The Interactive Wedding:: Caricature Artists

There is one thing that brides with big budgets and brides with small budgets have in common, they want their guests to have a wonderful time. They want them to walk away from their wedding and consider it a memorable event. Over the next couple of weeks I'll post about how you can get your guests involved in the wedding festivities. There are some ways that are budget busters and then there are others that will not break the bank.

Having a caricature artist is one of those fun little touches that will get your guests talking to one another and having a great time. Caricature artists are normally booked by the hour and can be used at your rehearsal dinner, cocktail hour or even your reception. So if you are looking for something to keep your guests entertained while they wait for you guys at the reception, this may be a great idea for you.

Caricature courtesy of Joel Kweskin, Caricatures by Joel, Charlotte, NC

Dressing the new First Lady

Monique Lhuillier

I am in love with the fashion style of our new First Lady, Michelle Obama, like many people are. As expected everyone is bidding to dress her for the big events on January 20, 2009, namely the Inaugural Ball. A few designers, Monique Lhuillier, Reem Acra, Badgley Mischka and Carolina Herrera, who are known for there absolutely stunning wedding gowns, are also throwing their sketches in as well to be hopefully chosen by Mrs.Obama.

Here are the beautiful designs. I'm still unable to decide upon a favorite. They are all so beautiful. Take a look at the other sketches for Michelle Obama as well as Malia and Sasha at WWD Fashion. So many beautiful choices.

Photos credit WWD Fashion

Carolina Herrera



Badgley Mischka



Reem Acra

Couture Boudoir Contest from Critsey Rowe

Well it has been awhile since I have posted, but I am now back into the swing of things. Thanks to all of you who have continued to check back!

To start things off I have to post a very exciting contest that I'm sure brides-to-be out there are going to love. I know the men in their life will definitely love this! Actually, you may have read about it by now, but just in case you have not seen it on your reader here is the contest: A Couture Boudoir Photo Session from the wonderful Critsey Rowe! Here are the details:

The winner will receive a luxurious Couture Boudoir session to include a Custom Designed Couture Boudoir Album with the session photos. The session includes a fabulous Hair and Makeup Stylist to create different looks throughout the shoot and many wardrobe changes. A $100 lingerie gift card. A 4 day 3 night stay for two at one of the Couture Boudoir tour locations (see website for tour details)

To enter, submit the following to critsey@critseyrowe.com

-A short story about you and your guy

-Two photos of yourself

-Your name, location and phone number.

Boudoir is the hottest trend in Bridal Photography. This would be a fabulous gift for you and your guy! Married ladies are welcome to enter! Valentines is just around the corner - what a great surprise!

Contest ends on December 15th and the winner will be announced on the Couture Boudoir website.

Sponsors are:

The Bridal ShowCase

Joni lineberger Stylist

Best Wedding Blogs



If you have been watching My Fair Wedding, Critsey has been the photographer for a few of the shows. Take a look at her blog to see some of the beautiful photographs. If you are unsure of what Boudoir photography is here is are a few photos to give you an idea!

My Past Couple of Weeks

Well, I haven't posted in a couple of weeks, but I promise I have a good reason. Here he is!! My baby, Reginald Devon Butts, Jr aka J.R. was born on October 20th at 9lbs and 1oz and I have been extremely busy with him and my three year old. I will be posting more regularly in the weeks to come. I have a lot of exciting things planned for the blog in the upcoming months so keep checking back. I just wanted to assure you that I have not been purposely neglecting the blog, it has just been a busy couple of weeks!

Portrait Sessions in Uptown Charlotte

Cheyenne Schultz Photography has teamed up with The Beautiful Mess to offer portrait sessions in Uptown Charlotte on November 9th. Hurry and schedule your session before November 1st at portraitsintheparknc@gmail.com or call (704) 421-2014.

Finally the Project Runway Finale!

This is the second season of Project Runway that I have watched and I must say I am so excited to see the finale tonight! The final three designers, Leeann, Korto, and Kenley have definitely brought some creative designs and sometimes over the top designs. I was torn between Leeann and Korto, but I have decided I am pulling for Korto to win. Her style just speaks to me and it would love to see what type of collection she would design with the prize money. It really is interesting to see how the designers are able to create ready to wear garments in hours. Each of them has such amazing talent. I keep asking myself, how did I not learn to sew??

Here are some of my favorite designs from this season.




