Thou Shalt Not COVET!

Last October, I married the man of my dreams (Mr. FJ) and had the wedding of my dreams (NO DOUBT ABOUT THAT!).  You can actually see our wedding video here (done by the amazing team of Moetic Wedding Films).

However, when I see the following dress made by Justin Alexander, it makes me want to get married ALL OVER AGAIN!  BAHHHHH!

Dress 8610

Dress 8610

Photo credit: Here

Ok, I'm officially done coveting. :)

NEW SERIES ALERT! :)

Since the wedding season is in full bloom for 2012, we will be starting a new series on our blog.  In this series, we will be featuring a group of talented, professional, and up-&-coming wedding vendors for the world to see.  This way, our brides and grooms-to-be can not only be exposed to these amazing vendors but to learn about their styles.


To kick things off, we recently caught up with the super beautiful and talented makeup & hair artist, Jessica of Beauty by Jessica Lee.

We read from your website that you began your venture into the makeup and hair artistry at a young age.  What or who were some of the inspirations for you while growing up?

I was always the girl that would tell my parents I was walking to the library, but would secretly take an hour detour to CVS and buy magazines and face powder. I would read Seventeen and YM magazines into the wee hours of the nights mesmerized at how beautiful all the girls looked. I would study the colors and textures to see how to recreate something I saw from a magazine into real life. As time went on, I began practicing hairstyles and makeup looks on play dates (do they still call them that in middle school?) and then my sister and her friends during their prom and eventually to where I am today.

How would you describe your personal style and work in the world of makeup artistry?

I would have to say my personal style would be natural with a pop of fun. I like to keep clients looking like their true self while using their own personal taste to add a bit of extra somethin' somethin' to their look! 

Who (celebrities or other makeup artists) are your current inspirations in your work today?

Style wise, my favorite celebrity to watch is Lauren Conrad. I think she's simple and chic, yet is incredibly bold and trendy without going too over the top. She's the perfect balance! 

In the makeup world, one of my biggest inspirations is Kevyn Aucoin. His artistry is brilliant and overwhelming! Despite his difficult life, had the ability to transform clients through makeup while inspiring people with his bright personality. Another one would be Bobbi Brown. She not only has a fabulous line of makeup, but she is the queen of natural and classic makeup! What makes these two artists inspirational for me and what sets them apart from other artists is not only their talent, but that they both have a love for humanity and helping out others. I also covet all of their makeup books. Books by both of these artists are the best ones I have! 

What are some of the trends in makeup and hairstyles during wedding season 2012?

For 2012 wedding hair, I would say vintage looks are really popular these days. Oh! Also, hair accessories! I will actually be sporting a feather hairclip and a small top hat for my own wedding! I will be wearing them at different times throughout the day, of course. For makeup, I would say keeping your face natural but having one thing be "bold" has been really popular - whether it be a smokey eye with neutral lips, a neutral eye with bright red lips, or a natural face with big luscious lashes! 

We heard that you are engaged will be getting married this November (WOOHOO!).  What is one top beauty tip you will offer to your fellow brides out there?

The one top beauty tip I would offer is to stay true to who you are. I know a lot of girls that want to look completely different and look glammed up - but then they look back at their pictures and they think, "Whoa! Did i really look like that? That doesn't even look like me!" Even though I think it's important to glam up, I think it is equally important not to stray too far away from who you are. Makeup should only be used to enhance the beauty we already have. :)

Lastly, who will be doing your makeup and hair on YOUR wedding day?

The lovely Sachiko Yanese with be doing my hair. Ever since I went with my best friend to her makeup and hair trial a couple years back, I knew I wanted Sachiko to do my hair. I'm still debating whether or not to do my own makeup for my wedding since I'm so picky about the way my makeup is done! I don't want to be a bridezilla for anyone! Haha! 

For more information on Jessica's work, please visit her website by clicking here.


*If you're a tri-state area (NY/NJ/CT) wedding vendor with much to offer to the exciting world of weddings and interested in being featured on my blog, please contact me HERE! :)

Wedding Season 2012 in Full Bloom!

It's June so I guess that marks the start of yet another busy, but beautiful wedding season.

I guess one of the first big weddings to hit the media of this year was none other than facebook founder and CEO, Mark Zuckerberg to his long time love, Priscilla Chan.  They got married on May 19th in Palo Alto, CA.

(Photo credit: Here)

Another celebrity who got hitched over the weekend was Matthew McConaughey.  He married his love and mother of his two young children, Camila Alves in Austin, TX.

In engagement news: Miley Cyrus is now engaged to Liam Hemsworth after dating three years.

What a big year to look forward to!

ML Fall 2012 Bridal Collection - Review :)

It's been well over 2 months since Fashion Week, so I know I'm a little late to blog about the Fall 2012 bridal line.  HOWEVER, this post (and upcoming ones) will be dedicated to all the brides out there who got engaged over the last two months. **Special shout-out to Karebear** We also mustn't forget the ladies who will be getting engaged during the upcoming Christmas holiday! :)

This week I will be highlighting some gowns from the the Fall 2012 Bridal Collection from Monique Lhuillier.

Here are some of my personal faves....

Mila

The lace and scalloping detail on this gown is so flawless.  It is absolutely to die for!!

Emma
This side tulle bow really makes the sweetheart lace trumpet gown pop.  LOVE!

Adoration
I really love the bling'd out detail on the bodice, and not to mention the ruffled skirt.

Front & back view of Bouquet
The slit in the front adds an element of 'sexy' to this really feminine gown.  I also love the gathering throughout the skirt.

Emotion
I really love the soft look and the asymmetrical pattern of the tulle throughout this Spanish tulle gown.

Monroe
I think the name, "Monroe" says it all.  I love old Hollywood glamour! :)

That's all for this week!!!

