So when I was in the Vegas airport, there was a candy shop called Ethels Chocolate. I immediately fell in love.

In order to rave about them, however, I felt it was my duty to purchase a sampling and taste a variety of the candies so I could report back.

I consider myself a bit of a candy expert having sold Sees Candy for a summer (with free taste tests!) and I have consumed quite a bit over the years.

I found this candy to be high quality and have unique and smooth flavors. They sell the usual flavors and also have liqour flavors that weren't overpowering at all. I really liked the champagne cocktail.

I think these chocolates would be wonderful favors. I firmly believe that if you are going to have a favor at your wedding (which I DON'T think is necessary by the way) that it should be edible. These candies come in sweet little boxes, and each one is a little work of art. It will leave your guests with a sweet memory of your wedding.

Go to ethelschocolate.com to see their creative designs and wonderful selection. I definately recommend this company =)

I am amazed at how quickly our 2009 calendar is filling up, and we just booked our first 2010 date! Wow! I'm so proud of these organized brides =)

I just got back from Las Vegas where I attended the WPPI (Wedding and Portrait Photographers International) convention. I was able to hear speakers that were the tops in their field and even went to a talk on fashion photography by one of the photographers on Americas Next Top Model. I have a ton of new ideas and can't wait to use them!

I'll post pictures of my VEGAS GRUNGE project soon.

So we have been to a LOT of weddings =) I also keep up with the trends by reading magazines, watching event specials and attending social events that are thrown for party planners.

Centerpieces seem to be one of those things that gets overlooked in the wedding planning process. It tends to be one of the last things that gets crammed into the already full heads of a wedding couple. It is fine that these pieces aren't thought of until the end of the planning schedule, but make sure that you do put some thought into it.

For example...if you're going to mix candles and flowers, don't put the candles UNDER the flowers. As you can imagine, you'll either wilt the flowers or set them on fire. And you don't want either of those things happening.

If you have a reception hall where the ceilings are high, this is the perfect opportunity to go grand with your centerpieces. Even if they are simple, having vertical pieces will fill the room better and help balance the look of the hall.

Having a very tall structure to place a large floral arrangement on, having the arrangement made of branches and other tall pieces, or even hanging arrangements from the ceiling to hover over the tables are ways to fill in the space.

On the other hand, if you have low ceilings, you will want to keep your centerpieces low to the table so you don't draw the eye up...you want to keep the focus on the details you have designed.

Creative centerpieces don't even have to include flowers or candles. They can be a pie for the table to share, a glass bowl full of sand and sea shells, a tree with crystals hanging from the branches, or an object that you and your fiance share an interest in collecting. A couple of framed pictures of the two of you throughout your relationship or of family members makes a very personal touch that gets the conversation going. Even an arrangement of the guests' favors for taking home later that night.

The biggest thing to remember about centerpieces is that if you want your guests to enjoy each other's conversation, don't place a centerpiece in the middle of the table that they will have to talk around. There is nothing more annoying than to be bending your head this way and that trying to make eye contact with the person across the table.

So either go for a high or low centerpiece and make sure people can see each other. Make sure that the centerpiece is proportionate to the table so there is room for the dinnerware and condiments and remember that simple is usually the best way to go!

I was making corrections on Michael and Kayla's album today and was incorporating words from their program into the design. They are such beautiful words, I wanted to share them. I think they make fantastic vows or words to place somewhere in the ceremony or reception.

Amor De Me Alma

I was born to love only you; My soul has formed you to its measure; I want you as a garment for my soul. Your very image is written on my soul; Such indescribable intimacy I hide even from you.

All that I have, I owe to you; For you I was born, for you I live, For you I must die, and for you I give my last breath.

People just don't talk like that any more! Guys, if you are proposing, I would HIGHLY suggest using these words somehow if you want her to melt =)

Today I went to the Como Pavilion (Black Bear Crossings) for their annual tasting. We are so proud to be their preferred vendor!

They set up an amazing display of table settings and centerpieces so their couples could see how the room could look and get some ideas. They also had their preferred vendors there for wine tasting, cake tasting, floral and photography ideas and there was a string ensamble playing as well.

I was really impressed with the set up, and what amazed me the most was that the owner was there, serving up the food and greeting his guests by name. It was so wonderful to see how involved they were with their clients. I would highly recommend this venue!

I also met Rev. Tairie Starr who is an officiant. She is fantastic! She is so experienced and is full of wonderful advice. I look forward to working with her and would definately suggest looking into her for your ceremony. Her site is www.ceremoniesbystarr.com.