Welcome to Bliss & That…  I’m Kasey, the owner and principal designer for Bliss Wedding & Event Design.  We are a wedding planning and event design firm in Columbus, Ohio.  I hope you’ll take some time and read through the posts.   Bliss & That is full of great information that we’re excited to share.  We love designing, everything weddings and all of the fun things in between.  Blogs are conversations, we love to hear what you have to say, so don't be shy!...  Please leave us a comment (or two) and we’ll chat!  Thanks so much for visiting!

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Running Of the Brides




Coming this weekend is the annual Filene's Running of the Brides Event.


Who: You - the style maven bride who's looking for a couture gown for not a couture price!


When: This Friday - January 30th. Doors open at 8am. The store will be open until 9pm.


Where: Filene's Basement, 3704 W. Dublin Granville Rd Columbus OH 43235


Why: The experience and why not take a chance to see what you might find!


Happy Shopping (or hunting)!

Friday, January 23, 2009

An ABC Thank You

Back in December the Columbus Bridal Consultants (CBC) hosted a special Vendor Appreciation Party. We wanted to say thank you to all of our great Columbus vendors for a successful 2008. The party was held at Creekside Conference & Event Center in Gahanna. We were so lucky to work with Shelia in creating this special event. Her team created a tasty menu and lots of bubbly for the 70 party attendees.


We also wanted to spread the word about ABC - the Association of Bridal Consultants. All members of CBC are required to be members of ABC. Many of us have worked hard to earn the designation Professional Bridal ConsultantTM through this organization. What many, do not know, is that vendors can also join this organization as vendor members. We, as members, are held to a high standard of ethics and professionalism.


Here's a few pictures from our night!















The organizers (L to R): Jamie - Devoted to Details, Kasey - Bliss Weddings & Events, Dina - Scarlet City Events



Thank you to all of our vendors who helped make the celebration a success! All of the beautiful images above are courtesy of Amy at C Studios. She was our official photographer for the event.


Event Location: Creekside Conference & Event Center

Rentals: Lasting Impressions

Flowers: Flowers on Orchard Lane

Desserts: Milos Catering

Cupcakes: Bakery Gingham

Coffee & Tea station: Latte 2 a Tea

Entertainment: Mark Dantzer Productions, DJ and Lydia Haywood, Harpist

Also, a big thank you to all of the businesses that contributed to our fabulous favor bags!

Gift Bags: Get Married

Cookies: Our Cupcakery

Wine Bottles: Columbus Bridal Consultants


Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Back to Basics: Flowers

Next on your planning to do list is to find a florist. We thought we'd share a few basic pieces of information that might help during your initial florist consultations or interviews. We always recommend having your planner accompany you to these meetings. Your planner can be a great resource in helping you convey the look and style you want to create to the florist as well as helping brainstorm with the florist in creative alternatives that fit your budget!


There are four main classes of flowers. Pull a little from each category with a little greenery and your bouquet can come together in a snap!


Line Flowers: have florets along a long stem usually form the outline of a large arrangement or a cascade in a bouquet (Cantury Bells, Forsythia, Lily of the Valley, Snapdragon, Sweet Pea).


Form Flowers: are distinctively shaped and used in the main focal area of an arrangement or bouquet (Alstroemeria, Bird of Paradise, Calla Lily, Freesia, Gardenias, Lily, Orchid, Hydrangea, Tulip).


Mass Flowers: are used as the bulk of an arrangement or bouquet (Gerbera, Lisianthus, Mums, Peony, Rose, Sunflower).

Filler Flowers: are used to fill voids (Caspia, Baby's Breath, Heather, Spray mums, Spray roses).


Greenery: usually used to hide the "mechanics" such as foam or wire. Can also be used as filler for large arrangements.



This stem tied bouquet has cymbidium orchids, cala lilies, roses and dahlias



You can arrange your blooms in several different ways.

Cascade: a waterfall-like "spill" of blooms and greenery that's anchored in a hand-held base.

Classic Hand-tied Bouquet: a dense bunch of blooms tied with floral wire. This style is most popular today.

Composite: handmade creation in which different flowers are wired together on a single stem, creating the illusion of one giant flower.

Nosegay: small, round cluster of flowers, all cut to a uniform length; usually made with one dominant flower or color. These are becoming increasingly more popular with the mothers of the bride (or groom).

Pomander: bloom-covered ball suspended from a ribbon.









This image shows a great use of pomander balls made of gerber dasies.
You could also use roses or mums to create the look!

Monday, January 19, 2009

Back to Basics: Cake




Today's cakes take many forms – but where do you start? Here’s BACK TO BASICS: CAKE

Cake Shapes: round, square, hexagon or “flower petal” shapes are the most popular. If your baker has different molds, ask to see pictures of cakes done with that mold so that you know exactly what your cake will look like.

Flavors: Classic white/yellow, chocolate, red velvet, lemon, strawberry or your favorite unique flavor. Bakers today can make your cake in almost any flavor you can think of!

Fillings: flavored butter cream, jellies, chocolate or fruit can serve as a flavorful surprise between layers of yummy cake.

