Custom Calligraphy & Watercolor Wedding Maps

We are so thrilled with our bride, Sarah Jo, for introducing us to her friend Catherine Woodward! Catherine creates stunning wedding maps using ink and watercolor, and each one is custom-created featuring the information you provide. This can include the ceremony and reception location, area landmarks, and even the spot where you got engaged!

We love the idea of using these maps in your welcome bags. But it will also be a stunning piece of art for your home! Check out Catherine's Etsy shop, Maps Of The Moment, for more examples of her work. But hurry if you want one - Catherine starts her med school residency in mid-May, and will have to put her love of creating art on hold for a bit.

Here's a little bit more about Catherine's story:

I started painting and drawing when I was little, but kind of over did it in high school - I took lots of classes and got totally burnt out. I think I took a single class in college, and then for about 7 years I only painted once... I just didn't have time and didn't really want to.

Then I became a fourth year medical student, and went from having no free time to actually having a pretty good deal of it. So, for the first time in years, I did a series of acrylic and news-print cityscapes for a friend...then other friends started requesting things and pretty soon I had done about 15 works.

One painting - the house below - got put on Instagram by my friend. His friend saw it and she reached out to me to see if i would be willing to draw a map of all the venues in her wedding.

I had never done anything like it, but it seemed like it would be a really fun project... so I bought watercolors (which I hadn't worked with in years and years), and just started sketching. The first one was REALLY just like a hope-this-works sort of thing! And she loved it!

I will be a bridesmaid in a bunch of weddings this year, so I did more of them as gifts for the brides. Each piece got such positive feedback and were such a special gift! Then finally, I showed my boyfriend's mom who really has to be credited for the Etsy idea.

I was really hesitant at first, but I had enough time and I really LOVE making them, so one random morning I finally made a shop. I sent the link out to my close friends and they sent it out to their friends, and it has just taken off!! It has just been the most awesome thing! I'll get requests from all over the country and I get to learn about all these cities. People get so excited about them and that for me is the coolest part.

I'm obviously looking forward to starting residency but it'll be sad to take a break from this. However, they say that after the first two years, you get a lot more free time, so I'm hoping I can always have this as a hobby!

The 10+ Year Club: A Fantasy In Flowers

Welcome to the next installment in our blog series, spotlighting local wedding companies that have been in business for 10 or more years! Today we feature florist Susan Kass of A Fantasy In Flowers: What year did you start your business?

I purchased a Fantasy in Flowers in 2003. It was an existing business with a storefront located in Mandarin. My previous experience had been in hotel sales and catering. I also managed a showroom for a clothing rep in the Miami merchandise mart for 6 years when my daughter was young. This gave me insight into the wholesale and buying end of business. It seemed like it would be a great match for buying a florist. I was naive…

What was your motivation? 

We had moved to Jacksonville in 2001 and my daughter was getting ready to start high school. I thought going back to work would be a good idea. I just had no idea how much work I would be getting myself into!!

How has your business changed over the years?

There have been so many changes to my business in 10 years it is difficult to count. I started out with one retail location and 2 years later bought a second location on Park Street ( Catanese Florist). When the economy was strong I employed 7 people full-time and we concentrated on corporate events and daily deliveries. The recession came and the corporate market went dormant so we moved our emphasis to the wedding world and never looked back. 2 1/2 years ago we moved to our wonderful new design studio on County Road 210. We now have 2 designers and a part time driver/set up guy and we are busy and happy but only occasionally stressed. Last year we provided flowers and décor for almost 90 weddings. We have 72 reviews on wedding wire and a 4.9 out of 5 rating, so I guess we are doing things right!!

Looking back, what do you wish you had done differently? 

Looking back I would never have expanded as much as I did, however everything has been a learning process. I have made every mistake in the book. I just try to not make the same mistake twice. The one real change I would make is to have never gotten involved with any of the wire services ( FTD, TELEFLORA etc.). On-line ordering is a big scam and it costs reputable florists hundreds of thousands of dollars per year, as well as delivering an inferior product to the consumer.

What are you most proud of? 

I am proud of many things, but mostly of my loyal and talented staff. They are the heart of my business and have stayed with me through thick and thin. I couldn't do it without them...literally!!

Why do you think your business has made it while so many other small businesses fail in the first five years? 

Our business has made it due to changing with the economy and the trends. We also have a core group of very loyal local clients who have stuck with us. The positive reviews and word of mouth from our brides has also been invaluable. We always try to go the extra mile and it seems that we are appreciated for that.

What advice do you have for a business just starting out in your industry?

