Now Accepting Applications!

The 2009 Dream Wedding Contest begins accepting entries starting tomorrow (Nov. 1) until midnight on Dec 31. They are expecting a ton of entries, so be sure to get yours in early! Hurry, hurry because 2 months is sure go by fast... the winner will be revealed on February 22, at the Perfect Wedding Guide Great Diamond Dash bridal show (which, by the way, is the best show of the season).

Featured Vendor: Toppers with Glitz

Sometime last year I got in touch with Sari from Toppers with Glitz, because I absolutely loved her cake toppers. I was drawn to the sparkly crystals and beautiful monograms, and I wanted to somehow tell the world about them. After such a chaotic wedding season and school schedule, I have been back in touch with Sari and the honor of my first vendor feature will go to her and her blooming business! Here are a few questions that I asked her recently to find out what is hot in her studio right now!

Do you recommend that your clients have their cake in mind before they contact you or do you find that most of your clients design their cake around their topper?

Like most of my customers, and probably not unlike other designers, I love to have visuals to work with. If I can see the cake, I typically get an immediate picture of "the perfect topper" for it. Making sure the entire cake will look good is always the top priority and most of my customers welcome the input, even if they end up taking a different direction than they initially planned. Hopefully their baker can do the same if the topper is purchased first.

With recent orders, or upcoming 2009 orders what are the most popular color trends that you're seeing?

Tiffany blue was a big color this year and I am curious to see if it will still be big for '09. I am seeing a lot of champagne and ivory,and LOVE the outcome. Swarovski has some really beautiful soft browns that blend extremely well together - Light Colorado Topaz is one of my all time favorites.

You're website is very informative, but what are a few things that potential clients frequently ask?

Hands down, the most frequent question I get asked is with regard to colors. There are so many colors and so many combinations that can be made, it's just not possible for me to address them all on the website.I welcome the questions, phone or email, and am happy to work with each bride, case by case. I also offer complimentary samples so that they colors can be seen in person and matched to their other items.

What was the most challenging job that you've had so far?

I did a table stand for a candle lighting ceremony that was 5" tall and measured almost 2 feet long (pictured above). I had plenty of time to make it but really underestimated how long it would take to crystal. It was the largest item I have taken on to date.

From a small business owners perspective, what has been your and/or your business most exciting accomplishment?

Last year Topper With Glitz was invited to participate in Swarovski's wedding showcase "Unbridaled". I didn't believe I was selected until I saw my products featured in the coffee-table book; a beautiful hard-cover book with designers like "Vera Wang" and "Fendi". The U.S. launch, a red carpet event, is taking place in New York later this year. I dare to dream big but I don't know how much bigger I can dream than this!

Furthermore, Sari goes on to say "I am always trying to expand my product line with relevant items that help complete a coordinated look. Last year I added server sets and bouquet monograms. This year I have added cake trim and toasting flutes."

Sari, Thank you for taking the time to answer all of the questions above! You offer such a beautiful and unique product that I know you will be a HUGE success! -Elva

Changes to blog format

Since I've been blogging pretty regularly lately, I've been doing a lot of thinking and comparison "blogging" to find out what people are really interested in reading about. Since I love anything that has to do with entrepreneurship and beautiful things I thought that my blog would be the perfect outlet to expose some great vendors and friends who have worked really hard to make their name in the industry. Going forward, you'll see vendor interviews, latest trends from real life industry players, and business successes. I also want to highlight real weddings, so if any of brides out there would like to submit your wedding to be featured, send over some pics and details (info@elvamariesfinepaper.com) ! Details about you and your hubby, the day, your vendors (from dress to venue). I hope that brides and vendors alike will enjoy the new format and appreciate the information being posted. I am so excited, and have two interviews in the works, and I'm trying to track down a real wedding! Photo Credit: Tiger Lily Floral

Dream Wedding Kick Off Party

Here are some pictures of my display from the NM Dream Wedding Kick Off party that was held a few weeks ago. I made the signs that you see for each vendor. Don't forget table signs are an item that I offer to match your wedding stationery suite! Photo Credit: Kyle Zimmerman

The Centerpieces

Here's a closer look at the centerpieces that I did for the Perfect Wedding Guide Customer Appreciation Party in September. I got the idea from Martha Stewart and Mommy Makes Roses. Each rose is made from a total of 8 coffee filters, handpainted with watercolors, and then each petal is curled. The end result was amazing, but it was a lot of work, I mean a lot of work! Next time I'll buy them straight from the source! Here are the MS instructions if you'd like to give it a whirl. The nesting boxes came from Nashville Wraps, and I used Midori double-faced ribbon to add some color to them. Photo Credit: Loren Higgins Photography

Perfect Wedding Guide Blog

Shauna from the Albuquerque Pefect Wedding Guide just announced the new blog that she just launched. Here, she is going to communicate upcoming events, fun stories about other brides, giveaways, and trends in the wedding industry. If you haven't heard about the Perfect Wedding Guide you NEED to check it out! It's a free publication that is filled with a ton of information from the best wedding vendors around town - myself included :) Another cool feature of the magazine is that in every issue there is a real NM wedding featured! You can check out her website here to find out where you can pick one up, or you contact me and I'll send one out to you. The photos above are from the PWG's annual client appreciation party held on September 9. Guess who made the centerpieces? The cupcake towers were from Cake Fetish, and the photos are by Loren Higgins Photography. Congratulations Perfect Wedding Guide for taking this huge leap into the world of blogs!