Category Archives: Featured

Engaged to Inspire

Posted on June 6, 2012 by Alison in Featured, Inside Scoop, Planning

You’re engaged. You’ve picked your photographer. And it’s time to set up your engagement photo shoot. Aaaaand cue the blank thought bubbles and blame lack of inspiration. What should you wear? Where should you go? How do you pose? Should you bring props?

Kunio Photography shares Rachelle and Richard who do an engagement photo shoot right!

Take note: Wear clothes that are expressions of you! Make sure they’re comfy. You don’t want to be futzing with weird straps or funky waistlines.

Suggest a location that’s picturesque. If there’s a place that has special meaning to you, then fabulous! If you really can’t peg down a spot that gives you warm fuzzies, then just pick the pretty! Fields with wildflowers seem to be popular. Old farmhouses. City streets with colorful backdrops. You can do some really creative shots in these locations.

Allow your photographer to direct you and just go with you. The person you hired behind the camera may try some adventurous poses on you, and have fun with it because these are your engagement photos. Not your usual Saturday night going-out framers. They shouldn’t look like the rest of your snaps that are in your iPhone’s camera roll. They’re going to be the photos that go on your save-the-dates or guestbook or on your bubbie’s fridge. Getting artsy is totally kosher! Romantic poses. Flirty poses. Fun poses. Serious poses. Do ’em all and do ’em with gusto. Rock that camera like you’re not the next top model, but you are the top model. Right now.

Props. Are. So. Fun! No. They’re not. More like: PROPS ARE SOOOOOO FUN!!!!!!!!!!! Get creative with props and bring items that complement your photo space, your wardrobe, and your personalities. Props are the X factor that help showcase the reason why you’re you as individuals and as a couple. With the help of props, your love will make sense.

This adorable shoot looks like it belongs on the pages of an Anthropologie catalogue. Love the wardrobe and style. Love the location. Love the use of props. Rachelle and Richard come to life as a couple. Don’t you feel like you know them? And love them?

engagement-photo-inspiration

Ketubah.com Plays: Name That Ketubah!

Posted on May 23, 2012 by Alison in Featured, From the Expert, Inside Scoop, Jewish Traditions

Ketubah.com is probably one of the first places a couple browses while searching for their perfect Ketubah. Ketubah.com has a fabulous selection of all different kinds of art that speaks to many individual tastes and affiliations. You can literally search by color, theme, price range, artist… and the available texts can provide meaning for anything from an anniversary to an interfaith wedding to a orthodox wedding. You can even submit your own text if you have something else up your sleeve. Sizes and paper stock are flexible and you can even have it rush shipped if the Ketubah is a last minute detail you just remembered — oops!

Ketubah.com customers are pleased with their purchases which is always fabulous to know, but what’s even more interesting is learning about the people at Ketubah.com who work so hard to provide these beautiful and meaningful works of art! Who are the pros and what do they think about the Ketubah choices on the site?

Three members of the Ketubah.com staff offered to share some interesting insight on some of their personal favorites about Ketubah selections.

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Kevin, Director of Product Development and Marketing

Q: What is your favorite style of art?
A: My favorite style of art is abstract. I love the work of Jackson Pollack because that kind of vibrancy really speaks to me. The Ketubah design Abstractions by Laya Crust speaks to me in the same way. Although the design is made up of Hebrew lettering, it is so abstract that at first glance it looks like a wonderfully vibrant design.

Q: What colors strike your fancy?
A. I like sedate color palettes. Lots of earthy tones and muted colours. I like the blues, reds, and browns of Abstractions by Laya Crust and Fall Bouquet by Naomi Broudo.

Q: What’s the idea location to hang a Ketubah?
A: Although I don’t currently have a Ketubah, my favorite place would be in the living room. My living room is a place of gathering for family and friends, the place I spend most of my time in the house. Because the Ketubah is not just a work of art but a reminder of our commitment, I’d like to display it where it is most visible to me.

Q: If you could choose a Ketubah for any celebrity, who would it be?
A: I would choose Harmony Colorful by Ruth Rudin for Jesse Eisenberg. He’s pretty quirky and a bit out there and I’d think he’d appreciate the whimsy and retro feel of this design.

