Are You Thinking Outside of the Bun? Taco Bells Are Ringing!

Tiny or Micro Weddings are the hot new trend. I will not lie…I’m even making plans to get in on this ultimate intimate wedding experience in 2018.  A tiny wedding is typically a super small wedding experience. Think elevated courthouse. Micro weddings are all about adventure and intimacy. It’s the ultimate balancing act between embracing ones authenticity while mixing in a few traditional wedding elements….but only the pieces you really love. Like the dress, bouquet, and cake.

It’s about 2 hours (including ceremony and after-pictures) and only includes a maximum of 15-20 people. Many include an officiant and a photographer in an incredible and/or very personal (often) alternative location.

{I'm already working on my list of incredible “little known” locales for DC and Northern Virginia.}

I cannot wait to get my creative hands all over one, pulling together my favorite and most talented vendor friends to cater to the private and quirky couples of the District. For as relatively new as tiny weddings are to the masses, Taco Bell is hashtag winning with their first Vegas wedding. That’s right, a wedding…at Taco Bell.

Taco Bell has managed to take the cake with its new Vegas Cantina. It all started with their “For the Love of Tacos” contest, an all-expense paid wedding winner and these awesome photos. Now they offer a wedding package starting at $600.

*On a side note, this is also proof of why you invest in a good photographer; they can make anything look breathtaking.

Taco Bell

Cake anyone? Cinnabon Delight. Why, yes, it is true to the Taco Bell brand as well.  

Taco Bell

Oh you thought there wouldn't be a something blue too? No Bell wedding could be complete without twisted freezes for two. Talk about a signature drink!

Cheers to the happy couple, married 6.26.17!

Taco Bell

Would you, could you, have a tiny wedding? Where would it be? Post a comment below. 

7 Things #ambianceadores about Tatyana Ali's Wedding

Can we just start by saying how adorably sweet it is that Ashley (Ali's character on the Fresh Prince of Bel Air) is Married! Tatyana Ali became Mrs. Vaughn Rasberry on Sunday, July 17. I would have LOVED to do this celebrity wedding because of how authentic and genuine it appears to have been. The coverage of this wedding is chocked full of valuable lessons for the every day bride. Here are 7 that #ambianceadores:

1. A Morning Wedding! I love this bold, non-trending choice. Weddings are what you make them and it is a myth that dancing into the night is the only way to host a romantic celebration. I predict
more couples will start to at least consider the a.m. time slot in their wedding plans.

2. Small & Intimate. I can't say enough about the advantages of small and intimate events; but for the every day bride, think about how much further your budget could go with less than 150 people. How about your floral budget with less than 7 bridesmaids? I'm just going to leave that right there for you to chew on.

3. Hired Help. I'm just saying, a wedding coordinator is a valuable decision, no matter how biased I may be.

4. Embraced The Moment. Too often we wish for more or better of ourselves and our situations. Ali is pregnant and makes a conscious decision to not look at her situation as a hiccup within her wedding plans but as something to be embraced and shared. Instead of choosing a gown to camouflage her bump, she embraces with a more fitted choice that highlights her growing miracle.

Bringing new life into the world aside, the lesson still applies to you. Say you don't have the wedding budget of your dreams, it's ok, few people do. You must embrace where you are in your career, your finances and your life and DO with it what you can. Your wedding plans will reflect more beautifully, more authentically when you embrace and appreciate who you are, where you are, and what you have.  Deal with it...work with it.

5. Purposeful Design. Ali's centerpieces were intended to be something guests could take home. Let me tell you, there is nothing worse than an end of the night, after thought of an announcement telling guest to take a centerpiece if they want to. Talk about a deer in headlights situation. A little foresight goes a long way because most of the time, your centerpieces aren't designed for casual transport (insert water all over your seats). If you let your florist know this is something you are considering, you can design arrangements that are also user friendly for a car ride home at the end of the event.

6. Responsible Splurging. That is no mistake. Yes Ali was married at the Four Season's Beverly Hills but we are talking about a Doctor and a well known actress. This wedding could have easily been Over. The. Top. Yet, the couple's cocktail hour centerpieces (pictured above) were made using supplies from Michael's Craft Store. Your budget is a balancing act, spend in areas that matter to you, make affordable choices and use alternatives in areas that don't. It's that simple.

7. Meaningful Personal Touches. Ali's day could have easily been plastered with their names, monogram, and pictures, but the couple made a series of modest selections that were personal and important to them. I love their use of the wishing tree for two reasons. One, they used an actual tree that can be continuously enjoyed throughout their lives. Two, it speaks to who they are as a couple. It says the support and blessings of their family and friends is an important thing they wanted to capture to remember from their day. What matters to you?

The coverage of this wedding is simply beautiful. The photos showcase what I believe to be the  true magic behind weddings...love. All the up-lighting and glitter in the world can't manufacture the same energy as two people that are truly, authentically in love. See the full piece from The Knot and more on what the bride had to say, HERE.



*Photos Courtesy of The Knot. #TheKnot #TatyanaAli #CelebrityWeddings #ambianceadores #MichaelsCraftStore #inspiration #weddingplanner #va #dc #md #weddings

#AmbianceInvites You To Get "Knotty" with Nautical!

