Saturday, 13 March 2010

All About the Brooklyn Bridal Show at BAM!!!


Last Sunday's Brooklyn Bridal Show at BAM was a success! It was a wonderful event with tons of great vendors.

For all of you who attended - it was so fantastic to meet you and I look forward to hearing from you and hope that we can work together soon!

During the event I made a presentation on "How to Create Your Wedding Vision". My presentation focused on the steps that you should take to create the wedding of your dreams.

If any of your missed the presentation or were unable to make it to the bridal show, please email me at amanda.diamondstein-cieplinska@stellinaevents.com and we can organize a complimentary consultation to discuss your upcoming wedding.

Laura Pugliese, our resident Stellina Events professional makeup artist, attended the show doing complimentary makeup trials throughout for all brides and their friends in attendance. She created gorgeous, red carpet worthy looks that brought out the best features of all of the brides-to-be. They looked glowing and oh so naturally pretty - the perfect look for your wedding day!

Marcos Diaz from ION Salon was also at the Stellina Events booth doing free hair trials for everyone. I especially loved his version of a perfectly messy, yet beautiful, asymetrical knot tied at the base of the neck.

I met with Phoebe from Opalia Flowers, who had some gorgeous flower arrangements on her table. She is an old friend of mine from college with a flower shop on Atlantic Avenue. She is just a doll - so sweet, talented and a pleasure to work with.

Sarah from Blossom and Branch worked with Jillian from 100 Layer Cake to design a fabulously fun wedding table with tons of bright colors, just perfect to usher in Spring.

Meanwhile, Bella from Fleurs Bella, crafted an absolutely magnificent chuppah that took my breath away. Check out the photo above from Fleurs Bella - such a pretty bouquet made a bit quirky and unique by the addition of a tomato can. Loving it!

My booth was right across from Betsy at Nine Cakes. She so very kindly let me have a cupcake or two and they were just scrumptious!!! I can't say enough about the cupcakes - they were light, tasty and fluffy, while the frosting on top was light as air and melted in your mouth. If you are looking for a wedding cake, there is not doubt about it - go check out Nine Cakes!

Two other delicious treats that I adored at the show came from Fine and Raw Chocolates and Tumbador Chocolates. As a girl who spent five years living in Belgium, I know my chocolates and while I can snack on a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup or enjoy a peanut M&M, in my heart I am a bit of a chocolate snob. I love good chocolate that is made with tons of cocoa and that is fresh.

Tumbador Chocolates goes to the heart of my adoration for interesting flavored top quality chocolates with flavors that bring in hints of lime or green tea - such a great gift for the chocolate lover and person who likes to experiment with chocolates.

Fine and Raw has exquisite chocolates, like their signature bonbons. Their bon bon bar is a big bar of the best quality, organic chocolate with a line down the center of their soft, smooth, bon bon truffle that is to die for. Really and truly amazing. If you are a member of the Food Coop in Brooklyn on Union Street, you can find their chocolates there and their ice cream too!

Kathi Littwin Photography
was at the event as well. Her photos are so beautiful - they just make you wish you were a guest at the weddings that she has photographed.

Erin Wigger from Leigh Photography was so sweet. From her photographs, you can tell that she has a sense of humor and appreciates couples who like to have a good laugh and enjoy their wedding day to the utmost. She even offers couples the option of a crazy booth where they and their guests can have a laugh dressing up for a funny photo shoot during their wedding.

Kelly Guenther
, a Pullitzer Prize Winning photographer, was at the event as well. I really like how artistic her photos are - perfect for hanging on the wall as an exhibit in your apartment or house after your big day.

Bond Street Productions
is a videography company and they have such a cool, vintage aesthetique...a perfect fit if you are going for a vintage or retro theme for your wedding!

Overall, the Brooklyn Bridal Show at the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) was a fantastic event. Thanks to Great Performances for hosting the event. It was such a joy!!!

Congratulations to all brides- and grooms-to-be who attended the event!!!


Wednesday, 10 March 2010

Complimentary tickets to Wedding Bootcamp at Dylan's Candy Bar in NYC!!!



The Wedding Salon is so very kindly offering all Stellina Events blog readers complimentary tickets to their upcoming Wedding Bootcamp at Dylan’s Candy Bar on March 15th in New York City.

They have some amazing speakers confirmed including Lliquid, Salvatore Cincotta Photography, Flowers By Topaz, Alpine Creative, Tatiana Byron of The Wedding Salon and Dylan Lauren, owner of Dylan’s Candy Bar, who will also offer candy treats for brides-to-be!

The Wedding Bootcamp - New York, NY Show
Date: Monday March 15, 2010
Show hours: 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Venue: Dylan's Candy Bar
Address: 1011 Third Ave, New York, NY 10021

To purchase your free tickets, please go to http://www.weddingsalon.com/theweddingbootcamp.cfm
Use the following complimentary code: SENY3C

I will be attending the event as well so I hope to see all of you there!

xoxo,
Amanda

Donate your old bridesmaid dresses to Operation PROM: March 10-13 in NYC

It’s a dress drop! Get rid of those old bridesmaid dresses taking up space in your closet and help out some high school girls in need of a beautiful dress.

57Grand is collecting dresses to be donated to Operation PROM, which helps girls in need attend their proms by providing free dresses.

The first 100 ladies to donate will receive a free Revlon lipstick and nail enamel.