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Tani, Marketing Manager and Customer Service
Q: What is your favorite style of art?
A: Impressionism, I like bright and bold colors and outdoor landscapes.

Q: What is your favorite color combo or palette?
A: Turquoise and magenta such as Stained Glass Champagne by Lee Loebman.

Q: What would be the perfect place to hang a Ketubah in the house?
A: In the living room. I think the bright colors would add a nice touch to the décor in addition to reminding my husband and I of our commitment to each other on a regular basis.

Q: If you could recommend a Ketubah for a celebrity, who would it be?
A: I love Seth Rogen! He is hilarious and I would love to find out more about his ketubah style. My recommendation would be Symphony by Adam Rhine.

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Shira, Customer Service Manager

Q: What is your favorite style of art?
A: I love Post-Impressionist art such as Firefly by Judith Joseph.

Q: What is your favorite color combo or palette?
A: Blues and greys such as Take a Bow — Sky by Michelle Rummel.

Q: What is your favorite place to hang a Ketubah in the house?
A: In the living room, so anyone who comes in can admire it.

Q: If you could choose a Ketubah for a celebrity, who would it be?
A: I would choose a Ketubah for Zach Braff. I used to love watching him on “Scrubs.” He is so funny and also down to earth. I know he loves his family and chooses to be near them when he is not abroad. I would choose the Ketubah Seaside by Rachel Deitsch for Braff. It shows both home and water (the ocean he crosses to work in London now) which are the things that are important to him, but at the same time [the piece] is whimsical and fun.

*** This post was sponsored by Ketubah.com, a proud partner of The Wedding Yentas. ***

Pingback: Fun with Ketubahs! | New World Ketubah | Custom Ketubahs | Ketubah Designs | Modern Ketubah

From the Expert: Choosing A Makeup Artist

Posted on May 17, 2012 by Alison in Featured, From the Expert, Inside Scoop

We love when awesome wedding vendors spoil us with their words of wisdom! Today is one of those days. Not a bad way to dive into Monday, right? Susie Chhuor of Susie Chhuor Professional Hair and Makeup Team weighs in on something that may be seem foreign to many brides: How do you pick a makeup artist and what can you expect will happen to your face? Read on for more details from Susie about the prettying of your punim!

Your wedding day is quickly approaching, and all the details are in check: venue, flowers, cake, DJ, photographer, dress, invitations, favors, shoes, etc. Hair and makeup are also among the list of important decisions to make, but they are probably one of the last things on your mind. With so many options, choosing the perfect bridal hair and makeup stylist may seem just as daunting and stressful as deciding on all the other details. However, once you have selected the perfect makeup artist, your mind will be at ease knowing that you will look your absolute best for the wedding day. Here, we will simplify the process for you by suggesting a few helpful tips.

There are a few options when it comes to looking for a makeup artist. As one of the more traditional modes, you may want to seek out referrals from friends, family, or other previous brides whom you know. Since they have already seen the makeup artist’s work or have experienced it first hand, they would be rather reliable sources for referrals. Another option, as one of the more popular modes, is simply the Internet. With the various wedding websites these days, researching for makeup artists becomes much easier since you are usually able to view the artist’s portfolio and information made readily available online. Moreover, many sites also allow you to see testimonials and reviews from previous brides. In a way, this too is a form of “referral.” After all, a bride wouldn’t recommend someone if she didn’t believe in the makeup artist’s work.

As you do your research and browsing, remember to consider the following factors:

1. How experienced is the makeup artist? More specifically, is he/she experienced in bridal hair and makeup?

By viewing portfolios, you can sense the makeup artist’s quality of work and experience. The photos should look clean, professional, and cover a wide range of looks. That way, you know that the makeup artist is flexible in his or her style to meet the needs of yours. You should definitely like what you see in the artist’s portfolio. Also, be sure that the makeup artist has pictures of his/her bridal work. Bridal styling is often quite different from other types of makeup in terms of skill, look, and application. The makeup needs to be meticulously done, so that it looks good both in person and on camera. Thus, be sure that your artist has done a fair share of weddings, including cultural and ethnic weddings (if that pertains to you). You can also take into account the number of years of experience, education and training, and previous employment that the makeup artist has on the resume.

