Dynamite Weddings Workshop!

Thanks to all the Dynamite Experts that participated in the Dynamite Weddings Workshop last Sunday! The brides have given the event great reviews so far, saying things like: "This workshop/class setup beats a regular bridal expo any day. The "hands-on" learning in the workshop, and learning from experts in-person provide a great head start for wedding planning. It was much better than reading advice from a magazine!"

The brides loved the themed tables:

Zen Garden
(flowers by Lilygrass Fresh Flower Design, storyboard by The Memory Journalists, table cards by Stephanie J Designs, dress from Bella Donna Bridal Salon, all tabletop items and chairs from Celebrations! Elegant Party Rentals)
Funky Chic
((flowers by Visual Impact Design, storyboard by Profinish Design, table cards by Stephanie J Designs, dress from Bella Donna Bridal Salon, all tabletop items and chairs from Celebrations! Elegant Party Rentals)
Current Trends
(flowers by Flourish Designs, storyboard by Dynamite Weddings, table cards by Stephanie J Designs, dress from Bella Donna Bridal Salon, all tabletop items and chairs from Celebrations! Elegant Party Rentals)
Outdoor Chic
(flowers by Visual Impact Design, storyboard by Allison Stahl Photography, table cards by Stephanie J Designs, dress from Bella Donna Bridal Salon, all tabletop items and chairs from Celebrations! Elegant Party Rentals)
Sparkling Glam

(flowers by Blooms by Martha Andrews, storyboard by Sharpe Photographers, table cards by Stephanie J Designs, dress from Bella Donna Bridal Salon, all tabletop items and chairs from Celebrations! Elegant Party Rentals)
Thanks to The Memory Journalists for capturing great photos throughout the event!

Trend - White Knight

Doesn't your white knight deserve a classic white boutonniere to compliment his striking appearance? Check out these timeless pieces.

Photo courtesy of Martha Stewart Weddings

Contact our dynamite florists today to discuss your bouquet and boutonniere options:

Blooms by Martha Andrews
Flourish
Lilygrass Fresh Flower Design
Visual Impact Design

Trend - Designs Aren't Just For Florals

Flowers aren't the only thing welcome in a bouquet or centerpiece any more! Many brides and grooms are opting to include other elements that make them unique: twigs, thistle, moss, branches, leaves, feathers, jewels, monkey tails, berries, etc. There are so many options. Don't limit yourself to seasonal blooms. Ask your florist what other elements they can include to make your floral designs one of a kind.

Check out a few samples from our Dynamite florists: Blooms by Martha Andrews, Flourish, Lilygrass and Visual Impact Design

Photos by The Memory Journalists and Flourish

A Special Bouquet of Dynamite Florists!

We just wanted to say thanks to our Dynamite florists for their generous efforts in creating stunning, unique floral designs for all our events! You always exceed our expectations and continue to impress DW readers and event visitors as well. A big thanks to Blooms by Martha Andrews, Flourish, Lilygrass Fresh Flower Design and Visual Impact Design.

Photos provided by The Memory Journalists & Sarah Maren Photography

Bridal Floral Expose...An Intimate Affair

Saturday, January 10th
5:00pm to 9:00pm
Visual Impact Design
1729 L Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
916-489-3746 or 916-443-2600

Are you getting married soon or know someone who is planning their wedding? Come join us at Visual Impact Design for a unique Bridal show with live models, extraordinary floral bouquets, appetizers and desserts, music and professionals available for questions and information.

It's free. And it's conveniently taking place on 2nd Saturday, January 10th from 5:00pm to 9:00 at 1729 L Street. See you there!

Thanks To You!

Thanks to you all who came out to see us at the Premier Wedding Show making it such a success! We truly appreciate the support and hope that we reached a few new brides that hadn't yet had a chance to check out Dynamite Weddings! Hopefully you got to see all the fantastic vendors that participated and possibly recognized a few of them from Dynamite Weddings.

