The Knot Best of Wedding Vendors 2011!

We are so excited to announce that Amanda Rose Weddings has been listed as Best of 2011 Wedding Vendors for The Knot! 

Finally, a beautiful and customizable envelope holder!

This is too cool not to share!  We came across this company that specializes in custom card boxes for weddings.  You can toss those cheesy birdcages once and for all!  Collect your gifts in style with  Creative Custom Card Boxes.

Tips On How To Properly Address Invitations

Planning your dream wedding? Well, today anything goes! What has not changed however, is how to address invitations.  So here are some tips that you may find very useful:

• Invitations should ALWAYS be hand-addressed, preferable in black ink.  Never are you to use labels.  If you are hand writing them, they should be addressed by someone with  neat, beautiful, and legible handwriting, or in calligraphy.  *Hint* Many printers now have the ability to take your guest list (if stored in the computer) and generate you addresses to look just like calligraphy.

1. NEVER use abbreviations expect, Mr., Mrs., Dr., or Jr.
2. Symbols should NEVER be used. For example,write out the word "AND" rather than using an ampersand (&).
3. NEVER use initials. Write "James," not "J".  If you do not know the name do not use an initial.
4. North, South, East, and West should not be abbreviated.
5. Street, Road, Avenue, Boulevard, and Lane should ALWAYS be written out, not abbreviated.
6. States are spelled out in full (for example: South Carolina, not SC)
7. Figures are used in zip codes and housed numbers.  Numbered streets are written out.  For example, Fourteenth Street, not 14th Street, or One Hundred and Twenty-fifth Street, not 125th Street.
8. Avoid "and family" if possible.  All children over age eighteen should receive a separate invitation.
9. Mail invitations first class mail, NEVER metered mail.
10. Be sure to include a return address on the invitations.

***Wedding announcements and thank you cards are addressed the same as invitations, and should be mailed immediately after the wedding.

HOPE THESE TIPS ARE USEFUL AS YOU BEGIN PLANNING YOUR DREAM WEDDING!!!!!!

Wish Upon a Wedding Gala: Do you have your ticket??

Wish Upon a Wedding is the world's first nonprofit wish granting organization that provides weddings and vow renewals for couples facing terminal illness or other serious life-altering circumstances. Less than one year old, the organization has 16 active chapters, and will have granted 12 wishes by the end of 2010.

During the month of November, they are hosting several fund raising galas and auctions throughout the country, and would like to invite you to participate.

Whether you are a bride or groom to be, a wedding industry professional, or you simply love the concept behind their mission... YOU can help make Wedding Wishes come true, while raising crucial funding needed to sustain this wonderful, new nonprofit organization.

Here's How:

Attend The Blissful Wishes Ball

 A Gala Celebration to Benefit Wish Upon a Wedding

Chicago November 1

LA November 4

San Francisco November 10

Houston November 11

Charlotte November 12

Orlando November 14

St. Louis November 14
 
Baltimore November 17

Portland November 18

Atlanta November  21

The Blissful Wishes Ball is a festive way to support Wish Upon a Wedding.  Enjoy a nice night out on the town with an elegant dinner, entertainment, music, dancing, and incredible auction items.

Buy your tickets today!

Bid Your Wish for Wedded Bliss

Online and Live auctions for a Worthwhile Cause

For the first time in history, couples getting married can plan their entire wedding from virtually any city in the United States, knowing that every penny they spend will go directly towards helping a couple in need.  It's so EASY to bid.  Find everything from invitations to flowers, catering to DJs, photography to wedding planners, honeymoons and more.

Simply visit their online auction site here to choose from hundreds of items from the industry's best vendors.

Even if you are not getting married, check it out for other exciting items, such as dinners in top-rated restaurants, entertainment, sporting events and popular autographed memorabilia. Every cent earned goes towards Wish Upon a Wedding and their mission to provide these heartfelt Wedding Wishes.

 

About Wish Upon a Wedding

Founded in January of 2010 by CA wedding planner, Liz Guthrie of San Jose Wedding Consultants, Wish Upon a Wedding was created to help couples who did not have the time, money, resources or strength to plan a wedding on their own, because of terminal illness or other serious life-altering circumstances. The organization now celebrates the courage, determination and spirit of these couples by granting their dream wedding wishes. It is their goal that chosen recipients can inspire other couples facing similar situations to find hope and strength, while raising awareness for terminal illness.

Growing up with a sister who was deaf since birth, and raised by parents who ran a board and care home for people facing numerous disabilities and life hardships, Liz learned early on to value the many blessings in life, and the importance of helping others. Volunteering throughout her life for a variety of nonprofit organizations, Liz was looking for a way to combine weddings and community service. 

