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Archive for the ‘Chit Chat’ Category

Where 2 Wednesday :: Magic comes to Galveston Island!

Wednesday, August 11th, 2010

Carnival’s newest Fun Ship ™ is slated to move from it’s European sailings to Galveston, Texas in November of 2011! You will have a Western Caribbean variety of six, seven, and eight day cruises to locations such as (in no specific order) Costa Maya, Cozumel, Belize, Montego Bay, Isla Roatan, Key West, Freeport and Nassau. Destination weddings and honeymoons are sure to be a hit on board the new Carnival Magic. Starting a wedding group is fun and easy. Ask us how!

Tags: Chat with Precious, Destination Wedding, Honeymoon
Posted in ... with Precious, Caribbean, Chit Chat, Location, Special Notices | 1 Comment »

Fun Find Friday :: Modern Wedding Luggage Tags with a Twist

Friday, August 6th, 2010

A couple of weeks ago we found these ultra cute luggage tags. C’est Superbe! offers a variety of bag tags that would be oh so perfect for you honeymoon travel bags.

Aren’t these adorable? These are just a few of my favorites! Be sure to head over to C’est Superbe! Etsy store and don’t forget the fan them on Facebook.

Don’t forget to submit your entry for a free engagement or anniversary photo session. We have all the details listed HERE!

Tags: Chat with Precious, Fab Finds, Fun Finds, Honeymoon, Welcome Bag
Posted in ... with Precious, Chit Chat, Destination Wedding Wear, Fashion Forwards, Honeymoon | 3 Comments »

Themed-up Thursday: A Vintage Garden theme

Thursday, August 5th, 2010

Are you a Green Thumb? Do you enjoy gardening or visits to the arboretum? Capturing the beauty of the outdoors is a common theme among weddings. Gardens remind us of love and romance, taking us back to novels and tales that set our hearts a-flutter. That’s why I love Vintage Garden Weddings.

Set amongst the backdrop of nature, your event can be set under the stars, or under the morning light. There are so many ways that you can reinforce your Vintage Garden theme, and here are just a few ideas.

- A whimsical Garden cupcake topper, like those found at Lollipop Workshop.

- Give guests a romantic floral handkerchief as their take-home favor. You can find beautiful vintage ones at Sadie Olive, Vintage Nelly, and Artemisia’s Closet.

- Arrange your ceremony programs in a vintage garden cart. You can find carts at Garden Plant Stands and Hobby Lobby.

- A lovely treat for your guests would be Flower Pot Cupcakes. Martha Stewart has a great recipe and tutorial here. I’ve made them before, and believe me – not only will they impress your guests, but they taste delicious!

- Instead of a regular satin ring pillow, have your Ring Bearer carry your rings on a lovely tufted moss ring pillow. You can learn how to make them at this tutorial at Once Wed, or if you aren’t very good at DIY Projects, you can purchase one similar at April Hiler Design.

There’s so many possibilities with this theme. What would you include in a Vintage Garden theme wedding?

Tags: Chit Chat with Dionne, Decor, Design, Flowers, Inspiration
Posted in ... with Dionne, Decor, Inspiration, Planning | 1 Comment »

Where 2 Wednesday :: Maroma Resort and Spa; Luxury Honeymoon in the Riviera Maya

Wednesday, August 4th, 2010

It’s common for couples to focus on the wedding planning while leaving the fun, loving, romantic, adventurous and (insert your adjective here) first vacation as man and wife to sit the side for later thought. Your honeymoon should be “the vacation” of a lifetime. You know… the experience that you always look back on and say, “This was perfect. We’re going to return here every year (five years, ten years, or for our ____ anniversary). That’s exactly how it should be.

Maroma Resort and Spa is located in Mayan Riviera (Riviera Maya). Perfectly situated at the corner of the Yucatan jungle and the blue Caribbean, you’ll immediately feel at peace as you escape for our fast paced lives of today. A quick flight and a short drive will take you to your Honeymoon Hideaway!