2. Does the makeup artist provide hair services as well?

Unless you do not mind having two different people working on you for the wedding day, having a makeup artist who also does hair alleviates some of the stress on the day of. You will not have to worry about scheduling two different stylists or maybe even commuting to two different places. Also, having one artist who provides both services will ensure that your look is cohesive and share the same quality.

3. Where would you like to get ready?

Consider having the makeup artist come to your location whether it’s a hotel, the venue, or at home. With the morning of the wedding day usually being hectic, avoid the stress of traveling to get your hair and makeup done if the artist is available to come to you. Many freelance and local artists offer this convenience as part of their services for a small fee. If you prefer to get ready at a salon or studio, be sure to check it out beforehand to see if you like the atmosphere.

4. Can he/she accommodate your bridal party size?

Many brides who have several people in their bridal party often enjoy the convenience of makeup artists who work with an assistant or team. With additional hands, everyone in the bridal party can be finished within a reasonable time frame. If the artist happens to work alone, plan the details accordingly with him/her to allow for ample time to get ready.

5. How long do you need the makeup artist for?

Think about whether you would like to the artist to be around for the entire day or just for a few hours to get you ready. Having the artist stay with you may cost a little more as he/she will be ready to do frequent touch-ups or look changes throughout the entire event. Some makeup artists have services in which they will come back later in the day to do touch-ups or change your look for an additional fee. If the makeup artist will not be with you for the entire day, ask if a touch-up kit will be provided so that you may have that on hand for later to do your own touch-ups.

6. What types of makeup does the artist offer?

With an array of makeup products and techniques that are out there, find a makeup artist who is able to carry out what you need. For example, you may want a tattoo or scar to be covered up, so be sure that the artist is able to do so. See whether the artist offers airbrush or uses conventional makeup. Learn about the benefits of either option and ask the makeup artist what would be better to suit your particular face skin tone, texture, and color.

7. What is your budget for hair and makeup?

Rates for bridal hair and makeup can vary greatly from artist to artist, so be sure to research thoroughly and make comparisons. Have a range in mind that you are willing to spend; however, do not try to compromise quality work for affordability. You will be looking back your wedding day photos years from now, so you would want to remember how beautiful you looked on your wedding day.

8. Are you comfortable talking to and being around the makeup artist?

Lastly, as an aspect that can easily be overlooked, the person you choose should make you feel relaxed and comfortable. You should be able to easily communicate your visions and concerns to the makeup artist without much hesitation. Since you will be spending a lot of time with your makeup artist on the day of the wedding and maybe on occasions leading up to the event, you will want to choose someone whose personality meshes well with yours. This will make the experience all the more special and fun!

Once you have narrowed down your options after much research and consideration, contact the makeup artist or agency to arrange a consultation and/or trial. At the trial, bring magazine clippings or online printouts for looks that you like and want to try. Feel free to bring a close friend or family member to give you honest opinions. Also, don’t be afraid to voice your thoughts and desires. Good makeup artists will always listen to your suggestions and concerns in effort to create the look that you want. At the end, if you are satisfied with the trial, book soon after to reserve the wedding date.

Good luck and happy searching!

Like what you read? Get in touch with Susie Chhuor Professional Hair and Makeup team today! Become a fan on Facebook or visit the web site for more information.

Tales From The Veil: Sweetest Bridesmaids Proposal

Posted on May 7, 2012 by Alison in Featured, Tales from the Veil

Don’t forget to get your entry in so you can win a fabulous flower hair accessory from Fascinate Me! The giveaway is going on now through May 14th at 11:59 p.m. PST, and you can enter with a comment about your favorite piece on the Fascinate Me Facebook page AND The Wedding Yentas post here for a maximum of two entries! The winner, who will be chosen at random, will be announced May 15th. Read here for all the juicy details!

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Lanae Brody hails from Scottsdale, Arizona and has lived in Los Angeles for 4 years. She graduated from the University of Arizona with a BA in Journalism in 2008. She and her fiance Dennis have been engaged since December and look forward to their November nuptials!

