Inspiration Board: Fabulous Wedding Shoes

It's that time of year for pedicures and pretty feet! Check out these fabulous shoe statements from various weddings...


{click on images to view photo credits}


Here's a photo from one of our weddings last year. This bride's shoes were so pretty! This photo was actually taken by the photographer in the bathroom of the Embassy Suites!

{Photo by Expressions Studio}

Shoes are a great way to reflect your personality and make a unique statement on your wedding day.  Don't forget to break in your wedding shoes prior to the wedding to avoid sore feet!

Party Time: The Ice Ball

We are so lucky that we have creative clients who want to throw awesome parties! Our private client came up with the concept of "The Ice Ball" in 2008 - a pro-Buffalo bash for mainly young professionals on New Year's Eve. We worked with him to create a winter-themed event incorporating ice sculptures, winter decor, interactive entertainment, music, drinks, and lots of fun! This past year's event was the second annual, and it was held at the now closed Statler Towers. In fact, The Ice Ball was the last public party held at the venue. Guests enjoyed an optional dinner preceding the party in the Rendezvous Room, and then moved into the Golden Ballroom for a party with close to 600 people. Distinctive Occasions LLC managed and decorated the entire event. Here are some photos from the evening by Terry Vine Photography:

By far, the coolest thing we have ever had the opportunity to do at an event took place at Midnight. We placed 6 giant confetti cannons around the room prior to the party. In fact, we hid them under high tables that guests used during the night. At Midnight, our staff wheeled them out and shot over 80 pounds of white confetti with sliver snowflakes into the air.

Here is a video showing the fabulous confetti white-out effect...

We had never attempted a special effect like this before, but it went off without a hitch and was the hit of the night. Special thanks to our staff members who had to spend the first few minutes of 2010 under the table operating the air tanks!

Lovely Umbrellas for your wedding day

No bride wants it to rain on her wedding day, but it is always best to be prepared in advance just in case Mother Nature doesn't want to cooperate. And when you can be prepared and carry vintage style umbrellas as gorgeous as these, you may just want to bring them along in nice weather as well to make a fabulous fashion statement! Bella Umbrella is based in Seattle, and they rent and sell parasols and umbrellas at very reasonable rates. They ship their products nationwide. Whatever your style, I would bet they have one to suit you! Check out these photos....

{Photo by Trendy Bride}

{Photo credit}

So many lovely designs, I don't know how you could choose just one!

Confetti: Win $1,000 in wedding invitations and stationery

Jean M is a great company that offers invitations, stationery, favors, accessories and more for your wedding. Their style is clean and contemporary, and they also offer stationery for the DIY bride. I am a big fan of their circular menu cards! They announced a sweepstakes today where one lucky couple can win $1000 in wedding invitations, stationery and a free consultation. To enter click here.

Wedding Ceremony Tip

If you are getting married soon, you may want to keep this important piece of advice in mind. Your left hand should be free of your engagement ring during the wedding ceremony so that your wedding band can be placed on your left ring finger, closest to your heart. If you can't bear to part with your engagement ring, you can simply wear it on your right hand for the ceremony, then put it back where it belongs afterwards. Or, you can have a family member or close friend keep it safe for you. Just another one of the endless details to consider! :)

{Photo from The Knot}

Real Weddings: Zack & Abby's Engagement Photos

Our clients, Zack & Abby live in Los Angeles, and they are getting married in Abby's hometown of Buffalo in September. They are planning a beautiful wedding at the Twentieth Century Club with lots of personal touches. Here are some photos from their engagement photo session that were taken at El Matador State Beach in Malibu. The photos were taken by John B. Mueller. Could this location be any more perfect for an engagement shoot?

Thanks Zack and Abby for sharing these beautiful photos and for bringing a bit of LA warmth to Buffalo!

Party Time: Roaring Twenties Party - Part 3

Today I wanted to share the final set of details and photos from our client's roaring twenties themed birthday party that was designed and coordinated by our team at Distinctive Occasions.


In addition to the fabulous decor and thematic elements detailed in previous posts, we added some fun, interactive elements incorporating actors and dancers.


Upon arrival, guests were required to give a password that was included with their invitation to a costumed actor through an opening in a real speakeasy door that was built to look like it was part of the wall.

{Photo by Knight Studio}

Guests were then "interrogated" by an actress gathering "dirt" on the birthday girl. Their interviews were videotaped and played back live on the TV later in the evening.

During cocktail hour, a costumed cigarette girl floated among the guests passing out these red glitter chocolate bonbons and fake cigarette holders. These bonbons are so yummy and sparkly!

{Photo by Knight Studio}

During the party, there were two mini "shows", where professional dancers in flapper costumes danced the Charleston and a medley from the musical "Chicago". They also danced with the guests and taught them some dance moves from the period.

{Photos by Terry's Photo Studio}

And what Roaring Twenties theme party would be complete without a police raid? Towards the end of the party, we had costumed actors acting as policeman try to break up the party. We even rented a "bubble light" that flashed when they arrived.

It's always great when we have the opportunity to carry a theme through every aspect of the party. From the invitations to the decor, to the interactive elements, the music and the thematic elements, this party was infused with 1920's style. I think this is a party our special birthday girl will remember for a long time to come!