Use our comment section below and tell us about your ideal honeymoon!

Tags: Chat with Precious, Honeymoon, Luxury Travel
Posted in ... with Precious, Chit Chat, Destination Spotlight, Location, Mexico, Riviera Maya | No Comments »

An Indian Affair

Tuesday, August 3rd, 2010

I love learning about other cultures and seeing those cultures and traditions incorporated into a couple’s wedding day. A perfect example of this was a lovely Indian Wedding that I had the pleasure of helping out with.

This was my first ever Indian Wedding experience. Atlanta-based event planning company Kis3 Event Planning contacted us to see if we would be interested in helping coordinate this two-day wedding with their team. I was excited to be part of it, and I learned a lot about Indian traditions. The girls from Kis3 taught me the meaning of all the different ceremonies, and my favorite would have to be Bharat.

Bharat is the Indian tradition where the Groom rides a white horse to his Bride’s home. His family follow him, dancing along the way – like a big, colorful parade, with drums and music and celebrating. Then when he arrives at her home, the Bride and her family welcome in the Groom and his side of the family. This tradition was modernized for this Houston wedding at Hotel ZaZa. Instead of a white horse, the Groom rode in a yellow Viper, and the Houston Police Department were on hand to direct traffic while the Bharat festivities hit the streets of the Houston Museum District.

The Bride really liked bright colors, and her palette reflected that Indian flair with modern Western touches such as glass cube vases, along with the swanky Hotel Zaza ambience.

The wedding went wonderfully, capturing all the color and fun of India, but with a modern Western twist.

Tags: Chit Chat with Dionne
Posted in ... with Dionne, Decor, Planning | 8 Comments »

Fun Friday! :: Destination Wedding Personality Quiz

Friday, July 30th, 2010

We thought it would be fun to share this fun quiz with you again! Let us know how you did in the comments section below.

Don’t forget to enter to win a free engagement or anniversary shoot styled by Precious Nuptials & Destinations! Here are the details.

destination-wedding-personality-quiz

We discussed compatibility as a key element in a successful destination wedding on day one of our ‘20 Elements of a Successful Destination Wedding’ series. As promised, we bring to you this entertaining and fun quiz to test your compatibility to wedding away!

Granny may not be able to travel the distance. You...

are heartbroken at the thought. After all, you don't know how you could possibly begin such an important chapter in your life without granny.

set granny up with live view streaming! This way she won't miss the ceremony.

are a bit disappointed, but understand that not everyone will be able to join in on the festivities.

You're planning this year's family Thanksgiving gathering. You...

send out a mass email survey to get everyone's suggestions.

take great measures in the planning process. You made sure to pick a central location and didn't forget to invite your third cousin twice removed.

pick up a turkey dinner from your local Luby's. The gathering's at your house. It's not a problem if everyone can't attend.

When you think back on your childhood wedding day thoughts: You...

may have played dress up, but you don't remember "dreaming" about your day.

have a vision that remains in your head (even on this day). You will wear you mothers wedding gown and your grandmother's pearls. Traditions and customs are all a part of your vision.

don't really remember anything specific.

Catering can be a huge portion of your overall wedding bill. You...

have no interest in Uncle Larry having full access to your open bar and filet mignon. After all, you haven't seen him since you were two!

think everyone may not attend. Catering is an area that we must keep a close eye on, but we'll deal with it as it comes.

must make the necessary adjustments. Mom would totally flip if I didn't invite all 400 on her list. Cheese and crackers anyone?

The world wide web is filled with phases that spell having a destination wedding will reduce our overall wedding cost. Cost is a factor. Therefore, you...

begin to research and contact locations for additonal information. Just because it's cost efficient doesn't mean it'll be less stressful for my family.

dismiss the thought. It's a nice way to reduce the overall cost, but you have already done your research. You desire a destiantion wedding for more reasons than this one.

begin the process right away! No questions asked.

