J is for Jewelry

J

Selecting the ring:

Do your research. Look online and in magazines for the different settings, styles and shapes. Inform yourself about the different metals or combination of metals available for the band of the ring. Talk with jewelers to learn more about diamonds and what makes them such a valuable investment.

Set your budget before you begin shopping. It's always a good idea to know what you can afford and what limitations you may have in terms of cost.

The groom to be does not have to stick to old traditions of shopping for the ring alone. Modern couples increasingly work through the process of selecting the engagement ring together. However, if you prefer to surprise her with the ring of her dreams, here are a few tips on how to determine what she will like:

• Casually ask her about rings - look for opportunities like when walking past a jewelry store or after someone you know gets engaged. Subtlety is important, or else she will catch on quickly!
• Talk to her family and friends (as long as you're sure they won't spill the beans). They may already have an idea of what she wants, or you can enlist their help in talking to her and figuring it out.
• Look at the jewelry and clothes that she usually wears. This will give you a good sense of her style and taste.
• Is a traditional diamond ring what she wants? If not, explore alternative options or look into recycled metals/conflict-free diamonds.

Questions to ask the jeweler:

• Is there a warranty or guarantee?
• Can I have a Certificate of Authenticity?
• Can the ring be returned?
• How is the value determined for insurance purposes?
• Do you offer engraving?
• Ask about "The Four C's" - Cut, Color, Clarity and Carat

Make your final decision and purchase the ring! Don't get the ring too far in advance of the proposal - you don't want to have to worry about hiding it for long or keeping it safe. Have the ring appraised and insured before the proposal.

For more tips and information, check out these links:
Wikihow.com
Brideandgroomplanner.com 

I is for Iconic

I

A look back at some of the most striking wedding dresses. From real life princesses, Hollywood royalty, and Rock 'n' Roll legends, to the gowns featured in fantasy weddings on the screen, scroll through these timeless wedding fashions.

Queen Victoria 1840 - The look that started it all!

The Classics

Queen Elizabeth II 1946

Elizabeth Taylor 1950

Jacqueline Kennedy 1953

Audrey Hepburn 1954

Grace Kelly 1956

Princess Margaret 1960

Ava Gardner 1961

Raquel Welch 1967

Princess Anne 1973

Princess Diana 1981

Carolyn Bessette Kennedy 1996

Kate Middleton 2011

Rock 'N' Roll

Priscilla Beaulieu 1967

Yoko Ono 1969

Bianca Jagger 1971

Gwen Stefani 2002

On Screen

"The Razor's Edge" Featuring Gene Tierney 1946

"Father of the Bride" Featuring Elizabeth Taylor 1950

"The Sound of Music" Featuring Julie Andrews 1965

General Hospital - Luke and Laura's Wedding 1981

"Sex and The City" Featuring Sarah Jessica Parker 2008

The Disney Princesses

Find more Princess Dresses Here: Princess Dresses


*Sarah Jessica Parker (Real Life Wedding) 1997

For these iconic dresses and more visit Vogue UK or TLC.com



H is for Hair

H

Practice makes perfect! Scheduling a trial appointment with your hairstylist is a great idea. You will know exactly how much time to allow for your hair stylist on the day of the wedding and you will be sure that the look you want is what you will get, before the big day.

Brides.com recommends scheduling your hair trial three months before the wedding. Wash and dry your hair before your appointment to save your stylist from having to waste time doing that for you. Wear makeup and bring along the accessories you plan to wear for your wedding. Bring visuals and example photos of what you would like to give your stylist a starting point. Be very clear about what you want - if the look isn't right at the trial, speak up!

Plan to go out the night of your trial. (Put that fancy hairdo to good use!) Pay attention to how long the hair style lasts. It is also a good idea to take note of the products that your stylist uses so that the same things are used when it comes time for the real thing.

Be aware that the appointment may cost as much as the day of styling and that if there are discounts, there may be a catch - some salons will require you to pay for your day of appointment, will not do a full styling or will not place the veil and accessories (Glamour.com). If possible, you could try to schedule a dress fitting after the trial as well, so that you can see what your hair will look like with your dress (Wiki.weddingbee.com).

For examples of wedding styles, tips for growing out your hair for your wedding day, advice for healthy, shiny hair and much, much more: Click Here!

G is for Guest Book

G

We've gathered some fun and creative options for the guest book, as well as ways to make sure that your guests participate in the signing.

Traditional:

The basic book and pen set. You can have this placed on a table or podium so that those attending your reception may sign as they enter. This will provide you with a valuable keepsake to remind you of all of your loved ones who were able to share in the celebration. (It's also helpful when writing your Thank You's!)