Photo credit: Here

Where Da Party At? - Part II

Aaaaaaand…. we’re back!  Where Da Party At? -Tips to Finding the Perfect Venue Part Deux!

We last left off on Mr. FJ and I coming to the realization that a Manhattan-based wedding will be out of the question.  Thinking outside of the box meant having to look into areas such as the outer boroughs, Long Island, Upstate New York, and even New Jersey.  Yep, you read correctly… NEW JERSEY!

Mr. FJ and I then began to research into various locations and venues located in the outer boroughs, mainly Brooklyn.  We found that there quite a few selections.  To just name a few, Stage 6 at Steiner Studios, Dyker Beach Golf Course, Bubby’s Brooklyn, and the Dumbo Loft were all considered.  Stylistically, the 4 venues are very different.  The décor at Stage 6 is very modern, but also very elegant.  It is the epitome of New York.  Dyker Beach Golf Course is more traditional, yet newly renovated.  Bubby’s Brooklyn and Dumbo Loft were more on the urban-chic side.  All of them had a lot of potential but they were all TOO DIFFERENT!  We had to make up our minds on what style we were going for.

Though I personally love urban-chic and I’m a city girl through and through, the notion of being a princess for a day and having a totally glam’d up wedding was just too appealing to resist.  Mr. FJ is also a semi-yes-man, and really had no particular convictions towards the style of our wedding.  Therefore, Bubby’s and Dumbo Loft were then eliminated.

Two of our good friends from college, Stan & Robbo actually got married at Stage 6.  We remembered thinking that it was probably one of the most aesthetically beautiful weddings we have ever attended.  However, we also noted that since the big name, Abigail Kirsch was involved; the cost probably won’t fit us.  We decided to visit Dyker Beach Golf Course in person.  While, it DBGC is indeed beautiful and newly renovated, I really didn’t have the “WOW” moment upon walking in.  In addition, their limited seating of holding up to 250 just wasn’t going to cut it for our party.  The search continued...

New Jersey?

I remember attending various weddings in Long Island in years past, and it would usually take us over 45 minutes to get there WITHOUT traffic.  In addition, there are only a handful of venues able to hold up 300 guests that are not deep into the island.  The Aesthetics of these venues also wasn’t what we had in mind.  For us, Long Island didn’t make sense.

For most non-New Yorkers, one might ask the questions, “What’s the big deal with Jersey?” or “Why Jersey?”  For a few more reasons other than the ridiculous amount of toll one needs to pay in order to travel to and fro Jersey, Jersey would not be a common choice for New York folks like Mr. FJ and yours truly.  HOWEVER, noting that we were still living in Lower Manhattan at the time, we discovered that the distances traveling to many Jersey venues were still much closer to traveling areas like Long Island and/or Upstate New York.  Most of them were only about 30 minutes of driving without traffic!  This fulfills the criteria for the point of, Proximity.

To be continued…

Pretty in White!

A mini-break from my mini series, and onto gorgeous fashion!

Love-love-LOVE the Fall 2012 bridal collection from Carolina Herrera.  These dresses are so pretty it makes me want to be un-married for just one second so I can try them on!

ENJOY!!!

Love the lace detail! - Heather

This is so 1960's chic, I could die! - Hillary

A-DOR-A-BLE! - Harmony

OMG, I love this dress WITH or WITHOUT the jacket! - Hayley

DIVINE! - Hannah

(Photo credit: here)

Happy Thanksgiving, everybody! :)

Where Da Party At? - Part I

It's Bloggin' Tuesday!  I decided that it was time to give my blog a little face lift because it was just becoming too busy for me.

Now, I don't know about you, but I remember being an itty-bitty girl who have had many dreams of what my wedding was going to be like.  Everything from the dress, to my hair, to the bouquet in my hand, the people around me, and of course... the venue.  I know, I know... the seemingly most important aspect of the wedding was missing... my husband.  But at the tender age of 3, the only thoughts in my head were, "What's a 'husband'?  I just want to wear a pretty dress!"  Of course as the 26 year-old, newly engaged woman, I had a few more worries to add to that list.  First things first, exactly where were we going to make those childhood dreams come true?

Thus begins the mini-series which I'd like to call, Where Da Party At? -Tips to Finding the Perfect Venue.

SO.....

After purchasing my 11 bridesmaids dresses, Mr. FJ and I began scouting out for venues which we wanted to have our wedding.  Very early on, we had both agreed that we were not fans of traditional Chinese wedding banquets.  For one, I personally felt that since the interior of most Chinese restaurants were either red or gold (or both), it would definitely clash with the hazel blue that I had already chosen.  Another factor was, as guests, Mr. FJ and I remembered that we were never too thrilled about the idea of having to travel for one location for the wedding ceremony, and then another for the reception.  As a planner, I would HATE for all the festivities to be behind schedule due to unanticipated traffic and travel time.  As hosts, our biggest priority was to make our wedding as convenient as possible for everyone.

Living in the metro NYC area, we knew that there were several important factors to consider when planning a wedding.  I'd like to call these the CAPS of venue selection:

                                  1. Costs/Budget
                                  2. Aesthetics/Presentation
                                  3. Proximity
                                  4. Size of the venue

Of all the criteria, I really believe that Costs/Budget should be held in high regard.  I think it's safe to say (and most people would probably agree) that it's pretty silly and irresponsible for one to run oneself into debt just because one is planning a wedding.  Two, Costs/Budget provides a good framework for how much you can spend and how many people you can realistically spend it on.  (This is the usual pep-talk I give to all my couples upon meeting them the first time.)  Our original guest list of 450 people basically informed us that we were not going to be able to have the wedding INSIDE of New York City.  It would've came at the cost of both our arms and legs.  We had to think outside of the box... literally.

To be continued....