Utterly Engaged

Utterly Engaged, the new e-zine by Eva Chiou of Red Velvet Occasions, and Lucia Dinh and Henny Setiadi of D*LSH Design, is a definite must read. Although I am a huge fan of the, dare I say old fashioned, magazine, this e-zine has an amazing layout, and wonderful tips for the budget savvy bride. Just take a look at some of the features from Issue #2.








Definitely add this to your list of good reads.

Vendor Spotlight: Organic Elements

Based in San Diego, California, Organic Elements is a unique floral design company that not only strives make your event their best one yet, they also work with hand picked organic elements to bring your vision to life. By limiting water use, recycling, The Ten Tree Exchange and composting, Organic Elements is working to help our earth while still creating beatiful floral arrangments from what mother nature has to offer.
Sharon, head designer at Organic Elements, has been kind enough to offer us some of her tips on choosing a floral designer and working within a budget, as well as some fun information about Organic Elements.

Zenadia Design: Tell us a little bit about Organic Elements, and how you are working to help our environment.
Sharon: Well, we try to limit our negative impact in several different ways. Regardless of client request, we recycle paper, plastic and water; compost; conserve paper, electricity and water; collect rain water (on the rare occasion that it does rain here); and replant/grow succulents. Upon client request we can also acquire recycled materials containers, Verifloral and organic flowers to work with. Additionally we offer two distinct items in our "green line". We offer our Organic Elements Succulent Bowl, as a centerpiece or as a bridal bouquet, allowing the bride to plant her bouquet after the wedding and have a plant growing along side the marriage. We also have a reforestation program called The Ten Tree Exchange, this allows couples to choose to have trees planted in their name helping the world and indigenous areas of South America.

Z: What are your favorite flowers and colors to work with?
S: I'm a sucker for color. My favorite color combo is still bright green, orange and hot pink- it's a winner every time. Favorite flowers? I like succulents, cymbidium orchids, dahlias, local lilac (when in season), pin cushion proteas, hydrangea, freesia, hyacinth... there are too many to list.

Z: You include such fun and unexpected elements into your designs. Where do you find inspiration your inspiration?
S: Thanks! Fashion, nature and European floral magazines.

Z: How are you able to work with brides on a budget who still want something unique and beautiful?
S: We try to keep it simple, trying not to add a bunch of elements that you think you're supposed to have due to tradition. Pick out the elements that you want to spend your money on and put them there. And when a unique idea comes into play, concept will win out over product allowing you to create a fun look without spending too much.

Z: What should brides look for when choosing a floral designer?
S: Don't try to make a comedic actress perform a drama. Find a florist who's style already matches your own. Look for a large body of work of which at least some is consistent with what you're looking; both to make sure that you two are a match but also to see that they do indeed have significant experience in their field. It's possible that you can make a company be who their not, but why add on that kind of stress? Believe me, you'll have enough either way.

Thanks so much, Sharon! Your work is truly inspiring. Now lets take a look at some of that inspiring work! Be sure to check out Organic Elements website for more wonderful pictures.

Vendor Spotlight: Lisa of Oh How Charming

Lavish, unique and unexpected is how I would describe an event put on by Lisa Vorce, of Oh How Charming. When I was first introduced to Lisa's events, I was awe struck. Her events are so stunning and unique. They are definitely not your "cookie cutter" wedding and that's what I love so much about them. As Lisa puts it so perfectly, "...my events tend to take more of a hip dinner party vibe, than a wedding vibe."
I was so excited when Lisa agreed to be featured on Zenadia Design! She is such an amazing talent in the wedding industry and I am so excited to have her as my featured guest! So without further ado, I give you Lisa Vorce, of Oh How Charming!

Zenadia Design: How did you get started in event planning & design?
Lisa: My background is in technical consulting. Spent several years at both IBM and Intel doing consulting for them. I was making a ton of money - but was very ill-fitted for the I.T. industry, so after 5 years I quit. Started doing events for fun while I was "soul searching". Through a family connection, my first event was a birthday celebration for Nina Clooney (George's mom). I was fearless when I started. Kind of dove in head first with zero experience or knowledge. (For the record...I don't recommend this approach!). I love making people happy - so that was really my M.O. The fact that I had no idea what I was doing never even crossed my mind. My first event was a huge success and things just unfolded from there. I worked insane hours 7 days a week to get where I am now. I had a lot of things to learn along the way!

