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Queen of Hearts Blog
Big Girls DO Cry!
by Mark Kingsdorf, MBC
Let’s face it; the wedding industry hasn’t been very friendly to Plus Sized women!
Gowns are cut much smaller than ready to wear, so an average sized woman who wears a 12 in ready to wear might now be a 14 or 16…
Fuller figured women trying on a sample in a salon might be forced to try on the sample size 10, where it might not come within 6-8 inches of closing
Finding gowns off the rack or samples in Plus Sizes can be far and few between
Not to mention that many of our colleagues in film and photography often only showcase stereotypical‘perfect’, ‘pretty’ brides.
In steps Shafonne Meyers, owner and Editor of The Perfect Pear Bride! The first blog and magazine dedicated to the Plus Size Bride! I had the pleasure of hanging out with Shafonne in Atlanta at and association of Bridal Consultants Regional Conference to learn how this wedding planner turned blogger came up with this amazing idea.
‘My wedding was great but being a plus size bride was extremely hard, there were absolutely NO, plus size brides portrayed on any of the wedding sites, blogs or magazines. And from the family side I was constantly told to lose weight or I wasn’t going to be able to fit in my gown, so that just added to the fuel. For me, I had to just deal with it because I had no outlet but the longer I spent in the wedding industry; blogging and being a wedding planner the more I thought “This is not right, something needs to be done”.’
This AMAZING site showcases beautiful brides who are plus sized, full figured, curvy and ‘fluffy’ (I love that term as I have a friend who calls herself ‘fluffy’ and I’m a bit fluffy myself), products you’ll never find anywhere else, Real Wedding and great design inspiration.
Be sure to check them out at: www.prettypearbride.com
And follow them on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/prettypearbride
GREAT job Shafonne! BRAVA!
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Who Are You?
We want to hear from you!
Recently we were having a conversation with a bride-to-be about her wedding invitations…specifically the monogram on her invitation.
We hear of more and more couples using their new ‘married’ monogram on save the date’s or invitations…
Technically and according to traditional etiquette, a new couple’s ‘married’ monogram is not to be used until after they are married – at the wedding reception… as a gobo projected on a wall, on your menu cards or on cocktail napkins.
It is appropriate to use each of your first names at any time…
However a traditional ‘married’ monogram for a couple…
{Bride’s first initial in a slightly smaller font, Groom’s last name initial in the center in a slightly larger font followed by the grooms first initial in a slightly smaller font}
…doesn't exist until after you are married!
So, did you use your ‘married’ monogram before your wedding?
Is it an etiquette issue your worried about?
Is it bad luck?
Discuss.
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Our 1st List of Philly’s TOP Wedding Pros!
by Mark L. Kingsdorf, MBC
REALLY?
I wish it were truly THAT easy –
Couples come to The Queen of Hearts Wedding Consultants for more than a list of a couple wedding professionals we might have worked with, did an OK job, stayed out of the way and didn't complain too much…
They come to us because we have the pulse on the Philadelphia wedding market, we meet with everyone before we refer them, check them out on line, see what the buzz is in the area about what kind of job they do.
We’re out at networking events, association meetings and meeting people with new products and services; we know whose service may have slipped and who’s a rising star.
Most importantly, our job is to make you your own personalized list of the TOP wedding professionals and venues FOR YOU!
People ask me all the time what our favorite place is for weddings! What kind of wedding? Center City? , Jersey shore? Rustic / Outdoor? 150 people or 350 people? We have LOTS of favorites… question is which one is available for you, in your budget and the best fit for your needs…
We prescreen each professional you need for Price, Product, Personality and Availability – the best wedding professional in the region is no good for you if they are too expensive or not available.
When you are looking for a customized planning experience; call our office at 267-251-7786 and lets us talk to you about a customized planning calendar, a customized budget and customized referrals of the best wedding professionals in the region for your needs, taste and budget.
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Put A Ring On It – #2
by Mark Kingsdorf, MBC
Several years ago we reached out to local photographers and asked them to share some of their favorite wedding ring images with us…we got them to share lots of interesting images from their clients weddings {not necessarily our weddings}…check out our original blog post – "Put A Ring On It"
We decided it was time to ask again and we LOVED what we got a s a response.