Traditional With a Twist:

- Personalize the guest book by covering it with fabric that matches your wedding colors, or by stamping a monogram.
- Create a photo album or shutterfly book with engagement pictures or childhood pictures. You could also incorporate movie tickets or other memorabilia from past dates into the album. Guests can sign and write notes around the images.
- Have small books placed at your guest's tables. The books can have thought-provoking questions written on the front, which will give your guests something to talk about at the tables and give them some direction as to what to write!

- Create a coffee table book for guests to sign. Rather than storing your guest book somewhere out of sight, it can become an interesting piece in your living room.

Creative:

- Have your guests sign a large poster or mirror. Decorate the area so that guests are drawn toward the display and feel encouraged to sign.
- Have a picture matted and framed so that your guests can sign around the border.
- Typewriter guest book. Fun and interactive!

Alternative:

- Don't feel that you have to use a book. You can have guests write notes on small cards and place them in a decorative bowl, hang them on a decorative tree or clothesline!

- Guests can sign objects. For example, wishing stones, puzzle pieces, or decorative plates. You could also have guests sign wine bottles and designate an anniversary to drink each bottle.
- Incorporate your theme! Have guests sign seashells at a beach wedding or write on notecards which you collect in a suitcase after a destination wedding.
- Give your guests a script - have them fill out mad libs!
- Have guests place their fingerprints on a tree as the "leaves" and sign their names next to them.

- Collective art - Each guest can add a line in a poem or story. Or, supply coloring utensils to guests and have them create a masterpiece.
- Have guests sign a parchment scroll or a quilt!
- Use your photobooth as your guest book - have guests write messages on a chalk board and get their picture taken with it, or have guests place the printouts of their pictures in an album and sign their names.

Tips:

- Appoint someone to oversee the signing
- Have a few guests sign, fingerprint, or hang their note on a tree before the reception so that there are examples to follow, showing guests exactly what you would like for them to do.
- Leave a sign explaining what to do. This can be creative - a poem, written on a chalkboard, etc.
- Have your DJ or Band announce the guest book and remind those in attendance to sign it.

For these ideas, images and more, visit:
Blueskypapers.com, MarthaStewartWeddings.com, and Bridalguide.com

F is for Fascinator

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it's a fascinator!

All the rage among the guests at the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton, the fascinator is a trendy wedding accessory. First popularized in the early 1900's, the imaginitive creations of mesh, feathers, and wiry bows are worn on the front or side of the forehead. (USmagazine.com)

Artist Spotlight: Robin Ewers

If you frequent the Downtown area you have probably seen the decorative pigs lining the streets. The pigs are part of the Big Pig Gig: Do Re Wee, a project produced by Artworks to bring awareness of the arts in Cincinnati.

We were able to ask Robin Ewers, an artist who participated in the project, a few questions about her involvement.

The Selection Process:
"At first, I had worked on a few other designs with a friend of mine. Neither design was selected right away, but the Cincinnati Development Fund saw one of the pigs I submitted. They liked my style and asked myself and a few other artists to come up with a design for their organization." Robin's design was selected from among her competition!

The Motivation:
"I've wanted to be involved with Artworks in some way, for quite some time. I just needed something that would fit my schedule a little better. They have teaching positions throughout the summer, which would be a dream for me to do, but I work a full tiem job, so it wasn't a fit, unfortunately. The Big Pig Gig seemed right up my alley. Besides, who wouldn't want to say that they painted a pig! Artworks brings attention to the arts, and that's my passion. If I'm going to spend my time and energy on something, I wanted it to be in an area that I could back and support 100%. Artworks is that for me."

The Inspiration:
Robin's pig is called "Over the Swine." We asked where this idea originated.

"The Cincinnati Development Fund had given me great direction as far as what they wanted to see on the pig. They wanted to see a whimsical depiction of the Italianate style buildings throughout Over the Rhine (OTR). There's a special place in my heart for OTR and the history of Cincinnati, and the new development of the neighborhood gave me so much more to work with. It's important to know where we came from and where our roots are so I wanted to show a little of that, especially in the 'river to road' transition near the bottom of the pig. Central Parkway used to be a river, and it was known as the Rhine River. Anything over that river was referred to as "Over the Rhine."

 The Challenge:
"I really didn't face any challenges while painting. It was surprisingly more easy than I thought. However, getting the pig up the 40 - some stairs and into my 2nd story apartment was challenging. My only studio space is technically my dining room/livingroom, so having a six foot pig in my small one bedroom apartment for a month was a challenge in itself!"