Z: Your events are so lavish and unique, without being overdone. Tell us a little bit about where you find your inspiration?
L: My primary source of inspiration really comes from understanding my clients. I spend a lot of time listening to my clients and getting to know them so I can infuse their personalities, style, culture, etc into their event. When I design - I am designing with each personality in mind. I truly understand who my clients are at their core - so it's easy to pull together elements that I know will move them and will be beautiful to them. Most of my clients have a very "non-bridal" sensibility to them - so my events tend to take more of a hip dinner party vibe, than a wedding vibe. When I'm pulling together design elements for my clients - I get my inspiration from so many different sources -- fabrics, jewelry, china patterns, architecture, interior design, art, etc. My brain is constantly translating every day elements into event concepts. For example - I'll see a beautiful pattern on a dress and my brain automatically starts to translate it into an amazing patterned aisle runner.

Z: What advice/suggestions can you give to couples who are on a budget.
L: Prioritize and simplify. Pick a few core elements and rock them out. For example - simplify your florals but put them in an extraordinary vessel. No matter what budget your working within -- spend time with your family and guests and truly celebrate with them! That's really what it's all about, and that's what makes a great party.

Z: What is your favorite part of your job?
L: Can't limit it to one thing! I love being able to create on a daily basis. I love being able to travel around the world and work with different personalities and different cultures. I love my amazingly talented staff and team of vendors. I love being the last person the bride talks to before she walks down the aisle. I love creating beautiful environments for people. If I had to pick one thing -- I think it would be the element of making people happy. It's so amazing to watch 150 + people have the time of their life at one of our events.

Thank you so much, Lisa! You are so talented and provide such inspiration to brides out there as well as myself. (You make me want to throw more parties so I can decorate!)
Alright now lets take a look at some of Lisa's amazing events. Click on each board to zoom in for more detail. Also, make sure you visit her website for more wonderful inspiration!







Photography Credits:
First board all photos by Megan Sorel. Boards two and three all photos by Aaron Delesie. Boards four, five and six all photos by Elizabeth Messina.

Do I Need to "Save the Date"?

Save the Dates have continued to be a growing trend in the wedding and event industry. They are a courtesy to your guests, to tell them to mark their calendars and be sure not to miss the date!
Although save the dates are nice to send, they are not always necessary. There are a few cases, however, when save the dates are more necessary than not. Number one, if you are having a destination wedding. This is almost a must, as guests need to be able to make travel arrangements and book hotels. Number two, if you are having a lot of guests from out of town, and not a lot of people know about the wedding already. These two instances will help give your guests more time to plan their trips out, and won't have to leave things until the last minute.


Here are some things you should include on your save the date:
You and your fiance's name. Your guests need to know who they are saving the date for right? ;o)
The date of the event. Of course, this is why its a save the date!
The location of the event. Usually the city and state will do just fine unless you want to include the venue, but that usually goes on the invitation.
Your website, should you have one. These are so handy in this day and age when you have a lot of information to convey to your guests.

All in all, save the dates are not really necessary, unless your situation falls under one of the two mentioned above. Remember, if you don't need to have save the dates, you can always put the money you would spend on the save the dates towards something else in your wedding, like invitations. ;o)

Picture Credits: Save the dates by Zenadia Design. Available on etsy.

Vendor Spotlight: Scott of Corridan and Co.

I am excited beyond words to be featuring the extremely talented, Scott Corridan, of Corridan and Co. Scott is an amazing person whose celebrations have been published in countless magazines such as Martha Stewart Weddings and Inside Weddings Magazine. His work has also appeared on numerous television programs such as ABC's Extreme Makeover: Wedding Edition and Access Hollywood. He also just launched a line of couture wedding gowns called White Chocolate Label by Scott Corridan, which we featured here. (Also see a couple pictures of the gowns below.) Besides all this, Scott also writes a column called Scott's Garden for Inside Weddings and Phoenix Bride & Groom.
All of Scott's events are so exquisite and inspiring, and no detail is forgotten. His events are planned through "your story", which makes each event truly unique and a perfect reflection of the couple.
Scott has been kind enough to take time from his busy schedule to share with us a little more about himself and his business, tips for budget friendly weddings and some information about his new couture wedding gown line, White Chocolate by Scott Corridan. Be sure to check out his website for some amazing pictures of his events and pure inspiration!


