How to Spice Up Your Photobooth!

When it comes to making your BIG day it's most special,

the name of the game is PERSONALIZATION!!!

Anytime you can add that special touch to your day I say it's a must and if you've been to any {chic!!} weddings lately you'll know that photo-booths are the new MUST! Here are some great things I've found to spice up your wedding photo-booth:

Give Your Background a Punch of Color!
Now that were in a recession...yes, I said it, a recession EEK...a lot of brides are adding even
more DIY projects to their wedding To-Do Lists. Want to save over $1000? Make your own
Photo-Booth! Hang a vibrant fabric as a backdrop and let your guests at it
Are you having an outdoor wedding? Hang your fabric between two trees! Think out of
the box: use a fun flat sheet, roll of fabric, table cloth, drapes, etc...Don't want to pay an
extra professional photographer to manage the booth? Get a friend of a friend
of a friend{that you can trust of course} to take pictures of your guests
during your wedding. Shake it up by using a Polaroid and have your guests sign the bottom
and add them to a scrapbook for you and your groom to look at again and again.Don't Be Afraid to Make a BIG Statement!
Can't seem to find that perfect piece to make your background your own? Then...Make it! The amazing newlyweds, KC + Sara, used pieces of reclaimed wood to create a backdrop
not only for their wedding but then moved pieces over to their reception to use as
a backdrop. Keep an eye out for a post to showcase their entire wedding day!
This couple, that I found via Snippet and Ink, was lucky enough to host their
wedding and reception at the brides parent's home. As a wedding day surprise,
her father and sister hand painted this amazing heart with the couple's initials on
the side of the home. Most of us probable won't be lucky enough to paint on the side
of your country club, hotel, etc... venues but you could always translate
this idea onto a canvas!Give Them Props!!!
As soon as I saw this booth from The Studio Nouveau I was smitten {I also saved it to my
personal 'Wed Style File'}!!! Letting your family and friends write cute, and
sometimes funny things, to you is such a sweet addition to your wedding day. LOVE!!!!!!!
Have a guest list full of fun, vibrant, young and the young at heart? Give them some fun props

to get them into the mood to get a little crazy! Some of the more popular props:
feather boa's, mustaches, hats, swords, sunglasses...just be creative!

Turquoise & Sand Inspired Vows

Being from a beach state I just had to do a post on turquoise weddings! Sometimes beach weddings can be a little too literal, but I think these items will give your day just enough of the care-free beach vibe without going overboard on theme or budget!

The Invites:I have always loved the look of coral and I have noticed a lot of the coral silhouette

showing up in wedding decor. These fabulous Invitations from BeyondDesign's Etsy Shop

would be a great way to give your guests a sneak peek of your wedding day.

The Attire:

This Aidan Mattox Niteline Strapless Lurex Gown from Nordstrom is actually
what kick started this posting. It is so beautiful and care-free and has an amazing
pattern that mimics the look of a mermaid's scales, and the price...only $358.00!!

If you've got an eye on the blogs you know that a colored bridal shoe is the new fad! These absolutely amazing Turquoise Lattice Stilettos from Zappo's are perfect and only $65.00!

Ok, I know I said that this posting would be budget conscious, as are 99% of
my posts, but I couldn't resist this spectacular JCrew Turquoise Patterned Bridesmaid's Dress,
it will take a hit on your checkbook at around $350 but for the right bridal party
it could be the perfect choice

The neckline of this Nordstrom Bridesmaid's Dress caught my eye, and then I realized
it came in turquoise and I was sold. Not only because its adorable and would be a
perfect addition to your bridal party attire but also because it's only $98.00!

The Cake:

Over at Seaside Smitten she posted a blog including a description of
a beautiful Martha Stewart Necco Inspired Cake and as soon as I saw the photo
I was positive this was the one she was referring to. It is so simple yet amazingly beautiful.
Hint: Doing this cake on a budget have Publix make your cake and supply
them with a photo and Necco's and they can take care of it for you! Don't buy
100's of packages and pick through them, they can be found online in bulk by color

The Flowers:

If you've chosen blue as your wedding hue I'm sure you've found there aren't
many flowers that come in your color, so be prepared to use hydrangeas to get
that pop of color. You can always have flowers dyed, just don't go overboard
because they can start to look fake.