Starting a business today in the wedding industry is incredibly tough. Do not sell yourself short and please charge the appropriate amount for your services. Do not undercut the existing companies in the industry. This will make other vendors unwilling to promote you. You must have a strong vendor network and you must be patient. It takes a long time to build a good reputation and good relationships. Attend networking events and get to know others in your industry. That will pay off big!!

Do you have a most memorable wedding or funny story you'd like to share?

Most memorable wedding story...Just when I think I've seen it all something new and amazing happens for the first time. That's what keeps this business interesting!!!

The 10+ Year Club: Y? Entertainment

Welcome to the next installment in our blog series, spotlighting local wedding companies that have been in business for 10 or more years! Today we feature DJ David Hanscom, of Y? EntertainmentEvent Services. What year did you start your business?

We first started Y? Entertainment, Inc. in 1998 and then converted it over to First Coast Events, Inc. in 2008

What was your motivation? 

All throughout high school I played every sport I could.  Basically, if there was a uniform to be worn, I played the sport.  An unfortunate turn of events found me having reconstructive surgery on both of my ankles before I graduated.  This caused me to focus on the other things I enjoyed in life.  I was always the class clown and loved music so someone suggested me working at the local Radio & TV broadcasting station.  I immediately fell in love with the radio side of it!!! While there, I learned quickly about music programming and the art of DJing.  My first "DJ gig" was my high school Jr/Sr prom.  Yes I admit, instead of attending with a date I offered to DJ.  As a matter of fact, I liked it so much I did it again in my Senior year.  I continued working in radio fro several years after graduating high school but didn't really get into "mobile DJing" until 1997.  It was that year I met a guy by the name of Geoff, who was a local DJ that frequented the CD Warehouse store I was working at and he introduced me to the world of mobile DJing.   I trained with several companies over the next year and then went out on my own in 1998 and have not looked back since.

How has your business changed over the years?

One of the biggest changes, like in many wedding related segments, technology has evolved very quickly.  When I started it was just transitioning from using records and into cassettes,  Boy let me tell you how fun it was to DJ using 6 cassette decks at one time and keeping track of which one was your next song, etc. LOL  From there we transitioned into CDs and eventually into digital media.  Each advancement has provided us the ability to be more "in the moment" with our events.  What I mean by that is that we were able to cut down on the time spent sifting and sorting through music and have more time to focus on what is going on around us.  We are now able to catch those brief moments in time where something happens and it may be that one thing that shows the uniqueness of your client.  Along with those advancements also came a "size reduction".  Manufacturers continue to find ways to make thing better AND smaller.  I personally like this for two reasons.  One, obviously the wear and tear on your body when you (personally) do over 100 events a year loves it anytime equipment is smaller and lighter.  Two, I don't like for our equipment to be a distraction.  It is always nicer when our equipment  can be sleek, professionally presented and not something the photographer wants to Photoshop out of their client's photos after the fact.  Some personal changes for our company have been actually a reduction in DJs working with us,  At first we wanted to have as many DJs as we could possibly have.  It became very evident, very quickly that quantity isn't always better than quality.  We built our reputation on consistency.  Some might not call us "the best" or "the most/least expensive" but when can be said about our staff is consistency, each one is trained in the same fashion and have the same level of professionalism expected of them.  Of course each one has his/her own personality but the foundation is consistent among each staff member.

Looking back, what do you wish you had done differently? 

This is a tough one.  I thought a lot before answering and truthfully I am not sure I would want to do anything differently.  I have been very happy with what we have done each step of the way.  We have done our best to be on top of the trends in the industry, the best equipment and anything else that can help us provide a top of the line service to our clients.

What are you most proud of? 

I am most proud of the length of time we have been able to continue to provide a high level of service to our clients in the community. I am proud that the DJs on our staff have been willing to continue to grow in their craft and not remain stagnant and just treat it like a part time business.  I am proud that my hard work and dedication to being the best we can possibly be in the industry has been reflected in the numerous awards we win as a team annually and the many opportunities I have had to DJ for high profile events all over the country.

Why do you think your business has made it while so many other small businesses fail in the first five years? 

My guess would be our ability to evaluate the market and know where we wanted to be viewed in that market.  Sure our pricing, like for many others, has been adjusted through the down economy multiple times, we as a staff agreed that we would not compromise "quality of service" even though we were sometimes only able to charge half of what we did before the economy crash.  I also feel that the consistency I talked about above is a key component to our longevity.    The wedding industry is a small, tight knit community and it is important to other vendors to typically know what their client can expect when they refer our services.  It also provides them the confidence to know "what they will get" when they work with someone from our staff during an event.

