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

Think Splendid Wedding Survey

We love the site Think Splendid and are happy to help them out. They are conducting a global survey of recently married and engaged couples and they need your help!

The survey is open to anyone who got married in 2007 and later or who is currently planning on tying the knot. All answers are anonymous and the entire thing should take about five minutes to complete. Please fill out the Splendid Wedding Survey!

XOXO,

Aelicia & Rachael

Most Romantic Island Honeymoon Spots

Wedding Wire compiled a list of the most Romantic Island Honeymoon spots and we have listed them below (in no particular order).

1. Dominican Republic

2. St. Bart's

3. St. Croix

4. Bahamas

5. Jamaica

6. St. Martin V.I.

7. St. Maarten

8. St. Thomas V.I.

9. Turks and Caicos

10. Bermuda

11. Barbados

12. Anguilla

13. Antigua

14. Puerto Rico

15. St. Lucia

16. St. John's V.I.

17. Grand Cayman Island

18. Aruba

19. Grenada

What do you think? Do you agree? Personally, I would add Palm Island to that list (I went there for my honeymoon and it was A-MAZE-ING!!! lol). And now after reading this list, I think planning a second honeymoon is in order!

XOXO,

Aelicia & Rachael

AART Event Planning's Inspirations: St. Patrick's Day Themed Wedding

With St. Patrick's Day next week, we thought how fun it would be to put a green inspiration board together! What a fun wedding this would be!!

XOXO,

Aelicia & Rachael