Over the course of my years growing up, I’ve always had visions of what I would and wouldn’t want my wedding to be like. From the Cinderella ball gown to the perfect flowers, chuppah, aisle, etc., I’ve always thought about it. Of course, something that always excited me was who the girls next to me, my bridesmaids, would be.

When the ring finally hit my finger, the plethora of questions began. How would I choose? What if someone’s feelings got hurt? What if I made the wrong decision? How many bridesmaids are too many? What if someone said no? I was terrified to ask my friends and family to stand by my side on the day I say I do. I wanted each of the girls up there to have a purpose and meaning in my life. No matter if I had known them for one year or since the day I was born, I thought long, hard, and carefully about who to ask and then how (more on that later)! My fiance and I stayed up for 3 nights in a row making a list and talking about it. I wanted us to be on the same page so there were no surprises for either of us. Luckily, we totally were. Of course we had the discussions of how many is too many, should we have the same number of bridesmaids and groomsmen, my mother yacking in my ear about how I should have no more than 4 or 6 (in this day in age, yeah right!), but in the end, I realized how important it was to do what WE wanted to do because it was OUR day. Nobody else’s opinions mattered but ours. This is something that I’m finding that I need to keep reminding myself throughout this entire process, especially coming from a household full of Jews.

There’s a lot to think about when picking a bridesmaid. You want friends and family who will step up to the plate and be there to pick up the pieces when the Maid of Honor is off doing a thousand other things. Someone who is not only a team player, but truly loves you, your friendship, and most importantly, is happy that you have found the one. Because of how special all of these ladies are to me, I wanted to do something to make them feel special as well.

Since I’m a reporter by night and work at Sweet E’s Bake Shop by day, I decided I wanted to combine both of my worlds into one big, creative, different way to ask my girls. I was so excited, I couldn’t even wait. We do so many different things here at Sweet E’s, so I couldn’t wait to use my imagination and love of sweets to create something for the ladies I love most. I had already seen cookies with “Will you be my bridesmaid?” on them and even little cute poems that we had done, but I wanted something different. After all, I worked there and needed to show off how great of a bake shop we are! We do these great cookie images here, and I thought it would be great to give them something to physically do with them. So after thinking long and hard, I decided to create a giant image cookie for each bridesmaid with a fun picture of us together and have it all jumbled in a box for them to put together. I had already chosen my wedding colors and made sure to incorporate those into the puzzle for the girls. Some of them pieced that part together, while others did not! I also made sure to pick really fun pictures with my bridesmaids. I tried to choose photos that were either inside jokes, fondest memories, or anything else that was just a special moment that I shared with them. Some were silly while others were more serious.

So on to how I decided to ask: I hosted a very small birthday dinner a few weeks after the proposal, and the girls didn’t know that THEY would actually be receiving gifts on MY birthday! My amazing fiance arranged for the restaurant to do a very special unveiling of the table. One of my bridesmaids is notorious for being late. She’s a former Arizona Wildcat and AEPhi alum and I swear I was losing my mind waiting for her to arrive! When she finally got to the restaurant, we were led to a table where the boxes were on the table, wrapped in a pretty box with a covered window, waiting to be opened. They all had their names on them so they knew where to sit. They all looked confused but seemed to have a little idea as to what was going on. I gave a little speech and told them how much I loved them and they meant to me, and on the count of 1, 2, 3, I said, “Go ahead and open them!”

Inside the pieces were all jumbled up. One of my bridesmaids put it together in a matter of seconds while others spent five minutes on them! Nobody said yes, though my Maid of Honor shed some tears, she was so excited. I had to ask for verbal confirmation if they all were saying yes! They did, and some celebratory sangria was immediately brought over to our table! I later found out that the girls had all been Facebook chatting daily about who I was going to ask to be in my bridal party. How cute/funny is that?!

Because I have three bridesmaids who lived out of state, I had to ship their cookie puzzles to them. They all had so much fun with them, too, and I wish I could’ve been there to see the looks on their faces when they put the puzzles together.

If you’re looking for a fun way to ask your bridesmaids to be part of your wedding, feel free to “steal” my idea! It was a hit. And if you’re looking for more sweet inspiration, you can always get in touch with Sweet E’s and brainstorm other ideas for your bridesmaids or the wedding events in general. You can always place orders by emailing info@sweetesbakeshop.com or by calling 323-422-8885.

