Two Pesos Tuesday...

Christmas Vallarta Style
Originally uploaded by Carpe Camera

I'm trying something new so, if this is all messy, forgive me!

I wanted to tell you why I LOVE this time of year ... we're headed into fun fun fun time here in Vallarta and that means CHRISTMAS which starts for us Dec 1st and keeps on trucking until Jan 5/6.

Here's some of what downtown looks like around christmas time...

Two Pesos Tuesday...

Well, I'm late but still on Tuesday and it wasn't all my fault, my dear brides! I had to tackle with immigration today which is, as always, a huge headache. Anyway, I did receive a few interesting questions, but I need more time to really answer them properly, so I'm afraid you're going to be faced with more MD rantings ;).

Todays topic is on ... water bottles! Bet you didn't see that coming! Something I've seen at too many weddings to count is wasted water and wasted water bottles and I think, even if you are not doing a Green Wedding, it's nice to remind guests (and, if you are a guest, to keep in mind!) to be mindful of waste. Usually it happens towards the end of the night, when guests are thirsty (and perhaps a little under the influence) and start asking for water, taking a sip, leaving their bottle someplace and never returning for it. Because it's been opened, the waiters have to throw it - with one guest, maybe not cause for alarm ... but it's not just one guest and, unfortunately, not just one water bottle.

So, I'm sure you're thinking, "what to do?" Well, I've had a few ideas on this - not that anyone's ever asked me before so I have yet to see any of these ideas integrated, mind you!

1. Have black markers available and have guests put their name on their water bottle. That way they can find it again or it can be left for them to pick up at the end of the night - like a favor ;).

2. Give away pretty cups as favors, with guest's name either painted or attached to the cup that can then be used as their water glass through-out the night.

3. Have ice and water in a water jug available for guests to pour into regular glasses. That way, they fill-up when they want something to drink and the glasses get washed at the end of the night - no waste!

Remember ... to keep me from ranting, you have to write-in! Put "Two Pesos Tuesday" in the subject line and write to: amishkadesigns@yahoo.com.

Oranges, Reds, Golds, Fuschias...Where was I??

I'm sorry I'm late dear brides and coordinators! Time just flew away from me this last week as I was delving into research for various events and favors. And, then, somehow I forgot whether I was looking up oranges, fuchsias, reds, golds... so, I just put them all together - I love bold colors - so fiery and passionate and perfect for a sunset reception in our bay!

INSPIRATION BOARD

Again, just a few of the photos I really loved from this color combination. The invite and those pillows are absolutely Divine!

BOUQUETS AND DRESSES

I've decided I'm going to do a whole series just on dresses ... I love them so and, while most brides have already purchased their dresses before I ever get their design, that doesn't mean that I don't absolutely love what I see when I finally do get to see what they've chosen! Anyway.... to start we have this absolutely luscious bouquet with lilies and roses and berries - love it (McClintock Photography)! Next to it this fiery sexy orange bridesmaid dress (Elegant Mart). Underneath another beautiful bouquet from The Knot and beautiful orange bouquet (that wrap is sweet!) from Project Wedding. In the upper right we have a wispy fuchsia/pink toned bridesmaid dress and orange ties (Blog Dig) and I see this red wedding dress all the time and absolutely love it for its dramatic, ornate look - at the right wedding - HERE comes THE Bride!! (Bridal Wave Tv)

PRINTED MATERIAL AND CAKES

Well, not sure how I ended-up with the beginning and the end of the wedding put together, but here you go! I have always loved this orange cake and have every intention of doing something similar for the right bride and next to it another super fun Gerber-like cake (the knot). Underneath I love both of these - on the right we have this amazing peacock affair program (the knot), and on the left orange tiger lilies (my personal artist). Underneath - great tags from Project Wedding, colorful invite from Alannah Rose, and I like this last invite for the use of texture (Created by Fate).

CENTERPIECES

Well, I guess this should be centerpieces and tablescapes, but anywho... On the top we have this wildly colorful and oh so fun tablescape from Celebration Cayman Blogspot. Upper right we have a bright beachy centerpiece (Project Wedding), I LOVE the centerpiece underneath from The Knot, underneath we have a more subdued approach with orchids from Wedding Tactics. Next to it a very elegant and chic tablescape from Wendy's Bridal Affairs. On the bottom row, we have these escort cards which are so clean and unique (and could also make a very good centerpiece)(BlogDig), vase covered with fabric and surrounded by gerbers (Prima Donna Bride), and colorful airy tablescape (BlogDig).

