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Thursday, December 29

Inspiration Board |Shimmer Filled New Year

We have a second inspiration board to serve up to you today! Think of it as our “last week of the year” gift to you. Our first New Year’s inspiration board lights up your night so we had to make sure this board shined just as bright. There’s no better way to start the year than in boldness and confidence. Adding textures and prints heightens the feel of your day and of course pairing it with metallic gold makes everything pop and adds some fun. This contemporary eclectic inspired fete allows you to hold your guests attention and ring in the New Year in a marry J poise. 

Palette: Leopard Print | Metallic Gold | White 


Top RowSweet and Saucy via Jasmine Star Photography  | Reasons To Breathe
Center| Once Wed via Jose Villa 
Bottom Row| Lovely Stationery | Reasons To Breathe

Inspiration Board |A New Year with A Bash of Sage

New Years Eve is one of my favorite celebrations of the year. Celebrating a new year with a champagne toast is my kind of party! This inspiration board brings in all the beautiful elements of a New Years Eve celebration. What a better way to start the new year than with gorgeous evening wedding! Hints of gold, sage and creme add a unique palette to a normally black and white affair.




Palette: Gold| Creme| Sage


Left| Parachute via 100 Day Wedding 
Top| Style Me Pretty via Erin Heart's Court Middle| The Knot via Antonis Achilles 
Bottom| Champagne via Katie Cakes

Saturday, December 24

Inspiration Board |Love + Berriment


A Berry Happy Holidays from Urbane Montage!  
We hope you have a holly, jolly holiday season with loved ones and great food!


During the holiday season we love rich warm colors due to the cozy atmosphere it creates. How can you not be drawn to the warmth of berries as winter arrives? They are often used in decor and recipes throughout the season. This board is perfect for an intimate fete to catch your guests eyes.

Palette: Cranberry |Chocolate |Cream


Top RowOne Stylish Bride via What Katie Ate   | The City Sage
Bottom Row| Style Me Pretty via Emily Steffen Photography  | Green Wedding Shoes via Jasmine Star Photography for rue

Friday, December 23

Bridal Salon Spotlight |Wedding Shoppe


One of my best friends is getting married next August and she has been tirelessly planning since her engagement in October. I am lucky to be one of her bridesmaids! We recently went bridesmaid dress shopping at Wedding Shoppe on Grand Ave in St Paul.

My first impression of Wedding Shoppe when we walked in was that it had a great boutique feel. It is located in a large home that has been transformed into a bridal salon. Wedding Shoppe has a large selection of wedding gowns located on the first floor. The bridesmaid dresses are located in the lower level.

The salon was as busy as I expected for a Saturday morning in the height of engagement season! If you plan to visit, make an appointment. The appointment allows you 90 minutes to shop and try on with the help of a consultant. We worked with Jodie and she was extremely helpful and knowledgeable about designers, fabrics, and what dresses come in what color.

I would suggest making a plan before you arrive. The fitting room area is quite small, and with how busy they are, it could be chaotic! We designated one of the bridesmaids to try on which kept things moving. Surprisingly enough, we were able to find a dress we all agreed on in about 45 minutes!

On top of the in person experience, they also have a comprehensive website. Once you have chosen the dress and get measured, you can order the dress directly online. This is great for bridesmaids who are out of the state (or country) during the planning process.

Having shopped at other salons for bridesmaid dresses, I was impressed with the selection at the Wedding Shoppe. They have a wide variety of designers and styles. The staff is knowledgeable and friendly. And lastly, the dresses are affordable. The entire process went smoothly and is one more thing to check off the bride-to-be’s list!

Like the Wedding Shoppe on Facebook                 Follow the Wedding Shoppe on Twitter

Thursday, December 22

Minneapolis Industry Preview Event |Aria at the Juene Lune


The historical North Loop building of the Theater de la June Lune since its closing in 2008 has been revived as a wedding and event space. Urbane Montage had the opportunity to visit the space during the Aria at the Juene Lune’sOld is New Againindustry preview party this past Fall. It is always great to tour potential wedding spaces, even better when amazing food and friends are involved! 




This 3-story venue with stonewalls and exposed ceiling includes a stage, perfect for ceremonies, along with a side room to host intimate events. The delicious catering for the evening included the Juene Lune’s approved list of ChowgirlsCrave CateringCreate Catering, D'Amico Catering, and Fabulous Catering. Sally Butler of La Vie Photography captured every moment with the musical ambience and a live atmosphere set by Adagio Djay Entertainment. Geri Wolf of The Style Laboratory worked her magic with gorgeous décor provided by Après Party and Tent Rental and the transforming lighting done by EMI Audio.




Want to see the Aria at the Juene Lune in action? Buy tickets for the Aria at the Juene Lune’s inaugural New Year’s Eve event! This 21+ event includes VIP lounges to accommodate you and 9 guests. The night will feature SIMshows.com DJs throughout the evening which will set the mood for the interactive art shows curated by artist Drew Beson.  



