Recap: 2013 Weddings Trends Seminar at BHLDN

Hello ladies and happy 2013!! Big things are happening this year and what better way to kick off the new year than an amazing event! Last weekend we teamed up with BHLDN for the highly anticipated wedding workshop, highlighting the wedding trends for 2013. It was a smash! We gave you a little preview of what to expect but the event itself was better than we could have imagined! (Funny how things always work out that way!) We met some lovely brides-to-be and are excited about what's in store for this year's wedding trends!


For all of you who weren't able to make it, no worries, we have provided you with our own personal notes from the event. Including trends from all areas of the event industry - cake, decor, floral, stationery and more! Plus a photo recap by Archetype and Kelli Elizabeth Photography - thank you ladies for these beautiful images!

At Two Be Wed, the saying "It's not how you start, rather the way you finish" does not necessarily apply to wedding planning. It's so very much about the way you BEGIN the planning process. Our insights for 2013 are:


Two Be Wed's, Danyett Baxter setting the tablescape. Delegating on your big day is the key to enjoying every moment, that's where we step in; Image by Archetype

The inspiration for this tablescape was the custom fuchsia napkins,
from which the color palette and floral were designed around;
Image by Archetype

• Work with a consultant to help you with style and design and to connect you to the right people - creative, professional, reliable, suitable to your style and budget. A resourceful wedding consultant is worth their weight in gold, literally.
• Be thoughtful with your design. Find something that inspires you - a piece of fabric, a shoe or a pattern, and build a strong foundation from it. From your inspiration you should find your color palette or colors that compliment well, and go from there.
• Start from scratch - don't be a copy cat. That's for all of you Pinterest addicts out there. Sure, we love Pinterest but don't plan your wedding exactly like someone else. Be original, choose wisely and add/edit when necessary. Pinterest can be too overwhelming when it comes to design, and sometimes it is better to stay away from it until after the big day to avoid questioning your style and design.
• Brass is back! Don't be afraid to mix up your tablescapes and add a little brass to your centerpieces, dinnerware or accessories.
• Eclectic vessels are the way to go, avoid being too matchy-matchy. Make your design interesting by choosing eclectic pieces that will make an impression rather than get lost in your overall design.
• Incorporate a custom element on the tablescape, i.e.: napkins, stationery, lighting, etc. Go bold and do something that represents your personalities as a couple.
  
  
  

  

  Natalie Dawley, Owner of Two Be Wed, sharing our wedding trends and tips for 2013; Image by Archetype

  

More insights from our selective team of talented wedding professionals...




"Think outside of the box for your menu design" - Acute Catering, something along the lines of these whimsical hand stands by BHLDN; Image by Archetype



A timeless stunning gown featured in BHLDN's
new spring line;
Image by Kelli Elizabeth Photography

Catering - "Out of the box thinking for your menu design, food savvy items rather than generic buffets, and American "comfort" foods presented in a new way," - Acute Catering

Photography - "Styled shoots for engagement sessions, and continuing the trend of outdoor bridal sessions," - Archetype Photography
"Brides including animals in engagement and wedding portraits, Film is back! - Photographers are switching to medium format film, and editorial style detail shots are a must have - no more posey traditional portraits," - Kelli Elizabeth Photography



"Our clients are food savvy and watch Food Network,
so they prefer specific menus vs. generic buffets" - Acute Catering,
Image by Kelli Elizabeth Photography

"Mix your china patterns and add a custom napkin" - Aztec Events and Tents; Image by Archetype

Tablescapes - "Mixing china patterns, create a custom napkin and integrating a color palette for linen selection instead of one linen for every room," - Aztec Events and Tents


"Mix and match bridesmaids' dresses in various color,
prints and shapes" - BHLDN,
Image by Kelli Elizabeth Photography

Bridal Fashion - "Create looks that really highlight the bride's personal style, dresses in different hues and colors other than the traditional ivory wedding dress, and mix and match bridesmaids' dresses in various color, prints and shapes," - BHLDN

Stationery - "3 core elements to a good design - color, shape and texture, incorporate those 3 throughout your wedding design; embellishments - ribbon, silhouettes, monograms - set your design apart, and design a full & complete invitation suite for a consistent and cohesive look," - Hello and Co.

