2nd Build-a-Wedding

Build-a-Wedding Part 1

During this private events, guests were able to:

(1) do a make-up trial session by any of the 3 certified make-up artists,
(2) after the brides have been beautified, the couples will have a brief photography session,
(3) have a chance to do free consultations with various vendors, such as florist, videographer, day-of coordinators, wedding dance professionals, and more,
(4) do cake tasting provided by a specialty cake vendor,
(5) enjoy your time with music, wine and hors d'oeuvres in the beautiful outdoor terrace and,
(6) take small gifts provided by our vendors.

A successful event!!

Upcoming Build-a-Wedding events:

Thursday, June 25 @ 6:30-9:30 pm
Wednesday, July 22 @ 6:30-9:30 pm

Please contact lucia @ lucia@twoteacups.com if you'd like to receive more info on these events!
TWO TEACUPS

Plan a Wedding For Under $10K

With the economy in flux, spending a fortune on a wedding becomes even more impractical than ever. The Knot's editors demonstrate how a lovely ceremony with family and friends can come in at less than $10,000. By Anja Winikka

Sure, the average US wedding will run about $27,000, but that didn't stop us from devising a wedding plan for a $10K wedding budget. From homemade cookie wedding favors to reception vases from IKEA, here's how to get a stylish 100-guest wedding for under $10K.
Stationery: $400Ways to save: You could go the DIY route, but do a quick online stationery search and you'll find countless designers and other small online stationery companies that are completely affordable, well-designed, and well worth the time you'll save on not having to worry about printing your own.What we found: An offset-printed invite and reply card suite on Minted.com that costs $338 (for 75 sets, assuming there are some couples). The price even includes free return address printing on the back of each envelope. Figure in a little more for shipping and postage and you're still under $400.

Ceremony: $65Ways to save: If you have a place of worship, then you're all set. If not, plan a short and sweet ceremony in a nearby park. Have your guests stand in a semicircle while you exchange vows and let the surroundings act as your decor. (Just make sure that in the case of rain, you'd be able to use your reception space.) Go to the county clerk's office for your marriage license and have a friend officiate your ceremony.What we found: A park permit for Central Park in New York City costs just $25. Get your marriage license from the county clerk's office for around $40, and have a loved one ordained online for free at TheMonastery.org.

Ceremony Flowers: $150Ways to save: Find an a la carte florist to make a bridal bouquet, and then go online and order fans or parasols for your bridesmaids to carry in lieu of flowers. Skip the boutonnieres for the guys or coordinate their boutonnieres with the surroundings -- like small knotted nautical ropes pinned to their lapels for a seaside wedding or custom-made buttons that reflect their personalities (think photos of favorite albums, movies, and hobbies).What we found: Two colorful parasols on PearlRiver.com for $29, custom-designed buttons at PureButtons.com for $22, and a florist in Boulder, Colorado, who would make us a gorgeous in-season floral bridal bouquet for $70. Add tax and shipping for a total that comes in under $150.

Photography: $500Ways to save: Find a photographer who offers a la carte services so that you don't have to pay for extras like editing, re-touching, and photo albums.What we found: A Manhattan wedding photographer who's running a "recession special" wedding photography package which includes four hours of shooting for $500.

Attire: $400Ways to save: Check out nontraditional bridal lines like the ones at J.Crew and Target, shop sample sales, and browse off-the-rack dresses at department stores. Another option: Find a bridesmaid dress that you like and get it in white. The groom could wear his favorite suit and then buy a new shirt for the occasion.What we found: A dress at JCrew.com for $295, white Lela Rose shoes at Payless.com for $25, and a crisp white shirt for him that costs $45 at a department store. With tax and shipping, everything comes to around $400.

Hair & Makeup: $160Ways to save: Find a salon that does both hair and makeup. Instead of having your hair completely styled by a pro, just get it blow-dried for half the cost. You'll get the same fresh-from-the-salon style without the price tag. Then have your makeup done professionally.What we found: A salon in Santa Monica, California, that does blow-dries for $40 and makeup for $80. Figure in the tip and tax and you're at about $160. Not too shabby.