SPECIAL TOUCHES

Or, in other words, other things I loved but didn't know where to put!! Row 1 - Hand-made paper flowers (well, those are ours - but so cool!), fabulous pillows (Bees N Tulips). Row 2 - love this draping fabric with alternative lighting (The Knot) and draping fabric and hanging flowers (The Knot). Row 3 - adore these Chinese lanterns (Snippet and Ink) - by now you might think I'm a Chinese lantern fanatic, but I promise this is not the case - I just love romantic and alternative lighting - anything to make an event more festive and to really help and set a "mood"! Again, this drapey (is so a word if I say so!) affect - it looks similar to what I found on The Knot, but this photo was found at Snippet and Ink. And last I couldn't tell if this was printed paper or napkins, but I loved it either way (Snippet and Ink)!

I think I'm going to tackle Love Birds next blog as it caught my eye during the red/blue blog. Or maybe not ... maybe I'll just surprise you so you'll have to peek to see what's here!

Two Pesos Tuesday...

Well, welcome to the first issue ever of Two Pesos Tuesday where IM-a-HO (In My Humble Opinion) lay it on the line - or something like that. So, this idea came from chatting with a bride, but you can be joe the groom or jill the coordinator - doesn't matter - just bring me your questions on design, locations, etiquette, pictures - whatever and I will do my best to answer as honestly, and fairly, as possible every Tuesday.

Since this is the first one and I haven't had any takers yet, and since I've seen oodles of weddings here, I thought I would write down how I would structure an evening if it were my wedding here in Vallarta and I didn't have to worry about moo-la. I'm going to use photos of my own wedding to illustrate points - but this isn't necessarily how my wedding was done - just how I would do it NOW. ;)

*Wedding ceremony 45 minutes before sunset - so groom and I could have good pictures... like this one taken by my friend Shane - although not at my wedding - during my honeymoon here in PV!

*I would have harpist playing during the ceremony because, seriously, how cool is that and how often do you see a harpist playing something on a beach - just for you?

this picture has absolutely nothing to do with PV

(but we DO have harpists!)

*Then I would have mariachis playing as we exited the ceremony. And I would have the mariachis walk with the guests to the cocktail while groom and I go off and take super great photos.

http://www.banderasnews.com/

*As we enter the cocktail we would be announced as Mr. and Mrs. whatever, etc etc. and we would do a "first" dance of sorts. I've seen this done twice and it's always really romantic. Ahhhhh.

*Before dinner starts, I would have my Dad give a toast. And, then, through-out dinner other key people who wished to toast, would toast. And NO MORE TOASTS. I've seen too many weddings ruined by people toasting the wedding to an early grave. (disclaimer: this wasn't a toast given at a wedding, but it COULD have been)

*After dinner, we would cut the cake and off would go fireworks - fireworks, for what you get, are inexpensive (especially when you think of what it would cost you in the States for a firework show - IF you could get the permits to have one!). And everyone would eat cake. YUM.

*As guests are eating cake, the groom and I would do our first dance of OUR song. Then I would do my first dance with my Dad (not really - this is my imaginary wedding - IRL my Dad doesn't dance EVER - but, hey, this is my imaginary wedding, and it's MY blog so phbbt) which would lead into the groom's dance with his mom.

*Then the next song would be something fun so everyone would get up and dance.

*Party Party!! Might do the garter/bouquet toss somewhere in there. Or we did this other crazy game which required getting up on chairs and nearly being knocked down by our guests, but that's a whole other blog!

*Then I would have a) a taco stand to eat something nummy and b) fire dancers to close off the evening. Fire dancers are awesome!!

So, if you don't want another boring diatribe of me just yakking about whatever, send me your design or wedding-related (or non-wedding related - whatever!) questions, photos, etc etc to: amishkadesigns@yahoo.com.

B-Limey, Reds and Chocolate Brown!

I had a bride request this color palette and I must admit I wasn't too sure when I started but now I love it too! This is a very unique color palette - it was hard to find anyone who had already done it before - which I thought put that in the "plus" section as it will really help to make this bride's wedding unique and signature. After reviewing so many photos, I do think that this color palette has to be approached with a very delicate hand - the lime green and the red need to be just the right shade to pull this off successfully - I think either a bright, bright approach OR a more subdued look works well - but just be careful not to mix the two or, instead of eye candy, you will have an eye disaster! :)

INSPIRATION BOARD

These were the photos I loved best - they all show-up later so I won't mark them all now! Delightful!!