This invitation suite by Hello and Co. is full of lavish embellishments; Image by Kelli Elizabeth Photography

Mali of Hello and Co. explaining her three core elements theory and how it applies
to your invitation suite and overall wedding design;
Image by Archetype

 

Stunning suspended floral arrangement by Something Special in Flowers,
positioned above the head table and sure to be a conversation piece
for all guests to admire; Image by Archetype

Floral - "Suspended floral over key places like the head table, bold colors paired with soft hues, ex:fuchsia and pastel pink, and a variety of flowers arranged in different combinations - no more matchy-matchy centerpieces," - Something Special in Flowers



Cake - "Multiple single tier cakes rather than one large cake - each cake can either stand alone, be removed from the group, or grouped together for a creative and cohesive stor; painted cakes or brighter saturated colors such as oxblood, raspberry and mixed metals, and very detailed cakes are trending, simple cakes are out," - Sugary and Chic Cake Boutique


"By using multiple tier cakes rather than one large cake - each cake can either stand alone, be removed from the group, or grouped together for a creative and cohesive story." -Sugary and Chic Cake Boutique; Image by Kelli Elizabeth Photography

Two Be Wed's custom style and design board full of inspirations for
this years wedding trends; Image by Kelli Elizabeth Photography

We don't know about you, but we can't wait to see some of these trends in action! A big thanks again to all of the participating vendors, Acute Catering, Archetype Photography, Kelli Elizabeth Photogaphy, Aztec Events and Trends, Hello and Co., Something Special in Flowers, Sugary and Chic Cake Boutique and the lovely ladies at BHLDN.




We love how all of these decor elements came so beautifully together! It wouldn't have been possible
without the help of the participating vendors who are so talented in their craft!
 Image by Kelli Elizabeth Photography

Be eclectic, BE eclectic! Brass is back and here to stay. - Natalie Dawley, Two Be Wed
Image by Archetype

Guests soaking it all in as vendors share their wedding trends for 2013; Image by Kelli Elizabeth Photography

The Gardens of Bammel Lane Open House



Happy Wednesday! Today's feature is our custom style and design board for The Gardens of Bammel Lane Fall Open House on October 4th. We always look forward to working with Alison from GOBL and assisting with this particular event. The venue is a charming garden surrounded by boutique cottages  in the middle of the Upper Kirby district. We'd like to say it's Houston's best kept secret but not for much longer. It's the perfect venue for clients looking for a garden theme or natural, botanical feel. The scenery does wonders for the style and decor all on it's own, and it complements various wedding styles.

 

For this years open house, we were inspired by the latest pastel trend but wanted to bring it into the fall season. Ivory, peach and sage green is our color palette with pops of pink. In addition to the pastel color palette, we are incorporating succulents into the floral arrangements by Something Special In Flowers, and Recollection Vintage Rentals is putting their Alice in Weddingland twist on it with their mix of eclectic and vintage furniture & trinkets. We don't want to give away too much without spoiling the event, but in the meantime feast your eyes on our inspiration board or check out the Gardens of Bammel Lane Pinterest board for more style goodness.

 

 

We'd love to hear what concepts you are looking forward to seeing the most! Share your thoughts with us on our Facebook page.

 

 

 

And don't forget to mark your calendar and join us for the Open House at Gardens of Bammel Lane on October 4th from 6 to 9 pm. Come out and have a few cocktails, delicious hor d'oeuvres from Acute Catering and City View Catering, and mingle with some of Houston's finest wedding professionals - what doesn't sound fun about that! RSVP today at aoase@bammel.com.

 

 

 

Until then be sure to check out all the vendors featured:

 

BHDLN / Blome's Paperie and Vintage Rentals / C. Baron Photography / Chocolate Fountain Express / Christa Elyce Photography / Edible Designs by Jessie / Party Cloths / PH Design Shop / Recollection Vintage Rentals / Sarah McKenzie Photography / Schneider Kitchens Toffee / Something Special in Flowers / Swift + Company / Sugar Bunch Creations / Two Be Wed / Unique Style Productions

Real Weddings: Brae + Don

We're baaack :) And this time with an oldie but goodie! We're headed to The Club at Carlton Woods this afternoon for a vendor luncheon, and couldn't help but reflect back on this gem of a wedding from October 2010. Meet Brae and Don. They are the sweetest, loving, down-to-earth people we've had the honor of working with. This wedding had it all -beautiful venue, beautiful weather and of course, the beautiful bride.We had the pleasure of working with  Laura Kay Photography before she moved away to Tennessee, (and we miss her so!) Laura captured Brae's bridal beauty and this couple's one-of-a-kind love story magically. It was a fairytale come true! Enjoy some of our favorites, and Happy Early 2nd Anniversary to Brae and Don!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dress- Mia Bridal Couture
Venue- The Club at Carlton Woods
Planner- Natalie Dawley, Two Be Wed
Photographer- Laura Kay Photography
Video- Scott Charlson with Charlson Weddings
Pastor- Ron Ramey
Floral and Décor- Pam Lopez with Darryl and Co.
Cake- Who Made the Cake
Ceremony Music- Divisi Strings
Band- Klockwork Band
Invitations- Berings Hardware
Calligraphy- Pendance

Trending Now 2012

Hello brides, bloggers and fans! We're back and ready to share our wealth of knowledge on wedding trends, bridal fashion and planning tips.

I'm sure many of you are wondering where we've been and why the cold shoulder with our blog? We haven't forgotten about you, we've been bettering ourselves for you! In the past months, we've been in the process of a major face lift for our company, website and blog. While our website is still under the knife, our blog will remain accessible and your source for current and trending topics on all things wedding.