Zenadia: Your events are truly unique right down to the smallest details. Where do you find inspiration?
Scott: I'm so inspired by what my clients share with me - their loves, their passions, their romantic stories... seeing life in all its majestry through another person's eyes with their unique perspective is what really excites me... it encourages me to see the world through a different perspective and its that different perspective that always results in inspiration!

Z: What advice/suggestions can you give to couples who are on a budget?
S: Just tell the truth. No one gains by pushing outside their financial comfort zone - credit card debt and arguments around money are no way to begin a marriage. The most incredible family style barbeques can be as profound and moving as the most over the top million dollar celebrity budgeted events... the bottom line is you're there to celebrate your love for one another and the union you're creating as witnessed and supported by your family, friends, and your God... that's the most important point. And whether you've got $ 5 or $ 5million bucks, if you tell the truth about your financial comfort zone, this will always remain your focus and you can't go wrong.

Z: What has been your most memorable moment in your career to date?
S: There isn't one... truly. And there's no one favorite client or event either. I'm blessed and so lucky over the past 15 years now to have really had so many memorable, favorite, unbelievable, mind altering, life affirming... moments. I've had the opportunity to work with some of the most incredible people and through each of them, truly, had the opportunity to see life and love and celebration in so many incredible ways.

Z: You just launched a couture line of wedding gowns called White Chocolate Label; tell us a little about that.
S: Through a lot of hard work and a lot of great luck and support by friends all over the country, my name, my image and now my brand have reached an ever growing audience in our country and even internationally for that matter [I get emails from places as far away as South Africa, Belize, Brazil, Zimbabwe, Switzerland... from people who have seen our work], and so it was in 2007 with this evergrowing awareness of what I do that a group of us got together and made the affirmative plans to take my work and my vision to the next level. And we decided to start by creating truly one of a kind, couture wedding gowns. Since December when White Chocolate label by Scott Corridan, Inc. became official, we have literally launched a million dollar company in five months with a first collection for Fall / Winter 08 / 09 and our next collection for Spring / Summer 09 coming out shortly. This is my way, in my world where the clientele I've been working with at Corridan & Company has become more and more exclusive and small in number, to reach back out to brides and grooms and their families and loved ones all over the country who are the truest inspiration for everything I do and provide an opportunity for us to work together... at least on a wedding dress, through our Salon Partners on our ever growing list all around the country. Its an exciting time!!

Z: What took you from the field of architecture to the field of event design?
S: Mistakes... : } I was practicing architectural and interior design in 1994 when I was contracted by two guys to create a floral resale business for them from the ground up including all their furniture and their logos and everything. I so fell in love with what I helped them create that I bought into their partnership and started doing centerpieces and bouquets and boutonnierres... and now 15 years later the rest is history. I guess there are no mistakes in life, just a winding path that only makes sense when you can look back.

Thank you so much, Scott! We truly appreciate your advice and your time and we look forward to seeing what the future holds for you and Corridan and Co.!

Vendor Spotlight: Katie of Tiffany Weddings

I am so excited to be featuring my friend and fellow wedding professional, Katie Tiffany of Tiffany Weddings. Tiffany Weddings is an elite event design firm located in Los Angeles, California. Planning events large and small, they specialize in allowing brides the enjoyment of planning their wedding and foremost to enjoy their Perfect Wedding Day. Tiffany Weddings clientele includes Roberto Orci, writer for Transformers and Mission Impossible III, Brett Brewer co-founder of MySpace.com, and Brandon Routh actor from Superman Returns.
Below, Katie will share some of her budget saving tips with us as well as trends she is noticing in the wedding industry. Enjoy!