PRINTED MATERIAL

As you all know, I LOVE graphics and really enjoy incorporating invites, save the dates and other things my brides have already chosen into their wedding decor. In the upper left-hand corner we have a modern brown/green approach found at BG Design Studio. Next to that is the invite I fell in love with which I found at Project Wedding - this is a great example of a more subdued approach to the whole lime green/red/chocolate brown palette. While I admit that the color is not lime green but more an olive, I think it's lovely.

Underneath I'm sure you're wondering what the blue invite is doing on this color palette! Well, when it's hard to find a color palette someone has already done, you have to use your imagination and I just love the idea of changing the blue accents to lime green, and the ribbon in red - Chocolate brown dots in the center of the flowers and still the chocolate brown behind the invites - I think this would be smashing, and the idea was found over at My Seattle Wedding. Next to that we have a fun polka-dotted invite/place card/escort card set found at Faye and Greer.

Two versatile ceremony programs - both found on Flickr - the first a fun, layered look and the second an interesting textured approach - I LOVE that texture. Underneath I really like this brown and red invite I found at Project Wedding and think it would be perfect with a lime green typeset. The middle favor box I would use as a design for a fan or a maraca. Perhaps also utilizing details of it in escort cards/place cards - this idea was at The Knot. The top shades of green and chocolate brown invite was a Flickr find and this elegant menu was found at Project Wedding.

BOUQUETS

I found bouquets in this color combination a trifle challenging because you need to be careful in your use of red in this color palette as it would be very easy to utilize too much and have it completely overwhelm the design. The first bouquet is as close as I could get to my idea of what accents of red would look good - something different and subtle. I found this bouquet at A Perfect Wedding Day. Next to that bouquet we have an orchid, lily pad The Knot arrangement which I think would also look good with a few accents of red mums.

Underneath I love this interesting bouquet I found at Perfectly Pearl - the use of greenery and ribbon I think changes what might be a perfectly ordinary bouquet into something truly original. I also really like this round bouquet combination which would look great with just the right red and chocolate brown ribbon over at Simply Abundant Blooms.

In the bottom row, I know the bouquet on the far left has accents of mango, but I think it could be a lovely bouquet with red accents as well - found at Lotus Haus. Pretty green wrap with a crystal accent at The Wedding Decorator. And last is this rose/orchid combination at Wedding Blogdig.

CENTERPIECES

I found a number of brown/green centerpieces I loved and, with the added accent of red, I think it would really hit the nail on the head.

In the upper far left we have a lime-filled vase center with a brown runner taken by Anne Marlow over at Flickr. Next The Knot's more rustic approach with chocolate tablecloth, green runner and willow inspired center circled by open red roses. I love this hanging fabric with hanging flowers, a great Project Wedding find. These lime green cone centerpieces would be perfect with touches of chocolate brown and red at Glamorous Gowns. For this great red/chocolate brown center over at The Knot, exchange the blue button for a lime green one and, wa-la, beauty! Brown branches with glass candles at Flickr.

I normally try to not utilize photos that we can't replicate here in Vallarta but I really loved this table setting with brown and green dishes - well, we COULD replicate this somewhat but it would be pricey - anyway, table setting found at Project Wedding. Absolutely love love love this fabulous set-up with the brown and green Chinese lanterns found at Project Wedding - add a few accents of red and there you have it! I thought this red centerpiece was interesting - another Lotus Haus find.

Limes are the word here with roses (Project Wedding), or white pillar candles OR mums (The Wedding Decorator)! I thought this pink/green mums was an interesting low center, of course replaced with red buds and red and chocolate brown accents (Project Wedding). Hanging green Chinese lanterns would look great but need to be paired with just the right tone of red (Tickled Pink). And, lastly, tall vases filled with willows (Project Wedding) and orchids (The Knot).

CAKES AND COCKTAILS

I didn't realize how full this blog was until I got to this part! Whew! Nearly finished!! For these great geometric designed cakes I would add a dark red base underneath the cake (Glamorous Gowns). I think this cake on the right (Pink Cake Box) is perfect just the way it is, for the more modern bride.

In the middle row, I LOVE this cake (The Knot) but would make these changes: brown middle design and brown ribbon on top and bottom topped with a small strip of red and lime green - or, perhaps, a patterned red/lime green ribbon on top. Now you might wonder what on earth this next photo has to do with this section - but I love the idea of a signature cocktail table - and in the colors of red, green and champagne - fun (this is an old photo - I don't know where I found it - so, if you recognize it, let me know!)!!