After producing the San Francisco Dream Wedding Giveaway in 2009, a contest in which only one couple would be granted a dream wedding, Liz came up with a way to merge her two passions. While going through the process of giving the wedding "prize" to a woman suffering from stage IV Hodgkin's Lymphoma, Liz  created Wish Upon a Wedding. Overnight, Liz decided to change wedding history, and the way we give, by launching a nonprofit organization that was totally unique and had never existed before.

Supported by industry leaders such as Sasha Souza, David Beahm, Stella Inserra, Jenny Orsini, Kevin Covey, Stacie Francombe, Sylvia Weinstock, Steve Kemble, Mindy Weiss, Mary Dann, and Ivy Robinson (to name just a few), the organization has experienced rapid growth and seen voracious acceptance throughout the country.

To date, eight couples have benefited from the generous work of Wish Upon a Wedding. Over 4,000 volunteers have signed up to become Wish Granters. Their facebook page has attracted over 10,000 fans. 

None of this would be possible without public support.

In Loving Memory of Wish Recipients who have Passed On 

Dani and Tony married in St Louis on September 1. She passed away September 30th. Dani had suffered from Cystic Fibrosis since age 3, and had recently received a double lung transplant.

Florence and Micheal married near Sacramento on March 13. She passed away on September 28. Florence battled stage IV breast cancer, and was diagnosed with six months to live at the time of her wedding.

Shelly and Jay married in Seattle on May 2.  Shelly passed away three weeks later. She had been battling a rare type of cancerous lymphoma, and Jay suffered from Multiple Sclerosis.

Please help Wish Upon a Wedding continue to do great things.

Attend a Gala.  Donate to or bid in the auctions.

And help them spread the word, by sharing this article with your friends, family, co-workers and acquaintances.

You CAN make a difference in someone's life today!

Pardon our Dust....this is too good to not share!

We have tons going on at Amanda Rose Weddings so we've been a little behind in our blog postings.  We promise to share some exciting news with you soon as well as some of our weddings from the spring/summer.  In the meantime, this is too cool to not share!


As you may know, Linda is on the board of directors for Wish Upon A Wedding.  Perez Hilton, celebrity blogger, recently talked about Wish Upon A Wedding.  Check out what he had to say here!

Amanda Rose Weddings is on the move!!!!

We are so excited to announce that we are moving!  We'll be in our new office next week. Check out our official announcement!

Unveiling the Art of Love...

We are excited to UNVEIL some changes to our website.  Click here and take a look at our new WORK OF ART!

Sam and Laura - May 1, 2010

Ahhh...Spring time on Spring Island.  Fields of wild flowers, tabby ruins, tall Live Oaks, marsh views and gentle breezes.  What a picturesque day and setting for Sam and Laura's wedding.


I don't think that I can do this wedding justice by describing it....take a look at the photographs below, the pictures tell the story.  Special thank you to Open Light Studio for capturing all those special moments. Check out their blog for more photographs of this wedding.  Thanks also to Branches for the fabulous flowers, Heartbeat of Soul for grant dancing music, Signes for the awesome cake and Classic Party Rentals.

  It was our pleasure to work with such a fabulous couple and wedding professionals!

Charlotte and Bill's Wedding - April 17, 2010

Spring in Savannah…the azaleas in bloom, what a picture perfect day for Charlotte and Bill’s wedding weekend.  Charlotte and Bill selected Savannah after vacationing here on Charlotte’s birthday two years ago.  They were charmed by the romance, good food and history of the city. Charlotte wanted something understated with a little southern charm thrown into it. And that is exactly what she got….

Their guests were treated like royalty. Not only did the 4 days step back in history, it was a truly gastronomic delight. Thursday started the weekend with a small intimate rehearsal dinner at the Sapphire Grill. Friday’s ladies lunch was at The Olde Historic Pink House and Welcome Party for all at the funky and eclectic Soho Café (the site of an old car dealership). Saturday’s wedding ceremony was at St. John’s Episcopal Church , cocktail’s in Chippewa Square (Life is like a box of chocolates) and the reception at Bryson Hall (the site of oldest car dealership in the south). Catering for Saturday was in the incredible hands of Chef Nick Mueller and then if the guests have not had enough food, the Sunday brunch was at the Desoto Hilton. 

While in the park setting up we notice a couple sitting there and got to talking to them, it was their 50^th anniversary and Ellen got to witness a very private but romantic groom proposing to his bride. Spring and love was truly in the air.

In addition to the vendors mentioned above special thanks go to Garden on the Square, Stage Front Presentation, and Suckerpunch for a fabulous job.  – Linda

 

Wish Upon a Wedding

Life works in mysterious ways. I've lived a blessed life so far. Like everyone else, I've had my fair share of life's challenges. I have my health and a wonderful husband. And no matter how bad things seem to get it always has a way of working itself out. Every New Year I make a resolution to give more of my time to charity.  Every year I get caught up in my own life and the year comes to an end. So on 12.31.09 I made another New Year's resolution that 2010 was the year was going to be a different year.