Andrew Graham Todes Photography
{our Bride, Lauren!}
Julia + Tom, A Summertime Rittenhouse Hotel Wedding
By Rebecca Richman
Julia and Tom were married at the Rittenhouse Hotel last year on a beautiful summer day. Julia and her mom planned with me long distance and we were so happy to be part of Julia's special day. Huge thanks to all of the wedding professionals who partnered with us on this beautiful event:
Rittenhouse Hotel
Nicole Polk Photography
Eventricity Event Design
EBE Paris
Paper, Rock, Scissors
Bella Angel
Apollo Productions
Let Them Eat Cake 2013
by Mark L. Kingsdorf, MBC
I have been truly blessed to be part of Let Them Eat Cake, benefiting City of Hope for the last 8 years.
This year’s event will help everyone make April 15th just a little sweeter.
Let Them Eat Cake was co-founded by City of Hope’s Senior Director of Development, and my dear friend, Harry Giordano and I. I had participated in an event City of Hope sponsored and wanted to host a fundraiser and to find a way to incorporate my two loves – Weddings and Food. This event has been dedicated to the memory of my mother, Lois who loved a good piece of wedding cake. We lost my mother to breast cancer in the mid 1980’s.
Let Them Eat Cake is Philadelphia’s premier wedding cake competition – local pastry professionals and students are judged on their design, how well it fits into that year’s theme, their technique and decorating skills as well as on the taste of the product they produce. And attendees get to sample all of the cakes presented
This year’s celebrity judge is pastry chef, Ron Ben-Israel of Food Networks Sweet Genius. Ron will head a team of local chefs, food critics, bloggers and celebrities.
This year’s event will be a little bittersweet for me. As many of you know I’ll be relocating to Orlando in the near future and while I’ll be working behind the scenes at Queen of Hearts; this may be my last year with Let Them Eat Cake {however Harry promises to fly me back on his air miles!}
I’m urging all of our pastry chef friends in the region to participate to make this year’s event bigger and better.
To all of our couples, couples we have worked with in the past 13 year at Queen of Hearts, colleagues , friends in the industry, family and friends – I’d LOVE to see all of you before heading off to Florida and this may be the last big industry event before the move…
Please come out and support this AMAZING event – we’d LOVE to see you!
{P.S.. – there are still spaces available for competitors!}
Merci New York!
We’re very excited that our clients Danielle and Dea had their beautiful wedding featured recently on Merci New York – , the popular wedding blog for the "chic and stylish New York City bride".
This beautiful, very personal wedding took place The Franklin Institute in the planetarium.
Congratulations to Rebecca Richman and her team on this stunning, very unique wedding.
Be sure to read who whole feature and see more images at: Merci New York
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All Dressed Up!
Recently our local NACE (National Association of Catering and Events) chapter held its annual gala; a 1920’s speakeasy theme and nearly everyone was going “Black Tie”
Admittedly, my weight fluctuates up and down, I like to pick some different looks for events and because of this I don’t own my own tuxedo.
My ‘go to’ guy personally and professionally is Jimmy Buchakjian from Sagets Formal Wear –
Personally – I know that regardless of how much weight I’ve gained that their customized tailoring will make me look professional and well put together.
Professionally –they have amazing service to keep your guys coming in from out of town organized in in the right sized tuxedos, they offer pick up after the wedding at many locations across the regions – which is HUGE when everyone is flying off the day after the wedding…
And, they are the “wedding day specialist” – Jimmy offers a great service where they come to wherever the guys are getting ready, get them all suited up, fix any minor tweaks they might need and keep them organized and on time.
They are a pleasure to work with and if he can keep me looking good; just think what he can do for your guys!
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Sareh Nouri Trunk Show
Our friends at Nicole Bridal in Jenkintown , PA will be featuring a trunk show by Sareh Nouri New York – Bridal Gowns and Sashes this Saturday, March 16th.
We love the STUNNING gowns in their Spring 2013 collection
We’ve worked with Marina and her family at Nicole Bridal for years and their personal service and attention to detail are unrivaled.
Call them to make an appointment to see these AMAZING gowns – (215) 886-2333
Nicole Bridal – 261 Old York Rd Jenkintown, PA 19046
Be sure to check out some of the beautiful bouquets provided by our team at Eventricity!
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Megan + Michael- Wedding at Terrain at Styers
By: Rebecca Richman
This wedding is the truest testament to how the small details can serve as a reflection of the bride and groom. The groom being an artist wanted to get hands on with all of the wedding day details, everything from the paint by numbers invitations to the paint by numbers cake and the paint chip escort cards. I'm going to let these pictures speak for themselves and just thank all who were involved with this beautiful day…
Terrain at Styers
Love Me Do Photography
Sullivan Owen Floral and Event Design
Cutting Edge Entertainment
Charm City Cakes
Paint by Numbers Wedding Invitation
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