"Over the Swine" AKA Herbert:
"The technical name for the pig is 'Over the Swine,' but I affectionately named him Herbert. I figured the pig was living with me for a while, so it was like having a roommate. I didn't want to keep referring to him as the pig; he deserved a name. Herbert sounded good for a pig!"

Other Involvement:
"I'm involved with Springboard Cincinnati and the Secret Artworks programs, but I'd like to get involved in more programs with Artworks as soon as I can. I'm always open to new things!"

Other Mediums:
"Paper and pencils will always be my first true love, but I have expanded to painting shoes, tile necklace pendants, making greeting cards and more recently, walls! I've been doing a couple of murals around the city... I just finished one in the pool area at Coney Island."

Where you can find more of Robin's art:
"My art hangs regularly at Dutch's Wine Bar on Erie Ave., in Hyde Park. I occasionally do art shows... most recently was the Mt. Adams Art Walk. I'm looking to expand to a few more places, so we'll see how that goes! As always, my artwork is on my website, www.rewersdesigns.com, etsy.com, and society6.com.

What's Next for the Pigs?
"Since most of the pigs are sponsored by a business or organization, they will either stay where they are placed or move to a more permanent location."

Thank you to Robin for letting us showcase her talent! For more information on the decorative pigs lining downtown Streets, you can visit Artworks.

E is for Entrance

E

We explore the elements of the entrance - pick and choose from these tips on how the newly married couple and their bridal party can make a great one!

Location -

It is time to appear before the guests at the reception. You already made a dramatic and beautiful entrance at the ceremony, and now it's your chance to wow them a second time. Check out the venue and pick the perfect spot. Can you remain hidden before you get there? Are there large dramatic doors or is there an impressive staircase? Maybe come in through a less obvious entrance and add in an element of surprise!

Attire -

Wear something fun and different - goofy glasses, hats, something that represents your alma mater or favorite sports team. Girls - kick off those painful heels and switch into your comfy, oversized reception slippers!

Announcement -

Having your entrance announced certainly gets everyone's attention and turns the focus to you as you step onto the scene. Work with your DJ, or the family member/friend who you would like to have do the introductions on making the announcement unique and memorable.

Music -

Select a song fitting for your entrance and have it played as you walk in. You can time your entrance to the perfect moment in the song, or come in dancing so that everyone can catch a glimpse of your sweet moves. (You can go big in the beginning or save your signature shuffle for later. You have plenty of time to dance the night away!)

The Knot suggests these for the Bride and Groom:

"Beautiful Day" by U2
"This Will Be (an Everlasting Love)" by Natalie Cole
"Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I'm Yours)" by Stevie Wonder
"Walking on Sunshine" by Katrina & the Waves
"Let it Rock" by Kevin Rudolf

And for the Bridal Party:

"Bring Em Out" by T.I.
"Battle Without Honor or Humanity" from the Kill Bill soundtrack
"The Way You Make Me Feel" by Michael Jackson
"I Got a Feeling" by Black Eyed Peas
"Sing, Sing, Sing" by Benny Goodman

Check out more great entrance songs: CLICK HERE

And for more information on how to make a great entrance: CLICK HERE

A View Through The Window: World Choir Games

A choir performs on Fountain Square during the "Global Village Friendship Concert" starting at 11am. Today (Friday, July 13th) is the final day of competition and the second World Choir Games award ceremony will take place this evening. For more information visit the following link: http://www.kypost.com/dpp/entertainment/world-choir-games-highlight-of-the-day

D is for Decor

D

D is for Decor

In our first 9 months as a venue, we've seen creative and transformative decorating and design ideas at each event.

Uplighting

Adding specialty lighting changes the atmosphere of the room - it sets the mood for the event, creates conversation, and draws people into the space.

Goodwin Lighting provided the lighting services for the event pictured below. Lounge furniture provided by Accent on Cincinnati. Photo by Christina Littleton Photography.

Fabric

Using pipe and drape systems and specialty lighting, Entertainment Unlimited Events was able to divide The Center's ballroom into separate lounges for The Knot Cocktail's and Connections 2012 event. The fabric lined walls took on a clean and elegant look, providing the perfect back drop for the evening. Image below by Shelby Street Photography.

Candles

Candlelight gives off a warm, soft glow and creates an intimate and romantic feeling for an event. While they look great on their own, they can be further enhanced by using flowers or petals. Candles can be incorporated into the centerpieces, positioned along the aisles during the ceremony, and in other elements of the decorations. Be sure to check on flame policies if you plan to use candles as part of your decor. Image below by Leppert Photography.

