The perfect groomsmen gifts: custom shirts!

Many couples tend to leave the men’s wedding attire decision to the last minute, most often because the most popular option is renting and typically the clothing choices are not that interesting anyway. Usually, the groomsmen (especially those from out of town) are sent on their own to get measured, which can be a little daunting to some. We’ve all heard of the case where a groomsman ends up with an ill-fitting shirt that he has to scramble to replace at the last minute! We have recently come across an option that may intrigue a lot of grooms and their friends. It’s a custom made shirt! 9tailors lets their customers create their own dress shirts, from picking out the shape of the collar, pockets, and cuffs, to selecting one of 35 materials that is just right for you. Your creation is made right on their website and your special order will be ready in 2-6 weeks. Their website even has a video tutorial on how you can take perfect measurements. If you are still unsure and you live in the Boston area, a representative can meet with you to take your measurements and give you style advice. 9tailors also offers monogramming, so you can personalize these shirts as fabulous gifts to the groomsmen, or perhaps a future father-in-law!

The best part of all is that these custom shirts start at only $60! In addition, all Pink Orchid Weddings clients can receive 10% off your first purchase with 9tailors. To redeem your discount, just mention that you were referred by Pink Orchid Weddings.

Visit http://beta.9tailors.com/ for more details!

Beauty Advice

After my own wedding last September, I am lucky to have become friends with my makeup artist, who has done my makeup for many other occasions ever since then. Elaine is just absolutely fabulous! I thought it would be fun to ask her a few beauty-related questions.

Q: Are there any recent beauty trends you have spotted that would be appropriate for a bride?
A: Instead of being perfectly coiffed and having every line and curve on the face be perfect, try intentionally effortless hair and softly accentuating the features of your cheekbones and lips. Twenty years later when you pick up your wedding album to reminisce, I guaranteed you will not, as some would no doubt do, cringe at their dated and overly made-up pictures.

Q: Is there anything a bride should do (beauty-wise) to prepare for the big day?
A: So, you’ve got the dress, the hair, and make up and you’re breathing a sigh of relief. Do a once over, turn around and see what’s missing. Yes, your derrière is in shape but how about your back? A lot of brides forget that unless they’re going to cover up those blemishes with makeup that could come off onto the groom’s tux when they lean in for that romantic close-up, they should always have a full body exfoliation. And then don’t forget to deep moisturize! Some should really be thinking more in depth about exfoliation a few months in advance and then do the upkeep at home for less money with sea salt and olive oil for that all over glow (caution: have non slip mats and make sure you clean out your tub afterwards...you don’t want a cast at your wedding). Take your vitamins with Omega 3, 6 and 9 so you’ll have that glow from within, along with minimized pores and softer skin.

Q: What's the difference between makeup for a daytime event versus a nighttime reception?
A: If it’s a daytime event, try to go for a less dramatic look that puts the emphasis on looking youthful and awake. For an evening event, go for that sultry, mysterious look by emphasizing on two things only, eyes and cheeks or eyes and lips. Of course most wedding celebration are from day to night, so try a few things with your makeup artist. Examples include adding a dramatic color for eyeliner that you can do yourself during cocktail hour and deepening the lipstick color with a different gloss on top. Think about things you can do to change a look in 15 minutes with or without a makeup artist.

Q: What are the key makeup items that are essential if you want to be camera-ready?
A: Have a bridesmaid carry a wristlet that contains lip stain, lip liner, lipstick, CHAPSTICK, mini blush brush, q-tips, small compact, blush and squares of paper towel. Add a few bobby pins, safety pins, double-sided tape, and eye drops for contact wearers or those with dry eyes to prevent redness.

Q: Have there been any odd requests from brides? Anything you're not willing to do?
A: I personally do not like to alter eyebrows especially on the day of the wedding; I’ve had too many requests regarding shaping the brows. These should have been done at least a month or even two before the wedding, because if you don’t think the shape is right, you still have time to grow it out and fill them in. Just like a haircut, the brows need at least three days time before it looks a little more natural. Try threading if you’re squeamish about waxing!

Here is Elaine hard at work the morning of my wedding (photo by Sun Photographics, edited by Pink Orchid Weddings):

Hope this was helpful! If you’re looking for a makeup artist in the Boston area, definitely contact Elaine at makeupbyelaine@gmail.com.

~Fiona

Photos from Sarah and Eric's Wedding by Jaco le Roux

Back in September, we posted a few pictures from the wedding that we coordinated in Maudslay State Park. We finally have the professional pictures from the incredibly talented Jaco le Roux, and they are absolutely amazing. Also, it doesn't hurt that Sarah and Eric look like models in all of their photos. We really enjoyed the day, and here are a few of the wedding details:

All photos by Jaco le Roux.

Don't you just love the "yay" flags and all of the b&w shots? Sarah and Eric, thank you so much for letting Pink Orchid Weddings be part of your special day!