What advice do you have for a business just starting out in your industry?

I would first give advice to the individual about their "performance" and then advice about their "business".  From the standpoint of performance, my number one piece of advice is that the service you provide is really just one more piece of the whole puzzle of vendors that make up an event.  Some say, "A DJ can make or break an event" and to some extent I would agree with that BUT it does not give you permission to think you are "more important" than the event.  A mentor of mine in this industry always reminds me, "Don't believe your own press clippings" and I for sure echo his sentiments.  So many people see the glitz and glamour of being a DJ and in some cases allow it to consume them.  You can be the most talented person at your craft but if people can't stand to be around you it is all for nothing.  Bottom line, be humble, be appreciative that you have an opportunity to work in such a "fun" industry and always strive to be a team player.

From the standpoint of business, my most important piece of advice is if you are going to call you a "Professional" DJ (or any other part of the event industry) understand that "Professional" is not defined by "what" or "how" you do things.  Professional is defined by "what one does as their MAIN source of income".  The average national salary for a "professional" anything is around $40,000 a year.  A simple mathematical equation to understand this point is to take the average amount of money you charge per event and multiply it by the average number of events you can personally do (should not be any greater than 50 - 60 when you are first starting).  Where many people make the mistake is they say, "Well, I took your equation, plugged in my numbers and came up with $45,000.  I am $5,000 ahead of the game!"  While at initial observation this would "make sense" but what has been forgotten is all the expenses necessary to run your business (i.e., equipment, legal music, license, insurance, marketing, advertising, vehicle maintenance, gas to travel to and from events, computer & software to manage events, phone line for your company, website, etc.).  All of that BEFORE you can even consider paying yourself a salary.  You can easily see where your $45,000 (in the above example) can be depleted very quickly.  There is nothing wrong with working this industry "part time", there are many great DJs who do, but if you are going to tout that you are a "professional" then NONE of the expenses mentioned above should be ignored because they "cost too much" nor should you be "making", meaning bringing home personally not charging and bringing into your "business" any less than a respectable salary based on the national averages.  If you are not able to do this, it is usually based on what you are charging for your services.  The amount of events you can do is typically only affected by adding more DJs to your staff or as your reputation grows in a positive way which should lead to more opportunities.

Therefore, you must address this in your pricing.  You are not doing yourself or even worse the "industry" a favor by charging far less than other businesses in your area because you think it will get you more business.  Instead what you do is reduce the perceived value of DJs.  That affects everyone who is working hard to maintain a true "professional" status.  I understand, mainly because I was there myself once, that the common thought is that when you first start out you cannot charge as much as someone who has more experience in the industry or with a specific type of event.  This may be true BUT don't then fall prey to using the "I can offer the same thing they do for a cheaper price" tactic because if you really believed you could, you would be charging the same rate.  Pay your dues, work hard, don't try to be someone you are not yet and when you have the proper experience and confidence to "Go Pro" then do so. Continuing Education is the key.  I have been in the business myself well over 20 years and I never stop learning how to be better.  Never fool yourself into thinking you "know it all".  When (if) you get to that point, it is probably a good time to either take a self re-evaluation or look for a new career.

Do you have a most memorable wedding or funny story you'd like to share?

As I am sitting here typing this there is a tornado and flash flood warning for our area and I couldn't help but think about the wedding I titled "The couple that couldn't wait...In the rainstorm".  It was probably about 8 - 10 years ago and the wedding was at the library in Fernandina Beach, FL.  They have a room for functions in the top floor of the library.  Upon arrival it was already raining pretty steady and I remember being concerned because the parking lot actually slanted down from the main street to the entrance into the library.  At that point the water was draining pretty well.  So, the wedding reception started off like any other typically does with a cocktail hour.  I was setup next to a window so occasionally I'd peek outside to evaluate the weather.  The rain continued and at many times became much stronger.  Then the "untypical" began.  A cocktail hour usually lasts that long, an hour.  However, we were close to two hours into the event and still no site or word from the Bride and Groom.  The wedding party had already arrived, the parents were in the room and even the photographers had finished their photos.

The longer the time went on the more I ran out of "excuses" why they hadn't arrived yet.  It actually got to the point 3 hours in that the caterers decided to let people start eating to prevent the food from going bad.   Finally about 3 1/2 hours into the event the Bride & Groom arrive, no dress, no tux...just regular clothes.  As you can imagine by the title, they decided to make a stop at their hotel to "consummate the marriage" before coming to reception.  I guess they figured the reception was for the guests anyway so no need to rush LOL   The icing on the cake was after the event as I went to load up my truck, as expected the water level rose to just below my bumper of my truck and I ended up having to roll up my suit pants to my waist basically (which still didn't really keep them dry) and carry all of my equipment down and load it barefoot.  All and all it was a pretty interesting evening and more than a few laughs and memories still linger long after my suit dried.