We also want to send a special thanks to the Premier Wedding Show for inviting Dynamite Weddings to participate. Here are the other Dynamite Vendors that participated in the show:

Bella Donna Bridal Salon

Celebrations! Elegant Party Rentals

Luxury Limousines of Sacramento

Music on the Move

Sharpe Photographers

Sheffield Multimedia (hard at work)

Stephanie J Designs

The Memory Journalists

Visual Impact Design

Disclaimer: None of the Dynamite Weddings photogs took these pics. NJ did.
Note to self-Ask DW photogs to take pics next time and stay far away from camera. ;P

Don't Miss the Premier Wedding Show

Don't miss out on the first major bridal show of the new year in the Sacramento area. The Premier Wedding Show takes place on Sunday, January 4th, 2009 at Arden Hills Resort Club & Spa. This bridal show includes many premium vendors, a fashion show

You can't beat this event at a prestigious location with complimentary parking and $10 admission. Register in advance and receive a discount and avoid waiting in line to register at the show.

Show time is 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Come visit Dynamite Weddings in the Heritage Room and chat with other Dynamite professionals present throughout the event:

Bella Donna Bridal Salon
Luxury Limousines
Music on the Move
Sharpe Photographers
Sheffield Mutimedia
Stephanie J Designs
The Memory Journalists
Visual Impact Design

See you on Sunday!!

Photo provided by Premier Wedding Show

Fall For Love - Guest Blog Post For Wishpot

With Fall on the brain, it's hard not to get wrapped up in all the amazing colors and fun you can have! We recently submitted a blog post for Wishpot's wedding blog and included lots of cool, colorful pics and some awesome favors. Check out the blog post here.Don't forget to vote for Wishpot in the 2nd Annual Open Web Awards, Social Shopping category. We just did!

Photos courtesy of (row by row): The Memory Journalists (www.memoryjournalists.com), Blooms by Martha Andrews (www.bloomsbymarthaandrews.com), Allison Stahl Photography (www.allisonstahl.com), Allison Stahl Photography, The Memory Journalists, The Memory Journalists (florals by Visual Impact Design(www.visualimpact-design.com), Allison Stahl Photography, Sarah Maren Photography(www.sarahmaren.com), The Memory Journalists, The Memory Journalists, Flourish(www.flourishdesigns.com), The Memory Journalists, Flourish, The Memory Journalists

Dynamite Vendors Collaborate!

One of our dynamite photogs shot a wedding last week at the Sacramento Grand Ballroom and was lucky enough to team up with a few other dynamite vendors for an amazing wedding. Click on the image to check out the blog post that Jennifer got up the next day! Awesome. Congrats to Melanie and Tim!Kudos to:

Jen, Teresa, Kelly and Tina (not pictured) from The Memory Journalists
Phill with Sheffield Multimedia
Mike Regan with MR DJ Service
Cathy (not pictured) with Visual Impact
John with Profinish Design

All outstanding vendors who deserve your attention! Look at these hams!!

Real Dynamite Wedding - Dan & Elisa

Dan & Elisa Bryant - The String to His Heart

Elisa and Dan's meeting was provoked. Dan had recently finished the Ironman World Championships and a self proclaimed break from dating. His buddies were participating in a SWAT demonstration at the school where Elisa taught and one of them noticed Elisa, or should we say her "gear". Leonard told Dan, "you have to ask this girl out...she had an REI Polar Tec 100 jacket." Dan was skeptical at first until Steve agreed. Dan thought why not...so the following day he left this message, "I'm Dan Bryant, I'm a friend of Jamie Jones, a teacher at your school and she gave me your number. I was just wondering if you would like to meet?" No return call. Two days later, talking to his friends, Dan found out the reason he hadn't heard back from Elisa. Jamie's last name wasn't Jones and she no longer worked at the school. Realizing that he may now be know as the "creepy stalker", he thought one more call to explain himself and get another chance may be in order. He called and she agreed to meet him. They met at a local brewery in Sacramento and learned a valuable lesson: Persistence may be needed when the right girl is wearing a Tec 100!