Still with the whole signature drink theme, lime green martini (The Wedding Decorator), a great chocolate cake - with, of course, lime green accents in lieu of the blue (Project Wedding), and this interesting tall cake affair also found at Project Wedding.

STUFF I LIKED

How's that for a design title? I didn't have enough of any of these to make each a separate collage, but loved them anyhow! I know this cut-out with escort cards (The Knot) should have technically been with the printed material, but I like it here, so there - isn't it awesome? The ideas for this are endless - dance lanterns, cocktail candles, centerpieces .... ooo-la-la!

Both of these photo booths I adore - I know we can't rent photo booths here but we CAN make fun photo areas inspired by these two photos - the top red (Event Accomplished) and super fun one down below (Elizabeth Anne Designs).

I liked this chopstick favor with red blossom box underneath (Snippet and Ink). Red flower balls with chocolate brown and white polka-dotted ribbon (imagine lime green!) at Event Accomplished. Green bridal dress - I know it's random - but I liked it in this collage (Blog Kadahan)! Natural green plants along the ceremony aisle with red ribbons at Snippet and Ink, beautiful green umbrella with a great pattern taken by Anne Marlow at Flickr. And, lastly, this would look great on the ceremony aisle chairs with green blossoms (The Knot).

WHEW! That felt like a roller coaster! I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did putting it together - I'm not sure what I will tackle last month as I stumbled across a lot of great finds but I'm sure it will be as juicy so tune back in....

Shades of Blue and Cherry Reds!

Well, I got it all backwards! I thought orange and blue would be hard and red and blues would be easy - I couldn't have been further from the truth! But the goodies I did find are quite the catch!! Without further ado....

INSPIRATION BOARD

Most of these photos will show-up again - I just wanted to put a little something together to show you the beauty of this color combination from some of my favorite shots. The one picture that won't show-up later is the beautiful floral inspiration in the upper left corner which I found at Wedding Poop Blogspot (no, I DID NOT make that up - go there and see!).

INVITES, ESCORT/PLACE CARD/TABLE MARKER INSPIRED

In the upper left hand corner we have the pretty embossed invite version I found at the ever famous Project Wedding. Next to that I love the bold, modern yet fanciful twist of this handmade invite over at Etsy. These interesting word cut-out handmade invites were also found at Etsy by AmyZo. Next to that is the more reserved, yet elegant invite at Budget Dream Weddings. Underneath I love the way this invite is wrapped with the pretty red floral graphic done at Project Wedding. This more flamboyant invite was actually an invite to a museum auction but I thought it would look great as a wedding invite for the right bride and groom and found at Paper Style. And, over at Perfect Memories Events Blogspot, I found this whimsical red and blue circle invite.

CENTERPIECES

I didn't find a lot, but what I did find I love! First up is this delightful centerpiece collage in the upper left-hand corner, found at Brides. I love the cut-out metal floral vase paired with blue candles and red accents - now, I'll admit, not an easy look to achieve here in Vallarta - but not impossible! What I adore in the next photo is all upwards - I love what appears to me strung red flowers and the pretty light blue Chinese lanterns - so whimsical yet dramatic! The reason I don't love the table scape as much is I would love to see some sort of touch on the white covered chairs - I'm not a fan of the white-covered chair but do think they can be incorporated fairly well if there is some sort of accent-action going on. Anywho, I found that photo at Life, Love and Lipstick.

In the middle row is the larger version of the centerpiece I love mentioned up above. Next to it is a more breezy, beachy idea which was found at I-Weddings. Of course, this photo is missing the blue accent - what I would have loved to see is the white vases replaced with blue vases - then I think this photo has the possibility of fabulousness!

In the bottom row, these pretty, light and airy vases filled with red buds was found at Flickr. Next to it we have an aqua and blue affair found at Wedding Bee. And lastly, but not leastly, beautiful blue wrapped vases filled with luscious red flowers at Project Wedding.

BOUQUETS, ACCENTS, ETC.

Well, I didn't find enough of each of these to make them their own collage, but I did find pieces of all to create this one! Upper left-hand corner is a full-blossomed bouquet at Brides. Next to it are these wonderful blue-inked ceremony programs done by Hy Studio. I found a few bird inspired pieces - enough that I might just do a whole blog on them! These bird favors and the bird coasters underneath were found on Flickr. I've used bird cages before, but I really love the ornateness of this birdcage in particular which I also found at Flickr.