Videography: $300Ways to save: Don't skip the video entirely -- find a videographer to give you a deal on a daytime ceremony-only package. Or enlist a friend to set up a camera on a tripod in the back of the ceremony venue.What we found: A videographer in Atlanta who would shoot a daytime wedding ceremony and provide just the raw footage (without edits) for $300.

Reception: $6,500Ways to save: Skip the popular Saturday night and book a lunch, brunch, or light cocktail reception. Caterers and reception sites alike will be much more willing to work within your budget. Also be sure to look for all-inclusive pricing that figures in the cost of the bar, taxes, and service charges so that you don't get stuck with unforeseen fees.What we found: A trendy New York City restaurant that would cater a three-course wedding lunch with beer, wine, and soft drinks for $65 per person including taxes and service charges on a Saturday afternoon.

Reception Decor Materials: $325Ways to save: Buy your flowers in bulk online and ask a trusted friend to put your arrangements together for you. Cluster glass vases (bought at discount stores) or colorful jars and vases (that you've collected) on your tables instead.What we found: A mix of in-season flowers, including lilies, tulips, irises, and freesia, online at FiftyFlowers.com for $140. Small glass vases from IKEA are about $4 each. Place them in threes on each table for a total of $120 (assuming 10 tables of 10). Figure in a little more for taxes and shipping and you're under $325.

Reception Music: $500Ways to save: Find two-for-one package deals. For example, some DJs offer packages that include both the ceremony and reception. If you want live music, split the difference. Hire musicians to play for the ceremony and cocktail hour and then set up an iPod with dance music for the reception.What we found: A guitarist and singer duo on Craigslist.com who would play for $500 for four hours. (Just be sure to listen to their sound samples before you sign any checks.)

Wedding Cake: $225Ways to save: Scale down the size of your cake. Order a simple layer cake from a local bakery for your cake cutting. Then serve up assorted cupcakes, mini tarts, cookies, or even petits fours in your color of choice and have them passed or set up on a buffet-style dessert table after dinner.What we found: A New York City bakery with cupcakes at $18 per dozen and a 7" chocolate double layer cake for $25 for a total of $205 assuming you get 10 dozen. Have the cakes picked up on the day-of to skip delivery charges and you come in at less than $225 for cake!

Transportation: $4 Ways to save: Sweet-talk your friend with a nice car and ask them if you can borrow it for the day. Live in a big city? Hire a pedicab or jump on the subway for cute photo-ops and inexpensive transit.What we found: Subway passes for two in New York City for $2 each.

Favors: $20Ways to save: Go the homemade route here. Enlist your aunt or grandmother who's offered to help with the planning to bake her famous snickerdoodle cookies. Have the treats displayed on a small table next to the cake or near the exit and lay out small paper bags.What we found: 100 small clear favor bags on TheKnot.com wedding shop for $15.

Grand Total: $9,549!

Source: the knot

Private Event: "Build-a-Wedding"

Date: May28th, 2009 7pm - 9pm
Location: Midtown in NYC

Two Teacups is organizing private events for brides/grooms who are still in search for vendors...

During this event, brides/grooms will be able to:
(1) do a make-up trial session by certified make-up artists,
(2) after the brides have been beautified, the couples will have a brief photography session,
(3) have a chance to do free consultations with various vendors, such as florist, calligrapher, videographer, day-of coordinators, wedding dance professionals, and more,
(4) do cake tasting provided by a specialty cake vendor,
(5) enjoy your time with music, wine and hors d'oeuvres in the beautiful outdoor terrace and,
(6) take small gifts provided by our vendors.

Details bride/groom needs to know:
- The entrance fee to this event is $5 per person which will be collected at the door.
- You may invite your maid-of-honors (bridesmaids, mothers, future mothers-in-laws, etc) to join the make-up trials and photography sessions.
- Attendance of BOTH bride and groom is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for the photography session.
- This event will be limited to 12 brides/grooms, SO PLEASE RSVP is required.