The 10+ Year Club: Christy Whitehead Photography

Welcome to the next installment in our blog series, spotlighting local wedding companies that have been in business for 10 or more years! Today we feature photographer Christy Whitehead, of Christy Whitehead Photography. What year did you start your business?

Around 2000.

What was your motivation?

I've always been a creative person. I LOVE doing crafts. I was working as a journalist and an editor told me to take some photography classes. I LOVED the dark room and the creative aspects of photography. People started asking me to do photography for their families and weddings and now I don't do much of any news work.

How has your business changed over the years?

Everything is constantly changing. I'm always trying to learn and better my technique and learn new things. Equipment is always changing from film to digital, etc. I've learned how to be a better business person and am always trying to keep on top of everything. Right now, I'm moving my studio from a 750 SF building to 2400 SF with a huge shooting space, conference room, sales room and tons of kid friendly areas.

Looking back, what do you wish you had done differently?

Probably gotten more training sooner. Overall, I try not to dwell on the past and just try to look forward and set goals for myself.

What are you most proud of?

Most of my business comes from word of mouth, so that means a lot. I get a lot of people who email me wanting photography advice and such or send nice comments and that is very flattering.

Why do you think your business has made it while so many other small businesses fail in the first five years?

Being a business owner is hard. I'm married and have a child. I don't know that I could do this without my husband working also. But that being said, I've also asked for help when I can't do it all. I'm not playing mommy 24/7 and answering calls, I have people who help me with child care or running errands when I need it so I can focus on my business. But being a photographer, I also work a lot of weekends, so I do take off during the week to spend with my daughter. I love the flexibility. But I've set standards and expectations, because my business is important to me.

What advice do you have for a business just starting out in your industry?

In this industry, there is a lot of negative talk about "momtographers" the moms who pick up the camera and start selling their service and they don't know how to shoot manually. I was at a Professional Photographer Association get together and someone said that what separates a momtographer are the people who WANT to learn. If you want to be taken seriously, LEARN your craft. Ask for help. Pay for classes, pick up a book. I'd say, also, to value yourself. I had a photographer ask me to lunch the other day and she said they were working all the time and didn't have time for their 3 kids. I told her to double her prices. She might lose half her clients, but she'd still bring in the same income. Two months later she told me that was the best advice she had ever gotten and they were now getting clients who actually valued their work and were still booking like crazy.

Do you have a most memorable wedding or funny story you'd like to share?

Not that I can think of off hand. I haven't had any bridezillas, thankfully! I do a lot of ring photos on props and we once tried to photograph the rings on a chocolate mustache. It was the middle of the summer and the ring was melting into the chocolate, it was one huge mess, lol.

The 10+ Year Club: Wehner Weddings

Welcome to the next installment in our blog series, spotlighting local wedding companies that have been in business for 10 or more years! Today we feature ceremony musician Kyle Wehner, of Wehner Weddings.

What year did you start your business? 2000

What was your motivation? 

I have a degree in viola performance and wanted to supplement my income while doing something that I love.

How has your business changed over the years? 

My business has gone from just being me performing solo at a few weddings each month to having over 50 musicians and numerous ensembles working within Wehner Weddings, LLC and providing music to over 250 weddings per year.

Looking back, what do you wish you had done differently? 

I did not use a formal contract system in the first few years of business when I was playing solo. After getting burned on a non payment, I created a formal contract and have not had any problems since. My clients feel more secure with a formal contract on hand as well.

What are you most proud of? 

I most proud of all of my musicians being experienced, full time professionals with degrees in their instrument. I do not use students or hobbyists in my company.

Why do you think your business has made it while so many other small businesses fail in the first five years?

I think that your product is what sells your business along with the way you communicate to and with your clients. Simply stated, if you provide  a consistent, quality product and communicate with your costumers, they will spread the word to others and that is better than any print advertising you could buy. I maintain a quality product by using only professional musicians. I also never turn down an opportunity to work. If I am not personally available, I always have a professional within my company who is available and I still oversee all of the details. My website sound samples have also proven to be a great tool, as many of my wedding clients do not live locally and can still sample my music online before signing a contract with my company. As we all know, having a network of other professionals you trust is also key. That being said, a huge part of my business comes to me in thanks to the coordinators and venues who have worked with me and know my product.

