Real Wedding: Laura and Matt

I have finally recieved some photos from one of favorite weddings this year. I previously wrote about Laura and her mom Joanne, and showed a picture of their "Pretty in Pink Polka Dots" invitation design. When all was done their order included invitations, programs, table names, escort cards, thank you cards, favor bags and custom seals, candy signs, and rehearsal dinner invitations. I had so much fun working with these two, and even had the oppurtunity to work at the actual event by setting up table names and escort cards. I even stuck around to help guests find their seats. Take a look at these beauiful wedding photos, that are compliments of Joanne.

Here are the details:

• Colors - beige, champagne, and various hues of pale pink
• Reception Venue - Hotel Albuquerque
• Flowers - Melba's Floral Studio
• DJ - Complete Music
• Photography - Kevin's Photography
• Cake - Patisserie C
• Decor - Distracted by Decor
• Invitations and paper details - Elva Marie's Fine Paper

Matt and Laura, you had such a beautiful wedding, and I'm sure that your marriage will be even more so. Congratulations!

If you are a bride or coordinator who wishes to have a wedding featured on this blog, please forward pictures and details to info@elvamariesfinepaper.com for consideration.

Real Wedding: Ally and Colin

I am so excited to finally post my first real wedding from New Mexico. I met Ally and her mom, Jan, in the early part of this year, and was fortunate to be able to add some special touches to their big day. Since Ally lives and works in Denver, Jan ended up doing most of the planning. Everything had to be just right, so we spent a lot of time making decisions on designs, colors, and fonts and we ended up making invitations, programs, escort cards, menus, and table signs. Since we started so early in the design process, Jan had enough time to do all of the assembly herself. Which was awesome because it gave me a little break, and it saved Jan some serious dough!


All of these beautiful photos were taken by Dry Heat Photography. Rick and Deanna knew exactly what to do to capture the exquiste details of this formal affair. Speaking of exquisite affair, did I mention that Karen from Celebrations! Weddings and Events was the day of coordinator? After working with her on this event, I can tell you that she goes way above the call of duty for a day of coordinator. We worked together on the programs, seating chart, etc. Here are the details that I know you all are dying to know:

• Colors - Mocha and white
• Ceremony and Reception Venue - Hotel Albuquerque
• Flowers - Nobhill Flower Shop
• Photographer - Dry Heat Photography
• Cake - ABC Cakeshop
• Invitations and paper goods- Elva Marie's Fine Paper
• Dress and accessories - David's Bridal
• Linens - Celebrations! Weddings and Events
• Day of Coordinator - Celebrations! Weddings and Events

Thank you Ally and Colin for give my little company a chance to make such a classy impression for your wedding! I wish you both a lifetime of happiness, health, and good times!


If you are a bride or coordinator who wishes to have a wedding featured on this blog, please forward pictures and details to info@elvamariesfinepaper.com for consideration.

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

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!

Awesome Accessories

Check out these last minute details that I finished tonight for a couple that is getting married on Saturday. In the end I did their invites, escort cards, menus, table signs, and seat numbers. The latter of which is kind of unusual, but in this instance each guest was assigned a table and a number that was indicated on the escort card. Instead of having a place card at each setting we made numbers that will hang from each guests chair. I can't wait to see how it all turns out! Congratulations Elaina and Matt!