Do or Don't: A New Years Eve Wedding

Style Me Pretty posted the following blog about a New Years Eve Wedding... agree or disagree?

"There is no time like New Year’s Eve to say I DO. It is the perfect evening for fabulous cocktail attire, glitz and glam and the excitement of new beginnings. So in honor of this festive eve, we are going to share some perfectly glamorous, whole-heartedly chic wedding inspiration that pairs beautifully with a little black dress and some bubbly." - Style Me Pretty

The Look

An Ohio University graduate & Denver resident shares her talent and tips on maping out your perfect invitation look.

Carrie: I love wedding trends that are unique to each couple, expressing a personal touch in every piece, from the save the dates to the place cards. Whether your wedding is in the spring or fall, indoors or out, New Year’s Eve or Fourth of July, your design collateral will represent you and your special day.
Here are some tips to get your ideas flowing. First, start by gathering sources of inspiration such as colors, flowers or patterns from your dress—anything you find interesting during the different stages of your wedding planning. Next, create a list of the different printed items (save the date, invitation, response cards, menus, etc.) that you'll need. Sometimes it can be hard to put into words what you are looking for, and an easier way may be to make a list of things you don't want or like. While not necessary, these inspirations and lists are great items to give to your designer to help speed up the decision-making process and production.

Feel free to contact Carrie by email or phone.Carrie.L.McFarland@gmail.com 330.904.0501

Shop Style ~ Gifts for the Bride

For those of you that find yourself with multiple weddings on your calendar, I am sure you can relate to this challenge. Every wedding comes with minimally 2 pre-events, bridal shower & bacehlorette party. Both of these events require gifts, and coming up with something unique for each can be daunting. Here is an idea that is unique, affordable, and sentimental. The bride-to-be can use the personalized hanger for her wedding dress or lingerie, and every time she sees it handing in her closet in years to come she will think of her wedding day!

Snapshot! Alison Vagnini Photography

About Ali ~ "I love capturing love."


It's the subtle moments between me, my camera and the subject that I enjoy getting most. I guess I'd say my photography is 'candid,' but in a very artistic and intuitive way. Natural light creates those moments to come alive - I live for fabulous light. I live in the Highlands outside of downtown Denver, CO with my boyfriend and dog, Hank. I am an avid climber, cook and love to play with my 2-year-old nephew
A few wedding blips that I will never forget : Always, always, always - the Ring Bearer picks his little nose, I just think it's the cutest thing. I have also seen a few choreographed dances by the Bride and Groom - always impressive and fabulous.














Tips on choosing a photographer : I always think about why would I want someone to choose me to capture one of their most important days in their lives. To put it simply; trust. I think trusting in a photographer where you know they will show up on your wedding day in a professional manner to capture those hysterical laughs the groomsmen share with one another while enjoying their tasty whiskey to take the edge off pre-ceremony or the little flower girls getting ready with the bridesmaids, or even that moment where the three generations of grandparents and parents are watching their little boy or girl walking down the aisle. You want someone to cover the day with grace and in a tasteful manner.



~I welcome phone calls, emails, facebook messages or even snail mail - but I'd love to get in touch with any lovely couples who want their special days captured.

Email: alivagnini@gmail.com
Phone: 330.347.3732
Website/Blog : www.alisonvagnini.com

Shop Style ~ Outfit Advice... Rehearsal Dinner

Two options from two of my most fashionable friends... which outfit would you wear?!

Girly Glam by Shauna Dutcher



J.Crew Linen/Silk Bustier Dress, Kate Spade 'lora' heels @ Nordstrom, J.Crew 'Crystal Patch' Earrings, Forever 21 Glitter Clutch

Feminine Flirty by Katie Wolfe

ASOS Premium- Tulip Corsage One-Shoulder dress (asos.com), Michael Kors- Pressley Platform, ASOS- Croc Effect Tuck Lock Clutch (asos.com), Heirloom Deco Bracelet - Stella & Dot (www.stelladot.com)

Shop Style ~ Outfit Advice... so many outfits, so little time!