The Engagement
Dan was taking Elisa out to dinner to celebrate her completion of the portfolio for her National Teaching Credential. Elisa arrived at Dan's to find his door wide open. She went inside and there was a note on the table that said to follow the string through the house since "she holds the string to his heart". The string lead through the house and in each room was a note attached to an object. Each note told how each object reminded him of their relationship and memories over the last year. There were four notes in the kitchen, one in the dining room, three in the living room, and one in each bedroom; it was one big piece of string through the whole house. The end of the string was in the bedroom. Dan was standing there dressed to the nines in a spiffy suit. Dan rambled off what he thought came out as just garbled mushy wonderful sentiments and then got down on one knee and asked Elisa to marry him...with a ring pop. She said yes of course! He stood up and gave her his grandmother's ring. He read Elisa a letter he wrote describing the history behind the ring and his amazing grandmother. Dan treated Elisa to an elaborate three course meal at the Firehouse Restaurant that night. It was an original, unforgettable evening!

The Big Day (June 21, 2008)
Elisa and Dan's special day started at the Rocklin Park Hotel with the girls all getting ready in the couple's honeymoon suite. The fellas were getting ready in a nearby room waiting for the departure time to Morgan Creek Country Club. Elisa's amazing dress was complimented nicely by her "something blue", her shoes! The ceremony was decorated in celadon green and shades of pale yellow with beautiful chivari chairs and a columned alter, overlooking the calm lake at Morgan Creek. You can see from the pictures, Elisa was anxious to get down the aisle with her dad and meet Dan's comforting smile. The reception was A BLAST! Each table was decorated with table card names for triathalons and bike races that Dan has participated in. Live music was provided by The Time Bandits, a kid's table was set up in the corner with color crayons, dum-dums, playdough and a big paper table cloth for the kid's to decorate, and the breeze in the night air cooled off the hot June summer day.

Ceremony/Reception Location: Morgan Creek Golf & Country Club
Coordinator: Heather Johanson @ Morgan Creek
Photographer: The Memory Journalists
Officiant: Pastor Mike Walton, Lutheran Church of the Cross
Bridal Gown: Bella Donna Bridal Salon
Bridesmaids Dresses: Ann Taylor, Arden Fair Mall
Invitations: Paper Garden
Bakery: Dulce Delights, Stephanie George
Florist: Visual Impact
Reception Music: The Time Bandits, Bay Area

Trend - Personalize Your Flowers

Brides and grooms are making their wedding their own. Adding personality to the special day is very popular. Select flowers and accessories to complement you as a couple (jewels, unique colored flowers, pearls, greenery, herbs, etc.).

Trend provided by Visual Impact Design
Photo courtesy of Sarah Maren Photography

Tip - Categorize Your Wedding Flowers

Ordering flowers for your wedding can be overwhelming. Most people have never ordered so many detailed arrangements at one time. It is best to relax and remember that a professional florist with wedding knowledge will anticipate these issues and take you through the course of needed arrangements with tender gloves. The easiest way to begin is to separate the wedding into categories: Personals, Ceremony, Cocktail Reception, and Reception. This allows you to prioritize your wedding florals according to your wants and needs. It also creates an outline that can be revised as the wedding flows into place. The planning process is like lasagna, it happens in layers. Wedding plans are never complete with one thought or inspiration. So prior to your consultation, jot down the needs in each of the above categories. This will expedite your nuts and bolts discussion and allow more time for creative inspirations to flow.

Tip provided by Visual Impact Design
Photo courtesy of Sharpe Photographers

Trend - Monochromatic Or Solid Florals

Wedding flowers with lots of color is still very popular. Reds, oranges, greens, pinks are bright and beautiful. Monochromatic looks are still trendy as well. Consider using alternating solid colors for your centerpieces -- select red for some of your tables and orange or pink for the others. Another option to consider is to use color a theme. You can select a single color that will appear in different shades throughout the entire event. This effect is very powerful and very classy! Any of the bright tones work well in this theme as well as the whites and creams. Color is very personal so select a color that you like and feel comfortable being surrounded by during your special day.