Then I got a call to be on The Carolina's Board of Directors for "Wish Upon a Wedding". As the World’s first nonprofit wedding wish granting organization, Wish Upon a Wedding provides weddings at destinations across the United States for individuals facing life-threatening illness, regardless of sexual orientation. It is a chance for couples to enjoy a very special day, without any thoughts of existing health issues, while surrounded by their closest family and friends.

I’m truly touched and honored to be part of this organization.  -Linda 

Introducing.....

We are pleased to announce the newest addition to Amanda Rose Weddings! Meet Bentley, his title is Pet Social Director and his job responsibilities will be scheduling Yappy Hours and all other pet friendly activities. Here he is on his first day on the job, hard at work.

Stressed out before the big day? Let Yoga melt that stress away!

Dancing Dogs Yoga , a multi-disciplined Yoga studio located in Beaufort is now offering a wedding Yoga class!  What a great way to unwind before the big day!  Shelley Lowther, owner of Dancing Dogs Yoga, is offering the class, Zen and Zin, to brides and bridesmaids in the days leading up to their wedding.  Zen and Zin is a 45 minute class designed to help you relax and unwind, followed by a glass of wine.  The classes are customized to suit your needs; you can do a class for just the bride and groom, just the gals or your entire bridal party.  She can even do a gathering after the class where you enjoy wine and hors d' oeuvres.  For more information on the Zen and Zin session or on Dancing Dogs Yoga, please give Shelley a call at (843) 263-5864.  Namaste!

ECHO - Just for Fun group outing!

Last night we had a great time at the wine tasting at Island Winery!  Thanks to the staff there for the good food and great wine!  Everyone had a great time trying the different wines and mingling with our friends and colleagues.  Just a reminder, the next ECHO Just for Fun even is going to be Wednesday, May 26, 2010.  We will be doing a kayak tour with H2O Water Sports in Harbour Town!  The trip is from 5:30p.m. to 7:30p.m. and is free but we have to tip our tour guides.  Please RSVP to Linda or Ellen with Amanda Rose Weddings by Friday, May 21, 2010 so we can give the final count to H2O.  After the kayak trip the group will gather at the Quarterdeck for dinner and drinks.  Hope to see you all there!

ABC Luncheon

Yesterday we had a great turnout for the March Association of Bridal Consultants luncheon over at Haig Point on Daufuskie Island.  Many thanks to Kristen Ploehn, Private Events Director, and the staff at Haig Point for hosting such a fabulous event.  The weather could not have been more perfect!  We enjoyed a great boat ride to and from the club giving us the opportunity to mingle with some awesome wedding professionals. 

Chris Wray with Savannah Marketing gave a great presentation on Social Media and website management and A Floral Affair provided the lovely centerpieces for the tables.  A special thanks to Signe's Bakery for donating the yummy cookies and Chocolates by the Sea for showcasing their specialty chocolates.   Here are a few pictures from the event!

 

Beaufort Bridal Show - this Sunday!

Come out this Sunday, March 21, 2010 to the first annual Beaufort Bridal Show!  Vendors from all aspects of the wedding business will be in attendance showcasing their talent.  The event will be held at The Hilton Garden Inn from 12:00p.m. to 4:00p.m.  There will be ice carving demonstrations, a fashion show and you will be able to meet and mingle with some of the finest local wedding professionals in Beaufort.  For more information please call the Beaufort Hilton Garden Inn at  843-379-9800.  Amanda Rose Weddings will be taking part in this exciting wedding event so we hope to see you there!

An amazing few days of meetings...

Had an incredible 2 days in Charleston with Vanessa and Alex planning their

10/10/10 wedding. It’s going to be an elegant affair incorporating Vanessa's

Filipino and Alex's Russian cultures with a southern flair. Ceremony and

Hors d'oeuvres on the beach with a romantic roof top reception under the stars.

Lots of fun and interactive surprises planned for their guests. 

Emily just left; she is our 5/8/10 Old Sheldon Church and Richfield Plantation bride.

It's going to be a peachy affair.  LS

Salon 1050 e Grand Opening Party!

Come out tonight and tomorrow night for the Grand Opening of Salon 1050 e (formerly Vanessa's)!  They have officially opened and are inviting everyone to join them for a night of fun, shopping, friends and food.  Local vendors will be on hand so come prepared to shop!  Bring your friends, family, neighbors and co-workers to Salon 1050 e tonight and tomorrow night from 5p.m. to 10p.m.  Salon 1050 e is located in the Target shopping center just to the right of Staples.  See you there!

Simple and Elegant

A simple dress can be worn from day into night with the right pair of shoes (of course) and a little pop of color on the necklace. This Ann Taylor dress just says it all to me….simple elegance….love it.