Mermaid Style Wedding Dress Inspiration

There's a lot of talk on wedding sites and blogs of the trendy "tea length" wedding dress, which falls just above the ankle to mid-thigh. This style, while absolutely adorable and perfect paired with a vintage-themed wedding, however, isn't for everyone. Luckily, another big trend for wedding dresses this year is the mermaid style. This style is incredibly elegant, and most importantly, timeless. So with that in mind, we put together this inspiration board for a mermaid wedding dress.

Enjoy, and thanks for reading!
xo
Calluna Events
Colorado Wedding Planner

DIY Save-the-Date Ideas

So you got engaged over the holidays, you've set the date, and now you're ready to start thinking about sending out your Save-the-Dates. If you've got the time and are hoping to save a bit of money on this end of things, we at Calluna Events dug up a few cute DIY Save-the Date ideas.
From Style Me Pretty, we found these great luggage tag inspired Save-the Dates (see photo above). They're super easy to make, and fun to receive.

But maybe you're hoping to save on paper, and enjoy video editing. If this sounds like you -- or your fiance(e) -- then this idea might be perfect for you. Video save-the-dates are becoming more and more popular. They help you keep your wedding 'green,' and they add a very personal element to your invitation. I find this one from Green Wedding Shoes incredibly romantic and creative.

Lastly, this Save-the-Date is a favorite. It's perfect if you're planning on having a vintage-inspired wedding, and I love the instructions for 'how to tie a knot' that are included:
http://victoriawithroses.blogspot.com/2008/10/our-save-date-cards/html

If, however, you're looking for something a bit more traditional, below are links to a few of Calluna Events favorite places for stationary and printed materials.
The Handmaiden Papeterie
Sweet Letter Press
JS Design
The Envelope Please

Thanks for reading!
xo
Calluna Events
Colorado Wedding Planner

Money Saver Wedding Idea -- Ordain a friend!

There's a new trend popping up everywhere in modern weddings, and it also happens to be a great way to save money as well. As it turns out, hiring an Officiant can turn into a costly affair. Having a friend get ordained and marry you is not only a fun alternative, but considerably less expensive. Plus, then your friend gets to tell everyone that he/she is now an ordained minister!

It is important, however, to check with the local county clerk's office where you're going to be married, because in certain states, registration or proof of certification may be required. Below are some websites where your new officiant can go to get ordained:
Universal Life Church
Esoteric Interfaith Church
Universal Life Church Monastery

For more information, visit:
Martha Stewart Weddings
Tres Sugar

Photography from Kelly & Matt's wedding by Marilee Langner Photography.

Thanks for reading!
xo
Calluna Events
Colorado Wedding Planner

Eco-Friendly Wedding Decor/Wedding Favors -- Repurposed Flatware

Becoming environmentally conscious in your everyday life is becoming not only more and more popular, but more important as well. At Calluna Events we try to encourage a 'green' aspect in every wedding we plan. Because taking care of the world we are married in is important to us, and to those that come after us. That being said, we don't want to sacrifice any bit of the glamour and wonder of your dream wedding, so we've scoured the world for wedding tidbits that are not only amazing, but eco-friendly as well. Recently, we stumbled on a a woman who takes old dishware and repurposes it into adorable, artsy, and totally unique dishware sets. Not only are these dishes truly beautiful, but they can then either add a whimsical touch to your own kitchen, or be given away as wedding favors.

Check out Sarah Cihat's rehabilitated dishware!

Thanks for reading!
xo
Calluna Events
Colorado Wedding Planner

Calluna Events is a Style Me Pretty Little Black Book Member for 2010!

For the second year in a row we have been included in the highly coveted Little Black Book of Very Important Vendors by Style Me Pretty.


Style Me Pretty is a style savvy wedding resource devoted to the modern bride. They cover everything from gorgeous real weddings to up and coming vendors and seasoned pros in the invitation, floral, fashion and photography industries. They feature only the most chic and style centric wedding related content, continually discovering new and brilliantly talented vendors, brides with an eye for all things gorgeous, and the personal loves of editor, Abby Larson.

Their readers looks far beyond your cookie-cutter wedding ideas and strives to design an affair that is both personal and incredibly charming. The average SMP visitor is 21 and 37, with the median age of 27. Approximately 90% of our brides will be married in the coming year, 8% are industry experts and 2% are wedding junkies.

Launched in February of 2007, Style Me Pretty has become a mainstay in the wedding industry. With nods in nearly every major bridal magazine, including Real Simple Weddings, Martha Stewart Weddings, Elegant Weddings and Modern Bride along with features in such publications as Blog Watch in the Wall Street Journal, SMP is quickly becoming one of the most read wedding resources on the web.

It's truly an honor to be included in their Little Black Book for the second year in a row! To see our listing on Style Me Pretty click HERE.