Trend provided by Visual Impact Design
Photo courtesy of Sarah Maren Photography

Tip - Be Flexible With Florals

Flexibility is the key to getting the best flowers for the season at the best price. Start by selecting a floral designer based on their previous work and referrals from other brides – this will give you the comfort you need to trust the designer. During the consultation process, allow the designer to suggest flowers or hard goods. The designer may suggest something that had never come to your mind. It never hurts to open your mind to new ideas -- you may love them.
Broaden your horizon so you can get all the options possible for your time of year and budget. Keep in mind that some flowers are not available all year long; however, a good designer can offer substitutes that look similar.

Tip provided by Visual Impact Design
Photo courtesy of The Memory Journalists

Trend - Floral Texture

The look of texture in flowers is really popular and continues to show very well. Flowers creating the texture have become more exotic including cymbidium orchids, james story orchids, and dendrobium orchids along with accents such as cosmos, uluhe, kermits, floral pods, safari sunset, herbs and many more. Have fun mixing and matching.
Trend provided by Visual Impact Design
Photo courtesy of The Memory Journalists

Tip - Get Florals Finalized Two Weeks Prior

Be prepared to have all the floral details wrapped up two weeks prior to your wedding. Flowers are typically ordered by this time, the wheels are in motion, and you don’t need to worry about this category any more.
Because you have been on schedule with your florist, and the pre-planning is complete, you should be ready to release this to the florist and start to enjoy the wedding.

Tip provided by Visual Impact Design
Photo courtesy of The Memory Journalists

Trend - Simple Elegance in Florals

Centerpiece design has become very eclectic and creative. It is best to elect either short or tall centerpieces for your tables so that they don’t impede guests from having conversations across the table. Brides are selecting centerpieces will inversion style and pave style glass pieces. Simple elegance can be achieved by using a single beautiful blossom. This style remains a favorite especially paired with interesting candles or satellite pieces. Most brides are choosing styles that are clean and elegant, and, sophisticated and classy.

Trend provided by Visual Impact Design
Photo courtesy of Sarah Maren Photography

Tip - Florals For Your Budget

Remember to consider the flowers when calculating your wedding budget. Flowers can add the finishing touch and blend all the elements of the wedding beautifully. It is wise to consult a professional floral designer early in your planning process so that there is an opportunity to achieve the artistic look you are trying to achieve. Floral designers can help to select the best floral for the environment and style and they can also advise you on how to achieve the best floral for your budget.

Tip provided by Visual Impact Design
Photo courtesy of The Memory Journalists

Tip - Floral Themes

How do you come up with a theme?
Easy. Start with an inspiration piece. It could be as simple as a color, or as complex as your Grandmother’s lace pattern on her tablecloth. A good designer will be able to direct you towards flowers and styles that enhance your theme. It is amazing how many complete themes have come into fruition by a single inspiration piece. Brides can actually walk away and have a good picture in their mind’s-eye of the finished product. Very exciting stuff!

Tip provided by Visual Impact Designs

Trends - How Will You Dress Your Flowers?

Most brides are still opting for hand tied bouquets.

However, there are other options to consider -- satin wraps, bouquet art on the stems, French wrap, different colors and patterns of ribbons on the stems and exposed stems.

Brides are still opting for a rounded style bouquet versus the cascade bouquet from years passed. Texture and softer shapes are the trends for the season. Trendy brides are selecting a slight teardrop shape bouquet -- considered a slight step away from the ball shape.

Clean stems are always popular, such as calla lilies and tulips. These bouquets have a more elongated feel and are increasingly popular for a more simple design.

Trend provided by Visual Impact Designs

Photo courtesy of The Memory Journalists