Creative Team
Photography: La Vie Photography
Décor and party rentals: Après Party and Tent Rental
Lighting: EMI Audio

Monday, December 19

Preview |Inspire Smart Success Experience Mexico

Beginning of December, I packed up and headed to Rivera Maya, Mexico. Well maybe just packed up for the week :). I attended Inspire Smart Success' final Inspire Smart Success Experience of the year at Now Sapphire Rivera Cancun. I am currently having withdrawal symptoms! I learned from some of the industry's innovate professionals, made great new friends, laughed THIS ----------- much and enjoyed the moments of relaxation.

I'm working on a post to share with you all on the highlights of the conference.  For now, I leave you with a sneak peek! Check out the photos of the fun Fotobooth from Luminaire Foto. We had such a great time with the uber cute background and props!


via Luminaire Foto

Be sure to click below to view Epic Motion's conference trailer! 

Saturday, December 17

Inspired |It’s Tradition



Early in the planning stage, many brides choose what wedding traditions they would like to incorporate in their special day.  Some brides choose traditions that are more customary, while others choose something non-conventional.  Whether or not you decide to incorporate any tradition into your wedding day, making the details your own will create a memorable day and possibly the start of new traditions!



Veil
Traditionally a veil was a symbol of purity and subservience.  Veils are still very popular simply because they're beautiful and allow you to truly feel like a bride.  Some women now choose to marry without a veil, opting instead for a tiara or flowers in their hair.  However, many modern brides still wear a veil to honor the romantic tradition.


Bouquet Toss
Tossing the bouquet is a tradition started in England.  Female guests would try to rip pieces of the bride's dress and flowers in order to obtain some of her good luck.  To escape from the crowd, the bride would toss her bouquet and run.  Today the bouquet is tossed to single women with the belief that whoever catches it will be the next to marry.


Something Borrowed
This tradition comes from an Old English rhyme "Something Olde, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue, A Sixpence in your Shoe".  The four gifts are meant to be good luck and are given to the bride by women closest to her.  In many cases the gifts are little trinkets, heirlooms, or accessories.



What traditions will you include on your big day?

Monday, December 5

Planning Tips |First Steps Towards Forever

It’s the Holiday Season, a time of cheer and merriment that brings along with it engagement season! Congratulations to you two!  Remember to take a deep breath in between the screams, laughter, and tears of joy.  Your moment to proclaim your undying love for one another, to the world, has arrived.

What now?  What are the next steps in wedding planning?  Of course you've let your family and friends know, updated your Facebook status or posted THE ring on Instagram.  But after all that, what's the game plan?  You are embarking on a journey of spending your lives together and planning your rite of passage: your Wedding Day.

1.    Bask: Over the next few weeks enjoy the newness of your engagement.  Plan a night where nothing wedding related is discussed.  Sit down, relax, and enjoy each other’s presence.

2.    Baby steps: Try not to think of all the planning at once.  Planning can be stressful, time consuming and at times tedious.  However, if you take it in strides you will be surprised at how simple, and relaxing, the process can be - take it slow.  Your wedding day is a celebration of your love; don't get wrapped up in the planning and lose sight of this.

3.    Align your futures, together: Lay out your expectations and dreams with one another; make sure you're both on the same page.  Be sure to also discuss these plans with those who will be hosting the wedding.

4.    Budgeting: Take this time to set an initial budget, which can always be altered.  How many guests are you able to accommodate comfortably?  Knowing your guest size will set proper limitations on your budget.  The easiest way to cut costs is by narrowing your guest list.  Your budget is the determining factor of the size, and formality of your wedding.

5.    Secure location: Before announcing the date and venues find out if your officiant and church (or ceremony site) are available on the date and time you desire.  Once this is confirmed you can lock in your reception venue date.

*For those of you who are getting married within one year, I would advise that you start booking your creative team now. Many wedding professionals such as Wedding Planners, Photographers, Cinematographers) and venues can only accommodate one wedding on a particular given day.  Many of who are booked a year or more in advance.  Understanding this increases the likelihood of you getting the team you love on your special day.

Building A Support System is a MUST:
·      Counsel: Family and friends who have been recently married or who have years of nuptial bliss can offer great advice.  Marriage comes with ups and downs; premarital counseling can put you off into the right start.

·      Professional: Consider hiring a Wedding Planner or a Month of Coordinator.  Wedding Planners can be invaluable in putting together your ideal day; save you money, as well as offer unbiased opinions on details.

·      Resources: Sign up to wedding websites such as The Knot, Munaluchi Bridal, or Wedding Bee to chat on local forums with other engaged couples. There are many wedding blogs online such as Snippet & Ink, Elizabeth Anne Designs, The Bride’s Cafe, and Style Me Pretty that offer advice and inspiration.

·      Be sure to create a wedding binder of inspirational pieces from online sites, wedding magazines (such as Minnesota Bride, The Knot Minnesota, Minneapolis Saint Paul Weddings) and any information gained from Bridal Fairs, Bridal Trunk Shows along with checklists, contacts, and timelines.  Organization skills are very important in the planning process.

This stage of your life is a big deal - it involves several changes so slow down and embrace it.

Enjoy. Happy Planning!
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