You've spent the past ten months planning the perfect beach wedding. On your wedding day, the clouds roll in and are followed by a tremendous down pour. You...

are so disappointed, but guess you'll live.

know that it's okay! You booked a room with a nice view as your backup.

are very disappointed that you won't be able to get your feet in the sand. That's all you've been dreaming about! Why did you even bother?

Your biggest wedding guest challenge has been...

What challenge?

getting all your guests on board. You think it's essential that 75% are in attendance.

convincing your parents that a destiantion wedding is right for you.

When deciding on a location to host your destination wedding: You...

are flexible and open to suggestions.

have a few must have locations in mind, but are not really certain.

have something specific in mind and aren't really open to other suggestions.

When thinking of your honeymoon: You know that...

you are not sure if the honeymoon is all that important. If you have one fine, and if you don't still fine.

a weddingmoon would open doors to honeymoon options. You'll either honeymoon at your destination wedding location or you will do a little location hopping.

it doesn't matter if you have to forgo the honeymoon to have the wedding of your dreams.

How many events do you plan on hosting outside of your wedding day activities?

More than two! I want my guests to have the most memorable wedding experience possible!

The wedding is where my thoughts begin and end.

1-2

[To your precious nuptial :: Cheers!]

precious-texas-destination-wedding-planner-copy

Tags: Chat with Precious, Destination Wedding, Quiz
Posted in ... with Precious, Chit Chat, Destination Wedding, Planning | 1 Comment »

Themed-up Thursdays: A School Themed Weddings

Thursday, July 29th, 2010

Are you marrying your high school sweetheart? Are you both school teachers? If so, then a School-themed wedding might be a fun theme for your wedding day.

What do you think of when you think of your school days? Books, chalkboards, apples for the teachers… and if you went to a Private school like I did, you’d think of plaid uniforms.

The best way to make a resonating theme throughout your wedding is in the small details. Introduce the theme in your wedding invitations so that guests will have a sneak-peek of what to expect on your day. You could make your invitation look like a note that you passed in class, but instead of ratty, torn-up paper, you could have it professionally printed on cardstock with a feint-ruled background, but have the edges hole punched like it was ripped from a notebook. Another way you could do it is to have your invitations inserted into a vintage schoolbook, similar to what Jessica Claire did here for her wedding invitations.

Here are some ideas for different elements of your School-themed Wedding:

Favors: Apples, pencil sets stamped with your names and the wedding date, a copy of To Kill a Mockingbird (or another book that was required-reading in school that you enjoyed), a lunchbox with your favorite type of sandwich for guests to munch on for the ride home.

Decor: Apple place card holders, a chalkboard seating chart, a locker to store coats/jackets.

Just remember to carry your theme throughout your event – from your favors, to your decorations. Have fun with it, and remember details specific to your schooling experience as a couple. It will make for a memorable day for all your guests!

Don’t forget about our Engagement/Anniversary shoot contest. Come by and enter over here.

Tags: Chit Chat with Dionne, Design, Inspiration
Posted in ... with Dionne, Chit Chat, Decor, Details, Inspiration, Stationery, Tips | 2 Comments »

Where 2 Wednesday :: Xel-ha!

Wednesday, July 28th, 2010

We love assisting our clients in finding fun group activities to include as part of their wedding weekend of adventure! I hold the Cancun / Riviera Maya / Yucatan very near and dear to my heart. This area is so much more than beautiful beaches. The culture is rich and there’s much to be experienced. Not to mention, a quick direct flight via Continental Airlines from our very own George Bush International Airport (IAH) to Cancun International Airport (CUN)!

This week on Where 2 Wednesday :: Xel-ha [shell-ha]

As the largest natural aquarium in the world, this ecological park has fun and adventure to be had by all! In addition to experiencing your destination wedding, your guests will also want to experience some of what your destination has to offer. Chances are, you will have a variety of adventures to choose from. Xel-ha is a great location to couple a variety of adventure options in one all-inclusive location. At just over $70USD per adult and 50% off for children, this is noted at the best value adventure in the area.