All Yentas readers will get 15% by mentioning this post, too! My bridesmaids had so much fun getting asked this way and I’m sure yours will, as well!!

From The Expert: Mother’s Day Gifts… Redone

Posted on May 3, 2012 by Alison in Featured, From the Expert, Gotta Have It, Inside Scoop

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Today, it’s so exciting and inspiring to have Old new borrowed redo™ guest blog all about the perfect Mother’s Day gift ideas since the holiday where we honor our favorite ladies — our moms! — is next Sunday, May 13. Old new borrowed redo™ was a business in the making over the course of Lindsey’s wedding planning, but materialized during a long walk on her honeymoon! While shopping for that perfect gown, Lindsey found herself being asked the same question over and over again: “What are you going to do with your gown after your wedding?” Immediately, she had the answer: “Make pillows for my bedroom.” A few months later, while she was on her honeymoon, Lindsey thought: Why not provide customers with an easy, no-fuss service, where we take their wedding gowns and turn them into fabulous and customized keepsakes? The Martha Stewarts of garments we don’t need anymore provide practical AND sentimental ideas for mom on this Mother’s Day and all special days!

Every year, around the third weekend in April, the two of us, Lindsey and Jennifer, exchange endless emails and numerous phone calls with our older sister, Staci, trying to get an early jumpstart on the obstacle that’s only a few weeks away: what to get our mother for Mother’s Day.

One of us will mention getting her a massage so that she can unwind and forget the stress that comes with having three daughters! However, that idea is quickly dismissed when one of us points out that we got her a massage for her birthday last year. A gift certificate to go shopping is always a perfect present for our mother who loves to shop. But we begin to have second thoughts thinking that it’s not personal enough. And so we, like many of our customers, spend weeks trying to come up with a present for our mom that is truly unique and sentimental and shows just how amazing and special she is to each one of us.
So we are touched when our customers turn to us, Old new borrowed redo™ (ONBR), to create unique and personal keepsakes to gift to those special people in their lives.

Like Sarah, a recent ONBR customer who wanted to turn the bridesmaid dress her aunt wore at her parent’s wedding and turn it into a truly special and unique 25th wedding anniversary present. Sarah envisioned redoing the lavender taffeta bridesmaid dress into a custom pillow and picture frame, adorned with the ruffle around the neck of the dress. She also wanted to embroider her parents’ monogramed initials in silver, symbolizing 25 years of marriage. We were thrilled to make Sarah’s vision a reality. Sarah had a unique and sentimental present to give to her parents on their special day.

And then there’s Kelly, who wanted a special present to give to her brother and sister-in-law upon the arrival of their new daughter, Makayla. Kelly used the scraps from the bridesmaid dress she wore at their wedding to create a personal nameplate that was embroidered with Makayla’s name and date of birth. The bridesmaid dress was also incorporated into the piping along the perimeter of the baby blanket and matching pillow.

Or Lesley, who knew her granddaughters probably would not wear her wedding gown from 35 years ago. Lesley was thrilled to know ONBR could find a way for her dress to walk down the aisle in the form of ring bearer pillows. Lesley now has a way to incorporate the something old and something new for her granddaughters’ weddings.

Former bridesmaids are now finding plenty of ways to recycle those bridesmaid dresses worn at their friend’s weddings. Many are redoing the bridesmaid dresses into baby blankets and gifting to their friends upon the arrival of their first child, like the black and hot pink baby blanket and pillow created for one of our customers.

Our inspiration to redo comes from our own experiences with the dresses sitting in the closets. We counted all the dresses that we had kept throughout the years and the number was astonishing. We surveyed our friends who told us the same.

At ONBR, we believe in transforming our customer’s wedding gowns, bridesmaid dresses, Bat Mitzvah dresses, prom dresses, and any dress that holds sentimental meaning and redo them into custom keepsakes such as custom pillows, baby blankets, picture frames, and even lingerie. We know that each one of us holds on to dresses because of the sentimental meaning that it has in each one of our lives.
Our custom keepsakes are the perfect unique and personal gift for Mother’s Day, any holiday or just because.

Happy redoing,
Lindsey & Jennifer