If you are interested in attending this private event, please email Lucia at lucia@twoteacups.com.

SPONSORS: (**UPDATED)
Make-up artists by Sunny and Irene (www.irenekimmakeup.com)
Photography by Tae Photography, Inc (www.taephotography.net)
Videography by Edisonian Studios (www.edisonianstudios.com)
Florist by Petite Petals (www.petitenyc.com)
Dance Professionals by NY Wedding Dance (www.nyweddingdance.com)
Calligraphy by Calligraphy by Ilene (www.calligraphybyilene.com)
Cakes by Silk Cakes (www.silkcakes.com)
Day-of coordinators by Two Teacups (www.twoteacups.com)

Please visit our website to find out about our services!

www.twoteacups.com

Or contact us directly at:
E. info@twoteacups.com
T. 551.265. 5474

Summer Makeup Tips for Brides

To look your best on the most important day of your life, you want to make sure everything is perfect, including your makeup. Remember that while the guests will enjoy the entire occasion, you will be the one that has the spotlight. Therefore, you need to look magnificently beautiful. To accomplish this, you can do just a few things so you look natural and refreshed.

Foundation

There are many types of foundation available liquid, cream, dual finished compact formulas and tinted moisturizer. Foundation should always match your skin tone exactly. Yellow-based foundations work best on most skin types, because they neutralize any pink or red undertones and result in a clearer complexion. Avoid pink-based foundations, which often end up looking too, well, pink on the skin.

- First if your skin is oily, clean it and use an oil free moisturizer. But if it’s too oily avoid the moisturizer and just dab a little eye lotion under your eye. If your skin is dry, moisturize it.

- After applying the moisturizer use a foundation, which is an anti-shine product.

- If you have any blemishes or spots on your skin use a spot concealer, which will stay longer. Use it under the eyes, around corners of your nose, and wherever you have blemishes.

- If your skin is oily apply an oil-free foundation.

- After you’ve applied your liquid foundation, use power with a small brush.

Eye Makeup

Eyes make up is very important to complete the look .For some women the eyes make up lasts for hours and some fades in minutes.

- Using a concealed brush, apply concealed all over your lid, from lash line to brow. If your lids are extra oily apply a mortifying product first, then put your concealer on top. Finish it of with a dusting powder.

- Since its summer time use neutral tones when it comes to eyeshadows. Stay away from creamy formulas.

- As for liners, liquid liner stays longer.

- Also you can take a cake liner and mix it with an eyeliner-sealing product. After applying the liner, just put some of the sealer on your liner brush, then re trace the line, which you have made earlier.

- Since its your wedding day, and in case tears of joy flow use waterproof mascara to be on the safe side.

source: www.knotforlife.com

Bachelorette Party Invitations - Etiquette

When should the invitations go out?

The bachelorette party invitations should go out at least one to two months prior to the party. The rule of thumb is that if you are going out of town for the party, give the girls at least 2 months to prepare for the trip, especially if they have a significant other or kids. I have heard and have received bachelorette party invitations sometimes 3 months in advance, especially if it is in Vegas since the rooms sell out so fast.

If the party is in town, give the girls at least one month in advance to be told about the party. Girls may have children or big children (husbands/boyfriends) to make arrangements with to save the date.

Paying?

Get the money up-front! Just because you are planning the party does not mean you have to pay for the bachelorette party, even the bachelorette party invitations, by yourself! Copy this page and show other girls who think that they don't need to chip in that THEY DO! You are doing your part in planning the party and each girl should chip in some money. It would be great to add up the possible expenses, including everyone paying for the bachelorette (who should not pay for anything). Give each girl the amount you need and state that they need to pay in advance or when they show up! There are so many occasions when girls may say "well I don't have the money", "I will pay you later", "I forgot my wallet but I promise to send it to you". Most likely you will not get money from them and so it is important so you can have a good time that you don't have to think about the money so get it up front!

source: http://www.bachelorettepartyinvitations101.com