Real Wedding of Dina & Joseph at Russo's on the Bay

Dina & Joseph

November 21, 2009
Russo's On The Bay • Howard Beach, NY

From the flawless black and red tablescapes and wedding day attire, to the precise attention to detail including live entertainment, Dina and Joseph's wedding was nothing but dramatic and eventful for their guests. The two met in September 2007 at a christening for their mutual friend's daughter, and after dating for about a year, Joseph proposed following a romantic dinner at The Chart House. "I was so shocked and thrilled! I couldn't have been happier, and the ring was exactly as I had imagined it to be," noted Dina. The couple immediately began planning their wedding.

After a yearlong engagement, the big day was finally here. Dina and her father arrived at St. Helen's Church in a black 1949 Cadillac. As she stepped out of the car onto a red carpet, the bride immediately felt and looked like a movie star, from her hair, styled in a high updo that mimicked a Mohawk, to her gorgeous form-fitting Ines DiSanto gown.

The reception took place at Russo's On The Bay and was decorated dramatically with black linens and two variations of centerpieces created by Pedestals Floral Decorators. Set in large black candelabras were balls of black baccara and black magic roses with hanging tea lights that illuminated the room. The second arrangement consisted of the same flowers sitting on top of three different sized candelabras. To enhance the dramatic look, deep red uplighting was used around the ballroom. During the full Venetian hour, a living table that was dressed in drag as a punk rocker, walked around with candy and cigars for guests, in addition to the sweet treats and red velvet wedding cake that guests indulged in. During the reception, a Michael Jackson impersonator entertained guests with a half an hour show.

The couple was pleased with the professionalism and creativity of Riccardo Studios who captured their wedding in photography and on video. For their pictures, Dina and Joseph went to Central Park and Belvedere Castle, which turned out to be the perfect setting for what the couple was looking for. At the end of the celebration the couple honeymooned in California and visited San Francisco, Napa Valley, and Los Angeles; from there they took a cruise to Mexico. Dina and Joseph are currently enjoying their son, Frankie and looking forward to more children in the future.

Vendors:
Ceremony Location: St. Helen's Church • Reception Location: Russo's On The Bay • Officiant: Father Robert Keighron • Photographer & Videographer: Riccardo Studios • Entertainment: The Caleps Band • Limousine Service: Now Star Limousine • Florist: Pedestals Floral Decorators • Cake Designer: Russo's On The Bay • Bridal Salon: Bridal Reflections • Veil & Headpiece: Bridal Styles Boutique • Formal Attire: The Tux Shop by Flowerama • Invitations: Panache Printing • Favors: Casa del Corredo • Hair Stylist: Julie Rollo • Jeweler: Diane Sampieri • Hot Dog Stand: Send In The Clowns • Living Table & Michael Jackson Impersonator: Screaming Queens

To read more about Dina & Joseph's big day, pick up the New York Edition of Contemporary Bride Magazine today!!

Pinwheel Weddings - DIY

Source - MyRule42.com

Pinwheels are a great playful detail to add to any outdoor summer wedding! You can use them along with your decorations at the reception or to line the aisle for your ceremony. Your bridesmaids could walk down the aisle with a pinwheel bouquet or your groomsmen could wear mini-pinwheel boutonnieres. Not only is the idea unique, but it could often save you tons of time on set-up, maintenance and cost. Pinwheels are a fun and easy project for any DIY bride and with so many paper patterns out there, it's easy to get creative and still stick with your wedding theme or colors. Get your girls together for some pre-wedding fun and get crafty!

Source - MyRule42.com

If you are a DIY Bride than you will love this template you can download for free to make very pretty pinwheels - (http://heatherbailey.typepad.com/links/FlowerPinwheel.html). And just searching the web, will show you more sites with free templates.

Source - Heather Bailey

And if you aren't a crafty bride, but still love the idea of pinwheels for your wedding, then you must check out... www.myrule42.com - her pinwheels are just divine!

Source - MyRule42.com

Venue Spotlight - Flanders Valley Weddings

Flanders Valley is serenely nestled in a quiet valley just minutes from major highways in scenic Morris County, NJ. It is surrounded by the green rolling hills of a golf course and an exquisite 200 acre standard bred horse farm and training facility.

At Flanders Valley, you and your guests will be treated to a magical experience. Their two banquet rooms, adorned with Austrian crystal chandeliers and Victorian, floral carpeting is the ideal location to have your unforgettable celebration.

The cuisine is prepared on the premises by a professional staff. The wedding gazebo, surrounded by a perennial garden is an ideal place for your ceremony and pictures. Flanders Valley offers you a magnificent enchanted ambiance, and all you need to add a touch of elegance to your romantic celebration.