Thanks for reading!
xo
Heather
Calluna Events
Colorado Wedding Planner

Wedding Ceremony Decor -- DIY Snow Globes

It's winter. In Colorado. And that means snow. And Cold. Mostly cold this winter, and less on the the snow. But don't let that deter you. Add a bit of your own "snow" to your wedding with this great DIY project we found at the incredible blog, Well Worn. Use these fun snow globes as favors, table decor or an interesting way to display table numbers at your wedding.

Thanks for reading!
xo
Calluna Events
Colorado Wedding Planner

Calluna Events to present wedding etiquette seminar at Boulder Theater Wedding Showcase this Sunday, January 31st

The Knot Presents - Boulder Wedding Showcase at Boulder Theater & Rembrandt Yard
Sunday, January 31st, 2010 - 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Boulder's Premiere Wedding Showcase - Featuring Boulder County & Beyond's Finest Wedding Vendors. Create the wedding of your dreams with participating wedding experts! Sunday January 31st. 11:00AM-3:00PM

If you're tying the knot anytime soon, looking for something a little different for your big day, or need local wedding information, the Boulder Wedding Showcase supplies a variety of services to make your wedding just what it should be, exceptional.

Boulder's best boutique wedding showcase featuring the finest Boulder County wedding experts all in the relaxed atmosphere of the historic Boulder Theater and elegant Rembrandt Yard.

The Boulder Wedding Showcase features exhibits by local wedding related businesses from traditional to unique. Live jazz and string music is showcased on stage, and tasty samples of festive beverages are offered at the bar. Enjoy delicious menu items prepared by participating caterers, peruse photography portfolios, plan your honeymoon, pick out the tux, and take home wonderful ideas and contacts for planning your special day.

You'll find everything you need to see, feel, taste, and hear to make YOUR Colorado wedding one-of-a-kind at the Boulder Wedding Showcase!

Brides and Grooms who attend the Boulder Wedding Showcase will have the chance to register to win a $500.00 gift certificate which may be used towards the goods and/or services of any of the vendors participating at the show.

Join us for a Wedding Etiquette seminar and Q&A session with Keynote speaker Heather Dwight, owner of Calluna Events.

Heather Dwight is the owner of Calluna Events, a full service event planning company specializing in weddings, parties, and non-profit fundraisers. Topics to be covered in the interactive seminars:
* Proper etiquette when it comes to weddings and family issues.
* How to avoid the most common wedding faux pas
* Wedding Budget Etiquette - Who pays for what?

Seminars will be presented at:
12:30 PM at Rembrandt Yard
1:30 PM at Boulder Theater

For detailed information on these seminars, or to submit a question to be included, please click here.

Tickets are just $7, and may be purchased in advance at the Boulder Theater box office, online, or at either venue the day of the show. Click here to purchase tickets online.

The Wedding Showcase encompass both venues. Expanded space will allow us to include more vendors, give vendors more display space, and introduce helpful and informative interactive seminars on topics of interest for anyone planning a wedding. City of Boulder Parking is Free on Sundays!

2010 Boulder Wedding Showcase is presented by The Knot & Colorado Wedding Channel.

We hope to see you there
Heather Dwight
Colorado Wedding Planner

Catering By Design -- Wedding Catering Just How You Like It!

One of Calluna Events favorite caterers is a Denver based Catering by Design. Chef owned and operated, this catering company can whip up pretty much anything your imagination can. Having been around for more than a decade, they are also well-established and know their way around the business. In addition, they have a strong 'green' component, which includes not only composting and recycling leftovers, but offering you the option of a menu that is comprised solely of food items that come from within 100 miles of Denver. We were lucky enough to sit down with Catering by Design and ask them some questions of our own. Enjoy!

1.Years in business: 14

2. Location: Denver, However we service the entire state of Colorado.

3. Most memorable wedding yet - I have two favorites - both with Calluna Events actually. The Beninson & Guercio Weddings - both so unique. The Beninson Wedding was a three day wedding, filled with events and we were fortunate enough to cater to each of them. The bride and groom were and still are two of my most favorite clients ever. We were practically on the floor laughing during their tasting which is the best way to start a relationship with a client.

4. "I love it when a bride and groom... is excited about the food! From menu development to the tasting, having a bride and groom that is excited to be a part of it and that wants to add character to their food adds such pleasure to our day here.

5. "Our favorite kind of bride is..." - One that really lets us get creative with the menu and is open to our advice and suggestions!

6. "What sets us apart from other caterers is..." Being Chef owned, we have the power to create anything for our events, even if it is a favorite dish from an specific ethnic background or a regional favorite. We also prepare 90% of our food at the event-site ensuring that it is the highest possible quality.