Images from Bravo TV

Your Beauty Treatment Checklist

There are so many wedding checklists out there for brides to use so they do not forget anything. But, you will hardly find a list of beauty treatments that you should do before your wedding. I stumbled upon this wonderful synopsis of what you should be doing in regards to your wedding day beauty before you walk down the aisle. Traci Fein, owner of Fine Makeup Art based out of the Chicago area, gives some excellent points on her website. This post is one worth saving, so print this one out and put it in your binders.

"My advice for brides before their wedding day is to have all beauty treatments, like facials, done at least 2 weeks to 10 days before your wedding day. This will give the skin a chance to calm down, and prevent any "surprises" on the day of your wedding. Do not use any new products in the days right before the wedding. Start planning your beauty regime well in advance.

-Makeup artists should be tried, and tested well in advance of the wedding. As with hairstyles and hairstylists. Many stylists are booked as much as six months in advance.

-Get a massage the week before your wedding. Not only will this relax you, but it will help flush any toxins from your body and rev up circulation. Great for the skin!

-Avoid tanning beds in the days right before the wedding. Make sure that any tan lines you have will not show when you wear your wedding dress. Work on getting rid of tan lines before your wedding. Heavily tanned skin does not show makeup as well, or photograph as well. Not to mention the damage to your skin. If you choose to tan, do it in moderation.

-Remove any jewelry you will not be wearing on your wedding day. You don't want the tell-tale marks (or the tan line) of the ring or watch, you never take off, on your hands. The focus should be on "the" ring.

-Moisturize your skin. Find a good skin care professional and get a moisturizer and eye cream best suited to your skin type. Use them daily.

-Exfoliate your face and body. In the weeks before your wedding, start a regime of exfoliating your skin. Find a good facial scrub (like honey almond) and a good body scrub - there are many good ones to choose from. This will keep your skin smooth and soft. Great prep for makeup application.

-Do not eat salty foods, or drink too much alcohol the night before your wedding, as this may cause puffiness around the eyes and face. Drink plenty of water to keep your skin well hydrated. If puffiness around the eyes is a problem, reach for chamomile tea bags that have been refrigerated overnight, and place them over your eyes.

-Get plenty of rest and try to sleep on your back with head slightly elevated. This will prevent any fluids from collecting around the eye sockets.

-Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing the day of your wedding. Avoid elastic on sleeves, or any area of your body that will show beyond your wedding dress. If your dress is strapless, do not wear undergarments that will leave a mark. Sometimes these take hours to fade.

-It is a good idea to carry a powder compact, lipstick, lip pencil and blush in a small bridal bag during the reception - for touch-ups, as needed. I also recommend carrying facial blotting paper to control shine. This will cut down the amount of times you need to apply powder on your face, and prevent your makeup from looking too caked or powdered.

-Please arrive in the makeup chair with no makeup. If you must wear some, make it minimal. The less rubbing and makeup removal we do before the application, the better. If you are considering wearing false eyelashes the day of your wedding, please bring them to the trial run through."

Excellent Advice! I'm so glad I found this!

Image by Cheyenne Schultz Photography

Tagged Again

I've been tagged again and this time it's from Katasha at K Sherrie+Company! I really don't know how much more I can reveal about myself. I can't say I'm that interesting! :) But here is my list.

Four things I did today:
1. I went to church today with my family. Which we do every Sunday.
2. Told about 20 people when the baby was due. Because of course I'm asked that a hundred times everywhere I go. :)
3. I finished centerpieces for an event on this upcoming Saturday.
4. Had pancakes for lunch! My husband Reggie's specialty! :)

Four things on my to-do list:
1. Clean my desk!!!!!!!!!!
2. Pick up a restaurant gift certificate for an upcoming NACE fundraiser.
3. Go to my final doctor's appointment on Monday! One week left.
4. Confirm rental order for Saturday's event.

Four of my guiltiest pleasures:
1. The Young and The Restless. :)Everyday. So I think that counts for all 4 plus 1!

Four random facts about me:
1. I secretly want to look like Edyta from Dancing with the Stars! I'll be purchasing her DVD after the baby is born and I will make my best attempt! :)
2. I am a member of a book club with some girls from church. I love my girls!
3. I work best under pressure. It's something I've been trying to break for years, but I do my best work when time is ticking!
4. I always have about 10 shows on my DVR to watch. My life rarely allows me to watch live tv.

Now, I have to tag 4 more people. Hmmmm, who may want to play. Well let's try some NC ladies:

The ladies at Weddings and the City
Alyse at A Perfect Engagement
Nicole at Queen City Bride
Stacey at Kiss The Bride