We love the playful and clean look a nautical theme can bring. The key to flawless execution hangs not in the balance but on it.

Nautical is a theme that can easily be overdone. For a sophisticated look...all you really need is a few themed touches here and there. Keep your design elements coordinated but not uniform. 

            

For your attire, we love the thought of #somethingblue shoes for the bride, and an understated themed look for the men. 

Try a mix of florals and lantern centerpieces to create interest for your guest tables. Choose themed escort cards/holders or a themed table number holder, but not both. 

Consider a clean cake with a themed topper or a textured cake with a decorated cake stand/table. Add on colored cloth napkins, if you are using white linens, themed favor tags/boxes, and one more "wow" detail like up lighting or chair decor for the couple..and voila...Simple. Elegant. Fun. 

Get the look...

Nautical Invitations:

Nautical Romance Invitation

http://ambiancespecialevents.carlsoncraft.com/Wedding/Wedding-Invitations/3148-KE36107-Nautical-Romance--Invitation.pro

Nautical Boutonnieres & Card Holders:

See a variety of knot styles at Etsy.com

Nautical Personalized Coasters: 

Free Spirit Coasters

http://ambiancespecialevents.carlsoncraft.com/Wedding/Placemats--Coasters/3215-DD32016CS-Free-Spirit-Coaster.pro

What other ideas do you have for your nautical inspired look? Post a comment below or tag someone looking to "knotty" with nautical.


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#nauticalwedding #nauticalweddinginspiration #weddinginspiration #vaweddings #northernvirginia #weddinginvitations #weddingthemes #nauticaltheme #isaidyes #ido #weddingplanner #bluewedding #blueandwhiteweddings #personalizedcoasters #weddingpaper #weddingstationary 

Authentically Ambiance Real Wedding...Jen & Gary

It was love at first sip...not Jen and Gary...but my first meeting with them at #Starbucks. The bride; brassy, sassy, and a little sarcastic. The groom; gentle, lighthearted and easy going. I instantly knew I was in for a treat with these two. The two were brilliant in being open to suggestions on how to best make vision meet their budget. Gary wanted Jen to have whatever she wanted. Jen wanted inviting, a touch custom, and all within budget. We did so well with our budgeting, we almost hired Vera Wang and applied for a patent on a cake projector (our inside joke).

*FYI: Brides dream, do, and say some of the funniest things while wedding planning. I am never bored.*

We roped off the main aisle with a Forever After sign, truly setting the tone for their life together. Jen and Gary wanted to make wedding day so special for the other, I had to keep separate files and email traffic to handle their "surprise" wish lists.Selfless love right from the start! It may be some of the most fun our team has had.

We were busy hiding muscle cars and photographers, arranging special snacks, meals, and of course, cupcakes for one gluten free flower girl. We customized booklets to hold their vows, created a flowing backdrop for their outdoor nuptials and ended the night with scratch off lottery tickets for all...(insert sigh) my heart cant help but be full.

After an emotional first look, this couple decided on Forever and picked up a life long cheerleader as well. This couple stole my heart and luckily adopted me as their very own to keep forever. Looks like I'm party of the family now. Welcome To Forever After Jen and Gary...xoxoxoxo.

Team Work Makes The Dream Work! Here are the fabulous vendors that help us shine.

Coordinator: Ambiance Special Events
Ceremony Location: Fort Belvoir Officer's Club
Reception Location: Fort Belvoir Officer's Club
Catering: Fort Belvoir Officer's Club
Photography: Reese Studios Photography
Flowers: Royalty Flowers Inc
Cake: Sweet Ladies Bakery
DJ: DJ Mike Pisfil
Hair/Make-Up: Audrey LeFevre
Favors: DIY

#ido #bride #groom #ambianceadores #wedding #purpleweddings #blueweddings #militaryweddings

Authentically Ambiance: Real Wedding Lisa & Chris

LISA & CHRIS...

With the Groom-to-be stationed abroad and Mother-of-the Bride, out of state, it was my joy to stand in and be Lisa's right hand woMan. The distance of family and guests made the perfect transition into what would be the couple's theme.

Louisana Pralines for guest favors and a traditional 2nd line, tied back to the bride's southern roots. While travel boarding passes and destination table names, playfully pulled in the groom's military service. Together, we customized a beautiful winter wedding that was exactly what Lisa wanted; simple, elegant, and FUN!

Welcome to Forever After, Lisa and Chris! I can't wait to share in your next milestone.

Teamwork makes the Dream Work. Here are the wonderful people we had a chance to collaborate with:

Event Planning & Coordination: Ambiance Special Events 
Photography: Robert Holley Photography
Ceremony: St. Mary of Sorrows
Reception: Fort Belvoir Officer's Club
Hair/Make-Up:L'Image Salon 
Vintage Car: Vintage Limos 
Limo Service: Majestic Limo
Favor Pralines: Sugar Belle Louisiana
Florist: Royalty Flowers
Cake: Bee Wedding Cakes
DJ: Black Tie DJs
Chair Covers: Be-Seated 
Invitations: Ambiance Special Events
Menu Cards: Ambiance Special Events
Favor Bags/Labels: Ambiance Special Events
Programs/Boarding Cards: DIY