Underneath the red bouquet are my favorite favors - little metal photo frames which doubled as escort cards at I-Weddings. Underneath we have cute Mr. and Mrs. chairs at Hy Studio, little favor food boxes (yum yum!) also at I-Weddings, and I adore this monogrammed dance floor at Wedding By Color.

Again, blue lanterns which I've mentioned before but love them, so here they are again, at Flickr/OnceWed. Little collection of favor items (like matchbooks, retro pins, etc.) over at Brilliant Event Planning. Beautiful, elegant blue laced pillow at Once Wed. I know I almost never get consulted re: bridesmaid dresses, but I love the color of this blue and the look of these found at Bon Mariage. Snazzy blue boxes with bright red flowers found at Flickr. This memory space with antique candle holders, red candles, red flowers and blue foto frame at I-Weddings. And this ceremony program idea was also found over at Flickr.

MISHKA DESIGNS' TWISTS

We didn't have time to do an example of a blue/red favor as Omar is working on some upcoming projects, but I clumsily tried to do a photoshop example from our maraca/fan examples earlier to hopefully just give you an idea of what you could do (with our help, of course!)!!

Mid-month will find us focusing-in on a requested color palette of lime, red and chocolate brown - should be interesting!! If you're a bride or a coordinator and would like a blog on something for your upcoming wedding, drop me a note!!

You say Chuppah, I say Huppah...

Hello my dear coordinators (and brides!!) and welcome to the official 2008/2009 "busy season"! While I am on vacation, one of our very own coordinators, Tamara Bradley from Incredible Weddings and Events, is our guest blogger and she will be talking about Chuppahs, or Huppahs as we call them down here! (P.S. If you would like to be a guest blogger, please email me and let me know your topic or we can come-up with one together!!).

In case you are already lost, this is a huppah (one of ours!)!!

WHAT IS A CHUPPAH/HUPPAH ?? by Tamara Bradley

A chuppah (Hebrew: חוּפָּה) (also spelled khuppa, chupah, or chuppa - plural: chuppot or chuppahs, Hebrew: חוּפּוֹת) is a canopy traditionally used in Jewish weddings. It consists of a cloth or sheet — sometimes a tallit ("prayershawl") — stretched or supported over four poles, and is sometimes carried by attendants to the ceremony's location. A chuppah symbolizes the home the couple will build together.


HISTORY

The word chuppah originally appears in the Hebrew Bible (Joel 2:16; Psalms 19:5). The chuppah represents a Jewish home symbolized by the cloth canopy and the four poles. Just as a chuppah is open on all four sides, so was the tent of Abraham open for hospitality. Thus, the chuppah represents hospitality to one's guests. This "home" initially lacks furniture as a reminder that the basis of a Jewish home is the people within it, not the possessions.

REQUIREMENTS

A traditional chuppah, especially within Orthodox Judaism, recommends that there be open sky exactly above the chuppah[1]. If the wedding ceremony is held indoors in a hall, sometimes a special opening is built to be opened during the ceremony. Many Hasidim prefer to conduct the entire ceremony outdoors. Please remember that a traditional chuppah needs to be exactly 7 feet high!!

MODERN TRENDS

Traditionally using a family heirloom such as a Grandmother`s tablecloth, or Prayer shawl can be attached under the main Chuppa fabric for support if the fabric is lace and aged as wind can tear lace,taking great care in pinning the fabric so it does not rip!!

Below are beautiful examples that can be found at Gallery Judaica.

In these more modern times, a chuppah can be made of any material. Silk or quilted chuppot are increasingly common, and can often be customized or personalized to suit the couple's unique interests and occupations. Additional flowers can be added along the top edges and sides as long as all four sides of the Chuppah are open.

TAMARA'S NOTES

While we often use Huppahs in Vallarta for decorative purposes (as opposed to, say, a floral arch), it is important that, when we do have a more orthodox Jewish couple, we know and understand the requirements for a more traditional Chuppah (as well an understanding of the customs and traditions) and ensure that our florist (or designer!) is also familiar with the set-up, so hopefully this information will be helpful to you in the upcoming season. Down below are some examples of Chuppahs we had last season!

Thank you Tamara for the blog and I hope you all tune-in for mid-October as I'll cover the color scheme of red and blue!!