Flanders Valley
80 Pleasant Hill Road • Flanders, New Jersey
Phone: 973-584-6620 • Website: www.flandersvalleyweddings.com

Max Capacity:	210	Approx. Price Per Person:	$70-$90
On-Site Ceremonies:	Yes	Outside Party Area:	Yes
Bridal Suite:	Yes	Kosher Available:	Yes
Valet Parking:	Yes	Garden Area:	Yes

Wedding Fashions of the Day

Today's Wedding dress of the Day and Flower Girl Fashion comes straight from the pages of Contemporary Bride Magazine. The Bride is wearing a Vera Wang Gown from Exquisite Bride and the Flower Girl is wearing a dress from Janie and Jack and shoes from Gymboree. Both headpieces are available at Bridal Styles Boutique and if you are wondering where to get those gorgeous flowers, you can check out Rosie Posies. The models are looking radiant thanks to make-up by Tim Alan and hair by Appearance Workshop. And of course, The Studio Photographers are the ones who know how to capture the best photos.

Recent Engagement - Roseanne & Thomas

This week, The Studio Photographers, brings us a recently engaged couple who are the biggest Rangers fans. Roseanne & Thomas couldn't think of a more fitting place than Madison Square Garden to have their engagement session and what a session it was.

To read more about their story and to see more pictures of this once in a lifetime photo shoot, visit www.TheStudioPhotographers.com.

Colored Wedding Shoes

While some brides are choosing traditional white or ivory shoes to match their gowns, some are opting for colorful styles and patterns that will add a splash of color to their wedding day attire. Coordinate your shoes to match your color scheme or choose a shade of blue that can serve as your "something blue". Showcase your personality and walk down the aisle expressing your choice of vibrant heels.

Check out some of these styles on ChristianLouboutin.com

Real Wedding of Kelly & Stephen at the Westmount Country Club

Kelly & Stephen

July 16, 2010
Westmount Country Club • Woodland Park, NJ

With plans to go to a Halloween-themed wedding the next day, Kelly headed over to Steve's house to finalize their costumes. The couple was excited to dress as David and Victoria Beckham, and Kelly had a great idea to complete her costume with a huge, fake ring. But when she got to Steve's house that day, she soon found out that he had something for her to wear with her costume. The next thing she knew, Steve was on one knee with a beautiful ring in hand. "I was so surprised I was shaking. It was absolutely perfect," Kelly recalled.

Upon entering their reception at the Westmount Country Club, they felt as though they had been whisked off to South Beach. The room was appropriately decorated in turquoise and white. Atlas Florist created beautiful centerpieces, a tall illuminated cylinder with turquoise stones, and calla lilies. Couches and blue lit cabanas filled the room, as candles flickered in the intimate lighting. The escort cards were made from Miami postcards, and all the tables were named after hotels and streets in South Beach.

Palermo's Bakery created the beautiful four square off-set tiered cake. Their wonderful creation included crystal rhinestones on two tiers and a turquoise ribbon on the others. Layers included chocolate with chocolate fudge filling and vanilla with a raspberry filling, all topped with light buttercream icing. "Palermo's Bakery was great to work with. They were fast, full of ideas, and they executed it perfectly. Plus, the cake was delicious," Kelly recalled.

Milton Gil Photographers recorded Kelly and Steve's wedding day with professional photography and videography. The couple agreed that their pictures are "unbelievable," and everyone they worked with at the studio was incredibly accommodating and easy to work with. Following their wedding, Kelly and Steve honeymooned for two weeks in Hawaii. They continue to look back on their wedding day with fond memories as they enjoy their new life together.

Vendors:
Ceremony Location: Immaculate Conception Church • Officiant: Father John Prada • Reception Location: Westmount Country Club • Photographer & Videographer: Milton Gil Photographers • Steel Drum Band: Tropical Beat Steel Band • Entertainment: The Rhythm Shop • Florist: Atlas Floral Decorations Inc. & Entenmann's Florist • Limousine Service: Limo Bus & Limousine • Bridal Salon: Priscilla of Boston • Veil & Headpiece: Priscilla of Boston • Formal Attire: Tuxedos by Rose • Cake Designer: Palermo's Bakery • Invitations: Montclair Paperie • Hair Salon: David Michael Hair Studio • Jeweler: Minas Jewelry • Photo Booth: Masters of Fun Entertainment

To read more about Kelly & Stephen's big day, pick up your copy of Contemporary Bride Magazine today!!