~Emilie

A short and sweet ceremony program

When most people think of wedding ceremony programs, most of the time, you think of a little booklet: words to different songs, a passage of a couple's favorite book, or reading #1 and #2. In longer ceremonies, I think it's great to be able to follow along and figure out what comes next. For me, I always cannot wait until the vows, the "i dos", and the kiss!

My ceremony was about 15-20 minutes long in total, and was officiated by my brother. After I walked down the aisle with my father, my brother struggled through tears at the very beginning of the ceremony, but finally was able to speak after some deep breaths. Now, who would want their guests reading their program through moments like these? I certainly didn't =)

I knew that since it was such a short ceremony, I wanted to put just the bare minimum in my program. It consisted of our names, our wedding party, thank yous, and these seven lines: prelude, procession & entrance of the bride, gathering words, reading, ceremony, pronouncement of marriage, recessional. Since I liked programs that opened like a book, I designed mine to be a book with no pages inside.

It was one bronze metallic cardstock sheet, with two pearl white metallic cardstock pages on the inner section, with a hand glittered cover tag to give it that texture that I love, and a perfect fucshia satin bow. I made enough so every other seat had a program.



The following picture shows the programs laid out on every other chair for the ceremony, taken by Brittany of BKB Photography.



For help with designing your own programs or other wedding stationery, please contact me!

~Emilie

A Simple Moss Ring Box

When thinking of ring pillows, usually you think of white satin or lace, with a little bow on top. Because of no white flowers, no white candles, and no white aisle runners at my wedding, I automatically wasn't thinking of a white ring pillow. I wanted something to go along with the branches and moss elements of the wedding, but didn't want my nephew (the ring bearer) to carry rings on a stick either.

I was walking through the aisles of Michaels when I came across their premade wooden boxes. They have all shapes and sizes, and I found this little wooden box that would fit in both of my nephew's 5 year old hands perfectly... all for only $1.99. Along with some moss, super glue, chocolate satin ribbon, cardstock, a hole puncher, and tape, a ring box was created.

Here was the start to the ring box, with ribbon tied to a piece of punched cardstock that is glued to the bottom of the box. Then moss is gradually added that is held together by some super glue.



In the end, here is a photo of the finished product in the ring bearer's hands, taken by the talented, BKB Photography.

If you would like help with some creating projects for your own wedding, please contact me at info@pinkorchiddesigns.com!

~Emilie

Elizabeth's Invitations, Cards, and Favors!

Fiona and I are two of the bridesmaids for our friend Elizabeth, who is getting married next weekend at the Westin! She had a whirlwind and fairy tale type of romance with her fiance, Peter, dating for only 6 months before the proposal, and then getting married within a year. I guess what people say is true, when you know, you just know! I had the privilege of designing some of the paper products for her bridal shower and bachelorette party. Below are some of the invitations, cards, and favors from her pre-wedding events.

The bachelorette party invitations had a fun and curly font, with a martini glass to give it some color, rounded corners, and a hand glittered sugar rim. I love it when you can feel some texture on paper. There were two different versions of the bachelorette party invitation, one for the guests, and one for the bride-to-be! We wanted to keep the night's festivities as a surprise, so you'll notice that all of the locations on Elizabeth's invitation are very vague, like "somewhere in Massachusetts", and "dinner at yummy restaurant".





This is a personalized card that I made for Elizabeth. It's a bridal shower of flowers! I outlined the umbrella in some glitter to again give the card some texture and shimmer.



The bridal shower favors were heart shaped luggage tags. Before, they were packaged in a clear plastic heart box, with the insert showing a small form like Name, Address, etc. By request of the bride to make it look a little more lively, I removed the plastic heart box, tied a pink ribbon diagonally through the velvet black packaging, and created a new insert for the luggage tag. Elizabeth liked the quote "love is in the air", so I added that on the top, along with a little airplane icon. I also added the names of the bride and groom, and the bridal shower date with some flourishes.

Before picture:



and after!!



It was a lot of fun to work on all of these paper products. If you need custom invitations or a personalized card made, just email me at info@pinkorchiddesigns.com

~Emilie

Sarah & Eric's Wedding - Maudslay State Park

This past Saturday, Fiona and I were the DOCs (day of coordinators) to Sarah and Eric's wedding in Newburyport, MA. Their wedding was very unqiue, with yellow pedicabs, a ceremony in Maudslay State Park's gorgeous vegetable garden, and a DIY photobooth with lots of costumes and props. We had a great time coordinating the ceremony, setting up the reception, and making sure everyone had everything that they needed. Sarah and Eric were the picture perfect bride and groom, but you'll have to wait for the professional photos from Jaco Le Roux to see them! For now, we'll give you a peek of some of the wedding details:

The reception setup, centerpieces, handmade signs, and a birdcage cardholder.



A chocolate fountain, precious family photos, more gorgeous flower centerpieces, and a fabulous custom getaway car.

We were so incredibly happy to have been a part of Sarah and Eric's wedding. If you or anyone you know is looking for a day of coordinator, please contact us at info@pinkorchidweddings.com

~Emilie