Flowers

Flowers can be used to enhance the ceremony and reception. The arrangements can be done in various styles, ranging from romantic to modern. The flowers you choose can help to work in your wedding colors or complement them with an accent color.

Courtenay Lambert Florals designed a beautiful modern arrangement for The Knot Cocktails and Connections 2012 event. The design incorporated tall glass vases, candles and flowers and produced a unique effect. It almost looked as if the flowers had been delicately tossed in the air and wer frozen in place, framing the entrance for guests as they first came into the space.

LED

LED bars, cocktail tables and other rental items have been hugely popular for our events. Functional, bright and modern, it is a simple way to add some excitement to the cocktail hour or the area surrounding the dance floor. Accent on Cincinnati provided the LED bar pictured below. Lighting by Goodwin Lighting. Photo by Leppert Photography.

Furniture

There is so much that you can do with the furniture. Tables and chairs, along wiht the linens and centerpieces, all influence the arrangement, look and feel of the room. Soft seating and lounge furniture provide a fun way to break from tradition and give guests a laid back and relaxed atmosphere. A Day to Remember! USA provided the furniture pictured below. Photo by Shelby Street Photography.

Centerpieces

The linens and centerpieces are another great way to bring color into the room. We loved the unique look of the event pictured below. The centerpieces included black and white placemats lined with tiny chocolates for the guests and tall vases with LED lights and ostrich feathers. Other tables featured LED lit vases filled with turquoise beads and water. Party Pleasers and Grand Expectations Events provided the lighting and decor pictured below.

Picture Perfect - We Asked the Experts!

We have been very fortunate to have some amazing photographers work in The Center, and we cannot get over the beautiful images they are able to capture, not just in our space, but with all of their clients. It seems so unlikely that every moment would be "picture perfect" and yet, time after time we see flawless shots and we wondered... How do they do that? We reached out to some of the fantastic professionals and asked them for advice on how to get the best images for the wedding day.

Thank you to Patrick Clark of Shelby Street Photography, Jennifer Garber with Mark Garber Photography and Laura Leppert-Knabe with Leppert Photography!

Q: Do you prefer candid shots or posed?

Shelby Street Photography: Yes. They both have their place on a wedding day and both are very important. It is important for the photographer to get the subjects in the best position possible for a great photo. The best light, pose, background, etc. I think it's vital for the photographer to be able to get great posed shots. However, a lot of the great candid shots come from interactions in-between posed shots. In that case you get the best of both worlds!

Mark Garber Photography: Here is some straight talk on posed v. candid photography. The truth is that most photographers do a mixture of both. EVERY bride that walks into our studio says that they want "natural" or "candid" photographs like what they see on our blog. However, what they see on our blog or in our studio is actually posed or "guided" photographs. A skilled photographer knows how to pose or suggest poses to their subjects without it looking overdone or contrived. There is a true art to posing people so that they look their best (thinner, taller, etc.), but doing it in a way that looks natural.

Most couples are nervous, anxious, tired and overwhelmed on their wedding day, which doesn't lend itself to candid, carefree, happy-go-lucky photographs. Even bubbly, outgoing couples get a little nervous on their wedding day, and get that "deer in the headlights" look in front of the camera. A skilled photographer knows that and can not only help you to relax and feel more at ease, but also help guide you through your photographs ensuring you look and feel your best.

Leppert Photography: I truly love to do both. However, capturing moments as they naturally happen is, quite frankly, my favorite. It is almost like hunting... waiting patiently for that amazing moment, anticipating what might happen and capturing that true moment in time. There is nothing better. I hate the word posed... I love to put people in amazing light/and or architecture where they are going to look the best and most relaxed. Usually the moment will happen naturally, sometimes with a little help. It may be saying something as simple as, "Forget about everything and just be together, this is your moment."

Q: Which wedding moments are your favorites to try to capture?

Shelby Street Photography: One of my favorite wedding moments to capture is the first time family members see the bride in the dress. Whether that is mom, dad, grandparents, siblings, etc... for some reason all the preparation and planning for the day becomes real. The emotions and memories of their lives together comes to a head at that moment. I always feel really privileged to be allowed to witness it along with the family. It always reminds me of my little girl, and how I would feel.

Mark Garber Photography: The vast majority of our brides and grooms see each other prior to the wedding so that they can maximize thier time together and their enjoyment on the wedding day. We arrange a "first meeting" where the bride and groom can see each other for the first time. We make sure no one is watching them to give them the most privacy and intimacy. Many of our couples use that time to reflect, pray together or exchange gifts to each other. Our couples love it because not only does it allow them to share the whole day together, but it also dramatically reduces their nervousness. All our brides love it too because they say that they got to have two big moments, the "first meeting" as well as walking down the aisle. Couples also love not having to miss any part of their wedding day allowing them to savor and enjoy every precious moment.