What advice do you have for a business just starting out in your industry? 

Really get to know your market and client base before starting your business. How many businesses like yours already exist in the area and how many potential customers are in need of the service that you provide? What makes you different than your competitors?

Do you have a most memorable wedding or funny story you'd like to share? 

My most memorable wedding happened on April 9, 2002. I was hired to play solo violin for a beach wedding in St. Augustine. The ceremony was set to start at 2:30AM...Yes in the middle of the night, because 2:30AM on the beach was the first time he ever said "I love you" to her. I arrived 30 minutes early, ready to provide prelude music for guests, but there were no guests at this wedding. Only me on the violin, the officiant, photographer and bride and groom. Instead, the bride handed me a bag of tea candles and asked me to arrange them in the shape of a heart on the beach. Keep in mind, it was not a full moon and there was no other light source anywhere near this part of the beach. Also, it was so windy that the tiny candles were covered by sand before they could even be arranged properly or have a chance to be lit. After that, the bride asked if she could borrow my gold pocket watch, as she did not have "something borrowed" for her wedding yet. I gave it to her and she promply dropped it down the front of her dress for safe storage. She also asked me to escort her down the aisle (a long boardwalk with stairs up and down leading to the beach) while playing the theme from Titanic as her processional...I relunctlantly agreed. When 2:30AM rolled around, the groom appeared out of the B&B, handed a 35 page prenuptual agreement to the bride and said we can get on with the ceremony as soon as she reads over the agreement and signs. This process took 30 minutes, so the wedding did not start until after 3AM. I did walk the bride down the aisle without issue (thank goodness I had all of my music memorized because it was too dark to see!). You could not see anything on the beach during the ceremony. You could just hear the officiant speaking and every 10 seconds or so, you would see a bright flash from the camera and your eyes would go numb. The wedding itself only took about 10 minutes, but it was very interesting. The bride retrieved and returned my pocket watch after the ceremony :)

The 10+ Year Club: First Coast Weddings and Events

We're excited to be starting a new blog series! Over the next several weeks, we'll be spotlighting local wedding companies that have been in business for 10 or more years. And naturally, we'll start with ourselves! Here are the questions we'll be asking other wedding professionals, and our answers as given by our owner, Heather Canada. What year did you start your business? 2002

What was your motivation? I had worked in theme parks, country clubs, and hotels for several years after college. I knew in college I wanted to be an event planner, but I saw myself working for a corporation planning their shareholder events, training seminars, and trade shows. Working in catering, I began doing weddings and eventually fell in love with the variety and personalization that weddings offered. I wanted a chance to work more closely with my brides and grooms than I was able to in a club or hotel setting, so First Coast Weddings was born!

How has your business changed over the years? My initial vision was to do a mix of corporate events and weddings - but over the years, I have focused our marketing and attention solely on weddings. We'll do the occasional corporate dinner or social event, but it's usually a spin-off from someone who knows us from the wedding world! We have also grown in size - I started with one assistant coordinator, and now our team includes six planners/coordinators.

Looking back, what do you wish you had done differently? Of course, there are always decisions that you'd like to change - but overall, I'm very happy with where we are today!

What are you most proud of? I'm most proud of earning my Master Bridal Consultant designation in 2012, and I'm also proud to provide educational opportunities and apprenticeships to members of the Association of Bridal Consultants.

Why do you think your business has made it while so many other small businesses fail in the first five years? For wedding planners, there are really no barriers to entry to this industry. It's easy for someone to have fun planning their own wedding, and think they can do it as a career. It's much harder to take someone else's vision and make it a reality - and then multiply that by 15 or 20 brides at once! I think that we provide excellent service to our clients, and we maintain close relationships with other wedding professionals. Referrals are always our number one source of new business! I also attend at least one continuing education conference each year to stay up on the latest trends and products.

What advice do you have for a business just starting out in your industry? Join ABC! I have created amazing friendships, opportunities, and connections over my 11 years as an ABC member. And I know that I have a network of other incredible planners around the world that I can count on when I need something. I also suggest interning or apprenticing with a seasoned planner before  jumping in. And be sure all of your financial and legal ducks are in a row before you hang out your shingle.

Do you have a most memorable wedding or funny story you'd like to share? I have so many wonderful memories! I think one of my favorites was from the photo below. It was after Kimberly and Victor's wedding in 2008; I had spent over a year getting to know Kimberly and her family - both of her parents attended almost every meeting, and were part of every decision! They are a wonderful family full of love and caring. Usually at the end of the reception, we send the bride and groom off in a limo or Rolls Royce or horse and carriage... but Victor and Kimberly and her parents were there in the ballroom long after all the guests had left. Part of it was exhaustion, part of it was just enjoying reveling in the beauty and love of the day. I loved that they took a few minutes to relax and talk on the fuzzy pink lounge furniture before Kimberly and Victor went off to begin their life as husband and wife. So sweet!

