1.21.2013

Crowning Inspiration: UNITY IN GLASS

Looking for a creative alternative to the "Unity Candle"? We are so excited that one of our June couples are going to be creating a piece of art work and new family heirloom with Unity in Glass by artist Lee Ware. Unity in Glass captures the beauty and intimacy of a bride and groom’s unity ceremony for eternity in an elegant, hand-crafted glass sculpture. What could be more perfect for Toledo brides and grooms? Toledo IS the Glass Capitol, after all...


How does it work?
1. Go to the website and fill out the required forms and purchase the special glass chips.
2. Ceremoniously mix your glass chips like you would sand
3. Ship the glass chips back to the artist in the pre-paid box
From there artist Lee Ware creates your piece and ships it back to you.



1.18.2013

Toledo Free Press Eventista: 2013 WEDDING TRENDS

In case you didn't catch my article on 2013 wedding trends - here are my top trends and inspiration boards!

Eventista: Hot wedding trends for 2013



Each year weddings get more trend-specific. But as the trends increase, the sizes of the weddings are decreasing. Doing more doesn’t necessarily mean spending more or inviting more. Wedding guest lists are being trimmed as carefully as the details are planned out. Here are some ways to create a fabulous 2013 celebration.
You can’t plan a 2013 wedding and not talk texture! It’s growing year after year and it’s bigger than ever. We have seen it in bridal bouquets that have a varying selection of flowers and uncommon greeneries to bridal gowns with appliques, rosettes and flowers that pop right off the fabric. Cakes are mimicking these fabrics with ruffled layers and large sugar petals cascading down. Modern patterns like chevron and polka dot are some of the most popular. They are gracing the papers of invitation suites and adding an extra punch to tablescape linens. We are seeing a hint of pattern on bridal gowns under traditional overlays like lace and they are also giving groom’s ties a playful look.
Color gives even the most traditional affair an added punch. Bridesmaids dresses are bright and festive. We are still seeing a trend toward variable design in each maid’s attire from gradual shades of ombre dresses to the same fabric in countless styles. The bride’s bouquet has strayed from all white and now includes a multitude of hues and colors. But probably the most noticeable color change this year is the blush-colored wedding gown. Bright white is a thing of the past as brides are choosing softer hues for their skin tones.
Kate Middleton’s lace-style gown still reigns, but with a new twist.
“We are seeing a different take on lace with the Guipure pattern. It’s a larger pattern and less traditional,” said Stacy Fork of The Gown Shop Ann Arbor.
Another trend, according to Fork is the horsehair-trimmed bridal veil.
“The stretch nylon that now adorns some of the most modern and romantic veils has been a top pick,” Fork said. “It definitely gives that extra wow factor to a veil versus just the standard tulle.”
Grooms are taking an active role in the planning. Not only are they attending meetings and playing a role in the decisions, they are adding in details of their own. From groom’s cakes and dessert bars to special signature beers and menu selections, grooms are finding their voice.
Vintage is not necessarily decorating with antiques and it’s often confused with shabby chic. Vintage is a style all its own and the vintage trend in 2013 is the roaring ’20s. Popular shows like “Downton Abbey” and movie “The Great Gatsby”
provide inspiration for wedding style and theme.
“Our clients are enamored with ‘nostalgic vibes’ that are unique to them,” said Heather Zeller, owner of La Boutique Nostalgie. “Shimmering candlelight, garden roses and hydrangeas, lace, birdcage veils and chandeliers in equal measure are popular, key elements in completing the vintage vision.”
One of the hottest wedding trends this year has gone to the birds — literally! The bird theme surfaced in 2012 and is taking flight in 2013. Birds are being seen on wedding invitations, on the top of cakes and they are bringing little accents like nests and twigs to centerpieces. Feathered accessories will also be popular on veils, purses and bridal sashes.
Incorporating yummy goodness you can only find street side will be the icing on the cake for your wedding guests with a food truck! “Late night snacks” or “afterthoughts” have been a hit of weddings for years with selections like mini-sliders, homemade doughnuts and pizza.
But for that crowd that parties hard and gets hungry, why not treat them to their favorite guilty pleasure with gourmet hot dog truck or ice cream truck?
Grab your issue of the Toledo Free Press Bridal Guide or see it here online!
 bouquets with texture and a variety of texture and color 
(our readers chose the bottom, second from the right as their favorite)

wedding cakes with chevron, rosettes, ruffles, lace and other textures 
(our readers chose the bottom center as their favorite!)