Leppert Photography: I love the moment the groom sees the bride walking down the aisle and the emotion of the Bride and her parents. I love capturing those special looks between the bride and groom during a ceremony. I also love seeing the look of the couple's loved ones. I am truly lucky to have the honor to capture such treasured moments.

Q: What common mistakes do you see people make that may ruin your chances of getting a great picture?

Shelby Street Photography:
1) The best advice I could give is to trust the judgment of your photographer. Let him or her help tell you where to go and let them decide what shots to take. It is very difficult to impose your vision on someone who has their own vision. Even if it looks awesome on Pinterest ;).

2) Bridal Party. Groomsmen and bridesmaids... be flexible and honor the bride and groom by supporting the, during photos and try to be a good sport. A lot of times is hot, or cold on a wedding day. When you complain about the elements or talk about how uncomfortable you are. It makes it more difficult for you bride and groom to relax and take great photos.

3) Reception and Ceremony. The biggest issue I have run into lately is the guests with cameras/ipads/phones, etc. that aren't aware of their surroundings. During these periods, most of the shots are candid and the window of opportunity for them is very small. You don't want your guest with their DSLR or ipad in the background or foreground of a special moment. I would suggest a kind note in the program, or a small sign asking guests to be aware of their surroundings in relation to the photographer.

Mark Garber Photography: The number one mistake is lateness! We've had brides show up with only five minutes left of the two hours of photography time that we've had scheduled. It's not like you can change your ceremony or dinner time so something will have to go, and that is the fun and creativity of photography. When the wedding day timeline is cut short, we have to make sure we get just the basics covered and you miss out on all the beautiful images that you fell in love with when you hired your photographer. Lateness also causes a huge amount of stress and anxiety, which effects how you look in the photos as well.

The number one cause of lateness is people not being ready on time. The cure is to make sure that everyone (especially the bride, groom and wedding party) has all their shoes, jewelry and attire all set. Also, give yourself extra time with hair and makeup. We highly recommend that the bride gets her hair and makeup done first, after all, she is in all the photos so nothing will get photographed without her! We can deal with a late bridesmaid, but a late bride is a killer.

Leppert Photography: Really the most common is not being relaxed. I really try to get to know my clients as much as I can before the wedding. The more comfortable they are with me, the less aware they are of me, therefore enabling me to capture amazing moments. If you are constantly worried about everything going on, it is going to show. My advice: Relax and have fun with it! That makes the world of difference.

Q: What locations around Cincinnati do you like to use for photo shoots?

Shelby Street Photography: Cincinnati is very lucky to have many great parks and great, clean urban areas. It is also in close proximity to many farm areas as well. I can't say I prefer one over the other, but a good way to think about locations is to first narrow down whether you prefer an urban look, a park setting, or more of a rural farm setting... or a combination. I will say... I love shooting at night after the sun goes down. I would suggest to leave a little time for that if possible!

Mark Garber Photography: We try to pick locations that are in keeping with the couple's personality and look/theme of the wedding. Whether it is something more urban or more of a park setting, the location should be in keeping with the overall vibe of the wedding. However, our favorite locations are those that are more nontraditional like photographing a couple in the bar where they had their first date. Thinking outside the box or "park" can truly make your images unique and memorable.

Leppert Photography: Wow! There are really some amazing places to photograph. I love a variety of different places and settings. A lot of the time it depends on the couple and their personalities. I like to match settings with personalities. I love so many of the areas around downtown. We can get so much variety... classic architecture, urban settings and greenery. I like that you can get so many different looks within the same area.

Q: What time of day is best for taking pictures?

Shelby Street Photography: Generally speaking, the most ideal time to shoot outdoors is when the sun is lower in the sky. However, make sure you book a photographer that can shoot in any condition. A lot of times wedding schedules don't permit photos to be taken in the "ideal" time period. Any time of day can be ideal with the right preparation and location. So make sure and consult your photographer when determining your schedule.

Mark Garber Photography: The best time of day is late afternoon into early evening when the lighting is softer. Photographing mid-day (11am-2pm) is the hardest. Not only is it the hottest part of the day, but the direct sun makes people squint and have dark shadows under their eyes.

Leppert Photography: I think there are possibilities for amazing photos any time of day. But, I must confess, I LOVE to do night shots. They are unique and different and just plain fun to do! When working with my couples we usually plan ut the perfect time (when the sky is that brilliant blue) in advance so we know when I will pull them from the reception. I never want to take them away for too long, usually it is about 5-10 minutes.