Where: 250 W 39th Street, Suite 804, NY, NY 10018 (b/w 7th and 8th Avenues)
When: March 9th to 13th, 2010, 11am to 7pm
Contact: 1-212-302-1604, hello@57grand.com


If you are not located in NYC, then you can still help out by mailing your old bridesmaid dresses to the following address:

Operation PROM
P.O. Box 924
Bronxville, NY 10708


About Operation PROM
A 501-3c nonprofit organization, Operation PROM helps low-income students attend their proms by providing free prom dresses and low-cost tuxedo rentals, as well as helping students with regular donations of food, clothing and school supplies. Most students assisted by Operation PROM are homeless or live in shelters and do not have family to assist them. Learn more about Operation PROM at www.helpprom.org.

About 57Grand
Since 2009, 57Grand Bridesmaids has been merging timeless uptown flair with a downtown sense of individuality. Designed and made in New York City, each dress is inspired and named after a New York City street. 57Grand's collection is available in 40 luxurious colors and fabrics and is priced at $200 and under. Shop 57Grand online at www.57grand.com.

Monday, 1 March 2010

Complimentary tickets to the Wedding Salon's Wedding Bootcamp in LA tonite!!!


The Wedding Salon is holding its Wedding Bootcamp this evening from 6-8:30pm at Hansen's Cakes in Los Angeles so for those of you who are based in LA and planning your wedding, definitely take advantage of this great offer.

Hansen's Cakes is located at 1072 South Fairfax Avenue.

There will be speakers there guiding you on how to plan your wedding, vendors to meet with, cake to taste and goody bags!

For your complimentary tickets to tonite's activities, please call: 212.631.7777 or go to www.WeddingSalon.com

Please be sure to specify the following promotion code: SELA3C

Enjoy!

Friday, 26 February 2010

Free Tickets to the Brooklyn Bridal Show!!!


Come meet me and a ton of other great vendors next Sunday, March 7th from 2-6pm at the Brooklyn Academy of Music (aka: BAM). Tickets are normally $20 but as a speaker at the event, Great Performances is giving all Stellina Events blog readers complimentary tickets!!!

To register for the event and get your tickets at no cost, please enter the phrase "brooklynbride" as your promo code when buying your tickets. Please click here to order your tickets.

For more info on the Brooklyn Bridal Show, please see my entry below all about the event.

I hope to see all of you there!

xoxo,

Amanda

Tuesday, 16 February 2010

Come meet me at the Brooklyn Bridal Show at BAM!


The Brooklyn Bridal Show will take place on Sunday, March 7th at the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM). In partnership with Great Performances, the caterer who works with BAM (as well as The Plaza Hotel, Wave Hill and many other spectacular venues) they will bring you more than 30 vendors from the Brooklyn area.

I will be there to meet all of you, chat with you in person about your wedding vision, inspiration, and how to design your most perfect day.

Laura Pugliese, our fabulous Makeup Artist in residence, will also be there to consult with you on your wedding day look, test out the gorgeous lip you are going for or feel free to try the smoky eye that you saw at the Golden Globes or on the runway. Don’t forget to bring photos of the looks that you love!

Some of the other vendors who will be attending the great event include Opalia Flowers, Blossom and Branch, Nine Cakes, Kelly Guenther (a Pulitzer Prize winning photographer), Bond Street Productions, and One Hanson Place (a fab venue in Fort Green).

Guests will be able to take in their surroundings and relax while meeting all the vendors and sipping cocktails in BAM’s Lepercq space.

I look forward to meeting all of you there!!!

xoxo,
Amanda


Here are the details for the event:

Date: Sunday, March 7th
Time: 2 – 6pm
Location: Brooklyn Academy of Music, 30 Lafayette Avenue, Brooklyn, NY
Tickets are $30

Click here to buy tickets or go to the following link:
http://www.greatperformances.com/brooklynbride

Tuesday, 9 February 2010

ASK THE EXPERT: 5 Things to Look For When Hiring A Professional Makeup Artist For Your Wedding



1. Did you do your research?

Recommendations from friends are great, but make sure you check out their website, portfolio or professional work they have done. Google them! See what others have said, what they have been involved in. If they are new to the field and you really like their makeup, don't be afraid to ask for references. Also, the best test is to see how the makeup wears hours after the trial.


2. Make sure you schedule a trial.

The only way to know if you click with your makeup artist is to spend an hour or more working with them. If they don't do trials, be wary. Would you not test drive a car before you bought it?


3. Note how the interaction went during the trial.

Did they ask questions and make constructive suggestions during the trial? Did they listen to your concerns or ideas for makeup? Did you ask questions and how did they respond to them? Some makeup artists are really good at makeup, but don't always listen to the clients needs or explain what they are doing. It is not a fashion shoot, your special day is being captured for eternity on film. Make sure you are comfortable in the makeup that the artist suggests.


4. Do they seem professional and business minded?

Although makeup professionals can be fun, unique and quirky, they are not always the most reliable people. When selecting, a written agreement or contract is the best way to ensure and guarantee the day for you and the artist. Once you have made a connection with someone that has a great look for you, the last thing you want is to have to worry about doing your own makeup that day, or having Aunt Betty spackle her favorite rouge from 1970 on your stressed out face.


5. Don't be swayed by a price.

Many components go into bridal makeup: the experience of the artist, creating a look, shopping for and using the appropriate products, travel, setting up, clean up and prep work. Doing one bride usually takes half a day's work. Make sure you set aside a budget for the event, and be upfront and honest with the artist to work within your means.