super fun chevron pattern

classic and traditional polka dot pattern

bridesmaids in blush and pinks

blush bridal gowns, Guirpur pattern lace, illusion necklines and horsehair trimmed veils

great gatsby inspired wedding

bird's the word with these fun touches

fun and foodie favorites: the food truck


1.13.2013

Crowning Inspiration: 2013 CAKE TRENDS

Texture is one of 2013's hottest trends and its giving cakes a 
creative pallet for beautiful designs! 
Which is your favorite 2013 cake trend?

1.12.2013

New Look! Photoshoot Fun!!!



We are starting 2013 off with a bang - including our new headshoots from
our photoshoot with Jennifer Mott Photography!
We had a lot of fun with our "bride" and model, Tristen, 
who wore a gorgeous bridal gown from
The Gown Shop Ann Arbor. Stacy from The Gown Shop also styled
our bride with a veil, jewelry and shoes!

Check out the website for more updates! www.crowningcelebrations.com 

1.02.2013

Choices, Choices: 2013 trends

One trend that we LOVED so much in 2012 and continue to see in 2013 is texture. But there are two ways to display it this year: in bold brights or soft bohemian, vintage styles.
So which will you choose?
Pick one and let us know!
 
(click to enlarge)

12.04.2012

Crowning Inspiration: Taking the Time

Its so easy to think only about you and your groom when planning your wedding. After all, this is YOUR union, YOUR day. And you think, list and stay awake at night imagining of all the ideas you want to do, craft and incorporate into your wedding day. Sometimes the hardest thing to do is think of others' excitement for you: their wishes for you, their vision of your perfect wedding day. Its only human nature to get excited and there's nothing wrong with that. But be sure to remember other's, too. And I don't mean giving into their crazy ideas that make your skin crawl. What I mean is considering all the people that are celebrating YOUR day.
These pictures illustrate what I am getting at. This bride and groom took the time from their day to stop and spend some precious moments with the bride's grandmother. They brought along their photographer (hence the fabulous images from JP Photography) and videographer to capture the moment. They could have skipped it and spent the time taking pictures of just the two of them or hit their favorite bar with their bridal party for a celebration toast. But they didn't. They brought their celebration to her grandmother who could not be present at their ceremony that day. But she got all dressed up, her smile was her best accessory. And as you can see this was a moment worth living for!

 
Take the time to cherish the day. Don't rush to do everything "perfectly". Instead grab the moment. Savor the moment. Share the day. And that will make it even more special.

12.01.2012

Sneak Peak: 90th Birthday Celebration!

Yesterday friends and family celebrated the 90th Birthday of Carl Teipel, Jr. at Toledo County Club. Here is a sneak peak of our tablescape and delicious cake
from La Dolce Dough! More to come!!!
 

photo credit: La Dolce Dough


11.19.2012

Crowning Celebration: Kelly & Michael - Sneak Peak

This weekend we had the great pleasure of working with an artist! Kelly Weik (now Kelly Brown) of Art by Kelly created, painted, crafted and designed all the elements of her wedding. She designed the elements of her wedding to reflect the
great love she and Michael have!
engagement photo by JP Photography
 
Anyone who saw them on Saturday could say without a doubt they were soul mates. We wedding professionals get a little immune to the emotions of a wedding day. But these two had us all crying! It was a pleasure to be a witness at their union. And it was contagious. Their love reminded guests and staff of their own love story. It was neat to see how Kelly and Michael touched so many people.
 
Here are a few sneak peaks of Kelly's work. We met with Kelly at her home and she staged how she wanted each table, corner and room to look. We recreated that for her and Michael.



 
Stay tuned for more pictures from the professional photographer, JP Photography - which will also include a unique wedding keepsake
Kelly made for she and Michael: the Key Assemblage.
 
Special thanks to Leslie and the staff at the Pinnacle for all their help. Last minute we made a stop by the reception hall on our way to post-ceremony photos and Leslie and her team had the room ready!