Speaking of trending...our very own Danyett Baxter and Yvette Valdenegro recently collaborated with the lovely ladies of Mia Bridal Couture and hosted an open house showcasing the trending bridal styles in fashion, beauty and wedding design. We met many beautiful brides-to-be, saw the hottest bridal trends and networked with the finest wedding professionals in Houston! It was a smashing hit and we couldn't have done it without the help of our participating vendors. A big thank you to Terilyn and Koby Brown from Archetype Photography, Sarah Tucker Makeup Artistry, Mario Tort from Estilo Salon & Spa, Organic Tan, Acute Catering, Something Special in Flowers, Aztec Events and Rentals and especially Mia Bridal Couture for hosting the event at your beautiful boutique!

 Enjoy some of the highlights of our Trending Now Event!

For more photos and highlights from this event, visit our Facebook page and make sure to "Like Us"!

The TBW Experience: Sadia Cooper

One of the best parts about our job is not only do we get to make wedding dreams come true, but we get the opportunity to meet so many wonderful women in the process! Our former client, Sadia Cooper, had a beautiful and modern Indian Fusion wedding that took months to perfect but in the end, we had a happy client and a new friend! See what she had to say about her Two Be Wed experience!

"Words cannot even begin to describe how AMAZING Natalie and Ashley with Two Be Wed were during my entire wedding process. My goal was to have a glamorous South Asian fusion wedding with all the important pieces of an American wedding as well as a Bengali wedding all rolled into one unforgettable night – they definitely helped me achieve that! During the planning stages, Natalie and Ashley were there to keep me going towards my vision and always had the best advice anytime I needed it. They were prompt to respond to me, helped me deal with any vendor issues I had, and very professional. On the actual wedding day, I do not know what we would have done without Natalie and Ashley. Everything fell into place so perfectly and it was because of them! They kept the flow of the night going and improvised perfectly when needed. My family was so impressed and we will be using them for the remaining weddings we have in our family. I believe having a wedding planner / coordinator is the best decision any bride can make and I would highly recommend Two Be Wed – you will be so grateful you did!! My wedding event was everything I had ever imagined plus more and I really owe a lot of it to Natalie and Ashley – thank you so much ladies!!"

View Sadia's wedding slideshow here. Photography by Morgan Lynn Photography.

Thank you Sadia & Keith for letting us be apart of your special day and getting to know you both! We wish you many years of happiness!


You too can have a Two Be Wed experience and save money!! iDo Daily Deal is featuring our day-of coordinator service for 50% off!! To take advantage of this deal, visit iDo Daily Deal. We hope to make your wedding dreams come true! Read more about iDo Daily Deal here.

How to "Cool Down" Summer Weddings

Fall is around the corner, but the Texas heat doesn't seem to be going anywhere anytime soon. If you booked a late August/September wedding hoping to avoid the heat -no worries!! We have the tips to help you beat the heat and keep your guests cool, not clammy.

 

Via The Knot

Monogrammed Water Bottles are a multifunctional favor that works for every need. It can keep your guests hydrated, allow you to incorporate your stationary and can be personalized with your intials & date. We suggest storing bottles in tin bins, to keep them cool and add a rustic flair, and place somewhere accessible to guests as they arrive. Water bottles are affordable and can be a great DIY project for your bridal party!!

Via the Bridal Blog

Fan Programs are another multifunctional tool that can serve as your wedding program, as well as cool your guests as they await your grand entrance. Most wedding programs end up on the floor, but the fan feature gives guests another reason to hang on to the program. The pictured fan program added another entertainment feature: word games on the back to keep guests (especially children) entertained before the ceremony. We suggest placing the programs on guests seats beforehand or assigning a house party to hand out to guests as they arrive. Another great DIY project!

 



Via Project Wedding



Umbrellas/Parasols are fun and functional! Shade your guests from the unforgiving sun and make a statement with your wedding colors & style. If you want to go bold, have your bridesmaids walk down with parasols rather than floral bouquets. They can also be reused after the ceremony for photos and additional decor. You can mix colors & patterns, but make sure to keep it cohesive!

We suggest placing umbrellas/parasols in a basket and

 popping some nearby so guests get the idea as they are seated.

 



Via Jacqueline Chapelle Tents & Decor



Canopies are big, bold and beautiful for outdoor summer weddings! Canopies shade and protect guests from the sun, and give an outdoor reception a grand venue feel. Perfect for private estate weddings. We recommend Jacqueline Chapelle Tents & Decor for Houston Wedding Tents. 

 

Via Viva L'Event

Gelato Bar makes a great summer dessert! Cool, sweet and tasty! You can serve as a pre-reception treat during a cocktail hour or as dessert with the wedding cake!

 



Don't let the heat ruin your big day, where there's a will -there's a way!!

Enjoy!