by. So we are looking forward to the weekend, a relaxing one, and to tell you about today's featured business Ambiance Video.

I used Ambiance Video for my own wedding 6 years ago and still till this day, I watch my video every year (and I make my husband sit through it at every anniversary lol)! So you can just imagine how excited I was to bring in our bride to see them yesterday.

Mike Nebbia, the owner, has been in the industry for 20 years. Ambiance specializes in weddings, bar/bat mitzvahs, sweet 15/16's and corporate events. Mike and his team are true professionals. They do a great job of "capturing the moments" without being obtrusive. Everything is filmed in HD and the turn around time is incredible and Mike even does all of the editing right there in their studio.

They have several packages and really work with you to make sure that you get exactly what you want. They can even do a small recap of the day and have it played for you later during the event! And if you are looking for photo booths, they now have that too! It is no wonder why they are considered one of the most popular studios in North Jersey!

Take a look at one of their same day edit videos below!

We look forward to working with them again.

XOXO,

Aelicia & Rachael

Friday's Featured Business: Creative Custom Card Boxes

Happy Weekend everyone! I can't believe Friday is here already. And if you have been following our Friday blogs, then you know today we feature one of our favorite businesses and today that goes to Creative Custom Card Boxes!

Marni Gold is the owner and designer of Creative Custom Card Boxes. She created her company when she was planning her own wedding in 2008. Frustrated at not being able to find a unique and secure way to store the wedding envelopes at the reception, Marni decided to create her own eco-friendly card box that was simple yet elegant and matched with her wedding decor. She created this with her mother Linda, who has years of decor and entertaining experience. We love that!!

Today, Marni has created many boxes for every theme, and has even increased her product line to now offer Cake Table Decor Letters, Monograms/Logos and Monogram Cake Toppers. Creative Custom Card Boxes has also been featured on many blogs, Get Married, Style Me Pretty, New Jersey Bride Magazine and WE TV's Platinum Weddings! Just to name a few : )

Adding a card box is a great addition to a wedding, birthday, christening or any other event. Here's a peek at some of Marni's past work:

Have a great weekend everyone. We can't wait to see what the weekend inspiration brings us and we'll be sure to share them with you next week!

XOXO,

Aelicia & Rachael

Tips on Tuesday: Planning Your Honeymoon

Happy Tuesday everyone. We hope you all enjoyed the beautiful heatwave New Jersey had this weekend! The weather inspired today's blog.

Going on a honeymoon is the icing on a cake to a beautiful wedding (and a big reward for all that stressful planning!). Here are some tips from us to consider:

1) Keep in mind the times of "peak season". You will be paying more to go to a tropical island in January than you would in May.

2) Hurricane Season!! Ok, so this is really an extension from point 1. New Jersey knows all too well this year about Hurricane Irene and the complications and delays that can affect your wedding. Booking a honeymoon during this time period can be scary but not impossible. Going to a beautiful island is not out of the question. Just know where the hurricane borders are and the places that rarely get hit by them, like Aruba for example.

3) Think of your heritage. Are you from a big Italian family? Or maybe you have a European background. Visiting these countries for your honeymoon is a great way to learn more about your heritage and a beautiful backdrop for pictures!

4) Think All Inclusive. I know this may sound like a no brainer, but places like Hawaii, although extremely beautiful, rarely have all inclusive packages. Choosing a destination that has everything included allows you to sit back and really relax on your honeymoon instead of worrying about the money factor right after your wedding. And less face it, you already spent a lot for the wedding of your dreams. The honeymoon should be the "de-stresser" from all that planning!

5) Plan to leave mid week. There are so many travelers over the weekend. If you leave during the week, you can avoid all that craziness at the airport, adjust a little bit to married life and get a great deal too!

6) Think in the States. Maybe you can't afford to go to a tropical island at the moment. There are many gorgeous places right here in the states that you can go to and have just as amazing of a time. What about a spa resort in Arizona? Or even visit the beaches of Virginia Beach and San Diego.

Wherever and whenever you decide to go, we know you will have an amazing time. And we can't wait to see the pictures!

XOXO,

Aelicia & Rachael

Tips on Tuesday: How to cut costs on your Wedding Day

Northern New Jersey is one of the top most expensive places to have a wedding. We understand how expensive weddings are and we love helping brides save as much as they can and still get the wedding they always dreamed of. Here are some tips we'd like to share.

1. Probably the most common way to cut cost on your wedding is to pick an off season month. And to cut cost even more, an off day. Maybe a Saturday afternoon wedding in November. Or a Sunday in February.
2. Let friends or family help. Chance are you have a friend or family member that has a business in the events field. Maybe you know someone crafty that can do your centerpieces, or someone that does invitations, hobby in photography. Let them help as their gift to you.
3. Buy your own flowers, use silk flowers or even grow them yourself!
4. Have your wedding ceremony and reception at the same location. This cuts cost for limousine services and you may be able to see if vendors will give you a small discount if they will be doing less traveling that day.
5. Stick to that budget!! Many weddings lose sight of how much things can add up. You may have an idea of how much your wedding will cost, or how much things have added up to but with out really tracking all the expenses and budgeting, you may find yourself purchasing items that were not necessary or getting a vendor at a higher price because you didn't realize what you should have budgeted for it.

OK, 6 ways to save! Consider hiring an event planner. It may seem like it is out of your budget but, we are here to make sure that you DO stick to your budget and offer discounts when using our preferred vendors, saving you money right from the start.

One thing you can be sure of for your wedding day is that it will be absolutely wonderful and one of the very best days of your lives, so enjoy every moment!

XOXO,

Aelicia & Rachael