Spotight: Hair & Makeup By Paulina Perez

In 15 years of doing weddings, the number one cause I have seen of getting off schedule is found at the beginning of the day: hair and makeup. There are so many reasons to hire a professional hair stylist and makeup artist. But one of the top reasons is staying on schedule! The talented artists that do weddings every weekend (not just work in salons) know how long it will take to do each girls' hair and makeup, and they are great at working with the brides to schedule enough time to get everyone done before the photographer is ready to shoot formal portraits.

One of our favorite companies to work with is Hair & Makeup By Paulina Perez.  Our brides love working with Paulina and her team! We constantly hear how wonderful they are. In addition to doing fabulous hair and makeup, the team is fully licensed and insured - something that is very important these days! They also have an office in Savannah now, and are on their way to world domination.

I personally had Paulina do my makeup for my recent headshots, and I concur! Not only did my makeup look amazing, it lasted for hours in the heat and humidity of a Florida afternoon! Here's a little interview with Paulina where she shared all sorts of great tips and tricks!

What makes your team different from other hair/makeup artists? I think the main thing that makes us different from every other artist in town is that we are literally a one stop shop for our clients and most vendors that refer us! Not only are we all licensed estheticians and cosmetologists but this is a team of some of the hottest artists in North Florida! I think clients and vendors like that they know they can refer our team for hair, makeup, and tanning services and that they know the chances of us turning them away due to not having enough artists is most likely not going to happen!

Also we pride ourselves in the fact that we do have some of the best artist in this region all under one roof! Although the company is named after me (when I started out I never imagined getting to the point of having a team, so the name made sense) I am blessed to not be the only “name” in the company. The girls on my team all have a resume on their own that would be extremely competitive to any other freelance artist. My girls have done hair and makeup for the Emmy’s and the Golden Globes, for contestants on the voice, featured in national and international magazines, are staple artists for Wal-Mart, and even were seen in Russia’s Next Top Model which was filmed while we were doing Miami Fashion Week! We are really blessed with the talent on the team and all get to learn from everyone’s personal experiences which keeps our team continuing to grow! Their sweet personality is just the icing on the cake! ;)

What's your favorite beauty product that you personally use? I have two tools that I can’t live without!!! The first is my Clarisonic brush!! I keep it in the shower and use it with my face wash everyday!!! It really keeps my skin glowing and keeps it from getting dull!! If you don’t have this little device it will make an amazing Christmas present this year!!!! The first time you use it your face will feel like a clean you have never felt before!! I know that sounds weird but to the people reading this that have one they are probably nodding their heads….and now laughing at how true this is!!!

My second favorite tool is my Beauty Blender Sponge! I use it to apply and blend my foundation. I kept hearing about this sponge from all of my makeup artist friends and finally caved in to this…..well, sponge! I was skeptical as I had been taught to only apply foundation with a foundation brush and how sponges are the worst for foundation application. I read how this sponge was SO DIFFERENT and life changing! I read how it was patented and how it wouldn't absorb your foundation like most sponges do. I finally put it to use…. And let’s just say it was like a little piece of heaven on my face! I loved my foundation even more with this little pink egg of a sponge….. and I loved taking picture on Instagram…..with NO FILTER! I swear! They sell these sponges at Sephora just in case you wanted to run….. I mean pick one up!

What is the most important thing brides should consider when choosing someone to do their hair and makeup on their wedding day? Aside from the obvious like making sure you do a trial and are happy with the end result….. also make sure your artist is professional. An easy way to do this is by reading their contract. If they don’t have you sign a contract that would raise an immediate red flag! Two other really important factors to consider is to make sure your makeup artists is at least an esthetician and that your hairdresser is a cosmetologist! These licenses are required BY LAW. Last making sure they have liability insurance. You want someone who takes care of their business as it shows how they will take care of you. If your artist knows all the legal ins and outs and requirements of his/her business and is licensed and insured then you know it is someone who is looking at this for the long haul and not to make extra money on the side as a hobby. Professionals will take the time to invest in their company.