The Favors:

Ok...so they aren't blue but they are in sand, so it counts, right? These edible pebbles
are such a cute play on the beach theme, just make sure you tag them like this
bride did so that your guests aren't afraid to eat them! Not lucky enough to live near
an ocean to get sand? Use brown sugar!

Found: Candy Pails Martha Stewart Weddings

The Decor:

I actually saved this photo a few years back and just wanted the chance to showcase it, and I think this is the perfect time. This floating candle/floral arrangement can be done in a pool, fountain, or on a smaller scale in a large clear vessel.

This turquoise inspired candy bar is so fun, I especially love the lollipops!

The Send-Off:

These adorable Vellum Confetti Floral Cut-Outs from Martha Stewart Weddings are so
fun and easy to do! Purchase the vellum baggies are your local craft store, like Michaels, as well as sheets of vellum in coordinating colors. Use floral punch outs to create the shapes you like and package them. You can always add a stamp or sticker to the bags for an added touch.

The Registry: So this has nothing to do with the actual wedding day but I saw it and I had
to add it because it's so adorable!!

These are Happy Tiers!

I have always been a HUGE fan of Brides by Demetrios and I had to share some
of their new couture designs that have my favorite gown detail...the tiered skirt!

This sweetheart neck Demetrios Blue Collection (Style B132) is my favorite of the group! It is just enough of an a-line to balance out the shape for those curvy brides, and is just amazingly beautiful! I think this would be so amazing for a ranch wedding, I can see her reception in a barn with horses and trees, oh wait...that's my dream!!

I know that I have posted this dress before but it's (obviously!!) still beautiful and fits
perfect with the theme of this blog! It is another sweetheart neck tiered bottom
dress, Demetrios Blue Collection (Style B125), the lace and organza combination
with the feather accent is romantic but with a touch of edginess!This a-symmetrical dropped waist gown is so beautiful! I love that they showed this
Demetrios Blue Collection (Style B131) on the beach because it would be perfect for
a formal or casual wedding!This mermaid Demetrios Blue Collection (Style B133) style dress is a bit more formal, the bottom has more volume than some of the others and wow is it beautiful!!
The lace edging makes me swoon!

Once again...amazing skirt!! The edging on this Demetrios Ultra Sophisticates
Collection (Style 1380) is more of a lace band with more structured edges,
also it has a little less volume which gives you the option of wearing
it in more types of venues.This final Demetrios Blue Collection B126 dress is a bit more dramatic than
the other's but that is why I love it!

Chic Maps by Nikki!

So for those of you who don't know what 'Chic Maps by Nikki' actually is, here's your chance!!

Custom.Chic.Unique

I have always loved weddings and the joy they bring to the couple and those around them, which is why I became a Wedding & Event Coordinator. I especially love planning weddings that really encompass the couple’s favorite things so that when guests arrive at the wedding they say ‘WOW! This is totally them!’ So why not start earlier than your BIG day and give your family and friends an idea of what you have in store for them? And it is for that reason that I began creating Chic Maps by Nikki!

These maps can be used as a creative addition to your wedding invitations, Out-of-Town guest gift bags, Bridesmaid’s Itineraries or even as a unique ‘Save the Date’ magnet, postcard, etc…And if you’re not getting married they are a creative idea for Reunions, Birthday Parties, Baby/Bridal Showers, etc…and can be done wherever your special event is being held, in the U.S. or abroad!While some of these maps show local attractions, landmarks and airports you can add all sorts of things. Show your guests where you and your fiancés favorite restaurant is, a local day spa, rehearsal dinner location, hotel room blocks or even where he popped the question! Once we’ve worked through all of the locations you’d like to add we can add directions and/or itineraries and decide how you’d like them printed. You can have them done in any size and on any color paper, which can be matched to anything you may have already chosen: dresses, invitations, cake, etc… you can even have them printed on watercolor paper and I can add hand-painted details to each of your maps for that truly personalized touch.
For more information you can reach me at NikkiBiallas@yahoo.com or directly on my cell phone at 321.297.3866.