Bridal showers... engagement parties.. bachelorette parties... OH MY!

Often our brides are too busy to scour the Internet to find the perfect outfit for one or all of the celebrations they will be attending during their engagement year. And being that these soirees are held in their honor it is important for a bride to look her best!

In order to help, I have asked some of my most fashionable friends to pull together outfits for various wedding related occasions. So, if you are the bride herself, friend-of-the-bride, sister-of-the-bride, and so on, we hope you will find our "Outfit Advice" helpful!

Summer Wedding Shower - styled by Katie Wolfe




Kookai- Cornelli Halter Dress www.asos.com

Franco Sarto- 'Focus' Wedge Sandal










All bracelets: http://www.nordstrom.com/

Let's Give the Boy a Hand ~ Proposal Planning!

OK fellas... no pressure, but this moment... the moment you get down on one knee and ask the girl you love to choose to spend the rest of her days on this earth next to you, is one of the most special moments in your entire life! This moment will be the story she will tell to every relative, friend, coworker, stranger she encounters for the following year and will one day share with her children and grandchildren... so the delivery is key!

Now you have made the decision to ask her, you have saved all your pennies and purchased the ring, but can we really expect you to knock her socks off all on your own?! Absolutely not - ask for help! Enlist friends, family, or hire an event planner to make this moment a story she will be proud to share with everyone in her life now and for years to come!

Here are some notes to get you going;
First, ask yourself what SHE would want. How does she like to spend her time, what is special to her that the two of you do together. Example - after dinner you always walk your dog together... idea, have your normal dinner at home and take your dog for its regular walk - but as you walk past a grassy spot you have passed a million times have a blanket and candles set up with dessert. A romantic unexpected twist and the perfect way to pop the question.

Second, is your future fiance the kind of girl who likes a big to-do? Will she want to share her excitement with all of your friends and family immediately following or would she rather celebrate just the two of you? If she happens to fall into the social butterfly category here is another thought, after you have cleverly popped the question and she has accepted, bring her to another location and surprising her with family and friends. If she has a family member or friend that she is very close to, think about flying them in to be part of the celebration!

And a final thought, travel... does she have a favorite vacation get-a-way? A place the two of you visit every year? Or a place she has always wanted to go? Surprise is key to any proposal, so an annual vacation is perfect! It keeps any suspicion at bay, but if you were to plan a spontaneous trip I would recommend keeping it a complete surprise! This would take a lot of pre-planning and I would strongly recommend enlisting help. Keep in mind that where ever you choose to propose will become a special place for your family that you will visit for years to come!

Some don'ts...
A) Don't propose before or during someone else's wedding!
B) Don't ask without a ring... or something to seal the deal!
C) Don't propose at a sporting event... unless your future wife is a huge fan and it has played a big part in your relationship!
D) Don't propose to "fix" a damaged relationship!
E) And don't think you have to do this on your own!

My story...
On November 11, 2009 my boyfriend asked me to have a dinner date with him, we had both been very busy with work and unable to find free time to spend together. When he picked me up he told me that his coworker had told him about some jazz festival in Wash Park and he wanted to check it out. This seemed incredibly odd to me, he wasn't one to spontaneously seek out a jazz festival but I went with it. As we walked around the park, it was beautiful. The sun was setting, all the leaves were bright orange and yellow. We were walking around one of the lakes and he said, "I have to ask you something"... as I turned to look at him, he was down on one knee! It is a blur from there, but I believe there was a scream and a "Yes!". After that he took me to dinner at the Cherry Creek Grill where I proceeded to call everyone and scream the news even though the menu politely demanded no cell phones in the dining room. I noticed that as I called my friends they were all excited but very short with me on the phone, specifically my little brother. After dinner we went back to our apartment, as I walked in I was shocked to see all of our friends and my brother in our apartment filled with roses candles, cheese, and wine! We spent the night celebrating and talking about the future. It was the perfect night specifically designed for the person I am and the couple we are!

I have heard some amazing proposal stories... if you feel like reminiscing, share yours!!