What should brides avoid in the days leading up to their wedding? Honestly in a perfect world the bridal party would not be hung over from their rehearsal dinner and would come wedding day with 8 hours of sleep….. but let’s get real! Rehearsal dinners are full of friends you haven’t seen in years that flew in, family your fiance has not met, and and a family reunion that has not happened since Aunt Carol got married 10 years ago! There will be a party the night before and nothing or nobody will stop that! Hopefully your artist comes prepared with either a hydration mask (depending on the severity -LOL), tons of moisturizer, and if need be oxygen infused facial mist…. My favorite is from Bliss! This with the right formula concealer will make you look like you got 8 hours of sleep you were hoping for!!!

As far as facials go…… most spas will not (or maybe I should say SHOULD NOT) give you a mud facial the week of. Any facial where your impurities are being drawn out WILL and I repeat WILL break you out! Other than that if you just go in for a relaxing facial or massage you should be fine! Just let them know your big day is coming up and you don’t want anything that will bring unexpected friends to the surface!! But go ahead and pamper yourself that week!! With all the wedding duties you have had you deserve it!!!

Spotlight: Wine and Canvas

Last weekend, Kari and I had a blast creating works of art over cocktails and conversation! Thanks to a Groupon deal, we signed up along with Kari's mom, sister, and a few friends, and were introduced to Wine and Canvas. The premise is simple: you sign up online, then show up at the bar or restaurant where the event is scheduled. You get a blank canvas, paints and brushes, and even an apron to keep you somewhat clean. Everyone paints the same picture, and an instructor paints along with you so you can watch what to do. (That part is definitely easier before the cocktails!) Here's the before:

It's a step by step process, and our class lasted 3 hours. At the end of the event, we all took our paintings with us - some to be displayed prominently in our homes, some to be donated to a charity thrift shop near you.

Not only is this a super idea for a night out, it's a great idea for a Bachelorette Party! We've heard from a lot of you that say you want a fun night out with your friends that doesn't involve a fake veil and strippers. Wine and Canvas offers private parties which could be held at any number of restaurants that have private event space. Plus, you'll have a souvenier of your night with the girls!

Check out the Wine and Canvas website or Facebook page for more info:

Wine and Canvas Website Wine and Canvas Jacksonville - Facebook page

Spotlight: The Engagement Ring Studio

This week, I had the opportunity to meet the lovely ladies at The Engagement Ring Studio. As a small studio, they offer a personal approach to selecting the perfect engagement ring. They work one-on-one with grooms to select the ideal ring for his bride, or custom design one if nothing is "just right."

Rather than a sea of glass cases, the studio has open displays where the rings can easily be viewed, touched, and admired. In addition, they have a selection of earrings, necklaces, as well as non-diamond options.

I was impressed that they are dedicated to designing a ring that not only the bride will love, but the groom will be comfortable with price-wise. Before they even start looking at diamonds, they look at budget. Much better than the guilt-trip guys often get at the major chain stores!

Already have the ring? The Engagement Ring Studio can also help with custom-designed wedding bands and bridal party gifts.  Also, check out their seminars, "Beer, Wings & Rings" where guys can learn how to buy the perfect engagement ring.

Guest Post: Bridal Party Jewels

This post was written by one of our fabulous former clients, Ashley McCormick Travers.  Now Ashley works for Stella and Dot, and she was excited to share some of the latest looks with our readers. Brides are longing for that fun, creative statement to differentiate their wedding… Stella and Dot makes that happen.  As a First Coast Weddings client I was married to the cookie-cutter look and making sure my girls matched everything head to toe.   Fast forward three years and today I am in love with the mis-matched accessory look – changing up the jewelry and shoes amongst the bridal party.

As a Stella and Dot stylist I have TONS of fun styling brides, bridesmaids, flower girls, mothers of the bride and guests! And not only on the wedding day but showers, rehearsals and honeymoons too!  Our new vintage chic, on-trend looks for spring can quickly style the bridal party in affordable couture pieces they will surely work  with jeans, at the office or with a simple LBD.  Although so many brides’ wedding rings are white gold or platinum, everyone is wardrobing with gold baubles.  It’s the hottest look for 2011!

The Charlotte Charm necklace is under $50.  What I love most is the charms are removable, so I’ve seen each bridesmaid pick her favorite charm and each has a different look.  This also looks great layered with pearls and gold chains.

The Sofia Pearl Bib is my all time fave and biggest selling statement necklace hands down!  Stunning on the big day and perfect with jeans and a tank.

Great gift ideas are the initial charms and birthstone briolette charms.  A friend of mine just did the Glint flower necklace (stud set above) and stud earrings for all her bridesmaids.  A pulled together look in sterling silver for under $80 per girl.

The mini-soiree necklace with matching bracelet is ideal for the Flower girl.