7. "Trends we are seeing in 2010 are... Thursday & Friday weddings seem to be on fire this year! In regards to planning trends, really maximizing budget is on every bride and groom's mind and for just reason. With every budget, our goal is still the same, to produce the most creative menu we can for each client.

8. "Some ways to save a bit of money on catering are..." Pass Hors d'oeuvres instead of an Hors d'oeuvres Station. This way, we can control the quantities. Also, consider using compostable cups for your bar instead of renting glassware. And lastly, for seated & plated meals, have your caterer work with a two component plate, meaning a protein and then a mixed vegetable/starch dish, it saves in labor costs and usually helps save on the plate cost as well!

To find out more about Catering by Design, please visit their website.

Photography of Catering by Design hos d'oeuvres by Recherche Photography.

Thanks for reading!
xo
Calluna Events
Colorado Wedding Planner

Wedding Fashion Trends -- Let the New Year Sparkle

New Year's Eve is often accompanied by fireworks, and glitter, and confetti, and sequins, and funny paper tiaras that boast "2010" in silver glitter. In a word, the New Year is reigned by sparkle. Not just literal sparkle either, but the metaphorical sparkle of a new adventure in a new year. But now that January is drawing to a close, you may find that the glitz of the New Year is not-so-slowly wearing off to a dull sheen. Well, lucky for you, we at Calluna Events are here to tell you that it needn't be so!

If you've found yourself wandering through any department or other clothing store recently, you've probably noticed a preponderance of sequins. Sequin tops, sequin dresses, sequin leggings, sequin shoes -- you name it and it's been sequined. And if you've found yourself continually drawn toward the glinting light of these pretty-sparkly items, then this blog post is for you. Because this year, adding a bit of sparkle to your wedding is hugely popular. And the best news is that a lot of these ideas can be executed 'on a dime' so to speak. From gold-dusted chocolate truffles, to DIY wedding favor boxed dipped in glitter, to wedding dresses accented with bits of bling, 2010 says that it is time to forget about our current economic situation and add a bit of glitter to life (and weddings). So bring on the bling!

For these and other images/ideas, visit: Martha Stewart Weddings Online

Thanks for reading!
xo
Calluna Events
Colorado Wedding Planner

DIY Wedding Inspiration from Calluna Events

This past summer, while in Portland visiting one of my best friends, I met a couple who I’m quite sure are one of the cutest newly-weds – ever. Their young-and-in-love-on-a-budget wedding was completely DIY, from the eclectic mix of thrift store collected, antique tableware, to the fill-your-own-candy-jar wedding favors. They were also married in the groomsman’s hometown of Forks, Washington – coincidentally, also home to the vampire mega-hit movies, Twilight and New Moon.

Their wedding website, Fricky Forever is a great place to find a few DIY ideas. It also shows Victoria’s (the bride) process of finding and creating a one-of-a-kind designer dress on a budget. Since she’s owner of a new clothing boutique in Portland, her fashion sense demands to be respected.

Thanks for reading

Katie

Calluna Events Assistant

Colorado Wedding Planner

Wedding Inspiration Board - Red and Sweet Pea Green

Red and green are color combos that are solely reserved for Christmas – and scary Christmas themed sweaters – right? Well, not so, say the wedding experts. For these two colors are one of 2010’s hot color combos. And not just for winter or holiday weddings either. For any season’s wedding. Specifically, the colors are called “sweet pea” and red -- not exactly the hunter green that screams Santa Claus. So hopefully this week’s inspiration board will broaden your red and green horizons, and you’ll stop envisioning Mark Darcy’s “jumper” from Bridget Jones’ Diary.

Colors: sweet pea and red
Other trends represented: cakes, DIY, polka-dots, dress styles, flowers, flowers and more flowers

Thanks for reading!

Calluna Events

Colorado Wedding Planner

Inspiration Board for a wedding - Turquoise and fuchsia!

If you’re anything like me, right now you’re staring out the window at the snow, and oh how beautiful and majestic it is. But you just can’t help yourself. You’re already wishing for flowers, and barefoot days, and warm summer evenings. And it’s only January. If this sounds like you, then hopefully this Fridays’s inspiration board will give you a bit of that ‘spring’ inspiration you’re dreaming about. Luckily, one of this year’s popular color combos just screams spring and summer. It’s vibrant, and alive, and fresh, and goes perfectly with a spring or summer wedding. Pair these colors with an outdoor setting, lots of flowers, and a tea-length wedding dress, and your fantasies of dancing barefoot through green grass will become a reality before you know it.

Colors: Turquoise and fuchsia.
Other Trends Represented: dress styles, monogramming, cupcakes, DIY, bright and airy receptions, flowers.

Thanks for reading!