Icings: butter cream or fondant are two choices for icing. Butter cream is made by creaming butter and powdered sugar. It is very soft and spreadable and therefore might have a hard time holding up in warm atmospheres. Fondant is sugar and water cooked and then beaten until it is an opaque mass of creamy consistency. It is folded around the outside of the cake. Fondant has a very smooth finish but is not as sweet as butter cream.

Decorations: most couples opt for a design piped on with icing and a topper to stand on the towering cake. Others place flowers all around. 3D sugar or fondant shapes can also be added to strengthen your cake’s personality.



Sunday, January 18, 2009

Fergie & Josh Married!

I couldn't resist picking up the latest issue of US Weekly that had her January 10, 2009 wedding on the cover!



Mindy Weiss and her team created the $1 million wedding that Fergie & Josh had always dreamed of. The top secret wedding festivities began when the 367 guests were bussed form Malibu City Hall to the secret setting - the Church Estates Vineyard in Malibu. When guests arrived at the vineyard they were greeted with pink lemonade and beer in frosted mugs. Even the on site lake was specially stocked with 100 rainbow trout that guests could catch during cocktail hour.
Fergie wore a custom designed Dolce & Gabanna mermaid gown. Her attendants also wore black D&G gowns (I love this dress and want one for me!). Josh looked fabulous jogging down the aisle in his own custom designed D&G suit.

The party went from romantic to rock n' roll as the evening progressed. The "unofficial" theme was down-to-earth fun. There was a full string orchestra that played for the ceremony. A bluegrass band played during cocktail hour near the fishing pond. The dinner tent was decorated like an enchanted forest, giving a nod to Fergies love of unicorns. As guests dined on beef tenderloin, sea bass and butternut squash ravioli the rock group The James Gang played classics from Ella Fitzgerald to Frank Sinatra. As any celebrity event goes, the after party is a must and Josh & Fergies was not exception. A DJ was on hand to spin some of their favorite tunes. Guests were also treated to special performances by Kid Rock, Slash and of course the bride her self!

In true celebrity fashion - the guests actually didn't receive the official wedding invitation until after the wedding as a favor.

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Back to Basics: Veils

No accessory defines you as the bride more than the wedding veil. Who knew there were so many choices!



Blusher: short, single layer worn over the face.

Chapel: formal veil that extends to the floor two-and-a-half yards from the headpiece.

Cathedral: the most formal style of veil (think, Princess Diana), this style falls three-and-a-half yards from the headpiece


Double Tier: two layers, usually of different lengths.

Elbow: extends 25 inches in length to the bride's elbows.

Finger Tip: this style extends to the fingertips…obviously.

Flyaway: multi-layered veil that just brushes the shoulders.

Waltz/Ballet: veil length that falls somewhere between the knee and the ankle.

Fabrics: most veils are made from tulle, but other options include chiffon, silk gauze or other types of netting fabrics.

Monday, January 12, 2009

Back to Basics: Gowns



Before you start the sometimes overwhelming task of picking out the perfect gown, it helps to have a little knowledge to help narrow down the possibilities. Here are the basics to today's wedding gowns.


Shapes:
Ball Gown - fitted bodice and very full, bell-shaped skirt.
A-line - Cut close to the rib cage that flows out along the body into a slightly "A" shape skirt. Sheath - Closely follows the curves of the body.
Trumpet - Cut close to the body and flares at the knee.
Empire Waist - Gathered directly underneath bust, then flows freely.


Necklines:
Bateau - Wide-necked that follows the collarbone.
Strapless - Cut straight across with no straps.
Halter - Straps wrap around the neck.
V-Neck - Straps create a "V" shape in front.
Portrait - Wide, soft scoop between shoulder tips.
Sweetheart - Low-cut, shaped like the top of a heart around the top of the bust.
Scoop/Ballerina - "U" shaped. Square - Cut straight across with straight straps to create a square shape.
Off-the-Shoulder - Straps sit at tops of the arm, directly under the shoulder.
Asymmetric - Different on either side (example: one strap design).
Jewel - Cut like a T-shirt neckline with wide straps.

Embellishments: Crystals, pearls, beads and lace; just to name a few most commonly seen.


Dress shown above is a VWidon gown. Locally this line is carried at Le Jeune Mariee in Worthington, OH.


Thursday, January 8, 2009

Blogging It Forward - aka Make Melissa Pay


My very good friend Emilie has this posted on her blog today and I thought it was such a great idea I had to participate! A chain blog (we've got chain letters, and email so why not a blog)!
Let's Eat Cake, the amazing fundraiser hosted by the equally amazing Melissa Margarita-DiStefano, is February 17th at the Plaza Paramount Hotel. {Wow, that is right around the corner!!} Let's Eat Cake is a cake decorating competition with all proceeds going to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. In an effort to make sure we get the word out to everyone (and raise money), we are starting this chain-blog (Ok, not sure if that is correct terminology. But it's like a chain letter so let's just go with it, shall we?)
Here's what we need you to do...Repost this post on your blog and ask others to post it on their blogs. Melissa will donate one dollar to the fundraiser for every blog that this is reposted on. Let's make Melissa Pay! Once you have reposted it, leave a comment letting us know that you posted it along with the url to the blog. It's for a great cause and it will be fun to see how far it will go! So lets do it... Lets blog it forward and raise money for a great cause!!!
Thanks Em for passing this along and to Unique Designs for their unique idea of a chain blog!


Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Back to Basics: Reception Venues

Choosing your reception venue is one of the most difficult decisions you'll make in the planning process. Whether you are doing this with the assistance of your wedding planner or on your own we're going to give you a few of the basics to help navigating this road a little easier.

First we recommend decided on the style of wedding you'd like to have. Is it outdoors in a garden, or in a tent? Have you dreamed of a decked out ballroom? Maybe a unique museum, art gallery or theater setting is more your style? Once you answer this question, it will help narrow down the facilities and sites you'll want to visit.



Be flexible on your date. Are you open to a Friday evening wedding or a Sunday afternoon affair. These can and have the potential to be just as fabulous as the traditional Saturday night event. This can also be an opportunity to save a nice chunk of your budget.


Now you've got to consider your budget. Important things to consider include is there a food & beverage minimum? How much decor is needed to bring the room to life? Are there any permits required by local government to use the space? If you are bringing in an outside caterer, what will the rental cost be for the tables, chairs, china, flatware, etc?




After answering these questions - Is this venue a realistic option for your budget. Are you able to bring in your own alcohol. This is normally the case in the more Do It Yourself venues. Let's not confuse DIY with being cheap or inexpensive. A DIY facility can cost just as much if not more than the big, beautiful downtown ballroom, just in a different way. The DIY venue is generally one that does not have an in-house caterer, you supply your own alcohol, or maybe it is just a more raw space that can be transformed into what ever you dream up.





Once you've selected the venue that fits your style, budget and date that works for you. Now it's time to request the contract to secure your date. Be sure you get everything in writing that was discussed during your site visit(s) and reflects everything that you and the sales manager agreed upon. If you've hired a wedding planner, definitely use her/him to work through this process. If they are experienced, navigating the contracts are easy for them to do. Mark your calendar with all of the payment dates. Usually with the bigger facilities, you'll be required to keep a credit card on file for future payments. A deposit will be required, with a partial payment of your estimated balance 30-60 days prior to the event and the final bill will be billed the day before the wedding. Any outstanding balances will usually be charged to the credit card on file. The outstanding balances can range from extending your party and additional hour or adding extra meals at the very last minute.


Now that you've got your facility all taken care of, it's time to start hiring the rest of your vendor team. Check with your facility to see if they recommend anyone. Just be warned that not all facilities recommend vendors because they like them. Some vendors pay to be placed on the preferred vendor list. Don't be afraid to ask if this is the case. I personally wouldn't want to use a vendor that was recommended to me because they paid for someone to say that. You want a vendor that is going to do a good job and earn the referral without paying for it.



Photos courtesy of - in order of apprearance - (1) C Studios, (2) Erlina Kim, and (3) Aion Arts


Monday, January 5, 2009

Back to Basics: Rings

When you and your fiance decided that you were going to marry the woman or man of your dreams did you realize that one of you would be making the first major decision ...by yourself??? We thought we'd give you a little help - a cliff notes version of ring shopping if you will. Here are the basics you should know before heading out to the jewelery store to pick out that very beautiful and oh so important ring.




The 4 C's:

Cut - Refers to the number, placement and shape of the facets that create a finished diamond. A stone's cut will determine it's quality and sparkle-ability.

Color - Diamonds come in a wide variety of colors but most common is the clear, colorless, white diamond. Color grades are as follows: D-F Colorless (white); G-J Nearly colorless; K-M Faintly yellow; N-R Very light yellow; S-Z Light yellow; Z+ "Fancy" colors.

Clarity - Determined by how free of imperfections (on the outside and inside) the stone is. Clarity grades are as follows: F1=flawless; IF=internally flawless; VVS1/VVS2=very, very slightly imperfect on the inside; VS1/VS2=very slightly imperfect on the inside; SI1/SI2=slightly imperfect on the inside; I1/I2/I3=imperfect.

Carat - a unit of weight. One carat equals 200 milligrams or 100 points.




Diamond Shapes:

Brilliant - round and the most popular throughout history.

Princess - square cut, more contemporary in style.

Emerald - rectangular in shape.

Radiant - similar to emerald with the underside cut with more facets.

Marquise - Pointed at the top and bottom with rounded sides.

Oval - elongated round shape.

Pear - round at the bottom and pointed on top, like the shape of a pear.

Heart - very romantic notion, but the least sparkly.



Settings: Bezel - metal rim that fully surrounds the stone. Half Bezel - metal rim that surrounds the stone on either side but not top or bottom. Tension - a compression-spring pressure holds the stone in place between the band. Prong - three to six "claws" that hold the stone in place. This is the most commonly used. Channel - numerous stones sandwiched between two channels of metal, but no metal between them. Bar - thin vertical bars of metal between the stones secures them in place. Pave - three or more rows of small stones secured by raised metal. Gypsy - this setting sets the stone "flush" into a hole in the metal.


Happy Shopping!
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