Contact Ashley, your personal stylist, and let her work with you to create the look you want for any occasion.  Want to style your life? Become a stylist. Shop at her eboutique:  www.stelladot.com/ashleytravers

Spotlight: Loft 9

This post is a shameless plug for two of my favorite people: Kimtasha Armstrong and Casey Powell. These two lovely ladies are always my first two calls when a bride is looking for a hair stylist and a makeup artist.  They show up on time and make our brides look AMAZING - and they were both just named to Jacksonville Magazine's Best of 2009.

Even more exciting is that these incredible ladies now share a studio space - Loft 9 in San Marco.  If you haven't seen The Lofts San Marco, it's the former South Jacksonville Grammar School built in 1916.  The building is gorgeous, and it's event list on the National Register of Historic Places.  The large windows let in tons of light, perfect for a salon! (Of course, I'm even more excited because Casey happens to be my personal hair stylist as well as a great wedding industry friend!)

One of our beautiful brides, Lauren, made even more stunning by Casey and Kimtasha!

photo by Agnes Lopez

Spotlight: Rose of Sharon European Florist

Last night, we had the pleasure of attending the premiere of Rose of Sharon's recently remodeled studio. Amazing! The transformation makes me want to re-design our office.

The space formerly used for bridal consultations (and the accounting department!) now has a stunning “greenhouse” feel. The team actually demolished the paneling and found gorgeous brick walls. Add in some unique display shelves and the look is incredible.

And speaking of incredible, the new wedding section is fabulous. Not only is there a couch and a large computer monitor for viewing photos, but every type of vase, container, candelabra and column is right there to touch and feel. I feel like a kid in a candy store each time I walk in.

If you haven't selected a florist for your wedding, be sure to make an appointment with Lynette or Judy!

Spotlight: La Terra Resort and Spa

Recently, the girls and I took a little trip down to the World Golf Village to re-visit Laterra Resort and Spa.  We did a wedding at this venue back in October, 2006 - how time flies!

The beautiful Mediterranean-style architecture is an elegant backdrop.  Can you imagine arriving under this porte-cochere in a horse-drawn carriage or antique Rolls Royce?

The outdoor lobby area is available for wedding receptions. as is the lawn/pool area.  Ceremonies can be held facing the stunning fountain, or the dramatic arches of the building.

Laterra is a beautiful property, but its only drawback is the lack of indoor space.  If you consider hosting an event there, be sure to consider the weather!

However, the added bonus is that the guest accommodations consist of 1 bedroom-, 2 bedroom-, and 3 bedroom-suites with full kitchens, which are great for families.

And of course, the best bonus is the Spa!  While we didn't take any photos inside, the relaxation room is to die for - a circular room with a water/rain feature from floor to ceiling.  Amazing!  And the floating cabanas over the koi pond look heavenly for a massage.

Laterra does not have on-site catering, so everything must be brought in, including tables and chairs.  For more information about rentals, contact Susan at (866) 828-3772.

Don't Tell The Bride!

As l am from England,  of course l have BBC America! I absolutely love this channel and have come across a new television show (well new to BBC America anyway!) called Don't Tell The Bride.

This show follows the groom-to-be who has been provided with $20,000 to create his bride's wedding of her dreams. There is one catch however,  which is that the groom only has one  month to plan the wedding, from selecting the venue, invitations, wedding dress, bridesmaid dresses etc. and CANNOT speak or visit with his bride until the day of the wedding,  at the altar!

Throughout watching a couple of these episodes, l have felt excited, anxious, surprised and overwhelmed for these bride and grooms, and l do not even know these people! So this left me with a burning question for you bride-to-be's out there.

Would you let your husband- to- be plan your wedding from start to finish, including selecting your wedding dress?

If you would like to start watching this nail biting television show, the next show airs on BBC America, July 17th at 9.00 P.M.

Happy TV watching!!

(image from BBCAmerica.com)

Now On Newstands!

It's finally here - the debut issue of Southern Weddings!  I picked up my copy this morning at Barnes and Noble on my way in to the office.  While I have only had a chance to flip through the pages, I can tell already that it is on my "faves" list!

What are your favorite features or articles?  Post a comment to let us know!

Spotlight: One Ocean Resort Hotel & Spa

Today Danielle and I attended a National Association of Catering Executives meeting at One Ocean, Jacksonville's newest hotel and event venue.  The food was delicious!  Here are some snapshots I took during our tour:

If you want more information about booking your wedding at One Ocean in Atlantic Beach, contact Hetty Ubilla at 904-853-2329.