AART Event Planning Look Back: Tips on Thursday DIY Projects

DIY projects are always a big hit. You can incorporate them into any event you are having! Today's look back is about DIY Projects. Enjoy!!

We LOVE DIY projects! They can put a beautiful, sentimental an creative touch to any event. But be careful. One can go a little overboard and end up spending more on unnecessary items. Our tip: go simple and think outside the box. 

Dressing up a bistro table for an outside event? Go to your local dollar store and get different size vases and floating candles and dress it up with some ribbon or pearls. Need a children's party favor that you want them to really get use out of? Create and print out a coloring book! 

Here are some pictures of some DIY projects that we have done. Just remember, when doing a DIY project, simple can be beautiful. And have fun!! 







XOXO, 
Aelicia & Rachael 

Tips on Tuesday: Finding the perfect Wedding Dress

Sunday were the 2011 Emmy's and people are still talking about the amazing fashions that walked down the red carpet (the absolutely stunning Sofia Vergara, Amber Riley and Julia Stiles just to name a few). So we at AART Event Planning thought, today's blog would be about a dress.....the Wedding Dress!

One of the biggest, and many, decisions that you will make is choosing the perfect wedding dress. All eyes will be on you all night so of course you want to look your best. Shopping for it will be a memorable experience, but can be just as stressful and scary! A-line, Ball Gown, Mermaid, Fit and Flare. So many styles to chose from, where do you begin! Here are some things to think about when shopping for that perfect dress.

1) Give yourself enough time to shop for the dress. Many bridal shops/boutiques will tell you that it can take at least six months for your dress to come in. And let's not forget about the few fittings that will need to be figured in that timeline. We suggest shopping at least a year before your wedding day. Planning your wedding in a short amount of time? Do not fear, you can still get that dress of your dreams. Just remember to add in the rush cost when shopping.

2) Budget, budget, budget! Purchasing a wedding dress can get to be pretty expensive. You might fall in love with a dress that is 2 or 3 times over your budget! Decide on a budget that you are comfortable with spending and let your sales representative know. This way they can show you only dresses that are within that budget. This way it'll save you heartache for falling in love with something you cannot afford.

3) Think before you go. You have been dreaming of this day forever right? And I'm sure you have envisioned the dress of your dreams. Look through wedding magazines and pull out pictures of the dresses that speak to you the most. Do you want a long train or full skirt? Bring the pictures with you when you start shopping and give them to your sales rep. They can take this information and show you all the dresses that you have been thinking about, that are within your budget. Also keep an open mind. Your rep might show you something that isn't quite on your list of must haves but you just may fall in love with it anyway. We've definitely seen many brides walk out with a dress that was completely opposite of what they originally envisioned....including me!

4) Think of your body type. You know what fits you best. What style dresses have you worn that made you feel absolutely beautiful in? Think of that and look for a wedding dress that has those similarities.

5) Be comfortable, but most importantly, be you! Yes you want to look amazing. I mean it is your wedding day. But don't forget to be comfortable. You will be wearing this dress all day long - taking pictures, dancing and let's not forget eating! If you love to dance, then you don't want to have a heavily beaded dress that's so heavy to move around in. The last thing we want to hear is our bride say they are so uncomfortable and cannot wait to take their dress off. Remember, be you. You will probably have many people with you when you shopping for your wedding dress. And with that comes many opinions. Yes you want to make everyone happy with your dress decision but the most important person that needs to be happy is you. Remember, it is your wedding day and this is a dress you will be wearing. Let it be comfortable and reflect the person you are.

We hope this helps you ease your wedding dress shopping experience. This is supposed to be the fun part and one that you will never forget. So now we know you are ready to go shopping for those wedding dresses! We'd love to hear all about your dress shopping experience and if you have pictures, we'd love to see those too! Who knows, it just may be featured here!! : )

*dress pictures from Vera Wang

XOXO,

Aelicia & Rachael

Tips on what to do with Bridesmaid Dresses

If you are like me, you have been in a handful of weddings. If you are like my sister Aelicia, you are Katherine Heigl in 27 Dresses. You buy the dress, have a fantastic time at the wedding and then take the dress that most brides say 'can totally be worn again' and put it in the back of your closet. So, now what?? Well, here are a few ideas on what to do with those beautiful, and maybe not so beautiful, dresses!

Save them

If you only have a few dresses, or if you are the sentimental type, keep the dresses. It will remind you of friendships, family, love and the fun you had that special day

Alter them

We have heard it...maybe once or twice, so do it! If the dress can be worn again, prove it. Make it shorter, change the color. It is your dress, you paid for it so make it into a dress you are happy to wear to less formal occasions or a cocktail dress to wear at other weddings.

Donate it

If you think you are just going to put the dress away and have it sit in your closet for years, why not give it to someone that deserves to have a beautiful gown but unfortunately cant afford it.

There are many different organizations that take bridesmaid dresses for weddings and proms.

http://www.donatemydress.org/

http://princessproject.org/

or to a Fairy Godmother Project in your area

Make something

My favorite would be to make something out of it. How about making a quilt? You can make it for yourself, for the couple to have as an anniversary present with their name engraved on it or even a baby quilt to give to the bride (when the time comes). You can even make it into a prom dress for your daughter. What wonderful bonding time to spend with her while you help her create and sketch her very own custom dress!

So take a look in your closet. Chances are you are holding on to something that could be used in so many different ways, making you and others feel good, instead of just taking up space.

xo,

Rachael and Aelicia