In addition to all beverages,

snacks are included,

breakfast and lunch are also included,

you’ll enjoy ecological and cultural tours,

kids can take part in a child friendly adventure section,

visit a cenote [se'note] “The Mayan Cave”,

enjoy snorkeling,

cliff diving,

bicycling through the jungle,

relax on an inner tube,

and of course… swim with the dolphins!

Share with us your Xel-ha experience in the comment box below!

Don’t forget to enter to win our free location styled engagement or anniversary photography session contest sponsored by MFL Photography and Precious Nuptials & Destinations.

Tags: Chat with Precious, Destination Wedding, Wedding Activities
Posted in ... with Precious, Chit Chat, Destination Spotlight, Destination Wedding, Location, Mexico, Riviera Maya | 3 Comments »

Win a free Engagement/Anniversary Shoot!

Tuesday, July 27th, 2010

One of the most important wedding vendors you could possibly choose would be your photographer. They are responsible for capturing the special moments of your day – one of the only tangible reminders you’ll have after the wedding is over, so choosing a great photographer is imperative.

Precious Nuptials & Destinations is teaming up with MFL Photography to bring to you a fantastic giveaway – a photo shoot captured by MFL Photography and styled by us! We are excited to be working together with Prashant, the owner and head photographer, who is full of creativity, fresh ideas, and passion for the wedding industry.

CONTEST DETAILS:

This contest is open to any couple who will be available in the Houston area on the afternoon/early evening of Sunday, September 26, 2010. You can be engaged or married, as this shoot will be either an engagement shoot or an anniversary shoot. The prize will be a one-hour photo shoot captured by MFL Photography and styled by Precious Nuptials & Destinations, along with 20 digital images and two 8×10 prints.

HOW TO ENTER:

1. We want to hear your story! Email me at dionne@preciousnuptials.com in 250 words or less either how you two met or how he proposed. Make sure that in the Subject Line of your email you put “Photoshoot Giveaway” and then both your names (eg. Photoshoot Giveaway: Alexandra & Jason) or your entry might not be included.

2. Please also include a brief sentence or two about your personal style and tastes so that we can start thinking about how we’ll style your photo shoot if you win (eg. “we both like bright colors, the beach and picnics, and quirky movies”).

3. Also make sure to attach a photo of the two of you together.

4. “Like” Precious Nuptials & Destinations and MFL Photography on Facebook.

CONTEST DEADLINE:

The submission period ends Tuesday, August 31st 2010 at 12 midnight. Any emails received after then will not be entered into the contest. Then from there we will review each story received and pick our three favorites, and then post them here on the blog and Facebook for the world to see on Tuesday, September 7th, 2010. At this point, the contest is in the hands of blogland. Readers will have one week to vote for their favorite story by “liking” the couple of their choice’s post on Facebook, or by emailing me at dionne@preciousnuptials.com with the couples’ name as the Subject Heading (i will repost how to vote when we get to that stage). The winner will be emailed and announced here on the blog no later than Friday, September 17th, 2010.

Good luck!

Tags: Chit Chat with Dionne, Contest, Photographer
Posted in ... with Dionne, Chit Chat, Contests, Photographer | 8 Comments »

FUN Find Friday!:: Wonder File

Friday, July 23rd, 2010

I have an awful habit of sleeping with the television on. Depending on the channel’s location, I’ve been known to wake up to an infomercial/paid programming for time to time. I never order and always find myself waiting for it to hit the local “as seen on TV” shelves.

The Wonder File actually looks like a must try! I, of course, would order it in black and make it into a Precious Nuptials’ couture original. It’s a perfect wedding planning work station that you can fold right up and take with you. You’ll find slots for your inspiration pages, checklists, notes, fabric samples, receipts, check book, calculator and more. Wouldn’t this be a functional wedding planning organization station?

Tags: Chat with Precious, Tips, Wedding Planning
Posted in ... with Precious, Chit Chat, Fun Finds, Planning, Tips | 2 Comments »

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