Zenadia Design: Tell us a little bit about how you got started in event planning and design.
Katie: Just after graduating college, I planned a surprise party for my parent’s 25th Wedding Anniversary. I was working in the entertainment industry at the time and I loved updating my co-workers on the planning developments. Shortly after pulling off this successful surprise party, my superior at work got engaged and came to me for help! I clearly remember her saying she didn’t have time to plan her wedding (common reason to hire me today!) and she saw that I knew what I was doing. Well, that first wedding on Catalina Island in 2002 sparked my interest in this field and slowly paved the way to many more successful events!

Z:Where do you find your inspiration?
K: My inspiration primarily comes from the Brides themselves! Your wedding should reflect you and your fiancé, not me or the latest fashions and trends. Once I get to know my couples, their style and their interests, I can grab ideas almost anywhere...a bridal magazine, a pottery barn catalogue or even a classic movie!

Z: Are you seeing any trends in weddings right now as far as decor, themes, etc?
K: I think a vintage theme has been on the horizon for the last few years but now it’s turned even more glamorous and “Old-Hollywood.” For example, large ostrich feathers are becoming common in centerpieces and floral arrangements. Along the same lines, the birdcage veil has become a HOT item!

Z: What cost saving tips would you give to brides on a budget who still want to include beautiful elements into their wedding?
K: The first thing you can do is consider hiring a wedding planner...they can actually help you SAVE money by preparing a realistic budget, offering many savings tips, and referring you to trustworthy vendors in your price range.
-Location: those who appreciate outdoor locations may have more luck in this area, but I suggest finding a spot that offers natural beauty (trees, flowers, views, etc.) which means you don’t need to add much to it!
-Lighting: I think lighting is key in creating a beautiful wedding. It creates an atmosphere unlike any amount of flowers or type of music can. But it can be expensive too. To save in this area, utilize candles to the max! Of course, you’ll need to check the rules and regulations for open flames at your location.

Z: When not planning events and working with brides, what might we find you doing?
K: I enjoy being with my friends and family more than anything. Traveling is a passion of mine so I fit that in where I can, along with going to the beach. And I am very committed to my church and serving those both in the community and nationwide (Ex: My recent mission trip to Vietnam!).

Thank you so much, Katie! You budget saving tips were so wonderful and its always fun to see what trends wedding planners are noticing in the industry. Katie also has a blog of her own with wonderful wedding tips. Be sure to check it out!
Now lets take a look at some pictures of Katie's work! Be sure to check out Tiffany Weddings website for more awesome pictures and inspiration.

Wedding Invitations on a Budget

Wedding invitations are definitely something you need when planning for a wedding. But what can you do for more budget friendly invitations? At Zenadia Design, we are concerned about brides on a budget, and like to help them as much as we can. That's why our couture invitation sets start at $3.00. A set includes your invitation, rsvp card and envelopes. This is pretty comparable to something you can find online only its made one of a kind for you!


When thinking about your invitations, keep in mind these budget saving tips:

Wedding website. This is one of my favorite ways to be budget, as well as eco-friendly! You can have the bulk of the information you need to convey to guests on the website, and this cuts down on what you need to include with the invitation. You can also have your guests rsvp directly to the website. This cuts down not only on the costs of paper and printing, but on postage as well.

Forgo the reception card. If you are having your reception at different location than your ceremony, this is when you would generally include a reception card. Have you ever thought about forgoing this all together? This way you don't need to spend that extra money for a card with information that can go right on your invitation.

Postcard rsvp. As I said before, wedding websites are a great place to have your guests rsvp to. However, if you want to have an rsvp card, consider making it a postcard. This way you don't need the reply envelope, and it saves a little on postage too.

Consider what you really need. You need invitations. Ralph Mucci of The Wedding Planning Audiocast has said this about wedding invitations, "Wedding invitations are very important. They are your presentation to your family, friends and guests that tell a story about the both of you and your special day." I completely agree with Ralph. Your invitations not only tell a story about you as a couple, they also give your guests their first glimpse of what is in store. So when considering what you really need for your wedding, remember that invitations play a very crucial role to your special day.

I hope these tips help all you brides out there to have great wedding invitations on a budget!

Picture Credits: All pictures and invitations by Zenadia Design.