Bride's Choice Awards 2010 Winner!

I am excited and proud to share this news with you. As You Wish Wedding & Event Design was chosen to receive the Bride's Choice Award 2010 from Wedding Wire.

This award recognizes the top 5 perfect of local wedding professionals from the WeddingWire Network who demonstrate excellence in quality, service, and professionalism. The Bride's Choice Awards are determined exclusively by recent newlyweds (brides and grooms) through extensive surveys and reviews, which means your past clients have spoken on our behalf and selected you to receive this honor.

I wouldn't be as successful as I am without some of the amazing other wedding pros that I work with on a weekly basis. Congratulations to some of our great friends who also received this award!

I Do Hair and Make-Up

Infinity Entertainment

Creative Custom Cardboxes

Chris Jorda Photography

Lela New York

Poppies and Posies

...and many others!

Congratulations to these awesome friends and to all of the other amazing people who received this award. We are truly honored to be in such great company.

Real Wedding: Ali & Wes

Back in June, I had the total planners nightmare. I had a tented wedding on a day where we got 3" of rain. It was muddy and the conditions were less than ideal, but the guests that came to celebrate Ali & Wes had more fun than I have seen at almost any wedding. With a great team of pro's behind me and a cold for two weeks to follow, Ali & Wes became husband and wife.

Cast of Characters
Ceremony & Reception: Shipyard Marina, Hoboken NJ
Caterer: Contemporary Foods, Harrington Park, NJ
Flowers & Decor: Stem and Company, Upper Montclair, NJ
Photography: Henry Shoots by Henry Chan, New York City

Here are a few setup shots that I took. The ceremony was at the far end of their pier with the NYC Skyline as the backdrop. Once guests were moved into cocktail hour, we transformed the ceremony space into a lounge.



Here are some of the gorgeous pro shots taken by Henry Chan:









Congratulations, Ali & Wes! It was great to be a part of your day.

Photo Credit: Henry Shoots by Henry Chan

Cotton Candy Cosmo Signature Drink!

A few weeks ago during lunch at TGI Fridays, I discovered the Pink Punk Cosmo (which led to this Cotton Candy Wedding Inspiration Board.) It's essentially a regular old cosmo, but your martini glass comes with fluffy cotton candy inside, which disintegrates into the cosmo once it's poured. This is such a fun idea to use in your wedding with your signature drink. The cotton candy just adds a hint of sweetness, so you could really do this with any drink without altering the flavor. Don't hesitate to play around with the drink or the color. This could easily be adapted with yellow cotton candy and a lemon drop martini or blue cotton candy with a blue lagoon!

Here is how the do it at TGI Fridays!

Cheers!

Cotton Candy Wedding

Inspiration can come from the most unexpected places. Today's inspiration board was inspired by a drink that I saw someone order today during lunch at TGI Fridays. Stay tuned next week when I reveal the inspiration for this post - and a really awesome signature drink!

Photo Credit
First row: Teapot Centerpiece by A Bloom In Time, Peony Cake by Roxy Cakes, Table Number by Papeterie Store
Second Row: Stamp by Zazzle, Gown by Lazaro, Cotton Candy by Martha Stewart Weddings
Third Row: Bouquet, Flower Girl Outfit by Pink Bowtique, Bride & Groom from Globetrotting Bride photo by Jessamyn Harris Photography

So Thankful!

It's well known with my family and friends that Thanksgiving is my least favorite day of the year. In fact, this year, I even opted for hot dogs instead of turkey. But, the meaning of this day is certainly not lost on me. 2009 was the busiest year for As You Wish yet. I am incredibly thankful for my couples and all of my friends who got married this year:

Meg & Jerry
Chelsey & Jeff
Joi & Kevin
Alana & Brian
Shannon & Matt
Jannet & Rob
Michelle & Dan
Ali & Wes
Tamara & Jorge
Meghan & Michael
Melissa & Paul
Jill & Rob
Phil & Tara
Carla & Cian
Kelly & Brian

On a more personal note, I am thankful for so much:


And last, I am thankful for the best family a girl could ask for. Really, I dare you to try and find a family that is better than mine. So to my family, thank you for your endless support of me, my business, and all of my crazy lunatic ideas. I love you more than words could express.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween from the team at As You Wish!

Pearl Weddings

Pearls are a symbol of love and purity. Whether the pearls are a gift from the father of the bride to the groom or from the bride to her bridesmaids, they are the ultimate gem to convey elegance in your wedding.

Photo Credits
Top: Pearl Wedding Cake, Pearl Garter, Pearl Hairstyle
Middle: Pearl Headband, Pearl Ring Bowl, Pearl Pendant
Bottom: Pearl Bracelet, Pearl Invitation Suite, Pearl Ring

Sea Glass Bridal Jewelry

On a recent trip to Grand Turk, I found a small shop called the Dizzy Donkey. Amongst other island treasures, they carried handmade sea glass jewelry. It was the most unique and beautiful item being sold on the island. The colors of sea glass are incredible and would make awesome and unique bridal jewelry.

You could keep it simple with a white pendant, or a colored pendant for your bridesmaids.

I love the combination of clear sea glass with white beads on these earrings.

If you're looking for a set, you could combine the necklace and earrings.

The vibrant electric color of this ring would be perfect for your something blue.

This is my favorite piece. The colors are stunning and would be the perfect addition to a simple wedding dress or on your bridesmaids.

For a ton more designs and colors, check out By The Sea Jewelry. If you don't find what you are looking for, they will custom create the jewelry of your dreams.

Photos courtesy of By The Sea Jewelry.

Real Wedding: Alana & Brian

Cast of Characters

Ceremony and Reception: Meadow Wood Manor
Hair & Makeup: Michelle Lo Conte & Tricia Catenero
Flowers: Touch of Elegance
Music: Dynasty Entertainment/Jack Goodman Orchestras


From the moment I arrived until the moment I left on Alana & Brian's wedding day, there was non-stop happiness. There was singing, dancing, karaoke-ing, and many spontaneous sing-alongs by the bridal party. The happiness never stopped.

The bridal party sang "Going to the Chapel" every few minutes throughout the entire morning.

I originally met Alana through working with the incredible Michelle Lo Conte, who was responsible for Alana's gorgeous hair and makeup. I'm so glad she finally got the opportunity to relax and enjoy a wedding!

Isn't she gorgeous?

Alana & Brian's wedding day was a love story straight out of a movie. Literally. They put so much thought and detail into all of their movie themed details!

Thank you Alana & Brian for allowing me to take part in your big day. It was truly a night to remember!

Little White Dresses

One of my favorite wedding dress designers, Amsale, has come out with a line of "Little White Dresses." They are the perfect if you want to change into a party dress from your gown for the reception.

Sasha

Lexi

Krista

Josie

Ally

You can find these and other Little White Dresses at several retail locations across the country.