Calluna Events

Colorado Wedding Planner

Alternatives to a wedding cake for your Boulder wedding

peanut butter and jelly cupcake from Tee and Cakes

I have all things sugary and sweet on the brain, well, most of the time. In fact, I’ve been known to serve up a bowl of ice cream for breakfast. Yes, breakfast. So, the idea of writing a blog on options for wedding treats and cakes appealed to my, well, sweeter side. While the option of moving back to traditional wedding cakes is turning out to be trendy for 2010, it is still quite popular to use unconventional options instead of a wedding cake. It’s also becoming increasingly common for brides to opt for a cake that suits the diet choices or allergies of them or their guests. So even if you do opt for the traditional wedding cake, Boulder offers an array of choices for vegan, gluten-free, or other alternative cake ideas.

Boulder-based, Tee and Cakes is always a popular choice for traditional wedding cakes, cupcakes, or custom cakes. They come in a variety of homemade flavors, from traditional Buttercream, to Coca Cola.

Another favorite local wedding baker is Shamane's Bakeshoppe. Shamane's offers wedding cakes, cupcakes, pastries, brownies, tarts and other goodies. All can be made gluten-free, vegan, dairy free, 100% organic and can use natural sugars in her wedding goods.

Looking for a vegan or gluten-free option? Check out Boulder Baked, who offers a variety of vegan or gluten-free cakes, cookie cakes, and cupcakes.

For other wedding treats/favors, Chocolove has perfectly themed, new mini-bars, with unique flavors like crystallized ginger, or chilies and cherries in dark chocolate. Chocolove is distributed across the US, but was created here in Boulder.

Powell’s Sweet Shoppe, while not locally founded, is basically candy nirvana, home to every sweet imaginable, complete with Charlie and the Chocolate Factory playing on a large TV, over and over again. Find some fun ideas and inspiration for DIY wedding favors here.

For truly decadent favors, there’s Concertos in Chocolate, a specialty chocolate shop, with everything made in small batches, in Boulder. Here you can find items like lavender honey truffles, made with lavender-infused heavy cream and Colorado wildflower honey. Concertos in Chocolate also gives back to the local community by supporting organizations like the Boulder County Safe House and the Humane Society of Boulder County, so you can feel good about supporting them!

Thanks for reading

Katie - Calluna Events Assistant Planner

Colorado Wedding Planner

New Year - New wedding inspiration boards from Calluna Events

The New Year is an exciting one; full of new discoveries and learning experiences. We were thinking, what comes with new beginnings? Inspiration. Turning a page, into a new year, can bring with it fresh inspiration and fresh goals. And for you, our readers, perhaps a step into one of life’s biggest new beginnings: marriage. Planning a wedding can be turbulent, sometimes overwhelming. Our goal at Calluna Events is to make that planning process and transition as seamless and memorable as possible.

What better way to introduce the New Year than to start with a series of inspiration boards. These boards are designed to help you get started on the journey of planning a wedding, each one based on trends for the 2010 wedding season. Think of these boards as a jumping off place, somewhere to begin, like a New Year’s Resolution.

The first inspiration board is based on the following hot trends:

Colors: chocolate brown and white
Themes: Stripes, vintage, outdoors, DIY weddings


So…Enjoy, and be inspired!

xo

Calluna Events

Colorado Wedding Planner

2010 is off to a great start for Calluna Events!

2010 is off to a productive start at Calluna Events! Today we met with Rachael of Rachael Grace Photography, a Denver wedding photographer. Rachael and I had met originally at a wedding planner and wedding photographer event at Della Terra Mountain Chateau in Estes Park and since then had been trying to get together. As always we are so fortunate to meet with and get to know such talented wedding vendors in the Colorado area and Rachael in no exception! She's fairly new to the wedding industry in Denver but her work is exceptional. She has mentored under great talents such as Julie Harris from Julie Harris Photography! Rachael and I even worked a wedding together several years ago when she was second shooting for Julie.


For information on booking, pricing and packages get in touch with Rachael directly at rachaelgracephoto@gmail.com or check out her website http://www.rachaelgracephotography.com/

Enjoy some photos from Rachael Grace Photography.

We are also so thrilled for so many of you who got engaged over the holidays and thank you for your calls and emails inquring about our wedding planning services. We would love to help any bride with her wedding plans so if you are in need of full service planning, Day of Coordination or anything in between please get in touch.

Calluna Events combines unique, creative and fresh ideas with unparalled organizational skills and an exceptional attention to detail to create your perfect wedding or special event. Based in Boulder Colorado, we offer full service planning along the Front Range and Mountains of Colorado and beyond. Let us help infuse your style and personality into the event you’ve always imagined!

Thanks for reading!

xo

Heather, Owner Calluna Events

Colorado Wedding Planner

Innovative and creative planning :: wedding day coordination :: comprehensive vendor network :: fresh perspective